Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, May 7, 1876, Page 4

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1876—SIXTEEN PAGES. TERMS OF THE TRIBUNE. PATFS OF SUBSCEIPTION (PAYADLE IN ADVASCE) Postage Prepaid at this OOl Daily Bdition, postpaid, 1 year.. Partaof yearat 3afled to any addrees FOUT WEEKS for. #Sundxy Edition: Literary and Religious Double WERKLY XDITION, POSTPAID. One aT.. Ciobrol Ero.per capy. Club of twanty, per col “The postage is 15 Specimen copies sent fres. . To prevent dalay and mistakes, be sure and give Post- Office address in fall, including State and Connty. Remittances may bo made either by draft, express, ‘Post-Office order, or in registered letters, at our risk. TENMS TO CITY SUBSCEIBERS. Daily, delivered, Sunday ezcepted, 25 cents per week, 8 Gatly, delivered, Sunday included, 30 cents % weck. ‘Addross THE TRIBUNE COMPANY. Cozmer Madison and Dearborn-sts., AMUSEMENTS. TO-DAT. MCCORMICKE HALL—North Clark strest, corner of Rinrie, Lecture at 3 p. m. by Jobn Wentworth, Sub- lect : * What I Enow of Chicago.” ‘NEW CHICAGO THEATRE—Clark Bandolph and Lake. * Frou-Frow.” ADELPHI THEATRE—Dearborn atreet, cormer Monroa, Benefit of Leonsrd Grover. street, betwaen TO-MORIOW. HOOLEY’S THEATRE—Raudolph strest, botween Tiarkand LaSalle Engagement of the Fifth Avenus Zombination. * Pigue.™ MCVICKER'S THEATRE—Madison street, betwesn Dearborn_and Btate. Engsgement of the Aaggle Mitchell Compacy. * Fanchon,” NEW CHICAGO THEATRE—CIark strest, between Randolph and Lake. Hooley's Alinstrels, ADELYHI THEATRE—Morroe street, corner Dear- Sorn. Variety entertainment. ¢ Mazeppa.” ACCORMICK HALL—North Clark street, corner Kinrle, Grand Complimentary Concert 1o Miss Eato 2. Dougias, SOCIETY MEETINGS. ORIENTAL CONSISTORY, S.. P." R.~.8.-. 829, A, & A. & 8. R.—Special Assembly next Thursday even- ing, 2t 8 p. m., for work on the 3lst degree, “*Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander,” by Illustrious Brother Henry H. Fond, 33°. By order Gil W. Bur- pard, 830, Il Come'r-in-Chief. JAMES A. T. BIRD, 32°, Gr. 860’5, ATT#XTION, STR ENIGHTS !—Special Conclave of Chicago Commandery, No. 19, K. T.. Monday ovening, Blay 8, for work on K. C. Order. Visiting Sir Enights ~ourtsously invited. By order of the k. C. CHAS. J. TROWBRIDGE, Becorder. LAFAYETTE No.2, R.A.1L, Hall 73 Tlonroeat.—Stated Convocation 3onday evening, My 8, at 8 o'clock, for basiness and work. By order of the H.P. E, N. TUCKEE, Sec’y. The Ghiesgo Tribume. Bunday Mormng, May 7, 1876. WITH SUPPLEMENT. * Tho price of greenbacks at the New York Gold Exchange on Saturday ranged betwesn 837 and 882, The folly of fooling with the mules is ngain illustrated in the charges against Bris- row. Notsatisfied with tlse first kicking, the Democratic papers have printed another wersion of it. The members of the Treasu- ry Committee, howover, have notified Secre- 3ary Brmsrow that there is nothing in it of which he need take notice. Now that the mules are kicking again, the Confederate newspapers will receive little sympathy from 1he public, If they will fool with the mules, fhey must expect to get kicked. The trisls of J. D. Warp, PrEmre Waps- wortg, snd D. W. Muxx, for alleged com- plicity in revenue frauds commence next weck, and will probably not be ended befors The meeting of the Republican State Conven- Ton, which: place on the 24th inst. Asthe whole Whm"i?lsfing will find thelr energies absorbed in these trials one way and another, 1t is not likely that they will be at Spring- Held fighting Bristow on the 24th, unless they succeed in getting the trials postponed 1ill after the Convention, of which there is pot much probability. To have a Conven- Yion without their assistance will be some- thing of anovelty; but we think the State zan survive the deprivation. The Chicago produce markets were general- 1y quiet on Saturdny, opening firm and weak- ening afterwards. BMess pork advanced 20c per brl and closed tame, at $21.05 for June and $21.25 for July. Iard declined 5@74c per 100 Ds, closing at $12.40 for June and $12.55for July. Meats were steadier, at 7jc Tor boxed shoulders, 11¢ for do short ribs, and 11icfordoshort clears. Lake freights were dull, at 3}@3%c for wheat to Buffalo. High- wines were steady, at $1.07 per gallon. Flour was quiet and easy. Wheat closed 1}c lower, &t 973c for May and 994c for June. Corn closed 1o lower, at 45jc for May and 46¢ for July. Oats were firmar, closing at 304c for Msy and 30fc for June. Rye was quiet, at S1ic. Barley was firmer, closing &t 65¢ for May and 60c for June. Hogs were in light supply and 10c per 100 Ibs higher, at $7.00 @7.40. Cattle were firmer, at $4.25@5.30. Sheep were quiet and stronger. One hun- dred dollars in gold wonld buy $112.75 in greanbacks at the close. Mr. Vaxpererr is not again to be caught by the wily managers of the rival lines who betrayed him during the winter. His losses by resson of the failure of the other pool lines to keep faith are & just punishment for the selfishness which prompted him to enter into the compact for damaging the business of New York and Chicago. He succeeded in this to some extent, but he did it at the ex- penss of his own business, and he evidently «does not proposs sgamn to place himself in a position to be fleeced. This is the explana- tion of his refusal to accade to tho new terms proposed by Garrerr and Scorr. As far as the Grand Trunk Railway is concerned, it is to be hoped that its facilities for obtaining ‘business will be incressed instead of dimin- 3shed, for certainly the prospect of reward &ill prompt the building of a direct railway connection with Chicago outside of the Michi- gan Centrsl before the close of navigation. 'With this prospect ahead, the public canlook very placidly upon o railroad-war through the summer season, confident that the roads will not be able to recoup afterwards by any pool- Ing armangements, The grounds given by tke London Zimes, and which may be taken as reflecting the viewsg of the British Cabinet, for the refusal 1o surrender WinsLow under the extradition Lreaty, are easily stated. They are that under the treaty fugitives from justice are fo be extradited only in the specified cases, namely, for muxder, assault with intent to murder, piracy, robbery, forgery, and arson; and that, before the extradition can be made, evidence making out & prima facic case of guilt must ‘be submitted to the British authorities and rassed upon by them. The surrender of the person whose extradition is demanded, the Times claims, upbn all reasonable interpreta- tions of the treaty, is solely that he may be tried for that particular of- fense as to which the evidence is submitted to the British authorities, when the demand was made. The engagement of the treaty, peooeding to the Zimes' construction, extends no farther, and necessarily excludes the sur- render of any person to be tried upon any charge other than gpecified in the treaty, and the evidence of which has not been so laid before their authorities. Else, the Times urges, in any case, by making a charge with- in the treaty, a foreign Power counld get cus- tody of political refugees, and proceed to try and punish them for political offenses, and, in like manner, could make the treaty extend to cover any and every case included in it. Hence, the condition upon which WinsLow's extradition was offered was that he should be tried for no other offenss than that for which he should be surrendered. ———— All the vacant property on the line of Wa- bash avenue within the limits of the July fire of two years ago ought tobe improved during the present building season. There is no property in Chicago to-day that offers equal inducements for building. The small resi- dencesandapartment-honses that have alrendy been erected north of Twelfth street are prob- ably paying better on the investment than any other residence property in the city. The vacant lots can now bs bought at a valu- ation that warrants their use for residence property, and the nearness of the location to the business centre renders it so desirable that thero is no difficulty in renting them. In addition to all this, the indications are that the cost of building will be certainly as low s last season, and perhaps as much as 10 per cent lower, both for material and lsbor. In such case the interest of the owners of this ‘Wabash avenue property suggests its imme- dinte improvement. A class of houses may De erected with a view to ultimately convert- ing the lower story into stores, and can be made to pay as residences from the outset. If this space were filled in, it would be a wonderful improvement to the street and a great advantage to the city, as well as profit- able to the property-owners. The most terrific tornado that has visited this locality swept over the city yesterday af- ternoon, accompanied by a heavy rain-fall Roofs wera carried away like shavings, and or- namental cornice-work was collapsed like bub- bles, while the destruction of plate-glass was immense. No less than five buildings were usterly demolished, and one of the inmates killed and & number wounded. Two church-spires were leveled to the ground. While the storm was at its wildest fury, & building on the West Side was struck by lightning, and one of the inmates severely and others slightly injured, and throughout the city generally immense damage was done to buildings. No intelli- gence has yet reached us as to the storm on thé lakes, but it must have been terrible, and heavy loss of shipping and destruction of life i apprehended. Owing to the interruption of telegraphic communication with the west by reason of the wires being down, it is impossible, at this writing, to conjecture the range or extent of the storm. A Leav- enworth telegram states that it swept over that city at 8 o'clock yesterday morning. The damsge there was enormous, and the probabilities are that of the yast intervening stretch of country much has been awfully dasolated. THE MAYORALTY QUESTION. The Common Council will meet to-morrow night, and at once proceed to the execution of the duties, general and special, devolved upon them by the people. There is no longer any serious doubt as to the fact that the office of Mayor is vacant; and thet Corviy merely holds it by the tenure ‘¢ until his successor shall be elected and qualified” The only question mpon which there has been any difference of opin- jon is as to the legal mode of filling that vacancy. Nearly 40,000 citizens, believing that they had the right to fill the notorious vacancy in the office of Mayor, voted at the late regular election toso fill it. There would have been perhaps 10,000 others who would have voted for Mr. Hoxss had they not thought that perhaps the Council would have the right to elect such Mayor. The protest against Corvry, and the demand that he be ejected by the election of his successor, ‘was practically unanimous. The majority of the new Council were elected under direct ond imperative instructions from their con- stituents to see that thereisa Mayor pro- vided for the city, thereby terminating Cor- vIN's temporary and conditional incambency ; and on Monday night the Council will meet to carry out this instruction in & legal and proper manner. The late Com- mon Council, in disregard of the popular wish, refused to canvass the vote polled at the late election for Mayor. That duty, therefore, is one of the first to be performed by the new Council. Mr. Cownviy, holding thoe office until his successor is *‘ qualified,” must be recognized as Mayor until tho vote for his successor is canvassed, the result de- clared, and the Mayor-elect takes the oath of office. ‘Then, and thereafter, Mr. Corvmy will cease to be Mayor, and will no longer be recognized s such by the Common Council. The Council will meet to-morrow night with a full sense of the important and re- sponsible duties befors them. They will meet with a policy determined upon, and for- tified and sustained by the best legal opinion. Asto the fature government of the city, there need be no trouble as between the Council and Mr. Horse. If need be, the latter gentle- man, to promote harmony, concert of action, and unanimity among the friends of order, will be found willing to make any personal sacrifice or concession to accomplish the end sought of recovering the City Government from the usurpation under which it has fallen into such sad repute. The Council will therefore proceed deliberately and canvass the vote, and declare Hox~E elected ; the va- cancy baving thus been filled, Mr. Convin mast pass out of official recognition. The City Council is the legislature of the city. It has control over all the departments of the City Government. The concurrence of the Finance Committes is essential to the issue of any loans, bonds, or certificates. No Committes of the Council will recognize any paper issued or signed by Corvix as Mayor. The chiefs or heads of the varions departments will obey CorLvi¥ at their peril. The fact that the Acting Mayor does not feel inclined to surrender the perquisites and emoluments of the offices held by him and ‘his dependents, and that he will make a fight to retain the places, even against the unani- mous wish of the people, renders it necsssary that the Council shall be prepared to act with firmness and decision. Once begun, they must carry out their plan of action to the end, with no uncertain tone, hesitation, or faltering. . The people of the city have had quite re- cently a hand-to-hand contest with the whole ‘bummer and criminal class. There was nota dishonest officinl, or expectant official, not a thief, gambler, pimp, brothel-keeper, confi- | dence man, loafer, or ballot-box stufferin all Chicago who did not labar for Coxvas and to defent the popular will. In all Chicago thero gre not a thousand voters, except those be- longing to the criminal classes, who support Convix or his usurpation, or who do not in- sist on his displacement by any legal measures that can be devised. This is not a question of Republicanism or Democracy ; the protest against Corviy is not a party matter, but a public -one, in which the whole people of all parties gree. The present Common Council are he product of that conflict with and. victory over this criminal and bummer population who support CoLvix as their representative and leader. In the struggle with Corviy the Council must bear in mind that they are the repre- sentatives of, and are supported by, the ‘whole reputable population, and that Corvan is supported ' exclusively by the bummers and the pensioners upon the City Treasury. The people did all that was legally in their power at the late election, and to their dele- gated representatives, the Common Council, they look with confidence for a vigorous and unfaltering execntion of their duty to the city and to the public. The fact that such a conflictis possible is an illustration of the peculiar character of the Acting Mayor. He is without the least sensibility. He must be aware of the uni- versal want of respect and confidence on the part of the public, and of the equal universal desire that he should leave the office, and thus remove a reproach to the credit of the city. 'This public sentiment has been so freely and 60 frequently expressed in unmis- takable terms that it requires no ordinary degree of contempt for the opinion of his fel- low-men to brazenly hold on to anoffice after the expiration of the term for which he was clected. But Corviv seemingly caresnothing forpublicopinion. Haclingsto thesalary and perquisites of the place with a devotion that cannot be disturbed. He weighs tho pelf ebove public opinion and the respect of his fellow-citizens, and to retain it threatens war sgainst the people who have voted to eject him, and violence against their-chosen repre- sentatives. FIRE-IRBURANCE IN CHICAGO. The recent Convention of the National Board of Underwriters brings up the general question of fire-insurance in this city, which, ever since the conflagration of 1871, has ‘been one of the most costly incidents of do- ing business in Chicago. The most notable circumstance brought out by the late Con- vention was the difficulty the National Board (which seems reslly to dictate the policy and rates throughout the entire coun- try) had in disciplining the local agents of several cities. This is significant. It means simply that the rates which the com- panies are trying to enforce are too high; and, just as the agents of railroad companies do not keep faith when a pool is formed to establish an exorbitant tariff, so the insur- ance-men will cat under aud cheat one an- other. Many of the.companies seem o recognize this general fact, for the statement is made that, where their agents have been fined, they have paid the fines, and thereby given a tacit spproval of the practice of cutting rates. At the same time this prac- tice is sporadic and partial, and the general public is fleeced. The fact seems to be that the insurance companies controlled by the National Board have refused to recognize the fact that the general shrinkage in business and contraction in prices have necessitated a reduction in the interest earned by capital, and they have not yet accommodated them- sgelves to the new condition of things. So far as Chicago is concerned there is par- ticular ecause for complaint. The fact that this city suffered from one disastrous confla- gration, followed three years after by anoth- er which did not attain unusual dimensions, but occasioned a big scare, has been an ex- cuse for the maintenance of high rates, noto- riously disproportionate to the actual risk, and entirely ignoring the improved facilities for extinguishing fires and the precautions ageinst their spreading. All large cities have had exceptionslly large fires. London, New York, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, San Francisco, and more recently Boston, have suffered, each once in its history, from fires of such propor- tions as to arrest the attention of the world, antl seriously cripple their prosperity. But in every case such fires have appeared to assure immunity from a recurrence for a long time to come. This is not accidental, but the natural result of the increased precantions taken by every community after a costly ex- perience. Thus Chicago within five years has done more in the way of preventing fires than was ever done before by any community, large or small, inthesame length oftime. The water-supply is unequaled. With two large fire-proof water-works, located some 3 miles apart, and constructed like fire-vaults, there are engines with a pumping capacity of eighty millions of gallons in twenty-four hours. 1t is hardly possible, in the nature of things, that both these separate works could be de- stroyed at the same time, and just when needed for fire purposes; bat, if they were, the present system provides a largs tunnel running under the city, with a number of large reservoirs at intervals, from which, as well as from the river, the fire-engines could draw an ample supply. During the year 1875 thers were nearly 40 miles of new water-pipes laid inthe city, and the total amount of water-pipes, varying from 4 inches to 24 inches in diameter, now meas- ures nearly 400 miles. There has been a like increase in the number of hydrants and an enlargement in their size, many of them be- ing double hydrants. The paved streets of the city measure about 120 miles, affording easy roads for the rapid moving of the fire-machines from one part of the city to the other, and facilitating their quick concentration at any point where they are needed. The city limits have been also the fire limits, within which no house can be con- structed except of brick, stone, or iron, and in compliance with a building law which is now as thorongh s anyin the country, and as efficiently administered. ‘While the insurance companies are familiar with ol these facts, and must acknowledge that it would have been impossible in the same length of time to accomplish more than Chicago bas accomplished, and whils the number of fires and amount of property de- stroyed have been less probsbly than any other city in proportion to size and values, there has been no disposition to reduce rates in keeping with these facts. All reductions that have been made were simply from the exorbitant rates established some years ago, and not on a basisof the present contraction of business, reduction in all profits, and im- proved condition of the city. It is estimated f.h_nt the amount which Chicago pays for insurance. annually is equal to the taxation for all purposes, or more than five millions every year; yet the losses have decreased to lef! than half & million & year. The compa- nies cannot hopo to keep ip their rates with such o0dds in their favor,—running as they do from } to 3 per cent. We saw & statement of insurance rates in certain parts of Europe re- cently which placed residences at about $1 for every $1,000 of insurance; the lowest rates in Chicago are five to ten times as much. The people cannot endure this sort of thing very long. Chicago is beginning to have sur- plus capital, and it will pay to do o larger part of its own insurance than it bas dono at. any time since the fire. It cannot afford to Iet the insurance companies take away profits of two or three millions annuslly; and, un- Iess there shall be a decided reduction in favor of Chicago, the Board Companies will be the losers in the end by the loss of their busi- ness. —_——— THE FBENCH EDUCATIONAL BILL. Wo have already commented at some length upon the general fact that the Repub- lican majority in the French Assembly would speedily make a vigorous move in the direc- tion of - elementary education, the purpose of which is to overcome the concentration of the governing power in Paris, and atthe same time check the influence of the Church by disseminating educationamong theignorant peasantry of the rural districts, a vast major- ity of whom can neither resd nor write, and are in & condition of besotted ignorance, which makes them the easy dupes of the priests. Late European papers bring the de- tails of the bill which M. WADDINGTON, the Minister of Pablic Instruction (and an English- born Protestant), has drafted and introduced in the Chamber. The first clause of tho bill definos elementary education as * gratuitous, compulsory, and secular.” The second pro- vides that every child over 7 years of age shall be bound, under the responsibility of his parents or guardians, to at- tend the elementary schools until the age of 15, The third directs teachers to fur- nish a list of their scholars every month to the Mayors of the Communes, and suthorizes the Mayors to punish delinquents. The fourth fixes the penalties. The-maximum of fine is 500 francs, and a father may be de- prived of his civil rights for three years. The fifth provides for certain conditions of ab- sence at 8 certain time in the year; and the sixth for a periodical visitation of the schools by the inspector and doctor. The seventh asserts that the father or guardian shall be unmolested if his children are on the rolls of any other school than that of their legal residence. The eighth provides for the maintenancs of the schools, and fixes the minimum salary of teachers at 1,200 francs a year, including lodgings, a garden, fuel, and lighting, which is a better salary than teachers, as an aversge, command in this country. The ninth aims a blow at the Church by forbidding masters or mistresses to belong to any religious ordw. The tenth is a very indefinite clause. It reads: ‘“Trom the age of 10 the pupils of both sexes shall assiduously receive general notions on the existence of God, the immortality of the soul, on morals, and on the organic principles of a Republi- can Government.” It is hardly asserting too much to state that the last clause of the bill will be very unpopular among many Re- publicans, especially the Radicals, notwith- stinding the fact that the teaching of *‘ gen- eral notions of God” is very Frenchy, since it is the tendency of Freach legislators not only to oppose general notions of God, but to oppose the existence of any God at all. This, howerer, is only an incident of the bill, and not essential to it, in its relations to educa- tion. Itisa very sweeping and radical meas- ure, and will require considerable expense in organizing the schools under its provisions, and considerable time to put the experiment into successful practice ; but it can hardly be doubted that it will pass the Assembly. Under this bill for securing elementary edu- cation, with the additional bill for academical education and the conferring of University degrees by the State alone, which secures the control of all the professions, France will have taken a long step forward in rescuing her people outside the limits of Paris from the thralldom of ignorance and the crafty designs of the Ultramontane clericals. THE CHALDAIC GENESIS, Our readers will remember that some time since we reprinted from the London Zele- graph an article giving tho substance of the inscriptions upon the Assyrisn tablets de- ciphered by Geonce SioTm, of the Depart- ment of Oriental Antiquities, British Museum, accompanying it with an article setting forth the age of the tablets and the probability that the Jewish account of the Creation was bor- rowed from them. To thisa clerical corre- spondent replied, contending that when the Jews were carried to Babylon into captivity theyimparted their theology to the Assyrians, and that these tablets in reality contain but an imperfect record of tho Jewish narratives of the origin of the world and of mankind. Since that time, however, Mr. Siure has published his work, ‘ The Chaldean Account of Genesis,” which sheds some additional light upon the question in controversy. Alr. Sarte shows very conclusively that these tablets are independent of the Jewish records, although both come from the same original sources, dating back to the time near the flood. AssurBaNreav, King of Assyris, known among the Greeks 88 SARDANAPALUS, who reigned at Nineveh about B. C. 673, ap- pears to have been an enthusiastic book-col- lector, the books of that day being burnt earthen tablets, upon which was written or stamped the ancient lore of the Valleys of the Euphratesand Tigris. His librarians and scribes compiled these tablets, upon imper- ishable clay, from the old records in these valleys, and made up for SarpaNae- aLvs o complete historical Iibrary, hav- ing rewritten the records, and some- times giving two or three different versions of the same events. So far from these tab- Iets being more recent than the Judaic ac- counts, nsnally attributed to Moszs, but which Bishop Corexso attributes to Saarver, there is intrinsic evidence to show that the original records date back to the time of Anmamaw, who came from Ur to the Euphrates Valley sixteen centuries before the time of Simrpa- NaPALUS, and, as Mr. SswuTa says, “ The patriarch might have consulted some of them in his native town before he departed.” ‘While there is no evidence to show that the Judaic records were copied from the Chaldaic, or vice tersa, and much evidence to show that the Chaldaio are the older, a comparison of the details of the two indicates most unmis- takably that they came from the same sourcs, and that source is referred back to the time of the flood, which appears to have inundated the Valleys of the Euphrates and Tigris, and was naturally enough at that time supposed to have deluged the whole world. The com- parison shows 8 remarkable coincidence in the two accounts of the Creation, ' although the Chaldaic is less severe aund vigorous in its theological aspect, and at the same time more amplified in detail than the Judsic. The general sequence of the creative work is the same in each and the length of the creative periods,—the cld notion that theso creative periods were literal days ‘being now rejected by most intelligent peo- ple. There isa difference between the two in the fact that the Chaldaic account intro- duces subordinate gods like Tiamat, the pro- ducing ses-mother, Lahama, Kisar, and Anu. This distinction, however, is one with o dif- ference. Tiamat, with the Hebrows, is the primeval Deep of Genesis; Lahama, the spirit of God moving on the face of the deep ; Kisar, the firmament; and Anu, the personification of the heavenly orbs. The real difference, therefore, is, 2s Swuth says, that * The Assyrians worshiped as subordi- nate gods powers which the Hebrew record either identifies with the Creator himself or relegates to the domnin of created things. There are, however, two important differ- ences which cannot be reconciled. Tho Chaldaic record gives precedence to the crea- tion of the moon over the sun on the fourth creative day, in which it agrees with Turan- ian and ancient American traditions, and with certain Babylonian teblets. The sec- ond difference—nnd a very essential one—is that the Cheldaic genesis recognizes two spirits, good and evil, er God and Devil, war- ring ogainst each other,—the old Man- ichean belief which Mton so fully ex- pands in “Paradise Lost,"—while the Judaic record recognized the good spirit,. or God, slone. The Jewish record did not recognize the Devil until s late period in their history,—not long befora or about the time of the Christian cra. These very differences, however, antagonize the theory that the Chaldean genesis is directly derived from the Hebrew, or the Hebrew from the Chaldean ; while the remarkable resemblances go to show that a common source lies back of both, and that one has followed the other with changes similar to those which occur in languages following each other. . 'Thero is one highly important result grow- ing out of thddiscovery of these tablets. If they are authentic, then the question of the origin of the ancicnt mythologies is removed from the domain of faney into that of his- torical fact. That they ara authentic seoms entirely probable from their confirmation of the Biblical accounts of Creation, and from their coincidence with the legends of other nations, and especially with the traditions of the Indian tribes. Upon this point a writer in the Tnternational Review says : Noone can_bellave that the scribe who reduced to writing the Popul Vub, the sacred book of the ancient Quiches of Central America, had access to the tableta recently deciphered by Ar, Syrrm, yet he has the same order and sequence of Creation, and the same idess of cosmalogical gods, and of the introduction of man upon the earth, Let any one road, in the curions work of Brasseun pE BOURBOURG, or in the third volumo of BANCROFY's * Native Races of the Pacific States,” the Quiche genesiz, and he cannot doubt that theso Americans, who may have left the primitive seats of man perhaps sa early as N1iz0D's reign, car- ried with them the same tradilions which the scribes of AssURDANTRAL found on the sacred tablets of the old Chaldean temples. S0 old and untversal are the ‘Deliefs of mankind as to the origin of the world. It bas been customary to throw doubt on the American traditions of the Creation and Deluge, 38 probadly in part borrowed from Christian sources; but their rela- tionship to the old Chaldean theogony and cosmogony is 80 striking that it seems meccasary to regard thess traditions a8 3 common inheritance of tha great Ta- ranian race on both Continents. The whole subject is one of fascinating in- terest, to which justice cannot be done in the limits of a newspaper article. It is evident, however, that Mr. Syarr is working awzy at the very foundations of the history of the race. He has hardly yet reached below the surface, for the Creation and Deluge tablets which he hes discovered and deciphered are” only a small part of the whole number. Rich tressures still lie buried in the ruins of the King's palace which his industry and enthusi- asm may bring to light, thus completing these records which lie at the very foundation of our origin and of our religious beliefs. The Board of County Commissioners are preparing to rush the bids for the entire stone-cutting for the county part of the Court-House, even before thero has been o final and authoritative agreement between city and county as to the plan. These bids will be on the plan contemplating a dome be- tween the city and county portions, which will cost from $3500,000 to $750,000, and which public sentiment demands shall not be built. We can onlyaccount for this haste on the part of the County Commission- ers because they hope to make such prog- ress in their own plans that they can refuse for this reason to accept the offer of Messrs. BorrxaroNandothers to build the Court-House for from one to two millions of dollars less than they propose to expend. It is admitted by the County Commissioners who have seen the Bormverox plans that they are well adapted to the needs of both city and county, that they ave sufficiently ornamental, and that they contemplate a massive, substantial, and handsome building. Nothing has been done as yet which prevents the acceptance of the BorrvaTox offer to erect such & building for $2,100,000 (for which & perfect guarantee will be given), since the same foundations for which the contract has been made may be used. The County Commissioners should act .openly on this offer before they proceed any farther, that the people msy know whether or not they intend to put an unnecessary bur- den of amillion and a half or two millions of dollars upon them. Ttissignificantlyrecalled, inconnection withths recent steady decline in the Bonanza minbshares, that Senator JoNES, of Nevada, who is a practi- cal mining superintendont, and probably knows s8 much about the Comstock Lode a3 apy man living, took occasion to say, in his recent speech in the Seonate, that it was easy to “* plainly fore- noe the early exhanstion ™ of the entire Com- stock Lode mines. Senator JoNes added, with relation to these mines, including, of courss, the Bonanzs, that already had the beginning of the end of the Comstock Lode deposic of pro- cions metals been raached. Equally suggestive is it that the lode itgelf is but 4 miles in leogth and but from 400 to 800 feet wide, and has been worked for nearly a quarter of a century, until, save the Bonanza mines, not oneof the others now worked is paying expenses. There is sn end to all things, and, as to silver mines worked 8o industriously as have been those of the Com~ gtock, it hae seldom been so long deferred. This apprehension it is, as much as anythiog ev- idently, to which may be atiributed the depres- sion in Bonanza shares. —_— The law's delays, ol which DickExs gave such agrim satire in ** Bleak House,” seem to have been scarce perceptibly ameliorated by all the new practice acts passed by Parliament to ren- der the speedy adminiatration of justice practi- cable. Among the instances that have lately come to light of barbarous hardships imposed by the law upon innocent parties is the case of & girl in Gloucestershire, sged buv 16, who by some local Dogberry was committed to jail on a charge of arsom, the only proof against ber be- ing that she had given the alarm of fire in time to save the burning building ; and that, without hesitation, she'told of having carelessly dropped a match that might bave caused the flames. In jnil she was locked up in solitary confine: ment, 1 & damp, filthy cell, awaiting trial, and, ss their Lordships the Justices con- cluded to taks = vacation, was held there six months on meanest prison fare, uatil they wero pleased $0 give her & txial, when, of course, cho was straightway scquitted. Then the poor child was turned loose with the prison taint upon her, to be refused employment be- cause she was a jail-bird, end, unless the fates be merciful, to siok to the lowest depths. Her case, it appears, is notan exceptional one. Peo- ple sent to jail without any zeal evidence againat thom, and on mere suspicion, is sppears, &t Newgate, and in the other prisons generally, are treated precisely as convicis. There is no means of brioging them to speedy trial; sod thera they are kopt for months, suffering most disgraceful and ignominious punishment, be- cause of the absurdities of the law, or awaiting the pleasure of Judgos who want & vacation. On Monday evening next s youog and prom- imng singer of this city, Miss Kate PERCY Dovuoras, will be tendered a complimentary con- cert at McCormick Hall, upon which cccasion the debutante will be assisted by some of our best homae talent in & programme of exceptional excollenco. The occasion will be ons of more than ordinary iotereat. Chicago has already furnished the operatic world with one prima donns, Miss Brancns TuckERm, who has made her debnt with success in London. Monday night may"determine the possibilities of anoth- er. At least the friends of this young singer have sufficient faith in such a possibility to work for her and prepara the way for her so that she may have the advantages of study. To this cod the concert ia given her, and, as the whole musical publie will, without regard to any poast- bilities whatever, reccive a handsoms equivalent {for their money, she ought to mest with a most cordial and enthusiastic patronzge. Young singers who have industry, ambition, and con- scientions determination deserve to be encour- aged, and to this class Mies Dovcras belongs. We bespoak for ber, therefore, & crowded house and a hearty welcome. e e The musical season has virtuslly closed, and in & blaze of glory, with somo very notable con- certs by Vox Burow, who represents the clas- sical, and GiruoRe, who represests the ponular, in music. Vo~ Borow has delighted a chosen | coterie of musical people, who will long remsm- ber his masterly recitals, and GILAORE has de- lighted the masses with his splondid band, which, a5 a military band, certaioly has no equal in this country.’ Both these men havo been doing & great work in musical education, and both are masters in their way. Itbasbesna little unfortnnate for Vox BuLow, however, that be Las had to contend for patronzge with a great popular celebration, with GiLuone at ita head, but he can console himself with the reflec- tion that he has done better here than he would elsewhere with the same obataclo in bis way. With these concerts our season 18 neatly alan end, and, althongh it has not been as notable as some others, it at least has been fairly remuner- ative. G A report has recently been made by M. D2 FovrLre, & French statistician, which contains some interesting facts relative to women's wages in France. Inthe chief towns the wages of workwomen rose from 1 franc 7 ceutimes in 1838 to 1f. 5lc. in 3872, or sbout one-half the wages earned by men. The artificial flower- makers received the highest wages, amounting to 1f. 78c. Ths lace-makers come next, but thie milliners only receive 1f. 37c. The wages of women in Paris sre much higher than in the provincial towns. Out of 106,000 workwomen in that city, 73 earn botween 7 and 10 franecs per day, and 694 between 43¢ and 6f. ; bat, side by side with these highly-paid women, 6,505 earn only a franc per day, 2,429 earn 75 contimes, and 1,176 only balf a frapc. In the grest factories women get higher wages. In the cotton factories women receive from 1f. 30c. to 2f. for ten hours’ work, and in the woolen factorios from 1. 50c. to 2. 30c. e s e Few things are better calculated to givean adequate conception of what a world in and of itself London is than the fact that during the past season it hag regularly austained two opera- houses with fall companies, and @eventeen reg- ular theatres, besides the usual assoriment of minor piaces of amusement. The latest issue of the London Times at hand discloses what an immense public it must be that can sustain Avrpast, with a fall operatic company, at one houss, Nitssox, also with a fall company, at another, and at the theatres simultaneously Rossl, 4o JEFFERSON, IRVING, BUCESTONE, and & dozen more great siars, any ono of whom with one of the operatic companies would spoil the business of the other houses at Now York, whils in no other city in this country could bothan opera compsuy and such a star as Rossior Invxa contemporaneously do a paying business. Tally another whitewash for Cavrrrerp. The Whisky-Riog, through the Taieves' Organ Bu- rean in Washington, having notified CAULFIELD of sundry charges ogainst BLUFORD WILSON, CAULFIELD cummenced an investigation, and in an incredibly short space of time succeeded in showing, first, that all the charges were false; Becond, that the chief witness was already under indictment ; and, lastly, that formal propositions bad been made by detectives in the employ of the Whisky-Ring to furnish s case against Wi~ 80N for o consideration. This was s pretty good day’s work for BARNEY. i PER3ONAL. Bothern says helivesin an ‘‘atmosphers of laughter.” Sometimes he gots intoxicated in it. Cardinal McCloskey is in retirement at Beton Hall College, Sonth Orange, N. J., in conse- quence of ili-bealth. . No one is permitted to visit bim. The Premior Baronet of England, Sir Henry DBac kett Bacon, attained his majority on Good Friday last. The Baronetcy of Bacon dates back to 1611. Mr. Edwin U. Cashman, of St. Louis, to whom Miss Cashman appears to have loft the balk of her fortune, is Vice-President and an active member of the Missouri Furnace Company, an oxtenaive iron interest. The New York Tribune has opened on the Cen- tennial grounds st Philadelphia an office for the use of correspondents and for the reception of’ subscriptions and advertisements. It is in & small building erected for the purpose. Bignor Rossi appearad 1n *King Lear " before 2 London audience May 38, and his rendition of the title role was very favorably regarded. His Hamlet wasalmost acomplete failure,—too robus- tuous and periwig-pated,—ana little was expect- ed from him in his other parts, The High-School graduating clsss of this year in Adrian, Mich., will go their graduatiog exer- cises in calico,—that is, the girls of the class will do so.” Thia takes away one great drawback to graduation,—the expense of a dress herstofore considered suitable for the occasion. In the fancy-coach lines which have been es- tablished m New York the customs of the En-* lish people are rigidly observed. The guests aro expected to fee both guard and coschman, and, though both aigoataries may happen to be gentlemen, they do not hesitate to accept gratui- ties. *‘Where's the bar ¢ aszed s dirty and rather boozy-looking stranger of the bell-boy of a hotel the other -dsy. ** What kind of a bar?” ask- ed the latter. *“Why a saloon-bar, of conrse; what do you supposo I mean 2" ** Well,” drawl- cd the boy, *Ididn't know but you might mean bar of soap.” A prigoner in the Marshalltown jail recently nt_temuted to commit saicide by eating pounded window-glass. It gave him severe paius in the atomach, but the doctor fused with him and had him all right pretty quick. Had he died, they should have written over his grave, ‘‘ Peace to his sashes.”—Burlington Hawkeye. President John Bascom, L.L, D., of the Uni- versity of Wisconsin, Madison, delivers the an- nual address before the Chicsgo Theological Seminary at the Union Park Congregational Church Tuesday, May 9, at 80'clock p. m. His rreat distinction a8 Professor for many years in Williams College should make his coming a matter of unnsual interest to the graduates of W illiams and of other colleges. His 22 & wniter and speaker on subjects political, eal thetic, and peychological, as wall as raligions, sbionld secure for him one ef the largest sudi - ences. Helisn't 6 years old, and hs said: ¢ Pleags, sister Sarah, ean’t I have anothsr pisca of that nice custard-pte you made?” Why, deary, yog are too full for utterance now ; look at that Ing. cions dumpling oa your plate ot half eaten™ * Oh, well, sister, I know the dumpling sideor - my stomach is fall, but the custard-pia eide fealy rather empty yet.” Mr. J. C. Tomple, an enthusiastic citizan of Jasper County, Missouri, left his homs on fool with & wheelbarrow full of precions lead an3d iron ore, March 1, for the prrpose of ‘exhibitipg himself at the Centennial Exposition. Hehay aiready accomplished half the distance to Phils- delphis, and says that in his lexicon thers is ne such word 2a fail. The city suthorities of Baltimors recently caused the presentment of four fashionable socia- ble clubs for eelling liquor on Bundays. The Judge held that the clubs- had violated no law, inas. * much 88 it wasnot s business inducemedt, bn( rather a withdrawal from business pursaits, thag 1sd to the use of liquorson Sundsys st thesq places of sooisl entertainment. There i 8 & rumor that Mr. George Washington Childs, A. M., ot Philadelphis, is to be made successor to Gen. Schenck as' Miniater to En. gland. But it soems scarcely possible that Mr, Childs can be spared from home in thess excit. ing times, and thew, too, he is a respectabl man, which would probably diaqualify him fron serving, in the apinion of the Senate, Barney Williams bequeathed the bulk of hi property to his wife unconditionally. In cass of hor doath before his, the property wasta go to their only daughter ; aad in the ovent of ths death of both wife and daughier, the chiidren of his sisters were to inherit in equal part per. stirpes. As the matter now stands, Mra. Wille iams has the sole and abaolute dispasal of the ostate. Afrs. Paran Stevens is dispnting in the courts certaia provisions of her husbands will, which she considers arbitrary. A box at the New York Academy of Music 18 one of the points under- discassion, the executor having charged her for, the useof it since the death of Mr. Stevens. She was bequeathed $100,000, and the mcoms of. 1,000.000 for life. Her hardships, of courss, are frizhtfal to contemplate. The haodsome Rigaold’s benefit st Booth's Theatre, Now York, Thuraday afternoon was, in the pecupiery sense, most successful. Migy Sara Jowott made her first appearance inthe: pars of Juliet. and won general commendation, The potiop scene was pronoanced by at leasi: one critic **ahigh piece of tragic atk” Ol Mr. Rignold's Romeo the Worldsays: *He be- haved as wo should expect a young Italian patri-: cian to bebave undor such trying circumstances. But he left no impression of Romeo's individe-- ality or personality upon tho mind.” A Western lady who has been paying the milke * man 7 cents a quart all winter ventured to 1t mark the other day that now, as the grass had started, he could afford to sell it at 6. **Grass ! he exclaimed, as hs gave her a terrified -loak, « grass started! You ought to mes the eow I turned ont to graze last week! She walked 50 times around a 50-acre lot after ons mouthful ot graes, and, when she got-that, it was fallof nails, old bottles, and clothes-pins. She hx been under the doctor’s caro ever since, and if | lose her T'll heve to put up the price torll conts.” i Tho Washington correspandent of the Boston * Herald says that the next President, if he bt chosen from among the candidates now promi nent, is not likely to be a poor man. On tha B publican side Mr. Blsine is tho richest. Secre-’ tary Bristow and hia wife are worth a quarter ot amillion. Gov. Hayes is still better off. Sens- tor Conkling is believed to possess over $100,~ 000, while Senator Morton and Mr. Wheeler have aemaller fortune, Gov. Tilden, on the Demo- craticgide, is the wealthiest, he being put down. at $4,000,000 or £5,000.000. Judge Davis owns more than 81,000,000, and Benator Thurmsn bas alarge fortune. Senator Bayard is well-to-do while Gen. Hancock isin comfortable circum- stances. - Itis s notorious fact that Jay Gouldis just' now besring Western Union stock. In the New York Tribune finsncial article of the 4th inst., singalarly enough, the following appoars: **As it hes been frequently assérted by persons prominently connected with the Western Uniox Company that each reduction of rates inthe past has resulted in incressed businessand protits, it would seem to be the pari of wisdom to continue such reductions withont refersnce to what rivals may do, as the Company would by such course best serve the public, and mightl finally reach rates so low and remunerative st to enable it to resume dividends, which would please its stockholders also.” The fine irony ol these sentences will be perceived, but the irony of Jay Gould might bs overlookad if spacisl st~ tention were net called to it. >The anooymous contributor to the Boston Globe, who called forth the wrath of Mr. W. J.' Florence, as noticed in Trg TRIBUNE yesterdsy, returns to the attack. It seems that sn in- sulting lotter was sent to him, under cover ta the Boston Globe, by a Mr. J. D. J. Kelley, who clauns to be & Lieutenant in the United Statet Navy, and who used epithets coarser and mose ungentlemanly than thoss of Mr. Florence. Tha anonymous contributor to the (lobe (whoss name can be obtained on application) thersfore says: *Ihaveno grudge sgainst Barney Wil 1ams personally; his life and his Iabors be- longed to the public, and 1 have a righs to dis- cass them. And I will discuea with equal free- dom the career of Mr. Florence and Mr. Bouci cault,—and, for the matter of that, of Mr. Kel- ley, of the marines, if he ever has ond,—ssd proteat againat their portraiture of Irigh char- acter aa libels on o race that deserves better of men who were barely tolerated in decent Irish society.” 'HOTEL ABRIVALS, ‘ Palmer Houte—Capt, Frank Barr, U. 8. Bevenus Marine; J. M. Bcanland, Washington; J. H. Wilkizs, Montreal; E. Vieollard, G. Mertian, and J. Fortocl, Paris; G. Wilkinson, New Jersey; A.T. Frothing- bom. Cambridge, Mss.; D. D. E¥h Utica; W. H. Brown and T. C Budeh Philadelphia; Alvin Ssnders, Omahs; James Whaling Milwaukes; H. C. Copeland, Naperville, IN....Grosd Pacific—S. D. Carpenter, Ottumwa; James T. Ts3ls% Peoria; Judgs Stepen B, Moore, Eankskeo; C- We Keyes, Quincy; A, Macnider, Montreal; C. H. Picks® ing, Boston ; W. G. Ritch, New Mexico ; G, Wilkes, Loa- don ; George Scroggs, Champaign (TIL) Gazette; J.De Griswold, Buffalo; Mrs. Schuyler Colfax, South Bend; F. Corbin and A. K, Seymour, Conpecticut; G- We Ciark, Iowa; Dr. Eldridge, Yarmouth. House—The Hon. D. J. Board, Monrog, IIL; 3 W. Bullock, Burlington; John ¥. George, Milwaukeo; W. J. Boyle, Milwaukee: the Hon. Jsmes 0. WatseDy Wisconsin; Arthur Brittan and M. B. Wileox, !'n'" York; the Hon. Petar Doyle, Milwaukea: W. A. Atkinson, N. Y.; the Hon. P. C, Onderdonk, New Jersys Col, C. D, Lathrop, New York; Col. J. Lawler, . C. L. and F. Cooke and J. C- Smithy New York; Gen. E. F. Plercs, Boston....Shermah, House—Co. 8. W. Snow, United States Army; Gt L. J. Farwell, Grant City, Mo. ; the Hon. B, J. Gifford. ZLaSaile; Col. mw!mfi the Hon. -;.A. mmnbm:m:r-_ Nann, W, H. Balkam, and J. W, Estabrook, Bosiens Capt. Johin L. Whedden, Boston; the Hon, 8. F- BIZbsy Cloveland; P.' A, Thompaon, Phelps, Mo.; A. W. Wi~ ner, New Y ..cm'i.'..—"kw._"m..mnw 4 M co; C. M. DI uscatine; 7. Ryan, Ban 3 2nd daughter, Bloomington; J. W. Hmdu-m‘v&! W.R Janeway, Jr., New Jersey ; 8. W. Do wif E B g, Clevelsad{ thizm, Jolists - g 4 The Barren Lands.” N. 0. Meeker, of Gresloy, Col., says that Gen. Hazen was wrong to stigmatize as **the bn_fl'," lands " all the region betwaen the100th m!flflfl’fl and toe Bierrs Nevada. Military men don't know anything about the sgricultural valoe of the Iand, says Mr. Meeker ; they have their graiX and provisions hanled from the Ststesto tbs posta at o cost of 20 cents a pound, when £06Y could raise all they needed for mos over 4 centa & poand right under their own guns. LTy gation solves tha nacossities of the region, he points to Colorado to prove it, estin! .fll' that, when the imigation laws shall be *d nitely and wisely ” sottled, Colorado can FIPPCY 2,000,000 people, New Mexico, Arizoms Utah'each the sams, and Monsana §000,063