The New York Herald Newspaper, March 18, 1854, Page 4

’ ne NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES © ORDON BENNETT PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR DFVTOR H.W *OORNER OF FULTON ANP NASSAU BTS TERMS, 4m hin advance. Fee Dee PET wuts wr bent per eu HE WARY LY HERALD ory SMBS, Ga per aw. Bre oy Beet of sent Bagiain, 2neS to any part of the bath to include postave bai x Se ATTEN wt rs sage wl be deducted from MOE Wik ¥ CORRESPONDENCE, eontaininy impor- ent 40 we; 20 from any quarter of the world—=tf uted, SE Thrall eid for. ag-Oun Fowsion Conv esron: DeMts ARE PAUTICULARLY REQUESTED TO seas ALL Laer bh) WOE PRINTING executed with neatness, Areapness, wad aoo8 F “UDVEKTISRMENTS rencwed every day. NOTICE taken of anongmous communications, Weto AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Jane Suowe—Jacu Suxrrano. BROADWAY THEATRE, Brosdway—Damon anv Py- reir Le TOODLEKINS. BURTON'S THEATRE, Chambers street—Tee Lan oxns Ropsar Macains. NATLONAL THEATRE. Evenimg— them street—sfternoon and ‘Unoum Tom's C. WALLACK’S THEATRE, Bros¢way—A Geop Fri.row— or Rerone. CAN MUSBUM—Afvecnoon | and Evening, Tux Pe ns a BROADWAY MENAGERIE—Lituirutssan Kino—Mau- motu Lacy avy Livine Tkaivep Anmuats. CHRISTY’S AMERICAN OPERA HOUSE, 472 Brosd- way—Bruerran Matovine by Cunisty’s MinerRas, WOOD'S MINSTRELS, Wood's Minstrel Hall, 444 Broad- Eruioraan MinsTRELSY. BYCEERY’S OPERA HOUSE, 699 Broadway—Buox- Eruorran Orxxa Taours. ST, NICHOLAS EXHIBITION ROOM, 49% Broadway— aL oF RBLHIN THEIR Neone ENTERTAINMENTS. BANVARD’S GEORAMA!S06 Bro aur Hoty Lann, RHENISH GALLERY, 563 Broadwey—Day and Night, SIGNOR BLITZ—Baooxtyw : Ixercruts. BRYAN GALLERY OF CHRISTPAN ART—&3 Broad- way y¥—Panok ama or ‘WHOLE WORLD-—S77 and 379 Broadway—Afternoen and Evening. New York, Saturday, Marc! Inst Week—The Largestin the World, Mavoh 6—Monday.. *« -1—Tuesday 8—Wednesda; 2,680 Wookly and Sunday editions Aggregate for the week 382,100 Advertisoments in the Damy Hxeatp, fifty cents per square of four lines, and 1234 canta per line above that umber. Advertisements in the Wxsxry Human 80 cents per line. Malls for ‘Europe. HE NEW YORK HERALD—EDITION FOR EUROPE. ‘Me United States mail steamship Arctic, Captain Roce, will Jeave this port this day, at 12 o’clock for Liverpool. ‘The European mails will close at half-past ten o’clock it i8 to be hoped that the latter measure will be passed and go into operation as soon as possible. 'The weekly reports of the teirible mortality among | the juvenile portion of the community teach us that the vending of impure tailk, and other unwhole- some articles of diet, are producing a greater num- ber of deaths than consumption or any other disease to which humanity is subject. The bill for appoint- | ing commissioners to investigate and provide means | for the prevention of further encroachments 6n our harbor was ordered to # third reading, The biltsxelative'to medical science and for the prevention of the liqnor traffic were debated at con- siderable Sength im the Assembly yesterday, but without arriving at any deflnite conclusion with re- gard to<@ther. An adverse report was made to the Proposition to repeal the act establishing the Cer tral Pak, and a variety of other business of interest tothe inhabitauts of this city and Brooklyn was | attenied to,-but to which we eannot.afferd space to | refer in detail. A‘bill to regulate the powers of our City'Ceancil was reported in the Assembly. It is greatly to be representatives, some judicious. and stable form of | government cannot be fived upon. Under the pre- sent arrapgement everything is at sixes.an& sevens. AOuses and mismanagement of all sortsexist; the | duties of-one officer conflict with those of enother in almost .every departinent; ‘we have ne supreme power'te apply to for relief except by appeal to the ‘kept continually tinkering at our charter and our local laws; and yetsthere is no prospect of a remedy, unless it should be eventually effected through Alderman Mott’s resolution, which was under dis- cussion in the Board: of Aldermen last evening, and ‘ was made the special order for Monday. He pro- poses to centralire-instead sof dtvide power, in imi- ttation of the provisions for the national and dif- sferent State governments, by simply electing legis- ators who shall'make all needful rales and regula- Antions, and an-administrative officer who shall ap- point all subordinates and be held responsible for the faithful execution of the laws, The latest despatch from New Hampshire informs ns that Mr. Baker, the democratic candidate, has “een elected Governor ‘by about fourteen hundred snajority. The democrats ‘will have a majority in tthe Legislature, and will consequently secure their United States'Senators, The mails of the Arabia were delivered in the city yesterday. evening, when we received our London files, with the letters of our European correspondents, ‘to the 4th instant. Our telegraphic advices from Halifax and Boston, already published, contained the chief points of the intelligence which possessed an immediate political or commercial interest. We Give to-day.a full report of the speech which the Emperor Napoleon addressed.tothe representatives of France at the opening of the Legislative session; important speeches made by Lords Clarendon, El- lenborough ‘and Aberdeen,.in the British House of Peers, upon the war policy of England; the address of the Ozar to the deputation of the London Peace So- ciety, with an important*manifesto from Count Nes- selrode to the same body. The report of Lord Elles- regretted ‘that, between ‘our State and municipal | people ‘through the ballot box; the .Legislature is ;) tinue to torment our national councils unless it be determined on the ground of the constitu- tion and on no other ground. In fact, the un- popularity which in certain quarters now at- ‘taches to the Nebraska bill, and the excitement it has®reated in others, a ise more directly from the utter want of confidence that is felt in the administration than from all ether causes com- | bined. The fate which has attended the efforts of the | present administration onght to be a warning | to their successors. In this State, they in- terfered in the elections, and by that un- | constitutional act, net less than hy the | corrupt policy on which the distribution | of their patronage was based, ‘they suc- {ceeded im demolishing and entirely diser- ganizing the democratic party, and throwing | the State ato the-hands of William H. Seward. A similar unconstitutional interference in Mas- | sachusetts :producnd a result as.vreshingly igno- minious. If-a ‘less severe lessen was ‘taught them in Mississippi, they suffered even more | deepty in thegpinion of all right minfed men | from the adention of a policy whose corner ‘stone was oppwsition to the firm. friends of the ‘Union. Now, by interference in New Hamp- shire, theiresrruption and: folly have wrought ‘a revulsion in the feetiag of that State, and converted warm partisans of eigkteen months vagé into open enemies. Even here, in the midst of thousands summoned together to give }a hearty assent to the principle of Congres- :privity to the movement cast a moral blight on the meeting at Tammany Hali on Thursday. It is by no means‘unlikely that their unpopu- larity will bring the discussion on the Nebraska bill in the House to an equally fatal close. Nothing is better established by the experience of the last twelve months than the fact that the support of the present administration will ruin any ‘measure with ‘the people. A Nationat Drama—Tue Starring Systen. —The present series of brilliant revivals at our principal metropolitan ‘theatres, has probably by this time demonstrated to the satisfaction ef managers that they can fill their houses and make more money by a judicious and liberal outlay, in placing sterling dramas upon the .stage, in a superior manner, than by all the “stars” in the dramatic firmament, Never have our theatres been more prosperous—never were audiences better pleased, than within the last few weeks; and the reason seems sufficiently evident: the finest productions of genius have been placed before us, with every adjunct of scenic effect and costume, not only splendidly got up, but appropriately and accurately. The fact is, the public are tired of this star- mere, and the other English Commissioners upon the New York Industrial Exhibition is also pub- lished. Fifty lives were lost by the sinking of the steam- ‘this morning. The Waxxty Hxrarp, (printed in French and English,) wil be published at half-past amine o'clock this morning. Single copies, in wrappers, sixpence. Subscriptions and advertisements for any edition of the New Youx Hera will be received at the following places fm Europe :-— ‘Bevearoor..Joha Hunter, No. 2 Paradise street. Loupon .... Edwards, Sandford & Co., No. 17 Cornhill. Wa. Thomas & Co., No. 19 Catherine street. Panm.......Livingston, Wells & Co.,8 Place de la Bourse. OUR AGENTS IM PARIS, FRANCE. ‘We beg leave to state to our readers and patrons in Deris, and Europe generally, that Mr. B. H. Revoil, 17 Bue de la Banque, Paris, is no longer connected with the ew Yorx Herein, either as correspondent.or agent. Messrs. Livingston & Wells, 8 Place de Ja Bourse, are ear only agents in Paris, both for advertisements and wabscriptions. ‘The New A special messenger will sail in the steamship Arctic to-day, with despatches for Minister Soulé,jin which, it is understood, he is instructed to peremp- torily demand immediate satisfaction of the Spanish government for the outrage upon the Black Warrior at Havana. Our correspondent mentions it as a significant fact, in connection with this affair, that the British Minister, Mr. Crampton, has thus far re- Meved the Spanish Charge of all responsibility in the case, by acting as Minister for Spain. This pro- ceeding goes to confirm the statement concering the secret alliance entered into between England and Spain for the perpetuation of the dynasty of the latter power in Cuba. , ‘We learn from Washington that there is a pros- pect that the famous Gadsden treaty will be amended by the Senate in so many important particulars as to make it practically a new project. Instead of the meandering line marked out by Mr. Gadsden, it is proposed to take the thirty-first parallel as the boundary, and follow it direct to the Gulf of Califor- nia, thus securing us a port and about thirty miles of coast thereon. That Santa Anna will agree to this there is no doubt, he having, as we stated some time ago, instructed Minister Almonte to make an arrangement to that effect. Nothing of importance was accomplished in the United States Senate yesterday. A bill was passed authorizing suitable accommodation to be provided for the Post Office and United States Courts in Philadelphia, aft@ which the private calendar was taken up, and Mr. Bayard spoke for two hours and @ half in opposition to a bill to pay for certain to- bacco carried off by the British in the last war. When he concluded the Senate adjourned to Mon- be the opening of the House of Representatives yesterday morning, a few tart words passed between ‘Messrs. Jones, of Louisiana, and Giddings, relative to the anti-American, treasonable and outrageous speech made by the latter on the day previous with regard to the Black Warrior affair, The controversy ‘was, however, cut short by Mr. Haven, who insistea on the regular order of business. Col. Benton sub mitted a resolution, which was adopted, calling on the President for information respecting the negoti- ations with certain Western Indians for the trans: fer of their lands to the government. The House then went into Committee of the Whole on the Defi- ciency Appropriation bill. A sharp debate followed ‘between Messrs. Stanton and Craige, respecting th> appointment of military officers to superintend cer- tain work. The amendment making appropriations for custom houses and marine hospitals was rejected. Mr. Preston moved to strike out the appropriation of $630,000 for the purchase of the assay office build- ings in this city, whereupon a spirited discussion arose, in which Messrs. Walbridge, Cutting, Walker and others took part. The amendment was finally stricken out, by ninety-one to fifty-nine. After what may be called a protracted running fight between the friends and opponents of the various rejected amendments, each endeavoring to outwind the other, the committee rose, and the House passed the bill by one hundred and thirty-eight yeas to eleven nays. A communication from the State Department rela- tive to foreign immigration, was received, from which it appears that during the year ending last Septem- ber, 400,777 persons arrived in this country. The House adjourned till Monday. Our State Senate yesterday passed a bill exclud ing paid firemen from a share in the Fire Depart: ment fund. Senators are determined to ascer. tain whether there is any truth in the in sinuation that the Lieutenant Governor is ceiving & greater amount of compensation than the Govervor. ‘hey have adopted the resolu tion calling for information on the subject. Amon, the notices and introductions of bills, we observe onr proposing to abolish the office of Marine Hospita Physiciat, arid aviother to arraige for the sale of pure milk in thiscity. If the object can be accomplished, re. boat J. L. Avery, below Natchez, on the 9th instant. This is the third awful steamboat disaster—about from forty to fifty persons having been lost in each instance—that we have been called upon to record this week. We have intelligence from Utah territory to the 22d of December. There is no news of importance. It was thought that the Indian difficulties would be settled as soon as the snow in the mountains would permit those who had been despatched on a peace mission to reach the warring tribes. The territorial Legislature met in Great Salt Lake City on the 12th December, and Governor Brigham Young sent in his annual message. The Governor represents the finances of the territory as not being in the most prosperous condition, and the treasury as not likely to be speedily overburdened with funds. He calls upon the general government to assist him, and ex- pects at least that Congress will take the expenses of the late Indian war upon itself. He says there are delinquencies in the collection of taxes to the amount of seventeen thousand dollars, which would leave a balance in the treasury—if said delinquencies were collected—of four thousand five hundred dol- lara. The message is a sensible one, and we will take the first opportunity to give some extracts from it. The Sons of Erin were out in full force yesterday, to celebrate the anniversary of their patron Saint, a8 will be seen by the lengthy reports of the proces- sions, dinners, speeches, &c., in another page. Besides many columns of advertisements and the details of the European news, our inside pages con- tain a variety of local and commercial intelligence of avery interesting character. Genera) Pterce’s Administration Crumbling to Ruins. The events which are taking place through- out the country, and the course of public sen- timent in every direction prove beyond a doybt that Mr. Pierce’s administration is crumbling to ruin faster than any government this country ever had. The most recent fact illustrating this general caving in of the Cabinet popularity is the remarkable result of the New Hampshire eleotion on Tuesday last. Eighteen months ago, that State gave Pierce and the party which he was sup- posed to lead the large majority of six thou- ring business, Good plays, well mounted, and a good stock company, will attract the lovers of the drama if anything will; and when these fail, any attempt to galva- nise them into @ temporary excitement will be found useless. In a pecuniary point of view, these star engagements are generally un- profitable to the management, in consequence of the exorbitant rates at which they are effected; and the true interests of the drama suffer from the unnatural consequence given to the princi- pal performer, and the consequent ignoring of subordinates. The system is unjust and per- nicious on the face of it, and we hope for its speedy and final abolishment. The great suc- cess of the late Shaksperean revivals at thé Broadway and Burton’s, and of the sterling old English comedies at Wallack’s, will do much, we trust, toward bringing about such a con- summation. The public taste will become more refined and fastidious, and managers will find that poor stock actors, ill-painted scenery, and inappropriate costumes, will no longer be tole- rated in our first class theatres, even with the aid of the brightest dramatic luminary. Let us have, then, a better state of things in the drama. Let our theatres depend on their own resources for success. Let them bestow care in the get- ting up of their pieces—let them be committed to the hands of actors of education and talent, and the public will sustain them in it. As novelty seems to be the order of the day, we are surprised none of our managers have thought of bringing out something thoroughly national in a dramatic line. We are often called upon to lament the dearth of dramatic literature in this country, and it seems rather difficult to discover any adequate cause for it. Certainly there can be no lack of material. Our history is rich in incident and subjects for serious drama; our “upper ten” furnish an almost inexhaustible field for “ genteel” comedy ; our “lower million” would certainly furnish plenty of material for broad farce. Where, then, is our national drama? We do not speak of the great lights of English literature; but modern English plays seem to have entire possession of our stage. English tragic writers draw tears sand votes; at the recent election it seems highly probable that, notwithstanding the sclec- tion of a democrat for Governor, the administra. tion has been utterly defeated and demolished in the Legiclaturé, Many of the anti-slavery jour- nals are attempting to show that this resn!t hag been brought about by the attempt to repeal the Missouri compromise in Congress, and the con- sequent resuscitation of the anti-slavery senti- ment throughout New England and the North. But from incidents attending the election, we arg irresistibly led to beli¢ve thay the noterious failure of the present administration, the whole- sale corruption of the Cabinet, and the arrant folly and weakness displayed by Mr. Pierce in his appointments in the North, had a great deal more to do with the demolition of the demo- cracy in New Hampshire than the anti-slavery sentiment with all its efforts round about the country. There can be no doubt that among the bulk of democratic statesmen and even among many of opposite political opinions, the principle involved in the repeal of the Missouri compromise and the return of Con- gress to a sound reading of the constitution will be received with favor after a candid examina- tion of the-question. The great constitutional principle involved in the Nebraska bill must ultimately prevail, if the constitution itself prevails. Although some excitement may be created and may last for a year or two, and although some opposition may be manifested at first to the thorough establishment of the principle of Congressional non-tntervention, it is clearly evident that if this Union is to en- dure and this government to be sustained, that principle must triumph eventually before an intelligent and determined people. Even the defeat of the Nebraska bill in the House would be no ultimate decision of the question, for other Congresses and other exigencies would jn bring it up before long. Ag long as this intry continues to advance in the march of progress, and o8 long as the dominions of this republic continue to expand, so long will this question of Congressional interference with the institutions of new States and Territories con- from our audiences ; English farces set them in aroar. The power of supplying this vacuumin our literature rests in a great degree in the hands of vui managers. By a judicious and liberal course toward native authors, we feel assured that the state of the drama in this coun- try would be materially and permanently im- proved; and there is sufficient national feeling in this vicinity, we firmly believe, to trium- phantly sustain any one who should volunteer to take the lead in this matter. UNarPROACHABLE MEANNESS oF Gen, Prerce’s ADMINISTRATION—TuHE PostMasTER GENERAL.— We refer our readers to a letter addressed by A. G. Burke, formerly postmaster at Bellows Falls, Vermont, to the Hon. James Campbell, Postmaster-General at Washington. Mr. Burke received his appointment from the present Post- master-General, and after holding his office for about eight months, Mr. Campbell removed him for the most contemptible of all reasons—a slight difference of opinion with regard to hard shells and soft shells. If the Postmaster- General, instead of frittering away his time, talent and opportunitics in investigating the opinions of his employés on the subject of hard shells and soft shells, and punishing them for political heterodoxy, were to attend to his busi- ness and see that the transmission of the mails is carried on with efficiency and punctuality, he would have a better claim to the approba- tion of the country. As it is, the Post Office Department is one of the greatest loafer branch- es of the public service, if we may judge by the number of complaints that we are daily receiv- ing of its inefficiency and irregularity, Law venrsvs Fact.—In an action upon a char- ter party, with a clause providing for a war with Russia, which was tried Feb. 25, in the Queen’s Bench, Lord Campbell, in an answer to a point raised by counsel, said, « If the point was, whether this country was now at war with Ruesia, he should hold that, in point of law, we were not now at war with that country; there was nodeclaration of war, and we were friends, sional non-intervention, the suspicion of their | The Progress of Larg’, Cities—A Word for the Indust sial Classes. : Whilet in the lar ger cities of Burope the al tention of phila’sthropists has been directed to the improvanent of the dwellings of the laboring clafses, we, in our new-born ‘pride and ortentation, seem to be fast losing sight of the claims which policy and hu- man?ity have forced upon the attention of aristocratic communities. We may enact strin- gent laws against the indulgences and excesses wof the poor; but unless we accompany these mea- sures of repression with efforts to ameliorate their material condition we might as well leave legislation alone. We have unfertunately be- gun at the wrong end, and we shall have to re- commence the work anew. We are too proud and too self confilent to profit by the experi- ence and example of others, and we shall have to pay the penalty of our mistakes. Instead of endeavoring to abate the evils of intemperance, and check crime by elevating the social status of the industrial classes, we are every day en- croaching upon their rights, and restricting not only their means of enjoyment but of livelihood. Between the starvation prices at which the necessaries of life have arrived, and the rack rents which the rapid increase of population has enabled rapacious property holders to screw out of tenants, it is almost impossible for the work- ing-man to keep his head above water. His present condition is fifty per cent worse than it was ten years ago. The consequence is that whilst. our city presents all the apparent evi- dentes of increasing prosperity, pauperism is ) advancing with equally rapid strides. We are, in fact, approaching that melancholy con- summation in the growth of large cities so forcibly described by Channing, “in which the | good things of life are accumulated in a few hands, in which property sinks a great gulf be- tween different ranks, and in which ene portion of society swells with pride while the other is ‘broken in spirit.” It seems to have been hitherto accepted as an inevitable condition of the progress of large cities, that wealth should override poverty, and thrust aside from its path the contact of the hum- ble andlowly. Where the rich have not been able to extrude the poor by force or fraud they have sought new outlets for the isolation of their pomp and selfishness. But where the sites of great cities are contracted, asin our own case,by impas- sable limits, it but too frequently happens that the dwellings of the humbler classes are swept away to make room for the stately mansions of the rich, whilst the industrious and the depray- ed, who are included alike in the ban of these would-be aristocrats, are driven into some ob- scure and pestilential quarter, where moral and atmospheric contagion involve them in acom- mon ruin. Is it to be wondered at that poverty and crime and disease should be the concomi- tant evils of our miscalled civilization, when we do everything in our power to foster and encour- age their growth. There is, unfortunately, but too much truth in the observation of Jefferson that “great clties are great sores on the body politic.” It is clear that unless some steps be taken to arrest the encroachments of capital upon the tights of humanity, the poor man will soon have adifficulty in obtaining a foothold in thiscity of palaces. We take pride in the splendor of our public edifices and in the beauty of our street architecture, but we do not reflect that these monuments of pride and centralized wealth are absorbing, for the benefit of the privileged few, the space and air which were destined by God for the enjoyment of all. And yet this love of ostentation, which is natural to man, is not in- consistent with the well-being of the industrial classes. There is no necessity for thrusting them into crowded and unhealthy localities, in order to spare the eye of the proud man the sight and contiguity of an humble dwelling. In the European cities they are now erecting palaces for the poor which vie in external splen- dor, and even internal neatness, with the man- sions of the aristocracy. By adopting the French system of building toa great height, and subdividing the houses into separate flats, as they are termed, the requisite conditions of comfortable and well-ventilated dwellings are obtained, whilst the stringent rules to which the little communities that inhabit each house are subjected, prevent the evils arising from slovenliness and overcrowding. The most grati- fying feature in this great social improve- ment is, that it has been found as pro- fitable an investment for capital as any other description of house property. In London the system has worked so well that in Pimlico and several other neighborhoods dwellings on a similar plan are now in progress of construc- tion, for the middle and even the upper classes. Amongst us there isastill greater necessity for its adoption. As our city cannot expand beyond certain limits we must endeavor to make the most of the space that we possess. No plan that can be suggested appears to us more likely to meet all the difficulties of our geographical position than this, To preyent the artigan and laborer from being built out by speculators, let the quarters now principally occupied by them be purchased up, and covered with dwellings of the class we have just described. If private capitalists will not do it, it may be effected as in England and France by associations of in- dividuals. We know no better plan by which the increasing evil of exaggerated rents can be kept down, and the comfort and well being of the industrial classes promoted. Quire a Wiypratt To aN Eprrorn—The Hon. Nathan Preston, a gentleman belonging to an old Revolutionary and Puritan family seated at Litchfield, Conn., has just died, leaving a large fortune, amounting to from $159,000 to $200,000, in money, stocks and lands in yari- Mous parts of the country, but principally, it is said, at Pittsburg. It seems that Mr. Preston was an uncle, on the maternal side, of Mr. Jo- seph A. Scoville, editor of the Pick, of this city, who is the only legal heir to this vast es- tate. Quite a windfall toa hard working edi- tor, if things should take their proper course, and the right heir get his own. Tus Fuernve Stave Case In Micwavkie.—The parties who were arrested in Milwaukie on a charge of kidnap- ping, in arresting an alleged fugitive slave in Racine, on the 11th inst., have been discharged by Judge Miller, who stated they were assisting the U. S. Marshal in the discharge of his duty. Tre LievTRNANT GRvERALSHIP.—A resolution has unani- mously passed the Legislature of Kentucky, recommend- ing Congress to pass the act creating the rank of Lieut. General in the army of the United States, for the pur- pose of conferring said title upon Major General Winfield Scott. Hoxors To Carmoun anp Wenster.—A resolution has passed the Legislature of Kentucky, condoling with South Carolina and Massachusetts upon the death of Jobn ©, Calhoun and Daniel Webster. Bem Dav ov Cattoux.—The anniversary of the birth yf Hon. John C. Caluoun will be. celebrated to-day in | Charleston, 8. C., with a grand parade of all the military, and not enemies.” civie, and fire companies of the city. Crue ann Criaya Justice 1 New Yors.— The criminal calendar for the approaching term a ‘Tax Dosr—Mexenxc at Tux Aston Hovsz—The im- of the Court of Oyer and Terminer is almost ’ ™*t clouds of dust which rise in Brosdway are unbear- | daily increasing in its amount of magnitude of | offences. Homicides are of such frequeat oo- \ currence in the public streets and stores that | they fail to excite more than a passing remark, * and are succeeded by some fresh horror, We | have frequently called the attention of the au- thorities to criminal justice in New York, and | we do so again even at the risk of being | charged with iteration. We do not purpose in these remarks to par- ticularize any case that is to come before the court of general jail delivery in April, but we desire to express a hope that the delay which has heretofore almcst invariably attended crimi- | nal trials in this city will no longer be tolerated. | Under the present system of laws, when a | crime is committed the time of all parties who | have any knowledge of the facts is continually wasted in attending before the magistrate, the grand jury, and then the court which tries the indictment. We have in New York the Court of Oyer and Terminer for the trial of murders, manslaughters, and arson, and the , courts of General and Special Sessions for the trial of minor criminal charges. Before a cause is brought to trial numerous obstacles are thrown in the way of justice. We have fre- quently noticed the many means resorted to ‘to postpone and delay a trial—days are wasted in challenging jurors; any man who has heard or read anything of the transaction is challenge; reading and writing are considered great dis- qualifications for a juror by the prisoner’s coun- sel; then objections are made to testimony an! to the indictment, which cannot in the least affect the guilt or innocence of the accused ; then the lawyers deliver speeches of unconscionable length, and a trial, which might be disposed of in two days, occupies perhaps a week. Then after the trial there is a bill of exceptions, or a writ of error applied for and obtained; some judge who knows nothing of the merits of the case orders the prisoner to be released on bail, or stops the sheriff from taking him to the State Prison; and the whole is carried to the Supreme Court, where further delay is granted to the prisoner. It may be said that all these movements are necessary for the protection of innocence. But the most complete justice to an accused, if inno- cent, is speedy trial—if rich, that he may be exonerated from the odium of suspicion; if poor, and without means of bail, that he may gain his liberty and his reputation. Justice should be so administered that the rich and the poor should be equally treated. Under our present system the rich criminal alone can wage war against law and public order. The poverty stricken petty larceny wretch is cast into prison in the twinkling of an eye. Aremedy must be provided. The Legisla- ture should interfere. This indiscriminate challenging of jurors should be checked by a law declaring that if the court be satisfied by the juror’s oath of his impartiality between the People and the accueed, that notwithstanding what he may have heard or read, he should be admitted asa juror. No delay of the sentence should be allowed, unless the Judge and the District Attorney certify that there was such doubt in the case as would warrant its being reviewed by the Supreme Court. Under the reformed charter the courts of Oyer and Terminer and Sessions are held by a single judge, the assistance of the aldermen being dispensed with; but as their knowledge of legal intricacies was not generally very per- fect, justice suffered nothing by the change. Mastical In ‘e ‘We understand that Mr. William Vincent Wallace, the talented and popular composer, has four original operas nearly completed, two of which are for Mr. Beale, of London, and two for a Paris house. Mr. Wallace is to get from six to eight thousand dollars for each of these works, the titles of which are the ‘‘ Maid of the Wreck,’’ the ‘Spirit of the Rhine,” “Tl Corsare,” and the ‘‘ Amber Witch.”” The opera of ‘‘ Maritana ”’ has yielded its author, up to the present time, very little short of twenty thousand dollars, Mr. Wallace, who has been re- siding in this country during the period necessary to ob- tain his naturalization and secure the copyright of his works, is shortly about to visit Europe. He will take with him the best wishes of his numerous friends and ad- mirers. ‘We perceive by the programme of Madame Bouchelle’s concert, that Mr. Wallace will give the benefit of his valuable assistance on this interesting occasion. From the diversity of talent that has been secured, and the judicious taste that has presided over the selection of the music, we anticipate that this concert will prove a rich treat. The programme comprises some of the choicest productions of Mendelssohn, Rossini, and other cele- brated composers, and will, we have no doubt, be done full justice to by the eminent artists whose names are announced in the bills. Great exertions are being made able. How much looger are we to be compelled to face: these sweeping clouds, driving along with the fury of a. whirlwind, darkening the air, and making day and night hideous? Why are not the streets: sprinkled? We see some of the Broadway merchants. have taken the matter into theirown hands; and, losing” all hopes of ever being relieved by the public authorities they have decided to relieve themselves. A meeting was held en Thursday evening, at the Astor House, when tho subject was fully discussed. Merchants stated that their | stock was damaged sadly by these volumes of dust which, | drive into their stores from morning till night. After- some speaking a resolution was pointing :: inittee to raise funds by pubsoription to cover the sje | of having Broadway swept every morning, between day-- light and seven o'clock, A.M.’ Why don’t'the City In- sjector sprinkle this street? We notice in some | that the dirt is heaped up in wind rows, only to be seat. | tered over the streets again by every blast that sweeps, slong. Let the mud Le carried off as soon as it is heaped up. If not, it is better to let it lay in the streets, | Pxavtirvinc THe Pakk.—Mr. Murphy, the ~ ent of lands and places, has for some daj ! busily engaged in planting laying out new walks, | relaying the flagging, and renovating and beautifying the: | Park against the coming summer. Mr. Marpby | commendation for his activity, though his is not. | expended before it was needed. From appearances > | Park bids fair to be agreeable and shady the. | summer. ‘NIFICENT Bequasts.—The late James P. Van Horne, in city, left the following legacies:— New York Orphan Asyli | New York Orphan A: widow not. ap) the: walking for Mu: of thi Book Society, New York Protestant i iscopal Missions. 15,000 ‘the American Bible Society are, made. the residuary - legates, the amount of which is estimated at $150,000. ATTEMPT TO ABSAS-INATE.—Patrick McGuire, residing in Eihteenth street, near First avenue, while retursing. home with his wife, about 11 o'clock on Thursday even~ ing, was attacked in front of his own house by two armed ° ruffians, and mutilated in the most barbarous manner. Officers’ Tieman, Wallace: and Berry, of the Elghtecnt. ward, hearing tf ¢ outery, hurried to his aid, mg assas-— sins bad fled before the police reachedthe spot. Me@uire- was lying prostrate on the sidewalk, and: Uleeding vro- . fusely. He was at once conveyed to Bellevue Hospieat, where he received every attention from Dr. Everts, the | house surgeon. Upon examining him, not less than sight’ or ten dirk wounds were discovered upon different, of his body, mostly on the thorax; but it is the optaion. of the doctor that none of them have entirely penetrated. the wails of the chest, and that he will protibly recover. Provanty A Fata Casvatty.—A man named Philip. Pomp. of No. 47 Seventh avenue, was yesterday walking; beside his wagon, (which was laden with lumber,) in the. Tenth avenue, near Tenth street, on the side near the rail— way track, when a baggage car of the Hudson RiverRailroad.. Company came along, and he was caught between it and. the wheel of his un. The unfortunate man waa. ter- ribly crushed, nearly all his ribs were bro! and his bowels were protruding through the skin of his stomach. He was picked up in a state of insensibility, and taken to. hishcme. From the dreadful nature of the injuries, ho is not expected to survive. The driver of the ear, John Bae was arrested by officer Cusick, of the Ninth ward, an ee before Justice Stuart, who held him for exam-. ination. Narrow Escarg.—Henry Goetchus, a child of four years of age, yesterday, in crossing at’ the rail mear An-- thony street, fell and cut his head. A train of cars was rapidly approaching at the time, when, officer Stuter, of the Filth ward, seeing the imminent peril of the ehild, with some considerable risk to himself snatched the- child from bt led position, Butfor the of mind displayed by the officer the child would most proba- by have been crushed to death. The littlefellow was taken (o his home, 48 Hudson street, where his head was dressed by a doctor. Serious Accipent.—James Ward, a lad thirteen years of age, who was at work in Barr's. manufactory, corner of Frankfort and Cliff street, became yesterday entan- gled in the machinery, and had his arm torn off. He wasattended by a doctor, who amputated the stump. . He was then taken to his home, No. 177 Tilary street, rooklyn. Board of Supervisors. Mancu 17.—In the absence of the Mayor and the Re- corder, Alderman Ely was called on to preside. ‘The Cuamman said that as at present could not transact any business ne to refer pa the last The reading of the minutes of 4 dispensed with, A Mr. Morr said the pre it gebectes ir. resen’ ‘was convened cially for the Pot the report of the Conn. - mittee on the Affairs of the r’s Office. A communication was received from Mr. Dykeman, . stating that thecommittoe from the Board of Supervisors: had called upon him from time to time for a detailed statement of the financial condition of his office, wl “ in his judgment they had no legal authority to do, but that he should have accommodated them had it not’ been that he had been confined most of the time to his sick. pee that some $8,000 are now due to the City Trea- sury from his oie, Which amount he intends to pay as oon as collected from the parties owing it, and h sal then show that that pays every pda ‘due to the city. ponies day ch ae Lice the Chairman to let the re- ers have the co Toricrs have {he communication in order that they ite nee said “¢ did not feel authorized to do so’. Board was not proper! ized, and . hand it to the Clerk to iA ‘the other pe The Board then adjourned sine dic. : —Hezekiah Thistle, the proprietor of Lovett’s wahpene establishment, was Placed at the bar, charged with committing an assault and battery with intent to kill Enoch W. Folsom. “Frong the evidence it f @ppeared that the com; t proceeded, along with De; ty Sheriff Vultee, to fendant, in Chambers ctzstt, inter to Path ‘ execution upon the defendant; that upon arriving house they “knocked at the door for ad hating their object, but the defendant refused to it . whereupon they d to break open the door, while so doi *y were fired at once or twice by the defendant, with = gun loaded with maie - several holes in the hat of Mer Folsom 1 the defentect. 1e second si w to und, means rope. For the defence it was ahown that the aerngurt was unaware of the object of the officers, Carryis with carrying a slung shot, contrary to the Revised utes. ‘The evidence went to show that one night last month the prisoner came to the store of James Cox, in Roosevelt street, and on admittance refused began kicking the doors and shutters in, and in so he drew out the deadly weapon known as a slung and threw it into the store. The jury in this case not agree as to a verdict up to a late cont last evening. on every side by the members of the congregation of Calvary Church, to render the compliment to Madame Bouchelle in every way worthy of her merits. The fol- lowing are the names of the ladies who have been ap- Pointed as a committee to manage the business part of the arrangements :—Mesdames Herman Thorn, MeGregor, Griswold, J. W. Gerard, Habichet, Hills, Lane, E. 8. Gould. Music Committee—Messrs. J. W. Smyth, Isaac Gibson, and Robert Grace. A Kiyk in THe Massacnuserts Liquor Law.—Thomas Adams, the Sheriff of Norfolk county, lately seized a quantity of brandy, which, in accordance with the re- quirements of the law, he disposed of at public auction. He was shortly after arrested for a violation of another section of the law in selling spiritous liquors, and after being tried before a justice of Milton was fined ten dol- lars and costs, and ordered to give bonds in one thousand dollars that he would not repeat the offence, or stand committed. The Sheriff refused to pay the fine or give the required recurity, stating that the law made it in- cumbent upon him to sell all liquor which should be seized, and he was under twenty thousand dollars bonds, ‘and also under oath, to discharge his duty. A mittimus was accordingly made out, and he was committed to the county jail on the 15th inst., where he must remain until the Legislature amends or repeals the conilicting tections of the law. FLocGing 1x THe Pustic Scioo1s.—A lad about eleven years of age, named George Washington Baker, was #0 severely whipped by a lady teacher in one of the public schools of Philadelphia, on the 7th inst., that he died of the injuries inflicted upon him. When will flogging in the public schools be abolished? Native AMERICAN Mayor,—Dr. L. F. Fisher, the native American candidate for Mayor m Camden, N. J., has beon elected by four hundred majority. Personal Inte! NCO. Gen. Cass has been confined to his room for several Cays by sickness, He has not been dangerously afilicted, Lut too much indisposed to attend the sessions of ihe Senate. He is recovering, and will very soon be able to return to his seat. Senator Bright, of Indiana, has been detained for some time from his place in the Senate, on account of a severe attack of sickness. He is again recovering from a late relapse, which was at one time threatening. Capt. N. Lyon, Second Infantry, U_8. A.; Col. W. A. Street, Va; Col. Ripley, Beston; Maj. F. 0. Wise, U. 3. A.5 G.N. Page, A.; Dr. Merriman, Va., were among the ester it the Astor Hous ARRIVALS. From Savannah, in steamship Alabama—C Schult: Emmons. M Ketchnm, © Ketchum, J N Hudwalehor, Henderson. 1 Brock—17 in the steorage. arrivals y | Mi Franke bers:— The Choctaws number The ora 150 about... 21,000 The Cherokees.. 100 ‘The Chickasa 5,000 White persons, incla- . 400 ding missionaries. 26,700 Tae Perv Dirricuntres.—The McCerren claim. on Peru is not likely to lead to unpleasant relations be- tween the United States and that government, as alleged in many letters from Washington published in distant. papers. We understand that the ro tative of Peru stationed near this government finally concluded. not to assent to the terms on which, not long since, as we announced, it was thought he had agreed that his gov- ernment should liquidate this demand, yesterday other terms, equally satisfactory to the agents of the it. cr claimants, are supposed to have been acquicsced im by that functionary.— Washington Star, Feb. 8. Domestic Miscellany. Rev. Stephen Hildebrand, charged with seduction, was. expelled irom the Methodist Episcopal Church on the 13th inst., by the Baltimore Conference, now in session. His. crime consisted in ‘ being the father of the child of Har- siet A. Allen, born on the 26th or 27th of January, 1853.” ‘The ecene in tie conference room ‘We deeply affecting. ‘The illinois and Michigan canal was opened on the 15th. inst. Court Calendar—This Day. « Suzymsa Count—Cireult.—Nor. 144, 145, 210, 202, 204 0 004, ‘The Crystal Palace (World’s Fair) Medal is ROOT’S fourteenth prize. a and see his weeny at the: rout free galiery, No. 363 Broadway. Open day and even- ng. Crayon daguerreotypes taken at no other p Degemereny ee a cheapest pictures in the world, an \ius (he expedition of five hundred daily. Pictorial rooms No. 259 Broadway. Go there and save your money. le.—A Combination of dura-- epee KNOX in. The New York are taking the finest and The Sprh bility, benuty and comfort has been acl the prodvetion of bis spring Niet mn a ren! c Thelen price of font dollare should call ou. him, either at @ Pressott House, or at No, 128 Fal- Rafferty & Leask are on Hand, as usual, with those beautiful daguerrvotype hats, of tho spring style. They acknowledge no superior. Gentlemen style of hat made to order, with their likenceses eharge. HAFFERTY & LEASK, 87 Chatham streot, and rorner of Pearl aud Chathain streets, Tic Union is Safe while Free FLoop tn Tne On10 River.—We hear of great de- struction of Property along the Ohio river. The towns of Westpoint, Rome, Shawneetown, Stephensport, New Al- bany and 'Shippingport were completely inundated, and the inhabitants were going around in lifeboats. At lost accounts the flood was receding. Harvarp Con.ear—aAt a meeting of the senior class of Harvard College, held on Monday, Mareh 3, 1864, the following gentiemen wore elected class oficers: Orator, Robt. C. Winthrop, Jr., Boston Dexter Gambrill, New York; Odist, Oliver Waltham, Mars.; Chief Marshal, EA. Carolina. . G. Da . the hatter, No. £0 Fulton strect, announee: friends the ho las’ issued Lis spring style of gontler Which, | for Leanty and duralility, cannot b |. Price $2. | snd £0.00” Union Hat Score, 90 Fulton street, Gentlemen's Hats Pore jor Spring, 1854.—Lees é& Jy beautifnl hats, which for quality ip cannot be excelled, aro attract acious salesrooms, Patten’s Hotel, cr's Hats.-Thes and superior workmi dreds to thei recnwich street, ee Dovid’s Spring Styles of Gentlemen's Hate are Lop rage a we on ge any wor! 1 | ry pas a hat fnighed in beautiful etyle, give him ao at is jearoom, WI Broadway, seoond door fram Duane street.