The New York Herald Newspaper, April 2, 1854, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT. PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR, BIPNCE £. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. | weather are evidently about to be realized. After | Beir HERALD 2 cents per eopy-ST 7 WEEKLY HERALD every Saturday at ¢ copy or $8 ce . both to include postage VOLUNTARY CORRESPONDENCE, containing impor- iS His any ter of the world—if used, paid for. “mg-Ocn FOREIGN CORRESPON: PARTICULARLY REQUESTED TO BEAL ALL LET- DEnTs 18 AMD PACKAGES SENT US. . VBR TISEMENTS renewed every day. wh y en. leents per annum : Welame XIX = — AMUSEMENTS TOMORROW EVENING, BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Hor Conn. JOADWAY THEATRE, Broad ENICR—ANTONY AND CLROPAT! -—Tue MeRcuart BURTON'S THEATRE, Chambers street—Davip Cor- | oy), vpnrinip- How 70 Make Home Harry. NATIONAL THEATRE, Chatham etreet—Uncrx Tom's @anin. WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway—Orp Heaps avy Woune Heaats—Roven,Diamonn. ABERICAN MUSEUM—Aftern: —Bacne.on’s ToRwente—Eveni BROADWAY MENAGERIE—Lituirvrian Kine—Mam- worm Lavy anv Living TRAINED ANiMALS. CBRISTY’S AMERSCAN OPERA HOUSE, 472 Broad- ‘wey—Brworias Mevopise vy Cunisty's MinsTReLs. Tix Nico1.0 Pawiny = On Brewery. WOOD'S MINSTRELS, Wood's Minetgel Hall, 444 Brond- way—Brwovian MinerResy. BUCKLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, {39 Broadway—Bvon- anv’s Erusorcan Ovens TR ST. NICHOLAS EXHIBITIO: @amyvrri MinsrReLe 1 THE! ROOM, 495 Broadway— Neono Exterraiments. BANVAB vex Hoxry L. RBENISH GALLERY, {3 Broadway—Day and Night. EORAMA, {06 Brondway—Panonama or BRYAN GALLERY OF CHRISTIAN ART—&3 Brond- way. WHOLE WORLD—37 and 279 Brondway—Afternoon wad Eveuing. NONOR BLITZ—Opron, Williamsburg. New York, Sunday, April 2, 1854. The News. ‘Phe metsage of Governor Seymour, assigning his reasons for disapproving of the prohibitory liquor ‘bil, which has almest uninterruptedly occupied the Attent’on of our legislators since the commencement ‘of the ses*'on in January, will be read with univer- sal interest. On reference to the proceedings in the Senate yesterday it will be seen that that body has virtually killed the bill, The question as to whether the bill should pass, notwithstanding the Governor's objections, was defeated. There were only fourteen ayes to thirteen noes. It requires a two-thirds vote in each house to make the bill a law. We have commented at length on this matter in an editorial article, and also publish a graphic sketch of the excitement, scenes and incidents inside and outside the Capitol, as noted by our special corres- pendent. Despite the defeat of the temperance project, and the excitement consequent thereon, the members of the Legislature transacted a considerable amount of business yesterday, particularly for a Saturday. Among the measures reported complete in the Se- nate was the bill for the incorporation of a company to sell pure milk in this city. By the way, we in- vert a communication in another column which sets the huropen “> 9f Great Britain, ‘and 8 to any part of the | | its owner was liable to the penalties imposed by the statute. | The long deferred hopes of those who have been | anxiously’ watching for the approach of spring | blowing a gale from the northwest for many days, causing everybody to shiver with cold, and in four | or five instances freezing persons to death, the wind at length changed to the northeast, and eventually tothe southwest, accompanied by a dense fog and heavy rain. The weather, though wet and disagree- able, was quite warm in this vicinity yesterday, _' | but in Cincinnati and the West we learn that snow No. 90. | Was falling. At three o'clock this morning the stars | were shining brightly, and there was every indica- tion of a pleasant day. We elsewhere publish a de- tailed account of the disasters incidental te the almost impenetrable fog yesterday morning. As usual, our columns to-day contain a variety of in- teresting information to the religious community— ing notices of appointments, installations, | deaths in the ministry, &c. While upon the subject | We would direct attention to the letter from our | Albany correspondent, in which a table is given | showing the assets and liabilities of Trinity Church. | From this table it appears that the gross an- nual income of the parish is $80,967 70. There are debts and liabilities amounting to $572,488, on which a yearly interest is to be paid of $35,562. This leaves an actual net income or profit to the church of $45,405 62. The number of deaths in New York during the past week was 436, showing a decrease of 77 on the mortality of the previous week. As usual we find that consumption carried off a larger number of vic- tims than any other disease, 71 having died of it, while the deaths among children form more than one-half of the whole. Among children under one year there were 168 deaths, and 281 among children under ten years. There were 43 fatal cases of con- vulsions, 21 of croup, 15 of dropsy in the head, 15 of smallpox, and 32 of inflammation of the lungs. Of the deceased, 332 were natives of the United States, 59 of Ireland, and 23 of Germany. Want of space prevents special reference to much of the interesting matter with which our columns are to-day occupied. We publish some ad- ditional particulars of the insults and outrages upon American citizens, as detailed. by our Havana cor- respondents. Another highly amusing letter from the ‘Man wot Nominated Frank Pierce;” also a let- ter descriptive of the grand ball of the Brazilian minister at Washington; communication relative to the topic of the day—the Nebraska question; politi- cal, commercial, and miscellaneous news, &c. Liberty and Temperance ve. Tyranny and Fanaticism. The Senate has refused to pass the teetoial bill over the head of the Governor by fourteen to thirteen. Instead of a two-thirds vote, as many of the Maine law men expected, the ve- toed bill only obtained a majority of one in the Senate; and the opposition actually gained two votes. So that the veto now stands, and the question of prohibiting liquor selling will be submitted informally to the people at the next election. They will derive valuable assistance in form- ing a judgment on the bill from the message of Governor Seymour accompanying his veto. Not that we believe the Governor has ex- forth that many persons are in the habit of buying adulterated in preference to pure milk, because they are of the opinion that the former is cheaper. Sena- tor Danforth introduced bills fixing regular salaries for the Lieutenant Governor and Canal Appraiser. An adverse report was made to certain petitions for the extension of the right of suffrage to negroes; also to the petitions for counsel in the Lemmon slave case. Many important bills were pas8ed in both | houses. We understand that the whig members of the Le- gislature met in caucus on Friday evening, and se- lected Victor M. Rice, an experienced teacher of Bnffalo, as their candidate for State Superintendent Of Conimon Schools. Congress was not in session yesterday, both branches having adjourned from Friday until to- Morrow. Nevertheless, we have a sorics of very imteresting telegraphic items from Washington, relative to events in which the public are deeply interested. It is understood that the settlement of the outrage upon the Black Warrior by the Span- ieb authorities in Cuba is likely to be embarrassed by the recent reception of despatches hy tise govern- ment. The indignity upon our flag is believed to have been instigated by agents of Great Britain. ft is the general desire of the nation that there will be no backing out or dodging in this affair. Every true American expects the administration and Con- gress to mect the issue as becomes the representa- tives of apeople who are no longer disposed to quietly submit to Spanish tyranny, insult, and abuse, no matter at whose instigation. Our correspondent writes that the Gadsden treaty ia really losing caste in the Senate, and that there is now some prospect that it will be thrown overboard. He also has something to say regarding the late dis- pute between Messrs, Cutting and Breckenridge, from which it would appear that a misunderstand- ig relative to the choice of weapons fortunately gave rise to sufficient delay to enable theirfriends to reconcile the difficulty without an appeal to arms. We elsewhere publish the particulars of the fatal accident which occurred on the Hudson River Railroad, near Tivoli, last Friday evening, as gather- ed from eyewitnesses of the melancholy scene. It appears that a large rock, weighing several tons, rolled from an eminence upon the track, shortly previcus to the arrival of the train. The locomotive ran against this missile with full force, and in an imstant the engine, tender and baggage car were ertshed to atoms, and several of the railroad employes were severely injured—two of them so seriously that they expired in a few hours. Happi- Jy, not a single passenger was hurt. Mauch of our space is devoted to-day to a mass of hausted the anti-Maine law side of the question; on the contrary, we believe that much might be said on the main principle of the bill that is omitted in the message. But the points which are takea up are ably handled. We shall characterize the prohibitory bill in the terms which it deserves when we say that its princi- ple is unconstitutional and tyrannical, and its details monstrous. We assert that no Legis- lature has any right to interfere with the eat- ing, drinking, or clothing of private indivi- duals—that if it has the right to declare certain eatables or drinkables illegal, it has likewise the right to compel men to wear black coats instead of blue, or blue instead of biack. The domestic relations of citizens, in these particulars, are beyond ‘the scope and province of legislation. We find the strong- est confirmation of this view in the appa- ratus prepared by the framers of the bill for enforcing its execution. Under the bill which would have become a law had it not been for Governor Seymour’s veto, almost every single provision of the Bill of Rightsis violated. Men’s houses are liable to be searched at the caprice of officers ; and ample opportunity is thus af- forded to malicious persons for annoying and molesting those against whom they have a spite. Property may be seized and confiscated without the owner knowing anything of the fact. Con- trary to the fundamental principles of our cri- minal code, an accused party under the liquor | stories of wood was in violation of the fire laws, and | rmallest dovbt that the tectotatlers will be de- feated ty a largemajority. They cannot count upon a dozen votes out of the country villages; while their adversaries are sure, in the first place, of all the cities, in the second place, of a | Vast body of men who from personal reasons object to be deprived of one of the comforts of | | life, and in the third place, of a eolid phalanx of intelligent citizens who will oppose the bill | on principle. These various classes of indivi- | duals may be separated by mismanagement, or | Political divisions; if they stand together, the liquor bill will never again reach the point it saw last week. | We do not think it ought. No one has or can | speak more harshly than we have spoken of the | intemperance which prevails in this city, of the | rum holes which are the nests of three-fourths | our crime, of the adulterated poisons which are | daily sold over their “counters. Greater evils than these we do not think exist. But if our city government would only do its duty, if the Jaws we have were only enforced, if the five | gallon law were strictly carried out and the exceptions to its application rendered nar- rower; if, finally, we had inepectors of liquor, directed to test the epirits sold in every grog- shop and tavern in the city, and to sue fora heavy penalty those who vend adulterated liquors; we do not think any Maine law would be needed. In one word, we don’t want any more laws, constitutional or unconstitutional; all we require is that our present laws should te enforced. ? Progress of the Revolution in Mexico Against Santa Anna. The interest now taken by the public in the affairs of Mexico and the peculiar position of our government at this time towards that coun- try, fixed the attention of the nation upon events now transpiring in that embryo empire. The revolution headed by General Alvarez is a serious matter for Santa Anna, who while en- deavoring to suppress the movement at home with all his power, is at the same time trying to suppress any information of its extent being transmitted to the United States. It is more by good fortune than in the ordinary course of things that we have been enabled within the last few days to publish any accounts from this Mexican teat of war.. The lobby member for the Gadsden treaty at Washington, who does the correspondence for the Journal of Com- merce, treats the revolution as a contemptible affair. Ofcourse he does, for that is his cue, taken from Almonte. If Santa Anna should not be in power when. the fifteen millions are ready, what becomes of the emoluments of the lobby ? Therefore he says :— have only to say one word to pul ught the power of Dictator. ‘We have also before us printed sheet, in which the object and the means of the present revolution are dis yeuased at some length. ‘This document, which seems to emerate from the secret leaders of the rebellion, calls upon the people to elect everywhere juntas, which shall be entrar with the management of the public funds, and of the revolutionary forces. The measures to tal en for the establishment of a republican governmen' as voon as the capital shall have pronounced itself in favor of the movemént, are also indicated and prescribed to those juntas, and everything seems prepared for the cary and inevitable overthrow of the presept governm’ nt. ‘e are placed in possession of a third document issued by the revolutionary press, enumerating the changes to which the attention of the juntas should be more par- ticularly directed. ‘These changes are of the most liberal character; such as the abolition of the wonopoly on to- baceo, powder, salt, &e. well be surprised at the Washington lobby characterizing Gencral Alvarez as another Billy Bowlege--who, by the bye, cost our government forty millions to conquer—and as a half-breed Pinto Indian. Such epithets as these may suit the meridian of Washington, where such things may be believed. But at this time the western coast of Mexico is no longer a sealed book to those who really deeire to learn its actual condition. Thousands of Americans | have monthly visited Acapulco since the settle- ment of California, and the explorations, maps and reports of the Mexican Ocean Mail Company in this city, now printed and in circulation, and whose route our correspondent says is through the centre of this country, give us a clear insight into the actual condition of that portion of Mexico, The Causes of lan ewe and thelr Rente- jen. The present high rents and the great increase in nearly all the necessaries of life are to New Yorkers perhaps the most engrossing subjects of the day. Never before in the history of our city—not even during the year preceding the great financial revulsion of 1837—did the owners of house property realize such an enormous per centage on that property as they do at pre- sent. Within the limits of the city the lowest amount is about ten per cent, and it varies from that up as high as fifteen and in some cases twenty. We are aware that this is attributed by many, and, perhaps, by the majority of ten- ants, to the remarkable increase in the popula- tion and the consequent demand for houses; but after all this is only one of the numerous reasons which might be assigned for it. There isaclass of men, occupying a position between the land- lord and tenant, called house agents, who de- rive their main support from the hiring and let- ting of houses, and who may Justly be regarded as among the principal causes. Several months before the day of general moving these men advertise for whole blocks of houses, and having secured them at what would doubtless be con- sidered by tenants g reasonable rate, they re-let As for the threatened revolution in Mexico, it is treated as a matter of mere mooushine by all persons here who have reliable correspondence with Mexico. Alvarer is just as formidable to General Santa Annaas Billy Bowlegs is to President Pierce—a porcupine at home among his Pinto Indians, but has no strength out of his air. This is whistling to keep his courage up, for all other accounts represent the pronunciamento as alarming to the power of Santa-Anna. Our intelligent correspondent from Acapulco goes into particulars, and very clearly portrays the strength and resources of Alvarez, as well as the grievances, which are righteous and mani- fold, The revolutionary chief complains of the State and federal governments being abolished ; of the local revenues being abstracted to be sent to Mexico for the uses of Santa Anna in establishing the empire ; of the monopoly of the mines ; of the recall of the Jesuits ; of the des- truetion of the school system, and of the con- sequent confusion incident to this crushing of the State governments. Alvarez has also the whole power of the State of Guerero in his hands, and the people, in heart and soul, with him; while on the other side the troops of Santa Anna have the dread of starvation, and of infection from the Pinto Indians, in mareb- ing to quell the rebellion. The high road from Mexico to Acapulco is open to the army ; but the country on both sides cannot be penetrated without certain destruction. “Every day new strength is given to the revolution,” adds our correspondent, ‘‘as the disaffected of every State have now a head to look up to, and a sure asylum in case of necessity. ”” This is the most reliable information which we receive from the west coast of Mexico, the centre of the revolution. Bat the news which we published yesterday, coming from Vera Cruz and Mexico at this time, not in communi- cation with the west coast, fully confirms the prohibitory law is to be presumed guilty until his innocence is proved. He is bound to answer when interrogated, even though his answer may criminete himself. Finally the bill vestsin the local magistrates such an amount of power as would really convert them into worse tyrants than the barons of the middle ages. No one’s house would be secure from search, no one’s person secure from arrest, no one’s property guarantecd against forfeiture : though in reali- ty no crime had been committed. We see in these relics of the barbarous legislation of the dark ages ample evidence of the inconsistency of the liquor prohibitory bill with our present laws : when alaw cannot be carried out without depriving the citizen of his natural liberty, and borrowing succour of tyranny, it is safe to conclude that it is a bad one. We have all along placed on record our aversion to highly interesting information relative to the im- portent events transpiring in Europe, includ ing letters from our London, Dublin, and Paris correspondents. The debate in the British Hous» of Lords, disclosing the secret nego- tiations between that Government and the Czar for ‘the dismemberment of Turkey, and eventual! division of her territory between the two Powers, should be read with attention by all who desire to arrive at a correct understanding of the question. Owing to the prevalence of the storm yesterday which probably disarranged the wires, we did not receive oor telegraphic despatches from New Or- Jeane relative to the great race for the post stake of $20,000, which was to have taken place over the Me- tairie course. Business was again exceedingly dull in the city yesterday. Stocks in Wall street were very much, depressed, and nearly every description of a fancy character fell off in price. Flour was inanimate, with sales of common State brands at $7. Corn clored at 77c. a 80c. Wheat was quiet. Pork was imactive at $15 for mess, and $12 25 a $12 37 for prime. There was some movement in beef, and about 1,000 barrels Chicago, repacked, were sold, part at $15. Cotton closed at jc. per pound decline for the week on low grades, At the present time there are only about sevehty ships at this port, against one hundred and forty on the first of February last. Sailors are also remarka- bly ecarce, notwithstanding the liberal wages now paid. To California $15 per month is paid, and #40 advance; and to Liverpool $40 advance is paid. Notwithstanding these circumstances, freights have recently tended downwards for European ports and Sor California. Among the decisions of the Court of Common Pleas, published elsewhere, one will be found of espe ial interest to the public at large, In the case of the Fire Department against Buffam, the Court dec ded that a house of which the first story was of brick aod the front and rear of the eecond and third the enactment of sumptuary laws in any shape ; those whose aversion to intemperance in- duced them to abandon the principle for which we contend, will hardly allow their feelings to carry them so far as to sanction such an jnfa- mous enactment as the one now before them. Ready, it may be, to sacrifice their own rights in the matter of eating and drinking, they can hardly bow to prejudice to the extent of sur- rendering the sanctuary of the private domicil, the liberty of the person, or the inviolability of private property. There will be, we are confident, a strong body of men opposed to the liquor bill at the next election. At the last, very peculiar circum- stances contributed to effect the return of a tee- total majority. The whigs were a total wreck, figating about in search of a platform; they followed some of their leaders in embracing the doctrines of the teetotal party, and in many iustances pledged themselves to vote for the liquor prohibitory bill, though at heart dia- metrically opposed to it. The atministration had shattered the democratic party in this State. Hards and softs were so anxious to de- feat each other that they thought little about the faction that was silently creeping in upon them; they spent their strength in suicidal efforts while teetotaliem was winning the da, It can hardly be so at the next election. Every one will then know that the real question at issue is the liquor prohibitory bill; and if the teetotallers carry the day, they will not have done so by stealth, It is not imposes that between this and then some sort of coalition may be effected between — the various sections of thé anti-liquor party; if this is the cate, we have nos th e statements of our correspondent. Thus the New Orleans Picayune, from which we re- publish, says, among other things, of Santa Anna:— A careful perusal of our late exchanges from Mexico confirms in our mind the opinions we have hitherto held and expressed, that the existing government there is one of a most ephemeral character, and that Santa Anna has nearly run his allotted course. Indeed, little else could have been expected from one who returned one year since from a third exile, and showed plainly in every act that if he had forgotton nothing, he certainly nas learned nothing. Coming into power with the almost unanimous concent of all parties, who, tired of the inani- mate condition of the country, were disposed to adopt the course of action of any chief whose antecedents seem- ed to prom’ve ¢n infusion of strength into the body poli- tic, Santa Aina hada fair field, and needed no favor. There was no organized opposition to him, and his coun- ty awaited with anxiety the installation of a policy which shou'd bring new life to the almost exanimate body polit'c. - Since his 1eturn one year has elapsed, and although during tha! time innumerable changes have been effect- ed in every branch of the government, not a single vital rinciple has been introduced in its administration nor in ite foreign or external policy. Old and worn out re- strictive theories of finance have been put in force, and, asa natural result, have destroyed the revenue formerly raised from foreign importations, Ni irces of pub- lic wealth have been sought for, new lovies of taxes, and the whole vocabulary of the younger Pitt has been ran- sacked to find names for them. ese researches have only resulted in a failure to raise sufficient revenue to RY the expense of collection. Old and effete rallying ies have been raised, but without awakening in the oe degree the national sentiment, or a single pul- sation of the national heart; and now even the trumpet- ers have ceased their labore from pure existe! While the nation contemplates with eadness the desola- tion of some of its Gnest portions of territory, or looks with apathy on the seizure of distant province, the chief of the State endeavors to recruit his exhausted ex- chequer and prop his falling. power by the suicidal policy of a sale of a portion of bis territory. It is no wonder that under such circumstances the country should turn with disgust from the chief who them at an advance of twenty and sometimes thirty per cent. In this way they make ahand- some living, and not unfrequently realize for- tunes. The tenants have not only no redress against this system of extortion, but they are often compelled to submit to any rules which their landlords impose upon them. It is but a poor consolation to them to be told that they need not live in such houses, and that they can remove out of the city, where rents are not soexorbitant. Their business is of such anature that they cannot live in the suburbs without in- curring even greater expense, and so they are compelled, no matter how unwillingly, to sub- mit to the imposition. The effects of this system are felt more by the poor working classes than by the rich, for itisafact that the former pay more rent in proportion to their means than the latter. As many as twenty families are sometimes crowded into one of these tenement houses,which, if pro- perly constructed, would not afford accommoda- tion for more than five—health, convenience and other important considerations being sacri- ficed to economy of space. Itis not, however, with the peculiar manner in which these dwell- ings are built that we have to deal at present, but the extortions, exactions and tyranny, of house agents. It is a common practice with some of these men not to let a house or part of ahouse for more than a month, so that they can at the. expiration of that time e/ect their tenants if they should not comply with all the rules. We know of one case in which the agent turned a sick woman out of her apart- ments on some trifling or pretended violation of the regulations of the house, the secret rea- son, however, being that he was offered more for them. The owner of the house hearing of the outrage, determined that he would let his own houses in future; and by doing so he found that he could, even after a reduction of the ten per cent which he had before paid his agent, realize a handsome interest on his pro- perty. It will be seen from the following, which is a correct copy of the conditions under which a person paying seventeen dollars a month, in advance, rented part of a house, how strict the rules and regulations of some of theee agents are :— This receipt for one month’s rent is for the second floor, except the hall bedroom, of house in — street, to de used as adwelling for——'s family only. No dirt, ashes, or garbage to be thrown in the sink, cellar, yard, or privy; doors, stairs, or walls not to be cut or marked; fuel not to be cut or broken up in the rooms; no drank: enness allowed, or boarders kept; rooms to be kept. car- ted; street door to be kept shut; to keep the hail on Whe feor of said apartment and frst fightof stairs down clean; to take regular turns weekly with the families oc- cupying the house in cleaning the yard, privy, &., and in lighting the hall lamp; halls and passage way not to be used for storing tubs or other articles. Any violation of the foregoing to forfeit this agreement, and the apart- ments to be vacated on the demand of the landlord. Here we have established in our midst a petty tyranny of the most galling description, which prescribes laws for the regulation of our household concerns, and even, descends to such minute particulars as the carpeting of our rooms. Once a month, and sometimes twice, this domestic tyrant visits h's subjects, and, if they have complicd with all his laws, suffers them to remain; but if he has been offered more rent, or thinks he can get it, the had come in but short time before with such great pro- mises—that this is the universal sentiment in Mexico, that allclasses are tired of Santa Anna and his panto- mime, and that all look to the result of the Iate treaty with this country as the decisiveevent whether the pre- sent power shal! expire at onee, or whether it shal! #till continue for an indefinite though not long period. Some parties are not willing to wait even for that event, and a revolution hae already been commenced in the south by Gen. Alvarez, the well known half-breed leader. The worst that can be said of the principles of his movement is the following summary of his ideas and intentions, as presented by Bl Universal, one of Santa Anpa’s chief supporters Tt holds those ideas wp todhe scorn of all good Mexicans, or rather of all good San- tanistas — “Federative and State sovereignty; preponderance of the peovle over the ‘cloth coat class; absolute sub- mission of the ecclesiastical to the civil power; freedom of conscience and of worehip; suppression of the army, and the supremacy of parliamentary rule; reorganisation of the school system, &c.’? 2 Such are the pernicious doctrines of the new reyolu tion, according to Santa Anna's organ, and we must say ‘they strike us as having more vital life and positive ten- deney to a reorganization of society and good govern- ment in Mexico, than anything we have ever seen ad- vanced by the Santa Anna school, not excepting the fa: us order of ™ Guadalupe or the mighty power of the Dictator. In addition to this, the New Orleans Courier, after publishing some assertions of the Mexican government organs, goes on to gay:— Notwithstanding these ateurances of the off verbal reports which we have every reason toc present the State of Vera Crng, and in fact nearly the whole republic, ag Leing in h state of exe t Wo have received a pro a without ¢ signed * Lor Demoorate jeh Santa An slightest violation of one of them is made a pretext for instant ejectment. Indeed, to such an extent is this imposition carried, that it is beginning to be regarded a favor to a tenant even to let him a house, and his character is subjected to the most searching inquiry before he is permitted to enter it. We trust, however, that this year will see the last of this system, and that the owners of houses will hereafter let them, or if they do entrust their business to the hands of house agents, that they will not pet- mit them to impose upon their tenants. But, as we have said, there are other causes for the present high rate of rents which mast be taken into consideration; and, strange as it may appear, one of these will be removed by the paseage of the Maine Liquor law. There are, according to the recent reports of the cap- tains of police to the chief, about seven thou- sand drinking sbens and saloons, licensed and unlicensed, in N York, the majority which would be cloced after the enactment « the dill now before the Legislature. Tt may be urged, however, that the occupants of these places would be driven elsewhere, and that lo this event the closing of each stores would af- ford 00 relief to Lenanis; but it must be re- In reading these extracts the public may | population from the city. The burden of the membered that those who keep such places do | not live in them, and that after the liquor traffic is prohibited a large number of them must be used for other purposes; the strong probability, therefore, is, that they would be converted into | dwellings. The relief afforded in this way | might, it is true, be very slight, but still it, would be a partial relief. We must also look at the enormous expenses of our city government, and the consequent in- crease of taxes, as another of the causes to which we should attribute the present high rente, and the expulsion of a large part of oar taxes is borne, not by the owners of property, but by those who rent houses, while the former array themselves against every improvement to the city that in any way conflicts with their | interests. Many of these own store lots, and live in Brooklyn, paying no taxes on per- sonal estate in either city: while others make returns of the value of their property, fixing it at five thousand dollars when it is perhaps worth ten times that amount. A few years ago the personal property of some of the residents of Fifth avenue was valued at from fifteen to | twenty thousand, while its actual value was from one hundred and fifty to three hundred thousand dollars. By such means those who are best able to pay taxes escape, while the tenant, | whose means of living are very limited in com- | parison with theirs, has to bear an wiequal por- tion of the expenses of the goverament. It is true that he may not have taxable property, bat his landlord makes him pay his taxes, by add- ing them to his rent. To the house agent system, the unequal ap- portionment of taxes, speculation in real estate, and the crowding the poor into our city, may we therefore attribute the great grievance of | which the people complain. We have alrealy | suggested what we consider a practical remedy | for the last of these causes, which is simply the organization of a society whose principal ob- ject should be the removal and settlement of the poor in the country—that is, of all who are willing to accept the aid ofsuch a society. The | | | | | | | | remedy for reform of the city government is in the h f the people themselves. We } know theré been a great deal of imposi- tion practised upon the people under the s| of reform, but if they set about it in the way they must be succeseful. Tre Press anp Pusiic Opinion. lished in yesterday’s HeraLp a cw compiled from our exchange list, giving a view of the opinions of two hundred and sixty three American newspapers printed in thirty States and Territories and the District of Columbia. Of these, one hundred and forty-one are devoted to the democratic party, ninety-nine are whig, and twenty-three independent. The Nebraska ques- tion has drawn out a great deal of discussion, and it haselicited an expression of opinion from each of the journals above named. We have been told that the measure was decidedly un- popular; and if such is the case, it seems singu- lar that one hundred and thirty-six of these newspapers should support the bill, and but one hundred and twenty-three oppose it, giving the friends of the bill a majority of thirteen, This result is arrived at in the heat of popular ex- citement; and we have no doubt that when the measure is freely and fairly discussed, and the people become thoroughly acquainted with it, the state of public opinion will be found where it must come at last—on the constitution, and on that alone. A more astonishing result is presented by these tables, in regard to the administration. One year ago two-thirds of these papers gave to General Pierce a hearty support; now, we find that one hundred and thirty-five journals oppose him, and only one hundred and eleven continue to support his standard. As the ad- ministration grows unpopular with every day of its existence, these adherents, bending before the storm of public opinion, drop away from General Pierce; and, from present appearances, it seems probable that in less than a year from the present time his administration will sink to a lower level than that of Captain Tyler. The folly, imbecility, recklessness and extrava- gance of the present administration will proba- bly exceed anything ever known in our govern- ment, One of the most popular ideas in the inaugural was, that the government was to be conducted on the principles of economy and strict accountability of all the public servants; but, according to present appearances, the ex- penditures of General Pierce’s administration for the present year will be ten millions beyond those of any previous year in our national ex- istence. Lerrer From Nuncio Bepist.—The Nuncio is “safe at Jast on the other side of the ocean.” So he tells us in a letter to Monsignore Vene- ratissimo the Archbishop of Baltimore, which we publish elsewhere. There is a good deal in the letter that means nothing at all, so far as we can see: there is likewise a good deal that the Nuncio, for his credit, had better have left unsaid. He seems to be laboring under the im- pression that the whole people of America were embarked in a conspiracy to murder him. Herein, we imagine, the fears of the worthy Nuncio must have distorted his judgment in some material measure. We are not aware that had the Nuncio walked up and down Broad- way every day of his stay in this country, any body would have molested him; and we are qifite certain that had any such attempt been made, the aggressor would have dearly expiated his offenee. When the Nuncio telis us therefore that the debate in the Senate “ did not avail to put a stop to furious outrages, or even to pro- tect his life,’ we suspect that in the agony of bis terror, he must have seen murderers in his bed curtains, and assassins in the flickering flames of his grate. In point of fact, his ene- mies here were a mere handful of foreign dema- gogues, led on by obscure journals such as the New York Express; their clamor was only raised into notice by the injudicious attempts of the Nuncio and his friends to suppress it. We fancy the last move of Monsignor Bedini, to raise himself to the dignity of a martyr, will not raise bis character as aman of judgment or nerve. GexenaL Prerce’s Oprxtons on Tub Ne- BRASKA Bruu.—-The various expositions made in the columns of the Washington organ of the Cabinet, and the letters of Mr. Clemens, still leave us in doubt with respect to the exact opinions of Mr, Pierce on the Nebraska qu tion, We are still puzzled to know whether he supports it as a measure in favor of freedom or a measure in favor of slavery. We beg to pro- committee be appointed by pose that a select the House fe matter; that the committee send for John Cochrane of this city, and the scarlet letter, examine Jerry Clemens and others, and let us " keow what Pierce really thinks. ’ | none, perhaps, is it more welcome than to the auctioneer, | tent organ melodgons, or do. D ‘he purpose of investigating the | _ Tue Prosecrep Invasion or CanaDa—The organ of Senator Seward renews its assertions * with respect to the contemplated invasion of Canada, and evinces a knowledge on the sub- ject which no one but a leading conspirator , could possess. It likewise publishes a second proclamation from John Mitchel to the Irish, containing the usual twaddle about the Irish “being bound by affection and duty to obey * the laws of the United States”—and myste- riously proclaiming that “certain Irishmen have resolved, if a fair occasion arise, to avail themselves of it.” We are hardly in a position to be able to judge of the efficacy of the argu- ments by which John Mitchel is trying to dragoon his countrymen into his schemes; or whether calling Irishmen « idiots and beasts” is likely to conduce to their speedy enrolment in the army that is to invade Canada. John Mitchel’s experience ought to have tanght » him the best method of dealing with his coun- trymen. The part of conspirator and filibuster must be new to his ally, William H. Seward ; but we doubt not that, with his accustomed versatility, he will soon be an adept in the | business. A year hence, the Irish army will be in fine fighting order, with plenty of well + disciplined troops, ammunition, and vitriol bottles. With Generals Seward and Mitchel at its head, the Canadians had better look to their safety. Social Revolution in New York—Auctlons and thelr Effects. At this particular season a general revolution takes Blace in aliost every business in the city, and a new im- pulee appears to pervade all classes. ‘The merchant, the shopkeeper, and even the tradesman, look forward to its approach with the most sanguine expectations ; new en- terprizes are set afloat, our inland commerce is released from the thraldom in which it was held by winter, the country pours its wea'th into our city, and everything appears to be instinct with new life and vigor. But to who regards it with peculiar veneration, for it is to him particularly a season of profit, The surplus stock which remains on hand at the close of the winter is removed from the stores to the salesroom, and there knocked down tothe highest bidder ; houses, furniture, clothing, books, and in fact all commodities, marketable and unmarketable change owners, under the magic influence of the sales- man’s hammer. The papers are crowded with advertise- ments of all kinds, among which the auctioneers’ are picuous, each one presenting the greatest in- to the purchaser. Some of these announce sale of very handsome two-story houses, improvements, and every convenicnce sired. The material of which they are ibed in detail, the kind of wood used in. 8, ‘color of the blinds, the number of shade « in front, the size of the yard—and the whole winds up with a tribute of praise to the remarkably, genteel, and elegant appearance of their exterior. Some of these houses have been built on speculation; some are sold by the owners that they may invest their ca- pital in a new enterprise, and some are disposed of to clear off the mortgages upon which they have been erected. To each there is a history, and that history is not without ite interest to those who look beneath the surface of things, In no other kind of property is there so great a differ- ence in the value as we find in real estate. A house which would bring thirty or forty thousand dollars, if situated in Wall street, or any other great business thoroughfare, could not be disposed of for more than five or six thou- and, if located in the upper part of the city. We find, on looking over the advertisements, that the largest amount of real estate to be sold at auction lies above Fortieth street, while there Appears to be no limit to the number of buildings and building lots to be disposed of in Williamsburg and Brooklyn, It very rarely bappens that any property lying on the Five Points or in its immediate vicinity is offered for sale in this way; the owners we presume, preferring to sell it as privately as possible. However, this may be, we seldom hear of property of this description changing hands, except it is intended to be used for & purpose like that to which the Old Brewery was converted. Many will purchase lots now on speculation in the upper partof the city, and by keep- ing posseseion of them for five or six years, may at the end of that period realize a fortune upon them, as others’ have done before. The Merchants’ Exchange ie the grand auction mart for houses and lots, and several millions of dollars worth of property there change owners every _ week. The notices of auction sales of dry goods always form én attractive feature in a paper forthe ladiee, who never. fail in finding ‘‘great bargains’ at them. They are also particularly interesting to the amall dealers in the coun- try, who are always on the look out for cheap goods. It does not matter so much if they are not the latest and most fashionable assortment, for in the country the ea- pricious goddess does not rule with the absolute sway she exercises in the city. There is no want of variety, and there appears, from the advertisements, to be no end to the quantity. French goods, English goods, and Ameri- can goods, are all to be had in abundance at the lowest rates, for a large number of houses are disposing of their whole stock, that they may commence the year with a new supply. One firm announces its determination to sell without reserve, and ‘invites the attention of all dealers to their unsurpassed assortment of woollens, both foreign and domestic;”’ while another ‘begs leave to inform the pub- lic that the well-known establishment of Stickler & Co., before closing, will sell off its whole stock in trade at the lowest prices."’ Then follows a long list of the different descriptions, in which French terms appear to prepon- derate—mousselaine de laines, gros de Rhines, poult de soie, and other extraordinary names, making up a voeabu- lary which, to all except the initiated, is as unintelligible as Feyptian hieroglyphics. ‘Then, there are extensivé sales of furniture, by fami- lies who are breaking up housekeeping, and by cabinet makers, who are either retiring from business, or who are about laying ina new supply. These sales are con- tinued throughout the whole year, but they are more numerous and more extensive during this season. There are cabinet makers who manufactnre household furniture for auctions alone, who realize con. siderable profits therefrom. Their articles are displayed in the most tempting manner, and as they present great inducements they are eold without any difficulty. Every description, from the plainest deal table to the most elaborately carved rosewood extension, may be procured at these sales at a considerable redue- tion, and there are hundreds of familice in New York who would not purchace their furniture clsewhere. Through the medium of these auctions a social revo- lution is effected every year, and we do not over estimate the amount when we say that over a bandred millions of dollars worth of property is disposed of by our auc- tioncers. And these men are the agents by whom thie change is effected; using their hammer as a sceptre they knock down whole blocks of hodses at a time, and they have but to say the magic word ‘ gone’’ to dispossess one wan of his property and give it to another. Whether we regard them as the humble retailers of secondhand {urniture in Chatham street, or as the.princely salesmen of the Exchange, we must admit that our auctioneers occupy a high and important position, and that they are indispensable to the business community. — The Crystal Palace (World's Fair) Medal is ROOTS: eae ae. Call and see hie works, at bis magnificent galler: Broadway. Crayon daguerrcotyper teken at no other pi: Cloudy weather all the same as fair. Rooms ensy of access. wh mson’s. ypes by Electricity. An mtancows process, weeuring the likenots with t expreenion of a hap) t, first introduced in 184 by artist. Long sittin and pleasing, Gallery, Brooklyn. Caineo artist. daguerreotypes, also original with this Pianos.—T. Gilbert & Co. fret premium pianos, with or without tl the celebrated iron frames and circ on, Hallett & Cumste: Bee Waters’ eetablished firm of Hallett & Co.,) anos, and thore of ne saakers, ‘at whol ry or retal at factory Price, Second-hand Paws Ge WATERS, 803 Broadway. ' I neh L. & I. Jacobs, 407 Broadway, have con= stantly on band Firtl & Co.'s wile scale, extra pedal pianos: nsonia molodeons,’ of tone and which defy compet: music ae ruction booke for y strument. 2 RBS & Melodeons.—The Largest and Best Assort- ment of melo in the city, at 9X) Broadway. Tt being the only plac 0 ean bi dinan & Raldwin’s pa- W. Smith's well known Agent, 333 Broadway. 0 hint D. ai. HORACE WATERS, George Christy an “Gently down the Stroam,” Cheer,” “Sueianne Simpson,” “Be Cheery, Boys nightly with greet applanse, jurt published at 27 Pianos and molodeons, now and secondha nd lest assortinent in the city, at prices from £25 to ‘ood’s Minstrele New “Never ee ‘Ko. “Dealers supplied at factory, prices, Piapor, melo- b door’ and wollans to rent. BERRY & GORDON. nt and profite ten to tee Tec nrect the Nile ond Holy Land, ever 6 #60, Sor it closes on tbe 10tb inet,