The New York Herald Newspaper, February 7, 1858, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFFIOK XN. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. Saint atazs, 6 ILD, two cents per copy, $7 per annum. THE WELKLY LERALD. every Saturday at ix cents Per Copy, oF BS per annum, he European edition, $4 per annum, to Sy zero Creat Brescia, or $5 to any part af the Continent, both SHB PARILY BERALD, coery Weineedey, at four cents per py or or POLO hany ORRESPONDENCE, containing important Mews, solicited rom any quarter af the sworid, of wae wetll be lhe Pally paid for. BH-OUN Fouric® CONRHAFONDENTS ARK PAR- WY Wngturran to Seal Al. Lertans ano PACKAGES ‘NO NOTICE taken of anonymous correspondence. We do not return (hose ected. Jos PRINTING executed with noatness, cheapness and des- patch, Votame XXII. Hl AMUSEMENTS TO-MORROW EVENING, BROADWAY THEATRE, Broad way—G yun astics—Eques- rnianise—Fieruant, Lion, Tiaek, 40. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Rroadway—Eqursrmiawise aw Gre- astics—Pruronainc Kutwocenos, Mcuas, Eusruant, £0. BOWERY THRATRE, Bowery—Ricnagp IlI—Puiwe or rus Manaat—LocksmiTa OF STOCKHOLM, TRTON'S THEATRE, Broad ite Bond street— Mae Wives oF Winmsok— Waar OF Winbeoe. WALLACK’S THEATRE, Brosdway—Vicar or Waks- ‘viEL>—Beots at THE Swan. LAURA KEENE’S THEATRE, Broadway—Waire Lins— ‘Tus Lavy oF Tas Lions. BARNUM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway—After- moon: Tux Dauwxann, Kvening: Piowmex Pataior. WOOD'S BUILDINGS, 541 and SAS Rroadway—Gronce Onpisty & Woops Minsrnzis—Tue Toopies, witu Cavour KS. BUCKLEY'S SERENADERS, No. 444 Broadway—Necko ‘Mavovies ap BURLESQRS—DowN tm ALanam. MECHANICS’ HALL, 472 Brosdway—Bavant's MixsTREcs —Frmioriax Soxcs—Bos Ripier's Festival. New York, Sunday, February 7, 1855. ‘The News. The steamship Arabia is now fully dee at this port, with European news to the 23d ult., one week later than previous advices. The struggle in the House of Representatives on the question of the reference of the Kansas Lecomp- ton constitution and the President's message, which ©ommenced on Friday afternoon, was continued ‘without intermission until near seven o'clock on Saturday morning. As is usual in the case of a pro- Jonged partizan, contest upon party grounds, the time was consumed in taking votes upon motions of a frivolous character. The House finally adjourned with the understanding that the question of re- ference shall be the special order for Monday. The first motion that will come up is to refer the consti- tution and message to a select committee. This is the plan of the Douglas men and the republicans combined, and its success or failure is regarded as decisive of the fate of the policy of the adminis- istration upon this important and vital subject. The tameness of the proceedings of the session was in- terrupted about two o'clock in the morning by an episode disgraceful to all parties concerned, being notbing less than a knock down and drag out fight, in which Messrs. Grow, republican, of Pennsylvania, and Keitt, democrat, of South Carolina, were the principal gladiators. We have commented at length upon this affair in the editorial columns. The greatest excitement prevailed in Washington yesterday in | consequence of these events. Several matters of importance were brought be- fore the Legislature yesterday. Among the bills in- troduced in the Senate was one making appropria- tions for the maintenance of the canals for the fiscal | year commencing on the Ist of October next. A | synopsis of it may be found in our correspondent's despatch. The Assembly settled the chaplaincy | question by adopting a resolution inviting the cler- | gymen of Albany and vicinity to open the session by | prayer, for which no remuneration is allowed. In this regard both Congress and the New ‘e Assem- | bly agree that the laborer is not worthy of his hire. ‘A meeting of some of the most prominent members | of the New York bar was held yesterday in the Sn- | perior Court, and passed a series of resolutions con- | demnatory of the present want of accommodation | for the transaction of the business of the law courts. In case the Board of Supervisors neglect to provide | proper accommodations, the Judges are requested to order the Sheriff to procure suitable rooms. The amecting was a very spirited one, and evinced a de- termination to effect an immediate reform of the bases which bave been so long and so loudly in- veighed against by judges, lawyers and juries. There was a number of interesting cases disposed of in the General Sessions yesterday, as will be seen by our report of the proceedings. The Excise Commissioners were to have met on Friday, but they adjourned over to the first Monday in March, at which session they will sit for three Gays for the iasuing of licences, after which they will close their business for the year. On Tuesday, the 17th of May, will formally commence issuing licenses for t md year of the institu- tion of the Board. No suit has as yet been entered to test the constitutionality of the Excise law. So far the counsel has been uuable to procure any per- son of the Liquor Dealers’ Association willing to be a contestant of the law. As fot the slightest regard is paid to the law, individaal liquor dealers will pay no attention to the legal question at issue so long as they can conduct their business without let or hindrance. The Commissioners, however, intend to press a suit, to see what legality there is in the enactment We learn from the weekly report of the City ‘Inspector that there were 437 deaths in the city doring the past week, a decrease of 17 as compared with the mortality of the week previous, and precisely the same number as ocourred in the cor- responding week of last year. of the brain and nerves are very prevalent. We notice an increase of 20 deaths of these complaints over the mortality from same causes last week. In other reapects the report presents no extraordinary feature. The following table exhibits the number of deaths during the past two weeks among adults and children, distinguishing the sexes:— Mon. Wome. Girls. Tad we ending Jan. 30..79 1% bi 138 +4 Week coding Feb 6..77 o ist 6 a Among the principal causes of death were the following: rain, 7 of congestion of the lungs, 6 of disease of ‘the beart, 9 of inflammation of the bowels, 4 of teething, 14 of smallpox, 2 premature births, 27 still- Dorn, and 11 from violent causes. Of the whole number 289 were of ten years of age and under, and 1 inmates of the public institutions. ‘The following is a classification of the diseases, nd the number of deaths in each class of disease, during the week:— Bones, jointa, ko. Brain and nerves.. Generative organs Beart and blood vessels... lungs, throat, &e, ON Ag@..... Pain, &o., and eruptive fevers 6 59 * \lIbors and premature births tee ae oot eomach, bowels and other digestive organs 65 a ( soertain seat and general fevers... a on CukOOWD 6... cc cece eeeeees 2 i Urinary organs... af 9 Toth. sees ay or The number of deaths, compared with the corres ding weeks in 1866 and 1897, was as follows: — \ ok ending February 9, 1866. Tt < eoding February 7.91887 437 ete « ending January 80, 1868... 454 & uding February 6, 1868 ove 437 nativity table gives 338 natives of the United 4 4 Welaad, 17 of Germany, 8 of England NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1868. 3 of France, 2 each of Italy and Switzerland, 1 each | acted. of Scotland and Wales, and lunknown, ‘The Committee of the Common Council engaged in the investigation of the alleged frauds in the Comptroller's oMice met yesterday, and Mr. Flagg was again on the stand. After « minute examiaa- tion of the books of his office, Mr. Flagg was euabled to present an intelligible statement, with the aid of detailed memoranda, of some new frauds upon the city treasury, arising out of sundry little errors of surveyors, contractors, and others. The fraudulent contracts before the Committee yesterday were those for grading Fifty-second, Fifty-seventh and Fifty-fifth streets. The epecial case in which Chemung Smith is involved formed but a small part of the proceedings. The chairman, Mr. Gonet, stated that Mr. Smith declined being examined by the Committee until he had purged himself of the charge laid to his account in a criminal prosecution at his examination before the Recorder on Tuesday next. The developements made by Comptroller Flagg yesterday we give in full elsewhere. They are worth perusing, furnishing as they do a key to the method in which the taxpayers are plundered by the combined wickedness of contractors, city sur- veyors, and officials of the Comptroller's depart- ment. The committee of the Common Council on the sub- ject of the reception of Admiral Mohamed Pasha, of the Turkish navy, met again yesterday, and after considerable deliberation agreed to report in favor of an appropriation of two thousand dollars to give him a public welcome on his arrival in New York, and to provide him with suitable accommodations during his. sojourn among us. The Street Commissioner case was up again in the Supreme Court yesterday. The controversy between Devlin and Conover has been so arranged by the parties and their counsel that the quo warranto will be argued at tho present general term of the Su- preme Court, 60 that an appeal may be talen in time to have the question of title to the office of Street Commissioner settled at the next term of the Court ot Appeals, to be held on the fourth Tuesday of March next. In the meantime al! the other liti- gations between the parties will remain in statu quo. On motion of counsel yesterday a formal judgment was entered for the defendant, Conover, and on Mon- day a day will be fixed for the argument before the general term of the court. The steamship Fulton sailed from this port yester- day for Southampton and Havre, with eighty-nine passengers and $693,981 in specie. The sales of cotton yesterday embraced about 1,000 bales. The stock was light, and the market closed firm at Llc. for middling uplands. The flour market was active, and the common and medium grades of extra State and Western were firmer, and in some cases advanced about Sc. per barrel. The transactions embraced some parcels for export. Wheat continued firm, with sales of Chicago Ted at $1 02, and small lots prime Southern red at $125, and choice white do. at $135 a $140, Corn was active at 64c. a 65e. for yellow, and at 65c. a 66c. for white, Pork Was without change of moment, while the sales embraced, including transactions made the previous afternoon, about 1,000 bbls. of mees, chiefly at $15 50 a 915 62. Sugars were firm and transactions were at full prices, Coffee was xc. per Ib. better on the lower grades, The sales embraced about 4,600 bags of Rio at 9c. a llc. Freigbts to Liverpool were quite steady, though engage- mente were some less in amount than on the previous day. To other ports they were qniet and unchanged. Legislative Decency—The Late Scandalous Scenes in the House of Representatives. No true American, no gentleman, no man of common sense can read the account of the scener which took place in the House of Repre- sentatives on Saturday morning, without a thrill of indignation and shame. It would be difficult to find a parallel to them in the lowest groggery, in the vilest hell which is to be met with in our metropolitan stews. What is to be thought of men who carry into the coun- cils of the nation the habits of the bully and | the prize fighter, without conjoining with them even the small modicum of self-respect which prevents such persons from indulging their pro- pensities in decent society? Were professional pugilists, like Yankee Sullivan and Jim Mor- rissy, delegated to represent the interests of large constitutencies, we are satisfied that they would be the last to be found figuring in such a melee as that of whieh the House of Repre- entatives was on this occasion the theatre. Those persons have their notions of conven- tional propriety, which restrain them from committing themselves out of their own sphere. It is only in Congress that we find all the prescriptions of decency, all the rules that govern the conduct of men in their private relations, disregarded and violated with im- punity. What a spectacle is this in the eyes of the civilized worldj! How humiliating to a proud and sensitive people. prone to resent a a deep injury every reflection upon its habits! If we conduct ourselves like savages, however, we must expect to pay the penalty of the scandal. We point in vain to the refinements of our social life, to our taste for music, our growing love of the fine arts, our progress in science, and other influences which tend to soften and hu- manize the character. So long as our delibera- tive bodies, our parliamentary assemblies and our courts of justice present scenes of ruffianism and outrage such as that to which we refer, so long must we be resigned to have our place in the seale of civilized nations estimated by these supposed evidences of our habite. It was hoped that the indignation excited by the Brooks and Sumner affray would have had the effect of repressing the pugnacious tenden- cies of Southern and Western members, or at all events of inducing them to transfer the settlement of their differences outside the walls of Con- gress. The general sentiment of disgust which that outrage created throughout the Union, the verdict of condemnation passed upon it abroad, in the enthusiastic reception everywhere given to Mr. Sumner, would, it was thought, have been sufficient to keep within bounds for the fu- ture the violent passions of the underbred and half-educated men who occasionally find them- selves occupying the responsible position of legislators, The scene of Saturday last is a sad comment on the indifference with which such evidences of public opinion are regarded by our public men. If, however, the nation suffers from the erroneous impressions to which such a contempt of decency and legislative decorum must give rise abroad, it will have itself to blame for sending to Congress men whose con- duct fits them rather for a lunatic asylum than for a deliberative assembly. If Kansas man- ners are considered appropriate for a Kansas debate, there is no reason why each successive subject of legislation should not be disposed of with equal energy of action. Should the result be to reduce the halls of Congress to gladiato- rial arenas, it would only be carrying out the prevailing ideas of the fitness of things to their logical conclusion. It isto be lamented, nevertbeless, {hat the manly American spirit which was content to submit its quarrels to decent forms, should be 0 rapidly dying out. There is something mean and cowardly in choosing @ crowded assembly as the scene of a personal conflict. H looks as if the actors in such ecenas calculated always on the interference of the bystanders, thus seeking to acquire a reputation for courage at the smallest possible risk. It was not thus that men like Hamilton, Randolph and Clay felt and forms and conventional scruples of their order, chivalrous to a nicety, and abhorring all vul- gar appeals to force. They were not the less vehement or the less effective as politi- cal opponents, because they did not care to use in debate the argument of the pistol, the cane or the fist. When they quaerrelied, they carried their quarrels out of the tribune, and did not shock public decency or outrage the dignity of the Legislature by the exhibition of brute violence. There is no reason why, ats more advanced stage of po- litical enlightenment and refinement, our public men should retrograde in manners, and offer such marked parallels to the conduct of the ring and the cockpit. When in the wildest and most frenzied scenes in the National Assembly of France, or in the fiercest and most exciting political conflicts in the English House of Com- mons, we can find no instances of personal col- lision between their members, it reflects but little credit on the self-respect and dignity of our legislators that they cannot keep their fists off each other in a miserable squabble about Kanpas, We hope and trust that the ridicule and scorn which this last legislative affray will excite both here and abroad will have the effect of ceol- ing down the pugnacious temperaments of our representatives, and of awakening them toa sense of what they owe to the public and to their own position. Let them reflect that the disgrace of their conduct falls not only upon themselves, but upon their constituents. If they have the least feeling of patriotism they will also bear in mind that their evegy action is watched with a scrutinizing eye by the enemies of republican inetitutions abroad, and that every error that they commit will be eagerly seized upon as an argument against them. As republicans, then, as well as Americans, they owe it as a duty to the world to restrain their evil passions and to guide themselves by the Jaws that should regulate gentlemen. In 2 legislator, under our peculiar form of govern- ment, imperfections of education, and “even ignorance, may be occasionally excused, but blackguardism never. Tue Fravps on tue Crry Treasvry.—Ac- cording as the multifarious committees engaged in the investigation of frauds on the city trea- sury progress with their labors, rick mines of corruption and rascality are opened. The soil seems to grow fatter and more reeking with foulness the deeper they go. Our poor Comptroller was before the Coun- cil Committee again yesterday, with a budget of fresh fraudsdug up out of the books and papers of his office. These refer to jobs on Fif- ty-second, Wy-fifth and Fifty-seventh streets, which were entered upon during the régime of the late Street Commissioner Taylor. If this investigation is pushed much further, we should not be surprised to find that the public have been defrauded in every transaction which for years has emanated from the immaculate Street Department; for it is remarkable that all the alleged frauds now pretending to claim the at- tention{of these various committees—whether the alleged “conspiracy” of Chemung Smith to cheat the treasury out of $10,000, the frauds in the Fifty-fourth street contract, whereby Mr. Contractor Farley is said to have pocketed $900 more than he was entitled to, owing to the mistake of the City Surveyor, or the new cases opened up by Mr. Flagg yesterday—every one of them had their origin in the laxity with which the affairs of the Street Commissioners have been conducted. It is several weeks now since these commit- tees commenced operations, and already there have been developed frauds enough to appal the community; yet in no single instance has the name of the maa who was charged with being the head and front of all the offending against public honesty in the city been implicated in the scandalous transactions which have come to light. For months before the lest municipal eleo- tion the columas of the black republican papers and the harangues of petty politicians teemed with vituperative denunciations of Fernando Wood as the father of all the corruption which was eating at the heart of the city treasury. From the classic temple of the Muses in Irving place to the net over clean temple of Plutus in Wall street ribald abuse had been poured out upon him without limit. He was sought to be held responsible for the misappropriation of funds over which he had no control; for the misgovernment of departments in whose management he had no voice; but the great un- pardonable sin charged upon him was that he had tereased the city taxes to an alarming amount by conniving at all kinds of frauds, whieh had inured to his own benefit, Bat no sooner is the touchstone of investigation ap- plied than these chargesare flung back in the teeth of those who uttered them. If Mr. Wood was the instigator of all the crimes alleged against him, why does he not ap- pear now in connection with those which have already been exposed? Mr. Conover appears as the prosecutor in these cases, and surely no one supposes that he would sereen the late Mayor if he could put his finger on the smallest pecoa- dillo that might be brought home to him. We repeat, it is # significant fact that no im- plication on the part of Mr. Wood in these in- famous frauds is even hinted at, notwitbstand- ing the wild outcry raised against him so re- cently by his enemies. On the contrary, the turpitude lies mainly with the very party which 80 vilely easailed him. Tur Carico Cuanity Batt.—No soir'e dan- eante of any kind—no firemen’s, or military, or fancy dress ball—not even the masquerade balls at the old Park theatre—has ever been #0 suc- cessful, so original, 80 notre, as the great Calico Charity Ball at the Academy on Thursday. Not only was it a splendid success in money and clothes and goods for the poor and destitute of the city, but as an entertainment it is pro- nounced by all who were eo fortunate as to par- ticipate in it, to have been the most agreeable public ball ever given here. Wonderful as it may seem, this opinion is unanimous, both with the public and the journals of the day. Under these circumstances, we suggest that before the winter is gyer snother ball of the same kind shel! be gotten up for the benefit of some of the other charitable societies of the city. After the brilliant success of the first ball, there can be no doubt about the triumph of the second. Tue Cevtnat. Panx.What of the Central Park? It seems that affairs are progressing very slowly and expensively there. How is this? Are the Commissioners awake to their duty ’—or is the money of the city to be laid out in foolish experiments and vain theories to gratify republican philosophers? They were gentlemen, bound by the | The Collins Line of Steamere—tIlliberality of Congress. There is a rumor afloat of the probable aban- donment of the Collins mail line, and of the eale of the veesels composing it. This report has been contradicted, and we trast that it will turn out to be unfounded. We should regard the extinction of this line as reflecting a sort of na- tional discredit upon us. The history of the Collins line in connection with the liberality of the United States govern- ment offers a striking contrast to that of foreign enterprises of a similar character. The vessel of this company are amongst the finest in the world, both as regard accommodation and specd. They have always held out to the tra- velling public the strongest inducements for preference in both these regards, They have done this in the face of the keenest competition to which they could have been exposed, and which had been fortified by years of uninter- rupted and undisputed success, During the brief period that the Collins line has been in existence it has met with severe checks in the loss of a couple of its finest vessels; but ag these losses were partially if not wholly covered by insurance, they had no material effect on the financial prospects of the company. The inconvenience occasioned by them was felt rather'in the temporary curtail- ment of the facilities afforded to the public than in any prolonged or material damage to the prestige of the line. ft is certainly mot to these or any other contingencies arising out of the legitimate chances of the enterprise that we are to attribute the feeling of discouragement which isaaid to have given birth to the intention of abandoning it. If such a feeling should exist— which we very much doubt—then it is referable to other causes, the blame of which should be saddled in the right quarter. The Collins line, as we have frequently had occasion to repeat, is one which has peculiar claims to the favor and support of our govern- ment. It is an enterprise originating in the laudable ambition to secure to American ves- sels the carrying of the transatlantic mails and passengers previously monopolized by British lines. The Cunard Company was established with the aid of a large subsidy from the British government; and strong as it was in that sup- port and in the influence of a long and prospe- rous career, it was necessary that an opposing American line should receive all the favor and encouragement in the power of Congress to be- stow. That favor was extended for a brief pe riod to the Collins line; but ewing to the jeal- ous and narrow minded opposition which it met with in Congress, and to the harrassing. discussions and obstacles with which each re- newal of the government grant was met, it was partially, and will soon be wholly withdrawn. The termination of the mail contract in June next will of course deprive the company of one of the chief sources of support upon which it relied, and will render it impossible for it to compete, with any chance of success, with the Cunard line, backed as the latter is by a large subvention from the British government. It will be asked, what are the grounds on which Congress has thought fit to withdsaw its countenance from an _ enterprise 80 national in its character, and 80 conducive: to our maritime superiority? Was it on account of incompetency or mismanagement, or was the burthen of the arrangement consider- ed too heavy to compensate for the advan- tages derived from it? Not one of these rea- cons, we believe, had the slightest influence on the decision that was arrived at. It is not pre- tended that the Collis line is badly managed. It has never yet been satisfactorily shown that the work that it performs is not worth the amount paid for it. But even admitting that we have been paying our own mail lines on a more liberal scale than the British government do theirs, there are many reasons why this libe- rality should not ¥e discontinued—at least not just yet. The encouragement which it holds out to eur shipowners and merchants to break down foreign monopolies, and to secure our fair proportion of the mail and passenger traf- fic of the Atlantic would alone be @ sufficient motive for it. If to do this our eompanies build superior vessels and go to increased ex- pense inorder to secure the highest rate of speed, it is evidently the policy of Congress not to measure with too close # hand the amount of assistance to be rendered to them. It is precisely the reverse of this policy that has been pursued in reference to the Collins line, and it is to the discouraging influence of such illiberality that we may attribute the ro- ported intention of the company, if intention there exists, to abandon the enterprise. Con- sidering the generally favorable feeling that prevails towards the line in the Eastern States, it seems surprising that so many hostile influ- ences should have been brought to bear against it in Congresa. They are to be ascribed entire- ly to the jealous and niggardly spirit of the South and Southwest, which, forgetful of the advantages that they owe to usftake every op- portunity of manifesting their hostility to our interests. When it is considered that the com- mercial States of New York and New England pay for half the mail facilities which those re- gions enjoy, and which they would be deprived of but for our assistance, their conduct in re- gard to the Collins line and other Northern en- terprives, seems as suicidal as it is ungrateful. What benefits us must benefit them, and they are stupid not to perceive it. It willbe a sad reflection on the good sense and national feel- ing of our representatives in Congress if they suffer this fine line of steamers to be extinguish- ed merely to gratify the miserable jealousies of & few Southern and Western men, whe are inca- pable of taking a generous or patriotic view of any subject. Tue Banks ann tue Forune.—The resump- tion of the Baltimore banks may be considered as closing the era of financial dishonor which began in October last. At the present time, all our banks are in line; all pay specie ; and with a few trifling exceptiéns, all seem to be the sounder and the stronger from their trial during the crisis. The proportion of failed banksis not one per cent of the whole ; and we have reason to believe that the proportion of loss which the banks will sustain with paper they hold will not be more than two per cent of the entire amount. The balance is being paid off regularly by in- stalments, notwithstanding that the enormous depreciation in the value of all leading articles of commerce obliges merchants to undergo ter- rible sacrifices to fulfil their engagements. Thus it may be seen that the actual loss to the country by the crisis—the list of killed and wounded—is really very slight. Two per cent of the mercantile houses are said to have failed; and of these a large proportion have already resumed and will pay in full. The banks may lose two per cent on the paper they have dis- counted. This isall. A few railroads, by bad financiering, have got into great trouble ; but the bulk of thove corporatiows too are the better for the pinch, which has foreed@ them to show their hands and cease to borrow money at extravagant intereste. Altogether, were it not for the comparative stagnation of trade, ‘and the very low prices at whivh stapte articles of merchandise ares elling, one evuld hardly tell that we had been #o lately through a fear- ful financial revulsion. We eee already palpable signs of @ whole- some recovery. The banks of New York, which do over one-third the business of the country, are increasing their discounts and affording every facility to young houses to embark in trade. The business of the Clearing House is decidedly increasing. This was to be expected. The effect of the revulsion was to force specic to the great financial centres; so that instead of sixty millions, which is the usual average, our banks now hold over eighty-three millions, of which New York has thirty, New Orleans ten, and the balance is scattered over the country, All this money could not lie idle. We have seen, and are still seeing its effect upon the stock market, in reviving confidence, and in- ‘flating every dividend paying security; thougk this may, and natarally will continue through- out the spring and summer, the stock market eannot, alone, afford employment for suck amounts of capital as are now lying idle in the banks. Trade alonecan make it pay interest, ‘| and trade is accordingly on the mend. ‘The signs of the times indicate that we are en the eve of a new inflation greater than the last; that stocks are going up—the good ones first, and the trash afterward; that after the stock market has been inflated to some ridicu- lous extent, commerce, which is now struggling toward recovery, will suddenly spring into its old activity and we shall see progress such as the country has never known before. Leetures and Lecturers. Some years ago an epidemic, which we may eall the leeturing fever, broke out ia this city, or rather was imported here from the rural districts, taking its rise, we believe, in the aca- demic groves of the modern Athens. Briefless lawyers, fashionable clergymen, broken down editors, penniless literary men, were the princi- pal victims of this terrible disease. It was ac- companied witha mild form of insanity, ap- proximating idiocy. The patient broke out with a tirade of meaningless babble, here and there interspersed with a fact stolen from an encyclopedia, or a quotation from a favorite poct. The patient's friends would generally at- tend him during the spasms, and these eympa- thizers were reinforced by a few benevolent, good natured people without occupation for their time, and very glad to find something wherewith to relieve thei ennui, on the princi- ple that itis better to be bored than todo no- thing. In time, however, the nuisance became too great to be borne. The press applied vio- lent remedies, and the disease vanished, or rather was banished to the provincial towns where it had originated. But in these latter days two new lights have arisen in the oratorical horizon—two brilliant, fascinating, dazzling constellations, upon whose lips the bees of Hybla have deposited their ho- ney. The first of these orators is Mr. Everett, the calm, clear, polished, scholarly, graceful de- claimer, whose every period is turned witha curve as graceful as a Phidian statue, and whose eloquence flows like the gentle murmurs of the running brook. Mr. Everett has given to the ears of hundreds of thousands of people, Nerth and South, an elaborate and beautiful analysis of the character of Washington, and likewise @ discourse upon “Charity,” an admi- rable production. The first has been pronounced for the purpose of aggregating funds where- with the burial place of the Pater Patria may become the property of the nation, and the se- cond for the benefit of sundry worthy benevo- lent societies in this city and elsewhere. Mr. Everett’s audiences have included what is call- ed the cream of the fashionable, the religious and the literary world. Great lawyers and dis- tinguished preachers have sat at the feet of this Gamaliel, who makes the barren desert of com- mon places to blossom with the roses of oratory. ‘The other light of the lecture room is Lola Montez, whove eecentric career has afford- ed the journalist many o piquant para- graph. Mr. Everett lectured on one night at the Academy, and Lola on the succeeding evening at Hope Chapel, so that there was a fair opportunity for comparison. = Mr. Everett is cold, classical and ornate. His graceful gestures are the result of close study. Lola is blythe, sparkling, undulating and witty. Her motions are free, unrestrained, natural; her delivery is no less excellent ; her gestures, without study, no less graceful than those of the Boston orator. Mr. Everett has the pure Anglo- Saxon type of face and head; but in Lola's wealth of raven hair and large dark eyes we may read the electricity and passion of south- ern climes. Mr. Everett might have been the leading orator for the Athenian stoics; Lola Montez would have been crowned with laurel by the Epicureans, She is the Tenth Muse ; not Hypatia herself, teaching at Alexandria from the chair of Ammonius and Hierocles, was more fascinating ; Lolais the Hypatia of the nineteenth century. Not unlike the Alex- andrians, levissimum hominum genus, are her New York auditors, Her audiences are more cosmo- politan than Mr. Everett's, bat many of the game persons may be found sitting under the teachings of both. Mr. Everett is in high favor, as we have said before, with the religious world, which considers Lola an incorrect, wicked Bohemian, who is not to be patronized by pious people on any account. They have sald to her, in the language of the Pharisee, Procul / O procul este profani! On the same principle the Alexandrians tore Hypatia to pieces, but there were no pious and benevo- lent societies in want of funds in those days. We hear now that some of the pious people here are striving to concoct some indirect means by which Lola may be induced to deliver a lecture at the Academy of Music in aid of the fands of some of their religious and chari- table institutions. They don’t like to apply to her directly, and are much exercised on the subject, praying and wrestling with the spirits night and day, asking for counsel by which some new road may be opened to them. We sympathise with these brethren; and as the easiest way to solve the difficulty we suggest to Lola that she should take the Academy, as the Yankee fishermen say, “on her own hook,” and then and there give a lecture in aid of all the benevolent societies in New York. She would attract the greatest crowd ever seen within the building, not excepting perhaps the jam on the occasion of the Charity Ball, What does Madame Montez say to this? ‘Robert Dixon; gunner, John Webber; carpenter, H. P. Powrs. or Perry axp Paust.— His Honor Moyor Tiemann objecte to the appropriation of any money towards a reception for the Farkish Beer Admiral, soon expected to arrive in this metropolis. The Mayor thinks tat he only comes to get a ship built here," and te:attend te that business only. If the Rear Admirat will purciase the paint and putty he may use from aceriain marefacturer ef Menhattanviile;. will not that reverse the Moyor’s objection? Certainly. THE LATEST NEWS. IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON, THE CRIS ON THE KANSAS QUESTION. The Fracas: Between Mossre, Grow and Keitt, &., &., kk. Affairs at the National Capital. ‘THE APPROACHING CHISIS ON THE KANGAS QUESTION: —BEVERAL DUBL# ON THE TAPIS—THS TARIFY IN- VESTIGATION—N AMBRE OF OFFICKRS AVPOINTED TO: THE STEAM FRIGATE NIAGAKA, ETO. ‘Wasuvaton, Fob. 6, 1868. Nothing is spoken of to-day in the federal Capitol but the prolonged session lof the House of Representatives ‘until this morning at six o'clock, the disgraceful fight among the members, and the vote on Monday next on the resolution of Mr. Harris to send the Lecompton constiva tion to a select committee of fifteen. It is considered by the administration, by the members of Congress, and by sagacious politicians, as involving tho fate of the prosemt government and the demooratic party. If Mr. Harris’ re- solution prevails—which is a Douglas republican move- ment eombined—the democratic party and the adminis- tration will be hors de combat. There is some doubt about the result. It is believed that, notwithstanding the scenes of last night, and the previous test votes, the friends of order and of the Union will rally on Monday and defeat the motion of Mr. Harris. It is, however, a most important and somewhat doubwtl contest. The President has not bad his reception to-day, as is his usual custom, but has devoted his time to this crisis and in consulting members of Congress. At the last hour this morning, when the members of the Houre were exhausted, General Quitman succeeded in his motion to adjourn the session, on the condition that at one o’cloek on Monday the question on the resolution of Mr. Harris should be voted upon without debate. On Monday at one o’clock, therefore, this important question, involving the fate of the democratic party, the adminis- tration, and perhaps the Union, will be decided. The Douglas movement, predicted in the Heraup-so of- ten, is now developed in ail its proportions. The Wash- ington States to-night is out in its true colors against the administration and in favor of thia movement. Has Mr. Buchanan power snd patronage enough to crush the fac- tionists? and will he use it? The next forty hours are big with fate. It is rumored about the city this evening that notes of a billigerent character have passed between two or threo gentlemen, growing out of the fracas which oceured ia the House last night. J. W. Wolcott arrived here to-day. He will be brought before the Tariff Investigating Committee on Monday. Quite a number of Boston gentlemen have been closeted with him to-day. A tremendous effort is being made te cover up the fransactions. It isbelieve that Wolcott will refuse to testify or make any revelations. ‘The officers detailed for the steam frigate Niagara by the Navy Department are:—Captain W. L. Hudson, Lieu- tenant James H. North, Lieutenant Joshua D. Todd, Liew. tenant John Guest, Lieutenant William A. Webb, Liew- tenant Edward Y. McCauley, Lieutenant B. Gherardi, Sargeon D. §. Green, Passed JAssistant Surgeon Frs, M Gunnell, Assistant Surgeon W.6. Hay, Purser J. C. Ei. dridge, Chief Engineer Joshua Follansbee, First Assistant Eagineer John Faron, First Assistant Engincer Stamm, Second Assistant Engineer George R. Johnson, Second Assistant Engineer Mortimer Kellogg, Third Assistans Engineer Jackson M. Elwell, Third Assistant Engineor George F. Kutz, Third Assistant Engineer Joseph H. Bailey, ‘Third Assistant Eogincer William G. Buehler, Boatawain Leslie; sailmaker, William B. Fugitt, The Niagara will probably sail about the Ist of Marcn to Kegland for the purpose of laying the telegraph cable. All the banks of this city bave resumed specie pay ment to-day. General Calhoun, of Kansas, “The Protector,’’ is in Washington. P According to the Treasurer's Intest wookly statement, the conditioa of the Treasury is as follows:— $6,770,365 11 19,842 53. oe 88 499,869 45 House of Representatives. Wasmyaron, Feb. 6, 1353. CONCLUSION OF PRIDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. THE FIGHT ON THE KANSAS LEOOMITON CONSTITUTION—REN- CONTER BETWEEN MEAGRS. GROW, OF PA , AND KEITT, OF &. 6. Two o'@t0cn, A.M wore occasionally interrupte’ by motions to adjourn. Mr. Davia, (adm.) of Mise., unacceptably proposed, by ‘way of variety, that the House have a few epooches. Mr. Grow, (opp.) of Pa., objected. ‘The proceedings were exceeding dull, sboat one tenth of the members being either asicep or nodding in their feate—a few were smoking segars and others going and coming from the refreshment rooms. Mr. Qurrman, (adm.) of Mias., had a proposition te make, It was now manifest that all thie contest would come to no practical result. He had no authority to speak for his friends, but he suggested they come to the under standing that all motioas subsequent to the previous ques-| tion shall be withdrawn. Just at this point the House was thrown into most vio- lent excitement, aod a fearfal scene of confusion place. Mr. Grow was walking down the aisle on the democt side of the ball when Mr. Keltt anda friend approach him. A squabble quickly took piace between Mr. G1 and Mr. Keitt, Mr, Koitt struck Mr. Grow, wheo parties were separated by friends. They then words inan evidently excited and menasing manoes when Mr. Keitt again dealt a blow at Mr. Grow, the knocking bim down, The respective friends of parties rusbed to the rescue. Various mombers on mide engaged in the fight, which took place in the fronting the Clerk's deak. Mr. Wasneunse, (opp ) of Ti., was conspicuous the republicans, dealing heavy blows. The Srraxxe loudly and imperatively demanded ord 4,4 catied on the Sergeant. st Arms to interfere, ‘That functionary, carrying his mace of offoe, with bie assistants, hurried to the scene and. crowded in! the thickest of the fight, in which at leasts dozen was quieted. ‘The members having reluctantly retmrned to their there was s dead calm in comparison with the scene enacted ; Mr. Quemman proposed that they aow adjourn and the question on the reference of the Kansas mossage Monday, at one o'clock. Emphatic and general responses from the republ side, “No,” “No, “No.” ‘The confusion began to break out afresh, when Sreacer said he would direst tho Sergeant-at- Arms to under arrest those who disregarded the order of House. Mr. Camrnmtt, (opp.) of Ohio, said be foresaw that di greeable feelings would result here from the exeiti questiona connected with Kansas. Mr. Barkspare, (adm.) of Miss.—T call the gentlemin order. Mr. Camprett, wished the gentlemen from Missie (Barkadale) to know that he (Campbell) was his pee. A member of Congress who was a witness to thedi culty in the House between Mr. Grow and Mr. Keitt jiv| the follow ing partioulars:— Mr. Grow objected to Mf, Quitman’s making an ry