The New York Herald Newspaper, February 24, 1858, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. Cee JAMES GURDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFPICE N..W. CORNEK OF FULTON 4ND NASSAU STS. TEKMS. ca in advance THE DAILY HERALD. 100 conte per copy, $1 per annem. TEE WEERLY HERALD, every Saterday ot siz cents per copy.or 8 por annum; the European edition, B4 per annum, fo "y Par: af Great Britain, or $5 to any part ath: Continen’ book a Postae ze fAmuLY HERALD, every Wednesday, at four cents por re rome sine important vit nay quart td, Af vse ventl be Wihe= for. BB-OCK FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS ARR PLR uF REQUESTSU TO Skat ala LeTTERS AND Packaces dence We do not NU NOTICE tadien of anon: return those rejected JOR PRINTING executed ADVERTISEMENTS od “ y necsand dee. day: audvertisementa tne Hewat, and in the AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Fourteenth street—Trantay Orewa —ii Dow Giavanst. BRO \DWAY THRATRE, Broadway—Afternoon aad Eve- wing—CtRcUS aN MENAGERIG—CINDERBLLA. — ROWWRY THEATRE, Bowery—Guemaxer or Moscow— Beones o# 08D—Biacksmte OF GURNT, BURTON'S THEATRE, Broadway, Road to Ruin—Tee Savace anv Tu WALLACK’S THRATRF, Brosdway—Jusste Beown, on vas Reiter or Lockwow—[oorts at THE Swan, LAURA KRENK’S THRATRE, Rrosdway—Act Taat Gurtehs is WoT Gorb—McLereer or ToLeDo. BARNUM'S AMBRICAN MUSEUM, Broadwa: won Tux Scarier Letras, on tae Biyiy Cait. Tionee® Patriot, WOOMS BUILDINGS, 561 and 563 Broadway—Gronce Currey & Woons Minstrets-—Werre, Tas Sessinit MONKEY ite Bond atree:— AIDEN, After ening: CKLEY’S SERENADERS, No. 444 Broadway—Necro acstopiss asp Bonsasgas— TaN MiNGrES 4? Tu ACADEMY. — MECHANICS’ HALL, 472 Broadway—Bevayr's Mixstaris —Ermorias SONGS—BRY4N1'S DREaM OF SHOVEL KY. MOZART HALL, 683 Broadway—Scorca Nioerincane’s Vocal xp INsTRUMENTOL CONCPRT. York, Wednesday, February 24, New 1858, The News. The steamship Anglo Saxon, from Liverpool 10th instant, arrived at Portland yesterday morning, and the steamship Arago, from Havre and Southampton same day, arrived at this port about one o'clock this morning. The news received by these ships is four days Iuter than the advices bronght by the Africa, and is of a highly interesting character. The long talked of attack of the allied British and French forces upon Canton took place on the 28th of December. The bombardment commenced at day- light, was continued throughout the day and night, and at «ix o'clock on the morning of the 29th the assault began. By nine o'clock the heights com- manding the city were in possession of the allies. The Chinese made but feeble resistance, but the British refrained from entering the city. A fortnight’s later news had reached London from India. It was very satisfactory. The British had obtained important successes. The Lieutenant Goy- ernorship had been given to Sir John Lawrence. The position of affairs between France and Eng- land continued to excite anything but an amiable feeling on both sides. In the Heuse of Lords it was announced that a despatch had been received from Count Walewski, in which it was stated that the Emperor deeply regretted that any apparently official recognition should have been given in France £0 assertions likely to be at all offensive to the feel- ings of the English people. In the House of Com- mons, Lord Palnterston had obtained leave, by a vote of 299 to 90, to bring in a bill making con- spiracies to murder a penal offence, the law to be applicable to both British subjects and foreigners. It was also announced that the government had no intention to yield to the desire of other Powers for the expulsion of refugees in England. In France M. Billault, Minister] of the Interior, and E. Pietri, Prefect of Police, had resigned their posta. Gen. Espinesse had been selected to succeed M. Billault, and it was expected that he would shortly assame the duties of Prefect of Police. A revolutionary plot had been detected in Madrid. The London money market was easy, but the tone of the French government organ had had a depress- ing effect upon the funds. Consols had declined. The closing quotations were 95j for money, and 95] for account. At Liverpool cotton had advanced one-eighth of a penny on the prices current at the departure of the Africa, the market closing firm. Breadstuffs were nominal. We have news from Montevideo to December 25. The financial pressure in Earope and the United States had prostrated trade, and prices of native produce had declined considerably. A revolution in political affairs was anticipated. The bark Fame, bound from Richmond for Montevideo, ran ashore on the 25th of December, and while in that situation ‘was boarded, as is reported, by a large party of ‘Italian pirates, who pillaged the vessel of everything movable. The timely appearance of a Brazilian war steamer, which assisted in getting the bark afloat, alone prevented the plunderers from murder- ing all on board. Congress reassembled yesterday, after a recess of three days. But little business of importance, how- ever, was transacted. In the Senate the bill amend- ing the act limiting the liabilities of ship owners was paaed. The resolutions of the Legislature of Ten- neasee, endorsing the Kansas Lecompton constitu- tion, censuring Senator Bell for his opposition to the Nebrask» bill, and intimating that he ought to re- sign, were presented by that gentleman, when he took occasion to explain and defend his course. A warm comtroversy ensned between Mr. Bell and his colleague, Mr. Johnson, upon the points at issue, which at one stage of the discussion wore quite a bellicose aspect. Mr. Green endeavored, but unsuc- cessfully, to have the bill providing for the admis- sion of Kansas made the special order for Thursday. The House, in Committee of the Whole, discussed Kansas, slavery and kindred topics. After participating in the festivities incident to the celebration of Washington's birthday, both branches of the Legislature met yesterday afternoon and proceeded to business. The only noticeable fea- ture of the proceedings was the introduction in the Senate of a bill amending the Metropolitan Police law. The bill provides for the reduction of the di trict to the countiesof New York and Kings, the election of four Commissioners by the people, the Mayors of New York and Brooklyn acting as Presi. deut and Vice President of the Board. The bill, af- ter an animated discussion, was referred to the dele- gation from the Metropolitan district The Quarantine Committee of the New Jersey Legislature held a meeting last evening, when argn- ments were heard for and against the removal of the Quarantine from Staten Island to Sandy Hook. Ex-Governor Pennington and 0. L. Halstead spoke n favor of removal. Some additional particulars confirmatory of the reported loss of the ship John Milton we give else- A brief biographical sketch of Captain the master of the ill fated vessel, is also wher Hard given The Torkish Admiral, Mahomed Pasha, so long expected here, was at the naval arsenal of Ferrol, ia Spain, on the Soth of January, saperintending the work of repairing the lineof battle ship Fethie. We give this on the authority of the Madrid Espana, end it is presumed that his Highness will come over the Fethie, which is a fine war ship of the Turk- i navy. The Committee on Streets of the Board of Coun. nen met yesterday and heard several parties, who directly interested in the matter, speak for and sinst the proposed alteration and improvement Itvane and Worth atreets, but adjourned without ng any action on the aabject. (he Board of Councilmen was in session yester ‘ Resides the transaction of a good deal of routine 4} bes, @ resolution was adopted requesting the nee! of the Corporation to memorialize the State re for a repeal of the Metropolitan Police tax levy as amended by the Board of Alder 4 NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1858, 2——eEE men waa also consigered, but the Board of Council- men adbered to their former action on several of the items whieh it contains, The examination of James B. Smith and John | Fitzpatrick, who etand charged with obtaining $10,000 fron. the city treasury by means of a fraadu- lent contract, was resumed yesterday before the Recorder, The principal witneszes were Charles ‘Turner, Deputy Street Commissioner, and Nathaniel G. Bradford, cashier of the Bowery Bank. The most of the session was oceupied in an argument on the admissibility of a question which, it was sup- poved, would implicate Charles Devlin in the trans- actin, The Recorder deemed the evidence proper, but the examination of Mr. Bradford was suspended to afford hi:n an opportunity of examining the books of the Bowery Bank; end the further hearing of the case was adjourned till Wednesday next. The alleged frauds in the regulating of Third ave- nue, between Sixty-first street and Eighty-sixth street, cceupied the attention of the Standing Com- mittee on Frauds yesterday. Mr. Edward Boyle, the City Surveyer—who informed Mr. Conover that some Serious aiterations had been made in the figures of his return for the work—was examined, and proved that the alterations were made after the doonment left bis office. Mr. Conover was also on the stand; but he could give no information as to when or by whom these alterations were made. This case was up in the Supreme Court also yesterday, on a writ of certiorari; but Judge Roosevelt, though he admitted that some great wrong appeared in the fulfilment of the contract, withheld a final decision on the ground of seme legal technical error. The Metropolitan Police news in our paper to-day will be found interesting. The Nye house and lot project, it is said, has not been abandoned, and there is a probability of another dead lock in the Board. At the meeting yesterday an interesting discussion took place concerning the merits of the Deputy Super- intendent of Brooklyn. A large number of complaints against members of the force were disposed of, gene- rally by dismissal, punishment being inflicted in but few cases. Steps were taken to enforce the Sunday laws, to regulate the new house for the detention of witnesses, and to regulate the shoveling of snow in Breoklyn. The Board of Ten Governors met yesterday and agreed to lay over for two weeks the consideration of the subject of introducing homeopathy into Belle- vce Hospital. It was also resolved to petition the Common Council for $100,900 to rebuild the island hospital. There are now 8,053 persons under the care of the Governors, an increase of 1,524 a3 com- pared with last year. The subject of the suit against the city for the glass ballot boxes was brought before the Board of Supervisors last evening, on a message from the Mayor. The amount claimed is $60,000 for four thousand boxes. After some slight debate counsel was directed to defend the suit. It appears, how- ever, that the Corporation Counsel is defending it, and has already obtained an extension of ten days time. A sum of $4,000 was appropriated, by reso- lution, for the purpose of providing suitable accom- modations for the Surrogate. We hope the commit- tee to whom the matter is referred will avoid distri- buting the offices out of the Park, and that they will recommend the immediate erection of an iron build- ing until the Five Points is purchased, as one gene- ral focus for the whole business of the legal profes- sion. ‘The cotton market displayed increased firmness yester day, with more doing. The sales embraced about 3,000 Dales, dased upon middling upland, at 12c., middling Gulfs at 124¢. a12\c., and fair uplands at 12°%{0. There was no fair New Orleans on the market. The deiiciency in tho receipts at the ports have been diminished to 483,000 bales, compared with the same perio! last year, and the total decrease in exports to foreign ports amounts now to 74,000 bales, of which 10,0c0 are to England, 29,000 to France and 35,000 to other ports. Flour con tinued steady, with fair sales at unchanged prices. Wheat was firm for good to prime grades, while inferior and 20 n- mon qualities were beavy and irregular. A lot of Southern | Ted sold at $120. Corn was steady, with sales of Northern yellow and white at 67c. a 68c., and Southern do. at 6c, a 70c. Pork was steady, with sales of mess at $16 67c., and of prime at $13 25 a $13 50. Sugera were firm, with sales of about 300 « S66 hits New Orleans and 300 boxes, at rates given in another place. Owing to a sale to come off to day the market for coffee was quiet. The stock of Rio in this market is about 42,120 bags and packages, of all descriptions 57,000. Freight engagements were moderate and rates un- changed. Congressional Corraption— Where Do We Find Itt If we could believe one-half that bas lately been said, or darkly hinted through the news- paper press, of the gencral demoralization of our lawmakers at Washington, we should be compelled to admit that their most lamentable weakness is their liability to bribery and cor- ruption. For example, it has been charged by the op- position press, from one end of the North to the other, that the only hope for the Lecompton constitution is in the fat executive offices undis- posed of, with which, here and there, the Prosi- dent may be enabled to buy up the balance of power of the House of Representatives. And again, in the memorandum on the books of the Middlesex Manufacturing Company of $87,000 in bebalf of the passage of the Tariff act of 1857, the idea is pretty broadly insinuated that this snug little cash item was very usefully dis- bursed in facilitating the passage of the bill. We apprehend, however, that a yery little inquiry will show that of these out- side contributions from interested par. ties to facilitate the passage of this or that particular measure through Congress, the bulk of the money in all cases, and the whole of it in most cases, is pocketed by the lobby. In fact, the Washington lobby is a sort of mock | auction shop, and the Peter Funks thereof are professional watch stuffers, They hold up aa article before the astonished eyes of a green countryman as genuine gold, capped and jew- elled profusely, and going for less than the cost of the trimmings. The green countryman buys it, and not until after he has taken it home, and thoroughly examined it, does he discover that he has been awfully sold. In other words, the Peter Funke of the lobby get hold of a party or agent of a company in- terested in some particular bill. They repre- sent tohimin gorgeous colors their inflaence with the prese, the influence of the press over Congress, and their personal influence among the leading members of both houses, and the various instrumentalities that can be brought to bear, upon a pinch, to carry this aforesaid bill. ‘The party interested has found the very men he was looking for. He is delighted. It is a eure thing. He forks over freely, and these Peter Funks or emigrant runners of the lobby pocket his contribution and go on their way rejoicing. The reeults of the Congressional investiga- tions of the last year or two, and certain inci- dental facts which have come within our know- ledge, bave convinced us that this is the true view of the subject. In the case of Matteson, he and two other members of the House were all that could be found criminally implicated in the corruption transactions examined by the committee, while in the ramifications of the out- tide lobby gang neither the beginning nor the end could be ascertained. Undoubtedly, as in the case of Matteson and his associates, we may find bere andthere a black sheep among the members of Congress; but, as a general rule, they are elected on account of their trastwor- thiness, and have too much at stake to commit themselves to the perilous business of bribery and corruption, whatever may be the tempta- tion proposed. It ia the trick of the lobby Peter, aawith ere- ry other vagabeod in the last resort, to cry out “stop thief!” and to etart in pursuit of some imaginary offender, when he is himself the rogue. The positive accusations of Congres- sional corruption made by a lobby man named Simonton, one of the editorial corps of the New York Times, resulted in that very com- mittee by which Simonton himself was condemned. Culled upon to make guod his newspaper allegations, he bad at first nothing to say; he was a confidence man, and would not betray bis friends, But being pinned to the wall, he swallowed his owa words— didn’t know anything to criminate any member of Congress, and was thus dismissed, asa sneuking cur is ejected from the kitchen, with his tail between his legs, It was said of Matteson, in the same investi- gation, that he had declared it would be neces- tary to buy some twenty-five members of the House to pueh through a certain bill of spoils and plunder. It was perhaps upon some such hint, from the same quarter, that a company interested in the business of ocean steamers put into the hands of Mr. Matteson, as we are in- formed, a subsidy of $25,000 tocarry through a desirable appropriation. But, as with every pro- fessional lobby operation, the money thus invest- ed wasa dead loss to the contributor, though a clear gnin to the recipient. We doubt not that the bewilderment of poor Greeley concerning that mysteriors draft of one thousand dollars, and how it came into his pocket, aud how it slipped out of his pocket, will admit of pre- cisely the same solution. It was a lobby draft, and the lobby man pocketed the cash for it. The Middlesex Congressional subsidy of $87,000 is a striking case to the point. Eight thousand dollars of that sum have been traced to one or two newspaper offices of this city; and another item of $58,000 has been tracked into the pocket of the disbursing agent, Wol- cott, where all further traces of it are lost- Certain inquisitive peeple pretend that it can be tracked into the new Boston banking house of Gardner, Wolcott & Co.; but we are entirely satistied in suspending the inquiry at present at the breeches pocket of Mr. Wolcott. The fact that the money cannot be accounted for beyond that point is conclusive that it was not dis- bursed to Smith, Jones, Brown, Red, Black, White and Green, of the two houses of Congress. We dare say, too, that Mr. Campbell, of Ohio, can give a very rational and satisfactory ac- count of the influences which passed the Tariff bill of 1857, without the slightest allusion to the lobby. It was passed as a compromise between the great agricultural and manufacturing in- tereste of the Union, and for the reduction of what then appeared to be @ most uncomfortable surplus in the public treasury. Mr. Secretary Gutbrie complained of it, and would give Con- gress no rest until they relieved him. fle had up- warde of twenty millions surplus on hand ; and, without relief, this incumbrance would be, he said, at least forty millions in another year. He was relieved, and Mr. Cobb has required relief in another way; but the briberies of the lobby had about as much to do with the bill of relief in the one case as in the other. It is only where the lobby gang are directly interested in the profits of an act of Congress that they may be depended upon to work for it, as in the matter of the public printing, for ex- ample. In such cases, however, party expe- dients and political bargains do the work | among the members of Congress, while the lob- | by pockets the money. As for the wisdom of | those contributions to the lobby intended to | buy up members of either house to vote for any general measure, we leave Mr. Matteson, Mr. Simonton. Masa Greeley and Mr. Wolcott tounewer. The great danger to Congress is not from the briberies of the lobby (for the lob- | by birds get all they can and keep all they get), | but from the false pretences and swindling de- vices which they employ to accomplish their dirty schemes. In this way Mr. Taylor, we euspect, has been taken in and done for with his new Patent bill. Hence, while we would ad- monish al] outside parties that moneys handed over to the lobby for the purposes of Con- grevsional bribery are funds thrown away upon Peter Funks, we would also admonish the mem- bers of the two houses of the tricks and false pretences upon which the lobby really depend to carry through their schemes of plunder. And thus endeth the third lesson, A Cosxection Mort Extessive tian Pura- | sant—One or tHE PeNatties oF Porvianrry. | —We have frequently bad occasion to caution the public against the tricks of travelling im- | pottere who are in the habit of sponging upon | hotel keepers and others under the pretence | that they are corrcepondents or reporters of our | paper, We have endeavored to impress upon | the parties who are inclined to offer our em- | ployés free accommodation that all persons | connected with our journal are placed above , the necessity of accepting such favors. Not- | withstanding these warnings we occasionally | hear of cases in which the most clumsy at- tempte at imposition of this kind have met with success, We can hardly blame the persons who are thus duped, seeing that even our own cor- respondents are occasionally victimized by | these travelling swindlera, In another colauma will be found an amusing account of the maa- | net in which one of these fellows took in a oumber of people at Richmond, Va., during the | late celebration, including our own resident correspondent, Mr. Ballard, of the Exchange Hotel, and even General Scott himeelf. Under | cover of the assumed title of a Heap repor- | ter, he not only lived on the fat of the land } during his stay, but was treated with the great- | est courtery by the gallant veteran and several | other persons of distinction. A telegraphic | dexpatch to our office soon, however, settled the | question of the fellow’s authenticity, and he wag allowed to escape punishment only because our reply, sent through the same medium, was not esteemed sufficient legal evidence to con- vict him of his fraud upon the proprietor of the Exchange Hotel. We have again to expresyour hope that this case will render people cautious how they extend unnecessary favors to parties representing themselves as in our employment. The Herawp pays liberally for the services ren- dered it, and its employés have neither the ne- cessity nor the desire to figure in the common prees category of dead heads. : Berrer Late tHan Never—Ex Governor Dickinson has written an excellent letter de- fining his views upon the Kansas question, We do not publish it, because similar and better views have been put forth weeks ago in the New Yous Hrnaty. Why didn’t the Governor think about it a little sooner * ‘The Picthora of Specie, and Where I¢ WU Lead. The city banks showed on Monday evening nearly thirty-two millions of apecie; an increase of over a million on the week previous, accom- panied, singular to state, by a reduction in the Joans and discounts. A similar abundance of specie is reported by the banks of New Orleans. In London the Bank of England helds $75,000,- 000 in specie, against thirty last October. The banks of France and Prussia were never so rich in specie as they are at present, The hisiory of the revulsion of last full— rightly understood—explains this startling and widespread pheuomenon, We have publiched statistical reports of the effect of the revulsion upon the commercial world of the United States, carefuily compiled by commercial agencies; they go to show that throughout the country not over two per cent of the houses en- gaged in commerce found it necessary to sus- pend or break Jast fall. Evidently, this pro- portion bears no just relation to the alarm and excitement created by the revulsion; it does not represent the amount of damage done. Many houses lost money which did not suspend; much business was destroyed without abso- lately breaking any one. This damage must be taken into account in any reliable review of the effect of the revulsion: we can guess at its extent by comparing the present operations of the Clearing House at this city with its opera- tions at the middle of last year. They show adecline of one-half. The weckly totals are one-half what they were during the height of the excitement in the early part of the summer of 1857. It may therefore be assumed that the revulsion of last fall not only broke two per cent of the mercantile houses throughout the countiy, but destroyed fifty per cent of the business done. It may likewise be conjectured that the same figures will answer for the foreign commercial world; that while two per cent of the European merchants broke during the crisis, fifty per cent of the entire business done by the European mercantile world has since ceased to be transacted. It is the money which was used in transacting this business, and which the destruction thereof necessarily liberated, which has now found its way into the banks. It has come out of the pockets of the merchant, the mechanic, the ship owner, the agriculturist, the private bank- er and money lender. In active commercial times all these claeses are constantly receiving and for a time holding quantities of specie; in a time like the present they have uone, bills an- ewering their purpose quite as well as gold, and there being no very promising employment for money; and in such times, accordingly, coin flies to the bank. It may be said in round numbers that one-half the money with which the mercantile busi- ness of the commercial world is done either is or is going to be stored in banks at the great financial centres :~-we add, “ going to be,” for ihe indications are that the banks will hold this summer very considerably more than they do now. At the present rate of ex- change, for instance, gold cannot be shipped profitably to England; thus, the whole draught from California will be retained here, and the country will continue to forward its surplus to the great centres until business revives—that is to say, till next fall at earliest. It is no exaggeration to state that the effect of this accumulation of specie at New York, New Orleans, London, Paris, Frankfort, &c., will be greater than was ever produced bf the dis- | covery of gold ia California and Australia. The gold is not only added to the basis for banking in greater quantity than those gold bearing countries ever produced it; but it is here already, in bulk, with no risk of transpor- tation to undergo, no time to be wasted in voyages, no frittering away of large amounts in semi-weekly a weekly driblete. If California \ and Australia stimulated an increase of produc- tion, an augmentation of enterprise, a develope- ment of industry and a rise in prices such as the world had never witnessed before, it is but logi- cal and reasonable to expect that the pending accumulation of gold at the banking centres will in course of time lead to similar results and occasion similar changes, ‘Thus far the effect of the plethora of specie has been chiefly seen upon the stock market. Since October last, when the city banks sus- pended, State and railway securities have risen in market value some thirty per cent on an average; and from the immense extent of the daily operations it would appear that there are many who do not consider the summit by any means reached as yet. This inflation and ac- tivity of stocks is the effect of the anxi- ety of capitalists to get something to | do with their money. By and by, these men will have driven stocks so high that people will | be afraid to have anything todo with them, and then the capitalists will turn their attention to produce, cotton, ke, These will share the im- pulse given to stocks, and will impart it, on their side, to other branches of trade, until at last the whole commerce and industry of the country will find iteelf eurging on the tide of a fresh inflation more unbounded and more head- long than the last. That this must be followed by a corresponding re-action, in all probability briefer and sharper than the last, stands to rea- son; we may see it soon enough. It will be cu- rious to watch if last year’s experience has bronght forth any fruits. Tur Nontwern Democratic Parss.—The most inefficient and imbecile journals that ever to support an administration are the Northern democratic papers. We include in this censure the Washington Union and all the administration papers in New York, Philadel- phia, Baltimore and Boston. A more inefficient tribe of journalists than the conductors of theee papers never existed. By their laziness and imbecility on the Kansas question they have permitted the republican journals of New York and Boston to make all sorts of statements to the public without contradiction. Such jour- nals as the Albany Argue, the Boston Pow and the New York News are only organa of spoils and corruption. They are of not the slightest use to any administration. Danornovs Posrrion or THe Frenen Gov- ERNMENT.—It is very @vident from the recent developements that there is a vast conspiracy ramifying throughout Europe, and menacing the life of the Emperor of the French; and that many of the most iniluential and intelligent persons are oppored to the present dynasty. We are quite prepared to hear at any moment that it has been overturned. We are, therefore, not surprised to hear that persons who have money invested in any kind of property in France are gradually transferring it to more secure jo- calities. Tax Press anp THe Powsrictans.—A friend of Senator Toombs informs us that that distin- guished statesman never in'ended to express, in his remarks the other day, any contempt for the press as # bedy, but to show great disgust for the very inefficient reports of the debates in the Senate, made by the telegraphic reporters for the Northern prers. The Senator is more than half right. We have often expressed our disgust at the telegraphic ubstracts of the de- bates in beth houses, sent by telegraph to the astociated press. Very frequently the debates are bunglingly reported—material points omit- ted—immaterial ones sent, and the meaning of sentences distorted. When an important bill is under discussion no attempt is made to recapit- ulate its leading points, and therefore no one can tell what the members are talking about, cr understand the nature of the question upon a division. For example, the most important measure now before the Senate, next to the Kansas matter, is the Army bill. It has been discussed, altered and amended several times. Who can tell, from the telegraphic reports, what the provisions of the bill are, how it has been altered, or what is its present condition? We shall have to devise some means to correct this matter. Crimiat Rervorw.—Me. Seely, a member of the Assembly from this city, has introduced a vill in the Legislature, the intent of which is to abolish one branch of the administration of criminal justice here. Why don’t the burglars, thieves and rowdies prepare a petition in favor of au object in which they have so deep an in- terest? A change might give a few pliant Po- lice Justices who would be agreeable to some of Mr. Seely’s constituents. THE LATEST NEWS. Affairs in. Washington, THR WALL STREET BROKERS AND THX NeW TREA- BURY NOTES. Wasringroy, Feb. 23, 1858. A Wall etreet broker, named Pat Leary, ia in townon a mission to Secretary Cobb in regard to the Treasury notes, ‘Thore is a clique of Wall stroet brokers and operators who are making a great effort to compel the Secretary of the ‘Treasury to raise the rate of interest on Treacury notes from three to six per cent, and if he will do #0 they promiso, through Pat Leary, to take the whole issue In the shape of 9 loan to the government at the increased rate. On the arrival of Pat Leary, he went to the newspaper corre- spencents and got them to go with him to Mr. Cobb, to impress his financial viows upon the Socrotary. It is not believed that Mr. Cobb will pay »ny attention to this Wali street agent. The clique which he represen's, uided by a few banks, have made every effort to depreciate tho price of the Treasury nctes for effect in Washington. It is thought in the Treasury Dopartment that Leary had betier take the next (rain North. There is plenty of money in the country seeking investment, aud the govern- ment, if it resists the speculators, can get ali it wants at bree per cent. THE GENERAL NEWSPAPER DESPATCA. ‘Wasmivaroy, Feb. 23, 1857. The committee to investigate the alloged corruption in connection with the passago of the Tariff act, have ex- amined five witnesses and summoned fifteen others. Mr. Wolcott remsins in jail, firm in his determination not to comply with the demands of the committeo Many dis- tinguished friea“s continue to visit him. The House Sergeant-at-Arms has been notified by Mr. Williamson, who was forcibiy brought by him to Wash- ington from New York as a witnes?, thatthe has entered & suit against him in consequence. The piste] carabine recently reported in favor of, with modifications for cavalry service, by the board of officers ‘appointed by the Secretary of War, is solely made by the Sharp Rifle Manufacturing Company, of Hartford. Thoy did not make nor present it for trial, and are in no way responsibie for the result as reported by the Board. ‘Tho following Postmasters have been appointed -—B. F. Walton, at Lawrence, Mass., and Mr. Jackman, at New- buryport, Mase. THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION. Senate. Wasniverow, Feb. 23, 1858. IVTEREATING TO SUP OWNERS. ‘The Senate passed tho bill to amend the act of March 3, 1851, limiting the liabilities of ship owners. SENATOR KELL AND THE TRYNRAKE LEGISLATURE ‘Mr. Batu, (opp.) of Tenn., prevented the resolutions of the Legislature of Tennessce respecting bis opposition to tho Nebraska bill, endorsing the Lesompton constitution, ‘and intimating that he ought to resign. He referred to the date of the revolutions—February 10, 1858, four years after his voto which they censured—saying that it had been usual when the constituents of a member of Congress felt aggrieved at his course to act promptly. Ho referred to tho fact, that the rosolutions endorse unoou- ‘ditionally the repeal of the Missouri compromise, notwith- slanding the misobievous rewnlta of that repes! have be come patent and unmi»takeable, which, in tho language of the President, “have convulaed the Union to the centre lighted the flames of ctvil war in Kansas and produced davgerous penn paris throughout the confederacy.’ bm Bell alluded to . various elections in Tennessee ance Yote now called in question —showing that the Kansas- Nebraska Dill was ut alight aliuded to in the different canvaeses. Mr. Bell regarded the dovtrine of instructions ‘aa contrary to the spirit and literal provisions of the con stitution, Democratic Senators were disobeying their in- structions every day There were many important facts connected with the Lecompton constitution, of which he (Bell,) bad no knew more about them than be did. more, who declared that had be bea a mem ber of Congress, he would have voted against the Nebraska bill, received sixty six thousand votes in Tennessee for President. Mr. Kiheridge, who voted the Nebraska bill, was returned’ to Congress by an increased vote. He thought at no time since the repeal of the Missouri compromise had there been any seated indication of opinion in the South on that question, and believed if a fair impartial vote could be taken on the question, there would be an overwhelming majority for Pronouncing it the most unfortunate measure that Con Se. Sous ye of Tem: ir. JOUNSON, (1 In., Fegrotted to differ with his colleague, but justice to the democratic party of Ten Bessee required him to epesk. He then reviewed Mr. Beli’s statementa regarding fennesee elections, show ing that in 1854, before the of the Kao. sas-Nebraska bill, the Tennessoe Logisiataro passed resolutions approving that measure, Pj requesting the members of Congress from Tennessee to support it. Tha Nebraska bill was also the main iswue tn the elections of ‘65 and ‘66. He contended, theroforo, that a largo majority pT we condemned My. Bell's courgs. He ed Mr. Bell whether be would vote for the PB. ‘ec mpton constitution, with or without instructions Mr. Beit would not vote for it, in consequence of instructions, unless he was fully convinced that such instructions were founded upon the fall understanding of the pubject in ail ite bearings and conseq eded to drawa Mr. Jonxeox between his own course aud Mr. Bell's on the slavery question, pla cing the intter's porition at a disadvantage in the eyes of = He there would be no more compro mi Mr. Ret complained of bie colleague's specch as the bitterest, most ‘aauitiog and personal premeditated malice. was ready at any time or any others who should back him. (sen ation. Mr. Sewann, (opp.) of N. ¥., asked Mr, Beil to give way for adjourame.t Mr. Beit refused; he waa ready now to vindicate his course. Mr. Foot, (opp.) of Vt., pressed him to yield, aud thus mn. i oe ir, Beis was willing to yield for executive session, provided be could have the to morrow. THR KANRAS ADMIION RIL. Mr. adm.) of Mo. naked that the Kansas bill ‘bo made the ia! order of the day for Thursday. Mr. Kixa, J of N. ¥., objected, The Senate then adjourned, House of Representatives, Wastnxatos, Fob. 28, 1858. SPRERCHES ON SLAVERY, KANSAS, YC ‘The House went into Committee of the Whole on the In- dian Appropriation pill. Mr. Bexaovan, (opp) of N. ¥ , vindicated the North from the charge of sectionaliem preferred by Southern gentlemen. iy referring to the statistical facta he showed the immense preponderance of expenditure by the gov ernment on behalf of the South over the North; he also contended for the superiority of the North'over the South in industry, wealth, population, education, &e. He ceeded to denounce Mesers Pierce and Bachanan for their course on the Kansas question Mr. Surrn, (adm.) of Va., called him to order, Tt was cugrecetel for gentlemen to denounce oa this floor # co- ordinate branch of the goverament. Cries of “ No, no.” Mr Bewrovors would be happy if he contd say in bis heart that he honored ae — ‘but he mast be allowed to speak his candid opinion. He was ieocceding, when Mr. Smith again interrupted him, Much confusion enmed, during which his hour closed Mr. Cenny, (adm ) of Ala., contended that the Lecomp @ South with those North, eulogizing the former ant drawing & fearful picture of the latter, and of tho un. pumbered woes that would encompass the North, should the abolitionists ever succeed gin toeir de: signs. The South, he contiaued, needed extecsion of the slave territory Tf the inane should ayer be forced upon her that no more slave States shat! be admitted, ha would uot anticipate what Alebama would do; but, reeognizing the right of secession, bis fenity to Alabama would laduce him to go wherever sne called him. Whorevor che gnag he would go. Her acton should be his tetion, and her destiny bis destiny: Mr. Morass, (acm.) of Ml., said thet the poople aud do- legatioa of Tlinois were ‘unsiterabie in their oppe- sition to the Lecompton swindle He via ability and petriotum of Mr. rags gl whore course woul be empbaticaily endorsed py the people of Liliaois, He scouted the threats of dissolution, saying that the eon= feceracy was worth more to the South than all the negroes she ever owned. The Unieu is & priceless pom to botaths North and South. He referred to the fact of Cabinet off- cers coming into ess, Maid 2 surdue inde. pendent thought, and coercing members {0 vote contrary tocensctence. He woald nevor bow the kaso # bask iu the eunehine of executive favor, if Pecaceieany comes, jot itcome. The President has no beter friends than those democrats who differ from him on the Kangas ques tion, If the Kansas polic; Apliea the democratic party in the next Congress would be in « bopeless minority. Mr. Anpkews, (opp ) of N. ¥., ‘tae Lecom| corstitution, saying that under no conceivable circum- stances would he vote for the admission of additionat slave States into the Union. Adjourned. NEW YORK LEGISLATURE. Senate, , ALaasy, Feb, 23, 1858. NOTICES OF BILLS., ETC Mr. Scum (dom.) gave notice of @ dill to amend the law relative to insecure buildings. Mr. Parrarson (rep.) of @ bill relative to better registra tion of marriages aud veaths. Mr. Scuxi1 (dem.) iatroduced @ bill classifying New York Supervisors and making thom élective alleruala years. RATLROAD REPORTS. The following raliroads presented reports of assass- ments of ty in New York State in 1866 and 1907:-- New York aud New Haven Railroad, 1866, $304,000, egeinst $242,600 in 1857 in New York, and $434,684 against same in 1857 in Westchester. The Saratoga and Schenectady Railroad im 1858, $175,000; agaiet same in 1857, $156, The Repasciaer ana Saratoga ‘cad in 1856, $289,500; against same in 1857, $226,730. The Blossburg and Oorning 1856, $100,000; against eame in 1857, $96,000. AMENDMENT OF TUR POLICE ACT. Mr. Dowex grep) introduced a bill to amead the Metro- politan Police. It provides that the Metropolitan district shall consist of New York and Kings, and makes the Board consist of #ix commissioners. fhe Mayors cf New York aud Brooklyn t be members of the Board; one to preside as President, the other as Vice Prosident, but to have no ‘vote, except in cases untii the four commissioners be elected at the next genoral olection in the same manner as the iv- Papi of election are elected, and to take the piace of four precent commissioners. It continues com. missioners now in office, whose term expires in May vex: , ‘until January following. Afterthe next gencral electicn two commissioners to be elected cach year—ove only to be voted for on each ticket. It gives the Mayors tha power of removal, in case of offences, but gives two Uhirda of tho Board power to re.instate. Afler 1860 it travsfers the power to fill vacancies from the Governor to the Board of Suporvisors. oe moved to lay the bill on the tabie and hayo it printed. A warm dobate followed—Sonators Rplaola, Doherty, Mather, Mandeville and Willara opposing the motion, and moving to refer the Dill to the delegates from the metropolitan districts or to the regular standing commit. tee. Mr. W. A. Wiexiax (rep.) urged the motion to lay it on the table. After considerable discussion the bill was, by the con- sent of Mr. Dnven, referred to the delogates of the metro- politan disirict, with instructions to report at an early , and ordered to be printed. . Parranaen (rep.) introduced « bill to amend tha Revised Statutes, so as to provide better means for the relief of ‘persons. & dill giving peopie ia criminal trials the right to half as many peremptory chal- fos 8 priscner han, ae) ete new Utrecht aud Gravesend Fishery bill passed. The Senate then adjourned. ¥ Assembly. Aunany, Feb. 23, 1863. ies ot ae gue b Several bills, all of a private character, then weat through the Committee of the Whole. ‘Adjourned. ‘The Pennsylvania Democracy and the Ad- ministration, Puitapeurma, Fob. 25, 1858. ‘The Westchester Democratic County Conveution, a « meeting held to-day, passed resolutions endorsing the administration without reserve. Anti-Lecompton Demonstration in Indiana. INDIANAPOLIA, Feb. 23, 1858. A uiass convention of the democrats of Indiana opposed to the Lecompton constitution assembled at Masonic Halt at 10 o'clock this morning. Col. N. M. McCarty was chosen President, and made a brief and pertiaent address. He was followed by Judge Johnston, of Kansas; H. B. Payne, of Obio; Judge Wick, Gen. Drake, and others. an Resolutions were. adopted ‘prec'aiming the right of the ir (patitations in by the Kansas imeais that F 1868 ir government; after , A neither Kaneas nor any other ‘Terrtory, ought 10 bo admitted into the Union unless the qualified voters have been permitted to exercise the 2 4 ' 5 i : = i by : < of forcing Kaneas into the Union upon which sbe has already lege'ly rejected at the ballot box by a large majority is ruinous, that Araolt Douglas is entitied to the gratitude and of tho American democracy for bie bold aud triamphant vinds cation of the principi cs of self gover vention pledge bim their firm and undivised support, that Sentinel, by its ations aat faith, bas itaclf outsde of organisation, and thet the Coovemtion recommend that # general convention of the Northwest assemble at Chicego of some other suitable piace. Another mecting will be held to night. i E Lj i ‘The New York Quarantine Question. Taawros, N.J., Feb. 23, 1858. ‘The Quarantine Committee of the two houses met thi: evening, in the Assembly chamber, and hear 1 arguments by ex Governor Pennington and Mr. Oliver L. Halstead, Jr.,in favor of the remeval of the Quarantine on Staten Island to Sandy Hook; and by Mr. J. 4, Bradley against tho removal. A large number of porsons wore present. News fiom the River Pinte. Rartimons, Fob. 23, 1858. ‘The bark Clintonia Wright, bas arrived from Montevideo December 25, She reports having left in port the Mary C. Jones, for New York, loading. The following is from files of the British Packet and Argentine News:— Owing to the disastrous commercial and financial ad- Captain White, of the Ciiptonia Wright, furnishes the following — The bark Famé, Captain Kennedy, from bound 10 Monteriedo, on the 2d Decomber got And was neniste of by a Brazilinn war number of Italian Richmond 4 steamer, Whilst CHantastow, Fob. 23, 1858, Letters from Key West to the 12th inst., stato that the ship River Smith {# ashore and bilged, off Cooears creek. Sho was from Liverpool, bound to Now Orleans, with « “i te ol Columbia reports seeing, Monday, t The 1, oa v, twon- ty miles south of Boddy Island Light, one of Cromwell's propetiors webore ARRIVAL OF THR COLUMBIA AT CHARLESTON —DETEN- TION OF THE ADORE. Cnanceetow, Feb, 28, 1858. ‘The steamship Columbia, Captain M. Berry, from New York at 0 A. M. Inet Sunday, arrived here at two o'clook this afternoon. The steamanip James Adger ta detained hore anti! Tava day, on account of the weather, Meeting tn Bostan of the Veterans of 1818 Doerox, F 1958, stnval meeting of the asty.\ation of Ne The