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

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASBAU STS. TERMS, cash in advance THE DAILY HERALD. tio conte per copy, 8 THE WEEKLY HERALD, ccery fay, at ory. or per exmeems the Buropeon Beition, $4 any part of Britain, or $5 to any part of the C: to include poste THE paul HERALD, every Wednenlay, of four cents per (oF Baper annum. NOLUNTARY. CORRESPONDENCE, containing i econ ene irom any quarter of the world; if weed willbe ibe: rally poid for, BQPOUK FORRIGN CORRESPONDENTS ARB Pan- wcvraRLy Requesten To Beat att Lerrems AND @a0ksGes Us. "NO NOTICE taken of anonymous communications. We dono return thoes racied ADVERT EMENTS renewed "] tee verted in the WHEKLY Humatp, Fawiy Humatp, and in the 0 ‘and Buropern Editions. YON PRINTING executed with neatness, cheapness and dee Per annum. ‘six cents per annum, to inené, both +++Ne, 65 AMUSEMENTS TO-MORROW EVENING. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Fourteenth st.—Itauiax Ormra— ‘Tux L.vccExors. BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway—Eqvesrauyeu Br OnmeenareD anp Famats Aptists—Vax Ausuncu’s Munacnate, 40. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Roxno amp Juciet—Goww Hunrexs—Ben, tae Boatsw ai BURTON'S THRATRE, Broadway, opposite Bond street— A Breovece ror GoLp—foopiss. WALLACK'S THEATRE, Broadway—Jessiz Brown, On gun Ratiar or Luckmow—Swiss Swaine. LAURA KRENB'S THEATRE, Broadway—(i nee Bosues Bopper Tuovcars. BARNUM’S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway—Afternoon ‘Tue Loe som. Evening—Tax Honcusack. WOOD'S BUILDINGS, 661 and 863 Broadway—Gronce Ouniery & Wooos Mixsraiis—Petee Pires Pxvree Poe. MEOHANICS' HALL, 472 Broadway—Bauramt’s Minsteeis —Erniortan Borce—Hor or ¥. ON. New York, Sunday, March 7, 1858. The News. We have a week's later news from Europe, brought by the steamship Europa, which left Liverpool at noon on the 20th ult., and arrived at her dock at Jersey City at half past six o'clock last evening. As regards monetary and commercial affairs the intelligence is highly important. Money was abun- dant in London, while the demand for it was quite moderate. The returns show an increase of £756,484 in the amount of bullion in the Bank of England. The funds were exceedingly buoyant. Consols, which were quoted on the 13th ult. at 96} a 96}, closed on the 19th at 97j a 97{ for money. American securities of all descriptions were active at advanced rates. The Bank of France had reduced its rate of interest to four per cent. Cotton ‘at Liverpool was firm, at an advance of half a cent per pound on the prices current on the 13th ult. The sales during the week ending 20th ult. amounted to 68,620 bales. Trade was very good at Manchester. Flour continued dull, at former rates. Good sugar was dearer in London, but inferior quali- ties had declined in price. Coffee, of best quality, was firm. His Excellency Mahomed Pasha, Admiral of the ‘Turkish Navy, and suite came passengers in the Lord Palmerston’s Ministry had been defeated in the Engtish House of Commons, by a majority of nineteen, on the second reading of the “Conspiracy to Murder” bill. Permission had been given for the introduction of the new bill for the government of India. General Wyndham had been exonerated in both houses from all blame in connection with the recent defeat of his division of the army in India. Great preparations were being made in Paris for the trials of the State prisoners. A French refagee had been arrested and committed to prison in Lon- don on a charge of being implicated in the conspiracy against the Emperor's life. It was said that the man would be forwarded to Paris. As the day of trial approached Napoleon was more and more embar- raseed. It was said that the relations between France and Austria were becoming more intimate daily. The annua! report of the Atlantic Telegraph Com- pany was published in London. An extension of £20 shares and the extinction of the rights of the projectors by purchase were recommended. Captain Dunham bad, it was said, sold the famous Awerican.bark Adriatic to the Rassian government The Mahommedans at Jaffa had committed most gross outrages on the persons of an American mis- sionary and his wife and daughter. We bave news from India dated at Bombay on the 24th of January. The rebels had been twice de feated near Lucknow. Quiet prevailed generally in the Provinces, and some of the insurgent Rajahs had spoken of peace terms, The ladies from Lucknow had arrived in Calcutta in safety. There is no later news from China. Canton was in possession of the allies, who commanded all the positions around the city also. The Chinese, how- ever, continued firing from the house tops. Nothing of local importance occurred in the State Senate yesterday. In the Assembly the bill pro hibiting banks of deposit from acting as savings banks was passed. A bill was introduced autho rizing the constructing of a railroad in streets parallel with Broadway. The evening session was devoted to a rough and tamble parliamentary fight, which ended in the adoption of resolutions opposed to the Lecompton conatitation. According to the weekly report of the City In @pcctor there were 465 deaths in the city during the past week, a decrease of 38 as compared with the mortality of the week previous. The following table exhibits the number of death= during the past two week@ among adnits and children, distinguish- ing the sexes Mon. Women. Bayt. Girls. Total. Week ending Feb. 27......76 St Wh 156 608 ‘Work ending March 6... *% 113 1s 465 Among the principal causes of death were the fol- lowing Week ending — Diseases Feb. 2. March 6 Covsemotion ......... : Coo culsions (tefantile) . Toftammation of the lungs Inflammation of the brain. Bearlet fewer... 6.6 " ‘Mar samus (infantile) Droyey head Meares. Sroup Bronchitis There were also congestion of the brain, 8 of congestion of the langs, 4 of disease of the heart, 9 of hooping cough, 7 of inflammation of the bowels, 5 of pleurisy, 18 of smallpox, 3 prema- ture births, 34 stillborn, and 10 deaths from violent canses, including 1 mourdured and 6 burned or scalded. The following is # classification of the diseases, and the number of deaths in each class of disease tring the week:— Drseoees, 7.2%. March 6. Bones, joints, de ow 4 2 Brain and nerves o2 6 Generative organr 10 * Heart and blood vi Ww u Lungs, throat, 159 160 ME ABO. ccc oe Perret) 2 3 Skin, ke), and eruptive fevers an 69 Buliborp and premature births Ht aT Stomach, bowels and other digestive organs 51 55 Uncertain seat and general f 30 30 465 with the corre sponding weeks in 1856 and 1857, was as followe:— © ending Feb. 27, ¥en coding Mareh 6, 1868 “ The nativity table gives 344 natives of the Wnited Btutes, 69 of Ireland, 83 of Germany, 9 of England, Sof Seotland, and 1 each of Wales, Roasia, France, Av tria, Italy, West Indies and British America. (Cur Boston correspondent, who has been latteriy looking into the history, literature and facts of mc cern spiriter lism, haa farnished os with a letter fypoo the subject, in which ite facts and vagaries are ot ‘0 & piquant and interesting manner. A complaint was mode before the Mayor pester day afternoon of the murder of a colored man at sea by a number of sailors, who threw him overboard alive. The Mayor transferred the parties over to the United States District Attorney to investigate the affair and arrest the perpetrators of the deed. We learn that Postmaster Fowler has concluded an arrangement whereby the steamship New York, of the Glasgow line, will take the mails on Saturday next for Europe. The ateam fiigate Niagara, detailed to assist in laying down the Atlantic telegraph cable, left the Navy Yard yesterday afternoon and proceeded to the Quarantine ground, where she came to anchor. The Supreme Court, general term, rendered a decision yesterday confirming the opinion of Judge Davies as to the rights of the members of the old police force. According to this decision the old police are entitled to pay from the date of their dis- bandment in July last, and are, moreover, still po- licemen; subject, however, to punishment for in- subordination in refusing to perform duties imposed by the new law, but not to dismissal. The Supreme Court yesterday also rendered a decision on the quo warranto in the Street Com- missioner case, declaring Mr. Devlin entitled to the office. The decision is, however, a mere matter of form, complied with in order to get the case before the Court of Appeals for final adjudication. After the decision was rendered Deviin’s deputy and clerks proceeded to the Street Commiasioner's office and demanded possession: Conover’s subor- dinates resisted, and an animating display of the manly art of striking ont from the shoulder ensued, which was only effectually checked by the appear- ance of the Mayor and a squad of police, who turned the belligerents into the street and locked the doors against all intruders of whatever party. A new trial of the case of the boy Rodgers, the murderer of Mr. Swanston, has been granted by the Supreme Court, in order to test the question as to the state of the culprit’s mind at the time of the comnrission of the act, as the plea of intoxication has been set up in mitigation of the offence. We give elsewhere a full report of the obsequies yesterday of the late Com. Perry. The report which prevailed in the city on Friday, respecting the contemplated attack of the Staten Islanders upon the Quarantine buildings at Seguine’s Point, turned out to be devoid of foundation. The police squad detailed to protect the buildings re- turned to the city yesterday. The eales of cotton yesterday were about 10,000 a 12,000 bales, at rather casier rates, closing at about 11%c. for middling uplands. Flour was steady, with a fair do- mestic and export demand, but without change of mo- ment in prices. Wheat continued firm, with moderate rales, including prime white Kentucky at $1 45, with red Indiana and Southern at $120, and red Ohio at $1 08. Corn was easier, and sales embraced yellow and white Southern chiefly at 68c. a 60c. Pork was firmer, while sales were moderate—$17 for mess and $13 25 for prime, which was held at the close at $1350. Sugars were firmer, and closed at ‘4c. ac. above the lowest point of previous week. The sales embraced about 900 » 1,000 hhds. Cuba muscovado and New Orleans at full prizes. Coffee was firmer, with moderate sales. Freight engage- ments were light and rates unchanged. ‘The General Bankrapt Law. There is reason to believe that the subject of the enactment of a general bankrupt law will receive the attention of the present Congress. It is a question of very grave importance and should be properly understood by the public. Every civilized commercial community on the globe, except the United States, has a system of bankrupt and insolvent laws, more or less per- fect. A distinction has been attempted to be established between bankrupt and insolvent laws—namely, that the former released the debt, whilst the latter merely released the per- ton of the debtor—but the distinction does not exist in practice. The cessio bonarum of the Ro- man law, introduced by Julius Cwsar, and which prevails in most parts of the continent of Europe, only exempted the person of the debtor from execution for debt, but did not relieve the debt, or exempt the future acquisitions of the debtor. The English law, however, favors a more enlarged end and purges the debtor from all future liability if he honestly gives up all his property and obtainsa release. The advantages claimed on general principles for a system of bankrupt laws is, that it places all creditors upon an equal footing; prevents the debtor from making away with his property, and, if he isan honest man, enabling him to begin again, unincumbered with a loud of debt hanging over him; that it places business upon amore solid foundation, and suppresses “accommodation paper,” by regarding all debts as equal, It is evident that the framers of our constita- tion looked upon the establishment of bankrupt laws as a matier of course. The power was therefore given to Congress to establish uni- form laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States. In 1800 Con- grees passed an act of this character, limiting its operations to five years. It was repealed in 1803, and the subject was not renewed till 1440. A bill was introduced in the carly part of that year, bat after a very thorough investigation it was found impossible to agree upon its details. In August of the following year, however, an act war passed “to establish a uniform system of bankruptey throughout the United States.” It applied to all persons whatever residing with- in the United States who owed debts net created in consequence of a defalcation as a public of- ficer or as executor, administrator, guardian or trustee, or while acting in any other fiduciary character, and who should voluntarily apply for the benefit of the act. The act wae further declared to apply to all traders of every kind owing debts to the amount of $2,000 who should be liable to become bankrupts upon pe- tition of one or more of their creditors to the amount of $500, provided they had absconded or fraudulently procured themselves or their property to be attached or taken on execution, or had fraudulently removed, coucealed, as signed or sold their property. The bankrupt, when duly discharged, was declared to be free from all his debts. The first provision of the act applied to all debtors, and upon their own voluntary application; the second to merchants and traders, and only at the instance of the creditors. The parsage of the act was opposed principally on the ground that the constitution conferred only the power of passing a bankrupt law, and that the term “bankruptey” had a clear and definite’ meaning in English law, from whence it was borrowed, applicable only to traders; that the English bankrupt laws were coercive on tue debtor, and put in ac tion at the instance of the creditors alone that there was a marked difference between bankrupt and insolvent laws; that the act of Congrees wae in fact also au insolvent law, and that the States alone bad the power to pass in- solvent lawa. The last point we do not consider to have had much weight. But the opposition to the pro- vision for the discharge of the debtor upon his voluntary application was of greater impor- tance, and accordingly bill was introduced at the following session of Congress to repeal the whole law, and after a fierce struggle the re- Pealing act was carried and the bankrupt law once more was blotted from the #tatute books. In the Senate, Mr. Berrien, from the Committee on the Judigiary, made aq elaborate report ia NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 1858. it, and he fortified his report with extracts from various answers given to the Secretary of State, under a recolution of the Senate, by legal gen- tlemen in different parts of the country. Among (hese are letters from Judge Story and other Justices of the United States Supreme Court, highly favorable to the continuance of a gen- eral bankrupt law properly modified. Judge Story assigns one argument in its favor of much weight, and which applies to a great portion of the commercial difficulties at the present time. He cays, speaking of the act then in force:—*It ttrikes at the root of that great evil—accommo- dation paper—which has been the main source of eo many ruinous epeoulations and caused the downfall of so many of our banks. It cuts down the temptation to grant any such accom- modation by preventing the parties from giving what are called honorary preferences and secu- rities in cases of failure.” But the opposition to the law in Con- gress was too great. Under the “voluntary” clause thousands had shuffled off their debts without their creditors being able to interpose, using the law almost exclusively as a general insolvent act, and doubtless committing exten- sive frauds under its loose provisions. Yet, not- withstanding, as far as the opinion of the public could be reached, it was found that 54,000 per- sons petitioned against its repeal and in favor of its amendment, whilst 5,000 persons only peti- tioned for its tetal repeal. Of the States, the Legislatures of Connecticut, Maine, Mississippi, Vermont and Ohio passed resolutions in favor of its repeal, and Illinois in favor of its repeal or modification. The other States took no ac- tion in the matter. The majority in Congress would not, however, accept any proposition for its amendment, and it was accordingly repealed. By that time the law had probably done all the damage it was capable of under its faulty con- struction, and had it been permitted to remain, properly and carefully amended, its advocates claimed it would soon have become a popular and beneficent enactment. Since that period no attempt has been nade to revise it. There are strong reasons, however, why some general system of bankrupt law must be adopt- ed at a period sooner or later. The evils of the existing “no-law system” are daily becoming more and more apparent. Under a prudent bankrupt law inflation would, in a great mea- sure, be checked, creditors would be placed upon an equality and fraudulent assignments put an end to, whilst honest debters would be benefitted. It would doubtless interfere with the arrangements of that class of debtors who fail co as to get rid of paying their debts, and who thereafter live sumptuously upon the pro- perty they have managed fraudulently to make away with. Under a proper bankrupt law such fraudulent assignments and transfers could net exist, and those who attempted it would be ex- posed and degraded. State bankrupt and in- tolvent laws do not and cannot meet the re- quirements of the case. No State can passa law impairing the obligations of contracts; nor can any State exercise the power of establish- ing a bankrupt law which will act upon the rights of citizens of other States. We occupy a position of the first importance as a commercial nation, and we must bring our- sclves within the pale of other civilized com- mercial communities. A system which protects alike the honest creditor and the honest debtor is needed, and however much difference of opin- | jou may arise as to the details of the act, some law on the subject is imperatively demanded. Tue New Hampsutre Execrion.—The an- | nual State election in New Hampshire, which | comes off on Tuesday, will be the beginning of the series of State elections for the present year, and thy result will therefore be naturally looked for with no small degree of interest by all parties throughout the country. We are not surprised, then, to find the black republicans | laboring to confuse and divide the New Hamp- shire democracy between the position of Mr. Douglas and the policy of the administration | on the Lecompton constitution. But the New | Hampshire democracy ought to know that the | Kansas question is as good as settled—that | Kaneas, beyond all peradventures, will be ad- | mitted under the Lecompton constitution, and | that with that act there will be an end of “bleeding Kansas.” Once admitted, if her peo- ple don’t like Lecompton they can set it aside, and they can do it without further difficulty, } Lecompten will certainly pass both houses ity a decisive majority. We understand that seve- | ral members who voted for Mr. Harris’ inves- tigation will vote ultimately for Lecompton; and we are informed from Indiana that the Hon. Wm. FE. Niblach, who voted for the Harris resolution, has determined to come over to the safe side upon the grand issue itself. The ques- tion, therefore, is as goo settled, and the New Hampshire demo.racy seed not trouble themselves about it any more. But there is anew question on the carpet which they may use to | some purpose; and that is the sympathy of the | black republicans with Mormonism, as illustra- ted by Mr. Hale and his brethren in the Senate | on the Army bill. The democratic journals of | New Hampshire, from the Concord Patriot down, are conducted by blockheads and nincompeoops, | or they would not have neglected this salient point of assault against abolitioniam, Fourier- ism, Mormonism and their foul accessories. | But the people of New Hampshire may prove | in the election that they comprehend the differ- ence between the dead and the living issues of the day. Kansas shrieking, at all events, has ceased to pay expenses. Tuk New Powrticat, Coaurtion.—It appears, from our latest reports, that a political alliance, offensive and defensive, has been entered into between Messrs. Douglas, Broderick and Stuart, of the United States Senate, and Mr. Seward and the black republicans, against the Kansas policy of the administration. This looks like an ini- tiative conglomerate movement for 1860, and the forthcoming Northwestern Douglas Conven- tion at Chicago will, perhaps, hereafter stand in the calendar as the first grand popular expe- riment in behalf of thie new coalition. The terms of the league, however, remain to be settled; and whether Seward shall give way to Douglas in 1860, or Douglas to Seward; or whether both shall stand aside in favor of Banks or Fremont, will be difficult points to settle. Seward, Banks and Fremont are all in the field; each has his strong friends at his back; and there will be trouble enough among them with- out Mr. Douglas, but with the addition of Doug: las to the list, and perhaps of Governor Wie, there may be a disintegration of the coalition into two or three partics. Whoknows®? We have plenty of time before us to accomplish almost afythtig tn the way of « reconstruction of patties, principles ond platforms, and almost anyibing will dy for a begin | favor of amending the law instead of repealing | How the Taxes are Increased—The Frauds in the Street Department. In January last Mr. Conover sent a communi- cation to the Common Council containing heavy list of alleged frauds in the making and executing of contracts which had come under his observation in overlooking the books and papers of the Street Department. The deve- lopements made in that document 60 excited the alarm and stimulated the virtue of our city fathers that a committee was appointed in each Board of the Common Council to investigate the charges. We have often commented upon the proceedings of these committees. In the Henaxp of the 17th of February we gave a euccinct history of the frauds under in- vestigation up to that time; but in order that the tax payers of the city may better under- stand the amount and character of these opera- tions against their pockets, we wit] now give an account of them down to the present time :— First, there is the case of Chemung Smith, who is charged with having paid John Fitz- patrick, as assignee of Charies Deviin, $12,800, instead of $2,800—thus defrauding the treasury of $10,000—which is still before the Recorder, and the end of which is not yet. Next comes the grading and regulating of Fifty-fifth street, between Sixth and Seventh avenues, where the sum of $2,077 30 has been paid to the con- tractor for work not specified in the contract. In the case of Fifty-sixth street, from Fourth to Fifth avenue, the contractor also received the sum of $2,500 for an item of earth excavation not contained in the copy of the contract in the Street Department, but inserted in the copy in the Finance Department. In the case of Fifty- seventh street, between Third and Fifth avenues, 160,000 cubic feet of wall, costing $19,200— not in the contract in the Finance Depart- ment—is charged for by the contractor, and an over measurement has been returned by the Surveyor of 46,540 cubic yards of earth filling, ‘4nd 7,947 cubic yards of rock blasting. In the Fifty-second street case a wall is charged for which is not included in the con- tract, on which an over-payment of $4,251 40 was made. In Fifty-fifth street, between Third and Fifth and Seventh and Eighth avenues, the Surveyor returns an over-measurement on the work done, making an overcharge of some $3,057. After the ground for the Central Park was laid out the contractor actually went to work and graded Sixty-sixth street right through it; for which he charged $15,000, but which hap- pily was not paid him. Then there is the noto- rious over-payment to Mr. Erben of $9,000 more than he was entitled to for the property pur- chased from him in the opening of Canal street. In regulating Fifty-second street the lowest bid was $4,151, and the next highest was $5,692 80; but the latter was accepted, ing a difference to begin with of $1,541 80. en there is an overcharge of a dollar a foot on laying curb and gutter, and for work not in the contract, amounting to $1,305; in all, over-assessing the property owners $2,846 80. So likewise in the Fifty-fourth street case, between Lexington and Third avenues, the contractor was paid, on the Surveyor’s return, $968 for flagging twelve lots which he never touched at all. The property owners on Seventy-ninth street, from Eleventh avenue to Broadway, complain that the con- tract on which they were assessed was not ful- filled in a solitary specification; but the amount of overcharge did not appear on the investiga tion. The last case before the Committee on Frauds was that of setting curb and gutter and flagging Third avenue from Sixty-first to Eigh- ty-sixth streets, in which the Surveyor, Mr. Ed- ward Boyle, demonstrated that the figures in his returns had been altered after it left his hends, moking an overcharge in the assessment of $3.900. Now, let us sum up the amounts of alleged frauds in these cases. First. there is the sum paid to— ° | Mr. Erbem in the Canal street cas $9,000 99 Fifty-ftth street case. ‘ 2,077 00 Filty sixth etreet case, 2,500 09 Fifty-seventh street case. Fifty-afth street case 087 09 Sixty sixth street cas 5,000 09 Fifty second street © mo) Fifty second street ons 846 80 Fifty fourth street case ‘968 00 Third avenue case...... 900 00 Total overcharge.....ss.ccsceeseeererseeees $52,600 90 So much for what has already been investi- gated hy the committees. But here comes a list of newly discovered frauds, or alleged frauds, presented by Mr. Conover at a late meeting of the Board of Aldermen, numbering thirty making more food for the committees In these cares the frauds are charged upon the Street Commissioner's Department, and are comprised in overcharges for excavation, filling, building of walls and culverts, and Inspector's fees, not included in the contracts or provided for by the ordinances, All these cases are em- braced in the assessment lists of 1856. The hie- tory of one is the history of all, so that it is unnecessary to enter into details. A common method of fleecing the unfortunate property owners seems to have been adopted in all cases. To that class especially, therefore, we com- mend this category for their enlightenment:— Setting curd and gutter and Forty ninth street, from Third to Sixth avenues eceupen mane We saaoaat due to he contractor or $8,000 $8; but the amount ue im, a contract, waa oa ada diference against property owners” of Flagging si towalks in Third avenue, from Forty.fourth iiierence againa the pro- street to Sixty first street—A di Paving Forty sixth street, from Ninth to Eleventh ave- perty owners of $479. buo, a difference against property owners of $1. Setting curb and gutter and Fifieth elroet, from Ninth ty Teath avenue—a ence against property owners of $800, Paving Fity dest street, from Broadway to | * Regnatng tog Thirty seventh and Thirt; mesa sev ei from to Latagion ‘svenue—A_ difference against | y owuers of $234 60. } wing Fortieth street, from Fleventh avenue to the Hudson river—A difference against property’ owners of Paying, , Setting carb and gutter in Thirt fourth street, tween Fourth and Madison aveseeo—A difference against rly owners of $218 Prope’ 5 Regulating Forty third street, from Third to Fifth ave- nve—A difference property owners of $129 90, Paving Thirty.eighth street, from Ninth to Tenth ave- jue—A difference against the property owners of $290 94. Setting curb snd getter acd Gagging Forty-ninth street, Nioth to Eleventh avenue—A difference againat property owners of $60. Paving Sixth avenue, from Forty secon’ to Forty Fs yr] treet—A difference against property owners of 1441 90. Paving and flagging FRighth avenue, from Fifty-first to Hy oy] street—A difference against property owners | Tenth avenue, from Forty-sixth to Pity fourth and fingging Thirty anh street, from Tenth to of 612 ‘0 , Paving Forty seventh street, from Seventh to F.ghth fo difference against property owners of ° Betting cord and ter, paving and flogging Fifth ave ne, from voriy aetoea to Forty ninth street—A differ. once agaloet property owners of $5,631 35. Paving, resetting orl and gutter, and laying crosa walks in Fifty eccond etrect, lween Broadway and Bight enue—A duference against property holders of 6 r straet— A ing Thirty seventh street, from Tenth to Kleventh ayeone—A yilerence against proparty owners of $545. Paving ood flagging Forticth street, from Tenth to Fieventh avenue—A difference against property owners of $207 89. Fiagging and setting enrb and gutter in Fifty fifth street from Firat to Third avenues A difference against proper ty owners of 8599. Regu alg, pamag (Oe pan), ectting curd aad gutter Duane eiveet, from Broadway to Mudaoa rence gained pe owners of $1,114 92. is avenue, mat layibg oridge stones between, Fourth And Lexingto ple heen property owner’ ring Thirty-sixth street, from Broadway to Eleventa oretet aigerenoe ‘owners of $2650. ad CA Soeace tye street, between Seventh and petits difference against property owners of Foring Searing and setting curb and gutter in Fifty- wea pope bers of 88,471 560 owners x Building eet in Hudson street, from Spring to Domi- strecteA’ difference against propert; = y owners of Building sewer in Fifty-first street, from Ninth avenue A river—A di ‘o property owners of In many of the above cases Mr. Conover states that no data can be found either in returns or vouchers for the excess, and it appears to be @ gratuity from the assessors to the contractors. The total amount of the excessive assessments in the foregoing list is $29,452 03; and in ad- dition to the excesses which we have been able to obtain in the cases already examined by the committees of the Common Council would swell the amount of fraud in the Street Department to the nice sum of $92,052 80. ‘This affords some clue to the largely increased taxation of the city. Tue Privra or Coxaress—Goop News FROM THE SpectaL, Committer.—We are glad to hear that the Select Committee on the Printing of Congress may be expected within the present week to bring in their report, and that they are unanimously in favor of a government bureau for the execution of all the government printing at Washington, in view of the incura- ble corruptions and spoliations of the present system of party favoritism and lobby jobbing. Thus this great reform, which this journal has been urging upon Congress from time to time for several years past, begins to assume a practical and definite shape. Nor have we any doubt that a government printing bureau may be easily organized which will secure a suy rior style of printing, upon superior paper a. in superior bindings, and save at the sam time at least a million of dollars a year to the treasury in comparison with present expenses, Congressional debates, printing, engraving and binding included. And then, too, this great existing cistern of partisan and lobby corrup- tions will be dried up, which cannot be a small consideration to honest mea. In connection with this projected government bureau on printing we would suggest to the committee the expediency of a daily official journal, embracing’ a full daily report of the debates and proceedings of both houses of Congress. The present corps of Con- gressional reporters, from the best of their profession in the United States, might for this purpose be retained by the government, with a competent supervisor of the arrangement of their reports in the official newspaper, Let this be done in connection with the printing bu- reau, and let the bureau be charged also with all the printing, engraving and binding of Con- gress and the Executive and Judicial depart- ments at Washington, and the reform achieved will indeed be a great one. The population and resources of the city of Washington (apart from the direct government patronage of newspapers) are about equal to the comfortable subsistence of two daily papers; and as for the literary weeklies, they can be better supplied from New York and other Northern cities than from any establishment whatever in Washington. But there are now some five or six dailies in Washington, and several semi-week- lies and weeklies, all (excepting the anti-slave- ry national organ) more or less dependent upon government alms and subsidies for their very existence. Of course, old fogyism, flun- keyism, snobbery and debasing party servility are the ruling elements of the whole batch. Re- duce them, however, to their own resources, and then, if they should all sink from starvation, their places would at least be better supplied by one or two new independent and enterprising public journals, We are gratified as to the news which we have heard of the purposes of the Printing Committee, and we hope that Mr. Taylor and his associates will introduce a plan which will completely abolish the present system of print- ing, spoils and plunder, newspaper corruptions and lobby jobbing, from beginning to end. © Free Stvome Senoor at tHe Acapemy dr Mvste.—The manager of the Academy of Music, Mr. B. Ullman, announces that “after the close of the opera season a gratuitous school for mu- sic will be opened at the Academy of Music, in accordance with the provisions of its charter.” There are to be separate classes for the ladies and gentlemen. Several distinguished profes- sors are named in the list of masters, and the opportunity to obtain their instruction will, doubtless, be seized with gratitude by many amateurs, The idea is an excellent one, and we trust it will not be abandoned until we have something like the Conservatoire of Paris. The taste for music is inherent with all our people, and we have perhaps more good voices among our young ladies and gentlemen than any other na- tion except the Italians. We may not find among these voices a tenor like Mario, a soprano like Grisi, or « contralto like Alboni, bat we shall be sure to find & powerful chorus that will not quarrei with the manager, and will have no particular abhorrence of soap and water. The opera chorus here has always been bad. The men are, with few exceptions, dirty and impudent; the women ugly beyond description. The only good chorus was in “Don Giovanni,” and that was re-en- forced by » singing society and the principal artists of the Academy. In all the European cities the opera chorus is strengthened by pupils from the schools, and some of the best artists have made their entre to the stage in this man- ner. We presume that this is the intention of the Director of the Academy, to make a chorus upon which he can rely, and itis to be hoped that he will succeed in his endeavors, so that next season we can have some fresh voices from choristers comely to look upon. Tar Crmna.—There has already been a great rush for Places at the Academy on Monday, when the “Huguenots” fs to be produced. The excitement in musical circles has never boen equalied. eT Amatecn Concent ix St, Sraeiey's Owenew.—A sacred concert will be given thiazevening at St. are . cae ta Twenty-cighth atreet, at which « number of well known enawers wit officiate. Among them Miss Secor, Miss Fmily Dunderdale, Miss Almira Smith, Mrs. Borger, Mr Henri G. D’Antin and Signor Alarino. The programme contains attrective selections from Rossini, Boilini and Vordi, together with a “Hymn to Bt. Stephen,” composed for the occasion by Signot Luciano Albites. The excel. Jenca of the masic aol the reputation of the singers do. itera ot to. un oe ee eT THE LATEST NEWS. Despatches the prenent state of affairs in Mexico ia transitory, The report that ex-Prosidems Comonfort was on his way North is an error. He has takem & house in Now Orleans, and ‘waite the ineue of affairs. Letters from Carey Jomes are of the most querutous | character im regard to every@itng im Contral America. He | has succeeded in getting upem nearly as bad terms with | President Martines as be did witt: Mora, of Costa Rica. The | government are pushed to know hew to get him home. Lord Napier has been a good deal about the State De- partment examining records and mepe, and to-day had a long interview with Secretary Cése. It is supposed that Central Areerica is the topic under dioussion. Lord Ne- pier takes a lively interest in this subject, and is annoyed ot the continued stay of Sir William Gore Ouseley, who is moving round here. ‘The Southera mail of last night from New York reached bere only this evening, and cannot goon because of ice im from the railroad companies between Philadelphia aad New York, informing the department that they will carry the through mail to New York by a one o'clock train om Sunday morning, as om any other night, commencing at ene o'clock to-morrow morning. The Postmaster General being desirous of removing the inconvenience to which the public have been heretofore subjected, had applied ve the railroad companies for this purpose. Wolcott, the contumacious witness, has spplied, through his counsel, to the Circait Court of this Distriot, for a writ of habeas corpus, and wilt be heard on Monday. He atill refuses to disclose. The Investigating Committee ie waiting for tho odttoriad witneases jsubponaed from New York. An agont waa went to Bocton on Friday to examine books there. THE GENERAL NEWSPAPER DESPATCH. ‘Wasurnerow, March 6, 1868. ‘The Grand Jury of the city of Washington have, under the law of Congress to punish contempt of the authorny of either House, found a presentment against Joba W. Wolcott, the recusant witness. Our Washington ‘Wasnnctos, Feb. 26, 1868, Miss Saunders’ Féte—The Last of the Season—The Elite and Capt. Ritchie—The Extraordinary Low and Recovery of Loaves of a Log Book—Capt, Ritchie Exonerated. The fashicnable and gay season in Washington culaal- nated last night at the ball given by Miss Sewnders at the residence of the Postmaster General. It is understood te be the last of that series of brilliant entertainments with which Washington has been distinguished this wiater. Cabinet officers with their families, foreign ministers, mez.- bers of Congress, wealthy private individuals, and eves one of the hotels, the National, bave been as rivals im making te federal capital famous for festive enjoyments. There never has been before, probably, so muoh liberality displayed nor so gay @ season in Washington. ‘The invitations to the ball last night were issued by Miss Saunders, the step daughter of Governor Brown, the Postmaster General, and therefore it is spoken of as Miss Saunder’s ball. As this fascinating lady and her charming mother are among the brightest luminaries of society bore around which the world of fashion revolves, there waa manifested from the first {utimation that a bali would be given the greatest avxiety to obtain invitations. Every one expected, from the well known liberality and wealth of the Postmaster General's family, that noexpense would be 8; to make it such a ball as should fitly cul- minate the vities of a brilliant season in Washington. And so it was. Of course the number of invitations had vo be limited, though I uaderstand over five hundred were issued, as even (he most capacious private residence inthe chy would not accommodate more than five hun dred or so. There were probably that number present during the night. One featare worthy of remark as re gards the guests invited is that! noticed so many Tennas seeans present. The ladies and Governor Brown did po neglect their own State and old friends for new assoca tions. They aro not like marty in the fashionabie worl who change their friendships, like an old garment, to sui’ the apparent convenience of the hour Among the of most prominent position I noticed Lord Napier, M. Stoekel, Count Sartiges, General Robies the Mexican Minister: Mr. Tassara, the Minisier and others of the corps diplomatique; several of tae Cabi net and their famiies, Mus Caes, Miss Lane, from the eneral Harney, and many others too numer , of what is called the haut fon The house is one of the most spacious in Washington and after the firet two hours of the evening had passed and the supper room bad been opened, there was ample room for the guests to dance, prome agreeable téte a téte. Dancing was four o'clock in the morning. The supper, provided by Gautier, was very choice There was the greatest abundance of delicacies, eatabies and of the ricbest wines. This ball and supper cost pro bably several thousand dollars. ‘As such delightful re-unions in Washington socisty con dues #0 much, not only to our enjoyment, but to oer re Sgement os ‘people, in which impressions and manner, acquired that become diffused over every part of the country, we owe ab expression of commondation t> thos who are liberal enough aud have the good taste to giv them; and we owe it to Miss Saunders for this bail for while this is her first season here, she ha shown a disposition and @ capacity to perform the rot which the circumstances of bor ition has assigned & her with grace and ease and fase manners. Ther is but one regret felt, and that is that this is her lat bal of season. Coming to the Support of the Lecompto: Constitution, Evaveviiix, Ind., March 5, 1958. The Journal says that Hon. William ¥. Nibiack, mem of the House of Representatives from the First Congree sional district of Indiana, has written a letter te » gentle man in Indianapolis, saying he shal) vote for the | ecomp ton constitution on the final vote. He voted, he saya, fo Harris’ resolution simply becmase he was iu favor of it Veatigating the facts Hanninenc, March 6, 1868. In the Democratic State Convention last uight Wm. 4 Porter was nominated on the first ballot for Suprem Judge. Westley Frost was nominated for Canal Comimissione on the third ballot. The coavention then adjourned sis die. NEW YORK LEGISLATURE. Senate. Avaany, March 6, 1868. reTirrons. By Mr. Heenen (rep.)—To enlarge the powors of « signece. By Mr. Sener (dem.)—To amend tho act inearporatir the New York Warehouse Company. By Mr. Stoaw (dem.)—Against the railroad on Sow Ninth street, Brooklyn. Also, to establish a boundar line between Flatbush and Brooklyn. REPORT, By Mr. Exy (dom )—Favorably to amend the charter Rutgers Femaie [1 . Aliso, favorably for a ratiroe on lway and other streete in Brooklyn. Ry Mr. Noxon (rep.)—Favorably to amend the law r tative to tenged Partoersbips, and to principals, tactor ‘To increase the number of notaries public In New Yor By Mr. Suir (dem.)—To amend the charter of th Brooklyn City Hospital, By Mr. #1. sseeo (rep) To topenl the law of 1987 ( ai war ‘equalize taxation. ‘By Mr Marnen—To amend the charter of the New Yor College of Veterinary Surgeons. i By Mr. Naxon=To provide for a regmtry of chal persons or persona offering to vote when not ee capable, WILLA PARED. Rolative to certain officers and beads of departments * the city of Brooklyn. [It curtail their term of office om = * To ant the building of & dam seross Mill cree in Kings eounty: " Assembty. Aunary, March 6, 1868 The use of the Assembly chamber on the evontng of t 10th inst. was granted to Alon. A. J. A. Daganne, for a le ture on tenant houses; and also te Rev. Dr. Bellows, : some evening | his convenience, for a lecture. | pacperiam and crime” i ‘A large number of petitions om the umnal subjects | — “aaa Them were wovoral in vor of ah rail ‘The bill appropriating money to repair the Sate lane Asylum was reported complete, and passed. AILL® PARKED, a banks of deposit from acting a2 savir if Appropriations for the repair of the State Lu tic Asyiwm. OF pitta. , NOTIONS P By Mr. Moore (deom.)—To regulate the Staton Isis erry. iy Mr. Qecoon (dem.)—To amend the militia laws |S fy Mr. T. Jones, Jr. (dem, )—o incorporate the N York Underground Raitroad Compairy MILLA INTROOTCRD. By Ma, ane ('°m )—Anmgieng aU Dlg g aaa