The New York Herald Newspaper, December 12, 1859, Page 4

ae 4 NEW YORK HERALD. gs GORDON BENNETT, “tees BO/TOR AND PROPRIETOR, DPFICK N. W- OOKNRK OF NASSAU AND FULTON STS ey sont by matt wild 14, cash in asdrernce, A SOE EE ieee ips mak receive tia» rides the waiter, Postage st omy. tHE aan: $ fe bid and 2K of ach moth 1 sh $1 aanetn. . MILY HERALD om Wetnenlay, at four cents por a7 ONTARY CORR, NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1859. The Debate on the Speakership—Members of Congress Deflning Their Pogition. The discussion ia the House of Representa- tives during the last week, partieularly on Sat- rrday, would be highly amusing were not the subject too grave and too serious for indul- gence in merriment; for nothing can be more licrous than the lame attempts made by cer- iain mouibers at discluiming the most viralent portions of Helper’s book, after admitting that they endersed the whole. One signed the en- dorsement on the condition that some objec- tiouable passages should be expunged-—a con- news, stivited from any quart Moerally poid for. Ba Ov% So Particviaiis Reaursten To Skat ats Lurtees ann Pron Ges SENT UB. NIKIAYS GABDEN, Brosdway.—Tax Steaxcea—Locee 14 Boros. pra BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery —Mysterms or Pasts— KX AnD COX. WINTER GARDEN, Broadway, opposite Bond street. — Ovrenoon, WALLACK’S THEATRE, Brosdway.—Ereevnopy’s Faimnp—Porrina Tux QUESTION LAURA KEENR’S THEATRE, 62% Broadway —An Ux mavar MArct—Boxny Fienwire NEW ROWFRY THEATH Ewichss?—HEroures. » Bowery.—Haxouw—Inisa FRENCH THBATRE, 595 Broadway.—Cowsxte’s Musica, Ba rextaissent. BARNOM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.—After. Boon and Kevning—Doom or Devitix. WOOMS MINSTREL’S, 444 Broadwey.—Closed ('ll Tues day in consequence of a dea b in Mr. Wood's family. BRYANTS’ MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall. 472 Broadwav— Bor.esaues, Sones, Dances, &c.—Aiy't Gor Timez to Tagry. NIBLO’S SALOON, Broadway.—Gro. Cxemry’s Min: Brusis 1 Soncs, Dances, Buntusqoes, &c.—BLacs Statue, + Broadway. —itmarmve Pax. ? ERBS—OLIERA, TOR VIOUNIST, NEW OPRRA HOUSE, Lon Orexss asp Lyuio Pi CHATHAM AMPHITREATRE.—Raursraiss Pesronn- | ances, Come Pastomnans, &o —Evcx Bison. = HOPR CHAPEL, 72) Broadway.—Wavan's traits. New York, Monday, Decesnber 12, 1559. MATS FOR EWRUPE. The New Vork Heraid—Edition tor Burape. ‘The Canard mail steamship Europa, Capt. Leitch, will Teave Boston on Wednesday, for Liverpool. The mails for Europe wili close in this city to-morrow Bternoon, at haif-past one o'clock, to go by railroad, und at three o’clock to go by steamboat ‘The Scrormay Eprnion ov Tae Hxkatp will be published Bt ten o'clock im the morning. Single copies in wrap- pers, six cents. Subscriptions and advertisements for any edition of the Naw Yorx Hxnap will be received at the following places im Burope:— sie acetone Paxs...... Lansing, Baldwin & Co., 8 place de la Bourse. Mavearom. . Lansing, Starr & Co., No. 9 Chapel street. R. Stuart, 10 Exchange street, Hast Bavaa.....lansing, Baldwin & Co., 21 Rue Corneille Hamsors.. De Chapeauronge & Co. The contents of the Kurorzan Epmon or ras Heratp wi!l combine the news received by mail and telegraph at the oftice during the previous week and up to the hour of the publication. The News. The South American members of Congress neld & caucus on Saturday night, to discuss a proposi- tion from the democrats, that whenever they (the democrats) should be able to cast their full vote— 3—the Americans would unite on their nominee, or whenever the. Americans could cast twenty. ®even votes for one of their party, the democrats should unite with them. It was, after much discus- sion, decided to take no action at present, as the Proposition did not emanate from a caucus, but a few leading democrats An account of the efforts of the politicians to effect an organization of the House is given in our special despatch this morn- ea details of the burial of John Brown, the ob- Bequies at the grave, with the oration of the Rev. J.M. McKim and the eulogy of Wendell Phikips, are given in our paper this morning. ‘The Rev. Professor Mattison delivered a discourse at the Union Chapel, Thirty-ninth street, at eight o'clock last evening, on the objects and failure of John Brown in his late insurrectionary move- ment at Harper's Ferry. The chapel was crowded to excess, and the lecture, which was an exceed- ingly long one, was patiently and earnestly listened dition as to which faith was not kept with him, Some signed it without reading the book; and it uppears that Mr, Sherman, the candidate for Speaker, was of that numbep, but authorized his signature to be affixed, on the representa tion of ex Congressman Morgan, the conti- dential friend ot Wm. H. Seward, who no doubt regards it as the truest and best exposi- tion of bis “irrepressible conflict.” Whatever the followers of the apostle of the higher law may think proper to deny or disclaim about the book, Mr. Seward himself is precluded from denying or disclaiming any- thing. We have it under his own hand that he read the book carefully, and pronounces it ex- cellent, and altogether unobjectionable. On the cover of the “Compendium” the author quotes Mr. Seward’s certificate, as follows: T have read the “Impending Crisis of the South’? with deep attention. It seems tome a work of great merit, rich, yet accurate, in statistical information, aud logical in analysis. It seems that it was not necessary for Mr. Sherman to read it, for Mr. Seward had read it, and declared it very good; and Mr. Seward’s { right hand man, Morgan, had communicated to / him the fact, and that was sufficient. There can + be no stronger proof of the fealty of the party | to their chief than the fact that on his recom- mendation they endorse a book on the slavery question without reading it. But enough of Mr. Sherman. It will not be pretended by those who jent their names to the book that they did so without a general idea of its nature. They must have known that it was written to stir up one class of white men against another class of white men at the South, and thus to overthrew slavery in the Southern States, They knew the book was for Southern circulation, and that it was calculated to excite slaves to insurrection. But they probably did not think it would be successful so soon. Had not John Brown given it a practical interpretation at Harper’s Ferry, and had not the Heratp pub- lished the list of the endorsers, we should now hear of no disclaimer. Many of the repub- lican Congressmen who endorsed the book probably did not calculate the consequences. But now that public opinion is attaching a terrible weight of odium to their act, which may drag them down to the depths of political Rerdition, they are very anxious to get rid of their responsibility. In the same way the friends of Gerrit Smith disclaimed responsibility for the act of John Brown, to whom he supplied meney for his foray into Virginia. No doubt Mr. Smith, whose character for benevolence is well known, did not intend that Brown should do worse than run off the slaves in a general stampede. He did not foresee how the matter would end, and therefore the affair at Harper’s Ferry deprived him of his reason. Probably few of the signers of the circular were pre- pared for the consequences which so suddenly burst about their heads like a bombshell. But out of the sixty-eight members of Con- gress whose names have been signed to the cir- cular, how many have qualified or explained away their endorsement? Only two or three, who are looking for position and the control of the spoils. As for Mr. Hale, in the other branch of Congress, he does not see anything wrong in the book, any more than does Mr. Seward, after “reading it with deep attention.” Now, what does the book mean? It shows how “nine out of every ten negroes may be afforded an opportunity, at which they would to. It was an advocacy of the moral and religious character of the deceased. Patrick Fanning, who is charged with killing Patrick Honeyman, surrendered himself last even- ing to Deputy Coroner Bouton, and was locked up in the Seventeenth precinct station house. He will be examined before Justice Kelly to-day at Jeffer- son Market Police Court. The telegraph to St. Louis was not in working order last evening, and we are consequently with- out the news by the overland California mail of the 18th ult., which is due there. The Committee on Federal Relations in the Legis- lature of South Carolina on Wednesday last re- commended the passage of resolutions declaring her right to secede from the Union, and that her citizens should make common cause with Virginia and sustain her in vindicating the institations of the South. The letter from our correspondent at Great Salt Lake City, published this morning, gives an account of the excitement among the Mormonsrelative to the difficulty between Judge Eckels and Mayor Smoot, on account of the reported plot to assassinate Brig. ham Young, and other matters of interestin the Territory. Our Bermuda correspondence reports the facts of a suit between American traders in the courts of Hamilton respecting the attachment of the brig Ella Reed, of Philadelphia, when in port. The Judge decided on the United States law of 1850, Telative to the proper registry of the deed of con- veyance when vessels are conveyed from one party to another. An account of the late storm noticed in yesterdoy's Henaxp is also given. The ealee of cotton on Saturday were reported at 3,600 bales, about 2,000 of which were made in transit. Tho market closed with steadinces, at 113, for middling up- lands. Flour was dull, and prices favored purchasers. ‘The chief demand was from local trade, with some speou- lative inquiry, Wheat was heavy, and sales moderate, includivg Milwaukee club at $1 20. Corn was in fair de- mand, and prices steady at 85¢. a 9c. for new and old yellow Jersey. Pork was heavy and lower, with sales of mess at $16 37 a $16 45, and of priime at $11 45.0 $11 50, Sugare were firm and more active. The salos embraced 1,100 hbde., 4,000 bags Babia, and 360 boxes, at full pri- ces. Freights continued firm, with a fair amount of cn- gagements. The government contract far 3,000 bbls. of Pork was taken at $19.0 $19 50, to be packed in full hooped barrels, Coffee was quiet and prices unchanged. Axorition Lres.—We notice in the Indepen- dent (Beecher’s organ) last week a letter pur- porting to have been written at Charlestown, Va., wherein it is stated that John Brown said that his annotations on Beecher’s sermon had been garbled or mutilated in the Henatp Office. This is a chronic lie, as can be Proven by a printed copy of Beecher’s sermon, upon the margin of which John Brown wrote his criticisms. This copy is now in existence. It was faithfully repro- duced by us, not a word altered or omitted or changed in any way. Furthermoro, we be- lieve that John Brown never said any such thing as the Independent alleges he did, and we think we place the responsibility of the false- hood where it belongs when we put it upon the correspondent of that pious and delectable hebdomadal. That's all. be delighted, of cutting their masters’ throats.” It proclaims the intention of the republican party to abolish slavery in the Southern States, “either peaceably or by violence.” “We are determined,” says the writer, “‘to abolish slavery at all hazards, in defiance of all the opposition, of whatever nature, it is possible for the slave- ocrats to bring against us.” This is the sum and substance—the alpha and omega—the be- ginning, the middle and the end of the book. And this is but the echo of William H. Seward’s Rochester speech, in which he de- clares that there are two antagonistic systems, and that the conflict of the North with the South is “irrepressible’”’—that it will be contin- ued till every State is either slave or free. Some of the republicans do not like to be called abolitionists; but Mr. Helper’s book, en- dorsed by Mr. Seward and sixty-eight republi- can members of Congress, says that to “abolish slavery” in the Southern States “at all hazards,” whether it leads to civil war or not, or whether it dissolves the Union or not, is the design of the party. \r. Sherman, who endorsed it, has re- ceived the entire republican vote for Speaker, and, wit!) she aid of some democratic sympa- thizers, wii probably be elected on the next ballot. They are, therefore, with peculiar pro- priety, designated abolitionists. We perceive from the observations of Mr. Horace F. Clark, of New York, in the debate of Saturday, that he does not regard the republicans as an aboli- tion party ; but then he defines abolitionists as “those who would interfore by violence with the relation of master and slave.” That is not a correct definition of the word. An abolition- ist is one who seeks to put an end to slavery by any means. Webster defines abolition— “The putting an end to slavery,” and abolition. ist, “a person who favors abolition, or the im- mediate emancipation of slaves.” Hitherto abolitionists meant those who proposed to abolish slavery by peaceable means, by moral force, by agitation, by public opinion, anda law of Congress; while the more moderate anti-slavery men were known as “free soilers,” or those who, by a law of Congress, would only prevent the extension of slavery into new States. Now it seems abolitionists are those who seek to everthrow slavery by violence and physical force. This serves to mark the pro- gress of treason. Formerly the abolitionists were moral force men; now they are physical force men, and the more moderate republieans stand on the ground formerly occupied by the most violent of the abolitionists. But the truth is that the republican party is rapidly becoming abolitionised; it is now divided into three classes—those who would abolish slavery by propagandism and a law of Congress; those who would abolish it by bloody revolution and the sword; and those who would merely prevent the extension of slavary into the Territories. The ultras. the Garrisons, Sey s » Phiviptes, Greeteys and Emersons—.are daily forcing the less violent into thelr measures; and what is now called the great Republican party will become, before the Presidential election, nothing but an Abolition party, All these indi- cations in and ont of Congress point to this result. Nothing, therefore, but the uprising of the national, conservative element of the nation, pure and simple, can save us from the saddest calamity that ever befel a people. The Estimates for the Coming Year—Suc- cessful Economy of Mr, Buch: The prize which the political demagogues in and out of Congress are really contending for is not the establishment of any great principle of society or government, but it is the putron- age and spoila which beloog to four years ad- ministration of the affairs of the Union. It is, therefore, in the decrease or increase of the annual estimates that the true spirit which unimates those in administration is to be found; and in this respect Mr. Buchanan pre- sents a shining example, amid the corruption that hangs around the hulls of Congress, and is eugeged in a continual attack, by assault and stratagem, on the Treasury Department at Washington. Owing to the persistent efforts made by the President, the expenditures of the general government have been largely reduced, as will be seen by a comparison of the follow- ing tables of estimates of the appropriations proposed to be made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1861, and those for the previous year:— 1860-61. 1859-60. EstiMarns FOR expoures $10,225,625 11,629,595 To supply « rues of th 5,988 424 6,382,900 Pensions 849,000 ’852,000 Indian Depart 1,915,502 1,866,419 Army proper, ot 15,658,336 185,938 Fortidcations, ordnan Naval estaoushment, mente showin 1. The appropriations estimated for the service of the fiscal year end- ing June 80, 1801, made by former acts of Congress) of a epécitic and indefinite character, as follows, viz:— Miscellaneous, including expenses of collecting revenue from cnstoms.. 3,876,901 5,424,410 Compensation to the General Post Office for mail service 700,000 700,000 200/000 200,000 10,000 10,000 8,836,021 $8,173,682 8,407,724 is tions which will be unexpended on June 30, 1860, part of which are required tor he pay- ment of the liabilities of the pre- sent fiscal year, but which will not be drawn from the treasury uptil afier June 30, 1860, and the balance applied to the service of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1861, Arming and equipping the militia. Civilization of Indians... Interest on the public deb foreign intercourse and miscellancous +. 6,211,836 4,270,057 Interior Department (Pensions an Indian)... 1,237,004 1,603,602 War Department 3 Navy Department, Total.. $12,262,452 THE TOTALS. Total estimates for 1859-60... Total estimates tor 1860-61 Reduced estimates... $6,413,09 It will be seen by these tables that Mr. Buchanan has succeeded in reducing the ex- penses of the government for the next fiscal year to more than six and a half millious of dollars less than they amounted to in the pre- ceding year, notwithstanding the constant ai- tempts of politicians and a factious Congress to force him to incur every kind of expense, under the protean plea that it was absolutely neces- sary for the safety of the country. This great saving is to be effected by a judicious and economical administration of the Civil List, the Army and the Navy, while the fortifications of the country will be increased, and an excessive deficiency in the Post Office Department suc- cessfully covered. Such earnest labors will meet with no acknowledgment at the hands of a factious Congress, but they will show to the people the contrast between an honest ad- ministration and one conducted upon the spoils system that now forms the cohesive power of political parties. SvPERINTENDENT PiisBuRY, OF THE METROPO- LITAN PoLicE, aND WaRDEN PILSBURY, OF THE Aubany Penitentrary.—It may not be gene- rally known that Mr. Pilsbury, the General Superintent of the Metropolitan Police, occu- pies a very anomalous position in that office. While filling the post at the head of the police force of this city, he also holds the office of Warden of the Penitentiary at Albany—the two posts one hundred and fifty miles apart. By areference to the “general rules” of the Police Department, section 1, we read: “ Each and every member of the police force shall de- vote his whole time and attention to the business of the department, and he is expressly prohibited from following any other calling or being em- ployed in any other business,” The italics belong to the Police Commission- ers, It seems strange that Mr. Pilsbury should hold two official positions, in direct conflict with this rule. The appointment of the present Ge- neral Superintendent was a political move of the republicans to popularize the Metropolitan Police, which was known to be anything but a popular institution in the metropolis, by plac- ing at its head a known and effective democrat, like Mr. Pilsbury; and we have heard that in order to insure his acceptance, the legal salary of $3,000 attached to the office was increased to $10,000 by private contributions of certain re- publican leaders—Governor Morgan being down fora high figure if we are not misin- formed. However that may be, it seems mani- fest that no official can perform with fidelity the duties pertaining to two important offices— one in this city and another in Albany—at the same time. One or the other must be a sine- cure. Cenrrat Park Skating Poxp anp THE Croton Boanp.—That most useful as well as ornamental winter feature of the Central Park—the skating pond—covering over forty acres of ground, is now ready to receive water; and although we have had three or four days of good freezing weather, the pond etill remains dry, and such of our citizens as desire to enjoy the healthy exercise of skating are debarred that privilege in the Park. The Croten Aqueduct Board, it appears, refuse, for some reason, to let the water in from the reservoir, and the supply is limited to such water as may be obtained from the drainage of the Park, which is none at all at present, for there is not yet a drop of water in the pond. Reduced to this resource, the skating season may be over before the pond is full enough for the purpose it was designed for. We hope, therefore, that the Great Moguls of the Croton Aquednet Department will con- descend to accommodate the public in this matter a8 8000 aa possible, unlees thore be some very potent reason for dectining. lt is very important that our citizens should be afforded all the benefits of the Central Park, for which they will have to pay so liberally; and one of the most prominent benefits it presents is the facility for enjoying the delightful and invigo- rativg amusement of skating, ‘The First Week in Congress—The “Irrre= pressible Conflict” and the Prospect Be- fore Us. The ventilation of the “irrepreasible con- flict” during the first week of the Thirty-sixth Congress will hereafter form a conspicuous landmark in the history of the slavery agitation. The proceedings of the Senate were opened on Monday last, by a notice from Mr. Mason, of Virginia, of the following resolution:— Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire tato the facts alionding the late invasion and. seizure. of tha armory and arsenal of the United States at Harper’s Forry, in Virginia, by a band of armed men, aud report whether the same was attended by armed resistance to the authorities and public force of the United States, and by the murder of any of the citizens of Virginia, or of any ‘troops sent there to protect the public property; whether such invasion and seizure were made under color of any organizauon intended to subvert the government of any Of the States of the Union; what was the character and extent of such organization; and whether any citizens of the United States not present were implicated therein, or ac- ceracry thereto, by contributions of money, arms, muni- tions or lo; whet were the character and extent of the military equipment in the hands or under the control, of said armed band, and where and how and when the same was obtained and transported to the place so in- vaded. That said comm:ttee report whether any and what legislation may, in their opivion, be necessary, on the Sop of the United States, for the future preservation of peace of the country, or for the safety of the public property; and that suid committee have power to ‘send for persons ani papers. In pursuance of his notification, Mr. Mason introduced said resolution on Tuesday, where- upon Mr. Trumbull, of Illinois, submitted the following amendment:-— After the word “inyaded,”’ in the fourth clause of the rosolution, insert— And that said committee also inquire into the facts attending the invasion, seizure, and robbery, in Decem ber, 186, of the arsenal of the Untied States at Liberty, in the State of Stissouri, by a mob or body of armed men, and report whether such deizure and robbery wore attend ed by resistance to the authorities of the United states, and followed by an invasion of the Territory of Kxosas, and the plunder and murder of any of its inbabitauts, or of apy cinzen of the United States, by the persons who thus seized the arms and ammunition of the government, or others combinea with these; whether said seizure and robbery of the areenal were made vuder color of any or ganization intended to subvert the government of auy of the Sutes or Territories of the Unton; what were the char- ucter and extent of such organization, and whether any citizens of the United States not present wore implicated therein, or acceavory thereto, by contributions of money, arms, ammunition or otherwise; what were the charactor apd extent of the military equipments in the hands or under the control of said mob, and how and when and where the same were subsequently used by said mod, what was the value of the arms add amunition of every description 80 taken from the said arseaal by the mob; whether the same or any part thereof had been returned, and the value of such as were lost; whether Captain Ln. ther Leonard, the Unitec States officer in command of the arsenal at the time, communicated the facts in relation to its seizure and robbery to his superior officer, and what measures, # any, were taken in reference thereto. Upon these two propositions the sittings of the Senate during the week were consumed in a searching cross-examination by Southern Se- nators of such prominent republican leaders as Trumbull, Wilson, Hale, Fessenden, Simmons and others, concerning the “irrepressible con- flict” of W. H. Seward, as expounded by Help- er, and as put into practice by John Brown. The Senatorial leaders of the republican party being thus put to the torture, twisted and squirmed, and explained, and protested, and pleaded not guilty, and finally ran under the shelter of Trumbull’s Kansas amendment; but for all this, as the record will show, they were pretty seriously damaged by the discussion. Mr. Seward—in this connection the very man of all men whose presence was most needed— was absent in the other hemisphere. His duty should have brought him home ere this. His absence can only be explained upon the as- sumption that he has remained away in order to escape this first rough overhauling of his bloody instructions upon his responsibility as a Senator of the United States and as an anti- slavery candidate for the Presidency. In the House on Monday, after the first scat- tering vote for Speaker, Mr. Clark, democrat, of Missouri, offered the following resolution:— ‘Whereas, certain members of this House, now in nomi- nittion for Speaker, did endorse and recommend the book hereinafter mentioned— Resolved, Toat the doctrines and sentiments of a certain book, called ‘The Impending Crisis of the South—How to meet’ it,”” purporting to have been written by one Hinton R. Helper, are insurrectionary and hostile to the domestic peace and tranquillity of the country,and that ne member of this House who has endorsed and’ recommended it, or the compend from it, {s fit to be Speaker of this House. The immediate effect of this appropriate reso- lution was like that of the springing of a mine under the republican side of the House. The debates and proceedings which followed, from day to day, have been communicated to our readers. The hot and raking fire from the Southern democrats against the republican Congressional endorsers of Helper’s infamous book brought a number of them to their knees; but still the odds were against them upon the Speakership, until some exceedingly charitable South Americans and anti-Lecompton democrats came up to the res- cue. From that moment, however, it must be confessed that the contest assumed a different phase—the unmistakeable phase of a republi- ean, South American and anti-Lecompton coalition, for the spoils and plunder involved in the House organization. We had hoped that the Southern opposition members, if they could not affiliate with the democrats, would at least be equal to the task of maintaining their ground as an independent national party. But when we find such promi- nent Southern opposition men as Davis, of Maryland, and Nelson and Etheridge, of Ten- nessee, industriously working to clear the track for the black republican party, and when we find the New York and Pennsylvania anti- Lecomptonites proclaiming their allegiance to the republican creed, under cover of the ex- ploded and obsolete Kansas humbug of “squat- ter sovereignty,” we perceive how vain are all estimates of the tenacity of men to their profes- sions of principle, when the temptations of the spoils lie in the opposite direction. The prospect now is decidedly in favor of a mixed opposition organization of the House, including Sherman, republican, for Speaker, and a sop to the anti-Lecomptonites and South Americans in the Clerkship and other offices of the House, and in the bountifal spoils of the House printing. Buta general result of this sort can only operate to widen the breach between the North and South upon the political parties of the day. The repub- lican party, as anactive anti-slavery coalition, will become more domineering and more ex- acting against the South; and the Southern de mocracy, shorn of their late Northern allies, and left solely dependent upon the slave States, will make a virtue of necessity, by reducing their party to an intensely Southern organiza- tion, upon the paramount issue of the day. ‘Phus, indeed, we have looming up before us the fearful picture of an “irrepressible conflict” in 1860, between the North and the South, upon this slavery question. With the collapse of the Sonthern conservative opposition nucleus in Congress, we must look elsewhere for that ac- alance of power which, between tbe ag- thorn sectional party and the de- fensive South, must in€rpose to save the country. Our Northern £°Dservative Union movements, therefore, m' practical shape than mere bigh-sounding reso- lutions and [“glittering genealities.” P the proceedings in Congress to-day will show that the speedy organizatian of a new party for 1860, upon the platform of the constitution and the Union, is the firat and most urgent neces- sity of the crisis. Equatiation or Taxas.e Prorerty.—Owing to complaints arising in several counties of this State against the mode of valuation of property adopted by the county assessors, a law was passed by the last, Legislature, ap pointing three State assessors to revise the va luation of taxable property of the county assessors throughout the entire State. ‘The assessors’ report equalizing the real es- tate was lately completed and published in the Heratp, and it shows that they have added thirty-three millions to the real estate of the eastern counties, lying principally east of the Hudson river, and reduced the real estate of the western counties by the same amount. It is now contemplated, it appears, to have this work also revised, with a view to reduce the valuation of the counties upon which the increase has been imposed. But it occurs to us, that if any wrong or deception was prac- >tised in the firstinstance, it is just as likely to occur again, The best mode of remedying the evil would be to paas a general law equalizing the value of real estate all over the State. There is very little doubt that real estate is rather underesti- mated by the assessors than overestimated. If the taxable property in this city was fairly rated, the taxes, which are now $18 on the thousand, might be reduced to $10 on the thon- sand. And, moreover, the property of non-resi- dents should be taxed equally with that of ac- tual residents. Many millions worth of personal property isowned by men who reside outside this island—up the North river, in Brooklyn, in the States of New Jersey and Connecticut, and even in Europe, while the taxpayers of the city are obliged to pay for tle protection of this very property, by maintaining the, Fire Department, the Police Department, the Cro- ton Water Department, and so on. If the pro- perty of non-residents was subject to an equi- table rate of taxation, it would lighten the burden of those who are now oppressed by the load of taxes this city has to bear. —_—_—_—_—_—_—_— INTERESTING FROM WASHINGTON. Caucus of the South Americans—A Pro- position from Leading Democrats Dis- cussed—No Result Arrived At—Busy Times Among the Politicians—The Posi- tion of Senator Douglas—Movements of the Fillbusters—The Treaty with China, &c., &ec. ‘Wasmeroy, Dec. 11, 1859, ‘THR SPRAKERSHIP. According to the opinions of prominent Congressmen, it is not probable that the election of a Speaker will be effected to-morrow. Indeed, no idea can be formed as to how long the debate in the House will be extended. Calculations continue tobe made by members outside of the republican ranks as to the best means of uniting the democrats, Southern opposition, and such anti-Lecompton democrats ag have not yoted for Mr. Bocock, but up to this evening they have not come to a satisfactory ar- rangement of the figures, A most practicable project, and one that would succeed if brought forward, is to nominate Davis (anti-Lecompton), of Indiana, for Speaker. The anti- Lecompton democrats are pledged to go fr one of their party. He is not unobjectionabie to the South Americans, and was always a democrat, except ‘on the anti-Lecompton issue. He was, too, in the demo- craticcaucus. I am assured the Virginia delegation would vote for him. This project has also been actively can- ‘yassed to-day. CAUCUS OF THE SOTTH AMERICANS, ‘The South Americans held a caucus last night to consi- der the proposition that had been made by soveral lead- ing democrats for the union of the two parties to elect a Speaker. There were twenty-three present, one being Briggs, of New York. Winter Davis was not there, Bote- ler was absent on account of indisposition. Tho Proposi- tion was that whenever democrats should be able to cast their full vote—ninety-three—the Americans would unite on the democratic nominee; or, whenever the Americans could cast twenty-seven votes for one of thelr own party, the democrats would unite with them. After long discussion on this proposition and the gene- ral question of party and national interests, the caucus finally concluded to take no action for the present, as the Proposition had not emanated formally from the demo- cratic caucus, and had been made only by some leaders of the party—John Cochrane, Mr. Winslow, and others. The caucus sat until after eleven o’clock. The Americans believe they can, in such a combination, Taise their vote to twenty-seven. Both parties will enter the House to-morrow to take the usual independent action of each other. From the threats of democrats made this evening, I have reason to believe that there will not be an organiza- tion for some time, unless it is obtained by a majority vote, The plurality rule will not at present be admitted. , A RUSY DAY AMONG THE POLITICIANS. This bus been a busy day among members, outside po- liticians and office seekers, to bring about an organization of the House. The last man whose mettle hus been tested” in private caucuses as a likely compromise mau botween democrats and Americans, is Judge Rogan, of Toxas, It is proposed that the democrats should drop Bocock and take up Regan. Gilmer and other South Americans have said he could get the American yote. It is doubtful whe- ther they were in earnest. There has been a very active canvass among the demo- crats to bring Regan out, and it ia likely a movement wal be made to-morrow. Bocock will not be dropped, how- ever, unless it bo evident that Regan or some other demo- erat or anti republican can be elected. Sherman’s chances are improving. The anti-Lecomp- ton men, one by one, drop into the republican ranks. ‘To- day the republicans confidently caiculate on wanting only one or two votes. Appearances favor this conclu. sion. ‘The democrats have given notice that Mr. Hickman’s plurality resolution ghall not be voted on bofore the 1st of January at least, and until that is adopted it is clear that no Speaker can be elocted. Quite a vumber of tenderfooted republicans are already beginning to quake since the great Union demonstrations in Northern cities, aod threaten to bolt the nomination of Sherman and cast their vote for some man who is not mixed up in the infamous Helper circular. Corwin snid yesterday, if the extreme men in Congress Tepresented fully the sentiments of their cunstituencics, the Union is virtually destroyed. FORNEY’S CHANCES YOR THR CLURKSHIP, Forney’s anti-Lecompton supporters, Haskin and the rest, seem to be afraid of Forncy, and thoy may be cheated in the bargain for the clerkship. ‘They aro going round demanding pledges from the republicans individu- ally. It is certain somo republicans have asserted they would not abide by the bargain Weed, Greeley and Forney made, and would not vote for Forney. They prudently keep quiet at prosent. ‘MR. HASKIN ANP THK CONSTITUTION NEWSPAPR The Constitution will be agsailod by Haskin, of Now ‘York, to-morrow, in a manner that will not be pleasant to Mr. Browne, the English gentleman who writes Mr. ‘Bowman’s editorials, and who, it is said, wrote the severo leader in Saturday’s Qonstitution about Mossrs. Haskia and Hickman, 1 am inolined to think that Mr. Douglas ‘will not grow much in grace by the onslaught. Mr. Bow- man {s said to be the Exeoutive candidato for the Senate printing, but Wendell is contesting the chances with his usual skill. THR PORTION OF SEWATOR DOUGLAS. ‘The contemplated journey of Senator Douglas is viewed ‘as a similar feat to that performed by him when he was a candidate for re-clection to the Senate, to avoid the inter- rogation of senators a8 to his position until afer tho Ghprigeton pomluation, My, Hellogy's exposure of Dovgiag? Assume @ mere | | tress sixty-five years. She ig the inst of Parior interview with Greeley has groatly damaged bim. ‘The Chicago Tribwne comes w Kellogg's rescue, and as- derw that it can prove Greeley was in the plot to defeat Taoola, ‘THR TREATY Wrrn Contd, ‘The treaty wilh China will be submitted t the Senate atan early day, accompanied by the luminous, interest. ing and important despatches of Mr. Reod, and other cor- Fespondence connected with this subject. It will be re- membered that the lateness of the arrival of the treaty in China precluded the possibility of ratification at tho time indicated thorein, and it is believed by some that further legislation will be required by us te make it binding. The President, however, is of a diffor- ent opinion, but will send it to the Senate for such action ‘a8 may be deemed necessary by that body. When tho treaty was received from Mr. Reed it was with the under- Standing on the part of the Chineso authorities that whom ratified the rescript should bo forwarded to this govorn- ment, The rescript has been received, which action is considered by them as well as by the President as giving it validity and force. Should the Senate think differently, @ simple resolution wilt obviate the difficulty. CAPTAIN FARNHAM AND THE SLAVE TRADE. Marshal Rynders arrived here this morning, with Cap- tain Farnham, on his way to Georgia for the purpose of delivering the captain to the federal authorities there, to be tried for his complicity in the slave expedition of the yacht Wanderer. HE YXELING IN PARIS IN REGARD TO SEWARD'S VISIT Te LOUIB NAPOLEON. A gentleman who arrived in the Ocean Queen informs me that there was considerable feeling of indignation ex- Pressed by Southern Americans in Paris towards Louis Napoleon for entertaining Senator Seward, to the exclu- sion of Southern gentlemen. The Senator was delighted with his visit. MOVEMENTS OF THE FILIBUSTERS, There is a rumor here, having somo foundation, that a fow leading filibusters are about to start from Washing- ton to join a larger party farther South. Savamnah is named for an expedition to some woak neighbor’s terri- tory. The affalr is kept close, but it is likely to bo fto Mexico and probably to the Texas frontior. Marshal Rynders is here to work for the succession of Mr. Sedgwick. South Carolina Legis! ure. Wasitxatox, Dec. 11, 1859, The Charleston Courier says that the Committee om Federal Relations, in the Legislature of South Carolina, om Wednesday recommended the passage of resolutions re- affirming the position of the State, as expressed in the Convention of 1852, declaring her right to secede from the federal! Union, and that the people should make com- mon cause with those of Virginia, and be prepared to sustain her in hor vindieation of the institutions of the South, The minority of the committes report resolutions that the frontior States especially, and the Southern States generally, may rely upon the aid of South Carolina in vindication of their rights, in or out of the Union, and that the military contingeat fund be increased to $100,000. The debate will take place to-morrow, ——$_$__. Faneral of Hon. Theodore Sedgwick. Stocknrtpor, Mass., Dec. 11, 1859. The funeral of Hon. Theodore Sedgwick was heli here to-day at St. Paul’s church, and was largely attonded by his relatives and friends, including several members of the bar, His remains were interred here in the family burying ground. Shipwreck and Loss of Life. Boston, Dec. 11, 1859, An unknown brig, lumber laden, went on to Handkor- chief Shoal last night, and went to pieces, All hands are supposed lost. Fire in Baltimore, Barmmors, Dec. 11, 1869. StiefMs piano factory in this city was burnt on Saturday night. Loss $14,000; insurod for $8,000 in eastern offices. Reports of the Weather. Dowxmx, Dec. 11, 1859. Weather cloudy and very cold, with prospecis of more snow. Wind west. Horwmusviuix, Dec. 11, 1859. Weather fine and clear, and has been so since yester- day, 4 Buanamron, Dec. 11, 1859. Snowing and very cold here. Commerce of Mobile. Monmx, Dec. 9, 1859, Exports of the week, $522,000. Exports of the month, $2,976,180, Markets. New Okxeans, Dec. 9, 1859. Cotton—An improved demand: gales to-day 12,500 bales at 10%. 11c. for middling. The sales of the week sum up 76,000 bales, and the receipts 71,000 bales, 60,000 bales for the same week in last year. Exports for the week, 44,000 bales. Total oxporta this season, 618, C00 bales. Receipts at this port ahead of last year, 600 bales; do. at all Southern ports, 241,000 bales. 387,000 bales. ‘Freights—Cotton to’ Liverpool 9-16d., and to Havre 1ic. New Onxans, Dec. 10, 1869. Cotton firm. Sales to-day, 9,000 bales middling at 1030. alle, Freights to Liverpool 916d. without consignment. Sugar quiet and easier, but quotably unchanged. i Mom, Deo. 9, 1859. Cotton—Sales to aay, 5,000 bales at 105/c. for middling, the market closing firm. Tho sales of the week add up 25,000 bales, und the receipts 81,000 bales, against 28,000 for the corresponding week in last year. ’ Receipts up to the present time abead of last year, 76,000 bales. Stock 168,280 bales. Freights to Liverpool 15-324. a i¢d., and to Havre 1 1-160 Monnx. Dec. 10, 1859. Cotton quiet and unchanged: sales to-day, 3,000 bales. Savayvant, Dec. 10, 1859. Cotton in improved demand: sales to-day, 2,360 bales. Prices quotably unchanged. Cincivxamr, Dec, 10. 1859. Flour very dull at $525 ; holders ask $5 35 a $5 60. nani, active ay 220, Wheat firm : red, $1 18 a $1 20 ; white, $125. Hogs drooping and prices easier ; 5,000 at $615.0 $850. Leta a a Toxo, Dec. 10, 1859, Flour quiet at $5 a $5 50. Wheat inactive at $1 12% a $125. Keceipts to-day—500 bbls. flour, 1,700 bushels wheat. Carcaco, Dec. 10, 1859. Flour firm. Wheat dull at97a 98. Corn firm. Oats firm and advanced 13¢. Receipts to-day - 1,400 bbla. flour ; 9,000 bush. wheat ; 7,000 bush. corn, Borrato, Dec. 10—6 P. M. Flour.—Demand moderate; quotations unchanged. Wheat quiet; demand confined’ to small lota, which do not correctly indicate the true condition of the market. Corn steady and in fair demand; sales 18,000 bushels new afloat at 593¢¢. Oats selling in small lots at. 37c. Barley and rye nominal. Whiskey held at 250. Lake imports unimportant, Oswedo, Dec. 10—6 P. M. Flour.—Demand moderato for the home and interior trade; small sales at $5 for State from Chicago aprin Wheat. Wheat quict, at $110 for Chicago spring, an $1 1244 for Milwaukee club. No receipts by lake to-day, and but one vessel is expected here this season. Weather very cold to-day. This afternoon the thermometer was steady at 14 degrees abovo zero. Toronto, Dec. 10, 1859. Paces het Ad ae bree) Eire : white, $1 20a ; re a 5 ts quiet at 87}¢c. Barl steady at 60c, Pork firm at $625." i re ———— —_—_—_—_—_—_————= Accipent oy THe Noxtaxny Ramroap of New Jxesey— Two Boys Knixp.—As the morning train going north, on the Northern Railroad of New Jersey, last Saturday, was crossing the Paterson Plank road, about three miles from. Jersey City, the locomotive struck a wagon in which two small boys were driving a horse. The wagon was smashed to pieces, and the boys so horribly mangled as to render recovery out of the question. When seen by our Yeporter (Saturday afternoon) they were insonsible and gasping. Three physicians were present, who said the boys would not survive an hour. They wore brothers, named Talfourd, aged 12 and 14 years, The Returms of the Ward. 70 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. New York, Dec. 11, 1850. In your roport of the proceedings of the Board of County Canvassers of the Twenty-sccond ward of this (ity, published in this day’s Hyratp, you state that tho committee appointed to investigate the subject report that in relation to the election held in the Fourth district of the Twenty-second ward, 1 was drunk and totally in- capable of performing the duties of Poll Clerk. In reply to said ‘ge, 1 most emphatically and do- cidedly deny the Charges proferred ‘against me, and I do further say I was ly sober during the whole day fd night of sad election abd during the canvass of sald In countin, Twenty-Second destroying the said thirty-five ballots, they, the oaavass- ors, counted thom and opened them, but requeated me to seal up the returns blank, which Tdid SAMUEL COBB, Poll Clerk. Obituary. The Hon. Mount Srvanr Eurwixarox, & hod wriver and author on Indian lif and affal'rs in the East, died at Surrey, Eng., on Sunday tho 2lst of November. Mrs. Garniox, wifo to tho \ew of actor, diod at Sunderland a few fake act Nath beet an 20° @ mame COn- Bccicd with the stage,