The New York Herald Newspaper, January 31, 1860, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BMONETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFFICE ¥. W. CORNER OF NASSAU AND FULTON 818. MRI, cash in advance Money sent by matt wi beat the rick of the sender, Postage damp! not reccived as aubscripeion ay eens 4 coery day: adlertisensents tn: perted in the Wi uw ai mares Pa eRALD, and in the fornia and Buro} ‘ditions. TT PRINTING executed wth neatness, cheapness end de- AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. NIBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway.—Cooxe's Rovat Amput- TUBATRE, gee THEATRE, Bowery.—Uen Liki—Tax Ooto. oom. WINTER GARDEN, Broadway, opposite Boud street,— ‘Lusaia. ts WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Romanca or 4 Poow Youna Man. LAURA KEENE’S THEATRE, 624 Broadway.—Jcayix NeW BOWERY THEATRE. Bowery.—Tux Ogroxoox— Mupaicut Conarmatoxs, eebospwar. BOUDOIR, 444 Broadway.—Ing.anp As It '4S—Foum Sisters, | THRATES FRAXOA! —) h Pe org: py 18, 686 Broadway.—Maxie Pranne, ORES BION, MONET. Ponte Ate \—Macic Tors, = 70 Oupga—Venmont Woot Duan hing BRYANTS’ MINSTRELS, Mechanics Hall, 472 Broad = ny » BonGs, Dancus, &c,—Wao Staccx Bier TarbR. NIBLO’B SALOON, Broadway.—Gro. m a way. nape Marx: SYRELS ‘Us BonGs, Daxcrs, BumicavEs, . Dar New ‘Year Catss'vow 1500" “ ag ba New York, Tuesday, January 31, 1860. - MAILS FOR EUROPE. The New York Herald—Edition for Europe. Tho Cunard mail steamship Africa, Capt. Shannon, will Jeave this port to morrow for Liverpool. | ‘The mails for Europe will close in this city at ten o'clock to-morrow morning. ‘The Evrorgay Epon or tax Heratp will be published at half-past nine o’clock in the morning. Single copica in ‘wrappere, six cents. Subscriptions and advertisements for any edition of the New Yous Henry will be received at the following piaees in Barope:— Loxpon,. ..Sampson Low, Son & Co., 47 Ludgate Hill. eee Starr & Co., No. 9 Chapel street. R, Stuart, 10 Exchange streot, Kast. Haver... Lansing, Baldwin & Co., 21 rue Corneille. Hawpvac..Do ronge & Co. ‘The contents of the Evrornax Eprrion or rae HaRatp ‘will combine tho nows geccived by mail and telegraph at the office during the previous week and up to the hour of publication. The News. Our accounts from Washington are important. The Senate yesterday listened to a speech from Mr. Nicholson, of Tenneasee, on the “irrepreasible conflict,” confirmed a number of unimportant ap- pointments, and adjourned. The House was the focus of attraction, and at an early hour the spa- cious galleries were thronged with spectators, while a large number of ladies occupied the floor of the House. The members could not stand the press of petticoats, but drove the fair intruders forth before proceeding to business. Upon a wall of the House, preparatory to balloting for Speaker, it was ascertained that only three members were gbsent—namely: Messrs, Brown, of Kentucky; Stallworth, of Alabama, and (C. B. Cochrane, of New York. The first named are democrats, while the latter isa republican. Mr. Bherman, the republican candidate for the Speak- ership, then addressed the House, withdrawing from the contest, and Mr. Pennington, of New Jer- Bey, was nominated in his stead, while the demo- crats supported Mr. Smith, of North Carolina. Three ballots were taken, the last resulting as fol- . 15 ns 6 « 7 The House then adjourned. In the evening the democrats held a caucus and appointed a committee to select a candidate, and it is stated that Mr. MecClernand of Ilinois, Mr. Larrabee of Wiscon- sin, or Mr. Millson of Virginia, will be chosen, with the view of concentrating the votes of all opposed to Mr. Pennington. The Senate Harper's Ferry Investigating Com- mittee have subpcenaed Thaddeus Hyatt, the Presi- dent of the Kansas Aid Society, and Hyatt has sent them a letter, which we publish to-day, in which he gnnounces his determination not to answer the in- terrogations of the committee. Should he refuse fo testify he will be regarded as a contumacious witness, and be placed in duress, when a writ of habeas corpus will be sued out and the case taken before the Supreme Court. The Legislature met last evening. The Senate transacted no business of importance. The bill amending the general city railroad law, which passed the Senate on Saturday, was passed by the Assembly last evening, ordered to be engrossed, and probably received the signature of the Go- wernor; and thus is consummated another scheme to plunder the citizens of this metropolis. Our cor- respondent has pretty thoroughly ventilated these railroad plots in his despatch, published in another volumn. At the meeting of the Board of Supervisors yes- terday,a resolution declaring that the Board will not pay any bills for advertising for the county, except such as have been duly authorized by them, was adopted. The Excise Commissioners were re- quested to report the cases where legal proceed- ings bave been commenced for penalty under the Excise Law during the years 1858 and 1859, and the number of cases that have been discontinued or compromised; also the amount received in each case, and the amount of such receipts which have been paid into the county treasury. At the meeting of the Board of Aldermen yester. day, a strong protest against the passage by the Legislature of any law with reference to city rail. Foads was proposed and adopted. The Board of Councilmen held a brief session Jast evening. A commission was appointed to examine and report upon the safety of the State Arsenal. The Corporation Counsel, in reply toa resolution of inquiry, advises the Common Council to make further provision for the examination of buildings in the course of construction. A resolu- Sion in favor of restricting the two horse railroad cars to twenty-four passengers, and the one horse vars to fourteen, was referred to the Committee on Railroads. Mr. Sutton, Warden ofthe City Prison, yesterday afternoon made a very important discovery in the ells of the two murderers Stephens and Sanchez. Jt appears these two prisoners had entered into a Conspiracy to escape. The plan was to kill the two night keepers when those officers opened the cell oor to hand in their supper, then obtain the keys and let themselves out. A loaded revolver was found on each prisoner. A detailed report will be Sound in another column. There were 480 deaths in the city last week, Bhowing a decrease of 36 as compared with the week previous, and an increase of 49 as compared rith the correqponding period iast year. The trial of John Crimmins for the murder of Dennis McHenry, by stabbing him with a sword, bn the 10th of October last, was commenced in the Court of Oyer and Terminer yesterday. The anniversary of the birthday of Thomas Paine was celebrated by his admirers at the City Amembly Rooms last evening. Owing to the press ‘@f matter we are obliged to defer the publication pe our report of the foetivitie: a NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1860. The Board of Aldermen adopted a resolution about three weeks age, prohibiting the various stage and railroad companies ie the city from Spr ickling salt in the streets to melt the snow. The Board of Councilmen ceneurred with this action, but exempted the railvcad companies from the Tange of the ordinance embraced in the resolution ‘The Aldermen made ue exception, and adhered to their former action; whereupon boti boards ap- pointed a conference committee to consider the subject and report to both boards. This commit- tee were to have met yesterday, but they failed to have aquerum, which they probably will have in time for the ordinance te come into operation when winter shail have passed away, The Excise Commissioners have procured a second judgment against an alleged violator of the Excise law, named Ball, whose place of business is ia the Second ward, The case ia in every re- speot similar to the first iu which a judgment was procurec—a fine of $50, The delinquent, unable to 4 lodged in jail, and subsequently released fine is paid by his feiends, By the arrival of the overland mail we have newa from California to the 1¢th fast. Great excitement existed with regard tothe United States Senator ship. A second cazcus of the democratic members of the Legislature was held on the 6th instant when nine ballottings for a candidate were taken without effecting a choice, Mr, Weller headed the list, but lacked nine votes of the requisite number The caucus was an exceedingly stormy one, and several fights had occurred, in which one member was put hors du combat, and was subsequently obliged to vote by proxy. Heavy rains had fallen, ing trade with the interior of the State, and an Francisco was consequently very noe from Oregon and the British provinces is unimportant. The United States sloop-of-war Brooklyn, from | Vera Cruz for Pensacola, touched at the Belize on Sunday, and Mr. McLane, our Minister to tlexico, proceeded to New Orleans, where he will await instructions from Washington. It is said that he has important intelligence for the government. Vera Cruz was quiet. Detachments of marines had been stationed at Tampico and Minatitlan to pro- tect American interests at those points. It is reported that Miramon was. preparing an expedi- tion against Carvajal. The clergy had refased to furnish funds for his projected expedition against Vera Cruz. Miramon had issued another proclama- tion against the McLane treaty. The British Minis- ter had presented his ultimatum, demanding in- demunities. Our European files by the Nova Scotian, at Portland, reached this city yesterday, but the con- tents of the papers were anticipated by the arrival of the Fulton at this port. In another column will be found an account of the battle between Cortinas, the Mexican bandit, with 500 men, and a force of 150 United States troops and a body of Texas Rangers, commanded by Major Heintaleman and Colonel Ford, which re~ sulted in the total defeat and rout of the former from his possession of Rio Grande City, with forty or fifty killed and many wounded. The Americans had sixteen wounded. The telegraphic news of this battle was published on the 13th instant. In our report to-day we furnish full particulars. Additional advices from Kingston, Jamaica, dated on the 11th instant, say:—The amount of taxes to be raised this year for the public service is $1,555,695. The Minister of Finance states that the revenue of last year has all been received, and that there was a deficit of only $21,435. ‘We have news from Port of Spain, Trinidad, dated on the 12th inst. Our correspondent writes as fol- lows:—Means for the better protection not only of this island, but all the British possessions in th® West Indies, are now under advisement by those in high authority. Chief Justice Knox has just re turned from Barbadoes, where a fort has been pro- jected that will command all approaches to the harbor. The island is healthy, and the canes never looked better, owing to moderate showers and very heavy dews. The exports last year amounted to £604,116, and the imports to £512,473. Immense veins of coal have recently been dis- covered in Demarara, and it is thought the mining operations there will be very extensive this year. The sales of cotton yesterday increased about 1,000 bales, closing on the basis of quotations given in another column. Flour was heavy and lower, and closed ata decline of full five cents per barrel. Southern brands were also lowor, while sales of all kinds were moderate. The mar- ket for wheat continued dull, and in the absence of sales quotations were nominal. Corn was dull and lower, with sales of Jorsey and Southern yellow at 78c. a 80c., and of Southern white at 70c. a 80c. The speculative movement in pork noticed on Saturday was continued yesterday, with free sales, including considerable lots for future delivery. On the spot new mess sold at $18 a $18123,, and for March and April delivery at $18, and old prime at $12 a $12 25. Sugars were unchanged. The gales embraced 600 a 600 boxes, at prices given in another place. Coffee was quict, with sales of small lots of Rio, Maracaibo and Laguayra at prices given in another place. Freights wero firm, while engagements were moderate. The Question at Charleston—Mr. Douglas and His Friends. é Our special correspondent at Chicago writes to us to this effect:— 1. That the friends of Mr. Douglas in his own State are in high glee over his recent speech in the Senate, and believe that it makes his title to the nomination at Charleston perfectly clear and warranted. 2. That they positively declare that if he is not nominated at Charleston they will bolt the ticket. It strikes us that if that position has been as- sumed by any considerable number of the friends of Mr. Douglas they have made a very great error. Mr. Douglas has given in his own course the very best rebuke that could be ad- ministered to his over zealous adherents. When the present administration came into power Mr. Douglas stood well with the Sonth and the West, where he wasa popular fdol, and had likewise a certain degree of strength in the great Central States. He made a very great error in bolting from the adminis- tration, and engaging as the leader of a faction of Northern -democrats, who be- lieved that it would be a fine thing to filibuster against certain political abstrac- tions. Mr. Douglas speedily became involved in a mass of generalities and contradictions. He gained no strength for himself anywhere. In fact, he became unpopular at the South, and succeeded to a certain degree in demoral- wing and disorganizing the democratic party in the North. Meanwhile the administration got along very comfortably by itself. The President has confined himself strictly to the discharge of his constitutional duties, and al lowed the various cliques of the party to fight out their difficulties among themselves. Very recently Mr. Douglas, seeing the mischief that had been worked by the divisions in the party, came out upon the broad, statesmanlike plat- form of the administration—a Platform of acts, not words—and assumed the attitude which he should have held long before. Such is the present position of Mr, Douglas. He has simply put himeclf right upon the re- cord of Congress, and has made an appeal to the country to be allowed to take his stand as sound conservative statesman. But, as we have already demonstrated, Mr. Douglas’ re- pentance is as yet too new to have the desired effect upom the conservative vote of the Cen- tal States, or to aad fee segure full amzesty from the South. The candidate presented at Charleston must be one who will command the united support of the South aod the reserved vote of New York, Penasylvania and New Jersey, Just now Mr. Douglas is not that man, aud when his friends say they will bolt if he is not nominated they show a me- lancholy lack of brains, They demonstrate, fartber, that they do not understand the views of their own leader. Mr. Douglas is pledged to support the candidate of the Charleston Convention, whoever he may be, and that pledge carries with it the suffrages of his friends, if they are such in reulity. The democratic party is singularly fortu- nate in the ability of its public men, and among those mentioned for the first office in the uation Mr. Douglas holds a commanding place. From a variety of circumstances he is the only candidate, with the single exception of Mr. Buchanan, who, although he has perti- naciously refused to be considered as in the field for the succession, may yet be compelled to serve a second term, like Jefferson, Madison and Jackson. Mr. Buchanan is the only man in the party who can command the reserved vote of the Central States, as well as his full party strength in the West and South. The only enemies he has are the disappointed office seekers—the same order of opposition which Jackson and Jefferson had to encounter and to overcome, and which every President who has any pluck or will of his own must meet and put down. Partisan sup- port is well enough in its way; but when the country is in an important crisis, there are cer- tain influences which the mere politician can- not control. The conservative, safe men of the North will bave the next Presidential election | in their hands. Mr. Buchanan will have their support, and the very best thing that Mr. Douglas and his friends can do is to support the able statesman who now sits in the execu- tive chair, with the understanding that Mr. Douglas stands the most prominent man for 1864, Tue Contest ror THE SPEAKERSHiP—ViRTUAL Txremrn OF THE CONSERVATIVE ELEMENT OF THE Country.—The ballot for Speaker in the House yesterday may be considered as a virtual vic- tory of the conservative element of the coun- try over the revolutionary action of the repub- lican party in Congress. After eight weeks of desperate and obstinate efforts to force upon the majority of the House a man whose posi- tion, in the present exciting agitation, is of the most obnoxious character, the republicans were compelled to withdraw the endorser of Helper’s infamous book, John Sherman. This fact is in itself triumph for the friends of Southern rights and institutions, and the friends of union and harmony in every section of the country. The contest now seems to be between Mr. Smith of North Carolina, a South- ern oppositionist, and Mr. Pennington of New Jersey, a republican, pure and simple, but a man unstained with the infamy of approving and endorsing the abominable doctrines of the Helper book. Three ballots for Speaker were taken yesterday, and with similar results in each case—Pennington receiving 115 votes and Smith 113—the number necessary for a choice being 117. After the third ballot the House adjourned, to commence its labors again to-day, when we hope to see this protracted contest brought to an end. With the present political complexion of the House it was to be expected that either a republican or a Southern opposi- tionist should fill the Speaker's chair; but the attempt to force such a man as Sherman upon the majority of the House, in the midst of such an alarming crisis asthe country is now pass- ing through, was an evidence of reckless indif- ference to the interests of the Union, and of a mad adherence to a factious policy, which de- served to receive, as it now has done, a severe rebuke from the national conservative senti- ment of the nation. Tue Lecation From Paraguay—SerrLeMent or Amentcan Ciatws.—President Lopez, of Paraguay, has gained a march on our govern- ment, and shown his readiness to comply with all the stipulations of the recent treaty and convention for the settlement of American claims, before we are ready on our side. The Bowlin treaty and convention are still waiting the ratification of the Senate, and Senor Berges, the Paraguyan Minister, has arrived here with the documents all in order, on the part of his government, ready to exchange the ratifica- tions amd to enter upon the discharge of his duties as Minister and Commissioner. As the Senate has not yet acted on the treaty, we un" derstand that Senor Berges will delay his de- parture for Washington until the middle of the coming month, when our government will pro- bably be ready to receive him, As soon as the President shall have named ihe Amorican Com- missioner the Commission will at once enter upon the examination of the American claims. Senor Berges, although ‘comparatively a young man, is not a young diplomatist. After occupying the position of Minister of War and Marine in Paraguay, he was scnt as Chargé to Montevideo in 1851-2, at the time when the preparations for overthrowing the tyranny of Rosas in Buenos Ayres was putting in peril all the riverine States of the Plata. In 1856 the questions of boundary and fluvial navigation that had grown up between Paraguay and Bra- zil threatened a rupture of relations between those countries, and he was sent as Minister to Rio Janeiro, where he succeeded in settling the fluvial question, and making a temporary ar- rangement for six yearson the boundary dis- pute. He is the first Minister that Paraguay has ever sent to this country, and in view of the important commerce which the opening of the South American rivers is likely to create for the world, his labors here will no doubt result beneficially to our industrial and mercantile, as well as our political interests. Waar Are Tae Corporation Dorwe?—The Common Council seem to be losing time. They are not doing anything in the shape of corrupt and worthless jobs as yet—an extraordinary oversight on their part. What has become of the job to extend Beekman street across the Park, and the job to widen Nassan street, and the rest of them? The Corporation are lagging terribly about these schemes, and if they do not hurry up they will be apt to lose their character. Isroxation Wanrep.—What bas become of the Investigating Committee of the Board of Aldermen who undertook to look into the charges of various kinds against the members of the Corporation? If they do not turn up somewhere soon, we shall have to advertise for them as something lost and seen no more on de face of ihe earth, Pourvicar, Worms Crawiina Over Great Mex.Aminidab Sleek, the original organ of anti slavery in this city, is very much troubled lest General Scott should obtain the nomina- tien of the republicans at the Chicago Conven- ion. Now we think the republicans could not éo a wiser or a better thing than to nominate General Scott—a patriot who has served his country for half a century, and on whose name no stain or reproach can be cast—a man of well known and tried conservatism—a Virginian by birth and education, but a Northern man by residence. His nomination at the Republi- can Convention would do more to allay the ex- citement and assuage the hostility of the South than apy other single event which could hap- pen at the North. But he is too conservative and too strongly attached to the Union to suit the taste of the free soil organ of Havemeyer; and we fear thatsuch a man as General Scott cannot be acceptable in a convention where Lincoln, Chase and Seward will be prominent candidates. If there was any real Union senti- ment in the party, they would prefer General Scott to any of these. But he has small chance among a party whose leaders endorse Helper’s treasonable book, and canonise the traitor John Brown. It is true that in this city there was a great Union demonstration at the Academy of Music; but the conservative sentiment was chiefly outside, where it was genuine, and not factitious, and where General Scott was nominated by accla- mation. There was but little of it inside among the managers, and it was only the mas- terly speech of Charles O’Coner that redeemed the principal meeting. The best proof that it was all sham on the part of those who got up the demonstration is, that the committee appoint ed to spread the Union sentiment and get up similar meetings all over the country have never been heard from, from that day to this. Gene- ral Scott is too good and great a man either for anti-slavery democrats or anti-slavery republi- cans to stomach, and to disparage him is only what might have been expected fram Aminidab Sleek. That, however, cannot be helped. But the Wall street wolf in sheep’s clothing is not satisfied with sending the hero of Lundy’s Lane toa political grave, but consigns to the tomb a great living statesman—a man of sound conservative principles, who has a European as well as an American reputation. We refer to Mr. Buchanan, President of the United States, who, by his ability and conservative course, has earned for himself another nomination from the democratic party. He is the only statesman inthe party worthy of the name, and the only man who has a chance of being elected. The double dealing of Aminidab Sleek, in throwing cold water on his renomi- nation, is in keeping with its anti-slavery ante- cedents. Onur considerate contemporary suggests that to propose Mr. Buchanan is to “injure” him. Whether it would injure him now or not we do not know. It is not for his sake, but for the sake of the country, that itis urged by those who have no interest in public plunder. But some “poor Pierce” (and such men are as plenty as blackberries) would better suit the designs of the Albany Regency and iis sub- organ in New York—a man who would be en- tirely subservient to them and play into their hands. Mr. Buchanan isa man of a different stamp, and therefore he is not the man for the Regency or any of the anti-slavery clique of democratic politicians, whose whole democracy consists in one word, which has always been their motto—“spoils.”’ Tus Pork anp THE Contest 1x Mexico—TuE Treaty Berore Tue Senate.—We learn from an authentic source in Europe that the Pope has declined to receive officially Bishop Labas- tida, of Puebla, who went recently to Rome on amission from the clergy of Mexico, and re- fused to take any step that could be used in the civil and religious conflict now raging in that republic. It seems that the chief point of Bishop La- bastida’s instructions was to obtain a bull from his Holiness, authorizing the sale of the pro- perty of ecclesiastical corporations, in order to provide funds for the defence of the clerical power that now rules in the central part of the republic. The policy which the Papal See has determined to pursue is the only one it could adopt under the circumstances of the present time. A general conviction has taken pos- session of governments abroad, as well as the people in Mexico, that the difficulties of that republic can be best settled and only settled by themselves. Any intervention by a foreign Power will make the matter worse, by compli- cating not only its domestic questions, but also its external relations, The course which the Pope has pursued towards Bishop Labastida renders it very questionable if any of the Western Powers of Europe will protect the church party in its present rebellion and al- liance with the army under Miramon against the constitutional authorities. Reliable information which we have received from parties recently from Mexico, and which we published yesterday, shows the growing strength of the liberal cause, and the increas- ing disposition of the people to fight out their own battle without foreign assistance. The inertia of the Juarez government, it is said, is giving rise to a disposition to recall President Comonfort, as parties are now beginning to perceive that the present siruggle did not spring from his course, but from causes an- terior thereto, and that his acts were in reality a part of the very struggle itself. In this con- dition of things the refusal of the Pope to re- ceive the envoy of the Mexican clergy in an official way, and to embark his prestige in their present struggle against the advancing ideas of the age, will give a new impulze to the liberal cause on one side, and perhaps lead fo a dis position on the other to bring about some mutual arrangement that may lead to the paci- fication of the country. With such a contingency before us, it would be well if the Senate should ratify the recen treaty with Mexico, and make the exchange 0 the ratifications, so as to secure the important commercial and transit privileges which it ex- tends to us. We may jast as well clothe, feed, and provid th fron ware and utensils of all kinds, the .eizht or ten millions of people in Mexico us to permit England to do it But this trade can only grow up under the protec- tion accorded by the treaty. If that is passed wemay create a market for fifty millions of dollars in Mexico for the products of our fabrile industry, while the rights of way which the treaty concedes to us will convert Arizona intoa second California, by giving it.a prao- ticable port oa the Pacitic waters, MEWS FROM THE STATE CAPITAL City Railroads—Their History—Who are at Albany—Pheir Projects—The Albany Regency to Make the City Rutlroad ters Contribate to tue Election of Seward—Impending Crisis, déc., dc. OUR SPECIAL ALBANY DESPATCH. Axnany, Jan. 80, 1860. When Thurtow Weed left here, on Saturday, he was quite indignant at the idea of dropping Mr. Sberman and taking up any cther person for Speaker. This is the cause of this sudden departure for Washington. ‘The biil that passed the Senate on Satirday, in reference to city railroads, came up in the House this evening, and the amendments were concurred in without a dissenting voice. It was immediately engrossed and burried off to the Governor, who, I suppose, wil! sign it before he leaves his office. Thus it will be seen that the Legislature has taken all control of the city railroads out of the hands of the Common Council and placed it in the hands of the Le- gislature. The property holders have no longer any voice inthe matter. They are hereafter subject only to the action of the Legisiature. The law makers can now graat charters to run through any street or avenue that they choose, Fifth avenue not excepted. That all hands are making preparaticns to apply to the Legislature, is very evident from the numerous railroad bills that are being introduced. Mr. Cooper presented a similar bill to that a short time since introduced in the Senate by Mr. Hammond fer the Seventh avenue line, but in so doing he said that he want- ed it distinctly understood that in presenting for the con- sideration of this House bills authorizing the con- struction of railroads, he does it at the request of citizens of New York, without committing himself i any way to their support, and reserves to himself the right to advocate or oppose them as he thinks best for the interests of that city. ‘The city railroad war is now the all-absorbing thime of the third house. The movements for the last ten days have been decidedly interesting. The scouting parties of the different factions have drawn their lines in the Senate and have had a preliminary struggle. Although it is but a preliminary skirmish, yet it is one of no little impor- tance, as it serves to mark out the course that the Senate will take upon this kind of legislation. Last year the ad- vocates of this kind of legislation said that they failed for ‘want of time. It is evident that they do not intend to Jose the prize by the game blunder this Season, but have commenced in time, with more promising prospects than atany former period. Everything at present indicates the passage of a dozen or more charters for city railroads, ‘They have passed the point asto whether they shall grant any charters or nct; the only point under controversy now, by the law makers, is who shall they give these valuable franchises to. Shall they be dealt out promis- cuously, or to favorites? Orders baye been issued from the Regency that those who will give the most towards defraying the expenses of the coming campaign shall have the benefit of the charters. On this point I shall sooa be able to furnish facts and figures, as laid down by Weed and his candle snuffers. In order that future movements may be fully understoo 1, let us review the past history of this kind of legislation, Street paseenger railroads commencing aad ending in the city were introduced in the eity of New York in the years 1851-2. At that time the Fourth avenue was occupied by the Harlem Railroad, and iis cars, as far as Twenty-seventa Street, accommodated city travel. The real street rail- roads, as they are now, originated in connection with the Sixth and Eighth avenues; the grants for those two roads were made in the same regolution, or, rather, a combina- tion movement. The Common Council in ma‘ there grants acted under no special authority from the Legisia- ture, but under their general corporate powers and their authority to control the different streets and avenues. The Council having thus obtained a taste of the blood of the railroads, soon became as ravenous as hungry wolves after their prey. Propositions for granting char- ters to the Third and Second avenue lines speedily follow- ed that of the Sixth and Eighth avenues. The grantiog of those charters, instead of satisfying them, only made them the more rampant, and increased thelr desire for still further action in this direction, which finally culmi- nated in the famous Broadway Railroad grant, involving the whole of Broadway from Bloomingdale to the Battery. ‘This proposition was met with great hostility; pubiic mectings were held and the courts applied to for injunc- tons. It will be remembered that the Aldermen in this case wore eo determined in the pursuit of their prize that they violated the injunctions and common decency. Seve- ralof them were committed to prison, besides being fined for contempt, &t. This Broadway grant aroused the indignation of the tax- payers and citizens generally of New York, who at once applied to the Se pee for relief. Petitions by the ecore were scht into Legislature, imploring that the law makers would put a stop to the rapacious appetite of the Common Council; algo, that they would take some ac- tion to cefeat the Broadway grant. There being at that time no law upon the statutes of the State to prevent this kind of action, further legislative action had to be taken. ‘The law (4 1850 provided ‘that no railroad shal! be laid in the streets of any city without the consent of the Common Council,’’ the interpretation being that the Common Coun- cil bad the power to grant authority and contro! the whole question, without the least regard to the property holders. Injuxctions from the property holders were of but little avail to prevent the Broadway line from being laid down. ‘The jucnce of the numerous applications for ley tive relief was the passage of an act in April, 1854, rela- tive to the construction of railroads in cities (which will be found on page 328 of the Laws of 1854). act was a general ore, applicable to all the cities’ in the State, and provides that ‘the Common Councils of the several cities Of this State shall not, hereafter, permit to be constructed in either of the streets or avenues of said cil @ railroad for the tation of determinin, |. For the purpose what constitutes said majority in tcteat, reference s] il be had to the assessed value of the whole lp poe gene srr oy eared le ae Section annulled the famous Broadway grant, and ee bres the schemes and plunder of the Common uncil in that direction. This is the section that the Senate amended on Saturday last. Various other restrictions were added in this act, among which was one that the grants should be made only to those who would agree to carry passengers for the lowest fare. The Ninth avenue charter haying been granted, George Taw was determined not to be outwitted by tho Legisia- ture, but secured a section attached to the foregoing, which provides that, Lt leper cle spouses the construction, tension or use of any rai an which bave already been tive and. pert constructed, and their to Gotstruct, com; and =e the streets and avenues designated in the respective Hat cute grade locate 00 ‘Tebolulous: aforeqaig ba h rane ay In order to come under the ee. of this act, Law went to work and laid down the track of the Ninth ave- nue for two blocks, which he got done before the passage of the aboye act, and has since held that his grant was thereby _confirmed—an opinion which the numerous law- with the property holders would indicate was not en- 8 doreed by all. This act, d April 4, 1854, was effectual to protect down to about August of last year, the city of’ New Yor! when the minds of the sobbing interes owing to their failure before the Legislature last winter, became exer- cised to get up some plan whereby the provisions of that act could be got around. They did not have to tax their brains long, but discovered at once that by making the terminus in Westchester county, outside of the city of New York, they could get rid of the troublesome creatures known as the Broverty holders. A company was orga- nized under the General Railroad law, to commence its route in Westchester county aad have its terminus in New York, so that it would not “commence and end in that ay, under the title ot New York and Yonkers Railroad pany. ‘This company nted an application in October, 1859, to the Common Council, which was permuted to slumber until after the December election, when, on the seventh day of that month, at a time when everybody su; that it was ‘sleeping its final sleep, it was suddenly taken up and passed through both Priva of the Council oe same day, in violation of charter, which prohibits action upon a measure in the two Boards on the same day when objected to in the second board in which it is taken up. Mayor Tiemann promptly vetoed this bill. His veto is important as an exposure of the new tactics, and the Peculiar feature of the transaction in question. The mon Council showing at once a disposition to pass the grant over the Mayor’s veto, the Attorney-General ap- plied for and obtained an injunction to stop their action. That injunction is now pending. Application was made afew days after the o this Logulature for this body to put a stop to the whole- sale plundering by the Common Council, who had at- Lorene pass a shee without = ear to the owners of property and taxpayers, and in evasion of the law of 1854. The bill introduced in and passed the Assembly was for this purpose and no other. The Hon. Senators Wave, er, considered it their duty to take the whole question out of the hands of both the property holders and the Common Council's control, their excuse being that numerous other projects are pend fog inthe Council, and the lobbies of the City Hall are crowded with clamorous jobbors totake advantage of the new placer discovered in the diggings Inst Auzust, and Cage vege rd e ae Se mo Tp virtually coming ler the control oi @ stockjobbers of tho Common Council is legislative faterforenta’” With this history of what has been done, let uz take a Lird’s eye view of the parties that aro here for railroad legislation and see what they are after. First and fore- ‘most, we find ‘Live Oak’” oorge Law, who has hiv (ent at the Delevan House. His first object is ti nm. “timation of all that he has done with the Ninth ayouue line: cocond, his Yonkers grant; third, a railroad to oon: ect with the Long Island road to ru ‘where that they may please iu Kiugs and Queer Ne8; and if unable to obtain theee, Lis plan is to act tue “dog ‘in the magger”? and prevent any one else from obtaining grante. For the accomplishment of this object he has atrayod his forces and loaded his guns in preparation for any skirmish that may come up. Senator Spinola bas taken his cause to ad- ‘vocate, and would on Friday last have obtained the con- Srmation of the Ninth avenne had not some of thcir plans ning of leaked out. = Mr. Myersis aleo here, st at Welden’e, pretendi to be a representative of the Sixth avenue line, and is op: posing all grants that will in apy w: become col of that line. He has ina number of come in con- fict with John Sharpe, whose experience has mate him conversant ith the ways of ths louby, His (Myer's) guns are loaded with all manner of }, Teady to fire aby fun Used will pay. Nxt we have ihe representatives 0 tho Consolidated beg y tipo the 7 their interes es part corporators. ciaim all, but simpty as they will sustain and roiling e grant t arguments that ne tae on which thetr ‘ade to pees over their lines or allel to them. The action of this party about the ‘ebby bas thus fer been more quiet than. i presenting themselves 5 cefend: , they simaply ask what they consider an 206 of jnatice in of any action by this body, whilst most of the otbers are for riding headlong over the interests of ¢ every one else, including both tax payers and property holders. A number of other are before the Lepislature tee ves station- & rt city railroads, each baving their representat! ed'at convenient points to watch the. operations of the Legislature and the other parties that are applying for . legislative action. ast, but not least, we have the Albany#Regency, whic > has decided to take ho'd of the city railroads as a party Measure, and has adopted the plan to give the charwers to those who will pay the largest sum towards defraying the expenses of Bext campaign, aud who will com- e tribute to the election of a republican President. Instead, therefore, of the city of New York aay $ bevefit or compensation ‘those charters, they propess @ to make them a bank to draw upon to secure the election ti of Seward, The of Senator Seseions, in the re- seg caucus last Thursday, was a fecler in this direc- , . He touched, as you will recollect, upon the question of finance, intending, cautiously and by degrees, to draw the members of a 2 . The pians Regency have been very adroitly this direct fuifcoriidence of their power to control enough repr, votes in both houses to rush measures, Whether enough of that will succumb to the lash of Weeds upp remains yet to be seen. pons no common magnitute brewing: parties here are, in most instances, ' against each other; all hands are sanguine of success, yet, evineing determination to prevent ‘any one clse from —— 17 a igre naibors ‘The res a ler is every da} beoasning louder; already tho flashes light have been seen in the Senate, ‘and everst is betokening a mighty storm, which will end in a pol volcanic eruption such ag will cause a scatte! the vultures that are about the i ‘The contr onthe Aibany and Susquobaana rail-+ road opened in Senate this evening, by a le! speech in favor of the appropriation, from Senator suy,who presented the items of the citizens of those counties through which the road isto run, ina forcible * manner. The irrepreesible conflict made its appearance in the House again this evening, in shape of a series of reselu- tions offered by Mr. Caldicott, denouncing the John Brown, raid and Soward’s Rochester speech. ‘Thoy were Imaf over for discussion, . NEW YORK LEGISLATURG. 1) Senate. ALBANY, Jan. 30, 1860. Petitions were presented for aid to the Albany aad Susquehanna Railroad, aud for one cent ferriage between! New York and Brooklyn. The Auditor of the Caual Department reported that the bamp'ain Caual for the last year amouated HILLS INTRODUCED, f To authorize the Supervisors of Westchester county te erect a bridge across Croton river. For the prevention of frauds in the transfer of steck, and for the protection of stockholders by the registration, of transfer of caaorsement on stock, &e. A ‘To regulate the fare on the New York and Erie Railread’ by making it a misdemeanor to charge more than twe ccuts per mile. RILIS PASEXD, ‘ To amend the charter of Syracuse city. | To dissolve the Antwerp Manufacturing Company, ia>’ Jefferson county. <: AID FOR THE ALBANY AND SUSQUEHANNA RAILROAD, The Dill to appropriate $1,000,000 to the Albany ag Railroad was then taken up in Committee e Whole. Mr. Ramsny spoke at length and forcibly, in favor of the bill, and after a debate which ocoupicd the remainder ef the session the Senate adjonrned. t Assembly. . Ausany, Jan. 30, 1860, | Several petitions were presented on the usual subjects’ Governor Morgan transmitted a copy of the answer te the telegraphic despatch sent to advise the Legisiatures of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee of tho invitation extended tn to visit Albany, The invitation was received tec 1 ‘acceptance. Hon. Fioyp Jonxs, Secretary of State, transmitted annual report of the criminal ‘statistics. Also a commu’ nication addressed to his predecessor, from ene Muir, 0° Edinburg, relating to the ciaim of James Hay, the read ing of which cased much merriment, and for & time up set the usual cecorum of the House. noigeampeind the Trustecs of the Astor Library was re ceived. ‘The bill relating to railreads in New York city—substi? tuted in the Senate for the Assembly bili—came from.th; Senate for approval. The House unanimously voted con currence. Mr. SmutH gave notice of a bill to extend the Harlen Railroad to the Central Park. dreads nthe ety of New Ye rail 's in the city of New York. It empowers the Com mon Council to Pe: head certain routes in tho streets. ami avenues of the city, and directs the Comptroller to adver tise for objections, If objections are sent in by more thai it ec along the line ne mor steps are to be taken. ms are not made th franchise is to be adver for sale at auction. Th cated to the highest biddeee the Peosncta fo an e hij ri is to be t the Sinkirg Fund for payment of tho city debt. it Mr. Coorxe—To construct a railroad in Seventh ave nue and other New York streets. motion of Mr. Rorrxsoy On of ws the Dill to ‘stock holders from voting by proxy was romeiineea Mr. Caruicorr offered concurrent of devotion to the rate of interest to ten per cent pe: The Aesembly then adjourned. INTERESTING FROM MEXICO. : Arrival of Minister McLane at New 01 leams with Important Despatches Measures for the Protection of Ameri can Interests Mexico—Miramon’ Movements, &c, Naw Ortxans, Jan. 30, 1860. ‘The United States steam corvette Brooklyn, from Ve: Cruz 24th instant, touched at the mouth of the river ye terday, on her way to Pensacola for coal aud Provision, Minister McLane was a paseénger, and came to this oi in the steamship Moses Taylor, which arrived to-dt from New York via Havana. ‘Mr. McLane will remain here awoek, after which ! will return to Vera Cruz in the Brooklyn. Mr. McLane bas important despatches for the gov ment, and awaits telegraphic instructions. ba Affairs at Vera Cruz were | ensa Detachments of Marines have been stationed at Tar. pico ae wo en of American re) zens, in conzequence on's / tote cet vatened expediti” e sloop-of-war Saratoga was at Ve Ls Savannah was expected eal: 3A iia icra Advices a the city of Mexico are to the 19th inst. Miramon wi: epating an expoditi Carvajal at Tarai ‘etch The clergy refuse Miramon funds for his Vera Cruze Ppedition, aie tec | ita ruse to get the money. Miramon proposed starting on the 28th. kiotins wear by Miramon again protests against ¢ ic] 1e a The British Minister had itimat manding indemnities. ra | wn wl = have retaken all the Pacific ports captur NEWS FROM THE PACIFIC. Arrival of the California Overland Ma. Desperate Struggle for the Californ United States Senatorship, &c. Mattor’s Station, Jan. 30,1860; The overland mail arrived hero about two o'clock tt afternoon, with San Francisco papers of Jan. 9, and te bir advices, via Fierbaugh’s Ferry, to 3 P. M. of t I Telegraphic despatches received {rom Sacramento it Previous to the departure of the mail etated that Go Weller sent his last annual message to the Legislature th morning, and that Governor Latham would be inaugur ted at one o’clock in the afternoon, and deliver his ina gural. Both messages were being telegraphed over t two telegraph lines to the San Francisco Evening Billet There was another Senatorial caucus at Sacramo: on the evening of the 6th inst., at which nine ballots we had. The first stood as follows:—Weller, Baldwin, 11; Washington, 8 ; Macdougal, Necessa for a2 choice, 49. ‘Tho stood Weller, 42; Denver, 83; Baldwin and Washin each, 9; Macdougal 5. The caucus then adjourned till t 10th, by a voto of 54 to 41, the Weller men opposi oF Srna en 4 i8 trial of strength produced intense excitement ar the occasion of two fights. One member (a Well man) voted by proxy, having been disabied for the tit by a blow on the head, struck out by a Denver advocat There was any amount of speculation as to tho relati etre of the partics at the next caucu?, some claimi that 5. J. Inge would enter the caucus as ‘a candidate, 4 the damage of Weiler and Denver. It was tho ponoray pot ner “ay however, that Weller would ultimate 1 ph. ‘] The new United States steamehip Saginaw, built entire in Califognia, was completed and a serteed in Son Fre cisco harbor. | She will make atrialtrip of six or sey prior to her departure for China. rivals from domestic and Atlantic ports continued >