The New York Herald Newspaper, March 2, 1860, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1860. NEW YORK HERALD. | JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AD e OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF NASSAU AND FULTON STS. TERMS, cash in risk of the'sonder. money nee. Money sent by mail will he at the ige stamps not received as subscription Volume XXV.... ee cere ++.Mo. 61 AMUSEMENTS TAIS EVENING, CADEMY OF MUSIC, Fourteenth street—Barser or pavuun —Mues Part’s Bawerrr awe Lost Nianr or tua Opera NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Oooxs’s Borat Amrui- THEATRE. BOWEBY,.—Tax StRancsn—Op Prantatios —Rovau Dia- MOND, INTER GARDEN, Broadway, opposite Bond street,— Govennon's Wire—Jeier laws ‘WALLACE’S THEATRE, Brosdway.—ROMANOE Of 4 Poor Yousc Man. wenn KEXNE'S THEATRE, 62% Broadway.—Jaane ANS. NEW BOWERY.—Harey Buixnau—Roven Diuwowp— Younc Amanica. BEROADWAY BOUDOIR, 444 Brosdway,—Tus Hivoex AD. BARNUMS AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.—Afier- Booa— Dune Savorsnv—Arine M 11D. —Evening—Octoxoon, BRY.NTS’ MINSTR! Meobapics’ Hall, 472 Broad- Big. Bomasares, Songs, Dances, &c.—Scens rom Jag ADE. NIBLO’S SALOON, Broadway.—Geo. Cunisty's Muv- | uN SONGS, Dancxs, BoREsques, &¢.—Dova.e Beppsp oom. New York, Friday, March 2, 1860. The News. In Congress yesterday the Senate passed a bill to extend the benefits of the Swain Land act to Oregon and Minnesota. The resolutions adopted by the democratic Senatorial caucus on Saturday last, in” reference to the slavery question, were presented by Mr. Davis, as a substitute for those onthe same subject heretofore offered by him. These were ordered to be printed. As these reso- lutions, or the substance of them, will in all pro- bability be incorporated into the platform of the Charleston Convention, and form an important part of the programme of the ensuing Presiden- tial campaign, we reproduce them in our report of the proceedings of the Senate. The Homestead bill was made the special order for Wednesday next. The bill altering the time in which a col- lector of the revenue takes possession of a vessel, from five days to one, was pass- ed. The West Point Academy Appropriation bill was taken up, and Mr. Wigfall, of Texas, of- fered an amendment appropriating $1,100,000 for the support of a regiment of mounted volunteers for the defence of the frontiers of Texas. A long and interesting debate ensued, from which it ap- pears that the reports regarding the outrages on the Rio Grande that have appeared in the news- papers for some months past were founded on facts ‘well known to the federal authorities, also that un- less the government adopts speedy measures for the protection of the frontiers the State of Texas will act for herself, and thus precipitate a war be- tween Mexico and the United States. The amend- ment was opposed by the republican Senators, on the ground that the President and the War Depart- ment should take the initiative steps in the matter, and also that the existing military force is sufficient to afford adequate protection against the Mexican border ruffians. The amendment was finally referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. The Senate refused to adjourn over till Monday, and will to-day consider private bills. The bill providing for the sale of arms to the several States, and for the ap- pointment of Superictendents of Armories, was dis- cussed till the adjournment. The Senate did not ss pene yooueruay Mr. Adrain made an in- effectual attempt to explain the course of the Congressional Committee towards the New York Seventh regiment, on the occasion of the inaugu- ration of the Washington statue. Mr. John Coch- rane reported a bill for the protection of female emigrants on the high seas. The election of printer was postponed till to-day. The resolution calling for information relative to the troubles on the Rio Grande was adopted. Eleven standing committees were authorized to employ clerks. A bill amending the act providing for the protection of, passengers on board steam vessels was re- ported and discussed, and its farther consideration postponed for three weeks. In Committee of the Whole, Mr. Ashmore, of South Carolina, delivered &@ speech on the slavery question. a meeting yesterday for want of a quorum. The investigation was postponed to the 13th inst. The Edinburg, from Liverpool by way of Cork, on the 16th ult., reached this port yesterday morn- ing. She anchored at the Southwest Spit in a dense fog, and arrived at her dock last evening. The news is four days later than that brought by the Europa. The Liverpool cotton market was quiet, bat steady. Flour was firm but quiet. Trade ia Man- chester was brisk and steady. Console closed in London on the 15th ultimo at 94} a 94} for money, but next morning there was a slight decline, in consequence of a continued fall on the Paris Bourse. There was no change in the Italian question, al- though it was said Napoleon had asked the Pope to propose terms for the settlement of the Ro- magna. The proposed annexation of Savoy to France had been again severely commented on in the English Parliament. The Derby party was to oppose the Gladstone budget. Spain refuses to enter into negotiations for peace with the Moors until Tangier is captured. It was said that Lord Elgin was to go on another peace mission to China; but the ministry feared that England would have to renew the war there on a large scale. Three British infantry regiments, with a large force of cavalry and artillery, were about to leave India for China, where, as will be seen from our report, England intends to prosecute the war with vigor. Trade was stationary and the tonnage duties question still unsettled. General Sir William Napier, a distinguished officer and writer, is dead. The bark White Wing, from Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, 15th ult., arrived at Philadelphia yes- terday, and reports that country to be in the most disorganized condition, and the civil war prevailed with but little abatement, and without decisive results. In a recent action at Valencia, General Zamora had been killed, and his forces routed with considerable loss, by the revolutionists. There were no American vessels at Puerto Cabello, and only the bark Thomas Dallett, from Philadelphia, at Laguayra. Business was quite prostrated, and the culture of the soil greatly neglected. The Empire City, from Havana on the 23d ult., made this port on the 29th, but was detained on the bar by fog until yesterday morning. Her commer cial reports had been anticipated by the Isabel at Charleston. The Empire City brings an important letter from our correspondent, with despatches for the Secretary of State, on the subject of the arrest of Gavino de Liano, a naturalized citizen of the United States, by the Governor of Sagua la Grande, under claim against his person for military service, said to be due to the Queen of Spain, he having been born under her flag. M. de Liano was in pri- son at Sagua la Grande, and no doubt highly im- portant issues will be raised between the govern- ments relative to his detention or release, as the United States Consul General in Cuba had already taken a very decided stand in the claim for his liberation. Capt. McIntyre, of the bark Mendi, which sailed from Liberia on the 10th of Janusry, reports that a bill was before the Legislature to confine foreign traders to ports of entry, on account of the imprac- ticability of protecting the revenue laws, and the tendency of the existing system to render the na- tive population disloyal to the government. Coal and silver ore had been found within the bounda- ries of the republic, and commissioners were to be sent to explore the mines. We have Bermuda papers to the 8th ult. From the great difficulty experienced in procuring labor, the quantity of seed potatoes planted this season throughout the country will be fally one thousand barrels less than at the same season last year. The remainder of the news is entirely unimpor ‘ant. sracatthemetheedcrmeer et Mees in the Assembly’s amendments to the Hoboken and Newark Railroad bill, and passed the bill by a vote of 17to4. The Trenton and Princeton Railroad bill passed the Assembly by a unanimous vote. A very interesting meeting of the American Geo- graphical and Statistical Society was held at Clin- ton Hall last evening. Lectures were delivered by Professor Cook, on the “Formation of the Coast of New Jersey,” and by H. L. Hosmer, on the “Mounds of the West.” The room was well filled by the members of the society and others,among whom were several ladies. ‘The cotton market yesterday afternoon, subsequent to the receipt of the news by the steamship Edinburg, was steadier, but without change in quotations. Including sales of 1,000 bales, made the preceding afternoon, tho transactions footed up about 1,400a1,500 bales. The Several subjects of interest were acted on in the Legislature yesterday. We refer to our reports for details. Our correspondent gives more reve- lations of an interesting chartcter respecting the schemes of certain republicans to place the power and patronage of the Municipality of New York in the hands of Comptroller Haws. The Pennsylvania Democratic State Convention yesterday nominated Henry D. Foster, of West- moreland, for Governor, appointed delegates at large to the Charleston Convention, and adopted a long series of resolutions. Among the latter was one declaring that the question of slavery in the Territories is a jndicial question. The Wisconsin Republican State Convention, which met at Madison on the 29th ult., instracted their delegates to the Chicago Convention to vote for the nomination of Mr. Seward for the Presi- dency. A Btate Convention was held at Jefferson, Mis- souri, on the 29th ult., to forward the pretensions of Mr. Edward Bates to the Presideney. Ata meeting of the Whig General Committee last evening, resolutions were passed tendering the thanks of the committee to the Opposition Conven- tion of the State of Virginia for their hospitable treatment of the representatives of the whigs of New York, also asserting their devotion to the Union. A meeting of the Central Committee of thé Na- tional Union Club of the city of New York was held last evening at Clinton Hall. General John Lioyd was unanimously called to the chair, and made some appropriate remarks, and George A. Halsey, Esq., was appointed Secretary pro tem. Ont of the twenty-two wards eight were not repre- sented. Some of the clubs, it was stated, are not y¢t organized but are in progress. One of them reported over five hundred members. At the meeting of the Board of Aldermen last evening, the Mayor sent in a communication nomi- nating James C. Willett, ex-Sheriff, as President of the Croton Boail. On motion of Alderman Boole, the communication was, by a vote of ten to three, referred to the committee having the noml- nation of Dr. Bradford for Health Commissioner in charge. After disposing of a few unimportant Papers, the Board adjourned to Monday next. Fourteen men Were instantly killed at Cincinnati yesterday, by the falling of a portion of the walls of the St. Xavier Catholic church, which was in _— of demolition. meeting of the New York Sanitary Associa tion was held last evening at the Cooper Institate, Dr. J. H.Griscom in the chair. A paper was read by A. Y. Robbins, of Cincinnati, demonstrating the Recessity of ventilation to public health. Dr. Griscom made some pointed remarks on the sub- Ject of light as a sanitary agent, in reply to a por- tion of a document lately issued from the City In- Spector's department, in which the opinton was ex- pressed that the intensity of light wasa Principal cause of disease and death in this city. A commit. tee of three was appointed to investigaté this sub- ject, and the meeting adjonrned. The Special Committee appointed to investigate the claims of the opposing aspirants to the con- tested seats in the Board of Aldermen did not hold ‘ flour market was less active, aad for common and low grades of State and Western prices were heavy, while the higher class of brands was firm. Southern was in fair demand, and prices unchanged. Prime to choice wheat was firmly held, and sales limited, while spring wheat was duli. Some Canada prime white was reported sold at $150, and Milwaukee club at $122. Corn was heavy and less active, with small sales of Jersey and Southern yellow at 78c. a 80c. Pork was unchanged, while sales ‘were moderate, including new mess at $18 87a $18 50, old do. at $17 50, new prime at $14 75, and old do. at $12 50. ‘The stock of pork comprised 54,413 bbis., against 67,610 on the Ist February last, and 4,382 on Ist of March, 1859. The stock of beef embraced 73,467 bbis., against 65,075 on st of February last, and 59,078 on Ist of March, 1869. Sogars were less active, while prices were unchanged. Tho sales embraced about 400 hhds. Cuba, chiefly within the range of 63jc. a 7X%c. In another column will be found the quotations of Messrs. R. L. & A. Stuart for their refined goods. Coffee was firm, with sales of 2,5C0 mats Java, 530 bags Rio and Santos, and 400 do, Bahis, at rates given in another place. Freights to English ports, and especially to Liverpool, were firm, and fair engagements were made. Mr. Seward’s Speech. Mr. Seward has made the speech of a politi- cian, net of a statesman. Clamorously ealled upon by the wireworkers among his followers to pronounce an oration which should call back to the ranks of the black republican party the fiying hosts of conservatives, and at the same time hold fast to their allegiance the abo- lition fanatics, he has made the effort, and has failed. Better would it have been for his own reputation had he clung to his original deter- taination and remained silent, In the endeavor te blend antagonisms and to satisfy the “opposing and enduring forces” within his own party, he talks of the John Brown gang as a “ bard of exeeptionable men,” who, “inepired by an enthusiasm peculiar to themselves,” committed “an act of sedition and treason,” and, becoming the “ianocent victims of @ frensy kindled without their agency,” were in their deaths “pitiable.’ He does not refer, either for approval or condem- nation, to Helper’s hand-book of revolution, or its sixty-eight Congressional black repub- lican endorsers; but he acknowledges that the whole aim of that party is to oppose “slavery and polygamy,” and he gives us @ new version of Helper’s motto of the party, “The abolition of slavery and the per- petuation of the Union” by force, by trans posing it into one of the old Revolutionary sayings, used when “liberty” carried a very different meaning from what it now does in the mouth of an abolitionist—“Union and Li- berty, come what may,” &. But there is gtaver matter than these dexterous wordmon- gerings in this speech. We pass over his er- Tors, wilful or involuntary, in the citations of Political history, some of which were cogently Tefuted immediately on the floor of the Senate, Particularly the effort to throw the blame of breaking up the Missouri compromise upon the democrats, when it was himeelf and his present followers who did it, and enter upoa an examination of his political philosophy, in which he is one of the black republican apos- tles. The school of philosophets to which Mr. Seward belongsyare engaged in a strenuous effort to transplant and naturalize cer- taih European political, and social the. ories upon American soil. He there- fore tacitly assumes in his opening, and proclaims before he closes, that “we are of one race.” This, which may be pro- claimed in any or all of the communities of Europe, cannot be truthfully asserted in any of the Atlantic States, nor in Spanish America, nor in the West Indies, nor in California, nor in Australia, nor in India, nor wherever the European has set his foot in Austral or Eastern Asia. In all of these countries there are disso- nant races, and the white race is engaged ina constant struggle to maintain its homogeneity. It is a natural conflict, and Mr. Seward himself recognises it in citing the example of “the European immigrant, who gvoids the African as if his skin exhaled cont ” In the Northern Atlantic and the Western States it ejects the negro and the Indian from social communion; in the Southern States it subjects the former to domestic servitude; in California and Australia it is striving to drive the Chinese from the community; in- India it turns the native into a rightless ryot; and in China it is quickening resistance to the advancing spirit of European domination. Nor is the struggle of races a new one to the world. Through all the pages of history it at- tends the marches of conquest and of migra- tion wherever dissonant races have come in contact. And in every instance the result has been the same. Wherever the white race has maintained its homogeneity it has ejected or subjugated the inferior race, and maintained its own civilization. Wherever it has failed to preserve its homogeneity it has lost its civi- lizing power, and been absorbed in baser con- flicts. No hybrid or mongrel race presents a single exception to the world. The mixed populations of many of the Spanish-American eountries which have adopted Mr. Seward’s theory, that “we are all of one race,” present notable examples of this. And flattering as such a theory may be supposed to be to the negro race, even that race rejects it, as is seea in Hayti and the daily experience of Jamaica. It is this natural impulse which impels the South unanimously to resist Mr. Seward’s amalgamation theories, and to strive to pre- serve in its midst the only social organization that can preserve its homogeneity and the co- habitation of the two races. Starting from a false position, Mr. Seward proceeds to erect a fallacious theory, under which, “for convenience sake,” he de- nominates “the slave States capital States, and free States labor States”—meaning to inculcate that in the social system of the South the rights of capital pre- dominate, while in that of the North the rights of labor are supreme. This fallacy is at once destroyed in the mind of every Northern man who migrates to the Southern States, by the practical conviction that thoro be has social osition whether he has money or not; or, as fe popular expression phrases it, “a man is a gentleman ‘here if he has no money in his pocket, while in the North he is not looked upon as such if he is poor.” In truth, Mr. Seward’s classification of “capital States” and “labor States” is the reverse of the fact. It is in the Northern States that capital is rapidly reducing the free laborer to a condition of de- grading servitude. Mr.Seward appeals to “the weavers and spinners of Massachusetts, the stevedores of New York, and the miners of Pennsylvania.” Let them speak. Let them tell how they have to maintain their unequal contest with capital. Let the union protec- tions, the strikes innumerable, the processions of starving workmen through the streets, speak for them. Listen to the cries of the shoe- makers of Massachusetts, that at this very moment are ascending to heaven against their oppressors. Hark to the whispered injunction of the mother to her dying daughter, crushed in the falling death-trap of the Pemberton Mill: “Hush, my child! Would you deprive your mother of bread.” In the truthfal comparison of the two social systems it will be seen that the free laborer of the North has no claim but upon the sweat of his brow, pressed forth by hunger; that capital is in possession of the land, and when it has done with the worker, or his youth or health fails him, it dismisses him to die in poverty and neglect. On the other hand, an inferior race in the South has a claim upon both capi- tal and the land, which must be satisfied while life lasts. The result of these two systems is that the ene degrades the laboring portion of the superior, and the other elevates the inferior race, These are the two great fallacies of Mr. Seward’s philosophy, upon one of which he bases, and with the other he exemplifies his ad- vocacy of the doctrines of his brutal and bloody speech at Rochester. They are all contained in the present speeeh, but he has endeavored to hide them by the use of milder language and palliative modes of expression. The effort is a failure, and to-day, when the eyes of the conservative classes are being opened to the destructive tendency of his political theories, it is too late for him to endeavor to cover up his abolition theories by political economy, talk, and glittering generalities. Prick oF NiGGERS AND ALDERMEN.—The discovery of gold in California has had a won- derful influence on the prices of various com- modities. We need not enumerate all the arti- cles of commerce affected by the influx of this precious metal from the shores of the Pacific. We will mention two which seem to have risen to a higher figure than the rest. These are nig- gersand Aldermen. Ten years ago good, fat, healthy niggers could be purchased at from $600 te $800, and $900 was considered an ex- tremely high price. Now they will bring from $1,200 to $1,800. q It is the same with Aldermen. Ten years ago an Alderman could be casily boughtfor $100, and was regarded wear even at that. We re- collect the case of one who brought that figure, but was considered ecarcely worth the money. Aldermen have now risen to twenty, and even @ hundred times that price. Alderman Brady, who is a great authority on the subject, and seems to know all about the prices of his con- Freres, states that he knew of one Alderman being offered $2,000 for his vote, and that he could not be bought even for that. We are not left to infer that the Alderman could a il not be had at aay price, but on the contcary that every man of them has his price, as Walpole once said of members of the British Parliament: that is,a certain price will pur- chase one, and another price will purchase another, according to quality. We are left, therefore, to suppose that the reason why the Alderman in question was not bought was that enough of money was not offered for him; that, in fact, the bidder did not come up to his price. We presume $2,000 is the lowest, and that the prices range from that up as high as $10,000, according to the nature of the animal. Those who speak very bad grammar can only bring a low price, those who speak tolerably good English will command better terms, whilé those in charge of the grogshops, and all con- tracts relating to the streets, ferries and docks, will fetch a very high figure. The value of real estate has risen, and so has risen the value of the Alderman’s vote. Formerly his vote could confer but a small amount of benefit on the recipient. Then the jobs given by the Common Council were small affairs. Now they are gigantic in their nature. Then the taxes were low; now they are high, while the value received by the community is in the inverse ratio of the increased millions they pay. The advance in the prices of Alder- men is the cause of high taxes and dirty streets. Faction Fight of the Republicans—The “Cameron’s Gathering.” While the democrats seem to be emerging out of their troubles and dissensions about the Presidency, the republicans are in the begin- ning of their sorrows and divisions. As Douglas, the most noisy of the democratic candidates at the North, was the cause of the mischief, so Seward, the strongest of the republican candi- dates, is the source of the republican quarrels. The Hon. Massa Greeley is opposed to Seward on two grounds, which are both personal. First, he knows Seward will not give him the Postmas- ter Generalship; and, secondly, Seward once mortally offended Greeley, who has never for- giver him. The occasion of the offence was when Mr. Rust, in Wasbington, had a fracas with Massa Greeley, for something very offensive he had said of him. The fracas was related to Mr. Seward by a friend of Greeley, who was severe upon Rust, when the New York Senator said he thought Greeley ought to have declared he was non-combatant, as the event showed, notwithstanding his en- gagement to be on hand if there was any fight- ing going on under Captain John Brown. More- over, Mr. Seward said he considered Mr. Rust was a gentleman, and did not forfeit his claim to be a gentleman. What Seward said was re- ported to Greeley, who has waged a covert personal war against him ever since. It was by Old Blair and Greeley’s arrangements that Fremont got the republican nomination, instead of Seward, in 1856, and it is believed that if all fails he will propose Fremont again in 1860, and that he holds his name as a stone in his sleeve, with which to kill off Seward at the last moment. Certain it is, this was the object of Massa Greeley’s visit to Fremont in California at the time of the election in which Broderick was de- feated. Greeley watched the combat with great interest; and had Broderick been successful, Greeley would have endeavored to establish ou cxcence vuruale With mm, and would have brovght out Fremont at once. But fortune frowned on that scheme, and now Fremont, who promised him the Postmaster General- ship, is only his dernier resort. Meantime, with the aid of old and young Blair, he has fished up Bates from obscurity, where he lay deep below the soil of Missouri, in the silurian strata, among other fossils of bygone generations. For twénty-five years he wis buried, till Greeley & Co. went to work as if they were boring for an artesian well, and brought him to the surface, a rival to Seward. But in vain the 7ribune has labored to get him recognized by even a fraction of the party. The clique utterly failed to get the Bates man the printing spoils of the House of Representatives, and nobody cares for Bates. He cannot get even his own State. He isa dead cock in the pit—Chevalier Webb having given him the finishing blow. But Seward has a different kind of man now to deal with. Simon Cameron, of Pennsylva- nia, has got the nomination of the republicans of that State, and will become a formidable ri- val to the higher law prophet. We know Cameron well. He may not be so brilliant an orator as Seward, but he has equal political tact, and far more administrative ability than Seward, Weed and half a dozen men like them rolled in one. It was he defeated Forney in Pennsylvania; and now Forney, caught by his hook, is dragged after his tail, and re- joices im the position. Forney follows him willingly, and loves te be caught with the bait which so expert a politi- cal angler drops into his mouth. Such is the man who is now pitted against William H. Seward. The latter has the republicans of New York State in his pocket, and may count upon the New England States; but he is not sure of the Northwest, and he cannot get Pennsylvania, which has declared for Cameron, and it is very doubtful if he can get New Jersey, which will also, perhaps, come out for the man of the Key- stone State. Seward, who tried to head him off in Pennsylvania with John M. Reed, of the Supreme Court, is playing the same game against him with Dayton in New Jersey, with probably the same result. With- out these two States Seward could not succeed; but the ‘republicans of Penn- sylvania hold that Cameron is the only man who can carry their State, and that as for Seward he is entirely too ultra for that region: ‘The Western States may arrive at the same conclusion. Cameron has already out-mancu- vred him in a preliminary skirmish. The day of meeting for the Chicago Convention is changed from the 13th of June to the 16th of May. This was caused mainly by fright. There will be s fierce fight; but it seems-es if the Cameron would beat his antagonist, as his kilted ancestors, rushing down from the Highlands and crossing the borders, always defeated the Sewards, the Saxop progenitors of |. the Senator from New York, carrying off their cattle and other spoils. Thus, probably, will the blood of the Camerons still prevail, and Simon carry off the plunder from his political rival. That the Camerons have not degenerat- ed in modern times, a distinguished poet has sung:— And wild and high the “ Cameron’s ” rose! ‘Tho war note of Lochiel, which Albyn’s hil Have heard, and heard, too, have her Seward foes: Fow in the noon of night that prbroch tarilis, Savage and shrill! But with the breath which fille Their mountain-pige, eo fill the mountaineers ‘With the ferce which instile dani Slaven Ganeron's ae tinge in onc canigaan’ ears Proepect of a City Government at Last. There appears to be a prospect at last of our obtaining some kind of a government for this city, which for years past has been abandoned to the mercy of a plundering crew of miserable politicians and corrupt speculators. We are led to anticipate this pleasing revolution in our municipal affairs by the turbulence, the rage, the bad grammar, vulgar abuse and ravenous hungering for the spoils which characterize the debates of the Common Council. No better in- dication can be found that some measures for the honest administration of the government are on foot and likely to succeed than the tone and temper of those two Boards with reference to the plan recently adopted for cleaning the streets. It seems that the heads of the three executive departments—the Mayor, Comptrol- ler and Corporation Counsel—have entered into consultation with the heads of other depart- ments, with a determination to put the city go- vernment in order, in spite of the opposition of ita two legislative branches; and we hope that the Street Commissioner, the City Inspector, and the other officials in charge of public de- partments, will frankly and cordially co-operate with them in the good work. Mayor Wood, Comptroller Haws and Judge Bronson are men of reputation, energy and worth, who are quite capable, as we believe they are desirous, to administer the functions of their several offices with fidelity to the peo- ple. Rising above all party considerations— above dirt and democracy, refuse and republi- canism—they have resolved to exercise all the power they possess in rescuing the city govern- ment from its present degradation. For the last ten years the Common Council has been growing worse and worse, and un- fortunately it has vested in its two cordinate branches an amount of executive power which has served to trammel the other members of the Corporation in their efforts towards reform. This power, we need not say, has been used most scandalously and for the vilest of pur- poses—plunder and corruption. If the Legis- lature undertake to modify the charter at the present session, ita chief objects should be to confine the duties of the two Boards of the Common Council to legislative matters simply, and to centralize power in the heads of the executive departments—the Mayor, Comp- troller and Corporation Counsel. With this modification we might expect to see something like an effective government, for these officials are evidently willing and competent to estab- lish all the necessary reforms, only for the obstacles thrown in their way by the blander- ing, ignorant parties who compose the Boards of Aldermen and Councilmen. It appears, however, that the charter, even in its present sbape, gives a certain power to the chiefs of the executive departments to act indepen- dently of the Common Council, the first in- stance of which we perceive in their recent action with regard to cleaning the streets, which has given rise to so much rage and vio- lence among the Aldermen, and furnished so lamentable an illustration of their unfitness for the offices they hold as local legislators of this great metropolis. With such an amendment of the charter as we suggest, namely—a centralization of au thority in the head executive and his col- leagues, and restricting the power of the Com- mon Council to passing ordinances alone, without permitting any interference with the appointment of subordinate officials, either for confirmation or rejection—we have no doubt that a satisfactory government could be obtained which would insure an honest expenditure of the public money, protection of life and property, and a proper attention to the health and cleanliness of the city. The reso- lute course adopted by the Mayor, Comptroller and City Inspector with reference to street cleaning, we are sure must meet with the appro- bation of every one, except the irate members of the Common Council and their disappointed friends, out of whore mouths the spoils of the treasury have been so suddenly snatched; and we trust that they will be sustained by popular opinion to the last. Ifit be objected to on the ground that they have assumed a power not hitherto exercised in this form, we have only to say that it is better to have a dictatorial go- yernment than no government at all; and so, we think, will say the majority of the people. Fernanpo Woop anp Hts DELEGATION IN THE Sovtu.—We perceive by the tone of the South- ern press—some extracts from which we give in another column—that the Southern demo- cracy accept Mr. Wood’s delegation to the Charleston Convention as the proper represen- tatives of the national democracy of this State, and ignore the Cagger-Cassidy delegates alto- gether. The admission of the free soil delega- tion of the Albany Regency, even upon equal terni¥ with that headed by Fernando Wood, it is contended, would constitute an unwarrantable concession to free soil proclivities and confirm the sway of black republicanism in the Empire State. If the Southern delegates to Charleston are of this mind, itis probable that the Wood delegation will be received with éclat in the Convention. Cross oF THE Orgra Season —The seagon of the Italian Opera at the Academy of Music will close with the matinée to-morrow, when “ Martha,” and selections from other operas, will be sung by all the artists, On this eveming the last regular performance of the season, “The Barber of Seville,” one of the prime successes of the campaign, will be given, with a very fice distribution, headed by Adelina Patti and Signor Briguoll. The last named artist bas distinguished himself in an eminent de- gree by his exquisite singing in the “Barbor,” “Martha” and the ‘“Sonnambula.” Joined to a very fine voice, be has a thoroughly good school and a» degree of delicacy and finish im execution whic few artists of the present day possess. Signor Brignoli is the only tenor of the puro Italian school, ‘and in the first rank of it, now inthis country. This is none the less the fact because the managers have some- times attempted to ignore it, and te put forward second or third rate artists in his place. One Would think that the experiences of the earlier part of the season would have ‘deen suflisient to show the absurdity of attempting to force medioore artists on the publio as first rates, How- ever, im spite ef cabals or puffs, or claborate Criticisms, true talent finds its proper place with the public, and can. not be put aside. This has been proven in the cages of LNEWS FROM THE STATE CAPITAL. The Pro Rata ce More—Biils Bi the House—Chenango Extension tn Senate—The Pet Measure of Comptrolle: Haws and Oakey Halli—Their Attempt to Smuggle the Bil Through, d&c., dc. OUR SPECIAL ALBANY DEsPatcH. Auuany, March 1, 1860. ‘There is etill a great deal of uneasiness amongst thos who voted for Pro Rata yesterday. The bill is not whai they first supposed, as no ope undertook a full expla mation of the bill when under discussion, but taiked upos the theory of discrimination. Many of those who voted declare themselves deceived as to the provisions of this Dill. I venture to say that there are not twenty-five mem bers in the House who are satisfied with the bill. Its mos Prominent advocates declare openly that they hope tha the Senate will amend the bill and not let it go on tne Statute books in its present shape. ‘The amendments that were offered to the bill on Mou day, which were agreed upon in caucus on Saturdag evening, secured the passage of the bill. Four members ‘who had publicly declared themagives against the formes “Dill voted for this. Could there be a bill drawn up cover: ng the points desired by a majority of those and one that will work to the ‘benefit of the people, in ead of the canal forwarders, there would not be tweaty five votes againat it in the House; but the dill passed yestor day brings no relief to the people. It only increases theis freight, and its movers are already becoming disgusted with their bantling, and lay great stress upon tho point that tho Senate will amend %. Many havo voted aguivgs ‘their own convictions, and thrown the “ Fesponsibility upos Mr. Jakway moved this morning to reconsider the vote; but the Chair decided the motion out of or. der, unless by unanimous consent. This being geno. ral order day, it would either require unanimou consent, or a two-thirds vote to lay on the table the gene. ralorders. Mr. Flagler objecting, the motion was not further pressed, and the House proceeded to consider bills in Committee of the Whole. A large number of bills were considered in Com- mittee of the Whole and ordered to a third reading. Among the number was a bili to authorize the city of Brooklyn to raise money to build market houses; also an ‘act to amend section fifty-three of the code of procedure, and to extend the jurisdiction of justices’ courts, and to ‘ide for proceedin; in. A tet "The alr iat ps mp oron os ae Senator P. P. Murphy offered the following ‘That all : sen, Bo ptr tm ty Nee Se cra Semaine oe 'y People ety of New York, in. ~ | Senator Spinola desired to refer it to the Committee of the Whole, and, on motion of MoGi ‘was laid on the table. shiney. amas up heiay hemahyroemad pen) wiper ones mdr ‘om. gee Sy of the ordianaces relating the ealaries of the Comptroller and his clerk; and, in fac makes these ordinances part of the statutes of the Stare creates a new officer called deputy comptrolier; makes the high salaries about that portion of the city go vernment perpetual; creates two or tnree different bu reaus—bureau of markets, taxes, rents—and gives to th Comptroller absolute and unqualified control over th real estate and other propeity belonging to the city, al full control of all the ferries. Tt, in fact, allows the Comp troller to do just about as he pleases. It also provides thi the members o’ the Common Council shail have a of $1,000 annually, I understand that Haws and hia representative bh: are sanguine that the committee will report the bill they have drawn it up; but, for the infdrmation of th officials, tet me teil them ‘there are many slips betw the cup and the lip.” Their piang were very neatly a ranged to smuggle the bill through the committes, ba your A! ag discovered it, and has carefully res itall through. — ‘The bill contains many of the features of the bill intrd duced by Mr. Cooper, but shows tbat that was ouly feeler for this. It is now written on two kinds of paped] and I imagine that there will be another kind added to § before it is reported by the committee. If the people q New York want this ci in the government of the city) what isthe necessity of there representatives of a millia of people attempting to smuggle the bill throvgh ths com! mittee. Why not present it to the Honsé ana have it ref TOU iG Gue iurm, the same as all other bills, so that ti representatives of the press can furnish it to the people New York and allow them to read and express th opinions upon it, that the committee can act intelligea and not report to the House the views of three or fo men? The only inference that can be possi! drawn from the action of this band upoa bill is that they -have a da charter th will make the government of the city of New York 8 p Titical machine, which will enable Haws, Hall & Co. fat at the expense of tha people. Let me say these cfficiais tbat they will have to make smaller trad and fewer in number before the} your correspondent, No wonder that Hall said be the Committee on Commerce last evening that he * ice a million of people,”’ forhe had reason to } a oh Sal Logie! meng in ws had them all ee . A. Oakey is to make makers hero believe that he carries oom, of New Yt in bis breeches pocket, I will at an carly day give 4 pd and ink sketch of his appearance on the theatrical s! re. The Senate to-night ordered to a third reading the} ‘autborize the sale to the city of New York of the W ue ~~ YORK LEGISLATURE. Senate. Atnany, March, 1, 1900 Petitions for a new Metropolitan Police bill and for rata railroad tolls, one of which was signed by over Citizens of Queens eounty, were 4 Mr. Fiero (rep.) noticed the bill to define the dutta! Inspectors of State Prieons. A bill was introduced for the appointment of Canal raisers of each canal county in the State. ‘BILLS PASSED. Hi i il i a ite Ez 8