The New York Herald Newspaper, March 8, 1865, Page 4

‘.- a NeW YORK HERALD. ! JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR OPFION NM. W. CORNER OP FULTON AND NASSAU STS. Volume XEX.......scccccecececeresensne ee No. 68 AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. \DEMY OF MUSIO, Irving place.—ItaLian Orsaa— ifous Da Noa WINTER GARDEN, Broadway.—Hauumr. WERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Lavon W: vow Can Wi To Wiceoe Monoaa AO" WES WALLACKE'S THEATRE, Broadway.—Tux Gaxn or Lire, ere THEATRB, Broadway.—Tux Sraxets o New "BOWERY THEATRE, Kowery.—Daum Taot-O1p Raat- wean taLe—MiLLinge's Houpar. ape 1.3 NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Nicu? axp Moanin. BROADWAY THEATRE, brosdway.—Toopixs—Fortr Wus, ARNUM’S MUSEUM. Hroadway.—Two Mawworm Far WostwcLivina Susuevon:—Dirsute tian Bor Tus Woas: max of New Yora—Day and Evening. BRYANTS' MINSTRE! Mechanios’ Hall, 472 Broad. way.—Eruiorias Sows, Danoxs, buriesquas, £0.—Tas — — ‘WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 514 Broadway.—Erarortan Bones, Danoms, £0.—PerxoLuumanis, 08 O11 ON THR Baan. SALLE DIABOLIQUE, 686 Broadway.—Roazas Hac.an's Mimacuzs—Graxs, VAN AMBURGH & CO.’ MAMMOTH MENAGERIE, tt$and Sil Broadway.—Open from 10 A. M. to lu P. M. HIPPOTHRATRON, Fourteenth street —Eavr h Grunastic’anp ACLUBATIO Ey TRuT AINMENTS— MOTHER GOOSE. “AMERICAN THEATRE, No, 444 Broadway.—Bauuwrs, Pawromuns, ivuLsques, o.—Maaio Pris. HOOLEY'S MINSTRELS, 199 and Bowery.—Som Dances, Boutusauss, £0.—Live oe ry - DODWORTH HALL, 806 Broadway.—Buunstr's Evan- Gs OF Mate anp Patios. NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— Open from 10 A. Ai, tal ty P.M. New York, Wednesday, March 8, 1865. =— <= THE WEEKLY HERALD. The National Celebration=The Second Inauguration of President Lincoln— The Inauguration Ball, éc. The Weexty Hzratp for the present woek will con- tain, In addition to its usual variety, a full report of the great National Celebration in this city on Monday; a very interesting descr ption of the ceremon'es attendant on the Second Inaug:ration 0. President Lincoln, and an ac- count of the grand Inauguration Ball held in Washington on Monday night. Agonts and others should send in thoir orders before nine o'clock to-morrow morning. ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE COUNTRY, Advertisements for the Werk. Hxratp must be handed im before ten o'clock every Wednesday evening. Its cir- Gulation among the enterprising mechanics, farmers, merchants, manufacturers and gentlemen throughout the country is increasing very rapidly. Advertisements in- serted in the Waxxty Hars.p will thus be seen by a large portion of the active and enorgetic people of the Unked Btutos. THE SITUATION. Confirmation of previous reports that General Sherman has reached Cape Fear river, in North Carolina, is oon- tained in our Wilmington correspondence, It is said that he had struck that seream, sixty taileg above Wimington, provious to the 1st instant, thus completely spoiling the rebdl plang Gor effecting a conesentration against him, and forcing im to give beltle im the vicinity of Goldsboro, at which point they expect:d to have a combination of advantages fm their favor which would ineure his “defeat. The Wilmington Journcl, tm ite imeuo just previous to the occupation of the town by the na Alonal forces, admitted that Sherman's movements, if he was not soon checked, might bare tho offect of oom- pelling Lee to abanden Richmond and Petersburg. Our City, Point despatches stato that it ie posftively ‘known that on the 2th ult. General Shorman was at Camdon, & ©, on the Watorce river, a little over one hundred miles southwest of Fayetteville, N. C., on Cape Fear river, which town it ia belleved he has before now reached. In Sunday's Hznatp was pub- lished a despatch stating] thas information of fhis arrival fat the latter place had reached’ Washingion. There were rumors in the Army of the Potomac on Sunday Inst that Sherman had defeated Johnston tna heavy Daitle and captured from him fifteen thousand prisoners, Tho Augusta (Ga) C.nstitutionalid of February 27 gives am account of the great fire in Columbia, 8. C., after ils occupation by Tt says that the firo was accidentally communl- cated to private houses while the engaged in destroying the public buildings and rebet government property, and that it extended a mile and e half in one direction, laying the whole bust ness portion of the town in ruina All the railroads and bridges around Columbia are said to be destroyed. ‘Tho writor estimates Sherman's force at Coiumbia as sevonty thousand men, not including any cavalry, and says his troops were all well clothed and in the fluest condi. tion, and looked more as if they had just started on an expodition, instead of having beon out for weeks. They fare described as having been under the sirictest disci- pline while in the place, and are sald not to have been guilty of any outrages, From the national armies before Richmond we have Toports that General Lee has for som® time past had largo numbers of negroes employed in throwing up de fenslye works on the line of the Roanoke river, to which it is surmised ho designs falling back from his progent Position, Many of bie siege guns have already been sent | Off in that dirégtien, and numerous circumstances indi. | cate that such @ movenent is contemplated by him. Robel deserters and rei. ..ecs coming tuto the national lines before Richmond ¢ou!. tho reports already pub- lished of General Bheridew having captured tho rebel Genoral Karly and nearly his catire army on Thursday or | Friday last, in the Shenandoa!i valley, between Char. | lottesvillo and Staunton It {# believed that- General Bheridan is now well advanced on his way to Lynch- burg or Richmond, in which over way he may design to | domonstrate, Our despatches from Wilmington, N.C., are to the | Ast inst., at which time affairs in thas vicinity remained quiet, No new military movements aro mentioned, and oo allusion 1» made to the reported junction of Shor- oan’s and Schofleld's forces; but General Schofield is far from idle, He fs busily engaged in pushing his plans for | the continuation of the campaign tn North Carolina | The oxchange of prisoners with the rebels on Cape Fear iver had commenced, and a number of released Union | foldiers had already arrived at Wilmington Volonte rs | ‘for the colored regiments were being rapidly recruited — in the town and the surrounding eowntry, Admiral Porter left Wilmington on the ist imst., arrived at Fortress Monroo on last Friday, and immediately after Jott for Washington. “Fhe steamships Kensington and Savannah, from Hilton Head, 8. C., on the 3d and 4th inst., arrived here yestor- day. They brought no nows of particular interest. A bearer of important despatches from General Gilimore 0 the government camo North op board the Sav annab. Admiral Dehiigren’s official report of the capture of Fort White and Georgetown, 8. C., has been received by (he Navy Department, The principal particulars. how. General Sherman's army. troops were | the informer, and the other half to the widows’ ud NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1865. ever, have alroady appearod in tho Tmnap, In the fort pfteen pieces of artillery were captured. Arighteous Judgment, the inevitable result sooner or later of her illicit and mischievous trade,-has at last been visited epom that little pesthole of the Bahamas and grand rendezvous of blockade runners, the port of Nassax, as described in our despatches, On the 20th of last month probably the last of the blockade running steamers to arrive from our Southern ports had reached Nassau, and there were then lying idle in her harbor no leas than thirty-five of them, their occupation being gone. ‘Thoy represented altogether acapital of fifteen million dollars, A new steamer, tho Fanny, arrived out from England on the 19th, just in time to find that the bust- ness for which she was intended was at anend. A depreesion of trade corresponding to her late elation nd buoyancy had commenced to settle down pon Nassau. Many of the veascla and people lately engaged in blockade running were leaving for Havana, to search for new employment. Tho s-ceesionists there had heard of Sherman’s successes in South Carolina, and admitted that the affairs of the confederacy were im a very sickly condition. The Thirteenth and Eighteonth army corps are to be reorganized, in accordance with orders from Genoral Canby. General Gordon Granger will command the former and Genoral A. J. Smith the latter. CONGRESS. ‘The Sonate yesterday discussed the question of admit- ting the representatives of Arkansas to seats, but came to no decision on the subject. An oxecutive sossion was heid, and, among other business transacted, the nomina- tion of Mr. Hugh MoCulloch as Secretary of the Treasury ‘was unaniwously confirmed. THE LEGISLATURE. Tho proceedings of the Logislature yesterday related principally to matters not of general importance. Some few of the measures, however, undor consideration were of more particular interest, In the Senate, the Bank Enabling bill and a@ bill providing that drafted men shall receive the same bounty as vol- ‘unteers were ordered to their third reading. The Metro- politan Health bill was discussed in Committee of the Whole in the evening session, after which it was made the special order for this evening. A resolution to ad- Journ finally on the 12th of April was introduced and laid on the table. Tho Asymbly Committee on Cities and Villages yes- terday afternoon heard arguments for and against the Now York Paid Fire Department bill. A large assomblage of = tnterested auditors was “collected to listen to the speakers, Tho committee will hold another meeting this afternoon for the purpose of allowing the advocates and oppononts of tho measure to finish their cases, when It is supposed tho hearing will close. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The steamship City of Limerick, Captain Bridgman, from Queenstown on the 20:h ult, arrived at this port last night, Her advices have been anticipated by pre- vious arrivals. Later and interesting news from Central and South America is contained in our despatches by the steamship Coata Rica, which arrived here yesterday, from Asjinwall on the 26th ult, In Peru the terms of the peace nego- tinted with Spain were very unpopular with a large por- tion of the peoplo, and the dissatisfaction had resulted in serious riots in Lima and Callao between the natives and Spanish residonts, in which a namber of people were kifled. A plot against the government, in which many of the leading citizens were charged with betug implt- ated, had been discovered. Several of the conspirators, including ex-President Castilla, had been sentenced to five yeary imprisonment cach, In the republic of Chile everything remained quiet. Bolivia and Honduras are Doth agitated by rebellions against the governments, Duosias has beon re-clected Prosident of Salvador. Tho reports concerning the cottam, coffee and other Central American crops are vory favorable. The Costa Rica Drought to-4his port nearly a mililon and a quarter dollars m specie, ‘Wo have advices from British Honduras dated at He- Hzeom the 20th of February. The sugar crep was fant eeming to market, and, from appearances, it will be Jarger than any former crop. The brpadth of land planted with cotton was not so extensive as that of last year, but it will produce a much larger crop. The staple is said to be equal to Sea Island. A great number of Chinese immigrants were expected in the colony. The Bew Governor opened the logislative session in a lengthy spocch. The weather was tho warmest ever experienced in Betizo during the winter season, By the brig Goquetto, Captain Porcival, which arrived at this port yosterday, wo have advices from the West Const of African dated at Sierra Leone on the 16th of January. Business of all kinds wes quiet, very littie produee coming in. A great oxhibition for tho evlony was to bo held in Sierra Leone, in February, for the first time, consisting of specimens of native art, manufacture, agriculture, live stock and African produce of all kinds, Prizes were offered for cotton by parties im Manchester, England. Great excitemont prevailed during the races, which caine off on January 13, 14 and 16. Six horses wore entered, three of English breed. A native horse from Gambia won all the prizes, the highsst boing twenty-five guineas, It appears that the conclusion of peace between Spain and Peru had not beon officially announced in the Spanish Cories by government on the 2ist of February, as was reported. The intelligence was derived from the French Consul at Callao, The amount of indemnity Pera is to pay Spain was not known in Madrid. A Philadoiphia despatch says intellixence has been re ceived there that the United States Minister to Venezucla has beon charged with attempting to smuggle goods into Porto Cabelio, aud that great excitement has ben caused thereby im that town. The Venezuelan insurgents have possession of Maracaibo, and are gid to be importing war munitions from Europe. Aman named Clemens has been arrested and com- mitted to prison in Washington on the charge of having made threats to assassinate President Lincoln en Satur- day last, during the progress of the inauguration core- monies. A terrible collision occurred on theCamden and Amboy Raflroad between two and thrve o'clock yesterday morn- ing. While the express train from Washington for New York was passing through Drfstol, Pa, it ran into the Tear of a passenger train from Philadelphia for New York, which, it is stated, was about two hours behind time, and had no rear lights out to enable the engine r of the Washington train to perceive it. The shock was torrific and the results appalling Somo of the passengers were scalded, others thrown out of the cars, and still others crushed to death or mutilated. Nine persons were killed, and over forty wounded, at least three of theta fatally. Portions*of both trains were smashed to and the wreck was so extensive as to completely up the track for several hour Ono ear caught fire, adding to the peril and terror of tte occupants; but the flames wete fertunatoly soon extinguished. Nearly all the aufferers were soldiers, The Board of Aldermen held a special session yeater- day afternoon. A communication from the People's Gaslight Company, offering to light the Park lamps for thirty dollars each per annum, and a resolution instruct- ing the Comptroller to deduct from the past year's city gas bills a sum sufficiont to make up for the lamps not lighted, were presented and appropriately referred. The special committee on the storage of petroleum reported in favor of an ordinance indicting @ ponalty of five hun- dred dollars for the storage in any one building within the city limits by wholesale dealers of more than five barrels of the article in any of its various forms, Retal'ere, it te recommended, shall be restricted to one barrel. It 1a proposed that one half the fine in each case skall go to orphans’ fund of the Fire Department, The report was | laid over. A communication from the Commissioners of Charities and Correction, asking for an appropriation of one bondred thousand dollars for temporary hoepital purposes, was received and reforred to the Fii Com- mittee Other business not of general interest’ nceed, and the Board adjourned tll te-morrow ] afternoon, at two o'clock. Judge Russel charged the Grand Jury yesterday in the Court of General Sessions, His Honor sald that there were no subjects of special importance to cal! their atten- thon to; and, after enumerating the usual topies, instructed titem to eater upon the discharge of their duties, Thos. Edwards, an alleged notorioun pickpoaket, pleaded guilty to larceny from the porton, having beem indicted for stealing twenty-five dollars frem Patrick McOonnell, in Bast Broadway. He was romanded for sentence. Argument of counsel in the B. P. Christy will case wae eontinued yesterday before Surrogate Tucker, after ~ which further proceedings in the matter were poetponed tll Friday next. Nearly one hundred and fifty men were enlisted yes- terday at the Supervisors’ volunteering headquarters. Placards were discovered posted around the city calling for men to go to New Jersey and ealist, The police im- mediately received orders to tear them all down aud to arrest any person caught replacing them, A fire broke out yesterday morning, about one o’clock, im a stmall tobacco store in Third avenue, betweon Eighty- third and Eighty-fourth streets, occupied by two brothers,- of the name of Steel, and extended to the adjoining buildings on each side. The conten’s of the tobacco store were destroyed, and considerable damage was done to the two other buildings. The brothers Steel were arrested on suspicion of having fired their premises thomselves, and were locked up to await examination. James Roe and Harris Cohcn were yesterday committed for examination on suspicion of picking pockets during the time the great procession of Monday was in motion. Roe was charged by Mr. Charles Collins with stealing from him » diamond breastpin, valued at one hundred and fifty dollars, im Broadway, near Thirteenth street, and Mr, Alexander Bromel charged Cohen with abstract- ing from his pocket # silver watch, worth twenty-five dollars, The election for Governor and members of the Legis- lature took plaoo in Tennessce on Saturday last, the 4th instant. Returns have only bees received from portions of the State, In the city of Memphis Parson Brownlow, the Union candidate for Governor, received eleven hun- dred and eighty-six votes, against one hundred and ten scattering. : ‘The Attorney General of Canada stated in the Parlis- ment at Quebeo, on the 6th Instant, that, nothwithstand- ing tho election of candidates in New Brunswick opposed to the provincial confederation scheme, the Canadian government would proceed in its measures for effecting that object. According to the City’ Inspector's report there wore 475 deaths in the city during the week ending on the 6th of March—a decrease of 79 ag compared with the mor- tality of the week previous, and 39 more than occurred during the correspending week last year, Of the deaths in the course of last week, 264 resulted from acute dis- eases, 187 from chronic dixeascs, and 24 from external causes. There were 328 natives of the United States, 11 of England, 83 of Ireland, 38 of Gormany, 4 of Scot- land, and the balance of various foreign countrics. There is a decrease in the number of deaths from small- pox, only twonty-six having occurred during the past weok, against thirty in the preceding week, ending on the 27th ult, During the week ending on the 20th ult. there were thirty-five deaths from this disease, The stock market was lower yesterday. Governments wero a fraction higher. Gold was heavy, and closed down town at 19734. At the evening board it closed at the same price. ‘The markets yesterday wore very quiet. The feoling in commercial circles was feverish, important advices from the theatre of war being constantly anticipated, and but little activity is expected until the position shall have changed. Cotton declined two cents, while groce- ies were also lower; petroloum was dull and nominal. On 'Change the flour market continues quiet, and prices were without decided change; wheat ruled dull and heavy, while corn and oate were dull and noriinal. The pork market opened dull and heavy, but closed firm and more active. Beef was steady, while lard was less active and scarcely so firm, Whiskey was heivy and lower. Freights were dul! and nominally lower. ‘The market for bef cattle this week was mixed, Strictly prime cattle were acarce, activeand higher, many sellfag at 22c. a 23c., and one pair of choice steers real- izing 28c, Other kinds were less active, and sold at 12c. alc. The supply was light, and prices were more satie- factory than last week. Yet there was n great deal of grumbling among the butchers. Most of the caitie went at Ido. a2le, Cows were steady. Veals wore unchanged. Sheep and Jambs sold a shade lower, though some choice went high, The range of prices was from $7 to $15. @ $21. Hogs were sasier. Sales at1S8c. aldc. The total receipts were 3,823 beeves, 106 cows, 488 veals, 12,348 sheep and lambs and 4,618 hogs. The Military Situation—Graunt, Sherman and Sheridan. Sherman’s advance was reported at Fay- etteville on the 4th instant. Fayetteville is in the southorn part of North Carolina, on ® branoh of the Cape Fear river, one hundred miles north of Wilmington, sixty miles dne south of Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, and two hundred and fifty miles, as the bird fles, south of Richmond. Fayetteville is one hundred miles east of Char- lotte, the point in North Carolina that the Rich- mond rebels next expected Shermaa to turn up at, Sherman doubtless sent a force up the railroad from Columbia to Charlotte, and raised a great deal of dust in the direction of the latier place, while he boldly moved his main body directly from Columbia to Fayette- | ville. By this means he avoided entirely what ever resistance had been prepared by the ene- my at Charlotte. The rebel papers report that a force left by Sherman at Columbia had been “overpow- ered,” and they counted upon that fact as a | very important contribution toward Sherman's | “annihilation,” evidently expecting to force | him back from Charlotte to Columbia, Ail | that strategic edifice has been tumbled down in the most simple manner by Sherman’s move- ment to Fayetteville ; and the rebel rhapsodics to the effect that the least blunder would be | Sherman’s ruin, are the funniest rending in the world in view of the facts in the case. Sherman menacing the most important points in the con- federacy, operates from the best base in the | Southern States, with an army the best for its numbers on fhe earth. poleon Bonaparte, at the head of the finest army he ever commanded, could not have afforded to despise, and he is opposed only by a force ridi- culously inferior in every point of view. Such is in reality the military sitiriion in South | Carolina, and meanwhile the Richmond papers speak of Sherman as “stuck in the mud in one of the Southern States,” and ho!d up to their readers the possibility that some Southern general is to “bag” him. Sherman is now practically part of the force operating ageinst Lee, under the immediate orders of General Crant. From his present position his co-operation can be more effective and ready than it could be if bis men were in transports on the James river. lis effectiveness in his present position is more readily seen | when we consider the possibility that Lee may | move further to the southwest, and that before the end of the campaign the real objective point of it—that point being movable with | Lee's army—may turn ont to he nearer to | where Sherman now is than to where Grant now is, Sherman is In this viow Grant's left; and we may see that while the enemy are rogarding with earnest attention the troops that they say are massed on Hatcher's run, and are expecting there another movement of “Grani’s left,” another movement of Grant’s left is actnally in progress, though on a scale beyond their present vision, They will see this after Sher man has once or twice more turned up in unex- pected places. He is a power that Na- | | excellent ji Serving as the pivot of Sherman’s move- ment, and so apparently standing still, the Army of the Potomac is now more effective than any army could be in any other way. For so Yong aa. itsstands still it will comtinue to deplote Kee’s army as it is now doing. De- sertion is at present an epidemic in the rebel force, and {is depleting the enomy’s ranks as desertion never did before deplete the ranks of any army. It has become to the rebel eoldier the sovereign remedy for every evil, real or imaginary—if, indeed, man can imagine eny evil that those mon have mot realised. It is the remedy for want of rations, want of clothes and blankets, and want of pay; it is a remedy against hard duty and cold weather, against ill temper and illness, against despair and the eurses of harsh officers, Dissatisfied for any reason whatever, the rebel soldier can no longer fortify his spirit with any hope of the success ofhis cay, and he deserts. So long as the ‘armies still this will go on, and even ‘increase. Active operations, battles, inspirit the soldier and stop all this. As it is a very cheap way to reduce Lee we can afford to hope that Grant may not move for some time yet. Sheridan will be heard of in good time as part of the iron circle that is closing so piti- lessly around the rebellion, On Wednesday Inst, the Ist inst, the Richmond Dispatch in- formed its readers that “s heavy force, chiefly cavalry,” was advancing up the valley towards Staunton. That was the day before Sheridan, as the rebel deserters tell us, defeated Early. It is @ significant fact that the rebel papers have not given their readers any further account of the movements of that “heavy force.” Their silence is a confirmation of the report of Sheridan’s victory. From Sheridan we may not hear directly for some time yet, unlegs it shall prove that he was able to send his prisoners down the valley at once. Another Railroad Slaughter. Tt would seem that the chronicles of disaster in war find a rival in the disasters by ratl- road accidents. Scarcely a day passes that we have not to inscribe a red mark in the record of events for some loss of life or some fearful mutilation on our railroads. Another slaughter occurred yesterday morning, on the Camden road, by which nine lives were lost, in 8 collision between the trains from Washington and this city, near Bristol station, and some thirty people were seriously injured. It ap- pears from the facts stated to us that this dis- aster was the result of gross carelessness on the part of the railroad employes in not show- ing signal lights—a not uncommon but most reprehensible omission on night trains. Many of the victims on this occasion were soldiers returning home on furlough, and some who had been prisoners in the Libby tobacco “black hole” in Richmond. It is a sad reflec- tion that our brave soldiers, who have passed through the dangers of the battlefield and suf- fered the horrors of a rebel dungeon, should return, full of hope and expectation, to renew the associations of home only to meet death or mutilation in the peaceful State of Pennsyl- vania at the hands of avaricious railrond com- panies, The scenes recounted in this disaster are horrible to contemplate. In fact the record of railway accidents within the past few months is absolutely frightful. It necessarily excites a feeling of alarm, not qnly among those who are obliged to travel by railroad themselves, but by their families and the friends they leave at home when they start upon these perilous journeys. The number of passengers in transitu every twenty-four hours by railway tratns in the North are at least two hundred thousand; and the great amount of anxiety the insecurity of travelling by this mode dally causes may be readily imagined. Probably not one-fifth of the number of accidents that actually occur are reported in print. We are overwhelmed with communications frem respectable parties urging upon legis- lators, both national and State, to adopt some stringent measures to secure a better degree of safety on all our railway passonger trains. Various suggestions are made; but most of our correspondents concur in the view that railway managers must, in the first place, be held to stricter personal accountability for all acci- dents, They must be compelled to cease the highly reprehensible habit of saving money to declare dividends that should be devoted to repairs and improvements on the roads. They should also be compelled to secure the services of men of intelligence and responsibility as signalmen, switchtenders, &c., at all danger- ous points ona route, by giving proper com- | pensation for proper men. Persons compe- tent to inapect locomotives, tracks, trucks, brakes, cars, bridges, and everything pertain- iag (o railway trains liable to get out of order, should constitute a permanent board of exami- ' nation onevery railroad. The breaking of the axles of locomotives is very frequently the cause of accidents, which might in many cases have been avoided had the imperfect axle been properly examined and tested. One cor- ; respondent sugzesis that a commission of three practical mechanics and engineers should be appointed to exercise a general supervision of the roads in this State in so far as relates to the public safety. Another suggests, and with dgment, a radical change in the ; running gear, by the application of larger wheels and the suspension of the cars on the trucks at the extremities, instead of being bolted to them in the centre, as they now are— an improvement which we indicated in our columns some time ago. No discoveries have yet been made that render iron or steel abso- lutely reliabie, and careful and experienced men are required to recognize these imperfections. Now, if our legislators, national and State, or either, would call up and investigate the sub- ject of railroad safety, the interests of the travelling public and railroad owners would be largely promoted. Ohio is already agitating the subject. Let New York not be the last to move in 9 direction calculated to prove of such vast public benefit. We roceive a fearful warning every day that some legislative action is absolutely necessary if we would not have our railroad ears con- verted into itinerant slaughter houses, where buman victims are daily offered up to the greed of raitroad companies, Maxmortan ann TH18 Porr.—From the Pope's published letter of instructions to Maximilian in reference to the government of Mexico it appears that he was enjoined to maintain, to tho exclusion of all others, the Catholic Church, to make it the law of all the educational insti- tutions of the country, and to see that the Charch estates and claims of property shall be fully protected. But, instead of obeying these inatructions, Maximilian, it appears, has declared in favor of freedom of religion in Mexico and has confirmed the sequestration to the State of the Church property, commenced by Juares. He has, in short, followed the instructions of Napoleon and disregarded those of the Pope. ‘Titls means, we suspect, that there is something mofe tocome. The Pope will probably mani- fest his displeasure touching this disobedience of both Napoleon and Maximilian, and then we may look for that long threatened political re- construction of the Papal States in which the Holy Father will be entirely relieved of the cares of his temporal sovereicutx, ,A RBemancapts Cuancr—The late unmis- takable Union victories, from Nashville to Fort Fisher, have produced a remarkable change in the debates of the British Parliament and the leading articles of the London journals on American affgirs. English statesmen and edi- tors seem to have forgotten that there is’such a man as Jeff. Davis, and they have prudently given up their moral “aid and comfort to the enemy.” The Monroe doctrine and their ap- prehensions concerning Canada have super- seded the Southern confederacy in the Lords and Commons. They begin to understand the strength and “manifest destiny” of the Ameri- can Union. NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. ‘Wasmxaton, March 7, 1865, MB. M’CULLOOH SECRETARY OF THS TREASURY. ‘The unanimous confirmation of Hon. Hugh McCulloch, to-day, as Secretary of the Treasury is another evidence of the estimation in which he is heid as a financier and as a gentleman of courtious and refined mannera, It ts generally believed that Hon. Freeman Clark, late mom- ber of Congress will be his successors comptroller of the currency, although the nomination has not yet been made, The unanimous confirmatton of Mr. MoCulloch to-day as Secretary of the Treasury wasa significant commentary of the Senate upon a dastardly anonymous pamphlet, in- tended to defeat the confirmation, which had been secretly distributed upon the desks of Senators. Mr. McCulloch entered upon the duties of his office at two o'clock this afternoon. THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. It 1s now conceded that no change will be made tn the Interior Department for thirty and perhaps sixty days. ‘The friends of Hon. A. W. Randall, Assistant Postmaster General, aro sanguine that he will yet be selected as the chief of the Interior Department. THR PRESIDENT’S OATH. The President on Saturday took the oath of office, with his hand on the open Bible, according to custom, Mr. Middleton, the Clerk of the Supreme Court, had opened {t, but without promoditation, at the Afth chapter of Isaiah. THE RBPORTED ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE THE PRESI- DENT. The report that a man named Thomas Clemens had matured his plans for the assassination of the President on inauguration day had its origin in the following facts:—Clemens and another person came from Alexan- dria on Saturday. They were both extremoly disorderly and seemed to have been drinking freely. Clomens in particular was very abusive. He said, using groes and profane language, that he camo hero to kill the Prealdent; that he was late by about one half hour, and that his Saviour would never forgive him for failing to do 80; that he would do it that night—namely, the Sth of March, and that he came expressly to do it, and he would do it before he left town. He furthermore said that the government had robbed him of a certain sum of money. This is the substance of an affidavit, Clemens has been turned over from the military to the civil authorities, and has been committed to jail for trial by the court. THE VICE PRESIDENT STILL ‘‘INCOHERENT.”” ‘The Vice President did not make his appearance in the Senate to-day, in consequence of a more’ severe attack of his incoherent ideas yesterday than on Saturday last. THE ANNUAL R#PORT OF THE SXCRBTARY OF WAB. The annual report of the Secretary of War is simply a brief referenco to the reports of tho heads of different bureaus, whtch it covers. It was evidently prepared last December, as it recommends much legislation which has réoontly engaged the attention of Congress. The armory at Springfeld is stated to be capable of turning out three hundred thousand stand of arms yearly. Govern- ment has now on hand sevon hundred and fifty thousand stands, besides the million and a half now in the field. General McCollum is highly complt- mented for the construction and management of the mill- tary railway, of which he has operated over one thousand milos during the year. Six thousand five hundred miles of military telegraph have been in operation, of which three thousand miles have been constructed the past year. Over two hundred rebel flags have beon captured, properly labelled, and deposited for safe keeping. A large portion of the report is devoted toan explanation of the Quartermastor’s department, which is highly com- mended, and pronounced much improved in efficiency, ag reorganized under the law of 1864 THR CASR OF CAPTAIN LOPER. Two years ago a seloct commitee of the Senate, charged with investigating the business of furnishing tcansports to the government, reported Captain Loper as being a defaultor to the amount of a million dollars, and his name was widely published in that discred'table connection. But recently Solicitor Whiting, of the War Department, examined into the case, and rays, from all tho facts, he was brought to the unbositating conclusion that Captatn Loper's conduct in his transactions with the government had been honest, honorable and pate otic, and he was entitled to the re- spect and confidence of the governmont and country. Senator Grimes, who was chairman of the select commit- tee, expresses his gratification that Solicitor Whiting ex- onera‘tes Captain Loper from all fault in bis transactions with the government, PROTROTION TO OVEV-LAND EMIGRANTS. Governor Evans, of Colorado Territory, now here, has been authorized by Major General Pope to give notice to emigrants and fr ighters across the plains that full and ample arrangements have becn made for the protection of all overland travel. Orders have been immed desig- nating points for tra na to be assembled at for escort, A large number of troops are now on their way to the plains, THE BILL REGULATING TRADE WITH THE REBED STATES. Tt is understood that the Prosident will not sign the bIH regulating trade between the loyal and rovolted States and ropealing the act authorizing the appointment of cotton agents. EXOURSION TO OITY POINT. Agny party, numbering three hundred gentlemen and Indies, started from here this afternoon for City Point on General Ingail’s boat, the Thomas Collyer. Among them were several distinguished military and civil officers, in- clading many Senators and members of Congress and their ladies, anxious to pay a visit to General Grant be- fore proceeding to their homes, THE SUPREME COURT. ‘The Supreme Court meets to-morrow, to deliver opi- ions, wnd will soon adjourn the term. THR JUDGE OF THE BROOKLYN DISTRICT COURT. The President has sont to the Senate the nomination of C. L. Benedict, as Judge of the United States Court for the new Eastorn District of Now York. THE NEW YORK ELECTION FRAUDS. ‘The trial of Doviin, of Brooklyn, charged with com- plicity in the election frauds, was begun to-day before the Military Commission in session here, To-day war oc- euplod with arguments upon pleas as to the jurisdiction. HOSPITAL TRANSPORTS FOR WILMINGTON. Medical Inspector Cuyler has proceeded to Wilmington in charge of a fleot of stoamors fitted up as hospital trans- ports. UNITED STATES SENATE, Extra Session. ‘Wasminoton, March 7, 1866, ‘THE ARKANSAS FENATOR, Mr. Lama, (rep.) of Kansas, aeked leave to present the credentials of Mr. Snow as Senator from Arkansas, Mr. Howanp, (rep.) of Mich., objected to their recep- tion, considering it an insult to the people of the loyal States to admit to Senatorial seats goatlemen from « State declared to be in insurrection, and their constita- ts enemies of the United States, Ho could conceive of greater absurdity than to foist upon the Senate such in Lane thoaght this @ most singular announcement, , Lane tha it wan an insult to offer there credential, He said {heee credentey they hove the rgb of pettion, and ave . a of Cal., oad ‘nat Me e was too ing to admit Mr. of bis remarks es = imputations of into hia teeth. one who were opposed ike ndmission of the Arkanras Senators used the same, kind of languave thet Butler, Mason, Hunter and other secossion'ste did when Kaneas was here under the Topeka ization, which saved Kansas to frecdom. Pomeroy, (ep) of Kansas, thought the ereden- w be mp that all the facts eould be imto, There could certainly be no bhjection to of eee pte nae aaa ae See wi was Sit Boe Vasa ata ena ci Union, 3 was indignant that Mr. Conness should at- tempt to foture him, and hurled u ir. tals THE STATE CAPITAL, Argument on the Paid Fire Department _ Bill-The Health Bill—A Grinding Com- mittee for the Despatch of Business— The City Railroad Bills, é&e., dc, OUR ALBANY CORRESPONDENCE. Atbany, March 7, 1868, ‘The Committee on Cities of the Assembly had a hear. ing on the Paid Fire Department bl! passed by the Senate, John Sedgwick, counsel for the Fire Commissioners, made a lengthy and elaborate argument in opposition te the bill A. R Lawrence began his argument in favor of the bill, but did not finish, A further and final bearing will be bad at half-past three to-morrow afternoon, A large number of parties interested for both sides ere here in attendance. ‘The Sonate held a special session, and the Health ba was discussed. Among various other amendments, the three physicians, to be an inde) cussion will be contin’ ed and closed to-morrow evi ‘The Health bill and Fire bill have thus far been [Prt caret ‘The departments have been so completely tifled with the local politics of the city o’ New hay] iy. nad tac cypolihes Revs has ay so fact, that the pressure for their passage is inev.table em Peete apne on Seay So ia tions organ zing a gr.nding ittee will be gets. to to-morrow. big to report uscal inding committee, lutions appointing fifteen members through the , under restrictions to ad- vance im and also @ resolution ena Dling minor or local bilis to be roferred bak, on moti to the committee tobe reported complete. ‘The lattor tatohave ai two days, The restrictions will precludo fran hise f the creation of corporations, Be pees t so eat money, and measures, inol ding all rat money esally iat i regard to tho Central Halread aad the Hadson River road. Arguments were had befora the Railroad Com- mittee of the Assembly on the New York and Brooklym Ry railroad scheme, the Parallel Ruilroad and others of the loaser bills before them. The report of the Senate committee on the Broadway road was farther pos ned until to-morrow, to hear counsel for the Harlem ilroad Company, who was not ready. No further op- position appears to be made to the bi Governor Fenton is not fully decided as to his appoint- ments, but will sond ina portion of them to executive session to-morrow. A portion of tho harbor port wardens and cai appraisers will be named, the bank superintondent, auditor, State assessors, tho more important places, will nat be filled for some 7 a Sormnoee Fav comm “od will rier ppecial factions or y. The probabi their affording any material Frond fficulty in the party, or serious complaint from be Saag but the uneu office seekers themselves, will be avoided. Several re- appointments will be made, but the bulk will be new names. NEW YORK LEGISLATURA. es Senate Aapany, March 1, 1868, ‘Tho bill amending the charter of the Manhattan Fire Insurance Company was reported favorably, A Dili relative to savings banks in New York was ae ticed. ‘WILLS INTRODUCED. ~ Incorporating the Eclectic Medical Socioty of the State of New York. Incorporating the Clyde Coal and Mining Compan. BILLS PASBED, Amonding the charter of the Washington Insurance Providing for a review of the decisions of the Supreme Court by the Court of Ap} Relative to thy Oswego and Rome Railroad. Mr. Axxs introduced a concurrent resolution that Legislature adjourn sine die on the 12th of April. on the table, FILt® ADVANCED ZO 4 TIIRD BRADIXG. ‘The Bank Enabii Mr. eae to amend by adding a provision that no bank should have the bouefit act, or be lated to tho State, county and municipal taxcs pom {te whole capital, wh er) invested in Ui Mi ‘Soox ed that the object of the Senater r. argue already attained by the oxtsting law, which provides fer taxing the stockholders individaally. The is was voted down. In to retotation of the Sonate, Comptrelien mune teporte the samara ever by Alor FH The ail! to sncrease the of the Hell Gate wae ordered to a third Adjourn NEWS FROM SAM FRANCISCO. British Columbia, bringing $87,000 in gold. Sailed, steamship St. Louis for Panama, with passem- gers and mails and about one million dollars in teasare, of which only about $147,000 goes to New York. San Fraxcisco, March 7, 1865, A fire in Grass Valley yesterday destroyed $25,000 worth of property. Thero is considerable prospecting for petroleum going on in several portions of tho State, with results not yes asceriained. A largo trade is growing upon the Colorado river, where five steamors and @ number of barges aro running from tho mouth of the stream to Fort Yuma, Lapuse and Fort Mohave, Salt Lake trade by that route is asgmonting. Work on the Califoraia end of tho Pacific Railroad is pre- greasing favorably, and will be pushed more vigorousty since the favorable action of Cougress. Owing to the long drought the stock of wheat ia Call. fornia is very light. There is scarcely enough for sce purposes. Flour is $14 a barrel. More than the average amount of rain has already fallen this season. The prospect of large crops this year ia good. Italian Opera. Faust was given at the Academy last night to a protty good, but not crowded, house, There will be two more presentations of Verdi's grand opera, La Forza del Dee tino—namely, to-night and Friday; and then we shall seo and hear it no moro. The success of this opera has been, we need hardly say, most decided, as the crowded houses and increasing enthusiasm amply testified upom every occasion when it was given, We have already pronounced our judgment upon La Forea as one of this ‘eminont maesiro’s very best works. The combinations of brilliant music, whother we scek for it in the choruses, the arias or the delightful duets, which, interspersed here and there, remind os so much of what Verdd has accomplished in bis earlier compositions, together wh tho econte effecta, which, as presented at the Acade- are paiticularly fine, render the opera so attractive Kreat saocess It a ere it has already been sung. Noxt io ak Poteau and Martrid, New York isthe firat city in whith work has been introduced, To the enterprise of Mr, Marotzek we are indebted for the fact that we hig of this 7% teresting communication frotn Verdi to his publisher, Ricordi, will explain how we nto anticipate tho two great capitals of ‘Western in the production = sre Destine, DON, Daan Riwonm—Mr. Mareteek will hound you nie desires (0 mako arrangomenta with. you for the juction of Foren del T have assured h yw days after ita representation in St. Petersbut inal score. It u o be given He (Mr. Maretzek) deni the cantata, wrole for We &xposition fn London. ver yours, * , Thus, Maretzek secured this ge