The New York Herald Newspaper, March 26, 1866, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. TERMS cash inadvance, Money seut by mail will be atthe risk ofthe sender, None but bank bills current in New York taken. THE DAILY HERALD, published every day in the year, ‘or cents per copy. Annual subscription price, 14. ‘NE WEEKLY HERALD, every Saturday, at Five Cents or copy. Annual subseription price: — One Cop, 4 Three Coping, Five Copies, . Ten Copies Postaee five cents per copy for three months, Any lafer number addressed to names of subscribers $1 50 cach An oxtra copy will be sent to every club often. Tweny copies to ono address, one year, $85, and any larger yumber at same price, An extra copy will be sent to ups of twenty. These rater make the Wex rr Herat the-jeapest publication in the coun'ry. The Evrorgax Evm~. every Wednesday, at Six cents per copy, $4 per annam {any part of Great Britain, or $6 to any part of the Continent, noth to includ? postage. The Carona Evrrios, on tho Ist, 11th and 2hst of each month, at Six cents per copy, or $3 per annun. Apyuxmisemesta, toa Lmited number, will be iwerted jothe Wexkty Heratp, the Eurcpean and California Editions VOLUNTARY CORRESPONDENCE, contaising im- portant news, solicited from any quarter of the world; if used, will be Hberally paid for, ggp Our Forstax Cor- RESPONDENTS ARE PARTICULARLY REQUESTED TO BEAL ALL LETTERS AND PACKAGES SENT US. NO NOTICE taken of anonymous correspondence. Wo do not return rejected communications, =a Volume XXX. AMU, THI3 EVENING. BROADWAY = THEATY, street. Tuk Cumver C Frowway, neiz Broome 3. Woon's TH2 Hotel.—East L 00% OF Mineeratsy, Avonue Opera Those, wrth sireet.—Miss BLoomen SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS, 5% Brovtway, opposite Metropolitan 'lotel.—Ermior.a¥ SiNGta, DaNJIG, &C.— ‘Tue Fuving Tnarszx. qT PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, 2 Bowery —Srva- ING Dancin, Burrasques, &¢.—Tuk Yared Inventor; on, Two Days in Fr MINSTRELS, Meeninics’ Hall, 472 Brovte BRYANTS' ay. mo Comrcatities, Burtesques, &0.—Tne Live LePuant. froorrs OPERA HOUSE, Brooklyn.—Erurortas Mie LSX—BAWLADS, BURLESQUES AND PANTOMIMGS, NEW YORK MUS M. * ANATOMY, 618 Broadway. Open irom AM. th Baptist Church, 1 Eighth avenues, ARTS INSTITUTE, 625 Brondway.—Keuroca's ‘AINTING TUR OWENTAL PRINCESS “AYTER THR CLINTON HALL, Astor place.—A Coparative View oF Tae FRarcres AND Puases OF Peorestantism AND Porgey— Lecturn by Rov C,H Smyth, Address by Key. Tresham D. , Monday, March 26, 1866, ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE COUNTRY, Advertisements for the Werxty Urrarp must be handed im before ten o'clock every Wednesday evening. Its cir- culation among the enterprising mechanics, farmers, merchants, manufacturers and gentlemen throughout tho country is increasing very rapidly. Advertisements in- sorted lu the Warner Manato will thus be seen by a large 1on of the active and energetic people of the United 28. tat THE NIAWs. Palm Sunday was duly observed yesterday in the Catholic and Episcopal churches, according to rules pre- scribed by each denomination. The services of Holy Weck will be generally per- formed In the various churches with all possible magni- Scence. At St. Patrick's cathedral they will commence on Thursday and Friday at ten o'clock and on Saturday ‘at seven o'clock in the morning, and the office of the “Tenebra” will be chanted at balf-past four o'clock on the afternoons of Weducaday, Thursday and Friday. In the Fifth avonue Baptist church an explanation was made of the reasons why Dr. Vermilyea faired to preach his sermon on “Ii Exclusiveness,’ much to the interest of a large audience. A full report of it will be found olsew here. xorcises of the soldiers’ depot in Howard 1k place yesterday afternoon. Addresses wero od by a number of clergymen, Rev. Dr. Strong, in his address, stated that thirty thousand men were re- ceived at the institution within the past year, an‘ soveral thou: sick takon care of; that two hundred and fifty dollars of soldiers’ funds had been kept for ng one of them, and that the laidies’ contributed thirty thousand dollars in funds, fifteen thousand garments, namorous delicacies and porsonal services to tho benefit of the institution since tts commencement. We experienced yesterday some singular weather. At daybreak yesterday morning the sky was perfectly clear, betokening a fair day. In two hours afterwards a heavy snow had fallen aud thy mercury in the thermometer had falon cousiderably. Shortly after the sun came out vory brightly and warmly, and before night the snow had entirely di-appearod, About eight o'clock in the evening it acain began to grow cold, and by eloven P. M. the thermometer indicated as low as twonty-thres above zero, By twelve o'clock it bad fallen another dogree, and at two o'clock this morning stood at twenty- four degrees above zero. Our Albany despatches open ap a view of the conspl- racy cf the ring of attorneys, which has succeeded the éetun neies at Albany. It appears that the object of this », in thelr efforts to pass the ponding bill for building a now capitol, is to create a vast corruption fund, to be hypothecsted for the manipulation of the approaching constitutional convention, 80 as to concen- tra’e executive patronage and the entire judiciary of the State by appointment in their banda, Our Prescott correspondent Intimates that the people of Canada are beginning to understand the purpoves of thoir authorities in originating and keeping upthe ex- citement regarding Fenian invasion. They comprehend that the Fenian invasion was « myth, and the excitement created by it @ means to advance confederation schemes and an antidote to annexation tendoncioa At the same tim’ the friends of confederation continue to inform the people of its advantages, and the provisions of the pro- { measure are kept constantly before them by the organs of the government, We publish this morn cresting sketch of these provisions, showing nfederation really means, the proposed constitu. Federated Parliament, its authority, &¢. Gon of t We publish this morning an Interesting account of the Great ba the Columbia region of Oregon, the area ‘of country lying between the Cascade and Rocky moun. tai valley ts one of the great mining districts of tho Wost yondent gives a full account of tho several more jmportant mines, their richness, ac- Covsibility, the degree to which they have been worked, @nd various other useful information regarding them and of intorost gonorally Our Brownsville corterpondont, under date of March 10, sends as some matters of commercial interest ou the Rio Grando border, growing out of the late imperial edict declaring Matamoros no longer a free port and the recently enacted cat! of tis country. The mer. chants of Matamoros have seriously complained of the offect of the edict on their town and business, and stroonous efforts aro making to have tho order re. scinded, The new cattle law of the United States is sad to Injurlously efeet the people in Texas, Loutsinna, Ar. kansas and otuer Suvthwestern State. The dissensions among tho libers| chiofs in Mexico continued, and ono of (ho diaputer provalent had led to a Oght between Gortion ini Caraior in whigh Cortina yas Gefened pad rrr err NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1866. nesses ects several of his mon.kiNled and captured. The officers of the Ewperor’s army on the Rio Grande freely express, the opinion that the French troops will not be withdrawn by Napoleon until Maximilian’s empire is a Oxed fact, We publish this morning somo additional particulars of the wonder’ul appearance of a volcanic island in tho Archipolago, The story, fully vouched for as truo by United States and other officia!s who were eye witnesses to the startling phenomenon, is stranger than any fiction conceivable, and the phenomenon itself is one of the most remarkable evor known, Tho island has risen from under the sea, not suddenly, but gradually; land the water for miles around was boiling and steaming at 4 tremondoas rate, While this island was thus gradually growing that of Sontoriin, near by, appears to have been disappearing, Agentloman who landed on the new island found it to be of coal or lava, and still so hot that eggs which ho discovered theron were cooked hard. Among other curious accompanying puepomena is the appearance on the sur- face of the ocean, a8 good as new, of a vessel which was sunk ten years ago, The island is several miles in cir- cumference, and, being of volcanic origin, It 1s supposed will disappear as soon as tho force of the irruption is ex- pended. At the Feniaa headquarters, Union square, nothing of any special importance transpired yesterday. Business was carried on through the day, as usual, The Central Council are still in secret session, and §the moncy and arms continue to flow in. A new circle was formed at 49 Prince street, endorsing the policy of Stephens and O'Mahony. Patrick Finnerty, No. 255 East Fourteenth streot, was stabbed last evening by unknown man, whom he de- tected in his house under suspicious circumstances. Mr. J. P, Moore, who lost a large amount of bonds on Friday night, has recovored and identified the tin box in which they were conta'nsd, but it had in it none of the valuables whea found, % The Financial Problem—How It Can Be Solved. The question of finance is ono of tho most difficult subjects which our public men have to grapple with at this time. Next to the restora- tion of the Southern States it is the most im- portanf problem that is to be solved at presont. ‘3 final solution hinges, to a great extent, upon that of reconsiruction, and depends, in a great measure, on the action of Congress in regard to the latter. But, with all the dim- culties surrounding it, with all the obstacles which now seem to lie in the way, all that is necessary to enable tho country to steer cloar of breakers, and secure an early return to a specie basis, is for thos2 who aro called upon to legislate upon the question to exercise a little common sense. Gold is now rapidly de- chning, and greenbacks appreciating in value, fom the natural results of the laws of trade, and any attempt to hasten them, either by logis- lation in Congress or contraction by the Secre- tary of the Treasury, will, in the end, delay rather than hasten the return to specie pay- ments. Nor will the plan of forcing resump- tion of specie payments by withdrawing the greenbacks and funding them into bonds ac- complish the object. It will interfere and clog the business of the country without securing the object aimed at, Woe cannot resume specie payments as long as our purchases abroad ox- ceed our exports to the extent that they have for the last three years. Oae great cause for the fall of gold at this timo is the largo amount of cotton which is being shipped, whieh re- duces the demand for gold to pay our for ign indebtedness. Tho legislation at Washington may bring about a fall in the metal now and then, through the simple fact that the brokers in Wall sireet, acting upon the belief that it must go down, manage to lower the quotations, but this is only temporary and is liable to a reaction the moment that the flurry is over. But let the country raise and send to Europe sufficient cotton, or any other product, to more than pay for oar purchases abroad, and there will be no longer a toreign demand for gold, and specie payments will come in spite of legislation. This fact, we think, is of itself tho great key to the solution of our present financial problem. If the members of Congress can tell when we shall export cotton and other products sufficient to pay our debts and our purchases abroad, they can then fix the day when we can resume especie payments, and all attempts to force it sooner than that will only bring upon us disaster as a punishment for our folly. The restoration of the South, in order that capital may bo invested for the development of that section, and to increase the supply of the great staple, cotton, is, therofore, one of tho most im- portant steps towards a resumption of specie payments. Instead of withdrawing tho green- backs and forcing specie paymen's against the natural laws of trade, all legislation on this subject should be based on the laws of com- merce. It was this course that enabled England to resume specic payments after the war with Napoleon. It took that nation several years to reach a specie basis, but if the radicals in Congress will only permit the country to bo restored, wo can, beyond a doubt, reach specie payments in one or two years with- out any contraction of the non-interest- bearing notes. All that is necessary for Congress to do on this question is to decide when it is probable that the exports of pro- ducts will be eqnal in value to our im- ports, and fix that as the time when specie piyments shall be resumed, Then make the greenbacks redeemable in coin on de- mand at the Treasury and Sub-Treasurics throughout the country. In addition to this enact a law compelling the national banks to redeem their currency in greenbacks, and you have a complete system, which will adapt itself to the demands of trade and commerce, and prevent a rapid inflation of currency or sudden depreciation of values. The greenbacks will then be to this country what the notes of tho Bank of England are to that. The notes of that bank are as good aa gold the world over, and there is no reason why our government green- backs may not reach the same standard. In order to make this system complete it would no doubt be necessary to make the New York bank clearing house a sort ot auxiliary to the government, a controlling board over the currency, which could, like the Bank of England, hold in check the banks of the coun- try. In this manner a perfect system could be formed that, in » short time, would, with the de- velopments of our commerce, make this coun- try, instead of England, the financial centre of the world. Specie payment reached in this way would be permanent, and it could be ac- complished without disastrous effect upon the business of the country. -Why will not Con- grese drop its ruinous contraction schemes, and legislate in a common sense way and in accord- ance with the natural laws on this subject? They will find it, in the ond, the shortest and moat expeditious road to specie payments, while that of returning toa cion basis on the theory of contraction will prove a delusive, dangerous and costly experiment. All efforts to con- trol values by legislation, contrary to the natural laws on this subject, will have the vem eect that the oferta to reanlaly the price of sold by legislation during the war did. It will make matters worse instead of better. The people do not want the greenbacks with- drawn. They are the most popular currency and the most convenient that we ever had in this country. Nor will they be likely to look with favor upon any movement which will do- prive them of government notes as tho cirealating medium, The fact that they will be obliged to pay an additional tax of some twenty-seven millions of dollars annually to pry the interest on the bonds into which tho legal tenders are funded will add to the un- popularity of the movement, Nor will they be inclined to accept this policy any more cheer- fally when they find that all this is done to benefit the national banks—a system inaugu- rated for political purposes. We trust that the Senate, in view of these facts, will consider long and well before it approves the wild contrac- tion schemes which the financial tinkers are pressing. The Connecticut Election. The approaching Connecticut eleotion (Mon- day next) has awakened an extraordinary degree of public interest on all sides in regard to the issue pending between the two parties and the probable result. The question is, strangely enough, which party is tho adminis- tration party, or which of the two candidates for Governor, General Hawley or Mr. English, is the aduainistra‘ion candidate. In support of General Hawley Messrs. E. B. Owen and Wareham Griswold, of Hartford, publish o card, in which they say that, accom- panied by the General and introduced by Senator Foster, they waited the other day upon the President, and had a fall, free and satisfao- tory conversation with him; that in the course of this conversation he said “that it is too late in the day to ask him if be desires the success of the Union party, in view of all the occur- rences of the last four or five years,” and “that he doos desire it;” that, “whatever differences of opinion he has with members of that party, ho exp2e's to fight out within tho lines of that organization;” that “he has appointed nono but members of that party to office, and expects to continue in that course;” that “ho adhores firmly to the principles of that party as laid dowa by its last national convention,” and that “there had been no interference whatever, by any member of the administration, so tar as he knew, with the canvass in Connecticut.” This is good evidence in support of Goneral Tiawley and the republicans, But the corre- spondence which has sinco appeared between Mr. Cleveland, Postmaster at Hartford, and tho President is claimed by the democrats to be equally good in support of Mr. English, In this correspondencs Mr. Cleveland says:—“I am opposing the eloction of General Joseph R. Hawley, who oponly disapproves of your voto and your 22d of February speech, and declines to support your policy as opposed to tho radi- cal. majority in Congress,” and that “if my political action is not satisfactory to you I beg you to racsive my resignation os Postmaster in this city.” litical action in upholding my measures and policy is approved. The President replios:—“Your po- Your resignation, there- fore, is not’ accepted, but is herewith re- turned.” Thus, then, stands the case on both sides, The President desires the success of the Union parly by which he was elected; but he ap- proves the course of the Hartford Postmaster in upholding the measures and policy of the odministration, and on this ground declines to rec ‘ive his resignation. The domocrats infor from this that, as Cleveland opposes Hawley because “Hawley opposes the late veto, the President is in favor of the clection of English. As we understand tho President’s position it is this:—Ho approves the Hartford Postmaster in supporting bis policy and his veto, and so re- fuses his resignation, although said Postmaster opposes Hawley’s election; but in spite of Hawley Mr. Johnson still adheres to the repub- lican party. Perhaps something may occur to-day or to- morrow at Washington which will give this Connecticut contest a more definite shape bo- fore the end of the week. As it stands at present if the republicans hold their ground it will be because they still claim that thore is and is to be no rupture between thom and tho administration, and if they are defeated it will be because of the position of General Hawley with the radicals in opposition to the Presi- dent's reconstruction policy. On either side the balance of power will come from the re- publican conservatives who believe in tho policy of the administration, and a chang> of two thousand in the vote of 1864 will revolu- tionizo the State. Tae State oy Texas anv A Peace Proctama- Tion—A convention is being held in Austin, Texas, for the purpose of adopting measures to fully reinstate the State as a member of the Union. These measures are opposed by some original secessionists, who seem to have suff- cient influence to delay their adoption. The President of the United States has addreased a despatch to Governor Hamilton, in which he states that “itis of the utmost importance ™hat the proceedings of the convention should be marked by prudence, loyalty, and o desire to vindicate the constitution and laws of the United States. He also states that a great deal depends upon the proceedings of the con- vention with regard to the admission of mem- bers of Congress from the Southern States. He expresses the hope that loyal representatives will finally be “admitted to take their seats in the Capitol of the nation from all the Siates,” The people of Texas could not have a better or more delicate invitation to return to their allegiance to the Union. Texas was the list refuge of the Southern army, and it was there the most hostile spirits of the South flocked upon the general smash-up of the rebellion. Those rebels who did not proceed to Mexico to assist the usurpation of Maximilian remained within the borders of Texas, and we now see their hostility to the Union in the tardy proceed- ings of the present State Convention. We cannot believe that these malcontents represent the real sentiment of the people of Texas, whose struggles for independence and annexation ‘were too severe to be readily forgotten. Texas is now the only State that has not rescinded the ordinance of secession, repudiated the rebel debt, acknowledged the abolition of slavery, and adopted the other pre-requisites necessary to restoration. She is the only State that is practically out in the cold—but not out of the Union—within the meaning of the policy of President Johnson. Let her present heraelf, as her sister Southern States have, through her State Convention, asa member of the Union, ef her segessiqn beresies, snd willing to acknowledge the constitution as it stands. She is the last erring sister to be restored to the family of the Union, and her return will be signalized, we have but little doubt, by a Pre- sidential proclamation announcing that peace prevails overa restored and firmly reunited country. The people of Texas and the pre- sent State Convention will act unwisely towards themselves and unjustly towards their Southern brethren if they do not adopt these suggestions and come back promptly and joyously into the national fold. Fravps Unper Tax Ivrernat Revenve Law.— It was to be expected that fraud in various shapes would result from the operations of the Internal Revenue law. It was merely an ex- periment in the beginning, and of course had to be improved by degrees, and will still have to be remodelled by each successive Congress until it approaches perfection. Under the best of circumstances its operation must be more or leas obnoxious and demoralizing. Even in England, where the income tax has been in effect for a long time, it is still far from perfect. Its demoralizing tendency is noted by Mr. Goldwin Smith, and has been admitted by Mr. Gladstone, as developed in the many false re- turhs of income, which, the former authority states, have in many cases been the first down- ward step of the business man towards mer- cantile dishonor. If the temptation to make false returns is so great in England, where the tax is only two and a half per cent, how much greater is it here, where we baye to pay five and ten per cent on our incomes, and where the machinery for collecting the internal reve- nue is quite new and by no means free from corruption? The case of the distillery frauds now on tzial shows how the government can be defrauded by its own officials, one of whom admits in his testimony that he allowed the government brands to be used on barrels of whiskey which he knew had not paid the tax, and admitted further that he had been bribed todoso., This, we presume, is but ono case in a thousand. It is manifestly the duty of Congress, in amending tho Internal Revenge law, which forms pari of their duty this session, to remove all the obaoxious portions of it, and so frame it as to leave as little temptation to fraud as possible. 1¢ has “been recommended by the commission, for instance, to’exempt from tax- ation on incomes a thousand dollars, instead of six hnndred, as the law now stands. This would be a great relief to people with small incomes, who can barely afford to pay five per cont of their earnings. Itis also, we believe, in contemplation to allow a deduction on taxablo income of fifly dollars for every minor in a family. This is not an objectionable amend- ment, While it is true that the government must have a revenue, and a large one, for many years to come, in order to liquidate our heavy national debt, and that tho revenue must come from taxation, judicious logislation might re- lieve the mode of its collection of many of its most obnoxious features, We have gathored a good deal of experience in this matter. Even the frauds occasionably brought to light teach us many ways whereby the law can be ren- dered less onerous, more equal upon all classes, and the returns more profitable. We trust that Congress will give due attention to the revision of the Internal Revenue law: when it comes before them ‘or legislation, and that future Congresses will continue to improve upon it until put it into proper shape. Apvics To THs Prorix.—Don’t let your “port- able property” lie around loose. The recent extensive bond robberies were the inevitable results of carelessness in this respect. One wealthy man put millions of dollars in his safe, or on top of it, or behind it, every night, and hardly thought to turn the key in his office door. What wonder that he was robbed! Another rich gen- tloman in Madison avenue puta fortune in a liltle tin box, as if to make it handy for thieves, and the thioves came and carried itaway. Tho real wonder in bo'h cases would arise if the men had not been robbed; yet these robberies get the city a bad reputation as a centre of vil- lany, and are in the highest degree demoraliz- ing; for in all such cases the crime is finally compounded with the rogue. He notonly goes scot free from justice, but, on condition of giving up the larger part of the property, is permitted to keep the rest. Thus his ingenuity comes to have as legitimate a reward as if it were an honest one, and this tends to break down in the popular mind the distinctions between right and wrong. The remedy lics with the owners of tho property. In the first place, men should not keep by them such large sums incoupon bonds— that is, in current money. These amounts ia registered bonds, though stolen, would have been worihloss to the thieves. In the second place, if men, to avoid the litsle trouble of regis- tration, will keep coupon bonds, let them at least take common care of their property. Post Orrtce Inreovtantrms,—The complfints which we daily receive from our country eub- scribers show that an extensive system of pilfer- ing prevails in the provincial post offices or en route, One subscriber in Porlsmouth, Obio, writes to us that since his subscription was paid only half his papers have been received; and as the paper is addressed to his letter box in that town it would seem as if there was screw loose in the management of that particu- lar office. One thing is certain: that the paper is regularly mailed to the subscriber's address, and that the fault does not lie with our clerks, We cite this from a large number of other com- plaints because the evidence appears so posi- tive thatit is to the negligence or dishonesty of the Post Office subordinates that the non- delivery of the paper is to be attributed. It is surprising that, notwithstanding the immense sums expended upon our postal service, we can insure nothing like ceriainty or regularity in its operations. In Great Britain and France the non-receipt of a lotter or paper, properly di- rected, is a thing unheard of. Even in Spain, where the administration of public affairs is in other departments no model for imitation, that of the Post Office exhibits a conscientious regard for the efficiency of tho s:-eice. We have heard of instances in which the letters of American travellers have followed them from city to city, until they were finally hunted up by the agents of the department. Until we can secure some- thing like the same zeal and efficiency in our To arrive at it we must bogin by making the country postmasters independent of political influences and pay them well. It cannot be expected that men who are 60 miserably re- , Dancers Angap For Gas Monorotisti.— There seems to be a strong disposition on the Part of the Legislature to overhaul the mon- strous system of fraud and imposition to which the public are subjected by the various gas monopolies that have grown up under its pro- tection. We trust that the feeling will result in some practical measure of relief. The sense of oppression produced by the burden is be- coming so strong, dnd is exciting such a very general expression of indignation, that it will no longer be safe for the members of the Legis- lature to turn a deaf ear to it, They will find that when they again present themselves to their constituents their course in reference to it will exercise a very material influence on their political prospects, The monopo- lists will, of course, strain every effort to defeat the measures that will be intro- duced to control their proceedings. Money will be lavishly spent and political influence be as freely exercised in their interest. They will find out, however, before long that it would have been better to have listened to the just complaints of the consumers than to have forced them into this conflict, A compromise might have protected them from a radical. fe- vision of the whole system. Now, however, it is.too late, and they will have to trust to their means of corruption to defeat the measures that are in contemplation. Their efforts in this way, however, even if successful, would not secure them in the possession of their ill-gotten profits. Science is enlisting itself on the side of their opponents, and threatens & more effectual remedy for their oppres- sion than any which the Legislature can afford, It is now pretty certain that the now magnesium light will eventually su- persede gas. When it was first discovered the dearness of the substance from which it is pro- duced seemed to forbid any hope ofits general employment. “It is now ascertained,” says a scientific journal, “that the ocean contains one hundred and sixty thousand cubic miles of megnesium—a quantity which would cover the entire surface of the globe, both sea and land, toa thickness of moro than eight feet. Three years ago all the chemisis who had obtained magnesiam had probably not obtained an ounce among them. One year ago its price was more than five hundred dollars a pound. Now, owing to improvements recently intro- duced, magnesium wire is sold at six cents a foot.” If these statements be accurate—and they are made on apparently satisfactory data— there is reason to believe thut in another year or two the cost of the light produced from mag- nesium will be very far below that of gas. As to the superiority of the light itself there can be no question. It is purer and more intense than that of tho flame of any artificial light that has as yet been discovered, does not alter the natural colors of things, and can be regulated with the u‘most ease, By the adaptation of proper mechanical contrivances, some pro- gress towards which has already been made, it can be rendered available for domestic purposes without any risk of its affecting the sight. Its adaptability for street illu- mination has been equally demonstrated. Once, therefore, the economical question is solved to the satisfaction of capitalisis we would not give much for the stock of the com- panies that now monopolize the lighting of our cities, Literary Notices. “Geological Sketches," by L. Agass'z, is the title ofa neat volume issued from the pross of Mossrs. Ticknor ds Fields, of Boston. It contains ton articles prepared from notes of extemporansous lectures delivered by the author, arranged as were those published under the name of “Methods of study"’ from the same pen. The present Production constitutes a vory agreeable and useful addi:ion to tho primary works which instruct us in the peculiar branch of science of which it treats. “aint Martin's Summer,” by Anne H. M. Brewster, is printed by Tickuor & Fields, of Boston. The talented authoress relates her expericnces during a tour to Southern Italy in a series of graphic spirited letters which cannot fall to convey instruction while they amuse and entertain the reador. Fine Arts. Mr. Boxall, of the Royal Academy, has been appointed Director of the National Gallery of Art, London, in tho room of the late fir Charl:s Eastlake, Sir Charles him- self appointed Mr. Boxalt to act for him during his ill- ness. The new director has spont his life in the study of the works of the old painters, and enjoys the highest re- putation as a judicious art critic. As a painter be has been represented, but not frequently, on the walls of the Academy, and is deeply vereod in the literature of art. Tho fine collection of worksof art exhibited at tho Luxembourg, Pans, is attracting increased attention, and although the Luxembourg is now a long way from the haunts of tho “ctvilized”’ city, it bids fair to draw large numbers from the crowds who go to the Louvre. Among the pictures to be sven there are:—‘‘The Roman Rovel,”' of Couture; “The Last Victima of the Reign of Terror,” of Muller; “La Barriers de Chohy,” of Horace Vernet; the splendid “View of Venice,” of Feliz Ziem ; “Duck Shooting,” by Bassom; and the beautiful work, “The Carrying Of of Amymono,” by Felix Henry Gia- comotii, described as a most lovely painting. There are also some fine sketches at tho Luxembourg, including tho “Ariadne,” of Millet; Jouffray’s “Young Girt Confoss. ing Her First Love to Venus,” and a life like bronze, by Duret, of the “Neapol tan Dancing." A full length portrait of M. Ponsard, tho French dra- matist, is to be placed in one of the apartments of the Hotel de Ville, of the town of Vienne, at the expense of the munietpality. ‘The Cobden memorial statue im Manchester (England) ts to cost £2,500. The sum of £4,420 has boon sub- scribed. It has been resolved to devote £1,260 of the balance to the endowment of the Chair of Political Economy in Owen's College, on the condition that its professor deliver each session a course of weekly lectures, to which any of the public primary school teachers in Manchester and Salford shalt have free admission. The Duke of Nemours, accompanied by the Princess, bis daughter, visited the Hildebrandt gallery in the Insti- tate of Painters in Water New Yous, March 25, 1566. ‘The report of the fire which occurred yesterday (Saturday) eveuing at the corner of Thirty-fourth street and Second avenue, published in the Henaxp of this morning, contains no mention of the facts that the flames had made considerable headway before any members of the Metropolitan Fire Department reached the ground, and that they spread considerably further during the delay which occurred in getting t up steam by the companion Partion residing ‘im Thitty-fourth street, who saw the smoke jr ay Ae the baiding and entered the house and ked at the seat of the fire, ert that a few pails of water well directed would have extinguished it at first They could not find any water in the little church So they loft, and were at their a block distant, before the firemen arrived. After they did arrive it in safo to say that from fifteen to twenty minutes elapsed before they had steam up, and a longer space before they bad water on, The matter elicited much comment in the neighborhood during Saturday evening and today. Is the dedicate signal apparatus of our new and excellent; fntentioned foree too complex for the intended? Is \t not efficiently worked? Is ¢iscipfine being relaxed in the organization, or are any of ite paid members in- I should regret execedingly, sir, if hage to answer oitber affirmative, A FRIEND TO A PAID FLAE DEPARTMENT. General P. Edward Conner, tog Rocky Mountain Distrieg! Gonarat don’ gue exchanges Gennes A. ; General 1 ‘, Kansas; O. Se S CAPITAL. Wasmarox, March 25, 1866. TROUBLE IN TEE JOINT COMMITTEE ON REOON~ STRUCTION. The joint Committee of Fifteen, or at least the House wing of that important body, is said to be in a painful state of insubordination. Some of the most formidable talkers in the committeo are clamorous for reporting @ resolution admitting the Tennessee delegation at ones, without any further ifs and ands, The obnoxious por- tion of the last resolution reported from the committee was only adopted in committee by a majority of one, and Thad is obliged to work steadily aud persiat- ently to keep the figures thus. Meanwhile the fears of Thad’s followers in the committee are being worked upon by the conservative members of the House and by lugubrious tales about the waning power of the party in their own districts. They are anxious about the result of the Connecticut election Mf General Hawley should happen to be beaten thero, there would not be # member of the committee left standing, except, perhaps, old Thad. The admission of Tennessee hangs upon the election in Connecticut. The return of Senator Howard will probably insure publicity to another batch of testimony betore the Re- construction Committee, including that of Robert & Lee, and it is said @ report will be mado during this week. ANTICIPATED VETO OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS BIIA. ‘The contomplated veto of the Civil Rights bill by the President has been the subject of much stroct corner and hotel lobby talk to-day, but has failed to create ang excitement or provoke more than a passing interest. Everybody concurs in the opinion to-day thas the veto will be sweeping in its character, and leave little or no chance for change or modi- fication by Congress, Hon. Henry Stansbury, of Obie, jarecelving the credit for writing ap the legal objec- tions to the act. Politicians and wiseacres havo bem quite busily engaged in relating a diversity of oplsions as to the probable effect of a veto upon the peoplo of the North. ‘Tho future movements of political combatants will be {na great measure Controlled by this, and it romaine to be secon whether tho consorvatives will swallow tho pal or leap over the fence and join the radicals, who are already commencing to set up a howl. Many of this latter class are consvling themeelves with the notion that anothér veto will strengthen their ranks by ® number of the weak-kneed thus brovght betwoen two fires. In tho maze of other matters and more important present interests the constitutional amendment has disappoared altogether; but it is quite likely to show itsoif again. If the action of the Presi- dent in the C.vil Rights case is realized this will bring up two points of conflict and lead to some obstinate fighting. It 1s also probable, instead of takin; up the Civil Rights bill immediately, if brought to tho alterna- tive, tho radicals will prefer to try their hand farther om the representation question, and reserve the bold move- ment of an attempt to carry the other question over the head of the President, as a kind of finishing touch if the attack ia the fiest case succeeds, Very few, however, believe cither can be passed over a vetes and Senator Clark, among others, admits the Civil Rights bill cannot, The conservatives ar> mobé- izing thelr forces by their organization of & committee which meets for deliberation on the importans topics which necessitated its existence, An effort also is being made to get up a new party composed of them» solves, war democrats and as many of the demooraw an‘e bellum as they can persuade to accept their dos- trine, THE THE CASE OF SENATOR STOCKTON. It is here well understood that the opposition vote im the caso of Hon. J. P. Stockton, to be or not tobee United States Senator from Now Jersey, was the result of party drill requirements and policy. There can be ae Jogal question but that a Stato Legislature has a right by the joint or concurront action of @ majority of its mem- bers to establish and act upon the plurality rule or ang other rale in the solection of Sonators for Congress ‘While it would be wiser and safer to be govornod in alll cases by the majority rule, no one can deny to them the absolute right to decide for themselves a rulo of actlom without interference or dictation from any quar ter. Of all his oppon:nts Mr. Sumner scems more dissatisfied, and reports are in the street that he wilt move a reconsideration at the carlicst possible momeat, or in some way reopen the controversy. But the time haa rather gone by for this. Had some republican whe favored Mr, Stockton's claim to the seat declared at the time the vote was taken that, although he belisved him entitled to it, he was trreconcilably opposed to his ob taining or holding it by his own vote, and at the same time announced his det-rmination to change his Mr. Stockton insisted on voting, the objection would have been plausib y consistent and effective. ‘THE PRESIDENT DECBIVED INTO MAKING APPOINT- Cases have recently come to light in which the Preal- dent has been swindled in some of his appointments ty the radicals. Several Congressmen, known to be blind followers of Thaddeus Stevens, but shrewd enough to keep their names off the record of votes on all important measures, have secured goo@ things for their friends by professing fast friendship for the President. Once or twice this has operated injart- ously to the real fnends of the President, and has been hailed by the country press as an evidence that the President was disposed to succumb to radical ia- fluence and ‘go back on bis friends,”’ as the phrase im This state of affairs has brought a number of lately de iB i f pele ae Liecidiiati r 228 gE RS a fs BEE i el 5 df F : i i mentioned dopartments:—War, $7,780,102; Navy, 4,- 048,729; Interior, $1,008,813; total, $13,782,204. RETURN OF THE “KIDNAPPED SLAVE CHILDREN." ‘Tho Department of Stato has received suthentio infor-