The New York Herald Newspaper, November 23, 1866, Page 4

4 a NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFFION N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. THEDAILY HERALD, published every day in the year, Fourecents per copy. Annual subscription price, @14. NO NOTICE taken of anonymous correspondence, We donot return rejected communications. JOB PRINTING of every description, also Stereotyp- ing and Engraving, neatly and promptly executed at the owest rates, Volume XXXI. No. 327 AMUSBMENTS THIS EVENING. ADWAY THEATRE, Broadway near Broome seer kine Laan ‘ORK THEATRE, Broadway, opposite New York pat -Gnurniem Gaver, Om Juatover. TRE FRANCAIS, Fourteenth street. near Sixth THEA’ OW erenue.—Mapsa—! ERMAN THALIA THEATRE, No. 514 Broadway,— be Koumie’s Barsnt. ORRMAN STAD? THEATRE, Nos, 45 and 47 Bowery.— Linsdhag Witpseuurs. DODWOR1w's HALL. ees Breadway.nBaoranon Hants Wut Paaronm te Minao.es.—Tas Mrsteer. MINSTRELS. 585 Bresdwav, Ite SLs Beare ee ments, Sixginc, Daxciva snp BURLESQUES—METRORIO Suowsns on Facing Stans. FIFTH AVENUE OPERA ILOUSE, Nos. 3 and 4 West Fwonty-fourth street.—Buowoata’s MinstRecs.—Sraiorian Munsresisy, Batcaps, BusLesques, 4c. A Tair 70 THE ‘LLY 4 LEON'S MINSTRELS, 7 Broadway, oppo- site the Now York Hotel—In Tunim Soxoe, Daxons, Roce. ‘taorims, &c.—Excuasion Agounn tax Worip. A TROUBLE- sous Lagacr. TONY PASTOB'S OPERA HOUSE, 201 Bowefy.—Coxrs Yocaysu—Neoro Minstaausy Bauer Divearisseeant, éc.—Tus Faruins oF Tax Hupson. CHARLEY WHITE'S COMBINATION TROUPE, at Mechanics’ Hall, Broadway—In 4 Vantery or Ligne anp Lavawasus Entertainments, Cours Dr Batter, £0, Femate Cosas in Wasdincron. BROOKLYN!ACADEMY OF MUSIC.—Zamra, tax Bape ov Marais. MRS. F. B. CONWAY'S PARK THEATRE, Brootlyn.— Hain at Law. HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, Brookiyn.—Eratoriay Min- arrausY, Bartans, Buriesques ann Paxtomimns. STEINWAY HALL, Fourteenth astreet.—Wo.rsonn's Sxoomp Baxtwovxn Matinex at Three o'Clock. NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— Leorones wire tux Oxy-Hyprocen Mioroscore — twice a rue. Cig Rigut Arm or Prosst. Open from $ “1866. New York, Friday, November EUROPE. By the Atlantic cable we have spocial telegrams from Madrid and Rome, with a general news report dated to November 21. John H. Surratt, the Lincoln assassin conspirator, has ‘boon identified serving in the Papal Zouaves, in or near Rome, under the name of John Watson. Ho was arrested on demand of United States Minister King. Surratt broke from his guard, jumped down a precipice and es- caped into the Italian terfitory. The italian governmont ts on the alert to-effect his recapture. A Madrid report says the King of Prussia has writ- ten to the, Pope, offering “‘protection’’ to his Holiness. ‘The London Times affects a sneer at the promise of the United States Treasury to pay the government bonds in gold, Lord Stanley, the foreign Secretary of England, up- holds, as it appears, the seizure of the ex-rebel American vessels by the United States. The Hungarian Dict is in session. The Austrian re- script asks the members to remove the “ difficulties in the way of unity” and the autonomy of the kingdom will be re-established. ‘The legislators of Crete deny that the Christians have submitted to the Turks. Consols closed insLondon at 9044, for money, Novem ber 21. United States five-twenties were at 70%. ‘Thé Liverpool cotton market was unchanged on No- vember 21. Middling uplands fourteen pence. Bread- stuffs firmer. Provisions declining. MISCELLANEOUS. ‘The Board of Aldermen met in special session yester- day. The committte appointed to consider the nomina- don of Mr. Ieaac Beli as Street Commissioner reported adversely to his appointment, on the ground, that he has been an active politiciam for years, and they think it unwise to invite him to leave his present position, with the duties of which be is perfectly conversant aud where experience forms the least qualification. The report was approved. ‘The Board of Councilmen met yesterday and discussed the report of the Joiut Committee appointed to confer with the United States government in reference to the purchase of the lower end of the Park asa site for the aew Post office, The amondment made tothe report by the Aldermen, demanding one million of dollars instead of Gve hundred thousand dojlars, was oppos d, and the sum of 750,000 named. That amendmont was laid upon the table, aud further action in the matter was deferred Ull Monday next. The Board of Supervisors yesterday filled the vacancy occasioned in that body by the death Mr, Purdy by the election of G. N. Hermann as one of its members Other business of smailer importance engaged the attention of the Board till they adjourned. The Chamber of Commerce met yesterday for the pur- of memorialiaing Congress on the subject of the cot- ton tax. A report on the subject was read by the chair- man, and s committee was appoiuted to prepare the momorial Anothor mosting of the Contention of Lie Insurance companies was held yesterday at the Chamber of Com- merce rooms, and after a very long session a constitution was adopted and oificers were elected for the ensuing year, The organization is called “The Chamber of Life Insurance of the United Staies." Another meeting will be held this morning. The Protestant Episcopal churches of Long {sland met yesterday ia joint convention at Grace chrob, Brooklyn The subject of @ division of the diocese and the establish ment of cheap schools was discussed, and two donations of $1,000 cach made for the latter purporw It te coported that prominen! raiicals hola a ca Philadelphia on the 20th, when « against the President were dra mitted to @ republican caucus of the mo gress soon after the reassembling iu Wastin. tou The Retrenchment Commiites now sting in Wa) ington have discovered (acts implicating Wi¢h and ve sponsible parties under the government in the cote frauds, The ship Mercury arrived ai this port on Wednesday with cholera on board, thirty-three deaths having o« curred on the voyage. she was d Quarantine. Bx-Governor Winston, of Alabarna, has been el to the position of United States Senator from (hat °y for the long term, commencing next March. Two young officers of the houswhold of the Prince of Higo, & potentate of the Japanese empire, are sojourning in the city, A alight fail of snow ovcurred yesterday in this city And also in Philadelphia, Poughkeepsie, Bullalo, and at other points, The woah 1 was A large anneration mocting wax ‘W., on Wednesday night, in wi) ch annetation with the United States, of the terns pronovet Uy tle laxt Con (grems, Was reoom mended, an) ie Aval cay net wae eovoraly handiet for leaving | withod! a cov erament. The appeal for Lyach and the other « yesterday and will pr boing signed ia Montrea: to stile the Alabama claiins Mou quite active, The volunteers are cniacnt 4 ie Wholesale pardoning of priv . is Grand Trunk Railroad ool'de! o . . oral persons were injured Tt i@ rumored in conserva: + that Governor Wells wilh be Dilag of the Louisiana Laxisiature tempt subvert the Stare me Ad action was brought before Judge Jones on perioy Court yesterday, by James Mo Thom soa 4 Prominent Republican politician, agaiaw Caria one © Speight, of the Metropolitan Polio, for alieqon i impriasament Severs witneasay wars team uel aad ale i e of ; | Sul easy mode of restoration, NEW YUKK HERALD, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1866. the case was adjourned until thie morning, Tho damages are laid at $8,000. 4 case ip now being tried before Judge Sutherland, in the Supreme Court, Chambers, to determine what con- atitutes a “man of color.” The Board of Registers of the Second district, Eighteenth ward, refused to register James A, Darnall, on the ground that he was a colored man.and had not the requisite property qualification, and this suit was brought to compel the bdard to show cause why he should not be registered. The relator's counsel said that his client was dark complex ioned, but that might be the result of @ billows attack. The case was adjourned until next Monday, ‘The cases of Wilson and Cochue, who were charged with impKcation {n the recent Brooklya distillery frau ds, were before Commissioner Newton yesterday, but owing to the absence of counsel for the accused were ad- journed until to-day, Another distillery was setzed on Wednesday im Williamsburg, where apparently another shrewd schome was going on to outwit the law. The still and distillery are kept in a seemingly unfinished condition, and the owners intimate that they will take out ® license as goon as they finish repairing their establishment, But’ the officers discovered a still im full blast about four o’clock in the morning, and arrested the proprietors. ‘The case of the alleged privateer Meteor was up be- fore Judge Nelson in the United States Cirouit Court yesterday, on a pro forma discussion as to fixing a day for hearing argument in the case {n connection with Judge Betts’ decision condemning the vessel. The United States District Attorney was in favor of letting the case go at once, without argument in the Ciroult Court, to the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States at Washington, This will, in all probability, be the course adopted. The trial of Eugene J. Fergus for the murder of Pat- tick MoGuann, on the 6th of August last, in Furman street, Brooklyn, was commenced yesterday morning in the Court of Oyer and Terminer, The evidence for the Prosecution was completed, and the trisi will probably close to-day. . A public school teacher in South Boston recently com- titted forgories to the amount of $6,000 and decamped, News from Mexico by the way of San Francisco says that another force bad loft E! Panas to attack Durango. The Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society commenced a seasion in Philadelphia yesterday, when a petition pray- ing for the impeachment of the President was read. A train of twelve cars loaded with crude petroleum was destroyed by fire on tho New York and Erio Rail- road on Tueéday, near Adrian. Tho National Steam Navigation Company's steamer Erin, Captain Cutting, will satl at noon to-morrow (Satur- day), from pier No, 47 North river, for Queenstown and Liverpool. There was great excitement in Wall atreet yesterday, and gold declined to 187%. The stock market was in a state of panic and heavy sacrifices were made, but at tho close both gold and stocks showed increasing firmness, the fall having apparently exhausted Itself, General trade was about as dull as possible yesterday. The continued decline in the gold premium exerted a most unfavorable influence on commercial values, and asarule, merchandiso and produce was decidedly in buyer’s favor. The courseof trade was very irregular and prices all day were more or less nominal. Cotton opened at previous prices, but subsequently déckned, with no buyers, even at a material concession. Sugar ‘was unusually dull and prices were entirely nominal. Coffee was quiet, Naval stores inactive, Petroleum neglected and nominal, and dry goods heavy and slow of sale, On 'Change flour was dull and 16c. a 30c. lower. ‘Wheat was nominally 30. a 5c. lower. Corn declined 2c. a 8c,, with a moderate domand. Oats were dulland de- pressed. Pork ruled moderately active and a shade easier, Beof was more active, but at @ alight declino. Lard was quiet ned.a triffelower. Whiskey was dull.and nominal, Freighis were quiet, Restoration by One Plan er Anether the National Necessity. Restoration of the Southern States without delay is necessary both in a political point of view and for the material interests of the country. : If it cannot be brought about in one way it must in another. The politicians may wish to keep the question open for party or political purposes, but the mass of the people do not—thoy want it closed up. The con- tinued exclusion of so large and such an im- portant part of the country from restoration and representation at Washington has politi- cal danger in it, {sa great strain upon our in- stitutions and form of government, and is cal- culated to paralyze the productive power of the South as well as the commercial and ma- terial interests of the North. There is, in truth, great danger every way in such an anomalous and unnatural state ot things. We must have prompt restoration at any cost and by all means—not two, three or more years hence, not after the next Presidential election, but, if possible, before the term of the present Congress shall expire next Marob. We have seen in history that the richest and fairest portion of the earth may become a wilderness under paralyzing political ciroum- stances. The South, with all its natural re- sources, might become so. In all probability the productions of that section of the country, which have boen declining very much since the war, would become less next year, still less the year after, and so on till general ruin would follow, if*restoration be delayed. All the best portion of the population that could getaway would leave; ambition, which is the great incentive to industry and action, would be destroyed, and capital would turn aside from a country so situated. Shall we suffer this part of our territory, richer and with more varied productions than India, to be thus destroyed? Shall we jeopardize our free republican institutions by keep- ing half’ the continent and nearly a third of the population in an unrepre- sented condition and under despotic rule? No statesman or patriot, nor any one who has | sludied history to advantage, would wish to see such a state of things. ‘Taking it for granted, then, that the masa of our citizens—that the people of the North— | nestly desire a speedy restoration of the | South to its former relations in the Union, the «question arises, how is this to be accomplished? We hoped, heretofore, that the constitutional | «amendment might be adopted and thus settle the matter, The people of the North declared ia the recent elections that to be the plan of j settlement. It would have been a safe, ready But it does not appear that this can be oarried through. | Three-fourths of the States must adopt the amendment before it can become @ part of the constitution, All the Southern States refuse to adopt it, and therefore the over- whelming popular majority in the Northern Stutes in its favor is rendered powerless. It ia even doubtfal if a sufficient number of new States could be erected to carry the amend- went while the Sonth bolds ont. Besides the attempt to overrale the South in this way would cause great delay, which, as we have said, would be bighly injurious and danger- ons. What, then, can be done? Clearly this: If | the South will not accept restoration on the terms offered throngh the constitutional amend- mout, restoration ought to be forced upon them some other way by Congress. This seems to vs the only alternative. The interests of the North of the whole country—yos, the Interests 5 the South as well aa of the North—demand ‘Is folly to talk of the rights of the ern States, We are in @ quasi state of wer) the war ia pot closed up while those “\s'aa romain unrestored, and they aro com- pletely under the power and at the meroy of the North. The will of the Northern people, and consequently of Congress, as representing the Northern people, is the absolute law in the case, The South has placed itself in its pres- ent excluded situation and must bear the con- sequences. All appeals to former constitu- tional rights are useless, if even a strict techni- cal interpretation of the constitution might seem to favor them, because the war power— the power of the conqueror over the con- quered—is superior to everything vlse. We may regret that restoration has not been brought about or could not be reached under other circumstances; but that is not the ques- tion now; we have to deal with facta; we have to take things as they are and make the most of them. Under all the circumstances we conclude, therefore, that it is best for Congress, as soon asit shall assemble, to legislate for the entire and complete reconstruction of the Southern States. The President has tried his plan, from the best motives, doubtless, and it has failed. The people have not accepted it. Now let Congress begin anew at the foundation. Let an act granting universal amnesty and uiifver- sal suffrage be passed under the war power. Let the Southern States be immediately recon- structed on this basis. Let the whole machinery of government spring into action upon it, and then let the members and Sena- tors from every Southern State be forthwith admitted to Congress. This would be prac- tical, early and complete restoration. Our political troubles would be at an end. As far as the South is concerned that section would have a larger number of members in Congress than ever. It would eontrol the negro vote for years, and in time to come the-white popu- lation would grow so largely over the negro that there would be no danger from negro suffrage. The most levelling radicals of the North would be disarmed in their hostility, and, the cause of trouble being removed, we should have peace. This is, we believe, the most logical, safe and prompt method of re- sioration under the circumstances. We hope Congress will adopt it and let us have a thoroughly restored Union before next March. It will save the South and give universal prosperity to the whole country. Tax Cuarrer Etecrion—Tue TRICKS OF Tammany.—The charter election, in which the people will be called upon to make choice of the chief financial officer of the city govern- ment, will take place in less than two weeks from to-day, and no party has yet put in the field a candidate who is fit to occupy the posi- tion or who can command sufficient strength to render his success probable. The Tammany primaries have been held, and the list of dele- gates shows that it is the intention, of the “ring” to sprig the nomination of Brennan upon the city at the eleventh hour, ip the hope that there will not be sufficient left To unite the respectable and independent portion of the electors in opposition. It is now well known that the pretended withdrawal of Bren- nan was « trick designed to silence his oppo- nents, and thate desperate effort will be mado by the “ring” to retain their hold upon the important office of Comptroller. The action of the various outside organizations in nominat- ing candidates who stand no chance of an elec- tion encourages Hoffman, Sweeney, Tweed & Co. to persist in their policy of holding on to Brennan, and gives them some hope of success. In fartherance of this scheme the “ring” still retain possession of the Street Commis- sioner’s Department, with their most compe- tent. manager, Tweed, at its head. The Board of Aldermen reject Mr. Isaac Bell on the im- pudent pretence that they object to him as being a “politician,” and the Mayor will no doubt make another nomination designed to leave the eontrol of the department in the hands of Deputy Tweed until after election. It is now time for the citizens to move in the matter. Thoy may rest satisfied that it is the design of Tammany to renominate Brennan. Nothing but the demonstrated certainty of his defedt will deter them from putting him into the field, and should they despair of the suc- cess of their trick, they will select some other candidate equally objectionable. Let the in- dependent citizens and taxpayers unite on a good man, and his success iv certain. It is very desirable that the office of Comptroller should now be filled acceptably to the tax- payers and by an incumbent who is free from any complication with the men who have so long misgoverned the city. The next Comp- troller should be one who will be willing to co-operate with the Legislature in any effort to secure to New York an honest and economical government and who will not offer any fac- tious opposition to the measures of reform which will be demanded of our representatives at Albany. Lorp Dersy’s Arrer-Dixven Spsece.—In Lord Derby's post-prandial oration at the Lord Mayor's banquet in London the other day, he stated that the Atlantic cable had estab- lished England as mistress of the seas. He did not definitely state, however, whether it was of the bottom of the sea, where the cable lieg, she was mistress, or of the surface, where she used to “rule the waves” —in song. Lord Derby ought to know, after the events of the late war, that this country is bound to be the mustress of the seas in a very few years, if she fs not so already, with or without the Atlantic cable; but it is very well for the Premier te keep up the spirits of the British people by still claiming for them the supremacy of the ocean, in an after-dinner speech, racy, no doubt, with allusions to “hearts of oak,’ “the fiag that braved thousand years the battle and the breeze,” and other pleasant remi- niscences of Dibden and other nautical min- strels; but nothing can prevent the United States from becoming the great naval Power of the world. ‘There is in the langnage of Lord Derby’s qpeoch s most friendly feeling towards this country, which we sre quite willing to recipro- cate end preserve upon one condition, and that is the immediate gayment of the money duo to us for the damage done our commerce by the Confederate pirates sent out from Eng- lish ports. The settlement of the Alabama claims is indispensable to that cordiality of sentiment which the British Cabinet so much covet. A Rovorn Banoary.—It is rumored that the A'dormanic “ring,” who yesterday rejected the nam» of Mr. Isaac Bell as Stroet Commis- sioner, have promised to confirm any other nomination the Mayor may make, provided he will pledge the Presidency of the Crotoa Aqueduct Board to one of their number, Alderman Ignatius Flynn. It is to be hoped that no such bargain has been concluded. The Croten: Aqueduct Department has hitherto escaped the contamination of the “ring” and has been managed for the good of the city and to the satisfaction of the public. If it is now to be used in the trading operations of the squabbling operators of the “ring,” we hope the Legislature will take all control over the department out of the hands of the city gov- ernment, 2 ‘The Ocean Yacht Race and Its Boneficial Reoulte. Amid the general chorus of congratulations upon the pluck and the enterprise of Ameri- can yachtmen, as displayed in the recent races to Cape May andin the arrangements for an ocean sweepstakes from New York to Cowes during the cold and stormy month of Decem- ber, we hear but one discordant voice. It is that of @ copperhead comtemporary, which, having opposed the war for the Union and the restoration of the Union, is very. naturally an- tagonistic to national. The navigator of the “elbows of the Mincio formed by the sympathies of youth,” is of course better acquainted with the Atlantic and its dangers than those older but less experienced sailors who have crossed the ocean ,oftener than he has seen sait water. Speaking with author- ity, therefore, and not as the Scribes, this horse marine is able to declare that it is no great feat to sail from New York to England in December, that the winds will be calm and the waves as smooth as glass and that the ocean race is a mere game for money—no more hazardous or exciting than the rolling of two rain drops down a window pane. The tempests of the mid-ocean and the snow squalls of the British channel are nothing to him. Not intending to go in any of the yachts, he can contemplate these matters with perfect complacency and write caustic criti- cisms upon one or two of the yacht owners who cannot accompany their vessels on account of business duties or family obliga- tions. We should be disposed to place a great deal more reliance upon the pleasant predictions of our copperhead contemporary did not events so often flatly contradict him. He railed against the war, as he now rails against the ocean yacht race; but the war was a suc- cess after all. He decided, in advance of the people, that all the recent elections were to go against the republicans and in: favor of the democrats; but the elections went just the other way, and the democratic party is finally dead and buried. He insisted that the “ring” of Associated Managers was to rule the metro- polis and that ail the independent managers, headed by the unrivalled Grau, were to fail dismally; but the “ring” is breaking up, resorting to immoral spectacles and leaving the theatrical business, while the independent managers, now largely in the majority, are having crowded houses nightly, and Ristori, who was specially singled out for attack, and who makes her farewell speech at her fare- well benefit to-night, has drawn larger audiences, under Grau’s able management, than any other artiste who ever visited this country. These circumstances, with others that might be mentioned, convince us that our copperhead contemporary is neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, and that he knows as little about yachting as he does about war, politics, theatricals or journalism. The only result of his sneers, thus far, has been to increase the popular interest in the first great American ocean race and to cause the mer- chants of this city to broach the project of sub- scribing ® purse of one hundred thousand dol- lars for the yachts now entered. On the other hand, we hear from every side the most encouraging accounts of the benc- ficial effects which the excitement about the ocean race has already produced. In Boston the leading gentlemen have held a meeting to form a yacht club. In Philadelphia a move- ment is on foot to increase the membership of the half-and-half club now in existence there, and to procure larger yachts than those which now skim about the river and contend for little prizes in cathoat contests. In Baltimore a yacht club will soon be organized upon a national basis. Other seaboard cities will take action in regard to this matter presently, and we have reason to hope that be- fore another year has passed a grand ocean sweepstakes will be opened for Ameri- can yachts and that the yachtmen of every seaport, from Portland to New Orleans, will struggle for the prize, The victory of the America over the Engligh fleet created » mania for yachting which gave new life to the New York Yacht Club and led to the present marked improvement in yachting, and we snticipate that the approaching ocean race, inaugurating a new era of the marine sports of this country, will lead to the establishment of similar clubs all along the coast. Hitherto gentlemen have been rather more disposed to spend their money upon fast horses than upon fast yachts. The reports that yachts which attempted to cross the ocean in the most favorable weather have been five days under water, or have arrived in port almost total wrecks, did much to encourage this indiffer- ence to yachting. But we believe that the December sweepstakes will prove that Ameri- can yachts, keel or centre board, are as safe and as seaworthy, if properly handled, as the largest ships, and that hundreds of American gentlemen will horoafter keep their yachts as they now keep their carriages, The spice of danger suits the American character precisely, and the expense will be more than compen- sated by the enjoyment. How beneficial such & state of affairs will be to our ship builders and to all others concerned in fitting out ves- sels is quite evident. We leave our copper head contemporary to explain, if he can, how all these facts coincide with his statements that the ocean race amounts to nothing more than « private wager between three gentle- men. Tux Mexican Miasiox.—That portion of the Press which discusses the important Mexican mission takes {t up in @ quite erroneous way, giving the whole credit of the measure to the State Department and Mr. Seward. There can be no greater mistake. The State Department has blundered on hopelessly in the Mexican muddle for four years, and would have blun- dered on as hopelessly for an indefinite length of time and never touched the key-note of set- tlement. The present negotiation originated with the President, and has taken its tone en- tirely from his straightforward, positive mind. Mr. Seward seems to have done one thing in —————————— the matter, however. He has, apparently, made provision in the negotiation for many jobs; and it may prove that he has given it a greater weight in that sort of commodity than it*can carry. The jobs, whatever they are— express jobs, California jobs and all—are his part of the diplomacy. Undoubtedly they constitute a weak point im our case; and if this attempt to settle the trouble shall fail, the failure will be due entirely to the fact that the Commissioners were embarrassed with this now dificulty—that is, it will be due to Mr. Seward’s part of the diplomacy. It is announced that now that the Mexican negotiation has reached 4 definite point in its progress, M»Montholon, the French Minister, leaving Washington, will go to Lisbon, a» point ordinarily of no great note, but that just now, and in view of new complications in Europe, rises in dignity and interest and is likely very shortly to be a point of the greatest importance. Twportant Lurnovemmnt or ovr Happor anp Coast—We have made frequent reference of late to the condition in which the coast is: left by the Lighthouse Board of the Treasury De- partment; but remonstrance seems to be of little avail, and Commodore Shubrick takes no ateps to remedy the evils which are daily com- plained of by our seamen. . Every day fora month past the ship news column of the Hzratp has contained notices of the drifting or total disappearance of buoys and lighthouse ships, and accounts of numerous disasters in conse- quence. It is well that accidents of a minor character only have resulted from this neglect of the Lighthouse Board. Let there be an appalling disaster in consequence of similar neglect to some one of the large European pas- aenger steamers to this port, like that of the Evening Star in consequence of her defective machinery, and the Board will find itself roused by the indignation of the people from the lethargy into which they have lapsed. While the admirably lighted coast of England is being improved every season, (our columns yesterday contained official notice of the plao- ing of not less than eighteen buoys and light- ships on the English coast), no effort is being made to improve either our coast or harbors, and our merchant marine is continually ox- posed on a coast of which they know nothing positive. Commodore Shubrick and his board should wake up to their duty or give place to more active men. We hope our representatives in Congress will take an early opportunity to bring before that body the subject of the improvement of our coast and of New York harbor, by the deepening of Hell Gate channel, thus giving the English lines of steamers the advantage of the short route by Long Island Sound. When the overcrowded state of the lower part of the city forces business, as is being done every year, higher up-the island,a similar move- ment to accommodate the shipping will be- come necessary, With Hell Gate ohannel ren- dered safe and available for the largest ves- sels docks will be built on the East river, and business will tend in that direction, as it has done on the west side, This would tend to relieve the lower part of the olty and rapidly improve property in that direction. The advantages to be derived from the deep- ening of Hell Gate will be felt and should be appreciated now by every merchant, shipper, shipowner and property bolder in the city, and the subject should be seriously thought of and actively advocated by them. FINE ARTS. — The annual reception of the American Institute of Architects was hold last evening at the Studio building, ip Tenth streot, This institute was incorporated in 1657, Its officers ere Richard Upjoho, President; R Mf. Hunt andD. Lienau, Vice'Presidents; R, @. Hatfield, Treasurer; Charies D. Gambrill, Recording Secretary and Librarian; HL it. Richardson, Corresponding Secretary; R. Upjohn, L, Eidlotz, R. M. Hunt, D. Lienau, R. G. Hatfeld, Cal- vert Vaux and H. Dudley, Trustees. Instead of the usual dinner, the Institute this year preferred to give ‘a feast of reason and a flow of soul," in a conversarione to which their friends, as well aa thelr brethren devoted to the sister arte of painting and sculpture were invited, an elegant supper aud an exhibition as interesting, as it was novel and unique, of architectural designs, An impromptu exhibition, it consisted of only about one hundred and fifty pleces, but many of these were striking proofs of the rapid progress which architecture has made in Jhis country within the past fow years. Among the exhibitors we noticed the names of Alexander, Cady, Clinton, Draper, Dudley, Gambrill, Hatfield, Holly, RM. Hunt, Lienau, Littell, Post, Potter, Renwick, Sands, Upjoba, Van Brunt, Vaux, Waltor, Waro, Wight, Withers and Hathorne. The walls of the exhibition room were hung with designs of parka, fountains, synagogues, churches, memorial buildings, monasteriea, tombs, schools, tows houses, court housea, houses of refuge, armory drill rooms, fine art museums, libraries, villas, rural cottages, city residences, buildings for banks, insurance companies, stores, bridges, al! serts of structures in fine, except railway depote, where, accord- ing to our notion, American architecture has yot a chance of effecting something peculiarly appropriate and na- tional. We have not time or space to particulariae, or wo should gladly dwell upon the designs of Upjohn, ) Hunt, Gambrill and Post, Wright, Cady, Dudley, Lienau, Van Brunt and Vaux, and several other architects of renown. Suffice it to say at present that we saw cnough to convince us that in the direction of architecture, as wel) as of the other arts, encouraging progress has ggestion of the Heasto shali 4 a Board of Public Works shall have been instituted, we feel sure that the architects of New York will not fail to lend their aid in correcting the wastoful abuses which now lead to the disfigurement of ‘the finest streots of our metropolis and in olevating the standard of public taste throughout the land. Besides the architectural designs to which we have alluded, the pictures of Mr. Gambart’s Ofth exhibition of works by artista of the French, English and Flemish schools decorated the hail. RECEPTION BY THE ECLECTIC CLUB. The mansion recently secured by the Eclectic Club, who lately quitted their establishment at the corner of Seventeenth street and Fifth avenue, and were installed ina structure, located at the junction of Fifth Twenty-sixth street, was last evening thrown to the guests of the organization. The male friends of the club, apparently some four or five hundred in oumber, gathered at sight o'clock and mrolied through the magnificent apartments to the sweet strains discoursed by band of music. They visited the large salone on the first floor, the private dining rooms and well lighted billiard ball on the third floor, The kitchens and fentries were daty tn- Mmpected, aad the modern conventences, of the posses. don of which oo many ‘of property are apt to the. upholstering of the apartments, the tufted carpets, whereupon footfalls wore tnaudible, in turn elicited the encomiums of the visitors, and won the approbation of those connoisseurs and men of taste who, by past ox- perience, knew the requirements of @ Grstciass club house, end were therefore qualified to pass judgment upon the claims made by the Eclectic to the occupancy of a first class Wew de réunion. The guests having been duly escorted ovor the premises, subsequently returned to the salon, whence thoy were ushered into the pa ne Thore the social qualities of the thro were brought to Night, when all wero sonted at a boa graced with a Ny prepared collation, and freighted with a cargo of generous wines. The assembiage did not disperse until @ late hour, the friends of the Koiectic weil with the pa welcome extended to them, and Ag club —g rationed with the sucosas inment @ 8 G04 effect pro- duced by the viewime of the house, es WASHINGTON. Tho Retrenchment Commitice Investi- gating the Cotton Frauds. Influential Governmont Officials Said to be Implicated. Radicals in Philadelphia Proparing the Articles of Impeachment Againat the President, ko. ~ ae. ko, ‘Wasmiworox, Nov. 23, 1866, Lavestigation of the Cotton Frauds—Partice High in Authority Implicated. the effect of implicating parties occupying high an@ influential positions under the government with these frauds. The committee .has made somo astonishing developments in this regard, A grent deal of fraud, more than at fret supposed, has been practised upon the government and citizens of the South by the cotton agents, It appears that these agents were in the habit of confiscating large quantities of cotton in the name ef the government, and after it had remained in their hands for a short time they would turn it over to an out aide party, who sold it and divided the proceeds with the agents, Another game which was resorted to extensively by these men was to release the cottom upon the pag- ment of a handsome boaus. The committee will com- tinue tholr investigation of this matter several days. Large-numbers of witnesses have been called here from different sections of the country to testify in relation te these frauds, The committees will meet again to-morrow, Tho Impeachmont of the President. ‘We have a report here that prominent radicals had a meoting in Philadelphia on the 20th inst, at which articles of impeachment against the President were pre- pared. They are to be submitted to @ caucus of re Publican members of Congress on the Saturday preced- ing the meeting of Congress, The names of the parties attending the caucus in Philadelphia will be furnished ta duo time, Speoial Cabinet Meeting. A spedial meeting of the Cabinet was called by the President to-day, The mecting was fully atvehded, and continued from about half-past two untii four o'clook. ‘The session was held, it is said, to dispose of the public business which bad acoumulated on account of the usual session having been omitted on Tussday last, in conse- quence of the President's visit to Baltimore to attend the Masonic celebration. A Wet Blanket for Office Seckers. The publication is made, apparentiy by authority, ia the Natimat Republican of this morning, that the Pre eident is necessarily engaged upon important publie matiors, preparatory to the assembling of Congress, aud will have oo time until after the meeting of that body to give the alightest attention to applicants for office, All such matters are referred tothe Leads of the different departmonta, Office seokers and ‘their friends can save themesives much time, Jabor and expense by acting upon the abeve hint, and will relieve ‘the President from the unpleasant necessity of declining to entertain and examine their spplications it se physical impossibility for him to prepare his Message and at the same time transact in detail business appro priately belonging (o its Cabinet Ministers. ppropriatt en: - ane Rep Fscien? ‘Lawl ot toa officially compiled from the acts passed at the late ses- jen of Congreas:— “> . 1,014,198 616,108 12,706,635 one eee eee G156,681, 768 The Treeps Around Washingtes. Much misapprehension seems to exist throughout the country in regard to the number of troops now on duty within the department of Washington, and it has bees variously stated at from fifteen hundred to twenty thou- sand. Prominent oMcers, who have been for years om duty in this clty, and who would therefore naturally be supposed to possess correct information on the subject, have tated the force in this department to be nearly twenty thousand. An extract from an official return, however, gives the number of troops here now to be as followa:—Garrison of Washington, 2,000; Fort McHenry, Md., 150; Fort Washington, 160; Fort Whipple, 160; Battory Rogers, 150; Fort Foot, 160, and rendesvous of distribution, 900. Total, 3,650. Fourth Day of the Racos. ‘Tho fourth race on the National Course took place te- day. The horses contesting were Polly Ann and the Baltimore Colt, both pacera, The race was for a purse of $600, one mile and repeat, under saddle, Polly Ana was the winner. Time—First heat, 2:37; gccond heat, 2:31. Tho best time was made on the last quacter of the second heat—pameiy, in thirty-tnres seconds Appointmont by the President. The President has appoluted Edward Uhl, of New York, United States Consul at Guatemaia The Rights of Colored Soldiers te Bounty. At a conference between the Second Comptroller ead Second Auditor in reiation to bounty in cases of colored troops, it was decided that proof of freedom om the 19ts of April, 1861, should be no longer required, but Cull effect given to the law of Congress approved June 16, 1866, and the soldier accorded the benefit of the pre- sumption if the contrary did not appear upoa the master rolia, and the bounty allowed, if otherwise entitled, The Second Auditor has decided that where discharged colored soldiers have applied or may hereafter apply te bis office for any arrearages of pay not paid on final dis- charge, or for any bounty provided by the act of July 22, 1861, he will also allow in the settioment of such claims the additional bounty provided by the act of July 28, 1866, if euch bounty shall be found due. Obsequies of Captain Walker. Captain William Walker, of the United States navy, who died in Now York, was today buried from bis residence in this city with tho usual caval honors, A California Pioncer in Washington. Goneral Joha A. Sutter, the California pioneer, is now io this city endeavoring to got & claim against the gev- ernment allowed. Is will be rempmberod that it was upon the Genoral's farm that gold “was frat discovered in California Tho Arapahe and oer Indians Poace- able. ‘The Commissioner of Indian Affairs yesterday received @ communication from Colones! Wynkoop, agent for the Arapahoes and Cheyeunss, The letter was dated at Fort Eusworth, November 12, and stated that the information telegraphed to various parts of the country from Lea- Venworth and Atchison, to the effect that depredations were being committed, and that war was threatened by the Cheyonnes and Arapahoes, is without foundation. The country adjacent to the Bmoky Hill roate, whish ie inhabited by those tribes, may be travelled through ot Preseat without fear of interruption by the Indians. The Nerthern Mistrict of Ohio Marshalship. General George P. Retay donion Usat he 's « cendidate for the position of United States Marstal for the North era district of Obio, Porsoonl. General Farnsworth, of Ylinois; Colonel Whaley, of West Virginia, and Hoo. Thaddeus Stevens, of Poonayt vania, have arrived in the city. Preparing the Capitol for Congress. Ahoat of workmen has been omployod for sore days past in refitting and prepariag the Capitol for the recep on of Congress. Serenade to Treasery Oficina, A sotenade by the marine band was given this oven. ing to Assistant Soore tary Wm. KE. Chendier and J. B. McCartes, Superintendent of the Treasury fu \ding, by @ fumber of the employés of the Tromsury . Me Chandior having been Called upon, madeafew remarks In ae he alluded vo the presome vountry, ead endorsed the poltoy of tho Presitent