The New York Herald Newspaper, January 23, 1867, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR OFFICE N, W. CORNER OF FULYON AND NASSAU STS. THE DAILY HERALD, published every day in the year, ¥+ oR cents per copy. iption price, $14. NO NOTICE taken of anonymous cortespondence, We Annual subs 4\ not return rejected communication, J0B PRINTING of every description, also Stereotyp- in) grid Engraving, neatly and promplly executed at the eet rates, OADWAY THEATRE, street. —Pers OF THe Panter: DOPRA, NEW YORK THEATRE, Broadway, oposite New York Hotel. —C¥NDRILLON, Broadway, near Broome —UAMARALBAMAN AND Ba> THALIA THEATRE. Broadway, opposite St. Nicholas Hotel.—A Nigur of Granava. DORWORTH’S HALL, 46 Broalway.—P roressor Harta witt Prrvora His Mikacuas—Tae HxaD iN THe AIR— Tux Inpias Basker Trick. STEINWAY HALL, Kast Fourteenth street, near Irving Place. —Guaxp Vocal axp Oxcuxstrat CONCERT. RICHINGS’ EN A COMPANY, Olympic theatre, Broadway. Reoueent. eR OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MINS 585 Broadway, opposite the Metropolitan Hotel—Iv rxcia Krmoriay ENTeRracse urats, Stxgene, Dancino Boauesques, Brace Coox anv Argican Batuer Ti FIFTH AY! RA HOUSE, Nos, 2 and 4 West Twenly-fourt ciPvIN & Cauesty’s MINSTRELS. — Ernorian Mivsteetsy, BALLADS, Buruzsguas, &¢:—Noon- ine ix tHe Soura. KELLY & LEON'S MINSTRELS, 720 Broadway. oppo- sie the New York ‘Lotal. Iw tugi Songs. Dances. Eccxy. nwcrns, Buetxsques, &.—A Priva DoNNa FROM THE CooNTRY—CINDER-LRON=MADAGASCAR BALLeT TROUPE. Roworv. Coury fe Diverrissemeye, tux Won, Matinee CHARLEY WHITE'S COMBINATION TROUPE, at Mechantes’ Hall, 472 Broadway—ix 4 Vasinry or Lrawe axp LavgMAnLe ENTERTAINMENTS, Conrs DE BALLET, £0 ‘Vow FeNian’s OATH, OR THE IDIOT OF KILLARNEY. MRS. F. B. CONWAY'S PARK THEATRE, Brooklyo.— Vvvveewk—Mx. AND Mes. W MOOLEY'S OPFRA HOUSE, Brook fieisy, BatLaps AND BURLESQUES.—! Erwortan Min- Hunan Tir Axouxp tux Wont. LAND." —LecTure BY Dutch Church, West ue, won Hall, corner of —Movixe Minnor oF MNT SCENES. 18 Rroadway.— Wasninatox Heap ann Rie ‘Twins—Wonpxks Lectures Daisy, january ‘23, 1867. THE NEWS. EUROPE. By the Atlantic cable we have a news report dated to the 22d of January. The leader of the Candian insurgenta thanks the peo ple of the United States for their sympathy, and asks the aid of American war vessels to convey women and children from tho island. The ex-rebel American. steamer Rappahannock bas been awarded to the United States by the Admiralty Court, London. England is not quite reconciled to the Spanish decision in the Tornado steamship case. Consols were at 90), for money in Loadon yesterday. Five-twenties were at 72};. The Liverpool cotton market opened flat, with middling up- lands at 145¢d- The telegraph lines east of Pictou, N. 8., ceased work- ing about midnight, and the transmission of our cable despatches was interrupted. By the steamship Germania at this port yesterday we received our files containing details of our cable de- spatches to the 11th of January. A French tron clad squadron has sailed for Vera Cruz, Earl Carnarvon, Secretary of State for the colonies of England, delivered an important speech at a dinner givon to the North American confederation delegates in London, in h ho reviewed the political sitnation of the Canadas and the other provinces, and stated that the question of thoir future rule was still ander the consideration of the gov- eroment. CONGRESS. In tho Senate yesterday Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts, introduced a Dill to equalize the bounties of soldiers, sailors and marines in the late war, which repeals the bounty law of last summer, and grants every soldier or sailor who has received a bounty of $100 the sum of $8 33 per month additional for every month of service. It was referred io the Committee on Military Affairs, The bill to regulate the appointment of pension agents was called up for the purpose of reconsidering the vote upon certain Hoase amendments, bat the Senate refused to reconsider the vote, and the bill goes back tq the House for concurrence in the amendments proposed by the senate. The Tariff bill was then tuken up. The amendments of the Finance Committe were concladed, ‘one of them being that the biil shail go into effect on the Grst of April next. Thd bill was then considered as in Commitiee of the Whole, and, pending the remarks of Mr. Spracne, of Rhode Ystand, and Mr, Cattell, of New Jersey, the Senate adjourned. iu the House the resolution to pay Mr, Coffroth, of Pennsylvania, the increased compensation up to the tine bis seat was taken from hjm by Mr, Koontz was passed; and appBed to the caves of Mesws, Voorhies, of indiana, and Brooks, of New York. The House bil to declare Yalid and conclusive certain prociamations and acts ofthe President was reported irom the Ju- diciary Committee with sundry amendments, which were agreed to and the bill was recommitted, It declare? that ail acts done and proclamations issued after the 4th of March, 1861, and before the ist of Decem- ber, 1865, respecting courts martial and military arrests or imprigonments shall be valid, and prohibits any civ!l courts in the United States or Territories from holding persons answerable for taking part therein. Mr. Boutwell from the Judiciary Committee reported a snbstitute for the House bill to prescribe an oath to public officers, members of the bar, &c., and aiter explaining and ad- vocating it, moved the previous question, Numerous eorts were made by the democratic members to stave cif a vote, and the pages were sent forth to enforce the \tendanee of absent members, there not being a quorum present. An endless round of dilatory motions was then commenced by the democratic members, and all attempts at compromise failed. Up to two o'clock the deliberations of the House were at a dead lock, the two partios apparently trying to decide the question by the test of patience, THE LEGISLATURE. in the Senate notic: was given of intention to intro- duce a bill to continue the appropriation for the improve- ment of Hudson river, A bill was introduced authoriz- ing the consolidation of manufacturing, mining and chemical companies, The Senate, after some other business of minor importance, adjourned. In the Assembly resolutions directing the Oommittee on Commerce and Navigation to investigate the inconveni- ences attending the passage of the Fast and North rivers by the ferry boats, and report » bill compelling the ferry companies to afford better security aud protection to the public, was adopted. The bill extending the time for the collection of taxes to the Ist of April, was peased. A communication from the Governor, transmitting tho report of the Board of Commissioners reiative to tho purchase of quarantine grounds, was received. Bills were introduced to consolidate the state line with the Erie and ether roads, and to. prevent obstructions upon piers and wharves in the city of New York. An evening session was held, which was devoted to the consideration of the Governor's Message, THE CITY. ‘The blockade of snow and ice is bemg rapidiy raised vy the prevailing thaw. The streets are resoming their Hithy condition and the ferryboats are resuming their regular trips, The ship Oneida was cut into by ice while coming up the lower bay, and sustained such serious injury that it was found mecessary to run her ashore on ‘Staten Island. ‘Sho Registrar of the Board of Health in his weekly Jerter informs the Board that seariatina atid other infec- tious fevers are on the increase in this city aud Brook- lye. [nen additional instalmont of his eanval report Ov NEW YORK WERALD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1887) ° gives 4828 the number of fatal cases of cholera that courred in the public institutions last summer, The Inspector of Exorse granted eighty-five permits yesterday, The Attorney of the Board intends to move at its meeting to-morrow that the licenses of ail those licensed dealers who took out injunctions against the Board aud bave not paid costs be revoked, George W. Crogivr, a member ef the Board of Council. men, had bis leg cut off while attempting to get on a train of the Hudsoa River Railroad yesterday while it was in motion, {tis feared that his injuries will prove fatal. In the United States Commissioners’ office yesterday, befere Commissioner Stilwell, a man named Brennan was committed for tral on a charge of having presented forged discharges from the army to claim agents, for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty provided by the act of Congress of 1866. Joho H. Trapp, a lawyer, was further examined before Commissioner Botts on a charge of having presented to a United States paymastor in this city @ writing alleged to have been forged for the purpose of obtaining the back pay and bounty of a de- ceased soldier. Some evidence having been taken the next hearing of the case was adjourned until the 25th instant. Surrogate Tucker was engaged yesterday im hearing the testimony in the Layton will case, the trial of which ‘Was commenced in June. The deconsed, {t will be re- membered, was a coal merchant, who died possessed of considerable property. The will ia contested on the ground that it was made while deceased was not in a sound state of mind, The case will occupy several days, In the United States District Circuit Court yesterday, Judge Shipman presiding, the following goods sevzed under an alleged violation of the revenue laws, were ordered for eale:—Four barrels of whiskey, Stone street ; seven barrels ditto, Miller street; one barrel distilled spirits, 49 Broadway; five barrels whiskey, pier 36 North river; twenty-two barrels distilled spirits, 457 West Thirty-seventh street; three barrels distilled spirits, pier 16 North river; three barrels distilled spirits, Thirty- sixth street; four barrels whiskey, Fulton street; one barrel distilled spirits, 94 Munroe street, be ‘The case of Dorothea Rawson vs. the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in which the defendant was sued by plaintiff for the recovery of damages tor property de- stroyed through the allezed carelessness of the company, and in which a verdict was rendered for the plaintiff in the sum of $3,995 10, came before the Supreme Court, General Term, yesterday, on an appeal by the dofend- ant. Decision reserved. The stock market was dull and rather heavy yester- day. Gold after opening at 136%, closed steady at 1365;. MISCELLANEOUS. Our advices from Rio Janeiro are dated December 25, and our Buenos Ayres correspondence December 14, con- taining news from the seat of war in Paraguay to the 8th of December. The most active preparations were going on for battle, but nothing beyond a few artillery duels had occurred. The report of a battle on the 4th ult, proves incorrect, Two Brazilian vessels had bombarded ‘the extremo right of the Paraguayan army. Five hun- dred troops and seamen had beea depatched from Brazil, and tho keels of five monitors had been laid. The draft was still progressing. General Castro, commanding Ar- gentines at Tuvuty, reports that a formidable mutiny had broken out among the Paraguayans, Anottier Indian invasion had been made ia the province of Cordoba. General Flores, of Uruguay, had issued an ordor requir- ing banke'o resume specie payment in afew days. A mulatto slave carried off the medal for sculpture in the Provincial Exposition. Two hundred immigrante from New York had arrived, but complaints were made that they were not agriculturists. A submagine telegraph bad ‘Deen compic.ed between Buenos Ayres and Monteriede, The United States vessels Brooklyn and Pensacola lost some spars and rigging in a storm off the Braztlian coast. The Juniata and Mohican were st Rio Janciro on Christ- maz. We have special advices from Jamaica dated at Kings- ton on the 10th of January, Our correspondent states the negroes of St. Thomas in the East and St. Davids have refused to turn out to work om the estates except they get an increased rate of pay. The proceedings of the Jamaica Committee are producing in these parishes the greatest amount of hostility towards those in au- thority, Dr. Fiddes, the opponent of ex-Gevernor Eyre, leaves for England to testify against that gentleman at his trial. The Colonial Bank has tutimated that it pur- chases American silver at six per cent discount, in even ‘amounts of not less than £10. The commercial report says the market bas been extremely dull during the fort- might. There is very tittle Oshstuffs in fret bands, out a good supply of flour and provisions. The crop of coffes is coming in very siowly, owing, no doubt, to the holl- days, The weather during the past fortnight has been dry. In Vere drought still continues, which will make the crop in that parish below the average. Advices from Hayti, dated at Port au Prince on the 7th of Jani , do not include news of importance The steamer Plantagenet was at Port au Prince from Cura- Coa, en route to Liverpool. From St. Thomas, W. 1, ander date of January 14, we are specially informed that the Governor was about to notify the Consuls that cholera had ceased to prevail as ypidemic, and was then found only im a sporadic form and with an almost complete cessation of mortality from its attack. Michael! Purtel, a fenian, was placed in the dock at Toronto yesterday for trial. He declined to challenge auy of the jurors, and on being required to plead ho stated that, as a case was already made out, the Judge might set him down as guilty. The Judge did so and sentenced him to twenty yeors’ imprisonment. Owen Kennedy was tried, and bein; found guilty was set- tonced to be banged on the Sth of March next. A motion has been submitted before the United States Snpreme Court asking for a reversal of the judgmont of the Supreme Court of the Staie of Missouri, by which A. J. P. Garaché, of that State, was excluded from the bar o! that court withont taking the oath prescribed by the new ronstitution of the Stato, The motion is based on the recent decisions in the cases of Cummings and Garland, end 's joinod in by Reverdy Johnson for Mr. Garw he, and Senator Henderson, of Missouri, for the State. ‘Au opinion was recontly delivered by Mr. Justice Leonard, of the Court of Appeals, in the case of the Muius! Benefit Life Insirance Company against the Board of Supervisors for the city and county of New York, regarding the legal remedies applicable in the case of the assessmeut for taxes om deposits made by cor- porations as ser to policy holders. Frederick T. Frelinghuysen was elected United States Senator for New Jorsey yesterday by a vote of 44 to 32. Timothy ©. Howe was re-elected by the Wisconsin Legis- iature, and Senator Pomeroy by the Upper House of the Logislature, the Lower House refusing to go into jon for the long teem, Gov, Morton was elected to the same position by the Indiana Lecislature. The brig George EK. Maltby was lost on the Tth inst, while on her trip trom Demerarato Baltimore, Her crew were all raved. The George W. Hynson, a three maste! schooner, wont ashore at a point south of Squan Talet day before vesterday, Se ee eee Five driek stores, six frame buildings and two dwol- lings were destroyed by fire in Vicksburg, Mws., youter- day afternoon, The origin of the fire was incendiary. ‘The loss is estimated at $175,000, ConronavoN Apvertistva anv Privemna.— Mr. Owen Murphy, who seems to be earnest in his advocacy of city reform, hae introduced a resolution into the Assembly calling for infor- mation as to the amount paid to different papers in this city for advertising for the Com- mon Council and city departments during the years 1865 and 1866. This Is a very proper resolution, and the city will owe its thanks to Mr. Murpby if the investigation shall be thoroughly made and the abuse hereafter cor- rected. A little sheet, of which no person ever hears, except when such a job as Mr. Murphy desires to expose is brought up, and which prints a hundred or two copies, had a bill of some forty thousand dollars against the city for advertising for the Common Council alone for six months of last year. This is only a small portion of the leakage. The printing is paid for three or four times over—once when published as proceedings, again when fur- nished in slips, and again in the shape of “reports.” Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been squandered in this way by the city “rings.” Let the matter be properly investi- gated and the developments will astonish even the Assembly, which is already tolerably familiar with the management of “printing jobs.” ‘ . The Bill to Regulate the Practice and De- | measure as the preservation of the lives of fine the Powers of the Supreme Court. Since the day when Chief Justice Taney, in pronouncing the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in the Dred scott case, declared that a negro under the federal constitution “has no rights which a white man is bound to respect,” that court has been under a cloud of popular odium as the devoted and remorseless instrument of the Southern pro-slavery oligarchy. In the rocent decisions of this court we see that this old leaven of slavery still leavens the whole lump by a majority of one, and that without a reconstruc- tion of the tribunal or a timely law of Con- gress defining its powers and limitations, we must prepare for some other and bolder deci- sions, involving a justification of secession and rebellion as constitutional rights and the con- demnation of the war for the Union as an inva- sion of State sovereignty and a blunder and failure. In this exigency Mr. Williams, of Pennsylvania, on Monday last came to the reseue in the House of Representatives with a bill which, we thiok, neatly covers the necessities of the situation. It is “a bill to regulate the practice and define the powers of the Supreme Court.” It pro- vides that “all cases of writs of error from and appeals ‘to the Supreme Court of the United States wherein is drawn in question the valid- ity of any statute or other authority of tho United States, or the construction of any clause of the constitution, or the validity of a atatule of or an authority exercised under any State on the ground of repugnancy to’ the constitution or laws‘of the United States, the hearing shall only be had before a full bench of the judges of such court, and no judgment sball be ren- dered or decision given against the validity of any statute or any authority exercised by the United States unless with the concurrence of all the judges of such court.” On the motion for the suspension of the rules for the introduction of this bill the vote of the House stood 107 to 39, a strict party vote, excepting Mr. Raymond, half-and-half, who voted this time with the democrala, in the minority. The bili was then referred to the Judiciary Committee, and we presume that it will soon be reported back suh- stantially as it stands and passed into a law. The authority of Congress in this direction is ample and clear. The consti- tution says that “the judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such inferior courts as the Con- gress may from time to time ordain and estab- women and children in tho od community. hundreds of me: midst oi a civ’ Lord Deeby and Kngtish Reform. There were many on this as well as on the other side of the Atlantic who were willing to believe that the party now in power in Eng- land had made up their minds at least to attempt the settlement of the vexed question of Parliamentary reform. It was well known that there were liberal spirits in the tory Cabinet, and no one doubted that Mr. Disraeli, if sufficiently oncouraged, had ability and daring enough to outwit his whig rivals and defoat them even on their own ground. It appears, however, that such is not to be the case. If yesterday’s telegram prove to be well founded, that “Lord Derby has concluded not to present a government reform bill to Parlia- ment,” the reform movement has assumed an entirely new phase and the affairs of England are placed in a more critical and alarming con- dition than ever, | It is difficult, indeed, to exaggerate the porils of the situation. ‘The country lias been stirred from one end to the other. The popular pulse has been felt as perhaps it never was felt before. Mr. Bright has conoluded @ political campaign which, for tho enthusiasm aad unanimity of sentiment it has evoked, is without parallel in the history of the nation. There is but ono cry heard throughout the land, and that cry, which is loud and imperious, is for reform in the representation of the people. The Parliament- ary recess, during which ministers have had unusual facilities of judging of the tone of popular sentiment, and abundant opportunity of making up their minds as to the course most advisable to pursue, is about to close; ina few more days thousands upon thousands of petitioners will present themselves at the door of the House of Commons, and Parliament will gaze upon a sight such as it bas not witnessed before, even amid the many and strange vicis- situdes of its eventful history. Yet, in the face of all these facta, and as if in utter disregard of consequences, the responsible rulers of the country coolly conclude to give reform the go-by and leave it to be settled as best it may. ~ Woe are well aware that this resolution doea not openly imply that the government have set their faces against reform. They have not pledged themselves either way. It is open to any party or to any individual member to take up the question. It augurs ill, however, for the tory party, and especially for the tory aris- tocracy, that they cannot even under all this pressure voluntarily abandon their ancient tra- ditienary ground and take up a position more | in harmony with the times. An opportunity “was given them to rogaintost ground; “but if; lish;” that “the judicial power shall extend to all oases in law and equify arising under this constitution, the laws of the United States and treaties made or which shall be ode under their authority,” &c., and that “in all cases, affecting ambassadors, other publio ministers and consuls, and those in which a State shall be a party, the Supreme Court shall have origi- peak. whi ca anal , nal jurisdiction. Im all other cases bofore mentioned the Supreme Court shall have ap- pellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions and under such regula- tions as the Congress shall make.” The remedy contemplated—the conversion of the court to the issues of the war and the ultimatum of the loyal States—can be reached in providing as proposed, that “no judgment shall be rendered or decision given against the validity of any statute or any authority exer- cised by the United States, unless with the concurrence of all the judges of the court.” This bill, then, if passed into a law, will prac- tically relieve the Supreme Court of any fur- ther interference with Congress in this busi- ness of Southern reconstruction, and it may thus operate in a remarkable change of South- ern sentiment; for it appears that the main reliance of the intractable ruling classes of the South now isin this Supreme Court, as it is now divided, fiva judges in their favor against four, and as its decisions upon all questions are now made, by a bare majority. ft begins to be apparent, therefore, that, ac- cording to the constitution, the issues decided by the war will be established under the will of the people and the authority of Congress over the rebellious States, and that all impedi- ments blocking the way will be removed, in- cluding the present majority rule of the Su- preme Court anda hostile Executive. Nor are these things the mere expedients of a party for party purposes, They are the demands of agreat revolution which cannot be resisted, but which must run its course. Starting with this revolution from Fort Sumter we expect to follow it to its legitimate and crowaing re- sults, aes Tenement iMouses—Insvector’s Report. The report of the Inspector of Buildings touches upon one subject of vital importance to half a million of our resident population— namely, the dwellers in tenement houses. These establishments are not only a disgrace to the city, but to the civilization of the age. They demand a thorough and radical reform in their construction and management, which is all the more necessary because they cannot very well be abolished, in consequence of the crowded condition of the lower part of the island and the few facilities to reach the upper part, where there might be found room enough for bundrods of ae dyelling houses if the people who work down town could only con- veniently get at them. One of the most ap- palling features of this subject is the constant risk of suffering a horrible death by fire or suffocation to which the inmates of tenement houses are exposed. The law, it is true,makes certain provisions for fire escapes, but, accord- ing to the Inspector, there are many houses, containing trom six to eight families each without any safe mode of egress in case of fire, The recommendation to build enclosed stone and iron staircases and brick partition walls is one that the Legislature should make & note of ; and the rule should be applied to houses already occupied, as well as to those hereafter to be constructed. It may coat the owners @ good deal of money; but then we hold that haman life is as precious as merchan- dise; and while much money is spent in build- ing fireproof stores the dwellings of the hard working poor should receive equal considera- tion with storehouses for dry goods and pro- visions. Of the two hundred and forty tenement houses put up within the past year it appears that nearly all are provided with the legal apparatus for escape; but the difficulty is with regard to.tonements erected before tho present ‘law was passed, This difficulty, we can be femoved by passing another Iaw to reach these cases. No technicality should be allowod to stand ia tho way of euch a humane | to be found among the friendless body of ever, has an importance which ts not to be measured by the interests of a party. deepens the impression which is already the rumor is “well founded, the opportunity is This new phase of the reform question, -how- te general that England is on the verge of a revo- lutionary crisis. The time has come when the geverning power which has so long been vested in a privileged order must change hands. Republican sentiments have long been gaining ground among the poople. How deep and how general these sentiments are- Mr. Bright bas abundantly proved. Longer to suppress their aspirations for liberty and equal rights has become impossible. Reform is inevitable, in spite of any policy or any government. It may come in small measure at first—it may even for a time be delayed, but the tide has fairly set in, and « revolution is impending which will inaugurate a new era in English history—an cra in which the popular element shall find a fuller and nobler exproa- sion. The Lateat Nows from Brazil. The mails received yesterday by the South Awerica, trom Rio Janeiro and the Brazilian coast, contain news of interesk There had been no fighting of any extent in Paraguay, but the war movements in Brazil were con- tinued actively. Troops were being raised by draft in the provinces, a force had been de- spatched to the Paraguay river and five Monitors were said to be in the course of con- struction. The news is of course in the intercat of the allies. itis stated that an insurrection had occurred im Paraguay which threatened trouble, and that « force had becn despatched to the northwestern border to guard against aggressions trom Peru. The Brazilian papers make the most of the decree opening the Amazon river and ita tributaries, and the San Francisco, to the ship- ping of ail nations, and take the occasion to proclaim that the present war is waged only for the purpoge of compelling the like opening of the Paraguay river and ita tributaries to free navigation. To this end they claim it ia necessary that Fortress Humaita, on the left bank of the Paraguay, where the principal fighting has been going on, shall be destroyed. This is affirmed to be the object of the war, and the question of the disputed territory known as the Gran Chaco, and taking in the right bank of the Paraguay river nearly to the northern limit of Paraguay, is ignored. The present effort of Brazil is evidently ,to cnlist the sympathy of Europe and the United States on behalf of the allies. Crry Ratiroane.—During tho prevalence of the late snow storm our city railroads have necessarily been working under some difficul- ties. But there is a very gencral complaint that they have not used proper energy in sur mounting these difficulties and affording the best accommodations to the public possible under the circumstances. Some lines discon- tinued running cars altogother. Others hesi- tated to incur the expense of clearing thoir tracks, and others only kept an insufficiont umber of cars going. This was in weather which rendered walking almost impossible and whea ailrond accommodation was needed more than ever. Atl this shows the necessity of building railroads’ over or through the houses, along the backs of the blocks or through their centres. With such roads the difficulties and annoyances to which our cit zens have recently been put would be alte gether avoided. I 4 POR Ta Worxina Wounn.—There fis no olass in the community which stands more im ‘need of legisiative protection than the fomales who earn « precarious living by work- ing for stores and factories. They are generally , widows and orphans, and their defencelossness is made the source of fraud and inhumanity on the part of many avaricious employers, who, upon every paltry pretext, cut down the price of their labor to starvation point. We are glad, therefore, to see a bill before the Legislature to secure these poor sewing women in their rights, and it must be regretted if it does not pass even in its most stringent form as origi- nally introduced by Mr. Blair, which declared that no property of employers was exempt from levy and sale on judgments for any sum recovered for labor performed by a working girl, and provided also for the arrest and im- prisonment of the defrauding employer. ‘bese provisions have been somewhat modified by the Judiciary Committee, but they still remain among the main features of the bill, though it is probable that the imprisonment clause will be amended. The Case of the Steamboat Commodore— Startling Disclosures. The Supervisory Inspector of Steamboats has mado his report upon the case of the steamboat Commodore, of the Stonington line, which was lost on the Long Island coast on the night of December 27. From the investiga- tion it appears that tho boat was an old rotten tub, unfit for Sound navigation, lacking in necossary equipments, worked by an incom- petent crew, sailed by @ reckless or incom- petent captain and taken to sea without a license, in violation of law and regulations and in an unseaworthy condition. The Presi- dent of the company to which she belonged testified that he knew of the dangerous con- dition of the boat and hesitated in trusting his life on board. Yet innocent passengers, con- fiding in the reputation of the company over which he presides, were allowed to crowd her decks and cabins as freely as they pleased. Men, women and children were enticed by agents and advertisements to tak> passage by her, with the knowledge on the part of the captain and the company that they stood a better chance of going to the bottom than of arriving safely at their destination. Is it not about time that crimes such as these men have been guilty of should be punished ? Aro those who thus wickedly and wilfully jeopardize human life to go wholly free? Re- commendations for more stringent laws are all very well, but if such a case as that of the Commodore 18 to be passed over with a report and a few indignant comments by the press all the laws that can be enacted will not make a traveller's life worth an hour’s purchase. City Reform Patchwork. Some of our Albany representatives either shave a very indifferent conception of the real | wants of. the. city of New York or must be anxious to grind their own axes while.effect- ing to favor measures of reform. It is noto-. riots that very gross abuses exist in the pre- dont managémont of pur piers and wharves. : peed until some of them are actually uscleas ruins, while others are in such a dilapidated condi- tion as to afford no accommodation or safety to the commerce of the port. Intrinsically the most valuable property in the State, they have yielded no revenue to the city and have served to cripple instead of to increase ber trade, It is easy to understand the cause of these evils. The rates of wharfago have been insufficient, especially under the increased prices of labor and material, to afford enough revenue to kcep the docks in repsit. The loases, like all other property belonging to the city, have been turned into jobs. The lessees bave made all the money they could and have sufferod the docks to decay. The city has not had funds wherewith to put them in repair, having failed to secure any reve- nue from them. The remedy is as plain as the cause of the evils. The piers and wharves should be taken out of the hands of the city “rings,” and placed under the control of a Board of Public Works. The docks should be put in thorough repair at as economical an outlay as possible, They should then be leased to the highest bidders, so as to afford the largest revenue possible {o the city, and the rates of wharfage should be fixed at an amount aufficient to pay a fair profit, and no more. Taese reforms could very easily be made snd would be a benefit to the city as well as to commerce. But in their place one member introduces a bill squinting atthe interests of a compaty of speculators who desire to secure a monopoly of the docks, to tax commerce with heavy warehouse fees and to patinto their own pockets the income which should go into the city. treasury aud re- lieve the overburdened taxpayers, Another member, who hails from Brooklyn, instead of endeavoring to raise the means to repair the docks and to provide for the imterests of the city in their management, comes forward with an impudent proposition to add to the present embarrassments and losses by increas:ng the already large fees and incomes of the Captain of the Port and Harbor Masters to an amount that would impose a tax of many additional thousands of dollars a year upon commerce, The same member and others also introduce a batch of bills seeking to set aside a number of piers and wharves exclusively for particular interests, Will not some plain, practical, honest man, if one can be found at Albany, who has no party friends to favor and no personal interest to subserve, take compassion on the city of New York and propose a bill such as we have suggested in relation to our piers and wharves? The city has suffered enough from the jobs of her own “rings,” without now being made the prey of “rings” in Albany. We need thorough and sound reform; but such patchwork, selfish legislation as seems now to be threatened will make our condition worse than it is at present. A Brewen n'Conannss.—The House of Rep- question, ® bill reported by Mr. Bout- well, from the Judiciary Committee, intended to meet the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court declaring the test oath unconstitutional, by providing that no person be permitted to actas an attorney or counsel in any United States Court who has in the rebollion or given aid who could not defeat the order for the provious question, managed to muster a sufficient num- ber of members to order the ayes and noes, Ghd resorted to parliamentary tactics for the purpose of driving off action upon the bill. A calt of the House was made, and the proceed- ings were exciting, but carried on i appe rent good bumor. At midnight the Shs con- tinued unchanged, neither side shawheg ony disposition to yield, and an all wht session appeared inevitable. CITY INTELLIGENCE. Tax Panis Exrostron.—The ship Mercury, Captain Stet- 800, for Havre, sailed yesterday with a cargo of goods, for- ‘warded by the United States Agency for the Paris Expo- sition, in bebalf of American contributors. The cargo bee of the most varied chemin, comprising pianos, tures, firearms, artillery, miances, toys, giass- Ware, lama books, &c. The Mercury was advertised to sail a ago, but has been detained in conse- quence of the floating ice in the river, which bas made navigation a somewhat perilous undertaking. ARRIVAL OF 4 SpamisH Sreamen.--The Spanish mail steamer Pajaio del Oceana (Ocean Bird) arrived at thie port yesterday from Havana. She comes here to over- haul and repair, This steamer was built in New York and for a short time sailed under the American flag. She was subsequently sold to a Spanish company. , Lapis’ Sourmenn Retizy Associarion.—The Treasurer of the Ladies’ New York Southern Relief Association is already in receipt of $1,115 to be devoted to reheving the widespread destitution now prevailing in the Southern Inrenestiva Course or LEcToREs.—A course of tem iMustrated lectures is about to be given in this city by Dr. Hebbard on the true means of preserving good health, The first lecture will be given in the Cooper Institute on tho 28th inst, The Doctor recently gavrem series of lectures in Boston extending over thirty-three consecutive evenings, and at the close received the thanks of the Governor of the State, besides those of many influential men of that city. ‘Tox Fanurrs’ Cive.—The regular weekly meeting of the Farmers’ Club was held yesterday afternoon, ex- Alderman Nathan C. Ely in the chair, The attendance of members was larger than usual, and the discussion of j the topics brought under the consideration of the clab was quite animated, As soon as the suggestions of cor respondents had been disposed of a special subject, “The Work of the Farmer in the Early Part of the Year,” was introduced and debated, apparently exciting interest. Acciwext To Couxcimay Grorcr W. Creare. —A most lamentable accident occurred early last evening to one of the members of the Board of Councilmen, aud from Jast accounts fears were entertained that the in- juries might prove fatal, It seems that George W. Cre- ger, Councilman from the Fifth district, had made ar- rangements to leave the city in the half-past four o'clock P. M. train for Albany, on important business. Om leaving bis home, in West Forty-fourth street, to pro- ceed to the Hudson River Railroad depot, being behind 5 time, he determined to get the train as it passed Forty. fourth street, on Eleventh avenue, He succeeded im getting down to the avenue before the train had ar- rived, and as it approached Forty-fourth street he caught the reac of the third car, and attempted to jumpon. Unforta- nately his foot slipped and he fell, his right leg being caught by the wheel of the rear car, which passed over it, severing it from the body just below the knee, Some workmen who were near by at the time ran to his assist- ‘ ance and, with the aid of the police of the Twenty second precinct, conveyed him to bis le gmegee No. 437 West Forty-tourth street, where medical aid was imme- diately procured and mab oe done to make him as comfertable as possible. Tt was feared at a late hour last. night that his injuries might prove fatal, yet great hopes are entertained of his recovery. Mr. Crogier bad beem telegraphed to to come to Albany immé op im- portant business, and he had barely time to make the neo ssary arrangements before his departure. Cavtios to Hackmex.—Jobn Daly, proprietor of hack Nv. 30, was brought before the Mayor yesterday on. charge of extortion, and compelled to disgorgo under the following circumstunces:—The offender, it appeared, picked up a foreigner at the foot of Barclay stroet and’ at driving him to “ Hou areordtag by o ee was only. to Atty. conte, cee Mayor, an to amine cated fn addition to anakiog him ore ; the exorbitant fare. ame Pe, ees of 1 the. Msyor comet Twenty-sixth on the occasion of the Ep are tge eng “ie nce ees snonat Di aS pacened on Sintng te Pi oneeet was jo a ey Wi y and was received on behalf’ the Sergeant Dennigon, after was inaugurated, and the festivities continued during the remainder of the evening. Bait ov tux Cusrxs’ Arp Socrmry.—The Clerks’ Aid Sectoty oflobrated their ninth anmversary last evening by a ball at Irving Hall, which passed off with great ¢colat and proved in every respect a brilliant success, The a oantinved oP tilt avery inte, 6 depart to their homes, CasvaLTiza —William Griffin, late a watchman op board the steamship Etna, died at No. 144 Sixth street, from the effects of injuries received by falling, into the hold of the vessel which now lies at the foot of Eighth the New late a the effects of injuries caused by falling ovor the banis- tera from the fourth to the lower floor. A verdict of accidental death was rendered by the jury. Kllen was forty years of age and a native of Ireland. A jad, sixteon years of age, named John Philbin, had three fingers of his left band terribiy crushed by having. them caught in the Feo ng | at the silversmith's shep No. 6 Howard street, whore he was employed. He was conveyed to the New York Hospital, where death subse~ quently ensued ¢ fingers had been amputated, Another Large Fire in Vicksburg—l.oss Estie mated at $750,000, Vicxsrurc, Misa, Jan. 22, 1867. Another disastrous conflagration broke out at two o’clock this afternoon in Wattermeyer's confectionery, on China street, and communicated rapidly to the ad- Joining buildings on Washington and Mulberry streets, Five brick stores were burned. H. Bodenheim & Oo., , dry goods; B. V. Porter & Co, dry goods and plantation supplies, and Miss Mary Martin, millinery, On Ching street six frame buildings were burned, occupied by A. Wattermeyer, confectionery; William Keegan & Ca, tinners; Stonewall Exchange and boarding house, and , Mrs. Wright's boarding house, Two dwellings on Mal- Derry street were also destroyed. Total toss three-quar- ters of a million of dollars; insured for about one-fifth of that amount. ‘The Washington Hotel very narrowly es caped, The origin of the fire was no doubt incendiary, ‘as an attompt was made to fire some dwellings on Craw- ford streot about daylight. [Fire in Mobile. Mone, Jan, 22, 1867. A destructive fire occurred on Dauphin street Inst night by which four houses were destroyed. Loss about $50,000; partially insured. Three fremen were injured, i but none fatally. Fire in New Orleans, New Ontxans, Jan. 22, 1867. Three frame dwellings were burned in the Fourth dis- ’ ee $25,000; mostly covered by im- THE WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE, n. T. O.%Howe Re-elected United States Senator—Paseage of the Resolution Request= ing Senator Doolittle to Resign. ‘Mavrson, Jan, 22, 1867. PR athe nad 0. Howe was re-clected United States resolution instructing Senator Doolittle to resign has finally passed the ‘Wisconsin Legiolasare to-day by strict party vote. NO ctitonsaaemseaiaemaent ELECTION OF UNITED STATES SENATOR IN INDIANA. Morton: elected United ites Senator Governor was, over |. Voorn democrat. vote in $y. 07Sio0a $8 10 19; in the House 60 to 83, ‘THE GIARYLAND LEGISLATURE, fouste of Maryland ; ‘The S K 14, nays 6. THE SENATOMAL CONTEST IN KANSAS. Senate to-day Mr. Teoeived « atten for te ong term. Noein a6 § Treat moet Jol pasion tomorrow,” houses meet iv Joint session to-1 fe je running high . WEVADA LEGISLATURE, = a a as cominittee to eee a ae of corre during contest. ym