The New York Herald Newspaper, February 15, 1867, Page 4

= NEW JABES GOUKRDUN BENNETT. EDITOR AND @ROPRIETOR ormcr . CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU GTS, Peecenttnae alae == Volume XA XII..... PTERNOON AND EVENING. AMUSEMENTS THIS A BROADWAY THEATRE Broadway, aear Broome sirest.—Aapoiw, rus Wonpenre, Scamr—Cinpemetis NEW YORK THEATRE, Broadway, opposite New York ‘Howl. —Tws Ticket or Leave Man, ‘TRE FRANCAIS, Pearce street. a ertauesnisauzas Orena—In aroas. “mn GERMAN OPERA, Olymple Theatre, Broadway.—Des Pusiscauts. Mg hn A AEN 806 Broad 1 Pero mAot Be Tae ‘Tus Inpun Basket Taoa— noTeUs. .—Proverson Hane inaD WN THE Al STRINWAY BOOMS, Fourteenth street.—Cant, Wour- coun's Bicura Buxruovan Manivas, at Three oCleck. Ld icgsco onvesite she Metrppatiign Mocs rasta rutoray aigtempate, ‘wars, 4nD Buaiusquas.. Binoura, Daxcine Yaour Cvs, ° KELLY SEAS carre rns me peace Doxnas—Com- ‘Tacrmes, Bi Tai . m8, Ramee, Oss iz Two FIFTH AVENUE OPERA HOUSE, Nos. int 4 Wet INSTRELS. Twenty-fourth strect.—-Gairriw & Cukinre's Ermorian MINsTRRLSY, BALLADS, Bxrons tux Broke or Dar. TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, 901 Rowery.—C Vovatism, Necro berigenny Bauer | Divaatiseanst, dc. —Snan Mac Cutiom, tur Intsm CHARLEY WHITE'S COMBINATION 0 Mechanicr’ Tall, 472, Brosdwayein a Vanety of Choir axp Lavanaste’ EXrerrarewents, Comrs pe BALLET, ac. ‘Tam Stace Struck CHAMBERMAID, 7% MRS, F. B. CONWAY'S P, Rouancn ano Beaieeee ae Oo Yacut Race. COOPER INSTITUTE. Eighth stroet.—Du. Hennagn's Veoutiae Lactunxs on Pou. Tuxwns. THE BUNYAN TABLEAUX, Union Hall, corner of Twonty-third street and Broadway.—Moving Minnow oF Tx Pinann’s PRoGREss—Sixty MAGNIFICENT ScaNKS, NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY. 618 Rroadway.— Hrap anp Kicut Arm or Pronst—Tue Wasioncros ns WONDERS IN Natorat, History, ScmNCe AND ART. Ixcrunxs Davy, Open from 8 A.M. till UP. M. New Yerk, Friday. jFebruary EUROPE. By special telegram through the Atlantic cable, dated +o Dublin yesterday, we learn that the Irish Fenians made 4 “rising” in the county Kerry yesterday morn- ing, and that British artillery and troops had been called to the field. Swo ships filed with Fenians landed at Valentia, and considerable excitement was felt in offi- cial quarters in London. The confederation bill before the British government embraces the two Canadas, Nova Scotia and New Bruns- wick. The home government is to assume the expenses of ex-Governor Fyre’s defence. Coarols closed in London yesterday at 91 for money. United States five twonties closed at 7314 in London and ‘764% 1m Frankfort. Cotton hed a declining tendency in Liverpool, middling uplands being quoted at 144/d. Breadstufls were firm and provisions unchanged, CONGRESS, Im tho Sonete, yeatorday, the Secretary of War was voquested to communicate ‘the report of General Now- ton in relation to encroachments in New York harbor. ‘Bulls regulating the selection of jurors in the Territory of Utah, making polygamy Megal and amending the act for a temporary government in Montana were reported from committees. The League Island bill was taken up aud after a short debate was passed by yeas 27, nays 17. it now awaits the signature or veto of the President. ‘Bhe Loutsiana bill was thon taken up, but after a speech 10 its favor by Mr. Sumner, was postponed until to-day. ‘The Reconstruction bill, cstabilsuing military govern- mentsin the South, was taken up read a second time end ordered to be printed. Mr. Sherman's Compound Intorest Funding bill was then called up and an amend- meat Hmiting the amount 01 outstanding certificates to $10,000,000 was agreed to, und the bili passed. In the evening session the bills to establish and protect national cemeteries, and to authorize the construction of @ tuba- far bridge underneath the Mississipp: river at St. Louis, were passed. In the House the bill to retraburse loyal “tates for their war expenses was called up, and the vote by which the bilt nad boon referred to the Special Committee was re- considered, and the bill was jiualiy referred to the Com- mitieo op Ways and Means. In the course of the debate Mr, Binino said that bonds tothe amount of $115,000,000 were to be issued for payinen: of these debts, according ta the provisions of the bili, aad Mr. Delano said that a bounty bill would goon be before the House which would take out of tho treasury some $250,000,000. The ‘dill providing for the organization of the militia was re- ported from the commitye, ue Bounty bill was called up but postponed to give piace for the Tax bill, for the consideration of which the House weat into Committee of the Whole, The amendment increasing the tax on Gistitiors was disagreed to. several other amendments wore disposed of during an evening session, and the House adjourned. THE LEGISLATURE. In the Senate, yesterday, bills to incorporate the Me- tropoliian Market Company ard fur the establishment of ‘the Board of Public Works for the metropolis were re- ported from committees favorabiy. A bill for the exten sion of railroad tracks in Lexington avenue and other streets and avenues in New York was introduced. Bills placidg all the parks and public squares of New York under charge of the Central lark Commissioners; in. ereasing the power of legi-jutive committees, and for the bevier reguiation of paw: era, junk shop keepers and others in New York were advanced toa third read fing. The bill authorizing ‘he construction of a suspen- sion bridge between New Yok and Brooklyn was passed. ‘The Assembly resolution to ayourn over from the 16th anvil the 25th instant was concurred in, A petition from the Mayor and Corporation nsel of New York was preseated regarding the paymieut of certain taxes to banks and other corporations 'y the Board of Super visors, and asking thatthe ‘oard be authorized to re. consider their action. fe Senate sovn after adjourned, In the Assembly, the bili authorizing the Third Avenue Reiiroad Company to lay « witch on 190th street was passed, as well as a number of bills of minor importance. The greater portion of the day was occupied in a warm discussion on the bill providing for a constitutional convention, Mr, Litilgjohn offering an amendment increasing the number of delegates to ono hundred and sixty, instead of one hundred and twenty-eight, the additional thirty-two to be elected on a general ticket as Gologates at large, Pending consideration of the sub- Jot, the Assembly adjourned, THE CITY. ‘The Board of Aldermen met yosterday. The resolu- tion making an appropriation for the celebration of Washington's birthday, was laid over. The Sirect Com- missioner sent in a communication stating that the work on the extension of Madison avenue had ceased, becanse ‘the contractors had abandoned the contract. A resolu- tio inquiring into the occupancy by the New Jersey Coatral Railroad Company of piers No. 14 and 15, North Fiver, was adopted, and the Board adjourned. The Board. of Councilmen also met, but no business of more im- ‘portance than routine resolutions was transacted. ‘The Board of Health bold its regular weekly mooting yesterday afternoon. The Superintendent sent in his usual weekly report, and two special reports on tengmont houses, in which he advises a general overhanting of the (present tonant system. A Gre occurred in No. 177 Rast Eleventh street yeator- day morning, occasioned, it is thought, by the explosion of a kerosene oll lamp. The damage is not over $3,000, ‘Theos firemen were injured by the breaking of a ladder, up which they were carrying the hose. ‘Captain Olney, of the steamer Washington Irving, was erresied in this city yesterday, on requisition from Goverwor Piorpont, of Virginia, charged having ran hie vessel out to sea from Norfolk in July fast when she bad boon seized and tied up for debt. A writ of habeas corpus was immediately served upon the Sheriff, who had taken charge of the captain, just as they wore bout departing for Norfolk, and the prisoner will vo brought before the Supreme (ourt to-day, cay yemtertay for en alleged murder done nesr Moe, io 1968, fete PT (Gus sures of dolay im the disposition of enges of im- YORK HERALD. Ne. 46 Buaesquas, &0.—Just THEATRE, Rrooklyo.— Detroit, IS | Secs NEW:;YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY, 15, 1867. Pertance ie the Supreme Court is the fact that many | Gradual Reconstruction “as LastThe True ‘email actions are marked on the calendar whieh might more properly be vrought before a ward justice or the Marine Court Two cases bave occupied all the hours of one of the branches of the court for threo days of the i premding, the owners of the ‘were allowed $2,500, amount of salvage claimed by them for towing the Delaware, when tm @iatress off the Savannah river, to port. ‘The stock market was heavy yesterday. Gold closed ‘at 19836, after selling at 1373;. ‘The market for both foreign snd domestic produce ruled very quiet, and vaiues as s general thing were Coffee was steady and firm. Cotton was un- On 'Change flour declined 10c, a 25c. per bbl., heavy. Freights were steady. Naval stores ruled firm, ‘with more doing. Petroleum was dull and heavy. MISCELLANEOUS. By the cable we have information from Rio Janeiro to Our Mexican advices, dated at Vera Croz on the 34 inst, come by way of Havanaon the 8th. Maximilian was on bis way to the coast preparatory to sailing for Europe. Porfirio Ding was steadily advancing on the capital, He bad taken Tehuantepec. Marshal Bazaine had declared that Frenchmen joining the Mexican army became thereby disfranchised and could not claim French Protection. Marquez had demanded sixty thousand dol- Jars from the Mexican merchants of Vera Cruz, and the Prefect suggested that American, English and other foroign mercbants should be included in the levy. Aca- pulco stall remained in the hands of the liberals. Aceounts of serious destruction of property in the West by freshets are coming in. A bridge op the Chicago and St. Louis Railroad was swept away on Wednesday night, the Illinois Railway bridge at Galena was de- stroyed, and at Dubuque, Aurora and elsewhere in that section of the country the damage is considerable. A train on the Hannibal and St, Joseph Railroad, in ‘Missouri, had two cars thrown from Grand Stone bridge into the creek on Wednesday night, by which one per- son was killed and fourteen were wounded. Governor Orr, of South Carolina, made a speech at the anniversary banquet of the Charleston Chamber of Com- meree, on Wednesday night, in which he said that while in Washington he was received very cordially by promi. nent men of the radical party, who manifested every disposition to have a perfect settlement between the two sections, but some of whom immediately after- wards made speeches of a most violent character in the House. He thought that the adoption of the constitu- tional amendment would produce the best results. Tast night the Governor, by invitation, addressed the freed- men of Charleston in a public meeting. ? A banquet was given to the members of the River Con- vention at St. Louis, on Wednesday night, at which Joff Thompson, the ex-rebel General, made a speech and as- sisted in singing the “Star Spangled Banner."’ The decision of the Court of Claims at Washington, in } the ease of allowance for servants to officers of the army from the 1st. of May, 1864, to the 3d of March, 1866, en- titles each officer who served during that period to $40 extga foreach servant employed, being the diffrence per month between $11 and $16, the amount paid and the amount which should have been paid. Henry ©. Demieg, of Hartford, was nominated for Congress, by the republicans of the First Congressional district of Connecticut yesterday. ‘The joint committee of the Pennsytvania Legislature, report after investigation that no evidence has been Drought to light showing corruption on the part of any Person named in connection with the position of United States Senator or any member of the Legislature. The Kansas Legisiature has adopted ap amendment stnking the words ‘‘white” and “male” from the State constitution, and making intelligence the basis of suf- fi “the steamer City of Bath, from Boston for Savannah, ‘was burned at sea, off Cape Hatteras, on Sunday morn- ing. Four of the crew arrived at Charleston yesterday, and it is believed that twenty-two persons were lost, being al! on board but the four known to have been rescued, Great excitement was occasioned in Danville, Pa., by apprehensions of a flood in the Susquebanna river yester- day. without doing material damage. The river tose eight feet, and then subsided, Impertant Nows from Ireland—A Reported Fenian Rising. A special cable despatch this morning from our London correspondent announces that news reached that city yesterday of a rising of the Fenians in Ireland. occurred at Killarney, and the revolutionists had marched towards Kenmare, pursued by Pritish troops and artillery. Another report states that information had been received by the Cabinet in London of the landing of two ship loads of Fenians at Valentia, the Earopean The outbreak terminus of the Atlantic cable, and that Sir Hugh Rose, of Sepoy notoriety, now sitting in the House of Peers as Lord Strathearn, and Lord Naas, the Chief Secretary of Ireland, who isa member of the House of Commons, had taken a hurried departure for the scene of action. The rising bas taken place in a rugged, mouniainons country, the county of Kerry, where the peasantry, familiar with every foot of the territory, could easily evade and bid de- fiance to a considerable body of troops. The Shannon river on the north and the Atlantic on the west render it accessible to aid from the ocean, and it isa significant fact that for months past {it has been rumored that native pilots from the Shannon have been in this country in the pay of the Fenians. The Slievenamon and Gal- tees Mountains are full of historic interest. It was along this range that the Earl of Essex, with thirty thousand troops, suffered defeat in 1599, the spot where the battle was fought being known as the Pass of Plumes, from the number of British cavalrymen who fell in the strife. The Slievenamon hills were the scene of Smith O’Brien’s rising in 1848, Kenmare, towards which the revolutionists are said to be marching, is on the Atlantic coast, nearly opposite the island of Valentia, and it is probably a force from the coast that has crossed to the island. There was no interruption to the cable up to an early hour this morning, but apprehension was felt in London that an attempt would be made to destroy the connection with the land. Should such # movement be contem- plated it would no doubt be in order to pre- vent any communication with Canada, or any anti-Fenian reports being sent to the United States by the British government, the Fenians believing that the cessation of news would iteelf be the best evidence to their friends the rising was of ® serious and tening character. Course for President Johnson. When Appius Claudius proceeded to the execution of his neat little plot for the posses- sion of the beautiful daughter of Virginius he little dreamed of the swift and decisive retri- bution that was to follow against himself and his confederate rulers of Rome. As little did Mayor Monroe and his confederate rulers of New Orleans dream last July that their bloody suppression of a hostile political convention would result in @ radical reconstruction of Louisiana. Yet such has been the result of that historical New Orleans massacre. In truth it has not only brought about » local revolution, but a decisive issue with President Johnson and @ definite solution of the whole problem of Southern restoration in this Louisiana bill, which, rejecting 9l1 that the President has done, begins the work as from the collapse of the rebellion, Thus the New Orleans riot becomes an enduring landmark of & great political reaction and revolution, like the: sacrifice of Virginia or Lucretia, or the Harper's Ferry raid and the hanging of old John Brown. The bill which has passed the House and which will surely pass the Senate for the radi- cal reconstruction of Louisiana came from the committee appointed to visit the spot and to inquire into the facts and causes of the New Orleans riot. This billis the remedy proposed for the evils to which that riot is traced—the outcroppings from the still living roots of the rebellion. These roots, sprouting so vigor- ously under the President’s policy, are, with his policy, to be extirpated, root and branch, and Louisiana, under the directions and super- vision of Congress, is to be reconstructed by loyal men upon the basis of universal suffrage to loyal whites and blacks, and “none others.” This bill will doubtless go to the President in season to require his veto, if he would prevent its becoming a law, and the question here re- curs, “what will he do with it?” The task of answering this question devolves not upon us, but upon Andrew Johnson. Had he followed our advice, however, upon the heel of the elections of last autumn, he would have escaped this dilemma. Now he is pushed into a corner, and one of two things he must make up his mind to do—-he must surrender his policy or evacuate the White House. A somewhat famous American traveller, the Chevalier Wikoff (who is going to bring out a new book before long), says that “once upon a time,” in @ journey among the mountains of Attica, in the classic land of Greece, ne found himself on -his donkey in a narrow pass, confronted by another donkey with his driver walking behind him. The two donkeys came together face to face at a point where it was impossible for either to pass by the side of the other, and where it was very difficult, too, for either to back out. In this emergency the riderless don- key, with the’ sagacity of an old campaigner, laid himself down flat and well braced upon his stomach with his face close to the grouyd, thus making a bridge over which the Cheva- lier’s donkey and the Chevalier passed in safety. This done, the prostrate donkey rose again to his feet, and both donkeys, one East and the other West, went on their way rejoicing, Now, as matters stand, the Chevalier Wikoff’s donkey is “Old Thad Stevens,” who has the right of way by the wal}, and the other donkey is Andy Johnson, who, by the law of the road, must yield the wall or in some way make a passage. If he can’t diverge from the path without going over the precipice his only alternative is to Me down flat and well braced upon his stomach, and still and steady, so that “Old Thad,” with Congress upon bis back, may walk right over him. Will not this be better than the example of Curtius’ leaping into the gulf? We think it vastly better. Let Mr. Johnson remember that the rustic belle of Goldsmith’s fancy stooped to conquer, and be encouraged thereby. Let him surren- der this whole question of Southern recon- struction as General Lee surrendered when he found himself fairly ran down and cornered. The wise man makes a virtue of necessity, and the true statesman concedes something to gain something. Giving up his Southern policy, then,as lost and hopeless, let Mr. Johnson in his message to the new Congress on the 4th of March take a new departure on the money question, involving the abolition of the national banks and the substitution of legal tenders, the abolition of the income tax and the modifica- tion of our internal revenue tax toa tax, like the English system, upon ten or a dozen lead- ing products or manufactured articles, and the modification of the tariff for revenue purposes only to the extent of cighty millions receipts, and before the end of the year he may so divide the republican party as to become master of the situation, We know thai Mr. Johnson, misled, perhaps, by Mr. Seward and Thurlow Weed, or by Gov- ernor Orr and that set, or by Dixon and Doo- little, or by all of them, has not followed our advice since his return from Chicago; but it is never too late to mend. It must be clear to him now that his Southern policy must be dropped or that he will be dropped, and that in surrendering the South to Congress he must do something to get a footing in the North or bea mere automaton to the end of his term— a skipjack pulled by old “ Thad Stevens.” The new departure suggested on the money ques- tion is the ticket. This thing, at all events, is fixed—Mr. Johnson must turn over the South absolutely to Cougress or he will be turned out of office. A Werd for the Old Firemen. The reconstructed Academy of Music in Fourteenth street will be inaugyrated on the 28th of this month by a grand ball for the benefit of the widows and orphans of the mem- bers of the old Volunteer Fire Departmegt. The occasion will be doubly interesting, and the house we have no doubt will offer as crowded and brilliant a spectacle as it ever presented in ite palmiest days, The old Vol- unteer Department has left us a great many memories, some good and some otherwise, but more good than otherwise, In comparing its history with that of the paid department there is one thing that can b> said to ite advantage— that it never allowed a fire to obtain the mastery, if energy and self-devotion could pre- vent it. Can the same be said of its successor? Let the shameful listlessness and want of spirit that were exhibited at the recent fire in Broad- way answer. The apathy manifested on that occasion led people to ask themselvos whether after all the esprit de corps of the old volun- teer body was not a more powerfal Incentive to daty thaa the handsome pay of the new depart- Teas. However this mgy he there opm be Bo qnestion as to the fact that we owe a deep debt of gratitude to the former. In no way can we better acquit ourselves of it than by giving # cordia) aud generous support to the ball which is about to come off for the benefit of the widows and orphans of its deceased members. Ca ae ea Our City Commissions and the State Constitu- tlonal Convention. There are several bills before the State Legis- lature for the creation of new commissions for the city of New York, all of which, if enacted into laws, would only aggravate the evils of our present irresponsible and inefficient system of mixed municipal government. Every per- son possessed of ordinary intelligence must be sensible of the impossibility of properly governing a city by a number of independent authorities acting without regard to each other and responsible to no general head. There can be neither harmony nor strength in such a system. With the elective officers and the boards and commissions already in existence and contemplated’ by the present Legislature the gévernment of New York is split up and divided into the following parts, each of which is independent of the others:—The Mayor and Common Council, the Board of Supervisors, Metropolitan Health Commission, Metropolitan Excise Commission, Fire Department Com- mission, Board ot Tax Commissioners, Central Park Commission, Commissioners of Emigra- tion, Commissioners of Charities and Correc- tion, Commissioners of Pilots, Captain of Port and Harbor Masters, Department for Inspec- tion of Buildings, Board of Control, Board of Public Works, Commissioners of Markets, Com- missioners of Piers and Wharves, Besides these, all of which are independent powers, doing their business without regard to harmony, and often coming into direct conflict one with another, the custom has prevailed of creating a number of temporary commissions for building markets, bridges, &c., wherever such work has been needed. To say nothing of the heavy and unnecessary expense entailed upon the people by this mixed and muddled system, it is impossible that the city can be well governed under it. We have already had private squabbles between the Health Commis- sloners and the Police Commissioners, the lat- ter of whom are also on the Health Board, and an open and disgraceful fight, keeping our courts in a broil and reflecting disgrace upon the parties concerned, between the Metropoli- tan Police authorities and one of the Police Justices, Not long since there was a “con- flict” between two other of the commissions— those of Emigration and Charities and Correo- tion—which could not be settled without en- listing the aid ofa notorious lobby agent and one of his friends, who were paid one thousand dollars each, out of the public money, for their “services.” . The Legislature, in addition to the above, is also asked to abolish our present Board of Eda- cation, which is now under the Corporation, and to create a new, independent commission for our common schools. This is not, however, likely to be done, since the present Board of Educe- tion is composed of respectable citizens, and its duties are well and faithfully performed. Instead of further complicating this already intricate machinery the Legislature had better pass the bill providing for the meeting of the State Constitutional Convention at an early day in the summer, and leave the whole matter of the municipal government of New York to be con- sidered and acted upon by that body. A thorough reform is needed and will no doubt be made by the convention. As the present incongruous system must be changsd in the amended constitution, it is not worth while to put any new commissions into operation or to make any further experiments. It will cost more to set them going than to run them for two or three years after they are in working order, and, as they are likely to be swept away or materially changed by the new system within « few months, it is not desirable to put the taxpayers to such needless expense. The Constitutional Convention will have it in its power to give us an efficient and honest government by providing for the election of a council of mayors, consisting of three execu- tive officers, one of whom should be elected every year, and in whose hands the whole executive power of the city should be placed. The annual election would make these mayors dircotly respdbsible to the taxpayers of the city, and they would be more likely to discharge their duties faithfully than would any political commission appointed by a party Governor. They should have the power to appoint and remove all the heads of subordinate depart- ments, except, perhaps, the Central Park Com- mission, which is formed for a special purpose and cannot be improved. The Board of Supervisors should be abolished, and the two Boards of Aldermen and Assistant Aldermen should have legislative power alone, and the right of investigation into the conduct of the mayors and every subordinate department. This would give the people of New York a government in which they would repose conf- dence and which would be saffsfactory to them, and the best thing the Legislature can do is to reject all new schemes and leave the subject, as we have said, in the hands of the Constitutional Convention. The City Tax Commissioners’ Salaries Palery Economy. The New York city Tax Commissioners are & very respectable body of men, holding a laborious and responsible office, whose duties keep them steadily at work the year round. They do their business well and to the satis- faction of the public, and as they do not receive s sufficient compensation for the ser vices they perform they ask for an increase of salary. A bill making provision for such increase has passed the Senate and is before the Assembly, and should become a law. The poorly paid clerks in the departments at Washington also ask that their salaries may be raised or that they may be furnished with cheap lodgings, pork and broad, to enable them to support their families, All this ex- cites the ire of the Fouricrite philosophers of the Tribune association, who are indignant at the idea of the public being called upon to Pay ® fair price to their employds in the” present condition of the country. Every pro- position to raise the insufficient remuneration of the millions who live on salaries meets with the opposition of these men, who at the same time favor every tax that presses heavily on the poor and swells the riches of the wealthy. Such bogus economists waste at the bung and save at the faucet. They never get their ideas higher than the salary of hazd worked clerk OF che mileage of a momber of Congress. Ashley and the Progress of Le According to our advices from W: Ashley and bis colleagues have by no-means managed the preliminaries for the impeach- ment of President Jobnson in the wisest way, So far they seem to have evinced neither skill nor knowledge in “working up” the case. On the contrary they have resorted, we under stand, to expedients of more than doubtful propriety. If, as it is alleged, they have selected the notorious detective Baker ve = chief agent, and charged him specially bunting up private material for accusations against the President, we shall be warranted in suggesting that they might find a still more convenient tool for their purposes in Sanford Conover, who convicted himself of perjury, and whose case is now up before the Supreme Court, in the Judiciary Committee conspiracy ao fully exposed by the Hezatp. Conover could as readily fabricate any amount of false testimony required aginst Andy Johnson as against Jeff Davis when the latter was charged with complicity in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Conover swear to attested copies of the letters which it is said that Ashley and his friends have insinuated were written during the rebellion by Mr. Johnson to Mr. Davis, Conover might even write the original letters himself if Mr. Ashley preferred these to copies. The fact is that all this is a miserably small way of attaining the object proposed. An entire collection of the private letters written by Mr. Johnson before he became the occupant of the White House would be utterly immaterial and irrelevant. The real grounds for impeachment must rest solely on the public conduct of Mr. Johnson as the successor of President Lincoln. : + We have contended and we still contend that the assumption of legislative powers by the President of the United States forms a suffi- cient basis tor impeachment. President John- son possessed no more authority to reconstruct the South according toa plan of his own in- vention, to dictate terms ef restoration to the seceded States, to appoint Governors, or, briefly, in any other way to usurp the fanc- tions of Congress in the work of reviving the Union, than he has now to admit Colorado and Nebraska without the consent of Congress. General Dix, in his speech at the opening of the National Union Convention at Philadel- phia, acknowledged that in calling on the Con- federated States to accept certain conditions for their readmission as members of the Union the President had acted “not in pursuance of any constitutional powers.” If the President himself had acknowledged this when Congress reassembled, and if he had gracefully yielded to its opposition to his illegal if well intended attempts at reconstruction, he would have exhibited more tact and less obstinacy. He would have spared himself and the country the and dangerous complications which ensued and are still impending. He might have seized an carly opportunity to es- cape from the consequences of his mistaken action. Even now it is not too late for him to his error and to find a happy issue out of his difficulties. Why should he blindly dash his head against the threatening wall of impeachment? Why not open his eyes to the actual situation and master it by heroic states- manship? A few rapid and vigorous flank movements might then surprise, disconcert and annihilate all such pitiful opponents as Ashley and his confederates will appear to be if they’ persist in the underbanded intrigues attributed to them. If, om the other hand, the President obstinately persists in opposing the national will as represented in Congress, and if he usurpe legislative powers, he must, as the i such a scheme as this and wash his bands of all underground and three tier impracticable jobs. Counelly, Kennedy and the Grand Jury. ‘The legal controversy between Police Justice Connolly and Police Superintendent Kennedy appears to have reached 8 fine point, Connolly had Kennedy arraigned before Justice Dowling on « charge of libel, the alleged offence being contained in the order issued by the Superin- Probably the best thing for the Grand Jury to do, after the verbal duel in the Tombs Court en disturbers of the public pence, and make the indictment s basis for an application to the Legislature for theit removal from office. If this does not bring them to'their good beha- viour we know of nothing that will Judging from the language used by both officials in Judge Dowling’s court and the general facts of the quarrel, the conduct of both is a discredit to the administration of the Excise law, a fact which they have endeavored very zealously to prove on each other. Raymonp Sri Ovr in THE Coup.—The po- sition of Mr. Raymond on Mr. Eliot’s bill in the House is rather acurious one. While Banks and Bingham and other republican members voted for it after @ little filibustering, Mr. Raymond voted against it, again remaining out in the cold. Perhaps, however, he finds more caloric in the office-hunting warpath with Thurlow Weed than within the ranks of his party. SOUTH AMERICA. BY THE ATLANTIC CABLI A Rebellion Against Lopez in Parngeay. Laspon, Feb. 14, 1867. ‘The mail steamer from Rio Janeiro brings the intel. , ligence that a rebellion had broken out in Paraguay, which seriously threatened the power and ‘ife of rresi- “dent Lopes. MEXICO. SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE HERALD. Maximilian Leaving the Country—Fresch Imperial Volunteers Disfranchised—A Levy on Vera Crus Merchants. . Havana, Feb, 8, via Barone, Feb. 14, 1867. The British steamer Solent, from Vers Cruz, 34 inst., arrived here : Maximilian was to leave the city ef Mexico imme- distely, and: is now om his way ¢o.the point whence he le tosil for Borope, : 4 at Vera Cruz, and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of large fleets of transports, Porfirio Diaz is to occupy the city of Mexico after ita, evacuation by the French, under Basaine. He is ad- vancing steadilgjowards the capital, A circular issued by Marshal Bazaine announces that all Frenchmen whe join the Mexican army become dis. franchised and cannot claim protection from the French goverament. Marques is in want of money. He demands sixty thousand dollars from the Mexican merchants of Vera Cruz. The Prefect suggests that the American, English. and other foreign merchants be included in his forced levy as well as the Mexicans. It is likely that both Miramon and Marquez wiil have to leave the country for their own personal safety ere long. News by Way of San Franciece—General Alo varer’s Ferces in the Vicinity of the City of, Mexico—Tehunatepec in Pessodsion of Por- Srie Diaz, &c. conviction, removed. And if Ashley, with the | trom Acapulco up to February 2 help of Baker or Conover, mismanages the pre- | Generel Alvares’s forces were in the immediate viciaityy of the city of Mexico. liminaries of impeachment, let him be set asid i, #8 The imperial General Pauling Gomes Lomida had been for some one who knows how to-act in a more discreet and dignified manner. ‘The Propesed Suspeusion Bridge Across the East River. We perceive that Senator Murphy’s bill for bridging the East river has been passed by the Senate and will probably pass the House. In a statement made before the Senate committee on Wednesday Mr. Murphy gave explanations which go far towards remov- ing our objections to the measure. He said that the period originally fixed by the bill for commencing the structure had been altered and made applicable to the provisions of the Revised Statutes, which require that such pro- | jects shall be commenced within one year from FRESHETS AT THE WEST. Ratlrend Bridges Swept Away—Vessele Tora A, from Their Moorings, &c. Cmcaco, Feb. 14, 1867. Reports of serious destruction by the great rain storm and freshet begin to come in. The bridge of the Ohi- cago, Alton and St, Louis Railroad over the Kankakee river at Wilmington, fifty-six mfles south of Chicage, was swopt about one o'clook last night by the in ‘The immense ice above the date of the company’s charter or the same | produced in the river as has not been wit- shall be forfeited. As the bill first stood it gave Sa nary toatl of the capurverssente wes Sout away the company the option of beginning at any time within a period of five years. This, with the fact that most of the incorporators are heavy stockholders in the Union Ferry Com- pany, led us to suspect that the echeise was introduced to protect their interests. The indignation provoked by the mismanagement of the ferries during the late severe frost would, it was evident, lead to some proposition seriously affecting them. From the extraor- dinary terms of Senator Murphy’s bill giving a latitude for the commencement and comple- tion of the bridge which would just carry the company to the end of their present leases, it seemed to us that nothing could be better calculated to save them from loss and perpeta- At Aurora, ‘the island, or the lower part of the the Fox river, covering the ness and compel. and several steamers and barges swept from heir moorings. At Dubuque, Iowa, the cellars are filled. At Dyersville, Iowa, the tong bridge aad mill dam are ony aay a Sis At Waterloo, Cedar Falls, and Iowa Falls, Iowa, the sad much destruction ie Bridges Swept Away in Kansas. Kawsas Crrr, Mo., Fob. 14, 1867. ‘The railroad bridge across tha, Republican river at Fort Riley was carried away by the high water thie morning, taking with it ten men who were endeavoring to make it secure. Part of the bridge was secared at Wamigo. No lives were lost. ate the monopoly of the traffic in their bands | Mir dr teucy thos tte trecsas us inne tise end the Mr. Murphy in his explanations before the | wagon bridge at Wyandotte are pK. -f "A oh | conclusions, and says that he is not interested | ™orning and is mill rising. Fob. 14, 1867 in the Union Ferry Company in any manner ‘The Kiowa river te higher than Wt hes been since 1658, whatever, and never consulted any of its mem- | Sat is sill nang. et tee ee bers in regard to this bridge. We are, of | who wore on it at the time“ Portion 4 poroa af the p steon course, bound to accept his word, but at the | frsines'in'aoe no ercasing, excepting om skit wt” same time it will be admitted that the coinci- dences to which we refer were sufficiently re- ILAOAD. ACCRENT 1M WISSQUR markable to justify all that wo said. Whether | Twe Care on the and St. Joseph the modifications that have been effected in| Mallrend ecows tees ee rtaiaea ae the bill are due to the motives assigned by its or. Loma, Feb. 14, 1867. author or are concessions to public sentiment | 4 disastrous accident vefel the eastern bound train on we care but little. It is sufficient for us that a | ee Hasnibel and St. Joveph Railroad last night, about very objectionable measure has been converted li i i i into a good one and that the interests of the and the tice on the bridge, raked off, and two cara | communities at both sides of the river will be “Toe ft tae list of the killed and wounded :— largely promoted. by it. Hed). F. Wentworth, Chicago, Wourded—Joln Le ear et Mo., slightly; 2 R.Allen, Mo,, j AV. , Mon- Tne Uxpercrounn Rarroan Jon.—Senator | tana, slightly; 8 Tani severely; Ed. Hawley, Lent has prosented to the Senate a petition for | Kidder, slightly; Dean Merritt titans, ma tig’ Moe, severcl face: A. N. an underground railroad, signed, it is sald, by | Tr Mot tate a tie Tig ite Sk | fifteen hundred property owners and residents on Broadvay. Remonstrances against the | ‘iam 5. 4 a Andrew Co,, slightiy, job could be placed before the Legislature, if mang a en. phyuions, fan heal fataly” ast i disaster. 7, 8 by ap ty ta the scene of 1 owners, and residents who do not desire to find Yasir property tumbling down abont their Fort Fanawre, Feb. 13, 1967. caps, What the property owners and residents, | Saow felt to the depth of nine inches last night, an pot on Broadway alone, but all over the city, We fore inthe Newb Crearmea pon Al ee SPECIAL: TELEGRAM TO THE HERALD. \ | { ' f