The New York Herald Newspaper, January 8, 1868, Page 6

6 ‘NEW YORK HERALD. BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR, All business or news letters and telegraphic despatches must be addrossed New Yor jHeraro. Y Letters and packages should be properly “pesled. , Rejected communications will not be re- jturned. see No S&S *Volume XXXIIT. AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. '_WEW YORK THEATRE, opposite New York Hotch= Uxpsk THE Gasiicut, ' gApApanx OF MUSTO, Fourteenth street,—Bonsmsax Grau. * onymric THEATRE, Broadway.—A Muipsuuxee ‘Nicat's Dream. © WALLACK'S THEATRE, Broadway and 13th street, — ‘Oniver Twist. $ THEATRE FRANCAIS, Fourteenth street.—Mante Ax- MOIMETTE, \ BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway.—Marr Srvarr. ‘ Or ghenend THEATRE, Bowery.—Ccavpe Dpvat—Jemsy ‘Lino. RD'S OPERA HOUSE AND MUSEUM, Proad- wa tod Tinriieth sireekOun Murua Fmimsp, Matinee, ' NEW YORK CIRCUS, Fourteenth strect,—Graxastics, Equrstaianisy, &c. Matinee at 254. THEATRE COMIQUE, 514 Broadway.—Hayuon Coxor- &aTiON TROUPE, Matinee at 26. KELLY & LEON’S MINSTRELS, 730 Broadway. —Soncs, axes, EccenTaicitizs, BURLESQUES. 40. SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS, 5% Broadway.—Erato- PIAN ENTERTAINMENTS, SINGING, DANCING AND BURUESQUES, TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, 201 Bowery.—Comic Vocattsm, Nacro Mtns? ¥, &0. Matinee at 254. BUTLER'S AMERICAN THEATRE, 472 Broadway.— Bauuzr, Farce, Pantowme, &c. BUNYAN HALL, Broadway aod Fifteenth stree.—Tax ‘Pircrim. STEINWAY HALL.—Geanp Concent. HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE. Brooklyn,—Etsrorran Minstexisy, Bartaps axp Burcesqons, NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— 8c: © AND ART. an eee TRIPLE New York, Wednesday, January S. 186S~ THE NEWS. EUROPE. The news report by the Atlantic cablo is dated yester- sy, January 7. England protests against tho intrigues of Russia in Roumania ‘The new gold fields discovered near the Amoor river fre extengive and of great yield Russian troops guard the mines. Consols, 92°for money infLondon, Five-twentivs, 717; y@ 72 im London acd 763, in Frankfort. ' Cotton easier in Liverpool, Breadstuffs easier, and Provisions without marked change, CONGRESS. In the Senste yesterday Mr. Witson, of Mass, intro. duced a bill to rempve the Governor and other State officers of Georgia and empowering the Reconstruction Convention to fill the vacancies, dir. Sumner’s bill, which was passod before the recess, but has been returned by the President, for securing equal rights in the District was referred to Judiciary Committee, on a question whether it bad fallen through or become & law by the failure to return it on the part of the President. The bill to repeal the internal revenue tax om cotion was taken up and passed, with an ameodment providing for the resumption of the tax after 1868. A Synopsis of the report of Senator Howard on the re- moval of Secretary Stanton, whieh completed on Monday night, will be found elsowhere in our columas this morning. In the House a joint resolution autborizing the sale of all the ironclad vessels no longer required by the ser- Vico caused considerable discussion, and was finally passed. A bill to prevent fraods in the collection of taxes on distilled whiskey was reported from the Com- mittee on Ways and Means aad passed. The report of Commissioner Wells, of the Internal Revenue Bureau, ‘was presented and referred. It will be found elsewhere ip our columos this morning. Im Comm Whoie Mr. Cary, a republican of Olio, ma speech in favor of naviege she ostional debt im legal tender. THE LEGISLATURZ. The two houses of the General Assembly of the State of New York were called to order at eleven o'clock yes- ferday morning. In the Senate the incumbent subordinate officers were Fe-clected. After the appointment of the usual com- mittees to wait upon the Governor and ssembly nd the reading of the Governor's message, the Presi- dent of the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Woodford, de- livered a welcoming address, Notices were given of a Dill to repeal the Metropolitan Excise law, to create « Harbor district and Board of Wharves and Piers in New York, and relative to ihe powers and duties of the Re corder and City Jndgo of New York. ‘ In the Assembly Willlam Hitchman, democrat, of Bew York, was elected Speaker by eighteen majority over the republican candidate, The newly lected Speaker delivered an address on taking tho chair, thanking the Assembly for the Lonor, The democratic Candidates for the subordinate oMess were also olected, ‘The usual comm!tiees to wait upon the Governor and Benate were appointed, and a recess was taken for the Purpose of drawing for seats. ‘The Governor's message will be found im full in the Solumas of the Hexap this morning, MISCELLANEOUS, * Our epecial telegraphic advices from St. Domingo Slate that the government bad fied to Turks Island, 4 tura Baez bad been proclaimed Pr pected to abdicate Our special telegrams from St, Thomas state that the United States Commissioner to take charge of the island ‘Was anxiously expected, the people expressing their Willingness to be annexed, The January statement of the public debt shows the toial debt to be ‘Treasury is $134, the debt during the past ing t But dur. \s indicated of $2,965,681 in the total debt, while the cash in the Treasury ia decreased by $3 7, (hue showing an Bctual increase of $6,019,803 in the debt during the month. The contest for tho United States Sepatorsbip in Obio @0 succeed Bon. Wade, is waged in the Democrat Convention betw: Thurman a sham, They Bre both confident of , but Thorman is un. dtedly \, In the Lon ie Convention yerterday a Onan cial lan was propoved making the warrants of the Conven. jon the only ones receivable in payment of taxes, but it Was defeated. One member of the Convention expressed Bn opinion ar an individual that the reconstruction laws rere unconstitutional, ' Odin Bowie, tho An old cit!zen of Pepp Gay while riding jo a ale’ 4. ‘With a locomotive, The ladies were only slightly in- gored. Farrell Halland the Young Men's Cristian Associa. Vion baiiding, in Chicago, was burned yesterday more. ‘Sng, inv! Bis opening Agrest many negro hovels, bul \Briokots ae fer from civilization end ree a8 porsible are noticeable pow in Virginia, Frank J. McElroy, bookkeeper, killed bimeoif in iaroom in Syracuse yesterday by shooting bimseif rough the head in s Ot of monts! depression. Mr, James W, Gorard deily “Barth qu id Trinity Chapel, before a large and (Ppprec's:ivo audience, ‘The Liquor Dealers’ Association of thig city held their NEW YORE HERALD, WEDNESDAY; JANUARY 8, 1868. rogular annual meeting task evoning and sect oftcors "The pert of for the ensuing year. The action of the Board 0’ Councilmen in passing a new Excise ordinance «ad ‘ The main favorably discussed. Yesterday Garness ©. Baker was examined before Commissioner Osbora on a charge of having, while act- ing in the capacity of paying teller im th ‘radesmen’s Natiopal Bank of this city, embezzled $10,900, the property of that establishment, ‘The testimony of Mr, Berry, President of tne tank, having been takes, the examination was adjourned to a future day. A case came before the Supreme Court Chambers yes- terday ip which Gazaway B. Lamar sues Charles A. Dena, ab Assistant Secrotary of War, claiming $100,000 damages for alloged illegal and false arrest and im- prisonment during the war, The matter came upon & motion for the removal of the capse for trial to the United States Circuis Court, The court reserved its decision, The case of Cornell vs, Cornell, an action for divorce on the ground of alleged adultery of the wife, came be- fore Judge Cardozo, at Supreme Court Chambers, on & motton to open a defaulttaken by plaiutit, ‘The irregu- lained of were of the moat flagrant nature, on of the court left the plaintiff in the un- comfortable predicament of having two wives, be married another woman sineo the judsment by dofault was taken, Tbe stock market was strong and active yesterday, Government secarities were active and buoyant, espe cially five-twenties of 1862 and the old issue of 1865, Gold closed at 136% # 13674. The advai gold rendered the markets firmer as ‘A general thing, and in many articles a fair business was transacted, Cotton opened co. lower, but closed active, with the decline recovered, Coifee was steady, On ‘Change flour, wheat, corn and ogts were buoyant and firm, with a fair demand. Pork was un- changed, Beof was im fair demand and steady. Lard was active and firmly held. Freights were firm, but less active, Naval stores and petroleum were moderately active and ashade better, Wool was steady, but sparingiy dealt in. Tho number of beef cattle re- ceived yesterday was 1,026 head—505 at Communipaw and 521 at Hudson City, Prices were unchanged, com- mon to extra lots selling at from 14c, to 20c, per Ib, Demand fair, Swine were fully sc. per Ib. higher, and very scarce, One lot heavy prime sold at 8c, The Governor’s Messnge. We publish to-day the Message of Goveraor Fenton to the State Legislature. It is a lengthy, elaborate and not altogether uninte- resting document, As far as it relates to the New York it may be read with some satisfac- tion, When it travels beyond that into the regions of general politica it becomes vapid and worthless, The Governor impresses upon us the neces- sity, asa point of honor, of paying our sbare of the public debt incurred by the war, a8 it any one hesitated to ‘relieve himself of this obligation ; and upon this point he is exceed- ingly prolix. And in this connection he reminds us—to our sorrow—that there are sixteen hun- dred national banks in existence, with a capital of four hundred and nineteen millions of dol- lars and five hundred and sixty millions on deposit ; but he does not recall the fact that these national banks are dragging vast sums from the substanee of the people—that they are enriching a few corporations at the expense of the general public. After dwelling toa great extent upon sub- jects general to the whole country, the Gov- ornor invites our attention to the State of New York. He shows the debt of the State on Sep- tember 30, 1867, after deducting the balance of sinking funds tnapplied, to be $44,114,592. He assures us that, despite the solicitude con- cerning the ability of the State to sustain the burdens resting upon it, and the predicted ap- proach of financial trials, our resources and material wealth bave vastly increased, and tbat a thorough revision of the tax and agsess- ment systems will obviate aff difficulties, As a fair measure of the material advance, he says that “the New York city banks, in November, 1860, as represented by their loans, conducted « business of $122,000,000, and at the same date in 1867 the volume of their loans was nearly $248,000,000, or more than double the business of 1860. Hardly less significant, if not in so great a ratio, is the advance in most all depart- ments of business and enterprise, as will be found by reference to the tables of commerce and tonnage, railroad and insurance capital, mercantile, manufacturing and mechanical em- ployments, and the value of real and personal estate.” : Concerning the canal debt, we are told that upon the average basis of receipts for the last seven years the whole indebtedness will be extinguished in 1874. The debt due to the State for war purposes bas been reduced to $650,286, and that is to be settled shortly by the War Department. The National Guard is represented to be in a flourishing and advanc- ing condition, including now forty-five thousand officers and men. The public charitles and State prisons re- ceive a portion of the Governor's attention, and are treated of somewhat in detail. Re- Isting to quarantiae, emigration and the public health, the reports are satisfactory. In the har- bor of New York during the past year 242,738 immigrants were landed, realizing a fund to the Commissioners of Emigration—at the per capita rate of $2 50—of the magnificent sum of over @ million dollars for commutation tax alone, The Governor indulges in some vague theories about special legislation, and alludes to the fact that a large number of bills of this character were rushed through during the Inst ten days of the late session, four bundred and ninety-four of which he bad not time to sign before the adjournment. This, however, is s common custom, but it onght to be amended ; and that we have altogether too much legislation is undoubtedly true, when we consider that about eighty per cent of the bil’s passed are jobs, On the matter of public education we learn that the amount paid for the Common School fund by the government last year was $1,403,163, by voluntary local taxation $5,591,871, and from rate bilis and other sources $1,900,000. The number of cbildren attending the schools were 30.62 per cent of tho entire number between five and twenty-one years, or 44.54 per cent of the whole number ot children between six and seventeen years of age. These subjects, which are of interest to the State of New York, Governor Fenton touches upon here and there in bis Message; but he dilates altogether too much upon national ques tions, reconstraction, the defunct confederacy, and the condition of the South, which is mere waste of space, and might more properly be embodied in other documents than a Gover- nor’s Message. neta Very Dovnrror.—With all the tinkering of the radicals of Congress to get the ten oulside Southern States reinstated on the basis of negro supremacy in season for the Presidential election, will they succeed? Very doubtful, Without those States will they succeed in the Presidential election? Very doubtful. Will they bead of Andy Jobusout Very doubitul, financial and other interests of the State of | thé Special Commissioner of | the Revenue. purposes of thia important and interesting report, which is published in to-day’s Heratp, have been to exhibit the present state of the national finances, so far as the debt and annual obligations for expendi- tare are concerned, and to discuss the condi- tions under which the revenue required in order to meet such expenditures may be raised by taxation with the least detriment to the productive power and the welfare of the whole country. The report is based upon the inves- tigations which the Special Commissioner bas made, not only as to the sources of national revenue, the best methods of collecting re- venue, the administration of. existing revenue laws, and the relations of foreign trade to domestic industry, but also as to the revenue systems and industrial conditions in Great Britain and some of the leading States of con- tinental Europe. A visit to Europe and a per- sonal examination of its various revenue sys- tems has enabled Mr. Wells to compare the financial condition and prospecis of the Uniied States with those of other nations, He pre- sents a picture full of encouragement in re- spect to our own financial and industrial future. His conclusions are :—“ That the United States is the only one of the leading nations of the world which is, at present, materially dimin- ishing Its debt and reducing its taxes; and the only one, moreover, which offers any snb- stantial evidence of its ability to pay its debt within any, definite period, or even anticipates the probability of any such occurrence.” Mr. Wells even feels authorized to say that the people of the United States have great cause for congratulation that the wave of commer- cial depression which, since the termination of their war, has swept over the commercial centres of the whole civilized world has brought so little of disaster to their interests, inasmuch as there is not to-day a country in Europe in which the paralysis of industry 18 not greater, the failures more numerous and the prospect of an early return of commercial prosperity and activity less encouraging than in the United States. One thing at least, if, as in Mr. Wells’ opinion, no other, may be considered as having been settled by the financial experience of the past three years, and this is the marvellous capacity of the country for revenue, “ which has been proved to be equal, under the most unfavorable conditions, to every requirement for expenditure and for the extinguishment of the debt at a rate which finds no precedent in the history of any other nation.” A single instance cited by Mr. Wells illustrates in a striking. and suggestive manner the productive power of the country to meet current expendi- tures and reduce or extinguish debt. We refer to the fact that the estimated present average annual value of the apples alone sent to mar- ket from eight of the sixty counties of the State of New York—viz., four and a half to five millions of dollars—is sufficient to pay the interest on the entire State debt and add about two millions annually to the sinking fund ; so that if all other forms of industry or production in the State of New York should cease to contribute to the State debt, but the apple trees in those eight counties should con- tinue to grow and produce, their annual pro- duct, if devoted to this purpose through the patriotism of their owners, would in less than ten years extinguish the whole debt, incite the resent unliquidated cost (fifteen millions) of the Erie canal. This single instance may serve to suggest the incalculable material strength and development of the whcle nation, and to silence all who are disposed to croak about its inability either to carry or to extin- guish the national debt. The figures speak eloquently on this point in the review by Mr. Wells of the present condition of the capital and industry of the country, and of their ability to sustain the necessary burden of taxation. The Commissioner shows with what wonderful rapidity the conntry, as a whole, is recovering from the effects of the war and resuming its normal condition of development and progress. Immigration, which makes a positive yearly addition to the wealth and producing capacity of the country of not less than one hundred and fifty millions of dollars; s continued increase in the invention of machinery and the perfecting of processes for improving and cheapening products; an in- crease in the quantity and value of the national agricultural products—the aggregate crops of all kinds for the year 1867, although less in some respects than what was antici- pated, baving exceeded, both in quantity and value, those of any previous year; an increase inthe capital invested, and in the number and capacity of establishments for manufacturing purposes; the increase in the production of pig iron, of anthracite coal, of petroleum; tho increase of tonnage on the northern lakes and other inland waters; the increase in the earn- ings of the leading railroads; the increase in the aggregate business of the country, and particularly that of the principal cities; the increase in the number of houses erected dur- ing the past year, estimated to be greater than in any former year of our national existenco; in fine, all our mul ig sources of in- creased prosperity are indicated by the Com- missioner as full of promise for the future. Mr. Wells, suggesting an estimate of our national annual expenditure at one hundred and forty millions for ordinary expenses, one hundred and thirty millions for interest and fiity millions for the reduction of the principal of the debt, intimates his belicf that it would be easy for the whole country, with its labor and capital restored to productive employ- ments, to meet this annual expenditure by means of a per capila taxation of eight dollars and seventy three cents, which, moreover, con- tinued at the samo rate, would extinguish the principal of the debt in jess than twenty years. The Commissioner refers in dotail to distilled spirits, fermonted liquors, tobacco and its manufactures, income, stamps, legacies and suc- cessions, banks, railroads, salaries and the other internal revenue sources, as yielding one hundred and fifty-two million dollars, which leaves a deficiency of eighteen millions necessary to make up the com of one hundred and seventy miiilons that was, according to provious estinaates, to be provided for from in- ternal revenue sources. To meet this de- ficiency the so-called “special” or “Iicense” taxes and the taxes on sales may be relied on. The recommendations of the Commissioner for reform in the revenue administration, and particularly his six recommendations relative to the retrenchment of expenditures, which ‘he deems absolutely indispensable in the various spherey of the public servige, are bighly ju Glolous'and merit the sorioté consideration of Congress, Even tho greatest monomariiacs among the radicals in Congress m{ghi well be diverted from their pet hobbies by thé facts set forth in the roport of the Special Commis- sioner of the Revenue, and be induced to de- vote a little time to the financial and industrial interests of the country. Senator Howard’s Report on the Suspension of Secretary St: We publish this morning the material points of Senator Howard’s report on the reasons submitted to the Senate by President Johnson for his suepension of Mr. FE. M. Stanton as Sec- retary of War, Mr. Howard fully justifies the refusal of Mr. Stanton to resign at the Presi- dent’s request, on the ground of “grave public considerations,” and charges the suspension to a factions spirit of hostility to the Reconstruc- tion laws of Congress on the part of the Presi- dent, Mr. Johnson is further accused of garbling a certain telegraphic despatch of General Baird touching the New Orleans riot, and of sup- pressing certain important facts in reference to said riot; and his complaint upon this scere against the Secretary of War, Mr. Howard says, “baa not even the merit of plausibility.” Instead of needing the in- formation of General Baird’s despatch Mr. Johnson, it is further charged, was “kept fully informed by Rozier, Voorhees, Herron and others (implicated in the riot) of what was going on, and seems to have con- cealed it designedly from the Secretary.” In conclusion, the committee recommend the passage of a resolution, and tbat it be cer- tified to the President, to wit :—“ That having considered the evidence and reasons given by the President in his Message of the 16th of De- cember, 1867, for the suspension of Edwin M. Stanton from the office of Secretary of War, the Senate do not concur in such suspension” — which brings the issue to a decisive test, ono way or the other, on the merits of the Tenure of Office law. Mr, Jobngon, in gimply ave pending Stanton, listead of ifiaking a removal, and in giving his reasons to the Senate for the suspension, has complied with the terms of the law relating to the tenure of office. But this law further declares that unless the Senate shall concur in the President’s reasons for any suspension under the law made in the recess of Congress, the officer concerned shall be re- instated in his office; and this is the point to which this resolution of the Senate will bring Mr. Jobnson. Assuming that the resolution will be passed, will Mr. Stanton be reinstated? No, according to our information ; for Mr. Johnson will refuse to recognize Mr. Stanton on applying for res- toration, and will probably submit his consti- tutional reasons to the Senate for this course. What, then? Mr. Stanton must then retire from the field or carry up his case to the Supreme Court for a decision on the constitu- tionality of the Tenure of Office law—a decision which Mr. Johnson, it is said, desires to obtain. Mr. Stanton, however, may relieve the Senate from the danger of a judgment against the law by declining to press his claim. In either event, we suspect the conclusion will be another viotory for Andrew Johnson. The New Italian Cabinet. M. Menabrea, as appears from our cable despatches, has at last beon successful in reorganizing his Cabinet. It is difficult to de! whetber this siccess is ® loss or cee aber ete advantage, but ultimately It may be s ini fortune. The most that can be said with safety is that the choice lay between Menabrea and Ratazzi, and that Menabrea means peace and Ratazzi means war. Menabrea is as anxious that Rome should become the capital of Italy as Ratazzi is or can be; but the former, much as he wishes that Italy were one and indivisible, dreads open collision with France, and prefers to await the @ of events; whereas the latter, impatient of all delay and indignantly opposed to all interference, would give expression to the popular will fearless of France or of any other foe. Menabrea in power means that the Italian government hopes for the settlement of the Roman question by moral rather than by material means ; Ratazzi in power means that the Roman question must be settled, by moral suasion if possible, by material force if necessary, but by all means settled. Menabrea in office has saved Italy from war; Ratazzi in office would by this time have set Europe ablaze. It is of course a question to which different minds wili return different answers, which of the two men is better suited to the occasion. We are willing to accord to Ratazzi bravery, although we cannot acquit him of rashness ; but Menabres we cannot refuse to credit with both wisdom and caution. Let us hope that Italy may obtain Rome without further bloodshed. What Our Amusements Cost, A single glance at the internal revenue returns of the metropolitan theatres for the past year, which we publish in another column of the Herat, will show what an important item of expenditure amusements are, and what liberal, steady patrons they find among us. Three million dollars only represent the amount of money paid for admission to the theatres, but three times that sum would not be sufficient to show the other expenses, both of manager and audience, connected with amusements, First, the manager has to engage a large number of employés besides the regu- lar company, and before a piece of any note is placed on the stage bundreds of dollars must be spent for scenery, dresses, music, &o. Tn the case of a spectacle and ballet like the “Black Crook” the expenses are, of course, doubled. Amusements cost the audience far more than the mere price of admission. Car- ringe hire, supper, special toilet for the theatre, and numberless little items of expense known to theatre-goers may be included in the bill when @ gentleman accompanies a lady to a place of amusement. The receipts of the New York theatres for the last year far exceed those of London or Paris, Twenty-two estab- lishments in New York and ite suburb, Brook- lyn, return over three million dollars as their receipts. Niblo’s seems to have made, froma single spectacle, double the amount of money of any of the other theatres—a striking comment on the state of the drama at the present day. Wallack’s and the Olympic come next in order of receipts, and the’ Circus follows close on their totals. The fall and winter season, despite the stagnation of business, exhibits an increase of patronage in the majority of the theatres. The returns conclusively show what houses produced novelties and superior atirac- tioug this season. Some managors pave =TRIPLE SHEET. TOURNAMENT OF THE SKATE. eee Now York and Brooklyn Steel Shod—" Skating Ponds. ‘The'time bas arrived in tho history of skating whe it enn be regarded almost as @ fine art, The ecient’ doubled their former receipts this winter, and others have been financially wrecked beyond the hope ofsalyation. The present year bas opened gloomily, and the financial prospects ofthe greater number oy the theatres for the balaneé OF the season are stir More gloomy. Still, the more enterprising of our BZUSement | caterers are preparing cholce titbits for their patrons, regardless of exponse, and are resolved to stake all on the issue, What the spring may bring forth in the amusement line remains to be seen. Combined with gence 804 rapid mover of the scie, | tid performer are y mot only <4 eich T position, Dut of general emulation, To note the progress of thi accomplishment ss @ pastime and its progression from ® rude and unpolished custom to an established, pleasant and healthfu! exercise for the delectation of ali classes, is interesting in the extreme and 5 of reflec- tion, i Where a fow years since the members of the gentler sex would rather remain within doors, ia the atmosphere of artificially beated apartments, they now dan shawis, muffs, tippets and boas, and, old _probibit Jaws, enjoy a healthy breath of nature. That American men and women have in years gone back not taken alr and exercise enough is a miserable fact, It basstared us tn the face by lack of muscle im the men and of bloom inthe womeo—one balf seoming like hothouse flowers, the other a race of unfortunate, overworked bipeds. But this great error has been ciecovered, and especially the fair ladies of our countey are now, in’ the many out- door sports tha ir laudable pursuits the reservation of harm of beauty andthe wilt in the meridian of thele ead of sinking into early valetudinae ig the pastimes th popular ww Itbfu!, pleasant exercise, from beauty and solf-possession is al Senator Sherman’s New Coinage Bill. Mr. Sherman hag introduced a bill in the Senate to change the coinage of the United Statea in some respects and to change the standard of the metals so as to conform to the French standard. It is proposed to make the five dollar piece agree with the twenty-five tranc pieco of France, and to make other sizes and denominations of our coinage conform in the game proportion to the French standard. The valuo of the gold coins is to be stamped f on them both in dollars and francs, and if Eng- land enters into this monetary arrangement the pound sterling is to conform to the five dollar piece, and then that value also would be stamped on the coin. All foreign coins 80 conforming are to be a legal tender in all pay- ments whatsoever. Thero are some other pro- visiona in the bill, but these are the chief ones. The object is to bring about a‘unification of the coinage of the world, or, at least, of that of the principal commercial nations. The bill appears to be based on the recommendations of the monetary conference held at Paris last year, and upon the report of Mr. Ruggles, the United States delegate to that conference. No doubt such @ unificatign of the metallic currency of the great commercial nations might be convenient in breaking up the busi- ness of the small money changers, and might savo people from the little shaves to which Sy aro now snbi ould have | +4 bully skating down here—I'm going,” was the excited shout from the lips of a fair, golden haired boy, dressed im pt costume and with, a pair of tiny skates dangling his shoulder, seem- ingly just from his mothe: hand and heart— yesterday morning, as ran to one the prominont skating ponds in the city, and his ex pression was the key to the great enthusiasm that [=] \ lade eo vaded the many thousands of ladies, and lassies as they wended their way io the ec sport, the carnival of fun, that was observed throug! the dey and evening upon the skating ponds of No York and vicinity, exceeding in brilliancy anything thas has been witnessed this season, ‘The ice that had by nature of the weather for several days been o/ a consistency to precivde the indulgence of the exhilarating pursuit, that makes war on pallor and languor, became by the rp, bracing nights of Satur- day and Sunday of character to open again om Monday the carnivaliatic skating sporis, The cara, both in New York, ‘lyn and Jersey City, leading te the streets ues adjacent to the skate ing ponds se ‘ly located there were filled te repletion. Gen en left their business to havea fow hours’ pleasure, many of the male xex withoug bneiness followed their example; and ladies with al tenant cavaliera and misses with’ bean~ era hus from ‘morn ¢"" me- weg 0 th ae aia comb map egal’ Gach and all jonas nad thaif plokkint rong. - The character o! with other details of interest Srative to the Fev Fate gud, public rinks of the city and suburbs are noted herewith {os New York, MITCHRLL’S FIFTH AVENUE PARK POND, The ice at this pond was excellent, and from early morning until late at night the throng was intense, Many ladies, recognized as the most graceful and expert in tho art of skating in the city, visited it, among them the Misses Powell, Jackson, Miller, Coughton and Wile on, betwoen whom and the mombers of the Skating Club there w sant rivalry, Th many difficult and fires upon the embai pleasant music gave zest to the scene. Gold medals will soon be contended for in the matter of champion ekating by ladies here, 4 Seb. Ae ule “oT an eat scarcely any or no effect upon great commer- cial and banking exchanges. But we cannot see that this proposed change would be of the least value to us or to any of the other nations when paper is the currency. It may be said that we shall return to specie payments by and by. Perhaps we may; but it is possible we may find a paper currency the best, the most stable and the least likely to be deranged, and that hereafter we may regard gold and silver simply as articles of commerce, the same as cotton, wheat, tin or lead are regarded. It may not, under any circumstances, be con- venient or prudent to return to specie pay- ments for some time. Then the other nations may be plunged into troubles, revolution or war, and have to resort to @ paper currency. France for many years during the revolution- ary period bad nothing but paper money, and specie payments were suspended nearly thirty years in England. May not such times come again? Neither we nor they are sure of maintaining a metallic currency even were it now universally restored. There is no neces- sity for such a bill and it would be of no earthly value to us. The introduction of it shows a disposition to be tinkering over small, unimportant matters, while the country is groaning under burdens and bad legislation that c=! for removal. But wh, should not this great country have its own independent monetary system? Why should we not adhere to our simple decimal denominations without stamping the French English money terms upon our goins? executed 1 evolutions, At bight the ent surrounding the pond and THE PARK PONDS, The appearance of the pond skating signals on the city railroad cars caused an intensely pleasurabie feeling yesterday morning in the breasts of many pleasure “The bail’s up!’ exclaimed hundreds of the sturdy sons of toil, as each of them dashed of to prepare for a grand tournament on the jee, Early in the day ters begin to arrive in groups of two, three or m commence operations on the glassy suriace of ; but it was mot until abou hour later that the concourse could properiy be coi sidered at all large, During the uext twe hours, how. ever, the gathering continued to {nerease, until Saally there wero upwards of thirty thousand persons of Doth sexes shooting bither and thither in every con- ceivable direction, and with a rapidity of motion im keeping with the preverbially characteristic velocity of Young America, The fine, clear, crisp weather, delight fully softened by the sunny warmth of old Sol, mate- jure of the afternoon. Although , from & growing weakness im t n'shore of the lake, particularly at 2 point near the ladics’ cottage, that a general clearance would have to be made, the noble sheet bore its precious jent in the way of 'yles of dress worm rial multitude were as and generally indicated the wordly circumstances of the owner, Ex- cept ina few solitary instances, large hoops were en- tirely ignored, and @ marked preferenco for walking dresses was plainly discernible. The favorite colors, to judge from at was most worn, seemed to purple and blue, and the style of head gear used also varied. Here might be seen a syiph-like blonde ia blue, with a luxuriant wealth of wavy, silken light batr, doing the Dutch réle, in company with @ spruce look- 7 ust dropped out of a \dbox. Before one’s 105 Sner 4 e has takeN & Pubeidy protograph of this pretty par sloni comes avai rey) fouton with a Duto im tow, Fig tm an exemetire a id hale nore éimpfe than galiot abundance of red and green, ign nations like to conform to it all very well; ot We do not | style, with ai a ta Pornpadi want to go out of the way in the matter or rm ® ee tk — hair — in Grecian curls, with any European entangling alliances, monetary ; © ora cieck ane white va phe A ~ S , DISS ath or otherwise. The time is not far off when, from a iy z hin er Bait, ioag pannel ered yélvet point, bil our mighty growth, enterprise and geographi- paring {o cut some: Freach capers, coe quis s cal position, we shall give laws to the rest of | sensation, ee eee shat portion of the & the world in monetary, financial and commer- Nar ties toe Gear abahath aaa pe i cial matters, The greenback legal tender ig | Gothamites, gliding in a serpent-like waltz to the ma- our currency now, and a good one it is. We may find that it, or some other government ical riage of the congealed water, heightened we ine guee-ceeh shrubbery along the ote pre issue like it, may be the best currency in the future. It may be that we are going to change sented a picture of an exceedingly interesting character, the ideas of the world in this respect, as we The only voticeable addition this season in the way 3 improvements is the imtroduction of gas in lieu of the old eyatem of Kerosene illuminating. Gas with have in other respects, Atali events, having ® paper currency at the present time, and not knowing when we may have any other, it isa h eetors have been placod along the of the lake at intervals of Shout tory yards, ‘which, when waste of time and altogether out of place to be legislating on a unification of metallic cur- ‘ene give a very brilliant appearance to the scone om the Altbough thousands visited (he ponds here the ice wag rency for the world. —_—_______ solid and smooth, The usual illuminations took place at night, and among the throngs were many ladies ig elegant skating costumes, OATMAN'S FIFTR AVENUR POND, There has been great difficulty in getting the ice im condition at this retreat, but on Monday, by great exer- tion, it was in good condition, With the crowd present there were many siars in tho skating firmament. To- ce day a gold raedal will be contended for by Iadies at this Tur Avpany Lossy.—With the democrats in | park. * P JACMILLAN'S: 5 possession of the Assembly and the republicans Under the Judicious treatiaent of sorapers the ice was " . 4 iiuminations {i in occupation of the Senate at Albany there postecnytey cmnmees, (areaghods the Gay drew are some innocent people who, perhaps, think | together many of talent in the skatorial art, that the lobby jobs and jobbers ofeach will be Brooklyn, , " Nos roxD, neutralized by the jobbers and jobs of the By a device for cutting and planing ice, p 4 other, so that this Legislature will be without | gio by the proprietor of this Iake, there has here much profit to the lobby on either side, and | been solid, smooth and thick ice ‘for several days— that accordingly the taxpaying people will | decidediy tho best seon this season, Monday and yes- have occasion to be thankful. We fear, how- ever, that all such estimates of the new Legis- lature will prove delusive in the course of five or six weeks. The Albany lobby believes that every lawmaker at Albany, republican or | picasures of the oceasion found pieasaat Positions for democrat, has his price, and if it can be paid | 58 477 pdore te ae nee the unique and still leave a good margin of profit to the fs ade here for the comfort of visitors ee lobby the man is bought, By way of illustra- | nis pond is growing greatly in. favor, The ice i im tion, if there is a greenhorn who supposes that | fine condition. Among the many attractions soon to be the ascendancy of Tammany in the Assembly kills off the Broadway Surface Railroad job, let torday, from early in the morning until after midnight, thousands, not only from t be Eastern district, but rom tere by the proprietor isa race wit! is own construction. him wait a little, till the lobby gets its machinery adjusted, and he will be s wiser man. Noxt whizz6s past a piquant skating circles. Groups joined hands here and there upon the glib surface, while a coverie would over and anon crowd about some one whose evolutions were original and diMcult. Those who did not ing this city, met together, many recoguized as experts im jee voats of and in this section line interest, CaPitottNe POND, This retreat is a favorite with the Brooklynites, and when the ico fs in good condition, as yesterday and Monday, it ts filled with visitors, During the day there mere many ladies, lads and misses indulging im the ‘port, and at night the mens. of humanity, amid’ the strains of me: neath the glare of cal efor lights, found pleasure to their content, CENTRAL POND, This new pond, situated in South Brooklyn, is already &n institution, Some two thousand persons visited 16 yesterday and were greatly pleased at the condition of the ice, Ina few days there will be @ skating match between professionals. From ap, ‘Yotees of the muck of this THE METROPOLITAN FIRE DEPARTMENT. The report of Chief Engineer Kingsland, of tho Motropolitan Fire Department, which bas ,just been forwarded to Governor Fenton, contains some very interosting information concerning the workings of the Department during tho past year and the improvements wich he is of the opinion might and ought to be intro. duced into the organization, During the year ending Novembor 30, according to the report, there were eight huodred and thirty fires and alarms, of which ninety-one wero incendiary origin, During the same Period thirty-six arrests were made of persons suspected of arson, of number fourteen Were discharged by the police magistrates for want of sufficient evidence te convict the accused and the remainder were “variously disposed of.” The total loss by fire was $6,711,000, only one-third of which was insured. The Chief Engineer atatos that the number of fires during the past year as compared with that of previous years has not decreased, but the fosses were not #0 great, The total force of men in the department, imoluding the enginee ie $20. There ar Bo e@ use of the Department 20,575 feetot 27,600 THE PRIZE RING, Fight on the New Jersey Yesterday morning @ fight came of Road. ween Mike Patsey M for $100 aside. Before the ring wae pitched a constable made his appearance and ordcred ich order was flouted, and the of. rmination of the twenty-first round party doing oserres once principals, secon and toe took to their heels, the principais getting into vehicles and leaving the of!) ‘slong distance be The party pulled ap ato botel near Union Hill, whore @ room was engaged and six more rounds ware fought, when Mike appeared to be losing ground; but jest then y struck him a blow which tho rere foul, and awarded f Vatse: hos indicat mbor is Increa each company for houses is restricted to twenty-five seconds, clase steamers is strongly recom. scarcity of the supply of @ lightness of the engines, juired during tho prosent year, The purchase of 16,000 feet of hose of combina- tion rubber, Gaylord coupling, ia urged. He closes by advocating the of asmall propeller for use in cases of fire in the shipping, and the rigid outorcement of the law against the storage of gombuapbl ‘Withia she Gity limiwa 7? vertainment for the benefit of Ned Jack Hicks took place ab if. The hall was crowded with the prize ring and boxers of co Aaron set to with Hicke and 0'lald- ef renapgee' tye i aay ean, of yomsolves ay targets eleetation audienge, syirls snd whirls and dexterous curvings that are ni | J] bidding adieu te \