The New York Herald Newspaper, November 28, 1868, Page 4

> BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR All business or news letter and telegraphic despatches must be addressed. New York -Ne. 333 WRRY THEATRE, a Math Bowery.—Nep ScARLET—ALONZO Tak BRave. inee at 2. PIKE'S OPERA HOUSE, Kd wtreet.—BaRLk BLE corner ot Eighth avenue and Matinee at 1. OLYMPIC THEATRE. Broadwa wits New Features, Matinee at ACADEMY OF MUSIC, sitcten VEsreRs. Event er Domprr, urteenth street.—Matinee— RAND CONCERT. GERMAN STADT THEATRE, Nos. 4 and 47 Bowery.— MABIE ANNE. BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadw: Custom OF THE COUNTRY, Matinee Farry Crroe— 36. WALLACK'S THEATRE, Tua LANCASHIRE LAS8, NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Arikk DARK, OF Lon- von py Nigut, Matinee at 1. Broadway and 1h street.— MRS. F. B, CONWAY'S PARK THEATRE, Brooklyn.— Mawy SruanT. BRYANTS' OPERA HOt atreet.—ETHIOPIAN MiNsT! KELLY & LEON’S MINSTRELS, 720 Broadway.—ETmo- PIAN MINSTRELSY, BUBLESQUE.—ORPHER AUX ENFERS. SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS, 585 PIAN ENTERTAINMENTS, SINGING, D. ‘Tammany Building, 1th ko. Matinee at 2. Broadway.—ETHI0- ANOING, &e TONY PASTOR'S OPERA-HOUSE 201 Bowery.—Comio Vooa.isM, NEGRO MINSTRELSY, &c, Matinee at 24. THEATRE COMIQUE, $14 Broadway.—Tan Gueat Ont- Gival, LINGARD AND VAUDEVILLE COMPANY. Matinee. wooo's M Broadway. UM AND THEATRE, Thirtieth street and ‘noon and evening Performance. NiKW YORK CIRCUS, Fourteenth street.—EQursTRIAN AND GYMNASTIO ENTERTAINMENT. Matinee at 234. GREAT EUROPEAN CIRCUS, corner Broadway and 4th M.-EQUESTRIAN AND GYMNASTIC PERFORMANORS. COOPER INSTITUTE, Astor place,—Commopoms NUTT Ano MINNIE WARREN, TOM THUMB AND WIFE. BROOKLYN ATHENAUM, corner of Atlantic and Clin- ton ate.—SIGNOR BLITZ, MAGICIAN AND VENTRILOQUIBY. HOOLEY'S OPERA Hi E, Brooklyn.—Hoousy’s MINSTRELS—THE LANKYSHTRE Lass, &0. Matinee at 934. HOOLEY’S (E. D.) OPERA HOUSE. Williamaburg.— Hoouet’s MiNsTERLS—IXION, &c. Matinee at 234. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN, corner 284 st, and 4th av, EXntuition oF Proruses, &¢. NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— SOrRNOE AND ART. 1868. New York, Saturday, November 28, Europe. ‘The cable reports are dated November 27. ‘The colliery disaster at Wigan, England, is not so severe as at first reported. Fifty-seven persons were killed, ten others were seriously burt and a number Of others slightly injured. Latest accounts place the liberal majority in the new British Parliament at 117. Republicanism 18 on the increase in Spain. A public demonstration was made in Saragossa in favor of a republic on the 26th inst. The State of Roumania 1s said to be unfavorable in her relations with both Austria and Turkey. ‘The rumors of the completion of a treaty between ‘rauce aud the Netherlands are unfounded. The Alabama Cinims, ‘The terms of the protocol now in the hands of Fresident Johnson are in general just as our Wash- Ngton correspondent stated recently, except that the number of commissioners is to be four instead of turee, two to be appointed by each side. Each one of the Alabama claims must be decided unanimously or referred to an arbitrator. The goverument con- siders that this protocol is equivalent to a concession on the part of England that her conduct in recog- nizing the rebels as belligerents shail be passed upon by an arbitrator. Paraguay. Secretary Seward, on Thursday, sent a note to Sec- retary Welles requesting him to instruct Rear Ad- mitral Davis to proceed at once to Paraguay and take measures there to prevent violence to American citi- vens and redress any extreme insult to our flag. He Mentions Bliss and Masterman as ‘‘lately tn some connected with the United States Legation.” ~ Cuba. The Havana Diario newspaper of yesterday states that American journals are better informed on affairs io Cuba than the Havana journais, and it copies the Cuba despatches from those papers. Twelve ne- groes, first class field hands, formerly worth $1,200 each, sold lately at an average of $900, Three mouths volwateers are being raised by the merchants for service against the insurgents. A secret com- mission in the rebel interests is reported to have left Jor New York, Sandwich Islands. Advices from Honolulu are to November i4. The disturbances at Hawaii had been suppressed. The voicano Kalanea was again active. The United States steamer Ossipee had relieved the Mohongo at Honolulu. The iarger part of the whaling feet are returning damaged. They report no additional in- sormation concerning the Polar continent discovered jaat year, Miscellaneous. ‘The vote of Louisiana was canvassed on Wednesday by the Governor, Secretary of State and the Judge of the Second District. Twelve parishes were thrown out, reducing the democratic majority greatly, but not changing the result, except in the Second (New Orieans) district, where Colonel Sheldon, republican, recetves the certificatejagjCongressman, and Manard, @ negro, the certificate for the unexpired term of Congressman Mann. A HERALD correspondent had @ conversation re- ceatly with Congressman Boutwell, who, in answer to inquiries, stated that he should advocate the ex- action of more stringent measures of reconstruction tn Virginia, Mississippi and Texas than had been required from the other States. He believed thas epecie payinents can be hastened only by sdvancing prosperity, and not by legislation. As to the suf- frage queation, he was of the opinion that Congress had the power to declare who may vote for Presiden- tral electors, Senators and Congressmen, if not the the power to regulate the entire question of suffrage 1a (he States, in the case of Mra, Fero, who wat murdered in Delaware county, N. Y., some nights ago, the jory returned @ verdict against her husband. The report & first was that @ burglar shot her while scuMing with her husband; but this report is set aside by the jury, a4 Fero himself first originated it, and nume- rous marital infidelities are alleged against him. The Alabama Legislature is considering @ bill to Muke it an indictable offence to appear disguised as a Ku King and to declare it no crime to shoot any berson disgaised after dark. Sir John Young, the new Governor General of Canada, tas arrived in Ottawa. Soovitie, the alleged defauiting cashier iu St. John, . B., as escaped from the custody of the sheriff's “ er and $30,000 reward is offered for his appre- beusion, A negro riot occurred In Washington yesterday, and in quelling it two oMcers were injured and one negro was killed, The fight was exclusively among negroes su7 originated by some trouble in # proces- ion on tie Way to lay the corner stone of @ church. ‘The Commissioner of !ndian Affairs is to visit Cat- taraugus Reservation, in this State, soon, in order | tu attend to the setilement of certain tndian law claims, ‘The Dyer Court of Inqniry has adjourned over till Mouday for the purpose of reviewing tue vestimony a taken. ate The City. ‘The Health Board have brought # case in the Sixth distriot Civil Court to test the right of peddlers to ave stands on the sidewalks. Richard Piyon, who (EW YORK HERALD | | Keeps a truic stand on West and Barclay streets, ts the defendant. When the case was called yesterday | Assistant District Attorney Hutchings appeared for | the defendant, stating that he did so on bebalf of the | oly. The Rearing of the cauae was then postponed ‘anti the 11th of next month. The Democratic Union Executive Committee at Masonic Hall last evening nominated Frederick A. Conkling for Mayor and Richard O'Gorman for Cor- poration Counsel,.in place of John Kelly and Abra- ham R. Lawrence declined. Constitutional Union Convention also nominated Mr. Conkling. Five wooden buildings on Yates avenue, Brooklyn, were blown down on Thursday afternoon by the high wind. Nobody was hurt. The loss is $2,500, Early yesterday morning William Arkansaw, keeper of a bagnio in Greene street, having some diMculty with William Hall, who ia barkeeper for a similar establishment just opposite, procured a shot gun and shot his enemy in the arm, completely lacerating it, Arkansaw was arrested and ‘com- mitted. A warrant was issued for the arrest of O’Baldwin, “the Irish giant,” on Thursday, by Justice Dowling, It is said that Felix Larkin, his bondsman, being dead, his bail is worthless. The Justice stated. yes- terday that O’Baldwin had mmdirectly led Felix Larkin to his death, as the intimacy between the two had occasioned the scenes of disorder and the hard drink- ing that had crazed the deceased. In the United States District Court yesterday, Judge Blatchford presiding, the case of the United States versus Garner 0. Baker, late first teller of the Tradea- men’s National Bank, and who is charged with de- falcation against the bank, was reaumed before the Jury sworn to try it. During the session several witnesses were sworn, and the case stands ad- journed till this morning. ‘The continuation of argument in the ‘After Dark” controversy, which was set down for yesterday morning, before Judge Nelson, was, in consequence of the illness of counsel in the case, postponed till Monday next. The steamship William Penn, Captain Billinge, will sail from pier No. 3 Nort river at one P. M, to-day for London direct, The steamship George Cromwell, Captain Vaill, of the Cromweil line, will leave pier No. 9 North river at three P. M, to-day for New Orleans. ‘The steamship Santiago de Cuba, Captain McDiar- mid, will sail from pier 36 North river at three P, M. to-day tor Havana and New Orleans. Tho steamship Alabama, Captatn Limeburner, will sail for Mobile via Fernandina to-day, leaving pier 29 North river at three P. M. The sidewheel steamship San Jacinto, Captain Atkins, will leave pier No. 8 North river at three P. M. to-day for Savannah. The Express line steamer Empire, Captain Price, will sail at four P. M. to-day from pier 15 Kast river for Washington and Georgetown, D. C., and Alexandria, Va. The stock market yesterday was strong. Prices advanced several per cent in some instances. Gold closed at 135. Prominent Arrivals in the City. Lieutenant Commander Charles W. Tracey, of the United States Navy; Dr. J. M. Brown, of the'United States Army; Colonel W. D. Mann, of Mobile, Als., and Dr. Lee Buffington, of Philadelphia, are at the Metropolitan Hotel. Charles H. Hopper, of the United States Marine Corps; W. E. Everett, of New York, and J. N. Case, of Saratoga, are at the St. Charles Hotel. Congressman J. M. Marvin, J. P. Conkling and J. P. Breslin, of Saratoga, N. Y., are at the New York Hotel. Colonel Schaffer, of Illinols; General Spaulding, of Washington; Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, and R. L. Prufyn, of Albany, are at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Captain W. R. Livermore, of the United States | Army, and G. A. Van Allen, of Albany, are at the | Hoffman House. G, W. Cass, of Pittsburg, and J. L. Dawson, of Pennsylvania, are at the St. Nicholas Hotel. Government Corruptions—The Power and Responsibility of Congress. On Monday week the two houses of the Fortieth Congress will reassemble at Washing- ton to consider the ways and means for pro- perly carrying on our national government. We expect that they will have much to do in the way of investigations into election frauds and terrorism in the Southern States and else- where, and on the universal and impartial suffrage questions, and in cobbling up the cur- rency and the national debt, and in wild goose chases for immediate specie payments; but we do not expect much in the reformation of those government corruptions and abuses through which the Treasury and the taxpayers have been defrauded out of a sum of money exceed- | ing one hundred millions a year. These government corruptions, frauds and spoliations have become the crying evils of the day. They have to a shocking extent demor- alized the whole body politic, national, State and municipal. ‘They have increased, are increasing,” and if not soon diminished they will surely culminate in national bankruptcy and the most disastrous financial revulsion in all the annals of speculation and extravagant and swindling financial adventures. We have, for instance, numerous coalitions or gangs of Treasury robbers, in the shape of whiskey rings, involving government officials and out- side confederates; and we see that so far all the efforts of the President (such as they have been) to get at the head or the tail or the body of these whiskey frauds have signally failed. The parties detailed by him to ferret out these frauds have themselves been indicted and arrested for frauds and perjury by the parties against whom investigations were directed, or by some process or other every attempt to get into the mystery of these whiskey frauds has been checked or headed off. The President, to be sure, has had and has still the power of bringing this business to a searching investigation by the Senate, in a suspension of every internal revenue official accused or suspected of incompetency or dis- honesty, and it is not yet too late for him to make up a batch of such officials for the con- sideration of the Senate under the Tenure of Office law. But, after all, the power and the responsibility in this matter belong to Con- gress. The two houses in their war with Andy Johnson came so ear turning him adrift for the offences of the suspension and removal of Stanton that Mr. Johnson has, perhaps, thought it wisest, since his narrow escape, to avoid the trap set to catch him. At all events, as the President can do nothing of a positive character any longer, except with the advice and consent of the Senate, the | duty of correcting these atrocious abuses upon the Treasury falls upon the Senate and the | House of Representatives. | The government as it is differs very widely | from the government as it was. ‘The Execu- | tive was a positive power in the government, | but he is a mere figurehead. The government as it was consisted of three departments—the legislative, the executive and the judicial. It has been practicaily reguced to one—the legis- lative. With two-thirds against him in each | house even the veto power of the Executive | bas been a dead letter to Johnson, General | Grant will be better off in this respect, but still the power and the duty of retrenchment and reform belong to Congress. The Presi- dent may recommend, but the two houses must do the work. or provide the Presidgpt ‘ho ways and means. For example, President Grant may clear out all the present revenue officers, great and small, and put in a new set, and they may be confirmed by the Senate ; but under the lawa as they are it may be dis- covered after the lapse of a few months that he has only exchanged a swarm of Treasury flies well gorged, for a swarm half famished and ravenous for this whiskey plunder. What we want from Congress are the ways and means for a speedy trial and punish- -ment of official delinquents of all sorts through the authority of the President, with such amendments in our laws of taxation and reve- nue collections as will do away with some, if not all, of the existing incentives to frauds and per- juries. We dare say, too, that if this Congress and the Congress which succeeds it on the 4th of March shall fail in this business there will be a Congress, or at least a House of Rep- resentatives, elected two years hence which will bring President Grant into direct rapport with the democratic party. Congress and Our Railway and Telegraph Systems. At the blind pace at which we are advancing in our railway and telegraph management not one cent of the vast amount invested in these great public works is safe fora moment. It has been proven to us by the great swindling operations in Erie that the managers of any other corporation may overissue stock as long as the market will bear it and go unwhipped of justice. The judges disagree upon the legal questions brought before them, and in no court at present existing is it found possible to force @ just administration of a property which amounts to many millions of dollars. The absolute necessity of the general Congress taking the direction of all the railway and telegraph companies is becoming more patent every day. The idea of forty different States dictating forty systems of railway management is like placing forty opposing forces at work for a harmonious object. We have at length reached that point in our national development when our railway and telegraph systems have grown far beyond local importance, and now affect trade so distant, unite States so wide apart and link interests so entirely national that the legislation referring to them should not be trusted to local jeal- ousies and the narrow ideas that generally animate State legislation, but should go to the consideration of Congress for the national good. We do not propose the absorption of the railways by the government, but we advo- cate the necessity of a code of laws for their direction. There should be a railway bureau, or perhaps another Cabinet officer, a minister whose duty it should be to superintend all our great public works and watch that laws made for their government be properly administered. The evils of bad management in these colossal companies have at length forced themselves into such prominence that Congress can no longer neglect to take notice of them and shape some laws to their general benefit. It is the first step towards a restoration of a healthy financial condition to the country. A Mexican Railway Concession—Its Con- fession of Mexican Insolvency. Our Mexican news yesterday was a strange combination of financial work. While our correspondent tells us that they were obliged to pledge the duties on a prospective ship- ment of silver to pay the army and civil list, he at the same time entertains us with an ac- count of a new concession for the Vera Cruz and Mexico Railroad, which is a terrible sui- cidal thrust on the part of the Mexican govern- ment; a terrible confession of financial dis- honor ; a fearful loworing of the pride puffed into such inordinate importance under the idea that they drove the French from Mexico. After agreeing to pay five hundred and sixty thousand dollars annually for twenty-five suc- cessive years, the government, as if certain that no sensible man would ever trust them to the amount of one hundred dollars without a double oath, says :— ARTICLE 20,—The supreme government solemnly promises that the payment of the five hundred and sixty thousand dollars shall be made faitufully and completely, without subjecting said amount to any suspension, reduction or other amendment decreed or agreed upon with reference to the national debt. Four other articles treat at length upon the same question of the five hundred and sixty thousand dollars annual subsidy. The already overburdened Custom Houses of Matamoros, Tampico and others are now probably to amuse those who present Custom House bonds representing a part of this sum with the infor- mation that some three or four hundred per cent of their income is already pledged in the same way for numberless other purposes in support of ‘God and independence.” Thus the Mexicans themselves confess before the world their absolute imbecility in financial af- fairs. Another thing: In the face of their cherished constitution of 1857, about which they make such grandiloquent boasts, they grant to this same railroad company an ex- clusive privilege, as witness :— ARTICLE 2.—The com} al! complete the con- struction of the Mentioned, between Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico, and the branch from Apizaco to Puebla, the government binding itself not to subvent tion du of sixty-five years, commencing from this date, any other corporation or person for the pui of constructing or work- ing eee Tallroad between Vera Cruz and Mex- ico or intermediate points. The subvention conceded for the road from Vera Cruz to Puebla by way of Jalapa is not included in this promise. This is a plain violation of their fundamental laws. It is, however, not surprising when we see, contrary to this same constitution, the feudal system of internal custom houses atill existing in some of the States which compose the republic, Their Congress has refused to ratify the treaty for the settlement of American claims. This is not surprising, as anything that savors of gratitude or justice is not generally hurried through a Mexican legislative assem- bly. The longer Mexico defers its ratificatfon of this treaty the better it will be for Ameri- can claimants, who will be paid by the United States next year when we take possession of a few of the Northern Mexican States, which are constantly petitioning to be admitted to the enjoyment of settled government. Much is said in Mexico about the return of Mr. Ro- mero to Washington as Minister, under the idea that he can count largely upon General Grant. If any man can count largely upon another whose confidence he has betrayed, then Mr. Romero would do well to return. The truth is the Mexican liberals have had their little experiment in self-government, and are every day getting deeper and deeper into a condition of national bankruptcy out of which they have no native brains sufficiently power- ‘ul ‘a extricate than. Seantor Sherman on Our Political Financial Situation, Our special correspondence from the home of Senator Sherman, of Ohio, which we pub- lished yesterday, presents in a concise manner the views of one of the most eminent atates- men of the country on our political and financial situation. Mr. Sherman had no fear or mental reservation in expressing himself freely to our correspondent, but spoke frankly and as if the people had aright to know, through the press, what his opinions are. He had ‘‘no reasons to be reticent, no opinions on public matters that might not be printed.” With regard to political matters he is hopeful. He considers the election of General Grant will settle forever the reconstruction question, and io that view of the case he is ‘‘in favor of the utmost liberality towards the South, would relieve it of all forms of disability, provided only it gives protection to the people within ita limits.” He regards the subject of the national finances as the most important of all in the immediate future. Upon ‘the question of specie payments he takes the middle ground, and is neither for contraction nor expansion. He thinks that if our finances be put upon a sound basis and the government properly and economically ad- ministered we shall grow up to specie pay- ments naturally and without any shock or re- vulsion. ‘This is sound doctrine, and it ia gratifying to know that a man of Mr.,Sher- man’s position and influence has arrived at that in spite of the crazy resumption clamors of many of his party. Speaking of taxation, he said he would make it touch exclusively, if possible, imported articles and luxuries, and would have a surplus revenue to apply to the extinguishment of the national debt. He likes his own funding bill and thinks the substitute passed by both houses of Congress ‘‘was a humbug—a bridge to get over the election.” One very important question—that of placing the railroads under government control—came up, and he unhesitatingly expressed the opinion that Congress has ‘the power to regulate rail- road lines above all State power.” He con- siders it clear that this power is derived from the clause of the constitution authorizing Con- gress to regulate commerce among the several States. Mr. Sherman is right, and we hope he will introduce a comprehensive measure to regulate the railroads and putan end to the monopolies and corruptions that now exist. On the whole, Mr. Sherman's views on public af- fairs are those of a statesman and indicate a better state of things, politically and financially, in the future. aod More About the Al Claims from Washingt Our despatch from Washington, published in another part of the paper, gives more definite information on the convention to settle the Alabama and other claims between the United States and Great Britain. It sppears now there are to be four commissioners, two on each side, and not three, as previously stated. In other respects our despatches heretofore published on this subject were substantially correct. The government at Washington con- siders a great point has been gained in. getting a commission at all to decide on the Alabama claims, as the British government held for a long time that it was not responsible for the depredations of the Alabama and would not have the right of England to recognize the rebels as belligerents brought in question. It is considered that the British govern- ment has virtually acknowledged now its responsibility. The Alabama claims are to be acted upon separately and in a manner somewhat different to the other claims. The decision on these is to be unani- mous with the four commissioners, and if they cannot agree unanimously on any claim it is to be referred to an arbitrator. This provision of the convention does not appear to meet with much favor from the President, and he and his Cabinet have it now under considera- tion. ft is undoubtedly an objectionable feature and likely to lead to future complica- tions. Why not make a decision by a majority binding, and if the commissioners were to be equally divided then to refer the matter to an arbitrator? This would be fair. It is to be hoped our government will insist on perfect equality and fair dealing. All this diplomatic wriggling is out of place. It is a simple ques- tion of damages, and the only way to settle it satisfactorily to the American people is to pre- sent the bill and have it paid. Theories of Resumption. Three of the newspapers of this city keep up an incessant jabber about specie payments, asif they understood the subject and could enlighten the world. The 7'ribune is for im- mediate resumption, regardless of conse- quences. ‘Onto specie payments!” it cries, just as it did ‘On to Richmond!” before the army was prepared for that undertaking. The cry then resulted in the Bull Run disaster, as every one knows ; and the clamor now for im- mediate resumption is about as stupid and would result as disastrously if heeded by Con- gress. The World and Times hardly know what they want, though they makea great fuss upon the subject. They are for forcing resump- tion some time or in some manner, but do not know when or how it is to be done. They are less bold than the chief radical, organ, but hold the same absurd theory. The twaddle and ringing of changes about specie pay- ments, day after day in all these papera, is “* much ado about nothing "—mere theories and bandying of words without ideas or a practi- cal object. The truth is specie payments can be reached only by growing up to them and through the laws of trade. Any attempt to force resumption would create a revulsion, bring upon us general bankruptcy, paralyze commerce and check the country in its on- ward career of prosperity. With the wonder- ful progress we pre making in population, trade, material development and wealth, the present volume of currency will uot be more than the country will need in a few years, if | indeed it be not found insufficient, This of itself will bring about gradually specie pay- ments, and that without any serious financial or commercial disturbance. Let well alone should be our motto. The country is prosper- ous, and will continue to be so if the financial theorists will let the currency alone and let | the laws of trade work out the question of specie payments. We would say, as General Grant says about our political difficulties, “Let us have peace” on this subject, and all will go well, NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1868. The Kevolationary Power of the Telegraph. Among tho many agencies of civilization which buman science and skill have developed within the present genoration the telegraph certainly stands pre-eminent in vatue and importance. It is revolution organized. As its operations are felt day by day we are brought more intimately into connec- tion with the belief that without the tele- graph we should be living, as it were, in a different world. In olden times it would have taken a month to inform us of what is tran- spiring in Europe. Now the intelligence is communicated almost as fast as thought is conceived. Take the revolution in Spain, for instance, which is the European event just now. While the leaders act in Madrid, Napoleon thinks and plans in Paris—thoughts and schemes based upon their hourly action. No waiting for couriers across the Pyrenees, nof even the more rapid transit of the railroad. A moment of time puts the leaders of the revolution in communication with the man who is designed at the proper time to become the master of the revolution. In the United States, which covers an area early as large as all Europe, there exists an instantaneous communication of ideas from ocean to ocean, and from the northern frontier to the Gulf, that pervades every business and every interest in the country. The telegraph steps in between cliques of speculators and honest dealers, demolishing often the greedy expectations of the former, but perhaps as often enabling them to carry out the moat nefarious plans. It speaks, at thousands of miles’ distance, between the buyer and the seller, making offers in trade and concluding bargains. It brings Wall street, with all its speculations, jobs and fluctuations and all its iniquities, into the marts and exchanges of every city in the Union, thug making all branches of commerce general and not merely local. Between government and government the interchange is so rapid that the public are becoming ‘relieved from the incubus of official documents which it was once neces- sary to peruse in order to comprehend what was going on in the negotiation of any inter- national question. Now we know in the morn- ing exactly how Mr. Reverdy Johnson settled the Alabama claims in his genial after-dinner fashion yesterday. Weare put in possession of the condition of Lopez and his enemies, the allies, in Paraguay, almost as soon as they are aware of the sitaation themselves; of the proclamations, militia reviews and prepara- tions for defence on the part of Captain Gene- ral Lersundi against the Cuban revolutionists ; {ENERAL NOT: Onto owes $10,500,000, Fowl! gaue in Virginia—Shooting Pottard. The politicians! latest nostrum—See Weed. A political anomaly—Spain free, Cuba wm slavery, ‘The clgarmakers’ strike in this city bas eaded im smoke, t Pr cariss Farragut 13 the guest of Secretary Welles General Grant will remain Kasi until after the opening of Congress. A question for the coming Congress—Will Wash burn be whitewashed 5 ‘The fight of Satan's imps—the contest between the lawyersand the whiskey frauds. Speaker Colfax and bride have taken up their resi- dence in Washington for the session. Statistics show that children are decreasing im New England. So are the men, since Daniel Web- ster’s time. It is proposed to establish the new Central Lunatic Asylum of Ohio 4: Zanesville, That is just the place for the zany. A hunting party lately passed through a town in Ohio carrying the dead body of a comrade, who had accidentally shot himself, The alleged assassin of Pollard has been bailed out. Virginia criminal jurisprudence bas been in a leaky condition for some time. The new code—Always keep your hand behind you when talking to a friend or an enemy. There is no knowing what derringer may be abroad. The New Havenites won't give $1,000,000 towards the Air Line Railroad. They don’t propose to fight it out on that air line nelther summer nor winter. The slaves in Cuba have a war cry—“‘Avenza & Lincoln ! avenza!’? Liberally translated this means, “Down with the slaveholders—advance for libera- tion.” The Chicago Tribune says the people of Michigan do not wish to be represented in the United States Senate by a whiskey jug. Illinois is looking after its laurels. A Western paper gives itself the following pleasant obituary notice on Thanksgiving day:—“No paper will be issued from this office to-morrow—nor ang other lay.” The sheriff's officers were around. Frank Riley has been sentenced to the Connecticut State Prison for five years for counterfeiting. Riley will be out in time to be connected with a Congres- sional investigating committee—“after Grant.” MUSICAL AND THEATRICAL NOTES. “No Thoroughfare’ had a succesafal rua of one week in Boston. Appreciative ‘‘Hub.’’ “The Lancashire Lass” has arrived in New Or- leans. She is stopping at the Varieties theatre. Miss Emma Maddern is giving the good people of St. Louis a taste of her “Cigarette,” every night. Kate Fisher and her horse are galloping into the affections of the Pittsburgers on the back of “Ma- weppa.”? } Tiitc. Marietta Ravel, the tight rope dancer and ‘ntomimist is doing the ‘French Spy” for the jans. ine Devil’s Auction,” with Morlacchi in the can- can, is the short-skirted sensation in Boston for me present week. “Belle Héléne” has been translated into Russian, i and played at the Alexandra theatre, St. Petersburg, with considerable success. Five thousand nine hundred and eighty-nine per- sons visited Wood’s Museum on Thanksgiving day a ening, the receipts reaching the sum of the election returns from the citi roughs of Great Britain; how heads were broken in Drogh i. th “windows were smashed in Bolton a few hours before. As far as distance is concerned the telegraph places us almost as near to Europe and Asia as to the extremes of our own Continent. Distance has, in fact, become an imaginary thing, for the electric messenger spans the world of space as quickly as the brain conceives a thought. How infinitely more important, then, is the tele- graph than railroads or all other modern means of communication! How essential, also, does it become that this mighty engine of progress, this great machine, which may be made sub- missive to man for good or evil purposes, should be under the control of the government for the benefit of the whole people, and not left to the mercy of speculators and extor- tionists. Jobn Brights New Revolution. It is evident that John Bright is shooting a little ahead of his party. He advocates re- forms which his brother reformers are not pre- pared to carry out. Take, for example, his recent declarations that the law of primogeni- ture was inconsistent with the times and the existing principles of reform, and that import | Circus, duties should be abolished altogether as un- necessary. The liberal press does not sustain Mr. Bright in these extreme views. They are just a shade too revolutionary for the present state of affairs in England. So the 7imes and other liberal organs pitch into Mr. Bright's ideas of a new revolution rather severely. The advocacy of these extreme ideas by John Bright is probably intended to outbid Disraeli for popular favor ; but it is quite as likely that Disraeli, who is not controlled by many con- scientious scruples, may outbid Bright after all. The Premier is skilled in political tactics, Heis not likely to be outwitted by the dema- goguery of John Bright, but what is far more likely to occur is that Gladstone will be left in the lurch between the machinations of these two demagogues, Bright and Disraeli. It is pretty clear, however, that the liberal organs are getting afraid of Bright and his ultra-pro- gressive policy, as announced in his speeches at Edinburg and other places, and that they are disposed to put the curb on his rather ram- pant career. gee We oe The Jadiciary and Férnando Wood's Job. The radical organs, the 7'ribune and Times, “Humpty Dumpty,” at the Olympic, was also welt patted, as ine, ‘ollowing figures will show:—The matinee realized $1,417; ey aaa $2,101. nash Oy Sg * iy wlio * Fanny Morant, lately of Wallack’s, closes her Boston Gs ee this week. She is to join = company that will play at Edwin Booth’s new atre. ' The receipts at the theatres, concert rooms and laces of public amusement in Paris amounted ta tober to 1,776,020f., being an increase of 770,700f. on the previous month. McKean Buchanan is meeting with much succeas in Portland, where he is at present Lead age) the ponderous lines of tragic blank verse for the edifica- lion of our Yankee cousins. ' Mme. de Caux’s salon is already a brilliant | and her receptions, with their exquisite musio, / envie, At the last Patti sang @ new song com] by herself. The evening began by a splendid an ner. On the idth of May, 1848, “The Merry Wives of Windsor" was performed at the Haymarket theatro, London, by the following cast:—Sir John Falstait,; Mr. Mark Leman; Shallow, Mr. Charles Dickens; Stender, Jobn Leech; Pistol, George Cruikshank. 4 Mr. G. H. Clarke has been welcomed back to Phila- deiphia by his many friends and the theatre-going public 12 such manner as cannot have failed to havo satisfied him that his efforts are appreciated. With- out exception the city press speak of him in tae highest terms of praise. win Booth’s present professional career in Chi- cago has proved one of his grandest and most suo- cessful triumphs, Upon his first appearance aw Hamlet, at MoVicker’s theatre, the house was densely packed from stage to gallery, and many were unable to find even standing room. The tollowing matinces are announced for to day:—Théatre ‘rane “Genevieve;” Pike's, “Barbe Bleue;’’ Niblo’s Garden, “After Dark; Wood’s Museum, ‘‘Ciaderella;’ Bowery, “Ned Scar- let; Theatre Comique, English opera; Tony Pas- tor's, “The New York Miikman;” the, Lee nad acrobats and bareback riding; the New Circus, ditto; bg Opera House, strelsy; Hooley’s, Williamsburg, ditto; * Brooklyn, Sig. poop ye and ventrioquism. Mins Marriott, the great tragedienne, who is under engagement to Mr. Samuel Colvilie, of Wood's Museum, for a professional tour of the United States, has just concluded a very successiul é1 ment at Sadiers’ Wells. the ondon, in which ie wae supported vy Mr. J. ‘athcart, a gentleruan favora- bly known here from his impersonations iu conjuno- tion with Mr, and Mrs, Charles Keane during their engagements at the Broadway theatre. It is ex- pected that Mr. Cathcart will accompany Miss Mar- Tiott to this country. a success hoheen i eee ee Edwin For- reat's ap} ces in lelphis is as gratifying to ail true friends of the drama as it must be to the veteran himself. That he does not “lag auperfoous on the stage” is amply attested by the fact that he has hot, as is still falsely asserted, fallen into the ves of “mannerism.” On the contrary, those who have not seen him for several years cannot to be as tonished at the inarvellous: eee in art walch he has made, The true artist always lives to learn, and Mr. Forrest has done this to a degree sw ‘that of any of bis contemporari BOOK NOTICES. CYCLoPaDIA OF BIBLICAL, THROLOGICAL AND Eo CLASIASTICAL LITERATURE. Prepared by the Rev. John McClintoch, D. D., and James St , &. Te D, Voume 2—6. D. iiarper'& Brothers’ New ‘This is @ most valuable book for reference to both. the student and ordinary reader. It is thorough and exhaustive of the subjects treated under the alpha- betical heads without being too redundant or ver- bose. The highest authorities are quoted and the are puffing and praising a slashing article which appeared in one of the magazines abusing the judiciary in consequence of a judgment rendered in favor of the lease of Fernando Wood to the city for certain premises occupied for public purposes, at the paltry sum of one hundred and eighty thousand dollars. The decision of the judiciary in this case is de- nounced by these very conscientious journals as infamous, atrocious, vile and everything else which can be expressed by the strongest adjectives. It is curious that such an attack should come from this quarter, while the same journals are endeavoring to hide the more monstrous frauds, amounting to a hundred millions a year on the whiskey tax alone, by assailing the United States courts and juries. It looks as if this fuss which the radical organs are raising about the one hundred and eighty thousand dollars involved in the Wood lease was intended to cover up the tracks of the huge frauds upon the public treasury, which | which they are trying to hide away, by attacking the character of the judges, juries and witnesses and by throwing the onus of the | | iniquity upon each other. | COLFAX. | Schuyler Colfax, Vice Pi lent elect, now sojourn: ing in this city, spent Thanksgiving Day in rook. lyn, the guest of Benjamin W. Delarmater. tn the | evening an entertainment was giveu in honor of the | Speaker and his wifo, in which # large number of | prominent citizens assiated, and the gentleman re ceived morecongratalations upow two of the events | of his life—yiz., bis lage with Miss Wade and his election to the Vice Presidency, Mr. Uolfax will Igave for Wasiinaton to-day | usual spirit and | consattation with Mesars. work id earning road liberall:y. It isextonsively tian” strated in a ie volume is the |, and reaches only to the end of letter so that when the cyclopwdia shall be com; ¥ will — Korn =. we ames. Neo brary, le or private, shou wi thie really ‘extelient work. i te Ortum Hasit. New York: Harper Brothers, This volume, aithough compiled chiefy for the, benefit of opium eaters, may be read with profit py: ail such as are addicted to the immoderate use of tobacco, alcoholic stimulants, &c. Hard as it mag be for the inveterate smoker to abandon the ‘‘sooth- to “taper off” the in don Opium" is full of encouragement to all who hava eaten of the insane root and are desirous of mm | | themsotves from its deadly enchantment, and can: fail to convince excessive smokers aud intemperate drinkers thal it ts comparatively easy for them ta reform and never too late to men: A compromise between the parties engaged ia the Erie litigation {# at length announced. It is neediesa to atate that such a happy termination of hostilities would be received with satisfaction by the comma- nity at large. Yet who knows that, like the sunshine they do not d to deny, but the f of | before the storm, the muddle may burst forth agaim in all its vexations, intricacies, with even more than, ~~ ees a at appearances there {a every proapect o least some _ to come. Reesrs. Say Gonta and James Vis stiil continne in possession of | offices of rie Railway Com; It Is not thoroughly understood, however, wi they or ex-Judge Davies, the new receiver, is running the rout. Tt appears that several depa! aherid were at the building yesterday afternoon. the ob- pulling in con ay so extraordinary and the secrecy movements ao Well observed that It is almost tmpos- sible to be made aware of of the arrangements ont doora intl they are carried out. The presence of the deputy aberim no doubt gave rise to many rn D101, #O Vaguo, indeed, ag to be evidently faliacia RacJidge Fulterton, MF. Shearman and a few ot who are retained aa counsel for the ptors, hel Gould and Fisk, but the reaull of tuelt deliberations Ras ol 49 Yel been mada kaowa,