The New York Herald Newspaper, December 12, 1868, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR, All business or news letter and telegraphic @espatches must be addressed New York Herat. Rejected communications witl not be re- turned. Letters and packages should be properly sealed, XXXL Volui AMUSEMENTS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENIN BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway.—Tax EwrraLD Ring. Matinee at 1g. WALLACK'S THEATRE, Broadway ani Ib street. — Tor LaNcAsutne Lass. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Arirs Dara; or, LON- YON BY NIGHT, Matinee at BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery. DRUNK ARD—DBIBH COURTSHIP--VOL-AU-VENT, &¢. Matinee. NEW YORK THEATRE, Broad DONS a6 KING Renr's Davart ot Eighth avenue and FIEBB OPERA HOUSE, contr BLEUE. Matinos at 1. 20d atreet.—Les Bavanpe—Ba OLYMPIC THEATRE. Homery DoMpry. with New Frarvnes. Matinee at Lig. FRENCH THEATRE. Fourteenth street and Sixth aves nue.—GENSVIEVE DE BRABANT, Matinee at 1. MRS. F. B, CONWAY'S PARK THEATRE, Brook WitiiaM TELL—CARPENTER OF ROUEN. BRYANTS' OPERA HOUSE, Tamm: airect,— ETHIOPIAN MINSTRELBY, &C. any Bui Matinee 4th ng, at % KELLY & LEON'’S MINSTRELS, 720 Broadway.-Ernvo- PIAN MENSTRELSY, BURLESQUE.—TAME Cars. SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS, 585 Broadwa PIAN ENTERTAINMENTS, SINGING, DANOING, &e, TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE 201 Bowery Vocattsx, NEGRO MINSTRELSY, &. Matinee at MUSEUM AND THEATRE, Thirtieth street and ‘Afternoon and evening Performance. NEW YORK CIRCUS, Fourteenth street.—EQUESTRIAN AND GYMNASTIONENTERTAINMEN'. Matinee at 2). STEINWAY HALL.—Tako. THomas’ Frust SymPHony Borex. CLINTON HALL ART GAL! WXWiBrrion OF PAINTINGS. TES, Astor pl and eventng. Di NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1868, Ject, because the District Attorney was exempt from examination and the jury and their attendant oMlcers were sworn to secrecy. The two prisoners were then arraigned and pleaded “Not guilty.” A State Woman's suffrage Convention was held in Providence, R. I, yesterday. All the leading lights were present, The City. ‘The Board of Aldermen, acting as & Board of Can- vasaers of the late charter election, have been served with six protests against counting the votes for cer- tain officers in certain districts. Justice Shandley yesterday discharged Deputy Sheriffs Hickey and Moore, charged with the assault known as the Broadway theatre outrage. He de- cides that as they were violently resisted in their legal duty they were night to enforce submiasion by the use of arms, Ayman named James W, Jennette was charged tn the Jeflerson Market Police Court yesterday with polygamy, in having three wives, and with desertion and frauds to an almost unlimited amount. Two of the wives were in court, ‘The examination will take place to-day. In the United States District Court yesterday, be- fore Judge Blatchford, the case of the United States against thirty-eight hundred gallons of distilled spirits, which has been on trial for four days of the fall sitting of the court, was brought to a close by a verdict for the government, A stay of proceedings for twenty days was granted. ‘The Kentucky Bourbon Company case has gone over indefinitely for the present, in the abseuce of the various defendants, ‘The steamship Atalanta, Captain Dixon, will leave pier No, 3 North river for London direct at one P.M, to-day. ‘rhe sidewheel steamship Bienville, Captain Baker, of Livingston, Fox & Co.'s Ine, will leave pier No, 36 North river at three P, M. to-day (for Havana and New Orleans, Mails for Cuba close at the Post Office attwo P.M, The steamship San Jacinto, Captain Atkins, for Savannah, will sail at three P. M. to-day from pier No. 8 North river, The sidewheel steamship Champion, Captain Loek- wood, will leave pier No. 5 North river at three P. M. to-day for Charleston, The sidewheel steamship {saac Bell, Captain Bourne, wiil leave pier 27 North river at three P. M. to-day for Norfolk, City Point and Richmond, Va. The Express line steamer Rebecca Clyde, Captain Chichester, will sail at four P. M. to-day from pier 14 East river for Washington and Georgetown, D. C., and Alexandria, Va. y Prominent Arrivals in the City. Captain J, W. Reilly, of the United States Army; General W. Whitemore and Colonel J. Dillon, of Boston: General J. Stannard, of Alabama, and Pro- fessor Eastinan, of Poughkeepsie, are at the Metro- politan Hotel. HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, Brooklyn.—Roorry's MINgTRELB—A DUTCHMAN IN JAPAN, &¢. Matinee at 23s. HOOLEY'S (E. D.) OPERA HOUSE, Williamsburg.— HooLsy's MINSTRELS—THE LANKYSULKR Lass, &C. NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— GOtENOE AND ART. New York, Saturday, December 12, 1568. THE NEWS. Europe. The cable telegrams are dated December 11. ‘The conflict between the troops and insurgents at Cadiz, has been a bloody affair, Artillery was used on both sides. Several were killed and a great number wounded. The armistice between the con- testants has been prolonged to await the arrival of the President of the Republican Comunittee of Seville. The workingmen employed on the public works of Madrid are in a state of revolt. Earl Spencer has been officially appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Mr. Denison has been confirmed as Speaker of the House of Commons. The members yesterday took ‘the oath of office. Bismarck says that the fears of war which were prevalent last year have now passed away. Itis reported that Baron Charles Von Recke will be appointed Austrian Minister to Turkey. Add to City. Caba, A sharp skirmist occurred near Manzanillo re- cently. The government authorities claim that ten insurgents were killed and that many horses and much vaiuable correspondence were captured. They iat since the jate battles 400 rebels have sought and received pardon. The insurgents, on the other hand, contradict the latter statement and claim that tuey are receiving reinforcements of men and mate- ,| Trial constantly, Ii is known that about fifty of the first young men of Havana have recentiy joined the Tevolntionists, Mincellaucons, General Grant was busy at army leedquarters alt day yesterday. He leaves Washington to-«lay tor } nicago to atrend the mecting of the societies of the armies of the West. He will be accompunied by | Generals Thomas, Schofield, Terry and others. The State Department is unwilling to comply at | Present with the House resolution calling for the cor- | Tespondence relative to the Alabama claims, us the despatches are not yet all answered, and a prema- ture publication of the correspondence might preyu- | dice the Interests Involved. [1 ts said that the pre- | sent administration intend to push the negotiations | to a concinsion at an early day. ‘The report that E. B, Washburne was positively determined on for Grant’s Seeretary of War was siarted by the waiter at the Union League bate quel, who sagaciously jndged as much from the eon- Verjation around the table, and telegraphed the in- formation to another walter in Washington. in the Supreme Court at Washington yesterday Judge Black applied for icave to be heard on the question whether the McCardle case has b taken out of the jurisdiction of the court by a repeal act of Jougress. The Court agreed to .hear argument on ‘the matter on the first Friday in February. This re- vives the famous reconstruction case, MeCard le, the plaintiff, being the Vicksburg editor, who brings suit against General E. 0. C. Ord or the United States government for false imprisonment under the Peconstruction laws. The Superintendents of Indian Affairs, Mevare. Marphy and Wynkoop, in ung al letters to one of the departments in Washington state that Black Kettle, whose band Was defeated on the Washite river by General Custer receutly, was friendly to the United States and that he and his band were then on the way to draw their annuities at Fort Kearny. Colonel Wynkoop offers his resignation on the ground that the Indians have become incensed against him on account of these attacks and that it 4 dangerous to venture among thet. Our Washington correspondent says the radicals Jook somewhat suspiciously upon Ben Butler because be offered a bill for the repeal of the Tenure of Ofice art simultaneously with the recommendation for its repeal in the President’® Message, The Congressional Committee on Election give Menard, the colored Representative frow Louisiana, very little encourageme Ie is deeply meensed against Governor Warmot), who still delays send ing on his certificate. The Erie Railway Company have commenced o Aull against Cornelius Vanderbilt ior the recovery of 94,590,000, alleged to have been paid him, to compro- | Mise tie famous lawsuit of lust «ummer and fer other purposes, by Dantel Drew, Frank Work and others, alleged in the complaint w tave been an- auth ‘The complaint is tinea by Pleld a utiif's attorneys, and sworn to by t ntana, mn bis me the favors rapid immigration from Europe AS 4 Counterpoise to the influN of Chiness, The temporary hridge is the Missour Omaha has been repaired. One thousand car loads of freight had collected on the east bank, In the Hii! mnrdex casein Philadelphia yesterday | Mr, and Mra. Twitchel were calied p to plead to the | indictments agains’ them, Counsel for Mra ‘Twitchell moved to quash the indi iment against her on her affidavit that the Grand Jovy bad bean tam- pared with by the District Atiornes, wuo urged that | body against the evidence to fit a oil) againet her, Counsel offered to prove tis by exarining the pis trict Attorney, the foreman or mount of the court officers in attendane Court de | era. | The public, General W. Ripley, of Vermont; Colonel W. A. Schaffer, of Illinois; D. W. Newcombe, of Louisville, and J. H. Beals, of Boston, are at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Surgeon Reed, of the United States Navy; Dr. J. Ogilvie, of Toronto, Canada, and R. C. McKibbon, of the United States Army, are at the St. Charles Hotel. Ruin and Deficiency of the Post Ofice Department. The Postmaster General in his report shows that the expenditures of the department ex- ceeded the receipts this last year nearly six mil- lion and a half dollars. A few years ago there was a little surplus of income over expenses; but gradually, from year to yeat, the depart- ment has been getting in 2 worse condition and becoming a burden upon our overburdened taxpayers. The estimated ordinary expendi- ture over receipts for the next fiscal year is put down at six millions seven hundred and forty thousand dollars, besides special appropriations required of over eight hundred thousand dol- lars for certain ocean mail service. This will make, according to the estimate, an excess of expenditure over receipts of more than seven inillions and a half. But it is probable the deficiency will reach nearer fourteen millions, for the department, as we said, is going every year from a bad to a worse financial condition. How is this state of things to be remedied ? The postal service is being constantly extended as settlement advances over our vast territory, and the cost increases in proportion without ®% compensating return. We cannot go buck to higher rates of postage, for the people would not sanction that, and then it is doubtful if higher rates would increase the income of the department. The only remedy is to incorporate the telegraph business of the country with the postal service and pisce all under the Post Office Department. One is as necessary to be under control of government as the other. The service is of the same character—that of affording and facili- tating communication to the people in every section of the country. There is, perhaps, more urgent necessity for the telegraph to be in the hands of the government than the postal business; for the former has become the great- est agent of civilization and for the transaction of business, and should be made cheap, relia- ble and inviolable. It should not be trusted to | the hands of private individuals or companies. ‘The government could give the people cheap telegraphic communication—yes, at a reduction | to a third or fourth the present charges—and still leave a handsome surplus of earnings to make up the yearly increasing deficiencies of the postal service. Thus we should have much cheaper and more reliable telegraphic commu- nication among the people anda relief from the deficiencies and burdens of the Post Office Department. Without this either the postal service will be ruined or our overtaxed people will have to bear the weight of large yearly deficiencies. We urge this measure, therefore, on public grounds entirely. We have no hostility | to any telegraph company or companies, as has been stated, nor to the indi- vidual members or directors. The mana- gera of the telegraph companies are patriotic and pious persons, who say their prayers and go to ehurch regularly, and who, no doubt, will find a comfortable place in heaven wheu they depart from this world. But we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that they look only to their own pockets and core nothing about the public interests. We know that their and out of all proportion to the capital invested or @ reasouable return for the rervice they ren der. The Western Union Telegraph Company coramenced with a capital of three hundred and sixty thousand dollars, at a hundred dol- a share, upon which the snbseribers paid twenty-five dollars a share. Ite capital is over forty-one millions. The stock has been watered from time to time for the pur pore of enriching the managers and stockbold Of course this watering process knocked down the market price of the stock from two hundred and fifty (the highest point it ever reached), in 1863 and 1#64, to thirty-five, which is the present value. Bat then the stock has heen doubled and quadrupled over and over again in the hands of the bolders, thus piling up millions upon millions in a manner anpar- alleled in the history of business enterprises, “ a consequence, are made to pay arges for telegraphing are enormous | on this enormous inflation in order to give dividends to the company and to keep up the price of their stock. The actual capital ex- pended does not amount, perhaps, to a third of the present nominal inflated capital. How is it possible to obtain cheap telegraphic com- munication under such a system and such management? We call upon the government, then, to take the whole management of the telegraphs under its control and to construct new lines, with the latest improvements, as the governments of Europe are doing, tor the benefit of the people and the cause of progress and clvilization. Specie Payment and the Debt. Mr. Broomall proposes to settle the question of specie payment on the plan on which Cap- tain Bobadil promised to shorten and even prevent all wars. He would pay one hundred dollars gold for one hundred and thirty-five dollars greenbacks the first month; one hun- dred gold for one hundred and thirty-four greenbacks the second month, and so on down regularly until in thirty-five months gold and greenbacks (at the national counter) would be at par. His proposition to give one hundred gold for one hundred and thirty-five green- backs in the first month is good, perfectly sound, and the government can afford it. As for the second month, wher he is to give that sum for one hundred and thirty-four, we must ask what he would do if in the meantime some- thing stronger than a law of Congress should suddenly force the price the other way. His scheme would be worth more if he went into these particulars and provided for emergencies. As his price became better and betier the de- mand for his gold would be pretty heavy—and he does not tell us where he would get it. We sappose he would buy it. And it would be a pretty spectacle to see the government at one counter giving one hundred dollars gold for one hundred and twenty dollars greenbacks, ‘and at another counter giving one hundred and fifty dollars greenbacks for one hundred gold, and adding the difference to the national debt. This is not even so good as Sumner’s plan; for Sumner would go the whole figure at once, dollar for dollar, and thus get rid of the ridicu- lous thirty-five months, and he might as well. Sumner says he could “borrow the money,” and that would add to the debt just one-third of its present volume. Broomall might add a little leas, but thete is some advantage in cer- tainty. Perhaps the people would rather not have the debt increased by this manipulation to such an extent. A New Phase of the Erie Railroad Muddle. Something tangible appears at last to have come out of the Erie Railroad trouble, after all the vexations which have been so long crowding the records of our courts, tantaliz- ing our judges, bewildering the lawyers and stupefying the public with such heavy doses of injunctions and counter-injunctions, orders issued by one court only to be set aside by another, and all the other perplexing techni- calities that have wound themselves around this almost incomprehensible Erie Railroad row. A substantial negotiation has been entered into between the Erie Railroad Company and the Atlantic and Greaf Western Railroad, whereby a broad gauge line will be con- structed from here clear through to Chicago, and it is also said that the same gauge will probably be put through to the Mississippi. Arrangements are reported to be in progress with other Western roads in order to make this communication complete. New consolidated stock will probably soon be issued, embracing the respective values of the Erie, the Atlantic and Great Western and such other roads as may come into the combination. This ma- neeuvre must prove a great lift to the Erie road. Its backbone will, of course, be im- | menséely strengthened by the operation, and a good many of its present difficulties must vanish, For the last six or seven days it seems that Jay Gould, on behalf of the Evie road, and Henry G. Stebbins, who, by his sagacions mediation, has put the Atlantic and Great Western road all right, square and fair upon its bottom once again, have been negotiating this question of consolidation and have suc- ceeded in accomplishing it. Thus the Erie Railroad muddle assumes « new phase—a brighter and pleasanter one tor the stockhold- ers—and promises a resalt that will bring great relief to the public, who are about tired i ! The Spanish Revolution. Our jatest news from Europe regarding the revolution in Spain shows that that country is no exception to the general rule. Revolutions have their peculiarities one and all, but it is wonderful how like the one is to the other. On this Continent we have a sharp way of settling what Europe calls a revolution; but then we are a new peo- ple, and new people have new ways. On the other side it is curious to notice how old- | fashioned all their ways are. The Spanish revolution is the first thing of the kind which | has happened in Europe since our four years’ | struggle. Spain began well; but, so far as we can judge from present appearances, Spain is away back in the sixteenth century, and has yet all essential lessons to learu, She wants men; she wants everything. One concla- sion at least seems to be fuir—Spain is to be lefito work out hee own destiny, It may be wlong work: it may be a short work, Who can tell which? This at least seems just—no one is disposed to meddle with her: and, as was | the case with the great revolutions in England and in France, Spain is very likely to be | allowed to work out her own destiny. | Makes « bungle * of it the fault will be her own, Tin Wiiskry Cases.—In the case of the United States va, thirty-eight hundred gal | lons of distilled spirits yesterday there was a verdict for the government (a drop in the + duc | pany case (alleged conspiracy) it appeared that all but of the defendants had | absconded. Thus, we see, when these whis- | key contrabandists are hauled up before the | courts they can’t stand the fire; but what is the recovery of a few thonsands ont of a millions? We want one | hundred something more, Sins or A Roven Wister—The late exten: sive snow storms and the present prevailing cold snap Fast and West, North and South, two weeks before Clriatmas, TP Spain | et), and in the Kentucky Bourbon Com- | Turkey and Greece. Turkey has at last positively laid down the requirement that Greece must cease to give aid and comfort to the rebellious Turkish pro- vince of Crete; so that we shall either have very shortly a war between Turkey and Greece or an end to the difficulty between the Powers that has been the nuisance of European poli- tics. As the great Powers are with Turkey on the ultimatum there will probably be no war. It is about time that the relations between Greece and Turkey stood on the same ground as the relations between other independent governments, and were-out of the realms of sentimentalism and romantic nonsenge of the “land where every season smiles.” What if her seasons do smile, is that any reason why Greece should have impunity to disregard laws that are held as binding on all other nations? There is now no radical difference between Turkey and any other Power, and this will be seen the more as she continues the ap- plication within her limits of the great internal improvements of the age. The old difference was one of religien, but in this age religion stands aside in national development, Church and State fall asunder in fact as well as in our theories, and we cannot ask what a nation’s creed is, but how many miles of railroad or telegraph it possesses. Let Turkey go on, and she will not long be behind the world in the main facts of life. General Grant and the Seven Traitors. Aradical organ and a sort of Johnson-conser- vative-half-way-Doolittle republican organ have heen debating the important question whether the appointment of Senator Doolittle to a place in General Grant’s Cabinet would be a proper thing, and from the weight of the argument against him we infer that Doolittle is dished, and that henceforth his fortunes are identified with the firm of Johnson, Doolittle and Dixon and the Philadelphia Johnson Convention of 1866. But what of the seven republican traitors, so called, who voted for Andy John- son's acquittal, including Fessenden and Trum- bull? What if General Grant should appoint one of these men to his Cabinet? He is per- fectly free to do 40. He is under no bonds against them. He is not in any way foresworn to the radicals, He is, in fact, a conservative, and it ia quite possible that he may think Fes- senden or Trumbull the right man for the Treasury or Attorney General. Such an appointment, moreover, would fix the status of the new administration on a sound, con- servative basis; and, sooner or later, it will come to this complexion, if we are not mis- taken in the leanings of General Grant. Barnum and the Insurance Companies. Barnum’s Museum, which was destroyed by fire last March, was insured for nearly one hundred and forty thousand dollars. The loss claimed exceeded this total amount of insu- rance by one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. A committee of investigation, ap- pointed by the New York companies, having decided that the policies ought tobe paid, several companies paid promptly about twenty thousand dollars; but the other companies refused to pay and were all sued soon aSer the lapse of the usual sixty days. Those com- panies that have cases in the New York Supe- rior Court having made a motion for reference to take account of loss, the plaintiffs have op- posed to it a long and elaborate affidavit, the most salient point of which appears to be that several companies claim to be discharged from all liability by reason of alleged “fraudulent over-valuation” of the property destroyed. It is even claimed that the signer of the affidavit, in his proofs and statement of loss, ‘‘was guilty of fraud and false swearing.” However this claim may be disposed of if tried by a jury, the simplicity of the insurance companies is aston- ishing in ever expecting anything else but “over-valuation” of his “property” from a showman who has taken shamefal delight in writing and publishing two volumes for the express purpose of exposing to the world his own rogueries and all the tricks of his trade. Had the insurance companies consulted any page of either of Barnum’s autobiographical works they might have learned what to expect from him. Removal of the Broadway BridgemAn Irre= pressibie Hatter in the Wield. This morning at seven o'clock the work of demolishing the High-Loew bridge spanning Fulton street and Broadway will commence, and probably before sundown the section of that offensive structure which rests on the east side of Broadway will be transferred to the Corporation yard, where the dibris of all pub- lic nuisances find a quiet home, and the rest of it will soon follow. Mr. Knox, the hatter, having obtained « permit from the Corpora- tion, is about to remove this bridge on his own responsibility, as the authorities are hesitating about the matter. Like Alexander the Great, who once upon a time stood between Dio- genes and the warmth of the sun, and was peremptorily commanded by the cynical philo- sopher to retire and ‘‘get out of his sunshine,” this Broadway bridge has been afflicting poor Knox for a year or two, so that its utter de- struction is a settled matter. It is bound to get out of the greatly aggrieved Knox's sun- shine, and no doubt the whole community will rejoice at the result. The bridge haa never proved of the slightest use to the public: in fuet, it has been an obstruction rather than | nconvenience. The Park Commissioners, to whom the dgon, elephant has been kindly | offered by the Corporation, do not appear to realize the value of the gift, as they have no accommodation for it, and hence its removal by the irrepressible hatter becomes indispensa- ble in order to get it out of the way. We present the monstrosity our parting compli- ments upon its removal from our neighbor- | hood. | Bes Borer in te Star or “Orp Titan,” | It isreported that General Butler has taken the at inthe Honse of Representatives lef vacant by the late Thaddeus Stevens, and in accord- ance with the wish of the ‘‘Old Commoner.” This is probably so, because Butler was among the first and boldest of the republicans to advo- cate the greenback policy of “OM Thad” | against the “bloated bondholders.” | AN Barty Brp.—Andy Johanson advocates | the withholding of the interest on the national debt with whieh to pay the principal. Brick | Pomeroy proclaims this the democratic plat- | form for 1872. If it be so Pendleton ia cut | out by Andy Johnaon, and Johnson holds the J inside track. Nothing like an carly start fora long journey, Andy Johnson and the Bondholders. Andy Johnson's proposition to pay the na- tional debt by a sort of dissolving process of a novel and ingenious character excites the in- dignation and fary of the bondholders, and especially of the worthies at Washington. They should, however, moderate their hostility tothe proposition, as well as their anger against its author. If the world goes on for many years longer at its present rate of speed and under the system of government now prevail- ing on both sides of the Atlantic the whole debt of Europe, amounting in the aggregate to over thirteen thousand million dollars in gold, as well as our own national debt, will be liqui- dated by a more sudden and summary process than that originating with the White House and Treasury Building financiers. The main- tenance of large standing armies on a war footing in time of peace; the general pension- ing of politicians upon public treasuries; the systematic plunder of governments by their own officials, and the prevailing extravagance and corruption of the age will pile up taxation higher and higher until the restless people kick over the load. The reckless career the world is now pursuing can have no other end than the repudiation of all the national debts and a general wiping out of bondholders, office- holders and all other pensioners upon the people. “When 1118 Cruz, War 18 Over.”—A war song which, with variations, became popular in both the federal and the Confederate armies during our late civil conflict, promised all sorts of blessings to be enjoyed “when this cruel war is over.” But it is manifest that “this cruel war” is not over yet in Arkansas. A telegraphic despatch of the 10th inst. from Augusta, in that State, says the militia, under General Upham, continue to seize property and arrest citizens. A large number of citi- zens of the surrounding counties are banded together for the purpose of attacking the militia and are reported to be marching on Augusta. General Upham declares that if he is attacked he will shoot all prisoners now in his hands and burn the town. Well, let the mob and the militia fight it out. In Arkansas as in Spain the law of revolution is the same. No revolution has ever been settled without fighting, and if Arkansas toothpicks and rifles did not have enough of it before Lee surren- dered to Grant at Appomattox Court House let them cut and blaze away until everybody shall be satisfied. Then ‘‘let us have peace.” ve BS MUSICAL AND THEATRICAL NOTES. Nothing new. There is a pause in the theatrical World just now. To-day matinées will be giveu in nearly all the theatres, The promises for the ensuing week are Itberal, It is to be hoped there willbe no disappointment. No song no supper. Speculators still persist in thrusting their borzus tickets on strangcss. The police do not care to inter- fere. Miss Adelaide Phillips stags to-night in Boston. Rudeness and admiration are totally different; yet many young people confound themselves by crowd- ing the aisles of theatres when there is no apparent reason for their delay. w To-night the first symphony soirée of the season the direction of Theo. ‘homas takes place in Steinway Hall. is stated that Miss Emily Pitt. of the Adelphi theatre, London, will appear at Booth’s theatre. Amonument {s to be erected to Rossini at Milan and a solemn musical festival is to be given to rae funds for the object. new drama from the pen of Rosenthal, entitled etra,’’ will be produced before Christmas at the Haymarket theatre, London, Miss Bateman sustatn- ing the leading character. ‘he Viceroy of Egpyt has built a theatre close to Nubar Pacha’s house, opposite the burued Shep- herd’s hotel, and has sent for M. Manesse trom Pera to bring over Mile, Schneider at any cost, and the other popular elements of the Varieties are to be sumptuously subsidized that they may follow in her train; for bis highness is bent on commencing the clyilization of his subjects by showing them how the “Grande Duchesse” loves, how “La Périchole"’ sacri; ficed herself and her husband on the sacred altar of @ viceroy’s flame and how Mme. Meuelais be- haved to Ler husband, THE THISTLE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION BALL. The thirty-seventh annual ball of the Thistle Benevolent Association was given last evening at Ferrero’s Apollo Hall, Twenty-cighth street and Broadway. The annual balls of this organization have always been among the most popular and best attended of the Scottish festivities in this city, and last evening no exception was made to this general role. The elegant room was without decora- ‘ions, save, indeed, such as may always be seen in gatherings of bidve mén and lovely women, Dancing commenced about half-past uine o'clock, but tt was fully eleven o'clock before the room was thoroughly diled, At this hour the floor presented a very charming comp wil. Look- ing down fiom the gallery upon the happy throng the spectator was. ted with a vory charmin, sight. Ladies dressed in brightly-colored toliets of rainbow hues mingled with gentiemen attired in coats of fauitiess cut, and the foul ensemble was beautifully relieved by the nee of many of Scotia's sons attired Scotland's pational dresa, Plaids of all soris were in the preponderance— Macgregors, Macdonalds, Macdarts and Macdougalls were in every part of the hal!—and it did not require the eyes of ‘a chiel of Auld Scotia’’to image that the ‘ecm was taking place in some favored spot in the “Hielands” or in old Edinboro's town." The programme consisted of twenty-four dances, many of which are unusual, save in gath- erings ‘of the natives of Scotland. Scotch reels, patronellas and triumphs were sandwiched between the lancers, waltzes and mazourkas, and into these national dances the company entered with a gusto which was truly enthusiastic. About one o'clock an intermission was taken and the happy couples ad- journed to partake of a very excellent supper which had been provided by the mi ra, Dancing was kept up till “the wee sma’ hours’ surprised the Company, and fo gd was suruggling Mrough the closed biinds before the giddy dance was given o' nd the company dispersed to their “ain chim lug.’ Excellent muste, includin, many of th ttish national tunes, was discout by Robertson’s band, and Piper Cleland also enter- tained the company with some tunes upon the slo- gan, The ball was in every respect a grand success, and It is to be hoped proved profitable to the associa- tion, The affair Was managed by the oMecers of the orgenization—Messrs, George Mitchell, Robert Strathers, Thomaidh Sancereag ang George Gilaly. THE WEATHER THROUGHOUT THE COUNTAY. Cicaco, Dec, 11.—The tutense cold weatter con- ‘inves. arly this morning the thermometer ranged from ten to fourteen degress below zero. At Cairo the thermometer was one degree below nero. ‘The Mississippi river is frozen over a# far down as Cairo. At Quincy Inst night the thermometer reached thirteen degress below zero. OmattAa, Neb, Dec. 11.—The cold continues unpre- cedentedty severe. Thermometer eight degrees be- low zero. Fortress Monnor, Va., Dec. 11.—A heavy snow storm from the norti set m here this morning and has lasted all day, r Avausta, Ga,, Dec, 11.—There was a heavy sieet last night; Weather boisterous and cold. WILMINGTON, N. O., eather cold and slight snow ‘Thermometer forty. LovisvitL®, Ky., Dee, H.—The weather during the past forty hours continued steadiiy cold. ‘The thermon this morning was three degrees above Zero: night it stands eight degrees above rromr, Mich., Dee. 1.—The river is full of ice, witch pat 4 sudden stop to navigation. | BUROLARY.The liquor store of Herman Kune | mund, No. 07 Bleecker street, waa entered on Thuss- day night by burgiars, who blew open the safe and abstracted two $100 United States bonds ond $176 in cash, It would seem that the thieves gained an way of Greene street, The strangest part of the af- fair is that although the (we Yonsgl slept in a room just over the store and the safe was blown to atoms he was not w ed by the explosion. Two stran- gers called in ihe store on Wednesday whose actions appeared somewhat suspicions, and it is believed that they were the thieves oa & recounoiiring ex. pode emrance to the place from the rear of the house by | { } 3 same THE HELL GATE OBSTRUCTIONS. Public Meeting in Williamsbarg. A number of citizens of Williamsburg, interested im the navigation of the East river, assembled im ‘Willett's Opera House last evening, by invitation of eeeement the East River Improvement Assovia- Mr. “Jans R. Tayior, President of the associa- tlon, was called tothe chair. He said that the Kast River Association was a voluntary association, and any citizen might become a member of it. The gen- emen composing the Executive Council have spent @great deal of time in bringing the importance of the aubject of the removal of obstructions from Helt Gate to the attention of the public, By their efforts Congress voted eighty-five thou- sand dollars for the work, and this meeting was called for the purpose of memorializing Congress for the purpose of getting further aid. It Will probably take $5,000,000 to complete the great work, but even that large sum is insignificant in comparison with the importance of the work. General BARNUM, secretary of the association, said that he appearedsbefore the meeting simply as a citi- zen having a general interest in the prosperity of the community. His desire was to interest every person present in the great improv ement. .The association contemplates the improvement of the East river generally as well as Hell Gate. The present object of the association was to induce the general govern- ment to appropriate sufficient funds to carry out the great work contemplated. For this purpose they propose to hold numerous meetings to agitate the sub- ject. Besides the removat of the obstructions at Hell Gate the association hope at a future day to be able to induce the build! of improved docks, piers and warehouses on the line of the river. The General read @ report submitted to the Executive Council by the chairman of the Committee on the Removal of Obstructions from Hell Gate. The report was pre- viously published. He continued by alluding to the large appropriation made by Congress for the Hud- son river, the Ohio and the Mississippi, and thought it acarcely just that only the paltry sum of $20,000 was ever expended in removing the obstruc- tions of the Hast river, and that expenditure was made eighteen years ago. He believed that the attempt recently made to carry on the work by General Newton on the $85,000 voted last session would prove utterly futile. General Barnum con- cluded his remarks by earnestly urging. those presont to use their individual influence with such members Coen as they knew to give the subject proper attention, ‘The CHAIRMAN stated that the Executive Council of the association consisted of gentlemen from Brooklyn and ten from new York. Mr. DaNigL CoceR and Alderman GzorgR H. FIsHer briefly add the meeting, urging the der “dis tant day the present main entrance to the har- bor of New York would be closed from natural causes, and he therefore hoped that the work of re- moving the Hell Gate obstructions would be speedily accomplished. ‘A resolution, moved by Alderman FISHER, as! the members of Congress from the Second and ‘I! econ to forward the movement, was unanimously lop! Captain SNow spoke briefly in relation to the con- flicting interests involved in the construction of wharves and pierg as contemplated by the aasocia- tion and alluded to by General Barnum. The CHAIRMAN announced that another meeti ped shortly be held, and the proceedings term! nated, : THE ERIE RAILWAY WAR. Suit Aguinst Cornehus Vanderbilt for the Re- covery of Four and a Half Millions of Dole lare—Settling Up Old Grudges, ‘The following is the complaint of the Erie Railway Company agairst Cornelius Vanderbilt, which, hav- ing been threatened for the past two weeks, has now been served upon the defendant and makes one more tangle in the already Gordian knot of Erie Ratlway afairs:— The Erie Railway Company, Plaintiff, vs. Cor- nelins Vanderbilt, Defendant.—The Erie Railway Company, plaintiff, complains and alleges:— First—that in ¥ actions were commenced against this: plaintu? and certain of its officers, in which the complainants alleged various acts on the part of officers of this laintiff, and particularly on the part of Daniel ew, the then treasurer of this plaintiff, which the said complainants asserted to be in fraud of this plaintiff and of its stockholders. Second—That the said complaints all purported to be brought for the protection of the stockholders of this plaintiff, as such, and prayed for no damages against the plaintiff, but only for such relief as it was ae would be for the advantage of the plalntir, rhird-—That the defendant herein was not @ of record in any of the said actions, and publicly Log that he had any interest in or control over em, FYourth—That in July, 1868, a compromise of the said actions was effected between John 8. Eldridge, the president of this plainuif, and Daniel Drew, then its treasurer, on the one part, and Richard Schell and Frank Work, on the other part, by which it was agreed that the said actions should be discontinued; that the said Schell should receive 420 shares and * $2600r more from this plaintiff; that the defendant should be relieved of 50,000 shares of the capital stock of this plaintif? in the manner hereinafter de- scribed, and should receive $1,000,000; and that the directors of thia plaintiff shoul jurchase for ita ac- count bonds of the Boston, Hartford and Erie Raul road Company for $5,000,000, at eighty per cent, and that the plaintiff should pay the interest thereon and endorse the game. y Fisth—That on or about the 11th day of July, 1363,” at the city of New York, the said agreement was car- ried into effect, and in pursuance thereof the oficers then having charge of the plaintu?’s tunds, acting in obedience to the orders of the directors of this plain- tiff, a majority of whom were then under the con- trol or influence of the said Eidridge and Drew, paid or caused to be puld to the detendant $2,500,000 ta cash, and also bonds of the said Boston, Hartford and Erie Belrved Company, to the amount of $1,250,000 belongitg t6 this Platutif, alt idotsed by tle Prea- ident and Seoretery of this plaintiff in its name, in consideration of 50,000 shares of the plaintiff's own capital stock, which were then transferred by the de- fendant to the plaintiff; and the eaid officers, in like obedience to the order of the said directors, at the same time and piace, paid to the defendant the ad- ditional sum of $1,000,000 in cash out of this plain- tiff's funds without any lawful, valuabie or sufficient consideration. Sivth— That at the time of making the compromise aforesaid the said Kidridge was president of the said Boston, Hartford and Erie pany and had a large interest therein as @ stockholder and otherwise, and bad great personai advant to gain by disposing of the said bonds to thie plaintiff and by procuring the platatif’s endorsement thereon, and the said Drew was largely indebted to this plaintiff; and in one of the actions aforesaid an injunction had been granted by this court restraning the directors of this plaintiff from endorsing any o1 the said bonds and from compromising the claim of this plaintiff against the said Drew. Seventh—That the object and motive of the sald Eldridge and Drew in making the compromise afore- ‘said was to put an end to the said injunction and the object of the said Schell and Work was to make money for themselves, and all the said les in- tended by the said compromise to defraud this plain- tiff; all of which was, at the time of the transaction betweengthe plaintit? and the defendant as aforesaid, well known to the defendant. Fighth--That the defendant, at the time of the transaction aforesaid between him and the platatitf, claimed to have control over the actions aforesaid and over the said Schell and Work, and induced the sald Eldridge and Drew -to use their influence witt the other directors of the plaintiff to complete the said purchase of his stock by promising that the actions aforesaid should be discontinued if such pur- chase were made. Ninth—That the plaintiff had no authority under its charter to purchase the said shares of its own stock, or any of them, nor had it any occasion or use for auy of them, nor had it any advantage to gain fr Such purchase, and the price — by tt as aforesaid to the defendant waa at least $500,000 muore than the defendant could baye obtained in the market for the said shares, all of which was well known to the defendant at the time of the said trans- actions, Tenth—That the bonds whtch were given for the said shares are negotiable in form, and the defend- ant intends to dispose of some or all of them to per- sons who will be purchasers in good faith and for vali road Com) enth—That before the commencement of this action the plaintiff tendered to the defendant 60,000 shares of ts capital #tock, and demanded the return from him of the money aad bonds received by him, but he would not return the same nor any part thereof, Tieith—That the plaintiff is now and always hat heen ready ond willing to return to the defendant the 60,000 shares afcresaid upon recetving from him the money and bonds paid for the same:— Wherefore the plaintiff demands judgment. That ine defendant be restrained by injunction ling or otherwise disposing of any of the ia of the Boston, Hartford and Brie Ratlroad Company received by him from the platntim. 2 That the defendant be required to deliver to the plaintiff the bonds aforesaid. '. ‘That if the defendant is unable to detiver all the aforesaid he be required to give good and suf- bond ficient seenrtty for the Maen of the SES against all claims of purchasers thereof, and also to pay to the plant the value of the ponds not de- ‘eudant pay to the plaintii the sum oft 4 taterest from the lth day of July, ined D & SHEARMAN, Piaintit’s Attorneys. City and County of New York. —dames Fisk, Jt. being sworn, saya that be Ix one of the Directors of the plaintuf and that the foregoing complaint is trae of bis own knowledge, except as to the matters which are therein stated upon informasion and te- lief, and that 42 to those mattersghe believes it to be true, JAMES FISK, Jr. Sworn, December 10, 1868, before me—MoRTiMRn wri, Notary Public, New Yorks ebruary and March, 1868, several — EE