The New York Herald Newspaper, March 5, 1869, Page 6

NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY MARCH 5, 1869.-TRIPLE NEW YORK HERALD BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. pinecsaniannaennnnte JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR e Volume XXXIV, "AMUSEMBNTS THIS EVENING. ROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway.—Faencm Srr— war ‘OF THe Wisd-TON-WISH. ROOTH'S THEATRE, Twenty-third st., beiween 6th and Mth avs.—RoMzo aND JULIET, RIBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway.—Tax BURLESQUE Ex qTHAVAUANZA OF THE FORTY THIRVES, WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway and 18th street.— Muou Avo AzouT NoruLNG. BROUGHAM’S THEATRE, Twenty-fourth st.—Janny LinD—P0-OA-HON-TAS. OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broadway.—Huuery Domrry, WITH NEW FEATURES. FRENCH THEATRE. Fourteenth street and Sixth ave- nue.—GENEVIEVE DE BRAEANT—FLEUR DE THE, £C. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Fourternth strect.—ITatran OPERA—L'APRIOAINE. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—FoormaRgs i THR SNOW—CATILE STEALERS. SATRE, Thirtioth street and eveaing Performance. WOOD'S MUSEUM AND Broadway.—Afieruoon a THE TAMMANY, Fourteenth street.—Tar Horse Ma- RINRS, EC. RE MRS. F. B, CONWAY'S PARK THEAYRE, Brooklya.— Hengy DuNvAR—RostIO Paiva DONNA. THEATRE COMIQUE, 514 Broadway.—Comro SKETOURS AND LivING STATURS—PLUIO. SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS, 585 Broadway.—ETM1o- PIAN ENTER(AINMENTS—SIRGE OF THE BLOSDRS. BRYANTS' OPERA HOUSE, Tammany Building, Mth street.—ETHIOPIAN MINGTRELSY, &0. —_-——- i TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, 201 Bowery.—Comto Voca.ism, NEGRO MINSTRELSY, ac. NEW YORK CIRCUS, Fourteanth street.—EQutsTRIax AND GYMNASTIO ENTERTAINMENT. HOOLEY’S OPERA HOUSE, Brooklyn.—Hooray's MINSTRELS—THE TICKET TAKER, &c. NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— SCIENCE AND ART. TRIPLE SHEET. New York, Friday, March 5, 1856p, 2H NEWS. Europe. The cable telegrams are dated March 4. The sessious of the Parliament of North Germany were commenced yesterday, King William opened the proceedings with a pactfic speech, in which he spoke of the friendly disposition manifested by all the European Powers towards the maintenance of peace. The pacific speech of the King of Prussia yesterday at the opening of the Nortn German Parliament was hated with the utmost feelings of satisfaction in Eng- land. The removal of restrictions from emigration and the encouragement of the emigration of paupers vo America was yesterday advocated in the English Parliament. A committee was appointed by the Spanish Cortes on Wednesday last for the purpose of drafting a new constitution. Members of the republican party are accused of instigating the late disturbauces in Barcelona. The Inauguration. General Grant was formally inaugurated President of the United States yesterday. The procession on the way to the Capitol was one of the finest displays ever seen in Washington, and the crowd in its neighborhood was one of the largest. The Presi- dent andjVice President elect were taken up at Army Headquarters in an open carriage, both dressed alike in full suits of black. Tne weather cleared up as they left the Headquarters. The procession halted for some moments at the White House to take up President Johnson, but he sent word that he was too much engaged to join them. The members of his Cabinet were witn him in consultation. On arriving at the Senate Chamber the party wit- nessed the inanguration of Schuyler Colfax as Vice President, and then, accompanied by the Senate and House, proceeded to the portico of the Capitol, where, in presence of the immense throng, Chiet Justice Chase administered the oath of ofMce, and President Grant read his imaugural address. At the conclusion im- mense applause rent the air, and the President and Vice President returned to their homes, the crowd still lingering upon the streets, while the procession resumed 1t8 march to the place of dis- missal. President Jonnson and his family meanwhile drove quietly away in carriages, the great crowds that lined the streets watching the withdrawal with in- terest but without demonstration of any sort. The inauguration ball in the evening was a grand affair, President and Mrs. Grant, Vice President and Mrs. Colfax and the Diplomatic Corps arrived about ten o’clock and the festivities were kept up until a iate hour. : Congress. In the Sehate yesterday Mr. Buckalew, chairman of the select committee to investigate charges of corrupt influenees in connection with the impeach- ment trial, reported that there was no foundation whatever for them. Mr. Davis made a motion to take up the bill to repeal the Tenure of Office act, but it was lost. At noon Mr. Colfax, the Vice Presi- dent elect, delivered his address, and was then sworn in by Mr. Wade, who also administered the jron-clad test oath. The Senate of the Fortieth Con- gress was then declared adjourned sine die, Vice President Colfax immediately calied the Senate of the Forty-first Congress to order and the new mem- bers advanced to the chair and were sworn in, Mr. Hamilton, of Maryland, and Mr. Brownlow, of Ten- hessee, were not present. After participating in the inauguration of President Grant on the portico the Senate adjourned until noon to-day. Ln the House at five o’clock in the morning, after an all night session in which numerous bills of minor importance were acted upon, a recess was taken until ten. On reassembling a great deal of miscel- laneous business was enacted and a call of yeas and hays was interrupted by the hour of adjournment. The members proceeded in a body to the Senate Chamber and attendea the tnauguration ceremonies. At three o'clock in the afternoon the House of Rep- resentatives of the Forty-Orst Congress was called to order by Mr. McPherson, the Clerk, who, im calling =the roll omitted the names of members from Georgia and Louisiana. Mr. Brooks made @ point of order on this omission, but the Clerk overruled it and refused to entertain an appeal. Sharp words ensued, in which Mr. Brooks said that Mr. McPherson was only a clerk and had no authority over members, where- upon the Clerk retorted fairly by saying tat Mr. Brooks was not a member, but only a member elect. ‘The utmost confusion prevailed, which the Clerk finaliy ailayed by a few conciliatory remarks. The election of a Speaker was proceeded with, and James G, Blaine was clected by @ vote of 136 against 57 for Mr. Kerr. Mr. Blaine made 4 short address, and the oath of office was administered to him by Mr. £. B, Washburne, the senior member. The members were then sworn, some members from Kentucky, Mis- sourt and Maryland being objected to, and, there- fore, having to walt. The House then adjourned until this morning. Miscellaneous. ‘The eastern townships of Oanada, it is said, are being depleted of their most intelligent citfzens by emigration to the Western States and ‘the Pacific coast of our republic. At the same time many Cana- dians, resident*in the United States, are seeking to return to Canada, An officer of an English regiment in Quebec, who insulted fa young is@y on the skating rink on Wednesday night, was immediately shot twice by the giri's brother—a mere lad—and fatally wounded, Clarke, the republican Mayor of Charleston, 8. C., has refused to allow his elected successor, Pillsbury, snoguer republican, to assume the office. Pillsbury r Clarke arrested for a misdemeanor in oMce; but Clarke gave ball. Ab American Presbyterian church tn Montreal kas given @ call to Henry Ward Beecher, offering him the same salary now paid by the Plymouth Congre- ational church. ‘The Maine Legislature refuses to abolish capital Punishment. ‘The City. The Legislative Committee on Gas Monopolies con- tinued their investigations yesterday. Among the witnesses examined was Mr. John H. Adam, Prest- dent of the New York Gas Company, who became very contumacious and refused to submit the books of the company to the committee, as he believed the investigation of the committee was unauthorized. He intimated very forcibly that members of the Legislature were influenced very frequently by bribes, and on this a rather sharp discussion ensued between him and the chatrman. This evening the comunittee will hear the complaints of citizens who may have suffered at the hands of companies, A large crowd of soldiers collected at No. 61 Broadway yesterday to receive the bounties of which, it is claimed, Colonel Herman had swindied them, No bounties were forthcoming, but Mr. Shearman, Colonel Herman’s counsel, proposed that they should give up the receipts Herman had given them and receive their discharge papers, They would not consent to that, as it left tnem without any hold whatever upon Herman, and a stalwart Policeman who was present possibly saved Shear- man from rough treatment, Dr. Flynn, an opium eater, was brought uy before Justice Dodge yesterday. He was a young man and had in Dis pocket a diploma from the University of Pennsylvania as a doctor of medicine, dated in 1853. He had been for some time in a destitute condition, but was allowed by Dr, McCullum, a druggist in First avenue, to stay in his drag store until yester- Gay, when, taking advantage of the doctor’s absence, he had taken such large doses of laudanum and mor- phia that he was insensible. He was turned over to the Charities Commissioners. Two Germans had a case before Judge Stemmler Yesterday of a very peculiar character. Between them they had invented a whale as large as life, which they exhibited to the public as a veritable live whale at go much admittance, four assistants being placed inside to work the monster, The deception was very complete, but at the conclusion of a per- formance some spies in the audience waited beh'nd and observed the four Jonahs emerge from the whale’s belly, whereupon they attacked them and cut the whale to pieces. The owner of the whale refused to pay for the manufacture of the monster, butjthe court ruled against him. The “Grifith Gaunt” libel suit was concluded yes- terday. Judge Clerke delivered an elaborate charge to the jury and they returned a verdict for the plaintif, fixing the damages at six cents. In the stock market yesterday the railway list was weak, and irregular within narrow limits. The express stocks and the miscellaneous list were firmer. Gold closed at 131%. The Inman line steamship City of London, Captain Leitch, will leave pier 45, North river, at twelve o’clock noon to-morrow for Queenstown and Liver- pool. The Europern mails will close at the Post Office at eleven A. M., on the éth inst. The steamship Denmark, Captain Cato, of the Na- tional line, will leave pier 47 North river, at twelve M., on the 6th instant, for xiverpool, calling at Queens- town to land passengers. ‘f The Merchants’ line steamship General Meade, Captain Sampson, will leave pier No. 12 North river at three P. M. to-morrow, 6th instant, for New Or, leans direct. Prominent Arrivals im the City. Governor John T. Hoffman, of Albany, is at the Clarendon Hotel. Dr. Crapkay, United States Consul at Bucharest, and Dr. A. Casenovia, of Havana, are at the Astor House, Captain James Tuiley, of the United States Army; Juan Guitart, of Havana;-Captain G. J. Guilford, of Cincinnati, and Major W. Dickie, of Minnesota, are at the St. Charles Hotel. Judge Sweeney, of New York; General Frank P. Blatr and S. A. Hatch, of St. Louis; Dr. M. White, of Connecticut, and E. C, Walker, of Batavia, N. Y., are at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. W. P. Emerson, of Boston; J. H. Noyes, of Eng- land; George N. Kennedy, of 8; use; T. L. Allen, of New London, and H. R. Coggsweil, of Philadel- phia, are at the Metropolitan Hotel. . Judge W. F. Allen, of Albany; E. P. Ross, of Auburn, and Rev. Jobn Y, Gholson, of Alabama, are at the St. Nicholas Hotel. Captain R, Stevens, of Philadelphia; E. R. Davis, of Buffalo, and Dr. R. L. Lawson, of Toronto, are at the St. Julien Hotel. Colonel W. C. Squire, in the steamship Columbia, for Havana. President Grant’s Inaugaral—A Positive and Decisive Domestic and Foreign Policy. President Grant in his inaugural speaks with the directness of a soldier and the frank- ness of an honest man fresh from the people. The outline which he presents of the purposes of his administration in his domestic and foreign policy is that of a practical statesman, who recognizes the march of events and the living issues of the day. In the hands of a professional politician the solid matter of this address would become a watery dilution of perhaps half a dozen columns, but here we have all that is required within the limits of a cable telegram. For instance, in saying that “the office has come to me unsought—I com- mence its duties untrammelled’—he defines his position precisely and in the fewest pos- sible words; and brevity and precision mark the document throughout. On all the leading questions of the day he will have his views to submit, and in support of them he may exercise the veto power; but he will go no further. He will have no policy to pursue againet the laws or the will of the people. He is satisfied on this head with the failure of Mr. Johnson. He will execute the laws as he finds them. In meeting calmly and dispassionately the questions which may come before him growing out of the late rebellion, and looking to the greatest good of the greatest number, his policy will be security for ‘‘per- son, property and for religious and political opinion in every part of our common country, without regard to local prejudice.” This means, among other things, that there is to be an end down South to the unlawful shoot- ing of niggers and to terrorism at the polls, and that Sambo, too, will have to respect the laws. In reference to the public debt President Grant is particularly pointed, positive and earnest. He says that ‘‘to protect the national honor every dollar of the public indebtedness | should be paid in gold, unless otherwise expressly stipulated in the contract.” He speaks upon this subject as if he still remem- bered the recommendation of his immediate predecessor*to seize upon the interest to pay the principal of the debt; for Grant would trust in public place ‘no repudiator of one farthing of our public debt.” These strong and earnestly expressed opinions, and the enthusiasm with which our new President dwells upon the amazing wealth of the coun - try in “‘the precious metals locked up in the jountains of the Far West,” will surely operate to strengthen our public credit and the value of our national securities throughout the world. On the money question we have in brief the clearest .and broadest exposition, of the national obligations and our ample resources from which to meet them. One would almost think that Count Bismarck, looking to the fatth of Germany in our bonds, knew what was comiog from Washington in his congratulatory despatch yesterday from Berlin to President Grant. The inaugural refers to the numerous Pa- cific railroads, main lines and branch lines, under way, authorized or projected, where it says that ‘ultimately it may be necessary to increase the facilities to reach these riches (meaning the precious metals in the Rocky Mountains and thence to the Pacific) and through government aid.” But this, Presi- dent Grant thinks, should only be when we shall have reached the grand ultimatum of specie payments. In other words, he recom- mends, for the present, the suspension of any new grants of lands and bonds to those new Pacific railway jobs; and in view of the fact that the budgets of these jobs before Con- gress in various shapes cover a margin equal to a thousand millions of money or more, this recommendation is a wise one. In regard to our foreign policy the signifi- cant remarks that while the President would respect the rights of all nations he would demend equal respect for our own, and that “Sf others depart from this rule in their deal- ings with us we may be compelled to follow their precedent,” we think that her Britannic Majesty’s government will discover that it has no further use for Mr. Reverdy Johnson. We are satisfied that this hint covers the Jack- sonian policy of dealing with spoliations on American commerce, and something of the lex talionis in reference to British and Spanish neutrality and belligerent rights. The inau- gural makes no distinct allusion to Mexico; but that pear, too, is ripening. On the question of suffrage the President proposes the shortest way to a settlement, and he thinks it desirable to have a settlement now, and he entertains the hope that it may be reached by the ratification of the fifteenth amendment to the constitution. What is this proposed amendment which is thus adopted as ® measure of the new administration? It pro- vides that ‘no abridgement of the right to vote shall be made by the United States or any State on account of race, color, or pre- vious condition of servitude,” and that Con- gress shall have power to enforce this article. This means equal rights to all colors through- out the Union under the supreme law, and with President Grant to back it the amend- ment will doubtless be carried through. Here then, including economy, retrench- ment, and a faithful collection of the public revenue, we have the sailing directions of the new administration. What is the general prospect? Itis one full of promise, prosper- ity, progress, development, and power at home and abroad. And so opens the new book of American history. Tae Peack or Evrope.—At the moment Count Bismarck is sending across the Atlantic by electricity a despatch to the President of the United States congratulating him upon the “solemn” event of his inauguration the King of Prussia is addressing the North German Parliament in words like the following:—‘‘A nation saving its strength and having the #ill to respect the independence of others and maintain its own can surely count on peace, as foreign Powers will not molest it and the domestic enemies of order are powerless to trouble it.” Almost atthe same moment the war party in France, irritated by the policy of Bismarck, has augmented its strength to such an extent as to make it almost impossible for Napoleon to prevent a war and leaving it only to his acquiescence to decide the question of the prompt departure of a French army to the Rhine. Our latest despatches from London indicate that the King of Prussia means peace. But does it rest solely with him? Very Licut.—The Detroit Free Press de- scribes the result of the election in Portland, Me., as “the light in the East.” Very light. Tue New Ciry Post Orrice—A Goop AMENDMENT.—Last Wednesday evening the Senate, very properly, agreed to Mr. Conk- ling’s amendment to enable the Secretary of the Treasury and the Postmaster General to exchange the land bought by the United States for the site of the new Post Office in New York city for the same or a greater quantity of land further up in the City Hall Park. It is a good amendment. The land which was bought is altogether too close to the chop-sea always agitating the floods of human life that roll and roar through the narrow space between the Astor House, the New York Heraxp building and the Park. If the new Post Office were to be erected on that ill-chosen spot it would, at certain hours of the day, be almost inaccessible. An appropriation of two hundred thousand dollars has already been made for the much needed new Post Office, and now that Congress has wisely provided for building it further up in the Park the sooner the work begins the better. Let the site be fixed upon, the plans be established and the building be started at once. Lrexvriant Leeisiation.—There have been two thousand three hundred bills introduced in the Illinois Legislature. Bad for the tax- payers, but good for the State printers. Mone Iui.umination.—The legislative com- mittee which is investigating the affairs of the gas companies has succeeded in throwing ® good deal of light upon the subject. For instance, it has elicited the fact that the New York Gas Light Company pays its stock- holders fifty per cent on their stock. It is not surprising, then, that the stock, which at par value rates at fifty dollars a share, should be worth one hundred and fourteen, as sworn to by one of the witnesses, We hope the com- mittee will go on and get us a little more illu- mination. If the investigation cannot improve the illuminating power of the gas and lessen the gas bills to the consumer it can at least enlighten the public on the gas question. ELRGant Exrract.—“A mean, base, cow- ardly and contemptible lie.”—Anna Dickinson. Which is the “‘right side” of that woman? Tar Last Trtat.—The last trial in the For- Congress to take up the House bill to re- peal the Tenure of Office law was made in the Senate yesterday on m Mr. Davis— yeas 14, nays 25. So President Grant comes in under the restrictions of Johnson, and the question is with the Forty-first Congress, Waat says General Butler? Now is his time, New York Gtonrrep—In a Speaker for a day. For the second time in the history of | the republic, = * Our Jury System, There are some radical defects existing in the system of trial by jury which it would be well to correct in every possible manner. At present it maybe said that greater justice, in proportion to the crime, is obtainable before a petty police judge than at the higher courts dignified by the jury svstem. In the former court the judge him elf is responsible for his decisions and is held ior censure or praise in accordance with them. The same cannot be said of the higher courts, The judge may throw the blame of an unwarrantable decision upon the jury, and the jury, if they wish, can reflect it in other cases upon the judge. An instance of this kind has lately taken place in a murder trial before Judge Barnard, where the jury, through apparent outside influence, brought in a verdict of guilty with a recom- mendation to mercy, forcing the judge in reality to give the notorious criminal the sen- tence for the crime. Again, in the present system the law has outgrown the ability of juries, as they are now constituted, to understand it. The conse- quence is they have to be instructed by the judge, who may, if he please, color and twist the points in such a manner that the decision is really made by himself, instead of by the twelve men who are held up to the admiring liberalism of the age as the depositaries of justice. If there be any blame attached to the decision the judge then throws it on the jury. When this system was originated it was when law was little known and codes were few and simple. There was nota vast educated class called lawyers, such as now infest our city courta, and who as a_ body are not ashamed to argue for any- thing, good or bad, for a fee. Cases were then decided by the common sense of the juries; but this is now impossible. Questions involving crime and property are now left to men of very ordinary intelligence, who, in the labyrinth of law forms woven to blind them by lawyers and judge, very rarely meet the case as the originators of the jury system ifitended. However beautiful the jury theory may be, it is, in practice, very frequently nothing but a farce. Men of great business pursuits cannot find time to sit on juries, nor can it be expected that such men as Vander- bilt, Roberts, Taylor and others can throw aside immense interests to listen to arguments upon small cases. To improve the system there should be a class of men who are edu- cated as jurors, thoroughly versed in the law, 8o that they cannot be deceived on law points. They should be very well paid and have per- manent salaries for their services. To such men it would be unnecessary to make long speeches; they would observe the salient points at once. For instance, a long charge, like that lately delivered by Judge Bedford, could be contracted to the practical and pithy part of it in the last few sentences. The day is passed for charges like these Laconic and to the point should be the rule of action in all law matters. There is an im- mense accumulation of law cases before the courts, more than they can try for the next two years, especially if half the time is con- sumed in mutual admiration speeches. We want less talk, quicker work, keener punishment for crime and more justice. The whole legal and jury system throughout the country re- quires a thorough overhauling and reorganiza- tion. It should be accommodated to modern times. Tue Great Day in Wasutnetoy.—See our reports of the proceedings of the inauguration and its new and remarkable features, The procession was somewhat dampened by the Yain, but the grand inauguration ball at night made up for the disappointments of the day. The great revolution, actively commenced under the rail splitter and delayed by the ‘gilor, is accomplished under the tanner. This is the interpretation of Grant’s inauguration. It was a great day in Washington because it was a great day for the new nation; for with the capital, as with the country, it was the inauguration of better times. Too Muon For Mr. Jounson—Schenck’s bill to strengthen the public credit. So Andy put it in his pocket. It will probably, there- fore, be the first bill submitted for the signa- ture of President Grant, and he will sign it. Tok Press of New Eneianp Gora To Pot.—The Boston Christian Register declares that the lobby of the Massachusetts Legislature is infamously corrapt and nearly omnipotent, and adds :—‘‘Editors, to our certain know- ledge, were offered pay for the privilege of putting in editorials, and we have reason to believe that many newspapers thus sold their editorial columns.” We would like to know where our Christian friend has been for the last quarter of a century. Why, the corrup- tions and subsidizing of the New England press and the Legislature by the lobby have been so wanton that the emblematic codfish hung up in the Representatives’ chamber has been known to blush with shame and wriggle its displeasure at the barefaced abuses it is frequently obliged towitness, to A Gotp Cantvet.—From the tone of his inaugural we expect to-day not only a golden but a gold Cabinet from Presidént Grant. Butler and the finazciers of that stripe are not on the administration slate, and there is no place for the ghost of Old Thad in the Capitol. Let his “bloated bondholders” re- joice. The golden age is proclaimed and Jay Cooke is greater than Jay Gould. Rient Sivg Ur wirn Carg.—The editor of the Chicago Post, having been urged by a lady to come,ont unconditionally on the woman's rights side, says he will do #0 cheerfully when he ascertains which is a woman's right side. A Daxasrovs Womay.—At the recent Mil- waukee Woman's Rights Convention Mrs, Livermore said to a dapper little fellow about four feet high, ‘‘Why, my good little man, I could pick you up and ran away with you.” If these strong-minded females keep on in this way we will soon find them picking up stray little men on the highways and byways and using them as they would a vinaigrette, Bear anv Forpear.—The Chicago Tribune is accused of an attempt to bear the real ostate market for private speculative purposes, “Bear and forbear” should be*the motto of all Bx-President Johnson's Valedictery. The valedictory of Mr. Johnson is, in some respects, a curious document,\a strange jum- ble of truth, inconsistency and unappreciafion of the great forces which have been moving our people in the past four years. The vindi- cation of “‘my policy” appears to be its key- note. We all know that ‘my policy” meant the restoration of political parties to the same relative status they held at the outbreak of the war—an impossibility, from the fact that political parties are the outgrowth of existing conditions, and the conditions existing to-day for political results are totally different from those of 1861. ‘‘My policy” meant, therefore, an attempt to turn the revolution and its in- numerable changes back upon itself. The re- sistance made by the United States Congress naturally resulted in the complete swamping of the Executive element that so stubbornly re- fused to recognize that the war had settled anything. \ Mr. Johnson has no right to arrogate to him- self the honor of disbanding the army; the people did it. Boasting of the position he held at the close of the war, at the head of the civil and military power, he says :—‘‘With a large army and augmented authority, it would have been no difficult task to direct at pleasure the destinies of the republic and to make secure my continuance in the highest office known to our laws.” This looks a little dictatorial. Per- haps Congress saw Mr. Johnson’s inclinations in this direction when they put the curb on him so tightly. The power of this curb shows, however, how empty is the braggadocio that pervades the greater part of this. valedictory. The people will never believe that the war was a “stupendous and deplorable mistake.” Nearly eighty years of tremendous strides under two antagonistic systems of progress made war a necessity, and made it necessary that the conquered system should forever abandon its hopes. It was the support of these wrecked hopes by Mr. Johnson that has kept the coun- try unsettled since active war closed. Mr. Johnson says truly, however, when he states that the trouble between him and Con- gress has proven that the Executive power is very weak in a contest with the legislative branch of the government, and that the su- premacy of party, right or wrong, is to be feared. He says “‘it is not, therefore, difficult to see how easily and how rapidly the people may lose their liberties by an unchecked and uncontrollable majority in the lawmaking power.” It is also true that the legisla- tive power ‘‘have, in times of peace, increased the national debt by a reckless expenditure of the public moneys;” ‘‘they have built up and encouraged monopolies and have thus added to the burdens which already weigh upon the people.” These things have, however, little to do with the political battle between Mr. John- son and Congress. They have not caused this or increased its bitterness. The last half of this curious document is full of the invective of disappointment against the power which refused to recognize that there could be but one method of arranging our national troubles and that method—‘‘my policy.” Mr. Johnson, with this angry and parting shot, steps from office clinging stubbornly to his opinions, embody- ing in his valedictory the most curious mixture of personal vanity and self-abnegation, states- manship and narrow-mindedness, sound doc- trines and untenable ones, invective and earn- est appeal, denunciation and prayer, bragga- docio and self-defence, that has ever appeared in any document issuing from the Executive Department since the formation of the govern- ment. Is he sane? Hanatne.—In the western part of the State they are investigating the conduct of a sheriff because a man in his hands was not hanged as he should havebeen. Cannot we have such an jovestigation gleo? .-ncos-2- Fast Day 1x Conwroricur.—Governor Eng: lish has* issued a proclamation for a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, and says it is in obedience to a custom thirty centuries old. This touches two important epochs in the world’s history—the times of Moses and the retirement of Andy Johnson, the colored man’s Moses of this generation. Which of these eras it is the Connecticut Governor's intention to commemorate does not appear; but if it be the latter event a day of thanksgiving and praise would have ‘been @ more befitting fes- tival. As Eye to Bustness.—Mr. Johnson's ref- erence to the ‘‘robé of office” that falls from his shoulders to be ‘‘immediately assumed by his successor” has in it a very decided sug- gestion of old clothes. Anouition oF Transit Duties in New Jznszy.—Whenever the high rate of fare be- tween this city and Philadelphia is commented upon the Camden and Amboy Railroad mo- nopoly in New Jersey always point to the ex- cessive transit duties per capita which the State demands from the company. Yesterday the Legislature passed a bill repealing these duties and it has become a law. How soon, therefore, are we to expect a liberal reduction in the rate of travel between the above named cities ? Tne Gotpen Furore.—Look into Grant's inangural for a glittering horoscope. A Very Goop Boy.—Peter B. Sweeny has just paid another sum of four thousand and some odd hundreds of dollars into the city treasury, said sum being accrued interest on city moneys in his hands. As his predeces- sors in office always seized this interest asa perquisite, and as Peter pays it over only in obedience to a moral obligation, we believe all will agree with us that there is in the city government at least one very good boy. Worse THAN A Ska Monster.—Ingratitude is dreadful, as Lear tells us, especially in a child. What sight, therefore, can be worse than to see the radical organ in this city—that child of New England passion, prejudice and narrow- ving way “to virulent abuse of Boston and the Boston notions? Nor Dray Yet.—That ex-President John- fon does not intend hastily to ‘shuffle off this mortal coil” is seen in the fact that he has just accepted the ‘hospitalities of the immortal Johnny Coyle, in Washington. Waat Miont Have Baen.—It is a strange speculators about these days. Under Grant’s:| justification that Mr. Johnson feels called upon administration business is likely to strike hard | to show how good a President he was by show- ? a re ing how bad a one he might have been, The Public Debt Statement. According to the March statement of the public debt there has been a decrease of nearly eleven millions since February 1; but it must be remembered there was a large increase the month previous, In fact, we cannot get at a correct view of our financial situation from any one month’s or two months’ exhibit. We must take a year or several years, and then we may know where we stand. Well, then, the national debt has been increased since March 1, 1868, over twenty-five millions. True, there have been bonds issued to the Pacific Railroad Company to more than that amount, which are regarded in the light of a loan; but they constitute, nevertheless, a part of the public debt and are a positive addition to it. These bonds may never be paid by the com- pany; but, whether they be or not, it is the duty of the government to see that our enor- mous debt shall not be augmented in any way whatever. With the vast revenue of the gov- ernment in time of peace, and now in the fourth year after the war, the debt ought to have been considerably diminished instead of increased. The lowest point the debt reached was in November, 1867, when it stood $2,491,504,450, It is now $2,545,336,904. The increase in sixteen months has been $53,832,454. But the burjen has been still more augmented through the manipulation of Mr. McCulloch in converting the non-interest bearing and the currency interest debt into gold interest securities. The whole scope of Mr. McCulloch’s policy has been to make the debt as heavy as possible and to favor the bondholders at the expense of the taxpayers ; and that, too, seems now to be the policy of Congress. It is, as we have frequently said, beginning at the wrong end, and may create in the public mind a revulsion that will weaken instead of strengthen the national credit. Let us hope that under the new administration, a new Congress and another Secretary of the Treasury, the debt may be diminished and the burdens of the people lessened. CrEzoxs AND ENVELOPES.—It appears that the New York Gas Light Company pays its extra dividends, which amount to forty per cent over the regularly declared dividends, by inclosing a check in an envelope to the stock- holder, together with a private note, the pre- cise nature of which is the private property of the parties concerned. The innocent recipient does not know how {it comes to pass that he should receive this money, because the de- clared dividend is only ten per cent; but of course he does not grumble and is not at all inquisitive about the matter, It is evident that the stockholders are well taken care of by this company; but how do the gas consumers fare? Reat Estare.—All the furor for city pro- perty is in the direction of the city’s upward growth. But when the East river bridge is built and Hell Gate is blown out—two things soon to be realities—we fancy it will be found that there are several gold mines in the ap- preciation of lots in that now poor part of the city east of Second avenue and between Four- teenth and Fortieth streets. These lots will be worth fancy prices much sooner than West- chester lots. How Is rr Donz?—Only a day or two since a man was brought before a police jus- tice on a charge of disorderly conduct, and upon inquiry he proved to be a convicted mur- derer, recently found guilty of killing his wife. How did it happen that he was at large ? Toe Same OLp Tune.—‘‘God save the Queen” has done good service in its time. It has been useful in our Sunday gchools, along with a bit of verso half pious, half patriotic, and now it is suddenly pressed to make musi- cal twenty lines of political doggerel intended in honor of Grant. i . A Great Foss Over a Smatt Potato— That raised by Mr. Brooks yesterday, in the House of Representatives, on the question of the authority of the Clerk as presiding officer pro tem, of that body. The law is clear; but Mr. Brooks is not the man to hide his light under a bushel on inauguration day. Mrs. Lixcotn’s Pension.—The bill died with the outgoing Congress. It ought not, however, to be overlooked by the new Con- gress now in session. It is a matter of jus- tice to the widow of Abraham Lincoln about which there should be no debate. A Goop Crow.—The democrats are having a good crow over their gains in the late town elections in this State. The Elmira Gazette brings out a rooster that covers the space of half of one of its broadsides, and cries out lustily, ‘‘I crow for the people.” Harry.—The people of Savannah, upon the restoration of their Braine. ARRIVAL OF THE YACHT HENRIETTA. Stormy Passage from Charleston—She En- counters a Harricane. The Henrietta arrived at this port yesterday from Key West, via Charleston, which place she left on the 20th of last month. The first day out she ea. countered @ fearful tornado from the northward, which carried away the fore and main boom, with all their attachments. The sheets were torn to pieces a8 though they had been made of tissue paper, and blown overboard, but were recovered by the crew after three hours’ hard work. While the tor- nado raged most furiously the sea ran very The yacht, however, rode the storm in ieraeitante saa Zastee ites the ‘conn yacht rae faa not as yet joned her, After the sails had been recovered @ storm trysail and a two-reefed foresail were and with rot pin A than the injury to the sells above ment . ACCIDENTS OW THE HUDSON FIVER RAILROAD The Poughkeepsie way freight and passenger train bound north on the Hudson River Ratiroad yester- day afternoon met with an accident a mile and a half below Poughkeepsie. Just before the train reached the place mentioned a rock fell on the track. ‘The train striking it all the steps of the freight cara were torn away and the hing ing passengers, was thrown from f track but aot J No one was hurt. The train ed — was delay! about one hour. Last tas an extra freight train was passing Cold Spring a frightened drawtt wi which contained & boy, ran verees. the ni “ino ‘animal was instantly kiiled and the , Whose hame does not transpire, was badly injured. ‘THE SUDDEN COLD SNAP, At one o'clock yesterday afternoon the mercury In the thermometer stood at thirty-nine degress. At thirty minutes after eleven in the evening, at thir- teen degrees, thus failing, twenty-six degrees in ten