The New York Herald Newspaper, September 12, 1869, Page 6

6 NEW YORK HERALD BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR. A llbusiness or news letter and telegraphic despatches must be addressed New York Herr. Rejected communications will not be re- turned, Letters and packages should be properly sealed. ; AMUSEMENTS TO-MORROW EVENING. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Fosmosa; OB, THE RAILROAD TO RUIN. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowe: Wavs—Tae Maip wit THE THe WIZARD OF THB ILEING Pall. GRAND OPERA HOUSE, coruer of Eighth avenue and 8d street. —PATRIE. FRENCH THEATRE, Fourteenth street and Sixth ave- nue.—ENGLISH OPERA—PURITAN'S DAUGHTER. WAVERLEY THEATRE, No. 720 Broadway.—A Gann VawieryY ENTRBTALNMENT, UNCLE Tom's CaBin, BOOTH'S THEATRE, 23481 Riv Van WINKLE WOOD'S MUSEUM AND THEATRE, Thirtieth street ang Broadway.—Afernoon and evening Performance. OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broadway.—Tus Drama oF THE TAMMANY, Fourteenth street.—THR QUEEN OF HEARTS—THE OLD WOMAN THat LIVED IN 4 SHOR. FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE, Fifth avenue and Twenty- fourth streot.—Daraus. THEATRE COMIQUE, 514 Broadway.—Jocnissx, THB JUGGLER. MRS. F. B, CONWAY'S PARK THEATRE, Brooklyn.— Houk—A BUgacu OF PROMISE. BRYANTS' OPERA HOUSE, Tammany Building, Mth st.—BRYAN18' MINSTRELS—N£GRO ECORNTRICITIBG, £0. ‘TRAL PARK GARDEN, 7th ry between S8th and -VOPULAB GARDEN CONCERT.” ou TONY °ASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, 201 Bowery.—Couro Vocaltss, NEGRO MINSTRELSY, 46. SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS, PiaN MINSTRELSY, NEGEO ACTS, $85 Broadway.—ETH10- ao, HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, Brooklyn.Hoousy's MINSTRELS—-THAT TROUDLEGOMB Bor, 40. STEINWAY HALL, Fourteenth street.—KENNEDY'S FaRewSLL Soorrisi EXTRRTAINMENT. NEW YORK M‘SEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— BOiRNOE AND ABT. LADIZS' NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, G3 Brondway.—FEMALRs ONLY IN ATTENDANCE. TRIPLE SHEET. New York, Sunday, September 12, 1569. THE HERALD IN BROOKLYN. Notice to Oarriers and Newsdealers. BROOKLYN CaRRIERS aND NewsmEN will in future receive their papers at the Branca OFFice oF THE New York HeRAp, No. 145 Fulton street, Brooklyn. ApvERTISEMENTS and Svsscrirrions and all Jetters for the New Yorx Heraup will be Teceived as above, MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTIONS. ‘The DAILY HERALD will be sent to subscribers for one dollar a month. The postage being only thirty-five cents a quarter, country subscribers by this arrangement can receive the HERALD at the same price it is furnished in the city. TH Nauws. Europe. Cable despatches are dated September 11. Napoleon's health is restored. English rumors have It that he contemplates an abdication in favor of his son. British opinion appears as if adverse to she idea that the revolutionary Spaniards can rule Spain. Serrano was likely to obtain an extended term of power. Madrid was tranquil. Sixteen thousand Spanish troops are ordered to Cuba. Another English bishop has resigned. A London journal hopes for a “return” rowing matoh between the Oxfords and Harvards. Turkey and Egypt. Io England it is thought that the relations between the Sultan and Viceroy of Egypt will be improved by the recent discussions, and that such a result will be better for each, as well as for Europe. Cuba. The steamship Missouri was detained at Havana until suspected rebel jetters could be examined and registered, Lieutenant Governor Udaila, of Kayamo, bas been sentenced by court martial to ten years in the chain gang Jor alleged treason. Paraguay. Advices to the 29th of July state that a sharp en- gagement had occurred recentiy, in which the Para- guapans were victorious, Xilling two pundred of the Brazilians, The allies, however, are still holding their position in front of Lopez’s entrenchments, Minister McMahon speaks in high terms of Lopez and says only two or toree Englishmen wish to leave the country, and they are too timid to express the wish. Miscellaneous, Private letters from Minister Sickles express a sanguine hope that the Spanish government will ac- cept the proposition of the United States relative to the purchase of Cuba. The Regent is personally in favor of it, but his Cabinet are siow about accept- ing tt. Our Washington correspondent states that John C. Breckenridge, when he bade Forney and Sickles goodby on the occasion of his leaving the United States Senate early in the war, told them that he did not intend to remain South, but that he was going to Richmond to rescue his son from the confederacy, and would then return and stand by che Union. Forney and Sickles both doubted his ability to keep out of the secession movement, but he declared warmiy that he would. The story is told to shew that it was not Breckenridge’s judgment that swayed him in the move he took. Ip response to @ call from a large number of friends yesterday, George H. Pendieton, democrauc candidate for Governor of Ohio, gave expression to his views of public affairs. Ne dissented trom the republican assertion that the Union was restored while Virginia, Mississippi and Texas are still under military government, and denied that the great questions of liberty and union have been solved. He opposed the adoption of the fifteenth amendment because it introduced a radical, material change in our system of government, and takes away from the States without thelr consent the essential element of @ self-governing community. He reiterated nis doctrine of the payment of bonds with greenbacks, the abolishment of the national banking system and @ rigid economy in public affairs, 80 as to aid in re- ducing the public dept. The aystem of deducting from the wages of the clerks in the ‘reasury the time Jost by them from the regular hours of'business is in full operation in the treasury Department, It is estimated that half amullion dollars were lost to the government last yetar Dy the absences that this system is proposed to reeedy. Assistant Secretary Richardson, who in- Sgoduces the system, it is worthy to remark im this wonnection, 18 going to Massachusetts in a few days to attend his court there, Senator Fessenden’s funeral took place at Port- land, Me., yesterday, and was the most imposing that has ever taken place in that city. ‘The tuneral of John Bell will take place at Nash- ville to-day, A meeting of Nashville lawyers wo WEW YURK HERALD, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1869.—TRIPLE SHEET. pass resolutions.relative to the dead statesman was addressed yestertay by Henry 8. #oote and Andrew Johnson. « 28 - apne ‘The lists of marine disasters resulting from the disastrous gales in the Eastern States are already coming In, as will be seen by @ reference to our shipping intelligence this morning. The steamer Cambridge 1s at Rockland, Me., where she arrived after @ terrible night, having fallen into the trough of the seaand drifted. Iwo vessels on Cape Point are total wrecks, seventeen of the crew of one of them being missing. Sophia M. Grange, of Montreal, sued James Run- ning, of the same city, for breach of promise, laying her damages at $60,000. whe trial was concluded yesterday, the jury returning @ verdict for plaintit for the sum of $3,500, Over fifty vessels arrived at Quebec yesterday from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Among them was a ship which made the run from Glasgow in twenty- one days. Two ships bound for Quebeo were lost in the Gulf during the gale of Wednesday; their crews were saved. The City. The will of the late Henry Keep leaves ail bis property tohis wife and daughter and immediate relatives of the family. The estate is valued at $400,000, Atthe Fashion Course yesterday # burdie race at heats was run and won by Lobelia in two straight heats in 1:51% and 1:53, which 18 extraordinary burdie time, ‘The stock market yesterday was steady and strong until after the unfavorable bank statement, when it sharply declined. Gold rose to 135%, closing finally at 13534 a 135%. The aggregate amount of business consummated in commercial circles yesterday was diminutive, though some articles were freely dealt tn. Coffee was quiet but steady. Cotton opened strong, but closed weak at 3éc, for middling upland. On ‘Change Fiour was duil and heavy, thongh prices were generally unchanged. Wheat was fairly activeand firmer. Corn was duil and lower, while oats were in fair demand and firm. Pork was quiet, but heid for full prices, while other kinds of pro- visions were generally dull and heavy. Naval stores were active and higher for turpentine, but quiet though firm for other kinds. Petroleum was ex- ceedingly quiet and heavy, though prices were no lower, Freights were quiet but frm, Whiskey was in more demand and 8¢. a 10c, per gallon higher, closing at $1 22 a $1 25, tax paid. Prominent Arrivals in the City. General G. W. Caas, of Pittsburg; Mr. Vaughan Richards, of Indiana; Samuel Milligan and Captain C. B. Church, of Tennessee, are at the St. Nicholas Hotel. General Sackett, of the United States Army, 18 at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Lieutenant Larcom, of the British Navy, aud B. Kendall, of London, are at the Clarendon Hotel. Colonel Upton S, Porle, of Chicago; John Denier, of New Orleans; Professor Join C. Butta, of Rich- mond, and Colonel H. B. Newell, of Indiana, are at the St. Charles Hotel. Professor Silliman, of New Haven; Captain Wal- lace, of the United States Marine Corps; Surgeon A. A. Hockiing, Chas. McGregor and Wm. Whitehead, of the Uuited States Navy, are at the Astor House. Prom it Departures, Colonel a. J. Smith, for Syracuse; Colonel J. B. Cannon, for Baltimore; Professor Reid, for Si dussy, and Captain R. 8. Green for Richmond, Va. The VYaiue of the Electoral Theory and in Practice. The extension of the right of suffrage has come to be regarded, not only in the New World but in the Old, as the remedy for most of the disorders to which bodies politic are subject. In England, after a long and thorough agitation of the question, we have recently seen the old rotten borough system exploded and a comparatively fair and liberal, though still only partial, basis of franchise adopted. In our own country we have been bestowing on the blacks of the Southern States—with doubtful political advantage to the party con- ferring it—the right to vote at all elections for public offices, and we are proposing, by the fifteenth amendment to the constitution, to extend that right to the same class of people in every State in the Union. By and by the same question will enter into our politics apropos of the natives of China domiciled with us, and whose numbers within the next ten years will have increased by millions. And even some female philosophers—few in num- ber, but determined in purpose—are demand- ing the suffrage for women as a remedy for many of the social wrongs and evils to which they are subjected. Well, if it were any remedy, if it were not one of the popular delusions of the day, all these schemes for making American citizens out of every man, woman and child in the United States, whether belonging to the Caucasian, the Mongolian or the negro race, might command the sympathy and support of all fair-minded, thinking men. But when our system of primary ward meetings, democratic clubs, loyal leagues, fictitious registration, repeating, ballot box stuffing and all the gross frauds which politicians of all parties indulge in with impunity is taken into consideration, it appears of mighty little importance indeed who has or who has not the right to vote. But it is not only by such means as those we have indicated tnat the will of the people in regard to its choice of candidates is neutral- ized, defeated and made of no account. After all these obstacles to a fair or comparatively fair manifestation of the will of a community are overcome it does not follow then, by any means, that the man who happens thus to be elected will ever be permitted to hold the place to which he is chosen. If, for instance, that place be a seat in Congress, and if it be contested, no matter almost under what frivol- ous pretences, by a person whose politics are Suffrage in those of the dominant party in Congress, the chances are a8 ten to one that the claimant whore politics are preferred will get the seat, and that the candidate whom the constituents preferred will be turned out of doors, The history of the House of Representatives for the last six years is full of instances of this kind, where the expressed will of constitu- encies, not only in Southern bat in Northern States also, has been ruthlessly get aside. And now it has come to be an understood thing that the decision of contested election cages in the lower branch of Congress depends not upon the merits of the question in the most remote degree, but on the political faith of the respective parties to it. With this double attack from high and from low places thus made upon the purity of elec- tions, of what possible value to any one is that inalienable right of freemen which orators and poets have prated and sung 80 rapturously and foolishly about? Or how much more or less guilty is the ballot box stuffer or the repeater of the Sixth ward than the member of Con- gress who, for the sake of party, stabs to death the very life principle of the govern- ment? If our democratic instttutions fall into con- tempt through such means, or if the right of elec- tion become, as it is fast becoming, a mere shadow and delusion, the blame will fall no leas heavily on the members of the national lecia- lature than on the roughs and rowdies and pot- house politicians who manage things pretty much as they are paid for doing. And there is very little use in making efforts to reform and purify elections in the States when their results are liable to be reversed by whatever political party happens to be in the ascendancy in the State or national Legislatures. When the certificate of election, issued by Progress of the Cuban Revolution. Ministet Sickles, a8 we are informed from Washington, writes hopefully as to the proba- ble result of bis negotiations relative to Cuba. We are told that the General expresses the opinion that his original propositions will be finally accepted by the Cabinet in Madrid, ; although the Spaniards will take some time to consider them. The Regent Serrano is, Gen- the legally constituted executive officer, is re- | eral Sickles says, well disposed to treat on the spected and regarded as final and conclusive | subject of a sale or transfer of the island, and by the body to which a man is chosen by his | would settle the case either way if it were constituents, there will be a first measure of | solely in his hands. The other Ministers electoral reform. Until that measure be car- ried out all minor efforts to prevent election frauds are utterly useless. It isno more satis- are slow, both in perception and action, but General Sickles is sanguine. We cannot see why Spain should hesitate. faction to a community to have itself cheated | Every day that passes ever adds strength out of its political rights by an assembly of | and vigor to the struggling patriots of Cuba gentlemen than by a crowd of ragamuffins and rowdies. As things are now, where commu- and strikes discontent and dismay to their oppressors. Since Captain General Dulce left nities are subjected to this twofold system of | disheartened and dispirited for the mother fraud, elections are the merest farce that sen- sible men can play at; and it is not of the country and his place was supplied by Cabal- lero De Rodas the Spanish cause has fallen slightest possible interest or importance whe- | from bad to worse. Defeat, discontent and ther the franchise be or be not extended to disappointment among the Spaniards have all who may care for having it. This isa rather | tended largely towards their demoralization, unpleasant picture to draw of the difference | while at the same time these causes have between the theoretical and the practical value worked to the advantage of those by whom of that which, in other days, was the dearest | they were opposed. Troops commanded by right of men, This is what professional poli- ticians have brought us to. The most hateful form of oligarchy is that exercised by power- ful but irresponsible political cliques and groups. some of the ablest generals of Spain have failed to suppress the spirit of liberty that ani- mates every Cuban heart. The day is long since past when compromise could with honor And whether the votes of the people are | be accepted. That the Cubans are in earnest controlled, manipulated or annulled through in this great struggle none will deny. With the influence of democratic clubs, loyal leagues | heroic courage and noble perseverance they or partisan legislative bodies, the evil is the same. Until a remedy is found and applied, let the strong-minded women possess their souls in patience. They are only striving after the impracticable. ‘The Season ef Fairs. struggle against superior odds, and success amiles on their labors, While thus freedom’s cause is making itself felt against the Spaniards, and each day adds new strength to the liberating army, troubles in the Spanish campare prevalent. De Rodas, who it was thought would with his soldiers September and October are the chosen | overrun the island and bring the insolent insur- months of the year in which the different State | gents to obedience, and county fairs are held all over the United has lost caste. Even now seoret manifestoes are being circulated against States, It {s especially the season when the | him. He is not cruel, heartless or bloody staple products. of the republic are in their enough to satisfy the desires of those whose fall perfection, and in no country in the | highest aspirations are that Cuba should still world can a more extensive variety of the pro- | continue under the ignominious yoke of Spain, ducts of the earth be produced than in this favored land of ours. included within its limits, being a little pre- The course pursued by the Captain General is The New England | too mild, and therefore he must be got rid Agricultural Society has just completed at } of, Portland, Maine, its round of the six States | puice to resign, It was similar opposition that caused and De Rodas may yet have to follow his example. These dissensions will mature in the time for holding the fairs in éhe prove of benefit to the Cuban cause. Let sol- Eastern States, for the reason that the season is comparatively much later there than in the Middle and Western States; but the finale was nevertheless successful. The fair of the American Institute, which is espe- cially devoted to the exhibition of the results of the inventive genius of our citizens, is now in operation in this city. The State fuira of New York, New Jerady, Tlli- nois, Ohio, Kentucky, Iowa, Wisconsin, Cali- fornia, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Ne- braska and Missouri are held in the latter part of the present month and in the begin- ning of October. The New York State Fair will commence in Elmira September 14, and continue three days. The ninth fair of the St. Louis Agricultural and Mechani- cal Association will commence on the 4th of October and continue six days. We learn that preparations are being made to render the latter one of the most superb and successful displays of agri- cultural productions and mechanical skill ever held in the Western country, making it, in fact, more of # national exhibition than one purely local. The schedule of premiums amounts to over thirty thousand dollars. Universal activity pervades the county agri- cultural associations, and although they may not be conducted upon so large a scale as the State fairs, yet there is every assurance that they will be managed with a degree of liberality that will make them popular with all contribu- tors. The present season has been so prolific in all agricultural productions, in the cereals as well as in fruits, vegetables, flowers, in short, everything that a bounteous soil and a varied climate can bring forth, that we feel confident in predicting a series of unparalleled successes in all the undertakings this fall of our agricultural societies, tending as they do to the promotion of the interests of so impor- tant a class of our industrial population. City PoliticsParty Disseusious, A reference to our article under the head of ‘*City Politics,” in another column, will show that the coming campaign will be one of bitter animosities, as between rival parties and fac- tions, Tammany is undoubtedly in the as- cendant, and much of the contention between outside democratic organizations is the result and effect of her policy—which is the old and very effeetive one—divide et impera. Within the Tainmany ranks, however, there is also a contest waging—over the spoils, of course— and it is almost impossible to pour oil on these troubled political waters. The Senatorial con- test will be a severe one, and the best judg- ment of the grand chief of Tammany, Mr. Sweeny, will be required to reconcile oppos- ing interests. On the judiciary slate there are numerous candidates for the Supreme Court and the Police Justices, Efficient men are in the field, and there will be no difficulty in selection, The citizens must trust tothe Tammany powers for the nomination of the right men for the right place, and they will only be too glad to vote the whole ticket on that understanding, Frorr Prove Catirornia.—‘‘Several car loads of black Hamburg grapes from Califor- nia.” To those familiar with the richness and flavor of this grape this announcement has Inscious suggestion in it, and we hope the frait is in good condition, From several former attempts to send fruit thus across the Conti- nent it has been half conceded that the trade must prove a failure, by reason of the distance and the rough riding ; but we believe that these difficulties may be overcame by proper packing. Hitherto the fruit sent has been packed roughly and badly, When the Californians learn to pack their fruit as strawberries are packed for this market they will succeed. Grapes are sent here from Malaga packed in sawdust; but it should be noted that it is not fine sawdust. Economy is practised with some effect in the national government, if it be true, as stated, that the expenses for the last fiscal year are only about half what they were for the vrevious year. diers of Spain and the volunteers of the island quarrel as they please among themselves ; let them play the Kilkenny cgt game if they so desire; let them cast the responsibility where they will as to the failure of their rule, still they cannot remove the depressing weight from their minds that unity, determination and courage are the elements that hold the liber- ating army to the accomplishment of the inde- pendence of this fruitful and favored land. In yesterday's Heraup we published the full particulars of the battle which took place near Las Tuias. The opposing forces of Valmaseda and Quesada met. The Spaniards looked for the victory which they were taught to believe would be theirs whenever and wherever they encountered ‘the unarmed rabble of the insurgent army.” They fought that “rabble” and secured defeat. They were driven back behind their fortifications with severe loss. For more reasons than one will this battle well be regarded asa momentous one. It was perhaps the most important of the revolution, on account of the numbers en- gaged; the general who commanded is looked forward to as the successor of Rodas, and the Spaniards fought with a full belief that they would drive the ill-disciplined revolutionists from the field at first fire. A few more such engagements, and the backbone of Spanish ascendancy in the Ever Faithful Isle is broken. The result may be delayed, but it is inevitable. If without the means possessed by the enemy the patriots make such strides, what might they not accomplish if the positions of both were equal, It matters little, however, now, for the Cubans will continue the good fight until the island becomes a free, sovereign and independent nation. The History of a Successful Man. Mr. A. T, Stewart's peculiar success in the manipulation of almost every enterprise he undertakes has awakened the admiration of thousands ; and it is therefore not strange that one mind should desire to be enlightened as to how he came by his multifarions faculty. A correspondent proposes that Mr. Stewart shonld write and publish the history of his business career, so that he, ‘‘a beginner” in the game of life, may see and know what goes to the development of a good player. Will he do it? We will hint to him that such a history would be all the more useful if put into the compass of a lecture and delivered by the sub- ject himself. By the way, would not Stewart's life be # good card for Bonner? He is the man who has other men’s lives done with the greatest success. At one time there was a little story current that, if true, would serve as the first fact in this history, and we furnish it, It was, that after Stewart, then young, had been a certain time in this country in the dry goods line, and not over successful, he was called home—to Ireland—to receive his share in the distribution of some small inheritance. Having his money, and being on the point of returning to America, he stopped at some dealer's of his acquaintance, in Belfast, and priced a small article in the way of linen trim- ming. It was cheap, and he invested in it his whole inheritance. This purchase he brought to New York—paying the duty, of course—and here sold it for as much per yard ashe paid per piece. This has been spoken of as Stew- art’s first venture as an importer of dry goods. Tak Sewrsa Giew's Lxrerest.—Every now and then the sewing girls have to appeal to our courts for justice, to claim remuneration for their hard labor from business men who enjoy the profits of their work and deny the workwoman the compensation honestly earned, Too many of these fellows have escaped the penalty of their hard-heartedness and cruel swindling. It is time that an example was made of some of them, If there is a class in the community more deserving of protection in the exercise of their arduous occupations than another it is the women who eke out a miserable existence by the uso of the needle. When the ‘Song of the Shirt” is heard before courts and juries it ought to he regarded with justice apd mercy. ‘The Income Tat“What Each State Pays Per Head. Probably no revenue law more unequal in its operation or more demoralizing than that imposing the income tax was ever passed by Congress. It bears unequally upon the States, cities, and different communities; taxes one class least able to pay and leaves the way open for escape to a great many well able to pay, and directly or indirectly leads to perjury and all sorts of dishonest tricks to evade the burden, To give an idea of its operation the following table, based upon the official returns from the income tax for 1868, is published. The sum placed against each State is so much a head of the whole population :— Massachusetts -$412 Malne.... .. 30 0) New Hampshire. 2 Vermont... - 47 Rhode Island. + 288 Connecticut. 207 New York. 307 New Jers 307 Pennsylvania, 110 Delaware. ~ 1 Maryland. 135 West Virginia. 30 Kentucky. 62 Missouri. 58 It is seen by this table that the trading centres and the specie producing States bear a tax ont of all proportion to and very much greater than the agricultural sections of the country, The State of New York is $3 07 per head of the population, while in this city it would reach many times over that percentage ; in Massachusetts it is $4 12 per head, in Cali- fornia, $5.81, and in Nevada, $17 77. The tax per head in the agricultural States and sections is insignificant compared with the above. For example, in Indiana it is only forty-three cents; in Ohio, ninety-two cents; Wisconsin, forty-eight cents; Lowa, forty-one cents, and so on throughout. Yet there fs no class of the community better off or more ig- dependent than the planters, farmers and agriculturists generally. The tmth is they have many ways of evading the tax, while clerks and all others with a fixed salary, as well as professional and small business men, have to pay to the last cent. The tax bears very heavy on these classes, and makes an in- vidious and oppressive distinction against them and in favor of the agriculturists and capitalists, In any reform of our revenue sys- tem this income tax should be one of the first to be abolished, and we hope Congress will turn its attention to the matter during its next session, The Mississippi Valley Convention. The convention of delegates from all parts of the South and West, recently in session at Keokuk, Iowa, had a good many important questions before it, but it does not seem, after all, to have touched the vital points of interest to the future of the Mississippi Valley ina tangible shape. The thoughts of the dele- gates were directed more to the eleemosynary aid of Congress than to the self-reliance of the great West. There is vitality enough in that magnificent and productive region to take care of its own interests. The convention asks Congress to do many things which the people of the valley might do for themselves; for ex- ample, the holding of a World’s Fair there in 1871. Of what but a mere temporary advan- tage would this be? Then they demand a full share of diplomatic appointments, which is but a sop to the politicians, and can exer- cise no possible influence for good to the ma- terial interests of that section. They also want the national capital removed from Wash- ington to St. Louis. They ought to pause before they urge this demand, for we cannot touch pitch without being defiled, and the farther the capital is located from the fruitful Valley of the Mississippi the better for the morals and the eternal salvation of its inhabi- tants, The convention ought to have known this, but it is evident that a greed for the flesh- pots overcame its judgment in this matter. With regard to the repairs of the levees on the river Congress may probably be expected to afford some aid, because much of the exist- ing destruction was created by the war; but after all it must be remembered that a broken levee ig chronic disease on the Mississippi. Long before the war disastrous incursions of the river on the plantations from St. Louis to Baton Rouge, and even for miles below the city of New Orleans, have carried desolation over thousands of acres. There never was a proper system of dikage adopted at any of the weak points along the river fronts, which might have been used if the owners of planta- tions or the State Legislatures comprehended the economy of a moderate expenditure for the protection of the lands. Here in the North we have not only shut off the ravages of the tide upon our marsh lands, but have converted thousands of acres from worthless and poison- ous swamps in New Jersey, at the very doors of the metropolis, into profitable pastures and vegetable gardens by a good and compara- tively inexpensive system of diking and drainage. The Mississippi Valley Commercial Conven- tion, taking it all in all, although wise. in its conception, was not much of a success, ‘be- cause it confined its deliberations too‘much to abstractions and avoided the consideration of important questions in a purely practical sense, Tur Ming Horror.—By the latest story from the Avondale coal mine it is represented that the miners are always in a state of con- spiracy against society, holding themselves in readiness to combine that consumers may not get coal too cheaply. But the Welsh miners are an exception, and these mainly were em- ployed in the Avondale mine; and because of their indisposition to join in the general con- spiracy it is darkly hinted that they were made the victims of the revenge ot the other miners, In the full knowledge and understanding of the horrors of this event it seems quite in- credible that men could deliberately prepare it, Although it is true that when men are thinking of revenge they do not regard results from a humane or philanthropic point of view, yet we are not willing to believe that there is any foundation whatever for this story, or that it can be other than an atrocious calumny on the miners, Exp.ostve O118,—It is to be hoped the pub- lic will wee the point of the publication made on authority of the Board of Health of the Some of these dealers are to be prosecuted. ' In the meantime the public has the chance to | leave them alone, with a reasonable certainty of explosions if they fail to do ac, names of dealers who sell impure kerosene. . An International Shooting Match—A Chance for Captain Scott's Coon. Lord Elcho proposes the arrangement of an international shooting match between English and American marksmen, This gentleman has, during a fumber of years past, taken a very prominent, praiseworthy and disinterested lead in the management and conduct of out- door national sports in Great Britain. Utiliz- ing his ideas he has paid the greatest attention to the development of the military volunteer organization of the country, inciting the citizen troops towards perfection in the use of small arms by the institution of annual shooting con- tests for prizes, one of which, and well re- membered, took place on Wimbledon Common. Englishmen, Scotchmen and Irishmen, of every rank and class, have participated in the move- ment, the shooting denoting a greater amount of skill and proficiency in the use of the rifle year after year. Satisfied with the home progress, Lord Elcho is desirous that his countrymen shall compete in a match with Americans. It is an excellent idea, We have had integnational contests of every description—on land, on the ocean, and the river—lately. Let us now have a grand international shooting match. Let Lord Elcho with his “‘merrie men” from any portion of the three kingdoms come over here to America, They will enjoya right generous and gallant reception. It will be again men of the same blood, men of keen eye and steady hand, in friendly rivalry. The result will be plain and unequivocal, for few persons will like to “foul” in the path of a rifle ball when sighted straight in a “‘bead” to the mark. His lordship must look out and ‘bring his very best men, however, of which we warn him beforehand. No use in after debates or misunderstandings ; cunsequently it is well that the Englishmen should remember the fame of our riflemen, particularly those of Kentucky, Mississippi, and the others of our Southwestern and Western States, ‘Out there away” a lad of fifteen years old will pick the eye—right or left as directed—out of a coon at rifle long range—a national acquirement which was gracefully acknowledged by the prudent surrender of Captain Scott's coon, when under the eye of that renowned marks. man, in the words, ‘Don’t shoot, Captaia Scott; I'll come down.” Lord Elcho will be right welcome to take our riflemen ‘‘down” on their own soil—or anywhere else--if he can, Nothing like a trial. The State Election in Maine To-Morrow The annual State election in Maine takes place to-morrow. It is regarded with interest, from the fact that it will be the first important State election that has occurred since the administration came into power. The candi- dates for Governor are:—Joshua L. Chamber- lain, republican; Franklin Smith, democrat; N. G. Hitchborn, prohibition. The temperance people are running a ticket of their own in order to test the positive strength of their party in the State, and if the republican vote falls off in consequence it should not be regarded as indicative of the want of popularity of Generai Grant or the policy of his adminis- tration. The average vote of Maine since 1854—the date of the organiza- tion of the republican party—is 107,015. The average republican vote (not counting scattering) is 60,010; average democratic (including the old whig votes of 1854, 1855, 1856 and 1860), 46,887; average republican majority, 18,123, The vote last year was 131,782, the largest ever thrown. It was the smallest in 1862—81,718. In 1860 it was 124,155; in 1856, 119,814; 1863, 119,042, In 1866, when Governor Chamberlain was first nominated, the vote was 99,637; Pillsbury, 41,947; Chamberlain’s majority, 27,690—the largest ever given. The vote in 1867 was :— Chamberlain, 57,332; Pillsbury, 45,900; Chamberlain’s majority, 11,342. In 1868— Chamberlain, 75,523; Pillsbury, 56,207; Chamberlain’s majority, 19,816. Counting the scattering against him, 52, the majority was 19,264, Naporgonio Rumors.—The Emperor Napo- leon is fully restored to health, From Lon- don comes a rumor to the effect that he is about to abdicate and that the majority of the Prince Imperial will be proclaimed on his next birthday. This event will not occur until the 16th of March, 1870. Perhaps the Emperor will employ the intervening time in contem- plating his work and then declare the “‘edifice crowned.” This is very doubtful, however. He is more likely to ‘‘hold on,” Brooktyy is getting rich, The new build~ ings erected during the past year are valued at ten million dollars, and all the property is worth, according to the assessors, one-quar- ter more than it was last year. YACHTING NOTES. The yachting season has not been recently marked with many startling events. Timtdity and want of confidence may in some degree have tended to the limited competition among first class yachts, The cruises of the New York and Atlantic Yacht Clubs did not afford satusfactory opportunities for indi- vidual contests. Indeed, it was generally antict~ pated that the regattas which occurred would have furnished a number of well contested races between the unsuccessful yachts and those which carried away the honors. The race between the Magic and the Rambler, a contest which excited cousideravie interest, was entirely # spontancous affair, aud not by any means the resuitof s month’s meditation, but it was earnestly anticipated that the annual cruise of the New York Yacnt Ciub would have élictted @ number of chalienges. In fact, the only gauntiet thrown down since then was that cast by the Alice that spirited vessels. appears to mor that the lage ns ay woven if incompestion, There ever, Sone prospe oa race between the Alice and the Eva, Fyhon te latter returns froin her cruise. The race will pro- bably take place some day in the last week of the present month. A match was sailed last week betwon the yacht Glance, owned by Mr. B, Swan, and the Constance, Of the Atlantic Yacht Club, owned by Mr. J. GriMths, The course was from the steamboat dock, Oyster Bay, to Hog Island Buoy, on the Sound, and return. Alter @ Very exciting race the Constance came in the winner by one minute and five seconds. Tha wind throughovt the entire contest was pretty ati, with some heavy flaws, The Bayonne Yacht Club, whose Union regatta gave so much satisfaction, intend giving @ fall re- yatta, Which, however, will be somewhat of a pri- vate character, ‘The Neptune Yacht Club, whose charming habita- tlon is most delightrully situated on the Shrewavury river, will shortly bring their season to a close. ‘Through the urgent request of several members # contest has been arranged between Mr. James 0. Nolan, Mr. W. Bross, Mr. A, Brown and Mr. P. Masters, The competitors, all skilled and thoroughly competent oarsmen, have agreed to row in sculls. It ww neediess to state that @ vigorous contest is ane et ‘The yacht Maria has salled from Hoboken for Vir- qs on atrial trip, Mr, P, B, Mansell and Captain rkelew Were on board. Mr. Everbardt, one of the i proprietors, preferred to remain on terra ‘The new yacht Scud, owned by Mr. Mcallister, of Philadelphia, nas just been sold for $2,200, She te lying near the Hoboken Yacht Club house. ave