The New York Herald Newspaper, December 9, 1869, Page 3

WASHINGT Vhe Release of the Spanish Gunboats Probable. Peaco Declared Between the Spanish and Peruvian Ministers. Call in the Senate for Information Regarding Cuba. - Passage of a Disability Removal Bill. WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 1869, Settlement of the Spanish Gunboat Question, The Spantsh gunboat question is in course of set- tlement by diplomacy. It is known that they have been detained by government on complaint of the Peruvian Minister, his representation being that they were designed to relieve other Spanish vessels witch were to be employed in hostility against Peru, Hence the proceedings instituted to determine whether or not .our neutrality laws were to be thus violated. But it 48 ascertained from an unofficial, but altogether relt- able source, that the Spanish Minister to-day pre- se.ted @ paper to the Secretary of State deaying tne premises of the Peruvian Minister, and giving the pledge that the gunboats are not to be the means of carrying on a war with Peru, or any other nation with which the United States are at peace. This commu- nication was somewhat similar to that heretofore presented by the Peruvian. Minister to remove the objections of Spain, the object of which was the Telease of the two monitors purchased in the United States forthe Peruvian government. The Peruvian Minister, ou receiving a copy of the paper, expressed himself satistied with the explanation and assurance of the Spanish Minister. Therefore, the cause of the dexention of the Spanistt gun boats is removed. Dis- trict Attorney Pierrepont has already or, soon will be made acquainted with these diplo- matic proceedings, and it is anticipated that his action in the premises will forthwith lcad to a judicial order for a release of the gunboats, when they will*be transierred py the contractor to the authorities of Spain. The Spanish Minister takes a view similar to that of the Peruvian Min. ister to Mr. Seward nearly two years since, namely, that the war bevween Spain and Peru and other South American repubics long ago ceased, with no intention to renew the hostilities. This is the pres- ent condition of affairs, although not formally an- nounced in the communications between these gov- ernment; but when the representatives of Spain, Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador assemble in Washington next January, in joint conference, it is contidently expected they will give emphasis to the fact that peace has been restored among them, with a@ desire to cultivate the most friendly relations, Nominations Confirmed. The Senate in executive session to-day confirmed the nominations of General Belknap as Secretary of War, and of Mr. Robeson as Secretary of the Navy. All other nominations were referred to appropriate committees, i Nominations Sent to the Senate. The foliowing nominations for circuit judges werd sent in to-day:— ‘st C/reui(—George F, Shepley, of Maine. Second Oircuit—Lewis b. Woodrutl, of New Yor! tatid Circutt—William McKennan, ot Pennsy vania. dourth Circutt—George A. Pearie, of Marviand. Fuh Cirewt—William B. Wood, of Alabama. Sur h Circuti—George H. Yeaman, of Kentucky. S venih Ci —Thomas Drummond, of Ilmois, Atuth Circuit—Lorenzo Sawyer, of California, Tue nomination of Circuit Judge forthe Eighth Circuit will soon be made. The choice 18 sald to Ne between Ben Loan, of Missouri, and Judge Dillon, of sowa. The other nominations were of appointments made during the recess, and included thirty-seven tothe Treasury, sixty-four to the navy, 129 to the War Departunent, eight to the Attorney General's oflice and one (Join M. Marshall) to be first assistant postmaster general. Among the nom- inations were Charies J. Folger, to be assistant treas- urer, and George W. Palmer, appraiser at New York. Aisc the following in the Navy Department:—Augus- tus L. Case, to be chief of the bureau of ordnance; Daniet Ammen, chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks; Edward T. Duna, chief of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing: W.M. Wood, chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. The Vacant Supreme Judgeship. No nomination has yet been made for the vacancy on the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States, The choice undoubtedly lies between Attor- ney General Hoar and Judge Erskine, of Georgia. Admission of Virginin—'the President’s Suge gestious to be Carried Out. Governor Walker, of Virginia, was on the ftoor of the House and Senate to-day consulting about the admission of Virginia. He talked with nearly’ all the members of the Reconstruction Committee and found them favarably disposed to immediate action, A meeting of the committee will be held to-morrow, when the resolution relative to Virginia willbe tuken up. Several members of the Welles radical lobby have signified their desire to be present and present some facts against the admis- sion of the members elect. They will have little in- fluence, however, as the committee, or a majority, are in favor of carrying out the suggestion of the President’s message for the Immediate adimission of the State. “ Contest Between Committees on Financial Questions, Thewe is asharp contest going on between the Com- ‘Mittee: on Bankiag and Currency and the Commit tee on Ways and Means about the reference of bills. General: Garticlu, chairman of the former committee, isfanxio us to have bills of a financial character refer- Fed to Lus committee, while Schenck is unwilling to surre: \der the privilege whica the Ways and Means ha & heretofore enjoyed, of not only devising Plang to , taise revenue, but of shaping the financial policy of ti e government. Garfeid dnas a powerial ally in S. 8, Cox, who is a member of his committee. Cox is const tatly on the lookout for the reference of Anancial buls » and thus far has succeeded in peating Schenck, So We of the Western men who are op- posed to Gart ‘eae financiai theories have come to the aid of Sche ‘Bek; but they are not so weil versed in the rules of ‘he House as Cox, and hence are outgeneralled, Proposed Line «“f American Mail Stenmers to Ching, via the Suez Canal=Lacours to Southern En teration. Mr. Hill, of New’ Jersey, will mtroduce in the House to-morrow a bill to encourage the establish. ment of a ime*of ste, Wushtps, under the fag of the Unton, for the conv tysnce of the mails of the United States to Eu topean ports and ports of India and) Chine $y Way of the snes Canal, and for pro Wotlng emigration from Europe td the Souther States of the Union, and for reducing the ra. ‘ea of ocean postage, The first scction provides that for the purposes above Daiwed the Postmaster Ge feral be authorized and Girected to enter into cont: ects with the Mediter- ranean and Oriental Steam N evigation Company of New York for the conveyance Of maiis of the United Btates from New York, Port Royal, Norfolk or Brunswick to ports of Europe, ti wluding Cadiz, Mar- seilles, Genoa and Trieste and P ort Satd, in Kgypt. The contracts are to be lor twenty years. The steamship company propose to carry mail matter at the rate of three cents for half ounce letters as soon as )v0stal treaties can be concluded by the Postmaste? General for lower rates of postage with foreign cousitries. For the purpose of promoting emigration to the South the Legislature of any Southern State niay, to ald the company in its operations, create @ fund for its sole use and benefit, by depositing with the Post Oftice Department, in the name and on behalf of said @ompany, the authorized bonds and securities of any fuch state, payable in not less than fifvegn yeats, These eourittes are to be held by the Poss OMce Departmeates security for the payment OF the interest and bonds o1 the company. The company, in considerstion of this, ts to establish emigrant agencies in Zurope and send emigrants to Staves which shall deposit 1unds. The bill provides that out of the unappropriated public lands of the Southern States the company shall nave forty scres ‘togive toeach emigrant as an inducement for bim to come to this country and settle, upon the payment by him of the appraised value of the land, payment to be made in ten yearly instalments, Termination of Iudian Treaties—Congres sional Legislation for Indi: The House Committee on Indian Affairs had & Meeting to-day and instructed their chairman to report a bill providing that hereafter no treaties shall be negotiated. with the Indians under any circumstances whatever. The bill pro- vides (wat whatever legislation is necessary for the Indians shall come directly from Congress, and that existing treaties shall be annulled as soon as possible, The bill was prepared by Sidney Clarke, chairman of the committee, and 18 understood to have the approval of tne Senate Committee on In- dian Affairs, Itis generally conceded now among Congressmen that it would be better both for the government and the Indians if the treaty system ‘was abolished and the Indians dealt with directly by Congress, The New Census Bill—The Number of Repre- sentatives in Congress to be Increased, The Census Committee held a meeting to-day, re- vised their bill and finally agreed to make the num- ber of Representatives under the new apportionment 3800, This was abont the only change made in the bill as aiready reported. Tne committee is anxious to have their bill passed before the holidays, but it 19 doubtful if the discussion on itwill terminats 80 soon, Most of the session to-day was taken up with general debate on the bill in Committee of the Whole, and only two speeches were delivered. In addition to nearly all the members of the committee several gentlemen have prepared speeches which they are anxious to deliver. When the bill comes to be con- sidered, section by section, it 18 evident that several amendments will be offered, all of which will give rise to debate, Coin in the Treasury. ‘The Secretary of the Treasury at present has on hand about $71,000,000 coin, and the receipts trom customs during the balance of this month are esti- maied at $10,600,000, which will make a total of $81,600,000, The weekly gales of gold, however, will reduce this amount $6,000,000 or $8,000,000, On the Sist inst, about $32,000,000 will be required to pay the semi-annual instalment of the interest on the bonds of 1881 and the five-twenties failing due upon the Ist prox., which will leave a , balance on hand of about $44,000,000 or $46,000,000 at that time. Property Stolen by Indians. By direction ofy the Secretary of War, tn cases where questions arise as to ownership of animals in possession of the Indians, the commanding officer of the nearest military post is authorized and directea to act in conjunction with the Indian agent in charge of said Indians, in the investigation and determination of the question of such ownership. Reveaue Officer Murdered. The following telegram was received at the In- ternal Revenue OMice to-day SEDALIA, Mo., Dec. 8, 1869. Deputy Marshal Moses was shot dead on the 4th Instant by, Felix Whiteworth, 12 Camden county, Please instruct tie Marshal to send a force unme- - diately. MACK J. LEAMING, Assessor. Commissioner Delano has telegraphed to the As- sessor for fuller particulars, Lilicit DistiVeries in Tennessee. Collector James A, Galbraith, of the First Tennes- see district, reports to Commissioner Delano the destruction of several illicit stills in Jefferson county, ‘This county 1s said to bo mfested wiih out laws engaged in violating the government revenue laws. ‘the revenue authorities did not succeed in making gny arrests, as their approach was heraided by parties m collusion with the outiaws, and the iiicit distillers made haste to leave. Release of a Military soner. - An order has been issued from the War Depart- Ment directing the release of Matthew D, Taylor, Who was sentenced by a military conrt one year ago to four years’ confinement in the Penitentiary at [fantsville, Texas. Colored National Labor Convention. ‘The Nationat Labor Convention of colored people adopted a resolution to-day that the president and vice president of tis Convention be a delegation to wait on the President of the United States and ten- der the congratulations of tis Convention on behalf of the colored laborers of the United States, Report of the Director of the Mint. The report of the Director of the Mint gives the total coinage for the last fiscal year as follows Gol 1,828,637 . Silve o 10, 74 Nickel, copper and bronze. oe 1,279,055 The gold comed at Philadelphia was., 3,178,637 San Francisco... 18,650,000 Silver at Philadelphia... 434,746 At San Francisco... cas 406,000 Nickel, copper and bronze at Philadelphia 1,279,055 Total number of pleces struck 34,660,168 The total deposits of gold bullion at the mint and branches waa $31,465,249, of which $16,794,496 was in unpasted bars and $14,668,753 in refined bullion. In San Francisco the total gold deposits were $17,711,293, of which $8,343,151 was im unpas ted bars and $9,364,236 in refined bullion. - FORTY-FIRSI CONGRESS. Second Session. TON, Dec, 8, 1869, STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE. On motion of Mr. ANTHONY, (rep.) of R. I, the standing committees of the Senate were announced by the Clerk. The following Senators constitute the several committees named below,@fter the altera- tions made this morntng:— On Foreign Retations—Mesers. Sumner, Cameron, Harlan, Morton, Patterson, Schurz and Uasserly. On Appropriavions—Messrs, Morrill of Me., Wil- son, Cole, Sprague, Sawyer, Poole and Stockto! On Naval Affau's—Messrs, Cragin, Anthony, Nye, Drake, Scott, Osborn and Stockto! On Patents—Messrs, Willey, rry, Carpenter. Norton and Hamilton. On the Library—Messrs, Cattell, Howe and Morrill of Me. To Audit and Control Contingent Expenses— Messrs. Ferry, Edmunds and Davis, ‘The other committees are without alteration. PEDITIONS PRESENTED. The following petitions were presented and re- ferred :— By Mr. EDMUNDS, (rep.) of Vt, petition of ©. D. Boutwell, of Texas, setting forth that the petitioner bad been a rebel and got sick of it, and now wanted to be relieved from all disaviliries, By Mr. SUMNER, (rep.) Of Mass, a petition of W. Cornell Jewett asking Congress, as & means of vin- dicating the dignity and sovereignty of the nauon, to suspend the workings of tie French cabie on American soll until France authorized the landing of a cabie from America on I Q son, and gaaran- teed that ali American despate snould freely pass over France through the bands of American agents, Mi. SUMNER remarked that there was now upon ble of the Senate a vill which met the prayer bparittoner, and he proposed calling 1t up atan day. Mr. HAMLIN, B. officers of the United States Navy representing that injustice had been done by special promotion over them of many of their juniors, in the service under (rep.) of Me.—A memo al from the act of July 26, 1806, and praying Congress to redress the great wrong under which they believed themselves to suffer by restoring them to the post- tioas to which they had been relatively enutied, Mr. HAMLIN said he had certain knowledge of th facts in some of the cases referred to, and had no doubt that simple justice demanded at the hands of Congres’ reparation for the wr committed by reason of the act referred to, ie asked the earnest and candid attention of the Committee on Navat Affairs to the subj vu 1GHT HOUR Law, Mr, EDMUNDS gave notice that on Friday he would ask for the consideration of the ilonse resolution regulating the hours of labor of government Laborers, workmen and mechanics, A resolution was passed at the last session tn relation to the hours of labor without touching the matter of compensation. The Attorney General had given a decision on that law, but the heads of the departments had not executed the law in accordance with that decision. The law itself, he believed, was not satisfactory to the work. men, at least it was workibg no profit to them, but tended to demoralize every governmental institution in which laborers were employed. RATIFICATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, Mr. WILLIAMS, (rep.) of Oregon, introduced a joint resolution relating to amendments to the constitu- Legg Mena ag that whenever satisfactory evidence 18 furnished to the Secretary of State that three- fourths of the islatures have ratified any Bux posed amendment to the constitution of the United nye NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9,° 1869.—TRIPLE SHEET. States, he shail forthwith prociatm the fact, of such rautication; and uf it shall appear that t4q Legisla- ture of a State has ratified an amendie gy proposed as aforesaid, any other action by the ‘,egisiature of that Stute as to auch amendment #ha 4 pe void aud disregarded by the Secretary of Stat 4, Mr. WiLLtAMS moved the refereace of the bill to the Commitice on tae Judiciary ‘and expressed tne trope that it would receive Garly® consideration, wien oe obvious reasons, I deserved. It was 80 erred, INTERNATIONA, COINAGE, Mr. SHERMAN, (rep,) of Ohio, introduced a Dill to promote au internauional comage, &xing the weight id comn Of five doilars at 124 9-20 troy graiui ot the equivalent to a coin of twenty-five francs. hefer! to the Committee on Finance. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. Mr, CARPENTER, (rep.) of W13., introduced a bill In relation to the rights of membera of Congress, pro- viding that nothing im any act of Congress shall herea.ter be construed to prevent any member of Congress from practising a8 an attorney, solicitor or counsel in the prosecution or defence of any cause, claim or proceeding in any judicial court of the United States, . THE TEST OATH, Mr. Ferry (rep.), of Conn, introduced @ bill to repeal all laws requiring What was known as the auministravion of the test oath. He said that the proposition to remove the disabilities imposed under the fourteeatn amendment would fall short of the accomplishment of the object deagned, unless ac- companied by the repeal of the test oath. The necessity for legislation of this character, hie believed, had now gone by. ‘The policy of tne removal of those disabilities’ was one which the experience of last summer, and the universal experience of all parties In the Southern States, had decided to be a policy that ought to be adopted by Congress, and as the republidan party originally enacted those laws for the security of the government ana the preserva- tion of the life of the nation, 80 now, when the necessity had gone oY, It seemed to the speaker best that the same party should remove them. ‘The bill was then referred, BRIDGING THE DELAWARR RIVER. Mr. CATTELL, (rep.) Of N. J., introduced a bill giv- ing the consent of the United States to the erection of a bridge across the Delaware rier between Phila- delpnia and Camden. Reterred to ye Committee on Commerce. BOUNTIES TO COLORED SOLDIERS. Mr, SUMNER offered a resolution calling upon the Committee on Military Affaire to consider whetuer avy further legtsiation 13 needed to secure for ail colored citizens Who have served in the army of the United States complete equality with all other citi- zens in the enjoyment of the military bounty. He remarked that ne had understood that a statute ex- isted by which former siaves who had served in the army of the United Staves were excluded trom the enjoyment of the military bounty. As it had been the object to give equal rights to all who served un- der our flag, he ask 4 the early attention of the Committee on Military Affairs to the complete ac- complishment of that object. THE CONDITION OF CUBA. Mr. CAMERON, (rep.) of Pa., offered the following resolution :— Resolved, That the President of the United States be re- ested Lo ‘communicate to the Senate, if in his opinion itis Incompatible with the public interests, any information he may have in his possession with regard to the progress of the elvil warin Cuba and the political condition of the island of Cuba. The resolution was adopted. THE WINNIPEG INSURRECTION, The resolution previously offered by Mr. Rawsry (rep.) Of Minv., asking for information concerning tne presence of Hon. Wiliam McDougall in Dacotat ‘rerritory, and the opposition of the inhabitants oi Winnipeg to his assumpcion of the office of Gover- hor Was taken up. Mr. Howaxp, (rep.) of Mich., said be thought the resolution uanecessary, Masmnuch as the interests of the United States were not invoived in the local dis- turbance which had arisen in the Red River country, The disturbance was conined to one of the remote possessions of the Dominion of Canada. He had been informed that Mr. McDougall nad received no Appointment to exercise authority in tne Red-River country, but was a8ting as @ private citizen, though having recetved an assurance of future appointment as Governor of that portion of Brigh America known as the Red River country. ‘of the settlers on the northern border of nesota were, perhaps, greatly dissatisfied with some arrangement recently made by which the Iludson Bay Company had sold Out their interests; and one great object with them was the erection 01 @ local government of their own to look after their own special interests, The diti- culty was apparently of a purety local natare. Mr, RAMSEY said & portion of the people he repre- sented enjoyed a considerable trade with the fed Rayer country, and that the people of the latter locality were in a state of discontent and revolution. ‘Whe United States was represented there vy a col- lector of the revenue und other officials, and it seemed important that the exact condition of atfairs there should be ascertained, Agreed to, CANADIAN RECIPROCITY TREATY. Mr. THURMAN, (dem.) of Ohio, offered a resointion requesting the President to mform the Senate Wiether since the last session of Congress any nego- tations have taken place or been proposed between this governmenc and the government ot Great bri- tain in respect to a reciprocity treaty or reetprocity laws on the sub of trade aud commerce between the United States and Canada, aud to commumeaic why correspondence that may have taken place pe- tween the Executive and the government of Great Britain or that of the Dominion of Canada. Mr. SUMNER ruggested the insertion of the usual clause, “if in the discretion Mf the President the iuformation be consistent with the public interests.” The resolution as modified by tie suggestiva thus made was agreed to. PROTECTION OF CIT ‘The resolution by Mr. Warr, (rep.) of Nev., questing the Judiciary Committee to inquire if any States were denying to any class of persons tle equal provection of the laws, in violation of treaty obugations and of the fourteenth amendment, was taken up and agreed to. OLEARING THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE. Aresoiution offered by Mr, Drake, (rep.) of Mo., providing that hereafter the floor of the Senate stall be cleared of persons not entitled to its privileges ten minutes belore the meeting of the body, was taken up and agreed to hy a vote of 19 to 17, . RELIEF FROM DISABILITIES. ‘The bill to relieve certain persons therein named from the disabilities imposed by the fourteenth amendment to the constitution came up in order. ‘The bill contains tne names of 400 or 600 persons. Mr. SUMNER moved toreler the bill to a comsittee, but after discussion witndrew his motton, and the bill passed. ‘Yhe joint resolution for the relief of persons engaged in the late rebellion, providing that upon the final adoption of the fifteenth amendment ail disabillies shall cease, was taken up. Mr. Stewarr said he belleved the time had arrived to make the declaration here proposed. No danger need be apprehended im the immediate removal! ot these disabilities; but, on the contrary, continued imposition would have the effect ‘which Con- gress desired to prevent—that of throwing the former repel States into rebel hands. That such was the effect was evidenced from day to day, because beside themselves having the power to vote they were enabied to excite the sympathy of their neighbors by appealing to them to aid in removing their disabiliies. Now that uni- versal suffrage had been secured it would be politic to close the reconstruction work with untversal am- nesty. In the matter of individual cases of reliet there was much room for imposition upon the gen- erosity of Congress, and the disabilities of many persons had been removed upon unfair and incor- Tect representations to members of Congress, Ne- cessarily 11 was impossible for Congress to exercise an intelligent discrimination in passing upon these Cases In detail, and the more advisable course was to deal with them as a class. By means of this de- claration, that the adoption of the fifteenth amend- ment would relieve the disabilities now imposed, the cause of reconstruction would be strengt.ened and the adoption of the amendment Itself materially hastened. EXECUTIVE SESSION, ‘The Senate then resolved Itself into executive ses- sion and soon after adjournea, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WASHINGTON, Dec, 8, 1869. 4 FUNDING THR NATIONAL DEBT. Mr. MORRELL, (rep.) of Pa., introduced a bill to fund the debt of the United States at a low rate ot interest, to make the national banking system free, and for other purposes. Keferred to the Commitiee of Ways and Means. THE FIFTEENTH AMENDM Mr. PAINE, (rep.) of Wis. offered a resolution directing the Secretary of State j@ inform the House What State Legislatures had ratified the proposed fifteenth constitutional amendment, Adopted. SYMPATHY WITH CUBA, Mr. Cops, (rep.) of N, C., asked leave to offer a revolution of sympathy with the Cuban insurrection, but the general order of business was called for by Mr. Maynard. BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS, Mr. PALMER, (rep.) of Lowa, introduced a bill to authorize the Burlington and Missourt River Rail- road Company, or its assigns, to change the estav- lished route in Nebraska. Kefserred to the Paciic Aatiroad Commitee. Mr, LAWRENCE, (rep.) Of Ohio, offered a resolution directing the Committee on Vubiic Lands to inquire into the expediency of aineuding the Homestead law so a8 to authorize ex-sohliers and seamen of the United States to receive 150 acres of land instead of eighty acres, as now authorized for & homes! out of the alternate sections of iand em ed i railroad and other grants owned by the government, Adopted, Me. Davis, (rep.) of N. Y., introducea a bill to Abolish the duties on coal. Relerred to tie Comuit- tee of Ways and Means. Mr. BurRINGTON, (rep.) Of Ma! offered @ resolu- tion directing toe Secretary of War to transmit re- ports relative to tae protection and improvement of Plymouth harbor, Mass. Adopted. Several bills for the removal of political disabill- fies were introduced and referred to the Commitvee on Reconstruction. Mr. Sakaenr, (rep.) of Cal., introduced @ bill to brocure and disseminate information of the extent of the cereal and ouher crops o1 foreign countries. ferred to the Committee on Agriculture. ‘The bill requires Ameri Consuls residing tn countries which raise cereal or other crops that come in competition with American products in the markets of the world to furnish quarterly state- ments of the condition of the crops to the State Department, which is to furnish them to the Commissioner of Agriculture, who 19 Tequirea to put them in a@ condensed form in his monthly circular, corrected by any accu- rate information in hia possession. The onjeot of the bill ie to furnish informauon to farmers vo ena- ble them to sell Or bold their crops in view of foreign + murkels, must Of luc information now obtainaDle | bemg drawn ire Guglisa sources and colored vy she uecesaiues vl Uias Couutry. ; Otaer bis Were troduced and referrea as ful- jows:— By \r. STRICKLAND, (rep.) of Mich.—Extending the Poriago Lake and Lace superior Kailroad ts Kewee- naw Bay, Mbenigan By Mr. FINkeiNuURG, (rep.) of Mo,—Conceraing dusies of imports, proposiug @ periodical reduction of ten per ceut. By Mr. CavaNauGn, (dem.) of Montana—To pro- vide for the eiection of certain ‘Territorial oiticers by the people. By Mr, MUNGEN, (dein.) of Onlo—To exempt trom laxation tae property of ex-soidiers ang sailors of the United states to the same extent as tle property ol bouduolders, By Mr. O'NEILL, (rep.) of Pa,—For the restoration of Captain Dominick Lynch to the active list of tae mavy. By Mr. MCCRary, (rep.) of lowa—To amend the act for the Consolidation of the United States slatuces, ASSIGNMENT OF MEMBERS TO COMMITTEES. The SP&AKER wade a proposition to the House in relerence tw ihe assignwent to committees of the several recentiy adtiited memoers, At present it was not in his power to assign those gentlemen to committees and he suggested that he be authorized to assign them as ientn inembers to such commit ,tees as he mignt deem desirable. Mr. BROOKS, (dem.) of N. Y., objecting to that reso- Jutivn and suggestion, expressed the lope that the Speaker would rove the oppurtunity by adding & democratic member to tue Coumities on Klections. Mr. Parnsworru, (rep.) of Lil, suggested that the macier be referred vo the Committee un Kuies. Mr. SCHENCK, (rep.) of Onio, did not favor that suggestion, because it would be apt to cause delay and would look to something Uke o permanent ar- rangement instead of a temporary oue. Mr. FAKNS WouTH did not wish to be understood as objecting to the Speaker's propositioa, but he re- minded tie House that there were a great many of te committees of the Mouse that were obsolete, ex. cept on paper, tuat never met and had no piace of mveting, and he thought it better thas the whole Subject of committees snguld be revised by tue Com- mittee on Rules, Mr. WELKeR, (rep.) of Ohio, offered a resolution, giving the Speaker the authority suggesied, Mr. Dawes, (rep.) of Mass., favored referring the Whole iatier to the Coznimittee on ikules, It dia not seem to fim quite rigul to leave tne matier so enurely tothe Speaker. It was a delicate mutter, ana he supposed the speaker himself would prefer vo have It arranged py ue Cominitiee on Kules, The SPKAKER sat he had no desire in the matter at all, Otuer than what might be indicated by we House. Mr. Expnipgr, (dem.) of Wis., suggested that the diniculty mighc ve obviated by the resignation of tue members of the coumiitece who are Low serving on moore tian one. : Mr. BUNJAMIN, (rep.) of Mo., thought the whole matier premature uutii after the adintsston of tue Virgiaia, Mississippi aud 1exas members. Finally the subject was relerred to the Committee on Rules, PETITIONS PRESENTED, Mr. Brooks presented a petition from the em- ployes of Phinney, Biakeman & Co., of New York, in c ervice Oll!, (rep,) Of N. Y., presented a petition of Pierrepont Seymour, of Last Kloomiield, Ontario county, ». Y., lor a renewal of his patent lor an im- provement ia seed planters or grain drilis. THE HOUSE IN CONMITTER OF THE WHOLE. ‘The House tach went into Committee of the Whole, Mr. DAWES in the chair, and proceeded toa consideration of the bill to provide for taking the muith Sus, to fix the nuinber Of members of the House of Kepresentatives and to provide tor their future apportionment smong the several States. Mr, STOKES, (rep.) Of Lenu., Chatrman of the Cen- sus Committee, conunended the Industry of tue sub- committee, Which sat during the recess, and sald he would leave the mauagement and engineering of the Dill to the chairman ol that sub-committee, Mr. Garfleid, of Ohio, Mt GAKVIELD, (rep.) Of Ohio, proceeded to state sucainetly the pouts of the bill and the machinery deved In 1 for taking the census, explaining wherein and why it difered from that by waich the congas of 1500 Was taken, Jureply to questions put by Mr. Butler, of Mass., Mr. Ulark, of Kan, and others, in regard to the re- pressntation in Congress, Mr. GARFIELD said the present organization or pumbering of the tlouse begin on the 4th of March, 1963, and manifestly it Wiiiru unttl the same day in Maren, 1873. The census to be taken next June ought, of course, to be compicied, 80 far as the taking 1s concerned, by the ist or July. We shail not know until nexe tall Whas the basis of represeatation will be, and, as a mater of course, no redistricting Of States can be made iatil utter that, ‘the commattee agreed tius morn- lng to illup the biank for the number of members with & In reterence to the information to be obtained from rauroad companies, Mi. Gartield remarked that now that the Hegre question had been got rid of, the next great tignt woud be with these great corporations, and Congress iuld ab least Know what they were doing with the national weaith in their hands. In reply 00 a question by Mr. Peters he stated that With the whole number of members fixed at 400 O Slate Would suite Lue loss OF & member, but with iixed as tue number two or taree of the New ngiand Staves would suffer. Mr. BUrLER, Of Mass., inquired whether any ar- Tangemens Wat mace in tue bill for obtaining tele- graph Ajatisties¥ 3 Mr. CALVIELD replicd that there was not, except warding tae telegraph connected with ratiroads, ‘the conmuitiee had prepared an additional seneduie for that purpose and had it ready to offer in case the House desived it; but the committee had become alarmed at the size of the schedule and had left 1¢ out, Mr. HALDEMAN, (den) of #a., another member of the Ceusus Comuities, expressea hts views on the sugject, dwelling on the lnportance of a til and complete Census, embracing property and income. He thought 1 time to ask whether ciasses were not being favored in tus country, and whether our sys- tein of income, tari ana int al revenues Were hot on the body politic, With that idea he proper time, propose an additional e prover scnedule for a return of the wi iy ¢ Irom wages, salarics and professions, The commitice taen proceeded to discuss and con- sider the biil by sections, Mr, MoNG&N movea to amend the third section by limiting the term of service of alt census employs to two years lastead of three. Kejected. Mr. DAVIS moved to ameud the same poimt by inseriing the words “and whenever their services should cease to be required,” Adopted, Alter progressing as far as the fourth section of the pill the committee rose, and the House at three o'clock adjourned. UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. Constitntionality of the Cottou Tax of 1866. N wWaliam M. Farrington, Planiig in vs, Rove S. Saunters. Error to the Circuit vourt for the District of West Tennessee.—The plainti? im error was the owner of 150 bales of cot- ton on which the tax of three cents per pound, im- posed by the internal revenue act of July, 1866, was laid. He refused to pay the tax, but finally did so, under protest, in accordance with the practidée in such cases under the customs revenue laws, to save the seigpire of the cotton; and this sutt was brought to recover back the sum paid, the plaintiff alleg- ing that the tax 1s a violation of those provi- sions of the constitution which prohtbit the laying of capitation or other direct taxes, unless in proportion to the census, and tne laying of duties on articles exported from any State. The judgment below was 10 favor of the government, and weit of error was taken to this court, where it was now heard. The plaintiff in error maintains that by the established law, as derived trom the constitution, a lax on lands and Houses and a capitation tax are direct. Taxes on syecific articles of consumption or expense are indirect, and that aa ad valorein tax on personal property, without reference to consunp- Uon, is of the same character as an ad valorem tax on land, both being direct. These conclu- sions are arrived at after an elaborate ex- amination of the subject of taxation, and \uey are submitted to the court as suilcient to show that tne tax im question, levied as it is directly upon production, without reference to its use or consumption, is, in its nature, a direct tax, which can be levied omy by the rule of appor- Uonment. On the other branch of the argument it is insisted that cotton 1s an article produced for ex- portation; and cotton statistics are quoted to show the fact. From 1820 to 1s64 three-fourths to five- sixtns of the cotton raised in the United States was exported; and in the years 1865, 1466 and 1867 the exports were two-thirds to three-lourths, For the yeur ending Juve 90, 1867, 667,127,578 pounds, o the value of $202,807,910, were exported, Of the por- tion not exported from the United States ih is asserted a8 a known fact that but an tasigni- cant fraction is consumed in the States where the couton is produced, the great bulk of 1 being exported to other states in the Onion. [tts contended that tiis Is a legisiative declaration that coiton shail not be exported without paying a tax, and that if the constitution can be defeated because the tax 18 not named an exportation tax, the admira- tion once felt for its power must be changed into contempt for tts umpovency. Tae same rules of m- terpretation must be applied to this restriction im- joese upon the federal government, as have unt- ormiy beea to the like restricuon tnposed on tie States. While the former i® promibitea from laying any tax or duty on articles exported, the latter are prohivited from laying any imposts or duty on im- ports or exports, The tax in this case has no precedent in the past action of tue government, and no warrant in the provisions of the constitution, =f it can main- vained then ail the objections made in the convention Which framed the constitution on granting the tax- ing power are fully realized and all the arguments by which they were answers proved to be faise. ‘The Attorney General, on behalf of the government, Maintains that the power of taxation 14 unimited, and the extent of its exercise rests wholly in the dis- cretion of the legislative branch of the government, except in the three partictuiars specified in the con- stition—that direct taxes shall be apportioned; that that ail duties, imposts und excises shall oe uniform and no tax shail be laid on articies exported from any State. The tax objected to must, therefore, be plainly and clearly siiown to be witain the excep- tion of the constitution or the objection cannot revail, very presumption 1s tn favor of tte valid- ty. The tax here complained of is not @ direct tax, being neither ® tax on land, nor a tax on slaves, or other capitation tax. ‘The | case of Hyiton vs. The United States (3 Dall., 171) 1s such @ tax asin {ta nature capable of apportion- Meant, without creating great ineguaiity and injus- luce In the apolication. ‘This tax on cotton is not capaine of appordonment among the States, as required in the case of direct taxauon, nor is it In any respect a tax on land, but @ strictly and pro. perly # duty laid upon a specific commodity or arti- cle of consumpuon, Nor is this &@ tax ON exports, because it 18 laid alike on all cotton, whether exported or not, and without regard to exportation, Articles exported from any State within the meaning of the constitution ace articles exported from any State to foreign countries. ‘Ihe distinction between a0 xX, ort duty and an excise 13 that in the one case the tax can only atcach upon the happening of a particular event—to wit, the exportation oi the ar- Uicie on whion it is laid—while in the otuer the tax may attach to the article generally and irrespequve of the happening of such an event. Where a tax of the latter description is laid upon a commodity, whether growo or manufactured, while in the hands of the producer or manutacturer, and without re- gard to its future destination, its ch ter certainly does not become changed into a tax of the former description by the mere lact that a part, or even the Whole, of tue article thus taxed 13 afterwards entered tor export to a foreign country. That would make the legality of the tax depend not upon the circum- stances to which it was adopted by the Legisia- ture, and which existed at the ume of its coliection, but upon those subsequentiy transpiring ut the mere Wili of iadividnais. in other words the law imposing the taxes, tuough perfectiy valid when it took effect upon the arucle taxed, would be rendered void by events happening after its purpose nad been fully accomplisued and its operation in reference to thé article had altogether ceased. The prancipie, if admitted, would reader of litte avall allexcise taxation upon articles of commerce, A State cannot (ax Linports in the hands of the importer, bul cag tax merchandise imported alter it has passed ont of the hands of the imoorter, or, If in mis hands afier the packages are broken. On the same princip.e, Congress can tax, a3 @ couimodity, mer- chandise in the hands of its producer, which may afterwards be exported, the tax being jai upon the production and not upon any person who inay ex- port any part of it, and im consequence of such exportation, The fact that more than half the cotton produced in the country is exported to a foreign couutry bas nothing to do with the con- stituality of the law. Jf Congress cannot consututionally lay a tax upon the production of manufacture of a commodity, because more than one-half of itis exported, 1t Cannot upon any cuin- modity of which less than one-halfis exported, ‘the conustitutionality of au act of Congress cannot de- pend upon the state of trade; and it Congress cannot consutuuonaily tex afy commodity it some pare ot ibis annually exported tt cannot lay any excise lax on commodities at all without providing for a draw- back in case of exportation. Such a constitution nullifies the power of Congress to lay excise axes. ‘The tax 15 an excise tax aad is uniiorm throughout tie United states. Tne lact that cotton or any otner article Ia not produced or found alike in ali parts of the country does not affect the question. There 18 no product of agriculture or mantlacture which is found in all the States in quantities exactly propor- tionate to the population or anything else of ali the States. It bas beeu the opiaion of Covgress irom the first, a3 Would appear from its legislation, that taxes on personal property kept for use were excise taxes a3 much a8 On personal property made tor sale, and that the tax upon such products as to- bacco, manuiactured or made for sale, Was an ex- cise Lax. The questions were argued at great length on both sides, no less than five different briets being filed. P. Phillips, Albert Pike, R. W. Jonnson, M. L. Sharkey, James Hughes and R. Toit for plaintiff in error. » K. Hoar, Attorney General, and W. A. Fieid, Assistant Attorney General, for the govern- ment. E. D. Wheeler, of San Francisco; William T, Wal- lace, of San José, Cal.; Roviason Toit, of Mem- phis, Tenn.; Eugene M. Wilson, of Minneapolis, Minn.; Aibert Todd, of St. Lows, Mo., and C. P. Shaw, of New York city, were admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court. THE CIRCUIT JUDGES. We give below brief sketches of the Circuit Judges Appointed by President Grant, and whose names were sent to the Senate yesterday for confirma- tion:— GEORGH F. SHEPLEY, OF MAINE. With the career of this gentleman, who has been appointed Judge of the Fifst Circuit, the public is quiie famuiar. He was born in Saco, Me. on January 1, 1819, received a good education and graduated im 1837 from Dartmouth College. He subsequenttly studied at the Harvard Law School, and after his admission to the bar moved to Bangor, where he commenced the practice of his protessien. On the accession of Polk to the Presidency, Mr. Shepley was appointed United States District Attorney in Maine, holding that office until Mr. Lincoln’s installation, When a repudlican successor Was appointed, At the outbreak of the rebellion he offered his services to the State and was commissioned colonel of the Twelfth Maine volunteers. In command of this regiment he accompanied General Butler in nis expedition against New rleans, commanding a brigade during the greater part of ,the campaign, and becoming commandant of the post alter the fail of the Crescent City, Later in tie year he was commissioned @ brigadier general, and was supse- quently appointed Military Governor of Loutstana, which position he bela unttl 1864, when he gave way to Michael Holm, who had been previously elected to the omice. Te was next sent to Norfolk as Military Governor, and after the fall of Richmond held the same position in that city. With the close of the war General Shepley retired from the service, and late in the year was appointed one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of Maine, of which his father was once Chief Jusfice. The ool bears the reputation of a lawyer of decided ability. LEWIS B, WOODRUFF, OF NEW YORK. The Judgeship of the Second Circit has been con- ferred upon Mr. Woodrutl, who is widely kuown as one of the present judges of the New York Court of Appeals. He is a native of Litchfield, Conn., which district his brother, George C. Woodruff, represented in the Thirty-seventh Con- ress. Mr. Woodruil moved to tuts city when quite ® young man and commenced. practice as the part- ner of George Wood, the eminent lawyer. He became prominent in his profession, and in 1849 was elevated, by election, to the office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, serving six years, At the 3 ——_————e OVER THE ICs. Young America on Skates~{nauguration the Gay and Festive Scusoa ow Lee~The Rinks in New York and Williamsburg. Several hundred devoted skaters eagerly wel- comed the inauguration of the skating season yes- terday afternoon, at McMillian’s Fifth Avenue Ring, corner of Forty-sixtn street. This rink, whica is @ roofless enciosure, covers balf the biock be~ tween Fifth and Madison avenues, and has one great advantage in being close to the centre of & very fashionable neighborhuod. The ice yesterday Was about four inches thick and straight and level a3 @ billlard table, The arrengements imade by McMillan were not quite cumplete, but when they aro there will ne ilittis to desire and nothing to apprehend pat overcrowding. A flight of steps leaas down from the sidewalk om Forty-stxth street to along, low wooden structure stretching across one eud of the rink. The visitor having paid his admission fev at a small seint-cireu- lar aperture outside the entrance, passes into am ample room warmed bya stove, where skates are procured and put on and cumbrous clotning is taken charge of. A bar for refreshments stand? in one corner, Where mild beverages oniy will be provided. A partition divides ts room fram another of equal size, which ia intended to be used by the New Yor Skating Club. When thé foor is iaid with matting, the walls papered and pictured aud @ stove of rea- sonable gize introduced it will make a comfortable and haudsome headquarters, A band of music num- bering eleven pieces was present yesterday, and blew oif some pretty airs in very good style. “Sweet Spirit, Hear My Prayer,” appeared to be w splendid measure of music for the sxaters, its long swelling notes harmonizing adiuirably with the graceiully sweeping cur performed of the sites. ‘The rink is surrounded by alow ruing, over Wile folks can lean aud watch the moveinents of the people on the ice. At nigit it Wiil be lit by a chain Of jawps eXtending arouud the four sides aid piaced midway between the surface ol the riuk and che side- waiks, United to the street lamps, Which are tolerably numerous in the vicinity, taere Wili be an abundance of light cast across tae frozea fiuvr, Leing open to Fifth avenue the rink naiurally draws the atten- tion of crowds that roll past to tie Park, apd vester+ day being the opening day a great many persons stopped to look and watch the skiliul piroueiting of some of the lady skaters. ‘ihe ciiss Of persons who may be expected to patronize this place of amuse- ment will be of an aristocratic stripe if there be not @ feeling of fastidious aversion vo skating In sack an exposed public situation. Judging by the dis- play of handsome winter tovets and beautiful laces fying hither and thither on the ice yesterday alter noon it ig fair to expect some Very a-lractive gather. Ings occasionally through the winter. SKATING IN WILLIAMSBURG. Cammeyer’s Union Pond, im Williamsburg, wag opened yesterday under very encouraging auspices ‘this pond 18 about the finest anywhere near York. Its frozen surface spreads over six and a half acres, giving room for ail the small voys of a Jarge city to disport themse.ves skatorially. In the summer this ground is devoted to the manly game of base ball, and thousands of men and maitens sit for hours watching with deliguied attention the sbifting foriunes of the piay, tac skull of the boy at the bat or the wonaerfal fleetness showa in a suc- cessful home run, Inthe winter it undergoes a transformation, but it does not lose its character as a place of pubilc amusement. imsteaad of @ sportive youth being sent to grass by a blow of @ base ball iu the tender part of Lhe stun, he 1s dropped ia a@ lively way on an ice floor four or six inces thick because of ka ing un- ceremoniously against somebody cise. ‘There were afew hundred persons on the 1ink yesterday, buy there was room for about teu times as many more. Everything is in ceadiness for the season, -The rooms for skaters are all newly fitted up aud accom- modation provided for an immeuse number, ‘There is a shop on the premises for making ready and re- pairing skating tools, Over 200 lamps wili be strung around the sides. In the centre of the nok @& circular glass Irame, mounted on a pole, will contain a ‘light whica will throw its effulgent beams @ cousiderabie distance al! round, Wheu the nights are dry and dara ail Whe lamps will be lit, and the dispiay, it is anucipated, will be vastiy brilhanut, Moonlight, when it us liberally supplied, will be taken in preference to keruseue, us being much more romantic and congenta! to the souls of loving couples ou skates. Fulks from New York on landing at South Seveath street may ride or trudge ten or twelve blocks straight out irom tue ferry, aud they catch sight of two tigh poles, with half a dozen flags flutwering 1n the greeze, they can turn to tue rigat &@ block or LWo, and discover thems: looking the flooded aud frozen batue & gallant base ball batcattons, JUSTICE MOCK“D. The Convict Mart Allen Still in the ¢ Writ of Error Issued by Judge Cardozo in His Case. On the 27th of last month, at eleven o'clock at night, City Judge Gunuiug S. Bedford, Jr., sentenced the notorious panel tiuef Mart Allen, the well known leader of the Eighth ward gang, to five years’ imprisoament in the State Prison. The crime for which the ru‘an was tried ana condemned was robbery by the extra contemptible “panel” game. The defence was persistent, and the jury found much difficulty in agreeing to a verdict. indeed, it was rumored in ihe court room on that even- ing that a “friend of the fami'y? of the Allens, who, curiously enough, happened to be one of the jury, reiused to hear anything or see anything in the case against the jeopardized Mart; and if is said so confident were his friends of acquittal that they offered bets of $509 to one dollar that he would not be convicted. The Judge ex- pressed satisfaction with the verdict of guilty which was finally returned by the jury, and paid no atten. tion Whatever to-the pressure of certain ward politi- cians who sougit to save from his just doom their valuable coadjutor. Judge Bediord, addressing the — close of his term he was elected Judge of the Supe- rior Court of New York, holding that position untti 1863, when he returned to the bar and achieved great success in the renewed practice of the law, appearing in or A all of the most noteworthy cases. In 1865 Mr. Woodruff was a candidate for a ey of the Supreme Court, but was defeated by LD. P. Ingraham. Subsequently he was elevated to the bench of the New York Court of Appeals for the term ending on the Ist ult. At the recent election in this State he was the repubii- can candidate for the short term, but was defeated by Robert Earl. Mr. Woodruff married a daughter of tae late Chief Justuce Hornolower, of New Jersey. Asa member oi the New York bar he is regarded one of the ablest iawyers in the State, @ man of de- cided taients and infexibie in bis integrity. WILLIAM MKENNAN, OF PENNSYLVANIA. Mr. McKennan, appointed to the Third Circuit Judgeship, 18 @ resident of Washington, Pa., where he 13 the recognized head of his county bar. Although repeatediy offered to represent his party in Congress or to accept the office of judge of@lis district, he has hitherto resisted all efforts. Presi- dent Grant first made his acquaintance at the mar- riage of W. W. Smith, acousin of Mrs. Grant, toa daughter of Nr. McKennan. It will be remembered that his name was spoken of last spring in connec. tion with a place in the Cabinet. W. B. WOOD, OF ALABAMA. The only facts Known of Mr. Wood's career is that he is a lawyer of Alabama and served in the Con- federate army as colonel of the Fifteenth regiment of Alabama Volunteers, After the close of the war he supported the Congressional plan of reconstruc. ton, and is now In full fellowship with the repub- lican party. Mr. Wood has been appoiated Judge of the Fifth Cirenit. GEORGE H. YEAMAN, OF KENTUCKY. To the Sixth Circuit Mr. Yeaman has been ap- pointed Judge, He was vorn ia Kentucky on the 1st of November, 1829, received a good education, studied law and achieved briillant success at the bar. From 1864 to 1858 he was Judge of Daviess county, where hehas always resided. In 1861 he was elected to the Kentucky Legislature, and during the following year aided in raising a regi- ment of volunteers for the Unior® arnfy. Upon tho resignation of J. 5. Jackson he was elected his suc- cessor as Representative to the Thirty-seventu Con- gress, and was re-elected io tae Thirty-cightn. in 1865 Mr. Yeaman was appointed Minister Resident to Denmark, THE FRENCH BENEVOLENT SOJIETY, : The French Benevolent Society, for which Father Hyacinthe lectures to-night at the Academy of Music, devoted entirely to aiding natives of prisoner, said: do not see any pailiating circum- stances in your case, gd therefore deem it simply my official duty to mete the severest poualty,” and then impressively pronounced tae sentence. The verdict gave reat public satisfaction, and produced an excellent eflect on the large class of thieves of which Mart Allen was the acknowledged head, The peopie had not forgotten that through the influence of wily politicians, tiiemse.ves Hable to crimimal imdictmeut, cerlain persons who were tawly tried, convicied aud seatenced for the hignest crime known to the law Were Walking the streets in perfect freedom, wile a large number of others who had committed offences that mertied severe == punisiment, were — never brought to trial. But the firmness, energy and abuity displayed by Giy Judge Bedtord on the bench of tue General Sessions iospied the hope that henceforward the transgressors of the law would receive fiting punishment aud that justice would not be mocked during his term of oitice, Untor- nately, however, for the popular wish, the City dJudge’s duty ends when he seateuces @ prisoner. ‘The influences whica were attempted to be ex- ercised on the City Judge during the trial of Mart Allen, aad which he tndignantiy repeiied, do not appear to have fatied of egect in other quarters, ‘The public will be astonished—if, uideed, it can be astoutsued at anything doue by New York poll- tucians—that Mart Allen is not at work in Sing Sing Prison, dowg the State some service ior bis many crimes aud misdemeanors, Lut is In the quiet enjoy- ment of his otinm cum dig. in the City Prison, awaiing with calin coufldence the time whea some fresher crune aod newer criminal Wil absorb public attention, it ts not very likely that he will have tong to walt, and then his weil posted counsel will easly hocus-pocus him out vo bis light-tingeed con federates, it will be remembered that Allen's counsel at- tempted to obtain an arrest of judgment after the rendering of the verdict, oat that Judge Bedfora promptly refused, The cause was clear against the prisouer, and it Was impossible to see auy extennat- ing circumstances. Baitled for tue time being, (he Prisoner’s counsel determined on taking other means of securing the release of the convict, and he sueceeded. The convict was given over to the Sherif, who was responsible for his safe keeping until he was securely placed tasiie the gates of sing Sing. It was also the duty of the Sherif to see tat the convict Was sent in charge of his deputies to the State Prison as svon as possible after the rendition of the sentence. But as itis castomary.for the Sheriff Lo put prisoners in the fombs lor safe keeping untW the deputies are ready to take them to their desiguated piace of imprison- Fran It originated Jn this city im 1809 and was incorporated in 1819 The present president is Mr. Frederic R. Coudert. It has no building for the accommodation of inmates, but keeps an office at 87 Houston street, where its charities are dispensed two days in each week to the extent of about 36,000 @ year. Tho recipients are chiefly old women. Among the few men who regularly receive its boanty Is an old soldier of Napoleon, who was with | him in the disastrous Russian campaign. Tue penstoners receive from three dollars to six dollars a month in cash and orders upon bakers and coal dealers, No salaries are patd to officials, Ail services are voluntary, The committee consists of twenty members, who are often called upon by their Ce en in distress on days when the | omice ts closed. ‘The society has $20,000 invested In mortgages, and the interest, with annual subscrip- tions of tive to fifty doll complete the sum neces- sary for its purposes. Pas: of destitute French people to France are often puid by the society. hen Father Hyacinthe agresd to speak at the Academy the comintitee decided Led dan the price of parquet and dress circle, reserved seats, at ten doilats; those not reserved, including the seats of the second ter, were to be five dollars, and the fauily circle and gallery, one dollar. They fuily ex- meat Mart Allen was conveyed from the Court of General jons and safely locked up for the night within granite wails the Ony Prison, Tha was on saturday night, aud Mt could scarcely be ex- pected of the Sferiit’s deputies to. go up the river with the convict on that day; but Monday was very One and bright, and it would not have tojured the delicate fellows in tne least if they took the train for Sing Sing with the much commiserated Alien. But the Sheriif did not see it and so they did not. That somebody saw and belleved there can be no doubt, but who was “seen” is another matter. Allen did not go to Sing Sing, and in all probability Wil not, His counsel 18 very adroit, aud the Alien family are not very poor. No preparation was made to take Allen to Sing Sing on Monday morning, and the explanation was found to beinthe shape of @ “writ of error and a stay of proceedings” in his case issued by Judge Cardozo, of the Supreme Conrt of the State of New York, which was duiy served on the keeper of the City Prison, This extraordinary conduct was mauve known to a few only, and the order of the Judge ora copy of it isnot in the Sheritt’s oiice. RESCUED FROM DROWNING. Charles MoGover, residing in Monsion street, pected to fill the house on those terms. A speculator Offered them $10,000 net jor the receipts. The lec- | turer, hovever, would not allow any higher terms | cited as an authority a8 to tho notion of a direct tax, in which 1¢ was held that a direct tax includes only than two dotlars for reserved seats and one dollar Jorall otners. , near Varick street, fell overboard at the foot of Perry street, last night, aud was rescued by some boatmen. He was taken to the Ninth precinct station house by oficer Palmer and properly cared for,