The New York Herald Newspaper, December 10, 1869, Page 3

. WASHINGTON Virginia Before the Reconstruction Committee, Arguments For and Against Her Admission. THE PROSPECTS FOR CUBA. The Senate Committee Opposed to Her Recognition. 4 Bill Reported in the Senate De- nyivg Political Jurisdiction to the Supremo Conrt. An Investigation Into the Gold Corner Called For in tho House. THE CENSUS BILL. WASHINGTON, Dec, 9, 1869, Unfavorable Aspect of the Cuban Question in Congress. Atthe dinner party given by Governor Swann to his fellow memovers of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs last evening, tho question of Cuba ‘Was the main subject of conversation. It was brought up by an incidental reference of one of the gentlemen present to the allusion to Cuba in the President's Message, From the interchange ef opinions that took lace, it seems that all the members of the comuittee, Gemocrats as well as republicans, are opposed to any action at present, especially anything like arg- ing the President to accord belligerent rights to the Cubans. General Banks, the chairman of the commitvee, Was not present, not having returned from Europe; but it ts thought his influence would ‘Dot be sufficient, even if he were here, to overcome the meinbers of the committee so as to get them Wo favor Cuba. The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations 1s divided on ine subject. Mr. Sumner, fw chairman, is more determined than ever in bis opposition to the recognition of the insurgents. His Position has been greatly strengthened by tue tone of the President’s Message on foreign affairs; for ‘whatever interpretation other persons may put upon the President's language towards Cuba, Mr. Samner thinks it decidedly against them, or rather against their recognition, wuich ts the same thing. General Cameron, the second member on the committee, 1s friendly to the Cubans, and is doing all he can, ing quiet way, to get their case beiore the senate, so that it may have ao fair hearing, His wesoiution offered to-day calling for information from the President with regara to the progress of tne revolution will, he hopes, bring out something which may be more convincing to Schators than it has been to Secretary Fish, that the Cuban cause ‘has assumed such a shape as to entitle it to attention from our government. Senators Morton and Schurz @re also understood to be favorable to tne Cubans, bat Harlan, Patterson and Casserly are said to be ‘With Sumuer, though open to argument ana con- ‘viction. Admission of Virginia—The People Accept the Situation—A Colored Leglslator—Defence of Virginian Loyalty. ‘The Committee from the Ltgislature of Virginia ‘Watted on the Reconstruction Committee this morn- ing and presented thetr views in writing, briefly re- citing what nad been done in the State toward car- rying out the Reconstruction acts and asserting that what hed been done by the people of Virginia was in good faith and that the constitution, as far as adopted, shall be carried out to the very letter and spirit of its intent and Jaw. This was obriciy advocated by Speaker Turner and Crenshaw, of the Mouse delegates, and by Mr. Hine. Mr. Platt, repuplican member of Congress elect from the Second district, advocated the uncon- ditional admission of Virginta, without applying the test oath to members of the Legislature. He was followed by Mr. Porter, republican member elect from the Third district, who opposed the immediate admission of the State; but in order to facilitate Feconstruction advised thatthe test oath be admints- tered to members of the Legislature, excluding mem- Ders who could not take it, and supplying their places ‘With those who could from the next highest on the election returns. He also suggested, as another Plan of reconstruction, the submission of the con- stitution, with tho test oath and disfranchising clauses included, These views were opposed on the ground that a new election would be rendered mecessary, a8 the application of that oath would reduce the number of members to less than ® quorum and ‘also involve the re-eiec- tion of United States Senators. Mr. sland, ® oolored member of the Legislature, made @ .speech in favor of immediate admission without the constitution. He made an emphatic @ddress, declaring that the State had done every- thing she could do consistent with her honor to tes- ‘tify to the national government her obedience to its authority and to the laws of Congress. He, there- fore, protested against any ad ministering of the test oath to her Legislature, and contended that the State was loyal to the core and fully entitled to every privilege and right accorded to the other loyal States, Governor Walker, who was present by re- quest, addressed tho Reconstruction Committee, aud strongly endorsed the declaration of the legislative Committee that the terms of the constitution would be strictly adnered to, and spoke of the loyalty of the people as deserving of a prompt recognition by the immediate admission of the State into the Union. The Virginians were requested to reduce their views to writing and present their papers to the committee at the meeting next Saturday morning. Notwithstanding the contrariety of views it is bo- Meved the committee will report @ bill for the ad- mission of Virginia on the pledge that the constitu- tion will be carried out in good faith, The Georgia Case—Obstacles to Another Re» construction, ‘The Senate Judictary Commitiee had ap the Ga-7. @ia case to-day, but came t bit COPGiusion. The committee find @ good deal of dimcuity in the mat- ter of actting aside the acts of Legislatures which have intervened wince the State was formally ad- mitted to Congress, This would have to be done, it is thought, in carrying out the suggestions of the President’s Message relative to Georgia. Revisjon of the TariffAdditions to the Free List. ‘There is a general disposition among members to Place articles which may be termed tho necessaries Of life on the list of free importa, Two or three bills have been introduced looking to this object and referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, Another was introduced in the House to-lay by Mr. Stevenson, of Ohio. It provides for the removal of import duties from coffee, tea, salt, Unrefined sugars, molasses, paper and lumber, It is hardly probable that a measure including eo many @rticies will receive favorable attention from the ‘Ways and Means Committee. The pica of the com- ‘Mittee ts that we cannot aford just now todo with- out the amount of revenue derived from import du- ties on articles so generally used as tea and coffee, Of course the Southern mempers will oppose the re- moval of the tariff from sugar and molasses. Congressman Fox After the Wall Street Gold Operators, Tho effort of Mr. Fox, of New York, to get @ 8¢- Ject committee of five appointed to investigate the Cause of the memorable gold speculation and panic 4m Wall street might have been more successful had his resolution been diferentiy worded, Conpling the names of the President and the Secretary of the NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1869—TRIPLE SHEET. Treasury with the Wall street speculation was wo much for the repubiicans, and considered in bad taste by many of the democrats, and, of course, ob- Jection was made fo the introduction of the bill. Mr. FoxX proposes to introduce it at another time, under the regular call for House resolutions. In the meantime he will probably reconstruct it. Senatorial Dignity at a Disconnt. The silly resolution of Senator Drake ordering the floor of the Senate to be cleared teu minutes before the assembling of that august body, which passed yesterday, was reconsidered vo-day on motion of Senator Thayer, of Nebraska. Drake undertook to Stand upon his Senatorial rights and dignity, When his magnificent figure enters the Senate chamber he would have the rabble know that they are not only to stand to one side but to get out altogether, ‘The people are not supposed to be able to stand in we presence of such distinguisoed men as the verbose and pompous Senator from Wisconsin. Senator Thayer has become more accustomed to his honors than Drake and 18 not above rubbing agaist the people who come to look at the Senate Chamber ana the Senators. Mis gentie reminder that the people are the masters, even of the Senators, did not seem to go down well with Drake, who 1s understood to be a candidate for re-election; but it frightened him Intas compromise, go that the time for clearing the Noor was reduced from ten to five minutes before the time of meeting. The Supreme Court. In the Supreme Court to-day was argued the case of the City of New Orleans, plaintir in error, vs, the New York Steamship Company. 1t involves the question of the power of the military-municipal: authorities of New Orleaus to lease city property. ‘The cage, however, was not heard on tts merits, the court suggesting doubis as to jurisdiction, Nominations by the President. The President has nominated John F. Dillon, of lowa, to be Circuit Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, and Pierre Remington to be Coiiector of Customs for the district of Oswegatchre, N. Y., vice George Parkerg removed. White and Black Doctors in Washington—The District Medical Society to be Aunibilated. Sumner opened one of his big assaults to-day upon the District Medical Society, which has set tts face against cojored doctors and retused to allow them wo become members or even to hold consultation with them. Last summer, it will be remembered, two dark doctors applied to be admitted to member- ship of the Medical Society in this city, but were blackballed witnouc mercy. These colored doctors threatened that they would bring the matter before Congress and have a law passed which would com- pel their white colieagues in the sawbones lives to receive them on a professional equality. That their threat was not an Idle one was shown to-day by the vigorous manner in which Sumner brought up.and Pressed his moon to have the charter of the Medi- cal Society revokea, Summer launched into one of his tremendous little speeshes on our colored friend and brother, and declared that the Washington killers and curera were nothing short of barba- rians and savages. Sumner declared that he intended to show theso white doctors that they must not act themscives up as obstacles to the civilization of the age, It is said that the next move in advance by the Massachusetts states- Inan is to be aresolution or bill permitting blacks and whites to attend the public schools of the Dis- tript, and, perhaps, forcing theatre proprietors to Make No distinction on account of race or color, Illegal Fees Charged by [uternval Revenue Officers. Supervisor Dutcher, of New York, writes to Com- missioner Delano that a practice prevails to a con- siderable extent in his district by the revenue officers charging for their services in making out papers that the law requires the taxpayers to furnish, and asks ifsuch ofMicers havea mght to do it. Mr. Delano replies that the practice cannot be sanctioned by the revenue office and must not be permitted to pre- vail, aud that all internal revenue officers who have taken money for such purposes and who refuse to refund the same at once will be dismissed from the service. . - Weekly Castoms Receipts, ‘The following are tue custom receipts for the week ending December Boston.. + $213,318 New York.... 1,707,000 Philadelphia. 92,578 Baltimore... 166,870 Sau Francises 149,207 Total $2,828,358 Duties on [ron. The Committee on Ways and Means this morning had the iron section of the Tarif bill under consid- ‘Te duties will remain about the same, with a new classification, eration. FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS. Second Session. SENATE. WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 1869, RECOGNITION OF CUBAN INDEPENDENCE, Tho PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a communica- tion from the Governor of South Carolina, enclosing resolutions of the Legislature of that State relative to the recognition of Cuba as an independent gov- ernment. RELIEF FROM DISABILITIES. A number of petitions requesting relief from dis- abilfties imposed for participation in the rebellion, and also @ memorial favorable to the accordance of belligerent rights to Cuba, were presented and re- ferred. REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PRINTING. Mr. ANTHONY, (rep.) of R. 1, in presenting a report from the Committee on Printing, said he in- tended ere long to call attention to tue necessity for some reform in the matter of public printing; the report being @ provision for the printing of 20,000 copies of the report of the Commissioner of Agricul- ture, Mr. PoMEROY, (rep.) of Kan., remarked that the jarmers and agriculturists of the country were inter- ested 1n this report, waich was one to subserve their interests, and Was deserving of circulation for that reason. The report of the committee, and similar reports from the same source for the publication of various reports, were discussed. In regard to the publication of a map of the United States illustrative of the land resources of the country, to be made in conpection ‘With the report of the Commissioner of the General Laud Ofice, considerable discussion ensued. Messrs. Pomeroy, Sumper and Howe agreed in the opinion that an original plano of a ry oe the country ‘Was essential, inasmuch asthe map heretofore P b- hshed was ten years old, while during the last de- cade the meographical |ppearance of the country bad entre change ir, HARLAN, (rep.) of Towa, remarked that it was fmportant that maps oMcially published by the United States government shouid contain the latest and fullest observations of surveys, exact locations of bays, rivers and Rountaingss 7" Mr, ANTHONY Nald that the fulication of a map as ae simply a question of money, ag the expenditure for a map would equal Q00, A high tribute to the efficiency and indisi ry of the Commissioner of the Land Ofice was incidentaily id. pa definite actton was taken in regard to the pro- posed map, and the reports from the commitice ‘were agreed to. BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS. Mr. CARPENTER, (rep.) of Wis., introduced a bill relative to the salary of the Chief Justice of the Su- preme Court of the Urfited States, fixing the salary of Chief Justice at $12,000 and that of Associate Justice at $10,000 per annum. Referred to the Com- mittee on Judiciary. Mr. OSBORN, (rep.) Of Fia., introduced a bill for the States of Missis- the disposal of pubilc land suppl, Louisiana ana Arkansas. ‘The bill provides that all public lands im the States of Fiorida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkan! shail be subject to aisposal under the homestead laws, by sale and location under the same general laws a8 how govern the public lands in other States aud Territories Referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. KELLOGG, irep.) of Pa., introduced a bill con- sBtituting the Mississippi Valley Levee Company a nutional corporation. Referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. MorToN, (rep.) of Ind., presented @ memorial from members of the Legislature of Virginia urging that the State de admitted to representation in Von- gress. Laid on the table. ct a of Mass., offered a resolution pa the Cominittee for the District of Columbia to consider the expediency of repealing the charter of the Medical Soctety of the District of Coumbia, and of taking such other legislation as may be ne- cessary to secure for medical practitioners in the District of Columbia equal rights and opportunitics ‘without distinction of color, Mr. NORTON, (rep.) of Minu., objected to the imme. diate consideration of the resolution. Mr. SUMNER sald if the occasion for tho resointion ‘was known there would, perhaps, be no objection to it, A surgeon who had been breveited a colonel for his services in the Union cause was now @ practicing physician in Washington, and he, with another ber his jon, had, npon making Mouical Aociety of tne application District of Columbia, been blackbalied on the ground that they were colored men. The effect of that act was to exclude tuem irom oo-operation and counsel with Inemoers of that body in Wasiuag- ton and thereby inflict a penalty upon Saks pARenis Atule of the society referred to prohibited consul- tation or assoctation by the members thereof with any resident practitioner not a member, Thus were Uese colored practitioners shat out from the ordt- nary opportunities of consulting with their profes- sional brethren on important cases coming belore them. ‘Their race was degraded by the act, and the protession which was yuiily of such ostracism de- graded itself, The medical profession of Washing- ton must take notice that this outrage would not be allowed to continue without a remedy if vue speaker could obtain fb through the acuion of Congress. Mr. PATreRsON, rep.) of N. H., inquired whether it was possible to apply the necessary remedy through the imedium of Congressional acilon? Would not admissions to medical consultations of this society be reguiated by the society, notwith- standing any remeula! action by Congress, ag, pro- posed ¥ Mr, SuMNER said that by repealing the existing charter of this society aud chartering a new society, Sounded on repupiican principles, which sgould re- ceive Colored inen ito 1s iralermiy, the object de- sired might be obtained, Titis same bate had been fought, stage by stage, and the victory had been aciueved by stages. The present question was bat op adaivional lealure of the sirugaie for prin- ciple, Mr, PATTERSON expressed his cordial approbation of @ proposition of tne character of that proposed, but at drst supposed this one might not be practical Or aitawm tie vdject sought to be ullained. Mr. NORTON then withdrew his objection to the re- soluuion, inasmuch as 1t was siunply a direction to the commitiee, aad would Bot cominit the Senate to any actiGa ia the preinises. ‘The resolution was agreed to. Mr, KELLOGG oficred a resolution for information concerning the present condivion of the Branca Mint at New Orieans. Agrecd to. * also a resolution requesting the Secretary of the Treasury to trausmit information of the condition of ure United States Murine tlospital at New Orieans and as to the necessity for hospital accommodauion* there, Agreed to, APPELLATE JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT. Mr. T&UMBULL, (rep.) Of IU, reported from the Committee on the Judiciary a bill mtroduced by Mr. Sumner relating to the appellate jurisdiction of toe Supreme Court, with an amendment in the nature of w substitute. ‘Ine bill as amended 1s as tollows:— A bill defining the jurisdiction of the courts of the United C8. States in certain cas Be it enacted, <c., That under the constitution the judicial power of the United States dves not embrace politieat power or give to the judiclal tribunal any authority to question the decision of the political departments of the government on political questions; and it is hereby declared that ali courts of the United States in the administration of justice shall be bound by the decision of the po! departfhents of the government on political questions. SEv, 2 And be it further enacted, That it rests with Con- reas to decide what government is the estabiished one iu & tate; and it is hereby, In accordance with former legislation, declared that no civil State government exixts in Virgini Mississippi or ‘Texas, aud no do-calied aivil State goveramen in either of safd Staios sball be recognized as a valid or legal State government, either by the executive or judicial power or autuority of the United States, until Congress shall so pro- vide, or util such State government is represented in the Congress of the UnitedStates ; and it is hereby declared that the wot of Congress entitied “An act (o provide for the more eificient government of the rebel States,” wed March 2, 2867, and the several acts supplementary thereto, are political in their character, the propriety or validity of which no judicial trivunal is competent to question, and the Supreme Court of the United States is hereby proulbmed from entertaining jurisdiction of auy case growing out ol whe execution of sald acts in eliher of said states until Senators ‘and Representatives from such States shall be into the Congress of the United States or Con, shall re- coguize such State government as valid; and meanwhile all or parts of acts authorizing an appeal, writ of error, haveas corpus or other proc:eding to bring before said Supreme Court tor. review any case, civil or criminal, or other proceeding arising ont of the execution of said act to provide for a more eillcient government of the rebel States, aod of acts supplementary thereto, or which authorize an appeal in any case from the judgment of the Circuit Court of the United States in a habeas corpus proceed- ing to the Supreme Court, or which autuorize the Supreme Court to issue a writ of habeas corpus or other writ to bring belore it for review any judgment of a circuit oF any other court or of any judge thereo! in a habeas ease or proceeding be aad the sumé are herevy suspended. And no faw hereto: fore passed extending the judicial aystem of the United States over any of suid rebel States sbail not be construed to recognize any state government existing therein until Sen- ators and Representatives from sald State shall be admitted into the Congress of the United States or Congress shall re- cognize a State governinent thereln ug valld; and the Prest- dent {a hereby directed to hold and proceed with all prisoners held in said State by military authority, without regard to any civil proceeding or authority whatever. THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD. Mr. STEWART, (rep.) of Ney., offered a joint reso- luuon dnecting the Secretary of the Interior to sus- pend iis orders of Novermber 2 and 11, 1869, restor- ing Lo private entry the lands heretofore withdrawa for the benedé of the Southern Pacitic Railroad of Calttornia until the end of the present session of Congress, so that the interesis of pre-emption and homesiead settler? and the rights of the ratroad company may be investigated. Mr. STEWARI explained taat the object of the resolution was to prevent any aecistve action in the matter of tite land reierred to until a satusfactory inyesugation of the rigits of parties had been made. ‘Yhe resolution was reierred to tae Commitice on the Pacitic Ratiroad, BILLS INTRODUCED. Mr. Harris (rep.), of La., tutroduced a bill to re- peul the first section of the act of Marci 2, 1867, “To regulate the disiripution Of the proceeas of fines, penalties and forteitures incurred under the laws re- lating to the customs.’”? Referred vo the Comittee on Commerce, Mr. DRAKE (rep.), of Mo., introduced a bill to estab- Nisha uniform ume for nolding elections for electors for President and Vice President of the United States aud Representatives in Congress in all tie States in the Union, It provides that Presidential electors shall be elected in each State on the second Tuesday of October in the year in which they are to be elected and that Representatives in Congress shall be elected in each State on the second ‘Tuesday of October next preceding the beginning of the term of the Congress to which they ure elected. Referred to the Commic- tee on the Judiciary. Mr. Svockron, (rep.) of N. J., introduced a bill to further amend an act to provide internal revenue to support the government. It amends the act of June 30, 1864, by adding to section 124 a proviso that all bequests Or devises Of personal or reai property m trust exc ustvely for charicabie uses shall be exempt from tax or duty. Referred to the Comuittee on Finance, REMOVAL OF DISABILITIES. Upon the expiration of the morning hour, on mo- tion of Mr. RoveRTsON, the Senate vook up the bill vo remove the political disabilities of certain persous there Lamed, Ainendments were agreed to increasing the num- ber o! persons thus reileved, and the bul passed, INTRUDERS ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE, On motion of Mr. THAYER, (rep.) of Neb., the Senate reconsidered the vote iaken on Wednesday, by which it was ordered that the noor of tie Senate should be cleared of intruders ten minutes before the meeting of the body. The resolution belug again before the body it was amended 80 as to require the floor to be cleared five minutes before the com+ mencemeut of each session. Tne resolution was then agreed to. BNCOURAGEMENT OF THE COTTON INTEREST. ‘The bill to eucourage the production of cotton in the United States came up m order, and, on motion Ol Mr. SHERMAN, Was relerred to the Committee of Agricuitare, ‘Un imotion of Mr. Howarp the Senate adjourned unul Monday next. HOUSE OF ‘ATIVES. WasninaTon, Dec. 9, 1869, PENTIONS PRESENTED, Mr. BROOKS, (dem.) of N. Y., presented a petition of the leather and hide importing trade of New York, asking the repeal of the duty on hides, end stating that the business unfavorably affected ex- Ceeds $100,000,000 in leather and $200,000,000 a year in boots and shoes, and that the export trade in boots and shoes is ruined. Mr. Fisuer, (rep.) of N. Y., presented @ petition of several citizens of Niagara county, N, Y., asking for @ removal of ail duties on coal. BILIS AND RESOLUTIONS. Mr. SCOFIELD, (rep.) of Pa., offered a resolution calling on the President for copies of the proceed- ings in the court marttal of Passed Assistant Surgeon Charles L, Green, of the United States Navy, which was adopted. 4. aT. tee Mr, SHANKS. (rep.) of Ind, {nitrodaced a bill to per- fect th® reconstruction of the State of Georgia, Re- iefred to the Reconstruction Committee, It directs the military commander of the depart. ment to convene by prociaination the Legislature of Georgia which was elected under the proclamation of General Meade of the ty of ety 1868, had 10 cause each member to take t au Qce re uired by the reconstrttction ‘tra h *gutres the Legisiature 80 convened to adopt the fifteenth amenament to the constitution as a condition prece- dent to representation in Congress, Mr. STEVENSON, (rep.) of Ohio, introduced a bill to place on the free list the following artic ie coffee, molasses and syrup, melada or rice, salt, lamber, hides, and stains for printing Re , tron in pigs Keferred wo the Committee of Ways and Means. Mr. Stevenson also introduced a bill to provide for the settiement of conflicting claims to patent rights, Keferred to the Committee on Patents, Mr. Fox, (dem.) of N. Y., asked leave to offer a resolution for the creation of a spectal committee of five members to investiwate the causes that led to the unusual and extraordinary fluctuations in tne New York goid market, from the 2lst to the 26th of September last, and especially to inquire if the Pre- sident, the Secretary of the Treasury or any officer of the government was in any manner interested in causing such fluctuations, with power to send for persons and papers. Mr. ScorIeLD and others objected, and the reso- lution was not received. Mr. OHUKCHILE, (rep of N. Y., introduced a bill dividing the Northern Judicial district of New York Into two districts, 0 be called the Middle and West- ern districts, the counles of Broome, Cayuga and Cortiandt being the eastern boundary of the Western district, transferring the counties of Columbia and Greene from the Souvhern to the Middle districts and providing that terms of courts shall be held at Albany, Utica, Syracuse, Ogdensburg and hig ln the Mid- dle district, and at Auburn, Canandaigua, Roches- ter, Buffalo and Elmira, in the Western district, Re- Terred to the Judiciary Committee. Mr. CHURCHILL offered a resolution calling on the Secretary of War for information as to the improve- ments in Oswego, N. Y. Adopted. Mr. SmrtH, (dem.) of Oregon, introduced a bill ving the consent of the United States to the erec- a OF A ridge acrovs the Willamese giver, 1a Ceoges, from the city of Portland to the eastern bank, Referred to the Commitvee on Commerce. Mr. WILBON, (rep.) of Ohio, introduced @ resolu- tion instracting the Committee on Invalid Pensions to nantes into the propriety of amending the Pen- sion laws by making it the duty of pension agents to Vouchers aad transmit then to the Post Ofice aadress of the pensioner. Mr. VAN TRUMP, eae Ohio, presented joint resolutions of the Omo Legislature, rejecting the Proposed Siteenth constituuonal amendment It was referred to the Judiciary Committee. Mr. BLAIR, (rep.) of Mich., introduced a bill to en- able the Jackson, Lansing and: Saginaw Katlroud Company to change the nortaern termmus of its road from Traverse Bay to the Straits of Mackinac, Reierred to the Commitiee of Public Lands. Mr. SWANN, (dem.) of Md., offered a resolution calling on the Secretary of War tor information in reference to the present condition aud ipprovement ol the Patapsco river, Mr. LouGunipGe, (rep.) of Iowa, introduced bills to provide jor the continued supply of arudctal {imos to soldiers, and to extend the time for Ming claims for additional bounty, Referred to the Com Initice on Invalid Pensions. Mr. BINGHAM, (rep.) of Chto, offered a resolution for the printing of 6,000 copies of the report (1 fal!) Adopted. of the Commissioner of the General Land Office for 1969, with accompanying maps; and of a condensed edition for distrivution abroad, ta tue French, Ger- man and Swedish languages, Relerred to the Com- mittee on Printing. Mr. INGERSOLL, (rep.) of Ill,, introduced a bill au- ug AR additional issue of legal tender notes to the amount of $44,090,000, and moved its reference vo the Committee on Ways and Means, Mr. GARrIELD, (rep.) of Ohio, moved its reference to tae Committee on Bauking and Currency, remark- ing that the question of refereuce of such bills might as well be decided now. Mr. JUDD, (rep.) of I., inquired whether under the rule organizing the Committee on Banking and Currency this bill did not necessarily go to that commuttce ¢ ‘Tne SrEAKuR replied that he had no power over the Liouse on its votes referring bills. This bill might, by @ vote of the House, be seut to. the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, Jf the Chair were to give its views ag to the applicability of the rale 1t would be that the bill shouid go to the Cominitice on Banking and Currency, but it was not within the province of the Chair to make tue ruling. Mr. INGERSOLL said that if the proposed reference of tite bill Were to occasion debate he would with- draw it dor the present. ‘The bil was accordingly withdrawn, COMANTIEL OF THE WHOLE—THE CENSUS BILL. Th House then went into Committee of the Whole on tite staie of the Union, Mr. DAWES in the chair, aud resumed the cousideratiou of the Census bill. A discuesion grew up and was participated in by Many Of the members as to the most economical manner of taking the census, Mr. Butler, of Mass., cohtending that tae work could be best and most appropriately periormed by the ofticers of the in- ternal revenue, ana Mr. Garileld holuing the ground that small economy im this matter woutd be waste- fulness. Mr. SCOFIELD, commenting on the remarks of his colleague, Mr. Kelley, ridiculing the idea of false economy in this matter, said he would like his col- league vo read his own speeches aenvered in Penn- syivante during the last fall campaign in favor of the Tepuvlican party us the party of economy, Mr. KELLEY, (rep.) 0 Va., asked his colleague to stave whetherhe had ever suggested in any of his speeches that it was wise economy to save pence and throw away pounds, Mr. SCOFIELD could not say that his colleague had Bald that; but his colleague had said a great many foolish sbings. aud ne might possibly have said that, too. (Laugiter.) He beleved,- after all, that the saiest and best wav was to go Dac« to the old mode, aud let the census be taken by the United States marsuals, who were bonded officers, and many of whom liad experience in the matter. He had exa- mined iaat night tne old Census bill of 1850, and found that many of the best feavures of the present bili were transcripts from that. He liked then best. ‘They nad reminded a witty friend of his of Macaulay’s reply to agreen young man who Lad written a comedy and sent him a copy:— Your comedy I’ve read, my friend, And like the part you stole the pest ; If atili the play you wish to mend, ‘Take courage, man, und steal the rest, (Laughter.) So if the Census Committee were to take the waole bill of 185), and make me necessary alterations ju it, he thought it would be an improve- ment on the penaing bill. Mr. BUBLER, (rep.) Of Mass., wishing to test the sense Of the louse on whetncr the present machinery of the government ghouid be used for taking the cen- gus or Whetuer a new set Of oillcers shouid be created, moved to amend the Fourth section by making it read, that it shall be the duty of the assessor of the invernal revenue eaca district to cause all the inhabitants to be enumerated. Here was a well- paid, weil-traiued aud thorougtiy silted body of ofl. cers Who could do the work weil. As to the objec- tion urged by Mr. Gartield that the people might not like to give iniormation to the internal revenue ofi- cers lest it might lave some effect on their taxes, ne did not think there Was muca force in that, Every one knew that the census was for the very purpose of ascertaining the proportion of taxes, and every one would see tuatit was just ag necessary to give auswers truiy to the assistant assessor as to ap enumerator. If members were now to vote fer the appoitinent oO a new Oilicer In each of thelr @istricts, with the appointment of a humber of sub-olticers, each with as many clerks ag he could get, they would be accused, however jusuy or unjugply, of voting that amount of patronage into their habds, and they nad got as much load of that description to carry as they ought to load them- selves with and run @ good race next fall, Espe- clally was that 60 when they had already a set of odivers with very littie to do, ana who could do this ceusus work without any charge to Lue Treasury. Mr. MAYNARD, (rep.) Of Yenn., argued that it was not Lo be expecied that with the rate of compensa- tion provided for enumerators (four doliars a day for sixty days) competent nen could not ve pro- cured or that anyluatng ike a complete census would ve taken by thea. In some respects hotbought weli of the proposition of the gentieman from Massachu- setts (Mr. Butler). Mr. Sroxes, (rep.) of Tenn., chatrman of the Ceusus Committee, replied to Mr. Maynard objection, and expressed bis couviction that competent men could be got fof four doliars per day, which was ail that members of the Tennessee Legisiature received, Mr. Jupp argued on the great importance of the Statistical iniormation to be obcained by the ceusus taken, not only by the Legislative Department of tae country, but for the national creaitors abroad, and expressed nis sentiment that no ideas of econowy should be permitted to intervene as an obstacie to & perfect and complete census. Mr. GARFIELD also repued to the argument in favor of emploging the Luternal Revenue officers to take the census, taking the ground that the tax gatherer was an oificer odious to the people, who should be thoroughly convinced that the census had no connection whatever with taxation. Tue whole cost of taking the census of 1850, exclu- sive Of printing and publishing, was $1,318,000, and of that Sum $952,000 was for ihe payment of assist- ant marshals, who did the work which tue enumer- ators would have todo. The force of assistant asses- sors Was Now very small and it would be necessary Ww appoint almost as many new oilicers and agents under the proposition of the gentleman from Massa- chusetts as under the bill reported by the comunittee, and these officers would havea dollar a dey wore than, Was proposed for enumerators; so thatthe ger Vewan’s proposition would not reduce the total ex- pense one sliver; and besides, whe whole work would be rendered odious and mainly nugacory. Mr. ALLISON, (rep.) of lowa, a member of the Cen- sus Committee, a!so argued against the amendment otiered by Mr. Butier, What proposition had been fully and carefully considered by the committee and had been rejected. One of tue great objections to it was tuat 1t would absolutely, for the time being, imterlere with the legitimate duties of the Internal Revenue Department. Was the Commissioner of internal Reyeuue to be diverted irom his great and legitimate business for six or seven moniis in the year iu order to attend to the business of collecting census statistics? Mr. BUTLER satd his plan did not propose to tnter- fere with the duties of tne Commissioner of Internal Revenue, put to place the assessors, for this pur- pose, under the Census Superintendent. Mr, ALLISON remarked tuat then the proposition was Still More objectionable, becaure tt would place the assessors and assistant aascssors ander two separate and distinct jurisdictions, which would make *con- fusion worse confounded.” It would be impossible for them to act under two distinct and separate departments of the government. He woud be very glad if the expense of taking the oensus conld be re. duced, but the prary and great objection 6 the aysteth proposed by tne genticyiar. from Massachu- sets Was that 1¢ wold {nteflere with the Text om business of fhe Internal Revenue Depart- _ Mr, Woon, dem.) of N. Y., thought that the amdndment offered by Mr, Butler was not without merit, and said that bis first impulse had been to favor anything which would restrict the patronage of the administration, but, considering the vast interests at stake, aud knowing that the whole value Of the census depended on its precision and accu- racy, he woula not allow any feeling of a parusan character to interfere with it. The people of New York city bad very reluctanuy come into the system of internal taxation, For months and ‘years honest men in that city had striven to com- mend {¢ to their constituents not to evade their responsibility to the government which allowed it to contribute to its expenses, Among the poorer classes, who had sufferea from being drafted imto ,the war, and from all sorts of inquisitorial investigations into their pri- vate and ovier affairs, the people naturally shrunk from assessors aud collecwrs of Internal revenne, They have an instinctive aversion to giving those oficers that information which should be obtained in order to have the census What if ought to be. This bili not oniy proposed Scapeus of the popula- tion, but to go far beyond tha®and to inquire into the most private and sacred affairs of life—tnquiries which bad never before been made either under this or any other government. When the government sends its emissary into @ household it must send at least an acceptable agent, whom the people would honestly and tratafuily communicate with, Was the assistant assessor of that class? He thought not. Referring to the New York census of 1865, he stig- matized {t a8 @ shameful partisan fraud upon the people, which had cut down the population of the city by 250,000 for the purpose of not allowing it proper representation in the State Legisiature, In facl, Ib was admitted to be no census at all, Mr. JENCKES, (rep.) of R. 1, agreed that there was sowething of vaiue in each of the pending proposi- tions, aud that while the assessors should not be employed to take cnumeration, the statistical in- formation possessed by the Internal Revenue Bureaa snoutd be uttlized for the purpose of the census, Mr. BUTLER, Of Mass., closed the de by an argument 10 support of bis amendment. fe claimed thas wgver i there Would pp greater oflciency, 3° greater promptitude, greater accuracy and greater economy. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Wood) had informed the committee tat the census of 1865 in his State, made by the repabiican party, had been entirely a fraud, corollary to that Would seem to be that there should be no census taken at all. There might be an idiosyneracy about New York, Mat nothing could be done there which was not a frand in some way or form, but he trusted there couid be an honest census taken, He admitted that there was great danger chat nothing could be found oul in New York about elections, avout te census, about gold speculations or aboyt schemes of every sort, It seemed to be one living imass of corruption and fraud, of which the geutiemau (Mr. Wood) was representative, (Laughter.) Mr. Davis (rep.), of New York, asked air, Builer Whether he meant the State or city ? Mr, BuTLER—The city, always, Sir. Mr, Davis—fhen [have nottta, Mr, BurLer—Ithougut not. (U ver.) Air. Woop—I ask the gent. whether his Opinion of New York has been gatuered from the @doune of Iitigation to Which ite lus been suljectca tucre’ (Lauguter.) * Mr, BUYLEX—Not at all, str. T have never yet been able to get a case Jor trial in v York, Jexpect a good deat of fraud when Ido, In further criticism of the detans of the bill Mr. B said he wanted to know (ie statistics of rairoad sportation, of the express business aud of the arapa business, be- cause he looked forward to the tiuae within te next ten years when the country would have to grapple With those great interests and take control of them. ‘The debate being Closed the question was taken on Mr. Butier’s amendment, ana it was rejected—ayes 22, noes not counted, . On motion of Mr. Woop, and after considerable Giscussivon, the Hith section Was amended by requir- lng each district superintendent to be u resident of tue district. Alter progressing as fur as the scveath section the committee rose. A mouon by Mr. Woop to adjourm until Monday, and which Was apparently carried ou a division of the House, was, on a vole by yeas and nays, re- Jected—yeas 62, nays 105. REARRANGEMENT OF COMMITTEES, Mr. Ferny, (rep.) of Mica., from the Committee on Rules, reported a resolution autiorizing the Speaker vo assign the recently admitied meutwers to com- miltives, provided thls shall hot be construed as changing the rule limiting the number, except jor the present Congress, Adopteil, VUNISHMENT OF ELECTION PRAUDS, Mr. LAWRENCE, (rep.) of Olio, introduced bills to prevent and punish eieciion irauds und to prescribe the ume for holding elections tor :uembers of Con- gress, Reierred to the Committee on Elecuons, FICTITIOUS SALES OF GOLD, Mr. Davis introduced a bill to impose a tax on all fictutious and gambling saics ol yola. Referred to the Judiciary Committee, ‘The House, at & quarter-past four o'clock, adjourn’ * Until to-morrow. UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. Property Captared During the War—The Limontour Fraudulent Land Cinim—Muaie cipal Subscriptions for Railrond Improve. ments. WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 1869. No, 36. Farrington vs. Saundes.—Ynue argument of this cause was concluded, No.9 The New Orleans and Bayou Sara Mail Company, Appellants, vs. Anthony Fernandez and Benjamin Flanders.—Appeal Jrom the Circuit Court Jor the Eastern District of Louisiana.—This was a Petition 1a the nature of a bill in equity filed by the appellants, a Louisiana corporation, against Fer- nandez, an auctioneer, and Flanders, a supervising Special agent of the Treasury Department, praying that they be enjoined from selling two steamboats, captured property, asd that the Sleamers be delivered over to the company as their property. Flanders filed answer and plea to the jurisdiction, setting up thut tue captured pro- perty had been delivered to him for advertisement and sale, pursuant to an act of Congress, The point of jurisdiction was tias by the act of March, 1863, the entire jurisdiction of cases concerning cap- tured and abandoned property was vested in tue Court of Claims, and theretore the Circuit Court was without authority to take cognizance of the case. ‘The decree beiow was that one Of the steamers be restored to Ue clalmauis, and tit the other, “con- sidering that the court 18 without jursdicwion,” be turned over to Flanders, a8 captured and abandoned property. As the decree was iounded on reasons orally assigned, 1b does not appear what was the ground of discrimination between tue two cases, nor does it appear oa what grogud jurisdictioa was en- tertained in Ue one case, The company appeal to this court from 80 much of the decree as turned over one of the steamers to the defendant as captured and abandoned property. ‘The appellants do not fie any brief nor argue we cause, The Attorney General subuits 2 oriel on the question of jurisdiction, Which maintains that the court below was Wholly Without Jurisdiction in any aspect of the case, and that the judg.went souid be reversed and the case remaudea, witu directions to dismiss the petition for sucn reason. PY No. 8. Michael Reese, sainiy un ror, vs. The United States—Mn Brror Ww the Cirentt Court Jor the District of Calyornia.—in Vecembgr, 1858, one Limontour was ludicted at San Praficisco for the Gileged offence Of having preseated i tle Board of Land Commissioners, created under the act of 1351, a false writing, purporting to be a grant of certain lands in California from the Mexican government, with mvent to defraud the United States, aud subse- quently held to Gull im the suid Of g40,00. On & motion afterwards made tor a continuance in the case Limuntour maue aifdavit tut the title pre- sented to the Commissioners was geaulic aud what if purporied to be. He was thereupon indicted for perjury in making the atlidavit, and subsequently heid to bail in one recogu:zunce, oa boil indice meuts, in the sum of $83,000, Aller some attempts to lave the tudictments tried, and haying brought his witnesses from Mexico, Ucy could wait no longer and returned, leaving him witout nieans of establisaing hs defence. In tis posture of atlairs he weut again in purault of tis wiiuesses, and, as alleged, not being abte to fud tuem, returned himself, ‘This action was thea brougat to recover on his bond, and resuited m iavur of we govern- ment for its amount. it 13 here coutended tuat the recognizance was invalid and void, haying been taken under two indictments in the istrict of Califorma, which were void for want of jursdicuon, because tue acts which they charged were not, when committed, oifences against the United States, aud not within @ny Crimibal jurisdiction o1 the United States. it is lurtuer argued that by @ stipulation encered into between the defendant, Limuncour, by his counsel, aud the District Attorney, by which ‘an indednite postponement Was agreed upon, wii iout the consent Of his surety, the surety Was discharged and cavnot now be made hable on the bond. ‘The government relies on the opinion of the Court below, Lo the effect ‘thas Che ACLS Charged Were Olluuces WILLN the juris diction of the court and that tue surety was ot dis- charged by the stipulation referred to, because ne ‘Was at liberty at any time thereulter, before furfeit- ure, vo surrender bis principai. R. Hoar, Auvor- ney General, atid W. A. Field, Assistant Attorney General, for goverumeat, Senator Casserly tor Plait in error. No. 17) Samuel C. Morgan vs. The Town of Beloit e¢ al.—This cause comes trom the Circuit Court for the District of Wisconsin, in febdiuary, los, the Legislature of Wisconsin autiori the town of Beloit, subject to the result of an election to ve neld On the question, to subscribe $100,000 go the capital Stock of & railroad improvemeni, and by a secuon ot the act directed the Board o1 Supervisors annually to levy a tax for the payment of cue interest on the bonds issued, after deducting the dividends due the town on its stares of stock, ‘Tle vouds were issued, but payment was subsequently retused, and tis proceeding seeks W obtain & Mandamus to compel tue levy of a sufficient tax for that purpose; and the quesuion ts as to the power of the Circuit Court to issue the writ. The case was argued last winter, but Was now reargued on the purt of the plainuit by ceieeds Carpenter, the deleadants not being repre- sented. Henry Baldwin, of Pennsylvania, and Charies Kortrecht, of Lennessee, were admitied to the bar, THE STUSVESANT CLUB. Annual Dinner and Testimonial Feativities. Among the numerous clubs organized for the pur- pose of fostering friendliness and sociability among the members none can claim to have gucceeded more effectually in having called together a number of young men of good position, of rare social quali- ties and thorough gentlemaniiness than the Stuyve- sant Club. Year alter year ticir reumous have been marked with ® spirit of sociability that robbed the usual dinner formalities of their too frequent apparent silffness, aud whtie the good things from choice Cuisines are being pro- perly discussed we good-natured jest aud repartee Irom ready masters among the mewbers give a spice and rejisi to tne viands. On Wednesday evening the annual dinner for 1869 Was giver at the Siuciair House, corner of Broadway and Kignth street, and in is general characterisucs fully equalied if it did not surpass the reunions of former years, With te dinner itself no fault could possidly be round. With the company, present, Of course, there could be nothing but good nature und cordially. Tue occasion, however, was rendered more than ordinarily agreeable by the tact that hand: soinely engrossed sets of resolutions of regard and esteem were to be presented to the presiaent and secretary of the Club, Messrs. Jon J. Walsh and Fernando Baltes, @ resolutions, artistically mounted and framed, were placed tn consptcucus places at the head of the banquet roon, and when ihe embers and guests had assembict the presen- tation ceremonies Were performed. Mr. Jon Hayes made the presentation to Mr. Walsh and Mr, John Hi. Hamett acted as presentor to Baltes. The preseniation speeches were quite happy, aud the re- cipienis of the favors, aithough evidently embar- rassed, repiled in feeling aad appropriate terms. ‘The dinuer was then ably and salistactorily pre- sented and accepted by the company and full justice done. On the removai of the cloth songs, speeciies, Loasts and joliifications prevailed. | Mr. ene Dur- Rin, @ host in Himself, as usual, led 1a the “gay and festive” portion of the ceremonies, Appropriate speeches were mado by Senator Creamer, Messrs. Borpard Keiiley, ‘Captain’ W. ©. Gover, Craig, Kelly and others, All hands did their share in the singing line, and everything passed Of to tue eptize tisfaction ‘ot wu present, LECTURES LAST NIGHT. THE CIRCULATION AND THE NEAVOUS SYSTEM. Lecture by Mrs. Walter C. Lyman. Mrs. Walter C. Lyman gave the fourth lectare of her series of phyalologicdl lectures to ladies yester- day afternoon, in the lecture room of Dr, Chapin's church, on “Uireulation and the Nervous System.’? Alarge number of highly intelltcent and delighted Jadies Lestified their appreciation of the subject and the lecturer, The nature and office of the biood, te structure of the heart, its valves, veins and arteries, were clearly ilustrated; aiso the manner in which the blood is conveyed from the extreme parts of the body through the veins to the heart, how it 1s purified by the iuags, and how it is re- turned by the arteries and capillaries to all pacts of the boly to build up and restore waste, Every movement, every thought even, she said, bre: down or causes waste in some portion of the human system, and the heart and Jungs are con- tinuaily puiting forth renewed eiforis to supply tlis waste. “here are in a full grown person about twenty-elgitt pounds of biood, and once in apout two and a half minutes this bloot makes @& complete circuit of the body. in twenty-four hours about eight tons of biool are passed through the heart, where it is pressed or forced ito ithe Jungs; there purifed by coming in contact witu the air in them, and so fitted to nouyist and support life, for the “blood 14 the life’ of all animal existence. The veins that carry the blood froim the whole body to the heart are spread like a delicate network over the outer surface, under the skin; no portion of it bnt is supped with them; bat they are most abund~ @nt about the head and neck. ‘ihe orain consumes much more biood than any other organ in the sy tem. Exercise causes healthy circulation of blood; and if there 1s not plenty of good fresh air inhaled we get no good arterial blood. Deep breathing was shown to be much more beneficial than light breathing, as the latter does not aerate the iungs, ™m which are many millions of air tubes, which, if not allowed the needful quantity of fresh air, becomes impaired 10 action and produce the long catalogue of fright- Tul Jung diseases. Let all ladies learn how to take care of these much-abused organs and cheat the doctors, tmprove tueir health, tue; their enjoy- ment of life, and not be obliged to take cod liver oll, &c. A good circulation of blood cannot be pre- served in dark, ill-veatilated rooms. Nervous cir- culation is much more rapld than that of the biood-—atmost as rapid» as electricity, Much of what 13 called heart disease is often only improper circulation of the blood and nervous fluid. Iressyge.on the nerves, tight ligatures, occas sion paral in. Tight lacing often causes dis- eased action dT the heart and lungs, by impeding the circulation. All nervous excitement causes great influx of Llood to the heart. Low spirits cauge low, sluggish circulation, Will has great influence over the bodily aliments, Many women are to-day dying for Waut of something to occupy their miuds, Faculties were given usto Improve, and if we do not use them they will die out. Thpse who only exercise one set ot facuittes become diseased trom over action; con- sequently, inflammation ts induced, The whole economy sympathizes therein. The brain ts the servant of the soul. From the brain, the great nerve centre, goes out all the nerves of motion and sensa- tion. “al Wheuever nerve communication is cut off 18 18 the result, nts were thrown out auring the course of tures which, if acied upon, cunnot fail to pros duce much benetit to those who heard tue, PEARE IN THE NINETCENTH CENTURY.” Lecture by the Rev. Ur. Stork, of Philadel- vhia. The last of the course of lectures on populgr sub- jects given by the Young Men’s Christian A! tion of St. James’ Lutheran churca, Fifteenth street, between Second and Third aventics, was: deflvered last eveuing by the Rev. T. Stork, D. D., of Phila- delphia, Wo took for his subject “Sbukspeare in the Nineteenth Century.” The church was well filled by an audience wiich evinced the liveliest interest m the them s Dr. Stork, im @ very pleasant manner, entering upon the subject said, that ifa clef¥vman seventy years ago iad been invited by a committee to spend anevening with Shakspeare, he wouid have been considered to possess but litte religiou or morality, Buttimes have changed, and the great dramatic author's reiiston Can now be compare. to the same spirit (hat actuated Napoieon when he said lus greac batues were carried on*to establish Sunday sclools."? ‘The early life of Shakspeare and the inctuents of his then outward existence and what It developed were given grapiicatly and eloquently. To give a sketch of the ian s Vabsurd, as li was like irymg to put & mount OvK In a litue vase, Critics never knew, or Lever Wili Know, what to do with him, He was te great master of the human heart, the great de- Lineator of alt passions, and his simplicity was ag his philosophy, the child entwined in the mau. You cannot take aay of hits thoughts and put them into other cloulny, any more than allemptiog to trans. ler the soul of one bemg into another. gShak- speare Was the true Adam. of English literature. His moraiiy is decidediy expressed in his works, ani there cannot be found one that is entire that has not such tendencies. He never volunteered to steal the rove of heaven to defend the devil, He was peyer jaise. Riscomplete and comprehensive humanity and bis highest: sympatuy with it enable him to tonch the conceits of every age. The falla- cies aud vagaries of this age he had antici The dandy, that remurkable specie; the na iashion of the day, with its absurdity; ni Women’s rights and female suffrage These, the lecturer satd, as so tratn- mmpressively portrayed than ja the dying moments of Falsiatf.” The passages Dr. Stark selected to illuse trate Lie points oi the discourse gave fim the oppor tuaity to Cuaclude ina grand und poetical perora- tion. OF THE BIBLE, The Rev. W. A. Bacon delivered a lecture last even- ing at the rooms of the New York City Mission, cor- ner of Leonard and Centre streets, on the ‘Literary History of the Bibie.’’ The hall, which could seat about eighty persons, Was not over half filled, The audience was composed matniy of chutdren. There Were, however, a few adults prosent, mainly per- sons of color. The reverend gentleman opened his discourse with @ history of the various methods of expressing ideas in writing Which men have from time to time * adopted, and gave an interesting description of the signs and characters used im ancient manuscripts, aud still found in the ruins of temples and mauso- si Thebes and other ancient cites, and, leaving: serpents and hieroglyphics, all of > illustrated by the black board figures exhibited, the speaker came down in a few rapid sentences to the days of the printing press. He said st reyoilttion of the whel of that press sent forth a wave that shook the throne of the Pontit and the crown of the monarct. It spread the Bible broadcast on the world, Which, as the reverend geutieman alleges, tne Popes have always endeavored to conceal from the people. He was an enemy of persecution ani denied that any power ov earth could make laws to bind the souls of men, The recent action of a cele- brated. Catoolic divine would make the Roman Cathohc Church tremble from centre to circum. ference, and wound up his discourse enthusiastic- ally informing his audience that one of the original books of the Pentateuch, written by the hand of Moses, remains sttil in the British Museam tn Lon- dou, The meeting was concluded by prayer and singing. MSETING OF THE POLYTECHNIC STITUTE, The Aurora Borealis—What Is It? The usval weekly meeting of the Polytechnic In- stitute Was heid last evening at the Cooper Institute, Professor Tilman presiding. An hour was devoted to the discussion of minor mechanics, after which Mr. Vandeweyde opened the discussion on “the aurora borealis” and said that comets were filu- Minated by the sun, but the aurora borealis was nota polarization of solar light. Stars bave their peculiar light and go has the aurora borealts, whose light is not solar, but indepepdent and of a wholly Qifferent nature, All savans now agree that elec- wieity is Ue only cause Uat accounts for the phenomenon of the aurora borealis, er jong and painstaking research that joctwine has been adopted to explain Tie LITERARY HSTO) first experimenters that when air ts halfexhausred in alow tuve and electriotty Is aa. mitted it asstimes the appearance o} the aurora, When an ra occurs the compass 18 aifected, which is another arguinent in favor of this theory. Tho cutis’ of ail atmospheric electricity 15 the evapo. ration of water, Where evaporation pro. ceeds on & large scale, as im the tropies, the electricity 18 always in an active staic. in aurora the discharges of electricity ave conducted Cirough @ good conducting medium. ere gave some very interesting experi- electric battery showing the torma- ¢ covors In the aurora borealis, ‘The lignts tot ot being turuca down low, two slender wires were fn- serted 10 & gvass Tube and the elecwicity being turned on a perfect resemblance was siown to the seevable in the aurora. oe hail was about to reply to the arguments of the foregoing speaker, but the ho r being late It tuded to adjourn the @iscussion until next STREET CAR MAIMING.—Bugene Recker, of No. 126 Thompson street, was last night found on the corner of Grand and Pitt streets, with a Auger so badly in- Jured that it had to be amputated by the police sur- Keou. Recker says ho was injured by being pushed of & Grand stroet car by the conductor. Charles P. Kane, of Greenpoint, last night fell off ® piatiorm of au avenue D car mavenue D aud 4 Dia Read badly cut