The New York Herald Newspaper, December 26, 1869, Page 9

ONBY AND TRADE. The Gold Market and City Re- tail Traffic. low Gold Fluctuations Have Affected the Retail Trade in New York. Pleasant Scenes in Interviewing Corner Groceries, Butchers, Bakers, Dry Goods Merchants and Others. Imported Goods Coming Down to Gold Prices and Downward Tendency of Domestic Fabrics—Du!ness of Holiday Busi- ness—The Future and What Is Expected of It. When 8 financial crisis overtakes the community there is generai sharp censure of speculation, and speoulators are cousigned to an abyss of obloquy. We are passing through the ordeal of a financial erf¥is, Without stopping to unite in this general censure of speculation and speculators this one fact 1s evident, that {rom the present financial chaos the public are anticipating good results in the end—the advent of the long prophesied “better time coming,” a tame of content with small and reasonabie profits, a time when greed of gain is not the “ruling pas- sion strong’ of everybody engaged in trade. Goid 1s still going down. Greenbacks are going up. ‘The result is clear that there must be a general re- duction in the prices of commodities of trade pro- portionate to the entanced value of our paper currency. There wHIl be ruin to many. This is in- evitapie, Failures are daily reported. The list will continue to be onlarged. Those who are lucky enough to escape ruin will make their escape, not through avoidance of losses, but from being blessed with the capital to stand it. Lord ‘Timothy Dexter, as he 1s facctlously called, shipped ‘Warming pans Lo the West Indies in deflance of ali geographical objections to the venture and mude money by the shipment, not because warming pans Were wanted there, but because the natives mistook and used them for molasses ladies. Very few can rely on sucn luck a3 this, The fates of depreciating gold anda market choked with importations are against them. The uuwritten chapter of these mer- cantile speculations und speculations in gold, con- vulsing our great money mart und all the great centres of trade, will be a long and interesting one when the end is reached and the whole story can bo told, The campaign is only in its inceptive pro- gresa, The war kas only begun. It is a war of ‘money and prices, a contest of speculators and the public, a struggle between capital and the necessa- ries of life. We give below the condition ot the re- tail trade in this city to show the effects of present gold prices at these diversified trading places of the great bulk of our population. It will be seen that the hopeful dreams of the latter are yet far from realization, and that while the grocer and the butcher and the baser and dry goods dealers and every class of trading people, in fact, have been quick in the past to note the rising value of gold and to put up their prices accordingly, they are slow now to note the decline in gold and diminish their prices proportionately. THE GROCERY TRADE. Retall grocery stores in times of severest financial pressure are more sure of bemg jess curtalied in trade than any other class of business. From these stores come the bulk of the necessaries of lite toour million population. The laboring poor, that great class whose meager earnings enable them to live only from hand to mouth, aud whose existence, in fact, is a life-long struggie with poverty and want, live by their small measures of potatoes, their paltry ilipution purchases of butter (if they are able or 80 Yar venturesome as to induige in this luxury), thelr small pags of flour, their patifuis of coal, their tiled up bundles of kindling wood, their fractional bars of soap, their few ounces of tea, sugar and coffee, and so on nearly to the end of thoir chapter of wants. Everybody knows the high prices such poor buyers have to pay by tnus pur- Chasing in infinitesimal auantities and how by large numbers of grocers they are cheated in weight and measure. Those of increased financial ability and able to buy tn larger quantities fare a little better, They get more coffee at a time, but with more chicory in it, and more sugar with a larger aggre- gate of dampness, and in their increasing purchases are only the greater victims of deficient weights and measures and augmented adulteration, Let i not be understood that this system of atrocious swindling is practised by all grocers. There are many who do not indulge in this defiant and unscrupulous cheating, but in the matter of prices they are remorseless in exacting the highest possibie rates, There are, in fact, three kinds of grocers—the first, who cheat all they can; ne second, who cheat all they daye, and the third, who give good goods, good weights and good woeasures, but insist on good round prices. We visited a number of these grocery stores, taking in some of each of the different classes as we have catalogued them. A lively Teuton was the pro- prietor of the first place we entered. Im- perilous to wintry weather and unmindful of the advent of tho ides of December, he wore no coat, and with his shirt sleeves rolled up to the elbows displayed very powerfal brachia) muscles and very coarse, dirty nands, His counte- nance, to say the least that can be said against tt, ‘was not suggestive of a person one would like to meetin @ dark alley on a dark night. A mixed aroma of soap, rancid butter, Limburger cheese, cab- bages, antiqueé codfish and superannuated mackerel pervaded the place. Weexpiained to him politely a8 we could the object of our visit. “You vants to know my brices?”’ he replied, “Whether you are selling at less prices tnan before goldg’ent down, and wh ether’?—. f: vants to put my uame in te papers,’ ’ he in- terrupted. “Not at all.’ “] ahant tells you notings.’” “Well! — “Well, you get out of my blace or [ split your tamned head open.” Not caring to submit our head to auch vigorous surgical bisection we left, The next two places we called at, though treated with some politeness—upon that matter we are happy to say that the instance ‘we have cited is the oniy exceptional case in this re- gard—the information we gieamed was too posi- fively negative to admit of our predicating anything sfirmative on the subject, The problem of fipance, beyond knowing how to exact the utmost Possible prices for their goods, does not bother their brains. Nothing but an earthquake could startle thetr stupidity into any show of sprigns- HMness, They remind onc of the soldier placed on ard on the fleid of Waterlov after the battle, who ained there forty years because no one relieved im. These stupid grocers, because they charged ‘Dig prices when gold was 160, not only do go still, but think it their bounden duty to continue doing so. Tue remaining aud more communicative groce: all told about the same scory, the sum and substance Of which ts that their prices, except in sugar and some few articles whose prices are controlied by special exigencies of supply and demand, remain very nearly the sane as Wien gold reached tts bigh- @st quotations, You can buy more with greenbacks now,’ we Buggested to one, “than you could when gold was “Oertainly, very much more.” “rhen Why do you not sell cheaper?” “My neighvors don’t; | don’t,” Here ta the mystery’ partially unravelled, to say the least, There are some people who cry out against the greed of landiords, and yes their own Avariciousness 18 just as intense and onyielding. Owners of oulldings Kaow thas their houses mnat be Occupied, and thus put up their rents, Grocers KNOW that people must buy of them, ana thus put up their rices to the farinest enduradie point. une thing in connection with the trade i, however, an esiab- Iwued fact, and that is @ general ‘aq; to limit purchases to the postive na, sessitioes of life and & greatly dimmisned Indulgence in luxuries, Many complain ee stock of canned fruits and oer canned ory. @ucts, for instance, finds very tew buyers—a fact showing conclusively tuas the peopie feel tue strin- : NEW YORK HERAL fl me ot fie mon’y marta and in the present state Of unsettled values appreciate the necessity of seek AMONG THE BUTC The universality of bran bread Dailosophy in prac- tice a8 well ag theory 1# tne only thing that can bring butchers to @ realizing sense of bas tion In the matter of Cree prices. Meat comca under the head of one of the prime necessities of life and, whatever the prices, must and will bo bought, ‘This is the keynote fo the Injusitee practised by this class of traders. The retail prices of veel the same as When gold was at ite highest point of value. “How ia this?” we asked an inicligent ht oF the cleaver. “It 1s very simple,” he responded with glib alac- rity. ‘Gold prices have nothing to do with the prices of meat. Trains get snowed tp, and there is a delay in getting peeves (o market, and 80 Up go the prices.” “Hut don't greenbacks go farther now than when gold was up tn purchasing cattle?’ we inquired. “But Western speculators and drovers get the benefit of that,” he continued. “We don't get lt.¥ “Not at alli? “Not as much as we ought to.’’ “How mach, then.” “W-e-l-l,) and he sald this rather hesitatingly, “thav's @ seeret of the trade. I teil you trains got snowed in, and we have to pay bigger prices for our meat.” is “And that’s all the explanation you can give?"’ “All Loan give,” and he put on @ look a8 though he had effectually exhausted nis tund of knowledge. Very little ower taformation could bo obtained from other butchers. A brotherhood of reticence seems to prevail among them, Even now, in this holiday period of the year. when car loads of tur- keys, Chickens, venison and game birds are datly coming into the market, the prices of steaks rulo at the old figures, and 80 every portion of the creatute bovine convertibie to culluary uses dowa to ox tall soup and calve'’s (oot jelly. THE BAKERS. If there i# a class of cormorants among retail dealers in this city it 1s the bakers. Their consciences are a8 spongy as their bread. Their souls have as hitie suvstatice as thelr loaves. ‘ney deal in the sta? of life, but it 1g a staf upon which only them- seives can lean for effectual support. During the war, When goid went up, they were patriotic not to the country, but to decimalcurrency. ‘They doubled the prices of their loaves. Flour is now 100 per cent cheaper than it was then; but, blindly, or rather wickedly, oblivious of this tact, they must keep up their prices at the oid rates, Many have reduced the price of their loaves from ten to eight cents, how- ever, and the probability 1s that others will soon ao the same, not from avy sense of it being their duty to do so, but to prevent their customers patronizing the cheaper bakers. ‘The ‘‘Aeraied Bread Company” has made no diminution in ita prices; but this is a monopoly, and what is a monopoly good tor If it cannot be made to retums & golden harvest ¢ “Why is it,”? we asked og6 of these men of dough, “that notwithstanding the depreciation in gold and flour betug 80 much cueaper than it has been, the same high prices are asked Lor bread f” “But many have reduced the prices of their loaves to eight cents,” ne replied in a tone in which we thought we detected reusoning and not a stutement of tncontrovertivle fact 1utended to settle the matter in the baker’s favor, “How general is this?!” “Lt is growing general.”” “Do you think there will be any further reduction in the price if greeabacks remaiu at tuelr present value?” “Very possible; but Jl) tell you this thing,” and now nis tone became impressively earnest, ‘that with every reduction in price there will be a reduc- lion In tue weight of bread. The bakers are saarp. Yeopie will bave bread.”? “And sometimes they will have bread riots,” we suggested. “Phas go,’’ he assumed, oponing wide his eyes in consciousness of the fact and revolving in n13 dilated optics past visions of the mad riots of the French capital and prospective visions of tue possibie doings of the L. O. R. in this ctly, and added, ‘but L seid houest weight—a pound and a hall to every loaf,” We did not put to the test his assertion oa the lat. ler point, but in the possibility Of 13 truth gave him the benefit of the doubt, Reasoning a priv, however, i is clear that i bakers would when flour weal down 100 per cent still stick to their oid prices, whea compelled to come down in the latter they Would not stick at giving reduced weight to make up the difference. But wiile bread has gone down 4% irifle in seeming, if not tn substance, in cakes and pies tuere has beea no reduction, and tucre does not seem any likelihood of cere being. DRY GOODS, In this branch of the retati trade the present state Of unsettied values is more sensibly felt than in any otner branch of retui wade in the city. New York has not scen amore decisive dry goods pante in some time, Toe same hurried eagerness to run of their stucks before the market becomes worse, or eveu irreparabiy broken dowa, Which many fear, shows itself among the retati deaiers as among job- bers. ‘Tis 18 unusual in the smailer retall scores on Broadway and the Bowery, aod in Division and Caduarine and Grand streets, and im all the slores on tue Up-Lown avenues, Where retail trade contrers “Goods below Cost,” “Goods selllag at great sacri- ficex,” und similar notifications, wrouglt in hugely sealing capitais, mteuded ad cuplantuin the eyes Of passers by, are to be seen at c.ose intervals, Lm porters who, ublappily for themselves, are uot gifted wilh omuniscience aud who have tw buy in large quantities aud frequent- ly mouths before they can sell their gouds, und pay for them in gold, were not now pre- pared ivf tne sudden aownfau of gold, and the result is Chas the payment of auties is bus a fraction of the inevitable lows they have had to sustain. Re- tauers vaying In their winter and boliday stock bought also when gold was down, ana though tneir loss 18 sind in Colparison to Wiat of the jobbers, it is more than they Cun well stand up under, Their mode Of extrication 13 to dispose of their old stock before prices go down muci more and with this take advautage of the jubvers’ losses uy purchasing imported goods at present low vatues, And strougly alluring as ace tae chances of unusually large profits, no one dare take Cvtra hazardous risks. All are afraid gould wiil go down stil lower, and briog down prices of dry goods with them. host, accordiugiy, are only buying Wut they can soil irom day today. ‘There Was never @ feeling of suco imsccuriy as to oe siabiliy of pricez. No one knows what a day or even an hour may bring forth ‘The motto is Caution, the line of action strategic. We might give our conversations with dry goods retailers, but i 1s unnecessary to do 80. All regard tuemselves in the Bame poai. All ore feeling their way with like caution. In imported goods there is s universal re- duction in prices, Vomestic fabrics soid at about sieir old figures, Dut with o growiug tendency to come down to gold prices, Asa general thing trade ia briak, though not 80 brisk ay it wasin the holidays a year ago. Many are walting stlil further declination in prices, and this, with the stringeucy im the money market and a growing disposition to cultivate econ- omy, causes an extended holving back of purchas- ers, Asprices went up with abound wilea gold Went up during the war, so the majority of retail dry goods dealers believe that with a retroaction in gold prices must come dowa. They are opening their eyes now to this latier fact. It must be cou- fessed, however, that they have becn slow in seeing and acting upon It. OTHER RETAIL TRADES, It would make our article nearly unending in lengti to go into the detuils of @li the otacr retait traues to the city, Their name is not quite Legion, but i Comes Very near to it, Though ati viiese trades were quick tn detecting (he rise iu goid, aud though they have not suown the same alacrity w detecting its desceut in value, 118 gratifying to Know thas they are gradually becoming roused to a couscious- ness of the latter feet and are evincing a growing disposition to mark down pricea ta accordance wiih that great standard of present financial values in this country—gold. In nuliimery and lace wouds itis avout the same as in dry goods, the price of importea articies having gone down, and ot do- Mesbic guods remaining Very nearly toe same. At 1s So als0 Lu Carpets aud upholstery. In house furniwh- img goods tue matter of prices 18 controlled by the Sawe influences, and so in crockery and hardware— my orted goous being luwer pilced than taey were a few weeks ago, and very littie change in domestic iaorivs, In none of these trades i# business at pres. ent particuluriy brisk, and does not compare fa- vorapiy with last year. 4 and stationery Qud toys are unusually duli for this sea. sop, Ono book dealer said he was running beuind tus expenses, and he generousiy aturibuiea it to the fact that our whole financial system, as he stated, Was ruoning to the dogs and ruinas fast as it could. A toy dear Bye ae his opinion that either children must be diminisning to numbers or parents in love of their ittle ones, as ils trade in toys had uever been so dul as thus iar this winter, tn pictures and prints there is likewise much less doing tuad usual at ils period, the giaddest tune of ali the Year. in these iatver trades prices are con- siderably reduced irom what they were, Jo druga proprictary articles hold at about ther old rates, but = drugs are_—_—low. For iurniture tuere is very little demand, But we willnot gu on with the Ih In each there is the Saue story to be toid—positive declination of prices Of all imported goods und & gradually growing de- Clination in dumestic fabrics, Ot tue retail trade wm liquors and cigars it 18 hardly neoessary to speak, People will have their “pony brandies” anda swill “venzine” by tue gill, whatever the price and Whether gold is up Or down. ‘Lucre have been po changes in the retail prices of either. ‘Lhe incubus of prices 1s settied upon the Internal Revenue Bureau. Cigars still hold at tae old yates, aud upon the government bureau are huried we anathem complaint. C3 e of END OF THE MATTER. This is what everybody wants to know. The doubt as to the final resuit is What bas brought about the present unsettled stave of affairs in toe mind of the great pubic Outside of tirade. Some limit thetr pur- Chases to the actual necessities of ie, beweving that theve is to be a general downiail of prices in every direction, Others are purcvasing all they cau, be- lieving in & reaction in the guid market and thatit Wii make a speedy upward jump again. All are auxivusly watching the current of events, Retail- ers, When asked why they do no! regulate their prices to gold value, bring up the objection—and it 18 A StrOny ONS, ALG We sla NOt stop Lo discuss tt~ that guid nas no standard vaiue, but a fluctuating oue, and thus dependent on the intrigues or capricea, or both, of gold speculators. Many cuntend that the only remedy 1 Congressional inter. ference—that by tas method alone cau gold be wade @ proper standard of values. But whatever tue causes and whatever the remedies, the only basis of reasoning 18 Upon facts as they are, Bad hese as re- garus the present condition of tie reiall t n Luls city we Have set fortu above, ‘The conciuston is ple that the beginning of the ead of the present { criate 1#@ not yet visible, and hot only this, but thas there is no one endowed with the proscience to foretell the final issue, Meantime rents remain as tuey were, Wages are unchanged and the great body of our poptilation—those most avected oy rents and Wages aud tae prices of the necessisiea of life—are borne on in the tide of events, with eves gazing tn- tently forward to discern their future and hear hoping ‘he dawning of better daye. TREASURY POLICY---FREE BANKING. To Tux EpiroR or THe HEKALD:—~ Much has been said and written about our na- tonal free banking system, und ag 1 was urged by the Treasury, at our suggestion, instigation and as- sistance, we may posatoly throw some light upon its Parturition and objects which may somewhat assist im forming an opinion upon 1ts services and merits, ‘Tois communication is suggested by the vory avle and practicabie report of tue Commissioner of the Currency. ‘This officer is entitled to the respect and thanks of every sound thinker and patriotic man for the in- dependent position he has taken in favor of this system, When the late war was inaugurated It was appar- ent that it must be an expensive and tedious con- flict, and theretore that the base of our public credit must be laid deep and broad to sustain the mighty fabric that necessity and integrity shonld build upon it during the desperate struggles and the still More perifous peace that would follow. We say peril- ous, for had not our credit beon so organized, as we now find it, the most (disastrous consequences to our integrity would have followed. ‘The free banking law was suggested, not because of any doubt of the solvency of our banks or to se- cure a sounder creatt, for our banks were generally organized under similar State laws, but we were in weed of takers of our bonds, and the only large patriotic capitalists we had were the State banks. It was therefore apparent that this great interest must be firmly secured, The mere purchase by these institutions would not make them permanent holders, and therefore we could no* depend upon their co-operation if their patriousm should cool, And then it was deemed mportant to so place and fasten the public to the plain everyday use of the debt as to prevent any dishonest demagogue from se- ducing the people from their integrity by the cry of repudiation. This national system of free banking sprang from @ wise combination of use and safety. It made a market for our bonds that was the means of sustaining us under our large expenditure, Nearly ail our State banka organized under this law and purchased bonds from the government. Many new banks were also orgauzed under 1t, and had spread themselves over all the Eastern, Northern and Westera States. Thus all bank notes are the re- preseotatives of our bonds, and tuese bonds are locked up m the Treasury, Couid there be a more Wise, prudential, patriotic or successful system introduced? The system was not new, but its ap- plication to the exigencies of the times was felicit- ous and worthy of commendation. To encourage our people to invest in these banks mapy inducements besides patriousm were offerea and accepted. But there ts no evidence on recora that the government could have done any better througn any other channel with their bonds. Thus it must be ap- parent that these institutions are fairly entitled to ail they have received from the government. They did not seek or ask for the passage of the laws, ‘they were invited, solicited, and by a tax upon their issues were forced in under the law. This law Was not made ® special monopoly, but a free banking iaw. It had been in successful operation in the state of New York since 1838—free to all who. would organize under it and deposit in the State ‘Treasury such security as the jaw required for the bilis issued. No excess of currency was issued, Every city, Village and town was at Itberty to raise money, purchase bends, and do a banking business, ‘Yais was free banking, and was a perfect suce: ‘1his success Was Weil Known +o Congress when they enacted tne National Free Banking law, and ‘all Went merry as 6 marriage bell’’ unul the stupid ana inconsistent ‘mistake’? was made, and by universal acclaim, and in direct coutlict with the facts of tue case, & Cry Was raised that our coined paper had de- preciated in value in consequence of excessive issues, No one could assign a fact or reason for tuts opinion, except suck as was drawn from ola, musty books that did not apply to the case, We asked the question, How can we say there 13 too mach coined paper or bank credit wien the rate of Interest tor Unis paper aud tus credit is from seven to tweuty- four per cent’ How can we measure the quantity necessary for the public use if not by the price or rate of interest 1 will bring in open market? To all this Was auswered, Look at the premium on gold. We answered, and now che Secretary admits, that 10 is the joreign demand, produced by our foreign debt, that iuukes We premium on gold, This 1s tue senselesy unreasoning tat became current, and under this strange but mischievous haliucmation Congress stultiied itseli by making our great nauonal free banking Jaw’ (that had aided as muct in sustaining and secttring the Union as the army in tue weld had done) a monopoly. Yes, a monopoly, aad chiefly for the venetit of the Lastern States. ‘Tnis is to-day the condition of Congressivnal knowledge and legisiation on ihe national free Peaking jaw. Can folly or ignorance do more than nis Ten to twenty-five per cent per annum ts offered in Opea market for tue use Of money, and our wise legisiators cry out contraction, mation, deprecia tion, bue give Do reason, erhaps tuey are in the condition of Faistat wien Le rovbed the merchants on Gadshili—dle would not give a reason on com- pulsion if they were as taick a3 biackberries.’’ We omer you the test and ask you, 1% not this rate of interest an evidence of a great want of more bank credits? If unis is not evidence, what will sausiy you? If this is not a monopoiy tor tue benefit of a Tew at the expense of the many, then what is ity Why do the farming, manufacturing and mercantile interests take these credits in exchange for their OWN at ths nigh rate of mnterest! Ie this heaithy trade? Can any honest farmer or other producer pay such rates of interest and succeed? Would you trust @ man with your property if you knew he was paying such @ rate of imteresty Waat 13 the remedy’ More banks, or bankruptcy. You have voted and stili Vote to rob the farmer and tne fair trader py your destruction of freedom in banking. “Ob, wise aud virtuous’ Congress | JONATHAN OLDBUCK. DECLINE OF AMERICAN SHIPBUILDING, REMEDIES FOR ITS RZSTIRATION, To Tne EpIToR OF THE HERALD:— Permit me through your columus to make afew comments on an article in one of the city journals headed “What Can be Dono for our Shipping {nter- est.’ The writer is evidently alive to the Importance of hia subject, and if his object was to benefit the shipping interests only 1t was well enough, But as be haa connected shipbuilding with it we suppose he intends his “remedies” to be applied for the restora- tion of that branch of industry also. “Our shipyards are empty; yet he ts willing to let our merchants go abroad and purchase such ships and steamers as will answer our foreign trade, bring them here, give them an American license and place them on an equal footing with American bottoms, He would reserve the coasting trade, however, a3 a “prize open to American shipbulkiers.’’ He is op- posed to subsidies, because it 8 & dangerous prece- dent and not at all necessary, The French ocean steamers witch have been suc- cessful were built on the Clyde, put before admitting foreign built vessels on the terms named he would give the American shipbullders ‘‘a clear year before them to show us what they really cando.” Iam not among those who believe that the day of wooden Vessels is past in this country, nor do I expect to see that day very soon, for so long as timber can be pro- cured we will have them; and the forests of Maine, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia ana Texas will furnish all that is needed on the sefcoast for many years to come, while Ohio, Indiana and Michigan will amply supply the demand on our lakea and Western rivers. The underwriters make o vast ditverence between the rating of a wooden and un iron vessel on their dooks—more, we think, than is just. This, however, can 60 traced to foreign ingduence. Yet we do not think that any of the foreign tron steamers running to this port have given any very great evidence of their longevity, While it 1s well known that we have quite @ number of wooden ships bullt in this country tnat have been sailing out of the port of New York for the past fifteen or twenty years, and aro likely to do good work fora number of years to come. In the year 1838 we commenced our apprenticeship In this elty on the ship Duchess of Orleans, built by Mr. W. U. Webb, This ship is now nearly thirty-two years ola and is perfectly sound and seaworthy. Other facts can be given to show that a wooden ship Well butit and properly managed will compare in age and hard work very favorably with the best built iron vessels, For many years. to come our coasters and lake vessels, with but few exceptions, ‘Will be bullt Of Wood, Iron vessels on our lakes have notas yet shown any superiority over the wooden ones as grain carriers; as cutters and tugs they have done better, still it 1s evident that we must now turn our atvenuon to tron steamers for the ocean trade, aud to do this wo must have a little time, For nearly thirty yoars the English and Scotch ehipbuilders have been engaged ta building iron vee sels. Driven toit at drat by the scarcity of timber, they have by perseverance pecome masters of tho business, and have succeeded in producing some splendid specimens of their skill. This has cost years of labor ud experience and millions of capi- tal, yet the writer referred to would give the Ameri- can shipbuilder but one year to show his ability to compete with these powerful opponents. As a sbip- wright Lam dectdediy opposed to allowimg vessels of any class builtina foreign country to be regis- tered as American built. The American shipbuilder does not wish his competition to be confined to building “coasters,” but he wants to compete with the world, and if the government wil! bat give him one-half tbe help and encouragement that Great Britain has given her builders, he will ask but a few years to show that iron steamers can be built in this country that will compare favorably in every respect with those constructed abroad, Tho finish of our suips and steamers, or what is properly called the jolner work, haa always been con- sidered superior tn every respect to the best foreign steamsnips that have come to this port; this must be admitted, for the cabina of our packet ships will compare Well with those of many of the Eaglish steamsulps for comfort as weil as workmanship. ‘The same 1s true of the outfit of our ships; for in no country in the world can be found more good judg- ment displayed than 1s manifested by our spar- makers, shipsiniths, siggers and salimakers in the Various contributions of their different branches to furnish @ hanasome “ft-out.”” The slipbuiiders of this country have shown what ca ve done in the construction of wooden, vessels. But a few years ago our clipper ships found @ ready Market in England, because of their marked superiority in strength, beauty snd utility over those bulitin that country; uor were the foreign builders slow to take advautage of the great unprovement made ip the modeis of vesseis by our builders, for the fleevest of the 'Ulyde steamers!’ that enters this port bear ulimistukable evidences of the origin of their lines. ‘Lheso steamers in tmaterial and work. manship are ivreiga, but in the symmetrical beauty of their Model they are emphatically American, Iv is very evident tuat it 1s not lor Want of skill in our builders or the various brancues of mechanics connected With the business that tis country bas lost {ts profit in shippuiiding, out because of the enhanced value of everyting pertaiming to it, in common Wilk all other wades. ‘1his can 1 @ mea- sure be attributed to the consumption of vast quau- tities Of material during the Wari building, aliering and repairiug vesseis jor the protection of our sea- board aad other operations connected with the army, and notwiihstanding the important part it sustained in the rebellion, from its peeuilar nature 1b 8 HOW Suffering most, and tuat from no fault of taoge iaterested 10 Lt, Dweliings, Slores, post offices, city balls and capitois cannot ve bulit abroad and brought bere. twiiroads must be constructed where they are Wanted; tue iavor Cannot be carried Out of tue country; therelore tue various mechanics con. cerned have tie benefit of it. But because ships can be built cheaper in a foreign country the Inecitanics who pave spent tue best years of their lives in our shipyards, alice exposed to the coid of winter and the deat of sumer, to acquire a Knowledge of this profession must now turn heir atiention to some- Lung else, or “go down with toe wreck,” It is Wo rescue tis business in all its vartous de- partments froi oblivion, that we now call upon tae goverument for ueip. Norao we think i will ve in Vain wuen the question comes before the present session of Cougre: Repablics are pot ungrateful. We do not ask this heip simply because “our snip- yards are empty,” alsuougi it is weil Known taat when slipwrighis have been busy other branches of business have been correspondingly good; but we @SK iL a8 @ means Of seli-preservatiou. Our govern- ment cannot atlord to les tis vrauch of iudustry die ont; itis economy to sustain it even thougn it costs something. With our 6,000 miles of seaboard ana lake bounaary we cannot Teel ourselves secure or sustain our tile as @ first class Power without Having the coniro! of our commerce—foreign a3 well as domestic. When needed an army can be raised, equipped and put in the Meld in afew montis; but it lakes Years of patience, labor and experience to make blipwrighis and sauors. We cunuot expect an American sailor to feel at home on the deck of a British slip, and uw the government would have at Ltd command's feet of steamers and otner craft to be used in case oi ewiergency, Logetier With coimpe- tent otticers and men to man them, it must en- courage and foster this business by rendering the aid necessary unUL saci tine as It Will be abie suc- cessiutly to compete with those who have alreaay received this assistance and are now enabled to hold Us at great disadvantage. ‘ine people caunot forget the peculiar service ren- dered vy Uiuis depariment during the war, for with. out 1s aid then we would have been alinoat power- less and wholly ut the mercy of a foreign foe. Yet should such @ calamity overtake us in years Ww come, unless imumediace measures are taken to repuir our heretotore unequalled naval force, i 13 tO be feured that not only will we tind ourseives crippiea 1n contending at sea with hostile Neets, but our fair name willsuder aud we will be compelied tw surrender to ano:ner What has always been our prerogative—the first naval Power in the world, ‘Lhe writer of the article also states that we can not compete With ime Ciyde builders o: unt of the high prices of the raw materiais. 8 13 the truth Dut is not tho wile tratn, for besides the dif- ference in tue cost of materials, neither can we com- pele with forelgu labor while that labor 1s reduced to figures below Which an American mechanic could matutau fimself aad family. Our shipwright can not jive for our or five shillings sterling per day at the Qvesent rate of prices in whis country, Ail kinds of lavor are uigher here than in Engiand and scot- jand, but it is @ fact worthy of note that during the years uhat saipbuildiag flourished in this country Biipwrignis’ Wages were higher than aimost any other mechanics’, while at tue present time there is no oranch of skilled labor that 18 uot more renunera- tive tuan shipbutiding. But notwitustauding this we are at least thirty per cent nebind the Clyde putlders in tron steamers, and the question Is, “How can the government lelp us in thus crisis?” ‘The way 18 simple, aud we feel tuat iu encouraging this business cle government is add- ing to its OWn Security vastly more than 1 could with the same expenaiture in any other way. None would be injured and the beneilt would be felt by ail. Why should the government support one mode of trafic to the detriment of another? Our comph- cated network of railrvads, extending all over the land, 1s encouraged and assisted by the government, waue our freight, on arriving at tue seaboard, is of necessity transferred to the hands of foreign vessels for shipment Lo other porta. The inconsistencies of such commercial iutercourse must be apparent to every true American, If we cau raise ao article for export why should we not be able to place it in foreign markets at our Own price and not siip our mercusndise to Engiand or elsewhere i veaseis sail- dng under other Nags? The government has just atded in constructing, at great expense, the Pacilic Rallroad, which bi the eastern and Western shores ene grea Die Inso almost daily intercotise, ithout the ald re- ceived from the government this road couid not have been built, and we think the interest of the country demanded it. It is clearly to be seen that the business done by this company 1s at the expense of our coasting trade, and tu time will completely aunihilate (toe traitic left to the Pacitic Mail line of steamers now piying on the Atiantic and Pacific seaboard and placed there at tne expendi- ture of private capital. The splendid steamers for- merty running from Buffalo, Cleveland, ‘Voledo and Detroit on Lake Eile, were long since obliged to succumb to their more powerful competitors, the railroads. Although once the pride of the travelling public, they are now numbered with the things of the past. And uniess the government enacts some decided measurea for our relief our coasting trade in @ few years Wili nos be worthy the name ofa fisherman's eet, and our lake commerce will be swept out of existence; for what will be left by the rafiroads will be gobbled up by our Canadian Mmends, who have within (he past five years increased their lako fleets in proportion ay ours have digappeared, What, then, 18 to be done? The government should properly recognize the claims taat this branch of industry has on its protecuon, We care not how it 1s done #0 long as It comes and is sudicieut. Bounties of a fair per ceatage on the actual cost might be paid on all sail vesse/s built and owned in this coun- try for the next five years, sucn bounties to be deter. mined by the class of vessel and the pecullar trade Jor which she 18 desigued, Subsidies should be granted to responsible capttal- ista (not speculators), who would build aud main- tain steamships on ail the principal routes of trafic, and a liberal compensation allowed for carrying the malis, Let us have steamship “ferries” to rug in connection with ourrailroads to ail the principal ports in Europe. Let the assistance from the gov- ernment be saficlent to give our sbhipvuilders an opportunity to compete with those ov the Olyde. Wedo not think that removing the duty from tron materials used in the construcuion of @ vessel will Teach the case. Besides, other Interests mignt be em- barrassed by such action; but we are willing to leave pli that to the wisdom of Congress, iully be- Heving that they cannot fall to see the 1mportance of doing something, and tha: immediately. The Times says that “the principle of granting subsidies fo ocean steamers is now attacked vy the whole Engin press and is greatiy out of favor in Parliament.” This may be so, but the British government understands too well tue value of this branch of business to with- deaw them. It is her strength, just as the re- verge is our weakness, and she might better dis- pense with the Bank of England than the prestige she has gatned by tie assistance she has rendered Lo the owners and builders of her shipping. It may well be satd to-day “Britannia rules the waves."’ Let the present Congress, then, come to the rescue and pass some bill that wili meet tne case, There will nO question come before them during this whole session of such vital tmportance to the country or what will be received wita more favor by the people. It ig not material in what way the reiief ts granted 80 long as itis “itberal and just,’ We will then soon see a change in our commercial marine that will in- spire our anercha its With conddence, our satlors will have employment on our own docks and the fag of the great repuoitc Will be carried round the world on “iron steatnsdips’ that 1n point of strength, speed and beauty will be second to none. APTER THE QUACKS.—The Rhode Island Medical Society, at a recent semi-annual meeting, appolaed a committee “to obtain from the General Assemuly such lexisiatou as Inay be Decessary to provect the citizens ui this State from the empiricist ot ignorant aud unscrupulous persons Who are practioug medi- cine Without the semolance legal, moral or educational, D, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1869.—-TRIPLE SHEET. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. SATURDAY, Dec. 25, 1869, Tho Christmas holiday bas been strictly observed {a Wall street, where business of every kind was wholly suspended, ‘The week had not been remarkable for activity or animation in the Stock Exchange or Gold Room, the adjournment of Congress contributing to the natural dulness of the market. Much speculation ts indulged in as to what will be the upshot of the fnancial ques- tion now pending before that body. So far little has been done. Last year the members were primful of measures of all kinds, even during tae earlier stages of the session. This year there seems to be a more conservative feeling and a disposition to approach the matter very carefwjly. Up to this time the Trlends of contraction see litle to encourage them, Tae only bills of any importauce so far have been rather the other way. It 1s to be hoped wo shall nave none of the tinkering which has been so often on the point of disturbing the country by the threatened enactment of ill- digested and impracticable plans to better the situa- tidn, The steady appreciation of greenbacks and the growing abundance of specie in the banks and in the national Treasury are the best argument against any interference with a system which 13 working very well. The greenpacks are the best cur- rency ever given the people, who will never desire the syatem which prevailed before the war, with the difusion and decentralization of the immense busi- ness of the country. A unliorm currency 1s neces- sary. Who does not remember the annoyances attending the old system of State banka, when it was necessary to pass from one State to another? A bill of credit bad to be obtatned as if the traveller were going to Paris instead of to Charleston or Chicago, or else it was necessary to subuitt to an unjust “ghave’ in the way of discount to procure bank notes current in another quarter of the country, “It Is an tll wind that blows no- body good.’ Tne war has given us @ uniform currency, and the people will not readily exchange it for another. On this point Congress will only obey the public will by refusing to alter tt, The question of contraction is one which 1s gradu- ally solving itself. By the way, would it not be well to wait until the census of 1470 i3 taken, when it will be more easy to determine whether this topic should be broached at all. We have the statustics of the currency and population of 1860. It will be easy, then, to find a guide by which to regulate the volume of the circulating medium, Those who are 60 anxious to get back to specie payments are only kicking away the ladder whica bridged the terrible crisig of the war. If we would ascertain the re- sources of the country let us take toto considera- Uon what we expended during the war. With our greenback currency we stimulated every branch of manufacture and produced more than we consumed during the period from the beginning of the war to whe present time; otherwise we should not have been able to reduce the national debt as we have been doing [or nearly a year, Tiose who nave read the report of the Commissioner of the Land OfMice should recur to his summing up of facts. He says that the completion or our Pacific Ratlroad, with the increasing advantage of railway commu. nication over every other, is making this country the highway of the world’s commerce. The growth of our resources 13 starting. e gold value of personal and real property is $50,000,000,000, Our gross annual earnings amount to $10,000,000,000, ot Which not less than ten per cent or $1,000,000,000 is surplus for investment, Our civilization, being industrial im {ts chief characteristics, looks tp a broader sweep of original production, and hence our accumulation of weaith will be more rapid than that of any past age. ‘The strength of the gold market since the gold sales by the government this week has created some surprise in presence of the large deposits of coin in the city bamks as well as in view of the forthcoming large disbursements of the Treasury, Tae reason lies in the speculative spirit which discounts these facts in advance. Let the government sell goid and the speculators will sell twenty times as much. Hence they create an unnatural demand for the pre- cous metal, and, the quantity for delivery being iess than the real amount within reach, a reaction sets in. Any one who has studied the history of Wail street knows that it is easter vo frighten a “bear’’ than a ‘bull. Tae former will cover on a rise of one or two per cent, while a ‘*buil’? will hang on even if the market gocs against him ten to fiftcea per cent, and gives in then only because he cannot advance more margin. The cliques know this, ana hence the ski.l with which they play the outside public. Reference was made yesterday to the action of holders of the Tennessee bonds in connection with a plan for a redress of thelr grievances, The com- mittee who were instructed to devise sucha plan for the protection of the interests of the bond. holders will submtt the following to them at their next meeting, which will be held on Monday:— The authorities of the State of Tennessee shall appoint a committee of seven, of which we suggeat that the Governor, Treasurer, and Secretary of S:ate suali be members, and that three be named by a majority of the assenting bondholders, and tuese shall elect the seventh, This commission shall receive from the State a transfer of ali the indebtedness of all the various Tatiroads, excep. two to be hereafter named, to the State, to be beid tn trust for the following pur- poses:— They shall collect promptly when due, and in law- fai money, from all solveot roads, the amount due the State as interest, sinkiug fund and principal. ‘fhe insolvent roads they shail foreclose and sell at public auction, and if the amount bid for the road 13 not equal to the amount due the State the commis- sion shall have power to purchase, and it shall be their duty to purchase sata road for auy amount not exceediug the amount due the State. Whenever bondholders shall surrender their bonds to the commission, to be held as property of the State, the bonds and coupons shail be daly cancelied, and hey shall be entitied to receive irom the commis- dion a receipt and certificate stating that they have surrendered said bonds, and that they wave an ua- divided pro rata interest in the property held by the commission {tn the ratio that the bonds assented by them bear to the amount of bonds required to be assented to acquire the proprety. And until the amount of said bonds assented to said commission and purchased by said commission shall equal the amount said roads are indebted to the State, the commission shall appropriate such money as they shali receive from interest, sinking fund and principal, to purchase Tennessee State bon?s at the market price, until the bonds purchased and assented to the commissioners shail equal the sum due the State, at which time the asseutiug bvndholders shall own the whole property held by the commission. Any road defaulting and purchased by the com- mission may be resold on such terms as at leas! five of the said commissioners and & majority of assent ing bondholders inay cousent to, ‘rhe amount realized by suca sale shail be paid to the commission and be used by them in tue pur- chase of bonds in the same manner as money re- ceived from interest, sinking fund and principal. Any defaultiug road purchased and resoid by the cowlssioners shall have all we chartered rights and privileges originally granted it by the Legista- ture, and the purchaser shail have the right to alter or alaend 118 corporate name, and to seli, lease, con- solilate or join stock with any road or roads in or Out of this State. The purchaser shall be required to make a certifi- cate stating the name assumed, or the road or roads goid to, Jeased or consolidavea, and shail fie we Saine tn the office of the Secretary of State. When the amount of assented bonds and pur- chased bonds suall equal the amount due the State ail money realized thereafter shail be divided with the holders of certificates of asvented bonds, In purchasing bonds the certificates of assented bonds shal be a good delivery to the commusaieners, The progress of railroads in this country shows the spirit begotton of the enterprise which halted noveven at so mighty an undertaking as the trans- contineatal Pacific road, According to the Rail. road Journal at the beginning of 1869 there were 42,272 mules of ratiroad in operation in the United States, and at the present time there are at icast 60,000 miles finished, or In an advanced state of con- struction, In every State and Territory we find the people busily engaged in the important work of lay- ing the foundations of future ratiroads, some of local and otuers of national importance. The number of these enterprises now under way is not far from 300, Each State in the Union has, on an average, seven or eight separate railroads now in the course of con- struction, Maine bas §; New Hampshire, 4; Ver- mont, 0; Massachusetts, 6; Rhode Isiand, 5; Connec- ticut, 7; New York, 11; New Jersey, 7; Pennsylvania, $2; Deiaware, 5; Maryland, 7; West Virginia l (tho Chesapeake and Ohto), and probably others; Ohio, 12; Indiana, 12; Illmois, 12; Michigaa, 15; Wiscon- sin, 5; Mionesota, 7; Iowa, 13; Missouri, 12; Ne- praska, 5; Kansas, 0; Arkansas, 3; Texas, 4; Loul- siana, Mississippi, 3, and Alabama 6. It requires a unanimous vote of a ladies’ club in Ohio to allow one of the members to marry. Loar of quulidcation, either | club is, rapidly decreasing by voluntary resignation yt of members. 9 MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. Married. Borp—Dragnnax.—On Wednesday, December 22, at Chalmers’ church, Kingston, Canada, by the R P. Gray, Grong M, Boro, Esq., of New York city, late of Shanghae, Cnina, to Ewiry E., eldest daughter of Samuel T. Drennan, Eaq., of Kingston. China and Japan papers will please copy. Martin—Kocers.—On Wednesday evening, De- cember 22. at the house of the bride's parents, by the Kev, Dr. Duane, WILLIAM MARTIN to CARRIO Moroay, only daugnter of Jon Rogers, Esq., ali of Brooklyn. Died. Bearty.—At Norwalk, Coan., on Thursday, Do cemoer 23, suideniy, LUCINDA Riow, wile of Jobn P. Beatty, aged 41 veara, Funeral services at Norwalk, this (Sunday) after- noon, at turee o'clock, The remains will be interred in Greenwood Cemetery, on Mouday. Carriages Will be i Waiting for the friends of the family, a depot of the New York and New Haven Rauiroad, ab eleven o'clock A. M.. on we arcival of train, Bripee: In Brookiyn, on Friday, December 24, Harry R.. youngest sonof S.W. and Amelia Tn Bridges, aged 2 years and 11 montis. Funeral this (Sunday) afternoon, at two o'clock, from 125 Clanton street. BrowN.—On Saturday, December 25, Mra. LYDIA A., widow of Charies Brown, aged 53 years, ‘The friends and relatives of the family are reapect- fully invited to attend the faneral, frou her late reat- dence, 147 Maat Kiguteeath street, on Monday atter- Doon, at one o'clock. CLIPKORD.—On Friday, December 24, at the resl- dence of her parents, No, 203 East Fifty-sixth street, Mary ANN CLIFFORD, aged 26 years. ‘The retatives and friends of the family are re. spectiully invited to atiend the funeral, this (Sunduy) avernoon, at tWo o'clock, Comps.—On Thursday, December 23, at the resl- dence of iis father, 1054, Essex street, ol disease of the heart, Hatsrep, son of Samuel H. Comba, aged 22 years and 6 montis, Funeral services this (Sunday) afternoon, at two x in the Aen siveet Preapyterian churea, o A on sivect, hear Grand. CooreR.-—The members of the Hebrew Mutual Boned Society, aiso the friends of the family, ure hereby notified to attend the funeral of Mrs. SamUBis Coorer, from ver late resideuce, 57 Second streeb, this (Sanday) aiternvuon, at one o'clock. A. 5. VAN PRAAG, President, CorTeLyou,—At New Urunswick, N. J., at the residence of hia son, on Friday, Dec ir 24, SLMON ConrELyou, in the 7sth year of hts ay The celatives and friends of the family are respect- fully invited to attend the funeeral, trom the ie formed church, Fiatousu, L. i, on Monday, ab twelve o’c! noon. DARGAVEL.—On Friday, December 2% at ins residen 4820 Bleecker street, JOHN DARGAVEL, aged 38 years and 1 month. Relatives and friends of the family are respectfully requesied to attend the funeral, from the Macdongal Street Bapust churen, Macdougal street, opposite Vandam st., this (Sunday) afternoon, at one o'clock. ALBION LODGE, No, 26, F. AND A. M.—Brethren— You are hereby summoned to attend a special com- munication of the lodge, at their rooms, corner of Fourth and Greene st.. to-day (Sunday), at twelve o'clock M., sharp, to pay the last tribute of respect to our late brother, John Dargavel. Bretarea of sister loages fraternaliy invited toattend, By order, McCORD, Seo. GEO, W. ROOME, M. On Monday, December 21, at Hilisdale, Co- lumbia county, N. Y., of liver congesiion, WiLLiAM D&aN, formerly of this city, aged 6s years, Columbta county papers please copy. Faumuk.—On Friday, L er 24, after a linger- ing tlinesa, at 444 Canal street, KOvERT FARMER, a tue 54th year of his age. The tuneéral will take place from St. Luke's Epis- copal church, Hudsoa street, near Christopuer, Luts (Sunday) afiernoon, at two o'clock. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend, The remains will oe taken so Greenwood Cemetery for intermeut. GRINTON.—On Saturday morning, December 25, CHARLOTIE, Widow of the late David Grinton. Relatives and friends of the faintly are respectfully inyited to attend the funeral on, Tuesday afternoon, at one o'clock, irom her lace résideace, Morrisanla, Western papers please covy. LeEaMY.—Departed this life on Christmas morning, mber 25, ia We séth year of his age, Parkiv& STANTINE LEAMY. ‘The relatives and (riends of the famliy, and those of his brother Daniel, are requested to atcend the fu- neral, from the residence of his brother, 60 Catha- rine street, on Monday afternoon, at oue o'clock, California aud lrisu papers please copy. MAuHOoNY.—Suddeniy, ou Saturday, Decemoer 25, HaNNaH, Wife of Cornelius Mahoay, in the 55th year of ber age. ‘The friends and relatives of the family are respect- fully requested to atcend the funeral, (rom her late residence, 229 East I'wenty-prin street, oa Monday, December 27, at liall-past two o'clock. MALONE£Y.—WILLIAM JOSEPH MaLoNEY, youngest son of Daniel H. Ma.oney. The reiauyes una. friends are invited to attend the funeral, trom tae residence of tus parents, No. & Beekman street, this (Sunday) aiternoon, at one o'clocs, MIKHLING,—On Thursday evening, December 23, at nine o'clock, after a Ingering illness, MINNA Joun, wife of Charles Miehiing, aged 22 years. ‘The relatives and frienas are respectiuily mvited to attend the funeral, trom her iate residence, No, $5 avenue B, tes (Sunday) Allernoon, at one O'clock. Mureny.—ln Brooklyn, 8. D., on Saturday even- ing, December 25, EpWAkD J, AIURYHY, aged 22 years aud 6 months, Nouce of funeral hereafter. McCULLOvGd.—On Friday, December 24, M(Lma McCULLOVGH, native of Tyrone, irelaud, aged 74 years, 4 months and 16 days, Tae relatives and friends of the family, also those of bia son-in-law, James Sintiey, invited to attend tne funeral, this (Sunday) afternoon, as one o’ciock, from the residence of his son, Pever Mo- Cullougo, 530 West Forty-lourth street. McMAHON.—At Harlem, on Friaay, December 24, CHARLES MCMAIION, The relatives and friends of the family are respect- faliy invited to attend the funeral, from his late resie dence, Lhird avenue and 129tn street, this (Sanday) afternoon, at hail-past one o'clock. O'CONNELL.—On Saturday, December 25, CarHa- RINE O'CONNELL, Oldest child of Dennis and Ana O'Connell, aded 7 years and 8 months. ‘The relatives and friends of the family are respect- fully invited to attend the funeral,from the residence of her parents, No. 345 Ease TRirty-ninth street, tals (Sunday) morning, at ten o'clock. Retkes.—-Ou Thursday, December 23, after a short sliness, JOUN AUGUST REINEXS, aged 46 years, 3 months and 22 days. ‘The relatives aud friends of the family ana the memvera of the German Bretnren Society, and also the members of the United German Brethren Society, are respecttutly invited to avtend the funeral, this (Sunday) ufternoon, at one o'clock, from Emanuel charch, Kighty-taira strees, between Second and Third avenues, without further notice. RUS3BLL.—On Friday, Deceuoer 24 Captain BEX JAMIN RUSSBLL, of this city, aged 62 years. ‘The family and friends are respectfully invited to be present at the funeral, to take piace from his late residence, 145 Hust Forty-eighth street, tuis (Sum- day) afcernoon, atone o’ciock. New Orleans papers please copy. SHERIDAN.—On Saturday, December 25. Pru Suerivan, aged 90 years. Notice of funeral in to-morrow's paper. TOGGENBURG.—Un (Saturday morning, December 25, of croup, MARY JULIA ‘1OGGEBNEO daughter of Justug F, aud Mary ©, Tozzenburyg, aged 2 years. ‘yhe funeral will take place on Mouaay morning, at ten o'clock, from No. sis West Tweuty-ffta street. ‘VOWNSEND.—On Friday, Decemver 24, of searies fever, WaLTeR, son of Edward M, and Betunda ‘Townsend, in 6th year of his age. The funeral services wiil ve Leid at Oyster Bay, L. 1, to-day (Sunday). Treacy.—Un Friday, December 24, after a short fliness, Parnick TReavY. & native of Limerick, lre- jand, aged 18 years and 6 months, ‘The relatives and frieaus of the family are respect fully invited to attend tne funera’, frout bis late resi~ dence, corner of state and Furman streess, Brooklya, this (Sunday) afternoon, at two 0 Cluck. WALSH —Un Saturday, December 25, James ce from his late residence tive of Kagland. No. 805 West Forty-lirst street, tais (Sunday) aice: noon, at one o’ciock. Kelatives and frend are respectfuily 1uvited to attend, Bolton papers please copy. Watreks,—On Saturday morning, December 25, EDWARD WALTERS, @ Dative Of the towa of Long- ford, Ireland, aged 26 years, ‘The relatives aud friends are reapectrully tavited to attend the funeral, on Monday aiternoon, a two o'clock, from the residence of bis pareats, No. Lot Navy street, near Myrtle aveaue, Brooklyn. ‘alifornia papers please copy. Wuirr.—In Brookiyn, L. L. on Saturday, Decem- ber 25, BARTOW F. Wars, M. D., in the ovth year of his age. Notice of faneral hereafter. WiuLers.—On Saturday, December 25, Enwin WILLTAM, infant twin son of Charles W, aud Saran J, Willeta, aged two months. Services at the residence of the parents, Kent avenue, near Myrtie avenue, Brookiyn, this (sunday) aiternoon, at four re hme by aad friends spectfully Invited to attend, a eitcon On iday evening, December 24. in Hariem, Mary Evtzasern, only daughter of Sidoey and Mary Wtlson, in the 12th year of her age, Funeral services at tue house of H, A. Miller, 12 th street, between Third and Fourth avenues tals (sua~ day) afternoon, at two o'clock, fae remaiis Wi) oe taken to Lroy for interment. ‘ro: Ts please copy. Wortsnee-on Friday, December 24, after a ae vere iliness, CATHRINA LENORA, youngest dw of Henry and Lena Wolters, aged 4 montis WALSH, & ‘The funeral will take ¥3. Kelatives and friends are respectfolly invited to attend the funeral, tiis (Sunday) atternovn, at ove o'clock, from her late residence, corner Of Westhe avenue and Keap street, Williamsburg. The remains will be taken to the Lutheran Cemetery. LT : TRAGEUY IN RUSSIA. A fearful drama has occurred in the village of fkud, Russia, where tae eigat members of a Jewish family were murdered aud the house burned ta order to conceal the crime, The perpetrators were tive farm laborers who called for some refreshment, aud on refusing to pay were roughly spoken to by te Woman who kept the house. Ihe men then became furious and despatched the woman, her sister aad four chiidren, Whose bodies they piled np and set fire to, Lying in ambush, toey awaited the return of the husband and son, Who met Wit Cue BUMMG fate, murderers have been captured.