The New York Herald Newspaper, January 5, 1870, Page 8

6 NEW YORK HERALD ’ BROADWAY AND ANN STREET, JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR, ‘ manhannneen All business or news letter and telegraphic despatches must be addressed New Yor« Hxravv. . Letters and packages should be properly S AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, 14th street. HERRMANN, THR Guar Pexstricrrareor, NIBLO'S GARDEN, Lerrts Ew’.y. Matinee qeeves-—Tae DRAMA OF WOOD'S MUS®UM AND MENAGERIE, Broadway, cor- Ber Thirticth «t.—Matinee dali. Ferformesioe eveey evening. BOWERY THEATRE, _ Bowery. Hoga, THE SAVAGE— Couaien anv TAmtor—) WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway and 18th street. CantmaL Pan. THE TAMMANY, Fourteenth street.—Taz BURLESQUE Ov Bap Di0KEY. GRAND OPERA HOUSE, corner ot Hichin avenue and 2c street, —LINGARD'S BURLESQUE COMBINATION, BOOTH’S THEATRE, 28d st, between Sth ana 6th arn— Bows Booru as HamiEr. OLYMPIC borage Broaaway.—Tak Weittna on Tar Walt, FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE, Twenty-fourth st.—A New Way to Pay O_p Dents. MRS. ¥. B. CONWAY'S PARK “THEATRE, Brooklya. — MvCH ADO AvouT 4 MERouant OF Venton, £0. TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, 201 Bowery.—Comro Vouatism, NEGRO MINSTRELSY, 4c. Matinee at 2)5. THEATRE COMI UE, 514 Broadway.—Comio Vooat- 18m, Neauo Acts, 1c, Matinee at 24. BRYANT'S OPERA HOUSE, $B, Tammany Butliing, 14th @t.—BRYANI'S MINSTRELS. SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRRLS, 586 Bros |way, -KTitto- PiaN MinsTRELSY, NeGRo Acts, &0.—“Hasu.” NEW YORK CIRCUS, Fourteenth street.—FQuratTetax AND GranAtrto PERFOUMANOHS, £0, Matines at 24, HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, _ Brooklyn.—Hooury’s Mineregie—A DrLuogp Viorim, 40. APOLLO HALL, corner 28th street and Broadway.—TuE Caspr GIANT. NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway,— Bewrnoxk AND Azt. LADIES’ NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY; 618} Broadway.—FEMALES ONLY UN ATTENDANCE. TRIPLE ‘SHEET, New York, Wednesday, January ry Sy 1870. | conresTs = ‘To-pay's HERALD. Pace. 1—Advertisemenis. ‘2—Advertisements. 3—The State Capital: Organization of the Legis- Jature; Governor Hotfman’s Annual Message— ‘The Telegraph Operators’ Strike : ‘ne Move- ment Becoming General Along the Lines— Reported Heavy Failure. 4@—Governor Hoffman's Message to the New York Legislature (continued from third page)—Ab- stract of the Annual Report of the Commis. stoners of Charitles and Correction—Discovery of another Giant. S—Europe: The Debates and Platform of the Deis- tical Council at Naples—Hayu: Particulars of the Capture of Port au Prince—News from the tho West Coast of Africa—Proceedings im the Courta Yesterday—Pickpockets and the Police in Broadway. G—Editoriala: Leading Article on the Governor's Message—Presidentia! Move ou the Money Question—Washington: The Samana Bay Pur- chase—Ripping Filth Avenue—amusement Announcements, ‘7—Telegraphic News from all parts of the World : No King for Spain; End of the Paraguayan War—sketches of the French Liberal Minis- ters—The Prison Snips in the Bay—Sale of Seats at Plymouth Church, Brooklyn— Suicides in Fifth avenue and Division street— The Sieepy Hollow Murders—Election of the Auanuic and Great Western Ratlroad Com- pany—George Peabody's — Will—Business Notices, S&—The Bauman-Almao Tragedy: The Coroner's Investigation at the Morgue—Correspondence Between the Pope and His Clergy in New York—New York City and Police Intelligence— ‘The Tonnage Dues Question: Meeting of Ship- masters—Organization of the Commercial ‘Traveilers’ Society—Judge Dowling’s After- noon Walk—A Dish of Hash—Brooklyn City News. 9—Financlal and Commercial Reports—The Red River Rebellion; Canadian View of the Situa- tiou—The Suez Canal: Lettergfrom M. de Les- seps—Accidents from the Careless Use of Fire- arms—Marriages and Deaths. 10—Custom House Affairs: A Review of What is Being Done—Sudden Deatn of a Faithless Wwfe—Cock Fighting in Brooklyn—Arrivai of Waiter Brown, the Champion Oarsman, at Home—Obituary—Revelation of Lite tn the Great Metropolis—The Alleged Female Swin- diler at Poughkeepsie—Amusements—European Markets—-Shipping News—Advertisements. 41~—The Domestic Tragedy Cycle: Love and Jeal- ousy and Attempted Murder and Suicide— Scan, Mag. un Massachusetts—Ezra Gregory to be Tried for Murder—Advertisements. 12—Advertisements. TamMAny’s Trivmpn in the new Legislature is complete. Bismarck Sweeny found it easier than he expected. The rural districts are nowhere, and Jacobs is satisfied. A Caatienae vo THE ‘OLvEsT INHaBi- tant—To glve us the year and the day before 1870 when the Hudson river was open in January right through without interruption to Albany, for steamboats, tugs and tows. Tux Fat or Porr av Prinor.—We pub- lish in another column the particulars of the fall of Port au Prince, the last stronghold of Salnave. The palace, arsenal and barracks have all been destroyed. In face of all these disasters Salnave still holds out and expresses his determination to die with the power which he has so long exerted. Tue TeLecrarH Oprerators’ Strrke is as- suming formidable dimensions. The Western Union office is almost deserted, and as this company have exclusive wires in many direc- tions the business of the public must suffer in consequence, This is in part the result of allowing so huge a monopoly to exist. If the government owned the lines there would be no strikes, for the wages would be just. Tue ParaavayaN War.—The latest news from Rio Janeiro informs us that the Paraguayan war is ended, that Lopez has been driven into Bolivia, and that the allies are now preparing to withdraw their forces from Paraguay. We were hardly prepared for this announcement. The news received prior to ‘is informed us of Lopez's fiight from the try. Now, according to all precedent he by this news, to be back again fighting, order to sustain the reputation of Brazilian ation, the chief characteristic of which in being consistent in inconsistency. NEW YURK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, The Governor's Message is before.our read- ers. It is an exhibit of the workings of our State government and of the Governor's views upon our local and national affairs, upon which he has evidently devoted much care and deliber- ation, There is nothing, however, very star- tling in his recommendations or protests, and upon the whole he is rather conservative than revolutionary, feeling that power involves responsibility, and that responsibility teaches moderation, His report on the condition of the finances and debt of the Commonwealth {s not discour- aging; he pleads earnestly for a liberal policy in support of the State canals; he is a firm be- liever in our common schools, and has no dan- gerous experiments in regard tothe Bible, or a sectarian division of the funds to recommend ; he calls attention to the necessity of some spe- cial legislation for the government of the State prisons; he suggests a law authorizing a per- sonal examination of the banks; he proposes some measure for the better equipment and training of our State militia ; he fayors a help- ing hand to our charities and asylums; he recommends some further appropriation to the West Bank Quarantine Hospital; he submits quite a budget of recommendations in the way of general laws, including a general power to construct new roads and avenues into the in- terior from New York and Brooklyn; he urges a repeal of the conspiracy law, and with con- siderable force, too; he suggests the passage of a law against injunctions or receivers on ex parte application, the revision of the apprentice laws, and of the Revised Statutes, and the needful laws for carrying out the new Judiciary article of the State constitution. He gets then into deeper water on the Regis- try law, but broadly adopts the general demo- cratic idea that registration is an abomination and ought to be abolished. On the criminal laws he submits that some amendment is needed in a more distinct classification of the different degrees of murder. On the excise question he prefers the good old democratic free and easy system to the rigid taxations and pains and penalties of radicalism. He pleads for a general reconstruction of our municipal affairs, and the merging of the independent commissions into a consolidated establishment under the Mayor; and, finally, on our local concerns, for the sake of economy and to pre- vent swindling in the job, he pleads for the consideration of the city and county tax levies early in the session—a nice little tub for the amusement of the public whale. Having thus disposed of State matters, the Governor takes a long breath, stretches him- self, takes a turn or two around his room, and then, like a man whose eye ranges from his present “‘pent up Utica” to the “whole bound- less continent,” he proceeds to the discussion of our federal affairs, State affairs have already become to him a sort of humdrum drudgery which must be attended to; but having disposed of it, he launches upon the broad sea of our national affairs as if he were already writing his first annual exhibit to Con- gress. His message upon these affairs may not inaptly be styled his pronunciamento for the next Presidency. For instance, he thus opens with a broadside against the ‘‘powers that be” at Washington on the tariff :—‘‘] pro- test against the favoritism of our present tariff laws, which have virtually destroyed American shipping, and which bear oppressively upon the masses of the people, and especially upon the agricultural States.” A good democratic shot this, for the East and for the West, followed as it is by a handsome little stump speech on the subject. The Governor likewise protests against ‘‘the revolutionary course of Congress with refer- ence to amendments of the constitution of the United States, by which, among their other efforts at centralization, they seek the absolute control of elections in the States.” This means the rescinding of the resolution of our last Legislature ratifying the fifteenth amendment on negro suffrage. He next protests against the action of Congress and the President in another reconstruction of Georgia after her restoration to the Union, and he protests against the longer exclusion from representa- tion of any of the States. These protests will meet the general concurrence of the demo- cratic party, though they are becoming thread- bare. But the Governor, on ‘‘federal affairs,” it must be understood, is defining his position, not to the Legislature, but to the democracy at large—the immediate business portion of his message being off his hands. It is, however, upon the general finances of the United States that the Governor lays him- self out. Uponthis important subject Horatio Seymour desired to fight the battle of 1868, and he did his best to keep it in the foreground and the nigger and the war in the background ; but General Frank Blair and General Wade Hampton were too much for him, and so the nigger and the war were again made the issues of the campaign, as in 1864, and with the same results. The Governor now, however, foresees that the nigger is substantially settled, that a few democratic generalities will do on the war and reconstruction questions, but that on specie payments he has a broad field, upon which, in getting out his patent right now, he may hold it against all his democratic com- petitors—Seymour being as ‘‘dead as a door nail.” To sum up, the Governor's Message may be reduced to two divisions—that on State affairs, which makes it all right with the democracy of New York, and that on national affairs, which brings him into the front line before the democracy of the Union as a lineal descendant of General Jackson. Backed, moreover, by Tammany Hall and a democratic Legislature, who ia there in the party camp that has a better start than Hoffman for the National Democratic Convention of 1872? Sweepine Coaree AGAINST st. POLIOEMEN. — Judge Dowling made a statement at the Tombs yesterday which calls for a close investigation on the part of the Police Commissioners. He said he knew that the policemen in the Fif- teenth ward received a commission from female pickpockets on each successful venture. If it is really the case that our protectors against thieves are in the pay of the thieves we are in a bad way. That it might be so in a few cases has been plainly evinced by the recent conviction of two policemen for robbery; but when a charge so sweeping is made against all the policemen of a precinct it requires investl- gation. All things considered M. Ollivier has suc- ceeded in organising an able and liberal Min- istry, It was hardly to be expected that he would interfere with Napoleon's selection of Ministers for War and Marine; so that we are not surprised at the retention of General Leboouf and Admiral Rigault de Genouilly, But otherwise the Premier of France has made &@ complete and sweeping change. Count Napoleon Dara, who has been appointed to the Foreign Office, is one of the most liberal sup- porters of the empire. His elevation to so important an office is a curious illustration of the mutations wrought by time, the Count having been imprisoned in the period of the coup détat for advising the impeachment of the Emperor. Quite recently he publicly ad- vocated the extension of amnesty to the Orleans princes, and in a conversation he held with the Emperor urged the policy of allowing them to return to France. It will be remembered that Napoleon paid marked atten- tion to Count Daru’s suggestion and went so far as to request him to call again and resume the discussion of the subject. As Count Daru had almost made his acceptance of a position in the Cabinet conditional upon this measure of liberality towards the exiled princes it would seem probable that Napoleon has yielded to his suggestions, The appointment of M. Buffet as Minister of Finance is auother gratifying indication of the earnestness and honesty with which the Em- peror is endeavoring to establish constitutional government in France. M. Buffet is one of those who disapproved the coup d’ état of December, and retired from political life rather than support the new empire. It is true that subsequently he became a supporter of Napo- leon, probably because he appreciated the great material benofits which the new government was bestowing upon France. But he has always ranked with the strictly liberal (not radical) party, and from the time of his reappearance in public life has worked diligently with M. Ollivier and others of the ters parti to convert the per- sonal to a constitutional rule. Of course all the new ministers are, and have been for years, adherents of the Bonaparte dynasty. Marquis de Talhouet, Charles Louvet, de Parleu, de Valdrome, Legris and Richard have, some of them, been government candidates for the Corps Législatif, and are all more or less devoted to Napoleon. It was not to be expected that M. Ollivier woulé appoint as minister any person inimical to the ruling house; still there has been a great progressive movement in the right direction, Napoleon evidently under- stands and appreciates the situation, and if the new Ministry fails to meet the expectations of the people it will not be because he has not sacrificed some personal prejudices at their demand, The Spanish Governmental Crisis. The Spanish throne question agitation has culminated in a governmental crisis which leaves the country, for the moment, without either a crown, cabinet or any other, really visible form of rule; King Victor Emanuel has given a decided negative to the proposi- tion of the candidature of his nephew, the Duke of Genoa. The royal missive was re- ceived in Madrid last Sunday. The fact was kept secret by the Ministers until yesterday, when it was duly promulgated. General Prim, the hero of Morocco and Mexico, ap- pears to have been knocked ‘‘in a heap” by the simple telegram from Florence ; for, as we are informed by cable to-day, the Premier, with all the members of the Cabinet, resigned, so that the country remained ad interim without either monarch or marshal as the executive. The Duke de Montpensier was looked for, but he was in no hurry, for he replied that he could not come to Madrid ‘‘on account of the situation created by Italy.” This looks to us to be a very unfortunate, really sad, situation. From Spain to Italy, and again from Italy to Spain, it speaks of a Latin race degeneracy which cannot be arrested except by the application of some prompt, radical cure. Where this remedy may come from or in what shape it may be administered it is very difficult to say. The great state doctor of the Tuileries may find himself, perhaps, equal to the emergency, but may not be willing to tender his advice before he is regularly called in and suitably feed. For such a course, ina case of much less difficulty, the late Sir Robert Peel afforded him an example. When in opposition in Parliament he was at one time taunted with the condition of Ireland, and the fact that he had frequently boasted that he had a cure for it, but had not told the House what that cure was. To this the British statesman quietly replied that he acted quite in accordance with professional etiquette and did not prescribe before he was “regularly called in to treat the patient.” Perhaps Physician Bonaparte waits to be ‘‘called in” to Spain. The room is now clear and the native physicians out. In such a crisis Physician Bonaparte the First would “walk in” and ‘‘let blood” or soothe just as hethought fit. Times are altered, however, and the education of imperial M. D.’s is differ- ent. Spain may be forced to sicken still more. What will become of the colonial family ? Arrarrs AT THE Custom Hovse.—A fall report in another column gives a comprehen- sive review of some of the innovations in the system of doing business at the Custom House, The new Bond Bureau is said to be a good reform, as it centralizes the bond business and gives an opportunity for closer scrutiny and a more strict surveillance. The new cartage organization is creating some commotion among merchants and importers, quite @ number of the latter believing it to be a move to bring the army of cartmen under the poli- tical control of the Custom House and make of them republican voters. If what is said about the new practice of selling the samples be true it is not wonderful that some of the parties interested should find it ridiculous. A number of new reforms are suggested and many faults existing pointed out for correction, Tur Canre.—If the French Cable Company is able to hold on against the blackmailing games of the Western Union it will surely become the stafting point for a new system of land lines that will dispute the sapremacy of the Western Union monopolists. The desire to correct the abuses of these men therefore may best be realized by supporting the new compan. JANUARY 5, 1870.—TRIPLE SHEET, ‘The Flow of Specie te Asia. To China and India, and especially to China, the specie of the world has fiowed for ages and continues to flow aa water Into a great gulf, Nearly every steamer that leaves San Francisco for China takes out a large amount, and the steamer China, which sailed on the ist inst, for Hong Kong and Yoko- hama, carried within a fraction of seven hundred thousand dollars in treasure. The Asiatica have tea, allks and other things to sell, which we and the people of other nations must have; but they do not take of us in return manufactures and products, exclusive of apecie, to balance the trade. Indeed, the balance is always largely against us and has to be made up by the shipment of specie. ‘This extraordinary and continual gulf in Asia for the precious metals is a very curious thing to contemplate, But the practical question for us to consider—and for our government, merchants and shippers to con- sider—is how we are to create or stimulate a market in Asia for American manufac- tures and products, so as to bring about a balance of trade. The time sp- pears favorable for this. Under the present comparatively liberal government of China and the Burlingame treaty, and in the rapid devel- opment of trade with Japan, there appears to bea good opportunity for increasing our ex- ports to that part of the world, and for intro- ducing many things from this country which the Asiatics may want or would soon learn to want. We call the attention of Congress and of our merchants to the importance of this subject. There is a race commencing among commercial nations for the opening and future trade with Asia, and, considering our geo- graphical position and the enterprise of our people, this country ought soon to have the largest share. Shall we seize the advan- tages, or let them slip from us when they are within our grasp? That is the question. Popalar Scientific Lectures. The Young Men’s Christian Association has shown a clear sense of one of the most urgent wants of the time by inviting several eminent men—such as Doremus, Noyes and Waterhouse Hawkins—to deliver in the hall of their new building, on the corner of Twenty-third street and Fourth avenue, a series of popular scien- tific lectures. A commendable object of the Association is to show by these lectures that, in the words of Mr. Randall, Superintendent of Public Schools in New York city, ‘‘the imper- ishable tablets of the Christian faith can never be marred or dimmed by contact with: true science, sound philosoply and advancing civil- ization and knowledge.” The day has happily passed away when it was deemed that scientific research and discovery would lead to results at variance with the paramount authority of revelation, On the contrary, it is now almost universally conceded that truth is uniformly and necessarily consistent with itself. Fully recognizing this fact, the Young Men’s Christian Association has invited Professor Doremus to give four lectures in their spacious hall, on ‘‘the Chemistry of Creation.” These lectures willbe delivered on the successive Fridays of this month. They will be open to the general public, and their proceeds are to be devoted to furnishing the building. The learned professor will compare the Biblical and the scientific accounts of the creation, demonstrat- ing that, rightly interpreted, they do not contra- dict, but rather confirm each other. Illustrations will be profusely drawn from the wide fields of chemistry, physics, geology and astronomy, in their relationship to the history of the universe. Special and costly preparation has been made for brilliant experiments illustratiug the physi- cal and chemical qualities of gases, their lique- faction and purification and their chemical union producing heat and light. A couple of chandeliers will display the prodigious advan- tages of the new oxyde-hydrogen light. An immense galvanic battery will be used. Diamonds will be burned. Mercury will be frozen in red hot crucibles, Spectral analysis will be. explained by the aid of the largest prisms inthe world, The latest discoveries made by the use of the spectroscope, an instru- ment second only in importance to the tele- scope and the microscope, will be revealed. Those new bodies, the Rubidium, the Ceseum and the Thalleum, will be exhibited. In fine, both the lectures and the experiments promise a rich intellectual treat. It is an encouraging sign of the times that the growing demand for entertainments of so high an order is to be so abundantly supplied. Nosirsse Onricx.—Ex-Queen Isabella as- serts that sho has not heeded the proposals made to her since her stay in France by the Duke of Montpensier, out of consideration to the Emperor Napoleon. It is really wonderful how considerate people become when misfor- tune befalls them. Probably she foresaw that by adopting any other course than the one she has selected she would not have bettered her position. At all events, she has proved herself very considerate, and the Emperor will doubt- less duly appreciate her good intentions. Beronrr’s Benerit Nicut.—The annual renting of pews took place in Plymouth church last night, and, as the aggregate result of the sales amounted to four thousand dollars more than last year, it is fair to presume that shares in Plymouth church godliness have a steady upward tendency. One drawback, such as the managers of other places of amusement have frequently complained of, was also expe- rienced by Plymouth church. Speculators, it is said, in some instances made their little income by invegting cheaply in reserved seats and selling out at increased rates to later comers. Among the purchasers was Mr. James Fisk, Jr.; but whether he proposes a worldly or a heavenly speculation is another question. A TrweLy Cnarcr.—Judge Bedford, in the Court of General Sessions, yesterday delivered a charge to the Grand Jury which touches the right spot in these days when half a dozen murders or murderous assaults are reported every twenty-four hours, and only three con- victions have resulted out of forty-two mur- ders committed in the year just closed. He charged the jury that they must give strong aid to the officers of the law in order that crime may no longer be committed with impu- nity, and that the laws must be enforced, be the consequences what they may. With the record of only the past few days before us the timeli- *) ness of this charge will be readily appreciated. The Dolstion! Conucll iz Naplee—United Italy as tt ie. By special letter from Naples woe report this morning the third day’s proceedings of the members of the Deistical Council assembled in that city, with the resolutions which were adopted by them preparatory to the adjourn- ment of the body. In previous communica- tions from the same pen we have already do- tailed the inauguration of the meeting and its preliminaries. We now present its platform and results, The exhibit is a strange one, coming as it does from a classic, educated and at one time over pious land, to be read by Americans in the full light of the civilization and common school education of the nineteenth century, The Council in Naples was called ostensibly in opposition or by way of a free-thinking Contrast to the Ecumenical Council in Rome, but, as will be seen, the representatives hur- ried on with such rapidity of thought that they almost immediately lost sight of the very reverend and aged gentleman who claims to be the visible vicegerent of God on earth, and soared far away over his head to assail and defy the heavenly enthronement. There wero Frenchmen, Italians, Germans and English- men; 80 that the war notes went forth in a chorus of almost Babelic utterances. It was young Italy and old and young France, with a decrepit assumption of medimval Britain, in what appears to us a poor plagiarism of Voltaire and a miserable imita- tion of Robesplerre, lacking the genius of the one and the personal courage of the other, and with the Goddess of Reason behind the scenes, ‘‘War to the death with God,” “‘war to religion and the princes,” were the short and sententious utterances with which the doctrine of woman’s rights and the more subtle essentiala of many of the modern isms which have crept so silently into the midst of our own population in many places were proclaimed. The promulgation of a gen- eral proclamation of atheism was advocated, and finally, as we are told in conclusion, “many illustrious atheists gathered at the table, not to protest against the Ecumenical Council, but to combat God.” Unhappy Italy! In her pursuit of union and consolidation has she evolved only the elements of governmental disunion and social anarchy? Loosing herself voluntarily and by violence from a recognized centre of dis- cipline and order, is she really incapable of walking alone in decency before the nations, or has she fallen from the path of rectitude merely in temporary lapsus in consequence of an unadvised adoption of a new code of morals—one which bears such fruit as was lately seen in the palace near Florence during the moribund marriage of her death-sick King? In that ae it was free love and a marriage, y It is Deism and ‘“‘war on God.” We regret all this sincerely, It is to be lamented for the sake of Italy, her morals, her government and her finance, for the sake of France and for the sake of Germany. Our special writers in Paris have told and tell of Traupmann; from Germany we have news of the murderer of a clergyman, who, as he infurmed the judge, was convinced at nineteen years of age that “there is no God, that it was all a fable,” and even worse. Among ourselves we have mur- ders, family butcheries, assassinations, the knife, socialism, clerical sentimentalism, free love and deathbed marriages. What is the reason? Is it from an unrestrained license of preaching and teaching? Shall we have a moral reaction and repentance, or » complete dissolution of the bonds of society? The Mayor and the Broadway Bore. Itis unfortunate for the operators of the Broadway bore that they secured thelr fran- chise under a régime that has passed away, and have not yet advanced their undertakipg to such a stage that the sanctity there is in thé name of private property can be advanced for its protection. They will evidently have to secure their franchise again if their case comes before the men at Albany. Thus it will cost them double. This, we say, is unfortunate for the operators of the enterprise; but we are not sure whether it is unfortunate for the public, It is certainly desirable that we should know by experiment the possibilities of such a scheme. If packages, and, above all, if pas- sengers, can be sent up town expeditiously and safely by any means within the scope of the company’s plan the people would be glad to see itdone; but the experiment must even then be made without hazard to the surface of our great thoroughfare. We cannot afford to en- danger what we have for the chance of getting something else. If the tube company letg down the pavement, may it not also let down the foundation walls along the street? And if it does very extensive damage in this way how does anybody know whether it can pay for it? We hope, therefore, the Mayor may push his . investigation. Spanish Despotism IN THE Bay.--The Spanish gunboats in the bay do not seem to be in a fair way to reach Cuba for some time ; for even if Mr. Delamater's bill is settled the Americans among the crew will probably all desert and leave the vessels helpless. Throe of these men, who had been acting as engineers on board the gunboats, arrived iu this city yes- terday and made a statement before Commis- sioner Shields of outrages and barbarity on the part of the officers which, if true, should subject them to severe punishment. Commis- sioner Shields said the State courts alone had jurisdiction in the matter, and it is to be hoped that they will take some action in reference to it immediately. One oF THE SADDESt COMMENTARIES ON Crimg is the story of the visit of Annie McNa- mara’s mother and sisters to the Morgue to identify her dead bo Coat ALMANACS.—We were to have had a very cold winter. What has become of it? We were assured that the woodchucks or some fellows of that sort had laid up an uncommon store of provender—an infallible sign of a severe and long winter. Moreover, the dig- gers in the soil discovered that all the worms had gone to an unusual depth, and the hunters found that the wintering birds were never 80 thickly feathered. All this seemed to be the admonition of Providence to man, warning him to lay ina particularly large quantity of coal early in the season, when the price was high, and the admonitions seqm to have come by way of the coal comuanien’ offices. Y Proceedings ta the Legislature, A regular old fashioned democratlo Legis- {ature assembled in Albany yesterday. In both houses the democratio members elected their own officers and opened the proceedings with an abandonment commensurate with the Joy of schoolboys on being free to do as they Please once more. Mr. Tweed, in the Senate, offered a resolution rescinding the one ratify- ing the fifteenth amendment, which, with com- mendable moderation, was postponed until to-day, and notice was given of a resolution to repeal the Excise law and halt the pneumatio borers in their tunnelling of Broadway, In the Assembly the democratic nominees were also elected to office, Mr. Hitchman being chosen Speaker. He made a long addreas on taking his seat, in which he urged moderation in victory, economy in the public expendi- tures and an upholding of the national honor, Mr. Fields, of New York, offered a resolution of sympathy with Cnba, denouncing the weakness of the national administration in their handling of the question of belligerent rights. I¢ was laid over for further consldera- tion, The democratic members of both houses met in caucus yesterday morning and arranged the full programme in regard to the city com- missions and the repeal of obnoxious laws relative to municipal government. Mr. Wasneorn, who has already indicated on the floor of the House that he understands perfectly the character of the telegraph oom- panies, and who is in a position to give effect to his knowledge, should not fail to take notice of the tactics by which the Western Union Company and their allies endeavor to drive from the field every rival that disputes their monopoly. In their conduct towards the French Cable Company be may see their gamo jn fall play. Tox Axpany Lossy will have a rich democratic harvest this session, and the hotela and boarding houses, &c., are counting upon heavy dividends, Will there be a reduction of the city tax levy? No; that is not in the programme, The law at Albany is “make hay while the sun shines.” ball: © sabi WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 1870, ‘The Samana Bay Purchase—Annexation of St, Domingo—lts Value to the United States. As Soon as Congress comes together the President willlay before that body the papers relating to tho negotiations looking to the acquisition of the Bay of Samana and prospectively the annexation of the entire Dominican portion of the island. The Presl- @éut, when first the question of @ foothold in tno West Indies was brought to his attention, gave special consideration to the resources and geographi- cal advantages of such points as it was probavie the United States might acquire, particularly for naval purposes. His researches poited to tho extensive and fertue jsland of St. Domingo and the commodious Bay of Samana, whicn would forms mach needed rendezvous for our navy. To add to the facilities of consummating the acquisition nego- tiations were opened between the Dominican gov- ernment end the United States for the transfer of the bay to the latter Power- During their visit in July last Senator Cole and General Babcock tra- versed some portions of the island, and retarned not only with glowing accounts of its fertility, but a'so of the favorable disposition of the government to transfer ita authority to the United States. This led to what bas since transpired in placing the question in a tangible shape. From what he has read and learned from Other reliable sources the President expressea the opinion that St. Domingo 1s, taken as @ whole, @ finer and more desirable acquisition than Cuba would be were Cube politically in the attitude of St. Domingo, qualified to negotiate for the alienation of territory The President considers, from what he can learn, that ag a sugar, coffee and cotton growing country St. Domingo i@ more valuable, though the gold of the Cibao will doubtless first attract emigration as @ nucleus of future population. In regard to gold he very aptly remarked:—‘-Gold may enrich the world at large, but 1¢ has never enriched those, as a class, who seek it," ssut the agricultural wealth of the island, 1t# fine harbors and healthy climute are the features which give the isiand ite value. In regard to the present condition of the affair between the two governments nothing will be made public immediately, though there is reason to suppose that the secreoy in the matter will be removed within the next week. General Sickles’ Correspondence with the Spanish Government—A Slight Hope for Cuba. I learn that there is no truth in the atatement pab- lished in a New York evening paper last Monday, to the effect that the Secretary of State had furnished the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations a'copy of a portion of the correspondence between Minister Sickles and the Spanish government. The com- mitteo, as such, hasno right to call upon the State Department for any official papers on file. If thero is ny correspondence desired it must be called for by resolution of the Senate, and then the proviso, ‘if not incampatibie with the public interest,” is always insértea, The correspondence in question was called for by the House during the first days of the session, and it will be remembered Mr. Fish replied that it was not compatible with the public interest to furnish it at present. For some reason best known to himseif he does not think the time has arrived when the cor- respondence that nas passed between General Sickles and the Spanish government and the State Department, relative to Cubs, should be made public, It (s stated that Mr. fish has still an idea that some compromise may be effected between Spain and the Cubans through the United States, and that tne pub- lication of what has already taken place would only embarrass it, Itis possible that Mr. Summer has a knowledge of the nature of the Sickles’ correspon- dence, as his position on the Foreign Kelations Com- mittee entities him to that privilege; but he does not propose to lay tt before his committee. Whenever the me arrives when, in the judgment of Mr. Fish, the correspondence can be given out, Mr. Sumner will know of the fact, and will cali for tt by resolu- tlon of the Senate, The Texas Election. Adespatch from General Reynolds received by the President this morning states’ that all but four counties in Texas have been beard from, the returns giving Davis 775, Meeting of the Cabinet. ‘The first regular meeting of the Cabinet since Con- gress took a recess was held to-day. Ali the mem- bers were present, Colored Children in the Pablic Schools. Acolored child having been admitted to one of the public schools yesterday, seven white children were in consequence withdrawn by their parents. Departure of Minister Low for China. Minister Low has recetvedhis final tnstractions from the State Department and will leave Washing- ton for New York to-morrow evening, an the latter city for China via Caitfornia next eearaad’ “HPPING FIETH AVENUE, Gangs of men are now w nightly engaged in tearing up the work, and in a few days the pavement will totally disappear, to be replaced by some other “patent” arrangement, ‘witch, it is to be ho wi receive the approbation of tne property hol ers. Last night about 120 men were at work on that por- tion of the avenge below Twen' street. Tne advance forces worked on the surface with heavy hoes, removing a few inches of the hard, slimy crust, While those who followed wieided hg and laid bare the old, time-worn portion of the sur. face beneath the solid concrete. As the several gangs of Italian laborers plied their tools we nea:@ the i pass arouud in broken socents, ‘Never tou late to meud.’”