The New York Herald Newspaper, April 10, 1870, Page 6

NEW, XUKK HERALD, SUNDAY; The Rave for Empire—Tho English Speake | tions the English language, or, to use his own ing Peoples. words, ‘Through America England is speak- Some years ago one of the greatest of living | ing to the world,” men—Joseph De. Maistre—a man who, to To sum up what we have said: All the large powers of thought added @ great faculty | movements of the present tend to unity. The of expression, looking to the enormous forces | most potent of the forces are English speaking. now under the control of human brains, and to | The English speaking forces are represented BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR, All business or news letter and telegraphic despatches must be addressed New York HERALD. Letters and packages should be properly sealed. Rejected communications will not be re- turned. JOB PRINTING of every description, also Stereo: typing and Engraving, neatly and promptly exe- culed at the lowest rates: AMUSEMENTS TO-MORROW EVENING. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Pirriy ; on, Tax Kina oY THE GOLD MINES. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Jew oF SOUTMWARK— SINGING, DANCING. 46.—LA Jocnisss. THE TAMMANY, Fourteenth astrect.—Gkanp VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT. +++eNo, 100 the form and character those forces #0 con- his lofty intellectual standpoint, taking in the wide horizon, used these words: “I see the world rushing towards an immense unity, that unity I prefer to be silent.” We do not much wonder that the French philosopher so how to think and how to view things circlo have not had similar visions and experienced similar difficulties, We all feel the onward rush; we are all more or less con- with confidence of the great unity that is to come forth from the womb of the now travail- ing centuries, De Maistre, perhaps, said all that can be authoritatively said on the subject. At the same time we live in the present and trolled were giving to modern times, and, from | Hand by Great Britain and the United States. in hand they are going for- ward, though somewhat unconsciously, to universal empire. Meanwhile it is a common triumph and a common gain, and the nations although of the precise form and character of | are envious, So far as man can now judge Great Britain and America are to make an end of the Babel curse—confusion and division. saw and so spoke; for few men who know | It is a great, a mighty honor, an honor never given to a people or a language before; but beyond the confines of their own narrow | whocan say what terrific rivalry may reveal itself in the future for absolute and universal empire? We do not, perhaps, go too far when we allow ourselves to say that England is scious of the moulding, formative character of | greater ont of England than in it, and that if the present; but not many of us can speak | the world is to become an English speaking unit the world’s centre is much more likely to be New York than London, The New City Appointments—The Oid Democracy True to Its Promises. ROOTH'S THEATRE, 334 8t., between Sth and 6th avs,— ACBETE, we have a perfect right to speculate on the Partial effect was given to the new City future. Most men whose judgments are of | Charter yesterday by several highly important any value are agreed that the disunion of the | changes among the city officials, The high human family is a curse or a misfortune, and | and mighty powers have carried out the work that the reunion or union of the same would be | so far with excellent judgment and with a due a blessing. Rather, it is thought and said, { regard to the city’s welfare that cannot be too that the making one family of all nations | highly commended. The chief of all, to whom and families now on the earth is the | in these columns we have ascribed the better highest perfection that human nature can | qualities of Mephistopheles and the tact and aim at or hope to attain on this side of eter- | judgment of Bismarck—Peter B, Sweeny—has nity. Whatever Babel was, most thinking | resigned his position of City Chamberlain and men are disposed to admit that the divided WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway and 18th street,— MEN AND AORES. OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broaaway.—New VERSION OF HAMLET, PR AVENUE THEATRE, Twenty-fourth st.—FRov 0. GRAND OPERA HOUSE, corner of Eighth avenue and 28d st.—THe TWELVE TEMPTATIONS. WOOD'S MUSEUM AND MENAGERIE, Broadway, cor- ‘Der Thirtieth st,—Matines dally. Performance every evening. MRS. F. B. CONWAY'S PARK THEATRI . & Tuk RaKe's PROGRESS. me eat TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, 201 Bowery.—Com1c VocaLism, NEGRO MINSTRELSY, 40. THEATRE COMIQUE, 614 Broudway.—C. ism, NEGRO somite CPR PONT: Face BRYANT'S OPERA HOUSE, Tammany Building, Mth Bt.—BRYAN2'S MINSTRELS. SAN FRANCISCO INSTRELS, a Et ‘oe pepe ly Ti 585 Broa way.—ETH10- ko. SarLy & LEON'S MINSTRELS, 720 Broadway.—CuiNG- Cuow-IL HOOLEY'’S OPERA HO! . | * MINSTERLE- Pie aoe U3E, Brooklys.—Hoourr's NEW YORK CIRCUS, Fourtees jt Ei AND GrMNANTIC PERPORMANOES: AOS OUEAT RIAN HIPPODROME PARISIEN, “corn ‘Sd av. and 64th st— EQuEsretan Fees. Afternoon and evening. * APOLLO HALL, corser ie See Raw discemcce Tet Steet and Broadway. NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ‘ANATO SCIENCE AND Axt, P 618 Broadway. SHEET, edule , Sunday, ae 10, 1870. CONTENTS OF TO-DAYS HERALD. Pace. 1—Advertisementa. ‘2—advertisenrents. 3—The Darien Expedition; Arrivat of the Guard and Nipsic at Caledonia Bay; {nteresting Par- * uculars of the Work Already Performed—Pro- ceedings of the New York Leguwlature—Obitu- ary—Persona} Intelligence. 4—Financia! and Commercial Reports—Advertise- ments, S—Aavertisements, 6—Edltoriais: Leading Article on The Race for Empire, the English Speaking Peoples—The New City Government: Resignation of Peter B. Sweeny, The Department Appointments— Naval Intelligence—The Nitro-Glycerine Ex- plosion—Amusement Announcements. 7—Telegraphic News from all Parts of the World : A Cabinet Crisis and Ministerial Recanstruc- tion in France; Spanish Army Operations Against the Insurgents and Victory at Barcelona; Boiler Explosion in Balttmore— A dolly Wake: The Late Anti-Siavery Society Dead—Collision on the Belvidere Ratlroad—City Intelligence—Central and South American News—Sulcide of an Insane Woman—New York City aud Rrookiyn Courts—Capture of @ Horse Thief—Indecent Assault on a Littie Girl—arson—Business No- tices, 8—Advertisements, 2—Advertisementa, 10—Washington: Contemplated Change tn Presi- dent Grant’s Cabinet; Attorney Genera) Hoar Will Tender His Resignatton—Roligious Intel- ligence—Kilted by Falling from a Roof—Shock- ing Tragedy at Sea—The Stanton Momorial Fund—The Effect of Strtkes—Shipping Intel- ligence—Marnages and Deaths—Advertisce ments, AT— Advertisements. y2—Adyertisements. Nationa, Economy.—The appropriation for the vew Post Office is cut down to a figure barely sufficient to keep the work in progress, and the appropriation for Hel! Gate is to be treated in the same way. Expenditure is foolishly kept down that a good show of economy may be made before the country. Tae Frese Istanps.—The inhabitants of these islands again show signs of restlessness, They grow restive under British rule. They are anxious for a more liberal administration of their own affairs, owing to the domineering influence of the British, who, according to the despatches received recently “at the ‘War Department in Washington, ‘‘threaten to arrest all persons attempting any- thing” like a movement to the English yoke. The islanders are de- sirous of forming a government of their own, and, this accomplished, then seek the protec- tion of the United States. The British do not like this growing inclination on the part of the Feejceans, and hence will resort to every mca- sure to stifle this yearning of the islanders for independence, BE ANTI-Stavery Soory attempted to die “yesterday, but for some unseemly reason deferred giving up the ghost until to-day. It had its last words portly on its lips, and might have spoken them with considerable éclat yesterday, and by this time we might have hoped it would be quietly in its grave. It has been all ifs life a vain, conceited member of society. It has put down to its own credit the great reform that our great civil war brought forth, and has not near so much claim to it ag the original firers of the Southern heart, such as William L, Yancey and Jeff Davis. In fact, the latter, working inversely, achieved the very work that the Anti-Slavery Society has puffed itself up for doing. All the anti-slavery socie- ties in the world would never have abolished flavery nor commenced the war, which ended in abolishing it without having been com- menced for that purpose, had not the Southern politicians conceived and attempted to carry out ‘the idea of a separate Southern nationality. So let the Anti-Slavery Society after it dies to-day keep quiet in its grave, and no longer attempt to steal the bright record of the Northern soldiery and the few laurels that are forcibly bound about the brows of Yancey and Davis, Toe Anti-§ shake off Eminently these four things—geographical barriers, language, religion, politics. No agents, the fact is patent to all, and unques- tioned. The perpetuation of those four causes of separation implies the perpetual division of extinction of those causes of separation, or the those causes their peculiar power, will render possible, or rather necessary, the union or re- union of the race. These are simple truths, “and not difficult of comprehension. accepted the position of chief of the Commis- and sub-divided condition of the race is a huge | gion on Public Parks, which is the substitute calamity, What is it that so divides the race? | for the Central Park Commission—a substi- tute, however, mainly in name, for it has the same powers, only extended over all the parks matter how these have become isolating’) north of Canal street, and will most probably retain those members to whom the city is indebted for the beautiful garden they have made to bloom on the ancient rocky wastes the human family. On the other hand, the | of Manhattan. Peter Bismarck, in resigning his position as creation of conditions which will take from | City Chamberlain, has also a highly com- mendable point in view. He comprehends the needs of the democratic party on national issues, and now that they have control of the State he intends to take them out of the ruts Isthere anything in modern times, anything | that have kept them looking only to petty in the great motive forces of the present, that threatens the extinction of those isolating causes, or the robbing them of their force or the | national contest. neutralizing of their influence? If there is anything, what is it? We might answer this question in many ways. The simplest way is topoint to facts. Fifty or even thirty years State issues, and to perfect their organization and prepare them for. the coming great As City Chamberlain he elevated our city politics to the high standard of honesty and patriotism, by his example in voluntarily giving up the immense proceeds from the interest on city moneys, which had ago there were parishes in Europe more | hitherto been considered fair perquisites, and widcly assunder, so far as time was concerned, than kingdoms and empires now are at their extreme points. Men not yet old remember when it required two or three months to cross turning them over to the the city treasury; and he has the ability and honesty to lift the State democracy to as fair a height. In order to have leisure to do this he resigns the cham- the Atlantic, We all remember how far away | berlaincy, and Mr. John J. Bradley will California was from New York when the | probably succeed him. golden nuggets tempted the restless spirits of all nations. Now New York is only eight or As to the Police Commission, no changes have actually been made as yet, but two nomi- ten days distant from Europe and as nearly | noes are spoken of as successors to Superin- as possible seven days from San Francisco. tendent Kennedy, who, after many years of Between us and Europe and between us and | honest and faithful service, goes out of office the Pacific coast the geographical barriers | funy respected by the men who were compelled have practically ceased to exist. We have | to fear him, and by the men of both parties and we have made short work of time; and we say much when we add that we do both with ease and comfort, This, however, is not all. annihilated distance, who implicitly trusted him while they felt called upon to condemn somo of his crotchets and ‘mysterious ways.” Captain Jourdan is one of the nominees, and the name of the other Steam has done much, but electricity has done | is 95 yet unpublished. more, There is nota manin New York who can spare ten dollars who has not the power or privilege of instantaneously talking with his friend or friends in London, Paris, Berlin or St. Petersburg. A less sum gives a similar privilege between New York and San Fran- cisco, These agents are working revolutions on all ranks and classes of people in all lands. The newspaper, taking advantage of all these agents, has become mightier than courts and cabinets; mightier than priests and politicians; mightier than blood-stained conquerors and their armed hosts, National rivalry has not In the matter of the Street Department the calmly victorious democracy indulges in a little retributive justice—that is, an extremely mild vent for the harmful malice that might have been exhibited in full force by a less con- siderate victor, It is, in fact, a piece of poetic justice that is required to fill up the dramatic exigency of the situation, The ambitious McLean, of the young democracy, who thought to crush the giant Tweed by ejecting him from adeputy commissionership in the Street De- partment, is himself ejected and crashed and the giant Tweed takes the chief place ceased, nor will it soon cease; but interests formerly held by that bold young democrat, have become more potent than sentiments; and in proportion as interests have ruled so have we risen aboye the barriers of nationalities, The purse is the master of the man, and the gold ring is the monarch of the hour. The spirit of the age demands fair play and no favor, and this spirit, which is levelling ia the last degree, is quite as hard on language and religioa and politics as it is on national boun- daries. All over the civilized world the de- mand for a common language grows. All over, out of New York, politics ceases to pay. The Ecumenical Council reflects the religious trouble of the hour. Christ, but no Pope, with an exiension of his powers by the con- solidation of the Street Department and the petty | Croton Aqueduct Board, under the title of the Department of Public Works. The Health Board and the Excise Board are both about gone by the board, They at- tempted to hold meetings yesterday, but they turned out to be merely the last- expiring throes that usually foreshadow death. So far, then, the victorious democracy shows itself true to its promises, and we sincerely hope they will do as well in the rest of the work that lies before them. The radicals, who pre- dicted civil anarchy and misrule, and the mal- contents, who wanted plunder and spoils, and or rather no infallible Pope, is the cry of | the honest citizens, who feared the desecration those who wish well to Christianity and who regard jt as the best of all beliefs. The State Church is dead in Great Britain, although it may seem to live; for the fate of the Irish Church establishment is an unmistakable index of the enlightened and growing senti- ment of the age. Of all the nationalities, or rather of all the great Powers which are con- trolling the present and shaping the future, we have no choice, but single out two. The one is the parent; the other is the child; but of our Park, will all be disappointed, and some of them agreeably, we hope, by these pre- liminary movements under the new Charter, ba Se cao Tue INeBRiatzs AsyLuM.—The asylum fot inebriates at Binghamton has a large appro- priation from the public purse for its support every year, and {t is said, nevertheless, to be managed altogether in the interest of some few of the persons in charge. Hence there is & proposition now before the Legislature to ap- point trustees on behalf of the State. This is the child in certain respects is more important opposed on the ground that appointing trus- thaa the parent. Say what we may, the | tooy gould tha ke it a political institution, and aggressive, the shaping and controlling forces of the present are English, so far as langnage and the spirit of liberty are condéned, Tho steam engine, the telegraph and the iodern newspeper all speak English. -All the modern forces. so far as language goes, are English. All over the world a man may travel and he wit!’ hear the gladsome old sounds. Britisher and the American meet in Egypt, in China, in the South Seas, at Cape Horn, at the gentleman who <tgues thus holds that the asylum might better fe. duish the State ap- propriation than accept a Sia.” ™anagement. It ought, then, to have this privileg’} for cer- tainly the State should not support any Sia tion for the insane that is not public and nov subject to the direction of the public authori- The ! ties. How Tames Arg In TeNNEssEE.—Governor the Cape of Good Hope, in Australia, and | Senter, of Tennessee, before the reconstruc- the difficulty is, who is who? same language. Parent and child have met. Great Britain now masters ocean, and has her co! It is the tion committee, was asked by Fernaney Wood “whether he considered General Forrest a the | man of veracity, and would believe his state- nics and her trade in| ment on the Tennessee troubles.” This ques- all latitudes. The United States, which have | tioa Governor Senter was not williag to all but mastered a Continent, are almost | answer, and the history of Fort Pillow war- equally omnipresent. The two modern forces rants his hesitation. He said that Forrest was are Great Britain and America, the parent | a “shooting character,” and the reason why and the child. On land and on sea these two he would not give his opinion-was that he ex- great Powers are shaping the destiny of the pected to go back to Tennessee and did not race, England has done much, but as one of | want to assure himself any personal injury. the most hopeful of England’s sons has re- This simple incident tells a: pretty straight cently gaid, America is teaching all the na- story of the condition of Tennessee. APHIB 10,)/1870.+TRIELS Progress of the Darien Expedition. We publish this morning, from our special correspondent with the expedition, full partiou- lars of the progress so far made by the ex- ploring parties on the Isthmus of Darien. As we expected, the labor has been arduous and disagreeable ; but it was not to be supposed that in the Cordilleras of the Andes journey- ing would prove otherwise. Commander Sel- fridge and a surveying party, numbering nearly one hundred’ men, crossed the moun- tain to the Sucubti river in four hours, guided by Indians of the east coast. We regret to say that the trip demonstrated the incorrect- ness of Gisborne and Dr. Cullen in their atate- ments regarding a depression of the Cordil- leras—a small plain which the latter gentle- man claims to have discovered. Nothing of the kind was seen. In addition, his charts and maps have been proven unreliable as re- gards localities and the course of rivers. While admitting that this is unfavorable we do not regard the prospect as in any sense discouraging. It will be noticed that the route pursued by Commander Selfridge is the same one which has been traversed by previous ex- plorers, From the two other surveying par- ties we hope much, and we shall be disap- pointed if they do not discover o feasible route for acanal. That it will bea ronie requiring an immense amount of work we have no doubt, but we are sanguine that the pro- ject is not too gigantic for realization. It must be borne in mind that all that is now sought is a depression of the Cordilleras on this side of the isthmus which will admit of an open cut and obviate the necessity for tun- nelling. Can this depression be found? Does it exist? We feel hopeful that it can and that it does. At any rate, the question of its exist- ence will, we are assured, be fully and finally settled by the present expedition, The details of movements of the vessels and explorers our letters describe in a graphic and interesting form. ‘The voyage of the storesbip Guard, the arrival of the fleet at Caledonia Bay, the powwows with Indians, who are friendly though much opposed to the canal project; the trip across the mountains and the voyage to Carthagena in quest of laborers, are all narrated accurately and pleasantly, and will convey to the reader much informa- tion regarding the tropics as well as of the great work performing. Congressional Tarif! Doctors. The House of Representatives continues to doctor the tariff, and wretched doctoring it is, On Friday the subject of taxing cotton and woollen goods was chiefly discussed and acted upon, and the whole drift of legislation so far was to protect the cotton and woollen manu- facturers, and, as & consequence, to make the people pay a high price for the most necessary articles of general use, For example: cotton shirts, drawers and other articles, knit or woven on frames, are to be taxed five cents per pound and thirty-five per cent ad valorem, and, in addition to this, corsets of manufactured cloth, woven or made in patterns of such size to be fit for corsets, are to pay a tax of three dollars a dozen. We merely present this as an example, but we might go through the whole list of articles to show that the tariff legislation of Congress is to tax the poor— the people generally—and to protect a few manufacturers. More than that, this tariff legislation in some cases is posi- tively stupid. Members know not what they are doing, and just run through the clauses of the bill and the almost numberless articles proposed to be taxed like dull school- boys through their lessons. There is no thought or statesmanship. The duty on wines, for instance, was changed so as to make the poorer classes pay more for ordinary wine and to reduce the cost of the high-priced wines, which only the rich consume. Ags the tariff stood before the high-priced wines had to pay a higher duty. This, of course, fell only upon the rich, who could afford to drink such wines. Now the duty is to be the same per gallon on all wines. ‘he ordinary Bordeaux, that health ful and cheap drink of the people, therefore, is raised in price, while the rich get their wines cheaper. The interests and welfare of the mass of the people appear never to be consid- ered by Congress, Such is the stupid legis- lation with which this country is afflicted. An Anniversary. It was five years ago yesterday that Lee gave up his sword at Appomattox to Grant. The rebellion was then ended, and we have since had five years of the reconstructive effects of peace and politics. Peace has replenished the South wonderfully. Cotton is becoming a greater king under free labor than under slave. The planters have gathered their wrecked materials together and are making their huge plantations to bloom under. the willing hand of a free and peid laborer. Railroads, steamboats and fac- tories are multiplying, telegraphs and newspapers are fernieating where they had never gone before, and buginess is making its fair returns. This is what peace has done. Reconstruction has not had such success, It has half reconstructed on a par- tisan basis the State governments that were in rebellion. It has allowed them to come back with niggardly reluctance and under useless conditions, and it has driven one out again. Those that have come back are rent with politi- cal differences and saddled with rickety Legislatures and insecure laws. This is what politics has done, Under the circumstances, looking upon both pictures, we think Grant and Lee in ending the rebellion achieved more than Sumner, Howard, Butler and Thad Stevens, and that peace is a better recon- structer than politics. Tue Capinet Crisis IN FRANcE.—France jhas experienced a Cabinet crisis. Our suena! cable telegram report from Paris starisd that ib 98 consuisten probable in the A that Gi ht Dara, Mintater of city yesterday that Count Dara, Minister & Foreign Affairs, with MM. Buffet and Talhouet, will resign. M. Ollivier retains the premiership. ie is likely to reconstruct the Ministry, should tite crisis involve the neces- sity, by calling M. Magne and the Viscount de la Guerronniere to the charge of the more important portfolios. This intelligence is important. M. Magne’s accession to office in France has generally heralded some sweep~ ing changes in the European situation. M. Magne knows where and how to find cash for the most plethoric French budgets, and cash, as everybody is aware, makes the ‘‘sinews of war.” Napoleon's faintigg fit was produced: by the pain of & sprained ankle, His Majesty generally experiences a little flutter of ill health before M, Magne assumes a portfolio in his service, He recovers, for the most part, very quickly, however, and European affairs then ‘go lively” for a time, THE NEW CITY GOVERNMENT. ee, RESIGNATION OF PETER B. SWEENY. Palm Sunday Services in the Churehes. Lent draws to a close. To-day we enter upon Holy Week, commemorating the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, In the Catholic and Episcopal churches the ceremonies will be solemn and imposing, and although the evangelical denominations do not observe the day and week with the same strictness, they will not fail to pay to the occasion that respect which it demands. During this week was enacted the greatest and grandest drama that ever occurred on earth since the creation; for within the next seven days, more than eighteen hundred years ago, was witnessed the cruci- fixion of our Saviour. Undoubtedly many of the sermons preached in our churches this day will be devoted to this subject. It is one which has more of interest to the Christian than any other, It is the story of the sacrifice by means of which man can be redeemed and the gates of heaven opened to him. The scenes about the Oy and now Cours House were very animated yerteday, an unusually large number of polimcians being in attendance on the lookout for joaves and fishes under the new régime about to be maugurated, Mayor Hall's ofice was besieged py visitors, and the corridors of both buildings above mentioued swarmed through- out who, dren, flocked aground the potent managers of ‘Tammany, could be gleaned as tothe personnel of we new ap- poeintments, the Mayor and bis colleagues in slate Making evidently determining to maintatn the same degree of reticence which characterized their man- agement of the new charter. There ts little proba- bility of a complete list of appointees to be created belng ascertained until after the consummation of each respective appointment, but the following changes are understood to have been already ae- cided upon:— the day lke quarreisome = but with democratic partisans, repentant cuil- Very information little = reilaple PETER B. SWEENY resigned his position as City Chamberlain and County ‘Treasurer yesterday afternoon, and will be placed at the head of the new Department of Pubito Parks, Mr. Sweeny’s motive for resigning 8 @ desire to relieve himself from all trammels in his work of perfecting the democratic organization aud Preparing it for the great contest in the approacn- ing election. The oMlce of City Cuamberlain was immediately tendered to the Deputy Chamberiain, Hugh Smich, but waa declined by that gentioman, it was understood Last evening that Mr. Jonn J. Bradley would be the next appointment, and that he would accept tie oflice, THE PARK COMMISSION will probably consist. of Peter B. Sweeny, Robert J. Dillon, A. H, Green, Henry A. Hilton and Thomas C. Fielas, This Board has charge of ali parks above We need hardly say, without regard to par- ticular denominations, that Palm Sunday is one on which all persons profeseing the Christian faith should goto church. We can never suf- ficiently impress upon our minds the grandeur of the sacrifice which placed the Son of God upon the cross, Let, therefore, all our readers attend divine worship this day. There is much of irreligion in our midst; men seek false gods and worship them. The true, the pure, the only faith by which salvation can be attained has not as many votaries as it should have. People who are only nominally Christians are not Christains at all, There are many who believe in God, because they dare not doubt His existence, through fear of His power, but who are indifferent to the Son. Let these attend ihe churches and hear the story of His life. It will do them good, It will teach them to appreciate Him who came upon earth to die for men, and from this appreciation will spring that true religious faith which has given to us a civilization founded on the gentler virtues, revealed to us many of the mysteries of nature which paganism could not fathom and almost shown us heaven itself. The Department of Docks. whe new Charter, in creating a Department of Docks, gives its proper importance to a hitherto sadly neglected part in our city gov- ernment. It is one of the most glaring short- comings of municipal administration that there is not from one end to the other of the water front of this great commercial city a single first class wharf, Just such rude piers as a fisherman might build in front of his little shanty are all that this city has to accommo- date the commerce of the world. There is a framework of timber filled in with loose stone, and nothing more. When the timber rots the city authorities seem to say, in their conduct, let it rot, When it rots so that the pier breaks down and the tide comes over it, and, instead of a convenience to shipping, it becomes an obstruction to navigation, the authorities regard it with the same easy indif- ference, But the provision of the new Charter seems to promise that this will be otherwise in the future, and that the docks shall be taken in hand with energetic purpose. The words of the law declare that ‘‘there shall be a Depart- mentof Docks, the head of which shall be a board, consisting of five persons, residing in the city of New York, to be appointed by the Mayor, who shall hold office for the term of five years, and shall possess such powers and perform such duties and receive such compensation as shall be established and defined by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund of the city of New York, and who may, in the performance of such duties, expend annually for the repair or reconstruction of the wharves, piers and slips of said city not more than threo hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars.” Here is ample authority to do all that may be considered necessary for putting the wharves in @ proper condition. Exactly what shall be done was no doubt purposely left open for consultation between the commissioners and the officers named, because the ground is comparatively new, as the care of the wharves has hitherto been the charge of a mere bureau in the Street Department. We cannot suppose that the gentlemen who are, fo virtue of their Office, to give direction to the labors of the new board will stand in the way of any wise plan for improving the docks, With the money to. which the expenditure is limited mych may be done; and, since the words of the law will per- haps be regarded as a standing appropriatian, the commissioners are not likely to be often out of funds, NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. ‘The United States steamer Tuscarore was still at Aspinwall April 1. The United States steamer Alaska, the largest of her class in the navy, has finally taken her departure from this port for the East yesterday, after firing a salute of thirteen guns, and steamed down out ofthe bay. She is @ sixteen-gun sloop of war, ship’ Bad carrying royals; has two auxiliary engines of 800 horse power each. Her destination is Yokohama, Japan, where she will arrive abuut October 5, 1870, Ou her voyago there she will touch at Cape Town, Africa, arriving June 1; Singapore, East Indies, arriving August 20; Hong Kong, ‘China, arriving September 10, thence to Yokohama, Japan, about October 4. These dates allow for “‘lyiag to.’’ Her officers are as fotlows:— Commander, Homer C. Blake, commanding; Licu- tenant Commander, John Crittenden Watson, exec- utive officer; Lieutenans Commander, Colby M. Chester; Lieutenant, A. Snow; Ensigns, R. M, G, Brown, A. V. Wadiams, . Chipp, C. F. Forse, J. B. Smith, N. B. Roosevelt; Mates, Jesse W. Fosier, W. H. Jennings, A. F. Callander, T. 8. Sullivan; Sur- geon, J, H. Clark; Assistant Surgeon, 8. W. Latta; Ps inaster, Frank Clarke; First Assistant Engineer, Ri. King; Sécond Assistant Engineer, F. L. Cooper; First Lieutenant of Marines, J. H. Breese; Poatswain, W. $. Bond; Gunner, George Fouse; Acting Carpen- Saimaker, William tet, B.R. Murphy; H. Howells; Captain's Clerk, J. A. Reynolds; Paymaster’s Clerk, D. D. Brenvan. It might be further mentioned that the Alaska’s mternal reguiations are such as would do credit to any vessel or country. She has classes in all the primary educational ‘oranches, indeed everything that odd jad; sug: | gest for Imbroving the status of American seamen nd the United Staics Navy. rea “one won-clad Miantonomoh has been ordered td Norfoik .r0% Boston, Preparatory to satting tor Hayana. THE NITAL ‘The report that two men were killed at thé’ nitro» glycerine explosion in Ridgefield, N. J., turns out to be untrue. Itappears that all the workmen wete absent from the faciory when tne explosiom o¢-" curred, When the men returned they removed or de- | stroyed all the nitro-glycerine that was in the place, . under direction of Mr. Shaffner, The rormer expio- sion at this place was caused by tue igaition of the high grade of acids by the overfow of the factory, walie the last was caused by the heat of the suo. ‘The name’ of Ridgefield 19 likely to be kept promi- ,uently betore the public tn connection with nitro- iycerine, but the residents in the district wish that [b Wore-oler wise, Caual street, and supersedes the Central Park Com- mission. THE POLICE COMMISSIONERS have not yet ail been decided upon, Between eleven aud twelve o'clock yesterday Mayor Halt catled at the Central Police Onlice wad quietly made his way to Commissioner bosworth’s room. There be was lomoediately joined hy the Democratic Commis. stoners, and conference was held for nearly an hour, with doors closed and locked. ‘There were gesticulanions, assertions, contradictions, aud aduiisions, Mr. Bosworth—the noblest Roman of them ali-insisting upon certain points that Mayor Hall was not disposed to concede, The upshot ‘was that the Mayor leit hurriediy, anu the new Pouce Commissioners Wil not be announced until Monday. 1iia understood that the fight turns upon the SUPERINTENDENT OF POLIOB. Certain pa: desire to have Captain Jourdan, of the Sixth precinct—who is understood to be Superin- tendent Kennedy's successor—set aside, and one of his late sergeants, who has neither the required tn- telligence noy executive ability, elevated to the posi- tion. It 13 sald that Big Six Tweed advocates the ciatms of the ex-sergeant against Jourdan, who ta the popular nominee tor the Superintendeacy. Su- perintendent Kennedy, it 18 proper to state, was uot admitted to the caucus. ‘THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, which swaliows up the old Street Department and the Croton Aqueduct Board, and extinguishes G. W. McLean, wilt be presided over by Mr. ‘Tweed, thus placing ‘him at the uead of a practically much ‘more important department than that from which he was ejected by Mr. McLean, Senator Norton, it 1s stated, will be placed in charge of the Croton Bureau of Mr. Tweed’s Depart- meat. THR FIRE COMMISSION 1s also undecided upon, though Heury Wilson and John J. Biair are announced as among the new ap- powtments to tis Board. THR HEALTI BOARD was to have met at two o'clock yesterday. Henry Smith, Crane, Stephen Sinith, Lincoln and other members were in the building, but at two o’ciook there was no quorum, and te meeting went oy default. {t 18 mot likely that the old Commission will ever again convene. THE EXCISE BOARD died hard yesterday at two o'clock P.M. This body was @ lively one while in existence, but there were too many legislative doctors about, and at twoo'clock it came to an untimely end. Yesterday was named as the time for a special meeting to consider the claims of Commussioner-Treasurer Ben Franklin Manerre to receive the extra salary of $1,500 per year as ‘Sreasurer of the Board. At the hour called, Commissioners Stone and Bosworta were tn their Seats, They waited some time, when Manierre and Brennan came in. Manierre was nervous, and left, carrying Brennan with him. The Board quit tor want of a quorum. After the members had scat- tered it was ascertained that Lincoln was below in the President's office, Henry Smith had gone to the country, Stephen Smith had proceeded to the Bleecker Street Savings Bank to depositsome money tor & child cf one of the Board’s employés, and Crane was not to be found. The Board had not adjourned five minutes when Stephen Smith, Lin- coin and Crane showed themselves ana expressed great, astonishment at the adjournment of the Board. SWEED MASS MEETING, Public Endorsement of His Recent Course Against the Young Democracy—Judge Shandiey Speaks. The bark of William M. Tweed floats glorious ly on. Last eveuing there was & public demonstration at the corner of Rutgers and Canal streets to give en- dorsement to his recent Senatoriat action in the Legislature tn opposition to the young democracy. An immense crowd was gathered and considerable enthusiasm prevailed. Transparencies were hung all round the area, and across tie intersection of Canal street and East Broadway a splendid banner was raised t1 honor of the occasion. A plat form erected in a central position was occupied by several speakers and a band, which discoursed at intervals mauvy popular atrs. Justice E, J. Shandiey presided. On opening the meeting he said they came together to express their public and unqualified ap- provul of the iate action of Mr. William M. Tweed in the Legisiature at Albany. That action, as they well knew, was dictated by tue purest motive, and on all sides 1+ was safe to say it had received the most popular endorsement, Honest, fearless, sin- cere, Mr, Tweed was ever faithfully on the waich for the interests not of his party alone, but of the city 3”, general, ie Shandiey having concluded, the secretary reaa the following ietter from Mr. Tweed; — DEPARTMENT OF Powe Worxs,, New YORK, April 9, 1879, t Sodas, E. J. SAAwDuRY and Gentlemen of the Serpentis - J have received your invitation with pardonable delight and 8 nde. ‘The generous conhdence and uiWaver- be ea ip or coostvents towants a public servant are his Henadt prize. Duties af am urgent public character compel mé to be absent; they, of course, are superior to political Pleaapres or the { Wy, t iriends. Iam thankful, algo, for the RRs uany yon Fe ATorded f now em: phasizing the particular services uy affaire a a a ee - : sk military contests, as well battles. The person happening be the bead of forces at the moment of victory deserves mary credit, and his name becomes most con early bulletin. Yet there are arr Loe ia jates those who perhaps deserve more oredit. Acct- dent gave me recently a pee minence, while demo- Ghats irled and true were obtalaiug the greas result at Albany. But {£ say unfeignedly that Senator bradley deserves more credit than I do. He could not be overawed nor bullied. He was indefai e was prudent withal, His counsel was wise and incessant—his logical eloquence was often made potest, and when courtesy was most appropriate bis amonity of manner won for ourcause many frieuds. ‘There thers among out rural Senators and among our clly members of Assembly to whom I would like to fnvite your kindness, and yet I dare say you will not fall to remember them without my aid, I congratulate you, fellow oltizons, upon the restoration of municipal rignis. I trust our victory, by wise use of its fruits, will result in ears ee party above She plane of neldsh apgrandizement, La redound to the. har- mony and success of our majestic in this me js ‘snd throughout the Union. Wil, Me TWEED. Judge Curtis, Jos, H, G. McCabe, Judge D, D. Bird- gail, John Dp, Fellows, Assistant District Attorney, ana others afterwards addressed the meeting, all in the same strain as Judge Sbandley. Tweed Ratification in the Eleventh Ward. ‘The Eleventh Ward Tweed Democratic Club turned out last evening in large numners at Konn’s, No. 249 East Second street. J. Be Yonge, in tno chair, called the meeting to order in appropriate terms. Renjamin De Yonge, the acting president of tne Gib, made an effective democratic speech, which was loudly cheered, as were his allusions to Senator ‘Tweed, and offered the following resolutions, which Werg unanlimpusly adanted;> _ Retoived, Thnt we recoun{ze fa Wiliam M. Tweed, the trus and tried democrat, the fearieas patriot, the liberal mlatesan and the people's champlon, one in every respect qualitied to be a chief leader of the democratic party, and who posacases "ag giginont degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow ee citizens. muat im thelr a William M. ‘Tweed, Y¥liam ‘domonatyaied (2St_U@ was the right man in tho THAN Mace and ench weil desc7@/O& the thanks of bus con- suivents. 5 Sacon P. SOLOMON spoke of thd services of Mr. ‘Tweed to the democratic party, and tht thie Election bili, the Charter and the abolishment of she Dresent Board of Supervisors were proofs of his WUlegness and ability to secure the people a good aud cheap government; that Tweed had ali the ability of # Teader. He also alladed to the attempt of Amateck to battle with the children of Israel on thelr journey from tgypt, and humorously said that they wero victorious only when the bands of Moses were lifted ud that in this contest the people would sustain r. Pweed in his efforts 1n their behalf. Atter afew remarks by Mr. Sohwartzkopf the meet~ tng. adjourned: ort of the measures of Cook and Martin Nacht+