The New York Herald Newspaper, September 11, 1870, Page 4

4 ‘ STATE AND CITY POLITICS, A Bird’s Eye View of the Coming Struggle. ‘Tho Great Republican Fiasco end Fissle—Dis- may ef the Morrissey and0’Brien Democracy atthe Defeat of Their Plans—The Tam- many Leaders Cool and Serene— Deep Laid Plots-The Wheels Within Wheels—The Pros- pective Nominations. ‘The meeting of the late State Convention and the scenes and incidents of that medley gathering, and its lame and impotent conclusions, haye formed the chief topics of political gossip for the last couple of days. Verily, the mountain nas been in labor with the usual result of bringing forth a mouse. SLAUGHTER OF GREELEY. ‘The delegates to the late radical convention from the city returned full of glad rejotcing at the way in which Conkling humiliated and got “even” with Greeley. It will be remembered that Greeley bitterly opposed Tom Murphy’s appointment as Collector, giving prominence to the charge of “cheating to army contracts, aftiliation with the Tammany lead- ers, connection with Weed tn the Philadelphia'con- vention,” and so forth, Conkling, in reply to all this, in executive session, sailed into the philosopher of Chappaqua in the most scathing style. Greeiey fired back with the charge of cowardly slanderer and other “onpleasant” remarks of like meaning and tenor. Conkling, Murphy, Anhur and the rest “jaia" for Horace, and handsomely, for such a sub- ject, “laid him out.” It was their game to get the greedy Greeley hungering after the flesh pot of the Executive chamber. He was in every way encour- aged and kept in condition for the occasion. Mes- sage after message was sent to him assuring him ‘that the administration was for him; that Murphy, acting under instructions from Washington, would Bupport him, and that he would receive a unanimous nomination, One pretended stumbling block was put as a blind for the short-sighted Horace. Would Fenton oppose? Forbid it, Heayen! Fenton was always Greeley’s friend, and everything must turn ont lovely. Greeley, however, was very careful t» have it understood that he was the ad- ‘tuinistration candidate, not Fenton's. This, of course, was conceded by the conspirators, and Greeley ‘was trotted loose into the flela and kept up to his Knees in the clover of growing greatness. So it was that the tnnocent and deluded lamb of the republt- con party was ultimately led to the sacrifice. The conspirators had drawn their game so fine, however, tuat when they came to play it they would have eon beaten with their own cards, and Greeley would have been nominated contrary to the pro- evainme, if they had not introduced the name of <ccorge W. Curtis at the last moment to neutralize <reeley’s real strength among the delegates. The Jatter would undoubtedly have got all the votes not <ust for Woodford but for that cunning piece of final strategy, and on the very frst paliot he would have ‘Leen declared the choice of the Convention. But the «onspirators ordered it otherwise, and now Conk- ling, Murphy and the rest of them are as jubilant over the success of their plot, and the con- wequent disgrace and humillation of poor Greeley before the country, a8 @ company of opera bouffers after a successful benefit. ‘He was defeated distinctly on the ground that his nomination would destroy the party. Could insult and rank ingratitude go further? Since the return of the city conventionists loud-mouthed Charley Spencer has been going the rounds, proclaiming in ail the barrooms and at the street corners how even he, whom the philosoper so often referred to as the ‘Tombs shyster of the party, had got his “satisfaction out of the old man’s hide.” But, with his usual philosophic complacency, Horace wiil eat the leek. HOW MARSHALL 0, ROBERTS WAS LAID OUT. Roberts was a strong candidate for the Executive chair—a wealthy, retired merchant, a subscriber to all the Grant testimonials, but with a still plethoric purse to heip his election along. He was, however, rated a ‘sore head,” and lacked the confidence of ‘the administration, He had expected to be made ‘Secretary of the Navy, or tobe appointed to some other rich placer near the head of the government, such as his contributions might naturally have led him to expect. But he was overlooked, and now he must be kept out. of the way alto- gether, lest, in the desperate chances of political life, he might be elected State Executive, and use the ‘powerful influence of that position against Grant in the election of delegates to the next National Con- ‘vention. To tet him go down easy, however, he was Anveigied to that Sunday dinner of Grant’s at Plerre- ‘pont’s country seat, at Garrison’s, where, during ‘the walnuts and the wine, not forgetting the Presi- ential cigars, Grant appealed to Roberts té with- draw as a candidate, because, as the case was put, Grant wanted to have Greeley nominated and thus get him out of the way as an aspirant for the post- ya of Minister to England. So Roberts got sud- enly, aud without any just reason, very sick, and thereupon sent his letter to the press decitning, on pretended ill-health, the republican nomination. Since then Roberts discovered that a “big mice” ‘was at work at that friendly dinner party, and sojd then, as he was, he has not yet recovered from his {udisposition. WOODFORD’S NOMINATION. George W. Curtis, the Marplot of poor Gree:ey’s political aspirations in the late Oonvention, had been badly overcome with a desire for’ the nomination of Governor, and it had been arranged that Senator ‘White should nominate him, thereby securing for him real strength in the Convention. This would net answer, so Charley Spencer got in ahead of White and nominated Curtis as his best friend. The great blunderer, Charley, did not help his “best friend” much, but the move secured for the Mur- phyites and Conklingttes the control of the Conven- tion, and left the cards in their hands, so that they could withdraw Curtis at any time and present Woodford to the Convention as the proposed new standard bearer of the party. ‘This was accordingly accomplished just as a movement was being concerted to unite vhe forces of | Greeley and Curtis on one or other of the candi- dates. Then blatherin; Spencer again rose to give tongue, and in obedience to manifest des- tiny, and at the wish of the Convention, he turned from the support of one friend to that of another and summarily witharew Curtis’ name in favor of Woodford. Curtis was temporarily absent at the time, and became “red hot’? with rage when the astounding intelligence of Spencer’s strategy, which killed two birds—himself and *Greeiey—with one stone, Was communicated to him. He gave expres- sion to his rage and disappointment in a speech in the Convention; but it was all too late—the deed ‘was done past recall, and Woodiord was nominated, When the result of the balloting was annouuced all the old heads of the Convention looked at each other with dumb dismay, realizing for the -tirst time the ridiculous farce in which they were taking part. ‘This sense of responsibility was relieved, however, when they reflected on tlie hopelessness of the election, and that the struggle in which thev had been enga was more to obtain the control of the organization in the possession of the State Central Committee and a united delegation to the National Convention in favor of Grant’s renomination than to secure the ccess Of the present campaign. Ti struggle. After @ while the whole a was viewed In its ludicrous aspect, and 4 general “‘snigger’’? was indulged in at the expense of the ‘general’ whom they had just nominated. in this temper Charles Spencer suggested that they might as well ‘sinile” outside, in Which he was supported by the whole Convention, and without a var to any such indecorous ‘proceedings the barrooms contiguous were immediately taken possession of. After smil- Ing together—and such a pair of perpetual smiiers|— Chauncey Depew and Rufe Andrews started the enigmatical question as to whether the bald eagie of Westchester (Husted) or the new standari- bearer of the party (Woodford) could fy the Ameri- can eagle highest. It was finally conceded, how- ever, by all present that that noble bird was destined €o very severe treatment during the campaign, dur- ro pad ich Woodford was to take the stump for him- self, Woodford hopped about like a rooster sparrow ‘when he was the Victor over Greeley, gnd the next day he hired an open barouche, iu ‘which he made a triumphant visitation to all parts of to the intense merriment o! all who could afford to laugh at the -perpetration of the most stu- Jpencous poiftical joke of our day, HOW THR PEOPLE RECEIVED THE NEWS. ‘When Woodford came to town he was on the tip oy expectation that the whole city would be in a e of glory at his great success, fo was almost ‘zed with horror at beholding the and unconcern. Myre’ the Parl Van Valkenbargh and inquired of him what pees 7s What.’? 9 “do the le 8B} pa cl or, * ey «01 thing; they only tai Woodjord, not gecim clearly wuere the was the real ne ‘met new. NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER Il, 1870.—TRIPLE SHEET, C.TEULA BD THE STATES OF THE CHURCH. MONTE CHRIST ORS =CARBONARA SKETCH OF THE PAPAL TERRITORY. After a rule extending over a period of more than eleven hundred years, the day seems at hand when the Pope shall cease to exercise temporal power, and when Rome shall once more become the capital of Italy. Ten years ago the greater part of the Papal territory revolted and was annexed to the govern- ment of Victor Emanuel. In 1859 the Pope’s tem- ralities covered 15,289 square miles of territory, con- taining a population of 3,124,668, The revolt of 1860 took away everything but the civil divisions of Roma and Comarca, Viterbo, Civita Vecchia, Vel- letri and Frosinone—the whole containing 4,599 square miles and a population of 692,196. Geo- graphically the States of the Church are bounded on the north by Tuscany, on the east by Umbria and Naples, on the south by Naples and on the southwest by the Mediterranean Sea. Their. greatest extent from north to south ts about 120 miles, with a breadth varying from eighteen to fitty miles. The coast line measures about 160 miles, ana ts im nearly all places low and often marshy. Although it is broken by numerous bays neafly ail are so small and shallow that they are totally unfit for harbor purposes. Civita Vecchia is the single exception, and even that place possesses but few natural advantages as a commercial seaport. It has been, however, since 1860 the only seaport held by the Fope, and has served as the principal means of entrance and exit to and from Rome. Civita Vecchia 1s situated on the Mediterranean, some thirty-eight miles north-northwest of Rome, rounded by walls, is well built and contains numer- vus convents, churches and hospitais, an arsenal, building docks, a theatre and a convict establish- ment. The Emperor Trajan built the Port. The harbor is formed by two large moles, and outside is a breakwater which protects the shipping from the heavy seas prought in by western gales. For many years Civita Vecchia has been a free port and atone time carried on an’‘extensive trade. Since the dismemberment of the Papal territory, however, its commerce has been declining, and at the present ,time its business 1s comparatively small. Neverthe- less, the town has regular steam communication with Marseilles, Genoa, Leghorn, Naples, Greece, Egypt and Turkey. A railroad connects it with Rome, ‘The physical aspect of the States of the Church is Mountainous, save on the seacoast, where 1t is flat and marshy. The principal river is the Tiber, which rises in Tuscany, and pursues a tortuous course east and southeast to within twenty-five miles of Rome, when it flows mostly south-southwest to the Mediterranean. In consequence of the difficulty of distinguishing the’ land from the sea the mouth of the Tiber is dangerous to approach, and the danger is increased by the prevalence of thick fogs during the greater part of the year. Asa general rule the soil of the country is pos- sessed of great natural fertility, and, with ordinary care, produces large crops. It is doubtful, however, if there is any other part of Christian Europe where cultivation is more primitive than here. The prin- cipal productions are grapes, olive, silk, rice, to- bacco, corlander, anjse seeds, manna, sugar cane, indigo and cotton. Live stock is abundant, goats S toLio (EAS he = CrANNuTRE O= CIVITA-VECCEI TYXRRHEN/IAN MEDITERANEAN Temporalities of the Roman Pontiff--The Future Capital of Italy. principally for their milk, from which large quantt- ties of cheese are made. In addition to these pro- @uctions there are several manufactories of silk, woollens and hosiery, perfumery, jewelry, mosaics, &c., but none of them can be said to flourish. One great drawback to imdustry in the Roman States is the want of good roads. There is but one short railroad and the ordinary highways are in very bad condition. Communica- tion across the Appenines is exceedingly dificult, and 1s carried on mainly by mules. The present Pontiff has several times exerted himself to carry out plans of improvement, but has never succeeded in doing anything, principally because of his want of funas and partly from the political agitations which have repelled capital from seeking invest- ments in this part of Italy. Of Rome it is unnecessary to gay anything. There is hardly a child in the United States ignorant of the history of this the most famous city in the world. It would be well here, however, to correct a false impression which is current with many persons, and some well informed ones among them. In Rome and _ throughout the Roman territory facilities for education abound to a greater extent than in any other part of the Continent, excepting France and Germany. At the last census the ratio of educated persons in ‘Rome was estimated at one to six of the whole population, which is a better exhibit than in Eng- land, where the ratio is as one to eight and a half. There are several’ universities and numerous other schools in the territory, at most of which education is free. Should the States of the Church be annexed to SEA italy the oldest government in Europe will be swept out of existence.” During the reign of the Emperor Constantine the Catholic Church began acquiring property in Rome. In 726 the Popes possessed considerable power and influence. Elected by the popular vote, they had endeared themselves to the people, who finally paid them that allegiance which had been extended to the emperors. When, in 741, the Lombards laid siege to Rome, the Pontiff, Gre- gory III., sent an embassy to France imploring the aid of Charles Martel. Subsequently Pope Stephen IL obtained the ald of Pepin, who marched an army into Italy, defeated the Lombards ana compelled their king, not only to abandon his design upon Rome, but also to cede to the Pope a great deal of territory, situated principally on the Adriatic. From this time the Popes became temporal sov- erelgns ahd their territorial possessions were greatly enlarged by Charlemagne after his destruction of the Lombard monarchy. Ever since the Popes have been the rulera of Rome and a great part of Italy. Repeatedly driven from the city and despoiled’ of their tempo- Yalities they have always succeeded in regaining possession after intervals of war. In 1860 the first ‘what may be called peaceable spoliation took place, nearly all the foreign Powers advising Pope Pius to acquiesce in the seizure of the greater part of his do- minions. Napoleon III recommended him to volunta- rily give up everything but Rome. He indignantly re- jected this advice, and responded to the violence of the Italian government by excommunicating Victor Emmanuel. He is. now, we suppose, powerless to resist what seems to be the inevitable result of the present European complications. and contains a population of 7,000 souls. It is sur- and sheep being in large numbers. They are valued laughed lly at the effect of the stale joke upon the would-be Governor. THE POSITION OF THE CONKLING MEN. ‘The Conkling men are entirely satistied. beat Fenton by a vote of 220 to 175 on the organiza- tion of the Convention. They have driven Hamilton Harris into obscurity; not only defeating him as Chairman of the State Committee, but absolutely re- fusing him @ membership on it. They have got rid of Waldo Hutchins and his gang in this city, Fen- ton himself has but one member of the State Com- mittee. Tom Murphy’s moral and legal adviser and boon companion, General Chester Arthur, will be made chairman, and thu one of the Custom House delegates remarked, onkling put the knife into Greeley and turned it round.” FENTON'S POSITION. Strange to say, Fenton and his adherents are en- tirely satisfied. The Senator showed great indi- vidual strength, without patronage and without money, and he has no responstiilities resting on him for future consequences. He and his friends alone stuck to Greeley from first to last and have thus earned Greeley’s friendship and the support of the Tribune, They say that no better opportunity could be presented in the coming campaign to ex- hibit Grant’s popularity than in the most appro- priate nomination of General Tom Thumb Wood- ford for Governor. ‘They say they were defeated by patronage and money iu the Convention, but that they still hold the State, and this first attempt of the Conkling men to run the machine will prove such @ wretched faiiure that the sceptre will be re- stored to them with a firmer grasp than ever. GREELEY’S POSITION, “ Greeley, according to veritable history, Was born in the town of Amherst, Hillsborough county, N. H., on the 3a of February, 1811. He ig therefore about to enter on his sixtieth year, He hag had a mighty hard road to travel so far, this side ‘of Jordan, Ac- his coming into the world 1 phenomena. He uttered no infantile cry, he made no moan, he did not even breathe, but timely and experienced assistance coming to his rescue he soon 2 to breathe, anon to @lush, yea, to blush, and by the time he had attained the mature age of twenty minntes he lay prone a red and smiling infant. He never ““gmiled” himself into office, though. He has been always too sincere an advocate of temperance. for that. He has been, nevertheless, a perpetual ofice- seeker, and is the great American representative of failare in that direction. Yet he has been the crea- tive brain of his party in its intellectual progress and the oy ped soul vA ova et hantinen it Vigor and power more than me! in its ranks He quarrelled with Seward and ‘Weed because they overiooked his claims to official yecoguition, He tas seen within the last twenty Jaugh came in, vamosed the Park, while wicked Van heartl They | days unlineal hands seize the sceptre which he created. Tom Murphy and the old henchmen of Weed and Seward, who have been ever in and out of the party as self-interest dictated, have reaped the benefit of a success which they had no hand in achieving; while the stanch and. true men of the party who never flinched or fattered have been driven to the wall in defeat and disgrace, and Greeley stands himself to-day a monumental spectacle of party ingratitude, with Congling’s figu- rative knife, turned the wrong’ way, visible in his side, It would have beena goodly sight to have seen the ancient philosopher in his sixuleth year placed in the iront rank of battle as chosen leader of his party, with the standard in his hand, battling, even though it might be unsuccessfully. But who can tell how the tide might have turned and brought success to crown the brows ot the sage of Chappaqua nad he really received the nomination? But us poor Greeley came into the world blushing on his own account, we ferr he is destined to go out involun- tarily biushing for his party, if not for his country. THE EFFECT ON LOCAL POLITICS. Greeley’s defeat is a disappointment to more than the rank and file of the republican party in this State and city. The Hessians of the democretic ane under the lead of Morrissey, O’Brien “Putty” ‘cLean, Fox, Spinola, Bixby, Tony Muller and Com- pany are in a horrible way at the resuit and Fox claim that they secured the sage of the bill to interfere with the votes of naturalized citi- zens by commissioners appointed under the direc- tion of Grant, ‘The litle game they hoped to play was to obtain a share of these appointments, and thus de in a position to pro- tect themselves in their repeating. Ihe bargain was made with Greeley. Greeley, it will be remembered, had been hand and glove with Morrissey ever since the Huckleberry charter alliance of last winter. When the State Committee met last month at Sara- toga they renewed ineir relations, and new negotia- tions were begun. Jimmy O’Brien calied on Ed- wards Pierrepont, so the latter says, te get an inter- ylew with Grant, promising to aid the republicans with his political machinerg tf he could be protected, and Pierrepont arranged the interview. Jimmy often boasts of the intellectual conversation which was kept up between himself ana the President, and imtroduces the subject with due regard for his own dignity and importance thereanent. ‘Me and Grant met,” &c. It was thought from the supposed popu- larity of Greeley with the lrish that it would be easy to turn that vote to a considerable extent over to the benevolent old sympatnizer with Ireland and her traditional wrongs. But tiis nom- ination of Woodsord upsets ali their plans, They charge the whole thing as a political tricx, a grand transformation scene or tableau of Tammany’s get- Morrissey ting up, and that Sweeny and Tweed, betiind the Fepublican scenes, manipulated the whole aifair. What the O’Brien-Morrissey bargain with the re- publican chiefs was has not yet leaked out, but a republican endorsement of Jimmy O’Brien for or was one of the chief considerations. However this may be, the O’Brien-Morrissey faction are utterly demoralized at the unexpected change in the repub- lican tactics, and they are so bewildered and panic- stricken that they make and change their plans a dozen times a day. THE TYRANNY AND CORRUPTION OF TAMMANY AND THE NEW REFORM PARTY. Jimmy O’Brien, Johnny Foy, Johnny Morrissey, George McLean and Jimmy Hayes are the distinc. tive representatives of the so-called reform party of this city, in opposition to ‘‘the tyranny and, corrup- tion and illegal voting of the Tammany Hall.”” The bare statement of the proposition 13 enough to call out Bergh with all his forces to be Hees for con- sequences, for even the horses might split their sides laughing considering the quarter such @ charge emanates from. O’Brien, without having ever dis- tinguished himself in any reputable or legitimate way, Was given the office of Sheriff when he was but twenty-six years of age, receiving It and holding it as the gift ‘of Tammany Hall, while he ts now scheming and plotting with the republicans for the injury of the democratic party. He has recelved over @ half million of dollars since his accession to office, and bas claims to the extent of over $400,000 more, which the Tammany leaders have placed an embargo on. The latter fact ts the main point of his present opposition. He owned and controlled tne late Board of Aldermen, which assed the enormous paving and other jobs which fea to the general rising of the people demanding the expulsion of that body by the Legislature. Fox Js also a young man, and has heid more omices for his time than any man of his years in the land, holding at one and the game time no less than three important and highiy remunerative offices. ’ He is very rich, and thii he can afford to pay for the Inxury of revenge against those who have suddenly curbed his high career. Another, the weakest, how- ever, and most pliable of the confederated chiefs, is McLean, who was for the last four years at the head of ‘the Street Department, during which time arraigned for corruption and in- competency by the Citizens’ Association. Morrissey, one of the five worthies, an ex-pugilist and at pre- sent a gambler in full communion with the blackleg fraternity, was elevated to a seat In Congress in the vain hope that he might be converted from the evil of his ways through association with the membera of that august and immaculate body. That he has not been reclaimed is seen in his bi ingratitude to Tammany Hall, jst which he now puts him- self In his old attitude of pugilistic champion of the pg gene democracy, ready to knock the whole ring out of time ata moment's notice. Jimmy Hayes, last, if not least, was taken from the posiuon of clerk in the Surrogate’s office and made Superin- tendent of Repairs in the Street Department and Supervisor, He, too, is rich and able to drive a fast team on the road all the balance of his days. These are the great political reformers of the present day. ‘THE POSITION OF TAMMANY HALL. It is well known that after the Young Democracy and puckleberry rebellion of last winter Tammany Hall turned out of its Gencral Committee, without ceremony, ali the rebels, and defied their opposi- tion, Since then they have been trying unavail- ingly to get back within the fold of ae Greeley used to charge the heaviest repeating on the First and Twenty-first wards, and Tammany thus in- dicated a determination to put a stop to all illegiti- mate influences in the electiong in ruture. MORE ABOUT REPEATING. The Tammany leaders profess to be greatly grati- fled that they nave thus summarily got rid of the whole “repeating” crowd. ‘They claim that fair voting will give a heavier majority than the candl- dates of the democracy have ever received before, They say that the repeating was done for the most art on the names of democratic voters, and that he effect of honest voters coming to the polls and finding that their names had been voted on had kept thousands away. ‘They say they intend to adopt every precaution to protect the citizens tn thelr rights and to secure honest voting, so that every man in the community will be sure hereafter that his vote will count as he casts it, ‘THE POSITION OF THE LEADERS. The Tammany leaders are all back and just now at their several posts. Boss Tweed from Greenwich, Peter Bismarck Sweeny from Europe, Comptroller Connolly from the siores of the Hudson. Mayor Hall has not been away; he remained in tue city fighting 1t out on his own line all the summer, These leaders of the Tammany Gemocracy wear smiling, happy faces, perfectly serene and uncon- scious of the existence of anything in the political world to make them afraid, “But they are notwith- standing very reticent as to the plan of the cam- paign. A pumping or interviewing visit made to Tweed found him deep in the mystery of Croton water supplies, closeted with Engineer Tracey. Sweeny ts head and neck immersed in the engrossing duties of the Department of Parl When we visited nim he seemed lost in the perusal of Bob Roosevelt's letter on fish breedii spaavn tanks and ponds, and Mr. Hawkins’ designs for a museum embracing paleontology and pisciculture., Bismarck was too busy to lend us his patience, even for a mo- ment, as was his wont, and we sloped. We gath« from reliable quarters, however, some information as to the changes that are to be made. THE CONGRESSIONAL SLATE: It ispretty certain that the choice of Tammany for Congress in the place of Fox lies between Morgan Joneq aud Algcruom Sidney Sullivan—the latter a fre es cee attainments aan of scholariy. for Sherid, E. Loow Clerk, and Holt wi ho reeeat Worthy ghlet magistrate Mayor deceased made co reply tothe best of and ever faithful ally fa week the nom reesve i Dis ofacaten ay THE COUNTY OFFICES. Matthew T. Brennan will be assuredly Charies for County triumphanuy +e ‘THE TROUBLES OF THE YOUNG DEMOCRACY—THEIB PROGRAMME. Jimmy O’Brien is Searmined to put himself in nomination for Mi muscle and ent ment, and won't who claims to own around in hi and strength of beating Hardy 1 But ‘OL = Pia Sedat aan ate cart) is breeches pocket, is jealous of ‘O'Brien, claims to be the most Popular man on the ‘ustice last December, ‘Brien thinks otherwise. He thinks and de- @ religious party on the Churc); but if there ia, he then 1s as Catholic and churchman as ever Ledwith was. Fox and Hayes are said to be against O’Brien, and are pre- paring for a muss generally. It is said the latter are trying to make conditions by which they cau get . He is the creator, head, bone, tire body of the so-ealled reform move: sand ande back into Tammany and are only hanging on to Lae faction to make aii 0 pea resorted chief. Various expedients are to to get O'Brien out of the field. They say they will ‘make him biced like a bullock” before they get through with him. No later than Thursday last, as rumor goes, they made a demand on him for 000, and when that is worked off they will want a8 much more, and 80 will bleed him tll his pile 1g nowhere. He doean't, however, see it unless ie others go and do likewise, thus dishonest ialeans and contention are busy at work among Sam Courtney, the late republican United States District ya who did so much tn 1868 to —- one’ down the vote of Seymour and Blair and O’Bri: right hand man, is talked of for chairman of thetr committee, as they think that in that position he might help them to @ republican endorsement and to republican votes. — THE’OAMPAIGN. ‘The political battle will not fairly open until after the Democratic State Convention has met. The tac- tics of the Tammany leaders always are for @ short, sharp and decisive fight. They do all their work in the last ten days before the election day. Altogether ‘the prospect for a vigorous, interesting and sploy contest is delightful and refreshing, the iets of which, from time ¢o time, the HERALD wiil faithfullg chronicle for the benefit of our readers. A FATAL WALTZ. The First Ward Murder—The Inquest on the Body of Christopher Higgins—Valentine itickel Held to Await the Action of, Wee, Coecanee Jty. re fled eager te saat eS The inquest on the body of Christopher Higgins, the young man who was shot dead in Washington street on Monday night by Valentine Rickel, waa held yesterday by Coroner Flynn. The proceedings were had at the Twenty-seventh precinct station house, and were attended by a large crowd of men and women, the greater portion being relatives and friends of the deceased. There were rumors some hours previous to the arrival of the Coro ner that the Washington street “boys in- tended to settle Rickel’s case in @ sum- mary manner if they could by any possibility get him out of the way of the police; so every precau- tion was taken by Captain Speight to guard against any violence that might be altempted. A strong squad of policemen were kept under orders in the main room of the station house, and several in citi- zens’ dress were distributed among the audience. Happily no disturbance of any kind took place, although at the close of the proceedings the prisoner, who was taken to the Tombs under a strong squad, ‘was followed through the strects by an immense crowd. ‘fhe first witness was the girl with whom DECEASED WAS WALTZING on the sidewalk in /ront of Babbitt’s soap factory when the watchman fired the fatal shot. She gave her name as Mary Ann Marshall, and testified_as fot- lows:— I mn street; I met Christopher de at 73 Washin, Higgins on Monday night, about nine o'clock; when lfrst saw him he was standing under the awni of the soap factory; he took hold of me, began to waltz with me on the aldewalk; as we turned round in the waltzing wo knocked t the door of tne factory; just as we did so the prisoner was coming out of the store with @ beer measure in his hand: on seeing Higgins he exclaimed grufly, What are you doing here !’’ ae. tion; RickePthen the deceased a vile name, drew his revolver, heid it about a foot from the de- ceased’s head and discharged it; fell, and Rickel ran iaside and shut the door behind him, TESTIMONY OF JOHN ELDER. =~... John Elder sworn and examiaeq—{ reside at 67 Apahisatons street; I was passing ts factory abdut ten o’clock on Monday night; there were se- veral people under the awning and I saw Rickel pointing a pistol at some one, and soon afterwards heard some one cry out “ is shot;” I them went over and saw the deceased with his head down in a half sitting position on the sidewalk; [ ran as once for a doctor; the prisoner was about a foot from the deceased when he fired, -TESTIMONY OF MARY HAYS, Mary Hays sworn—I reside at 61 Washi street; met the deceased and Tom Shields; ws with them for a time; they went and hada drink; came out and went down Morris street; she ran after deceased a couple of yards: while she was under the awning heard a noise, and Jane Shields told me that deceased was shot; Was about yards {rom her at the time. TESTIMONY OF ANN SHIELDS, Ann Shields sworn—I was opposite the Babbitt factory at the time of the occurrence; saw deceased and the girl waltzing; saw the prisoner come ous and take something from his pocket; I saw him fire, ‘and saw deceased fall; when he fired he was about one or two feet from d . ‘TESTIMONY OF ANN CRONIN. Ann Cronin sworn—I was playing under Babbitt’s shed at the time of the occurrence; the repors of the pistol, and was told deceased was shot; saw him lying on the sidewalk with his arm under bis head; saw a pistol and @ beer can in prisoner's hand; after the shooting the prisoner remained abou two minutes, and then went into the factory. ‘TESTIMONY OF JOHN CROGAN, John Crogan sworn—saw the prisoner place the pistol at the throat of deceased and fire; heard some ‘words between them before the firing; heard de- ceased fall; did not see him fal); told a boy that Hig gins nad been shot. TESTIMONY OF OFFICER RAMSAY. Officer Ramsay sworn—l arrested the prisoner; he asked him if he knew that he had shot a man, and he said he could not heip it; he was in the factory and opened the door; he said also that ‘he knew that something was going to happen, for he had had a dream; and he dreamt that ‘was a Prussian soldier, and that a lot of Frenchmen were after him.” He produced the pistol and gave it up; asked him again what he shot him for; he said deceased had always been troubling him; rapped very hard at the door before he ned it; there were three or four others inside with him. Dr. Shine testified the cause of death to be the injuries infitcted by the pistol shot. ‘fhe jury then, after a short deliberation, brought in the rollowing VERDICT:— That the deceased came to his death from a pistol shot wound received at the hants of the prisoner- He was then committed to await the action of the Gragd Jury. . On his examination he stated that he was fifty- three years of age, a native of Bavaria, and resided at 39 Hopkins street, Williamsburg. By advice of his counsel he reserved tus defence for another tri- bunal, where he would show that he had no intention of taking life. CAGED AT LAST. Arrest of an Alleged Fugitive Murderer—He is Committed to the Tombs. An important arrest of an alleged fugative maur- derer was made on Friday night by grand rounds- man Patrick J, MeGloin. The name of the prisoner is Patrick GriMn, an Irish lad twenty years of age, formerly of No. 140 Cherry street. On the night of the 4th ult, the accused and George F. Johnson had @ quarrel over a game of cards at a groggery in New Chambers street, during which they left the place and stepped out om the sidewalk. They then engaged ine another scuilie, when Griffin broke away from his antagonist and ran away but soon re- turned with a knife in his hand. Meeting with John- son, corner of New Chambers and South streets, Grittin, as alleged, plunged the weapon into his neck, {nflicting a'wound from tne effects of which death ensued soon afterwards. GriMn at once made his escape, and notwithstanding Captain Allaire of the Fourth precinct, with some of his most efficient aids, ag also several Central office detectives startca in pursuit of the murderer, he managed to etude them and remained at large till Friday night when grand roundsman McGloin captured him at 214 Bliz- abeth street. The prisoner offered no serious re- sistance to the oficer, and subsequently made some voluntary confessions to the officer tending to establish his guilt, which he did not then pretend to deny. At the investigation, which was held before Coroner Keenan, the jury rendered a verdict against Griffin, for whose appearance the Voroner issued nis warrant. Yesterday, when before the Qoroner, Grifin confessed to the stabbing, but said he did it in self-defence. He was cominitted to the Tombs ‘to await the action of the Grand. ae was eighteen years of age and tended bar at 100 Ji street. He was the main support of a widowed moter,