The New York Herald Newspaper, January 25, 1872, Page 5

| i z : i g i it HLA 8g . iF : # 4 3 : I ii E é iY is si b i a : es e s z : 4 iE S3EF te : z Tae 8 i g) Es iz EF af 2 fi i 5 i E : ze 2} oF é t Bs é 4 im 2 “Do you believe that Mrs, Wharton poisoned Gen- @ral Ketohum gh ; ME, HONEY, NO Bhe wouldn’t do any one harm. She 1s the gentlest you ever saw. She never gave me a ‘rye ? in her life. And Miss Nellie—she is the sweet- eat ‘that ares lived,” ‘ou were there when the 1 and Harry both Gied, were you not?” beak ES “Yea, honey, 1 nurse? them both, Mister Harry I Swrned over myself when he died, and closed his He was @ g boy, but he causea ress 80 much trouble. Yet she laid by his side Right and Gay, without taking off her clot when e Re was sick, she used tocry fit to break her heart, phe loved. her’ children’ dearly, and Always took terribly when they were’ sick. m, and they never gave Susan a word in their The doctor said Mister Harry died of ner- fever. He was sick for a long sme and Was moat always with him. I cooked him all eat and gave 1¢ to him with my own hands, I always led woall about the house. Mrs. Whar. ton or Miss Nellie never went to any of the things ut the house. | carried the keys and always ted upon them to wnat they wanted. Some of on the triai said about the refrigerator about the milk punch init. If there was any- i in that punch Mrs. Whaton did not put _ She never went to it. In all whe six years ve been there J never knew her to go to it but secrets Hearennane vat haa ond Shs ouge Di x berties about the house than Mrs. Wharton or Misa lise ever did. De old, Colonel was such a good man, too; they all thought so much of each other. He ack & good while, and I never saw such devoted pet each other as him and Mrs, Wharton and 1. “There used to be a it many people at Mrs, Wharton’s, did there not?” bi, me! I guess there was;company all the UUme; Mistress and Miss Nellie bad so many friends, and they always treated everybody so well, and I got 20 mad when all this trouble came to see these ame people stand up and say bad things ol! her, or ry to, but no one could say anything about her or ‘Miss Nelile uniegs they toid ites.” ‘The conversation continued for some time, during ‘which she related much else of interest, which will Sppear in good time. she 18 an old woman, having the marked characterisms of the genuine negro and is a periect Ape of those “old aunties” who are Southern families, that h tne domestic adairs and hose word is the law among both white ana She was upon the witness stand perfectly som and although the Atterney General used all nis acute ingenuity and ability to confound her she tola the same story all the time in her simple way, and when she leit the stand many of the “‘sus- _ ous circumstances’? had wilted, as the snow be- fore the summer sun. MISS NELLIF WHARTON, her loving, lovable daughter, was next called. The scene when she ascended to tne witness box 1s be- yond description, ie great mass that was congre- ted Wishout and within the court room, when it fas announced that she would be the next wit- ess, seemed Jost in the excitement of the momen! for be it known that the great popular heart hac hot imbibed towards this uniortunate child the same bitterness which had been formed for her mother, and when she arose, and step) to the Clerk’s desk to take we oath iC lemn silence pervaded'the room that had never More characterized it since the trial began. She Occupied tie witness stand after taking the oath and ‘with a graceful sweep of her hand threw back tne heavy crape that had go long hid her face from the ®ager crowd, and revealed a countenance that, once wouid never be forgotten, 1 sat within six leet of ner while she gave her evidence, and never shall L forget the peculiar sensations that her appearance forced upon me. Tall, graceful, she was, with a profusion of dark brown hair, combed plain and par- Wally hid irom view by a small crane bonnet, Her face, once well formed and delined, presented evidences of sorrow and anguish that would elicit ey, {rom a heart of stone, and many eyes in $ vast audience were filled ‘with tears ere she had said a word. Her cheeks were sunken, pale as @eath, and her large, lustrous brown eyes had sunk back ur into her head, and heavy biack lines of rrow had been drawn bencath them. Around Fr mouth still played that peculiar expression that bad made 1t so charming in conversation, but the Whole aspect of the tace had been changed, and tne lie Wharton of this moment was not the Neilie harton of a few montis before, when surrounded with all the Cultivated associations that nad clus- red about her in great proiusion ever since she known herself a woman, In A FAINT THOUGH OLEAR TONE OF VOICE told her simple story, unravelling in a moment, ith @ clearness and lucidity truly remarkable, mat the idle tongues of pretentious people and the more flagrant outrages of newspaper paragrapns And the acute cunning and ability of the lawyers \aken weeks and even monilis to weave about mother, she left the stand, while the great heart of the crowd followed ner with its sincerest sympathy. Alter this came the 6g a BYJDEN To QHARACTER, na from the Wout Guatters “of the globe Came yolun- tarily men and women of high rank and station to tell of the spotless character always borne by the @coused, She was painted by them a model from ‘Whioh the world might pattern {rom her earliest childhood to the present moment. She had always been voted for her generosity, amiability, kind: aioe iietires bby devotion to religious duty an to she happiness of all about her. Never beture did criminai prosecutions know of such a character ag ‘Was given this lady even down to tnis moment, and Well might the old and truthful adage be used, “Nemo Suit turpissimus.” ‘The evidence as to character closed, and the scene Decame one of unusual interest. ‘The great heart of the assembied multitude beat with quickened pulsa- tions as the announcement was made that the cur- ‘was about to rise over the Jast acene in the fear- drama that had for weeks and even months oc- cupted the attention of this people, and, in fact, the whole country. THE CLOSING ADDRESSES, Mr. Revell, the State attorney for this county, frat rose in bis place to weave togewer with vivid @nd crue! emphasis that which his acute and able foresight had taken 80 long to gather about the un- fortane prisoner. For five hours he kept up the thread of discussion, making a most able a eloquent effort upon the part of the State. fe was followed by Mr. Hagner, the jumior coun- gel for the defence, whu occupied about the same time in presenting to the jury the strong legal inte bearing upon that side of the case. Tien ir. J. H. ‘thomas began an argument which had @ telling effect upon these tweive men that were to is upon the life of tne prisoner. Step by step did unravel the flimsy threads of the iabric which the ingenuity of the State’s prosecutors had woven about the unfortunate prisoner. His logic and elo- quence occupied the attention of the Court for avout five hours, the closing sentences of Which brought ears to the eyes” of the jory and to vast ag- sembiage thal whered to hear the Closing efforts in this great and absorbing trial, ‘Then came the closing urgument for the defence, Mr. Nevett Steele making the cffort. As he arose to This task It was almost needless to predict the result ‘would be the een of the prisoner, and beiore he had proceeded far the matter was beyona per- adventure. He took up the thread of discussion, gnd for an hour the jyry and audience hung upon his words with ap interest that seldom clings to heman thoughts, At length nis feeble health him to discontinue, and the Court @djourned until the following morning (Satur- aay, January 20); when he again resumed; and alter speakil for about two hours, was again forced to desist, when the Court adjourned until Monday, January 22. pe nee. and chagrined, the great multitude that haa come here from ali rts of the couatry departed from this ancient wn to Baltimore and other neighboring cities, from whence taney could return again on Monday Morning to listen to the able efforts of Mr. Steele in his Closing lines, and to Attorney General Syester, ‘who was to follow him, closing the Case, as well as to hear the verdict of the jury and to look upon the interesting scene that would necessarily follow its Fenditiow. The rest has been related. The jury, Judges, according to the Maryland constitution, as ‘Well of the law as of the facts, were leit to rely completely on their own jadgment, The verdict has been that which the H&RALD foreshadowed— acquittal. PROBABLE HOMICIDE IN GREENPO!NT. Cowardly Assault by Ruffians on a Political Opponent. ‘The democratic primary election in Greenpoiny on Wednesday night was bitterly contesied by two Hem, aha together, not a ‘rye word’ eB, Hi i rival factions in the ward. The police, with great aificulty, succeeded in preserv- mng peace at the olls, When the re ult Was announced Patrick Lynagh, whose brother was on the successful ticket, became in- voived in @ quarrel with Charles Davis. This was ee in a short time, and Mr. Lynagh started for » On way thither, while passing Dan Fox's liquor saloon, on Union avenue, he was brutally as- Baulted by some unknown parties, one of whom in- Aicied a dangerous wound on his head with a soda water bottle, Ata tate hour last night he was lying 4n @ critical condition. Ap Fighth ward rough and dog-fighter, named John Tierney, went into a candy store on Eighth Sverne and began feeding his bulldog on choice as arrested by Officer Mc- ~ He Wi Aniney, of tii ‘teenth precini ‘and was commit- tau hy Justice Leawivis al Sesterosu Marko CONGRESS. THE END OF THE FIRST SESSION. Settling the Adjournment Be- fore Well Into Business. CHICAGO RELIEF BILL. The Public Lands as Providers for the Public - Schools. BEAUTIFUL BEN AND WOMAN SUFFRAGE, The Civil Appropriation Bill On Its Passage. SENATE, Waseineron, Jan. 24, 1872. Mr. SHBEMAN, (rep.) of Ohio, from the Committee on Finance, reported the bill to authorize the payment of dupil- cate checks by disbursing officers, with an amendment. Passed, CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. Mr. PRELINGHUYSEN, (rep.) of N. J., introduced a bill making an appropriation to enable the President to perfect and carry into effect such rules regulating the civil service as may be from time to time adopted by him, Referred to the Oo rneLinGuGy f ted a bill priat ir. NGHOUY#EN also re} a FO} {$100,000 for civil service retorm. > i ey A CAMPAIGN QUERY, Mr. CONKLING, (rep.) of N. Y¥., jered a resolution re- questing the President to give the Senate the following infor- mation:—The amount money received and ursed: the government since March 4, ‘The amount emberzle oF appropriated by agente oF o with the amount re- maining charged sgainat Internal revetiue officers; the num ber of defaulters aod how of have been prose- them uted; @ statement of the criminal prosecutions that have Deen instituted for offences against the internal rev laws; the number of officers or agents receiving pay from the government in any branch of the ie service who have ‘deen dispensed with since March 4, 1869, aud the amount of the te saving thereby; he same information with reference to the last administration. Adopted. Mr. WiL80nN, (rep.) of Maas., from the Committee on Mill- tary Affaire, Fevorted favorably the bill relating to the ap poi 1 of superin meteries, 2 itendents for national ce: ‘THE FINAL ADJOURNMENT, Mr, MORTON, (rep,) of Ind., called up the resolution for a final adjournment of Congress on the third Monday in May. = SUMNER opposed tal itup, and called for the yeas nays, " v ‘enate voted to take up the resolution—yeas %4, MoRTON, by consent, modified the resolution 80 as to fix the 29th day’ of May for the adjournmen| ‘There were two amendments pending—Mr. Summer's, pro- viding that Congress shall not adjourn until after it shall have the Suppiementary Civil Rights bil, and Mr. Seburz's, widog at it shall not adjourn until after tne Tevisior he id the internal revenue laws, and the reform of the civil service, ‘Mr. SHERMAN opposed the resolution. He thought it an extraordi resolution, inasmuch as it had originated in the Senate. “ Heretofore such restrictions had come from the House, and it was, aps, natural that the members of the House should be impatient Wo get back es) the people; but the Senate had always insisted upon tinishing the busi- ness before it, and he hoped % would do so in this case, There was no ‘occasion for the resolution, because the ma- jority could adjourn at any time when they were prepared do so. If any Senators supposed that fixing the day so1ong beforehand wonld hasten legislation he believed istaken, Messrs, COLE, (rep.) of Cal., and Consett, (rep.) of Ore- gon, thought that Congress ought to adjourn at even an earlier day than that named in the resolution, Mr. THURMAN, (dem.) of Obio, thought Mr, Sherman's reasons conclusive against the resolution, but there were others. If Congress should hamper itself by the e of this resolution now the people wouid come fo the conclusion that there is to be no reduction of taxes and no civil service reform. These were great and pressing subjects, and the people would know very well that if nothing was done in the way of reform it would be because Congress did not want to do anything, but wanted to keep the civil service retorm merely as a subject for stump speeches. He also protested against the practice of postvoning the appropriation bills to the close of the session, and remarked that in the Britisn Parliament, and formerly in Congress, the eat debates of the session generally oceurred upon the appropriation Mr. MORRILL, (rep.) of Vt, said that Mr. Thurman was evidently striking the keynote of the democratic campaign, and that he (Mr. Morrill) would vote for the resulution simply an a business measure. Mr, CHANDLER, (rep.) of Mich., thought that Congress need not delay its adjournment for the sake of civil service reform. In 1860, when the republican party came ito power, it found the ollices filled by traitors, and it turned them out nd pnt in loyal men, That was great step toward civil ervice reform, Later, Mr. Jobnsog, being unable to get honest men to take offces under him, had to faxe scuundreis, and he took them, Mr. CHANDLER was interrupted by the expiration of the ig hour, which brought up the Amnesty bill. HIOAGO RELIEF. ‘On motion of Mr. LOGAN it was laid aside, and the bill for the relief of Chicaso was taken up. * the pending suneeeere Sn, iat ‘offered by Mr. Morrill, of Vt. yesterday, spectiying the materials upon which the draw®ack fa to be al _ JHAND! moved to amend 0 as to make the bill 10 to Manistee, in Michigan. BPENTER, (rep.) of Wis. , suggested Peabtigo, Mr. CHANDLER ‘said he would that for the Senator from Wisconsin to insert, but he d its insertion. He said further that there bad bee: ter acest) lal Honately from the fires in Michigan than from te Chicazo fire, and insisted that if the sufferers in Chicago were to relieved in this way #0 shouid the sufferers in bis State. Mr. LOGAN, (rep.) of Iil., msisted that the case of Chicago was exceptional, and that its relation to the commerce of the country made its destitution by fire a national calamity, whereas the towns aestroyed in Michigan and Wisconsin ‘were only of local importance. He charged Mr, Chandler th want of magnanimity, and said that his colleague (Mr, erry, of Mich.) who was a leading lumber merchant, had been more generous to the people of Chicago, having refused to agree to the proposal of his feliow lumber merchants to yolep oe price of lumber €4 per thousand immediately after his, FEkny, (rep.) of Mich., sald he would vote for the bill if tt could be amended by being made applicable to Manistee, Holland and inaw, which had suffered more in proportion than Chicago. Even’ with these amendments, however, the bill could not secure bis unqualified approval, because the effect of it would ve to tmpose upon Michigan, a lumberin State, more than her tair share of the relie! which it woul Wve to Chicago, would prefer @ direct appropriation for Pr i¢ relicf of the sufferers. Mr. SCOTT, (rep.) of Pa., thought that the bill was uncon- stitutional, because it would aiscriminate in favor of the port of Chicago, while the constitution forbids any discrimi- nation in favor of any port. He d with Mr. Ferry that the vest way of relieving the sufferers would be by a direct i ir, CARPENTER said he would support both the bill and ee rison i cht that made to do good ir. WILGON tho’ at money was made to do with, and said he would vote for the bill without amendment. Mr. SHERMAN concurred in Mr. Scott's views. ‘Mr. TRUMBULL made @ pathetc appeal for the passage of ey were lowed. the bill without amendment, and announced that the people of Buenos Ayres had contributed to the relief of Chicago, Mr. CARPENTER read a from Mr. wn bull's speech on the Bill for the Rellef of Portiand, to show that he was then opposed to Congress matin charitable appropria- tions. Chicago, he said, had always been assuming and ar- and on account of her size and importance had at- more than a fair share of the sympathy and charity of the world. 8! ad certainly suffered terribly, but the peo- & of press and Wisconsin had suffered more in propor- }, and their losses were of a character that could not be sorosduy. repaired by capital as could the Chicago losses. ‘This bill Involved no constitutional question. It was merely & measure of charity, and he hoped that no one would ee io imit the operations of the nation’s charity by e lines, Mr. CONKLING favored tho extension of the provisions of the bill to the sufferers in Michigan and Wisconsin, but thought that a better way to give relief would be by a direct appro jon: discussion ‘was continued at length by Messra. Ferry, Chandler, Logan, Carpenter and Sherman. ‘All amendments were voted down, and the bill, as reported from the committee, was ee ind then, at twenty mip- ‘utes past five o'clock, the Senate adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WAsiinGTon, Jan. 24, 1872, Mr. Kercomam, (rep.) of N. Y., presented the petition of the Common Council and citizens of the city of Hudson» N. ¥., praying Congress to authorize the erection of a light” house near said city. Mr. LEONARD MYERS, (rep.) of Pa., presented the petition of workmen of Philadelphia, asking such an adjustment of duties as will encourage and defend every home industry. Also of Philadeiphia tobacco manufacturers, for a uniform tax of sixteen cents a pound on tobacco, PUBLIO LANDS AND PUBLIC BOHOOLS. The House took up, as the business of the morning hour, the bili reported yesterday to establish an educational fund Spd to appiy the proceeds of the puolc lands to the education 6 people. Mr. Prnor. (rep,) of Miss., who reported the bill, ad- dressed the flouse ia support oi Nt. He raid, aa Ghattmant of Commit on Education and Labor, be was in corre- almost every prominent educator in the they were unanimous in looking towards the Pp sof the public land for the purpose of stimulating and advaneing the education of the people. He was also in correspondence with almost every prominent leader in the labor question, and they were equally unanimous in the same direction, The laboring men of the country claimed that the public lands were theirs from the fact that four- fifths of the pe were jaboring men and wo- men, and nt, based on the will of the ma- ply their wishes and their hot only was the Jand theirs, put governme y, Fepresent ed wanis, They claimed that the ds of the lande were theirs. They demanded such a disposition of the public lands as would cause them to inure to their benefit through the education of their children. Coming down to the detatis of the bill he said that it did not grovenste, supersede the common school system now exist- gin the States, but rather to strengthen that aystem. In conclusion, he gave notice that he would allow full time tor discussion, and would Keep the bill in the morning bour until omen of. ir. KERR, (dem.) of Ind., proposed that instead of keep- ing it in the morning hour, tuus biocking up the business of all other committees, it should be made a special order {or ‘a certain day, and from day to day until disposed of. Mr. PERCE declined to consent to that arrangement. Mr, MOLNTYRE, (dem.) of Ga, a member of the Commit- tee on Education and Labor, opposed the bill, arguing that the question of education shouid be left to the States sepa- ely. Mr, StoRM, (dem.) of Pa., another member of the com- mittee, aiso opposed the bill as irreconcilable with the prin- ciples of the constitution. No shadow of authority tor it could be found in the constitution, He had hoped that the Ku Klux bill of last Congress bad gone to the extreme limit which Congress would venture upon intrenching on the con- stitution; but he was mistaken, ior this was the most ques- tionable piece of ippsiation that the House had ever deliberated upon. had always been supposed to be the ular province of the States to legislate on the fubject of education, No one was asking for such legislation, and there was no necessity for it. Mr. FARRER, ore, yd aie i -y- a member of Uy Fhe bill Go sald, was avowediy in the interest of the Aouthern fen tne tind, tbe Torgee art going fo the Nowe e i. the Middle and iho Wenvern Btates, witich didnot want re PrRoE remarked that he would cheerful id to an ‘Mr, PARKER paid be would much more cheerfully vote for Congress ut objection ‘was "made and tne’ bill weut "Seer til 10: bel ‘was their constitutional right to vote; but they only desired to call the attention of Congress to the necess! declaratory nw to that fect They olalines to to in thet ich men claimed to be their inalienable right, ‘The unanimity and the rate at which sig tion were coming in, at the rate of some poke tu ihe representatives of the people a toneaibek cael piensa wer Secreta gacened sone as gure as the sun rolled on its course, the right asl this pesition would be accorded xi United States. He asked that the petition, which he partly unrolled, to the great amusement of the members, might be referred to the Judiciary Commitiee, which was done, after the petition being read. OUR FOREIGN COMMERCE. Mr. SHELLABARGER, (rep.) of Ohio, Chairman of the Com- mittee on Commerce, reported a resoluuon directing that the committee inquire y— Firt—Whether the commerce among the several States was sepraree ¢ alfected ta any inadequacy in the present means of land transportation, or by any combination or monopoly in the contro! or ownership thereof, or by means of any excessive or inequitable rates of freight or fare barged by common carriers, or by means of other burdens or restraints {mposed on such commerce by carriers, ‘Whether the commerce with foreign nations and ‘coasts and waters of the Unived States, or at any port ubjected to any oppressive or illegal requirements ts under quarantine, health or other laws or cus- toms of any Btate. Third—Whether at any porta of the United States Ameri- oan seamen or foreign immigrants, on arriving thereat, are subjected to wrongs or deprivations which require legisla thon, jslation or other means 1s requisite to re- ive. and sustain the tonnage and foreign commerce United States. The committee or sub-committee to have power to send for persons and papers and to sit at such e8 as may Le convenient. ‘The resolution, which was reported unanimously trom the committee, was adopted. The House then went into Committee of the Whole—Mr, Wheeler in the chatr—on the general CIVIL APPROPRIATION BILL. Mr. GARFIELD, (rep.) of Ohio, offeredan amendment re- pealing all laws’ that authorize the publication of lawe in Rewapapers. Mr. MAYNARD, (rep.) of Tenn., objected to it as out of ordet, Jn proponing to change an existing law, ‘The objection was sustained and the amendment excluded. A provision to pay for such advertising was then Inserted, on motion of Mr. POMEROY, and was sustained vy Mr, May- nard and opposed by Messrs. Garteld and Sargent, Mr. GARFIgLD moved to strike out the clause respecting the law establishing a braich mint at Carson City, Nevada, and tolnsert an appropriation of $90,000 for carrying it om, After a long discussion tne amendment was adopted. After progressing as far as page 30 of the bill the com mittee rose, and the House, at four o'clock, adjourned. THE TOBACCO TAX. The Tobacco Manufacturers Again Before the Ways and Means Committee—The Griev- ances of the Manufacturers. WasHINGToN, Jan. 24, 1872, The Committee on Ways and Means again heard evidence to-day in regard to the tobacco interests, Mr. John D. Evans, President of the New York Tobacco Board of Trade, advocated the continuance and extension of the bonded warehouge system, and in addition to the removal of obstructions to exportation suggested an abaiement of the tax on tobacco injured or destroyed by accident, dre or Other cause in removal and transhipment, but not from mould or natural deterioration, Dr. Spence, of Cincinnati, representing the Na- tional ‘Tobacco Association and manufacturers of Cincinnati and Covington, advocated a uniiorm tax of sixteen cents on tobacco. ‘The piug interest was severely suffering, owing to the present tax on that brand of the trade, A uniform tax of sixteen cents would yield $28,000,000 annually, provided due care be taken in its collection. It was desirabie they should have more specific lis in the law, 80 that there may not be so many decisions of the Commis- sioner, which Were not always uniorm. Mr, McAipin, representing the fine cut interests, said he enlisted im the sixteen cent uniform rate because it would give stability and obviate manu- facturers coming here every winter to ask fora change in the law. He referred to an extract from his business books to show that whenever the tax was over sixteen cents fine cut could not be mana- factured with profit, the sales having largely [alien off in previous years when the tax was higher, Mr. Rosenoell, of Balumore, complained of the second tax on tobacco aiter the first had been paid, and showed how it nad injured his business. Mr. Pepers, of St- Louis, sald he had never yet seen a poor man who was unable to buy chewing tobacco, ana appealed for relief vo the plug men, who are suffering from fine cut competition, Mr. Bagiey, of Detroit, in addition to what he said yesterday, remarked that all the tobacco men are making money, and aid not believe the people wanted any change in the law. Mr. D, C. Salmon, of Syracuse, N. Y., did not agree with Mr. Bagley, The present tax on tovacco was & common complaint among the people. They thought it somewhat oppressive, He advocated a uniform tax of sixteen cents. Ti Xo? caeiedad the committee will hear the rice in- res STAIE LEGISLATURES. WISCONSIN. State Documents for the Chicago Law Library—Limitation of Municipal Debt. MADISON, Jan, 24, 1872, The Senate to-day sustainea the Governor's velo to the bill granting the Chippewa Investigating Committee additional power, by a vote of 16 to 14, A joint resolution was concurred in authorizing the presentation of State documeuts to the Chicago Law Library. In the Assembly an amendment to the constitu- tion was offered iim:ting the debt contracting pow- ers Of municipalities to five per cent of valuation. OHIO. More Bounty Wanted for the Buckeye Vol- anteers. CoLuMBUS, Uhio, Jan. 24, 1872, Inthe House this morning a resolution was of- fered asking Congress to grant $100 bounty to each soldier of the jate war who enlisted tor three years, but was discharged before the expiration of two years for sickness or disability. Election Frauds to be Investigated—A Lively Time Expected. TOPEKA, Jan. 24, 1872, After a long debate the Senate yesterday adopted the Iionse resolution to Investigate the charges of corruption in the Senatorial election last winter. An exciting time is expected, and it is supposed that a large number of witnesses from all parts of the Stave will be summoned to the capital. NEBRASKA, Chaotic Condition of the Legislative Depart- ment—No Quorum for Business in Either House—The Governer’s Order Prorogaing the Legislature To Be Struck Off the Jour- mw OMAHA, Jan. 24, 1872. There were eleven members in the House and six m the Senate yesterday.. There is no quorum and none is expected, although every effort 13 being made to induce ahsent members to return, sete election of a new Governor will be attempted ay. The order proroguing the Legislature was or- dered struck from the House journal. NEW MEXICO, The Emeute in Santa Fe—The Supreme Court Condemns the Action of the Democrats in Recent Fight in the Legisiatare—The Places of the Kepublicans To Be Returned. SANTA FE, Jan. 23, 1872. The Supreme Court rendered a decision in the haveas corpus case yesterday, finding that the ac- tion of the House of Representatives m expellin three republican members and admitting to the! seats and to the seat of another republican, recently deceased, four democrats, was unauthorized, ille- gal, revolutionary and void, On this point the Court was unanimous, ‘The decision also deciares that the eleven mem- bers who remained inthe hali after the adjourn. ment of the House by the Speaker had no right to order @ call of the House or to transact other business in a legislative capacity, and that the war- rave issued under such call Wis without authority of law. ‘The relators are discharged, with costs. On the second point and the judgment Judge B. Johnson dissented. WEST INDIES. The Severe Quarantine Restrictions Relaxed at Port au Prince—Bad Effect the Regula- tions Had on Trade. HALIFAX, N, 8., Jan. 24, 1872. An arrival from the West indies reports that the quarantine of vessels at Portau Prince has been reduced to five days, Fifteen days’ quarantine Proved disastrous to shi So many cargoes rs together depreciated prices, The Jamaica are also Overstock and shipments for ae restricted, causias @ depression 10 m there busin ART MATTERS. ‘The Artist’ Fund Exhibition at the Somer- : ville Gallery. The ideas associated in the minds of the artists ‘with this exbibition are, we suppose, of @ some- what grave and decorous nature. Amd possibly we owe to this circumstance the comparative freedom which we enjoy from sunscapes that threaten to burn up the unwary spectator. We stroll about the Somerville Gallery with a sense of security which is certainly refreshing; no fear of getting scorched, for the few fire worshippers’ works scat- tered about only serve to warm up the mass of cook river and lakescapes which surround them. The effect 1s keeping with the season, and we feel agreeably disappointed in looking round to find no work glarmg offensively from the walls, like @ warning to trespassers met in a pleasant glade, disturbing our sense of enjoyment and security. Everything 1s pleasantly subdued, and, in addition, there reigns a higher LEVEL OF MERIT than we usually find in our art exhibitions. Of course there are gradations, but they are reduced to within a very small compass. The lowest merit 4s respectable, according to the canon which obtains among us, and there are many examples by the ‘Most distinguished of our native artists. Looked at im general this exhibition 1s certainly creditable to the members of the association, aud furnishes the National Academy with an example it would do well to follow. It 1s possible to be interested in the collection in the Somerville Gallery, and we are not constantly exposed to a nervous shock by coming suddenly upon @ piece of unearthly scenery or stumbling against a plecejof rock which we cannot distin- guish from an antideluvian monster, being forced, 48 soon a8 we recover, to console ourselves by the reflection that we suffer in the cause of science. We are told that young artists must be encouraged to display their incompetency that the world may learn by contrast how great are the wonderful artists Who preside over the destinies of the palace in Twenty-third street. If the Artisv’s Fund Exhibt- tion could only teach these gentlemen that to make @ collection interesting it Is necessary above all things to have it select, and that the idea of shinin, by contrast Is @ selfish and, we might add, with all due respect, a stupid one, we might hope to see the ay Academy become in time what It ought A SCHOOL OF ART TASTE, At present its mission is as checkered as its facade, and the innocent public who go to look at the pic- tures are as likely to come away with wrong notions as with right ones, Indeed, if the impressions de- pend on the quantity of works which the visitor Must examine, the chances are he will get the wrong idea, as for one decent painting he 1s certain to see ten atrocious daups, Our friends at the Somerville Galiery at least may lay ciaim to the merit of having reduced the number of bad pic- tures to the minimum, and affording the lovers of arc the largest amount of pleasure with the smallest alloy of pain, The collection is not large, num- bering about eighty paintings; but they will well repay a visit. ‘Chey will remain on exhibition unul the 3ist of the month, when they will be sola by auction for the benefit of the fund. “Coney Island” (NO. 6), by C. Parsons: a pleasing little bit of sand and water, with nice feeling; the water close to the peach a little too blue. J. F. Kensett’s “Twilight; a river scene, with the shadows and lights struggling for mastery, while the sinking sun bathes the distant sky; background m gorgeous tints of mingied wl and brown. “Cumberland Mountains,”’ by W. L. Sontag, dis- Dlays ali the gorgeous splendor of this artist’s IRIDESCENT STYLE, Something of Tarnerish boldness in tne way Son- tag puts on his colors, and though we don’t remem- ber often to have seen the purplish tints In which he loves to revel permeating either sky or land- scape, there is acertam poetie charm about the treatment which we like better than a dull copy of some bit of scenery. Mr. Sontag evidently makes his scenes the basis of a theme and aintstoan ideal. In marked contrast we have A, , Bricher’s cool, quiet ‘Mill Stream,’’ with glimpses of clear, cold ay seen through the dark foliage of the trees, and Wyant’s “Landscape,” with quiet sentiment and great sobriety of color, ‘An Alpine Gorge,” by 8. W. Castlear (No. 89), 18 marked vy a happy treatment of mountain scenery, the dark bit of foreground contrasting well with the snow peaks in the distance, which display careful study of hill form on the part of the artist. 8. R. Gifford (No. 42) gives usa gilmpse of ‘The Catskills” in all the glory of autumn tints. Hubbard’s ‘Tappan Zee,” excellent in perspective and happy in treatment; Boughton’s “The Bunding Mist Came Down’? (No. 59) tells astory of human woe. In the sad, subdued face of the girl we see that the hour to seek oblivion has come, ‘he whole composition is well in keep- ing with the subject. W. Wnhittredge 1s represented by a picture of ““fwiltght on the Plains,” in which he has succeeded in conveying the poetic mystery and grandeur of the sunset on the rolling pratrics, De Haas is never so much at his ease as when he is depicting the briny deep. His “Ship wreck on the coast of France” is forcible in the extreme; tne waves, rushing in break, over @ noble snip driven helpless on the rocks, and THE BLINDING SPRAY breaks over her bow and side asthe angry waves dash against her sides. Storm clouds, dark and menacing are driving fariously across the sky, giving us the impression of lightness and imma. teriality which we so often miss in paintings. David Johnson’s “Split-rock Island’? (No, 65) 18 @ charming picture, delighfully cool, with quiet grays in water and sky, Konsett’s “Massachusetts Coast’? (No. 66)—full of charm and repose. In J. rown’s “I Couldn't Help It,” the expression of childish sorrow mingled with dread is capitally conveyed. The artist 1s In evident sympathy with young, folks as we have some other examples in the exhibition which display Close observation of chil- dren, - It will be seen {from the little we have been able tosay bow many works of real interest are gathered into the collection, and we advise those who are inverested 1m art not to fail to visit the gule lery before the sale, which. will take place on the Slst iustant, at the Somerville Gallery. Art Notes. The fine art exhibition in Madrid has proved a complete success, notwithstanding the many dim- culties with which it had to contend, owing to tne disturbed state of the political atmosphere, Spain, once so celebrated in art, has so long failed to pro- duce anything worthy of her Velasquez and Murilios that the visitors were astonished to find the wonder- Jul REAWAKENING TO ART which the Madrid exhibition revealed. It would seem that the genius of the itand of the Cid is throwing off the fetters in which ages of misgovernment and anarchy bad bound It, and that in the futare we sliail see the Spanish artists take @ place not unworthy of their ancient renown. A painting represenung the “Death of Lucretia,” by M. Rosales, obtamed a most brilliant success, not alone gaining the first prize, but giving a name to the gallery it was hung in, and which, in compliment to the artist and recognition of the great worth of the painting, was called the cones of aucretia,” certainly a very high onor. Two first prizes were awarded in sculpture, and were carried olf by “St. George,” by Sefior Alen, and a@group, “Agar and Ishinael in the Desert,” by Seiior Cordina. The latter work 1s especially powertul; the grouping 1s very fine, The artist nas succeeded in representing the maternal sorrow with great vigor and contrasting it with the nepiow expression of the unconscious boy. Itis said this group will be purchased for the Madrid Museum. Patriotism and Art. The ladies of Mulhouse, anxious to mark their ap- preciation of the patriotism and energetic de- votion of Gambetta during the unfortunate straggle with Prussia, and his earnest efforts to save Alsace from being abandoned to the Germans, resolved to present him a testimo Miai of their esteem and gratitude. The form of the acknowledgment reflects much oredit on their taste and delicacy. Calling to their aid an Alsatian artist, J. J. leaner, wao could sympatn 1ze with their sorrow and indignation, they commis- sioned him to paint A SYMBOLIC PICTURE OF ALSACE. The artist discharged his auty to the satisfaction ot his patrons and to his own honor, Full of sor- row and indignation, but mindful of the dignity of his native province, he represented Alsace a3 @ young and beautifai girl, dressed in mourning. The figure is full of sorowiul dignity, but looks out us vo the future with @ firnaness not unmingled with hove, There is no clap-trap, no bombast; all is simple and forceful, and yet full of sweetness. It is @ noble work, embodying the spirii of the hour, and will become more vaiuable and interesting with time, Gainbetta received this touching proof that amid the striie of worthless factionists the true People are mindful of those who sincerely and un- eelfishly struggie for them. * art Sales. An interesting collection of paintings by well known American and European artists will be offered for sale at Schenck’s auction room, to-day at noon, IVES’ SCULPTURE. This artist wili dispose of his collection of marble atatues and statuettes to-night at eight o'clock, at te gallery 229 Fifth avenue. WAR ON THE WAVES, A Mutinows Crew Fight on Board Their Vessel and Kill One of Their Number— Others Injured. BOSTON, Jan. 24, 1872 The bark Warren Hallett, Captain A. J. Wilson, Which sailed from this purt on Tuesday morning for Cape de Verds, put into Provincetown Harbor the same night, in consequence of mutiny amon, the crew. Previous to reaching the harbor a terribi fight had occurred on boar: uring Which on Was Killed and another fatally injured, The vessel te awaltung orders fom her owners, THE CUSTOM HOUSE COMMITTEE, The Leet ‘‘Cousins” Face to Face— Which is the Liar? More Testimony Against the General Order Busi- ness—A Stolen Case of Watches— Another Glar- ing Example of the Custom House Circle Administration—Leet & Co.’s Com- pact with AT. Stewart About Charges—One More Mis- statement Set Right, The Custom House Committee met again yester- day morning at the Fiftn Avenue Hotel, The first ‘witness was Mr. Benjamin H, Hutton, who, naving been sworn, sald:— Jn thi olty and have been an importer sinon 1994; not recently been very great difliculty in. gettin goods through Custom House; there is one thing a Present in the Custom House that 1 consider a very serious abuse—I mean the son the general order goods; the ated for such goods aretwo or thse times bluger than they ought to be; Ihave complained about them, but did not get reas ; ten years ago the general order charges were about one-third of what they are now; I have no donbt that there 1s @ profit on the cartage; I judge of that by what | pay 4 self for cartage; the charges ten years ago were fifty cents for cartage, labor and storage; within the uple of months I have noticed a reduction , owing, I beifeve, to the oppo- ges: the charges bexnn to get bieger they ‘became very exorbitant; they im. before Mr. Draper's time: Mr. Dra- er reduced them; the charges thon reached as high as #3; 1 do not think the charge per package, if the business were properly managed, should exceed sity cele per pack- 31 believe Leet & Stocking charge a per centage for their vances to carmen; from Jersey Clty we ourselves get four ed for ‘this bill 0 for $10 50 fo lector are {reside there has ‘th Fr seven packas sollector ; Mr. y said be would investigate the matter; there was no it, and when I called about it again I was told that the matter was till nation; I protested against a number I ‘did not teat legally the — legallt; charges, use the expenses for counsel are too large; Leet & Stocking appear indifferent as to the rightfuiness of any charge; they to pax Any rates for Sree at forward, Do you know of any advanta; 4 to the government in oneral order system? A. It ery bad system —the worst we could possibly hat he g ment should have its own general order stores; the business should not be the reward of political or othe? services; I think the nu ment should establish bonded warehouses, which should also eral order stores; in the absence of that being done, the best plan wouid be for th ‘steamship lines to be per: mitted each ite own | sage order store; the natural result of competition would be reasonable charges, though 1 should prefer an outsiae power should regulate tbe rates, What about abstractions m pack A. We have not suffered much in that way recently, and formerly when they occurred an attempt was made to suppress them. Q. Do you consider Leet eoceines Peay, of the order business valuable? A, As conducted by them ry valuable privilege. - eat aee, Fou know if these parties pay a vortion of their re- ceipta to third persons not named? A. I have heard of it. rom a person who knew? A. From a person who was told it by a | ee who Cr to know, and who thus ac- counted for gh charges; I am now referring to Leet & Stocking's predecessors; I am not at liberty to say more about this, Q. Were your books ever seized? A. No, sir; Mr. Murphy once sent for them their absence from my oflice caused me Rcmprr Soupad loss and checked my business for a consider- able time, Q. Do you think this power invested in the Collector is ex- ercised Wisely? A. I think, without a very well founded suspicion of fraud, its exercise is very injurious; if the charge be well founded, of course the power is useful for the rotection of the government and the interest of honest ders generally; the law ise proper one, if jualevous executed and if there was no inducement to abuse it; suc charges of fraud are very mortifying to an honest merchant ; when I was thus charged it was the first time I nad ever been suspected, and I thought the matter might bave arisen from the jealous fear of some competitor in business; at present there Is a large inducement on the part of the government Ofiicials to make seizures and bring charges, because, in case of success, they obtain a large percentage of the forfeiture. Q. Do you know oftcompromises having been made under threats of competition? A. Yes, sir; Lhave heard of such things baving happened very frequently, but I cannot speak from my own personal knowledge in this matter; mercbants, if guilty, would not be likely to say much about @ compro: tne anait not guilty, they would also be equally sensitive al it. Q. What did Leet & Co. say to these excessive charges? A. They were very insolent, and in almost every case they refused to bring down their rates to @ reasonable rate; the Cunard people alwaye were very polito and examined Gare- fully into all cases of complain! Q,, Whial.do,you think of the syatem of aples in the puolic service? A. To tell you the truth, I look upon it as a dis- grace to ihe government; these men frequently trump up charges in the hops of extorting something, without having the slightest grounds for action; Tithing, however, they are useful in the detection of smuggling. PN. Moore, sworn—For twenty-six vears I have been in the house of Phelps, Dodge & Co., having the supervision ot duties levied on finporis; the general order system in vei prejudicial to the interests of commerce; the rates charge are three or four times greater than formerly; ® small in- creage in the rate of chargeais enough to drive away com- merce from the porty I was speaking recently to a gentleman from Bailimore, who told me that aince this investigation was begun the general order people in that elty bad got the dis. temper un inning to charge reasonable rates; I would suggest that the abuses be stopped there as well ‘as tleman high in ollice under the govern- Mr. Grinnell {60,000 for the general gentleman’ who made it told wi ere; a ge ment who offered business: | the ra me of “it himself, but 1 would not give his nam { politely requested bim to leave the rofits of that business are between I would let every line of steamers ‘order warehouse; I think the resuit be ry way good. ‘The witness then entered into nu explanation of the de- fects of the present manner of doing business in the Custom House, complaining especially of the deliciency of clerks and the badness of the oltice accommodation. ‘A. N. Leet sworn: in Philadeiphia twelve years ago at society; he sent a card up to me and acousin; he asked me about my fam: that we were Indeed connected; he # & copy of the family arms by mail, and mother took but little interest ‘m such matters and the paper was lost; I saw nim again ear; in 1870; having heard that Colonel Leet. had got the general order business I called upon him, at the request of a prothe: in-law, who bad been in the army, and was out of emplo; Leet’a warehouse as a clerk ; ing with alm; I have 1 iv recognized me; I did not say that Colonel Leet had told me that he was making a great deal of money out of the business, but I did say to Mr. Shanks that I thought that Colouel Leet bad made a very at deal of movey out of it; the story seems to have been colored in transmission from ‘one person to another; about four montha ago T did have a conversation with Colonel Leet; the irregularities in the Custom House came up casu- ally, and he remarked that they were no worse than they had been previously; there was no reference mace to the profits of the general order business. ‘The witness was then examtned as to the grounds upon ‘which certain articles bad been based, Colonel Leet, through Senator Howe, they requested to again give testimony. ‘Senator Bayard objected on the ground that both Colonel Leet and A. N, Leet had both been examined, and that both had deliberately made their statements. The objection, however, was withdrawn, Colonel Leet recalled—I saw the witness who has just left the stand; never saw him before to my knowledge; I have no recoliection of any person baying ealled upon me to apol tor a situation fur nis brotl law; was not in Philadel- phia fn 1861; was there in 1854; never called upon a gentle- man of my name at the Continental Motel in Philadelphia ‘and claimed bimasacousin; never had a book about my pocieree; in 1854 1 was in Pitadelphia om business; was hen etghtcen years of age. ‘Joun'Debroai, swornAm a clerk with A. T, Stewart & Cou; we protested against # bill tor $2 a package presented dy Leet & Stocking; Mr. meeting of @ college innounced himacif as {3 turned ont uently sent me ut my father Sorn called upon us in refer. ence to it, and the charge was reduced to $175; while the dispute was pending the bill remained unpaid; there was an ‘agreement, of which there is @ memorandum on the bill, that no more than $1 75 should be charged in future. (Witness here showed the memorandum.) More than 1 75 has never since been charged; this was in December, 1570, J. 9. Robert, eworo—Am an importer of’ watches; a year ago [lost a case of watches, on which I had paid the govern- ment the duties; there was palpable proof of the guilt of the carman who brought them from the ship ; on inquiry I found that one of the bondamen was aman of siraw, and that the other was a fictitious name ; there was a real man bebind the false name, but I could not claim from bim lus of the case with $287 gold wai $1,900 gold; ‘they were Swiss hhes--300 of them nd movementa. How do you know fe watches arrived in the ship? Dill of Jading and the carman's receipt: the goods left teamer and weut o the Greenvvich street public store, Dut arrived there too late to be received, and were taken to the barge office and stayed there overnight; they were taken ay from there the following morning by the carman and 2. sya nd you found the carman an Srresponsible man, and that the district carmen were of the same kind? A. The district carmen were Train & Hoffman: they bud an oftice tn South street, but I found that that was closed; Train was not aman of substance, and Hoffman repadiated the matter; I have sued Mr. Murphy for the loss, a8 be accepted the worth. Tess bond, and I have xot to hold some one responsible. Q. Where did you see the bond? A. At the Custom Hou but they would not let me see it for some time and referre: me to i} Collector; I waited in ‘outside room of the Collector. which was full of people; T asked w would come and was told that I would have to wi men were politicians; finally Mr. Murphy, by a clerk, gave me permission to see the bond, but there was another dif. culty about my taking a copy; iat last, however, persuaded them to jet me take one. \d these people know that you had met with this loss? A. Yes, air; 1 told every official in the Custom serio House about it. willl Buchanan, sworn—Do business at 54 Broad street; [import spinning machines and have had business with the general order stores of Leet and Stocking; part of my machinery was burried in there very rapidiy; I complained Of it and | got bill “of charges, which were exorbitant; the bili is $263 65; the goods were landed on Saturday, June. 10, from the Kngland; they wero put from the hold of the ship direct into the general order Stores, without being taken to the dock at all; I went to tho general order stores the same day for them, having got the bill Of lading and invoices and had my entries ali ready, with the exception of having my gold ready; I got my gold about eleven o'clock and sent up for a permit, but was told th: some of the machinery had gone to the general order stores Ibad the it by one o'clock; we stopped about ni packages polnge the general order store; | had had a lighter waiting since Friday night to unload the goods; the bill was ry ‘all the cases, although some of hem never entered the general order stores, havin; Deen stopped by the permit; they made me pa 0; 1 ‘was the most unwieldly cases that never entered the stores ; tLe cases that were not tak in were left out on the dock it ramed that night ana tl machinery was exposed to the weather and suilered in co: sequence they charged me 490 cartage 10, and 1 only paid for cartage out. Q Have you ever submitted this bill to other warehouse- men to ascertain if the charge was reasonable? A. No, sir; bat I sent it up to the Custom House and they sent it back, with a memorandum, “On examination | hud this charge to be reasonabie ;" sened 5. P. K. Q, Can you give your opinion a8 to what would have been afuir charge? A. Thave little goaby teak with very litte trouble, I could e @ very mucl ter bargain. Q. Who told you that the charge for cartage was #90? A. in the bill; the cbarge for labor and cartage 1s $163 odd— 2 60 labor and $2 60 storage each case; they charged ‘and cartage om the cases that were left oui in the just the same asif they had been in the store; I Bove der 1e LOF $20, © it, of course, they exp ‘OF uty e protit_on the labor; 1 am now ‘ealimating that the goods Should be moved in and out at the same time; the storage for these heavy goods for ® month Ought to be avout three dollars a package. ‘The committee then adjourned until half-past seven o'clock. Evening Session. $ ‘The committeo resumed at Dals-past seven 0 ‘Clock. A communication was received from the ‘tne Cunard line inviting the committee to Gooks of the compapy, A letter was also from Mr. Cornell denying the statement Bloomfield relative to bribing an inspector Wood, there being no inspector of that name in thé United State service, ‘THE TESTIMONY, Thomson testified as follows:—I am = know of ft reight discharged from the ship Vesta, the Saa'ot December: te cur of ie aip wan uh faba there are some articles taat are not reighed, as a ash; in, office; he attends to im forty cents an hour; he drawing pay wai absent was present wi ; Townsent political organization; there were present sa meeting a number of men employed in the ‘ ustom House; ent exercised dit infivence te 1 Bg,undve ia Vote as I wished, except to Mr. William Haw for president of the society ; the "longsl men have refused to work for the United States weigher; the Ereatest yortion of ‘the casks which formed part of the cargo Of the Vesta were weighed; as a genet ever passed in iy dusrict withcut being more time nm are divided men charged. have, never, ¢ weigher an ernment the full amount of thei wages; have never pal DOr Masters any ‘sum of money to send ships to my dige trict; have made no assessment on the men in my} pee 4 political purposes; but Bave asked them to cont 8 rt of the republican party, which gave them th the statement made by O. W. Palmer is wholly iy false, (Applanse.) > CHATRMAN- ‘This applause {s contrary to our rules. A repetition of It will be followed by the expulsion of all from, the room. ‘Examination continued—Was Harbor Master under Gors ernor Fenton; knew the Governor intimately; was nls most devoted friend, politically; Mr, Greeley in his statement me great mistake; Tleft the concernin, ‘nas made ton party because I believed that fairly represent the republican Ly joined party of Mr. Murphy for no political trick; the statements, nade by Mr, Gresley concerning me cannot be subi T always paid my share of the nse of thy pariy : Deven knew my men to attend Primary elections with cinie; neves threatened to discharge men ff they did not vote as I wished. m G. P. Gale testified—I am a dry goods deal thing of the general order business: g-od as ft formerly was; tt docs not compare favorably former general order stores; the rates are higher; tha charges of the general order stores on the Jersey aide wert eos, and the working of no use to protect his party; it would be @ creat advantage have our goods as they were ; in one instance the goods wel put in aera order store at eleven in the morning, when 1) veracl had only arrived the night before; cannot say hor those things are manages have Known many cases in whi goods have been placed under general order before the sels have struck the docks; ackeaes bave been take holding the permit from under my eves, thoty thelr delivery’ In my ‘and; two ‘days would ‘away, but this per! us sufiletent t{me to get our g not allowed us; the general order oo from the docks, when they ought to be the last accoraing t the rules of the Collector of ‘the port; don't know wn: 3 the object of this is, except to fleece the me chants; if goods could be got ag cheap op aide of the river as on the er ve no objection to have the stores here; ha' inst Leet & Stocking; do not know the is ter on thi very intently who have charged me more than tl rates, Senator Howr—Did you make no protest against thes charges? A. Yos; but could get no redress; I went to the tom Honse and complained, but no attention was patd to me; Tottired making complaints and came to the conciue sion to take thinge as easiiy as possible; 1 understood thi Secretary Boutwell directed the general order stores be returned to Jersey City and Hoboken; the ter which Mr. Bontwell wrote was “Jn respon: to a petition of the merchants of New York; wh the Cunard and German lines had control of the gene order stores I knew of none of the officers of the ‘steamshi companies who were connected with the Custom House o New York; the stores were more secure from fire on that side; never knew of any lorses to take place in thore stores; do not know that the rates of insurance are higher now: than formerly; cannot say what precautions are taken! by Leet & Stocking against fire; the docks wherq our goods land are well protected, better than they: would be in Leet & Stocking’s store; have heard that vessels, have been enterea in general order when they were as far down aa the Narrows; I understand that this ts the rule: we cannot get our goods until the invoices are received; sometimes the goods come before tie involces, though this is not a general rule; can: not say that Leet & Stocking make — anythi out of the carmens’ fees; I complain of general charges; cannot speak of separate items; never asked that the items be particularized in the bills; the merchants are very careful, to Keep goods out of general order to prevent the exorbitant charges; have not been in the stores of Leet & Stocking within the past year; cannot say what the nature of thetr arrangements are for speedy delivery; the Deputy Collector has the power of designating what packages are to go to the public stores; have never lost ‘ingle article trom the docks 80 long as they remained upon them, ‘The witness was examined at tedious length relative to, the general order business by Senators Casserly and Pratt, Peter Rafferty, of 77 Henry atreet, testified to the auctl of unclaimed Custom House goods; goods have been put t at auction; have bought some; bought a box which was to contain’ English prints; when 1 took it home I found contained nothing but bundles of straw—(aughter)—bought | pag anid to contain nfty-eight pounds of Eng}ia Senator CASSERLY—How did that turn out? la like the first; only the stuffing was rags instead of straw— (anghter)-+I bought another box marked tea, and it con- tained all—(great | laughter)—I bought rum which, was _ auctione thirty six Nona; on taking only sever: aif gallons; Ihave bought boxes of cigars, and o i them found some empty and others: haif full of igaretves; also bought a roll of matting, said to be English matting, bat found on examination it was made of grass— Gaughter); at one auction I bonght goods which cost me #100 and afterwards would have sold them for oneenth of the amount; [took the facts of the case to one of the morning about the matter, nothing anda openins e papers and it published an entire stor lenator CABSERLY—Did you attend any other sales? A. No: [did not want any more. (Laughter.) The witness entered into some interesting details, narrated in a manner which kept the room in @ roar of laughter. The committee adjourned at half-past ten until this morning. OLD SCHOOLMATES. Ninth Reunion of the Ninth Claas of Old Grammar School No. 14—A Goodly Time. The ninth reunion of the Ninth Class Association of old Public School No. 14, occurred last evening. One of the parlors of the Hotel Brunswick was crowded by the grown-up schoolmates of TWENTY YEARS AGO, many of whom met for the first time since they had there studied together. They gathered in groups, talking over the memories of bygone days with all the earnestness of men who regard their yoath as far more paradisiacal than theit more serious and duty-laden manhood. The building which usea to be occupied by GRAMMAR SCHOOL NO. 14 stood in Houston street, Irwenty years ago the principal was Leonard Hazelton, who, now a venee rable, white-haired old gentleman, has been longer in the service of the educational department of New York than any one else. ‘he highest class of the school was that which composes this association, It was organized November 18, 1861. It has about, seventy members, including many of the prominent men of the city, Others that belonged to the oid class now are in other parts of the world, and so cannot take part in these pleasant reunions. Otners are gone from among men never more to return, But a goodly number still remain, and in fact most of them are STILL YOUNG MEN, although there are noticeable a few heads that have been streaked with gray, General Pinckney and Mr. Frederick (©. Wagner were present last evening; and as guests Bernard Smythe, Presi« dent of the Department of Public Instruction; Thomas ,» Clerk of ‘the Superior Court; Isaac J. Oliver, ex-Supervisor, and Anson ye ex-principal of Grammar School No. 14. Leonard; Hazeltine, who was the principal when this class ‘was graduated, stood among his former pupils, ape parently very happv. THE ‘OLD BOYS” gathered round him with warmly uttered good; wishes, and he in turn patted them afectionately— even as he did when they were dutiful scholars so. Many years ago—upon the shoulders with a pecu- liarly tender playfulness, At eight o'clock the doors of the dining nall were thrown Cs te and all sat down to a pleasant repast, The President of tue association, James A, Lucas,. was Chairman. TOASTS WERE PLEDGED in the sparkling champagne, and the schoolboys} all went home al an early nour, feeling undoubtediy; very happy aud ready to inquire in a good-humor ed. way:— Has thers any old fellow got mixed with the boys ? If there has take him out without making a noise. AN INTERNATIONAL PENITENTIARY CON- GRESS, A public meeting will be neld in Steinway Hall on Friday evening next to hear from Dr. Wines, Com- missioner of the United States to organize au Inter- national Penitentiary Congress, a statement of the progress and resuits of nis mission thus far; to re~ spond to @ similar meeting held in Londo on the 8d of November (in which, among) other distinguished men, Archbishop Manning, Lord, Carnarvon, Sir John Pakington and Sir Charles! Adderly took part), and generally to the action of European and south American governments im relation to the Congress; to give expression to the voice and sentiment of America on this subject,, and to take the necessary measures, so far as tho” United States t8 concerned, 105, = ge ol the Congress. Governor Jo! , Homi : reside, and the meeting will be Ck | by ex-' jovernor Ho! toe Hon. James G. States House of Rep- Blaine, Speak eg TM Tesentatives; the Hon. senator Chusetts; the Kaght Kev. Archbishop MoUloskey, of New York; Representatives N. P. Banks, of Massa. chusetts; James A. Garheld, of Obto, and M. U. ‘Indiana, and His Excellency bey,’ fnrkish Minister at Washington. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher 1s e to address the meeting. Letters will beet at meeting from the President and Vice lent the United States, the Hon. William H. Seward, tho, Hon, Senators Sumner, Casserly, Morton and Tram- ball; Kepresentative Wiiliam elley and others. ‘This meeting is intended to: not to New Yt treats, and, by ts opteiand ts uweranogsy i nents, a yy ite sp! ut upon public opinion throughout the Worlds \