The New York Herald Newspaper, April 10, 1872, Page 3

- THE STATE CAPITAL. Eighty-eight Bills Passed in the Senate. The Question of the. Charter Tabled. Senator James Wood Not Expelled, but Mildly Censured. THE ~ STATE REGISTRY ACT PASS:D. Reorganization of the Board of Emigration Commissioners. The Twenty-third Street Railroad Franchise. Fight Over the Local Prohibitory Bill in the Assembly. The Republicans Against the Lager Men. wrize Candy Package Boys Abolished—The Tona- wanda Dam Bill—A Big Canal Job— A Bushel of Local and Private Bills Passed. ALBANY, March 9, 1872. ‘The Senate consumed the entire morning session tm third reading of bills, and actually passea eighty-eight before adjourning. Among these was the Registry act, which extends the provisions of ‘the Registry law ail over tne State, towns or vil- lages having less than 10,000 inhabitants being alone excepted. Senator Lord opposed the bill stoutly, and claimed that the people of ‘the State did nut ask for any such law. He quoted im support of his argument from th> message of Governor Seward, who, in vetoing a similar bill years ago, contended that tt would put the heaviest ‘burden upon those men in the rural districts who could jeast afford to lose a half day or even a few hours from their work to travel miles away from ‘their homes to get their names put upon the record. Another one of the bills passed was THE TONAWANDA DAM BILL, ‘which authorizes the destruction of the canal dam ‘at that place and the levelling of the canal from there to Lockport. This project will cost the State @ nice sum, if Mr. Fay’s estimates, made two years ago, are of any weight. He considered then that the expense would be at least $1,900,000, The man ‘who gets the contract for the work wili indeed be in duck, The Assembly was also engaged in taking final Action upon bills, and a large number, mostly locul ‘measures, were passed. At the opening of the ses- sion, when the list of the bills for reference to the grinding committee was being read, Mr. Hunter made an effort to except the bill reorganizing the BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF EMIGRATION, ‘but Mr. Judd succeeded in having it conferrea, and hence there is a fair prospect of the board bemg Teorganized this season. Among the bills passed ‘was the acts relating to the unlawful taking of oysters planted within tne waters or the State; to prevent the sale of prize packages, such as those ‘which passengers are importuned to purchase on railroad trams; to make general election days Public holidays; the annual Supply Bill; the bill in- corporating the Industrial Exhibition Company in New York; the bills making appropriations for the maintainance and management of the State canals and reappropriating moneys for new work nd repairs on canals and payment of awaras authorized by the Canal ‘Appraisers ana the SUPPLEMENTAL ALBANY POLICE BILL, which ts designed to meet the objections in the Governer’s veto, It will be rememberea ‘that the republican majority passed the original bill, not- withstanding the objections of the Governor, admit- ting that 1t was an improper measure, but promising to bring in this suppiemental pill, which removes the objectionable features pointed ont by the Gover- or’s veto, This evening the Speaker announced the death of Erastus Corning. After the bili authoriz- Ing the Secona Avenue Railroad Company to extena their road through certain streets and avenues to Ninety-second street had been discussed in Commit- tee of tae Whole, and ordered to a third reading, the House proceeded to consider the special order of the evening, which was the subject of LOCAL PROHIBITION. ‘The bill introduced by Mr. I. D. Brown provides that the people shall determine by ballot at elec- tions whether the sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage shall be prohibited in their respective town 8 id cities, ‘Ihe Assembly remained in session until nearly cleven o'clock, and until aearly all the members became thirsty debating tho merits of the temperance question, There seemed to be @ very general desire to omit malt liquors {rom the proposed prohibition. Mr. Alvord moved to except cities from the operation of the bill, and argued st prohibition on the ground that it been tried heretofore and had failed, and had proved to be injurious to the cause of temperance. Re contended that the law of kindness was more potent in preventing sthe spread of intemperance than prohibitory enact- ments. Mr. Koltz, a German member from Erie, made 8 capital set speech against the whoie meas- ore a8 WRONG IN PRINCIPLE AND PRACTICE, contending that the best assurance for the moral improvement of the citizen was found in the largest Individual Mberty and the universal educa- tion of the people. Messrs, Smyth, J. D. Brown, Iancoln, Preston, Grifin, Miles, Burns and Al- vord participated in the discussion which followed, The political point brought prommently out in the debate was that the republican party was ized to the principle of prohibition and that a lure to redeem that pledge would work to tie injury of the pariy at the next poll election. Tue oa tt ra ordered to a third reading by a vote SENATOR WOOD'S CASE, Notwithstanding the inclement state of the weather this even! i, the knowledge that the case of Senator James Wood was vo be resumed was sumictent to crowd to repletion the Senate lovbies, galleries, and even the spare room within the Sena- torial circle. There was an unprecedentedly large number of ladies Heong who seemed to take the reatest possible interest in the proceedings. When 18 pedal order was announced Mr. Allen took (he flogr and resumed his speech im defence of the report made by the investigating committee, calling attention to J ¢ Selden’s remark in his elaborate opinion, already submitted to the Senate, to wit:—‘Thet Mr. Wood had not borrowed tne $15,000 individually from Mr. Tweed.’ He pointed to the evidence of Mr. Wood himself, which showed conciusively that he did personally. obtain the money from Tweed. As to the statement that Mr. Woou’s ered was good at the time he optained the loan, the Senator called the attention of the Senate to the evidence of those withesses living in afr. Wood's diatrict,.who testified that the latter's credit ‘Was not aod for $100. The report of the committee he contended was sustained by these witnesses, aud their statements as to Mr. Wood’s credit were im- wortant when taker into consideration with all the otber evidence taken by the committee, It was noticeable, he said, that after getting the money from Tweed the accused did not loan it to the com- pany in which be Was interested without getting a note for it, and was it not strange that not a man ‘Was produced by Mr. Wood durmg the investiga- tion to show that that man or any other man had ever satistied ener Tweed or Gould before they made the loans they aid; that the borrower was good tor tue amounts joaned, Was it reasonable to suppose that men dike Tweed and Gould would loan iarge amounts vo & Man whose credit they Knew notuing about’ Then, again, tue ican made by Gould was asked for by Mr. Wood almost immediately after the latter had been introduced 10 the former, and Gould testi- fed that he would not have macie the loan had Mr. Wood been AN AVOWED OPPONENT OF THE ERIE ROAD, ‘and vhat be only made joans to hus friends, ana that the irtends of the Erie road he considered hs irienas. | It waa strange to find over twenty judg- ments against Mr. Wood in his district, and, even though they bad aii been paid, it did pot redound to his reputation for tinancial credit that they had to be entered against bum 1, It was contended th his credit Jn fits own flistrict was of no importance in connection with the loan obtained from Gould A Tweed, abd that the only question was, Was Nis a » predit good 10 New York) where the men réxided | NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1872.--TRIPLE SHEET. ‘who logned him the money alluded toin the report? | across New York through Twenty-third street, thas matter he denounced as absurd, fort Meee not be denied that when & man desired to ‘loan in New York it was to his home and ‘tts neighbors that the mep in New York who loan om wo a not reside there look for ol credit, fe then referred to the remark made by Senator Ames in his letter that Mr. Wood ‘was not sega guilty of any crime. The Senate was not confined 10 A LEGAL VIEW OF THE EXPULSION. There were moral obligations they had to look to. at might ve that the Senator was not “legally” guilty of a crime, but if the Senate was morally convinced that he was guilty of-wrong doing they coulda expel bim without waiting for legal evidence to convict him of @ crime punishable under the law. To sustain this view ol this particular point Mr. Allen quoted extensively from authorities, The argument of Judge Selden conceded that te loan muickt not have been made “had the oMcial character of tne pariies not existed.” ‘That was the point exactly, and the majority of the committee not only “conceded” the probability of such @ conungency, but believed that the loans Were made because that oficial character did exist. It was plain to them that the men who bad loaned the money did Ao because Mr, Wood was a Senacor, And wnat did the testimony of the accused him- self show as to. this polut? lt showed that he told his partners that he, in his position, might get money to help them irom certain partes. What did that mean? The Senator then concluded by stating that he ped tried to do his duty in the case without p1a8, and with a full determination to be influenced by no motive other than a proper one, and under the circamatances he would find nothing to complain of, no matter what result might be reached, Mr. Murphy next adaressed the Senate. He said that the was the strongest power of the State goverament The Senators, as individuals, each represented the people. Thc question at issue ‘was one that concerned THE HONOR OF THE SENATE, but it also concerned the rights of the Senator ac- cused. To not expel him if he was guilty would be @ wrong to the people. To expel him if innocent, merely on the strength of a prejudice, would equally be doing the people a great wrong. He snould be tried according to the constitution and the Jaws of the lana--that and nothing more. It was true that the constitulion gaye the Senate power to judge of the qualifications of 1ts own mem- vers, but he deniea that that power gave them tne rignt to expel a Senator without legal cause, It the Senate could turn a Sanator out without law no member would be safe from party fury or personal hatred. Ii the constitution were inter- preted by any such sweeping stanuard then the Le- gislature might as well assume the power to expel Irom ofiice a Judge of the Court of Appeals, or any member holding & constitutional oMfice. ‘The ac- oused, he repeated, should be tried by PARLIAMENTARY LAW. We had copiea our parliamentary system from that of Great Britain, and this was the guide the Senate had to go by, for it was to be governed by precedent. Parliament had no power to inquire into offences committed by one of its mem tweaty days or twenty years before 1t came into ex- istence, There Was noi a case ou record where Par- Mament or Congress dared to usurp such a power, Take the ¢ of Matteson. The Cougress that tabled the be ig for his expulsion Was a Congress that succeeded the one hfe was member of when he committed the acts charged against him. Wilkes, who was three distinct times expelied aiter having been re-elected by the sume constiwuency, was ex- peitea each time by the same Congress agalnst which ie had offended, and not by another. Salil he agreed with the report of the committee that Mr, Wood had placed himself in @ position incousistent with bis position as = as Senator, —_ for him and Gould Gold opened vhe door of temptation to Mr. Wood, and he was sorry tosay that ne believed that Mr. Wood entered only too quickly, aud then and toere felt that be was to be, in consideration of the loan, A FRIEND OF THE ERIE ROAD, As for the loan made by Tweed he saw nothing Wrong about it. It was no crime for one Senator to borrow money from another Senator Uf there was no improper motive ta the matter, and he con- tended that no bad motive was shown In connection with this particular joau. It was made months after the suspicious Measures had been passed upon. A MILD REBUKE. The Senator then offered us amendment, which 18 as follows:— Resolved, That in the opinion of the Senate the conduct of the How Séames Wood. fe pisctog bitasell” ander pecuniary onligations to persons likely to have important legislation fore the body of which he was then a member, was im- proper and censurable. Resolved, That the acta with which he now stands charged are not offences against the privileges of this body, but of & former Senate, and that the further consideration ot the rea- olution for expuision be indefinitely postponed. Mr. D. P. Wood, aiter the amendment was amended, propounded a question to Mr. Murphy, to wit:—Had the Senate not tue power to expel a mem- ber who stood charged ol some felony commiited before he became a member of the body? Mr. Murphy replied at some length to the question, contending that a constituency nad the right to send a noto- rious burglar, a thief, wo the Senate, and the Senate could not expel him auniess it had proper certified proof vetore them that he had been con- victed of a felony by a jury of his peers. Mr. Madden desirea to kuow whether by his having asked for the investigation Senator Wood had not waived all his Senatorial privileges which he might have avatied himself of otherwise. Mr. Murphy believed that that fact did not change the case. Mr. Chat- field here rose and offered tne following as AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT, Resolved, That in future ft should be understood that a Senator woo places vimesif under pecuniary obligations to persons known to him to be likely fo have important me: sures before the Senat: thereby impairs his fitness to legi late impartially ang renders himself an improper person to retain a seat as Sefator. Mr. Lord then took the floor and explained the part he took as a member of the committee of in- vestigation, He declined to sign the report, he said, because it indirectly Impugned the mo- tives of Senators who had voted for cer- tain pills in 1870, He was one of the Senators who voted for these now calied ‘corrupt ne believed them to good measures, They were not bad laws. They had been aaministered by bad men, and had they been administered by honest men honestly they would to-day be considered good laws. He turned towards Senator Chattleid and said, when the Senator, without having read the evidence, offered that resolu- tion of expulsion it fell upon me like @ thunder clap, and I inquired wnat kind of a man he was of several of the Senators, “He’s a Cbris- tian,” said they, and I said in reply, it that’s Caristianity§ [ want none ot 1or I remember well that the good book says thacif @ man loves God and hate his neigavor he is @ liar, and if he, hate his brother, wnom ne hath seen, how ean he luve God, whom he hato not seen? Mr. Wood 18 WY NEIGHBOR, and I believe that the good book says “a Christian must love fis neighbor as himsell,’? Chatield looked rather uneasy while being talked at in this fsshion, and was evidently much an- noyed when the’ entire audievce “burst out tn Joud laughter at the close of Mr. Lord’s remarks. Al this stage of the proceedings the Senate got into considerable of a muddle as to how the vole was to be taken on the amendments so as to allow Senators to put themselves on record 80 far as the original resuiution was con- cerned, and it was finally settled by unanimous consent that the ameudments should be divided and voted upon separately. Mr. Palmer then got the floor aud declared that any Senator wno bor- rowed money from @ man who stole a railroad ougnt to be expelled. He longed for an opportu- nity to show by his vote tnat he was with tuem in their detestation of corruption. If he tad been bribed with $10,000 by Gouid it would ve VERY NATURAL FOR HIM to show that he had borrowed it. Mr. Benedict, id an elaborate speech argued to show that ine testi- mony against General Wood was very weak, and did not by any means rove him guilty of bribery, although it id show that he had been very indiscreet. Mr. Madaen denied the right of the Senate to in quire into the conduct of a member of another Senate for acts not committed betore the alieged of- the acts charged against General Wood had been committed while he was @ member o! the present Senate, so strong was his moral conviction of his guilt, he wouid vote to expe! him. Mr. Palmer then moved, as AN AMENDMENT TO MR. MURPHY’S AMENDMENT, that Senator Wood be requested to resign his seat. Mr, Chatfleld then withdrew his substitute, aud the voting began. The first vote taken was to substitute Mr. Murphy’s amendment for tne origi- nal resolution of expulsion, ‘This was carried the following vote:— YRAs—Mensre. Benedict, Bowen, Dickingon, , ham, Harrower, Lewi rd, Madden, erty, hebaee, Wagner, Weismann, Winslow, Wood—18. Nays--Menera, Adams, Allen, Baker, Chatheld, Cock, Johnson, Lowery, McGowan, Palmer, Perry, Robertson, D: THE FIRST RESOLUTION of Mr. Marphy’s substitute was then adopted unant- mously. The following portion of the second rpso- lution was then put:— Resoived, That the acts with which he now stands charged are not offen sre not offences against the privileges of this body, but of @ It was decided by the following vote:— Messrs, Adams, senedict, Bowe Harrower, ‘uowit, "Lord, Madden Me Lind ™ Wagner, Weismann, ' Winslow, vhs mre. Eee. nities Bisipers Pope ore Wagner, Weismann, Winniow and Woo The ast portion oi the second resolution was then. put to the vote, If was ihe real testvote and puts anend to the case for all time tocome. Thia reaas #8 foliows:—*‘And that the further jerauion of the resolution Of expulsion be in- definitely postponed.” The vote was as follow and was taken amd the most profound ailence YFAS—Mesare. Benedict, Bowen, Dickinson, Foster, Gra- ham, Harrower, Lewis, Lord, Madden, Murphy, Tiemann, Wagner, Welamann, Winslow, Woodin—15. Navs--Mesers. Adams, Allen, Baker, Chatfield, Coek, John- son, Lowery, McGowan, Paimer, Perry, Roberton, D. P. Wood--12. And thus did the acensed Senator escape, aa the vuigar phrase 1%, “by the skin of nis teen.” The Senate afier the last vote was taken, near midnight, adjourned. WORK FOR THR SUB-COMMITTEE OF THR WHOLT, The bil reowring the Jranchise for a rauroad | measures,” and he had voted for them because | fender was a member of the present Senate. ir) connect Island with New Jersey by ferries, to be handed over to the company by Comptroller Green for $160,000, was referred to tne Sul Sets et Sega a iead's igall 2 Commissioners, THE SUPPLY BILL. Items of Local and Special Interest. Proseoutions in Criminal Cases—Contested Elec- tions—Charitabie Institutions—A Salary ‘or the City Chamberlain—Appropriations for Quarantine Commissioners and the Health Officer. ALBANY, April 9, 1872, The Supply bill, which passed the Assembly to- day, contains the following provisions:— From and after the passage of this act the Governor, upon ¢ certificate of its necessity by the presiding Judge of the eral Term tn any Supreme Uourt, General Term district, ay direct the Attorney General either to appear in person or to designate and employ counsel to appear in his stead in PEOPLE ARE A PARTY, but in all criminal cases the reasonable costs and expenses of said Attorney General, or counsel designated and em- loved by him, not to exceed $1,000 in any single mstance, to certilied by a Judge of the Supreme Court, sball be a charge upon the county in which the indictment in the case w found, and shall assessed, levied and collected by the Board of Supervisors of such county at its next annual assessinent, levy and collection of count taxes after such services shall have been performed, and thereupon wei. paid over to the Attorney General, to be by him disbul and paid out as now required by law. And hereafter, in all cases In which the people are, or any onees of oe povoreraes at the eo ofa pearnes 16 party jendant gro’ out of any matter or a ness connected with any of the departments of the State government, it shali not be l@wful tor the head of such de- partment to employ any other counsel to detend such action than the Attorney General, or such counsel as he may desig nate for the same. EXPENSES OF OONTRSTRD ELECTIONS, For repayment of expenses incurred by Frederick Kilian in the case of the contested election for Assembly $1,250, and forcompensation while hie seat was held by Alexander Frear, 28 per day; but one uliowance for mileage for the whoie term is to be allowed him. we Alexander Fi tor his expenses in the same case $1,450, For John J. penses $693. For James Dunehy sexpeunes ‘One million dollars is appropr! towards THE NEW CAPITOL. For the National Lincoln Monument Association, Spring- field, Il, $1°,0X. This is tn Heu of a iike amount appro- priated in 1867, and 16 a propriation for completing the adornment of the grounds surrounding the monnment to Abraham Lincoln, For the improved instruction of deaf mutes in New York, and erecting table bullding in Lex- ington avenue, $50,090. For the managers of the Society f the Reformation of Juvenile Velinquents in New York, 090 98, All license money received by the Mayor or other authori- ties in the city of New York for permission to exhibit theat- rical or equestrian performances within sald city snall be pald over by the oflleer receiving the same to the of the Society for te Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents in the city of New York for the use of sald society. to pag THE ISRURLATE ASYLUM AT BENOHAMTON, pay of an lischarge & certain mortgage upon the prop- erty thereof, authorized by the Legislature of 1861, for prit- elpal und interest, the sum of 60,800. The Comins of the Land Uitice shall, if In their judgment it 1s deemed ad- sell the property of such savium, or they may lease mie to some Feapouslble party or parties for a term of three years, provided they sball deem it more for the interest ‘of the State so to do. But no appropriation shall hereafter vie vy the Legislature to this institution as an inebriate aay’ Or the said commiss: it they deem beat, recommend to the next Legislature some public use to which ‘it may be put. YOR THE OUTY CHAMBERLAIN of the city aod county of New York, or the offictal acting as X Treasurer of said city and county, for his fees for recelving and. paying into the State Treasury the State tax levied and collected in raid city and county, the sum of #5,000 in ifeu of all other compensation therefor, and no greater sum anil hereafter be paid or allowe: in any one year for such services ; such sum to be paid by the Treasurer on the warrant of the Oomptroller on or before the lst day of May in each year. providing the whole of the State tax levied and collected Tor the preceding year in such city and county shail have then been paid into the State Treasury ; the oflcer autho- rized and required to receive and pay over the State tax leviea and collectea m the city and county of New York, shall, af- ter this year (ending May 1, 1872), on the Lat day of October in each year, and on the first day of eacn month thereafter, notify olticlally the Comptroller of the State how much of th State tax bas been collected and pa:d into bis hanas during the preceding month; whereupon the Comptroller shall im- mediately draw his warrant therefor, payable tothe Treas- urer of the State, who shall to collect and deposit the same jn the treasury of the State, ard the county treasurer or other officer acting as such tn the city and county of New » shall pay such warrant immediately upon its presenta- tion and “emand for payment, FOR THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE PORT of New York, the sum of $4,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to pay the salaries of pot exceeding four po- licemen at quarantined on the average during the year 1812; such policemen may be appointed and be dismissed by him at pleasure; and they shall perform patrol and police duty under bis direction in connection with the Quarantine estab- lishment and upon the waters of the bay of New York; and they shall possess all the powers possessed by policemen in tne cities of New York and Brookiyn; and any person arrested by either of said policemen for violating y Jaw relating to quarantine, in said port, may be taken by him before any court of criminal jurisdiction, or an} magutrate or police justice, within the county of Richmond, and, thereupon, the court, 'magisirate or police justice, be- fore whom such offender Shall be brought, shall have juris: diction to hea and punish the offence commitied by him, in the same manner and with the like effect as if the same had been committed within the limita over which such court, magistrate or police justice has jurisdiction to puaish offences under existing laws. FOR THR OOMMIKEIONERS OF QUARANTINE, for the ‘payment of existing obligations incurred under the authority for fitting up the hospita! ship Ilinois, the sum of $20,879 7; for repairs on steamboats Andrew Fletcher and Governor Fenton, $11,516 18; and for indebtedness on ac- count of cholera, 17,849 62; for the rent and keeping in order ‘of that portion of the quarantine establiahment leased under and in pursuance of the provisions of chapter 494 of the Laws of 1*70), the sum of 5,000; forthe care and maintenance of the Quarantine establishment and defraying the uecessary expenses of said Hoara tn the discharge of the duties imposed upon it by law, the sum of $56,000; and said Commissioners shail also therefrom pay the running expenses of a steamboat for Loarding vessels and transporting the sick and burying the dead. For the Board of Commiasione: stituted by the act entitled “an act in relation to Quarantine, and providing struction of the permauent Quarantine Hstab- lishment," passed April 21. 1*65, in addition to existing ap- propriations, the sum of $190,000, or such part of am as, In the opinion of the Health Oflice, may be required for the following purposes, namely :—For the purpose of defray- {ng the necessary expenses of sald Koard in the discharge of the duties imposed upon it by law, and for the erection and equipment of suitable BUILDINGS ON THE ISLAND AT WEST BANK, for the reception id care of passengers who may have been expored to disease, and who may ve sent there by the Health Officer; such butidings shall be -d under @ con- tract to be entered into therefor in the manner prescribed 1n the fourth section of the aforewald act, passe1 April 21, 1163; except that said Loard shall award the contract to the lowest Tesponsible bidder; but may, in its discretion, reject any bid which it may not deem for the interest of the State to accept; and it may also enter into separate }. and for the jatine Establish- tructures on West Bank Islands; provided, that the n buildings, and the bids for the construction hall be approved by the Health Ofticer. ‘So mach of chapter 492 of the Laws of 1870, as provides for the exemption from taxation of the premises leased for tbe residence of the Health Oficer and his deputies, is hereby re- yeaird and the premises #0 leased shall be no longer exempt rom taxation, CHARTER ELECTIONS, Albany Probably Elects a Democratic Mayor. ALBANY, April 9, 1872, The charter election here to-day opened actively, with three candidates for Mayor. The result of the election for Mayor was still in doubt at midnight for want of re- turns from the Fourth ward, which, it is thought, will re-elect Thacker, democrat. With- out those returns Judson 1s between 200 and 300 ahead. Green, republican, for Recorder, is elected by a small majority. The republicans elect nine out of the sixteen Aldermen, Inthe Board of Supervisors the repubiicans will have from two to four majority. : § Municipal Election in Lockport. Lockrort, N, ¥., April 9, 1872, At the city election here today the republicans elected their entire city ticket, their candidate for Mayor, Elisha Moody, receiving 252 majority. The Common Council for the coming year will stand seven republicans to two democrats, Springfield Elects the Republican Ticket. SPRINGFIELD, Ill, April 9, 1872. The city ciections to-day resulted in the election Of the entire republican ticket by large majorities. ~~ GANADA, a Up the Lake and Canal Navigation for the Season. TORONTO, Ont, April 9, 1872, The steamer Norseman left this morning for Char- Jotte, the first trip of the season, Ope: Traffic on the Welland Canal. St. CATHARINES, Ont., April 9, 1872. ‘The Welland Canal is expected to be open to navi- gation on the 20th instant. ‘THE BROKEN OIL RING, OU City—As the Combi © Exists the Oil Trade is De- clared Free of All Obstructions. OIL Crry, va., April 9, 1872, At @ great mass meeting held here to-day, the Executive Committee of oft producers recenuy appointed, reported that, as there no longer ex ists avy combination to interfore with the natural Channels of trade as appiied to petroleum, the ot) markets of the oil regions are declared open to all, the same as before the advent of the Southern Improvement Company—or, in other words, the combination which was entered into between thé railway companies and many of the Tefnmg interests, and especially at Cleveland and Pittsburg—toe contracté, compacts and agreements between the parties to that combination having been abrogated and thelr charter taken from nome of wiich was conclusively shown at the The report of the Executive Committee was Unanimously adopted, ‘the blockade has been of Aoriy days’ duration FLOODS AND FRESHETS. The Troy Ferryboat, Lond with Passen- ors, im Great Danger=A ‘Series of Mis- haps—Tbe Wheels Clogged by Ice and the Boat Carried Down Before a Gorge Against a Bridge. ALBANY, N. Y., April 9, 1872, There 19 @ considerable freshet in the river here, the water extending up to several of the cross streeta, The Troy ferryboat George Marks, with about fifty passengers on board, while crossing the river at that city, about nme o'clock last evening, was carried down by an ice gorge and janded on a dyke near the Iron Works On reaching that point she anchored irom her dock, but when the water continued to rise the hawser then drifted down. Pieces of ice got ro ge e boat and the paddie wheels and tne engine on her centre, so that she could not move her wheel. The crew and passen- gers Immediately got on the whee! house and tried to pry off the engine centre with bars; but, al- though she han thirty pounds of steam to the Square inch on her boiler, and every effort was made to staré the engine, she could not be got to the rhdy in’ the meantime the boat with her living freight was drifting rapidly down the stream, and, a3 may be sup! the greatest consternation prevailed among tne passengers, ‘the wi was kept blowing for a tug or other assistance, but none came, and although the draw of the upper briage Was opened 1n time for her tu pass through there was no way ef steering her, and she struck on the west, side of the draw. The Joiner work, smoke- Stack, pilot nouse, flagstaffs, &c., were carried away, the connecting rod bent, glass smashed and other damage sustained, ‘The engineer openeg the safety valve aud let of the steam, thus preventing an expiosion of the steam drum. ‘The greatest excitement prevailed, ‘The passengers were ail landed in safety on the draw of tne bridge, and the boat made fast. One pan of the bridge, which 1s the ola Hudson River allroad bridge, is so badly damaged that 1t will have to be removed and a new one built, The new bridge 1s now being used lor the passage of tratus. Later Despatch—The Bridge Falls Into the River and Partly Sinks the Bont. ALBANY, N. Y., April 9, 1872, ‘The freshet In the river continues, but the indica- tions are that it will not materially increase. The ice coming from above passes down stream without obstruction, , ‘The span of the bridge beneath whicn the Troy ferryboat was fastened gave way to-day with & crash, carrying the stera of the voat with it to the bottom ot the river. The Schuylervillo Bridge Carried Away. SaRatoaa, N. Y., April 9, 1872. A portion of the Scnuylerville bridge, over the Hudson River, was carried away last night by the breaking up of the ice in the Battenkill and Hud- son, ne ice was of enormous thickness and weight, Flood and Fog Near Rendout.’ RonpovT, N. Y., April 9, 1872, Adense fog prevails on the river here to-night, interrupting pavigation and delaying the ferry boats. The steamer James N. Baldwin was detained seve- ral hours, and a number of boats are aground on the bar at the mouth of the creek. A severe thunder storm, accompanied by heavy Tain, occurred here to-pight. Reports from along the Rondout and Oswego xallroad show that much damage has been doneto the track by late rains The track in some places is covered with mud four inches deep, making @ high rate of speed impos- sible. All trains have been behind ume to-day. Break on the Delaware and Hudson Can Kinaston, N, Y., April 9, 1872. A break has occurred on the Delaware and Hudson Canal, two and a half miles above lock No, 51, on the Neversink, The break is fiity feet long and sixteen feet below the cana: level, It 18 estimaied that it ‘will take at least ten days to repair the damage. Great D: we to, Railroads by Floods. CINCINNATI, April 9, 1872 ‘The reports of damage to railroads last night were not exaggerated. The Cincinnati, Hamilton ana Dayton, Ohlo and Mississippi, Indianapolis and Cincinnati and all roads using their tracks are run- ning trains regularly. ‘The Marietta and Cincin- nati, Pan-handle, Yaltimore aud Ohio and Kentucky roads are unable to run; the Pan-handle trains run via the Cmcinnatl, Hamilton and Dayton r oad. The Louisville mail line packets carry passengers on the Short Line uckets, Disasters on the Ohio and Licking Rivers. CINCINNATI, April 9, 1872. ‘The Ohio River has risen about twenty feet since last evening and is stil rising. The rise in the Licking River was unparajlleled, and swept away 125 coal boats, containing over a million bushels of coal, which had been placed in the mouth of the Licking tor safety. It 18 not cer- tain how many are lost, Steamers have gone in searoh Of Hem. “The wrecks of several sunken and burned steamers at the wharf were washed away. Considerable damage was done at other points by the sudden rise. In the neighborhood of New Al- bany, Ind., large quantities of lamber Noated off. rs’ Worth of Property Sunk. LOUISVILLE, April 9, 1872. The towboat Iron Mountain struck three barges loaded with coal, coke and railroad iron against pier No, 21 of the ratlroaa bridge to-day and all sunk. Total loss about $60,000, The iron will proba- bly be recovered when the river talia, Sixty Thousand Di vy Rains and Flooding in the South, Memrnis, Tenn., April 9, 1872. The storm yesterday was unusually severe. Re- ports from the surrounding country show con- siderable damage to crops, while railroads have suffered heavily and all trains are delayed, A Tor io in Tlinois. CINCINNATI, Ohio, April 9, 1872, A letter from Newton, Jasper county, Illinois, dated April 6, says a terribie tornado visited that vicinity on the 6th inst, unroofing barng, demolishing houses and forests and destroying life, The house of Ezra Mehany, elght miles sontn- west of Newton, was demolished and Mrs, Mehany killed. The house of james Reed, apouta mile from Mehany’s residence, was also demolisned, and Mr. Pope, his father-in-law, and Mra. Lytle were kilied and several others wounded, Thunder Storm in Boston. Boston, Mass., April 10—1 a. M. Aheavy rain with sharp lightning and thunder here. Storm in Maine. PORTLAND, April 9—12 P. M. Very heavy showers, accompained with thunder and lightning, passed over this city at midnight. THE WEATHER, War DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER, WASHINGTON, D, C., April J0—1 A, M. Synopsis for the fast Twenty-four Hours, The lowest barometer has moved northeast- wardly from Wisconsin over Upper Michigan into Canada. Cloudy weather, with rain, continues overthe New England and Middle States, Rising barometer, westerly to nortnerly winds and cicar- ing weather have extended eastward to the Upper Lake region and over the Ohio Vailey and Southern Staves very generally. Probabilities, The pressure will diminish for a time over the New England States. Clear weather will prevail very generally on Wednesday. Dangerous winds are not anticipated, Supplementary Weather iteport. WASHINGTON, April 9—7 P. M. Rain has been reportea from saitimore, Md.; Cape May, N. J.; Chicago, Ili.; Cincinnati, Onlo; Cleveland, Onlo; Escanaba, Mich.; Grand Haven, Mich.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Mobile, Ala; Port land ; Burlington, Vt; Duiuth, Minn; Conn; Phila Montreal, Ca.; New London, deipht Pa.; — Buffal N. Yo; _ Oswego, yeaa Savannab, cr Heavy rain has fallen in this city for the 1ast hour and a half, acéompanied by thunder and lightning. wind is south and Incinnat, Nasnvite, ‘enn., Pittsburg, Pa., Louisvilie, Ky., and ‘Vicksburg, Miss., tne rivers have risen considerably, The rainfall at Montreal, Canada, was reported at 21,000 inches, The weather upon the summit of Mount Washington, N. H., was cloudy; the tem- perature 44 degrees above zero, and the wind from the southwest was blowing 86 miles an hour, ‘The Weathor in This City Yesterday. ‘Thefollowing record will show the cuangas tn the temperature for the past twenty-four houra in com. arison with the corresponding day of last year, pe indicated by tho thermometer at Mudauvs Phar. macy, HERALD Building:— 1871, 1872, 1871, 1872, SA, M. 68 43 oP, M., 72 60 6A. M. 55 42 6P. M. oe 62° 9A. M. 60 “4 OPM 58 64 12M 63 4 2PM 66 53 Average temperature yesterday. « 41% Average temperature for corresponaing WMG ODS seca yeeee + BOs WASHINGTON. MILITARY BILLS IN THE SENATE. The Baltimore and Potomac Depot Fight. The Postal Card System in the House. THE MINT AND ASSAY OFFICES DR. HOUARD’S CASE. The Spanish Authorities Considering the Conviction. THE HOUSE MORSE COMMITTEE. WASHINGTON, April 9, 1872. Dr. Houard’s Case~Action of the Spanish Government—The House Committee Hector iog—His Citizenship Sustained in Cuba. The State Department has received advices from Mr. Adee, tne Chargé d’Affaires of the United States at Madrid, to the effect that the case of Dr. Tlouard has been presented to the Spanish govern- ment, The Spanish government bas called for telegraphic reports from Cuba, on which action may be taken, Dr. Houard, meanwhile, will remain at Cadiz, and orders have been given for his good treatment. Tho House Committee on Foreign Affatrs (uis morning had under consideration the case of Dr. | Hovard, A long and spirited debate ensued upon it Mr, Ambier, of Ohio, and Mr. Willard, of Ver- mont, were determined in their opposition to inter. ference for the release of Dr. Houard by the United ‘States Congress, and were for allowing the State Department to take such course in relation thereto as it deemed best. The other members of the com- mittee were of the opposite view, and seemed equally as determined as Ambler and Willard to have an expression from Congress that would, if possible, be a rebuke to the policy of our State De- partment in relation to the rights of American citi- zens abroad. No definite action was reached upon the case, and its consideration will be continued without delay untii it is disposed of. There is a strong fecling in Congress for interierence by the United States, thoug. it 1s not yet clear what actioa will be taken, Since the date of tne recent letter toa Vice | President Coltax respecting the case of Dr. Houard, the State Department nas received official Information from ous Consulate at Cienfuegos that the Doctor duly registered himself as as Awerican citizen atthe Consulate, as required by the Spantsn law, and to that extent, the objections of the ae- partment to recognize him as an American citizen , are removed. The further objection that Dr. Houard has paid no income tax, as required by law of all American, citizens in receipt of an in- | come above @ certain sum per annum, 18 not deemed to be insuperable, as it rests only upon a regulation of the department adopted to meet the case of Vice Vonsul Phillips and other doubtful cases at an early period in the Cuban Insurrection. Both the department and une friends of Dr. Houayd are hopeful of his early release. The Washington Vepot site and Military Billa in the Senate, Interest in the proceedings of the Senate to-day | centred In the debate upon the House bill to give the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad a depot site ment that when this road was completed would be run to New York @ half hours, and carried at fifty per cost, that freight cent of the the bill desiring 11 to go tothe Committee on the District of Columbia and the opponents to the Com- mittee on Public Bulidings and Grounds. Atter considerable discussioa 1t was referred to the Com- mittee on the District of Columbia, by a vote of 28 to 18, thus Indicating a probable majority in favor of the bill sufficient to pass it, Of this there was no doubt, ag the Senate will pass anything, Business from the Military Committce was then \aken up, the only bilis of importance passed being the House bill to extend the time for filing addi- tional claims to the 13th of January, 1873; a bill to compensate women nurses at the rate of $20 per month for service in government hospitais, and a bill to prevent the enlistment of minors into the army. and Assay Offices Bill. the mails, over which some discussion was had. the party addressed. which would conceal the matter written, was offered by Mr. Potter, of New York, and adopted. Mr. Bingham opposed the bill, and made @ motion to lay tt on the table, which was done. He contended that ic would prove a loss of revenue, with no adequate benefit to the people. It was urged with some force (hat it would be better to adopt a uniform reduction of postage than to introduce this new element into the system; but the House was in a mood for cheap postage, having the fear of the abolishment of the franking privilege before their eyes, and passed the bill as amended by Mr. Potter. ‘The bill revising the laws i relation to the Mint assay offices came up as a special order, some of the provisions of which were discussed with spirit. The Speaker took occasion Jo administer somewhat of discipline during the consideration of this mea- sure, He told the House that, while toere was no they should remain quiet, At times It 1s impossible to keep note of the business or hear wnat is being sald. Mr, Hooper gave up in despair to-day, though the Speaker waited some little time to restore order, and asked to Nave the conclusion of his remarks upon the Mint Assay bill printed. There was some spirited debate upon this subject. Mr. Kelley charged Potter and Wood, of New York, with favoring bullion brokers, turn charged Kelley with nickel interest of Pennsylvania, The bill proposed to make the $47,000,000 of coiny now composed of nickel and copper, &c., of nickel entirely, and when the fact is made apparent that seventy-five cents of this metal represents five dollars of the coin it appears to be an object for some one to advocate the bill, Mr, Brooks, of New York, considered the discussion of that question extremely farcical, 240 men gravely discussing the subject of coin when Uncle Sam was clothed all over in rags was @ @ comedy in which he did not propose to take a part. Mr. Sargent represented the private assay and refining offices of California, and each interest seemed to berepresented by some one able to de- fend it. At four o'clock the House adjourned, and the blil went over, The Morse Celebration in the House To-Day. On motion of Mr. Dawes the Speaker was au- thorized to appoint a committee of three to co-ope- rate with the Committee of Arrangements for the atthe corner of Sixtu and B streets, in this city. | Mr. Cameron was the principal advceate of the bill, and sent to the Cierk’s desk to be read a atate- trains in #iX and woula be present ‘There was quite a spirited debate upon the question of reference to a committee, the friends of especially if 1tbe a bill to give away something. | ‘The Postal Card System in the House—Mints Mr. Hill, of New Jersev, reported a bill to-day to authorize the Postmaster General to issue one cent correspondence or postal cards for transmission in ‘These cards it was proposed by the bil to senatwith- out envelopes, the message to be written on one | side of the card and the direction on the other. Mr. Garfield thought, while the libel laws were so very lax in this country, this mode of transmission might subject parties to Ithelious attacks from which there would be no redress, Passing, as would be necessary, through the hands of Post Ofice em- ployés, letter carriers and servants, these messages vould be read by them all before they would reach To obviate this 1t was pro- posed that the card be provided with a flap or cover and an affiendment providing for such cards rule to compel members to listen to speeches if they | did not wish to, there was a rule requiring that | while they in | Tepresenting the | Memorial services in honor of the late Professor Morse, to be held im the Hall of the House next ‘Tuesday evening, ‘The Speaker appointed Messra, E. H. Roberts, of New York; Palmer, of lowa, and Snover, of North Carolina, as such committee, The French Charge d’ Affaires’ Recall—im- bassadorial Incompatibilities. Ivis hinted that the ground on which the State Department is alleged to have asked the recall of M. Sellouet, the French Chargé d’Affaires here, is on account of au wvestigation of the French arms inquiry, If this report proves true M. Bellonet would not be tne first diplomat to feet the effect of these transactions, as Baron Gerolt, the German Minister, was recalled on account of Injue dicious protestations about these arms sales at the ume, Our government has not of late been happy m the foreign representatives sent here, to judge by the number of recalls requested in the last two years—no les than four, But France has been even more unsuc- cessful in those whom it sent to Wastington. M. fierthemy’s social complications necessitated his retirement; M, Prevost-Paradol comiutied suleide, and M. Treihard became deranged in his mind. Cabinet Meeting. ‘There was a brie! Cabinet session to-day. All the heads of Departments were present, excepting Mr. Delano, who 18 absent from the city, General Cowan, Assistant Secretary, represented the Inte- nor Department. There was no business of more Man ordinary importance. The English question was Lhe subject of some conversation, but not with @ view of any oMecial action in relation thereto. Porter and the Presigent. ‘There 18 no truth whatever in the current story Of a disagreement or coldaess cetween the Presie | dent and General Horace Porter, On the contrary there bas not been ® time when the relations be- | tween those two oMvers were more cordtal than | now. The Model Amerivans in Japan, Advices of @ trustworthy though not oMcial character lately receive’ from Japan represent the authorities of that country as exceedingly dissatis- fled with one of the American officials, engaged to introduce the modern systems of administration Into che empire, and the prospects of other appli- cants for the Japanese pubilc service are materially njured thereby. The Bounty Bill. The Second Comptroller haa given an opinion that the bill now before Congress for the payment of bounties to troops enlisted uader the Presideav’s proclamation ot May 3, 1861, applies only to volun. Veers who enlisted for three years, between the dates named, viz.:—Between May 3 and July 22, 1861, The Arkansas Republican Troublos. A despatch was received to-day by Senator Clay- | ton, trom Little Rock, Ark., signed by six members of the State Central Committee, announcing that | the call for a Republican State Convention, to meet | there on the 22d of May, 1s but the act of three | members of that committee, and the 6.gners repudt- | ate that action and call. ‘the Gooding-Wilson Election Case, The republican majority of the House Commitee | on Elections to-day fled the majority report. claim- | ing Wilson's (of Indiana), election by eight majority; and the democrauc minority of the Committee filed @ minority report claiming the election of Gooding. by sevenreen votes majority, exclusively of thirteen Megal votes not counted against Wilson, because of the non-production of the ballots in evidence, The case Will probably be disposed of by the House next week. Toe Supreme Conrt Bar. General H. B. Carrington, United States Army, | Professor of Military Scicuce at Wabash College, Indiana, was admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court to-day, upon the mouon of Henry Stanberry, Esq. Customs Dutics. The following is the customs duties at the sev- eral ports uamed ior the week ending March 30, $4,209,009 ATL 4 129,982 $4,601,325 Po Baltimore, ‘Total. Presidential Nominations. ‘The President to-day sent to the Senate the fole lowing nominutios C/ W. Legendre, to be Mtnister Resident at the Argentine Republic; Alvan smith, to ve Pension Agent at Concord, N. H.; James fl. Ingraham, to be Surveyor of Custonis at New Orleans, La isha Hamilton, to be Surveyor of Customs at Quincy, Commodore Joseph F. Green, to be Rear Admiral; Captain John C, Howell, to be Commodore; John T, Broadtead, to ve tnrd ieutenant in the Revenue Marine service. Interaal Kevenue Appointments. ‘Tne following Internal Reveaue appointments were made to-day :— Wiliam King, Assistant Assessor for the Third district 0 Caitforata, Richard ‘Tregaskts, Inspector of Tobacco, &c., for the First district of Michigan. Daniel 8, Gilbert, Ganger for the Etghsh district af New York. AQUATICS. | The Atalanta Crew—Withcrawal of James O’Neii—A Substitute Found in Alexander Handy—The Last full on the Passaic, | Mr, O'Neil ts compelled to resign his seat in the | Atalanta boat in consequence of the precarious condition of Mra, O'Neil. This loss is deeply | felu by the rest of the crew, and the mem- bers of the ciub, who were toud in their admiration of Mr. O'Neil’s fine physique and his finished oarsmanship. The club, although fully aware that the cliances of success are mate- rially lessened by O'Neil's unavoidable withdrawal, are determined to fulfil tneiw engagement with the London Rowing Club. Mr. Handy, who takes the retiring. oursmun’s place, 1s Uke iigntest man tn the buat, weighing only 135 pounds in condition; but what he lacks tn avoirdupots ts partly equalized by his indomuable pluck and endurance, The crew have rowed regularly once a day since Friday last, with the foliowing changes:—Friday, Dr. Russell Withers, stroke; «ieodore Van Haden, No. 3; James O'Neil, No, 2; Edward Smith, bow. On Saturday O'Neil and Van Raden changed places, wi found to improve the boat coasiderably, valtzed the Weight of the respective sides, 5 on sunday Mrs. O’Netl was #0 deeply affected by the rapid approach of the day upon which she should tid her husband farewell that even the most persistent of O?Neu’s frieuds advised the step he has taken; aud ou Monday, the crew being informed of the foregoing facts, Mr. Handy rowed next to bow, mr. Vau Raden going to his old pace behind the Doctor. The crew wiii row for the last time, prior to their de- arture for London, this afternoon, on the Passaic iver, {rom Keynold’s boat house at Newark. ‘Their respective weights and average will now be as fol- lows:—Dr. Russell Withers, 150 lus; Theodore Van Raden, 150108.; Alexander Handy, 135 lbs.3 Edwerd Smith, 137 1bs,; making an average of 143 los, per oar. Their practice boat is now rigged to suit them, the raising ol oulriggers, adjusting stretchers and all other “ite detans ’ having D- proved; she Is in every respect pronounced perfect, aud the various measurements taken theretrom for tne racing shell, which will be begun immediate! and forwarded to the crew as soon as completed, which will be within ten days after their departure. Tne Atalantas leave for Europe on saturday, sailing in the steamer City of Montreal. Aquatic Notes. It is said that the crew of the London Rowing Club 1s at work, and that Gaiston, the Capain, who. | rows No. 2, will steer the boat, | The “Leatherstocking” of America, glorious old Hank Ward, has retired from the Ward Brothers. | crew. Josh will row stroke this season. Gilbert | Keeps his old position as No. 2, and brother Ellis will keep the boav’s head up and manipulate the stern in, Tue Wards have a candidate for the va- | cant seat in their boat, but who he ts, what he is, or Where ne is from, cannot be “interviewed” out of them. Ata meeting of the Atlantic Boat Clad, of Hobo- | Ken, heid on the 4th inst, tne following officers were ejected for the ensuing year:—President, | Joseph Russell; Vice President, E. I. Smith; Trea- surer, J, L. Livingston; Recording Secretary, Jonn | R. Wiggt Corresponding secretary, Gus. Ballin. | The Jnvestigaung Committee appoi consisted. | of James A. Keid, A.J. Dupiguac and J. L. Living: ston, The Shippen Boat Club was consolidated with the Atlantic Club, of Hoboken, last week, thus adding six members and one Six-oared gig to the latter or- ganization. ‘The Gramercy Clab held its regular meeting on the stn inst. and completed arrangements for the repaiating and refitting of thetr club house at Uar- lem, ‘Their new #hell is finished, Ail the boats are to be got into condition and ‘new oars procured, but the boys will uot commence training until they have them. The crews tor the six and four will not be selected uwuttl aiter a week or two's practice, Fijteen new members were clected at the mectl ni 5 active ‘more, evi ings nearly im a shape for fe Atalanta Club, it ts reported, will be sented at the coming regatia on the Sedu Fy =,