The New York Herald Newspaper, December 19, 1872, Page 7

ht means erect 4 monument to Sim» mons in Central Park in commemoration of the triumph of brute force, passion and every ‘diabolical instinct over law, justice, decency ‘and every virtue inculeated by tho teachings of Christianity. Will not our Judges head the subscription list? The City Financed and Comptroller Green. “ We have no doubt that Comptroller Green 4s as honest as any other reputable citizen of New York, and no person would suspect him of stealing money out of the city treasury any more than they would suspect any respectable, upright man of burglary or larceny. He has rendered good service to the city during the time he was deputy to Mr. Connolly and since his subsequent appointment by Mayor Hall as Mr. Connolly's successor. But something more than mere honesty is needed in the finan- cial officer of a great city like New York. Upon him depends in a great degree the prosecution or defeat of great works of public improve- ment, the efficiency of the co-ordinate de- partments of the city govermment and the general progress and prosperity of the metrop- olis, The public acts of such an officer are legitimate subject for criticism and should be ‘watched jealously by the press. A popular reputation for honesty, however loudly pro- claimed, should not be suffered to hold the Comptroller aloof from investigation or to remove his official conduct from that supervi- sion exorcised by the press ovér other public Gervants, We have shown that the city has lost the four per cent interest on the balances in the treasury ever since Chamberlain Bradley went out of office, and that the loss, amounting to at least two hundred and twefy thousand dollars, was incurred first through Comptroller Green's singular refusal to allow the interest to be received from the banks and paid over to the city’s credit as a te fund, and next to his unaccountable neglect to enforce his own order, which pretended to require the banks holding deposits to make a monthly re- turn to him of the amount of interest credited to the several funds. Why did the Comp- troller, in the first instance, refuse to allow the interest to be received and credited to the city monthly in a separate account? He states that there is no law to warrant the keep- ing of such an account ; but this is scarcely a good reason for transferring two or three “hundred thousand dollars a year from the city .treasury into the pockets of a few favored bankers, The law which enabled Chamberiain Devlin to realize over a million dollars out of interest on the city deposits was admittedly an improper one, and the practice initiated by his immediate successor, who paid the interest over to the city, was generally approved. There is every reason to attribute the singular order of Gomptroller Green, which reversed this proc- tice, to a petty jealousy against its originator. But that is no reason why the city should have lost the interest, and Comptroller Green, having put a stop to the separate fund, ought certainly to have seen that the interest was allowed and credited to the city in some other way, unless he designed that the city deposits should be used again as they were used by Chamberlain Devlin—for individual emolu- ment, "Ta our first exposure of this singular trans- action we stated that the city pays seven per ‘cont on almost all the balances in the city and vounty treasiiry, and hence that the practice of keeping heavy balances on hand is a need- less waste of the people’s money for the benefit of the favored banks, and is reprehensible. In meeting this assertion Comptroller Green says that of the nine or ten millions now in the treasury “some six millions of this were received in payment of taxes on November 30, by way of saving the one per cent added to the taxes remaining unpaid on December 2; five millions of it are wanted to pay principal and interest of revenue bonds due on Friday ; another million to pay the last instalment of the State tax,’’ &. Ii this statement is not intended to mislead the public it is certainly calculated to do so. Itis true that six mil- lions of the present balance may be the pro- ceeds of taxes, and thus may not be subject to seven per cent interest; but that is be- cause the taxes are paid at this particular season. On the balances, averaging five millions and a half per month, the city pays seven per.cent interest at least ten months out of the twelve for the benefit of the banks which now have the money to play with. Our sys- tem of finance is a system of borrowing from January to December on revenue bonds, for which seven per cent interest is paid down to the time the taxes are collected. We are now golg to pay the bonds with the taxes col- Jected in November and December; but all the rest of the year the interest is fastened on the people, Comptroller Green knows all this, and he knows that it is “‘reprebensible”’ to borrow heavy sums at the people’s expense in order that they may be used free of interest by the deposit banks. When it is remem- bered that a quarter per cent per day is paid on the street for the use of money it can readily be seen how greatly the banks of deposit must be benefited by the free use of five millions and a half dollars per month during the entire year. We have deemed it a public duty to call attention to these facts, and if Comptroller Green really desires to - discharge his duty to the city he will profit by our remarks instead of making futile efforts to evade responsibility. CUBA. Executive Officials in Conference—An American War Ship in Port—Customs Dues at Havana. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD, HAVANA, Dec. 17, Via Key West, Dec. 18, 1872. General Reguelme is conferring with Ccballoa, CUSTOMS’ TARIFFS CONFERENCE, The morchants of Havana have promised to aid the Intendente in the honest collection of the Cus- tom House duties, The Intendente has in conse. quence ceased to publish the names of parties de- tected in smuggling. THE HORSE DISKASR. ‘The horse disease continues to prevail here, THR UNITED STATES FLAG IN PORT. The United States steamship Wyomtng, of the ‘North Atlantic squadron, arrived here on Sunday, HOME AGAIN, Tarraca, propristor of the Boletin, of Porto Rico, who was banished by Latorre, has returned home, Secretary Boutwell and Jay Gould were again before the Committee of Ways and Means yesterday ‘on the subject of the new loan. Mr. Boutwell sub- sequently appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance upon the general subject of the Auances. | State. NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, \DECEMBER 19, 1872~—TRIPLE: SHEET. NEW ORLEANS. Arrival of the Delegation of Citi- zens in Washingt A Memorial to the Executive and Congress. PINCHBACK ROUGHLY HANDLED. Attorney General Williams Refu- ted in a Card to the Public. WASHINGTON, Dec, 18, 1872. The delegation of citizena of Louisiana, forty- four in number, bearing ® memoriai ad- dressed to the President and Congress, arrived this evening at Willard’s, They are headed by Mr. John A. QOampbell, ex- Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and during the war Assistant Secre- tary of War of the government of Jefferson Davis. ‘The signers of the memorial, about one hundred in umber, include the leading bankers, money brokers, cotton factors, heads of wholesale dry goods and hardware houses and presidents of insurance companies of New Orleans. The memorial sets forth the principal allega- tions of the answer filed in the United States Circuit Court at New Orleans by Governor War- moth, in the suit of William R. Kellogg against Warmoth, and the membersof his Returning Board of Elections. It styles Mr. Kellogg and his sup- Porters a band of usurpers and asserts thata revo- lution in the State government has been accom- plished under the process of the Courts and with the assistance of the army of the United States, contrary to law and the votes of the people at the election. 4 In substance {t embodies the same points of argument that were presented by Warmoth’'s counsel in the trial, Kellogg’s application for in- junction against Warmoth and his Board of Can- vassers. It speaks of Judge Durell’s orders as high-handed, and asserts he was without jurisdic- tion be J such a suit. It alleges that the peace and di ity of the State have been prostrated, and characterizes the government as an insurrection, the progress of which has been rapid and success- ful. It styles the acting GOVERNOR PINCHBEOK AS A MERE USURPER, an instrument selected to accomplish the revolu- tion commenced by judiciary process, and enforced by armed soldiers, It characterizes the Legisla- ture with which he is acting as a body coming to- gether without any legal evidence of authority; it expresses amazement and apprekension that the guilty authors of these measures can have the least encouragement or support from President or Congress. REQUESTS OF THE MEMORIALISTS. The signers of the memorial describe themselves as having no party associations or combinations to disturb their judgments and ask that Associate Justice Bradley, of the Paprenie Court, be assigned to Lonisiana, and that Circuit Judge Woods may take charge of the Judicial administration of the Cir- cuit Court at New Orleans, in the place of Durell. District Judge; that the employment of the army in the civil administration of Louist- ana be discontinued, and that the President and Congress refrain from giving encouragement, countenance or authority to any new government or officer, until their titles to act be validly ascer- tained and determined, This memorial will boubt- less be presented to-morrow. Earnest attempts have been made by the f1lends of Kellogg to pre- Judice the public mind here against the delegation, and feet © neutralize the effect of their state- ments, ALLEGATIONS OF SELF-INTEREST BY THE DEPUTA- TION. It is asserted that the principal signers of the memorial which the delegation brings here have beon copartners with Governor Warmoth, trom the beginning of his administration in 1868, in specula- tive-schemes and corporations legalized by acts of his Legislature, such as the slaughter house scheme, the validity of which is now before the Su- preme Coart of the United States, as a violation of the fourteenth ‘amendment of the constitution; the Ship Island Canal scheme, the Mexican Guif Canal scheme and similar measures, which have been severely denounced. It is also asserted that the bankers and insurance companies are large holders of bonds gnd other public evidences of debt alleged to have been fraudulently issued, with Warmoth’s approval, and that the underlying ques- tion in the late election in Louisiana was that of the validity of this portion of its public debt, THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM is alluded to as having contained a plank declar- ing the purpose of the party to investigate the origin of this debt, and that Warmoth was driven into fusion with the democrats and reformers by this threat, and that it was effected only by the influence of the bankers and _ capital- ists of New Orleans who had not unloaded themselves of these securities. One of the signers is John G. Gaines, President of the Citizens’ Bank, the custodian of the moneys and ‘Treasurer of Louisiatia by Warmoth’s appointment, and among the signers also are Charies Cavarac, President of the New Orleans Banking Association ; Lafayette Folger, connected with the Levee Company; Joseph H. Oglesby and others. aoe of the New Orleans delegation to- night a committee, consisting of Cae Campbell, Judge T. H. Kennedy, W. S. Pike, Walker Fearn and Charles Fenner, were Ly tenbe to see the Attorney General and through him arrange for an interview with the President. The committee will also see Associate Justice Bradley and ask him to use his good graces in their bebalf. The Warmoth Board's Reply to Attorney General Williams—The Government Statement Refuted—Affidavits Taken Before a United States Commissioner. New ORLEANS, Dec. 18, 1872. The excitement has somewhat abated in the city. The Warmoth men were, naturally enough, irritated at the statement of the Attorney Gen- eral in referense to the imbrogiio here, and to-day the following statements have been issued by the parties whose signatures are attached asa refu- tation of the assertions of Mr. Wiliams, and at- tempting to prove that tie certified and sworn election returns have never been out of the hands of the Governor and Secretary of State. They infer that 13,000 votes kaye Leen unlawfully added tothe Kellogg roll, while McHnery’s list has been diminished by 15,000 votes, The documents require no further comment :— A REPLY TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, NEW ORLEANS, Dec, 18, 1872, To THE PuBtic:— The journals of this morniag contain a telegram, purporting to be a statement of Mr. Williams, At- torney General of the United States, relative to affairs in Lousiana, If the Attorney General were the counsel of Senator Kellogg there might be some apology for a statement which ig simply a reitera- thon of the ex parte averments of the conspirators, who, by the aid of a United States Judge and under cover ofa suit for the perpetuation of bly ong fl have sueceedea in Mssl ada tele j upon the State, in atime of profound peace and undisturbed order, the military forces of the United States, in subvert- ing the legal State government, and in stultifyin, the results of the election as expressed at the ballo box. It seems to be impossible, on any other theory than that of direct personal or partisan interest, to aceount for the Attorney General's studied sup- pression of recorded facta, and HIS BOLD ASSUMPTION ofthe potnts at issue. In the first place the At- torney General says Pinchback and Anderson were candidates on the republican ticket, and, therefore, resigned their seats upom the Board. Acting Lieutenant Governor Pinchback was a candidate for Congress-at-Large on the republican ticket, and Senator Anderson was a candidate for the Senate ou the liberal ticket, and they were, therefore, dia- hes ha law, ‘They did not resig, but were eclared disqualified to act by resolution of the Board. (see affidavits of John Lynch and Jacob Hawkins, pages 22 and 25, peer copy of pro- ceedings in the Circuit Conrt of the Untted States.) Mr, Williams then says, to fill the vacancies so created, Longstreet and lawkins were elected by the remainiug members, as provided by law. The truth is that no such election was ever held. The only support for the assertion {8 found in the amt. davits of Lyneh and Herron; byt these persons are contradicted by the afiidavits ol seven distinct wit+ nesses, Mr. Williams says that the Supreme Court of the State under proceedings by which the validity of the change of judges was brought ia question, decided that WARMOTH'S BOARD OF CANVASSRRS was iltegal, and its acts voul. No n decision was ever rendered by the Supremo Court of tne An application was made for a writ of pro- hibition to restrain Judge Elmore from acting, hich the Court declined to grant. The only prac- | Ucal effect of that decision was favorable to the validity of the charge, The Supreme Court haa since that time distinctly recognized Judge Elmore as the Judge of the Kighth District Court, and the pretended Legisiature now sitting at the State Touse fonnd tt necessary to pass an act abolishing the Court in order to get rid of the new Judge, wio had just been elected by more than ten — thousand — majority. Mr. Willams asserts that tho ¢ injunction of Judge Durell was treated with contempt by the pesenne officers, styled by him “Warmoth’s Board.” that qpect by Sguayor Kekoge wee page We of The record shows simpty an afidavit to: pamphiet). But it also shows a complete denial and refutation of the charge fee. pages 76, 77 and 8 of the reese. Mr. Williams further says :— ‘Meanwhile the board of canvassers organized according to law, or a majority of them, canvassed the votes, and returned that the republican can- didates for Presidential electors and State officers were elected, and also that certain persons were elected to the slature.” This statement en- ables us to demonstrate beyond doubt or cavil the ENORMITY OF THE FRAUD PERPETRATED upon the yeonle, of this State by the persons ap- pointed by Judge Durell to act as returning oMicers, and who are designated by the Attorney General as the “Board of Canvassers organized ac- cording to law.’ Those persons never made any canvass or compilation of votes cast at the recent election or returns made of such votes, for the suficient reason that the returns have never for even one moment been in their possession. The compilation has been made by citizens of well- known and unimpeachable mtegrity, who have pablanes the results as returned due an ley form by the Commissioners of Election and Supervisors of Registra- tion throughout the State. These show ti the candidates returned by Judge Durell’s Board were in fact defeated by large mujorities, and that & majority of those returned by them as members of the General Aasacabie were likewise defeated. The aMdavits appended to this statement show that the returns have never been in the hands of Judge Durell's returning officers, and that they are still beyond the reach of those persons. Their own publication is suficient to prove the fraud ater by them and their canner of the duty imposed by the law on returning officers, to wit— “That they make a careful and honest canvass and compilation of the statement of votes cast.’ TWO OF THE MORE GLARING INSTANCES will be suMoient for ip Rerpoee. The. official re- turns gives the vote of the parish of Bossier 953 votes for McEnery and 555 for and as the vote of Natohit 1,260 for McEnery and 630 for Felony, The pretended compilation mado by Judge Durell’s ofticers reports as the vote of Bos- sier 1,159 for Kellogg and none for McEnery, and ag the vote of Natchitoches 1,206 for Kellogg and none for McEnery. . In the aggregate they have added nearly 13,000 to Kel ‘s Mote t ang deducted nearly 15,000 from McEnery's. The und od have deemed it due to themselves, to the people of the State and of the whole country, to make this statement, inasmuch ag they were the persons originally inted to canvass and compile the returns, and were, therefore, the objects of Kel- logg’s wale faise charges in his so-called Bill in Equity, filed In the United ge Died JACK WHARTON, * DORANT DAPONTE. THE RETURNS LEGALLY COUNTED AND PUBLISHED— STATEMENT OF BRAGDON AND WOODWARD. State of ina, Pai af Orleans:—Per- sonally appeared Y, A. Woodward, Assistant Secre- tary of State, and O, D, Bragdon, private secretary Fe, jovernor Warmoth, who make oath and say as jollows :— bf ‘That sworn returns of election held on the 4th of November last, in this State, werd filed accord- ing to law with the Governor. He opened them in the presence of Wharton, Daponte and Hatch, the Board of Canvassers, who ordered a tabulation of them. It was made under our supervision. After the Governor signed the bill abolishing the old board, and Seenaae, Wiltz, Deferret, Isabel Austin and Taylor to fill vacancies, the tabulation and the returns were submitted to them and were by them examined and compared, and the result for State oMcers -and members of Legislature officially Stress Alter the election by the Senate of Mitchell, Forgman, Thomas, Hunsaker and Todd as the Returning Board, in accordance with second section of the new law, the returns and tabulations were submitted to them, and again examined, compared and promulgated as to State officers and members of the General Assem- bly. The returns are now in the possession of this Board, and have never been in the hands of Lynch, Tongeerees, Herron and Hawkins, or either of them, nor have they ever had access to, supervision or control or view in any manner whatsoever, of said oficial returns, as made out jud forwarded to the Governor by the various Supervisors of Election throughout the State. 0. D, BRAGDON, Y, A. WOODWARD. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17th day of Deceinber, A. D, 1572, Cuantrs 8. Rice, United States Commission, District of Louisiana. - AFFIDAVIT OF FORGMAN AND MITOHELI. State of Louisiana, city of New Orleans, Decem- ber 17, 1872, We the undersigned members of the Board of Returning Ofiicers, elected by the Senate of the State, in accordance with the second section of an act of the Legislature of 1872, No, 98, approved November 20, 1872, being sworn, depose and say that the returns of the Supervisors and Canvassers of Election, held November 4, 1872, are now in our See and have been in our possession since ecember 11, 1872, the Secretary of the Board having the keys as our agent from the evening the of 12th until the morning of the 14th of December; the rest of the time the Secretary had no control of them. B. R. FORGMAN. ARCHIBALD MITCHELL, Sworn to and subscribea before me this 17th December, 1872. W. L. EVANS, Second Justice Peace, parish of Orleans, THE COURTS AND LEGISLATURE. A. P. Field was on yesterday recognized by the Supreme Court as Attorney General of the State, and Munier was seated as Judge of the Third Dis- trict Court, in place of F. A, Monroe, who was forcibly ejected from the Bench, The Kellogg Legislature bill, punishing bribery in ofice, has been passed. The Legislature also passed a joint resolution prolonging the extraordinary session to the 1st of January, when the regular ses- sion commences. The Court of Impeachment adjourned until the 23d inst. Preparation for Legislative Holiday Adjourn- ment—The Question of Commercial Protection or Free Trade—The Committee of Thirty Enlarging Its Idea of Patriotic Duty—Imperialist Pleadings to the Shadows ofthe Past. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALB. Paris, Dec. 18, 1872. The members of the National Legislative Assem- bly reassembied in session to-day and almost im- Mediately resolved to adjourn on Monday next until January 6, 1873. THE COMMERCIAL TARIFF. M. Bonnect moved that the duties on raw mate- rials should only appear as a memorandum in the Badget of 1873, M. De Remusat, the Minister of Forcign Affairs, opposed such a reversal of the former vdte of the Chamber. The subject was discussed until the close of the sitting, and the debate will be continued to-mor- row. THE OF THIRTY AND CONSTITUTIONAL REORGANIZATION. The Committee of Thirty are debating the ques- tion whether it is expedient to confine their de- liberations to the proposals for Ministerial respon- sibility and a Second Chamber, or to go over the whole fleld of constitutional reorganization, No result has yet been reached. IMPERIALIST RE-ECHORS nom THE RUINS OF THE AR, COMMITTEE The Duke de Grammont has written a letter re- futing the testimony given by President Thiers be- fore the committee to inquire into the causes of the late war, M. de Grammont, who was Minister of Foreign Affairs at the beginning of the war, states positively that the Emperor had promise of assistance from Austria in case of hostilities with Prussia, THE RIVER SEINE IN OVERFLOW AND STILL RISING. The river Seine continues to rise and at many places has overflowed its banks. MONARCHISM AND DEMOCRACY IN ACTIVE OPPOSITION OF SPIRIT. General Chanzy's corps Is being rapidly increased to 100,000, while Genera! Ducrot, who ts classed as a doubtfl republican, has only 43,000 men under his command. President Thiers to-day said that he “intended to keep the monarchists in awe.”” GERMANY. + Prince Bismarck’s Ministerial Position—Navi- gation Closed by Ice. TLLECRAM TO THE EW YORK HERALD. Berwin, Dee, 18, 1872. Tue Provinzial Correspondenz confirms the re- port of Prince Bismarck's resignation of the Prus- sian Premiership and his retention of the War Ofice in the Prussian Cabinet. NAVIGATION INTERRUPTED BY ICE. The River Pregel and bay adjoining Kouigsberg are frozen ove Professor Frederick Stengel delivered laat night a lecture on the “Arabians and Their Influence on European Culture,” before the Palette Art As#o- Clation, 126 Second avenue. The lecture, which was worthy of a profound scholar like Professor Stengel, was listened to with attention oy the large number of distinguished artusts who com- posed the audiquce THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH. Postmaster Creswell’s Plea for Cheap Lightning. ORTON’S WINDBAG PUNCTURED. What the Government, tho Press and the People May Expect from Independent Government Lines of Telegraph. WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 1872, The nostal telegraph question, which has been studiously kept in the background by partiedop- posed to such am innovation, ts from day to day ac- quiring more importance. The meeting of the Com- mittee on Appropriations last evening lor the pur- pose ofhearing the presidents of several telegraph companies and the Postmaster General developed no new facts, although Mr. Orton, the President of the Western Union Telegraph, seems to have found in it an opportunity for self-glorification. He mis- vook the cause and the occasion. Ioalled on the Postmaster General this evening toask him what he thought of the result of the meeting, Mr. Creswell, who is a gentleman of genial presence and affability, met my purpose more than half way, for he replied to my questions with cheerful alacrity. The following conversation took place :— “I hear, vostmaster General, that Mr. Orton boasts of having obtained a victory over you at the meeting last evening. How did that come about '” SNUB FOR MR. ORTON. “After rebuking Orton for his insolence in en- deavoring to say what was proper or what was improper on the part of an official of the govern- ment (meaning myself), I gave him to under- Stand, very clearly, that I did not regulate my official conduct to suit him or to suit the Western Union Telegraph; that I simply did what was right and just to the people of the United States, and made my recommendations utterly regardless of the reception that might be given to them by either Mr. Orton or his company. It is simply a question with me what the interest of the people of the United States required, and not what the Western Union Company desired or did not desire, My whole conduct in this matter is without ill will to the company or any one else. It is simply in the public interest that J present to the country the best and fairest statement of the telegraph question, I could not possibly obtain all the information with the limited means at my command, Without a doliar to expend in the mat- ter, | have, with the assistance of a single clerk, whom I detailed for that work, opened 4 CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE TELEGRAPH AU- THORITIES abroad, and so faras I could with the telegraph companies at home. The results thus obtained I have embodied in my report and the tables accom- panying it, and presented them to the President of tig: United States, I expressly stated in my report that I did not claim that all the figures were accurate, not having at my command the details which are essential to precision, Nevertheless I, contended that the statements and arguments which T advan- ced were substantially correct, and sufictent to induce Congress to grant all that Lasked for the further elucidation of the subject, namely, the appointment of a commission of competent and impartial persons for the thorough investigation of the subject, and report at a future day, THE SPEECH OF MR. ORTON has confirmed me in my opinion; though he ad- dressed the committee for nearly two hours, he alled tof furnish any of the facts which were really desiredwith reference to the expenditure and ac- tual property ofthe company. The act of 1866, about whic! . Orton had so much to say, has confirmed the judgment of the arbitrators to be chosen under that act as to the “lines, property and efiects,” and we have no correct statement from him as to what these “lines, property and e(fects” consist of, or thelr cost or present value. This topic he seems to have studiously avoided, With a view.to ascertain what amount of money the government should Day the several tele- graph companies for their lines, property and efiects, a careful scrutiny should be made upon the examination of their books and the sworn tesiimony of their officers and clerks. The mere general declarations of Mr. Orton avail nothing, and should have no weight whatever in forming the minds of the committee, They did not need from him ‘A IIGIL SOUNDING ORATION; they wanted facts. I am averse equally with Mr. Orton to any hasty action upon the subject, where such large interests are involved, But, returning to the request contained in my report, 1 renewed my application for the appointment of a commis- sion, That is the substance of what I said before the committee. Qugstion—Have you estimated, Postmaster Gen- eral, what sum would be required to buy out the Western Union Telegraph ¢ ANSWER—The government would replace all these lines, with its superior advantages over individu- als, at the price I have already named ($12,000,000), in the first place; for government has few, if any rights of way to pay, and, again, would have no duty to pay upon what articles it would find neces- sary toimport. It must he borne in mind that under the act of 1866, although the companies are bound to sell the government is not bound to buy, and unless the companies will sell upon FAIR AND REASONABLE TERMS I would myself advise the government to have nothing to do with their lines, but to proceed to construct its own lines and operate them indepen- dently of all others, Mr. Orton, in his speech, sald that 1,000,000 People used the tele- graph. A like remark ight have been made about the service of the country, ‘postal When facilities were small and postage high the number of letters sent did not exceed one-tenth of the six or seven hundred millions which now annually through the malls, This wonderful to pening of rates. So with re- gard to telegraph business. The multiplica- tion of facilities and the reduction of rates, instead of limiting the business to one million, will extend it to many millions of the ople of the United States. Instead of being a Inxury of the rich as now it will become equally the privilege of the many. This has been verified in Switzerland, in England, in Canada and in every other country where telegraphic facilities nave been increased and the rates have been low- ered, And herein lies THE DISTINCTIVE PRINCIPLE between the management by private companies and that of the government. On the one hand the companies are managed in the interest of the stockholders and to make ig dl on the other hand the postal telonraph will be managed for the pubiic benefit. hat advan 3 over the present system would your plan give to the press? The press generally would have the right to rent wires, which I think would be much cheaper than the most favorable rates that they can obtain now from the Western Union Tele- graph, Now I think A GREAT PAPER LIKE THE HERALD would be greatly benefitted by such an arrange- ment, not only because it- would obtain cheaper rates, but because its independence would be en- tirely unshackled. A Covenant appears to have been entered into by the Associated Press to sustain the Western Union Company through thick and thin, whether the latter is right or wrong. QuESTION—Have you & desire, Postmaster Gen- eral, to assume the control of both the telegraph and the postal service? ANSWER—An imputation has been made thatl am anxious to obtain control of the telegraph with a view of extending my jurisdiction and au- There is not a wore of truth in that, [ that [work as hard as any oflicer in the Pl service, and the amount of detail I am called upon to supervise daily will amaze any person who has no experience in the matter. biyde sare coming to me continualiy from ail the bureaus and Came relating to the mall service of every section of the world, calling for and receiving the best attention that I can give them. THE BATTLE OF THE TELEGRAPH will not be the battle ot a day or ofa year, It will never be over until the people themselves are informed upon the asnbject and stirred to activity in their own behalf This is the work that I commenced, That it will be ended tri ntly vefore many years IT have no doubt, because the progress of our people aud the genius of the age will demand it, But Liaye no expecta f outrolling the telegraph while Fam Postmaster General. My opinion is that the companies will continue to make War against the posal telegraph in the vain hope of extorting from the people an immense sum of money for the surrender of their property upon a fancy basis, Ide not believe that this will ever be done or that the people will ever accept the property on such terms The end of it all will be that the people, hecor disgusted with the greed of the companies, will compel the government to exert its jncontesty right of constructing its own lines independent of alt others. Then it Will become the question of tue hardest and strongest to fend om PAYMENT OF THE JANUARY INTEREST, The Secretary of the Treasury has given notice that the department will commence the payment of the interest due January a, 1473, om Saturday, the lst inat., witnoys rebate, ass Increase is oun to the extension of facilities” SPAIN. * Cabinet Project for the Abolition of’ Say Porto Rico—Peace and Order Re«® Established at Home, TELEGRAMS TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Maprip, Dec: 18, 1872. During the session of the tower house of the Cortes yesterday Senor Zorilla, the President of the Council, declared that it was the purpose of the government to introduce reforms tn the municipal law of Porto Rico, providing for the abolition of slavery on that island. OARLISM CONQUERED AND PEACE PRESERVED. Senor Zorilla also announced that the Cariist in- surrection has “dwindled to an affair of but little importance," that the disloyal demonstrations of the federalists have ended and that order is now assured throughout the country. Tho House, by a vote of 182 against 6, adopted a resolution declaring its satisfaction with the de- claration of the government. A Cabinet Crisis Canvassed in the Press—The Questions of Slavery and Territorial Rostitution Manip, Dev. 18—Evening. i The Imparcial says a Ministerial crisis is near at and. It is impossible to aelay a reconatruction of the Cabinet. There is reason to'believe that Ministers Gasset, Ruia, Gomea and Gordoba will retire, Echegaray be transferred to the Ministry of Fi- nance and Sejior Liano Persi be appointed Min- ister of Public Works, Sefior Romero Giron Min- ister of Colonies and Lieutenant General rleitain or Seflor Gaminde Minister of War. The republicans in Cortes have resolved to sup- port a vote of confidence only on condition that the government declare unequivocally in favor of the immediate abolition of slavery in the Spanish dominion. TERRITORIAL RESTITUTION TOWARDS TANGIER. The Lower House of the Cortes has approved the Appointment of a commission to examine into the demand of Morocco for the restoration of the towns of Penon and Gomera. Morocco has agreed to postpone action until the commission make their report, THE HUDSON RIVER. The River Practically Closed to Naviga- tion—The Last Trip of the Season will Probably Be Made To-Day. Newsaura, N, Y., Deg, 18, 1872. The last trip north of this city was made through the ice yesterday by the tug Medina, towing four sloops loaded with iron to Poughkeepsie. The Medina returned to Newburg this morning and re- pos heavy ice north of here. The barge Charles Spear reached here this morning in tow of the propeice Hasbrouck, trom New York, and will leave for that city this evening. The last trip of the season, between here and New York, will probably be made to-morrow night by the steamer McManus and barge Minisink. se INSURANC TRE LESSON OF THE MUTUAL LITE Discis- SION. pt Mr, Eprror—I have read the whole debate, from proposition to conclusion, and the sum of the whole matter scems to be this:—That a majority of the Mutual Companies cannot afford to reduce their rates of insurance while the one having the largest and longest experience believes that tt can do so with safety and propriety, Indeed the reso- lution of its board disposing of the matter for the present declares that, while the past experience of the company demonstrates its ability to carry out the plan of reduced premiums, “it directs, in compliance with the request of the other compa- nies referred to, that the proposed reduction of rates be not carried into effect until the further action of the board.”” There is, then, délay only, nota total change of purpose. The Mutual Liie may yet, and not long hence, we trust, reduce their rates and furnish insurance at its worth, Dividends are well enough in theory, but in prac- tice their ever changing character and the mis- representations and disappointments incidental to and springing out of them or the fall- ure of them make the matter of dividends the dia- grace of many and the bane of most mutual com- The proposition of the Mutual Life of New was really a biow at the dividend delusion, an approximation to pure and simple and legitimate life insurance to the low rates of stock companies. It was a step in the right direction, It wasa substantial endorsement of the premiums of such companies. The rates it intended to adopt for itself were only—say half a dozen per cent in excess of stock rates, and these stock rates, backed by the enormous capital of such companies as the National Life Insurance Company of the United States of America, have been previously unquali- fledly endorsed by Mr. Elizur Wright and Mr, Sheppard Homans as sound and sufiicient; and here I quote as appropriate from the report of the gentleman and Mr. D, P. Fackler, to the various mutual companies which requested the Mutal Life to reconsider its purposes, Mutual rates are designedly and certainly ought tobe higher than the probable cost. The excess forms the capital. And, again: The reserves of the old policies are, in effect, to be used asa capital stock to bear the expenses of getting new busi- ness at stock rates, which must considerably ex- ceed the margins of the new premiums. The public will be glad to welcome the day of universally cheap insurance. The stock companies of the country are the only ones which can now give in- surance at its cost. The National Life Insurance Company of the United States of America, char- tered by Congress (not the National of New York, one of the mutual companies objecting to the pro- posed reduction), has a capital of $1,000,000, owned by such men as Jay Cooke, E. A. Rollins, John Shor- man, Clarence H. Clark and William G. Moorehead, The largest capital which has ever been pledged to any pure life company in America to protect rates approved by the best actuarial talent of the country of this company, its rates, plans, &c., tie special lesson of the last two wecks’ discussion is highly commendatory. A POLICY-HOLDER IN A MUTUAL CUMPANY. Burnett's Miniature Toilets.—Elegant ASSORTED COLORED BOXES, containing a complete Toilet Appendage, admirably adapted to the Toilet fable gud traveller's portmantend, ACUBPTABLE MOLIDAY PRESENTS. Whoiesale by druggisis’ suadry menevery- where. A.—For a Beautiful Hat for the Holi- days go direct to the manutacturor, ESPENSCHELD, 113 Nassau street. SOS SE A.—Herald Branch Office, Brooklyn, corner of Fulton avenue and Fy mn street, Patent SHAMPION SAFES, 251 and 262 Broadway, corn Expecto: palliative and curative in all Dung Complaints, Bron- chitia, &c. tis a standard remedy for Coughs and Colds and uveds only a trial to prove its worth. Advice Datly.—Rheumatism, Neuralgia, 21 John street. Dr. FITLER'S RHEUMATIC REMEDY. Nocure,no charge. Sold by druggists. Cir- culars free. by e Teeth and Gums. BISCOTINE’S FOOD for infants. DELLUC & CO., 6% Broadway, are the sole prop ietors and manu. facturers. No coumection with any other drug store, Cured of Severe Neura ng, by WATTS' NERVOUS ANTL recoinraend it. ERRY, 235 East Sevonty-fourth street ten year: al ious, P A.—Wedding and Bail Cards, Paris elegant boxes Note Paper, tor Christmas, EVER- , $02 Broadway ablished 184), A.—Royal Havana "a 5 B. Batchelor’s Hair Dye—Is the Beat tn dye, harness, role able, instant is and Rough Skin Cu R TAR SOAP, manufactured by & 00, Sew ¥ Chapped hy using JUNT WELL, HASZA Cheapest Hookstore ‘im the World— 67,482 magnificent HOLIDAY BOOKS and Juveniles, Cat. tes itee. LEGUAT BROTHERS, No. 3 Beckivan st Christodoro’s Hair Splendia Dye isthe only one that bas ever beea aualyzed and Ww myles very in the Kitchen, Ronde tenn be net c FULLER, WAKR «& Extra Dry Cabinet et Wo Se sheet MOET AND SHANDON plete during the da, D., 235 Wator street! acknr, Wrrnar ” re O40 co 8 Chambors street, aud Broadway and Porte secon ob “ursChoice Steck at M. Call bets facturers® , 210 Broadway, corer of Fulton street. Winter Promena, map, with its accom tere KNOX'S. He has a lar tonable articles, an¢ 212 Broadway and unde “ulso furnish you, for drew one Purchase ‘Wauntlota, &o., sricty of these fits ‘ate. Mis stor Pu h Avenue Hotel ‘Wat and al Grae oe Hotel, wh, “ty Hat an kinds of f sion. his distingue Ifette. presente suas of Fanoy Furs, sultable for seasons ‘ Seat ee weal Shim Caps at froitday Hats and wane se seatees wrlces Ve Oy WEIN, 163 Nasa mya Spritco street. Half Morse and Heif MWan.—Rheuma-~ y sind ox” flesh, bor tiem, Swelfines, Latnoneas andany ON Sawa by Milmaat upon man ar least ase 4 TAUR LINEM ENT, the gost wodertul discovery of Sient or modern. times. aN : , Wis, Liquors for hited muners areal JOUN 5 STAFF, FG joots, Shoes? Toilet ER & 0028, No. 2 Uniow + Mumm’s Dry Verzenay IMPERIA others y avr Ine of atr’ y, cine WINES LIQUOR OND TABLE LUXO- RIES, HAVANA CIGARS sold in quyntities (suit pure chasers, at down, tovrm prices. : iH. B® KIRK.& CO New Stan, 69 Futton street, north stablished 36m Nicol, Davidsom & Co., . 336 Broadway, ite No. 4 Gren&Joves street) GLASS CATTERS AND ENGRAVERS, are introdocing now and fashionable putters of cut ay raved giase of pure crystal. Glass made to order witivimitials, crests, LONOGTAMS, 4c, Also, China, Platedware mad Gas Fixe res. Royal Havana Lottery.—Extraordinary drawing 20th December, B. ORTEGA, Nd. 9 Wall st Postoftice Dox TS The Absolute Test of Execlionite.—The truest test of excellence in a sewivg machine ty, after all the record of ity sales. The manufacture of We WILSON IMPROVED UNDERFEED MACHINE emjAo¥a an im- wiactory and nearly 50 skilled. workinen. e “ure turned out at tho rate of from 1,800 to 2,000 per week, and are sold faster than th can be made, |The factory is pushed from Coy to day? with or- ders. | There is nothing strange in all this when we con- sider that itisa first cl perti machine, capable of any class of Work good for twenty years’ constant ser- vice, and costing $15 less than the other first class ma- chines, Salesroom at 707 Broadwayy, New’ York, and i all other cities in the United states. The company'want agents in country towns i a a " NBW PUBLICATIONS. A BEAUTIFUL HOLIDAY GIFT. “SCRAMBLES AMONG THE ALPS IN THE YEARS 1800-59.)"" By Bdward Whymper. ul wad superbly executed Jamiso} holidays, Merry Chrixtmns.n. Slippers, Indtw Bubvers, ae ML square. Ve i side With over one hundred beaut engray 8vo. Extra ck Hilt, $2 5% No preceding publication on the same subject aute passes it ing ralattractiveness, and wo disposed to say none equals it asthe work’ of one man.—London Athenwum, Alpine adventure and sce have never been bettee portrayed.—Philadelphia Age. Full of bold and brilliant adventure, and a illustrated by the author, who, by the way, has 1 iv y of Italy with the Order of St. been nivested by the Maurice et Lazare, in recognition of the value of this magni <upon the Alps.—Boston Courier, For salo by booksellers generally, or will bo sent by mail, postpaid, tipon receipt of the price, by ny Publish Philadel JLB. LIPPINCOTT & 715 and 717 Mari and 25 Bond street, Ne (jiasuas itty J WANDFRING ITRIR SPLENDIDLY ILLUSTRATED, TUE PRESENT NUMBER (43) of HARPER'S WEEKLY begins THE WANDERING HECR. CHARI Ilustrated profusely Secured to Harper's Weekly by direct arrangement witha the author, LIST OF FULD PAGE ILLUSTRA Prats L—" ‘Who is your father, + O'Bi ‘an pleas Lord Altham. The That is not Oirish,! said 1, y a ‘Ow Up at sight of spoke im that one wild thei startled; if sent Mrs. pron to her eyes a moment and pierccd the heart even of silly brutal lord. : i losing all pati otk than (hou. ne el be ped and 1 he dia- {and wear! parade with thom ch, and dt ‘Oss 1 sparkling in the meontipht.” The girl approached: hin ti wd looking at LT do what you de tl #0,’ said James, ‘tor I'guacd my master's goods hristina put her window on the first floor and looked steadily down ather. Atter a few mo ments of sell-possesed observation sho said, ina keen whisper, “Kill him.’ "? VIIL—"Now (his sigh ‘caught the quick ear of @ young lady why had not long emerged upow just realized that the man wat thé agonies ot death, when young ax heard to cry a th te ‘They have murdered him. brought it to Mr. Chester, ting her arm round his nec! meut had never been tnterr please you read that.’ hi man} Uncle, dear, minutes a XL—"she had not been a when m rushed her love tion to his recent despondenc her hand in marriage that very minute,” In addition to the above, this nuunber ot the Weekly i tain « magnificent double-page engraving from will Bir David Wilkie's celebrated painting of “John Preaching before the Lords of the Cong: cartoons by Thomas Nast ‘nad PERIODICALS, This M Has done. good wed wot evil ell the d tis Magazine as done good agd not evil all the of its lite.—Brooklyn Eagle — HARPER'S WEEKLY, Tho ablest and most powerfutly iMustrated perlodical ia this country. —Louisville Courier Journal HARPER'S BA: There never was any paper published that so delighted the heart of woman.—Providence Journal, oe 4 per ly and ‘Harpe Bazar, for 37. h An oxtr: py eo, Weekly or Bazar will be supp! every club’ of five sub 2 h, in one remittance; or sig copies for ), without extra copy. Address HAKPER & BROTHERS, New Y (MMARMING BOOKS FOR TUK CHILDREN, ABBOTT'S AMERICAN TISTORTES. By Jacob Abbotty, ROLLO'S TOUR IN EU nor By Jacob Abbott, TH + ROLLO BOOKS. By J yy. Abbott. THE PLORENCE STORIES, By Jacob Abbott, THE HARLIE STORIES, By Jacob Abbot ARTHUR'S HOME STORIES. By T. 8. Arthur. THE COTTAGE LIBRARY, By Peter Parioy. THE POP GUN STORTES, By Aunt Fanny. THE SPECTACLE SERIES, By Sarah W. Lander. PICTURES AND STORIES OF ANIMALS. By Mra or Tenney. GOOD BOY AND GOOD GIRL'S LIaRARY. WALTER'S TOUR IN THE EAST, By D, 0, Bddy. THE DOVE STORIES. In large type. OUR HOLIDAY CATALOGUE ts now ready, and wilh e se! Actress on application, Llosa ELDON te COMPANY under the ( ARLAN ndna Rrowning,” by Mary 7. Holmes, and “Trae as Sicel,’” by Marion Harland, ave (he two. most popwiae novels of the year. G. W wvlis UAKLETON & CO, ers, Madison square, New You AND-BOOKS OF GOUD SOCIETY, TD ine best hooks oft prt ever print provement are “Habits of Good So: yersation” and “W ing W. CARLETON & CO. jue AY BOOKS, the beat and largest sas Ajgrent varie!y of fin ment down town, Wuglish Boo! JOHN PYNP, 109 Nasann stre “FRY MISS y Lowtisa Alcott, t divinos. Just HE TaOee cones RiLTUN & CO. Publishers ™ Un square, New York. I8TBORY lish work on and instractivo trtle je CAME OF i “a. } square, Nove it to ‘ee copy. Vubllsytsg, Madison Warren Range, t that can be appreciated by mother, wife or New York.