The New York Herald Newspaper, December 20, 1872, Page 4

; i “IMIR CRISIS IN FRANCE, Dufaure’s Committee of ‘Thirty. CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSITIONS. Irreconcilable Difference Between the Government and the Majority. State of Parties In and Out of the Assembly. POSSIBLE RESULTS. Parts, Dec. 5, 1872. Should the Committee of Thirty, appointed to- day in accordance with the proposition of Dufsure, to sit as a sort of coroner’s jury on the mortal re- mains of the Republic, perform adequately the * fanctions expected of it, its report can scarcely be ‘other than an outline of a constitution for France; for it must declare apparently either for or against & Ministry responsible to the Chamber; for or gainst a second Chamber; for or against the separation of the executive from the Yegislative, ,by the exclusion of the President from the tribune; and, finally, for or against an appeal to the country in the dissolntion by gradual renewal of the pre- sent Assembly. One way or another, therefore, its Teport must be @ constitutional programme and determination, and will, in future, be cited as such, and for this reason its appointment, though Proposed by the government, is the most substantial victory yet gained by the Right, which has .always claimed against constant contradiction that. this Assembly had constituent powers. But the most significant point is not this victory of the Right. It is the implication that tne Bordeaux bargain ts of no further force; that the truce between the hostile elements is at an end; that the revolution begins again at the point where the declaration of that political pact pacifled the parties, and that the contest 1s practically re- opened, from which each party anticipates the triumph of its views, even though this may induce & Dew appeal to arms and general civil war. In the state of agitation provoked by the Presi- dent's Message and the Kerdrel proposition to answer it, General Changarnier opened the lists by aiming a blow at the government over the shoul- ders of Gambetta ; and the government, deplorably unskilful in parliamentary tactics, chose that in- ‘opportune time for demanding a vote of conf- fidence, and suffered itself to drift into the false position of making itself the champion of one of the parties against the other, instead of standing apart and adroitly knocking tbe heads ofthe two together. More than this, the President, led away by that Memptation to be demonstratively logical that is ‘& weakness of the French intellectual, ran into some untimely commonplaces in reference to the actual existence of the Republic and the common Muty of all to assist in keeping this actual Republic 1n a conservative groove; and out of such small bee suddenly starts up a great crisis, asin the ‘Arabian stories 8 wonderful demon takes shape JSrom the cloud of vapor that rises when some inno- Cent person with the best intentions throws a inch of incense on the fire. In these events, con- idered by themselves, there was nothing ene voke a collision of the parties out of which might come sweep! constitutional worl slide these events are not to be considered by themselves. ‘They must be viewed with reference to the condi- ‘tion of things that underlies them, for this it is . that gives them their remarkable significance. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, Elected at a time when the Empire and the Re- public were equally out of favor, because one had made and the other had continued a war in which France could only be driven from one hopeless ba t- te to another, and when the monarchy was the only government that had done no recent wrong— the Assembly was an expression of the popular spleen—a ene m mede in emper both the prominent parties and in favor df iy that was by common consent impossible, but on ‘which was cast the duty of making peace. But when the spleen, chagrin and ill temper in which it was chosen was soothed a little and the nation began to recover its normal tone the first dis- covery made was that of the entire want of sym- ey between the majority of the pada a and ‘he country upon every topic of general interes and upon the fundamental ideas of national poli- tics, France saw that she had not chosen men to act on her eae but had given herself into the hands of a keeper t! whom not even the Prus- sian himself could be more yuthlessly at difference ‘with her most cherished asprations. From that ‘time until this every hour has only widened the chasm that abe tween the two, and for thé Assembly still to persist in perpetuating the pre- tence that it represents the country is simply a flagrant outrage. Every election—no matter how held, no matter where—returns a member dis- tinctly republican. Every utterance of the people, given in whatever form, expresses the common Spirit of republicanism. So confident are the re- geniken leaders of the power of their principles fore the country that a proposition has peen made for the resignation of eighty-six republican Mmembers—one for each department—in order to demonstrate that the pierced will is 80 clearly with them that they could at this time return atepublican from every department of France; and this ex- periment ‘would be carried out only for the fact that it would leave the Right in ci majo: and for the fear that the Right would then pa: revent “partial elections” and thus shut out these eighty-s|x republican Notes. But though the republican party is thus the con- trolling power in the country—in popular opinion, in public gatherings, in the casés, the streets, the railway cars—wherever the mass. ef men come together, yet the Right, which looks upon all re- publicanism asa direct emanation from the devil and the brimstone pits, is not less certainly the controlling power in the Assembly, and just now the possession of the Assembly is of more con- ee Practically than the possession of all the public opinion in the world. Ifthe Right holds the ground on which the battle isto be fought, and holds the force to fight it, there is but little profit in considering what ferce some one else holds in fome other place, and that is just the view the Right seems now disposed to take. It means to force the fighting and determine the combat be- fore the legions can come up that would turn the scale against it. It means that this Assembly, be- cause the Right holds so fair a proportion of power in it and may never hoid so much in another, shall, therefore, determine the present destinies of the country. And “whatare you going to do about itr’ How can you help ity Will you dissolve the Assembly by military force and fe to the country? Can good fruit grow on that particular sort of tree which produced the first son second Empires? Thiers has not the courage for this. He is es- pecially airaid to seem to imitate the second Em- pire. Can the Assembly be dissolved otherwise? Not without its own consent, and this the Right will take care it does not give. It is iy ia that Thiers and the Left shali secede and dissolve themselves with an addr to the country, thus leaving the Right as a rump parliament; but this also is obviously only a step toward the eventual introduction of force, and ail feel that when that element comes in it will be @ scramble and a toss- up who shall win; and ail accordingly hesitate to take the drst step in that direction. POSITION OF THE PRESIDENT. M. Thiers’ policy has constantly kept in view the position of parties as here stated, and he has tried te hold the balance so as to op] the weight of public opinion out- side the Chamber to the preponderance of the Right inside, izing the condition of the country, he has endeavored to give greater importance to the popular will as interpreted by himself than as interpreted by the votes of the members. Against his right to do this the members whose influence on the government 1 thus oversiaughed have er Cite and their clamor for ministerial responsibility starts ex- actly here. They declare, not unnaturally, that for any man to presume to interpret the popular will is simply the institution of a Reree wer like the Empire, while to govern with a ry drawn from the republican party, the minority ef the Chamber is an open defiance of the majority. Hitherto, thor this, they have always given way at use the threat the atlas, bec of ae on the of Thiers was a threat tull of Tr, a8 his ri would drive to ai early settlement the question of government which in the presence of their dynastic dissensighs they were bot ready, Butnow this terror ii 14 ioohet ed Greadful in their eyes, whetherAt use wth of the ublican sentiment seems more still or for some not yet ap- The ground of the present diMculty the part of tho Right thet M. Titern tat en Ge ie |. Thiers shall explicit imself from the Lett pied arent separate hi id the radical policy, towards which the Right believes he is constan ore and more boldness, tly ine! atag vile n 8 18 evidenced by the deciaration Id favor of the Republic in his message and his attitude toward Gambetta with reference to which the vote of cor Adence waa refused gn the 18th ultimo. It is evi- lent thgt the difference has become irreconcilable; oat Aight must now elsisgr defaitely give ‘be no oocasion surpise if in the next fourteen days we should have 5 20emt 26 nie mite: Weolenete, maasencred OF She rural, an army #0 div! - dencies toward the Republic, the Empire and the lonarehy as to be useless for the preservation of or @ monarchy declared at with ole country more or less in revolt, On the other hand, though it would be mere leg yg AG is yet possible that Thiers, findit he fignt more obstinate than himself, may yield at last and accept its will : LE COUP D’ETAT. A Should Thiers yield, accept the rogramme or the Right and neers govern ‘wlth bad such a f monarchy; but on cans “4 r @nnoyance where it cannot force & ol will make government by the Assembly im- and will thus presen hat justify ion of th course you may see has been already bol cated oy the London Times, It would be sti to see the Republic—above all the Thiers’ Repul et, very step on which Oromwell founded his dic tatorship, and which, in France, has led the way to two! empires. Of course tne urpose WO! appeal country and ge! _ new Assembly, Procter tie) of the present state of public opinion ; but there was & pretended good pI @ in all the other cases also, and who can say that im this more than in those there may not be unfortunate stumbles oefore the steps of the new dictator bring on the next election? More- over, even su} ing that Thiers is honest, there may be accidents, With the Assem! removed there will exist nothing haying the sanction of the country as a government. There will only be the life of one very old man in the way of the ambition ot any soldier who will venture one bold stroke to make another empire. For such a man easier to make a new empire than for make a new republic, How Bazaine may wish, at this juncture, that he had kept the army by some resolute fighting at Metz! Had be done 80 he would now be the man of the hour. it is Ducrot looms up asthe only dguro Portions suited to the place, It would be tedious to go over all the pos- sible jemnes yd the ori appears not to manent triumph P Right. Tnat they are likely to have a tempor: triumph there is no doubt, because a tempora: triumph is to be won in the Assembly, where their ower lies; but the moment events spread to a finer field and the country comes into the e In a civil struggle the republicans will overpower them, and they cannot count upon @ repetition of the Holy Alliance. If outside Power interferes it will of course be only Tae which holds @ mertgage on the country, and if cara troops come in they will re-establish the mpire. Av indication, however, has alre: been given of the direction the struggle will take when it comes. General Ducrot’s order issued to his sub- ordinate commanders when the crisis began has since been made public. Arrangements are therein made for supp! the men with cooked rations and ball cartrid; case it became necessary to move a colum at short notice ‘to maintain order.’’ The same General had previously instructed the ndarmes of the district to furnish him a list of he known republicans—in short, a proscription V'st These two orders are sufiiciently significant of what may come if the country rises, as itis ly to, against the programme that the Com- mittee of Thirty shall present. But it is doubtful ‘whether the candidate of the Right or the exile at Chiselhurst Will gather the fruit of this crete ppenaration, for an alliance to the Bonapartes ani mo now strengthens the hands of the oppo- Ds BIOGRAPHY OF THE LATE EDWIN FORREST. [From the Philadelphia Press, Dec. 19.] We learn from the best authority that more than three years ago James Oakes, Esq., of Boston, the life-long friend of the great tragedian and’ one of his executors, made a‘ contract (under the sanc- tion of Mr. Forrest) with a gentleman of high scholarly attainments in Boston, who was also a Personal friend of the great actor, to write his biography. It was the intention to haye the work completed in the month of January, 1873, and pub- lished simultaneously in this country and in London. The volume will be illustrated with en- ravings of Mr. Forrest in his principal characters, ‘om photographs taken by raay. of New York, and will be one of the most complete and accurate biographies that has ever issued from thepress in this country. It will-also be a history of the drama and the stage from its earliest dawn in ancient Greece and Rome. For three years past the biographer of Mr. For- reat has been busily at work, with the ald of Mr. Oakes, in collectii ts and material for this complete ‘history of the Garrick of the American stage. In consequence ofthe death of Mr, Forrest the publication of the work will be delayed for the porpore of introducing many facts and incidents ouching his private and inmer life that could not have been published with propriety during his life. There will doubtless be published a number of biog- Taphies of Forrest, but none so authentic or com- plete as the ene authorized by the tragedian him- self previous to his death. As soen as is possible to complete it this work will be published under the personal supervision of the historian, and with the sanction of James Oakes, of Boston ; James Law- son, of New York, and Daniel Dougherty, of Phila- delphia, the executors of Mr. Forrest’s will and trustees of his estate. During the very last visit of Forrest to Boston, only two weeks ae company with Mr. Oakes, terra AeTSE areata ey Na , an . dents or his private and public lite, y ae THE HERALD IN NORTH CAROLINA, Statesvil ~ ©.) Ii (From the a 4 uf €.) Intelligencer, | Of making many books there is no: end was written in days of yore, and with equal propriety! might one utter it in this day as to newspapers; but in the eager desire of the many to supply the public with that mental pabulum so eagerly sought for in this progressive age what would the press, the world, do witho ut that great disseminator of news—the New YorRK HERALD. Frem the little nny sheet first established by the late lamented ennett it took a prominent stand in the great city of New York, and has gathered strength with its Gore until to-day it stands par excellence at the head of journalism, net only in this country but throughout the world, and the demand for the HERALD to obtain the latest and fullest news is as as great in the pga it is in the chief com mercial marts. We hall with pleasure its daily visits to our sanctum, giving news, as it does, from all the ends of the ¢arth through ‘its army of correspondents. AN OCEAN CABLE SOLD, ‘Tri fer to British Capit s of the New York, Newfoundland and Lon- don Telegraph Cable-$2,000,000 Paid for Stock Yesterday. Anumber of British capitalists some time ago made an offer to the individual shareholders of the New York, Newfoundland and Londen Telegraph Company, through Mr. Cyrus W. Field, of one per cent for the privilege of calling all the stock they held at 90 per cent within a limited time. The Purchase of $3,000,000 worth of this stock was effected on Lege | last, and Beko Mr. Moses Taylor, Trustee, notified the shareholders to call and receive the balance due on the stock they held, as $2,700,000 had been paid by the English clique, and interest on all stock ‘would cease at once. Mr. Field, in order to effect ‘the purchase, bought out the entire interest in the mp if Pee eat 4G, a] aol pean Moses ir T and others, Field ie stil ta England, seg it is generally supposed that the head office of the company be transferred Lendon. A HBRatp reporter called upon several of the above-montioned gentle- they must fail. d | its second men yesterday and endeavored to ascertain the exact terms upon which the transfer of stock was made, it having been asserted that they made 50 per cent on the transaction. They were reticent o> Seams ate cd tank Ries fa or con! : prot ir igno- france as to the probability of the current rates being Increased or lowered. “NOT THB PERSON MENTIONED.” To me Epiron oF THe HERALD:—~ I notice in your issug of to-day & paragraph, in which @ person of my name is reported as having been arrested and brought to Jefferson Market Court on a charge of felonious assault, I beg to state that I am not the party referred toin your article. While the speilin, orth name is different the Pronunciation 18 alike, and ber lead people ink it was intended for me, edpectally ae: thts piste I have had the misfortune to have my name brought into unenviable notoriety through the press. Very respectfully, JAMES LALOR, 619 Sixth avenue, Dee. 10, 187%, NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER .20, 1872.-TRIPLE SHEET. THE HOLIDAYS. What He Has to Do in Order to Find Peace of | Barranse Mind—His Many Purchases and How and Where He is to Make Them—Pianos, Meer- schaum Pipes, Organs, Melodeons, Fur- niture, Hats, Capsand Furs, and What Ho is to Do About It—A Fow Arti- oles that Santa Claus Cannot Very Well Carry and ‘Which the Family Cir- cle Dearly Prize. That very large and excessively tender-hearted portion of the community commonly known as fathers of family have just now a hard road to travel. It is along and weary one, and has many Winding cuts to the right and to the left, and tt generally takes a poor fellow, once ayear, who has @ household of children, at least, from the 1st of the ‘Present month to the ist of the next to goover the whole route successfully. Of course, every paterfamilias is bound by every tie that makes his household a happy one to go over the whole road, and as it is always marked out by those members of the family circle who do not hold the pyrse strings, it; ia always laid out with all due regard to the shops and warehouses, where anything and everything that can adorn one’s house or one’s self can be had for the mere calling for it by the governor—after, of course, paying for it. In all well regulated households nowadays music bath charms to’ soothe even the savage breast of ye parient in . AN EOONOMICAL HOLIDAY MOOD, * and the road he is compelléd to travel, whether he likes it or not, is, in consequence, often made to pass either directly in front of a piano warehouse or bya side street to the very doors of one of the factories, And who that dares to call herself any- body and expects to hold soirces and all that sort of thing, even though she doesn't know how to play herself, would be without @ plano? It is such @ nice piece of furniture, you know, and looks so Stylish with its polished legs glistening in the bright laght of the grate fre in the evening, and one ‘lways has such a huge consolation in feeling that, whether it is used or not, it is under all favorable circumstances just as fall of music as if it were used. Not indeed that any father of a family of rapidly sprouting daughters is ever made to buy one pur- posely to be made use of as a silent ornament for the parlor. Oh, dear, no; but then MRS. TOODLES’ GOOD EXAMPLE in the deor-plate business is always worth keeping fn mind. Even though a piano or an organ or ‘an accordeon is.purchased for the look of the thing only, @ day may come, perchance, when some member ef the family maybe A GREAT MUSICIAN, and then—why, the totally unexpected prodigy has his instrument all ready the moment his gomes is discovered! Oan anything be-p'ainer? Now, this once settled, how easy it is iorthe mi in- clined units of the family to bring the governor to the pecuniarily proper point! If he is a littie par- ticular about where he ougnt to go, it is not hard to give him a choice of place PIANO MANUFA( classical turn of mind, an to hear jhe =mame of his vorite author men- joned in tones of Badia mI he can call at Horace Waters’, 481 Broadway. . W: eters knows how to please everybody, and a Visit tohis Warerooms, even if the Darobsecr: hasn't as pak qe made up his mind to order a piano before nristmas, will not be ttrown away. He will be certain to hurry back after the frst visit, with his Tegolution to buy, at all hazards, : “FIXED AND IMMOVABLE.”’ Hainés Bros,, 27 Union square, are “convenient” to uptowners, and can never be taken unprepared. Their motto “If you don’t see what you want ask forit.” Then there are Steinway & Sons, 109 and 111 East Fourteenth street. Their reputation a8 plano mauulacturers is world-wide, and their grand pianos are found in every place where wealth and mi taste go hand in hand. At 211 Fourth avenue H. Schroeder & Co.'s establishment is well worth visiting. The stock of pianos and other musical instruments on hand is elegant and varied, At Hollyer & Co.’s, 55 West Sixteenth street, and at Merrill’s, No. 8 Union square, the pianoless community, who are anxious.to ‘SUPPLY A WANT LONG FELT,’! will find everything that they may be in need of and at fair prices. FURNITURE, It may be just at this particular period of the year that there are many young governors, or Tather young gentlemen, expecting to be gover- nore by this time next year, who have alre: got 8 new fiat or house en; for the “happy couple,” and who are, as the poet says, to make the coming years te glow with warmth of true love’s flame. Now, it is all very well for the head of an firey long established household to pay down his heliday cash fer a piano, but the beginners have first to think of al kinds of other furniture. So, in ree that they may know just where to go yu withor RUNNING ABOUT TOWN for days looking for a warehouse where eve! article of furniture, from a footstool to a gran French bedstead of the most expensive wood and make, can be had at a reasonable rate, it may be mentioned just here that at Cowperthwaite’s, No. 155 Chatham street, Hey will find everything in t! furniture line the most ambitious householder can desire. same may e said of Dealy & Urge and 886 Third avenue; Heyman & Mack, 276 Houston street, corner of Hudson; D. Kelly, 600 hth Kelly & Co., Tw th mue ct : Eighth ue, and Kelty's va O’Farrell’s, 200 Broadway. A purchaser at any of these will be sure to ? THE FULL VALUE of his money. one who bi an article off rated need have any fears of [ody le8s than he bi for. But it should be borne in mind, notwithstandin; all this talk about furnishing houses and payin anos, that people of both sexes, who yet enjoy he glorious privileges of single blessedness, can also find plenty of uate other than household ways in which to spend their surplus cash, without in anywise “throwing it away,” as the old folks call it, The young ladies, for instance, who have an eye to the bright, bright future and the lasting good of peaceful husbandry In every range of society, now, or ought to know right weil, if they don’t, that the lords of creation, nowadays, next to the little dears themselves, love their IPE AND TOBACCO after dinner, en, What better can they do to please than to go to Pollak’s, No. 27 Jenn street, and order a nice meerschaum for each of their favorites? And need it be said that the name of Pollak has been a household wordin every smoker's quarters for the past thirty-seven years, and he is such an authority on meerschaum ? just think of it. He is actually out ina the subject, in which he goes into historical depths about the discovery and use of meerschaum pipes; and then he js, besides, you must know, a practical meerschaumite himself. If a lady wanta her own sweet likeness carved on the bowl of the pipe she intends for her “dear Charles,” or his own mono- gram or some metto that will give the young man A DELIOATE HINT asto where the gift came from, she has only to whisper her order to Pollak and the thing is done, Still we all know that there are dainty fellows who wouldn't smoke a pipe for all the world, and proba- bly for that reason, more than any other, Pol- lal has @ habit of making cigar holders of meerschaum, with amber tips for all comers, which the ladies can get adorned in any they desire. Kaldenber; also of the meerschaumite tribe, and ts located on the corner of John and Nas- sau streets. He has also a factory for his goods in the block between Broadway and Nassau street and has a m loent stock of Rivet and cigar holders on hand and oan oO erschaum to make into any pipe-bo rohaser may desire. The lay of and Neptune heads and other fancy pipe bowls ai stores 1s enough to make 4 PLAIN CLAY PIPER OF @ devotee of the favorite brier wood give up the idea of plain smoking al ther. lar devotees of the weed will find a visit to this block, between Broadwi and Nassau street, well worth the trouble if they drop into elther of the meerscha a Ai er e @ the “vile habit’ ore than ® common le of ‘em m French meer-sham in the eyes of people who 6 Ot the eight of ‘quad “= Tt ts pretty certain that Paterfamilias, after over the Tucaiture steres and ding ot his foue Tort ti par Sorte WWE jad, de see to ft, that his meerschau 7 ry smoking apparatus, is goa, order, wit ont find that tere is yet cnothe inatter he will have titend rom] ecially after a ze ands snowfa. Tike that of the day petare emer. day. IL about town for the in his er bod family’s sake his new hat 1s shapeless mass of so-called rer, and the girls, on account of the snow ge ‘@ already clamor- ing for a new set of furs. fact is, they won't 0 out in the sleigh or on Broadway without a new set. ie poor man had an you Know, that his troubles were at an end when CH the plano in doore, but he reckoned without his host, But und Knocked to a Giverytbing is ieee: ‘and no_ what is he to do? who bas been in the same predicament knows jnst what be re- solves not to do turns out to be in the end just ‘T HS REALLY DOES. Bt tO ye & new hat st Knox's, corner of and Fulton street. mean soos So Regentoheld ae place of the Rnox hat when it comes to its day of Then he goes to David's, 200}, to and to Warnock’s, 619 orders hats and caps all round for all the ys’ of the i F i i] 5 af Wi new army cal He finds out that all these batters deel in sleigh robes nd furs, and, is trying to deal impartially with al, he es, to his great joy, out, But nis he bas to give Knox a big order in the fur line, He seal skin hate {n gil forms and shapes and under all kinds of titles, “boy”? po ion of the family is a large one, and getsa “Circassian” that looks for all the world like a bee- hive; ‘the Polish,” which @ flap whi has P turns down over the face and head, and “the Russian” which can be made into a turban or cap with visor. very fine one, as well aa his a! ekin boas and muffs, and thereupon THE GOVERNOR'S BILL for the girls’ sake is thereu made larger than ever, Then he 008 home a ey and a very wise It should be said by way of conclusion that pepscheid manufactures as well as retails the low crowned soft and hard hats, and has a splendid stock of seal skin caps which he is ‘visa give away toallcomers during the holidays for a iair consideration. f THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH BILL. To THE EpIToR OF THE HERALD:— The bill as reported by the Senate Committee at the last session of Congress oharters'a new com- pany which is to contract with the government todo the public and private telegraphing of the country at certaim fixed rates proportioned to distance, which onan average are, we believe, fully one-third less-than the rates now charged by existing companies, the whole to be under the supervision of the Post Office Department, and every message to have a three cent stamp affixed, which will inure to and help postal revenue, now seriously interfered with by numerous telegraphic Messages sent in substitution of letters. This plan does not increase the number of government ofil- ctals or patronage—it simply places under the care of the representatives of the people the tele- graphic correspondence of the public, in the same way that the written correspondence is now Placed. The bil! seems carefully guarded insofar that the capital shall only represent actual expen- ditares (in other words, there shall be no watering of stock), and when the net revenue reaches ten per cons on capital the tariff on messages shall be Tedu ice Admitting, as we think every impartial person that the telegraph fast assuming as im- pe t@ relation to the private and commercial K ett Sis) casey the mails ever did, we sk, fs {t safe to leave such & tremendous power in tl jo manga of any private corporations without the supervision and control of people through their representatives ? The position of the telegraph companies of the country is now.somewhat peculiar. They consist, 80 far a8 we can learn, of three companies, viz., the Western Union, the Atlantic and Pacific ana the Franklin. Wherever these lines compete the service is well and cheaply done. Where they do not compete the reverse is the case—high charges, long delays, and in case of non-delivery or mis- takes in messages, incivility and rudeness are the Tule, without redress. As a case in point, the charge for a message from Boston to New York is thirty cents, while from places less distant that are not compet points the charge is filty cents, The Western Union—now much the largest com- pany—having swallowed up most of the lesser con- cerns and watered its stock ap from fifteen mil- Hons to forty, has avowed its belief through its peas, in the House of Representatives—Mr, eck, of Kentucky—that the other two, com: ies—Atlantic and Pacific Brank- in—are leading a precarious . existence, and _ ilikel; soon to become _ bankrupt; and what then? We have the close monopoly ol the Western Union—which will “2 pat water ita stock—governed by a private and irresponsible board of directors which, however respectable now, is hable at any time to get into the hands of the ty Gou} and Tweeds of the present stock-Spéculat: 8. Are the people aware of the tremendous power that is about to go into the hands of a private corporation extending to the farthest limits of the nation? Do they understand that every message, private, public, political or commercial, is in the hands, it may be, of a set of stock gamblers, with headquarters in Wall street, who may use this trémendous engine, almost as powerful as the preas itself, for their own selfish ernest Even now, through its contract with he Assuciated Press, a large part of the news- yepars of the country are inthe hands of the estern Union, limited monopoly though it be at the present moment. ' By its contract with the Associated Press the latter agree not to employ or use any other tele- graph line, and are not to share the news with any newspaper that does so employ other lines, At the present moment the press 18 practically muz- upon this important point, and we hear not a word from it, except in deprecation of government interference, Let this monepoly go on to its natu- Tal sequence and what shall we have when they have absorbed the other lines? A power almost as fre ag the government itself, to be used for po- tical or financial effect in the interest of the managers for the time be'ng, responsible only to the stockholders, who, as we have seen lately in the case of the Erie Railroad, have little power to right themselves when unscrupulous directors choo . to hold on to office. - It has been urged that it is placing too much power in the hands of the } foreramens to give it charge of the telegraph. hy is not the same argument used tthe government concrolling the mails? What government can exist or be of use to the people when business so vital to the neral interest of the country is to be controlled | ates private corporation, and, as has lately been the case, the use of its telegraphic lines refused for the weather reports, except at exorbitant charges? For ourselves we would much rather take our chance of fair dealing from a ernment ema- nating from and directly responsible to the people irom an a of irresponsible managers governed solely by or that of @ soulless corporation. To do1 would be to lose faith in mene = ong. foepensinity: of Ate es ie people. But no such pi proposed by the Senate rt. It 1s to incor ® col f subject to government cent end su) ton, wit! jarantees for its good conduct and fair deal- ing. Itis precisely the same plan that is adopted with railroads for transportation 6 mails. How would the peo le to-day like to have all mail matter placed incl ree of one railroad corpora- tion, as, for example, the Pennsylvania Central? Tom Scott would soon attain to the office he is now sania to aspire to—that of President of the United ates. Leave the telegraph where itis soon to be and you have an ‘“ jum in Og oneal d the office Of President of the Western Union Telegraph will, in point of power and money be more desirable than that of President of the United States aud en- tirely beyond the control ef the people. MERCATOR. EDUCATION IN THE METHODIST CHURCH. Public Meeting of Bishops and Minis- ters in the Twenty-third Street Metho-= dist Episcopal Church—The Public School System Denounced—Denomina- tional and Parochial Schools Advo- cated. A public meeting in favor of religious education in the public schools and distinct denominational education in parochial schools was held last even- ing in St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, cor- ner of ‘Twenty-third street and Fourth avenue. The meeting was presided over by Bishop Janes, who ordered the Meret Aes the introductory psalm at half-past seven o'clock precisely. The opening prayer was then given by Bishop Bowman, oni: about twenty persons being then in the church. Be. fore the conclusion of the prayer, however, there was a fair audience present. Bishop Janes made the opening address, in which he alluded to the paucity of his audience, the object of the Board of Education which the Ghurcn recently estab- Ushed, and showed its true importance, necessity freots. He tien introduced to the audience Rev. Dr. Holmes, of Pittsburg, who deliv: a ualii'ss Seema ater Sacat pte comments on the m he sald, was partially godiess an y some unqualified and frre! teachers. The Bishop next introduced the Rev. Dr. CatMey, of Atlanta, Ga., who dwelt at lei the nator a of the Methodist C! Heemndat get ite Sie pene eae ig can iets the iministr) ee 8. a children in seorstary of Doxt i of Gacy ih ideas of the peat system of éd) rief but compact address. He defied that edu- cation could exist without the support ot Onristian teaching. Education irrespective of religion was ot education. The present pubic school een, e Kald, owed its origin to the old parochial an ational schools, formerly everywhere es- tablished. To make all education secular was simply absurd, and plan to do so could never be made feasible, F the conclusion of the rev- erend Doctor's discourse Bishop Janes réquested the audience to sing the “Doxology,’’ which be! devoutly rendered, Rev. Dr. Newman, chaplain ol the United States Senate, gave the concluding blessing, when the meoting formally adjourned, CONGRESS. The. Postal. Telegraph Bill and Amendments. POMEROY'S PROHIBITIVE LIQUOR BILL. Sherman's Improvement om the Territorial Anti-Drink Suggession, Wall Street Lockers-Up of ‘Money To Be Looked After. —_a ‘Wasuinoron, Dec. 19, 1472. Mr. Cracm, (rep.) of N, H., from the Committee on Naval Affairs, reported a bill for the relief of 8. B, Elliot, which was passed. Mr, Ramser, (rep) from the Oommittee on Post Offices and Post Roads, reported ibstitute for the Postal Tele- graph pill of last scssion, the bill now reported being the “Hubbard bill,” with sundry modifications. The Postmaster General is required, as soon as practi: |, § cable, to establish telegraph offices at all post offices on telegraph circuits and at all other post offices within ten miles of any oiroult where the salary is not less than, $300 per annum, and {s required also to establish telezraph~ offices at such other places as the wants of business may require. The charge for transmission of telegrams shall be uni- . form for equal distances at 8 rate not excecding one cent per word for each circuit through which they shall be transmitted, tobe computed as follows:—For distances ‘under 600 miles 250 miles shall be deemed a circuit. For ‘any excess 500 miles shall be deemed 4 circult. For night Messages 1,000 miles or less shall be deemed a circuit. All words are to be counted, and no communi tion shall be transmitted at a rate less than twenty-five cents for each circuit. The rates shal cover the cost of immediate delivery within ono mile of the telegraph office or within is no postal telegraph office; but when the ad- dresece lives moro than one mile from the office or tizough the usual efor delivery or by special saguveree 'a fast and Groper sim, tobe Axed poe payment of a just Ly yy Postmaster Get All telegraphic communication between the several La ale of the government, their officers and agents shall have priorit son, without prepayment, and all rates to be fixed by fpr cotmaster General. All other ope taeeaae be sent their rece) ‘exee) Te Fepald by stam D) order system +4 Bs apted. ‘to rates for de tah to, Paw epaper: ‘words or Barhr each, clroult of coed seventy-five cents if sent by n! but when cop’ one OF more o NOt ex: coed fifty cents by night and seventy-fivecentsby day, and at the same rate for each word inexcess. Tho ra\ for press, associations are Not to exceed those now pai by the oars or Amerinan Press for. simular service. A postage PLAYS, Gents, shall be paid on ench press oi ‘ourth Assistant Postmaster General is to pointed, to exercise a over the tion of the tele; general su; graph. The Postmaster Gen- eral is authorized to contract with the Postal Telegraph pompany: for the tran; of corres dence telegraph, Oy, bie agent, for the term of ten yeari ‘according to sions of this acs and the com: pany shall have ht to col Upes on_all pi outes, and provide Ifuen of telegraph to eve tel yh office. Incase the company. fal per- form the service according to the provisions of the con- tract ie Postmaster Gene: may take possession of mrp aoveeOr, ele roe bape pontiant with some omer rty instead, and charge com ai Fine Saas Ree to Be im- lence tmay accrue. posed Tor Yolatloms of confi ‘or hindrance of trans- mission. The following are named as Jngorporatore if {he proposed company Gardner G. Hubbard, Frankia Ns ir Howe, Ve + 8.D, ELD Wice, of Malues Hy, O. Murphy, HO: O'Relige Rk Me ‘and Russell hago, of New John ice, David Brooks and Pennsylvania; P. N. Wi of Indi: ghd Goargs Calhosn’ St Osiitornia: nnd Zaice Paces bet 101 ol ir Par . Anthony Pollok and J. H, ‘Tathrop,of District of Colum? bia. The capital stock of said company shall at its organ- ization con: of 10,000 the par value of $100 I stock may ko mounts equal to the actual cost of each time fo time construct. me Une ay halen any ii, actual ‘operation at th an; ler com) act operation ie date of the enactment Be eats bill that within one year offer to sell its corporate property to this company it shall purchase such prope! ata Valuation to be fixed by five disinterested persons, t be nam the Postmaster ler and one by the fe pace wienan” tices in authorized to jour previously selected. ‘The company is autooriee entabiioh and maintain offices independent of those es- tablished by the Postmaster General, and any postmaster may act ag operator, with the assent of the Postmaster General, The company may also rvake special contracts fl companies and also with persons or asso- with rai ciations for the use of wires for the transmission of com- mercial news, 4c. The government reserves the right to renew the contract or annul the franchises in case of neglect or failure on the part of the company, @ amendments change the rate of fe on tne seeds, &c., authorized to be transmitted, trom two cents for four ounces to one cent for every two ounces or frac. tion of two ounces, and preve: a all mail matter of the third class must be fully prepaid. Mr. Epaunps, (rep. of Vt, from the Judiciary Com- mittee, reported adversely the bill to allow WOMEN TO VoTR and hold office in the Territories, which, on motion of Mr. Pomeroy, of Kan., was placed on the calendar, Mr. Eom the same committee, reported ad- fonds, from. versely the bill relating tothe adjudgments of the Pro- visional Court of Lousiana, rm ‘was indefinitely post- one Pokiso adversely, from the same committee, the bill to Fovide for the payment of persons who, having been in vice of the United States as postmasters, marshals, oy Ce wards engaged in vhe rebellion. Placed on the calendar, Also adversely, from the same committee, the bill to facilitate internal commerce. Indefinitely postponed. ‘THE SALE OF LIQUOR. Mr. Saenuan, (rep.) of Ohio, from the Committee on Finance, reported a substitute ‘for the bill introduced by ir. Pomeroy to prohibit the manufacture, importation and sale of {ntoxicating liquors in the District of Colum- bia and other Territories, ‘The first six sections of the bill are as follows :— Be it enacted, c., that it shall be unlawful for any per- son oF persons, by agent or otherwise, to sell in any quan- icating liquors to be drank in, upon, er about 18 or premises where sold, or to ing liquors to be drank in any adjoining 5 i mises, oF other place of public resort connecte sal ECHION 2—Thar it shall be unlawful for. any person or Pergous by, auemt or otherwise, to sell intoxicating quors to minors uniess upon the writton order of their parents, ‘Suardians or y ph ysician. ins, by agent or otnerwioe, 40 sell Intogicaniog Aaers 1B mt or ry Ors opersons lutoxicated or who are in tue habitot getting if con all es where intoxicating” liquors are Ald tn viplatton oF nin aot shalt be taken, eld" ahd tee clared to be common ni and all rooms, tavern: eating houses, cellars or other Serer eH. res where intoxicating liquors are sold in violation of th act shall be shut, npand abated as public nuisances upon Be, ‘ction of the ke on thereot, who shall be pun- id as hereafter provided. Br ‘That it shall be unlewtul for any person to get intoxicated, and every H, upon con rson found in a state of intoxi- ction thereof, be fined in the sum ay the costs of prosecution. 6.—That every person who shall by the gale of in- toxicating liquors contrary to this act, cause the intoxi- cation of any other person, shall be liable for and com- pelled to pay a reasonable compensation to any person ‘who may take charge of and prpvide, for such intoxica: person and $1 per day in addition thereto for every day such intoxicated person shall be keptin consequence of such intoxication, which sums may be recovered In a civil action before any Justice of the Peace or any Court having jurisdiction thereof. ‘The seventh section gives every wife, child, parent, guardian, employer or other person injured in person oF Property or means of support by any Intoxicated person or in consequence of the intoxication habitual or other- Wise of any, person, & right of action | against any, person who shall’ by galling liquors contrary to thigact have caused intoxication, tor all damages actually sustained as well ag exemplary damages, such suits to be brought in any of the Courts of the United States having jurisdiction thereaf. The eighth section declares that the provisions of the first and fourth sections of this aot shall not extend to the sale of wine manufactured of the pure juice of the grape, or beer, ale or r. The ninth section provides pen alties as follows. ‘or a violation of the provisions of the first, second and third sections, a fine trom $5 to $50, or imprisonment from ten to thirty days, oF both togethier, with costs of prosecution; and for a violation of thé fourth section a fine of from $50. 100, or imprisonment m twenty to any days, or both, and their business Places to be las shut until @ bond of $1,000 is given againgt future violation... The other sections of the bill provide that all prosecutions thereunder shall be com- menced in the name of the United States, upon written spare eae cd before a, beige of C"] Reece or ee. a jon Warrants 8! issue for the arrest of parties offending. CAN'T SWALLOW I7 HIMSELF, Mr. Surman said having reported the bill he eon- sidered himself discharged from further responsibility for 15 28 he wave nm to Mr. Pomeroy, who had intro- inal bill, that he must take charge of this hy Me. Yousnor’ ( 14 he would gladly take eh: If. . we of te bith aud offered anamendisent.© aoe THE ARMY BATTLE FLAGS. EDMUND! said that he hed intended to call up to- Mn adverse to tho erasure of the e Rebellion from the Army Re the regimental cok but as he understood that from Massachusetts (Mr. Sumner) desired-to day. he would reluctantly portpone calling guess uy "Oh motion of Mr. anrugwy bt Rhode Teland, the time a for the tatue of Admiral are bill to authorize the ex- i ot Del cor ) 1L, offered an amendment, dts ‘the a sFlscciis pu tebe Geiss 5 Mi aie remumsd the cousiteration gt” “alt ‘THR PRENCH SPOLIATION BILL, otf Wanvow, (rep.) of Minn., moved to postpone the offered an amendment providing money appropriated by the act shall be aid to insurance compantes or their represontatives or nees which received war premiums upon the risks for the loss of which they paid compensation, nor to any person oF persons representing claims which were in whole or in part paid by insurance companies to the ex- font that such clalins were pald by said companies, ir, WiNDOM moved to lay the billon the table, for the of taking up the Indian Appropriation bill. ir. Wrianr, of Towa, offered a substitute for Mr. Mor- ton’s amendment more restrictive upon the claimants, which was ordered printed. Pending action on the bill the Senate, at hall-past three sceslon? Snd'whom the dsong ware opened silourseas'”® HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ‘Mr. Woop, (dem.) of N.Y. Prony pbshalairl ir. Ll: don, which was adopted — Whereas due to loc! 1 iii ee ae: ney be directed to inquire whether such i binalons exis, tad to Teport to this H&aner, with power to send %or perso (rep.) of Mags., Chairman of the Banking and Currency Gommitiee, mades report from that com> mittee on the investigation of ~ ‘THE TENTH NATIONAL BANK OF NEW YORE, alleged to be ongaged in # consp! ay iad Up dafrendy with a view of producing a money panic. (Ordered to be printed and recommitted.) The committee recommend the passage of @ bill providing that, if any national bank officer of such bank shall certify any check, having viirnscs cause to believe that the chook is to be used ‘and abet igeanaaene ny Parent United States in 80 offend! isu’ Sails AORN tS. bali ‘urrency to proescate any viol United States Court of competent jurisdiction, Mr. Mxnatam, (rep.) of N. Y.,@ member mittee on and Currency, offered a re: io1 the appointmeat of a committee of three to examine the cause of the ‘of revenue Lg #3 from the ant Treasurer's office at New York, lopted. te a Ry ol tothe English-bullt wrecked schooner N. J, Miller. ol change in the money market such ational barter and tonal bank shalt fel e and the Z| ry Mr. Sanazwr, (rop.) of Cal., from the Committee on Fopriation: eported a hill to ay the expenses or the Borkusdion bu Wexioan depredastous* Paste Mr. Swann, of Md,, from same committee, reported THE CONSULAR AND DIPLOMATIO APPROPRIATION BILL, seorepresng $1,392,000, which was made a special order nd reported the bil com! Tose a ill to: louse With am amendment offered by Mr. Holman (ot Ind.) forbidding the Board of ‘orks from incut further lia- on the part of the United States for the improve- avenues, &c., beyond the smount of ap- ropriations Brevionsly: made ‘by or trom ea- ring into any contract touching weap provements om the part Ce foley hears except in pursuance of the | appropriations made by Congress, tine Ampapdneds | was ‘adopted and the bill was passed— reas, 109; na; 7s Faun one (rep.) of TIL, made a conference re- port on the Senate bill of last session releasiny to the State of Indiana the lands known as the ved aver Lake, Newton county, Indiana. The House recedes from its amendment, and another reclaimed at the sxpenss of the atthe State Gr indiana and its assignees? =? assis ‘After considerable discussion the conference rej was concurred in, and the House then took up the from the Gommitioe on Foreign Aflatte: in regard toy omnmittee on Rorelsn All To National Exposition at Vienna in Isr The smendment is be eel having been draine and Tepresentation of American jas at Aiter remarks by Mosars Banxs and STEVENSON, of O! in advocacy of the bill, the amendment, which wi offered by Mr. Hoar, of Massgchi last Tuesday for the appointment of iasion t, more their observations to the President, was ag! toy Mr. Menean Tob.) ot Ohio, moved to strike out the ap- propriation. Negatived. 6 bill was then passed. Mr. Hoorer, (rep.) of Mass., reported back the Senate billauthorizing the East Chester National Bank, of Mount Vernon, Ind., te change its location and name. Passed. asa mat- Mr. Ganvinip, (rep.) of Ohio, asked the Hou ter of courtesy’ to the Senate, to pass, betoré adjourn mont, the Senate bill for a siéam passenger and troighe elevator in the Senate wingo f the Capitol. ‘4 CRUKL JOK, a fetrowd bt Aa) OLE Daemnt ned Cage mes ere of Congress got elevated easily enough ry eninery, ‘and ‘he hoped there Was no grantof land in the Mr. Cox, (dem.) of N'¥., objected. ‘The Senate bill Sibetietis time to present models for the Farragut statue was passed. ‘The Srxaxxe appointed as the Select Committee on THE LOSS OF REVENUE. STAMPS in the Assistant Treasurer’s Office at New York Messrs. nord of New York; Cotton, of Iowa, and Dox, of ama. eave of absence was granted toa great many mem- Amid mach confusion and a pressure for adjournment acral bills were introduced and referred, Pty then the journease forty mitutes past turee o'clock P. M., ad- jour: SKATING AND SLEIGHING. Yesterday at the Rink—The “Ringing Steel’? and Musical Belle—The Crowd on the Ice and on the Drives—A Merry Time in Gotham. The industrious laborers at the Park had the snow which fell on Wednesday cleared from the lake early that evening, and yesterday morning the ice was in fine condition for the girls and boya and all the adults of Gotham to enjoy themselves heartily in the pleasant pastime of skating. Not for years at this early period of the Winter hag everything proved so propitious fora merry time on the “ringing steel’ as now, nor did ever those who love the sport enter into it with so much zest and seeming pleasuré as has been observed since the ‘all’ has been up at the Park. As usual, early in the morning of yesterday there were but few on the lake, but at noon the number materially increased, and, when three o’clock came around, there were hundreds of the fair sex, with their gen- tlemen friends, together with pretty little girls and mischievous boys, who were spinning from one end of the big pond to the other, ALL IN GOOD HUMOR and many full of hilarity. But it was in the even- ing that the lake became crowded in a manner that reminded one of the old-time carnival occasions, The lamps put in position within the past few days were ali lighted for the first time, when the scene was really picturesque in the eXtreme. The ice field at this hour was black with skaters, who were enjoying the exercise, and now and then tnere would be seen a laay or gentleman superior to their companions in the art, who, showing their ability to perform dimcult feats, would receive hearty ap- Plause, and these demonetrations did much to ren- der the promiscuous asseniblage' much of social character. All this time, and also during the after- noon, there were many spectators in the large rooms above the refreshment saloon, and it seemed and still remains a matter of doubt whether they or those particpating in the sport enjoyed them- selves the most, for very frequently the PEALS OP RIPPLING LAUGHTER that came from the retiring rooms were indicative ofa pleasant time, and upon more than one oc- casion they proved contagious and found hearty echoes among the crowd below on theice, The number of falls and collisions yesterday, as on former occasions, when many people were prea ent, and while some were purely accidental, can- dor compels the statement that many were really suspicious between some of the fair sex and their masculine escort, and there were notable instances when it took a long, a very long time for them to resume skating and recover from the shock. And so the sport went on, and not until a very late hour did the delighted hundreds leave the scene of enjoyment, though each and every one resolved to renew it so soon as circumstances and time mitted. The curlers, too, had a good time yesterday, their pond Eel etd Seventy-fourth street being well patronized by members ofthe New York, Cale- donian, St. Andrew’s and Empire City Clubs, who played several scrub gamvs, that they may be well prepared in the matter of practice for the exciting match contests soon to take place. Many of the spectators who remained for a long time witness- ing the grand amusement of the skating fraternity came to the Park in sleighs, and this leads to the Statement that the sleighing in a few of the ap- town streets and in the Park is quite od pepe ay on the drives of the latter resort, and many o1 NEW YORK’S FAIREST DAUGHTERS, ‘With their friends, took advantage of it. From the tiny specimen that comfortably holds but one person, to the family sleigh that — will half a dozen or at more, away they glided over the crisp snow to the road beyond, and the club houses and places where all who ride out in New York are wont to stop and Test awhile were merry with innocent hilarity. It reminded one of the Winters that have gone and the merry sleighing times well remembered by the citizens of advanced age, who used to pass night phar night in ty = Rete ane amusement on the upper en nhattan In the absence of a storm nleighing in the Park ‘will be excellent for some time yet, and the same bonnet a = Ano bee adesen Snetean amusemen: oroughly enjo} end it would be toolish to doubt, Last Night’s Snow Storm. About half-past ten last night snow began fatling in the city, making’ the fourth time this season. The result of the last storm was yet‘on the ground in the upper districts fresh and pure, but down town turned to slush and filth. “Even without thie the snow of last night, ie? least as it no promise of an extensive nae ‘oe. takes were. thin and wet and had not, that honest consistency which useful snow should possess. As it fell it melted and as soon as it touchd the og its shining white vanished to make way for ee, wet. Yet it tickled the noses of passers by in true wintry style and seemed to igh apologize for not doing se] duty in @ more Satisfactory manner, It ia ne probable that the early risers this morning will be very greatly surprised by the fall during the night,