The New York Herald Newspaper, December 24, 1872, Page 4

y 4 NEW YORK HERALD BROADWAY AND ANN STREET, JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR, e XXXVI. AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. 18 MUSEUM, Broadway, corner Thirtleth st— oes MEAN? Atternoou and Evening. GRAND OPERA HOUSE, Twenty-third st. and Eighth av.—Kounp Tax CLOCK. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway, betweea Prince and Houston streets.—Lxo anp Loros. 10 SQUARE THEATRE, Broadway, between Te NTON and Fourteenth streets. LONDON AssURANCE. FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE, Twenty-fourth street— New Year's Eve. WALDACK’S THEATRE, Broadway and Thirteenth stroet.—Buommun Sam. THEATRE COMIOQU LivingsTony AND STAN! 614 Broadway.—Arrica: or, BOOTH'S THEATRE, Twenty-third street, corner Sixth avenue.—Hxnry Dunnan, Broadway, between Houston t Vignaks. OLYMPIC THEATRI and Bleecker sts.—Lus C' BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Boxsim Fisnwire— Heane, Tue HoxtEn, MRS. F, B, CONWAY'S BROOKLYN THEATRE,— Saranas, &o. BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Montague st.— Tux Lavy or Lyons. PRA HOUSE, Twenty-third st., corner CEN TRICITY, &C. BRYANT'S 01 GRo MINSTRELSY, Y THEATRE, Broadway, be- CANTERBURY VARTE' 1 . n.—Vanikty ENTERTAINMENT. tween Bleecker and Hou TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, No. 201 Bowery.— Guan Variety Entertainment, &c, Matinee at 2%. AN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS, corner 28th st. and Vioadway.—Etuioriay Minstretsy, &c, BARNUM'S MUSEUM, MENAGERIE AND CIROUS,— Fourtcenth street, near Broadway.—Day and Evening. DR. KAHN’S MUSEUM, No. 745 Broadway.—Art anv SCUNCE NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— ScunNCE AND ART, WITH SUPPLEMENT. New Yerk, Tuesday, Dee. 24, 1872. THE NEWS OF YESTERDAY. To-Day’s Contents of the HMerald. “TUE FEDERAL USURPATION IN LOUISIANA! THE APPEAL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES”—LEADING EDITORIAL ARTICLE— Fourtu Pace. A LIVERPOOL PACKET SHIP STRANDED AT THE MOUTH OF THE GIRONDE! THIRTY OF THE PASSENGERS AND CREW SWEPT FROM THE RIGGING TO A WATERY GRAVE1 REPORTED WRECK OF THE AL- LAN STEAMSHIP GERMANY—Firra Pace. SUPREMACY IN ASIA! THE ENGLISH QUEEN WARNS THE RUSSIAN CZAR! THUS FAR SHALT THOU GO! ENGLAND WILL PRO- TECT AFGHANISTAN! RUSSIAN RELATIONS IN THE EAST—Firta Pace. APPEALING TO THE NATIONAL JURY! THE NEW ORLEANS CITIZENS’ COMMITTER ISSUE AN ADDRESS VENTILATING FED- ERAL INTERFERENCE AND DEMANDING JUSTICE—MARINE NEWS—TENTH PaGE. A REPUBLICAN ALLIANCE! PROPOSED COALI- TION FOR ACHIEVING CUBAN FREEDOM— FirtH PaGE. CABLE FROM EUROPE AND AFRICA! PRINCE BISMARCK RELIEVED OF THE GERMAN PREMIERSHIP: A BIG DIAMOND FOUND: THE POPE PROTESTS AGAINST ITALIAN AND GERMAN ENCROACHMENTS— Firra Pack. THE CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL! A BRIGHT OUT- LOOK FOR THE MORROW: FILLING THE TREES AND STOCKINGS: THE GENERAL AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES—CHRISTMAS AMONG THE FOUNDLINGS—Turrp Pace. PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL! RECEPTIONS BY THE LEADING SOCIETY PEOPLE AND THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS: WEDDINGS: PERSONAL GUSSIP— THiRD Page. INVESTIGATION OF THE FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL CALAMITY! THE VERDICT: A LIVELY JURY SCENE—GENERAL TELE- GRapHic NEWS—Firta Pace. DESTRUCTIVE FIRES—THE WEATHER—MASSA- CHUSEITS SYMPATHIZES WITH CUBA— Firra Pace. PERSONAL NEWS—THE FEATURES IN AMUSE- MENTS —NEWS FROM WASHINGTON — FourTH PAGE. A SCUTTLING CONSPIRACY! FOUR OF THE CREW OF THE WHALING BARK FAL- CON ARRESfTED—STEAMER LAUNCHED— FROZEN TO DEATH—Tainp Pace. REBELLION ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE! UNITED STATES TROOPS ATTACK AND ARE RE- PULSED BY MODOC INDIANS! THE CAUSE OF THE OUTBREAK: THE KILLED AND WOUNDED—SixTH PAGE. EONORING THE PILGRIM FATHERS! DINNER OF THE NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY: MR. BEECHER TELLS WHAT HE HAS LEARNED ABOUT PRESIDENTS: MR. EVARTS ON THE GENEVA TRIBUNAL—TENTH PGE, E. S, STOKES FAIRLY ON TRIAL! THE OPEN- ING AND THE TESTIMONY: THE BROAD- WAY WIDENING: IMPORTANT PROCEED- INGS IN THE JUMEL ESTATE CASE: DIA- MOND CUT DIAMOND—MUNICIPAL—E1auT0 Pacr. THE WALL STRERT EXCHANGES! FAVORABLE SYMPTOMS IN THE MONEY MARKET: A RISE IN THE PRICE OF GOVERNMENTS, FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND WABASH— NintH PaGE. SPANISH, CUBAN AND AMERICAN JOURNALIS- TIC OPINIONS ON THE HERALD'S INDE- PENDENT MISSION TO CUBA! MR. HEN- DERSON’S FAITHFUL FULFILMENT OF HIS TASK—SixTH PaGr. ENJOYING THE COLD WEATHER! SKATING AND CURLING LITERARY PaGe. | WALL REET GOSSIP—DR. IRISH'S TRIAL— THE CENTRAL PARK SUICIDE—ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS—NintH PGE. DISTRIBUTING THE EXCISE FUND AMONG THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS—SIMMONS REMOVED— HORSE NOTES—Sixtu Pace. BY SLEIGHING, AT THE PARK— GOSSIP — OBITUARY — Tarp Tar Stoxes Trrat Oprxep YesterDay with an address from the prosecution and the ex- emination of some witnesses on the same side, As Cunisrtas comes within the transition period of the Winter solstice, when the sun, having reached the extent of his southern declination, is on the turn and heading north again, weather at Christmas time is very un- certain. Tur Evwoory is among the horses of Cuba, in the South, and among those of Manitoba, in the frozen North, from which it appears that, whether it is a climate for pineapples or Mhite bears, it is all the same to the epizooty. NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1872—WITH SUPPLEMENT, The Federal Usurpation in Louisiana— The Appeal of the People of the State to the Citizen: oF rghe United States, The citizens of Louisiana charged with the duty of appealing to President Grant, in the name of the State, against the use of federal power to aid in the overthrow of the regular “No. 359 | State government, having failed in their effort, have issued an address to the American people, which will be found in the Hrratp to- day. It is a temperate and dignified docu- ment, setting forth without coloring —almost without comment—the facts in the unfortunate controversy, and abstaining from any reflec- tions on the conduct or motives of the United States authorities other than those which are inseparable from the plain, unvarnished story of their acls. The committee preface their statement with a disclaimer of any personal or party interest whatever in the oxisting con- test between the rival State governments, and charge that the reporls to the con- trary have been maliciously spread by those who fear the investigation into the case courted by the people of Louisiana. So far from being in any degree in the service of Governor Warmoth, they show that they have porsistently denounced his policy during tho last four years, and have been the steady opponents of all the partisan and corrupt legislation in which he has had the support and co-operation of Lieutenant Governor Pinchback and others who are now his enemies, The committee positively deny any knowledge of a conspiracy to defeat the will of the people as expressed in the recent election, and do not believe that such a con- spiracy ever had an existence. On the con- trary ei resent 1 tion is impelled by the conviction tt the ‘persons now usurping authority in the State through the aid of fede. tal bayonets were not elected by tho people and have no legal claim to office. The com- mittee have not, however, asked or expected the federal administration to accept their word on this point, but have only solicited at its hands a full and impartial investigation of the facts, in order that it may base upon them an intelligent judgment of its own. Having thus cleared themselves satisfactorily from the in- sinuations put forth by partisan organs as to the selfishness of their motives in visiting Washington, the committee proceed to reca- pitulate in a clear, concise manner the events that have occurred in New Orleans since the election and to show where the responsibility and criminality rest. The.story is already familiar to the roaders of the Heranp, but it is told so dispassion- ately and judicially by the committee that it is worth a brief recapitulation here. In the late clection the republican candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor were both oflice-holders in connection with the federal, administration; the one as a Senator of the United States and-the other as the Collector of the Port of Shreveport. This fact should be borne in mind, for it seoms to explain and certainly renders more objectionable the subsequent unwarrantable action of a federal Court in reversing the result of the election and placing the republican candidates in office through the power of federal bayonets. The election was a peaceful one; not o dis- turbance took place at a single poll, and the vote was unusually large. Every requirement of the State laws was complied with, so far as the election officers were concerned. Tho returns were regularly made to the Board of State Canvassers, which con- sisted of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and two others who were named in the original law—Messrs, Lynch and Anderson. At the time the acting Secre- tary of State was Mr. Herron, who had beon appointed by Governor Warmoth in place of Secretary Bovee, removed some months pre- viously; but his title to the office was con- tested by Bovee, and the suit was then still undecided in the State Courts. Secretary of State Herron and Mr. Anderson had both become disqualified from further service on the Canvassing Board in consequence of having been candidates for office in the election, the law and the con- stitution of the State being both explicit on that point. The Board, consequently, con- sisted of Governor Warmoth, Secretary of State Herron and Mr. Lynch, the other two places being vacant. The trouble commenced at this point. Charges had been made against Secretary of State Herron which, if well founded, would have warranted his removal from office, and at this moment, according to the statement of the committee, it wae discovered that a conspiracy existed between Herron and Lynch to falsify the returns, and, as a majority of the Board, to declare the minority candidates, Kellogg and Antoine, together with a republican majority of the legislative bodies, elected. To substan- tiate. this suspicion it was found that Secretary of State Herron had, a few days previously, secretly procured a duplicate of the seal of State to be engraved, and it was concluded that this could only be for the purpose of carrying out the object of the alleged conspiracy. Whether this rumor was well or ill founded, Governor Warmoth remove the Secretary of State on the charges already made against him and appointed Colonel Wharton to the office. The new Secretary of State immediately took his scat in the Canvassing Board, which was organized with Secretary of State Wharton, the new Lieutenant Gover- nor and Mr. Lynch present. A resolu- tion to fill the vacancies in the Board was adopted, and by the votes of Governor Warmoth and Secretary of State Wharton Messrs. Hatch and Daponte were chosen in place of Pinchback and Anderson. It is very clear up to this point that while Governor Warmoth’s action may have been arbitrary, or even in excess of his legiti- mate power, the remedy was to be found in the State Courts. There was but o single point up to this time upon which an issue could be made at law, and this was the removal of Secretary Herron and the appointment of Colonel Wharton in his place. No person pretends that the positions formerly filled by Pinchback and Anderson on the Board were not legally vacant, or that they could not be filled by the election of other qualified persons os their successors. The sole question, then, was whether Governor Warmoth had authority to remove the Secretary of State and appoint his succes- sor. He had already exercised a similar power in the case of Secretary Bovee, and Secretary Herron held under precisely the samo tenure as Secretary Wharton, Secretary Bovee, doubting the legal authority of the Governor, had sought his remedy in the State Courts at a subsequent day, the decision ‘was given in his favor and he was restored to the office from which he had been removed— @ satisfactory proof that the same tribunal was open to Herron, and that he could have secured therein an impartial hearing and a fair verdict. Secretary Herron, however, did not seek the protection of the State Courts, but, refusing to recognize the action of the Governor, met with Mr. Lynch, without Secretary Wharton's presence, and the two proceeded to act as the Board of Canvassers. They elected Longstreet and Hawkins to fill the vacancies occa- sioned by the candidacy of Pinchback and Anderson, slthough they were not a quorum of the Board and had no authority toactevenif they had both been legally in office. Thus tho two canvassing boards camo into existence. The one presided over by the Governor of the State had in its possession all the returns of the election ; the other, com- posed of Herron, Lynch and their two new appointees, had no returns and nothing whatever to guide thom to the result of the vote in any district in the State. At this time United States Senator Kellogg and United States Collector Antoine respectively filed bills in the Circuit Court of the United States for injunction and relief. The Kellogg bill prayed that Warmoth’s Board might be restrained from canvassing and declaring the vote of the State and for the perpetuation of evidence having reference to a suit that might hereafter be brought. Acting upon this, Judge Durell enjoined Governor War- moth, and pronounced the Herron Board of Canvassers alone entitled to count pan doiary the rater... This ie the plain eta: ment of the commencement of Judge Durell’s action in the case. We shall examine his fur- ther progress in the usurpation hereafter. Money Stringency in the West—A Cu- rlous Movement. Money is the great want of the West. While other parts of the country might suffer from a redundant currency that section can absorb and use a larger amount of circulating notes. Hence we notice a movement in the Western cities to urge upon Congress some legislation that will relieve the existing strin- gency and give permanent ease to the money market and business. The plan proposed is to permit any holder of ten ‘ihotsand dellars or moro in United States gold interest bonds to deposit the same temporarily in the Treas- ury or Sub-Treasury or designated deposi- tories in one or other of the great commercial cities, under regulations to be made; then to have released an amount of legal tenders equal to tho face of the bonds deposited, and then, when the depositors choose, they are to have the privilege of reconverting the legal tenders into the bonds again, less the interest which would have accrued during the time said bonds would be deposited, provided that the whole issue of United States notes, including that now outstanding, shall not exceed four hundred millions, unless ex- pressly authorized by law. These Western people are willing to lose the five or six per cent interest on their bonds for the time, because the money would be worth much more and would bo obtained at a much less sacrifice than when having to pay to bankers orcapitalists ten, fifteen, twenty or more per cent for the loan of money. This would bea novel and curious proposition to the govern- ment, though there has been something like it discussed by a certain class of writers on questions of national finance. It is a curious fact, too, that both the government and the bond depositors would be benefited, the former by saving the interest on the bonds and the latter by getting money at a much cheaper rate than they could from banks, capitalists or other money lenders, But the question is, how would such ao scheme affect the country and commercial and business in- terests generally? How would it operate with regard to retarding or facilitating specie pay- ments? There is no doubt a stringency in money throughout the country, if not in New York, and that productive industry is checked by this stringency and the high rate of inter- est which results from it. But is the remedy proposed a proper one? The plan of certain financial writers, to which we have adverted, differs from this of the Western men in that the interest bonds to be convertible into green- backs and reconvertible shall bear three sixty- five per cent interest—a cent a day—and the interest, so easily calculated, to go to the bond- holders so long as they hold the bonds, This, to say the least, is a very Simple method. The government would gain by the low rate of in- terest it would have to pay on that portion of the debt, and the bondholders would have the benefit of getting money when they wanted it ots small cost Wea money wonld_ be po easy in the market that it would not be worth three sixty-five per cent per annum the bonds would be taken up, and when money would be stringent and Ae more the bonds would be converted again into mionéy. This would cer- tainly have the effect of regulating the money market effectually and keeping Gown the rate of interest, But can we reach specie pay- ments by such a policy? And if not, is suc! 4 monetary system of specie payments best for the country ? “It isa question of vast impor- tance and calls for serious consideration. Russia and the K an Difficulty. The Russian World, » newspaper published in St. Petersburg and supposed to have access to the secrets of the government, states that the British Minister at the Court of St. Peters- burg has just notified Prince Gortschakoff that if Russian troops penetrate the territories of the neutral tribes lying beween Khiva and Afghanistan, Great Britain will be com- pelled to interfere in support of Afghan inde- pendence, This piece of intelligence seems to confirm the report that Russia is really bent on the conquest and occupation of Khiva. It is in perfect harmony, however, with what we have repeatedly affirmed, that the advance on Khiva will be considered by Great Britain as a casusLelli, It is well known that four years ago an understanding was come to by the two governments—that of St. James and that of St. Petersburg—to the effect that if cortain territory lying between the Russian possessions in the North and the possessions of British India should be con- sidered neutral, each of the two great Powers would be allowed to pursue its separate course unmolested by the other. Great Britain does not object to the conquest and annexation of Khiva. Groat Britain only objecty to the encroachment of Russia on the territories of | the neutral tribes. The great and, as some think, inevitable conflict is not yet. Cuban Affairs—Claims of American Citizens—A Little Joint High Com- mission. The United States and Spanish governments have just entered into anagreement for jointly taking testimony in Cuba to be used by the commission holding its sessions in Washing- ton for the adjudication of the claims of American citizens, growing out of the present insurrection of the island. These claims are mostly based on the confiscation or destruction by the Spanish authorities of property in Cuba belonging to American citizens treated as in- surgents by said authorities. Others of our citizens, fleeing from the island in consequence of threats or fears of personal outrages, as traitors to Spain or sympathizers with the in- surgents, and, leaving their property unpro- tected, have suffered losses for which they seek indemnification, Others, in being expelled from the island, claim reparation for their re- sulting losses, and so on through all the modifications of outrages to which citizens of this country lately or still residing in Ouba have been subjected during the four years of this tenacious Cuban insurrection. Some claims, we understand, have been put in for the losses of slaves; but as ‘‘neither slavery nor involuntary servitude’ is recognized as within the pale of law in the United States we pre- sume that all such claims will be thrown out of Court. The Presideat in his late annual Message suggests the propriety of some legis- lation by Congress calculated to discourage citizens of the United States residing in Cuba from dabbling in slavery or the slave trade. This Joint High Commission to take testi- mony ti Guba On all those Anierloan claima will have a tedious task before it, though we suppose the claimants themselves will cheerfully assist in tho work. In any event, while we have little fear that any just claims will be overlooked, we think it quite likely that some spurious cases will be worked up unless proper precautions are taken against them. It will be remembered that the Mexi- can Claims Commission at Washington (on claims of our citizens growing out of our war with Mexico) passed the notorious Gardner claim for losses in o silver mine near San Luis Potosi to the «xtent of over half a million of dollars, and the equally notorious Meires claim for losses in a quicksilver mine to the figure of one hundred and fifty-three thousand dollars, and that after these awards had been paid by the Treasury in gold it was discovered, by a commission sent out for the examination, that there were no such mines in Mexico as those of Gardner and Meires, and that all their official ledgers, daybooks and vouchers of all sorts were forgeries. Tho suicide of Gardner in the Washington City Hall on his conviction of the fraud was the end of his case. Meires, a shrewder rogue, from his secure retreat in Mexico, impudently informed ‘‘Uncle Sam” that, having discovered that that -aforesaid quicksilver mine was a fraud, he had better pocket his loss, as there was no help for it. Now this joint commission of inquiry in Cuba, in visiting the plantations upon which some of these American Cuban claims are located, will act judiciously, for otherwise there may be some serious mistakes com- mitted. : But if Spain and the United States, hand in hand, are going on this Cuban tour of ex- amination of American claims, what becomes of Secretary Robeson’s appreheitions of a quarrel and formidable preparations for war? We can only answer that the ways of Mr. Fish in reference to our relations with Spain are so very mysterious as to be past find- ing out. France—M. Gamperra anp THE Repvs- 11c.—In a late issue of tho République Fran- ¢aise, an organ which is understood to repre- sent the sentiments of M. Gambetta, there is an editorial article predicting a serious Parlia- mentary crisis when the sitting of the Na- tional Assembly shall be resumed in January. The writer says that ‘‘the trimming tactics of the government only increase the disquietude of the country, and the acts of Ministers Du- faure and Goulard endanger the government's popularity.’’ This only shows us that the storm in the Assembly is not yet over; but who thought that it was? Gambetta is not pacified. He but waits his opportunity, and his opportunity:may come sooner than some people imagine. Tue Parat Aurocutton which was deliv- ered by Pope Pius the Ninth to the members of consistory held at the Vatican yesterday presents nothing which is really new, coming as it does from the same venerable source which hag bgen go much troubled during the greater portion of the many years in which he has ruled the foldof the Roman Church. His Holiness is mournful, as usual, but apparently more animated and vehement in his expres- sion. From North Germany to Madrid, from Spain to the Orient and back again to the seven-hilled capital of the Italian monarchy, he finds cause for protestation, lamentation and denunciation. Germany comes in for we eased Hashes ot tho lplepolated lightning. When Bismarck settles in his custody of the «ingle portfolio of Foreign Affairs in Berlin we sicll certainly hear the thunder. Fravpvrent Vorwna is punishea in iver pool, which shows that in copying our unllot system England has improved upon our prac- tice. At the recent municipal election George Crowther, of nineteen years, personated his grandfather, an octogenarian, who could not vote, being dead, and thereby earned impris- onment for a year, and another man received the same sentence for falsely personating a voter who was absent from the city. A Deservine Cuanrty Trat Can Bz Heiprp by actually ministering to one’s own innocent delight is the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, which will hold its annual ball at the Academy of Music on the 22d of January next. SUICIDE OF A CHICAGO BANKER, CnrcaGo, Dec, 23, 1872, E.G, Eastman, & prominent private banker in this city and Vice President of the City Savings Bank, died at his residence this evening from the effect of a dose of arsenic taken Saturday night. No cause can be found for the suicide, as his financial affairs are reported to be in good condi- tion and his family relations were pleasant, Mr. Kastman came to Chicago from Maine shortly after the great fire and commenced business as a broker on Canal street, near Washington. He was ut one Yume United States Gousul at Dubitie | ata WASHINGTON. ea ae Wasuinarton, Dec. 23, 1872, Alarm of the Oredit Mobilier People— A Lively Row in Congress Antict- pated. The Crédit Mobilier people are beginning to get alarmed, They had counted ona quiet examina- tion, to be protracted until the close of the ses- sion, and then followed by a short whitewashing report, without the publication of any testimony. But the revelations of the testimony in the HERALD, with the garbled stories volunteered by the im- maculate John B. Alley, have made trouble in the camp, and there will be a general stampede, each one endeavoring to accuse the rest, while all point to Oakes Ames as the tempter, with Alley as the go-between and encourager. There will be a jolly row on this question in the House on the first Mon- Gay after reassembling, The democratic members of the committes, it is said, have sworn ven- geance. Secretary Boutwell and the Syndicate Arrangement. When, on the 17th instant, Secretary Boutwell gave his statement to the Committee of Ways and Means concerning the negotiation of the bonds au- thorized by the act of July, 1870, he was asked by Mr. Dawes, the chairman, to state what was to be done in the future, he responded that the propo- sition before him was a verbal one made by Jay Cooke or his brother, Governor Cooke. Perhaps both had spoken to him about the matter. As he understood them they did not propose to change the arrangement in any way. Their proposition was to go on precisely ag they went before, The proposition was to take three hundred millions of five per cent bonds on the same terms as the others were negotiated. Mr. Cooke informed him that the Rothschilds had agreed to go into the ne- gotiation and to strengthen it by their influence, He understood that they had an idea that when they disposed of the five per cents they could go On and dispose of the four anda half per cents in the samo way. Impecunious Piymouta RockeraqJadge Poland’s Strange Mission. The Nex Jingland Soctoty had to give up their ner year, ag the expenditure last year was greater than the receipts, and a sociable was sub- stituted, at which the usual speeches about Ply- mouth Rock were made, followed by unpuritanical dancing. Judge Poland, the President of the So- ciety, did notin his remarks reveal any of the Crédit Mobilier secrets. General Sickles on the New Colonial Policy of Spain. General Sickles telegraphs from Madrid that both houses of Parliament have accepted by de- cisive majorities the colonial policy of the Ministry for Porto Rico, which involves the separation of the civil from the military government, the exten- sion to Porto Rico of the same provincial form of government which exists in Spain with municipal government and town and local affairs. Two of the Ministers resigned, and their successors, who are in accord with the rest of the Ministry and with the Senate and Cortes, were cordially re- celved by the Parliament. The policy of thé Ministry 1s understood to have been approved by a vote of 60 Senators against 6, and by 214 against 12in the Lower House. General Sickles further telegraphs that the President of the Council announced that a bill for the immediate emancipation of slavery in Porto Rico will be speedily introduced. The Spanish-American Claims Commis- sion. The Spanish-American Claims Commission will meet tillthe beginning of January, while the sub- commission acting under its orders, consisting of Sefior Batanera, a Judge of the Supreme Court in Havana, and Consul General Hall, will take testi- mony in Cuba. PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE. Governor Jowell, of Connecticut, is set at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Colonel W. 8. Lincoln, of Washington; is at the Grand Central Hotel. Ex-Governor J. R. Hawley, stopping at the Hoffman House. Commander A, E. Carmody, of the United States Navy, is at the Clarendon Hotel. Paulze d'lyoy, of the French Legation, has ar- rived at the Albemarle Hotel. Dion Boucicault has returned to the city and is staying at the St. Nicholas Hotel. of Connecticut, is Captain Hamilton Perry, of the steamship Adri- | atic, is stopping at the St. Nicholas Hotel. Itis given out that Lucy Stone will not lecture this Winter. Her little boy is only four weeks old. Rey. Dr. Haight, it is said, will decline the office of Bishop of Massachusetts, to which he has been recently chosen. i Ex-Attorney General E. R. Hoar, of Concord, Mass., is at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and the hoar frost isin town. Major Edgar Seelye, Assistant Superintendent of the Railway Mail Service, yesterday arrived at the Fifth Avenue Hotel from New Orleans. Herr Andreas Hamim is to cast the great bell for Cologne Cathedral. He should cast it from pig iron instead of from the cannon captured from the French, The latest news from prominent Southern rebels is that Jeff Davis is in Memphis, Joe Johnson in Savannah, Beauregard in New Orleans and Mosby is to be married. William Finn finishes wooden bowls at Bowling Green, Ky., in the 107th year of his age. It is but natural to suppose that Father Time will soon finish him. The bowl ts golden that will be broken then. Prince Leopold of England disdains to adver- tise his nobility with the gold tassel to his cap which young noblemen have been accustomed to wearat Oxiord. He wears the usual silk pendant. Maggie Wilson, the daughter of a fish-tackle maker, has, after a flerce legal fight, been judicially recognized as the widow of the late Major Stewart, heir of the Murthley estates, one of the richest in Scotland. The Rawlins Statae Commission in Washington have received six applications for the contract for making the statue, but there seems to be consider- able difficulty in getting the Commission together to act upon the propositions. Francis Preston Blair, Sr., who is the only man living that enjoyed close political and social relations with President Jackson, is represented as being the most hale and hearty man of his age in the whole State of Maryland. He is over eighty. ‘The Sultan of Tarkey has confided the instruc- tion of his Youngest son, Abdul-Medjid, to Halll Pacha, Grand Master of Artillery. His Imperial Highness, whois not five years of age, will com mence his studies aftér Bairam by daily attending the gun factory, Tophaneh. It took a Boston miss, with school books in her lap, to remark in @ horse car the other morning that she liked George Fliot's style, especially | where “he’’ asks in the second chapter of “Middle- march,” “Has any one ever pinched into its pilu- Yous smaliness the covweb of pre-matrimonial acqc#intanceship ” anmY AND NAVY INTELLIGENCE, Ageneral orult from the army headquarters re- quires the comma: ‘ing oficers of cavairy regi- ments and mounted bar {ries of artillery to report at the earliest practicablé Moment, by telegraph, if necessary, the number of hofses required to fill their complement, the nearest district where suit- able horses may be purchased, and the name of a competent officer to be associated with the pur- chasing quartermaster. The attention of cavairy and artillery oMcers is called to the necessity of reporting their horses serviceable or unserviceable in.the monthly reports, that due advantage may be taken of the best season of the year for the pur- chase and issue of the necessary remounts. The superintendent of the mounted recruiting service has been ordered to forward 100 recruits to Fort Riley, Kan., for the Sixth cavalry. The super- intendent of the general recruiting service has been ordered to forward 150 recruits to Galveston, Texas, for the Tenth infantry, and 180 to the termi- nus of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Raitroad for the Eleventh infantry. First Assistant Engineer A. J. Kenyon has been ordered to the Navy Yard at New York, to take effect on the 6th of January next; Second Assistant Engineer Julius 8. Ogden has been detached from the Navy Yard and ordered to the Naval Academy; Second Assistant Engineer Frederick Schober from bond Naval Academy and granted @ six montha’ \ leave, AMUSEMENTS. -_—-—_—_—_— Olympic Theatre—“‘Les Cent Vierges." - After the popularity of the music of “Fleur de Thé" tt might be expected that a fresh work by, Charles Lecocq would be looked forward to with interest. ‘Les Cent Vierges” ts the second opera of this composer produced in this country. Thera are the same elements of popularity, if not to am equal extent, in the music as in “Fleur de Thé.* The opening is unfortunate—being a wretche@ specimen of the song and dance order, ag unlike » hornpipe and as un-English as the entire surroand- ings of the English tavern in which it is supposes to take place. Gabrielle (Mile. Aimée) has a mon- opoly ofthe musical bonbons. Her opening couplets, “J'ai la téte romanesque,” are rather pretty, with a catching little mazarka ripple running through, and her indignant remonstrance with the gov- ernor in the second act has the true beuga sparkle in it. The gem of the opera as a solo is the air ‘Je soupire et maudis le destin,” which ie meritorious enough to grace the score of an opéra comique, Mile. Aimée was in unusually good voice, and gave effect to some of the really fine music thot fell to her share. There are two remarkably clever and, we might say, irresistible concerted pieces, one in the first act, & humorous description Of the method of making an omelette, and a quar- tet in the second act, “Silence! Silence!” In the latter, however, there are evident signs of the com| "s knowledge of a certain “Aittl, zittt,”” by Verdi, Anatole (M. Juteau) has a laughable son, in the second act, ‘J'ai pour mari,” which in mel. ody, if such @ word can be applied to a piece of sheer extravagance and instrumentation, is equal to the best effort of Offenbach, Mille. Bonelli ap- peared in the character of Eglantine, the coquet- tish wite of a very demonstrative and florid indi- vidual named Poulardot, who was repre- sented with an abuydance of anction and humor by M. Duchésne. These are the only rdles in @ musical pore of view worth mentioning. There is nothing in the opera that can compare with the dashing “Oliquot” som or the wedding chorus in “Fleur de Thé;” bul there are many clever touches in the orchestration and ensembles. We prefer not dwelling on the plot or the dialogue. Few people can tath the mya- teries of an opéra bow lot, whiclt for consist ency stands alone, There wre Englishmen who might be mistaken for Gascons, an impossible host, aridiculous governor (M. Lecuyer), and his st more ridiculous secretary (M, Nardin). Throe Frenchmen contrmnted thalr ‘peculiar tal Shits in the inanufacture of the dialogue, and they are, indeed, entitled to the honor of having pro- duced something which, for genuine and unadulter- ated, undisguised and unmistakable indecency tar surpasses anything ever heard on tho American boards, * Booth’s Theatre—“Henry Dunbar.” Tom Taylor’s sensational drama, founded on Mis Braddon’g novel entitled “Henry Dunbar,” waa given for the first time at this theatre last even: ing. The play was well put upon the stage. Mr. Wallack, as Henry Dunbar, although apparently suffering from illness, showed himself to be the great and pains-taking actor that he is in every role he undertakes. His portrayal of the remorse- stricken wretch, whose crime haunted him tn his dreams by night and his thoughts by day, was ainful in its fidelity to nature. In the scene be- ween him and his daughter in the fourth act, where he describes the murder of the real Henry Dun- bar, the agony of the conscience-stricken murderer and the deep-seated love of the father for his child were pictured in vivid colors. It must be said, however, that he had the disadvantage of being sompelien to contend against the “support” of two or three persoas whose presence in the play ought never to have been allowed. The Major of Mr. George Beck was a clever piece of characteriza- tion. Miss Pateman was altogether too boisterous in her acting, and gave way to a too frequent lachrymoseness of manner. Still, a3 a general thing, she did well and seemed to find favor with the audience. Mr, Fenno’s Henry Carter, the de- tective, was creditable, though the character gave the actor many opportunities to show what he is capable of doing a8 an actor. As a whole the per formance was worthy of commendation, ‘The New Play at the Fifth Avenuc—Mr. Frank Marshall's “False Shame.” Mr. Frank Marshall's comedy, ‘False Shame,’ which was produced, for the first time in this coun- try, at the Fifth Avenue Thextre last evening, was a successful play, happily presented. Tne piece ta of the Robertsonian school. It is slow in move- ment and quiet in action; but aside from the dia- logue, which is always sprightly and sometimes piquant, it has merits, or rather capabilitics, that keep it from becoming heavy. Its slow movement, however, is constantly interrupted by the exitsand entrancesof the performers, and the play constantly betrays teebleness of construction which would make it an indifferent success in bad hands. For- tunately it met excellent treatment last night. We never saw Mr. George Clarke play better than ag Lord Arthur Chilton. He gave to the piece a re, pose which it lacks in itself, and acted out the as- sumption of want of spirit and lack of energy on the part of the young nobleman with admirabie grace and ease. The young lord’s tendency to sleep, whether it sprung from laziness or from aa- sumed indolence, did not seem like the old stage trick, and the. apparent cowardice was portrayed with gentiemanlike dignity. Mr. Rockwell's Earnest Bragleigh was also a per- formance excellent in its way, and more strongly individualized than are most of his parts. The old men oi the piece—Mr. Whiting as the Earl of Dar- lington and Mr. Davidge as Colonel Howard—need no special remark, whicn with them is equal to praise. The heroine ofthe piece, Miss Magdalen Atherley, was played by Miss Clara Morris. The character is the least satisfactory among the lead- ing parts of the play, being scarcely more than an embodiment of aifectations. She seems a crea- ture incapable of very great love, and is only too ready to marry from romantic no- tions of gratitude to her “preserver.’” In bad hands the part would be insipid, if not actually hateful, and it consequently demands un- usual abilities in the actress who attempts it. ‘These Miss Clara Morris showed herself to possess by clothing it with such acceptability as enabled it to go unchallenged. The part of Constance Howard, though scarcely so pert or so affected as the other, was much less a dramatic creation, and Miss Fanny Davenport is to be praised for making so much of 80 Very little. Mrs. Gilbert as Mrs, Colonel Howard had the ares female part in the piece, which ske played with her accustomed ability, es- pecially in the second act, where she complains that one of her daughter's pert words “gives her the shivers as though the ghost of Hamlet's father were breathing on her neck.” The other characters have no gl ni but all of them, except Miss Atherlaigh’s maid and Captain Bragleigh’s servant, are necessary to make the plece a play. The scenery was fully up to the standard of this theatre, and the realism was carried to the ex- tent of a real billiard table upon the stage. The effect of this was much more effective than is usually the case, for it gave the nobodies of the ee something to do besides taking care of their ands while Bragleigh was insulting Lord Chilton; and Miss Davenport made a very pretty Ppt by the wry face she made over & bad shot. If the piece meets with the popntilar success its excellent qualities merit one of its effects will ey be to make expert billiard playing among the womanly accomplishments in society. Musical and Theatrical Notes. It is finally determined that Kate Bateman wil not come to New York this season. At last there was a change of bill at this theatre yesterday evening, and “London Assurance” sue ceeded “Agnes.” Miss Neilson played Juliet at the Academy ot Music, ii Brooklyn, last night, to @ well filled | house, The play was well put upon the stage. To- night she plays Pauline in the “Lady of Lyons.’ ‘The annual Christmas performance of Handel's oratorio “The Messiah,’ takes place at Steinway Hall on Wednesday evening, with Mrs. Jennie Van Zandt, Miss Antoinette M, Sterling, Mr. George Simpson and Mr. M. W. Whitney in the solo parts. Mr. Edwin Booth returns to the metropolitan stage next week, playing Richard III, which is to be produced with all its former splendor. Play- goers had despaired of secing Mr. Booth at his own theatre this winter, and consequently this amy nouncenient Will be a surprise as well as @ pleasure, Mr. Daly's sidcens {2 managing the recent enter. tainment at the Academy or Music for the benoftt of the Roman Catholic Orphan Adyfums has ted to his consent being obtained for aidertaking the management of the performance in behalf of St. Ann’s church, which is to take place on the 24 of January. > Theodore Thomas’ second Symphony Concert, at Steinway Hall, next Saturday evening, presents @ very interesting programme. The opening ptece is Beethoven's pastoral symphony No, 6, Op. 63, and the closing themes Liszt’s symphonic poem, “Die Hunnenschiacht,” and the introduction and finale of Wagner's opera, ‘Tristan and Isolde.” “Round the Cléck'? has been made eminently Seasonable by the introduction of a ten minutes pantomime, which ig given towards the close of the piece, and was last night received with peals of laughter. In this the Lauris distinguish thom- selves by introducing a number of curious surprises and fantastic tricks, which will doubtless delight the hearts of the young folks, to whom Humpty Dumpty—ever so lttic of \im—will be a8 welcome ag Christmas vice