The New York Herald Newspaper, January 3, 1873, Page 3

: CUBAN HOPES Don Miguel d’Aldama on the, - Insurreetion. UNITED. STATES’ RECOGNITION WANTED. Be ae that Other Nations ‘Would Follow. THE SOUTH AMERIOAN REPUBLICS. He Manumi's Eighteen Hundred Slaves by Power of Attorney. THE CUBAN ARMY ABROA ——- Anti-Slavery Movements in Eng-. land and Spain. No pronder name is inscribed in the annals of the Straggle for Cuban independence than that of the Aldama family, who have lost @ colossal fortune by ‘their adherence to-the cause of Ifberty and opposi- tién'to Spanish rule. For the last week consider- able‘excitement has reigned in this and adjacent ities, conseanent upon the expected arrival from Europe of Mr, Miguel de Aldama, who left New ‘Yerk last July, accompanied by hie daughters, Miss Leonére:- Aldama and Mrs. Afonso. Tué report was ‘freely ciroulated ttiat the mission of Mr. Aldama ‘whieh bad called him to Europe was of a semi- official natare, and that while scross. the Atlantic he had versed with leading men in the Frenctr and English ministerial Cabinets on the subject of tree Cuba; farther, that he had been at the Courts ‘efBerlm and Rome,’ and, in conctusion, that he was'the herald to the New World of gloriousinews for the down-trodden residents of the Gem of the Antilles, tending toward their emancipation from the eraei heel of the Spaniard. On New Year’s Eve ‘thé news was flashed up New York bay that i THE CUBA, bearing Mr. Aldama, had nove in sight and woulda be at her dock during the course of the evening. In an incredibly short space of time this intorma- tion was disseminated around the principal pots ef Guban resort in this city, and messengers were despatched ia hot haste hither and thither to bear the tidings to Mr, Aldama’s numerons friends and admirers that he had at length arrived from rope. Long before the Cuba had come to her moorings at the Conard dock at Jersey City w large mumber of dark-eyed and, swarthy-compiextoned men might have been seca. impatiently pacing the wharf, waiting for the arrival of the English steamer. The shades of night had long fallen when the big crait loomed in sight, and'eventually, aiter many cries, of “Kase her,” “Stop Rer,” “Gently ahead,’ &c., the Cuba, covered irom stem to stern with ice and snow, was. made fast to the wharf. No nooner had a gang plapk been thrown out han The frlends of itt. Fi ee, FPRUNG ON BOARD So WELCOME HIM back to Now York. “Among them the reporter Noticed as Most the conspicuous’Mr. C. Alfonso (Mr. Aldama’s son-in-law), L, del Monte, P, .Bombarlier, M. Mestre, L. Zagas, Mr. Toscano, Captain Brown, -% Faller, G. Crabb and various others, No wel- Come bome could have been more cordial or en- Mhusiastic than that accorded to Mr. Al- fama, who was found, unfortunately, to be suffering frem lameness and general fatigue, His two daughters also complained vf exhaustion after the terrible buffeting they had received from the waves in their mid- winter passage across the Atlantic, Finally a car- riage was obtained, and the travellers were soon wcroas the Hudson and homeward bound to their fesidence im Forty-seventh street, near Filth avenue. ON NEW YEAR'S DAY Mr. Aldoma remained in bed through the effects of bis lameness ; but, in spite of this inauspicious com- Mencement of the New Year, he reccived an im- mense number of Cuban friends, who caine to hear what tidings of good import he brought home. INTERVIEW WITH A HERALD REPORTER, Yesterday merning @ representative of the HERALD made his way to the heuge of Mr. Aldama, who hat agreed to see him shortly before noon. Mr, Aldama, who is a man of prpoeiag. aud dig- nified manners, was found seated im his sitting room, still suffering greatly from lameness. The Tyllowing conversation then took place:— RePORTHR—T hear on ali sides, Mr. Aldama, that wen bring home hopeful news as to the eventual iberation of Cuba. Mr. ALvAMA—Daring my stay abroad I have seen &® great many peopie of all classes who believe that the oe rule of Cuba approaches anend. I find, however, the great obstacle to our obtain- | ing material assistance from abroad to be the re- fasal of the Washington governmeut to take any action towards the RECOGNITION OF THE BELLIGERENT RIGHTS of the Cuban republicans, If the government in ‘question would give us only. their moral support it would be something which would avail us im- mensely and give us gigantic help. REPORTER—DO you think that the governments of Europe would move in the matter supposing this | country should take the initiative? Mr. ALDAMA—Most certainly IL do; European Pow. | ers have, however, made up their minus, since the French in Mexico to iteriere in mo manner or shape in matters lying so near the heart of the United States, and therefore, if we are ‘to be helped, our aid must first come from Wash- ington. LET IT BE MORAL SUPPORT POR THE PRESENT, and we will be contented, but we trust that our jong continued and desperate struggle for liberty, ‘Will not be longor ignored by this country. REPORTER--1 bear that you visited Mr. ‘Thiers on Cuban business, Mr. ALDAMA—'That ts incorrect; T studiously re- frained froin visiting oficials high in pewer for fear that my motives might bo misconstrued. Our offi- cial representative in London, Mr. Aguilero, is doing good work and using every effort to obtain the recognition of straggling Cuba; but, as I before said, this country must take the lead, REPORTER—DoO you think that part of the Prest- dent's Messuge uliuding to the possibility of Cavan Saou sad has much weight with the English 0] Tr, ALDAMA—Some people there consider it cir- cumapect; but otiers see in it the POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE INTERFERENCE, The question of slavery, however, toucties the per mina Geeply, and the Anti-Slavery Society of London are helping us immensely by agitating the guestion. You remember Daniel O'Connell, the Irish reformer’s oft-quoted words, “AGITATR, AGITATE, AGITATE |? Rengeree sige I ask what other lands you sited, in addition to Engiand and France ? Mr. ALDAMA—I was ajso in Italy, and there the enthusiasm for Cuban independence I found to be very great; but [ am alratd we cannot count on Buch material ogee from that quarter. ReroRTER—And from France, Mr. Aldama ? Mr. ALDAMA-—Why, poor Thiers has enough to do to keep his own aifairs In order, without giving heed to our transatiantic troubles, Reporrer—What do you think will he the eventual result of the present disorganized state of the Spanish Kingdom, with its countless poitti- | cal parties and chromic uprisings and revolutions On all sides ¢ Mr, ALDAMA—IN my mind the country ia in a@ state of dissolution. What may stop this state of things I cannot prophesy; but matters cannet pos- sibly be worse in the Peninsula than they are at the present moment, but you must remember that SPAIN’S DIFFIOULTY 18 OUR OPPORTUNITY. Here is @ communication | have by mefrom the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Committee which explains my meaning. It refera to the placing of the Spanish loan of £10,000,000 partially on the Lon- don market, THE SPANISH LOAN AND CODA. The attention of the British and Foreign Anti-fiavery a has Lic salted to elegram from Madrid announci A royal decreee, authorizin T1000 000 sterling, to bein part obtained: ia the (allt, OF market. The committee disclalin ali interference with qnestions merely financial aud political, but having been Assured that the present loan is required for the purpose of carrying on the war in Cuba, they feel bound respect- Tully to protest against the application of Znglish money for such @ purpose. been the original cause of the war very is intimately connected with its mues, Were any further Fearon needed why Enciish mone, d tot be applied to such @ purpose, it wail be found in the fuct that the English government have been warned by their Consal in Cuba that, should the Spauish Pro-slavery party yueceed in putting their opponents down, attempts will certainly be made to revive the African slave trade, | By direction of the ommittee. | BENJAMIN MILLARD, secretary. The foregoing notice is being largely pablished in the British prone, Before Tiere Lon lon Leaueed several speeches made hy Senaters Salmaron, D. uintero, Benoit and other orators pronounced in the Cortes in favor of the abolition o! slavery to be translated into English, for distyjbution oy both ‘NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 1873—WITH SUPPLEMENT. dn Paris I gave a power arney to the Abolluon of slavery Scolety of Pages Fe ee Faris and'London fo carry them out, 1 unable tryselt Hav: er rts vy be shot be: proceeded many yards, for sentence of death aati Althoogt he ‘as conflecated all my confiscate my slaves, because, = constitution, sia’ sre gee Bait a aPaltacian RerorTeR—Did jou tee that forty slaves had Jateiy ncn agama tir master and tried to Kill him in Cuba . Mr. ALDAMA—NO, ¥ did not; but I am not sur- iy plea as some Of them are ted in the most brutish fashion, RECOGNITION OF THE RERALD'S SERVICES. jou have report 0! Mr. Henderson, “the Oe een ner to Cuba t acco! e very is illegal; therefore 1 "8 special ir, ALDAMA—Yes; I read every. word of it with reat interest; I obtained of pape Wen the Cubaput into Hates an wy Aree de. mand op dapging. jn that cl! “GIVE MB A ALD.”? 1 am very hai aenaeennyeen urnal has been ging so. Touch ateontion to ae ateee of late, and Cuban patriots are highly grateful to the Reronren su) 088. read, ‘on New Year's Ou nen’ Vi of on e Captain General, who refused to give him a safe capa to proceed to the interior of the island? , did; butT fear if Mr. 0’Kelly mish tines he “will be shot juarter, for 1 know ful: well what Spanish treachery 1s capable of doing, For my, own part, T-wonld not insure your co "9 life for ten cents, ao little do I think it secure should. be ture ut himself in so beat Ss us he would do should he leave has undertaken @ mission fraught danger. He has the ALD at his back, which ia Sgreat power, Tadmit, out Spanish assassination algo DO mead power, RETICRNO! Baronre ne Gop oxing the recognize Cuba: ligerency arrangements that would mole , United States should have you made any. the “cause?” Mr, ALpama—You must kindly excuse my answer- ing that question. I could answer ft and in @ Very Sati tory manner; but.for the present ny lips are sealed, ‘THE SOUTH AMERICAN REPUBLIC. * REPORTER—Allow me to ask you another question, numely:—What ts transpiring with reference to. the confederation of Sout aencuienes the purpose of recognizing belligerency ? ir. ALDAMA—I am notauthorized in speaking to yu to any great extent either in this matter; but the matter stands at present somewhat in quo through a clause eT serted in the compact to the effect that the United States should take the ledd inthe matter, and upon proviso the matter for the present moment remains in.abey- ance, OUR ‘SALVATION Bas TO COMER) FROM TRE UNITED - STATES, and the sooner that the Washington government. stretches orth its’ hand of friendly recognition to the patriots of Cuba the sooner may we hope for. that happy day when the flag of our Republic shail float over Morro Castle. ‘A CUBAN PATRIOT ARMY ‘ABROAD. RErorvER—Did en find, Mr. Aldaima, a Jarge number of your exiled See Ridin abroad 7 Mr, ALDAMA—In Pi and i believe lam speak- ing within bonds when apy that there are 4,000 of my countrymen there, driven away by Spanish tyranny from Cuba. | did not associate with them because Spanish spies might have become cog- nizant of the fact, and advices would have been sent over to Cuba to confiscate their property. Doubtless there are many Cuvan residents in France who are there for the purpose of giving education to their children, whicn it is diMicuit, nay, almost fmpossilte for them-to receive in Spanian COURSE et TOS EI oa ip B: Eel aeeearrhar 2 aoe A PATRIOTS EXPERIBNOES, In answer to @ question concerning his father, Mr. 4ldama gaid, “My fetee wana native of Biscay, In Spain, and establishes himself many a long year back at Matan: fu Cuba, as a planter. 1851 the political troubles in the Island showed. him and myserf that trouble was brewing whieh would eventually cause in all probability a revoiution. Knowing my love for. the Cubans, in, 1864 the Spanish government, as a ‘bait and a bribe for my adherence to their cause, by virtue ofa royal decree at Madrid, created me : MARQUIS OF SANTA ROSA, but I refused the bribe, aid ever alterwards I be- came suspected and hated bythe Spaniards, In 1865 the threatened war cloud grew darker still, and in 1868, as you know, the revdlution broke out, and for the part I had taken I WAS SENTENCED TO DRATH, While flying from Matanzas my wife, who was already on board the vessel which was to teke us away from our home, heard @ noise in the street and thought that I had been killed. This thought 80 shattered her nerves that she never railied from the skock, and not very long after her arrival here went to a better world. While bedridden in this city her greatest preoccupation was what she could do to alleviate the sufferings of the poor Cubans in Ni York. On the 13th of April, 1870, my honored fat followed her to the grave. While.in Cuba I worked hard too, and my father and J by dint of energy had accumulated a fortune — of $10,000,000. Well, that’ money has taken to itself wings, and all now care for is to see my beloved island of Cuba free and out of the rapacious clutch of the Spaniards, I live in the hope that brighter days are soon in store for Ouba, an Be, God that my aspirations may be promptly gratified. Let the United States inter- fere, and we are saved! Thanking Mr. Aldama for his kindness the re- porter withdrew. MASSACHUSETTS. pct ai Mc Inauguration of Governor W urn for His Second Term—The Financial, Social and Political Status of the Ola Hay State. Boston, Jan, 2, 1873, Governor Washburn was inaugurated for his second term in the Gubernatorial chair of Massa- chusetts to-day, and delivered his annual address, The Governor commences by saying that while dis- aster has serlously though temporarily crippled and embarrassed many of the industrial and com- merciai mnterests of the commonwealth her public finances exhibit & gratifying evidence of thrift and security. The funded debt has been reduced $2,000,000 during the year, and now shows the fol- lowing exhibit :— Railroad loans, $13,308,016 War loan........ + 13,519,688 Ordinary joans..: wv 870,000 Total funded debt... «27,602,708 The near completion of the Hoosic Tunnel is a subject of congratulation, ant the consolidation of the railroad lines connected with that channel is strongly recommended, The Governor recommends a more thorough system tor obtaining statistics of labor tor general information, upon which supject he remarks as follows :— The relations emplo: re issues that will biddin of capital and labor—the employe! A notdown at wry questions they point out are among the gravest and most vitalof the times. They cannot be thrust aside; they will be heard; they musthe discussed ; they justly insist upon @ practical answer. ‘The Governor devotes considerable space to the subject of the new State Prison, which should be constructed with a view of classifying the inmates, 80 that the mcre youthful and less hardened may be protected in eerie ty Ye older and more depraved, A beparate privoh for oes is also advocated, and the tate Hpatitpsion at Bridge- water is stiggebted as suitable for that purpose. he Governor alludes to the liquor law, State police and other local matters and closes by eens a shortening of the legislative ves- s. Determination to p of Senator in Place of Henry Wilson, Vice President Elect. Boston, Jan. 2, 1873, The question of Henry Wilson's successor in the | United States Senate is already being discussed by the assembled members of the Legislature. Secre- tary Boutweil having announced his determination to be a candidate, his frienas and supporters are industriously engage in talking tae op, and he is geuerally considered at this time to be the most formidable candidate. What i# known as the “Butier clique” of Maseachuseti oes for him strongly. Mr. Dawes, the mem! the estern district, is still regarded as @ candidate, and among the ¢laims which his friends urge is that the Senator. ship by right belongs to the Western and not the Eastern section of the State. The name of William Whiting, formerly Secretary of the War Department, and member elect to Congress from the Roxbury district, has been mentioned to-day, and should he consent to run he would be a dau- gerous rival for Mr. Boutwefl. It is understoud that Mr. Wilson will not resign until March, and the aspirants for nis place will, therefore, have an abundance of thm themsetves forward, TRE MAINE CIDER QUESTION. Avousta, Me,, Jan. 2, 1873, A call has heen issued fora State Temperance Convention in Augusta on the 26th of this month. The prominent questions proposed for discussion are, “How best to remodel the present cider clause jn or Probibitory Jaw, or what is best to sabstitate in its stead; the Feviecting of @ plan for py ape | the moneys received by the State for Goes for the illegal saies of intoxicating liquors and for the purpose of moral and temperance re- form among the youths of the State,’ The Con- vention Wil) continue two daya, er of Congress in | MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. The Deadlock of the Beard ef Supervisors—A ew Year’s Legal Perplexity and Peculiar- ity—Changes in the Mayor's Office— Colonel Joline Retires—The City Intercst Question—A Letter from Comptroller Green to Chamberlain Palmer. BOARD OP SUPERVISORS. The City and County Without Super- visore—A Nice Legal Point Raised—The Law of the Case. A meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held yesterday, Supervisor Mehrbach in the chair. 18 THERB A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS? Supervisor Van Somaice stated that he had had an interview with the Mayor and bad found that His Honor doubted the legality of the present Board holding office in any part of the year 1873, Having this doubt the Mayor would not be present at the seasion of the Board. The Corporation Counse),.i¢ waa understcod, held a similar opinion. He would, under these circumstances, suggest that the opinion be obtained of the Corporation Counsel in reference to this: matter, and moved a resolution to that effect, Supervisor Marvin’ moved that the resolution be jai upon the table, and it was carried. SHERIFF BRENNAN’S BILL, Supervisor PLUNERTT moved to discharge the committee from ‘county offices from any further consideration of Sherif Brennav’s bill. The vote On this;mesolntion stood seven in the aMrmative and aveti . TueUheir decided that Ar cea. hones | The Beara | e q and 8 wae,’ Youn; ba n , ‘Vane in explanation of this said that, in con lay with the Corporation nsel, who was Tr of the Board, he was informed the legal ad that the Board of Supervisors of 1872 expired on. the 3ilst_of December, 1 at twelve o'clock at ht., Ile was therefore bound to accept that opinion as binding upon himseli and the Board of Supervisors. Any act, therefore, that might then be! performed [4 the’ Board would not be recog- nized as légal and as having any force. Such being a his belief, he would not take a responsibility which, In’ the opinion ‘of the Corporation Counsel, did not exist..: He would: aiso state in that connection that. the Mayor, who was by law . the Caper abi officer of the Board, was not present. Mr. Van Schaick, who, had an inter- view with His Honor the Mayor, would make a statement in reference to the views of the Mayor, he believed, when his name was called. He had omitted to state he said, earlier in his address, that the Committee of Investigation om the Nilsson Armory and Drill Room had not taken the evi- dence of any witness that afternoon in conse- uence of same supposed legal difficulty as to the present Status of the Board, Supervisor MBHRBACH said that the Chair alt- fered in opinion with Mr. Vance as to the legality of the Board, Supervisor CONNER said tnat there was. no legal opinion of the counsel before the Board, He un- derstood that the Corporation Counsel had given an opinion in writing, and that that opinion would. be produced at this’ session. As an individyal member he stood up for the principle of contin- uance in office, and belleved that he (vas as much a Supervisor then ashe ever was, The Corporation Counsel was ouly an individual until je haa given an opinion offically, and be proposed to take the ‘opinion of other iawyers. ‘The Supervisors were a continuous body, as the Legislature was, and con- er in office until their sucecssors took their S = < Shpervisor Vaw Scnaror, in explanation of his refusal to'answerhis name, gave the reasons, somewhat more amplified than those given at the morning session. Supervisor ConoveRn moved that the opinion. 2 the Corporation Counsel be obtained. and thab the Board, when it adjourn, adjourn to meet to-morrow Friday), at three o'clock, to receive it, ‘the mo- ‘ton was lost on a division, ‘The Board, on the motion of Supervisor CONOVER, adjourned uptil to-day at three o'clock, ‘THE LAW OF THE CASE, The law upon which the Corporation Counsel is said to rely is the Session law of 1857 aud 1858, aud will be found in the Manual of 1809, Tux Act relating to the Board of, Supervisors of the city of New York, passed Apiii 15, 1857, ‘ihe people of the State of New York represented in State Assembly do enact as follows:— Srorion 1. "The Mayor and Recorder of the city of New York shall cease to te members of the Board of Supervis- ors of the county of New York, and there shail be voted for ateach and every charter election hereatter to be held in the city of Now York twelve Supervisors, who siall together comprise thé Board of Supervisors of the County o: New York. and hold oifice for one year from the Ast of January in each and every year hereaiter. THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, Appointment of a New Chief Clerk and Assistant Clerk. Mayor Havemeyer received a number of callers yesterday, and also transacted a large amount of routine business. He was at the office the greater part of the day. The old staif of officers and messengers, not having received any intima- tion as to the continuance or non-continuance of their positions, were on the anxious seat al! the day. Mr. Whittemore, the Secretary of the Park Commissioners, was in attendance on the Mayor, and received all visitors prior to their introduction to His Honor. Colonel Joiine, the ex-Mayor’s Chief Clerk, performed the clerical duties belonging to the oMfice during the day with that promptness and thoroughness and anxiety to serve the city that has been characteristic of him throughout the at period that he has served the public so weil, until about four o’ciock in the afternoon. He then in- quired of the Mayor whether his attendance would be required on the following day. The Mayor re- plied that it would not, but accompanied the reply by # complimentary endorsement of the Colonel's valuable services, but said that as the chief clerkship was @ very confidential Position it was incumbent upon him that he shouid exercise @ discretion as to who should occapy that post. At present Mr. Wittemore would fill the position and Mr. Van Buskirk would act as as- sistant clerk. Colonel Joline then withdrew, but before leaving assured the Mayor that he should always be ready to render any assistance that was in his power to the new incumbents, Colonel Joling then imitated the example of his late ilius- trious chief, ex-Mayor Hall, and retired into pri- vate life, wending lis way to his coer e residence at Sing Sing, via the Hudson River Railroad, ‘The above was the only semblance of changes in the executive made in the oftice yesterday. MAYOR HAVEMEYER AND THE BOYS. The Grondson of an Old Revolutionary Hero Introduced to Him Yesterday. One of the boys who were presented to Mayor Havemeyer yesterday at the City Hall was Romaine ©. Nichols, the son of Washington R. Nichols and the great grandson of Benjamin Romaine, an old hones: hero and formerly Comptroiler of city. Romaine C, Nichols is a student at St. Louis Col- lege, of which Father Ronay is President, and has distinguished himeelf for accurate scholarship. Master Nichols is about eieven years of age. ‘The Mayor's expression, “These are the boys that do not cheat,” created quite a laugh among the poli- ticians then present, THE CITY INTEREST. Letter from Comptroller Green to Ch beriain Palwer as to the City Balances in the Union Trast and Park Banks. ‘The foliowing letter was forwarded yesterday by Comptroiler Greon te Chamberlain Palmer :— Di ment OF Finance, j Coxrtrotien’s Ovrrce, Jan. 2 1878, PA. Panwen, Esq., Ohamberlain :~ ‘SiK—By your communication of June 1, 1372, Twas ad- vired thatthe Union Trust Company and the National Bank had ceased to be denositaries for the ‘* of the city and county of New York, and the ‘Tradesmen’s National Bank was’ froin that date to be a bank of deposit for such moneys Wheo you thas discontinned the Union Trast Company and National Vark Bank asdepositories of the city and county, the deposits therein were drawing interest al the rate of four per cent per annum, 1 find that apon the date above stated the balance on deposit to the credit of the city and county, with the acere- tions Of interest, amounted in the Union Trast Company $52,235 61, and (ne National Park Bank to $165,689 73 fer warrants there was @ transfer ot woneys to tue Tralesmen's National Bank from the Un. the extent of $50,00 f $15,009, leaving a balance to the aty in the Union Trust Compan: ‘ational Park Bank of Ico: cased to be depositories th und of the city and county therein ought to {TADslerred, ‘or thy Inw itnperatively commands that it ont: im the selected La tee that the city and county funds are to be deposited. Ihave therefore to request that the above respective rethod of earn asatCly apeterred by ie usual » ster to the credit of the city and county accounts in the National Broadway Bank or the Trades- men’s National Pa: e : and county mote nk, authorized depositories of the city the Union Bank are and hav these sums, and have be ust Company ana the National Park been all along prepared prevented from doing so onl; by your railure to draw the necessary warrants, which ave at aul times been rea to countersign, Yours re- apecttully, ANDREW I, GREEN, Comptrolier THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN. A meeting of the Board of Aidermen—which was called to meet after the adjournment of the meet- ing of the Board of Supervisors—was held yester- day, Alderman Plonkitt in the chair, On the calle st immedia Soper + Cae es r oO ra. tants Si ay fie tape and rman V4N SCRACK and. Alderman. OOWRR raised thie’ samme objections, and left Ry was overruled by the Chair, in which only routine ‘vant: oa transacted, the hoc day ‘at four o'clock, adjourned until to- THE BOARD OP AGSISTANT ALDERMEN. A meeting ofthe Board of Assistant Aldermen was held yesterday, Assistant Alderman Connor in the chair. A communication was received from ‘the Cor om Connse) stating th Rea St anata whch eleven o'clock. THE NILSSON HALL ARMORY. The commitsee for the investigation ae to the leasing of the above armory were to have held an adjourned session yesterday. At the hour of meet- ing—half-past two o’clock in the day—Mr, Vance sald that, acting under the opinion of the Corpo- ration Counse) as to the legality of the present Board of Supervisors, he did not think the com- mittee had any power to continue the ECT tion, He would suggest ag an individual that the new Boara shoula appoint new committee to in- luire not only into the leasing of the Nilsson ron pra leases of &rmories for last year, oe e ear before if necessary, ‘ who appeared for Mr. Connor, said Mt Connor R coaiee the Saltens PY tie Ciaioa or tae vounsel sas far athe ‘acope: of the atl au Ws e ao TOOKA, fates i NbN for General Funk, THD ful concurred Frith the inbimation of May A tncoting of-the Dock Commissioners was held Senet © Semen , P ¥ tion : toner reen, recommending the erection of a pier and dumping board between piers 21 and 22 North River, A resolution to erect such @ dumping board was adopted. A commmnication ‘was received from General Newton, asking a berth at the dock foot of Seven- teenth street, East River, for the scow engaged in arijling out the obstructions in the East River. Relerred, Also one from F. Delafield Smith, advising the Commission of the appointment of isaac Dayton a8 Public Administrator. THE SALARY OF |THE OOBPORATION AT. TORNEY. _— Comptroller Green, in pursuance of the authority vested in him by section 42, chapter.i74 of the laws. of 1871 (charter amended), has fixed the salary of the Corporation Attorney at $5,000 per annum. ‘The late incumbent of the office, Thomas 0. Fields, claimed $15,000 per year, because the charter stated that his salary should not exceed that pald to the Recorder, who received that sum annually, but he was allowed to draw $12,000 from the city treasury. It seema difficult to. appreciate the necessity for inserting a clause of this kind in the charter in regard to the Corporation Counsel, and Attorney which enabled thelm to make such an ex- travagant claim, via THE COAL MINERS’ STRIKE. naib anacatiekin Unaatisfactory Result of the Delibera- tions of the Miners and Laborers’ Benevolent Association—The Anthra- cite Board of Trade Basis of $2 50 Re- jected—The Molly Maguircs at Work Again, MAHANOY Crry, Pa, Jan, 2, 1873. AS Was generally anticipated the members of the Miners and Laborers’ Benevolent Arsociation in the Schuylkill coal region have refused to accept the $2 50 basis as proposed by the Anthra- cite Board of Trade and submitted to them to be voted upon. A great many of the districts gov- erned by the organization have not even taken a vote on the basis, the miners deeming it insum- cient. Tbe so-called Bannan basis, $2 75 for con- tract. and $3 for day’s work for winers and la- borers, with one cent in three to slide up and nothing down, which was submitted by the M. and L. B. A. to the A. B. T., at the Pottsville meeting on Wednesday, December 11, is the one desired by the miners and in districts was voted on largely. Saturday was the day fixed to have re- ceived the {ull returns of the votes cast in the region, but as yet but part of the votes have reached the headquarters of the committee having charge of the matter, and representing both the A.B. T. and M.and &. B.A, Enough votes, how- ever, have been received to decide the question. ‘The M. and L. B.A. have made no ofitcial ratifica: tion for a suspension, and it is thought a compro- Inise Will be effected with the A. B. 'l. Many of the collieries are now idle. rhe St. Nicho- las colliery bas been stopped for a length of time. No danger Is apprehended of a continued suspen- mon, A bas's will be arranged as soon as possible, Neither operators nor miners can afford to undergo a long suspension. ‘There is no fear of a scarcity of coal, as many of the operators will pay the basis demanded, and go on working their mines. There is considerable coal out of the mines awaiting shipment at Port Carbon. Some New York and Philadelphia specu. lators have made proposals to certain operators for large shipments of coal, but have been refused, None but bona fide buyers will be dealt with. The suspension will not extend bevond this region. The Molly Maguires, an organized band of out- Jaws who infest Schuykill county, doing deeds that are horrifying in the extreme and creating dissen- sions and dist1rbances among the men, are already becoming restless, ‘The Mollies, when an extended suspension takes place, always embrace the unsettled times to commit ravages on property and crueities on the unprotectea and innocent miners, It was reported at one time that the Mollies were in league with the M. and L. B. A. t been ascertained, on reliable authority, that this is a pure canard, originated by parties opposed to some action Of the association. me of the prominent operators have recently disposed of thelr collieries to the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company, which corporation is swallowing the coal interest almost entirely. NOVA SCOTIA, General Observance of New Year's Day in the Provinces—Brilliant Assemblages at Government House and the United States Consulate. HAUurPax, Jan, 2, 1878, Yesterday, New Year's Day, was observed throughout the city as a general holiday, The levee at Government House, held by Lieutenant General Sir Hastings Doyle, was largely attended by officers of the army and provincial and civic dig- nitaries, Alter the levee at Government Honse Judge Jackson, the popular and universally respected Consul of the United States, received a large num- ber of visitors at the Consular residence, where, among others, we noticed Sir William Young, Chief Justice; ex-Goverpor Archibald, of Manitoba; Sir Edward Tenny, late Acting Lieutenant Governor; Hon. William Annand, Hon. William B. Vall, Attor- ney General Smith and other officers of the Provin- cial government; Rev. Dr. Hannan, Vicar General; Colonels Montage and Gibbons, R. E.; Hon. James McDonald, of the Canadian House of Commons; members of the city government and other promt- nent persons, embracing the leading commercial and business men of the city. The weather was delight(ully fine, which largely contributed to the enjoyment and geniai observ- ance of the day. ANOTHER RAILROAD MASSACRE. Two Trains Mect on the Lehigh and Sasqachanna RKallroad=—The Locomo- tives Smashed Up and the Engineers Killed. Sourn Beraienem, Pa., Jan. 2, 1873, The evening passenger down train on the Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad ran into a loaded coal train near Parryville late this afternoon. The locomotives telescoped each other, killing the engineers, Fortunately all the passenger cars remained on the track, and none of the passengers were injured. The train had just left the station and was moving at a slow speed. Had it been running on the poquar schedule time between stations the loss of life would have been very large, ag every car was filled with passengers, The accident is attributed to the engineer of the coal train being unable to see the danger signal, a thick mist prevailing at the time. Great excite- ment was created in the locality before the extent of the disaster was known, it being reported that many of the passengers were killed, ‘The fands of the Police Department on deposit in the Tenth National Bank were withdrawn last Week and transferred to the National Park Bank, Gliows interest upon the whieh, by agréeme datly balances at the rate of four per cent per annum, oo ’ pam dy At present the tide of popular com- | THE RAPID ‘TRANSIT RAILWAYS, — 1 Which of the Projects Are Being Pressed Forward and Which Are Not Being Pressed at All. rene hence j Has Vanderbilt Abandoned the Great Underground Scheme?—The Gilbert Hlevated Railway—The Work of the Surveyore and the Board of Commissioners Completed. Excuses for Delay and Glewing Pictures of Future Accomplishments. ‘The last ten or twelve years have been plethoric Of discussion of the necessity and feasibility of Various systems proposed for rapid transit from one end of the city to the other, Still we are with- out adequate means of quick travel and still the slow, medieval omnibuses and the awkward street cars are the only reliance of the unhappy public, . In these days, when two or three calamt- tues occur im succession, whereby the value and virtues of the patient equine race are fauly proved by deprivation of their services, or when the streeta are obatructed ana clogge@t by deep snow, the subject becomes Onte more of buch forcible interest that if Provideuce had meant. ABch oalamitics aga dispensation to hasten the Of fhe, aeoompliehment of remedial Ment has not set against those prominent indi- viduals whose financial connection with schemes for public travel has rendered them amenable to the reproach of delay or insineerity. THB THRRE SYSTEMS i now in embryo are, first, that of the Underground | Railroad; second, that of the Gilbert Elevated Rall- way, and third, that of the New York (orone-legged) Elevated Railroad. The first, as {8 well known, is that of Mr. William H, Vanderbilt, President of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, and upon its ultimate accomplishment high hopes were Placed and great expectations were raised. People are now, however, beginning to fancy that the foun- dation upon which they have built their castles (in the air f) of convenience and indolence is weak as | Mat of sand. For some time the rumor has been | current that the project of AN UNDERGROUND RAILWAY from the Harlem River to'the new Post Office build- | ing, which was to be executed by the company of which the Vanderbilts have control, had been utterly and finally abandoned, Its origin Is un- Known; but yesterday a reporter visited the ofice of the President of the Central and Hudson River Railroad, and, finding that he was notin, saw soon afterwards Mr. Buckhout, thé engineer of the proj- ect, who positively denied its truth, He said that the specifications were completed ana printed, and that he is now recetying proposals for the work of the tunnels, bridges, &c. As soon as the contracts are made the actual work will hé begun and will be rapidly pushed forward to the point ot compic- ion, * Having learned this much, and being at the time mnabie to gain any further information, as Mr. Buckhout was engaged at a meeting of the Board of, Engineers of the “Fourth Avenue Improve- ment,’ the reporter proceeded to the ofice of THE “GILBERT ELEVATED RAILWAY,” at No. 149.Broadway, and found Mr. Rufus B. Gu- vert seated at his desk, beside a cheerful, glowing fire, He received the reporter very cour' aoear and when asked what was the progress being made in the execution of his scheme expressed himself as wishing to be very guarded in what he should say, because of the fact that it was desirable that certain things should not become known to the ring of capitalists and property owners who were opposing rapid transit, “There is no doubt, I presnme, Mr. Gilbert, that you will continue to push ahead in your work?”? “Not the least. In fact, we have been working like tigers for the last six months, I might say, to develop our plans as fully and as rapidly as pos- sible”? < “Wil you,bave any measures to present to the Legislature this Winter to gain you better advan- tages 1” “We may. But our charter, you know, is a pecu- liar one, and is very ample, Tf think. A board of | commissioners was appointed to determine through what streets our routes should extend, and they had power to select any thoroughfares on the east or the west ride, excepting only those | which lie within certain limits defined in the ACT OF INCORPORATION, ‘The Commissioners, Mr. Henry G. Stebbins, Gen- era! Quincy A, Gilmore, Mr. Sheppard Knapp, Gen- eral Chester A. Arthur aud General John A. Dix, are finally to report to me; ‘but the said_Commis- sion,’ in the words of the act, ‘shall not designate and establish as or for the locality and line of said railway any or either of the streets, avenues, thoroughfares or places lying or situate between the easterly line of the Third avenue and the east- erly line of the Sixth avenue, nor through or over any of the public parks in the said city of New York.’ The work of the Commissioners is now completed; but I cannot tell you the routes which they have determined upon. We do not wish to give to our organized opponents the cue by which they can war against us. “You can give me, then, no idea of the streets you will traverse On either the west or the east side?” “No, sir, not at present. I would have wished | that we could have used third avenue, as Tat first intended, as that is decidedly THE GREAT ARTERY OF TRAVEL on the east side, and it is through the most popn- lous streets that the road would be the most use- ful.” “Will there be any effort made to have your privi- legesin that respect amended in the Legislature this Winter?” “T cannot say positively; but there may be." “What actual work has been xecomplished?”’ “The surveys are allready. Patterns are now to be made to suit the lines of survey that are to be followed, and these must be sent to the men who are to construct the iron work, ail of which is to be done outside of the city, inte 4 in Philadelphia. You see how multitudinous are the arrangements necessary to be Completed before there can be any- thing accomplished which the people can look upon with their own eyes. There is this great advantage which our project possesses over the underground, and that is that there will be in advance no tearing up of the streets and laying waste of buildings. When the tron materials are in readiness we will pee up the road ina hurry, and it will be in use almost before the public are aware that its actual construction has been begun. Last week there were mem here from Philadelphia who furnished ESTIMATES OF THF COST of the superstructure. We have, according to onr charter, evar and a half from to-day in which to extend to Forty-second street. There will be two lines—each having double tracks, one on the east side of the city and the other on the west. The road will be in the form of a horseshoe—from War- lem Bridge through the east side to the City Hall and then connecting with the other route, which will extend from the City Hall to Spnyten Buyvil. charter amended, the com- @ road on the east side of the however, complete their line Ita lower end has already the Battery te Broadway and where @ new depot has been which the cars begin running this et the Ty “wh the new dummies and cars are pat in operation Mr. Cowing says that the trips wili be je every auarter of an hour. instead of frregularly, as heretoior CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Enlargement of the Erie Canal by Congres sional Appropriation—The Sailors’ Boarding Houses—How District Attorney Sullivan Suubbed a Commissioner Who Wanted Offenders Brought to Trial. The regular monthly meeting occurred yester- day, Mr. Willlam E. Dodge in the chair, PROTEOTION OF EMIGRANTS, A resolution was passed requesting thé chair to name a committee of three to report upon two, vills now before Congress, entitied in both cases “To promote emigration.” The author of the reso-, lution, Mr. Bierwirth, stated that the object of the bill was to do away with our Commissioners of Kmi4 #ration and placethe emigrant alter his armivall under “the” care of States commissioners.; ‘committee. Captain ©, C, Duncan, Commisaloner for licensing” sailors’ boarding Houees ty report pays that in January last the! ho ope hundreal i sailors’ boarding houses in the city, fifty-six which complied with the law and took out licenses, ‘The others remain defiant. Forty of them were ar- rested during January and February, indicted by the Grand Jury afd held in $600 bail. He stdtem that he “has endeavored to bring the cases to a hearing, and scarcely’ a week has passed that he has pot visited the District Attorney’s office,’ where promises were made, but, he avers, no action was taken. “On a very recent visit,” says the re= port, “permission was- requested trom Mr. Suill-i van, then Assistant District Attorney, to employ special counsel to conduct these cases, if his de- partment could not tind time to doit. Your com inissioner was accused of grossly insulting thad | officer by such request, and forbidden ever tx speak to him again, except oMeially.’”? ‘The report reviews the law under which he and his associates act, and et ie the hope that the new Distri Atiorney will prosecute the parties, as it is un} tothe landiords who abide by the law that their, rivals can avoid the tax and esvape punishment.) Referred to the District Attorney, with the request that he give it his earliest attention. ERIE CANAL ENLARGEMENT. ey Congressman PD. 8. BENNETT, Of Buffalo, ad. dressed the Chamber on the subject of the enlarge- ment of the Erle Canal, in favor of making it a national work, as contemplated by his bill intro- duced in the Forty-first Congress, which provided for the appropriation of $8,000,000 by Congress fur the enlargement of locks, on certain conditions, fucluding @ reduction of the tolls, whereon Mr., Bennett read a long yr in support of giving ta the work a national character. He was satisfied that if the State of New York would give its con~ sent the enlargement of the James River anw Kanawaha Canal would be abandoned, the Midian Canal enlarged and the Erie Vanal so improved that we ceuld use steam. They are using corm for iuel in the West for = the: — Want of transportation, which was being driven into foreign countries, Last year, he declared, the shipments from the port of Montreal were hearly at reat as those of New York, He submitted the foi- lowing preamble and resolutions, which he asked might be adopted. he} ere moved by Mr. Henry and unani- mously adopted :— Whereas the histor; terior region of the United States exhibits, in a strikn manner, the extraordinary impetus which the opening of the Erie Canal yave to the development of the terri. tory which we now describe ds our Wester and Northwestern States, thus indicating tre its ‘innit the natior iinportance of the said cal as a commercial highway; and whereng the Lomorial a te of the Erle Cans!—Clinio Morrlé, Fulton afi eir compeers—conceived the gt undertaking to nnite the waters ot the the Hudson River and the Atlantic as a work of pi enterprise fit for the nation rather than for the Stat whereas the application of these distinguished Stat for ald from the federal goverument to carry ont there stupendous project was iavorably and urgently recou:- mended to Congress both by President Madison and by Al- bert Gallatin, then Sceretary of the Treasury of tha United States; and whereas the outbreak of the War Wit'y Great Britain in 1812 alone prevented the undertaking of the construction of the Erie Camal by the general yovern- ment and threw a work which ought to have been nz. tional upon the Bprupn ‘ted shoulders of the people of the State of New Yor! nd whereas since the coustruc- tion of the Erie Canal by the State of New York ninety per cent of the commerce employing it hax been the commerce of the inultiplying States of West and ‘he Northwest; and whereas, the cost of th Drendstuffs by which the entire country is fed is de, endent more upon the cost of transp on betwe he lakes and the seaboard than upon any other cond, tion affecting the production and distribution of food; and whereas a bill is now pending in Cong ress, favo ably repoited by the Committee on Commerce and ¢ Appropriations, iu the House of Representatives, wh recognizes the national character and national import- ance of the Erie Canal, authorizing an_tesue of the bonds of the United States to'an amount sufficient to enlarg one tier of locks on the Erle and Oswego canals, an 3 fit these canals for navigation by boats of &0 ton: thus enabling the "successful app tation of steam in the propalsion of boats up: the said canals Ana cheapening transportation betwes the Inkes and the city of New York not less than ne-hall while the celerity oi transportation will be double; a whereas the improvenents contemplated by the said bil which can be accomplished in one season, without in rupting navigation, Will supersede and render unne sary all sach costly and protrseved undertakings as Niagera Ship Canal and the Kanawha and James FP. Canal, precipitating, on the one hand, the enlargement of the Welland Canal by the Canadian’ government, and pening, onthe other ‘hand, from Lake Erie and Lake ntario to Norfolk and Richmond an inland water route for boats equal io the full capacity of the Delaware ofthe early settlement of the + Hudson Canal; and whereas extensive coasting vo; may be purmued by hoats cf OW tons burtiten, pro steam, after sich boats have been enabled t throngh ’ the and Canals from our i dd Inkes, and whereas the trafic and trayel of a\f through’ lines of railroad will be proportionate! nefited by an improvement which wii vemeut of every description of comm d light, indifferent to time or peris ust écessurily apyment the travel in tive tra theréfore Resolved, That we earnestly recommend to the Legis- lature of this State the passage, at Ils approaching sion, of an act accepting the provisions of the bil, h. tolore mentioned, now pending in C provement of the Erie and Oswego ¢: a fulfilment of the stipulation eo! that the traffic of the canals in question shall to no tolls exceeding what are required to reimbu cost of maintaining them ta good repair. Resolves We urge pon the Congres® of the States ti ssUtution of the bi the Erie and Oswego can ures proposed for the transportation between the We: deing the one which will rost full rily accomplish the purposes sought. Resolyed, That the Beeretary of this Chamber be in- ted to'transinit & copy ot these resolutions to the irimen of the Committees on Commer the two nuses of Congress, and to ine Chairmen of the Commit toes on Canals in the two houses of the Legisiature of the State of New York, AMERICAN COMMERCE, A resolntion was offered asking Congress to re- visc the laws for the protection of American com- merce, which Was referred to the appropriate com- « for the in The company i well supplied with capital. The elevated road will cos gne, thine Jess than the un- derground scheme, and will be AN ARTISTIC ORNAMENT to the streets throngh which it passes, The ex- nse Of constraction for each mile will not be over ve hundred thousond dollars, and when com- pleted in the manner proposed I chim that the difficult and long-delayed problem of quick transit in New York will be solved to the satisfaction and delight of the public, The plan combines in an eminent degree great strength with lightness and beauty of architectural design, and is #0 arranged as to use steam asa motor for passengers and the pheumatic despatch for mails, newspapers and express matter, or, with slight alterations, it can | be operated wholiy on the pneumatic principle. | The raliway is elevated about rate ie fect | above the middle of the street and rests on | arches, which are supported by ornamental col- | umns placed slong the line of the curbstoucs, | leaving the streets and the sidewalks clear for | travel, The telegraph wives are carried on the | arches, relieving the streets of the cumbersome | poles, and the columns support the gaslights, The tracks of the road are sustained by latticed girders running longitudmally along the stre Which do not interfere with light or vision across | the street. By improved methous of construction of the road bed the noise of the trains will hardly | be noticeable. By means of screens, which come | up on the sides as high as the tops of the cars, | their movement is kept Jrom view of the lorses im the streets below, There can be no doubt that our plan is far more rofitable than that of underground transit, as the ondon underground road did not, doring the last season, Day More thav one per cent of the sum in- vested, Mr, Gilbert farther said that he understood this to be the cause of Mr. Vanderoillt's abandonment of his scheme of rapid transit since his return from his inspection of the railways of European cities, ‘phe next visit of the reporter was made to Mr. Cowing, secretary and treasurer of whe “ONF-LEGGED” RAILWAY in Greenwich street, That gentioman aleo pre- Inittee, aid the Chamber adjourned until !aesduy, at lolf-past two P.M. CHANGES IN THE CORONERS’ OPFTOR. With the year just passed out of existence, the official life of Coroner Schiriner Was brought toa close, at least for some time to come, and his & and etticient deputy, Dr. Joseph Cushman, hasbeen secured by Coroner Herrman in place of Dre Joun pach, resigned, Mr. Adoiph Kessler, cleeted ty ibe place vacated by Coroner Schirmer, is @ ician of varied experience in Shis aud other cities and promises to prove an able officer m the discharge of his duties. Simeon N, Leo, M. D., formerly an attaché of the Coroners’ Department, has been appomted deputy to Cori. nev Keseler. No other tmportant chatices are : take place at present im the Coroners’ ofice, TUB ITALIAN EMIGRANTS. To Tun EyroR oF Tu HERALD Having reat your article im to-day’s paper em tiled “Gentlemen of Genoa,” Preally think that You pass too harsh an opinion wpon the poor Itui- jans Who reach ovr shores as so many tumndreds of of thousands of Irisiinen and Gcrmans bave done before; that is to say, perhaps, with very littie money, but determined to work and muke au honest ving. Those Itatlans who have landed here in the past (ew weeks have, > their Jaborious Spirit, abundantly refuted the charge that pass Were brigands or lazzaron!, but men who are 30) afraid to work, notwithstanding the unparalleied severity of our present Winter, to which they are utierly unaccustomed. The HERaLp, whose itberal Spirit confines itself neither to nationality nor creed, will surely admit that these Italisns, although they aay not be counts, have materially contributed towards restoring pi e im our r eked up by the recent stow storm, streets block MOBERT PRATL