The New York Herald Newspaper, September 4, 1873, Page 4

4 ‘JEFF DAVIS. He Rises to Explain His White Sulphur Speech. is “Cheated Rather Than Conquered” Ex- pression Interpreted, Vindication of His Past and Present Position. THE CAUSE IS NOT LOST. Interview by a Memphis Editor. {From the Memphis Appeal, August 31.) The recent speech of Mr. Jeiferson Davis, made at the White Sulphur springs, Va., before the Southern Historical Society, having been made bne subject of much comment, some of it very severe and but little of it fattering to that gentle- man, and, thinking that perhaps he might have been even unintentionally misrepresented, we yes- terday detailed one of our editorial corps to inter- view him in order that the public might have com- plete, reliable and satisfactory information in the premises. Mr. Davis, we have always felt and con- tended, needed no defence or defender. His life asa statesman has been too consistent for that... From first to last, identified with the State’s rights school of public men, he has steadily persisted in standing to the colors he unfurled in early life. And for this, like all men who serve the public, he has been the subject too often of malevolent and purposed mis- representation. Our readers need hardly be in- formed that this is one of the penalties and the greatest curse of American politics. Our contests, even that which closed in bloody defeat for the Bouth, have been so dwarfed “that principle has been lost sight of in the mass of side issues ana personalities that have enshrouded them, even out ofsight of their best defenders, Neither in nor out of Congress have we yet reached that dignified mode of treatment of public subjects which in Europe secures those engaged in_ their agitation from the sium and filth of the political backbites, and, a8 @ consequence, we are apt to fdrget in the presence of the mistakes (real or assumed) of our best public servants the honorable record of consistent, steady labor in the public service. and visit them with @ measure of reprobation and censure out of all pro- portion, and that oould only be deserved by one the whole term of whose life was “evil, and that continually.” We have not yet learned to offset the bad with the good in our public servants, and until they are dead and beyond the power of com- petition, and even when, like Mr. Davis, they are lar removed from active life, we vex ourselves with their every utterance, and will insist on forcin, them to the point whence they have retire forever, In this spirit and way Mr. Davis has been pursued, and with tne intention of keep- ing alive the sectional animosities that all good “men would have aliayed his late speech, as all his speeches have been commented upon and magni- fied beyond any possible consequence or impor- tance intended by the speaker. Journalists and | public men Will insist upon putting such construc- tion upon his words as best suits either their iraine | pf mind or their purposes, and then holding the | whole South responsible for them, just as i the South had not already, in the reconstruction of all the States and the peace and prosperity that pre- vail therein, given ample proof of their intention in ali time to come to abide by the issues which the war determined, and among these surely we must not number the underlying principle of our form of government. As the Appeal has already said, too much stress has been: laid upon the speeches of Mr. Davis, and a signifi ce given out of all propor- sion to them and far beyond anything he intended, While he must ever hold a high place in the affec- tion and contidence of all people who love consti- tutional principles, especially those of the South, whom he served so weil, this does not give license to his opponents nor ours to afflict him with their spleen or hold us responsible for his utterances, as 1 we pui him forward on every chance occasion a8 our spokesman, To do this is to do him and us an njustice. Mr. Davis desires te enjoy the quiet of private life as a private citizen, and. while ne may, when his friends desire, express nimsel! in set words as he believes and as he chooses, and as he has a perfect right to do, it is not fair to change those words to a purpose to his intention or torture them into an expression of a hidden or latent desire on the part of the people of the South to keep alive the issues oi the war in the hope of sooner or later encoun- tering the North im the fiedd again. As we have said, we have and do daily give too many evidences | of a coutrary spirit for any journalist not intent on our Misrepresentation so to represent us. Let it, thereiore, be understood, once for all, that what Mr. Davis says Mr. Davis is aione responsible tor, and that what the Southern peopie do in their workshops, on their farms, in their counting rooms and at the ballot box is the only criterion by which they can be fairly judged. No one man or set of men are authorized or Can speak for them. Their public journals only must be taken as their mouthpieces and organs of their will. With this preface we intreduce our the interview dignified and courteous, and promptly and unreservedly responded to all our questions, desiring nothing so much as that he should be fully understood by the public; and we think, after a careful reading of the following, our readers will say that noting remains to be said by him to that end. Epiror—I_ come, Mr. Davis, in the interest of the public, who feel and must always feel an in- terest in anything you say or that Concerns you, to ask some questions relative to your recent speech before the Southern Historica Society, at | hite Suiphur Springs, Virginia. I do this be- cause that speech has been variously commented upon by the Northern aud Southern press, and severely denounced by many who have heretofore been numbered among your friends and admirers, actuated’ to. this, as they believe, by the present condition of public feeling. This speech was not prepared nor thought of, but was impromptu, as 1 understand it? ‘ Mr. Davis—Certainly, it was impromptu. It was a reply made to a President of the Histo federates, *SDITOR—A political significance has been given to this speech or short address that you no doubt never intended, removed as you are from the poli- tics of the day, Mr. Datis—it seems strange, indeed, that a few remarks addressed to afew Iriends and associates on @ subject upon which between them and myself there could be no diversity of opinion, with the Propriety ofa historical vindication of the cause and conduct of the Southern people in the late war, should be regarded as an address made to the public with any expectation of affecting political opinion. But waiving all question as to the charac- ter of the address, the place where it was made, and the circumstances under which it was de- livered, what 1s there in it to justify criticism or excite apprehension of evil ‘effect | upon the efforts of those whose political success I desire? The expression which is usuaily referred fo is that the Southern people have been more “cheated than conquered.”” Now, is this true or not? iMd the Congress of the United States, by solemn resolutions, not assure the people of ‘the South that there was no purpose to interfere with the institutions of the States; tnat the object was | to preserve the Union and the por oses for which | wu re orypingd and established? tia not the Ex- ecutive (Mr. Lincoln), by proclamation, give like assurance to the people of the Southern States’ | Did not United States fenerals commanding de- | partments encourage the same belief among the | people? And did not this lead to the impression on the part of very many that the war was waged | for an abstraction, or at most for the preserva. | fon Of property in slaves? And was nov the COMsequence frequent desertion in the winter of inv4-5, and were not people reluetant to | furnish commissary Supplies for the support of the (Confederate) Rt ad ARS WAS Lot all this the result of the belief that theif material interests and domestic peace might exist as weil under one government as the other, as the result justined that belief? 1s there any well-informed man who will not say that had the armies known whata surrender would bring that they would and could have continued the struggle, and that the people of the country, a8 long as they had any food, would have contribnted it ireely to the support of the armies, and that the contest would have continued cal Society of the ex-Con- until the invader, Weary of what might be regarded | endless struggie, would have retired, and, in the language of Sine Scott, allowed the “erring sisters to go in peace?’ HDITOROF course you did not mean by the use of the word “cheat” torefect upon any of the officers who surrendered without communicating with you as the Executive of the confederacy? They heid out as long as they had troops and mount- tions, and only gaveup to overwhelming numbers and the pinchings of poverty everywhere felt? Mr. Davis—Of course the idea conveyed by the word “cheated” was that the people of the South were deceived by assurances given them by the United States government, through its officials, into the belief that i! they laid down their arms they Would be restored to all the advantages and privi- leges of citizensuip which they had previously en- joyed. The triain of a long war had made all men desirous for the ease of pe It was thas glone that the word could be fairly construed. Men who had been reared under the constitution ai tne United States, and kuew how almost en- preny Gomasuic interests were properly under adaress of weicome by the | | | subject, premising that Mr. Davis Was throughout | Versation NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1873--TRIPLE SHEET. the contro! of their State government naturally feel but little apprehensive of cise of powers by the general government if they believed that government would be restraine within its tutional limits, EprrorR—Do you really think that the South could have prolonged the war another year or two, in order to save itself from the consequences which have followed upon the surrender, could they nave foreseen those consequences? Mr. Davis—They would have prolonged the war by withdrawing more into the interior 80 as to compel the enemy to lengthen his lines of communt- cation; and it the opinion of a soldier, now no more, and on whose ju ent the greatest reliance ‘Was placed, that in the mountains of Virginia a de- fensive war could have been continued for twenty years. Eprror—You said in your speech that a citizen of Massachusetts expressed his gratitude for the de- fence and vindication of the rights of the States by the Southern ‘people during the late and you are credited with saying that ‘‘the cause was not lost; principles are eternal.” Please explain what is meant by the “cause” im this case, asl appre- hend it has some connection with the “principles of constitutional liberty” referred to by the citizen of Massachusetts, Mr. Davis—The cause for which the war was waged by the South was the rights which were as- serted tu be inalienable in the Declaration of Inde- pendence and which the constitution was iramed tosecure. That cause has sometimes been mis- taken for its minor incidents. If I were to express it in a single clause I would say it was ‘community independence.’ The sovereign States when they entered into union reserved, or beer Wr they re- served, all powers of sovereignty, and only dele- gated functions to a general agent, As far back as the time of Xenophon tyranny was defined to be unlawful empire over men against their will. The founders of the American States declared that all rigntful governments rested on the consent of the governed. In view of the usurpations ef the last ten years and the present prostration of sovereign States, is it a@ crime to look hopefully to the restora- tion of their powers, or is it not rather a slavish abandonment of the rights for the preser- vation of which the Union was formed to look silently on while tyranny destroys constitutional government? Ignorant aeeae may declaim inst an idea because of the man by whow it is uttered, but woe to the land when its press shall join in such a clamor and inflame the prejudice by misrepresenting what was said! Epitok—You will have noticed, no doubt, that Many of the press ofthe Union, without any re- ee to section or party, accuse you of a desire to cep alive sectional animosities with a view at some future day to reopen the civil war. In other words, they identify your expression “the cause 18 not lost,” with a determination on your part to en- courage another war. ‘his | do not understand to be your position, but for the benefit of the public 1 would like to present your own views and words, Mr. Davis—those who knew me best before the beginning of the late war know how earnestly I strove to avert it. The record of the last com- mittee raised in the Senate to see whether it was Possible to harmonize the sections at that time (1860-61) will show how steadily I strove to find some means which would pacify the public mind then greatly excited, and clearly indicating a pur- pose in the Southern States to pass. ordinances of secession. At that period I was somewhat severely criticised as being too far behind the sentiment of the hour and the demand of the occasion. 1re- garded it as a material question, one which, how- everclear the CORI A HON BI Hn Gr Re CoaloreaninEe be, would, nevertheless, lead to a conflict of arms, fer which I knew the people of the South te be wholly unprepared. There are 80 Many evidences on record ot my devotion to the Union as our fathers made it that I have no occa- sion to say now how strong that feeling was then in my breast. But he would be very dull indeed who, in view of the present condition of the South, would advise or desire it to attempt to en- foree its rights by an appeal to arms, In one of the speeches for which 1 have been well abused the principal point was that when the evils in- ficted upon the South by a usurping government were brought home to the people of the North, so as to make the case their own, we might expect them to co-operate with us for the restoration of the principles of '76 and of ’87, Then, as now, I remembered that the followers of William the Conqueror, who had robbed the Saxons of their. liberties, when their successors felt, in the reign of John, the royal power oppress- ing themselves, united with the Saxons to demand of him in Magna Charta the restoration oi the very rights and privileges of which they had robbed the Saxons. And may we not bope a like result to iol- low a similar cause, and as all things move more rapidly in this day than in that, it may also be hoped that it will not as then require centuries to produce that result. EpiroR—You are reported to have said in the speech at White Sulphur “that the men of this day may yield the principles for which they contended, but the children who succeed them will cherish and perpetuate them.” This is by some construed into a reflection upon those who have participatea in or have aided what we term “reconstruction.” Mr. Davis—You will, no doubt, from your famil- iarity with reports of remarks made in public, have perceived that the publication is a mere sketch of what was said. The remark to which you call my attention was gonnected with a com- pliment to the women of the South, whose patriot- ism and adherence to truth had been proof against all the severe trials to which the war had subjected them. And so a hope was founded on the supposi- tion that, though my own sex might give way to the necessities of the hour, the mothers of the ris- ing generation would teach thetr children the would e exer- principles for which we had _ struggled, and that thus they would be perpetuated, and in some happier hour, rhaps, be more successiully maintained than they had been by ourselve: Ihave so often and so publicly said that no people ever so well bore themselves under all the tests of danger and privation as the men of | the Cenfederate army, and I so deeply honor and admire them for their gallantry and conduct, that Tam more than a little surprised that any other sentiment should be attributed to me. In reference to his opinion of the Virginia conservative ticket I read a slip to Mr. Davis from the Bristol News, which he said was correct. ‘The distinguished ex-President of the late Confederacy passed through Bristol, on his way to Memphis, on Wednesday last. It was the good fortune of the writer of this to meet him on the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio cars at Abing- don, and to have a forty minutes’ con- with him. Mr. Davis expressed himself as greatly pleased with the political man- agement which has saved Virginia from ruin and shame, and expressed the opinion that the good old Commonwealth has now overridden her dan- ger and may be regarded as sate. From personal Knowledge of an oMcial intercourse with General Kemper, he does not hesitate to ascribe to him the rare and valuable gift of decided administrative ability. He spoke in the highest terms of Colonel Withers and Mr. Daniel, and thinks the entire ticket a most admirable one. Their honesty and integrity he considers above question, and says that these qualities are not in these times so very general that we can afford to give their possessors a very trifling consideration,” DEATH OF A NOTABLE OHARACTER, From the Ficld of Waterloo to a New York Tenement House, In the tenement house No. 246 Rivington Street died, yesterday, William Owens, aged eighty-two years, late sergeant trumpeter under the last two Georges, William the Fourth and Queen Victoria of England. The de- cease of Mr. Owens is worthy ef note from the facts of his Jong service in the British Army and his pres- ence at the battle of Waterloo. A Welshman by birth, he entered the band of the Second Life Guards as ordinary trumpeter at a very early age, and in 1818, on the return of the British forces from the occupancy of Paris, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant trumpeter. In this capacity he oficiated at the coronations of George the Fourth, William the Fourth and the present Queen, * It was among his duties to attend the Sovereign on all occasions of state, Jrom the opening or proroguing of Pariia- ment to a visit to the patent theatres of the me- tropolis. For more than a generation and a half his figure was a familiar one to the sight-seekers of London, whether in the handsome uniform of the @uards or the more gorgeous one of sergeant trum tat {q both he showed to advantage, being a mah of fine person and martial bearing. About fitteen years ago he retired from his post, and for more than twelve years lived quietly ona little farm in Devonshire. A granddaughter of his had visited the United States and here got married, Latterly she became his sole sur- viving relative, and, at the invitation of her husband and herself, the old gentleman came to New York in 1870, He had not been long here when his granddaughter died. Soon after- wards her husband followed his wife to the grave, and Mr. Owens (who had long been in the receipt of a sufficient pension from the British govern- ment) was obliged to seek such @ home as he could find in a New York tenement house. This in time became irksome to him, and he made ap his mind to return to England, and there live out the remainder of his days, Through the recent changes in the weather he was cast upon a sick bed, and died after a few days’ confinement, The deceased Was 4 man of intelligence, and could re- late anecdotes of the great men of his time, in- cluding Wellington, Peel, Palmerston, Melbourne, Russell, Grey and Lyndhurst, ESCAPED FROM THE TOMBS. How the Public May Lose One of the Murderers. An escape was made from the Tombs abont six o'clock yesterday evening, under very extraordl- nary circumstances, ‘A man named Dreyfus was committed some days ago on the charge of dis+ orderly conduct. Yesterday evening he was brought out to sweep the sidewalk, in charge of one of the keepers of the prison, He no sooner reached the sidewalk than, turning on the keeper, he cried out, “Goodby! I am off, and bolted across the street. Shrewdly guessing that if he went into Centre street a cry of stop thief would be raised, he ran a little way down Franklin street towards Broadway and turning suddenly ®an back to the entrance to the New Haven depot, through which he rushed iato Elim street, and had escaped before the keeper knew what he was about. The escape caused @ deal of excitement in the neighborhood, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, Special Guatemalan Mission to the United States. Call for American Protection Against Filibusters. Palacio’s Invasion of Honduras and Its Results. Costa Rica Denial of Presiden- tial Cesarism. Colombia. Panama, August 24, 1878. The city of Panama is quiet and its sanitary con- ition good, There are from day to day rumors afloat of at- tempts at revolution in the interior of the State, connected more or less with the return of General Correoso from Costa Rica, The government here is about to despatch some troops to Chiriqui asa matter of prevention, although the exhausted state of the treasury scarcely admits of such an item of expense. MISSION TO THE UNITED STATES. Captain General Garcia Granados, formerly Pro- visional President of the Republic of Guatemala, is at present in this city en route for the United States, charged with an important mission from the government of General Barrios in that coun- try. General Garcia Granados, it will be remem- bered, started the revolution which upset the clerical supremacy in Guatemala and liberalized the institutions of the country, ‘The General is companied | by his secretary and alde-de-camp, FILIBUSTERS AT SEA. The fillbustering party under Palactos, which effected a landing on the coast of Honduras and tried to revelutionize Central America in the interests of the clerical party, have had to re-embark on board of the American steamer, General Sher- man, but the steamer continues to hover off the coasts of Honduras and Guatemala. These coun- tries are thus kept ina continual state of alarm, and the people naturally feel indignant that the United States government does not take some means to prevent its flag being thus used to protect hostile intents upen 38 républican neighbors. When the matter is fairly looked into it is not doubted but that the authorities in Washington will contribute all they can towards aiding these im- portant countries in obtaining the stable govern- ment they are striving ior. THE UNITED STATES SHIP BENICIA. The United States steamship Benicia, from the Central American coast, arrived here on the 12th inst., and will remain until the flagship Pensacola arrives. The Benicia was visited on the 23d,1nst. by General Mira, the President of Panama, and General Garcia Granados, ex-President of Guate- mala, with their respective suites; Dr. 0. M. Long, United States Consul at Panama, and Mr. James Boyd, the Consui of Guatemala. Unfortunately Captain Clary was too unwell to receive his guests. In his absence the party were very handsomely en- tertained by Lieutenant Commander J. D. Graham, who showed the visitors over the entire aunp. ‘The party expressed themselves delighted with the vessel, which was in magnificent order, and with the politeness and attention of the officers, On leaving a salute of twenty suns was fired in honor of the distinguished visitors. ‘The Hon. J, P. Root, late United States Minister O ee with his tamily, will leave to-day lor New ork. Peru. Panama, August 24, 1873. ‘The latest news from Lima is to the i4th inst., and relates chiefly to an attempted disturbance excited by Commander Bedoya in the Department of Ayacucho. He had induced a number of Indians to take part with him. The central government at Lima at once took active measures to suppress this new attempt at revolt, and soon put it down, A force of 400 men landed at Iea, and marched to the scene of the disturbance. Sefor Bedoya no sooner heard of their approach than he fled into the mountains. He managed to get hold of about 10,000 soles, which he divided among his followers as a preliminary measure in cast defeat, EXILE OF FORE! S. A fight took place on the Lima and Oroya Rail- road between the Chilean and Peruvian laborers, in which many of the latter were killed. The autiorities, instead of trying the case and administering justice, sent the Chilean miscreants to their own country, a proceeding which has ex- «ited @ widespread popular indignation, EXPORT DUTIES. The Estanco or government monopoly on the ex- portation of nitrate of soda still causes great ex- citement in the province of Tarapaca. Congress hag authorized the government to buy 4,500,000 quintais per year at $2 40 per quintal, which will render nugatory the plans of the Valparaiso specu- lators. PATRIOTIC. The Council of Lima determined to celebrate the fiity-second anniversary of Peruvian independence by a civic procession, In Which the States of iree America should be represented by their respective sons. The fi of Cuba, of the Argentine Repub- lic, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and the States of Central America figured in the pageant, not forgetting the flag of the American Union. MUNICIPAL SCARE, The inhabitants of the capital of Peru have just had a terrible fright. The River Rimac in its upper course runs between nigh mountaing, An im- mense slide took place from between these hills and dammed the river up entirely with a mass of rocks, earth and stone, about 800 feet high. The fallof earth took place at a town called Matucaina, seventy-two miles away, on the Oroya Railroad, The news spread consternation throughout Lima, every one fearing that when the mass of detained water should break through the usual bed of the Rimac would not contain it and that the conse- quence would be an inundation, The crisis was expected about the 7th inst. It 1s calculated that 10,000,000 cubic yards of earth were displaced. ‘Three lives were lost by the disaster. The watoh- man of the railway died at his post. The latest news from the scene of the catastrophe shows that the fears of an inundation have not been realized. RAILWAY SPECULATION. It is said that Mr. Henry Meiggs has bought the Iquique and La Noria Railroad, Chile. VALPARAISO, August 9, 1873, Agreat fire has occurred at Valparaiso in the Calle del Capo, The entire damage is calculated at $550,000, Guatemala, PANAMA, August 24, 1873, Up tothe sth inst. the news from this Repuvlic continues to be highly satisfactory. The revolution, carried on so long by @ chief called Melgar, aided by Palacios and others, against the liberal government of Guatemala has at last been brougas to an end bythe active and ener- getic measurés Of the constitutional President, General Barrios. Melgar, Bachito and other chiefs have all been captured nus will doubtless be shot. The capture of these revels has had suck a good effect on the tranquillity of the country that a great reduction has been made in the number of men under arms. The credit of the country has rapidly improved. Interest on foreign loans 18 being duly paid and schools are being everywhere erected for the edu- cation of the poorer children. Ina short time all the principal towns will be connected by tel jph and the railroad from the capital to San José finished, Honduras. The latest news from this State is that there was @ general rejoicing on account of the fatlare of the attack of Palacios on the American steamer Gene- ral Sherman, owing to the activity of the govern- ment troops. The Republic of Guatemala is ready to back Honduras with any assistance she may need to re- duce the country to order and establish a solid government, Nicaragua. In the affair of the invasion of Honduras by Palacios Nicaragua determined to remain neutral. She has, however, just foumd within her own terri- tory and among her own people secret conspiracies that sympathized with the project of the invade of Honduras, The government has consequent! expelled all suspected foreigners, and keeps strict watch over Nicaraguanssuspected of leant! towards the movement against liberalism in Cen- tral America, headed by Palacios, Setior Salamanca, of Chinandega, suspected of having gone to Costa Rica to receive money there to enable him and his party to get up a revolution, had fled, as weil as many others who felt that their turn might come next, y Costa Rica, This Republic goes on quietly with its material improvements, The press indignantly denies that President Guardia ever dreamed of seeing himself one day President of the Central American Union, or that he is conspiring for that purpose, as many of the good | papers in the other States accuse him of doing, Land’ juak win reanect bo Migereeiied® BUEN State bitter articles were published against Costs Rica—there was no reason for such apparent hos- tility, not even on account of the question of limits between the two countries. As to the rail it was expected that the locomotive would arrive at Cartago about the middle of the present month, Ecuador. Some excitement has lately been caused in Guay- aquil from the drinking water in the public tanks being sphosphorescont which produced # sort of “aquatic drunkenness,’ A quicksilver mine is reported to have been fe not far irom Guayaq! Garcia Moreno keeps the country quiet. WEST INDIES. —+.—___. The Governor and Lady Grant About to Embark for New York—Legislative Prorogation— General Condition of the Colony—Tax- ation and Finance—American Aid . to the Cause of Science. Kingston, August 27, 1873, During the fortnight considerable rain has fallen, but the showers have principally been confined to the southside and interior districts of the island. ‘The northeastern parishes are still suffering from drought, Where the rains have been general the caneflelds look well, and, with a continuance of favorable seasons, will do well for next crop, The lowland coffee plantations have been greatly bene- fited by the showers, and picking has already been commenced. The quality appears to be very good, and the yield promises to be favorable. THE GOVERNOR. Sir L. P. Grant, who bas been in bad health, has been ordered away by his medical advisers, and will be a passenger by the Atlas to-day for New York, accompanied by Lady Grant, whence he will proceed to Europe. As His Excellency has but a few months to serve in order to complete the term of his administration, it is said he will not return to Jamaica, but will resign his office. For his ex- traordinary success in managing the affairs of this colony tt is expected he will be rewarded witha peerage, and will be marked out as the future Governor General of India. HIS SUCCESSOR IN JAMAICA has not yet been named ; but it is expected that a distinguished West Indian—a Mr. McUlagan, at present 4 member of the House of Commons—will be selected. Two other names are mentioned for conducting the temporary administration—Mr, Woodhouse, the private secretary of Earl Kimber- ley, and Mr. Irving, the recently appointed Gov- ernor-in-Chief of the Leeward Islands Conieder- acy. Up tothe last moment, however, neither of these gentlemen has arrived, and Sir John’s de- parture may, therefore, be delayed. THE LEGISLATURE, which means a council of government, composed chiefly of nominees of the Crown, has broug! t its labors to a close for this session and has been prorogued, It has passed many useful measures, which, in the course of time, will prove of great benefit to the country; still, such is the unpopu- larity of the fori of government among the edu- cated Classes, that no one will admit there is any good to arise out of the new laws that have been assed. A Nominee Chamber is regarded as an suit to the intelligence of the country, and as opposed to the spirit of liberty which is everywhere seeking expansion, and is now being circumscribed in Jamaica, which has boasted of a free constitu- tion for upwards of two hundred years, It seems that nothing will satisfy the people until they have @ return to representative government. TAXATION AND FINANCE. The people grumble at the loss of liberty and at the oppressive burdens which the new form of gov- erninent bas been the means of laying upon them; still they pay their taxes, Money is literally pouring into the treasury. The tinancial year will close in the course of the next two or three weeks, and it 1s reported the financial secretary will have to report another large surplus of revenue over expenditure, THE CHURCH, + which is styled the “Church of England in Jamaica,” is now holding ‘ts annual Synod. Ever since its separation froin the State the institution has had a hard struggie to maintain its ground; not that it is not popular and does not receive a large meas- ure of support, but because it ts badly managed, METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. ‘The United States War Department at Washing- ton has establisned a meteorological observatory at Myrtle Bank, in this city, in connection with the service now general in the West Indies for watching and announcing the approach and progress of storms. The Atlas brought Over several cases of machinery. Observations will be made three times daily and communicated by cable to Washington. Permission has been ranted for observations as to the force of the wind eing telegraphed by means of flags from Plumb Point Lighthouse. Through this medium Jamaica and the other West India islands will have early notification, by cable irom Washington, of the ap- proach of hurricanes, cyclones or storms. THE UNITED STATES CONSUL, having resigned his appointment, will shortly take his departure from the country. Ever since his sojourn among us he has been mixed up with all works of progress, and has been found wherever good was to be done. He attached himself par- ticularly to the Methodists, to whom he has ren- dered good service as a preacher. The severance of his connection with this island is universally re- gretted. BASE BALL. The Washingtons and Atlantics at the Bat—A Fine Game and a Close Re- sulteThe Atiantics the Victors. There was quite a large crowd in attendance at the Union Grounds, Brooklyn, yesterday afternoon to witness ‘the game between the Atlantics and Washingtons. The play was first class, though the Atlantics had everything their own way until the ninth inning, when the Washingtons managed to score two and tie their opponents, who ran out, however, the next time they took the bat. Hines, at left field, made some brilliant play, and Pearce well sustained his reputation as a scout. Fergu- son made good use of his bat. The Washing- tonians only made two base hits off Brett's pitch- ing to four off Greason’s, Bets ran high towards the close of the game, the termination of which was very exciting tothe spectators, The following is the oficial score :— WASHINGTON. NTIC, Players. RAB.PO.A | Players. B.PO.A Glenn, Ist b. logo. 2340 Hine ¥ 0 000 6 1 0020 1 1217 0 oe oe 0 0002 00 0 017 0 Warren, 0 ou 10 Snyder, 0 o210 TOMS... cree eeee 48717 Cubs. 8th. Oh. Washington. o 0 22 Atlantic 0 0 tea Umpire—Mr. Mathews, of the Mutual Club, ‘Time ot Game—One hour and thirty-five mirtates. First Bases by Errors—Washingtoll, 3; Atlantic, 4, Runs carned—Washington, none; Atlantic, 1. Total Fielding Errors—Washington, 15; Atlantic, 5, BROOKLYN SANITARY REFORM. An Unsafe Bridge—Damp Cellars To Be Cleared of Their Occupants. The Board of Health, at tne meeting yesterday, directed that the bridge across Newtown Creek at Metropolitan avenue, which was dangerous to travel, should be closed until the engineer of the city works should cause its thorough repair. The cars of the North Second Street and Middie Vil- lage Railroad pass over this brit and the precaution is decidedly timely. The police have been instructed to prevent vehicles from crossing the dangerous span. The Board received @ list or inhabited cellars from the captains of the various precincts. The cellars, which are un- wholesome and unfit for occupancy are enumerated as follows;—First precinct, 29; Second, 24; Third, 118; Fourth, 2; Fifth, 30; Sixth, 3; Seventh, a Eighth, 9; Ninth, 37; Tenth, 5; Eleventh, 99, There are 403 families, ali told, living in damp cellars with- in the limits of the city of Brooklyn. The sanitary authorities have determined to reforth this evil system of underground residence among the poer. DROWNED ON A PIONIC, On Thursday of last week the members of the John Brown Association, of Jersey City, went on a picnic excursion up the North River, and when off Riverdale, near Yonkers, Albert W. Hammond, in stepping from the towboat to the barge, stepped overboard and was drowned. Search was made for the body, and on Tuesday afternoon it was dis- covered floating off Fort Washington Point and secured by the Thirty-second precinct police, who notified Coroner Young. An inquest was held yes. on th Deceased, who was twenty-seven years of age, lived at 487 Henderson street, Jersey City, The relatives claimed the remains for interment, WESTCHESTER COUNTY COUATS, The Fall Term of the Supreme Conrt, Circuit, willopen September 15, at White Plains, before Judge Gilbert. Among the cases on the calendar is an action for sileged slander brought by Dr. William P, Woodcock, of Sing Sing, inst Dr. George J. Fisher, of the same place. This case in- volves questions of medical tice. Several ester County ema families and the ledical foe ee ‘ticul: interested in the event. Isaiah T. Wuliams and Calvig Frogt are the aR gonnpel, THE COURTS. EXTENSION OF MADISON AVENUE. A Oommissioner Who Thinks He Has Earned His Money and Means to Have It if He Qan Get %It—Mandamusing the Oomptroiler—Interesting State of Facts All Around. More Botheration About Street Openings. Costs of Opening the Kingsbridge Road— The Riverside Park Commissioners Get Their Money and Are Happy— The 110th Street Opening. = foe BUSINESS IN THE OTHER COURTS. Ailibestslapeoesie Re stand, 16th @, Fee Conn -Otjonmmeg. ma meaner to the The Riverside Park Commission. The motion to compel the Comptroller to pay Judge Sutherland and Messrs. William 0, Trapha- gen and Char'es K. Graham their costs as Commis- sioners of the Riverside Park Opening, which was fought so bitterly hitherto, was to have come up day morning for further argument, but Mr. Dean informed thelr counsel that the Comptroller was Willing to pay and that their warrants were ready. This announcement, of course, was nently satisfactory to the counsel for the contend- ing commission, and he retired from the court room smiling a8 serenely as a clam at high water. One Hundred and Tenth Street Opening. A decision was rendered yesterday by Judge Dantels in relation to confirmation-of the report of the Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment for the opening of 110th street. He holds thet under the statute closing the Bloomingdale rot any parts of it reserved lor public use can be - demned at merely nominal awards, and that the other objections ncy-7 cme aie Se role Sane the Commissioners’ decision as 8 awards tn the absence of Iraud or mistaken princi- ple is Guat. couat OF GeneRat Sessions. A Colored Waiter Convicted of Robbery, and Sent to the State Prison for Tem Years. Before Judge Sutherland. At the opening of the Court yesterday the trial of John Evans, a colored man, for robbery in the first degree, which was commenced on Tuesday, was conclnded. ‘The accused was charged with as- sauiting Christian H. Kobbe in South Fifth avenue, Proceedings in the General Sessions—More | one night of July 3. Two white men assisted Indictments in the -Oyer and Terminer---Decisions. ‘Yhere was a lengthy argument in SupremeCourt, Chambers, yesterday, before Judge Fancher, upon the application for a mandamus against the Comp- troller, directing payment to one of the Commis- sioners for the Madison avenue extension of his claim for services, The points raised on both sides will be found fully reported below. There was to have been a further argument yes- terday in Supreme Court, Chambers, before Judge Fancher, in the matter of the application of Judge Sutherland, Mr. C, Traphagan and Charles K. Gra- ham, for a mandamus to compel the Comptroller to pay them for their services as Riverside Park Commissioners. It was announced, however, that the Comptroller had concluded to fight the matter vans in removing about .$100 from Kobbe’s pocket. A great deal of testimony was taken, and the case was interesting from the fact that the witnesses called the defence to estab- lish an alibi were respectable men. ‘They engaged Evans in their saloom watt that night, which was within a the scene of the robbery, and, to the best of their belief, he did not leave the place from five o’clock in the afternoon till three o’clock in the morning. The two witnesses for the people who saw Evans block and a halt of ‘| in company with Kobbe about the time of the rob- bery, one of whom, & woman (who swore that she saw Evans rob another man at ten o'clock same CES positively identified the prisoner. Mr. William F, Kintziog made a forcible speech im behalf of Evans, and was fol.owed by District At- torney Rollins, who took the ground that the ac- cused had an opportunity to leave the saloon by the rear door and return alter committing the crime, The jury rendered a verdict of guilty. His Honor sentenced the prisoner to the State Prisop for ten years, An Acquittal. James McKenna was tried upon an indictment charging him with perpetrating a felonious assault no further, and had already prepared warrants | UPON alittle boy named Joseph McDonneil, whe for each for the amount of their respective claims, This, of course, was satisfactory. The Commis- sloners get $7,500 each. Application was made yesterday, before Judge Fancher, holding Supreme Court, Chambers, for a further adjournment of tne hearing of the argu- ment upon the report of the Commissioners for opening Kingsbridge Roaa. After a long argu- ment the application was granted, aad the 15th instant set down for the argument. ‘The session yesterday of the Court of Oyer anda Terminer—Judge Daniels on the Bench—was very brief, All the business tr@nsacted was receiving some dozen further indictments irom the Grand Jury, all of which were indictments for minor offences, THE MADISON AVENUE EXTEN- SION. er Kids sid aghast | Application of a New Arithmeticai Raid to Street Openings—One of the Commis- sioners Mandamusing the Comptroller for His Pay—The Oid Question of Re- ceiving Two Salaries from the City. When the recent extension of Madison avenue was ordered, this extension being the last in the series and final winding up of the job, as it ran from 124th street to Harlem River, the Commis- sloners appointed to take supervisory control of such extension were Charies Place, J. W. Fowler and Gratz Nathan. The distance was short, and, as the statute had fixed the rate of compgnsation at so much a lineal foot, it was supposed there could be no difficulty in the matter of payments to the Commissioners, and, least of all, that there could be no overcharges. It appears that the first two Commissioners have been paid $1,250 each for their services, although, according to the simple rule of multiplication, in multiplying the number ot lineal feet by the number 01 cents allowed by law for each foot, it would appear that they were strictly entitled to only $877 30 each. Without stopping and trying to account for the arithmeti- cal astuteness by which this result wag achieved, it is only necessary to say that, as for Mr, Nathan, he was to leit out in’ the old altogether. To this the latter gentleman most jolitely but firmly objected, and the result was an application yesterday, in Su- preme Court, Chambers, for a writ of peremptory mandamus against the Comptroller, directing him to pay tie amount of his claim, hia claim being $1,250, the samé a the others, itr. Dean, Assistant Corporation Counsel, opposed the application. He said that, by the act of 1862, the fees of commissioners in street openings are limited to an aggregate of thirty cents per lineal foot. The number Of lineal feet in this case was about 3, giving costs for all the commissioners together of $1,131 9 f which Mr. Nathan’s share would be but $377 30. He urged, further, that Mr. Gratz Nathan was, at the time of his appointment as such Commissioner, first clerk of the Corpora- tion Attorney, and that, by the charter of 1870, an: head of department or bureau, or clerk thereof, was prohibited from having any interest in any contract work or business to be paid for out of the city treasury, or in apy assessment under any city ordinance, Mr. Buckley, on behalf of Mr. Nathan, claimed that it had been decided by Judge Gilbert that the act of 1862 GaN, applied to the opening of streets laid down in the old map of 1801, where the prop- erty having long been dedicated to public use, and no buildings having been erected upon them, the awards for damage were merely formal and nomt- nal; that in this case the act of the Legislature of 1869 opened a street not on the map, and gave large discretion as to the area of assessment, which was actually extended to Fourteenth street; that the Comptroller had actually paid the other two Commissioners, and was responsible to the city for the excessive payment, if Nathan’s claim was not correct; that the Court had already adjudicated the matter, when Judge Fancher himself taxed the costs at $1,250 on the report of ty Pyitchard, referee, and that that was final. As to the second point, he urged that Mr. Nathan resign his position in tie Corporation Attorney's office in August, 1872, and most of the work of the Commis- sion had been done since that time; moreover, the law was only as to matters to be paid for by the city treasury, and this was to be paid by assess- ments, or by assessments to be levied by the Com- mon Council, and this was levied by authority of the act of the Legislature. The intent of the act ‘Was evidently to prevent corrupt contracts among city omgials, for which there was no opportunity in this caa@> = ss Mr. Dean bricfy replied that the Feasoning of Judge Gilbert in the Broadway wideniig case did not apply to @ case like this, where the property taken was comparatively geet! Mahe ay this money had to be paid out of the city treasury in the Orst place, and the city might or might not reimburse itself by assessments; that @ first im- ed @ second clerk, whose services might be nse- less if the first clerk gave his whole time to the business of bis office, and it was fair to presume that the Legisiature intended to secure, by the act of 1870, the whole time of its RL bo] and that if by their other duties to the city ether employés became necessary, that the city should not thus be compelled to pay double, Mr. piorey claimed that the services of Mr. Nathan in this case were rendered to the Supreme Court and not to the city, He said that the Comp- troller could not, of course, put the money into his ocket, but it would ultimately if withheld from Tr. Nathan find its way imto some quarters un- known. “perhaps it will find its way into my pocket,” said Mr. Dean, smiling. “I know of no wompier recipient except my fackley. a reserving its de- client,” answered Mr. The Court took the papers, cision, STREET OPENINGS. The Costs of the Kingsbridge Opening— Pay of the Riverside Park Commissi- oners. Regarding the Kingsbridge opening application was made yesterday before Judge Daniels, in Supreme Court chambers, for a further postpone- ment of the final nearing of the report of the Com- missioners for three weeks, on the ground that the taxation of costs which was submitted to Judge Pratt in July had not yet been decided by him, ana that it would take three weeks alter that decision to do the mere mechanical work of correcting the assessments in accor e with the decision he might make. On behalf of St. Elizaveth’s Home this motion was strongly opposed, on the ground that this delay was working great injury to the roperty-holders, and counsel intimated that the Roar arose from efforts on the part of some per- sone to defeat the improvement, and that Judge Pratt's long delay Was one of the mysteries con- anqied with Wyle Gane WIich a) map coud ugder: \ swore that the defendant was the foreman of @ sewer, which was being constructed in Fifty-first street, and that about two months ago he (Mo. Kenna) threw him down the sewer and inflicted a serious injury upon his back, He was taken to the hospital and remained there over a week. The de- fendant, who was corroborated by the workmen, explained the circumstances and showed that he took the boy in his arms to save his life, for just at that time they were blasting rocks. A verdict of “Not guilty” was rendered. A Furious Assault With a Rhabarb Pie. Richard Maloney, Jr., was convicted of a simple assault, the heinous crime being that of throwing a plece of mouldy rhubarb pie in the face of a Tea tonic merchant named Vonderfried, The youth was fined $50, which his father promptly paid, Burglary. John Spaulding, who was charged with burgla- riously entering the dwelling house of Dillon Irwin, No. 426 East Tenth street, on the night of the 2d ot August, and stealing shirts valued at $25, pleaded guilty to burglary in the third degree. He was sent to the State Prison for fo W years, te ale _... Gtand and Petit Larcéilen'<} Joh O'Neil pleaded guilty to an attempt at grand larceny. On the 20th of August he stole silk dresses, a shawl and two coxt;, valued at $142, the property of Adolph and Julia Lowenthal. He waa sent to the Penitentiary for one year. ‘Thomas Lynch, charged with stealing on the 22d of August ten dollars’ worth of type, belonging to Robert J. Johnston, pleaded gullty to petit larceny and was sent to the Penitentiary for six months. Charles Brown, who on the 15th of August stole a roe: pb mpapemorgagy $4 from Pauline Wood, in a Te nth avenue car, pleaded guilty to anattempt ¢ at petit larceny from the person. There were ex- tenuating circumstances, so that His Honor sent Brown to the Penitentiary for one year, PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENTS. The Strakosch Italian Opera Season. The fact that Mme. Nilsson, Signor Campanint and Signor Capowl will in a few days be in this city, and that Messrs. Maurice and Max Strakosch have at last published their prospectus for their pending season at the Academy of Music, has given a very sensible stimulus to the taste and cu- Tiosity of all who are anticipating the reappear- ance of confirmed favorites and the débuts of new candidates. In every managerial prospectus we are justified in looking for a good deal of mere rhetoric, but itis not in every one that, after toll. ing through a Sahara of syntax, you come across one or two really refresting oases of fact and novelty. The Strakosch manifesto 1s an exception to this sad rule. It informs us not only that Mme. Nilsson will reappear in all those familiar characterizations in which she first organ- ized her reputation among us, but also that she will acquaint us with more than one impersonation in which she has net yet been seen here. The same document presents to notice Signor Italo Campa- nini, of whom perhaps the most favorable thing that we can say at present 1s that he has borne the brunt of @ London season, and pleased ears which many an ambitious tenor has tried all life long in vain to charm. Capoul needs no introduction. The average New York feeling in regard to him seems to accord him an emotional warmth and spon- taneity which make him such ye lover as lew heroes in opera can effect Of Mule. Torriani, of Mile. Maresi, telli, Del Puente, Maurel and Nannetti we wait to speak. Miss Cary’s operatic season here emphasized the successes she hdd achieved in concert, and proved her an intelligent and conscientious actress, though not a powerful or original one. But the one announcement which is more impor- tant than any of the others is that which proctaims the intended production of Verdi’s “Aida’—a piece of enterprise which New Yorkers will not fail to construe into a personal complaint. There is no use denying that our vanity will be tickled by the production of an opera which neither Londom ie, aris has yet heard. Folding one’s arms with westietic calmness ong can thank Providence that he is no longs compe! ed to pronounce his opinion at second hand. So delicate and sincere is our appreciation of the management’s intention on this head that we shall not even intimate the ex- istence of asecret mistrust. To this promise of “Alda” we shall cling with the | de on ofa poor relation, and at the first sign of vaciilation On the part of the impresarii shall venture to remind thel ab ye eyes of London and Paris are upon us, and that 4 proper self-respect induces us + to claim the performance of & pledge, which wilt enable us proudly to prove td th¢ world that if de- pendent upon Europe for composers we are not likewise dependent upon her jor criticisnt. But we have no fear of any recalcitration like this, Bryant’s Opera House. Next Monday evening 1s announced as the occa sion of the first appearance of Mr. Dan Bryant since his return from Europe. Mr. Bryant has been acting in Irish drama in Dublin, Liverpooi and elsewhere, and returns now to an order of per- formance to whica he takes with equal kindness. The only cette to if is* that the phases of char- acter in which it porn him to appear are neces- sartly very limited. His return, however, will give to the season a momentum that will carry it for- ward with success indefinitely, Musical and Dramatic Notes. Mr. Mapleson has discovered in Milan a basso bearing the seductive name of Giulio Perkins. The Melbourne (Australia) critics are enthust- astic over the playing of Mme, Arabella Goddard, A new opera, named * Harald,” by Dullo, a Ger- man, has been produced at Konigsberg, Prussia, An elliptical violin, invented by Prince George Stourdza, has been tried in Vienna, with anfavor- 4 able results, . 4 Mrs, Join Wood is to play Philippa, in Chartes Reade’s “ Wandering Heir.” Miss Braddon is writ- ing a play for Mrs, Wood. Mile. Marimon commenced an Italian opera sea- son at the Gaiety Theatre, London, last Monday week. The opening opera was “La Sonnambuia.’”” Mr. John 8. Clarke is now concluding the first week of his new season at the London Haymarket. An English paper informs us that Miss Linda Dietz is to make one of the company there. ' On the evening of August 2 was celebrated at Bayreuth the ceremony of roofing in Wagner's “Na- / tional Festival Stage Play Theatre.” Liszt was among those present. Some verses were spoken, the band played the choral “Nun danket Alle Gott,” and Wagner replied in a rhymed speech. It issaia the Baodiye of Bernt contribyted 43.400 in gold,