The New York Herald Newspaper, December 19, 1873, Page 6

6 : INEW YORK HERALD BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, i PROPRIETOR , Volume XXXVI. AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. .. WOOD'S MUSEUM, Broadway, corner Thirtieth st.— “Tux Inisu Detxcrive. Afternoon and evening, BROADWAY THEATRE, 723 and 7%) Broadway.— ‘Tax Woman 1x Waite, GRAND OPERA HOUSE, Eighth ay. and Twenty-third ‘st—Humery Dumrry Aunoan. PARK THEATRE, Brooklyn, opposite City Hall— Avma; on, Heip ix Bonpace, FIFTH AVENUE TPEATRE, 28th st. and Broadway.— ~Parricive. « BOOTH'S THEATRE, Sixth av. and Twenty-tnird st.— Kit; OR THY ARKANSAS TRAVELLER, METROPOLITAN THEATRE, 585 Broadway,—Vanterr ENTERTAINMENT. ° ' GERMANIA THEATRE, lth street and 3d averiue.— Der Everuant. MRS, F. B. CONWAY'S BROOKLYN THEATRE.— Livian’s Last Love. LYCEUM THEATRE, Fourteenth street.—Lavy or Lyons. ‘| ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Mth street and Irving place.— Euizapura, QuKEN ov ENGLAND. THEATRE COMIQUE, - ¢ jo. 514 Broadway.—Variery NTERTAINMENT! ‘| OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broadway, between Houston and Bleecker sts.—Dnraks oF Dexusion, &c. 'NIBLO’S GARDEN, Broad Houston sts. —Cu1LDReN IN TH between Prince and job. + WALLACK'S THEATRE, Broadway and Thirteenth Street.—Sux Stoors 1o CoNQUER. UNION SQUARE THEATRE, Union square, near ‘Broadway.—lsp Astnay. STADT THEATRE, Nos. 45 and 47 Bowery.—Grrwan Orexa—Dix HuGurnoren. TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, No. 201 Bowery.— ‘Vantety ENTERTAINMENT. BRYANT'S OPERA HOUSE, Twenty-third st, corner ‘Sixth ay.—Nxcro Minsrretsy, &c. \_ THE RINK, 3d avenue and 64th street.—MerNaGeRiz AND "Musxom. Afternoon and evening, TRIPLE SHEET. New York, Friday, Dec. 19, 1873, ‘THE NEWS OF YESTERDAY. 'To-Day’s Contents ot the Herald. ‘ ‘FORT MURILLO PREPARES TO FIRE UPON A VESSEL OF THE HERALD NEWS FLEET! THE NONPAREIL INTERCEPTED AT THE ENTRANCE TO BAHIA HONDA AND ALL CuMMUNICATION WITH THE AMERICAN VESSELS DEBARRED—SEVENTH PaGE. {HE VIRGINIUS’ DESTINATION REPORTED FROM HAVANA! TO PROCEED TO WASH- INGTON AND EAVE HER RIGHT TO CARRY OUK FLAG INVESTIGATED—Sgy- ENTH Pace. MAP OF CUBA, FREE AND SIVEHOLDING ! HISTORIC POLNTS OF THE PAST DECAVE— THIRD PaGE. THE YANKEE “TRICK” UPON THE HAVANA VOLUNTEERS! THE VIRGINIUS QUIETLY WITHDRAWN WHILE “ SLUMBER’S CHAIN” BOUND THE UPHOLDERS OF “SPANISH HONOR!” THE FORTS aND WAR VESSELS SIGNALLED TO LET HER GO! OFF FOR BAHIA HONDA AT LAsT— Fourtu Pace. 3 SENOR SCLER WAITED UPON BY CUBAN REPUBLICANS! VIOLATIONS OF LAW IN THE APPOINTMENT OF MEXICAN JESUITS— SEVENTH PaGE. YHE ACHEENESE WAR! THE DUTCH STORM AND CARRY A FORTRESS, WITH SLIGHT LOSS—SEVENTH PAGE, ENGLISH FINANCES-THE NEW FRENCH CHARGE D’AFFAIRES OFF FOR WASHING- TON—SEVENTH Pace. RECIPROCITY BETWEEN HAWAII AND THE UNITED STATES AT A DISCOUNT—IM- PORTANT GENERAL NEWS—SeveENTH Pace. GERMAN PURCHASE OF $10,000,000 FIVE-TWEN- TIES! THE DEBATE ON THE SALARY BILL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTA- TIVES! GOOD NEWS FROM SPAIN—Tenra Page. SALARY-GRAB SINNERS STILL ON THE STOOL OF PENITENCE! MR. BALE’S DOUBLE ALLOWANCE! CONCURRENCE IN THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO THE EXTRA NAVAL BILL! THE FINANCES—Firru Pace. PENNSYLVANIA'S MAGNA CHARTA! THE TRIUMPH OF POPULAR RIGHTS! How THE MEASURE WAS CREATED AND CAR- RIED—EicuTa Pace, 4 HOLIDAY BOOK PRESENTS! WHAT ONE MAY PROCURE IN THE WAY. OF BEAUTIFUL SOUVENIRS—FovrrH Pace. SPECULATION IN: ABEYANCE AT THE MONE- TARY CENTRE! GOLD FALLS OFF A FEW POINTS! MORE GREENBAUKS—NInTH Pace. THE GENET TRIAL ALMOST CONCLUDED! GENERAL LEGAL SUMMARIES—FATAL DRAMATIC ROW — ANGLO - AMERICAN SPORTS—ELEVENTH Pace. OBSEQUIES OF THE RENOWNED sc ENTIST, AGASSIZ—THE FOG VEIL—A NEWARK RE- PORTER VINDICATED—ANOTHER LIFE INSURANCE MUDDLE—FirtTH Pace. NEW YORK’S GRAND HARBOR RAPIDLY SHOALING! PRECAUTIONS TO BE AT ONCE ADOPTED—AFFAIRS IN BRAZIL— FOURTH PaGE. AMERICAN INTERESTS IN THE SANDWICH ISLANDS—MATTERS IN MEXICO--THE HIGHBRIDGE AND RYE NECK MURDER 2 TRIALS—FRENCH IDEAS OF AMERICAN FINANCE—EIcuTH Pace. Ise Presment’s SauaRy QUESTION IN Faance.—While in the Congress of the United States, on Wednesday last, they were hedging and shuffling on the repeal of the increased salary and back pay bill, the Committee on Finance in the French Assembly at Versailles ‘were voting t6 increase the salary of President MacMahon to the extent of a few hundred thousand dollars, in order to enable him to give fétes at Paris. But the Republic in France and the Republic in the United Stateg are widely different things, 23 Oi Houso Committee on Aprtépriation \d_ soon dis. cover fn” proposiny item of a few hundred Z proposing an M Thousands as extra compensation to President Grant to enable him to give féles in George- town. ws Stee Tax Navan Arprornution of five milliot dollars asked for by Secretary Robeson for the work he has done in placing our war in seaworthy condition has at length been granted by Congress. There was a deal of talk and grumbling, after four millions ‘had been agreed upon, to get the extra million; but yesterday a reluctant assent was given. It must have been a bitter dose for those ‘Western legislators whose only ideas of naval Power seem to be founded upon stern wheelers and flatboats. It is gratifying to find that we arg to have a real navy after all NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. ‘Tne Muddie In © Regarding the National Finances. The Committee of Ways and Means has been trying to solve the difficulty of the pres- ent financial cqndition of the government, and on Wednesday sprung a debate, chiefly among its own members, in the House’of Representa- tives on the subject. Yesterday the Senate Committee on Finance entered upon the ques- tion and brought it before the Senate through the vague resolution which was reported by Mr. Sherman last week. The resolution is as follows :— Resolved, That it is the duty of Congress during the present seasion to adopt defintte measures to redeem pr gaye made in the act approved March 18, , entitled An act to stre! en the public oredit, as follows:—‘And the Un: States solemnly pledges its faith to make provision at the earliest ticable period for the redemption of the United States notes in coin,” Ana the Com- mittee on Finance is directed to report to the Senate, at as early a day as practicable, such measures as will not only redeem this pledge of the public faith, but will also furnish a currency of uniform value,'always redeemabie in gold or its equivalent, and so adjusted as to meet the chang- ing wants of trade and commerce. This was reported, it is said, because the committee could not agree upon any measure whatever, every member haying a theory of his own, and because this appeared to be the easiest way of bringing the matter before the Senate. It was, in fact, to test the Senate on the subject and to receive instructions. It is further reported that the committee were about equally divided as to expansion or con- traction of the circulating medium, four being for and four against, and one’ being undecided. From what has occurred and from all the information received up to the present time, the probability is that a moderate expansion, in addition to the issue of the legal tender reserve, will meet with most favor. Mr. Boutwell informed the Senate that he would resist either contraction or expansion. Mr. Morton was incredulous about specie pay- ments, and expressed himself in favor of a moderate expansion of the currency. Mr. Howe called the paper issue of the govern- ment a lie, said it would be criminal to issue any more, and condemned the Secretary of the Treasury for putting out the reserve. It is said there is a decided majority in both the House and Senate committees on financial matters against receiving legal tenders in part payment of duties. . The resolution reported from the Senate Finance Committee by Mr. Sherman is utterly impracticable at the present time and-not ap- plicable to the question at issue. It ‘is all very well to talk about pledging the faith of the government’ to redeem the legal tenders in coin and to instruct the Committee on Finance to prepare for that; but where is the coin to come from? The Treasury Depart- ment has not enough to meet the demands upon it for interest on the debt and to take up the bonds called in. Supposing even the gold coming in from the customs duties will be sufficient to meet the deficiency and for payment of interest on the debt up to the end of the fiscal year, the Secretary will have little or no surplus. How, then, can specie pay- ments be reached without specie? As to furnishing a currency, in the language of the resolution, of uniform value, always redeemable in gold or its equivalent, the idea is absurd under existing circumstances. This is merely unmeaning verbiage. Then, what does Mr. Sherman mean by so adjusting this uniform currency ‘‘as to meet the changing wants of trade and com- merce?’ Are we to understand by a uniform currency the legal tenders and no other? Or does he purpose to give us a national bank currency only, and, ¢Onsequently, to withdraw the greenbacks? That would put off specie payments indefinitely. The national banks would find it to their interest never to resume,, and we question if the government would have the power to force them to pay specie. But it is useless to talk of resumption when there is no specie. The government might some time in the future accumulate coin and bring the legal tenders to par, but if specie payments depend upon the national banks, and they should have all the currency circu- lating medium of the country, Doomsday would come about as soon as resumption. Mr. Sherman squints at elasticity in the currency by the expression ‘‘and to be so adjusted as to meet the changing wants of trade and com- merce.” What he means by this we do not understand. An elastic currency we can com- prehend, but elasticity with a specie basis is hardly comprehensible, : The question of the time, howéver, which the resolution of the Finance Committee does not touch, is that of supplying the Treasury Department with the meang to carry on the government, or else to eut down the expendi- tures to the means that are and will be avail- able without additional taxdtion. Here, in fact, is the dilemma in which Congress is placed. Members are unwilling or afraid to impose fresh burdens upon the people. They fear the unpopularity of such a course. Still, Congress being overwhelmingly of the admin- istration party, the majority, probably, would like to mect the wishes of the President and his Secretary of the Treasury. Then they are seldom adverse to large appropriations, and have a good many schemes ot their own to draw upon the Treasury for. The proper solution of the difficulty would be to reduce the estimated expenditures thirty to forty millions, instead of either imposing that amount of additional taxation or issuing more currency. If more currency were needed for ‘the wants of trade, as many of the Western, and Seuthern members believe, that would be another thing. But to augment itsimply and only to relieve the demands of the govern- ment would be a mischievous policy. To enter upon that would open door to greater extravagence and unlimited inflation. As to the forty-four millions of legal tender reserve that had already been authorized and jssued, though withdrawn from circulation, Fa cathe nécossity ye of it, at least, might be used temporarily without creating any serious derangement or arresting progress, towards specie paymentay , After all, it would be better, a6 was said before, to “cut down the expenses of gavern- ment instead of using even this legal tender reserve, How much, for example, of the estimated thirty-three millions and upwards for publi¢ Works might be spared? Proba- bly half id without any serious detri- ment to the’ public service, Here is at once six or seventeen millions. The eleven mil{us for miscellaneous expenses might be re‘toed to five or six milk ions. A million or more*¢ould be saved from . well be taken off this estimate. So on through other estimates of the list submitted by the Secretary of the Treasury in his report there -might be made reductions. There,is an esti- mate under the ambiguous term ‘“permanent’’ of nearly nineteen millions, which, in all proba- bility, could be pared down considerably. At any rate, the whole forty millions which Sec- retary Richardson has asked for by fresh taxa- tion might be rendered unnecessary through the reduction and economy we have suggested. Then, we think the Secretary has underesti- mated, and perhaps intentionally, the income of the government. The revenue begins to show signs of improvement as the business of the country revives, and it is quite likely the Secretary has had too gloomy a view of the proapect. There is no reason why the expense of gov- ernment should be in time of peace o hun- dred and ninety millions a year, exclusive of interest on the debt. Allowing even a con- siderable sum for a sinking fund the cost of government would be nearly three times greater than itwas just before the war, not yeckoning the debt interest. The increase of population and expense of catrying on the government are not so much greater. We are really keeping up the extravagance of war times. Mr, Richardson and his predecessors have been too intent on paying off the na- tional debt rapidly, while keeping up extrava- gant current expenditures, and tow, when a temporary financial disturbance comes, the government is embarrassed and calls for help. In our article yesterday we were made,to say by an error that Mr. Richardson was an economical Secretary of the Treasury. . He is not that, he is anything but that, and he shows little ability in managing the national finances. A hundred and fifty millions a year would be more than ample for the cur- rent and contingent expenses of the govern- ment, exclusive of interest on the debt and a sihking fund, when the country is at peace, and if the Secretary were an able and econom- ieal financier he would bring his estimates down to that sum. The Poughkeepsie Bridge. There is some speculation as to whether or no the building of a bridge across the Hudson at Poughkeepsie is going to ruin this city by giving all the traffic from the West an easy way to go by us in search of better: customers and better accommodations in the happy little cities of the Down East lands. ‘No such result could follow as a legitimate conse- quence of the abolition of the Hudson as an obstacle between us and the West; for, in the first place, to have an easy passage of the river facilitates access to this city as much as to any other city, and we are decidedly nearer to the bridge than Boston is, while the prod- uce will, as usual, find its market there and the return freight will mostly be received at this great entrepot. But, despite these facts, our own jolly may build up other cities at our expense, and it is only in so far as it would be at onr expense that we should regret the growth of neighboring cities. Our infamous incapacity to govern ourselves and prevent public rob- bery on a gigantic scale is our only danger. Weare without docks, we are without decent means of transportation from point to point in the city, and the accommodations we have for great traffic are furnished at such exorbitant rates that trade is overburdened with the ex- action, All these, the direct consequences of public plundering, high taxes and bad govern- ment, may readily drive every trade Tot dis- tinctly dependent upon locality to places where it can be more economically carried on, and where it will be saferand under the protection of the law; and’ the trade thus driven away may be of consequence. Let us, at least, be- lieve that if it goes that fact will be of some advantage to us, inasmuch_as it will probably open the eyes of our great merchants to the truth that they really have some interest in the politics and government of this city. Waen ConcressMEN Fart Ovt.—Perhaps with our recent experiences of the moral ob- tuseness of Congressmen it would be too much to expect from them either good man- ners or courteous language. Our reports of the scene in the House yesterday, of which Mr, Hale, of this State, was the central figure, indicate how readily men who have forgotten ope important obligation can forget another. Mr. Hale had taken very strong ground against the salary grab, and fiercely scored the delin- quents from a high moral standpoint, where- upon the delinquents paid their respects, and it was shown that this virtuous Congressman, while drawing the pay of a member, is or was also recentlyin the pay of the administration as an agent in the Claims Commission. As the virtuous member had the worst of the case he took refuge in vile language and was exces- sively coarse and low, which is to be regretted; but it seemed natural, and was apparently ixi- structive. Foos axp Frrrres-—An Ounce or Prevey- tion 18 Worth a Pounp or Cune.—If our columns have not been crowded during the lew York Harbor Obstructions. Public attention has been called to the rap- idly increasing obstructions in our harbor by the grounding of the steamship Greece. We hope the subject will receive that prompt at- tention from Congress which its importance demands. Whatever tends to interrupt the trade of New York necessarily deranges the commerce of large sections of the States: The obstructing of our harbor is, therefore, not merely a question affecting the well-being of this city, but one that touches the interests of the country. Nearly two-thirds of the import revenue are collected at New York, and this fact shows how much the country is interested in the commercial prosperity of our city. With these considerations before them our vT past two days with harrowing details of frightful calamities it is not the fault of the ferry eompanies. At any time during the dense fog which hung over the bay and the North and East rivers collisions were possible which might have entailed the loss of hun- dreds ‘of lives. The ferryboats in many in- "stances shot wide of their piers, simply be- cause their pilots could not see their objective points, enveloped as they were in worse than midnight darkness. The law should compel the companies to employ powerful electric lights, so colored that no mistake could be possible in seeking the destined haven. This would seem to be merely a humanitarian en- terprise, but then humanity and big divi- dends do not seem to coalesce among our grasping capitalists who have learned that a terrible di can neither affect their charter “oF seriously diminish thelr public patronage. Srnixtxo THE InpiaNs.—Lieutenant Hodson, of the Fourth cavalry, reports that on the 10th inst. he struck the band of Indians that had been murdering and plundering on the Nucces River, Texas, and that bis force killed nine of the fed men, wounded a good tuatiy more and captured eighty-one animals, This striking of them is the only effective way of dealing with our red brethren on the warpath. When the remnant of the band struck are back in some reservation, and have taken the pledge to be legislators cannot refuse to pass such laws as will diminish or remove the danger of our port being closed by accumulations of refuse in the channels, . While we must look chiefly to Congress to ward off the threatened danger much may be done by a strict enforcement of existing laws and the exercise of greater vigilance over sus- pected offenders. So far the evidence points to two causes as tending to block up the chan- nels and so render the harbor impracticable for ships of large tonnage. The emptying of ashes from steamships, which is gradually filling up the channels and decreasing the width of the rivers, is interfering with the wash of the tide. These two causes combined are now menacing to close our harbor. Proper vigilance on the part of the Suthori- ties could diminish sensibly the ashes nuisance, though to enable the harbor author- ities to deal effectively with the transgressors the present law would require considerable modification. The fine for throwing ashes into the harbor directed to be imposed by the law in case of conviction amounts only to the insignificant sum of fifty dollars. Looking at the difficulty of detection and the wealth of the corporations which are the chief: sinners, this fine is simply ridiculous, It has no de- terrent effect, and is therefore a dead letter. Now, we require that this condition of the law shall be changed and the guilty parties be ren- dered liable to fine and imprisonment for con- travention of the harbor laws on this queés- tion of obstruction. The punishment should be of a nature to make men unwilling to run the risk of breaking the law, and in cases of old offenders there ought to be used the utmost severity. It will scarcely be credited that in parts the depth of the harbor has been decreased some twenty-three feet, owing chiefly to steamships. emptying their ashes in the channel contrary to the regulations es- tablished by law. If this evil be not reme- died it is calculated by competent authorities that in five years ships of large burden’ will not be able to enter our harbor. This isa matter requiring immediate attention’ at the hands of our representatives in Congress, and we hope they will see to it without delay. The Union League of America on the Cuban Question, At a meeting of the Union Leagne of America, at Philadelphia, the other evening, it was resolved, in behalf of liberty and jus- tice, that ‘‘we claim to enter our protest against the cruelties exercised by the Spanish authorities in the island of Cuba towards a portion of its free-born citizens, and more particularly towards that class of the human gace still kept in bondage, and we are satisfied that no permanent peace can come to the island until the bonds of slavery are stricken from their limbs, and that, in view of these facts, we urge upon our present Congress the duty of according belligerent rights to those who are struggling for liberty iri the island.” This proposition is before the House Commit- tee on Foreign Affairs, but, from present indi- cations, there will be no report upon the sub- ject for months to come. Meantime if some member of the House would submit a resolu- tion as expressive of the sentiment of the body that the barbarous atrocities which have marked and still mark the war of the Spanish authorities, regular soldiers and volunteers against the insurgents of the island of Cuba are disgraceful to a civilized nation, and that the House is constrained, from the claims of justice and humanity, to protest against the continuance of these atrocities, we think there would be a response which would be heard at Madrid. Expensive Pieasune.—It is published that a ship is fitting out at Baltimore for a voyage to Cuba with military supplies and stores for the insurgents; and as the authorities are thus notified it is to be hoped they will take care that there shall be in this case no viola- tion of our laws in. the sailing of the ship, and also inform themselves thoroughly of the character of her papers, 60 that there may be no doubt of her nationality if she should happen to displease the Spaniards in a voyage not contrary to the laws. One voyage to Cuba has just cost this country five millions of dollars in naval preparations, not to mention other heavy items; and our government in a cowardly semi-surrender of its rights had the apparent justification of some uncertainty in the ship’s character. We hope that will not occur again, and that if another ship is taken and five millions more must be spent, we shall at least have the case so clear that we will be compelled to come up to our duties as a people, and so either get rid of the Span- iards or get rid of Fish. Five millions would be well spent in producing either result, A Pecusanr System or Economy.—Of all the strange disguises that municipal reform assumes the most extraordinary is that of re- fusing to pay the lawful debts of the city until compelled by the courts todo so. Litigation of just claims generally results in the diseom- fiture of the wiseacres who pretend thus to establish a new system of economy. When to the face of a bill are added large sums im the hoor of interest and costs it is difficult to know where economy comes in. In the last batch of suits, eight in number, the creditors ot the city gained everything they asked for, and we have the cheering intelligence that there are more coming. Occasionally, when the Department of Finance is tardy in cashing those bills, a levy is made on the poor old Governors, whose counterfeit presentments in oil adorn the City Hall, or, perhaps, a fire en- gine or two is nabbed. It isa childish, dis- gtaceful way of doing business on the’ part of the offieials of a great city, when such bumil- good Indians, new blankets, hymn books and the public printing. Our stiiall'army in time te Peace ought not to cost within’s frhetion of Sunday schools will be in order. Aga rule the red man ‘hasto be ‘‘strack’’ before he can thirty-fiye milligns, .Fiyoymillieila’ oowd very | be converted, iations become necessary for. people to get the money due to them, | It may be called econ- omy im the Comptroller's office, but common eense will call it ridiculoms folly. The Only Lively Incident of the Surrender. Yesterday we published the details of o sneaking sequel in the harbor of Bahia Honda to the diplomacy of Secretary Buchu. This morning we publish the details of the stealing out of the Virginius by the Spanish authorities from under the noses of the unsuspecting volunteers, whose brutal rage was simmering down delightfully. As companion pictures they should be hung up in the Department of State at Washington. Insulted majesty re- ceiving the atonement might be the titles. In proportion as the majesty of the affair is invisible it will be nearer the truth. After a crime which roused the indignant feelings of the civilized world, the poor ceremony, which was deliberately made to wear the appearance of a piece of contemptuous con- descension on the part of Spain and a humble reception of alms on the part of the United States, can only awaken feelings of derision the world over. Covered with filth the Vir- ginius reached American hands from the blood-stained hands of those who murdered fifty-three of her passengers. We are a great people, and Secretary Buchu is worthy of us! The only thing to relieve the surrender from absolute flatness was the adventures of a HERALD correspondent, who, in this supposi- titious hour of American triumph, had the supreme credulity to believe that the American flag would protect him sufficierttly to allow him entry to Bahia Honda during the ‘‘cere- monies’ of the surrender. This amusing piece of misplaced confidence will he heartily enjoyed by the American people, who are well aware that the protocol and its consequences were never intended by Secretary Buchu or any other of the “high contracting parties’ to give ‘the American flag in Cuba any rights which a Spaniard is bound to respeot, But our correspondent’s blind faith in his nation is not the funniest part of the affair. He had gone out from Key West in an American eighty-ton schooner flying the American flag. The schooner stood bravely up for Fort Murillo, which frowns (forts always frown) over the entrance to the harbor of - Bahia Honda. As the schooner wore round to beat in, lo and be- hold! the swarthy Spaniards rush to man the batteries of the Murillo. Huge Parrot guns are trained on the eighty-ton schooner, and the electricity of battle. charges the air. A boat laden to the gunwales with fierce Spanish soldiers rows down upon the schooner, and things look very squally for the Hznatp man: The schgoner is ordered to.come to, and, un- der the circumstances, she comes. A parley ensues; high words are spoken on one side, and haughty, blood-curdling threats are hurled on the other. The Hzrarp man re- connoitres, and now had deeds of high em- prise been wrought; if the little craft a mile and a half away in harbor that represented the giant, America, had but shown the symptom of recognition of his critical position. It was not to be. Theeighty-ton schooner was or- dered by the haughty Spaniard out to sea, and the correspondent, with a sigh, ‘wore ship,’’ and gulped down his gall over the waters of the Gulf. He mustered his forces on the quarter deck, and it is within the possibili- ‘ ties that he would have returned and engaged the fort if the crew were willing to fight. The spirit of Secretary Buchu, however, hovered over the mariners,.and, to a man, they showed the white feather. Then followed a weary time for the Heranp man. He was resolved once more to beard the Spaniard, in his den, and the eighty-ton schooner bore down upon the fort. Guns were once more trained on the devoted schooner, and more boatloads of fierce Spanish soldiers rowed down upon her. The Heratp man boldly summoned the fort to surfender—its provisions. It was repre- sented to him that ho state of war existed. He consented to. @ compromise and bought out the provisions of the fortress for four dollars and a half. As they consisted only of water and Spanish biscuits, it shows to, what a ‘condition the garrison was reduced. Unluckily there was nota particle of fight in the crew. The Par- rot guns and the Spanish soldiers would otherwise have tempted a saint to open hos- tilities at once. “The Hxnaxp man, therefore, “wore ship” onee .more, and having at this precise moment witnessed the diverting “ceremonies” then going on in the harbor, set sail for the land of the great spread eagle. Tmogination alone can fill in the ‘‘what might have been’’ of that rencontre. A fight between Fort Murillo and its don defenders on one side and the eighty-ton schooner-on the other would beggar description. It might have ended badly for the schooner. The glory which the Spaniards could have reaped from such a fray is, in all the range of history, only comparable to the glory which our great Secretary Buchu reaped from his crushing victory over the 108 pounds of diplomacy under the cocked hat of Catacazy. It is almost a pity that Secretary Buchu’s spirit cowed the crew at such a moment, for then the Catacazy achievement might have had a Spanish parallel |’ for all ages to come. Bissors Cummins anp Cueszy Prosery- TIZING IN THE West.—At Peoria, Ill, the Reformed Episcopal Church is finding some sympathy and a little encouragement. On | Wednesday evening, it appears, a large meet- ing of those friendly to the new reform move- ment was held in the Second Presbyterian church of that city. Bishop Cummins and Bishop Cheney were both present and ad- dressed the meeting. It is stated, with some authority, that- the meeting was a great snécess, and that Peoria, at an early day, is likely to add another church and congrega- tion to the new organization. Disunion for disunion’s sake is never desirable; but seces- sion, with whatever evils belong to it, is better ten thousand times than dead uniformity. We are far from satisfied that the new organ- ization must prove a failure. The disaffected inside the pale of the Episcopal Church are numerous, and, although the so-called evan- gelical clergy have given the movement but little encouragement, it is to be remembered that the people are stronger than the clergy. Tae Spawist Contes—ConcmiaTion OF Parries.—By way of Washington we learn that certain conflicting interests in the Span- ish Cortes have been reconciled, and that there ig now reasonable prospect that the Castelar government will be able to give evi- dence of something like strength. This is well, It is bad enough for the republicans in Spain to have to contend with tho monarch- jute, If the Republic is to succeed the repubx licans must remain united and fight as one man, The unhappy differences _ between Castelar and Salmeron have been @ great drawback to the success of the young Republic. These differences have been got over, and Salmeron gives his own strength and the strength of his friends to the government. It will be well for Spain if all the other interests unite, What Spain wants is a strong govern- ment, and love of country should at the pres- ent moment make Spanish politicians forgetful of personal and party jealousy. We shall now wait to see what the government can do with thé Carlists, with the intransigentes and with Cuba. The Republic. must give proof of strength or perish. * PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE. Mr. Partridge, our Minister to Brazil, is now ia Rome. Neal Dow is in Scotland delivering temperance lectures, . Charles B. Thomas, Judge of the Tenth Judiciat district of Kentucky, is dead. “ Ex-Governor Alvin Saunders, of Nebraska; is staying at the St. Nicholas Hotel. Samuel Bowles, of the Springfleld Repubtican, is registered at the Brevoort House. State Senator Samuel 8S, Lowery, of Utica, has apartments at the St. Nicholas Hotel. Assemblyman Henry K. Pierson, of Albany, yes terday arrived at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. William Annand, Member of Parliament, of Nova Scotia, is registered at the St. Nicholas Hotel. General Jubal A. Early is mentioned as a can- didate for the United States Senaté from Virginia. Professor George 0. Holbrooke, of Hartford, is among the recent arrivals at the Coleman House. Napoleon's Sarcophagus is now completed. It is made of red Peterhead granite and weighs five tons. “Honesty is the best policy.” That’s what the’ policy dealers thought when the police made a raid upon them. Rey. Dr. Deems is lecturing in North Carolina. where the fleld of the unredeemed is, unfortu- nately, large. Orlow W. Chapman, Superintendent of the New York Insurance Department, is staying at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Major General Quincy A. Gilimore and Captain E. C. Bowen, United States Army, are quartered at the Metropolitan Hotél. “He called me an ass, a simpleton and an idiot, all of whigh I declare to be true,’ occurs in the affidavit cf a Western policeman. Count Von Roon, the late Prussian War Minister, has gone to Italy to remain for five months. He is announced to be afflicted wit! asthma. An Eastern paper thinks Havana cannot be cowed, because it is only a short time ago that the people there were talking of a bull fight. Judge Charles Mason, of Syraeuse, says he is not & candidate for the vacancy in the Court of Ap peals, created py the death of Judge Peckham. Rev. Dr. De Koven, of Racine College, is name@ as the successor of Bishop Armitage in the Episco- pal bishopric of Wisconsin. So is the Rev. Hugh Miller Thompson. A Western paper thinks that David A..Gage, Treasurer of Chicago, who defaulted in the sum of $400,000, is an honor to the profession. Yes, where there is honor among thieves. Mrs, Goddard, 9 daughter of Congressman Vin- ton, of old whig times, has written a manual of etiquette which is to be recognized at Washington. Congressional etiquette might be spellea “et-I- get,” in view of the back-pay larceny and lobby jobs generally. The Utica Herald says that public sentiment is turning toward L. Bradford Prince, for Speaker of the next Assembly. Whereupon the Albany Argus suggests that its Utica contemporary has not heard that General J. W. Husted is a prom- iment candidate for that high office. Lady Burdett-Coutts has erected in Edinburgh, and presented to the city, a fountain surmounted by the figure of adog. Itis inscrived, ‘A tribute to the memory of Greyfriars Bobby. In 1858 this faithful dog followed the remains of his master to Greyfriars’ churchyard, and lingered near the spot until his death, in 1872... What a pretty story for Bergh! bd A wealthy old gentleman in Boston having ree cently died and left a large sum for the endow- ment of @ hospital for the care: of those aMicted with hypochondriasis (low spirits, or melancholy, with dyspepsia), there will, no doubt, soon be much lowness of spirits among the population ofthe “Hub,” without the interposition of the prohibi- tory act. Some of our seafaring readers may ‘be interested in ‘knowing that the following rules: have been added to the usual shipping articles of. the ship Cromwell, just sailed from Boston for the East Indies:—“No sheath knives or grog are allowed, and none to be brought on board by the crew; and if any liquor is found secreted on the person of or among the effects of the crew, the same tobe dis- posed of as the master May direct; and. no profane language !s permitted.” NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. General Order from the Navy Depart+ ment. WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 1873. ‘The following general order from the- Navy De- partment was issued to-day :— The President of the United States commands it to be made known that all sailors or marines who have deserted the naval service and who shall, on or before the 1st day of February, 1874, surrender themselves at any naval stati hall receive a full pardon, a oe er them, and shall be restot uty or punishment, on condition that they faithtull; serve out the full term of their enlistment unfal- filled at the time of their desertion. GEO, M. ROBESON, Secretary of the Navy. WasiINnaTon, Dec, 18, 1873. Midshipmen Massia and Roller are ordered to temporary duty on board the Franklin, and upom falling in with the Colorado to report for duty.om board the latter vessel. " Acting Assistant Surgeon Myers is ordered to. the Minnesota. Acting Assistant Sargeon C. D. White ts ordered to the Boston Navy Yard. Acting Assistant Surgeon Todd is ordered to the. New York Naval Hospital. Assistant Paymaster Baugham {s ordered to. the receiving ship Potomac. Lieutenant Commander Huntington is detached fromthe Richmond and granted leave for two. months. Lieutenant Meeker is detached from the Torpedo station and ordered to temporary duty on board the Franklin, and on tailing in with the Canan- daigua to report ior duty on board that vessel. ‘Master G, W. Carlin 1 placed on walting orders. Fen yey Rerstad ee seee gp ranklin and placed on wal 3 Oniet Engineer ‘Busbler 1s detached {rom the Min- nesota and ordered to the Franklin, The Monitors Puritan and Terter. PuILADELPuIA, Dec. 18, 1973, ‘The unfinished monitor Puritan, now at League Island, is goon to be placed ia fighting trim, Tne is now ready for sea, and will be monitor roy placed in commission. POWER OF THE PRESS, A Lady Editor Proposes to Lecture om the Fourth Estate, Mrs. Laura 8. Webb, an accomplished, lady from the South, now the editor of the Western Sun, wilt deliver a highly instructive lecture on “The Power of the Press,” next Monday evening, at Steinway Hall. Her paper is vivacious and interesting, and if she speaks a8 well as she writes the audignce that will greet her appearance will enjoy a rich, Intellectual treat. / THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSTITUTIONAL BLEO PHILADELENIA, Dec. 18, 1873, ‘The Board of Return Judges of the election on the constitution met thts morning. The oMctal re. turns show that the majority for the new conatitu. tion im this city 1s 4120, an increase of ovor 7,00¢ majority reporved on ihe nigh ot ‘the leotion tt ipposed that the whoi gow a le maioriiy iw the