The New York Herald Newspaper, January 7, 1874, Page 6

6 ‘NEW YORK HE BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR Volume XXXIX.. NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1874.—TRIPLE SHEET. Tne Govermer’s Message—Amn Emeour sging Report amd Some Important Recommendations. The Meassge of Governor Dix, which we spread before our readers this morning, gives ® cheerful report of the operations of our State government for the year 1873 and an en- outlook for 1874 A firm believer couraging --+-M@ 7] in @ guperintending Providence over the affairs of men and of nations, be thus intro- ANUSENENTS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVEAING duces himselt in his address to the Senate and —————— BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—MAZEPPA, at 8 P. M.; Kae METROPOLITAN THEATRE, BAS Broadway.—VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT, at 7:45 2. M.; closes ar 10.0 P.M. NI GARDEN, Broadway, rence Beings and Hous! streeta— ROMEO JAFFER J Ms BELLES OF THE KITC 10:30 P.M, ct Oe ra iy, Me beedtingw onder Thirtiets serect, HUSBAND TO Beste dt SRM; closes at 30 Fe Mc; STREETS OF NE Ww voitk at8 BM. ‘Veloses at 11 P. M. GRAND OPERA HOUSE, a and Twenty third | street. HUMPTY epee: at 745 P.M. ; closes at 10:45 P, M. FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE, Bs tad street and Broadway.—MAN AND WIFE, closes atl P.M, Mr. Harkins, Miss Ada Dyas. MRS. CONWAY'S BROOKLYN THEATRE, fashington street, Brookivn.—LITTLE SUNSHINE, at @ P.M; closes atli P.M. Miss Lilian Conway. B a Thirieenth streetoa MAN OF HONOR, wi an hirteenth street. —, gor. me Tagipses At 10-50. BME: Lester Wallack, Mist BOOTH’S THEATRE, Sixth avenue and Twent ae ig aoe OR, THE BRERANSAD TRAV ELLE: 5 closes at 10:30 .M. Mr. F. S, Chanfrau, ‘wins Bella vpatooen OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broad) tween Houston and Bleecker streets — GABRIt: ORES at 8 P.M: Slones ot IF M. Majilton- Saynor Family. Matinee at 2 P. BROOKLYN PARK THEATRE, Bt, Brooklyn. —JOHN GARTH, at § P. Qpposite Cit SPP Closes at M. Miss Annie Firmin, Mr. Johu Jack. STEINWAY HAL) Fourteenth street —MAUREL-WIENI at2P. M.; closes ar 4:30 P. NNETT! OuRT, a8 P. M.; ‘SKI CONCERT, TTE KUMN CON: closes at 10:15 P. M. TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, No. 21 Bowery, VARIETY BATERTAINMENT, at 8 P. M.; closes at il P.M. BRYANT’S OPERA HOUSE, Zyrenty,chird street, corner of caxth avenue —CINDER- ELLA IN BLACK, NEGRO MINSTRELSY, &c., at 8 F. Bey closes at ib Ps} ROBINSON HALL, Sixteenth street.—MAGICAL ENTERTAINMENT AND ‘LAUGHING GaAs, at 8 P. M.; closes at 10:30 P. M. Great Jon treet, ome TE ag lace.—THE PIL. jones st fe Latayet _ GRIM, at8 P.M. ; closes at 9 * DR. KAHN'S MUSEUM, ‘No, @8 Broad way.—SCIENCE AND ART. TRIPLE SHEET. Wew York, Wednesday, January 7, 1874. THE NEWS OF YESTERDAY. ‘To-Day’s Contents of the Herald. “THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE! AN ENCOURAG- ING REPORT AND SOME IMPORTANT REO- OMMENDATIONS”—LEADER—SixTH PAGE. GOVERNOR DIX’S PRESENTATION OF AFFAIRS IN THE COMMONWEALTH ! OUR HARBOR TO BE PROTECTED! BAD FAITH IN IM- PORTANT TRUSTS! THE BANKING SYS- TEM! SPECIE PAYMENTS DEMANDED! THE SUPPLY BILL—Fourta Pas. SUBVERTED SPAIN! THE SERRANO GOVERN- MENT QUIETLY STRENGTHENING ITS HANDS! RUMORED REMOVAL OF CULO- NAL RULERS! THE SIEGE UF CARTAGENA VIGOROUSLY PUSHED! THE BLACK FLAG HOISTED OVER A FORT—SEVENTH PaGE. THE SPANISH CUBANS PROCLAIM THEIR AD- HESION TO THE SERRANO GOVERNMENT! THE REPORTED DEPOSITION OF JOVEL- LAR—SEVENTH PAGE. i ‘WHY SICKLES’ DISPLACEMENT BY CUSHING IS A SOURCE OF SATISFACTION To THE HAVANESE! OUR NAVAL BRAVES OF KEY WEST IN THE DUMPS—Firru Paar, THE CUBAN PATRIOTS’ DEFEAT OF THE SPAN- ISH AT PALO SECO! OFFICIAL REPORT OF GENERAL MAXIMO GOMEZ! 300 SPAN- 1ARDS KILLED AND 62 CAPTURED, WITH LARGE STORES OF WAR MATERIAL— FurtH Pace. HOW THE CUBANS IN JAMAICA VIEW THE VIRGINIUS SURRENDER CASE! A MAR- TYR’S FAMILY VISITED—Firru Pacs. ENGLISH FINANCES! A CONSERVATIVE ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT—IMPORTANT GENERAL NEWS—SEVENTH PaGE. THE ASSEMBLING OF THE PEOPLE’S REPRE- SENTATIVES AT ALBANY! MR. HUSTED CHOSEN SPEAKER! INCIDENTS OF THE OPENING SESSION—Tump Pace, ‘THE NEW YORK BAR DENOUNCE THE OREGON ASPIRANT TO THE CHIEF JUSTICESHIP AS “WANTING IN INTELLECT, EXPERIENCE AND. REPUTATION!” THE BANKRUPTCY ACT—THIED Pace. THE TWO MEN WHO WANT WILLIAMS CON- FIRMED CHIEF JUSTICE! DONN PIATT’S VIEW OF IT—REVENUE RASCALITIES— ELBVENTH PAGE. NEW CATHOLIU DIGNITARIES! TWELVE MORE CARDINALS NAMED BY THE HOLY FATHER! THE CEREMONIAL! PERSONAL SKETCHES—EiGaTH Pace. AN AMERICAN-AFRICAN CONGRESSMAN ON THE CIVIi RIGHTS QUESTION! ANOTHER REPLY TO MR. STEPHENS! THE SALARY GRAB DEBATE! NO MORE MONEY FOR BOSTUN—EiauTH Page. THE POLICE RAIDS ON THE BURGLARS! IM- PORTANT RESULTS AND GENERAL SATIS- FACTION—A BIG HAUL OF THIEVES AND PLUNDER BY THE HOBOKEN POLICE— TENTH Pac. CONGREGATIONAL HARMONY! MR. BEECHER VINDICATED IN THE PEW SALE! DRS. STORRS AND BUDDINGTON RECONCILED— ‘TrnTH Page. THE CURRENCY INCUBUS! MR. RICHARDSON’S SCHEME TO INCREASE IT $44,000,000 STEADY MARKETS IN WALL STREET— Eicuta Paes. MECHELLA DEFIANT IN THE SHADOW OF THE GALLOWS—OCEAN BANK AFFAIRS—EN- JOYMENTS AT THE PROMINENT PLACES OF PUBLIC RESORT—Taump Paes. LEGAL BUSINESS YESTERDAY—THE GREVEN- ING NEW YEAR'S HuMIGIDE—SANITARY STATUS OF NEW YORK—ELSVENTH Pace. Porrtics 1¥ New Hawesmen—The New Hampshire Republican State Convention meets in Concord to-day and the democratic to-mor- row. They can hardly be railed a band of brothers, although the intense political fendg of former years may be said to be in a great ineasure extinguished. Texas Unrrep States Senator.—Ex- | Postmaster General (Confederate) John H. Reagan aspires to represent the State of Texas in the United States Senate. His disa- bilities have been removed, but the whole machinery of the State seems to be in u dis- abled condition just at present. the Assembly :—‘‘At the close of another year of closes at 11. ?.M. Miss | Uninterrupted health, prosperity, abundance and peace, the fervid expression of our thank- fulness is due to Almighty God for these sig- nal manifestations of His favor. While in portions of our sister States a destructive pes- tilence has desolated hundreds of households, our own has been mercifully spared."’ This is @ grateful recognition of the Sovereign Source of all our blessings, and here we have, too, a grateful expression of sympathy touch- ing the sufferings of our sister States, The Governor next boldly ventures upon an endorsement of the settlement of the Virginius affair, in the following terms:—‘Though the friendly relations of the United States with a European Power were for a fime endangered byan infringement of our international rights the peril has been happily averted by » com- bination of firmness and forbearance which always becomes a powerful government.” A handsome compliment this to Mr, Fish; but what a mockery is made of it by the official correspondence on this Virginius imbroglio! But the Governor is quite as enthusiastic in his hopes for Spain as in his admiration of the Jiasco ot Mr. Fish. He says:—‘There is ground for hope that the ancient nation, which, with 8 less prudent hearing on our part, might now have been at war with us, may occupy on the other side of the Atlantic, sustained by our sympathy and kind offices, the same posi- tion which we hold in the Western Hemisphere as a representative of free institutions.” This ‘was written, perhaps, before the overthrow of Castelar and the expulsion of the Spanish Cortes by the bayonet and the nomination of Marshal Serrano as the house warmer tor the restoration of the monarchy. So much for “our sympathy and kind offices” in behalf of the Republic in Spain. So much for our venerable Governor's delusive hopes concern- ing it ‘as a representative of free institu- tions.” But from this superfluous journey to Spain, returning with the Governor to our State affairs, he says that, although we have fallen short as a people in the discharge of our social duties, “‘the condition of the State is, never- theless, under most of its aspecta, exceedingly gratifying;"’ that “‘our debt is comparatively small;” that “it may, with proper economy, within a few years, be entirely paid,’’ and that if so ‘we shall stand in marked and commendable contrast with other States and municipalities which are heavily burdened with pecuniary liabili- ties.” Furthermore, hesays:—‘Our colleges, academies and schools are flourishing; our charitable mstitutions in general are well managed; our laws enforced with renewed vigor and great criminals brought to speedy andexemplary punishment.” Next, upon the State finances, he reports that on the 30th of September last there was a balance in the Treasury of $2,431,460 61; that the balance of the State debt, after ap; the sinking funds, is $21,191/379 34, and that for the last fiscal year there has been a reduction of the debt to the amount of $4,195,346 50, which, however, is only an apparent reduction, as the redemptions of stock which fell due in 1873 were provided for by new loans. The State tax levy was 6 95-100 mills; the tax collected will be $14,800,903 38, or some five millions less than that levied in the preceding year. But, without further recapitulation of the Governor's statistics, we will touch upon some of his reforms and recommendations. Upon the militia he says that when he eame into office there was no proper accounta- bility for arms, ammunition aud munitions of war ; that this defect has been remedied ; that complete inventories of the contents of all the arsenals have been prepared ; that the Com- missary General of Ordnance has been made responsible for them ; that the same accounta- bility has been applied to commanders of regi- ments, and that some considerable savings have thus been made. Some legislation is rec- ommended for the regulation of those cor- porations known as trust, loan and indemnity, guarantee and safe deposit companies ; and a general law is’ urged defining the powers of savings banks and repealing all special privi- leges in existing charters inconsistent with such general law. Our quarantine system is reported as working well “‘after many years of unseemly contention.’’ An extension of the authority of our Board of Health in removing nuisances is suggested, and an increase of head money to the Commissioners of Emigra- tion. The Governor reports an important dis- covery in the payment of the State taxes. He says that, in violation of the laws, in a number of counties, the treasurers during the last year retained over $100,000 each for months beyond the time for its payment over to the State Treasury, having loaned the money to the banks at interest in the meantime for the depositors’ personal benefit; and the Governor thinks that this abuse ought to be stopped, especially as,the Treasury, for want of these very funds, is often compelled to borrow money at seven per cent interest. The abuse is a villanous one, and the remedy suggested should certainly be applied. On the recent defaleation in the State Treasurer's office ($304,95791) by C. H. Phelps, the Governor holds that this fraud is due, ina great degree, to the unwarrantable confidence’ reposed in said Phelps by the Treasurer (Raines) and his deputy. The Treasurer, it appears, was absent from his office much of his time, and his deputy seems tohave surrendered the control of the public funds to the defaulting clerk. As security for the future the Governor says that the Treasurer should by law be required to live in Albany and attend to his responsible duties. ‘Should be required."' The proposition sounds like » joke. Where else should be the man ap- pointed as guardian over the public money but at bis post? He should be held there to attend to his business when wanted, subject | to heavy penalties for neglect of duty. Upon our canals, in reference to the ques- tion of cheap transportation of the products of the West, the suggéstions of this Message are well worthy the thoughtful attention of the Legislature, os are the views aud reformg, sabmitted ‘‘upon the profligate management | The Herald, the State Department and of some of our railroad companies.” It ap- pears that ‘‘at least seventy-five per cont of all the operations of the Stock Board in the city ot New York are in railroad stocks and bonds,” and that “the enormous speculations of which they furnish the material have con- teibuted largely to the derangement of the legitimate business of the country.” Worse yet, “the practice by ‘banks of certifying checks to be good when there are no deposits to meet them hag aggravated the evil by giv- ing particular individuals an almost unlimited credit to be used in stock gambling." It can hardly be thought that the Governor, in urging that this demoralizing and mischievous prac- tice should be arrested by making it a penal offence, is going too far. The evils of hasty and reckless legislation are well put, and this Legislatare would do well to avoid the vicious example of its immediate predecessor in this branch of corruption. Considerable space is mext given'in the Message to our national financial situation and toa strong argument against an inflation of the currency and in favor of the opposite policy as the only way to specie payments and a sound finangial system. On the difference between the original estimates and the actusl and necessary cost of the erection of our public buildings we have some startling disclosures. For ex- ample, the original estimate for our new State Capitol was four millions; but after expend- ing upon it, within a fraction, five millions, it is only one story above the ground, and, upon ® fair estimate, ten millions more will be re- quired to complete it. Here is something of the bad odor of our new Court House, and surely if there is a will there is a way whereby the Legislature can puta stop to these scan- dalous jobs. The pressing necessity of ar- resting the ruinous practices by which our harbor is being filled up and contracted is urged upon the two. houses ; a State appro- priation is recommended for contingent ex- penses in connection with the representation of the State in the approaching national Centennial Exhibition ; and then, afler urg- ing » forward movement in behalf of the proposed amendments to our State con- stitution, the Governor makes his bow to the assembled wisdom of the Commonwealth and gracefully retires. This Message is lengthy ; but is well worth the space it occupies: It exhibits a careful and conscientious consideration of the multi- farious interests of the State and its people. It is the work of a scholar and e statesumn and of a faithful public servant. It would be folly to hope for the adoption of its sugges- tions in detail as the programme for this Legislatare ; but, as an example of fair dealing with and for the people, this Message, in con- nection with the Governor's veto power, can hardly fail to operate as a wholesome check against dishonest jobs and corrupt combi- nations. The New Cardinals. On the morning of December 22 Pius IX. performed one of the most important cere- monies of his career as the Sovereign Pontiff. In the hall of the consistory of the Vatican he appointed twelve new cardinals, and on the 23d he handed four of them their scarlet hats. As statesmen and priests these high digni- taries of the Church will undoubtedly be assigned leading posts in the endeavor to re-establish the temporary power of the Papacy; for four of them have been Papal nuncios—Cardinal Ohigi, at Paris; Cardinal Oreglia, at Lisbon; Cardinal Falci- nelle, at Vienna, and Cardinal Franchi, at Madrid. Of the new cardinals Franchi is, un- doubtedly, the ablest and most experienced. Without the impetuosity and rigid adherence to the letter of the Church dogmas which have distinguished many of the Roman statesmen, he has achieved a high reputation for delicate diplomacy and telling conservatism. The three other nu ncios have all had considerable experience at the Catholic Courts, and Chigi especially is considered a man of remarkable powers. It can be said of all the success- fal prelates that they are men of pure lives and great eminence in the Church, all of them having discharged their ecclesiastical duties in » manner satisfactory to their general sees. Though it is somewhat remarkable that the Catholic Church in the United States is not honored with one of these twelve ‘hats, doubtless His Holiness will not forget the claims of our learned bishops and archbishops, who certainly wield a more powerful influence in America than the majority of those who have been appointed to the Sacred College wield in Europe. Tue ConverTistz Bonp Question is urged by Mr. Kelley upon the Committee of Ways and Means. He brought it up before the com- mittee yesterday, but as no result was reached the consideration of it is to be resumed to- day. His proposition is to issue bonds bear- ing a low rate of interest—three sixty- five per cent a year, or a cent a day— and to make these convertible and re- convertible with legal tenders at the will of the holder. Bonds bearing a higherrate of in- terest are to be taken up by these, and he pro- poses to allow the national banks to use them in place of the legal tender reserves. No .doubt this would tend to make money cheap, and would regulate the rate of interest gen- erally throughout the country. But why keep up the national bank circulation at all? Why not have a uniform legal tender currency? Then, what is to be the limit of the circulat- ing medium? Or is thereto be no other limit than the demands of the country? It is sup- posed, we presume, that the convertibility of bonds and money would regulate the needed volume of currency at all times. There seem to be good features in the proposition, but still it is a difficult one to handle. Castztan Has No Pant on Lor m THE Marrzn—that is, in the reaction in Spain—if we can rely upon the reports from Madrid. It is said he has gone to Paris, after having expressed disgust at the demagogues and revo- lutionists who had overturned his government and established bayonet rule. Though he may not see any virtue in the revolutionists or honesty in their purpose, we have no doubt Mr. Fish will. It is natural that at first our Secretary of State should regret the overthrow of his friend and protégé, Castelar; but it will not be many days before Serrano and the rest of the revolutionists and reactionists will be invested by him with the best and most liberal intentions. Spanish influence and ideas are so powerful at the State Department that everything pertaining to Spain and her interests must agsume a rose colote the Virginius Negotiations, We have confidently looked torward to the Grant’s Nomination of Williams—What ‘Will He Do with It? The Bar Association met last evening, and, Publication of the correspondence im the Vir- | although the ramor of the withdrawal of ginius case for a justification before the | Attorney General Williams’ mame was cir- country of our special despatches from Madrid, whose veraciousness was so steadily impugned by the partisan press ot the instige- counts a great deal on the way in which it can train the people to shout, Nothing so much isconcerts it aa the knowledge that the out- side world is likely to discover whither. the diplomacy is tending. If it could keep mat- ters secret it might have its little surprise for the people. A single ray of light disturbs the burrowing diplomate, and a flood of lnmi- nosity drives him , frantic. It would be difficult, indeed, otherwise to account for the studiousness with which the State Department inspired countless partisan paragraphists with denials of the truth of the Hxnau informa- tion, It was curious to observe the joy with which the partisan sheets struck out into all sorts of base charges against the Hxnau. According to these “inspired’’ worthies we were engaged exclusively in the fabrica- tion of Madrid despatches for the purpose of fomenting a war with Spain. We have no doubt that, as the partisan editors were deceived by the wily Secretary Buchu, of Washington, some of the public were deceived by the partisan editor. Now that the correspondence has been published the truth appears—namely, that the Hzratp despatches were correct, and that Buchu diplomacy failed to obscure a question for us which it was muddling successfully for the rest of the world. The partisan editor, in such a case, is indeed an object of pity. Not daring to look into a question further than his party chain and collar will permit, his attempts to cry down the work of untrammelled searchers after truth must al- ways be lamentable; for it is trampled man- hood within him inventing an excuse for the garb of the flanky which he wears. It will be remembered that the series of State Department denials of Henarp de- spatches commenced about the time that the Hera published the points of the ultimatum of the American government, presented through Minister Sickles, in Madrid. It was freely stated that no such ultimatum had been presented. The correspondence en- tirely justifies the Hanarp. The demands were made substantially as telegraphed to this journal If they were not held on to as an ultimatum should have been it was because an invertebrate Secretary of State allowed the case to be moved from Madrid to Washington. When the Henaup stated that Minister Sickles was in danger from the mob the State Department again put forth its denials, and added that Spain was acting in good faith. When the news of Sickles’ resig- nation was forwarded there came from the State Department first a denial, then a well- covered inuendo that the Minister was exceed- ing his instructions and likely to bring about awar. These small, paltry dishonesties to the public are severally nailed in the cor- Tespondence. He had resigned, and he had not exceeded his instructions. What seems difficult of explanation even now is why the Secretary of State took the case to Washington at the moment when Spain was about to yield all in Madrid. The most charitable explanation is that the transfer was made out of a blind, enormous vanity which believed the Spanish Minister when he said in effect:—‘‘We, and we alone, can settle this between us.’’ The first effect of this removal was an encouragement to the Spanish gov- ernment to insult our Minister by making 8 false statement of its position to him. The Secretary of State seems to have rather re- joiced in this duplicity, The Hznatp de- spatches of that date said that Minister Sickles doubted the sincerity of the Spaniards. Even Mr. Fish will admit that the Hzzauy was right in this, for the correspondence reveals the same opinion, although the State Depart- ment saw fit to deny it. It is certain that from the moment the case was transferred to Washington it commenced to lose its clear-cut features. Then it was tit all the small juggling points were introduced which left America such a barren victory. From the signing of the protocol to the furtive surrender of the filth covered Virginius and thence to her sinking off Cape Fear, we have an instance of the political di- minuendo, which, in music, Rubinstein could not equal, We hear something of a treaty right upheld; of o ship delivered; of survivors surrendered ; but of the murders done by the Spaniards we hear not a word. Tt was one of the original demands ‘that the Spanish government manifest, by signal pun- ishment to be inflicted on them, its sense of the misconduct of those of its servants who were concerned in the capture of the said ves- sel and in the execution of the passengers and crew thereof.” The President declares that the right of a regularly documented vessel to carry the American flag is one which the United States alone can decide. He also declares that the right of search or visitation of such a vessel in time of peace does not exist, These two declarations are suf- ficient to show that no justification has been or can be given for the murder of the fifty-three persons taken from on board the regularly documented American ship Virginius. It is degrading indeed to think that, with such clear light on the subject, the punishment of the murderers and the indemnity for the killed should be allowed to lapse. The extract we have given above shows that the government was at one time conscious of ite duty. The Hznatp has done its duty in the premises. It has advocated the vindica- tion of the honor of the flag; it has told the trne story of the negotiations from day to day. ‘The State Department has failed to vindioste the outraged honor of the fing, and it delibe- rately discredited the truths told in these columns. Prosrerrry at tHE Litriz Exp oF THE Horn.—The Boston Advertiser says the cities of the Commonwealth make an excellent ex- hibit of prosperity in the annual official re- ports, And yet the indebtedness of the prin- cipal cities, with two or three exceptions, is shown to be materially increased over the in- debtedness of 1873, Prosperity of this kind, it may be thought, if continually maintained, is likely to be productive of anything but re- mnnerative elements, culated tn the meeting, it was thought neces- sary, in the absence of official information, to passa series of resolutions condemnatory of his nomination for Chief Justice, They are are very severe and pointed, and will be found elsewhere. Many excellant reasons for the withdrawal.of Mr. Williams’ name have been given, but still it may not have been withdrawn; and in the cloud of contradictory statements from Washington on this point the weight of probability is with the assertion that the nomination will be left in the hands of the Senate, for the President is unlikely to relinquish a deliberately formed purpose. We have some dim remembrance of am observa- tion on his part that he could have no policy to be maintained in opposition to on intelli- gent general view of the public interest ; but on that point he may have changed his mind. It is scarcely credible that the President should not by this time understand that the nomina- tion of Mr. Williams is thoroughly and irre- trievably a bad one; No doubt a bad nomina- tion might be made by any man in the Presi- dent's position—more especially for an office like that of Ohiéf Justice. With somewhat easy ideas of’ official obligation the President seems to fancy. that one man is as good as another for almost any place, and his preferences and designations are cer- tainly without relation to special qualities in his candidates ; he, therefore, may not have considered very deeply the qualifica- tions proper for the Chief Justiceship, and have thought he was choosing wonderfully well in naming Mr. Williams, But he can scarcely suppose the reasons made public against the confirmation to be fictitious, and they are such as should have induced him to reconsider his nomination ; and the fact that he has not reconsidered it is discreditable, for his “adherence to his friends" in this case is simply an obstinate defiance to evidence against them, Every one will regret to see # proposition made in'connsction with the probable rejec- tion of Mr. Williams by the Senate for legisla- tion against the office of Chief Justice, in which Senator Conkling comes forward as the henchman of General Grant’s unworthy pur- pose. It is not the first time we have heard the proposition to change some law under which General Grant's nominations had been found unsatisfactory ; and such propositions are not pleasant for the people to contemplate, as they imply the notion that the President's willis of more consequence than the law—and that where the two are in actual or moral con- flict it is the law that is probably unjust or improper, and ought to give way. Aside from this, the notion that the Chief Justiceship should be abolished forthwith because the Senate will not let. the President fill it as he may choose hds an air of childish peevish- ness that is amusingly little, That a child should storm out in its small way and anni- hilate some toy in regard to which it had been thwarted and crossed is natural; but that the President’ should imitate such childish conduct in grave political emergencies was hardly to be looked for. Shall we apply a similar reasoning through our political sys- tem? Shall we abolish every high place, every position of moral or political grandeur, because the appointing power has notin the list of its favored ones a man that fills the conditions of the office? Shall we level down our whole administrative system to ‘the meanest capacity?’’ We believe that Con- gress will fittingly rebuke this proposition if it comes before it, Mr. Williams’ opinion on the Virginius is, of course, the one immediate fact that has made his confirmation impossible, because its bad law affords the Senate sure and good ground for refusing to appoint him to the head place in our judicial organization. Other reasons there are in abundance—and some of them may be substantial and convincing ones to many minds—but the Virginius opinion has come to relieve Senators of the necessity of touching those reasons that are less proper to be brought forward in such a: connection, however convincing they may in reality have been. Few intimations, and those unlikely, are given as to what the President will do next in regard to this appointment; but it is likely the course events have taken will insure us against a bad or unworthy Chief Justice, while they may give us one of the several gentlemen who are eminently fit for the place. We have seen the accomplishment, in great degree, of the object with which we first began, some months ago, to discuss the appointment of Mr. Chase's successor, Our apprehen- sion that the office would be filled on the ‘personal favorite’ principle was not ill- founded, but the success with which we at- tracted public attention to the subject has de- feated that plan; and public attention, thus once fixed on s point of this nature, will not give way, and will exact the rejection by the Senate of every name but one in all ways proper. The Cuban rrection—Im portant Victory Over the Spaniards, One of the most important battles which has taken place in Cubs since the outbreak of the insurrection was fought early in Decem- ber, between a Spanish column and the forces commanded by General Maximo Gomez. Victory remained with the Cubans, and the Spaniards left on the field over two hundred men killed. The details of the fight reached us through the little insurgent journal printed in Cuba Libre, which publishes General Gomez's report to the Ouban Secretary of War. The patriots have displayed remarkable energy and enterprise within the last few months, and the snocess which hag attended their military operations furnishes strong argument in favor of the recognition of their belligerency. The Hznaup mission to’ Cuba Libre had the effect of awakening public interest in the Cuban question, and the events now trenspiring are the. best proofs of the ac- curacy of the information furnished by the Heratp commissioners as to the really for- midable character of the ingurrection. Spanish sympathizers try to persuade Americans that the war is maintained only by fugitive bands of negroes; but the victories of Santa Maria and Palo Seco, taken in connection with the attack and partial destruction of important towns like Manzanillo, Jibara, Holguin and Santa Cruz, dre sufficient answer to such statements, After straggling for more than five years against overwhelming odds the vitality of: the insurrection is greater than ever. ‘In the first few months of the revolt there were more men in the field, it is true, but there never were so many armed soldiers'as there are to-day. So far from tha canse of Cuba being being desperate, it never, at any time, looked ‘so bright as now. With their own strong arms the men in the field have won the resources necessary to ensble them ta continue the struggle, and it only their emi- grant countrymen would forget their quarrels. and divisions and pull together the Cuban cause might, within a short time, ‘be in such a position as to forces recognition of belligerent rights even from the pro-Spanish government at’ Washington. Civil Rights in Congress. The representatives of the nation are again called upon to create a legal equality for the colored citizens, Practically the equality ex. ists in’ all matters political. Whether » peo- ple or class can be legislated into social equality is a.question fairly open to contro. yeray. . The white, people of, the South natu. rally-shrink from contact with the freedmen in social life, and urge that it is better to allow the status of the negro in society to be settled by time than to endeavor to settle it arbitrarily by legislation. At present the two races have churches and schools apart, an ar- rangement that is found to give good’ resulta, and satisfies all roasonable men on both sides. Some people wish to go a step further, and throw the schools and institutions open to all, without distinction of color. We scarcely think that this is necessary. ' The interest of the people of the South would be better served by allowing social equality to grow with time, as the result of an <inéreased intelligence among the massés of the colored people. It may be well to remark that those men who so far forget the changed status of the colored people as to insult their representatives on the floor of the House of Representatives do more real harm to the cause of the Southern whites than the most fanatic, of the equal rights party could do. The ‘colored Congressmen will be protected in the exorcise of all their just privileges by the public opinion of tho nation, and it would be well for the semi- reconstracted to keep the fact in mind. ‘The reply of Mr.’ Eiliott, a colored repre- sentative from South Carolina, to the argue ments of, Mr. Stephens, and his dignified re- buke to Mr. Harris, show that both in ability: and good manners ‘the. colored) Congressman is superior to some of the men who denounce all men of African blood as an inferior race, . In so far as the Civil Rights bill seeks . to protect the colored people im the free use of public ‘conveyances and hotels we think it will, meot the Approval of the majority of the nation. The advocates of the measure’ought not, however, to push the question into the public schools, or in institutions where the wants of the colored people can be as well provided for in: separate establishments, Both parties might gain by the exhibition of a more consiliatory disposition. Chaotic Spain. Serrano’s brand new government is threat- ened.on all sides by the ill will of the popu- lace. Partial risings are reported in Malaga and Valladolid, but no serious conflicts have taken place as yet. How long, the armed! truce will be maintained it is impossible to say, but the men who have seized on power in defiance of legality and popular right, in order to secure their power, have be- gun the disarmament of the republicans all over the country. The attack on Cartagena is being pushed with renewed vigor, now that the Republic is out of the way, and the military conspirators are putting forth all their energies to secure the position the weak- ness or sudden conservatism of Castelar hag allowed them to seize. Everything points to Castelar’s having prepared the way for the ad- ‘vent to power of the conservatives. Whether the result will meet their: expectations or hig remains to be seen. So far from hastening the return of Alfonso to the throne, as Ser- rano and his fellow conspirators hope, the coup d'élat may yet lead to the triumph of the red federal Republic. Noone can tell what’ the morrow may bring in the matter of politi- cal developments in a country like Spain. ‘The federalists at Cartagena, ao far from being disheartened by the news of Castelar’s over« throw and the advent to power of Serrano, Tejoice at it, They have made several des- perate sorties, and so far havo successfully re- pulsed the attacks of the besiegers. It may be that before many days we may see a gen- eral uprising of the extreme republicans and the inauguration of a new struggle for power. It-is to the tender mercy of such a band of brigands that our government abandons tha Cuban people, under the pretence of friendli- ness to republican institutions, Surely the farce has been carried far enough, and it ia time for us to show some respect for our na tional dignity, and a little sense of justice and humanity, by scaring away the vultures that are preying on prostrate Cuba. The Savings Banks. Governot Dix thinks. the savings bank« want o little regulating. He: considers, evi- dently, from the language of his Message, that they are not as secure as they might be, He does not see how they can afford safely ta pay six per cent on the enormous deposits in this State of three hundred and fourteen mil- lions. But in the rivalry for business some banks pay or profess to pay more than six per cent. As tha Governor well remarks, abso- Inte security to depositors is the first and most important thing to be provided for. As a consequence he wants tho law amended so og to prevent any director or other officer of vings banks being an officer of banks of t,. He wishes, too, the amount of do. posit by any one person to be limited so as to prevent capitalists using these institutions, While we commend ‘his views with regard ta giving’ perfect security to depositors we de not lose. sight of the fact that the savings ponks make great profits. They do this in other ways than by loans and investments. For example, during the late panic a ‘great deal must have been made by the forfeiture of interest on the deposits withdrawn. Weknow of one case where a savings bank ‘held a de. posit of five hundred dollars within a few days of six months, and refused to pay any interest when the money was withdrawn becauge the regular period for payment had not quite come round, How many other depositors losi their interest in the same way during the panic? The sum in the aggregate must hay | 2