The New York Herald Newspaper, January 16, 1874, Page 8

6 NEW YORK HERALD BROADWAY AND ASN STREET. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR Te «Mo. 16 Volume XXXIX. MENTS THIS EVENING, seceetiiestinaereme OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broadway. between Houston aud Bleecker streets,— GABRIEL GRUB, at3 P. M.; closes atl P.M. Majilton- Maynor family. OOKLYN PARK THEATR BROOK mar opposite City Hall, Brooklyo.— ol IB ARKAN. SAS TRAVELLER, ot 8 P. ML; closes at Wud P.M. FF, & Cheatrau, BOWERY THEATRE, Rowery.—LIGATNING BOB, at 8 P. M.; closes at 11 P.M. Mr. Marius Turck. MPTROPOLI No, $85 Brondtay, VALERY 7457. M.; closes at 10:30P, ML THEAT: ENVEWTAINWENT, at NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway, between and Houston streets.— KOM«O JAF Ht dara atoP.M.; THE BELLIES OF THE KITCHEN, at 9 PM; closes at 10:3 P.M. Vokes Family, Mr, Letfingwell. ‘Woop'? MUSEUM, Broadway, corner Thirtleth street.—PERFECTION, at 21 M.; closes at4:90 P.M. BEN McCULLOUGH, até P. M.. closes at LLP. M, OQ, rou. ” GRAND OPERA HOUSE, Kighth avenue and Twenty-third street.—HUMPTY DU MPEY AapOad, aT PL OX. .j closes wi i0:to P.M, tr Gk ne, FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE, Hhig er and sirest aad Broadway. SARATOGA, at SE ey Gineee a Harkins Miss. Da. ad JRNALISTEN, at SP. M; Closes at ll P.M. z y MRS. CONWAY'S BROOKLYN THRATRE, Washington street, Brooklyp,—LED ASTRAY, at 5 P.M; closes at PM. Mr. Frauk Roche, Mrs. #. B. Couway. WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway and Thirteenth street.—A MAN OF HONOR, ALP. Me; closes at 0:0 P.M. Mr. Lester Wallack, Miss Deland. BOOTHS THEATRE, Sixth avenue and Twenty-third siree.—LA FEMME DE YEU, ut7 4d PLM. ; closes at P.M, Mrs. J. B, Booth. s TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, No. 21 Bowery.—VARLETY ENTGRTAINMENT, at 8 P. ‘M. | closes ai Li . RR ‘Twenty-third stre ELLA’IN BL BM. ; closes at 10 T'S OPERA HOUS corner of Sixth a NEGRO MINSTRE! ROBINSON HALL, Sixteenth street —THE PICCANINNIES, from London. Aiternoou, at 3. Evening, at& Great J. at ot alee lace. ~PILGRIM ireat Jones street ans aye eC. Ss PROGRESS, ats P. M.; closes at 9 P.M i TRIPLE SHEET. THE NEWS OF YESTERDAY. 'To-Day’s Contents of the Herald. “THE OHEAP TRANSPORTATION QUESTION! INTERES® OF NEW YORK IN) IT’— LEADER—SIXTH Pace. BARCELONA INTRANSIGENTES YIELD. TO | THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT FORUES! | DISPOSAL OF THE FUGITIVES TO ALGERIA! CORTES REQUESTS CASTELAR TO ISSUE | A MANIPESTO—SevENTH Pace. BATTLE IN CUBA BETWEEN THE SPAN UNVER ESPONDA AND THE INS ANOTHER PATRIOT VICTORY—SkvEN' PaGE. BiGH HANDED ACTS OF SPANIARDS IN THE WEST INDIES! THE KIDNAPPING OF CISNEROS FROM BENEATH THE BRITISH FLAG! QUEER CONSULAR ACTION! THE OUTRAGEOUS BOARDING UF AN AMERI- CAN VESSEL—Firtu PacE. BRITISH OPINION ON THE COST OF PLACING AMERICA ON A WAR FOOTING—THE PHILADELPHIA MAYOKALTY AND THE HERALD—FirTH Pace. DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF STORES FOR THE ASHANTEE EXPEDITION — IMPORTANT | GENERAL NEWS—SEVENTH Pace. THE CAMPAIGN ON THE AFRICAN GOLD COAST! TEDIOUS WAITING FOR NEWS ON THE PART OF THE HERALD’S SPECIAL! SIR GARNET AND THE JOURNALISTS! SAILING ALONG THE COAST! FINE SCENERY! MIs- SION*WORK—Fovetu Pac. #18. ROSCOE CONKING THE NEW NOMINEE FOR THE SUPREME BENCH! SPECIAL ITEMS FROM WASHINGTON CITY—TROUBLED TEXAS—SBVENTH Pace. CLOSE OF A SOUTH AMERICAN REVOLUTION! GENERAL JORDAN IN FLIGHT, AND EN- TRE RIOS AGAIN QUIETED—SrvenTH PaGE. GENERAL BAFZ TELLS A HERALD CORRE- SPONSENT WHY HE WAS OVERTHROWN IN ST. DOMINGU! THE SAMANA SCHEME— FourtH Pack. THE COOKES’ CREDITORS IN SESSION IN PHIL- ADELPHIA! AN EXCITING SESSION! PRIVATE PROVISION FOR FAMILIES— THIRD Page, WORK FOR IDLE HANDS! THE RESOLUTIONS TABLED IN THE COMMON COUNCIL! SIN- GULAR STATEMENTS—Tuirp Pace, NATIONAL FINANCES IN THE NATIONAL SEN- ATE! MR. MORTON’S VIEWS! THE HOUSE PASSES THE NAVAL APPROPRIA- TION BILL—FirTH PaGE. PostaL SAVINGS BANKS AND THE FINANCIAL QUESTION! AFFAIRS AT THE MONETARY CENTRE—NintH Pace. WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE YESTERDAY! THE AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITU- TION—THIRD PaGE. THE MURDEROUS WORK OF YOUNG FREEMAN IN JERSEY CITY! FURTHER DEVELOP- MENTS OF THE SAD CASE—TentTa Pace. NEW DOMINION POLITICS AND POLITICAL SCANDALS! THE “PARTY OF PURITY!” OPEN BRIBERY OF ELECTORS—E:cutn PaaE. THE RYAN AND NEILSON MURDER INQUESTS— ONE OF THE MASKED BURGLARS AT- TEMPTS TO BREAK JAIL—SLEIGHING— Egat Pace. THE Peace aT Baroxztona.—Serrano goes on conquering. Peace is restored at Barcelona. The intransigentes have surrendered, and the authority of the government is established in that city. The next thing we expect to hear is that the Osrlists have abandoned their mountain fastnesses and found refuge in France. Unlike the intransigentes they must The Oheap Transportation Katorest ef New York Ia It. Next to the subject of adjusting the national finances, #0 as to relieve the necessities of the government without imposing fresh taxes or i the public debt, there is no other 80 vat and urgent as that of cheap transportation between the West and Atlantic seaboard. In fact, while the first can and Ought to be disposed of promptly, by cutting down expenditures to meet the actual and sufficient income of the government, the latter requires careful consideration, for the pros- perity of both the country generally and this great commercial metropolis is involved to a great extent in that. The various proposi- tions submitted to Congress on the subject, the appointment of a special committee of that body to investigate it, the action of State merce, boards of trade and other bodies of this city and other cities show its importance and the deep interest it has awakened every- where. The Committee on Cheap ‘Transportation, appointed by the last Congress, spent a great deal of time last summer and fall making in- vestigations in New York, St. Louis, New Orleans ‘and other places. We shall have be- fore long, probably, an exhaustive report from that body. The New York Chamber of Com- merce has had the matter under consideration for some time, At a special meeting last Saturday Mr. Raggles submitted a series of resolutions, which were ordered to be printed and to lay over for future action, showing the enormous surplus products of the country which need an outlet to the Atlantic and for- eign markets. The gist of the subject was embodied in the resolution: —*‘That in the judgment of the Chamber of Commerce the agricultural, commercial and political interests of the American Union all demand properly constructed and well managed canals and rail- ways, of capacity and extent adequate to the work of carrying annually to the seaboard the large portion of this immense product of cereals required for supplying the States on the Atlantic and foreign nations in Europe and elsewhere." Mr. Ruggles had shown in a previous resolution that the cereal products of the Western States north of the Ohio River and west of the mountains amounted, in round numbers, to twenty-one million tons, and that eleven million tons at most were sufficient for the consumption of those States, thus leaving ten millions for exportation. There is not anything like adequate trans- portation at present for these surplus prod- ucts, to say nothing of the enormous amount of freightage required for cattle, hogs, cotton, merchandise and other things. At the monthly meeting of the directors of the New York Cheap Transportation Association, on Tuesday, the question was considered in its different aspects, particularly with regard to narrow gauge railways and the facilities needed in this city for cheap handling and storage of produce and merchandise. We shall refer to this latter subject further on, as the commercial interests and future of New York are especially involved. The National Board of Trade, in session at Balti- more, and the National Cheap Transportation Convention, now assembled at Washington, | are giving serious attention to the matter of cheap transportation. ‘Two bills were intro- Legislatures and of the chambers of com- In fact, in view of the exigencies of correcting railroad monopoly and extortion, of the over- charges made to pay interest on watered and fictitious capital, and of the necessity to relieve producers and commerce, the duty is incum- bent on Congress to do so without delay. Mr. Josiah Quincy, the Chairman of the National Cheap Transportation Convention at Washing- ton, advocated in his opening address legis- lative restriction on railroads in the matter of freights, as well as the construction of great national water lines, and his remarks were re- ceived by the Convention with great applause. The bill submitted by Mr. Woodworth to the House of Representatives, to which we have referred, embodies this idea of regulating rail- road freights. Some such measure is neces- sary, though Congress should be careful to re- spect the legitimate rights of property and not paralyze the enterprise of capital while pro- tecting the public and promoting commerce. The bill of Mr. Holman for a double track freight railroad from New York to the Mis- souri River on the most direct and practicable route merits the serious consideration of Con- gress and the capitalists of this city. We do not like that feature in it providing for the guarantee of five per cent interest on a portion of the cost of construction by the United States government. It is proposed to issue bonds to the amount of a hundred millions of dollars. The amount to which the United States would be liable for interest is not stated even approximately. After the experience with the Pacific Railroad job, and looking at the financial condition of the government, we are not disposed to favor a proposition involv- ing the government in any such liability, however guarded the law might be framed. If any aid, by chartered privileges or other- wise, can be given to the enterprise by Con- gress, short of repeating the disastrous Pacific Railroad experiment, it ought to be given, for such a work would prove a great national benefit. If this proposed railroad could be made to pay, and we think it could, capital might be found, perhaps, for its construction, provided Congress should give all the encour- agement possible, without assuming responsi- bility for interest on the debt of the company. The city of New York is interested especially in this question of cheap transportation, though it is one that concerns every section of the country. This is the great commercial centre. While there is no reason to fear any other place can supersede it or rival it as the entrepét of commerce, it might lose advan- tages and not advance relatively with the growth of the country from the want of cheap facilities of transportation and cheaper means of handling and shipping produce and mer- chandise. With regard to cheap transporta- tion with the interior, and especially with the West, the freight railroad to which we have referred, the regulation of freight charges by legislation and due attention to our canals would go far to accomplish the object. But the great cost of handling, shipping and re- shipping produce and merchandise at this port is a serious drawback. Yet no city in the world is as well or better situated for transferring commodities to and from vessels. We have deep water nearly all round the island, and the island is but a nar- row strip of land. Yet the landing and ship- ping of produce and merchandise and the cartage are most expensive. To remedy the evil we must have better dock and storage duced in Congress on Monday with a view to accomplish the object. That by Mr. Hurlbut, of Dlinois, was to charter a double track railway from tide water on the Huds on or New York Bay to the Missouri River at Cuuncil Bluffs or other convenient point, and to limit the freights thereon. The bill of Mr. Woodworth, of Ohio, is for establishing a Bureau of Transportation and to regulate the management of railroad and transportation companies employed in interstate commerce. Both bills were referred to the Committee on Railways and Canals. There are many other movements to the same end, which cannot be mentioned within the limits of this article, all going to show the pressing necessity of some- thing being done to promote cheap transpor- tation so that markets may be reached for our superabundant produce. This is, however, a question not easy to be solved, and requires careful legislation. Something must be done, evidently, and that soon, before the channels of trade be diverted and the progress of prosperity in the West be seriously checked. ‘The difficulty is how to avoid federal expenditure and jobbery such as were seen in the Pacific Railroad and other works and schemes, and yet to do what is Necessary to promote the public interests. Then, the tendency of the public mind, as well as of the national legislature, is, and has been since the war, to look to the federal gov- ernment for everything. This is tending to imperialism under the form of republicanism. It is dangerous. It leads to Cesarism. The several States, of course, accept whatever they can gét from the federal government, without considering the principle involved or ulterior consequences. But the true policy is to con- fine the federal government to expenditures of a strictly national character. Some of the schemes of improvement proposed belong properly to the States, and should be executed by them, thongh certain national interests might incidentally be promoted. Let us, for example, take the projected improvements in the harbor and wharves of New York. This being the commercial emporium of the Re- public the whole country will incidentally, more or less, derive advantages trom the facilities that will be given to commerce and the shipping interests here. Still we intend to make these improvements at our own cost, and not to call upon Congress for aid. Let, then, the different States rely upon themselves and their own resources as far as possible, and not urge measures tending to turn the federal government into a centralized despot- ism like that of the nations of Europe. But there are questions relating to our interstate commerce fairly and legitimately seck and find a refuge on land. As yet they have no navy, and they are little likely now to find one. Tar Late German Exzcrions.—It was ex- pected by some that the elections in Germany, the result of which is now before the public, would be against the policy of Prince Bis- marck. The expectation has been disappointed. One hundred ultramontanes as against two hundred and thirty ministerial liberals is a | very poor opposition show. Germany is more in sympathy with Bismarck than a large sec- tion of the public was disposed to believe. As regards the Church, therefore, there will be no change of policy» national in their character. The constitution provides that Congress shall have power to regulate commerce among the several States. State rights men of former times, of the strictest school, never denied that power. ‘The old postal roads established by Congress show this. Our railroad system generally comes under the provision, for railroads, like the great rivers running through many States, are the arteries of commerce. It is within the power of Congress, there- fore, not only to charter a freight or any otber railroad from the Atlantic seaboard to the Far West, but also to regulate the railroads already in existence which traverse the several States. facilities, improved slips and wharves, grain elevators at points where vessels aud the termini of the different railways might come together, lateral railways for freight along the wharves and cross-town railways in- tersecting these—every facility possible, in fact, for the cheap and rapid transfer of mer- chandise and produce. We have not space here to enter into the details of these neces- sary improvements. Every one must admit, however, the urgency of them. That con- ceded, there is skill and means enough to carry them out on a scale worthy of this great and rich city. Will our merchants and capi- talists give their attention to this important matter? There is no want of means, as was said, and whatever legislation is necessary can be obtained at Albany. Foreign Interests in Japan. The Japanese government displays a very unyielding spirit in its diplomacy with the great outside Powers on the subject of ex- territorial or foreign jurisdiction within the limits of the Empire. This position evidences a native ministerialist disposition to neutral- ize, as far as may be possible with safety, the working of the treaties concluded with the great Christian governments. It is impos- sible to maintain profitable commercial rela- tions with Japan unless 1 free and indepen- dent power of ex-territorial legal rale is per- mitted to the mercahtile community, in the ports of the Empire particularly. A Japanese special mission is about to be despatched to St. Petersburg. It may be that the personal in- clination of the Mikado tends towards Russia, an incident which the Czar will not be slow to avail himself of, provided it should present. The great Asiatic imperialisms would be drawn closer in everyday interests, and it may be that the Emperor Alexander will attempt to rectify his territorial boun- daries and stand as a friendly mediator be- tween the aged dynasties of China and Japan. Should he do so disinterestedly, in the inter- ests of civilization generally, it would be well; but should he, on the contrary, attempt the fruition of any peculiarly selfish or ex- clusive Russian policy he will find that the work of regeneration in Asia is of cosmopoli- tan duty for the great Powers, including the United States. The Japanese negotiations with the Republic of Pern, for the extingnish- ment of the coolie traffic, promise very im- portant results to the cause of humanity. Tae Brack anp Tax Repvsric.—Onur friend and ally, the noble Baez, who wanted to sell out his rather shaky claim to the St. Domingo diggings, has arrived in St. Thomas, hav- ing parted from his Dominican friends in rather a happy manner. They are a mercurial people in the favored land of Samana, and like a change, so they shipped poor Baez, who was not clever enough to sell them out, though he ‘was rogue enough to desire to do so. The pepper-and-salt colored inhabitants rather like a rogue if he be clever; but Bacz’s faux pas lost him in their estimation. He will now have to apply to President Grant for a situa- tion. It is, perhaps, fortunate that Cushing withdrew from the Chief Justiceship. Presi- dent Grant can now offer it to Baez. Perhaps he would take it. NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1874.—TRIPLE SHKET. Roscoe Conkling the Third Cholee. ‘The President's third choice for Chief Jus- tice is distinctly stated to have fallen upon Senator Roscoe Conkling, of this State, and the Senator is reported to have accepted the proffered honor. After all the surmise about his intentions General Grant has gone atraight back to the bosom of the republican party’ for his Chiet Justice, and itis doubtless true that in this case the President has only returned to his first thought on the matter, Tho ability of Senator Conkling to fill the position with credit has been admitted pretty freely, and the greatest objection to him that can be brought forward is his ficrce, uncompromising partisanship. As, how- ever, this lies on the side which possesses the majority in the Senate, it is not hard to prophesy that it may prove an adyantage to him. The temper of the Senate on the pre- vious nominations points to this, It would seem that Senator Conkling will have received the nomination as a pleasant surprise, for it,is scarcely a week since he was reported to have prepared a bill for the abolition of the office for which he has accepted the nomination. It is not improbable, unless the Senate confirm him at once, that, when his name has been before the country for a few days, the maligners of republicans will open their batteries upon him as _ the maligners of old-time democrats fired upon Caleb Cushing. The public will then know all about Mr. Conkling. For the present it may be sufficient to state that he was born in Albany, in this State, in 1828; re- ceived a fair education ; adopted the profes- sion of law; in 1849 was appointed District Attorney for Onieda county; in 1858 he was elected Mayor of Utica, to which place he had removed in 1846, and was elected a Representative from New York to the Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Congresses. He was re- elected a Representative to the Fortieth Con- gress, but in January, 1867, was chosen Senator in Congress for the term ending in 1873. He was re-elected Senator in 1873, and must resign this position before his name is submitted to the Senate for confirmation. It is withal a nomination not to be gleeful over. More International Trouble for Spain— A Pro.Spanish British Vice Consul. The letter of our Havana correspondent, published elsewhere, gives us details regard- ing another case of obnoxious interference on the part of the Spaniards with our mercantile marine in the West Indian waters. It would seem that the overhauling of the Virginius and what flowed therefrom has in nowise en- joined caution on the Spanish officials in their action towards vessels sailing under our flag. Captain Blakeney’s protest against and refusal tocomply with the orders of the Spanish officer who boarded his schooner, the Margaret, were worthy of an American ‘‘salt;’’ but we are decidedly anxious that the matter be not allowed to rést there. There is nothing to justify the ‘‘visitation” of the Margaret by the Sponiards. Every case of the kind must be diligently inquired into and the proper satis- faction demanded. The Spaniards must cease from such overbearing conduct. They are perfectly aware that it is to American forbear- auce they owe their immunity; let them be taught that we are vigilant as well as strong, and that every act of the kind entails greater or less punishment. Another case, which shows the wily despera- tion of the Spanish officials, and which reflects most discreditably upon an English official— Vice Consul Crawford—is that of young Cisneros, whose arrest was telegraphed some days ago. It may be worth while recalling that the despatch which the Spanish officials allowed to pass on the subject declared that Cisneros “landed of his own free will.” This now appears to have been, in a certain sense, the case; but the details furnished by our correspondent show that the phrase was only @ mean piece of Spanish special pleading. The young man was inveigled ashore by two of the Spanish police, who professed to be friends of his, and was then pounced upon by them and imprisoned. The vessel was a British steamer, and whether the act of the Spanish police was one which England can silently condone is, of course, an English question. Bpt, from what came after the arrest, there is every reason to believe that England must take decisive action upon the conduct of her Vice Consul. We can hardly believe that it is any part of a British Consul’s duty to play the part of pur- veyor of evidence to the Spanish police. Yet Vice Consul Crawford went so far as to give them an order for the baggage of young Cis- neros, which was upon the British steamer Eider and which they could not obtain with- out his order. This officer, it is understood, has such commercial relations in Cuba that he must perforce take Spanish views on all inter- national questions; but it is worth know- ing whether England will be satis- fied with such an official. It now becomes the question whether England will sustain this Spanish policemanship of her Vice Consul. If, as seems probable, the con- demnation of Cisneros should be entirely based on the evidence gained by the Consul’s superserviceable if not illegal order to remove effects from British territory, it may and ought to become the duty of England to interfere on the behalf of Cisneros in some shape. At least the British government will feel a degree of shame that among its ser- vants abroad it numbers a creature like Vice Consul Crawford—so pliant to Spanish in- fluence, so forgetful of his country’s dignity and so ready to degrade his consular office to the level of a policeman’s clerk. The Labor Question—Urgent Need of Employment for the Poor, It is one of the beauties of our present sys- tem of government that while there is work needed to be done and thousands willing to work are starving for want of bread a squab- ble among Aldermen prevents any step towards alleviating widespread distress. We publish elsewhere interviows with the Mayor and Commissioner of Public Works, neither of whom is willing to accept responsibility for the failure to come to the aid of the suf- fering and indastrious poor, but try to shift the blame to the shoulders of the Common Council. The Council, in turn, charge the Mayor with obstructing their good inten- tions, And so the unseemly squabble goes on while the hungry people ask for bread and work. The poor can- not starve. and the city must either food them or give them work. Tt is there- fore the interest of the city that employment shall be furnished to the poor, so as tp render public charity unnecessary. The smount of distress existing among the working classes, not alone in this city but all over the country, is unusually great, and is due to circumstances wholly beyond their con- trol. In view of the exceptional distress ex- isting it would be both wise and politic to give as much employment on the public works as regard for the general interest will sanc- tion. But it is disgraceful that misunder- standings and jealousies between public offi- cials should be allowed to stand in the way of prompt ahd efficient aid being extended to alleviate the sufferings of thousands of the honest poor. There ought to be no further delay in this matter. Whoever is standing in the way of setting the starving people to work is incurring a grave responsibility, and one for which he will have to answer at the bar of public opinion unless he stands aside. Modern Journalism—Our ‘Ashantee Core respondence. The letter from Cape Coast Castle printed in another part of the Hrnaxp is but one of a series of the class of correspondence which we have been laying before our readers since the new era of modern journalism dawned. Lively, chatty, sparkling with camp badinage and | varied with graphic paragraphs of descrip- tion, the blasé atmosphere of an English colonial army has rarely beon drawn with such happy touches of the pen. The picture is complete. We recognize in the opening lines the style of an accomplished writer and the haphazard, easy-going criticism of that old campaigner, Mr, Henry M. Stanley. “Correspondents like myself,’ says Mr. Stanley, “accustomed to the display of human powers, of deadly pyrotechnics, to the hearing of a great deal of noise and fanfaro- nade, found it hard work to live week after week in a Fantee hut, situated in a malarious valley, doing nothing but smelling the abominations around us or counting the minutes which must elapse before being prostrated by another attack of fever, listening to the tweedledee and tweedledum of Fantee music, staring in a kind of lack- lustre-eyed way at the antics of sireless little niggers, who seem to have been born God knows how.”’ The stagnation was too weary- ing, and, overcome by the feeling that “life is short,” our correspondent, with a party of convives, started out on a voyage down the coast to describe the wonders of that pic- turesque yet gloomy region ot Africa. The Henaxp steamer purchased for our correspond- ent’s operations was used for the occasion, and the adventures that happened on the cruise we find recorded in vivid language. From those mishaps which occur in every well regu- lated marine family our correspoudent turns to the enchanting vistas on shore and por- trays the gorgeous scenery of the landscape. The curious customs of the natives, the bar- baric architecture, the nonchalance of the Atrican watermen and the physical geography of the region are uot forgotten. Life in the villages, climatic dangers and the mission- aries are duly and faithfully described. In fine, the letter is of that character and com- prehensiveness which, in the day before jour- nalism reached its present pertection, would have made, by skilful amplitiagtion, a very entertaining book on African travel. But the journalist has superseded the bookmaker. The publishers are all conrplain- ing that the people are no longer reading books as they did a few years ago, and this falling off they attribute to the fact that ‘the newspapers are publishing everything.” The reader can the better appreciate this truth when he reflects that first class journals are now able and ready to equip expeditions, whether they be military or marine, to pro- ceed to any point where a great event is an- ticipated in the world’s history. A Hzratp caravan but recently returned over the steppes of Central Asia, with its intrepid leader, Mr. J. A. MacGahan, whose letters, published in these columns, have received popular as well as the first scientific commendations, being regarded as valuable contributions to science. The annual address of Sir Henry Rawlinson before the Royal Geographical Sgciety con- tained a full letter copied from the Hzra.p, and which was written by Mr. Hansell, our correspondent at Khartoom. This letter, treating of the expedition of Sir Samuel Baker, was commended tor its extreme accu- racy. It will thas be seen that first class journals are able to command and pay for first class talent. The English press are beginning to recognize the revolution, for Mr. Winwood Reade, the traveller, represents the London Times in Ashiantee, and Mr. Arch- ibald Forbes, who distinguished himself as 8 military critic with the Prussian army, rep- resents the London Daily News in the same quarter, We might cite other cases, as, for instance, the funny letters of Mark Twain, the able correspondence of Mr. Edmund Yates and the contributions of Mr. Grenville Mur- ray, the author of ‘‘The Member for Paris,” all of which have been printed in the Heraup. Every letter of Mr. Murray's is a magazine article in itself. We do not pretend to say that the Heraup has a monopoly of all these literary and journalistic achievements. Our neighbor, the Tribune, has a staff which em- braces stars like Mr. John Hay and Bayard Taylor. Hence the talent of the country, of the English-speaking world, is drifting into journalism—a calling which has its fascina- tions for every gentleman of culture who is fond of adventure and fonder still of exercising an influence on the age. ‘This is the reason why books are becoming a thing of the past, and journals are being read for the solid and entertaining matter they publish from day to day. Brooxtrn Fines.—Brooklyn wants to be- come as famous for its fires as for its churches. No less than six fires occurred yesterday, caus- ing @ loss estimated at one hundred thousand dollars. Among the buildings attacked by the devouring element was the prison. The excitement among the prisoners was intense, but, owing to the exertions of the Fire Depart- ment, no loss of life occurred. One man was taken out of his cell unconscious, and several other prisoners had a pretty narrow escape. There seems to have been a reprehensible tardiness exhibited by the warden in letting the prisoners in the cells endangered by the fire out of their dangerous position. It would be well if some rule were laid down for the guidance of wardens in such cases. Where the choice, is between roasting prisoner to Dn nn ne death and ave risk of his escaping of the latter alternative. 1° has the advantage of being capable of remedy, One of the pris- oners has been arrested on sus; icion of having caused the fire, and, if proved gu'ilty, we hope he will receive exemplary punishn \ent. Tax Question or Rerngncuwn(T is the question of the hour. In another pa ttion of the Hznaxp will be found a suggestive article from the Pall Mall Gazette on the cost ot our armaments, as contrasted with those of G'reat Britain, The figures are worthy of study. \ PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE, Senator John P. Jones, of Nevada, is at the Heft) man House. Robert Ould, Jr., of Richmond, is staying at the Fifth Avenue Hotei, Governor Julius Converse, of Vermont, has ar- rived at the Windsor Hotel. Ex-Congressman William Williams, of Buffalo, has returned to the Fifth avenue Hotel. Captain Cook, of the steamship Russia, occupies his old quarters at the Brevoort House. Paymaster M. B. Cushing, United States Navy, has quarters at the St. Nicholas Rotel. Pay Inspector Gaspar Schenck, United States Navy, is registered at the Windsor Hotel. President andrew D, White, of Cornell Univer- sity, has apartments at the Hoffman House. David B, Parker, United States Marshal for Vir- ginia, yesterday arrived at the St. Nicholas Hotel, £x-Governor Rodman M, Price, of New Jersey, ts amoug the recent arrivals at the Sturtevant House, General D. B. McKibben, of the United States Army, has arrived at the Grand Natioual Hotel, Jacksonville, Fla, Mrs. Theodore Lyman and Colonel Theodore Ly- man, of Boston, have given $20,000 to the Massa- chusetts Infant Asylum. Colonel W, P. Craighill and Captain C, W. Howell, of the United States Engineer Corps, are quar- tered at the Metropolitan Theatre, Henry Callender, one of Boston's ‘merchant princes," is dead. His oldest daughter is the wife of Rev. Joseph Marvin, of Wasnington. The report that Jonn C. Fremont was danger’ ously afflicted with a cancer is denied. For the origin of the report an Eastern paper can answer. “Cushing’s Manual” is acknowledged authority in parliamentary matters. But Cushing's siga manual to the Jeff Davis letter was signally fatal to the author. Vice President G. B, Roberts, of the Pennsylva- nia Railroad Company; President J. H. Devereux, of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indians Railroad Company, and General Manager J. N. McCullough. of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Ratlroad Company, are among the rail- ad oficials at the St, Nicholas Hotel. Among the passengers by the steamship City of Havana, which arrived at this port yesterday trom Havana, were Seiior Santiago Soler, late Spanish Colomai Minister, and his brother, Seflor Luts Soler. They are staying at the Albemarle Hotel and will leave for Washington in a few days. WOMAN'S WAILING, The Feminine Convention at Washing- ton—Equal Suffrage Demanded of Com- gress for the District of Columbia and the Territories. WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 1874, The National Woman’s Suffrage Association com- menced its session here to-day at the Union League Hall. There wasa large attendance of auditors, and on the platform were Miss Susan B. Anthony, who presided; Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Mrs. Matilda Jocelyn Gage, Mrs, Lillie Devereaux Blake, Mrs. Bilva A. Lockwood, Mrs. Sarah J. Spencer and Dr. Clemence 8. Lozier. Miss Anthony read the call for the Convention, after which she invited any one to open with prayer, but, no one volunteering, she continued by saying:—The prime object of the association was to obtain Congressional aid in SECURING EQUAL RIGHTS; that all they asked was equal rights with the colored men, who were the onty class who had been invested with such rights by special legisia- tion of Congress, She read a letter from Virginia L, Miner of St, Louts, who says that her slaughter house suit is now on the docket of the Supreme Court of the United States, and wili be reached im about a year. Various letters were fead, including those of Gerritt Smith and Benjamin ¥. Butler, and expres- sive of their sympathy with the cause. Miss Anthony then stated the creed of the suf- tragists, one clause of which was tnat a WOMAN SHOULD G&T HER BALLOT into the ballot box whenever she can find a judge of election that will receive it, Another was. every Woman who holds property on which tax 18 assessed should retuse to pay it unless she be per- mitted to vote. Miss Anthony and others presented a petition for signers, which they propose laying before Von- gress. It sets forth that women have been denied @ hearing as to their political rights at the bar of the Senate and the House, they being entirely unrepresented there in that they have no voice 1m the choice of Members to either body, althougn constituting one-half the people of the United States recognized by the Declaration of Inde- pendence and the constitution as the only source of power, and one-half of the governed, whose con- sent is necessary to all just governments, Women are STILL SUBJECTED TO MANY WRONGS, among whica is taxation without representation. ‘They pray tne honorabie bodies to pass a law that soullexempt women from taxation for national purposes go long as they are unrepresented in the national councils. Sara J. Spencer was then introduced anad delivered an eloquent address on woman’s suff- rage, and particularly on the duty of Congress to give the women of this District and the Territories the right to vote by legislative enactment. Mesdames Gage, Blake and Stanton severally addressed the Convention in behalf of the cuuse. ART MATTERS. ‘The sale at the Schenck art gallery yesterday was well attended. The principal pictures are, however, reserved for noon to-day, Among them is the fine painting, by Karel Ooms, the young Bel- gian artist, called “The Flemish Pirates.” Its in- terest is highly dramatic, aud the theme, which possesses the element of originality, is more powerfully treated than any other picture from @ similar source exbibited for sale this season in New York. Other good pictures are “Landscape and Sheep,” by Van Severdonck; Bonfield’s “Cold, Dreary Winter,’” James M. Hart’s “Silver Brook,’ ‘Souerfelt's “Bourroy, Seine et Oise’? and “St, Malo, Isle et Vilaine,” Casilear'’s “Lake George,” Kuwasseg’s rt of Havre,” Ribera’s “Rehearsing His Part,’* nier’s “Environs of Seville,’ Arthur Parton's ‘Indian Summer,’ Van Schendel’s “Market Scene ¥ Holland by Candle Light” and Rumph’s “Young jotner. Mr. R. E, Moore, of No. 81 Union square, has halfa dozen new pictures, of which the best are an exquisite winter scene by McEntee, a land- scape breatning golden light by Cropsey, and ‘‘Mo- wents of Sadness,” by Eastman Johnson. Mr. B. A. Fery mn, of No. 6 Astor place has just completed and intends shipping to Lima to-mor- row a picture six feet by four and a half (including the frame), representing a view irom the of the Galera, among the Peruvian Andes, and show- yo through which the Croya Raliroaa built for the Peruvian government b; Mr. Henry iggs. This together wit! Lwo others by the same art! go into the pos- session Of Mr. Meiggs. ROBBERY ON SHIPBOARD. A Captain’s Money Stolen Cabin by a Cook. Newport, R, L, Jan. 15, 1874, Captain Finney, of Boston, master of the schooner Neponset, bound to Tangier, was robbed at this port to-day of $600, by his cook, Robert L, Count, who made his escape. ‘The money was in the vessei’s cabin. An ofiicer, accompanied by the Ce hg 73 is in pursuit, an proceeded to New Bedford, Mass., this afternoon, it being believed that the thief had gone there with his ill-gotten booty. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, Ordered Transfers. WASHINGTON, Jan, 15, 1874, Lieutenant E. H. 0. Leutze has been ordered to the Hydrographic Omice; Masters Heury 0. Handy and H. A. Rittenhouse to the Frolic. noture, it, will from the Master Perry Garst has been detached fro Pgsomac and ordered to (he Frolic. ic fh