The New York Herald Newspaper, January 21, 1874, Page 3

WASHINGTON. Battle Raging Between Resump- tionists and Inflationists, ALLIANCE OF THE WEST AND SOUTH. The Fmancial Poverty of the Recon- structed States and Its Remedy. The Proposed Restoration of the Franking Privilege. —! WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 1874, Phe Inflationists Meeting the Resump- tionists in Fierce Array tn the Senate— Probable Victory of the Former—The Granger Influence Apparent in the Alliance of West and South, ‘The proceedings in the Senate became interest- Ing to-day by reason of their suggestiveness, In Ogiesbie’s speech during the morning hour on the question of cheap transportation he presented a petition for that consummation, saying the subject nvas of more importance than finance, and while he protested 8 good republican doctrine in eluci- Gating his subject he looked kindly in the direction of the grangers. He elaborated his argument that the national government should take cognizance of the railroads, and that the constitution should provide a remedy for existing evile, by saying that the prices of Western produce being fixed in foreign markets, it was a question of importance to the ‘Western producer that we have cheap transporta- tion from the point of production to the point of consumption. In his strong way he rung out a chal- Jenge for the West, which was echoed by Clayton and Bogy in continuation. in an intrepid notifica- tion to the Senate that the West was to be heara and was not benind the advance guard from this section, Coming with the same steady step was the South, in the championship of Gordon, who, with native eloquence, appealed in a granger’s philosophy for legislative aid in the behalf of the Sgricultural interests. One might well say, as he contemplated the gathering cohorts getting ready for the bloodtess fray, ‘This is deed a good flay for the grangers.’”” As the discussion of this Mnancial question has touched no party lines, of pourse those in favor of inflation as well gs their opponents, each anxious to have a majority, were casting about for such casual reserves as each might be able to bring to their own standard, and yesterday the West, with fearless shout, hanging its banners on the outer walls, set forth unrestrained the con- genial elements, and as the South flocked under the leadership of Gordon the cry was, ‘Still they come!’ in favor of inflation, The hard moneyed men looked to their laurels, but the influence of Morton was at work to check them; and now, while it has appeared heretofore that the Senate were jor the specie resumption or contraction policy, it may now be safely said that the honors are equally divided and that the views of the House will finally prevail in favor of issufhg more turrency. At all events to-day the climax was reached, and, departing from the cautious general- ship of Morton, the contending forces trom the West have clearly drawn their lines, abandoned their cover and ambush and stand out boldly and de- fantly in battle’s magnificently stern array. It was retreshing to behold Gordon, of Georgia, to- flay, when he rose on the financial question. Gifted with native eloquence and a confidence in the mastery of his subject, eschewing manuscript, he gallantly grappled the dimiculties of his theme. Gordon, who was late Major General in the Con- federate army, and present at the surrender of Appomattox, 1s a fine, soldierly appearmg man, of erect mien and bristling with intelligence. He spoke scholarly and argumentatively, and at times reached somewhat the ideal of the grand advocate of his stricken and impoverished section. While some doubts had arisen of his reconstructedness, he gave expression to such national loyalty and deep feeling for the honor and dignity of the whole country as would war- rant the opinion that tne stern school “jm which he had served during the rebellion orought him out only the purer for it, like refined gold. He tempered the discussion with such beau- siful sentiment that one might have said it was not acase of “hard cash,”? but sympathetic fealty. In the course of Gordon’s arguments, which were very good and masterly in figurative allusions, he firew a painful yet practical view of the present condition ofthe South. It had become unprofit- able to plant cotton, and during the coming year not more than one-third of a crop would be planted, The South was suffering for banking facilities and purrency. He ably revicwed the case as presented by those who preceded him, and said the panic was produced by the. rigidity, mon-elastic- \ty and insufficiency of the currency, the system of which had made us a nation of speculators and gamblers. He endorsed the views of Logan and Morton, showing what the Ul effects of a return to specie payments would be and what the benefits of issuing more currency, which would largely flow to the South and relieve it from the heavy interest, amounting to twenty- five per cent, which it has to pay to borrow money, He scouted the idea of specie being a preventive Bgainst panics, and instanced the cases of England and France in the past. He referred to what Eng- fand had done through inflation in tne cuiti- vation of cotton in her Eastern colonies, He closed with a fine peroration, saying that it was time the agricultural imterests of the South should receive special consideration im the legislation of the country. Concentrated capital was hammering at the doors of both wings of the Capitol fora hard money system; but he, speaking for the South, was for more money with an elasticity, convertible and interconvertible, and hoped the day would soon come when we ‘Would issue such a currency, founded on the credit of the whole country. In conclusion he said that the day the government issues such a currency in dollars, not promises to. pay, that day we would have another Independence Day in enjoying an independence from our own and foreign specu- lators in gold. The effort was a very fine one on the whole, and significant in tne extreme as show- ing overtly that the South joins hands with the West and that the granger influence is quictiy but steadily asserting its strength and may be said now to hold the balance of power. Chandler followed Gordon, but if he could be understood as saying anything, it was that he was in favor of more and better money, but not in favor of specie payments, and yet not im favor of inflation. It seems to be a fact that he is in favor of a relief to the country by a larger volame ot currency; but his off-hand views cannot De said to be entitled, from the enunciation made to-day, to an abiding place in the arcana of politi- caleconomy. He spoke some wholesome truths, and said we were too rich @ nation to imitate the ‘worn out nations of Europe; but, beyond saying that he was opposed to increasing the volume of eurrency, no exact tdea could be obtained of how he stood on the question of the hour. Brownlow sent his speech to be read by the Clerk, his paralyzed condition not admitting his oral delivery of it. He was for inflation. ‘The specie resumptionists are having a consultation, and are evidently regarding the situation with great attention. This clasping of hands and kind of huzza elocation by the West and South portend that the hour of final test is at hand and the crisis ‘will soon be over, doubtless carrying victory to the inflationists, The Postal Route bill was again resumed and carried over, the Senate adjourning without having gotten through with it. During the morning an executive session was held and some minor ap- pointments confirmed. The Finance Committee of the Senate agreed to favorably report Fenton's dill providing that in cases of frandulent vaiuation of imported merchandige the cenfacation venaity_| XY Sal apply oniy to the items undervalued and not to the whole involee, Senater Kenton to Unburden Himself on Binance. Benator Fenton will address the Senate to- morrow on the financial question, giving, in addi- tion to his views of December 17, 1873, some ideas of interest to the laboring man as invoived in the currency question. He will seek to show that the ‘ing man has @great interest in the subject, @ that he should return in his own way to a specie basis, Reply of the Postmaster General to the Senate Resolution on Restoration of the Franking Priviiege—§2,250,000 a Yoar Saved by Its Abolition. The Postmaster General has replted to a resolu- tion of the Senate with regard to the franking privilege, &c. Hesays had not the transmission of Congressional publications been discontinued the rates of awards in vhe readjustment now being made with the ratlread companies would be higher in exact proportion to the increase in the weight of the mails which the, transmission of this heavy matter would have caused, whatever that increase might be. The general interests of the postal ser- vice are promoted, however, by relieving the great mail lines of the pressure caused by the carriage of the immense amount of mail matter for- merly sent over them. So rapid is the increase of postal business that the through lines are taxed to their utmost capacity to carry the letter correspondence and paper matter despatched from the commercial and publishing centres of the country. The net sales of official stamps for the next fiscal year, to cover the tratis- mission of matter formerly sent through the matls under the franks of the heads of departments, are estimated at $2,250,000. A comparison of the re- ceipts on four items during the quarter ended September 90, 1873, with those on the same items for the corresponding quarter of the preceding year, shows an aggregate increase of $1,668,445, and an increase, exclusive of official stamps, of $414,912, These figures, which do not inclade post" age on Congressional matter, confirm the Post- master General in the opinion heretofore ex- pressed in a special report to Congress une der date of January 12, 1871, that the cost of all free matter, if charged with the regular rates of postage, would amount to $2,643,327 annually. The Postmaster General says he has answered the questions embodied in the res- olution with as much accuracy as is possible from the little material at his command. It must be re- membered that the law repealing the franking privilege did not go into effect until the 1st of July last, and that che department has had the advan- tage of that repeal for six months only. To arrive at anything like fair conclusions on the subject a trial of at least a year should be made, and time snould be given for gathering accurate results from the entire country, Thoroughly impressed, as he is, with the belief that the re- peal of the franking privilege was 9o wise measure and will be productive of the best results in the postal service, he earn- estly recommends that it be not restored until at least a fair trial can be made. In his last report he recommended a reduction of postage on books to one cent for two ounces, which is the lowest rate now allowed by law for any kind of matter. If that suggestion should be adopted he cannot see why postage should not be paid upon Congressional documents as well as upon departmental matter by an appropriation from the Treasury. Such action would amply provide for the transmission by mail of all desirable documents to the people, and enable the department to maintain that de- gree 0: accuracy im its administration which is essential to its. complete success, In the event, however, of returning tO a general distribution tothe people of improved fleld and garden seeds and public documents, he trusts he may be ver- mitted te suggest, in view of all the facts, that the department should be empowered to arrange for their transportation as freignt in other convey- ances than mail cars, so as not to embarrass the legitimate postal business of the country or retard the attainment of the perfection of the system, which should be the constant aim of those engaged in its management, He ts firmly convinced that the practice in this respect which prevatied be- fore the abolition of the franking privilege cannot be revived except at the expense of the im- portant commercial and social interests and wants which the maintenance of the | postal system of the country 1s chiefly in- tended to subserve. There is one restricjion however, which he never advised, and which, in his opinion, might be safely removed, and that is the provision whicn forbids the free transporta- tion of weekly newspapers within tne counties of | their publication, as heretofore authorized by law. The grounds upon which this recommendation is made are:—First, that such papers are so evenly distributed over the entire extent of the country, and confined to lines of transit 80 short, that they have never been known to impede the distribu- tion and transportation of. the mails; and second, that the amount of postage levied upon them as at present collected, while affording but a trifling revenue to the department, is yet heavy enough to be severely felt by their proprietors an‘ patrons and to obstruct the dissemination of local intelli- gence. Good reasons may aiso be given in favor of a free exchange between newspapers, Yearly Postal Contracts—The Proposed Limited Restoration of the Franking Privilege. It appears that the Solicitor of the Post Office Department has decided that locks, postal cards and stamps should be classed as stationery, and that contracts can only be made for one year. This the Postmaster General stated would result disad- vantageously in the supply of postal cards and locks. The committee will present to the House a resolution explanatory of the intent of the law, which will provide that such articles as fluctuate in price shall be contracted for by the year; but for articles of postal expenditure in which the government alone is the dealer, contracts can be maae for such periods asin the judgment of the Postmaster General he deems for the best interests of the service. The committee will soon report a bill restoring the franking privilege to a limited extent. A New Rule to Abolish the Monday General Debate Order. The House passed the whole of this afternoon in passing a newrule. There is a custom which has bronght the lower branch of Vongress into aisre- pute, if not contempt. Any member who can get the Speaker’s ear or eye on Monday of each week after a certain hour, or on the last ten days of the session, can offer anything in the shape of a reso- lution, and if any one objects to it he can move to suspend the rules, and if two-thirds vote Jor the suspension he can carry it. If two-thirds do not vote for it he has accomplished an object in putting members on record by the aye and no vote. Some- times this is considered a wonderful achievement of statesmanship, but most of the time it is the smallest sample of the parliamentary potato bust- ness, Any subject, from an ambiguous expression as to the currency to the necessity of hanging a rope to the moon, can be thus voted on, The time thus consumed 1s illustrated by the vote of Monday two weeks ago, when the House made three votes on the currency, one for Kelley’s inflation, one for Holman’s non-taxdtion and one for General Hawley for neither of both. The farce was carried on during the war to entrap the minority, by shrewd double-entendres, so as to make the democrats seem to be against the war and for it. It was once checked by a take off of Cox, who, after a dozen buncombe resolutions, offered one—‘That the rebellion be and the same is hereby abolished.” It was carried and stopped the non- sense for some weeks. It has broken out so badly again that the Committee on Rules took it up and reported arule some ten days ago. Then it was recommitted. Now it comes back, reported by Mr. Maynard. At once it was assailed by Eldridge, Holman, Potter and others, and then by Hale, of Maine, and Dawes, when Butler, Scofield ana others came to the rescue, It looked as if the con- test were a struggle for the leadership between Dawes and Butler. The Massachusetts members showed much feeling, but their iceling aid not affect the House. It was determined to stop this foolish clap-trap voting on Mondays on abstract matters, and the votes ran in this direc- tion. Votes were taken to lay on the table and on Other vreliminarias nnti) the filibustering began, and the gas was turned on as members began to vote on the question of adjournment. Vice President Wilson’s Disappointment Regarding the Chief Justiceship. The most disappointed man in Washington is Vice President Wilson. He came on here thinking that he could persuade the President to nominate Juage Rock wood Hoar as Chiet Justice. But when he called at the White House and said, ‘I suppose that the name ot Judge Hoar has been brought to your notice, Mr, President?’ Grant gvamly re- plied, “Yes, a@ good deal has been said in his favor and a good deal against him,” This so dis- heartenea Mr. Wilson that he dried up and left. The next day he returned and sailed in more ex- Plicitly for Judge Hoar, but Grant merely sug- gested that it would be useless for him to nominate another man unacceptable to the Serate, and again the Vice President was made aware that while his suggestions, when he used to be Presi- dent of the Senate, were prized, his suggestions as Vice President were umheeded. He will return to Boston and go to work on his health and bis book again. Indebtedness and Condition of the In- dian Bureau. A statement has been prepared in the Indian Office showing the outstanding indebtedness for, and on account of, the Inaian service prior to July 1, 1873, to be $693,898, eauised principally by the imadequacy of the appropriations heretofore made, and on account of collecting upon reservations and subsisting the Apache Indians in Arizona and New Mexico. The Commissioner says the policy Tegarding these Apaches has been to bring them peaceably, or by force, upon reservations, and by finding them and properly providing for their Wants and necessities, keeping them quiet, and as much as possible from depredating on the citizens of the territories. Whenever they leave the reser- vations they are hunted down by the military and either killed or captured, and brought back to the reservations. If not ted, therefore, by the govern- ment, they must either starve on the reservations or be killed off them. The Department has en- deavored to keep them on the reservations, and to do allin its power to make them industrious and self-restraining. Encroachments Upon the Indians. In response to the Senate resolution offered by Morrill, of Maine, on the sth inst., requesting infor- mation relative to any unauthorized occupation or invasion of or encroachment upon the Indian Ter- ritory by individuals or Ledies of men, in violation of treaty stipulations. the President transmitted to the Senate to-day a communication from the Sec- retary of the Interior, in which he states:—“The Commissioner of Indian Affairs to whom said reso- Tution was reierred reported to this department on the 15th that the Indian Office is in possession of no information indicating at the present time any violation of the treaty stipulations of the char- acter therein indicated. It is proper to remark, however, that occasions have not been inirequent when portions uf sala Territory nave been in- have been treated as trespassers and for whose re- moval from said Territory the aid and co-operation of the military had been required.”’ Proposed New Reservation in Washing- ton Territory. In the Senate to-day Mr. Oglesby, of Wiinots, in- troduced a bill drafted by the Interior Department to establish a new reservation in Washington Ter- ritory for the Indians of the Colville Agency and the Codnes d’Alénes of Idaho, The proposed reser- vation is very extensive, comprising nearly all the territory lying between the 48th and 49th paraliels of latitude and the 117th and 121st meridians, to- gether with that bounded by the 47th and 48th parallels and the 119th and 12ist meridians. The establishment of this reservation is recommended by Special Commissioners J. W. Bennett, H. W. Keed and General Shanks. The bill provides that the settlers shall ve pata for their lands and im- provements. It was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. Deliberations of the Committee of Ways and Means. The Committee on Ways and Means to-day had an interchange of opinions on the various subjects before them, Including tariff and finance, but came to no conclusion. Woman's Wants. Miss Anthony, Miss Cozzens, Mrs. Spencer and other female suffrage advocates appeared before the House Committee on Judiciary to-day in advocacy of the petition and tne bill giving suf- frage to women. Confirmations by the Senate. The Senate m executive session to-day con- firmed the nomination of James E. Bangs, of the District of Columbia, to be Secretary of the Joint Commission for determining the boundary line be- tween the United States and the British Posses- sions between the Lake of the Woods and the Rocky Mountains; also the following to be post- masters haries W. Robbins at Niles, Ohio; Mrs, Elizabeth B. Cuthbertson at New Brighton, Pa.; Willard Howe at South Framingham, Mass.; B. '. Marsh at West Winsted, Litchfield county, Conn., and Amasa 8. Tracy at Middlebury, Vt. Probability of the Success of the Move to Dispose of General Howard=—Tne Par- tisan Obstacles in the Way. General Howard, whose fame as a statesman, warrior and custodian of the Freedman’s Bureau funds bas embalmed itsclf in Congressional records forever, is to be inquired into if the House Com. mitree on Military Affairs can carry its point. The court of ‘inquiry proposed by joint resolution wilt be composed of five members. Three is the usual number. Obstacle number one to an,honest investigation—if it passes the House it will be de- feated in the Senate. Obstacle number two to an honest investigation—if the resolution passes the Senate and is approved by the President tt will require a Congressional enactment to try him by court martial, if Howard is deserving of it. The statue of limitation is in his favor, and isat present an obstacle which the House, with two- thirds majority republican, will never surmount. Some of the dismayed repunitcans, anxious 10 un- load, are ready to throw Howard overboard and help lighten the republican party. He has been a dead weight for over six years, and ought to be able to take care of himself by this time. ‘The day of philanthropy and tabernacles has gone for- ever, and stowaways cannot find sympathy with the party any longer, Removal of Duty from Licorice. Early in the present session of Congress Mr. Davis, of Virginia, introduced a bill to rebate the duty on licorive and other ingredients nsed in the manuiacture of tobacco, snuff, &c. The bill is yet pending before the committee, but the matter will be pressed, and there is reason to believe that a favorable report will be made. If passed, the benefit of the measure will inure chiefly to the manulacturer of interior articles of tobacco and to the manufacturer of snuf, but all classes will be more or less benefited. It will place American manutactures upon a footing with foreign manu- factures, and allow fair competition in all markets. 'The Propriety of Reducing the Public: tion of Documents, The joint Committee on Printing held their first meeting this session to-day, and commenced an informal discussion of the, propriety and best means of reducing the publication of public docu- ments. There will be further interchange of views before taking any action on the subject, Economy in Public Buildings. Supervising Architect of the Treasury Mullett, who was before the House Committee on Appro- priations to-day, gave a detailed statement of the condition of the public buildings in process of con- struction, and said his revised estimates were cut down to the lowest possible figure, and that the sums asked for were absolutely necessary to pros- cute work on the government buildings already commenced. It is known that, although the com- mittees of the two houses on public buildings and grounds have taken no formal action, they are in accord on the potut that they will uot rec- ommend appropriations for public works not already commenced, Extension of the Union Pacific Railroad. Mr, H. H. Day, of New York, was before the House Committee on Judiciary this morning, ad- vocating @ subsidy of bonds and lands for the ex- tension of the central branch of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, This company is seeking to extend its road trom the present western terminus | | porations who issue passes to public men, and it is yvaded and occupied by unauthorized persons, who { YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1874—-TRIPLE SHEET. to receive @ land and bond subsidy. They claim their right under existing laws. ‘The amount in” volved is.etween $6,000,009 and $8,000,000, and the | matter has been brovght up by a bill introduced by Mr, Wilson, of Indiana, declaring that the com- pany have no such right as they claim. No de- cision was reacvea. First Evening Reception at the White House. The first eveuing reception of the season at the Executive mansion was this evening attended by an immense throng of ladies and gentiemen, The Diplomatic Corps, army, navy, Cabinet and both houses of Congress were well represented, A large number oi strangers also availed themselves of this opportunity to pay their respects to the President, The Marine Band was in attendance. Secretary Robeson Unwell. Secretary Robeson is suffering from a very se. vere cold, which confines him to his house. The Limit of the Legal Tender Currency. The question of the right of the Secretary of the Treasury to draw on the $44,000 reserve has been discussed by the Committee on Ways and Means, who have agreed to present the subject to the House and have it settled there. They will pre- sent a resolution, however, fixing the limit of the national legal tender currency at $400,000,000. This will prevent the covering into the Treasury of any of the $44,000,000 that has been paid out. Miscellancous Nominations, The President to-day sent the following nomina- tions to the Senate:—Edward W. Arnold, to be Register of the Land Ofice at Grand Island, Nbe. ; Norman Thacher, to be Receiver of Public Moneys at Menasha, Wis.; Alexis E. Service, to be Re- ceiver at Natchitoches, La.; E. W. Holbrook, to be Register of the Land Office at New Orleans, La., and Presley M. Rixey, to be an Assistant Surgeon in the Navy, Limitation of Customs Confiscations. The Senate Finance Committee this morning | agreed to report favorably Mr. Feuton’s bill, pro- viding that in cases of fraudulent undervaluation of imports the confiscation penalry shall apply only to the particular item or items undervalued, and not to the whole invoice, Erie Raitway Passes and Honest Con- gressmen. A letter, of which the following 1s a copy, dated at the office of a New York law firm, has been re- ceived by many members of Congress here, both democratic and republican :— Dear Sin—I will thank you to inform m2 whether your Erie annual pass for 1874 came safely to hand. Is a trausmittea for you several days ago. Yours Some have answered jocosely that they have not received any such passes and have no use for them, and some do not pay attention to the above com- munication, The amusing part of the whole transaction js that in no case have these passes been forwarded to the parties to whom the in- quiry is addressed. The new constitution of Penn- Sylvania provides a heavy penalty against cor” | suspected that the West street firm is fishing for bait to catch the Erie Company. Civil Rights for the Colored Race. The National Civil Rights Council have issued an address to the colored people throughout the coun- try, setting forth what turther action and legisla- tion are essential to make their citizenship com- plete. It is complete organization everywhere among colored people in support of civil rights, re- garaing it as essential to be active, harmonious and united. The Revenue Bureau Robbery. It was E. A. Williams (and not A. B. Williams, 48 Was published in many of the papers) who was arrested for the robbery of the Internal Revenue Bureau. The latter isa highly respected member of the Washington Bar, The Colonization Socicty—Growth and Progress of Liberia. The fifty-seventh anniversary meeting of the Colonization Society was held here to-night, pre- sided over by John H. B. Latrobe, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. George W. Samp, son, W. T. R. Taylor, Thomas J. Pearne and John Orcutt. The report shows that the re- ceipts for 1873, including a balance from the previous year of $586, had been $35,922 02, Of this sum there has been paid for passage and support of emigrants $9,215 16; borrowed money returns, $11,000, and for other ovjects, $15,473 37; leaving $233 49 iu the treasury on Januury 1, 1874. The emigration to Liberia under the auspices of the society has been uninterrupted for the last | fifty-three years. Those sent in 1873 make the number colonized siuce the war to be 3,060, | and a total from the beginning of 15,048, exclusive of 5,722 recaptured Africans whom we induced and enabled the United States to settle in Liberia— making a grand total of 20,770 persons to whom the society has given homes in Africa. Intelli- gence from Liberia indicates growth and prosper- tty. Agriculture is steadily progressing. Private Printers Against Public Print- ers. The master printers of this city have addressed @ long memorial to the Senate Committee on Printing, protesting against giving all the printing | of briefs tor the Supreme Court and the Court of Claims to the Government Printing Office. They maintain that private snitors should pay for print- ing their briefs at private offices, and they attack the management of the government offices right and left. An Entertainment with No Congress= men Present. Secretary Richardson’s elegantly furnished resi- dence was the scene of a gay “german” on Monday night, given by his daughter. As the entire herd of Congressmen, with their wives, daughters and female friends, did not have to be invited, it was ® most delightful affair. The Benefits of Free Letter Delivery. The House Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads to-day decided that the benefits of free let- ter delivery by carriers should not extend to cities having less than 25,000 inhabitants. ‘They also agreed to a resolution explaining a previous act of Congress refefring to the Post Uffice Depart- ment, Cnartering Trade with China and Japan. Mr. E. E, Rice, of Caltfornia, delivered an argu- ment before the House Committee on Commerce this morning, advocating the passage of a bill re- ferred to them to incorporate the Asiatic Commer- cial Company, which provides for the granting of @ charter covering the right of the company to trade with the governments of China and Japan. REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE, Organization of the New Committce— Colonel Joel W. Mason Elected Tempo- rary Chairm The new Republican Central Committee met last evening in Republican Hall for the purpose of or- ganizing for 1874, Tne chairman, Mr. Hugh Gard- ner, read the provisions of the constitution of the committee relating to the organization of a new Central Committee at the beginning of every year. According to the rales tne secretary would call the names of ail delegates whose credentials had been signed by @ majority of the inspectors. Mr. George H. Lyon, the Secretary, then called the names of the delegates, among others Thomas Marphy, Col- lector Arthur, Alderman Vance, Charles 8. Spen- cer, Benjamin K. Phelps, Salem H. Wales, William A. Darling, George Opdyke and John D. Lawson. Collector ARTHUR moved that Colonel Joel W. Mason be elected temporary Chairman, Colonei Mason thanked the committee for the compliment paid him and expressed the nope that he would merit the ir pei sal and approval during the occu- pancy of this office. Mr. THOMAS C, ACTON moved that Mr. George W. Lyons be elected temporary Secretary. Jt was resolved, on motion of Mr. J. M. Patter- son, to defer all cases of contested elections to a committee of five, to be appointed yi4 the Chair. Colonel Mason appointed ir. Jacob M. Patterson, dr., from the Tenth district; Mr. David H. Urow- ley, from the Fourth aistrict; Mr. Joseph C. Pink- ney, from the Fourteenth district; Mr. Benjamin K, Pheips, from the Seventeenth district, and Mr. Horace M. Ruggles, from the Eighteenth district. The Secretary anngunced that there were con- tested seats ‘in the First, Sixth, Fifteenth and ‘Twenty-first districts, in the last-mentioned dis- trict four or five. Ex-Judge Warr said it was desirable to hear the report of the committee as soon as possible, a3 it would soon be necessary to organize an eMcient republican organization in the annexed district, and moved that the committee report in two weeks, The meeting then adjourned lor two weeks, STAR-DEPTH WONDERS. ARIE Ea ey Fifth Lecture by Mr. Richard A. Proctor. The subject chosen last might by Mr. Richard a, Proctor for his fifth lecture was well calculated to afford him ili scope for a display of caretui re- search into the mysteries of the heavens, It would be difficnit to select a theme better fitted to rivet the attention of an intelligent audience than the question of the infinity of space in which revolve the systems of worlds whose faint gleams come to us from the ilmitable distance—worlds so remote that human intelligence fails to grasp even a faint idea of their remoteness, The astronomers tell us how many millions of miles these bodies are re- moved from our glove, but the intellect tails to comprehend the full meaning of these calculations, But the vastness and infinity of the heavenly sys- tem must ever give it an absorbing interest in the minds of thinking men, and the observations of the laws that guide the motion of the star systems must ever exercise a most elevating influence on the human mind by impressing on it the grandeur and infinite power of the Creator. ‘The lecturer first considered the question of the seeming calm of the star depths compared with the real vastness of the movements taking place im them, He opened by recalling to the minds of the audience the gradual change of the earth’s ro- tation due to the influence of the tidal wave; but so slight is the effect of this disturb- ing cause that 2,000 years must elapse belore a loss equal to three minnies of terrestrial time will result. Millions of years must, therefore, elapse before any perceptible change takes place from this cause. The stellar sphere 1s carried through space from east to west. Other motions are perceptible, but they are only apparent. They are due to the earth’s gyrating like a gigantic top, which causes an apparent notion in the heavens, The quietude of the stars is only apparent; for, though they are relatively fixed, they rush’ in a tumult through space, and though the heavens seem at rest they are the scene of most stupen- dous activity. Among the multitude of stars visi- ble the distance of some nine or ten only is ap- proximately known, and indeed the distance of one only can be sald to be satisfactorily deter. minea, although the problem Is of the deepest in- terest. The change of one star in the Centaur has been noticed, and in order to show tne delicacy of the observa. tion and its diMcuity the lecturer remarked that this star was removed from our earth 210,000 times farther than the sun. In order,to indicate the change of position it would be necessary to imagine the minute hand of a watch marking the two-hundredth part of a second, and the deviation of the line drawn to the star to mark its change of Position would be less. Nor is there any way of measuring the discs of the stars, as the best telescopes fail to show them except as points of hght in space. Their distance is meas- ured by light. The star in the Centaur is 210,000 times farther off than the sun; it shines three times as brightly and is five times the sun’s vol- ume. But there is another star in the space known as the king of stars. It is four times as bright as the star in Centaur and five times as far away. These facts would seem to point to the exist- ence of a higher order of stars than our planets. It was conjectared that these bodies might trave size and light, but not mass, and were therefore un- able to exercise contro! in the systems or influence other bodies, But spectroscopic analyses aliow us to ascertain in a most precise manner that these stars are, like our. sun, glowing masses of matter shining through a surrounding envelopes of vapors. The value of the spectroscopic anulysis is due to its extreme deticacy, and the strictly scientific and unvarying results which it gives in recording the presence of certainelements in the planets. In order to make this clear to the audience spectrums of the sun and oi the variable stars, and the sun spots on the stars were exhibited, so as to make clear the mode in which the presence of certain matters was made evident on the differ- ent heavenly bodies, There were the lines on the spectrum indicating the presence of metals com- mon to the earth. These experiments were as certain as if the observer carried into his labora- tory a piece of the star and subjected it to chemi cal examination. The spotted stars were variable and resembied our sun. The spectroscope proved the existence im them of metals and other matter in certain form, The question whether color is in- herent in the colored stars or due to the cutting off of some color by the action of an atmosphere or envelope is full of interest. Great difference is shown in the spectrums of these stars—blue pre- vailing in some, orange, red and yeilow in others, It is now generally accepted that color ts not in- herent in these bodies, but is due to the action of their envelopes on the light passing through, A beautiful diagram of a stellar group, sapposed to be a cluster of suns, was exhibited by Mr. Proc- tor, presenting to the mind’s eye the vision of a world without night, where noontide splendor would exist unceasingly and the skies know no night. If these worlds were inhabited the dwell- ers would be shut off trom all knowledge of the existence of other worlds. They would never behold the splendor of the starry heavens which surround themon every side, and would have no idea of space. Passing on to the consider- ation of the nebulw, the lecturer produced a very fine diagram of the nebule in Orion, which stowed clear evidence of the dynamical process, The mass of nebulw, floating with a clearly marked spiral motion, showed that it was not matter travelling in space, but nebulew passing through matter less dense. In order to demonstrate the enormous extent of the nebulw the tecturer reminded the audience of the immense diameter of even a single star of the thousands enveloped by the cloudlike nebula which spread over space. Reviewing rapidly the theories about the Milky Way and the efforts of men like Herschel to lay bare the architecture of the heavens, and illus- trating by diagrams the curious theories built up by astronomers, the lecturer proceeded to show In what these theories were defective ana op- posed to the discoveries made in late years. The attraction of the stars toward some unknown point in space was explained and illustrated by a diagram showing the motion and direction ofa group of stars and marking the progress they would make in 38,000 years to the point to which they are tending, Observations with powerful modern telescopes have exploded the old theories about the star sys tem, and showed the system to be infinitely more wondertul than it had been imagined. 1n support of this statement the lecturer exhibited diagrams of the star system, as imagined by astronomers, and & map of the heavens showing the actual distribution. A sky map containing $24,000 stars was exhibited, which contrasted strangely with the theoretical systems of Herschei and other astronomers, It is estimated that by using powerful telescopes 20,000,000 of stars can be discovered and mapped down. This will give some idea of the infinity of the system, which seems to begin nowhere and end no+ where. The subject of the star depths is one well calculated to inspire awe in the thoughtful mind, Mr. Proctor brought his lecture toa close by relating the dream of Richter to show the in- finite grandeur of the endless worlds rolling on ever into eternity. NEW YORK HARBOR BUOYS. The Pilot Commisstoners have recently been ex- erting their influence with the Light House Board in Washington to induce them to replace the can and nunbuoys in New York harbor and keep them there during the winter months, For some years oon it has been the custom to substitute spar uoys for the can and nun buoys during the severe months. Last winter both spar and can buoys were kept down, and, as the ice happened to be excessively bas, were for the most part all carried away. The pilots now complain that in thick weather it is very hard to get along without the can and nun buoys, as spar buoys, when cloaked with snow or ice, do not easily catch the eye. ‘The Light House Board plead poverty in reply to the request of the Pilot Commissioners, and decline replacing the spar buoss with can or nun buoys, They, however, add that perhaps they may be able to put down a jew canbuoys at some of the most important points. It is so essential to the safety of the transatlantic steamers and large vessels drawing twenty-six feet of water to have tae channels properly buoyed that if the government cannot afford that expense the steamer and ship The cominittee on contested seats will meet on to the Union Pacific—a distance of 200 miles—and | Friday afternoon, at hall-past three o'clock. owners will probably have to combine together and do the work themselves. | CONVICTED. Frederick Heidenblut Found Guilty of Murder in tho First Degree. CONCLUDING EVIDENCE The Prisoner's Comfession—-He Hears the Ver- dict with a Calm Indifference. c PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 20, 1874. The interest which is shown by the people of | this city concerning tue’ revolting murder trial now going on here is simply intense. The court room Was Crammed to its utmost capacity yester. Gay afternoon, and to-day an immense concourse stood upon the street outside eagerly waiting for the news which migbt reach their eara from within, At ten o’ciock the trial reopenca, but as most of the witnesses brought iorward were tne officers who had effected the arrest of Heidenbtat, and ag the means they had used to capture him have al- ready appeared tully in these columns, it is not necessary to record their testimon: THE PRISONER'S SSION, The most important witness of the day was Mr, Isaac Lowengrund, inasmuch as he had vad an interview with the marderer soon alter hia arrest and obtained from him the contession of his guilt, He testified as follows:— I saw the prisoner in a cell at the station house; Tasked him what he had shot the man for; J did not threaten him, nor did I offer him any mduce- meuts to tell me; the prisoner, answering me, said that his boss had always mistrusted him and GIVEN 111M SOUR LOOKS. while the wife scolded him continually; he wanted to get away, he told me, and hence was in need of money; he wished to go to a companion in Ken« tucky; 1 then asked him why he had tried to kill the wife, and he answered that he did not intend- to kul her, but wanted TO GIVE HER A D——D GOOD LICKING that she would remember for @ long tine to comes he said that if he could get @ knife he would cut his throat, and he told me that he reahzed that he was hkely to be hanged for the murder of she man. District Attorney Mann offered in evidence the slugs found on the prisoner, the piece of Mrs, Kuhne's ear bitten off, the remainder of the sheet Jead used in making the slugs, the pistol, knife and shovel used in committing the deed, and thus closed up this stage of the case torthe Commeon- wealth, THE DEFENCE, Mr. Shapleigh, counsel appointed by the Court to defend the prisoner, then arose and opened the case, stating that Heidenbiut’s connections in Ger- Many were good; that m habit he was patient and docile, and that he was trank, earnest and in- dustrious, He stated that as the fatal struggle had taken place at night in a cellar, under ereum- stances which no outside party saw or under- stood, the jury were bound to give all reasonabie doubt in favor o1 the prisouer, He examined sev- eral witnesses to establish the prisoner's char- acter. SUMMING UP FOR THE STATE. After Mr. Shapleigh had concluded District Attorney bregy opened the argument ior the Com- monwealth. He reterred to the direct testimony of the prisoner's guut, aud urged the jury to shrink from no responsibilit, He touchingly and with no little emotion Trea to the horrible and bloody —_ cireumstane connected with the deed, and said that the murdered man had taken the prisoner home, had fed him, clothed him and given him the freedom oi his iireside, and that for a paltry sum the prisoner, at a moment when tis employer's back was turned, had assaulted and INHUMANLY BUTCHERED HIM. He showed jrom the testimony that the murder Was deliberaiely planned and intentionally exe- cuted, und that when he aimed the deadiy pistot at Godirey Kuhne’s head he meant to kill and rob him on the spot. PLEADING FOR LIFE. After District Attorney Bregy had concinded his argument the two counsellors tor the deience made their appeais, and endeavored to impress upon the jury that the murder was not premedi- tated, and was therefore of the second degree, Both of the gentie:nen were able speakers, and worked up their case with rare skill. THE DEMAND OF JUSTICE. After the conclusion of their defence Mr, Maun urore and made the final piea on the part of the Commonweaitn. He analyzed ine case care- fully, showed how the prisoner hud killed the hus- band, brutaily assaulted the wile and run away with the money. He cited the evidence of Mrs. Kuhne, fully reported in the HeRaLD of to-day, and insisted that from every single circumstance in possession of the Court it was apsolutely cer- tain that the murder was PLANNED AND DELIBERATED ON before it was committed. He spoke for a loi fine, and his arguments were both distinct an full. THE CHARGE FROM THE BENCH. Then Judge Ludlow read the charge to the jury. As the Judge said to a reporter it contained noth- ing with which the public had not aiready become acquainted. He read the statements oi the wit- nesses upon both sides in iuil, read the law dis- criminating between degrees of murder, was just to the prisoner ana urged the jury to give Lim the benefit of every doubt. He said the man Was ar- raigned for murder, and that the beating o! the woman must not be taken into consideration, only So far as it was necessary to prove the bed ho of the murder itself, He urged them to accept the full responsibility of the situation, and decide accord- ing to tue evidence betore them. TWELVE MEN'S DECISION, ‘The jury then went to thetr ey room above, the time being & quarter past eight P.M. They did not return to the court room until five minutes past nine’, M. Upon bemg asked by the Uourt whether they had agreed upon a verdict they re- plied in the affirmative, Upon calling the name of each Juror every man pronounced Frederick Heidenblat GUILTY OF MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE. When this death decision was made known to the prisoner by means’0/ an interpreter he sim} nodded his bead, as 11 he had inily anticipated averdict. He trembled siightiy, but to those not immediately about him his attitude was regarded as calm, ARREST OF BURG: Railroad Employes Charged With Aide ing New ‘ork Cracksmen in Their Saburban Forays. Early on Sunday morning Officer Hurley, of the Twellth precinct, followed two suspicious charac> ters named John Coilins and Peter F. Dunn from the railroad in Fourth avenue to the stable of Terence McGuire, in lilth screet, near Third ave~ nue, where they deposited a heavy package and departed. On searching the stables the mysterious package was found secreted under the hay in the jolt, and proved to be sixty dozens merino under- shirts, A short time afterward the same officer saw Collins go into the stable and emerged with a bag filed with the undershirts. He was arrested, aud later in the day his confederate also. The prisoners were committed by Judge Kasmire, at the Harlem Police court, Yesterday the same officer had obtained sufficient evidence to implicate two other members of the same gang, aud they were accordingly taken into custody. ‘rheir names are Daniel Lewis, altas “Rubber,” and Lawrence tag. nie & Well Known thief. Both were committed. Tie police believe the goods tound to be the proceeds of a burglary in Westchester connty, and will, they velieve, im a few days con- vict oi bday Rn the robbery no less than six employ¢s of the Harlem and New Haven Railway companies. John J. Blair, aged nineteen, a painter by trade, was yesterday committed by Judge Kasmiro im de- jauit of $2,000 bail, on a charge of burglariousiy entering the clothing store ot Lazarus Wolfe, ac No. 2,250 Third avenue, and stealing therefrom clothing vained at $300, When arrested a stolen coat was found on the prisoner's back, tour pawn tickets in his pockets and @ number of burglars implements in his possession. THE CINCINNATI DIAMOND THEPT, ie of M. C. Dickson, Arrested in Pittsburg for the Robbery. PITTSBURG, Jan. 20, 1874. M, C. Dickson, arrested last night on suspicion of being of the party who made the great haul of dia* monds in Cincianali, on Saturday, was retcased this evening. He maintained that he was an agent for Titany & Co., of New York, and stoutly declared his innocence of any crime, Telegraphic dispatches from several firms in New York were found on his person. He denied that he ad any money about bim save what would tuke him to New York, but on bei searched $4,400 was found seereted in his clotuing, There were also found pawn tickets tor sbout $1,300 worth of diamonds Which had been put up with the woe brokers. ‘To-day a telegram was sent to James Leech, member of Congress from the ureensboro district, North Caroling, who replied to the etfect that Dicksom was onc of his constituents, and a tan of property and character. A message was also recetved from Randel, Baremore & Co., of Nussan street, New York, to the effect that they had pegeenee sold diamonds to M, G, Dickson, and that the bill of January 10 amounted to over $3,000, The prisoner showed a Dil, from which It appears }ickson on that day pur chased from the firm named, who are jewellers and dealers in diamonds, gems amounting to $3,015 23, He said he was well known in New York.