The New York Herald Newspaper, January 24, 1874, Page 3

CONGRESS. Senator Stewart on the Dangers of Inflation. MASSISSIPP] RIVER IMPROVEMENT. yk Passage of the General Post Route Bili by the Senate. ———— PRIVATE BILL DAY IN THE HOUSE, SENATE, WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 1874, CONVBNIBNCES FOR IMMIGRANTS. The Cyatr laid before the Senate a communica. tion from the Secretary of the Treasury, in answer toaresolution of that body, giving iniormation as to the conveniences ‘urnished immigrants, Laid on the table. PETITIONS PRESENTED, Petitions were presented as follows:— By Mr. ALLISON, (rep,) of lowa—From citizens of Dubnque, Gregory, Lausing, New Albion, Clinton and Harper’s Ferry, lowa, and Brownsville, Minn., asking that the bridge across the Mississippi Raver at Clinton, Iowa, be opened to all railroads desir- ing to cross the river on it, Reierred to the Com- mittee on Commerce. By Mr. CONKLLING, (rep.) of N. ¥.—Resolutions of the New York Chamber of Commerce, asking the amendment of the law in relation to fines and moities under the Custom House laws. Aiso a petition of members of the Bar of Camden und Madison, N. Y., asking the repeal of the Bank- rupt law. Laid on the table. Also the resolution of the National Board of Trade, expressing the opinion of the Board that the award made at Geneva should be shared by the underwriters. Reierred to the Judiciary Com- mitiee. CONFIRMATION OF A LAND TITLE. Mr. Tipron, (rep.) of Neb., trom the Committee on Pubiic Lands, reported favorably on tue bill to confirm the title to certain lands purchased on the wite of the Fort Kearny military reservation, Passed. LOUISVILLE AND PORTLAND CANAL BONDS, Mr. SHERMAN, (rep.) of Ohio, from the Finance Committee, reported favorably on the bill to pay the bonds of the Louisville and Portland Canal. Placed on the calendar, CHARGES AGAINS! DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFiI- CIALS. Mr. THURMAN, (dem,) of Ohio, presented a@ peti- tion, asking Congress to appoint a committee to exauune into the Manner in which the affairs of the government of the District of Columbia are conducted, and especially those of the Board of Public Works, and that the petitioners be allowed to be present by counsel at such investigation. In presenting the petition Mr. Thurman said it was Signed by many respectable people of the District o1 Columbia and contained grave charges against the District government. He did not propose to offer at this time any resolution for the appoint- ment of such a committee, but he had been told that the evidence would he submitted to sustain the charges, und it would be time enough then to offer the resolution. He thought the petition should be printed so that tne people could see its contents, and therefore moved that it ve laid on the table and printed. Mr, ConKLING, of New York, said he had no desire ‘to object to the petition, but ne thought it useless to print it. It would ve printed in the papers here, and as the District of Cotampia is only seven intles: square there was far less reason why the petition should be printed, as it was not of general interest. He did not wish to diminish the effect of the peti- tion, but thought 1t unnecessary to print it. Mr. THURMAN said, a3 to thé 1oundation of the charges, he expressed no opinion whatever, but he thonght it right to print the petition. Mr. Sautssury, (dem.) of Del., said Congress ‘was called upon every year to pay large sums ot money to the Board 060i Public Works, and all in- formation possibie should be made puviic. Mr. SUERMAN, Of Ohio, said he did not think it right to print these charges until they should be supported by testimony. His colleague (Mr. Thur- man) had said in due me the testimony wouid be presented. Then it would be time enough to print them; but it was not right to give them publicity now. The motion to print the resolution was referred to the Committee on Printing. ALCOHOLIC LIQUOK TRAFFIC. Mr. WriGut, (rep.) of lowa, from the Finance Committee, reported untavoravly on the petitions asking the appointment of a commission to inves- tigate as to the trafic and manufacture o! alcoholic liquors, the House bill to accomplish the object daving already been reported upon favorabiy. AN OFFICE TO BE DISCONTINUED, Mr. WRiGuT, from the same committee, reported favorably on the House bill co abolish the office of geputy commissioner of internal revenue. Placed on the calendar. RHODE ISLAND'S BIG GUN. Mr. KELLY, (dem.) of Oregon, irom the Com- mittee on Military Affairs, reported favorably on the bill authorizing the Secretary of War to de- liver to the State of Rhode Island a gun marked “Battery B, First regiment, Khode Island Light artillery.” Passed. BILLS INTRODUCED. Mr. CoNnKLING, of New York, introduced a bill to provide for the establishment of an tnternational commission and to otherwise provide tor safety in gea travel, Referred to the Committee on Com- merce. Mr. EDMUNDS, (rep.) of Vt., introduced a bill to change the name of the registered steamer Oakes Ames to Champlain, Keierred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. HAMLIN, (rep.) of Me., introduced a bill donating certain condemned cannon to the soldiers’ monument at Biddelord, Me. Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, Mr. RAMSEY, (rep.) of Minn., introduced a bill to are for ascertaining and settling private land claims. Mr. WriGHt, of Iowa, introduced a_ bill to pro- ‘vide for cheap transportation by way of the great Jakes of the Northwest. Reterred to the Commit- tee on Transportation Routes, Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN, (rep,) of N. J., introduced a Dill to facilitate the distribution o! public docu- Ments. Referred to the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, In introducing the bill Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN said he acknowledged the fact that the abolishment of ‘the franking privilege caused great inconvenience n account of the inability to distribute public documents to colleges and State libraries wanting ‘them, His bill contemplated a reduction of post- age to twenty-five cents per volume, and dis- ‘pensed with prepayment of postage upon the same. COINAGE FOR FOREIGN COUNTRIES. Mr. SHERMAN, Irom the Finance Committee, re- ted without amendment the House bill autnor- coinage to be executed at the mints of the United States for toreign countries. PRIVATE LAND CLAIMS. Mr. Ramsey’s bill for the settlement of private Jand claims provides for the creation of a board of three commissioners, to hold office for three years, who shall hold sessions at such times and places as the President of the United States shall direct, and shall determine the validity of all un- settled private land claims in Nevada, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and ‘Utah; appeais to be taken trom their decisions to the United States district courts, SAFETY OF SEA TRAVEL, Mr. Conkling’s bill to provide for an international commission of the maritime Powers to lay down Ocean courses for steam vessels and otherwise provide for increased saiety of sea travel @irects the President to appoint a commis- sioner, on the part o! the United States, to meet with such other tommissioners as may be imted by foreign maritume Powers, whose co-operation he shall invite lor the above describea purpose, The United States commissioner ts to be confirmed by the Senate. The bill is framed in accordance With the memorial of the New Yok Chamber of Commerce ou the said subject. NIAGARA SEUP CANAL, Mr. Wright's transportation vill provides for the Ancorporation of a company (the names o1 the pro- posed incorporators not mentioned) to construct a@ ship canal around Niagara Falls, the United States government to endorse the construction bonds to the extent of eighty per cent of the cost ‘of the undertaking, and to reserve the right to Fegulate its tolls. ESTABLISBMENT OF POST OFFICES, Mr. Prarr offered a resolution, Which Was agreed to, directing the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads to inquire whether a just construction O1 the constitution does not require that all post @Mices should either be established by Congress or that its consent be given aiter they have been e3- tablished by the Postmaster General. IMPROVEMENT AT THE MISSISSIPPI'S MOUTH. The bill to facilitate the execution and to pro- tect certain public works of improvement at the mouth of the Mississippi River was taken up. ‘the bill directs the Secretary of War to assume full control over the particular Channel at the mouth of the Mississippi River in course of excavation, and authorizes that officer to establish such reguiations respecting the use of Or passage through such channel as he shail deem Meediul to protect the channel, factlitate the ex- eavation, tc. and that any person violating such regulations shall upon conviction be punished by a fine not exceeding or by imprisonment of bot more than six months, or both. Mr. THURMAN, Of Ohio, said, though fully in favor of improvement, he thought it was not in the power oi Congress to delegate authority to the Becretary of War, or any other officer, to make reg- ulations, the viviation of which shonid be pun- Asned by fine and imprisonment, Mr. WinpHaAM, (rep.) Of Minn., said the object ef the hil) was to remove one of the most shame- NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1874—WITH SUPPLEMENT. Jess jes existing in the United States. He had heard of nothing approaching the monopoly which held m its grasp the mouth of the Missiesipp! River. The Towboat Company did not want the channel deepened for the reason that it was to their interest to have vessels stuck in the mud there, 60 that they could receive so much per hour during the time employed in getting them off, in addition to the towage fee. Om one occasion, when Capi Howell, be M en ieee the War epartment in charge of the exgayation, j some progress iy boats, coming up hry large vessel, ran aground across the chan- gel, thus ooking: is and preventing any further progress of the excavation for weeks, Captain Howell was competed to leave the South- West Pass on account of obstructions put there by the tow boat company and begin work upon an- other, but they lollowed him there and obstructed that also. . Mr. THURMAN, Of Ohto, said he agreed with the Senator from Minnesota as to the abuses there, but thougiy it the duty of Congress to make regu- lations an@prescrihe punishment, not to delegate that power to the Secretary of War, Mr. CARPENTER, (rep.) of Wis, (Mr. Anthony in the chair), said he had been in New Orleans last season, and endorsed all that nad been said by the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. Windom); but he thougnt it unconstitutional for Congress ‘to dele- gate apy such power as the bill proposed to the Secretary of War. The bill was void on ite face, an«d he believed if it passed no penalties could be recovered under it, All wanted to see the im- provement of the work referred to; but he would hot sit here and vote for a bill which would be perfectly useless after its passage. Mr. CONKLING said he could not see how it was within the power of Congress to undertake such legislation a8 this, Congress had power to pre- scribe punishment for interiering with the mails, &c,, but it had no authority to delegate that power to the Postmaster General. Congress could not conier upon any executive or ministerial officer, or anybody else, the discretion to determine wuat shali and what shalt not constitute felony or mis- demeanor, and then set grand juries to work. Such legislation must rest upon some reasoning beyond his conception. Congress must prescribe the pen- alties, but could not confer upon the Secretary of War police powers, Mr. THURMAN, Of Ohio, said the best thing to do Was to pass @ general law protecting all our rivers and harbors from obstruction or any mterference with public works. Alter some further discussion the bill was recom- miited to the Committee on Commerce, THE MONEY QUESTION, The regular order, being the resolution reported by the Finance Committee, came uj Mr. STBWART, (rep,) Of Ney., spoke of the evils of a depreciated currency, and advocated tree bank- ing ona gold basis. The issue of any more cur- rency, he contended, would be an evil. No matter how much should be issued—$50,000,000 or a $100,000,000—men would get in debt more, and an- other crash would ioliow, Let @ siep be taken toward specie payment in time of peace and pros- perity. Congress ouglit not to encourage any speculation by dealing out more money. He thought we could stand efforts toward a revurn to specie payment now, but if asiep be taken back- ward 1t could not be retraced. Mr, WRIGHT, of lowa, moved the pending resolu- tion be laid aside intormally, and the Senate pro- ceed wo the consideration of the House bill to abolish the office oi Deputy Commissioner of Inter- nal Revenue. Mr. Logan, (rep.) of Iil., objected. Mr. Bayakp, (dem.) of Del, said he hoped no vote would be taken on the Hnancial resolution to- day. te, with other gentlemen, desired to speak, but were not ready to go on to-aay. Mr. SHERMAN sald while he was anxious to get the vote of the Senate on the resoiution as soon as possible he had no desire to cut off any debate. As the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Morton) would bring up his Meee question—the Louisiana case—on Monday, he (Mr. Sherman) moved that the further consideration o! the financial resolu- tion be postponed till Tuesday next, It was so ordered, On motion of Mr. ALLISON, of Iowa, it was agreed that when the Senate adjourn to-day it be till Monday next. PURCHASE OF THB LOUISVILLE AND PORTLAND OANAL, The bill to pay the bonds of the Lonisville and Portland Canal was taken up and passed. It pro- vides that the appropriation of March 3, 1873, ve continued in full force and made applicable to the payment of the debts of said canal, and so much as may be necessary shall be applied to the pay- ment of the interest as it accrues and the principal of the outstanding bonds of the company as they mature, provided, however, that the Secretary of the ‘treasury may purchase and pay for any of said bonds at their market price, not above par, when- ever he deems it for the interest of the United States. ‘The bill further authorizes the Secretary of the ‘treasury to take possession of said canal ana all property, real and personal, of said company within thirty days from the passage of the act as the property o1 the United States, subject, how- ever, to a mortgage or licen on said property in favor of the trustees under said mortgage and holders of bonds issued under it, The Secretary is authorized to pay the directors for the stock held by them and to cause full examination of all re- celpts and disbursements of the company to be made; and to collect, and, if necessary, sue for any money due to or held jor the company by the directors Or the trustees under said mortgage. The bili also provides tnat the canal and property ap- pertaining thereto snall be held for the common use and benetit of the people of the United States, free o1 all tolls and charges, except such as are necessary to pay the current expenses of the sai canal, and for the present year they shall be at the rate of ten cents per ton capacity on vessels propelled by steam and five cents per ton on other vessels, and to ascertain what rates wil pay current expenses aiter the present year; the Secretary of the ‘lreas- ury shall, on tue first Monday in January in each year, ascertain from the expenditures of the pre- vious year what tolls will probably pay expenses for the current year, and fix the rate of tolis thus as- certained to be charged tor the current year. THE POST ROUTE BILL. The Senate then resumed the consideration of the Post Rouve bill, the question being on Mr. Pratt’s amendment declaring all bridges heretofore or hereaiter to be erected over navigable rivers in the United States, or over lakes or the outlets o/ lakes, or over arms Of the sea or other bodies of water, and ali publio roads, established or hereafter to be establis! in the States or Territories and used as public highways, to be post roads; pro- vided, that no service shall be ordered on the routes until after an examination and the report of an agent of the Post Office Department, and that, in the judgment of the Postmuster General, such service isdemanded by the public convenience and necessity. Mr. Morton, of Indiana, opposed the amend- meant, and expressed the opinion that it would be delegating the power oi C.ngress to the Post- master General. Congress alone had the power to establish post offices and post roads, and 1t could not be conferred upon any one. Mr. HAMLIN, Of Maine, also opposed the amend- ment. He said if every cowpatn in the country Was to be opened up and declared a mail route he thought the duties o: the Postmaster General would be overwhelming; besides, large expendi- tures would be require Mr. MORRILL, (rep.) of Vt., Moved to insert in line 6, after the word “highways,” the words, ‘or leading from one town to another, or from one village to another, or irom any ratiroad depot to a town or village.’ This was agreed to, The amendment of Mr. Pratt, as amended by Mr. Morrill, was then rejected. TRANSPORTING FREIGHT BY MAIL. Mr. SARGENT, (rep.) of Cal., moved an amend- ment that irom and aiter June 30, 1874, the trans- portation in the mails of ali bound books, seede, cuttings, bulbs and general merchandise should be discontinued. In advocating the adoption of this amendment be spoke of the great inconvemence resulting to the postal service from transporting freight through the mails, In some instances snakes and alligators were sent by mail, and in one case a beebive. Mr. MORRILL, (rep.) of Me., said the adoption of the amendment of the gentleman from Caluornia (Mr, Sargent) would be of great benefit to the postal service. The amount of freight carried through the postal service was overwhelming. Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN, of ‘ New Jersey, said he doubted that the Postmaster General desired the | Bln of that amendment. Some means should e iurnished for sending books throughout the country, and he had been told by the Postmaster General, within a few days past, that he intended to reduce the postage on books, Mr. Ramsay, (rep) of Minn., appeaied to the entieman from California (Mr. Sargent) to with- raw the amendment. It had always been the Practice of the Senate not to put general legisla- tion in @ postal route bill, and he hoped the amend- Ment would be offered at some other time. Mr. SARGENT said he would withdraw the amend- ment, though he had been assured by the Post- muster General that its passage would be accept- able to him. Mr. Scort, (rep.) Of Pa., said that the gentleman from California had spoken of snakes and alll- gators being transperted through the mails. His amendment was to prevent the transmission of Seeds, books, bulbs and general merchandise— Which head did snakes and alligators come under? Mr, SARGENT—General merchandise, 1 suppose. (Laughter) fo bop lang ad Be withdrawn. r. PRATT offered an amendment that no office Should be established on any route named in the vill until atter such authority be given by Con- gress. Rejected. The bill was then passed. EXECUTIVE SESSION. At four o'clock, on motion of Mr. Conkling, the senses went we crecunee Session, and, alter three-quarters of an hour, the doors were reopened and the Senate adjourned, ey HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 1874, PRIVATE BILLS REPORTED, @ee morning hour was occupied in the call of committees for reports of @ private character, which were all referted to the Committee of the Whole. The House then resumed the consideration of the WEST VIRGINIA CONTESTED ELECTION CASE. The discussion continued until two o’clook P. M., when, by previous arrangement, the House pro- ceeded to the consideration of business pertain- ing to “! ‘THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, The only business reported was a bill in refer- ence to the education of thy blind of the District, and that, after discussion, was referred to the Committee of the Whole. ‘The House then resumed consideration of the West Virginia contested election case. Alter further discussion and without coming to @ vote the House, at hall-past four o’clock, adjourned. '0-morrow’s session te to be for general debate. ICE OR NO ICE. Fallure of the Ice Crop So Far This Sea- son—The Hudson River Merely Coated— Three Inches of Ice Instead of Ten—The Tee Companies in a Quandary—Hi dreds of Families Out of Work Along the Hudson. ‘The chances of there being a@ failure of the ice crop this winter still cause a growing alarm to the ice companies. Week after week their hopes have been excited only to be thawed out within a few hours, or, at furthest, within a few days. ‘The outlook with each succeeding day grows more serious for them, and, although the public do not stop now to think much about the matter, yet, if the ice crop fails, there wilt, during the coming summer, be some very serious incon- venience and.suffering. Outside of the general beverage business the failure of the tee crop would be a calamity. The price of ice would necessarily be increased by five or seven times whatit at present is. This fact alone will show to what a condition the city would be reduced if the frost continues to keep away. Up to the present time the principal ice companies have not made any movement towards getting in @ supply from other States. They are in hopes that the frost may come and that the Hudson may yet get a full crop. It is within the experience of some of the older icemen that even in February the river has become so well frozen that, though ap to that time not @ pound of the summer stock was in the houses, there was more than an abundant supply tor the year. The uncertainty of when we may get a cola snap prevents the ice companies from expending tne large sums of money which would be needed to get ice from Maine or elsewhere. They do not intend to take any action whatever until all hope of frost this winter has been aban- doned. , ‘The manner in which the ice crop is gathered in- volves at ordimary times great expense. Fach company has a number of storehouses along the Hudson, and into these immediately from the river the ice is gathered. In connection with some of these houses very costly machinery is used both for the purpose of facilitating the storing of the ice and for its subsequent transportation. The tce 1s brought daily to the city in barges from these houses, It will be, therefore, easily seen what @ difference there would be between the pres- ent price of ice and the price in case of the failure of the crop this year; for, of course, it would be & fresh start in new fields for each company, and the expense would be proportion- ately great, while now all the machinery and facil- ities are at hand. One of the most painful reflections this season is that hundreds of families along the Hudson River will be thrown out o1 every chance o! mak- ing a living. These poor people are largely de- pendent upon the gathering of the ice crop, the storing of the ice and the subsequent transporta- tion to the rhe So far as present indications 4 there is but little hope for them this winter. The ice isnot at the present time in any part of the Huason more than three or four inches thick, and it must increase to ten inches in depth before a single field of it can be gathered. It is necessary that horses should work on the frozen river, and without @ depth of about ten inches they could not be borne up lor the labor needed. The Vice President of the Knickerbocker Com- pany, Mr Maclay, yesterday informed # HERALD reporter that their pond at Rockland Lake was 1n no better condition than the Hudson River. An agent of the Consumers’ Company stated thatall the companies were alike situated, tne Hudson River being the resource for all of them and their hopes being dependent entirely upon the arrival of the trost. No concerted action is being taken by any of the large companies, there being no need for such action, it bemg only required that the tem- erature fall to freezing pomt. Experienced judges say that if the weather continues at the temperature of yesterday the Hudson River will run as Hmpidly within three days as it did last Juiy. lt would take one week's good bit- ing frost to put a crop of ice upon the Hudson. An estimate of the amount of ice consumed in this city during the season was paced by Mr. Maciay at 600,000 tons, but of course jouble that quantity has to be gathered to make up for the losses. From ail the information gained the ice com- panies are in a very serious predicament, being in doubt as to whether to risk expense or to trust to lucky weather. What the larger companies fear is that the money expended might be simply thrown away. They argue that if they went to the vast expense now of layingina supply from Maine and should February grow acrop upon the Hudsou the expense would be all useless, for of course tie ice should be sold at a price commen- surate with the outlay in the premises, The Thaw on the Hudson. POUGHKEEPSIE, Jan. 25, 18° The extraordinary thaw which has prevailed this week has again partially opened the Hudson. All the ice south of Hudson 1s on the move. A dense fog prevailed this morning, during which i.e Rhinebeck ferry boat ran ashore. The pros- pects of the ice crop bear a serious aspect. The usual harvest 1s over half a million tons, and as yet not a cake has been cut. A MOTHER'S LOVE. She Clings to Her Child in Deathn—Ex. traordinary Case of Superstition. In the tenement house 173 Seventh street, Jersey City, lives Mrs. Black, a widow. she had two children, one a girl five years old, the other a boy eighteen months oid. The latter died at nine o'clock at night on Thursday, 15th inst. Friday passed, and the neighbors wondered why the woman did not make her appear- ance. Captain Van Riper, of the Second precinct, was called on, and when he learned the child was dead he notified County Physician Buck. ‘The jJatter called at the house and gave a permit for burial, The mother would not listen to such an order. Dr. Buck told her it was imperative. The poor woman threw herself on her knees and im- plored him for God’s sake not to take her dear child away from her. She was convinced that after eight days it would come to life again. Dr. Buck consented to leave the lifeless cnild with her on condition that she would place it on ice. The poor woman answered, “Oh, no; it 1s cold enough without placing it on ice.’ Day after day passed, and the neighbors again appealed to the police, The distracted mother tcok the dead child to her bosom every night in the hope that life would return. She heated the poker and placed it to the soles of the infant’s feet and when the child did not respond she groaned and cried so piteously that the neighbors were at- tracted to the place. <A second complaint was made to the police, and Captain Van Riper gave orders that the body be removed. In carrying out this order it was necessary to hold the irantic mother till the body was removed out of sight. Alter it was removed she criea and roaned in the most piteous manner. Some kind- flearted neighbors exerted themselves to console her, but in vain. She expects her vrother, who is her sole support, to arrive to-day, and then she Says everything will be wi be Meantune the body lies at Brady's, and there is no sign of decemposi- tion, The unfortunate woman, it is feared, has lost her reason. She will not admit auy of ner neighbors to sympathize with her, as she says she has been robbed of her child. Her cries at night are heartrending. To-day the body will be mter- red, and if the brother of the unfortunate woman does not appear it will be necessary to have her sent to the County Lunatic Asylum. Yesterday she acted in the most frantic manner and would not be comforted, OUB OITIZENS IN CUBA. SanTIAGO DE Cusa, Jan. 11, 1874 To Tae EDITOR OF THE HERALD:— In your tssue of 27th December, received here to- day, we notice your arucie apprehensive of vio- lence being committed against American citizens at this place. I beg to inform you that the Canandaigua, com- manded by R. B. Lowry, has remained here since the 19th of December, and that no demonstration has been made, Captain Lowry, though ordered to Key West, took bar himself the respon- sibility of remaining here for the protection of our interests, and in @ very brief and ointed note informed General Burriei that the last fn jignity against americans had been committed which would go unpunished. Burriel attempted to enter into a lengtny correspondence, but Cap- tain Lowry cut him stiort by refusing to discuss any question with lim but one, and that one—if the hair of au American was touched, except by due course of law, the guns of the Canandaigua would, without hesitation, be opened on the forts and gunboats in the harbor, and, if necessary, on the town, The Canandaigu in fine order and we feel safe under her protection. She looks splendid as sho ites off the city. Her Captain, officers and crew have won the esteem of all for- eigners for their perfectly proper deportment and bearing, and even Spanish Catalans respect their titude and dignified courtesy. a eo .6 BANDERA AMERICANA. THE DEPARTMENT OF DOCKS. cpreececeeeias What the Commissioners Think of the Petition Presented in the Legislature Praying for an Investigation of the Department— What the Department Has Done and What It Has Cost To Do It, Mr. Coughlin, member of Assembly from New York, offered at Albany yesterday a “petition” purporting to be signed by “many prominent cit- izens and taxpayers.” This petition sets forth that the Department of Docks of the city of New York .has expended over $3,000,000 in four years, without any material improvement to our system of docks, the greater portion of the money being expended m supporting sinecure officials, The petition concludes with a prayer for an investiga- tion into these charges and the general adminis- tration of the affairs of the department. The offictals connected with the Department of Docks profess to regard this petition with inaitfer- ence. They state that Mr. Coughlin is a young and ambitious legislator, who wishes to make @ sensation and capital for himself under the name of reform. It is also hinted that certain parties connected with the Petition are simply disappointed applicants for Positions under the Dock Commissioners, At any rate, the Dock Commissioners specifically deny the charges made against their department in the pe- tition and make the following oficial statements regarding the matters in question :— ECONOMY OF THE NEW REGIME, In the first place they state that since the in- auguration of the present Board of Dock Commis- missioners, May 20, 1873, the salaries of all persons connected with the department have been reduced to the lowest possible figure, and that the salaries paid this year are lower by many thousands of dol- lars than those paid previously. ‘Thus, in- stead of five commissioners at $10,000 each, there are now but three, whose joint salaries amount to only $12,500—the President, Jacob A, Westervelt, receiving $6,500, the other commis- sioners, William Garduer and Wliliam Budd, re- ceiving each $3,000, Again, General Graham, the Chief Engineer of the present Board, receives a salary of $5,500, whereas General McClellan, who formerly occupied this position, received $20,000, 30 that $52,C00 is now saved annually in salaries alone of the chiet officials. EXPENSES LESS THAN APPROPRIATIONS, It is also claimed that during the last four years the expenses of the Department of Docks have been less than the full limit of the appropriations, or that the sums actually expended have been much less than the sums that could legally have been expendea during that period. The law provides that the Comptroller, when directed by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, shall issne dock bonds bearing seven per cent interest and redeemabie within thirty years, the Supervisors raising by tax the interest and the principal thereof, and the amount of said bonds DOL to exceed $3,000,000 in any one year. Now, during the three compiete years, from May, 1870, to May, 1878, the department was entitled by law to expend $9,000,000, but by references to the several reports tt will be seen that only $2,150,730 88 was expended. IMPROVEMENTS, £0. Ivis also claimed that not only are the expenses or the department now less than the appropriations, but that over one-half of the actual expenses have been returned to the city treasury in the shape of rents received for docks, &c., as follows:. RENTS DEPOSITED WITH CITY CHAMBERLAIN. 69 $341,563 1872. $423,545 eee 1873. + 468,217 24119 ie subjoined list of work done since May, 1873, speaks jor itself:—Thirty piers repaired, twelve piers rebuilt, thirteen bulkheads rhpaired, docks at Blackweill’s Island repaired, docks at Bellevue Hospital built and repaired; aumping boards used by Bureau of Street Cleaning repaired and kept in good order; slips dredged and about 76,000 cubic yards of mud removed, In addition to this tabular statement the following items are to be noted :—The old barge office at the Battery, for which the government paid only $1,500 has been recently leased out for $10,000. The Dock Comimiss:oners are erecting three new piers at the foot of Christopher street {asing five steam pile drivers and two dredgers). These piers have been leased to the steamers of the White Star Line and are to bring into the city an income of $45,000 per annum, Other new pliers are to be leased to other steamboat lines, and thus the in- come of the city is to be increased, while at the game time the value of the taxable property in the vicinity of the piers is increased and the volume of the business of the metropolis is enlarged. WORKING FIGURES OF THE DEPARTMENT, On the monthly pay rolls ot the Department of Docks, in addition to the three Commissioners and the Engineer-in-Chief, are eight clerical attachés, viZ.i— Salary per Names. Annum, William W. Burnham, Bookkeeper..... 15,000 more T. Lynch, Secretary.. William M. Whitney, Chiet Clerk...... Louis A. Jackson, Assistant Secretary. Seth C. Dougiass, Cierk. see George W. Sterritt, Assistant Bookkeeper. James Haggerty, Clerk to Treasurer..... x Wy OQ. Stoddard, Clerk to Engineer in Chief, ..... 6.60.26 seeeeee seseree 2 There are also 12 collectors and superintendents at salaries of $2,500 each, 4clerks in the repairs and supply department, and 13 under the Engineer in Chief, and 25 men on the tugs and dredges. In the semi-monthly pay rolls are 304 men, chiefly skilled lavorers, in the Engineer's field corps, averaging wages $2 75 per day; 148 men in the repairs and supply department, averaging about $2 50 per day, and 25 scow men, &c., at about the same compensation, forming a total of 546 men in ail capacities, from President down to dock tabor- ers, in the employ of the Department of Docks at the present time. MISCELLANEOUS, It is also claimed by the Dock Commisstoners that the city can and does build docks more cheaply than priva‘e individuals, while the sub- joiwed tabular exhibit of the gradual increase of the dock rents of the metropoiis during the last four years is very flattering :— Increase 1870 over 1869.... Increase 1871 over 1869 Increase 1872 over 1869 Increase 1873 over 1869 as + 126,654 A majority of the leases will expire May, 1875, when it can reasonably be expected they will yleld the city a largely advanced revenue. DOCTORS' DEMANDS, Homeopathy vs. Allopathy in Brooklyn. The homeopathists of Brooklyn have deter- mined among themselves that it is useless longer to remain quiet and await the turning of the wheels of justice, which will accord them recogni- tion at the hands of the officials of the mu- nicipal government. They claim that they must be up and doing in defence of their professional Skill as physicians, and that they must demand their share of the municipal offices, which are now Monopolized by allopathic physicians, Act- 1pg under this determination, a delegation of prominent hommopathic physicians, ac- by severa! influential patients, been cured of bodily ailments by infinitesimal doses, and certain prominent clergymen, will call upon President Jourdan and the other Commissiovers of Police to-day. They wili make @ statement of their case and present a formidable array of statistics to substantiate the assertion that the proportion of cures under their treatment was larger in Brooklyn last year than that of their allopathic brethren. There are ninety homeopathic and 500 pippediic doctors in the city of churches. They will ask to be represented on the Health Board and on the police surgical stad. ‘The delegation wili also visit other official boaies and seek representation in the hospital corps and among all city and county institutions. The doc- tors “mean business,” they assert, and will not remain in the backgrouna any longer. DEATHS FROM SCALDS, Joseph Lynch, a child two and a half years of age, died yesterday at the residence of nis parents, No. 49 Downing street, from the effects of internal scalds, caused by inhaling steam from the spout of a tea kettle. Coroner Kickhoff was notified, The game Coroner was called to hold an inquest over the remains of Mrs, Margaret Ward, sixty-seven yeats of age and born in Ireland, who died at No. 416 East Nineteenth street trom the effects of tpoken by a pot of boiling water upsetting BURGLARY IN BROOKLYN, The residence of Mr. A. Taylor, corner of Fulton Street and Washington avenue, was burglariously entered on Wednesday evening last. The thief effected an entrance, wiiile the tamily were at tea in the basement, by climbing up the extension and forcing Open a second story window. The rogue then ransacked the bedrooms, and securing about $600 worth of jewelry, vacated the premises. The police are “looking after” the thief, as usual, THE OAPTAIM OF THE LOST SHIP PANTHER. Boston, Jan. 23, 1874, Captain J. W. Balch, who commanded the ship Panther, the loss of which is reported, was @ son of Captain John Balch, of Boston, and his mother still resides here, He was forty years of age aud had followed the sea from his boyhood, TOM FIELDs. ots 9S The Ex-Commissioner and Assemblyman in Brussels Studying Extradition Law—His Interview with Ex-Governor Hoffman. Several members of the broken Tammany Ring have taken long journeys into foreign countries, and have, doubtless, been enabled to enjoy the ad- vantage of studying the institutions and manners of the people with whom they have come in con- tact in the course of their travels. It was rumored yesterday in the United States District Attorney's office that not long since Tom Fields, ex-Corpora- tion Counsel, ex-Commissioner of Parks and ex- Assemblyman, found himself, not at Albany in his old political haunts, but in the pleasant city of Brussels, in Belgium, where there may be “rings,” but, if tnere are, they have not been formed on the “Tweed” pattern. Tom, desiring to look likea foreign gentleman, had allowed the nair to grow a8 much as it could all over his face. Walking in one of the principal streets, the Rue de la Mon- tagne, he was somewhat surprised to see ex- Governor Hoffman strolling along. “Hallo, Governor, how do you do?” exclaimed Tom. Mr. Hoffman, hearing bimself thus familiarly ad- dressed, turned round to see who it was that haa accosted him. ‘Ll really do not know you, sir,” observed Mr. Hoffman. “Not know me!” replied Tom, Fielde!” “Pleldst Tom Fielde! Yes, of course, I know you,” said Mr. Hoffman; “but you are so much changed by that beard you are wearing, By the way, Fields, let me ask what are you doing in Brust sels 1’ (Mr, Hoffman no doubt knew well what had brought Tom there, but the question was put for the purpose of showing a little poilteness and not to embarrass the man with the beard all over his face.) “To tell you the truth, Governor,” said Tom (and as he commencedé the remark there was a twinkle in his eye), “Ihave come to Brussels for the pur- pose of studying extradition law, and I think this the best and safest place 1 can do it at.” With this observation the interview closed, and ‘Yom went his way, rejoicing no doubt that there 18 no extradition treaty between Belgium and the United States. “Not know Tom THE REPUBLICAN GENERAL COMMITTEE. + A Caucus in the District Attorney’s Office About the Contested Seats—The Tinkling of the “Little Bell” That in War Times Was Feared. Rumor for some days has reported a bitter battle and a contest for supremacy existing within the republican party, which is supposed to be run by Mr. Thomas Murphy, ex-Collector of the Port, likely to terminate in a split between that branch Which is believed to still adhere to the President and Mr, Murphy and the other “malecontents” who respect the memory of the ‘Sage of Chappa- qua,” who, in the last Presidential eiec- ton, contested the right to the Chief Magis- tracy. Rumor—a very bad authority sometimes and at other times a very good one—says that the General Committee, of which Police Commissioner Gardner is chairman, 1s annoyed with protests and combinations made by the respective wings of the party in the First, Sixtn, Filteenth and Twen- ty-first Assembly districts to secure suprem- acy in the Central Committee that meets at Re- ublican Hath weekly and has charge of the weighty interests of the administration party in this city. Investigations snow that there ts cer- tainly a contest in the districts named; but it is very ditiicult to get at the facts. At the lust meeting of the General Committee at Republican Hall, at which Collector Arthur figured prominently, J. M. Patterson, of the Tenth dis- trict; David H. Crowley, of the Fourth district; Joseph C. Pinckney, of the Four- teenta district and Clerk of the Board of Aldermen; District Attorney Phelphs, of the Seventeenth district, and Horace M. Ruggies, ot the Eighteenth district, were appointed a spe- cial committee to decide upon the contested seats. Nobody, except the gentlemen named, was sup- posed to know when or where this commitcee of tive met; but a reporter of the HERALD yesterday learned that it would likely meet at the District Attornuey’s Ofice, at half-past three P. M., but he could not ascertain whether the press would be ad- mitted, General Pinckney, one of the committee, had no secrets from the press, and admitved that there was no necessity tor secrecy. At the hour named there were found in the District Attorney’s Office General Pinckney, J. M. Patterson, District Attorney Phelps, George H. stenograpier and representatives of ‘all the daily journals. The latter were not admitted anu the messengers of the District Attorney's Ollice Were employed in watching them and pre- venting them invading the office of their chief. The business of the office was virtually suspended after the hour named, and the callers amused themselves in reading the calendar of burglars, Murderers and other offenders whose cases at entered for Monday. Assistant District sic 4 Allen paased in at four, and smiled through hi spectacles upon allin the office, Meanwhile the “tinkling bell of the District Attorney’ had been at work, 1 imitation of Secretary Seward’s, and a number of politicians had made their exit and entrance by a private door on the second floor. The tnkling of the bell continued at inter- vals until ive minutes before five o’clock, when General Pinckney, of the committee, came out and stuted to the representatives of the press that Mr. Lyon would give all the details of the caucus. Mr. Lyon gratified the press by announcing that the meeting had veen informal, and that all they had done was to read protests, &c., and arrange tor tue hearing of cases, as follows :— MonpaYy NeExT.—The committee will sit at Repub- lican Hall and hear evidence as_to the contested seats from the Sixth and Fifteenth Assembly ais- tricts ; the Sixth district being first considered TUESDAY NEXT.—T'he contest in the Twent; Assembly district will be acted upon and the first pro- upon. In this connection it may be stated that Secre- tary Lyon remarks that there 1s little or no di culty, or any trouble in the General Committee, except im the cases of five or six delegates iu cer- tain Wards, and that the admission or rejection of the delegates claiming seats in the General Com- mittee must be passed upon by the committee of which Mr, Patterson ts chairman. Per contra, one of the cominittee suggests that if there 1s a journal suMciently enterprising to invade the Assembly districts in which there is a contest and interview the contestants in the late primary elections something rich will ceme out. PHILADELPHIA POLITICS, Colonel Biddle Declines the Mayoraity Nomination—Littlcton’s Friends Elated. PHILADELPAIA, Jan, 23, 1874, The representatives of the democratic party are pui at their wits’ ends to-night by the refusal of Colonel Biddle to accept the nomination for Mayor, which was tendered to him early in the week, colonel Biddle has written a letter, in which he begs leave to have his name withdrawn, desiring, as he does, to take no part whatever In the coming campaign. The representatives of the Union ticket, which endorsed Mr. Littieton in the Convention the other with new hopes, and fully anticipate thac in the Convention, which will reconvene next Monday, the old democracy will unite with the young and give their support to the Union nominee. O'MARA AND IRWIN CONVIOTED OF MURDER, BINGHAMTON, N. Y., Jan. 23, 1874, In the trial of Daniel O'Mara and Patrick Irwin, for the alleged marder of the former's sister, Mary O'Mara, at Montrose Lge Pa., on the morning of the 27th of September . the jury, after an absence of three hours trom the court room, this afternoon, rendered a verdict of murder in the first degree. SUDDEN DEATH IN A BATHROOM, About half-past eleven o'clock yesterday morning Mr. William J. Wilcox, senior partner of the firm oft W. J. Wilcox & Co., lard refiners, of No. 53 Ves- try street, proceeded to Gibson’s Russian bathing establishment, corner of Thirteenth street and Broadway, and after taking a bath dressed him- self, and, stepping into the office, sat down ina chair to rest liumself, as he felt fatigued. Ina few moments Mr. Wilcox was taken suddenly Ill, and, failing to the floor, expired in a few minutes after- wards. Notwithstanding Mr. Wilcox was thought tobe a remarkably healthy man it !sbelieved he had some organic disease, which was elerated by the action of the bath, The ins were re- moved to the Fitteenth precinct station house and from thence, by permission of Coroner Woltman, to an undertaker’s, where Dr. Shine will make an autopsy to-day, after which Coroner Woltman will hold an tnqnest. Mr. Wilcox, who was about filty. three years of and a native of this State, lived in Paterson, Nite where he has left a widow. He has a marrie hter by his first wife living in ity. Deceased, it is stat has left a fortune veral hundred thousand dollars. TO BE TRIED AGAIN, WoncEsTER, Mass., Jan. 23, 1874, Antonio Joan, tried at the last term for setting fire to the Eagle Block. in Westborough, is to ve tried again thia term, Lyon, Secretary of the General Committee, and a | gramme for future action will then be decided | day, to the number of thirty votes, are inspired” EX-PRESIDENT BAEZ. What the Recent Ruler of St. Domingo Says~ The Causes of His Fall—Betrayed by His Friends—Doubtful Stability of the Pro- visional Government—The Samana Bay Company—Off for Washing ton to Lobby Annexation, Buenaventura Baez, General of Division, Grand Citizen, and recently President of the Republic of St. Domingo, who arrived late on Thursday at the Brevoort House, from that island, was visited yesterday morning by @ representative of thé HBRALD, General Baez 1s a man nearly sixty years of age, In person he is about five feet four inches in height, of stoutish build, rather stoop shouldered and shows unmistakable signs of Ethiopian blood in his veins. The hand of time has Jeft indelible marks on the soldierly features of the old states Man. He possesses a pleasing and kindly brown eye, has a well shaped head, strongly marked wat worn features, and dresses in a plain suit of black, without much display of jewelry. From the con« versation which ensued with the HERALD represen: tative the foliowing statement is made :— The bloodless revolution that has ousted Genera? Baez from power was the result of an election agi- tation among the progressive party, which he hag represented very sucoessfully tn the Presidency for the last six years. Baez was @ candidate for re- election to office, and Generals Villanueva, Gonza+ lez and others, whom he had appointed to places of high trust and emolument under his administra~ tion, were against him, ostensibly because of the Samana Bay contract, but really on account of their own ambitious aspirations to mount inta power against the will of the people, They knew that the popular vote would not sustain their un- worthy hostility to the regulariy constituted gov- ernment; therefore those intriguers took tothe mountains with about 150 infantry and fifty cav- airy. This appeal to arms showed their treason to the progressive party. Baez possessed the capital of the Republic, the army, the custom honses and all desirable material means to annihilate the rebels; but in launching tnto a civil war the pro- gressive party would have been shattered and the accession of the ultra conservatives become a pos- sibility. Therefore, to save the liberal party from destruction and avoid the shedding of blood, Gen- eral Baez agreed to separate himself from the government and allow his enemies to get into power, After this explanation the General handed to the reporter a copy of a convention entered into by him with General Pablo Villanueva, commander of the revolutionary troops, and his address to the Senate at the time of surrendering the Presidency. He evinced surprise when iniormed that both of these documents had veen published days ago in the HERALD. The ex-President wishes it to be known that he was almost unanimously re-elected in three of the Dominican provinces; that the rebels who now protest so strongly against the Samana Bay con- tract were formerly stanch supporters of the measure. They now want to make it appear that he has absolutely sold to Americans, who are for- eigners, an extensive tract of the national terri. tory, while the fact is that the bay and other privi- leges are on!y leased, at a specified rent, for a term ol years. Butif the present provisional govern- ment should succeed in establishing itsel! it will then be glad to receive the yearly rent of $150,000 which the Samana Bay Company are paying for the rights that they have acquired. AS to the probabilities of who may be called to the Presidential chair, General Baez thinks that Caceres has at present the bestchance .He says that the new men in power dare not come before the people to ask their suffrages, for then there is loubt he would be recalled at once. Another cause of trouble to Baez was the oppo- sition which he suffered from the Hayticns be- canse of his friendsbip for the United States, In Hayti there is alaw which probibits white men from holding or becoming possessed of real estate, and the people of that black Republic think that it Americans once got a foothold on the lovely and fertile isiand of St. Domingo the colored race would go to the Wall. Had Baez determined upon using force to maintain tumself in power (which, he asserts, might easily nave been done), the worst passions of the people belonging to both | Repubhes would have been appealed to by such freebooters and bandits as Luperop, and a san- gulnary war must have ensued. The Dominicans like foreigners, especially Americans: while tho Haytiens abhor all white men, particularly those of the United States, About the ability of the Samana Bay Company to comply with the conditions of their contract there seems to be no doubt. Last year the company [sow up the yearly rent of $150,000 tor wuich the ay and its dependencies are leased, This term the rent has not been delivered over because there was no stable or legitimate government to receive it. General Baez remembers very weil the project that was set on foot some years ago with the ob- ject of establishing a new Power, to be called the Confederation o: the Antilles, It was not decided whether this new nation in embryo should be a kingdom ora republic. That was to be leit to the decision of an inter-insular convention of notables. It was understood that St. Domingo, Cuba, Jamaica and the other adjacent West India Islands were to form this Power esate’ England would probably cede Jamaica and Spain part with Cuba lor this purpose, seeing that the realization of the scheme could be converted into @ poweriul lever to be resolutely poised against rapidly developing American interests in the West Indies. England and Spain, principally the former, were conceded to be the prime movers in this scheme. When asked about the prospects of Cuba General Baez expressed bis sympathy with the islanders and showed a desire that they should be indepen- dent. in St. Domingo there are sympathies for Spain as a nation, The General himself had servea jor a long time asa general officer in the Spanisao Army. That, of course, bad littie to do with the intrinsic merits of tue Cuban question, The Cubans who live in St. Domingo were opposed to his government because he did not.give them the means to Mt out expeditions against Spain, They wanted nim to go to Cuba in person. He could not accede to such demands, They would bring about a gross violation of the neutrality laws, which St. Domingo could not afford to break. The United States, one of the must powerful countries In the world, has observed a strict and honorable neutrality as between Cubans and Spaniards; then a, there is much more reason for the Dominicans to keep the strict letter oi inter- national law. General Baez now wishes to test American Sentiment on the subject of annexation, He thinks it Was a great bluuder—nothing short or a misfortune—that this extremely — important measure was not carried out three years ago. 16 would have brought to the United States a country eXceeded by none, both in agricul tural and mineral wealth, and have con-+ Jerred upon the Republic of st. Vomingo the honor and glory of participating in the peace, prosperity and greatness enjoyed in tie most eminent degrea by these United States. The ex-President will, therejore, use all his influence at Washington, ag well as by means o/ the Samana Bay Venting achieve the momentous plan of annexation that has been for years betore the American public. He thinks it not unlikely that sudden reverses among those who bave succeeded in temporarily sup- planting him may bring about bis recall to power at no distant ues The distinguished sojourner among us ts unac- beet by his family, who have remained in St. ominge. The Bland is now in @ flourishing commercial condition. The exchanges of its products with foreign countries, the condition of its currency and other kindred branches of national prosperity were never in 80 good a condition as at present. ‘The judicious and wise policy of Baez's government. has Worked wonders in the way of developing the country’s immense resources. THE STILWELL HOMIOIDE, Discharge of John E. Corwin, After a ‘Thorough Investigation. ANDERSON, Ind., Jan. 23, 1874. The examination of John E. Oorwin for the killing of Hon. Thomas N. Stilwell was concluded to-d: {ter four days of hard fighting between the leading couasel of both sides. A host ot witnesses were examined, and to-day was spent in arga- ment, General Benjamin J. Harrison, of Indianap- olis, clos! for the defence and Major J. W. Gordon, Lt ealaeapote for the State, both of whom rank among the “rst criminal lawyers of In- diana, ‘THE CASE ON BOTH SIDES. The defence was previous threatening, long for- ree and Lota rt bo espe Cg show provocation for the a and pi weakness and the ordinarily harmless character of Stilwell. CORWIN RXONBRATED, The defence made a clear cage, and the defend. ant was fully discharged trom the three counts of the information—murder, murder in the second de- ee and mansiaughter, The result was received with great cheering in the crowded court room, THE IRON AND STBEL ASSOCIATION. PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 23, 1874 The Convention of the Iron and Steel Associa tion of the United States is cotled for February 6, at the Continental Hotel,