The New York Herald Newspaper, March 26, 1874, Page 8

NEW YORK HERALD BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR, | THE DAILY HERALD, published every day in the | rear, Four cents per Copy. Annual subscription }rice $12. | Al business or news letters and telegraphic | espatches must be addressed New Yorx | -Henatp. Rejected communications will not be re-| durned. Letters and packages should be properly sealed, LONDON OFFICE OF THE NEW YORK HERALD—NO. 46 FLEET STREET. Subscriptions and Advertisements will be | received and forwarded on the same terms | as in New York. Volume XXXIX AMUSEMENTS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING —_—_—_—_. METROPOLITAN THRATR! e, No, S85 Broadway.—VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT, at Ta 2. M., closes at 10280 P.M. NIBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway, between Priuce and Housion streets.—-DAVY ©ROCBETI, aS P.M; closes at ld:30 ¥, Mo My, Frank Mayo. bh M THEATRE, Fonrteenth street, xth avenue.—French Opera Houlle—LA GRANDE DUCHESSE, at 8P. M.; closes at id P.M. Die. Marie Aimee. Broadway, corner CRUSADE OF TE: 420P. M. Same at 8 P. | DALY’S FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE, | {womy-cighth greet and Broadway —OHARITY, at § P. : closes at 10230 P.M. | > "M. Mise Ada Dyas, Miss Panny i avenport, Mr, Fisher, wis, THEATER No, 54 Broadway.— gett 1ETY ENTERTAINMENT, at 8 2. M,; closes at 10 30 P. ut 1:30 P.M. THE COLL / BAWN, at 7:5 P.al.; joses at 1045 P. M. Dion jeault. WALLACK’S THEATRE, ‘roadway and Thirteenth stree-—CENTRAL PARK, at | 5 ¥. M.; Closes at 0 P.M. Mr. Lester Wallack. MRS, CONWAY'S BROOKLYN THEATRE, tou street, near Fulton street, Brooklyn.— oP. M.; closes at LP, Miss Minnie | GERMANIA THEATRE, conth street, near Irving place.—DIE ZAERTLI- VERWANDTEN, at 8 P. M.; closes at 11 P. M. OLYMPIC THEATRE, ACADEMY OF MUSIC, | ath streeu—Upera Boufle, at 1:30 P. M. Mile. " BROOKLYN PARK THEATRE, opposite City Hall, Brooklyn.—LITIL’ Ni LL AND THE | MABCUIONEDS, at P. loses at 11 P.M. Lotta. | BOWERY THEATRE, Rowery.—Matinee at 1:30 P. M.—NECK AND NECK, yAglery ENTERTAINMENT, at 8 P.M.; closes at li ‘ TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, No. 201 Fowery,—VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT, at 8 P. AM. j closes at 1 P.M. BRYANT’S OPERA HOUSE, Twenty-third siree! STRELSY, &c., at 8 P. M. COLOSSEUM, Broadway, corner of ‘hirty-fifth street—PARIS BY | MOONLIGHT, at iP. #; closes at 5. M.; same at7 P. M.; closes at 10 ¥, M. TRIPLE SHEET, New York, Thursday, March 26, 1874. ~ From our reports this morning the probabitities are that the weather to-day will be moderately cool, cloudy, possibly with rain. The possibility of a new issue of inconvertible paper I regard with amazement and anaiety, and, in my judgment, suchan issue would be a detri- ment and a shame.—CHaRtEs SUMNER. Tae War mm Cvusa.—Another battle has taken place, near Puerto Principe, between the Cubans and Spaniards. In the begin- ning of the action the Cuban forces, under General Maximo Gomez, seem to have had a decided advantage, and the admitted difficulty of General Bascones in fighting his way to the scene of the batile indicates something very like a victory for the patriots. One thing is certain—that the Cubans are stronger and more active than at any time since the begin- ning of the war, and Spain must begin to see that the struggle with the insurgent colonists | is hopeless. “I Say, when we recall the language of wise | ‘and prudent statesmen in those dark days of | civil war, and contrast it with what is now so openly said in favor of inflation, of in- creased issues of paper money, we discern the greatness of the change a few years have wrought. It is significant of this change that what was then almost universally regarded as an evil has come to be considered by many as a great good, and what Mr. Sumner styled the ‘medicine of the constitution’ is used as the daily bread of the people. The antidote of the war has become the bane of our peace- ful life."—A. A. Low, at the Cooper Institute Meeting. Tae Crescent Crry Exproston.—The en- gimeer of the tug Crescent City, which ex- ploded on the Mississippi, can give no cause for the explosion. Investigation will probably reveal what has so often been revealed in other cases, that it was owing to a defective boiler. We areafraid the much advertised Steamboat Board has not yet made life secure by driving bad boilers from our rivers and harbors. “We Hear the predicted clamor for more issues of lying promises from the government presses. If they are sanctioned by Congress, | and have the effect which they are intended to have, they will revive speculation; they will | lead to another collapse of credit, another era of commercial ruin and utter stagnation of trade, This is simply repeating the lessons of history. If this be not so the annals of the world are a fable and experience a cheat.’’— William Cullen Bryant. Ax Hrmness is always an object of interest, especially when she is very young and very pretty and her rights are assailed. Our re- ports this morning make Miss Annette Adelia McKee, of McKee’s Rocks, an interesting heroine, as she has just repulsed an attack upon two millions of dollars, of which she is the lovely legatee. “Tar Prompt action of Congress in avow- ing as the settled policy of the government that no more currency of any kind not re- deemable in coin shall be issued will tend to allay present anxiety, restore confidence and give new life and prosperity to commerce and the general business of the country.—Resolu- tions of the New York Merchants, NEW YORK HERALD, THUKSUVAY, MAKUH 26, 1874.—TRIPLE SHEET. he possibility of a new issue of inconvertible “paper I regard with amazement and> anaiety “and, in my judgment, such an issue would “be a detriment and a shame.''—CHaRLes SumNER. The measureless gravity of the present situ- | ation seems to be utterly lost upon our igno- rant, infatuated representatives in Washington. For in that wild, unreasoning mob law spirit which has usurped the place of statesmanship and reason there is no absurdity that is not apt to be committed, no lie that may not be voted truth. If anything could inspire concern for republican institutions it would be the course of the recent debate on finance and the astounding vote in the House on Monday. Here is a question affecting the security of all business, the wholesome prosperity of the country, and its credit in foreign lands. Yet it is discussed | with the flippant indifference of dicers over their games. We look back on the rolling waste of rhetoric called ‘‘debate” with amaze- ment and sorrow. Where is that gravity which statesmen should feel in a matter of such mighty moment, that earnest inquiry | for truth, seeking the common welfare, the careful study ot the lessons and prece- dents of history? For if ever a debate de- pended for its honest fruit upon the prece- dents of history it was the debate on finance. The annals of nations are full of pregnant and unmistakable lessons. They shine out of the past like the stars in the darkness of the night. The practical wisdom of the ages as seen in the ripened and purified experience of cen- turies, ripening and purifying with every gen- eration, and creating monuments of wealth and capital and credit that dominate even ar- | mies and statesmen—all were before Congress to illuminate and strengihen the debate, and bring wisdom out of counsel Yet all has been thrown away, publicly contemned and despised by demagogues who represent the ignorance of raw Western and Southern com- munities ; despised and contemned because they have not the energy to know the truth or the courage to make it known, If this was a poor, barren country, encom- passed with the snow and desert like Russia’; if it was the overhanging edge of a vast tropi- cal forest, where nature had usurped the dominion of man and stifled civilization in its luxuriant embrace like Brazil; if it was a nation reeling into the later stages of imbe- cility, indolence, misgovernment and sen- suality like Turkey ; if, as a people, we were struggling against centuries of misrale, in the shape of poverty, brigandage, bankruptcy and chronic civil war, like Spain, we could understand the temptation to these shameful expedients. But we are a young, earnest, self-reliant, aggressive nation, proud of what we have done, of what we mean to do, of the manifold blessings Providence has bestowed upon us. We look back over one century of national life and see that we have advanced from a sparse and precarious colonial existence to be recog- nized and feared among the great Powers of the earth. Ali of this in one century, which is to a people what a decade is in the years of aman! What may we not expect, looking at California, and the Mississippi, the great lakes and the two seas, and the daily increas- ing majesty of our imperial power? UVertainly, ifany nation had the strength, the will and the high, unbending purpose to overcome the financial misfortunes of the war, it would be the Republic of America. We have all the powerand every encouragement to doso, Our misfortunes only require for their overthrow the strenu- ous effort of a united people. But we have had misfortunes before more disastrous and bur- densome. Like men we met them and like men we struck them down. Now when we are called upon by a sentiment of honor, akin to that patriotism which nerved us through the bloody penance of war, to redeem and save our national credit, as we redeemed and saved our national unity: we have a Congress which deliberately votes that the nation is too weak to be honest and too poor to protect its credit. For this is the meaning of the recent de- | bate, a confession of cowardice and inca- pacity. On one side is the road to solvency, straight, difficult, narrow; on the other side the inviting path to inflation and irredeem- able currency, with temptation and danger, | with traps and pitfalls, Black Fridays, fluctua- | tions iu gold and other values, speculations and “anusual chances to make money.’’ And so tempting are these ‘‘chances’’ that our Con- gress cannot resist them. Many of our legis- lators have abundant and varied gifts. They know (no one better than Mr. Morton, for instance) that this cant about ‘‘cheap money” and ‘a poor West and South’ and “gelieving the burdens of the people’ has no foundation in logic or common sense. They yield to a diseased public sentiment, a senti- ment tainted by gambling, like those foolish statesmen of the South, who claimed to be for the Union and yet debased themselves before slavery, men like Stephens and Hun- ter and Breckinridge, who truly believed in the Union and saw the wickedness of seces- sion and its certain misery, and did not dare to speak the truth. They paltered with the pub- lic opinion of slavery as their successors now palter with the public opinion of gambling adventurers and speculators. Instead of leading the people they followed them— to war, disaster, universal misery. They are despised to-day by the very pecple they vainly tried to serve, despised because they did not assert the first prerogative of leadership : telling the truth, Had these men, Stephens and Hunter and Breck- inridge, and those who agreed with them, told the truth resolutely and without com- promise, the war would have been virtually impossible. If their successors, men like Morton and Kelley and Logan, were to tell the truth now to the West and South, the disaster that must come in the train of these unfortunate and extraordinary measures would be avoided, and we should arrive at specie payments before the centenary of our national independence. ‘We say disaster, for what can come but and cowardly prophets but what has always befallen leaders who are not true and brave? Instead of an honest effort to restore the national currency to a gold standard we con- tinue to print new issues of irredeemable paper. Instead of imitating the wisdom of history, we cherish its follies, preferring the the creation of Venice, Frankfort, London— { disaster and what destiny can await the false | ‘This inflation measure dishonors the country. | assignats of Robespierre to the gold and silver of Napoleon, Rather than amend the necessary but unfortunate war legisla- tion about currency we give it new life; rather than build up our credit in Europe we trifle with it, and are content to be dishonored with Brazil and Spain and Turkey, instead of challenging the pre-emi- nence.of France and England. We admit to other nations that, while we make any sac- rifice to defend our empire and our flag, we are indifferent to ourfame. An example to na- tions in our dealings with slavery and in our generous amnesty after the war, we are the sorrow and wonder of the world in our neglect of the national credit. So, with our wealth, our resources, our activity, our marvellous triumphs in war, as well as in science and industry and art; in the cities we have built, the roads and canals we have completed, our gold and silver and copper, our wheat and oil and corn, our prosperity, our achieve- ments and the generous freedom of our institutions, we are a despised people. And it because of the spirit that holds power in Washington, and which now reigns over that Babylon of demagozism, timidity and cant— the House of Representatives, From the House we appeal to the Senate! Now is the time to see if we really have o Senate, a high, intelligent, conservative power of the State, intended by the consti- tution for emergencies like the present, when the sentiment of the country is blinded by a tornado of ignorance and cupidity. For this is only a tornado, after all, and there will be clear sunshine to-morrow, and none will know better than the complying people how absurd and irresolute their leaders proved in the hour of peril. The Senate is supposed to live in a more serene atmosphere than the House—above the clouds and storms, as it were—competent to guide the people in emergencies like these, because they are not directly reaponsible to the people. We appeal then to the Senate, not with much hope, because our advices from Washington lead us to fear that even that body has passed beyond the influence of reason. Senators should remem- ber that now comes the test'to try whether their Senate be current gold indeed; whether in our Republica Senate will realize the wishes of the fathers; whether it is really an inde- pendent, calm, intrepid power, with the strength to do right in spite of the clamor of to-day, confident of the joyous and grateful enthusiasm of to-morrow. But should the Senate fail, as seems probable, and prove to be merely a less noisy fragment of a tumultuous and unreasoning House, then our last hope is in the President. If this in- flation measure comes to the President he has a signally splendid opportunity to vindicate the reliance of the past and win renewed confi- dence in the future. He has an opportunity like that of Washington, when the Jay treaty was proposed; like Jefferson, when Louisiana was annexed; like Jackson, when South Carolina threatened nullification; like Lincoln, when emancipation was proclaimed. Will the President be equal to this responsibility? He has never yet failed when the emergency came, not even during the panic, when mad- ness and frenzy ruled the hour. He was then as serene and resolute as during the dark days of the Wilderness, Our hope now is that he will be true to this occasion and meet the honest wishes of the people by vetoing all schemes for inflation thus performing an act of courageous patriotism worthy of the noblest acts ot Washington, Jackson and Lincoln. The possibility of a new issue of inconvertible paper Iregard with amazement and anxiety, and, inmy judgment, such an issue would be a detri- ment and a shame.—Cuanizs SUMNER. The Chamber of Commerce and the Moieties System. The Chamber of Commerce of this city urges definitely the abolition of the system of moieties in the collection of the customs revenues and the repeal of the law of 1863 for the seizure of the books and papers of merchants. This action was urged and sup- ported at the meeting held last night at Stein- way Hall, which was largely attended by our merchants of the best class. Without con- siderable exception they declare and seem to prove that the law is iniquitous, oppressive and inefficient as a revenue measure, though enormously effective in its bad influence on commerce and in enriching unscrupulous men. In the original constitution of this country as accepted by the States it was thought at the time of its acceptance | that it did not sufficiently limit the powers of Congress in regard to | some vital points, one of which was the seizure of papers, and to meet this objection the fourth amendment was made, which runs thus:—‘The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated; and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describ- ing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.” Every word of this cries out against the existence of such laws as those under which Jayne has made himself so outrageously famous in our mercantile history. Mr. Choate, in his specch last night, declared it would be impossible under our State laws to seize even a poor man’s pig on such evi- dence as is deemed sufficient under this rev- enue law to justify the seizure of the books of the most upright merchants, and the making | out a case from the books on the inconsisten- cies or contradictions they may contain, The Chamber of Commerce of this city and the Boards of Trade in all the other great Atlantic cities unite in demanding the repeal of the law, and their demand should not be in vain. “An Incnease of so-called paper money by our government at this time, with the understanding that it is not to be redeemed with coin when duly demanded, would pro- duce alarm and consternation, imperil the entire credit system throughout the land, and cause all prudent men to make future con- tracts only in gold at the present standard of | weight and fineness ; would be injurious and | humiliating to the governmont itself, because it would lower its standard ut home and its » | credit abroad.”—Resolutions of the New York | Merchants. “Every nation, without exception, that has ever issued debt, to serve as money, has re- pudiated it, and has returned to specie pay- ment through national bankruptcy.” —Hdward Alkinsone The City Financial Management and the Need of Investigation. The people have very little interest in the personal controversy that is going on between Mr. John Foley, on the one side, and Mayor Havemeyer and Comptroller Green on the other side. These individuals were only 4 short time ago warm friends and allies, and, no doubt, have their own reasons for falling out; but the public has no relish either for the balderdash of Mr. Foley or the indecent wit of Mr. Havemeyer. At the same time neither the one nor the other should be allowed to divert the attention of the taxpayers from subject which is of vital importance to them— the question of the actual condition of the city finances, and the capacity of those by whom our finances are managed. The recent tirade of Mr. Foley and a self-styled ‘reform committee,” which appears to be in his service, would have received little notice but for the signatures which were attached to it, and many of these have since been withdrawn. But Mayor Havemeyer, in his reply to the Foley memorial, only succeeds in proving the existence of gross incapacity in his own and the Finance Department, and the necessity of the very investigation he seeks to avoid. The people have a right to expect and de- mand truthfulness and exact correctness in the official statements that are made to them of their financial condition. No trickery or deception can be practised in a financial exhibit for an honest purpose, and errors in the figures of a financial department are un- pardonable. In January last Mayor Have- meyer, in his message to the Common Coun- cil, put before the people of New York an official financial statement, furnished by Comptroller Green, in which a comparison was made between the city and county debt of 1871 and of 1873, in the following manner:— Sept.16, Dec. 81, 1871, 187d Assessment bonds.......... $11,524,500 $21,927,372 Kevenue bonds, anticipat- ing taxes. 22,766,200 1,472,547 Revenue bond. _ 2,085 Funded debt.. 82,119,168 107,802,617 TOtals........sseeeeeeeee oe $116, 709,858 $131,204,571 “It will thus be seen,"' said the Mayor, “that the total increase of the debt from the 16th September, 1871, to January 1, 1874, was $14,494,712." The intention was to make the people believe that during Comptroller Green’s official term this was the utmost ex- tent of the increase of the city and county debt. The figures were deceptive and false. The $22,766,200 for revenuo bonds was not a portion of the debt of 1871, because it was paid by the taxes collected for 1871 and was not paid by Mr. Green. Tho statement of the total amount of debt on December 31, 1873, was false. Instead of being $131,204,571, it was $131,869,571. Tho statement of the amount of revenue bonds outstanding Decem- ber 31, 1871, was false. Instead of being $1,474,582, it was $10,449,979. Thus by art- fully adding $22,766,200 to the debt of 1871 which did not belong there, and by under- stating the total amounts of the debt and of the outstanding revenue bonds as they ex- isted December 31, 1873, Comptroller Green and Mayor Havemeyer imposed upon the peo- ple the false statement that the public debt during Mr. Green’s term of office had only increased $14,494,712 in gross. In his reply to John Foley Mayor Have- meyer contradicts the figures of his January Message and gives the following as the in- crease of the debt under Mr. Green's financial management: — In the two years trom December 31, 1871, to Deceufbver 31, 1373, the De- { Public Works bas re- teeees $8,029,969 30 Tne Depa: received, 3,330,500 00 ‘The Department of Docks has received, 1,093,500 00 ‘Che Brooklyn bridge 698,000 00 The Board of Education, fur buiiding: 442,000 00 ‘There has been paid jor opening stree' BUd PATKS......eseserees sseseces eeeens MyT19, 700 00 There has been paid ior the same 1p a ticipation of the collectio: ments. pa ION 1,952,100 00 For assci by the city at lal 2,500 00 Tee + Ly For old claims, chiefly of 1871, by reason of 1usuficient taxation of th re For lien on lot Jor removing 4d: buiidiog.. From which is to be de amount of bonds patd off. Leaving total gross increase of city and county deot since 1871........ $22,662,862 71 Although this statement gives tho lie to the January pretence that the debt had only in- creased $14,494,712 during the time Mr. Green has been in office, it is still incorrect. The true statement of the debt of the city and county as it existed December 31, 1873, is as follows :— City—Payable from sinking fund. «+ $23,608,976 Payable irom taxation.... 46,015,079 Payabie from assessments. 21,927,372 Kevenue bond: 8,690,279 County debt..... 29, 65 Coun ty revenue 1,759,700 seen ee $11,869,571 It will be seen that this amount is $665,000 more than the bogus statement put forth by the Mayor and Comptroller in January last, and that the amount of revenue bonds out- standing was $8,975,398 larger than pretended in that singular financial exhibit. A com- parison of this amount with the debt on December 31, 1871, will show the in- crease in two years. On December 2, 1872, Comptroller Green issued, in connec- tion with his “‘monthly statement of warrants drawn against the city and county treasury,’’ a “comparative statement of the city and county debt as of the Ist of January and 30th of November, 1872,” which was published in the Hezatp of December 5, 1872, and prob- ably in the other city journals of the same date. In that official statement the city and county debt, as it existed on the last day of December, 1871, was set forth as follows: — CITY AND COUNTY DEBT, DECEMBER 31, 1871, $35,180,092 22,810,216 14,944,000 479,100 County debt— Payable from ta: 20,239,300 Revenue bonds. 890,000 ‘Total..... + $108,561, 708 Deduct | ‘ten ary’? debt, not in- cluded in 1678 statement..........+6. 14,944,000 Total gross debt December 81, 1871. $93,607,708 Total Gebt December 31, 1873. + $181,860,571 Yotal debt December 31, 1871. 93,607,708 Increase 1D tWO Years.....s.eceerer $38,261,803 If we leave the ‘temporary’ debt in the statement of 1871 the increase is still $23,317,863. But the item has no business there, and the increase, as above stated, is proved to be the nearest correct by the fact stated by the Mayor in his January Message, that “$3,000,000 more is required in 1873 to pay the interest on the city debt than was re- quired in 1871." And $3,000,000 pays inter- est at seven per cent on nearly $43,000,000 of debt. The increase of the debt in 1873 over 18™@ has not been alluded to, but the following table will show its amount: — Dee, 31, 1871. Dee, 31, 1872. Dec, 31, 1873, $93,607, 708 $18,815,229 $131,800, 571 Increase 1n.1872 over 1871.. $25,207,521, Increase in 1873 over 1872 « 18,054,342 Increase in the two years ‘This is what is called in Mr. Green’s organs the “‘pay as you go” policy. To be sure, we “pay a8 we go,"’ since the taxes to be collected in 1874 are $16,000,000 higher than in 1871; nevertheless, we increase our indebtedness at the rate of nearly $20,000,000 » year as well. Our business men will discover from this that an appeal for investigation is not inappro- priate, and we will supply them hereafter with other reasons why such an investigation should be made, The possibility of anew issue of inconvertible paper I regard with amazement and anciely, and, in my judgment, such an issue would be a detri- ment and a shame,—CHanuzs SUMNER. “Let rsosz who are only weak remember the fate of the recreant men from the North who voted for the Missouri Compromise; let them remember how they passed suddenly into infamy or obscurity, Let the knaves who know the truth, but still to falsehood cling, remem- ber that, from the day of the old Hebrew prophet to the presert moment, he who has debased the standard of value, he who has imposed false measures upon the people, has met the fate of the infamous. ‘This vote, which indicates only ignorance in most, weak- ness in others, but absolute wrong intent in many of those who passed it, may not be dis- astrous. We must learn to Hope, till hope creates, From 118 own wreck, The thing it contemplates.” —LHdward Allcinson. True . Journalist—Mr. Ashantee Triumph. The English newspapers of the 12th inst. contain the Hxraxp. special despatch for- warded by Mr. Stanley to this journal, in which our able correspondent gave the terms of the treaty of peace agreed upon between Sir Garnet Wolseley and the humiliated King of the Ashantees. As Mr. Stanley is one of the most widely known men of the present day we do not think it necessary to dwell at length upon the fact that he anticipated the English government in forwarding the first intelligence of the fall of Magdala—a piece of nows which was the signal for a national jubilee through- out England. Neither need we remind the publicthat the honored corse now being borne up the Red Sea by the steamship Calcutta— the remains of Livingstone—recalls one of the boldest and most successful exploits recorded in travel, adventure and journalism. But beyond these triumphs Mr. Stanley remained to be tried. And now, having accompanied the ‘second military expedition into ao malarial section of Africa as a Hxnaup cor- respondent, having for active and untiring competitors some of the best journalists of England, many of them in the secrets of the headquarters, he telegraphs the terms of the treaty of peace, which the Times of London and other English journals eagerly copy, and, as usual, bears off the substantial journalistic laurels of the war. If we pause to inquire what quality it is in the man that has brought him renewed distinction, we can only answer, it is because he is a complete journalist. Not only did he go to Ashantee at the peril of his life, following the staff irom the sea, a distance of one hundred and thirty miles, to Coomassie and send graphic letters descriptive of all the operations, but he organized a separate cam- paign, by which he was the first captor of the Lisbon telegraph station, whence he wired the important news that all England was anxious to learn. But Mr. Stanley is not alone among Hezmatp correspondents who have justly merited high literary repute and admiration for courageous and chivalric qualities. Mr. T. A. MacGahan, who was recently received by the American Geographical Society, when General Sherman joined him in a description of the Caucasus and the land of the ancient Oxus, completed one of the most remarkable and perilous journeys in modern travel, being present at the fall of Khiva, and subsequently fighting in the bitter campaign between the Turcomans and the Cossacks. Mr. Mac- Gahan, like Mr. Stanley, was besieged by enterprising publishers, who vied with each other in their endeavors to print the story of his adventures in Central Asia. It is now about a year since a resolute journalist at- tached to this staff volunteered to visit Cuba, The Stanley's | go into the insurgent lines and discover if the insurrection was a coreless fraud. All will remember the romantic journey of Mr. James J. O'Kelly; how he went to Havana; then boldly pushed for the insurgent camp, in defi- ance of the Spanish authorities ; his narrow escape from death ; his visitto and interview with Cespedes ; his arrest and incarceration at Manzanillo, and then the revolting persecu- tions to which he was subjected up to the mo- ment of his release in Madrid. We rejoice to learn that he, too, has written, in his dashing style, a fascinating book, called the ‘‘Mambi Iand,” in which his adventures are related at length. We need hardly mention Mr. Fox, General F. F. Millen and other Hepaup cor- respondents to illustrate what we would con- vey by these lines—that a trué journalist must be a thorough man of the world, one of high culture, quick to learn, ready to trans- mit, having the military quality inborn, pos- sessed of the literary faculty in the first de- gree, and of that refined instinct which teaches @ man not to get killed if he can help it. The possibility of a new issue of inconvertible paper I regard with amazement and ansiety, and, in my judgment, such an issue would be a detri- ment and a shame.-—Cuantes SuMNER. ‘Tue Fine 1x Mort Haven, in which four per- sons were burned to death, is a remarkable example of police incompetence. With a station house in the same block twenty-five minutes elapsed before any assistance was rendered by the Fire Department because neither of the police sergeants knew how to telegraph the alarm. In view of a disaster so heartrending such incompetence is criminal, so criminal that it is almost incredible. “The whole secret of finance, the simple mystery is this: Let the nation keep its promise as it has'the ability, and be true to the dead and the living. This, and this alone, will make the country Good, great and joyous, beautiful and free, ‘This ia, alone, lite, joy, empire and victory.” —Hdward Atkinson. UPR PETS a ase eS Indignant Virtue at Albany, The virtuous Assembly grew indignant yee terday over the assaults upon their honesty, which, it was alleged, had been made by some New York journals in consequence of their action on rapid transit. Mr. Lincoln, who was a member of, the Erie Committee of last session, was especially rampant, and demanded all sorts of investigations. He has, however, a very easy way before him’ by which he can escape all unpleasant suspicions without sub- jecting himself to such hazards. He is from Ontario county, and rapid transit is desired for New York. The people of New York tell him they want the control of the subject in which they are interested to be placed in the hands of a committee of New Yorkers, to be appointed by a Governor who belongs to Mr. Lincoln's political party. Mr. Lincoln's pretence that no person has been before the committee to ask for such a bill is all nonsense, and only in- creases the suspicions entertaincd aga§nst him. The press of New York speaks for the people and demands such a measure. Now, why does Mr. Lincoln, of Ontario, oppose the wishes of the people of New York and desire to give their franchises away himself to wealthy corporations? Does he suppose that any person is foolish enough to believe that he acts tor the good of New York when he opposes a bill which the people of New York ask him to pass and favors one which Mr. Vanderbilt asks him to pass? How many citizens of New York, except the parties in- terested, have asked him to give franchises to the Third Avenue Railroad and to Commo- dore Vanderbilt ? If Mr. Lincoln desires “investigation’’ he can have it. If very anxious to obtain the information he may learn way his conduct in the rapid transit matter is closely watched. The wisest thing he can do is to cease bluster- ing about honestyand make up his mind that to act honestly is his best and safest policy. ‘The people are not disposed to be trifled with on a subject of such vital importance to their interests, and the Legislature may as well make up its mind that its action on the ques- tion will be closely watched and fearlessly criticised by the press. Masical and Dramatic Charity. The suffering poor of New York have found warm friends on the stage. After numerous performances given in their behalf during the past few months the musical and dramatio professions unite this week in presenting two colossal benefits for the same laudable pur- pose. One takes place this afternoon, and is multiform, being distributed among five of the leading theatres, the attractions at each boing of unusual brilliancy. Such a noble enterprise might be expected from a profession which has always been associated with deeds of charity. It is a worthy response to the liberal spirit shown by Mr. Lester Wallack and Mr. Augustin Daly in the matinée por- formance given at the Academy of Music a week ago for the same object, which realized over six thousand dollars, The example thus shown has borne good fruit, and is still pro- lific to an extent that cannot be over- estimated. The musical profession is not behindhand in the good work. After many concerts, which, although gotten up in the best spirit, were limited in their sphere of usefulness, the principal musical artists in the city combine in one grand entertainment to take place at the Academy of Music on Saturday night. Miss Clara Louise Kellogg, the charming representative of English opera, whilom a bright star on the Italian stage ; Mme. Pauline Lucca, the favorite prima donna of Berlin, London, St. Petersburg and New York; the principal members of the Strakosch Italian Opera Company, the Lieder- kranz Society, Gilmore’s Band and many other distinguished virtuosi, have volunteered their services for this charitable occasion. No modern Pharisee, without incurring general odium and contempt, will now dare to throw a slur on a profession that thus nobly responds to the call of the needy. This extraordinary work in the cause of charity, without parallel in the annals of any European city, and which seems like @ unanimous response to the suggestions which the Hrratp long since made to the theatrical managers, is thoroughly charac- teristic of the American people. They aro essentially original in everything, and are in- clined at all times to do business on the largest possible scale. The spirit of our people in peace or war is commensurate with the greatness of the country. When the civil war broke out the nation found itself without an army ora navy—at least without anything deserving of the name. Before eighteen months were past we had a disciplined force which in numbers and matériel might have passed unchallenged beneath the critical eye of Napoleon, and a navy of iron-clads of such formidable strength that England and other European Powers set to work at once copying after us. At that time we might have claimed the sovereignty of the seas and no other nation would have disputed the claim. When this public takes hold of any great sub- ject there is generally a result that can only be qualified by the term colossal. The disas- trous effects of the financial panic in the fall and the consequent stagnation of business caused unusual distress among the poor of this city. When the Herat gave the alarm and explained the terrible condition of hun- dreds of families the characteristic energy of the American people was at’ once displayed, and the past winter's record of charity in New York is the brightest page in her his- tory. We cannot help experiencing a pardon- able gratification and pride in being the means of thus awakening the noblest im- pulses of our people in a work that is blessed alike on earth and in heaven. The possibility of a new issue of inconvertible paper I regard with amazement and anaiely, and, , in my judgment, such an issue would be a detrie ment and a shame.—Cuar.zs SuMNER. ‘Wat, THEN, is the remedy for our shate tered prosperity? It is simply a question of returning to honest work and economy, as be= fore indicated; and yet the subject seems toa, vast and complex to be handled. No mam has proposed a grand plan which commands unity of public sentiment, and it may 8 welk be understood that no man ever will do that. Rome was not built ina day. We, too, must lay the first foundation stone. If we cannot advance in the right direction let us stop and stand with face to the right.""—S, B. Chillene den,