The New York Herald Newspaper, April 3, 1874, Page 7

THE PRINCE IMPERIAL, The Chisclhurst Celebration of the Birthday of Napoleon’s Heir. } Reception ot the Imper-| ialist Pilgrims. WHO THEY WERE--HOW THEY LOOKED. | M. Pietri’s Police Experiences Used Against Republican Spies, PRINCELY PLEDGES. ee The Day in France---The Hopes and Prospects of the Bonapartes, The possidility of a new issue af inconvertible | paper [regard with amazement and anxiety, and, inmy judgment, such an issue would be a detri ment and a shame,—CHARLES SUMNER, Lonpon, March 16, 1874, The preparations for the imperial sete at Chisel- erst may be said to have commenced in London yesterday, when, from noon till eight in the even- ing, the approches to King street, St. James’, | were besieged by a crowd of excited and gesticu- | lating Frenchmen in search of the entrance tickets to Camden place, which were being distributed by @n appointed committee at Willis’ Rooms. As it | was known that a whole army of mouchards and spies, many of whom had been recognized by M, Pie- tri, formerly Minister of Police, had been sent here by the French government, the utmost precaution | was taken to prevent the admission of undesira- ble visitors, and the formalities undergone by an intending pilgrim were of a really formidable character, On entering he was instructed to write his name, avocation and adaress on a slip of paper, and to take it to a table, where its contents were duly entered ima huge volume bya clerk. That Gone, he proceeded to another table, where the slip, having been perused by several officials, was exchanged for @ green card stamped with tho Imperial crown and cipher, bearing the printed words, “Camden place, Chiselhurst, 16 Mars, 1874,”? and the recipient’s name in writing. Even then the ceremony was not complete; for, before egress Was permitted ata different door from that at which ingress had been effegted, the card wis again imspected, nd the intending visitor haa tg | write hisname in another book. Very few Englisn | were among the applicants for tickets, and I saw “very tew at the Sete; indeed it was generally un- derstood that, while permission to English people Would not be rejused, their presence was not courted, CHARACTER OF THE FRENCH APPLICANTS. Among the French applicants all classes of the | community were represented, Many of them had | only arrived that morning or on the previous night, and looked travel-stained and woebegone as only Frenchmen after @ sea passage can look. I noticed, too, many French tradespeople—bovt- mahers, coiifeurs, restaurant keepers, &¢c.—whom I had known for years as residents in London; a sprinkling of couriers and several actors from the French plays now going on at tne Holborn Theatre. To show the severity of the scrutiny I may state Mat M. Didier—an actor who 18 as well known in Paris as Mr. Lester Waliack in New York—was re- Tused a card, and only granted one on the personal | intercession of M. PAUL DE CASSAGNAC. ‘This gentleman, notorious as a journalist and a duellist, who has served the cause of the Emptre a8 well with his sword as with his pen, isa man of | about thirty-three years of age, with sallow com- plexion, dark eyes, shaven cheeks and dark | bristiipg black mustache. He is tall and heavily butit; his manner grave and courteous. 1 had the honor of an introduction to and some conversa: tion with him, in tae course of which he avowed | his fears lest there should be an outbreak in Paris | to-day, the political situation being seized as an | excuse by those in want and misery. | i | LA MISERE you will find to be the watchword just now of the Bonapartist party. [ heard it talked of by the Frenchmen who filled my carriave in the train; it | is alluded to in the speech of the Prince Imperial; it is the keynote ofan editorial In L’urdre, the organ of the Bonapartist party, editions of which, in English and French, obtained a ready sale at Catse/hurst, This misery, want, privation 1s as- cribed to the fact that there is a want of confidence im the future; that men dare not risk their capital im any kind of speculation, as business must be | sure of a morrow, and it is impossible in France to know what tne morrow may bring forth, Mean- | while over 6,000 of intending pilgrims received ‘heir cards at Willis’ Rooms last night, THE MORNING. “Allin the wild March morning”—not particu- | larly wild, for, though a Keen wind was blowing, | the sky was clear and che sun shone out occasion- | ally with genial warmth—the pilgrims made their | way from the Charing Cross station. A specially Special train, containing Charles Bonaparte and a number of other grandees, was sent off soon after nine o’clock, but the first of the regular specials was despatched at ten, and others 1ol- lowed at five minate intervals, The pas- sengers, among whom were several ladies, were for the most part of the wealtuler class, wear- ing under their overcoats the black dress clothes and white cravat which are de rigueur among foreigners on all official occasions, and many of them bearing at their buttonhole the ribbon of the Legion of Honor. Very noticeable among them was @ man in the uniform of the Chasseurs, a black kepi, dark jacket with silver buttons and scarlet trousers, bearing on his breast the medals for services in the Crimean ana Italian wars, ARRIVAL, Chiselhurst, which was a few years ago a per- fectly rural village, has been terribly spoiled by over building, but the situation of Camden place is good, and the views {rom it still open. The court- yard of the little station was filled with hacks and open carriages for hire, for not merely was there the Imperial séte, but there were races going on at Bromley, a short distauce of. The village had put oD & lestive appearance, most of its houses were simply decorated, and the joy belis were ringing in the church, from the steeple of which were dis- played two French flags. After a sti pull up the hill which crosses the Common I arrived at the gilt gates of Camden House, which I found beset by a compact crowd, notwithstanding that the police op duty frankiy admitted that there would be no admission even for ticket holders until one o'clock, 1t was now only eleven; but the crowd uttered no wurmnr, and their patience was shortly rewarded, EN ROUTE TO MASS. | At a qnarter past eleven the gates were thrown open and the carriages issued fortn, The Orst of these contained the Empress, the Prince Imperial, tne white-naired Achille Murat and a genuleman whom I did nov recognize, The Empress was dressed in black, apd as the thunderous cries of “Vive UEmpereur! Vive Napoleon Quatre I met her ear she was deeply affected, and I saw the tears running down her face. The Prince, dressed iso in black, and wearing the broad red ribbon of the Legion across his breast, seemed In high spirits and bowed right and left to the crowd. In the ®econd carriage were Prince Charles Bonaparte, | (he Duc de Bassano, M. Pietri and Dr. Connean, OLD FAMILIAR FACES. Not having the faculty, like Sir Boyle Roche's | bird, of being in two places at once, I could not sec the departure from Camden place and get up tothe chapel in time for masa; sof cannot tell | you what Went on there beyond what I heard from 4 iriend, that when the Rev. J. Soddard, the | priest, mace allusion to the fact that though many of taose WhO owed their prosperity to the Em- | France respecting her iuture aestiny. 18 | are represented | @ crowing cock (poor bird, he has little to crow Pperor had abandoned him in the day of distress, the presence of the multitude of to-day showed tnat he was stil! dear tothe French people, the sentence was greeted witn a ringing cheer. Wan- dering about outside Lfound that I was not the only distinguished person who was shut out from the service, as I came upon many old familiar faces, well known to me in Paris, when the glory of the Empire was at its height; then preux chevalier indeed, haughty and capricious, but now somewhat old, somewhat depressed and some- what “out of collar,” There was M. Ronher, short, stout, bland and gray whiskered, wearing the grand cordon and broad sash of the Legion of Honor, bowing rigtt and lett and smiling affably on the crowd, There, tali, thin, with @ wrapping cloak and @ sbining satin Gibers hat, was the Marquis de Pienne, chamberlain to the Empress, director of /étes at the Tuileries and at Vompldgne and getter-up of the celebrated petits lundis, And there, if 1 mistake not, was the celebrated ex-Pre- fect of the Seine, Baron Haussmann. Among the crowd hawkers made their way, vending now bunches of violets, now VOrdre, le Gaulots and otier French journals, now photographs of the Prince lmperial or biack bordered memorial cards of Napoleon IIt. THE EVENT OF THE DAY, Soon after one o'clock the imperial cortége re- turned from mass, and simuitaneously the gates of Oamden place were opened for the admission of | the crowd of ticket holders surging round them. ‘The arrangements were desperately bad, the peuple being admitted one by one through a very narrow opening, and the crush was terrific. Ladies screamed and women fought, In vain the guardiang of the gates roared out, “Ne poussez pas!” it was impossible to obey tne mandate; but at last access was gained, and I have heard of no casualties, Wandering through the beautiful grounds [came upon a huge marquee, where the event of the day was to be celebrated, and further on Liound the great sweeping, smoothly shaven lawn dotied over with various posts, on which were placards containing the names of the various deparsments and provinces of France from which deputations had arrived, where were to be their trysting places. After the lapse of half hour, during which the police had cleared the people off the broad )atn leading round the house, the imperial party issued jorth and made its way to the marquee. There, on a raised dais at one end, they took up their positions, the Prince Imperial in the centre, having the Empress on his right hand and Prince Charles Napoleon on his leit. Behind them were the Duc de Bassano, M. Rouher, Count Clary and others of the imperial household, while in jront stood the Duc de Padoue, aslim, bald-headed man, who forthwith commenced | his address. He spoke in a thin, almost inaudible voice, 80 that where I stood I could not hear him, but the effect was very different when the Prince commenced his reply, His voice was full and strong. with plenty o1 timbre in it; nis manner per- Jectly easy and self possessed. “He might be thirty,” a Frencaman near me said, and his remark was just. tif Price's SPEECH. Igive the translation of his speech thus:— In coming here to-day you have acted in obe- dience toa leeling of fidelity to the Emperor's memory, and it 13 lor this that t must first thank you. The public conscience has vindicated that great memory from caiumpy, and sees the Em- peror as he really was. You, who have come from Various parts of the country, can bear witness to this. His reign was distinguished throughout by solicitude for the wellare Of all; his last day on the soil of France was aday of abnegatiod and | heroism, Your presence around me and the numerous ad- | reach me attest the anxiety or | dresses which Order 18 protected by the sword of the Duke of Mageata, iny father’s Comrade in glory and misiortune. His loyalty i8@ sure guarantee for you that be will guard the trust he has received against sur- prise from all parties, But material order not security. ‘The tuture is unknown, Public interests are aiarmed, and party passion May take undue advantage of this stute of things. Heuce arises the feeling, the echo of which you bear to me, the feeling which draws public opinion with irresistible force towards a direct appeal to | the nation to lay the 1oundation of a definitive gov- ernment. The plcbiscite is saivation, it is law, it 1s strenuth restored to authority and a long era of security reopened for the country; it isa great national pariy, without conquerors or conquered, | rising above all partes to reconcile them, Will France, freely consulted, look towards the son of Napoicon ML? This thought renders me ratier distrustiul of my strength than proud. ‘the Em~- peror taught me the weight of sovereign au- thority, even for virile shouiders, and how neces- sary for the accomplishment of so loity a mission are laith in One’s seif and the feeling vi uty, It is this laith which will give me what my youth tacks. Bound to my mother by the tenderest and most grateiui affection, { shall work unremittingly to anticipate the march of years, and when the hour may come, if another goverpment should re- ceive the suffrage s of the majority, { shall bow with respect to the decision of the country, If the name of Napoleon comes out ior the eighth time from the voting urns I shall be ready to ac- cept the respousibuity imposed upon me by the national vote. Such are my ideas, andI thank you for having Made a long journey to hear thé expression of them, Remember me to the absent. Bear to France the wishes 0 one of her children. My courage and my lie belong to her. May God watch over her and restore her grandeur and prosperity, The speech was received throughout with shouts of admiration, the most applauded points being tne mention of the Dake of Magenta and the Prince’s deciaration that should the nation choose him he was ready to obey its vote, One enthusias- tc geutieman called out “4 Paris,” intimating thereby his readiness at once to march to Paris in furtherance of the Napoleonic cause. THE END. At the close of the speech the party returned to the house and the deputations were at once intro- duced, The majority of the visitors at once com- menced their homeward march to the station, many of them bearing strips of ivy which they had torn from the walls of the Catholic chapel as a | | souvenir of Napoleon the Third, The possibility of a new issue af inconvertivie paper i regard with amazement and anxiety, and, in my judgment, such an issue would be a detri- | ment and a sharie,—CHARLES SUMNER, BONAPARTISM IN PARIS. Celebration of the 16th of March in the Capital of the French Republic—Pro- vincial Feeling Towards Monarchism. Paris, March 16, 1874, The French are great at organizing political rejoicings, demonstrations or what not, and the eighteenth birtnday of the Prince Imperial, or Napoleon IV., which befell to-day, offered many of them a Gine opportunity for testifying their loyalty to the Bonaparte dynasty. Ido not pur- pose dealing with the case of those greater guns among the Bonapartists wno started off for Chisel- hurst last night, carrying with them huge bouquets of violets, addresses on vellum and other suitable birthday gifts, but with those smalier fry who, being too poor to pay the fare to England, were fain to feast the young Prince’s birthday at home. There is also class of Bonapartists tne members of which were net too poor to go to Chiselhurst, but who were kept back by A STRINGENT VETO FROM THE DUKE DE BROGLIR. Placemen these, military and civil, who, after serving Napoleon IIL, are now drawing pay from MacMahon’s government, and to whom the Prime Minister, tn consequence, felt authorized to say, “Go to Chiselnurst if you like, but contrive not to be there on the 16th, ovberwise you will lose your places.” Now, these devoted persons, not caring to lose their places, went many of them and offered their congratulations last week. Another batcn Will perform their pilgrimage on the 20th; and to- day they consoled themselves for the ministerial rigors by banqueting and holding champagne breakfasts either in their own dining rooms with guests, or at the vartous crack restaurants, which were ail iragrant with violets and Bonapartst revelry from an early hour this morning. The vio- let, [snould mention, is the emblematic flower of the Napoleons, but why or wherefore it would be difficult to explain, uniess it be that the Napoleons wish to poetize their dynasty by as many suggestive bag as possible. The legitfmists y the Illy, the Orleanists by about at present!) and the republicans by a Phrygian bonnet; but the Bonapartes have three’ crests—the eagle, the bee and the violet, This is | pretty, of course; but there are certain disadvan- tages in classing flowers of the field into political categories, and @ well grounded story exists of an unfortunate Frenchman who, ignorant of the political siguificauce of Mowers, walked vravely | One Gay before the guardnouse of the Tuileries, carrying a huge posey of violets in nis hands, | This wes fifty years ago, in the days when the Bourbons tenanted the Tuileries, and an officer who was standing outside the guardhouse and wished to prove bis loyaity knocked the flowers out of the man’s hand, calling nim a seditious dog. The poor wretch, not divining wherein he was Seditious, remonstrated with a howl anda blow. The oMicer drew bis sword ana ran him through the body, and then, when it was tov late to mend matters, the man who was weitering on the pavement explained that be was simply carrying the nosegay to nis who was ill and loved violets. Happily there was no recurrence of such a tragedy to-day, for, in the {rst place, political partisanship bas grown less trenchant in tts manifestations, and, in the next place, the probabilities of a speedy res- toration of the Napoleons are so well understood by the army that no officer would jeopardize his | Prospects o: advancement by protesting too loudly against the hearing or wearing o! violets. Nevertheless there were a jew SCRIMMAGES ofa milder sort this morning. At Belleville, the Stronghold of radicalism, a few workmen, who had fought as soldiers at Magenta and Solferino, turned out with violets in their caps, and were subjected to alittle loose play, In some cases they defended themselves with their fists and shoes, in other cases they compounded with their tormentors by treat- ing them to glasses of “blue’’ wine, when radicals and imperialists tippied in company over the pewter counters of publicans’ shops; but one is sorry to say that in many instances, where politi- cal ardor was not sustaimed by personal bravery or by generosity in the matter of wine treating, the admirers of Cesarism prudently yielded to the persuasion of gentie pummelling and chaff, and simply removed their violets be.ore they had worn them an hour, So much tor Belle- Ville; but leaving this populous and somewhat nn- savory district, and coming down into the more RESPECTABLE QUARTERS OF PARIS, one was surprised to see the number of working girls, market women, cabmen, soldiers, omnibus conductors and others who had hoisted the sign of their political belie! in their dresses or button- holes, Were these all stanch Bonapartists or were they like that Irisnman who, besides sporting his shamrock on St, Patrick’s Day, wore a leek on the feast of St. Dav and a thistle on that of St. Andrew, “because,” said he, “I’m afther afirming mee convictions whenever I haveachance,” rrob- ably many of those who wore violets to-day would have worn lilies to-morrow had these rich flowers | been less costly than they are, and wall flowers next month, if the republicans had the sense to adopt these cheapest and sweetest of flowers to perfume their party. Anyhow, the demand for | violets occasioned brisk trade at the flower | markets, which are held of a Monday on the Place du Chfteau d’Eau and the Place St. Sulpice. Bunches which are commonly sold for two sous fetched a franc, and the current price tor three violets tied together by a thread was one penny. At THE CHURCHES, where there are lateral chapels dedicated to Ste. Eugénie, violets were in most instances supple- mented by a vast blaze of votive tapers. Those who call Paris an unbelieving city would be strangely startied to learn what sum in money is represented by the thousands upon thousands of candles which are burned in churches by people desirous of making a vow—private or political. Giris who are feariul lest their love affairs should get crossed steal off to a church and buy a taper ‘ to burn at the altar of a friendly saint; wives and mothers anxious for their husbands’ and chil- dren’s success in any business they may have undertaken do the same; but, stranger to say, hardened stock jobbers who are scoffers in public wili often go for “good luck’s sake” ana venture a taper to propitiate neaven in favor of their finan- cial speculations. So with politicians the idea of offering up sacrifice, as it were, for the prospering numbers of worthy folk who have no other way of asserting their opinions. Nor need we decide it, | for it 1s better than brawling in the stree:s with banners and cries of ‘Vive this or that; better than stump harangues, too, in Parliament or out of it; better, above all, than those ORGIES OF CHAMPAGNE | in which Bonapartist officers and civil service clerks have been toasting the health of ‘Napoleon lV.” for the greater profit of restaurant Keepers, Look at the Caié Anglais tor instance. In the “Grand Siége’? room these covers were laid this morning for fifty, and full that number of prefects and sub-prefects—who durst not go to Chislehurst | for reasons above stated—sat down and gave them- selves @ spell of vinous Bonapartism from midday till five o'clock, At the supper | rooms of the Café du Helder, which is the favorite resort of military men, 100 officers of the ex-Imperial Guard, now drafted into various line regiments, assembled Jor a similar purpose, and would have wound up with songs had not the landlord discreetly interposed. At Uillet’s restau- rant, in the Champs Elysées , and at the Salon des Familles, in the Vincennes quarter, banquets of “300 covers” are announced for this evening at | seven; and last, though not least, many imperial- ist actresses of deep-settied conviction have issued cards for midnight balls, at which the memory of departed Napoleons and the glory of future ones will be celebrated by loyal cancans footed with in- finite spirit. Let us not mock these displays either, or rejoicing must bear multiiorm aspects. As a thief once answered, when asked why he had | availed himseif of a public festivity to pick pock- ets, “Each man does his best.” But while the more festive minds of the Bona- there was a great deal of CARD DROPPING | leon and M. Rouher. Numbers of those prudent | persons who hover on the border lands of all par, ties, without caring to cross the lines, chose this easy method of being civil without compromising themselves, A card may mean anything or it may mean nothing. In the generality of cases this morning the cards meant that, if the Bonapartes returned, the depositors would be nappy to serve them in posts of emolumenr, but that meanwhile they would not stir a finger nor foot to bring them out of exile. There were other cards dropped, however—return cards—by the Agency of the Bonapartist Propaganda, During the past three months electors in town and country have been receiving little slips of pasteboard with Napoleon IV.’s photograph on them, and underneath the words— arovnereoeconnacce apse nererenssererneeneresere re note) MARS 16, APPEL AU PEUPLE. AO ALRROODLE DOE DE OOOO DO LEDE DELETE EDDA AEDT LE HS 208) ese cards have been disseminated by the miil- fons, and, though the government have seized whole sackfuls of them, the supply seemed rather to augment than diminish with every seizure, ‘This morning 1t seems that a few men were ar- rested in the act of throwing cards of this sort through the windows of private houses and into shops. They will be fined for their trouble, but | this will not alter the fact that there is scarcely a shopkeeper or householder tn Paris who has not within the last few days either stuck an “Appel du Peuple” card in his looking glass 4s @ curlosity | or hugged tt piously to his breast as a talisman, or | flung it wrathiully into the fire, according to ms | political mood, The Bonapartists are great propa- | gandists, They have tte nerve of war, which is ery Which consists in Nooding the peasant districts with Cheap almanacs, repiete with imperialist ie- gendry, songs, with political woodcuts and cho- ruses, anti-republican tracts, &c, In all which one may be sure there has been no great Bona- partist display IN THE PROVINCES to-day. In villages and small towns every man | lives too much under the surveiliance of malevo- lent neighbors to risk siding too overtiy in any political demonstration not got up by or on behalf of government. A sub-prelect, an officer or & small clerk who should prociaim his Bonapartist sentiments too openly in a rural neighborhood tide of favor or promotion had receded from him, He wouid be noted asa black sheep and he would betrothed, | would be surprised to find how unaccountably the | work clearing up new grouna, when the shocks ; came, one after anotuer, | Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, of their pet cause, 1s one that occurs readily to | | of 27th ot Ji partists faction were carousing over their cups, | at the houses of Princess Mathilde, Prince Napo- | | for detecting it, by money, and are masters in the science of that puif- | | feel that he was so noted, and the worst of itis | | that the cross set against his name in the adminis- | COMMUNICATION trative olack books might tell against him even after the Bonapartes were restored. I heard an edifying story on this subject from a Frenchmun’s own lips, A Frencuman having served his country wiih distinction in the army, found to his disgust that he was always regaled with the knuckle ends of preferment. If there was a bad post to be filled anywhere, it was he who obtained tt; if there was a disagreeable expedition anywhere, he was ordered off on it as sure as certainty, Aiter some years he had an opportunity of seeing the Emperor, while the latter was on a visit to Algeria, and then he said to him:—"I am atraid, sire, some one of your clerks has a grudge against me.” “Not at all,” answered the Emperor, rather coldly, “I have heard of your case, and it appears that although you are not a bad oMcer you once took part in a seditious political manifestation, and a bad mark bas been set against your name in conse- quence.” The officer coliected his thoughts for a moment, then struck his forehead snd laughed. “Why, sire,’ gaid he, “shall I teil you what Was the seditious manifestation in which I joined ? It was the raid which you headed when you landed at Boulogne under Louis Phillippe’s reign.” The | Emperor laughed too, but reddened, and the officer, | of course, iound promotion work smoothly irom that date. But ifit had not been for that chance introduction to Napoleon he would have suifered all bis life for having served his master not wisely, but too well. But now, to sum up THB PROSPECTS OF THE BONAPARTISTS, as one may augur them from the effervesance of loyalty which has been displayed to-day. It would be unwise toattacn too much importance to the demonstrations, however enthusiastic, which have sigualized the 16th of March, or to the clamors of | the Napoleonic newspapers, which have been shrieking triumphal hymns for these many days and weeks past. But one must attach importance tothe hopeless debility of the mongrel form of government which has been set up under the name of Septennate, and here it is that lie the chances of the Bonapartists, M. Thiers coulda have founded @ durable Republic and the Count of Chambord could have established @ monarchy which would have lasted for at least some years; but these two possibilities having been removed owing to the /actious opposition of the monarchists im one case and to the pusillanimity or too great conscientiousness of the Count de Chambord in the other, there is no room in France for a régime which 1s neither fish nor flesh, neither monarchy nor republic, but which possesses all the inconveniences of both systems without the advantages of either. MacMahon’s government is a republic without freedom, and a monarchy without stability. The French are not foolish enough to attach themselves long to such a bybfid state of things. If they are to be governed On Ceesarist principles they will soon claim to have @ genuine Cwsar instead of @ sham one, and the coming of age of a young prince who 1s already popular and repre-ents a name which France has learned to associate with a good deal of material — prosperity, may soon afford them an opportunity | Of gratifying their desire, From this day, indeed, Napoleon IV. ceases to be an infant under tutelage; | he steps forward as a pretender, and the ackndwl- edged chief of a party, who, whatever may be their | other demerits, know clearly what they want and labor for its attaimment with a unity and a vigor which the republicans would do well to emulate, The possibility of a new tssue af inconvertidle | paper I regard with amazement and anriety, and, im my judgment, such an issue would bea detri- ment and a shame.—CHARLES SUMNER, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The reguiar monthly meeting of the Chamber of Vice President George Opd)ke in the chair, Following the reading of the minutes of the previous regu- lar and several special meetings, Joseph H. Brown and William Camppell were electea members. The Executive Committee recommended as a commit. | tee tonominate officers of the Chamber for the ensuing year Messrs, A, A. Low, John Taylor Johnston and Paul N. Spofford, which recommen- dation was approved of, TRE EAST AND HARLEM RIVER IMPROVEMENTS. Mr. George W. Blunt askea the Chamber to ap- | prove of a memorial passed by the Board of Piiot Commissioners, and intended to be transmitted to the United States Senators and members of the House of Representatives trom this State, urging | them to use their utmost endeavors to have Con- — gress appropriate the $770,000 desired by General Newton to carry out the contemplated impiove- | ments in the East and Harlem rivers, The Cham- ber, by unanimous vote, expressed such \pproval. LETTER FROM WILLIAM M. EVARTS, The followin letter from Mr. William M. Evarts was read by Secretary Wilson:— New York, March 10, 1874. Srr—I have the honor to acknowlelge your favor of the 5th inst., informing me of my election by the Cham- | ber of Commerce oi the State of New York as au honor: | ary meinber of that body. f gratetully accept the distinction and benefit thus con- ferrea upon'me, and saall endeayor to aid the important objects which the Chamber of Gomimerce so usefully promotes by ali the means in my power. I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, l WILLIAM M, EVARTS, Mr. Grorcr Witson, Secretaty. FROM THE BELFAST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The following communication from the Beltast (ireland) Chamber of Commerce, approving tre bill of Senator Fonton for tie “regulation of fines, penaities, forfettures, &c.,” was referred to the special committee of which Mr. Jackson 8, Schultz is chatiman:— Beurast (IReLanp) Cuauner or Commence, ¢ | March 12, 1874. ‘The Belfast Chamber of Commerce, having had its atten- tion, called by merchants engaged in the export of linen fabrics to the United states toa lever addressed by the Hon. the secretary of the freasury to the ion. Z, Chand. ler, chairman of Committee on Commerce, United States ehate, published inthe New York Journat of Commerce | anuary, 1874, on the subject of Senator ‘en- | ton’s bill tor the “rexulation of fines, penalties, fortei- tures, &c..”” passed the following resolutions Firt—That this Chamber desires to expr of the recommendation of the Hon, the & ‘Treasur, i as they trade. | Secon?—That, as, owing to the conflicting terms of the | numerous acts regulaung the tarif, the importer is often left in doubtasto the actual requirements of the law, and as, owing to the creat variety in detail of Huen fabries, the market value on which the exisiing tariff frequently most difficult and impossiyle for others to r an oprortunity for the commission ‘of — fraud 18 offered to the unprincipled and a difticuity created ior the honest, it Is the opinion of this Chamber (hat the substitution of specific for Valorem duties, where practicable, is eminently desirable remedy the evils attendant on providing a clear and intelligib! and thus reducing immeasurably the temptations to fraud, while increasing to an equal extent the tacilities its approval ‘etary of the and its agreement with his arguments in so far ear upon matters connected with the Beliast is based is lor experts | termine, whereby | itis calculated to | the present system by le basis for assessment ivd— that the experience of the working of the spe. cific els of duties ig the dealings of the members of this Chamber with such countries as have adopted this system has been uniformly satistactory. urth—That this Chamber ventures to express the | hope that the United states Legislature may deem it Wise to give effect to the measure proposed by Mr. Kich- ardson, as this Chamber believes that such a course would tend to remove restraints which interfere with the iree course of trade between this country and the United states, Fifth—That this Chamber undertakes to furnish, as far as isin their power, such iniormationas may be required by the United states government for ascertaining the equivalenis for an ad yalorem scale. ELIAS H. THOMPSON, President SAMUEL VANCE, Secretary, The Chamber then aajourned. THE BALD MOUNTAIN “MIRACLE,” Rev. Posey Owensby’s Prayer Remark- ably Answered by Providence, but See- ing the Result He Flees in Alarm. ‘The HERALD has already given from its special correspondent many facts relative to the Bald Mountatn terror in North Carolina, but we find ad- ditional facts in our exchanges. According to the statement of Miles Higgins to the correspondent of the Raleigh News, the earthquake was an an- swer to prayers sent up by a fervent Baptist | Preacher. Mr. Higgins is thus reported :-- It was about three days before the first shock that notice was sent over the mountain that Rev. Posey Owensby, a sort of a Baptist preacher that lived on the mountain, would commence a revival of religion at the scnoolhouse on a@ certain nignt. He came but met only a@ slim congre- ‘ation, He kept up his revival three lays and nights without eg op the slightest excitement, On the night of the | %th of Febraary he made a long aud fervent graven, in which he said, “O Lord, for three days and nights hath Thy servant endeavored in vain to move the strong hearts of this wicked people. Now, we beseech Thee that Thou wouldst, in thy great and omnipotent power, cause the mountain to shake and trembie beneath their feet, that they pol bt be brought to @ consciousness of Thy power | and wrath," » ko. The yore still remained unmoved, but at the hour of ten o'clock next day the mountains shook and trembled beneath the feet of the people. The Reverend Posey was at Hurrying to the house he told the old woman to make all possible speed, for an immediate evacuation. When the sun rose next moruing Bald Mouutain was lar ip losey's rears | will be opened and stay opened tudefinite.y. | roads will never be buiit—not in ilteen years—if | other employment. | duction of taxes, NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1874.—TRIPLE SHEET. MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Junk Dealers to Wear Badges—Goats Impounded =—The Eastman Rapid Transit Measure Endorsed—Taxation of Mortgages—Mayor Havemeyer Vetoes the Non-Resident Office Holder Ordi- nance—Potter’s Field Burials. At the regular meeting of the Board a petition from the junk dealers was presented, praying that all dealers in rags, &c., be compelled to wear badges; and all owners of vehicies or boats en- aged in the trade shall have the number of the license displayed conspicuously thereon, Ordi- Rauce in conformity with the adopted, CONCERNING GOATS. | Alderman Joun J. Monkis proposed an ordinance | Prohibiting the owners of goats from allowing them to run at large, enacting therefor a penalty of $3 for every offence, Mr. Morris stated that a large number of citizens residing up town have | complained of the destruction of plants by these animals, The ordinauce was adopted without a dissenting vote, RAPID TRANSIT, Alderman BiLLINGs offered a resoiution inatrnct- ing the Clerk of the Board to send to the Governor, President of the Senate. Speaker of the House and each of the metbers of the Legisiatw tion setting forth that itis the sense of the Com- monalty of New York that the Legislature should pass the rapid transit measure known as the “Eastman bill,’’ which empowers the Governor to Appoint commissioners, who are to advertise for plans on rapid transit and invite capitalists to sub- scribe towards building the road or roads, Alderman Koon spoke against the resolution, He said that there are plans in the Legislatures some of them adopted, which are for ratiroads over | the street, under the street, one in the ear (the Speaker meant “‘air’?) ; next they will have it over the water. What is to be the result? The streets the Fourth Avenue Underground Rutlroad aud te Brooklyn Bridge are any indications, Aiderman BILLINGS complimented Mr. Koch on his brilliant oratory, but said the latter seemed to lavor ander a misapprehension. The resolution, while it endorses the “Eastman bill,” does not enact anything. Under 4¢ the Governor appoints | commissioners, who advertise for plans, and, as the money for building it is to be raised by sab- scription, the city will not be called upon to pay — one cent, and if tle roads are not ouilt tue charters will be forfeited, Alderman FLANAGAN moved as an amendment to strike out “what is known as the Eastiuan bili,” which was lost by @ vote of 9 to iy The resolution was adopted—i2 to 2, EXEMPTING MORTGAGES FROM TAXATION. Alderman Van Scuatck offered the following reso- lution, which was laid over: Resolved, That the Counsel to the Corporation be direcied to make & proper case to be taken to the Court of Appents, and, if necessary, thence to the Supreme Court of the United State: question of the constitu. tionality of the axation of mortgages, or of the taxation of doth the fee and eqaity of real estate to one person, when the same are held abd owned by different pers and in the meantime, and until the decision of the qui tion, that mortgages in the ety of New York be omitted from the assessment rolls and not taxed. NON-RESIDENT OFFICEHOLDERS, Mayor Havemeyer returned, without his signa- ture, the ordinance passed at the last session of this Koard, concurrent with the Assistant Aider- men, requiring the heads of bureaus to remove all Compl oyes who are not legal residents of this city. The Mayor says that the Common Council has no control over tue Board of Education, which exists under the last charter as an independent body, The Mayor goes on to sa. ‘If the Common Coun’ go reside out of the city, it would be unjust to re- move them without any notice. If it were proper to adopt such a measure ample time should be | given to these people to become residents or find It would be impolitic to to deprive tne city of the valuable services of the persons atfected by this ordinance.” For the above and divers other reasons the Mayor cantiot sign the document, and accordingly returned the same with his veto, ‘The Message was laid over. SLIPPERY VAULT COVERS. An amended ordinance, giving property owners Six months time to remove smooth vault covers and replace the same by others presenting “a rough suriace,”’ was passed, and, after being signed by the Mayor, becomes a law, Among a large batch of “general orders” adapie? Was the following ordinauce in relation to the burial of strangers or unknown persons who may die in the public institutions of the city of Jew York, which ordains :— Section 1.—The Commissioners of Charities and Cor- | rection are hereby instructed und required vw advertise in the City Keeor’, on the day succeeding the death of any stranger or unknown person who may die in any of the institutions under their charxe, a notice giving a ful description of such. pers.n and a statement of all the property found in his or her ,ossession at the time such person became an inmate of any such institution, to- gether with such other information as, in the opinion of the officers incharge of any sach instiiution, would be m Skc. 3.—A register of burials shall be kept by the Su perintendent or other person in charge of the city ceme tery, wich shall be so arrauged that the name of each person interred shall be numbered to correspond with the numbers on the headboards of the tiers of coffins deposited in each trench, and shail be accessible | atall reasonable times for the’ inspection ot the public or the use of any ticular pla duplicate yerson desiring to ascertain the par- in which any of such regi ster shail be kept in the office of the Commissioners of Coarities and Correction, | The ordinance was adopted unanimousiy, Alter scme other unimportant vusiness the | Board adjourned, The possibility of a new issue of inconvertidle paper [regard with amazement and anxiety, and, | in my judgment, such an issue would be a detri- ment and a shame.—CHAKLES SUMNER. : DEPARTMENT OF DOOKS, The regular weekly meeting of the Board of Dock Commissioners was held yesterday, President Westervelt in the chair. Charles K, Graham, Engineer-in-Chief of the De- partment, reported tiat the work all over the city was progressing famously, and as rapidiy as pos- | sible, A petition from William D. Andrews & Brother requesting that dredging should be done at and in the vicinity of pier 59 Eust River, was referred to the Executive Committee for consideration, A petivion trom Tomas W. fhorne, Iuspector of Street Cleaning, asking that the dumping board, at the foot of Thirty-eight street, East River, | should be immediately repaired, was also reierred to the Executive Committee, A communication was recetved from George W. Blunt, Secretary of the Board of Pilot Commis. sioners, requesiing, on benalf of the Pilot Cowmis- sioners, that the Commissioners of Docks should take cognizance of the fact that a canal boat was throwin abate the nuisance, This matter Was aiso relerred | to the Executive Committee. OITY AND COUNTY TREASURY. Comptroller Green reports the following dis- bursements and receipts of the treasury yester- day i— DISRURSEMENTS. Claims paid (No. of warrants 4), amounting to. Payrolis (No. of Warrants 47: nounting to Total (No. ot warrants 477) RECEIPTS, From taxes of 1873 and interest. From arrears of taxes, assessine| From collection of assessments From market ret ron Water rent 574 From water perm! 138 From licenses, Mayor's ofiics wr From permits, Mayor's office. cy From fees, &c.—Fublic Admin’ 32 From tees and Sues—District courts 158 Total... CITY TAXATION. The Citizens’ Association Proposes to Limit the Powers of the Board of Ap- portionment. Tux Citizens’ Assoctation oF New Yoo 3 Broapway. March 31, 1874, Hon. Axpnew H, Grexx, Comptroller ot the Chy of New York = ia Six—in your setter of March 25, 1874, addressed to Mayor Havemeyer, reterring to two bills transmitted by fini to the Legislature, February 4, which authorize the soard | of Apportionment (o revise and redetermine the appor- tiomment tor 1874, you say that these bills “haye tor their sole end and object the reduction ot taxes,” The citizens’, Association, agreeing with wish to lessen the taxes, has examined th now invites your attention to certain pariicwlars thereof which seem not designed to further tat object. The first section of each of the bills authorizes the Bord of Apportionment at any time before July 1, 1874, to reconsider, revise and redetermine the estimate tor the year 174 heretotore made, and direct that “the amoint of the estimate 0 revised and reconsidered and redetermined shall thereby become appropriated.” ‘This would give to the Hoard of Apportionment equal power to, Increase or diminish the agereyate appropria- tions; and the bill authorizes th oard #0 to act with- out check trom the Aldermen, as provided ‘ou in the ills, and it in the char- ad ter, and so to after the Legisiature | The Board thus it reduce the taxes tor t it night add to them. The propriety of conferring such powers need not now be discussed, but it is clear bat Buch latitude of . Authority is not necessary for the “re- The second section of each of the bills provides that the Board of Apportionment shail have the power at any time to transier any approoriation for any year which may be in oxcess of the amount required or Geemed necessary by said Board lor the purposes of pe Sd thereot to stich other purposes or objects for whic! he appropriations are nsuricient Ibis section would conter & power upon the boara of Apportionment su as has never been exercied by any focal aud this city, Having once fixed the appropriation differedt departments the Hoard would still have request was | declara- | These | J even had control, and if some of the clerks | st likely to lead to the identification of the person so | person may be buried. A | night soilinto the slip at the foot of | Ninety-fl(th street, Kast River, and endeavor to | solute power to increase oF diminish them at its pleas Ure, from day today. When, prior to 1871, the tax bevy was tixed hy the Legisiat all sams were appropriate | to specific objects and could be used tor no other pur- | Pose. Ail laws subsequent two I87i, including the present | charter, authorize the trausier of unexpended balances | during the year for whloh they are appropriated, but | only when they aredeemed unnecessary by the Board or officer empowered to expend tiem This second section ef. the change our present scheme of ci ordinate and independent branche. ot ties ment would be absolutel¥ subjected thet porionment, and that Board would e once complete and irres) OF Ape Xercise control at No efficient or econoiieal servic peeted froma department whieh mizhi at ‘De de- | prived of ail or a part of he means tor 1 its work | Tt is enough to say that no suck swee change is needful to accomplish the * Mot taxes.” he Citizens’ Association calls your attention effect of the bills under consideration. Ihe heute td Apportionment, when fixing the nates for the yea atter setting aside specific nmounis to each of tho departments and purposes of the wovernment, amt dding fur each “department a fair allows 5 ea has gi unication whi Board of Apperuonment, bese ves this appro be unauthorized, and iad rom a auataken ¥ statute, Still it'seems probable, ii the pre ste the law, that while these enormous suis wicht b levied, they could not be expended, si partment or office authorized Moneys appropriated for bills under consideratio: these large appropriatic at the will of the Board, would probably ) machinery tor expenting this $700.0, “Withor | discussing the propriety of (he appropriation of tor Indefinatw purpoves and placing it in the eal Board of Apportionment, the Cilizens' Association see no tendency in any part ot the arrangement to Work a “reduction in taxes. | “Intluenced by the: considerations the Association has, unsel, prescated vo t Commitiee on Cities of Senate amendments to bills, The first ame ment prohibits the Bi Apportioument from in- creasing the aggregate appropriation above the aggre | gate now fixed, and provides tha: all appreprianons ae Shall be Jor specitic purpos t apart for “special amendment provides that the transier of uuexpended balances shall be made in accordauce with the existing hengen no sum shail be * The second aw. The amendments in no way limit ‘ue power proposed t conterred upon the Board of Apportiot 4 nthe enormous burden of ta | trary they insure a reduction in addition to such further economies as he board may C and at the same tume | disarm the opposition to thé ills that may arise when it is discovered (hat | these balis, as introduced, do not insure a le taxes and do open a way for an unlimited incr | taxes, and also Work a fundamental changin our | cipal system. The Association feels assured that a close @xamination of the bills you will apprec Necessity of the proposed amendinents, and begs leave | ss the hope that you will be able tool tevisiation for the Boa Apportionment as miy mne- terially reduce the excessive rate of taxation for the present year, By order of the Executive Cominitt JOUN A von. On the ainount of KS, President. ecreta | Ricuaxp M. Henry, | The possibility af a@ new issue of inconvertidla paper [regard with amazement and anxiety. and, in my judgment, such an tissue v ld be a detrl- ment Gnd & shaine.—CHARLES SUMNER, MUNICIPAL STRIFE. ap aero As) The Fight Between the Comptroller and | the Commissioner of Public Works. | Comptroller Green yesterday sent to the Mayor | the following letter:— Crty ov New York. Derantaent or FrxaNce, ) Comprnouten's Orrick, April, 187k. § Hon. Witttam F. Havemeres, Mayor !-~ | _pin—Itis well Known thatin th ‘cars 1870 and 1871, | when the late corrupt cabal ruled tlic and tn a large | degree the Stat, many ot those unjustifiable and inde- fensible ¢ permanent devt ot this cit no been so Extravagance Jent schemes of #iunder were hidden for 8 Of issuing stocks and at expendiiures and of public notice by the easy | vroe jonds for the payment of cu Monstrous jobs. Some ot these deceptive and mis- | chievous laws which authorize the Issue of stocks and | bonds to add to the permanent debt — withont | lmit restriction, foree, and Hy tu Paramount the city) is | now to reduce taxation and stop the accumulation ot dept, it seems to me they should be at once repealed or amenaed, as on examination the c | tive works may require. All nece by nt provisions of economy and accountability, and control expenditures within reasonable limits, The almost unlimited powers which may still be exercised under existing statutes arc liabie to abuse, and tend, to say the least, to lavish ex- | penaitures of the public inoneys. Thave theretore thought it proper that your attention asthe Chief Magistrate of the city should be called to this subject, and especially to the following, as some of the statutes alluded to, viz. 1 Chapter 230, Laws of f's70—This act authorizes the issue of stock to an unlimited amount to provide the | means to pay for alterations of the Croton Aqueduct be- | fween Ninety third and Ith streeis. | The work was | begun immediately atver the passaze of the act, and on December 13, 157), the Commissioner of Public Werks, Feported to the Comptroller as follows += | | Firse—Estimate ot cost of the work, $1,500,000. 1 ithe chief engineer make a in or e joroagh examination and estimate, and he reports that the cost o hole work Will be about $1,200,000), exclusive of the expense of re moving the present aqueduct, and trust that the entire Work Will be completed during the coming year 1871. |" Second—Kstimate ot cost of the work, $200,000, In an- the same offi- other estimate, under date of April I. 18 cer sa inthe matter of the removal of the Croton | Aqueduct tn the city of New York, between the southerly aide of Mth street and the southerly side of Ninety-tnird street, and laying iron pipes to convey the water between these points, conceining which I addressed you # com- munication, of December 13, 137), “tating the'estimate of expenses to be $1,500,0.0, exclusive of other expenses then unestimated, ‘I have now the opportunity to report upon @ more thorough examina Gon of the chief engineer on hoe Cc) Croton Aqueduct, tha: the total cost will be Third—Estimate of the cost ot the work, $3472,798 68. Avain, under the date of June 21, 15/3, the present Com: musston of Public Works reporved the estunated cost at that time tor the completion of che work to be the sum of $917,213 40. Previous to this dale, however, the cost of (his Work was Jargely in excess of the estimate for the whole cost of $2,000.00, reported by the former Com- missioner in April, 18/1, making che actual estimated cost $3,472,703 63, according to the estimate of the present Commissioner of Public Works in Jue, 1373. Whether the work will be compicied wihin the last estinate Lam now unable to stace, but 1 believe that | one-halt the sam, properly expended, would have been an ample amount tor the purpose In chis law may. be found these words:—"“And the sai | Commissioner of Public Works is further authorized either to contract for the whole or any part of the Work | authorized by this act. or the said Commissioner may have the same done by days’ work, a8 snail seem be to said Commissioner and most advantageous to the In- terests ot the city,” ‘Thus the authority conferred by this law to prosecute this one work of altering one line Croton pipes tor | twenty blocks, without proper restrictions and lunfta- | tions, Will increase the perumaneat debt of the city, by the demands of the Commissioner ot Public Works, ip | lesa han jour years, nearly three millions and a ha'f dollars, and perhaps another estimate muy yet come in. ‘This is one of those “day's work" jobs or which we hear so much just complaint by property owners, | The necessity of guarding expen vitures on this work with proper legal resirictions is evident. and the law should be at once amended so as to Linit the possible Amount that can be hereatter expended, and to prevent the wastetuin its Prosecution. 2, Chapter £¢, . as ainended by chapter 328, | Laws of same year, authorizes the issue of stock to the | a.nount of $1,100,000 annually, for the ostensible purpose | ©. providing a further supply or pure and wholesome water. but which was originally a scheme for purchas- ing lakes, building reservoirs, e., in Catnam county. A _ reservoir at Boyd's Corners Was laid out and. substan- tial Craven and Greene, eminent nd should have been fitled y ering folm! reasons (0 eon: tinue itunder the Commissiouer of Public Works up to 1873, when the Water Was let itt | No one will more readily than Ladvocate the proper | expenditure of moneys tor the supoly of Croton water, but provision shouid be made to limit further issues of stock for this purnose until the questiou of water supply for this city, Including the Litely anvexed district, | taken up and thoroughly exam. by competent hy. draulie engineers and the management of it committed to such authority ws will command the contidence of the whole community. 3. Chapter 574, Laws of 1871, authorizes the issue of isto the amount of $300.00 annually for expendi> tures by the Department of Docks. | This {s too large an amount of money to be used with advantage im auy one ye and lhave no doubt the | Dock Departinent will concur in this view. ‘The amount of bonds (nat can be authorized should, I | mink. be reduced to $1,000,000 per annum Itis very guestionabie, however, whether the issue of | permanent debt bonds sould be autho. ized in any case, except for spec! under strict limitations and | provisions as to expenstiture, and certainly not for cur- | rent expenses, as now required by law tor the depart: ment of Docks. The mamtenance of this department should be provided for only by taxation, after a proper estimate and apportionment of Lhe necessary amount re- quired for annual expenses, as in other departments, | “4. Chapter 213, section 5, Laws of 1871, authorizes the | issue of bonds to pay for water meters, without iimita- tion of the amount. “This provision o/ law was made the was m: occasion of a nefarious attempt to defraud the city, and shotid at once be repealed. 5. Chapter 220, Laws of 1871, authorizes the issue ot bonds to Lhe amount of $100,000 anauaily for repairs to sewers. jAW should be repea.cd, as this class of ex. penses ony 4 to be provided ior by taxation and hot be added to the permanent debt The necessity for amending oF repealing, the above mentioned laws to prevent the permanent debt of the city and county from being swelled to an unitmited amount is too plain to require further explanailon, If You should, on examination. concur in this view, s proper act to accomplish (he purposes above referred to should be promptly prepared. Will you allow ine to ask your aid in securing the attention of the Legis | ture to these important suvjects ? So long as these laws, which were the contrt Tweed ana Sweeny, remain on the statute book, th partmenis call for money without limit, and the’ raising Of moneys under these objectionable provisions increases and adds constantly to the public debt. The depressed coidition o1 the monetary ana industrial affairs of the country and the accummating burdens | upon the whole community demand, I think, that every le be strained to redtice expenses, aud thus keep down taxes, and chat no further det be added unless absolutely indispensable. Respectfully, ANDREW HU, GREEN, Comptroller, The possibility af a new issue a inconvertidle | paper I regard with amazement and anxiety, and, in my judgment, such an issue would be a detri- ment and @ shame.—CHARLES SUMNER, CORONER'S CASES, Fell Down Stairs, Coroner Kessier was yesterday called to the Morgue to hold an inquest on the body of Patrick Dugan, a man fifty years of age, who died in Beile- vue Hospital from the effects of injuries received by accidentally falling down a Might of stairs while at work at 74 Wooster street, on Monday | mighs last. Deceused lived at 248 Mott street, | whither the vody was taken, A Corpse Consigned to the River. ‘The remains of @ male infant, apparently of re. | cent birth, Were yesterday found in a cigar box floating in the dock toot of Thirteenth street, Bast River, and Coroner Keasier was uotified to uold au inquest at the Morne,