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‘THE CENTENNIAL. Pushing the Financial Part | MANOR OM A Le of the Enterprise. CHANGES IN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN. Commissioners of Foreign States Named. THE MEMORIAL MEDALS. Ex-Governor Bigler, now stopping at room 17, Bt. Nicholas Hotel, pushing forward the financial Work of the Centennial, feels sanguine that, after a littie while, the citizens of New York will con- tribute in & more liberal spirif to the great under, taking at present under way in Philadelphia. He Bas taken up his quarters permanently at the St. Nicholas, and the first twu cays of his experience here have assured him that the people have only to be reminded of the purposes of the Exhibition to stir up their patriotic feelings tas practical demonstration of tteir ald and sympatny. The room in the hotel has its wails garnished with feneral and sectional views of the exposition buildings. ‘The principal structure looks very im- posing, but in point of beaury the art gallery carries off the palm. These illustrations give a very fair dca of the enormous proportions of the enter- prise. The last of the buildings will be fnishea by the 1st of January, and there is every con- Qdence that the ground will be free of ail rupbish and every nail hammered in weeks before the grand centennial day. In regard to the MAIN EXHIBITION BUILDING it was found necessary to chunge materially the pian, the original design of which wi abmitted an tue report of the Centennial Commission, Feo- ruary 28, 1874 (printed as Senate executive docu- ment No.30, Forty-third Congress, first session) , 60 that the cost of construction mignt espectally be reduced irom the estimate frst named. The Duliding, as now designed, is in the form of a parallelogram, oxtending east and west 1,890 feet in length, and north and south 464 feet in width. The chief cornice on the outside is 45 feet above the ground, and the tntertor height 70 feet, The areas covered are as follows:— Ground floor.... Upper floors in pi Upper tloors in towers. THE GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS of the ground plan show a central avenue or nave 120 feet in width and extending 1,832 feet in length. This is the longest avenue of that wiith ever introduced into an exhibition building. On Bither side of this nave there 1s an avenue 100 feet by 1,832 feet in length. Between the nave ana Bide avenues are aisies 48 feet wide, and on tne outer sides of the building smaller aisies.24 feet in width, In order to break the great length of the roof lines, three cross avenues or transepts have been introduced, of the same width and in the ame relative positions to each other asthe nave and avenues running lengthwise—namely, a cen- tral transept 120 feet in width by 416 feet in length, and aisles between of 48 feet. The imtersections of these avenues and ‘ransepts in the central part of the building result in dividing the ground floor into ine open spaces, free irom sup/Jorting volumns, and covering in the aggregate an area of 416 feet Square. Four of these spaces are 100 feet square, four 100 by 120 feet, and the central space or Pavilion 120 feet square. The intersections of the 48-foot aisles produce four interior courts 48 feet @quare, one at each corner of the central space. THE MAIN PROMENADES through the Dave and central transepts are 30 feet in width, and those through the centre of the side Avenues and transepts 15 leet each. All the other walks are 10 feet, and lead at either end to exit qgoors. The estimated cost of the matn building, based on reliadie bids and as submitted to tne Committee of Appropriations of the Senate of the United States March 16, 1874, was $3,362,000. The building now in course of construction will cost, 8 per contract, $1.500,000, DIVISION OF SPACE. The sollowing 1s the tabie Of the division of space in the bulidings, ins SBES: Spain Frauce, Alzeria and other colonies chy Reserved spac GALLERY. THE ART The State of Pennsylvania and city of Philade phia have made appropriations to cover the entire “post of the art gallery, it wi.l be the great archi- tectural leature of the exhibition, and is intended to remain as u memorial of the occasion. The ea- tire structure 13 in the modern renaissance. The materials are granite, glass and iron. No wood is used in the construction, and the building is thor- oughly freprool. ‘The structure 1s 365 feet in lengtn, 210 feet in width and 59 feet in beignt, over acious basement 12 feet in beignt. The dume ing irom the centre of the pbuilding will be 150 feet avove the ground The accommodation for the art department of the exhibdition will be aim. ple, the building being especially constructed and Brranged tor twat purpose. THE MEMORIAL MEDALS Governor Bigicr showed the reporter, and which gre now being offered to the public, were author- ized by an act ol Congress o1 last session. They are got up as a means of revenue, and are pro- tected by the coinage laws of the United States Qgainst counter.eiting. They are not presented @5 mere trinkets, nor us specimens of art, though. the large one is really a fine specimen of art. The odject 18 to place the opportunity wriuin ti meas Of people in_ very Moderate cireumstanc of contributing to the patriotic work, and rece! ing 10 return imperisnaole evidence of their co! tribution, The wedals will very soon be issued, The design on al! is the same, They are composed ol silver, bronae, and bronze gold gilt. Ou one bide 18 a representation of tue Goddess of Liberty, bearing in either hand a wreath, which she 1s about to place upon the heads of two kneeling figures, which represent industry and the fine ‘is, Around the sace of the medal are the words, o Commemoration ol the Hundredth Annoiver- eary oF American independence—Act of Congress, 74. On-the obverse side isa faare patsaly kneeling, with asword in the right hand, the leit upraised as if in the act of invocation. ‘The embossed motto is “These United Colonies Are aud o1 Kignt Uught to Be Free and ludépendent States. 1776." The large sized vionze medat will be oflered at $8, the same size gilt $5, the small gilt $1 and the smail silver VITATIONS ACCEPTED. The following governments have accepted the Inviration extended by the government at Wasn- wgton:—Great Britain, France, Germany, Ja » Austria aud Hungary, Argentine Vonlederation, Belgium, Brazil, Chili, Ecuador, Canada, Austral Guatemaia and salvador, Hayti, Honauras, Liberia, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, leru, Sweden and Norway, Spain, Sandwich Islands, United States of Colomoia, Venezuela. THE FOREIGN COMMISSIONERS. Ol the commissioners accredited by foreign gov- ernments, und who are now engaged in urganiz- ing iarge representations of the arts and manu- faciures of their respective countries ior the Exposition, there are:— GeRMANY.—Dr, Jacool, Real Privy Counsellor and Director i the Royal Minstry of Commerce; br. stuve, Privy Counsellor of same ministry; Di Wedding, Convselior of Mining; Mr. eitn Koya! Buvarwn Counsellor of Legation; Mr, Vi Nostitz-Waliurtz, Envoy Extraordinary and Minis- ter Plenipotentiary of the King of Saxony; Buron Von Spitzenverg. knvoy Extracrainary and siinis- ter Pienipotenuary ot the King ot Wirtemverg; Dr. Neidbardt, Consui of the Grand Ducal Hessian Ministry; vr. Kauffmann, Koyal Prussian Coun- Belior uf Commerce; Dr. Kruger, Minister resident of the Hanse towns; Mr. Von Holiobet, Counsetlor 6! Justice of the Royal Prussian Supreme Court, GUATEMALA AND SALVADOR.—Commissioner, Don Vincente Dardon, Minister Pientpotentiary, Lisenia.—J. L, Payne, bdward O. Morris. MEXICO.—President, Romero Rablo, Commis- sionels, kK. Y, Aleavoz, Yuacio Alumrano, R, Mary de it Juvez, L, Luis Maianco, Arsto del Castillo, dul o Zaraié, Gavriel Mancasa, Secretary, Edward EB. Zarate, PERU.—Prostdent, Colonel Manuel Freyre, Minis- 1otentiary, Washington. Commissipners, Barreaa, bdward Villena, Charlies Macy. President, A. Bergstrom. Commis- » A. ‘Irotius, Fy L. Von Dardel, . G. , A. E. He Fock and several others. Secretary, C. J. Dauntelt, NoRWAY.—Comm! ers, Herman Boars, Wil- liam Christopherson, Anazil.—President, His Highness, Marshal of the sioners, Beyer, Charies vicks: NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1875—WITH SUPPLEMENT. Arm: Sesto aOrleans, Condé q’Eu. First Vice President, Viscouut De Joquarry. Second Vice President, De Boun Rutizo, Members, Viscount Souza Franco, Juaquin Antonio de Azevedo. Ecvavor.-—President, Edward Smppen; Com- issioners, Gabriel Obanio and others. le la Forest, Commissioner General. New York; M. Ravini de EZipeux, Vice Consul, New York. SaNDWion IsLanps.—S, M. PF. Odell, navies 3 es and Consul General, New York; Hon, interior; Hon. J. N. @ Welder, Minister of the Kawainol. SPAIN,—President E. Castelar (since resigned) ; Commissiouer, Don Francisco de Paula and sixty- three others. 'HEKLANDS.—President, Dr. £. bauer, Honorary’ Professor ef Haarlem; Commis- sioners, J. F. de Cosemboot. Rear Aamiral at The Hague: J. F. Rartsen, President of the Hoard of Commerce end Manulecturers at Amsterdam; J. FE. Von Heemsherck Von Beest, Artist at The Hague; Dr. W. J. A. sonckbioer, at The ue, President of the Committee of the Aca of imitative Arts at Amsterdam; De Von der Kellen, dr., Member of the Adminisiration of the Society of Arts: M, M. de Monctay, President of the Board of Commerce, and oshers, JATAN REPRESENTED. Yoshida Kiyonari, dapanese Minister at Wash- ington, has been commissioned by the Japanese government resident commissioner to represent that Power at the Ceptennial. Minister Kiyonarl arrived in this country some weeks ago. He ts a comparatively young mao and @ good English scouar, He bears the name 0! @ Japanese prov- ince, to whioh, tn his recent book of travels, Pro- fessor Hubner devoted one of nis most inverest- ing chapteis. ARGUMENTS YOR THE EXHIBITION, ‘rhe following were among many printed argu- ments ir tavor of the exhimtion that lay scat- vered on the tabie in the hotel. Mr. Daniel Grant, an English statistician, speaking of the London ex- ibitions of 1851 and 1862, says:—*Among the whole of our manufacturers 1t was recoguized as an un- challenyable fact that the exhibition had stimulated trade, that orders were pienttiul aud its success was great. The inorense in exports during the two years following the first exhioition was x {$122,425,850) 4 during the twu years following tne second, 476,789 ($21 2,383,045).” A report made upon these two exhivitions to the British Soctety of rte says:—‘The effect of the progress we have made bince 18651 1s also xhown by therapid increase of our colonial and ioreiga trade, and the much greater interest Which foreigners now take in “ngiand und ish manufactures.” In the special Message. ot President (rant to Congress, ‘ebruary 26, 1874, he said:—‘The benefits to be derived trom @ auccessiul international exhibition are mantiold. The expenses will be compensated tor many told by the commingling of ie from all sections of our own country, by bringing to- gether the people ot different nattonalties, by bringing into juxtaposition iur ready examination our own and foreign skill and progress in manu- fuctores, art, science, agriculture and civiliza- tion,” And the Boston Post of November 25, 1874, ‘3 that “even sentiment 18 to be eclipsed by utility, aod its commera nificance will be of the utmost importanc wiacturers, _mer- chante, bankers, capitalists and business men, of great or small operations of whatever Kind, have @ direct interest in of this enter- prise.” THE WOMEN'S WORK. For the International Assembly, to be held in the Acacemy o! Music and Horticultural Hall, Puli- adelphia, on the evenings o: February 22 ana 2 under the auspices of the Women's Centennial Executive Committee, extensive preparations have been made. ‘Tne proceeds are to be appro- prated to the women’s department of the Cen- ennial Exhibition, the Direcior General having promised tnat there shall be such » reservation, 1n which women’s work alone will be exhibited, OLD INDEPENDENCE HALL. REPORT OF THE CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE AP- POINTED FOR !TS RESTORATION—THE CHAM- BEB OF THE ORIGINAL CONGRESS. PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 31, 1875, The report of the committee appointed for the res- toration of Old Independence Hall was addressed yesterday to His Honor Mayor Stokley. Its matter is of great interest, as it describes the progress of the committee in their endeavor to render the hall before the coming Centenni&l exactly as it wae one hundred years ago, The committee enumerate the various articles which bave been restored since the bistoric cham- ber of tne original Congress was converted intoa court room in 1802, These comprise most of the chairs which were occupied by the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the tabie on which it was signed, the seat occupied by John Hancock as presiding QMicer, the portraits of the delegates and. those of the revolutionary generals. Certain parts of the hall still remain as they did in those days of the nation’s infancy. The chandeliers are the identical ones which shed light upon tne august assemblage of early patriots. The juuicial chamber was secured 1m 1873 to be fitted up aa o Dational museum, where, it is hoped, many valu- able memurials of American Ni tory will have been collected at the time of the Centennial celebra- tion, One of the concluding paragraphs of the report is as follows :— The past three years marked, as they have been, b: the progressive advance toward pertect security to limb, reputation and property of your fellow citizens, pre have been also product:ve ol essential aliments to their well being: the park, in alt its magnificent proportions, ly becoming decessible the object aystein of In- ry is rapid aged to unite; the Exposition, approaching with hourly strengtheni Ssvurances of success upon the one hun- dredth birthday of the United States, is concentrating interest irom all parts of the world upon the nation and the nation’s growth; while all this tends to exemplity the prosperity und evevation of the citizens, it impels us at the same thine to the recoguition of those who, ir as human agency 18 concerned, were the founde: this empire. THE INDIAN PROBLEM. HOW THE INTRICATE QUESTION I8 TO BE SOLVED—CIVILIZATION THROUGH EVANGELIZA- TION. A meeting of the friends of the Indians, under the auspices of the commission of which General Clinton B. Fisk is president, was held at the Collegiate Reformed churcn, corner of Fifth ave- nue and Forty-eightn street, last evening. Alter the usual religions services by the pastor, Rev. Dr. Ludlow, the conduct of the meeting was turned over to General Fiek, who alter a few pre- liminary remarks in relerence to the vast impor- tance of the Indian question, introduced Dr. J. M. Ferris, Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missiéns of the Reformed Church. Dr. Ferris opened his remarks by asking the indulgence of those present who listeaed to his address on the same sudject last Sunday evening at the South Re- formed church, and then proceeded to portray the corruption prevalent under tne old Indian pol- ijey, continued during the administrations of differ- ent political parties and tor a long time. He recited Low the President had come to adopt the present peace policy, of which he had said to a committee ‘Or the religious bodies who called op him two years ago, ‘J um so well satisfied with the results of this management that 1 hope in four years more it will have so gained the confidence of the people that my successors will not be disposed to change ‘The speaker then described the pre- sent indian policy at length and the benefits which had resuited both tothe country and to these “wards o! the nation.’’ REV, FATHER JAMES H. WILBUR, who has been laboring more or less for thirty Years auwong the Indians, principally on the Pacific slope, then gave a very interesting account of nis experience and of the remarkable results which the present policy has accomplished, COLONEL &. C. BOUDINOT, @ Dative of the Unerokeo Nation, was the next speaker. He electrified the audience with bis e.oquence as he spoke in vehalr o1 the civiiization of his people, in bis opening remarks he reterred to the recent report of the Hoard of Indian Com- mi:sioners, pudiisaed exclusively in the HERA! and sustained their recomuiendation for a civ government for the inYan Territory, showing that the treaties of 18¢6 plainly authorized such legisia- 4 1 speaking to Ms own people, Colonel Wao closing :—We cannot silence the uHot check the of can join the resit a pro} Tess and tho: our people from destruction." ‘DEAN SWIFT ON THE BATTLE OF THE CHURCHES. To THE EpiToR oF THE LONDON EXAMINER:— Str—About the year 1708 Dean Swilt, in the “Argument against Abolishing Christianity,’ wrote the following :— If Christianity were once abolis! the free thinkers, the strong ressoners and the Men O1 profound learning, be able to Hud another subject so calctiated, in all points, wherein to display their abilities ? What wonderfal produc- tions of wit should we be deprivea of trom those Whose genius by continual practice gath been wholly turned upon railiery and invectives against religion, and would therefore never le to shine. or distinguish themselves, upon any other audject? ‘ Had the Dean written in this year of grace 1875 wonld he not, at the héad of the list of those “whose continual practice ts to induige in invec- tives against Religion,” have placed the wora how could iT ” &o., . W. THE ECLIPSES OF 1875. The Annuaire de la ‘Connatesance des Tempe gives the jollowing particulars:—There will be two eclipses of the sun this year, but none of the moon. The first solar will be total, occurring on the sth April, but invisible at Paris, while the second will be annular, on the 29th September, partially vis- ible at Paris, THE STATE CAPITAL A Retrospective and Prospective View ef Albany and the Legislature. LEADING AND WORKING MEMBERS. The Dismay of the Canal Ring at Threatened Legislation. Exposure of Jobbery in Some City Bille. ALBANY, Jan. 31, 1875, ‘The peace and quiet of this antiquated, aristo. eculiarly so in @ legislative sense, ening until Monday affora ampie opportunity to your correspondent for meditatioa, retrospect and prophecy. When I use the word “aristocratic” in connection with Albany | mean Shere is no place s0 exceptional in its society, no city where the Knickerbocker stock, pure ana un- adulterated, is cultivated and nursed with such care. The heavy, respectable carriages and sleighs, the sombre trappines of majestic looking horses, the religious and mournful aspects of coachmen, the Puritanical and -‘keep-away” air of ite wealthy inhabitants, remind one more of an alternoon scene in a London park than a vener- able town ina free republic, 150 miles from the metropolis, wi very man, woman and child is supposed to be on perfect equality. So much for the Albanians. Now for THE LEGISLATORS, Ihave heard frequent attempts made to dispar- age the intellectual capacity and ability of our democratic majority in the Assembly. Retro- spective comparison and ‘argument are both used in this discussion, ‘rue, no Castelar has arisen in the democratic ranks; no Gladstone or Disraeli comes up trom the Fourth or Sixth wards to emu- late the suecesses of those statesmen. ‘fhe Lower House of Parliament,’’ as a diatinguishea Politician irom Mr. Nicholas Mulier’s district re- ‘| cently baptized the Assembly, has not yet de- veloped a thoroughly able repregentative. But ‘we must be patient. We cannot tell what the fu- ture may bring forth. We must recollect that those representatives come direct from the peonte, Like mea of French revolutionary fame, they come straight from the masses, full of po- litical ideas. There is no danger of bloody records and communistic ruins darkening their path, but the illustration is used to point out the axiom that monarchical instita- tions do not alone carry with them intellectual representation. Bad and ignorant men may some- times be selected under untversal suffrage, but the peopie’s hearts beat true to their own inter: ests, and it is to be hoped that the mere pliant legislative tool may soon become a creature of the past. NEW YORK CITY’S DELEGATION. As to actual ability in debate in the Senate the country, no doubt, has the call over our tive Sena- tors from New York—Messrs, Fox, Booth, Gross, Ledwith and Moore. In point of thoroughgoing grasp of suitable legislation for the people ana Jaivniuibess in the discharge of that duty New York city is second to no other section of the State. Senator John C, Jacobs, of Kings, 18 con- sidered the ablest speaker iu the House, and no doubt has the most experience iu legisiative affairs, A journalist of xbibty, he was elected to the Assembly in 1866, and scrvea in that body continuously until 1973, when he was elected Senator. sis recent able fight 1n a hopeless cause on behalf of Mr. Henry ©, Murphy will be long re- membered, His masteriy and dignilied manage. ment of this canvass was eulogized by the demo- cratic press of the Stare, and he received the per- sonal Fongrasnianon, of Senators Kernan, Wovdin and Wow : THE ASSEMBLY PERSONNEL. Statistics recently careiully arranged put down’ the politcal complexion of the Assembly as fol- Jows:—Democrass, 73; republicans, 53; uberal re- Publicans, 2. Total, 128. Close criticism from a peculiarly inéellectual standpoint of this House is nota lair meaus of arriving at @ just conclusthn as to its ability. Abler Legislatures have, no dowvt, assembled ac the capital; but im this Assembly there is a con- spicuous absence ol that low-browed, close- cropped element which preaominated jor several years during the administration of the ‘Ring.” The repubiicans, led by the “Bald-Heaced Eagle of Westchester,” Major General Husted, and ex-Lieutenant Governor Al- vord ("Ud Sait”), Do douut hoi the winning cards io parliamentary tactics; but the sterling, solia, business element is witn the democ: Common sense and discretion are sometimes jar more etiec- tive than, classical attainments ana extensive readings, Some members of the New York deie- gation whom | have watched closely since my ar- Tival here possess those qualities to an eminent degree. itis easy to abuse men, decry their char- * acter and call tem corrupt. tis another thing to prove it. Politicians will not stop atany point to destroy an opponent’sinfivience. Along the men whom I have uouced as contributing those com- mon sense views in aid o! iegisiation are Mr, Nich- ol Muller, Mr. Joho Brogan, Mr. Timothy J. Campbell, Mr. Charles Reilly, Mr. William ¥. Kirk, Mr. George A. Stau/, Mr. John W. Smith and Mr. Jacob Hess. Promiment among those who Jead in debate on important questions are Mr. es Daly, Mr. Freaerick Seward, Mr. Louis C. Waehner, Mr. ‘thomas C rg Mr. John I. McGowan, Mr, T. C. Campbell Mr, Germon’ Hauscnel. Messrs. Costigan and Daly are the ‘twin Ceits’” of the House. They aie imseparable companions and both gentlemen mean to make their mark in the | political world. They deserve success. On the whoie, New york city hag no reason to be ashamed of her representatives. “WHERE, ON, WHERE IS THE LOBBY?’’ Ihave been in search of the lobby. 1 have wan- dered through hutel corridors, glided through the waves Ol smoke and tne vdors oO: bad whiskey, buttonholed those who ought to kuow, whispered jeverisnly in che eats of those who feit the potent influence in former years, stood meaitatively in of the door of parlor 454, in the \—Tweed’s former headquarters—ail to 0 vail. lovoy has not put in @ concentrated appearance, that is evident. But J have interviewed some two or three gentie- men whose ‘advice’? has often been received in legislative gatnerings.. The pubiic Rave not jor- gutten Mr. A. D. Barbder. 1 had @ conversation with him the other night at Stanwix Hall. He looks older, avout ffty-five, apparently; but the same courreons, sparp, level-headed man as before. Yhere I met Mr. George C. Jones, with a large brimmed bat, a solemp, serious Manner anda thorough versatility in legislative iniormation. He plays a good game of billiards nignotly at the Dela- van, goes home early to Ms luxurious residence here, ana visits New York irequently to look alter bis brokerage business in Wall street. A prince of good fellows and a “man of bis word’? is nie rank among many politicians. Then General F. B. Spinola, former Senator from Kings, gaunters daily tnroug! ne floor of the House and nightly amid the halis and corridors of the Delavan. He still Wears the largest stand- ing collar in the country. lundo L, Stewart bas assumed (and the only one yet {hat | have noticed as practicaliy exer- cisiug that privilege) the manner, airs and myste- Ties of an out-and-out lobbyist. He comes here in the interest ot Sheritf Conner’s bills, When a lopbyist puts in an active appearance in Albany he 1g supposed to have moncy to use among the boys, Whether or not Orlando possesses any spare casn has not yet been discovered. He ran for the Age sembly Jast fallin the Twentieth district of New Yor and was beateu by Mr. Jacob Hess, THK TERROR OF THB CANAL RING, Next week we may look jor yee expos- ures on canal swindler, Mr. Davis, of Washing. ton, the terror of the canal interest, is at wor! nignt and day hunting up facts and figures, Rumor has it that there wilt be “wailing and Weeping and gnashing of teeth” among some prominent pollticians when all the facts come to he public, rein will be introduced next week to abolish wuylocks on the canals, This, it is understood, will result in a saving to the State of $100,000 per anoum. LOOKING TOWARD WASILINGTON, Governor Tilden is naturally sovoitous for the abiiuty and character exhibited by the democratic majority in the Legislature. his anxicty is founded, no doubt, irrespective of the gentieman's thorough integrity, on the expectation that tho Empire State must nominate the democratic can- didate for President next year, Tammany Hall has dictated Presiuentiai nominees defore, The ‘Tammany society, tom ite masterly inception, has several times ruled the national political pro- prime, Tt tends toward tie same course now. i Tatamany Hall has the naming of the nominee, who will that organization select? This 1s one of the Sgt gussiped about bere. Wili Samuel J. Tilden, Horatio Seymour or sanford B. Church o to Washington? fl the former, will William H, Vickhaim come to Albany? EXECUTIVE GOSSIP. Receptions take piace at Governor Tilden’s ma; nificent residence, on Kugie street, every Thui day afternoon ‘aud evening. 7 raceluily dispensea by Mrs. Pelton, sister ot t fe she ts frequently assistea by the | n, the agreeable and accompiished Mrs. Rai and other ladies, The courtesies of the Executive housenola are aiso extended to the residence of Mr. \Viliiam T. Pelton. 33 Dill affecting New york interes! prese! both houses, There are some of a very question- able character, to which | have already called tention. Among these I would now mention the following: Appropriating $350,000 for the erection of a Seventh regiment*armory, 1 not New York city saddied with sumMicient dept already ? ‘The funnel Ratiroad bill, giving extraordinary powers to individuais without proper security. The general billin relation to courts o! record, giving the Sheriff of New York absointe control of Drocess issued trom the Marine Court and in- creasing the Sheriff's fees some $60,000 per ye: Giving tne Mavor and Chamberiain entire au- thority over deposits of city moneys and the rate of interest thereon. Those are the most prominent measures in re- gard to New York city which, in my judgment, deserve a thorough overhauling. The action o' Members Upon them should be watched closely by their constituents, NOMINATION BY GOVERNOR TILDEN. Governor Tilden will nominate to the Senate, at its next executive session, Mr. Samuel Hand, of the law firm of Hand, Hale, Swartz & Fairchild, of this city, ‘or Judge of the Supreme Court in this district. The selection has veen made aiter much deliberation, and gives the highest satisiaction to the membe's of the Bar of the district. Mr. Rand isa jawyer of large practice and stands in the tront rank of his profession. There was @ heavy tall of snow here to-day. PICTURES. OF POVERTY. DRSTITUTION IN MANY GUISES—TIHE HOMELESS, HUNGBY AND SICK SCENES AT 8T. JOHN'S Gui. From an early hour in the forenoon till long alter nightfall on Saturday destiruie men, women and children sought food at the relief rooms of St. John’s Guild, in Varick street. The number of ap- plicants was greaver than upon any previous day during the winter, and they presented a sorry spectacle of hali-clad, half-starved beings. Some of these poor creatures seemed striving, with an earnestness akin to desperation, to keep alive the embers of @ nearly extinguishea hope, ana others asked for bread mechanically, as though hope and sensibility had alike forsaken them, The number of those dependent almost wholly upon the Guild for food is so great that few ignorant of the subjects, and especially of the widespread poverty of the present winter, would credit the figures. A carefully prepared statement will soon be published showing this mourniul fact. . CASES OF HOMELESS FAMILIES are daily reported. Tne writer made notes of three of these cases as deserving special mention. The first ia that of a gentleman who was lately a foreman under one of the departments of the city government, and who received a liberal salary. His wile, however, was an invalid, and requirea the attendance of a proiessional nurse. Besides there were /oursmall children to be cared for. Through political changes this man was thrown out of employment to make room for another. The cost of living, medical attendance, medicines and bursing soon ate up his savings. Then began the fearful and constant journeys to the pawn of- lice, supplementing each day’s experience of fruit- less searching for work. Every dispensaole article of furniture and of wearing apparel. was in its turn pledged. At last, when the man had no longer an under garment, he came, with his coat pinned tigntly around his throat to the Guild. He* told his story, aske Jor @ loaf of vread to eat, and while he devoured it he handed to the Master the writ of ejection that notified him that, with nis sick wile and chil- dren, he was in one day more to be turned into the street. The Guild fias saved him {from this te. A HUSBAND LOSES HIS HOME AND HIS REASON. A husband, wile and five children have for some time past occupied a dingy back room in a tene- ment in ‘twenty-second street, near the East River. The agra who has been a ‘longshore- man. had nis leg broken Jast summer on ship- board, and has been unable to work since. The wile set berseli to the nard task of supporting toe household, and Jor several months was successi She paid doctor’s bills and rent and alwa: bad food and fuel in the house. Tnis Jast month all she could earn barely sumMiced to keep them trom hunger and her rent went unpaid. Belore phe, couid enter upon a second month the land- Jord ejected them. ‘Their furniture was thrown upon the sidewalk while the husband was out trying to borrow trom old friends something to satisiy the Jandiord, When he returned and suw his lamily sbivering in the street, ana his Jurni- ture incumbering the sidewalk, to the great dis- comiort of a zealous policeman, he became ior the moment, or ior all time, crazed, and ran, laughing and shouting, away. All efforts that the distracted wife and mother could make'to fing, nim have been fruitiess. and late Saturday night the Woman went crying to the Morgue. She is now under the care of st. John’s Guild. OUT IN THE STORM. A husband, wite anu two wee children—one at the mother’s breast—came to the Guild, in the midst of the whirlius snow, on Saturday. They, too, had been turned out trom tne only shelter they had possessed, and during the entire day they had wandered through tue streets without being able to approach a fire or to obtain a morsel 1 food. The nursilug was crying bitterly as they came to the Guild, and, thougn the mother crept close to the stove and held it so that the warmtn would enter its diminutive body, it would not be comiorted. The other child, its skin red and swollen, was trying to stuff its iittle hands into its mouth to suck out the {rost, while great tears rolied down its cheeks. The mother was the most Sell-possessed of the party, and her face had a severe, set expression, like the face of one w has been long imprisoned, The husband was as a ghost and trembled in every limb. ‘hese also tound in the Guild a place of refuge. LETTER PROM A LANDLORD. All landlorus are not heartiess, as tne following extract Irom a letter will show:—"I beg leave to recommena the bearer, a very vld colored woman named Nancy Broome, an nonest creature and ao hard worker, when work 18 to be got, She is now, and has been for the past two years, & tenant o1 mine, paying, when able, $3 a montn fora garret floor. She out of employment now and 43s destitute and very feeble. Her age is sixty-nine or seventy years. Ji you would be good enough to neip her it would indeed be a charity and weil deserved.” This let- ter was signed by Mr. J. Levi, a Loan well known to the members of the Guild, The letters recctved daily from physicians, often gentemen o! prominence in the protession, are very numerous and oiten full of feeling. A few of these will show what tne doctors meet on their rounds, BETTER THAN MEDICINE, i New Yore Disransasy. LD Az, JOHN:— ou B lise F. isa patient at thisinstitution. She is unable to provide hervelt ‘with sufficient clothing, and suffers in consequence trom rheumatism and bronchitis. If you can provide her with underclothing you will do as much, if not more, to cure her than Dr. VAN WAGENER, Sometimes the physician sends outa brief letter, in which, however, he manages to couch a fervent appeal. Sach a ol the iollowing :. Mrs. Margaret M.. a widow woman, and her child, want assistance sadly. Try and nelp her, for « ty" Bake, if MARY Powis, Mek Oftentimes, too, the physician has a long and thorough acquaintance with those whom he 1s called upon to recommend. Such a case is the following :— The bésrer, Mra. B., is honest and industrious. Her ‘ Z w Tor'imany years, NELSON PiaGe Jai Ue Other letters are longer and sadder. Here ts one in which the writer says the case he sends is the worst be has seen in many years:— I beg tocall your attention for help t st—-* “the husband and Inthe, has been unable to ob. tain ‘employment only upon “half time” tor some months past For four months the wife three chit- dren have been sick. I do the best T can ai nd them gratis. ‘this is the worst case 1 have en in my HaTLASna its eopaahad nem, hott eataiy ea y my honor for the truth. M. Beara ade ht Many times bits of family history are bro: to iignt in. the visitation of the volunteers of St. John’s Gutld. and it ts one of the nubiest features of the work periormed that no secrets ever be- come public property by reason ol one’s applyin: at No. 52 Varick street. Sometimes iragments o domestic history are also embodied in physi 8? letters, and here is something that may interest the reader :— ‘ ADANDONED TO DER FATE, * This is to certify that Mrs, K. has been abandoned by her husvand, Mr. K., who lett her in a inost pitiable con- ition. Having exhausted. all means to support herse! by honest lavor, and her confinement, le ions, aud further particulars will be given at Dr. Maine's office. So the round of cases and letters succeed each Other at the Guild. Sadaer and saader whey grow, tillone grows sick at heart in contemplating ali this hunger and heartache, tnis poverty mis- ery that strrounds us. Buta sadder fact i yet to be announced—a fact that will send a chill into many homes where there is little warmth now leit and will add to the patior of cheeks ulfeady bianchea by hunger:—St, John’s Guild is to-uay reduced so that but twenty-five barrels of meal Temain in its storeroom, und enough hungry peo- le to consume four times the amuunt will apply fore nightiall. OUR DIRTY STREETS. To THe Epitor of THE HERALD:— 1 have noticed “Taxpayer's” note in your paper in regard to street cleaning, and | wouid like to ask also where do the $800,000 go? Perhaps that veteran reformer, Matsell, “of the finest police force in the world,” can tell, In the summer, when there a x itttie dust on the ground, you will seo the street cleaners out in full force. “But where, on where are they now?” ‘The streets are tithy with slush and ice, Cannot the great re- jormers tn the Police Commission get up the finest street cleaning force in the world? Let the UBSTIONABLE BILLA BEFORE THS LEGISLATURE. q have carefully examined thé merits of each | HERALD stir up this question as it has stirred up rapid transit, TAXPAYER NO. 2 ALFONSO IN MADRID. The Spanish Political Struggle Between the Liberals and the Reactionists. MAKING A PLATFORM. The Action Against Protestantism and Protes- tant Church Property. SCENES AT THE RESTORATION. “Little Johnny Prim” and His Black Horse. MapRid, Jan, 10, 1875, The struggle initiated by the new situation in Spain between the liberal reactionary ten- dencies of the government is aptly tiustrated by ®& chapter communicated to me from ofticial sources, GROUPING THE MINISTRY—PLANKES IN THE MINIS- TERIAL PLATFORM. On the night of the 30th-3ist of December one of the stanch friends of Queen Isabelia was sum- moned by Canovas del Castillo to take the port- Jolio of Grace and Justice in the new Cabinet. Don Fernando Alvarez is a talented and a cunsci- entious cavalier of the old school, @ thorough ul- tramontane in religion and an incurable partisan of the reaction in politics. He lost no time in obeying the summons, and, arriving before the newly made Ministers by the grace of Martinez Campos, was at once urged to accept the car- tera o1 Public Worsbip, “Very good, very good,” replied Alvarez, “I thank you for the honor, but belore giving a de- cision I must Know who are to be my associates and what the policy of the government.” “Here are your colleagues,” said Canovas del Castillo, pointing to the persons present in the spartment. “But,” rejoined Alvarez, “you have not a full Cabinet here.” “No, for some of our colleagues are at a dis- tance irom the capital, and will not arrive beiore two or three days. One of them is Mr. Alejandro de Castro, our Minister of State. The others are General Jovellar, to whom we have given the Portfolio of War, and Mr. Lopez de Ayala, who will take the Colonies.” “Mr. Ayala |’? exclaimed Don Fernando Alvarez, “permit me to express my astonishment. Did not Mr. Ayala draw up that famous manifesto of the revolution of September? 1t seems to me odd in- deed to see him Sgure now in the first Cabinet of the restoration.” Canovas did not try to deny that there was something surprising and even paradoxical in the choice of suco a Ministry; but he replied in afew words that 1t was absolutely necessary to respect the ensential principles of the movement of 1868, and that in the interest of the young King the de- sire was to admit to their counsels a man whose name should be a guarantee sor the great liberal party. “But,” he added, “we cannot begin a long discussion. It ts three o'clock in the morning, and the government must be lormed vefore daylight, Lonce more beg you to accept—in the name of our country and of our sovereign, I beg you.”” MAKING HIS TERMS, “I will accept,” saia Mr. Alvarez, “but on one condition, and that is that to-morrow morning ti Oficiel Gazette shall publish four decrees, the first of which shall destroy the organization of justice established by the revolutionary governments; the second shall abolish the jury; the thira civil marriage, and the Jourth religious liberty.” WHAT SENOR R. ROBLEDO SAID. Toese words brought Sefior, Komero Robledo to his feet. He rememobered thatihe sd been a Min- ister of Amadeo, and that he had sworn fidelity to the constitution of 1869, and now he declared that be could not remain a member of a government which would decree the abolition demanded by Sefior Alvarez. ‘I have voted,’ said he, ‘for all that Don Fernando wishes to destroy.” 4 CAUSTIC REPLY, “Ob,” replied the tatter, “you signed also the manifesto im which the revolationary junta of which you 1ormed a part declared the Bourbon dynasty fallen, and yet that does not prevent you irom accepting power to-day in the name of Dun Alfonso de Bourbon y Bourbon! Well, then, since you have made this first sacrifice, you can easily make others, As for me,I might have compro- mised, perhaps, on @ question Oo! persons, and even under pressure on the choice of a dynasty, but before all 1 am a Uatholic, and | will never concede principles. Iam held by my conscience. Tome It is @ question of life or of deata, @ question of salva- tion in eternal iife.” DECISIVE ACTION. “That is your final deciston?”’ said the President. “You have sata it.””_ “Well, then, I see it is useless to insist. The gov- ernment, knowing the realities of the situation and the exigencies of public opinion, is deter- mined to purgue a liberal policy—tne only one possible at the present moment.” SENOR ALVAREZ’S SUPPORT. Don Fernando Alvarez prepared to withdraw, but Don Pedro Saiaverria, Minister of Finances; Don Mariano Roca de Togores ,Marquis de Molins, Minister of the Navy, and, I think, siso Don Manuel de Orovio, Marquis de Orovio, Minister of Public Works and Instruction, were unwilling to allow him to go without an assurance irom them that they were au Jond completely of his opinion. “fhe only question that separates us at this mo, ment,” said they, ‘is that of opportunity, Weare Partisans of the measures that‘you declare urgent; hut we are content to wait, in tne hope that the King himself will offer Spain, as a gift of joyful ad- vent, the four decrees, without which it is im- possible to regenerate the patria.”’ WaT THE PEOPLE OF THE CAPITAL THINK OF THE CHANGE, With regard to the feeling in Madrid dbout the sudden restoration of Bourbon rule I can assure you, after diligent inquiry and observation, that the young King has all classes with him. Never was @ nation 80 Worn and torn by six years of im- potent rule as Spain has been, If any stranger of opposite opinions had passed throu; Madrid on the first days of January and witnessed, by day, the hangings and drapery stretching from balcony to balcony and irom house :o house, and, where the means were wanting, to see carpets, shawls, and bright colors in househola furniture thrown to the breeze; and, by night, myriads of lanterns jestooning t reets with stars of every magni. tude, he could not fail to modify his previous criti- cisms of Spanish indifference. This Bourbon resto- ration is immensely, OVERWHELMINGLY POPULAR IN SPAIN, In the past six years in which we have resided in Madrid we have never seen anything like it, though five changes of government have passed in order before us. This long period of anarchy could not be shaped into order. Tne Spanish na- tion 18 not liberal, nor will it ever be, except compelled by foreign intervention. The revurn of the Bourbon Spanisn King flatters the nartow fanaticism of the race, and, therefore, it 1s said, will be successful. As tor Don Alfonso maintaining the conquests of the revoiution, the thing 1s ab- surd, He will, or, rather those who will rule, allow for the present much that has been these six years, but when he finds himself secure he will also find the full restoration popu'ar. THE RELIGIOUS QUESTION. Already there are signs thereo!. A careful initia. tory movement has commenced agati the Prot- estants. On the 3ist of December a Protestant woman sent a new-born child to the ofice of the Civil Registry to be mscribed, according to law, ‘The inacription was refused. it was told the per- son—“The Registry is suspended till further no- tice.’ The Governor of Madrid sent for one of the leading pastors and told him the Protestant news- papers must be discontinued at once, that the con- mremations might till further netice, continue to Meet in their halls or temples, bat all “printed Propagandism” must cease. Therefore the Bam dera de la Reforma (The Banner of Reform) and La Luz (The Light) were suppressed. Under this state of things the congregations at once fell to one half their former number, and although it 1s un- derstood they will not be tampered with until alter the meeting of the Cortes, it is believed that long ere then Protestant meetings will be soim- Pedea indirectly tpat @ practical end to religious liberty wil come some time before the legal en- actment. The Protestants have chapels in Spain in the fol. lowing cities:—Madrid, 6; Seville, 2; Cadiz, derez (Sherry), 1; San Fernando, 1; Huelva, Malaga, 1; Gr: a, 1; Cordova, 1; Cartagena, Alicante, 1; Valencia, 1; Barcelona, 2; Zaragoza, 1; Valladolid, 1; Linares, 1; Santander, 1, These were all in a more or less flourishing con- dition until the restoration. Two, San Fernando, near Cadiz, and Linares, have been closed by the local authorities, through priestly pressure or caprice. During these six years the Scotch socie- ties have butit fine chapels in San Fernando and Jerez, and bought and remade an elegant churey (that of San Salvador) in Seville. German and other societies ba’ at large expense bought ground in Madrid for the erection of two chapels, 1 am informed authoritatively that during the past five years about $60,000 per year has been expended in Spain in Protestant missions, not tn- cluding the buildimg or purchase of the above men- tioned chapels or lots for building them. The first year about $125,000 were expended, including the immense tasues ef the British and Foreign Bible Society, which were ail wisely printed here, There are fully 10,000 Spanish Protestants in- scribed on the chapel records to-day throughout the country. While writing I have before me one lst Of 700 names belonging to one congregation. CAN THE CHURCH OF THE REFORMATION ENDURE? But how long these 10,000 Protestants of Spain will stand before the rigor of “legitimate” rule, remains to be seen. It{s our opinion that they Will be no obstacle to the traditional modes of forcing external unity in matters of religion. WHERE I8 THE PALACE PROPERTY? The Royal Palace (everything 1s royal now—the Royal Theatre, the Royal Library, &c., even the Café Real, opposite whe Opera, which, tu 1868, had the economical foresight to tack a piece of *na- tional” canvas over the then unpopular word) 1s being put in readiness to receive the young Kin; and there, I suspect, is where tne havocs of the revolutionary period are most manifest. And this reminds me of a good story, vouchea for by a well known European correspondent. It seems that the “rey chico” has a special aversion toa gen- tleman named Mr. Ortiz de Pinedoy and when the former was lately pressed to make sald gentle- msn 8 counsellor, the King stoutiy refused, and, when questioned as to the cause, sald:—‘That is the man who had cnarge of the property of the palace, and he sold my beautiful black horse to littte Johnny Prim, and [shall never jorgive him, never."” Now, Juanito Prim !s the son of the late gen- eral, and is about the same age as the King. BOSTON NAVY YARD RING. PURCHASE OF CORDAGE FROM OUTSIDE MANU- FACTURERS WHILE THE GOVERNMENT ROPE- WALK REMAINS IDLE. Boston, Jan. 30, 1875. A few days since Admiral Reynolds, ina report to the Secretary of the Navy on the subject, *tated that no hemp cordage for naval use had been bought ia this country since the war, and farthermore that the bureau did not desire or in- tend to buy any, either of hemp or wire, so long as the ropewalk at the Boston Navy Yard can fur nish the requisite supply, which it is tuily capable of doing while the navy is on a peacecomplement, ~ To those who are famillar with the workings ahd transactions within the Navy Yard here the fore going assertion is accepted as AN UNMITIGATED FALSEHOOD. It is well known that, since tne war, proposals for furnishing rope, among other articles for naval purposes, have been advertised for in one or more of the Boston papers. Below are givena few facts in relation to the manufacture of cordage, the rel- ative strength of that made by the government and that made by outside parties, witn some other facts in regard to the working of the otner gov- ernment bureaus at this station, which will be of interest and give some idea of how the people's money is squandered. In the summer of pT in order to certain the relative of government cordage and that tured by private concerus, a series of comparative tests were had at the ropewalk at this station. At that time a well known New York frm was manufacturin; cordage forthe government, and when the result of the tests was Jorwarded to the department an order was received at the ropewalk, irom which we take tho jollowing ciause:—‘In cousideration of the satisfactory test a8 te the superiority of government manufactured corvage to that of priv vate establishments, department authorizes the force tn the ropewalk to be increased,’ and it was accordingly increased by some jurty-three workmen. At the ume of the tests reierred to above some of the men who were out on suspen- no, Who had gone to New York seeking employ- ent, state that while there they hud seen rope jrom Wall’s going into the Navy Yard at Brooklyn. It was this statement which caused the tests te be made, which demonstrated the tact that GOVERNMENT MANUFACTURED CORDAGE was fully lorty per cent superior to that manufam tured by private concerns, und called forth tne order increasing the manufacturing capacity of the ropewalk or 400 per cent. It was the Opinion o1 those competent to judge of suco mat: ters that at that time (1868) the department was buying ‘ket rope, and in large quantities. It SUCH Was mot the case, itis lair to presume that the report would have been contradicted at tne time; but such contradiction uever ap. peared. When &@ government vessel goca ous of commission § at this station, the cordage on board that has not been used is sent to the ropewaik, and con- siderable quantities of it 18 found to be of “our side” make. Some of this cordaye has been seen in the cellars of the ropewalk within a lew months, and there is little dount some of it may be jound there even now. ‘Those who are la. miliar with the manutacture of cordage can very readily detect the difference between government- Made rope and that made oy private parties, As late as 1872 w cordage mabuiacturer from New York was in the ropewalk at this station, and Stated that “he had just completed a contract With the department for sixty tons of coruage.” Witnin a snort time the team of well known rope Manuiacwurers in Boston has been secn in toe Navy Yard deiivering several tons 01 cordage. WHY 18 THIS ? Uniesa it is by the purchase of cordage from out side parties, upon what other grounds can tue fact of the ropewalk remaining idle so long be ac- counted fory ‘'his seems a very strange way of proceeding, as the department cannot but be aware of the test standard of government ro; lished under its own directions; and yet pu hases Tigging Ol inferior quaitty iu open mar. et (as conclusively showo by repeated compara. tive tests) for our national vessels, while the gov ernmest ropewalk js lying idle the larger portion Of the time. In consequence the workinen, many of whom have as it wer: WD UD With the estat» lishment (and its special system of mauulacture, ives the government rope its universally acknowledged excellence and superiority), are out of employment. ‘The subdivision of the navy yurds into separate Seperrnen has been prodtctive of much evil in this particular. For instance, it may be observed. thas the estimates and proposals of other bureaus the lis contract or open purchase, while there was an abundance of the articie called tor in the cord: cellars of the ropewalk, and sometimes detertorat- ing from age, haying been returned trom vessels alter a cruise. Attempts to remedy this have nev succeeded, as each bureau is absolute in its a thority and jealously repels any attempv at int ference With the managemént ot its nitBirs. Mile hona of money that should be expended in keep- ing our 'y on @ respectable foo.ing are squan- dered in the contract system or in the purchase of the th id and one articles thas could be san made in our navy yards, and thereby fostering a speculative 1a among ‘government employds = ‘ ANNIVERSARY OF THE “HOUSE Ok MERCY.” Notwithstanding the weather there was a ver» large attendance of devout worabippers at Trinity chapel jast evening, yesterday being the si. teenth anniversary Of the establishment of tn . House of Mercy. Rev. Morgan wix, D. dD. preached an eloquent sermon, calling on his cor: gregation to give aid to ti worthy charity to the best of _ thei 4 After the sermon Rev. George F. Beymoun ie Manager of the “House of ‘cy, id & Short ” Kew report of the work of the institution ior the past year. In Jannary, 1874, the number of inmatcs was ro fT nd there have been receiy. since that tim venty-five young persons, make ing tn all 136, were sent to stiuations durin the yedr, twenty. ed to parents an a re ieee g sixteen left with permi: ied, and there are at present iu th enty-nine,