The New York Herald Newspaper, January 17, 1876, Page 5

THE FRENCH ELECTIONS. CITIZEN CHOICE OF DELEGATES WHO ARE TO CHOOSE SENATORS—THE MODERATE REPUB- LICANS AND RADICALS APPARENTLY AHEAD— THE RETURNS NOT COMPLETED—THE RIGHT OF VOTING TO BE RESPECTED. Panis, Jan, 16, 1876. Elections for delegates who are to choose Senators will be held to-day throughout France. ‘THE RADICALS STRONG IN FARIS. The Municipai Council here elected Victor Hugo Sen- atorial delegate and Mr. Spuller, editor of La République Francaise, substitute delegate, IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE SKINE, The returns indicate that the majority of the dele- gates elected in the Department of the Seine are mod- erate republicans and the minority radicals, The republican-Deputies and departmental and mu- nicipal councillors have called a meeting of the Sena- torial delegates on Monday for the purpose of deciding upon a definite list of candidates for the Senate in the Department of the Seine. CERTAIN OF BEING HONORED, This list will certainly contain the names of Victor Hugo, Louis Blanc and Peyrat, WAITING POR THE RETURNS. Fall returns from the departments are not expected for several days. A RADICAL GAIN, The delegates elected in Valence and neighborhood are radicals. A FREE VOTR. The prefects of several departments have issued proclamations ordering that freedom of elections be re- spected. M GAMBETTA, M, Gambetta arrived yesterday in Marseilles, where arfwogements are being made to give him a banquet. {THE LATEST RETURNS OF THE VOTING. Panis, Jan, 16—Midnight, ‘The majority of the Senatorial delegates elected in the departments of the Seine, Seine-et-Marne, Finis- tere, Vienne and Allier are conservatives. THE EASTERN QUESTION. ‘WHAT THE AUSTRIAN REFORM NOTE REQUIRES OF THE SULTAN. Vienna, Jan, 16, 1876. Count Andrassy’s note mentions several reforms as urgent, Of these the principal are the establishment of the equality of all religious denominations, alteration of th stem of taxation and changes in the administra- tion of justice, especially the acceptance of the evi- dence of Christians in the courts. The note proposes the establishment of a commis- sion composed tn equal numbers of Christians and Turks as an effective guarantee of the execution of the reform. It intimates that some time may possibly be re- quired before the execution of the proposed changes dn reference to the agrarian question and some other pointsis practicable. SPAIN. GOVERNMENT PREPARATIONS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION FOR THE CORTES—A CLEAR FIELD FOR CANDIDATES, AND NO CLERICAL DICTA- ‘TION. Maverp, Jan, 16, 1876. ‘The government has‘sanctioned public meetings and other electoral proceedings in favor of Castelar, at Valencia, and Carvajal at Malaga, POPULAR SUPPORT OF PROMINENT REPUBLICANS. Meetings in favor of the election of other prominent republicans have also been authorized, and very tew abuses of the privilege are reported. INTERESTS. The government leaves a clear field to all candidates professing monarchical or other solid views. A WARNING TO FIRERRAND CLERICS. Government has seized copies of proclamations issued by some bishops stigmatizing candidates for the Cortes as impious if they do not uphold religious intolerance, GENERAL MORIONES’ ACTION AGAINST THE CAR- LISTS. Lonvox, Jan. 17, 1876, A despatch from St. Jean de Luz to the Times reports that General Moriones has advanced from San Sabas- tian, capturing the heights of Arratzain and silencing the Carlist artillery. Impogtant operations were momentarily expected, RUSSIA. Sr. Pererssurc, Jan. 16, 1876. A report is published that General Kaufmann, who is tn this city, will not return to Turkestan, ‘THE MINISTRY OF MARINE. Admiral Krabbé, Minister of Marine, ts dead, and ‘Vice Admiral Lessowsky bas been appointed his suc- eoasor. AUSTRIA. 4 HEAVY LOAN BY THE CIS-LEITHAN GOVERN- MENT. Lowpox, Jan, 16, 1876, A Vienna despatch to the Standard announces that the Cis-Leithan government has concluded a loan of 40,000,000 gulden with the Creditaustalt. ROME. — HIS HOLINESS’ ADVICE TO RECUSANT PRELATES IN GERMANY. Rome, Jan, 16, 1876, The Vatican has instructed ‘Cologne and Treves to endeavor to find means of pre- ‘venting their deposition from their sees, SERVIA, Betorape, Jun. 16, 1876. The Skouptschina has voted to impeach all the mem- | ders of Mainovic’s Cabinet for allowing the expenditures ‘to exceed the amount authorized by the budget. BOWDOIN AND BOATING. Bruxswick, Me., Jan, 16, 1876. At an enthusiastic meeting of the Bowdoin Boat Club held on Saturday night it was unanimously voted to remain in tbe Boating Association aud tw send a crew (o Saratoga uext regatta. EARTHQUAKE SHOCK IN MAINE. Baxaor, Jan. 16, 1876, A very severe earthquake shock was felt at midnight ast might at Chemo, in this county. DEATH ON THE TRACK. EVIDENCES OF THE VICTIM'S IDENTITY, Battosore, Jan. 16, 1876, Last night aman was found, just beyond the city limits, lying alongside the track of the Northern Central Railroad, with his face badly crushed and otherwise seriously injured. He was taken to a hospi. tal, where he died this morning. He was apparently forty years of age. From a letier found on his person, addressed to Thomas King, Superiniendent of the Val- and signed by Joseph Rey- nolds, yardmaster of the -‘gipia Midland Railroad at Alexandria, the name of the deceased appears to hi been Samuel Abrahams, DEATH FROM EXPLOSION. Moyragat, Jan. 16, 1876. Yesterday afternoon the steam jacket on the boiler of a hoisting engine at the new resorvoir burst, killing tue engineer, named Dureber. SERIOUS COASTING ACCIDENT. Basoor, Me., Jan. 16, 1876, A serious coasting accident occurred bere last night {rom the collision of two bob sleds. One boy lies ina critical position from the injuries sustained, another bad bis leg broken in two places, and several other boys aud gitls are more or less seriously injured. DROWNED WHILE SKATING. Batrimors, Md, Jan, 16, 1876. Two boys, named Theodore Baumgarten and Edwin ftarr, were drowned yesterday afternoo: skating on Colvate’s Oreck, near tower Tatton. ny the Archbishops of | WASHINGTON Preparations for the Trial of General Babcock. RESULTS HANGING UPON THE VERDICT The Amnesty Bill Again To Be Brought Before the House. FEELING OF THE SOUTHERN REPUBLICANS. A Plan to Force the Democrats on the Record. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasuixcroy, Jan. 16, 1876. ANTICIPATED REAPPEARANCE OF THE AMNESTY BILL—THE DEMOCRATS TO BE FORCED ON THE RECORD REGARDING DAVIS—VIEWS OF THE SOUTHERN REPUBLICANS, Tn some shape the amnesty bill wiil come up again to-morrow, The democrats are shy of it, but they can- not prevent its reintroduction by the republicans, and will probably, therefore, take the matter in hand themsetves, There have beon numerous consultations during the last two days and with the result of develop- ing one or two curious features. Mr, Blaine, as leader of the republicans, openly says that he and those act- ing with him do not wish to defeat amnesty and do not mean even to put any obstacles in the way of in- cluding Jeff Davis in it. But they are determined to have an aye and no vote on Jeff Davis, and to put on the record every man who votes for Davia. If the democratic leaders will consent to this the bill cam pass. If they decline to put them- selves on the record as voting directly for the pardon of Davis then the Republicans say thoy will resist, It is known to-night that ¥ the democrats will accept this condition they can get Southern repub- iican votes enough to carry the bill The Southern republicans, white as well as colored, have been ex- tromely desirous to vote for amnesty, but they are also desirous to act strictly with their party. They have consulted togethvr and have determined upon the fol- lowing course:—They will insist, with their party leaders, on having am aye and no vote on Jeff Davis’ exclusion, The democrats refuse to allow this, Then they will continue to act with their party, and the bill will be again defeated. If, however, the democratic leaders accept the proposition which Mr. Blaine, it is understood, will make, then the South- ern republicans will vote with the democrats for Jef Davis, and thus carry him in by a considerable number of votes more than the required two-thirds. The bill may come up in one of several ways, Either on the call of States Mr. Blaine may introduce his own substitute as a new bill or Mr. Randall’s bill may be brought up by a suspension of the rules, which can be got, or a new bill said to be preparing by General Banks, in consultation with some democrats, may be brought in, or finally one of the Southern republicans, desirous of voting for amnesty, may move a _ reconsideration independently of his party. Having voted with the prevailing side, any of them may do this, which would at once bring up the bill. In any case, the determina. tion of the Southern republicans and their agreement together to act with their party so far as to support the demand for a special vote on Jeff Davis puts the fate of the bill to that extent into their hands, and leaves upon the democrats the responsibility of defeating the whole bill if they reject the offer which, it 1s said, will be made them—that is to say, they can, as matters now stand, pass their bill, with Davis included, if they will consent to goon the record as voting, explicitly and directly, to amnesty Davis. The matter seems a small one for them to hesitate about, and the bill will proba- bly pass to-morrow if it comes up. It is said here that leading democratic members have received despatches during the last three days from the West warning them that the dobate was seriously injuring the party pros- pects there, and begging them to stop it, The republi- cans, on the other hand, receive letters and despatches from all parts of the country encouraging and applaud- ing Blaine and Garfleld and the conduct of the debate. THE COMING TRIAL OF BABCOCK—BOTH PAR- TIES PREPARING FOR THE GREAT CONTEST— THE COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENCE—IMPORTANT RESULTS HANGING ON THE DECISION. The apparent lull in the Babcock case must not be construed as indicating a lack of activity on the part ofeither the prosecution or defence. It is but the calm before the storm, the preliminary disposing and alignment of battalions preparatory to the chargo of battle, Each party is busily engaged hunting up apd arranging the evidence upon which the guilt or inno- cence of the President's private secretary and confi- dential friend is to be established. The array of coun- sel retained by Babcock embraces some of the most eminent of the legal fraternity, culled from various portions of the United States. The full list is not positively known, but, in addition to the two Krums, of St. Louis, father and gon, J. K. Porter, of New York city, well known as one of the counsel in the Beecher scandal, and Emory Storrs, one of the legal luminaries of Chicago, and distin- guished as acriminal lawyer of unusual ability, have been retained. It is not generally known, but never- theless true, that when Babcock first saw the crooked whiskey troubles ahead Ben Butler was engaged as leading counsel in the case, and it was entirely owing to the delicate condition of Butler’s health at that time, and the injunctions of his physician forbidding the step, that the Essex statesman did not proceed to St Louis when Babcock’s name was first mentioned in connection with an {ndictment. Butler is reported to have said, after examining the case from Babcock’s stondpoint, that he felt confident that if he could have been permitted by his physician to go to St. Louls at the commencement of Bab- cock’s difficulty, he “‘could’—tmitating the language of Sam Wilkeson when testifying in the Beecher case—‘“‘have knocked the indictment higher thana kite.’ It is unfortunate, perhaps, for Babcock that he is not to have the benefit of Butier as his senior coun- sel. The prosecution, no doubt, congratulate them- selves on their escape, and can repeat without jesting the well-worn play on the bottled hero’s name:— Ofall sad words of tongue or pen ‘The saddest are, we might have Ben, The result of Babcock’s trial will carry with it far more importance than the mere question of his guilt or Innocence, bis consigument to a felon’s cell, or his vin- dication before a jury of his peers, The question has become a struggle for supremacy between two diferent cliques—two branches of the administration family, Babcock, with the personal influence of the President and that of the third term adherents, represents one faction. Bristow, with Blu- ford Wilson and the officials of the Treasury Depart- ment, backed by the anti-Ring sentiment, represents the other. Either Babcock or Bristow must go down as the result of the former's trial. If Babeock is con- vieted he will be sentenced to the Penitentiary, and nothing but the pardon of the President can save him from exchanging bis shoulder straps as colone! of engi. neers for the sombre striped untiorm of s condemned felon. With his conviction as conspirator and metm- ber of the Whiskey Ring, whose object it was to defraud the government of its revenue, Bristow, whatever may be the President's idea of the righteousness or justice of Babcock’s fate, will not only stand justified in the public esteem, but will be lauded as an earnest, incorruptible reformer, and his position will be safe even from Presidential interference. But shonld Babcock secure an acquittal the President, who from the first has had unshaken confidence in bis secretary’s innocence, and | who belioves to this day that Babcock is the victim of aconspiracy formed in the Treasury Department to defeat the third term, will immediately follow up the | acquittal of Babcock by the summary expulsion from his Cabinet of Bristow and the dismissal from the Treas- ury Department of every official who has been promi- nent in the prosecution. Nor is it probable that the ac. tion of the President would stop there. Itisbelieved that ‘at least one other member of the Cabinet, whose sym. | pathies have been with Bristow in the latter's war | against the Whiskey Ring and who owes his appoint. | ment largely to the influence Of Babcock and Horace | Porter, would be invited to surrender his portfolio. In other words, the acquittal of Babcock will resultin a reorganization of the Cabinet by which tnose who bave been opponents or lukewarm advocates of the third term movement will be forced out and their places filled by men of pronounced third term proclivities— active and experienced political workers, of a type of which Chandler, the head of the Interior Department, is a fair representative, and who recently expressed his willingness to vote for General Grant not only for a third term, but a fourth and fifth term, provided the Republican Convention would nominate him. SECRETARY BELKNAP AND THE IOWA SENATOR- SHIP—ANOTHER VICTIM TO THE THIRD TERM PROJECT. ‘The report that Secretary of War Belknap intends de- manding a commiitee of investigation to determine who circulated the report that he was a candidate for United States Senator before the Iowa Legislature is believed to be premature, Among the political conundrums propounded het since the result of the republican caucus in the Iowa State capital has been made known is the following:— If the appointment of Governor C. C. Carpenter to an important position in the United States Treasury Department secured for Belknap the votes of twelve men, tried and true, how many such appotnt- ments would be necessary in order to secure a suffl- cient number of votes to elect the War Secretary to a Seat in the United States Senate? Immense efforts were made by the administration press, prior to the assembling of the logislative caucus, to represent that Belknap was to have things all his own way, the Senatorial race being confined to him and Harlan, while Kirkwood was not to be considered as having any pretensions. Lo and bebold, the result of the first ballot gave the nomination to the War Governor Kirkwood, while Belknap, with his twelve jurymen, brings up the rear, beating nobody inthe race but Harlan, the latter believing, perhaps, that be who fights and runs away may live to run some other day. Belknap’s fate adds one more unfortunate to the disappointed list of Senatorial as- pirants who have been handcutfed by being considered as the favorite candidate of the administration, and as looking with complacency, if not with favor, upon the third term movement, It is related that when Belknap’s defeat was told to Zach Chandler the latter remarked that the flourish made in the papers by Belknap’s friends before the election, and the small number of votes—twelve— polled, was very much like shearing a hog for wool, the result being a damned sight more noise than wool. FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT, Wasuinctoy, Jan, 16, 1876, A PLAN FOR TRANSFERRING THE CONTROL OF INDIAN AFFAIRS TO THE WAR DEPARTMENT. At the request of the Committee on Reorganization of the Civil Service the War Department has submitted the following plan for transferging the Indian Bureau to that department:—After the Ist day of July next the Secretary of War to exercise the powers of the Secretary of the Interior in relation to all acts of the Commissioners of Indian Affairs and the issuing of requisitions for the payment of moneys on account of Indian expenditures, subject to the adjustment and control of the proper officers of the Treasury Department; the Secretary of War to mako such details of officers of the army as may be necessary to administer the affairs of the Indian service; the com- manding officers of the military geographical depart- ments of the army in which Indian tribes are located to be ez officio in charge ot Indian affairs in their de- partments, and to detail subordinate officers, who are to be held responsible for any neglect of duty or mal- administration, and subject to trial, therefore, by mili- tary courts; no increase in the number, rank, pay or allowances of officers to take place on account of their discharging these new duties; all contracts for supplies for transportation connected with the Indian service to be made in connection with the army service, the officers of all civil agencies of the Indian service to be abolished. WHY MARSHAL PACKARD WANTED THE REPUB- LICAN CONVENTION HELD AT PHILADELPHIA— VIEWS OF A THIRD TERMER. Marshal Packard has given his friends bis reasons for having advocated Philadelphia as the plade at which to hold the Republican National Convention. He says he is emphatically for a third term, and he feels confident that the Southern delegations generally will be for Grant. It would nover do, ho thought, to subject these delegates to the influences of Cincinnati, where all of the press that has any influence its bit- terly opposed to athird term. The Grant delegates, ‘from the time they reached Cincinnati till they left would, he says, be under a constant fire from the daily press, and no means would be neglected to subject them to arguments in private aswell. In short, no third term man would stand the least chance io Cincinnati, and so he was earnestly in favor of Philadelphia. It was on this account he opposed Cin- cinnati, and not because he thought Morton could take the Southern delegates away from Grant. This he did not regard as possible. A BILL TO AMEND THE RATES OF SUGAR. A bill is in course of preparation to do away with the color and polarization distinctions of sugar at the Cus- tom House, and to impose a uniform rate of duty. This discrimination against tho refiners is likely to bring on @ warm contest between importers and refiners before the committee when the bill has been referred. DUTY ON GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasurnotos, Jan, 16, 1876. ALLEGED OBSTRUCTION TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS IN LOUISIANA AND THE PRESI- DENT'S ACTION THEREON. Representations having been made to the President that the laws of the United States are obstructed in several of the parishes in Louisiana, United States Dis- trict Attorney Beckwith will be instructed, through the Department of Justice, to bring illegal combina- tions as well a8 individual offenders to trial under the Enforcement act. The President expressed his deter- mination to preserve public order to the extent of his constitutional power. There are three companies of cavalry and one company of infantry {n Louisiana, put there 18 no probability of the use of the military to ald the civil authorities. MR. PINCHBACK TO RETURN TO THE NATIONAL CAPITAL. Mr, Pinchback has written to a friend that he will again be in Washington thia week to urge action by the Senate on his claim to a seat in that body. EVANGELIZATION. THE CHRISTIAN CONVENTION UNDER THE AUS- PICES OF MOODY AND SANKEY. Purtapetrnta, Jan. 16, 1876, The Christian Convention in this city, to be con- ducted by Messrs. Moody and Sankey, on the 19th and 20th inst., promises to be avery large one, It ts ex- pected that 1,000 ministers from diferent parts of the country will be in attendance. Ample accommoda- tions have been made for the entertainment and com- fort of the delegates. THR EXERCISE: will change every hour, and at night Mr. Moody will preach, On Thursday evening the Convention will close with the anniversary of the Philadelphia Young Men’s Christian Association, when Mr. Moody will re- peat bis lecture on ‘Daniel. ARRESTED FOR ARSON. THE ORIGIN OF THE RECRNT FIRE AT WATER- VILLE, N. ¥., EXPLAINED, Unica, N. ¥., Jan. 16, 1976. The extensive fire at Watervilic, this county, on New Year's morning, which threatened tho destruction of an the villago, originated in David K. Pierce's jewelry, i store, His small stock was insured for $3,000. George Woodruff, of Elbridge, Onondaga county, and Pierce have been atrested for having started the fre. Wood- ruf made a fall confession of nis and Pierco’s guilt vefore a justice of Elbridge, and Pierce did the same in Waterville, Each charges the other with being the principal The object of the fire was to obtain the in- surance, Woodruff says he was to reecive $200. The crime {fe arson in the first degree. Both Woodruff and Pierce will be indicted to-morrow, A FLOUR MILL BURNED. Goowared, Ont, Jan. 16, 1876. A Ore last night destroyed Hilliard’s flour mill, near this place. The loss 8 $19,000, which is ouly partially covered Uv insurance, THE LUNATICS OF SPECULATION. LECTURE BY PROFESSOR 8. B. BRITTAN AT RE- PUBLICAN HALL—THE CAUSES OF POVERTY AND THEIR REMEDY. Professor 8. B, Bristan lectured last evening on “The Lunatics of Speculation” In Republican Hall, in Thirty-third street, He satd:—“I honor the struggling millions who bear the burdens of society, the great chaingang of the bonest poor, in whom & worthy ambition is restrained; whose hands are tied by the poverty of their circumstances. Their faith and hope and patience are sublime. Their palms are open, but their lips are sealed; they work and wait; they suffer and are mute. They are the victims of false system and of cunning men who madly speculate in the world’s misfortunes. If an ordinary lunatic breaks your window you e him shut up; but the fashionable iunatic, who goes “on 'Change”’ and keeps a large bank lance, may take your whole house, from sleeper to rafter, and reduce an entire family to beggary, and he is left to run at large. The most stupendous fictions originate in the business world, They are created by the lunatics of speculation, who watch for lawful opportunities to do wrong. They set snares for tae simple-minded; they qualify the truth in many ways, until ordinary lying soems by contrast quite respectable, They buy up things neces- sary to subsistence; they seize the staf of life and hold on to it, and thus starve the oor, If a noble but destitute man, like ugo’s Jean Valjean, steals a loaf of’ bread for a starving family, be is arrested, tried for larceny and Jocked up in a cold, damp cell. There is no disguising the fact that the laboring classes, even in this country, are suffering under great wrongs that demand instant redress. A poor man may not sell a fresh shad or a dried herring in the street with- outa vendor's license. He must pay the public au- thorities for this poor, beggarly priviloge, Even this is not the worst aspect of this oppression. If an indi- gent widow wants three ounces of medicine to save the life of sick child she inust pay for the govern- ment stamp on the bottle! And yet the government allows mere gamplers in public securities to freely buy and sell unliions without one cent for tribute. Tue vial of cordial must be taxed and sick ba- bies contribute to the public revenue; but the bonds of millonnaires require no stamp, This is rank injus- tice that challenges retribution. Can oppression trans- cend these limits under othor forms of government? In the presence of such wrongs the seeds of revolution germinate. Our freedom is ‘a tinkling cymbal.’’ Where ts liberty when the wolf is at the door? Ameri- can independence is a pale shadow without substance when strong men with large families must work all day on the Midland Railroad for eighty cents. Our boasted democracy ts little better than a pitiful show until the burdens of society are left to {allon those who can bear them and even handed justice is meted out woall “THE RETURNED C. ‘At Trenor’s Hall, in Broadway, near Thirty-second street, last evening, Mr. Prentice Mulford delivered one ot a course of Sunday evening lectures, the subject be- ing “The Returned Californian.” The lecturer gave very interesting sketches of the strange positions in which a returned Californian finds himself after many years of hard labor and toil and seeking—too often im vain—to make a fortune in digging for the precious metal in the Golden State. His pictures of his own experience in returning to his native village, which he called Doseville, wero very well drawn, the contrast between the then and now being forcibly marked. His portrayal of his meeting with old schoolfellows, who bad during his abse grown up to be fathers of warriageable daughters, and who wero now staid and domesticated in all their habits, contained a great deal of humor and was much enjoyed by the audience. In conclusion he gave it as the result of his experience and observation that the home of boyhood was not the ideal home tor those who had been for many years wanderers in the world. Home really was where one had long resided, and where had grown up around him the pleasant associations, the struggles and the suc- cesses of maturer years, The course of lectures is to be continued. CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. Rev. Thomas J. Ducey, of St. Michael’s church, lectured to a large and appreciative audience, last night, at Cooper Institute, upon “Types of Christian Character." The reverend gentlemen held up the lives of Pope Gregory VII. Sir Thomas More and St. Charles Borromeo for the imitation of those who would possess straightforward, manly, Christian characters, The eloquence of the lecturer elicited frequent outbursts of applause. The proceeds of th affair will be devoted to the benefit of St. Michael Lyceum, an institution of young men founded by Fa- ther Ducey, which has been of incalculable benefit to the youths of the Twentieth ward. ALIFORNIAN.” DR. ROBINSON’S LECTURES. Rev. Charles 8. Robinson, D. D., pastor of the Pres- byterian Memorial eburch, Madison avenue and Fifty- third street, will give the first of a series of lectures in the church to-morrow evening, entitled “Paris and the First Empire.” The succeeding lectures in the course willembrace “Paris and the Second Empire,’" ‘London and Westininster Abbey”’ and “London and the Tower.” Dr. Robinson bas resided in Paris for many and bas ‘4 vast amount of valuable and interesting information on these subjects. The lectures will be illustrated with photographic views of the palaces, churches, parks and public buildings of Paris and Lon- don, and promise to be highly entertaining. THE GAME OF POLO, Polo is an equestrian game, played on ponies. The advantages in this country in obtaining horses suitable for the game of polo over those on the other side of the Atlantic are greatly in our favor, We have in Texas thousands of little horses, active and strong, that are the most docile, hardy and fleet creatures for their size that can be found in the world. They are de- scendants of the Andalusians and Arabs introduced on to-this continent by the invading Spaniards hundreds of years ago, aud have been running wild on the prairies for a couple of conturies, The Texan pony will make a better polo horse than those in use in Great Britain, which are generally composed of overgrown Shetlands or Scotch Galloways, who have neither activity nor speed. One great ad- vantage to be derived from the game of polo, we are convinced, will be that it will make ail who practice it good horsemen, and give an impetas to equestrianism that bas long been needed in this section of the coun- try. A good seat in the saddle is a great accomplish. ment, and its acquirement has been sadly neglected by our young people of late years, There is more horse- back riding in the South than in the North and East, which has been occasioned in @ great measure by the cultivation of our tast trotters and the manufacture of our handsome light vehicles; but we think that should the game of polo be introduced tts popularity will create a demand for good saddlo horses equal to that of fast trotters at the present time. There is more health in a brisk gallop through the Park of a morning on a good horse than in a dozen buggy rides; and the value of our Park will be much better appreciated should our young gentiemen become good polo players than ever betore, The advantage of superior horsemanship wa: manifest at the commencement of the rebellion by the Southerm cavalry, as every man was a good rider, and they are so still, being fond of fox hunting or any other sport that requires the services of the horse and aman to ride him, A Southerner would soon become a good polo player The following are the Hurlingham rules for the game of polo:— RULES OF 7 1. The height of the ponies crea, it not exceed fourteen hands, and no poules showing vices are to be aliowed ia the all nominate an umpire, unless it be ma- play with one instead of two; but bis or HI be final. er sticks and balls, approved bythe com- ‘he sine of the bi decided to be three inches im diameter. Sticks may be hooked, but nor player be ailowed to hook an adversary’s stick either acrams or auder his adversary's pony. 6 Should « player break his stick, or have it¢br: pte pte stare sppointed piace where the stigss ‘and take one, 7 In the event of astick being dropped the player must | corer to pick ib up, but be cannot strike we ball when ism S A player wae te his pony beforehiy antagonist, so as to prevent the iatter teaching the ball, whetuer in full career oF . despite the immediate neighburhoud of Loa If a player is “before his side" —dd at, he is en, he rw kept layer of bis own side who hits the bafi—and li i come turough ihe Gully, he "ot ide of the not beog bit passes 3 has mo business to impede in goal, and not throngh, @ hit off, whieh myst be from the line. pt A Soman taht wut oCbounds it must be thrown 14 play, ul and to be started by 1 bend 13. The dress to consist i bine Jerseys, forace caps, with silver |. light bine vale bres butcher boots, The patton aod material all sup; & Inman, Bond stov os, atches bevween members of the Hurlingham are to be iuguished by red and blae caps. The will be provigod by the club. person allowed within tha arena (pli xcopted) nude r any circumstances wh sod um: | Sons, President of the Blackwell's Isiand Bridge Com- NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1876. $$ ——__ —_—_ — FENIAN AMNESTY. Dion Boucicault’s Appeal to Disraeli for the Release of the Prisoners. — THE JURY OF THE THEATRE. “One Crowning Act of Humanity Worth a Dozen Master Strokes of Policy.” Lowpow, Jan, 4, 1876, Dion Boucicault has written a letter tothe Right | Honorable Benjamin Disraeli appealing for the release of the remaining Fenian prisoners, a copy of which the author of “The Shaughraun” has placed in my hands. It will be remembered that early in 1871 Her Majesty's government, by a partial amnesty, released the ma- jority of the Fenian prisoners, including all the leaders, upon condition of their expatriating themselves until the expiration of the term for which they were sen- tenced. With a great number this amounts to exile for life, Those who remain unreleased are, in nearly every instance, of the rank and fle of the Fenian or- ganization and without importance; but where the goy- ernment drew the line in their case Is easily seen. ‘Those now unreleased were nearly all SOLDIERS IN THR QUKEN’S SERVICE, and on these, for discipline sake, the hand of the law remains heavy, while those who seduced them from their allegiance are set free. Mr. Boucicault’s letter must speak for itself It has not yet been communi- cated to the English press, The novelty of the idea commended itself to me, and I usked Mr. Boucicault if he had taken counsel with any one upom the propriety of this step, Mr. Bovcicacut--I have consulted earnestly with some of the leading members of Parliament on this matter, and they see in it an important and novel event, Ihave been assured by many of them that the question of releasing this miserable remnant of « mis- guided faction will be brought before the House of Com. mons when they meet next month, Cornesroxpent—It may be thought, Mr. Bouelcault, that you have a personal interest in making this letter an advertisement of your play. Mr. Bovcicacit—Of course, of course (bitterly); those who oppose its sentiments may say so, I have foreseen such criticism, But give a guarantee of my earnestness. Need I say that I have withdrawn “The Shaughraun” in the height of its popularity lest my action may be regarded as a ‘theatrical move.” 1 for- foit $2,000 a week by thus leaving London. CoRRESPONDENT—That is a test, certainly. Mr. Boucicautt—What more can I offer? I believe in my soul all you will find in that letter, and I sin- cerely hope it will have effect. It will certainly call attention tothe matter. Now, if I may suggest, you could do the Irish a great service by pointing out that these Fenians are held in jail bocause they are soldie: and thus GUILTY OF A DOUBLE TREASON. But surely the American officers and graduates of West Point who took up arms against the United States in 1861 were even more guilty. They were men of edu- cation, but the United States have not treated them as convicts, condemning them to hard labor and chains in a gang of felons. I could say much more on this sab- ject, but for the present I prefer to loave the matter where my letter to the Premier puts it, The following ts THE LETTE To the Right Hon. B. Distasi » Siax—During t ist flve mouths we have been senting betore the English people in London a play en- titled “The Shaughraun.”” The work is founded upon au episode in the Fenian insurrection of 1866. As a literary effort it has no pretension, therefore no poetic clothing disguises its subject; it possesses no wit to divert public attention from’ this smple story, A young Ingh gentieman has been tried, convicted and transported to the penal colonies for complicity with the rebellion, He escapes to America, and from thence ventures to visit his home in Ireland. A police emissary discovers his presence, he {s rearrested, con- signed to prison, from which he escapes and eventually is restored to freedom by a general pardon, granted (under poetical liceuse) during your ministry, This pardon is the Deus ex Machina of the drama, HIS WITNESSES. Tcall to witness 200,000 of the people of London, who have been Ef ohgse 1 at this representation during 100 nights; 1 call to witness the press that recorded the result, to declare that I have stated simply and with- cut guile the scenes and incidents composing this work; and I call the whole world to witness this spec- tacle—the government of England with a full and noble reliance on the arte, of the English people au- thorizing and approving the representation of this play, thus inviting daily a jury of 2,000 citizens to hear - prouounce their feelings on a great political ques- tfon. ‘THR PLAY'S THE THING, Tn all countries and at all tim ince the political license of Aristophanes was reprobated by the Athen. jan tyrant to the present day, when the French cen- sure watches with minute jealousy every expression of their drama, the theatre has been acknowledged a sensi- tive test of public opinion. Some persons may hold the expression of public sympathy in a theatre to be a matter of little weight; but a little weight has turned a wi ud a feather thrown on the suriace of the sea may servo to indicate its tide orcurrent. It was surely not the cunning of the dramatist nor the great morit of the actors that lifted the whole audience to their feet as cheer aftercheer shook the old wails of the national theatre when the fugitive convict escaped from his prison. Surely there is no attempt through- out the play to deceive the spectators as to the naiure of the sympathy they extend; they are plainly invited to sympathize with one who 1s endeavoring toelude the penalty of m great offence, Why do they watch his progress with interest? and when au announcement is made that HER MAJKSTY'S PARDON has been granted to all the political prisoners, why are these words greeted with hearty applause? May we answer tt is because the English le have begun to forgive the offence and heartily ire to forget it’ So I believed when I wrote this work with the deliberate intention to ask that question in plain langoage. And I bave done so, The question has been asked nightly 100 times to 2,000 people of all cl trom the Prince and Princess of Wales to the hamblest mechanic in this city, and there bas been no dissentient voice upon it—no, not one! I bave delayed calling your atten- tion to this matter until the last moment, when 1 WITHDRAW THE PLAY forever from the London st 1am no politietan, si tage. but @ working man in that guild of literature whereof you are the most distin- guished living member. If I venture out of my mental depth in approaching this subject, nold oat generously your hand to one who loves his country and its people and feels that affection to be his only eloquence. All the leaders of the Fenian outbreak are at large; a few obscure men still linger in chains, and these are, L believe, the only British citizens now in prison for a litical offence. Iam pot capable of judging what et the spectacle of these sufferers may be to so- ciety, but I can see the detriment occasioned when pun- ishment exceeding the measure of retribution makes justice appear capricious and tends to TORN THE CRIMINAL INTO A MARTYR. I have seen and I know that toward these twelve or fourteen miserable men are directed the sympathies of | 20,000,000 of English hearts in American breasts— English hearts that sincerely respect this mother coun- try and would love ber dearly if she would tet them One crowning act of humanity would be worth a dozen master strokes of policy; and the great treaty to be es- tablished with. the United States is najther the Canadian fisheries por the border ling on the Pacific Ocean—it ts the hearty cohesion of the English and the American people, ‘THE QUALITY OF MERCT. Those who say the time is not come for the exercise of clemency forget that morcy is not @ calculation, but ‘a noble impulse—that no man keeps a fallen foo under his bh but a coward who dares not jet him up, In re- ply to such objection I would answer if the time has not come for the prudent exercise of Her Majesty's pro- Togativo, let your noble impatience push forward tho hands of the clock—tts stroke will be beard in millions ful hearts, and your own, sir, will not feel the ereafter, Your vor: 2 worse either her obedient servant, DION BOUCICAULT, Tuxateew Rovat, Dever Laxe, Jan, 1, 1576, THE BLACKWELL'S ISLAND BRIDGE, | Mr. William Steinway, of the firm of Steinway & pany, staves that Generals Barnard and Gilmore, of the United States Engineer corps, in connection with Mr. Cohanute, Chief Engineer of the Erie Railway Company, have been inted a board of consulting engineers in the wndertaking, and are now im perfecting or for the ‘bey ex ave the 5 MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC! NOTES! Mme. Liebhart is still singing “Little Bira! in the English provinces. Albani sang in “Phe Messiab’ at Royal Alvert Halé on Christmas Day. Miss Rose Eytinge has a benefit at the Union Squarg? Theatre on Fedruary 4 Mine. Essipotf, the pianist, is concertizing im Ger- many, and will return to London in April. “Lohengrin” was first produced ip Vienna, Auguat 19, 1858, and has been given there 114 times. Miss Amy Fay, ao Boston pianist, is very highly spoken of. She studied under Tansig, Kullak, Depps and Ligzt, Marie Kreb: Popular Concert on the 10th inst. and atthe Saturday Popular Concert, St, James’ Hall, on the 15th inst The Centennial Choral Union, Mr. Archibald John ston president and Mr. P. S. Gilmore musical director, how bumbers over 700 members, and is in a very flourishing condition, Miss Lucy Buekstone, daughter of the well known Comedian and lessee of the Haymarket Theatre, receatly made a essful début at the Croydon Theatre, and is now with Mr. Sothern's comedy company. Tho Wachtel opera season is closed, the company having arrived from Philadelphia Mme, Pappenhetm Arens is preparing for the Italian stage, for which hee great dramatic abilities and splendid voiee eminently fit her. Trebelli has had a grand snecess Sweden. At Stockholm the theatre was so (hronged that they had to put some of the aud on tho stage, Trebelli wae all the rage, and bakers, butchers and habordashers called their goods afier her. The | of Sweden be- stowed on her the Order and ( Medal of L Arts with his own hand, The only other « has been 60 honored ts Jonny Lind isson haw started on a continental tour, and will spend from January to March in Belgium and Holland, visiting Brus sols, Ghent, Lige, Antwerp and the cuief Dutch towns- Mr. J. H. Maploson visits America to see for himsell what are the operatic prospects bere and to make ar. rangements tor opera during the Centennial. His new opera house on the Thames embankment will be opened in February, 1877, and his season in Londou this year will be a very briefone, The east of “Norma” for the opening night, January 24, will be as follows — Norma, Mile, Titiens; Adalgisa, Mime, MwCullougl Brignoli; Pollio, Signor Bacee!; Oroveso, Mr. MacDon. ald, Miss Beaumont, Brignoli and Tagliapietra are en gaged. It is not unlikely that “Lohengrin” and ‘Aida’ will be given with Titieus aud Pappenbeim in the pria- cipal roles, MUSICAL REVIEW. Roe Stephens, Detroit, publish the March,”’ by George F. Lumsden. It is of description imaginable. “The United States Matl,"’ song, L. H. Thomas. A very clever comic song in tho Teutonic dialect, Boosey & Co,, London, publish the following:-— “Almost,” song, Frederic H. Cowen. Although this song was expressly composed for the favorite Englistt contralto, Mme, Patey, yet its spiritiess melody will hardly commend it to the public. Lecocq’s comic opera, “The Island of Bachelors,’ is also published by this house. “Yes, I Must Leave You Now,” song, from the opera “Porter of Havre,’ A. Cagnoni, This is the air ta which Santley has gained such applause in Carl Rosa's English Opera Company. “My Love Has Gone a-Sailing,”” song, J. L. Molloy. A very charming song from a popular pea, William A, Pond & Co,, New York, publish tho fol « jowing:— “Father Almighty," Thanksgiving hymn, Horatio @, King. Arather pleasing little work, with contralto and soprano solos and chorus. It is unprotending tm style, but not the less effective for a small choir. “Our Boys,’ song, Jolly Nash, A fow timely verses on the recent achievements of Uncle Sain’s boys in other lands, with @ popular though not origina melody. Mr. C. 8. Grafulla has written a number of charming and brilliant quicksteps for the various compaaies of the Seventh regiment. Ditgon & Co., New York and Boston, publish the fol- lowing :— “My Gentle Fisher Maiden,” song, John B. Grant. A rather complicated song for Heine's beauulul words, ‘and hardly effective either. J. L. Peters, New York, pablish the following: — “God Bless Our Home,” transcription, Henri Allard, A weak, commonplace setting of a popular song. “Dreamland,"’ morceau, Maylath. Good for conser. tory pupils who desire companion. piece to the “Mai en's Prayer.”” “Milkmaid’s Song," Mrs. Jane Sloman Torry. A very pretty musical itiustration of dainty vorses Crom Tennyson's “Queen Mary." “Don't be Jealous,”’ by the same composer, is an at- tractive song for a contralto voice. “Norah, Dear,” ballad, Howard Glover, Simple and full of expression. ‘A. @ Slade & Co,, Brooklyn, publish the “Pairy Queen Waltz,” J. J. Freeman.’ It is evidently the work of an unpractised hand, as it abounds in mistakes. “Wellington the trastiest 8. A. Ward, Newark, publishes a hymn, “Abide with Me,’ o sting of soprano and tenor solo. duet and quartet, arranged by bim from “Lohengein."* Ut is cleverly adapted from the duet of Lohengria aad Elsa. George Von Kameke, Brooklyn, publishe; comic song of his own, “Don't, Please Don't;'* words by W. E. McNulty. Itis tall of coquettish hu- mor, and would be a favorite if introduced in a variety theatre, A FUGITIVE REC PTURED, A fugitive from justice named Charles De Grath, sought after by the authorities of Cairo, Alexandria: county, LiL, on acharge of perjury in a matter pertain- ing to the disposal of some property belonging to bia wife, was recaptured in Hoboken at an early hour om Sunday morning. De Grath was caught once before— last Octover—but escaped from the Sherif! of Cairo, near Altoona, Pa, on the way West, by jumping off a train which was ranning at the rate of thirty miles an hour. Subsequently he returned to New York, and of late he has been living with » jn Hoboken. On Thanksgiving Day he wi for drunkenness, but was not recognized. [i © the name of Charles Haynes. When ee- costed by the officer who arrested him last he threatened to shoot, but was speedily overcome and securely handcuffed. De Grath 15 said to be a contideace man and a patent modicine fraud, aud was considered a dangerous character by the olficers who were on the look out for him. RECKLESS CAR DRIVING. As car No, 22 of the Broadway lino and car Noy Lid of the Seventh avenue line were approaching the point turning into Canal street whers the lines cross, neither driver slackened speed, and the result was the two ears came crashing together, throwing the passengers from their seats and throwing the Seventh avenue car fully three feet off the track. Fortunavely no one was hart, as the cars collided near the front platforms, which had no passengers on. Had the front plattorm of either car been filled vith passongers, 4 ia oftem the case, some one would have been killed. A WAIE. tl ga Ansunknown woman, about twonty-six. years of age, withedark hair and blue eyes, wearing ® black dress and.gray shawl, was found dead in the lodging house at Nowls Bowery last evening. HOTEL ARRIVALS, Hans Von Balow ratarned to the city yesterday, and is atthe Windsor Hotel. John H. Ketcham, Commis. stoner of the District of Columbia, is staying at the St, Nicholas Hotel, Ex-Governor Hoppin, of Rhode Island, is sojourning at the Buckingham. Hotel. Pro- fessor Francis Wayland, of the Yalo Law School, is residing at the Hotel Brunswick, Colonel William L. Scott, of Erie, Pa, is registered at the Fifth Avenue Hotel Ex-Congressman D, J, Morrell, of Penasylva- nia, bas arrived at the Windsor Hotel, DIED. Kertectas.—On Sunday evening, January 10, Wit ia A Kereueat 10 the 5800 year of bis age. Dotice of fun hereafter. (For Other Deaths See Seventh Page. TACKLE AN OBSTINATE COUGH O8 COLD WITH Hate's Howey or Hoxrnounn anv Tait. Pike's Tootmacn® Dros cure in ons minute. bridge. ped to bi Preliminaries completed yy early eprii which time the work will certainly be commen id pushed forward with all bie speed. The Board of Directors comprises wealthy and ential men in both New York and Long Island Ct aud the enterprise, it te understood, is to be kept ¢: trely free from ali political influences, RELIEF FOR THE POOR. Some of the benovolent citizens of the Seventeenth ward have organized a society for the relief of the — in bord b bray and el pad ail heer to co- perate with them to attend a meeting at Ruger’s Hall, Wednesday next, at cigut P.M. A PRESENTATION, ys a on 8) First avenue, James J. Gibbons, of No. 246 Elizabeth street, got ie cate with come Sakneus persed, at the corner ol ir, and Mott streets, early yosterday moruin aad had Kall of bis uose bitten ofl . ’ Mr, 8, W. 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