The New York Herald Newspaper, May 5, 1876, Page 3

WASHINGTON. The President On His Absence From the Seat of Government. A REPLY 0 THE RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE, 4 Courteous Reminder and a Few Historical Reminiscences. THE COMING MAN AT ST. LOUIS. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasnixatox, May 4, 1876, THE READING OF THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE REGARDING HIS ABSENCE FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT IN THE HOUSE—A GENTLE HINT _ 70 THR LEGISLATIVE BRANCR TO MIND ITS OWN BUSINESS—THE EFFECT CREATED. A dull day in the House was enlivened toward the close by two or three incidents, chief among which was the reading of a message from the President in answer to a resolution asking him concerning his absence trom ‘he soat of government, He told the House, at con- iderable lengtn, that he had the constitutional right yo be absent when he pleased and that it was none *f their business, and enforced his proposition by an example which caused great amusement on both siaes And applause among the republicans) Ho sald that if the leaders of a powerful rebellion during Mr. Lincoln’s dministration had succeeded, as they tried, in cuptur- gg Washington, the President would have continued als oMcial functions just as perfectly elsewhere. A memorandum at the close of tho messago gave tho Aumber of days each President has been absent from ihe Capitol, and some amusement was again maniiested the fact that the conspicuously democratic Presi- tepte were absent oftener than others, Jefferson was away from the Capitol 796 days; Madison, 639; Jack- son, 602; John Quincy Adams only 122; Filmore but $0.” Washington was away 181 days. On the whole it was acknowledged on both sides that the President bad made his points well and with good temper, and ho Wook parti¢ular care not to tell the House how many fiays he had been absent from the seat of government, ” The message was referred to the Judiciary Committee “ion very careful on one point ind ordered to be printed. The President has been during his whole administra- He has never trav. Wled out of the boundaries of the United States. Dur. hg his visits to Niagara Falls he has even refused to $rogs to the Clifton Houso. When visiting a fricnd at Thousand Islands he would not cross to the Canada shore. When, in 1871, he was present at tho opening of the European and North American Railroad ho Stopped at Vanceborough, near the Canada line. He tarefully ‘refused to cross even the little River St. Croix, which forms the boundary line there. So far as \s now rememberod here, there is but one instance of a President of the United States going into a foreign sountry, Mr, Van Boren went to Kingston, in Canada, In 1839, and he was much criticised for his journey at the time, THE ST, LOUIS NOMINEE—THE DAVIS MOVE- MENT AT A STANDSTILL—ODOB OF. ANCIENT WHIGGERY NOT PLEASING THE MODERN DEMO- CBATS—A COMPROMISE CANDIDATE IX THE PERSON OF JOHN M. PALMER, OF ILLINOIS, PROPOSED. ‘The force of the movement toward Judge David Davis Among the democrats seoms to have spent Itself. The objection to him that he is an old whig is found to bo very strong among the men who sincerely desire to make the democratic party a truly national party, but | Want it, at tho same time, to remain distinctly demo tratic and not whig. Atthe same time tho feeling fathers strength, especially among Western and Bouthern men, that it would be wise and insure the vertainty of a democratic success ifthe St. Louis Con. ‘veution should nominate what ta here called a ‘‘com- Promise” candidate, a man of national reputation, a Onion soldier and yet one tamiliar with and experienced in civil affairs, ‘There is news here from the West ofa strong set of opinion among Western democrats in favor of General John M. Palmer, of Illinois, and {t is said that an organi- Bation for the purpose of bringing his name forward jas ‘already been begun, and that several Diinois newspapers will break ground in his favor shortly. General Palmer, his friends here say, was an Md democrat before the war, became a republican luring the Nebraska straggle, fought with great dis- tinction during the war, was republican Governor of Mlinois from 1868 to 1872 and left the republicans when Grantism and centralization excited his alarm id opposition, He has sinco acted with the demo- | He has the favor of the granger cle- | wratic party. ment, is a pronounced hard money man, is very popular among the farmers of Illinois and Indiana and 4s much liked by the Germans. It fs asserted here that the Palmer movement bas a number of strong Western democrats behind it, ana that he will be a formidable rival of Judge Davis, being | of democratic instead of whig antecedents. MORE TREASURY TESTIMONY BY MR. CHEEVER— MONEY ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN PAID TO ORVILLE GRANT AXD JUDGE DENT. Benjamin H. Cheever was before the committee again \o-day and guve some further hearsay testimony, which bas been kept secret, Part of it wasa statement that Clews had told him that he hed paid Orville Grant | $15,000 and Judge Dent $10,000 to get his firm all the government deposits abroad. THE ARMY AND NAVY APPROPRIATION BILLS. ‘The reduction in the Navy bill amounts in reality to early $5,500,000, and the apportionment is so fixed that the department cannot spend more than its appro- priation during the coming year. ‘The Army bill will be returned to-morrow to the Mil- itary Committee by Secretary Taft, to whom it was vent for examination, and he has reduced it sbout 5,250,000 with the help of General Sherman and other dilicers. It will probably be still further reduced in the Appropriation Committee. SHE USELESSNESS AND BAD EFFECT OF IN- VESTIGATING WITH CLOSED Doors. ‘The case of Cheever is an instance of the uselessness of the investiguting committees sitting with closed floors and under injunctions of secrecy. It tends only bo tho magnifying of rumors and injury to private eharacter, and does not really help the ends of justice. (tiwattil hoped that the House will order the com- mittees to open thoir doors, evidence. Mr. Danford, a republican member of the Naval Committee, says he is disgusted with the manner (n which thet commitice has conducted its investiga Won, and that be offered a motion more than two months ago to allow Secretary Robeson to appear be- fore the committee to defead himsecl{ and cross-examine witnesses, Mr. Clymer's commitice, which sat with open doors, at least gavo men falsely accused an op- portunity to reply at once, as in the case of the un- ‘warrantable attack made by a witness upon General ‘Meigs, which was immodiately shown to be false. Nor is It pretended thal that committee did its work less Ofectively than those which have sat in secret, for the contrary is trac, SHE STATUS OF COLONEL STEINBERGER—A COMMUNICATION FitoM THE STATE DEPART- MENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSUL AT SAMOA. ‘Tho following extract from # despatch {rom the State Department to Mr, Fostor, United States Consul at Samoa, fixes with some deiiniteness the status of Col- one! Steiuberger at that date, January 12: Ho bas fulfilied bis ‘wission, made hie report sod tendered his narra at special agent, whieh bas ‘vee! al y Official or semi-vfticial connec- tion ne oy hit with this government ts termi- nated. His first visit to the islands was merely tor the ipo ther condition ; was to e of observing hex Liye thi ¥ be peciall jain duties in regar. which he was 5; ily in- renee and which lave been fulfilled. me 10 ‘The United States Consul is the only representative of the United States in the Samoan Islands, and you will so inform the missionaries acd others interested. Lam, sir, your obedient servant, J. A. CAMPBELL, Third Assistant Secretary. MR. EELLEY’S DESIRE TO ALLOW PROVIDENCE A FAIB CHANCE. On a resolution by Mr, Blaine instructing the Ways and Means Committee to consider a: once what can be done to remedy the scarcity of small change, Mr, Kel- Jey amused the House by asking that Providence, to which the whole matter bad evidently beon committed by the ignorance of Congress, should be allowed a tair chance and another two weeks to deal with the matter and work wut some definite resalt which Congress was plainly unable to do, AN ADDITIONAL DUTY FURNISHED THE LOUISI- ANA INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE. Just at the close of proceedings m the House came a resolution instructing the Louisiana Committee to im- vestigate the murder of Twitchell and anothersin the Red River country, and to inquire particularly whether these murders were or were not of a political character, Mr, Beebe offered an amendment requiring also an in- quiry tuto the murder of several negroes during an election at Indianapolis, and there wasan uproar which was quieted by Mr. Levy, a democrat of Loumana, who asked that no objection be made by any one to the passage of the original resolution, because the people of Lounsiana not only had no objection to a thorough ine vestigation, bat asked to have it made, Thereupom the resolution was unanimously adopted. GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasutxetox, May 4, 1876. MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE BOUSE BEGARDING EXECUTIVE ACTS WHEN ABSENT FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT. The President to-day sent tho following message to the House in reply to Representative Biackburn’s reso- | tion: To rue Hovss oy Rxeraxsxytatives: T have given very attentive consideration toa reso- lution of the Houso of Representatives, passed on the 3d of April, requesting the President of the United States toinform the House whether any executive oflices, acts or duties, and, if any, what have, within a specified period, been pertormed at a distance irom the seat of government established by law, &c. I havo | ; never hesitated and shall no’ hesitate to communicate to Congress, and to either branch thereof, ail the in- | formation which the constitution makes it the duty of the President to give, or which my judgment may suggest ta me, or a request | from either bouse may indicate to me will be useful in | the discharge of the appropriate duties confided to | them. I tail, however, to tind in the constitution of | | the United States the authority given to the House of | Representatives, one branch of the Congresa in which | | 4s vested the legislative power of the government, to require of the Executive, an independent branch of | | the government co-ordinate with the Senate and House | of Representatives, an account of his discharge of bis appropriate and partly executive offices, acts and du- , tiec, either as to when, where or how performed. What | the House of Representatives may require as u right in | its demand upon the Executive for information, is limited to what is necessary for the proper discharge | of its powers of legislation or of by er” = | ments, +The inquiry in the resolution of the | House as to where executive acts have, within the Jast seven years, been performed, and at what distance trom any particular spot, or for how longa period at any one time, &c., doea not necessarily belong to the provinces 0: legislation; 1t does not profess tu be asked | for that object, If this information be sought through an inquiry of the Pres: tas te bis executive acts in view or in aid of the power of impeachment vested in the House, itis asked in derogation of an inherent | natural right, recognized im this country by a constitu- tional guarantee which bear every citizen, tho | President as well as the humblest in the land, from | being made a witness against himself. During tho time that I have hed the honor to occupy the position of President of this goverumont it has been, and while I | convinue to occupy that position it will be, my earnest endeavor to recognize and to respect the several trusts and duties and powers of the co-ordinate branches of the government, not encroaching upon them, nor aliow- ing encroachments upon the proper powers which the people of the United States have confided to me, but aiming to preserve in their proper relations the severat powers and functions of cach of the co-or- | dinate branches of the government agreeable to | the constitution, und in accordance with the solemn oath which I bave taken to “pro- | serve, protect and defend’? that instrument. | In maintenance of the rights secured by the conatitu- ton to the Executive branch of the government, I am compolied to decline any spceific or detailed answer to the request of the House for information as to “‘any executive offices, acts juties, and, if any, what have been performed at a dii meat established by la any one time, and in what part of the United States ” f, however, the House of Representatives desires to | know whether during the period of upward of seven years, during which 1 have held tho office of President of the United Biotes, Thave been absent from the seat | of government, aud whetber during that period I havo | pertormed or hat egleeted to perform any of the du- ties of my office, I treely inform the House that from 6 time of my entrance upon the duties of my office I have been in the habit, i Were all of my rs with: "the" “of one who lived only + one month ofter aseuming the duties of his office and one whose continued presence iu Washington was nec- bey! from the existence at the time of a powertul Tebellion) of absenting myself at times from the scat of government, and that during such ubsences I did | not neglect or forego the ob igutions or the duties of my office, but continued to discharge all of the executive offices, ucts aud duties which were required of me as President of the United States, (Applause trom the re- blican side.) Iam not aware that afatiure occurred in any One instance of my exercising the functiuns and powers of my office in every case requiring their dis- charge, or of my exercising all n ry executive acts in whatever part of the United States1 may at the tame have been. Fortunately the rapidity of travel and of mail communication, aud the facility of almost | Instantaneous correspondence with officers at the seat of government which the telegraph affords to the Presi- dent in whatever section of the Union he may be, | enable him in these days to maintain as constant and | almost os quick intercourse with departments at Wash- ne as may be maintained while he remains in the | capitat e necessity of the performance of executive acts by the President of the United States exists and ts de. volved upon him wherever he may bo within the United States during bis term of office by the constitu. tion of the United States. His civil powers arc no more limited or capable of limitation as to the place Tt 1s the best way to get | reporting upon | Sata | where they shall be exercised than are those which he might be required to discharge in capacity of com- | mander-in-chief of the army and navy, which latter | | powers, it is evident, he might be called upon to exer- | cise, possibly, even without the limits of tho United | States, Had the efforts of those recently in rebellion | against the government been successful in driving a late President of the United States from Wa: is manifest that he mast have uis- both civil and military, | place named by law as tho | seat of government. No act of Congress can limit, sus- pend or confine this constitutional duty, | am not awure of the existence of any act of Congress winch assumes thus to limit or restriet the exercise of the superior authority tution and should exercise the powers re- quired thereby of the President. ‘The act to which reference is made in the resolution of House relates to the establighment of | the seat of government and the _provicing of suitable | buildings and removal thereto of the offices atta: | to the government; &c, 1t was not understood at its date and by General Washington to confine the Presi- dent, in the discharge of his duties and powers, to ac- tual presence at the seat of government. On the 30th of March, 1791, shortly after the passage of the act referred to, General ington issued an execu- tive proclimation having reference to the subject ‘of ths very act from Georgetown, a piace remote from Philadelphia, which then was the seat of government, | where the act referred to directed that ‘ail oilices at- tached to the seat of government’? should for the time remain. That none of his saccessors have entertained the idea that their executive offices could be performed only at the seat of government is evidenced by the hundreds upon hundreds. of such acts pertormed by | Zz predecessors in unbroken line from Washington to Lincoln, A memorandum of the general nature and character | of some of which acts 1s submitted herewith, and ne question has been raised ns to the wulidity of those | acts or tothe right and propriety of the Executive toex- | ercise the powers of bis oflice in any part of the Unitea States, UL S. GRANT. Wastixeros, May 4, 1876. It will be observed that the message is dated Wash. | ington, without the usual prefix of “Executive Man- sion.” Accompanying the message 18 a teemorandum | of absences of the Presidents of the United States trom | the national capital during each of the several admin- istrations and of public and executive acts performed during the time of such absences. This memorandum | contains the following information and much more of | the same general character, only the most important | of the acts recited in the memorandum being selected for mention in this abstract:— President Washington was frequently absent from the capital. He appears to have been thes absent at least 18] days duting bia t In Mareh, 1701, the seat of goverument thei Philadel. he ed | for Vernon an official letter to the and from the same place issued the commission ol Oliver cott ws Comptroller of the Treasury, wna the roclupalion respecting Ue Woiskey insurrection in H proclamation of the Trenty of ith Spain, and the executive order of August 4, relauve to the duties on distiled spirius, &c. sundry commissions. unjo of Wy presented to | brat at Mount Vernon huvoy Extraordinary ond Hipotentiory from Spar, and Mr. Yunjo went there for that purpose; bat the eoremony of pre- | sentation Wax prevented vy accidental omission ot the Minister of bringing bes eredentits, President John Adams was absent from the capital daring his term of four years of various Occasions 385 days He discharged official duties und verformed the most solema public vennsyly 9 Ww 2, VW He proposed to NEW YORK acts at Quincy, Mass, in the same manner as when at the seat of government, Several of them are recited, and it also specified that on. the 28th of 1797, he forwarded to the Secretary of State a commis- sion fora Justice of the Suprewe Court, signed im Quincy, with instructions to fill in the namo of Jobn Marshall, if he would accept, and if not, that of Bushrod Washington, President Jefferson was absent from the seat of gov- during his two terms of office, 796 no de L.4 one-fourth of the whole official peri He signed and issued from Monticello, among other things, seventy-five commissions, President Madison was absent 637 days, and President Monroe wae absent 708 days, independent of the year 1824 and two months of 1825, tor which period no data are found. The latter transacted pubhe busmess wherever he happened to be, and sometimes while travelling, President John Quincy Adams was absent during single term 22 2d: and in his ‘Memoirs’? (vol. 15) speaks of bis practice of leaving with his clerk blank papers, signed by him, to be used wi for proclamations, remission of penalties and 8 Of consuls. He speaks also of doing this im regard to patents and land grants. President Jackson” was absent from the seat of gov- ernment 502 days. Among other troportant acts per- formed by him whem away from Washington was his signing at Boston the famous order for the removal of deposits from State banks. The memorandum at this point refers to President Jackson's refusal in 1833 to furnish the Semate a copy of # certain paper alleged to have been road by bis PP. | him to the Cabinet, and mentions that in January of the year 1887 he refused to allow a committee of the House of Representatives to make a general investigation of the executive departments without specific charges, on the ground, among others, that the use of the official books and records for such purpose Interfero with the discharge of the public business, Other Presidents were absent from Washington, and Performed numerous official duties while absent, Van Buren was absent 181 days; Tyler, 163 day: Polk, 37 days; Taylor, SL days; Fillmore, 60 days; Pierco, 67 days; Buchanan, 57 days. No mention is made of absences of President Lincoln or Johnson, THE SECRET SERVICE FUND—JOHNNY DAVEN- PORT EXHIBITS ALL THE VOUCHERS HE HAS— WHAT HM CLAIMS TO HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. The Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Justice net to-day and continued the examination of Jono I, Davenport, who spent a half hour in turther producing and explaining vouchers. The witness stated that he was personally acquainted with covery Person who had signed those vouchers and knew them all to be genuine; he also knew that every man whose bame was on the pay-rolls aud had received pay for services, as shown -by those’ pay-rolls and vouchers, actually performed the work for which he was paid, and every paper produced hero. by himself was a | bond fide voucher covering money actually expended, and these were all the vouchers he was able to furnish, and they vouched for all the money he had received and expended, except some very small sums of no considerable amoant, In reply to Mr. Conger, the witacss said tho result of this expenditure had been to suppress and prevent fraudulent voting; the fraudulent voting was deemed greaterin the demo- cratic party than in the republican party; the work was 80 completely done that it could now be carried out at very little expenso; in 1874 the expense was only $8,000, a8 aguinst $13,000 for 1872, and it could be kept up for about $5,000 per annum; it had decreasea ‘Dis fees very matorially, but be was, to be frank about it, anxious to make a reputation for himself in con> nection with his plan for supprossing fraudulent voting. By Mr, Conger—Has your expenditure of this money consummated the object which you supposed ‘t would, and which the President bad reason to beliove it would when ho authorized the money to be paid over to you for this purpose? A. It has, sir. Several questions of like import were asked by Mr. Conger, to which Mr, Caulfield strenuousty objected, Mr. Conger insisted it was important to show whather the President was justified or not in ordering the ex- penditure of this sum of money. Alter some time spent in discussing theso questions, Mr. Caulfield objected to their being answered unless the committee decided it by « vote. The vote showed four in the affirmative and three in tho negative, Mr. Caulfield—Well, vou will see whore this thing will lead to now. in answer to Mr. Candler, witness said the coat of this work had been $60,000; the difference between that sum‘and the $34.000 coming from another fund, for which the vouchers were in the ‘'reasury Depart- } ment. By Mr. Candier—Did you charge the government for the labor of yourself on those books or for the use ot the books, A. For the labor and for the books them- selves. : Q The books belongto the government? A. Yes, sir. Q Then why did you take ont a copyright of some of | your books iu yourown name? A. The copyrighted books are bo part of those belonging totbe government, and are my individual property, paid for by myself per- sonally, for which I can show vouchers ‘Wituess further testified that his nethod and ‘his la. bors had decreased fraudulent voting and registration very largely. He produced a lat of convictions and prosecutions of persons for these offences, which had been prepared at the District A.torney’s office in New York, Adjourned till to-morrow at ten o’elock. MR. BLAINE'S VINDICATION OF HIMSELF—coR- BESPONDENCE WITH MR. RIDDLE REGARDING ALLEGED ATTACKS ON MR. KNOWLTON. Mr, Riddle on the 2d inst. addressed a letter to Rep- Fesentative Blaine, which was furnished to several newpapers only for publication last night, though Mr. Blaine says he replied to it yesterday an hour trom the time he received it, The following is the letter of Mr. Riddle:— Toxspay Evxnina, May 2, 1876. Hon. J. G, Buatwr:— Sm—Having made the occasion and prepared the ‘weans on yesterday, from your place on the floor of the House, you assaulted the reputation of James Wolcott Knowlton, then two years and a hwilf in his grave. Had be survived tl to-day you would bave remained slient, and your Jov Stewarts and MacFarlands would bave told no tales. young sisters n Washington, and a brother in a distaut city, He was tbe husband of my daugbter, and as dear to me and mine as if born and reared one of my family. it devolves on me to vindteate as I best may his mem- ory from your espersions, which I shall do at an early day. No one knows better than yourself that I am moved to this labor solely by my duty to my dead, Very sincerely, ALG. RIDDLE. ‘To which Mr. Blaine responded as follows :— Wasuixeton, May 3, 1876. Hon, A. G, Rippix:— Drak Sik—I am totally surprised by the tone of your note touching Mr. Knowlton. but be awure that Mr. Knowlton’s name has been used for some years past and with vindictive force aud tre- quency this winter tc injure me. Testimony reported as coming from him, but which you know he never ave, hax been carried and quoted in all directions, and had to choose between disproving it and tacitly admit- ling itwith all its damaging implications, but one save yourself can wee in my reference to Mr. Knowlton’s name the slightest aisrespect to bis memory. On the contrary, it relieves him trem the authorship of an unfounded eatumny. Ii, however, you judge it to be wise, or prudent, or expedient to seek u personal contro y with me over Mr. Knowl- ton’s grave | shali greatiy regret it, and} think in the end you will regret it i more. Nor can | believe that on cool reflection you will permit yourself to do anything so uncalled for and in all. respeets 0 extraor- dinary. Very respecttully, J. G. BLAINE, THE MARY MERRITT INVESTIGATION CLOSED, The Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury De- partinent this morning resumed the tnvestigation of the charges against Secretary Bristow in connection with the release of the bark Mary Merritt, and exam: ined Messrs, Felund and Triee, of counsel for the owners of the vessel. General Bristow's connection with the case was a mere matter of triendship; that be nover received any lee or compensation of any kind, and that his entire record throughout the whole affair was in wo manner im- peachable, The examination of these witnesses closed {ne investigation, GENERAL CUSTER ORDERED TO RESUME HIS COMMAND. Orders have been issued from the War Department directing General Custer to resume his command, The Indian expedition, Gnder General Terry, has alfeady started. General Custer will not take part, but returns to his post, whence he came to obey the summons of | the Congressional Investigation Commitee, THE BLACK HILLS GETTING HOT. ‘ Omand, Neb., May 4, 1876. A recent arrival from Custer City says that a great scarcity of food exists throughout thé Hills, The priecs a Sugar, 4c. per pound; bacon, 50¢.; corn, We. and flour $22 per sack ix Custer City, The road from Fort Laramie to Custer City is ‘in with wagons be- jonging to parties who had been attacked by Indians On April 108 party of the jatter came up within 100 yards of Custer City and ran of thirty bead of horses: HERALD, FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1876—TRIPLE SHEET. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Annual Banquet of New York's | Merchant Princes, OFFICERS. ELECTION OF An Oratorical Tilt Between Two Possible Presidents, PIERREPONT ON OFFICIAL MISERY. The annual dinner of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York was served last evening in the salon of Delmonico, Fifth avenue and Fourteenth street. The banquet hall was decorated with natioual flags. Over the head of the President was the seal of | theChamber, At the eastern end of the room were the arms of the city of New York. the shield of the Empire State, table occupied by the officers and invited guests were mounds of flowers. At the west bung collency Governor Samuel J, Tilden, Hon. Edwards Pierrepont, Attorney General of the United States; Hon, S. B. Chittenden, Member of Congress; Hon. Benjamin A, Willis, Member of Congress; ‘Thomas 1. James, Postmaster; George Sharpe, John Bigelow, Secretary of Stato; 1, Bradford Prince, State Senate; George H. Forster, State Assem- Salem H. Wal President Dock Commis- Gree! Andrew H. mn, Enoch LL. Fancher, Charles P. Daly, John &. Brady, Noah Davis, William E. Curtis, Abraham R, Lawrence, D. D.; Rev. Theodore L, Cuyler, D. D.; Rev. John Hall, D. D.; Rev, Edward A, Washburn, D. D.; Rev. William ¥. Taylor, D, D.; Rev. George D. Wiidis, D. D.; Tetonoski Tomita, Esq., Vico Consul Japan; George Jones, David M. stone, John B, Bonton, White law Reid, Watson R. Sporry, Erastus Brooks, James W, Simonton, Stewart IL. Woodford, William Walter Phelps, Clarkson N, Potter and Jobn A. Dix. After the cloth was removed the President of the Chamber, Mr. Samuel D, Babcock, arose and, amid the welcoming applause of the assemblage, remarked that more than a century bad passed since the (irst dinner of the association. All he recollected about that dinner was that the absent members paid the ex- penses, which were five shillings a piece. In those days the Chamber was such important body that the municipil government asked itu opinion on almost every subject, including strect cleaning and the price of meat, it would be well it the Chamber could have charge of He alluaed briefly to the these departments now. present distress in commercial circles thought, was caused by the demoralization produced by an overissue of paper money. What we need, he thought, a reform in the national, State and municipal governments, afd also a re- form in the way of living of the people themselves, We need a higher — stanaard of pote and private morals. We have a great need to call things by their right names. Stand that “embezzling” means theft and ‘ta breach of trast”? robvery. (Applause.) Our prison doors, which open to the degraded criminal, should open wider to the educated criminal who proves recreant to a trust Teposed in him. In conclusion, Mr, Babcock adminis- ‘tored a not unnecessary suggestion to prosy speakers oy reminding the assemblage that “brevity is the soul of wit” with busincss men, The remarks of the President wero received with generous applause, mingled: with somo laughter, pro- yoked by the brusqurie of his closing remark. ‘When silence was restored, the first regular tonst, “Tho President of the United States,” was announced, to be Fespouded to by Attorrey General Pierrepont, whose remarks seemed to take a rather satirical turn and to have a general reference to Governor Tilden, who occu- pied the seat on the immediate right of the President, ATTORNEY GENERAL PIRERKPONT'S ADURKSS, It mi , he said, @ very debght{ul thing to be President of the United Stat very delightful.” He judged of this trom the fuct that 0 Many men Of great sense are anxious Lo get to that F gain it Some of them are republicans, rome lib- He left a widowed wother and two | 1 was especially caretul | to make no reference to him that, im iy judgment, | could offend the most sensitive feehng. You cannot | Both these gentlemen cor- | | roborated the previous witnesses who testified that gue man who was President of the United States and had been for the t eight years nearly, The speaker had had some talk with that gentleman upon the de lights of the place, and might, consequently, be able to communicate to some of those men who Were anxious: Wo get that pleco how charming it was, Mr, ierre- pont. bere sketched the circumstances. which led to the first election of Prosident Grant and | the circumstances which led to that result. He alluded to the general corruption that followed the close of vhe civil war and to the inexperience in statesmanehip of the soldier who was viccted to the Chief Magistracy, ‘Could you expect,’” said tho speaker, “that he would make no mistakes’ That would be impossible. He will tell you that he has committed blunders, that he has made mistakes. But when his enomics have dove (heir worst, aud when tho | Penitentiary has called all her witnesses, WI YRIEXDS MAY DEFY ANY MAN to find a biot upon his integrity. mun who is thinking at all about that place’ — {Here the speaker glanced siyly at Governor Tilden, and his eyes were followed by the amused looks of the company, which broke out with uproarious laughter and applause as the serious and unmoved countenance of the Governor met their view.) “li there is any man that 1% thinking at all about that place I can as, sure h wm that when General Grant has stepped out of it he will look serencly on and see him enjoy the luxury and repose and delights of the place without a single iwinge of envy.” Alter another eulogy of tho President Mr. Piorro- pont referred to the jact that when he lett this city one year ayo to take a place m the Cabinet at Washing- ton trade, be was told, was depressed, but would re- vive m the fall, It had not revived in tho fall, and he had been told since entering the room that now, when | the spring is nearly past, it has not yet revived. | What, he asked, is the trouble? Crops were abundant, mines prolific aud population greater than ever. The trouble, he sald, Jay in the system of currency ich had arisen, There could be no val independent of the government, and values h bruuk because our governinent had not been good, One of the members had told the 37 er that in an experience of tiity years he bad never known New York so oppressed as at present. That was because the government had been xo fraudulent, taxes so heavy, and government cousequently was made so expensive that other ities §=— con in and take our trade. So great was the expense in this cuy that be coud put down a bele of goo ina shop in Chicago cheaper than he could in Union square to-day, ‘Are you surprised, then,” the speaker asked, “that trade goes to the other cities when you spend your time and money upon making costly parks, unnecessary boulevards und other costiy ornumenta- tions which the city will not grow up to for fiity years to come, instead Of favoring commerce ana doing that for which God and nature put you iu this place (Ap- plause.) | WR HAVE ALL THR MBANS OF PROSPERIT’ | prosperous? The reason ts very plain. | per reiation between capital and labor rcapital and labor, There ix no relation | between cupttal avd labor, because co parted, The capitalist does not know what will happen next week. ‘ie does uot Know that the ey he ) lends will not be returned to him at some future tame in paper, AS very influential body of citizens, you wilt have much to do with the settlement of these difticulties, You will bave much to do with the selection of our next President. If you turn your attention to ‘he selection of some man of tried ability, of unquestioued integrity, of experience in public affairs, and of the broad knowiedge which: commends bin to the country, and then it you will elect him after you have selected him, the country will | start on agai to the prosperity which belongs to it and which will be greater than ever it has been befure. (Applause. ) GOVERNOR TILDEN'S SI'RECI. The second toast was “fhe State of New York,” | which was responded to by Governor Tilden, who rose, amid hearty applause, and, after some remarks com- limentary 10 the association and its newly elected President, said :— We have heard trom the gentleman who last ad-; drursed you the rather melancholy and deplorable ¢ | perience of the present incembent of the Presidentiag chair (loud laughwer) 4 confess as | looked arow J saw that the statement appeared to depress gentiomen bere; but inasmuch as with his character. istic diseretion your president lias arrangea all tue yen- uemen who are pry of such things on the leit of the chair and in the order, | presume, of ther prospects, L don't feel called upon to. discuss that subject (laughier and applause). 1 AM MYSELF A LITTLE DRVREASED and yet a little joytul, for | eft to-day in Albany 270 alls which wre to become laws and which 1 have io pass on im the next twenty.oad days. But when | think of the several bandred others which were not passed I rejoice wehter.) [rejoice when | think cannot add anything about oar present commercial troubles, Inasmuch as the Attorney Geierai of our and repied overtaxation he undoubtedly put bis finger ol kK that the principal uunierpal government, w, mny friends, the federal government draws irom he ' 4,000,000 of people in the St of New York more, far more, taxes State government and all the local cipal governny pat together. Opdyke in the convention of 1867 estimated the sederal taxes of the State of New York at $80,000,000, Put it at leas than thas oven, and it exceeds ali lowul taxation Along the front of the | Among tho prominent guests presens were His Ex- | H. Charles O'Conor, Joseph H. Choate, Rev. E. H. Chapin, | an) Mr. Babcock thought | which, he | We should under. ; “Tam sure it must bo | place, striving for it, taking all honorable means to | erai republicans, some, he lately found, are | reform republicans and oth ‘are democrats without apy pretix. He acquainted with ‘Aud if there is any | fidence hus de- | Repuiie bas come to-night 10 put im a cognovit, 1 don’t soe that unything reiwaing but to confess judgment. (Laughter.) When my 4 asked what ails yt nd | and all State taxation, im that connection I have the satistaction lo announce to you that the session of the | Legislature just closed has kept down the bills of the” caval, provided jor the improvement of that } great work, and jt bas remitted $5,000,000 of the | $16,000,000 of taxes which it drew from the ot | this State two years ago, (Applause) I don’t talk to | You about overiaxation unless we reduce taxation, and it is gratify: | the close of 1 ety 0! Y d $4,000,000 of taxes. (Cries of ‘Good’ and applause). I quite agree with the speaker that last addressed you about the influence this body of men can | exert upon the destinies of our country. If with a firm, bold, deciaive hand, we will strike at tho roots of these evils, prosperity will return. JUDGE BRADY'S REMARKS, The next regular toust, “The City of New York,” was responded to by Judge Jolin R, Brady, who hamor- ously remarked that as he was quite unp did not know exactly what the Chamber was, he would refer them for a that subject to Mr. Chauncey M. Depew. speech on He suid he | inferred {rom the remarks of Judge Pierrepont that the | race for the Presidency lay between Governor Ti and Mr. Pierrepont; ‘fund I am sure.” the added, “that the Attorney General will bet hig! Pierrepont.” Aiter some further remarks, sparkling toast, “The City of New York—a Casket of Jewels, Native and Foreign."* § bit. LL YOLLOWED in reply to tho toa jmerce—the Outgrowth of | Freedom, tho Civilizer of Nations the Distributor of | Kuowledge, the Handmaid of Po: ” The reverend gentleman, in an address replete with. cloquence and | on the commerce of this great city, for the generous | spirit with which they responded to any spool on | Debalf of a good causo no less than for the enter- | prise and ability with which their vast interests | wre conducted, “Looking ut the country as a whole, he said, ite condition % better and stronger than it | Was two years ago, Ho concluded by giving utterance our land again, HESYONSE OF EX-GOVERNOR DIX. Tho next toast was, “The Amorican Union.” Ite value and perpetuity ‘rest upon a sure faith in the | Supreme obligation of duty and upon character as the | chief clement of durable success. | gpl, tas responded tp, by ¢x-Governor Dix in 2 pointes Said he:— | spoech, which elicited frequent applause, world of ours there are some too sacred to be esti- | mated by any of our common measures of value. The | Union 1s one of these, : | TRE DESTINY OF 4 VAST CONTINENT; | the fate of the millions in other quarters ol the globe triumphant past, and the hopes of an honorable and | prosperous future are all involved in the trial we are inaking of the competency of mankind to self-govern- or, in otber words, Involved in the perpetuity of ion, The uttlity of its preservation isa problem not to be solved by human logic alon: It is & question for the heart as well astor the head—of faith rather than demonstration, It is this faith that is commended | to us by the sentiment to which I ‘esponding, and on its impliciteess, ax ina higher sphere of belief, de- | ponds our national salvation, |. It is almost a self-evident truth, that the value and durability of a government depend very largely on its charactor. It mnust be guided by the principles of honor and truth in its transacttons with otner foreign States, by a just regard for tho rights and interests ot tho people, whose lives, liberty and property it is instituted’ to secure, by'a scrupulous abstinence | rem all misapplication of the public treasure, py ao sacred tulfiiment of every pledge of its } faith, and) by the obligation of conferring ‘em- | ployments and trusts,on those best qualitied to ex- ecute thei efficiently and faithfully. Itis in tbh | respect that ono of the most delicate and respo! ible } duties devolves on the government, Its character is in some degree molded by the character of these who administer it If they ure able, honest, disinterested, anxious to fulfill their trusts creditabiy, more earnest in their desire to gain reputation than pecu- miary profit, the tone of the government. will ' be clevated and pure. If, on the other hand, ; its functionaries are of an inferior type, thelr | intluence is very sure to manifest itself in the adminis- | tration of its affairs. For, unfortunately, there are | with us, as with all other communities, two clases | of public servants—those who ure always striving to see how much they can do for their country, and | those who are always trying to find out how much | they can do for themselves; and woe to the politi- cul systom im which the litter preponderate. It is incumbent on the government to select for | its administrative offices those who, in view of | their begs 4 and character, are best | for them, low much more important is it for the people to intrust tho highest executive duties to | the most able, upright and fuithfu!, ‘There is nothing | better calculated to abaeo the character of the govern- | ment than the modern doctrine of availability In select- | ing candidates for office. When the chief question i with parties is, who is the most available candidate, or, in other words, whom shall we be most likely to | elect, and not who is the most worthy to be elected, it } as quite manifest that the success of the party is con- | sidered of more interest thun the public good, and that | & lamentable step has been taken in ‘ THE CARERR OF DEMORALIZATION, | Mr. President, we inust rise above all these consid- | erations which are contributing to drag us down if we would bring back the government to the standard of its framers, All admit that we have deteriorated, but by no means hopelessly. Our satety is in our own bands, With a national currency degraded beiow the . universal with an enormous national debt; with loca! burdens very hard to be borne, and with corruption sapping the very foundation of the government, it , heeds no voice ot warning to admonish us that these | evils must be speedily remedied if we would avoid an | overwhelming disaster, That your assogution may do much, collectively, to arrest the progress Of abuse I do not doubt, But iis intelligent and joule members may do more individually by taking "to tho popular WoVements now in progress to secure w pure and eff- cient administration of our publieaffaira, When the reforms wo need shult have been accom. plished, or when (to borrow uw simile from your own orgunization) the ship of State, reclaimed from tho troubled sea on which it has bee: ring, shall, with ull ber damages repaired, be put again on her true course, then may we stand fast in the assurance that the American U , of which she is the symbol, will, im ali the elements of natioual character, be worthy of our | undoubting and zee faith, “The Army and Navy of the United States” was re- sponded tu by General Horace Porter, who, called u| ata noment’s notice, strang together a series of witly anecdotes, which kept bis ai for filteen minutes, The eighth toast, “The Bench and the Bar," was respouded to by Josoph H, Choate in a few humorous remarks, referrmg to the gentlemen on his right who were aspiring to the principal seats in the nation, and closed by offering as a toa: which was druuk standing and’ with cheers, ‘“Churle: be Revered Head of the AmeoricangBar, His 1 Earned by a Halt Centary of Labor and Vir- tue, is Sate in the Keeping of his Countrymen.” “The Clergy’’ was responded to by the Rov, Mr. Washburne, “Our Representatives in Congress”? was answered by the Hon, 8. B. Chittenden, who said ;— We need not stop to inquire whether there be weak and bad men in Congress—men who neglect their duties and make merchandise of t votes, We will mako 3 Charles E. Grogory, No. 590 Fifth avenue; Edwomd & Sanford, No. 69 Broadway, and Hemy Weish, Nu © Washington street, Mr. John Taylor Johnston, chairman of the Commit- tee on Internal Trade and Improvement, reported im favor of the resolution proposed at the last meeting urging a liberal policy by Congress toward the Signal Service Bureau, saying the committee believed there | was but one opmion in regard to its ye a retore they ubanimously recommend the passage the res¢ lution. | Colonel Conkling said he diflered somewhat with the statement thut there was but one opinion in regard ww the value of the bureau, Mr. Blunt thought there could be but one opinion about it considering the immense bevetit it bad been to the commercial interests of the country. ‘The report and resolytions were adopted, Mr. Paul N. Spofford, ebairman of the Committee on nd of with witty allusion, the speaker closed by offering a | humor, culogized the merchants engaged in carrying | | to his firm conviction that prosperity would soon visit | As there are some things in this universe, Mr, Presi-* dent, which are too vast to be calculated, so in this | whose political manhood has no recognition in the social | systems under which they live; the memories of a | qualified | standard of value; | | pany hae been broken since 1873, bo excuses for unnecessary delays and blunders in use- | ful legislation, Neither do I ask or give quarter to that batefal partisanship which obscures the judgment and dwarfs the usefulnesss of many able and good men there, But - call your attention to the fact that it has become too popular of late to dishonor the Congress of the United States; especiaily js this the case here im New York, . 1 doabt if there be another piace in the world where our languave is freely spoken where Congress is so little respected, ‘This ts a deplorable state of things which we ate ali di- rectly interested in correcting. If it were not absurd, after such lapse of time, one would be led to assume, considering the blows Congress recetves trom New York, that the local pride which was so deeply aroused and wounded when the goverment made its last departare from our city to Pailadelphia on its way to Washington, bad never recovered from the shock it thea received. Inthe carly days of the Republic a seat in Congress was universally esteemed an honor | worthy of the highest ambition 8% the Republic's ablest citizeus: In those days New York uniformly sent her best men to represent her there, and tue lustre of her conspicuous imfluence and power in the govern- ment of the couniry never waned while that practice was persisted im. Itts easy W explain diminished reverence on the part of the people lor Congress, without any imjustice or disparagement, Until about thirty. y ago the tase of the people read and heard bat precious little ot the proceeaiugs at Washington. Goverament was then surrounded by formidav.e In the ol stage coacher, age, weekly newspapers and slow wus only when a Webster speech, that attention wi the hapless inmates of the Capitol, the department buildings the members, ar high post mails, ly exhibited: in glass cases, ry day, in town and Village, as the showman exnibits tis monk and 8. Congressinen not only all live “glass tg houses in Washington, but the careies thoughtss and acts of the most insignificant members are all corded and flasned over the land/with the rest. It not true that the extrayi bling und venal whieh have blighted se i wh ous blash as a nation, are p ngressional and corrupt legis! cir roots deep down in bumen aavar to be found in human history. Nor is reason for despond gs have been cur- tanled a little, tor a rowth and a higher ascent. The eves and mind: the people are opening. The | nation has realy taken wo step backward, If we tm: hot prot potat to giants | education and ex; h up the power of t | force is wantin, | The toasts of “Political Economy,” responded to by | ex-Lieutenant Governor Stewart L. Woodford; “The Centennial Exhibitwn’ and “The Presa’ fe ed, | atter which the teativities closed, ‘The elaborate floral vi levelled jo Valuable erage man, so that | display in the banquet ball was the offering of the | American Botanic and Exovic Garden Company, RESOLUTIONS ON THE SILVER COINAGE QUES- ‘TION. | The 108th annual mecting of the Champer of Com- | morco was held yesterday alternoon, the President, | Me. 8. D. Babcoek, inthe chair, Tho attendance was quite large, there being forty members provent, among om Mr. Peter Cooper aud Mr, Willtam E, Dodge, ‘The following new members were elected :—David 8. Baboock, No. 177 West street; Charles Collins, No. 70 | Worth strovt; Arthur B, Graves, No, 68 Wall streets i awinl vurriers. | | | ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS— | | | to ascertain and proscribe, as neurly ax the’ cuxe will | will permit the free circulation of both | conference to be reported to the different governments for Harbor and Shipping, offered the lullowing:— reas alter careful examination ittees acting unter the auth don has been 'y mi ee pot in its great depth of wat anchorage and case of ac all times to and ‘ocean ; and Whereas valuxble improvements, useful been made at this stati j, That thix Ch I depot loeated at the po upon Congress the 10} to th vation, Mr. Samuel B. Ruggles, Chairman of the Special Committee on International Coinage, reported the resolutions, which were unanimously tracting large qua wes of the Cord: interior of our ¢ explored, has now be history, in obedience t ugh the rent tbat partially ‘ardival importance ti heavy reduction in with unerring wccuracy —at present the money centre of the civilized world—at which locality the market Bebe falion trom Gis¢d. sterling per | Susgd. sterling in 1876—n0re tb | & That the wi | serious tail tn price now renders it highly expedient, sary, that tho leading commercial n silver coinage with@ut delay by dul of silver int ains, to be wssiinil . the Exhibition and amembiage, affords "a singularly tution opportunity, if properly improved, fur the United States t¢ do tuis uecessary work. In view ot all which, the Chayiber of ommerce of the State of New York, in pursuance of the public duties pre- bed in its charter, and xcting in bel F the general merce of thin metropolitan city, di and i President, ' a inycrens ectfully request. t! ted Staten, in their high discretion, to take into sideration the importance of adopting timely and effici measures for assembling an * international ference,” within the United States duris tennial’ year, by nccredi ntatives of mercial uation id tions in respect t Proper, and expec! allo silver coins the rosults of the i | | | | | j may de ve values betweon their gold a their separate uction. Revolved, Thut in the be: judgment of the Chamber, such ively and duly at Hold some of its meetings in amereial cities on our Paeitle and Atlan} vardy and in our great interior States, may be. of sign nervice to tho lasting interests of this ‘country aud of the civilized world, ‘That coy bet Ne ni pies of the preceding resoluti mitted to the President of the ers of both houses ot Con- so sentto each o the mem- tot C. 5 Cowdin reported the proceedings of the sub-committees of the various commercial associations in regard to the Dock Department and submitted te resolution adopted by them to the effect that the a partment be requested to suspend all work on the bul head ‘ine except in such portions as may be so f vanced toward completion as to be ready for the stone masonry above the piling, and the hmit of expendi ture fur the year be $500,000, ite also offered u reso Jution appointing Gustav Schwab, James W. Elwell ans Willi i. Guion the commutes of the Chamber t confer with the Dock Department, The resolution were adopted. - Tt was decided to hold a special meeting on the 234 of this month to elect a Pilot Commisstouer, Mr. Dodge, from the Committee on Nominations, re ported the following list for officers of the chamber for tho ensuing year, and in the election which subso quently took place they were duly chosen as such oil cers: President—Samuel D. Babecek. First Vico President—James M. Brown. Second V ident—George W. Laue. rer—Franeix 8. Lathrop. Beere' rye Wilwan. Executive Committee—Eliot C. Cowdin, Chalrmany janucl B. Ruggles, Benjamin G. Arnold, Williaa H. Fog, | Elliott F. Shepard. mumiites on Finunoe, and Currency—J. Pierpant, Mon hep Chatman; Jowepls 'yrus W, Field, Josiat . Fiske, Kdimund W. oi Ef Committee on Foreign Commerce and the ke: Laws—James W. Elwell, Clyxirman: David Dows, W! H, Guion, Solon Humphreyé Gustav Sehwab, Committee on Internal Trad Taxlor Jot + Morris Jo and Limprovements—Johe K. eh Alexandet Com Harbor ‘and Shipping—Pa ‘ge W. Blunt, Existo &. Pabbri «HT, Frothinghatm. ns n, i Li Hotels, in behalf of the Ch: Dunew Beetles) ere established bj ing Sallors’ Boarding Houses or wander of Commerze—Cha: act of Dodge, 2, Jolin D. Jones, rco~A. A. Chairm: D. Babcock, Jackson 5. Sehults samuel Henry F. Spaulding, Henry B, Hyde. President Babcock made # brief speech of thanks» and the meeting adjourned. . BROKEN CABLES, EIGHT FAILURES IN OUR TELEGRAPHIC COM MUNICATION WITH THE OLD WORLD—RUSE OF BUSINESS BY THE DIRECT CABLE CoM: PANY, Great confusion bas occurred in business circles for 4 period of forty-eight hours, owing to the breaking of the three ocean cables controiled by the Western Unios and Anglo-American companies and the French cabie, the latter having broken April 26, 200 miles west of Brest. One of the cables of the Anglo-American Com. itis stated, bow. ever, by Vice President Green, of that company, that the cable the Western terminus of which is at St. Pierre, Nowfoundland, and which was broken three days since, has been found st the break, and that before this morn- ing aasplice willhave been made of the two onds, thas restoring communication with Europe by the Anglo-American cables, Last night the company’s other Inne failed, “One man’s meat’ is said to be “another man’s poison,” and the Direct Cable Company, which is altos ether owned by English capital, and which has for ite esident the Right Hon. Mr, Lushtogton, Secretary for India, is now, im default of the other lines, doing all the business between America and Europe, and the pressure on its siagle line is really tremendous De- spatehes have to wait, and the Western Union Compang and Freuch Cable companies have been forced to trans- fer their business their very fortunate rival the Direct Cable pany. Acting Manager Ward, of th Direct Cal pany, stated that they were over: whelmed with business, and, owmg to the fact thaf the business of the other cable compantes bad been transierred to them, messages at the first hours of the breakage had to layover, The Direct to-day being tested by experts to its fullest capacity: Mr. Cyrus W. Field yesterday stated that the Anglo- American Company bas splendid apparatus tor grap- pling, and be felt confident that in « short time com- munication would be resumed with Newfoundland and iis vieinity, At an ‘ly hour yesterday morning ble which rans from Prince Edward Island: to Nova was discovered to be unfit for use, having broken im several places, Mr. Field that he did not wisn to make « against any rival y, but he jd not help but think it singalar that the Anglo. American Compaay should have no less than eight weparate cables broken at the present time. The Great Kast has already been telegraphed through the Direct Cable tine to sail from Liverpool at ones to re pair the Freach broken near Brest, Grave suspicions, it is ire entertained by many ected with the icgraph companies ia how these cables have been brok deciare that it is merely the resul The breaks may have been caused by fishit hooners drawing scines or steamships Uraggi thee anchors, Others do not hesitate to declare t breaking of the cables the work of premeditated desiga with the intention of interrupting the communication of two hemispheres and to jnjure a rival company's business, It i# @e@clared by Frye hotdiwyg thit oprnion that aecrime like this should be indicated as one of the highest magnitude and shoald be punished with severity, It is an extraordinary occurrence that eight cables should be broken at once, aud all by acci- dent. Vessels are working jh their crews off St. Pierre, and considerable prot bas been made, that this one cable may be in king order to- but the remaining cabes may net be rendy for ¢ transmission of messages in a shorter period thas thirty days. TELEGRAPHIC MATTERS, The directors of the Attuntic and Pacific Telegrap) Company met yesterday and elected the following off cers:—Thomas F. Eckert, President; William IH. Lyons First Vico President; Albert B. Channler, Second Vice President and Seeretary ; Alired Newon, Treasurer. ‘The rates have been ugain reduced as follows :—Chi. cago—Old rates $1, last reduction eighty cents, pres. ent seventy-five cents; St. louix—vld rates $1 50, lust month's $1 10, present $1; twenty words will Le sent to Chicago at night for thirty-eight cents, and during the day tor seventy-five cents, DIED OF STARVATION. At eleven o'clock Thursday night Kitzabeth Me Gruddy, of No. 423 Washington street, died at Bellevue Hospital from starvation. Yesterday afternoon ber lie 7 tle girl, aged three years, died at the same place from the eume cause, Ono child, a babe three moi ts still lying wl at the hospital, but will provebly coves,