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+ Bre made now of Uh 4 THE EXTIBITION. | oo Are the Judges of Award Guilty ot Corruption ? WHAT'S THE PRICE OF AWARDS AND MEDALS ? - Flagrant Charges Against Judges in the Pianoforte Department. caiman: SOMETHING FOR THE COMMISSION TQ INVESTIGATE, coleocecchinie Judges Schiedmayer, Kupka and 'r stow—The Protest of the Pianomakers. bd PIANO MAKERS DIN | piano maker himself, whose pianos aro jn the | not for competition, of course, that being aguinst the What the Schomacker Piano Company ( harge— The Go-Between—Female Charms Brought to the Bear on Judges, Puitapenruta, July 14, 1876. The Centennial Exhibition isso granda success in | Its vast extent aud variety, and ithas been so well managed, on the whole, that it is much to be regret ted there should be any serious causes of complgint | regarding it. When, towever, its good name is jeop ard) , and with it the fair fume of our countrymen, under whose auspices the great show is conducted, it is plainly the duty of tne c entious journalist to cwil public attention to the fact, It 1s so much easier and more comfortable to praise than to condemn that | itis with extreme reluctance your correspondent per- | forms a thankless office in giving publicity toa con- | dition of wiwirs that has lasted too Jong already, and | Which, if not checked ut once, wil grow worse every day and hour. THN SYSTEM OP AWARDS, At nearly all international exhibitions since the first Londop World’s Fair dixsatistaction and bickerings have prevailed umong exhibivors—too often with good reason—over the awards o! the judges of merit. It was hoped and fondly believed by the Centennial au- thorities that by changing the system of appointing the judges £0 ag to make them individually responsi- ble for their reports—which were to be written opin- ons, to whien they siood committed over their dwn signatures—and by choosing those officials with great care only among the highest and best known experts, a better than usual class of men would be secured for these positions, and that their opinions would command the respect of the exhibitors and the public for their perfect honesty and fairness, and that, \n brief, the American Centennial Exhibition would thereby escape the evils ynd scandals that had attended \ts predecessors. It was imagined that under the sys- sem adopted and with the men chosen there would be feneral satisfaction among the exhibitors as to the value and honesty of the decisions. But all these vis fons of sweet accoril are beng rapidly dispelied, aud it is now evident that in some departments the same WEANGLING FOR THR JUDGES’ FAVORS, the same bargaining tor and sale of awards will attend the Philadeiphia Exhibition as brougut odium upon those beld at Paris and, notably, at Vienna. The incipient | skirmishes of this campaian, are in progress between txhibitors in the different classes, and before another | mouth shail have clapsed the long roll of dissension | will have sounded ull along the tine and the news papers will teem with sca jous stories of bribery and | corruption, unless prompt and determined measaree | are taken by the Centennial Commission, If examples comparatively few corrupt judges the evil may be stopped. If it is allowed to continue its demoralizing effect upon weak men, who, from ther | peculiar positions, are subjected to great temptations, with so many exhibitors bidding for their favor, may be oasily smagined. HOW SOME OF THE JUDGES WERE APPOINTED. It has been proudly claimed for the system ot judges adopted for this extibition that it stcured first class men of unflinching integrity and unsurpassed intel. | Iigence and ability in their r spective classes, It is time | the public were informed that the not the par- | on the Centennial Comimission would have us believe. | One does not have tu seek very far to tind the reason. | Ty hes in the simple fact that woen certain Centennial Commissioners demanded the right to appoint mem- bers on the jury, as part of their official patronage, they did not always appoint the best men for the places, although they undoubtedly chose their best Iriends who wanted $50 the Ex- | hibition tree. The pian was beautiful in theory, but in | practice it was found impossible to subject the list to that stern, unflinching scrutiny which it should have | received. Far be it from me to say that the judges generally are not honest, capable gentlemen, but there are black theep and iguoramuses among them, and, like the pinch of salt that leaveneth the whole luinp, the effeet of their presence is doing much to tring their more honorable bretbren into disrepute. tis m this that the danger les, for the world will be only too ready to pondemn the good with the bad, 00 POLITICS HAVE ANYIMING TO DO WITH THR APPOINT. MENTS? It would be easy to find instances to show that the judges are pot allebosen upon their personal merits There 18 but too much reason to fear that political or jar; and a chance to st pecuniary cousiderations have had something to do with the appointinent of some of them. I know of one geulleman in this city who has retired with means from & manufacturing business and who was ap- proached by one of the Contennial authorities and asked if he would serve ag a judge in the group to be assigned to the class of goods with which be was familar. The gentleman said that he did not seek any iuch position for the sake of the small pay with the hard work, but that be might consent to serve tor the sou of the cause if they desired him. ir,*’ said the Centennial official, balf in- “OF course, lerrogatively, “you are are “Of course, sir,” said the gor *have been a demeerat all my lie.” Shortly alter the Centennial official, who seemed somewhat surprised, took bis leave and the gentieman has wever heard of his cootemplated appointment irom that day (o this, AN APPO.NTMENT novcart. Take another case. ow pending before the Vatted States © mission against ove ot their own honorable body, a Commissioner from a Weetern State, alleging that be attempted to sell his ap. plican emav, “I am pot ‘TI Charges are poiutment to the jury (or $400, which sum he expressed a desire to “borrow,” alihougn he gave \t as bis opin- fon that the appointment was worth $00. The gentle. man to whom the ¢ ssiouer wrote two jetiers on t he did ae able Commi @ interesting letters, like Heary J nut the surewd. Mt the French a letter and pever burned | ence, and the HkxALD cor- of the judges, The bh philosepber, w thes ese Are OMIY instances to show the bad cbarac- | € of these ap * 1 could give more | fit Were mecessury, 1 ain sorry to say. | UNSCRUPULOUS EXHIBITORS. To tbe eredit of the the exhibitors it | said that they come h prepared to accept jous of the judges, whatever they might be, vithout dispute. But it was svon evident that some ew, especially in the depariments of soanntacture Where there is great competition, were not animated by | is scutiment. Uowihing to trust to the merit of their articles hey desired to obt.in an Unfair advantage over jh if competitors and sought means of influencing the Judges so as to prevent some tival from ovtamm ng the prize. Tbe character of some of the judges enabled the Lnserupulous to curry out tis policy. They were met h by some of these gentiomen, Some were | “open to Conviction,” some were anxious to be “intlu- enced ;? s0u.¢, like the lady in “Don Juan,” ‘vowing | would ne'er consent, cousented,"’ Sach bas been of example #mong the exhibitors that man: Who are nelived Ww be honest saw that their mieres s | sufler unless aleo “laid pipe’? with the jucges, ond [rom mouves of seif-preservatioo—such at feast is the eX.ehoation they ciaim—bave likew se be- Jan deviemg schemes lor securing favorable reports, ‘AL thw beg nuiug of the Exbibityon there was a bealthy revelling sentiment that it was highiy improper for 4 exh: bivor to ark even so much as an introduetion to jucige m inns clings, Now its pot uncommon to find en and exhibitors dining of driving together, or vhinng long private invery.ews in quiet and seciuded | te u can see little groups of this sort hob- | | of this group of judges, who are to decide upon the | copied after the Stefways. | Lis motives may be. He | nouncement was made that Mr, Schiedmayer was to | of the instraments of the American trin that be could | ments | the judges might not be impartial, | macher pianos, and bave never summoned Mr. Gray | four judges in this group, all, in fact, exeept General | | what their reports were to be, and some were 80 shrewd | deserved it or not be was openly pr wo | Waiker, ebief of the Bureau of Award: | convince the ott | found that the g together every day in the week. There may ! sbe anything downright dishonest im tuts, the least imjadicious, and wil inevitably re- suit Iu Ugly charges preferred by thuse exhibitors who, turough not having gcught or Obtained the acquaiut- | ance of the judges, Or trom some other cause, fail to | obtain prizes. THE PIANOPORTE AWARDS, Altbougn there are murmurings among exhibitors in | the sewing Inachiae, furpiture and leaiuer deparunents, and patent among manutacturers of agricultural ments and textile fabrics, the most pronounced rumors are afloat about the manu tor the pianolorte awards. It would be a work: of | much time to verify all of these stot but if only one-half of what is charged 1s suscep- uble Of proof—and my own investigations satisty | me of the truth of some of (hem—three at least of the judges of group 25 ought to be disgracetully removed und consigned to the obloquy which aitaches to those who abuse public trusts imposed iu them and who seck pecumiary profit at she expense of honor. Atter the Judges were appointed they were divided Into wenty-elgut separate groups, and cack group into scctious (When by so doing the work of examina- tion could be faciitated) Group 25, including “Ip. struments of precision, reseafch, &c.,"’ 1s composed of six Amerigans and five foreigners, with Sir William Thomson, Of Great Britain, as ebairman, Four mem- bers were authorized to examine and report upon musical instruments, viz. :—General H. K, Oliver, of Heston; George F, Bristow, of New York, aud Julius snayer und P, F. Kupka, of Germany. | THE RULING SPLIT pianos entered for competition, is Jalius Schiedmayer, ol stuttgart, Germany. He was a member of tue jury aris and Vienna, and ov account of certain transac t both exbiviiions is declared to be, by reputa- utlemen 1 the piano trade, an utterly unfit per- son toserve In sucha cupacity, He is, im the first place, a exibition, rules, but to receive, as they doubtless will, a comph- mentary medal, Schiedmayer’s pianos are said to be They ure declared to be them in many reap m arly as good instruments, Iu the second . Schicdmayer’s business relations with the Steiuways are declared to be of £0 peculiarly close a nature as to unlit him to be a member of the jury, however honest is suid tobe their pri agent in Europe, and is openly spoken of us steruways’ nan’? on the jury, As soon 48 the an- act dissatistaction Was prevalent among tany piano and org:n manutacturers, becavso it Way believed thut he was so prejudiced, to use no strouger word, in iavor hot and Would bot be just toward the otbers. These instruments were on exhibition at Pars and at Vienna, and at both places he Was on tne jury which awarded them prizes. It is believed by many that bis appoint- pnt at Philadelphia was procured mainly tor the } pose of taking advantage of his preferences and to reu- der more certain a juverable report for the same pianos. A PROTEST AGAINST SCHIIEDMAYER. ‘ay, President of the Schumacher Piano- of this city, was #0 well convinced of hnpussibility of obtaining a tar judgmeut upon his pianos that he entered a protest about six wecks ayo, ana asked of the utive Comuitiee of the Cen- tonuial Commission permission to Withdraw bis imstru- petition, mentioning no names und individually, but merely stating that mution had come to hit of reasons why some of The Execuuve Committee retused permission to withdraw the Schu- beiore them to'perinit him to establish the trath of | what be charges, and more too, as be 1s ready and anxious to do at aby ume, Nor is this a solitary case. Other pianoforte makers complain of th proper formation uf this group of | judges, and & them, ike the Estey Cottage Organ Company, bave refused to allow the:r instruments to | be entered at all, despairing of a fair judgment. The | Chickerings make av exhibit, bat they are disgusted | with the character of the judges, their agent in tbis city tells me. A long story might be written concern- ing the experience of the Chicktrings at Viena with Schtedmayer and others. The curious ip this matter are referred to a pamphlet the Chickerings have recently published, entitied ‘A Plain Statement of Facts,” &e. THE TRIAL OF THE PIANOFORTES. The testing of the pianofortes on exhibition took place about a month #go, and since then reports have been rife as to the unbecoming conduct of three of the Ouver, @ good natured Old gentleman trom Boston, | Mass. ‘The instruments, numbering about ainety, and from the factories of forty different makers, were’ placed in the Judges Hall to be tested, All who should ksow are agreed that so fine a display of panos together was never before seen. While the four judges, with closed doors, Were practising upon and examining the instru- ments, acongress of piano makers was assemble outside, ‘They were pervous and uneasy, too anxious to iuduige in Jokes and too curious to miss a sound from within. The trial lasted a week, and the pmano makers continued their datly conclaves unvl the end. ‘They strove by every means to gam intimations as to the opinions of the judges, but the imjunction of secrecy which went hand im hand with the tests was apparently at that ime observed, and no one was the wiser, When the examnation was over the pianos were taken back to their pavilions in the Main Building and those who were interested awaited the result. Up to this time no serious objection was made to the frequent RIDER AND DINNERS, in which two or three of the judges and as many piano- makers participated; but when the trial was over aud these meetings became more frequent those makers who were hot permitted to enjoy the contidence and the delighttul society of the judges commenced to © plain, They were fearful lest the judges would tell as to suggest that perhaps ‘some of them, in view of certain pecuniary considerauons, might be more favor- able than tue merits of the instruments would justity, Mr, Kupka then came in for his share of blaine, and ad watebed his movements closest tuid that they Would sooner tru t Mr, Sehiedmayer than him, This feeltng of doubt was rendered all the stronger when it was reported that Mr, Kupka had been charged with the st corruption in counec- tion with the sewing inachineawards at Vienna, MR. RISTOW did not escape the generat smirel: Ing. and whether he aimed as acting | in the sole imterest of one New York maker, whose interests he Was prepared to advance at any hazard. The publisued advertisements of this New York piano- taker, in Which a representation of bis showrooms 1s given, actually contain a full jength portrait of atr, Bristow, * Jeaning 10 a picturesque attitude | against a p y in the forezround, G ANOUT THE REPORTS, » tnished and handed into the tull group ges two weeks ago, who, plicing implicit Cunudence in the work of the four members Who made the (ests, passed upon and confirmed them as they were writta, The reports wero then sent to General and will be by him turned over to the Executive Co: ittee of the Comunssion, who will adjudge the medals or retuse may tmink b It:s in the power of Commitice to Fevise the reports ot the m out altogether, whenever they y hat they are not based upon merit, supposed to be inviolable; but, owing to the leaky character of some of the judges, it is common enough to hear exhibitors and ‘others Say that they know exactly who wii receive medals aud who will not. One of ibe judges is said to lave banded out of the wiadow of the Secretary's oiice, in Judges Hail, to a New York piano maker, the written report npon lis pianos, ‘This person is alleged to have made alterations 1n the docuinent to suit hin and to bave returned it to (he office, where it was .ced again on Ble with the forgeries wy it. Iv is asserted tiat Mr, Bristow, baving ‘een charged with making pubhe some of the reports, hambiy pleaded guilty beiore the whole group of which be is a | member and ackuoWledged that be had done wrong. | But Mr. Setiedtayer and Mr. Kapka have not yet been otic 4 to account for their indiscretions. | Itis bodly charged (hat three of the judges have acted | trom the begiuning in the interests of certain maker: and would lave given the awards to them exclusively had they not feared that their action would not bear | b order to save themselves and jore- nuquiry they have writtea, it is alleged, a large number Of reports, hoping by Uumerous awards to appease the dissatisfaction that prevails Only two or three of the reports, together with the accompa medals, will of any value, for these specify the highest exceilence aud the remainder are Lickied with the praise of mediocrity. Some of the best makers in tue country are placed low down in the scale, and it 1s | siguitlcant that one of the best, who ts also among the | lowest, stated beiore the reports were made that b instruments were entered on (heir merits, and that had no money to pay for an award, It might be well to Inquire woat price, if any, has Leen paid; but prob- ably the judges would hesitate about giving the intor- | mation. BY WAY OP ILLUSTRATING the manner in which sume of the judges tn the piano- forte department have abused their pesitions, there can be no harm in detailing, irom bis oww hips, the story of a geuticmnay connected wito the Schumachor Piano- | lott: Company — ‘Un Tuesday evening, the 4th of June,” he says, “our p ordered to be taken frum our spa in we aiding into the Judges Hall tor the pw po Five of our instruments we accord: y removed thither that day, I bern lo superintend the removal. [saw the judges assem- | biew in the hall, and heard ope of them, whom I after. Warus learued by an lutroduction (o be Mr. Schiedmaye talking in a dogmatic, dictatorial way tw his colleagues about the merits of the Steinway piano, Mr, Seured: | rand others fntrodaced themselves io me as aud} made myseit known to them, 1 could mi the Urst that Mr, Sehiedmayer was the leading spirit of the jury. He Was arbitrary ip bis manoer aud conduct kenerai assumed a sort of leadership, As 1 said befor was taking m bigh praise of the merits of Steinway planes, a glaringly im. proper thing fora man ip his oficial pos tion "to do, | cepecially as be sevwed to be arguing their merits to ciges. L eaunot, of course, recall | and | the words be used, out L remember tor one thing | “Ob, Uhat he said im a supercilious, overvearing wa; all plano makers have adopted the Siemway #) ' 1ort, Lis Whole manner showed bis strong pre- es 10 lavor of the Stenways, he next day the fi upon which it was an- nowneed that there was to be an eXammination of our panos ata meeting of the judges, I went there, but e Was ab adjourniment until ihe follow. of Ar. Oliver, one of ing day on account of the ilo the judges. As i was coming the Judges Hail & man approneved and spoke to me He is a fellow from Book syn Whom | bave met occasionally for many yours past, (The HRKALD correspondent has the tall ame of (his person, but withholds i for the present) | He began talking to me about getting a good report for wy pianos irom the judges, te intimated that CUIRDMAYRR WAS TO REN THR Wie that Kupka, another of the judges, w } Mayer's iuterest, and Wat be (the speake u- | ential With Schicdmayer, He was Very closely ailied to NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY‘, him, he said, having been with him at Vienna, &c. He | koow; the reports will be the main thing, and I can | particular makers, without reierence to merit,"’ They | LL.D, of Columbia Coilege, New York; Vrotessor J. C. | be will do if he iw assured that his cbarges, it proven, | they are alleged to have paid won it | clude that he was hurdiy @ fit person to serve in the ca | be appointed to make another examin ad said, ‘Lean ix this report up so to give you satis- faction,’ and intimated that! might make apy arrange- ment with him, ashe represented Schiedinayer and Kupk». Probably 10 illustration of what he meant to accomplish he said, ‘You know how the Steinways did (hose fcliows at Vienna,’ referring to the manner in which they secured the award at the Vienna Expo- sition. ‘The medals,’ suid he, ‘will be all alike, you tx it so you can write your own report and say what you please.’ Mr, Scbicdmayer Was anxious togo away leaving everybody sutistled, he gatd, and [did wot doubt bin i the least “Tid not reject the fellow’s proposal; neither did I agree to it ut him off without a decided answer, intending to see lum again. He did not say how much money we Would bave to pay for the priviig; if write ing our own report, and | did not Close any bargain with him, because I was afraid he might turu on me and cause trouble, WILL THE COMMISSION INVESTIGATE Y “I came immediately down to my office and wrote a letter to the Execatrve Committee of the United States Centennial Commission, asking the privilege of with- drawing my pianos from competition, merely stating that I knew of reasous why some of the juages were not fit to serve impartially, This request ‘Was refused by the Execuiive Committee, as you know, ina brief note in whieb & said that my pianos, having been uid not be withdrawn, ext morning carly thix go-between came to see me at tiny oflice—see how quickly he knew of my letter to the Executive Committee—and urged me not to do avything hastily, that everything could be mude satis- Jactory, that the thing could be tlxed with Sehicdmayer, ahd repeaung preity much what be had said the day belore. Tuis man came again avd again .o see me, but I tuk it Was on this first visit to me at my vilice that he was given to understand twat our pianos were there upou their merits, and that we did not desire to influence the judges in any way, much less to write our own reports,’” Un the 13th of June the Schumacner Company re- ceived a communication from General Francis A. Walker, Chiet of the Bureau of Awards, in which he says tht be ix instructed by the Executive Committee to reply, “that il you are id possession of information adequate to justity and sustain the imputation upon the Judges of group'25, which were couta:med in your communication of the 6t4 and 7tb just, and will pre- nithe same tn the iérm of specitic charges, sup- ported by testimony under oath, or by facts of record, the promptest and lullest consideration will be given thereto.’ ‘Yo this the company returned an answer charging the Judges with Iraud in still stronger teims, and say- ing Ubat they desired to withdraw their pianos, “fear. ing trom what we bad learned that certain members of group 25 were not as entirely disinterested as they should be, and, in consequence thereof, inciined to adopt such method of examinauion us would not be a fair test of | the respective merits of the various instruments; | “samd that since then we have received more particular iniormation which fully satisfies us that the recom- mendations for awards will be made in the juterest of | Tepeated the charges without meutioning names, and expressed a willinguess to substantiate them under oath if they were given the oppor- tunity aud were giver the assurance that the judges would be dismissed if the charges were found to Ue true, The president of the company, Mr. H. W. Gray, took the ground that the mere assertion that “consideration” would be given them meant nothing. Alle asked was that if be substantiated his charges the judges should be remo Ot this reasona request the Executive Committee have taken no no- xcept, in their report to the Commission the y, W accuse the Schomacker Company ol bay- ing mace “olfensive insinuations YNWORTHY OF CONSIDERATION,’? It the Executive Committee du not considera di- rect charge of dishonesty aguinst their judges serious enough to be “worthy of consideration”? it would be interesting to kuow What they do cousider worth iu- Vectigation. It is extremeiy probable the pablic will not agree with the opinions of this committce, The toilowing is ab extract trom the final commupi- cation of the piano company. of which uo official no- | tice has been taken:— * “We gow state further that we bave no reason for changing our views or impressions. “Ln order to obtain a just decisiva we believe it neces- sary tuat every judge Should be not oniy competent, but entirely disinterested aud free trom the slightest suspicion of prejudice or favoritism, “No judge should be allowed to act as such whose con- duct on similar trials has veen the suuject of discredit. | uble controversy, or who has already, ou like occasions, shown lis prejudice in tayor of any certain make of piano which is now again in competition, “No judge, While results are peuding, should be in close intimacy with any competitor, nor should he be surrounded abd in contact with persons who eiaim they can influence and coutrol hig action. And whereas tue awards of this Group 25 will, no doubi, ve closely watched throughout the entire world, and perhaps the results largely ullect the numerous exhibitors, the ut- ruost precaution should be taken to purge the Jury from apy taint of suspicion, And while we believe we can show to the satislaction of your committee that Group 25 18 not copstituled so as to allow us to hope for an impartial judgment, yet, beiore making specilic charges, We ought 10 Lave some reasonabio assurance from you as to whut incasures you will take to remedy the causes of complaint, if they prove to be well foundes. In withdrawing our ii siruments we did so not kuowing how or where we stood with tue jury, but in our judgment we felt satis- fied that an impartial award ut their nands, as at pres- ent constiwuied, Was an utter imposmbiiity, and there- fore simply proposed to withdraw our instruments irom competition, making no promise to fuliow it up by any charges, Your commuttce then refused to aliow us to Withdraw, and, without knowing What we had to offer, declared in advance our statement as to the cause Of oUF uchion grossly unjust to the jury. “We lee assured that the facts on which we base our action would tuily satisfy Lhem as to tne bias of certain of the jury, and we ¢ but believe that tue com- mittee are themseives as there has been no attempt at concealment, but rather an open cxpres- sion of opinion even before a single piavo mu vecn tesied, And, vesides this, the most important and Vital points in determining the merits of a piano, and without waich an award would be almost wholly worth- Jess, bave been entirely overlouked or pegiected in the examination by Group 26, and this ‘act alone goes tar to sustain Us iD oUF position as to Lhe necessary qualiti- cations of the judges, and what the nature of tho ¢ amination shouid be, 1 order to enab to recom- mefld a just and proper award. Very x . WG President Sebomacker Pianotorte Manuta PEMALK CHARMS BROUGHT TO BKAR. ven, alluded to above, has called upon | Gray many Limes to endeavor to “make tbings satisiuctory wich Sclvedmay but hus always tasied, Upon one vceasion lately Mr. Gray saw him at dinzer wt the Latayette restaurant, 18 the Centennial grounds, fn company with tho judges and a New York piano maker, Who 18 likely 10 get medal if diming Ire- quently with the judges will do it. The man urged Mr. Grey to join their party, and whispered to him | with a leer, “You see, I got my wife here to-day, We fix the judges all right’ What I cannot do she can You see!” Mr, Gray saw, but indignantly refused to meet this worthy company, TUR REMEDY. There are few of the Judges of Award who would not rejoice at the punishment of auy of their body Who are abusing their pesitions and who would not gladly assist in exposimg them, if culled upon im the proper way. Among the ‘mem- bers of this Very Group) No. 25, tor inspecting mstrumenis of — precision and re- search, &¢., are such eminently honorable men as Professor Josoph Menry, LL.D, of the Smithsonian Institution; Professor F. A. P. Barnard, ST. 0, Watson, of Ann Arvor, Mich, and Sir Witham Thom- son, LL.D, D.C. L., FR S., of Great Brian, Suet meu as these should surely demand au investigation of charges against any member of their group. THE EXECUTIVE COMBUTTER of the Coniennial Comiuission should meet at once and ould ask General Waiker to submit to them the com- munieations sent in by Mr. Gray, of (he Sehomucker Company, who should be at ouce called upon to testy beiure them to whut he told me three weeks ago. Uhis shall bave some other resuit than mero ‘considera: they will hit Mr. Scbiedmayer, and then ve can mined as to his actions since ‘be came to this country, 11 the committee do not care to inquire as to how te German goverment came to appoint him, Whatehe did at Paris and Vienna He might be ed aa to Whether be bas been “assisied’? in ing up his reports by e'tuer of the makers wil obtain the “bighest awards = He also ve «induced to tell the names wie might of the persous (0 Whom be showed the reports beiore they were banged in or inlormed as to their mterests, | If thts witness is unwtiling to say what consideration, if any, he has received tor his favors perbaps these others might be induced to tell, A certain smail piano pany might be able to say how much and to whom recently, und for The go-between is said to know som this, A certain popular organ compauy 1s ¢ paid something. Ka, LOO, Miglt Le javestizated, and the com- mittee would find it wteresting to jearn his record. It ts surmised that if all were Known that they would con- pacity be flis, He ean provably ell more than any of the oihers about what a judge's report is worth. Bristow bas already partially unbosomed hita: he has only coutessed # par. of & haps tho Executive Committee inay not feel aut borized to er than Mr. Sehiedmayer without are to be believed t ist the three judges named tf 1 in case of guilt remove thore who have The pianomak:rs yeneraliy, both those who have been awarded medals and tose they wil only. investigate, Who lave nut, are disgusted, and they will probably demand of the commission that a new board of judges on, Fair play is one Uhiug and fraud is anotner. In this pane con- test there bus been too muck of the ene and too little her. However vad some ot the jodges in the roups mi have «oted, none of them have those piano schemers. fhe exhibition cannot aftord to be tainted by bribery, and ifany of it has been going 00 the commission, as the conservators of the public weltare, ought to dis- cover and punish th, Lettie members of the Execu- uve Committe promenade along “ piano row,” in the Main Buiiding, und bsten to the stories that the ex- Libivors tell, and i they are not convinced thar there bas been chicanery, and that the piano reports have been bought, it will be because those who bat paid their instalments and those who have retused to vo bled are sient tor the ume OUR GOVERNOR'S CLEMENCY. Rorvavo, N. ¥., July 15, 1876 The Governor has commuted tho sentence of Mrs Wilhelmina Weick, who was sentenced tor the murder ot ber stepson to he harewt += Wriday mext, to life im- prisopment, MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES, Diiszeldorf has been visted by Ruvinstein’s ‘‘Tower of Babel” Harry Leslie exhibits on the bigh tight rope daily at Rockaway Beach. Miss Jeony Lee played Joe in “Bleak House” for 120 nights in Lon Jon. Marie Sass will Le the heroine im ‘La Reine de Saba’ in Paris io the fall. Rubinstein made $12,000 from his. five recitals at St. James’ Hall, London, Business has been very bad this summer at the two London opera houses. At one of the London theatres half salaries are meted out, owing to hard times. Signor Massini, the young French tenor, will spend the fall and winter season in Rusat Muss Giyu, the celebrated actress, has been impris- oned in England for contempt of court, The Municipal Council of Parig encourage musical composition by a grant of $2,000 im prizes, Mme. Théo captivated the London public in “Mme. L'Archiduc,”’ at the Opéra Comique last month, Bret Harte’s new play will be brought out in Chicago by the Union Square Theatre company on Monday. Alexander Henderson, husband of Lydia Thompson, is about to take the Charing Cross Theatre, London. The hot weather in Paris does not prevent a succes- sion of brand new plays being brought out at the various theatres, “The Mighty Dollar’ still continues its sway at Wal- luck’s, with those admirable artists, Mr. and Mrs, Florence. Miss Helen Fuucit uppeared at the Lordon Lyceum on June 23 at the benefit of Mr. Irving in ‘*King Réné's Daughter. ‘The programme for Gilmore’s Garden to-night will be on a scale of musical attractiveness fully equal to the big bill of last Sunday. Mapleson’s new opera house in London will be unitea to the Westminister station of the District Rail- way by a covered passage, i Mile. Ida Corani, one of the most rapidly progressing of English singers, is engaged by Mr. Carl Rosa for his ensuing operatic campaign. By a government decree the ‘Association des Artistes Musiciens”’ of France is now recognized as an “establishment of public utility.” “Our Boys’? at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Phila- delphia, is im the full tide of success, and there is still no announcement of a change of programme, “Pique” will be played at the Fifth Avenue Theatre until the Ist of August, when Sothern will commence his engagement at Mr. Daly's pretty little house. A French engineer proposes to build an immense concert ball in Paris on the model of the Royal Albert, Loaion. It will be ready for the Exposition of 1878. Italy, Austria aud Germany are all right now, Mr. Leonardi, of Venice, has composed @ national hymn commemorative of their friendship. They may fight all the same. A lady advertises {n a Birmingham (England) paper that she will give two lessons on the piano for ‘‘nine- pence!” Selling “extras” or “third editions’ would ve more profitable. They played “Norma”? the other day at a theatre in Prague without any Adalgisa. It was as bad as “Trovatore’’ at the Terrace Garden Theatre, New York, without an Azucena, “Princess Toto,’? the new comic opera by Mr. W. 8. Gilbert and Mr, Frederic Clay, was produced with re- markable success in Nottingham, England, June 24 Miss Santley made a hit as the heroine. One of tho most important events of the London au- tamn season will be the revival by Mr. Chatterton, at Drury Lane, of “Richard IIL”? on # scale of unprece- dented magnificence, Mr. Barry Sullivan 1s engagod, Mr, Sothern 1s still too ill in Philadelphia to be able to resume his engagement ut the Walnut Sirect Theatre, where ‘Pygmalion and Galatea,’ with Mr. and Mrs, Charles Wolcott, have taken the place of Dundreary and the “American Cousin.” Mr. Robert Buchanan’s new play, “Corinne,” was produced at the Lyccum, London, on June 26, with Mrs. Fairfax in the part of the heroine. The piece deals with the period preceding the French Revolution and is a work of considerable dramatic power, Mrs, Howard Paul is about to abandon the entertain- ment so long associated with her name. She com- menees her farewell this month with a summer tour through Walos, Cornwall and Devon, accompanied by Mr, Rutland Barrington and Miss Helen Featherstone Mr. Rud. Aronson, a young American musician, who 18 studying in Paris, has had the honor of being represented by one of his works, a “Marche Triom- phale,” at a concert given by Strauss at Berlin, Mr. Aronson will tthe Wagner festival at Baireuth in August. Mr. John T. Raymond 1s playing Colonel Sellers in San Francisco to the biggest business in the history of the Calijornia Theatre, The receipts were $6,000 for the first three days. It 1s Mr. Raymond's design to produce “Sevenoaks” during his San‘ Francisco en- gagement. Speaking of the recent performance of “Bucrezia Borgia” at Her Majesty's Opera, Loudon, the Atheneum says ‘Never has the trio in which the Duke poisons Gennaro, alter a stormy duet with Lucrezia, becn more finely given than by Mile. Tietiens, Signor Cam- panini and M. Faure."” The notable dramatic event of the week iu Philadelphia will be the début of a favorite pupil of Charlotte Cush- man, The young lady’s name is Miss Addie V. Van Koenig, and she will audertake the bazaraous part of Meg Merriles at Mrs. John Drew's Arch Street Theatre. ‘Tho critics are sharpening their pencils. Durivg his recent engagement at the Queen's Theatre, London, Sulvini played Hamlet to a $25 house, On Ove occasion a solitary person purchaseu a ticket and on the night following no one offered to pay any money whatever. Last summer Salvini was the lion” of the day in London, Such is theatrical fortune, The approaching marriage of Mile. Waldmann with Count Massari, a rich Venetian nobleman, wall deprive the lyric stage of one of its finest contraltos. Her sing- ing in the “Requiem” of Signor Verdi will not easily be forgotten, and her action and vocalization in the part of Amneris im ‘Aida’? was.one of the chief attractions of the work during its late run of twenty-one repre- sentaticns. Mir. Palmieri has engugod the Academy of Music for aseason of Italian opera, commencing on November 6. The new impresario was a popular tenor some years ago in London and at Les Italiens, Paris The com pany will consist of artists new to the metropolitan stage, aud among the works to be produced are “Don Carlos,” by Verdi, and “li Gaarany, by the Brazilian composer, Gomes, The Lucky Star” @ili be presented at the Kiralfy’s Albambra, Philadelphia, this week jor the first time in this count Tt ts said to be replete with brildant spectacular effects, like ‘Around the World im Righty Days” und ‘‘A Trip to the Moon,” both of which have had such brilliant rang atthe Alhambra, The gardens and the cascade at the Alhambra still retain their popa- larity as a pleasant resort on a hot evening. Miss Clara Louise Kellogg his not yet completed her arrangements for the fall season of English opera, Mr. C. D. Hess and Mr, Charles A. Crosby expect to be able to make definite announcements in a few days, Miss Kellogg bas not yet decided as to the theatre in New York in which she will commence bet metropoli- tan season, She will sing in Philadeiphia on October 16 and v4ll visit California with her company in April, being her first visit to the Pacific cous. A new répertoire, including “Alda” and “Lobengrin,” bas been arranged. ‘The London Atheneum thus discourses about Verdi's Jasi opera ‘Aida’ is ‘Don Carlos’ and ‘La Forza’ still more intensifiod—Signor Verdi has out-Meyerbeered Meyerbeer. ‘Alda,’ is, in tact, a paraphrase of the ‘Afri- caine; the Ethopian Princess is Selika diiuced. Alda and Amneris both jove and quarrel about Radamés, just as Selika and Inez contend for Vasco, Signor Verdi has followed in tne wake of Meyerbeer in taking @ black heroine for prima donna, and he has not lost his morbid liking, shown in tormer operas, for killing his principal characters."’ Niblo’s Garden opens August 23 under the direction of Benson Sherwood, the lessee and managet being Mr. Charles KB, Arnold. The initial attraction will be @ Spectacular extravaganza in a prologue aud three acts, by John A, Mack, entitled “Baba? The manage- ment promise that every costume, property and scene shalt be now and elegant, and Mr, Sherwood has in- vanted some marvellous mechanical effects, which will be seen for the first time on any stage, in “Baba” The company already engaged, includes Messrs. W. H. Crane, John W. Jennings, Vining Bowers, J. EB. Irving, George F. Devere, Vincent Hogan, James Danvers, Samuel Glenn, and Misses Emma Stockman, Lula Jor- , Florence Levian, Emiiy Lewis and Rosa Payser. Other engagements are being negotiated, . SULY 16. 1876.—TRIPLE SHEET. CONGRESS. The Alabama Commission To Be Continued Until January, 1877. DEBATE ON THE PROTECTION OF THE TEXAN FRONTIER A Discussion as to Governor Tilden’s Economy and His Message. SENATE. Wasurnerox, July 15, 1876, Mr. Wasaut, (rep.) of Fowa, called up the biil reported by him from the Commitive on the Judiciary on Mon- duy last to extend the duration of the Court of Com- missioners of Alabama Ciaims until the let of Novem- ber next. Mr. SavisBury, (dem.) of Del., submitted an amend- ment to sirike out the 1st of November and insert the Ist of January, 18/7. Mr. Merrixoy, (dem.) of N. C., said the present com- mission should not be allowed to expire until the whole fund was disposed of If the commission should be wound up on the Ist day of November there would be a large balance left undistributed, and it would be ue- cessary to appoint another commission hereafter to distribute the balance, Mr, Sautsuvry, of Delaware, spoke in favor of con- tunuing the commission until the next session of Con- gress, woen provision could be made for the distribu. tion of the balance of the award. Mr. Epmcnps, (rep.) of Vt, argued that no injustice would be done to any one if the commission shoud be allowed to expire a week from to-day, a% all the just claims bad already been acted upon. Tho House of Representatives had sent to the Senate # bill providing for the payment of logses trom outs de cruisers and the war premium men, but leaving out insurance com- panies. Tpere were a good mauy Senators who be- leved insurance companies should be first provided for, though he did nos agree with them, He spoke of the efforts of attorneys to have th> commission continued, und gaid he had received a good many letters ou the subject, but he thought 1% would be wholesome to allow this commission to expire, and if Congress at the next session should consider what was to be done about dis- tributing the balauce of the award, it could be done in A purer atmosphere and a frowh stand could be taken. Mr. Bourwett, (rop.) of Mass., suid he should {eel eg it the country bad been dishonored if m the end it should be foand by the judgment of Congreas that there were not persons honestly entitled to receive this money. Is tue United States had, by misrepresenta- | tiow at Geneva as to the extent of the losses, over- reached a {riendly country and taken from the govern- ment and people of that country millions of money without right, and pat it in the Treasury of tho United States, he would bold that our government was irre- trievably disgraced. He was in fuvor of continuing the commission ag an assertion that the government recognized the tuct that there were portios justly en- titled to receive the money. It there were no persons entitled to it, be, for one, would vote to return the bal- ance to Great Britain, though he believed thero were just claims against it to be settled. The United States had taken this money upon the declaration and proof at Geneva tbat it was dune to citizens of this country, and he hoped uo step would be taken now which would look as if we bad erred. The amendment of Mr, Sauisbury to continue tLe commission until the 1st of January, 1877, wus agreed to. The bill ag amended was then read athird time and passed, THE PACIFIC RAILROAD ACTA. Mr. West, of Louisiana, gave notice that as soon asthe River and Harbor Apprepriation bill should be disposed of he would ask the Senate to take up and dispose of the motion to amend the House bill to amend the Pacific Railroad acts. RIVER AND HARBOR APPROPRIATIONS, The Senate then resumed the consideration of the River and Harbor Appropriation bill and the amend: ments proposed by the Committes on Appropriations, but came to no conctusion in respect thereto. ‘The Senate, at five o'clock, adjourned until Monday, HOUSZ OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wasuixaton, July 15, 1876, After a short debate and the passage or a Dill grant- ing pensions to the widow and family of the late Gen- cral Uuster, the House went into Committee of the Whole (Mr. Monroe, of Ohio, in the chair) on the bill for the protection of the Texan frontie: Mr. Dunnwi, (rep.) of Minu., spoke ip opposition to that pert of the bill which allows the United States troops to pursue murauders into Mexico, Mr: Reacax, of Texas, gave a history of the raids mado over the Texan frontier. He criticised the speeches of those members who had asked why the Texans did not defend whemselves, and faid it was a cruel wrong to an outraged and plundered people who have had to protect themselves with in: sufficient aid from the government, now to turn on them and say, “Why don’t you protect yourselves.’ It was tantalizing them ia tho hour o; their calamity and of their heiplessness. He quoted from testimony taken beiore the cammittes to show that 10,000 men were insufficient to protect the fron- tier if they had not the authority to cross it. The peo- ple of Texas did not desire war, they did not dosire ap- nexation, they oaly desired protection, He thought that Mexico, far from having any right to complain if the Uvited States sbould check the raiders, ought to ve obsiged to our government for doing it. Mr. CoxGeR, (rep.) of Mich, said that on tho com. plaints of the United States goverument t! ratia were being made on the Texan froutier, the Mexican wverniuent bad done what any goverament should five done. It had appomted a commission to tovesti- gate the matter. If the authorities of a neighboring pation should permit auother nation to sead its troops across the fronuer of course that would ve Lo cause of war; but here the United States had, through ‘the Secreati of State, made a distinct proposition to the Mexidan government to permit the United States troops to cross the border, and was told, first, that the resident of Mexico could hat authority without the consent of the Mexican Congress, aud second, thai if such authority was asked of the Congresy it would endanger the high position of the President of Mexico, so strong would be the indignation of the peopie. Mr. Recax asked what means the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conger) would recommend for the pro- tection of the fronuer. ‘oxGER replied he would cheer/ully support the ection of the biil Lo send two regiments ot cavalry to protect the frontier of Texas, He would vote to send twenty regimeuts there if ifecessary, for a nation which could not protect its citizens ought to be de- throned from power. Cattle stealing was bad, robbery and murder was bad. but plunging two nations into A War Was Worse, and espectally Was it worse for a strong, proud, warhke nation such as the United Stat to comuence vellizerent ucts on a sister Republic waich was doing its best to establish a stable and firm govern- ment, .To take this moment to declare war Was un- worthy the people of the United States, Mr. Bayks, (ind,) 0! Mass, a member of the com. mitte? on the fexan tronuer troubles, said that he hi sighed the report more in defereuce to the judgment of tue committee than to his own judgment; sti he did pot think it impossible for Congress to such a bili without a violation Of interpational law. On the con- trary, fe believed that, under the circumstances, the government of the United States might make an order to that cflect’ without any serious offence to the Mexican yovernment, but that depended on (he manner ia Which it was curried out Tue great difficulty was tat Congress lad no means or commu- nicating of ehtering into negotiations with Mexico on the subject. The kxecutive Department of the ment had that power, and it had suggested in any form the necessity tor a power like that embraced in the second section or a declare tion of the manner in which it was to be used, or the consequences which would foliow. If the House passed. the bill 1 would staod in the position of baying loreed the Executive government to use un extraordinary power without any d. raion as to the manner im whch it was to bo gsed. He asked the chuirman of the committee (Mr. Schleicher) it he had reveiyed any. communication from the executive department of the government as to the n ty of the power or the consequences resulting therefrom. Mr. SCHLMCHER, (dem.) of Tex: had several interviews with the Secretary of State, but that he bad received bo official communication. When he had asked the Secretary of State for his opinion in regard to the bill, Mr, Fish had replied that allother means bad been (ried and be supposed it would bave to come to that, When the matter came before tho House, he (Schieicher) had written to the Secretary of State asking how mueli of his pinion he might tke as an official expression on his part had received answer, and he considered that the failure to wer meant thar leciiwed bo give auy ollicial opinion about it and that he desired to leave the esponsibility upon the House. it. BANKS said (hat that did not appear to him to be suiticient, It was the duty of Congress to consult with the Exceutive departmen: oi the government betore tak- uch a stop. He did not think that war would neces- sarily follow if the resolution was passed, but it might resuit in war. Mr. Cox, (dem.) of N. ¥., tavored witling trust President Grant with discretionary power -to order troops to cross the RioGraude. He criticized the speech vf his colleague (Mr. Townsend) made a few days ago on tors bill, in Which that gentie- bill, and was man ridiculed the democratic eflorts at econ- omy. Did not that gendeman ‘know that tne last results of this economy amounied to over $35,000,000? 11 that gentleman (whose name had been annodnced as the republican candidate for Governor e I, geunine economy, he should ‘01 tue present Governor of New York, Samuel J, Tilden, a gentleman who, per- haps, bis colleague might have beard of. (Laugnter). Mr. Macvovgal asked Mr, Cox (sarcastically) whotuer | ——— it wason account of Mr, Tilden’s economy that he (Cox) had so earnestly supported bim in >t. Lous. Mr, Cox—lI su ‘ted him justin the same way a8 you supported Hayes. When you ask this sort of question, consider your own miserable condition, (Laughter, ) Mr. Ganpixin, of Ohio, remarked that the quotation read by Mr. Cox from Governor Tilden’s message, in which he represented the federal taxation of 1870 ut $450.000,000, was an overestimate of at least $50,000,000, Mr Cox rephed that tm addition to that taxation of $450,000,000, the people had been taxed indirectly, through the protective tariff, at least $1,000,000, 000, Mr. Tucker, (dem.) of Va, detended the bill on the principles of international faw, which he quoted ia support of his position, He argued that as re- prisal was itself a peacetal remedy, the propo- sition was still more peaceful, for it looked not to seizure of property belonging to Mexican citizens, but only to the recapture of the property of American citizens, He suggested an amen?ment for a netice by the President to the Mexican government, calling its attention to these wrongs and injuries, aod requiring redreas within ninety days, and in the’ failure thereof authorizing the President to use the army for the pur- pgse of recapiuring the property 0! American citizens, with entire deference to the persons aud property of the peaceful inbabitaats of Mexico, Mr. Harrigox, (dem.) of Iiimo®, replied to Mr. Tucker und intimated that there was testimony to show thut if marauders did not live on the Atmerican side of the Rio Graude, they were aided by men hving on this side, He argued that the United States government should do its own duty, guard 1s frontier and treat Mexico as is peer in power as Well as 1 nationality, Mr. Tucker remarked that, if Mexico were able to redress these wrongs and faticd to do sv, it was the cause of war, and if she were not able, then this remedy ought to be resorted to. Mr. Harrison intimated that there was evidence that the American government was unable to protect ite citizens from marauders living on this side, air, Tucker denied that there was any such evidence, Mr. Harrison read from the testimony to sustain hig position. He was replied to by Messrs. Reagan, Hancock am@ Schleicher, of Texvs, who denied that (hat construction of the testimory was @ correct one. ‘Mr. Hitt, (dem.) of Georgia, confessed to considerable troubie in regard to the second section. The argument of the gentteman from Virginia (Mr. Tucker) was not al- together satisfactory to his mind. He thought that the second section was giving @ very strong and dangerous power to the Executiv He asked Mr. Schleicher whether, if the first section alone were passed, and tw@ full regiments of cavalry stationed permanently on that border, it would remedy these diiliculties, or at least give such promise of remedy as that it should be trie¢ first, Mr, Scunurcier admitted that it would certainly give some measure of security. The committee then proceeded to vote on the bill by ions The first section providing tor a mihtary rce on the Rio Grande was ameénded in several par ticulars, - Mr, Swauxs, (rep.) of S. C., offered an amendment providing that no troops shall bo withdrawn from South Carolina so loug «as the militia of that State peacefully assembled, are assaulted, disarmed, taken prisoners. and then massacred 1p cold biood by lawless bands of men invading that te {row the State of Georgia. He sent to tho Clork’s desk and had read a newspaper statement of the Hamburg mas sacro of six colored men on the 8th of July, The statement was published as@ correspondence in th Washington Republican. Mr. Cocaranr, (dem,) of Pa, asked Mr. Smalls whi the writer of the article was? Mr. Smatas replied that the letter was written by a eye witness of ihe transaction to him, and that be has seat it for publication, Mr. Cocuranr—W ho is the writer? Mr. SwaLus—lIi the gentleman desires the name to be given in orver that the writer may be killed be will not get ittrom me. He is a lawyer in the town of Aiken, Mr. Govorr, (rep.) of Mich., cbarzed that cutting down of the army was to prevent troops trom being went into States where lawless men take the lives of peaccable citizens, and that the natural and inevitable result of that reduction would leave the army so small that with Indi wars, the protection of the Texas irontier, &c., there would be no forces to be sent to other parts of the country where the presence of troops was eminently desirable and necessary. Mr. Cox spoke of the bpeegy hate letter baving been imdorsed by a gentleman from South Curolina (Mr, Smalls), and asked who indorsed the gentleman. (Mur- murs of disapprobation from the republican side of the House.) 4 Mr, Kamsky—A large constituency. Mr, SMALLS—A majority of 13,000. ‘ Mr, Cox—And yet he com re with all the preja- dices belonging to his race. He will admit that much himself. Mr, Swatis—I will not admit it. Mr. Cox—Now wait a moment, Ho comes here and bas av anonymous letter read. This letter is intended to be shaken in the face of the House for bad purty purposes, I have no doubt that riot was brought about for such bad purpos Georgia has neve touched this matter, Georg) entively innocent of it The State of South Caroli Is to-day a republican State—the worst governed State in the Union, round its borders; bad in 1ts heart, bad on the sea- coast, bad in Edgetield county, everywhere rotten to the core, s0 your Own party papers have said, Give South Carolina a democratic government aud fait play, as in ‘Texas, Virginia and other Statet that have been rescued from this maladministration and you will see that every man, white aud biack, wili be cared for ander the law. Ido not believe that the ‘United States government fs to look out every trouble the States and apply military power. That ts hed idea in thia country, that you have to touch with » federal bayonet every sore place. The objec: 1s to get up a cry through all the Jand this tall for vad purposes. Malignarcy, bate, spite, bloody shirt ism, are ull that are in it, Mr. Harrrives, (dem ) of Ga, said that the object of the amendment was self-evident. Tt was intenued 1¢ subserve partisan purposes. It did gross injustice te an honorabie and gullant gentleman, General M. C. Butler, and to the people of the State af Georgia. The people of Augusta hud no rmmmediate representation present; the hand of providence was pressi heavily’ on the — gifted otleman (Step ens), and it was his (Hurtridge’s) pride and’ pleasure to protest aguinst’ such an imputation as that conveyed by the amendment upon a community distinguished for its intelligence, imteg- rity, virtue and obedience to law and the constitution, No one regretted the unfortunate occurrences ut Ham- burg inore than the peuple of Georgia did. Its newspas demanding inve published belore throw @ firebrand tuto thit Assembly. He sent to theU'erk’s desk and bad read & communication from Geueral Butler to the Augasts Constitutionalist, giving his version of the occurrence, which he characterized as a sort of spontaneous com. Dbustion. Mr. Joxxs, (dem.) of Ky., eulogized General Butler as a chevalier sans peur et sans reprocke. Mr. Ra nay, (rep.) of 3. C., made an earnest appeal on behalf of his race, and asked what white men on a y parade on the Fourth of Juiy would think of id by two men driving im a buggy that they should break their ranks and let thom pass?’ He asked proud Southerners, who boasted of their bravery and their chivalry, if they would stand it, and did they expect negroes to stand it? Did they expect men of his raco to submit to continual persecutions and massacres? He asked the Houve, in the name of humanity and of Gog, to tell then if they should be American citizens, with all the rights and immunities of such, or vassals and siaves ain? Without coming to @ vote on the amendment the committee rose, and the House, at forty-ive minutes aiter four, adjourned. FOUR-IN-HAND ACCIDENT. Mr. &. B. Shepperd, of No. 332 West Twenty-firs) street, was driving four-in-band yesterday evening hrough Audubon Park, when the pbaeton upset ant the passengers were thrown out, Dr. George F. Bates. of 162 West Twenty third street, had his right arm broken. Mr. J. Wood, of No, 4 East Twenty-eignth sireet, was seriously injured in the back and on the head, Colonel Van Wyck, of No. 216 West Twenty | first street, and Mr, 3. B. Shepperd escaped unhurt. en were atiended to by Dr. Froth- The injured genth me by ingham and take! THE CLIMAX OF COOLNESS. John Croft isa sailor by occupation and accustomed to take long voyages during which his wife remains in New York. Returning yesterday {rom a two years’ cruise, he found, to his astonishment, that his wite hed marricd another sailor, named Louis Wolf, with whom she was living at No, 157 For- syth street. Instead of tearing about with a loaded revolver Croft quietly sat down with his rival and smoked a pipe of { He uppeared grateful, it anything, for his loss, and after a friendly contad ail around the two men left the house to getadrink. While in the saloon Croft bean pared eo ee a et, but sus- ted nothing wrong. In alittle while separ. Bred id Cro't made the discovery that $50 which waa in bis pocket had been stoien, le quickly went to Wolt's residence and accusid him of the ft, Wolt denied it, and Croft called in an At the station house the police found the money in the lining of Woit’s hat. He was lockod up. TROUBLE AMONG COMMISSIONERS. The Long Island City Board of Fire Commissioners met on Friday evening, when the newly appointed Com missioner Lorenz took his seat. The new Board organ ized by electing John B. Patterson President, where- upon President Foley, of the Board, refused to va- cate the chair. There was considerable excitemen but Mr. Patterson assumed the duties of the chair and Foley was ignored. ANOTHER SUICIDE. Jobn Pyle, a journeyman baker, employed by & Kuchmann, at No 28! Grand street, committed suicide at half-past five o'clock yesterday morning by drow ing. He had spoited the batch of bread by earclessnem during the ni; and pe hin Mpuua med And, was reprimanded by 7 KILLED BY A STREET CAR William Cramiey, 18 mouths old, ot No, 289 Concore street, Brooklyn, was run over and killed by a Vander. iit avenue car yesterday. The dri ped ab ce ‘day. e r, Bdward veltan, wY sv