The New York Herald Newspaper, December 16, 1876, Page 4

4 “CONGRESS. Debate in the Senate on the Oregon Electoral Question. A DEFENCE OF GOVERNOR GROVER. Plea of the Democrats Against Pre- Judging the Case. THE LOUISIANA ELECTION IN THE HOUSE. —— Spicy Debate Between Mr. Cox and Mr. Hale. THE COMMITTEES ON THE ELECTORAL VOTE. —_—+ SENATE. Wasuunarox, Dee, 15, 1876. Mr. Cuapres, (rep.) of Col, introduced a bill au. thorizing citizens of Colorado, Nevada and the Terri- tories to fell and remove timber on the public domain for mining and domestic purposes, PAY OF RLEOCTONAL MRSSENGKRS. Mr. Wiyom, (rep.) of Minn,, from the Committee on Appropriations, reported without amendment the House bill to provide for the payment of the clectoral messengers, Mr. Bourwutt, (rop.) of Mass., stated that under the old law yhe compensation of these messengers was swenty-tive cents per mile each way, but the commis- Mon which arranged the Revised Statutes inadver- sently changed the law by inserting in the statutes a law which had been repealed. He sent te the Clerk's desk and had read a letter from the first Comptroller of the Treasury explanatory of the law, Mr, Bovrwett then moved to amend, so as to pay the messengers twenty-Gve cents per milo each way, as under the old law. Mr. ALcory, (vep.) of Miss, said in his opinion this Whole question of mileage was wrong. It was a very unequal way to compensate those who must come to Wasdington on public business. Members of Congress, he bolieved. were paid ten cents a mile each way. Is was well known to the public that many of them had railroad passes awarded them, and it cost them noth- ing to travel except for sleeping cars and eating. The electoral messenger from Caliiornia would spend about $600 in coming to Washington and retaroing home, and would draw three or tour times that amount from the national Treasury, while tue messengera trom Maryland and Virginia would not get enough to pay their hotel bills, He thought electoral messengers should be paid their actual travelling expenses and a per diem compensation. Mr, Epucnps, (rep.) of Vt., said it was not right when & sum of money was to be appropriated to carry out an existing law, to go to tinkering at the law, He opposed the amendment of Mr. Boutwell and gave notice that, it it should be rejected, he would move to strike out all that portion in regard to the amount of mileage to be paid one Way and leave it a simple appropriation bill to carry out the existing law, Mr. ConKLING, (rep.) ot N, ¥., opposed the amend- ment of Mr. Boutwell, and said that if twenty-five tents a mile each way was a just compensation in the days of stage coaches und saddle horses, certainly twenty-live cents 4 mile one way was a just compensa. ion now in days of railroads. The amendment of Mr. Boutwell was rejected—Y eas 18, Mr. Epuumps then moved to strike out all that por- tion of the Dili in regard to the payment of uty-tive cents a mile one Way, 80 us to jeave ita simple bill appropriating $20,000 to pay the electoral messengers, according to existing law, Rejected, Phe bui was shen passed as it came trom the House of Represeutatves, without amendment. Mr. Kexxay, (dom.) of N, Y., introduced a bill for the extensivn of the patent known as the Reynolds Patent Brake tor power looms. Reterred to the Uom- mittee on Patents. THE VAY OF THE PRESIDENT. Mr. Wxicut, (rep.) of Lowa, gave notice thaten Mon- day next he Would call up the bili reported trom the Committee on Civil Service and Retrenchment ducing the salary of the President of tho United States from $50,000 to $26,000 per annum. He said this bill had passed Congress at tho last session, and had been vetoed by the President. The Committee on Civil Service und Retrenchment had reported in favor of the passage of the bill notwithstanding the veto, He Would discuss the bill turtber upd only ask for a vote on Monday. Mir Wricst also gave notice that to-morrow or Mon- day he would introduce a bill to provide for the rettle- juvnt of contested electiun cases of President and Vice Presidtat. THX ELECTORAL VorTR. air, EpMUNps, said be gave notice the other day that he would call up the bill to provide for and regulate the counting of votes tor President aod Vice President and the decision of quesuons arising thereon, but as a brother Senatur, now fndisposed, desired to be heard on that Dill, be had not called it up. The House of Representatives: bad nottled the Senate of the appointment of a com- Mittee to act with a committee ty be appointed by the Senate to devise some proper method of counting the electoral vote, & The respect which the Senate had for the House would loud It, of course, to appoint whe committee as requested, and the committee might supersede the necessity for the passage of this bill. Ir. Dawns, (rep.) of Mass,, called up tbe resolution, Gxing the comp.naation of witnesses summoned be lore the Sepate or any of its committees at $3 per day, aud uve cents per mile each way for travelling ex- penses. Mr. Mircaxnt, (rep.) of Oregon, submitted an amend- woul providing lat witnesses’ residing West of the Muth meridian be paid seven cents a wile each way, when the plac their oxamipation shall be east of the Mississippi River. As AMeUUed Was passed. THE OREGON RLECTORS. The Senate resumed the consideration of the un- finished busivess, being the resolution providing for an investigation 1h regara to the appofutment ot Ure- gon clectors. * Mr. THvrmax, (dem.) of Ohio, said his object was to contribute something to the bistery of thia Oregon cise and to show there were two sides to it, Tus was a resoluion calling for an in- Vestigatiun by the Committee on Privileges and Elections, and he was surprised that the chairman of the comnintee (Mr. Morton) bad prejudged the whole suse. The Governor ot Oregon bad not acted so pal- pably wroug ay to authorize (he Senator irom Indiana Mr. Morton) to geclare that he was intumous. Phe ineligibility of Watts was not denjed, and it could not be suid that the ignorance of the people of Oregon bs to bis iweiigibiity gave him the right to the office, this Was true their ignorance was superior to the constitution of tbe Coned States. Aceo. ding to the argument of the Senator trom Indie dua if Lhe voters of Oregon had cast their vote tor Goldsmith Maid the Governor would haye been com- polled to issue & certificate of ection to her. He Irgued that the Governor of every State was called apo every duy to exercise judicial power, and the Fe of ol Oregon may lave concluded, as one of sot the country hud coucluaed, that power to wituhold the cerufcate trom ue itto Cronin, and that it was his duty e whut power, He (Mr. Thurman) would not give his opinion ou wny of the questions involved. Ho only wantea to show that there were two sides to \uis case, How could the Governor of Oregon certily that Watts was elected aceoruing to the coust:- bation when he w ot qualided under the constitution? Tho thing Was toreod upon Governor Grover and be Agreed tou, aad the resolution Lad to dveide it, and Luerejore was not subject to the anathemys which bad been buried agaiust him. ar, ‘Pharman, in as10n, Sent to the C had & lengthy opinion of Judge George Houdiey, of Cineinnats, as recently published in the Cinemnatl Commercial, sustaining the course of Governor Grover, A DAVOWAL ¥ROM MI, RIKRMAN, When the Clerk read the paragraph in regard to an Alieyed plan ty» bave Mr. Sherman, of Unio, made Vresident of the Senate for the purpose of counung « the electoral vote, ke, Mr, SURKMAN suid he wished to say thatthe whole story about a eonspiracy to elect resident was simply & uewspaper Roorbuck withe y Word oF trath whatever, SPRECH OP MR. WALLACE, Wartacn suid it 1s but just to remember Mr. Nhe obligations under which the Governor of Oregon weted. o is the Execuuve of « Stale and 18 also hosen to a.geat on this floor, and we are bound to veueve that he seted conscientiously to the periorm- duce of lis grave duty, under the constitution of the United States 4s well as'of Oregon, He is sworn to support the foriner. At, by tts own terms, 1s made the yupreme law of the land and overrides the latter Tthey come im confict, Ths supreme law one who hoids office of truss or profit United Stat ball be an elector tor ‘The power to appoint is given to @, bat the inuibition accompanies ik The sta uncer its L.ws, has named an elector and violated the prohibition evjoined by the supreme jaw. The law of the Stave and the act of Congress concur in giving to the Governor exclusive power to certify this appuintment; and, thas brought to face the responsibility, the Gov- refuses to certily tor Who eom- Higibiliy planet A p , sworn to obey Lhe Governor says that jaw and fact, atituLOD und Novice, concur in making him ins wiible. Amid the maze of authority quoted it 18 plain What the law as to whether be can certity log a minor- ty Candidate is unsettled tis surely u safer path to obey bis oath and the supremo law thay to certity in elation of both, Is there any case in any lederal court settling this question? None is cited. It ie one of the United States and notet State law, The inti bition ts broad and full, Are the votes void? What rule of construction applies to this provision of the federal constitution, penal as it isin character? Is it that of common law as now held? Is tt that of States as appited to their own constitutions? Or is it that of exclusive federal interpretation? If raised by acontest for piace it would Gnd {ts ultimate tribunal in the Supreme Court of the United Stat he imbibition is upon du agency of the States, but that agency is a part of tue machinery of the federal government. If the States could control it they could aioe 4 the clause. The end to be reached ts the popular will. As tothe federal governmeni, power is given in the words— ‘The vote shail then be counted by some agency of the federal government.’”’ To reach that end, the power being given, means necessary to the end are implied. AS Onder the clause, ‘Each bouse shall be the judge of the election re- turns and qualifications of its mem the means are implied and daily used to sum- mon witnesses, Lo examine elections and to judge qualifications so the power to count the vote carries with it the power aud the means to jearn whether it is a vote, whetber itis a vote of the State aud whether it be cass by those who are not probibited by the fede- ral law from #0 doing, As there is no case cited that construes this provision of the federal constitution, aud as the report of Grundy, Clay and Wright in 1837 on this subject declares that the whole spirit of this mhibition “should be carried into rigid execution,” ig \b not at leaat premature to censure the Governor? Whether he be right or wrong is safely left to an en- lightened view of the jaw when we have the facts tully before us. My mind tuclines so the belicf that no third elector bas been legally appointed by Ore- gon, Section 131 of the Revised Statutes fixes the time of the appointment; scetion 133 provides for filling vacancies in tue College when it meets, and sec- tion 2 of the Oregon law provides for filling vacancies when it meets WHAT CONSTITUTES A VaCANcy, t, then, is 4 vacancy? To assert that a vacancy has happeved implies that the office before bad an \n- cumbent. This is the rule of law held by the Senate in 1814 und 1822 It ts also seitied by the cases cited in Brightly, G87, as well as by Jadge Story, section 1, The statutes of Oregon themselves dele what and the case is @ Vacancy within their own meaning, Tt it ve law, as of a tuilure to elect is not included, contended for, that the majority candidate being imeligible the minority candidate is pos elected, then there is no vacau' but there is a failure to olcet, If so, this brings the cage within section 134 of the United States Statutes, Which 1s, Whenever auy Slate has held an clection Jor the purpose of choosing electors, and has tailed to make a choice on the day prescribed by law, the electors may be appointed on a subsequent day, in such 4 manner us the Logislature of such State may direct.” If the doctrine of our triends be sound, then it follows that, as the Legislature of Oregon has not rovided by iaw tor this case, abe haa legally appoimted us wo electors, SPEKCH OF MR, MITCHELL, Mr, Mircuxit, (rep.) of Oregon, said there was pre- sented in this discussion a spectacle wherem no Senator raised apy question in regard to the vote of the people of Oregon at the late election. Lt wus wot denicd by any Senator, any newspaper, any man, anywhere, of any political party, that a tua- jority of the votes of the peoplo of the Stute of Oregon ut the late eleation were cast for the republican viec- tors. He (Mr. Mitchell) was not surprised that Sena- tors on this floor declined to come to the front and de- feud the action of the Governor of Oregon. He was not surprised that the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Thur- man) shielded bimself behind the opinion of a lawyer who cauld have been employed for $500 to deliver an opinion much stronger on the other side. Whatho (ir, Mitebell) wanted to know to-day was whether any member of the demoeratic party was willing to rise up jn bis place and ailirm the right of Governor Grover to adjudicate upon the eligibility of Watts, ‘Lhey dure not dost, He commented on the action of Govervor Grover, and said it Was 4 gross usurpation of power, a gross Violation of law. He quoted at lengih from the constitution and laws of Oregon, and argued that Sevators on the demoerutic side of the chamber had ignored the constitution and laws of the State and evaded the question, The right to hold olfice, he suid, was oue of the highest righte of ap American’ citi: apd asked how was he to be deprived of that rig Certainly not by the act of an executive office Under the constitution and laws of Oregon !f a person voted for as elector wus ineligible his election must be declared void by the decision of a competent tribunal, which tribunal was tho Legislature of the State. That body, be said, had the power to declare a vacancy, and the other electors, under the the law of the vacane; State, had the power to fill nd in no possible event had the Gover- hor the power tosay sowe one clse was elected in the place of Mr. Watts. Ho next referred to Louistana, Florica and South Carolina, and seid thore was a question in those States as to whieh side had majort- tes of votes, but there was no such question as to Oregon. ending discussion Mr. Windom, of Minnesota, called up the bill making appropriation to provide for the expenses of certain specisl committees, and on his motion the Senate nonconcurred in the amendments of the House of Representatives, and a committee of conference was ordered. ‘he CuAIR appointed as such committee Messrs, Windom, Logan and Davis. 1 COMMITTER ON THE KLECTORAL VOTE. Mr, Epacxos, of Vermont, called up the message from the House announcing the passage of u resoiu- tion providing for the appointment of a committee to act with a committee of the Senate to devise some method of counting the electoral vote, and submitted & resolution referring the messuge of the House to a select committee to be composed of seven Senators, with power to prepare and report, without uuneces- sary delay, such 4 measure as will secure a lawiul count of the electoral vote and the b:st disposition of all questions connected therewith, and t id com- mittee have power to conler with the committee ot the House of Representatives. Laid over until Mon- day and ordored to be printed. The Senate then, at tive o'clock, went into exec- Utive session, aud when the dours were reopened ad- Journed until Monday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr. Swayx, (dem,) ot Md, chairman of the Commit- tee on Forcign Aflairs, reported a joint resolution -in acknowledgment of the compliment paid by the Re- public of Pretoria, in South Africa, on the occasion of the American Centennial, Passed, Also a similar reso- lution applying to the Argentine Republic. Passed. EXPENSES OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE: Mr. Houmay, (dem.) of Ind., chairman of the Ap- Ppropriation Committee, reported back the dill making An appropriation for the expenses of the special com- mittees of the House and Senate in the South, and Fecommending that the sum for the House committe be increased from $21,V00 to $30,000, so us to include “the committees to New York, Brooklyn, Jersey City aud Philadelpnia, and tbat for the Senate commitiees de reduced from $50,000 to $30,000, Mr, Hats, (rep.) of Maime, a member of the Appro- priation Committee, opposed the reduction of the sum for the Sonate, and spoke of the great anxiety of the American peopie to leara the true state of affairs in those Southern States. He, therefore, argued that there sbould ve no pinching of the committees, Mr. HOLMAN remarked that the democratic side of the House had certainly shown as great an anxiety for inquiry into the events of the late election as tho re- publican side bad, which bad opposed with great earnestness, with only three or four exceptions, the appoimtment of those commitecs. THE LOUISIANA ELECTION. Mr, Cox, (dem.) of N. Y., took part in the discussion, aud commented on the rejusal of Governor Wells of Loursiana to respond to the summons of the lnvesti- gating Committee. Mr. Ha.e replied that all the documents were sup- plied, Mr. Cox—But we want the originals. Why withhold them? ‘The pretext ws that this Returning Board must report to the Legislature of Louisiana, Your model Governor there deters to a bogus Legisiature and not tothe American Congresa, | am ashamed that side of the House does vot at ence rise up and struct 18 pet Governor to rospond to the demand of the committ Mr. TOWxsK¥D, (rep.) of New York (impetuously)— Yhe Gerng ushamed is mutual. (Loud laughter.) Mr. Cox—My colleague, who always breaks in out of order, bas just made a contession before the people. iam glad of it, Confession ts ood for the soul, Ho acknowledges that the shame if on his side of the house. We do not ackuowledge any sbame on this side. ‘Mr. Hath—Because you are incapable of it, Mr. Cox—Now you sit down. (Laughter) My col league said the shame is mutual, I suppose bo meant beiween himself and the gentleman trom Marne, Mr. Halo. (Laughter) We bave no shame. (Shouts of derisive laugbter on the republicun side.) Mr. Hatk—ihat is ibexactly. We will not have any controversy about (hat, Mr. Cox—1t mean that there ts no foundation on wuieb to build anything shametal Why shouid we ve ashamed? Your Returning Board in Loulsiana sat i seeret. Mr. HaLa—No, sir, Mr. Cox—Ol! yea, Mr, Hak—No, sir. F Mr, Cox—Why did pot they puta democrat on the Board * Mr. Hate—Does the gentleman want mo to answor that? Mr. Cox—Yea, Mr. Hate—fhe Retarning Board, as originally con- stituted—— Mr, Cox (impatiently) —I donot want you to go back so farasthat Auswer the qui n, yesorna Did not the Returaing Board sii the last two days in secret? Mr, Habe—Ii did not, The Board considered all questions openly aud then retired tor deliberation as judges—(derisive laughter on the democratic side)— but there Was no business session of the Board ia secret, Now, a8 to the question, “Why not appotnt a democrat)! — Mr. Cox (again impatient)—That will do. Mr, Hate—Does the gentleman decline to let me answer tai? Mr. Cox—I decline further interruption, Mr. Hatw—I thought it likely that you would. Mr. Cox—There never Was @ more momentous time than the prevent for & tol! and thorough |) vestigutien. No secrecy should be allowed, What is the object of the rescript caiiing tor records? What is the object of the subpapa duces tecum? Is it situply to skim over the suriace? No, sir! 1t ie to got below the surtace, ANY man cap get & prima Jace certificate, The ques. tion is what 1s the matter Venedth the superticiesr If Tam not mistaken the time will come wien that side o: the House wil demand that we sualt go below all these puristes of Louisiana wnd elsewhere, Tuus and (hus only can this great question of the Prosideney be settled, [hus and thus oniy can Come cootent and ce to our beloved country, With all eimeenty and in all good faith I second the effort of my Iriend irom NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, Maipe te make this investigation thorough and com pe Let bim take no step backward, and be shall ave the honor which belongs to a genticman aud a patriot. . in conclusion Mr, Cox sent to the Clerk’s desk and had read the report of the democratic vistors to Louisi- ara SPEKCH OF MR, WALK. Mr. Haus, of Maine, then took the floor to r to Mr. Cox He declared that if the otier si really auxious for a investigation into the con- dition of the Southern States bere was an excellent Opportunity to improve It by giving to the Senate the amount which that body had asked for to conduct and complete this investigation, He congrmtulated the other side of the House for ite new-born zeal for open investigation, aud recalling tho espionage system under which ‘mvestigations were carried on lakt session. He said 1} was a marye! that the perversions which went abroad in the recess in re- ard to the action of the Returning Bourd had nos en corrected. It was 4 marvel that any man should dare to assert in the House of Representatives that the sessions of the Returning Board were anything but open and fair. The document just read showed thas Vhege democratic visitors were present and witnessed the canvass of the vote. There never had been an hour from the timo that Bourd met until {tt retired, alter examining ail the returns to make up the result, that the committees on each side haa got been invited to be and had not been present, when the corumittecs returned and made thelr re- ports the majority reports would follow trick in- dicated in the reports of the democratic visitora, 1n | go; which nineteen-twentieths of the with technical quibbles. In conclusion, be explaiued how it wae that there was no de:nocrat on the Return- Moard, saying that the appointment bad been — tohalfa dozen prominent democrats and de- chined Mr, Cox inquired lor their names Mr Hais said be could not give the names. Mr, Cox—I thought 50, J Mr. Hane—But [have this information direct from the Board. Mr. Gmsox, (dom.) of ia.—You are entirely mis- taken. Mr. Harw—I cannot go into the general condition of things in that State, but I repeat what! before ailirmed, and thatis, the iuvestigauon cannot tail to oring out the bottom facts We have listened to coluun after coluinn ot the report of the ‘democratic visitors, 10 which this main question is evaded, and the question iy sunk under mere technicalities and quibbles, I tell these gentiemen that an invostigation shere will disclose such a condition of things that even the gou- Ueman from New York (Mr. Cox), who has not, as be guys, felt the seusation before, wil! blush blood red with shame wt the atrocities of his part: single parisbes there have taken place sceu der and bloodshed for political optaions’ suke, one- tenth part of which would bave at aby, ime witbin the last bundred years revolutionized the British Empire, uud yet we are bere questioning technicalies. trust that the other side of the House will not balk ab this paliry $20,000 to make this Investigation thoroughgoing ana satisfactory to the American people. Mr. Hoan, (rop.) of Mass., commented on the allu- sions in the report of democratic visitors to the re- port, signed by himself and sr, Wheeler, in regard to affairs in Lodistana, and declared that it was difficult for him to believe that those gentiomen kuew the contents of the documents which they had signed or the contents of his (Hour's) report, whieh was grossly perverted and misstated. The true question, however, was as to the will of the people of Louis in the lute eleetion, Was tt true that there were parishes in Louisiana where men could not cast their votes, for fear of assassination? If that were proved not to be true they would all rejoice, even though its ascer- tainment should resuit in the election of a democratic President, ace was taken up Mr. Srexcer, (dem.) of Lu, decla) of his State wanted a thorough Investigation, und pre- dicted that that investigation would show, what the whole nasjon already knew, (hat the State was carricd fairly and freely by the democratic party. He stated that’ hundreds of colored men in the parish ot Con- coruia, where he lived, told him that they desired to vote the democratic ticket, but did not dare to do so Jor iear ot their lives, They were subjected to social ostracism, expulsion from churches and even to bein; wbandoued by their wives under tho advice of colore: republicans, The discussion wag closed by some final remarks from Mr, Cox, who quoted from the report of tho Rouse Committee of 1874, which, however, Mr. Hoar ia hae as merely the report of Mr. Potter, of New ork. Finally the bill was passed as reported from the Committee on Appropriauons. FAST MAILS, The House then went into Committoe of the Whole, Mr. Cox in the chair, on the Vost Office Appropriation bill. An item as to clerk hire led to a discussion in which the fast mail service rame into question, tu the course of which Mr. Hotman quoted trom the Cincinnati Commercial, speaking of it a8 a pon-successtul ex- eriment, and from the Cincinnati Gazette, speaking of jt asa thing of false pretences, crouked ways and no intelligent purpose, Mr. CANNON, (rep ) of IIL, stated that the fast mail system was cheaper than the slow muil system, Proceeded to argue 1s support of Lis prox ostucn, After the close of this discussion quick progress was made with the bill. Tbo comumuitvee rose aud reported other hour's discussion on Mr. Schleicher's amendment increasing the appropriation for carrying the mail on star routes without coming to a final con- clusion, the House, at twenty-tlve minutes to five, adjourned. ‘ ALABAMA CLAIMS. DECISIONS BY THE COURT OF COMMISSIONERS— BULING REGARDING THE PERSONAL EFFECTS OF NAVAL OFFICERS. Wasutxatox, Doc, 15, 1876, In the Court of Commissioners of the Alabama Claims to-day the following jud.ments for loss of per- sonal effects and wages by the destruction of vessels were announce: No. 1,711, Michael W. margin, Sbanghal, China.$4,000 No. 1,818 Patrick Moore, Boston, Muss. ... Dismissed, No, 1,846. Frederick 8. Dyer, Lincolnville, Me 350 No. 1,856, William Davis, New York city. 850 No. 1,890, Joseph Watson, British Culumbi 1,000 No, 1,892. George Wixon, San José, 1,000 No. 1,893. John Jones, Gilroy, Cai 1,000 No. 1,804, Jobn Williams, Sun José, Cal. 470 No, 1,895, William Benson, San José, Cal, No. 1,896, George Willian: iL No. 1,897, James Simon, L No. 1,903. Sarah A. Pi iyo, N.Y. No. 1,914 W, A. Hynard, yo, ee No, 1,931. John Whelan, Now York city : No. 1,984 Victorino J. Roderigues, Legrange, Cale ceeceeee seeeeee, Dista No, 173%, James Crosby, Milwaukee, Wi No. 1419. Kiwaka, Honolula, H. I,,.., No, 1429, George Joaquin, Honoluiu, H. 1. 275 No. 1437, Patemwai, Honolulu, H. I 275 No. 1452. Mancel Francis, Atmod 400 No. 1785, Juan Avetiz, Spanish Town, Ca 350 No. 1450. Manuel Silva, San Franeiseo, Cal, 450 No. 1477. George Bartlett 456 No. 1478. Willlam Downs, 550 No. 1479, Nicholas De Cruz, No. 1656, James D. McKay, No. 1907, Andrew Frank, Almeda, Cal, No. 1722, Victorine J. Rodrigues, Now Bedford, Mass.... Also the following case No, 1880, James Hooper, Baltimore, Md., interest, &e., dismissed. No. 1921, The Merchants’ Mutual Marine Insurance Company, New Bedtord, Mass., “war premiuins, dismissed, No. 1,610, Charles Waterhouse, San Francisco, C for loss of werchandise by the destruction of the Commonwealth by the Florida, April 17, 1863, $300, CLAIMS OF NAVAL OvvicERs. In cases Nos. 998, John H. Butuan, Pittsburg, Pa; 1,343, Ellon M. Partridge ct al, administrators, Washington, D, C.; 1,746, Edward 8, Mathews, Provie dence, R, L, and 1,791, Homer , Blake, for the loss of personal effects, by the’ destruction of the Hatteras, a Bited § States vessel, by the Alabama, ' January 11, 1862, the jormal opmion of the Court announcing the judgm: Court, allowing the claims of oflicers on Hatteras at the time of ber destruction by the Ala- bama, was delivered by Judge Porter. The opinrot 10 effect, decidus that the claims ure melded under Lhe terms of the cleventh section of the act orgamiaing the Court and are vot excluded by the exceptions in the twelfth section, and that the private property of an officer of the navy whieh was destroyed on @ government vessel by the insurgent ecraiscr Alabama thay be made the subject of claim in this court un. der the act of June 23, 1874. The epiion admrts that cluims of this nature were not presented sebedules pre: to the arbitrator denies the amy ee of Buch the fuct Chat tbe arbitrators tbe Untied States for expendiwures incurred in conducting the war, the opinion denies that th property, tu any senge, belonged to the United states, but Was the private property of the petitioners. The act of April 6, 1866, providing for one wouth's pay asa compensation to officers iv (he navy 1h case of the 108s of elfects is referrod 10, but deemed tmadoquate it only, but particularly, compensates 6 ) whereas the ciaimante in U ed by the opinion Jost inuch myre than p uct of 1866 Would not compensate thom for ih part of the property los, The opinion closes as follows :— with the whole subject before it, deliverately Language broad enough to inelade claime of persons wetucliy iu the employ of the government, and not ty oxelude them by any exception, our exclusion of them would, m our best Judginent, be ot & jnaieal that ‘sort of judieia from which every rinetpte of official duiy siould cause us to fe there! rad ants for tie webu DEATH OF A MEMBER OF THE COURT. Daring the session of the court a telegram was re- ceived announcing the death, at Couno) Blufls, Iowa, ot Judge Calod Baldwin, a member of the court, Judge Baldwin was appeinted bv Président Grauty June, 1374, and was one ot the jadges of the court as originally constituted and has taken an active part im ite Jabvors, ra AN UNPROFITABLE VINEYARD. Rev. P. R. Smith, pastor of tho Mount Pisgah Bap- lust chureh colored), of Jersey City Heights, has closed the chureh, aud with the assistance of its hice ie wold the furniture to asaiat in paying | ebts. urarta th at he only received $2 dui: the yoar be Jabored In the church, Predicted that | | | it can only be said that they are fit to compose it, A UNION LEAGUE RUMPUS. An unusually large number of members were pres ent atthe regular monthly meeting of the Union League Club last Thursday evening, owing to the gen- eral interest in the expected report of the Building Committee. This committee was to reporton a new ite for the club, The location recommended was the Stevens property, on the southeast corner of Fifth avenue and Thirty-seventh street. After the re- port was read and accepted a number of members rose to speak on the subject, some favoring the lo. cality and others opposing it Among the objectors Mr. Dorman B. Eaton was most prominent, At ie conclusion of his remarks the matter was instantly Tecommitted to the Building Committee. 4 BUBJKOT OF PRXSSING LNTKKEST. Miscellaneous businesa being now in order, Mr, Eaton again took the floor to present, as he said, o subject of pressing interes} and importance for the Particular consideration of the membere present AD urgent appeal, he suid, had been made for funds which aro needed to assist the Republican National Commit- See in securing (ue election of Hayes and Wheei x rake Do Say was ab buat time ip the city, ard at the instance of Chandler,” and would take charge of whatever amodpt might ve subseribed. Ab rst be called wr $2,000, but after sume reiiection he concluded that $5,000 would be necessary, What ever sum Was Intrusted to bim, he assured the mem- bers, would be sent South, where be hud reason to believe mouey Was required, aud care would be taken shat it should be expended judiciously. CHAMDLKR'S PERSOKAL EXPENSES. & Mr. Suiem H. W jasive appeal of Mr. Eaton, tursber assured the club that be himself bad lately visited Washing’ where be bad learned trow Mr. Chandler's pry’ etary that the per- Sova! expenditures of that gentleman during the late extraordinary campaign bad been very heavy, indeed. Of course, this money, whieh had come out of the Secretary's private pocket, should be in some way made up to Lim, 4 TIRADE AGAINUT DEMOCKATS. Mr. Eaton, ip continuing bis remarks, wandered widely trom djoct which brought htm to-his feet, Without any visible provocation he iaunched inte @ vehement tirade against the democratic party in general and ite individual anem- bers) in particular, Si a, party, said, can bave no excuse for existence, and js @ disgrace as @ political body, foritis without principle, intunous in police and rooted in evil. As for the democrats who coustitute this so-called party, “mere apimals as they are, incapable of human in- ? wallowing in their slough and dizgracing the men. A WOLY IN THE FOLD, ‘This bitter, persons! attack called forth a response from Mr, L, U, Ledyard, couched in moderate and aig- vitled language. He deprecated the severe and per- Sonal lauguuge used by Mr. Eaton, and added that im u social organization, Which be presumed the ciubv to be, he thought every member, a3 such, was to be con- sidered a gentleman, and, at loast, entitled to respect- ful treatment, For his own part he had no besitation in announcing bimselt a democrat, 4 WIGH-TONED ASSEMBLY. Tu tho instant’s saspense which loliowed this declar- ation, some member was beard to cry, “1 move we ad- Journ,” and the word was a signal’ for a general up- Tout.’ All parliamentary forme were di ded, und while some members yelled, “Go on!?? bim!”? “Let bim speak!’ “Give bim a chance! bors howled back, “Sis dewn!" “That's enough!" "Ad- Journ! adjourn!” The indescribable din was still further heightened by hisses and all other approved forms of copveutional tumult, In the midst of these Babel noises Mr, Jackson S, Schultz arose. His indomitable and expressive bair stood up more fretiully even than Iz its wont on his expressive brow; pale face waz u shade paler with alarm ‘at the presence of 80 pronounced a wolf in the harmonious fold, and his whole bearing and gestures were big with portentous warning. For a moment he paused tll the poise was somewhat hasbed and then guve himself up to the spirit which inflamed him, je forgot Mr. Andrew H. Groen, ag well as all other winor considerations which might have restrained him, and saw only the hopeless and quivering culprit before him. ‘My young demo- cratic friend,” he eried, while his majestic frame shock with suppressed emotion, “it you venture to remain tn this club, 1 can :nform you, sir, that you will olten 1876.—TRIPLE SHEET. LEXICO. Important Details of the Revolu- tionary Movement. BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION. What a Mexican Official Says and What au American Merchant Writes. RUMOR OF LERDO'S CAPTURE. A well known Mexican gentleman, who has for years moved in the highest official circles in this country, conversed with the writer very freely yos- ‘erday upon the present unbappy condition of his mative land. it ts wet! Known, said the gentleman, that the bick- erings between tho radical and moderate wings of the Uberal party have often offered opportunities for the conservative or Church party to step in and turn the balance of power to some evil purpose. Juarez, whes he was alive, and Lerdo, who succeeded him, have both been injured by the machinations of the con- servatives, who constantiy range themsdlves with the opposition to whatever government might be in power for the purpose of creating a revolution, and thus en- deavoring to prove that liberal tusiitutions are a failurd, and that nothing short of a strongly centralized power, backed by tho mitre and the musket, can suc- ceed in keeping the people of Mexico from cutting each other's throats. ‘The cnemies of the laws of reform and discontented opponents of the government have lent a too ready hand jn aiding Governor Diaz to carry out his long cherished design of attaining to supreme power by any and all means within his reach. This is the seo- ond formidable revolation which, in pursuit of his cherished plan, he has headed against the regularly constituted government; the one is Just as wnjustifia- ble as the other, for thore was reason for neither of them, THE FALSE POSITION OF DIAZ. Diaz says that the re-election of Lerdo was brought about by fraudulent and fllegal meana, Granted; bat was there no law in the land to determine the issue? ‘Yes, the national Congress. What did Congress say? Iv indorsed Lerdo, and (rom this decision there was no appeal. Now, if 1 be granted that Lerdo obtained bis re-election by unfair means, what defence can Diaz make for his own action in seizing the reius of govern- ment without oven the shadow of the right conferred by a contosted olection? It is ali through oo the part of Dinz.only w struggle of unbridled ambition against the constituted authorities of the Republic, TUE FIGHTING ONLY WEGINNING. Lerdo abandoned the capita: only as a measure of approved military policy, 1 the same way that Juarez did when he Jott is to the Fronch ou the memorable night of the 31st of May, 1863, Juarez came back in triumph to Mexico, and go, too, there is no doubt but Lerdo will Heis the peer of Juarcz in everything that goes to make a statesman and a loader, and could have rivalied Juarez in bis best days, The re- treat of the goveruinent from tho capital is no sign of giving up the tight. Lerdo lost the State of Puebla because of the support which he gave to its legal but bo fusulted; and I, imysoll,'sir, shall be the first to offer you the insu. Such a declaration as yours, sir, coming as it dues, sir, from a member of this club, inevitably should call forth the swiftest rep. rehension. While I stand here! shall esteem it my Tight and duty to speak of the democratic party as it deserves to be spoken of, and of democrats individually at thecheap rate at which I hold them.’’ Mr. Schultz continued for some timo in this strain, though during many portions of his philippic his votce was inaudible, owing to the wild yells and cries from all parts of the room. ANOTHER DEMOCRAT IN CaP. Mr, Barnard, a lawyer, and democratic member of tho club, attempted to reply, but Mr. eeckge W, Blunt, better known to the reading public as G. W. B., now set up bis cla:m to the stage, Having advanced up the aisle toward the desk, be protested, in loud and shrill accents, that he would be hoard; that he hud as good aright to the floor as any other man, aod that he tn- sisted on the exorcise of his Mares tan The chair- man, Mr, Choate, attempted mildly to call him to or- der. Bluot was too great a stickier for justice to yicld to the chairman’s ruling, and maintained his postin ery defiance, r. Barnard again asked to be heard, and although there wore crics from ull sides of ‘We don’t want to hear you!” “sit down!” djoorn!’? he proceeded toward the chair. A_ few cried, ‘Give him a chance!’? “Let tho man be heard!”’ and the like, but, in spite of all bis efforts, and Mr. Choate meanwhile rapping furiously with his gavel, it was impossible for him to obtain a hearing. The Chairman then, in order to cut tho Gordian knot and make the best ot a hope- less case, declared the meeting adjourned, and the members retired from tho bloodicss , apparently ready to renew it, as in tho pursery legend, on another day. LECTURES LAST EVENING. CHRISTOPHER NORTH. Chickering Hall was fairly filled last night by an audionce that listened with close attention and appre- ciation to James I, Fiold’s lecture ou “Coristopher North,” the Scotch critic, poet, philosopher and essayist. The. lecturer began by saying that in all literature no man had been more of an enthusiast than the subject of his lecture. Professor John Wilson, or, a8 be was better known, Christopher North, ranked as tho peer of Moore, Jof- frey, Crabb, Campbell and Walter Scott, He was a natural born poet, to whom better was a hed out of doors op the heather than the down of a palace, He saw God walking in the forest and heard Him in the mountains, Although be was the author of many works which occudy an immortal place in Iit- erature, he wus comparatively little read, and tho speaker pitied the age that neglected such a genius. It might be said that he was out of fashion. Was the Bible cut of fushion? Were pathos, resignation and joy out of fashion? If so | Christopher North was justly neglected. John Wilson was born ip Paisley, near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1775. As achild ho was uncommonly precocious, and a deep love of study ever characterized his youth, He was purticulariy fond of athletic exercises, In 1807 he took his college degree, und the next re- cord of him is two years later when he was contem- plating an expedition into Spain which, however, never took place, His first work, fhe Isle of Palms,” ap- peared the year alter his marriage—1812. The lecturer here recited several beantiful passages from the same. AS a critic 10 Blackwood’s Magazine Christopher North occupied the highest position. He was Id, free and imde- pendent, He was the first to point out the virtues of “Childe Harold” and the first to recognize the genius of Charles Dickens, The thousands of students to whom he taught phil- osophy during bis many yoars of professorship bore ample testimony to his excellence teacher, Ip his manner of dress, Professor Wilsou was pecu- Nar. He never tn alt nis life wore a neck bandkerchief, and a pair of gloves were to him as superfluous as side: pockets to a tombstone cherubim. (Laughtor.) In conclusion, the lecturer placed Christopher North in the noble literary triumvirate of which the other two were Robert Burns and Walter Scott, BRONZE IN ART DECORATIONS, Mr. F. Vors, manager of Tiffuny & Co.'s bronze ae- partwent, lectured last evening in the large hall of the Cooper Union on the “History, Manufacture and Use of Bronze and Enamel! 1m Art Decoration.” The jJecturer exhibited a full sized working model of the machine called the patograpb, used for Producing reduced copies of pieces of stata The Btercopticon wus replaced by the mega with whieh an object can be bodily projected on the screen, With all details of form and color, wugmented in siz0 about twenty times, GARRULOUS PHILOSOPHERS. Augnstus Bland, M, D., read a papor betore the Lib- eral Club, last night, on ‘Plato versus Eptcurus,”’ the tevor being tne usual popular conception, or rather misconception, of the character of these two pliluso- phers, more ecspectaliy of the jatter, fhe lecturer, with a pape? which was pronounced well calculated’ to bo read before « Sunday school, walked iio the jaws of this free spoken ciub, whose members, tt is well known, never suppre: their opinions for “relation’s #ak nor tor iriendsbip, nor even for good manners ¢, and the result was quite as amusing as u menagerie. CANAL BOAT OWNERS, The regulor Friday night meeting of the Canal Boat Owners’ Association was held last evening at the rooms of the society, No. 10 Youth street, Mr. J. C. Murphy, the President, in the chair. The principal business before the meeting was the usual one—tho intereats of canal boat owners as opposed to those % Tairoud companice. Tbe committee which had been appointed to confor with any other corporations interested in the selection ‘of a proper person to bold the position of Superin- tepduntof Public Works, jed tha eral other orgau'zations were willing to Mew t Joint committeos tomake such a nomination in conjunction with very unpopular Governor, Romero Varges, aud Vora Cruz wens to the opposition because of the popularity of Diaz, acquired during the French war, But there yet remain true to the federal government a suflicient number of States to enable the administration to soon reconquer all lost ground. ‘The States of Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Colima, parts of Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, all of Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, Jalisco, Michoucan, Guerrero, Tabasco, Campeche, Hidalgo, Yucatan, and the Territory of Lower California; all, at last dates, recognized the legitimate government of Lerdo. The States in favor of Diaz aco:—Vera Cruz, Puebla, Tiaxeala, Mexico, Onjaca, Morelos and, perhaps, Chiapas; while Guana- Juato, Querotaro, Aguascalientes, portions of San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas, ineluding also some districts in Nuovo Leon and ‘Tamaulipas, are in favor of Igiesian ‘There can be no doubt but that in a struggle between Diag and Iglesias the latter must goto the wall. While Diaz apd Iglesias are engaged fighting tor the Presi- dontial chair the govorniment will have time to collect its yet formidable torces and defeat both of them in de- tail. Generals Escobedo, Ceballoa, Revueltas and many other well known soldiers are still on the side of the government und at the head of considerable forces. There are some brave and able officers acting with Iglesias. Among those are Don Felipo B. Berrio: Generals Evba- garay, Rocha and some such men, '@ have po report ot there being any very distinguished military men excepting himself on the side of Diaz. THAT THRE NUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. The national debt of Mexico ia round numbers about $100,000,000. When the interest on this sum is paid to British and other bondholders but a small margin can be disposed of to cover the expense of government, 1s is possible that Diaz may make a strong effort to pay the first annual instal- ment of $300,000 due from Mexico to tue United States ob wccount of the recent Claims Commission, It may, however, bo worthy ol romark tbat of the $4,120,000, more or less, that were awarded by the umpire to the United States, at least $2,000,000 have, since the timo of the award, been proved traudulent, und Mexico will take steps to have the matier in iguted by going back of the late proceedings by the Mixed Commission. ‘As to the action of the United States governme: nnot now recognize the revolutionary governinent of fiaz any more than it could those of Miramou and Zuluaga, which it reiused to do in 1958 and 1859, APPAIRS IN MEXICO CITT, An American gentleman, writing from the city of Mexico, under date of the 27th ult, gives a graphic picture of the progress of the revolutionary war in the neighboring Repubhe. As the date of the communtea- tio ig the latest of which we have any account the siatements will be read with interest, The writer says: jerchants aud others come down here to find them- selves in a couatry which ‘hey cannot easily get away from, and are unable to move one mile from tue crt The last six months have put Mexico back, at least commercially, wore than ten years. So hard are the times that our poor American Benevolent Socio.y is called upon to send American mechanics back to their own country, and werchants are returning after hav- ing lost thot 43 of doliars, ‘THY SUCCESSYUL REVOLUTION, Since Porfirio Diag landed im Oajaca, about three months ago, he bas been bard at work organizing bis forces, Un the government side General Alutorre, with an army of (rom 6,000 to 6,000jmen, formed a corps of observation, stationed along the railroad from Mex. ico to Vera Cruz, a distance of more than 300 miles, but retained 2,000 men at Tehuacan awaiting the approach o! Diaz The rest of bisarmy was busy wateuing Manuel Gonzalez, Mendez, Figueoa and others, who at any ume might strike tue railroad with trom 500 to 1,600 Indians. Iu this way affairs remained for several months, Lerdo had himself declared re-elected President by the Congress on the 26tu of October, Congress also conferred upou bim’ extraordinary faculties,” Increased by a law allowing bim to fue and imprison avy editor of prinier, without tral of avy kind, we be saw fit. At once, alter this action by the government, Don José Maria iglesias, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and ex-officio Prosident of the Republic, lett 1m disgust ior Guanajuato. Here he was weil reecived by General Autulion, the Governor of that State, and issued Lis maniiesto to the uation declaring Lerdo’s re-election null and void, as bolag obtained by fraud, and proclaiming him: ad wnterim anvil a bew elvction could be Lheid. LERDO'S AKMY ASSUMES THE OFFRNSIVS, The government was prepared for this event and at once ordered troops irom Guadalajara, Lagos, San Laie Potosi and Querétaro, vo concentrate and move agaivst Guanajuato, ordering to the frout at the same time uil the available troops that eoulu be spared irom b Jeavipg @ gutrison of only about 40y men in the cap! The State of Querétaro, through the action of its Governor nd Legislature, pronounced in vor of Iglesias and Antiijon found b the he of froin 4,000 to 6,000 men. Gene Hos caine down from Gui Goveral Echagat General in Chiel Iglesias Ecbagaray Was defeated, or rather bis uttack against the town of Lagos was repuised. At this janeture General Porez Uustro pronounced in favor of Igiesias, currying with him a detachment ot trom 1,000 to 1 aud thus Ceballos was obliged to fall back on Gai Jara, the capital of the great Stats of Jalisco. THE OPERATIONS OF DIAZ IN THR SOUTH, Diaz caine down from Owuca, suddenly slipped by Alatorre and gained te mountainous aistrice to the = suuth «of =the §=State of Puebla Manuel Gonzalez, by another flank movement, cume down irom Tlazco with 4,000 men, wok the strategic position covered by the wwn ot Apizaco, and hold it tor = week. The government now raised 800 or 1,000 men by the leva—ihat is, 1orced atment, or picking them up on the streets, and sent them to Apizaco, bogetuor with an additional reinforcement of from 400 to 1800 men from the city of Puebla Gon- zavez, finding himself threatencd by vuperior force: fell back on Tlazco, Alutorre now came to me capital and bud a consultation with the Minister of War, General Escobedo, who (unfortauately for Lerdo) had relieved General Dou Ignacio Mejia om the Sixt of August. Alatorre then returned to Puebla, massed all Lhe troops that wece disposable, to the number of about Zoll men of allarms, avd attacked General Diaz un the 16th of November at a small place called Tepoac, noar the town of Huamaotla, battle raged for a Jon, uw pg & gallant attack committee of canal boat owners. For this purposo a new committee was Fao commatied by Ding whe unexpected up- poaganes. Pgnnet zalez i hie ‘arees, a4 roo Ag Bank aud rear, the tioniets would doubtless have been defeated. Notwithstanding the desperate straits in which the governments general found him- self he still fought on maniully, wien, in the midst of she mélée, the crack regiment called the ‘‘Supremos Poderes,”’ went over to Bias. Tho: battle was over, and Alatorre could scarcely ime to make his es- cape from the scene of action with am escort of 300 cavalry, with which he made for the city of Puebla, Here he effected a junction with Rom ‘are gas, Governor of the State of d without de- i moment es to Mexico, the ‘epeac, Alatorre e: 000 or 1,600 men under Alonzo to rein! oe ihe same direction from which Gonzalez appeared, and hence mistook his enemy for his {nend. Tostead of support. ing Alatorre, Alonzo went to the city of Puebla and “pronounced” the following day in favor of Diaz, THE MANG@UVERS OV LERDO. * In the face of all those disasters bad made up bis mind to resign the Presidency, but allowed hi self to persuaded by General the Minis- ter of War, to hold om and follow the example of Juarez, who clung to power to the last, and buccees aiter unbeard of » wici 40 foro defeat into victory. Fol vice Lerdo left this city on the night of the 21st ot November, saking wit him bis Cabinet and 800 troops. Of these soon pronounced and ro- turned here, leaving Lerdo on bis way to Acapulco, Morelia or Jaliseo, DIAZ TRIUMPHANTLY ENTERS THE CAPITAL. Diaz entered this capital on the 234 of November and 1s now Acting President and everything elae, Iglesias ts said to be on his way down bere; ‘Hut as there seems to be some misunderstanding tween bim and Diaz he may not come. For three days alter Lerdo loft us we expected a mob to take possession of the city, but good management: present so lamentable a disaster ag this would havo n, So there aro now Lerdo, Diaz and Iglesias in the field. It ts suid that Iglesias wants General Mejia, Lerdo’s former Minister of War, to be President; but Diaz will not bear of thig idea. The manifesto of Iglesias says that either himself nor any of his Cabinet shall be candidate for the Presidency.” It iz also reported that Diaz wants to romain Minister of t ded or Iglesias until such time as gn election can be hel Diaz 18 bringing bis Sassen: troops into the city, It is believed that there aro 8,000 of thom. Others assert that Igiesias is coming down with his Guanajuatan forces trom the interior. Meanwhile, as tho telegraph limes are all cut down, there ig but slow communica- Von with the outward world Tho railroad to Vera Cruz has been cut since the 2d of November, A great many oficers who consider that Lerdo’s re-election was illegal wero wilting: to stand by until the 30th of fovember, when term of office will expire, and then pronounce in favor of Iglesia: his legal successor until new election can be held. But the victory of Diaz, at Tepoac, forces the issue, and everything looks dark and gloomy tor merchants, Lordo made them pay two war contribue tions, but they way now have to contribute more, A HORRIBLE CONDITION OF AFFAIRS. capital is entirely cut off from commanication @ interior, and robbers are even more plentiful and audacious now than usual; in fact everything looks bad. An American gentieman is bere representing New York cupitahsts, and obtained a concession to build a ratlroad from the Rio Grande frontier to the city of Leon, in tho central State of Guanajuato, and another company intended to extend this line from Leon to the Pacitic coast, by way of Guadalajara, and thence either to San Blas or Manzanillo. RUMOR OF LERDO'S CAPTURE News has just come in to tho effect that Lerdo bas been captured and Escobedo killed. How rehable it is no one outside of official circles can say. The be are just now ringing out thotr joyful peals, tue troops are marching iu review, and the bands ‘pla ing the national airs in honor of the triumph of the Plan of Tuxtepec ana Palo Blanco, as headed by Diag. As this plan conflicts in several material particulars from that of Iglesias, it meavs that the would-be Presi- dent in Mexico and the Vice President in Guanajuato are going to fight it out about the office. The feeling of inseczrity is very great, as Iglesias has many tnends who respect his position’ as representing the law and, the constitution, in addition to which he 1s backed by General! Antilion and his army. Tho wit GENERAL ROCHA ON THE RIO GRANDE. Brow%svitis, Texas, Dec. 15, 1870, General Rocha, one of the best officers of the Mexi- can army, and a Genoral of division, arrived here by yesterday’s steamer from New Orleans. Ho was ro- ceutly sent into honorable exile by the government of Lerdo as Minister to Berlin. Ho comes here with fuller powers from Iglesias’ party. He is accompanied by General Quesada, of Cuba, and his brother. They arrived under assumed names. General Revacitas still holds Matamoros, and is en- deavoring to collect a tax of throe per cent on-all prop- erty, which is protested against and resisted by the foreign merchants, who have deposited their cash and keys with tne American Consul for safe keeping. Tno arbitrary measures adopted by Revuoltas have de- prived him of sympathy, and his downfall is certain. The partisans o! Igiesias positively assert the com firmation of the news ol the captureo! Lerdo, the death of Eseobedo and goneral submission of th interior to Iglesias. They are overjoyed at the arrival of Rocha, as he will relieve Cortina of his command, aud thereby prevent complication with the autborities on this side on Cortina‘s account. Trade has beeu paralyzed by the condition of affairs im Mexico, and every one is anxious for some settles meat which will revive business. LIFE INSURANCE TROUBLES, ALL THE COMPANIES IN THIS STATE TO BE OF FICIALLY INVESSIGATED—VIEWS OF SUPER- INTENDENT SMYTHE—THEB MAYOR TAKES CHARGE OF THE SECURITY LIFE’S AFPAIRS, (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ] AuBayy, Doc, 15, 1876, Superintendent Smythe, of tho Insurance Depart Ment, was waited upon by your correspondont to-day in reference to the recent closing of insurance com panies by his order and readily made reply toall im quiries concerning the subject. ‘I nave determined,* said he, “to Institute a system of rigid examination which shall weed out ail the weak and ingolvent insun ance companies. I had urged such a system of ew aminations upon Mr. Chapman, my predecessor; but be was an eminently conservative maa and was unwilling to discredit the sworu reports of companies by imstituting any imvestigations. There was not, indeed, a sizgle exam. ination of un msurance company during his term. An exumination of course, u jong aud an expensive rocess, It will require three months to complete a jhorough examination of some of the compauies in New York, with a full corpsot examiners working bard every day. We make a close cxamiuation of every policy, With all the notes attached to them, and out appraisers estimate the value of all the real estate the companies hold, as weil as all the bonds and mortgages, ‘This ia by no means u hght work, and yet au examina pennies be very thorough to be worth anytoing at jt. ALL THE COMPANIKS TO BR INVESTIGATED, Cognesroxpunt—Do you propose to make such an examination of all the companies? Mr. Suyrux—Yes, sir, of al! of them doing busines: im this State, whether by main or branch offices, There are companies baving beadquarters m other States waoich 1 will bayo examined at their home eifives, If they do not make a safe showing or if they retuse to permit ao examination I will bundle theit branch offices at once out of the State; but my main purpose—and I would hke all policy dad stock bol ers to understand 1t—is to weed out the rotten co: Panies from the good ones to secure for distribu- Won ainong the honest owners of them all the assoty which | can beloro dishonest officers have made away with thom. The report of the Security Company last Decombor was a cleat piece of perjury ani end, and with such au oxample vefore me there is a doubt what companies are sound when they all make good reports; but I wish it understood also that 1 shal! not oppress any honest company, or close up e weak one if it appears to be sulvent and honest and thata littie nursing may strengthen tt, 1 do intend, however, to acquaint mysolf with the exact condition of every company in the State. THE SECURITY LIFE. Mayor Wicklam, as receiver of this insolvent inst tution, yesterday filed his bond for $100,000, with James S; Thayer and Juho N. Hayward as sureties Tue office of the company on Pine street was filled with people all day. Mayor Wickbam wus there dur- ing ® portion of the afternoon, and made a« prelim: ‘mary eur of alfairs, assisted by the officers of t company and Assistant Lusurance nite ntendos McCall. There is no doubt of the failure being a very bad one, and great surprise Is expressed that a disso- lution did not occur Jong ago, Prominent insurance men assert that the cumpany bas beon insolvent for two yours past, and attribute such a condition peneely to ivofficient managemont und incapacity of its cers. ‘ DEAD IN HER ARMS, Julia Deering, twenty-cight years of ago, an inmate of ihe lodging house No, 63 Cherry street, was found last night by Officer Lyons, of the Fourth precinet, in Frankiort street with ber infant child dead in bes arms, Sbe was taken to the Uak strect station house, where sho told Captain Murray that about seven o'clock sho bad left the lodging house to visit a friend to the First ward, and that she bad only gone a tow blocks when she found that the child had died. Over. come with grief she saye she had wandered for several hours through the streets of the Fourth ward, not kaowing whi to do or whero to When she was met by the oflicer she was surrounded by a crowd of women Qud boys. She toid tho ofticer what ber child bad been sick for somo weeks past. bund, called atthe station house later in the night, and said that the child was quite well when he let home, and that it had not been sick since ite birth. 16 18 Supposed by the police that Mrs, Deering, who was slightly ander tho infigenve of liquor whon brought into the station house, bad in try 4 to protect it from the cold smothered the child. The mother was de {uinod at the station to await tho result of the autopsy, ‘The child was only six weoka old Iraud from end to . Jobn Deering, her hus |