The New York Herald Newspaper, December 27, 1876, Page 6

6 THE SOURDRN “BREAKERS.” How the “Uncle Sam” May Be Wrecked in Congress Next February. BUT THIRTY WHITE CRESTS WANTED. * The Plot to Inaugurate Ohio's Governor on Southern Votes. SCATTER THE HAYES’ SEED AROUND ‘EM! —-——— Cincinnati, Dee, 24, 1876, Ihave had a long and {ull conversation with a gen- tleman who bas within three or four days left Wash- ington, whither he went to take part in the movement 0 much spoken of lately to win some Southern men over to Governor Hayes; and the following account, which I take from his conversation and trom that of influential and intimate friends of Governor Hay: may, I believe, be relied on as correct and authentic, Briefly stated, these are the main features of what Governor Hayes and his friends hope to accomplish :. MAKING APPROACHES, There have been in Washington careful negotiations with different Southern men to bring them over to the support of Governor Hayes. failed; Mr. Lamar, for instance, is counted out; Mr. Ben Hill, though a promising subject for a while, is no Some of these have lotiger depended on. Soverul Tennessee, North Car. Olina, Missouri and Mississippi Congressmen, prom- inent among them Mr. Casey Young and Senator Alcorn, believed to willing lead a break from the democratic ranks, and the design is to push the work of making converts until are now be to at least twenty-(ve, and if possible thirty, Southern democratic members shall agree and bind themselves to commit their fortunes to Governor Hayes. Mem- bors with whig antecedents aro sought out as being most likely to sympathize with this movement, and I judge that every member of cither house of such antecedents has before this been sounded, and a considerable rum- ber are at least thinking over the propositions made to them. THE CONSIDERATION, Thoge propositions include tor prominent men the offer of office under the Governor’s administrat ‘on; for all, the energetic support of the federal adminis- tration under President Hayes, with an understand- ing that those who now give their aig to the Governor shail take the places of the carpet-baggers in the fed- eral offices in the South, and that the carpet-pag goy- ernments shall have no favor shown them. It is understood that Governor Hayes will makea clean sweep of the leading men under the present ad- ministration as soon as possidle after he becomes President. KEEPING DARK, But the Governor has been advised to make no public declaration on the subject at this time, nor until aiter he has been declared elected, bo- cause it is thought imprudent for him now tochallenge in this way the hostility of influential persons in tho present administration, While, therefore, I have cer- tain assurances that the Governor is in entire harmony with bis zealous friends, and bas given them full guthority toact and promise for him, he has not in any public way committed himself, and will not, THE PROGRAMME,’ The object of securing twenty-five or thirty Soath- ern members of the House of Representatives is this: — It is planned by the Governor's friends to insist on the Vice President counting the electoral vote. It is ve- lieved that tho deliberations of the joint committee can bo so manaved that it shall come to no agree- ment; but that it shall the day the It is then expected that the democrats in the House make no report until set for counting of the vote. will elther refuse to go to the Senate for a joint meet- ing or that, having met there, they will resist the offer of the Vice President to count and declare the Yote and return to theirown chamber. In that case, either the republicans will refuse to go with them, or, going, they will move in the House that the Vico Presi- dent shall count and declare the vote. In cither case the Southern Hayes democrats are toact and vote with the republicans, and by doing so give them a majority, THIRTY ENOUGH. Supposing a full House, it would require a change of thirty-five votes to overcome the democratic majority ol seventy; but the House of Representatives is rarely full, and it istakon for granted that some democra’ will be absent on this occasion, so that thirty votes may answer. It is also believed that so many men changing at such atime will demoralize others and Jead them either to absent themselves or to tollow what will appear to be the winning side, SECURING A REGULAR COUNT. Supposing the plan successtul so far, of course the Fepublicans will have a majority m both houses, and this majority will, by a regular vote of both houses, €:Ve the counting of the vote to the Vice President. Ue will thereupon go on to open, count anddeciare the yotes, determining which are the proper returns; and, wbile the recent developments in Florida seem to sugar trouble in the vote of that State, the Vice Presi- dont will hold that he cannot go bebind the regular re- turns, and will fing himself upon the two houses; while these, both having under the supposed case a republican majority, will refuse also to go behind those returns which the Vice Prosident will have read. In this way, If the Southern votes can be got and held, Governor Hayes Will be declared President without iu- formality or irregularity of any kind, and the demo- crata wil! have no peg to hang resistance on. A regu- Jar and lawful majority in each house will carry and jastily every stop of the proceedings. THR CHASCES OF SUCCESS. I remarked to my friend that there was a certain | amountof risk in this plan. discovered, Messrs. Chandler and Camerot might not favor it, He replied, ‘Governor Hayes and Senator Morton had a long taik when Morton went out to Jndiana tne other day. Hayes satisfied Morton, and I guess he'll have to iet bim in, and has told nim so, for Morton is happy. Of course somebody bas got to be lefout But the danger is not so great as you | think. The republicans of all sorts will have to come in whether they want to or not. keep them from Kicking out of the traces, and, be- side, where can they go? They may not like Hayes, in tact they don't; bat they can hope for more from him than they could from Tilden. I have not much fear on that head; lot us only get the Southern men, and I believe we can get them. hungry, and the old whigs down South don’t agree anyhow.” They're mighty well with the democra‘ PReTTY as It seems to me what they cali on the river a pretty fine game; butafter all {t may succeed, 1f the Governor ploys it fine enough, If be can bag his Southern men, he cam go iu undor the constitution, and be believes IT STANDS. For instance, if it were | ‘you truly style yourself, | heh Party dise:phine will | furry, w that if he does not go in it will be bad for the poor megroes down South and that to pat him into the White House will be ap act of humanity. For my part I believe the Governor means wel), and if he gets in he will do bis best to make a good administration. A CALM VIEW OF THE SITUATION—-HE EX- PLAINS HIS POSITION—SENSATIONAL STORIES DENIED—OUR SYSTEM ON A MAGAZINE OF POWDER—THE ATTITUDE OF PARTIES. (From the Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution. ) Hovsk oF REPRESENTATIVES, Wasminctos, D. C., Dec. 21, 1876. My Dgar Srr—I trust you will believe me when I assure you that your letter is esteemed as worthy to come from one who haa been a “lifelong friend,” as Every matt is bringing me letters trom every section of the Union, and those from the South disclose a ‘panic’? among my friends which 4s most remarkable. Iwill not pretend that 1am Insensible to the effect which may be produced on my personal political for- tunes, but I do say that my chief solieltnde is exetted by far different, and, I will add, by far higher consider- ations, It the reputation of a public man can be tarnisked by agencies so trifling and £0 false as those now at work then there can be little encouragement for unselfish patriotism, 1 donot pretend that I have served or can serve my country with ability, but Ican say that I have given, and am now giving, under the most embarrassing dis- advantages, to that country the yery best abilities 1 possess, SQUIBS FROM WASILINGTON. Under the severest triais I have made a record of fearless fidelity in defence of Southern civilization and manhood and of untlincbing adherence to consti. tutional government which no man can deny, But what 18 all this worth if it cau have no effect in pro- tecting me from itreaponsible squibs from Washing: ton city, some of which, at least, wre inspired and many encouraged by the most unworthy motty sible? If such squibs, whether tho: ing, can throw friends into a panic and encourage ene- mies to refresh their malignity with tho stereotyped slang, ‘I always told you he was not reliable!” then our free institutions and popular government have ar- rived at a period where a publie man can have no pro- tection save in the nothingness of his imbecility or the callousness of his corruption. He i# xafe alone when he does nothing that fools can eritiei#e or docs only what hirolings will puff for a consideration. Now, sir, | do not believe the people of Georgia have arrived at this point, and I shail do (nem the justice to say that L have not the slightest fear that they will allow themselves to be made parties to the wrongs which some are now plotting against me. Qn the con- trary, Ido not doubt that when they know the truth as they will know it, they will approve me with chee fulness and unanimity; and, in the me will not withdraw that confidence and pon i 1 shall be powerless to serve elther them or my- self. WHAT THK SENATOR HAS DONE, What have I done or said that ‘friends should be alarmed and enemies encouraged,” as numerous letters y? Without going ito details (as I will not be ‘owardly enough now to do), I will state some facts. 1, Since the assembling of this session of Congress the democratic members of the-House have met three times in general caucus. I bave made but one motion an general caucus, and that motion was adopted unan- imously. There was not a dissenting voice—not one. 1 accompanied that motion with a short speech, the temper and spirit of which every man in the caucus approved, and the mai point of which was warmly agreed to bya large majority, including, I believe, every member from the Southern or late Con. foderate States, and certainly every one present from Georgia. 2 We havo had frequent conferences, composed of a limited number of democrats, from five to twenty in a conference, To several of these1 have been invited and attended. In these conferences I have mado several motions and suggestions. Every onel have yet made hes been adopted, and sometimes unanimously adopted. Onone or two occasions my suggestions have been received with a consideration that was pleasant and adopted with expressions that were flat- tering. SENSATIONAL STORIES DENIED, This 1s my work, What am 1 charged with? 1, Itas said that I have expressed distrust of north- orn democrats, and speeches to this effect are filling papers as tt made by me. Not asingle word pub- lished on this subject is true—not one, 2. Itis said that myself and other Southern men have Jost faith in tho election of Mr. Tilden, and bave made, orare making or are willing to make, somo bargain or trade or arrangement with Mr. Hayes, All intimations of this kind are afen Au manafactured— manufactured by sensational hirelings for repablican use and benefit, Mr. Tilden and the democratic party are reduced to a sad hope of success if the silly or de- ning democrats who affect to believe such charges are to be accepted as the only trusted advisers of the rty. It might be interesting to givo you an explanation of how easily a public man hero may be misrepre senied by news gossips an¢ jbterviewers, and espe- cially if he be « public man who is worth misrepre- senting, but I have not the time to do zo now. THE VOLITICAL SITUATION. A tew words in conclusiov. Tne political sitwation Was hever £0 critical as now. Our constitutional sys- tem is ona magazine of powder, and 10,000 fools and some that are not fools are striking matches all around it, None but cool men and patriots who love country more than office can avert the most horrible civil war that ever disgraced and destroyed liberty and human- ity. And yet there was never jess excuse for any war in the history of the world. Such a war, if it come, will be the culmination of buman crime inthe d diy destruction of human rights by a disgracetul scramble for office. In the late election both Mr, Tilden and Mr. Hayes reccived some votes. Will it not be better to have either for President than to have a ruler who received no votes’ He istoo stupid for argument who does not see that the lust alternative ts possible, But who- ever may or may not be made President by returning boards or bayonets, one thing is cortain:—Mr. Tilden cannot and will not be mace President unless he is made so by a fair, honest count of the votes of the people. That count cau be neither fair nor honest unless it be bad under interpretations of the constitution long accepted and by methods of procedare long established. ‘The party that now demands new interpretations or a new form or method of count will be a party in rebol- lion and treason against the constitution, the Usion and tho people. I am, theretore, in tavor of a fair and honest consti- tutional count of the votes of the people. 1 am laboring to secure that count, and when secured I shall abide its result; and so will overy other man, North and South, who is not willing to destroy his country, 1 am brave enough to want peace, but not cowardly enough to nccept dishonor. Its unpleasant now to have to write letters, and, I | confess, a little wounding to my pride to be called on | by Irvends to deny charges so plainty absurd and #0 wickedly cireulated. But 1 will make an allowance for a natural anxiety in these evil tines, 1 ask you, theresore, to give this letter to the pross, and I respecttully ask every paper in Georgia to give it an insertion. I make one request of the people of Georgia, and that is that they wiil believe notiing ascribed to me unless it appears over my own signature or in the off- eial proceedings of Congress. I can see uo other pussi- Die protection from misrepresentation. I believe we cun avert ali the calamities I now so much dread. If wo can peacefully inaugurate the man elected by the people we shall have a new and long Jease of constitational goveroment. If we cannot, then our beautiful, glorious and constitutional system will perish, and my Iriends will find me on the front line of the last fatal charge in its defence, Yours very traly. BENJ. H. HILL. A. B. Counensox, Bsq., Atlanta, Ga, GOVERNOR GROVER COMING EAST. Sax Francisco, Dec. 26, 1876, Governor Grover, of Oregon, lett here this morning’ for Washington. Last evening he was serenaded at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Governor Irwin, who intro- duced him, said Governor Grover’s action would have the effect to compel Congress to go behind the face of the returns, in which case it was believed the Sena would refuse to give Hayes the clective vote, Gove nor Grover spoke very briefly, justifying the constitu. Uonalily of his action, Resolutions were adopt ine dorsing Goveruor Grover's course. About 2,000 or 3,000 versons Were present, including a number of prominent aemocratic politiclans. THE STATE COMPTROLLERSHIP. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. | Abnayy, Dec, Tho question of a State Comptroller is still uncer tain. A rumor bas prevailed here for some days that the appointment would not be made at all by Governor ‘Tilden, out would lay over, and Governor Robinson on tits haugaration would send in the name ot ex-Licuten- ant Governor Allen C. Beach, of Jeffcrsou county. The reason stated for the action of Governor Tilden is that $ not sufficient time for a full consideration of ihe in the midst of the Presidential and = while he has no ot Lieutenant Governor Beach, he does appear to be withdrawing oal policy of last year when Lieutenant Governor Bench was assatled by the Canal Investigating Com. tission, Another reason for his taiure to Appoint Was in the fuct that the month has grown so near to a close that it will be wecessary for the Governor elect, as Comptroller, to sigu the usual monthly warran case the appomntinent does |i will resign on M ppoins a new Co: This wilt parade or ceremony, the Goveruor and Governor-ele going to the Assembly chamber from the Governor's Room, attended simply by the staf. Governor Robin. sou will uke the oath, and if Governor Tillen chooses to say anything he will respond. Governor Robinson’ private secretary will be bis soo, David . Robinson, young man thirty years of age, whe bas beee t pertoorot bis father ia the law business in several years, subject Controlier Robinsow ' NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, THE NORTH POLE. PROPOSITION OF CAPTAIN H. W. HOWGATB, OF THE SIGNAL SERVICK, FOR A SEARCH EXPE- DITION VIA SMITH’S 8OUND—COLONIZING IN THE ARCTIC REGIONS. The expedition of Captain Hall in the Polaris m 18% and of Captain Nares in the Alert and Discovery in 1875 have shown that by the use of steam it is a comparatively easy matter to reach th trance to | Robeson’s Channel in latitude $1 deg. north, and that the serious difficulties to be overcome in reaching the Pole le beyona that point. Parties trom the two ex- peditions have made five surveys 140 mi'es north of thia, leaving only about 400 miles of unexplored regions between that and the goal of modern geographers—the Pole, When Captain Hall reached the upper extremity of Robeson’s Channel, the lookout of the Polaris reported open water m sight and just beyond the pack which surrounded the vessel and prevented further Progress, This open water was afterward seen from the cape as the northern opening of New- man’s Bay, and tt was the opinion of the crew of that ill-fated vessel that if she had been but the fraction of an hour earlier in reaching the channel they could have steamed unobsiructed over a veritable ‘‘open sea’ to the Pole itself, We know that they did not succeed, but were forced to winter almost within sight of this sea, and subsequently, disheartened by the loss of their gallant commander, abandoned the enterprise, Where this open water was found Captain Nares in 1875 and 1876 found solid, impenetrable ice, through which no vessel could force its way and over which it was equally impossible for sledge purtics to work. These tacts show that within the Arctic circle the Seasons vary as markedly as in more tem- perate southern latitudes, and that the icy bar riers to the Pole are sometimes broken up by favoring winds and temperature, To reach the Pole prompt advantage must be taken of such favoring cir- cumstances, and to do this with the greatest certainty and with the least expenditure of time, money and human hfe, 11 1s essential that the oxploring party be on the ground at the very time the ice gives way and opens the gateway to the iong sought prize. AN RXPLORING COLONY, This can only be done by colonizing a fow hardy, solute and experienced men at Some point near the borders of the Volar Sea, and the most favorable one Jor thy purpose appears to be that where the Discovery wintered lust year, Such a party should consist of at least twenty men, and should be provided with pro- visions aud other necessary supplies for three years, at the end of which period they shou!d be visited, and, if still unsuccessiul in accomplishing the object, re- vVictualied and again left to their work. Captain Hall spent eight years among the Esqui- maux, and each year found himself better fitted to withstand the severity of the Arctic circle, and the party of which | speak would, in like manner, become acclimated and eventually succeed in avcomp.ishing the long-sought end. With a strong, substantial building, such as could easily be carried on ship- board, the party could be made as comiortable and aa safe from atmospheric dangers as are the men of the Signal Service, stationed on the summits of /ike’s Peak and Mount Washing- ton, or the smnlny of the Hudson’s Bay Company stationed at Fort York, where a temperature of minus sixty degrees is not uncommon. A good supply of medicine, a skilful surgeon and such fresh provision as could ‘be found by hunting parties would enable them to keep off scurvy and to maintain as good a sanitary condition as tho inhabitants of Godnayen, in Greenland, MEANS OF SUBSISTENCE, Game was found in fair quantities by the Polaris party on the Greenland coast, aud those from the Alert and Discovery on the main land to the west, especially in the Vicinity of the last named vessel, where fifty-four musk oxen were killed during the season, with qnantitics of other and smaller game. A seam of good coal was also found by the Discovery’s party, which, would render the question of fucl a light one, and thus remove ove of the greatest difficulties hitherto found by Arctic voyagers, Let an expedition be organized to start in tho spring of 1877, and I firmly believe that by 1880 the geography of the Potar circle would be definitely settled, and that without loss of life. THE VANDERBILT TELEGRAMIST. A DENIAL OF WHAT WAS NEVER CHARGED, Mr, Condit, charged witn forging the name of Rey. Dr. Deeis to a telegram, prematurely aunouncing the death of Commodoro Vanderbilt, has sent tho subjoined communication: — To tnx Epitor or THE HERALD:— My attention bas beeu called to several newspaper articles, implicating me in transactions of a serious na- ture. I deny, in toto, baving anything whatever to do with them, as will be clearly established at the per time, The following paragraph shows how groundiess 1s one of the charges which were circulated against me. EDWARD A, CONDIT. A DENIAL, To mx Korror oF tHe Onaxcx Citrontcre:. ‘An article in the New York Mxnatp of among other tulse charges against Edward he had committed forgery against the Orange Nat Bunk toa large amount. 0 few have made in- a A. quiry nt the bank for ihe fac Vondit, and Thomas J. Smith, cashier o “Edward A.C yintaitted for; has never bank, to my knowledge, and I bel effect to be untrue.” Other charges as 01 untrue, and he says he exn prove the one for which he wis arrested equally iuise. That he has been unfortuuate in business and unable to meet bis obligation How many are in the same predicnment ROWLAND JOUNSON, ry jeve the statement Mr, Onancx, N. J., Dee. 22, 1876. “the gontleman is mistaken. The Hxerawp did not allege that Condit committed a forgery on the bank. It stated,im the article alluded to, that Condit had given out checks on the bank, and when they wero presented for payment there were found to be no funds to his credit to meet them. BROOKLYN'S COMMON COUNCIL. CLOSING THE BUSINESS OF THE OLD YEAR. The last session of the Brooklyn Boara of Aldermen for the year 1876 was hold yesterday alternoon, Presi- dent French in the chair, The nomination of Ray W. Potter as an Assessor, which was laid on the table last week, was confirmed by the Board. Mr. Potter is arepublican, The Board of City Works was directed to advertise for proposals for street cleaning for 1877, on specifications, the same as last year, with some slight changes, The report of the Assessment Committee jn regard tothe paving of Reid avenue was accepted after a lengthy debate. ‘here have been several protests made by property owners on the line of that improve- ment, who denounce the assessment as exorbitant. The committee state that while they concur in the latter view the property owners must seek redress through the courts, as the Common Council bas no longer power to reduce assessments. The Corporation Counsel bas rendered an opinion in accordance with | this report. To the Law and Railroad Committee an ordinance was referred to prevent the scattering of salt upon pavements, roads or car tracks in any part ot the gity. A report Was presented by the special committee on the new municipal building. The appropriation is $200,000. Of this sum $187,765 45 bas been appor- tioned for the several contragta, The report was adopted, The subscriptions received by His Honor Mayor Schroeder up to yesterday alternoon in ald of the suf- ferers by the Brooklyn Theatro fire amounted to $11,345 25. Among the subscriptions was a dratt for- warded by Mayor Yates, of Newark, N. J., for $20; 50, “the proceeds of a concert given by the Crescent Quartet Club and other artists of that cit7 on Thursday evening last," The joint receipts of the Presidents of the Mechan- ies’ Bank of the city of New York and Brooklyn, respectively, up to yesterday amounted to 39,617 20, THe HERALD SUBSCHIYTIONS, The following letter was received yesterday :— or THe HrnaLp:— closed a cheek to your order for $212, the atines by the Soldene Opera Company in throug your journal by its manager, be given hurriediy, ou ac: id not produce 7 House orev estra and all the attnelios voluntecred with th Suldene somes Kindly plece it with the Brooklyn fund and ob ige. Very respeetinily, yours, J.J. FO D Bartimonx, Dee. 16, 1576, A. CHIZZOLA. RECAPITULATION, Previously acknowleaged Proceeds of a matinee by Com: any, Baltimore. A. Schmidt & Co, Total.. Grand Ope STREET CAR HIGHWAYMEN, DARING ROBBERY ON A FOURTH AVENUE CAR IN CENTBE STREET. Mr, Ambrose H. Green, a merehant of Mion, Her- kimer county, staying at Earle’s Hotel, was rovbed of $650 on a Fourth avenue car last eventing. L.e came to this city on business yesterday by the seven o'clock train and took supper at Earle’s, changing a five- dollar bill in paying fortbe meal, He then started to go up town with a friend about eight o'clock, carry- img the $660 m one of his pockets, He jumped upon | the platiorm of thé car in Centre sireet jaud so did a gang of young men, One of them threw up rt. Green's bana which held a satchel, to gave which the owner had to use the other. White both bis hands were elevated the others put thetr hands tn bis pockets, and in the senile Mr, ores was thrown from the car, satchel and all, ‘hen he regained his tect he felt for his money. [t was gone, and so were the thieves, Mr. Green was recommended to come to police head. quarters and state bis case, and Captain Allaire was [| uvbiied to send luis detectives to look for the thieves, THE = MUCILAGINOUS MARK'S NEST, NO WRONG DOING DISCOVERED BY THE CON- GRESSIONAL COMMITTEE AT THE POST OF- ¥FICE—-GOLDEN OPINIONS OF POSTMASTER JAMES. Leaning back inan armchair in Postmaster James’ office and complacently pufflog the smoke of a fragrant Havana toward the frescoed ceiling, Mr. S. 8. Cox sat yesterday morning, surrounded by the otner members of the Congressional Investigating Committee, ana only awaiting the arrival of Mr. Abram 5, Hewitt to begin au inquiry into the charges preterred by that geatle- man against the Post Oilice officials, Mr. Hewitt ar- rived half an hour later, and it was resolved to go on with theinvestigation, Mr, John W. Braay, a clerk in the Post Oftice, was called, and testified tbat he knew of po tampertng with letters in his own or any other department and that he did not belicve any one could meddie with letters without being discovered, While the witness was being questioned Mr. James in- troduced several collectors from the street corner boxes who had just arrived from their rounds, Their pouches were emptied upon the table and the members of the committee gaihered around and began poking like chiffomers through the heap. General MacDougal! picked outa number of letters, the backs of which were corrugated by the dampness of the weather, and which bore the appearance of having eiber been opened and repasted or elxe improperly sealed in th first instance. After the gentlemen hud tired of thi amusement the examination of the witness was re: sumed, Mo stated that ne had met with one letter ad- dressed to Mr. Hewitt and unsealed; its contents were clippings trom the HegaLv upon the political situa. tion; onthe back of another letter addressed to Mr, Hewitt and received. unsealed wus indorsed by the Postmaster of the place where it was mailed, “Opened by tho sender for effect.”” Coaries Forrester, Jr., Superintendent of the Regis- tered Letter Department of the New rork Post Oflice, testifiea that many registered Jewers and packages are received unsealed; knew of po tampering with Jetters, and believed it to be impossible under the present systew, Mr, Edward Cooper was nextexamined. He had no direct knowledge that letters bad been tumpered with, but had derived au impression that some had been, frum the appearanco) of sneir envelopes; Mr. Hewitt, who is his business partner, bad returned him the en- Yelope of a letter with a note culling his attention te the fact that it seemed to bave been opened, aad di- Tecting him to send special letters by express theres after; witness made no cvinplaint to the Post Oflice autuorities; showed the letter to Mr, Peter S Watson, who was connected with the War Department during the rebellion, and had become an expert in the matior of opening ietters, and that gentleman gave it us his opinion that the envelopes in question had bee n opened Twenty or thirty envelopes aud packages which had just arrived on the steamship Celtic were placed upon the tabie, and alter members of the committee had selecter veral dilapidated letiers and added them to the pile they nad selected from the city mail, hull a dozen were banded to witness, and be was asked upon how many the seals were periect; the reply was, “Not one,” Witness was then handed a score of letters ‘ope after another, with the question, “What do you think of this flap?’ “Look at the tnucilage on that and say what you think of ity’? and fifty other questions equally protound, Then, Several of the envelopes were scaled with wax, a Jeurnéd inquisition into the consistency, frangibility and other qualities of that substance was begun, but the witness at an early stage declared he knew nothing about wax, Little information was obtained. Mr. Hewitt was present while Mr. Cooper was testt- fying, and he was bow bunded the suspicious looking Jetters und asked his opinion of them. Somo he pro- nounced to have not been opened, while a few, he thought, bad been, and nearly all looked more or ‘less Suspicions, Not one of them, he contended, boro such a decided appoarance of haying becu opened as the letters he complained of. He explained to the com- mittee that a stripe of mucilage following the curve of the flap and projecting beyond it upon the back of the letter was not, 1n his mind, strong evidence of a letter having been opened, as it night bave been done in sealing; but when there was a narrow stripe of gum around the flap and separated from the edge of the Jatter by a space however slight free from gum, 1¢ could only happen trom openingthe flap and gumming itdown gala, in not precisely the same place; Where inuciluge extended from under the flap upom the envelope and boro the appearance of having been wiped with warm water and a sponge, ho was certain there had beon iMiewt bandhng. Mr, Howitt acquitted Postmaster Janes of all sus- picion of opening letters and spcke of thai official in terms of praise. Colonel W. T. Pelton testified ho had revived letters at the democratic headquarters in Lib- erty street and atthe Everett House, which looked as though they had been opened; could not positively assert it; regarded Mr, James as an honest and capabie oMcial and thought it could not bave occurred in his office but in some smaller one, Post Oilice employés, embracing men from every de- partment, and inctuding those who bandied the Wash- ington mails, and those within whose care the lock box ot Couper & Hewitt came, were all placed upon tho stand. They were wnanimous in their testimony that no tampering with letters was known in the office, and that such a thing was almog#*impossible in singie in- stances, and absolutely impossible to be carried out to any extent; that the establishment had never before been so well managod as since Mr. James’ accession to office, and that he bad never permitted political bias to affect bis action in any way. Mr. John 1. Davenport testified tbat he bad made a special study of the workings of tho ost Office, and knew of no Jetters being tampered with; believed it to be impossible, ‘The committee made a tour of the building, observed the working of the various departments, then returned to Mr, James’ room, Where they examined Mr. Daniel Boyd, av expert in the matter of envelopes, and who testified that all the suspicious appearances described by Mr. Hewitt couid be caused by damp atmosphere and carelessucss in sealing the letters, This ended the Post Office iovestigation and an adjournment tillten o'clock this morning was declared, THE TAXPAYERS’ GRIEVANCES. OPPRESSIVE BURDENS IMPOSED UPON TAXPAYERS BY NEGLECTEUL OFFICIALS—ARE THEY CAUSED BY ‘‘A MORBID DESIRE TO ANNOY" PROPERTY HOLDERS ? A long communication was received by the Board of Aldermen yesterday, which was referred to the Law Commitiee, from Mr. Richard Lathers, appealing for redress against the maladministration of the Bureau of Assessments, Mr. Lathers in the communication aay: Habitually, in paying my apm pay }, I have inquired if ‘of aus yr ayainst tl by law, a ertigate the ‘fairness s Howances, wad the adjustments under which my rroperty must contribu his neglect of clerical duty, ax you wre aware, burdens the usvexsment with heavy penalties in the way of costs aud twelve per cent annual interest, und if these claims escape the notice of the property own to actual contisca- tion undor the city tax sales ot the property itself, e year 1871 I found on my annual tax bill notice of arrears Amonnting to $6), being an unpaid ursessment for opening Sixty-third street, of which I had never had notice in any ot the proceeding, the assesment having been confirmed early three years. 1p: the wmonnt at once with =m: nnnal taxes "The "nssessinsat_ which me property to for opening Sixty-third stroct, instead . as reported in my tax bill,’ which I had paid to the city, proved to be for $877 44, with three. years’ interesi. [ paid all these assessinents, including the correction of the error for opening Sixty-third street. “amounting to nearly $2000, of which I had how the firs; notice. It is due to the Comptrciler, howoyer, to state that he relieved me of the penaity on the gromd ot the gross neglect of the officinis and int that such sfreguiarities und neglect wonld 1S73, my nt for the t which T made ine op Mr me ei ‘The clerk, atter looking over the books, informe: Alien that there was an assessment in arrears on the lot for inprovements on Riverside Park, and gave him a bil forthe same. Mr. Allen then asked him if there were an; other unpaid assessments, and he replied “That is ail.” enclose Mr. Aller etter herein, giving a full statement of the facts. 1 id to the city, and T had well bo on the part of my agent, Mr. 0. my own clreumspection, r would avoid further difficult my annual tax bill for the y alter, to find another nysewsin far back ax June, a tween the Poulevard a1 1 called at once on the Comptrotier, but he regretied that he could not re- Hove ine, as the law gave him no power of discrimination for relief under any stexree of injustice. Finding my-e If withoat remedy, I paid tho assoasment and the penalty, althouuh the fmprovement for which my property was ti Ssseused has never been executed to this day: t round hole for a tounsain and a pile of bricks that the Commissioners nt for which T was nssessed, J for my annual tax bill and t inde of my surprise whe red, a few montli confirmed ubiic plac evidence to the original assessment, ‘ou inquiry that my Property was uctuatly advertised for, sate by the city, ve, cause of an alleged default in not paying an assessment of which [had no notice and of whieh It was practically im. Byes tor me to ascertain, haviug exhausted every means ‘0 procure the intormation in the public offices of record, Tn common with other taxpayers of this mach defrauded are of the public burdens under on vory little city pays the costs, ploys acorps of lobby in Albany tor amending the charter, caietly to entrag tax- payers or to prolong the tenure of oTicinis whose adminia- tration of public afwirs dees not commend them to the suf- frage of the people at the polls. GIVING THEM ELBOW ROOM. A resolution was passed yesterday by the Aldermen appropgiatiag. three of the rooms on the thira floor of the brown stone building in the Park to the Judges of the Court of Geveral Sessivns for the purpose of being used as Chambers. TROTTING IN CALIFORNIA. San F Oaktann Parr, Deo. 26,— best three in five in harness, XcrH00, Dee, 26, 1876. Purse $1,000; mile beats, ue 1 2 DECEMBER 27, 1876.-WITH SUPPLEMENT. THE POLITICAL FIELD, Governor Stearns Submits to the Supreme Court Decision. FIARIDA TO HAVE A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR. South Carclina’s Two Governors Watching Bach Other for a Misstep, Chamberlain Confident of His Advantage and Indisposed to Yield. INVESTIGATION IN LOUISIANA FLORIDA. GOVERNOR STEARNS LOWS TO THE SUPREME COURT DECISION—A NEW COUNT TO BE MADE ‘TO-DAY—DAD ADVICE FROM WASHINGTON, [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] a Tatanassne, Dec, 26, 1876. Governor Stearns says thedecision of the Supreme Court settles the election question im this State, and that he has advised the Canvassing Board to obey tho order of the Court. Secretary of State McLin notilles the other membors of the Board of Canvassers to meet in his office at eleven o’clock to-morrow to recanvass according to the Court’ mandate. IMPERTINENT AND DANGEROUS ADVICE. ‘An apparently well founded rumor is afloat to-day that Instructions have been telegraphed here from Washington to disregard the orders of the Court, Whether there is truth in this or not it is not consid- ered probable that the Board will regard the advice, WORK OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE, The Senate committee concluded their labors here and left for Jacksonville this morning. THR NEWS THROUGH DEMOCRATIC CHANNELS, The National Democratic Committee in this city yosterday received the following despatch from Florida:—“It 18 reliably ascertained that W. E, Chandler has telegraphed Governor Stearns and Gen. eral Wallaco to disregard a mandamus of the Supreme Court of Florida, saying, in substance, that, having started, no step backward must be taken. General Wallace is also notifie! that Judgo Wood, of the United States Circuit Court, is on his way to Tallabassee.”” SOUTH CAROLINA. STRANGE QUIET AT THE STATE CAPITOL—BOTH GOVERNORS WAITING—THE QUESTION OF OF- FICIAL AUTHORITY IN COURT—CHAMBERLAIN APPARENTLY MORE CONFIDENT OF HIS AD- VANTAGE, [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Cotummia, Dec. 26, 1876. The adjournment ot the threefold Legisiative body of this State, on Friday last, has been followed by a period of quiet, strongly contrasted with the exciting scenes which marked tho weeks immediately preced- ing that event. The members left in a body for their respective homes a few hours after the adjournment, There was nothing about the Capitol next day to re- Mind one of the occurrences so lately enacted, save the presence of the soldiers, a ecoro of whom still romain on perpetual guard in tho lower hall and be- fore the doors of the Exccutive office, A rumor has been prevalent fora week that those would be with- drawn to-day, but as yet thore are no signs of its being do} A direct inquiry addressed to a subaltern on this point to-day was met with the courteous but pointed reply, *‘Excuse me; our orders now are not to speak toa civilian.” WORK OF THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES. Pablic attention is now directed principally to the movements of the two Congresional committees. That of the Sonate has held its sessions with closed doors from the outset, all outsiders being rigorously ex- cluded. The House sub-committee of threo have been occupied for several days investigating cases ot alleged intimidation of republican votors in the counties of Barnwell, Aiken, Edgeticld and Abbeville, The last,two days particularly have becn assigned to Judge Lawrence for this work. Among other wit- nesses examined to-day were Major Kellogg and Licu- tenants Hoyt and Anderson, of the Eighteenth regi- ment United States infantry, and Hon, i), C. Corbin, United States District Attorney. The testimony 18 very voluminous already, and those summoned in vehaif of the democrats have not yet been reached, BOTH GOVERNORS WAITING. General Hampton and Goverior Chamberlain seem alike disposed to act on tne defeusive, cach leav- ing it to the other to assume tho aggressive. Nothing ol a direct nature has been dove by either for sevoral days past, the only approach to an attack being a suc- cessful effort on the part of General Hampton's frionds to throw the question as to whois really Goy- ernor into the courts, A LEGAL ISSUR, The issue was presented before Judge Carpenter, of this (the Eighth) circuit, to-day, upon a writ of habeas corpus, Tho petttion sets torth that the petitioner, Peter Smith, a convict in the State Penitentiary, was pardoned by Governor Chamberlain on the 20th inst, and is now illegally deprived of his liberty by Colonel Parmalee, the Superintendent of the Penitentiary. The return of the latter recitos the well known facts of the recent — election, ind claims that under the decision of the Supreme Court the Mackey House was illegally constituted, and all its acts, including the declaration of th te tor Gover- nor and the inauguration of Chamberlain, as nuil aud void; and that Hampton 18 and was at the date of the alleged pardon the lawful Governor of the State; and that the alleged pardon is, therefore, of no eflect. The array of counsel on each side is jormidable, and indica- of the great interest manifesicd by the entire State in ent of this case, Which 1s regarded as a legul taken, whatever his decision may be, by the one side or the other; but an appeal only carries the whoie matter back to the Supreme Court, which has already decided it a month ago, THA QUO WARRANTO CASR—REPUDLICAN DEPRAT. The case of T. G. Barker, ef al., the democratic Pre: dential electors, vs. C. C. Bowen, et a/., the republican electors, was heard in the Supreme Court to-day, on | jaiter parties to transier the cause to irealt Court, on the ground that the | matters therein arise under the constitution of the United States. The petition was dismissed, all the just'ces concurring. CHAMBERLAIN ENCOURAGED, Governor Chamberiain’s late financial agent, H. H. Kimpton,of New, York, spent Jast Sunday in this city. His Visit was unexpected, abd occasioned no littie amount ot ermine; especially when it became known that he bad been cioseted for several hours with Governor Chamberlain at the residence of the laiter, The ob- ject of his visit could not be ascertained because ot the reticence of himself aud bis ac. quaimtances, Wout it is now very bapa rent that’: Goveruor Chamberlain has been, in the language of one of his friends, considerably “-stifened’’ by the visit, and his utterances of yvester- day to a visitor would seem to indicate bat litle dtspo- sition on bis part to yield aby portion of bis clams, He suid, in efiect, that he was not responsivie tor any offers of compromise ani that he had never suggested or authorized aby such adjustment. There might be surrender; but if by compromise is meant a mutual yrelding of w ntage, there could be none, The Gov- ernorship was the strategic aim of cach party; that ofice alone commanded the whole situation, aud be has much more respect for Batier and Gary than tor republicans who went to purchase peace by covsenting to recognize as Valid the apparent results of the Jat campaign. < NO INTENTION TO YIELD. “IL do not,” said he, “intend to break the law or to overstep the law, but I do intend to exhaust all lawful remedies and defences before 1 yield, and if | have to choose between the jetter and the spirit of the law L shall choose the spirit.”” He deciares that he would not accopt the United States Senatorsbip in orcer to assist a compromise and would not be a candidate for the place under any circumstances, LOUISIANA, PREPARATIONS FOR ORGANIZING A DOUBLE LEGISLATURE—THE CONGRESSIONAL COM- MITTEES—PRESIDENT ORTON REPORTED TO THE HOUSE AS IN CONTEMPT—TESTIMONY ALLEGING FRAUD AND VIOLENCE oN NoTH BIDES, (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) New Onieans, Dec. 26, 1876. Mombers of the Logisiature, which boay will gon- vene here next Monday, are rapidly arriving. About thirty of the democrats met in caucus this morning, but nothing definite was determined upon. Within the past few days the State Honse has been strongly barricaded and all the oventnes closed excent One Of >t, Lous street, wnicn 1s closely guarded by a detachment of police. It is arranged that on Monday persons will be admitted who are proporly certified by the Returning Board, DEMOCRATS TO ORGANIZE SEPARATELY, The democrats in a body will demand admission, and on being denied will organize elsewhere. Only four of the latter have so far exhibited an indispos+ tion to act with the seceding body. THE SENATR COMMITTER Chairman Howe named Senators Wadleigh, McMil- lan and McDonala a sub-committee to take the testi- mony of Elizt Pinkston, On the callof Senator McDonald, Colonel J. W. Patton, chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee, took the witness stand, and occupied it during the whole session, some six hours. He testified that the late canvass was conducted by his party in a wholly peaceful manner, the instructions of the centrai committee to local leaders having been that in no case should force be resorted to except in self Sefence, Acircular, with the signature of witness, was marked *confidential,” in order to attract more attention trom those to whom it was addressed. Mr, Patton produced copies of several repuviican circulara circulated during the canvass, including one addressed to Supervisor Boudreaux, of Assumption, instruct- mg bim “to see that a full republican voto was polled, and that his observance of that duty would secure recognition by bis party.” He was confident that the State had given a decided democratic majority, but the Return- ing Board had reversed the verdict of the people. He thought the registration of the State, conducted vy Hon, Michael Haba, a repablican, was grossly unfair. Supervisors of registration were appointed by Kell and by Licutenant Governor Antoine, and frequent! did not reside in the parish. The republican managers were prompt to give a po complexion to any breaches of the peace which occurred in the State, Witness made long statements in reference to taxation and the action of tho Returning Board, He stated that many murders im the State have no political signif- icance, THR HOUSE COMMITTER. 1a the session of the House Committee a resolution was adopted instructing the chairman to report to the Honse of Repreacntatives the refusal of President Orton, of the Western Union Telegraph Company, to appear betore the comeuttee, and of Mr, Barnes, the manager here, to produce despatches, as in the opinion of the committee in contempt of the process of the Rouse, ‘The sub-committee, of which Mr, Morrison is chatr- man, took the testimony of several witnesses, who proved republican violence and intimidation, as well as the declaration of an intention on the part of Kellogg and other republican managers to couut out the dom- ocratic majority. O, B, Morgan, late a Custom House omployé, testified to the alteration of aMdavits in the Custom House tn rolation to the election, in the sub-comrnittee, of which Mr. Blackburn is chairman, several witnesses affirmed that tho election was quiet and orderly in Latayette, Livingstone apd Tangepahoa parishes’ Henry H. Michilot, parish treasurer of La Fourche, gave the history of the elece tion in that parish, charging fraud upon republican election officers. is PINESTON A DEMOCRAT—HIS WIFE NOT TRUTH: FUL, [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Mownog, La., Dec. 26, 1876, It was proved to-day before the sub-committee that Henry Pinkston voted in 1874 the democratic ticket, and was then threatened by republican negroes, Ho is shown to have been much liked by the whites, and to have becn a man who attended to his own business, Ehza Pinkston is shown to have killed a.womon in Union Parish and to have bean notoriously a bad chare acter. LITERARY CHAT. “Sidonie,” trom the press of Messrs, Appleton é& Co., 18 @ transiation of Alphonse Daudev’s ‘Zisier Jeune et Fromont Aine.” Daudet, for some time ove of the most charming of fewillefonists, in Dia “Contes de Lomdi’’? suddenly broke upon the Parisian public as a novelist, a surprise aud asuccess, The subject of ‘Zisler Jeune et Fromont Aind,’ tho ever recurring rupture of the soventh Commandment, was so dramatically treated that it was at once adapted to the stage, and made a furor at the Gymnase, under the name of “Sidonic,* the title adopted as more euphonious by the translator, The scene is laid in the petit bourgeors or ‘*Marchand”? soolety of Paris, and de- talis events that could only occur in the imagination of the writer, yet depictod with such truth and life. likeness that it seems a family history. Whatever in the novel may be deleterious to the morals of the reader has, in the translation, been so judiciously softened and adapted to the susceptibilities of the American public that the story loses none of tts Ine tense interost, and will not offend the most fastidious, Wo particularly commend the translator for the excellence of his English and tho freedom from idioma incident to most translations, OBITUARY. ‘ JUDGE EDWARD J, WARREN. Judge Edward J. Warren, who died at Washington, N, C., Sunday, December 10, was one of the prominent Jawyers of the State, He was boro in Vermont, De- cember 23, 1826. He was admitted to the Bar of the county of Beaufort, North Carolina, and was a member of the Convention ot 1860, He served several terms in tho Legislature, In 1871-2 he was Speaker of the Senate, From the close of the War till the adoption of the constitution of 1865 he was Judge of the Superior Court of North Carolina, the cow of last appeal. He received bis degree from Dart, mouth College, with Moody’ B. Smith, Esq, and Whitney Barstow, M. D., of this city, and other mem: bers of the class of 1846, About twenty years avo h had full charge of the proseeution of a clergyman ai raigned for murder, Immediately after the jury an. nounced their verdict of guilty the minister rose and shot Judge Warren in the leit side. The bullet pone. trated the loppel of an overcoat, an under coat and vest and touched bis updershirt, His skin was unbroken, He was tbrown down and the shock compeiled him to take his bed for six weeks. The clergyman blew his own brains out in open court, Judge Warren’s purity of character and high legal talents were never called in question, ‘ DR. EDWARD 8, FINLAY. Dr. Edward & Finlay, of this city, died Monday evening, at ten o'clock, at his residence, 159 East Forty-sixth street, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, He was born in Santa Cruz, and received bis early edu. cation inthe West Indies, Sabsequently he went to Ircland, and graduated at frinity college, Dublin. He studied afterward in London, Paris and Copenhagen, Jn 1844 he came to the United States, and practised medicine in New York unuil his briet Anal iliness, Dr. Fialay was a ripe schol, Tie spoke and wrote sov- eral langnages, and waa well known by his contributions to the scientific periodicals of the tims, He was a memver of several learned focicties, and one of the most prominent members of the Arcadian and Palette clubs, Though he had a Inerative practice bis genoros ty was such that he died in by no means good circum stances, In his earier days Dr, Finlay tounacd a charity hospitul in this city at his own expense, and later he established ge medical sciool, which, however, proved financially a tailure. His tuneral ba peoneply’ take place to-morrow morning at ten o'clock, DAVID -CRAWFORD'S OBSEQUIES. The funeral services at Or. Hall's church over the remains of the late David Crawford were yesterday attended by a large body of our most influential citi- zens. Few men have left behind them more »ffection- ate memories or will be more deeply misssed by those who appreciated his sterling qualities of head and heart, His loss has cast a gloom over the Union Club, of which he was tor many years a governor, ICE IN THE BAY. The northeast wind and ebb tide yesterday drove large quantisies of heavy drift ice down the bay. No vessels are now at anchor in the Narrows or the Upper Bay, ali of them having been towed to places of satety, The quarantine hospital ship Iitinots, the revenue steamer Grant, six large square-rizged vessels, besides anumber of pilot boats and schooners have been hanled in at the’American docks, Tompkinsville. Thi staten Island ferry buats had consideravie difficulty in” reaching their land.ngs at Tompkinsville, Stapleton aad Clitoo, the saperintendeat accumpanying each ‘boat along the landings to assist the pilots in handling them, FIRE IN SOUTH WILLIAM SIREET Nicholas Rath’s place (liquor store), No, 28 South William street, was injured by fire, which broke out in the cellar, yesterday evening. ‘The damage to stock was $1,500; to Suing, owned by F. Cary, $500, The place was insured. Tho cause of tire is unknown, FIRE IN WESTCHESTER, Shortly after six o'clock yesterday morning a two. story frame house on Riverdale avenue, Yonkers, canght fire, which soon communioated with a threoe story building adjoining, both of which wero nearly destroyed beiore the flames were subdued by the Fire Department. The two-story house belonged to the Mew Devitt estate and was occupied asa lager beer saloon and dwelling. The loss on tie house is about $1, which 18 fully insured in the Royal Insurance Com. pany, of New York. The three-story buildiag was owned by Join MoUlue, anda was let out in floors, It Was damaged to the extent of $1,500; insured 1 Manbattan, of New York, The Joss on stook aad (are niture ip butt houses is estimated at $1,600, The fire, it believed, was occasioned by au overheated chiu: