The New York Herald Newspaper, December 22, 1878, Page 5

B WASHINGTON. An Insight Into Our Diplomatic "Service in China, THE SEWARD BOOKS. Senator Blaine's Election Outrages Com- mittee as a Public Court. GREENBACKS FOR DUTIES. GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasmrxaton, Dec. 21, 1878, INVESTIGATING MR. SEWARD'S CONDUCT IN OHINA—TESTIMONY OF A CONSULAR CLERK AT . SBANGHAT, The Seward Investigating Committee was in ses- sion four hours to-day, all the members being present except Mr. Turner, of Kentucky. Before proceeding with the examination the chairman (Mr. Springer, of Tlinois,) stated that as to the question pending yesterday in regard to whether Mr. Seward should be required to obey the subpoena duces tecum and produce the books, papers and vouchers therein called for, the commit- ‘tee had agreed in executive session to leave the mat- ter undecided until the reassembling of the House after the holidays. The committee then proceeded to the examination of Mr. A. R. Lewis, consular clerk at Shanghai, as a witness for the prosecution. Among his other duties Mr. Lewis had charge of the book in which was kept the account of what was known as the seamen’s fund, and he testified that all through his service there an addition of five per cent had been put on the disbursements out of that fund and charged against the government. This had been done by him under the instructions of Mr. Seward, and the ex- planation that he had got of it was that that percentage was designed to cover the loss by exchange; at one time the percentage wwas increased to twenty, but an order had been re- ceived from Mr. Conger (then acting Secretary of Btate in place of Frederick W. Seward, who was suf- fering from wounds received while defending his father from the attack of Paine), reducing the per- centage to five and requiring the reimbursement of the difference, The chairman asked the witness whether the receipts to the fund did not exceed the disbursement, and whether, consequently, there could properly be any deduction for loss in exchange, but tho witness, while aware that sometimes as much as $20,000 stood to the credit of the government on the quarterly account for that fund, could not tell how the general accounts of the office balanced. He ‘also testified as to his refusal on one occasion to sign .@ quarterly voucher for $300 for services in the Con- eular Post Office on the ground that he had not done work in the Post Office except for a very short time during the quarter; but the explanation of this ap- parent irregularity was, that while the witness’ sal- ary in the Consulate was $2,200, his nominal salary as consular clerk was only $1,000, and that the differ- ence was made up either out of the Post Office fund or Mr. Seward’s pocket. He was then interrogated as to Mr. Sew- erd’s business investments in Shanghai, and specified two mortgages, aggregating some $15,000, which Mr. Seward had taken about ‘the time when there was the largest balance on hand from the seamen’s fund and also spoke as to Mr. Seward'’s being the owner of forty or fifty Chinese houses in Shanghai, the aggregate cost of ‘which, howover, could not have excceded $5,000. Another point in his testimony was that Mr. Seward ‘was the lessee of the Consulate building at Shanghai, ‘pnd sublet it to the government at a rental of $3,600; wi an equally commodious building could be obtained at a much less rate. Then, after describing the character of the blotters in which the daily trans- ‘actions were entered (which books are not among those transmitted to the State Department and within the control of the committee), he was proceeding to state how he went to look for them in the loft of the consular building, where old books and documents ‘snd other rubbish were kept; how he could not find them there, and how he learned from George (or A. Qui), the Chinaman who had the key of the loft, what had become of them, but before he could finish the story (which would have been that the books were packed up and taken to Pekin by Mr. Seward) he was stopped by an objection from Mr. Merrick, Mr. Seward’s counsel, on the ground that the tes- timony was hearsay and therefore incompetent. A long discussion ensned on the part of the counsel and members of the committee, and finally the Chair- man overruled the objection, assigning as one reason for his action that there had been bad faith on the part of Mr. Seward and his counsel in withholding these books when one of the express conditions on which the case had been continued last summer was that these books should be produced. Mr. Merrick and Mr. Ashton resented the charge of bad faith, de- nied that there was any such condition and claimed that the books in question were not public, but pri- vate books. An appeal from the decision of the Chair was taken by Mr. Bundy and the committee refused to sustain the decision, the votes being :— Yras—Mesers, Dean and Mayham. Nays—Mesers. Bame, Bundy and Dunnell, Subsequently, with the consent and approval of all concerned, the Chairman modified the remark which had given so much offence, and changed it to “A violation of what, in his judgment, was the understanding,” and the reporter was directed to omit from the record all allusion to the unpleasant- mess. The committee then adjourned to Monday. THE SESSIONS OF THE BLAINE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE TO BE HELD WITH OPEN DOORS, ‘The Select Committee of the Senate, of which Mr. Teller is chairman, charged with the investigation ‘of tho alleged election frauds at the recent elections, in pursuance of the Blaine resolution adopted by the (Senate, held a brief session this morning. Mr. Teller \{nformed the committee that he had been unable to carry out the instructions of the committee with re- gard to presenting Mr. Blaine with a copy of the reso- lution of Mr. Bailey, which was adopted at the meet- ing of the committee yesterday afternoon, to the effect ‘that he (Mr. Blaine) should furnish the committee with such specifications of matters contained in the original resolution under which the committee was appointed, in order that they might have material necessary upon which to base an inquiry, he being unable to find that gentleman. A resolution was then submitted and unanimously adopted requesting Senator Thurmen to furnish the committeo with any facts in his possession relative to the matters men- Aioned in his amendment to the Blaine resolution, and tho Chair was requested to furnish him (Mr, ‘Thurman) with a copy of the same as carly as practi- cable, Senator Bayard then offered a resolution pro- vitling that the future sexsions of the committees be held with open doors. Agreed to. The committee ‘then adjourned until Thursday, January 9, The amendment of Judge Thurman referred to is as follows :— ‘The committeo shail also inquire whether any citi- ‘wen of any State has been dismissed or threatened with dismissal from omployment or the deprivation of any right or privilege by reason of his vote or in- éention to vote at the recent election, or has been ‘otherwine interfered with, and to inquire whether in the year 1874 monoy was raised by assess. ment or otherwise upon federal ofMfce-holders or employés for clection purposes, and under what circumstances and by what means, and if so what amount was expended; and further, whether such assessments were not in violation of law; and shell turther inquire into the action and conduct of the United States supervisors of clection tin the several States, and as to the number of mar- yshals and deputy marshals and others employed to take part in the conduct of the said clectious and in what State or city La tw ol the amount of money aid or jised to be paid to them, how, by whom Bhd aster what law or authority, i GOLD, SILVER AND GREENBACKS YOR CUSTOMS DUTIES, The Secrotary of the Treasury this afternoon issned the following circular letter to officers of customs ;— Tueasony DeranrMent, Wasntxetos, Doe, 21, 1878, Your attention is called to the provisions of the third Gection of tho act of Congrows spproved January 14,, NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 99 amy 1878—QUADRUPLE SHEET. 1875, providing that on and after January 1, A. D., 1879, the Secretary ofthe Treadury shal! redeem in coin the United States tender notes then outstanding on their tation far redemption at the offies of the Assistant Treasurer of the United States in the city of New York in sums of not less than $50, sou of this act you are authorized to receive United States notes as well ag gold cgin and standard silver dollars in payment of daties on imports on and after the Ist day of January, 1879. Notes this received will in every instance be deposited with the Troas- urer or some assistant treasurer of the United States, as are other collections of such duties, to be redvemed from time to time in coin on government account, as the convenience of tho service may de- mand, JOHN SHERM. BS ry. SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE FOUR PER CENTS. The subscriptions to the four per cent loan to-day amounted to $172, ‘TREASURY STATEMENT. The Treasury now holds $348,940,000 in United States bonds to secure bank circulation and $13,933,300 in United States bonds to secure public deposits; United States bouds deposited on account of subscription to the fonr per cent loan, $3,703,400; United States bonds deposited for circulation for the week ending to-day, $1,057,000; United States bonds held for circulation withdrawn during the week end- ing to-day, $1,732,000; national pank circulation out- standing—currency notes, $322,092,686; gold notes, $1,468,820, The internal revenne receipts to-day $303,023 52, and the customs receipts $310,691 The receipts of national bank notes for redemption for the week ending to-day, as compared with the corresponding period last year, are as follows:— were 1877. $831,000 3,000 1,041,000 149,000 000 Miscellancous. 853,000 491,000 Totals... s++++ $4,119,000 $2,166,000 Receipts to-day, $472,000; BILIS APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT. ‘The President to-day approved the following acts of Congress :— Providing for the deficiency in the transportation of mails by railroads. Making an appropriation for paying the expenses of the yellow fever investigation. Authorizing the donation of twenty condemned bronze cannon to aid in erecting a monument to General George A. Custer. Changing the time of holding the United States Circuit Court of West Virginia. Extending the time for the joint commission on the transfer of the Indian Bureau to the War Department to report the result of their investigation to tho Ist of February next. Providing for the distribution of the Revised Stat- utes by the Post Office Department. : TEXAS PACIFIC RAILROAD SUIT. Pierre Fayolle and other holders of the land grant bonds of the Memphis, El Paso and Pacific Railroad Company filed recently in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia a bill intended to restrain the ‘Texas Pacific Railroad Company from disposing, by sale or transfer, of the first named corporation's stock and property. The answer of the Texas Pacific Company, filed to-day, demurs to the jurisdiction of the Court on the ground that its—the Texas Pacific’s—officers are not residents of this District, that it has no place of business here, andcan properly be sued only in the States and Territories where its road is located and its officers reside. MUTILATING MAIL MATTER ON z ROUTRS. A circular was issued hy the Post Office Depart- ment to-day calling the attention of postmasters, mail contractors and all concerned to the careless and reckless handling of United States mails on the so-called “Star” routes between points not united by steam communication. The circular complains that mail bags are often exposed to the weather, used by passengers in stages for seats, and carried on horseback when they can be properly transported only in wheeled vehieles, and that by reason of such care- lessness and neglect tHeir ‘contents are frequently reduced to a mero pulpy mass. The department warns contractors that repetitions of these offences in future will be punished by the highest penalties known to the law, and notifies postmasters that a failure to report such delinquencies of the contractors will subject them to censure or dismissal. CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION OF THE LATE EPIDEMIC IN THE SOUTH. The sub-committess appointed by the select com- mittees of the Senate and Honse to visit the South, for the purpose of investigating the cause of the yellow fever opidemic and seeing if any plan can be devised to prevent a recurrence of the same, expect to leave Washington on Tuesday next for their respective localities—viz., Memphis and vicinity and New Or- leans and vicinity. THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT. Tho Joint Congressional Commission upon the Washington Monument met at the Executive Man- sion this afternoon. Resolutions of the Monument Society, favoring an alteration in the plan of the structure were read, together with a letter from W. W. Story, explaining and advocating a plan suggested by himself and approved by the society. Both ¢om- munications were discussed and will be transmitted to Congress; but it is understood that the members of the commission regard unfavorably any change in the plan of the monument at this late day, RAILROAD REPORTS. THE “‘sTAR” NEW YORE AND*HARLEM COMPANY. Atpany, N. Y., Dec. 21, 1878, ‘The New York and Harlem Railroad Company have submitted their annual report to the State Engineer. The following isa summary of the same:—Capital stock, $30,000,000; stock subscribed, $9,450,000; amount paid in as per last report, $9,050,000, Total now paid in, including $400,000 in adjusting the ac- counts for the construction of the Fourth ave- nue improvement, $9,450,000. Funded debt, as per last report, $10,617,; funded debt now, —$10,617,3: mde mortgages on property ‘in’ New York, — $700,000; present tunded and floating debt, $11,317,329;. average rate of interest on the same, per cent. ‘Total cost of road and equipment, as per last report, $21,922,845 97; as per present report, $21,968,707 97. Number of passengers carried, 10,065,004. Expense of maintaining road end real estate, $48,008 86, Ex- pense of operating road and repairs, $378,416 70. Re- ceipts from passengers, $632,395 78; receipts from other sources, $111,578 06. Payments for trans- ion, maintenance and repairs, $427,525 56, idend on stock, one of three per cent, $383,500. Casualties—During the year there were four killed and six injured. THE BOSTON AND LOWELT, COMPANY. Bosrox, Dec. 21, 1878. The report of the Boston and Lowell Railroad shows the total receipts for the yeur ending Septem- her 30, to have been $1,031,066 59, and the expenses $972,606 41, leaving a net income of $108,460 18, MURDER AND ROBBERY. (BY TELEGRAPH To THF WenaLp.} Macon, Ga., Dec, 21, 1878, This morning at Waddy, on the Central Railroad, Mr. Stephens, a clerk of Murphy & Bedingfield, was found murdered on the floor in the store with his throat cut from ear to car, A bloody razor was found near by. ‘The post office in the same building was rob! of $15 cash in the drawer, which was stolen and the anfe tampered with, The object of the mur- der was robbery. Great excitement prevails. No clew has yet been discovered to the perpetrators. PROTECTION FOR WESTERN SETTLERS. Sax Francisco, Deo, 21, 1878, A despatch from Portland, Oregon, states that Gov- ernor Terry, of Washington Torrite has been closeted with General Howard in this city, consider- ing the alarming state of affairs in tho eastern part of that Territory and the suspicious attitude of Chief Moses and his band. Steps have been taken to secure the safety of settlers. Two companies of infantry and two of cavalry will be despatched to Kittitass Valley as s00n as possible, and & post will be established near Ellensburg. Camp Harney will be abandoned or troops now there will be stationed at the new post DESPERATE AFERAY. Crxcrxxatt, Ohio, Dec, 21, 1878, A special despatch says:—On an eastward bound train of the Grand Trunk road, noar Ridgeway, Mich., on Thursday night, © passenger named Waller Storms was attacked by a follow passenger, while standing on the rear platform of the rear car, who cnt his throat, robbed him of $600 and then threw him’ from the moving train. Storm strack ina snow bank and crawled to a farmer's house, where surgical aid was summoned. His assailant is a gambler named Crabb, and it is sus- pected that Storms is his pal, and that the attack was he result of a quarre! over spoils, The physician States that Storms can hardly recovom — } AMUSEMENTS. THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC—‘“THE MAGIC FLUTE.” Those who yesterday visited the matinée of the opera went indoors in a: beautiful snow storm and came out in a terrific rain storm, paying very dearly for their amusement. But while all was cold and stormy without all was cheerful within; and, as matinée audiences are proverbially good natured, the performance was very greatly enjoyed, Perhaps if the ladies, with their delicate buudles of Christmas presents, had known what a stormy ending there was to be to the matinéo even Gerster might not hava been encored auch, Signor Frapolli enjoyed his part in the tedious opera yesterday, and quite as much as Signor Del Puente redeemed it from its dulness of construe- tion, if “The Magic Flute,” with its charming little melodies, can ever be called really dull, There were times when Mile, Parodi earned all the applause that she received, and we heard people likening her to Parepa; but'she is to Parepa what an onyx is to a ruby. ‘The people wish to have plenty of cheer and brilliancy at their matinées, and they lad no reason to be disappointed with the singers at the mating of “The Magic Flute.” 80 ACADEMY OF MUSIC-—-THE SECOND PHILHAR- MONIC CONCERT. The unfavorable state of the weather somewhat affected the attendance at the Philharmonic concert last night, although such an assemblage as was pres- ent must be considered as complimentary to the soloist and the orchestra, ‘The programme was the same as that given yesterday, except thet the “Ah Perfido” of Beethoven was sung by Miss Hauk in the first part. ‘The performance was another evidence of the remarkable versatility of the artist, although it cannot be said that she appeared altogether at ease or sang at her best. She again won a brilliant sue- cess by her renderings ‘of the songs by Bubinstein and Schubert, and the ‘Haide Roslein”’ of the latter was heartily encored. The orchestral features, in- cluding the selections. from Beethoven, Lerlioz and Tschaikowsky, were received with more warmth even than vyoutord when a large andience was in attendance, CHICKES(NG HALL-—BENEFIT CONCERT. A convert ie) ihe benefit of the library fund of the Thirty ious Street Synagogue was given at Chicker- ing Hal.) sight. Quite a large number of tickets had been so! / 11 advance for the concert, but the un- pleasant wee ue prevented as large a gather- ing a8 was ty have been expected. A varied progim + wa admirably rendered by Miss Eycliua Ho rtz,T 4 G. Braggioti, Mr. M. Van Gelder, Mr. 8. Sosnowsk * gnor Moderati and _ the orchestra of the Harme sical Union, Miss Hartz received an ences f, arand aria from “Nabueco,” and what tl. lacked in numbers it made'up in appreciat.) ' ¢ the efforts of the artists, tUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES. Herman Linde will not play at Booth’s Theatre, as announced. He goes to London. “Only a Farmer's Daughter” will hold its place at the Globe ‘Theatre until further notice. “Our Boarding House” is announced at the Brook- lyn Park Theatre for the coming holiday week. Only one week more is allowed the public in which to witness Harrigan’s Irish drama, “Logaire,” at the Theatre Comique. Miss Sallie Reber, the well known soprano, last week sang toa large audience in Newburg with the Choral Union of that city. “The Banker's Daughter,”’ at the Union Square, has become the “town talk’ in theatrical circles. It is being played to large houses. “Cinderella” continues to attract the little folks at the New York Aquarium, and will doubtless be one of the sensations of the holiday season. Backus, Birch and Wambold, with their troupe of San Francisco Minstrels. have been followed by good. luck since the opening of the season, and they have well deserved it. Mme. Gerster will make her first appearance at the Academy in ‘Faust’ to-morrow evening. She will be supported by Campanini, Galassi, Del Pucnte and Mme. Lablache. Acomplimentary dinner will be given to Colonel Mapleson and family at the Astor House, to-morrow. Another will be given at the Westminster Hotel on Wednesday evening. ‘Tony Pastor is drawing large houses with his va- riety performances, and will doubtless be among the few who will come out of the theatrical campaign with flying colors. “The Olympic Theatre is to reopened to-morrow evening under the management of Messrs. Gardner and Hallock. The play announced for the occasion is entitled ‘fhe Brides of Garry Owen.” The sale of seats for “Trovatore,” in which Mme. Marie Roze will appear on Tuesday night, at the Acad- emy of Music, is said to be unusually large, notwith- standing the fact that it is Christmas Eve. Miss Genevieve Ward, while in Washington, was the recipient of the hospitality of the White House and the courtesies of many of the leading officials, Sho appears in Syracuse to-morrow night in “Henry vii." ‘The management of the Standard Theatre have no reason to complain of alack of appreciation. “Al- most A Life” has proved to be one of the hits of the season. It will probably be performed throughout the country. Herr August Wilhelmj and Miss Drasdil are to be the soloists of the next concerts of the Symphony Society, to take place Januury 2 and 4, Herr Wil- helmj will play Beethoven's violin concerto, with fnll orchestral accompaniment. “My Son,’ at Wallack’s Theatre, enters upon an- other week of pronounced success. The old favorites of this beautiful place of entertainment agree that the play is one of the most attractive that has been seen on the boards for a long time. “The Double Marriage,” now being played at the Lycoum Theatre under the management of Miss Kate Claxton, is drawing fair, but not overflowing houses. It is understood that she is having a new version of the incidents of the play written, H. J. Byron’s amusing burlesque, “The Babes in the Wood,” will be brought out at the Park Theatre to-morrow by the Colville Folly Company. It is full of laughable situations, and there is not a little of the author's peculiar style of wit in the dialogue. At Niblo’s to-morrow night # new play writton by Mr. George Fawcett Rowe and Paul Merritt, entitled “New York and London,” will be put on the stage. It is said to be “a roaring drama” and replete with effective situations. Mr. Rowe personates a detective, “Uncle Dan’l; or, The Messenger from Jarvis Sec- tion,” continues to make merriment and tears at the Broadway Theatre, and has proved to be one of the most popular plays yet produced at thishonse, Mr. Macanley is a consummate actor, inasmuch as in his acting he conceals his art. The fourth concert by the Mapleson Opera Com- pany will take place this evening at Booth’s Theatre. ‘The programme comprises. many popular selections, which will be interpreted by such artists as Signor Del Puente, M. Thierry, Signor Frapolli, Signor Foli, Mmes, Sinico, Pisani and Parodi, and Miles. Jeanne and Louise Douste, the juvenile pianists. At the Grand Opera House to-night Gilmore and his band will give another concert, assisted by Mile. Tima de Murska, Levy, Susini, Mr. C, Makin and Pro- fessor Hill, Mile, de Murska will sing, for the first time, “La Polonaise,” from “Mignon,” and “Vocal Waltz,” by Mattei; also, by request, “My Grand- father’s Clock” and Arditti’s “L’Orologgto.”’ Mr. Joe Jefferson is the feature of the Fifth Avenno ‘Theatre, and his “Rip Van Winkle” constitutes a good holiday bill. It would be gratifying to his many ad- mirers, however, if this popular actor would appear in some others of his famous parts. Miss Mary Croly has greatly improved since her début and bids fair to become a favorite. She is pretty and piquant. Agrand orchestra composed of the former mem- bers of the Theodore Thomas orchestra, under tho direction of Mr. G. Carlberg, will give the second public rehearsal in the Chickering Hall series of Symphony concerts on Thursday afternoon, the 26th inst., and the second concert on the evening of Satur- day. The soloists are Mme, Anna Granger Dow and Mr. 8. B. Mills, the pianist. Mr. Max Strakosch, who conducted a campaign of Italian opera at Booth’s Theatre last winter, is to try his fortunes again at that house, opening on January 5. Miss Kellogg, Miss Cary, Mile. Litta, Mile. Marco, Signora Galimberti, Miss Lancaster, Mr. Adams, Signori Rosnati, Lazzarini and Panteleoni, and Messrs. Conly, Westberg, Canffman and Behrens aro the principals of the troupe, ‘The Steinway Hall concert for the purpose of se- curing @ building fund for the Nautilus Boat Club, promises to be the grandest affair of the season. The moat distinguished vocal and instrumental artists have volunteered their services, and the sale of seats ja already very large, Those who wish to be presept | answer, should, therefore, secure seats as soon as possible, ‘The concert will take place on the 7th of January. ‘The business done during the last week at Booth's was so great that the inanagement have determined to keep “Evangeline” on the boards until further no- tice. It will therefore remain as the holiday attrac- tion of this theatre, There will be a matinée on Christmas Day and also on Saturday, The perform: ance is enjoyable because ludicrous, The cast is a fair one, the chorus above the average and the or- chestra excellent. Gus Williams introduces a num- ber of his songs and recitations in one of the acts. Agrand benefit performance will be given at the Academy of Music by the artists of “Her Majesty's Opera” to assist the Academy directors in raising a fund to supply and stock the theatre with necessary scenery, which will hereafter belong to the stock- holders. The programme consists of the first act of “Traviata,” the third act of “Dinorah,” the fourth act of “Les Huguenots” and the ballet divertissement “Les Papillons.” Mmes. Gerster, Marie Roze, Min- nie Hauk and TLablache will appear, The stock- holders have yoted to surrender their right to ad- mission and seats for the evening. At the Germania Theatre the now celebrated comedy of “Doctor Klaus" was performed every night last week to the exclusion of every other piece that had been billed, owing to the poplar demand for its pro- duction. The same piece will be given to-morrow and Tuesday evening. On Wednesday (Christmas) night Miss Helene Kuhse, a soubrette, from the Wol- tersdorf Theatre in Berlin, Carola in Leipzig, Victoria in Frankfort and other principal theatres in Enrope, having just arrived from Germany, will appear in the musical comedy, “Ihre Familie,” by Stinde and En- gels, in which she assumes the rdleof Lilli, She will be supported by a strong cast. Miss Minnie Cummings’ Drawing Room Theatre (late Heller's) will be opened to-morrow evening, on which oceasion will be presented for the first time an operatic lark in two escapades, entitled ‘Man- hattan Beach, or Love Among the Breakers,” and the Protean farce, “In and Out of Place.” The music of the operetta is by Mr. Edwin Mollenhauer, but it seems that an injunction has been already laid upon the performance, which yesterday compelled Miss Cummings to give bonds in order that she may keop faith with the public and produce the piece. The merits of the question are to be argued on Tuesday. ‘The theatre is ina central location and it is said the management will make it thoroughly attractive, THE RUSSIAN STEAMERS. DEPARTURE OF THE EUROPE AND ASTA IN CHARGE OF AMERICAN OFFICERS. PHILADELPHIA, Dec, 21, 1878, The Russian steamships Europe and Asia sailed this morning at half-past nine o'clock. As the ships left the wharf the Russian sailors on the steamers Africa and Zabiaca mounted the rigging and gave them a parting salute, and the Keystone Battery fired a salute of twenty-six guns. ‘They were also saluted as they passed the Market street wharf. A number of invited guests accom- panied the steamers down the river to Chester. A salute of guns greeted the two vessels as the Europe led the way past the Navy Yard at League Isldnd and steamed siowly down the river through the fog and falling snow. Both vessels cleared under their original names (Columbus and State of California), their clearance papers at the Custom House representing them as in ballast and bound for Sitka, Alaska, They displayed no colors but the United States flag, and Mr. Barker, the re- puted agent of the Russian government, went with the State of California (the Europe) as_ the registered owner and in charge ot both vessels. They are, therefore, nominally American craft bound from one American port to another. The Europe carries about three hundred and the Asia two hundred pas- sengers. rok deca THE BARROOM BELL PUNCH. DISCOURAGING FIGURES IN RELATION TO ITS EFFICIENCY IN FILLING THE VIRGINIA ‘TREASURY. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Ricumonp, Dee. 21, 1878, The returns of the Moffet system of liquor taxation, embracing the whole State, and covering the first fiseal year, have just been made public. They show that the registers and licenses combined only produce $68,469.anore than the old system, w"pftat disappolitMent. It was’ clatmed for the rogisters that they would yield at least $600,000 per annum. In many localities public opinion has been against the law, and in consequence little real earnest eflort has been made to enforce it. Dealers have in many instances neglected to ring _ the beil upon the sale of drinks, and have not been reported because their customers regarded the law as oppressive, inquisitorial and unjust. In Richmond, where the court was certainly active enough in prosecutions, it is conceded that only about half of the drinks are now registered for taxation that used to be when the register was first introduced. This is more especially the case with small groggeries. Now, as some offset to these discouraging symp- toms it should be said that the law is susceptible of amendment that will increase its efficiency, and that Moffet has a much Detter register than the one now in use; but as the liquor dealers are clamorous for & repeal of the law and will undertake to prepare a bill that will raise more money by the simple, Hcense system, it is doubtful if the Moffet plan will be much longer continued. Dr. Moffet ix a leader of the readjusters, He is just now in an awkward po- sition. He would like to see his system a success, but it is the policy of his party not to put money into the State Treasury. Between these conflicting interests he is thought to waver; and, in the mean- time, the enemies of the bell punch, relying upon the year’s results to prove it # failure, are urgently de- manding its repeal. ANOTHER EW STEAMER. SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF A VESSEL FOR THE CUBAN COASTWISE TRADE. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) PHILapetruta, Dec. 21, 1878, In the midst of a storm an iron steamer called the Cuba, built for the firm of Davila & Co., of Cuba, for the Havana coastwise trade, was launched this morning from the shipyard of Messrs, Neafie & Levy. The length of the vessel is 215 feet by 341; fect ‘beam. The cabins are beantifully fitted up, and there are two decks for freight, A'vertical direct acting condensing engine will drive a propeller wheel eleven feet in diameter. The vessel is to be rigged with two masts, and will rate in the first class. She was launched very snecoss- fully. Some seventy-five persons were on board and between two and three hundred witnessed the launch. THE CAPTIVE CHEYENNES. Sr, Lours, Dec. 21, 1878, A despatch from Topeka, Kan., says:—“In response to a demand mado by the Governor of Kansas the authorities at Washington have ordered the captured Cheyenne Indians to be taken to Fort Leavenworth, with a view to identifying those quilty of ontrages in the States, that sneh may be turned over to the civil authorities of Kansas for trial and the remainder to their agency in the Indian Territory.” RAILROAD SMASH UP. As the rapid transit train on the Harlem Railroad, which leaves the Grand Central Depot at half-past twelve P. M., was approaching Willlamsbridge yester- day, it collided with @ freight train and Edward Beisinger, a fireman, was fatally injared. From the accounts that were obtained last night at the station in Williambridge, it appears that the freight train ‘was due at that place at twenty-two minutes to one P. M., but was about half i= ref oe hom = was stopped about two hun south of the ‘stefion and one cat wan drawn ahead hy the engine.to be placed on to aside track. The con- ductor of the freight train declares that the flagman, John Orton, whose duty it was to warn the approach: ing passenger train, was at his post signalling. The engineer of the passenger train, however, declares that he saw no flagman. The freight train stood just at the end of acurve and as the passenger train p at three minutes past ono P. the collision curred, The freight train was pa paternal eral cars being broken to pieces. o engine of the wenger train was broken in picees, and the age and smoking car was thrown from the sok. James Prometier, the engineer, was slightly bruised, and Beisinger was crashed between tho engine and the tender so that he died four hours later, after having had his leg amputated. About half a dozen passengers were on the train, and none were injured except one man, who had his lip cut, CRUEL TO HIS WIFE. William Hamilton, of No, 31 First strect, was ar- raigned at Essex Market Police Court, yesterday, charged with having attempted to throw his wife out of the second story window and otherwise abused her because she would not give him some money. Ho said he was a salesman; but it was shown during the examination that he has been unkind to the woman, who has been his wife only one year. On Friday evening this treatment culminated in his alleged at- tempt to injure her, and her cries brought the neigh- bors to her assistance. An officer found him choking | heron the bed, Hamilton was held in $500 bail to THE CITY IN WHITE: A Storm Which Promised Great Sport for the Small Boy. GOTHAM IN AN UPROAR. Scenes in the Streets that Opened Joytully. THE SNOW STORM’S DEATH. Early yesterday morning the heavens opened and the flakes of snow desceuded genily, steadily and as pleasant. The snow was trodden inte paste, the paste became siush, and the slush made walking im possible and ‘standing dangerous. cars made the eurves with yreat care, and nearly the regular number of trips was made. A TRANSPORMATION SCENE. Quick observers noticed a great change im the tem- perature of the city about two o'clock. A thaw seemed on the verge of appearance, moisture marked. the surface of the ice, yraduaily the snow flakes turned to rain drops, Presently the drippings be came a deluge and the snow storm became a rain- fall. In the twinkling of an eye the small boy van- ished from the Park, the snow.» were drawn e . the salt and sand carts disappeared, the Such walking as was then provided is to the April manner born, and sometimes is Seen at the time of the January thaw, but it is rare that any other period of the year knows aught of the puddles, lakes, oases of water in the desert of the streets as capped the climax of discomfort yesterday afternoon. In front of the Fulton ferryhouse was & little lake in which a yaw! could float. The street gutters ran like mill races. Drivers were drenched, pedestrians were permeated, children caught cold and trade tumbled. No one can do business in a rain. The jewellers’ stores, the great dry goods establish- ments, those modern marvels the bazaars, where all sorte and conditions of goods can be had at half price were deserted, aud clerks and cash boys breathed again. The horse cars steamed with wet men in wet clothing. The elevated road, dismal as it was in the snowstorm, Was now in the zenith of successful sor- row. The ‘platforms at Hanover square and Fulton e discharges, if on business, Unprepared tor its appearance—for it discounted Old Probabilities by at least twenty- four hours—dealers were entirely disconcerted by the rush for areties, rubbers, tips and “gums” that made a red letter day in the experience of trade. ‘The first snow flakes were small and fine. They gave promise of long continued sequence and encouraged the tradesmen to display their stock of skates, to pile sleds before their doors, to hang their furs in the windows and to polish up their bells, During the darkness of te morning, past the noon- day hour and far on toward the booming of the sun- set gun the steadiness of the snowfall bade the poor man tremble and sent the red flush of anticipation to the pallid cheek ot wealth, The signals of eaution flaunted in the breeze, and ancient mariners squinted at the vane, confident in their knowledge, which is power, and declined to poke the noses of their craft into the fog then settling over the harbor. The ships themselves, whitened by the fallen snow, reared their tall aspires up toward the clouds and looked like fleets of phan- toms, silent as the tomb. The shrill whistle of the ferryboats, the deep diapason of the steamers, the impertinent screech af the tugs and the long-drawn scream of the factorie+ near tho river front, com- bined to make the harbor and the ferry routes on either side of the city noisy and nerve-startling be- yond precedent. THE JOY OF TRADESMEN. The human and the equine races were in a peck of trouble. Here and there was a thoughtful man with umbrella, overshoes and ulster, as here and there was a horse with sharpened shoes, but as a rule but few men had calculated on the coming of the storm, so that wet fect, frequent falls, muttered curses and turned up collars were the “propah capah’” for the day. No words can express the happiness of the boy of the period. In the first place, it was Saturday, with no school to occupy the time, no pedagogue to designate the task. Then the snow packed well, and every boy knows that that's the kind of snow to play in. With whoop and yell the urchins made the streets resound and luckless ‘‘peelers”’ be- came involuntary targets for hundreds of well rounded, consistently packed snowballs, while stage drivers, cartmen and other “‘boys" came in for their full share. The shops and bazaars overran with boys and girls. Parents and guardians felt how keen it is to have a skating child, and fora few hours dealing in mittens, sleds, fur caps, rubbers and skates was more active than in all the preceding season. It may be doubted if Washington and Fulton markets were ever dirtier or busier than they were during the day, The tramp, tramp of thousands of purchasers covered the crowded pavements and blockaded thoroughfares with a nasty, sticky paste, that drabbled skirts, soaked trousers, penetrated soles and chilled marrow in human bones. But for all that there was a cer- tain seasonable oxygen in tbe very fact of a snow storm, and it imparted to the poultry men, the butchers, the grocers and the unpretentious sellers of butter, cheese, celery and horseradish a bright and jolly air that gave evidence of abundant cheer and a prosperous business. ‘ DIPFICULTIES OF TRAVEL. Although the heavens were gray with the falling snow; although the white tipped masts, the glittering steeples and the white robed roofs looked attractive to the artistic eye, pedestrians saw another sight,.as did those who attempted to drive along the slippery streets. All day long people poured into the city. ‘The ferries were particularly busy. Brooklyn and Jersey City, Westchester and the rural districts all abont sent numerous delegations to the land of shop- dom, and every public conveyance was packed. Nt York's wholesale and many of its retail stores. employ wagons—some as many as fifty—to deliver purcha: These were on the street allday. Their horses, e those of the omnibus and car lines, were unprovided, as a rule, with shoes pre- pared for the emergency. ‘Consequently rapid move- ment was impossible and many a horse slipped back or sideways faster than he could walk forward. Con- fusion worse confounded reigned down town, up town and in “all our borders.” ‘This was particularly the case in the streets near the ferries and the narrow streets leading to steamers and wharves. Broad- way Was a sight to behold, From Bowling Green to the Henaup office’ it was virtually blockaded all day long. From the Heratp building to Union square the crowd formed a panoramic ve- hicular chunk that moved in its entirety at the rate of perhapsa mile in ninety minutes. ‘The mudd: paste, on which the beautiful show fell fast and wit im ‘eptible effect, was more slippery than an eel and as hard to walk in as a bed of slush. Horses fell, policemen shouted, drivers yanked, men slipped, women dodged, children screamed and poets—wopt. OFY TO THE PARK, All this time the boys and girls were ing to be permitted to try the ice in Central Park. It made no difference to them that the wise Commissioners did not think it safe, as yet, to try. The youths knew that some boys had had a safe venture on the lake and if “some,” why not all? Such gossip flies faat, and before ten o'clock every boy in the city who had skates was morally certain that Superintendent Daw- on would allow him to try the ice, while the boys who had fathers bunt no skates gave the old gentlemen no — peace until the skates were promised, at least. In the Park itself there was great excitement. The lake was carefully watched, its icy surface was deftly swept, the new building was put in apple pie order, and two heavy men from Harlem—ex-Alderman Long and ex-Super- intendent Ryan—were expected to test the ice and re- rt. The Park restaurants were overhauled, and the old time St. Vincent Convent, where Governor Tilden, Mayor Ely, Sheridan Shook, John Mat- hews, Chamberlain Tappan, Commissioner Conover, Shephard Knapp and a host of politicians assemble day in and day out to talk politics, make boulevards, was stoc! tion of the jingling bells, the light going cutter and the family sleigh. ‘The Park was in its glory. Very few road wagons were run over it. But one sleigh gute, and that was driven by “Pap" Ryan to inspect the political symposium. But the drives were covered with unstained snow, As yet the wind had taken no liberties with its delicate tracery and no drifts or eddies varied the unruffled face on ite calm and suggestive purity. The hills and dalos, the sheep pasture, the glen and the malls were mantled in virgin white, cach statue had its glitter. ing helmet and the gray-coated policemen stalked along their beats, their beards whitened by the storm and their patience tried by rollicking boys. ‘THY. STREET BLOCK ADEA. ‘The trading pecutiar to the anprosehing hotiday woek received a decided impetus. ‘The great stores on Broadway, Grand, Twenty-third, and the Bowery were thronged beyond the possibility of attention. Salesmen were worn ont, shop girls longed for the coming of the night, and proprictors rubbed the alm of joy against the hand of prosperity. In all street railway offices there was be 4 dation, for the storm romised to worthy of the occasion, Extra hands were notified, the snow ploughs were gotten out, teams were doubled np—and salt sprinklers, be it said, were, contrary to law, run slyly over some of the roads to melt the snow and sow the germs of diphtheria ana bronchitis. On the roads themselves there was like- wise trouble; also on the cars. In the first place it was impossible to run on time, so the cars became P, in antictpa- 0 overcrowded, ‘The loads were so great that the horses found great difficulty in starting them, The slippery sinsh slid from under their smooth and shiny shoes, while drivers and thoir assistants plied the relentless whip. New York's streets ina snow storm afford a unique sight. Par ticularly was this the case during the day, when the storm was at its height. Blockades were nent, and the driving snow blinded horses and mastors to an extent that was positively embarrassing to both. Still nearly every man and all the women looked jolly and Mitre £ All plodded along as best they might, protected by umbrellas, carrying bundips and pep jaughing when @ neighbor foil cachunk upon the stones, ON TIT® ELEVATED ROADS. The first snow storm on the elevated railroad tracks was an interesting event. The steps leading to and {rom the station platforms were more or less perfect as death traps. Passengers carried snow to them on their boots. The snow congealed and froze in little nubs of ice upon the stairs, ‘The result was inevitable and frequent. One fentlonsan slipped on the top step and bumped on all the others until he reached the ground, when he rose with difficulty and awore with remarkable facility. On the platiorms Whore there is no xoot the scenes were far fram. street were so crowded as to be dangerous, and the cars were packed to suffocation. That men and women were not crowded from the platforms is a wonder; that they were not pushed — from. the cars on to the street below, like pith from » bamboo stick, is a mirac’ ’ « x ENDING OF THE DAY. The liver a fully put back their robes. and their bil Dealers in skates and furs and sleds’ muttered naughty words, indeed. ‘The markets as- sumed a downcast air.’ Poultry began to decays Bananas and oranges followed suit, and even the Christmas greens appeared seed! 1 dilapidated. ‘That'men should have gone home drenched and cross is not strange, and that women in bedraggled dresses, soaked shoes and chilled ankles should have gone home “mad” was perfectly proper. It would be difficult to paint the dismay or characteriza the extent of the small bi y's disappointment. With a week's holiday and a weea’s skating before him he emely happy. With @ week's holiday and no is certain to be Miserable and in every- continued to increase in pouring power. wero nearly ruined by it, aud in the re was a wretched array of misxerables . having purchased their tickets, we pelled to lose their money or be drenched, Th the latter, and in consequence the army of umbrellas. stacked in the corridors made the pla young armories. The water fronting flooded, as usual, Jars were lost from temporary gaze. and fog whistles rang streets were Cellars were deluged and sub-cel- The fog bells and sounded far into the night and the tops of the tall bridge towers were hid- den in impenetrable mist. In the evening stores that all the weck were overcrowded were nearly emptie', the streets were deserted and a queer contrasting gloom spread a pall of discomfort over the city, which in the morning shone in its gorgeous garb likg a bride adorned for her husband, ACCIDENTS ON THE ICE. ‘The following persons were injured yesterday ay falling on the ice:— Isaac Laford, aged sixty-eight years, residing at No, 222 Sixth street, slipped in front of No. 459 Broade way and fell to the sidewalk, breaking his wrist. Mary Drew, fifty-five years old, a homeless woman, fell on the sidewalk at the corner of Mott and Chat ham streets and broke her leg. Cornelius Gillespie, of No. 75 Madison street, wat severely injured by falling in front of No. 146 aveuue C. He was removed to Bellevue Hospital. Peter Legras, aged fifty-two years, living at No. 223 East Twenty: d street, fell on the pavement in front of No, 216 West Forty-sixth street and wag seriously injured. John O'Mara, of No. 140 Fourth street, Jersey City, while crossing Bleecker street, at Jones street, fell and was badly hurt. Albert Uherman, fourteen rs old, of No. 43@ East Fifteenth street, fell at t! corner of Broadway and | Park place and was seriously cut about the head. John Donohue, of Sixty-seventh street and Tenth avenue, fell on the sidewalk last evening in Greene wich avenueand broke his leg. He was sent to St. Vincent's Hospital. SNOW AND RAIN AT ALBANY. Axnayy, N. Y., Dec. 21, 1878, A light snow storm has prevailed here all day, tow night turning to hail and rain. THE STORM ALONG THE NEW JERSEY COAST. Lone Brancu, N. J., Dec. 21, 1878. Early this morning a snow storm set in, and by noon there was nearly three inches of snow on the ground. The weather was thick, with a strong ¢ap6 wind, At one o'clock the suow turned into rain and as night approached the wind freshened. Ex. tra is have been ordered to the beach from the Life Saving stations. It is feared that another freshet similar to that of the 3d inst. will re- sult, as the streams, although nearly covered with re overflowing the meadow lands. A heavy is reportea from Morgans, and the waters of Staten Island Sound are rising and inundating the lower portions of South and Perth Amboy. The afternoon trains on the New York and Freehold Rail- road were delayed by the storm. There are reports of damage by flood at Seabright, on the Southern New Jersey road. Cautionary signals are displayed at all Life Saving stations to-night, and rough weather is expected all along the coast. SNOW IN VIRGINIA, RicaMoxp, Va., Dec. 21, 1878. A slight fall of snow occurred here last night abou twelve o'clock and was followed by a rain storm, which has now prevailed incessantly for twenty-four hours, Snow was reported to-day at Charlottesvilie and along the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, also «about Lynehburg. AN ICE JAM AT BANGOR. Baxcon, Me., Dec, 21, 1878, * Throughout yesterday great anxiety was felt lest the city might suffer damage by the great ice jam and overtiow of water. ‘The pumping house on the Ban gor Water Works had three feet of water in it at nine o'clock last night, but at one o'clock this morning the water had fallen to two and a haif feet. It ig hoped the worst is over. HEAVY SNOW STORM IN CANADA, Toronto, Ont., Dec. 21, 1878, A heavy snow storm prevailed to-day throughou§ | Ontario, causing great delays to trains. MIDNIGHT WEATHER REPORT. War DEPaRtMEnt, } OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OF! Wasurxctox, Dec. 22—1 A. M. Indications. For Sunday, in the South Atlantic and Middle At» lantic States, the lower lake region and Ohio Valley, rising barometer, colder north and west winds, partly cloudy and clearing weather will prevail. For the Gulf States, cooler northwest, possibly backing to west and southwest winds, clear or partly cloudy weather, stationary or rising barometer. For the upper lakes, the Ohio Valley and Tennesery rising barometer, cooler north and west winds, ly weather. For the Upper Mississippi and Lower Missouri vals leys, rising barometer, cooler, followed by warmer, ar weather, diminishing northerly winds, For New England, falling barometer, easterly winds, rain or snow, followed in the western portions by cooler westerly winds, clearing weather and possibly rising barometer. ‘The rivers will continue falling. Cautionary signals continue at Grand Haven, Mike waukee, Ludington, Boston, Section Eight, Port- land, Section Seven and Eastport; and cautionary off shore signals are ordered for Smithville, Wilming- ton, Macon, Cape Lookout, Cape Hatteras, Kitty Hawk, Capo Henry, Norfolk, Baltimore, Cape May, Atlantic City, Barnegat, Sandy Hook, Lewes, New York, New Haven, New London, Newport and Wood's Hole. THE WEATHER YESTERDAY, The following record will show the changes in the temperature for the past twenty-four hours, in com parison with the corresponding date of last yean, ag indicated by the thermometorat Hudnut's pharmacy, Henan Building, No. 218 Broadway :— 7 1s78, 1877, 1878, 3 A.M, 8 ao GAM a2 w rn 9A. M. MM aL 46° nM « ST a WP, “ Average temperature yosterday. B% Average temperature for correspon year. 6 * 1878, © Weekly average 3247 RARUS AGAIN, — Sax Fnawctsco, Cal., Deo. 21, 1878, At the Oakland Trotting Park to-day Rarus trotted the first heat in 2:14, and the second heat, with run- ning mate, in 2:144;. WRESTLING. Bautrmone, Dec, 91, 1878, At the second athletic exhibition of the Wallis Cluky held last night, the wrestling match between Steve ‘Taylor, of New Jersey, aud Professor Aavict 7, aud Pro ‘Miller was wos,