The New York Herald Newspaper, January 6, 1879, Page 5

THE STATE CAPITAL. Progress of the Fight for the Speakership.. ALVORD MOVING TO THE FRONT. Government and Machine Officials in Old Salt’s Favor, A LITTLE UNPLEASANTNESS ENGENDERED. Chairmanship of the Com- mittees in Case, SIGNIFICANCE OF MUSTED'S, WITHDRAWAL. (BX TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ] Aupany, N, Y., Jan, 5, 1879, The wirepulling for the Speakership continucs here with unabated vigor. With only two leading candidates practically in the field the contest still promises to be very close. The withdrawal of Gen- oral Husted leaves the important controversy to be settled between Thomas G. Alvord and George B. Sloan, and to-night it is impossible to tell which of these gentlemen is ahead. There ere still only about fifty republican Assembly men on hand. If the wrangle should assume such Proportions as to threaten serious differences in the party then it is not at allimprobable that Dr, I. I. Hayes or General George H, Sharpe might be taken up as compromise candidates. The issues, too, have become peculiarly mixed, and all sorts of canards are started in the interest of one side or the other. Some say that Senator Conkling’s intimate friends sre divided in their allegiance betweep Alyord and Bloan. This position of affairs, if true, does away with any rumor that might be started classing Mr. Conkling as the friend of one clique or the other. The caucus for Speaker will take place in the old Capitol to-night if the storm does not prevent Western trains trom bearing the balance of precious legislative freight to Albany. If a number of members are de- layed then 9 recess will be taken until Tuesday morning. ¢ ‘THE COMMITTEES. ‘The gentlemen engaged in managing the campaign for Mr. Sloan sre Congressmen-elect Warner and Miller and Assemblymen Hamilton Fish, of Putnam; Charles R. Skinner, of Jefferson; A. B. Hepburn, of Bt, Lawrence; Titus Sheard, of Herkimer, and Obid Wheeler, of Dutchess. If Sloan should win it is ex- pected some of the principal committees will be made up as follows :— Cities—Hamilton Fish. Insurance—Chi William W. Stevenson. Ways and Means— or Alvord, te In case of the election of Alvord, although it is claimed that no promises have been made on that ide, the chairman of the Judiciary will probably be R. H. Strahan; of Ways and Mesns, Husted or Sloan, and of Canals, Dr, Hayes. ALVORD’S SUPPORTERS, On the Alvord side the following gentlemen are prominently engaged in the canvass, and are regarded by many as his earnest supporters:—Assemblymap Hiram Wakely, of Allegany; Simon V. Poole, of Cat- taraugus; James W, Haysradt and P, F, Cady, of Columbia; Cornelius Pitcher, of Dutchess; B. F. Geutsch, Simon P. Swift, James A, Roberts, Harvey J. Hurd and W. A, Johnson, of Erie; three trom Kings; J. W. Wadsworth, of Livingston; A. L. Saunders, of Madison; Samuel Beckwith and’ Charles A. Baker, of Monroe; six trdém New York, T. L. Van Valkenburg and James Low, ot Niagara; Samnel Willis and Henry Duguid, of Onondaga; John Robinson and Charles L. Case, of Ontario; Morgan hute, of Orange; Henry A. Glidden, of’ Orleans; jathan Bridges, of Otsego; L, Youngs, of age William Queens; Eli ey dad Thomas B, Simons, of Rensse- ; James W. Hust . P. MeQueen, 3 a ited, of Rockland; D. of Schenectady; A, V. Nikeel, of Schuyler; E. Brundage and G. R. Sutherland,of Steuben;, J. Bawyer, of ‘Tioga; N. Titus, of Tompkin: Thomas fh, of Ulster; James L. Wells, D. Ogden ae D. W. Travia, of Westchester; J. ‘M. Clark, of Yates, The above names are considered sbsolutely certain for Alvord. Fifteen more are also counted upon, but have not been yet directly heard trom, In order to obtein @ majority of the caucus forty-nine is a\l that is rec Acco! to such estiinate the whole republican machine is in favor of Alvord. Should the estimate be correct of course “Old Salt” will bo the next Speaker. THE MACHINE YOR ALVORD. In order to prove the assertion that the machine is on his side the eights names of prominent poll- ticians now on the grot in bis interest are given :— Insurance Superinieianh Smythe, United States Mar shal Payne, of New York; Mayor Belden, recuse; Charies Thompson, of Steuben; the Ke- pal 3 y dake Sharpe, of Richmond ; aco’ M. Patterson, clerk ot the New York Common Council for 1879; Sheriff Daggett, of Brooklyn, ulso member of the State Committee; General Jourdan, of brooklyn. It is further contended that with such a political force behind him, it will be impossible to break the alate and dofeat the cx-Governor. : AN ALTRRCATION AT THE DELAVAN. A good deal of gossip bas been indulged in today 4m connection with an altercation at the Delavan between Assemblyman Hamilton Fish and Mayor Belden of Syracuse. The former i# a pronounced Sloan the latter being an active worker in the interest of Alvord, Belden, as the stony goes, has been a vigorous supporter of Fish in Putnam county, where © «Syracuse Mayor bas considerable patronage to dispense as & heavy coutractor for buil areservoir in that lo- cality. It is said that he uelped Fish materiaily in securing 4 renomination last year. “Idon't think itis fair for you to go back on the men that male i Belden, The irate gontle- man next lashed Fish -unmercifully for breaking al- leged promises to support Mr. Alvord for the Speak- ership. ‘Lhe Ag ype however, does not appear to have affected F. very much, a8 the young As- semblyman is as vigorous ag cver to-day in his advo- cacy of Sloan. MUSTED'S WITHDRAWAL. The fact that General Husted has backed out of the fight at this particular point of the canvuss bas led to @ good ceal of speculation here. It is surmised by sume that ane retired when he saw there ‘was no possible chance for him in the struygle. But that surmise seems to be without foundation whea the whole teld is looked over in Albany at present. One truth seems to be cl in this connectio Geueral Husted has never formally deciared himself cxnuidate, and this fact probably kept back many of his zealous supporters trom coming forward at the opportune moment. I interviewed to-night an inti- mitte friend of Husted and a prominent politician from the interior of the State, in relation to this branch of the controversy. The gentleman could Hs connideret iv might affect corta peliieal matters 1 CO. it mi fect matters bere in which he was interested, t “Whut is the outlook?’ he was “The indications clearly, in my it, point to Mr. Alvord. The canvass of that qou! the canvase of General Husted from first to last. He wishes 10 see his old lite-long friend, the ox-Gov- ernor, opce more Speaker of the Assembly, TI eannot say too much of eral Husted asa Political leader, Naturally the House will look to nim for leadership, and he’ can probably do more for his arty ou the floor facilitate neceasary login. - peuk ar, 1 "should tivn than if ho were. 8p certainly prefer to see him in the or's chatr, but I think at this juueture in the affairs of the re. publican party in State of New York be will be tar more useful on the floor of the Assembly. T have watched his career carofuily and 1 cau vouch for the sbility and acumen he hus displayed. Our people could Lave no safer guide to pilot them through the le,islative breqkors placed in their path by political opponen “Then you understand that Mr. Husted has really never been # candidate for the place?’ - . “Undoubtedly. I have waited for Goneral Husted to declare himself @ candidate, intending to ere = when he did; but he has not seen fit to do so. ine thing I can saye that he ix more interested in the success Of Mr.- Alvord than ever he was in a cam- paign No his own inumediate interests were con- cerned. . “then you presume it will be difttcntt to control and wisely direct tho movements of the large repub- Moan majority in this Legisinture?” where there are such largo majorities on ow or the other it im always somewhat dificult for leaders to Per! advise legislative bodies. General Husted can be trusted implicitly in this cou- nection, and I think that thos who would have sup- ported him were ho a candidate will now generally support Alvord. ‘Che ory raised the youtle- mans to bis ideutity with corporation interests is the merest nonsense, Such rumors have been orig- tf partisin enemies to accomplish certain ends, but they have overreached the mark.” NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1879—TRIPLE SHEET, General Husted was met in the vestibule. The ex- Speaker was beaming with his usual good humor. 18 legislative eye cwmkled merrily as he clasped the coxrespondent’s hand, “How is the canvass going, General?” “All right for Alvord, my . I have not the slightest doubt of his election, ‘Tre General ‘started off immediately, asserting tion at this time. Ho had already given vent to tho faith that was iu bi iv Sunday's , more he MR. SLOAN’S MBTIOKNCE. Mr. Sloan responded inthe sume way. He begged \t a felt confident of success. His rooms were filled with triends. Tho roows of General Husted, which with supporters. Dr. Hayes was there, but keeps perfectly quiet, His advice is frequently sought by opposite Husted’s, were also occupied by many leading republican politicians from various parts of of the canvass as Husted and Sloan, He, however, expressed himself as certain of success. ‘The 1act the kuowing ones food for thought, and they con- elded, from this fact, that a truce had been de- man, Decisive results can only be accomplished to-day when the remainder of ‘the nincty-seven re- ARRIVAL OF PROMINENT NEW XOLKERS, ‘The late train from New York to-niylt brought up Bliss, Assemblyman Alvin, Judge Campbell and oth- era. The firat two mentioned are Alyord men. It is pearance on tne field to-morrow. They also bring the news from the: that he would not be interviewed for any cousidera- could not say. Sanam Dal be gunted a ka ieee ®, Gamaeee ave the headquarters for Mr, Alvord, were algo filled members as they arrive. Mr. Alvord’s rooms, directiy the State, ‘The old man was us reticent on the issues that Husted and Sloan went out ridig together gave clared and that Alvord was, undoubtedly, the coming publican Assemblymen put in an appearance, Sheridan Shook, ex-United States District Attgrney -understood that Mr. A. B. Cornell will put in an ap- By arg gy eyo hyena here re dicen morning, consequently the republican cancus, it is umderstoad, will bo put off until Wednesday night. In the meanwhile the same uucertainty must exist for the next two days as to the Speakership, THE FISHKILL NATIONAL BANK. CASE OF THE CONVICTED CASHIER-—-IMPORTANT EVIDENCE IN THE SUIT OF THE FISHKILL SAVINGS INSTITUTE AGAINST THE BANKE-- BONDS ASSIGNED ON A FORGED CERTIFICATE, ‘ PouGHKszpsre, Jan. 5, 1879, In October last Alexander Bartow, cashier of the Fishkill National Bank, was convicted of grand lar- ceny in robbing that bank of a one thousand dollar bond and sentenced to five ycars in the Albany Peni; tentiary. A stay of proceedings was granted, and a motion for a new trial will be argued at the General ‘Torm in February next at Brooklyn. In the mean- time Bartow is held prisoner in the witnesses’ room of the jailin this city, where his wife and friends visit him daily, and his food is brought to him from the outside world three times a day. It wil recollected that the National Bank of Fishkill way ruined by embezzlement, the stolen’ funds amounting to ‘nearly $100,000. Bar- tow was not only cashier of the National Bank of Fish&ill, but also cashier of the Fishkill Savings In- stitute, and thus handled the funds of both corpora- tions. Nearly $70,000 of the stolen money belonged to the Fisuicitt Savings Institute; and a year ago that institution sued the National Bank to recover that amount, or rather sued the receiver, Mr. Henry Bost- wick. After the evidence of the plaintiff was in de- fondant moved for s nonsuit onthe ground that the National Bank was not made a party the suit, The Court, however, allowed plaintiff to umend the com- t, and then the caso was sent before E. A. Brew- Bter, of tdi as referee. Sessions have been held in this city from time to time for nearly a year; hed one hundred folios of testimony haying been en, IMPORTANT TESTIMONY. Some of it bore an important part in Bartow’s trial, but yesterday evidence was given which startled not only counsel and referee but ali who were listening. In substance it came out in the testimony that the sav- ings bauk bonds ($65,000 or more) assigned by the president of the savings bank to Wilderming &"Co. of few York, were assigned by virtue of a power of attorney, which, on investigation, proved to have no existence on the books of the savings bank ‘A copy of the resolution on which the bonds wi mod was sent from Washi; from the Treasury Department, but on inspecting the savings bank books no such resolution was found, 1 Pp iprentee atartiing, snd perhaps con- trolling fact in the case. If the bonds were ussigued by the government on a forged certificate, then they were not assigued at all. If, as it looks, the resolu- tion was # forgery, the question as to who perpetra- ted it becomes a very serious one. Further hearing in the case has been adjourned till the 18th, and in the meantime counsel. will ‘go to Washington to further investigate the matter. If « forgery has ‘een committed the bonds are still tho property of the saving bank, and the yesr'’s time consumed in the present suit will ainount to nothing but heavy costs. THE O'BRIEN KIDNAPPING. EVIDENCE THAT THE TWO WOMEN AND THE CAPTURED INVALID LEFT THE TRAIN AT WASHINGTON. (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) WasHinaton, Jah, 5, 1879. ‘The opinion is expressed to-night, by the men em- ployed at the Baltimore aud Potomac railroad depot, where the trains from the South change for the North, that the two women who kidnapped Mr. P. 3. O'Brien Gid not go direct through from Raleigh to New York, but after reaching this city remained in the sleeping car until a few minutes before the train left for the North, when they got of and with Mr, O’Brien went to some hotel in the city, STATEMENT OF A SPECIAL OFFICER. This opinion is strengthened by the statement of Special Oficer Scott, doing duty about the depot, who says that on December 5th or 6th last, about one o'clock P. M,, he noticed sitting in the gentlemen’s waiting room two ladies who seemed to have charge of a sick man who was suffering seyerely with a cough and appeared like he was in the last stages of consumption. About the time he first noticed them he was called to another portion ot the building and ‘was absent but a short time. When he returned to where he Ieft them sittiug he tound they had gone out. He describes the women as being about forty and twenty-five years of age respoctively. THE COLORSD MAN'S STATEMENT MODIFIED, statement of the colored man yesterday that ho saw tho train move off, and that the two women and the sick mau were in the sleeper, is somewhat modified by him to-night. Ho says he was several feet from ghee when the train went out, and although he the man coughing and thought he was still on the train he might have mistaken, and the party may have been in the waiting room, which is but a short distance from the point where the train stands, and the man's coughing could casily have been heard on the Platform outside, When one of the women gave him the hint to yo away, said the colored man, he did not tarry long but walked down tho platform, and during that time they might have got outof. the cars and yone into the waiting room. WHAT A HACKMAN SAID; hackmen who stood about the depot wore questioned as to their having conveyed any persons answering the description of the kidnappers, and ono of them said he drove of two women and a delicute man to a house near the Capitol, when he left bey but tony reg et which house bom 4 cn ga the; was aa ordinary trunk. Mick man,” said the hack driver, “was bun- “The Gled in shawls. They paid me my fare and that was all Tcared for, After they left my hack [drove off hurriedly and went to the stand, and, therefore, had no Op unity of seeing Where they weut. There is one thing about hantae | did not walk far with that man, 44 he wae hardiy able to raise one foot after the Fo He was a very weak specimen of a human cing.” TURKEY'S NEW PREMIER. HOW HE NARROWLY ESCAPED DECAPITATION TO BECOME A LEADING STATESMAN IN THE EM- PILE. ConsTaNTINoriR, Dec. 5, 1878. At three o'clock yesterday & salute of twenty-one guns proclaimed the inauguration of a new Grand Vizier, Savfet Pacha being relieved of his fuuctions by General Khair-ed-din Pacha, Senator and President of the Turkish Financial Commission. The now Vizier in a more romarkable and more capable man than the average run of his predecessors. He is a Ciresssian of humble origin, having even boon, it is said, a slave, but succeeded by moans of his determination and unblemished honesty, in ar- Tiying at the position of Prime Minister of the Bey of Tunis, which ho held for over four uatil August, 1877, when, paving made himself unpopular by his haughtiness and in! for af: ctout dempiuion tag ote Fw tow days oxpec oa) hav- ego pala g for over @ year almost a4 # prisoner of Btate, he received » ram from the Porte invit- ing Lim to come to Constantinople, Tho Bey un- willingly granted him perinission to lave, not even allo Aum audience to bid him farowull, On ar- riving here he was offered the portfolio of Minister of Finance or of Justice, both of which he declined. Ho at last socepted the direction of the Financial Committee, which was conducted with grout energy and ability, ® YRXAKK OF GOOD FORTUNE, His ambition must now be satisfied, as this post —_ oer “ — Pare with his former master Pf ey. 6 is iy command ay rance, tal aud Biack-beatdted, with ploreitig blackeayes, and ts & rie master of the Arabie, Tui snd Froue! ager, haying written séveral books on promt Lenn tho latter tongue, His first move was to appoint Caratheodori Pacha, # Christian and the ex-Goyernor of Crete, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ‘This is tho first time that & position in the Ottoman Cabinet has peon held by wn “infidel,” and it has caused 6 excitement. Much hope is felt of his enforcing much needed retorms im the istration. ¢ lint of tho Ministers will have you by WASHINGTON, Peculiar Phase of the Re- sumption Law. LESs GOLD THAN HERETOFORE. Loud Complaints and the Remedies Suggested. CANDIDATES YOR THE BERLIN MISSION. . ry FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. + Wasuinetos, Jan, 5, 1879, DIFFICULTY OF OBTAINING GOLD-—-ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION SUGGESTED, Some complaints have reached the Treasury from persons who are aggrieved that they are unable to get gold for greenbacks or for coupons except at the Sub-Treasury in New York, and itis urged that Con- gress should decree a wider distribution of the gold. ‘The Springfield Repuslican, which takes this view, remarks that :-— ‘The whole operation of resumption thus far is not too remonetize gold, but to demonctize it. It was used for the payment of cusioms dues, now it is not. ‘Tt was used in the payment of interest on the United States debt, now it is not. If anybody presents reenbacks in sums of $50 and upward at the New ‘ork Sub-Treasury,,he can get gold for them, We want it more accessible than this. Not one transaction in one hundred thousand re- quires gold, but when one does want it he wants it, and wants it close at hand. The Treasury, hay: satisfactorily proved that the greenback dollar i i par and is generally preferred to coin for convenience sake, should now seek to circulate a portion ot the reat reserve it has collected, and should urge npon Congress the proprioty of requiring the banks to put ace:tain percentage of their own reserve in coin, bank reserves are bales of greenbacks in bank vauits, representing a certain per cent of the bank liabilities, and held for tho better security of the depositors, Now these reserves, at least a portion of them, can just us well be, kept in gold coin as in paper, and in case of & commercial stress the gold is worth having in the country, It will it the bank no more to store one than the other. {It loses no more interest upon one than upon the other, and then if a biil holder wants to be accommodated the bank can do it, Tt is possible that an attempt will be made pres ently in Congress to bring im some'measure in ac, cordance with these views, though it is not eaby to 800 how it could be done, except in one way, which the present Congress is not, likely to agreo upon, There are two ways of managing the gold; one, which is that favored by the Secretary of the Treas- ury ag the best, in his judgment, under precent laws and circumstances, is to make the ‘lreasury the general depository of the gold, to pay it out for greenbacks and for silver if Congress will authorize that on demand only one place—the New York Sub-Treasury—as the present law directs, and, of course, to let the banks continue to redeem theit notes, as the law allows , thom, in legal tender notes, Tho other way'is to let the banka relieve the government of the custody of the gold, which they could do by hoarding legal tenders and presenting them for gold to put into their vaults. ‘This plan was at one time proposed and favored by prominent New Xork bankers, but they appear, on mature consideration, to haye abandoned it for the .present. They probably saw that, so long as the greenbacks remain legal tenders and are’ to be reissued, it is best, and, indeed, necessary, that the Treasury shall be the chief and great depository of gold, and while it so remains it is for the genoral convenience that gold shall be paid out only at one place, the head office for redemp- tion, forthe government coulda not be expected to scatter its supply all over the country. ‘The banks of the country now possess, exclusive ef tho Treasury hoard, about $40,000,000 in gold. The most solid and prudent of them will prob- ably ,seck gradually to increase this total, but whoever desires to see them draw ont the gold now in the Treasury and keep it in their vaults will find that the’ only practical way of doing this is to repeal the Logal Tender act re- quiring the reissue of groenbacks. When the gov- ernment notes cease to be legal tender for private debts the banks will be obliged to redegm their notes in specie on demand, and then they will make haste to supply thomselves with gold from the Treasury hoard and from any other available sources, Nobody, however, proposes to repeal these two laws, though all sound money men see clearly enough that the re- peal of the Legal Tender act inust come in time and is necessary to complete the work of resumption. To complain of the policy of the Treasury under existing laws is unreasonable, and to scek for a change in these laws at the present session and while experiment of resumption has but just begun, is re- garded by all the friends of a sound currency here as highly unwise. In any case it is not probable that the present Congress will pass any currency legisla- tion whatever, except perhaps a bill making silver redeemable in gold or greenbacks at the will of the holder, aud allowing the Secretary of the Treasury to coin just as many or as few silver dollars as the pub- Me may at any time call for. It ‘is astonishing that there are professed frionds of the silver dollar who refuse to support such a bill. UNION PACI¥IO. RAILROAD COMMISHIONERS’ RE- PoRT. The report of the Union Pacific Railroad Commis. sioners and the letter of one of them, Mr. C.F. Adams, Jr,, resigning his place are likely to provoke discussion when Congress reassembles. The report is the first that has over beon made deserving the name and conveying an intelligent idea of the work- ing of tho road. Mr, Adams’ letter, showing that the interests of the government cannot be propqrly looked after by unpaid commissioners and that somo better system of government supervision is needed, will probably bear fruit in « bill making some necded changes. FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 1879. THE BERLIN MISSION—LIST OF NAMES FROM WHICH THE APPOINTMENT WILL PRODABLY BE MADE. If the President has made up his mind to whom ho will offer the vacant Berlin mission he has so far successfully kept the name to himself; but thore is reason to believe tlrat his o will be made froin a list iycluding the following names:—George William Curtis, Androw D. Whito, president of Cornell Uni- vorsity; Rev. Dr. Joseph P. Thompson, formerly of the New York Tabernacle, but for some years resident in Berlin; Wayne MacVeagh, of Pennsylvania; William Walter Phelps, of New Jersey, and ©. @. Bryan, of llinois, lately Commissioner of the District of Co- lumbia. The name of Mr. George W. Childs has been connected with the place, but ho positively de- clines any public office, as he has always done, it being ‘very Well known that if he had beeu destrons of place President Grant would have been very happy to gratify him, ene GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasntxaron, Jan, 5, 1879. SENATOR THURMAN AND THE DEMOCRATIC CELK- BRATION AT COLUMBUS—POSITIWR §DECLINA- TION OF THE GUBERNATORIAL’ NOMINATION, Senator Thurman Will not determine until to-mor- tow whether he will attend the democratic celebra- tion at Columbus, Ohio, on the 8th inat. He will do 80 if the weather moderates #0 48 to render travelling loss disagreeable than now, and iu such caso he wilt leave Washington to-morrow night for that ¢ity. Tho themo arsigned to him for a apeech is “Tho Jackson Democracy,” and to this subject, he says, ho would devote his remarks, without discussing the finengial question, He would also give the reasous why be does not desire his name to be used as & candidate for the Governorship of Ohio. As has been predicted, the Senator is free and emphatic in the declaration that, under no pos- sible cixcumetances Will he ‘allow his namo to be used thus, and of this determizfation he has advised nuiuerous prominent democrats in Ohio who have writien to, or orally communicated with, him on the subject. Danaea aes AA ARMY REORGANIZATION, STAFF OFFICERS IN OPPOSITION TO THE BURN- SIDE BILL AND IN DEFENCE O¥ THE PRESENT SYSTEM, Wasuine sox, Jah. 5, 1879. Anumber of prominent army ofiicers iy this cily have published iu pamphlet form a masse of matter in opposition to the radical changes proposed by the Burnside committee bill in regard to the staff depart- meats. The history of the present organization ot the staff c rps is briefly stated, showing that it is the carefully considered work of Mr, Calhoun, Secretary of War in 1821, and Mr. Poindexter, Secretary of War in 138. The pamphlet next quotes, not only from Secretaries Crawford, Calhoun aud McCrary, in favor of the present system, but also from General Sherman’s annual report tor 1869 and from Generals Sheridan, McClellan, Hancock, Pope, Yranklin, Meade, Thomas, Marey, Ferry, Kautz, Crittenden and Getty, all of whom have expressed themselves impartially in favor of the present system of a sub-division of staff duties into departments under corps of tained specialists, | SIR ARCHLDALD ALISON'S VIEWS. The pamphlet supports these opinions by a quote tion from Sir Archibald Alison, who, writing upon army organization, says:— It is not too much to say that an army sent into the fleld without eficient and thoroughly well organ- ized and Jong previously trained stat! and supply de- partinents is an army toredoomed to dogs and vul- tures, and that no expenditure at the moment, how- ever lavish, can supply these wants or avert this | doom. Our army which embarked for the Crimea in 1855 was the finest tuis country ever produced, but it was bound together by a rope of sand, and it malted away like snow before the tirst touch of the hardships and inclemencies of winter, and this was the direct, necessary and inevitable consequence of the ignorant economy of the Parlia- ment of Great Britain in not sustaining i tine of peace proper staf aud supply departincats. Tho green mounds in the quiet gravoyar hard by Sebas- topol, where this same system (the detective staff and supply organizations) has !aid in that still abode un army, rank and iile, attest this. Our peace staf! and supply departments should, therefore, be sv organ- ized that they could instandy furnish the nuuber of tully trained officers required in théir respective brancues for our army upon a wur toot.ng. OPINION OF AN EX-CONFEDRBATE. ‘The pamphlet also contains a letter from Colonel Walter H. Taylor, late Adjutant General of the Army of Northern Virginia, under Lee, dated Norfolk, De- comber 28, 1978, who sayst— I do uothesitate\to say that ia my opinion tho disorganization of the several staff departments of the army would tend gteatly to impair the efficiency ot the service, The fact should uever be over- looked that the theory upon which our _mili- tury establishment is organized and conducted involves the volunteer feature as the grezt reliance of the country in the event of war. It is, then, mort important to have experienced aud tried organized siait departments it time of peuco to render the army of volunteers efficient in the event of war, An oflicerof the line assigned occasionally and fora short period to service in the several staf! departments could not acquire that degree 02 elficiency in any one to enabie him to act intelligently when the occasion should ariso for conducting inatters on a war basis. Education and actual experience are as essen- tial factors in tne making of a good quartermaster or commissary as is the study of law or medicine, followed by long practice, te the mak- sug of a yood lawyer or doctor. for do I think there would result any real economy in the change proposed, Every inexperienced man assigned to the performance of new duties must ac- quire his experience at a certain cost or loss, and an interchangeable system, would be attended, in my judgment, with lirge items of loss, without @ cor- responding degree of experience or etiiciency, STOP TO PROMOTIONS. A statement has also been prepared for circulation in the army, showing that the Buruside Dill, if en- acted, will not only greatly reduce the number of staff and line officers, but will practically put a stop to promotions of line oficers during a number of years. It is shown that company oflicers of the line will lose nearly, if not quite, as mach promotion by the abolition of the field offices in the staff corps (vacancies in the lower grades of which are almost invariably filled by appolatments from the line) as they would by the abolition of the’ same number of line offices; and it is also predicted that the practical operation of the provisions concerning the proposed eserved list” will be to transfer staff officers rom that list to vacancies occurring in the line. THE LATE PROSESSOR HENRY, * Wasnrnaton, Jan. 5, 1879. ‘The Board of Regeuts of the Smithsonian Insti- tution on the llth of May last paseod a resolution requesting the Executive Committee to make arrange- ments for a public commemoration in honor of the late Professor Henry, secretary ‘he institution, of such character and at such time and piace as they might determine. The Executive Committee of the Board of Kegents now annowuce that iu accordance with the above mentioned action a concurrent reso- lution wag passed by Congress on the 10th of Decem- ber to the eftect that the Senators and Hepresenta- tives will take part in the services, which will be held in the Hall of the House of Representatives on Whursday, the 16th of January, at eight P. M., and the uttemdance of the public is invited, BISMARCK’S NEW" LAWS. HOW AN AMERICAN FAMILY 18 PERSECUTED IN BERLIN: [Berlin Letter to the London Daily News.] A part of the Berlin press is much oifended at what it calls the false or exaggerated reports that are spread abroad about the vexations and difficulties of travelling now in Germany. I have not seen many of the reporta in question; but those which I have seen were not exaggerated. In regard to Berlin, in particular, my advice to Englishmen would certainly 0 to stay away, unless they have urgent business, or have provided themselves with abundant papers, and are not ruftied by daily, not to ay hourly, police yis- its. No appearance of rexpectability, no probabilities of good character and lawrul business, take the place of the most formal and aoieke of identification and legitimation when travellers have to deal with | the police under the new system. A capital case has come to my knowledge, and, as it iNustrates not only the petty rigor but also tho amazing stupidity of | some of the under officials, it deserves to be re- corded, An elderly lady, the widow of one of the first scholars of America, is living here with her son, who is pursuing his studies at the university, and learning autho: socialism of Profeasor Wagner. As she came to Berlin before the reintroduction of assport system she is legally and strictly not y it. Nevertheless the police have utterly ignored that fact, and haye pursued the poor woman as remorselossly as if they suspected in her the pos- sibility of a Charlotte Corday or @ Lucrezia Borgia. One sergeant ot police has made himself particularly ve iu probing the dark secrets of the lady's past career; but, his Ipaxning and intelligence being inte rior to his Zeni, he oue day became the hero of the followmg incident:—The son of the lady possesses 2 passport, which, however, as a ‘student, he lis obliged to deposit with the authorities of the university, receiving in exchange # student's curd, as itis called. This he one day showed io the sergoant, who had bone wens uraing upon — mother the expediency of her expending a guinea for | a passport, it she wished to enjoy the savantage ot living in Berlin. The card, usa scholastic document, was naturally in Latin, and certified the bearer, Mr. So and So, was a student in the “Universitas Bevolinensés."” The grave official scrutinized the instrument with a puzaled suspicious | look. "What does that iv" said he, | pointing to the wbove words. The young merican explained = t were Latin for | “berlin Unive «What, that thing,” continued the sergeant—“‘that Ber-o-iinon- that stands for | orlin; but why t# that ‘o’ there?” “Tam afraid my ng friend luughed directly im the face of the law. Whether the unfortunate lady has since got her passport, or has been expelled as a dangerous char- acter, Leaunot say; but her expericuce is such niay befall the most tnuveent person who comes to | Berlin oe ates for the state of siege. It would undoubtedly be better for Germany if England and America cotkd uwke ber laws for her. EPILEPSY AND INSANITY, [From the Pall Mall Gazette.) At tho last meeting of tho Islington Board of Guard- jans tho.case of two young women confined among the imbeciles in the Banstead Asylum was brought under consideration, These two women, it seams, are not imbeciles or insane, but have occasional epileptic ti One of the guardians said that when ae Visited th® asylum both of them appoared to be thoroughly well, and the medical officer admitted that they wore #0 with the exception of their liability to epileptic fits at times. It seemed a hard case, he added, that two young women in good heaith as they were should be kopt year after year hg | some of the most distressing cases of insanity simply because they were subject to occasional fits. It was urged, oh the other hand, that one of the two women was, according to the’ medical officer, not only epileptic but“ us to herseli,” aud that couseqnontly it would be better to let the uratter rest as it was, After some discussion the subject dropped. It involves, however, ® question of some importance-—uamely whether under any circumstances the association of epileptic and insane persons is justifiable. lepsy is not iswnity, and it surely cannot be for the adyan- tage, even if it is not prejudicial to patients of either class, to witness euch other's aillicuom, AMUSEMENTS. GRAND OPYRA HOUSE —DE MURSKA'S CONGERTS. A rather smail audience assembled in the Grand Opera House last evening to hear one of the Gilmore Sunday evening concerts, but though the audieace ‘was not all the management could have desired, and though the building not as warm as it might have been, the concert was well enjoyed and was worthy of praise. The attraction of the evening was Mile. Tima de Murska, who was down on the progvamme for ‘a “Grand Valse de Concert,” by Venzano, and Schubert's Serenade, as woll as a grand duo with Signor Fevrrenti, of course she was obliged to double her labor, being cneored. On her first encore she sang ‘The Last Rose of Sum- mer,” and on the second “Within 2 Mile of Edinbor: Town.” Miss Henrictta Markstein was the pianist of the evening, snd played with more vigor than clearness Lizst's well known “Rhapsodie Hongroise"’ in thedirst part, Levy made his cornet sing as usual, playing Rossini’s “Cujus Animam,” Signor Ferranti sang “La Mora,” written for him by Giorza, The band, however, was the part most enjoyed by the audience, and fully sustained its reputation on the overture, “Wallerstein's Lager," by Kerling, and Giese’s gavotte, “Abschicdsgrass,” performed for the first time by them, The second part was the “Gema of Martha,” a fan- tasie, by the baud; Lisat’s “Lrvitation aa Danse, on the piano, by Miss Markatein ‘The Serenade,” by Mile. de Murska; an original Valse Brilliante,’ by Levy, and a grand duo from “Crispino,” by Mie. de Murska «nd Signor Ferranti, the conclusion being a'Mareh Militaire,” by Helmamuller, performed by the band, So many were the encores that the au- dience sucevedod in getting over twenty pieces in Jace of the twelve announced in the pro; 2, Wiss Markstein in the “Invitation” displayed a good Sees! and more expression than in her tirst piece, MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES. Mue, Gerster’s engagement with Colonel Mapleson is for fifty nights, at $400 per night. Wilhelut} bas recovered from his illness, and will play this week in Chicago anu Milwaukee. Attho Arch Street Theatrc, Philadelphia, MeKea Rankin abd Kitty Blanchard appear this week in the “Danites.” A series of organ recitals by Mr. Henry Carter, of Trinity Church, begius on Thursday afternoon and will be continued every week thereaiter. Av the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, John McCullough enters upon the second week of a very successful engagement, supported, by Miss Katherine Rogers, ‘fhe oratorio of “The Messiah” will be produced on Wednesday evening at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, with Mrs. Auns Granger Dow, Mias Anna Drasdil, Mr. George Simpson, tenor; Mr. F, Remmertz, basso, and George W. Morgan, organist, The Orutorio Society of this city will supply the chorus and the Sym- phony Society the orchestra. The conductor will be Dr. Leopold Damrosch. ‘The programme for the third public rehearsal én Friday afternoon, January 10, and concert on Satur- day evening, January 11, of the Philharmonic so- ciety, is:—l. Symphony, in E flat, by Schumann. 2. Aria, from “Fidelio,” Beethoven; Mrs. A. Granger Dow. 3. Concerto, in E flat, for piano, Liszt, Mr. F. Rummel. 4. Air from “Cosé fau tutte," Mozart, and “Spring Song,” Mendelssohn, Mrs. A. Granger Dow. 5. Ouv., ‘Prometheus THE DIFFICULTY BETWEEN MESSRS. FISKE AND HARKINS, OF THE FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE— PRESENT ASPECT OF THE CASE. § “In reference to the difficulty between Messrs. Fiske and Harkins about the management of the Fifth Avenue Theatre, the former last night made the fol- lowing additional statement to a Hemaxp reporter: “In his statement in the Henavp of Saturday, Mr. Harkins hxe continued the same policy of suggestio Jaisi et suppressio veri, of which I secused him in my affidavit before Judge Donohue. He states to the Henatp reporter that the audiences at the Fifth Avenue Theatre have been larger since he commenced big extraordinary legal proceedings. As a matter of fact the returns for each performance have been sent to me by Judge Bedford, and show a large falling off from the returns before my illness. ‘This is very natural, since the. public haye not been able to tell whether the theatre would be open or not, and many of those who wished to see Mr. Jefferson have been deterred by Mr. Harkins’ threats, pub- lished in the papers, of personal combats and eject- ments. Besides this the advertisements of the thea- tre have been very badly managed—the Saturday ad- vertisemeuts, for example, not even calling attention to the ‘act that a matinee would be given on that day, although Mr. Jefferson’s matinces have gen- erally been the most profitable performances.” “You fancy there has been much mismanagoment of the the business affairs then ?* asked the reporter. “I certainly du,"said Mx, Fiske, “but I hope under the receiver's orders that all this Will be changed by ye “flag anything further of interest transpired in connection with the theatre ?”” «1 last Judge Bedford, as receiver, Mr, Harkins, and myself were seryed with sum- monses for dispossess proceodings on the paxt of the Messrs, Gilsey, These summonwes ca fe ao ae wan Judge ally -past nine oc] opposed by Messrs. Seward, Biatchtord, Griswold and De Costa on the part of Judge Bedford and Messrs. Howe and Hummel on my part. Whoever is responsible for the service of this dispossess summons will probably find that his ignorance of the precise legal position of a receiver has brought him into unexpected difficul- ties. My own defence, on the contrary, will be ‘upon the merits of the cave.” is SUCCESS POSSIRLE. “Do you believe the theatre can be kept open 2” “Unquestionably. Mr. Jefferson has belaved in the most magnanimous manner, continuing to give his performances in spite of these legal disturbances and his reduced emoluments, and he has generously consented to go on for another week at least.” “Are there other preseing claims outside of the dis- Christmas week ought to have been si out of the receipts by Mr. Harkius. 1 wrote him to draw a cheek for the money wud informed Messrs. Gilsey of the fuct. The rent tor that week was not due until the day after Christmas and the receipts on Christmas night were $400. Neyortheless, no rent was ay? “What do you think of the prospects of the thea- rer “I think that the immense amount of attention at- tracted t the theatre by the publicity of these pro- ceodings, the personal popularity of Judge Bedford as receiver, backed by Mr. Jeflerson's artistic per- formauces, ought to crowd the house as soon as it is thorougiily understood by the public that the theatre will be open every night and ready for busi- ness; and this ought to be thoroughly anderstood now. Judge Bedford has o: me to be at the theatre to-morrow aud take charge of the front of the houre under bis direction. Mr. Herkins already has charge of the stage tinder the sang orders, and there ought to be no reasonable doubt about the success of the entertainment, At any rate, we shall make every Bethe effort to keep the theatre opou, if only for tie sake of the ladies and gentlemen of tie company, the orchestra and the other faituénl employés, wlio have been sirangely overlooked, exccpt by the re- ceiver, during this unfortuncte squabble." Alexander Wandling, of No. 9 Bowery, was before dudye Kalbreth, in the Essex Market Polive Court, esterday, charged with violation of the Excise law. ‘was held in defvult of $100 bail to answer, Michael Rosenberg, of No. 236 Delancey stoeet, was held in the Essex Market Police Court yesterday, in It of 8900 bail, on a charge of o ining money by false pretences from Isaac Glashust, of No, 42 vington street. Richard Gamble, of No. 53 Ludlow street, was ar- raigued bgétore Judge’ Kilbreth, in the Kxsex Market Police Court, yes lay, charged by His wife Bridget with ornelly beating his family, He was ‘compelied to furnisi $500 to keep the peace and ordered to pay his wife $5 per week. Cherles Wilson, fourteen months oid, of No. 12 Greonwich street, was seri: burned on the right side and lower extremities after vleven o'clock lust night. The bed clothes caught fire from an over- Bree stove, The infant was taken to the Chambers i rect Hospital, and, it is feared, will not live. SUBURBAN NOTES. Tt has Just leaked out in Newark that carly ow New Year's morning burglars entered the jeweiry factory of Colton & © . 0 Wainut street, and sueceeded iu blowing open a small sate but nota larger one in which was much valuable finished and antinished Et The burglars left in a hurry, leaving be- a portion of their tools. In the caseof Join lingworth, ® wealthy New- arker, who brought stit against John P, Wakeman, another wealthy citlzen, in bac! aoe ht the action to recover some $10,000 wi lings worth faite Wekeman defrauded him out of in the exchange of property in Newark and Montrose, the jury has returned a verdict in favor of Mr. Wakeman. ‘The bay having frozen over, people began walking on the tov trom Bine Point to Patchogue, L. 1. Samuel Hill, wiie and two children, ventured to cross, Mr. Hill trotted anead with the children. At the mouth of Patchogue creek he shouted to Mrs. Miil to hurry ‘up, the ice Was breaking. She hurried along in time to brewk through, and it was with dificulty that she was reacuod, being 4 large women, 5 THE COBB. MURDER. Bishop's Evidence Discredited by His, Neighbors. TOO MEAN TO LIVE AND AFRAID 10 DIE A Murderer Shielding Himselt « Behind a Woman, MRS, COBB'S RELICENCE AND PROSPECTS, nd [PY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.} Norwicu, Coun., Jan. 5, 1879, ‘The statement given Friday was Bishop's fogrth, and it has not the weight in this noighhorhood it would have had did it not differ so from the first made in Oetober last, Ezrly in the ¢ase the euspi- cions abroad were stronger than the ¢vidence; and the stary of the crimo, so far as it related to Mrs. Cobb, was not connected by a chain of circum- stances that warranted a general belief that Kete M, Cobb is the fiend Bishop portrays her. At the preliminary exemingtion before the Grand Jnry at New London in September Wesley W. Bishop wes indicted ag the principal and Kate M. Cobb was made accessory by only a majority of one yote. Cue of the Grand Jurors has since said in private conversation that the jury did not deem the evidence against her strong enough to hoid her for trial, ajd had it not been for public opinion, which demauded the indictment of both, sho would have been discharged. - THE SuIcIpE THEORY. Previous to this time Wovley Yj Bishop had counse! and had told his Masonic brethrea and ftiends ‘that he bought arsenic for Mr. Cheries W. | Cobb to take to improve his condition, which Le kept secret at Cobb's request us @ brother Mason, end the promise waa that “suicide” ‘would be set up by the defence, Cobb’s friends feared for the result. Mrs. Cobb before the Coroner's jury had paved the ‘way by tes- tifying that on one oveasion she iteard her husband say, W) taking one of Dr. Williem 8. C. Peritins’ powders:—This looks like my arsenic powders!” An uncle to Cobb, living in Troy, came to this city and said to parties here thut Charles, while visiting him, bad asied:—Is argenic 9 promoter of flesh?” Charles H. Cobb, Jr., was a tall, angular. lean man whose soubriquet among the doys at one time was “‘Skinny,'’ because of his poverty of flesh; but his good nature, freo-heartedness and abilities wore away the offensive soubriquet of his early years, and at the time of his death no man of bis years in thie community stood. better or had more friends than he, The people, knowing Cobb, felt there was not a word of trath in these statements and were sura that Bishop had not only murdered bis wife, but had also been the death of the man whom he designated as “my best friend.” Bishop returned from his New London trip dejected and the few friends he had began to desert him. His coun- sel withdrew, declaring they could not serve for nothing 4,.man who had wealthy relatives enough hereabouts to bear his legal experises. BISHOP'S CONFESSIONS. Alone with his conscience, in 2 nightmare state of mind day and night, he begun to get into a state of nervousness bordering on lunacy, and when com- parative strangers called on him at the jail he would throw his arms around them as they were about to leave, and, with toers in his eyes, implore them, “For God's sake come and see mo often.” On October 1, after # fortnight's wretchedness, he confessed his criminal relations with Mrs. Cobb, and at two different times the plans of the murder as now revealed, but less in detail. He Mre, Cobb poisoned both her husband and his wife, and closed Ly declaring his affection tor her aud affirming, “‘l would gladly die for her if I could do so in @ natural w ‘Tho Jd of October he sup- plemented his ession with an_ explicit statement informing how Kate M. Cobb planned and executed tho murder of his wife. On the 4th of October he supplemented his supplement and said he gave his wife the last dose at ten o'clock on the night of Febraary 6th, 1878, and had he been allowed by his counsel to have stated the facts in relation to his wife’s.murder, on the stand Saturday, he should have doneso. He told the prosecuting attorney, and las sworn that Kate ¥, Cobb had nothing at all to co with it. DISCREPANCIES. The poetry of the tragedy is all new. His illicit connections he has increased threefold, and the presents were an entire new feature, so that this statement differs in mumer- ous particulars from cither of the other three, aud he 1x £0 versatile in weaving stories that the general belief is thut he might §, right on mak- ‘ing statements for months wituout having two alike, But in bis recent statement he omitted one piece of humor that should have come out for the perusal of the people. District Attoracy Waller, in working w the case, has catechised hint closely and been muc! edified by his recitals, During bis revelations with regard to presents Bishop says, smiling :— “Yes, aud Kate made me 4 present of « motto, pure chi it and working it with her own hands. She did not give it tome to take home, for it meant ® eat deal to both ot us, and we agreed it had better hung in the Cobb sitting roow, and there it hung, tustily wrought and splendidly framed, weaning one thing to me and another to Charley.”” ‘The attorney felt his curiosity fully aroused, and as Bishop paused in his detail he inquired:— “What kind of a motto was ity’ There was a twinkle in Bishop’ sponded:—"I need thee every hou MRS. COBB'S SILENCE, At this stage of the trial no one dares think of Kate M, Cobb as mnocent, but through all the statements she has kept silent. Preachers, lawyers or rters cannot draw out of her oe weak word. She belougs to the Watermens, a stock famous hereabout tor nerye aud pluck. She was educated at the free academy in this piaco, and is a fair, pretty and intel- Jeetual woman of less than thirty-five years. Sire sits before her accuser in the court calm aad digni- fled, but what she will say under oath woextricate her from the great tragedy which is closing so fast around her no wortal can tell. BISHOP'S TACTICS, Notwithstanding Bishop opened his testimony with the aflirmation, “1 know 1 am not obliged to testify and criminate myself; no inducewents or hopes for mercy have been held out to me,” there is no donbs he is doing Lis best to bring Mrs. Cobb to conviction, believing that it is his only escape, His case wae docketed for trial in adyauce of uers, and had he not confessed he would have beén so tried ond vomvicted probably to be hung. Without his evidence Kate M. Cobb would have gone clear, but in behalf of himsctf os well as the State he is making out a strony case, feeling that ele will uot be hanged, as a woman never has been hanged in theState, and that there will be no gallows for one if not for both. In ease of the conviction of Mrs. Cobb there is no doubt the prosecution will let Wesley W. Bishop plead gllty to murder in the second degree, and both will be seut to Wethers- field for lic, which, in this State, little longer than in Massachusetis, bat not more eye as he re averages @ than fifteen years, With concession and these une: pressed hopes Bishop attends tie religions sorvie ‘Sunday at the ju and bis voice is heard above alt th la Is soothey his sore And drives away h ‘The burden of his diabolic crime thus rolled aud too mean to live and afraid to die, ho is happy to think the chances are favorable for a purgatorial tarry in Wetherstield. THREATENING AN EDITOR. Mr. Richard M. Jordan, treasurer of the Jordag Stationery Company of this city, was on Saturday night arrested in Jersey City and taken before Judge Davis on acharge of disorderly conduct and threat: ening preferred by Mr. M. F. Mallone, proprietor and oditor of the Jersey City Argus, ‘The Argus tor woeks past has accused Mr. Jordan of fraudulent transactions with mombers of the Board of Chosen Frecholders in furnishing snpplies, by whic the county was defrauded. On Thursday Isat Mosare. Mullone and Jor met oppusite tue Court House and the latter threatened to whip the former, hence the complaint. Mr. Jordan promptly tarnished bail to appear to-day for examination, FIRE IN A NEWSPAPER OFFICE, A cloud of smoke issuing from the rear windows of the fourth story of the building No, 37 Park tow attracted attention shortly before eight o'clock last evening, and an alarm was sounded. Had not the engines arrived and got quickly to work it would have been a sad night for the many periodicals whose offices fill the building. The fire originated a oe confined to the composing room of the ithe American Journal, a weekly published by A. My art, whose loss, it. is believed, will not ex te, Furniture, floor, walls and ceiling were Saaty aged, and the World composing room, directly over head, was Alled with sinoke. There was feo, cape of yas in the Journal office, but for! ys ‘metre on the floor above the burning unaifvctod by the flames. Overheating of Pipes, in contact with the woodwork of the wal vevasioned the fire ‘The room 18 located at the: Aor ner ut Nassau and siteets, , heals his wounds, fear,