The New York Herald Newspaper, February 3, 1879, Page 3

a=* PENSION LAWS—AMENDMENTS SUGGE! WASHINGTON. Evils of Federal Interference -in Elections. ‘PROPOSED REPEAL OF OBNOXIOUS LAWS. ——--+—---- Causes Which Cement the Solid South. AND HARBOR BILL. . Work of the Yellow Fever Board of Experts. RIVER FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasurxeton, Feb. 2, 1679, FEDERAL INTERFERENCE IN ELECTIONS—EVILS OF THE EXISTING LAWS AND FEELING IN Fa- VOR OF THEIR REPEAL. The proposition to repeal the clause of section 2,002 of. the Revised Statutes, which gives army and navy officers the right to station troops at the polls on the pretence of keeping the peace, revives among judi- cious members of both parties the question whether the time has not come to repeal the whole body of laws authorizing federal marshals, supervisors and other officers to interfere in elections. These laws, most of which give very great aud vaguely de- fined powers to a usually low class of officers who are always, in the natuce of things, partisans, or what are in the political slang called “good party workers,” were adopted in the exciting days of re- construction, The purpose of those who drew and adopted them was to maintain the ascendancy of their party by extraordinsry measures, and eyery- body who has paid attention to their administration knows that they have always given rise to very grave and dangerous abuses, and have certainly, for several years past, caused more evils than they have pre- vente. It is very well understood that these laws .give such powers to the agents of the federal administra- tion as enable these to exercise, wherever they want to, very great and wrongful influence over the result of elections; and as these federal election officers are chosen by partisans and are.themselves partisans, se- lected trom the most encrgetie local politicians, it is certain that, as human nature goes, they will in the greater number of cases try to turn their authority to the advantage of their own party. The democrats, who have been the sufferers from these laws, have always denounced them, and it has been taken for granted that one of the first of their acts, if they should come into power in 1880, would ‘be to repeal the whole mass of them. This ought certainly to be done, and whenever a democratic ad- ministration holds power in Washington there is no doubt that the republicans will eagerly help and per- haps even demand the repeal. But there is reason to fear that it will then be too late, fora good many democrats are even now indisposed to this repeal. | They say the republicans have had a very great ad- vantage from these laws for a good many years and they will now wait until it comes to their turn. If enough republicans and democrats would join hands for the repeal at the present session it could be done, but it would need the help of republican votes. NO FIGHT AMONG THE DEMOCRATS—REPUBLICAN DISAPPOINTMENT—CAUSES OF ‘‘THE SOLID SOUTH.” Th: disappointment of some of the republicans at the moderate tone and sensible sentiments of most of the Southern speeches on Saturday, und at the melancholy fact that “‘there’s no fight,” as the street boys say, has caused thecirculation of a foolish and of course unfounded story to-day that “the speeches were “revised by # committee.” There is a very natural desire among the Tepublicans to see the democratic party break to pieces, just as the democrats would like nothing half so well as to see the republican party split asunder. Unfortunately for, the repub- lican hopes they themselves are keeping the South solid for the democrats by their constant threats of interference and their general sectional policy. Mr, Garfiold is the only republican who has of late begun tospeak the magic words which would rend part the solid South, and he stopped short all too soon to be effective. He said in December, in his speechin the House :— So far as I have studicd the current of public thought and of political fecling in this country, no feeling has shown itself more strongly than ‘the tendency of the public mind in the past few months, ‘The man who attempts to get up a political ment in this country on the old sectional issues will find himself withoat a party end withont support. ‘The man who wants to serve his country must put himself in the line of its leading thought, and that is the restoration of business, trade, commerce, in- dustry, sound political economy, nonest_ money and honest payment of ull obligations, and the man who can add anything in the direction of the accomplish- ment of any of these purposes is a public benefactor. But these statesimanlike words apparently found no response in his own party, for he has not gone further on that path. BY SECRETARY SCHURZ. The well ascertained fact that the new Pension la w will take $34,000,000 out of the Treasury and will in- crease the annual payments on thfs account about $5,000,000 per annum besides, leads to a very gon- eral desire for such amendments of the Pension laws as shall make the detection of frands and irregulari- ties more prompt and certain, so that, at least, the Treasury shall not be bled wrongfully. Among the measures suggested and urged by Secrotary Schurz is one which looks to # reform very necessary in the judgment of the Commissioner of Pensions. At present pensioners and persons claiming pensions are examined by local surgeons, their neighbors, who, even where they are entirely competent, are naturally apt to lean favorably toward the claimant and against the government. Hence, it is well known, | ariso abuses which cost the government very heavily every year, persons receiving pensions to which they aro not entitled, which is an injustice to the taxpayers and the honest pensioners. To remedy this it is proposed to divide the whole | country into pension districts and employ a regular staff of competent surgeons, one for each district, to be paid @ salary by the government, and tu be re- weuhe and subject to be changed from one district to another at the hands of the Pension bureat Sur- geons thus employed would bave no interest adverso to the government. ‘To test the yalue of examinations by an independent surgeon specially employed by the government, the Com. missioner of Pensions two years ago employed a Wiseonsin surgeon of ability to make special exaniin- atious in several counties in New York, Ohio and Indiana, with the result that in 491 cases the govern- ment suved in reduced rates and mon dropped from the rolls the largo sum of $16,824 for two years, FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. Wasntxaros, Feb. 2, 1879, THE RIVER AND HARBOR BILL. The sub-committes of the House Committee on Commerce, to which was referred the River aud Har- bor Appropriation bill, has nearly finished its labor, and will report the bill to-morrow morning at tho full meeting of the committee, Tho agyrogate amount of the appropriation will bo nearly $5,500,000, which is about $2,500,000 leas than the bill passed at the Jast session. The amount agreed upon for ¢he continuation of the Hell Gate improvement is $250,000, end for the improvoment of Charleston Harbor $100,000, ‘The estimates of the Engineer officers have been cut down by the sub-committee, aud the principal amounts have been appropriated for the | leading commercial centres. The improvements of Long Island Sound, Newport and Irovidenco harbors, Pitiladelphia, Laltimore and New York have been | well provided for. ‘The sub-committee has aimed, in | the preparation of tho estimates, to be governed by the actual needs of the localities asking for literal | appropriations, and it is said the bill, as prepared, is | who trasted | 304), w NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1879.-TRIPLE SHEET. freer from personal demands and local influences than any biJl reported for many years, As is usual the Senate Committee on Appropriations will increase the amount and probably add a number of improve- ments to be carried on by the Engineer Corps during the coming fiscal year. THE YELLOW FEVER COMMISSION—WORK OF THE BOARD OF EXPERTS CONCLUDED. ‘The Board of Experts appointed to assist the Con- gressional Committee on the yellow fever epidemic has finished ity labors and adjourned last night, miost of the members returning to their homes. At the request of the chairmen of the Senate and House committees Drs, Mosher, Bemis, Mitchell and Craft will remain in Washington several days, to assist the comniittes in perfecting a bill to be reported to both houses, The Board of Experts, before adjourning, agrced upon a resolution whica is to take the form of @ joint resolution to be offered to Congress re- questing the appropriation of a eum sufticient to complete the work of the Board already mapped out, but for the perfection of which several months of labor will be required. ‘The resolution proposes alvo that all the testimony tuken by the com- mittee and the Board of Experts shall be printed, and @ suilicient number of copies ordered to enable the Secretary of the Treasury to senda copy to the leading physicians throughout the United States. There are a!so valuabie maps of the | infected localities to be prepared, showing the places where the fever prevailed to the greatest ex- tent, and what were the sanitary conditions of the cities and towns where the disease prevailed, to- gether with other data which will be valuable to medical experts in studying the progress of the epi- demic. GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasuixaton, Feb, 2, 1879, PREVENTION OF YELLOW FEVER—LETTER OF MES, ELIZABETH THOMPSON 40 THE SPECIAL COMMITTEES ON EPIDEMIC DISEASES, Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson has sent the following letter on means tor the prevention of yellow fever:— Wasuinetos, D. C. 1, 1879, ‘Lo THE COMMITTRES OF THE ND House oF REPRESKNTATIV) a xe or THE UNITED Srares Upon Dis- EASE! GENTLEMEN-—-The “conclusions of the Board of erts, authorized by Congress to investigate the yellow fever epidemic of 1874,” fully justify my most sanguine anticipations ot the advantages to be derived from the prompt study of the history of the late outbreak, It is with fred contidence that I look forward to the leliberations of Congress on this subject, and, with- out presuming to offer any suggestions on broad questions of national and international legislation, I am anxious to direct special attention to the facts and recommendations relating to cold as practically our only prophylactic. ‘Science may help us at once, it we are not remiss, and it is be hoped that im- mediate action will be taken, that, at the carliest pos- sible moment in the ensuing summer, the disintec- ton om ships may be rendered practicable at New rleans, ‘The designs refrigerating steamer, by Profes-. sor John Gages, of London, England, are far ad- vanced at the Navy Yard, but it will require at least three months from the date of signing con- tracts to construct this life-saving ship and its ma- chinery. It ig to be hoped, therefore, pending the discussion of 1: questions, that Congress may, in its wisdom, see iit to pass such a measure as will ive to this country whatever protection artificial st may afford. ‘The Board of Experts declare that “ships are espe cially. jus” and “remain sources of infection for mo) after having been infected with tho poison: “yellow fever poison is not able to withstand the influence of frost, and when exposed to « freezing temperature it is rendered imnocuous and is prob: destroyed;” that “if the apparatus and experiments now projected for the utilization of ex- treme cold for this purpose should be tound to be of practical application to the disinfection of the holds and other parts of vessels their suceess would prove to bo a sanitary acquisition of inestimable valne.”” ‘The losses to this country by the yellow fever “have been variously estimated’ at sims ranging from $100,000,000 to $200,000,000,"" and it hes been computed that New Orleans’ alone suffered to the extent of $16,335,000. * Millions. have been spent in ships of war, and I earnestly hope that the opportunity we now have of testing nature's great preventative for yellow fever— cold—may be taken advantage of with proniptitude and liberality, 1 remain, gentlemen, with much respect, your obedient servant, ELIZABETH THOMPSON, NEW YORK APPOINTMENTS—MR. CONKLING SAID TO BE LOSING GROUND, There have bech animated conversations in the hotels and other places to-day rexpecting the future action of the Senate on the New York Custom House nominations. It ix reported to-night from demo- cratic sources that so far as support from that party in the Senate is concerned Mr.Conkling is losing ground, A prominent Southern Senator is said tu have stated that a number of democrats who have heretofore been thought to hold doubtful positions as to their votes on the pending nominations would now vote for their confirmation. THE POTTER SUB-COMMITTEL FOR NEW YORK-~ A HITCH IN THE CHAIRMANSHIP, ‘The Potter sub-committee appointed to take testi- wony in New York did not leave the city to-night, as was arranged, a difficulty having arisen with regard to the chairman. Mr, McMahon, who'was appointed to that post, declares that his duties at Washing- ton are stich as to prevent him leav- ing at present, so it was decided to request General Hunton to take his place. The General is away at Warrenton, Va., and his reply has not yet been received. It is thought, however, that as he was a member of the Electoral Commission he may object to take the position of chairman, and it will then fall upon Mr. Stenger, who acted as chairman of the sub-committee that was seut to New Orleans, In this caso Mr. Blackburn will take the place of Mr. McMahon, aud the committee will leave Washington on Monday evening or Tuesday morning. NEGOTIATION OF COMMERCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND THE PUNISHMENT OF FRAUDS THEREIN—RE- PORT OF THE. HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEE ON MR. HEWITT'S BILL. Representative Bliss, of New York, in behalf of the Committee on Commerce, has submitted to the House of Representatives the following report upon the Dill introduced by Abram 8. Hewitt last session to “facilitate the negotiation of bills of lading and other commercial instruments and to punish frauds therein:— ‘The bill is the outgrowth of the sentiment of the merchants in our commercial centres. The facility | for fraud in obtaining advances or credit by bills of exchange, or otherwise, on bills of lading, warchouse receipts and kindred instruments is now so great as to require 8 re! + Cham! af commerce and boa of trade in various States have taken action recommending the passage of such a law as proposed in this bill, and t State of Maryland in 1876 avery similar act intended to confer the same benefits within its Jurisdiction. In New York the “Factors’ act,” passed in 1890 and amended in 1858 and 1X68, attempted the same thing but its opera- tion is partial and far from satisfactory. ‘The objec- tion that the question is one afecting commerce be- tween the States and with foreign nations, lies to State enactments on the subject, and it is every way proferable that Congress should pass an act which inay apply thronghout the country, than that we whould be loft to laws by thirty-cight different States, all relating to the same subject, but doubtless discor- dant and perhaps ambiguous, to their own Loundarics. A in the courts will illustrate evils complained of, v ot Dows vs. National Exchange Bank of ae ukee, reported im the first volume of Otto's nited States Supreme Court reports is in point. There Dows & Co., in Now York, were consignees of wcargo of wheat «hipped to thom by reputable mer- chauts in Oswego, who sent them the bills of lading therefor and drew upon them on account of an ad- vauce on the wheat. Dows & Co. paid the advance, received and offered the wheat for sale, all in tho iar and usual course of business, But the wheat was repievined by the Milwaukee bank, which claimed to have made an advance on it th had bills of lading tor it to Oswego, whe traushipped to New York; the consiynees in Oswego were Smith & Uo., selected by the ban! and intrusted with the wheat. Siuit & Oo. have sent the wheat to snother addros to have drawn upon it; but, in violation of their duty to the sbank, Smith & Co. sent it ty Dows & Co. and drew against it, and they ad- vauced upon it without any notice of any equities in favor of the bank. Itseems only jnst that the fraud perpetrated by smutth & Co. should fall upon thore d the wheat in their hands, who caused to be delivered to them property having no ear- auark or apparent lien and gave them the means to deceive others, Bat as the law has heret atood the Court had, in effect, to decroe that Dows & Co, shonid stand this loss instead of the bank, which had trusted the wheat to Smith & Co, ‘The case of the Bank of Toledo va, Shaw (61 N Y., similar fraud was pe: incorporated banking © house receipt, led its manuyers to go ont of business and wind it up, as they thought thero wae too great | insecurity iu making advances to warrant its contin- wance. ‘the case of Hentz va. he pony vf Leone Maid one where cotton was replevined in Liverpool and take: away from the bankers who had in regular couree of vi accepted bills of exchange drawn against it without notice of any prior equities, aud the United States Supreme Court were compelled to uphold this Procedure, ‘fhe bill throws proper ards around com- mervial transactions of this kind, preserves all equities with notice and punishes fraud, aud, 1 our opinion, ought to become a law. ‘The following is the bill reterred to:— A bill to fucilitate the negotiation of bills of ladir ) and other commercial instruments, and to puni: 1 fraud therein. Be it enacted, &e., That whenever any party, in the course of any commercial transaction between the United States and any foreign nation, or between any ° common carrier, by land or water, or both, or to any warehouseman or other custodian, any personal property whatever, snd shall take therefor any bill of lading, shipping receipt, warehouse receipt, agree- ment, certificate or other voucher, in which instru- ment it shall be stated that such property is deliver- able to the order of any purty whatever named therein, the absolute title iu full to and the right of possession of such instrument and to any and all of such personal property mentioned therein, shall be transferable by the indorsement of the party mentioned there: (and snbsequent indorsers) and the delivery of such instrument; and upon such in- dorsement and delivery such title and right of pos- session shall immediately vest in the transferee, sub- ject only to any liens and conditions which may be mentioned in said instrument; provided, that if any such instrument shall state that it is not negotiable, then this section shel] not apply to itnor to the prov- erty mentioned therein; and provided further, that if the actual notice of other equities shall be received by the transferee before settlement or payment he shall be bound by such notice. Src. 2.—That this act shall be construed liberally for the. purpose of securing negotiability to all the instrumeuts mentioned, and the transfer of owner- ship of the goods, wares and merchandise or other I property mentioned in such instruments, . 3.—Tnat if any person shall kuowingly make, issue, indorse or treusfer auy iustrument intended by this act, when the property mentioned therein is not situated as therein mentioned, such person, in addition to any and all other penalties now pre- scribed by law, shall be guilty of # mjsdemeanor and punished according to law. No party dealing in good faith with any such instrument shall be liable as indorser thereon atter the same shall have been transferred aud accepted by the subsequent trans- ferev. “\HE HUNTON-ALEX!NDER DIFP:CULTY. General Eppa Hunton, of Virginia, whose indict- ment on the ground of, sending a challenge to Mr. Columbus Alexander, in July last, is now being cou- sidered by the Grand Jury, said to-night that he would not be surprised if an indictment should be found. He does not, however, anticipate any troubie therefrom. It is rumored to-night that Captain Sheppard, the principal witness in the case, hus left the city. PAUL BOYTON. THE FAMOUS NAVIGATOR AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL—INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT— SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITION AT THE NAVY YARD. Wasuineton, Feb, 1, 1879. The presence of Captain Paul Boyton in this city for the first time in his eventful career has created quite asocial furore. ‘The famous navigator is now a guest of Dr. Howland, a well known scientist and lecturer, It is very doubtful whether any American has received so much honor and courtesy from the officials and people in general as the Captain. His general bearing, coupled with his reputa. tion for personal daring and gallantry, seems to com- mand a respect aud attention that is not ordinary in its character. AT THE WHITE HOUSE. At three o’clock yesterday President Hayes received Captain Boyton at the White House, in company with Captain Merriman, of the revenue service. The Presi- dent was very unreserved in his reception and was high in his praise of the great Captain's achicve- ments in Europe. “If you refer to life saving, Mr. President,” said the Captain, “I think you labor under a common misapprehension.» My record is seventy-two lives, and they were all saved off the Jersey coast. My efforts were not appreciated, however, in America, and it was not until I vieited Europe that [ received any recognition whatever. Since I have been awsy the honors which have showered in upon me from foreign rulers might have put my own countrymen to shame.” ‘The President then asked the Captain what his uniform signified, and, on being informed, said he was happy to meet an officer of the French Lite Saving service socially. “What was the greatest trip you ever made, Cap- tain *” inquired the Président. “The voyage down the Tagus, sir, I started just one year ago to-day, end was eighteen consecutive days in making it.’ 1 was the first man to carry a flag through the Tagus, for it is unnavigable for 700 kilometres.” “Che red cross flag of-universal charity was’ the flag of your choice, 1 suppose.” “No, sir,” said ‘Captain Boyton, promptly. “I curried the American flag the entire length of the voyage. The Spaniards were a little jealous of the distinction, too.” ‘The President expressed great pleasure on being in- formed that the American colors were the first to conquor the Tagus, and wished the gallant Captain many happier voyages in the more congenial waters of America. By request Captain Boyton presented the President with his photograph and signature at- tached, and the President returned the compliment by giving Boyton a large portrait and autograph, «“Thayk you, Mr. President,” said the Captain. “Among all_ my decorations and badges of honor L shall prize this most, as it is given by the President of the United Stat After a short conversation on various topics and an introduction to Mr. Webb Hayes, the President's son, the party departed, and the rest of the day was spent in general sightseeing. EXUIBITION AT THE NAVY YARD. ‘This afternoon an invitation exhibition was beld in itd before the members of the Senate and ust before three o'clock the loud booming of the naval guns announced the arrival of the Pres- ident, accompanied by Mr, Thompson, Secretary of the Navy, and Postmaster General Keys. ‘The Presi- ential launch was swung off at the mouth ot the slip in which the experiment was to be made. Among those who joined the Presi- dent and members of the Cabinet were Admiral Scott and Commodore English. ‘The vessels and tor- pedo boats which enclosed the space were covered with flags and the Marine Band was in attendance. The crush along the docks and on the adjacent ves- sels was something fearful, and only the presence of several files of tarines prevented an accident. Abont one4hird of the assemblage were ladies and naval officers. nay oe | at three o'clock aloud splash was heard at the boat house, on wi IL eyes were immnreds- ately fixed, and presently Paul Boyton’s paddles drove him into sight with a velocity that stif- fen the beautiiul new silk national flac which he carried. Halting in frott of the “4 boat Boyton dipped the _ col- the President sainted, the Cabinet members raising their hats. In another moment the Ainerican flag was replaced by the well known hite colors and the red Geneva Cross, which the captain waved three times in honor of the life saving service officials present. The next feature of the programme was the seuding of despatches from the ater, wnd just before the despatéhes were written the boat Baby Mine was seen floating by the cap- tain’s side, as though xhe had never gone down in Now York , among the ice. From hold of tho tiny iron-clad Boyton took two doves, and, attaching a letter to the neck of cach, set them free. One flew direct to the city, while the other hovered for a mo- ment just over the President's head, and darted straight for Washington and home. CONSTRUCTING A RANT. ‘The gathering together of logs and wreck débris for the pu of constructing a raft, and the sub- sequent building. was done in an incredibly short = of time, and the manner in which Boyton ha dled the hammer and bound the logs together was a lesson to the Navy Yard workingmen. Mouuting the raft Boyton illustrated the use of signal flags and the bugle as distress signals, and afterward arged several heavy detonating rockets and cloud lights. For a few moments the Capea then returned carrying wit pole and — tackle him a long fishing on placing which he pa- Uontly settled down to’ the “watch with the air of an experienced angler. In a short time an ap- parent bite was noticeable, and — simultaneous! Boyton drew the line out of the water with a finc Jovking fish on the hook. The surprise had by than the whole assembly began to give Foara of laughter, which was explained on kno: that the fish was @ sea perch and it hat been drawn from the Potomac, @ fresh water river, ‘The humor of the situation «o struck the President that ho conld not help but shake his sides with irrepressible: laughter, for tae Captain's little devico had been revealed. . The fish was ® dead one, bought at Washington Market and tied to the hook. Lighting # fire in an iron fire cage was a matter of afew minutos, and then Boyton made the assemblage laugh by © fish and laying # table on the ratt, with tab! cover, knives, forks, plates, napkins and cruet stat Hoyton then opened # bottle of beer and drank heaith of the President. An awning was then opened and protected the Captain's face while he lit a cigar and read a newspaper, meanwhile fanning himself, fo the iutonse amusement of the chilled spectators. all kinds were adjusted and used, aud then ‘aptain took from the raft his double-barrelled shotgun and fired shot after shot in all directions, ‘Two shots were fired in exactly opposite directions } rapidity that only one report was heard. pain wrote a number of autograph cards in and handed them to the spectators, One yiven to Mr. Hayes bore the inseription—“Floati Paul Boyton.” CARRYING ALINE, e was next carried trom the boat house to the ship Tallapoosa, to illustrate the carrying « line trom a stranded vessel to the shore. Bombs torpedoes were fired from the litthe mortar for a tracting attention in mid oceau. Tho last perforn ance was the blowing up of a small full rigged ship by a huge torpedo. ‘Captain Boston leaves for Pittsburg to-night, des- ite many invitations to remain. A public invita- n is being gotten up to call Boyton to the city for ‘a lecture, as this is the only possible manner in which cou be cornered. wing fanung and cooking | United states, shall deliver to any special or | in disappeared, and | lly | wat | j shal Pitkin, now in this city. LOUISIANA. Ex Marshal Pitkin Exposes the Con- dition of the State. PLUNDERED BY SCHEMERS. Legislators and Officials Anxious to Repudiate State Debts. THE. COALITION, Bad Times in Store for “Bull- dozers” and Murderers. * Wasnixotos, Feb. 1, 1879, The condition of political affairs in Louisiana would seem to be past Andivg out, so varied and contralictory are the statements’ made by persons either controlled by prejudice or more anxious tor | the success of the political party with which they are afiiliated than that the exact truth should be known. That the tie which binds the present dominang party ix littlo more than a rope of sand, liable to fall to pieces the moment any other issue is presented than opposition tocarpet-bag republicanism, is an ad- mitted fact; that the better element in the republican party in the State is endeavoring to break away from those who have made the name odious to the intelli- gent aud property holding citizens, and form acom- | bination with those who have acted with the democ- racy as the choice of two evils, and with a fuir chance of success, is equaily certain. Among the re- publicans of the State there is no one, perhaps, who has a better knowledge of this movement and the | general political condition of this State than ex-Mar- In a recent interview with the Marshal he kindly expressed himself at length on the subject, as embodied in the following conversation :— ConnEsPoNDENT—AS you are a native of Louisiana and have long been actively identified with her re- publican politics, I would like to know whether your party can regain there its ascendency in 1880? Mr. Pirxix—I have no doubt that it can and will, but it must be under different conditions from those which prevailed in our three national elections since reconstruction began, else a republican success would be impossible to achieve, or if achieved impossible to maintain, We have # vast voting posse, but we need something besides numbers, ConRESrONDENT—What new conditions do you look for? Mr. Prrxix—Well, I look especially to certain re- sponsible elements, comprising merchants, planters and others, that have already detached themselves from the democracy, and that in their initial experi- ment last November elected in New Orleans a goodly number of their candidates, The fact that these candidates were wantonly defrauded in the count, which was at the exclusive mercy of democratic com- missioners, has served to quicken a distrust which had impelled them to antagonize the democracy to @ determined enmity. These men dared much in arraigning their old party by conservative and na- tional platforms—they meant reform and retrench- ment. But they found themselves thwarted in the count by the very “ring” they soughé to break up. ‘They are left two alternatives—either to succumb to the democracy and its exactions or to persist in fighting it—and they have chosen the lat- ter. The republican numbers are vital to this end, and the conservatives will in the coalition prove valuable leaven to those numbers. A certain class of small republican “leaders, ’.so called, will be elimi- nated, much to the advantage ot the republican party, Their object being spoils they will naturally betake themseives to the “short hair” democracy, against which the nationals and conservatives sii arrayed. The spoilsmen are naturally dumped together, and the coalition is thus largely disburde*ed of reasons in its personnel for reproach, . DETERMINATION OF THE COALITION, ConrregoxpeNt—Do you regard these ex-demo- cratic elements as being really in earnest in this matter? Mr. Prrxix—There is no doubt of it. They have left the democracy for # deliberate and laudable pur- pose, which cannot be accomplished save as the re- publican party shares in that purpose and lends its stout voting elbows. No republican who has the in- terest alike of the State and of his party xt heart can refuse co-operation, The conservatives and nationals will ‘contribute not only a heavy vote, but mercantile, tax-paying, banking and social emphasis to the common object. While the joint forces will compel general reform and tra- gality in the trnsts of the Commonwealth, reform will ferment as well within the republican party there; and one party needs it quite as badly as the | other. ‘he ex-democrats indicate a hearty disposi- tion to act affirmatively with any republican leaders who do not by their past misconduct afford an a monition of their unworthiness to enter the coalitio ‘The question is not one of past politics but of a needed result. But there is another important consideration. ‘The democracy countenances the bulldozer, for it accepts results assured by him and never disowns him. He will find in 1880 that his occupation is gone, ve the eonservatives will not only refuse his brutal but stand politically at the side of the blacks, whom he is wont to shoot or to bully into minori- ties. Here is@ valuable police power at hand, and the blacks will be emboldeued to poll their full legitimate figures. It is a thousand-fold better than federal soldicry——3 local, permanent guaranteo that shall be maintained. : OCCUPATION IX FUTURE FOR THT BULLDOZER. Louisiana. Do you really think peaceable relations can be maintained through the State? Mn. Prrei—I am sue they can. The taxpayer 18 now in pursuit of the tax consumer, who will be un- ablo to swarmn mobs to denounce these joint anti- democratic elements as he did to denounce republi- can officials whom he supplante! later. The violent clement will be on the weaker side, the side where ts, who were. extortionately assessed dur- y cauvasyes to hire and subsist that eloment po- liucally, shall have abandoned it. The sorvative clement has buttoned up its pocket ‘ing’ will call m vain upon New Orleans me chants for much financial succor in the 1880 cam- paign, whon # resolute Executive, resolute judges, sheriffs and prosecutors will be chosen, it is to be hoped. Governor Nicholls admits that atrocities were perpetrated in our late election; but the democ- rac y abrolves tho perpetrators, its prints mar- vel at even his slight measure of candor and district attorneys and grand juries forbear inquiry. All this imports fresh license to murder in INS). ‘The con- servatives, nationals and republicans will forbid it, not only by platform but by lodgement ot the prblic trusts in firmer hands; and efter they cast their v: will see it count cast, Many of the con- atives, 00, of New Orleans wero tormerly white uers; in the country they are largely planters control local opinion. Such men can maintain their ground against any violent element. It will be tained to docility. CORKESPONDENT—Why was it not tamed befdro now? Mr. Prrxin—Well, the negro entered politics an un- welcome tactor, His citizenship was the product of ® national government that, hy its pertinacious pounding of the rebellion, had become sorely obnox- ious to the Southern rebel. That « negro should own 1 at the elbow of bis late owner stand his political equal, roused a vehement preju-, against him. Tais ‘prejudice found brutal ex sion through the muzzies of @ class that was gely the debris of the war and that plied its trade | iu murder solely because the democracy would not disclaim its profit by it. In fact, this brutality seemed so clowrly to interpret the democratic temper that the local republican admin- istrations from 1868 to 1876 reposed little taith in the immature self-assertion of the blacks as @ resource for defence and relied upon national soldiery as a necessary crutch to prevent being toppled’ over. Many republican officials saw that they might not lonpenjoy their tenure; that every sort of malyer- sation would be ascribed to them because they The wero radicals, and that their own — party not # rigid upon them; — and cases, I rot admit, they nored their triste, swooped ap | public Y moneys, sold legislation “and got theuelves in tinauetal readiness for tight, ‘The democracy had a brood of intemperate leaders who coveted these oMives, organized remonstrances by nob and other wise, aud made coutinuous challenge of republican honesty. ‘These leaders are largely the men whoss career since in politics aud office and whose control of tho democracy have driven the conservatives and nationals out of that party. The republican persou- nel from which to select for public stations was very limited—that must be borne in imiud. The selections were often most unfortunate. and the best of Governors would, perhaps, have found himself as muck embarrassed by his party surroundings as by democrate menaces. “The more the democrats scolded the more some republicans stole in preparation for Wider Hizht, aud the oftener thoy stole or tled the |. louder and angrier the scolding. til! the mob bel- lowed it on the streets. It inust not be forgotten, however, that there were many honest republicau stewards, old and new citizens ot Louisiana, who fitly Gischarged their duties and live with unchallenged reputations to-day in Louisiana, whither they came to stay, These wen merit great credit for haying maintained their probity so jealously. The demo- erate have not presented any higher’ standard than have the republicans in the ‘legislative and adiminis- trative trusts of Louisiana, despite all the abuse hheuped upon the latter, THE PLACE FOR HONEST MEN. CornesponpeNt—Have the — fed officers Lonisiuna joined the coalition of which you spe: Mr, Pirkis—I huve reason for saying that, with perhaps two or three exceptions. those officers wouid scarcely be welcomed by the conservative und na- tional elements, aud cbrtaiuly could uot, it they were welcome, tuke any forces with them into the coali- Men with clean characters and honest purpose are weleome. The conservatives and nationals ex- | press hearty contidence that the national adininistra- tion will exhibit a disposition to promote their worthy purpose so fares it.can legitimately. The | codlition is Louisiaua's oniy hope and the State creditors’ only hope; it merité prompt encourage- iment, both because of immediate issnes ut stake and Decuuse of 1840, whenwe may readily recluim the State and have # pacific election, in which the con- servative clement shall Interpose between the violent and the colored elements, LOUISIANA CAN PAY ITS DEBTS, Coaxesroxprxs—It is reported here that it is the purvose of the Louisiea democrats to repudiate the State debt, and that for this object chiefly they have called a constitutional convention, What position do the conservatives and republicans of Louisiana occupy oa this question? Mr. Pivktx—These elements are entirely hostile to such action. It ix believed vy them that the state, though poor, is abundantly able to pay its debts and ought to do so. ‘they do not believe the people of the State could desire oven a temvorery udvantage from repudiation. They believe that such action | Would not be thonght of, except ax a theaus of in- | creasing the fund available for the support of | hecks and general plunder. ‘The income of the State is yenerous, ‘Loo large a part of it is spent in exor- intaut salaries wud the maintenarce of useless offi- cers, A better and more equal system of assessment and # more business-like imode of collection would considerably increase this income, ‘The republicans and conservatives agree in demanding these. ‘Tuey agree that the number of offices should be diminished, and the emoluments of many it is desirable to retain show!d be much reduced. “There is no reason why Louisiana should pay her Governor 4 salary of $5,000 per annum. There is no excuse for the continuance of a system under which two sheriffs for the single parish of Orleans can cach lay | by ,u or 380,009 in a single term of houll be simpitied, The State, i ing its assessments upon each individuai taxpayer, should levy its quota upon each city and parisa, as in other States, and leave to the | local authorities its collection end payment to the State Treasurer, By such a change the State would save very nearly $100,000 per aunum now paid in commissions to tex collectors. Local interests would then antagonize the tax-resisting schemes of former years and the general laxity in this respect whieh has been their sruit. ‘The collection expenses of | parishes uced not be substantially increased, and Pecuixtion would become more difficult than'‘now. Reform in this particular would dispense with the most powerful and corrupting patronage of the State tive—not among the leust of the accruing benefits. ‘Ihe State would derive another Lenefit in a saving of nearly $30,000 per year which might then be iade in the expenses of the ‘Treasurer's and Auditor's offices. ‘CUT DOWN SALARIES, ‘The State and parish judiciary should be greatly | reduced. Nearly ninety judicial officers are em- | ployed by us to discharge duties which abont thirty auch periorm, for instance, in Massachusetts, with twice our population and nine times our wealth. Many of these are excessively paid. ‘Che system is cumbrous, unsatisfactory and an onerous charge | upon the people and taxpayers of the State. In no | department of the government is a reform more nec- essury or can economies be effected more important. ‘The heavy fees now applied to buildimg up private fortunes for the Sherif of Orleans, Harbor Board, recorders of mortgages and conveyances, &c., should | chiefly yo into the State and city treasuries, Prop- erty of the State now idle aud useless should | be apphed to some profitable use or sold. Valuable franchises, which have been alienated without sub- stantial consideration for corrupt or private ends, should be resumed, Very considerable reductions should be effected in the legislative expenses. From | all these sources of economy a suving of not less then $750,0U0 @ year can be made, a stun more than ample to meet ail existing deficiencies. ‘The conser- vatives and republicans intend to acconiplish these reforms, und to restore and maintuin tne financial honor of the State. Lought to add that very great | numbers of men now remaining in the democratic | party are tuo honest to approve of the outrage of re- | pudiation, and will doubtless sever their connection | with that party rather than ratify the action of the coming Convention should repudiation be its re- | sult. I do not now believe that this result, how- | over desirable it may be to the ring managers of the dem@ratic party, can be reached. It is | not at present likely’ that these men will bo j able to control a majority im the Convention. tf they cannot they will retire to private lite, and the finances and honor of the State will be sute hence- forth in honorable hands. I am satisfied that our Senators and our members of Congress, the last all ; members of the democratic purty, will be found jealously defending the honor ot the State, and that each and ail will heartily concur in the reformatory | measures necessary to support her credit and good name. of DEMOCRATIC WRECKERS. Cornesrospent—Your Legislature has now been in session some four weeks, bas.it not? and is it not y largely democratic? Pirkix—Yes, and no resolution has yet been 1 to assist the State out of the slough in which ecent default in her annual interest has left her, ‘The democratic and republican vote is respectively | ninety-three and tuirty-eight. ‘he especial objec | the democracy seems to be to abolish the pre: ent State constitution, which, among othe things, limits the State debt to $15,000,000, | and ‘declares all wppropriations in" excess of annual revenue to te null and void. But the Legislature has just paesed an act providing for aconvention toframe a new constitution. This | following right upon the recent default in interest | excates grave misgivings. ‘The clection of delegates, as you will see from this oficial copy of the act, is to be held on the 18th day of March next, and on the 2ist day of April the convention is to assemble, with au appropriation of $40,000 to moet its expenses, ‘The 1uterval is certainly very short and the conse- quences extremely momentous. TREASURY STATEMENT. Wasurxctos, Feb, 2, 1875, ‘The following is a statement of the liabilities and rs- sets of the Treasury of the United States from the latest returns received :— LIABILITIES. Fund for redemption of certificates of «e- posit, J Post Office Disbursing officers’ balanc Fund for redemption of notes of ni banks “tailed,” “in liquidation’ “reducing circulation’... 11,350,869 Undistributed assets of failed national | 1,138,794 nt fund for redemption of na: 13,480,390 | Interest account, and P. Canal Company Treasurer United St interest ou District Treasurer's transfer ¢ Fund for redemption of natio: gold notes.. peoges ‘Treasurer's general account— Special fund for redemption o Interest due and unpaid. Called bonds and interest bank $5,560,824 5,Y80, 288 Gold certiticates. Silver certificate National bank gold notes 80,425 Fractional cwtren 127,014 Quarterly interest checks and coin ¢ pons paid One and two Nickels and minor coins. . . w York and San Fraucisco exchange... Speaker's certificates, Forty-fifth res! 1872. Total..... . PRINCE RUDOLPH RUDENESS, {From the London Trath,) ‘The Crown Prince Rudolph got himself into e mess the other day in Prague, He wrote to a young lady, who is a singer in the theatre of that town, request- ing hor to eall upon him to give @ few lessons in sing- ing. The lady has two brothers, who ure officers quartered at Prague. To them she handed the letter. ‘They at once called on the Crown Prince and asked for ‘sutisfaction.”” If his position did not enable him to grant them this sutistaction, they would, they said, accept it trom the -de-camp ot his Inyperial Highness. Finally it was agreed that the Crown should tender ap apology, and the affair ended. A MODERN MIRACLE, Sudden Recovery of Speech by a Dumb Man. FORTUNATE RESULT OF A SHOCK. An Interesting Case tor Students of Nervous Diseases. Great and sudden shocks have sometimes acted as a curative upon persons who were afilicte with deaf. ness or other 1 -tions, but ‘rarely if ever betore this present occasion has any one who had been dumb for years suddenly recovered speech, Such au instance happened about two months and # half ago and the remarkable change wes consum- mated on Tuesday last. Medical men who read the following carefully prepared statement of facts will be astonished and deeply interesied, and, were this a superstitious age, itix probable that this wonderful occurrence would be ascribed by the popular preju- dicg to some miraculous power appertaining to» locomotive and a train of cars. poy The subject is Mr. Frank law of Mr. J.J, McComb, of No. 579 Fifth avenue, His father was wealthy aud during the rebellion re- sided in New Orleans, When the federa] troops threat ened the occupation of the city ke was chosen by the local banks to receive the custody of their gold and cause it to be conveyed tou place of safety. His son wus a soldier in the Confederate army. At the close of the war both father and sou found themselves in straitened circumstances, and the latter in order to earn a livelihood became a dealer in boots and shoes in the city of New Orleans. Too close an attention to business overtaxed his strength and seriously im paired his health, and to add to this afilice tion be soon afterward received a sunstroke which entirely prostrated him. Paralysis was an im mediate consequence, He soon recovered the power of locomotion, and at first the disease did not seem to affect very seriously the organs of Speech; but by and by he expericnced 2 marked difficulty of utter- ance, which gradually grew upon him. His mental sensations, in the meautime, while they did not be token any weakening of the braim, were far trom pleasant. It was not till 1875 that he entirely lost the power of articulation. For some time previously his symptoms had given him warning that this ca- lamity was near at hand. Inthe month of May, at the wedding of his sister in Baltimore, he found him- self unable, for the first time, to articulate. The deep anguish which the shock caused him could only be realized by one who had been similariy visited, UNDER MEDICAL CARE. f Soon after he had become utterly mute it was thought to be possible that his paralysis might de- velop insanity, and, in order to be forearmed against this worst of ills it’ was concluded to place him im charge of an experienced physician who was specially qualitied to detect its symptoms and to approach. At this time, and ever afterward, his mind ‘was perfectly clear. He was even remarkable for the strength and the acuteness of his memory. He was sent to Batavia, N. ¥., to the asylum of Dr. Peterson, He was not subjected to any formal confinement. ‘The fact that he was in an abode for the insane was carefully concealed from him. No other inmates were allowed to come near him, and a large suit of rooms wes devoted to, his use. From that time until the return of his speech all of his communications + with those around him were made in writing. His hexring was ulways pertectly ood, but the little 2 that remained to him almost entirely disap- fhe ouly vocal sound, that he could make was a sort ot whistle. In all other respects his health steadily improved. He left Batavia und went to Hurtford, where he reside] until September, 1877, in the Retreat for the Insane. A friend named John T. Peters, a lawyer, visited him there and conceived the idea that he would be greatly benetited if he were to come to New York and remain here with his friends, He was received here at the residence of Mr. J. J. McComb. An eminent physician, who is a specialist in throat and nervous diseases, made an examination of his condition and was the first to give the true diagnosis of it. Hitherto those members of the faculty who had treated him had acknowledged their ignorance. They had all predicted = that he would nover speak again. Dr. Rucomer immediately declared that he would some day be able to speak, and ate tributed his dumbness to the paralysis of the cords inthe larynx. ‘He is gradually recovering,’ said he, ‘‘and as soon as these cords become vitalized again their functions will return to them. It may be suddenly or it may be slowly.” Subsequently, about twelve months ago, Dr. Rucomer gave the strongest possible assurances that Mr. would entirely recover his speech. It was thought advisable, however, that he should return to Hartford. In Isst November he went to New Orleans, where his wife and two chil- dren now are. The ate of Louisiana did not prove beneficial to him, and after a sojourn of two or three weeks he started for the North. Now comes the wonderful part of the story. When the train on which he was travelling approached Pittsburg it came in collision with another train. Tho engine was sinsshed and the cars were violently shaken. The dun man felt a new and peculiar sensation that secmed to indicate a change of some sort in his con- . Wood, 3 brother-in- dition, Suddenly a congciousness of its signifi-. cance came to him, and springing from his seat, he rushed to the platform of the car, Where a brakeman was standing, and tried to ad- dress him, As he now relates the incident, he opened his mouth, moved his tongue and felt that he was speaking. The brakeman looked at im dubiously, as it he nad heard his voice, but failed to understand its import. He answered by exclaiming, “What?” ‘Too excited then to make a further attempt to speak, Mr. Wood returned to his seat. 9 “{ HAVE IT Now.”” On the next day he arrived in New York, and as soon as he met his friends he eagerly related to them in writing the hopetul experience wh: ‘so lately had, ‘They hoped, but scarcely believed in his ‘brght anticipation. On Tw last he was engaged in discussing some per- sonal and —busincss— matters with = Mr, McComb at the office of the latter. Mr. MeComb re- marked to him that his geveral health was fully res stored and expressed the most cheerful views about his future, He urged him to imake the utmost ef- forts to regain bis utterance. Mr, Wood seemed to form the resolution to follow this advice and became excited aud enthusiastic. He then seized a pencil | and wrote the last communication which he on paper. It was as follows: “Don't be surprised, but when 1 come back to- T will talk to you with my tongue. I hi Handing this to Mr. McComb ho went out. afterward related that he went to the Staten Island ferry and took passage on one of the boats, Hie mental feelings were peculiar and perhaps could on! be understood by a child who had just k to lixp her first syllables, were she capable enough. He — wes bashul, timid, — distrust. ful of himeclf, and yet ¢ager to’ make the essay which might fever! for him the delightful re- of his thoughfs from th: A + bondage of silence, it Fortunately there wera hal no difficulty in find. few p ing a quiet corner on the deck. ted on a stool nesr the rail he opened his mouth and lifted | up his voice. Its use and inflection ail came back to bim im an instant. It did not even sound strange to him. He could hacdly realize his own joy. He sang, spoke, shouted and tried bis voice in every way which happened to ocear to him, It was per.ect. He aecosted people and they did nut stare at him, but took it as # matter of course, rr's ALL mioitr!”” ‘The next returning boat bre York. Breathless aad dushed, ih him back to New entered the office ) jumped up, rushed forward and joys fully embraced iin, So did everybody else who wae ere “We were almost stunned with amazement,” said Mr. McComb last evening. “It seemed so str to hear him speek. He dia'nt seem to make the least effort, and his voice sounded exectly as it sed «to. Every tone and inflection was same, The scene at home, thongh, e to town. The chile rl their tncle speak. t conception that he had could, It was long before »vered from their wonder,” past three or four days havo been spent by od in visiting lis friends and receiving theit congratulations on the restoration of his voice, In every respect he is now pettectly recovered from yrdinary when we cai know, had ne h t the siligh They had ever done so, nor ev the: T | the effects of his sunstroke. HARD KNOCKS AND HARD SWEARING. An English sailor, named Benson, stood before Justice Flammer at Jetferson Market Police Court yesterday with a battered head anda very dejected mien, The charge against him wasa felonious at tempt to assault an officer of the Bighth precinct with bis sheath knife. “What have you to say to this charge?” “Strike me silly, Judge, if he didn’t pull the knife out o' me sheath his own self when he wes @ hust . Yor Honor,” said the ofticer, “This k, and when i told him to 1 yuve iny r When le got up he went along quietly, but in the station house, whem hy found i Jonly been knocked with a club, i said :—“Nee ‘ere, you duiter, hid ayy ‘eart h’out only 1 thot as ‘ow you that there club struck me on tie ‘ed, “It's not true, master quoth the sailor, “fon dollars fine and sent to the Wi six months,” said the Court, Ko home the stick ;