The New York Herald Newspaper, March 25, 1879, Page 3

The Political 1 fore Con $ aie as PLAN OP THE HOUSE ~ DR oe Prospects of a Deadlock Hap. idly Increasing. EXTBEMISTS CONTROLLING BOTH PARTIES. Attitude of. the Presideit as Stated by His. Friends. Reluctant Surrender of Patronage by Re- publican Senators, + FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasuinaton, March 24, 1879, ATTITUDE OF THE TWO PARTIES IN CONGRESS ON THE FEDERAL ELECTION LAWS, The condition of parties regarding the proposed political legislation stands thus this evoning:— On the democratic side the sub-committee of the Gaucus Committee held its final session to- ‘night and. agreed upon 4 plan to propose -to the main committee, and this, which (meets to-morrow, will undoubtedly agree to report this to the joint caucus to be heid to-mor- row evening. This plan is:-- Pirst—To agra Political legislation on to the priation bills. ae ond—To abolish the deputy marshals for elec- "tions entirely. Third—To abolish the chief supervisors and make the local supervisors report to the courts. Fourth—To mako the supervisors appointed by the Fifth—To secure them in the fullest manner the Tight to witness the registration and election at every atrge pad in pe Aid a ‘But to rive them of the power to chal- to canvass the ballots which the Sections 2,016 and 2,017 of the Revised Statutes are, therefore, to stand; sections 2,020 to 2,026 are to be repealed, and in 2,018 and 2,019 those parts which give the supervisors power to challenge und to canvass are to be struck out. Tho supervisors are in every ease to-be voters in the precincts at which thoy, serve, and they are to witness all the proceedings and. to make their report to the courts. . Those who wished to place this legislation on the *ppropiation bills gave as theirjustification that inno other way can the House get this kind of legislation up under the rules if the republicans choose to oppose it, because it would require e two-thirds vote on any day oxcept on Mondays. Hence they say they want to do this to avoid delay, Also that in their opinion, if the . houses should pass these mensures in separate bills and the Presi- dent shoul veto these, then to put them - onthe sppropriation bills would have tho sir of an attempt to coerce the President. These arguments were opposed in the committce by others, but those who. hed. determined to tack the political:messures ‘on the appropriation bills prevatted, and will prob- ably prevail in the whole committec. ‘On the republican side there is a strong determins- tion to resist all attempts to modify or decrease the Power of the supervisors or to abolish tho deputy marshals. Congress, they say, has just as much power over national clections as the State Legisla- tures have over State clections. - Tho Springer bill, pritited in the Himaty on the “20th, whict in sub. ‘eance contains what has been agreed on by the caucus committee, the republicans say emasculates the election laws and leaves only the mockery of a form without substance, and they will consent to no change or amendment which ‘would make them less effective than they now are: Tins is the languoge uscd on the subject by promi” nentrepublicans who will have infiwence to carry their party wih thom, and at a private consultation of such men, held to-night, this was tho unani mous determination. The proposition to tack the political measures on the appropriation bills was declared revolutionary, as attempting to coerce the Executive by making the support of the government dependent on his approval of logisiation he may be opposed to. The President, of course, says nothing of his pur- pose or opinions in regard to the proposed legisla- tion. He doubtless, however, advises with his friends, and these assert that he does not think it proper unders the circumstances to tack political legislation on appropriation bills; that when both houses and tho Executive are of the samo party and in harmony, and time so pre@hes near the close of the session as to make it difficult to garry needed legislation through in the regular way, ¢° thon it may be proper or justifiable to append such ) zgetter to an appropriation bill, but that the present is entirely aifferent and tho proposed plan is without justification. In regard to the general subject the President's friends assort that he regards the maintenanco of the supervisors of elections as of vital importance to the purity of freedom of elections, and it would geom that he agrees with the goneral re- publican * opinion that the superiors should not be deprived of any of their present powers to challenge votes and to canvass the returns, though this is not certain. As to the marshals, his friends say that he thinks them important, as without them the supervisors are powerless to make arrests. But they say he thinks well of a plan which has found supporters in both parties here among modocrate men—that deputy marshals for election purposes shall be appointed by the courts, and shall be two at each precinct, and to be nominated to the court by the Congressional candidates. It will be seon that tho President, if these reports are true, is in pretty close agreement with the body of republicans, and itis clear that contrary to the hopes and expectations entertained yesterday there la likely to be @ deadlock in Congress. From the best accounts it seoms that in the caucus committees the moderate democrats havo carried atl they were able to. They were beaten in an attempt to make tho political logislation in separate bills, and they wore also defeated in their dosire to arrange the ap- pointment of deputy olection marshals as the wupervisors are appointed. The joint caucus, when it meets to-morrow evening, will probably adopt tho recommendations of the com- mittee, and thereupon the whole matter will be car ried into the House, where, no doubt, it witl be ‘de- Dated at conniderable length, and,as all the signs hore show, with constantly increasing acrimony. The extreme democrats openly declare that if they can have their way they will paes the Appropriation bills and if they are vetoed adjourn Congress without further delay. Tho extreme republicana on their part deolaro that the Prosidont, if ho were ® “good republican,” would veto everything, even the repeal of tho test oaths, and no matter in what shape it should come. It remains to be seen whether in tho end the moderate men of both parties will not have sense and strength enough to take matters into their own hands and come to an agtoement, but so far there han been very little con- foronce betweon the two parties; oach has held alodf, and this fact has given the extremista a better op- portunity to “work up sentiment” and gain strength for themselves. Thisis the situation late this even- ing. ZACH CHANDLER AS A CANDIDATE FoR THE PRESIDENCY—GOOD EFFECT OF ABUSING JEFF DAVIS. It is curious, but true, that Senator Chandler's speech against Jeff Davie on tho last night of the * Jest session has given him without any intervention of his own s high place ainong the favorites for the Presidential nomination next year, A large num her. of republicans hero do not take kindly to ° ‘ NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1879—TRIPLE SHEET. the renominetion of General Grant, some because they dislike Grant, and know that he dislikes them, and that they would not, if he were re-elected, count uvon much influeuce with him. Others, be- cause they sincerely admire and like him and do not want to see hiy dragged again into politics, but be- lieve that ho to be allowed to spend the remainder of his@ags in quiet and in a position vaiged far above partisan politics, and where his ad- > and adsistauge would be at the comimand of the ‘y underi any administration. These persoite point to the ‘honor and confi. dence “ which sllf parties and the whole people placed « General. Scott in his last days, and sa¥"tbat Gonetal Grant ought to be allowed to hold aloof from thy petty etruggles and resentments of Polities; it both these,clacses of'xepublicans a me one with General Graut’s vigor and » anid many of them have, since Senator ‘8 now famous apecch, settled upon him a8 aman wo could carry the party suc- cessfully throug the ptrugzle of next year, and who would be as* vigorous in the Presidential chair as Grant hims@t, and who, they add, has not babe aah yf such enmities to himself within the ty eneral Grant seems to have done, and cotttd be electéd where General Grant might fail, Old Zach is honest. He has no non- sense about him, He would tolerate no bummers, and his record ix the Intertor Department showed that he was a capable and thorough administrator, as even Mr. Schurz had to acknowledge when he succeeded him. ‘We could elect Old Zach essily, and I'm for him before anybody,” said a stalwart republican to-day. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SENATE. WasuINGToN, March 24, 1879. The Vicz PresiDENT laid before the Senate a com- munication from the Postmaster General asking for additional appropriations for thé pay of letter car- riers; also from the Secretary of the Interior enclos- ing a request from the Commissioner of Education asking that an appropriation of $25,640 be made for the pryment of clerks in’ his bureau. Theso com- munications were appropriately roferred. Mr, WaLtace, (dem.) of Pa., presented the memorial of Mr. J.C. @. Kennedy, formerly Superintendent of the Census, showing what he considers defects in the law providing for taking the next census (the re- sult of hasty legislation), and which would involve an extraordinary aid uscless waste of money. A number of bills. were introduced and properly referred, nd On motion of Mr. McDonaup, (dem.) of Ind., areso- lution was passed requiring tho Secretary of the ‘Treasury to furnish to the Senate the amounts of money drawn and supervisors of election, general and special, G and 1878, as compensa- tion in oxcess of feos as allowed by law for Circuit Court Commissioners, and state the amounts ex- pended in New York, Philedelphia and Cincinnati for the years atoresaid, Mr. SAULSBUKY, (dem.) of Del., called up the reso- Intion heretofore introduced by him, calling upon the Secretary of the Treasury for elaborate intorma- tion concerning the negotiation of United States bonds, the commissions paid, &c. Mr. Katon, (dem) of Conn., sbmitted an amend- ment, which was agreed to, directing the Secretary to inform the Senate whether other moneys than those mentioned in the resolution have been depos- ited with national banks since March 4, 1877. Mr. Monrrut, (rep.) of Vt., said there was no pos- sible objection to asking for the information. Ho sup) the Senate was familiar with the facts now sought to be obtained, but not in the form sng- gested by the resolution, which could not be an- swered without the employment of many clerks for many weeks. Mr. Savtspury, of Delaware, replied that he was sure the information he asked was not known to the Senate, and that it ought to be known to the country. The resolution as am ‘Was agreed to, ELECTION OF O¥¥ICERS. Mr. WALLACE, of Pennsylvania, offered a resolu- tion that tho Senate now pce tho election of a Secretary of the Senate, Chief Clerk, Executive Clerk and Sergoant-at-Arms, Mr.. AvrHOxy, (rep) of R. 1, said that nothing he fhe toadority 0 hake emoepipy ping change ‘of oftcere, a cS not because it was deman by duty, but becanse partiseuship demanded it. As onc who hela in re- spect, if not in ot the Senate, ‘unavailing! which they would ail turbance of the order of the.business of which would cccur by the abrupt change officers, The Senate, from the Judiciary, ‘was tho ge of the Phi reo h and, s ¢ only two feemapig 1789 there had only six secretaries of the Senste. A republi- can Senate heretofore retained William chief clerk, and he continued in that office until 1866, when he diced. The prosent Secretary of the ffenate (Mr. Gorham) succeeded Colonel Forney in 1868, dnd, notwithstanding his ability, personal character and accompilis! 5 Be was to be removed without any complaint against him or defect on his part. When, twenty years ago, he (Mr. Authony) came here a Senator, the door was opened by the venerable man who then had been in the service as many years a6 he (Mr. Anthony) had been since. There sat.Will- iam J. McDonald, who, twenty-three years before, was appointed a clerk on the resignation of his futher, after a service of twenty-seven years. He re- mained in office ninetcen years, and died ae Chief Glerk of tho Senate. The Senate attended his fu- neral, ead Senators were among the pall-boarers, Mr. Anthony said when he came here he found Mr. Titeomb in ths Document Room, a man who was esteemed by such’ men ae Clay, Calhoun and Benton as an accomplished gentleman, and who had knowledge of all the documents printed from'the commencement of the government. Ho remained in office until he died, and was succeeded by a gentleman trained under ‘his own eye. His (Mr. Anthony's) friend on the left (Mr. Bassett) en- tered the Senate Atty ago as a pago and had for years served as the doorkeeper. Oc the 120 officers of the Senate since 1851 he found that thirty were democrats, He regretted the new departure, but it ‘was imposed by party behest, Mr. WAuiace, of Pennsylvania, briefly replied, saying there was no intention to interfere with the business or break down the life of the Senate. The majority only desired that the offices held so many years by the republicans should be filled by gentlemen politi- cally in accord with the majority. ‘They had gentlo- mon «abundantly qualided to fill them. ‘MR, CONKLING’S NON-PARTISANSHIP. Mr, CorxKLina, (rep. of N. Y.) said he had heard nobody sugyest that if either or all the places were vacant it would be improper for the majority of the Senate to fil them with s person or persons of their own 1 gen) proclivities. If the caso were here it would require no vindication from the Sen- ator from Pennsylvania. For the first time in the history of the American Senate—for the first time in the history of political parties, the time had come when 4 majority in this Chamber insisted that they wonld proceed to vacate all the chief offices by removal, to the ond that- they inght put favorites of their own in the places. Tho Senator from Pennsylvania had not uttered one word in justification or excuse. The history aod experience of the Senate went to disprove the priety of the movement. The usage and propriety ot the Senato had decided that there places ought not to be put up im @ political raffic and made re- wards for party services, but that those who held them shoukl be allowed to retain them on their merits, This was to be reversed. All the people of the country were informed that thero was to be a transcendant reform—a doctrine of vast wholesomeness and importance in this, namely, that public: officers in gencral should be allowed to continue in place and en- couraged to rematn and should be upheld in ition so long as personal character was untarn! and the incumbents able to discharge dutios of office, But, in the very midst of contorming to the public "| position. j he ‘Would have at the end to devote his knowledge and abil the funds we have furuished him, ‘to running the campaign iu various States in Lis able way? He was willing that be should remain Secretary of the Na- | tional Exeeutive Comunittee, but was unwilling to put the people's money into ‘his pocket with which cerry on & isan campaign. Wheu he (Mr. Beck) was obli to vote for one man rather than another he should vote in such a way that the repub- Jicans should turnish their own means to their own | secretary to carry on their own campaign, Mr. Beok read a circular dated May, 27, 1478, during the session of the Senate, dated “Washington, D. C., Head ters Congressional Committee, 1,319 F street, N.Y to hat the aforesaid committee, charged with laboring for the success of the repub- lican ennse in. the coming campaiga for the election of members of Ci . called in fidence on the recipient for avoluutary contribution, assuring him that no objection will be mado in oficial quarters to such contribution, The circular says that it is almost certain the next Senate will be democratic, and asserts that, foremost among the schemers of that party, is the intention to attempt the revolu- tionary ©: nision from his office of the President, It is sig) eye ard A. Austin, by order of the com- mittec, George C. Gorham, Secretary.” Mr, ConxLiNG said that, though the was dated during the session, Mr. Gorham did uot tuke active charze of the committee's work until after mmment, “It could not be shown that he wrote or sentthecireular, byt if ho wrote it he showed himself to be an abie pbtitical prophet. Kk suid no one disparaged Mr. Gorham's ability, It was because he was such an able pohti- cat leader that he should not remain in his present Continuing, he said he wished to call attention, especially thot of his friend from Delu- ware (Mr. Bayard), to pages 48 and 49 Of the ae ae report, where the aes of Seventy-fiye men. ‘ered, among them.Mr. Sher- man, Secretary of the ‘Treasury; ae of. the Judges of the Supreme Court, Mr. Hale, of Maine; Mr. Stoughton, Minister to Russia; Mr. Evartg Mr. Kel- logy aud others, every one of whom had been pro- moted because he aided, either as “visiting atates- man” or as manipulator of vlections in Florida or Lonisiana, in getting the preseut administration into power. And yet much indignation is wasted over the alleged violation of civil service principles in the change of a few subordinate officers. Mr. Voorngexs, (dem.) of .lud., said he did not foel called on to give uny excuse Tor voting agaipst the retention of the officers. ‘The officers should be in harmony with the views of the majority, because that majority would be held responsible to the people tor the management of the offices under its control. When called upon to choose between polit- ical friends and enemies as officers he stood by his friends as he asked his iriends to stayd by him. The people expected the majority to act as they were acting. Any party would do the same. No’ more hu and voracious party ever existed than that from whose members now come these bit- ter lamentations over those about to dic. It was impossible for him to listen patiently to those com- plaints wheu he reflected that the opposite party jal nearly one hundred thousand offices to fill, witn more boing created frourtime to tine. Hehad only kind a toward those about to be retired from position. This was one of the political reverses to which they were all liable. A long political debate followed, at the conclusion of which Mr. Waunacx, of Peunsylvania, offered a resolution declaring John C. Burch elected Secretary of the Senate. “ MR. CONKLING EXCITED, Mr. Coxxirne, of New York, said that he would like to record « vote for the present competent, faith- ful and accomplished bom and he thought that every republican Senator would iike to do so, He had ‘hoped that Senators not republicans wonld be glad to do #0, because some of them understood purity, efficiency and honesty in the efvil service to meen what he moeant—namely, the selec- tion of not @ scoundre), but an honest mau; nota fool, but aman of sense; not a pretender, eniveller, but a nan of efficiency, 60 that when they have such a man into office they should of ten da: ity, by the aid of John C. Burch and substitute that of George C. Gorham. ‘Mr. Eaton, of Connecticut, said that the Senator could not be aware of the fuli scope of his language. Ho said he wanted to vote for an honest man rather than a scoundrel. That Mr. Gorham is competent and a man of character rt ge agreed, but they did not want it to be interred because they not re-elect Mr. Gorham they selected a man who was a scoundrel end-incom! t., 1g Mr. Burch elected Secre- The resolution dec! tary was them . Burch was. then sworn into office, the Vice the modified oath amt also discharge his duties to the ability. uxt then laid before the Senate final report of the ee ee a and compiete ststement of all receipts and ex- ind the various items connected there- reece hacel years to Maren, 2, ite Sogamiees ath Pp year, y y wi alist of all property belonging to the United States up toto-day. The: ‘was ordered to be printed. Mr. Wantack, of Pennsylvania, offered a resol [ smondment, “Anthony to” = sone of tho incymbent, John k. French—yeas nays 39, a party vote. Mr. Waacy submitted a resolution declaring F. E. Shober elocted Chiet Clerk of the Senate. Mr. moved for the substitution of the name of William E. Spencer, the incumbent. This was roj i—Yeas 25, neys 38—and the resolution was adopted, Mr. Wau.acr then submitted a resolution declaring Henry B. Peyton elected Exccutive Clerk. Mr. ANTHONY moved the substitution of the name of the incumbent, Jamox R. Young. This was dis- pe ate 25, nays 35—when the resolution was . W. we ALLACE Offered a resolution declaring J. G. Bullock elected Chaplain. Mr. ANTuony moved the substitution of the name of the incumbent, Rev. Dr. Sunderland. This was disagreed to—Yeus 26, nays 37. The resolution was then adopted. The Vice-PREstDENT informed the officers clect that the oath of office would be administered to them in the Secretary’s office. The Senate, at half-paet five P. M., adjourned, ARMY INTELLIGENCE, NOMINATIONS FOR PROMOTION, Wasnrtvetox, March 24, 1879. The President sent the following nominations for promotion to the Senate to-~lay :— Cavalry,—Lieutenant Colonels John W. Davidson and Atbert G. Brackett to be colo: of the Second and Third regiments reogectivelys lajors Androw J. Alexander and James T. Wade to be lieutenant colonels of the Socond and Tenth iments respec- tively; Captains William Hawley, Johm. A. Wilcox and Clarence Mauck to be majors of the #ourth, Eighth ond Ninth regiments respectively; First Lieutenants George A. Drew, H. W. Lawton, H. H. Crows, Emmett Crawforl, J. D, Stevenson, L. Rucker and Thomas J. Spencer to be capta their present Second = Lien! in rogimente ants Matthew Leeper, erick Schwatks, George F. Chase and F. &. Phelps to be first lieutenants. Artillery.—Captains L. L. Langdon and Robert U. Scott to be majors inthe Secund regiment; First Lieutenaht J. M. Lancaster to be captain and Second Lieutenant C, A. Postley to be first lieutenant in the ‘Third regiment, Le yon, oe eee yw Colonels Luther P. Bradicy, John R. Brooke and George C. Buell to be colonels of the aaa bay ge gee cire rogiments re- spectively; ors Geo! a, Thomas M. Riderson and : ¥. Townsend to be Henfenant colonels of the Third, Ninth and Eleventh ents respectively; Captains D. H. Brotherton, William T. Gentry, John J. Coppinger snd Richard F. O'Beirne to be majors of the Third, Ninth Tenth and Twenty-tirst rogimonts res; ively. First Lientenants R. MeDouald, C. T. Wi Ml, @. W. Evans, L. R. Stille, J. W. Bubb, James A. Spencer. F. D, Batdwin, Al Morton, H. G. Brown, C. R. Paul, C. H. Potter, A.C. Markley and Cyrus N. Gray to be captains. Second Lientenants D. C. Rosseati, A.M. Guard, D. ©. Cowles. J. J. O'Brien, H. £. Rob- inson, James W. Pope, C. A. Marden, J. R. Cranston, W. W. Wortherspoon, J. H. Todd, ©. J. Crane and James C. Ord to be first lieutenants. Also Assistant conscience, here came for the: first tine a pioneer experiment. Able and conscientious officers, profi- cient in all their duties, were to be removed at the behest of party cupidity--that the offices might bo subject to the voracity and hungor of those thot wero snp) oxed to be ontitied to reward. He ex- pressed ta regret that men of long experience and meritorious character should bo thus displaced. MB. BAYARD IN REPLY. Mr. Baxann, (dem) of Del., said be was impressed with tho specch of the Senator from Rhode Isiand & Anthony), as it contained matters ot historic terest. Ho or geen as dangerous and degrading the rewardi: partisans with government places, Tt had ‘ontored the civil service of the country, and unless it should be in a great modified it re jncreged to the detriment of good government. ‘ho bestowal of office should bein consideration of the —- William E. Waters to be sw . with the rank of major, and Joseph B. Collins to be major of infantry under the provisions of the spocial act of Congress, approved March 3, 1879. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, The United States steamer Blake, Commander Bartlett, arrived at Barbados March 4 from Grenada, CHANGES IN THE DUTIES OF OFFICERS. . Wasurxaton, March 24, 1879. Medical Inspector Thomas W. Leach hes beon ordered to the Navy Yard at Boston. Medical In- spector W. T. Hood has been detached from the Bos- welfare ot the country, tho dignity of the government aud the purity of our institutions. The power of pooner ie this body had fallen to his party. Ho did not understand that it contemplated any such slaughter of the innocents as was contem- wy by those on the opposite side. Observation ad shown that, instead of federal offices img been bestowod for the good of the country, with capable and honest incumbents, they had been used Peeps Rec Sn ern a Those here who now complained never neglected to fill the offices with their friends. He mid Senate, rethoval took Bes cane bom ye of the Senste recogni capacity, in And intelligence in the fii of offices of this body. _ In conclusion Mr, Bayard snid LN did_ not decry partisanship in the citizen, but ie offeors must not use the facilities afforded by their positions:to further personal or party ends, *f TUR CASK Mr. Beek, (dem.) of ay iy state his understanding of the subject. The Senatot from New York (Mr, Conkling) had well said tho real truth would not be hidden under any veil of words, We aro to clect four or five officers, simple question is, shall the democrats vote s0 a8 to place a of $6,000 a year in the hands of the very abio repul 0 Seeretary of the National Executive Committe, in order that he may be ensbied when he hay leisuro—ne it waa to bo hoped ton Navy Yard and ordered to the Naval Hospital at Chelsea, Maas. Master Robert A. McLean has beon ordered to the recetving ship Wabash at Boston. ‘THE BSSKX AT MONTEVIDRO, Rio: pe Jaxetno, March 1, 1879. Tho United States stesmer Feevx arrived at Monto video, February 20, from the Falkland Islands, “ALWAYS WITH YOU.” The Hematv has received the following contribu- tions for the relief of Mrs. Sarah Harving, of No. 28 i—From “Little Gracie,” nd Health," 60 conta: “Pronk ond , BAPTIST CONFERENCE, « At the Baptist Ministers’ Conference yesterday an essay was road by tho Rov. Dr. Weston, formerly « or im this city, but for many years professor in t Theological Seminary. = TH STATE CAPITAL. os Digeuss'y the Combination of Tammanyites ‘- and “Machine” Republicans. TREPIDATION IN THE WIGWAM. Mayor Cooper Demoralizing the Kellyites at Albany, TAX ON CORPORATION SHARES. Endeavors to Secure a Parade Ground for the rs National Guard in New York. (2Y TELZGRAPH TO TRE HERALD.] Aupany, March 24, 1879, Both Honses of the Legislature re-assembled hero thisevening after recess. ‘The proposition to form acombination between Tammanyites and “machine” rephblicans is talked about with a ood deal of carnestness among certain members. The probabilitigs of success of such a peculiar combination are also canvassed. The outlook, how- ever, seems to be rather indifferent in this respect. Tammany men aro consideraply exercised at the con- dition of affairs in New York. They do not take any organization. Mayor Cooper's delay in sending up the ‘charges agwinst the Police Commission- ers has also given riso to a good deal ot speculation, The Tammany sympathizors claim to see signs of weakness in the Mayor's dilatoriness, but the opposition aro equally emphatic in denying any such condition of affairs, It is gen- erally conceded, by those who know anything of the political situation, that the Tilden-Robinson-Cooper phalanx means to go right ahead with the fight, and that no compromise can or will be entertained with the present managers of Tammany Hall, The advo- cates of this side argue that the large mass of the people of the State will support Governor Robinson and Mayor Cooper in thoir attempts to purify the politics of New York city, The class of men who bave been givon place and power under the wigwam régime aro pointed to as a strong reason why changes aro particularly desirable in th's re- spect; while the enormous amount ef $10,000,000 annually expended to keep thes> men in office is also considered «® sufficient excuse for prompt action on the-part of the heads of the city and Stote governments. and to got rid of abuxes aaspeedily as possible. This is the temper of many of the legistators, both democratic and republican, with whom I converse to-night in the Senate and Assembly chambers, These legisiators have come directlw from their constituents, and undoubtedly reiterate tho sentiments they heard expressed thronghout the warious districts of the State. A number of republican and democratic politictuns arrived in the late trains to-night. Various rumors are circulated in alluding to the muddled litical situation in New York. The partisins of ‘gmmany seem to be entirely at sea as to what course should be pursued to save themsclves. Some advo- cate an impeachment of the Governor, but this is laughed at by the quict thinking men of the party. ‘These canarus are evidently circalated for a purpose, The Tammany members look desperate, and seem to SS around for gome safe port in which to anchor. PROPOUAL TO TAX SHARES OF CORPORATIONS, Seuator Harris introduced s bill in the Senate to- night which provides thet the stockholders of every ration chartered under any yeneral or special faws Of this Stato shall hereattor be assensed and taxed on the market vaiue of their shares of stock therein, the sum total and the value thereof being determined by the Comptroller, as provided for in section ¢ of tho bill, wane fate per cent as other property of the State for State p' ‘and the sum thereof, adding thorote tie neconsdey expenses for collection, shall De due and payable at the Stato Treasurer's office in “AlBaay-on the ist day of October in each year, and such companics shalt not be taxed cleewhere for State purposes. The second scction provities that tho treasurer of each company shall retain 80 much of any dividend belonging to such stockholders as shall be necessary to pay any .taxer assessed =in pursuance of this act until it phall be made to it that) = such sppeat taxes have been pra The third section provides that the Board of Supervisors of ench city, and in towns the tax collector, shall, on or before July 1 in year, ‘send to the State Comptroller a list of all corporations in their district, with a memoranda of the property belonging to such companies. The fourth section provides that the president, secretary or other officers of any joint stock associa- tion shall, on or lore = July «61 in each year, return to the Comptroller of the Stato a list of the stockholders of the company, the amount of the capital stock, the par value, net earn- ings for current year, surplus funds and all other property in detail—railroad, tel yh, canal trans- portation, freight and express ies—who shall return the whole length of their lines and the num- ber of miles in each county of the State. The fifth section provides that th Comptroller shall ascertain’ the true market valine of such shares, the surplus fund, or any other funds, and every other property embraced in section 3, and shall determine the sum total for which the stockholders of such cerporation or asso- cintion shall be assessel for State purposes, but not at @ greater rate than is assessed upon other moneyed cupitel for State purposes, and tho Comptroticr shall, on or before September 1 in each year, direct to the proper officer of any such corporation ® notification ‘through the Post Office containing the amount of the assossed valuation of the shares of such company, and ten days will be pe T appeal and @ ng in the case on sppeal at des: DISPOSITION OF THE MONIY COLLECTED. Tho sixth section provides that the Comptroller, Socretary of State, Trewurer and the Attorney Gen- eral shall constitute » Board of Appeal, to which Board any party aggrieved by the decision of the Comptrolier, wpon any matter arising under this act, may appeal, and said Board, as hereinbefore provided, shell hear such party and sball thereupon decide the matter in question. The Treasurer of the State shall, upon the receipt of the tax provided for herein, set apart so much as may be necessary to pay to the New Capitol Commissioners the sum of $4,000,000 for the com- pletion of the new Capitol &t Albany, ono-half thereof to be paid within the first year and tho the other half within the second year. and any other beiance remaining after such payment eball be credited to the general fund, provided that tho said appropriation shall only be paid from the proceeds of the tex as herein provided, and that the said Capitol shall be completed with the further expeadi- ture of no greater amount than is thus appropriated, GENERAL PARADE GROUND FOR NEW YOUK MILITIA. There was considerabie business in the Assewbly— that is to say, fora Monday night. Mr, Wells iniro- duced s measure to alter the map or plan of certain portions of the city of New York, in the Twenty- third and Twenty-fourth wards of ssid city, by lay- ing ont theromn @ public place for a parade ground; g to authorize the the same and to provide the mea This bill pro- vides that the Mayor of the city of New York, the Major General commanding the First division of the Naticnal Guard of the State of New York, the Presidant of the Departmen’ Public Parks in said city, the Commissioner of Public Works and tho Comptroller of said city, ot a majority of them, shall have and Poseaee excitisnve, power to lay ont aud establish in the Twenty-thied or Twenty-fourth ward of said city, contiguous to some one of tho main lines of railroads now passing through said warts, a public squere or place, in sch manner as to them shall seem most conducive to public good, for the purposes of a perade grouud for tho use of the National Guard for military on- campments, drills, reviews or other military, evolutions and exervives. Tho Board shall select for the Purposes not more than one hundred acres nor less than sixty acres of land, to be located as aforesaid. The Comptrotier is authorized to issue upon the requisition of said Commissioners at cach time and in such amonnt as shall be doomed by then by requisite to carry out the objest of this act, » public fund or stock, and the aggregate amoant to be issued is expressly limited to a sum of which the annual intorent, at the rate of interest at which satd stock is ground is specially: pledged for tho redemption of s) or iption o! ‘The weld stock #0 lenued, NEW YORK ASSPS¢MENTS, Mr. Brooke’ bill relating to certain assessinonts for local smprovementa in the city of New York pro ides pointmen: vides for the tof & commission consist. me of tho om, Her and President Md Department Xen Assemnments, who shall have power to reverse and modify all assessments confirmed since January, 1870, and for thie purpose shall have power to in- quire into the circumstances of each assessment, hear objections aud proofs, alminixter oaths and award such rel ag they may deom Just end equitable, not to exceed one-half the amount of the assessment and one-half the accrned interest thereon. The bill alvo provides for repayment to those persone who have poid as- sossments, but prevents the commission froma reviet any assessinent, the whole or two-thirds of which has been paid. It makes tho decisions of the commission final and not esnbject to revision, and juites the Cot mn Counsel to appear on be- halt of tho city in all procesdings. STREET RAILNOAD LEGISLATION, © Mr, Hayes’ bill rolative to strect railroads provides patus to conceal their anxicty as tothe futnre of their | that any corporation now a lessee of another rail- road may take a surrender or transfer of its capital and ixswe in exchange therefor a like additional amount of its own capital stock at par or make sach other terms gs the two may agree upou and there- after become'er officio directors of the leased road, SALARIES OF STATE OFFICIALS. The bill to establish the sniaries of certain State officers and employés of the State was passed, The vote on this bill stood 77 yees, 10m ‘The nega- tive votes were Messrs. Douglass, Flynn, Galvin, Grady, Holahan, Pearee, Seebacher, Sharpe, Trow- bridge and Youngs, ‘The opposition to the Dill was based on the want of discrimmnation im making re- auctions, A POLICEMAN CAREER. SERIOUS CHARGES PREFERRED AGAINST ROUNDS- MAN EMIL BACH BY FELLOW OFFICERS—HE EMPHATICALLY DENIES THEM, AND TELLS THE STORY OF HIS LIFE, gr » Police Officer Emil Bach, at present on*patrol duty in the Twenty-elzhth precinct has been ordered to appear before the Board of Police Commiasioncre, to answer charges of conduct unbecoming an officer, upon the affidavits of two brother members ot the force, It appears that during Mayor Cooper's private investigation into the workings of the Police Department, Officer Bach was, one of the witnesses callod to corroborate Commissioner Erhardt’s charges or allegations concerning the official and private practicos of his colleagues. Cap- tain Edward Walsh, of the Twenty-sixth precinct, was deputed by the arraigned Commissioners to investigate the antecedents of these wit- nesses, Ho ascertained that Zaboriskie Mullen, an ex-Central Oflice detective, now doing detail duty in the Twenty-ninth precinct, and Sergeant Halbert, of tho Fourteenth precinct, professed to be well acquainted with the character qi Officer Bach. These officials were summoned to Police Headquar- ters yesterday and required to reduce their allega- tions to the substantial and official form of an aflidavit, ‘This order they complied with. Patrolman Mullen firmed that Bach was personally known to him for bur of years. Deponent stated that Bach, alias had been indicted on two charges of robbery, rat degree. complainant in one of the he said, was ir. John Blake, who re- Bach, as alleged, was arraigned on this charge and’ commited, without bail, by, Alderman Cuddy, in April, 1869, At that time,: is stated, he was the proprie- tor of alow saloon av the corner of Chatham aud Roosevelt streets, and bore the nume of Charles Wil- won, During the years 1868-1 it is claimed that he was arrested and arraigned on u charge of aysault and battery, besides being held to bail on complaint of Mr. Blake for robbery in the first degree. The officer who arrested him was soon after confined to the hospital with a broken leg. and the trial was in consequence. post- Tne complainant being a resident of Vir- git couid not remain in the city to await the offi- cer’s convalescence, and so had to abandon the suit and return home. WHAT BACH SAYS IN HIS OWN DEFENCE, Officer Bach was found last evening patrolling his — in Sixty-seventh street, near Lexington avenue. Le si that he was appoiuted on the force February , 1373, aud was assigned to duty in the Fourth pre- cinct, where he remained, under Captain Ullman’s command, until March 18, 1575. He was trausferred to the Harbor police April 12, 1876, and thence back to. the Fourth precinct. Tho following September he was promoted roundsman and sent to the First precinct. He was again remanded to the Herbor police, where he remained for two months, and at his own request was sent back to the Fourth precinct. At the expiration of seven weeks he was remanded to the Thicty-tourth preciuct, and on April 24, 1877, trawsferred to the steamboat Seneccs, at the request of acting Captain Schultz. He remained there until July 26, 1878, when he was put on post duty in the Twenty-third precinct. On September 20, 1873, he was transferred to the Twenty- eighth precinct, where he has since remained. afe says that the allegations contained in Officer Mullen’s affidavit are utverly false. While he (Bach) was doing duty in the Fourth precinct Superintend- ent Walling had seut for him and said that he had received several anonymous communications reflect- ing upon Bach's character, and charging that he had been the proprietor of a disorderly house in the Fourth ward, and that he was then known by the name of Wilson. Bach represented to the reporter that he suswered these c by saying to. the tendent that, like sailors, he had wild and he might have shij under the name of Charles Wilson or Robert ite, and that it was possible he might have been intimate with a woman who kept @ saloon in the Fourth ward; but that there wasa Charles Wilson, who at thet time was the proprietor ot a disorderly house in that neighborhood, aud he, Bach, may have been inistaken for him. He was then, he claims, told to return to duty, and nothing more was heard about these charges wntil they wero revived by Officer Mullen and Sergeant Holbert. cases, sided at No, 25 William street. A DIARY. While doing police duty.on board tbe steamboat Seneca he was ithe habit, he ssyh, ees a diary otcurrent cvents of interest. This’ con- tained the record of certain officiel transactions ot 3 spicy character. Suddenly he discovered that his note book was missing, and as he could never know the cause of its mysterious disappearance he had come to the conclusion that it was stolen by some interested parties who fearcd that the se- cTets it contained would at some time be made pub- lic. Immediately after the loss of the book he was transferred to the Thirty-fourth precinct, He swb- sequently called on Commissioner Erhardt to learn s cause of hie removal, as ne charyes had been pre- ferred against him, and the Commissioner told him that he was changed trom the steamboat squad be- cause of the loss of the note book. Months laver Bach says he was summoned to President Suiith'’s house. General Smith asked him if he knew the cause of his transfer from the Seneca, and Bach profewsed that he did not. Bach was aseafaring man. He had becn in the navy up to 1873, when he received an honor- able discharge. He then joined a transport ship. During the years 1868-69 he lived is the Sixth ward of this city, His case will come up for trial et the next meeting of the Board. OFFICER NORTONS ACCUSERS. On two charges of unprovoked assault Officer Nor- ton, of the Etghieenth precinct, was yesterday brought up before the Police Commissioners for trial. The complainants in the case were George Ambrose, a sickly looking young man about twenty years old, and Michael Curry. In his affidavit Am- brose alleges that ho had been confined to his house for some time by consumption, and on the 5th of March was going to Stuyvesant Park for an airing. At Sixteenth street and avenue A, where nome children were playing, he stopped’ to rest, when Officer Norton approached, an striking him savagely with his fst, told him to “move on,” flayor- ing his command with stronger expressions. Am- vrose fell from the force of the blow, and when he had picked himself up went with Michacl Curry, who saw the assanit, to the Eighteenth precinct sta- tion house to make a complaint. While standing botore the desk Officer Norton appeared, strennously denicd their statements and made a show of searching Curry, whom he _protended was @ dangerows character, and carried deadly weapons. Receiving no satisfaction at the police station they went away, and shortly after Curry was standing in front of his xtable when Norton crept up to him and sa- Ietted htm wittfout tan; he cmphesized by & couple of blows which sent Curry spinning into the middle of the street. He then turned upon Patrick Hugh, a bystander, who was leaning against his own stoop, and told him to begone or he would blow his head otf. Curry, Ambrose and Hugh sustained each other in this testimony, which Officer Norton answered by a eneral denial. ‘he Commissioners:reserved their lecision. THE WRONG MAN ARRESTED. The condnet of Derective Woolsey, of the Central Office, was yesterday made the subject of complaint before tho Police Board, Mr. R. J, Carter being the plaintiff, On the 27th of February, it seems, Detec- tive Woolscy was detailed to hunt up a man who was accused of having uttered several forged checks on Morris Rinaldo, of No. 302 Grand street. Tho alleged offender, whose name was given as E, F. Carter, was described as boing twonty-live years of age, well pre- portioned and wearing full, black whiskere. On the stienods of the date nat Wosteey. epteted te Eighth avenue dry. goods house where R. J. Carter is enployed, and, seemingly oblivious to the difference in the initiate, insted on seeing that young man. ‘The latter in no way resembled the individnal he wee in quest of. He is about nineteen years old, lima! buft, and wears only the down of early manhood on his cheek. The detective, how- et, seemed to fancy that thecriminal’s identity wae ot at all affected by such palpable marks a there. e told Carter that be must consider himsel? under arrest for forgery. ir. Carter's employer was aum- moned, but vouched in vain for the good character of the accused and the Lene Nouns + ot ait, The latter, at tho trial yesterday, said that detecti was with difficulty persuaded to consent to an how delay, bat going out returned in sbont five minutes and took him oo At Sixteenth « and Eighth avenue ho says Woolsey left him and entered @ liquor store, and then, when they reached Christopher street, he sud- denly turned and demanded in a dazed, incoherent way, what the prisoner wanted. “At the same time,” raid Carter, “ho ordered me, threateningly, to clear ont and go home as quick a4 I conld, which I did.” ‘The detective, when called to testify in his own de- fonce, stated that the description furnished of the forger was so meagre that hoe could make very litte out of it. The difference made in the crimtnal’s appearance by 8 best, said, could readily be accounted for by the artificial devices to which offenders resort. The identity of the names and some other minor citeam- stances led him to believe that the Kighth avenue ralcsman Was the real offender, end tt was only from some words that the latter 4) on the way that he discovered his error. The c' of intoxication the detective utterly dented, and Captain Washburn suntained him to the oxtont of tostifying that shortly bofore making the arrest ho had met the detective and fo ita perfectly sober, 3 ANOTHER GREAT CRIME. The Trusted Treasurer of a Massachuset's Save ings Bank Steals the Assets NINETY THOVSAND DOLLARS TAKEN, Witheione After Ruining the Institution the De faulter Takes Flight. * . Bostos, Mass., March 24, 1879. The greatest consternation has been caused in ‘Reading, Mass., by the discovery that Nathan P, Pratt, treasurer of a savings bank in that town, isa defauliey to a large amount, and that, while enjoy- ing thofullest confidence of the community, he hes for ygurs been engaged in a systematic robbery ‘of the fank. The bank was incorporated on July 14, 1869, Pratt was elected treasurer, and has continued to hold that oftice ever since. He has been held in the highest eateom as a man of probity. He had some $20,000 left him by hfs father, and when the question of giving bonds was discussed it was con- sidered sufficient sceurity to accept the individual bond of Mr, Pratt, secured by # mortgage on his farm in Reading. The bond was for $10,000, which the bank still holds. ./Simép the depreciation of real estate the question of tbereasing the security has been considered by the trustees, at whose request Pratt placed in their hends $1,500 in’ government bonds, which the bank now 1 *.-P¥attowned large landed property, othot Sia mda to the bank, but it is covered attachmentéito such an extent that the bank will ‘not reeover unything from that source. The first intimstion which the directors received that matters batt wrong im the affairs of the bank was on Fri@aylast, when a gentleman, while examining titles iny,the office of the Register of Deeds, at East Cainbridge, discovered that certain mortgages, formerly held by the Reading Savings Bank as security for loans, had been transferred to other parties, one of thescin par- ticular being a mortgage of $9,000 upon the property of a woman living in Reading. He speedily discov- ered that some $10,000 or $11,000 0f mortgages held by the bank had been transferred in this way, most of the transfers being of quite recent date; one of $3,000 being of as recent a date ad lest Wednesday. PRATT CONFESSES HIS GUILT. When confronted with the facts Pratt admitted that he had been financially embarrassed, and that he had used the securities of the bank for the purpose of meeting his personal ends. He was very reticent. and when pressed tor particulara stated that it might be that $20,000 had becn converted in this way. le was then asked about the other securities of the bank, and he admitted having converted a $1,000 bond of the city of Portland, Me., which was hela by the bank. The President then demanded the keys of tho bank, and with somo reiuctance Pratt surrendered them. When questioned as to what had led him to commit the crime, he made hesitating and evasive answers, and stated that he had doue it to save the bank; that there had been something wrong a while, ago, &ec., but refused to mako any definite ‘explanation. ‘The Sayings Bank Commissioners proceeded to the affairs of the bank. It wax found that all quick assets of the bank had been taken, including the city of Portland bond for $1,000 mentioned before, bank stock, of which the bank held $13,800. Of chix amount provide tor con- $7,000. had been legitimately pledged to a dividend and the balance of $6,tvv had yerted to the personal use of the treasurer. These matters wero wimitted <3 Pratt's daughter, to whom it seoms that her father had mude a secret co: ot some of his misdeeds, It was upon her admis- ston also that it was discovered that tho father had poted property pon toe pass bocks ot doposttors, but no! rty upon the pase ot 5 he did not credit them upon the books of the She gave the Commissioucrs @ list of accounts of this nature which will aggregate vome $10,000, which he < jed in this manner, It also appears that Pratt las bven in the habit of receiving payments on mortgages whieh he did not enter upon the books, but to what amount this had been done the trustees have as yet unable to ascertain. The deposit account of tho bank was kept with the Blackstone Nations! Bank in this city, and when Pratt surren- dered it to the president it bore to the credit of the tcouree ut" upon vine the. Dank they found secure, but upon 10. oy -"Boeu percept $255. 0 th it had est! Pratt's is wilt amoust to $90,000, and they cover, the treasurer admitted, o period of thtee years. It is presumed that a great ed the ing A tuken has been invested in the lywtic Valley Railroad, and that a «mal) sum hag been loaned to tho treasurer’s son, Sidney P. Pratt, who has been concerned in several irregularities. The detaulting tressuger is aman of about ‘sixty-one years of age, and for s number of years he has held the office of selectman and other minor town offices, desides representing the town in the Legislature. TRE DEFAULTER LEAVES READING. On Sanday @ warrant was obtained, but Pratt had He. was seen to leave Reading for Boston on Sunday evening, and since that time the officers have no trace of bim, though telegrams have sent to New York and elsewhere to head him off and secure his arrest if he left tho city upon any of the ordinary lines of Sunday night travel, and the police ly are on the rt tor his arrest. The bank only $200 in cash left. At the November mecting of the trustees a thorot examination was made of the securities of the and at this time, as well as by the annual examination of tho Savings Bank Commissioners, ng errors or fraudulent transactions were discovered. In the course of the examination on Saturday it was also discovered thet in addition tothe other meae- ures which the treasurer had devised to doplete the bank of ita securities was replacing some of the se- curities “which he had by forged no! but to what extent is not known. The forgeries Pratt ate without doubt much more than sufficient to drive the bank into liquidation, and it is also probable that it will entail a loss upon the deposit- ors, most of whom Ce te smali means. and ninety de Positors, the amount of the deposits at the time of the annual report to the Say Bank Commissioners was $145,459 24, It is probable that the treasurer has defrauded the bank of quite fitty per cent of this amount, and to meet this deficiency is property held as his bond, which it is thought is worto only the full value of $10,000, A hong, SW peraing of the transfers of mort- made by tt were made to the names of John Kimball, a lawyer of Lowell, and @ lawyer at Haverhill by the name of Merrill. A DIVER'S SAD END. SUFFOCATED EIGHTY FEET UNDER WATER—-THB AIR LINE GETS CAUGHT IN A HOOK ON & SUNKEN WRECK—HIS YREMONITION oF DAN GER. {BY TELEGRAPH TO THE BERALD.] Newrort, R. I., March 24, 1879. Tryo fret accident in a submarine dress which has occurred in these waters took place this afternoon off Point Judith. John Waters, the woll known wrecker, went off early this morning to the sunkea Block Istand mail packet Thomas J. Lynch, which sunk off that place about two weeks ago, for the purpore of raising her. His diver, Horace Manches- ter, thirty-two years of age, went down early in the day, and ap; ly endeavored to make all the necessary arran, its to lighten the wreck. Nothing was heard from him for some time, and the persons on board the wrecking schoonor Young America began to get alarmed, The air was being pumped and the life line kept in hands which vainly tried to fowl the least pulsation, but none was felt from the unfortunate man who was cighty-, how he gave a » ae. —— he wanted then that he was having Hie signals were faithfully suswered by Waters, is known in all Wrecking com- pantes between here and New York as @ man who un- derstends his business. i about three. that he was all right. 3 wo hed to this port fora diver, ant, which wee farnished by Se . andant at Nevy, comm . torpedo saw the men sue) ve feet over the sunken vessel, line Weaving been canght by a hook on the boat, He went down again and succerded in disengaging the line. At last the lifeless remaius of the diver ‘were froe, and as soon as the signal was given they were hoisted to the deck of the vessel. ‘The body was brought here at once by the cutter and placed in the hands of an undertakor. The diver, when he came up the second time, wae found to bo extromely exhausted. It is believed that the deceased was en- in taking ont the baliast when tho line sud- ly became entangled. Captain Waters is of tho opinion that the man, who went down with some little misgiving, owing to trightenod at y the air iy only child, in Tiverton, to-morrow.