The New York herald. [volume], April 02, 1854, Image 4

About The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920

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NEW YORK HERALD.
J 1111 UOHOON BINilSTT.
PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR.
?V7KI (. W. CORN KB or KCLTON AND NASSAU fiTS.
*r?u. fash in adeamr
WE OA1I.Y HERALD 2 r?r.ti per eopy?tt per annum.
tUE W EEKI. Y HERALD every Saturday, at <5W
y wpt,?r $3 ptr nun, (A* European Edition %i ptr an
to any part of (treat Uritatn, ami ib to any part of the
both to include voetagt.
VOLUNTARY CORRESPONDENCE, eontohitnp impor
tant am, nJicited from any quarter of Ike world? if uted,
w4ll he liberally paiA for. Forkigh Cob b e*p<>?
r?n ABC P 4B*ricU LAHLY IITlb TO tZAL ALL I rT
till Am f'A< HAurn at <r 1 * I
mDVMR TISEMENTS renewed every day.
TahMK SO.**.
AMUSEMENTS TO MORROW EVENING.
B9WBRY THEATRE, Bowery-flOT Cobn.
BEOADWAY THEATRE, Headway? The Merchant
? r Tenjce? Ahtony a*v Cleopatra.
?DRTON S THEATRE, Oham?>?r? *tr??t-DATlc COP
r?kmiB- lie* to Make Hum* Happy.
NATIONAL THEATRE, Chatham ltr??t-UnCLB Tom'b
Dam*.
WALLACE 9 THEATRE, Broadway? Old IIiash and
VOl'HC. UlARTS? R<)UGH,DlANOnD.
AMERICAN MUSEUM? Aft?raooB? The Nicoi.o Famh y
? Bav hilok i Toshiit! ? Evening? Tmb Old liiwur,
BROAD WAT MENAGERIE? LilmhttiAn Kin?? Mam
MCTH LADT AMD LlTlNO TRAINED ANIMALS.
CHRISTY'S AMERICAN OPERA HOUSE. 472 Broad
Way? Mthjopia.n Melodieb by Chbibtt'b Mih*trelb.
WOOD'S MINSTREL8. Wood's Min?trtl Hall, 444 BrOad
Way? ImiOVUX MlNtTRELAT.
BUCKLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, M# Broadway-Bi'CB
mart's Ethiopeak Opera Troupb.
ST. NJCH0LA8 EXHIBITION ROOM. 485 Brradway
CABtlUi, MnlTBEll IN THEIR NeORU EuTERTAIMESTS.
BANYABDS GEO RAMA, iVC Broadway- Panorama of
wmb Holt Lane.
RIIENIf H GALLERY, 563 Broadway- Day and Night.
BRYAN GALLERY OF CHRISTIAN A RT-W3 Broad
way.
WHO IE WORLD? 377 and 379 Broadway? AJttrnooB
Bitting.
MANOR BLITZ? Odeon, Williamstinrg.
New York, Sunday, April !i, ISM,
Tl*e News.
The message of Governor Seymour, assigning his
reasons for disapproving of the prohibitory liquor
bill, which has alm< st uninterruptedly occupied the
attent on of our legislators since the commencement
?f the sen on in January, will be read with univer
sal interest. On reference to the proceedings in
the Senate yesterday it will be seen that that body
has virtually killed the bill. The question as to
whether the bill should pass, notwithstanding the
Governor's objections, was defeated. There were
only fourteen ayes to thirteen noes. It requires a
two-thirds vote in each house to make the bill a law.
We have commented at length on this matter in an
editorial article, and also publish a graphic sketch
ef the excitement, scenes and incidents inside and
outside the Capitol, as noted by our special corres
pondent.
Despite the defeat of the temperance project, and
Ihe excrement consequent thereon, the members
?f the Legislature transacted a considerable amount
of buwress yesterday, particularly for a Saturday.
Among the measures reported complete in the Se
nate wan the bill for the incorporation of a company
to sell pure milk in this city, By the way, we in
sert a communication in another column which sets
torth that many persons arc in the habit of buying
adulterated in preference to pure milk, because they
are of the opinion that the former is cheaper. Sena
tor Danforth introduced bills fixing regular Binaries
Ibr the Lieutenant Governor and Canal Appraiser.
An adverse report was made to certain petitions for
the extension of the right of suffrage to negroes;
also to the petitions for counsel in the Lcmmon slave
case. Many important bills were pas3ed in both
be? ta.
We understand that the whig members of the Le
gislature met in caucus on Friday evening, and 'se
lected Victor M. Rice, an experienced teacher of
Buffalo, as their candidate for State Superintendent
or Common Pchooln.
Congress wr.s not in ppsslon yesterday, both
branches having adjourned from Friday until to
morrow. Nevertheless, we have a series of very
intticetir.g telegraphic items from Washington,
n ative to events in which the public are deeply
intciested. It is understood that the settlement of
the outrage npon the Black Warrior by the Span
ish authorities in Cuba is likely to be embarro' ->ed
by the re cent reception of despatches by tun govern
ment. The indignity upon our flag is believed to
have been instigated by agents of Gieat Britain.
It is the general desire of the nation that there will
be no backing out or dodging in this affair. Every
true American expects the administration and Con
gress to meet the issue as becomes tho representa
tives of a people who are no longer disposed to
qnictly submit to Spanish tyranny, insult, and
abot-e, no matter at whose instigation.
Our correspondent writes that the Gadsden treaty
is realiy losing caste in the Senate, and that there is
now some prospect that it will be throwr. overboard.
He also has something to say regarding the late dis
pute between Messrs. Cutting and Breckenridge,
from which it wonld appear that a misunderstand
ing relative to the choice of weapons fortunately
gave rise to sufficient delay to enable their friends to
reconcile the difficulty without an appeal to arms.
We elsewhere publish the particular- of the fatal
accident which occnrrcd on the Hudson River
Raikoad, near Tivoli.last Friday evening, as gather
ed from eyewitnesses of the melancholy scene. It
appears that a large rock, weighing several tons,
rolled from an eminence npon the track, shortly
prtvicus to tl.c arrival of the train. The locomotive
ran against this missile with full force, and ir. an
inttaat the engine, tender and baggage car were
?rr>hcd to atoms, and several of the railroad
employes were severely injured ? two of them so
seriously that they expired in a few hours. Happi
ly, net a s-ingle passenger was hurt.
lfuch of our space is devoted to-day to a maus of
highly Interesting information relative to the im
portant events transpiring in Europe, includ
img letters from our Ix>ndon, Dublin, and
Paris correspondents. The debate in the
British Hons' of Lords, disclosing the secret nego
tiations between that Government and the Cxar for
the dismemberment of Turkey, and eventual division
of her territory between the two Powers, should be
read with attention by all who desire to arrive at a
correct understanding of the question.
Owing to the prevalence of the storm yesterday
whit b probably disarranged the wires, we did not
receive onr telegrsphic despatches from New Or
leans relative to the great race for the post stake of
$30,000, which was to have taken place over the Me
lairie course.
Business was again exceedingly dull in the city
yesterday. Mocks in Wall street were very much ?
depressed, and nearly every description of a fancy
eharacter fell off in price. Flour was inanimate,
with iales of common State brands at 17. Corn
closed at 77c. a 80c. Wheat was quiet. Pork was
inactive at $15 for mess, and $12 25 a $12 37 for
prime. There was some movement in beef, and
about 1,000 barrels Chicago, repacked, were sold,
part at 115. Cotton closed at 4c. per pound decline
tor the week en low grades.
At the present time there are only about seventy
ships at this port, against one hundred and forty on
the first of February last. Sailors are also remarka
bly scarce, notwithstanding the liberal wages now
pa.d. To California $15 per month is paid, and 140
advance; and to Liverpool 140 advance is paid.
Notwithstanding these circumstances, freights have
recently tended downwards for European ports and
for California.
Among the Tensions of the Court of Common
Pleas, published < lscwhere, one will be found oi espi
cial interest to the i ublic at large. In the case < f
the Fire Department against Buftam, theConrt dee -
ded that a house of which the Aim story was of brick
M>d the fiont and rear of the wcond and third
I stories of wood was in violation of the fire laws, and J
i it? cwntr wa? liable to the penalties imposed by the |
; statute.
The long defcireJ hopes of those who have teen
1 anxious!?' watching for the approach of sprijig
I weather are evidcntJy about to be realized. After
blowing a pale from the northwest for many days,
causing everybody to shiver with cold, and in four
or live instances freezing persons to death, the wind
1 at length changed to the northeast, and eventually
to the southwest, accompanied by a dense fog and
heavy rain. The weather, though wet and disagree
able, was quite warn in this vicinity yesterday,
but in Cincinnati and the West we learn that snow
was falling. At three o'clock this morning the stars
were shining brightly, and there was every indica
tion of a pleasant day. We elsewhere publish a de
tailed account of the disasters incidental te the
almost impenetrable fog yesterday morning.
As usual , our columns to-day contain a variety of in
i tercsting information to the religious community ?
embracing notices of appointments, installations,
' deaths in the ministry, Ac. While upon the subject
i we would direct attention to the letter from our
Albany correspondent, in which a table is given
showing the assets and liabilities of Trinity Church.
! From this table it appears that the gross an
nual income of the parish is $80,967 70. There
are debts and liabilities amounting to (572,488,
on which a yearly interest is to be paid of $35,562.
This leaves an actual net income or profit to the
church of $45,405 62.
The nnmber of deaths in New York during the
pa-t week was 436, showing a decrease of 77 on the
mortality of the previous week. As usual we find
that consumption carried off a larger number of vic
tims than any other disease, 71 having died of it,
while the deaths among children form more than
one-half of the whole. Among children under one
year there were 168 deaths, and 281 among children
under ten years. There were 43 fatal cases of con
vulsions, 21 of croup, 15 of dropsy in the head, 15 of
smallpox, and 32 of inflammation of the lungs. Of
the deceased, 332 were natives of the United States,
59 of Ireland, and 23 of Germany.
Want of space prevents special reference to
much of the interesting matter with which our
columns arc to-day occupied. We publish some ad
ditional particulars of the insults and outrages upon
American citizens, as detailed by our Havana cor
respondents. Another highly amusing letter from
the " Man wot Nominated Frank Pierce;" also a let
ter descriptive of the grand ball of the Brazilian
minister at Washington; communication relative to
the topic of the day ? the Nebraska question; politi
cal, commercial, and miscellaneous news, &c.
Liberty mul Temperance vs. Tyranny ami
Fanaticism.
The Senate lias refused to pass the teetotal
bill over the head of the Governor by fourteen
to thirteen. Instead of a two-thirds vote, as
many of the Maine law men expected, the ve
toed bill only obtained a majority of one in
the Senate; and the opposition actually gained
two votes. So that the veto now stands, and
the question of prohibiting liquor telling will
be submitted informally to the people at the
next election.
Tliey will derive valuable assistance in form
ing a judgment on the bill from the message of
Governor Seymour Accompanying his veto.
Not that we believe the Governor has ex
hausted the anti-Maine law side of the question:
on the contrary , we believe tliat much might be
baid on the main principle of the bill that is
omitted in the message. But the points which
are takca up are ably handled. We shall
characterize the prohibitory bill in the terms
which it deserves when we say that its princi
ple is unconstitutional and tyrannical, and its
details monstrous. We assort that no Legis
lature has any light to interfere with the eat
ing, drinking, or clothing of private indivi
duals? that if it has the right to declare certain
eatables or drinkables illegal, it has likewise
the right to compel men to weai black coats
instead of blue, or blue instead of block.
The domestic relations of citizens, in these
particulars, aro beyond the sc^pc and
province of legisla; ioa. We find tlio strong
est confirmation <>f this view in the appa
ratus prepared by the framers of the bill
for enforcing its execution. Under the bill which
would have become a law had it not been for
Governor Seymour's veto, almost every single
provision of the Bill of Rights is violated. Men's
houses are liable to be searched at the caprice
of officers ; and ample opportunity Is thus af
forded to malicious persons for annoying and
molesiing those against whom they have a spite.
Property may be seized and confiscated without
the owner knowing anything of the fact. Con
trary to the fundamental principles of our cri
minal code, an accused party under the liquor
prohibitory law is to be presumed guilty until
his innocence is proved. He is bound to answer
when interrogated, even though his answer may
criminr tc himself. Finally the bill vests in the
local magistrates such an amount of power as
would really convert them into worse tyrants
than the barons of the middlo ages. No one's
Louse would be secure from search, no one's
person secure from arrest, no one's property
guaranteed against forfeiture : though in reali
ty no crime had been committed. We sec in
these relics of the barbarous legislation of the
dark ages ample evidence of the inconsistency
of the liquor prohibitory bill with our present
laws : when a law cannot be carried out without
depriving the citizen of his natural liberty, and
borrowing succour of tyranny, it is safe to
conclude that it is a bad one. We have all
along placed on record our aversion to
the enactment of sumptuary laws in any
shape ; those whose aversion to intemperance in
duced them to abandon the principle for whi-jh
we contend, will hardly allow their feelings to
carry them so far as to -auction such an infa
mous enactment as the one now before them.
Ready, it may be. to sacrifice their own right
in the matter of eating and drinking, they can
hardly bow to prejudice to the extent of s lr
rendering the sanctuary of the private domicil.
the liberty of the person, or the inviolability
of private property.
There will be. we are confident, a strong body
of men opposed to the liquor bill at the next
election. At the last, very peculiar circum
l stances contributed to effect the return of a tee
total majority. The whigs were a total wreck,
floating about in search of a platform: they
followed some of their leaders in embracing
the doctrines of the teetotal party, and in
many instances pledged themselves to vote for
the liquor prohibitory bill, though at heart dia
metrically opposed to it. The a 'ministration
had shattered the democratic party in this
State. Hards and ?ofts were so unxious to de
feat each other that they thought little about
the faction that wns ?ilently creeping in upon
them : they -pent their strength in suicidal
efforts while tectotalism wa? whining the day.
It can hardly Ijc so at the next election. Every
one will then know that the real question at
i"-sue is the liquor prohibitory bill : and if the
teetotallers cany the day. they will not have
done *o by 'tealtb. It is no' impo?ible
thftt between this and then some sort
coalition may to effected between the
various sections < tho anti-liquor pa ;y :
I it this is the cat-*, we Ir.vc not tbe
\Jooh*. tbut the teetotallcre will be de
feated by a large majority. They cannot count
, npon a dozen votes out of ike country villages; ;
I while their iidverharies are pure, in the lirst
place, of all the cities, in the sccond place, of a
vast boily of men who frcm personal reasons
object to be deprived of one of tbe comforts of
, fife, and in the third place, of a t-oliU phalanx
of intelligent citizens who will oppose the bill
, on principle. These various classes of indivi
duals may be separated by mismanagement, or
political divisions; if tbey stand together, the
I liquor bill will never again reach the point it
saw last week.
; We do not think it ought. No one has or can
speak more harshly than we have spoken of the
intemperance which prevails in this city, of the
i rum holes which are the nests of three-fourths
, our crime, of the adulterated poisons which are
daily sold over their couuters. Greater evils
than these wc do not think exist. But if our
city government would only do its duty, if the
laws wc have were only enforced, if the five
gallon law were strictly carried out and the
I exceptions to its application rendered nar- i
rower; if. finally, we had inspectors of liquor. (
directed to test the spiritB sold in every grog- '
shop and tavern in the city, and to sue for a
heavy penalty those who vend adulterated
liquors; we do not think any Maine law would
be needed. In one word, we don't want any
more laws, constitutional or unconstitutional;
all we require is that our present laws should
te enforced. *
! ProgrtN of Utt Revolution In Mexico Ag?ln?t
Santa Anna.
The interest now taken by the public in th?
affairs of Mexico and the peculiar position or
our government at this time towards that coun
try. fixed the attention of the nation upon
events now transpiring in that embryo empire.
The revolution headed by General Alvarez ie a
serious matter for Santa Anna, who while en
deavoring to suppress the movement at home
with all his power, is at the same time trying
to suppress any information of its extent being
transmitted to the United States. It is more
by good fortune than in the ordinary course of
things that we have been enabled within the
last few days to publish any accounts from this
Mexican scat of war. The lobby member for
the Gadsden treaty at Washington, who does
the correspondence for the Journal of Com
merce. treats the revolution as a contemptible
affair. Of course be does, for that is his cue,
taken from Almonte. If Santa Anna should not
be in power when the fifteen millions are ready,
what becomes of the emoluments of the lobby '!
Therefore he says : ?
A? for the threatenr<l revolution in Mexico, it in treated
an a matter of mere monusliine by all persons here who
have reliable correspondence with Mexico.
A lvarer. is just as formidable to General Santa Anna as
Billy Bowlegs '? to President l'ierce? a porcupine at home
amor.g his Pimo Indians, but has no strength out of liia
lair. ,
This is whistling to keep his courage up, for
all other accounts represent the pronunciainento
as alarming to the power of Santa Anna. Our
intelligent correspondent from Acapulco goes
into particulars, and very clearly portrays the
strength and resources of Alvarez, as well as
the grievances, which are righteous and mani
fold. The revolutionary chief complains of the
State and federal governments being abolished ;
of the loeal revenues being abstracted to be
sent to Mexico for the uses of Santa Auna in
establishing the empire ; of the monopoly of the
mines ; of the recall of the Jesuits ; of the des
truction of the school system, and of the con
eequent confusion incident to this crushing ot
the State governments. Alvarez has also the
whole power of the State of Guerero in his
handB, and the people, in heart and soul, with
him ; while on the other side the troops of
Santa Anna have the dread of starvation, and
of infection from the Pinto Indians, in inarch
ing to quell the rebellion. The high road from
Mexico to Acapulco is open to the army ; but
the country on both sides cannot be penetrated
without certain destruction. '? Every day new
strength is given to the revolution, " adds our
correspondent. " as the disaffected of every
State have now a bead to look up to, and a sure
asylum in case of necessity. "
This is the most reliable Information which
we receive from the west coaot of Mexico, the
centre of the revolution. Bat the news which
we published yesterday, coming from Vera
Cruz and Mexico at this- time, not in communi
cation with the west coast, fully confirms the
statements of our correspondent. Thus the
New Orleans Picayune, from which we re
public. says, amcag other thing-, of Santa
Anna: ?
A cjireful perusal cf our late exchanges from Mexico
confirms in our mind the opinions we have hitherto held
and expressed, that the existing government there is one
of a must ephemeral character, and that Santa Anna
has nearly rnn his allotted course. Indeed, little else
could have been expected from one who returned one
year since from a third exile, und showed plainly in erery
act that If be had forgotten nothing, ho certainlv nas
learned nothirg. Coming into power with the almost
unaniinoua content of all parties, who, tired ot the inani
mate condi'ion of the country. w?re disponed to adopt
the course of u< tion of any ohief whose antecedent* seem
ed to prom e : n infusion of strength into the body poli
tic, Santa Ai.na had a fair tield. and needed no favor.
There was u< organized opposition to him, and his coun
try await d with anxiety the installation of a policy
which shou'd bring new life to the almost exanimate
body polit e. *
Since hi i i et urn one year has elapsed, and although 1
during tha time innumerable charges have been effect- 1
ed in every branch of the government, not a single vital
principle has bevn introduced in its administration nor
in ita foreign or external policy. Old and worn out re
strictive theories of finance have been put in force, and,
a? a natural result. hav? destroyed the revenue formerly
Tailed from foreign importation". New sources of pub
lic wealth have been Fought for. new levies of taxes, and
the whole vocabulary of the younger Pitt has been ran
sacked to find names for them. These researches have
only resulteu in a failure to raise sufficient revenue to
nay the expense of collection. Old and effete rallying
cries have been raised, but without awakening tn the
slightest degree the national sentiment, or a single pul
sation of th?- national heart; and now even the trumpet
er* have ceased their labors from pure exhaustion.
While the nation contemplates with sadness the denota
tion of some of its Bncst portions "f territory or looks
with apathy on the seirureof a distant province, the
chief ot the State endeavor* to recruit his exhausted ex
chequer and prop his felling power by the suicidal policy
of a sale of a portion of bis territory
It is no wonder that under sucb cirenmfances the
countr> should turn with disgust from the chief who
had come in but a short time l>efore with such great pro
mises ? that this is the universal sentiment in Mexico,
that all classes are tired of Santa Anna and his panto
mime, and that all look to the result of the late treaty
with this country as the decisive event whether the pre
?ent power thai' expire at once, or whether it shall ? till
continue lor an indefinite though not 1< ng pe-iod.
Some |artie? are not willing to *ait even for that
event, and a revolution has already been commenced in
the south by <;en. Uvare/, the well known half-breed
leader The' worst that can be saul ot the principles of
his movement is the loliowing summary ot' his ideas and
intentions us presented by El I ninr/al. one of Santa
Anna's chief supporters It holds those ids, is up to 4. he
scorn of all good Mexicans, or rather of all good g#n
tsnistas ?
lederalive *r.d State so* eveirnty : preponderance of
the people over the cloth coat class " absolute sub
mission of the ecclesiastical to the civil power; freedom
of conscience am) of worehi| ?uppre?sion of the army,
and ;h? supremacy of parliamentary rule . -n i/.iri .ition
of the t-chool system, he. ''
Such are the pernicious iloctrincs of the new revolu
tion. a<". ording to Kaatn Anns'* organ, and we m -t *,\y
they strike us as having more vit<?l life and positive ten
i'.i u< y to a reorganization of *o,-ie?y and good govern
ment in Mexico, thsn anything we ba\ e evz r se? n ad
vanced hv the Santa Anna school not < \
roous order < : ?'uadalupe or the m'ghty j>o\*or of the
Dictator.
In itdclKion tut'nK the New Orleans ('nutirr.
stlto, publishing -i.mr assertions of tho Mexican
government organc, goes on to say: ?
Notwithstanding th<s? assurance* of the officii sheet
verbal r? | < ris i' h:< h we h.ive eve y ? n '.o
I re. ent t he -talsif Vf? t'r-.f, *mt :n fa^t nearly ne
wh< e n ( ill ne as U .i g n a ? . ; ? ' 1 "ta'e < ? < ? ? ?? , .
We l..,v? r? ?? ?o' a p'O ...n;at n xv.tlioot ? ai< ao,i
l.i ? reii.ecratos. in .vi ciit'anta z i.na .sir.ost
liOj- : 'Mated t * I i(/i .. u ,?t < n ray*
have cnly to aity one word to put at naught the power of
the I'ictiitor
We hove afeo bofore u* ft printed sheet, in which the
objeel rind the irrau of the present revolution are din
I euHMM) it M>me length. Thin doeuinwii, which aeomK to
I <nui-?l< fmiu tte Btcrct le?<l? m of the rebellion, c*l!?
? d|i n tho |x ople to fleet ?verywber* juntim, whlcli Rhftll
i be enti u*tod with the ?MMMWBMBt ot the public funun,
' indcftbe revolutionary forccc. The mc*?ures to l>?
tal for th<> >>8tabli!<biaeiit of republican g<Terft*>fnt
an t-ocu ?*M the capital Khali huv< pronn inc^il itself in
! fa\0T ? f the movement, are .Jro indicated and prf-icri!* 1
to thote juoiftD, and everything Mimii prepared for the
' i-rjy ftnd inevitable overthrow of the pro-ret governno' nt.
We are placed in ponxMtion of ft third document lmtued
| by the revolutionary prtMr, ? riuuu rating the eliftu^t * to
wnieh the attention of tL? junta e ahc uld be nioru j-ftr
| ticularly directed. Tbeee < 1 >.ingn are of tho moat lilwral
tharaeior; aucb au the Abolition of tie monopoly ou lo
baceo, powder, cult, Ac.
In reading these extracts the public may
well be surprised at the Washington lobby
characterizing General Alvarez as another
I Billy Bowlegs? who, by the bye, cost oar
i government forty millions to conquer? and as
i a half-breed Pinto Indian. Such epithets as these
1 may suit the meridian of Washington, where
! such things may be believed. But at this time
1 the western coast of Mexico is no longer a
I sealed book to those who really desire to learn
' its actual condition. Thousands of Americans
have monthly visited Acapulco since the settle
ment of California, and the explorations, maps
and reports of the Mexican Ocean Mail Company
in this city, now printed and in circulation, and
whose route our correspondent says is through
the centre of this country, give us a clear
insight into the actual condition of that portion
of Mexico.
The Causes of High Kent* and their Rtuif
die*.
The present high rents and the great increase
in nearly all the necessaries of life are to New
Yorkers perhaps the most engrossing subjects
of the (lay. Never before in the history of our
city? not even during the year preceding the
great financial revulsion of 1837? did the owners
of house property realize such an enormous per
centage on that property as they do at pre
sent. Within the limits of the city the lowest
amount is about ten per cent, and it varies from
that up as high as fifteen and in some cases
twenty. We are aware that this is attributed
by many, and, perhaps, by the majority of ten
ants. to the remarkable increase in the popula
tion and the consequent demand for houses; but
after all this is only one of the numerous reasons
which might be assigned for it. There is a class
of men, occupying a position between the land
lord and tenant, called house agents, who de
rive their main support from the hiring and let
ting of houses, and who may . ustly be regarded
as among the principal causes. Several months
before the day of general moving these men
advertise for whole blocks of houses, and having
secured tlitrn at what would doubtless be con
sidered by tenants $ reasonable rate, they re-let
them at an advance of twenty and sometimes
thirty per cent. In this way they make a hand
some living, and not unfrequently realize for
tunes. The tenants have not only no redress
against this system of extortion, but they
are often compelled to submit to any rules
which their landlords impose upon them. It is
but a poor consolation to them to be told that
they need not live in such houses, and that they
can remove out of the city, where rent s are not
so exorbitant. Their business is of such a nature
that they cannot live in the suburbs without in
curring even greater expense, and so they are
compelled, no matter how unwillingly, to sub
mit to the imposition.
The effects of this system are felt more by
the poor working classes than by the rich, for
it is a fact that the former* pay more rent in
proportion to their means than the latter. As
many as twenty families are sometimes crowded
into one of these tenement houses, which, if pro
perly constructed, would not afford accommoda
tion for more than five ? health, convenience
and other important considerations being sacri
ficed to economy of space. It is not, however,
with the peculiar manner in which these dwell
ings arc built that we have to deal at present,
but the extortions, exactions and tyranny,
of house agents. It is a common practice with
some of these men not to let a house or part of
a house for more than a month, so that they
can at the. expiration of that time eject their j
tenants if they should not comply with all the
rules. We know of one case in which the
agent turned a sick woman out of her apart
ments on some trifling or pretended violation
of the regulations of the house, the secrct rea
son, however, being that he was offered more
for them. The owner of the house hearing
of the outrage, determined that he would let
his own houses in future ; and by doing so he
found that he could, even after a reduction of
the ten per cent which he had before paid hid
agent, realize a handsome interest on his pro
perty. It will be seen from the following,
which is a correct copy of the conditions under
which a person paying seventeen dollars a
month, in advance, rented part of a house, how
strict the rules and regulations of some of
thefe agents are : ?
Thig receipt for one month'* rent ii for the second
floor, except the hall bedroom, ot hon?c in street to
be used a* a dwelling lor 'g family only. No dirt,
a*nes, or garbage to be thrown in the gink, cellar, tat'I
or privy: door*, (itaire, or walls not to be cut or markrd'
fuel not to be cut or broken up in the room* ; no tlr ink
enncFg allowed, or boarders kept; rooms to be kept car
peted: atreet door to be kept shut: to keep the hall on
the floor ot said apartment and first flight of stairs down
clean; to take regular turn* weekly with the families oc
cupying the hou*e in cleaning the yard, privy, &<? and
in lighting the hall lamp; hall* and passage way not to be
used for storing tub* or other articles. Any violation of
the foregoing to forfeit thia agreement, and the apart
mrnt* to be vacated on the demand of the landlord.
Here we have established in oar m:dst a
petty tyranny of the most galling description,
which proscribes laws for the regnlation of
our household concerns, u,nd even, descends
to such minute particulars a? the carpeting of
our rooms. Once a month, and sometimes
twice, this domestic tyrant vi*it* h!s subjects,
and, if they have complied with all his laws,
suffers them to remain; but if he has b:c;i
offered more rent, or thinks he can g'.t it. the
slightest violation of one of them is made a
pretext for instant ejectment. Indeed, to such
an extent is this imposition carried, that it
is beginning to be regarded a favor to a tenant
even to let him a house, and his character is
subjected to the most searching inquiry ftefore
he is permitted to enter it. We trust, however,
that this year will see the last of this system,
and that the owners of houses will hereafter let
them, or if they do entrust their business to the
hands of house agents, that they will not per
mit them to impose upon their tenants.
But, as we have said, there arc other ca l^es
for the present high rate of rents which must
betaken into consideration; and, strange as it
may appear, one of these will be removed by
the passage of the Maine Liquor law. Th-re
are. according to the recent reports of the cap
tains of police to the chief, about 'even thou
sand drinking sbens und saloons, lien. ?ed and
unlicensed, in >, V. rk, the minority of
which would be closed after the enactment o
the Mil now before the Legislature. It m,.y
te urged, however, lh.?t the occupant- o: thrw?
places would be driven elsewhere, and '.hi?t in
ti ls event the closing of sitth strr nwcildaf
fOxd no rc.le: to icnanis; but it must be rc
numbered thut those who keep such placcn do I
not live io thein, and thut after the liquor traffic I
in prohibited a large number of them must be '
used for other purposes; the strong probability, i
therefore, is. that they would be converted into
dwellings. The relief afforded in this way
j might, it is true, be very slight, but htill it J
j would be a partial relief.
We must also look at the cnormorts expenses '
of our city government, and the consequent in
crease of taxes, as another of the causes to
which we should attribute the present h:gh ?
rents, and the expulsion of a large part of onr
i population from the city. The burden of the ,
taxes is borne, not by the owners of property,
but by those who rent houses, while the former
array themselves against every improvement
to the city that in any way couflicts with their
interests. Many of these own store lots, and
live in Brooklyn, paying no taxes on per
sonal estate in either city : while others rn.ike
returns of the value of their property, fixing it
at five thousand dollars when it is perhaps worth
ten times tbat amount. A few years ago the
personal property of some of the residents of
Fifth avenue was valued at from fifteen to
twenty thousand, while its actual value was
from one hundred and fifty to three hundred
thousand dollars. By such means those who are
best able to pay taxes cscape, while thetenant.
whose means of living are very limited in com
parison with theirs, has to bear an unequal por
tion of the expenses of the government. It is
true that he may not have taxable property, b it
his landlord makes him pay his taxea, by add
ing them to bis rent.
To the house agent system, the unequal ap
portionment of taxes, speculation in real estate,
and the crowding the poor into our city, may
we therefore attribute the great grievance of
which the people complain. We havealrealy
suggested what we consider a practical renndy
for the last of tht6e causes, which is simply the
organization of a society whose principal ob
ject should be the removal and settlement of |
the poor in the country ? that is, of all who are
willing to accept the aid of such a society. The
remedy for th% reform of the city government
is in the hudflnpf the people themselves. We j
know therd Jps been a great deal of in
tion practised upon the people under the
of reform, but if they set about it in the
way they must be successful.
The Press and Public ?PIKI0N''^WjH?j
liblicd in yesterday's Herald a cuAws ffttiwi
con piled from our exchange list, giving a view of
tie opinions of two hundred ani sixty three
American newspapers printed in thirty States
and Territories and the District of Columbia. Of
these, one hundred and forty-one are devote 1 to
the democratic party, ninety-nine arc whig, and
twenty-three independent. The Nebraska ques
tion has drawn out a great deal of discussion,
and it has elicited an expression of opinion from
cachoftbe Journals above named. We have
been told that the measure was decidedly un
popular; and if such is the case, it seems singu
lar that one hundred and thirty-six of these
newspapers should support the bill, and but one
hundred and twenty-three oppose it, giving the
friends of the bill a majority of thirteen. This
remit is arrived at in the heat of popular ex
citement; and we have no doubt that when the
measure is freely and fairly discussed, and the
people become thoroughly acquainted with it,
the state of public opinion will be found where
it must come at last ? on the constitution, and
on that alone.
A more astonishing result is presented by
these table?, in regard to the administration.
One year ago two-thirds of these papers gave
to General Pierce a hearty support; now. we
find that one hundred and thirty-five journals
oppose him, and only one hundred and eleven
continue to support his standard. As the ad
ministration grows unpopular with every day
of its existence, these adherents, bending before
the storm of public opinion, drop away from
General Pierce; and, from present appearances,
it seems probable that in less than a year from
the present time his administration will sink to
a lower level than that of Captain Tyler. The
folly, imbecility, recklessness and extrava
gance of the present administration will proba
bly excced anything ever known in our govern
ment. One of the most popular ideas in the
inaugural was. that the government was to
be conducted on the principles of economy and
strict accountability of all the public servants;
but. according to present appearances, the ex
penditures of General Pierce's administration
for the present year will be ten millions beyond
those of any previous year in our national ex
istence.
Letter from Nuncio Bedini. ? The Nuncio is
" safe at last on the other side of the ocean."
So he tells us in a letter to Montignore Vene
ratissimo the Archbishop of Baltimore, which
we publish elsewhere. There is a good deal in
the letter that means nothing at all, so far as
we can see : there is likewise a good deal that
the Nuncio, for his credit, had better have left
unsaid. He seems to be laboring under the im
pression that the whole people of America were
embarked in a conspiracy to murder him.
Herein, we imagine, the fears of the worthy
Nuncio must have distorted his judgment in
some material measure. We arc not aware
that had the Nuncio walked up and down Broad
way every day of his stay in this country, any
body would have molested him ; and we are
qtfite certain that had any such attempt been
made, the aggressor would have dearly expiated
hig offenee. When the Nuncio telis us therefore
that the debate in the Senate ?? did not avail to
put a st<p to furious outrages, or even to pro
tect his life," we suspect that in the agony of
bit- terr< r. he must have seen murderers in his
bed curtains, and assassins in the flickering
flames of hi? grate. In point of fact, his ene
mies here were a mere handful of foreign dema
gogue-. led on by obscure journals such as the
New York Esprets; their clamor was only
raised into notice by the injudicious attempts
of the Nuncio and his friends to suppress it.
We fancy the last move of Monsignor Bedini,
to raise himself to the dignity of a martyr, will
not raise bi>< character as a man of judgment or
nerve.
General Pierce's Opinions on tub Nk
iuu-ka Bill.? The various expositions made
in the columns of the Washington organ of the
Cabinet, and the letters of Mr. Clemens, still
let.vc u? in doubt with respect to the exact
opinions of Mr. Tierce on the Nebraska que?
j tion. We are "till puzzled to kuow whether lie
-uppor's it u? a mra^uro in favor of freedom or
a measure in favor of slavery. We beg to pro
po.-c lint a select committee be appointed ?>y
the Hou?r f< 'lie i urpose of investigating the
mr.ttf r : ti nt lie committee send for John
I'echrarr of th;? <:1y,?r.d the scarlet >?ttor,
famine Jcr y t ? im t.s . nd others, an I
kr.cw wfc?'. 1 : v c rca.ly thinks.
The Projected Invasion' of Canada. ? The
organ of Senator Seward renews its assertions
with respect to the contemplated invasion of i
Canada, and evinces a kuowledge on the sub
ject which no one but a leading conspirator ,
could posses*. It likewise publishes a second
proclamation from John Mitchel to the Irish,
containing the usual twaddle about the Irish
" l?eing bound by affection and duty to ob'-y *
the laws of the United States " ? and myste
riously proclaiming that "certain Irishmen
have resolved, if a fair occasion arise, to avail
themselves of it." We are hardly in a position
to be able to judge of the etticacy of the argu
ments by which John Mitchel is trying to
dragoon his countrymen iuto his schemes; or
whether calling Irishmen - idiots and beasts ''
is likely to conduce to their speedy enrolment
[ in the army that is to invade Canada. John
Mitcbel's experience ought to have taught
him the best method of dealing with his coun
trymen. The part of conspirator and filibuster
must be new to his ally, William H. Seward ;
but we doubt not that, with his accustomed
versatility, he will soon be an adept in the
business. A year hence, the Irish army will
be in tine fighting order, with plenty of well
disciplined troops, ammunition, and vitriol
bottles. With Generals Seward and Mitchel
at its head, the Canadians Lad better look to
their safety.
Social Revolution In Xnv York? -.1 wctliisii*
mul their Effnti.
At this particular season a general revolution tikes
place in almost every business in the city, ami a new im
pulse appears to pervade all clauses. The merchant, the
shopkeeper, and even the tradesman, look forward to it*
approach with the most (anguine expectations ; new en
terprises are set afloat, our inland commerce is released
from the thraldom in which it was held by winter, the
country pours its uea'tli into our city, and everything
appears to be instinct with new life and vigor. But to
none, perhaps, is it more welcome than to the auctioneer,
who regards it with peculiar veneration, for it in to him
particularly a tea son of profit. The surplus stock which
remains on hand at the close of the winter is removed
from the stores to the salesroom, anC there knocked down
to the highest bidder ; houses, furniture, clothing, books,
and in fact all commodities, marketable and unmarketable
change owners, under the magic influence of the Kales
man V hammer. The papers are crowded with advertiae
(, meats of all kinds, among which the auctioneers' are
jM^^mspicuons, each ono presenting the greatest in
the purcliaser. Some of these announce
sale of very handsome two-story houses,
improvements, and every convenience
The material of which they are
|H^H|^^^^pcribed in detail, the kind of wood used in
BHKwrsTv^color of the blinds, the number of shad#
^ftes in front, the sizo of the yard? and the whole wind*
up with a tribute of praise to the remarkably, genteel,
and elegant appearance of their exterior.
Some of these houtes have been "Wilt on speculation;
some are sold by the owners that they may invest their ca
pital in a new enterprise, and some are disposed of to clear
off the mortgages upou which they have Veen erected. To
each there is a history, and that history is not without its
interest to those who look lieneath the surface of things.
In 110 other kind of property is there so ftreat a differ
ence in the value as we find in real estate. A house which
would bring thirty or forty thousand dollars, if s tunted
in Wall street, or any other great business thoroughfare,
could not be disposed of for more than five or six thou
sand. if located In the upper part of the city. We find,
on looking over the advertisements, that the largest
anion nt of real estate to be sold at auction lies above
Fortieth street, while there appears to be no limit to the
number of buildings and building lots to be disposed of in
Williamsburg and Brooklyn. It very rarely happens that
any property lying on the Five PointB or in its immediate
vicinity is offered for sale in this way; the owners we
presume, preferring to sell it as privately as possible.
However, this may be, we seldom he.ir of property of this
description changing hands, except it is intended to be
used for a purpose like that to which the Old Brewery
was converted. Many will purchase lots now
on speculation in the upi?er partof the city, and by keep
ing possession of them for five or six year", may at the
end of that period realize a fortune upon them, as other!
have done before. The Merchants' Exchange is the grand
auction mart for houses and lot?. and peveral millions of
dollars worth of property there change owners every
wtck.
The notice* of auction sales of dry goods always form
. n attractive feature In a paper for the ladies, who never
fail in finding "great bargains'* at them. They are also
particularly Interesting to the small dealers in the coun
try, who are always on the look out for cheap goods. It
doe* not matter so much if they are net the latest and
moot fashionable assortment, for in the country the ca
pricious goddess does not rule with the abcolut; sway she
exerciscs in the city. There is no want of variety, and
there appears, from the advertisements, to be no end to
the quantity. French goods, English goods, and Ameri
can goods, are all to be had in abundance at the lowest
rates, for a large number of houses are disposing of their
whole stock, that they may commccce the year with a
new supply.
One firm announces its determination to sell without
reserve, and "invites the attention of all dealers to their
unsurpassed assortment of woollens, both foreign and
domestic;" while another "begs leave to inform the pub
lic that the well-known establishment of Stickler k Oo. ,
before closing, will sell o(T its whole stock in trade at the
lowest prices." Then follows a long list of the different
descriptions, in which French terms appear to prepon
derate ? mousselaine de laines, gros de Rhines, poult dc
so ir. and other extraordinary names. making up a vocabu
lary which, to all except the initiated, fc as unintelligible
as Egyptian hieroglyphics.
Then, there are extensivJ sales of furniture, by fami
lies who are breaking up housekeeping, and by cabiuet
makers, who are either retiring from business, or who
are about laying in a new supply. These sales are con
tinued throughout the whole year, but they are more
numerous and more extensive during this season. Thera
are cabinet makers who manufacture household
furniture for auctions alone, who realize con
siderable profits therefrom. Their articles are
displayed in the roost tempting manner, and as they
present great Inducements they are sold without any
difficulty. Every description, from the plainest deal
table to the most elaborately carved rosewood extension,
may be procured at these sales at a considerable reduc
tion, and there arc hundreds of families in New York,
who would not purcliaec their fun.iture "lsewhere.
Through the medium of the>e auctions a social revo
lution is effected every year, and we do not over estim ite
the amount when we say that over a hundred millions
of dollars worth of property Is disposed of by our auc
tioneers. And these men are the agents by whom this
change is effected; using their hananvT a? a sceptre they
knock down whole blocks of houses at a time, and they
have but to say the magic word ? gone"' to disis-ses's
one man of his property and give it to another Whether
we regard them as the humble retailers of secondhand
Inrnitnre in Chatham street, or as the. princely sal* -.men
of the Exchange, we must admit that our auctioneers
occupy a high and important position, and that they are
indispensable to the business community.
Thr Crystal l'nlncc /World's Fair) Medal In
ROOT'S fourteenth prise. Call i see ins wtrke, at his
inagnifit <nt gallc rv, 363 Uroadway. < rayon dagiu rrtr ' y pes
tsken at no other placc. Cloudy weatber ull tbe same as
fair. Rooms easy of access.
Williamson's OagarrrMrtyprsby Eleetrleltyr.
? \n instantaneous process, socutmg the likeness with the
expression of a happy moment, first introduced in 1MV by
th("?rtl?t. I on* sittings are tedious, shert ones choerfnl
and pleating. Gallery, J4!? Fulton street, Brooklyn. Cameo
daguerreotypes, also original with tbit artist.
rinnoK.? T. Gilbert A Co. "a World's Fair
I r?t premium pianos with or without the nolian, and with
the celebrated iron frames and circ ulsr scales. I-. Gilbert's
I.endoir pianos, llallctt A Ciuu>t"i< ? pianos, (of tho old
established firm of Ilnllett A Co..) Horace Waters' pianos,
? nd those of other makers, at wholesale or retal at fa -tory
I rius. Second hand pianos from t0 $J#0.
HORACE WATERS, 333 Broadway.
I?. & 1. .Jacob*, 407 Broadway, have con
stantly on band Firth, 1'ond A Co.'s wide scale, extra pedal
?ianos; < arhart s patent ansonia melodeons, of snj-erlor
I lene and linisli. and a? prices whioh <My eompctition. new
music as toon as published; instruction locks for every in
strument.
Melo<1eona.-Tlie Lnr?(?f and Best A??ort
it.t r.t i f melodeons In tho city, at 311 Bread way. It being
tin only place where t an be bad Goodman A Baldwin s pa
?ent crran melodeons i r 9. D. A II. H . Smi'b ? wi ll known
, do. HORACE H'ATKRS, Sole Agent. 333 Broadway.
Crorge Christy slid Wood's Minstrel* New
fongs:? < <nt'y down the Strcero," ' Ne'er Fear. Boy,
Cfceer." "fnstai.na Simpson,'' "Bo Cheery, Boys, 'hsr
nightly with gr?st applause, Ju"t TMUllshed at Bead
r ay. 1'ianos and melodeons, mw and secondhand, the
; l?ra?i t ,.rd 1 est assortment in t In. city. at. prices from X " to
II.ctc. Dealers supplied at factory f n ? ? Pianos, mejo
uc.tr' ..r.d teotians to rent. BCn::Y A GORBON.
l's iivsnl's Oriirai?ir?-Tliere ?an hr no mors
I plesrsrt and pofltsble mi.de 'f st > .-,n{ tbe {renin -hsn
I lo ltst>n lo tie ItififS wiiirh s< <rni .ry the -fi-i iiul
paintiufs if the Nile rati Rely I, and c.vc ry hunoay c wo n*
t.v itts, Ur it closes tn lit into last.