The New York herald. [volume], December 15, 1874, Page 3, Image 3

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WASHINGTON
A. Committee Appointed to Investigate the
Vicksburg Troubles.
OUR KINGLY VISITOR.
Paoiflc Mail Personalities in the
House.
EXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS.
The Insurance Claimants of the
Geneva Award.
Washington, Dec. 14' 1971.
Time* In tli? Hou??-Effort to
K?P?b1 Ue "Gag Law" Postponed?
"814? Meat Charlie," ot Alabama?The
Democrat* Asking Disagreeable Ques
tions.
The House baa a lively though nrlef day, which
began with the rejection of Mr. Phelps1 motion
to suspend the rales in order to consider the
repeal of the "Oag law," Only four republicans
voted with Mr. Phelps, and his bill was afterward
sent to the Judiciary Committee.
Then the democrats began to worry the republi
cans. Pirst Mr. Caidweil, of Alabama, offered a
resolution calling on the War Department for in*
ormation concerning the manner m which United
States troops were used on election day in Ala
bama, and concerning the distribution of provi
sions to the sufferers by the floods on the Alabama,
Tombigbee and Warrior rivers under a joint reso
lution for their relief adopted at the last sessloD.
The Joint resolution provided that the supplies
Should be distributed by army officers to actual suf
ferers, but it is charged, and apparently on good
evidence, that the wnoie supply, which consisted
of bacon, was shipped to republican members of
Congress, the Governor having made out a list of
these gentlemen beforehand, with their ad
dresses. They are naturally suppused to have
put the bacon "where it would do the most good,"
and the comical part of the story Is that in the
first place there was no Qooct'of a kind to cause
pufTerinn or loss, and, secondly, the district liable
to be overflowed, being democratic, received no
supplies. Bacon is called "side meat" in the
South, and they say that Congressman Hayes,
wno engineered the distribution of supplies, and
at the same time furnished General Hawley with
interesting Southern outrages, is now known in
Alabama as "Side Meat Charley."
Unfortunately the republican side of the House
either did not see the joke or was not curious to
know what bad become of the $100,000 worth of
bacon, for when the resolution of inquiry came to
a vote it was lost. Kext, Mr. Beck offered a
Yesolution for a special Inquiry into the
"safe burglary" affair, but the republicans did
not care to know any more about that affair
cither. Mr. Beck's resolution was lost also.
Some of the republicans were not well pleased
nth the day's work and thought that the party
Dnght not to be placed in the false position ot
avoiding exposure. Others, too, were really
curious to know something about the "safe burg
lary" case and about the relations of distinguished
{lersons to the principal actors in it; but the ma
orlty begin to act more as a solid mass than wnen
congress first met and there is a strong disposi
t.on to harmonise. The Western Inflationists are
less outs, own, and Mr. Keller, whose bill may
come up for further debate to-morrow, does not
?ny longer threaten to leave the party.
* In tbe coarse of tbe morning Mr. Randall, demo
crat, of Pennsylvania, asked Mr. Richard C. Par
dons, republican, of the Cleveland district In Ohio,
whether he could say to the House that he bud
never been employed by the Pacific Mail
Company. Mr. Parsons replied that he had
t>een so employed, but it was when be
was not a member of Congress. Tne new pro
Eensity of democrats to ask questions is dlsagree
le to tbe other side. Mr. Parsons' acknowledg
ment that he had been employed by the Pacific
Hail will be apt to decrease any influence he may
bave bad in Congress, for there is a disposition to
regard with suspicion members who have bad
official relations with corporations like the Pacific
Mali, the Texas Pacific, or the Northern Pacific,
which come here seeking subsidies.
lioaflng Day in the itonate-Th* District
of Columbia Scheme.
Tbe Senate spent the greater part of the day In
quiet conversation or letter writing;, while tbe Clerk
was reading aloud the ISO or more pages in which
tbe proposed government for tbe District of Colum
bia is described. Whoever prepared this scheme
Is Ukely to get rapped over tbe knuckles before it
becomes a law, unless it should set all the Sena
tors asleep.
Th* Proposition to Raise the Tax on
Whiskey?Its Unpleasant Effect Pre
dicted.
Tbe proposition to raise the tax on whiskey ten
cents a gallon Is found to be about as good a
means or increasing the revenue as Mr. Kelley'B
Inflation bill is of resuming specie payments. Tbe
Committee of Ways and Means have discovered
fchat tbe country has now on hand about 44,000,000
gallons 01 whiskey?s,ooo,ooo in bond and 86,000,000
In private hands?mostly held for speculation.
{The excise on all this is already paid, and to raise
tbe duty now would simply stop the manufacture
until the stock on hand is largely reduced. Thus
|t would actually decrease toe revenue from whis
key for the first year at least, while it would put
over $4,000,000 tnto tba poekets 01 twme lucky or
provident people wbo own tbe ; on hand.
Under these circumstances it ts not prooable that
tbe whiskey tax will be raised.
Vhe Astronomical Observatory To Be
Established in California vrlth the
lilch Fund?A. Gigantic Telescope To
Be Constructed.
Professor Simou Newcomb has been requested
by the trustees of tbe Lick Fund to make investl
eat ions necessary to determine where and for
rbat price tbe great equatorial telescope may be
fsonstructed, which is to be the pride of tne new
California Observatory. He will sail for Europe in
St lew days, on duty tor the Naval Observatory,
nod will visit Lord Ross* observatory in Ireland
And tbe Paris, Berlin and other noted observa
tories in Europe. The Llok Fund for building an
observatory amounts to 1700,000. Of this It is be
lieved $130,000 will go for the telescope alone,
which will probably have an object glass of thirty
four or toirty-six Inobes diameter, eight or ten
Inches greater than that now in place at the Wash
ington Observatory, wbloh is the largest refracting
telescope in the world. Professor Newcomb will
visit tbe glass factories* at Birmingham
and Paris to Bee where tbe glass can be procured
of tbe requisite quality for so large a lens. Glass
of tbe best quality for such purposes has not yet
been produced in this country.
The Herald's Transit of Venns News in
Washington?The Expected Accounts
hp Mall.
The astronomers here are greatly delighted and
gnrprised wtth the telegraphio news which the
Uibald gave them from the transit stations.
Some time will eiapse before they expect news by
mall from the different expeditions. The author
ities in tbe Observatory here have been, slnoe the
spring of 1873, in communication with consuls and
other government officers residing in those parts
of tbe earth wbere the transit of Venus could be
observed in order to ootaln at least two years'
accurate record of tbe weather at tbe different
points during tbe months of November and De
cember, and to tbis extraordinary care 1s due the
jaot that our observing stations were so much
better chosen tban tbose of other nations.
Amendment of the Genera Award Act
Proposed.
Mr. Goatling to-day introduced into tbe Senate
a bill to amend tbo act for the distribution or the
Geneva award. It propoaea to repeal that coition
or taa twelfth sectio* which ban the claims of in
surance companies, except for the excess of losses
over premiums or other reins or war risks, end
provides that toy insurance claimants excluded
by this prohibition, shall hare the like period of
time wltdln which to present and prove their
claim as they would have had If not so excluded.
The Silver and Bold Product?Demand
for the Trade Dollar*
Dr. Llnflermau, Director of the Mint, has been i
making Inquiries as to the probable amount of |
gold and silver which will be mined this year
with a view of regulating coinage at the mints.
Mr. L. A. Qarnott, manager of the refining works
lu San Francisco, telegraphs to him December 13
that the recent discoveries on the Comstock Lode
are said to exceed all former developments. The
production of bullion being limited only by the
milling capacity will probably be i40,000,000 an
nually from April next, averaging rorty per cent
gold, and the production of portable gold will be
irorn 115,000,000 to ?l8,ooo,ooo, depending upon the
rainfall, Tins was a response to the question,
What amount of portable bullion containing gold
will be produced per annum from the mines of the
Pacific coaat during the nqxt two years r A por
tion of the mixed bullion from Nevada will nave
to be refined at the Aisayer's office in New York,
the refining capacity of the Pactfic coast not being (
sufficient, and therefore arrangement* will be
made lor that purpose.
The operations of the San Francisco Mint were
interrupted for nearly ft month by the transfer of
business irom the old to the new buildings, but
operations have been recommenced with such in
creased facilities as to meet all demands for gold
and silver coin. The present demand for the
trade dollar Is 600,000 a month and is constantly
increasing. The Mexican silver dollar continues
at a discount.
Prospects of the Cotton Crop.
The cotton product oi 1874, as estimated by the
cotton growers In their returns to the Department
oi Agriculture, somewhat exceeds 3,600,000 bales.
The yield per acre la reported leas than la 1873.
In most ol the states the weather for ripening and
gathering the top crop has been very favorable.
The reports are nearly unanimous In stating that
the proportion ol lint to seed 1b large. The per
centages or last year's aggregate or bales in the
principal cotton states are as follows:?Virginia,
88; North Carolina, 89; South Carolina, 92;
Georgia, 03; Florida, 100; Alabama, es; Mississippi,
00; Louisiana, 89; Texas, 00; Arkansas, 60; Ten*
nessee, 67. This result corresponds very closely
with the indications of the monthly statements of
the condition made by the department during the
season, which have been printed, and show a
larger crop than the -reports of the cotton ex
changes. of (h, president.
President Grant is in his usual health and at
tended to official business to-day. A large num
ber of callers were received, including many mem
bers of both houses of congreis.
The Pacific Mall Inquiry?Irwin's An
ticipated Developments ? Suspicious
Intimations of Pacts.
Richard Irwin to-day arrived here by the after
noon tram and will be examined to-morrow be
fore the Committee of Ways and Means. He is
well and seems lull of courage and determina
tion. Be says his testimony and proofs will,
unless Mr. Sage retraces some parts of
his testimony, enable bim to cause sage to be im
prisoned, and that be means to have policemen
ready to take htm off. Be says be will clear bla
own character and record, and does not care who
suffers; that he has always been ready and
anxious for atrial or Investigation; that he has
repeatedly received assurance from Sage and
Hatch that they and tne company had nothing
against him; that the accounts have been badly
kspt and misstated; that there u nobody In the
company who knows how to manage a steamship,
and that he is ready to be thoroughly examined
as to all be has done lor or in connection with the
company.
The company, however, mean also to ask him (
what were his relations to individual Congress- j
men; whether he paid any money to members and
to whom, and whethet In any details he used cor
rupt or improper means to influence Congressmen
in favor of the subsidy grant; also who were the
persons through whom be worked and what Influ
ences they used.
There is a great deal of curiosity here as to how
freely Irwin will answer. Bis examination will be
conducted in private by the committee until they
ascertain from blm the names of persons whom he
used aB attorneys or helpers In bis
efforts to obtain the subsidy for the
Pacific Mall Steamship Company. These persons
it is intended at once to subpoena for examination.
It is understood that the names he will give will
be of persons who were not at that time meip- i
bers of Congress. Irwin is accompanied by biB
counsel, Mr. Chapman, of New York. General
Butler will demand a full and thorough examlna
tlon of all persons concerned in Irwin's transac
tions.
The Committee on Foreign Relations.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations will
hold their first meeting of tnls sesBlon to-morrow.
Senator Cameron said to-day that the committee
had nothing ot graver importance before It than
a sick King.
Mutilation of the Congressional Record.
To-day Mr. Speer, of Pennsylvania, offered a
resolution, which was referred to the Committee
on Rules, calling attention to the fact that
members were in the habit of mutilating
the Record by withholding their speeches
and changing the tenor of their remarks.
The Speaker promptly referred the matter to the
committee. It ib said that several Important ?
speeches made In the House have never appeared
In the Record.
Amount of Southern Claims to Be Paid.
The report of the Southern Claims Commission
to-day sent to Congress la in favor of paying
$770,000 and rejects $4,440,000 of claims.
Exclusion of Colored Children m the
Common School* in Indiana?Appeal
to the Supreme Court Through Con
gress.
Senator Morton to-day preaented a lengthy me
morial from the colored citizens of Indiana, pray
ing Congress to take cognisance ot the late deci
sion of the Supreme Court of that State, exclud
ing colored children from the common schools,
and followed this up with a resolution Instructing
the Attorney General to Bue out a writ of
error to the Supreme Court of the United states
bo as to bring the case in review before that tri
bunal. Opinions vary among Jurists as to
whether this decision can properly come un
der the jurisdiction of the Bupfeme Court,
as It is contended by many that the grounds
upon which it is based do not come under
the recent amendments. The Judiciary Commit
tee, to whom the subject has been referred, will
take It up as soon as possible, and senator Morton,
who takes a great interest, in the matter, if the
Committee evince any hesitation, will probably
ask to appear before them and submit his views
in favor of bis resolution.
New Railroad Projects Seeking Subsi
dies from Congrese.
The Senate Committee on Railroads were In ses
sion to-day and heard an argumeut from Colonel
Thomas A. Scott in favor or the Texas Pacific Sub
Bldy bill, recently introduced by Senator Scott.
THE F&EEDMEN'S SAVINGS BANK.
Report of the Commlulonen tn Charge
of the Property of the UltilnUoB-A
Melancholy Exhibit of Affaire.
WARiuKQto*. Dee. U, 1874.
The CommlHloners of the Freedmen's Savings Bank
end Treat Compear having prepared their report It will
be preaented to Congrea* to-morrow. It will ahowthat
on the latof Jul? leat the truatoea of the oompanyae*
leoted John A. J. Creawell, Robert Pur via and Robert H.
T. Lelpold aa Commissioners, with the. approval of the
Secretary of the Treasury. for the perpoae of closing up
ita affair* They had a full conference with the Secre
tary of the Treeaury, the Flret Comptroller of the Treaa
nry and Comocroller of the Currency aa to the aeveral
provision* ot the act of Congress of June 20,
1871, and their duties and authority In the
premlMi, and to determine the plan of operations.
With a few exception* every dollar received by them
haa been aeooaited In the Cntted state* Treasury, and
whatever expenses have been defrayed have been paid
bv <ih?Air nuyn the fame. Tnna all their oaah traiuau
Uom pta through one and the iimt account. The
withdrawal of the available laud* on hand at
the several branches *ai attended with much
delay and difficulty. In mott ol the cases where pro
ceedings had been commenced before the appointment
and qualification of the Commtaaioners, and bad pro
greased sufficiently to operate aa a lien against the com
pany's property before it became vented In them, they
have been or ahaii be compelled to agree to an
adjustment by the payment of the claim*. In some cases
they had to reaort to the purchase or the company's
property which had been sebed and offered for aala to
prevent ita disposal at rninoas rates. and In othera they
had to pay the claim and cost* of suit The proceeding*
instituted since tneir appointment have been nearly ail
aet aside under the provisions of the act ol Congress, bat
In one or two case* they have been compelled to re
plevin property seized and furnlsn bonds to abide
the ultimate decisiou; and at ftashvUle, Tena, where
the company holds real estate valued at about
fiiMXMi they have met with considerable embarrass
ment through a decision ot the Chancery Court
in some attachment tuiu, Chaucetlor Cooler hold
lug that the statutory aasignnieut to the Commissioners
of all the property ol the t r ecu man's Savings ami Trust
i ompanv contemplate J bv the aet ot June 3u, 1874. Is not
sulticieut to vest the title to said property In them, and
that in the absence of a formal assignment by the corpo
ration to the Commissioners duly nrovvd and registered
In the state before the tiling ol the bills of tile corn ulaiuta,
the attaching creditors acquired bv their atuctiinems
a prior right to thu property, from this decision the
Commissioners have Instructed their counsel to appeal,
preferring, in view ol Uie interests of all the depositors,
to have a more authoritative decision as to the con
struction aud force ol the act referred to before t.c luie-t
in? in the Chancellor's decree. Meantime the lalo
airents of thl/i Company, who have in their possession
rents collected irom tne tenants 01 the property, have
been enjoined from paying over the amount aue, aud
tub c0Maissi0MBas aaa usi.ri.kss
to enforce the collection ot certain loans made at
Uiat branch and now due. The latest advices
troni Nashville foreshadow the appointment ot
a receiver, with power to sell the property
and culleot the lotus of the companv at that
branch, paying the proceeds Into the registry ol the
Chancery Court, to be held subject to a pro rata distribu
tion. iuc cash and cash items on band at the several
branches, as called tor by the books of tne company at
the close ot business, on July U last, amounted to 918,131.
Ol this the sum ol f il.tiHU only bad been received up to
November 30. The differenUe, ?l7,44i, is found to consist
mainly ol temporary loans, due bills and "shorts" carried
in the cash nt some ol the bransbes. A portion of '.hi*
amount the Commissioners fear, will prove a total loss.
The Commissioners, after further speaking of their
transactions, refer to the difficulties with wnlcli they
have had to contend, owing to the defective system of
bookkeeping aud the
0KNBa>L contusion or tub locooma,
and say, considering the material they have had to rely
on and the persons to deal with, it Is somewhat doubtful
whether they shall ever be abie to obtaiu an absolutely
correct statement of the liaollltlea and asseta ol the
company; at any rate it will be a slow and tedious pro
cess. he monthly reports of the branches show
that tnere are on the books ot the company
over seventy-two thousand depositors' accounts
still open, and each of them require* a careful examina
tion. for a long time it has been kuown that the de
posit ledger balances of several of the branches, includ
ing those of the Washington branch, were inacurate and
unreliable, those ot the Washington branch alone con
taining, at tne time the Commissioners took possession,
discrepancies of over ?7U,0uU. the sum ol $16,524 has
since boon discovered to couslst of the duplication oi a
portion ot the depositors' accounts, they having been
twice transierred from one of the old ledgers ot
the company. On account of the irregularities
thus existing the Commissioners made the pass
books themselves the basis of their examination.
It soon became apparent ttiat designing persons were
engaged In exciting the suspicion of depositors and en
deavoring to prevent flieni from presenting their pass
books. Many oi the depositors themselves looked upon
this action as an attempt on the part of tne Commission
ers to deprive them of the only evidence they bad of the
company's indebtedness to them, and no amount or
character ol assurance svemed to be sufficient to disabuse
them ot this belief. All the schedules, except those ot New
Orleans and At Louis, have been received. Most of them
show the amount due depositors to be greater tlian the
amount previously reported by the officers In charge of
the several branches. Aa soon, thereiore, as all the
schedules aud records or the several brandies shall
ha\e been received and properly arranged, it is the
purpose of tlie Commissioners to carefully examine the
accounts and continue the verification ot th? passbooks
as last a1 they may be presented or lorwarded to the
Commissi jners, as from the errors already found they
are convinced this plan is the only one bv ?? hich then
can hope to arrive at a close approximation to tlie cor
rect amount of
THE COMPANY'S LIABILITIES.
The Commissioners accomoany their roport with
elaborate table* of assets, ledger balances ot liabilities,
Ac., but iheae. thoy gay, cannot yet dj relied upon witfi
out further examination. At the time the Cojiml* lon
ers asiuin <1 con vol the running expenses of the
branches ot' the Institution amounted to about $16S,0U0
per anuum. These have been cut down to about $3?.0u0
per anuum. 1 ho appeal! and remonstrances addressed
to the Commissioner# against closing the branches have
been oi the most importunate and decided character,
am) have been made principally on behalt'of the poorer
and more Ignorant classes of the depositors, who by this
action feel as U' they would be debarre d from any further
communication with the Commissioners. Sympathizing
with them and knowing their anxieties and how readily
they would fall an easy prey to designing men, through
whose efforts, in the absence of any representative of
the company, whom they could consult, they would be
led to sacrifice their Interests, and at the.same time ap
preciating the difficulties the Commissioners would en
couutcr in having the remaining passbooks lorwarded,
tae commissioners have been compelled as it were to
listen to their appeals and provide temporary means of
intercommunication by the appointment of an acent,
whenever needed, at a nominal salary of from $10 to
$29 a month; and in two instances, at Beaufort, B. 0.,
and Memphis, Tenn., where large loans have been made
and the in'erests ot the depositors require it, agents
are retained at a larger salary. These agencies tend to
aila.v anxieties, uuar.l the Interests ot the depositors and
are an effectual aid in the process of wiudiug up th#
affal i s of the institution. Most of
tax Loams held ar tub company
are overdue, and on many of them the interest has been
allowed to accumulate for two and in some cases three
years. In ordinary times the real estate loans could
doubtless be collected without much trouble; but, under
present circumstances, their collection would be exceed
ingly slow and difficult, the late financial panic and con
sequent extreme scarcity of fluids, the uncer
tainty ot the tuture character of the government
of the District and the present high rate ot
taxation all conspire to retard the collection
ot these loans, 'i'o attempt to enforce their Immediate
payment would result in the greatest sacrifice, and to
throw any considerable portion of the real estate held
as security on the market at present would make it
impossible to realize the'indebteduess thereon. Btlll,
the Commissioners are pressing, and shall continue to
press, their collection as fast as they can safely do so;
but up to this time they have been able to effect a sale to
third parties in three cases enly of eleven piece's of
property offcre I for sale. In all the other eases tlicy
have been compelled either to postpone the sale ot or
buy in the property to avoil sacrifice, and
thev shall probably be compelled to continue
to do so tor some time to come. As to the
so-called available loans, their collection is still
more difficult About half of them were
made in District of Columbia securities now below par.
Of many of these loans the security is inadequate; of
others utterly worthless, and in soma cases the funds
of ttie bank nave been loaned upon mere personal notes
without any security whatever. The same may sub
stantially be n-id of the brancu loans. Asa class these
appear to be the worst In the possession of the com
pany, and the Comuis9sloners doubt whether even fifty
per cent of their amount will ever be collected. In at
tempting to realize upon the real estate property ot the
company the Commissioners hope to secure the co
operation ot Congress in makiug over some of the Wash
ington and Jacksonville properties to the United States
lor the uses and purposes 'or which they are admirably
adapted.
assioiwnts or Dirosrrs.
The Commissioners say:?"In our endeavors to as
sirauUto our courso ot ac ion to that of the receivers
under the National Currency act, we recognize as off
sets mutual indebtedness existing at the time of the sus
pension of the company only, and we require alt claims
which accrued against the company before our appoint
ment ani qualification, and which are not liens upon
the property ot the company, to be tiled subject to the
pro rofa dividends. Iii the matter ot assignments, how
ever, finding that persistent efforts were being made to
impose upon depositors, we adopted a rule to recognize
assignments only so tar as to deliver checks in payment
of dividends to the assignees, but to draw the
checks to the order of the original deposit
ors. This rule, though severely criticised, and
apparently harsh as against some ot the most
needy, has been found to operate beneficially on the
masses ot our depositors, keeping them from sacrificing
their interests for a mere trifle. The exhibit of cash
transactions from July 13. itfli, to November SO, 1674,
both inclusive, shows a balance oi cash and casn Items
on hand on November 90. of $1)3.302. The Commissioners
sav their collections have, comparatively speaking,
been small, and the cash on nand does not promise a
very early dividend, unless Congress come* to our aid
and authorizes the purchase for the use of the govern
ment ot souie ot the real estate owned by the company.
A long time will elapse belore we can hope to accumulate
sufficient funds to make a Daymentot twenty percent;
for it requires nearly $6(JU,(MU to make such a payment,
and the amount of cash in the Treasury, subject to draft
at the writing ot this report, is $li&0Jti. the present
condition of tho books and accounts of the company
too. is such that even It we had the necessary fnnds now
to declare a dividend it would not only be imprudent
but unsafe to do so. IIenr>& It is impossible for us to
say how soon a dividend will be declared. Time should
be allowed us either to reconcile the existing discrep
ancies, or, at least, to arrive at some satisfactory ex
Blunation of them, so that we may not be
strayed Into the payment of obligations al
ready satisfied, or neglect to provide for those
still due, but which appear closed on the books,
'fo guard against this it must be borne In mind that the
accounts ot virtually thirty-tuur separate and distinct
banking institutions must be thoroughly examined.
That this delay In making a payment will cause bitter
disappointment, and much suffering Is evident Htill,
delays are unavoidable, and patience, prudence and
careful management will have to be exercised to make
the most of
THK rtttAKCIAL WRCCK
which hss beon consigned to our custody. In the mean
time it would be Well If Congress should authorize us to
invest the surplus balance to our cedit in the Treasury
ot the United States in United states bonds, to be kept on
deposit in the Treasury, so that the depositors may profit
by the interest which would accumulate on said bonds
until such time as the ftinds may be actually needed. It
remains lor us before closing to refer briefly to the man
ner of paying dividends and to submit certain amend
ment* to the act of June 1874, the adoption
ot which we deem absolutely nesesssry to a proper dis
charge of our duties. How are dividends to be paid and
where t Ilow are depositors to be identified t How are
assignments of deposit accounts to be recognized? These
are questions of the utmost importance to us and to the
army ot creditors of the company, and require a full and
free discussion and adequate legislation. Before a divi
dend can possibly be declared we bops, for the sake of a
further reduction ot expenses, to dlspenso with the ser
vices of most ot the gentlemen who now represent us. at
nominal salaries. We shall be tgnorant ot the address
ot the depositors. Most of them being unable to read
it will be impossible to notify tbem of the
payment of dividends, and thousands of them,
ir payments are to be made by checks, will And It im
practicable to identify themselves In the ordinary man
ner. Unless we revive our agencies by tr>e time our first
dividend will be declared we tall to see how we can pos
sibly attend properly to this portion ef our duties. On
the other hand, the expenses oi running the branches
and keeplug them alive, as already stated, will absorb a
great portiou of the assets of the company, and ot course
correspondingly diminish the dividends to be paid. It
cccurs to us, therefore, that the Treasury of the United
state* should be required to make payment* through its
fiscal agents aad agencies, as the safeat and most econ
omical plan, upon our depositing sufficient funds lor that
purpose and tarnishing the necessary dividend schedules.
The amendments to the act of June 30, 1874, which we
submit, are:?
firH?1'o authorize and require ns to make periodical
reports.
?*wi<l-Tn give us express authority to compound
and compromise debts due to aud liabilities of the com
pany, subject to the approval of tha Secretary of the
Treasury.
Third?To give us exprea authority to boy In any
property exposed by us for sale at auction in enforcing
the collection ot loans due the compam, and to sell at
public or private sale all property, whether real or per
sonal. ownod by this company and all property now
vested or that may hereafter become vested In us, snd
to make a good aad sufficient conveyance to the pur*
rhaaer or ourchMtrt tb?r?ol, in whatever State, Ola*
trlet or Territory tbe aain<; ?n?y be.
Fuurtk?To transfer to ihTlreaaury Department the
payment of the dividend ,
F\jlA?To Drovide tor a specific form of alignment of
Uepoaltora' account*.
JOHN A. J. fBKSWELL, )
UuBiti.T PURVIS, SCommlsaiooers.
KObliKT U. T. LBtPOLD, J
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS.
SENATE
Washington, Dec. 14, 1874.
Senator Fentoa, a. rep.) of N. Y? having readied
Washington yeateraay, occupied his seat In the
Senate to-day.
Mr. Morton, <rep.) ol Ind., presented a petition 1
ol t)ie colored men of Indiana, protesting ag ilnst
tli? recant decision of tbe Sapreme court or that
Stata, elalmlug that, by tbe force of that decision,
they are deprived of tbe rights of citizenship aud
their children or the benedts of an education, and
asking tbst the proper law officer of the govern,
ment be directed to appeal the case to tbe 8u- 1
preme Court oi the United States. Referred to tbe .
Judiciary Committee.
A very large number of new bills were intro
duced to-day, and referred to tbe proper com
mittee*.
KINO KALAXAT7A.
Mr. Cameron (rep.), of Pa., submitted a resoin.
tlon providing lor the appointment of a Joint com
mittee, to consist of two members or the Senate
and three members or tbe House of Representa
tives, to take measures (or the proper notice of ,
the presence at the national capital ol His Maj
esty Kalakaua, King of the Hawaiian Islands,
?greed to.
SHERMAN'S RBVRNUS BILL.
Mr. Sherman, (rep.) or Ohio, called up the bill to
amend tbe existtug customs and internal revenue
laws and for otuer purposes, which was postponed
last session till the lirst Monday In December. It i
will be remembered that tbe House of Representa
tives disagreed to the report of tbe conference .
committee on this bill at the last session, and '
asked lor a lurtuer conierence, peuding which re- |
quest a motion in tbe Senate to postpone tbe bill
as above mentioned wa9 agreed to. The bill having 1
been taken up today, Mr. Shermau moved that
the Senate insist upon its amendments and agree
to the conference asked lor by tbe House. Agreed
to and the Otiair appoiuted Messrs. Sherman, Pre
linghuysen and Cooper members ol tne committee
on tue part or the Senate.
TBE till ASS HOPPER PLAQUE.
Mr. Hartey, (rep.) of Kan., from the Committee
on Public Lands, reported back sundry bills for
the relief ol settlers on public lands, with a recom
mendation that they be indefinitely postponed,
So ordered.
He then reported from the same committee, as
a substitute lor the above bills, a bill lor the relief
ol certain settlers on the public lands, which pro
vides that settlers who lelt tneir lands on account
of tbe ravages of grasshoppers shall not be de
prived of their right to such land, and authorizes
the Commissioner of the General Land Office to
modily the Homestead law in their lavor. The
provisions of tne bill are also made applicable to
settlers who may be compelled to leave their land
lor the same cause next year.
At his owu request Mr. Boreman, (rep.) of
West Va., was excused from lurther service on
tne Committee on Claims.
Mr. Morrill, of Maine, called up the bill, which
was reported from the Select Committees to
Frame a New Government lor the District of Co
lumbia, and it was read at length. Mr. Morrill
said the demand tor copies or tbe bill by those in
terested was very great, and he moveu that 300
extra copies be printed. Agreed to. He then
yielded lor a motion to adjourn, with the under
standing that the bill retain lta place on tbe
calendar and be the anflnuhed Business to
morrow.
Tne Chair appointed as members of tbe com
mittee, on the part ol the senate, to take meas
ures for the reception or King Kalakaua. Messrs.
Cameron and Mcureery.
Tne Senate then, at thirty-five mtnntes past
three o'clock P. M, adjourned till twelve o'clock M.
to-morrow.
H0U8E OP BEPBE8ENTATIVE&
W ASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 1874.
Under the call of States bills wer3 Introduced
In large number and reierred to committee.
The eall of State* being completed, tbe call of
States for bllia and resolutions for action was pro
ceeded with, beginning at tbe state of Georgia,
where tbe call was left off last session.
Mr. Young (dem.) of Ga., offered a bill for the
settlement of the accounts for carrying the malls
in the Southern States prior to 1861, the amount
not exceeding $mooo. On a point made by Mr
wuiard (rep.> of vt, the bill was referred to the
Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Harris, (dem.) or Qa., offered a Mil allow
ing payment 0/ one-half ot all import duties In
legal tender notes or national bank notes. On a
like potnt by Mr. Garfleid, of Ohio, this bill was
also reierred to the Committee of the Whole.
C410WBLL, (aem.) of Ala., offered a reso
calling on the Secretary of War for a de
tailed statement as to the number, location and
?,?e.?Ltr??P8 m Alabama, and as to the dfstnbu
tlon of the provisions authorized by Congress
S?d?wVrriodrMVer?OTam^,0n<r ^ T?mb,?be0
Society lor the erection of a marine hospital at
the port of New York. u??j,ulu ? ,
Mr. Phklps. (rep.) of K. J., moved to take ud
iAf XKsasru
tlon on t?he"pSl m0tlor0ndttte preVl003 qacs*
rules and pas/'the bULCa m0Ted t0 8aBpen<1 th?
The House ulso refused to second the Drevlous
QUTehB.U?Vn0S thlB moUon ? Toteof 88 to 110/
The bill tuen, on motion 01 Mr. Maynard. (ren l
tin t??th i?aS?rr,erre(1 t0 the Jadlclary Commit
tee, with leave to report at any time.
On motion of Mr. Garhrld, (rep.) of Ohio, it
was ordered that when the legislative bin ia
under consideration in the Committee of V?e
hJ inle?"OM.amendIoeuts indicated oj him may
??? Atuon* Is the proposition to
equalize the pay of committee clerks in the House
and Senate and tlx it at $6 a day. uouse
Baca, (dem.) of Ky., moved to susDend the
o?'?l9 lie 1??01utl?h for the appoiutmeut
a select committee to inquire whether anv
SKtff 'be,H?overnm?nt or Of the Dlstrlct of I
Columbia or other persons have used any means
to oostruct the administration of the law in the
district, especially with reterence to the trial of I
the so-called "Safe Burglary Conspiracy," with
power to send lor persons and papers and to re- j
port at any time. Rejected. Yeas, 139; navs 87?
not two-thirds voting in itie affirmative. ' I
^ f!,? *! (reiv) of Miss., offered a resolution
for tbe appointment of a select committee of Ave
to proceed to Vlcksburg. Miss., and investiiratQ
and report aU the facts relative to um rec?nt
ln Warren county.
?nu fi? u> L ^P') 01 La., suggested as a substi
8 re80lutl0,> one that tbe Select
Committee on Outrages in the Southern States be
authorized 10 visit such points in the South, by
BUh-commlttees, as may be deemed proper.
(S, Kd 10 betause tbe com
mittee to visit Vicksburg would have quite enouSi
adopted?'** McKee'a resolution was then
^em-> ofN. Y., from the Committee
was adopted :?eaM' reporte<1 tUe lollowing, which
Reoolred, That the Secretary of the Treasarr N? dL
reeled 10 inform thl. House whether in"* *L ,1 ^
?bangei have beeu made or ordered to t??
made In tf?? rate or subjectof dutiescolteete.1
at any port 01 the Unfted States.becansSof
?'???. ieV.Won of UnUed??tat?.
NAtutMiAa passed at til? first session of the Kortr third
V ft? * such changes have been mad? to r?.
Ftrtn A? thaviiV? Mlweow to vhe sec
Jjlj? inv-?. .?? ? or w und?r which ?uch was made ?
*. , y such change of duties has hwcn mutt* a* .ve'
Acred since the revision by a new construction of the
taw to communicate to thl* House a copy of the orde?
or ruling under which the rale was so changcd.
/v- VISITOR.
On motion of Mr. Oi?rn, (rep.) 01 Ind., the ron
tiotfo? kfor a committee on the recep
Orth E R Z** *peed to, and Messrs.
Orth, B. H. Hoar, of Massachusetts, and Cox, of
House Wete appolatea oa P?rl 01 the
TUB PACIFIC MAIL,
Mr. Par?o.ns, (rep.) of Ohio, referring to an artl
liVl 2SK. PaP?r? which reflected on him
in th? h^Q?n.!r 1,16 p*clflc Mail subsidy, denied
manner the insinuation, and said
he had no knowledge that any money or valuable
consideration was paid to any member of Congress
in that matter. He himself was not a member of
the Congress that passed it. 01
Mr. Randall, (dem.) o; Pa.?Were you Daid
any money m connection with it f } p
Mr. Parsons?I was.
Mr. Khlloqu, ot connecdcut, referring to a re
Port Of the remarks of Mr. Uale, 01 N'ew fork
iTShM^hL1^ d*yH0n the Ro,,la whHe bill, and
In wbtcb he charged that corrupt expendltnre of
money had been made by the opponents or that
MCh'aohMge! ' H#le wt>?t^er h? ^
h<.Mi,r?Jli8 ',RPPyt0 ^iterate every word that
??&*?}. on that occasion, l>ut did not pro
fit ^^?.^? mmed by anv member.
?LOO? fu8Wsted that Mr. Uale ought to
w "^S!SSnmAf '">e?ou? co?rge with
A Mimsrr?Amen. (Laughter.)
_ ? Halb repeated that what be had asserted
? ,n8oeptlbfe of ^roof, and that he ahouid take
bM?WHoSr.VarS.^V 0 having it proved? l*k?
J? ' of 'oo., offered a resolution
? pK" s
pjcpn^'ons ought to be limited to rocb amounu
?ervicel ^ "ap,raUTe'/ '?????><? "r th. publ"
tll7nexttMondavD^h? H',tn<J It to go over
iMJtWMSr^r *l twea" mlnQtc?
I
AMUSEMEHT3.
Booth's Theatre.
Tiie new play trom the pen of Paul F?val, about
which so many brilliant tuiQgs were prophesied,
was produced at this bouse last night before a
crowded audience. It l* called "The hero or the
Hour," and might bave been called anything else
with equal propriety. Indeed, we are somewhat
in doubt whether we are Justified In
calling the performance a play. It is rather a
panorama of Paris in the early part of the
eighteenth century. The life of the period is illus
trated by an aggregation of Improbable adven
tures through which the hero 1s made to pass and
wnicb, through courtesy, we will call the play.
We are told on the bills that the
plot upon which this superstructure u
bout baa sumethios to do with the
attempt of the Illegitimate children of Louis
XIV. to overthrow the regency. But we coufeia
onr Inability to discover the connection between
the conspiracy and the Incidents of the play. If
there be any dramatic plot 11 seems to binge
rather on the efforts ol the Countess do Bourbon
to Induce her illegitimate son to kill
his brother, the Due de Klcheliea. This model
type of womanhood confesses on the stage that
she was the mistress of a former Due de Richelieu
and entered the house of bourbou a dishonored
woman, ller peculiar idea of justice leads her to
egg on the Cavalier Portune ro Kill his brother,
she Qrst taking care to Interna him or his relation
ship. By some moral obliquity in the mind or the
author turn woman la put lorward claiming our
sympathy as rather a virtuous person. This Is tnc
ouly part or the play wuic.i can be regarded as
having any dramatic or logical sequence, but it la
tn reaTi'y a mere incident occurring among thj
numerous tableaux whlcu constitute the chiel at
traction or "The Hero or the Hour." The first
scene opens In a bower lu the gardens or the
Duchess ot Maine, wuere a number o( people
assemble to cry "Long live the King and down
with the Regent." We have here a clew to the
existence or a conspiracy; but we are transported
In the next scene to the Place de la Bastille as It
existed in 1719. Here we are regaled with a very
lively market scene, lull ol oustle and picturesque
ness. There Is a good deal ot talk about
s Due de Richelieu, wno la a great favorite with
the ladies, aud we are at last gratified with a view
or his flaxen wig aud scarlet coat; not, nowever,
beiore the Cavailer Fortuue, the Duke's Illegit
imate brother, has beeu stabbed by a jealous
lover in mistake (or the Duke. The
second act shows us the wounded man,
wonderrully recovered In the space of twenty-rour
hours. His mother informs htm or thetr relation
ship, and, like a good, virtuous boy, he sallies out |
with tiie intention or winning a lortune for his
sister Aldee?at the gaming table. This he ac- 1
comnlishes, as a matter of course, by the aid of
8<>oa lortune, his lucky star aud liberal potations!
lorlously drunk, he leaves the gambling
hell. When next discovered tie is found lying in
a drunken s;umber la tue chamber of one Badin,
who has been murdered in hu sleep. How he
could have got there it, of course, unexplained,
but, beintr very drunk, he is supposed to have
penetrated Into tue apartment of the mur- {
dered man through the keyhole. The
gambling scene, of which this murder is the j
culmination, is undoubtedly the best scene in tnc
play; but owing to its disconnection with any plot j
discoverable by the naked eye, it lacks dramatic
interest. It is a striking picture, and that is all.
The third act is devoted to the paronama of Paris
from the Seine aud the attempted murder of Ber* I
trand, the Chief of Police. Tnere is a boat race and a
struggle on a real brldsre, which adds interest to
the panorama. It is necessary for the cause ot
poetic Justice that the Chlei of Police should be
saved by the Cavalier Fortune, and this he is
enabled to do by the body floating up stream?a
performance that would be regarded as
wonderful anywhere off the stage. The
rourtn act passes m an illuminated
garden, where all the characters are
assembled to be dismissed for the night. Mr. I
Rockwell is the only person hurt in this scene,
though we are informed that the Due de Riche
lieu's head will be cut off for his crimes, lr we
could only be assured that it was the author's
bead, we should bave leit the theatre with a teeilng
of relief. As a spectacle "Tnc Hero ol the Hour"
Is a remarkable production. Most of the - scenes
are picturesque and artistic to a high degree, but
as a dramatic composition it is the strangest mud- j
die it has ever been our fortune to witness. Who
is the hero ot the hour? The Due de Richelieu or
the Cavalier Portuue? Alter pattentiy twaiting
till the curtain tell to have that mystery ex
Slained we coniess our Inability to decide. All we
no# is that Mr. Stuart Is the hero?but in
which character? Rich costumes aud clever
scene painting are poor compensation tor weak
dialogue ana a total absence of logical construc
tion and dramatic Interest. It is difficult to un
derstand why managers invest bo much
money and labor in putting on the stage
a p'.ay that does not deserve serums dis
cussion. Whatever merits it possesses it owes
to the stave carpenters and the costumers.
Mr. Henvl Stuart plays the part assigned to him
with passable BktlL He has many of the manner
isms or Fechter, without his power of depicting
passionate emotion aud without his personal mag
netism. Mr. Warde played the part of Bertraud
with his accustomed ability. He bad very little
scope, however, but what he bad to do
he did well. There was quite a crowd
of ladies in very insignificant roles. lr we write
ot them at all we must occupy ourselves with their
toilets, which oertoiuly were magnificent. Tnere j
was a wealth ol pink and white beauty poured i
upon the stage, but not much dramatic, ability. It
would be difficult to decide which of the ladles
looked the prettiest or. Bat we must be gal
lant and hang up our pen.
Fifth Avenue Theatre.
The distinguished Senator from Missouri, the
lamented Thomas U. Beuton, held the opinion that
while Oliver Goldsmith, In his -Deserted Village,"
bad achieved an nndylng name as a poet, and while
In his "Vicar of Wakefield" be bad written a novel
which would be read with delight from generation ,
to generation lor still a thousand years to come, j
be had, in the charming comedy, "She Stoops to
Conquer," given us not only the beat picture that
exists oi English country Hie or the period repre*
sented, but bad produced a play which would hold
Its own npon the stage until the English speaking
nations shall have ceased to be. This never-falling
play was reproduced at this bouse last night, with
tne careiul attention to costumes, decorations and
general details for which Mr. Daly is so well known |
aud justly recognized, and witn a cast Including I
Dovere as Sir ciiaries Marlow, Davldge as Mr.
Hnrdcastle, James as Youug Mariow, Partes as 1
Hastings, Lewis as Tuny Lumpkin, Fawcett us j
biggory, and Mrs. Gilbert as Mrs. Hardcastie, Miss
Jewett as Miss Uaracaatle and Miss Varlan as Miss
Neville.
Ttie old Squire of Dividge is the genial, simple
hearted, honest, hospitable and independent "tine
! old English Kentlewan" which "poor Qoldy" in
tended him to be. The Young Marlow of Mr.
i James wa- evidently the result ot a careiul study
I oi the part. Mr. Lewis, as Tony Lumpkin, gave us
? a Touy which, tbougn not the Lumpkin or tbe
| exquisite buaipkiu of the unapproachable Burton,
, was yet so good as to meet ttie unqualified ap
Sroval of the house throughout the periormance.
iias Jeweit gave us a graceful and acceptable i
I Miss Hardcastle, and Mrs. Gilbert, particularly in i
her consternation and r.ige over the stolen Jewels, 1
and in her complete breakdown before those tem
i bio highwaymen, was an excellent Mrs. Hardcas
tle. Tae play was smoothly performed in all Its
ae tails, and to the perfect satiniaotion ot a large
. aud intelligent audience. K will be repeated tins
' evening. To-morrow "Man and Wife" will be re
1 vlved.
Olympic Theatre.
The fertile imagination of Mauager John F. Poole
could scarcely have dev.sed a more varied or be
wildering bill than that which he presented last
' night at the Olympic. Toe house was crowded
1 out to tbe uoors, and Rickey and Barney, aterltng
i favorites on tbe variety boards, were cheered to
i the echo when they appeared in tbe well known
' sketch, 'Taking the Pledge." Gus Williams in
troduced a lew fresh Dutch songs, in wblcb he Is
unrivalled, and Sol smith Russell gave some excel
lent character sketches. "The strike on tbe Boule
vard" and "l'he Awkward Squad" by Rickey, Bar
ney, Cahin and otbera, were received with delight,
and Poole's clever burlesque on the "Black Crook,"
with its side splitting ballet, seems to rival in
popularity its prototype, even In Its beat day*.
Then there were a half dozen other features,
"Musical Mokes," a contortionist, a concertinlst,
a serio-comic aongtress, a dusky delineator or
Grecian statues and a star song and dance man.
The various acts passed off promptly and lost not
a point in the admirable manner In which tbev
were presented. If talent, taste and liberal man
agement can make a variety theatre a success
tncy may be all lound in this week's bill at the
Olympic.
Globe Theatre.
This establishment was crowded last evening,
the bill being full of novelties. Harry Kernel!,
who divides the honors with Rickey aod Harrigan
as a most enjoyable Irish comedian, and Miss Adah
Richmond, wno assists him In the very laughable
sketch, "Tbe 0*Shaughnessy Guards," Miss Jennie
Hughes, Mile. Cora Adriana, an artistic and fln
ished danseuse of the French school, with a host of
otners, appeared last nlgut in tbe new bill. Messrs.
Mnrtba A Campbell are tust achieving the suc
cess in this theatre which was denied to many or
tnelr predecessors.
five Feints Mission Concert.
About two hundred children of the Five Points
Mission gave a concert last evening at stein way
Hall, nnder the direction of Mrs. William P.
Corbitt, who presided at the piano dnrlng the
entire exercises. Right Rev. Bishop Simpson acted
as president during the evening, and at the close
or the first part or the entertainment msueabrief
address, in which he took occasion to ttoaak aud
eongratwlate the ladies under whom charge tlr
mission ru conducted tritn bucd evidence* of
b access. Tbe Right Rev. Blabop Jane* ?u also
S resent on tbe platlorm, ana the hall waa well!
lied with the friends of the orphans. The exer-J
cues, which consisted of a aeries of songs, brier
recitations and childish calisthenics, were gone
through remarkably well. Miss Emma Price waa
tbe principal leader or the school, ana sung her
solos wltb astonishing good taste and accuracy.
Severs) others of the children?among whom were
Mioses V. Lilly. Amelia Habn and Addle Price-*
won much admiration from the audlenoe. Ora
i lulls'* band was in attendance, and discoursed
some favorite and amusing airs, which werei
greatly applauded. Tbe concert seemed in ever?
way a success, and great pains most bave beeu
taven in preparing toe children for so pleaalng at
dUpiay.
PROTECTION OF GAME.
Monthly Meeting of the New Torlc Asso
clatlon?Action to Prevent Sncrossh*
: ment Upon the Game Lswi<
| The regular monthly meeting of the New Yorlc
i Association for tue Protection of Game waa held
at the residence of Mr. Charles fi. Whitehead. Ko.
I 84 West Thirty-tilth street, last evening, the Presi
dent, Mr. Royal Phelps, in the chair. The Secre
tary, Mr. William J. Hays, not being present. Mi*.
Thomas N. Cuthbert was appotnted secretary pro
tempore. The minutes of the November meeting
being read and approved, several reports were
made, among which was that or ttie president and
Vice President Roosevelt regarding tbe character
of the Qsb fur the sale of which out of sea
son the association had brought suit
against Messrs. Chappell A Storer. While
uooo this subject Messrs. Penniman, Roosevelt
and Whitehead referred to tbe subject of the kill
ing or bay snipe and other bay birds on Long
Island, and thought it would be beneficial If amend
ments were made to tbe game laws that would la
the future enable tne officers of tbe association to
prosecute any person found shooting sacb birds
In the spring. Mr. Whitehead advised that it was
only a matter or time for the association to giro
expression to such views in tne passage of new
enactments, as it was their Intention to ask tbe
Legislature for grealer power when the publla
mind was educated to that point as would enable
them to move successfully.
The President presented the resignation of tba
Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. W. J. Hays, made
necessary by his seriously impaired health, and,
on motion of Mr. Whitehead, it was accepted,
whereupon Mr. Clinton Gilbert offered the toilovr
lug, winch was unanimously adopted
Whereas Mr, William J. liays, the Secretary and
Treasurer of tills association, tin* tendered his resigna
tion to the President, with the request that the same ue
accepted, for tbe reason tnat continued illness lias ren
dered U u uuabie to discharge the duties ot the office}
therefore be It
itesolved, That said resignation be and the same is
hereby accepted.
Resolved, That In accepting said resignation the Asso
ciation is sensible of the great loss that it will sustain la
being deprived of so laltnful ar;d seaious an officer, ana
tnat its hearty thanks are hereby tendered to Mr. Hays
lor the valuable services which he has rendered for so
long a time to the association ana to the cause which It
represents.
itesol ved. That the Presi lent be requested to convey to
Mr. ilays the sincere regrets of the members of this asso
ciation, that illness shou>d have made it necessary lor
liltn to withdraw temporarily trotn among them and to
resign the poets of secretary and treasurer, the duties o(
which be ha* so long ana so satisfactorily discharged and
to express their hope ot bis speedy and entire recovery.
Alter considerable minor business the associ
ation unanimously elected Thomas N. Cuthbert
to tbe position 01 secretary and treaaarer. Sev
eral members were then elected, when Mr. Cuth
bert, with appropriate explanatory remarks,
introduced the following, wtucu received unani
mous approval
The attenUon of the New York Association for the Pro
tection of Game is invited to the probability that during
the coming session ot the Legislature efforts will be
made by maraetmen and otbor.? wno are now being
prosecuted by the association, to procure tbe alteration
or repeal of some of the most Important provision* ol
the game laws of this btate. One ot these provisions,
which is most obnoxious to them and whtoh they bave
repeatedly decided to have repealed, is that which pro
hibits the possession or sale during the dote season of
game that has been killed out of the State. II
is scarcely necessary to remind the association
that without some such provision the game
laws could never be enforced, owing to the
impossibility ot proving where game waa killed. An
other objectionable provision is that which provides tor
searching suspected places, without which large opera
tors, wno ouly supply their regular customers, could
never be detected.
An attempt will also probably be made to reduce the
penally imposed by the present statute or to secure the
insertion of a provision that but one penalty be imposed
for any oue violation of the statute, instead ot a penalty
for each bird or flsh, as now provided. Several dealers
have claimed that prosecutions for violations of the
game laws should be brought by the District Attorney
alone, and it is not improbable that *n attempt may be
I made to have a provision to that end inserted, in that
case it is uoubuul, to say the least, whether the law
I could ever be entorced. Tne district attorneys In this
i fetate now have the power to brlnK these actions; but
; we have yet to learu of a tingle inatauce of their having
done so.
in view of these facts, it would appear advisable to
I refer tills matter to the committeu appotnted at the last
j meeting on proposed amendments to the game laws,
with instructions to oppose toe passage of such acts in
troduced during tl?e coming session of the Legislature,
in co-operation with tbe dtate Association and other as
sociations, and to authorize said committee to draw
upon the lunds in the hands of tbe uxecuiive Commit
tee for their necessary expenses.
A letter was read rrom Governor Dix, thanking
them lor electing nim an honorary member, anil
stating that It will afford him much pleasure to
co-operate with the organization to put an end to
the abuses for which they are associated to sup
press.
Adjourned to meet in January at the residence
of tbe Vice President, Robert u. Roosevelt, Mo. 'id
East Twentieth street.
HEW EHOLAHD 800IETY,
Annual Meeting and Election of OOtcri.
The New Englaud Society Held their annual
meeting last evening at Delnonlco's, corner of
Fourteenth street and Fifth avenue. Mr. William
H. WebD was elected chairman, and Mr.
L. P. Hubbard acted as secretary. After
the minutes of the previous meeting bad
been read the President, Mr. Isaac H. Bailey, read
the annual report, which stated, among other
matters, tb&t seventy-eight new members bad
been added to the society during tne past year,
and that the organization at present numbered
876 life members and 209 annual members.
The Treasurer's report was toftbe effect that the
receipts from members for the year 1874 amounted
to $3,909, and the Interest on the society fnnd to
$2,111, making a total of $0,180- The amount ex
pended by the charity committee was $2,963 so,
and was for the benefit of aso persons. Both the
President's and Treasurer's report were adopted
without dissent.
The following gentlemen were then elected on
cers of the society for tbe year 1876President,
Isaac B. Bailey; First Vice President, William
Borden; Second Vice President, Daniel F. Apple
ton; Directors (lor four years), Samuel 8. Con
stant, Henry M. Taber. William A. Camp. John T.
Denny; Treasurer, Luther B. Wymsn; secretary,
L. P. Huobard.
Alter the election or some rorty new members
Mr. Elliot 0. Cowdin read a glowing eulogy on the
character of the late Charles Sumner. It was aa
eloquent tribute of respect to the lamented states*
man, and a vote of thanks was offered by tbe
society and a resolution parsed that the address
be published in the sixty-ninth annual report.
Tne President tnen announced that the anniver
sary dinner would be given at Delmonico's on tbe
2-<i inut., and that invitations had already been
sent to President Grant, Postmaster General
Jewell. Senator ConkUng and Henry Ward
Beecher.
THE MEMPHIS COMMITTEE.
The committee appointed oy the General Coun
cil of the city of Memphis, consisting of Messrs. E.
M. Apperson, G. A. Hanson, P. c. Bethel, A. i.
Keliar and J. to. Keating, have arrived at the St.
Nicholas Hotel, where a meeting will be held at
noon to-oay, to confer with the holders of
the city bonds. The bonded Indebtedness
amounts to $4,000,000, and there are enough
assets to oover the floating debt, which la about
$2,000,009. The city tias failed to pay the Interest
on tbe bonds for several years past, and It Is pro
posed to call in tbe old bonds and to tssae new
ones at a lower rate or Interest. The committee
la authorized to reoeive any proposition tbe bond
holders may submit for funding the debt and to re
port to tbe City Coancil the action of the meeting.
THE WEATHEB TEBTE&DAY.
The following record win show the changes la
the temperature during the past twenty-fOur
hours, in comparison with the corresponding date
of last year, aa recorded at Hudaut'a Pharmacy,
Ubrild Building, Kew York;-* 1 **7*
1878. 1874. >wra. !$?<?
3 A. M .....82 41 $:30 P. M 81 83
0 A. M 29 43 ?P. M 86 JU
9AM 29 43 $ P. M 34 19
12 M 84 ?0 13 P. M 38 14
Average temperature veeterday
Average temperature for corresponding date
last year
THE 00HQRE88I0HAL WITHE3S.
Richard B. Irwin, tne witneif Wbo was consld*
ered to be bo Important In the Pacific Mall investi
gation, left yesterday for Washington in the 9:30
a M. train in charge of tbe sergeant-it-Anna ol
the Honse of Bepresen^tlvea lt It to
some revelations may be allotted
which shail be commensurate with the trouble
taken to secure this contamartoua?"tog". w?o
seemato bold the worst olthaibI
9rmer adaUmUMiMtti MlfcHfr /