The Sun. — London, England, 1870-05-06 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.—THURSDAY. The Lord Chancellor took his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. PRIVATE BILLS. Lord REDESDALE moved that no private bill brought from the House of Commons shall be read a second time after Thursday, the 16th of June next ; that no bill aushorising any inclosure of lands under special report of the Inclosure Commissioners for Eng. land and Wales, or confirming any scheme of the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales, shall be read a second time after Tuesday, the 21st day of June next ; that no bill confirming any provisional order shall be read a second time after Tuesday, the 21st day of June next ; that when a bill shall have passed this House with amendments, these orders shall not apply to any new bill sent up from the House of Commons which the Chair man of Committees shall report to the House is sub. stantially the same as the bill so amended. The motion was agreed to. THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT. Lord LYVEDEN put a question to the Government as to the progress of matters in the Red River. Earl GRANVILLE said it had been assented to allow Im perial troops to form part of the expedition, which, he believed, would terminate peacefully. Every means to arrive at a peaceful settlement of the matter in dispute had been taken, and he had every hope that the result would be successful. THE OYSTER AND MUSSEL FISHERIES. The supplemental bill on this subject passed through committee. MEDICAL ACT (1858) AMENDMENT BILL. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE presented a petition against the bill from the College of Physicians, in Ireland. Earl DE GREY then moved the second reading of the bill, and explained the various alteration,' that it proposed, and also the qualifications candidates would be required to possess. The noble earl then ex plained that there were now nineteen bodies which givp admission to the medical profession, but by the present bill it was proposed to substitute for them one general examining body, and that there should be one uniform system of examination. He was quite aware that there were objections to some of the enact ments of the bill, but yet they did not touch the principlp of the bill. He should have no objection to consider anl► proposal that might lead to an amicable understanding in the matter. After a short discussion the bill was read a second time, but the committee, it was arranged, should not be fixed for some time longer than was originally in tended in order that certain objections that had been raised against the bill should be considered. COUNTY COURTS (BUILDINGS) BILL. The report of amendments to this bill was brought up and received. Their lordships adjourned at twenty-five minutes past seven. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THIIRSDAY. The Speaker took the chair at five minutes to four. WOMEN'S DISABILITIES BILL. Mr. BOUVERIE gave notice that on the motion for going Into committee on this bill he should move, as an amend ment, that the House go into committee that day six months. Mr. C. RAIBES also gave notice that in the event of the Act passing he should move that the vote be given by means of voting papers. HABITUAL CRIMINALS. Mr. STAPLETON asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he could give the House any information as to the working of the Habitual Criminals Act ; and whether he would before the close of thesession, lay any papers upon the table to illustrate working of that Act. Mr. BRUCE said the information he had was far from conclusive ; but he had reports from Manchester, Liver pool, and Leeds to the effect that the Act had worked with the best effect. The report he had received from Birmingham was so satisfactory that it had been found unnecessary to put the whole of its pro -visions into active operation. He should have great pleasure before the termination of the session, in laying papers connected with the subject, on the table of the House. THE MINT. Mr. DIXON asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Mint had lately received, or tendered for, an order for coinage from a South American Government; and, if so, at what price. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it was quite true that they had entered into arrangements for the coinage of the Republic of Uruguay. The engagement was, however, only provisional, and therefore he could give no information with respect to the prison. He thought it better to enter into those engagements rather than keep the men at the Royal Mint idle. They were ready to enter into the same arrangements with other States, and as private coiners had never worked either in gold or silver there would be no competition with private firms ; but with regard to bronze these would be done to a limited extent. FINES FOR DRUNKENNESS. Colonel GILPIN asked the Secretary of State for War if he could state what arrangement had been made, if any, for the disposal of the sum of money which must have accrued from the imposition of fines for drnnkenness in the army. Mr. CARDWELL said a committee was now sitting to consider the best means of applying the money so collected. BETTING ON HORSE RACING. Mr. THO3IAS HUGHES asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the public scandal connected with betting on horse races, aud i t° the failure of the attempts in the Jockey Club to provide an adequate remedy, the Government would be prepared to take the necessary steps with a view to legis lation on the subject at an early date. Mr. BRUCE said the information that had been collected shewed so great and widespread was the evil that he was induced to give directions to the Chief Commissioner of Police for the prosecution of betting houses. That pro secution had led to the discovery of certain omissions, and there was still a question pending in the law courts. The persons convicted had taken refuge in Scotland and Boulogne ; but as far as Scotland was con cerned, his hon. and learned friend, the Lord Advocate, had a bill prepared, which he would bring forward immediately, that would mitigate the evil, as far as the country was concerned. With respect to betting-houses,at Boulogne the matter was under consideration, and it was a question whether those parties who advertised them did not bring themselves within the Act relative to foreign lotteries. The whole subject was under consideration, with a view of removing that deficiency. Lord ELcHo said the answer to his hon. friend rendered the question unnecessary. THE MURDERS IN GREECE. Mr. MONTAGUE GUEST asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether it is the intention of her Majesty's Government to withdraw the Minister from Athens on account of the late massacres that have taken Place in Greece, and the circumstances connected with them. Mr. OTWAY said they had communicated all the infor mation they had to the House with the exception cli that received to-day, which , was to the effect that there were ten persons in prison on suspicion, and that the Greek Government had sent three magistrates into the country with a view of getting up evidence. TAX COLLECTORS. COLONEL GRAY asked the Chancellorof the Exchequer, whether it waa proposed that the change in the mode of levying and collecting the income and other taxes sholl come into operation this year ; and, if so, whether the services of the present commissioners, assessors,and collectors would be no longer required. The CHANCELLOR of the ESCHEW:MR said the bill would not come into operation until 1872, so the collectors would be required up to next year. In making any final pro. visions, due considerations would be given to those who had been so employed for any number of years. THE MONASTIC INQUIRY. Mr. NEWDEGATE asked the First Lord of the Treasury when he would nominate the select committee ordered on Monday last. Mr. GLADSTONE in reply to the hon. member said he hoped the list would be on the table on Mohday, if not before. THE DISFRANCHISED BOROUGHS. Mr. HERBERT asked the First Lord of the Treasury, whether, in the event of the Bill for the Disfranchisement of Bridgwater and Beverley becoming law this session, he would postpone the introduction of any measure for the re-distribution of the seats until a return of the Census of 18711w1 been pkestnlecl to gpxlianant. THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 6. 1870. Mr.GLADSTONE said so far as the Government were concerned it would not follow as a necessary consequence of the passing of the Disfranchisement Bill that they should proceed to introduce any measure for the disposal of the seats thereby rendered vacant. IRISH ABSENTEES. Captain ARCHDALL asked the Chief Secretary for Ire land, if there was any objection to lay upon the table of the House, returns lately made by the Irish Poor Law Inspectors with reference to absenteeism, and in which was stated the proximate period during which each landed proprietor in Ireland annually resides on his estate. And whether such returns had been ordered by the Govern ment with a view to consider the question of the imposi tion of an absentee tax on Ireland. Mr. FORTESCUE said the Government had endeavoured to obtain some information upon the subject of non-resi dent proplletors in Irelaud. Whether any portion of the returns would be of such a nature as to be laid upon the table of the House he could not say. But the information was not called for in connection with any plan of taxa tion. (Laughter.) SCOTCH LUNACY COMMISSION. Mr. CRAUFURD asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the vacancy in the Scotch Lunacy Commission caused by the retirement of Dr. Brown had been filled up. Mr. BRUCE replied that the appointment had been filled up, because, in the opinion of the Government, it was absolutely essential for the efficiency of the department. THE RED RIVER SETTLEMENT. In reply to Sir CHARLES ADDERLEY, Mr. MONSELL said he had received very satisfactory news as to the above settlement. The delegates appointed by the Red River Convention had come to a perfect agreement with the Government of Canada as to the terms upon which the Red River settlement was to be annexed to Canada. I THE NEW MUNICIPAL CHARTER OF NEW YORK AND THE ELECTION LAW. (CONTINUED.) The World, the Evening Post, and the Sun de nounce the new Charter, while the Times and the Herald praise it, the Tribune being lukewarm. On the whole it is approved, in so far as it simplifies the municipal government, and fixes more directly the responsibility ; but it by no means meets general approbation, and the Republican members who voted for it are pronounced to have sold out their party. What reconciles the Republicans, however, to the measure is the new election law, which, it is believed, empowers the people to secure fair elec tions, both iu ciiy and country, if they will only take the trouble to oo so. Even since the last Presi dential campaign the ballot-box stuffing, repeat ing, and colonising, have been felt as a scandal to New York. Though these practices have long been in operation, the unblushing impudence with which they were then carried on, the impunity and the skill, made honest citizens feel that they had been virtually disfranchised. If a man in the city, sitting in a telegraph office, can regulate the elec tions of the Empire State by ordering the manu facture of a thousand additional votes should the opposite party turn out stronger than anticipated in the rural districts, the election becomes a farce. It is against this the new law has been directed, and it could not have been passed—as on the system it is designed to overthrow the power of Tammany is based—had not the city been given over for a sea son to a section of the Democratic politicians. AMr. ' James Bird of 61, Wall-street, writes to the London Standard to show how complete has been the failure of theballot in America. He quotes from the leading New York papers, while giving the result of his own twenty years' experience. The Standard took this letter as the text for a leader to expose the folly of those who desire to import into England the American system of voting. Mr. Bird errs in citing New York City as a fair sample of elections throughout the country, and the Standard errs in quoting Mr. Bird as an authority. That paper re marks that the system enables the fraudulent voters to ply their trade without any risk of detection or punishment, adding that Mr. Bird was very precise on that point. But, however precise, the Standard at least has got hold of the wrong end of the stick, for the system does not enable repeaters, &c., to ply their fraudulent trade without any risk of detection or punishment. It would be hn possible under it for them thus to act, except in collusion with the officers to whom is delegated the task of seeing that all is fair and above board. It is not the fault of the system, but of 'corrupt officials, and the frauds could not be carried out except in very large cities •, therefore at best Mr. Bird's remarks have but a local application. The new election law is designed to correct the abuses, as far as the most populous State goes, to which they are mainly confined. We may observe, en pas sant, that Mr. Bird is also in error in what he states about bribing voters. That repeaters and colonizers are paid is undeniable, but it is a notorious fact that the wire-pullers are powerless to influence the votes of citizens, either through intimidation or bri bery, though the politicians of New York city, and other great centres, have been successful in chang ing what ought to have been the vote of the State by a skilful use of repeaters and colonizers. It is also well known that Americans scorn to vote in secret, though the system empowers them to do so. All know how a neighbour votes, but one of the good points of the system is that it is an effectual check on direct bribery of the voters, for the man who takes the money may sell the briber instead of his vote, and the first act between the two is not one calculated to inspire confidence in the second, done in secret. The new law fixes the election in November, preserves the arrangement of boxes, adding one for inspectors of elections, and main taining the same mode of canvassing ; opens the polls at 6 a.m., and closes at 5 p.m., giving another hour. The powers and duties of inspectors re main unchanged ; the registry law is preserved, but rooms must be designated, as well as the build ing, if the applicant resides in a tenement house. The li..t is to be revised on the Thursday preceding the election, and to be then open to all voters to challenge ; those challenged must take the general oath if they vote, oherwise their ballot is rejected. At every poll provision is to be made for the challengers of each party, who will be under the protection of the police. Inspectors and registrars violating these provisions shall be deemed guilty of felony, and on conviction be imprisoned from one to five years, and disqualified from holding any office in the State. Persons interfering with challen gers are guilty of misdemeanour, and on con viction imprisoned from six months to a year. None but inspectors and the clerks they appoint can meddle with the canvass, and the statements are to be signed and sealed in public, while no in spector or clerk shall be a candidate for any office. The result shall be proclaimed as each box is com pleted, and before the next is opened ; the number of votes awl the number for each person, with the name of the office being stated. The Mayor ap points the head of a bureau to be established by the supervisors in the office of their clerks, while he appoints his clerks, and all returns are to be filed with him. By every Ist Sept. the Common Coun cil arrange election districts, each of about 400 voters, polling places to be named by the 10th October, where no liquor is to be sold. Then follow the severe penalties compulsory on the Judges to inflict for the infringement of the Act, which goes into effect at once, except the registra tion clauses, which are delayed till 21st July. Mr. Tweed has passed his bill through both branches of the New York Legislature for abolish ing the Board of Supervisors, and reorganizing the Common Council as possessing supervisory powers. It was reported in the Senate, on the morning of the 12th inst., rushed through as fast as the yeas and nays could be taken, carried in hot haste to the Assembly, and passed without a moment's consi deration or debate, the whole transaction occupy ing just one hour, and the Mayor, in accordance with the law, enacting the new Charter, has made the following appointments :—Departments of Docks—Wilson G. Hunt, William Wood, John T. Agnew, Hugh Smith, Richard M. Henry. Depart ment of Parks—Peter B. Sweeny, Robert J. Dil lon, Henry Hilton, Andrew H. Green, Thomas C. Fields. Department of Public Charities and Correction--James B Nicholson, James Bowen, Isaac Bell, Owen W. Brennan, Alexander Frear. Health Department—Stephen Smith, M.D., Gio vanni Ceccarini, M.D., Magnus Gross, John Mul laly. Fire Department—William Hitchman, Alex. Shaler, James Galway, James S. Hennessy, John J. Blair. Police Department—Joseph S. Bosworth, Henry Smith, Matthew T. Brennan, Benjamin F. Manierre. Excise Department (subject to confir mation by Board of Aldermen)—Walter W. Price, John H. Williams, Martin Nachtmann. Depart ment of Public Works—Wm. M. Tweed. Depart ment of Buildings—James M. Macgregor. City Chamberlain—John J. Bradley. Mr. Okey Hall, in publishing these names remarked, he would be politically justified by the numerical record of votes upon the legislation which bestowed this responsibility should he confer every one of the thirty-two appointments solely upon Democrats. But the extraordinary unanimity by which the power was agreed upon appears to create an hon ourable obligation to respect the political minority of his constituents, so far, at least, as to reappoint a few of his political opponents whose past services to the public additionally deserve the recognition. A partisan appointment to some posts might im peril other interests which ought to be entirely separated from partisan considerations ; such as police, fire, health, and charities. Governor Sey mour's initiation, in 1863, of the ilea of dividing the police equally between the two great parties, produced an excellent effect upon the city. On the other hand, the Public Works and Excise demand respect to party considerations, for the one involves large patronage; the other is the system of a political party. "In accordance with the preceding views there are four Democrats and one Republican in the Department of Docks. The Department of Cha rities and Correction, as well as the Fire Depart ment, will stand three Democrats to two Republi cans. The Health Department will be composed of five Democratic members and three Republican. The police is equally divided in politics, but with the understanding that there is to be a new Demo cratic executive head as Superintendent. The other three Departments are entirely Democratic. The new appointments to the Board of Health have been made with the intention of equitably repre senting the adopted citizens, who have been, to a great extent, jealous of the operation of the Health Department. It will undoubtedly tend to allay that feeling when they are to be so widely and in- , telligently represented in the new Board. The fresh appointments as Fire Commissioners are of three gentlemen who, during a series of three years, were identified with the old volunteer fire department, in which they held official trusts. All the gentlemen upon the Commission of Docks have acquired some especial knowledge or experience upon a subject so vital to our commercial interests." The New York Star describes Senator Bradley, the new Chamberlain, as " one of the few public men upon whom the blights of political life have not fallen. He is young, but experienced ; ambitious, but honest ; deeply impressed with the teachings of Mr. Sweeny, but independent nevertheless. His consistent course in the Senate has won him the respect and regard of all parties, and his accept ance of the new office will be regarded with general approval." It considers the reappointment of the police commLsiouers to be good, and, divested of the obnoxious features of the old system and in the hands of Captain Jourdain it will work better than ever. New York, it says, is far behind the age in its commercial facilities, and it regards the department of the docks as one of signal importance to the welfare of the city. • That department is to have exclusive control over all the docks; to secure by purchase or process of law ali the private wharves, and to procure plans for a new system adapted to the wants of a great seaport. A plan must be agreed to before November securing the consent of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, when the contracts will be given to the lowest re sponsible bidders. The members hold office for five years, on a salary to be fixed by the Commis sioners of the Sinking Fund, and the money for the purposes of the bill is to be raised from dock bonds bearing 7 per cent., running for 30 years. The board is to regulate the rates of wharfage, to lease piers for terms not exceeding ten years, and for the sole use of special kinds of commerce. All other leases must be bought at public auction. A QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE. Mr. B. OSBORNE drew the attention of the House to a letter published in the Times, and signed by Mr. Whalley, the language of which he deemed a breach of the privilege of that House. Mr. WHALLEY acknowledged the authorship of the letter, and maintained that the words he had attributed to some hon. members were used in the course of the proceedings in connection with the motion of Mr. New degate for the appointment of a select committee on monastic and conventual institutions. The words used were "kick him," " strangle him." The hon. member complained, too, that there was much confusion and up roar, and that he could not get a hearing. The SPEAKER pointed out the importance of deciding matters of order on the moment. He thought the course adopted by Mr. Whalley was unbecoming and undignified in respect to the House. _ _ Dr: BRADY disclaimed, on the part of the Roman Catholics, the use of such expressions, and the only Catholic member near Mr. Whftlley was the member for Perth. Mr. KINNAIRD said he did not use the words, nor did lit hear them. The subject then dropped. THE IRISH LAND BILL. The House then went into committee on the Irish Lane Bill. Mr. GLADSTONE appealed to Sir John. Gray to postpone his amendment until a further stage, when it would come in its proper place. The amendment was to the follow ing effect :—" Land not subject to Ulster or other usage may be registered, and thereby placed under the pro visions of a permissive Parlirmentary tenancy. When the landlord and tenant of such land cannot agree as to the rent of such land, the court may deter mine the proper rent at intervals of fourteen years. The. tenant of such land may assign his entire interest, but not sub-let or sub-divide his holding. Such tenant, if about to ba evicted, may sell his interest in the holding. Any successor in title of the landlord may purchase it. Sir JOHN GRAY said if the committee did not take the present opportunity of discussing the proposition they would not have a fair chance of doing so at any other time. The hon. gentleman said the proposition did not emanate from him, but from the representatives of the land interest in Ireland. He read a memorial presented to the Govern ment signed by thirty-seven Irish members in favour el the principle. Mr. W. H. GREGORY thought the amendment was on of the most important that had been brought before the Committee. He did not believe that the principle at first would give universal satisfaction in Ireland. It would not at first be accepted by a few, but its beneficial results would be soon perceived, and it would gradu ally be adapted and become prevalent. Mr. GOLDNEY thought that the amendment would give rise to an interminable discussion if proceeded with at once. It ought to be brought up as a new clause. Mr. &NAN expressed his intention to support the amendment. Mr. CORRANCE asked Sir John Gray to postpone his new proposition. Mr. FORTESCUE said it was impossible that the hon. member for Kilkenny could get a fair discussion at that stage. It was not a proviso to the clause, but an alterna tive scheme not only to the third clause, but to other im portant clauses. On the part of the Government he promised the hon. member that the committee should have a fair opportunity for discussion hereafter. Sir Joint GRAY intimated that he would postpone the amendment on the understanding that the committee should have a fair chance of discussing it. The proposal was made by landed proprietors for the purpose of shewing that they were ready to come to amicable relations with the tenants. Mr. BRUCE moved to insert " except in case of a tenan who has executed a lease, or an agreement for a lease, in accordance with any of the leasing provisions of the Act." The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for IRELAND urged the hon. gentleman to withdraw, on the ground that the amend ment was unnecessary. Mr. BRUCE, deferring to the opinion of the Solicitor General, withdrew his amendment. Dr. BALL moved that line 29, after the word "void," to insert the following paragraph :—" The Court in award• ing compensation under this section shall have regard to the terms and conditions subject to which the tenant originally obtained possession of his holding, to the period of actual enjoyment by the tenant to the rate payable by the tenant during such his period of enjoyment at proportioned to the fair letting value of the holding, and to any special circumstances connected either with the cultivation of the holding or with the mode or incidents of the termination of the tenure." The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for IRELAND said it would be better to discuss the matter raised in the proposed amend ment when they arrived at the 14th clause. After a short discussion, the amendment was with drawn. Mr. D. FORTESCUE moved the insertion of words at the end of the clause allowing a landlord to resume posses• sion, without giving compensation, of any portion of land, providing it be no more than half an acre in extent, given for the purpose of erecting a school, church, or chapel thereon, and also to enable him to resume a portion of land, providing it be not more than one 25th part of the holding, or for labourers' cottages. Mr. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE hoped the hon. gentleman would not press these amendments, as it would be loading he bill with elaborate arrangements, the more so as the danger anticipated was quite imaginary, and not likely to occur. After some discussion, the amendment was withdrawn On clause 4, which relates to compensation for im provements, Mr. KAVANAGH moved to omit certain words, with a view of providing that the enjoyment for a terms of years by the tenant should be a bar to any claim for compensation in respect to them. . Mr: C. FORTESCITE opposed the amendment, which, after a protracted and very animated discussion, ending in a strong appeal from Mr. GLADSTONE to the committee to support the Government, was negatived by a majority of 230 to 134. After another amendment, moved by Mr. CHAPLIN, had been negatived, the Chairman reported progress. In committee on the Beverley and Bridgwater Disfran chisement Bill, Mr. COLLINS moved that the disqualification of the parties reported guilty of bribery should only exist for seven years, the penalty in the Corrupt Practices Act. The amendment was negatived. Mr. PEMBERTON moved to except persons who on being indicted had been acquitted. After some discussion the amendment was agreed to, and the bill passed the committee. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned. THE FRENCH FUNDS. According to Reuter's telegrams the French Rentes to-day were quoted 74f. 85c. AMERICAN CORRESPONDENCE. (From the Anglo-American Times.) NEW YORK, April 16. We have had Generals passing to and fro in shoals ; Grant, Sherman, Meade, Burnside, and last, though not least, Sheiidan, on their way, first to attend the funeral of General Thomas, and then the reunion of the Army of the Potomac. General Sheridan left on Thursday, en route for Utah, I hear, and his last evening was spent at the Union League Club. Mr. Henry Clews, the well-known banker, gave him a splendid dinner, and some thirty other of our leading citizens were invited to meet him. The Italian Opera is to open next week, with " The Magic Flute," at the Academy, with Carlotta Patti, and Edwin Booth's engagement, at his own theatre, ends to-day, when he wilt take a respite till next summer. Sir John M. Young, Governor-General of the Canadian Dominion, is in Chicago, I suppose, to look after the Fenian invasion of Canada and the Red River insurrection, that city being a good central point. There is little news stirring, attention being mainly attracted to the trial of M'Farland. Our new Post Office is to be put into the hands of Mr. Mullett, as archi tect, 1,000,000 dollirs having been appropriated for the building, of which only a half is to be expended before the approval of his plan. The City Tax Levy is being pushed through our State Amena bly without letting the newspaper men or any body else know what is intended, the press being refused copies. Doubts are now expressed as to the legality of the new charter, for it has not been sub mitted to the people, and Messrs. Tweed, Sweeny, Fisk and Gould; may find that they have bribed in vain. The Hon. Jeremiah W. Wilson has, I hear, been nominated for the Fourth Congressional Dis trict of Indiana in place of G. W. Julian. W ASHINGTON, April 15. Mr. Cyrus Field has been here some weeks look ing after a Bill to incorporate the Pacific Sub marine Telegraph Company, with a capital of $10,000,000 in gold, all to be paid up within a year torm organization, the company to have power to lay an ocean cable between California, Japan, and China, either direct or by way of the Sandwich Islands; $lOO,OOO to be depositA with the Secre tary of the Treasury,.to be returned on the comple tion of the cable ; to be finished in five years, the United States to have priority in transmitting mes sages, and the right to forward on Government busi ness free of charge, at the regular rates up to $500,000. The memorial also shows that there are sixty-four marine cables iu operatiun, aggregating 22,000 miles in length, and that this cable will complete the circuit of the world. The Bill was introduced into the Senate by Mr. Sumner, and into the House by Mr. Dawes. Dr. Hall is also here looking after his appropriation of $lOO,OOO towards the exploration of the Arctic regions, which is opposed by Dr. Hayes ; the latter gave evidence before a committee, in the course of which he said no one without the requisite knowledge could successfully do the work, and he did not believe Dr. Hall had that knowledge; pleasant intelligence for that gentleman, who was present, and who asked many questions. Dr. Hayes appears with a strong certificate from the New York Geographical Society, who, without dictating to whom the command should be entrusted, say, " We would call attention to the fact that Dr. Hayes has received gold medals of the Royal Geographical Society of London, and the Imperial Geographical Societies of St. Petersburg, the Geographical So ciety of Berlin, the Royal Academy of Sciences of Brussels, and the Geographical Society of Italy; and having in his last expedition, though provided with very insufficient means, reached nearer to the Pole than any previous explorer, except Parry, he is, in the opinion of this Society, to be regarded as the most able, eminent, and experienced of living Ame rican Arctic explorers." The President and Secre tary of War returned on Monday; Secretary Bout well on Tuesday. General Sherman came back on Monday morning; he objects strenuously to placing troops under Governor Senter's orders or that of any civilian, as calculated to impair their efficiency, and his reports from officers in Tennessee re present all quiet there. Ex-Senator Morgan, J. A. Griswold, and Collector Grinnell are here ; the latter will shortly resign. The investigation of the charges brought against Gen. Howard by F. Wood awaits the passage of a bill appropriating funds, as there is no money with which to make the inquiry. The bill has passed the House, and now goes to the Senate. Mr. Wood has engaged counsel, and means mischief, but Gen. Howard's friends are confident of the result. The investigation commenced yes terday before the House Committee on Education and Labour, and several witnesses have already been examined. General Bullock has been sum moned as disbursing agent of the Freedman's Bureau. The investigation of the charges against Mr. Gor ham, Secretary of the Senate, is finished, and the belief is that he will be e xonerated. The House Territorial Committee will report a bill for the ad mission of New Mexico as a State. All coloured persons employed in the Departments have received leave of absence to-day by order of the President as the celebration of the Fifteenth Amendment is going on. There is to be a torchlight procession, serenades, and drinks. Many houses will be illumi nated, cannon fired, and President Grant will doubt less be called upon for a little speech.* The National Academy of Sciences met on l'uesday for its thir teenth annual session, about sixty persons being present, and was opened by Professor Henry, when many interesting papers were read. There is a rapid sale of land going on in Colorado, and that Territory is filling up so fast that it must soon be brought iu as a State. Mr. Macdonald, of Arkansas, spoke strongly in the Senate in favour of his Bill to aid the Mediterranean and Oriental Steam Navigation Company of New York, urging the claims of the South to some assistance to help it under the de pressing effects of the war, towards which there were no better means than steamship linesey Islandsot o u Eu India, Senate - Eu rope, es n tncr d aoi San Committee. C i .Fattsreabene. h ce i in n sic a ,osi . itirsao rl nins ' dhg what, hhuaetr extension gSandwichledt ho o in tk h f the line , ad vocated to t PostalAw ue long ago. Things have been dull these last few days, and no wonder, as we do not expect stirring news during Passion Week. * And so he was, and this is it :—" I cannot say any thing to those who are assembled here this evening to convince them any further than I have done of my earnest desire to see the Fifteenth Amendment become a part of the Constitution. I will only add, I hope those enfran chised by it will prove themselves worthy of its benefits to them and to those whc have the franchise without it ; that all may be mutually benefited by it. I feel confident that this will be the result. If I had not thought so I should not have been so anxious for its ratification." A session of the Conference of Ocean Steamship Agents was held in New York, March 28. John G. Dale of the Inman Line is the president. Prominent in the discussions of the session was the question of the reduc tion of the commutation tax now imposed upon alien pas sengers landed at Castle Garden. It was stated that the Commissioners would be willing to receive 50 cents less per head than the rate now paid, b u t th e agents are not s atisfied with this reduction, believing that the work now performed by the Commissioners can be done at far less cost, and equally well by some other method. AMERICANS AND AMERICAN AFFAIRS ON THE CONTINENT. Dr J. G. Holland, of Springfield, Mass., the author of " Bitter Sweet," &c., has .been in Paris for the past mouth or two, an i will sail for home in the Idaho May 4. In the two years that Dr. Holland has been in Europe he has been hard at work on literary projects. He has written fur newspapers and magazines in America, and has nearly completed a new book, the title of which is not yet made public. On his return he is to take charge of " Hours at Home," with the intention of waking it the most popular magazine in America. Europa is not entirely to the liking of the orthodox New England doctor, and he will be scarcely less glad than his hosts of friends at returning once more to his -old home. Mrs. Holland has been severely troubled with disease of the eyes, and has lately been under the care of the famous Berlin oculist, Profes sor Albrecht von Gracfe. A work that will shortly appear, and will be sure to make a sensation in tho literary world, is the " Life of Anson Burlingame." The writer is a pro minent litteruteur, now resident in Paris, who made a name by his labours ou the history of the Ameri can war. The biography cannot fail to be of the utmost interest and value, as the writer was a close personal friend of the Chinese Amba , sador, and has access to all his correspondence and private papers. Mrs. Burlingame is still residing in Paris, and will continue there for some time. The New York Mutual Life Insurance Company have opened an office on the Rue Scribe, Paris, and placed at it head Mr. A. L. Ward, long and honourably con nected with the house of Bowles Brothers and Co. Mr. Ward is one of the most accomplished gentleman and able business man in the French capital,and will not fail to gain more popularity and friends and re putation in this new enterprise. He has lived in Europe for the past twenty-nine years,is a thorough cosmopolite, and the man above all others for the grave duties and responsibilities which he has just ssumed. American enterprise is penetrating Europe in all directions. There are at present in Paris two gen tlemen from the States, who hold the monopoly of Europe for the Nicholson pavement ; and they are actively preparing for its introduction into all the principal cities. A contract for 20,000 feet, to be laid in the streets of St. Petersburg, has already been closed, and other contracts equally important are now in negotiation. One - of the most interest ing places on the Continent to Americans is the Munich bronze foundry. In fact, itis almost an Ame rican institutiou.Nearlyallits orders come from across the Atlantic, and its shops are full of American work. Noticeable there is now a magnificent fountain for the Central Park in Nevi York, which exceeds in size and beauty anything of the kind in Europe outside of Paris. Another fountain, also, of ad mirable design; in which are three colossal figures, is for Cincinnati. There is also a soldiers' memo rial preparing for Detroit, Mich., and a bronze figure of an Indian girl for something or somebody in Providence, Rhode Island. This statue is a really artistic work, and cannot fail greatly to de light the aesthetic sense of our brothers in " Little Rhody." The traditional and tasteless soldiers that are everywhere to be seen in the United States are scattered here and there throughout the foundry, as though American taste refused positively to be edu cated, and the demand for these things never would cease. Visitors to this great establishment are conducted through it by an old workman, who speaks the English tongue with an astonishing accent, but who pronounces the nouns of the various States, which are placarded in the different departments with a precision and pride that is de lightful. At present Berlin is full of American artists, many of whom have won reputations with their brushes, and many others of whom are gaining lauiels in Bavarian society. Paris is also the winter company ground for many of our artists, but they will soon begin to leave for the provinces to pursue their summer studies. Several have pictures in the annual " Salon," which opens on the Ist of May. The Grand Duke Alexis of Russia is going to America in June. The Duke is intensely interested in pisciculture, and one of his main reasons for visiting the United States is to see what has been done and is doing in this science there. He will inspect with Mr. Jay Cooke, the banker, and other prominent business men of New York composing the Oquasac Fishing Society, their preserves in Maine, which extend over several thousand acres., The immediate cause of this step on the Duke's part is a personal invitation extended to him this spring by Mr. George Shepard Page, the President of the Society, who has just returned home after making the tour of Europe. The New York Home Journal made a very queer mistake when it said the other day that " Mr. John Hay, of Illinois, has just received his appoint ment as United States Secretary of Legation, at Madrid, and will soon sail," &c. The truth is Mr. Hay has held the position of Secretary of Legation at Madrid for over a year, and had, before that, been stationed at Vienna and at Paris in the dip lomatic service of the United States. Mr. Hay was the Private Secretary of President Lincoln during the whole of his administration, and he has aii unpublished volume of memoirs of the dead President, which would make a most interesting book if the author could be induced to publish. The recent able article in the " Atlantic Monthly," on " A Spanish Republic," was written by Mr. Hay. 'the interest that is felt at Paris in the approach ing international yacht race around the Isle of Wight has been considerably increased by the pre sence there of James Gordon Bennett, jun. The other day this famous journalist and yachtsman called, in the company of his mother, upon Prince Pierre Bonaparte, at his chateau, in Auteuil. Apropos of the Prince, it is known to a few in Paris that he has been offered the command of au expedition against Cuba, now fitting out in New York, and is seriously inclined to accept. He visits the United States in June, at any rate, and no one need be surprised to hear that he has turned " buccaneer of the Gulf."--Anglo-American limes. The Chinese Embassy is now in Brussels ; but we learn from a recent telegram that the intercourse be tween China arid Russia has assumed a more friendly character. Mr. Curtin, the U. S. Minister at St. Petersburg, expressed his fear to Secretary Fish that Mr. Burlingame a miesion would fall into British hands, and future negotia tions would take a direction less favourable to American interests. The gentleman who has succeeded Mr. Burlin game is as Irishman, and with no stupid insular prejudices, and it is his business to establish on an equal basis profit able relations for his own with all Governments, the course in which death interrupted Mr. Burlingame ; and he would neither act a wise nor a part beneficial to the country he designed to favour by any partial proceedings. The Ame rican papers say that the Broth er o f the Sun has gone to the New Yorker's heaven for furniture, as he is importing mirrors and costly household decorations from Paris. Captain Eyre, of the steamer Bombay, has arrived in London, and is about, it is said, to memorialize the Board of Trade for a revision of the sentence, whereby his certificate was suspended for six months by the Court of Enquiry for investigating the circumstances which ended in the sinking of the Oneida. It is highly probable that the Government of the United States will adopt the course proposed by Admiral Porter, and make an appro priation for the prosecution of Captain Eyre, and to re cover, through the English Courts of Law, compensation from the Peninsular and Oriental Company, the owners of the Bombay. if so, Captain Eyro will have ample oppor tunity of vindicating his conduct, if such conduct can be vindicated, but it is an awful thing to think that by the delay of an hour he could have saved the lives of 120 gallant sailors, who, it may be, were sacrificed, through his fault, or through the fault of conflicting regulations, but, at any rate, could have been saved with ease by the most common exercise of judgment and humanity. The English people come down with a heavy hand on the Go vernment of Greece for the murder of a few English tourists by brigands, and the case might suggest to their mind the feelings prevailing in America at what Ame ricans consider the inhuman conduct on the part of an officer who may be responsible for the collision which consigned 120 men to the deep. The members of the crew saved of the Oneida arrived at San Francisco on the 13th inst. in the steamship America, including 49 seamen and marines, iu charge of Hr. J. J. Yates and Surgeon James Suddards, and will ere this have given evidence before the Committee of Investigation appointed by Congress. We presume it will depend ou the nature of that evidence whether a case for the English Courts will be got up, and the witnesses forwarded to London. The Japan news via America is that the Naval Court of Inquiry, convened by Fleet Captain Roe, on the Oneida affair, had been di s s o l ve d. Th e b o dy o f Ensign Brown of the Oneida was found on the 22d. Divers who have been down in the Oneida report that the whole of her stern is cut away. Several small articles had been brought up. Secretary Robeson strongly recom mends a bill awarding a year's pay to the families of the officers and crew who were drowned, and as the Senate Naval Committee favour it such a bill will shortly be in troduced. MONETARY REPORTS-YESTERDAY. A fair amount of businees has been passing in the Stock Exchange to-day. Foreign bonds, influenced by the high prices from Paris, and the generally Pacific aspect of political affairs, opened steadily, at ell" hanced quotations. On the other hand, railways have been quiet, and telegraph shares have been much de pressed. Consols have been firm, and * per cent. betters at 94 to 944 for delivery, and 94i to 94i for June. Re duced and New Three Per Cents., 92i to 92g. Bank stock 234 to 236, and Exchequer bills 20s. to 255. prem. Indian Five per Cents. have been done at 1.131- to 114, and Indian bonds 20s. to 255. prem. English railway stocks have been depressed, and there has been a preponderance of adverse movements. London and North-Western opened steadily, but subsequently declined London and Brighton, South Eastern, and Great Eastern; have also receded *. On' the other hand, Caledonian has risen Great Northern Afy and Midland A. Indian stocks have been quiet. Canadian shares have been flat, at about previous quotations. Foreign shares have been in moderate request. Ottoman have risen 1, and Lombards have recovered to a similar extent. The tone of the market for foreign bonds has been healthy. Egyptian (1868) have been in request, and have risen per cent. ; Turkish Five per Cents opened steadilY at 49 to 491 but subsequently fell to 49 to 49k; Brazilian (1865) have risen ; Guatemala, A; Italian-, (1865), A ; Spanish A, and Italian (1861), A ; but Peruvian (1865) have fallen ; Russian (1862), A. The New Egyptian Loan is nominally quoted at par to prem., and the Japanese 3, 2 dis. American securities have been firm. The Five per Cent. Bonds have risen , and Pennsylvania but Erie shares have fallen t. Joint Stock Bank shares have been firm. Imperial Ottoman have risen it, and London and Westminster ; but Oriental have been flat, and 1 lower. Telegraph shares have been very dull. Anglo-Ameri cans have fallen Anglo-Mediterranean British Indian Submarine, ; Falmouth, Gibraltar, and Malta, and French Cables, t. Telegraph Construction shares have been done as low as 34k, but have since recovered to 35i. Silver's Indiarubber shares have receded 1. Miscellaneous securities have been quiet, at about pre vious quotations. The Clearing House return for the week ending May 4th, chews a total of £89,307,000, against £79,888,000, for the corresponding week last year. At a meeting of the London and South African Bank a dividend of 7s. per share was declared. The Sovereign Life Assurance Company have declared a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent per annum. The following communication has been received from Sir John Lubbock in reference to the clearings for the past year : To the Editor,—Sir,—The third year during which the Clearing House statistics have been published has now elapsed, and Messrs. Derbyshire and Pocock, the inspec tors, have prepared for me certain statistics, from winch the following will, I think, be interesting to your readers. .The total amount of cheques and bills paid at the Clearing House during the year ending 30th April, 1870, have amounted to £3,720,623,0 00, being an increase of £186,584,000 over 1869, and of £463,212,000 over 1868. The amo un t s p ass i ng through on the 4th of the month from the best indicctlon as to the state of the internal trade of the country; and it is therefore satisfactory to find that the total of 1870 has been £168,523,000, shewing an increase of 26,662,0 00 over 1869, and of £21,410,000 over 1868. The payment on the twenty-four Stock Exchange settling days for 1870 have amounted to £594,763,000, shewing an increase of £44,141,000 over 1869, and of £150,320,9 00 over 1868. The payments on the twelve Consols selling days for the same period have amounted to £148,822,09 0, shewing an increase of £6,552,000 over 1869, and an in crease of. 216,529000 over 1868.-1 am, sir, your obedient servant. JOHN L UBBocK, Honorary Secretary to the London Bankers.-15, Lombard-street, sth May, 1870. The discount market has been fairly supplied with capital. There. has been a moderate demand for accom modation, and three months' paper has not been taken under 2a to 3 per cent., in fact, transactions at the former quotation have been quite exceptional. _ _ The Manchester Guardian mentions the failure of Mr• Richard Marsden and Mr. John Lancaster, manufacturers of Preston. The failure has been announced of Messrs. Heelist Heather, and Co., yarn and cloth commission agents, of Manchester, with liabilities estimated at from £16,000 to £20.000. MARKETS-YESTERDAY. LONDON TRADE REPORT, THIIRSDAY.—TaIIow is dun. t C, spot, 445. 3d. • June, 445. 6d. ; l as t th ree mon th s, 4 5 9. 6d. LONDON PRODUCE MARKET, THURSDAY.—The market for raw sugar has been dull,at drooping prices. Brown and middling yellow Havana, 255. to 28s. per cwt.; duty, 4s. od. to ss. 3d. Coffee has been steady Good Colony Plantation Ceylon, 770. to 80s.; tine, 82s. to 84s. 6d.; good middling, 725. to 745. 6d.; middling, 635. to 708. per cwt. Tea has been in moderate request at late rates. METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET, THURSDAY. —The trade has been quiet to-day. The show of beasts has been more extensive. The demand has been inactive, but the quotations have been fairly maintained. With sheep the market has been well supplied. Sales have progressed slowly, and the value of inferior stock has had a downward tendency. Lambs have been dull, at Monday's currency. For calves the demand has ruled heavy. Beasts have sold at from Ss. to 55.; sheep, 3s. to ss. 4d.; lambs, 6s. 6d. to 75.; calves, 3s. 10d. to ss. Bd. Total supplies -- Beasts, 1,077 ; sheep and lambs, 12,350 ; calves, 579. Foreign -- Beasts, 408 ; sheep and lambs, 3,570 ; and calves, 445. BOROUGH AND SPITALFIELDS POTATO MARKETS, THuusDAY.--These markets have been fairlysuppliedwith potatoes. The trade has boen quiet, at about late rates :—English shawl, 110 s. to 130 s. ; regents, 120 s. to 140 s. ; Scotch regents, 1 008 ' to 130 s. ; and rocks, 90s. to 110 s. per ton. METROPOLITAN WOOL MARKET, THURSDAY.—In th e wool market there has been a continuance of firmness. For colonial wool the demand has been active, and extreme rata have been realised for all descriptions. English wool has been firm and'quite as dear. METROPOLITAN HAY AND STRAW MARKET, THUM. DAY. —The supply has been moderate. The trade has been glue" at about late rates. The quotations were as follows :—Prinie meadow hay, 755. to 82s. 6d. ; inferior ditto, 60s. to 70s. ; rowen, 50s. to 655. ; prime clover, 110 s. to 1265. ' • inferior ditto, 80 ' to 955. ; prime second-cut clover, 100 s. to 110 s. ; inferior ditto, 80s. to 90s. ; and straw, 20s. to 28s. per load. - LONDON METAL MARKET, THURSDAY.—Iron has bee n steady. Tin has been quiet. Copper has sold slowly. LONDON OIL MARKET, THIIIISDAY.—Linseed oil has been quiet, at 325. spot. Rape has been firm. English brown, spot , 435. LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, THURSDAY.—Market dull. Sales 10,000 bales, including 2,000 bales for export and specu• lation. LIVERPOOL COPPER MARKET, THURSDAY.—Market quiet• Bars, ezi- to 67; ores, Hi. BIRMINGHAM IRON TRADE, THURSDAY.—At the meeting of masters on the Birmingham Exchange to-day there was a fair_ attendance, and an improvement in the tone of the trade of the district was reported. The improvement is not so marked as In the North country and in the Welsh iron-making district, where the manufacture of rails is carried on considerably. Darin* the week there has been no inquiry for sheets and merchant 'Ton' Many of the principal firms have not been working full time. some of them only four days a week. So long as the present state of trade continues prices must remain as they are, but a permanent improvement is confidently anticipated. BRISTOL CATTLE MARKET, THURSDAY.—Good supply of beef to-day, and all was sold. There was a fair demand for the best quality at 70s. per cwt. The secondary quality sold at et to 655. ; inferior, 565. to 63 5 . A good supply of mutton was m : the market. The best quality in wool made 9d. per pound shorn sheep, 7id. to Bd. Store sheep and store cattle. Trade dull. GLASGOW CATTLE MARKET, THURSDAY.—There was large supply of cattle at the market to-day, and many of them of first-rate quality. The demand was fair, at prices similar to las! . P week's quotations. Top current price, from 70s . per c Wt cif secondary, 655. to 675. ; middling and inferior, 50s. to 600. ; sheep there was a fair supply, and generally of good quality. . s ' ^ kinds were in demand, but no alteration can be quoted. 120 to white-faced current from 9id. to 9d . per lb. ; secondary, Sid' " 9d. Black-faced, top, 9d. ; secondary, 81d. to Bd. At the cloa a good clearance of all kinds was effected. but GLASGOW IRON MARKET, THURSDAY.—Market firm, business not extensive. Spot, 565. 4 d. ; month, 565. 70. PARIS CORN MARKET, MAT s.—Current month, 5 9 ,..,'° °; Italy - August, 5915 ; September-December, 5915. Weather law"' LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET.-(THIS DAY.) Sales probably 10,000 bales. l!ilarket steady. BIRTHS. FORDE —On the 4th inst., at Wimbledon, the wife of flout C. _Porde, of a daughter. ROITTLEDGE —On the sth inst., at 294, Camden-road, thewif° of Edmund Routledge, of a son. MARRIAGES. TOPITAM—LEMON—On the 3d inst., at St. Margaret's, List. Sussex, Frank William Warwick, the eldest son of F; to Topham, Esq., of Warwick House, Adelaide-roa u, , Helen, third daughter of Mark Lemon, Esq o f Cra olol, Sussex. WINTLE—BARKIIII. On the 30th ult., at St. John's, litick ne t ; Mi. Edward Wintle, of Medina Villas, Hackney, to eldest daughter of Mr. Charles Barker, of Stamford -bib' A NTROBUS— On the 4th inst DEATHS ~ at 146, Piccadilly, Sir A,y,upd A n trobu s, Bart., aged 77. COLE—On the 3d inst., at Carlton-hill, John Edmun d Cgle' Esq., aged 47. , London : Printed and Published byWILLIAM AN l l." of No. 112, Strand, Printer at THE SUN Office, ro• of 112 Strand, in the Precinct of , the Savoy, in the Coun t y Middlesex.—Friday, May 6, 1870. 7 .1 reR --.... I th• IA