The Sun. — London, England, 1870-04-05 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.-MONDAY. - - The Royal Assent was given by Commission to the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Bill, the Mutiny Bill, the Marine Mutiny Bill, and the Coinage Bill. The Royal Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, Viscount Sydney, and Lord de Tabley. CRIMINAL SENTENCES. Lord PENziNcr moved for a return of criminal sen tences wholly remitted, reduced, or varied by the Crown under the advice of the Home Secretary during the last three years, distinguishing the causes. He objected to the system upon which the clemency of the Crown was now exercised, and in place of the proceedings that were now adopted he thought there ought-to be a tribunal created for the revision of criminal cases, and if the Government were to appoint a Royal Commisfion to make inquiry into the matter a deal of valuable information would be obtained. The Earl of MORLEY said the Government felt it im possible to give the noble and learned lord the papers required, as it was contrary to all practice to call upon the Home Secretary to state the reasons that induced him to recommend the use of the royal prerogative. With respect to the tribunal suggested by the noble - and learned lord, he did not think it was at all likely such a subject could be taken up at the present time. After a few words from the Duke of RICHMOND, who thought the proposed tribunal would be productive of much good, the motion for the papers was withdrawn. IRELAND. ,Lord SOMERITILL moved for copy of reports of a meet ing held near the chapel of Kildare to discuss the conduct of the Duke of Leinster and his agent towards certain of his tenants. The noble lord defended the Duke cf Lein• Ater from the charges that had been made against him. Lord DDICSANY deprecated the system of altar denun ciation, as productive of great harm to innocent people. Lord DUFFERIN said he could not give the papers required. The motion having been withdraivn, their lordship] adlourned at five minutes to seven. HOUSE OF COMMONS—MONDAY. The Speaker took the chair at four o'clock. NEW MEMBER. Mr. Bristowe took the oaths and his seat for Newark, in the room of the late Mr. Denison. THIRD. READINGS. The following bills were read a third time and pessed the Bristol and North Somerset Railway Bill, the Chester Gas Bill, the Mansfield Water Bill, the Midland Railway (Additional Powers) Bill, and the Runcorn. Weston, and Halton Water Bill. SECOND READING. The following bills were read a second time :—beccies Water Bill, Brecon Gas Bill, Brighton and Hove General Gas Bill, Carmarthen Gas Bill, Chiltern Hills Spring Water Bill, Female Orphan Asylum Bill, Great Northern and Western (of Ireland) Railway (Running Powers, ttc.) Bill, Great Northern and Western (of Ireland) Railway (Westport Quay Line) Bill, Millwall Canal Bill, Newry and Armagh Railway (Arbitration) Bill, Rainhill Gas and Water Bill, Saint Albans Gas Bill, Saint Helens Gas Bill, Southport Water Bill. ROYAL COMMISSIONERS. s-c-,de Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod appeared at the table of the House, and summoned the House to the House of Peers to hear the Royal assent given to the Peace Preservation Bill and the Mutiny Bill. ELECTORAL DISABILITIES OF WOMEN. Mr. HADFIELD presented a petition from Sheffield, signed by upwards of 2,000 women, praying for the removal of the electoral disabilities of women. Mr. TAYLOR presented similar petitions from Ludlow. CONVENTUAL AND MONASTIC INSTITUTIONS. Mr. CoGAN presented petitions from various Roman Catholic bodies against the proposed committee to inauire into the condition of these institutions. Sir Joss HAT presented similar petitions. MALT TAX. Several members presented petitions in favour of a repeal of the malt tax. WINE AND BEERHOUSES. Sir S. InBETSON gave notice that on the 7th of April he should move for leave to introduce a bill to amend the Wine and Beerhouse Act of 1869. CHEAP TRAINS. Mr. C. REED gave notice that after Easter he should call attention to the inconvenience occasioned to the work ing classes by certain railways, in consequence of a refusal to provide cheap trains for their accommodation, and move a resolution on the subject DOCKYARD SUPERANNUATION. Mr. STONE—To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the following statement was true : " A. 8.1 a labourer in Deptford Dockyard, applied for superannua tion on the reduction of that establishment, having the means of earning a livelihood in the town of Deptford. He was refused superannuation on the ground that he was too young and healthy, and was sent to Portsmouth, where he has been for only twelve months. He has now been ordered for discharge, though he has a wife and seven children ; and, on asking the reason, he was told by the clerk in the cashier's office, You are a Liberal, and voted for Gladstone, it serves you right.' " Mr. CHILDERS said the remark might have been made by a conservative clerk, but it did not chew that he was well up in history, because Deptford Dockyard was closed by the late, not the present Government. With respect to the superintendent of Portsmouth Dockyard, he was quite certain that no person had ever been discharged from there in consequence of his political opinions. Mr. STONE said he could hardly say that the reply was an answer to his question. Mr. CHILDERS replied that it was the best he could give, as he could not find out who A. B. was. (Loud laughter.) THE RIOTS IN JAMAICA. Sir CHARLES DILKE asked the First Lord of the Trea sury whether, having regard to the circumstances attend ing the military execution of the late Mr. G. W. Gordon, a member of the Legislature of Jamaica, and to the in jury done to the property of his widow, he was prepared to consider the justice of making some compensation to Ms. Gordon for the grievous losses and sufferings she has sustained. Mr. GLADSTONE, in reply, said no evidence had ever been laid before him of the losses that Mrs. Gordon had sustained, and he did not think the subject was one that came within the Civil List. Under all the circumstances, he did not think it would be consistent with his duty to make any application to Parliament on the subject. UNIVERSITY TESTS. Mr. SARTORIS asked the First Lord of the Treasury, whether he would name an approximative date for the introduction, after the Easter Recess, of the University Tests Bill. Mr. GLADSTONE said his learned friend the Solicitor- General, before the recess, would name an early day after the holidays for proceeding with the bill. PROMOTIONS IN THE ARMY. Viscount CRICHTON asked the Secretary of State for War, whether the unattached promotions about to he given in the army, were to be given only to the senior officers of each grade, without reference to special qualifi cations or distinguished service in the field. Mr. CARDWELL said the promotions about to be given would in the first instance be offered to seniority. DIRECT COMMISSIONS. Sir JAMES STRONGE asked the Secretary of State for War whether he could name the date at which the next examination for direct commissions would take place, and between what ages candidates were eligible. Mr. CARDWELL said in May there would be an examina tion for 150 cadets, but no alteration would be made in existing arrangements. THE SERPENTINE. Captain Dawsox DAIeER asked the First Commissioner of Works if, while the works of the Serpentine were still in progress, it was not feasible, and even expedient, to take steps to render the borders of the lake more pic turesque. • Mr. AYBTON said the contract for works at the Serpen tine had been signed before he took office, and it would occasion great expense to m a k e any alteration in it now. With respect to the mud, Mr. Fowler, the engineer, had taken every precaution to prevent any inconvenience to health arising from its removai. THE RED RIVER. Mr. SINCLAIR ATTOUN asked the Under Secretary state for the Colonies whether there was any truth in the report that imperial troops were to be sent to the Red River Settlement; and if so, whether he has any objec tion to lay upon the table copies of any correspondence on the subject between the the Colonial Office and the Go vemortaeneralaCanacia. Mr. MONSELL said an applicatir Ai for the services of a small body of troops hed been asked for, and was now under consideration, but no fixed determination had been COMO to on the subject. THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 5, 1870. the bill. He most anxiously trusted that the committee would not sanction tho change proposed in the provision, but that they would fall back upon the original form. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER criticised the speech of the right hon gentleman, and explained the alte ration which had been made in the bill. He contended that the speech had nothing to do with the amend ment, nor the amendment anything to do with the speech. It had been objected that the bill it was a violation of the rules of political economy, but it must be remembered the principles of political economy were violated every day, and that it was impossible to settle all the complicated affairs of mankind by such rules. He hoped that the session which had begun so well for Ireland would not leave behind as the only monument for that country a Coercion Bill. Mr. G. 114npv thought that the remarks of the Chan cellor of the Exchequer would not be considered any more in the observations of his right hon. friend who had addressed the House. He thought the opinions of the right hon. gentleman who had just addressed the House, at one time said that the best way to govern Ireland was to make all propositions on the strict ground of political economy ; but now he had over thrown that opinion, and the only thing to which he could attribute the chnnge of opinion of the right hon. gentleman was that of change of place. (Hear, hear.) He thought the right hon. gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer was rather precipitate in charging his (Mr. Hardy's) side of the House with incon sistency, when he had Been so thoroughly inconsistent himself. The right hon. gentlemen then proceeded to argue the ambiguity of the proposal of the Govern ment as it stood now in Clause 3, and urged the House to accept the amendment the right hon. gentleman, the member for Buckinghamshire, had felt it is duty to move. The latter proposal, he thought, far more liberal than that of the Government, and therefore it would give far more satisfaction when put into active operation, than the proposition of the Government. Sir R. PALMER said that he could not go so far as to vote for Mr. Disraeli's amendment, but that he thought the Go vernment propositions as regarded clause 3 were open to grave objections. Atter observations from Mr. C. Fortescuo, Mr. C. S. Read, Sir P. O'Brien, Mr. Kavanagh, and other honourable memberr, Mr. GLADSTONE said as regal ded Mr. Disraeli's amendment, it was a blow aimed at the root and principle of the bill, and not a mere amendment on a single clause. The House divided on the amendment, which was nega tived by 296 to 220, being a majority of 76. The remaining business was disposed of and the House adjourned. THE CONSERVATIVE LAND SOCIETY. (THIS DAY.) At the 70th quarterly meeting of the members held this afternoon, at the Norfolk-street offices, Viscount Ranelagh, presiding; and the secretary (Mr. C. L. Gruniesen) having read the advertisement convening the meeting, the annexed report was sub mitted : The Executive Committee, in submitting their seventieth quarterly report, have the pleasure to announce to the shareholders that the financial returns for the half-year end ing Lady Day, 1870, are as usual largo. The annexed table will show the cash receipts for the two respective quarters, together with the number of new shares which have been issued, and the grand totals to the 25th of March, 1870 : Qrs. endino Shares in Shares Total Receipts. 0 progress. Complete. Shares. Dec. 25,1869 March 25, 1870 .... 383 83 471 2 , ,.161 2 1 8.9 165 1,064 60,480 14 $ Totals to Mi chaelmas, 1869. 26,237 6,359 32,596 1,450,082 19 3 Grand totals to Lady Day, 1870. 27,136 6,524 33,610 1,510,572 13 11 GAME 131 LL :i reply to Air. C. READ, The LORD-ADVOCATE said he proposed to introduce the hill that day week. COUNTY COURT JUDGES. Mr. HAVILAND-BU - ctiCE asked the Attorney-C-eneral what was the result :of the communication which had been made to the Lord Chancellor respecting the com mittal of a juryman by Mr. W. H. Cook, County Court Judge, of Norfolk ; and, if it is with the sanction of the Lord Chancellor that Mr. W. H. Cook has been appointed magistrate for the county of Norfolk, and as such took his seat on the 22nd of Marcia, regardless of the report made by the Commissioners appointed to inquire into corrupt -practices at Beverley, and pending the decision of the Lord Chancellor aa to the c o mmittal of the jury man. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL replied that Mr. Cook hAd written a letter to tho Lord Chancellor. in which he steted that Rubstantially the reports which Appeared ;"I.tha Nor wich papers were incorrect. He (the Attorney-General) read a letter from Mr. Cook, from which, he observed, he thought it would be seen that he was not deserving of the censure which had been cast upon him. With regard to the second portion of the question, Mr. Cook was appointed a magistrate on the 16th of October, 1869, prior to the report of the Commissioners. The Lord Chancellor acted on the recommendation of the Lord Lieutenant of the County in accordance with the usual custom. Mr. Cook did not appear to have taken his scat until the 22nd of March, but with that the Lord Chancellor had nothing to do. TELEGRAPHS. Mr. CRAWFORD asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the sum of £lOO,OOO, entered as a receipt on account of " Telegraphs" in the published statement of Revenue for the quarter ended 31st March, was in respect of messages only, or included money received from any other source. The Marquis of HARTINGTOIC, in the absence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, replied that the sum did not include the sums due to revenue on account of press messages, or rents of private wires. The total number of messages forwarded by the department since the commencement of tne Government system up to the 31st March was 1,160,000 inclusive of the messages re ceived by the department for transmission abroad, and exclusive of the number of messages received from abroad for distribution by the Post Office. He was not able to tell the hon. gentleman precisely the sum received or receivable on account of the 1,160,000 messages. REDUCTION OF POOR LAW MEDICAL OFFICERS. Mr. DAVENPORT asked the President of the Poor Law Board whether he was aware that the opinion expressed by the Poor Law Board in their letter to the Guardians of Birmingham last year, that the reduction of the num bers of medical officers from eight to five was injudicious, had not been acted upon, and that one medical officer had still to attand to the wants of a population 44,000 in num ber; and whether the Poor Law Board have taken or pro pose to take any steps to remedy this state of things. Mr. GOSCHEN replied that last year the board of guardians for the parish of Birmingham re-considered their medical arrangements, and reduced the number of their medical officers, but they at the same time materially raised the salaries of those officers, and made the medical relief districts coincide with the ordi nary relief districts. The Poor Law Board were doubtful as to the expediency of these arrangements, but the Guardians pointed out that the average of previous years sheaved that the medical officers would not have more than sixteen cases a day at the homes of the patients, and that number had been proved to be pretty accurate. The General Consolidated order was not en forced in Birmingham. He was of opinion that the medical officers ought to have been permanent officers. THE IRISH LAND BILL. Mr. KAVANAGH asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he proposed to take the committee on the Irish Land Bill at the morning sitting on Tuesday, the 12th of April. Mr. GLADSTONE replied that he did not propose to take the committee on the Irish Land Bill at the morning sit ting on the 12th of April. At present he had some hope that he should not be required to make any demand on on the House next week with respect to the Irish Land Bill. The House then went into committee on the Irish Land Bill. Mr. DISRAELI moved the following amendment : Clause 3, page 3, line 4, after "compensation," insert "in respect of unexhausted improvements made by him or any predecessor in title, and of interruption in the com pletion of any course of husbandry suited to his holding." He observed that at the commencement of the proceed ings he stated what he was then empowered by his friends to say that the Land Bill would receive from that side of the House a fair and impartial consideration. For his own part, he ventured to say more, assuming with confidence that it would be a just measure, that it would aim only to accomplish that which was necessary, not that which was fanciful and merely theoretical, it would receive from him cordial support. When the bill was introduced, although on a subject of so great importance, and necessarily of a com plicated nature, and including many provisions to which he could hardly be expected to give his complete adhesion; still he understood after consulting with his friends, and those who honoured him with their confidence, and they agreed with him that under the circumstances of the case, and dealing with a measure of that character, it be came there to take a large and liberal view of the difficul ties that the proposal contained, and although it was their duty to attempt to effect a modification of those proposals, and to object to the insertion of any principle in the bill, which they thought dangerous; yet he believed that side of the House would be able to offer a general and sincere support. It was under these circumstances that he offered no opposition to the second reading, but he could not conceal his vexation that having made such an engage ment at the commencement of the session that he found himself unexpectedly in the position of lead ir g an Opposition on such an essential ques tion to the measure of his right hon. friend. Although they had but passed one clause of the bill, the Government had proposed an alteration which gave quite a new phase to the bill, and to such an extent would the change operate that it became necessary for the House to well consider the matter. In calling the attention of the House ' to the change. that was now proposed, he was not going into the question of the Ulster tenant right. The Government had thought proper to legalise that right, and he had ex pressed his opinion on the second reading against that custom as impolitic and unnecessary, yet what had been the result ? After a week's debate, the custom was to a certain extent agreed to. A long and anxious debate occurred on the second clause in the bill which related to other rights, and after another long discussion, an amendment was made to the second clause, which was eventually struck out ; but an in timation was given that a new clause would be brought up at the close of the labour of the committee. As clause 3 was now virtually clause 2, it was but just that in its provisions it should be made to carry out the compensation which it was proposed to give in a liberal and large spirit. It would not do to dea with the matter in a pedantic spirit, and he was sure it was_ the desire of the House that the measure should be so worded that the tenant should receive full compensation for the improvements he had made on the land. The words of the Government he thought ambiguous to a degree, and certainly they, to his mind, did not carry out the intention of that enactment mainly to give ample compensation to the tenant on quitting his holding. -That this appeared to be the impression of the Government seemed to him quite evident, for finding that the clause did not carry out their first intention, they now came to Parliament and submitted to it an amendment that made a change which was altogether of a novel character, and he was sure it would be well for both sides of the House to con sider the alteration well before either gave it their assent. The clause proposed to secure the tenant full compensation for all his improvements, and it was followed by a sliding scale, but even that scale had been so altered that the benefit awarded to the tenant was of a very questionable character. In his opinion the alterations of the bill were of such an exten sive and important character that it had in fact become a new measure, and one which, if sanc tioned by the House without great amendment, would destroy all moral relation between landlord and tenant. He had felt it his duty to do all in his power to make the measure effective for the purposes intended, and with that object he had submitted to the House an amendment which. if adopted. would areativ improve the warkirui formation of the society (1852), to Lady Day, 1870, are Total withdrawals under the rules since the ... £377,333 16 11 The last share number issued to Lady Day, 1870, was No. 33,660. The reserve fund to Lady Day, 1870 (exclu sive of office premises and furniture ac count) amounts to ... ••• £10,500 0 0 The applications for building advances have been numer ous, since the last meeting of the members, particularly on the Forest Gate, the Holloway, West Hill (Putney Heath), Clapham Junction, Fulham Fields, and Hammersmith Estates. In addition to these suburban properties, there nave been advances made on the estates at Willesden, New Ferry (opposite Liverpool), Red Hill, Ports mouth, Sheerness, &c. As regards the building advance business, the board has found that the laud purchased by the United Land Company (Limited) suffii..”3 for the efficient use of the society's funds, without having to extend the loan system to erect houses on estates not acquired by the company, the recent purchases of which at Kilburn and the Harrow-road, Hendon, Southall, and Wolverhampton will c.ntinue to supply the Conservative Benefit Building Society with a wide field for extended operations. Since the last meeting, H. W. Currie, Esq., has ceased to be a member of the board. The executive committee will make no change on the rate of interest which remains on shares (completed), and shares in progress paid a year in advance, at 5 per cent, per annum, end for the deposit department, that is, fur investors who are not members of the society, at 4 per cent. per annura ; the interest warrants for the shares and deposits will be issued as heretofore on the Ist of May and let of November. As regards the Lady-Day warrants to bo sent to the shareholders, for the completed shares on the lst of the next month, the bonus of 1 per cent., declared at the last annual meeting on the 7th of December, will be included therein. On shares not completed, but paid a year in advance and upwards, the warrants will be at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum, the 1 per cent. bonus having been added to the ac counts of the members entitled to the same, as also to the accounts of the shareholders holding uncompleted shar e s, not in arrear, and in respect of which no interest has been paid. The Executive Committee feel persuaded that the share holders, who are so fully aware of the advantages accruing from the co-operation of the parent society with the United Land Co. (Limited), will be gratified to learn that the second issue of 10,000 shares of the latter has nearly been taken up, and that the share li.t will be then closed. The society's members have largely availed themselves of the privilege of investing in the company's shares, and the co-operation is working as satisfactorily as was anticipated by the Executive Committee. (Signed) RANELAGH, Chairman. (Countersigned) CHARLES LEWIS GRUNFISEN, Secretary, LEFT SITTING], HEAVY DAMAGES FOR INJURIES,—A colliery agent, named Perry, has sued the Wallasley Local Board, at the Liverpool Assizes, for injuries received while crossing the Mersey in their ferry-boat. The defendants consented to a verdict for £6OO. A REMARKABLE VERDICT.—Another noticable action for compensation in a case of railway injuries was brought at the Leeds Assizes. Mrs. Jones, the wife of an innkeeper at Leeds, sued the North-East Railway Company for damages. Mrs. Jones travelled in the defendant's railway to Garforth, and when there the train only stopped when the carriage she was in had gone twenty yards from the platform. The door was locked and the station-master when unlocking it told her to make haste in getting out ; she fell and was seriously hurt. The fuliount claimed was small, and the surgeon who attended Mrs. Jones during a month's illness, only charged Bs. a visit. The jury returned a verdict for tile plaintiff ; damages, 40s. Mr. Justice Smith expressed great dis satisfaction with the verdict, observing that if they believed the plaintiff's statement, they ought to have given greater damages. He gave the plaintiff leave, however, to move to set it aside. TWENTY YEARS' PENAL SERVITUDE. —Worthy Rich has been indicted at the Salisbury Assizes, for the attempted murder of his brother-in-law, Ralph Butter. It will be re membered that the prosecutor was in the habit of taking charge of his brother, William Butter's farm on Sunday evenings when the family were at church.. One Sunday the prisoner, his wife's brother, came m, robbed the house, and nearly murdered Ralph Butter. He has been found guilty, and sentenced to twenty years' penal servi tude. He formerly bore a bad chararter, and at the close of his trial for assaulting Butter he was sentenced to 18 months' additional imprisonment for stealing four heifers last July. A CLERGYMAN SUED FOR LIBEL.—The Rev. M. Hip pisley, rector of Stow, has been 'sued at the Gloucester Assizes, by an attorney named Francis, for libel. Mr. Hippisley had accused Mr. Francis of perjury and mis appropriation of money in connection with some local affairs. Mr. Hippisley subsequently apologised. The jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff—damages 100 guineas. NEEDLESS LITIGATION. —At the Kingston Assizes an action was brought for non-delivery of parcels by the South-West ern Railway within a reasonable time. The plaintiff was a dealer in fancy goods at St. Helier's, Jersey, and he contended that lie lost a market by his goods not being delivered within a reasonable time. He had only lost a few pounds by his own account, but never theless came from Jersey to Kingston with his witnesses while he was suing the same company on another ground at the local court at Jersey. The company gave an explanation of the delay, and the jury gave a verdict in their favour, the Chief Justice observing that, with one exception, this was the most discreditable instalict of htiga i tion tha i t tad eyer come before bhp, MONEY AND BUSINESS. (From the Springfield Republican, March 18.) From tho.fluctuations of the past fortnight gold seems now to have reached a point of equilibrium, unstable per• haps about 8 per cent. lower than when the present move meet began. if we remember correctly the actual decline i❑ the September panic was also about 8 per cent. 11 is likely that we may reckon gold at 112, until there is a marked advance in the foreign quotations of our bonds, or until there is decisive action in Congress on the finance measures no w under consideration. Of these measures the one most conspicuous in the public eye at present is the Funding Bill. A few weeks ago legislation in this direc tion was looked upon as a field to which any Congressional fugler could resort for the exhibition of harmless theories and ornamental financ •, but which it would hardly pay to cultivate with serious earnestness. The rise in our old bonds, however, has begotten a lively hope that something may be done in the way of placing a new loan at lower interest, and to this end the energies of Congress and of the Administration are now directed. The measure now before Congress is substantially what Mr. Boutwell desires, and was passed by the Senate with more promp titude than the country expected, if we may judge from the criticism that it is now receiving from the press. The bill is of such a composite nature that almost every point in it is objected to by somebody, and while no large party will unite on single amendments, the ag gregate disfavour may possibly be sufficient to defeat it entirely. The banks, as a general thing, are willing to accept such terms as this bill affords them, and to ex change their Six per Cent. Bonds for the new issue, ave raging 41 per cent.; nevertheless, there are in the whole country enough banks of a meaner spirit to send a power ful lobby to Washington to work against the bill. It is also hold by some that the Government, in proposing to the banks to make this exchange, is really breaking faith, as much so as though it repudiated a debt. if this be so, then the Government can never abolish the National Bank system without " breaking faith." For the present bill gives the banks the option of exchanging their deposited bonds or suffering extinguishment. But as they bought their present bonds at from 20 to 50 per c ont. below par, and have drawn 6 per cent. gold on them, any sympathy for them under the proposed exchange is mis s laced. The exemption of the new loan of $1,200,000,000, with its in come, faom taxation of any kind, is a less unpalatable fea ture than it would have been a few months since, when the popular furore against the "bloated bondholder" was more rampant than it now is. The people have also been "edu cated up" to look at such a provision as necessary to the peace of mind of the foreign investor. The prevision set ting apart $150,000,000 of Customs revenue for the interest and gradual extinguishment of the debt does not interfere with revenue reform, as that is precisely the sum given by Commissioner Wells in the footing up of his model tariff, wherein he put his estimates at the lowest figures, and came out with a few millions over the round sum above given. It is noticeable also that the Evening Post, the free-trade organ, finds no fault with this point. It will probably be found in the House that the chief objection to the bill will come from the West and lie against the provision for the contraction of the Treasury notes. The Chicago Tribune, which is opposed to expansion, is disposed to fear the con traction involved in the present measure, and even expeets to see a contraction in the volume of bank notes, the Western banks, as it thinks, being unable to bear up under the low interest of the new bonds. Senator Thurman, however, presented in his speech Dome figures taken at random from the bank returns, indicating a pretty large per cent of " undivided profits," even in the Western banks. The bill has now reached the Committee of Ways and Means in the House, and will, perhaps, be much modified, when it again appears, both by the action of the committee and by the financial events that are likely to occupy the next few weeks. Meantime Senator Sumner has put in a bill bearing more immediately on specie payments. It compels the banks to reserve in coin 1 per cent. per month of their liabilities, stops the manufacture of paper money by tbo Government, and directs Secretary Boutwell to keep his gold and resume specie payments next New Year's-day. The banks are to continue hoarding coin till their present paper reserve of twenty-five per cent. is turned into gold. This measure is radical and straightforward, but will have to meet with a grave apprehension that there is not gold enough in the coun try to carry out its provisions. The anticipation, founded on statute, of such a locking up of gold in the future is much more damaging than would be the realiza tion of the demand in the ordinary course of events. As to the amount of coin in the country, the Financial Chronicle presents some figures, which may be taken for what they are worth. It gives the domestic production of gold and silver for 1868 and 1869 as $122,000,000 (receipts at San Francisco in 1869, $55,000,000), the imports during the same time as $23,800,000,and the exports as $126,500,000, leaving a gain to the country of $19,300,000. It estimates the supply of specie in the Atlantic States as follows : In circulation in Texas and the remote South and in the hands of brokers $15,000,000; hoarded, $10,000,000; in the banks, exclusive of Treasury certificates, $30,000,000; in the United States Treasury $105,000,000, about cne tifth of which belongs to Government and the rest to pri vate parties ; total, $160,000,000. This is $10,000,000 more than wo held in 1860, when the banks had $83,000,000, and the peopl-, at $2 per head, $65,000,000. The Chronicle, taking a view of the nine years from 1860 to 1869, gives these totals :—lmports of specie, $148,000,000; production, $574,600,000; exports, $520,000,000; leaving us the ba lance of $203,400,000, most of which must have been worked up in the arts. The amount of bullion used in the arts has, we are inclined to think, been usually underesti mated, but thatit has reached 30 percent of our whole supply and nearly 40 per cent of our production seems incredible. The above calculation takes no note of the amount that has gone into Canada,or abroad with travellers,or that has come hither with immigrants. Sinca Wednesday of last week gold has fluctuated, with less excitement than in the previous week, from not to 113. Thursday was the day of calm, and on Friday the premium rallied to the vicinity of 1111 to 1121, where it has since remained. It goes up as the Funding Bill goes down, and vice versa, and is badly affected by rumours of West Indian complications. Fo reign exchange is very dull, the market being full of cot ton bills bought at low rates in Mobile, am. The clear ances of cotton to the English and continental markets for the past fortnight have supplied about $15,000,000 in ex change. Outside of this influence there is little of a com mercial character to affect gold one way or the other. Money continues easy on call, and dainty of permanent investment. Government bonds have become more steady, and are being invested in by those who could not afford to buy them at a higher rate. The price in London occasionally opens at 91 for 18625, but falls off to 901 at the close of each day. Ten-Forties are 87, 31 per cent. higher than they were a month ago, and about 5 per cent below par. Our new 10-40 s therefore would sell now at 95. State stocks are higher than during last week, new Virginia 6s 1 to 11, Missouri 68 2, and North Carolina If, per cent. Railroad mortgages and stocks have been dull and are a trifle lower. Prices were kept up during the fall in gold, and when gold came to a standstill there was considerable unreasonable disappointment because stocks did not "re cover." Of course, as they had lost nothing they could not well "recover" anything. Union Pacifice property was well affected by the recent meeting of the stock holders, and indeed the mortgages have been steadily ad vancing for some time; quotations for all descriptione of the securities of this road will be found in our market re port from Boston, where they are much dealt in. The scramble for North Western and St. Paul stocks still con tinues. It is rumoured that the North W esterns will issue $4,000,000 of convertible bonds, convert them into stock, and place them in the hands of those who will vote for retaining iu the directorship the St. Paul faction, which the Pennsylvania Central party is anxious to oust. The World is big with another exposé, this time of a conspiracy to run up stocks. The public is informed in staggering italics that the same plan which was carried out with gold last September is about to be tried with stocks. About twenty firms are al ready enlisted in the enterprise, with thirty lower brokers to do their bidding, these last controlling a whole community of operators. The scheme is to buy stocks on all hands, run up the price, and make holders put up their margins to correspond, and then to begin to sell cautiously at the advanced rates, and to sell as long as possible without being caught, and in fact until they are caught and the selling firms fail. This last catastrophe will take place " decently and hi order," and the slippery rascals will receive the condolence of the Stock Exchange, and go off the stage to slow music. The showing up of the scheme by the World is very good and carries with it but one pang, viz. :—How is one to know whether the revelation would ever have been fulfilled, since the making of it is supposed to frighten the rogues from their work? In other words, would the prophecy have been verified if it had never been made? We file this question away with the Byron and Billy Patterson problems. General business is suffering less than last week floor currency fluctuations, but cannot of course settle down into " steady going" in the present uncertain cond:tion of affairs. The importations continued liberal, and the quantity of foreign goods marketed was equal to last year's, despite the uneasiness of gold. The exports also maintained the average surplus of this Sear over the last, while the cotton ports sent out double the amounts that they did in the same week of 1869. The receipts of cotton thus far are 2,258,000 bales, an increase over 1869 of 518,000. Wool is more quiet, with a downward ten dency, but the supply is small at Boston and moderate at New York. The activity of dry goods during the pre vious fortnight was succeeded last week by a dull time. The trade is mostly confined to such descriptions as are wanted for immediate use, and prices have not changed much. Breadstuffs are tending downwards, but were ex ported pretty freely during the week. Provisions experi enced a marked decline, but have recovered under liberal orders from abroad. Hops aro firm, with a good export, while tobacco is dull. (Extract from Monthly Circular of Messrs. Henry Clews and Co., No. 32, Wall-street, New York, March 15.) The heavy fall in the gold premium requires little ex planation. The firm stand taken by the Administration and by leading minds in Congress in favour of a strong assertion of the public credit and for the early resumption of specie payments. has dissipated the expectations of a relapse toward inflation, and has brought the public mind somewhat unexpectedly to look upon the near prospect of the restoration of a sound monetary basis. Although some of the measures proposed in Congress have been of a wholly impracticable character, yet,with the public, their effect has been little mitigated upon that account. Speculation has lent its utmost aid to give effect to the tendency of these measures, and the artificial forcing down of the premium has only added to the prevailing excitement, and strength ened the growing impression that the country is verging closely upon the resumption of specie payments. This impression has taken such deep hold of the public mind as to prepare the way for a still further fall in gold, should the final action of Congress upon measures of finance and currencylfavour such a tendency. But with these possibilities and probabilities before us, it must be admitted that, upon a calm survey of the condition of our currency system, the public may easily come to the conclusion that we are not so near resumption as they had at first supposed. These stubborn facts confront us—the Treasury holds only $2 ,000,000 of coin properly its own and free from claim, while its demand liabilities pa 3 able in coin amount to $356,000,000, or fourteen times the amount of its reserve. Before resumption can be undertaken, either the coin reserve must be very largely increased, which involves the difficulty of making gold scarce on the market and strengthening the premium —or the circulation of United States notes must be largely contracted—a process to which the money market is so extremely sensitive that, even with the freest and most natural compensations that could be concurrently instituted, it must be conducted very slowly, and probably with frequent intermissions to obviate monetary spasms. In any event, therefore, the approach to specie payments must be much more gradual and occupy a longer process than might be supposed from the now prevailing anticipa tions. In the circular of Messrs. Bowles Brothers and Co. of this day there is an interesting article on the westward currents of exchange. Pointing to the fact that formerly the only rapid and regular communications with India, the extreme East and the West Indies were centred in England by the Peninsular and Oriental Company and Royal Mail Steamship Companies :—" This circuitous route, singular,as it seems, had its explanation in the advantages of the trans oceanic steam communications, and in the availability of Paper drawn upon a centre where everybody had to pay somebody else. London was then the universal clear. ing house. More recently even, when by the esta blishment of telegraph lines, and' of regular steam ser vices between San Francisco, China, and Japan, Eng land should have lost this species of monopoly. Re mains of this habit existed and still exists—of direct ing the current of exchange to London, without re gard to its natural direction westward. But it is only thus forced from its course to rapidly reflow back over the wires to San Francisco and beyond, like returning water when swept up hill. The moment has come to reorganize things in their normal state; that is to say, in strict conformity with that axis of exchanges, which for us of Northern America revolves across our own meridian, having at its extremities, like two poles, New York, with its extensions at London and Paris for Eastern clearances; and San Francisco, with its branches at Hong Kong, Calcutta, and Melbourne, for our western relations of same character. It is already more than three years since the first steamer of the Monthly Pacific Mail Line left San Francisco for Japan and China; and while we write the steamship Nebraska is pro bably on her way from San Francisco to the Sand wich Islands and Australia, as the first of a lino of almost equal importance in the future." The time approaches when "thanks to the great Pacific Rail roads, this current will acquire all its force, and then San Francisco will become for the ' Orient' a clearing-centre as important as Paris tends to become for Continental Europe. . . . In such a movement our Republican Government should pioneer the progress of its people, by conforming ifs monetary system thereto, irrespective of national boundaries, traditions, or other trammelling pre judices." FINE ARTS IN NEW YORK. The most interesting, as well as the most extensive esta blishment of the kind in New York, is M. Knoedler's Art Gallery, in conjunction with his Print-publishing and Sales-rooms, on Fifth-avenue, near Madison-square. Mr. Knoedler (successor to Goupils) is distinguished as much for the high class of paintings he keeps on sale as for his integrity as a business-man—qualities that are appreciated by picture buyers, who throng his fine galleries from day to day. At some future time a more detailed account will be given of this establishment and its art treasures. En passant, it may not be out of place, however, to state, that great credit is due to M. Knoedler for having done more than any other art dealer to elevate the standard of taste in America, by introducing now and then a chef d'auvre of some of the greatest living masters of the French, German, or Belgian Schools, and by keeping his galleries well filled with choice paintings of leading European artists. Nor is American talent lost sight of ; for here may be found fine works by our best painters. Mr. Felix 0. C. Barley, the distinguished artist, on his return from his recent visit to Europe, has retired from the noisy me tropolis, and taken up his residence in the quiet village of Claymont, Delaware, where ho is able to find those rural beauties more congenial to the tastes of the artist, and suggestive of subjects for his facile pencil, which has already enriched so many of our galleries and libraries. Mr. J. B. Bristol has just completed a fine landscape, entitled " The Shades of Evening"— a twilight effect, rendered with much true poetic sentiment. This picture will probably be sent to the Spring Exhibition of the National Academy of Design. Mr. Ed. Gay has finished two or three interesting landscapes; one of them was sent to Knoodler's Gallery, and the larger one (mentioned in a former notice) is to go to the Academy. Mr. W. Cogswell, an artist of note from Chicago, Illinois, recently passed through New York, en route to the City of Washington. Mr. Cogswell lately painted a family group for President Grant. The New York Turf, Field, and Farm is respon sible for the following :—" Mrs. Em. Downey, the daughter of ex-Governor Robinson, of Kentucky, recently visited this city and sat for her portrait to Mr. B. F. Reinhart, the eminent painter. Mrs. Downey is one of the reigning belles of Lexington, a city famed for its beautiful ladies." —Correspondent of Anglo- American Times. " The gentleman from Massachusetts," Mr. But ler, furnishes the press with a great deal to discuss, much of which is highly entertaining. There is an originality about Butler, and an amount of audacity, as there is about Fisk, which would make us loth to lose either of these gentlemen, however beneficial the loss of one or both might bo to public affairs. But General Butler did lately get into a position, from which he has been trying t 3 wriggle out. His attack on newspapers, correspondents, and reporters, and the declaration of his own superiority to them all, he has not found to answer. First he wanted to make out that he did not say what he did say ; next, he attempted to define what the kind of newspaper is to which he is superior, and in his efforts to extricate him self from the quagmire he has at last reached this stage : "If there is anything on earth that I am superior to, it is a newspaper man who swindles hotels and boarding houses, deadheads on railroads, and imposes generally on the public." One newspaper asserts that he is superior only to those newspapers which supported him in his election, but in that case the papers inferior to him are so few that the press generally must be acknowledged to be vastly his superior. If he does nothing else be furnishes amusement for the gallery, though we are very far from saying that Gon. Butler's merit does not entitle him to the prominence he has attained in the house. Mr. Woodward bad a letter read there from a highly respectable gentleman in Georgia, correcting some of Butler's statements. "A pretty person," said Butler, "that man to advise or lecture the House. He was a Rebel named Bacon, a member of the Agricultural State Fair Committee, held recently in Macon, which had refused to permit the United States flag to be raised over the Fair building, although the building itself belonged to the United States." Mr. Wood ward asked to wLoin he referred? "To Bacon," answered Butler ; "is he not the man ?" "I do not know," replied Mr. Woodward, when up jumped Butler, interrupting him with these words, "I did nut yield the floor for the gent'eman to state what he does not know, for that would take too long ;" whereupon there was a roar from the galleries, and Mr. Woodward was "paid off" for his letter. In fact, "the gentleman from Massachusetts" has a very ham knack of settling such accounts on the spot, and if he only pays his other debts as quickly, he must, at any rate, be unhampered by liabilities. MONETARY REPORTS.-YESTERDAY. Notwithstanding the increase in the supply of money, and the prospect of further abundance, the Stock Exchange markets have been quieter to-day. Consols have been inactive at 931 to 931 for money, and 931 to 93, 5 , for April. Reduced and New Three-per-Cents 911 to 92. Exchequer Bills par to ss. prem. India Five-per- Cents have been done at 113 to 1131, and India Bonds at Os. to 255. prem. The market for English railway stocks opened firmly, at a further improvement in many instances, but subse quently the quotations were weakened on a pressure of sales' Metropolitan receded 1, Midland 1, London and North- Western, a ; and Great Western, ; but South-Eastern row Great Northern A 1„ and Great Eastern Indian stocks have continued quiet, and the demand for Canadian shares has been only to a moderate extent. Foreign shares have been flat. South Austrian and Lom bardo-Venetian have fallen The foreign bond market generally has been depressed. Spanish have been unfavourably influenced by the un favourable news from the Peninsula, and prices have re ceded *. Egyptian, 1868, have further declined on the rumour of a fresh loan. Turkish also have been flat, at a relapse of I. Italian have been quiet. For American securities there has been only a moderate demand. The Five-Twenty Bonds have fallen *. As regards British mines, Van have been rather weaker. In Bank shares no movement of importance has tran spired, and the demand for them has been only to a mode rate extent. Telegraph shares have been rather firmer. British In dian Submarine have risen /, and Falmouth, Gibraltar, and Malta, French Cable shares have fallen 1. Silver's India-rubber shares have been firm, at an advance of 2. Constructions have improved 1. Miscellaneous securities have changed hands quietly, at about previous quotations. The sum of £lO,OOO in sovereigns has been withdrawn from the Bank for exportation. At Mark-lane to-day wheat was quiet, but prices have ruled firm. The money market to-day has been devoid of any im portant feature. Now that engagements in connexion with the 4th have been met, a period of ease may be expected, as the demand for commercial purposes is by no Means strong. In the course of the current week a large addition will be made to the stock of money by the pay ment of the dividends on the Reduced and New Three per Cents., and, although perhaps no alteration may he made in the official rate, the range in the value of money in the general market will then undoubtedly be decidedly easier. To-day three months paper has been readily negotiated in Lombard-street at 2 per cent. The Kepler has left Liverpool for the River Plate, with £4,000 in specie, and the City of Buenos Ayres has taken for the same destination £15,000 in specie. Calcutta advices state that the Finance Secretary in tends to raise a new loan of £2,000,000 in England. It is stated that the Spanish Government have made *rrangements with some Paris establishments to take the balance of the old loan and the £10,000,000 of Treasury Bonds. MARKETS-YESTERDAY. LONDON CORN EXCHANGE, MONDAY.—At Mark-laneto- day the demand for , English wheat has been quiet, notwith standing that the supply has been very short. In prices no change has taken place. As regards foreign wheat, the supply has been tolerably good ; sales have progressed slowly, on former terms. Moderate supplies of barley have been on offer : the trade has been quiet, but prices have ruled firm. Malt has been dull, at late rates. Oats have 'been in fair supply and moderate request, at the prices of last week. Beans and peas have been quiet. Flour has sold slowly. For seeds there has been a moderate inquiry, at about late rates. METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET, MONDAY. The receipts of beasts from our own grazing districts have been on a fair average scale, but those from abroad have been limited. For all kinds the trade has been quiet, but prices have been without material alteration. With sheep the market has been well supplied. Generally speaking the demand has been inactive, especially for sheep in the wool: nevertheless, prices have ruled tolerably firm. The top price for clipped sheep has been 4s. 10d. to ss. ; ditto in the wool, 5s 8d to 5s 10d per 81bs. Lambs have been quiet, on former terms. Calves have sold slowly. Figs have been dull. Beasts have sold at from 3s 2d to 5s ; sheep, 3s to 5s 10d ; lambs, 7s 6d to 8s; calves, 3s 10d to 5s Bd, and pigs, 4s 6d to 5s 8d perBlbs, to sink the offal. Total supplies—Beasts, 3,369 ; sheep and lambs, 23,800 ; calves, 98 ; and pigs, 75. Foreign—Beasts, 923 ; sheep and lambs, 4,250 ; calves, 91 ; and pigs, 5. METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET, MONDAY.—The supplies of meat have been moderate. The trade has been quiet, as follows: --Beef from 3s. 4d. to 4s. 6d. ; mutton, 3s. 4d. to 4s. 10d. ; lamb, Cs. Bd. to is. 4d. ; veal, 4s. Bd. to ss. ; and pork, 4s. to ss. Bd. per Sibs. by the carcase. LONDON COLONIAL MARKET, MONDAY.—There has bean very little doing in the colonial produce markets,but values have remained without quotable change. Sugar is dull, and scarcely any business been reported. Good and fair coffees have been inde mand at steady rates. Inferior sorts neglected. Ripe dull, and nominally unaltered. Corn quiet. LONDON TRADE REPORT, MONDAY.—TaIIow steady, at 445. 6d. to 465. 9d., spot ; 445. 9d. June ; and 455. 9d. last three months. Stock in London, 29,784 casks, against 35,811 casks in 1869. Oils quiet. Linseed, London, 325. 3d. to 325. 6d. ; 82s. to 325. 3d., spot ; rape, 425. 9d. to 435. LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, MONDAY.—Market very strong. Sales 15,000 bales, of which 3,000 were on speculation. Prices 1-16 to higher than on Saturday. - - - - LIVERPOOL COPPER MARKET, MoNDAY.—Market steady. Bars, 6.51 to 661 ; ores, 131. BRADFORD TRADE REPORT, MoNnAT.—Moderate business doing in wool, yarns, or cloth, but prices are without material change. • GLASGOW IRON MARKET, Ts' DAY.—Very strong Hoar closing at 565.4kd. one month, and 565. ld. cash, and advan AMSTERDAM, APRIL 4.—Banca tin, 67. HAVRE COTTON MARKET, MONDAY,—Marklt mteai7 Regular demand from the trade. The Homeward Mail says that a commercial depu tation has arrived in India from Russia to collect informa tion prior to establishing a Russian line of steamers to the east, via the Suez Canal. NARROW ESCAPE FROM POISONING IN CALCUTTA. —Several gentlemen of position in Calcutta have had a narrow escape from poisoning. The Government standing Counsel, Captain Mactford and the Adjutant, Calcutta Volunteers, were assembled at dinner, when the butler handed around chloride of zinc instead of liqueun Immediate remedial measures were adopted, and tiVa mifortunate gentlemen were rescued from danger. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT AND THE COURT OF ROME. The Memorial Diplomatique states that the French Government did not consider the Pontifical reply esuf to Count Dam's note until the 30th of March, because the of the Cabinet was entirely eng rossed x by the discussion of ge th e e ttshht question then eeueautt council France MinistersubC m o w ns siu which h t not ur: t o . b aena placed held f t t o t hese responsible ue a np c a refuldoensr unani mousi th the ee surveyor ths o v f ot ths conclusion f protection of the French flag. The Court of the Tuileries has therefore addressed respectful- remonstrances to the Fathers of the Council, and called their attention to the serious consequences which would ensue from the adop tion of doctrines contrary to the liberal sentiments of the age, and has reiterated its former declaration not to put any pressure on the decisions of the Council. Count Daru will draw up a reply to this effect, and M. de Bonneville will, On his return to Rome, deliver it to ' dinal Antonelli. LAD TRItTISRHENT. j—Avoid Medicines—they always aggravate chronic complaints; but Du Barry's delicious health-restoring Revalenta Arabica Food, which, yields three times the nourish mentof the best meat, saves 50 times its cost in other remedies, and invariably restores perfect digestion, strong nerves, sound lungs, healthy liver, pure blood, refreshing sleep, functional re gularity, and energy to the most disordered or enfeebled. We ex tract a few oat of the 68,000 cures:—" The Pope's health restored by Du Barry's Food. Cure No. 68,413. "Rome, July 21, 1866. —The health of the Holy Father is excellent, especially since, abandoning all other remedies, he has confined himself entirely to Du Barry's R. evalenta Arabia,. Food, of which he consumes a plateful at (Way meal. It has produced a surprisingly bene ficial effect on his health, and his Holiness cannot praise this excel lent food too highly. —From the "Gazette du Midi," July 25. Cure No. 58,216, of the Marchioness de Brehan, of seven years' liver complaint, wasting away, debility, nervousness, with a nervous palpitation all over, bad digestion, constant sleeplessness, and the most intolerable nervous agitation.." Cure No. 1,771; Lord Stuart de Decies, Lord-Lieutenant of Waterford, of many years' dyspepsia. No 49,832: " Fifty years' indescribable agony from dyspepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, flatulency, spasms, sickness, and vomiting.—Maria Jolly." Cure No. 46,270: Mr. James Roberts, of Frimley, Surrey, of 30 years' diseased lungs, spitting of blood, liver derangement, and partial deafness. Important Caution.—Beware of the many unsavoury and more than sloppy imitations to which, without authority, Baron Liebig's name is most audaciously attached. In tins, at is lid; 1 lb 2s 9d; 2 lb is 6cl; 5 lb 118; 12 lb 228 24 lbs 4 s.— Also D U BIRRY's 11RVALENTA A RABICA. CHOOOLAIII PowDER is packed in tin canisters: for 14 cups at 2s, for 24 cops at 3s 6d, for 48 cups at gs, for 288 cups at 30s, for 576 cups at 55s —being about one penny per cup. The 30s and 555 tins are sent free of carriage in England on receipt of Post Office Order. BARRY Du BARRY and Co., No. 77, Regent-street London; and all Grocers and Chemists. BIRTHS. BATEMAN—On the 2d inst., at 36, Onslow-square, the LadY Bateman, of a daughter. MILBANK—On the 3d inst., at Ashfield House, the LadY Susan Godolphin Milbank, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. MERCER —BAINBRIDGB —On the 2d inst., at the parish church, Greenwich, Marcus Robert Mercer, Esq., to Mary Adelaide, oniy daughter of the late Captain Bainbridge , E.I.C.S. SCOTT--DEACON—On the 3d inst. at Beckenham, Ken t, William Scott, formerly of Kensington, to II elen Matilde, second daughter of Charles B. Deacon, Esq., of St. SA" viour'pt, Southwark. DEATHS. DALE —On the 3d inst., at 7, Park-crescent, Stoke NesviDg" ton, Mr. Richard Dale, aged 77. GRA:trAm—On the 2d inst., at Coldooh House, Perthshire, Miss Graham, of Coldoch. London : Printed and Published by WILLIAM ANDREWS , °I No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Tat: SUN Office, No. 112, Strand; in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the County of Middlesex. Tuesday, 4111 5, 1870.