The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 7, 18C6.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

Tins DAY.—Monaing,' sn. 28m.—Afternoon, sh. 45m.
Ta-Mounow.-Morning, 64. Om.—Afternoon, 6h. 20m.

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LONDON, WEDIVESDAY, 111AR,CH 7, 1866.

--4,

It must be a satisfaction to all lovers of improve-
ment that the House of Commons should have
passed the second reading of the City Gas Bill. Of
course there was a considerable opposition to its
progress, as there always is to the introduction of
such measures. Mr. CRAWFORD, in moving the
second reading of the bill, declared that the interests
of the gas consumers, not only in the City, but also
of the whole metropolis, were concerned in this
endeavour ; and this was strictly true in all respects.
The hon. member entered into a detailed account of
the gas arrangements in the City, and showed how
necessary it was for some change to be made. Com-
mittees of the House of Commons in 1858 and 1859
investigated the subject, and consequently an act was
Passed, by 'which the whole supply of gas is now
regulated. This
measure however, did not affect
the City so as to confer advantages upon it, but
after it became law it 'was found out that it annulled
the arrangement mad, between the authorities
There and central consumers of the gas companies.
Ns might have been surmised this company immo.
and the prices
clerked with others,
iately conk'
were raised to 4s. 6d. per 1,000 feet, whereas before
it was not more than 48., with a promise of further
reduction. 'The inhabitants very naturally „ni_
plained, and the Corporation continued to seekroe„s
of redressing the grievance • The result has been
that the bill has been introduced into the house to
allow the manufacture of gas for the use of the City.
The Corporation have not acted hastily, for they
have conferred with the chairmen of the gas com-
panies before introducing this measure, and they
stated that it was impossible for them to reduce the
price of gas just yet, but spoke of some indefinite
time when they could do so. Mr. CRAWFORD met
the objections that had been raised in a very sue-
( eseul manner, and stated that Parliament had
already sanctioned the principle of this measure, for
in many instances good water was supplied to the
inhabitants of different places by corporations.

L--4 _-

ofmtehmetbmeretarlespooliprso_tphoastedanfoinr
cituhirye beehneenfiut;
loet
thhee r he
s°tll
mAadetoascehrtaadinbweehnetchoemrptlhieearweqiuth.irements of tlhe
Act of 1860
ymsztvedmothutahts,thene bthille bgereruenact
a sLecooriclidCtßimAl:l3lualttildaE
that to sanction the measure would be to break
faith with the gas companies. Mr. ADAIR, in
seconding the amendment, spoke very strongly
against the proposition, and declared that the Com-
mon Council of London had " shown a weak and
spasmodic activity" in bringing this bill before Par-
liament instead of going to the Home Secretary.
This is a curious description of the affair to begin
with, and it must be evident to all well-informed
and experienced persons that it is a very poor re-
source to apply to the Home Secretary, or
to any of the Ministers, if it is desired
that a particular inconvenience should be put
a stop to speedily and effectually ; and the
City authorities are greatly to be commended for
the discernment which they have shown in this af-
fair. It proves the difficulty that always attends
the introduction of this class of alterations, when we
consider the excitement that is displayed in their
discussion. The City authorities have so far gained
their point, but it has been at the expense of a great
many rude hits and questionable compliments.
Mr. ADAIR inquired of the House, "If they looked
at the Corporation as traders, was there ever a
more conspicuous example of civic torpor and admi-
nistrative incapacity ?" Mr. AYRTON was also very
satirical in his observations. He said that the
Corporation of the City of London took no part in
the inquiry that had been made in this matter ;
" in fact it never took part in anything that was
for the benefit of the inhabitants. But if the City
Corporation now proposed to spend its resources
for the benefit of the inhabitants, it was to be hoped
that it would be permitted to do so, for it was the
first time that it had passed from gastronomy to
gas." The bill was referred to a Select Com-
mittee, and instructions are to be given to in-
quire into the operation and results of the Metro-
polis Gas Act of 1860. This is so far satis-
factory; and we may consider it a triumph
against monopoly, and a victory over pre-
judice, the more to be rejoiced at as the
welfare of the community is at stake, by the
undue toleration given to these companies, who
for the most part look to individual interests before
seeking to promote the general benefit of the pub-
lic. Mr. ROEBUCK wisely remarked that there were
several very large gasometers in the City, and from
the disastrous accident which occurred on the south
side of the river some time back, it would be well for
the committee to inquire how far the existence of
gasometers was consistent with the safety of the
City. The hon. member's remarks before the
division were very appropriate. He denounced the
course that had been taken respecting this measure,
and declared that, instead of disposing of it in the
unseemly way which some desired, they were bound
to send it to " that tribunal which the wisdom
of Parliament had long since appointed for
the consideration of private bill legislation." Sir
G. GREY put the question very fairly when he
proposed that an inquiry should be made, because it
disposed of the chief difficulties of the case, and
gave a fair promise of justice being done to the rest
of the metropolis. The public have often of late
been disgusted at the accounts received of the in-
tolerant and arbitrary way in which the gas com-
panies have managed things. Those who made
complaints concerning the quantity of the gas sup-
plied have often been told to pay up what they
used, or else their gas would be cut off, instead of
their grievances being redressed, which is not at all
a suitable way of conducting affairs, and one calcu-
lated to promote the advantages of those concerned.

The fuller details which we continue to receive
from the United States respecting the political
situation d 9 not remove the impression created by
the telegraphic summary. The firm and resolute
action of the PRESIDENT respecting the Freedmen's
Bureau Bill appears to have startled the Radicals,
while it pleased the people, who are always ready
to applaud any bold and decisive measure. , It is
somewhat unusual to find an American statesman
acting independently of party considerations, with-
out any regard for the opinions or wishes of his
immediate supporters or of his own prospective
interests. What with the periodical election of the
PRESIDENT, and the payment of the members of
Congress, which makes them in a manner depen-
dent on their constituents, and is totally destructive
of public spirit, politicians in America are very much
fettered. The PRESIDENT pro tern. is, in fact, almost
the only man who, as Mr. JOHNSON observed the
other day to a deputation, can afford to do what he
thinks right, but that must be on condition that he
is indifferent to abuse and opposition, and not de-
sirous of re-election. At the present crisis Mr.
JOHNSON has a hard battle to fight, since the ele-
ments of discord and convulsion are unusually
it would toaya
the finances
werepatrioaltretoady.
.embarrassed ; while
strong, and the questions he has to de-
cide are exceptionally difficult and momen-
tous. Happily for all parties, the PRESI-
DENT is a man of singular firmness and
decision. Having once made up his mind as to the
wisdom and advisability of his reconstruction policy,
he has fully resolved to carry it out in face of all 1
opposition, being convinced that the exceptional
legislation in favour of the negro was as injurious
to himself as it was inconsistent with the rights and
interests of others. Mr. JOHNSON has deter-
minedly opposed it. At the same time he has not
only openly declared that he wishes to give the
negro every chance, but he has consistently sup-
ported all reasonable measures on his behalf,
and has been the first to solve the difficulty of
providing for his maintenance by proposing his re-
turn, under the guidance and protection of the law,
to the old familiar work of the plantations. The
division of opinion between the PRESIDENT and his
quondam supporters has been long known, and it
was easy to foresee, from the extravagant and do-
mineering tone of the ultra-Republican party since
the meeting of Congress, that a trial of strength
must come before long. The PRESIDENT, like a
good general, has, however, taken his adversaries
by surprise, and by selecting one of the least objec-
tionable of their bills for his open disclaimer has
boldly declared war. The Freedmen's Bureau Bill
has notwithstanding a great many objectionable fea-
tures, and would be liable to grave abuses. It rendered
the State laws nugatory where the negroes were
concerned, it placed eleven States under permanent
military government ; it encouraged the freedmen
to idleness, to which every one aduiits they are
already
con-
tinual outlay too prone; it involved a serious and con-
. of race and 1 oocf a ,11
object of every tublic . money at a time when
certainty foster those antagonisms
untigate and remove.
, y which it should be the first
one clause a Southern magistrate who attempted to
By
enforce the laws of his State would be liable to be
summoned before a military officer and imprisoned
for a year, so that we may easily perceive the chaos
and anarchy into which the Southern States would
fall, and the ready excuses that would be found for
maintaining a species of martial law throughout
them.

By the terms of the bill, too, the military courts

were empowered to provide, when necessary, for
the maintenance of the blacks—a fatal knowledge
for the lazy negro. The Bureau was to be autho-
risedto purchase or rent estates for their benefit, to
build schools or asylums *for them, and although the
confiscation of some white men's lands was expected
,
7to defray part of the expenses, the estimated
.amount, as Mr. JOHNSON took care to inform
-the Senate, would be £5,000,000 a year, no light
`';burden on an over-taxed Treasury.

The PRESIDENT had, besides, another objection
to offer, and one that concerned his own office.
The establishment of the Bureau as a permanent
institution would be equivalent to the creation of a
-new Department of State, and give a corresponding
:amount of patronage into the hands of ther RESIDENT,
-besides an amount of actual and direct influence,
which is, in Mr. J 0 lINSON'S opinion, inconsistent with
the public interest. In his usual straightforward
and plain-spoken manner, Mr. JOHNSON sums up
the matter :—" The query presents itself whether
the system proposed by the bill will not
practically transfer the entire care, support, and
control of four millions of emancipated slaves to
agents, overseers, or taskmasters, who, appointed at
Washington, are to be located in every county and
parish throughout the United States, containing
freedmen and refugees. Such a system would in-
evitably tend to such a concentration of power in
the Executive which would enable him, if so dis-
posed, to control the action of a numerous class,
and use them for the attainment of his own political
ends." There is already far too much of such in-
fluence and agency in American public life, and Mr.
JOHNSON deserves great credit for boldly exposing
the danger instead of yielding to the temptation of
increased patronage and power.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Tuesday Evening.

The long discussion yesterday in the Corps Legis-
latif upon the subject of Algeria did not present
anything of sufficient interest for your readers to
require a summary. M. Jules Favre and the other
Opposition orators condemned the policy pursued by
the Government in regard to that colony. Their
objections were refuted in a few words by M.
Rouher, the Minister of State, who said that the
object of the Government was the development, the
improvement, and the support of progress in Algeria.
The Opposition amendment was negatived without
a division. When the President, Count Walewski,
said he should put to the vote the amendment of
M. Jules Favre " and his friends," M. Favre exhi-
bited much displeasure at the expression. M. Favre
said—" I beg your pardon, sir. I cannot thank you
for using that word. We are here all colleagues ;
we ought to be all friends, and we certainly are so
apart from politics and without distinction of opi-
nion. Only I think the words were not Parliamen-
tary." The President did not make any reply.
The point of the amendment was the declaration
that a great development of colonisation was the
only mode of insuring in Africa the triumph of
civilisation after the triumph of arms.
My letter of yesterday mentioned the dangerous
illness of M. Parisis, Bishop of Arras. I regret to
say that news has been received of his death.
The ilioniteur of to-day states that the condition
of the Imperial Prince is satisfactory. The disease
is in full decline.

M. Qudtaud, an eminent barrister of the Paris
bar, has just died, after a very long and painful
illness.

The news from the Pacific in the London papers
to the 20th January, states that there were then
only two ships of war on the coast of Chili, the
English corvette Shearwater, and the American
gunboat Waterer. This statement is officially con-
tradicted. There is a French corvette l'Egeria at
that station, now anchored before Valparaiso,
which has rendered an important service to foreign
commerce by obtaining from Vice-Admiral Castro-
Mendez, who succeeded the late Admiral Pareja in
command of the Spanish squadron, frequent con-
cessions and privileges. There was no account of
the Chilo-Peruvian squadron, which, according to
report, had sailed with the object of raising the
blockade of Valparaiso by force.
The Minister of Agriculture has published an
official document supplied by the authorities in the
various Departments of France, which gives a much
more favourable report of the position of agriculture
than that supplied by the blue-book presented to
the Chambers at the opening of the session. It was
then estimated that the produce of wheat for the
year 1865 would be deficient to the extent of 10
per cent. The real deficiency is only 2 per cent.
The produce last year was 95,400,000 hectolitres,
and the average produce of the ten preceding years
was 97,000,000 hectolitres. The average consump-
tion of wheat for the whole of France is 90,275,490
hectolitres, viz., 75,391,240 hectolitres for the con-
sumption of the people, 14,197,490 for seed,
1,409,608 for cattle, and 277,152 hectolitres for mis-
cellaneous purposes. France, for agricultural pur-
poses, is divided into 10 geographical regions, in-
cluding Corsica. In 1864 the total produce of
wheat was 111,274,018 hectolitres. In 1865 the
produce was but 95,431,028. The average price in
1864 was 17f. 58c. the hectolitre. In 1865 the
average price was 16f. 41 cents. The imports,
which in 1861 amounted to 10,272,314 quin-
tals, have successively declined to 265,620
quintals, the amount of the exports of 1865.
The exports, which amounted to 922,585 quintals
in 1861, rose in 1865 to 3,583,836 quintals. The
customs receipts in 1859 amounted to 111 millions
of francs, in 1865 the amount rose to 123 millions.
The second day's steeplechases at La Marche
were more numerously attended than on the first
day. The Franc Picard (Handicap) for 2,500 fr.
was thus disposed of—Count de la Bigne's bay mare
R. M. D. first, Sentence second, Magenta third.
Marnes prize, 1,500 fr., Niger first, Perle Fine
second, M. Walsh's bay mare Marie third. The
Avener prize, 1,500 fr., M. Lunel's Milton first,
Vancressor second. The interest of the race was
concentrated upon these two horses, which ran in
magnificent style. Vancressor won only by a head.
The amount of bets on the race was very consider-
able.

There was never probably a more stormy and re-
markable literary meeting than that of the Gene de
Lettres. This second meeting, however, produced
as little result as the first. Alexander Dumas, sen.,
and some of the most eminent literary men of the
day were present. As I have already explained,
the apple of discord is the Tresor Litteraire. The
opposing party demanded a committee of nine
members to revise this book, which was published
under the sanction and authority, and in the name
of the society. You may judge of the interest
created by this work when I tell you that the
Empress has accepted a copy of it. Lemardelay's
rooms in the Rue de Richelieu resembled a bear-
garden. The noise and confusion could have
hardly been greater in the Tower of Babel, or
at the Bourse about two o'clock in the after-
noon. The President, M. Paul Feval, vainly en-
deavoured to quell the storm. The motion
proposed by the dissidents was one imputing blame
upon the Committee by nominating nine members
to revise the Tresor Litteraire. The amendment
was to pass purely and simply to the order of the
day. On a scrutiny the numbers were—For the
order of the day (the Conservatives), 74; against
it, 75 ; white balls, 2. Much cheering followed
the announcement of the register of the order of
the day, but the President explained that the votes
did not sanction the proposal for a Committee of
Revision. An exciting scene ensued. The Presi-
dent put on his hat and said the meeting was over.
An appeal would be made to the Tribunals. This
increased the uproar. The result may be explained,
in other words, by stating that the accounts are not
approved, the two tiroposed members of the Com-
mittee are not elected, and the Tresor Litteraire is
still triumphant. In the meantime three members
of the Society—Messrs. Ernest Hamel, Alphonse
Duchme, and Jules Claretie—have been charged

to demand further explanations. The Chairman
compares the Society to Louis Phillipe, who
granted Reforms demanded when it was too late. I
had almost forgotten to say that many ladies wcre
present at this turbulent sitting. A member. wittily
remarked to one of the ladies, who was almost
frightened at the violence displayed, that she might
have quelled it instantly by rising to speak, for
calmness and anxiety to hear her would have in-
stantly prevailed. The lady, however, perhaps be-
lieves in the Chinese doctrine—Speech is silver,
silence is gold.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

--t Z.-

TURKEY.
VIENNA, MARCH 7.

Telegrams received here from Constantinople
state that the corps of observation, stationed by the
Porte on the Danube, consists of 18,000 infantry,
4,000 cavalry, and one regiment of artillery. A
reserve corps of 18,000 men will be stationed at
Schumla.

DENMARK.

COPENHAGEN, MARCH 7, Evening.

The Crown Prince of Denmark left this city to-
day for an extensive foreign tour. He was_ accom-
panied to the railway station by the King, the
Ministers, and many other distinguished personages.
His Royal Highness will first proceed direct to
Paris.

they fear to strike. If my blood is to be shed because I
vindicate the Union and the preservation of the Govern-
ment in its purity, let it be shed; but let the opponents of
the Government remember that the blood of the martyrs
was the seed of the Church. The Union will grow, and
continue to increase in strength and:power though, it may
be cemented and cleansed with blood."

A densely thronged meeting was held at the Cooper In-
stitute, where all classes of politics wore represented. An
address and resolutions were adopted urging the admission
of loyal Southern representatives to Congress, approving
the veto, endorsing Mr. Johnson's policy, and recommend-
ing the call of another meeting whenever the exigency
demanded it to promote harmony in the public councils of
the country.

Mr. Seward made a speech, in which he said that the
country was in no peril, no matter whether the Congres-
sional or the Presidential policy prevailed. This confi-
dence arose from the conviction that there never was, and
never can be, any successful process for the restoration of
union and harmony among the States except that with
which the President has avowed himself satisfied. Loyal
men from the Southern States will sooner or later, during
this or some other Congressional term, be received into the
National Legislature. The restoration will then be com-
plete. Territorial government would require greater im-
perial powers than Napoleon possesses.. Maximilian's task,
though he engages two Emperors and two Imperial orga-
nisations with their forces, it is not theught the most wise
or hopeful political enterprise of the day. The Congres-
sional policy was impracticable and vicious. The Presi-
dent considers the present Freedmen's Bureau Bill suffi-
cient, because it remains in force for one year after the
termination of the rebellion, and no official announcement
of the termination of the rebellion has yet been made.
A committee of influential citizens of New York will
proceed to Washington to confer with the President upon
the best means of sustaining the measures of his Adminis-
tration.

General Sweeney has submitted to the Fenian Congress
at Pittsburg the details of a military plan supposed to be
for invading Canada. A military committee of Fenians
from each State has approved the plan.
Mr. Seward telegraphed from Washington yesterday as
follows :—" It is all right. The Union is restored. The
country is safe. The President's speech is triumphant,
and the country will be happy."

A Radical Republican caucus was held in Washington
last night, at which moderate counsels prevailed. A reso-
lution admitting Tennessee into the Union was offered
and favourably received, but was not pressed to a vote.

Considerable political excitement prevailed in Congress
yesterday, but no particular course of action was taken.
The Senate determined, by a vote of 26 to 19, to call up
the report of the majority from the Reconstruction Com-
mittee concerning the admission of Southern representa-
tives. Mr. Fessenden spoke in favour of the report. Mr.
Wilson introduced a bill extending the operations of the
present Freedmen's Bureau Bill for two years. It is be-
lieved that the President will acqurilkce in this.
Ex-Vice-President Stephens delivered an address to the
Georgia Legislature on Washington's birthday, in which
he said : "The whole United States is now our country,
to be dearly cherished by all hearts and arms." He ap-
proved President Johnson's reconstruction policy.
The steamers Cuba and City of Baltimore have arrived
out.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, Feb. 24 (Evening).—Money tight. Gold,
1361. Exchange on London, 1481; do. Paris, 380. Stocks
steady. New York Centrals, 911; Illinois, 1131; Erie,
81; 5-20 Bonds, 1021. Cotton dull. Middling Upland, 45.
Flour and wheat declining. Corn steady. Provisions
dull. Coffee steady. Sugar dull. Molasses quiet. Pe-
troleum depressed. Crude, 271. Refined, 46.
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 21.—Cotton steady. Middling, 46.
MOBILE, Feb. 20.—Cotton active and advancing.
Middling, 46. To-day sales 3,000 bales.
NEW You; Feb. 23 (Evening).—Money tighter. Gold,
1361. Exchange on London, 148 ; do. Paris, 3811. Stocks
dull. New York Centrals, 901; Illinois, 114: Erie, 80i ;
5-20 Bonds, 1021. Cotton dull. Middling Upland, 45.
The receipts of cotton at New York since September
amount to 580,000 bales.