The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-18

A msi7rity of the members should bec1me mbued
With little more Of the spirit OF industry, combined
With "a for The public good, the people vii oe gra
tiled When the day arrives for a fn al adjournment
Halrthe allotted time fer the session has already ex
pi.ed and yet scarcely bill Of Importance has pass
ed either house. Members spend their time in de-
batting matters that are scarcely worth passing re
mark Literally nothing is ever done on Saturdays
and Mondays owing to the fact tina! towards the
close OF every week the majority Of the wiseacres
leave for home, utterly regardless OF what may trans
pre during their absence. And yet these men pirate
Of their srduous exertions in behalf Of their const
tuents. There must be REFORM else the people will
teach them lesson that they win not readily forget
on next election day.
As everybody is interested in the projects for .
settlement of all our difficulties with Mexico and
particularly for securing another large slice of
her territory, we to-day publish the basis Of treaty
agreed upon by Minister Conkng and the Mexican
authorities. Readers can now judge whether either,
or both Minister Gadsdens and Minister Conkling 3
treaties are entitled to consideration.
The last despatch from st. Louis states that four
persons were killed and twenty wounded by the ex.
plosion of the boilers of the steamer Kate Kearney
last Thursday Five or six others are missing. Two
persons were drowned by the linking Of the steamer
AmazoDia on the same day.
We publish in another column the law recently
drawn up by the of the republic OF Ecuador,
and sanctioned by the Executive on the 26h OF No
vember declaring the rivers of that State, (Which
includes portion Of the Amazon) open to the free
trade Of all nations 1t is gratifying to that some
Oft he South American States are beginning to un.
derstand the true principles of commercial prosperity
New Granada and the Argentine Republic as well as
Ecuador have opened their rivers, and we trust
shortly to other States following their example
and free trade established over the whole continent
Of America. Now, when this liberalizing spirit IL
manifestng itself, is the time for government to
come forward and enter into treaties with these
pubcs for the mutual benefit and advantage Of each.
The question is one in every way worthy Of their
early notice.
Ali the news worthy OF noting from Bermuda since
our previous dates is embraced in the letter which
we publish elsewhere. 1t was expected that Cover
Elliot would leave the island on the 9Th instant
and SAIL via Barbados for the seat of his new govern
ment in Trinidad. Colonel Poole, Of the Royal Ar
tllery was to assume the direction Of affairs in Ber
muda pro tenpore.
The Germans of some Of the uptown wards held
an enthusiastic meeting last evening at Fortuna
Hall, Second street, at which o very decided stand
was taken against the proposed Introduction Of the
Maine liquor law the license law for rum the excise
law, and the recent Sunday antager bier exertions
of the Common Council and police. 1t was shown
to the satisfaction Of the people present. that the
drinking of that beverage on the Sabbath did not
conflict with the constitution of the United States
municipal rule, religious discipline, or domestic
economy but on the contrary, that by SO doing the
citizen gave evidence Of how fully he appreciated the
amount of civil and religious liberty which he en-
joyed.
The report Of the Committee on Harbor Encroach
ments, laid on the table at former meeting, was
taken up in the Board of Councilman last evsn1lg
and accepted without debate and the resolutions
were adopted. No business of any importance was
transacted. The Board adjourned until Tuesday
evening.
In addition to large number Of Advertisements,
and much interesting reading, today's inside pages
contain interesting narrative relative to the pas
sengers rescued by the Antarctic from the steamer
San Francisco; Petition OF the New York Chamber
of Commerce to Congress concerning modification
of the tariff; Proceedings OF the Military Court OF
Inquiry variety Of local, political and legal inte
gence, &c.