The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-09

In the Unted States Senate yesterday petition
was presented from Commodore Smith, renOnstrat-
ing against the action Of the hte Naval Board in
placing him ON the retired list No other business
was transacted. In the House the balloting for
Speaker was renewed, but without any result. Mr..
Banks, Of Massachusetts, is regarded by some a.
certain Of success. On the last ballot he lacked but
twelve votes Of an election. Our correspondents
however, clearly demonstrate the impossibility OF
such a contingency. Last night the wirepullers
we're actively caucusirg. Whether their efforts
win lead to a solution, az the problem which 50 puz
zles the politicians, time alone can determine.
Hon. James NJ. Mason was yesterday reelected to
the United States Senate, for six years from March
A. 1867, by the Legislature of Virginia.
The eleventh days proceedings on the trial of
Louis Baker, for the homicide of William Poole,
have closed and the testimony Is still unfinished.
It will in all probability, be completed on Monday.
The report Of yesterday viii be read with interest,
particularly the evidence Of Tom Hyer, who is 50
well known in the sporting world. Mr.. Brady will
sum up for the defence, and Hon. Ogden Holman
for the prosecution, when larger audience than has
yet attended may he expected to be present, to
listen to the wen known forensic eloquence of these
learned advocates.
An interesting article, showing the conclusions
to which the Legislative committee appointed to
inquire into the condition and management Of the
Building Associations of this city, have been led by
their Investigations il published in today's paper
It appears that these institutions have absorbed
not less than one million dollars drawn mainly from
the hard earned savings of mechanics, washer
women, and even sewing girls, numbering over
twenty-five thousand persons, few OF whom have
received back q moiety Of their investment.
large proportion however, never have been, and
never will be- reimbursed to the value Of q copper.
The system is pronounced gross fraud, and the
committee viii report in favor Of reyoking the
charters Of the associations without distinction or
reserve.
According to the official report Of the City l. /.
spector there were 36S deaths in this city during
the past week, VIZ, "A men, 76 women, 127 boys
and 81 girls, showing an increase of 49, compared
with the mortality Of the week previous. There
were IL deaths Of bronchitis, Of congestion of the
y1ngs, 46 Of consumption, Is Of Inflammation of
be lungs of congestion of the brain, 8 of
Inflammation of the BRAIN Is OF dropsy in the head
IL of other dropsical complaints Of darrhGa, Of
dysentery, IL of typhus fever, of Inflammation oil
the bow els, Of palsy, Of smallpox, Is of convu
sions Gnfantie) IL of Group 10 Of scarlet fever,
of hopping cough, 10 Of marasmus Gnfanti!e) and
Of apoplexy. There we're also premature births,
80 cases Of stillborn and IL deaths from Violence -
Guiding one murder and one suicide. The following
is the classification Of dscases--Bones joints, &c.
q brain and nerves, 49, generative organs, a. heart
and blood vessels, IL; lungs throat, &c. l05; skin,
&c. and eluptive feyers, "a; stlborn and premature
births, AZ; stomach, bowels and other digestive Or
gans, 81; uncertain seat and general fcvers, 49,
nary organs 4; old age, A. unknown, L. The nativity
table gives $50 natives OF the United States 6s Of
Ireland rs Of Germany, 10 Of England, and the
balance Of other European countries.
Our correspondent at st. Thomas, writing on No
vember 8, furnishes concise summary of facts re-
lative to the commercial position, resources popu-
laton and export and import trade Of that and the
other Danish settlements, which will be found very
interesting at the present moment, on account OF
tie critical state Of relations with the mother
country. The capitals both Of st. Thomas and St.
Croix, are very important towns. The islands have
an aggregate negro population amounting to fifty
thousand, most Of whom since the ill-adviscd mea
sure of emancipation, huddle in the towns and live
in state OF wretched idleness and consequent dis.
ease and misery. With energetic producers the
islands would be soon highly valuable to the COM
mercial world.
The Legislature Of Florida convened ut ITALIA
hasse ON the 26th ult, and the Governor trans
mitted his annual message on the 2sth. The in
terna affairs Of the State occupies the attention of
the Governor to the exclusion of all other matters
The cotton market was frmer yesterday and re-
covered fully On ! Of cent middling uplands
closed at about 9lc. elc. Flour WAS heavy ut the
previous days prices, with moderate sales. Wheat
was inactive, while holders of prime lots were firmer
The chief transaction was made in Canadian white,
ut 50 20. Corn was rather easier, and ranged from
9Sc. l00c. for Western mixed, from store and de.
hvered. Rye continued firm, with sales ut 81 % q
81 So. Pork was dull and easier for mess. Coffee
was firm, but sales were moderate. Sugars were In
better request, especially for boxes in bond for ex
port. Room TO European ports was limited and
rates firm. Two vessels were chartered for Havre
ct full rates. The bark Marmion, $50 tons, six
years old, was sold for $4,000.