The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-12
Our Philadelphia Correspondence.


PHILADELPHIA, Aug. ., 1856.
Inquest ON the Vctims of the Late Steamboat Catas-
fyrphe-7Ne Pilot of the Mcdonald TO be EGan,-
ined--INe Whig Nominating COnrention--Anti-
Kaoau Nothing Tactics-- Troubles Of Politician
The Senatorial Question: Stampede from Cape
May.
The Coroner commenced his Investigation into the
of the late catastrophe to the steamer General
Mcdonald yesterday in an inquest upon three bodies
picked up subsequent to the disaster Mr.. Walters,
of the persons saved from the party in the bar
bers shop at the time Of the collision the only
witness examined land his testimony gives no light
upon the main point of interest to the public-the
cause by which many human beings were 90
summariiy cut of. He can only tell what almost any
other passenger can--that an accident occurred and
that several persons were killed. To be sure, he
was snatched from the very jaws Of death, but he
knows nothing of the causes which placed him
there. As mentioned in my letter, Ihnve no desire
10 foresta the public mind by mputaons, preferring
await the legal Developments Of the inquest. The
passengers on the Mcdonald on that memorable
night, and the pubic generally, will feel peculiar
interest in the testimony Of the pilots Of the boat
t is with them to explain how the lives Of 80 many
passengers became placed in such jeopardy. The in
quest has been postponed to Tuesday next in conse-
quence of the illness Of juror
The wings held their primary meetings on Tues
day evening, and elected their delegates to the nomi
mating convention, which meets next Tuesday even
ing, to select candidates for sheriff. assemblyman,
register Of wills and other county officers. In some
Of the wards there considerable spirit exhibited
and large votes were polled. little excitement
existed in some localities, created by at
tempts of outsiders to control the proceedings
and elect delegates not of the out-andout stripe
Order generally prevailed at the meetings, and the
straight wings have secured convention to their
liking. The plan of operations OF the several par
ties will probably be this: The wings will repudiate
" Sam ut the convention: the democrats will do
the same and in the desire to overcome the mystic
individual, both win :" fuse in dcker IN re-
gard to the ofIices-one taking the Assembly and
the other the county offcers-t they can get them
From what can learn the issue viii lie Know No
thing rersus anti-Know Nothing, and the contest
will be lively one.
Several meetings, informal in character have been
recently held IN various parts Of the district at
which the course OF the Hon. Thomas Il. Florence
has been rather freely commented upon. Thomas,
it appears, made promises in number, before cleo
ton, which he finds it inconven!ent or impossible
to redeem since. There is grumbling all ground
and Mr.. Florence appears to he losing his vantage
ground Of popularity very fast and what IS bld he
can't help himself in the contest against his former
friends. There are some strong complaints that
Know Nothngs are employed at the Navy Yard aud
that Mr. Florence does not use his influence 70 have
them turned out. In fact, it Is alleged that he has
even recommended for employment at the station
some persons who are suspected OF being more par
tal to Americanism than IL reished by the head OF al
fairs at Washington. II Is due however to say that
the charges thus far are vague and the parties have
not been indviduazed. Bat still hearty Tom has the
credit, and is held responsible in the premises, be-
cause lie don't get somebody an office, by having
somebody else deposed. Who would be Politician
The Senatorial question Is attracting attention,
and like the Maine law is calling out opinions upon
the constitutionaty OF election in October next
ordered by the Legislature. Some are contcnding
that are 10 have the election, because the Legis-
lature voted TO have it so, while Others argue Chat
election can constitutionally take place. Judge
Porter has taken the lead in expressing an opinion,
and has the best of the argument, decdedlY IL Is
clear that the Legislature designed to indefinitely
postpone the election, or committed bull, when
they appointed October for the settlement OF the Sc
Material question, and then adjourned sine die thus
placing 1t out Of their power to make selection.
Whether design or bull, it settles the question for
that Legislature and the Senator will hcappontcd by
the new body meeting in January. EXpectants
must digest the pill as best they can.
The Mosquito family commenced their annual con.
vention at Cape May on Sunday and general
stampede is taking place among the pleasure seekers
who have been pressed to accept the bills of tire new
corners. more detestable plague than musqlitos
can scarcely be imagined, but the Cape May article
is an aggravaton Of the nuisance; q more pcrna-
cious, blood.thirsty set never MARRIED human enjoy
ment. Large numbers OF people have LETT Tor Sara
toga and other places.
number Of citizens OF this place have determined
10 purchase Mr.. Shawks steamfre engine, Young
America" and q subscription has been started for
that purpose. There Is no mistake about their sue
ccedng In the effort. :.