The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-31

The News.
The steamship Arabia, now in her twelfth day out
from Liverpool, had not been signalized OF Halifax
~ eleven o'clock last night At that hour the wea-
ther was clear.
In the House Of Representatives yesterday Mr..
Clhgman brought forward his resolution 70 adopt
The plurality rule in the election of Speaker. An
htsnse excitement prevailed throughout the cham
her. as it was regarded certain that the PROPOSE
ton would command majority Of the votes, and
thereby enable the House to organize. Upon taking
The question however, it resulted in the rejection of
the resolution. The vote stood one hundred and ten
70 one hundred and six. Messrs. Clingman, Of North
Carolina; Herbert of California; Barclay, Of Penn
sylvana, and Kelly, of New York, democrats, voted
with the black republicans for the resolution.
Messrs. Dunn of Indiana, Scott and Moore, Of Ohio,
black republicans; Haven, of New York, black re-
publican Know Nothing and John Wheeler of
New York, anti Nebraska democrat, voted against
il and defeated it. It is evident therefore, that Mr.
Banks must be withdrawn before the House can or
eanize. Our correspondents state that the plurality
rule will be again offered to-day.
The Legislature yesterday had before them seve-
raj measures Of importance to the people OF this
city. In the Senate bill was reported to prevent
Illegal voting, and Mr.. Sickles introduced bill au-
thorizing an increase Of the compensation OF the
Croton Aqueduct Board. In the Assembly the bill
proposing to change the title and character Of the
Marine Court was reported upon unfavorably.
bill for the more efectual prevention OF fires was
passed Notice was given by Mr.. Ray, representa-
tive from the Second district Of New York, of bill
making the Office of Fire Marshal elective by the
Fire Department, and providing that such Office
shall be filed by retired fireman. The question as
to the policy of evyng tolls upon railroads is to be
again discussed during the present session. Mr.
Brady, Of Albany, yesterday introduced bill i'm
posing toll upon the Central and the Oswego and
Syracuse railroads. An effort was made to have it
referred to the Railroad Committee, but It was final
ly, after some debate assigned to the Committee on
Canals by vote of sixty-two 70 eighteen.
ExComptroller James NJ. Cook has been appoint
ed and confirmed as Superintendent Of the Banking
Department, in place Of Marcus Schoonmaker, re-
signed.
The steamship George Law arrived at this port
yesterday from Aspinwall, with the California mails
to the 9Th inst, 1881 900 in treasure freight,
full complement Of passengers, and later news from
Australia the South Pacific and New Granada. She
brings no later advices from California than were
received by the Star of the West which reached here
on Tuesday morning
By way of Callao we have Melbourne (Aastralia)
dates up TO Nov TO- The reports consist of want Of
confidence in money operators, riots and robberies,
and new gold discoveries. Twenty miles from Gee
long rich quartz had been found. The price of gold
at Melbourne stood at f3 l5s Sd. per in sgd
ney at s3 lss. Flour averaged from f45 to s4s per
ton according to quality.
From the South Pacific we have news from Val
paraiso to Dec. Is, Callao Dec. 26 Lima Dec. 81
and Guayaquil Dec. 80. The Chilean Congress was
still in extra session, and vast amount OF iegsla
tive matter, tending to the permanent good of the
country, had been disposed Of. An iron pier
was to be built at Valparaiso, roads and bridges
were to be repaired, and the agricultural schools
rendered more useful. The new civil code had been
fully approved, and its author, Don Andres Bello
had received vote of thanks from Congress, the
sum of $4,000, and retirement upon full pay
from the first Office in the Department Of
Foreign Affairs, which post he had held for
long time. railway was about to be opened
between the port of Coquimbo, the city of Serena,
and Peralta. A violent norther had caused damage
10 the shipping on the coast. In Bolivia, General
Cordova was at Potosi. Some difference with the
Argentine Republic existed, in consequence Of a
cattle foray made by Bolivian troops near Jujny
Yellow fever had appeared at Munecas. The cop
per and silver mines yielded we'll In Peru the new
constitution was not yet approved Of The executive
government had quarrelled with the Assembly re.
latiye to certain acts Of General Castillo. lie re-
manned firm, but revolution was still dreaded.
Doctor Tirado exMinister to the United States, had
died. The Argentine Republic was quiet. General
Paz was at Mendoza inspecting the frontier troops
General Alyarado had resumed command ia the
province of Salts.
From New Franada we have files dated at Pana
ma on the 10Th and Aspinwall on the 18th Of Janu-
airy. The trade Of the Isthmus was rather dull but
the railroad was in excellent order and its freight
business very large. The British wal steamer Brisk
had arrived of Panama with nearly two million dol
lars of Mexican treasure for England The steamer
Emelie was daily expected from Central America
From the lst of February the South Pacific steam
ers will sail from Panama on the 18th and 30th Of
each month, instead Of the l4th and 29th The
steamship Columbus had left Panama on trip to
Costa Rca Nicaragua, San Salvador and Guate-
maa. Several robberies had been committed on the
Isthmus.
The policy of Brazil in respect to Paraguay is be-
ginning TO disclose ITSELF The Emperor has offered
the government of Uruguay between two and three
million dollars for possession of the city and harbor
of Colonia for fixed number of years, in order to
convert it into an arsenal for his warlike prepare
tons against Paraguay.
The Southern Commercial Convention commenced
its session at Richmond, Va, yesterday There was
but slim attendance Of delegates and the conven.
ton merely organized temporarily.
The cotton market was more active yesterday, and
the sales reached about 5000 bales about $500 of
which were sold in transitu. The market for cotton
in transita was somewhat easier and closed firm for
the article on the spot, the receipts being light and
the stock reduced. Flour was firm at the full rates
OF the previous day. Wheat was more firmly held
which restricted sales Corn was rather easier,
without change Of moment in prices. Pork was IN
fair request with sales of mess at SIG rs $40 371.
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