New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-01

and contractor, Of the name Of Myers believe, to
build the road This be did, furnishing the greater
psrt If not the whole Of the requisite funds. To
secure his debt the Directors mortgsged the road
10 him. and his claims upon the same deyOured up
the profits ia manner highly unsatisfactory to the
shareholders, who were strongly minded 70 enter
ia and pOsse-s the kingdom which he had founded.
Mr.. Clifford was consulted in the matter. either IS
counsel or as Attorney General for Maine. which
Office he held for long time, and he gsve it as his
written opinion that the shareholders Of Corpora
ton have the right to rescnd the contracts entered
into by the directors they have appointed If they
don't like then! This l apprehend to be sound
Democratic doctrine, though regret to say that
the Courts Of Maine, though Democratic at the
time refused to sustain 80 useful view. and actu-
ally decided in favor Of the caitif Myers, who WIS
actually permitted to hold on to his mortgage, in OPP
position to the declared wishes Of numerous body
of his fellow citZens
Now. il seems TO me that these views of the ma
ture of contracts would have more than covered
the bred Scott case, and, indeed, Indicate the man
that expressed them as polished pillar to help sus-
tain our glorious Constitution and Union under the
assaults to which it may be subjected. 1t has been
objected and fear with some foundation ss Jaw
abored defense on the point in The Boston Post
this morning that he is slightly behlndhand in his
humanities, owing to the defects Of his c. y edu-
tion But, if true it is entirely immateral. l
imagine there is more than one Of that reverend
body of Judges whom it would not do to subject TO
too close an examination in matters OF general lit
erature not to say of law. But it is nothing to the
purpose. Everybody knows of Lord KenyOn's de-
ficiences in this particular; how he eulogized the
Emperor Julian as prince who, for his eminent
piety, was known IA Julian the APOSTLE and how
be- assured a Grand jury, on dscharglng them
after labOrious session. that they could have the
satisfaction of laying their hands on their hearts and
saying "Am Cesar, am nptlus !" And yet he WAS
n good Judge enough, at least for the purposes OF
Mr. Pitt and George III. Indeed he was the Oc-
casiOn of the nearest approach to good thing that
Farmer George ever made; for he said to Lord
KENYON once at court 81 advise yOu my Lord, to
stick to your good law and give up your bad
Latin f" 1t was not much, to be sure, but very
well for George ILL., SO that il the little slips in
this nature attributed to Mr.. Clifford did indeed
happen he has reverend example for the same,
and they should not be regarded as of the proven
bal category which come between the cup and the
lip. Should there be any actual disposition to de-
feat this nomination, and should it succeed, beg
To invoke your interference in behalf of our much
injured Hallett If the Senate should have any
analms about him, you can refer them to Inc, and
will engage to cure them efectualy. His law-re-
pue is, to the full, as good as Mr. Cliford's, and
bis past services to his country even better; and
there is plenty of stock in him for any quantity
more of the same SORT
This little matter of business dispatched, might
as well dispatch my letter ALSO for have nothing
further to say. The weather has been very cOnsid-
crate TO the poor and very hard upon the Oaldeaers
We have had just snow enough 10 inausur:tc vst
institution of cOasting, in which all the members of
the Order of Young America are actively engaged,
to the apparent peril of Old and Medieval America
when they come across its path. But that is ac-
cording TO the order of Nature on this Continent,
and so not to be complained OF.
We have had Municipal election here, believe,
since wrote to you last, but it is so long ago l
have forgotten about it. Only remember every
body was surprised at the result; but don't know
why. The deysing OF ways and means Tor raising
money for the poor has occupied good deal OF our
thoughts and the carrying them out more OF our
time. We have had Concerts, and Oratorlos, and
Lectures for the purpose Of enticing little money
out of the peoples pockets under the preten'e OF
giving them something for it, beside the draft on tue
next world. Mr. Everett and MIR. Wendell Phillips,
though not training in exactly the same company,
both volunteered on this service, or at any rate dis
charged it to the advantage Of all concerned. Their
lectures were both, think, for the PrOydent So
cieties which seek TO direct charity wisely, by
actual investigation of the condition OF claim
ants, and by searching out those more worthy OBJ
jects yet who, though willing to work, are yet
ashamed to beg.
Day after Tomorrow Mr.. Everett will have
another opportunity for the display OF his rhetorical
skill. which will BE- particularly fitted for his style
of speaking. That day. being NcwYear's day, has
been selected for the dedication of the new CITY
Library Building. This most excellent institution
has been in operation but FIVE or six years and has
justified its establishment by its effects. 1t had
great lift through the munifcence of MIR. Bates, the
London banker, who gave $50, 600 AZ permanent
fund for the purchase Of books, and by most liberal
contributions in books beside. Beside this, the clIy
ofio fnrf ha
pose and has now Just completed building, at
cost of $500 OOO to receive the collections that are
TO be made. Hitherto the library has been at
great disadvantage, owing to the want OF space
where To bestOw its goods. This is now Obviated
by the completion of fre-prOof building, which
ought to be the best in the world for Its purpose,
inasmuch as it is the last, and should proht Dy the
merits and the faults OF all its predecessors. IL De-
Gins with near 60. coo volumes, and Will increase
rapidly and mehodically. 1t is the good fortune OF
libraries such as this and the AstOr that they begin
from the beginning, and can be regularly ouilt up
from the foundation free from the pr0mlscuOus
beapincs together of materials when the main DEEPEN
dence i ON individual contribution. The collection
of English books for general Use il very exceleht,
and that of French, italian and German highly sat-
isfactory and promising. The groundwork OF the
classical department has also been well iad, ana IL
will be edited properly in due time. In the matter
of the European department the city was 80 fortu.
nate az 70 secure the services of MIR. Tlckn0r-nOt
the eminent publisher Of that name, but gente-
man long and respectfully connected with the de-
partment of Modern Languages Mt Cambrldge-who
was able to do the library excellent service III Eu'
rope, both as the agent of Mr. Bates in the purchase
of books, and by establishing permanent agencies az
important points.
The library, you know, / dare say is IN the
strictest sense a public one. Any nhabtant, male
or female, black or white, may use it without money
and without price. The registration OF name ana