The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-06-14
ADDITIONAL FROM CALIFORNIA.



CNsious Maritime Sui,-lmportanc Decision in Admirably
Difficulty in tie San Francisco Fire Department Con
tes. d Election Of Chief Engineer-Safay of Captain
Stones Expedition to SonorG-The NeW British Gold
ktnes-ne approaching Democratic Stats Conuentior DC
maritime suit OF rather strange character has been in
stucd ID one Of our State courts 1t presents some very
nice questions Of admiralty law and also questions touch
ng our relations with the Mexican government 1t seems,
about two nonhs ago parties at &azan shipped to Boil
ton Barron Co., OF this city, board the brig Cornea,
sailing under the Mexican flag $4,000 in Mexican dollars,
for whch the captain gave bill Of ladng, we'll as
another bill Of adDg for $30000 which was never ship
ped with the Intention Of carrying ont nearous scheme
will directly appear The Cornes sailed from Mszatlau
for San Francisco but when Off Cape s. Luc,s the $4,000
was carried ashore and buried Mexican territory She
proceeded on her vOya north, and when opposite
the Bay of San Quentin the brig went down
the weather being fair, s II is believed having
been scustled. The captain and crew came ashore
in . boat, carefully provided with every necessary,
proceeded 70 San Diego, and from thence to this
city where the disaster related and the particulars OF
the loss Of the Cornels by stress Of weather
The story did not receive full credence There many
circumstances which tended 10 throw doubt upon its
truth. The Chief of Police arrested Captain Bennett and
the mate Isrou. and while holding them in prison. by in
tmid s0p obtained from them the TO where
money hid. On consulting with United States Dis
trict Attorney he informed that the federal had
no jurisdiction ofthe alleged offence The Chief of Police
then got up privately expedition for the recovery Of
the treasure and placed board pilot boat Bennett and
Larou, in chsrge Of police officers. On arriving at
Cape Lucas the party ashore guided by the cap
tain, and dug up the silver not however, without the pro
test Of the Mexican funcionares At that place. The
boat returned 70 San Francisco with the money
and Curtis, the Chief Of Police, now claims sal
wage the SIC 600 recovered-on tue $50 900 not ship
ped, but OF which bills OF la,ing exist add several
thousand dollars found on the person Of Larou at the
tnc OF hs arrest, holding the fret nared sum
cuIy for his claims. The copduc Of Curtis severely
criticised by the press % unwarranAbe interference
with the rights Of the Mexican authorities, and the
illegal arrest OF the men from whom he obtained by
threats information. Considering that all the proceedings
were conducted by the Chief Of Police private speu
ation the other measures adopted by him subject
deapprobaton. The owners Of the money seek 70
possession Of II rom Curtis, but he objects, without recev
the Mexican for the surrender Of Bennett
ana larou, as well AZ for the silver which has been
brought TO this city
An important decision has been rendered by DOR 3D.
preme Court ON the question Of the ursd on Of State
coarts In admiralty cases. Some time since the Judges
held THAT federal not exclusive jurisdiction
in admiralty, thus in measure taking ground sganst
the constitution Of the United States. In the present in
stance an action was instituted against the steamship
Uncle SAM In one OF the State courts TO damages
for performance contract transport parties 20
Nov York via San Juan del Sud. Owing 10 pute
with the authorities OF Nicaragua they 70 ana-
ma, where plaintiff detained for weeks, and put
great expense and inconvenieoce by sickness caused
BY the unhealthy climate The Court in this
its foI decision Judge Burnett, who delivered the
opniop when the other Jndgos eoncurred enters into
along discussion OF the respective powers Of the general
and state governments.
Our Fire Department, which from the early days OF its
organ ion has been most efficient, s divided and
ks value mnca impaired by recent occurrences. The
lAton 10 the elsctiou beld December Chief ,g
feeling vi dissatisfaction has been nj work for
.x month"; enang about week since 10 the foremsn OF
parmept refusing 10 obey the orders Of the present Chief
Engineer II is denied he was legally elected, by
OF auouept votos having been counted IN his favor The
facts conr eced with the unfortunate dcuty ab
follows At the last election there candidates
fer toe hesd OF the Department. Whitney and
Nuupisn. The struggle was warm ana ended "a NJ
wbSy borg declsred elected By msjorty OF SIX
over bis eetior The friends OF Nuttnsn oooteste,
the matter and ial took boforo the Board OF De-
ga'es, consisting OF thirty four mombers-wo from each
company In this ooay, BY its rules, ito vote decides
negatively aoy question submitted for ts consideration
The investigation was held evidence to fraudulen, rot
irr Introduced, and the argument Of counsel heard.
Weeks were consumed with The trial. and on the question
being put ss 10 whether Mr.. wnitncy legally chosen
Twas decided In the negative by tic vote motion TO
grant him certificate Of election lost In the
manner 80 the matter stood for some time A msads
WINS applied for In Of the Courts an granted
but tho Judge though directing the delegates 70 declare
he result stated was impossible 70 punish those who
jury and the courts were without power 10 inic
any cuaiy for the exercise OF their Conscientious
oflnlon@. he DcceafS mot again and again.
and each attempt 10 bring the mattor 10 q closs
ended without bringing mstte-s nearer salts
factory termination. Meanwhile dlssen.i'ns 10,
creased, and the split grew daily wider and
harder 10 beal. Danger Of riot was felt and II was
evident at least half the hrernsn were unwilling 70
ed 4 three years az salary Of 600 per enuan. A.
trst an issue, angry and bitter In it's naure, connected
with our local affairs, and which has no, yet been fogoi
ten, entered INTO the dispute bat after the trial and
the Illegal voting shown the dire -ntcnt spreai among
many tboee who had supported Whitney But whitney
mep,s Of title last week the oppositior re- od ne height
At IRE three OF the remcn reused 20 obey Whitney,
Apo 10 nex, day suspended two whose companies we're
well known 70 be sgsinss him. emitting the members
q ~hich were equally well known 70 be In his favor
though their foreman differed with thcm tho BJArd OF
Supervisors called together and sr whitney sent
communication 10 ,hn body calling for tho dsbsndmsnt
OF pe two COMPANIES suspended. The Board
ordered their disbandment without trial, In the
70 10 the Bos-d or Delegates Of the Fire Department
Tho polcs force called few minutes after the
order ps,ei The HOUSES and aprarats taken possession
Of ard NJ the came tine the of the Two npanes
were expelled from the buildings. Toe coarse OF the
rvsors has been much nsurei. II usuryasio1 Of
authority 70 Interfere IN the matter a. all ana in the mex.
place The punished without giving them boar.
ng for the acts Of Their foreneu No, aono this 10.
lusoe ocne, but The Law required the ordinaIco 10 nc
published i've days before could have f1rce-a provi
sou that IN this Gaze entirely AZ nsaght These
occedipss, may be veil imagined old not help rs
store harmony In the department sense OF harsh aud
unjust usase was experienced b. The companies cas-. out,
bad blood created rsf boies good continued
usefnncs Of the institution The purpoee q the uprvs
was 70 lcssen the oproso1 " whitney IN the ard
Delegates by four votes but in this they Aol for thai
boy refined W onertan motion for the expansion Of
the Delegates from the disbsndef companies This the
condion OF things A. present wrdng They are very
satsisctory ar1 tend 70 Lessen 10 rea oegree the
ndence people feel tho security or thor property from
the Asmes.
The arprehensors concerning the safety OF Captain
stones Surveying party in Sonora have been happily
moved. Intelligence was received tee days ego as
surng Us OF iber freedom from Danger Capiln Stone
salka from Guyamas for Na7aNan aooa, m)otn and
must have arrived there before N time. Mr. WAITING,
vfh portion OF the party, gho proceeded from here
Three or -FOUR moaths ago, wrs a, Gnyamss AZ leesg
Gates. The men under his command he'd performed a
rar OF tue duty sssifued 10 them anl sitng the
arrival Of Captain stone Tho people Of suora ares,rons
" opposed 20 the expedition end General pcsqIera,
the Governor, who ~ representa- q cD1rtaOus and
honorable man, has expressed inset uniayorable 10
wards The further progress OF the survey the party has
concluded 70 wat for further Developments Captain
Store, on hts way from Fort Yuma, niormof tikt he
vcusn not be permitted 70 land anywhere but nj Guy
n he AZ ntcl 10 aIa lhcr be