The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-03

The News.
The proceedings of Congress yesterday were
characterized by the turbulence which usually &C.
ours upon the approach of the final adjournment.
In the Senate the sceaneous Appropriation bill
was taken up. An amendment providing for home
valuations upon imports was rejected. Another,
authorizing an issue of twenty million dol
lars of Treasury notes, was proposed and
adopted-24 to TO- The House passed the
Senate resolution authorizing the President
to confer the rank of senior flag officer upon Com
modore Stewart. The vote which defeated the
Ocean Mail Service bill was reconsidered and the
bill was again rejected An attempt to repeal the
restriction in the English bill to the admission of
Kansas failed-the House refusing to suspend the
rules.
Postmaster General Brown was last night IN
critical condition from an attack of pneumonia
and there was little if any hope of his recovery.
At the usual semimonthly meeting of the AGA
DENY of Medicine last evening very interesting
and important report was presented by DR..
Samuel Percy, from a committee appointed
last summer to prepare reply to Mayor
Tiemann as to the effects on the public
health of swill milk. The report was accom-
panied by lengthy and erudite paper
the subject by DR.. Percy, which, in the strongest
possible terms, condemned the Of the article as
perncious to the health of infants, and dangerous
to the community at large. The report was adopt
ed and copy ordered to be forwarded to Mayor
Tiemann Resolutions in favor Of establishing san
tary department in the city government were also
adopted.
The newspaper mail from New Orleans of the
10Th ut., consisting Of two bags, was received at
the Post Office in this city in such bad condition,
from being immersed in water as to render its dis
tributon utterly impossible. The letter mails Of
the 18th and 23d ults were received last evening.
The Police Commissioners yesterday adopted
resolutions providing that the police shall hereafter
report all violations of the ordinances against
throwing garbage in the streets, all places where
Croton water is wasted, and all localities where
liquor is sold illegally 1t would seem from this
that the police have not heretofore been expected
to do this duty. The Commissioners yesterday
commenced an investigation respecting certain
officers connected with the Mayors squad recev-
ing money and presents. A report of the testimo
ny elected may be found in another column.
The usual stated meeting of the Board of Edu
cation took place last evening. The minutes of the
Normal School Committee were read From these
it appeared that thrty-four ballots were taken be-
fore the committee succeeded in electing a chair
man. A resolution was adopted appropriating
Al 500 for the purchase of an additional lot for
schoolhouse site in Seventyninth street, between
Second and Third avenues, in the Nineteenth ward
Resolutions for the appropriation of sl3 ,s5S for the
erection of schoolhouse for colored children in
Mulberry street, and SIS Isl for the erection of
schoolhouse in Oliver street, near Cherry street,
occasioned prolonged debate and they we're finally
referred to the Finance Committee. A resolution
was adopted directing the Comptroller to place
$l50,00O at the disposal of the Board. The other
business transacted by the Board was of such
trivial nature to be wholly unnterestng. As
usual they spent the greatest part of their time in
raising points of order appealing from the deci-
sions of the chair, amending insignificant byelaws,
and other frivolous proceedings.
Our correspondent at Port of SPAIN Trinidad,
writing on the lith ut., says"Ths island is in the
most prosperous condition. The sugar crop now
manufacturing will be the largest il has ever pro-
duced, and the same remark is applicable to the
cocoa crop, which is next in value to that of sugar
and it appears TO be attributable to the assistance
which the island has received from the laborers i'm
ported from India, seven ships having recently ar
rived from Calcutta and Madras, and over 700 are
now on their voyage hither, at an average cost of
fifty dollars per head They conduct themselves
with great proprety, and implicit confidence is re-
posed in them by the planters, who much regret
parting with them at the expiration Of five years,
at which period the colony must defray their ex-
pense- As q proof of their steadiness and pro.
priety Of conduct cargo of coolies which lately
returned TO Calcutta by the ship Morayshire, car
Ted with them bills to the amount Of 1872 800, be-
sides specie. 1t has also been stated that immense
improvements are being made in the condition Of
the laborers in this city, Business il very brisk;
tramways have been laid, and railway commenced
for the purpose of bringing coal from the mex
haustible mines all through the island.'
A fire occurred at Memphis, Tenn, on the night
of the LIST inst, which destroyed half square on
Main street, including five newspaper establish
ments. The loss is estimated at $l5O,OOO.
The receipts of beef cattle at the various yards
during the past week amounted to 1858 head, an
increase of 2is head as compared with the week
previous. The average quality of the stock was
somewhat inferior to that offered for sale last week
and the lower grades declined &c. a Ac. per pound,
whe the best descriptions sold at last weeks rates
Inc quotations ranged from 6ac. to lie. The demand
ior miich cows was fair, without material change in
prices veal calves were in moderately active
oemsnd' win iair receipts at 3lc. 71c. per pound
The demand Tor sheep and lambs especially of
good quality, was very brisk and prices advanced
Csc. soc. per head, the range being 81 80 AZ 20
per head. There was no change Of Importance in
swine
The cotton market again excited and active yeser
day, and closed at q further advance Of Xc Dor III
The sales footed up about 5000 bales We nov quote
middling upands at 12Xc The weekly receipts at the
ports have passed their maximum, and decided falling
of reported at several Of the principal points, which
has ~ in sooner than anticipated on either side Of
the WATER though not unprotected by this journal based
ufon the krown facilities for getting the article