The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-08
New York, "wednesday, February 8, 1880
The News.

New York, Wednesday, February 8, 1880.
The News.
The election for Chief Engine or of the Fire De-
partnent in place of Harry Howard, was held last
evening, but up to the time of going to press Gals
A. ny we have received no intelligence as to the
result Of the contest II is believed. however, that
Ar. Decker has been elected.
Our reports from Washington are important,
especially to those interested in the fate of the
Post Office Appropriation bill. This bill, which
passed the House on Monday, was taken up by the
Senate yesterday. 1t was printed, in the shape it
passed the House, in yesterdays HsRALD. An
amendment providing for wrapping aud mail paper
vas agreed to. An amendment providing that in
t.rest on sums due contractors should be paid to
cont actors themselves and be in full for all claims
for damages, and providing likewise that no inte-
tcrest is to be allowed on the last quarter of the
year, was also agreed to. Another amendment was
proposed, providing for the abolition of the frank
ing privilege after the LIST of May next but that all
persons now entitled to the privilege be exempted
from the prepayment Of postage. This amend
ment gave rise to considerable discussion, and Mr..
Collamer moved to repeal the acts of ls47 and
1851, sppropriating 100000 annually for the use
of the Post Office Department At this stage of
the proceedings the further consideration of
the bill was postponed till to-day. A mes.
sage was received from the President We
toing the joint resolution, passed by the
last Congress, making an appropriation for
removing distractions from the mouth Of the Mis-
sissippi river. joint resolution, appropriating
Sc 900 for the relief Of Commander Hartstein, was
adopted. Commodore Shubrick was authorized to
n A.
of the Argentine Confederation. Senator Wilson
introduced renhtion providing for sweeping
investigation into the exercise of the power and
patronage of the various departments of the 60
vernment The Senate held an executive session,
and confirmed a number of important appoint
ments.
The republican members of the House held
caucus last evening to nominate candidate for
Printer Abram S. Mitchell, of the st. Louis Ne,os
received the largest number of votes and will pro.
badly be elected to-day.
It ia stated that Clark Mills statue of Washing.
ton will be inaugurated at the national capital on
the 22d inst, and that it is in contemplation for
maly to invite the National Guard, of this city, to
participate in the ceremonies
Several subjects of interest were brought up in
the Legislature yesterday but we have no space for
D more extended reference to them. Our reports
and dispatches give the particulars.
The New York National Democratic State Con-
vention, called for the purpose Of selecting dele
gates at large to the Charleston Convention, reas-
sembled at Syracuse yesterday. Fernando Wood,
John A. Green, Jr., Gideon J. Tucker, and Joshua
R. Babcock were appointed delegates at large, and
VIM. G. Beardslee, James Soutter, John Haggerty,
and Benz. Chamberlain alternates full list of the
district delegates is appended to our report of the
proceedings Mayor Wood addressed the Conven-
ton in an eloquent speech, which we also publish
The Mayoralty election at Lancaster, Pa, took
place yesterday and resulted in the success Of the
democratic candidate by lss majority, o demo-
cratic gain Of 500 votes compared with the cleo.
ton of October last.
An arrival at Boston from st. Helena, December
p, reports that the bark Orion, of New York, Capt
Morgan, had been captured as SLAYER b. the Bri
fish steamer Pluto, and delivered to the United
States steamer Mystic. The captain was imprison.
ed at St. Helena by order Of the American Consul.
The Orion had on board when she was captured
hundred and ffty-two died before reaching st. He.
lena.
Mr.. E. George Squier read an interesting paper
on the "Unexplored Regions of Central America
before the Historical Society last evening. A re-
port of it is given in another column. Before the
adjournment committee was appointed to express
the sense of the society with reference to the death
of Lord Macauley.
Early on last Monday morning the hotel known
as the Grove House, in Yonkers, was discovered to
be on fire, and in q short time was completely de-
stroyed The four fire companies were promptly
on the spot, bat before the flames could be suff
Ciently extinGuished the handsome residence of
Captain Garrison also caught fire and was entirely
consumed. The yacht fremont, owned by R Liv
ipgs.on, Esq, was likewise destroyed, In spite Of
the greatest exertions to save her. Fires have been
uite prevalent Of late in Yonkers and it is thought
that the insendiary has been busy at his work Of
destruction. The loss on the burnt buildings
amounts to $4,000.
At the meeting Of the Board of Almshouse Co
vernors yesterday o resolution was adopted ap-
$50 70 place wire network outside the
bars Of murderers cells, to prevent their friends
fror, passing anything in to them. lively discus
sion arose out Of motion to discharge demo
cratic oyerseer of the erection of the Island
Hospital. The subject was finally referred TO the
Committee ON Island Hospital, to report upon it In
two weeks. No further business Of importance
was transacted. The number in the institutions IS
$3.50, q decrease of IS for the week.
The Aldermanic Committee on Streets were to
have met yesterday to hear parties on the subject
of widening Ann street from William to Gold
street, but none of the Aldermen made their ap-
pearance at the proper time, and consequently no
meeting took place. A large number Of property
holders interested in the Improvement were pre-
sent, all Of whom, on motion Of George G. Sickles,
ssnihed their disapprobation Of the proposed mea-
sure.
In the Court Of Oyer and Terminer yesterday,
John Hayes, charged with the murder Of Edward
ksuyi on the sist Of August last, BY shooting him