The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-31
The News.

Our accounts from Washington are important
The Senate yesterday listened to speech from
Mr. Nicholson of Tennessee, on the "Drepressible
conflict" confirmed number of unimportant ap.
pointments, and adjourned. The House was the
focus of attraction, and at an early hour the spa
Cious galleries were Gironged with spectators,
while large number Of ladies occupied the floor
pf the House. The members could not stand the
press of petticoats, but drove the fair intruders
forth before proceeding to business. Upon
call of the House, preparatory to ballotting
for Speaker, it was ascertained that only
three members were absent-namely: Messrs.
Brown, of kentucky; Stallworth, of Alabama, and
c. D. Cochrane, of New York. The first named are
democrats, while the latter is republican. Mr..
Sherman, the republican candidate for the Speak
ership, then addressed the House. withdrawing
from the contest, and Mr.. Pennington, of New Jer-
sey was nominated in his stead, while the demo.
Gratis supported Mr.. Smith, of North Carolina.
Three ballots were taken, the last resulting as fol-
lows
Mr. Pennington lis
Mr. smith 1l3
scattering ......................
Necessary to q choice. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. III
The House then adjourned. In the evening the
democrats held caucus and appointeda committee
TO select candidate, and it is stated that Mr..
McClernand of Illinois, Mr.. Larrabee of Wiscon-
sin or Mr.. Millson of Virginia, will be chosen, with
the view of concentrating the votes of all opposed
10 Mr. Pennington.
The Senate Harper's Ferry Investigating Com
mittee have ubpunaed Thaddeus Hyatt the Presi-
dent of the Kansas Aid Society and Hyatt has sent
them letter, which we publish to-day in which he
announces his determination not to answer the in
terrogations Of the committee. Should he refuse
TO testify he will be regarded as contumacious
witness, and be placed in duress, when writ of
habeas corpus will be sued out and the case taken
before the Supreme Court.
The Legislature met last evening. The Senate
transacted no business of importance. The bill
amending the general city railroad law, which
passed the Senate on Saturday, was passed by the
Assembly last evening, ordered to be engrossed,
and probably received the signature of the Go.
vernon; and thus is consummated another scheme
to plumber the citizens of this metropolis Our cor
respondent has pretty thoroughly ventilated these
railroad plots in his despatch published in another
column.
At the meeting of the Board of Supervisors yes.
ferday, resolution declaring that the Board will
not pay any bills for advertising for the county,
was adopted. The Excise Commissioners were re-
quested to report the cases where legal proceed.
ings have been commenced for penalty under the
Excise Law during the years 1858 and 1859, and
the number of cases that have been discontinued
or compromised; also the amount received in
each case, and the amount Of such receipts which
have been paid into the county treasury.
AT the meeting of the Board of Aldermen yester
day, strong protest against the passage by the
Legislature of any law with reference to city rail
roads was proposed and adopted
The Board of Councilmen held brief session
last evening. commission was appointed TO
examine and report upon the safety of the State
Arsenal. The Corporation Counsel in replv To n
resolution Of inquiry, advises the Common Council
to make further provision for the examination of
buildings in the course of construction resolu.
lion in favor of restricting the two horse railroad
cars to twenty-four passengers, and the one horse
cars to fourteen, was referred to the Committee m
Railroads.
Mr.. Sutton, Warden ofthe City Prison, yesterday
Afternoon made very important discovery in the
cells Of the two murderers Stephens and Sanchez.
IT appears these two prisoners had entered into
conspiracy to escape. The plan was to kill the two
night keepers when those officers opened the cell
noor to hand in their supper then obtain the keys
and let themselves out loaded revolver was
found on each prisoner A detailed report will be
found in another column
There were $50 deaths in the city last week.
showing decrease Of SO as compared with the
week previous, and an increase Of 40 as compared
with the corresponding period last year
The trial Of John Crimmins for the murder of
Dennis McHenry, by stabbing him with sword.
IN the 10th Of October last, was commenced in the
Court Of Oyer and Terminer yesterday.
The anniversary Of the birthday of Thomas
Paine was celebrated by his admirers at the CITY
Assembly Rooms last evening. Owing to the press
Or matter We are obliged to defer the publication
nj nur ~