New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-23
FROM PHMADEBPHLA.

yscn o.r Own Correspondent. ~ 80
' PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 90, 1860.
n. ,;.;ss;tudos of the present season have been
mite remarkable with us. The Delaware has been |
sroyep sohd four times during the Winter, and Is |
now brdeed over from this city clear up to its |
source. Those who Keep the records say that the |
hke has not occurred for forty years. Below the
CITY and opposite the ice is kept moving by the
constant passage Of the huge ice breaking ferry
boats to Camden. One of these was caught by
vast cake coming up with the tide short time
since, just as she was entering the canal 10 the
island, and driven on to the piles which skirt the
canal, where she now hangs by her guards, COM
plsttly on her beam ends, and almost wreck. The
ice made here has been full a foot thick, better
article than known in this region for many years
This extreme weather is operating badly on our
Spring trade, though there is every indication that
when it does fairly open, Il VIII 90 so oIlshy Our
hotels are beginning TO FL up with distant buyers
and the great Continental now open for inmates, is
attracting so many strangers that it will soon be
flied. An abundance of money exists, hrst-cass
peper goes readily at legal interest, and the sound
stocks are in some instances rising at rates almost
uuexampled. Preferred Morris Canal has risen ~
SINCE the dividend this month, and Camden and
Amboy some $40 since January, selling now at
l3l This last is influenced by the lew power
almost certain 70 be granted by the New-Jersey
legislature authorizing il TO build an independent
road from Brunswick 10 HobOken, thus
enabling il to shake off its dependence OF the New.
Jersey Road The dOngs at Trenton show that
certain powerful railroad interests have coalesced
IN favor of the Camden and Amboy Company, which
will result in the construction Of two new roads
Seading directly TO New-York.
It's difficult 10 get at q reliable insight into the
true merits and condition of the new water gas OF
DR. Sanders about which 30 much curiosity has
been excited. There can be no doubt that there
are parties here who do not want to succeed, and
who lust now are especially fearful that it will, as
its merits will very soon be submitted to the test of
thorouph public examination. For months past the
owners of the patent have been quietly putting up
suitable apparatus at the Northern Liberties Gas
Works, and last week the premises were completed
lighted by the new gas So far as relates To Drll-
hancy and freedom from unpleasant SMELL 1t was
complete success. The cost is claimed to be only
about 40 cents per 900 feet. But is on this vital
mint that controversy exists which time and trial can
Alone determine. This much appears certain, that
retors one-hird the size Ofthoe used in coal works,
xVin nroduce a much greater amount of gas. This
exhibition WINS open and above board the fullest ex-
planaton being given to all iDqulrers SO well salts
ned are the propretOrs of the Girard House of the
merits Of the new gas that arrangements are now
IN progress to light that building with H. Inc whole
~
~ introduced at small cost, into any large establish
W mept But it must not be concealed that at our
CITY Gas Works numerous experiments nave been
tried BY DR.. Sanders's agent all which are alleged
to have failed in showing any superiority economy
iD the use of water gas Ii is there admitted that
gas can be produced but at so hgha cost as to rem
der il useless A few months viii determine this
question concusyely.
The regulators of railroad bonds in this State
are finding that reputation is harder road than
Jordan to travel A limb of the law in Washington
County permitted bis library to be seized for the
tax few days ago. and then let the books 90 to
sale, SO that he might have the additional satIsfac
ton of testing in higher court the identical ques
ton which bas been repeatedly decided there al
ready. Then last week, in the Supreme Court here,
the Allegheny COunh Bonds came up again III way
that drew forth the wrath Of the Judges, one Of
whom, Woodward, Indignantly left the bench. 1t
was on argument to show cause why the Commits
s0ners Of that county should not be attached for
contempt in refusing to raise the tax to pay inter
est on $500 600 of the bonds previously ordered
BY the Court. TIE writ of peremptOry mandamus
Was returnable last Monday, and the answer was so
shutting aud evasve tbat the rule in relation to the
attachment was ordered, returnable last Saturday.
The Commissioners did not appear IN person, and
Judge Woodward regarding the proceedings in the
light of criminal prosecution, refused TO hear
them by counsel, aud left the bench. The case is
not vet concluded but il is quite evident that these
nothing in the end. Our Courts have so repeatedly
decided against reputation, that the payment Of
all these railroad bonds may be set down as sure
thing
The bones of the defunct Bank of Pennsylvania
have been picked clean by the lawyers and other
htiQants Last week the Auditor made a report OF
the FIRST account Of the assgnees. There Is cash
balance of about s. ,492 in their hands, OF which
$3,454 90 to pay commissions, fees and expenses
~, 6y5 to Forum 81 Co., leaving 800 for dis
Irritation among note holders, depostOrs, and other
creditors in the order herein named. Yet with even
this meaQer display the Attorney General steps in
and claims everything for the State as the first
creditor 10 be paid Many of the creditors also ex-
eept to this mode Of distribution that litigation
has fairly set in. The stockholders have long since
abandoned all their interest of the S20000O0,
and are nOways affected by the question Of who
now gets the assets.
A bin is before the Legislature to remove the
Capitol from Harrisburg TO this city. The measure
originates with the country members, not with u.s.
and there is quite strong feeling among them in its
favor. They are tired of the duness and isolation
OF a country village and sigh for the uxuries and
Tecreations which abound in the metropolis. But
they set out with the idea that Philadelphia Will
spend half million in billings for their use for the
sake of getting them here. Our people VIII DO no
such thing.
There Is an interesting rivalry going on at the
FairInOunt Water-wOrks between the inventors OF
turbine wheels. In doubling the capacity OF the
works inventors were invited TO compete IN fur
nishng turbines; and since October last expert
ments have been made with about dozen different
wheels and are vet continued. Only three Of these
wheels will be permanently employed, but II Is
estimated that their combined capacity will be much