The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-28
TRIPLE SHEET.


The news from Washington this morning is un-
usually interesting. The prolonged and weaIisome,
but important, question of the Speakership Of the
House came nearer q conclusion than it has since
the opening of the session of Congress. At
the usual hour, according to previous I'M
derstanding, the House commenced to ballot. Mr..
William N Fl. Smith, of North Carolina, an old line
Clay wing, who has heretofore acted with the
Southern opposition, but who has never belonged to
the American know nothing Order, was formally put
in nomination, and received the votes Of six Penn
sylvana and New Jersey members, who have here
tofore voted with the republicans, the entire demo
cratic vote, except three and the votes Of his own
party. 1t was apparent that he was elected; but
Just as the discovery made five of the six repub
ncans who had voted for Mr.. Smith changed their
minds and scattered their votes, thus leaving Mr..
Smith three votes short Of the necessary number.
There were 22S votes cast. Mr.. Smith received
Ill., Mr. Sherman LOG, Mr.. Corwin 4, and the bal
ance was divided among half dozen other candi-
dates. The House occupied four hours in taking
the vote, and when it was declared, adjourned till
Monday. During the proceedings the most intense
anxiety to learn the result was manifested, both
ON the floor of the House and among the specta-
tors in the gallery. 1t is believed that there is
day.
The proceedings Of the Legislature yesterday
win be read with interest, especially by the citizens
Of the metropolis In the Senate, the bill amend
ing the city railroad act was debated in Committee
Of the Whole by Messrs. Ramsey, Sessions, Grant,
apinoIA and Mannierre. A sketch Of the debate ID
given in our special despatch. A message was re-
ceived from the Governor recommending an invita-
ton to the Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio Legiala-
lures to visit Albany, and partake Of the hosptai
ties of the State of New York. A resolution in &C.
cordance with the suggestion was subsequently
adopted by both houses. The Legislatures of Ken
lucky and Tennessee are now on a visit to the Lee
gislature of Ohio and the Legislators are having
jolly time. Among the bills introduced were one
to amend the act enforcing responsibility of stock
holders, and one to establish Supreme Court
library in Buffalo. Bills were passed to
exempt fremen from taxation, and to make
appropriations to pay the s2,500,0o0 loan and
interest. In the Assembly bills were re-
ported to prevent stockholders voting by proxy,
to enable aliens to hold and convey real estate to
protect the property of married women, and to aid
the Lake Ontario and Hudson River Railroad. The
project Of compelling husbands and wives to testify
against each other was reported against Bills were
passed for the relief Of Luther Wright, relative to
lands purchased by Daniel Lord, to Sing Sing
prison, to claims to real property and to the Min
strel Fund Association 1t agreed to hold even
ing sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays The As
sembly adjourned till Monday evening at seven
o'clock.
The case Of Henry Williams, charged with de.
frauding the Post Office, was continued yesterday
IAf~~ ~.r,.A,x De- Co.
both sides the Commissioner decided to send the
case to the Grand Jury and placed the amount of
bail at S. 900.
The trial of John Donnelly, for the killing of
Charles Cobane, was concluded yesterday in the
Court Of Oyer and Terminer, and the jury rendered
verdict of manslaughter in the third degree
against the prisoner. Patrick Farrell, indicted with
William Jones for the murder Of an unknown man
on the Five Points withdrew his plea Of not guilty
and pleaded guilty to mansaughter in the third de-
gree, the crime for which Jones was convicted.
Farrell was remanded for sentence.
The following delegates have been elected from
the Second Congressional district of New York to
the Democratic National Convention Daniel
Chauneey and Dr.. John Hazlett; alternates, Joseph
Wilson and Richard II. Tucker
The post Office, block of six stores adjoining,
and Q stable and forty-one horses, at Memphis,
Tenn, were totally destroyed by fire yesterday
morning. The loss is estimated at 100000
By the arrival of the overland mail we have San
Francisco advices to the 9Th instant one day later
than the news brought by the Baltic via the 18th
mus. A caucus of democratic members Of the
Legislature had been held at Sacramento to nom
nate q candidate for the United States Senate, in
place of the late Mr.. Frederick. Messrs Weller,
Denver, Baldwin, Washington and Macdougall were
nominated and seven ballots were taken without
efIectng choice. The result was regarded as less
favorable to Mr.. Weller than anticipated. Bust
ness generally in San Francisco exhibited no signs
Of improvement
We have received advices from South America
to the Sd Of December last The Republica of
the Sd contains q cock and a-bnn story of
dreadful naval combat between the French and
English squadrons between Tangier and Gibraltar,
resulting in the loss Of six vessels on either side
The same paper has long article on the alleged
action Of Britsh naval squadron in firing into aud
taking possession Of the Paragraph steamer Ia
GUAR, while General Francisco Lopez and his staff
were on board. The Republicd denounces the
act as being felonious, and unworthy OF a great
and powerful nation, and thinks that while the
means OF q peaceful solution of the difficulties
pending between England and Paraguay had not
been exhausted, 1t was unfair to resort to force
against weaker Power. Il then aliudes To the
squadron recently sent from America to Paraguay.
and compares the conduct Of the American negro.
Hator to that Of the Ensl4A esn.iaa1ases ia mAu.
ner very little fayonbis 70 the latter. Il ssys that