The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-12-31
By Telegraph.
REPORTED yoa THE DAILY ARGUS.


New YoRK, Dec. 31.--The adoption, by the
councilmen, of the ordinance empowering the
mayor to grant licenses to tavern keepers, is for
the purpose of testing the constitutiOnaty of the
excise law.
They also concurred in the adoption of rcso-
luton directing the state and national authori-
ties to protect naturalized citizens abroad.
At a meeting of liquor dealers and members of
| the legislature, at the Aston House, yesterday,
the draft Of bill to be submitted to the legisla-
ture, was presented. IL provides for the issuing
of liquor licenses, by the mayor of this city, and
the establishment, under his supervision, Of ba-
reau of excise licenses.
Judge Clarke, of the supreme court, general
term, in the ease OF the Commonwealth versus
Jasper Van Voet ct al, in which the bank appeals
from q decision Of the lower court, decided, yes
terday, that gold and silver are no longer lawful
money of the country, but merchantable commod-
tiles, and that promisory notes made payable in
of an co uivalent value.
The New York Tribune's special says: state
ment of the public debt will be published on
Tuesday, January 18th. 1t is expected there
will be about eighty million dollars in gold ON
hand, at the beginning of the new year. Out Of
this arc to be paid about thirty million dollars,
10 meet the interest the public debt; the prin-
eipal of the bonds of 1867 maturing on the LIST
proximo; the twenty -four year bonds of 1867; the
semi-annual interest the bonds of 1851 and
tue III uudl lntcTcst O-<V
By order Of the secretary of the navy, the sal
aries of all mechanics in the navy yard, will be
reduced thirtyfve per cent. after the LIST of JAN
uary next. They viii accept this modification, as
they afraid their places will be filed by other
mechanics who are now out of employment. 1t
is understood reductions will be made in other
localities, of q similar Kind. ts
The N. Y. Herald's special says the de-
tectve agents of the Treasury have unearthed
another mode of smuggling goods into the
country from foreign ports. A gentleman
living in France notified the deartment that
a large quantity of silks were about being
smuggled into the United States and stated
the name of the vessel containing the cargo.
When the information was received the ves-
sci had discharged her cargo, and on inspec-
ton 1t was found that the labels had been
removed from great portion of the silk
goods; but ninety pieces were discovered
that we're not manifested, which were accor-
dinghy seized. The investigation has prov
ed that the firm IN question has been con-
Quoting this contraband business for the last
year.
DUBUQUE, Dec. 3l.-Letters received from
ID. c. White, president of the Mississippi
Valley q National Telegraph Company, state
that the line will be completed and in oper-
alton between Minneapolis and Lansing
within the next thirty days, and to Dubuque
between this and spring.
MADISON, Wis. Dec. 3l.-The Legislature
convenes next Wednesday. Among the
more important questions to come before it,
are two proposed amendments to the consti-
tuition, originated by the last Legislature, for
the extension of the elective franchise to
women, and creating of a state debt for the
encouragement of railroad enterprises.
CHICAGO, Dec. 3l.-At meeting of re-
publicans, at the fremont House, last even
ing, a comm ittee of Al was appointed to
mako arrangements for the meeting of the
National Republican Convention in this city,
May Goth.
Robert Hale, superintendent of the Chica-
go & ST. Louis railroad, has rendered his
resignation to take effect the LIST of January.
The attempt TO walk IS miles in "a hours.
by Capt. John ID. Burgh, commences at
Dexter Park at O'Clock this afternoon.
CHICAGO, Dec. 3lst.-In the case of Cross,
the forger, the question as TO whether the
warden of the penetentiary shall be COM
PEELED to obey the writ of habeas corpus, was
to be argued before Judge Williams, of the
circuit court, this morning, but the hearing
was postponed TO Thursday at 3 A. Nj.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3l.-Soon after it as
sembled, the House of Representatives call
ed upon the heads of departments for state
ment of the amount discussed BY them I'M
der the act of congress giving the employ
ees of the government in Washington 20 per
cent additional compensation.
The following statements have been re-
csived: From the Treasury $647,334.
From the War Department $345, 402. From
the Navy Department S47,0l5. From the
Post Office Department. S55,5Os. From the
Department of Agriculture S2,07e. Total
thus far Sl,ll5, $40. The State and Interi-
or Departments and Attorney Generals
Office have not reported.
MADISON IND, Dec. 31.--A man named John
Redman, confined in Jail here, was shot and
killed by Sheriff Thomson last night. The sheriff
vent into the Jail to lock the prisoners in their
cells. On entering and locking the door, he was
seized by Redman. The sheriff called for help
and another prisoner came up, but instead of rem
dering assistance, took the key from the sheriff
and attempted to unlock the door. The sheriff
warned Redman the second time 10 let 90 of him
OF he would shoot him. Not being obeyca. and
seeing other prisoners were about 70 escape, he
drew n revolver, shooting Redman through the
heart. killing him instantly.