The New York herald., 1867-02-18

deieessed by bs government or that Territory repre-
sent its interests here in regard 70 admission into tn
Union and other important matters
The Reported Death of Professor Bache.
the friends OF Professor Bache Of hs
Coast Survey learned with deep regret to-day OF hi:
death this morning ai Newport r. L. from softening Of
the brain.
A Tasting Committee
The Commissioner Of Agriculture having some time ago
received number Of samples OF California products,
among which were oranges, lemons, nuts rasins and
wines invited at request the parties who
the same several members Of Congress and few other
gentlemen TO assemble a the Agricultural Las
evening Tor the purpose Of inspecting the samples
committee OF seven was selected from the members Of
Congress present to test the articles In semi official
manner and render written report as to their quality
The following were the committee:-Messrs Lawrence
and Sconsld, Of Pennsyivania; Kasson OF Iowa: win.
field and Hart Of New York; Fnck, OF Ohio and Sloan.
Of Wisconsin.
The Conversational Temperance Society.
The first meeting Of the Congressional Temperance So
cety was held tonight in the hall Of the House Of Rep.
resentatives The galleries were not only densey
crowded but many persons unable to obtain even
standing room inside, and, therefore, remained at the
doors The seats the floor were occupied by members
OF Congress and others accompanied by ladies'
Senator Wilson presided In opening the meeting he
said several senators and mindful Of the
numerous evils and sorrows Of nemperance had formed
society In which they had pledged each to the other
AND s 70 the country TO put away from them forever
they the holy cause Of temperance He smoke NJ
some length In furtheance OF the object remarkng that
,ney n1mSly nnS trusted that in the provdsnce Of Al
intemperance, which were sweeping our land and
temperance, made the next speech in the course OF
which no said that during his experience OF
years IN the cause OF temperance he had witnessed
scene like that before him. Of 90 much brancy and
30 full OF interest.
Representative Mckee said he was not q recent con-
vert 70 the cause and eoqueny argued that the only
safeguard AGAINST incompetence was the signing and al
herring TO the pledge The remarks or both Of these
gentlemen were frequently interrupted by applause
Senator Wilson next introduced In complimentary
terms senator Yates Of llliDois When the latter gen.
teman took the stand he heartily greeted BY the
and had made his covenant With God some two months
ago. The abie eloquent and noble Senator from Mas.
sachusett In the Kindness and goodness Of his heart
came to him aud said: Governor want you to sign
call for q temperance meeting. With all nv heart
said Yates; but the temperance meeting did not take
place. Yates then said to Wilson he tired Of wait
ing when hts friend furnished him with the pledge Ho
read carefully and when he signed II raised himself
TO his full height for he was free Applause He took
no pride for having been addicted to ardent spirits
Iaughcr.l Although he had considered himself mod
crate dnker II was published throughout the land that
he was q drunkard There was some truth and error,
too in this He had failing, when drunk OF letting
everybody know It His speeches were not frequent,
but long and loud aughter The prairie did not fur
nish room enough for him when be made forward
movement. lRenewed laughter) The great common
wealth Of Illinois had for twenty years honored him
all public POSITIONS and he had now promised that
State, all who loved him. Katy the children that he
would never more touch taste handle tho unclean
thing He intended to fight It out that line to the
last hour OF his existence He would tonight soon
think Of drinking FIRE as whiskey for the latter hell
and damnation He was a. proud of having taken the
the strongest expression that he could make as 70 his
sincerity. He spoke of the evils OF inemperance and
10 conclusion read cheering and Joyous letter from his
wife IN response TO the good that he had signed the
pledge, which moved many In the audience TO tears
When he about to leave the stand basket Of flowers
was presented to him by friend.
Representatives Dodge, OF New York, and Woodbridge
OF Vermont next severay addressed the mseting ana
their remarks were also welcomed bv applause
While the former speaking about the pledge
which had been signed various persons called for the
reading Of the names, and they given by him. both
Of Massachusetts,, Yates Wiley, Pomeroy Ross OF
Kansas Morrill, Of Maine Cragn Colfax Price, Plants
Cook Delano, Patterson. Holmes, wentworth, Wilson
OF Pa, Newell, Mckee, Hubbard. Lynch Rice Of Maine
Julian Barker, Van Asrmsn. Hubbard Of Conn, Alley,
Ames and Dodge
OF Thaddeus Steyens tAppause) Mr. Stevens had mot
for thirty years drank drop Of Intoxicating liquor
York. in charge OF Mr. Van Meter here entered the hail.
and having been ranged At the Clerks desk sang in plain
Como Home" The audience ssninsd their Appreciation
with the vocal performance By repeated applause.
Senator Wilson introduced Speaker Cofax the
ing who discharged the duties Of the chair with
much honor 20 himself and satisfaction the House,
and expressed tho hope that the temperance example
Of Mr. Colfax would be followed by all the members of
the House.
Speaker Cofax his remarks said his devotion to the
dated further back than any written pledge.
About thirty years ago whom he witnessed the death Of
companion from derum tremens, he resolved
that he would never follow in the road Of o
drunkard He eoquently admonIshed the young Of the
great evil and said that in the course Of his twelve
years OF legislative service there had been less OF
much applauded.
Representative Grinnell, Of Iowa showed thnt that
State had taken the lead Of all others In the OF
temperance Representative Patterson made the closing
speech These gentlemen received great applause. The
proceedings were closed By the singing of the children
from New York.