Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-01-15
FROM THE METROPOLIS.
Correspondence of the Ohio statesman.l
New York, Jan. 10, 1868.

NEW 1ORk, Jan. III, 1868.
When you meet a man in our city at the
present time and ask him what the news is
he will at once begin to talk about what is
going on In Washington, what Congress is
expected to do or not to do, what the pros
poets are Tor the country, the Presidential
campaign and such like. Again, he will
discuss the quarres which Napoleon and
the Italian people, and the Gar and the
Grand Turk are engaged in, mention the
King. Of Prussia, and in fact talk about
every and any thing except home matters.
In some respects heis indeed excusabl'
for there is little to talk about in this me-
tropoHs, which your readers may care TO
know. The discussions among the COM
missioners appointed to superintend the
construction of the new postoffice building,
give occasion for much fun among the pub
lie. Unfortunately our citizens have to pay
for the wisdom evinced by these gentle
men. Among the resolutions adopted in
the matter, we will for instance mention
the one by virtue of which every plan of
building presented to them will be paid,
and that part of it selected which will ap-
pear to them the most practical Thus we
may expect to see building erected which
will represent dozen different styles
and tastes of architecture. AS soon
as the weather begins to moderate
it is intended that the construction Of the
| work be ationce commenced with. King
Frost does indeed begin to swing his seep-
tire againwith much severity and the house.
less and homeless are suffering intense
Iy. lTheiprice Of labor is greatly reduced,
and hundreds of men are looking for en-
ployment. The prospects are that this
state of affairs will continue until the re-
turn of mild weather will call for hands to
build houses or for help ON our wharfs.- =
The present year seems indeed to become
favorable one for the erection of build
ings in preference to the time when labor
was paid at the rate OF 50 to IS day. We
have plenty vacant lots in our uptown
streets left, and the construction of new
houses would necessarily bring the rents
down, which, although lower than in
former years, are still out of proportion
with the general amount of business trans
acted The few American vessels which
arrive at our port are sufficient evidence OF
the fact that ship buildiug is at complete
stand still in our country nor is there any
hope for that line of business reviving very
soon. Among the numerous emigrant yes
sells which have arrived at our port during
the last month only two were American, the
majority of them sailing under German or
British flag. In spite Of the inclement sea-
son, immigration was very brisk and it is
favorable sign Of the times that the ma
jority of the arriyers are at once proceeding
west, instead of spending what money they
have in the vain hope of obtaining employ
ment in this city. The population OF the
United States promises to increase consid :
erably this year by immigration, if we are
to believe the reports which reach US from
abroad. Well, let them come, we have
room for all of them, and the faster they
arrive the more favorable must the pros
poets necessarily become for the increase
of our commercial prosperity and for the
Improvement of the country generally.
The Republican Party as Viewed
from "A Republican Standpoint.
The New York Times, one of the ablest
Republican papers in the country,
of the 11th, in very sorrow refers as
follows to the course of the leaders of the
Republican party in Congress: fHaj rs
| 'Doabt no longer hangs over the pur-
poses of the extremists. The conferences
with Mr.. Stevens, the resolutions of Messrs.
Upson and Boutwell, in the Heuse and the
more specific proposition of Mr.. Norton in
the Senate. all point to the same result
The reconstruction law is not to be allow
| ed to run its course. 1t is to be stopped on
the plea that its working is not according
to Radical notions. The whole question is
to be reopened, and the confusion thai ex-
lists in the South is to be worse confound-
ed,' in order that early and peaceful resto-
ration may be rendered impossible. In
stead of reconstruction, we are TO have dis
organization u, - eg}' saW
| SIS y But these endeavors to reopen
the subject and to start afresh by plunging
the South into positive anarchy, prove the
futility Of all reasonable expectations, and
the wildness and folly, if not the political
dishonesty, of those who are engaged in
the work. Ii they succeed, reconstruction
will be postponed indefinitely. Disorgan-
ization will be the order of the day. And
no man will venture to predict when or
how it will end. a. ed .4i.. 9g,. !ri:.f
In a party sense, the movement is de-
structive. Reconstruction has put the Re-
publican party on its trial, and the verdict
must be tagainstit if, after two years ex-
perimentaliZing,i it confesses itself no near
er success than when it started. The coun-
| try has sustained it, so far, under belief
| chat it would quickly and safely restore the
integrity of the Union. Il With what pro-
prietY or confidence, with. what justice or
decency, will it be possible to ask for fur
ther support, if the tolls and devices of two
alrr- 1xyf sorr mt q
nominious failure? What reliance can be
placed on the capacityvwhat trust in the
ljudgment-of Republican ,statesmanship,
ii it thus repudiate it's own handiwork?"
The Ohio State Journal is in trouble about
financial questions, and thus in its issue of
the 18th testifies that the Republican party
in Congress is not equal to the task of ad-
justing them: r.,. ,.f.-.,.,. .,.,..,3
@Copcerning the best policy to pursue in
finance the Republican party is not har-
monious. Each member Of Congress seems
to have his own favorite financial scheme
and is by consequence opposed to the plan
of every other member, and no two Re-
publican journals are in accord with ref
erence to the proper policy to adopt"
What is the use of keeping longer in
power a party that is so notoriously unfit
to properly administer the Government?
Resignation of the Secretary of
State.
VIM. HENRY SMITH, Secretary Of State,
has resigned that Office in order to enable
him to devote his time to a new evening
daily journal. soon to be started in Cincin-
natl. On Tuesday his resignation was ac-
cepted by the Governor, and JOHN Rus
SELL, who has been acting as Chief Clerk
in the office of the Secretary, was appoint
ed his successor.
During the time Mr.. SMITH held the Office
he m1de many friends in the CITY hu his