The New York herald., 1869-12-27

to the voter by iae law Is the ability TO read and
write and In soms cases the census 0flcers have
been detected in inscStping the names OF persons
who did not possess these important qualifications
In some OF the southern departments serious dis
turbances were as one time feared, aud as old poll
tcal animosties were awakened by the movement q
general change In the system was considered almost
impossible. Still the law is being actively carried
OUT and, the first enactment having passed by, the
people are commencing to be convinced OF the su-
preme utility OF the measure. Mr.. Lasarria, one OF
the foremost OF the opposition deputies, dsmanded
that the government should Immediately investl-
gate and punish the action OF several OF the num-
cipalities where favortism had been manifesHy
displayed; but the administration, dreadng an in
tefruption OF tne census, roundy refused. alleging
that such investigation could only be practised by
an order from the proper tribunal whose action IN
the matter has not yet been maze known.
ln the matter OF public instruction Chile mas
always Deen far IN advance OF her sister republics
OF South America. and according TO the official
accounts or expenses, employs larger sum, in pro-
portion to her income, Iii the establishment aud
support or public schools tnan any country IN tine
world. Nevertheless It has been recently proved In
Congress that the falling OF In attendance ut these
1s 900 scholars were being educated at the public
expense, and IN this year the names OF but little
more than 900 appear on the list TO this the MIN
later or this particular branch replied that the atten-
tion OF the government had for some time past been
called to this unfavorable circumstance, and that
schools upon their old footing. The plan proposed
by the government was not TO diminish the amount
expended, but to suppress number OF the instltu-
tions, and thereby so improve the remainder as TO
offer TO parents tue most inviting inducements TO
send their children This idea meets with general
approval. aud, II Is thought Will accomplish the
desired end
The sum OF $2so,OOo, voted by Congress for the
purpose OF organizing expeditions 10 hold the prov.
inces OF the subdued Araucanians Is already being
employed An engineer has been ordered TO pre-
pare such military maps or the district IN question
fna I'M fnp fha .H4d
upon, and although since the recent friendly con-
ferences with the principal caciques ana their ap-
parent good VIII and desire to MAINTAIN peace, the
government Is too well acquainted with the indian
character 10 contde blindly In their promises. The
rich gold mining country bordering on TIE
Imperial river. 10 celebrated and lucrative
while the Jesuite missionaries held the sayages
IN & peace ss,,.s,. Is nIss 70 i be ,sns explored red
ample protection given TO immigrants. In VAL
paralso we have number OF old Cailfornians who
propose prospecting along the river aud their ex-
ample viii doubtless be generally followed. The
wealth Of the section referred TO has always been
described AZ fabulous and the Indians confess that
the gold they use ana wear Is derived rom the mines
IN that vicinity.
most destructive fire occurred in Santiago this
morning The buildings from the spacious Union
club to the National Bank OF Cnle were entirely
consumed including the former. The loss Is pro-
badly in the neighborhood OF 800, 600 hard dollars
and the portion OF the city destroyed of thes
most beautiful in the capital The origin OF the fire
was rather poetical. 1tc President OF the Club Don
Manuel Aloalde had died one or two days previously
and his funeral was to take place this morning AS
many OF the members OF the club proposed accom-
panylng the remains 10 the cemetery, ire left
burning In the Kitchen in order TO prepare conee
&C.. before the procession departed. From this
originated the connagraton. The nremen OF San
tiago, all volunteer associations, worked noDy aud
succeeded in subduing the names not, however
until one Of tnelr number had oesn fatally injured
and several Others slightly. The different insurance
companies, both national ana foreign, have lost
heavily by the occurrence.
The convict establishment In the Straits OF Magel-
Ian Is progressing very satisfactorily. coal mine
OF superior quality has discoye red In the vciu
ity Of the settlement and by January next the GOV.
ernor offers to supply all the steamers passing
through the Straits with this article. The expenses
OF the colony Will be more than betrayed by the
received.
The gunboat Reindeer has sailed for Pitcairn's
Island, laden with provisions and clothing for the
descendats OF the mutlneers or the celebrated
Bounty. These supplies have been contributed by
charitable persons IN this oiy and Ia the capital.