The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-12-23
NEW YORK.
Tweed Again.

NEW YORK, Dec 22.-lt is reported that
Tweed will be Brought up within few days on
a writ of habeas corpus before the Court of
Oyer and Terminer, when the question will be
raised whether BlackwelPs Island is county
Jail or place to which one convicted of a mis-
demeanor can be legally committed.
Further Particular of Eenet's Escape.
Harry Genet, who was found guilty of fraud
on Friday last, has escaped. Since his convic-
ton he has been ia the custody of deputy sher-
lift Shields, at his residence in Harlem. Shields
sat up with him last night until 3 o'clock. Ge-
net then asked permission to go up stairs to see
his wife, saying that it may be the last time,
Shields was satisfied that It was all right as he
had allowed HIM to do the same thing the night
previous and he had returned promptly. The
deputy sheriff felt fatigued and fell asleep, not
awaking until o'clock this morning, when he
discovered that his prisoner was not to be
found He spoke to Mrs. Genet but she de-
MED that she had seen her husband at all, and
said that he did not CONS up stairs.
Opinions of the New York Press ON the
virginius Decision.
The &ttorney Generals last reported decis-
ion regarding the Virglnius constitutes the
leading topic of discussion in the morning jour-
nals
The Tribune says that il our government has
reached this decision there should BIZ no hesita-
ton in pressing with the utmost trankness and
promptnesS the measures for the condemnation
of the compromised vessel.
The Times says editorially that I'VE have no
doubt whatever that the Virg aius uarried the
American flag fraudulently; that she was not
only engaged in tiibustering expedition of
the grossest kind but that she was to all in
tents and purposes an insurgent steamer be-
longing to the Cubans, aud only using the
American flag as blind to cover an illegal ex-
petition. All this of course could not be known
at first.
The Spanish government has had time to put
in its evidence, and of course that evidence
would be placed before the Attorney General.
From all that we know of it we should Judge
that the evidence in question leaves no room
for doubt as tie the true character of the Vir-
einius. She has practced a cheat upon the
Unittd States government; she had 10 right to
carry the American flag; and was engaged in
an enterprise which was distinct violation of
the law.
Per contra, the Herald Washington dispatch
contains long statement to the effect that the
right of the Virginius to carry our flag is fully
established, and that such is the judgment of
the administration
The Banks.
The amount of greenbaks now in banks in
New York is almost identical with the sum to-
tai held this time last year, while the Treasury
has increased its outstanding greenbaks 49,
903, 900, and the national bank circulation has
been increased sc 100000. The bank loans in
New York on SS3,000,000 Capital then stood
$275800,000. They now stand on 1856, 1000.
Capital S258, 100000.
Forefathers Day.
The New England Society of this city held
their annual festival in commemoration of the
ltnding of the Pilgrims at Delmonicos to-
night. President Eliot G. Cowdin presided.
The hall was tastefully festooned with flags.
spoke the following prominent people were
present: Gen. Poe of ShermaE's staff, Gen.
Stewart L. Woodford, Col. Howe, Hon, f. w.
Thomas of Montreal, Gen. Howard of Rhode
Island VIM. NJ Feiss, Col. Bliss, the Presi
dents of the societies of st. George st. Patrick,
st. Andrews and St. Nicholas, and MANY 9TH
ers.
During the banquet which preceded the 9TH
er exercises, the Hon. Charles Sumner who ar
rived from Washington late this evening" was
escorted TO a seat at the right OF President
Cowdin, the audience greeting him with cheers
and continued hand-clappng He took his seat
with Gen. Sherman on his right, both entering
into the most cordial conversation.
Henry ward Reeeaer pronounced the bless
ing prior to the banquet, sAfter lengthy discus
sons present, President Cowdin thanked the
society for its kindness during his term of Of
flee. which expires to-day, and proposed the
toast The day We celebrate" and tspOke to it
at some length, referring to the moulding in
fuence OF New England ideas which has been
felt by so many generations, and closed by an
euiogy Of the Puritans, saying:
"And when we seek the source of our fran
chise, the origin of our liberty and greatness,
we find it ever in the ever memorable lines
traced by few heaven inspired men in tine
cabin Of frajl vessel being near an inhospta
BILE coast. The briefl COZ, pact of the Mayhow
er was our Magma Charta. a little band of
pilgrims were the founders of our glorious Re-
public"
A compliment Of the retiring president to his
successor, Hon. j. H. bailey, was greeted with
cheers and tumultuous applause. The second
toast, ''The Senate of the United States" was
read
in introducing Senator Charles Sumner,
President Cowdin said be was proud to intro
that son of New England, who is the acknoWi-
edged champion of freedom and liberty through
out the world. Three cheers, the whole society
rising, and cheering the Senator over and over
again.