The New York Times from New York, New York • Page 4

I' i -a a a CJjt Otto 2nh GKi NEW-TOaX. MONDAY, DEC fS, lETL. TbU Kmlaf. ORtUD Orr RA HOUSA. -mn Ltl Mtl.

MettaAe 1 rlarOMIUMI OP uw-kuiKMf. WMkui. BOOTH' TB EA t-JOJW CAAAA-htr. E4- AIMEOTI OM5IA HOOI -lilil BUCK. Matt-A at Aoluck-L raatCBKMA.

jf mfv oRtrT-TM black ckkh-kw kt neotiar. tUMt at 1. WALLAC TBEATBB-JOBS OAST -Mr. Lae-ur WeUack. jrirTH-AVICJCCB THEATBE.

DlTOBC Cnarae-fcsra by eue a Mailoae at IV OLYMPIC THKATBB. trwrrv OtTfFTT Mr. O. re and kiia-ry Traajpa. Mua ai X.

IONAQU ARK TKKATBB VAEI-TT PBBVOBM. aava. AtaUaee at 1. 'WOrtD'ft MUtilUai. OaiaiATic Pfojlacc ap OtAtw-llA Atiaraaoaaad Kvaauag.

T. BAfUrVM VltttK, MBAOKa AMD COCV. kptta alia 4ajr a 1 evaaiasv mwroHC orAno ABB AmurMc BTA Mabtaee a JftZOtPB HOCTHXRM CMTVB. EX BaTM A (IfMiawH tw AiHlK rum Maiuio at 1. IHTANTM OPERA -HOUSE NBOBO MntSTBBIAr At-a, WIIKWAT HAt.I Tua MbssiaR.

kias Uare I-gelee Eeiiea. Tata Ntw.T TERMS TO MAIL B0BOCR1BEB Tea Dav Tuna, aar aaaaai anrlndiag the Saa- ar -Al- Thm Itaai.1 Twaa, aar aaaaay. eiclaalTa at (ha TaaMaatBr Avail nn. par aaamm. Miau- wuu.1.

dot aaaa ra ma4 Wbaalt, fwa iihh aaa year tra teaia ana year, (a extra raov ta geuer-ap af claa) ItowHUl TUMtjartuaa Tka Wiult aa. Bra 1 WuuT 11MBA, taa anaaaa, aa aaat aa aecter-aaet i jraar, (aa extra II Taa aAi.r Tim, twaaty mala, aaa rear, (aa aatra eawf ta aattar-naaf etak) Tka Waaaxr rutaa. arty nana, aaa rar 1 aa fcuauraak koMTlba. par aaaaaa. anatagaaitra.

1 aattaau WaKAir aad wi ii nllaA-aaayaar to ctairaai at taa avwaat eiak rataa. am-aanatlnaa ta attaar at aar fork araataactkat Uaaa taaa aaa faar at taa Aaaittaaa bmut aa aiaita ta el aaa at alak laa aneaa ata larrartabia. BmU a Aram aa Sfaw Tatk ar PaafoBca Maaay OrOara paaalMa aA wfcara aaOkar of lm aaat aa praaataA aaa4 ta TIMES NavYaakCttr. Wa eaaaot aotina aDoaraBoaa ta aM aaaaa wa raajaira (ka wnuri Ar aa a araaral eoasBBmaloatloBA Wa aactar aa clnaamiiiM ratara ra)eeA aaaiBBinaltanA, kar taa wa kartanaia araaarra aaaaaiarta An For tba kccom modktlon of sp-town raaideota. kdrartlaemanti for inMrtion in tha Timba will bo recivad At No.

Woat S2d-at, laDotloo of BroAtlwkT and Otb-AT. And No. 1JM1 LtrOAdaAjr, bctwaaa 90th mod Slat ata at kkmo ntoa aa ara o-Arged At offica of public a turn. CtT Tb New-York Timm hk opened biwh offloo In Brooklyn kt No. 44 Coort-at.

oppoaite the Citr Hall, 'wkera adTartlaa-puU will bo recti red notil ft P. M. Wo ara clad to laarn that many kindly if bata been aent to tbo Cbildreo'a Aid Society in reaponaAMour appeala. Tetter day wa received a check from. "Jennie" for tea dollars, half for tha Societr in question.

ana nau ior uta riTa roira Auanon. w. aeoda na IVT5. Let It be remembered that for leaa than ore centa a bead, the poor tar in hildrrn can be anpphed with what ia a rar luxury to tbem a warm meal. "We recently visited aeTeral of the institutions sutder tba management of tha Chll-alren'a Aid Society, and if our leaders could bare looked on at the touching sights there presented, they would not be alow to unbut-toai their pockets.

In one school tbechil-drea none of them aboTa eleven or twelve had recently been given a waraa dinaar by tba of tome Tkkitor. Tbey had frequently naked their teachers ainee when they would have a a-nailAr treat TbeM children were misera-Vbly dad some of them looked like bandies of rags and the only food tbey get la what this Society can manage to procure for thee-. Tha aunt of $18)00 was' appropriated to It by the Legislature but the Eing thieves thought, tha money would be better aa their own pockets and tha poor children cat Bona of it. So much for tba "charity of TW a A of which wa bar sometimes Beard to much. Today, whan moat of our read era ait dowa to a good dinner, and delight ia making their awa children happy, wa hope geoarooa thought will be given to ChA frieadleas outcasts of the streets.

We ball still be happy to receive subscriptions, mall or great or they may be forwarded direct to Mr. C. I Brack. Children's Aid Society. No.

19 Eaet Fourth-street. We oooe kkora assure our readers that every mat they contribute will be spent for tba immediate benefit of tba homeless and friendless children for whom we appeal. Vat S)acraMaas (he Casaaatltee The pablle has now before It tba main ftortiooe of a new charter prepared by tha Oaaamltta af Seventy. The work la, as will awsrA, incomplete, and this fact will 1m borne ta mind ia judging of ita details. Taa tuggeetions made have one prima adi -vaatage.

They originate with a trustworthy body of atacere and' eapabla poa- ot soma valuable axpenenoe. njoytag tha confidence af tha gaablie. They ara on this account taVa treated, not without candid criticism, oertalaly, but with respect, Tha axiatenea aad character of tha Committee at 8araary stave to tht community tha opportunity of obtaining a new charter. Tha Committee's Ttewa aa to what that instrument should be. will have aometbin'g of the aama kind and dagrea of weight accord sd to Ita riews of taa Candida tea at tha last election aad Ita gvaeral guidance la thia matter, though aotoeoorapletely binding aa ta tha former instance, la a great adTaataga to tha Taat body of citizens resolute for reform which make ap Ita peculiar aad powerful con-tltaeacy.

The charter of tha Conuaittea has. mora over, excellent features of Ita awa. It does) away with tha multiplicity of local elective oXSoea, tha filling of which has for yean past beta tha despair ot busy citizena. and tha opportaalty of profeaaional politieiana. It givea tha chief magistrate of tha City an in fluanttal votoe ia tha management of the OovMumeot, without putting that Govarn- rntiraly la hia bands.

It pro vi das by the aaathed propoyad fee Aldaav aaeai aad Sebool for caooaing tba- vi aionora by tb4 Aidansea. for a more just representation of tba people, aad aoioet tha irreepooAibilitr which baa aeoompaaied both tha rule by naked majorities and thai nonpartisan Boards. Thia. It is true, ia aj bold atep. but it ia one sustained by (he conclusions of very many able etadeote and experience both ia of Pennsylvania.

by eonspicuone recent England and the Bute 'hat it baa won the fp- probatioa of the Committee, which is made up of men of common aenae, and not tbeorleta, ia conclusive of ita elaim toafairtriaL Tba Committee's barter providee for gov erning the City in the City, and by our own representatives. It avoids both tha unpopular and evasive ajystem of Metropolitan CommiAslooa and the absurd fiction of an impossible auperrLsUn of our affairs by the Legislature. Upon the Government thus returned to ourkelvoa it aeeka to Impose the easeati al check of ample publioity; requtr-iag tbo publication: of the action of the Aldermen, the propoaitiona of eommitteea. the tranAACtioos of departmenta, and the aubatanoe of bida aad ootractA. and thia in a form which avoids the bribery of the Frees by useless advertising.

It endeavors to fur-ther check extravagance, corruption, or neglect, by providing that anv Justice of the Supreme Court, in the First District, may institute a judicial investigation into the conduct of officials on the application, of certain financial officers, or of three Alder men. It alto civet tbo citizena the right jto recover damages resulting from malfeasance of officials. It eontaina strict definition of the erime of bribery end removes the difficulty of obtaining testimony in such matters by allowing tha Court to oompel it. even though it implicates witnesses. It prohibits borrowing on the City'a credit, except within the limits of one year's revenues, or by special act of the Legislature.

And finally, it laeeks to provide checks on the indiscriminate alienation of tbo pub-lie property or funds for ebaritable or educational purposes, aad to give the City An interest in auch institutions aa are aided, proportioned to the aid extended. Thia enumeration of the principal Aiaaw of the Committee's charter shows clearly enough that it the fruit of study, that Its purposes are auch asj all good citizena mast approve, that it ia reasonably consistent I in its character, and that it has dealt with the one great evil of ou Municipal situation overwhelming proportion of ignorant yo-texs, saturated with prejudice, and without direct and conscious interest in good govern- meat with boldn and Intelligence. It is not, neve: elesa, in our opinion. without faults and missions. The provia- ion for separate mui icipal elections in the 8pring we CO aside at ilnnhtfnl wiarirtfn.

Tbe object, of course, is to present the issues involved in City Oovernment by themselves, and thua to obtain an independent judgment on them. The errori we think, ia in supposing that an adequate vote can be obtained La the 8pring, on those issues alone, and In further supposing that voting ion those issues, when the mass of electors turn out at general elections, may not be done just aa independently aa if the electors came ont to vote for City officers alone. The facta that nearly twenty-five thousand voters who sustained the Democratic State tioket in this City voted the Befojrm local ticket, is an of what iiay be expected in the future. 1 It is a serious question whether, with the publicity required by the charter the provisions for which might be reconsidered with advantage and with the prime as! e-guard of minority representation, it ia necee-eary to have the entire City Oovernment exposed to change ererjr year. A atrong objection to thia la the Indisposition of citizens, absorbed in other pursuits, to give ao much time as la neeeesarjr to attend properly jto annual elections and another objection ia tha instability occasioned to all extended ra'eaaurea of local administration by frequent cbangea.

'i I The proYialone for securing accountability before the Courts are not ao atrong aa they ahould be. The issuing of an order for inquiry on proper application ahould be made imperative, not, optional, and the privilege of application, ahould be extended. Tbe re sult of the inquiry, if. adverse to the official eunuctoaed, eboold be' also defined. i Lastly, the prlnciplee just applied to the civil eervioe of the United Statee ahould be applied to the aubordinate appointmenta.

If it be aaid that they are an experiment, we would point to the fact that they are ana-talned by an experieaee aa ample apd authority aa high as the principle of minor ity representation ao ly proposed, i eonrageoi lualy and wiae- i IV a ka apaakar. The leadara of political corruption and LegLilative jobbery throughout the 8tate ara aaid to have aettlid upon O. Ai-tor for Speaker ot tha next Aaaembly, aid ara working with all fear, with too good a their might and. we prospect of anoceea to secure hia election1 The ealt monopolists of Syracuse, whose salaried champion and attorney Mr. Axtord baa beea for yean, have Joined their foroea with tbe canal Ring, and.

with the aid of the Fentoa mem- ben elect; toe lODOyiata. ana other cor rupt Oombinationa, tney expect to ae- cure hit nomination in caucua on tha first ballot. The Fen ton mea. pjura and notwithstanding all tjhelr boAating. do aot number a maJority of the Republican tnemhen-elect of the next Ajtetnbly bui they Hope to gain ia aambar ot rptea for their candidate among the independent 4 Bepnblicana, by rep-reaenting tha aupertor claime of Mr.

Ax.vori to the Speakarahlp, arising from hia great legislative' experience, and acknowledged ability aa ar parilaneatarlaa. Theee rep-resentationt ought kot. at the prtaant timav to have a leathen weight ia the mind of any, hcoeeV and indepeodeot Repmblicad, when 1 urged -ta beBAlf of i a like AXTOab. What the Leg Bdatere needs foe Bpsaksr la not ao naeb' a great 'pariiaiaentarlaa as an booeat aaan. rTae orerwbelaviBg victory of I the BepebUeaa Party at the laat election, by which that party aeeured a two-thirdA rote in both Houaea, meant in tbe minda ot the people not anerely re form in thia City, but reform In tbe Legislature; and.

if tbe Republican Party expects to retain ita aaoendencT. it mutt not com mencelU work at Albany thia Winter by electing for Speaker of the Aasemblr notorious corruptioniat and intimate aaaociate of the Tammaayj thieves. If any member of the last two Legislatures la to be supported for Speaker, it should be one whose record ia absolutely spotless, aad who la personally above suspicion. Such a man Thomas O. Axvokd is not, and no man who haa been associated with him on tbe floor of the Aaaembly for the laat two Winters will pretend that he ia.

A very large proportion of tbe next Aaaembly it to consist of new members. We assume that a majority of the -Republican knembera, oa whom will devolve the election of a Speaker, are honest men. and heartily in favor of promoting the reforms ao clearly indicated by the' popular vote at tbe last election. The beat test that theee members can hare of tbe fitness or unfitness of the candidates who are urged upon them for the Speakership, is the kind and character of the influence brought to bear in their favor. We will venture to aay that every corrupt combination, every every legislative jobber, every lobbyist, every man who thrives on corruption at Albany, will be found urging the claims of Alvord.

There are tome who might, perhaps, prefer IIvsted. of Westchester, if he were a candidate, bat Hubted is understood to have withdrawn from the contest, and turned over his strength to Alvord, in consideration of bis being made Chair man of the Committee of Ways and Means. Even tbe Democratic members, with the exception of the few vrbo were elected on the Reform ticket from this City, will acarcely be able to conceal their preference for Alvord from any member who keeps his eyes and ears open. The Tammany members elect from this City are already boasting that, with tbe aid of the Fenton Republicans, and with Old Salt in the Speaker's chair, they are going to bave things pretty much to their liking in tbe next Legislature. Should such a misfortune as the election of Alvord occur, their boast will not be a vain one.

No one not familiar with legislative proceedings can estimate to what extent legislation may be shaped, and corruption either prevented or enconraoed, by the Speaker. The leading Committees of the next Assembly, such as Ways and Means. Cities, Railroads, Commerce, Canals and Claims, ought, every one of them, to be composed of men who are known to be earnest reformers, and are unapproachable by lobby influence. Unless a majority, at least, of each committee are men of this stamp, one-half of the proposed measures of reform will be nipped in the bud through delay, neglect, or refusal to make favorable 'reports; while jobs, "strikes." and corrupt bills of all sorts will issue from the hands of the committees, and lumber up the files ot members. Who believes that the reformers and bonest men would have control of these committees if Alvord were Speaker Every one of them wonld be made up in tbe interest of the lobby.

Let no independent" Republican, therefore, be inveigled into voting for "Old Salt" en the plea that be is an experienced legislator and a great parliamentarian. Let them take up some man who is not identified with either of these leaders a man like Henry Smith, of Albany, for instance, or Horatio N. Twomblt, of this City, or Mr. Straban, of Orange County. But under no circumstances should tbey support Alvord for Speaker, or any man like him.

Ilt-UaaA aacBBAMera. It is matter of remark that Superintendent Miller's reports, even where tbey aim ply give the figures returned by the insurance companies, fail to satisfy tbe reasonable curiosity of stockholders. Things are either jumbled promiscuously into a heap, or ao solidly massed aa to be impervious to anything like a critical investigation into tbe facta. Thia is especially true of tbe returns permitted to be made regarding the expenditures of the companies. Tbe main-stay of public confidence, and even of stockholders security In these corporations, ia the bonest and economical administration, by tbe officers, of tbe trust committed to tbem.

But little or no supervision is exereiaed over the expenditures, and at tbe end of tbe year, when annual statements are made, aggregates of alarming proportions are presented without the least regard to specification or detail. For example, the returns for 1870 of the fire Insurance companies, made in accordance with the Superintendent's form of blanks, group under only six heads the entire expenditurea of management of 103 joint-stock companies, aggregating tbe immense sum of S8d17 22. The only particulars asked for by Mr. Miller, or given by the companies, is the following, (which we give with the aggregates belonging to each: Officers' salaries. S2.48L321 81 com-miaaiona, $2,67383 taxes.

tX10192 07; office expenses, 83. The separate statements abed no clearer light on these expenditurea, for they furnish no subdivision of these, very general Hems. If we take up the return made by the largest of the companies, wa find auch lamping statements aa tha following: Losses paid. fL2S8 415 84 1 cash dividends actually paid, $300. 230: commissions and brokerage.

$290,021 01 aalariea and other char gas of officers, clerks, and other employes, 5(T); taxes, 103,661 24; all other payments, (unspecified $16330 14 making a total of t-tf3V 638 18. It may well be that a further aah-di vision of several of these Items; would xnaterieU? aeeiat both stockholders aad the general public, in coming to a definite conclusion as the management of la which tbty ware interested. And ee no rssioa why theee capital Baa been embarked upeai ao preca- rioae a see aa fire or marine underwriting. ahould not be permitted to know bow their servants are paid for risking and losing their money. We call Mr.

kfimcB's attention to thia subject, because the present practice of his Department ia ia tbe direction of conceal ment and mystification, instead of being in the interest of those who want to know all about the way in which tbeir money goes. If stockholders cannot get dividends, tbey ara entitled at leaat to information in lieu thereof. To recur to the figures quoted above, why should nearly $300,000 be paid to a few officers and clerks, as against $300,000 to an army of patient shareholders or why ahould the official reports be silent aa to the apportionment of this vast sum Right under Mr. MiLLKi'a eyes, and we assume not without hia knowledge, this Company, or rather its directors, last year made tbe offi cers a present of $100,000 over and above their already lfcre salaries. 'But there is no word or figure in Mr.

Miller's report, oria the Company statement, which will tell the plucked steskholden thia fact. When a Company ia paying out from thirty to forty percent, of iti entire premium income for office expenses, salaries, and unmentionable et cetera aa a majority of tbe New-York Fire Companies are annually doing we think it is Mr. Miller's duty to require such returns, and pablish auch reports, as will en able interested parties to get at tbe, manner in which the spoils are divided. Anc ering the fact that on tbe 81st of tbe pr ent month tbe annual statements are to prepared, we commend tbe matter to the Saperintendent's attention. A little more scrutiny on bis part, would save millions of dollars to stockholders, and streootben our companies by compelling tbeir officers to exercise economy.

A Back JaaaaBtaaiaaara Tlwliai. It is only necessary to watch the public proceedings of the Dock Commission, and to sirady a little their published reports, to find full evidence of their inefficiency. Take, for instance, their meeting of last week, which ww fully reported in the journals of last Friday, and could anything be adduced against the Commission more damaging than tbeir own words and actions 1 Tbey were evidently a good deal panic-stricken, on account of the exposures we have made and the light we have thrown on the administration of tbeir Department" and so, perhaps, tbey were somewhat excusable for the ludicrous exhibition they made of themselves. Their chronic indecision showed itself in a very striking way. After spending a whole afternoon in solemn debate around the big green table, wbich tbey bave pounded for the last two years, they finally and characteristically decided to do nothing.

They backed and filled, hemmed and hawed, explained their motives, defined their positions, justified themselves to themselves, and asserted their unadulterated patriotism. Commissioner Agnew," so the report reads, "acknowledged that the situation was extremely disagreeable. If be had the control of twenty millions of dollars, he would not pay out one dollar of it injudiciously. When he took the position be occupied, (salary, tei thousand dollars a year.) he did not taki it for the sake of any salary attached to it. lie had been a merchant for the past thirty years in this City," Mr.

Betrt thought it a shame that the Department should be compelled to retard its vork on the docks, (what work t) simply beoiuse certain men had stolen money ont ot tbe public Treasury." Mr. School Conmiasioner Wood wanted to be put right cn the record." and also said that it was tro that a great deal of tbe City'a money had been stolen: but not a' cent of the' monry of the Department of Docks was gme." Mr. Hunt and Mr. Aonew explains! their votes." Mr. Hknbt A.

Smith wbowas unavoidably absent, where we do net pretend to say could undoubtedly, jf hebad been present, bave offered some etplatations onAir part, and perhaps, with bis Timmaoy cunning, helped his fellows ont ef the scrape. We observe, however, that fie Commissioners failed to allude to their fugitive colleague or to "explain" why tey elected bun Treasurer, and why the) continue to keep him in that place. If it had not been for certain soothing and precautionary remarks of Mr. Commissioner Hexrt, we fear they might have been li into premature action, and perhaps have been guilty of the 'folly of pestering the Controller with legal proceedings. Mr.

Hexrti who is a lawyer, perbape saw the futility Ct this at a glance. The meeting was held to consider what action ahould be taken witj reference to the refusal of the Controllerto supply the Department with another mllion. A committee bad waited upon Mr. GkEEX to ask him for the money, but coul get no satisfactory answer (we quote fiom Mr. Wood's fiery resolutions) from bimin relation to the said one million dollars." Mr.

Wood declared that be wished tie people to know who was to blame for tie delay in prosecuting the work on the locks," vix Mr. Green. He therefore proposed to resolve to apply for a mandamus compelling Mr. Green to raise the money. These belligerent resolutions, however, the Commission had not the courage to pus.

Mr. Henrt "didn't feel like forcing money out of aa unwilling Mr. Iosew would rather not vote for the resolutions, in the hope that the Controller might soon tee thet he waawnct clearly in the right In the atknd he bad taken." Meesrs. Agtew and Hrar charged thai "the fault of the present 'bitch' lay aolely with the Controller." The purpose of all thia talk about the Controller is evident enough: It ia the effort it the Dock Com raiasionera to escape the responsibility of their own inefficiency. With their, ahip near lee-eb ore.

these crafty Commissioners an endeavoring to put anckors to the wind ward, ao that their leaky bark may outride the storm of popular disappointment. They will fail, however, la their attempt, The poblio win BYBvtain Mr. Qagrxaiaevery right-fall effort to keep aay more of taa Cttyw rnoaey from gotng rote the handa of a Ceca Baiaaioa ao' notoriously lBefficient ae thia Dock Department, and wbich atill keens ae ita Treasurer so corrupt a man as Hekbt A. Smith. 1 The projectors ot the Charity Banwhich, aa every New-Yorker knows, ia reararded as tbe most brilliant and select ef the public balls of the season era accustomed to show each year great and commendable tact in tbe selection of the names on the large list of lady and gentlemen "managers." They strive to include in the list representatives of the different cliques, and.

to some extent, even diflerent strata of upper New-York social life, ao that all ahall give a willing hand to help tbe benevolent cause. Thia year, however, tbey have from inadvertence, let us hope committed the error of publishing in association with the names of a large number of the most reputable people ia tbe City, tbo name of one manager" who ought never to be tolerated in decent society. Perhaps unguardedly, but certainly, tbey bave insulted public opinion, by making Oaxbt Hall one of the" managers of tbe Charity Ball. Here is a man who. in bis first estate, was nothing but a light-beaded political trickster, and who now atanda condemned by bisfellow-citizens as a confederate of notorious thieves proved to be guilty of the prostitution of a bigh publio office, yet conspicuously introduced into the company of honest and reputable people, by men and women of character and position.

It ia true that Mr. Belmont is doing hia utmost to prevent Hall's expulsion from the Union Club from which he haa not the decency to resign but that does not condone tbe offence of the projectors of tbe Charity Ball, who ought in this interests of good morals and respectable society, to have rejected the name of such a man with contempt. If every maD. who, in New-York, was disposed to grossly and wantonly violate a public or private trust, or lead himself to mean and swindling enterprises, saw ahead of him, whenever his conduct should be exposed, the certainty of loss of position among respectable people of his acquaintance, the tone of morals would speedily improve in this City. We ahould bear less of political and corporate corruption, if every such offender felt sure that all his respectable friends would pass him by in the streets, first turn tbeir backs on bim in tbeir clubs, and then turn him out altogether, and refuse bim admission to tbeir houses, as unfit for the society of decent people.

There has been a great social upheaval here within the past few months, let us remind the Charity BaU projectors, and bonest people are really in earnest in tbeir determination to reform old abuses, and to punish the scoundrels who have held their offices only to cheat tbe pnblic and steal their money. i It so happens that Hall is the only member of the Ring whom social ostracism by decent people can mnch affect, and en that account it should be used in hia case. Tweed's friends in the Sixth Ward are not very likely to ostracise him because he is a great thief, for too many of them are in1 that line themselves, only in a smaller way and he never has associated privately with people who cared for their reputations. except, perhaps, when some "high-toned" speculator or real estate owner met him rery privately to consider a plot for money-making, or to arrange for a mutually profitable reduction of an assessment. -But with Hall it is different.

He has been admitted to tbe society of bonest people, has been allowed in their draw ing-rooms, and baa wormed himself under friendly guidance into their clubs. Now that he is held by the public to be guilty of the basest offenses, and only keeps the office he disgraces because the Legislature is not in aeasion to turn bim out, it is high time for society to banish him entirely to the com pany of the Bohemians who laugh at his empty jests around tbe congenial board of the Lotus Club." Tbe Petitteml KpiAeamlc. Another outbreak has occurred of that peculiar epidemic so prevalent among Tammany politicians aince election. It has already deprived us of several persons whose names have become familiar to na in connection with the reports of investigating committees and tbe City; accounts. It baa cut off from us both tbe Swxent's, Hcghkt Smith, Ingersoll and Gar- vet, and now we bave to mourn tbe loss of the illustrious Cornelius Corson and Charleb E.

Wilboch. i Both these individuals were prominently connected with the New-York Printing Com pany. Both of them had suddenly 1 risen from obscurity and comparative penury to affluence and notoriety. The publio felt confident that their services had not been properly rewarded that, notwithstanding tbe fortunes they had enquired, "they bad not had justice dona them," and they wen anxious that they ahould. receive their re 1 The sudden change in the temperature of New-Tork has.

however, been too mnch for their sensitive organization, im paired at it was by their labors for the publio good. They have found it absolutely necessary to seek a more equable and bracing clime, and have sought it, summarily and secretly in Canada, when' only can be found that steady temperature below zero which seems to bo necessary to build op tbo exhausted systems ot the Tammany chiefs. These sudden departures can not but east fa feeling ot uncertainty over tbe publio mind. Who can tell who may ro nextt Great solicitation is expressed for 8ands- He looks healthy and stron g. but no healthier and no etronger than the Swxa xrs.

AppeArances Are deceitful, and particularly in Mr. Sands' case, tat It be venerable Peteb Coorxa baa of late publicly acknowledged. Let na, however, hope thai our Rands will be spared to us at least until MrJ CConow and' Mr. TuDENhave completed their daUiaa. -j.

id atmroB topics. The inhabitants of tbe district between Talrv-BMitB nee 8evaatyauta etreete wUI have fee apeo4 tbeir CkrUteia nader dHBeuIUea. Ttiat regtoe of tba City is no plunged total darkness. Oa Saturday evening all tbe lights weat out, and tatbera ef families were runaiug aboat in every direottoav ia aeareB et CkadJea. Tbe Oaa Coa-panlae eoaneMroee aeam to be petting us to tralatng for a trial of tbia kind, ky giving us aa little raa as theyean for a great deal of mooey.

Bnt people were not preparad for audden darkness. Teeterday, boys were hawking candles from bouse to house, aud charging twenty cants each for them. There waa aot a eaadlaaUek to be bad at any atore. Mr. Dal-MOkTCO was besieged for help from aaornlng till night, and although he did his best to help people out of tbeir scrape, he could not oblige halt tbe applicant.

We ahould advise diners out tals evening to take their own candle with there It will be the most appropriate Christmas present they can make to their aoets and hostesses. Tbe Oaa Company holds out a falal aoos taat tt will be able ta supply a little gas until o'clock at Bight, but it will net do to place toe ranch dependence oa tnta promise. Tradesmen who have any candles to seU had batter open tbeir atoree this morning it tbey want to do a good busioeaa; Is human ingenuity unequal to the task of devising aome new and amusing toy tat cbil-dreat Erery year poor paterfamilia -oea hast-tog over the toy-ebope far trifles to give to bis children, and every year be node exsetty the aama thincs offered to bim which he has been baying all bis life. Old stock is brought ont and polished up a little freah paint Is daubed over tbe dolls' faces, and the springs ef tack-ta-the-box are mended. There la the sheep that utters a plaintive bleat when his neck Is pushed down, the ben that emits a dismal wall when yon pull a strmg, tbe Santa Claua whoae Inside opens to receive candles, the Noah's ark.

tbe drum, the born, and tbe box of aine-pina. But a child who haa arrived at the mature aga of eight has aeen all tbeae thioga over and over again, and la weary of them. Oermany aeoda us thou sands ot toys, but sends nothing new. The youngsters look over your store of presents, and tell you with a blaal air that they saw tbem all last blrfday." or FankaglTing." Tha toy-dealers must be rather tued themselves of seeing tbe same old assortment stuck shout tbeir atoree. Will not aomebody or otber try to pre pare a new aenaation for tbe children by next Christmas! The account of Sing Sing, which we publish today, may not be very lively Christmas reading; bnt tbe story is at least an Interesting one, and people ought to know what roes on in tbe chief prison of the State.

Our correspondent bad the courage to try some of the Instruments of torture oa himself, snd his description of tbe tbumb-pullej Is consequently more vivid than we have ever seen There Is urgent need for the revision of our prison discipline If anybody doubts it, let him read the excellent article on our fifth pa-e. On the 15th of next month the United States Supreme Court will deliver tbe decision ustaio lng tbe constitutionality of the Legal-tender act. It will be seen from the announcement in oar Washington dtspatehee that the Court atanda but one more In favor than against this decision, and that those who oppose It Include some of the ablest and most experienced of the Judges. Tbe opinions to be delivered will pass Into tbe history of our Oovernment as among tbe most important ever given, and the bare majority by which tbe result ia reached will cause them to be studied with Intense interest Tammany politicians are making a great effort to indues tbe Judges of the Superior Court to fill tbe place of Chief Clerk of the Court, made vacant by tbe resignation of the fugitive from justice. Jambs M.

Swesmt. before tbe 1st of January, when the two reform Judges lust elected will take their seats upon tbe Bench. Sheriff BREHMAjr, It Is said. Is trying to make an arrangement by which be la to support JoexrH Mkees, tbe son-m4aw of Jadge Monilx for Chief Clerk, on condition that his relative, K. J.

kf ALoaxr, shall receive tbe place of Deputy Clerk, now held by Micks. Halohet has Just been removed from the Finance Department by Controller Gkxxif, and both be and Mkcxs have long been adherents of tbe Tammany Ring. Hexes' name was signed to every one ef tbe fraudulent naturalization papers that wen scattered broadeaet over the State in tbe campaign of 1888. aad which cheated Gen. Gkaxt out of the electoral vote of New-York, and imposed Job T.

Hoctmaji oa the State aa Governor. IIkcxs and af alorbt ought to be made to retire trom office with their Ring masters, Instead of being promoted to better berths, snd the Baperlor Court Judges will best consult their own interest, as well aa that at. their constituents, by delaylng-pthe appointment of SwxEirt successor nntil the newly-elected Judges can bave a voice In the selection. The World yesterday wound np one of its exercises in broken English by this remarkable saying Xs ema dnee omnet." Thia la, par-baps, an improvement, but it la rather rash la the Wortd to try aay Latin untiflt has acquired the rudiments ot its mother tongue. Its Ignorance Is not very creditable to its Johnsonian modal.

The reports of the principal Massachusetts railroads, recently made to the Railroad Com-mtasiooer of that State, present a satisfactory result aa compered with al sailer returns ta ether State a Then haa beea aa Increase ef passenger traffle oa all tbe lines with the exeep tloa of tbe Fitchburg. This line appears to have lost eight per cent. The total number of pease a- gsrs carried by eight roade during the year ending September, 1871, was UJBOJIM. shewing a gam of eleven and a half per eeat ever last year. The gross ears tags wan BlTSMn, aa increase of nice per cent.

Daring the aama period tba goods trafflo Increas ed from a te Ma0.eos tons, nearly seven teen per -eat. Ia consideration of tbe Increased earning, the companies deserve credit tor a more liberal treatment et snippers, and tor manifesting a greater desln to accommodate peaaengera. Thia wa gather from the circumstance that last year the act iooobqs was wenly-aevea per cent of the gross receipts, while this year It la only twenty-eight And a half per cent, We and. also, that Bostoa has gained most by the increased traffle. The roads, which have their terminus la taat dry, branch through the 8tate In auch a way as te encourage the Idea If It has not heretofore been pretty well eetab llihed that nothing good can be had out of Boston.

The result is thet people will run to town for the most trtflmg tatckknaeka, aad tm this way local travel has beea greatly ang- mented trom year to year. i 'f a feyaa, BteaMB-a Aatkiuaa-A New Ifa-al Plast aaaar 3rwwtb mi she ee-sne rraai Oar Own Hail aaa lAaart. Beau. TaaaAAy. Dee.

a. ksru Tbe disoasaien of tbe naval estiBiatealrouxh: the ticklish qaestioa ot the German Navy once mon before the public ha opposition te the Oovernment proposal, the de eaaaded sum, voted ia full, was (barged tee reach indemnity. Bat that was a matter ef little importance tne real qoeetton at taacs waa tka object of tbe naval eatabliahmeat. tbe eplaiona oa this point still vacillating between naval supremacy and tbe humble functions of a coast Count Rooa bad once more to se eeantar attacks oo the aeon the part taken by tbe navy ra the late war. when not only did the practical eervioe lay la very little boner, but the administration was aebauiy maaaged that, tor lnetanee.

the Imperial Coaa-mlaalon Intrusted with its eooalderatlva met only four months after the outbreak of the war. Speaking for the Mlntarry, Count Rooe renounced tor tbe present alt ambition tor aaval aapraraaoy. leaving that question ta ttaaa, though seemingly not everae to gradual aveg-ns what he desires now la to Banks Oerraaay' a strong naval Power of the second order, eoaa-peteat not ealy to protect her new tip sis aad harbore. and tbe merchant veaaeie trading aa dec her tag. but also te inflict tuiiiee oa pirates In distant seas, and on smalt lisnsmiihit State.

Who set the German flag at denAaea, he-cauae the Oermaa Arm. All bo Boxful ee land. cannot reach tfcam eeroes- the ocean. Beoh quarrel. M.

vow Rooa considered Vkrv llkeir to occur la tbe immediate future, end aa a sequel to this announcement we hear today ot tbe expedition ef several Ironclads to BrasU, te eaforoe reaped to tbe German nationality, a report which bowever. requ'reAconnrmation. la Kuropeaa poliuot Count Room designated a aecoed rank navy aa of a great importance as abroad, oe-caaasafreah war la attar all net improbable, and la that event it threatens to be war eat ot Individual States, but of aliiaocee. In whioh naval action will relieve the monotoev ot aeges And battles on snore. In such ease, argoes the Minister, Germany muat have a aqaadroa ot aome force to oner to ita manuime ally.

The navy la certainly engaging tbe attention ef Oev-erament in an unprecedented decree. Tbe change so long contemplated haa been ecu tad at last; a special Naval Minister has beea ueeUr-nated. and will be g.xatted la a few daye It a a laademan. of course, Oen. von Stooch.

tbe preauaoptive euoeeaaor to Count Boom aa War kOnlater. and hitherto hia oaVaiu ta Parliament. As a consequence, Admiral VO Tach-Machd. up to bow intrusted with the naval ad mlnlstrattonbas realgned. Vom Stoach haa already entered upon hia new function a.

aad la baay in pec Una docks and veaaela at KleL The semi-official A'orfA German OazttU prints a report on tbe progress ot the OennanrNavy. Ia whxb It claim for that eatabliabcoeot A growth ot unprecedented vUor. Mo aavy haa ever made suck strides to perfection In ao abort a time. Tbe great port onthejAhda is completed and ready for every ernergr-nov. The docks of that plaae have lately launched the, iron-dad advice-ship Lortley.

and are at work over tbe iron-del frigate Ortat lector. Tbe naval station at Wilhelmshavea, destined to be the bead-quarters on the German Ocean, is likewise in fuU trim, having absorbed tbe naval depot of Geeatomund and StraUund. Hare are the torpedo detachment, the, sea bat Lai loo. and other training corps. Kiel ia not finished but ia active progress, and ita docks will.

In no long time, launoa. the Frtdenek Ms Greet, a iron-clad of tbe Ortat Elector class, a third veeet-1 of the same size, being constructed by a private company at Stettin. The advice-ahipa Ariadne, Albatree, and HeutUue are building at Daataio, also a corvette, lmie, and orders have recently beea ariven to tha aama quarter to begin shortly the construction ot two other adrloe-ahlps. Fteya and Ihuanelda, and of two guo-boa. Moreover, 'two iron-clad, of the largest elaaa, an in building in Mr.

Smdoa's yard la Enclaad. Tbe fortification of ports the report statea, to be progressing with a speed uneqaaled ia history. Only the training business has been retarded by the war, but authorities an doing their best to make up for lost time. Two veaaela manned with; cadet are crossing the Atlantic, and two brigs with sailor boys are cruising in Portuguese and Spanish waters. The report eoda with aa enumeration of the vessels and foreign aervlce, which ahowa tbe German Jfavr to have east its arms pretty well round tbe whole globe though tba several station east and west have only a vessel a piece or ao to boeet; at any rate, the akaietoo is complete and the germ la developing.

Tbe German Navy is to ban a specialty, which is treated with tbe asm uiyatertousueee an 1 partiality as waa la former timet the now almost obsolete needle-gun and tbe aull formidable Kruppeaaaoav Tblaepeolalty is a torpedo-boat, to be multiplied according to soeeeAs. so aa eventually to swarm about tbe German coaat. like bees around a hive. Tbe dimenaloo being forty feet by alx. the boat te to have the abape ot a cigar, and for safety to move only at night and under water, with ealy the funnel And rotatory tube concealing the steersraAa protruding.

These tbe darkoaa ot tha night will ooaceal. especially as tbe vessel la intended to asova at extraordinary speed. It ta sbot-proof, of course, wholly composed of iron plates, but not of very great tbioknes. Tbe engine, heated with petroleum, la abaft, at tbe thick end, tbe redder being at the thin point, corresponding to the bow. Te enable th steers man to as when be la steering to.

there is a small bole drilled Into tbe sbot-proof rotating tube, through which be ean Tbe make And application of the torpedo la treated a a secret. Tbe weapons will be concealed la the hold of the whose enw wilt comprise three or four men. tbeir office being to approach hostile vseaels cruising In German water unawares, apply their torpedoes, and be oft. AltTTJSlSMElaTS. Rata af Ai Matinees and evening performances an given today at all tha City theatres.

At Wood's Museum, three representations an to Jollue Csmat will be acted at Booth', Wachtkl aloe this afternoon at the Grand Opera-house, and Mr. and aCra. Fua-bmcb apoear then' in "The Tlckst-of-Leave this evening At Stetnwav Hall. Tha Messiah will be Interpreted by aOas hTaixooa aad tbe New-York Mendelssohn Union. pantomime called The Bed Witch la mentioned aa the moat notable feature ef the programme ef tbe TJnlon-aquan Tbeetn At tbe New-Tor Oreoa, a grand Christmas pantomime, entitled Goody Two will be the chief attrae-ttea afternoon aad evening, until further notice.

I X.tajp fr nr. reodell rattltea. On Thursday night. Mr. Wendell Phil-Ur late lecture at Stetaway before the Mercantile library Aasooiatloo.

The subject will be Street Life la the address will not be delivered again la Vsw-York this season. Mr. rjrrLura ra sun ae groove or aa Appreciative audience. Tbe gllmese of Sir. Teaae Cr net, Th Cincinnati Gaeetu of Thursday gives tbe following particulars of the sudden sttaek of illness upon tbe President's jrstbr.freea which, later accounts aay.

be aa partly recovered: Mr. Jesse B- Geavt. father ef the President, was strtekea with paralysis ta tka Cortiurvoa Pestefnee, yesterdav afternoon, about o'clock. And fell to th floor, where ha remain! for nearly half aa hour, nnable to speak, and apparently rneeaalble. He was conveyed ta that eee-diuoa te his bosae la Graenop-atraat.

near rif ib. by some et tbe eierks la the one. Wa eaUed at hi residence. about i o'clock yesterday after- -neew. ead found hia sitting ap la a a -air.

sea able to talk a bttl. Be dio aet aaaaa te record hlaeaesasa esneua eoe. Hs informed us thet be bed been la hia nsaal health reeeaUv.taeuah for some Oar eta) hia eppetl baa beea poor. Dr- TawaiaA had bene) seat for. ka had ao ar- rived wbee left.

Mr. baat's an ae antral year. At o'olock Uat ovaaiog atr. Oeaa was vesbag casj." i- ii-t i.