The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 2

reirulations under which Us officers and men shall ba required to wear any appropriate uniform and badge. THE BRIDGE PROJECT. ODE ALBANY C0RRESP0NDESCE. to navigation. It must be elevated above tbe surface of the water sufficiently high 0 enable ships to pass under it without delay, 0 other than a suspension bridge can complv j(n lnese conQitions.

Butthisidea 18 DJ by acv means an experiment. We have already SM too Example thiB State of a susrenfion bridge on a 1.rge scale, in the structure acroes the Niagara river, THURSDAY EVENING, FEB. 14. Current Gossip. The New York Press Club bids fair to assume those proportions that alone are material to its success.

The meetings held at the Astor Honse for the purpose of organization were attended by the most respectable members of the Press. Horace Greeley was elected its President, James Gordon Bennett, its first Vice President, and Henry Wm. Huxlburt its second; the third haB not yet been chosen. It is to be hoped the institution, when organized and in working order, will retain the prestige of respeotabllity with which it has started, by vigorously excluding "Bohemians," those quail geniuses who fancy merit lies in being slovenly and unprincipled. The Hon.

Israel T. Hatch has sent in to the Secretary of the Treasury, an able report on our inland commerce. It describes the natural advantages of the State and city of New York, by which they have retained their present commercial pre eminence. Her canals can reach to the Western lakes without encountering chains of mountains, and her ocean front includes harbors of great excellence. She has the St.

Lawrence on her Northern Frontier, and by her railways and canalB can penetrate into all parts of the country, as nearly all the grand routes are centralized iq New York. Naming and Numbering the Streets. The conruBion arising from a duplication of names and numbering of streets was illustrated by the publication during the past few days of contradictions and explanations of an item of local news, reported in our columns. The confusion in the case arose out of the fact that we have two Willow streets and a Willow place, contiguous to each other, bat disconnected. There are dozens of instances of duplications of names of streets in this city, and what is more annoying but more easily remedied, the numbering of houses in many of the streets is in a state of bewildering confusion.

This matter of naming and re numbering the starlets has been discussed so often that it is hardly necessary to go over the details of the maDy instances in which duplication of names occur and the irregularity in numbering houses, and the loss of time and vexation such a state of things produces. Some two years ago, the Common Council undertook to remedy this defect, but instead of proceeding with the work in a straight forward, sensible and economical manner, a scheme was concocted for a perfect revolution of the enumeration and nomenclature of our streets; changes that would have made the confusion worse and taken years to get accustomed to were proposed, and involving an expense in the neighborhood of a hundred thousand dollars. We felt bound in the public interest to expose thip stupendous job, and THE PAID FIE DEPARTMENT. A Bill at last Agreed on by the Brooklyn Politicians. ITS PROVISIONS IN FULL.

AtiHAKY, Feb. 13. Some weeks ago I sent you a copy of a bill to create a paid fire department in the city of Brooklyn. At the same time I Eaid was but a blind, and since then that fact has been demonstrated. Now, however, the real, genuine measure is here.

It is the Joe Beeve plan for getting places for his unfortunate political asse. elates, and is to be pertinaciously urged. In the House, it wiU be fought hard, though I cannot tell the exact position of Messrs. Hinsdale and Oakey In regard to it The latter, however, 1b likely to be its champion, as he will introduce It, on behalf of bis starving friends in the City of Churches. Nothing can be done till after the recess, and in the meantime your readers can discuss the provissions of the bill, which are as follows: Sec 1.

The City of Brooklyn is hereby constituted a fire district, and shall be known as the Fire District of Brooklyn. APPOINTMENT OP COMMISSIONERS. Sec 2. The Governor shall nominate, and with the conBexit of the Senate, appoint three dtizonq, residents of said district, who shall have served at least five years as firemen, to be Eire Commissioners, who shall be a fire department, to take as provided in this act the control and management of all officers, men, property, measures and action for the prevention and extinguishment of fires within said district, and shall be known as the "Brooklyn Fire Department. Said Commissioners shall hold the said office respectively for the terms following: One for two years, one for four years, and one for six years.

And at the expiration of each term respectively, a successor BhaU be appointed in the manner above provided, who shall hold office for six years. Vacancies shall be filled by temporary appointment, to hold until tne same are nuea dj tne uenats on tne nomination of the Governor. Said Commissioners shall be subject to removal by the Governor, as is provided by the laws applicable to the removal of Sheriffs, but no removal shall be made until the Commissioner contemplated to be removed shall have been served with written specinc cnarges, stating tne dereliction com plained ot, and has been afforded an opportunity to publicly answer tho same and make his defence thereto. OEGANIZAHON. Sec.

3. Immediately after the appointment of such Commissioners they shall meet in the Secretary of State's office, and proceed to determine by lot, which of said Commissioners shall hold such office for each of the respective terms, and file their oath, and the Secretary sbaU furnish to each a certificate of appoint ment. OBGAN7ZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT. Sec. 4.

Said Commissioners shall meet and re organ ize the said fire department by electing one of their number President and appointing Secretary. v7uoro upon they snail have ail tne power conferred upon or exercised by tho present fire department of the city of fcroomyn. POWEES OP THE DEPABTMENT. Ser. 5.

The said fire department is empowered to pGSBess and exercise all tho powers and peri'orm all the duties for the government, management, maintenance and directing or the fire department and the premises and property thereof, which were possessad by or under the control of the boards and officers of the fire department of said city, at the time of the passage of this act, said powers and duties to be exercised and performed, and said property used in the siid city or otherwise, as nereinaner provided. Ana tne saia department shall herecfter have sole and exclusive au thoiity to extinguish fires in said city. PUBNISHTNG SUPPLIES. Sec. 6.

The Board shall have power to provide sup. plies, Implements and apparatus of any and al! kinds, and five telegraphs, to provide suitable loca tions for tho same, end to buy.sell.construct, repair and have the care of the same and take any action in the premises as may ne necessary. CABE OP BUILDINGS, ETC. Sec. 7.

The Department hereby created is directed to exercise foil and exclusive power for the gov't, of tne several Duuaings, premises, property, etc ana all apparatus, hose, implements and tools, which were under the charge of any and all city officers or officers of the Fire Department, for the use of the Brooklyn Fire Department. And it shall be tho. duty of all persons and ofilcers in possession of any property, real or persona, belonging to tho city and set apart for the present Department, to deliver the samo to tho control ot the new commissioners. THE FISCAL OFFICES. Sec.

8. The Commissioners shall elect one of their number as Treasurer. He shall, on check or voucher, duly disburse all moneys, and shall deposit all funds in a bank or banks, to bo designated by the Commission ers. He shall give a bond of $50,030 for the faithful dis charge oihis duties, ana snail receive per annum for such services, maaauwn to ma annual continuation as Commissioner. BOABD OP ESTIMATE.

Sec. 9. The Commissioners and the Comptroller and Mayor oi Brooklyn, arete Board of Estimate, and (shall meet annually on or before the 1st of July, and make up a financial estimate of tho Bums required annually for the payment of salaries, compensation and for Tne purcnase 01 supplies, nurses, apparatus ot any ana all kinds, tools, hoBe, implements and keeping all the same in repair, and generally for the purposes of this act, and such general and contingent expenses as may become necessary. The same estimate shall then bo submitted to a Board of Revision composed of the Board oi Aldermen. If the Aldermen object to such estimate, or any portion thereof, it shall be the duty of the Board of Estimate to carefully revise tho same, and consider the objections.

If such Board of Estimate shall adhere to their original estimate, then their final determination shall be binding. EXPENSES POE 1867. Sec. 10, Tho Board of Estimate shall, immediately after the organization of the Department, meet and make on estimate of the probable expenses of the Department for 1867. They shall specify the several objects and purposes of such expenditure.

This estimato shall be immediately submitted to the Board of Revision, who shall within ten days return their answer. Whereupon me uiiiuuui esuiuuieu biium ue levieu ana collected. THE C01IPTBOLLEB TO BOBEOW. Sec. 11.

The comptroller Bhall borrow the amount of Bald estimate for 1867 ana pay the Bamo to the Treas urer of the city, to be used by the Fire Commissioners on their requisition; the Comptroller shall have power to issue uuuus lor 11113 purpose. OFFICES, ETC. Sec. 12. The Commissioners shall provide such offices and business accommodations as may bo requisite for tne transaction oi us Dusmess ana mat oi its BUDorat nates.

THE PATEONAGE AND SALARIES. Sec. 13. The Commissioners shall S3lect a Secretary. Chief and Assistant Engineers, and as many officers.

clcrkB, firemen, and appointees as may bo necessary, and the same shall, at all times, be under the control of the said Commissioners, and perform such duties as may be assigned to them by tho eaid Commissioners, avid may be removed by them. The salarie3 o2 the Commissioners shall be as follows: Each Commissioner, three thousand ($3,000) dollars; the firemen and em p'oves snail be selected, as tar as practicable, from the active and exempt members of the present Fire De partment. THE BIGHT OF WAV. Sec. 14.

Tho officers and men. with their apparatus. shall have the light of way at any fire, or in going to and returning irom tho same. Ana any person oh BtructjEg inem snau ne haDie to pumsament xor a misdemeanor. EAISING THE MONEY.

Seo. 15. The Common Council and Snnervisors are THE POLICE. mt. a VnllnATiannrtmentfi are directed HeC Alio JL no A to co operato to all proper ways, and the said Departments may respectively provide for protection against nre.

ana ior mo mioo, i. any fire commit or attempt to oommit any crime or vio late any true or reguiouu" MEANING OP TEEMS. bee. 24 All meuuuu iix turn or "Departments," is to be construed aa meaning the THE PBESENT DEPABTMENT. aa ok WYta aiunf Ttannrtmmif in nTerclRA All their usual powers, until the new Commissioners have organ ized, SPECIAL WABDEN, Sec.

26 The Commissioners shall have power to ad' point the special wardens referred to in seotion nine an act to regulate the storage of petroleum, etc. SHE DEPABTMENT POND. Sec. 27 Nothing herein contained shall be construed to deprive any persons of their right or interest in the Brooklyn Fire Department Fand. And the eaid fund Bhall be held and administered by the Exempt Firemen's Association of the Western District, and the said association is hereby empowered to elect nine trustees to take the place of the precent trnstees, and the said trustees Bhall exercise ail the duties of the present trus tees of the said fund, and shall manage said fund in conformity with the existing provisions of law applicable thereto.

REPEAL OP ACTS. Sec. 28 All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act, are hereby repealed. Sec 29 ThiB act BhaU take effect immediately. VIEWS OF CORRESPONDENTS.

Flogging in our Public Schools. To Che Editor of Che Brooklyn BagU: I have read your remarks and the views of several correspondents in your valuable journal on the subject of public schools, with much interest, and coincide with them. Permit me, through your columns, to inform the public of an abuse practised in Primary School No. 6, located in 18th Btreet, between 1th and 5th avenues. To illustrate the custom practised there, I will briefiy give my own experience: I have one son aged nine years and one daughter aged five, that I sent to this school.

My daughter was whipped, before Bhe had been in school one week, with a rattan across the wrist3 eo severely that the marks remained for three weeks, simply for marking on her slate, and it wsb the first week Bhe went to school. The child was never struck in her life before; ahe is well governed at home never required more than speaking to, to correct any fault, and has often been commended by acquaintances for good behavior. My son has beenfflogged, he says, five times in one day, although the teacher will not admit dogging him more than three times in one day, which ought to convince her, at least, that flogging him did no good. Another boy eays ho waa flogged seven times In ono day. It is the custom of the teachers to send the children "on the lino," there to wait for their flogging, and no questions asked what they are to bo punished for, but all are flogged alike, regardless of the offence, which is done by Miss Leach; and that is the explanation given me by her, why Bhe was called in this district "the whipping teacher." At one time my wife called at the Bchool ana remonstrated with Miss L.

about flogging my son, when it waa proved he had been punished by mistake, and she said she was sorry for it; meagre consolation to the poor boy. It has also been the custom to compel the children, each, to bring one penny every Wednesday, which it was said was to pay the rent of tho piano. My son was flogged because his mother forgot to give him the penny and if tbey came without it thoy were sent home for it, no matter how far they live from school, or how cold the day. I have seen six or eight at a time pass my door on a cold day going home for their pennjr. About tho middle of January, it being "muBic day," my son begRed his mother to let him stay at home in the afternoon, alleging that he always got whipped on "music day." His mother sent bim to Bchool with a note to Miss requesting him to be sent home at 2 o'clock.

He not coming home at that hour, she sent for him, and word came back that "ho would be home soon." He came home at half past two, and said he was kept until that time to flog him. This exasperated his mother so much, that she went to the school to learn the cause, which proved to be. as stated by my son, (although it eeemed incredible) for smiling. Sho asked Miss Leach what she whipped him for? The teacher Eaid "for disobeying the rules of the school. My wife said "for smiling I suppose." Tes," she says "for smiling." My wife then said "you cannot whip my children in that way." The teacher then said, "It is a privilege I have and I shall whip them when I please." What a privilege I Is the person who would exercise such a "privilege," tbough she had the right, a proper person to have the c'jarge of those little helpless children The circumBtance just related, was this: during the music exercises something was eaid by the music teacher that was laughable; the teacher laughed and the children eniiled as soon as the music teacher left, a long list of the smiling urchins were sent up.

to be flogged. I took my children from the school, and laid the matter before one of tho Board of Education, which resulted only in stopping the penny collection, which is not a sufficient reform for me; I think the whole of the teachers in this school have mistaken their calling, for if care should ever be taken it is in forming the cbaeactcr at an early age, "As the twig is bent the tree is inclined." This school is patronized mostly by poor people, who are too much absorbed in getting their daily bread, to take the time to have this abuso investigated, 'I have heard complaints from several sources of thiB flogging, but they "had "not time to make a fuss about it." Now, Mr. Editor, as flogging has been abolished in our Navy as an abuse, and it has been decided by our wise law makers as injudicious, and as we have a very wise and humane law on our Statutes to protect animals from cruel treatment, (thanks to Mr. Eergh) have we no law to protect poor helpless children irom cruel treatment? I have paid my taxes cheerfully in support of our Public Schools, but have never before had occasion to avail myself of their benefits. Now, I am debarred the privilege, as I cannot submit to such treatment to my children.

I think that flogging tends to brutalize children, to humiliate them, and harden them, notwithstanding Solomon's sayings. I supposed tho custom bad become obsolete in our schools. My communication may be somewhat lengthy for your columns, yet, I trust yu will publish it, that if our wise Board of Education does not see fit to put proper persons in our Primary Schools, and abolish this promiscuous flogning, thai public opinion will. Ot. B.

18th st near 6th aye. Extension or Flatbush Avenue. To the Editor of (he Brooklyn Eagle: As the improvement of our city and the facilitating of the modes of travel aeein to be in order, permit me to occupy a small portion of your space in giving my views on what I consider to be a neceoaary requirement and a much desired improvement, the extension of Flatbush avenuo and the proper coureo it should take towards tho river. One method oZ accomplishing this useful idea has already boen argued in the columns of the Eagle, and I perceive by your Albany correspodence that a bill to carry out the proposed plan is already in contemplation. There is an accumulation of reasons to show that any course but into Fulton street would be movo desirablo than that path of extension.

In the first place, the lower part of Fulton street as a thoroughfare is already overcrowded, so much so that it would be desirable if some means could be adopted to relievo it of some of the excessive traflc with which it is now burthened and the ferry overcrowded. In the next place the accommodation of business, particularly in the lower part of the city of New York, has amounted to such vast proportions as to already have forced'its wav further up town than the most sanguine ever originally anticipated. As an instance, a fow years ago nearly all the wholesale and dry goods jobbing bouses of the city were located below Fulton street, whereaB to day there are few which are not far in the up town side of that street, many extending up to aud even beyond Canal street. When we consider this fact in conneotion with this other fact, that a large number of the merchants, business men, clerks and other eniplojes doing business in New York reside in Brooklyn, and thousands more can be invited to it if we can but only supply them with desirablo and convenient modes of reaching tho many healthy and beautiful residences which can be raised in the most healthy and convenient parts of this city and suburbs. Instance the many desirable sites' there are now in the neighborhood of Prospect Park, the most healthy, and decidedly the most beautiful parts of this city and the natural invitations there oto to erect splendid residences in that locality.

Suppose then that Flatbush avenue should bo extended through in a direct line to Bridge Btreet, (it would Btrike about the junction of Johnson and Bridge street) and continued hence along Bridge street, by widening it to the East Biver. The Ferry Company would at once find it to their advantage to increase the number of boats to foot of Chamber New York, and then a new line of boats from foot of Bridge (or as it might then be Flatbush ave.) to foot of Butger oreome adjacent Btreet in the neighborhood of Canal street, N. Y. Persons living in East or Centre Brooklyn and doing business in New York, could go thus to their several places of buaiceJB, where thoae places are situated anywhere in the up town side of Chamber atreet, more than half an hour faster than they could reach them via Fulton Ferry, and avoid too the nasty travel that those streets on the other side afford. Again on returning a much longer time would be saved in getting homo after the tedious hours of bnsiniss being over, by avoiding tho steep and severe elevation of Fulton Btreet from the ferry to the City Hall, and taking the easy and moderate grade of Bridge street.

Thus a useful and beautiful avenuo would be formed with lesB cost to tbe city and possessing far more advantages than any other direction it would take could afford. This would have the still further advantage of making a desirable drive for those who can avail themselves of that luxury and also offer a pleasant inducement to New York residents to break the monotony by a drive to this city, and treating themselves to a visit to our new park, which the other contemplated idea could not offer. In tfiiB way the resources of the city would bo vastly Increased by increasing the taxable property and thus lessening the tax rate. Of course it would be desirable that the avenue should lead to Prospect Park, so that it might invite all who enter it to continue it to a junction with the varied drives and walks of the Park, where wide and beautiful scenery and many other advantages precious to health and enjoymont would await the visitor. J.

M. G. Crippled Veterans. To Che Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle: I notice in your paper an advertisement that a grand entertainment is to be given at the Academy of Music, on Saturday evening, in aid of the Crippled Veterans. Can you inform me aa well aa many others who have served in tbe Army and Navy during the late war, who are the responsible parties that get up this entertainment as I have Inquired of almost every military man of my acquaintance in the city, and have not been able to find one who knows anything of the "Veterans' Belief Association." Tetebak.

The Plasterers SocietyThe Lathing Question Settled A regular meeting of the Operative Plaster era' Society was held last evening, at No. 22 Court street, Mr. John Doherty in the chair, and Mr. P. J.

Welch, Secretary. The attendance of members was quite large. The long discusstd question as to the propriety of admitting lathers into the Society waa again talked of and finally decided in the negative, by a vote of 35 to 23. On motion of Mr. Edward Gallagher it was required that members be hereafter required to exhibit their' cards, on the first Thursday of each month, to a chairman appointed by the workmen in each shop.

A new Advisory Committee was appointed, consisting nfilliit fnllnKl nj Humicuiuii: mcusre. ouwara traiiBgner, P. J. Welch, Hugh Barr, John Gallagher, John Blaney, Matthew Burke, Michael Nolan, William Hodirina and Edward Boden. After which tho meeting adjourned.

DEVELOPMENT OF TOE SCHEMA, Speech toy Hon. Henry C. Murphy on the Subject. ABE THE FERRY COMPANIES INTERESTED A PERSONAL EXPLANATION. INTERESTING STATISTICS OF FERRY Albany, Feb.

13. This morning, Senator Murphy called up his bill for the incorporation of tho Bridge Company, His remarks were plain, practical and to the point, and were listened to with the closest attention by tho Senate, and a large body of auditors. The result waa that the bill was ordered to a third reading without a Bingle dissent, ing voice. The following is a sketch of Mr. Murphy's remarks BBHJOES VEESTJS FEBBIES Mr.

Murphy, said that in introducing the bill, it was proper for him to present to the Senate some of the reasonB which impelled the action now demanded aa a necessity. Between places which are separated by streams, ferries and bridges furnish, cf course, the only means of communication. Bridges are, of taeso two methods the moBt natural. They afford a safe, continuous and uninterrupted medium of communication; and they can be established and maintained with much less expenditure. Ferries are sometimes: established, because their original cost is less, and because under tbe modern improvements, which have beon introduced since the application of steam to machinery, they are, in some respects preferable.

INADEQUACY. OP EEBBTES INTEBESlrNG STATISTICS. But ferry boats become sometimes inadequate, and it haB proven to be so in the present case. There are twelve ferries between New York and Brooklyn. Of these, five are run by the Union Ferry Company, and the others are separately organized.

There are seven running to what is called "old Brooklyn," or tho city as it existed beforo its consolidation with Williamsburh and the other suburbs. Four run between New York and that part of Brooklyn called Williamsburgh, and one between that part called Green Point and New Yoi making twelve in all. On some of these lines, four boats axe constantly running from The number ol lboals employed by them is necessarily vory larje. On those boats, abont one hundred thousand persons daily cross over between the two cities each way making two hundred thousand passengers in all. Of this total number, the Union Ferry Company, to which I have before alluded, carry about one half.

But the travel is by no means uniform through all the hours of tho day. There are portions of each day when the travel is comparatively quite small, and others wheu it is very great. Thus, between ctven and nine o'clock in tho morning, and between Bix and nine o'clock in tho evening, very large numbers of persona are continually passing. This ia particuiaily tbe case with what is known as the Fuiton ferry. There are on thit ferry four boatii, with an average passage of abot four minutes to each.

Tho population of Brooklyn, at tho present time, must be about 350, 000. The last census exhibited a total of 311,000, and the increase has since been sufficiently rapid to justify the conclusion that by the present time it haa reached the figure which I have named. The population of New York city is about 800,000. It is, undoubtedly, of more importance to tbe inhabitants ol Brooklyn than to tboso of New York, that there shall be sale and speedy communication between the two cities. There are, probably, not less than twenty thousand persons residing in Brooklyn who do business in New York merchants, bankers, clerks and otherB, whose avocations require them to pass to and fro daily between the two places.

As these are compelled to cross the river constantly, they make an aggregato of forty thousand passengers who come and go from Brooklyn to New York aud back. There are also quite a large number of persons how many I am not prepared to stata, nor are thero any statistics to show who reside in New York ami do business in Brooklyn. TbcBC are principally laborers and employed on bur docks and in oar warehouses and manufactories persons of that class whose avocations are such as require that they shall have the most Bpeedy and reliable methods of communication. The imf oriance of a mode ot access between the two cities which shall be at once available and reliable, will be perfectly apparent from the facts which I have adduced. THE INTEBETJPTION TO FERRY NAVIGATION.

But there is another consideration relating to this same branch of the subject, of which we Bhould not lose Bight. It that while the increase in tho population of the two cities has been so great, thore bus beeu a corresponding increase in the trade upon the river. There aro very many the exact number I do not know, but it amounts to several hundreds steam tugs constantly plying upon the river, and necessarily occupying the waters of the great harbor which is formed by it. There iB also a great number of steam vessels plying between our own and foreign coasts, or communicating with distant parts of our own country, There is also an innumerable fleet of sailing vessels constantly plying to and fro. Indeed, so immense is this traffic, that the East liver has become almost as much thronged with ehipfi and other floating crafts, as is Broidvay with vehicles and with human beings.

THE DANGEKS ATTENDING PEBBY COMMUNICATION. It is eafy to Bee from this statement, and from the figures which accompany it, that tho transit across the river bj ferry boats is necessarily very dangerous, and mnet become continually more so, aa population and traffic increase. These boats navigate at right angles fiom shore to shore, while great numbers of immense crafts are constantly crossing their paths, producing an imminent hazard of collision and disaster. This thing has been looked at for some timo with fearful apprehension by the people or Brooklyn, who are compelled to make use of the ferries. Tbey know, from the very nature of tbe case, that utiless Bome other method of communication is provided, there soon must be a dire calamity.

And the fear which they realize is no chimera. Tho dread fact came near being realized iu all its startling awfulnesa Only a few weeks since. On tho 13lh of December last, the steam ferry boat America, with one thousand men, women aud children on board, camo in collision with the steam tug Fairfield, when crossing between New York and Brooklyn. The tug happened in this instance to be the vessel which ei'i' open and sunk. Sho immediately went to tho bottom and her captain, engineer and pilot were rescued with great difficulty by row boats although tho accident occurred within three hundred feet of the shore.

It was only through the merciful providence of God tbattbe ferry boat was not the one t) rtceivo tho fat.il injury; aud had thiB occured, with one thousand por sons cn board, what a fearful destriction must have ensued. This is a significant warning aud reminder of the necoBSity for some action to secure octtor means of communication. But it is not the only one which has been furnished. Only a few weeks bolore, a ferryboat, with a large number of passengers on board, took file during one of her trips, and waa totally destroyed in the slip, near which she happened to be at the lime. Had this accident occurred so as to disable her in mid river, it is not easy to estimate the awful consequencte which might have THE FEEBTES INADEQUATE TO MEET THE PUBLIC WAN18.

But this ground of danger is not the only one upon which tho necessity for action is presented. I call upon the Senators to take notice, and to remember in their discussions of the measure, that my first Senatorial act on reaching Albany this winter waa to give notice of this bill. A few weeks later, we had what was called tho ico embargo. The ice, floating down from above, was wedged in a compact mass during cortain states of the Udo in tbe narrow channel between the two cities, and absolutely prevented crossing for several hours of each day. People, who had important businosB to transact on one side or the othor, were consequently delayed for hours, in consequence of the ferry boats being unable to get over.

Some criticism has been excited in consequence, in relation to tho construction of the boats, and it has been said that boats should bo built in such shape and strength that tbey oonld force their way through tbe ice. But that la not a possibility in the present case. Boa's could, undoubtedly, be so constructed as to break through solid ice where it had ao formed as to constitute a permanent blockade of the channel. But at tbie point the ice never freezes solidly across; and all the difficulties which arise are caused by moving bodies of ice, which come down irom above, and pass slowly down with the current, or move backward and forward upon the tides, In addition to this, we havo at certain seasoi a of the year, heavy fogs upon the river. When these prevail, the boats have to feel their way cautiously Irom shore to Bhore ringing their bells to avoid the dangers of collision, and making tbeir landings with difficulty.

These fogs do not occur very frequently, but they are sufficient to obstruct navigation, and to delay and embarrass persona who are passing backward and forward between the two Citle3, THE TIME COME POE ERECTING A BBIDOB. It is under these circumstances that it appears to tho citizens of Brooklyn that tho time has come when Bhe must bo physically united with New York; when some means of communication shall be provided, over which the people shall be able to pass at all times with safety, certainty and economy. I have here communications on Ibis subject from the Common Council or Brooklyn, end the Board of Supervisors or Kings county. They request of this body and so far as I am concerned, they amount to inalructionfl that something shall be done to furnish the relief which the circumstances of the ca6C demand. Tbey wish and they give unanimous expression to that wish that this measure may be passed through the Legislature without delay, THE QUESTION LONG AGITATED.

The next question which ariaes, after wo havo determined the necessity, is as to the feasabilitv nf th Tbia idea of a bridge is not a new one. As long ago as 1811, there waa a treatise published upon the subject by Thomas Pope, who even resorted to voice, and In earnest and patriotic words besought bis countrymen to adopt such a course of action as would bring credit upon ins nation. And thero have been other projects of (liferent characters since. The most natural plan is, to erect a bridge over the river to be supported upon piers put in the river, with spans of trestle work between. But that plan is not to be considered, and cannot bo carried out, for this reason: that it would present an obstruction to navigation.

You have passed laws here, after a great deal of investigation and discussion, that no further obstructions can be permitted in the East Biver, beyond tbe lines which you call the pier and bulkhead lines and those laws are, undoubtedly, such laws as aro demanded by tho interests of commerce. Any attempt to put's pier in the East river wonld be considered as establishing a nuisancr, and the United States government would, undoubtedly, interpose to prevent it. Wo, aa a Slate, are not supreme in our control over tola river. We do, undoubtedly, possess the right of eminent domain over its soil, but its waters must be kept free to the commerce of the country. The United States courts could, therefore, as in the case of the bridge over the Ohio river, at Wheeling, and in other cases interfere to pronounce the bridge a nuisance, and direct its removal.

So that plan will havo to be.thrown aside Then as to tho plan of a bridge slmlliar to that ODOted bv Mr. Pope fifty five years ago. It would haveto be a' draw bridge. Architects say that for some mechanical reason but npon tbia point I am not In formed the veiy expense of constructing the arch would bo more than the entire expense under the plan now proposed and submitted to you. THE KIND OF A BRIDGE WE ABE TO HAVE.

Xhe necessities of tbe case, therefore, demand that this shall be what ia known aa a suspension bridge. It must bo built without piers or any other obstructions a Bridge ol 820 feet span, The width of the nverwnere it is proposed to put the structure now under discussion, is between 1,300 and l. ICO feet. Ono bridge hai been built since that at Niagara. I allude to the ono between Cincinnati and Covington.

There, the same accomplished engineer has succeeded In making communication where the span is 1,250 feet. The distance is put 00 feet lesa than that of the projected bridge between New Yoik and Brooklyn. Mr. Bcebling is now fuly satisfied of the entire feasa htiity of (his bridge. I have aletter from tho President iv.1? "'i011 hicn bQilt tha Covington structari, to which he Informs mo that their biidgo cost $1,800.

ahi i. lme SGfectwidi. SS? t.hat J' ia in a great and porfect success. It is. of course, natural for people to inquire something about the plan of the bridge ihtond? built.

It is impossible to give a5y answe? to mis qulrytbatmaybo considered abeolutely perfect: The actual form and size of the bridge must bo lctt to thn engineers, and will be determined by a great variotv of circumstances, entering into their calculations But the place now proposed was submitted to the Commtt teo on Ferries and Wharves, and carefully examined by them; and they are entirely BatiBficd with it. The bridge over the Ohio river ia 38 feet wide. That across the Niagara river is a little more than 20 feet. It Is proposed that tho one across the East River shall be on the upper floor 50 feet iu width. Tho distance hetweou the two floorswill be 20 feet.

IMPOBTANT AMENDMENT TO THE ORIGINAL BILL THE BBTDOE TO BE COMMENCED WITHIN a. YEAR. It is only necessary to call attention to tho character of the corporators of this enterprise to create a goneral confidence in their integrity, and in their ability and purpose to do what they propose. When the plan was first suggested it was remarked that it embodied no provision for an early completion of the Btructuro. Ia order to meet this criticism, we have incorporated upon tho measure the provision of the Bevised Statutes, applicable (o ail similar cases, which requires that tho work BhaU be commenced within a year from the timo.

the charter is granted. This is a prerequisite to which similar corporations have not heretofore been forcod to comply. The Niagara Bridgo Company was incorpor. ated in 1816, and the bridgo erected about tho year 1855. The Cincinnati Bridge Company received its charter iu 1816, and the structure has just been completed.

Works of this magnitude aro not to be hurried nor ia it desirable that they should he. A PERSONAL EXPLANATION. Fome comment has been excited in New York pupera upon another point, to which I allude wilh shauio for the necessity which demands allusion. It has beon remarked that the period of five years, introduced aa a limitation in the bill, covered just tho time that tho Dnion Ferry Company's lease waa run, and that tho provision was probably intended to protect them that, indeed, the whole scheme might, perhaps, be intended for the benefit of this corporation. And it haa been charged that I am prejudiced in my action, because I have been engagod as counsel for tha Dnion Ferry Company.

I say, I allude to thia matter here with shame and reluctance. But I do declare in my place, and upon my honor as a Senator, that I have never been employed by the Union Ferry Company as solicitor or counsellor, either directly or indirectly, and that I bavo never consulted with any one whom I know to be a representative of the interests of that Company. This measure is perfectly distinct from them. It is. in ract, contrary to their interests.

I have presented the matter to tho Legislature solely from a sense of its public importance and necessity. And I brand the author of the statement which attributes other motives to me, as a slanderer and a falsifier, THE COtT OP THE BRIDGE CAN IX BE MADE A FREE BRIDGE. There are provision in the bill which enable tho company to take and hold real estate, and which authorize them for this and the other purposes of tbeic creation lo secure necessary loans and issue bonds therefor. The coat of the Covington bridge was $1, B00.0C0. This bridge will, in its total, be one third longer.

It will be elevated 130 feet above tho wator at tho arch. These differences will lucre no the amount of expenditures lo over three millions of dollars. Them there must bo suitable landing places, which are to be) procured by purchase. We cannot hope to obtain thoso for less than two millions of dollars. The aggregate outlay upon tho structure and its belongings, will therefore amount to five millions or dollars.

There Is a provision in tho not that tho cities of New York and Brooklyn, may at any timo take possession of the bridge, upon paying to the corporation by which it was built thirty three aud one third per cent, premium upon the amount of capital invested by them. It would be exceedingly desirable, could it ba accomplished. Wo do not ask bounty from the Slate. We might come hero and present a claim for help, which would certainly be recognized, at least in tho minds ol some Senators. But wo do not proposo that.

Wa cannot build through the civil authorities. New York, which is less interested than Brooklyn, could not bo expected to contribute to the expense. The burden would, therefore, fall entirely upon Brooklyn, whera the great Interest in the success of the enterprise is fait. The state or tho finances of Brooklyn will not permit us to add five millions to onr debt. The public mind is not ready for it.

The enterprise is ono proper to ba carried out by capitalists. If this charter is granted, our capitalists will raise tho requisite amount. Should they do so, tbey would be entitled to suitable remuneration. The bill simply provides that they Bhould receive such remuneration. THE BILL BEAD A THIRD TIME.

On motion of Mr. Folger, section 1 2, which exempted the boudB of tho corporation from taxation, was siricicu out. The bill was then ordered to a third roading. SILVER PLATED WAKE, HADE BY THE CELEBRATED REDFIELD fc RICE MANUFACTURING OF NEW TOSK. EQUAL IF NOT SUPERIOR TO ANY IN TIIK MARKET.

RETAILED AT HOLE SALE PRICES. Ilavinc becomo lately interested in tho above home, and after several years experience with their wares wo are pro pared to offer a largo assortment of the above pooda at Strict ly wholesale prices, thus saving to tbe consumer tho usual retail profit. Ever; article marked in plain figures and courteously exhibited. R. TICK.

iaia 3taw US 297 Fulton street, corner Johnson. BATCHELOIVS HAIK DYE. This splendid Hair Dye is tho best in the worid; the only true and perfect Dye; harmless; reliable; inst nUtnc ous; no disappointment; no ridiculous tints; remedies tb 111 effects bad Dyea invigorates and leaves the Hair sot and beautiful black or brown. Sold by all Druggist and Perfume ra IOST AND FOUNT). i KEWi State i Wedncsdaj evt KEWARU LOST.

IN DKAN, BOND BirceiB, in poinn 10 oi. ruier i unnrco ninir. a MINK BOA. with head and feet. The above reward will be paid for its return to 220 Dean Btreet.

ieU2t LOST IN SANDS STRKEf. OR IN A Fulton avence car, a pair of Gold SPECTACLES, marked T. M. The tind' will recoivo a suitable reward bv feaviDR th era at 109 Jay stree Brooklyn. A flue young Greyhound 1t 8n.ifl nt the ame piano.

OST A PAIR OK NEW GAITERS, IN" coin from the corner of Gates and Cliotsn avenues through Hamilton street to Fuiton avenue and Ryers ja street. A suitable reward will given by Ieivinp them at the ciocfry, comer of I ultou avenuo and Ham It on street. fel42t LOST A LADY'S LACE POCKET HANDKERCHIEF, on the evening of the 12th. at the Academy of Mumc. at Riven.

Soiree. A liberal re waid will bv given to the tiuder by leaving it a 192 Carlton avenue. felt it.3 ITIOUND O.N THE Hth INST, A SMALTj sum of MONEY, on the 8 1 rain fro Newark. Ttia owner miy hav his property by calling at 2c0 Fulton Bi joklya. Iell2t FOUND CAaTETO THE PREMTSESOF Mrs.

SLAYKN, in Ilond street, between Butler and Douglass su, two tmi ill PIGS, whiob tho owoer can hsvo by provirg property arm ying trponsea. fe3t LOST IN A FIFTH AVENUE CAR, on ednesday morninir. a POCKET KOOK. containing about in bills and check on Marine Bank, also some paper) of no value. 810 reward will ba paid for tho return ol the samo to 17 Water atrret, N.

Y. feU 3t KEWARD LOST OH STOLEN' VPlJ lait eveninc. on Atlantic between South lcrrj and Oifcri, a gold tianling "WATCH; dog ei.graved on upper case: the abore regard will bo pM and no iae2 tions if left witn Biuxoine A 30 anl 31 We.tst, N. Y. fel3 2f FOUND CAME TO THE MERCHANTS' express stables, Kosciusko treat, 1st house soathent ot Bedford tv.

on February 11th, 1867, a stray COW. Tbe owner can have rer by provinp property and pajing eipenBos. feCfj GKOKGE McfiUGfL LOST A GOLD PEN AND PENCII marked Hettio Fuller! on. A reward will bo paid if returned to 114 Hjnry Btrett. feU 2t" FORSALfi.

SALE THREE STORY BROWN ttone and brick hnnso. H33 Opan strreL corner NAvinn bph stoop, all improvements, rooms, two story, stable in rear, on Nevins afreet. Permits on application J. W. BOGERT, 95 Liberty street, N.

Y. fe FOB SALE A RECTIFYING E8 TAB hihirent, in BrooVyn. near two ferries, ia complete order: capacity bp ire unsurpassed location for stock: capacity 3.5C0 gallons; 6 years leiae. Apply ts note to Z. C.

Hagle office. Brooklyn. feu 3t rlOR SALE A SMALL, NICE BUTCHER shop, with fixtures, doing a good cash business; iu a fine neighborhood; good reason for selling, tho owner bai to 0 to Eurore. Inquire of I BLUMENAU. House Agent.

No. 16l Smith street, or in tho shop, corner of Livingston meet and Elm place. tU 3 FOR SALE FOUR PAIR GLASS DOOR cares and a caso of drawer, tor a tailor or I ancy Btore, or milinerj store. Inquire at 11 avenue. it OR SALE HARDWARE STOKE COi ner Fulton and Carlton avennea; ono of tbe boat Iocs tiona in tbe city: sold on account of sickness of the owner: no cbarce for goad will.

Apply on tbe promises, of W. H. BKOWN. feU 2V FOR SALE PEW FOR SALE IN THE Holy Trinity Charoh, Brooklyn Boigbts: one of the best pews in tbe church. Inquire at 125 Picrrepont street.

fe7lt OR SALE A PLAIN CYLINDER ROTT.KTl 3fl inrhes in diameter and 23 feat in leneth. bwi rqniro of tbe Entrinoer at the Eaale office. di8 tf MEETINGS. A REGULAR CONFERENCE aiEEfxC of tbe Brooklyn Liberal Christian Union will be hold in the Church of tbo Restoration, corner of Olirk atrtui and Monroe place, on THURSDAY EVKNfWO. fob.

Iftb. at 8 o'clock, irhen an address will be delivered by the lion Horace Gieelcy. on "Co operation in Trade and Industry." WILLIAM POTTS, 8eo NOTICE TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS OFHI2UUi WARD You are invited to attend a meetincon HIDAV KVKNlNO, Feb. IS. at 8 o'clock, at Mrs.

Miller's School Boom, in Adelphi street, near Wil longhby.r. feU MASONIC THE MEMBERS OF STAR OF BKTHLEHh LODGE, No. 311F.1A. are hereby summoned to attend tne next regu'ar commnoi nation to be held on FRIDAY EVENIfiG, IStblnsU Pono tnal atteDdatwe is earnestly reqniBtcd aa buainesa of importance wiU be brought befor the meeting forfinal action. By oraer.

JAMfcS BOYLB, W. li. 1 J. iicGDEW, Secretary. f133i HOUSES.

CARRIAGES. OR SALE A BLACK MARE, 7 YEARS 1 .1 lie hifrh wamn.aH can tron ib miles an hour, and a yary faat walker; will sold cheap, as the owner has no use for her: alto a new ost bona truck. Apply at 196 TiUary street, Brooklyn. feU 31 SALE A YOUNG HORSE, BU3L X1 ness wseon and harness: also one ion kettle. 400 cat Ions; one copper drying table, about IS feet Ions by I.

at wide; lour wooden tanks. do Oin be wan 1 1 240 Wjckofl street Apply to J. D. WILLIAM J. SM Fnlton street.

rev Ul" JAt WISHING TO HELL THEiK modtrn built second hand road waaona and carrtare. will hear ot a i trarchanr by addressing a note to roiai Ko. 1 Hilstr Buildfii. un of JOHH AHGU8. iJ8lB This paper has the largest Circulation of any BTening Paper published in the Gnited States.

Its value as an Advertising Medium is therefore Apparent. A Plan of Reconstruction which Meets the Real DifEenlty. A correspondent of the New York Tribune, who is introduced and endorsed by that journal as "a retired officer of the government" and "a worthy and patriotic citizen," has hit npon a new plan of reconstruction which is thus epitomised: "Let Congress (both parties) pass an act of general amncBty, and admit all legal members, on condition that the lato rebellious States promise, in a solemn manner, iefore such act goes into effect by Legislative proceedings or ConYontions that they toill take no lot or part in the next Presidential election; or pass any act, or adopt any measures to appoint electors in the next Presidential canvass." In our opinion this proposition goes a long way towards meeting the real difficulty, and we commend at once both the shrewdness and the frankness of the "worthy and patriotic citizen" who presents it. The difficulty in the way of the restoration of the Union is simply this: the party in power see no way under which they can retain power if they consent to Bettle the difficulties between the two sections. The Union once restored, questions relating to commerce, currency tariffs, would at once come into prominence, and upon none of these great interests has the party in power any policy upon which it can unite, or if united, upon which it cSuld go before the country with any hope of success.

As long as the Badica's caa keep alive the issues growing out of the war, they have trong elements of strength in the heat and passion excited in the conflict, and which only time can allay. But the most inveterate opponent of the South would hardly desire to tax himself twenty five cents on every dollar of his expenditure for the benefit oi the "loyalists" manufacturer of New England. The Evening Post and the Tribune join in. the same hullabaloo about the negroes, but both journals differ as widely as the polls on the question of and each journal represents conflicting elements of the party. Eastern and Western Eadicals join hands against the South, but if the Western farmer had an opportunity to think of the fact that every article he purchases is taxed for the benefit of a small class, confined to a very small section of the country, he would elect representatives on other grounds than avowed fidelity to the negro.

If any of the "boys in blue" cherish especial enmity against their late opponents, it, may be supposed to be those who have been rendered incapable by wounds of following their former avocations. Even this class would hardly object to receive their pension in goods hard money, rather than in the sorry substitute for it, to which the manufacturers and. speculators are interested in adhering. Even the negroes, if permitted to vote, will very soon understand that it is not to their interest to sustain a tariff party, for the benefit of capitalists. If the Radicals do not succeed in keeping up the row between the two sections until after the next Presidential election, they cannot hope to elect a Eadical President, for the main question in dispute once settled, there can be no Radical party.

The compromise which the Tribune's carres pondent offers is virtually this: If you, Badi dals, consent to restore the Union your opponents will agree to let the Presidential election go by default. It is reasonable to suppose that if the party in power is permitted to fatten on the fpoils of office for four years more they will have had enough, and will con sent to let go. We can imagine but one plan of settlement more satisfactory. If the South will only guarantee that its people will vote the Kadical ticket, for the next four years, the Union can be restored at once, for the fear of partisan discomfiture alone stands in the way of this desirable consummation. We are satisfied the Tribune correspondent's plan deserves far more consideration than that journal seems to be disposed to give it.

In order to excite an interest in Mr. Beecher's lecture, the managers of the so called "Fraternity" under whose auspices it was delivered, announced that Mr. Beecher would jump into the front ranks of Radicalism, and go for the President's impeachment, This announcement was but a trick to draw a crowd, and as Mr. Beecher attracted but a moderate audience, it seems to have entirely failed. Mr.

Beecher gave a rehash of his old argument in favor of unniversal suffrage. He would have negroes, women, Indians and aliens vote. If we desire to get rid of the ballot altogether, we would favor Mr. Beecher scheme. Under it, in about two years, three fourths of the people would be so disgusted with the result that they would cheerfully give up their own right of suffrage, to get rid of a system well calculated to bring popular governments into contempt.

This seems to be what is aimed at under the guise of the widest liberty. In the reaction which would follow, the American people would accept the security of a decent despot ism for the wild revel which Mr. Beecher pro poses to inaugurate. Overcrowding has come to be the dark or plague spot of our trans atlantic cities, and they are now loudly calling for measures, if not of cure, at least of mitigation, and still more to the purpose of prevention. Thisgreat country, with its boundless praries and pri meval forests, ought at least to be able to af ford elbow room to its present population, and if its cities are overcrowded now, in what state will they be when the country comes to be a9 densely populated as China or Japan? It is really a fact that a picture of overcrowding in Paris and Lyons, in London and Liverpool, will stand for one in New York, if not in Philadelphia.

What are the primary causes of thii unhealthy huddling together of humanity At a meeting of the Social Science Congress, held some months ago at Manchester, England, the Earl of Shaftesbury, its President, in his address, connects drunkenness and disease with overcrowding. He declares that the monster evil which underlies every effort for the benefit of the working people, the evil that underlies and intensifies all the others the hot bed of pauperism, immorality, disease and drunkenness the evil that is negative in preventing every improvement and positive in maturing every mischief that lies at the root of nineteen twentieths of the corruptions that beset our social state and forms the crowning abomination of the whole, is the domiciliary condition of many thousands of our people. The painful truth is unpleasantly forced upon us that we dont know how to build tenement houses, especially when we are told that the buildings in London erected by the trustees of Mr. Peabody provide accommodations at the rate of 625 persons per acre, which is more than seven times the proportion per acre in the densely populated town of Liverpool. We publish elsewhere two very important letters from our Albany correspondent In one we present full details of.

the long threatened Eire Department scheme. The other relates to a subject of universal interest here the proposed bridge between Brooklyn and New York. From Mr. Murphy's speech it will be seen that it is proposed to go on with the work at once. The details presented by Mr.

Murphy will be read with very great interest. The celebrated burning well near Franklin, is again on fire, the flames frequently shooting up to the height of 100 feet. An Atlantic penny portage, is again being revived. There Is no gCodreaeau why we should not be able to send a letter to Europe as cheaply as we do to California. Many more obstacles are to be encountered in transporting the mails to San Franciso than there is from New York to Bt.

Petersburg. Yet the price of sending a letter to the latter place amounts to exactly twenty times as much as sending it to the former. The Postmater General has called the attention of Congress to the subject, and announces the proposal of Great Britain to make a new postal convention with the government of the United States, by which the present rates to and fro between the two countries shall he respectively reduced one half. The valetudinarian Turkey, that like a consumptive patient, lives longer than thoss who lamented its speedy dissolution, is about to gird on her armor for war. We shall soon hear of conflicts between the followers of the Turkish crescent and the Cretan Cross; what the resumption of hostilities may lead to is a question beyond the ken of the most astute statesman.

This Eastern question was the cause of the Crimean war, which only checked the ambitious designs of Russia. The Czar has not forgotten the war whoop of aggrandizing Catharine, and "onjto Constantinople" may be as popular a cry this spring throughout Bussia as that of "on to Eiohmond" was here during the war. The Indians on the plains are becoming mysterious; they are going to do dreadful things before the coming of the green grass. A pretty lively scalping season is anticipated in the spring when the noble red man expects to avenge the accumulative wrongs of a century, Let them scalp a few Radicals, it will show where the cranium of that party is cracked. Lecturing is again on the increase; all our literary lions have been asked to speak before every sort of conceivable associations for the benefit of all Mnds of objects.

Since tempo ranee lectures got stale, and aboliiionists are beings of the past, there haB been a paucity of wandering philantrophist3; we may expect a schoal ol them some of these days from Massachusetts. The Lord only knows what the subjects are to be. All the Slates are looking on with aDXious expectancy, uplifted hands and staring eyes, to know what that little cuss Massachusetts is going to say next." A judgment for $10,000 against the city of New York has been affirmed for an accident sustained in the winter of 1857, by Mr. Sheffield, of Bhode iBlahd, who, in crossing the Btreet below City Hall Park, fell over a stump and injured himself eo severely that before his recovery was effected he had expended over $3,000 for medical attendance. The defence made was that the appropriation of this portion of the park was illegal, because not in accordance with the statute providing for the widening and improvement of streets.

It waB decided that when the authorities have treated ground as portion of a public street.and taken charge of it as such, the same as of other streets, and if the party shall be injured thereon and sues for damages, he cannot be compelled to go into the in quiry as to the regularity oj the opening of the street, or the authority of the act. This is a good preceden of the liability of the city for accidents oocasioned by the non repair of Mock Auctions are becoming rather numerous on Broadway. Little red flags are to be seen on every block soliciting the custom of gentlemen irom the agricultural districts. The animated tones of the auctioneer, and the rapidity with which he despatches imaginary business, would delight a ClaSin or a Stewart, who ought to send their clerks to these establishments to acquire volubility and smartness. The mock purchasers are perfect models of contented customers; geniuses not generally found in legitimate business, sb most bona fide purchasers never think they get anything cheap enough, even when buying from respectable houses.

UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE. Lecture by Rev. Mr. Beecher Universal Suffrage a Right All Colors and Both Sexes Should Vote. The Rev.

Henry Ward Beecher lectured on Suffrneo last night, under (he auspices of the Brooklyn Fraternity. There was a fair though not by any means a large attendance. Mr. Beecher was introduced (why should he need an introduction in Brooklyn by Mr. Aaron M.

Powell, editor of the Anti Slavery Standard. In hiB opening remarks he defined what he meant by Universal Suffrage, or Manhood Suffrage, namely, that every citizen who had attained majority should vote. This waa the carrying out to the full of the tendencies Of this country from its earlieBt provincial history, and it was the logical result of American doctrines of society. Between two systems every logical mind must make its choice; either all should vote, or only the best citizens should vote. In other words, government by eleotion must be either aristocratic or democratic.

He held that suffrage was a natural right, because every man is subject to the laws which are created and regulated by those whom the voters choose, and any discrimination in favor of one class, whether on moral or intellectual grounds, was odious and inconsistent with our political philosophy. It was said that society had the right to protect itself. What was society as distinguished from the people The people had a right to protect them pelves, and society, as distinguished from the people, had no rights which a Democratic people were bound to respect. All were interested in the laws, and all should therefore have a voice in making them. No class legislation could be tolerated, either of importers as against manufacturers, of creditors as against debtors, or of the rich as against the poor.

Ech sort knows its own wants as none other could, and no legislation could he equitable in which the whole citizenship was not represented. To limit suffrage was to constitute a class Interest in society. Probably not more than one eighth 'ot our population voted and settled all the great questions of the land. Did not this constitute a class? It might by default. But to do it by law was odious more odious here, than in England or on the Continent.

Impartial suffrage was not a substitute for universal suffrage, but it might bo accepted if nothing bettor could be obtained, as a vantage ground upon which to plant batteries to sweep away all remaining restrictions. He would admit Alricans even if they could not read or write; he would admit Chinamen: Indians, as son as they were brought within the bounds of a regularly organized political society; foreigners, as soon as they declared their intention to become citizens. He admitted there ivas danger in doing thiB, but there was also danger in excluding men from the vote. The danger, however, would be but a spur to duty. "Education," not "Restriction," waa the watchword of safety over the ballot box.

We had now come to perceive a truth which never dawned upon antiquity, that God had so ordered human affairs that no man, no society or State could rise in civilization without elevating all the sur. rounding ones. When therefore it was asked is it not a dangerous thing to bear so many ignorant men to the ballot box? hla reply was that it was a dangerous thing to nave so many Ignorant men, but that it was in the power of the ballot box to take away men's ignorance and make them safe. Suffrage was in itself a powerful educator. As soon as a man had a vote, he would have instructors in political duty.

The opposing candidates would be two schoolmasters, who would instruct him fully in both views of every political question. His first vote would be cast with a certain restricted understanding ot affairs, and his intelligence would widen each time he voted, until, in five years, if he voted every time, it might bo as intelligent as any. Voting brought with it menUl exoite ment, and mental excitement, for definite ends, waa education. He would exclude criminals, because they were enemies of society, idiots because they were not men any more than a watch case was a watch, and those under age, because they were not of matured ability, but not paupers, because he would not add disgrace to misfortune. FEMALE SOTFEAGE.

But how about women? Well how about women? Were not their natural rights the eame aa the natural rights of men? Was there any material discrimination or distinction in virtue of which you could set woman aside and say she had not the rights of reason, of moral sentiment, of social affection of body and of citizenship which men had? A priori the argument In favor of woman's voting was Btronger than that in favor of man's, because of their finer mora sense, their more delicate tastes and susceptibilities. Woman was needed in leaislation, particularly the legislation of the present day which turns upon questions of morality, of labor, and of the sufferings of Bociety. These were questions of which she was peculiarly fitted to Judge, and we needed her judgment. Bhe was needed for her corrective influence upon the morals of politics. There was nothing, in politico, and that education which true political study confers that need ivest her of the graces of womanhood, or unfit her for the honorable offices of household labor.

Neither did the Scriptures condemn it.although the epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, and his letter to Timothy, were cited to Bhow that they did. These epistles were written for the guidance of Greek communities where women were habitually kept in subjec EffL meant no more than that they should not disregard the customs of Pentecost prophesied that in the last day women should prophesy, which taclnded all the duties of the ministerial office? and among the Hebrews no disqualification for any work ut Wom8n would not become unrefined in the school of politics any more than she tn church, 5rX the battle! VWmtner went t0 mtoistor to the wants ot fl8htiD8 flS As to rTquir' tag women to become firemen, soldiers and so forth, because they voted, he would say there waa a doctrine of fitness observed in these things even among men! Boys and old men were exempt from military autv. If JSSST11? "wore 'ound that the women wore best fitted to (he fighting, he would say let them go it. fw "reniarkB to prove that domesticity not likely to be destroyed by female suffrage, he concluded with an appeal to all women to do their duty in this matter to vote as their votes were needed, or at aU events to make the effort. If they dldnot want to, then it waa time they did want to.

The poor, the down troaden, and the ignorant needed them, and Society never could be what it should be until it felt her influence in every direction. our exposure of the soheme put a stop to it after about ten thousand dollars, enough to have made nil the changes actually needed, had been wasted. This ended all efforts for the time to carry out the improvement needed. The choice then was between suffering the inconvenience of a confusion of names and numbers in our streets, or submitting to a big swindle. We have more confidence in the present Common Council, and after the late experience, it is not likely that anybody would have the hardihood to revive the old scheme; we therefore appeal to the Common Council to take some action in this matter.

No commission is needed to do the work. It is not necessary to change names every instance wnere a name is duplicated. The distinction between an avenue and a street of the same name is sufficient. Where there are two streets with similar names, one in the Eastern and the other in the Western District, a ready means of distinction exists in the district designation which is well enough understood. The numbering of the houses is of the most consequence.

On Court and Atlantic streets there are three or four sets of numbers, and a Btranger seeking to make out a direction be comes hopelessly confused. Half our streets are irregularly numbered, and this is a constant source of annoyance, and loss of time. The re numbering of the streets can be accomplished by an ordinance of the Common Council directing the Street Commissioner to have the work done, and the expense to each property owner would be trifling. Our present system of numbering is sufficient for all purposes if properly done. This is a work that must be done some time or other, and to delay it is only to protract a great annoyance, which every resident of the city realizes, more or less, by personal experience.

St. Valentine's Day In ancient Borne there was, about the middle of February in each year, held the public festival called Lupercalia, which was given in honor of the Lycean Pan. One of the numerous oere monies at this pagan festival was to put the names of young women into a box, from which they were drawn by the young men, as chance directed; and as in those days auguries were thought much of, and exercised great influence over the minds of the superstitious Romans, the girl whose name was thus drawn by lot from the box was considered as a person very likely to become the future wife of the drawer. As a good deal of barbarous and licentious conduct was often the result of this ceremony, the zealous Fathers of the early Christian Church used every possible means in their power to eradicate these vestiges of pagan superstition. The names of saints instead of these girls were placed upon the billets, and that saint which each drew was to be his tutelary guardian during the following year, and as the Lupercalia was, as we have already mentioned, held about the middle of February, they appear to have chosen St.

Valentine's Day whereon to celebra te their reformed festival. The exertionB of the priests were not altogether barren of good results, for although St. Valentine's Day is a day peculiarly devoted to love affairs, its festivities are no longer associated with the pagan aspect which called forth the righteous ira of the good Fathers of the church; a result for which we ought to be truly thankful, and one which is a striking example of the good work which Christianity is ever doing. It haa not abolished the custom but purified it. It has taken away the old heathen coarseness and licentiousness, but has left unchanged the play of human feeling and affection; true hearted lovers, instead of being afraid of their newly discovered emotions, may have reason to congratulate themselves that thoy are under the tutelage of so sood and noble a saint as Valentine, of Home.

St, Valentine's Day has from time immemorial been dedicated to lovers. There are a number of pleasant legends and superstitions dear to romantic and sentimental misses connected with this occasion, and the trying of charms on Valentine's eve, to test the truth of their swains, or to conjure visions of a future husband was a custom with the maidens of a more credulous generation. The young men confined themselves to sending love missives, which were anxiously awaited by the expectant fair ones. The sending of Valentines was one of the few old world observances that took deep root here, and for years the manufacture of valentines was quite an ex tensive business, one New York dealer numbering his sales of valentines by the hundred thousand. Of late years the custom has fallen into disrepute, on account of its perversion to the malicious purposes of gratifying personal malice in a safe and sneaking way.

The so called comic valentines are simply disgusting caricatures, which only persons of low taste and a bad heart would think of using to wound the feelings of sensitive acquaintances against whom they might entertain petty malevolence. The sending of these scurrilous missives is cowardly and contemptible, and their use has brought odium upon the once innocent practice of sending valentines, and each succeeding year witnesses a falling off in the demand for these missives, both sentimental and comic. No sensible person will regret this abatement of a custom which has degenerated into a nuisance. There are plenty of ways more rational and personally gratifying by which moonstruck lovers can relieve their gush of feeling, and communicate tender sentiments more substantial and acceptable to a sensible young lady than gilt paper embossed with Cupids and rosebuds, and inscribed with laoka daisibical rhymes. Mr.

Stevens' bill, establishing military law over the Southern States, yesterday passed the House of Representatives 109 to 55. The Democrats refused to act unitedly with the Bepublican members, who desired to dodge the main question by sending the bill to a committee. Pbtmaby in the Sixth W.ibd. Under the direction of the Democratic General Committee, a primary election was held in the Sixth Ward last evening, at Phillip Clare's, in Columbia street, to elect a delegate to the General Committee and Ward officers. The following ticket was elected without opposition, over five hundred votes being polled: Alexander H.

Cunningham; Vice President, John J. white Secretary, P. K. Horrlgan; Treasurer, ShS Conn; Inspectors, John Qalvln, Matthew Harford. directed to annually raise the money needed for the department, which is to he deposited with the' State Treasurer, as a fund to the credtt of the department, and may be drawn by check in such sums oa may be needed.

MOBE ABOUI EEATj ESTATE, Sec. 16. On and after the organization of the department, all real eBtate, fire anparatus, hose implements, tools, bells and boll telegraphs, and all property of whatever nature then or theretofore in use by the firemen or fire departments of tho city, belonging to said city, shall be transferred by all persons having charge of the same, to the keeping of tho new Board and for their use. But the property still remains Brooklyn property. IXLWG LIST OP PBOPEBTT.

Sec. 17. The Commissioners shall annually file with the Comptroller, a list of all real estate and other property not required by them, and the said property may then be disposed of, and the proceeds be paid into the treasury for the benefit of the department. BOLL OP THE LATE DEPABTMENT. Sec.

18. The Clerks of the present Fire Commissioner shall cause a list containing the names of all those persons who, at the time of the passage of this act, were enrolled as active firemen of the Eastern and Western Districts, and the list BhaU he submitted to the Brook, lyn Fire Department. It shall be a misdemeanor for a period not less than sixty dayB, not so enrolled, or employed, or appointed by tho said Department, to wear the whole or any part of tho uniform or Insignia prescribed to be worn by the rules and regulations of the Board, or do any act aa firemen not authorized by tho Commissioners, or to interfere with the property or apparatus of tho new Department, in any manner, unless by the authority of the Department. No person holding office under this act shall be liable to military or jury duty. THE OLD PIBEMEN.

Seo. 19. On organization of the Department, aU persons then firemen, shall be under the control of the new Commissioners, and if they so remain until discharged, Bhall be entitled to all privileges and exemptions allowed by the laws of the State, the same as If they served out their full term. MOBE POWEB. Sec.

20. The Department may adopt a common seal, may institute ana maintain suits, and may also sue for, and shall have the exclusive right to recover the fines and penalties mentioned in or imposed by any or all laws of this State now in force in the said city, and all sums recovered shall be for tie benefit of the Department. And all the powers and duties now Imposed upon tho fire wardens of the Eastern and Western Districts, are invested in the new Department. And any member or officer of said Department may be summarily examined upon an order of requiring such examination, and signed by any justice of the 8upreme Court, and directing such examination to be bad publicly, not less than forty eight hours after peraonal service of said order: and sttchf examination shall be confined to an inquiry into an alleged wrongful diversion or misapplication of any of said moneys or funds, or Improper cop duct, of which it is alleged in the application for said order, that such member or said officer, bag knowledge or Information. And such person shall answer such pertinent questions as the judge shall direct, but his answers shall not be used against him in any criminal prosecution.

ANNUAL BEPOBT. Sec. 21 Provides for a report, annually to the Governor of the State, giving full details of the action of the Department, and suoh recommendations as they may deem proper. TJKIFOEM AND BADGE. Sec.

23 Duty of the Commissioners to make su'taulo.