The Charleston daily news. (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, January 20, 1873, Image 1

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VOLUME X.-NUMBER 2188. CHARLESTON, MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY 20, 1873. EIGHT DOLLARS A YEAR. A GOOD BEGINNING. THE NEW ADMINISTRATION AND THE BOND BING. Abandonment or the Scheme to Levy s Tax for Interest on the Debt-The Bine Ridge Scrlp-Holderg Dlnheart ened-No DecUlon Expected for Some Day?-Salutary Effect of the Vigor? ous Stand Taken by the Attorney General and the Comptroller and Treasurer- rhc Work of trie Legisla? ture. [FBOH OUR SPECIAL CORRESPOND KN T ] COLUMBIA. January 17. It will be remembered ibat aa intimation ^Ks given last month In this correspondence that. In addition to the effort lha' was then expected and bas now been made to compel the levy of a tax to provide tor the Blue Ridge revenue bond scrip, an f ffort was lo be made to compel the payment of at least a portion of the interest now overaue on the bonded debt of the State. This effort, ii was expected and slated, was to take ibo shape ol an application to the Supreme Court for a mandamus to require ihe levy of la tax, in addition to all other taxe?, sufficient to pay the interest on the bonds" as rt quired by the fourth section ot the "validating act'' o? lan winter. The parties that were io institute this proceeding were lo a large extent the same as the ones who have just made ibe fight in ihe Supreme Court lu favor of Hie Blue Ridge scrip, and it bas been understood that the question of attempting the movement for the payment ot interest was to be determined according to the suc? cess or failure ot tbe scrip scheme. It is now stated confidently by tbese who have every opportunity for being thoroughly In? formed Ibat the effort to force another tax tor the payment of interest ls to be abandoned, the parties who were to have led ibis ttesb attack npou tte treasury being disheartened by the prospect now presented to them of a complete failure of the scrip schema. The movement in the Supreme Court io favor of the scrip was in two actions, the one being a suit for mandamus to compel the levy of a tax, and the other an appeal from tbe Injunction of ex-Judge Melton forbidding tne reception of the sci.p in ihe payment ol public dues. The first oamed of tbese is the one which has been argued during the past ten days by Messrs. Campbell and Chamberlain on the pan of the applicants, and Attorney-General Melton and the Hon. C. G. Memminger lor the re? spondents. The arguments by .the latter gentlemen against the consti? tutionality of "".he scrip act and the legality of the proposed tax have been, lu the opinion of every legal gentleman with whom I have con? versed upon the subject, considered conclu? sive and overwhelming, and although the de? cision of the court has not yet been rendered and may not ba for some dayB yet, there is now bot little doubt in the mind ol any one who hiaa followed the case that it will be a refusal to grant the mandamus. The parties who have been engineering the application (and by tbese parties I do not mean the gen? tlemen whose names appear as the petitioners in the case, nor the very able counsel em? ployed by them, but J. L. Neagle and one or two oihers who have stood behind the scenes, although they each o wu more of the scrip than all of the petitioners put together,} have practically acknowledged their defeat in the first named case by their action In regard to > the second. When they started into the fight they were confident of success in both, and announced that whichever might ! be taken up first and decided by the ccu ri it would be instantly followed up by the other, 60 thal the victory which they expected In ihe ! one case would be Immediately supplemented by a similar triumph In the other. "Kow, however, tney are very far from being in any 1 basie to lake up the second of the Bum Kidge ! eases, and it bas therefore, with their con- 1 sent, been postponed until April. They ' foresee their defeat In Ute one Just argued, 1 and they do not court another Waterloo until they shall have had timo to recover lrom the 1 firsi blow, and as for the proposed maudamus lor a tax to pay interest on the bondp, they , bave abandoned that altogether. The im? portance of ibis defeat of the raiders u pt. n the public treasury caa hardly be overestimated. Ot all the corrupt and rascally laws parsed by the last General Assembly the two acts known as the validating act and the Blue Ridge scrip act were recognized at the time as being absolutely the worst and most shameless. They were both parts of one systematic scheme ot plunder, and as was notorious at the time the "margin" that was given in the ecrip act was to be used In part, and was used lu part by Messrs. Putter soa, Neagle c al in brit lng the validating bill through lae two houses. However, the bottom aupeaio likely to (all out ot the whole scheme, ia const quence ol Ihe stand taken by Comptroller-General H?ge and Attorney-Gen? eral Melton, in refusing to carry out what they and tbe whole people, except Messrs. Patterson, Neagle et al, believe to be a brace of rascally swindliog and unconstitutional laws, and of the probable refusal of the Supreme Court to declare that they are Innocent, neces? sary and legitimate mesures. This stand against the ?-niorcement of the Blue Ridge scrip act and the validating law ls the Arel important executive act ot tue new administration, and lt must be conceded that in this respect they have thus far lalih luily observed the pledges ot the plat? form upon which they Were elected. The next important step which is promised by them is an investigation imo the merits and demerits of the fifteen or twenty million dol? lars of bouda which were Issued under ihe ad? ministration of Governor Scott. The present State officials say that they owe ll to them? selves and lo the State to make such an Inves? tigation, and l?ey were about perfecting a plan of operations when a measure was intro? duced in the House looking lo an investigation to be made by a commission of three disinte? rested citizens. This was in the shape of the following joint resolution wnlch was offered last Monday by Mr. 0. R. Levy, of Charleston: Be U resolved. Tnat the Governor be em? powered to appoint a commission ol three persons of Character, Integrity and business capacity, to Investigate the amount and valid? ity of tbe State debt, who shall enter upon ibe discharge ol their duly at the earliest practi? cable moment; have power to send for per? sons and papers, be vested wiih authority lo examine Into the books, accounts and; vouch? ers of the State treasurer, comptroller-gene? ral and financial agent in New York, and be furnished with such information from the var? ious State departments as the said commis? sion Bball from time to lime require. Tuat it shill be the duly of the said commission to sit at "stated times, lo be advertised in the parers ot the cities ot Charleston, Columbia and New York, and shall cause th? number denominat? ing Ibe ace under which it was issued, and the name ol the person, association, corporation or firm presenting any bond, coupon or certificate ol indebtedness, to be registered in bocks, to be kept by the said commission for this pur? pose, and when said commission are fullv sat? isfied of the validity of the same, to affix an official stamp, to be provided for their espe? cial parp?se. Provided, That no charge shall be made to ihe holders or parties presenting such bond, coupon or certificate of stock for such registry. And it shall be ihe further duty of such commission to report the pro? gress of their Investigations as occasion may demand and the Governor or General Assem? bly may require. Resolved, That for the purpose of defraying Hie necessary expenses of said commission, ibe Governor is hereby authorized to draw his warrants on the State treasurer, tbe amounts of which warrants shall be paid by the State treasurer outofauy moneyBln the State treasury not otherwise appropriated. This resolution was referred to the commit? tee on ways and means, and that committee has since had one or two conferences upon the subject with the finance committee of the Senate and with one or two of the State offi? cers. Their last meeting was held last eve? ning, and the proposition was submitted to appoint, instead of a committee ol three citi? zens, a board to be composed of Governor Moses, Attorney-General Melton, Comptroller General H?ge. Secretary ol State Hayne, Treasurer Cardoz <, and Y. J. P. Owens and J. A. Bowley, who are the chairman of the iwo c mmltlees. This proposition was favor ably considered with the exception that lt was thought the addli lon of the last two names was unnecessary, and the meeting was ad Journal until this evening, when a substitute for the Joint resolution was to have been Bub mitted;but the adjournment o? the Asse until Monday eveulog has caused such a feet hegira of members from the city, there was no quorum this evening, anc meeting waB fun her postponed unt.l Moe The BuoslUute will, therefore, probably bi tr od ii ced io the House on Tuesday, ana Btrong probability is tbat lt will be ado without much opposition, and (hat a flaal official Investigation ol this much vexe J Jf ci ol the bonded debt will thus be Ina rated at last. There are three other Investigations on which promise Important results, twe M bich are entrusted to the attorney gen and one to the State treasurer. It will be possible, however, for the attorney generi institute Immediately the legal proceed directed in the resolutions authorizing tl investigations, as his office is already o burdened with the current business incide to the session o? the Legislature, and with accumulation ot past ousinees entr?stet the office during former administran Among this unfinished business are the portant suits by the State against the Sc Carolina Railroad Company, the No eastern Railroad Company and the Che and Darlington Railroad Company, now pt lng belore the Supreme Couit ol tbe Un Slates. These cases are expected to be ca for argument on some day between the ! of the present month and the Isl of Fe bru; and the attorney general, being unable lo tend to them in person on account of pressure ot lils duties here, bas commlsslo ex-Attorn^y-General Chamberlain to proc to Washington and, with the assistance local ccuns'il, who bave been engaged th< to prosecute the cases in behalt of the St; Tlte Legislative Proceedings tc-day have been marked by one or two bates of some importance In the Senate, Introduction of tbe usual number of new b tn both bouses, and by the passage to ttl third readiDg of an unusual number of bill the lower House, the members of which pear at last to hav9 become alarmed at tbe creasing bulk of their calendar, and toe sent to a sufficient intermission ot their c loraary squabbling to admit ot the rn?bl through ot a ba1 ch ot Incorporation bills a the killing off of most of the measu which Dave been unfavorably reported by l committees. TRIAL JOSTICES IM CHARLESTON. The principal debate in the Senate to-d was upon Senator Gaillard's bill to regule the appointment and salary of trial Justices the City of Charleston. Tbls bill, as bas be airead;, repo led. proposes to appoint !n pla of tbe preBent small army of trial Justices Charleston, wbo pubslst on lees which a notoriously oppressive to all who have a dealings with them, besides being ruinous expensive to the country, five trial Justice who shall be paid an annual salary o? t wei' hundred dollars each, and wbo snail tum all lees and fines collected by them to tl county treasury. 1 be bill as lt was original presented has already been published la TE NEWS, but it received so many amendmen ia the Senate to-day, that il may be won while to present it again In Its present shan Tbe bill as it ?as ordered to be engrossed, ar. as it will probably pass the Senate, is as lo lows: A BILI, lo reg?lale the appointment and sa ar v of trial Justices of Charleston. SECTION 1. Be it enacted, That the Governc do appoint, by and wiih me advice and cot Bent of tho Senate, five trial Justices for tb Ci-y of Charleston, and no more, lo hold the! offices for ihe term ol two years, unless soon? removed, according to law: Provided, The during the recess of the Senate the Governc may uppolnl either one or all of said trit justices, to hold their offices, unless remove by him, till the end of the next session of th Legislature, when the appointment sha cease, unless confirmed by the Senate. If vacancy occurs during I he session of the Legh lature, lt shall be filled only by the advice aa< consent of the Senate. SRC. 2. That tte trial Justices appointed fo the City ot Charleston snail reside in said cit' iud keep their office there, which shall bi ?pen, from day io-dny. for ihe transaction o Business: Provided, That the trial Justices si appointed shall oe commissioned by the Gov ?rnor In the lollowiug manner, to wit: Tw< lor Wards 1 and 2, one for Warde 3 and 4, om lor Wards 6 and 6, one for Warda 7 and 8; ant shall have their offices opened la a centra location, convenient lo the people ot tin ward* for which they are appointed. SEO. 3. That instead of the fees heretofore allowed by law (or the trial Justices in the Cit; of Charleston, they shall each be allowed i salary ol twelve hundred dollars per annum payable quarterly, on the first days of Jami ary, April, July and October, by the count; treasurer lor Charleston County out o? tr.I county funds, und that all fees and fines taxei and recoveted In civil and criminal causes lt the courts ot said trial Justices, shall be forth with turned over lo the county treasurer foi the County of Charleston. '-And then Baie trial ju-tices shall make to the Judge of tin First Circuit a monthly report ol all fees, linet and costs recovered or collected by them dur lae ihe said month." SEC. 4. Ail the appointments of trial Justice! resident In the City ot Charleston, heretofore made, shall coase und determine on and aftei the first day of April next, and the trial jus tices provided for ia this act shall enter upoE their dulles upon that day. SEC. 5. That tbe trial Justices appointed for the City of Charleston may each appoint twe constables, and no more, to serve the pro cesses ot their respective courts, removable at pleasure; the constables so appointed shall receive a salary of five hundred dollars per annum, lo be paid at ihe limes provided lor In section 3 ol thlB act. SEC. 6. That if either of the trial Justices appointed for the City of Charleston shall neglect lo attend to ihe dulles of their offices, or shall be guilty o? extortion or oppression In office, or shall fall lo pay over, as required by this act, the fees and unes collected by him In his office, he shall be liable lo indict? ment therefor, und, oa conviction, shall be liable lo imprisonment for two years or a floe ol oue thousand dol?ais, or both, within ihe discretion ot ihe court, and shall be removed frotn office. SEC. 7. The trial justices so appointed shall give a bond of two thousand five hundred dollars ior ihe faithful performance of their duties, the boad ts be approved by the Judge o? Ihe first, circuit. BLUE KI DOE SCRIP A OHS. Senator Hayne this morning Introduced a bill "to repeal section f jur o? aa act entitled an act to relieve the State of South Carolina of all liabilities for its guarantee of the Blue Ridge Railroad Company." &c, more generally known as the Blue Ridge) scrip act. The sec lion which the present bill proposes lo repeal is the one which pledges lite faith and credit of the Slate for the redemption cf me Blue Ridge scrip, and which directs an annual tax ol turee mills on the dollar lo provide far the same. REWARDS FOR APPREHENDING MURDERERS. Senator Jervey Introduced a bill requiring county corouers to offer rewards ia capital cases. The bill provides lhat lt shall be ibe duty ol the coroners, la every case in which a true bill of indictment for a capital offence has been returned, If the persoo 6hall have es? caped, to offer a reward, the amount to be fixed, for the delivery of such persoo to the sheriff, the sheriff to draw his warrant, upon Buch delivery, on the county treasurer, la la? vor ol the captor, for the amount of the re? ward. The same senator gave notice of a bill lo in? corporate the Pharmaceutical Association of the Slate. COMMITTEE DAY. Under a recent and very sensible rule adopted by the lower house the recepilon of reports from committees in that body ls row confined lo Tuesdays and Fridays, which leaves more lime on Ihe other days of the week fir the consideration ot the bills on the calendar, and which is expected to have a salutary tendency toward shortening the ses? sion ot the Legislature. This being ono of the committee days, therefore, a large number of reports were received from the Judiciary and other committees, ol which the mosi signiflcanl are as follows: The Judiciarv committee reported favorably on the bill authorizing the attorney-general to commence proceedings azainst ihe com? missioners of ihe slaking lund; a bill lo punish persons for the removal or secreting of per? sonal property levied on by the sheriff or other officer; a bill to prevent the carrying ol deadly weapon?; a bill to pr* vent State and county officers lrom holding more than one office. THE LUMBER QUESTION. The Judiciary committee also reported back a bili to reg?late the measurement and inspec HOD of lumber and timber la the City ol Charleston, with a recommendation on the part of & majority ot the committee that the bill do not pasa, with a minority report by Messrs. BosemoL, P. Simkins and James A. Bowley, with a recommendation that the sub? stitute do pass, for the following reasons: 1st. Because we believe that the commercial Interests o? the 8tate, so leras they relate to the ouying and Belling of timber and the man utacturlng of lumber, will be In no wise im? paired by the passage of the bill. 2d. Because we believe that the present law upon this subject 1B defective, there being no fixed rule for the classification of timber and lumber; those who are authorized by law to perform such dulles are compelled, each ac? cording to bis own Judgment, to adopt his own plan and method of classification, thus Inflicting an injustice on both buyer and Belier. 3d. Because we believe that the practice of permitting lumber and timber to be measured by other than those who are regularly licensed for that purpose, and who turnish a bond for the faithful performance of thc work, is In? jurious In every respret. Clerks and private parties measuring and Inspecting lumber and timber lor their employers, are often liable to discrim?nale In their measurtnent against the limber cutters and sellers, thus doing the lat? ter a great Injustice. The fact that measurers and Inspectors being elected, licensed and bonded, in accordance with the provisions ol an existing statute, entitles them, In our Judg? ment, to the sole and exclusive perlormance of the work. The railroad committee returned the bill for tbe incorporation of the Laurens and Ashe? ville Railroad Company, with a recommend allon that the bili do pass, with the addilion ol a lew members ol the House (and of the railroad committee) as general ^corporators. The committee on agriculture reported fa? vorably on a bill io Incorporate the Greenville Agricultural and Mechanical Association o? Sooth Carolina; a bill to punish persons for felling trees in running streams, and a bill io fix the time lor turning out and taking up stock on the sea Islands of the Slate. SALARIES FOR SHERIFFS. Representative Lilly Introduced a bill to fix a salary for ihe sheriffs ol ihe various counties in place o? the fees by which they are now paid. The bill provides that the sheriffs of the respective counties In the State, wiih ihe ex? ception of Charleston and Richland, shall hereafter receive an annual salary of two thousand dollars, payable quarterly by the county treasurers, and that they shall receive no lees except ?or dieting prisoners and in Civil cases. A REGISTRY OF VITAL STATISTICS. Rep.eseotative M. S. Miller introduced a bill to provide lor a reglbtration, In each coun? ty, o? all births, deaths and marriages which lake place after July 31. 1873, at which time it ls proposed lhat the act shall lake effect. The bill requires that ihe parent or parents ol every child boru in the Slate shall, within Bixty days alter such event, register the birth In tbe office ol the cl? rk of ihe court, under a penally ot a fine of twenty-five dollars, and Imprisonment of not less ibau five nor more than thirty days. It also provides, under sim? ilar penalties, that the head ot every family In which a death shall ocour shall register the event within sixty days; and that every man who shall be married In the State shall regis? ter the marriage within ihe same period ol lime, producing the certificate of the clergy? man or trial Justice who performed tbe cere? mony. The House then proceeded lo the considera? tion of its calendar business, and after ihe in? dustrious application of the members thereto for about three hours, with the results already reported by telegraph, they concluded that they deserved ihe reward of a holiday, and accordingly adjourned until Monday at 7 P. M., In which acllou the Senate concurred. PICKET. JOTTINGS ABOUT THE STATE. -Marlon planters aro unable to pick all of their cotton. -A supper will be given In Barnwell on the ilttlnslfot, the proceeds devoied to the poor. -The new MeinoaiM cnurcli at Greenville will be dedicated on Sunday, February 2. -The tail irs ol Columbia are to hold a meeting on Wednesday next. -The physicians at Bennetlsville are about to hold a species oi convention. -Dr. Hagoocl, the father di General Hagood, died at Barnwell Courthouse on ihe Vita lt***. - Bennellsville has organized a hook aha ladder company. -A small building, near the lair grounds in Columbia, was destroyed by Are on the morn Of the 17th. Incendiarism, probably. -Tile Serious Family and Little Todd!ekI ns will be presented in Aiken, by the amateurs, on the 24th instant. -The store or Mr. Moses, of Union, has been entered by burglars twice within the past two wepks. - Mr. Barnool Price, of Chester, exhibits a turnip measuring twenty-seven inches in cir? cumference. -Nearly all of ihe police force In Columbia were paid off on Friday and Saturday last by the cuy treasurer. -The lecture of Judge A. P. Aldrich, at the Aiken Hotel, on Friday evening last, attracted a large audience, who were much pleased. -At the last meeting of the Oraugeburg Temperance Society nine new members were enrolled, five ol whom were ladles. -Beaufort is excited over a haunted house, where lhere are unearthly yells and peripa? tetic chairs. -There were a number of Northern visitors in the halls of tbe Legislature on Wednosday last. -Richardson street, in Columbia, below ihe Statehouse, has been pul in belier condition by the clearing away of the debris. -Dr. J. Vf. Parker has been elected vice president o? the Carolina National Bank in Columbia. -The new bank building in Columbia, on tbe corner ol Main and Ptain street?, ls as? suming shapely proportions. -The establishment of a normal school either In Charleston, Columbia or Oraogeburg ls being generally discussed. -The reports of small-pox in Anderson County are exaggerations, only a few families having been affected by the disease. -The Lidlea' Working Society of the Green? ville Baptist Church provided hot supper en? tertainments on the 15th and 16th Instants. -Tne Pnllosophlan and Adelpnian Societies of Forman University debated in puhllc In the courthouse at Greenville Friday night. -The Wlnnsboro' Bank, lt ls said, will begin opemlons willi a capital ot at least seventy tho jsaud dollars. -The town council of Winnsboro' have pre? sented lo Ihe Hook and Ladder Company of thal pla je four Gardner Fire Extinguishers. -Mr. J. D. M. Dobbins wa? thrown from his buggy, on the 14th instant, at Anderson Courthouse, and received painful though not serious Injuries -One ol ihe loads of cotton brought Into Columbia on Wednesday, from one hundred miles up Ute tiver, was so high that lt knocked down the Greenville lelegraph wire. -An affray took placo in Beautort on the 10th Instant, in which diaries Talblrd was stabbed in the back by William Lawrence. The latter was arrested and lodged in Jail. -On ihe 13th Instant a fire occurred at Yorkville, which destroyed u building occu? pied by Mr. Stanhope tradier, and belonging to Mr. Samuel E. Moore. -An incendiary attempt was made in Cam? den on Monday lost on an outbuilding on the premises o? Mr. W. D. HcDowall, a piece of burning wo'id being placed in a bag and pub in the garret of the building, bnt it was discover? ed in time and no damage was done. -The Benate has confirmed the following appointment ol the Governor: Trial Justices: York County-J. C. Pride, R. L. Cook. Oconee County-Walter N. Woodln. Charleston Coun? ty-Thomas Alston, Stephen Mallonpy. Union County-William Jeffreys, Wm. M. Ray, D. D. Goings. Spariaoburg Uouuty-Wm. Irwin. Darlington County-S. H. Pressly. Sumter County-M. B. Moses. C. M. Hurst. Anderson County-G. W. Maret. Richland County James J. Goodwin. Beaufort County-Wyley W. Williams. Juty commissioner lor Uuion County-Charles McGuckln. -The following vessels are reported at the Customhouse In Beaufort as being In Bull River to load with phosphate rock ior lorelgu ports. The value ol the cargoes of phosphate alone will reach the sum of $30,000, and the vessels will also carry a large quantity of lum? ber. The list ls as follows: British bark Te rentia, 345 lons; Spanish bark Pepita. 291 tons; British brig Ino, 278 ions; British bark Moun? tain Ash. 428 tons; British bark Ces?rea, 344 tons; Italian bark Ana, 536 lons; British bark Ferocepore, 475 tons; American ship Webster, 1717 tons; British ship Ancllla, 714 IOUB; American schooner G, Lawrence, 309 tone. A FRUITLESS STRUGGLE. THE BOJVEN-D ELA HOE CONTEST ENDED AT LAST. Neither Party Adjudged to be Entitled to the Seat. WASHINGTON, January 19. ! The report ol ihe committee on elections in the case of C. C. Bowen contesting the seat of R. C. DeLarge from the Second Congressional District of South Carolina states that the com? mittee find, upon the whole evidence, that DeLarge did not receive the majority of the votes legally cast; and is therefore not entl. tied to the seat. The case came before the committee for a bearing in December, 1871. DeLarge applied for a postponement, and for leave to take further testimony, on the ground that the counsel employed In preparing his case and taking testimony IQ his behalf bad possession of the evidence, but reso? lutely refused to surrender the same, to ba used before the committee, and that said counsel had been tampered with and bribed by Bowen to act In his Interests. The com? mittee found both of these allegations to be true, and some members thereot are of the opinion that this proceeding which would fur? nish ground for the expulsion of thc contest? ant, were he a member, would Justify a re? fusal to permit him to proceed with the contest or to award him the seat. An opportunity for the production of further testimony was granted to DeLarge, and for that purpose the case was postponed to the present session. An examination of the testimony and state? ments on both sides shew that the frauds and irregularities were so great that lt is impossi? ble lo determine which had the majority ol the ballots legally cast, and for this reason the seat stould be delared vacant. It further appears that on October 19, 1870, the same day i hat he" claimed lo have been elected to the Muline of Representatives, the contestant was chosen a member ot ene House of Repre? sentatives ol the Slate of South Carolina for a period of two years. The acceptance of this office by Bowen disqualifies bim from the further prosecution of a claim to a seat lu Con? gress, and from taning a Beal therein should he be found to have been duly elected. While the commut?e are unanimous In finding these tacts, they are not unanimous in holding that either one of the reasons aforesaid ls sufficient lo disqualify the contestant; but they are unanimously of the opinion on the whole case that Bowen is not entitled to the seat, and therefore recommend the adoption ot a reso? lution that neither DeLarge nor Bowen ls entitled thereto. The committee also reports that Nlblack (Democrat) is, and Walls (colored,) from Florida, ls not, entitled to a seat in tho House. Walli has held the seat since the commence? ment of Ihe Forty-third Concreas. The Cotton Tax. Nearly all the members ol Congress present here from the Cotton States agreed, at a con? ference held last evening, on a new bill to re? fund the cotton tax, which they Intend press? ing on Congress this session, as a substitute tor the bill recently introduced by McKee, of Kentucky. It will, in Its provisions, differ materially from 1!,* former, lu looking care? fully after the planters' und freed m ens' In? terests, and securlnz to them the absolute re? turn of the tax wblch has been paid. Cotton Claim?. The House committee on claims to-day de? cided the Cowan and Dickinson cases, lnvolv Lie cotton used for fortification purposes. Il places colton so used on a fooling with lum? ber taken for fortification purposes. National Finances. A syndicate, composed of Jay Cooke & Co., Bothchtlds and others, submitted a proposi? tion to Boutwell to-day to take three hundred millions ol the five per cent?. Boutwell re? serves his decision until after next Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, but In no case will be place more than one hundred millions on the market. THE SAM. AN A BAY SCHEME. A Free State In the Tropics-Further D tulla oftlte P?rchate ot Santana by Amtrlcan Capitalists. When the negotiations between the United States Government and that of t.:e Dominican Republic lor the acquisition of the Bay of Sa? ntana and the adjoining territory were broken off, a number ot capitalists tock up the scheme and have since been negotiating for the transfer of the rights and privileges which were offered lo ihe United Slates Govern? ment. A company waa formed, known as tile "3a mana Bay Company ot Santo Domingo." Prominent among the corporators are S. L. M. Barlow, Alden D. Stockwell, president of ihe Pacific Mull Company; Dr. Samuel G. Howe, one of ibe commissioners of tbe Uni? ted 8iates Government sent out on ibe steam frigate Tennessee; Paul N. Spofford, Gardiner 8. Spofford, Henry Clews. H. W. Gray, Fred? erick Schuchardt, John Stewart, C. K. Garri? son, Oliver Ames, Wm. G. Fargo, and others. Tbe organization will be known as tbe "Samaria Bay Company of Sanio Domingo," and Its capilal stock will be twenty million dollars, represented by shares of one hundred dollars eacn. but the stock may be Increased by a vote of two-thirds. The number of direc? tors cannot be less lhan five nor more than thirteen, and they are to be elected annually. The corporation will have power to buy, sell, mortgage, exchange, lease, transler or assign real or personal property ol every description In Santo 1 omlogo and elsewhere, as may be deemed advantageous to the company. It may Issue its bonds for such sums, In such amounts, payable ut the times and places, with interest and with or without an agree? ment for a sinking fund, as it may determine. It was further agreed that the bonds may be secured by a mortgage or pledge of any or all ot its real or personal proper? ty, provided that the aggregate of such bonds shall not at any Hine exceed one half of the authorized capital of ihe company. The Dominican Government is lo have ihe power to Inspect the books of the company at any lime it may wish. It was furthermore agreed by the convention that the company may construct railroads, wagon roads and telegraph lines from S unana Bay to any of Its properly in Sanio Domingo; und for eacb league of railroad completed within twenty years from date the company will be entitled to a concession of every alternate square league, within the limit of two leagues on each side of the road, of the land of the Re? public. Wuere there are no euch public lands, and when situated so that such public lands cannot be so located, the company may make Its location on any other ol the public laudp. For each three leagues of good wagon-road or of telegraph line, a similar grant ol land, and patents tor Buch grains, shall be made in lee Issued immediately upon Hie completion of eae? league ot the work. Ail these grants shall be without prejudice le tbose conferred by the Dominican government, and hereaiter they can make no concessions, on any terms, without ilCSt offering the same to this com? pany. This company, its capital or bonds, cannot be taxed for any of the lands, proper? ties, or works of Internal improvement, nor be compelled to make any contribution In re? spect to it; and ali the railways, roads, fixtures, &c, will remain the absolute property of the company. In the event of this corporation's constructing railways and telegraphs, lt will have the righi to create bonds on such proper? ly, and secure Hie same by mortgage thereon. The grants made in virtue of this convention began on January 1, 1873, and will continue in full force for one hundred years, on condition that Hie company, on January 1st of every year during Hie one hundred years of Hie lease, shall pay $150,000 to the Dominican Government. These concessions to the com? pany will remain under the Joint protection of tho Dominican Republic and the United States, and the company may solicit the pro? tection of either in case of necessity. In some respects this company la like the [ famous British Eist India Company or ihe Hudson Bay Company. Indeed, the value ol lia iranchlse and the powers conferred upon lt nre greater than those corporations originally possessed. Il is understood that the company ins sub-let a portion ol Its franchise lor a sum nearly or quite equal to that, stipulated to be paid to the Dominican Government, and that the additional Income to be delivered will be very much grealer. The objeot of the compaDy seems tobe two fold-speculation in real estate and trade. They propose to try the experiment of build? ing up a free State, whose people will hold no allegiance to the Dominican Republic, and es? tablish free trade. It proposes to form the great central point for the exchange ot Ameri? can and Europern manufactures and tropical productions In Samaoa Bay, a business now amounting to many millions per year. Tbe New York papers of Thursday contain voluminous accounts of the negotiations and of the character of the treaty. The Times says: "The scheme ls by far the most ambitious of Da kind In the commercial annals of the United Slates. The fact that the Incorpora tors are simply adventurous traders cannot be too clearly recognized, as attempts will un? doubtedly be made to give their enterprise a political significance which lt does not possess " The Tribune regards the treaty as one ol extraordinary character, and adds: "It transfers to the company not merely the privilege of occupying the cnlef harbor of the Dominican Republic, and making their own commercial regulations, but a virtual sover? eignly over the most valuable part of the Re? public and so powerful an influence over the remainder that these New York and Boston gentlemen may now be called the chief power In that rich and long neglected country." The Herald says that lt ls "annexation under a mask," and adds: ' Vast Interests and grave questions are In? volved In the startling enterprise. Can the Government of theUalied States, sanctioning this establishment ol an absolute government of American citizens in St. Domingo, Bland aloof from any complications ibat may arise?" TSE WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY AND RELIGIOUS TOLERATION. TO TBE EDITOR? UF THE NE Wi. I have read wilh great Interest the various notices which have recently appeared touch? ing ihe proposed celebration by this distin? guished corps of the most sacred day lo the historie calendar of America-the birthday ot Washington. As a native of thia city and State, I cannot be Indifferent to the well-earned reputation of the Washlugton Light Infantry. My earliest recollections as a boy are mingled with the splendid drill and martial bearing of this company under the lead of that beloved and honored citizen, Captain William D. Porter. I well remember many of those model parades when this crack corps would invariably carry off the palm for discipline as well as numbers. I remember Hie noble tribute to the memory ol Colonel William Washington erected at Magnolia by their loving hands. I have a vivid recollection ot the march to the lamons Held of Cowpens, and the ceremonies which accompanied the erection of the monument to the gallant men who there won eternal honor. I have seen that monument In its ruin, und have lamented the vandalism which has dared to deface and destroy lr. I have never looked upon the Eutaw Flag without emotion. I know, too, that the Washington Light In? fantry were no "carpet knights." That as famous as they were in peace for the externals of military lite, when the shrill clarion ot war startled the land from mountain to seaboard they were among the first, ll not the very drat, to tender to the State an organized corn pan}'. That company soon became a battalion, and has left Its record on many a blood-stain? ed Held. I would not pluck one leaf from their laurel wreath of victory, mingled as lt Is with the sad emblems of sorrow for departed heroes. The Woshlog'on Light Infantry de? serve well nt their State, and well has i hat State honored and cherished them. But there Is a dark side to this pleasing picture; lhere ls a stain upon this bright escutcheon. Among the "grave and reverend seniors" who recently mei together lo adopt the chaste and eloquent appeal presented by Colonel Andrews, In bis most happy manner, one form Is necessary-an old man, respected by all wbo knew bim for his unswerving Integ? rity and polished manners, a native ot Charles Ion, and, perhaps, one of the oldest ex-mem? bers now living of the Washington Light In? fantry. Why ls he not there ? Because Ihe fell spirit of religious bigotry enlered Into the otherwise unexcept'onable corps, and, pois? oning the pure waters of freedom, have left behind the bitterness of persecution. With all their patriotism they could exclude lrom their ranks a gentleman of unblemished char? acter and the equal of any man In the com? pany, who offered his right arm In his coun? try's defence-because he was au Israelite, rids, too, on ihe eve of battle, wheo ihe ulr was filled with the alarums ol gathering hostB, and lt was thought that the fray would com? mence at a moment's warning. Alaa for the weakness of human nature, and the wither? ing effect of bigotry 1 Is this the company which ls heitl to the publto admiration as ibe model ot democracy ? Is ibis the corps which, lt ls claimed, understand and practice ihe great Republican principles of equality and fraternity ? "Shame, where ls thy blush ?" Any man of good character may Join this model corps, unless he be of the same religion as was Jesus of Nazareth. It matters not what a man's religions con? victions may be. He may be an infidel for all they know or care-he may be a deist, nay, he may deny the existence ol a- God yet so long as he ls not one ot that race chosen by God himself to be His "peculiar people"-so long as he does not practice the duties of a religion which has furnished laws and morals io civilized mankind, he can freely enter Ihe charmed porluls of the con? servators of democratic equalily. It ls with a feeling akin io shame that I publish these facts. It is humiliating to us as Carolinians and as residents of a Tree country; li ls disgraceful lo the civilization and en? lightenment of the age; it ls In direct viola? tion of the teachings of Christianity itself, that such a record of mediaeval darkness should exist In our midst. Contrast this con? duct with ihe recent action of Lhe "Young Men's Christian Association," of Washington, D. C., who, upon the failure of their appointed orator, called upon a highly respected Jewish citizen of that place to deliver lhe annual ora ! loa. Look at the Eagllsh Goverumentsend Ing to Genoa Its highest lawyer-a Jew-io advise Its highest Judge on questions ot inter? national law. Look at our government sending to Rou mania as its accredited agent a Jeu as a stand? ing protest against religious persecution. See, too, the nobie charities of Touro, lhe Jew. Look at tbe Christian churches built on their estates by the Jewish liberality of Rothschild and Goldschmld. The very walls of Italian and Spanish big? otry have fallen down at lhe trumpet sound ol religious liberty, acid In the cold capital ot Russia the Jewish synagogue rises in peace and love beside tbe temple ot the Greek Church. When the Washington Light Infantry as? semble to do honor to the name of Washing? ton let them cleanse themselves ol this foul blot. The worshipper at the shrine of Inrael was required lo be clean in body thal he mlghi bpcome pure in soul. Before the inheritors of Washington's name are ready to offer to his memory the tribute ol their love and venera? tion let them ponder well upon their past ca? reer, asd ask themselves whether bigotry and religious Intolerance are fit emblems to be luid upon the lomb ol George Washington. A JEW. OUR SOUTH ATLANTIC NEIGHBORS Georgia. -Savannah ran in debt near $300,000 last year. -General Wade Hampton was expected to arrive in Savannah on saturday nlghilast." -Mr. J. H. Estlll, proprietor of "the Savan? nah News, haB beeu elected State printer by the Georgia Legls'ature. -The trottl og race at Savannah between Nick Ktng and Dandy, on Friday last, resulted In the victory of the former. -It Is proposed lo suspend business In Sa? vannah to-day In bonor of General Lee's birth? day. -The Augusta Benevolent Society will give a masked ball at the Opera House on Februa? ry 13. -A railroad ticket agent convention was held In Atlanta on the nib. inst., with closed doors. -A colored lad in Augusta stole a Bible on Thursday, but was caught belore he had time to study the Eighth Commandment. -The Eigle and Phoenix Manufacturing Company, ot Columbas, has declared a divi? dend ot ten per cent. -Henry Cost?n, charged with misplacing the switch on ibu Savannah and Charleston Railroad, in Julv last, and causing the loco? motive to run off, was arrested In Savannah on the 16th, NOTES FROM NEW YOEE. PROPOSED CONSOLIDATION OP NEW YORK AND TUE SUBURBS. A New Name Wanttd for the Imperial Metropolis-Brooklyn to be Enlarged -Thu city Telegraph Wires to be Laid Underground-A Steam Engine In a Black coal-The Great Emotional Preacher Tal mage-Negro Hymns at Steinway Hall. [FROM OUB OWN CORRBSFOKDBNT.] Nsw TORI, January 16. A ?cheme Is about to be Introduced Into the State Legislature looking to the consolidation ef New York, Brooklyn, Long Island City and the numerous villages in the lower part or Westchester County. This ls not a new Idea. It has been discussed In the newspapers for several years, and Its consummation has been regarded as one of the probabilities of the future. But Its realization at this time ls hardly possible. When the great bridge ls built over the East River the two cl!les will be practically one, and annexation as a legal formality will necessarily follow. The bridge will probablv-be completed by the Fourth of July, 1876. If consolidation then takes place New York will be an impe? rial eily ot nearly two millions of inhabitants, and tbe second city in size among civilized nations. The question has been mooted if lt would no ; be judicious when that time arrives to do away with the present Inconvenient, unmeaning and un-American name of our meiropollB and call it something more appro? priate-Manhattan for Instance. The name it now bears was borrowed from a little pro? vincial town In England, and endless confu? sion occurs because lt ls the same as tbat of the State. The consolidation of the several large and growing cities In this neighborhood would seem to afford a favorable pretext lor adopting a new name for tbe whole. Ia time wbea ibe marobee between Jersey City and Newark are drained and the new land covered with streets and houses, the creation of another enormous city by consoli? dation will be in order, and possibly that may be followed with annexation to New York and the creation of a new State by Congress-a favorite scheme of Fernando Wu o d's some years ago. J A bill now before the legislature recon? structing tbe municipal government of Brook? lyn proposes'"to enlarge its boundaries to the present limits or King's County, thus taking In several suburban towna, and increasing the population by 40.000. In consequence of the general breakage o? the telegraph wires lo me city duriog the sleet-storm of Sunday of last week, an ordi? nance has been introduced In the common connell requiring that the wlrea of all the private telegraph companies, and of tbe po? lice and Are department shall be taken from the tops of poles and houses and laid under? ground. For forty-eight hours after Sunday's storm the city was without means of spread? ing a fire alarm, and if a great fire had broken out we might have shared the fate ot Chica? go and Boston. The private companies may oppose the change, but lt la believed that al? ter the flrst cost of laying the wires in the ground ls checked oS, the expense of keeping them in repair will be much less. Besides it will be practicable to use capper instead of Iron wire, and the conducting power will be enormously increased. The lndomliaole Talmage, whose fire-proof tabernacle, In Brooklyn, waa burned down in fifteen minutes a few Sundays ago, and who now preaches lrom the stage ot the Academy ol Muslo in that, city to overwhelming au? diences, la making a tremendous effort to raise funda to put up a new house. The City of Brooklyn 1B districted, and the ladlee ot the church are canvassing every street, atoro and dwelling. All the rich men of botb cities aro personally appealed to by the pastor. Big collections are taken up at each service la the academy. Many sister churches of differ? ent denominations are contributing. Dr. Tal? mage ls confident of raising two hundred thousand dollars In less than three months. He la a clerical steam engine. His tervid style of oratory is attractive to a large class of that floating population which win not be drawn Into a church unless the In? ducements are extraordinary. They must have their gospei sugar-coated or they will go without. In the late Tabernacle, In addition to the pastor's eloquence, the congregation were treated to music produced by Morgan, the best organist In N-iw York, upon the lurg est organ in america, imported direct lrom Gilmore's flrst Jubilee in Boston. The ser? vices partook very much of the character of a concei t and dramatic entertainment, aud in? deed the house itself was arranged like a theatre. To give you an idea ot Dr. Talmage's style In the pulpit I clip the following extract frcm his sermon on Sunday morning, at the Academy o? ?l"?ifi. as reported In the dally papers: "Well, I don't think Heaven would he worth much if our brother Jesus wusn't lhere. There would be very few people there. They would all be off looking for the lost Christ, and after they had found him with loving violence they would take Him and bear Him through the gates and lt would be tbe greatest day known in Heaven within the memory of the oldest inhabitant. Jesus never went off from Heaven but once. a.H be was no badly treated on tbat excursion they will never let Him go again Dh, the Joy of meeting our brother Joseph Jesus ! We will waut some new term by wotcb to address Him when in the first moment we throw our arms around Him. I can think of what we shall do through the loog ages ol eternity; but what we shall do the flrst minute I cannot guess. In the flash of His counte? nance, in the flrst rush ot our emotion, what we shall do I cannot Imagine. Oh, the over? whelming glory ot the first sixty seconds In Heaven I Methinks we will Just stand and louk and look. To the sooer-sided church-goers ouslde of our great, restless, cosmopolitan metropolis this may apDear a little over-effusive; but there Is a class wiiich will be satisfied with nothing else, and lt can only be reached by emotional men like Talmage, Hepworth and Beecher. The Tabernacle, therefore, supplies a want. Among the new musical sensations In the city are the "Jubilee Singers" at Steinway Hall. They are a company of young negro men and women from Tennessee, who Biog with great sweetness and strength ol lungs the quaint r.nd original religious melodies ol their race In the South. Anybody who has at? tended a gathering of Methodist or Baptist negroes in the backwoods, will understand what it is tint thousands ot cultivated aud refined New Yorkers are crowding Steinway Hall to hear and enjoy. In last night's pro? gramme the familiar pieces "Let my People Go." 'Turn Bacic Pharoah's Army," "Owine to Ride Up In de Cnarlot," "King Jesus Bides on a Milk-wnlte Horae," and "And Why Not Every Mau." were sung to the delight and ap? plause of the audience. The "Jubilee Sing? ers" are on a tour to ralae lunds tor the en? dowment ot the Fisk University lo Nashville, an institution for the training of colored teacher?. NTH. THE TROUBLES OF PRANCE. PARIS, January 17. The committee of thirty, to-day, after a long and important debate, agreed to the preamble of the constitutional project, as re? ported by Its enb-commlttee, which declares that the Assembly integrally reserves to itself consument power. The vote Btood-yeas 20, nays 4. The adoption of the preamble ls re? garded as a victory for the Right, a9 the ques? tion of Monarchy or Republic is left untouched. SPARKS FROM TBE WIRES. -The Arkansas Legislature has elected S. W. Dorsey, a Liberal Republican, to succeed Rice lu the United States Senate. -Northern dispatches report that the fresh? ets in New York State have been so great aa to stop travel on the railroad?. -The dead lock between the rival legisla? tures in Alabama is almost aa bad as in Louis? iana. ^ s? il > -Gov. Moses has appointed as notaries pub? lic L. P. Rutland, George W. Nix and Milligan Jones, of Edgefleld, and Daniel A. Bowyer, ol Culteton. Also, Thomas A. McMahon, for deputy surveyor ol the conutles of Anderson and Pickens; Warren D. Feagle, of Newber? ry, notary public; E. P. Stoney and W. W. Starr, notaries tor Aiken. , TUX ESULISH COTTON TRADE. Smith, Edwards Se Co.'? Annual Cotton Circular. LIVERPOOL, December 31,1873. : We are sorry to say that we commence the year with prospects of supply the reverse o{ favorable to consumers. The amount of cot? ton In stock lo the ports ol Great Britain (ind at sea op to latest dares ls only 972,000 bales, compared with 1.224 OOO bales last year, and to tuis g?rions deficiency of 262.000 bales we must add 60,000 or perhaps 100,000 bales lesa held by our spinners at their mills. When the entire supply of Europe and. America ls taken Into account, tbe figures do not look so alarming, for the total visible amount ls 2, 236,000 bales, compared wltb 2.262.000 bales last year, but as th? stock In spinners' bands is probably 250,000 less IR all Europe than at this lime lasL year the aggregate deficiency of cotton known to exist ls 266,000 bales. Thia ls a most serious lookout when we remember that we are comparing with a year ot very short supply, so short tbat we could not get through li wlthont an average of 10|d tor up? lands, and 7jd lor lair Dhollerab, along with rigid economy ot consumption during the summer and autumn. The fact ls too pain tully obvious ibat the production of cotton throughout ibe world bas lallen back to th ii chronic state of arrear as compared with the requirements ol consumption, in which it baa been since the outbreak of the American wat In 1850, with the single exception of the year 1871. The question of obtaining aa adequate supply has oeen a far more difficult one te solve than was generally supposed, and we are sorry to say that even yet no olear light can be thrown upon the subject. The point we have to consider for the com? ing year is not whether there will be an am? ple supply of cotton or not, for we fear the lormer ol these alternatives is out o? the ques? tion, but whether the supply will be enough, with great economy and high prices to pull os through the year, or whether oar manufactur? ing system will be again dislocated by a strug? gle with a famine supply and excessive prloas of the raw material. The present price we look upon as high, but not excessive; lt ls one lhat trade can bear without absolute rain, but at which a sound working profit ls Impossible; lt will not, however, restrict consomption materially, and we tblok we mcy take lt for granted that at lOd. for middling uplands, or thereabouts, there will be no systematic ' short time" either In England or on the Con? tinent. We mast, therefore, provide at that price for a consumption In this country of ab'uir 65.000 bales per week, comprising say 30,000 American. There ls stld a strange difference of onlnloo about the result of the American crop. The favorite opinion In America has recently been for a total yield of 3,600,000 to 3,760,000 bales; but some good authorities do not think lt can. reach 3,600.000, and believe that public opin? ion is exaggerating lt just as 1> did last year. The great falling off lo receipts the last few weeks appears to lavor the shorter estimates; certainly tbe figures last week (106,000 bales) are alarming, but lt ls explained in America that the rivers are unusually low, and that the spread ol an epldemto among the horses and m ules bas Impeded transport and delayed. the receipts unnaturally. 8o general ls thia opinion thal .we are bound to believe lt baa' some truth. At the same time lt hardly ap? pears to us sufficient to explain the abort re? ceipts, and we must confess to ao apprehen? sion that this crop may prove disappointing like tbe last one. We fear comparisons have been made too mnob wltb the monster crop of 1870-71, forgetting that the yield tbat year was quite extraordinary, and probably three quarters of a million above what even an or? dinary good crop would have produced. We do not, however, pronounce any decided opinion on the crop question. We admit lt ls quite on the cards tbat the receipts may largely increase lu the spring and swell the . crop up to three and three-quarter millions; but lt seems to us equally probable that the result may only be three and a halt millions; and If the receipts keep small a few weeks longer, we shall Incline to put the crop at three and a half millions or less. These esti? mates we muan to comprehend the whole growth, Including Southern consumption, for that ls now adopted aa the American way of reckoning. Let ?B see what supply England would re? ceive on each of these suppositions. Tbe con? tinent ls this year a very large buyer of Amer? ican cotton. Spinners there, aa much as here,. are giving tbe prelerence to American over Surats; the actual consumption-of American there the past two seasons has been about'. 850,000 bales per annum; this year we put lt at . 930.000 bales, ol which 850.000 bales taken norn America direct and loo.coo bales from Great Britain. The entire American coosump- ?" Hon ls unanimously put by the best American authorities al 1,200,000 bales. So out or a crop of...".Bales...3,750,000 There would go lor Ameri? can consumption.1,200,000 For shipment lo continent. 850,000 -2,060,000 Leaving for England.1,700.000 Ol which for export. 100,000 Leaving for home consumption and ' addition to stock.1,600,000 Tb'u would only allow our spinners to nae 30.000 boles per w^ekv&nd add 40,000 balgay the very small stock with which we eTfiPJcra last season. - We believe that this la the smallest quantity with which we could get tb rough the year toleraoly. The actual consumption of Amer can oolloo tills past year (allowing for reduc? tion of spinner?' stock) oas been about 28 000 oales per week, and lhe year rei ore 34,800 biles per week. But If tho crop should be only three and one-baY millions, the whole deficiency ot 250,000 bales wonld lall on En rope; (tor American spinne;s will take their lull consumption at almost any price;) sup? pose lt to be divided in the proportion of 100, 000 bales deficiency to the continent and 150, 000 oales lo England, there would then remain tor our consumption 27,000 bales per wees, or at the outside 26,000 bales, provided they used up the Utile addition to stock (40,000 bales) we provided for above, and ended next season as bare of stock as tnis last one. It ls olear that such an Inadequate supply as this would Imply a year of very high prices, we should say above lOd. per pound. Last year oar con? sumption was much relieved by the enormous Brazil crop; but this year the accounts are bad, lhe yield ls expected lo be much less, and lt see'mB not unlikely that we sba? re? ceive 200,000 bales less from Brazil than last year, an 1 even that would require a full aver? age crop compared with previous years. The Egyptian crop promises best. The re? ceipts at Alexandria are enormous, say 500,000 cantars, or 100,000 bales ahead of laut year; but the best bouses tn the trade do not look for much ultimate Increase, Indeed, some of ibem say the crop will be less, and the bad quality arriving ls taken to mean early ex? haustion. We nave no opinion to offer on thia subject worth puning lorward. We think the evidence li In favor of a larger crop than last year, which may partly make up for the defi? ciency in Brazil. From India weare realizing the greatest defi? ciency. That country was so completely swept last year that hardly anything has been ship? ping since Julv, and thu consequence la that our supply ot Indian colton, which looked so large lu the autumn, is last melting away, and we are threatened with a positive exhaustion of Surat cotton In the spring. A very large proportion of ihe present Easi Iodla stock in Europe ls Bengal colton, which hardly meeta the current consumption ai all; lt ls used In a trade of Its own. No doubt there will be abundance of this class for many mouthe, bat lo thurat cotton there Is every prospect of real scarcity before next crop comes forward. We are happy to report, however, very fa? vorable of ihe crop of Western India thia year. The monsoon was very copious, anda large area was sown, and the crop promises very well by tbe latest accounts. We are Informed that it ls a month later than last year, and, ttiereiore, we don't anticipate large shipments from Bombay till March and afterward, bat Ibe yieid will be much'larger than last year., It will be comparatively late in the season, however, before the weight of tne Indian crop ls felt lu Europe, and, meanwhile, the bulk of the consumption must be fed from American cotton, and we expect that lor several months to come onr visible supply will compare most unfavorably witta last year, and our stock in Liverpool will be kept un? comfortably s ra all. The new year opens without any serious clouds In the political horizon; pe*? reigns everywhere, nor is lhere any procabii raw Its being Interrupted, BO far as can be juagea irom outward appearances. Tho ,0"D,S'8U?a/: lng differences between this wintry and America have been UL ally ?*ufd; Tf. we any outstanding dispute with any nation on the face of the globe.