THE DAILY EVENING- TELEGRAPH PHILADELPHIA., MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 18159. taring fU(jtapli PUBLISHED EVERT AFTERNOON (bundats biceptbd), AT T1LK EVENING TELEGRAPH BUILDING, NO. 108 8. TniRD STREET, PHILADELPHIA. MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1869. tliT The pressure upon oar columns for ad Triising purposes preronts us from giring as groat quantity and rarietj of reading matter to-day as usual. We solicit the in dulgence of our readers for ft few days. VOltrORATIONS AND PUBLIC folic r, Tivkbi! is ft legal entity, a shadowy, intangible something which lawyers call a "body politic," and which the same sages (with a oongeption of thair offspring which experience shows to be well founded) declare to be without moral nemuibilitioA, or, as Lord Coke quaintly illus tratet the point, "A corporation cannot be ex oommvnioatecl, for it hath no soul. Nofther can it be summoned in the eoclomastieal courts, for they only not pro salute a7limr.,' A corporation, according to this authority, has no moral being, but we must admit that it has all the other attributes of humanity. Its life-blood and principle of being is its charter the breath of the legislative creator that warms the scattered elements of wealth and power and put them into whopo. lis capital in its body, tho directors its mind, and numberless and obedient agents constitute the muscloH and members that carry out itn dosigns. It has all the elements of human strength without its weaknesses. As an aggregator of wealth it is unequalled, and herein consists the danger to public interests which tends to I make corporations poworfnl instruments of I oppression and corruption, if the possible results of their lack of conscience aro not jealously guarded against by the policy of the law. When corporations are kept within just limits, their immense capabilities for the con centration of wealth and its intelligent em ployment and direction make them grunt publio servant. They build railroads, de velop tho mining and manufacturing interest extend commerce, people waste places, and make the desert bloom. Look at the Faciflo Railroads and the Suez Canal. The one ex tends our civilization and builds up cities and States in the far West; the other will revolu tionize commerce in the East. Not only are the great lines of human action directed by corporate energies, but tho will aud power of these soulless beings to a great extent influence the 'minutest transac tions of every-day life. But when these companies escape from legal control, mod are able even for a time to display with impunity their capabilities for evil as well as for good, they cease to be public servants, and are masters and oppressors. Look at New York and her railroad wars. Take our own State and the combinations to inoreaso the price of coal. . Years ago we had a bank attempting to influence national politics, dividing the nation into rival parties, and remaining for years a potent agent of corrup tion. The danger to the publio from the ill use of the enormous accumulations of capital which result from the prudent management of corporations particularly of the banking order was never greater than now. For merly the danger was less, because both the Legislature and the judioiary jealously watched corporations and denied them every authority and power not expressly granted in their charters. But how is it now ? The Legisla ture, instead of protecting the public, joins hands with the corporations for mutual plunder, and makes haste to grant every con cession whioh greedy monopolists desire; and von the courts, the last refuge of the people, are being gradually captured by these corpo rate robbers. There is no legal heresy more fraught with evil than the ut tempt of courts to view corporate ' privi leges in any other light than as dangerous concessions to be restricted to the express words of the legislative grant. The public, and not the corporations, should have the benefit of all doubts in questions of conflict ing authority. The law-making power directs publio policy, the courts have nothing to d,o wth it; And when they come to decide "brpo ration questions on any other basis than that of a strict adherence to the very let ter of the law, the people will have lost the only remaining barrier against the encroachments of corporations. There is no danger of either the corporations or the publio suffering by a too jealous con struction of their privileges. If the authority claimed is pernicious, the sooner it is done away with the better. If it is for the publio good, and yet is against the strict letter of the legislative grant, let not the courts at tempt to mould publio policy. Let them de cide against the illegal claim, and the Legis lature will only be too willing to make such fresh concessions as may be desired. That the dangerous bias of the judiciary in favor of corporations is a recognized fact, and that it is looked upon by the public as an enormous evil, has recently been demon strated in New York, where the new constitu tion was overwhelmingly defeated, with the single exception of the "judioiary clause," which was adopted in spite of the corrupt in trigues of both political parties. Not Wobtht op Mention. It is expected that the Postmaster-General will transmit to the Ilouse of Representatives to-day all the faots and correspondence involved in tho special mission of Senator Bamsoy to l'aris during the past summer. Mr. Ramsey passed some two months at the French capital in a vain endeavor to accomplished what ex-Congressman Kasson had failed to accomplish be fore him the successful negotiation of a fair and reasonable postnl treaty between the United states and France. For his fruitless labor in this oause Mr. Bamscy, we are told, rooived no compensation, but about six hun dred in grld were allowed him for expanses. 8ix hundred dollars is trifle, of course, and it is beneath the dignity of Congress to ren der suoh trifling outlays in the future unne cessary. Yet we fail to see what good there is in maintaining an expensive logUion at l'aris if it is necessary to employ a special agent to patch up our postal treaties when ever they need patching up. FosUl treaties, we are told, are always negotiated by speei il agents, but that does not mend the m itter. If it is beneath the dignity of an Envoy Ex traordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to negotiate a postal tronty, it might be well to do away with such high functionaries and employ special agents for everything. They would not often be required, as far as we can discover. This six hundred dollar affair is one of the small sins to which Congress closes its eyes; but, unless a beginning is made at tbe little end, there is no prospeot of a wholesale reponlance of the more imposing transgressions of our law-makers. A QnoHTioN op BrseEPTiMMTihs. The London Tinw, in discussing the subject of a reopening of negotiations on the Alabama chiims issue, naively remarks that "English men have susceptibilities as well as Ameri cans." It would not be amiss if our cousins would remember that Americans have suscep tibilities as well as Englishmen. If the whole thing is to hinge on susceptibilities, let thoir recognition be reciprocal. 8PEOIAL. NOTICES. Flrr additional ;xWx' Knlimt trr th lniU tu, gy- FAIR FOR THE SALE OF USEFUL and Fancy Article suitable for Holiil)' 1'rmniita will bn held In the Lecture Hoom of tlio NORTH VKX Hi b'I'RKKT PKKSKYTKKIAN CUUKUI1 (IibIow (lirard avenue), opening THIS KVKNINU at 7 o'cUiok, nnd run tinning every day from 3 to IDo'ulonk P.M.. until Fill OA V M(.BT. Prioa Tery lw. Admittance, loc. By- AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COM PANY. WALN UT Btreet, 8. K. corner of Fourth. hHlljADRi.PHiA, Decomher 21, IW. NOTICR. The Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of thin Company, for toe elention of thirteen Tmttooa to serve the ensuing year, will be beld at the olfloa on MONDAY, January 8, 1B7U, between It) A. M. and 13 o'clock noon, . JOIIJ S. WILSON, 13 20 lit . Secretary. B- BY POWELL A W E S T, No. 288. FKONT and 39 LKTITIA Street. Mil. C. W. Minni.DTO.V.H CLOSING SALK OV kink old i.14uor.s, is dkmijohha and jani:h. On Wednesday Mnrniiur, Dec. 29, at 11 oVIock, at the auction at ore, will be told I'V order of Mr. (.. W. Middleton, atxmt ImM 6 (fill, demi johns and easei of fine old krauilloH. wlildkiee, winee, Riu, eft'., being remaining portion ot bin etook. OutnlciKuea and Humplea on mnrnioK of sale, to which we invite tu) attention of private gcmtlem.jn and tbe rade. ni!Hn t- OLOTHINO. LOOK f HOW YOU CAN SAVE YJUR MIL t mmm Price of Everything Sledttcad, BEAVER OVERCOATS that used to be...'... 135-00 HOW REDUCED TO 82JOO CHINCHILLA OVERCOATS that used tu be.. $3? 00 . NOW REDUCED TO. UW COACHMEN'S OVERCOATS that nsed t be. I60O9 NOW BKDTJCED TO $45 -00 For we are determineii to close oat ail rFle Overcoats AT SIMILAR REDUCTIONS. BUSINESS SUITS that iisr-d lo be 851H NOW REDUCED TO. flOOa For we are determined To close out All the .Business Suits AT SIMILAR REDUCTIONS. BOYS' SUITS that nsed to be 118 00 NOW REDUCED TO fl.-oo BOYS' OVERCOATS that nsed to be. 12 00 NOW REDUCED TO. $T00 For we are determined To close out All the Boys' Clothes AT SIMILAR REDUCTIONS. There was sever a finer stock of Rich. WINTER CLOTHES offered at such low prices as the prices at which you can buy The Magnificent Winter Stock OP ROCKHILL & WILSON. CHEAT BROWN HALL, 603 and GOCHISNTJT street. UMBRELLAS. WILLIAM A. DROWN & CO., Umbrella Manufacturers, No. 46 MARKET STREET, OFFER A FULL LINE OF EXT HA FRENCH AND SUPER BROWN ENGLISH SILK UMBRELLAS, WITH The latest Novelties ii Handles, FOB 12 18 Ct-lp Olii'iHtmiiM I.xeHont. UMBKKI.LA8 FOR HOLIDAY Nilk, (luidiani, and Alttara Kiae Ivory anil ''reach Jl tJ Paragon Frames, It loaa ttian wuoleaulu rlcs. H. DTXON, No. El H, HUH TU Htrao-, Hut w ma Climotit md Market, taataK. fix UMBRELLAS-CHEAPEST IN THK CITY J mHON'N. No. 81 8. KIUHTH Ktrmt. lu IHiutht O V 8, X O V N, T O A large a'wortmant of Tin, Iron, and Wuofen Toya, at the lowttht iriua, ruiupriaintf Dolia, M.iulo I. tnuirrx, fan knivHtt, 'lia Htaif all km a, Tool ftheuttt, Faury K.i"ktfki and tlird aa, Jto kiii Uorww, Wlioulbarroara, Ifipn' Watfuna, Hltfigua, Mo. llt MAEKKT RUhI, U OUAKLMb McNKAU NEW PUBLICATIONS. 808 xi' n.m i: n N. g03 No. 808 CIIENUT STREET. All. TUB rJEVJ BOOHS AT TURNER & CO.'S CUKAP BOOK bTOrtH, No. BOS CIIKSNUT 8THEET. AVOID TBK hUNU AND BUY AT ONCR WBAT TOU WAKT VOR FRKbKNTS. WB DEFY COMPETITION. Chromes ! Frames ! Books ! tS GRRVT VARIETY. New and Superior Books, Suitable for Holiday Gift. Juvenile Department. Our JPVRNILR DEP4RTMRNT U tho mont fx tensive In the count ry. All or Paul 1U UlMillu'a, O Iver Optlu'a, May lie Kelcl s, etc PRAYEK BOOKS, B1BLK8, ALBUMS, CBUOHOS, Thetlm'st In the city. We have on liand nl are rwlvtnif conatantly the choicest forelRU HUbU-mn of Ctiroiuo-UthoRrapb, which are eual In ever? respect to Oil PulQtluifs. rnb8Crtpl"ns taken for all the Mnuar.lue at Poo llBhcrs' pi loos. No belter preHeal for any one thai a year's Maguztne. TURNER & CO., No. 808 CHESNirr ST H BET, Above EIGHTS, Pnlladrlphla. HmdinR done In ail atyles. H " tlj UNRIYAUID ASSORTMENT OK ISooks for the Holidays, COMPRISING ALL TUB NOVELTIES of the SEASON. ILLUSTRATED AND STANDARD WORKS. JUVENILE BOOKS. KIOIILY-COLORED PICTURE BOOKS. BIBLES AND PRAYER-BOOKS, tn rich binding PRESBYTERIAN, LUTHERAN, MKTUODIST, BAPTIST, and DUTCH KFFORMED HYMN BOOKS, TSALMS OF DAVID, etc., AT VEIUT 3aOt7 miens, AT No. 1214 CHZ3SNUT Street, 12 II 8t4p PHILADELPHIA. N T F. W V, H T BOOKS FOlt HOLIDAY PRESENTS. UNUEK THE HOLLY; I Slnrioa for fiirln. FRENCH FAIRY 1ALF.3, N Illoatratfxf by Dore. LITTLE BOSIE SERIES, It Mr Homef. 8 Tola. SHIFTING WINDS, V.y Bullantyna. , LENNY THE ORPHAN. Bj Mrs. Hotner. ANIMAL LIFE THE WORLD OTER, Splondid C'olored Plates, oulanfr ts. NURSE'S PICTURE-BOOK, Twenty (our Beautiful (!hmmoa. 4to. air. PICTURES OF WILD ANIMAI.3, With Hdro Colored Plate, obloaff. ALSO NKW KDITION8 OF LADY OF THE LAKE, Thirty F.nraTlnjri by liirkni Foster. THOUGHTS OF PEACE; Or, Precious Hope and StronR Oonaotatloa. BEAUTIES OF SHAKESPEARE, New Rod line Tinted K.dltioo. WAVERLEY NOVELS, 37 Tola.; Tinted Paper; Illustrated. The beat edition for the Household, and a marrel of cheapness; ia Tarlooa library bindings. HALF HOURS WITH BEST AUTHORS, 6 oU ; Portrait a. Cloth or Half Calf. PARLOR POETIC LIBRARY, 10 vol, ot the Beat Poets. Illustrated. WITH A SPLKNDID STOCK OF BOOKS AND PICTURES. POKTEIt COA.TE9, No. H22 OHFSNMT Street, adjoining the OontinentaL yorasle at WHOLK8ALK Prices, IS 18 SUt HOME AMUSEMENTS ! ! ! NEW, INHTIurCTITE, AND ENTERTAINING. ZOETROPK8, with New Picturea. JAPANKSK BACKUtMHON. BAN f A CLAU8 PANORAMA. ARITUM ATKI.I.K Groat Parlor Game. PREMUTATION DISFKOTF.D U. 8. RAINBOW ORAOLR, KTO., F.TO. Also, Juvenile Toy and Gift Books, 'BIBLES, PBAYKRS, ETC., KTO. BUILDING BLOCKS, CROQUET, STEREOSCOPES, GLOBES. MICROSCOPES, ETC., KTO. J. A. BANCROFT & CO., 12 16 thauiwU No. 5U ARCH Htreet. TBI American Sunday-School Union have on band an extensive variety of New and Beautiful Books, IlandHnmely Illustrated and In tasteful bindings, bultuUe for HOLIDAY PRESENTS. Also fur sale, TUblcs & Devotional Books. We are also constuutl ccelvlng from London a FTettt variety of BOHIPTL'KK PRISTS. DIAGRAMS FOR LE0TUBES, and everj thlcjr suitable for tbe illustration of Sun day Pf.tuol lt'daOUS. t uiHiiiinit a ol ilia Society's Publication?, and Hpecl meiia ol their Periodicals may be obtained gratul tt.iiwly at the Dtipository of the AKEhiCAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION, ll-'J Clicsnut Street, PtiLUidelphla. 11 9t mwfAw 1 O NEW BOOKS R1.ADY THIS IJAY. FRENCH FAIRY TALES, 111 MA1V.1UK HI. HKlil.lt. Tranalatwi bjr Mm. foleman ami hr danglitxrs fthe tisM-Uiiurs of ilia MuUlbai li i ov-l I illustrated b 1M auii JuLm Uidit-r. liiiuo. Fitraoiutb 11. LENNY TIIK ORPHAN. I V Mllti. HOHMKU. With illiiFtrationa ty t'iUi r. ltimo Extra oltith .lnatiul(:iaod by POUTER A OOATKS, H.iiH.iiiV No. H22CHHSNUI' ftt 7r;Af-AVANTEI). PARTNER IN RETAIL rj) I iWUuj Juttl.ioa-Cloth and CaiMiniere Uiaiae, to Ul..i the plai-a ol uue Kiibdranin, if. Aildr-s CI.O I U, Press Ortice. IV" OHRI8TMA8 QOOD9. SWEETS AND SOLIDS F0 Br SIMON C0LT0N& CLARKE. S. W. Corner Broad and Walnut. PLEASE STOP A MOMENT. IP TOU HAVE NOT ALREADY BOUGHT YOUR GOOD THINGS FOR CHRISTMAS, DON'T FAIL TO Vinit mid. Jnwpect THE LAliGE STOCK OP FINE GROCERIES POK SALE, lit the lowest Cash Prices, ET SIMON COLTON & CLARKE, S. W. CORNElt lUtOAD .AND WALNUT. EVERITHINa THAT MORTAL MAN CAN WISH FOR To make a table inviting And your mouths water, CAN BE HAD At the Lowest Prices AND OF THIS FINEST QUALIT' AT SIMON COLTON S CLARKE'S, S. W. CORNER BROAD AND WALNUT. FINALLY, FANCY AND STAPLE GBOCERIES, OK THS BEST CHARACTER AMD IN GREAT VARIETY, AMI For Sale at Low Prices SIMON COLTOS & CLAUSE, S.W. Corner Broad and Walnut, mo sup PHILADELPHIA. OCMILL & UJILSOfJ'S IMMENSE WINTER STOCK NOW OFF! Off! Off! Off! ROCKHILL & WILSON have Tho Largest 8took, Tho Finest Materials, . The Choicest Patterns. The Most Elegant Fits. The Most Varied Styles. THE LOWEST PRICES! ROCKHILL & WILSON have The Oldest House, The Longest Experience, The Most Skilful Cutters, The Most Courteous Salesmen, The Best Satisfied Customers, THE LOWEST PRICES ROCKHILL & WILSON have The Stoutest Overcoats, The Most Elegant Dress Coats, j Ths Most Exquisite Business Coats, Tho Most Superb Waistcoats, The Most Tasteful Pantaloons, THE LOWEST PRICES! KD ROW The Whole of the WINTER STOCK Is Coins; f Going Coins? i Going! Going? . Coing-t And Soon WHI Be Cone' Cone Cone! Gone! Gone At Such Prices as Will ASTONISH You! Every Garment in the Great Brown MaM Was Made to bo 8old, And is mW OFFERED FOR SALE! Great Reduction in Price on our Whole Stock Gome and buy before it is all gone! ROCKHILL Great Brown ' Nos. 603 and 605 HOLIDAY, A CHOICE SELECTION OF NEW IMPORTA TIONS NOW, OPEN. CLARK & BIDDLE, JKWEI JJlltM yVlVl SlI.Vl JiSMITIlH. No". 1124 CU ES NUT STREET, to It milt J O UNO Off! Off! Off! Off! Off! & WILSON, Stone Hall, ' CHESKUT Street BIRTHDAY GIFTS. F0VR DOCKS h:C1OW TVVKLVTU sntEET.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers