THE DAILY EVEN IIS G TLKUltALu 1'HlbADELrilIA, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1870. CITY 1.11BLL1UB.10C SOCIAL .SC1EKIE. NINTH AXXVAl. SRION UP TUB AUE KILAN BOUlAti mHJIKNCE A990U1 1 riO.. The rrereHnaS of the Third Day'a IWorw-Hrnnton-Kwmjn by Or. laaae Kay. Joseph Whartoa. find a. : The Dlaenwilon. The third day's morning session of the American Social Science Association began at 11 o'ciok,ln the ahapel of the University of Pennsylvania, President Bitetln the chair. The President on calling the meeting to order stated that an hoar would be allowed for discussion, nd desired that, the census of thts year should be onsidcred. He Maid that this association had alieady exorcised some Influence on the powers that i regarding the manner ef taking the census. He then called upon Mr. Klllott, of the United States Statistical Bureau, who la thoroughly conversant with the subjcct.to give a description of the different ways in which vne census of various countries Is akeu. . .. Mr. Klllott said that thciehad been no change In the methods of the several countries for many years. In some places householder's blanks are distributed irovioiifly, snd on a cet tain night deslghated they are to be filled up. The number of people In the House during that night Is given, and the fact sttted whether the residence of each is permanent or tem porary. These blanks are called for on tne next Say by the enumerator. The difficulty of taking the census by the enumerator is niHle much less by this system. This plan is only partially adopted In our system. We require the census-taker to call upon the householder within a giveu ierlod. It is often Impossible to find the owLerof the property or the head of the family, and the Information has often to he obtained from servants, our system fs also the most costly. While the officers ar enthusiastic in the discharge tf their duties iind perform their work well, the sys cm is very Imperfect. This association should take me action looking to a better plan in future. Mr. 15. Coxe introduced the miners' question, and raid that he thought the association should en deavor to procure papers showing what has been lone in F.ngland to prevent the strikes and troubles t the miners, which cause the mining works to Btand Idle one-third of the time. nlr. Coxe moved that the Kxecutlve Committee be empowered to procure all such papers. Agreed to. Mr. Klllott moved also that the kxecutlve Commit tee of the association be requested to take such steps as mav be necessary to seenre increased atten tion to the subject of an improved method In census taking, and to bring the matter to the consideration of the proper authorities. Agreed to. The Evidence of Krerts," by Or. Isaac Kay, of Philadelphia. The first paper of this unming session was on 'The Evldeuce of Experts," by Dr. Isaac Kay, of this city. The folio wlug la a full abstract : With one exception the testimony of witnesses Is ronflued to facts within their personal knowledge. To promote the ends or justice It sometimes be comes necessary to obtain their opinions rather than any facts, because it Is not the naked facts, but the inferences to be drawn from those facts, that K is desirable to know. The witness may have been particularly conversant with that department of knowledge to which such facts belong, and Is thus able to attach a meaning to the facts unknown to others without that experience. Experts are re proached for diti'eriug with one another as to the vigutllcauce of the same facts, and because they appear at the call of one or the other part) they are charged with teatifylr g under a bias. Some change in our mode of procedure is called for which shall place skilled testimony beyond the reach of impro per influences and render It perfectly reliable. In the first place, the oojectlons are n it very sound, and in the next, the changes suggested are lther impracticable or incapable of remedying the evils complained of. Discrepancy and contradiction are not confined to skilled testimony. They occur, more or less, in all evidence, aud spring from the very constitution of the mind. All men do not see and hear the same things precisely alike. Is it reasonable to expect unanimity in matters of opinion any more than la matters of fact ? dcientihc men differ on many im portant points, in their books and lectures, and this difference is not regarded as strange, or in dicative of improper biases. Wuy, then, should it be expected that their testimony on the witness-stand should be unanimous? Science is progressive. Each inquirer contributes something to the common stock, according to his ability and opportunity. These contributions may sometimes convey discrepant meanings, because the limits of science are beyond reach, and the particular result Is determined oy causes peculiar to the inquirer himself, such as bis cast of trind. his habits of thought, his field of observation, his application and temperament. No one can learn everything, nor avoid mistake and imperfection. A subject Investigated In a few of its relations may lead to conclusions very different from what they would be under a more thorough in vestigation. Every contribution to science Is valua ble, bat no single one can be considered as the final and complete expression of the troth. They all repre sent stages or steps towards the attainment of the tinal object, no one of which could be dispensed with without detriment. Under these conditions, science makes Its appear ance on the witness-stand, aud thus It is that what is ignorantly mistaken for conflict, and imputed to ignorance or something worse, is only a different phase of the same general truth. Again, experts must necessarily vary In their tes timony, because their experience has been diffe rent. No two can have had precisely the same ex perience. Their route have 'tivergd from each other, the same phenomena hit . e appeared to them under different circumstances, some secret of nature has been disclosed to one whlcn defied the inquiries of the other, and thus they have been led to conclusions which, though apparently contllctlng, are only supplementary. To expect from experts invariable unanimity on the witness-stand would be as rational as to expect evt ry judicial decision to express the united opinion of the full bench; tint every hiBtorlan should agree respecting certain characters or events. Why, then, be scandalized by the spectacle of chemists, or surgeons, or physl tians uttering conflicting opinions on questions within their respective provinces ? If in any given case the opinions of experts differ, o much the more important is it that they should be given in evidence. The theory of our criminal law supposes that the accused is entitled to the benefit of whatever can properly be alleged in his favor. He is nut only entitled to any facts that bear on his case, but also to any construction of those facts that a competent judgment can supply. Though a dozen experts testify ami as t him, he cau not be regarded as having had a fair trial if the one solitary disseutiug expert be excluded from the wit-ncBf-staud. It is also objected to skilled testimony tnat It seems to embarrass and c infuse the jury when they roost need to be self-confident and sure. If this ob jection Is sound, then. why not exclude ordinary witnesses, for their testimony is often contradictory, nd especially the addresses of counsel, which ate fSBentially contradictory? These we admit, not withstanding their defects, because it is the theory or our law that, on the whole, the purposes of jus tice are best served by placing before the jury everything that bears upon the question at Issue. For this reuson skilled testimony U admitted, in the belief that even its contradictions, if any there are, are necessary to make the trial complete. Instead of eing a reproach to our system, It is a signal triumph of humanity, that it puts within the reacii of the prisoner any fa a, any matter of science, thaf will contribute to his defense. The contradiction so much complained of is often more apparent than real. Experts pursuing diffe rent tracks of Inquiry may arrive at results appa rently conflicting, but which may, neverthele.s-t,'be only supplementary the oho to the other. Both may be correct so far as they go; they both are true, but neither embraces the whole truth. They have re garded the same matters of inquiry from opposite points of vie w, but what they see maybe none the less valuable. No single Individual has. explored the whole domain of science, aud thus it may often hapn that the selenitic aspects of a question would not be completely shown by any single Individual. Again.lt is objected that an expert testifies In the interest of the party by whom he is compensated, aud therefore he cannot help being under a wrong bin. It does not follow that because he is engaged by one of the parties he must be necessarily partial and one sided. The case having been explained to liim be fore the trial, he has lormed Uis judgment upon it according to the weight of the anticipated eviaeuce It it is favorable to the party applying to him he is put on the witness-stand, otherwise not. All that a jury requires Is that the evidence, whether of faot or opinion, shall be true, or honestly supposed to be true. It is none the less legitimate because oi its discrepancies. Those It Is for the jury to dispose of as best it can. W'nere tierecan be any ground for diversity of opinion in matters of science, such diversity should be freely and fully expressed, ac cording to the recognized requirements of a jury trial. To avoid these objections to skilled testimony it has been proposed to have the experts appoiuted by the Executive of the State, liut it Is not certain that the Executive would appoint the best men, judging by our experience of Executive appoint ments; and if it were otherwise, we hve reason to believe that few such would accept theorilce. Be sides, there would be the difficulty in specifying the various departments of knowledge in which the ap pointees should respectively act as experts, because tbey are numberless and cannot be exactly defiud. It has also been suggested that experts should be assigned by the court in each particular suit. But l 'lis would limit the sources of Information in a man ner repugnant to the spirit of our judicial system. Js'obody pretends that ail knowledge, even in the barrowesc specialty, is confined to one, two, or three ndivl4aa!, and one or Ue o'-Ser carty would be likely t o conclude, that some Important point could be established if they had an unrestricted choice of expert. Hence, this method would prove un satisfactory, and might be nnjust. Beside, it would lie none the less obnoxlons t some of the objec tions already nrged. In some foreign countries this method is nsed, but there It. is In harmony with their judicial system, which does not embrace a Jury, or, if It docs, the functions of the Jury are much more restricted than with us. An improvement on the present practice would da to have the opinion of the expert on the actual case in hand, as It nsed to be, instead of on a Hypotheti cal case. Another Improvement would be to hive all the questions put to the expert In writing, and the answers returned In writing, after the miinnr or a deposition. This would avoid the evil arising from questions that are unexpected aud must be answered wlthontdue deliberation. It would al prevent the attempt to embarrass the witness by brow-beating and side Issues. Another improve ment would be forjudges to snpport the honest. In telligent expert, as far as may be consistent with their duty, and abstain from assuming the evidence of the expert themselves. "International Imtnutcfnl Competition," by Joseph M barton, K. The seeond essay of the morning session was by Joseph Wharton, Esq., of Philadelphia, on Inter national Industrial Competition. The following Is an abstract: The Manchester school of pnli'lcal eoonomists parsist en ly eDtrent mankind to regulate their ointnoroil affairs opan the amnmption that the entire race of man I bnt a band of brothers, who, thonh tony mar be aoct dentally natiiered into aroupa designated by the "gio rrnphioal exprexslomi" Unites Statea of imiurl, Kag. land, France, or the like, and thnngh they may filitdna perately upon accaaiun far the purpose of mem aril 7. ingor overthrowing one or another of thene group, are yet, far aa ao-called peaceful intervoarve i con cerned, really a single family, aa1 ought, in all that relates to trade (that ia, in nearly all wherehy in ordinary times the nations act upon each other) to disre gard this national grouping. The common interest of mankind would seem, according to this school, to riiira that, sine inch group do exist, one of them should pro duce food, and another ootton or wool, while a fiird should make tools or clothing, and that the individuals of each of the groups should exoend much of their energy in carrying tbnir several products across land and sea to trade them froely with members of the others. '"ould such universal and unrestricted trading division of labor among the nations be founded upon the dsnpeit inHtinctsand interests of onr nice, or are they so contra vened by ineradicable human characteristics aa to be merely sentimental and illusory!' Theae questions cannot be properly answered without consideration of many collateral points, and partiaularly, I tbink, of the following: 1 It ia intrinsically right for persons to form thtmnelvm for mutaai aid and comfoit irto n ttinna, preferring etch other to strangers, carefully hedging themselves abnnt, and Jealous not only of their territory, hut. also of rbe.r separate and peculiar insftntins met modes of life? Or should all barriers bo broken down, and mankind be obliged to fnse and coalesce in a single mass? 2. If the grouping into nations he permissible, is it right for each nation to endeavor to be self-centred, self-supporting, complete, and independent as to material want, or should certain of them permanently subjected to others by dependence upon those others for articles in dis pensable to human well-being or comfort, which they could themselves producer 3. If, again, men may properly form nations, should the several governments thereof take cognizance of trade be tween their respective populations, regulating the aims as each may see tit. or should they limit their action strictly to internal affairs, absolving their subiects from allegiance, and imposing no conditions upon aliens, in so far as trade is concerned 1 4. Hnnposing , for argument's sake, the universal brother hood theory to be abstractly so alluring that a nation, oon tidently relying upon it, should legislate to treat citizens and aliens alike in matters of trade, but should find that by the hostile industrial organization of other nations its markets were overloaded, its workmen thrown out of em ployment, its money drawn away, its fininoea crippled, and its independent endangered ; ought it still to con tiane in the policy of defenseless confidence, or ought it, if yet retaining vitality and conrage enough, to p rot cot itself from suoh trade invasiona by lilting loisl tion? 6. Supposing the right of a nation to be undeniable as regards other nations to protect itself by any expedient devices from spoliation through trade, has its government the right, as between its own citizens, to aid some at the expense of others, in ordor that the whole nation may attain greater vigor, completeness, powor of self-sustenance, and independence? . rt. Is there on the other hand any obligation on the part of the (tovernmont towards its citizens, to give all neces sary aid and shpport, at the common cost, to suoh as are laboring to expand its resources, extend its industrial do main, and fortify its independence. 7. Is the common good of mankind promoted by an enormous transportation of raw material from the ends of the earth to a few spots, thore to be manufactured, and the finished products iu part transported biok again, thus establishing among the nations somothing similar to the division of labor which is successfully prac tised among individuals f 8. Boas the "lai sez faire," or let aloue doctrine, which some sociologists insist upon as tbe law of nature, and as the correct rule for international trade, inoulnate aroally sound policy for the guidance of nations in their dealings With each other. Regarding tbe present condition of things in protective tariff legixlatioD, the following is proposed as a remedy: Let a permanent (lommission of Customs be created, or a separate Bureau erected in the Treasury department, charged with constant oversight of tbe changing condi tions of trade and industry, and especially witlt watchful ness for tne introduction of naturalization of industries new to tbe oountry, wbotber such are aotnally undertaken bere or are merely seen to be feasible and desirable. A permanent Commission is preferable to a Bureau, as being mora independent, and of widor scope, and therefore attractive to a bighr order of capacity. Iet the Commission be composed of at least three per sons, of whom one ahoild have practical experience and wido knowledge aa a manufacturer, and soother should bave acquired thorough acquaintance with the actual ma chinery and practice of collecting onstoms, by intelligent service in a custom house; knowlodge of tariff legisla tion and precedent in this and other countries is also es tiai. Let them be empowered to bear during recess of Oon I roes all representations of parties desiring changes in tbe tariff, and to travel from place to place for the purpose of more thorough investigation. Let them bear all caasa of ontlicting claims or interests in regard to customs rates, and bave power to aummon wiiasssea. How muoh may lie effected by this means is partly shown by thy results of the Journeys and investigations of tbe'Jommittea of Ways and 11 cans during the summer and fall of iM'iS. Let no tariff legislation be introduced into CongraMexi eept from this commission, which should make at the be- f inniiifi of each session of Congress a report accompanied tyafinmof law, the latter einhoding all changea they deem desirable, and tbe fonner giving as brieily as pos sible the reasons therefor and a general view of tbe situ ation. Lei them have power to make and enforoe all the need ful regulations for carrying into ell act all laws relutiug to toe imposition or collection of import duty. The larger powers possessed by the Unglish Commissi mers of eas terns, which extend to the alteration of tariff rates, could scarcely pe granted with ta'ety to eich a commission. hue ii a commission, consisting of sufficiently intelligent and honest persons, resolved upon promoting by 'he meaDec niideu to them the welfare of their oenoountry exercising their powers with ajnipat by for the producer as well as the consumers, not favoring any sellWl rapacity, or any slovenly manufacturer, nor en deavoring to preserve any ONtablisbment which by the march of industrial science has become anti quated, and holiliug themselves well ia oueck by a airong sentiment oi conservatism, refusing any change except for very sufficient reason would certainly com mand tbe confidence and cordial co operation of all tbe various interests wbioh would be affected by its aotion. It would relieve Congress ot great masses of the most annoying legislation very mucb as the Court of Claims bat operated in another bald, would lighten tbe duties of the Treasury Department somewhat a has been done by creating tbe Commissioner ef Internal Revenue, and would give a moat desirable stability to oar tariff system. "The Theory ol the Civil Service," br Brln ton toxc, Eeq., of t'liiludeduhla. The third paper of to-days morning session was a 'Keview of Von Mohl's Essay upon the UiiTerent Methods of Filling the Offices or the Civil Service," by Brinton Coxe Esq.. of this city. The views of this distinguished German publicist named upon this question will lie found lu the mini volume, p. 36:1, of his collection of monographs, entitled 'Staatsrecht, Voelkerecht, nnd folitiic." Tuebingen, Ikiso, lb6. The folio wit g is a condensation of the review of his theories presented to the association by Mr. Coxe: In the modern State the offices of the public ad ministration may be Oiled In three fundamentally diil'ereut ways: First- By a systematically arranged body or professional officials appointed by theUiv ernment, either with or without a legally secured tenure or otilce. 8econdly. By officials cuoseu by election either upon a democratic or an aristocratic basis. Thirdly by Intrusting local offices to nnpaid volunteer officials upon the principles ol the institu tion of local self-government lneiiherits aristocratic or its democratic form. Other methods are possiiie, but our Bubject is confined to those usual lu modern times. Tbe transaction or public business by pmftshinal organs or the public iower is lu existing States the most frequently occurring system, ror it is to be found even where others are In part used. It is, howt ver, necessary to bear In mind that this system occurs In two distinct forms, the ditlerence between which depends npon the question whether the pub lic oitlcials do or do not possess a legal right t re tain their places duriug good behavior, aud a legal claim to petitions for themselves anil their families In cast of old age, sickness, or death. Nothing cau be a greater error than to suppose that this dxity of tenure is a subordinate question. The whule char acter of the institution is changed ajfordiuf as one or Die other course is adopted la this respect. - Where a tenure lor life and proper peuMons are se cured Incumbents as legal right, the tlovermneut has the least difficulty in efficiently tilting its oillcus. The (Slate service then becomes a regular aud securd career for honorable aud diligent men to embrace for their whole lives, instead of its degenerating luto a mere source of patronage. From otiicUls receiving such a lifelong remuneration, the State can exact all the qualifications of professional experts. It cau demand from each candidate for office the general education and special preparatory training it holds retiuUilte. Examinations, periods of probation, the preliminary discbarge or the duties of subordinate posts, the discrimination betweeu the qutliHoations lit-ceetary for different services, the order of trans fer from one branch of administration to another, the prohibition or any private occuputm, too pro gressive increase or salary, a just aud secure system of promotion, a severe inspection, a wise disclaim and good system or mora izaCloo or the service, are rendered perfectly possible. The natural result of such measures when properly planned Is to produce aa oilicial body cousbmog of trained, skUful, ludus- trions, and Beaton men occupying a distinguished place among their countryman. For all this, how ever, It Is absolutely necessary that the legal right of security in office should remain intact. Tte natural independence so given likewise tends strongly to seenre a truly constitutional obedkenoe, and the officials are protected by the law when re fusing to obey Illegal commands. The ttte, on the other hand, has ample power to secure obedience to legal orders and to over come any possibly existing opposition and hostility In the official body against iu legislative or administrative reforms relating to the service or anything else. Another beneficial eilect of the sys tem will be found In the uniformity of thought, of political and social views, and of official and non ofllcial customs characterizing the members of the service. By this, a uniform administration of public business In all Its branches and a uniform action or the government In all parts or the country are greatly rurthered. Finally, it is a great advantage that, whenever the proper spirit animates the appointing power, the relatively best roan can, at least in most Instances, be secured for a vacancy. The various tests already referred to, and the critical knowledge of officials' previous ser vices, must prevent bad appointments unless In ex ceptional cases, It would, however, be very par tial to overlook the disadvantages which this, like every other official system, possesses. Iu the first place, its costliness Is unavoidable and Inherent, for the officials must be remunerated for a whole lire or labor and devotion to the public service and rr the entire concentration or their powers and resources In their profession. Again, it cannot be denied that the Influence of superiors npon Inferiors in such a civil service may have a bad effect npon the character of the officials, and that it does actually have such an effect npon the weak and the over-ambitious. The more such influences are misapplied, the greater the danger of a servility in the service, which, when developed, may give the government a powerful means or executing lta arbitrarv will, and thus may endanger the Myrtles of the people. Furthermore, there is a certain amount of dn tiger that a life-long official may fall into a thoughtless routine, and his occupation from an intelligent profession becomes dull tiade. Lastly, it is possible, happily not neces sary, that a systematic corruption may permeate such a civil service. The mildest form which this can take Is tiiat of Idleness and shirking work ; the worst, that of bribery. When developed, the evil o) hriiiery la most difficult to eradicate, aud is a corse alike upon the government and the people. The whole admlnstratfon becomes a system of fraud, lying, and cheating, and honorable men will avoid or retire from He service. While giving full weight, however, to the nniavorable side of the ac count, Von Mohl Is strongly of opinion that both ex perience and criticism show that, on the whole, a decidedly favorable judgment is to be pronounced npon the system of officials with a legally secured tenure. We come now to the system or proresslonal officials toifnoMf a legal right In their offices. TlWs Inferior position or the public officials has many im portant consequences. Care must, however, be taken not to generalize too readily, ror in practice this system occurs In very different rorms. Thus ror example, in the United States and In Franco, whore it exists, the power or arbitrary removal is very dir rereijtly exercised, and the eitlelal system or each country Is thererore separately discussed by Von Mohl. The less the power or arbitrary removal is exercised the greater would seem to be the amount of preparation, training, and expertness in the service, and tbe less will pro motion deienerate into favoritism and patronage. Whatever may be the advantages which the practical working of this syBtem in any country may secure, they appear to be merely those which could be obtained lu a greater degree by the estab lishment or a tenure or legal right. Its disadvan tages naturally take a peculiarly national coloring, which, after Investigation, Von Mohl pronounces to be great in France, and still greater in America. In the United States tne systematic development of arbitrary removals Into the so-called rotation in office, the utter absence of professional training aud expertness the regarding fr offices of publlctrdat as tbe spoils of party, etc., have produced evils which Von Mohl holds to be as great as they are difficult to eradicate. Another principal method of manning the public service is where, in either an aristocracy or a demo cracy, the more or less numerous body in which the soveieign power resides elects its officials from among it own number. In these two cases, how ever, the elective systems differ greatly. Of that of a pure arlstocrrcy (a form of government hardly now existing In Christendom), it need only be remarked that the main political requisite Is that the chief offices should be tilled by members of the governing corporation only, and that everything should be arranged to carry out this principle aud to sesure the public prosperity upon this basis. v The subject of officials chosen by democratic elections is of special Importance in the present day. We should here first recill that the grants or elec tive offices in a democracy are practically (though, not necessarily) for short terms only, and that popu lar elections include not only such officials as are chosen by the whole people, hut also those of smaller districts and localities. First among the good effects of this Institution is to be placed the fact that it secures the sovereign people the choice of its officials. The nomination of its own organs is essentially a function or the sovereign power, whether it be lodged In a prince or a people. It is likewise necessary that the servants or a government should not be opposed to its politi cal tendencies and reelings. Again, It Is beneficial and consistent that the existing officials should ex press the sentiments or the existing majority, ror democracies are and must be governments or the majority. Another advantage is the cheapness of the syBtem, for remuneration npon a basts of repub lican simplicity and for merely the limited time taken from private affairs is all that Is requisite, officials, too, who must soon retire from oflico can not readily fall Into the oppressive conduct of a haughty governing class. Nor Is It likely, from their accord with the sove reign power, that they will be called upon to carry out orders contrary to tbelr convictions. Oa the other hand, the system presents many disadvan tages. Under It there ran exist no system or edu cation for the public service, a thing rendered im possible when office is granted only occasionally and for short terms. There can be no security for the ele-'t'a possessing proper qualifications, for they must be chosen without pre vious tasta or proofs of their fitness. This difficulty is, Indeed, inherent, for qualifications llHiltiiig the will of the sovereign people cannot practically be enforced. The frequency or elections may give rise to great public disquiet, party ani mosity, aDd injury to material prosperity. Elec tioneering intrigues may be pushed to immoral and indecent extremes, degrading the independence and character or candidates, aud corrupting the clvio virtue or the people. When a decided corruption or public morals has arisen in a democracy, popular elections may become a very plague npon the land. Good men are then driven out of polities altogether, and tbe care, or rather the plunder, of the public business falls into the bands of the worst and most degraded part of the population. Indirect elections, whether by members of the ordinary representative assembly or by representative electors specially chosen, are not repugnant to democratic Institutions, but both scientific investigation and the actual experience of democratic politics prove that they have in practice but a limited range of application, and are Itaole to certain peculiar disadvantages. Their general po litical effects, too, will be found to be substantially tbe same as those of direct elections. The lust principal method of filling offices is that pursued under the institution or local self-gov ;rn ment. Under It, the administration of local affairs may be entrusted to such persons as have an interest in the proper management thereof, and who are willing to assume the corresponding offices without remuneration. Hucb unpaid volunteer officials may be either appointed or elected, but the peculiarity of the institution does not He in tbe mere mode of nomination, but rather in the qualifications and characteristics of the officials and their relations to their neighbors whose affairs they administer. The control of purely local affairs by the local aristocracy or democracy through unpaid officials rewarded only by the social or political ad rantage accruing to the public business of the local community iu which they live, aud consequently are most Interested in, ib the key of the system. It is evident that only matters or merely local Interest, and or them only those held In a certain repute, and such as are not of a purely mechanical nature, can be confided to local functionaries serving without pay ami for the honor of office. The lnstituttoa can only exist in its aristocrat su form where a competent aristocracy is to be found, and in a democratic form where the mass of the people are not too Ignorant nor to poor to furnish tbe requisite volunteers. The advantages of this local, unpaid volunteer system are as follows: personal every, day famlllurity with the business administered; re gard ror tbe substance of transactions; seal ; cheap ness : education or the people In pub lc affairs ; the f ur i.ifchirjg or a school ror training public men, and espe cially representatives; prevention or a weak depen dence upon the central government; tbe impossi bility ot tbe government's using such functionaries as tools of oppression and Illegality. On the otlier tide or the account may be placed the danger or a l arrow local spirit iu such officials. Their depen dence upon their subordinates from their waut or expertness will be great. The regular .'ormallties or business will f requ. ntly be disregarded. It will be difficult always to enforce a strict responsibility. Such officials may possibly abuse their powers for teillBh purposes, and the influence or local public opinion upon them may not always be exercised in favor or what is Justly due the government and the law. On the whole, however, whenever the system is practicable there can be no doubt that the good side w ill generally predominate. - Before pronouncing a general Judgment upon all the forest ing methods of dlllag puoito offices, we must first recall that it is impossiuie tht there should be any atnolute excellence la any given sys tem, aud that uo cue system can hariuouue sritU every form of polity. Only what is relatively good i ran here be attained, nor shouli any government attempt to establish an official sy'em inconsistent with its fundamental principles. With these qualifi cations, there can be no donht that roost ran be said In favor of the system of professional officials with a legal light in their offices, and next to it, of the sys tem of unpaid volunteer officials for local an air. The first-named st stem Is at least partially applica ble everywhere, and can lie applied to all kinds of business, while the latter must must be confined to c rlain branches of local affairs, and sometimes Is not practicable at all from the want of material. The system of proresslonal officials without a legal right to the office can secure no advantages which cannot be obtained to a greater extent by the sys tem of legal tenure, white it is just as expensive and liable to great abuse. The election or paid officials by the people presents many objectlontble feature. It Is very proper In a democracy, but only therein, and when the political conoliion Is sound may pro duce fair and even exoellent results under such a polity. When corruption, however, his set in the offices are sure of being badly filled. From the foregoing It results that the system of nnpaid volunteer local officials should, as far as practicable, be availed or. For the other places, professional officials should be appointed by the chler or the State, whose tenure or office during good behavior ana pensioning in sickness and old age should be legally secured, while on the other band a corresponding preparatory training and a thorough performance of duties should in return be exacted. Much public servants should not only be made nse of in all monarchies, bnt also in democra cies, tor at least most posts or the cen'ral adminis tration and ror those lu which a special professional training is required. Of course, ror tne highest offices of a democracy, and likewise ror the local offices therein, elections by the people am unavoid able. The system or proresslonal officials without a legal right or office Is, in normal circumstances, neither necessary nor desirable under any form of government. TnB Ncttinb Excursion to FAiRMOtjMT Pahk. The school children's picnic to Falrraount Park will take place to-morrow, weather permitting. 1 he following points have been designated bv the committee as the most convenient for the children to reach the section or the Park assigned to them: School Sections 1. 8, and 26 Take Pennsylvania Railroad cars at West Philadelphia Station, and go to Kgglesfleld or Sweet Briar Station, on Pennsylva nia Bailrond. School Sections 3, 4, and 5 Take Pennsylvania Railroad cars at West Philadelphia Station, and go to Eggiesfleid or Sweet Briar Station, on Pennsyl vania Railroad. School Section H Take Pennsylvania Railroad cars as above, and go to Landsdowne St'ition or Heading Railroad at Seventeenth and Willow, and go to Belmont Station. School Section IT Take Readfngcars as above, or at junction of Frankford road and Reading Rail road, and go to Belmont Station. School Sections 6, and 7,8,0, 11,13, 14, 15, and 16 Take Reading cars as alwve, ami go to Bel mont Station, or Pennsylvanlacars,as above, and go to Landsdowne Station. School sections 84 and 87 Take Pennsylvania Railroad. School Sections 18 and 19, 83 and 25 Take Read ing cars at junction of Frankford and Reading roads, and go to Belmont Station. School Section 20, Katt and West Take Reading cars at Seventeenth and Willow streets, and go to Belmont Station. Concerts will bejglven at the Park, as follows: George's Hill at ll A. M ; Sweet Briar at 12 M. : Landsdowne Valley at 1 P. M., and at Belmont at a P. M. Tbe Glrard College Cadets will give a dress parade at Belmont Cottage at 2 P. M. The soldiers' orphans of the Lincoln Institution will leave the Institution at 10 A. M., and march up Eleventh to Walnut, thence to Nineteenth, thence to Chesuut, and tbecce to the depot of the Pennsyl vania Railroad. Upon reaching the Park thev will encamn and give a military drill, A police force Is to be stationed at Oirard Avenue Bridge to prevent cattle from passing over during the day. rrBi.ic Night Scnoot.8 Mr. II. W. Ilalliwcll, Secretary or the Board of Education, gives notice that public night schools, ror the instruction or young men over seventeen years of age, will be opened on Monday evening next at the following-named loca tions: George W. Neblnger School, Carpenter street, above sixth. Keystone School House, Nineteenth street, above Chesnut. p. Jackson School House, Twelfth and Federal streets. Harrison School House, Master street, above Second. Reynolds School House, Twentieth and Jefferson streets. Green Lane School House, Manayunk. Marshall School House, Frankford. Mantua School House, Haverford street, above Thirty-fifth. Angora School House, Angora, Twenty-seventh ward. Roberts Vaux Colored School House, Brown street, below Fifth. Literary and Musical Ektertainmbnts. Oar friends' of the West Arch Street Presbyterian (Jliurch bave taken our advice and prepared a course or lectures to be delivered ia the Church, corner ol Eighteenth and Arch streets. The first will be on Tuesday evening, November 1, by Rev. Dr. . Wtl lits, on "Mental Dyspepsia;" November 8, by Rev. Dr. Reed, on "What 1 saw in Italy;"' November 15, hy Rev. Frank L. Robbins, on "a Trip to California;" November 21, by Rev. J. Hyatt Smith, of Brooklyn, N. Y., on "From New York to Jerusalem:" Novem ber 20, by Rev. Dr. Breed, on "A day at Shushan," tnd on December 6, by Rev. Dr. March, on "Remin iscences or the East." Each lecture will be accom panied by choice luuslc, arranged by the organist, Mr. W. C. Ewlng; and ror the first one a double quartette composed of eight of tire most distin guished amateur musicians of Philadelphia, will favor the audience with some grand selections In the most approved style. On Thursday evening, 3d November, the children re to have an unusually Interesting stereopticoa exhibition lu the church. See advertisement. Examination kor Teachers. The semi-annual examination of candidates for certificates of qualifi cations for teachers In the public schools of the First School district of Pennsylvania will be held at the Central High School, Broad and Green streets, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, November Oth, 10th, and llth, isiu, commencing at 9 A. M, pre cisely. No applicant under seventeen years of age will be examined, except in accordance with the resolution of the Board of Public Education. No pupil or the public schools will be examined who has not passed at least a two years' course or study in the tiirls' Normal or Central High School. Gra duates of tbe senior classes are entitled to attend the examination. An average of not less than 75 Is required for a certificate ot the first grade; an aver age or not less than 60 ror the seoonrl grade ; and an average or not less thanio ror the third grade. Si.KiHT Firks. About 4 o'clock this morning a shed in the rear or the dwelling at the southwost corner or Sixteenth and Cabot streets was slightly damaged by fire. About half-past 7 o'clock last evening an out building attached to the lamp-black factory of Ed ward Ayrcs, at the Frankford creek and Harrison street, Brldesburg, was destroyed by fire. Loss, .'&0; no Insurance. The Cafi op Mrs. McGinnis The Coroner's jury In the case of Mrs. Mediums met to-day and rendered the following verdict: That the said Ann McGinnts came to her death from effusion on the brain. From the evidence before them the jury are of opinion that the vio lence received at the hands of Charles Burns, Octo ber 84, lbiO, acted as an accelerating cause of her death Burns was committed to answer. A TiLL-TArrKR Arrested. Charles KUly, aged fourteen years, sneaked Into a confectionery store at No. 104 Pine street yesterday afternoon, and helped himself to some cash In the money drawer. The little fellow was chased to Tenth and Clinton streets and there captured. He had a hearing be fore Alderman Belshaw, and was committed for trial. SreriCTON of Roiibery. Yesterday afternoon Beamer Collins, resldiug at Nineteenth and South streets, was arrested y Policeman McCarthy, of the Filth district, on suspicion of breaking into and robbing several shoe stores in the lower section or tne city. Tbe prisoner was locked up for a hearing at the Central Station this afternoon. Larceny of a Watch. Frederick Cornwall was arrested yesterday on suspicion or the larceny it a watch from a lady residing at No. 855 N. Sixteenth street. Defenoaut boarded on the premises. He will have a bearing at the Central butlou this arttrnoon. Fiai at Whitehall. About io o'clock this morn lng a Are occurred in an unfinished brick dwel tog owned by Mr. Waters, in Melrose street, Whitehall. Loss, 300. The building adjoining, owned by Mr. Barley, was also damaged by lire. Loss, 500. A Nuisance This morning Lieutenant Hg- gerty, of the Third district, reported to the Chief of Police that tbe sewer at Penn and South streets was iu a filthy condition, and that the slouch arising from the same was intolerable. A Curiosity A large buffalo ball's head is hang ing In the window of T. B. Peterson A Brothers' store, No. 30 chesnut street. It was sent by a i. ww .... who. a- J 4kr a n .1 la uai.l rrt Ka t fen. I IBO.IJUAI J Ml UUI IUU U "" B-V4 IV IUO best specimen ever sent Eau John B. Gouuh, Esq., will deliver two of his po pular lectures before the Young JJleu'i Christian Aabocluiion next mouth. THE THEATRES Tbe Iterelpts r na (' .purea with Pre- vtaaa V vmr. Below we give the receipts of the leading places of amusement li the eity for the year lf 0, as rom ps red with prev ions years, together with the amount of tax paid the United States, being two per cent, on the gross receipts. It will be seen that the re turns tor this year include only the first nine months, m the law In relation to .the taxing of the gross receipts of places of amusement ceased to be operative on and after October 1 : Walnut Street Theatre. Month: 1ST0. lSt. 1K-W. January I4,lll lls.wwi tn,809 February. 1S,11 H,70 14.R37 March 14.0SH 20,247 IS 857 April 14,7B 11,447 21,873 May 13,119 ,5T9 ll.m June. I4,eti l,767 K,wt July closed. closed. closed. August, 3,623 6,230 10,378 September 16,451 19,1'M lrt.110 October 22,370 18,7I November 81,695 17,3 December 15,209 13,616 Total receipts.... 112,974 178,P43 l,8ia U. S. tax 2,250 8,678 3,244 Arch Mtreet Theatre. Mmtht. 1HT0. lHfiP. January $14,105 6,V04 113,044 Febrnary 15,806 12,796 19,100 March 26,431 12,6 14.850 April 12,876 16,9C3 8,306 May 9,516 17,503 8,347 June 7.4K3 7,1431 T,, July closed. 8,933f "''' Airitust closed. 0,343 closed. September 7,935 17,604 ll.sso October 9,873 2'l.ios November 16,228 15,322 December 13,396 16,4.i3 Total receipts 193,212 H58 330 1142,195 U.S. tax 1,804 3,167 2,843 In September the Arch was open only eighteen nighu. New American Theatre. .Vmith. 1R70. 1-R January 112,079 f 10,000 f 3,pmk) February 9,74 4 0,300 4,000 March 9,306 8,0iH) 4,077 April 7,OC3 6.2S9 6,129 May 1,763 6 173 - 7.8S7 June 3 200 . 6,160 6,213 July 4,700 3,100 u,0(iu August 4,202 4,400 5,400 September 10,615 8.20J 6,000 October 8,364 6,000 November 11,471 9,764 December. 14,873 12,500 Total receipts 108,732 $94,330 ;s,8oo U. S, tAX 1,374 1.8S5 1,476 American Arndemy of Manic It Is Impossible to give tbe fall report or thts es tablishment, but It is correct as far aa it goes, and nearly complete: Mth. 170. 1S69. .l. January (17,613 .. . 15,4S2 February 23,807 10,800 22,771 March 4,584 6,828 7,414 April 0,054 10,506 11,600 May 8,608 11,354 12.S39 June 810 .... 1,93 July .... .... August .... .... September .... .... October 22.093 November 8,793 25,065 December 2,500 3,821 Total receipts.... $59, 781 $18,763 100,SS4 Taxes 1,105 1,475 2,017 i:arncros & Ulxej'a Opera House. ifoHthi. VilO. 18rt9. l&W. January 110,348 $11,152 $36io February 0,635 7,983 6,432 March 9,241 7,846 7,980 April. 6,104 8,415 6,464 May 3,832 6,309 6,337 June 816 .... 815 July 3,000 .... .... August closed .... 2,664 September 6,089 11,667 13,073 October 10,937 11 642 November 10,930 10,726 December. 12,197 11,241 Total receipts.. .$48,965 S6,936 $35,434 U.S. tax 079 1,733 1,708 Cbesnnt Ptreet Theatre. Month. 1870. lm. I8i)8. January $8,s73 .... $3,822 February 8.P75 7,846 March 4,842 $3,686 4,384 April. 10,510 15,212 15872 May 2,974 4,237 16,054 fc::::::::::::S!S August closed " 9,031 September. 2 835 " 11,993 October 15,338 5,816 November 8,219 8,036 December 8,842 7,614 Total receipts.. .$39,000 $60,433 $101,434 U. 8. tax 730 1,209 2,023 Vupreztfc Benedict's Opera llonse. This place opened-under this management in Oc tober, 1609. Month. 1870. 1809. January $4,695 .... February 4,678 March 4,400 April 3,708 May 1,104 June 901 .... July l,6io August 1,679 .... September 1.7CT .... October $!,816 November 4.571 December 7,177 Total receipts $24,551 $13,U V. . tax 401 271 Arch Street Opera Hanse. This place of amusement was opened in Septem ber. The receipts ror that month wero $13,016, on which a tax of $272 88 has been paid. , Mix Years' Receipts. The gross receipts of the three principal theatres for the six years from 1865 to 1370, up to October 1, were as follows: Yrnr. Areh. Walnut. Chmut. 15 $158,67 $91,890 $106,101 1SC.6 113,323 173,530 122,775 1SU7 113,077- 154,T" 119,194 1868 112,195 162,249 101,434 1869 158,338 1 '8,943 66,483 1870 03,212 112,974 .30,000 Totals $779,010 $ 374,376 $114,993 FAST TRAVELLING. 81xleen Allies In as .llnny .Minutes A T.ocomo llve on tbe Philadelphia, and Trenton Rail read Uaee Nome Extraordinary Kuanlnr. The Washlt-gton anil New Yorx express, which leaves West Philadelphia for New York at 2 35 A. M., alwavs stops at Mantua Junction to change en gines. The loconio.lve in readiness at this point takes the train on to New Brunswick, where It is re. 5 laced by a third engine, which takes the train to ersey City. At 2 o'clock yesterday morning engine Na 61 was ready at Mantua Juuctlon for the ex press. This locomotive m said to be the oldest pas senger engine ou the road, and, though somewhat wora with age, excels many or Its juniors in both power and speed. While waiting ror the express tbe engineer aud the tlrernau, having an hour to spare, left ihcir engine standing ou the main track aud went to breakfast. At thU dark ami early hour the only persons at the Junction were employes of the company. The homely feast disposed of, they lit their pipes, but they bad not enjoyed more than half a d izeu wbiils when they tvere startled from their reverie. To their astonishment, their engine began moving, and before cither of them could recover their sell possession it had shot out of sight, and was making the most remarkable time on record. In a lew more moments the express came up. Without a second's delay, lu engine was sent lu pursuit of the runawty locomotive. The news of the runaway spread con sternation anion the passengers, and so aaxioui were they on the subject that nearly all of them left their seats, aud ciowded round the operator. Kensington, Fraukiord. liridexburg, aud Tacony nations were successively passed by the pursuing locomotive without discovering anything or Nasi. Just before reaching liolmesburg Junction a thin stieak of light was descried In advance, which ap peared to them ltke a llery serpent shooting over the track. The tall of the Imaginary serpent was soon touched, aud turned out to be a trail of hot cinders dropped by the fugitive locomotive, hellevlng that they were uow close to the latter, they slackened speed until the tele graph poles uo longer looked like a gigaatio hue-tooth comb. At Torresda'.e, a little beyond the junction, the truant engine was reached. Its fires were burned down, aud it had come to a dead stop A comparison of watches showed that the runaway CDgine had travelled sixteen miles in about as many minutes. No damage watt done, and owing to tne unseasonable hour at which the event occurred none but the railroad officials were badiy scared. The engineer and the fireman of locomotive No. 81 are at a loss to understand how the engine's throt tle was opened. They did not see anv person ap proach the engine, yet they Insist that the engine could not have started without some mischievous band belug bnt laid upon It, FOURTH EDITION LATER CABLE REPORTS: The New French Loan. IXcratry and the ZHobilcs. The Chateaudun Sufferers. The north Carolina Troubles Important Revenue Matters. Army and FJavy Ordars. Etc. Etc.. Etc.. Etc.. Etc. I ROM EUROPE. The New French T.ona. London, Oct. 27. The prospects of the new French loan to be placed on the market here are eald to be very favorable. The Urlttany Mobiles - Touns, Oct. 27. Keratry has ordered all the Mobiles In the province. of Brittany to concen trate at Le Mans, in order to oppose the progress of the Prussians, who seem to bo moving in that direction. It is understood that when the troops are col lected there as contemplated, Keratry will orga nize them himself for offensive warfare. Many regular troops will also be Incorporated in this army. lie has already Issued A Htlrrlna Proclamation to the Mobiles, promising that they shall have the bcBt weapons and be well supplied with can non and mitrailleuses. They are to be sub mitted to the strictest discipline, and unwilling hearts must remain away. Let only true Bretons come, whose rally lng-cry.Bb.all be, "God and country." The Sufferers at Chateaadan. Wagons under charge of soldiers have gone, through the streets of this city, collecting sup plies of all kinds for the Inhabitants of ha tcauduD, whose houses were burned by the Prus sians. Subscriptions have also been opened in their behalf. FROM WHSIIINGTOJY. TfaeKnalUh ttllnaton nnd General Hchenck. Special Dwspatek to The tonfn0 telegraph. Washington, Oct. 27. Gossips have it to-day that the President has determined to otl'cr General Schenck the mission to England. There seems, how ever, to be no foundation for the report other tnan that a Western man Is to have the place, and that Schenck has all the qualifications. Judge Keller arrived here last night on business connected with your Custom House. He had interviews to-day with tee President and Secretary Boutwell. CInblnet Matters. A semi-official de match sent by tne agent of the Associated Press which appears in the newspapers yesterday morning, concerning Cabinet matters, is likely so call forth a letter from Secretary Oox, together with the correspondence which passed between htmself and the President, Cox's friends are urging him to write a letter defending himself against the Imputations contained In that despatch . The North (!arollna Troubles. Senator Abbott, or North Carolina, informed the President to-day that the reported disturbances In his State are much exaggerated and misrepresented. It appears that they are not of apolitical character at all, but the work of certain armed outlaws, black: ami white, who live In the swamps of Hoblnson county, and who make raids npon the people In the vicinity irrespective of race, color, or politics. The Senator says the State militli is endeavoring to cap ture these marauders, and that their execution will end most of the trouble In the state. Naval Order. Ik-watch to the Associated Vest. WAsnwoTOK, Oct. IT. Lieutenant-Commander Edwin T. Woodward is ordered to temporary ord nance duty at Pistsburg. Pa. Ensign Joseph U. liobson Is ordered to tbe Pacific fleet. Commander James S. Thornton is detached from the command or tbe Kearsarge and granted three mouths' leave. Lieutenant-Commander John Wordman Is detache from the Kearsarge and placed on waiting orders. The I'nited Mat is steamer Frolic arrived at the Navy Yard to-day from a cruise on the fishing; banks. KerruWa far te Army. The Superintendent-aeneral of the recruiting ser vice at Cincinnati, Ohio, has been directed to for ward nnder the proper chanre, in detachments of convenient size, two hundred recruits to Omaha, Nebraska, for asslgtnient to tbe 4th Infantry. Defrauding- the Helena. Supervisor Perry reports to the lnf.ernil Revenue Otilce that he hits procured the seizure of a (tiantlty of tobacco at Fayetteville, North Carolina, the stamps on which, though genuine, were fmper pcrfectly cancelled, and had ben soaked In oil, and In consequence would not adhere to the boxes, though they were fastened with varnish according to the Commissioner's instructions. Imparted and Uomeatle Nplrlta. Tbe Commissioner of Internal Revenue has issued a circular to assessors directing them to request all liquor dealers, rectifiers, and other persoBJ having ii let il led spirits In their poostssion not lu bonded warehouse, to render to them a statement of the quantity of lrqnor ou haud on the 1Mb or November next, showing how much braudy. gin, rum, wliixky, high wines, alcohol, aud fruit brandies, aud distin guishing betweeh Imported and domestic spirits. FROM THE WEST. Terrible Railroad celdeiit Three Persona Hiud. St. Lons, Oct. 27. Tbe express train which left here on Tuesday evening on the O'll ) a id Missis blppl Rabroad ran through an open s vltch and col lided with a coal train on a side tra jk, four miles 4hissldH f Snoals Station, about midnight. The fireman of tbe express train and a woman and girl iu the front passengtr-car, Barnes unknown, were killed, and about a dozen perxous Injured, none seriotsly. Roth locomotives were livln smashed. The termer of tbe passenger train was forced into the baggage-car, and the smoking-car and first passenger-car telescoped ulxiut half the length of the cars. Axsihtauce was ohtaiued as soon as possible, and everything done to revive the wouuded. The Irfiiliesof the woman and girl were left at ShOiU Station. . FROM XEW EXGLAXD. t'ul.tirul PaoviDENrK, Oct, T. Cieorgo II Brown, of Gloucester, has beeu nominated for Congress in the First district. Fibi at A Chckch. A quarter of two o'clock thf afternoon a or occurred ut the Triuity M. K. Church, Kfglith street, above Kace, incurring a loss or a few hundred dollars. The flames originated from a defective flue. Tux C. F. Bkkckk who has been mentioned ia connection with t'ie Stuttgard defalcation is not the well-known artist No. 040 Chesnut street.- Found Opkk 1 ho police of the Fourth district foond Ave su res open on Arch, (Jheanut, aud Third streets last night, A California exchange estimates that after deducting tbe Chinese from the aggregate popu lation of that Slate, it would be reduced to a representative baeis of 440,000. A complete reformation has taken place in the life of a notorious debauchee of Cincinnati, through tbe Instrumentality of a friendly ghost, w bo is told to have paid hitn a vkit some weeks since.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers