EVENING BULLETIN. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29. 1866. EVENTS OF THE TEAR. On the first, second and eleventh jiagea of to-day’s triple sheet will be found our usual summary of the events of the year just closing. It comprises a list of the principal political and mili tary events in the United States, Canada &hd Mexico, with an unusually full and •accurate local chronicle. As it has been -quite carefully prepared it will be well worthy of preservation. THE PUBLIC SERVICE. As might naturally have been ex pected, the result of the President’s prostitution of the Government patron age, has been to reduce the performance of the public service to the lowestpoint of inefficiency. The Custom House and Post Office of Philadelphia were filled with expeiienced, honest and capable clerks, in whose hands the business of the community was conducted with promptness and accuracy. By a whole sale process of decapitation, this entire force of skilled clerical labor has been swept out of office, and there has been substituted a class of men who, as a body, are of the lowest grade of personal respectability and of the highest grade of political corruption. No regard has been had to the fitness of these men for the duties towhieh they have been assigned, and the public service is being performed in the most disgraceful style of helpless inefficiency. In the Post Office Department, the delivery of letters has become a matter of such uncertainty that no sort of de pendence can any longer be placed upon it. The Postmaster is a friend of Mr. Johnson’s, brought from the interior of the State to administer the business of the second Post-office in importance in the Union, perfectly ignorant of his du ties and of the wants of a community like this, and his new subordinates are no better fitted for their positions than their chief. In the Custom House matters are still worse, because the responsibilities are still greater and the opportunities and inducements for fraud and mismanage ment are more numerous. A full state ment of the manner in which Mr. Johnson’s new appraisers and in spectors are doing or rather muddling their work every day, would be laugh able, if it were not for the gravity of the interests at stake. Valuable cargoes are placed in the hands of men, as innocent of any knowledge of what is to be done with them, as'an unborn babe. The business of our merchants is kept by this brilliant Swiss, or Greek guard in a state of the wildest confusion, and the delay, annoyance and loss consequent upon these wretched appointments are neither to be described nor calculated. Men who would hardly fill the post of a porter in a private store creditably, are vested with the discharge of duties of the most intricate nature, re quiring quick tact, cool judgment, great activity, and trained habits of so briety, punctuality and courtesy. Thou sands and thousands of dollars’ worth of goods are now placed in the hands of men,whose opportunities for plunder are almost entirely unchecked, who would not be trusted behind the counter of a retail trimming shop. How the operations of the Mint are being conducted, there are not the same means of ascertaining. It at least is to be hoped, until evidence to the contrary is produced, that the absolute mechan * ical necessity which exists in that branch of the public service, for the employ- ment of skilled labor, has preserved the Mint from the degree of disor-: ganization and mal-administration that has become so patent elsewhere. In the Internal Revenue Department we do not hear of the same open de rangement and disorder that prevail in the Custom House and Post Office; but it is well known that many of the most important offices have been placed in the hands of men alike devoid of com- mercial standing, personal fitness and political respectability. In: a wordf the executive patronage, under Mr. Johnson has been dispensed without a particle of regard for the capabilities or integrity of the applicants, and the public is the sufierer by this abuse of Presidential power, to an extent of which the people have no conception. It is a satisfaction to be able to believe that the evil is so notorious as to provide its own cure, and that when the Senate sweeps out this Augean stable,there will be an imperative demand that the men who take the places now so disgracefully filled, shall comply with the requisition of the better days of the Republic, and prove themselves, if they are nothing else, at least honest and capable. WH&T IS DUE TO POSTERITY. Some blundering humorist once de clared that we owed no particular duty to posterity, for posterity had never done anything for us that we had any special need to be grateful for. Without adopting this idea in all its length and breadth, it may safely be assumed that the present generation is doing a good deal for posterity without any hope of an immediate return from the latter. Secretary of the Treasury McCulloch’s ' idea of getting rid of the National debt on short notice, brings the somewhat substantial idea of the said debt promi nently to view in this discussion of the mutual relations between posterity and ■ourselves. And first, as to how this national debt eame about. Our somewhat remote an cestors, probably without thinking of its effect on the people of 1868, and perhaps without caring much about it, impor ed a lot of negroeß into the then provinces, and established an institution whioh subsequently becamerathertroublesome. she daily BVfiyrNfr blplletin.—phlladel puia. Isattjb pay, r scem bett 29. feiiLE^SHEEfe The trouble to come became manifest pretty early, and away back, fully a century: Pennsylvania agitated the getting rid of the nuisance. But cotton became paramount, and the thing became a power In the land, and it was not to be get rid of easily, and so suc cessive generations of statesmen, clear down to Henry Clay, brave and gallant as he was—temporized with it and corn promised with it, and, in short, put off upon posterity what inevitably had to come sooner or later, and thus was put upon us, who then meant posterity, the practical solution of this great problem. Our fathers dodged the question and staved it off as long as possible, because they were more disposed to smooth over, I than to rake to the bottom, and as the raking had to come, the brunt was put upon us, whether we would or not, and now the bill must he footed; and who is to foot it ? The present generation has; paid a pretty full instalment upon it in gacrifices upon the battle-field; in giving up its bravest and beßt to die that the nation might live; in its Sanitary and Christian Commissions, its bounty funds and its thousand and one responsibilities that were pat upon us by the exigencies of the times. And all these sacrifices were forced upon us by an ancestry who wanted to escape the trouble them selves, and who put it off until it fell udou our shoulders. Now posterity, as viewed from the Revolutionary stand-point, had to pay the bills incurred in the great struggle for Independence, and it was perfectly right that posterity should so do. The war of 1812 brought with it its bill of expenses, and posterity had to settle that, and served posterity right too, for it enjoyed most of the advantages of the struggle; and how the little bill of about three thousand millions of dollars,as the result of the late rebellion, has to be met, and the question is, Who is to meet it? The present generation has paid a pretty good share of what our grand children and great grandchildren will enjoy the advantages of, and as our fore fathers bequeathed all the “late un pleasantness” to us, there is no reason why those who have to come after us should not pay their share of the cost. We are building up great cities, taming the wilderness, webbing the land with railroads, and building the noble Pacifio road that has so long been the dream of many far-seeing men. Posterity will enjoy the advantages of all these great enterprises, and it will also enjoy the fruits of four years of civil war which decreed the abolition of the curse of slavery. Let posterity pay its share of the bill of costs for the accomplishment of all these great ends, and let the Trea sury authorities be content with the receipt of our taxes to meet the interest upon the public debt, without crushing the financial life out of us by exacting the payment of the principal immedi ately after the monetary depletion pro„ duced by the war, whilst it was in pro gress. „ THE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTMENTS. Governor Geary has commenced his work well, in his appointments of Ben jamin H. Brewster, Esq., as Attorney General and Col. Frank Jordan, of Bed ford county, as Secretary of the Com* monwealth. - The Philadelphia bar could have furnished no abler lawyer,as the official adviser of the Governor,than Mr. Brewster. Very clear in his com prehension of legal points, very thorough in his knowledge of legal pre cedents, very direct and lucid in the statement of his legal opinions, singu larly bold and independent in all his le gal positions, he has long stood almost un rivalled as an advocate and a counsellor, at the Philadelphia bar. His appointment by the Governor as Attorney General, has taken the com munity somewhat by surprise, as it was known that powerful combinations had been formed to procure the position for other gentlemen who aspired to the office. The selection of Colonel Frank Jordan is equally creditable to Governor Geary’s sagacity and independence. Colonel Jordan is well known throughout the State, as a gentleman whose personal and patriotic record constitutes apeculiar fitness for the preference, which Gover nor Geary has just declared. During the recent political campaign, Colonel Jordan won golden opinions by the sin gularly efficient discharge of his respon sibilities as Chairman of the State Cen tral Executive Committee. The result of the election was largely due to his untiring energy and the excellent judg ment displayed by him in the organiza tion of the Union element of the State, and the dissemination of sound Union sentiments. If these two appointments may be taken as an earnest of the principles upon which Governor Geary intends to administer the affairs of State, recogniz ing ability, patriotism and real indivi dual merit, in opposition to the demands of mere trading politicians, or the in triguing combinations of a “ring,” he has before him a career which will result alike in the good of the Commonwealth and the verification of all the high hopes which his countless friends indulge in his behalf. THE NEW YORK EIRE DEPARTMENT. The annual report of the officers of the New York Fire Department has been made public. It contains many very interesting facts and valuable sugges tions. During the present year the cost to the city of maintaining the depart ment was $935,807 94. This seems like a very great sum; but it must be borne in inind that a large portion of it was expended in the purchase of engine houses, apparatus, horses, drc. The esti mated expenditures for 1867 are $700,000. This expense Is not incurred alone for what we understand in Philadelphia as -firemen’s service. There is a large daily detail of New York firemen who per form patrol duty, and who discovered and extinguished, with but little loss, no less than two hundred fires daring the present year. Then there are certain properties thafc we considered extra, dahgetohs, and & 66hslaht ' Watch' is kept upon.them. It isagreat fal-. lacy to believe that because New York pays directly out of the city treasury twiceor thrice the sum that it paid under the old volunteer system, that the paid system is twice or thrice as expensive. ■She fire department of a city must be Sffijpported in some way, and if it is not paidlor directly out of the publio funds,. it will be paid for by the private contribu tions levied upon citizens, and by the personal sacrifices of the volunteer fire man, who gives hiß time andlabor to the public gratuitously. It is not right that , the performance of an importaut public service should fall upon the shoulders of a few, when the public at large Is bene fitted by it, and taking this view of it, there is no doubt that a paid fire depart ment in New York is nomoie expensive than a volunteer department was or would be; while it is at least certain that the cost qf its support is distributed equitably among all who are interested in its efficiency. The advantages .of having a system that is under the direct control of the proper authorities, and that is free from the demoralizing tendencies of the vol unteer system, have been so often and so fully discussed that it is not necessary to dilate upon that branch of the subject at this time. NEW PUBLICATIONS. “ The History of By berry and Moreland ” is the title of a neat volnnie jnst published by T* Elwood Zell, Nos. 17 and 19 Sonth Sixth street. The work seems to have been “ a labor of love” with Us author, Dr. Jo seph C. Martindale/who gives us a very in teresting history of a very interesting por tion of the territory now embraced within the city limitsof Philadelphia. Dr. Martin dale gives ns a sketch of the locality from its earliest eettlement, furnishes biographical sketches of well-known families, telis us amusing anecdotes of the people, past and present; copies canons old records, and, in short, has written a book that is as readable as it ia.a valuable contribution to our local history. As an edition of only three hun dred and fifty copies has been printed, the work will have an additional attraction to i olleotors. “ Breathings of a Better Life” is the title of a beautifully-printed little volume, just issued by Ticknor -tf,4p} SEVENTH and CHESTNUT. STATIONERY— LETTERS, CAP AND NOTE PAPERS. ENVELOPES, BLANK BOOKS, and every requisite in the Stationery line, selling at the lowest figures at J. B. DOWNING’S Stationer? Store, malZ-tfirpt Eighth street, two doors above Walnut. JOHN CBDMP. BUILDER, 1781 CHESTNUT. STREET, and 213 LODGE STREET. Mechanics of every branch required for housebulld. ing and fitting promptly furnished, , ]y23-Bmrp SAMUEL W. LBINAU,;No. 11l Bonth SEVENTH street, Philadelphia. PLUMBER, GAS »nd -TEAM FITTER, work done promptly aad In the best manner. Pumps, Gas fixtures, and aU material used In the business furnished, ooU-Smlp} Nf EWSPAPEB VERTIBING.-JOY, COE AOO N. E. & CHESTNUT Streets Philadelphia, ai#'TRIBUNE BUILDINGS, New York, are agents for the Bot.lbtik and fbr the News papers of the whole country, Jyl7-Bmrp| JOY. COE A 00. 600 . LADIES 6OO. Call and see The best assortment and latest styles Steel Skates, ROfalß’S CLIPPERS. SHIRLEY'S SKATES. - - GRIFFITH THB HBUDAY HAT. AS THEO. H M'OAIiLA, JEB HAT AND CAP EMPORIUM, 804 OHBBTETPT STBBJfIT. deiaimg gßt WAEBUBTON, , Jw FASHIONABLE HATTEB, " 90m *& 430 Chestnnt street, Bei3-ly.4p? Next door to Post office. Light colobs kid glovfs, foe bvenlkg WISaE GtO.YT. VOGBL. Ko. 1018 chestnut street, has Id stock a good assortment of Light Dolors £ld Gloves, for evenlrg wear, slz<*s from 5)4 to 8. Gen- Ueroeii who wear Ladles’ sizes Gloves, will find some beautiful shades. In sizes from 7 to 8, Also, a line of Hisses’ Light Colors Kid Gloves. de2B-6trp* Killey’s Grand North Ammcaa Kelley’s Grand North American Kelley’s Grand Horth American TIME FIXED TO AWARD THE PREMIUMS, WASHINGTON AVENUE RINK, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26.1867. SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1867. •' \ SATURDAY, JANUARY 26. 1867 this is the greatest distribution and THE MOST SUCCESSFUL EHTKRPRISE OF TAB KIHD EVER IN AUGUR AT AD IN THE WORLD. sf 250,000 VAU ABLE PRIZES, 250,000 VALUABLE PRIZES, 250,000 VALU ABLE PRIZES, 250,000 VALHABLEFEIZES, 250,000 VALUABLE PRIZE* , 220,000 VALUABLE PHIZES, Valued at Haifa Billion Dollars, Valued at Half a Billion Dollars, Valued at Haifa Billion Dollars, Valued at Half a Billion Dollars, Valued at Half a Billion Dollars. Valued at Half a Billion Dollars. Including 8100,000 in Greenbacks. Including 8100,000 In Greenbacks. Including 8100 000 In Greenbacks. Including 8100,000 In Greenbacks. Including sioo.ooo In Greenbacks. Including $lOO,OOO In Greenbacks. - $5 SPECIAL PiOTICE 10 THE PEOPLE. The proprietors of this grand enterprlae'have great pleasure m being able to inform the subscribers' to their tx ncm that it is now an assured success. Oat of Soo.bie Ucketß issued, only 93.200 remain unsold. The proprietors do not wish to bold a single ticket when, the concert takes place, as it might create dissatlsfao Hon among cur patrons, and thereforehave been com* ptUfO to extend the time to JaNUABY 25, i&er. when it will positively take place without any further post* ponemett. For fifteen years we have been engaged In the gift business and we point with pride to the reputation we have won for honesty and integr’ty. Many of the pro minent citizens of Chicago will bear witness to the statement that we have never made any promise to the public that we have not sacredly faitilled; and we reftrto the leading baakere aad merchants of New York, Philadelphia, Bos.on and Chicago, fof our char acter ier lair dealing. In spite oi all opposition and every obstacle.we ahati pn.vetothe public that the North American Prize col cert w 111 be conducted honorably, and all >he Prizes advertised will be distributed Jaixiy, Impartially, and without reserve, Arrangements for the drawing are completed. Th cLtcksSt u.Ogu in number. are ready. The plan of drawing adopted is the following D uplicate numbers from Ito 500,000, are placed In a wheel; the fust number drawn out tskesthe highest pnze, th* next the stccku highest prize, and so on until the whole 2£e,oto prizes are drawn. We advhe all partUs warning tickets 10 send for them at once. All orders tor tickets will be promptly filled. DUMBER OF TICKETS ISSUED. 500,000. PRICE |l FACH. EVJRY OTHER TICKET DRAWS A PRIZE. EVERY OTHER TICKET DRAWS A PRIZE. AVIthYOThUR TICKET DRAWS A PR.ZE. EVERY OTHER TICKET DRAWS A PRIZE. 1 GUt In GreeubatAs 4SOOU). 1 Gut inbr* tnbACks. ?lu ecu. i Gut in Greet backs, f&oco. l Gift in Greetbucke.H'-vO. ikm in Greenbatkß,t3iCo. - l Gilt in Greenbacks, 11,000. 10 Gilts in Greenbacks sitoo 520:000. au Gilts is Greenbacks. o eacn $lO ooc. 20 i-ilts In Greenbacks |loo each, 52 000, w> GUIs m Greenbacks, |5O each, sl,ooo. tno Gilts in Greenbacks, 510 each, 58.000. 1,1 ou Gifts in Greenbacks. 55 each. |5,Q00. 1 Residence in Chicago, 55 000. .( Dots in Chicago fwo each 55,000. 40 t ianoa |HO each, to, hitlod£ous\ |lsu each |3,<00. Ko Family Bibies, 520 each, |2,G00. 2to Gold Watches, 5150 each. lmu Gold Watches, lioo each,520,0.0, •jig silver Watches, SSS each, 512,000, 3 u silver Watches. 540 each, 51# .000. 1, (xo beta Silver plated Tt&spoo" s, |3 each, $3,000. + 1. Silver-plated call hells,|3each, 530:*. l.oco silver plated Fruit Knives, 52 each, 52,000. 1,000 Geld Pecs in boxes, |2e&ch, 12.000 •Liao Photograph Albums $6 each fIu.GOO. 2, Gold Pens and Holders, |5 each, $lO,OOO, 2.<00 Gold Rings- 53 each. 56,000. 1,000 Gold-lined Goblets, |3 each, 53.000. l.tco BiX'bladed Knifes, 54 50 eacn, 54,503. l.txo Fine Lidies Purees, sseacn, f 5 000. " 9,2u0 Books and Steel Engravings, 51 to |2 each, s{£»- : 45?; 13d u 43 large Steel Engravings. 51 eacb, 1139.643. Ti.c distribution win take place after the concert, where 20,010 persons can witness it a committee will be appointed by tieket holders to take charge of the same, -all agents and purchasers will be supplied with a correct list of the awards as soon as published, Price of tickets, $1 each. Sent by mail on receipt of price and 3 cent stamp for retain postage, - EVERY OTHER TICKET DRAWS A PRIZE. Any party procuring a club of five or more names for tickets, and sending us the money for the same, will be allowed the lollowlng commission. We will send— . . „ • 5 tickets to one address f0r..... 4 go lu tickets to cne address f0r.....~. 000 2u tickets to one address for 17 so Send the name of each subscriber and taeir Post t'ffioe address, with town, couuty and state la fall. Alexey by draft; post office order, express, or in regia* tered letters, may he sent at our risk. - Trctn Chicago limes. Korts American Prize Concert.— Among the that gilt enterprises ever commenced m Chicago was that id Messrs a. A.-Kelley «fe. Co., which has been perpetual lor more than three-years past, and has given thQmostperfect&atisiactioh.if we are to Judge oy the extensive patronage accorded it. They are tne proprietors of tne “Korth American Prize Concert,” uow so extensively advertised in this and other papers siul endorsed by some ot the best business firms in this country. From wtiat we know of Mr. Kelley, wo are positive that he wll», "in the future as in the past,” oeallairiy and honorably with all who take stock in his enterprise, FVom the Chiag&Jouznal. tcv-t-t.tcv & Co.’s Gift Enterprise,— The first fo embark in the Elttenteiprlse'busmess in Chicago was the firm of A a. Beley