PBffISS, ~ I)Alij y (SUNDAYS EXCEPTED) - «Y JOHN W. POBNJKT. „ * n t BOOTH FOtJBTH STBXET. 5f fjOA BU ' ; ■—- ■riiE DAihT puma, a t-orlben. 1« Tbs Boilaks F*k Assail, la 'C lif Twbsts Basra P*a WBSB. parabfe to H» J " vailed to Snkiorlkora out of ttw citr. Askoms Foou Doi.lam abb Fon lV° V ' MOSTBS! TWO BOM.ABB ABB TwHUTT "‘(MbTbbbbHobim. IaTMIaWT la kdTMn s£um«» taortod *t tho mmol rato«. * “ K *BI .WEBKIT PRESS, FitbDOBIAM Paa Asbom.lh the holidays. ‘$T FOB A LADY, A GIFT FOR A WIFE, A GIFT FOB A SISTER, A GIFT FOR A FAMILY. |gl t aufel HOLIDAY PRBSKNT that «a be “FIiOKENOE.” «jAtr INVESTOR'S ORKAT TRIUMPH. BKWISG MACHINE PBBFICIKD l MDcttoat la otlsr HmUsm n« orareome la ,BBfiOS. It make* J.QOH DIFFERENT STITCHES „ am ea«a. and with as little machinery a* " t4onSl Besides, it baa (Jut keveksibi-e feed motion, wlf-raialatln* temlon of thread, and no „ heels, or earns to (at oat of older. It doe* HKDS OP FAMILY-SE-WTHtly wieet woolen* to the most delicate fabrics, of silk, cotton, and linen thread, from IKK HACHIKS does so largo a nags ol work jKKSCE. , ISB KAOBIKB pleaeestte ladles so Well es 'ECS. V •' ?HS HANDSOMEST AMD THBBBSTJ , O SS THOUSAtro of the WMBKifOBheT* ii, T^KuNlpMaWiiihtoUMlari few month*. t JJJSOK isthe only PKBPBOT FAJIILT BBW- ' "JlKIi warranted to dva entire aatinfactlon, ■ retained. There fend on* who own* a' \ that w*oMb<*®M». tttnori. jj;Dt OPBEATORB five initrnction* at the psnlwH bee of charge. Eyery Maohine (, asd kept in perfect order.for one you. ire It* operation* i whetharyon.wlah to pcur* ,!. Sample* of eowlnc, with price lirt, aont res sewing machete co., Clxoetnxxt Street. SILK LAP IE 8. tniBIfEIXAS GENTLEMEN. VGHAJRj: 17IICBKZIC ™ * stall, by SDEHLJBK, ” 'ss&r SEW .I. ? *p£ffkSi Apples, ; il? « th« in^ Ai ? loadB i wd w» sweet 5 i by 6 tow «t market rates* by the ¥OL. 8.-KQ. 125. pKEBINTB - , FOB THE HOLIDAYS. Hanr Briloles, Onmmontal as -well as Useful, i». eluding ? - - OBNiHENTS, , MATCH AND OIOAB-HOLDERS, INKSTANDS, V PORCELADr MIfTERNS, FLEXIBLE DROP-LfGHT, ■With Figures and other Stands, No., io. WAEKEB, MISKEI, & MERRILL MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS, deM lOt 7XB CHESTNUT Street. QHKI9TMAS PRESENTS v FOK GENTLEMB3V. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OP SCARFS, CURVES. TRAVELLING SHIRTS, SUSPENDERS, MUFFLERS, ' :,v • hdkfs,, *( And 6T6iT ; de«orlptloa df - « Gentlemen’s"' furnishing «6od», SUITABLE FOR PRESENTS. LINFORD LUKENS, dcM-tf N. W. toi, SIXTH and CHESTNUT, ESTABLISHED IN 1812. HOLIDAY PRESENTS. WM. WILSON &-SON,.- S. W. Cor. lIFTH and CHERRY Streets, PHILADELPHIA, Hats on Band alaigeand xeneral assortment of \ SILVER WARE, Ofotor ows manufacture. of tlis finest quality. sad highest standard of SUrer. ALSO, PLATED WARE. A lugs and general assortment of superior Plated Ware, Ac. ' 4 OLD SILVER bonght and taken In exchange. Higl ost prices given, ' del2-18t .ELLLAS LADOMUS, DIAMOND BRAKES AND JEWELER, ; N0.'803 CHESTNUT [STREET,’ . Has on hand a largo and splendid assortment of DIAMOND JEWELRY, 7 SUITABLE FOR HOLIDAY PRESENTS. . Also, a beantUhl assortment of-- Gold and Silver Watches, Jewelry, . W. CLASS, Has nowon hand a vary larga Btock of j_ - WA HE jiWEIET. and _ „ BELTER-PLATED WARE, Selected expressly for the coming HOLIDAY TRADE, Which'hre being sold at extraordinarily low prices, we have’alarge stock of the following goods: Gold Watches, Silver'Watches, Ladies 1 Watches, Gents* Watches* Boys l Watches, American Watches. English Watches, Swiss Watches, , Gold Vest Chains, Gold Chatelaine Chains, Gold Beck Chains; Gold Pencil Cases* Gold Pens, Gold Toothpick*, - Gold Thimbles* Gold Armlets* Gold Bosom studs* Gold Sleeto Buttons, Gold Watch Keys, Gold Fins, Gents , Gold Fins, Ladies » Gold Pins, Misses’, Gold Pins, Chatelaine, „ Gold Bar Bings, Gold. Finger Kings* * Gold Scarf Pins, Gold Bracelets, s - Gold Lockets, Gold Charms* Gold Watch Hooks, Silver Thimbles, ■, Silver Napkin Bings* HSilver Fruit Knives, Silver Fob Chains* Silver Vest Chains. SILVER-PLATED WARE* Plated on genuine Albata metal, „ and warranted; Tea Sets* Cake Baskets, Fruit Baskets, f >. Card Receivers, Butter Dishes, Syrup Pitchers, Sugar Dishes, Breakfast Castors, Dinner Casters, / Pickle Castors, Spoon Holders, Walters,. Urns, Salt Stands, Goblets, \ Napkin Rings, Fish Knives, Fie Knives* Ice Cream Knives* Cake Knives, • Crumb Knives, Children’s Knives, . Children’s Forks, Children’s Spoons* Oyster Ladles, Soup Ladles, Table and Dessert Spoons* Tea, &ngar, and Salt Spoons, ~ Tea and Dinner Forks. „ , , PLATED JBWRLBY, Wahava on hand a large lot of fine plated Jewelry. Which we are closing out at cost prices to make loom for other goods. Those wishing goods in our line would do well to call and examine our stock before purchas ing. All goods warranted, as recommended. D. W. CLARK, . 6018 CHEST, 0T Street. N, B. —Watches and Jewelry carefully Repaired by experienced workmen, aud warranted. no!9- swtde!7&dBt L Ij t STREET, ’fln« American and 'SS, : , WARE. K HOLIDAY AUL, „ :XTfl Street. pHRISTMAS PRESENTS.—SUITA VJ BLE PRESENTS to a Deaf friend are tie Instru ments to assist the hearing. Also, superior Razor strops. Pea and Pocket-Knives, Scissors, Ac. Also, Ladies’ Scissor Cases, of the finest quality, atP. MA DEIRA’S, 113 South TENTH Street, below Chestnut. del2-12t . , VMAS.— THE BEST CHRISTMAS .present gentlemen can make to their ladyftiends is some meful article of Furniture, such as au-Escritoire* With Music Stand, Reception, or Rocking Chair. Piano Stool, Marble Top Table. &c.; all of which may be had, Streets. deU-tjal JACOB LADOMUS, 618 MARKET STREET, BEAUTIFUL HOLIDAY PRESENTS, ' GQLD AND SILYER WATCHES, ' SETS OF FINE GOLD JEWELRY, DIAMOND RINGS, SILYER AND SILVER. PLATED WARE, All of which will be sold at the lowest' prices, and warranted to be as represented. • 618 MARKET STREET, deZl-lOt Comer DECATURi HENRY HARPER, 590 ARCH STREET. Has a handsome stock of WATCHES, 'FINE JEWELRY, SILYER-PLATED WARE, Ana FANCY SOLID SILVER WABB, suitable for BRIDAL and HOLIDAY PRESENTS. de2B Bt» JS FINE watches, jewelry, SILYER AND PLATED WARE, CORNER ARCH AND TENTH STREETS. Brooches, Sleeve Buttons, Armlets. Bracelets, Bsaif Pine and Rings, fTea Set*, lee Pltohere, Waiters, Goblets, Forks. . Spoons, Ike. 49T Watches repaired, and Warranted. Old Hold. Diamonds, and Silver bought. nofiO-am HARRISON JARDBN.^ THE HOLIDAYS. 608 CHESTNUT STREET, the holidays. THDIA BtCARFS, A- IN GREAT VARIETY. J. M. HAFLEIQH, , 903 CHESTNUT STREET. • LACES. LACE COLLARS, LAO* SETS. DUCHESS COLLARS, EMPRESS COLLARS, QUEEN ’MARY COLLARS. At Low Prices. J. M. HAFLBIOH, 903 CHESTNUT STREET. xcßtJßitonFxnams. BMBROIBEBBB COLLARS, *• EMBROIDERED ’SETS. EMBROIDERBD'SLBeVeS, TRIMMED SETS, Cheap, by J. M. HAFLEIGH, 903 CHESTNUT BTREST. HANDKERCHIEFS. EMBRQIDBRBD HANDKERCHIEFS, HEMMED HANDKERCHIEFS, LACE HANDKERCHIEFS. TRIMMED HANDKERCHIEFS. J. M. HAFLEIGBC, 903 CHESTNUT STREET. HOSIERY, A FULL ASSORTMENT. WLOV3ES - IN GREAT VARIETY. 903 CHESTNUT STREET. EVENING DRESSES. Latest Novelties just received from Paris, by J. M. HAFLEIGH, 9b3 CHESTNUT STREET. SILKS. ' • ' MOIRE-ANTIQUES, . . .DRESS GOODS, . " FRENCH CHINTZES, So. All the above at Low Prices for Ihe HOLIDAYS. J. M. HAFLEIGH, deM-mwftf ■ 903 CHESTNUT STREET. SIMPSON’S BOMS, Nos. 933 AND 934 PINE STREET, WILI OP BN FROM NEW YORK AUCTIONS, ' Several Lots of * EMBROIDERED CURTAIN MUSLINS. Also, 60 Pairs Vory Rich LACE. . CCBTAINS. LACE CUETAINS*FBOM »14 TO $6O PER PAIR. These Goods are offered much lower than the Original Coßt of Importation. . The above goods will prove useful and appropriate FOR PRESENTS. T. SIMPSON’S SONS, de22-3t Nob. 923 and 93* FIB'S Street H OLIBAY GIFTS. / CLOSING OUT FALL AM) WINTER STOCK. JOHN W. THOMAS, 405 AND 407 NORTH SECOND STREET, Would call the .attention of the public to his splendid stock of PALL AMD WINTER DRY GOODS, . Comprising a full line of every variety FANCY AND STAPLE GOODS, Suitable for useful presents. JOHN W. THOMAS, deld-lW 405 andj4o7jTorth SECOND Street. Q.OODS SUITABLE FOR PRESENTS. *jß. TO.. NEEDLES, IOQA CHESTNUT STREET, Offers for sale A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF LIKEN HANDKERCHIEFS, In all varieties, for CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY PRESENTS, At vary Low Prices. Ladies’ hemstitched Handkerchiefs, all linen, SOc, .and upwards. Men’s hem-stitched Handkerchiefs, all linen, 70c. and upwards. , Children’s hem-stitched Handkerchiefs, all linen, 25c and upwards. Plain Bandkerchiefs, all linen, 20c, and upwards. Lace Handkerchiefs, $3 to $5O. Embroidered Handkerchiefs, $1 to $lO. Men’s, Women’s, and Children’s Handkerchiefs, all kinds, and at prices very much below the present gold basis. ALSO* LAGS GOODS, EMBROIDERIES, and WHITE GOODS _ Of ail kinds, suitable for Presents, at del4-12t “VERY LOW PRICES.” JJOLIDAY PRESENTS FOR GENTLEMEN, A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT-OF GENTLEMEN’S FURNISHING GOODS, SUITABLE FOE HOLIDAY FRBSBNTS. J.W. SOOTT & CO., . de7-18t ' - Sl* CHESTNUT Street. Q.ENTLEMEN’B WRAPPERS! I JOHN C. ABBISON, ’ Nos. i ana a north sixth street, I, now offering an elegant and extensive variety of fiESILEMEN S WRAPPERS, SCARFS, NEOK-TIES, MUFFLERS, GLOVES, HANDKERCHIEFS, SUSPENDERS, to., SUITABLE FOB • CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. . deB-tja3 ; - - ~~ ■JJSEFUL CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. Embroidered Piano and Meloieoa Coveys. Table and Stand Covers ■ Blankets, Quilts, Chamber Towels. Napkins, Doylies, Bath Towels. Cotton Sheetings, Tillowand Bolster Linens. Damask Table Clothe from 2to 7 yard s lonic. Table, Diaptr, and Damask, by the yard. - Table Napkins, (all qualities). Doylies. Table Covers and Table Covering by the yard. A tißp, Lace and Embroidered Collars, Sets, Sleeves. Linen Cambric Handkerchiefs, in every variety. Silk Handkerchiefs for Gentlemen and Children. The largest assortment to be found in the city. For sale by SHEPPARD, YAK HARBINGER. & ARRISON, deSl-3t ISo. 1008 GKE*TNOT Street. pHRISTMAS DOT GOODS. V F erinoes reduced for Christmas. Poplins reduced for Christinas. Shawls reduced tor Christmas. Delaines reduced for Christmas. Calicoes reduced for Christmas. Balmorals reduced for XhrtetmM. Gloves and Hosiery reduced for Christmas* ftiifr Handkerchiefs reduced for Christmas. Linen Handkerchiefs reduced for Christmas. Cali and examina-no trouble jo rtow^oods^^ delS-tt No. 703 ARCH Street, BARGAINS! CLOSING OUT ! BAR o-*GAJBS!I STOCK TO BE SOLD BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1865. omTß aa s ol ir siCBS ' .v«yvariety^taMef feBßHTg > Handsome Silks at low prices. Silks of all kinds at low prices. Plain Mertnoes and Poplins. ■ _ „ RICH PLAID POPLIITS dDresa Goods of ail kinds at lowurices. BROCHB ABTD WOOLEN SHAWLS. Linen Hdkfs, Lace Collars. French and Cambric Lace Yells. _ H. STEEL & SON, Aeß Hos. TIE and 715 North TEETH Street. Tt/TEDIUM-PRICE ALA’ DRESS GOODS FOR HOLIDAY GIFTS: Mousseline Delaines* „45 Saxony Plaid** .......50 Do. do....»••*♦»•*«♦*••»« •....*-••.,,•60 Do. do******-*****-**-******* ♦*••**♦**»**».,..7o ClodngoutD,. B .Oood fc at i)pEi - CURWEN BTODBART & BROTHER, - 450, 458, and 454 North SECOND Street. d«22-3t ahova Willow. HOLIDAY CONFECTIONS. JJARB AND FASHIONABLE CONFECTIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS, * IN NEAT BOXES, SUITABLE FOR PRESENTS- FAMILY USE, FRESH EVERYDAY, E. LG. WHITMAN needlessly made prominent. The fault of modern elocution is the endeavor to . make every word tell. For our own part, we are confident that by general attention to the leading principles laid down by Irish Walker and explained by American Culver,- asy educated, intelligent person can read distlnctly, effectively and pleasingly, without regarding all the rules and sub-rules of ■ the teacher. He who understands what he reads, and is not alarmed at hearing his own voice, oan scarcely fail to read .well. Mr, Culver’s selections, as exercises, In Fart It, are very good. Ho would Increase the value of hlßbookby.glvlng the names, in each instance, of tho authors from whom he quotes. ‘ “ Eastern Tates,” by W. G. Caldolemgh, author of the Branch and other Poems, Is published by Mr. James Ghallen & Son, Chestnut street. It con tains twenty stories of the wild and wonderful, well calculated to delight children, to whom no ad ventures pan be too surprising. Some of these tales have the true Oriental flavor, and the volume ought to sell. “ Arctlo Eesearoiies and Life Among the Esqui maux,” by Charles Francis Hall, Is a comely ocfcavo, of six hundred pages, with maps and one hundred fine engravings after sketches by the author, photo graphs, and from implgpients and clothing collected among the Esquimaux. Believing it possible that some of the one hundred and five of Sir John Frank lin’s men, known ‘to have been living, on the 25fch April, 1848, are yet among the Esquimaux, and feel ing that, if so, they ought to be sought out and brought back to their homes, Mr. Hall conceived the idea of goiqg to look for them, and began to move in the matter early* in isoo. He came eastward from Cincinnati, interested the truly liberal Mr. Henry G-rinnell, of New York, and others in his plan, and, having obtained subscriptions to cover the cost, he galled from New London, on May 29th, 1860, in'the bark George Henry, attended by the far-famed Res. cue, of Arctic celebrity, as a tender* The volume before-us, giving a full account of the expo-, dltion,. which was two years and three months ■ and. a half absent, is compiled by Mr* Hall from his “ rough and ready journals,” as he calls them, written on the spot. Their authenticity is therefore undoubted, and their interest not sur passed even by Doctor Kane’s own diaries and memoranda. Six months ago, (his preface ls.dated “June3o,/-1864, on board bark Montloello, bound for th® Arctic Regions,”) Mr, Hall wascn hirway back to’the Esquimaux, whose language he can now' Speak, determined to live two or three years among them* On the expedition, though Mr. Hall wept to and even beyond the places know& to have been visited by Franklin, he did not ascertain that any of th. 6 Franklin men survived, but, having'picked up a tradition among the Esquimaux that, very many years ago, some white men built a ship in one of the islands of Frobisher Bay, ha followed up the idea, and found iron, coal, worked timber, bricks, tiles, pottery, chipß, wood-charcoal, glass, cord, and other relics of Martin Frobisher’s visits— i6 1576,15.77, and 1578—in quest of gold. These re lics of an early British explorer are now in the Museum at Greenwich Hospital, London, where the Franklin relics are also deposited. The tenacity with which, for nearly 300 years, the Esquimaux preserved their traditions of Frobisher, now proved tb be correct, holds out the hope, Mr. 'Hall thinks, “thatamong them fiaay be sought, by one compe tent, with every chance of success, the sad history of Sir John Franklin’s men,” We may add that Mr, Hall, living much among the Esquimaux or Innuits for nearly two years, has given the best account yet published of their manners, habits, cus toms, sports, superstitions, and domestic life. “ Queens ofSong,” by Ellen Grealhorne Clayton, is abroad Bvo, volume of 643 pages, giving anecdbtiU memoirs of forty-two leading female voealisfcs, who have performed on the lyric stage from the year 1703 to the present time, 1, e.; from Katherine Tofts and'Margarita de l’Epine to Piccolomlnl, Louisa Fyne, and Tereßa Tiefjens. It Is to great singers what Dr. Doran’s “Annals of the Stage” is to English performers—-with this exception, that his dramatic heroes and heroines are exclusively Bri tish, whereas most of Mrs, Clayton’s nightingales sang in Italy, France, and Germany before ap pearing in England. A great deal of incidental opera 'history is given in these memoirs of the Queens of Song, and the book will Interest all who axtfTond of operatic performances. The life of Gar cia Malibran here Is a model of miniature biogra phy. The book is enriched with portraits, on* grayed on wood with wonderful and effective deli cacy, of Mis. Bellington, and Mesdames Pasta, Sontag, Garcia Malibran, Gnilia Grist, Clara No-, veilo, Vlardot Garcia, Marietta Alboni, Lind Gold schmidt, and Marietta Piccolomlnl, A chronolo gical list of operas, from 1673 to 1863, an alphabeti cal list of dramatic composers not pre-eminent as operaticr writers, and an Index, which might advan tageously have been more copious, suitably con clude this attractive volume* The December numbers of that fine work, “ Harper’s Pictorial History of the Great Re bellion,” have just appeared. The engravings are good, and. the narrative full and. clear, without difuseness. s The Sixteenth Congressional District— Opin ioxr of Attorney General Meredith. Tbe following opinion of the Attorney General of this State on the Contested Election In the Slxteentli Congressional District is an Important and interest* ing document:. * . • Tvropapere, purportiii g to he ret turns of the recent election in the sixteenth Congressional District, hare been sent to the Secietary of the Commonwealth. The district is composed of . the five counties of Adame, Franklin, Fulton, Bedford, and Somerset. One of these papers is signed by lour persons—viz: Messrs Mann, of Bedford county; Laker, of Franklin; Winter,’of Fat ten, and Diehl, of Adams, styling themselves a majo rity of the return judges Elected by the several hoards of the return judges of the above named counties; and the paper goes onto state that they examined and count ed the votes cast for Congress in. the dletrioc* and that Mess; s, Coftreth and Koontz had each a specified num ber of-votes in the respective counties jyt Adams, Bed ford, Franklin, and Fuiton, and that Mr. Coffroth hav ing a majority of all the votes cast as counted before the board, is declared duly and legally elected. It is farther stated in the paper that. Somerset was not represented hr a judge, or otherwise, in the board, and that notice of the time at d place ofmeetiog was givedsto the return indite elected from bomerset; who was in the borough of Chamberßburg (whero'the meeting was held) on the day of meeting. - - , „ The oiherpaperis signed by five persons, viz: Messrs. Will, of &om«eefc county ; Cart, of Adams; Wilhelm, of Franklin; Winter, of Fulton; and Feck, of Bedford; mj ling ibtmselves as being appointed return judges of the election held in the several counties composing the Sixteenth CongieasionaVdistrict, viz: Adams. Bedford, Franklin, Fuli.cn, and Somerset. The paper goes on to state that having carefully examined the returns of the said several districts, and added together the votes therein contained, according to law, they certify that Messrs; Kconfcz and coffroth had. each a specified num ber < f votes in the respective counties of Adaois, Bed ford, Franklin,' Fulton, and Somerset, anddeclare that Mr. Kocutz having received the greatest nombec of .legal votes is duly’elected. Both the bodies claiming to be district'return judges met on the day and at the place fixed by law. . The respective candidates having requested a near ing, were beard by taemselves and counsel, and. evi dence was received on the question. Who were the re turn judges of the district? This evidence left no ma terial qaestion or fact in doubt, and tte result may be briefly stated thru: Mr. Wills was the regularly se lected district return judge for Somerset, and Mr. Win ter fox Fulton, All the signers of the respective papers were among the county return judges of their respective counties. Meters. Diehl, of Adams, and Mans, of Bed ford. were selected as district return judg*sJ)y the ma jority of the return judges of tbeir respective couciies, alter theJuninorliy had withdrawn in consequence of diseatiefaetton. with the proceedings of the maj-.rlty. Messrs. Cart, of Adams, and Feck, of Bedford, were selected as district return judges by the minority of the return judges of their respective counties, after ths with dr&waf u.bovefita'ed. Mr. Wilhelm, of Franklin, was selected as district return judge by the return j edges of that county, at their first meeting, and, of couree, be fore thgisoldiers* veto had been counted. Hr. Laker, of the same coumy, was selected, by tbe return judgesof the cou> ty* at their last meeting, and after the soldiers’ vote had been counted. At that meeting, upon tbe suggestion of one of tbe clerks. Mr. Wilhelm, wbo was president of tbe board, stated that he had been informed that the'selection of a district return judge, before all the votes hi d been counted,' wt a illegal, upon which amotion was made and carried to proceed to a selection. Tbe vote was taken, and Mr. Laker had a xn&jozity, and the returns were accordingly placed-in. his charge. Mr. Wilhelm was nominated, put bad.not a majority. He never resigned tbe appointment which had aiieeoy been made, but, no doubt, under the im pression that inch appointment was illegal, he put the question on proceeding to a new sele.tion, announced tbe mult, and at president signed a certificate, under seal, of Mr. laker’s selection as a district return judge. Os this state of fact** the Governor has requested my opinion on the question. Which of the two candidates ought to be proclaimed bv him as having been returned as elected? . In a recent opinion X have stated iny reasons, which .need sot be herd recapitulated, for arriving at the 'con clusion tbartbe Governor has no right to go behind the returns for the purpose of inquiring into their correct neFS-'fchat-hU foaetions in regard to them are Dtrictly mliilsteiial. In the rresent instance it happen (it la.bslieYed for the flret Um#>, • clairami to Ik of district return jadgesg pxe eent style returns of ike election. The (governor is of eonzae oompelled to endeavor to as< certaJn. Dj suoli evidence as can be bad, which of: these papers is .signed-by; the lawful district return jadgea, - job t asi every ministerial officer is bound to satisfy him self of the authenticity of an official paper, on which he is reaniredto aet.‘ It is well established that (unless otherwise expressly provided) an, authority of a. public uatuTOi conferred on three or jointly, maybe exechtddbya majority at a meeting lawfully held, and of which all have bad. lei&i notice, and thafc the. meeting and pro* ceedxngs of. sach a body are presumed to be.regular, in the absence of proof to the contrary. JBnt a minority of suen abo£y cannot, hy.irtthdrfiwing (for whatever reaspn) from the majority and proceeding to act inde pendently, vest In themeelves ftie* authority ’which the law Las conferred on the whole ghd permits to be ex* ercised by a majority as above stated. The general election law of 18S3 provides that when two .or more, counties -shall compose a district for the choice of a member of Congress, the judges of the elec tion in each toovlfy having met the clems shall make out a fair statement *o£. su the votes which shall have been, given at -Inch, election, which shall be signed by said judges and attestedby the olerks. and; that one of the said jndges.shall take charge of such eertifieak, and shall produce the same' at a meeting of onejndge from eaca county. Keeping in view the principles above stated, which are of universal acceptation,the minorities of the judges is Adams and Bedford bad plainly no authority to ap point clerks, or cause votes to be added up, or returns to be made out, ot,Uu fine, to perform any of the func tions of the body of county judges of the election. The conclusion is ineyUabie that Messrs. Cart of Adams and '£eek os Bedford; who clamed to act as judges from these qountfes at the .meeting of one judge from each county, and present returns made and signed by snch minorities, were not entitled so to act, nor could the •returns wblch presented bb legally received. . TheJaw,ashasbeenBeen,require*thatthecertiftcate, . haying been madejout by the clerks, shall be signed by the county judgeaof the election., It is, of course, in the poss** cast up the several coumy returns, and duplicate retui ns of the votes riven;'for the office in the district “and or,the name or theperson elected ." Instead of doing this, they omitted to count the vote Somerset, appa rently by reason of the non-attendance of the judge from that county. .Ithas been suggested that as they bad not those retumerfhay could not count thorn, which Is very true. B % ut duplicate originals were accessible in the office of tbo of Somerset county,-and ip , was their dutytrif necessary, to refer to them. They coulduot, of bourse, have obtained them on the same day,-bus though tfcelaw fixes the day of'their meeting, - IVwasperfectly legal for them to adjourn if the husi- epuld uot be completed in one day, and I think it waa Tuidoubtedly their dntyto do so. That the non- of adjudge should be held to Infer the dis franchisement of the county from which he comes, when duplicate originals of the returns which he failed to produce were*easily attainable by a short ; delay, would be intolerable. - The act of 1889 provides that the judges shall make returns of V ail the votes given for such office in said district, and of the name of the person or persons elect ed;” and further provides that it shall be the duty of the Governor, otfthe receipfr of the the elec tion as *‘fco declare hy proclamation the "Sgmes persons so returned as elected in the re spective mstrict'’ ’—that is to say,-returned as elected in a retnrn which also purports to return all the votes given for the offlcO in the district. The paper in question does not purport to return all the votes given for she office iu the district. It shows oh its face that thdvote of one countyin the district was , not and'therefore that the judges had not be fore.them the mi ans of knowing who was elected; and. indeed, the return substantially is, that Hr. Coffroth had a majority Vof all the votes cast as counted before the board, (that is to say, of the votes in four out of five counties which composed the district,) and there fore is duly elected. This return is so essentially defeo* tive fcha; I. con’ceiye it jto be no return .at ail, aud am of . mation votes Into the couaty retuxhsthui the county judges of election had to put them out, or to: treat as valid the acts of a seceding minority of the ebunty judges of election, than he would have to treat at tpe act of the House a n bill emanating from a sfmilar ffscerfing minority of that body. His duty is. nst 'to* lend himself to revolutionary action of any kind. >Be oa to preserve order, not to abet con fusion. .. He 1% to obey the act of Assembly, and as no - -returns have feen prosanted such as that act authorizes vhf&'tp baseinsproclamation upon, I qm of opinion that hs lsa&iioa»Es.l«buree.'bTit to state that fact as his rea son for jwft. me daring the ‘name of any parson to have elected in the 16th uongressicnal .■■ • Surrounded hy the contagious unrest of augry and * excited and often- forced, amid suciTsnr rouiding, to act promptly on questions of the most diffi cult and delicate character, itmay aupsar to reqaird some moral firmness in the Executive Magistrate to avoid being swept beyond the limits of his appropriate - sphere. r * n ßut it ii to be recollected that we have a popular Go vernment, and in such times ae thete. public coafi decce, important to ev«ry Government, is essential to ours.. * It appears to me that he must be.the boldest of men, -who. being at the head of the Government of any one of ©ur Slates at this .crisis, should have the courage to r befeqble andvacfilaiii g, -regardless oflaw, partial iu ■ his judgments, usurping iu his practice, and guided by meiely personal feelings or personal influence, thus loosening the structuzeof out political fabric, and ex posing its very foundations to evacuation. On the other band, I should esteem him to be fortu nate, who,bin such a position, rising to the level of the occasion, should leave below him all the.tur&s of ordi nary politics, should preserve his own-calmness during thehstcrxne that are reglng, not ae lacking emotion, but rb feeling that upon his calmness may depend thepublie safety; who shotild combine a thoroughly active, en ergetic and loyal administration of affairs, with open fairness and equity to. all, obey himself-the law to Which be. enforces the obedience of others, compel tbe trust of'the honest and truth-loving masses of all par lies in his vigor, justice, and integrity, and thus, com manding the public confidence, cause to strike daily deeper and deeper the roots of authority, ana make threatened confusion and anarchy impossible by ren dering irresistible the just power of governor nt. I should esteem him to be fortunate, bec&nse-thousrh his task would nit .be^eaay—when he should have fnl* .fijledjt be would have connected for all timeJhie own Honor withapehisfcbry ofthe salvation ofthe Republic. rw~ ■ W. M MEREDITH, : *•* ,r • - Attorney General. « Gbxebal’b Office, > Harris burg, Dec. lOih, l&frt.J ClTy COUNCILS. Both branches of Councils met yesterday afternoon. ‘"'tfEUECX BKAJSCH. A message WAs. reooived-frora the Mayor enclosing a raries or resolutions adopted by the trustees of ihe Gas works; in reference to the Hays contract for coal. The resolutions aver that the trustees are desirous of a full exanunation'intothe affairs of the trust Referred to the special committee f LOCOMOTIVES ON WILLOW BTKKBT., A communication was received from Colonel Brown, Chief of Quartermaster *s Department, ass ing permission to run. a locomotive From Broad and Prime to WiUow street wharf, in order to facilitate the transportation of forage . Mr. ZAHE (H,) introduced a bill granting suchprivi lege. Referred. a communication was received from teachers in the Girard College* calling attention to the fact that three years ago the salaries were decreased, and that since lhat time. 'While the cost of living has been increased, there has been no increaseinthe salaries. Referred to the Committee on Girard Estate, ' y CHBSTKIIT* STSBBT BRIDGE, Mr. Majojel (IT), chairmah of the special commHte& to which was referred the Mayor’s communication in reference to the Chestnut-street bridge, made a report. Itjs'stated by the committee that Mt. Motley was called beforo-the members in order to substantiate his charges in reference to the constzuciion of the bridge, and he failed to establish one fact The ordinance from Common Council authorizing a loan for the construction of the Chestnut-street bridge, was concurred in. - TEE NORTHERN LIBERTIES GAS WORKS, The ordinance frdm Common Council directing the trustees of the Philadelphia Gas Works to take posses sion ofthe northern Liberties Gas Works, and autho rizing a loam or the purpose, was concurred In. APPROPRIATION BILLS. * The ordinance making the appropriation to the De partment of Lawwfrr 1565 was concurred in. It appro priates $lB, S5O. . _ . , . The ordinance from Common Council making sun ap propriation of S7GO to the clerks and messengers of Councils* for extra services during Mi* was concur red in. The ordinance making the appropriation to the Guar dians of the Poor for 1865 was concurred iu Also, the ordinance making an appropriation of-SS,OCKMo-the Board of Health to furnish the municipal hospital. The oi dinar ce making the annual appropriation to the Departmentof City Property, was amended by increasing the item of $15,0U0 for FairmountTark to $30,(00, ana the bill, as thus amended, was concurred in. RESOLUTIONS OF THANKS. The rssdluilouß bf thanks to Professor Saunders, to H. C. Lea'and associates, and to E Spencer Miller, were concurred In. > BOUNTIES. The ordinance from Common Council, providing bounties for men enliering under the present call for soldiers, was taken up. Mr. Spbring (U,) opposed the ordinance. The ques tion had been dUcuised in tbe Finance Gommittee, after consultation with the Bounty Fund Oommissioaers f and; the members were of opinion, with ihe Commissioners, that money was being wasted by the bounty system. Mr. Gray {flow® surprised at ■ tlusopposuion from Mr. Sperring.\Be recollected well that two yeara ago, when Lee threatened the city of Philadelphia, the gen tleman was willing to appropriate any amount of money. Row, When he feels secure* be opposes boun ties. Tbe speaker paid as heavy taxes as Mr. fcnerrinf, and yet he was willing to.give his share towards par ing bounties to men who entered the service while he remained at ht fiae. This was the important hour. Our men at the front have been victorious, and should re ceive encouragement by the prompt filling up of their -depleted ranks, and thus enable the Government to 'crush the rebels. Mt. Kajheblt (0,) favored the WU Men secured by bounties are more valuable th»n those couscripted As a matter of economy it was cheaper to give bounties; for a draft would entail distress upon the families of the men drafted, and possibly it might be that more money would be required to sustain the Almshouse than is sow asked for bounties. Something bad been said about “ bounty-jumping, 1 ’ and about vagabonds get ting the money and then deserting. This was wrong; but this is Incident to all large movements. Our armies under Grant and Sherman, filled up by bounties, have thown. ;b> their valor that-.the system is not so bad as fbSfr. Dhi er (0.) urged the passage of the bill. He voted for the first bounty bill, and he would vote for the last, for he believed it to be a proper system, and the success of our arms dunng the past six months espe cially Had established the fact. . Mi. Abmstbokg (0.) would vote for the bill, because he believed that aroan who accepted a bounty,and was enabled to leave bis family in comfortable circmn siances. made a better soloier than the man who was compelled to go. M* wished to support the Govern ment. He did not . think the course of the Adminis tration conect in everything, but notwithstanding tnat_ he would always' support ihe Government. At th'd close of tne debate, which was continued at reme length, amotion to - suspend the rules to proceed to a second reading resulted in no quorum--Messrs. - Hodgson. Scoring, Freeman, and Riche refusing toan- SVAI I t A f lIAI* HA Wl At Those who voted aye Wore as follows: Messrs. Arm strong,! Cattftll, Gtenodo, Gray, Karaerly, Manurt, Mai cub, McElroy, Omerly, TJbler, Zane* and Lynd— -12. A call of the House resulted in 12 members answering «to their names. There being no quorum? there was some desu’.tor- debate, iu which thi’se who favored the ordifisnee endeavored to provail upon the four oppo nents to answer at the rou-call, and thus enable the bill to pass. Itwarfound.impossibte to secure a quo rum* and the. Chamber stood adjourned. COMMON BRANCH. Srtefcent Habpbb (U.), InAbs eheir* * ■ COMMDNIOATIONS; A coananakiUoA ww wetivei from B. t Brown, toran » looomotlTo a%d oars from Broad and Prime street! to. Willow-street wharf, for the traniportation of Government stores, Beferred to haiiroad Committee. , .A from A.Miskey, president of trus if Gaa Works, relative to a comtaunica tio&oflbe Mayor, was received and read, *^ c^s«s!f a V on froni the Mayor* on the same sub* The communications were, K ”® ®Jtecial committee on.the subject. citizens of the First ward, against the removal of the markets on Second street, • from Fine to Sopth streets. Eeferred. - The oidiuance appropriating . $7OO being $lOO each to the darks and messengers of Councils, for extra ser vices was taken up and passed. TECS DRAFT. . Mr. LotreuLiir (O ), fromjhe finance Committee, of fejed the following eommußication and ordinance r&la- The°underrigned members of the Finance Committee asklea.ve.to present the following communication on the oidlnaucß to encourage enllitmentf, referred to said committee for consideration: This ordinance,so referred to the Finance Committee, provides for the appropriation of one million of dollar * by the city of Philadelphia for the purpose of giving bounties to volunteer soldiers, and thereby secure the quota of trooos demanded by the General Government without subjecting the loyalty of cur .city to the dis grace of a'draftor conscription. ' In order to show the wisdom of the policy, it. is only neceg&sry to review the history of the past four years, when the cry of the last man and the last dollar to sup press the rebellion was raised by those who claimed by words to be the only loyal men in our city. The true friends of the Union in this' Chamber satisfied them selves to vote for theiine&us to effect this purpose. Since then a change has occurred. Jt would seemlnexplicahle, unless, the tear the last dollar is unable to obtain the last man is the reason. The undersigned do not believe in such a false econo my, or in the assumed fact that either the money or the men is exhausted." Our loyal citizens ate as ready/sow to serve a draft as they ever were, and will cheerfully pay for their ; personal exemption The bounty policy has heretofore answered all that was desired or ex peeled from it. Since April, 1661, 70.000 men have en listed by the bounty policy from Philadelphia in the military or naval service. 3,600 only were secured by a draft under the conscriptionlaw passed in 1863' These figures prove that bounties are effective and conscrip tion a failure. Our citizens are opposed to the French plan of forcing them to fight, uhd this is proved by the almost unanimouspubllc opinion in favor of obtaining volunteers by bounties. Massachusetts bas ah agent In the Border Slates to secure negro soldiers/aad they receive large bounties. Will the people of-Philadelphia; put their loyalty in comparison with the freedmen of Border States and con tent to be conscripted when theee freedmeiL are ob tained by bounties? < - • , ■ The undersigned agree that at the present time the city is in excess over all drafts prior to December, 1861, B, SCO men. The draft for 300,0C0 men now ordered will require from this city 7.000 men, thus leaving a defi ciency to be made up by bounties or conscription of say The undersigned do not believe that the laet man is to be fornid in ibis'number, or that if this ordinance is passed it will contain the last dollar, and. -tberefore, they are willingto save our city from the disgrace of a conscription. Public opinion demands it, the : loyal sentiments of our city, demand The statement herein: made of the number of men secured by bounties is thef justification of this system. - The undersigned there fore present: the following ordinance and ask its consi deration and adoption. WM LOUGHLIfif, - THO 3. H. GILL, . The ordinance offered in connection with the above communication provides that there shall'be paid to e&chperson who shall he mmtered'into the Service' of. the united States and credited to the quota of the city for the ensuing draft the sum of $lOO for oae year, $225 for two years, and s4Cofort) roe years, and the president of each branch of Councils is authorized to appoint each two citizens, end the Mayor is authorized to appoint one citizen, who shall constitute a commission to exa- S foe the claims for bounty, and, if correct, to certify e same to the Mayor, who is authorized to draw the warrant for the payment if the bounty. The sum of $1.0(0,000 is appropriated to execute the provisions of the ordinance. . The commissioner* ate directed to allot the credits of the men enlisted so that each ward sb&ll have an equal share, and eo that no bounty shall be paid to the credit of wards Whose .quota shall ne full. Mr. .Potxxa ,(U.l .offered the following communication from a majority of the Committee-on the earn* subject;. To the Select and Common Ckmneils of the City of Philadelphia; . The Finance Committee, to whom was referred an ordinance to make a further appropriation to encbanife enlistments in the military and naval service of the United States, respectfully, report back the same with a recommendation that it not pass. Many cousidera lions have ooncurre 4 to bring your committee to this con clusion: The state of'the city finances, and thevast sums of money already speefby it to spare the citizens from* draft; the very small results obtained from this great expenditure; your committee having been in formed by gentlemen of the Bounty Fund Commission, Who attended their meeting, at which this sabject was ‘ considered, that they- have for some time thought the greater paitof the citizens' money paidin bounties'was wasted; that not more than one in four of the persons receiving the bounty was retained in the service of the United States; the consequent demoralization of a large • portion of our population who were tempted by the large amounts of money to become bounty’jumpers and de serters: the conviction that .a better, class of men will be obtained by the actual enforcement cf the draft, and the belief that the city's money will be better expended 1b support of the families of those who msy be drafted— all these considerations unite in producing the convic tions to which your committee have arrived.* They therefore-ask to he discharged from the further conside ration of the subject. Bespectfuliy eubmiried, Thomas Pottee, Chairman. Spering, jJas. A. Freeman, Junes Bairatt, (Henry C. Halnsoa. Alex. L. Hodgdos, ) Mr. Pottek (U.) a«ked, in connection with the above, thatihe following memorial to the Senate and House of Representatives, which is about to be presented, should he read: The undersigned, having, under the auspices of the Union League of Philadelphia, had considerable ex perience in the raiding of troops, deiire respectfully to lay before your honorable bodies their views with re spect to the prevalent system of recruiting by means of localhounties • • At ihe time of its introduction, the bounty system, doubtleaspossessed advantages as a temporary expedi ent It stimulated the flagging spirit of volunteering; the moderate Bums offered Worked little evil either to ihe donors or the recipients, and, if the war had proved & short one, ihe adoption of the plan would have an swer? d a good purpose. In ihe present condition of af- however, we cannot bat regard the offer of local bounties as a source of Injury to the Government, the army, and the people. To the Government, because the system tends to con vert into an affair of bargain, and sale the liability to military service owed by the citizen. The authority of the Government to command the service of the citizen, thus loses its claim to respect, and the sacredness of the dmv owed by the citizen is degraded into a matter of traffic. -Tn a war involving the life of the nation, and requiring the united energies of the .people, thete are considerations rot lighily to be disregarded^ To the army, because its morale is lowered.. The un selfish patriotism which three years since impelled so many brave men into the ranks, and which two years ago gave us thousands of willing conscripts* becomes degraded into a question of gain. The soldier who has receii ed & small bounty is apt to be dissatisfied because his comrade has been more gr&spi&g or more fortanate. Lane numbers are eager for the expiration of their term of enlistment, in order that the? may secure a . high er premium. Desertions are stimulated. To enlist and to desert is so profitable that it has been reduced to a system, popularly khown as “‘bounty-jumping, ’ 5 which has become a -recognized profession, orga nized- throughout the country. Mistaken He&ity has rendered this nearly as Bafe an occupa tion as It is lucrative. Men are pointed out who have amassed moderate fortunes by enlisting and de terting with immunity, and others who have acquired large fortunes by organizing desertion into a system, and employing and protecting trained and educated de serters. we have positive information of one indi vidual in. ibis city who has been arrested six times, has eeetped in each instance after a few days’ detention, acd who now walks our streets openly and defiantly. -On a moderate computation, of the men recruited in Philadelphia during the past month, amounting to many hundreds, scarcely more thanr one-fourth reach the army in the field, and a portion -of those who are carried to the front are understood to desert to the ereiny on the first opportunity, when they are passed back through our lines to enlist-again and desert as btfore. Even tbeveforans discharged from the old dis bar dedregiazents become infected with the prevailing contagion, and compensate themselves for having served Without bounty by enlisting and deserting. Thus the army is shorn of its numerical strength, and, what is equally, deplorable, its military spirit and patriotic ardor are contaminated by the mercenary calculationsof the miserable spirits who enter the ranks with the object of getting the maximum of remuneration with the mini mum of fighting. Even many officers do not escape the contagion, and speculate with brazen effrontery in the lives ofthe men who follow them to the field. What can be the tone-of a regiment when the men. know or suspect that their colonel has made ten, or twenty, or fifty ddlarsper head outof them? With the extrava- * £ ant bounties sow customary, the amounts of money andied are so enormous that a large proportion, of those connected with recruiting become corrupted. The op portunities for illicit gains arb so numerous, and the temptations so great, that the Government can scarcely, trust its own officials,and every channel through which our armies can derive their strength runs the risk of in fection. • We are proud of our army. We know that it con tains & large part of what is best and bravest in the country, and that it has earned the gratitudeoT. distant generations. We, therefore, deplore the more bitterly that its earnest patriotism should be exposed to the un fortunate influences of such a system. Justice to the gallant officers and men who have so nobly battled in defence of oar insLitQtion%requlres that they should be relieved from all which tnreatens to sully in the future the splendid record of the past. On ihe people the effect is equally bad. The enrol ment sub-cistricts no longer expect or endeavor to sup ply recruits from their own population.' It is simply a financial question, to raise a certain amount of money, which-, through' the hands of some professional agent, or some organization, shall purchase exemption, re- S aidless whether the quota shall be represented by rave men in the ranks, or by anempty muster roll. All living interest in the war is deadened, all sense of personal responsibility is lost; dollars take the place of patriotism, and paper credits are substituted for men. This spirit is rapidly extending. It must be checked, if we would overcome' the fiery energy of the. South, welded in to a compact mass, and wielded by the strong arm of military despotism. <- In place of the apparentlyprompi alacrity of volun teering which scows upon the surface* we have in re ality a tr&ffic'in men worthy of Ashantee. Agents are commissioned to traverse the country to buy up men in . localities far and near. Recruits ate bribed and cajoled to credit themselves to districts which they never saw, and their own homes are stripped of fighting population for the benefit of their unpatriotic but wealthier neigh bors. Even the unfortunate freedmeu of the insurrec tionary States are struggled for to take the places of - those who should be ready to discharge the obligations ofa citizenship of which they profess to be proud. Thus the prosecution of the war becomes no longer a question rQf the patriotism of the community, but merely a mat ter of dollars and cents, and the recruiting of the armies 6f freedom is converted into a disgraceful barter with runners and bounty-brokers. We have felt these evils, perhaps,less in Fhuatieli hia than has been experienced ' in many other places; but, from wbat we see and what we hear, we are confident that they are spreading to an extent which must eventually paralyze our national strength.- In a republic, all strength is derived from; he spirit of the people, and all is lost when that becomes debased and perverted. Nor is this all; for the financial ability of the country is rapidly becoming diminished under the self-imposed burden of enormous local bounties In some districts, under the call of July 18th last, men enlisting for twelve months received as much esiromone thousand to fifteen' hundred dollars. Fortunately this was notgeneral, but* seven hundred and fifty, five hundred, and four hun dred dollars* in addition to the Government bounty, were quite commonly offered for short enlistments. Each locality, competes, with another; recruits put themselves up at auction* and their price Is ran up until they become a luxury for the wealthy only. Should another call be made under the present system, these extravagant prtess will be taken as a starting point for a further advance, and when the limit will be reached* no one can tell. Every community will thus become oppressed with a toad o? debt beyond JU capacity to bear, and its abil tr to share the general burden and support the Government credit will be correspondingly weakened. At the same time, no one locality can well separate itself from the mad career in which its neigh bors are all engaged, If it refuses to purchase volun teers, and prefers to submit to the draft, its military population is seduced away, and the ploughshare of con scription reaches the mb-eoil. . - ' t ■ Bad as this is, It might be endurable if it succeeded in filling our armies and giving to the country, the men called for by the President. Tiat this is not the case is notorious. If two hundred thousand men are wanted, five hundred thousand are called for, andthe energies and resources of the country are taxed greatly beyond what should be neces*ary, to fill the pockets of thou sands of miscreants who batten on the public misfor tunes, and who waste their ill-gotten gains in the coarsest licentiousness which can demoralize the com inanity. The call tbuff produces, in effective men, one fourth or one-third of what it ought to, and it must therefore be again shortly repeated, to again exhaust the people, to embitter discontent, and to intensify cor -5s easy thus to expatiate on evils tbe existence of which is .generally Remitted. To suggest remedies is more difficult, ana we feel no little diffidence in offering for your consideration such as have occurred to us: t I. To avoid, as far as possible, short terms of service, and to empower the President to draft for onC two, or lime years, at his discretion, during tne war. - If. To discourage the offering of local bounties, and the buying up of reeruils from other localities. To ef ftcttbi*, übe Government bounty might be restricted to those who receive no local bounty. Every sab-district might be. empowered to claim credit for its residents whtrmay hereafter enlist, no matter to what place they may have-credited themselves. All credits for non-resi ' dents would thus be liable to be lost-„ It would aUo be well to repeal the third seotion.of tbe act of July 4th,an thorizing tbe loyal States to recruit in insurrectionary unexplttd term of service of all volunteers he*e after enlisting and deserting might property be charged back to the locality receiving creditrfor them. XV. As these measures would diminish volunteering, the draft must be looked to as the main resource to maintain the strength ol our armies. To accomplish this, it might be rendered mote effective and more popu • laf. Perhaps some additional safeguards might be adopted to diminish the number of those who fail to re port. ‘Wbatevcr bounty may be offered by Govern ment to volunteers might, we think, iudiciously be likewise bestowed upon drafted men. It is difficult to tet why the man who can enlist without a sacrifice ekouldbe largely rewarded* while the citizen who iis forced to leave all thgt he holds dear, should receive nothing in return for the sacrifice which his exacts of him. A moderate bounty for the drafted man, or somi provision, during his absence fop those who may be dependent upon him, would deprive the draft of half its terrors, would cause a much store general FOUR CENTS. and prompt respopsrto its demands. aid Wonli *5? 0 * 1 of tte BtSeiaa vrhlcli now. separates the coo-. - “fJPt from tta volunteer. It wonld llkawfaefbe te keepink with Jhe character of onr iastltatlonc, and Hie ' 'generous owe with, which the Republic watches over ae welfere of all Its dttzens. ture involved would be trifling, for, as under our pre sent system*: but a. amaUßpercentage of recruits are drafted men, nearly all receive bounty already. The increased number to be paid would therefore be very ~ By a series of measures of this nature, we cannot but. think that boththe strength and the character of jobf-? armies wonld be improved; the patriotic spirit of tigj' people would be raised to the level of the sacrifices qulred by the exigencies of the situation;-the authority ' of the Government wonld be vindicated; and a system wonld.be ‘established which < would- carry .the nation through its period of probation,’ v be long or shorts - • ■ XfimthU we are mistaken, however* wb would pray - that youreuperier wisdom znay devise some means of promptly removing : the -evils to which we have - to call your attention. -Those evils are so widely spread an£, a decline of H ? Catawieea preferred advanced Hi .North Pennsylvania Bailroad sold at 25; Minehill at 57 %s Norristown at 58, and Philadelphia and Brie at 27, the latte r a fall of 2. There was less said in Bank stocks: Philadelphia Bold at 168; Mechanics at 34, and Kensing ton at 100. The passenger Bailroad and Canal stocks were very dull. Of fhe.Coal stocky there were sales of Locust Mountain at 62, and .Green Mountain at 41-16. The Oil stocks were moderately active; Maple Shade sold up to 39%; Franklin, Dalzell, Curtin, and Egbert were more inquired for. ' • The McKlheny Oil Company yesterday declared a di vidend of one per cent oh the capital stack,clear-of State tax, payable on and after January 4th, The directors of the Maple Shade Oil Company yes terday declared a dividend of four per cent, and an extra twelve per cent., making in all sixteen per cent., payable on and after the 30th Inst., clear of State taxes. The books will be closed for transfer on the 24th at 3 P. M.i and opened on the Slst. The directors of the Big Tank Oil Company have de clared a dividend of two per cent., payable on and after the 30th inst., free of tax. The following were the quotations of gold at the hours named: SM A; M. U A. IS iiih »«»»»« 1 P.M * P.* If.—.•**•«•**••**•< Tbe following were the el vigation, 'mining* and oil Bt< dosing quotations for the ma tocks: . - Bid. Ask. SehuyUTay..*—33 S3K Sohnyl Hav.pref.. 89 89* SuuqCanfrl,. 14% 14* Big Mount C0a1... BH 6 Clinton Coal-.... ... IK -Connecticut Min.. 1.16 .. Pulton C0a1....... .. ?K Feeder Dam Coal. X n GreenMt C0a1..... 4' Keystone Zinc.... IK IK ST&MidClF*d.. 9* 10- N Carbondale .... 2 - Slew Creek Coal— 1 IX Pens Mining—lo 16 Bwatara Fls Coal. 6 Atlas— - 1% 2 Aliißheay IX .. Alleg ATideoat... 1 1# Big Tank.. 2# 5.81 Brandon Island • •. 1 2X Bruner 0i1........ 1# 1* 801 l Creeki....... 8 4 Briggs Oil ... .. fi Burning Spring..... 5 Continental 0i1... ■ 2% 2.81 Creacent City 1 .. Curtin...... 15# .. Corn Planter... .. 7 7X Cald-we11.......... 7 X 7m Cow Creeks...., .. 2 1*16 Cherry finn .. '2B#, Dnnkard Oil. % l Dr - rdO' • ~~ \x; JunkardCreekOU -■ -4 Sunl>tJry .......... .. Excelsior Oil*~<• 1% 1.44 Tair, Homestead.. .. 6% Egbert ... IM4 Union/Petroleum- 2 2 3-16 Eldorado..... VA 2 Upper Economy... M l Ferrel 0i1.... . 2 Venango Oil Zi 1 Franllln.Oll 2K2K WalntS bland.... 2*’2)4 Great Western.... 8)4 8)4 Watson2)4 S The Internal revenne receipts on the 19tti rrsre over $1,800,000. OnSaturday la«t they, touched the high Ag ere Of *1,600,00c-. The Delaware and Hudson Canal Compwy.has given notice that there will be apportioned among, the stock holders, on the 12th day of January next, 12,500 shares ofnewstock, in the ratio of one share to every seven shares of stock then held by eachstockh elders certificates of stock so apportioned will he ready for delivery to those entitled to the same on and j&fter the Ist day of Ja nuary next, (the same day on which the nsoal cash, di vidend will he paid). Ho scrip will he Issued for frac tions of a share, hut the number of shares representing the aggregate of such fractions will he sold at public auction on the 26th day of January, and the net proceeds will he paid to the stockholders on and after thelsi day of February next, according to theip respective inte rests. The Government tax on the- above-mentioned apportionment will he paid by the company. The following Is the export of petroleum from January lto December 16; m From NewTork, ga115.... 2J®2J 1g.18a.181 From Boston,.*»•*»« 1.®70,261 2.035,216 From FhA 1 adeipMa.... —*........ 7,867,572 6,123,144 From 8a1tim0re......922,971 gw!Bs6 70,370 312.082 ' Total export from the V, S .......81,358,580 27.fi0f^ Seme time 165% galls 10 625,68$ The Atlanticßank of fiewTork has declared a semi annual dividend of five per cent-. free of tax; the [ Bank of Horih America, five per coat-. free of tax; the BEFORE 200 Mingo.— lota 3*l 100 Cursn OU'....„“„ujji FIRST ] ISJ4 'Mb do **«.. 1654 100 d 0.............. 1634 600 Com Planter. .639 IX 100 do*.•*••**•« **.* 7 100 Deusmore 854 100 do*. MO. 354 ICO Reading K TS7J4 200 do.CaPbfiwn le 67 2CO do-C&Plots... 67 800 d0..0pg....10t. 6754 100 d0.*....,.,.b50. 675* 200 Daliel! 0i1....10ta 954 1100 Excelsior lots b 5. 1 44 100 Caldwell....* 7 ; 100 d 0... .......b5. 7 i 160 EgbertOU.-.lota. 4 • 100 Great Basin.* 3% 100 do •%: 600 Forres Eddy lots. 15f *OO Bergen Coal & Oil 45j . 2» Majde Shade Wilts 38K 200 do lotaSsg 60 do cash. 3854 2CO do 610 lots. 38 BBTWEBH 200 St Nicholas Oil lots 4W 10C0US10-401.oBde.:.:i0iX ] ■ lOOMeClintoek OUch- S 1100 U S 6-20 bds Its re. Ha 1000 do-i....... -.,10854 800Balaell 0i1....10ti. ffi SCO do—.lots blO. 954 r 3CO do lots 680. 954 ,W 0 do ..64. 954 200Densmore....lots, g 100 do 630. 754 100 do 6 796 Del Mutual Script. 80 100 Egbert 4 100 Mineral 0U....... 254 100 amygdaloid 26 SCOO Fnion Canal bonds 21 6ECOJSD BOARD. 400 Atlas 1.94 200Olmstead OU Hi 800 Cal dwell b3O 754 10 Morris Canal .prer 5» 4CO Curtin lots 1*54 100 Maple Shade- .616 39K ■ gPennaß.. 6*54 2Morristown R~*«. 66 lOOMcßebeny 654 60 Dalxell Oil 054 ICOO Caldwell.... 754 14Mechanics’ BE-bS 34 log Rtadlnrß. . .Cap 67 200 Egbert OU lots 4 . ICOEkcclsior.. X 44 100 Franklin ........ 2 60 Cherry Run. .O*P ask 100 Corn Planter 1 ICO "Walnut Island.... 254 1000Clty6snewCaPdb 88M f BO ABBS 300 Egbert Oil bSO 4X lOOSchnyNavGo..... 35% IOCQPeimaE Istmort.lll% lOOGermanla ~....,4 i»« 10CG City 6s new,due b 98* 900- do 1% 300 d 0.............. 98% 600 Story Farm....... 8% TOGFranklin. lots 2 300 do 2-sf m 7 MineMli B 6734 MO Bruner J* IOOSt. Nicholas 0i1... 4% 3CoCora Planter.....* f JOO Upper Economy... % 250 Caldwell .*•%« * ICO Mineral.... -2% 200 d 0... S 300 do 2dys 2* lOOßalzeU 0fW..,.. ffik 20Caiawiesa 8..pref37% 100IrwlaOil U IfCO Cam & Arab m0rt.106% 100 Noble & 8e1a...... wf£ IGOCnrtin ..*>3015% 100 Hyde Parm,.v g 100 _ do 15% 200 MGCltatock~~*.*„ 6% KO Walnut Island.... 2% 200 Noble & Bela *l m IGOD.Germania bio 1% 6CQOII Creek......,*., y%r 84NorthPennaE—. 25 500 Venang0.......... * lOO.Bchuyl Nav...pref 39 4CO 8r0ther............ 1% 5000 State War Loan ffs. 105 300 Big Tank.......... 231 12Phil&da 8ank.....158 600Exce15i0r.......... 1%. 200Bessmore..... lots 7 OOOErotzer.... i 2 400Biuner IX 3GoBigTaak 2J£ 6000 U S 6-2)8 ~.m% 203 Noble & 8e1a...... 1() 12C0 do. .108% 100 J'easmore 7 ICOFranklin .... 2 100Eff0rt............. 4 400* d 0.............. 2 100 Sherman * H£ 600ITS10 40b.» ..102 lOOEfbert.... 4 600 1rwin...... 11 200 Caldwell.,7% 300Balzell 9% 3POOUS6-2>«....,......103 2COCO U'S 10 40s 101% 200 St. Nicholas.. 4* “OUTSIDE BOOM” SALES. 100 Beading C 57 . >lOO Densmere 574 ICO d0.........gdys 68X1300 d 0...... T ICO Perry..— 4XIOO do ~*,.b5 7 300 Big Tank bBO 2% 100 Roberts b 33 2% 100 Egbert.............. 4 b3o l?f The New York Post of yesterday says: Gold is qaiet to-day at 222X@224X|Cl08ilif at 221Jtf. Exchange is qniet at 309 X for specie. The loan market is active at 7 per cent. The stock market is depressed. Governments are dull, bnt-steady at last evening’s lowest rates. Registered 16Sis are wanted at lll t . coil* pois of 1881 at 116%, coupon five-twenties at 108%, new . loan at 107 X, ten-forties at 101%, and certificates at 96%. * Bank shares continue excited. Railroad shares are de pressed and urged for sale.; Pittsburg is' the weakest on the list. Of the miscellaneous Eeeuzities Schuylkill Goal Was quoted at 8, Central at50(858. American at 54@84%, B»- laware and Hudson at 21G@212, Pennsylvania at 191(51 200. Before ti e first session Gold was quoted at 222%@22i, , New York Central at 113, Erie at 89, Hudson at lid, and ! Beading at HA The following quotations were made at the board a* compared with the prices of Wednesday afternoon: . Thu. W«d. Adv. Dee. United States ft. 1881, c0up....116% 116% % United States 6-20 coup 108 108% .. % United States 6-20 coup, ,new. .107% 107% . - % L United States 10-40 coupons • - .101% 101% t United States certificates...... 96% 96% % Tenneereeßs..,. *...55% 66 % „„ Missouri 6s 65% 63% .. New York Central Railroad... 113% 114 .. % Erie Railway.... SB% 8G .. -1% Brie Railway preferred....-.. 100 ICO z Hudson-river Railroad.. .'ll5 - 215% .. % 1 Beading ,.113% 115% i. lg Alter the Board the naarket was heavy. Eiie fell to 87@87%, New York Central to H 3, JHudsonto 114, Read toitWo ’clock call Brie closed at 87, New York Cen tral at 112%, Hudson at 114%@115. ,3. E Fey, chairman. Andrew Wheeler, George Trott, Charles GUpin, Charles F. Smith, Hoary 0. He a. Jar. H. Orne, H. B. Browne, Ezra Dyer. H. D., £t:&i Tilghmaa ' 2*ttg Sid. Ash. Germania 11-15 IX Globe Oil 1 IK Howe’s BddyOil. IK IK Hibbard Oil 2 2K Hoge Island— X X Hyde farm.; 5 Irwin Ott 11 11K Keystone Oil IK IK Krotser- IK IK Maple Shade Oil.. 31 S 3 McCllnlock oil . . SK 6K Mineral Oil 2X 3 Mtni0........ SK 3K Mcßlheny Oil 5K 6X MeCrea&Chyßnn 1< 2K Hoble & Da1..;... 9KIO Oil Creek... 7M Organic Oil .. ift OlmsteadOU 2W PennaPetroCo... 3J< 3 Perry Oil.. 434 PopeFarmOil.... %•• Petroleum Centre. S3-* 8X Phillips .. SJC Revenue wC •« Roberts Oil _ BJ£ Bock Oil. ►*. 3X 4& Eafchbone Petrol-. *. 234 5herman.......... 1.56 1* Seneca Oil.. 6 %% \ Story Farm Oil 2>tf |6chuyl&Oil Crk. 1 2J& St Jtfieholag....... 4X 5X WHB WAB FBSaSS, CFCBIi£SHS» WSfiKLI.I Wim rura will ba «nt to rotoHrStonlw mdt (per »m»cai la nirmw) .t Hf tow t«a CHI lirtoi 01nb« Bun Tsa wlil b* (bun* ÜBM MM “‘‘.lUOmiw. Thetaoneu mustalmtotaeecmpcm# Bn order, aoM i* no tMtewt m* Ouieeterme be deviated fnm> «f wgmffmtwry UttUtaon Oak at motor Baser. u, koomM to Mt Mamiitti Ibm Wi* Rasa. w th. cm, of tea «Iwreto; Ml tab* test of tbo rwr wnx im wtm. Broadway Bat*, tea per cant.; the Merchants’Ba> change Bank, four par cent,, free of far. and the Ca» lnmblan Marine Insurance Company, three aa'd one-balf I percent., a! I payable Janonry Si. jDrexal 4k Co» anoti! Dnitsd States bonds. Baited States Certll of Indebtedness. 87* Quartermasters' Vouchers S 6; A o« Orders forCertf. of Indebtedness,, . llshUlgti eeseeaeee emaaes n|4o ‘Hre-twenty 80nda.~..~.. —lOTKaiffly' Philadelphia stock Bxcttearas salbs,i>«. 22. BOABBB. [ 600 Corn,Planter cask T I 100 Jfeple Shade cask. » BOAB3X 100 oil Creek*... lots, nc 100 do-, 1g ICO Oil CrkS ChyEnn 3$ mS S«n.'.lots" 2 it 100 St Nicholto. 4J£ 100 "Walnutlsland.... g| 100. Krotzer 0iT........ f% 100 McClintock Olllta s>e 50 Qre*R Hotustata.tl-iS 100 Locoat Mottat&in.. 62 5000 U S 5-20 Bonds lotelOßJ* 3000 do ~,reg.l» 200 Statesa. 91 870 Bel Mutual Sp lots 88 5000 Bubo Canal Bonds. 60 4000 Cm&Ammfc 6s ’83.107 1000 Reading 6s 1870.,,101 ICOO Forth Penna is... 08 38Pemta R 65J£ 100 Caiaw B Pref. .sS, 57* 100 do- ...Pref cash 37>f lQGPhila.atßri*B.... ST 100 do ....lots-26Jt Ftofladelpbia Markets. Pkckmbbb. 22—Evening. • The demand for Flour is limited, tooth for shipment and home use, and the market Is doll; sales com prise; about SCO barrels extra family at $12% ln dndinglSO barrels fancy at $l3 $0 V- bbl. The retailers and bakers aT© buying in a Bmall way at from $9 75® 10.60 for superfine; $10.75@11 25 for extra; $ll 5Q@11.25 for extra family; and $JL2.53@13 50 & bbl for fancy brands; according to quality. Bye Flour is selling in a' small way at $9@9.25 bbL Com Meal is scarce, and : prices.&re without change- GRAIN.,/—There is very little demand for Wheat, and the market is dull at about former rate?, with sales of about 4.MU has at 26C@2Goc for reds, and white at from the latter for prime Kentucky. Rye is selling ij* a small way at 173@175c f. ha. Corn is lover; about 2,£00 boa new sold at 165 c for yellow, and 160 c for w hite old is held at 186® .88c & bu. Oats are in fair de mand, with sales of S 000 bus Pennsylvania at 92c bn. BABE.—lst No. 1 Quercitron is held at $42.60 ton* but there is little or nothing doing. COTTON.—Prices remain about the same as last Quoted, and the market is dull. Small sales of mid' clings are making at 126®1 iSa lb. cauh. BAT.— Baled. isselUni at from $28@30 flton. GBOCEBjES. —There is very little doing ia either Sag; ror Coffee, and themariet is dull and prices un settled.' ‘ PETROLEUM continues scarce at about former rates, with t mall sales to notice at 60c for crude; 73® 75c for refined in bond, and free at irom 93@95c gallon, as to quality. SEhIJS. Cloyersaed continues scare* and iu good de mand* with small, sales to notice at $14,50® 14.75 St lbs. Timothy is selling at $5 hu. Flaxseed has ad - vauced, with sales at $3 S 5 bu ; IRON.—Big Metal is dull, and there is very little doing. Anthracite is quoted at $52@80 $ ton for the three numbers. PROVISIONS.—The firmness of holders limits opera tions 1 , and there is v*ry little doing ia the .way of sales. Me&s Pork is quoted at $39@41 W- bbl. Bacon Hams axe selling in a small way at 2C@24c 3 Ibjforplain and fane*. *■- WHISKY —There 36 more doing, and prices are look ing np; *460 bins sold at $2.25@2.35 gallon; most hold ers ask moie. The following are the receipts of Flour and Grain at this port to-day* Flour* *•»>****• ►*. • **-**.*-*■**■*****•-•♦»«.«.■«■•-* 1,310 bble. Wheat*****-*.**** 18,200 bus. Cora.'~*...*~*-> .—*-»**——*—♦—*'*-»*--**♦** 5.000 hue, Oat»— S,SCO bus. Kew Tork Harksts, Bee. 22. Fnotra, Ac.—The market for Western and State Flour is quiet, but the low grades are firm,.though without essential change in prices. _ The sales are 6,200 bbls at $9.65@10.45 for superfine State; $20.2t@10.45 for extra State; $10.50(310.75 for fancy State; $10.36@10,75 for the low grades of Western extra; 30 for shipping Ohio; $11.30@12 for trade and family brands, and $11.25® 14 for S;. Louis extras. Buckwheat Flour is firm at $4.75®5 20 100 tbs. Canadian Flour is more active and quite firm. Sales of 600 bWs at §10.20@10.35 for the low grades of extra, and slo.4C@l2f&r trade and family extras. / Southern Flour is also a little more active, and prices , are a shade firmer; sales of 750 bbls at $10.80@12.25 for mixed to good superfine country Baltimore, &c., and . $l2 46®15 for trade and family brands. Rye Flour is quiet and unchanged; sales of 100 bbls at -$8.61® 9 25 Corn Heal is firm; sales of 350 bbls Brandywine to ar rive at $B.BO, and 200 bbls white Atlantic Mils at $ll. Gbaik.—The Wheat market is irregular. Winter is firm and in fair demand, while spring is heavy and in - active. The demand is only for milUng, owners’ prices being above the limits of foreign orde s. ■ * . The pales are 14,000 bus, at $2.60 for red Western; for amber do. , _ ■ _ Barley is firmer; sales of 6,00 Q bus Canada East at $1.90. Barley Halt is steady, but inactive. Oat* are easier mid veryquiet. The sales are 35,000 bus Cacadisn at 97c@$l; Western at $1.04®1.05. Bye is better; We have to note small sales of West ern at $1.72. Corn is less plenty and better. The sales are 25,009 bus Wet tern mixed at s3.B6|£@L flijtffn store and de livered; Southern white at’s2.os, and new yellow at $1.75@1.82, latter rate for Southern. OinCAKX.—A fair demand prevails, and the market Js very firm; tales ot ”otons new Western in mass at $77.60, now held at $3O; city continues scarce at $82,50 @B6. - ; fetroAm is quiet, and unchanged. We quote crude at Ss@C6c; refined in bond 74@75e, and do free 54®95. Sugab.—Raw sugars are in moderate demand, and steady; sales of fair to good refining at 2S@lS#c, and IjQCCbboxes Havana on private terms. Refined are dull and nominal Whisky. —The market has been very unsettled, and prices ’ fluctuated considerably during the day, open ing better, and closing quiet at the improvement: sales of 1,200 bbls (pari last evening) Western at $2.25@2.50, closing at the latter rate. BdltiTOOre Markets, Bee. S 3. Flour has a declining tendency. Wheat dull at a de cline of 6b. Corn active; newwhite, jL6s:ygLow* $1.71. Provisions very dulL Whisky, $2.34® 2.85. ' PHILADELPHIA BOARD OR TRADE. Saml. B. Stokes, J, Geo. H Tatham, > Cohmittee of thh Mosih. BkNJ .', JIAKbHACI.. J ’ LEIIER BAGS, AT THE MERCKAXTS* BXCHAKGB, F&ZLAPSbPHia. Ship Coburg, Gibson*. Liverpool, soon. BrigEUa Beed, (Br), Tnz0****............ Havana, soon. Brig Hunter, mulkner..Barbados, soon. IHABINE INTELLieESCE. PORS OB PHIMPELPmA, Pec SB,lBftb guxEiSBS....? 26} SiwSets...4 36 [High Wajbb*.>.» $ ARRIVED. U S supply steamer Bermuda, Smith, from West Gulf blockading squadrons—she brings no news- Brig Regatta (Br), Hopkins, 14 days from. Halifax». with »eh to Kennedy. Stairs, & Co—vessel toB A Sou- (Br) Bailey,- IS days from FalifaT, with. [ “tlbr L^nSth?Orla,*? daiß from Boston, witlimdaft fc °SchrS < BWheelS'McaiangMin, 7ds-ysfromßoston, in tchrS S fu-Si C S T W : arren. Warren, M daysfrom Bangor, •with potatoes to Selser * Co. tchrJ H French. Crosby, 8 days from Bastport, with mdse to E A Bonder & Co. Bchr Wapella, Hayden, 4 days feem-NeW Tork, With mdse to Twells A Co. Schr I, S levering. Conion. S days from Fortress Mon roe, in ballast to JQ& G S BepiMer AGo. ... Schr Ariadne, Thomas, 1 day from Smyrna, Dei. with grain to James Barratt. • ' _ , ~, Schr Reno, Lambert, 6 days, from New Tork, with, mdse to BA Benders Co. , EehrTwoßrothers, West, S. days from Indian River, Bel, with grain to Ja& Bariatt., Pur Back.—Sleamshtp John Gibson, Bowen, hence for RawTork,returned te port this evening indistras* occasioned from collision, at off Reedy Island with. soon sunk in about lour WJU S?M?,? r wSiir were unbent this mowlnf, Which leads to tbe belier .that all on board were saved. The J. 6. had her cut water carried away. _ BELOW. BtiK Herald, from Cuba, and three Other bti*». CLEARED. Bark Brilliant, Colhunt, Sew Orleans Brig Awr dale. Din, Boston. Rriff Sarah Petsts, Lord, Boston? Scblfcß Wheeler, HcGlaugblln, Boston. Scbr J P Kiriland, Be&eee, Boston. Schr New Baven, Glover, Dightoxu S-brClarabel, Smith, Boston , Schr R Yanneman, Townsend. Key w#«. Schr Mary H Banks. Haley. Fortress Atonree. Schr IJ Shannon, Marts. §«• BcbrSH Sharp, Mayhew* Schr Ann S Cannon, Haley. do, Scbr {J) McCarthy, "young. , • f BOARDS. 200 Onion Petroleum .21-1$ 10CO Pittsburg coup 6s - 75 30JDelMutual 1n5.... say 100 Nobla & Dbla b3Q. 10>£ 300 Corn Biantercssk.' 7 4 Kensington Bank. J»y 10 d 0...... ........100 lOPeima 5~....... esji 200 Big Tank.... b3O. 2 31 450 Germania Oillote 11-1$ 200 Oil O & Cherry B. SH 100 Irwin 0i1.....10t5. 10X 100 Walnut Island-.. 2 9* 600 Bruner Ott -lots. l|f 500 McElhenv Oil lota. Sri SOO State War Loan 6s c0up0n..........102