4 Terms of fetabserfpcloni PAYABLE Ei ADVANCE: Daily Edition, per rear, toy matt. .$12.00 Trl-weekly Edition, per year, toy Mart. 6.00 Ecnday Edition,'per year, toy mai1......... 2.50 Weekly Edition, per year, toy mai1................ 2.00 Parts ol ayearatthesame rate. To prevent delay and mistakes, toe sure and give Post Office address in fall, including State and county. Remittances nay toe made either toy draft, express, Post Office order, or in registered letters, at oar riak. TERMS TO CTZT EUBSCBIBEES: Dally, delivered, Sunday excepted, 25 cents per week, Daily, delivered, Sunday Included, 30 cents per week. Address THE TRIBUNE COMPANY, No. 15 Canal-sL, CM capo, lIL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, IS7I. INVESTIGATION 0E INDICTMENT. The statement of Alderman Gill, in the Common Council, that money had been demanded by Aldermen as a consideration for votes in that body for certain candi dates for office, can be sustained by ample evidence. "NVe have been waited upon by two citizens, both well known, one of them a former city oflicial, whoso personal char acter is beyond reproach, who informs us that a direct and unequivocal demand was made upon them for money, and that the assurance was given to each that if the money was paid he would bo elected. Tho demand in both cases was made by a mem ber of the Board of Aldermen. It is hardly necessary to say that, the money being re fused in both cases, neither of the persons was elected. How far the inference that the persons elected did pay, is a just one, can readily be ascertained upon investiga tion. One of these gentlemen, by way of testing the earnestness of the blackmailer, asked if there could be no reduction made, or if $059 would not be accepted iu place of the S3OO demanded to which the answer was made that the S3OO was the price .fixed for the office. The applicant then offered to pay the S3OO to the Relief Society, or to any charitable insti tution iu the city, leaving tho Alderman to M*lcct it. This was laughed at. The oiler was then made to give three notes, payable respectively in 3, C and 0, mouths, the notes to state the consideration and, of course, this was refused. The applicant, refusing to pay the money, was told that ho could not have the office, and the interview was closed. It should be stated that the candidate was in formed by one Alderman that it was neces sary that ho should at once go to a place designated, to meet another Alderman, and this last-named Alderman, in behalf of tho majority of the Council, made the demand. We can state that the person of whom this blackmail was demanded was, perhaps, one cf the most experienced and competent men iu Chicago for the office he sought, and that the person elected has no knowledge what ever of the business which he is elected to superintend. We do not choose to discuss this subject further atthis time. Wehave stated enough lo require an investigation. The names of the persons will be given to any committee of investigation that may bo appointed. Wc will wait until it can be seen whether the Council dare refuse to order an investiga liou, to be conducted by a competent and unimpeachable committee. Should tho Com mon Council refuse such action, we trust there is some Judge in this county who has courage enough to order the empanelling of a special grand jury to investigate the facts, and to indict every man iu the Council guilty of this unblushing knavery. THE DESPOTISM OF THE CAUCUS. King Caucus showed his form in the Sen ate. on Tuesday, in his most sinister and threatening aspect, rendering it apparent that the legislation of Congress during the ensuing session is likely to he coerced by Hint unscrupulous potentate even more despotically than before. It will he for the press, and other organs of popular expres sion having regard to the purity of legisla tion, to give some attention to this caucus business, before it shall become too serious for cure. The power of the canons has heen develop ing and extending with fearful rapidity dur ing the past two years. It was not until last spring, on the opening of the preliminary session of the present Con gress. that Morton, the chief emissary and grand factotum of King Caucus, ven -1 mod to assert tlie prerogative of that newly-risen tyrant to dictate to Congress what business should and what should not be considered during the session. There were other high-handed acts of the star chamber managers, such as the deposition of Sumner, the confirmation of improper Ex ecutive appointments, etc., for which some color of precedent might be alleged but for this obstruction of legislation there was none the thing was an innovation—a revo lution,—as unjustifiable by precedent or cus tom as it was by any inherent merits. Nev ertheless, as the session referred to was ex pected to be a very short one, the caucus plan did not meet with any active opposi -1 ion. and the tabooed topics of legislation were not insisted on. Now, however, comes the same caucus jun to and proposes to impose the same restric tions uj)on the iirst session proper—the long session, as it is called, since the other main session of each Congress is limited hi* law to three months,—fixing fan early day for ad journment, and escludiugfrom consideration all subjects except the routine business aud certain political affairs which it is for the in terest of the caucus manipulators to have attended to—by the caucus, of course. Tlie object of this policy is evident. The desire of the intelligent and patriotic mass of the Republican party (and of the people generally, we trust) for certain vital re forms in the systems aud policy of our gov ernment, is unequivocal. So far as t he voice of the people, expressed, not through the press alone, but through many formal and official channels, can instruct a legisla ture, Congress has already been instructed to adojit certain reforms in the revenue sys tem. and to consider with great care and pa lieni discussion certain other reforms,—nota bly that of the civil service. There arc also grave matters concerning the national finan ces to discuss, which, with due deliberation, will absorb much time, as will the subjects above mentioned. To shut off all agitation of these questions, and postpone legislation upon them until after the ensuing Presidential election, is the obvious purpose of the caucus junto in the attempted resolution for an adjournment in May. These crafty wire-workers (and we refer particularly to those operating in the Sen ate caucus) arc as averse to any of the pro posed reforms as the people are favorable to them: and their scheme now is, to put the country off with the barren promises, or promises, of the President’s message, instead of doing any of the beneficent acts which the pressure of popular opinion has forced the President to hint at In his mes sage,—hints which, without appropriate leg islation, are mere Dead-Sea apples, instead of the fruits which the enlightened sentiment of the present day ought to bear, provided that sentiment is properly represented in our halls of legislation. In furtherance of this scheme, Mr. Mor ton’s resolution for an early adjournment was taken up, by a coalition of the Demo crats with the caucus Republicans. All i.mendments and substitutes, intended to so modify the action upon the resolution as to leave open an opportunity for action upon the subjects of popular interest which, it is t he desire of Mortou to suppress, were voted down at the crack of the caucus whip; and, to cap all, the session of the Senate was re solved, first into an executive session, aud then into a caucu*, for the final disposition of the whole work of the session. It is plain that the stewards of the Federal patronage and tent ers for Presidential campaigns cannot trust the affairs which they have in charge to the fair aud open discussion of the Senate Chamber. The question then be comes. Can the people trust their affairs to be thus discussed; or do they prefer to have them settled by a dark-lantern junto, with some of the most mercenary-minded and unscrupulous politicians in the country to dictate the terms Do the people of Amer ica. who choose two hundred and forty-three Representatives and seventy-four Senators to do their legislation, wish to have that ]i gislalion dictated by twenty-nine Seua ;-:e the men who have flic least character, and are the most likely to bo in fluenced by mercenary considerations? If not, they must frown down the caucus sys tem, which brings about precisely this re sult. There are fifty-seven Senators who were elected as Republicans. Any twen tj'-nino of these can control a caucus, even when all the Senators turn out. Those who are most likely to bo active in party chicanery are the worse class of politicians,— those who obtained their places by finesse, by log-rolling, or by absolute bribery. Hence these twenty-nine—and the people can readily understand of what material the number is most likely to bo made up—can, according to the rules of the caucus, dictate the policy of the majority in the Senate. Hence, to prevent all progress in legislation, especially such ns is calculated to turn rogues and imbeciles out of office, all that is necessary is for these twenty-nine to assemble by the light of their dark lan tern, with their chief Ku-Klux, Morton, in the centre of the circle, to cry The Party! The Party and to give orders what bills shall be received by the Senate, and what shall be burked. He does so, audio! what mere ciphers are the conscientious and dis creet majority of the Senate, supposing there be a majority of such! What powerless phantoms the two or three hundred freshly chosen representatives of the people in the Lower House! We say “Lower House,” be cause that has become the usual designation of the popular body in Congress; yet no body could be lower than the American Sen ate is sure to become after a few years of caucus domination, such as has now been in augurated. The question is, "Will the people allow their Senate to become so debased Will they permit a revolution in the most vital rules and practices of legislation, which is inimical to freedom of speech, which diverts all responsibility of delegatcd s actlon, and which not only throws tho power to control all law making and law-administering into. tho hands of a few men, but inevitably throws it into the hands of those who nro the least worthy to wield such power Will a party composed of such intelligent material as the Republican party hold its representatives in Congress amenable to the behests of Morton and his clique—the Nyes, Stewarts, Spencers, Pomeroys, and carpet-hag misrepiesentatives of the oppressed South—rather than to their own moral convictions and their own inter pretation of the popular judgment We do not behove they will. On tho contrary, we expect to see such an agitation of this sub ject, and such a general condemnation of tho growing iniquity* of the caucus system, as shall bring out the more upright and discreet of the Senators, one by one. from under tho yoke of the caucus despotism, and place them erect in their own manliness and sense of rectitude before the grand assem blage of the people, to whom alone they are rightfully responsible. THE CENSUS OF GREAT BRITAIN. Tlie Registrars-General for England, Scot land, and Ireland are now engaged in tlio arrangement of the census returns and the preliminary abstracts which have just made their appearance in public show gome very interesting, and,it maybe added,unpleasant facts. According to these abstracts, the population of the United Kingdom is grow ing at the rate of 1,173 persons a day,, of whom 705 stay at home and 408 emigrate. The proportion of men among these emigrants is so great that there is a rather startling unevenness in the proportion of the sexes, as has happened in a smaller degree in some of onr own New England States, where the dis proportion has heen caused by emigration westward. In a population of nearly 3*3,000,000, the women outnumber the men by {>25,000. The English Registrar-General tabes coni fort in the thought that the sexes at adult age are equal in num ber, and that the excess of men can he found somewhere else. He finds them in the United States. How this helps the case we do not exactly see, unless the Regis trars-General, especially the Irish Registrar, shall contrive in some manner to send over the 025,000 women, or a certain proportion of them, to our shores, each bent upon reducing the disproportion. In various parts of our country the number of women exceeds the* number of men in the native-born population; Americans, as a rule, marry Americans and there must, therefore, he doubt that the 025.000 husbands can ho found for the extra female population of the United Kingdom, as the number stands in no immediate danger of reduction by American intermarriage. A brighter out look, it seems to us, is found for this army of spinsters in the fact that emigration is de creasing. In the ten j'cars ending in ISGI over two millions of persons came to this country, while during the past ten years the number only amounts to 1,074,501, or nearly 380.000 fewer. The results of the census in Ireland are un usually interesting. The population is still diminishing. In IS4I it was 8,000,000; inlSsl it fell to 0,500,000; and now, in 1871, it is only 5,402,750, a diminution of 300,208 in ten years. This diminution is chiefly in the rural dis tricts. Galway shows the largest per cent of decrease, the population having sunk more than 22 per cent in ten years. There are only live places which mark any increase, and three of these are in Ulster. The suburbs of Dublin show an increase of 4,450, but that is more than offset by a decrease of 0,080 in the population of the city. Belfast, the centre of Irish manufacture, has increased more than 43 per cent in ten years, and Londonderry has increased its pop ulation by 4,307. The diminution in the re ligions memberships is very uneven. There arc hut 258 Jews in Ireland, a decrease of 35 per cent since ISCI. The members of the dis established Church have decreased 13-4 per cent; the Presbyterians, Methodists, Bap tists, andlndependents 4 per cent; while the Roman Catholic decrease is more than S per cent. The population of Scotland, on the other hand, is increasing. Its population is 3,358,013, an increase of 290,310 in ten years. The prin cipal towns have increased 21 per cent; the large towns 22 per cent; aud the smaller 7 1-2 percent. The population of the principal cities is as follows: Glasgow, 477,141, an in crease of over SO,OOO since 1801; Edinburgh, 100,500; Dundee, 118,074; Aberdeen, 83,125 and Grccucck, 57,138,—these live cities being the only ones in Scotland whoso population exceeds 50,000. In summing up the results of the census, the London Daily JVcirs, to which we are in debted for the facts enumerated above, says: On the whole, the survey of these returns is full of encouragement. During the past ten years the country has gone through a series of commer cial disasters, and has come out again into the sunshine of prosperity. Ireland lias probably touched the lowest point, for the rate of emigra tion and of decrease is sensibly decreasing. The increase in the other parts of the United King dom is the healthy growth of great trading com munities, and is more likely to go on at acceler ating pace than to relax or stop. It is evident that ex-Governor Haight, of California, is on good terms with the report ers of the press. An exploit of his has just been reported by telegraph, as one which has been “highly applauded by all classes.” On examining into the particulars of this ex ploit, we find that it consisted in mustering his military staff in full force, aud turning eut the militia to parade, on the occasion of his own outgoing aud Governor Booth’s in going. Considering the repugnance w’ith which Governors aud otherpubllc men usual ly regard display of all kinds, the act of Gov ernor Haight was almost phenomenally hero ic. And, it being heroic, it is fortunate that the genial ex-Governor is, as already hinted, on good terms with the telegraphic corre spondents, that the act may bo duly cele brated. Al>out thirteen mouths ago, tho city of Chicago entered into a contract with the Astronomical Society of this city to make arrangements for giving a correct register of time from the Court House. Under that contract, the Astronomical Society made a canvass among our business men, and raised a fund, which was applied to the purchase of a clock that was placed in the Court House dome only a few weeks before tho fire. Tho hours had, however, been struck on tho boll, by electricity, for about nino months, ior this service tho city agreed to pay to tho Astronomical Society the same amount per annum which it had previously paid to tho. day-watchman in the cupola,—his services bciug then dispensed with. Some two weeks after tho tiro tho Astronomical Society addressed a communication to the Board of Public Works, ottering to furnish the time yrath in future,—the supposition bo THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14. 1871. ing that the city would bo too poor to pay for such service,—and now stands ready to furnish to the city, without charge, the'cor rect time, as often as may bo required, for any clock, large or small, which it may desig nate for that purpose. Under such circum stances it is rather carious that the Common Council, at its last meeting, should deem it necessaiy to appoint another party as City Time-Keeper, especially when it is remem bered that the register of time kept at the Chicago Observatory is the only authority in this section of the country. The House of Representatives has passed a hill to pay government laborers ton hours’ wages for eight hours* work. It is stated that this hill, if it becomes a law, will result in giving the laborers on the public works at Rock Island SOO,OOO as backpay. Probably $1,000,000 will be required to pay the so-called arrearages of all kinds of government labor ers in all parts of the country; and all laborers not in government employment will be taxed to make np the alleged deficiency, as well as to pay the future increase of wages. The effect of this hill is to create anaristoc. racy or privileged class of laborers, to-wit: those getting ten hours* pay for eight hours’ work, as distinguished from those who get eight hours’ pay for eight hours’ work. Employment on government works, such as arsenals, ship-yards, etc., becomes a species of office-holding, whore there will, of course, bo a hundred applicants for every place. The trades-unions seem to think that, if they can persuade two or three hundred members of Congress to vote away other people’s money* in this manner, the fashion of paying ten hours’wages for eight hours’work will be come so popular that all employers of labor will adopt it. Instead of having this effect, it will, so far as it has any effect at all, work in tho opposite direction, for, to whatever extent tho employers of labor are taxed to pay the workmen in government shops more wages than they now earn, to that extent exactly will they be disabled from paying to their own laborers what they really do earn. It is well known that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of policies of insurance were de stroyed on tho oth of Octoher.with the other papers of our business men, This is, proba bly, true also of the policies of large num bers of families, who. in the hurry and con fusion of leaving their homes, forgot their insurance papers iu some bureau, or table, drawer, or corner of a closet. In cases where an individual had any considerable number of policies destroyed, it is most likely that he cannot tell tho names of all the companies in which ho is insured, or, if he remembers them, the cx actaiuountsfor which each policy was issued. Is it not, therefore, the duty of the Chi cago companies, and of those of other States and foreign countries having agencies in this city, to publish from their books a com plete list of the insured, and tho amounts at risk on each particular piece of property;? Surely none of them propose to take advan tage of the loss of a policy' to add its value to the assets of the company. That would bo so flagrant a breach of honesty' and fair dealing that to attempt it would bo infa mous. fEach company shouldmako outacom plcte list of its policies issued on Chicago property', and hang it np in its office for the nspection of the public. The Legislature would, perhaps, render an important service if, in the new revenue law, a provision should he inserted requiring counties and cities to report annually tothq State Auditor a full statement of the amount of taxation levied by them respectively, to gether with a statement of the valuations, the amount of tax collected, the cost of col lection, and the amount of debt outstand ing, incurred or paid off each year. In the State of Ohio, all taxes are levied and collected at one time. The tax sta tistics of the thirty-two cities of that State are now published. The valuation of real estate for 1871 is $253,231,000: of personal prop erty, $135,830,873; total, $380,001,003. The rate of tax for State purposes •is two and nine-tenths mills. The rates for local purposes range from 14 mills in Paines villc to 22 mills in Cincinnati and mills in Sandusky. The amount of levies for local purposes aggregate $7,850,780, of which $3,480,- 005 are in Cincinnati. The total tax levied in these cities for’State and local purposes amounts to $8,088,0**5. There is but one valu ation of real and personal property for all taxable purposes in Obio, and this ought to he the way here. It is required by the con stitution, and nothing is gained by resorting to two assessments for two different kinds of taxes. The good people of Canada are disappointed in their census returns. The papers are lilled with communications advising the govern ment what to do to fill up Canada. It ap pears that the immigration is large, but it does not remain in the Provinces, nor docs the native population stay there. Largo numbers of young men annually leave for the States, and come back no more. The increase in population, notwithstanding the large immigration, does not keep pace with the ordinary natural increase of the same number of persons elsewhere. One writer proposes a large system of colonization, for the clearing of the Canadian forests. The plan is for the government to borrow $20,000,000 upon the laud, and expend the money in wages among the settlers, in building roads, in clearing lots of twenty acres in each one hundred, and in building log houses and barns. The per sons thus employed, it is argued, will be come attached tfcthc soil, will purchase the land, and repay the outlay. It does not seem ever to occur to the Canadians that, the more they adapt their laws, customs, and institutions to those of the States, the less motive is left for persons to leave that coun try to come to this. The Chicago Relief and Aid Society have established a Labor Bureau on the Court House square, at which all able-hodiod men out ofcmploj'meutand asking relief fromtho society’s agents are required to report. Per gons wanting laborers of any kind will lindas many as they can employ at this place, and it is hoped that contractors and builders will take pains to call or send to this bureau, as they can do much in this way to promote the economical disbursement and use of the relief fund. We learn that a committee, representing the Netv York Chamber of Commerce fund, which has some six hundred thousand dol lars subscribed for the relief of sufferers by the October tires (principally for Chicago), was here lost week looking into the opera tions of the Relief and Aid Society and the needs of the sufferers, aud that a report will shortly bo made to the Chamber of Com merce on the subject. Wo presume that this report will bo a suflicient answer to all the anonymous accusations brought against the society, including that to which the Cincinnati Gazette recently gave prominence. It is reported from Washington that Gov ernor Palmer has an agent there laboring for the removal of tbo army (four companies, supposing them to have arrived) which the government has stationed in Chicago, aud threatening, unless this is done, to fulminate another proclamation. This is hard, very hard, and wo beg the Governor to reconsider his determination, if that is possible. If not, will His Excellency, since he is so staunch a stickler for constitu tional forms, point out to the people the pas sage, either iu the Constitution of the United States or that of the State of Hlinois, which prohibits the government from having a mil itary station iu the city of Chicago aud keep ing troops thereat? —The Nc tv Orleans Republican, a paper ostab Hshed by the late Lieutenant Governor Dunn, and edited by one of bis race, states that the Lieutenant Governor was never in a condition of servitude, thus exploding tho some what dramatic statement that he once escaped from slavery, and got advertised, in consequence, as a runaway in the Picayune newspaper. His father was a free man of color, named James, a native of Virginia, and worked in Now Orleans for many years as a stage car penter in tho Camp street theatre. Tho state ment that Governor Dunn left a largo property is also denied. Ho was always a poor man, afaet "reatly to his credit, inasmuch as latterly ho en joyed rare opportunities to enrich himself by selling his influence to the lobby in attendance at the Legislative sessions. -Au elherialized Ruloff is delighting spiritual seances at Ithaca, N. Y. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. Fee* of the Sheriff; Court Clerics, aucf Recorder of Reeds. Certified Bills Allowed-—The Tax Lev? and the Legislature# Pursuant to adjournment, tho County Commis sioners met yesterday afternoon in tho County Treasurer’s ofliec, President White Iu the chalzv There were also present tho following-Commis sioners: Ashton, Crawford, Harris, Harrison, Herting, Hitchcock, Jones, Lonergau, Pahlmau, Roclle, Skelly, Steams, Talcott. FEES OF THE RECORDER AND OTHERS. The Committee on Finance, to whom was re ferred tho communication of tho Circuit Clerk, reported the following resolution: Kesolted, That in tho opinion of this hoard tho foes oi the offlees of Sheriff. Clerks of tho several courts and of the Recorder of Deoils hereafter elected should too so adjusted as to cover tho expenses thereof in cluding b reasonable salary, ro tho officer in each ease not higher than is compatible with Just economy ami a fair rewan! for tho services- rendered and rosnonsi. toilltles assumed. Jl9t,olceil, That tha present incumbents in said offices toe, and are hereby, requested to convey to the com mittee of the state Legislature having the subject in charge, all information they may possess which will enable said committee to reach just conclusions as to finch adjustment of fees iu this countv Jas will secure the ends sought, keeping in view a*proper economy and tho protection of the county from any part of tho expense of conducting said offices. Commissioner Stearns thought the board was far more capable of judging of such matters than any committee of the Legislature. Commissioner Ashton thought there was too much economy attempted. Commissioner Stearns thought there could not be too much economy. God rbrbid that tho coun ty should ho asked to pay such taxes as they had boen paying. He wanted the Finance Commute© to lix the maximum amount, and then lot tho Legislature tlx that amount. Then if they did not like it the new constitution gave thorn the privilege of resigning their office. He plead for tho tax-payers of tho burnt city, and hoped that the board wouldnot go hackouhlm. Commissioner Crawford moved that the report of the officers of the different courts bo to tho hoard. Commissioner Harrison thought it would bo better to amend the report before adopting it, and discuss it in open board. Tho Chair explained that tho information tho committee had was to arrange the fee bills im mediately. The report was intended to prevent unreasonable fee bills, but at the same time the fees of tho officers wore not to ho so small as to throw tho burden on the county. Ho thought it would bo proper to add another resolution re questing the Legislature to lix the salaries under a certain sum. Conmiißßioner Talcott said ho thought it an almighty had law which proposed to tux a man no cents a month for continuance of cases, lie agreed with Sir. Stearns. Ho had worked with a number of men for twenty-five years, and though they were in the habit of strik ing he never had any difficulty. Ho would tell them that they mighttakotheirmoneyandtravel. The same thing applied to tho officers. Ho thought a resolution or hoard would hare more weight at Springfield than the wholo number of petitions and suggestions of tho Clerks of tho va rious courts. Commissioner Ashton presented tho following amendment: To strike ont, in the second resolu tion,the words the committee of the State Legis lature having the subject in charge,” and insert instead, “theßoard of Commissioners of Cook County.” The amendment was carried, and tho report adopted. FEES OF THE WARDEN OF THE COUNTY HOSPITAL The Committee on Hospital, to whom was re ferred the fixing of salaries of employes and Agent of the County, reported, recommending that the salary of tho Warden of the County Hos pital be Saco. The commute further reported that the Board of Supervisors had entered mto a con tract with George Dotson to furnish fuel and help for $2,300 pc’r annum. Tho report was concurred in. CERTIFIED RILLS ALLOWED, The Committee on Miscellaneous Claims, to whom were referred sundry hills for printing and stationery, amounting to $1,437.25, reported. The committee added that the bills were duly certified by tho Judges, Sheriff, and Clerks of tho several courts. The bills returned without their approval were those not properly certified. Tho committee recommended that steps be taken to stop the purchase of goods for the county generally. Except by some duly authorized agent, whose duties shall Uo defined bv tho board. Tho report was concurred iu. REMINDERS. The Chair rcmlnuCi ,n number of responses had been made to uic iuvlrr»tisll of the board to real estate dealers to exhibit their books. Ho would like to know what time would ho appointed to examine them. The Chair also reminded tho board that the assessments for levying tho taxes had been ren dered of no use, and that the necessary action by tho Legislature should, if possible, bo postponed. Commissioner Talcott wanted the members from Cook Comity to attend to business. They had not attended to their knitting; had dropped a good many stitches lateley. He wanted a resolu tion addressed to them. Commissioner Hitchcock moved the following resolution: WuniiKAS, immediate legislative action is impera tively demanded to enable Cook County to levy State, county, and town taxes; therefore, Jfaoltfd, That the members of tho General Assem bly of Cook County be requested to press such resolu tion upon the attention of the General Assembly. Tbe resolution was adopted, uud the board ad journed until tbis afternoon at 2 o'clock. REPORTS FROM THE COURTS. Prisoners Convicted and Sentenced In the Criminal Court—Another Bigelow Hotel me chanics’ Lien—New Salts, Etc. CRIMINAL COURT. Franz Mahler, indicted for an assault with in tent to murder Balthius Ilursch by using a knifo upon him, pleaded guilty, and was sontoacodto the County Jail for sixty days, —Thomas Larkin, charged with an assault with a deadly weapon (a piece of brick) upon a Ger man, named Frederick Stevens, wasfound guilty, and sentenced to tho County Jail for ten days. The prosecuting German called him an Irish of ah hut even this, by an instruction, was deemed insufficient to warrant an assault. The Court informed tho jury that *‘no mere words, however aggravating, will justify un as sault.” —William Johnson, charged with an assault with a knifo upon on© Thomas Allison, was sentenced to the County Jail for five days. Thomas Allison, tho prosecuting witness was lined S3 for his contempt of court in being absent when he was culled as a witness, and his wife for a similar contempt was mulcted in the costs of the attachment which Issued against her. --Jumeß Leonard, being a hoarder in the house of Mr. Michael O’Rourke, entered the room of liis landlord and stole $43. lie was tried, con victed. and ordered to ho sent to tho Peniten tiary for one year. E—Peter Loiter, charged with tho larcony of three thousand feet of lumber, the property of tho city, which, it was said, was lying ready to be used on the city building on Adams street, was tried and acquitted. Mr. Hewson, who was the prosecuting witness, did not respond to tho suh prrna, wherefore ho had to pay the coats of an attachment issued against him. CIRCUIT COURT. Another petition to declare and enforce a me chanics’lien, was filed by Clark, KalTcn it Co., against George A. Bigelow and others, to affect the Bigelow' Hotel laud, iu Block 121, School Sec tion addition. The petitioners claim for iron work upon the hotel now destroyed. —Actlonsof assumpsit were (among others' com menced as follows William T. Brown, adminis trator. against Edwin Walker; demand $2,030. Hamden A. Cagwin v. Georgo M. French and William 11. and William Donovan; demand, SI,OOO. Get man National Bank v. Egbert B. Clark and T. J. Sammonsf: demand, $1,600. Same v. Abram Hersch; demand, $2,000. COUNTY COURT. Charles Jorn was appointed guardian of Albert Lang, and other minor children of the same fam ily, under bond of $4,000. He was also empow ered to administer upon tho estate of Michael Lane, the father of the minors, under bond of $4,000. WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, Letters from Chicago Artists Abroad to their Friends at Home—Cheering Words fPom J* F. Gooklns and Walter .Shirlnw. Wc give herewith two excellent letters from Chicago artists of repute now in Europe. Tho contents will he found not ouly of interest to tho profession, hut to the general public. They were received some days ago and read at tho recent meeting of artists on Monroe street: Munich, Bavaria. Nov. 3, 1871. Dear Knickerbock er: I have held oil" from writing to you because I knew you would have more than you could well at tend to, and as long as anything wont well I could not easily take the time to write. Now I have a sorrowful theme enough, but 1 don’t feel like writing a sorrow ful letter. I won’t stop to dwell on the past, except to say that the splendid energy that you have always shown, and in particular that part of it that manifest ed your big-hearted love for tlio Academy must not ho lost to Chicago. i I am more and more hopeful each day, as further details come iu. Tell us something about It when 3*oll can, and about tho affairs of the Acadcmv generally, I want to do some thing now to help, and I want 3*oll t# write mo tlio prospects ol tlio acadumj'. so that I can best know now to do morothnn I speak of Just here. I will give to the academy a picture and frame that will bring at least SI,OOO, ami engage to have it ready for tlio open ing, ami to do my host to sell it for tlio academy, cither before or after that. I will make It one of my most In teresting subjects, and of commanding size, sulllclenc to guarantee the price named. Secondly, if you will send me authority so to do, I will go to work toget contributions of pictures, etc., from other American artists abroad—both painters and sculptors. I believe I can get from ten to hftecn thousand dollars’ worth of pictures right hero in Munich. I have already some pledged, and onl3* want authoiit3'togo on. Wo can meet all our obligat ions, and wo will do so; The art interest of all America must from this lime forward centre in Chica go. Where Is there such a market for pictures amongst people, who by tills time know what good pic turvsnrc, as the people of Chicago will be in two or three, or live years when her fortunes shall have been built up grander than ever, and her many square miles of blank walls shall liave to be tilled t It’s no us# for anybody to talk, and cold water squirts to syringe us, Chicago people liavo got to have pictures to live on as well us coal, and carpets, and bread—and not only Chicago, but the whole Northwest. Judge Skinner. Dr.’ Rogers, and all say it will never do to knock un der now. Hut I’m in haste, and can only further say that I am witli 3-011 iu heart always, and I want to boar m 3' part of the burden of reconstruction. I would I were with 3*ou, but my duty is here. We are laying up jtower day by dav. Walter is having splendid success, and is captivat ing the whole academy here. lam doing well, and my Professor is well pleased. We have big plans and great ambitions, and both are waxing in growth and number as we labor. Wo hope to locate the fruits thereof in n pleasant habitation; budded anew. Hut we are not selfish in that hope. Wo don’t want the academy to ourselves alone. (,*lvc words of warmest sympathv to our brother artists who have suffered and will suffer. I would I could send money instead, but I have news myself that 1 am totals* cut off from all available income for tho present. We arc out of money and iu a strange land, where it takes some times months to get relief from home. However, I haven’t the least fear in the world for ourselves. I have everything too for our friends who suftbr so much more than we. But wo can dig out, and we One little matter I will speak of. I don’t know whether the picture, the Fairy Wedding.” wassavert or not. of course; but if It was. X bog you will consider it the exclusive and unconditional property of the academy, frame and all. And I hone it can be ••m-lo available in touu* wav. rou’i think o keeping it A R vallery picture, for there’s plenty more where it camo from, anti eomo that would represent mo more to your ■liking. Bly beat regards to an, and toelievo metyours, as over. J. P. GocnioMs. MUNCTTEN,Nov.6.IB7I— Dear Knickerbocker: la our days of sorrow and affliction, seek we ever the syzspo tky and encouraging words- of our fellows—even 1 if they do not abend that which is- broken, or retoind that which is scattered to the wiurt7V-d. That this hrtiirJ in accepting the resigna tion of 310%' L. F. Chamberlain o£ District No. 1. desires to hear testimony 1,10 intelligence, and success of his labors In orga.—r m and superintending tho distribution of relief in the North Division of tho city, and to express the hope that in leaving tho work of this society to labor fortuo rebuilding of his church, full and complete success may attend Ids labors. Mr. George Schneider, President of the German Relief Committee, also, warmly thanked Mr. Chamberlain, on behalf of tbe German population on tbe. North Bide, for tho promptness, fidelity, and efficiency with which tho work of distribu tion has been carried on in that district. RELIEF FOR CHICAGO. Contributions of filoncv from Newfoundland and the Sandwich Island!*—Letters Received at the mayor’s Office Yesterday. Tho following letters, enclosing drafts for money for tbe benefit of tbo sufferers of this city, were received by Mayer Mcdill yesterday. BRITISH CONSULATE GENERAL, Kkw York. Dec. 11, 1371. T> Ifon. Jostfph MetUll, Mayor of Chteayo: Deak gut: I have pleasure In transmitting to yon on tho following page a copy of a letter received by mo this morning from Hie Colonial Secretary. Newfoundland: an also a bill of exchange for one thousand dollars ($1,000) gold therein enclosed, which sum yon will perhaps bo so good an to can so to be added to the fond for the relief of the sufferers by the great llro at Chicago. I will be obliged by an acknowledgment of the bill at your con venience. I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, E: IT. ARCHIUALD. [C°W.] Secretary s OmrE, ST. JOHN'S, NKWEOL’XHLAN'P, Nov. 23, 1371. J To K. M. ArchibaUl. Connel General, l/nlteil Staff*: StU: I have tbe honor to transmit to you. by dlrcc tion of the Government of Newfoundland, a bill of ex changeon the Vational’Bank of Commerce. Now York, for one thousand dollars, anil to request yon will trans mit the amount to the proper authorities for the relief of the tire sufferers at Chicago, and, ut the same time, that von will expires< to them the deep sympathy which is felt by this government fur the citizens of Chicago in their heavy calamity and visitation by lire. I have the honor to bo, sir, your moat obedient aor. vant, James L. Norman, Secretary, Tun Bank ofJC’ai.iforxia, SAX FRANCISCO, Dec. 4,1571. J To Hon li. li. Maton, Mayor of Chicago Dear §lls «ni this morning iu receipt of a letter from Alex. J. Cartwright, Esrj., of Honolulu, H. 1., announcing the result of efforts made in those distant Islands fwrtlio relief of sufferers by the late fearful conflagration In your city and neighboring States. A copy of that letter yon will find enclosed, and I have also the pleasure of handing yon. at the same time, bank chock on Now York No. 3.3,314 for $1,300 gold coin, being tho amount remitted by Mr. Cartwright lor distribution where most required- I am yours, very truly, w. c. Ralston'. [Copy.j HONOLULU, Nor. 20, IS7I. ll’. C. Haitian, K*fj„ San Francisco; Dear Sin: At tiio first meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of this city, after tho receipt of the intelli gence of tho dreadful fires that have devastated Illi nois and tho neighboring States, a committee was ap pointed to canvass our community fur subscriptions m aid of the sufferers. An appeal has been mado per. sunnily by the committee to tho residents of Honolulu and through tho papers to those on tho other Islands, and as a tangible result of tho appeal I have tho pleasure to enclose herewith ns an instalment collected only in Honolulu, first of Bishop Co.’s Exchange on Bank of California for fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500) for distribution where it is most required. I beg also to hand you a number of the jfaicaiian Gazette of the 15th Inst., containing the appeal referred to. Respect fully yours, Au:x. J. Cartwright, Chairman of Committee. CALIFORNIA INSURANCE. Meeting of the Policy-llolderu in the Occiden tal and Other .San Francisco Insurance Com jinnies—Judge Higgins Going to California to Collect the Claims of the Chicago tiufler crs. At a meeting of the policy-holders in tho Occi dental Insurance Company, of San Francisco, held yesterday at tho office of James Barter Co., No. 25 Canal street, J. E. Fay, attorney, of Messrs. Bonney, Fay Griggs, was made Chairman, and James Baxter Secretary. The fol lowing report was mado by the committee of the previous meeting, which was received and adopt ed Your committee bog to report that they hare ronsid ored carefully the different ways and means of collect ing tho claims against tho Occidental. Pacific, aud People’s insurance companies, of California, and their stockholders, and have had propositions front mauv of our best law linns—amongst thorn one from Judge Van H. Higgins (representing tho tlnn of Higgins, Swott«t Qnigg), offering to take charge of claims and policies, in one or all of these companies, on tho fol lowing terms, viz.: Go to California and prosecute them vigorously, he paying nil expenses, aud after the policy-holder shall nave received the amount now offered by said company, viz.: Occidental, twenty cents on the dollar; Pacific, fifty cents on the dollar; People’s, twenty-five cents on tlie dollar; lie (Higgins) then to have one-fourth part of the balance that may be collected, and the polity-holder throo-foarths part of said balance. We recommend tho acceptance of these terms, and at tho same time beg to remind tho policy-holders of the justness of our claims when-a man of the reputation of Judge Higgins will under take tho collection of all claims, pajdng all expenses, and going so faraway at large expense to look after it for one quarter of tho nett profits over what the companies now offer us. We beg further to recom mend that a committee of three bo appointed to call on the different policy-holders and solicit them to place their claims in said Judge Higgins’ hands for collection and further recommend that It he a part of the arrangement with said Judge Higgins that no compromise of any policy or claim shall he made with any one of said company without tho con sent of a majority of tho amount represented in said company. Withlthese recommendations, vour commit tee beg to bo discharged. James Baxter, W. E. Hale, Chicago, Dec. 13. a. E. Stevens. Messrs. James Baxter, A. E. Stevens, and Wm. Phelps (manager for Potter Palmer) were ap pointed a committee to solicittho ciaimaof policy holders to place their claims in tho hands of Hig gins, Swett& Quigg for collection in accordance with the report of tho committee. AMUSEMENTS. ANNOUNCEMENTS. G. R- Gardiner’s now theatre on Halstcd street, near Madison, will be known as tho Academy of Music. It will open with tho Wyudham party, January 8. —Billy Manning and his minstrel party will suc ceed tho Windhams at the Michigan Avenue Theatre on next Monday evening. —Mortimer’s “indispositions” having become rather too frequent. Colonel Wood is negotiating with Joe Wheelock for leading man at tho Globe Theatre. —Arlington. Cotton, Kemble, and company are nightly crowding tho West Side Opera House with delighted audiences. —Miss Do Bar, as Bertha at the Globe Theatre, is making hosts of admirers by her artistic and conscientious personation of that persecuted •‘Sewing Machine Girl.” —Milty v.luii: mul H Cox and Em" still bold the boards at the Michigan Avenue Theatre Houses crowded nightly, r *ueacre. _ ELBEWHKRX wyndham and the principabjeoplo of his nnn ??ttabm*gS layillß a £wo wee engagement at —Mrs. J. B. Hall and Mr. E. of Cbica 6°»nsfilsted the 8t Paul Musical Society at taelr •thirty-third annual vocal and instrumental concert,” on Tuesday evening last. —The Quiney Herald says McKee Rankin dis charged Belvll Ryan from his company for ro luslßff to play a part for wtilcli ho was oast. Mr. Ryan was about the only actor of any account connected with the Rankin company. REAL ESTATE, In»2nunen?9 Filed for Record on Taesday.*De- ceznbcr PJ* CITY PROPERTY. Michigan ar-between Thirty-second and Thir ty-third sts, wf, 25xi70fr, dated Nov. 14 consid eration, $7,500. Tyler at, 25 ft w of Wood at, s £.35x125 ft, dated Dec. 1; consideration, 1,600. Wesson st, s of Oak at, wf, 21x70‘ ft, dated Dec. 12 7 consideration, S6OO. West Twelfth st, 325 ft o.of Unionist, nf, 25x80 ft,’dated Dec. 14 consideration, $590. Margaret st, 50 ft n of Catherine ot, w f, 25x100 ft, da ted Deo. 13 consideration, $1,600. Burnside st, between Thirty-second and Thir ty-tlwrd sts,w f, 25x125 ft, dated Deo; 7: consider ation, $2,600;. Sou th of the n9offe of Lots lan(M,in Block 2 of Porter’s Block 27, Sec. 33, 40,14, dated Dec. 11: consideration, $1,500. Wabash av, between Twelfth and Thirteenth sta, ef, 25x177 ft, with building, dated Oct. 24; consideration $18,000; Franklin at, 80 ft n of Randolph st,.e-f. 40x80 ft, dated Nov. 10; consideration, SiG.ooo. SOUTH OT CITY LIMITS. Lots 8, 9, and 10, in Block 1, in Maeon Me- Kiehan’s Subdivision of w 1-2, n w l-4„ Sec. 14, 33, 14, dated Sept-28; consideration, $2,250 i WEST or CITY LIMITS. Blocks 19 and'2o of J. n. Rees’-Subdivision of Secs. 35 and tion, $8,900. PERSONAL. Professor Agassiz, who is now oa his way around the Continent southward,.9ucceedcd in raising §12,000 for his scientific expenses, and has the promise of oaough more to insure the success of his plans. —The Rev. A GoQurel, while in this country, collected about $9,000 In aid of hia church, school, and charities hbFaris. —A candy cannon, weighing compounds, was presented to Krupp onhia birthday. —The Czar at Russia has five sons living—Alex ander the heir, Vladimir, Alexia, Eorgle and Paul, and an only daughter, Marie, seventeen years of age. —Gadahill has been purchased bp Charles Dick ens, Jr., who now Uvea there. —'When Alexia departed from Philadelphia ho left S2OO tq.he distributed among- the servants of the Continental Hotel, and handed $25 to Mayor Fox for the man who stopped the frightened horses of one of the carriages in which his suite was returning from tho Park breakfast on Monday. —A Georgia correspondent says tho most no ticcablecomment on the bill giving a wife a cause of action against a party seUing liquor or any thing else to her husband while drunk, and allow ing the proceeds ef the fine to go to the wife, came from Whit Anderson, the messenger of the Sen ate. Now,” said Whit, “I can afford to get mar, rled, for my wife can easily support tho family on tho dues I will briug her.” —Miss Eliza Lyman has contracted to furnish aU tho lumber for tho water-tanks and depot handings of a Vermont railroad. She will boss” tho job herself. —Recently, on a visit to the Penitentiary, the editor of the'HnntsvUle (Texas) i?epi<&ftcan|liad a full view of Satanta and Big Tree, tho Indian chiefs, recently incarcerated. Satanta is an elder ly man, with open countenance and good hearing. He is said to ho a hereditary chief. Big Tree is a chief by promotion. Hois represented as being about 3o years old, and as having a downcast, felonious look. Both behqvo well, and are ns easily controlled as any convicts in tho prison. —A correspondent at Litchfield, Ky., writes that the wife of AUen living in Grayson County, last week gave birth to three boys. Two of them weighed eight pounds each, and the other six pounds. All died. Mr. and Mrs. Wil son were married in January last. Ho was 50 years of age, and this was his second marriage; she was 28 years old, and it was her first mar riage. —Mr. W. T. Manning, the Coroner of Her Maj esty's hoTlScipll» tlm nomnanv uta>/ insist upon, lue forced SS5SSmnRbt to ba put upon tho clause UWo minted bv most companies. Damns a tow simply dishonest, and, it Stared mfsimSid bo sufficient ground to war the nronorty-owner la withdrawing hia oon- companies in tho future. The tshonorubie companies referred to construe the <1 vord “receipt” of proofs to mean "acceutanctf of proofs; or, In other words, insist that the? ard not obliged fa pay tho loos until sixty dava after tiey (the companies) have adjusted or declared the proof satisfactory \o themselves. UalersnSJ a construction, there is nothin* company from plscon-holing tho carefaUy-n?£ 0 8 of the policy-holder until each tuna as It sees fit or convenient to examine thorns ami irhen months of patient waiting on the pixrtof tho policy-holder nave elapsed, whothe outpace peiretratcrt has become too flagrant to be lonar endured, to-mark the proofs “accepted or “nq. Jasted, and then insult the insured byafforimr to pay him after fire expiration of sixty i?»ys frnnr Sf fils? l°ir?per C S anCe r t0 pay at oaco There can te no question whatever that the aysar ?.r7 en tiie company within*which to imfpect, criticize, and, if proper, to redo?©. the claim made by t;‘« insured, or to discover wheth er nn> fraud has been attempted; but tho con* struetibii claimed by many companies, that tho sixty days commence to run from the date when tho losets is, on Its face, fraudulent; and it is only the pressure of necessity upon ttosa desiring To rebuild, or reorganize their broken trade, thaf impels them to submit to the extor tion of 1 per cent per mouth after the expiration of tho timewheu they tire entitled to be paid tie whole loss without discount. The magnitude of this swindle is better under stood wt ecTvc consider that tho sum thus ille gally and fraudulently withheld amounts, in the aggregate, perhaps, to several hundred thousand dollars, which, if added to the enormous rate for insuring fo-day, maywcll convince any com pany that has not been totally ruined that a tiro of the magnitude of oars is quite a profitable speculation, and that rh© gain will soou over balance the lolkcs. This question, Mr. Editor, is of vast public importance for our citizens require every dol lar they can raise to build up their shattered business, and, while not desiring that wliieb does not properly and justly belong to them, neither can they afford‘to be cheated or defraud ed oat of what tSey are legally and equitably entitled to. I therefore urge upon my fello w-suf ferc-rs to consider carefully the conduct of these servant companies to-j r ihxt. in their future in surances, they may know not only which are the strong companies, but which are both honorubTe snd strong. I hspo that both merchants anti* builders will take this opportunity to separate the tares from the wheat, ft lies in their power to make the business of a dishonorable company very unprofitable In Cluctvgo. I hope soon to have a list of the companies of doubtful integ rity prepared, with a few comments on thedeecr tivc character of their advertisements. Chicago, Deo. 21. faciv. Tbe-Old Trrmont. To the Editor of Tho Chicago Tribune Slit On tho morning of October 9, 1371 .among tho many old-timo bnildings that fell a prey to the sheet of flame which spread like a yaU over our beloved city,.was tho Old Tremont. There were many travelling from hero all over the world; both in this and other countries,.who, as tho news sped over the wires that Chicago was in flames, thought first of their homes, and friends; but, with a second thought of tho old landmarks that bad gone, came a desire to know if tho Tremont, too, had fallen a victim.to the flames. For many years it had fcaemthe homo of some of oar oldest residents, and- they looked upon it os a dear, familiar spot—one whore all our citizens liked to go and spend a fow hours after business. If any place was wanted for committees to meet on business, or for pleasure, they were sure to select tli© Tremont, os heiag. control, and Just where they would bo apt to find the parties they were anxious to see. The different societies— Masonic, Ac.—generally held their annual din ners. balls, and parties within the dining-rooms or parlors; and many a time nave those rooms been tilled with the gentlemen and ladies of oar city, who came here to trip the light fantastic toe, as well as to enjoy the good least prepared for their benetlt, at an early day, under the su pervision of Ira Conch; later, by the Gage Broth ers; but for the oast few yearsl>y John B. Drake, who has been mine boat of the Old Tremont. Here it was-that, in any time of excitement, like the late war, the people came to talk matters over. It has been the scene of many warm de bates; for hero were found Lincoln, Douglas, and all the politicians of dlfferentages and times. Our Presidents, Senators, and men of distinguished rank came to the Tremont a? to their own homes, and from its piazzas spoke many times to the as sembled multitude of the state of the country and affairs all over the world. It seemed perfectly natural for Stephen a. Douglas to come here and lay down his life after years of labor. Daring the war that followed close upon this great man’s death, our Generals, as well as those of lesser rank; thronged the halls and rooms of the Tremont, until it was like a busy hi™ of bees. Some of our soldiers came here to stop a few days, and it was God’s will they should go no further; but they must fall asleep, enter upon their long reaMbere in the Tremont surrounded, perhaps, by no fa milar face, yet by those willing and anxious to do all that could be done for our noble defenders from the ileld of battle where the fatal wound was received, or the disease of which tboj* there are At this time ®*L rra Conch would say Sol *J® iwl'hGi^ oll^ would say. Go on, and build were ho her time will permit. Ho would SotS&eaDrtoleave our city, but to stand by trouble, helping to bring bade aIMheCT-and buildings which filled our streets ♦SiifiwtSw vears. urA made Chicago what he Imd anticipated she might become when ho put up the Old Trcmont. d Cuicauo, Dec. 11. Comnda Thistle*. Elk Grove, ill., Dec. 8, To the Editor of The Chicago Tribune The seasons are changing, and Canada thistles are in full blow in winter, especially around Springfield, and I trust this is going to bo the right kind of a blow for their everlasting destruc tion. An enactment of the Legislature, making suitable provisions for the extermination of this tles, ought to bo considered a pnhllo benefit, not only to the fanner, but to the whole country at contwt wits tLom spreading ovlT. 1 See D S tilJ meeting several .tears a *-o TTpata tnx to little iniportaaetr a? not o£ Since that time, thirties i,„_ be ac^et U P° W creasing, so mnch so that It i without a protective J Ua dany England, the Town Clerk of In Yorkshire, to put a notice aimnaiu- owirri:ip xu, a fncks and thistles ahouhi ft. lu,tr Veion© seeding, or a peiSity -vonM 0 l aTR fnmi the occupier of laml where- th» bo p *acted mtonldthanewlai I “S* fet?''**. thmle.*, there mav be a <-ood fV»ir.Vv ‘nada for I have always xioclewtond -bit Jg W ‘i other species of thistles, which I call th hnrrthj.tle: aad K the now la,- B h.mhi „Tf specify rho Camulii thistle. It would t lit certain inrti-riiliials. while the ttou.and, wlm are snfferiag from the multitude of !ar-> tlnstl... would hu leffwlthont any redress ThiTcf.)-.. we ought to have it understood in said law thur all thistlesshould come under its enactments. GOODS. BiMlfMfTi 25& West Madison^!;, Corner Sangamon, Have now a full line of HG3IERY in Men’s, Women’s, and Children's;; NUBIAS, in white and colors; ZE PHYR WORSTEDS j YARN, in bine, mixed and colors; Hand-knit Soarfs,. Hoods, Shawls, Loggias, Mittens, ho.. Slippers,. Ottomans, Camp Chairs*. Towel Backs, and other goods suita ble for Christmas Presents. Wc shnlfrenmin open rail! S p»m..unt& after the Holidays. TO 51 MIS! We are now prepared to exhibit the finest Fin* Seal Garments Ever offered in this city. Our “gored” Sacques, with “slashed” Skirts, are elegant, and so are our LADIES’ MEW STYLE FDR SEAL CAFS. J. A. SMITH CO., 513 WabasSj-sav. CLOTHING. MAILS! ILL. One great reason why we ad vertise so much is, —We have the goods to back it up. Another, —Because the prices, marked in plain figures on our goods, defy competition. Clothing is cheap, and we want the people to know it. 122 W. Madistm-st. SHIRTS. SHIRTS, mmm, Mi™. smith McCarthy, 133 USsadison-st. FINANCIAL. City Comptroller’s Office, CHICAGO, Dec. 13, t371. The City of Chicago offers for sale Si’AOOO Ot Illinois State Bonds. They bear six per cent interest, payable semi annually, and arc redeemable at tho xdeasuro ef the State, after three years. Interest on them com mences Jan. l, 1572, and both principal and Interest are payable in New York. Sealed proposals for the whole or any portion of tho Bonds Swill be received at the Comptroller’s Office until tho 20th of December, IST!, at noon, at which time they will bo opened, and tho whole amount awarded to tho highest bidder or bidders, provided said proposals are not below par. Interest on City Bonds. ThocityofChicago will pay Its Interest coupons, cine January 1, 1872, if presented at tho City Treas urer’s Oflice prior to December 23, 1371. OEO. TAYLOR. City Comptroller. GENERAL NOTICES. NOTICE. To the Creditors of the Hide Leather Insurance Co., of Boston, Brass. The undersigned have been appointed Receivers of the above-named corporation tlic Supremo Judicial Cottrt of Massachusetts. The said Court, by its de cree dated December 9, IS7I, has directed said Re ceivers to declare and pay a dividend to the creditors of said corporation of THIRTY PER CENT upon the Just claims of said creditors. Said dividend is pay able in Boston ON AND AFTER THE TWENTIETH OF THE PRESENT MONTH, to such of said cred itors as shall prove their claims, to the satisfaction of said Receivers, before the lirat day of March, A. D. 1572. CHESTER J. REED. JOHNW. CARTWRIGHT, OLIVER H. COLE, NOTICE. All sufierera by the great lire, natives of Franco, will report at once to fho French Consul of this city, 223 Randolph-st- Ofliee Honrs from 10-a. m. to Ip. m. WANTED. WANTED. ■Pariip* bavins Houses to rent, furnished or nnfiir nislTe.l can obtain eood tenants by applying- at W. u SAMPSON CO/s iteal Estate and House Rent inL-'.tV. c'-y- gg -daihaea-at. WANTED! IMMEDIATELY, two first-class. Pur Sewers and Finishers, to whom aqexlra pi ice will belaid. Xouo but the best nets! apply, to J. JOXASA CO.. 2i5 Michi on-st. corner Cass. North Side. BROKERS. DREW NEWBURY^ Real Estate Brokers, Particular attention given to renting houses. leas ing lots, collecting rents, paying taxes, «tc. Loans negotiated. Office, No. IS3 West Washingtou-st., [also 537 Wabash-av., Chicago, J. O. DREW, formerly of Sampson «fc Drew, GEO. G. NEWBURY, to J. L. Jamet. BUSINESS CHANCES. To Parlies ill Genital An opportunity is now offered to invest la a Slanu* torturing Brick Works,” which, for tho f 0 will yield an annual profit of at leasflOOper will yield permanently from 40 to so per c num. Principals only need addioss, o pa ROR’T T. MARTIN, 20 St, Johu’s-place, Chicago, 31. L. Ccuns. CEO. TAYLOR, City comptroller. Receivers.