The New York Herald Newspaper, June 7, 1853, Page 2

duction in the prices; but it is undeniable that since re EE A A EL a ee ‘well fl. Let them nemeria’ ze the merchants in the who trim women’s hats. Females of every age are we regret it must be told, endeavored to avoid the cen- dry goods th’s also—that there were hundreds of females in this city who were abie to keep the books ag well a3 any man init. There were various Other branches of business n which men were employed for which fe- males alone were suitable or intended; let these men go to the fields and seek the'r livelihood as men ought to do, and leave the females their lezitimate employ- ment. By these means some thousauds would be af- forded employment in branches much more valuable to themselves and to the community generally. She then proceeded to recommend those present to be moderate in their demands, and not to ask for more than the circumstances of trade would warrant, for if they acted otherwise it would tend to their wore rapid ultimate ruin. Under pre- sent circumstances a very few years broke down their constitutions, and they had no other resource than the almshoure.”” ‘This address was well received, and it was after- | wards a subject af much regret to the friends of the working women that the excelleut advice it con- tained was not acted upon. At this meeting a num. | ber of delegates presented their credentials, from the following trades : Twiloresses, plain and coarse sew- ers, shirt makers, book folders aud stitchers, cap | makers, straw workers, dress makers, crimpers, | fringe and lace makers, anda large number ot others. A preamble and resolutions were subsequently sdopt- ed, setting forth the claims of the working women to a more adequate compensation for their labor, and directing an address to be prepared by a committee, presenting their wrofgs to the public in their true and proper light, and advising such measures as might be best calculated to remedy them. This ad. | dress, which was to have been read by a lady, was postponed, and we believe was never de- | hivered, beiore a public audience, at least. Atthe next meeting of the association, he!d on the 14th of March, a number of rules for the govern. ment of the body were adopted, and a resolution in | favor ot establishing a store in connection with it was unanimously passed. To raise the necessary fonds for this purpose, it was resolved that a com- mittee should wait on Mrs. Stephens, the well kaown authoress, and request her to deliver an address for the benefit of the association. This Mrs. Stephens refused to do, but expressed her williagness to write ‘an address, on condition that it should be read by gome gentleman. The committee agreed to this ar- | rangement; Mr. Charles Burdett was selected, and we | believe a handsome sum was realized for the associa- tion. A few meetings were held after this; but, as we have stated, some politiciacs and strong-minded ‘women, who cared more for notoriety than the inte- rests of the poor working women, took part in them, threw disrepute on the whole movement, and render- ed it so unpopular that it was broken up, without effecting any good for those whom it was intended to benefit. A party of women’s rights women formed what they called an auxiliary society, without the consent of the association, and were proceeding to act on their own account, independent of it, when they were informed that they did so without authority from the President. This brought the two societies into direct collision, hostilities were commenced, which ended only with the overthrow of both. Thus terminated this attempt of the female opera- tives to better their condition and procure a fair ompensation for their labor, and thus must termi- | bate all movements in which foolish theorists or scheming politicians are allowed to take part. {UE FORMER AND PRESENT CONDITION OF THE STRAW SEWERS. The straw sewers at one time were paid a better price for their labor than women employed at any | other occupation in the city. But it is a strange tact | that as the price of provisions and rents have in- creased, the rate of wages, instead of increasing in equal proportion, has absolutely been reduced less | than one-half. It might reasonably be supposed from this brief statement, that it is next to impossi- ble for women engaged in this work to earn a res- ‘pectable subsisten:e; and were it not for the most rigid economy, it certainly would be a difficult mat- ter for many of them to live at all. About fifteen or twenty years ago, the price paid to straw sewers was from six to ten shillings a piece, each piece con- taining sixty yards of straw plait. The price was regulated, of course, according to the quality of the article, but it made little or no difference whatever im the weekly amount which the women were able to earn. At the period of which we are speaking, an ordinary hand at the work could make six or seven dollars per week, while those who were expert at it, could earn ten dollars a week. This left a large surplus for saving after all expenses were paid, and a woman could | Jook forward with hope to the time when she would | be enabled, by her own savings, to set up in business on her own account. In fact, the straw trade'then, was principally, if not entirely, conducted by women; | and to this fact is in no small degree attributable the high price paid for their labor. Those who have been for years employed in the business, say that | bat for its monopoly by men, there would be no re- they entered it, the prives have gradually been re- duced from six and ten shillings a piece to thirty and | forty cents. There are, it is true, one or two straw | merchants who pay a cent a yard, but the majority | do not give more than thirty and forty cents a piece, The golden age of straw sewers has passed with the | termination of the female régime, and now, under the new order which has followed, it appears | there is no hope that they willever be adequately | remunerated tor their work. | the needle-women of the Hast to underwork their | ifwe may use so mild a form of expression for what is | means they get their work done as cheap, if | not cheaper, than if they carried on the busi- department, for instance, and show them employed in straw sewing, from girls of twelve to | sure of their emptayer by fixing women of ‘orty, and even fifty years old. Among them are to be found women who would grace any | position in life, and who have been reduced | from a state of affluence to dependence uponthe most arduous work at which females cau be employed. | How mapy have sunk under the burden to which | they are subjecied, and who were compelled, even in the lost stayes of consumption, to work at their | needle rather than throw themse'yes on the cold | | charity of strangers ! ‘The feeling of independence is | | the most marked feature in the A n character, and in none of our industrial classes is it more dis- | tinctly visible than in our sewing girls. We kuow of many women who might, if they pleased, live com- | fortably without working, but who prefer depending | on the labor of their owa hands for a living, to being supported even by their own relations, THE CAUSES OF THE REDUCTION OF PRICES. We have stated as the cause of the present low prices paid to straw sewers, the competition among manufacturers, the system of sub-contracting, and the large number whe learn the business every year; but there is another which has a more depressing eflect than all these upon their labor. It is a well known fact that a large proportion of the work sold in New York is done by women in the eastern States. One establishment—the largest we believe | in this city—keeps about nine hundred women in a | Village in Massachusetts, constantly employed during | the season. It is estimated that about one half the | straw goods sold here are made in Massachusetts | and other New England States. The argument used | by our straw sewers against this system will appear | plausible tomany. They say that if the employers get their work done in New England they onght also to find a market for it in New England. It would hardly do to apply this mode of argument in every case of the kind, although it is hardly fair for sisters in New York, where they must know the cost of living isso much greater than it is in the country. When our straw sewers remonstrate against the reductions which are sometimes made in their prices, they are told that if they are not willing to do it, others can be found who will gladly do it for less, A large amount of the straw goods made in New York are manufactured for Southern houses, and we are informed that they pay the lowest prices. The hats are generally made of the coarsest kind of braid. . THE WORKROOMS, THE FOREWOMEN, AND MANNER OF PAYMENT. Of the three thousand straw sewers, the principal part are employed in workrooms in different parts of New York—a considerable proportion of which are situated in the lower part of the city and the Bowery. In some of the workrooms, there are as many as one hundred and fifty women and girls employed, who are under the superintendence of one of their num- ber, called the forewomen. Her principal business is to give cut the braid to the sewers, and to keep an account of the amount of work done. Each sewer is provided, or we should say, provides herself; with a small book, in which her work is entered as it is returned to the forewoman. They are not paid like persons engaged in other occupations, by the week; but are forced to wait the convenience, interest, inclination, or caprice of their employers; as a general thing, however, they receive their earn- ings about once every two and three weeks. Even then, however, they never receive the full amount, for when it happens, as it almost invariably does, that there is a surplus of a few shillings, it is allowed to lie over till the next payment. There are some establishments who, we have been informed, do not pay their employes oftener than once in every two or three months, and they give the lowest prices of any in the business. They have no consideration what- ever, for the inconvenience which their irregularity— the most heartless injustice—subjects the poor sewers in their employmeat to, and the annoyances they are compelled to suffer at their boarding houses in consequence. We are glad, however, to be able to state that there are very few such establishments in the city, and that the straw manufacturers are more honest in their dealings with their employes than the shirt makers and many others who live by the enormous profits which they realize from female labor, as well as by the frauds which they perpetrate upon those who work for them. The forewoman is paid by the week, her wages varying from four to six ond seven dollars, but there are very few employers who pay so much as seven. They bave very little responsibility resting upon them, and their principal business, as we have stated, is the superintendence of the women. SYSTEM OF SUB-CONTRACTING, COMPETITION AND ITS INJURIOUS EFFECTS UPON THE SEWERS. Some dealers in straw goods contract with manu- facturers to do their work at a certain per cent- age, and furnish them with the straw. By this ness themselves ; besides, they are relieved from the trouble and annoyance of having the work done in their own establishments. This system of sub- contracting is productive of a great deal of injury to the interests of the sewers, as it creates a most active | competition among the manufacturers, and a conse- quent reduction in the price of the work. We know | of one manufacturer who, sooner than become a party | to the injustice, gave up her business altogether. The | dealer offered her the work at the same rate she paid for it herself, so that she could not realize any profit except by reducing the price which she had been ac- PRICES PAID FOR SEWING STRAW—INJUSTICZ OF EMPLOYERS. At present their average weekly wages is two dollars and a half, and to make this they have ‘ work ten hours every day. Like all kinds of needlework, it is injurious to the health and | destractive to the sight. Ten hours constantly | lvoking atthe bright yellow straw so impairs the | eyes that all other object» 4 pear dim and indistinct, while the half bent position of the body not unfre- quently pro iuces consumption. There are somg sew. és who, by worklag twelve or fourteen hours daily, are able to wake four or five doliars a week, bat the excessive fatigue generally produces sickness, and the surplus is frequently consumed in medicines. It would be well, however, if the evil did not extend further; but, strange to say, it reacts upon all the workers. Our readers will be surprised as much as we were, when we tell them that some of the em- ployers, as soon as they find that it is possible for a sewer to earn five dollars a week, re- @uce the prices immediately, so that those who formerly made four dollars a week, working ten hours a day, cannot make more than two and a half or three dollars. We are aware of several cases in which this was done, and we know that it was partly in this way that the prices were reduced to their present low standard. Yet witht all these difficulties against which they have to contend, the straw sewers con: trive, as we said, by the most rigid economy, to go neatly dressed, and preserve a respectable appear- ance. They pay from one and a half to two dollars ‘a week for their board, and two or three shilliags for their waching, which is a separate item of expense. This leaves them from four tw six shillings aweek for shoes, bonnets, and other articles of clothing. Some who live with their parents, and are not wholly de- pendent upon their work for a subsistence, are ena- bied to dices LeWer and indulge in some of the laxaries of life, bet « large number, who have no other means of support but their needle, and whose health is their ouly capital, sldom vary the dull monotony | of their lives by ajwvcement of any kind. Yet the | straw sewers are a lively, intelligent class of women, more inclined to look at the bright side of life tha at its dark pictores, ‘hough there are enough of them to chill the mort chearful natures | The number of women and girls em 4 at the | different kinds of straw sewing in New York is esti- | mated at threo thousand, but this embraces the hat ‘and bonuet makerz aud te trimmers. he trimmers are distinct (rom the former, and are divided into | sented this to him; but his ouly reply was, that if she refused to take bis work on those terms be could find | sewers should be fairly rewanerated for their labor, customed to payon each piece of braid. She repre- many who were willing to do it, and who had no such scruples. It is an undeniable fact that the prices have been greatly reduced within fhe last three or four years, and that this redaction is owing, to 4 great exient, to the competitfom of which we ; have spoken. But, besides this, there are other cavaes to which the present depressed gondition of labor in this occupation is attributable. Formerly, when straw sewers were able to carn from six to ten dollars a week, they had t6 Séfve an ap- prenticeship of six months, while, at present, five or six weeks is considered sufficient to qualify them for the business. Then, however, they were taught bleaching and pressing, which form two distiact branches now, and which are principally, if not en- tirely, done by men. The brief time required to ob- tain a knowledge of the work induces a large number of persons to engage in it; and as their services during the period of their apprenticeship is gratui- | tous, their employers,ef cour-e, are desirous of get- | ting as much of their work as they can, done upon such easy terms. Thus the number of straw sewers has increased so rapidly within the last five or six years, that it has nearly doubled during that time. Now, as this portion of our industrial classemare not exempt from the general law, as confirmed by all ex- perlence—that the value of labor is regulated by the demand and supply—the condition of the straw sewers must become worse every year. Strong efforts have been made at various times, to redress their griovances, but they have univer- sally failed, partly from the want of a proper and effective organization, and the powerful opposition of the employers. An attempt was made afew years ago in one of the principal establishments in this city, to obtain an increase in the prices, but as there was no union or concert of action among the womea, it proved more injurious than beneficial. In the establishment of which we speak, there were about | xty eewers employed, all of whom ed or con- nted to having their names signed toa petition asking for an advance on the prices they were then receiving. The foreworan, although she had no interest in the result, farther than o desire that the signed the names of several, at their own request, to the petition. When her employer heard that she liad taken an active part in the movement, he not only refused to grant the request of the petition, bat abso- two dictingt gly: eg—thove who trim men’s aud those | hetely discharged her. The sewers, ty their ( redit, all the blame upon their best friend, the forewoman. So confident, hew- ever, were they of snecess, that they had agreed upon a sigual by which tomake it known to the ope- ratives in another establishment on the opposite side of the street. They were to wave their handker- | chiefs at a certain time; but the time passed without the anxious expectants seeing any signal, and it was not until they left off work. that the ‘house on the other side of the way” learned the full extent of | their defeat. | FEMALE LABOR CONTRASTED WITH MALE LABOR— VARIETIES OF BRAID. The manvfacture of straw in this city does not continue, like other occupations, during the whole year, sotbat there are very few straw sewers who are dependent upon it alone. Of the whole three thousand there are not perhaps three hundred who are eutirely dependent upon it. Some of | the workers can when the straw season is over, obtain employment at almost any kind of needlework. In this respect they certainly have the advantage of the men, who are required to serve at Jeast three years xpprenticeship te one trade, and unless possessed of great mechanical ingenuity, their whole lifetime must be devoted to it. We have seen women who could sew straw, make artificial flowers, and do at least a dogen other different kinds of needlework, when they fail in procuring employment at any particular one. The straw season is very changeable, some years continuing for a period of five or six months, while it has, on the contrary, been known to last only three or four months. It also be- gins earlier in some establishments than it does in others; but the busiest time in all is about the months of January and February. It occasionally happens that there isa premium on labor at this particular time, when, in consequence of the great demand for sewers, an advance of five or six and somegimes ten cents will be made ona piece of braid, so that those employers who were accustomed to pay only thirty cents per piece, are willing to give thirty-five cents. It may be well to mention here the foolish and highly censurable practice of some work-women, or we should say girls, who boast that they are able to earn six, seven or eight dollars a week, when they cannot actually make, even by working over-hours, more than three or four dollars at the utmost. They have very little idea of the injury they inflict upon themselves, for false representations of this kind invariably react in some way tpon those who indulge in them. A considerable number of the straw sewers do their work at home, and by this means are generally enabled to do more than they could in the common workroom. But the amount of work de- pends upon the kind of straw, for some descriptions are so severe upon the sight that they oiten make a difference of half a dollar a week in the earn- ings. Canton braid is considered about the worst for working, and sewers will accept almost any other in preference. Hardly a season passes in which some new description of braid is not introduced, for there is no kind of work which taxes the ingenuity of man or woman more than the various changes in straw goods. Now, Leghorn bonnets are all the rage; next season they are superseded by Tuscan, Swiss lace, and so on,‘for fashion never tires. About eight years ago anew style was started, bnt it was so costly that it did not pay for its manufacture. The braid was made of raw silk, and was known by the high sound- ing title of “Excelsior.” A hat made from it was exhibited at the annual fair of the American Insti- tute, and was greatly admired at the time; but as we have said, it was too costly ever to come into general use, and the manufacture of it had to be abandoned. This hat took the premium—a gold medal—and we believe was afterwards sold for about thirty dollars. The braid of which it was made was about an eighth of an inch in width, aid contained fourteen hundred fibres. THE SOCIAL LIFE OF STRAW SEWERS. We have said that the straw sewers of New York are a lively, cheerful class of women, and a visit to any ot the work rooms would satisfy any person on this point. But to be thoroughly conversant with their manners and habits, one should spend a week with them at least. At dinner time they have always an hour to themselves, aud as they generally bring their dinners with them, they spend the whole of their time in the work-rcom. This hour is spent in varicus recreations—some amuse themselves by dancing, others in conversation on the topics of the day, for they are pretty well acquainted with the dif- ferent subjects of interest, and read the newspapers regularly. Our straw sewers are also exceedingly na- tional and patriotic in their feelings, and we believe if the question of the annexation of Canada or Cuba were to be decided by them, it would not remain long unsettled. They are of a controversial turn of mind, and read theological discussions with the greatest avidity; but their chief intellectual delight consists of lectures and sermons. Physiological lectures have a great charm for them, aud furnish them with conversation for a week after. They are great lovers of the drama, and are exceedingly fond of singing. The whole work-room at times resounds to their melody, for they generally sing in chorus. Many of those who haye time, and who are not wholly de- pendent upon their own labor for support, go to singing schools, and rehearse their lessons the next day for the benefit of their associates, One whose | excellence as a singer is admitted by all in the room, is elevated to the high position of leader, while the remainder foin in the chorus. During the contest that took place between the Collins and Cunard steamers, the greatest excite- ment prevailed among the straw sewers, and when it terminated in the defeat of the latter, they were enthusiastic in their rejoicings. They certainly were terribly down on the Britishers, and if they had full power over the Cunard steamers, we are greatly afraid their patriotism would have made them dis- pore of those vessels in rather a summary manner. In election times they advocate with no slight zeal the claims of the rival candidates, and woe to the politician who does not coincide with their views, for they show him no mercy. They have a keen relish for satire, and can imitate the peculiarities of some of them with the skill of an actress. We are sorry to say, however, that many of them patronize those impostors and swindlers called fortune-tellers; but those who do so, are not held in very good repute among their associates, by whom they are known as “rowdy girls.” The majority of the straw sewers, however, ave an intelligent, well informed and right thinking class of women, amiable in their manners and unexceptionable in their character. AMOUNT OF STRAW WORK DONE AND WHAT IS PAID FOR IT. The number of straw sewers, as we have said, is estimated at three thousand, and the length of the season is about five months. During that time they each make three hata, of all kinds, every day, which would make the aggregate work done in New York daily, amount to nine thousand. Some of these, it is true, each take a whole day in making them; but as we have stated elsewhere, as many a9 twenty are sewed in the same time. It depends, therefore, upon the quality of the braid. Those who have been a long time engaged in the busi- ness say that nine thousand is a fuir estimate, and it will not be considered 0 very large when it is known that a large number are made for the South- ern market. Allowing, therefore, nine thomsand a day for five months in the year, we fiad the total number made during that time is about one million two hundred thousand. If we give to each sewer an average of three dol- lars and a half a week, we also find that the total amount paid for this work to sewers is nearly a quarter of a million of dollars. TOR STRAW COMES FROM—ITS VALUE, ETC. The principal supply of straw received by the im- porters in New York, comes from England, Italy, France, Germany, and Switzerland, and within the last two or three years a large quantity has been ob- tained from Cauton. It is all made into braid or WHERE ALL plait before it reaches the hands of the importers; for! \ as yet, we have not commenced its mequfacture in this form. “With thé exception of the braid, or laces, | obtained from Switzerland, and the rice straw from | England, all descriptions of plait are made from | Wheat straw. The Canton straw is imported in the | form of hats, some of which bave brimsa foot in width, while the crowas are not more than four inches in diameter. As the fashion here, however, | differs somewhat from that in China, they are all taken apart and the braid worked into e form more | eousonant with our barbarian taste. Of the wheaten straw there are many varieties, each of which is known by a different name. Some ; is called lutin, some pedal, some Leghorn» ‘some Dunstable—and so on, according to its quality or the place from which it comes. | There are, we may safely say, without the slightest | exaggeration, at least fifty different kinds of straw, | but of all these the Leghorn is the most-valuable. | Hats imported from that part of Italy have been sold here, when in fashion, for one hundred and fifty dol- lars; but they have been superseded by another de- scription of straw. They are very durable, and last with care five or six years. There are of course infe- | rior qualities of Leghorn hats, which can be pur- chased for one-tenth part of the price we havestated. During the past two years there has been a con- siderable reduction in the amount of the importations from England, and a corresponding increase in Swiss | goods, which consist principally of laces. These laces are made of grass, which is first twisted and afterwards woven into any required pattern, They are considered by some superior to the ordinary straw plait, from which they differ very much in appearance and in width, some kinds being five inches wide. That in most common use, however, is not more than two or three inches in width. Sewers can make a larger num- ber of hats of this material in one day than of any description of plait. One who was more rapid at her work than the generality, we were told, could make thirty hats, but the average number does not exceed fifteen. Swiss laces have been very fashionable dur- ing the last few years, but next year it is expected that they will be superseded by some kind of straw plait. Leghorn, it is thought, will be resuscitated in- stead, and will continue in demand till fashion grows again tired of it and substitutes some other. Besides those kinds of straw which we have enu- merated, there is another description which we get from Canada, but it is of a coarse quality and is prin- cipally used for making into men’s hats. Then there is a hair plait, which is generally worked up with the straw braid, and which is procured from Eng- land. The Panama hats are imported from Guaya quil and Maracaibo, where they are made. Those obtained from the latter place are of a finer qua- lity, but the material from which they are ma- nufactured is the same. They are not stitched like the ordinary straw hats made in this city, but are woven, and as a natural consequence last much longer. The manufacturers purchase the straw plait from the importers, and at action sales, held during the spring and fall, at which they obtain it at greatly re- duced prices. But the amount disposed of in this way is very small in proportion to what is sold in the regular line of trade. War with Mexico—An Ominous Voice from the Washin; Organ- (Frem the Washington Union, June 5] The Republic of yesterday sums up the whole course of fanta Anua since his return to Mexico, and concludes that “here are ali the preliminaries of a war.’’ We trust ani believe that the ccnclusion is premature, and without ad- equate foundation. 't is not to be disputed that the procedure of Gov. Trias in taking military possession of the Mesilla valley is both insolent and foolish. Grant all thst can be said of the enormous blunder committed by Mr. Bartlett in running his boundary line—grant all the sdditional complication of the case growieg out of the whully unauthorized aud illegal approval of that line by the late Secretary of the Interior—still, it is not the less true that, under the trea- ty. no line has been run which the governmeat of the nited States caa rightly recognise, for this plain and conclusive reasou—that the treaty makes the joiut sigaa- tures of the surveyor and ‘he commi-siover au iadispea- sable condition precedent to the validity or the recoguition of the live, There i+ vo pretence anywhere that thiscou- dition in the cs+¢ of Mr. Bartlett’s line hes been com plied with Without touching, therefore, the merits of his line, it ix manifest that its recognition by our goverament would be in defeat of the treaty. To this must bs added the undisputed fact that the Congress of the United States Das formally and fully repupiated the line ay run by Me. Bartlett. Ard beyond all this, aod if posstole siull more to the point, stands tbe sdditiopal fact that the Mesii yaliey hus always belonged to New Mexico, and was, us « part of New Mexico, transfecred to the Onited States by tbe treaty. In ‘bis state of facts, it appears that the ermed occupation of the valley “hy the Mexican troops ‘x wholly in viclation of the rights of the United States and of every principle of international law. It wou'd be iaso lence if perpetrated by any nation When perpetrated by Mexico it is at evce insolence and folly. Yei it by no means follows that there mast be war. Mexico—poor, weak, dirtracted, wholly at our mezcy: nation to which war with the United States must be nibilation—is in no position easily to provuke to ulti mate measures either the government or the people of the United States, True, she tay once more pasa, she has heretofore paseed, the limits of all reasonable ‘or- Dearance ; but it is never heless true, that towards her the naturai policy cf the United States is the poliey of forbearance and of peace. It is, therefore, on ail accounts, to be hoped, and, as we believe, it is to be expecied, that in response to such a spirit, the Mexican authorities will, n due reflection, abandon their purpose of holding the sila valley by arms. The question at issue is 8 ques tion of boundary under an existing trea'y stipulation, It inon ite face a Une to be settled by negotiation. Whatis known of the case tends to authorise, ax we be: believe, the co.iclusion that it may be so settled to the advantage both of Mexico and cf the United States Under such circumstances, it is not only c:imioal—it is absurd in the highest degree—for Trias or for Santa Aans to insist upon settling the question by force. While, therefore, we do not look for war with Mexico, it is yet proper to ray that we by no means regard the seizuze of the Mesilla valley by T: ia an admisciple proceeding. We do not perceive how either the people or the government of the United States cau submit to it as a permanent disposition of that territory. It is trae that the question has been complicated by the errora of the late administration. But, be this as it nay be, we euter- tain po doubt, from all that has beea announced of the for policy’ of this administration, that all suitable measures have already been taken, und w:il in future be taken, to piace the wnole question, both before the Mexi- can suthorities and the people of the United States, im ita proper position. Court of General Sessions. Before his Honor the Recorder, Aldermen Peck and Dougherty. THE TAMMANY HALL RIOTERS. Juxx 6.—This being the first day of the June term, the greater portion of the morniug was spent in reading of the nawes of the Grand Jury und empaneiliug the petty jory. ont after the Court opened, Judge Beebe entered and announced that the court would proceed to the sentenc- ing of Joh» 8 Austia and others, convicted of riot at ‘Yemmany Hall; but as Aldermaa Brisley was sick ia bod with a rore leg, and as his associate, thon present, Alder. man Franets, could not agree with him on the extent of purishment due to the prisoners, they were compelled to let the cave lie over until some other time. The parties would then be duly notified when their attendance at court weuld be kn The excuses of the pefty jurors were then heard, and the greater portion of them were excused on various grounds from aitending court. The clerk, Mr. Vandervort, then announced that as there was net a suflicient number of tne Grand Jury pre- seut, thore who wero in attendance could depart until Wednesday morning. Grand Larceny. —Martin Laffy was charged with ateal- ing to the amount of $129, from Mr. Keurney. It appeatet from the evideoce, that the prisover entered the house of the complainant on the fourth of ‘and abstracted the money out of some truoks. Th Prisoner was cap- tured after a long race, and a portion of the money found in bis possession, Officer Balawin, being duly sworn, deposed that on re- eeiving information of the robbery he arrested Laify, who was in company With about a dozen of Chariton and Hudson streets. Oo way station house the prisouer threw away pocket book ¢on- taining a portion of the atolen properiy. He then went back 10a grecery store, procured a ern, and succeeded in finding the port monpaie. Mi then summed up the evidence for the de- stant District attorney pro- ceeded to eum up for the prosecution ‘The Recorder then charged the Jury, whe, after a few moments, returned a verdict of guilty.’ The Court thea rentenced the prisoner tu be incarcerated in the State Frixon at Sing Sing. for the period of tive years. 1 {ary were then dis arged until Wednesday morning, the urt adjourning until the same day. Bangor Lumber Market—A statement of the amount ot lumoer surveyed at Bangor from January 1 to Way 31 1865, compared with the amount surveyed during the rame time last year — 1852. 1853, Green pine... ++ 10,195,417 12,554,376 Dry pine 7,949 807 4,300,273 Spruce... 686,148 16,125,084 Hemiock, bass, hard wood, ya 578. 008 4,030,104 «27,406,364 36,020,827 SincuLarR Puenomenon.—The Attica (Genesee : ‘4A remarkable phenomenon io the 4 was viaible at this place last Wednevday night, ketween eleven and twelve o'clock. A bright bolt, ab rut the width of a rainbow, extended from below the north- western horizon, down 10 | within a few degrees of ‘tl . There | was econsklerable saroral light in the north, but nothing belt, From the time we discovered it, = p g 3 a 5 e 5 § = 3 EB A z 3 3 appearance was that of a tail to a comet, though brighter and more exterded than any such sppeadege oa record.” Personal Inteiligence, Lieut. R. C Rogers, one of the most gallant officers of | declared a dividend of 27% per cent. This Includes all the the United States savy, better known to the country ausiog the war with Mexioo as Midsbipman Rogers, sail. 4d for Celifornia in the Georgia yesterday. Licut, R. is about to recign his comission in the mavy,and commence the practice of law in ram ¥ranciseo. Lieut. R. was one ef the faw naval officers allowed the opprtunity by the old | fogies of the service to dietinguirh himself; aud that op- portunity be had to take nolens wolens. ‘The Hon Danie) M Barringer, our Minister in Spain, Jett Madrid on the 11th of May, ith his wife and family, for the purjove of mating & abort journey into Audalu previous 10 bisretirement fiom the Spanish peainsula, After viciting Cordova, ~evilla and he is to retarn to Medrid, ee be will remain u Srulé, whe la expected to reach there in the moach uf uly. | DEPARTURES. For California, in the steamshit: Nefue, HE Ri ine, Indy and serv: rino lady aid servan, Mies Constance De Marino, Miss C Janelle, Mies Elica Wil- Jard, F © Whitney and lady, © Brisco, ER Briros. C ilten end Jady, Mrx Kinch, s Col Chas Webten, Miss ann Caffers 1k. Jaa White, GS Padbor: ild, R Pow Pil Ham- tr, oynolds. Mr G Powell, iss Mesees ger, Wells & Fargo’s Messenger, F ng, KMConden, Wm ™ Johnson, Thos Tobin, BDa- Senport, Prancis Kexg end lady. Jos Hill, Wm M Hlanehett, GECrant. J Grant, JS Stamels, JB Davlap, Jos son; W Mitch I, G Congett, A Congett, L Baker and infant, B Witltaing, P H Morticon, HJ MeAlier, GB Kneeland, 1 O’Keef, G Lamatti, @ £ Scamon, J Dillon, J Pembroke Gilman, JN MeKeo, T Horton, 0. Cott Birhop' A D Bishop, JL Percy, B Un D Hern, WS Bern, N sbrauam W Barricon, § Griffing, J Mever, z : wy ree ee eats | that the entire tells are now collected at this office on all Follinsbee, Mise Mary Wood. CB Stearns, W_ Patterson, § goods cleared at specific ra Kink, W Bill, WH Swain, J and ud Heuston. GOD Porntll, | Tolls colt, Hoare eyeehel Wizins’Gai lady. W Pratt, @ ston: | MAY, 2868-3... $20,785 96 neh, rebach, | Higgins an | lady, Patt, E stan: | < Lead yap. Mins J Hunter, Storms, G Cram, J Edwards, it | Mexeb and April, 186: 45,094 36 Lise yrdon, J’ Sobmidt, Hans ik Manson, C L v Burns, H 3 Foster, W Henry B ; 0 J Button, Alber Henry Brimblicomb, Mr Betta, Miss Barnel!, J Peabody, Jno Pea body, AF York, C Discomb, Aaron nglonada, a Howard, Jas Mahoy, J B Doty, W A Bart KR Strong, N Kingsley, Jas Kyan, Mrs Gifford, and 40 Punsma Railroad men. Cc er Madame Wenman, F E Fos jady and child, T Perkins, J ocdruft. NR Lowell and lady, Horrieie Deatu FROM A RatrursNack Bite. The Ancirnt City published a* St. Augustine, rays: —"On 2a turday, the 14th inst., a son of Mr Futch of this couuty, while picking whor'leberries, waa struck by « large rat tle:nake Upon being struck he started to ruu, but found the enake hadits fangs fastened to his py din stumbling and rcuilling to get los struck him some six or seven times, The lsd i fourteen or fifteen years of age. He survived but a few urs. ED FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. MONEY MARKET. Moxpar, June 6—6 P. M. This has been literally blue Monday in Wall street. The | market opened heary and closed heavier. We have not seen so much apathy and indifference on the part of ope- rators for a long time, and we appear to be in the very midst of the dull season. A‘ the first board to day, j | gels Morris Canal, Canton Company, Florence and Keyport, | Nicaragua Transit, Cumberland, and Harlem, fell of 1 per cent each; Phenix, 34; Erie Railroad, 4; Michigan Central Railroad, 3. Reading Railroad advanced 13 per cent; Parker Vein, %. There wasa sale of 5,000 shares of anew copper stock called the Mineral Mining Com- pany, The mine is situated in North Carolina; it isa new concers, and as yet very little is known about it. Of course the mest favorable stories are reported, and they may ultimately be realized; but they should be taken with a great deal of allowance for the distance they have travelled. Nearly all the fancy stocks were very much neglected to-day. The most active on thelist | was Nicaragua Transit, and only afew hundred shares of that were s Id. Erie Railroad appears to be gradually | settling down under the influence of the doubt existing | relative to the July dividend. It is the duty of the board of directors of this company to settle this quession as soon as possible. It is certainly known among the diree- | tors what the determination is, and it should be made known ut once, so that holders of the stock may not make sacrifices. If the directors are interested in ds- pressing the market value of this stock, we must not expect any official announcement relative to the July dividend until the very last moment. The receipts at the office of the Axsistant Treasurer of | this port today, amounted to $169 030; payments, $206,781 92—~ balance, $8,861,575 19. Mr. 8. Draper has a farge and Important sale of stocks at the Mercbante’ Exchange, to-morrow (Tuesday) after- noon, at half past twelve o'clock, belonging to the estate of the la‘e SS, Howlacd. The list includes the stocks of muny of onr best railroads, banks and insurence oom- panier, and some of them are of descriptions opportu: pities for the purchere of which are rarely afforded. ‘The Delaware anc Hudson Canal Company have declared | a eri aupusl dividend of five per cent, An election fer oirectors of the Montgomery Miuing Com- pany for the enening year, will be keld at No, 18 Insurance Buildings, to morrow (Tuesday) between 12 and 2 o'clock. We understand that on the Ist of June none of Berdau’s machines were in operation at Gold Hill, North Carolina. Our autbority is a gentlemen w20 was there on that day. Only ® part of one machine had arrived This is very different from statements recently published, reporting that machines were in active operation, aud that the re sults confirmed all previous caleulations. There isa screw loose somewhere, and we are disposed to believe that at least one-half published relative to the merits and superiority of ‘Berdan’s machines” is untrue. It has Deen reprecented tous that these machines were in suc- cessful operation at Gold Hill, North Carvlina, some three weeks ogo; and now we are informed bya geatleman, who was there on the 1st day of June, that such is not the care—that only a portion of oue machine had srrived, and could not be got ready for weeks, It would be well for thore in want of gold crushing and amalgamating machines to wait a little, and be not im toogreat a hurry: The experiments recently made in differsnt parts of the city, bave not been conducted ina manner to give pervect satisfaction, and as more will be made ina few days, it would be better to wait before making purchases of any. The amount of tolls collected on the New York Stato canals up to the +t of June, 1853, was $593,917, against $546,005 to the rame date in 1852. This shows an in create of $47,912. The receipts, at tide-water, of the principal articles of produce, fiom the opening of the canals to and ineludidg the 81st ultimo, have been as follows :— Recuirts oF Provuce at Tipe Warr, 1851 1852. als, Canal cpen, April 16. ipril 20, Flour, bbls.. ai 140. 814 407 614 ‘Wheat, bueh 829 792 635,364 Corn, 1747 547 | rley, ‘ 28 | cau’ “ Sasa 575 456, Pork, bbl 1,488 51,200 Beef, 21:828 23'050 | Cheese, Ibs 650 700 133,809 Butter, 565 600 216,600 Laid, 7,042 700 5,400 500 Bacon, 6,711,700 2,211 400 8,549,900 Wool, + 804,700 116,200 270 200 parley, for the fourth woek of May, in 1853 and 1852, have been as follows:— Flour, Wheat, Corn, Barley, wis. bush. bush. bush’ 141,191 263,850 158.175, 24617 197 811 192) 218 261,261 13,198 8,880 Ine 71,682 Dec 108,036 Tao. 11,421 ‘The aggregate of the receipts of tie above articles, so far, for the years 1863 and 1852, has been:— Flour, Wheat, Gorn. Barley, bus. bush. bush. « _ busr. 407,644 696 364 299 086 182 021 472,201 888,226 860,767 i 68.717 Inc, 63.188 Dee. 561,681 Ine. 71, In the leading articles of provisions there has been « very great increase. Oats have largely increased. The falling off has been thus far confined to flour and Indian corn. ‘There were cleared during the month of May, at the Baltimore Custom House, for foreign ports, 8 rhips. 14 barks, 20 brigs, and 7 Kchooners—total, 40 vessela—with an aggregate tonnage of 13,55 tons, and navigated with 508 men, Of these versels 87 wero American, 6 British, 2Pruseian, 2 Bremen. 1 Russian, ané 1 Hamburg; and their places of destination were as follows:-—Wost Indies and Britieh Provinces, 25; Liverpool, 3; London, 1; Ire- land 2; Rotterdam, 1; Montevideo, 3; Bahia, 2: Rio de Janeiro, 4; Valparaiso, 1; Bolivia, 1; Bremen, 2; Pernam- buco, 1; Laguayra, 1; Amsterdom, 1, Pera, 1, The total value of exports to foreiga countries by the above vessels, wan $816,889 76 There cleared also at Bal- timore, in the month of May, for California, one ship and one sehooner; the former wich a cargo valued at $54,196, and the Iatter with one valued at $17 889, making the total direct rhipments to California ta May, amount to 872, There entered freém foreign ports duriog the month, 7 ships, 13 baka, 11 brig, and 8 schoonera—total, 39 vessels, Of there, 92 were Amorican, 5 British, and 2 Bremen—with cargoes subject to duty, 20; aad with fro | a $475, and other qualities at proportionate rates. Ca- cargoes, 10, The balance in the depository at Baltimore on the 81st of May, was $28,406 60, ' The Hartford Fire Insurance Company have declared a iyidend of eight per cent. ‘The St. Lawreuce and Atlantic Railway Company hae | back interest froma. the commencement of the work, and is ‘8 fina) settlement of the road stock previous to its amal- gamation with the Grand Trurk Company. In the address which the delegates from Baltimore wil? Present to the Great Western and Southwestern Conven tion at Memphis, they say thatthe almest entire trade of the west wil ultimately be attracted from the ehannels it now tekes to reach the Atiautic. It alludes partieular- ly to the lines of steamers estubli-bed hy the Parker Veia- Company, between Baltimore and New York. It says: Six of these itesmers of 500 vons each, are alresdy running twomore were lauvched at Philadelphia yester~ éxy, and four nore will be put afloat next week. The oom- pny will bave tew steamors on the line by the lst of July, teen by the Ist ot September, ard so immense is tho transportation burivese offering at their wharves that they Nov provore to inc ease the rumber from thirty te fifty. ‘The company’s wharves are at the Logust Point verminus of the Baltimore and Obie Railroad. and the loaded cara from the Obio are brought directly alongeide of the ves- ‘they are alse construe ing warehouses to store the immense quantities of merchandise offeriag for shipment, far exceeoing the present capacity of the line. to imme: Gately forsard to ins destivaiion, These steamers were originally destined exclusively for the shippiag of their own eoal te New York. with Gecuntonnl frelgre; but the reciprocal tae of Baltimore sud New York must mono- polize their entice capacity untila much larger mamber are on the lie, ‘The following is a statement of the amonnt of tonnage cleared and tolls collected on the Penpsylvania canal, at the Pittsburg Colector’s office, during the menth of May, 1858, together with the whole amount ef tomnage clear- ed and tolls collected from the opening of the canal up to the firet day of June. It must, however, be borne in mind + s+ 267,516,194 Iba, Totals <pcnasegn $05,880 82 ‘Twenty-five sections of the Fox River Valley Railroad have been taken. The whole makes about $125,000, which is # little below the estimate, aud the road is to be ready for the supsrvtructure hy the Ist of May, 1854, The length of the Fox River Valley road is thirty.throo miles in Hino —that being the distance from Elgin to the State line. In Wisconsin it ia to be continued to Waukesha, twenty miles west of Milwaukie, where it will connect with the Milwaukie ané Mis+isnippi Raiiread, During the last ses- sion on of the Wisconsin Legislature, a charter was also granted for building the Ceu\ral Wisconsin Railroad, which copnec'# with the Fox River Valley road at the State line, and ruvs almost due northwest through e- neva, Whitewater, Lake Mills, and other towns, to Fort Winnebago, on the Wisconsin river. Stock Exchange. $12500 US 6's "€7 p&e 1203 _ 50 Phenix MgCosl0 10 rhe Come’th Bok 100 5000 Min’al M Co b4m 50 Contizental Bark 101 200 NCr’k Coal€o 93 50 Morris Canal.b90 22, 200 Nor & Wor RR BB 60 2136 .60 ae eens oD 21 oa 10 oe 650 Erie RR. 100 a a 50 do’... ..b80 313% 200 100 Flor & Keyport.. 14 60 31% 50 500 Nic Trans Co... . a 90 100 200 dow... 283 BOK 150 Parker CoalCo... 34 50 do... B80 8434 200 dow... BOO 3434 SECOND BOARD. $1000 Mich S0 RR Bs 10836 60 Parker CoalCob30 8434 20000 Reading fds '70 88 60 Hudvon River RR 74 60 sha Comw’th Bk. 100 100 do .....b60 74 200 Flor & Key PIRb3 17 200 Erie Railroad..s60 863g B60 31% 800 dO. sees eese 884 31% 50 31% 100 % 50 32° 100 3g 82% 60 do... 15.24 884 32” 800 Harlem Railroad. 6456 CITY TRADE REPORT. Monpay, June 6—6 P.M. Asnes.—Sales have bern made of 400 bbis., at $475 a $4 814¢ for pots, and $5 2 for pearls, per 100 Ibs. BREADSTUFFS — Flour continued to depreciate. The sales consisted of 11,000 bbls —sour at 83 8114 a $3 93%; su- perfine No. 2 at $4 « $4123¢. ordinary to choca state at $4 37 & $4 6236; mixed to faary Wastern at at $4 4334 nedian yemained a- before novived; the sales were con fired to 750 bbls. «uperfine, in houd, $44334 per dbl. Southern was in better request. there were rold 1,600 $5 0634 for fair mixed to good, and bbls , at $4 $5 50 a $7 for faucy. Fine rye fiour commanded $3 9717 per bbl, About 150 bbls. Jersey o sl fetched $3 er bbl. Wheat was moderately active; the business em raced 2,250 bushels white Genesee at $130 and 4300 do. Western at $118. Rye varied little; some 1600 bushels Southern realized ¢6c. per bushel. Oats were as represented. Corn was wore inquired for; the sales hed 36,000 bushels, at 68o. a 6le. for unsound: 63e. a 6Cc. for mixed and white Southern, and 67c. a 67 gc. for yellow do., per bushel Cartie —At Washington drove yard—The spplies hava come in rather more freely the present than for some weeks previous. Prices, however, are well main- tained The extremes of rket may be quoted still at from 9 to 10% cents per Ib.,as in quality. The market clored retber dull, with 300 head left ever. At Brown- ing’s (lower bull's head)—In market, 2,280 sheep and Jambs; all sold at pricen ranging at from $3 50 to $8 for shi and $275to $6 for Iambs. Cows and calves, 156 off , and all sold at from $20 to $50. At Cham Jain’s (Hudson river bull's besd)—Offered, 275 beef cat- tle prices from 9 to 10 cents. 75 cows and calves offered, and sales were at $26 to $50. Also, 2,200 sheep and lambs offered all -old at $3 to $6 50 for sheep, and $2 50 to $6 for lambs. Market firm and demand brisk. CocuInzaL —A small lot of Hondoras changed hands at $1 28 per Jb. Corrze was in slack demand at uvaltered prices. No important sale trapspired. Copper —We heard that 10,000 Ibs. old were disposed of, but did not learn the details. Firg CRacKens.— Some 600 boxes Canton, 40 packs, wes > procnied a. $1 45. a tales today were 1,000 bales, at firs: prices. Freicuts.—We baye to notice engagements of about 1500 to 1,600 bales of cotton for Liverpool, chiefly a¢ 34a.. with sowe amull lots at 9-32d., aud about 1,500 bbls. flour at 1s 9d. To Londen, 2,000 bbls naval «tures were enga.ed and tuken at 2» Od. Ralen to Havre were oull and unchavged. Thera wes no alteration to notice ia rates for Co) fo: nis or Aurtralia. Frurt.— Seles have been made of 500 boxes bunch rai- sin: at $2' 5; 10 cases citron at 20¢.; wnd 60 bbls. eur- rants at 11s W34e Heap —Rovgh American was ccarc2, and generally ftitly held at $125 a $137 50 per ton Hors — A few retail sales weve ceported at 18 a 20c, 1 lb. a) ‘eotch i¢ was extremely dali and heavy at $25 a $27, cash, ad $28 50 4 $30 for usual credit, per ton, Ivan — Holders were reluctant to sell under $0 124 a. $5.50 for Spaninh, aud $5.02) n$0 75 for Galena, yer 100 bbs Lime —Rockland could be bought st 80c. for common and $1.40 for lump. per dbl. MOLASKES.—Tivere tere 250 hbds Cuba, in bond, ob- tained at 2le. per callon, Os —No rew feature appeared in the market for whale or sperm. The day’s transaction’ comprise 250 backets Clive st $44¢ ond $6 a $534 each; aad 5,000 gallons linseed: at 6lke a» 62. Provisions — Pook was less nective. The busivess em- braced 400 bbla. Western at $15 8734 a $16 for mesa; and $13 12% a £14 26 tor prime, per bbl. Bulk meats were im fair demand with aales of 140 casks at 53¢c. for shoulders, and at 8 or 8 ie, for hams, per lb. Lad continued very firm, ‘There were 230 Ibe taken at 10c. # (Ose. per lb. was quiet, but uncbanged. 180 Ios found buyers at pre- vious figures. Ne alteration occurred in butter or cheese, Rrau @staTe—al anetion, by J M. Millsr & Co, (under direciion of jivectors of the New York Insti- tution for the Deaf and Dumb)—1 lot on Fifth avenue, corner Forty-ninth street, 26 5x100, $4100; 2 do. adjoin ing, eame dimensions, $2,950 each; 2 do. $2,800 each; 1 do, $2,910; 1 do. corner Fiftith street, $4 230; 1 one story frome house, 23 3x23 80. on last roentioned byt, $250. 2 Jots on Forty-ninth street, betweeo Fourth and Fifth ave- adjoining, $1,675; 5 do, ; 8d, $1,620each; lots, £25x100.5 each, on Forty-ninth and Fiftieth streets, be- tween Fourth and Fiith avenues, containing the building and grounds of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, te- ge her at $74,200, 2 lors on Fiftieth street, near Fourth avenue, apd 1 do on Fourth aveoue, corner Fiftieth: street, together, $10,200, 2 on Forty-ninth street, between Fourth and Fifth avenues, with two story frame house, toyether, $4,000, 1 do. on Fiftieth «treet, 25«100.6, $1,780; 2 do, adjoining, $1710 each: « tw> story frame house om the Inst $60 4 lots nao ing. exch with three stor: 4,075 exch: 2 lots on Forty-ninth b 1 loton Fourth orner Forty ninth sireet, $2799, 8 do. adjoining, $1, each, 8 do. do, $1,960 each; | do. on Fourth avenue, cor- per Forty nivih «treet $2150; 1 do, on Forty ninth street, between Fourth and Fifth avennes, $1,610. Ricr.—Fair 10 good was in limiied request, at $3 87g a $4 125 per 100 Ibs, SPELIPR —Plnter were in demard, at 50 @ 5346. per Ih. Sricns,— prevailed no animated inquiry for any other article thau cassia, which was freely taken at 34c, & 86e. per Ib SUGARS —Cubs were actively sought after. The sales amounted to 1,260 hnd-. Museovaco, chiethy to refiners, at 41¢0. 2 646., and 114 boxes brown aud yeliow Evans, at bic. w 650. per Id. faiow.—There were 14,000 Ibs, disposed of, at 9c. 9 xg0. per Ib. Tonacco—Salex were made of 20 hhds. Kentucky at 6ic , and 66 baler Havana at private bargain, Cutsnuy-—There have been 120 bbls. Ohio avd. prison procured at 22%%6. = 2u%e., with 50 bhds. drudge at 220. yer gallon. Wits Salen Mitve been made of 50 quarter casks Bur- gundy Port at 65c.; and 50 aweet Maliga at 52)¢% per gallon, ; RNCKIPTS OF PRODUCE. By THe Norrn Riven Boars—i4 000 bbls. flour, 210 do, whi-key, 150 do. aehes, 1.300 do, provisions, 300 do. pork, 27,000 busbels wheat, 5,200 do. corn, and 9,500 do, outa By Err Rainoap—705 bbls, flour, 110 do. provisions, 26d). whickey, 18 do, saber, 121 head entitle, 27 do. calves, and 1,800 rundries 3.