The New York Herald Newspaper, September 25, 1869, Page 3

‘ WALL STREET. GREAT EXCITEMENT.” The Bulls and Bears and Sharks and Sharpers Biting and Tearing Each Other. BEDLAM IN THE GOLD ROOM. FAILURES AND SUSPENSIONS. The Government Comes to the Rescue of Business Men. The great gold speculation of 1869 has culmt- nated, At noon yesterday the fever which for the past three days has been raging in Wall street with almost unexampled violence was subdued. It was @ monetary crisis never to be forgotten. The 2ith of September will long be remembered as one of the most extraordinary days of financial furor that has happer ‘in all the times of peace. In good will ‘with all the world, with a grand and wonderful harvest of corn and cotton, and all the natural pro- ducts of the soil pouring in and actually glutting our markets and those uf Europe, and with but a faint speck of war on the great political horizon, a gold panic breaks out in Wall street. The result of the disastrous operation, while it will perhaps cause many a bitter pang, for reckless folly must certainly be hatled with gratification. The forces on noth sides are somewhat exhausted by this terriflo conflict; the effect must be peace and quietude, It was a desperate battle between two hosts of gamblers, whose minds were quickened by incessant plots, whose hearts were cold and their greed rapacious. Gold, gold, gold was the cry. Tho rich man Dives mentioned in the Goapel never shouted so pitifully for a drop of water as the thirsty ones did yesterday for the yellow ore. Beyond doubt the Revelations disclose nothing so hideous as the demoniacal yells and screams, the terrorism, tight and fearful scenes enacted yesterday, May it never come again, It was o lesson to be studied, Audacious speculators whose boldness is only equalled by their raacality, and whose very name is suggestive of the most adroit swindling, have held this great city of New York in almost breathless suspense. The victims of this ruinous plot—and many sad men live to-day to tell the tale—merit but little sympathy, At all events, they will obtain but little from the commu- nity, for he who knowingly enters into a aangerous trap deserves to be caught; and while the gigantic Scheme redounded partly to the operators’ advan- tage, 1t must necesearily sink more deeply, if possi- ble, the tainted character of the ingenious and heart. less speculators who contrived the plot, ‘The conflict has now been waged for three succes- sive days under circumstances perhaps unparalleled in the financiul history of the country. A desperate combination, almost colossal in its form, conspired tomakea haul. The attempt was a successful one, but it ia well known that the more courageous the thief the better is his chance of escape. Tne old recognized principle of “honor among thieves” was entirely abandoned, and rogue pillaged rogue remorselessly, just as when two gangs of reckless Tobbers, each bent on plunder, though jealous of each others ’ gain, turn from their highway of crime and despoil each other, If the “bulls? succeeded tho ‘ bears” were sorry for it; had the “buils’ been Gefeated the “bears’’ would have rejoiced. Millions bave been lostand won. Satan sits complacently on tne unholy spoils. THE MORNING RUSH. The intense excitement which had characterized the proceedings of the previous two days was not in the slightest degree abated yesterday morning, and Jong before the usual hour Wall street was alive. “The Breat glittering golden calf,” the idol of thousands, the cause of sleepless nights, bad temper and anx- iety, was raised on high, not far from the towering Spire of old Trinity Church. Feverish looking men were geen to humbly raise their eyebrows towards the sparkling god which shed forth its yellow beams in the glorious sun. Some took off their hats and looked up in fear, beseeching the noble god to smile down favorably. Others, winking most knowingly, as if in previous private com- munication with the calf, asked instruc- tions and went their way, while a large number partly unknown to the golden deity gazed on !n innocence, wondering by what process it had Deen hoisted. The mechanical operation was tho- roughly discussed without any satisfactory result, and at half-past nine o’clock the god stood rampant. It was a busy scene—buster and more eventful than Many a previous one. Tho upward strides of gold had created a consternation that was likely to con- tinue, and men almost maddened by fears and hopes of gain braced themselves for the emergency, know- ing that at any moment a crash might come that ‘would crush them. Before the gates of the pande- monium were opened, before the lines had been regularly drawn tn order of battle, men were almost wild with excitement, A mighty crisis was at hand. THE BALL OPENED. At a quarter past nine o'clock the drama was con- tinued, the actors being exceedingly nervous and looking as if the present was their first appearance on the stage. The financial scene-shifters had every- thing in readiness, while the members of the orches+ tra im the Gold Room began to tune up their instru- ments with remarkable alacrity. A sturdy broker, with an eye glittering like a diamond and not on unfriendly terms with the clique, started the ball by bidding 160 for five millions of gold. The price, therefore, opened at that rate, and eyes were seen to sparkle with delight. A Mephistophelian chuckle gurgled in the throats of some, while terror was depicted on the faces of the majority. Consterna- tion immediately prevailed. The news spread Mke wildfire. Crowds gathered near the Gold Room, and at shortly before ten o'clock Fury sat upon the throne, Victor Hugo has uncon sciously described in his ‘‘Tollers of the Sea’’ the operation of the “beara” in describing the drowning man, After nine o'clock the tide of speculation gradually rose. Wave after wave came rolling in. It rose and the “‘bear’’ stood still awaiting his doom im despair. Higher and higher the wave camce— gold at 165—and, forlorn, he looked arouna for help. He cried aloud for aid, but his call was answered only by the wild scream of the sea bird; the vulture hovered in the air, slowly alighting to the form of ‘the gasping soldier on the flela— Oh shame to men | devil with dovil damned, Firm concord bold ! A FLOOD TIDE. Asthe aay advanced the excitement increased. ‘The yellow ore grew brighter at every moment and men’s eyes gliatened accordingly. The Gold Room ‘was the Magnet of attraction; all cise was aban- doned. The revengeful war whoop of the most fero- cious Indians, the terrific yells issuing from aiunatic asylum, could not equal in intensity the excited ories of the speculators in the Gold Room. Rivulets Of perspiration streamed dowa many a face, while the voices of hundreds were exercised till they croaked with hoarseness. It was a pandemonium ever to be remembered with terror, yet tending in some degree to bring before the mind a vivid picture of the condemned in the lower regions. But the tide still Nowed on surely and steadily, with no apparent force to stem it. The water Was not defined and the victims awaited their fate in help- less despair. Traly the scene in the Gold Room was beyond a parallel, and that, too, as early as half-past ten o'clock, not to speak of the scenes that followed. HOPRS AND FRARS, The fluctuations in the prices were as rapid a8 they were sudden, The tendency upwards seemed never to take an opposite course, for while there might be a momentary atay, so far as a fraction ‘went, the gold, nevertheless, rose with steady but g@gantic strides, It was feared and hoped besides the price would reach 200 and men oat fushed about tn the most frantic state. Friends advised friends to rush into the straggle or warned them to stand aloof, When gold was 160 it was not for a moment anticipated that it would descend, and the very fact of its increase fired the crowd to mad- ness. The last faint hopes of many excited persons had now expired, for the great tide came sweeping in covering the teacherous rocks and leaving no trace behind. ‘THE EXCITEMENT AT NOON. The financial caldron still bubbled with violence. The contagious fever spread through the city. The community almost became bewildered and com- merce was at a standstill. There was a simulta- neous rush to Wall street, and shortly before noon the entire vicinity was crowded to excess, The entrances to New street were entirely blocked up and men struggled madiy through the throng. Measengers rushed in all directions, while brokers, bankers and others along the street jumped bare- headed to the steps of their concerns to witness the scene. Up went the gold and down fell the hearts of thousands. Just as at tne faro table, ‘winners rejoiced and losers winced with pain. Butas the fever spread rapidly not only those directly in- terested became terribly excited, but the populace caught the fever and were soon lost in hopes and fears. Nor was the excitement confined to the vicinity of Wall street. Gold dials in all directions were surrounded by | most eager throng, and a8 the prices rose the fever became more intense. In fact, so eager did tne crowds become that in some places the faces of dials were actually covered with paper. Never has there been such excitement, under similar circumstances, exbibited in the city, exceeding by far that created by the South Sea speculation in London. There was not the slightest effort made to check the decline, The following will show the quotations rendered before noon:— 150, 1503g, 150, 16044, 155, 15534, 155, 16534, 15534, 155, 18534, 160, 16034, 16034, 160, 162, 160, 162, 160, 16214, 162, 161, 16034, 160, 169, 160, 150, 160, 16234, 165, ‘THE BUBBLE BURSTS. As the bells of Trinity pealed forth the hour of noon the gold on the indicator stood at 160, Just & moment later, and before the echoes died sway, gold fell to 188, Here ensued the grand excitement of the day. The ‘beara’? who had withstood the mighty siege were now jubilant in the extreme, while the news fell like a terrific thunaerbolt upon the entire community. The scene which ensued 1s beyond description. Over the pallid faces of some men stole a deadly hue, and, almost transfixed to the earth, they gazed on vacancy. Others rushed like wildfre through the streets, hatless and caring little about stumbling against their fellows provided they reached their goal. Never was there such blight. The “bears” had but a few moments before become almost resigned to their fate, while bulis grinned with excessive delight, The tables were turned and the crisis had come. Most people were at first inclined to discredit the statement, but the announcement on the many dials, around which eager throngs quickly congregated, soon gave satis- factory proof of the fact. It was a tremendous descent, so sudden andso amazing as to render many almost sp&chless, A more extraordinary phase in financial circles could have hardly taken place, and the circumstance was regarded accord- ingly. THE CAUSE OF THE DECLINE. Rumor was wild the entire morning. It was thought that the Secretary of the Treasury would not interfere inthe contest, But the high-handed manner in which matters were apparently being conducted demandea some notice, otherwise there was no knowing where the end would be. While the fever was at ita height—gold at 165—while some men were almost delirious with joy, and orhers were going mad with despair; while the community was being disturbed by an unwarrantable and outra- geous shock, business paralyzed and the order of things completely disarranged, a telegram came across the wires that was soon to quell the excitement that prevailed. By some inkling the intelligence contained in the all-important telegram was spread abroad like wildfire; byt scarce had General Butterfeld, the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, received the communication when it was posted prominently on the bulletin, Tho telegram read as follows:—“Sell four mil- lious gold to-morrow and buy four mullions bonds. Geo. 8. Boutwell, Secretary Treasury.” Gencral Butterfleld’s office bad, up to the present, been besieged by large crowds, including prominent merchants, bankers, brokers and others, who anx- fously remained to see whether any action would be taken. The telegram was received at five minutes past twelve, and probably within one minute the communication was made public to the world. The well known and commendable practice of the Assistant Treasurer to give immediate pubil- cation to guch important matter has ever evoked the highest encomiums of our leading business men, ana the prompt action of General Butterfield on the part of the Treasury imparted the greatest confidence, while it likewise tenaed to brighten the commercial sky, which for the time was being sadly obscured by heartless speculators, The large and infiuenttal assemblage that remained near the General's office quickly departed in the highest spirits, expressing their utmost approval of the prompt and decisive action of the administration. The silly and doupt- less malicious reports that oMcials of the govern- ment were to some extent favorable to the gigantic scheme which had just been perpetrated were happily found to be utterly unwarrontable. In this instance the administration was most favorably spoken of by a!l who attended General Butterfleld’s office, and quitting the Sub-Treasury with lighter hearts than they had entered it many heaved a sigh of relief, With that dignity, coolness and affa- bility which the momentous occaggn demanded, General Butterfield was equal to Me great emer- gency, and when the panic was put an end to he quietly resumed his duttes, while the princely merchants, who bad anxiously assembied near him, weut their ways rejoicing, THE EFFECT. Poasibly no avalanche ever swept with more ter. rifle violence than did the news of Secretary Bout- well’s telegrams into the Gold Room. It is a remark- able fact that when a man tried for murder is pro- nounced by his jurymen to be “guilty” his lower jaw falls somewhat. Next to being convuised, the “bulls were frantic, not to say ferocious and un- manageable, There was first a deadly stillness—it lasted but & moment—the muscles of the animals wero relaxed, and then came a roar of rage and disappointment that was truly pitiable to hear. The “bull” was stung and was unable to horn his oppo- nent, while the spectators rejoiced and made merry at nis defeat, The result was an ebullition of feeling never perhaps equalled in the history of the famous Gold Room of Wall strect, From some tasued the wild cry of despair, others rusned from the room and sped through the atreets like raving maniacs, While @ number still clung, to the ground refusing to believe the information. But the proof wasthere, Thegold fell and with it tho hopes of thousands whose for. tunes, like the adventurers of old, were centred in the day of pattie. It is hard to picture the sad sights that foliowed. Eveo in the Gold Room the earnest cries rose higher than the announcement of the prices, Broken hearts and thieves, caged in their own trap, moaned most piteously, In the words of the poet:— Harsh tohgues discordant, horribie disco Words of despair, uerco accents of alaj Strtking of hands, with curses deep SF iSce Raised a loud tumult. It was a frightful scene—a true and fatthful pic ture of the gambler’s misery, and one that will per- haps prove @ salutary lesson to the young would-be dabblers that like to invest. Down the gold fell and up wont the hearts of the “bears,” who, un- happily, were only rescued from the deep when life was almost extinct with vary little symptoms of recovery, The “* uly h were furious, while the are” deyced with delight. New street was a Gangzious piace to stand in, apparent from the ¢ager plunges made by the respectivg afifmals, reminding one of the frolics of porpoiats, Quiet citizens were shouldered roughly. There was no time to “excuse me, sir,” Sor the moving portions of the community were bent on going somewhere at all hazards, 4 TRUCE. Although the “bulls” dia not exactly hold up the white flag-—why should they while the game was good t—they nevertheless fought bravely to the last, retiring finally with a great loss of biood, both par- {Wes being beavily pupianed, In fact the 1eapgp NEW YORE HERALD, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 1600—TRIPLE SHEMET HERALD, shows that though the combatants might have fell themselves prepared for the encounter they did not train sufficiently prior to the event. Towanis one o'clock the combined forces seemed to take & rest, there seeming to be & sort of mutnal truce after ™ excitement of the morning. Gold fell, and it descended the “bulls threw up the sponge, their brother gamblers at the same time striving to conceal their woakness by siniles, ‘The welcome telegram from Secretary Boutwell sent tne reckless plunderera reeling to the ground, and the financial robbery was timely nipped in the bud. The horde has been promptly dealt with, and the result will prove satisfactory. AN BXPLANATION. Though apparently wrapped in mystery, the roguery is not diMcult to comprehend, Some men sell gola for future delivery in the hope that the price wil fall, When it does so their profit is made by purchasing it at the lower price and delivering it in «fulfliment of thelr contract at the higher. Now and then it rises instead of falling, and they have to pay more for it than they obtain, and the resultis loss. But no mat- ter in what aspect during the interval the specula- tor is “short” of gold, but nevertheless obtains it in order to carry out his contract. Instead of contracting for delivery at @ definite future time, as three or thirty or sixty days from the day of sale, 16 is most common to sell the gold for immeditae delivery, and then to borrow {¢, until the eller wishes to ‘cover”—that is, to buy itback. By far the greater part of all the transactions in gold are of this mature; that is to say, they are bets on the future price of coin. ‘The pro- Portion which these bets bear to what ia called the “legitimate business”—that 1s, to the transactions of merchants who buy and sell gold in the ordinary course of trade—ia startling to those who have hot considered it. The dally transactions of the Gold Exchange Bank are from $100,000,000 to $200,000,000—that ig to say, the book transfers of gold bought and sold amount to these sums, while the actual amount of coin and coin certificates used in these exchanges is from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000. The whole amount of gold coin owned by the banks, bankers, merchants and speculators of New York Tarely exceeds $20,000,000, and but a part of this can be brought into Wall street for speculative deliv eries, If a combination of capitalists, therefore, but buy up that amount, then all who have gold to deliver must buy or borrow of them. If they buy not only that amount, but much more, sold “short” by the other gamblers around them, they have the latter at their mercy, and can raise the price for the time at their will, compelling all who are “short” to pay them the dif- ference of price. The advance from 185 on Thursday morning to 155 yesterday represents a difference of more than $40,000,000 on the transactions of that day alone. SUSPENSIONS. The result has created a profound sensa- tion throughout the entire community, Imme- diately after tne news had become known con- fidence was somewhat restored, though many still Ungered around the Gold Room in auticipation of another rise. The consequence of yesterday's opera- tions cannot be known in a day. Of course the most idle and injurious rumors were put in circulation. To be sure, there may have been many failures, but temporary suspensions cannot be regarded in that light. Indeed, it 1s unfair to put forth statements calculated to damage the credit of many firms im- perilled by the movement, It is enurely impossible to give any authentic list of the supposed fallures and suspensions, In fact the reports prevalent about several firms can scarcely be relied upon. To be sure, several brokers closed their doors, but new statements will be revealed to-day. Others were compelled to suspend payment on their gold balances; but the fact is that it was a physical impossibility yesterday, and that fact alone has given rise to @ great deal of the embarrassment, THE GAMBLERS IN THE RING. As already mentioned, there will be very little sympathy with the victims, It was a desperate struggle between two gambling factions, either be- ing bound to win, Altogether it was a miserable and degrading spectacle, injurious to trade and damning in 1s character. Princely fortunes have been lost and won, but the moral is the same. It Js unfortunate that two such despicable in- stitutions should exist—two cliques of reckless conspirators, WHO care as little about disturbing the peace of the community as perhaps the indiviaual members of them think of committing suicide, The prudent energetic action on the part of the admin- istration has elicited the most hearty recognition, and it is sincerely to be hoped that the groundless panie, started for the benefit of a few operators, has been satisfactorily disposed of, Such was the excitement long after the announcement of the telegram that immense crowds still thronged the streets, eager to ascertain the freshest intelligence appertaining to the affair. Wnen gold descended to 183% all hopes were abandoned, and the great excitement which had hitherto prevailed quietly toned down. Little remains to be told. Reckless- ness, plot and roguery have done their work in Wall street, adding but another chapter to the long, sad list of crimes characteristic of that locality. SCENES AT NIGHT. Wall street was virtually open all last night, although most of the brokera had gone home. Half tue houses reported to have failed have only temporarily suspended payment, and that, too, owing to the mability of the Clearing House to attend to the great flood of busincss that inces- santly poured, It is estimated that the amount of gold bought and sold yesterday exceeded 500,000,000, and as that sum ia divided up in lots ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, the manual labor of the clerks be something enormous. Most of the clerks were engaged the entire night, a cir- cumstance of rare occurrence—one only demanded by the exigencies of the occasion. When astate- ments have been properly made out the prospects of some may be yet brighter, So ends the panic, THE CLEARING HOV, At a late hour last night we received the following notice from H, M, Benedict, President of the New York Gold Exchange Bank:— New YorRK GOLD EXOHANGE BANK, NEW YoRR, Sept. 24, 1869, The rules of the clearing departinent of the bank requires the payment of all balances to the bank be- fore the payment of any balances by the bank, Owing to the failure of several ped the adjust- ment of the accounts has been delayed. The bank has a large surplus of both gold anda currency on the movements of the day and Will pay out to dealers as fast as the accounts oe HM. SENG NEDICT, President, THE EXCITEMENT IN BROOKLYN, Brooklyn did no®-escape the excitement which prevailed among these fanciers, and the remarka- bie fluctuations in gold was the all-absorbing topic Of conversation on the boats, in the cars, in saloons and on the streets, Every one appeared to be deeply interested in the matter, and awaited with feverish impatience to Jearn the latest news from Wall street, All sorts of rumors wore afloat during the afternoon, and finally it was reported that the contest had culminated ina gencral riot, in which faces were disfigured, heads broken, &c. Large numbers of men crossed the ferries to ascertain the the truth or falsity of these reports, but at half-past six P. M. the report in regard to the riot seemed to be confirmed, for at that hour Major Bush, of the Fifty-sixth, regiment, recelved a telegram from Inspector General McQuade, calling upon him to order his command to report for duty immediately to quell the riot in Wall street. The members of the gegiment were subsequently notified Gnd appeared & the armory in uniform as soon as Dossibie. ‘fhe order, however, was countermanded, and the mon returned to their homes greatly pleased to think their services were not called into requist- toa, Tho Excitewent in Washington. WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 1869. The excitement over the fluctuations in the gold Premium spread all the way from Wail street to this city, and to-day has been & busy one among those who arein the habit of taking a ‘‘turn” turough their brokers in New York. From the reception of the first quotation until the close of the second board the telegraph wires were kept busy with messages to buy or sell as the judgment of the sender thought best, Some, of course, were badly bitten, either through @ want of judgment or through delay in sending orders, As soon as it became known that the Secretary of the Treasury had given an order to soll gold, the speculation here was at an end, for it ‘Was not known at first how much was to be agid. might conceive, lump and immediately, if possible. ‘would, forthe general good, place her individual ee eee “SATURDAY, "SEPTEMBER 95, “1869.—TRIPLE ‘SHEET. THE AVONDALE FUND. Completion of Arrangements for Distributing the Money—Iuteresting Correspondence in Relation to the Matter—A Glance at Some Members of the Local Committee. Marshal Joseph H. Tooker, who was directed by Mayor Hall to proceed to Avondale for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of the local projects for the distribution of the immense fand being raised for the benefit of the bereaved relatives of the vic- tims of the recent disaster, and also to make in- quiries as to the responsibility and social position of the persons forming the Avondale Relief Commit- tee, Marshal Tooker reports that he visited the houses of many of the unfortunates and gathered from returned to this city late last evening. them expressions of their desires concerning the proper manner in which the money should be given. He found that all, save One—an unmarried Welsh woman, named Mary Powell, who lost a father and brother, and who was very solicitous concerning her lone mother across the ocean—were quite satisfied with any plan the gentlemen of the local committee but she wanted the money In one However, she wishes one side, The articles appearing recently in the various papers of the country demanding that the fund should be devoted strictly in accordance with the letter of the gift had the desired effect upon the local committee, and, therefore, acted very hard at least in one instance, that of Miss Sarah Llewelyn, aged twenty-three, Welsh, who lost two brothers, and was made thereby neither a “widow nor an orphan,” ana received nothing at the first distribution of money, The discovery of this pecu- liar case by Marshal Tooker being made known to the local committee, they resolved to change at all hazards the influence of the letter of the implied direction of the donors and be actuated by the spirit of the charity and include hereafter all dependents of the victims, Mrs, Ann Morgan, Welsh, who lost her husband and has four children, received sixty- five dollars from the committee for her immediate wants, Mrs. Mary Geiton, Irish, who lost her hus- band, has three clilldren, received fifty-five dollars. Mrs, Elizabeth Pryor, Trish, lost her husband, has two children, received forty-five dollars, Concern- ing the members of the local committee or ‘Avon- dale Board of Trustees,” the Marshal speaks tn the highest terms. The chairman of the Executive Committee is Colonel Hendrick B, Wright, of Wilkes» barre, & Wealthy lawyer, who has represented his district nine years ih Congress, In 1844 he was chairman of the National Democratic Con- vention which nominated Polk and Dallas. George Correy, another member of the committee 18 @ wealtl merchant residing in Scranton; Draper Smith is a wealthy merchant of Plymouth; Joseph H, Scranton ts universally known and respected. He is a very weathy coal merchant and manufacturer, The treasurer of the Board ia Mr, Henderson Gaylord, of Plymouth, a retired mer- chant and president of the First National Bank of Plymouth. He 1s also very wealthy. The reputa- tion of all the members is of the highest stamp, and the Marshal reports @ universal expression of con- fidence in their sategeite, judgment and ability. ‘The following is the correspondence between the Marshal and the chairman of the Executive Com- mittee, The response of the latter foreshadows the substance Of the rules and regulations by which tue committee propose to be guided:— WYOMING VALLEY Horst, WItkrenanny, Pay Sept. 28 1689. DEAR Srn—-Upon my return to New York olty, abd I” pur pose leaving here to-morrow morning, I shall report to my prine{pal, his Honor Mayor A. Oakey chairman of the Fiunicipel committee having in charge the e hind sateed oy fee voluntary contributions of our clizeus for the relief of the widows, orphans and other once dependent upon the labor of the victims of the disaster at the mine at Avondale, the re- sult of my visit to this town and the immediate scene of the Socidenie Tahall give such itceraeen as I was directed to gather concerning the locally projected schemes for the ine Vestment and distribution of moneys subscribed, the views and opinions of your co-reslents here of iniluenée and pr minence rearing enterprises and also the exprossad desires of the Trlonde and relaitves of tho descased mninere Your occupancy of the responsible position of chairman of the Executive Committee of the acknowledged local and, therefore, Central Board of Trustees of the Avon- dale Kellét Fund, aud custodian of aums, of money already forwarded here, and proposed recipient of ‘anticipated suns) together with the authority I herewith presont, suggest that T might with Propriety Tespectfuily ask that you give me at your very earliest convenience the plan devised by your or- Banization for the distribution of the subscriptions, Your Tespouse to ray request shall place inthe hands of Mayor Hall In view of ts possible publication I hope you will give ‘the information in detall, to the end that the curiosity which contributors Surougiout the nation justly feel in the matter may be fully sattafled, and the faith of tho charitably disposed strengthened to the beneiit of the poor people you have in charge.” Your obedient servant, JOSEPH H. TOOKER. Marshal Mayor's Oftice, New York city, To Hon. Henpnrick B. Brigit, WILEFSBARRE, Sept. 23, 1899. My Dean 8in—Iam in tho recelpts of your note of this date. It was very proper that “his Honor, Mayor Hall, of New York, Chairman of the Municipal Committee, having in charge the funce'ecetved b; Voluntary contribution,” for the aid aud relief of the Avondale aufferers, should be informed Of the proposed distribution of the same’ before he paid over the large Amount of money in bls hands. Tam @ otha made, hrough you, the inquiry, because it enadies mye ciate "trustees, with myself, ‘locally appolated, to Place ourselves right before tle contributors; ‘and to let the whole nation (for the gift eomes from almost eve! part of it) know what the trustees contemplate doing cH the monoy in their hands. ‘The whole pian and coheme of distribution fe substantially fixed upon, It will be finally adopted made public on Monday next. T herewith euclose you a. Sony ‘of th of the Executive Committee, but which you will not make ublic, as some of the deta y be modified or changed. ‘he substauce of our views {s, however, herein atated. ‘Yo gratify those who have a right to know, I will state in as few words aa T ent some ofits leading features, This should be done that those who are willing to add further to the fund may not hesitate under the impression that any of the money will be Improperiy distributed. Hot one dollar of the fund will be appropriated to any ther charity. The whole sum rales be approp: and orphat who mettheit deatb under such terrible and appalling cireum- stances in the Avondale colliery on the 6th other persons as were dependant upon thei aisience, | Thia disposition js in nccordance with the views and opinions of every one of my associates in the man- Agement of the crust, It gives me much atisfactton also te andores, sech one Of Weta’ us, sort of probity and honor. Neither can I bespeak too favorable an 0] lato for the most excellent gentleman who is the treagufer of the fund, He is « inan of lar, brane, of leisure, of sound judg- ment and io ie integrity. Where Henderson Gaylord is Known he has an woblemished reputation. ‘The trustees will appropriate, for present roe genciee, 8 and the area ear, to those re re entitled fo receive it, say ing one-fifth of the whole fund, assuming the ph ng my 200,000, This will tive each. widow sear erphan G10, leaving & proper Sllowanoe also for any Other proper cla The remainder of the fund, aay 8150,0% wil constitute a permanent widows and orphans’ fund, vested Fee hat may be Readily couvertibfe lato cash and air follows:—Qnecthird to constitute the widows’ fund 1g two-thirds to constitute an orphans’ fund. umber of widows is seventy-three aud t would seem to Use prove, assignment to O each class. rom Each of these funds tho ra classes will secure such snnual quarterly allowance as is deemed anuctent for com. fortable support. “Anthe whole plan will Sppear with all its geialle 1a the forepart of the approaching, week, js not pine mations 10 it to be hoped that the puthic anvlety will mot demand ot tae tray tees the speedy, and necessarily less perfect plan, of distribu tion and management, but alow themn ine) for deliberation, to mature it well, necessary. The fang is large; the beneficlaries numerous; their claims to cons be considered ench upon its own merits, fo do our work well we must rely upon the indulgence, as well as good sense of the contributors, to oxereiso.@ reasonable emount of par nice. “ehfope that my cxvtrustees will excuse me for thus stating for the pub'le eye, without their knowledge of concurrence, the foregoing ihformation. It scomod to me ‘that the public had a right to ask, and to have refused an an- awer would have been prejudicial to the wwelfara of thou in Whom we feel. much interest, | The work of contribuiing should go on, Silence, tn this case, might have had » bai Influence; and above all, the impression of @ misapplication of the funds, or the diversion of them, from. th lasnly inuiéated by the popular will, uncontradicted, w Rave resulted in the worat of consequences, “There was n ar resented a mote commendable hari. ‘The noble ree fs conclusive proof of it. And I can only add in cone hon that {tis my firm bellef, my honest conviction, that far thing of the fund will be honestly approvriated to is legitl- mpate purpore, aud with aa much judgment and dleeretion as the publie about reaso Perfection israrely altaied, it will bs our gmbition to approach it #0 neatly ‘ae lies in our power. I trust, my tbat your inquiries are fully anawered, Very redpeot- rally, ‘our obedient TENDRICK B WRIGHT: ‘Chairman Executive Committee Avondale Relief Fund, To Joveru H. TooKER, First Marahal of New Yorx city. Subscriptious Received at the Herald Ofiice Yesterday, The following subscriptions, in ald of the Avon- dale sufferers, were received at the HERALD oifice yesterday:— TWO HUNDRED AND PIPTY DOLLARS, GESELLSCHAFT “PROGRESS,” 131 WEST 23D 8T., New Yorg, Sept. 24, 1869, To THE EDITOR OP THE HERALD:— Enclosed please And checks for $260 for the ben- efit of the sufferers of the late Avondale disaster. MEMBERS OF GESELLSCHAFT PROGRESS. TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. Law OFFICES OF REID & SoLowoN, New York, Sept. 24, 1869, To THE EDITOR OF THE Her, Enclosed tiad twenty-five dollara, donation to the Avondale relief fund, from Free Craiteman Lodge No. 631, F. and A. M. . P, SOLOMON, M. VIVE DOLLARS. Please find enclosed five dollars, for “ad ot of the Avondale suderers, Mrs. ©, BE, B. ONE DOLLAR. Enclosed please find one dollar for the orphans of the Avondale sufferers, which is according to means. MO. In addition to the above, the following subacrip- tions were received at this office yesterday :— L. B. Stone, No. 178 Lexington avenue. Newton......+ DEPLORABLE ACCIDENT—A MAN DROWNED.—At half-past eight o'clock last evening a gentleman and lady, named respectively Hammiel Chissman, of No, 101 Hudson street, and Lizzie Hare, of No. 14 Leonard street, whtle on the dock foot of Harrison street, lost their footing and were precipitated into te river, The Fifth precinct police on auty hurried to their assistance and succeeded in rescuing the woman, but Chissman was so exhausted in support. ing his companion that ne sank before he could be reacued, body was recovered and taken to the Leonard street station house, where an inquest Wil | be heid to-day. WASHINGTON. The Capital Reviving in the Presi- dential Presence. IMPORTANT CABINET MEETING. GENERAL SICKLES FULLY SUSTAINED. Spain Declines the Offered Mediation. WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 1969. The President Moving in Texas Alfairs—Re- moval of Jack Humilton’s Supporters, I mentioned some time ago in these despatches that there wae a slim prospect of the federal office- holders tu Texas who adhered to the fortunes of Jack Hamilton as candidate for Governor maintain- ing their places under the administration. The heads of several minor officials have already come off. Since the return of the President and members of the Cabinet the work has commenced in earnest, and there is a good prospect of ite being continued until every Hamilton man holaing a federal office in Texas has been made to give place to re- publicans of the Davis stripe. To-day J. G. Tracy, chairman of the Republican Executive Committee of Texas, and @ strong Davia man, was appointed postmaster at Houston, in place ofgsamuel Harper, a Hamilton man. Swanty Palm, anotuer Davis man, ‘was appointed postmaster at Austin, in place of one Denormandie, also @ Hamilton man. The names of the successors of nearly all the Hamilton officials have been virtually agreed upon by the neads of the several departments under which they are classified, and nothing remains but the formality of making out their commissions, It will thus be seen that the President does not propose to look on indifferently at the struggle between the two factions in Texas. Since his return here the President, it 1s said, bas received a letter from General Reynolds command- ing the Department of Texas, in which the Gene- ral states that in his opinion the interests of the State would be promoted by the election of General Davis, the radical candidate. General Reynolds algo confirma the account given the President by General W. F. Clarke relative to the condition of affairs in Texas. The Cuban Question Before the Cabinet— General Sickles Sustained. It is understood that the Cuban question was talked over in Cabinet to-day, but nothing was done. ‘The general understanding was that we do not want to fight Spaiv, but if she insists upon war she must be accommodated. The United States is ready. ‘The conduct of General Sickles was fully sanctioned. A despatch was read from him stating that the Spanish regency had respectfully declined the pro- posea mediation of the United States between Spain and Cuba, Reply of the Cuban Envoy to Senator Sumner—Slavery Abolished in the Cuban Republic. Sefior Lemus, the Cuban Envoy, authorizes the publication of the following cal WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 1569. The following remarks having been made hy Senator Sumner in a speech before the Massachu- setts Republican Convention relative to the recogni- tion of the Cubans as beiligerents:— There {s another question {n their case which is with me final. Even if they come. within the prerequisites of imter- national law, I am unwilling to make any recognition of them so long as they, continue to bold ‘human beings as slaves. decree in May last, purporting to be signed by Cespeeds abolished slavery; but Tam not sure of this decree, expecially in view of another in July, purporting to come from the same authority, maintaining slavery. Unul this is Settled we must wai —I desire to s ” the American people on behalf of my struggling countrymen—First, that article twenty-five of the Cuban constitution provides “that ali the inhabitants of the island of Cuba are abso- lutely free.” This, of course, includes the negroes, and was so designed by the patriots who framed the constitution. cond, in accordance with this clause of the constitution all slaves coming within the lines of the Cuban army are at once emanct- pated, as wel: as those who are included in the ter- ritory occupied by the Cuban forces. Third, a great maby of the Cuban planters outside the lines of the Cuban army have emancipated their slaves, and this in deflance of the Spanish authorities. Many of = planters after so doing have joined the patriot igi There has been no subsequent decree made je Cuban Congress or resigned by President epee which nuilifies the iwenty-Iuth article of the constitution, nor is it possible that fa ce aecrea can be made or issued. J. M. LEMUS, Unfavorable Advices from Gabe=aatile of Jealousy and Spanish Gold—Reorganiza- tion of the Army—Assassination of Foreign Officers, Advices from Cuba received today confirm the account of the battle of Las Tunas and the capture of Colonel Benejas’ train. A letter from a distinguished Southern gentleman pow in Cuba, at one timea member of the Confederate Congress and colonel in the Confederate army, states that jealousy, infu- enced by malignity or Spanish gold, has necessi- tated a reorganization of the Cuban army and com- pelled General and President Cespedes to take com- mand of the army. General Jordan ts to be ohtef of staf. This letter also gives an account of the assas- sipation of the Marcano brothers, of Dominican birth, by the Uabana, These brothers occupied the posi- tions, one a major general, commanding a division in the Eastern Department, under General Jordan, and the other @ brigadier general, The only objection to them was they were foreigners. This assassina- tion has caused great excitement and may result tn serious disaster, Presentation of the Now Russian to the President. Mr. Constantine Catacazy was to-day introduced to the President by the Secretary of State, and deliy- ered his credentials ag Envoy Extraordinary ana Minister Plenipotentiary of Russia. He made the following remarks on the occasion:— MR. PRESIDENT—I have the honor to present to your Exceliency the letters recaliing my prede- cessor, ag well as ,those accrediting me in the capa- city of Envoy Extraordwnary and Minister Plenipo- venuary of b lajesty the Emperor of all The Russians. I could not better interpret the senti- ments of yi august sovereign than by expressing ‘at once the lively desire to maintain the coniaence, friendship and cordial good will, tokens of which the two nations have taken pleasure in exchang- ing through all the vicissitudes of their political jstence. These sentiments, founded Upon an appreciation of the respective greatness ond merits of the two nations, exclude every possi- bility of antagonism. They constitute a fact as happy as exceptional im international relations. I congratulate piyeelt personally, Mr. President, on having to full such a mission im a country where, at the very outset of my career, I have been able to appreciate the power and the noble qualities of that people whioh is the sincerest friend of Russia. The President replied as follows:— Mr. CaTacazy—I am happy to recetve you as the Envoy Extraordinary ana Saige Plenipotentiary of hig Majeaty the Emperor of all the Rugsias, You correctly be the Intimate and cordial relations of the past and the existing unders‘anding between our respective countrt It is not to be doubted that you will zealously endeavor to main- tain them ped Ri mission, @n effort which will be heartily ited by me. You nave re: to expect that your weleome here in your present cl acter will derive some of its warmth our LAV ing formerly been favorably known in another. Return of Prominent Politicians, Since the arrival of the President Congressmen and politicians are beginning to flow in, and the city begins to recover from the deserted appear- ance which it Las worn allsummer. Among those now here dre Senators Cameron, Drake, Sawyer, and Reprorentatives Potter, Sidney Clarke, Hopkins, Ingersoll, Bowen and Cavanaugh, Danteh Consuls Recognized. ‘Tho President has recognized T. H. Zanderson as Vice Consul of Denmark for tho State of Texas, to reside at Galveston, and W.T. Ramoush as Vice Consal of Denmark for the State of Minnesota, to reside at Minneapolis. Personal. Secretary Robeson leaves here to-morrow for a brief visit to Philadeiphia on private business. Major Haggerty, whom the British government declined to receive as United States Consul at Gias- gow, is now in Washington to make a report to the Secretary of Btate. ‘The Montgomery Mining Company of Nevada. The Commissioner of the General Land Ofiice has directed the Surveyor General of Neveda to cause & resurvey Of the claim of the Montgomery Gold and + Myer Mining Company on the Calaveras Lode, in Minister Homboldt Mining district, Hefide. Tea ning nic OPE le a acted & rendered necessary from the fact that the claimantay: through @ misspprehension of the mining statute,, had thelr claim surveyed for ® greater number of feet in length along the lode than they were at the time in possession of or entitled to hold in accords ance with their original location under the loca} Mining regulations of Humboldt district. Thelp Proofs are in qther respects satisfactory,and the casé will be patented when the plat and fleld notes of the resurvey are received, Executive Appointments. The following appointments were made to-day by the President:—Engene Schuyler, of New York, Con- sul at. Revel; De Vere Burr, of the District of Columbia, member of the Board of Trustees of the House of Correction for Boys, Paul Bagley’s Correspondence. Paul Bagiey to-day presented to the President hia correspondence with Mr. Gladstone and others im England, relating to the American Fenian prisoners, and was requested to leave it atthe State Depart ment. The Coolie Question—Secretary Boutwell’a Intentions. Koopmanschap, the contractor for supplying Chinese labor, had an interview with Secretary Boutwell to-day, when the latter atated that thé Department had no intention of interfering with the scheme for Chinese immigration unless the laws were violated. Koopmanschap left this evening for Memphis and New Orleans, and thence to attend the Louisville Commercial Convention, Naval Matters. Lientenant Socrates Hubbard has been ordered ta the Nipsic ond Paymaster W. Wiliams to the Albany. Lieutenant Commander Yates Sterling ia detached from the Albany and placed on waiting orders. Surgeon Charles Martin is detached from the Albany and ordered to the Severn s8 Fleet Sure geon of the North Atlantic squadron. Surgeon Wm. Jonnson ts detached from the Bose ton Navy Yard and ordered to Washington. Paymaster W. G. Farwell ts detached from tha Naval Hospital at New York and ordered to the Naval Hospital at Washington. Paymaster George v. Cutier is detached from the Asiatic squadron and ordered to settle his accounts. The court martial appointed to ty Lieutenant Commander Henry B, Seely, late of the United States steamer Pawnee, on charge of maltreatment of seamen, commenced taking testimony in the cas@ in Boston to-day. Rear Admiral Thatcher presideds ‘The case will probably occupy several days. J. W. King, chief of tne Bureau of Steam Engle neering of the United States Navy, left this city to-night for California to inspect the engineering department of the Mare Island Navy Yard. AMUSEMENTS, FRENCH OPERA.—The second night of the French Opera at the Academy of Music was @ most encoure aging success, and refects credit upon the enters prise, which, in the face of many obstacles, bas given us an admirable Programe of operatio Senne. Halevy’s historical and romantic opera ‘Les Mousquetaires de la Reine’ was Fate sented lastevening for the first time, and was re- ceived with marked favor by & see. board aed the parts were well sustained, though not abounding in herein iecthregy cliclted frequent and enthusiastic app! chorus and orchestra were excellent, Mile. Bleau created @ deciued sensation by her superb tatroduce tion of Masse’s ‘Carneval de Venise” and weer Ta) turously encored. Her voice possesses remarkal compass and has no superior th sweetness and bility, Not a person in the audience moved out her part, except in unconscious sympath: her exquisite performance, and the e applause which followed each appearan: ites! how com stale she had captivated the aud! Mile. Guill remot and MM. Garrebeuck, Teste Dupond were flatteringly applauded, and the piece concluded in a style gratifying to the most fastidi« ous. On Saturday ‘La Juive” will be produced s& the matince, ENGLISH OPERA,—The Parepa-Rosa English opera company last night presented Wallace’s favorite opera, “‘Maritana,” for the second time this season. ‘The house was well filled in every part by an audte ence which showed by its well timed apples the possession of critical taste and refined judgment. Yhe performance was @ very enjoyable one and passed off with great smoothness. The orchestra, under the Jeadersiip of Carl Rosa, gave thé music with more than usual taste and rrectness, and the choruses were also well Trecuted. Parepa-Rosa as Maritana shared the honors of the evening with Mrs. Seguin and Measra, Campbell and Castle. Mrs. Seguin wasin excellens votce, and in Lazarilio’s at the commencement of the second act received a very enthusiastic encore, Castie’s Yon Cmsar was ‘au excellent piece of acty ing as well as good tn singing. The piece was well pu: upon the stage and of course formance Oa dressed. In the course of the pecans Rosa performed a violin solo which secured enthusiastic encore of the eyoning. GeRMAN OreERA.—Beethoven'’s “Fidelio” was given last evening at the Stadt theatre, exciting great enthusiasm by the symphonious music and general admiration by the correct and admirable acting. “Fidello,” as every one knows, is one of the most tragic a8 well as popular of all the operas Which are now the favorites of the stage. The out- line of the play reveals a singular case of malignant cruelty, Wherein @ Spanish official selects hs oppor- tunity to degrade and torture a former superior who bad fearlessly exposed the latter's mis- deeds, Filied up as such a skeleton hag been py Beethoven with rare musical effecta, consisting of solos, duets, quartets and recitative emotional appeals, it received some addijional beau- ties last evening in the histrionic talent which ren- dered it Deiore a dehghted audience. Mlle. Kotter, conspicuous aS Marcellina, daughter of the jailer, exceeded herself inthe exquisite voice with which she climaxed her high soprano notes. Her acting ‘was neat, and, while ber part was showy, there was 4 noticeable absence of over-doing anything. Mme. Johapnsen played the dificult and dual part of Leu- hora and Fideilo with a success that called for the frequent applause of the audience, The other parts were Well sustained througuout, and as a epecimen of German opera the performance may be termed & great success, Musical and Theatrical Notes. The first of the four grand Patti concerts will be. given this evening at Stemmway Hall. “Fra Diavalo” wiil be given this evening at the Théatre Francais by the Parepa-Rosa English opera troupe. Erie-pressible Fisk, Jr., is endeavoring to deprive the King of Beigtum of his celebrated brass band— cause—he wants the Americans to hear it toot. “The Tempest,” with its magnificent scenery, sheet-iron thunder and patent chemical lightning, is shortly to be revivea at the Grand Opera House, with an entire new cast of characters, ‘“Bnoch Arden,” Mr. Arthur Matthison’s new dra matic version of the poem, will be given this evening for the first time at Booth’s theatre, with Ps Theos Hamilton in the titie role, Misa Fanny Morant as Miranda and Miss Blanche De Bar as annie. ‘To-night affords New Yorkers the last opportunity of witnessing the charming drama of “On Mendae. produced at the Fifth Avenue theatre. On | Mondan. evening next the comedy of “Old Heads and ae Hearta,’? which piece, by the bye, has not been in this city for over eight years, will be oe 7 rou uy this Lge i maga baking an Sok rad aduate of the. fustoat at Gouserrator} r, beak Msdride ual gna who finished her studies in Paris under Rossin), who, by the way, complimented her very highly upon the power and sweetness or her voles, \e com- ing to this country $9 sing im concert. he following matingea ate announced for to~ day: ah,’’ at Looth’s; “Dreams,” at the Fifth Avenue theatre; tng ae at Niblo’s; the “Bo- femion Girl,” Jul uvee House; aohele y or ay 0 ae the rand, $ ‘oma King’s gel at the Museum} “iki,” at at Varieties at Tony Pastor's, and vi athe Waderiey. ” last converte id the Central Park Garden bas @ benefit on next ight of her » e30u8 eae even! reath BS ae ng tg une ra House, upon Which couse ithe the has ‘will be given, oi pak Be thousandth time a The production ‘son's new entitle “Progress, i romises to be one of the most mse events onthe season. Miss Lo When we add That Oh er, bert, ME Cra Jou. Botton ha eon suit them as if written for be mich expect & agg of no lence. We understand, too, that as @ literar, “Progress”? exceeds in pe = beauty its Depalar author has yet written. OBITUARY. Frank B, Hubbell. Atelegram from Troy, in this State, reports the death, on Thursday evening, of Frank B. Hubbell, one of the editors of the Datly Whig of, Ig city and. vierk of the Troy Common Council. The geatieman was well Known a8 a journalist in tue erior of Now York, having been peenseres F — press of Troy for over twen the, fiuent writer. Personally , ni was nel neld ie osteem LY ail WhO Kaew road A 4 xf