The New York Herald Newspaper, March 13, 1870, Page 3

t deal: WASHINGTON. SPANISH BELLIGERENCY IN WASHINGTON. Vigorous Mfothod of Adjusting American Clains. First Step Towards Recon- structing Tennessee. Jackson and Murfreesboro to be Garri- soned by Federal Troops. / Wasutnaton, Mareh 12, 1870, Spanish Belligerency in Washington—Vigor- ous Method of Paying off Spanish Bond- holders. With regard to the recent assault upon Mr. Htl- dreth, of New York, by Mr. Potestaa, Secretary of the Spanish Legation, General Butler proposes to offer resolution in the House on Monday directing the Secretary of State to take cognizance of the matter ana to do whatever ne may deem necessary to wecuse a redress of the grievance complained of. According to Mr. Hildreth’s story, he went to the Spanish Legation to leave a vond which ne holds against the Spanish government for collection and saw Mr. Potestad, the First Seeretary. After stating What he wanted, Mr. tildreth says he asked for &@ definite answer as to when he might expect to hear from bis bonds This the Becretary declined to give, and peremptorily ordered Hildreth to vacate the premises. After some sharp words Hildreth said ne would not leave until ne gota definite answer about bis bond. He says Mr. Potestad and one of the servants of the Spanish Mmister thereupon seized him and threw him down the steps with yreat violence. Mr. Potes- tad, who 13 regarded here a3 a quiet, inomensive gentleman, tells a different tale. He-says Mildreth, after transactiug ms business—that is leaving his Papers to be examineu—iusisted, as he was going away, that be must have a definite answer as to the time when his business would be attended to. Mr. Potesiad said he was unable to give a defl- nite answer; whereupon lldreth became very abusive, not only towards Mr, Potestad person- ally, but towards the Spanish government in gene- ral. Ho denounced all connected with it in vigorous Style. Mr. Potestad told him to leave, but he con- tinued his abuse and refused to go, Mr. Potestad then used force to put him out, but he had no inten- Uon of injuring hin, and his fall down the steps was accidental and, as Potestad says, his own fault. Even, Butler ts puzzled to know what to do with Potestad. He cannot be arrested, and the only thing Secretary Fish can do, if he thinks the provocation suilictent, 1s to ask that Mr. Potested be recalled as Secretary of Legation. First Step Towards Reconstructing Tennessee. ‘The Secretary of War has issued orders directing the establishment of garrisons at Jackson and Mur- freesboro, Tenn., as a check upon the excesses prac- Used by the turbulent inhabitants of those districts. Proceedings in the {louse of Representatives. ‘The House met for genera! debate as If in Commit. Wee of the Whole, Mr. Coburn in the chair as Speaker protem. There were not a dozen members in their ‘seats on the republican side of the House. The at- tendance on the democratic side was somewhat larger, but the House had a generally deserted and dreary appearaifce. The proceedings were devoid of public interest, the only notable incident being an endorsement by Mr, Eldridge of an editorial article on the Georgia bill ia tae Chicago Tribune. The House adjourued at quarier past four o'clock. Inquiry Into the Montana Indian Massacre. Much excitement seems to have arisen on the sub- Ject of recent Indian operations in the far West. The Secretary of War will not respond to the reso- lution of Congress asking information on the sub- Ject of the affair of the Piegan Indians until the ofMicial reports have been receivea from Colonel Baker. The Department is not disposed to act Dastily in the matier, but will deal justly in its action, Fractional Currency Statement. The receipts of fractional eurrency for the week ending to-uay amounted to $490,100, % F Shipments—To national banks, $231,206; to the United States Depository at Cincinnati, $9,000; fractional currency redeemed ana destroyed during the week, $635,500; mutilated bank notes burned during the week, $231,790; total amount burned, $21,020,589; bank currency issued for bills destroyed during the week, $279,320; total amount issued therefor. $20,831,520; balance due for mutilated notes, $139,069; bank cirenlation outstanding at this Gate, $299,692,049; ‘Treasurer Spinner holds in trust a8 security for national bank circulation, $42,364,350; and for public deposits, $17,433, 600. § Bank Officers Interviewing the President. A delegation of officers of national banks called at the Executive Mansion this morning to pay their respects tothe President, Ex-Comptroller Freeman Clark introduced them to tho President, The inter- view was very brief, as the gentlemen had no object beyond paying thelr respects. Criminal Pardoned by the President. President Grant has pardoned John Boyle, con- victed at the March term, 1867, of tne Crimmal Court, of assault and battery, with intent to kill, and sentenced to two years inthe Penitentiary, Victor Hugo on a Diplomatic Authoress. Madame Garcia, wife of Dr. Garcia, Minister of the Argentine Confederation, has become !amous as &n authoress a9 well as a diplomat. When young Lopez, of Paraguay, wa3 here a few weeks age the madame attracted considerable comment by reason of some stories circulated regarding her meeting with the Dictator’s son at one of Secretary’s Fish’s Teceptions. That is hardly over when we hear of her through Victor Hugo, who writes the lady a bighly complimentary letter on her last novel, called “Pablo, or Lifeon the Pampas.” The following ts Bugo’s letter:— HAUTEVILLE PaRo, Jan 14, 1870. MADAME—Your book’has captivated me. I owe it charming and good hours, You have opened me an unknown world. You write an excellent French ana it is really cuarming to seo your American thoughts expressed in our European language. In your novel there is both a drama and a landscape; the land- Scape 13 grandiose, the drama is exceedingly touch- ing. I thank you, madame, add | lay at your feet my “homages.’” e VICTOR HUGO. THE ALEXANDER MYSTERY. A Wcaring and Another Adjournment—An Ab- sent Witness the Cause—Protest of Counsel. ‘The case of Captain John Alexander, alleged to have been poisoned, was virtually decided a few days ago by the report or Professor Doremus to the effect ‘that lie found no poison in the stomach or other in- ternal organs of deceased; but that did not bring this long-drawn-out examination to a close, Mr. Cook, who then appeared for the defendants, Mr, and Mrs, Gardner, re- marked that the testimony of the witnesses, taken When the accused parties were not present, was of littie or no value. At this, Coroner Flynn said he would adjourn the further hearing of the case till yesterday morning, in order that the defend- ant’s counsel might have an opportunity to cross- examine the witnesses. Mr. Cook said he would walve that right and desired that the investigation sbould then be brought toa close; but the Coroner had otherwise ordered. At the hearing yesterday afternoon Mrs. Burke (daughter of deceased), with her counsel, Mr. A. A. Redfleld, were present, as also were Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, with thoir legal advisers, Messrs. Andrews and Armstrong. The latter remarked that they did not wish to cross-examine the witnesses, and sais if, the opposing counsel wished to procrastinate the case merely with the view of keeping these persons in jail, their counsel would certainly give them no opportunity of doing 80, and would prevent It if pos- sible, This being the case, Mr. Redfleld satd there would be no necessity for the witnesses remaining, and @ number of them left. Projessor Gouzaies Echeverria was called and examined a3 vo What constitutes softening of tne brain. Sofvening of the brat, said he, is not of Itself a@ dis nct disease, but the result of a combination of Giseases. He also testified as to the general symp- toms tmdicating softenivg of the brain, which are losa of my a paralysis, petuiauce, dificuity of muterance, &d, The deposition of Dr, Brockway, who attended arsenic, salts of copper, lead and silver would leave trages Mf jake Into the stomach, and there are seven pances Which would leave no traces in tue mach, Counsel for Mrs. Burke called for Rosa King, who has heen in the House of Detention, claiming that her vesttimony was of vital importance; out when called she did not appear, and why sve was not pre- sent could not be explained. It would seem she had icit the Houge of Detention, but the Coroner said it Aad not been done vy ms orders. Mrs. Gardner said, “1 know why Rosa King ts rot here; she told in tue yard that Dr. suiue nad dls. charged Ler," to which the Doctor made uo reply, but Coroner Flynn saad, ‘he or no one cise bad aay right to let her go.” By request of Mr. Kedfleki an attachment was issued for king, and an effort wWili be made to secure her aitendance, Mr. Arimswong strenuously Opposed another ad- Journment, and demanded that Mr. and Mrs, Gard- her should be liberated, as there Was not @ particle of evidence aguiust them, and they ougut to have w prompt acquittal. Mr, Gavater implored the Coroner fo finisn up the case and let iim go, as he had aireany been iumpris- oned for seven weeks withont cause, he case, however, waa adjourned tll eate, when it is expected It wiil be brought to a close. In the meantime Mr, aod Mrs. Gardner remain in ous. tody. ‘ihe paticnce of the jury, who have 60 olen been called Logesher in tng tedious case, seems tO have become hearly exhausted, and they wish to be discharged, They are losing much of their vaiuabie tine from bome and business, and, judging from appearances, these gentiemen will pot willingly serve on @ jury very soou, NEW YORK CITY. The Seamen's Strike—-New Pilot Commissioner— Licenses, Arrests, Taxes and Vital Statis- tics—The Pneumatic Tunnel—Po- lice Matters and Geno : ral News Items. The following record will show tne changes in the temperature of the weather for the past uwenty-four hours in comparison with the corresponding day of last year, ag indicated by the thermometer at Hud- buts pharmacy, HERALD Bullding, Broadway, coc- her of Aun street:— 1469, 1870, 1809, 1870, 4l 81 » 35 33 8P. M. 36 SL 6M. 43 32 34 «63800 COO PLM. » ot 8h 12 P.M. ‘ature yesterday... nperature for corr Average te last year, There were 1,321 arrests in the city last week, The amount of taxes collected during tho past ‘week {8 $37,307 13, The deaths for the week, exclusive of public in- stitutions, were 470, persons married 406, and births 4 In consequence of the seamen’s strike the steamer Western Metropolis was unable to sail yesterday for New Orleans, She has got, it ts said, but ten men out of eighteen, her regular complement. It was expected that she would go to sea last night with a short crew. Coroner Keenan yesterday held an inquest at 348 Cherry street on the body of George Balientine, a enild, whose deatn resulted from serious burns caused by his clothes taking fire two or three days ago, The occurrence was quite accidental. During the past week Marshal Tooker has granted the following licenses:—To expressmen, 8; boarding houses, 3; coaches, 3; venders, 47; carts, 60; porters, 5; drivers, 4i—total, 178, Amount received for fines and licenses, $989. Amount returned to va- rious complainants, $3,811. James G, Blaine, Speaker of the House of Representatives, was ensertained at breakfast yes- terday morning by several members of the Union League Club, Among those present were J. S. Scenuliz, President of the Club; John A. Griswold, Billot ¢, Cowdin, Isaac Ht. Balley and Wiltan ‘Ogg. Aspectal meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held at one o’clock yesterday afternoon for the Purpose of electing a Commissioner of Pilots, in place of. ara Snow, whose term of office has ex- ired. Wittlac KE. Dodge, the president, presided. There was but one candidate—Captain Ambrose Snow—and he was unanimously elected. The Uham- ber then adjourned. The Board of Police Commissioners yesterday dis- missed from the force Frederick Schilling, of the Seventh precinct, for failing to arrest a drunken man, who subsequently fel into the river and was drowned; George W. Moid, Twelfth precinct, for being off post ina greenhouse, and Theodore Cas- ceiles, of the Twenty-ninth prectuct, who figured in Prince Plot Burden’s assassination hoax, for velng Off post av hour and half. A person representing himself to be the ex-pastor of a Protestant church of Havana, Cuba, and under the name of the Rey. F. W. Hngelhert, has pecn vis- iting respectable persons in this city with a docu- ment purporting wo be signed by Kev. Dr. Bellows. A gentleman who Was acquainted with Dr. Bellows’ hanwriting took the letter from him, at the same time charging him wtth forgery. The graduating class of Columbia College Law School have elected tue following named oificers for the ensuing year:—Valedictorian, Orrin Skimuer, of Connecticut; Class President, N. P. S. Thomas, of Rhode [eland; Ciass Secretary, A. W. Wella, of New Jersey; Executive Committee, Messrs. H. 8. White, New Jersey; F. K. Halsey, New Yorn; well, dr, New York;-6. E. Perry, New Jersey; Fitch, New York; L. C, Dessor, New York, T. K, Strong, Kew York, aud J. M. Nash, New York, Adolph Marx, a salesman at Vogle Bros., 128 Church street, was charged before Judge Hogan with stealing $505 trom the safe of the above firm yester- day morning. He was seen to hang his overcoat near the safe and fo pae hia hand in the safe. Some two hours afverwards one of the firm went to get some money and found the cash drawer unlocked and the money gone. Marx wes away from his duty two hours and three-quarters in the morning. He was committed to answer, but was heid to vail in $1,000, The statement publisbed in some of the city jour- Dals of yesterday that Captain Caffrey, of the Twen- tieth precinct, had been placed under charges for failing to telegraph to the Central office the particu- lars of the drunken orgies of deputy sheritr en route to Sing Sing with prisoners, ts erroneous. Under the rule this information could not bo tele- graphed, inasmuch as Captain Caffrey and his o1m- ceré Made no effort Lo suppress the facts, whick wera olticially reported to the deak in writing by officer Patrick Murpuy, Who conveyed the desperate con- victs to the State Prison. The advantages of the pneumatic over other modes of locomotion are fully demonstrated by the ‘‘Beach" Poeumatic Trasit Tupnel. We need only name a few of its advantages:—It is more expeditious; there is less fear of accidents, such as culli#ions and run- ning off the track; and last, but not least, perfect ventilation. Even the most sceptical upon visiting the tunnel come away with the utmost confidence in its feasibility, Those who have not yet visited the pneumatic It hould do so, for they will be satis- fled of the practicability of the scheme of air propul- sion. The “Union Home and School for Soldiers’ and Satlors’ pephans"epaps all the benefit from the exhibition, This shou distinctly understood, ag many think the company will repay themselves the enormous outlay they have been at. The visi- tors o nFriday numbered about 1,250, Receipts for tne week ending March 12, $,1413;' total ince March 1, $2,805, Total of visttors since opening, 15,000, A man named Ethan B. Curry, residing at No. 333 East Thirty-ninth street, was yesterday arraigned before Justice Ledwith, at Essex Market Police Court, charged with discharging @ pistol at Guarles Howard, of No. 45 Perry street. Both men are painters, and it appears that Curry was on strike and Howard was “scabbing” at a job on Third ave- nue, corner of Eighteenth street, Ourry, with a number of his friends, visited the premises with the Intention Of taking Howard away from the job, and during the disturbance consequent upon the visit it 1s alleged that Curry fired off his pistol at Howard. No injury was done by the firing, and Howara was unable to swear that the pistol was loaded with ball. Curry denies having fired the pistol, and states that he never saw the pistol until it was shown to him in the Eighteenth precinct station house, Jus- nr Ledwith held the prisoner in default of $1,000 1. DESPERATE .ENCOUNTER WITH A BLOODHOUND, Yesterday forenoon a German, named John Blake, of No, 22 Ferry street, Newark, N. J., a) peared in the Police Court. at that piace, and com- plained that on the preceding evening he was ferociously attacked by a huge bloodhound, the property of a coal dealer named John 0, Boyce, and iiten in several places. But for the prompt assist- auce of citizens Blake fears hts life was in danger. ‘The dug had previously attacked two younger per- sons, not iujuring them, Boweves Be was told to woot the dog. BROOKLYN CITY. Kings County Election Fraude—The Murder of James 0’ Donnell— Suicide—Strike of Brooklyn Glass Blowers. ‘ne police of Rrookiya arrested 203 persons dur- Ang the past week, Mra. Itines, residing @t the corner of Smith and Degraw streets, attempted to commit suicide jester day worns taki & dose of laudawam. No cates bas been eangned for the eck Owen Mand, the murderer of James O'Donnell, was tO Dave been rewentenced yesterday, but as Judge Barnard Ned ay writ of error and stay ol proceedings Iu wider (mat the case can oe argued at tic Court of ALpeaia, seulence Was delerred. A sensational journal pubiistho! an item yesterday morning to the effect that Jamen 6. Crag, lave Pre ident of the Demuctauc Genera: Comumiltee, stabbed 4 ao iD the Brookiya Chuo House. The story iv pronounced taise, Charles Gerald, the proprietor of a liquor store at the corner of Centre street and Damion avenue, arrested O4 & charge of having commitved s 10US asa oa Jaies Delton on Priaay DICUE Was taken Lelore Judee Dewar yesterday cone Dailon failed to Meaty hum as Judge Pratt wened an order afew days siuce to the efect that the names Of the witnesses examined before tne Grand => the cases of the partes in- dicted tor alleged 400 frauds, be lurtished by the District Ailurmey Lue counsel for Une delence, Tim order has been Colmpliea WHR Im the cases of the following pamed persons: James Buckiey and George Brown, Jomlly lovlicted; Heary P. Mayo and Michael see Jointiy indicted; Barney Manouey and Joun @¥, July Wbdic ted, abd Jobo Lyach, District attorney Morrie Will move wt the Opening of the court on Monday morning taal the above nauied parties be places on trial, About six Weeks ago Messrs, A. Thiery & Co., the Proprietors of (he Constitution Flint Glass Works South Brooklyn, established a series of rules for the observance of (heir employes, restricting them frou being Weuibers OF Muy Lrade OrganiZae®, and ere aulng lustead Sree! fund, Which latter Was lo be Waintained Oy monthly assessment Upon the Wages of the baads. It Was further preserived What certain fines and penalties, ail of wick Were regarded vy the principal Wurkwen (the “yaders” and *biow ers"), a8 Obeliouabie, should dinposed, apd tat the wmoucy Lops taken Of thelr Wages should accu mulate to te interest of the general tand. The worknen, ©) the number Of about thirty, Immed:- ateyy “Rnocked off,” retusing to reiinquish their con- Rection WIth the “Glass biower's Benevolent Union," of which they ure members, sod stating that the benelils derived from their trade society were far greater than the iuducements Held out to teem by the proprietors of the Works in question, Whose rigut to compel them Lo coutribule to tue shop fund ihey refuse Lo recogulze. The society to which they be- long has sustaiued the course taken by Lae men On the “strike,” and pledges itseli toa coutinuance of 1s support to them. ‘ihe Glass Blowers’ orgauiza- Uon has @ wembership of nearly 400, aud a strong treasury. The “strikers” say tuey wili hold out until the ObnOXioUus resiricUoNs above cited are re- moved, THE CUSAN LEAGUE. A Grand Mass Meeting to be Held April 4. A meeting of the Cuban League of the Upitea States was held last eveutng at Delmonico’s and was attended by @ large number of distinguished gentie- men. A delegation was also present from the Patriot League of Cuba, and was formally presented to the members of the organization by the I’resident, General McMahon. f Colonel Ethan Allen, on bebalf of a committee on addresses, presented an eloquent address to the American people in advocacy of ace@ding veiliger- ent rights to the Cuban repubiic, which was adopted by the League and ordered to be published and cir- culated throughout the United States. The address compares the Cuban struggle to the American revo- lation, calls for a change in the neautranty laws, and appoints the 4th of April lor a grand Cavan mi meeting, to be held at Cooper Institute. The folowing gentlemen were constituted a committee to make arrangements for the meeting:—Mr. Doug- las ‘Taylor, General J. M. Davies eral Gordon Granger, General Alexander Shaler, General A. Duryea, General C. K. Graham, General C. W. Dar- Mpg, Coloncl G. M. Mawes, Colonel Ethan Alien, Colonel J. M. Macias, Major James Haguerty. Cap: vain E. A, Raymond, Mr. Jon Oakoy, hir. Casseriy, Mr. W. M. Hoos and Mr. tT. 4% Stewart General O. W, Darling was elected treasurer of the League, and notice was given that all contribu. tions to the Ouban League should be sent to him at the Fiith Avenue Hotel. After the transaction of business relatiug to the details of the mass mecting, which, it ta proposed, shall be accompained on the same hight by similar demonstrations in the other large cities of the Union, tne meeting adjourued until next Saturday evening at the same place. © EQIE WAKING UP IN JERSEY. How the Erle Company are Trented In Com- parison With Camden and Amboy—Fisk in the Lobby at Trenton—Mukes a Bold Move and the Common Council of Jersey City Get Angry. Up to the presgnt day the Erie Railway Company have been taxed and assessed by the Jersey City guthorities just like any private corporation, and zad to pay, besides, a tax or one-half per cent to the State, while the New Jersey Railroad— @ wing of Camden and Amboy—paid only the State tax. Fisk having his hands comparatively free just now in New York, Pennsylvania and else- where, turned bis atzention to the “little matter’ within the past week, and on Thursday @ bill was futroduced in the Camden and “Amboy Legislature at Troyton, placing the Erie on the same footing as the monopoly, The bill was passed to a second read- ing and will be rushed through on ‘Tuesday next, as there 13 a prospect of an adjournment of the Legis- lature at the closé of this woek. 7H, the meantime the news was circulated throgh Jersey City, and @ spectal meeting of the Common Council was heid last evening to consider the question, ‘The meeting was all but private, for Alderman Egan happened tu pass the City Hall soon alter the meet- ing Was closed and deelared he had not received @ny notice to attend the meeting at all. A few short speechcs were delivered, and the meeting wouud up by adopting @ resviution that the Gom- mon Council proceed in @ body to Trenton and op- pose the passage of said bill, and that the members of the Legisiature from Hudson county be requested to use their influence against it. ‘The first part of the resolution will be carried out, of course, a regard to the second tt is mere taik. ‘The late raliroad war in the halls of the Legislature roved beyond all doubt how ?— ig the power of he people against that of @rich corporation. Fisk has put bis nand to the plough and wiil not look back. Any bill can be passed or defeated just as Camden and Amboy directa, Fisk has no contest with this power, and he aiways succeeded in con- Cliiating 1t, Atthe same time his bill 1s both just and rational, as the time for special legisiation has passed. Without the Erie depot and workshops the Seventh ward of Jersey City would be a community of paupers, ‘This should be taken into account. Caindeu and Amboy confers very little benefit on the olty in comparison. THE CHY EXPRESSMEY IN ARMS, “Expressive” Memorial to Congress ‘Exe pressing” the Grievances of the “ Express” Trade. A meeting of the city expressmen was held last night at Mechanic's Hall, Third avenue, between Forty-seventh and Forty-eighth streets, for the pur- pose of taking into consideration the pro- priety of having @ distinction made between the local carrieré aad the chartered trans- portation companies of the city and reliev- ing them from the gross receipt tax of three per cent. For the redress of their grievances the following memorial to Congress adopted at their meeting last night:— ‘The memoria sets forth that the business of the expreasmen ts the carrylog or carting of goods, and is precisely similar to that done by cartmen and teamsters generally and witnout any deflued or continuous route or direction; that on Octover 28, 1865, Commissioner orn decided not to require returns of gross receipts for taxation [rom cartmen, by reason of doubts as to the inieation of Congress to include them under the words “other Vehicles,” in section 108 of the Revenue law, and giving them the benefit of the doubt, on account of \helr inability, as a class, to pay @ tax out of thelr recel, being only “the moaerate wages of un- ” At present the expressmen, under section 104, are held toa still groater tax a9 doin; @n express business. The ce men ciaim that there are oe doubts as to the imtention of Con- gresa in particular, as their business is no nrore an keg hg business ¢! is that of cartmen. They, therefore, pray that all the laws taxing gross re- ceipts be abolished altogether, or that city ex; 8 men be put on a fait competitive footing wit and dray men by the enactment of a law declaring that persons dotng @ city expreas business be deemed cartmen, draymon and teamsters for ail the purposes of the Internal Revenue law. A collection Was taken up among the members composing the meeting for the purpose of defrayiang the oxpeuses of preventing the foregoing, &c., aller Which the meeting adivurued, THE WARD'S ISLAND EMEUTE. Purther Testimony Concerning the Management of the Commissioners of Emigration. How the Money Goes—An Emigrant’s Testimoe- ny—Inmates of the Ward’s Island Insti- tution Kicked, Cuffed and Ill-Treated— Close of the Investigation. The Assembly Committee on Commerce and Nav! - gation, of which Lawrence D. Kiernan 18 chairman, Qesembied at Castio Garden yesterday, at cleven oelock, for the purpose of taxing further testimony ‘as to the causes of the recent riot ou Ward's Is!aud, and the elieged inabiity ef the Commissioners of Emigration to take proper care of the emigrants. ‘The following named members were present:— Kiernan, Bergen, Nachtman, Huested, Ciark, Decker aod Kavauagh. As the evidence taken at the pre- vious meeting showed that a certain Mr. Walton enjoyed the monopoly of the repairing business on Ward's Isiana the committee bad that gentieman brought before them for exauination. Mis testt- mony & Important as showing “how the money go0n.”” Isaac Walton, bulider, examined—I commenced working ou Ward’s Island for the Commisstoners in April, 1867; worked oa every buildtug there since, except the Insane Asylum; ihe amount I received for Work Was $97,000; One job amounted to $30,000; 1 made bo Coutract; mare @ statement from ume to ume; the work was done pot by contract, put by special arrangement with the Commissioners; Mr. isaac T. Smith introduced me to the Board; I re- ceived ten per eeut ou the amouut of materiais furnished; none of the Commissioners were tnter- exed, directly or indirectly, im the jobs; I worked for the Metropolitan Savings Bank, of which Mr. Commissioner Sinith 19 President;41 goteight and a baif per cent for doing the laiter work; the reason why | charged the Commissioners more Was because the work was more dimecult; 1 Was an applicant for the carpenter work on the pro- would not doit by contract; I re- ouragement from the Commission- am aware tial a resolution passed ihe Board ng HE WO Work Without my Laviag to contract the amouut of carp id be about $50,000; the jor ULat Would Cost $250,00) proportion of carpenter Work on ordinary butidings would ve [rom one-third to one half, according to the i> i) of the outiding raxked Mr. Smith or nouncemeut lu Uke public ‘ne work | have done on Ward's island was ten per o@at on 947,000 in three year®, Or about $10,000; I have ly from ove to thirty men at work on ihe , hey Were appoiuied by myself; L have men at work now; I don't kuow anything ‘about the recent rot. Question by Mr. Bergen—Do you charge @ per- centage on Une labor as Well as a per centage on the material faruished Auswer—Yes, tea per cent when I pay four dollars per day, aad charge the Commissiouers $4 4 per man, Alexander Merrick, an Pngineer, was then sworn and examined. He testified ay folows:—I ain an tn- mate of the Ward's isiwud tastitution suce the 6th of iast Feoruary; ou (he part of (3e oMcers and in- sumMciency of food; the men were often kicked and cuffed by the policemen and the (Wit news § testified to the oe and quality w abeence of Kulvea, of the food and to forks and spoons, but nothing new was eil- cited.) The accommodations for washing were Lolaily Inadequate; there were but two wasn basins for 100 men aud Loree towels; the towels were only changed every eight days while | was there; the pa ys petivoned the Superiuteadent, pouting out tue abuses aud asking ior better (reaiment, but no auswWer was returaed; then devermined to wait apon him tu # body and request an expiana- Mon, and dul 0 on Monday; whliegotug down to the oMce two of our number were arrested; we de- manded theirjre: Mr. Wi the Superintendent, Was armed with a club and @ revoiver, and retused Ing in the -ny Hai Park, and upon the Count: (od ing that of the other tnwates of the Ward's Islan institution previously examined, and showed couciusively that the shameful and di! of affutrs on ths island which the investigation baw brought to light has long conunaed, The chairman of the Comm A very substantial lunch was prepared for the company at one o'clock in the room where the Investigation was heid, and the jolly ser at Arms Koche took gooa care that none of it “weat over under the rule,” but moved, early and often, to take it from the tabis, Through the courtesy of Mr. Bernard Casserly, the Superintendent at Castie Gar- den, @ steamer Was placed at the disposal of the committee, on which they soon alter embarked and Proceeded ap the river to the Weehawken jerry. RUNNING A FERRY FOR FUW. L. D. Kiernan After Another “Plum in a Pud- ding "Singular Stato of Affairs in the Weehawken Ferry Company—Exponsos $44,000 Per Annum—Profits $0,000—Investigation by the Legislative Committee. After clostag the investigation into the manage ment of the Emigration Commissioners at Castle Garden yesterday, the Assembly Committee on Com. merce and Navigation proceeded to the Weeb awken ferry, Forty-second street, for the purpose of in- quiring into the state of affairs there. A resolution, moved by Mr. Plunket, passed the Mouse on the ist Inst., empowered the committee “io thoroughly tu- vestigate the state of the ferry and wo report what course should be adopted to reuder the same ser. vioeable and safe.” That there was a necessity for an investigation by this hard-working committee, the evidence of the persons examined wili show. The ferry house or shanty at the foot of Forty-second atreet was found to be in a most dilapidater and wretched condition, the one boat which is ems ployet on the line an dirty and dangerous, the bridge rotten aud insecure and the “accommoda- tons” for passengers miserably ivadequate. Whea the steamner which carried the committee from Cas- tle Garden endeavored to make & lauding at the slip sheran @ground and threw up mod which stank aloud, This was the frst experience, Some time was spent in getting the boat of the mud, but nally alanding was effected and the committee at once proceeded to examine the ferry house, the ferry- boat and silp, The result was as above statet. A room was subsequently obtained in the gas house, Near the ferry, to woich the President of the Gas Company, Mr. Zo!licoffer, invitea the party, nud Mr. Kiernan, with obi ue energy vest ion, The president of the Ferry Compan’ Mr. Nathaniel Dole, was preseat in the room aud fended his interests with a zeal wuleh Mr. ‘uaa felt compelled to depreciate. ‘The Orst witness exaimimed was lenry Murray, « coal contractor. His testimony was suostaatiall, lollows:—The condition of the ferry « bad; its present condition is such tu 1s unsafe; the ferry Louse is not it for any decent person to go into; there ts but one boat on the lune, and sue is rotten: it takes Ler Wree-quarters of aa hour to ntake a trip; there ls no accommodation lor Passengers; the boat gets out of repair sometimes, and then there is Bo Communication between taat Mees! of the city and Weehawken; on suntay and ne days the boat is crowded wit! passengers 4 alerrible disaster Is appreliended by the citizens the dilapidated condition of (he ferry Bouse aud aulp and the uncertainty and insecurity of wavel by the voat 18 Injurious to the interests ¥ property buiders in the viemity. John E, Green, of 337 West Fiftieth street, deposed that the property owners in tue neiguborhood would be willing to subscribe largely for @ proper ferry if the franchise of the present ferry was given to teu; he would not trust himself or family on board the she ferryboat Lydia; the general option is tat the boat is unsafe and that the condition of the ferry ts Outrageous, Witness corroborated the eviience of Mr. Murray, M, Caihoun, of 513 West Forty sixth street, Jonn swore that the lerrsboat (requ: oily gets slack in the mand for ¢ight hours at@ time; (uat on sandays as many as 6) passengers go over in her per trip. and that life Is unsaic. tie also corrovoraied the evidence Of the previous witnesses. Nathaniel Dole, presiient of the Weskhawken Borry Vowpany, Was wea sworn aad ¢Xauiacd _ bewan the in- | | rowly escaped betag brutally mur 16 oily, the boat stops the gross receipts last year were $44. $ no prodts; in years tl pany 100,000; witness had 16,000 shares of the stock, but sold out to his brother-in-law @ long Wille ago; Clerk gets eight dollars per week; the expenses were larger, last ‘year thau ususl, aud amounted to $10. 000, expense aud anawered fully, but seeing Mr. inakiog @ calculauon, ex: & hope of running the ferry, as the figures he had given were “deceptive.” 7 Janded property on the Jersey side of the lerry to tbe Value of $600,000; the land was purchased in 1898, witness’ brother-in-law, 18 vice president of the company; the lease of the ieray, for which $330 pee o’clock in winter, and at half-past el $800, ed Der month for his services as pi ne Witness was here interrogated as to the ems of committee would not make any estimate of the coat Examination continued:—Tho company owns in And Cost from $200,000 to $300,000; Mr. De La Croix, SDDUM 1s paid to the city, will expire iu 1876; company Would like to seli out, but would got sell the ferry tranchise without the land; they must ge sold Logether or not at all. A gentieman present here stated that he would bee $2,500, a8 bis subscription, for the purchase of franchise of the company. Thomas Wilkinson, Mr. Collier and John F. Stockel were next examined. Their evidence went to show that the feeling in the neighborhood 18 strongly inst the Weehawken Ferry Company; they si that the management of the president could not ve worse than it Duriug the examina- Von of the lauer witnesses quite a crowd of citizens obtained admission into the room and maniiested considerable excitement. ‘They were unauimous in condemning President Dole and the ferry company. It is the intention of the Legislative Committee to hold another meeting at an early day and to ake a thorough investization, as directed, CROWDED STREET CARS. The Aubulating Sweat Boxes of the Metro- Polis—llow the City Railroad Compantes “Cram” the Verdant Public. The insuMctency of cars on the various lines con- verging at the HERALD office is every day becoming greater as the tide of up town travel increases. Every car, immediately after business hours, bears &@ burden of human betngs crowded, jammed, Squeezed and interlaced together like herrings backed in a barrel. Here ts a sensitive, delicate Shop girl sandwiched between a spruce clerk and a stevedore, gasping for breath and vainly endeavor- ing to keep her equiltbrium on the sharp turns; there, holding onto @ strap, lg an aged lady who would surely tumbioimto the arms of a probably misused husband, determined not to give up his seat, if there were only room for such a feat. . The tolling conductor elbows his way through this almost solid mass of human matter, and Qeherally manages to demoralize a bonnet or two and ushes some crabbed old gentleman’s net corn, who retaliaces in Profanity, ‘nis canses chafing among festive youths just unchained from the oMice, who invite every Fry see peed to get on, there being invariably room for just one more. ‘The alr ts tainted with the fragrance of staie tobacco, cocktails, Nutch cheese and unwashed humanity. Cousumptives soon get barking, and everybody has a woevbegone expres- ston, There is no room or light to read by, and an air of stupid vacancy pervades countenances beam. ing a@sbort time before with iutelligence. Lite 1s certainly too short to spend 60 much of it on street cars, especially when crowded to an extent that pre- vents even Sinking, Unhappliy, women get their skirts badly draggeld before reaching home, and hats stand @ pretty good chance of being dented in. To show to What an extent this system of packing rd travelling hungry bumanity is carried to we lo\lowing table, carefully prepared, beara witness: — Those cars left between halr-past five and six o'clock Thursday evening from vbe vicinity of the new Post OMice — Line, Now of Pi Third avenue. $5—Fourth aven ‘Thirty-fourth bl—Avenue The seating accommodations on ali these lint limited to twenty-two, and not more than ten can stand comfortably. But the grasping, avaricious companies crowd, cram, and bundie homeward bound citizens, setting all sanitary laws at complete defiance, to say nothing of torture and inconvent- ence, in a space ble Of seating barcly one-third mnber BUCO! i. This overcrowding should under the supervision of Mr. Bergh, as the poor horses are equally as great sufferers. MASS MEETING GREENPOINT PROPERTY OWNERS, A large meeting of property owners convened in Continental Hall, Greenpoint, last evening, to ex- press their dissatisfaction of the action of the Eureka Basin Warehouse and Manufacturing Company ot Long Island in soliciting the Legislature to give them the beneft of the General Railroad law, in taking property on the Ime of Busnwick creek. The meeting was presided over by Thomas ©. smith, President of the Greenpoint Improvement Company, and Albert Whitney acted as pecrerary Aft dresses by the chairman, Judge Perry, J. Hugn and others, (oe following resolutions were unani- ously adopt Whereas the Eureka Basin Warehouse and Manufactn tng Company of Long Island bas, by fasidivus legislatio: atu ‘acquire rights apd privileges over alarge and bie tract ef iand in our mulday embracing foundries, machine shops, dweilin, other Improvements, at a valuation of oume 03; that the said company is now before the atire nakfng for another amendment to thelr charter ‘em jeneral Kalirond act, passed Apri 28, 1830. Ieeolved, That ie the sapse of ‘this meeting that she ro posed amen tment o! @ Eureka Basin Compan; urpro ile authorising the meorporators to take tuzds Uy Com. eal, would, should it become a lav, holders and detrimental fot it, Resolved, That the segtimenta of thia meeting are full forth inthe opinion gireu by the present Governor of the in the Inpgiiage:—"If the objsct be simply priv im, then the proposed trauafer of lands along the eho ma Pioren ropes, gino Sgt consent, would, ae ec! os, ‘iva ropert; for private and not public use. ola soil brolved, That wilt use all honorable means for the repeal of the original bill, and pledge ouraglves to use our lun uence wiih our representatives to accompliah this ovject, A protest against the proposed Jegisiation was then signed by those present, and the document Whi be seul to the Legisiature the preseat week. ean 1e best SHOCKING SUICIDE IN JERSEY CITY. J A Woman Cute Open Her Abdomon with a Razor. About half-pass four o'clock yesterday afternoon a woman named Eliza Geary, Ofty-six years of age, residing at 322 South Elghth street, Jersey City, plunged @ razor tuto her abdomen’ and drew it across, tuficting @ gash cight inches in iength. The intestines protruded, and the anfortungte woman sank upon the hoor and became uncon#ious. She soon rajited, however, and although sufertnug in- tense pain, she realized the awful position in which sue Was placed, and reflected on the terribio deed without compunction or remorse. Four physi- clans Were called in, and after a consultauon they decided vat mi assistance would be of no avai. Coroner Burns was notified, when he arrived at the bedside of tue Woman she spoke With Calmuess, aod stated tuat she had notulu: regret. She believed tuat she had completed the cycie of human existence, pnd seeing that death did not > terminate » career, sue hy ved to sum- moo him speodiiy, It appegrs that she was much addicted to dria Her husband seemed greatiy de- pressed, aad sp but few words, Although she Was alive last evemiug, ber death was exDected every hour. WURDEROUS ASSAULT. — ie Sing Sing Prisow Lays Opoa Hite Foreman’s Head With a Hatchet, A WOst ferocious attack was imade on William G. Hall, « foreman m the buckic slop at Sing Sing A Convit | Prwona day or two ago by & desperate convict, wamed Neary Deighan, from which the former nar- ed. it appears that Detghan hed boca fetgutng liners tor two or saree days, ond was 40 exasperated at being re- the prinon physi the fore: snail laying open the and knocking toe ore the desperado be was seed and dis- a» ed to @ Cark Uslslunete Man sep had Umwelt % " asia & eerious coadition, Aa mace by (he prison aathorities to have aN Ladictet the oMeuce by the Graad Jury Beat sitting of that body. A Connections Mystery, A wagon comtanng chromes and engravings, | evidently belonging © & ploture dealer, prodabiy from Bridgeport, was foand yesterday, abandoned in the Wools, near Coseob, not far from Wwe New York State iiae. AQ agent's book was found in | t a a, t ere Was BO uAMe in it, The borse is apparestiy & vausole aulwal, Three strangers have been arrested by Suerid Newman on sus clon tha ¥ SC if OME Way connected WN he dike mee OF the Owner of the wagon; but BD to thr ‘clock yesterday aiternven wy cue Lad Deck VOwmimed to Lue maybe. gy, \ Scenes and Incidents of Her Stormy Voyage. Her Arrival and Reception—Affecting Tater. views Between Reunited Families and Acquaintances at Castle Garden— Statements of Passengers. Man has won many victories over the elements of Dature, and has made most of tuem Uribu'ary vo his DUrpoKes; Yet Occasionally ne is reminded that ma- ture is still the superior Of man, aud thas all the Skill of his mind and ali the resources of bis In- tellectual power, compared wits her wrand forces, are but ag chaff before (ne wind—a vrittie toy_on tne anvil under the biows of the brawny smitu’s bam- mer. On land aa well a at sea these forces often break forth with @ fury which bothiag the bandi- work of man can resist, Floods aud tornadoes, earthquakes and volcanoes, destroy in a few mo- ments What man has plansed and built, intending it to last for centuries; and om the ocean storms and hurricanes open @ watery grave to those who trust themselves on the Waves, relying upon the develop: ments of modern science and Invention ip navigation for their safety. Many are the sad stories of such disasters at sea; and from the fable of Virgil, detailing how Juno sought to destroy the fuguive Eneas and his fleet, to the marine taies of Captain Marryatt and down to the present day, the accounts of storms and shipwrecks are eagerly read, for the human heart instinctively sympathizes with misfor- tune and feels in these grand outbursts of nature the evidence of supernatural power. Flence it 1s, that not only those directly and imme- diately interested In the safety of a vessel and her passengers, oMcers aud crew, but the whole com- munity eqnally with them participate in the general anxiety whenever fears are entertained of the loss of a ship at sea, and are equally relieved and rejoiced at the news of ber safety, Thus tt isin the case of the City of Boston, whose fate is stili uncertaln, aud thus it was in regard to the STEAMSHIP SMIDT, the safe arrtval of which, with 298 passengers, after astormy journey across the Atiantic of forty-nine days, Was chronicled in the HERALD yesterday, Although the large majority of the community had no personal interest either im the vessel or in her human freight, yet all feit thankful to fate that so many lives were saved froma dreadful catastrophe and an untimely death, And it may here be remarked that it is generally admitced that the Smidt owes her safe deliverance from the stormy ocean almost alone to HER PECULIAR MODEL. The Smidt ig the property of a Mr. Lange, of Bre- men, by whom she was designed and built. She is very roomy and “round belied.” One German sailor, as he looked at her from the Battery shore yesterday forenoon, while her passengers were being disembarked opposite Castle Garden, excialmed that she was @ “giant wasbtub.” An in- cident was told yesterday by one of her officers which indicates the design of her builder. While the Smidt was atill on the stocks at Bremen an ex- periepced mariner said to Mr. Lange that he could not expect much prow from the vessel, as ber model was contrary to the modern system of shipbuilding; sue would be too slow to become popular as @ pas- senger ship. “Never mind,” replied Mr. Lange, “I don’t care for speed, but for saicty, and | designed her vo weather the severest storms of the Atlantic,” And she proved herself equal to this purpose, for it is asserted by her oficers that she could not have safely passed through a tourteen days’ storm tut jor lier breadth of beam and her rounded bow, sides and keel, which prevented her careening. INCIDENTS OF THE STOKM. There were twelvy? cabin pi ers and 264% the steerage. One of these, Dr. George Carl Roff- mann, of Regensburg, in Bavaria, kept a diary dur- ing the bie a and from him some very interesting statements of the scenes and incidents durii 16 storm were obtained. On the 26th of January, bein: five days out at sea, a heavy northwestern gale sel In, beating the waves furiously against the sides of the ship. During the following three days the wind often suddeniy Keser ed irom northwest 1o west rendering it Impossible to carry sails, several oi which had been torn ito shreds, the vessel reejing and tossing aboutiike asheil. Many of the waves swept the deck with tremendous weight, the iron masts bending before the “green seas” like reedg. One of these latter rose in height even above the smokestack, thirty feet avove the deck. Qn the 20th of January the engine was stopped, for fear of baving 1¢ damaged by the force of the beating Waters agaiost the screw. For twenty-four hours tbe Smidt was at the merey of the waves, without sails aud without tne screw. On January 31 and February ithe weather seemed to moderate, and the engine was put in motion, but did but-lttie service against the heavy sea. In the night of the 2d of February the gale resumed all ite former fury, and the doctor describes the scenes amid the howling storm, the drenching ratn, the roaring waves, the tuunder and lightning, as “sublimely awful.” In the morning the engine was damaged, but it was repaired in two hours; yet it Was not used, for towards noon the storm grew to perfect hurricane. The barometer at this time fell 48.; inches. ‘The iron ship lay fat on its side against the waves, Which rose, he says, like pyramids around ber and often broke over ler deck. The crew fas- tened themselves to tue rigging, and the men at tue wheel were algo bound fast. The eugine was again set in motion during the night of the 3d, but after working four hours the follower in the cylinder broke, and there was anend of ite usefulness. The skylight of the saioon was dashed in and the cabim flooded. All Lhe sails were torn, the wind changing its course with great suddenness all ground tue compass. This lasted Uil the 10tn of February, with- out Interruption, full fourteen days, On the 7tu the Smidt passed Fiores Island, one of thé Azores, Chief Kugiueer Graf succeeded in re- pairing the engine within tweive days, aug when the storm had subsided tae ship was headed to tho west. SCENES IN THE STRRRAGB. In conversation yesterday with several of the emt- grant passengers, Who made the trip in the steer- age, some interesting items were ascertained. Of course, during the storm not one of them was allowed on deck, and the hatchways were securely covered. Tho 284 persons tn the hold suffered the most severe anguish, They feared every moments to be swamped in the deep, never to see the sun's rays again, Those. religiously inclined said thelr prayers, others wept uver their fate sad others sought to raise hopes of safety in the hearts of their friends. But the greatest suffering arose from the fact that they could neither stand, sit nor waik, but had to lie in thelr berths and to mold fust with their bands with all ther strength, thus making sleep almost impossible. ‘Ihe close atmosphere of the sleerage, Wish 80 any people, Was also burdensome, and the heat is said lo have been paintul. Under the circumstances, tne usual rules of cleaDliness and ventilation could not be observed, which also iu- creased the sudering of the people. Yet, strange to say, the health of a.) was remarkably preserved, and when tuey landed yesterday they all looked well aud ruddy, aud none complained. REUNION OF FRIENDS. When the news of the arrival yesterday was Spread over the city by the morning papeis there Was great rejoicing, especially among the Germans, Many of them hi friends, acquaintances or rela- tives on board the Smidt, and with giaddened hearts these wended their way to Castie Garden to receive them aud enjoy with them tneir safe delivery from the olutches of death, Several could not even wait for the landing of the passengers at Castie Garden, but hired boats and went over to the Smidt, which lay anchored of the “Garden,” @ few huudred yards in the gtreem, boarded her and sought oul those for wnose fate at sea toey had felt #0 anxious. At last, avout eleven o'clock tp the forenoon, the great bulk of the steor- Age passengers were landed, the cabin passeugers aud sume forty (rom the steerage having been per- mitied to go on shore the evening before, AT THE BURRAU OF INFORMATION. The scene which now ensued at this lauding Cepo’ of emigrants waa ‘truly adfecting. The “Bureaa of Information’ 18 especially designed to facilitate the i arrived emigrants to their friends here ag soon as they apply. ‘The large room was densely crowded with people of both sexes, waiting to receive their friends from the ship. Here was a father, who had sont to Germany for his who! famiiy—s wise and three children. Wuen these cam out they rushed into each other's arma and wept tears of joy at being togeiuer agam. There came a youog Wan, who expected his aiiauced bride; a son, who with bis earuings in tlis country had paid the passage nither of nis father apd sister; @ married dauguier, who bad written for ber eged mother and a widowed mother, who had sent for {riende; young men, Whose letters to their home bad induced some schooimates to fol- tow them io the “new country.” Tne meeting of all these as they grasped their hands and silently thanked Providence that their fears for the safety of the Smidt were thus bappily dispelled, would give suMcient subjects for & AOVelist to Weave into touch: Ing romance, with the motto that “Truth is sir than Bction.” lao calied in the course of the day aud inquired for relatives whom tuey 6: A number of persons embarked on boara the Smidt; but t ja had noveome. They felt partly Foyered 4 those whom whey hoped w meet were spal eo ring of @ fourteen days’ hurricane, yet we) joy were not already sate in the tion ami may silll be exposed lo he sea. toy er No, 3 North river, bas ble repairs belore she will At dalf-pasé three o'clock a The Smidt again be ready for sea. yesterday a'ternoon but two or three of her emt. ant passengers remained et Cage Garden, and poy deo prepared to leave im the course of Biberuved.