The New York Herald Newspaper, June 24, 1870, Page 5

“THE NEW REGIME. Important Meeting of the Depart- ; ment of Docks. The Public Voice in Regard to the Wharves and Piers. PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENT. INVENTIONS AND INNOVATIONS. ‘The new Department of Docks held a public meet- ing yesterday afternoon for the purpose of hearing ‘the views of those Interested in or desirous o1 seeing improvements on the water front and the establish- ment of permanept wharf accommodations, The meeting, which was largely attended by solid men, ‘Was held at the roots of the Department, Nos, 346 and 848 Broadway, the following Commissioners being present:—John T. Agnew, President; Wilson G, Hunt, Hugh Smicb, William Wood and Richard M, Henry. Among the audience were Messrs, Peter Cooper, Charies H. Haskell and a host of heaven- born inventors, each one of whom firmly believed nimself to be the destined instrument in the hands of Providence to regenerate riparian New York, and that his plan was certaluly one of Divine inspiration, At least one would think this to be the case from the anxiety to be heard on the eubject. Mr. Agnew stated the object of the meeting, and said the com- missioners desired a full expression of opinion on the subject, and that each plan presented would have afair aud sirictly impartial consideration of its merits. He then cal upon Judge Joseph P, Daly, newly elected to the Court of Common Pleas, who made the following PERTINENT REMARKS, He said:—The popular confidence in this Board, its unexceptionable members, thelr experience, non- partisan character and unpolitical bias entitle it to the earnest consideration of ail who desire to see the needed improvements. The circumstances under which they were appointed, being the beginning of reform in municipal government, the beginning of a new era, where every function of power is to be ap- plied to the substantial benefit of the governed. There was a noyelly also in the organization, being te first ever organized in the United States which 1s solely devoted to the working out of a sys- tem of wharves—the appropriateness of such a dis- tinct department in a large commercial city like New York, which is confessedly the mercantile centre of the Continent, She has monopolized nearly all the European lines of ocean transit and gathered nearly all the imternal sources of trade. She possesses twenty miles of river front, which needs no excava- tion or any preparation but the construction of a wharf to be available to commerce. She has the finest natural facilities for shipping in the world. It is, perhaps, this ease and convenience which Rave so far prevented us from having @ good system of wharves. The merchant needed only to drive piles through the firm mud to the sand bottom and place on them a@ piank flooring to have a substantial pier, with a depth of water suficient for all wants, The present style of wharves has been used in New York for over 200 years. Our mercan- tile and dwelling-house architecture has improved, but not our wharves. Our ships and the commercial navies of the world have progressed through successive stages; but we receive them at the adme kind of piers we had for the Dutch Schooners of old Amsterdam. Now, let us see on what suegestion your Board has been instituted. The wharves and piers of New York have been condemned by all authorities for many years past. They are admitted to be, first, inadequate to the wants of conyenlence; second, disgraceful as structures; third, dangerous to health nd disastrous to commerce. STATE OF DOCKS IN 1263, In 1863 @ committee of the Boaml of Aldermen reported as follows:— In marked contradistinetion to the policy of the author!- ten in this city, in reapect to its accommodation of the im- morse commerce of the port, isthat of almost every other of any pI ions in either the Old or New World, in @ucient or modern times.” The actual condition of ‘our ‘Wharves and piers is thus stated in the report made to the Pilot Commissioners onsDecemher 20, 1864 hole number of piers and bulkh< In good order up that portions are wholly aetached from the become wooden islands {in the r menace to pai ‘Vessels, an eloquent monument in memory of lal sagacity and integrity. STATE IN 1865, Mr. Cheney Ames, in @ speech delivered in the Senate April 4, 1866, sac ‘These piers projecting into the stream, being filled in with earth, wood and stone, constitute @ partial which ob- structs the currents of ‘the Hudson and Eas rs, creates sull water between the slips which tuey fo a into which the sewers of the cit leaving in the still water ‘thousands of this filth, composed of animal and vegetable of New York in su FIRST IMPORTANT MEETING, In 1867 @ meeting of all the great commercial interests of our city, at the call of the Citizens’ Association, was held at the Merchants’ Exchange, at which it was Resolved, That the wharves and piers of the city of New York are in 8 condition disgraceful to our city and injurious to our commerce. The wharf and pier systeni of this port is inadequate to meet the public wants, aud is far behind the system that exists in the great N by reason of its position, is destinea to become the commer: cial centre of the world, and should have a wharf and pier aystem that would be an honor to our city and prove com- mensurate with the public wants. The question of provid- ing ample dock accommodations for the trade of this port is of importance not only to the alty of New York, but is one in which the whole State and nation have the deepest and ‘most direct interest. REPORT OF SENATE COMMITTER. In 1867 a committee of the Senate appointed by a resolution of that body toexamine this subject re- ported as follows to the Senate:— Tho condition of the piers, | whi bulkhrads and slips of the harbor of New York is most deplorable, and 18 a disgrace to such a commercial emporium ¢ city of New York. ‘There is no ym, but systematic neglect and waste. It may aaid that of all the seventeen miles of water f the city of New York, not a single pier owned by it, unless those leased to and occupied exclusively by ferries, steamships, railroads, or some corporation or firm who, by right or xercise absolute or entire control, 1s either com- ufe. Hence the qutfer, and business demanding wharf accommodation is being driven to the shores of New Jersey or elsewhere. The structures, always bad, are now d and dangerous. ‘The rates of wharfage neither pay interest on the value of the property or keep thestructure in repair, and consequently a general revision and control of both the’ structures and their ‘uso seems imperative and demands prompt attention. ORIGIN OF THE BOARD. In 1866 the Mayor reported to the Senate and the @iipowners sent a memorial couched in much the ihe game language as the above. In 1866, 67, 68 and %60t he Citizens’ Association applied to the Legisla- ture for the creation of a sepurate board to have charge of (he.creation of a comprehensive system of wharves adequate for our wants. OUR PRESENT COMMERCE. Now, then, you will see why you have been asked what are the commercial wants for which you are Tequired to institute this system. At first you have a city of over 1,000,000 of inhabitants, and with real and personal property amounting to over $1,090,000,000, This city is the gateway of a State containing over 3,000,000 of inhabitants and over $1,£00,000,000 of property, and is the gateway gnd terminus of transportation lines bringing an enormous trafic, which constantly increases. An 1853 the freight in tons on the New York raliroads and canals wae as follows:—Erie Railroad, 631,059 (ons; Central Railroad, 860,000 tons; canals, tons, In 1868 it was—Erie Railroad, Central Ratlroad, 1,846,599 tons; canals, 6,442,225 tons. Being a total of 12,197,007 tons in 18:8 againgt 5,238,892 tons In 1353. The aggregate amount of tolls and freights on the canals and railroads wae but about $10,000,000,. while in 1868 they were over $86,000,000, ‘Tus ‘city has 22 ferries, transporting 100,009.00 people every year. There are over 120 steamships running to foreign ports. There are about 18) steamships and propeliers in the domestic trade, Qn the Hudson.river there are about 74 steamers and towing yeaseis. There are foreign exports and imporis to this city amounting to about },000,000 anuually, nearly three-quarters of the whole United States. POWER OF THE BOARD. Now, what is the subject matter on which you have to administer? You twenty miles of water front and 155 wharf structures. Of these sixty-four are owned by the city, thirty-seven of which the city owns part, and fifty-four owned by pri- vate parties. Nearly ali the piers are built upon land owned by the State. What are your powers? First—You are vested with the exclusive charge eral interests of commerce 4 e and control of all the wharf prorat, owned by the city, By this you are invested as test trust ever trustees ‘eS perhaps, the great confided to a ingle Board in this city. It comprises sixty-four wharves and half of thirty-seven wharv. besides the bulkheads, silps and basins connect therewith. This property, in its present state, is wor.h about ten millions of dollars. . Second—You are empowered to acquire, by process of law or by purchase, all the rest of the wharf property on our water front, and 80, by the operation of this act, you are dostined to become vested with the charge of an estate worth, in round fi het ae 4 millions of dollars, ‘Third—All the land under wa Upon which these docks to be vested in i¢e im the Corporation of this city, and to take charge of whenever in your judgment the public interest demands that you should call upop ie Commissioners of the Land Ofiice convey it under the authority of the same act. DUTIES EXPECTED. Upon this vast estate you are to enter and, Mke diligent and faithful trustees, there erect a succes- sion of Wharf structures which sbali te not only suf- ficient for the present needs of our commerce, but also sufficient for the future increase aud expansion You are therefore bound to give the first and most laborious part of your exertions to the adoption of a Plan for our whole water front, which shall be found as adequate for the commerce of 100 and of 200 years hence as for to-day. You are to lay out and build for @ city which is to be more than London and more populous than Pekin, and which ia to be the gateway for the commerce not only of the United Eiatee, | ut through Pacific Railroads, of Europe and ol a What you are now to do cannot be undone except atthe cost of New York supremacy, You are to prepare for the greatest trade that ever flowed through a ange city, and if, when the exigencies of that trade arrive, your work is fauity and your plan to be madequate, the generations which succeed us will have no time to alter 11a goperal scope, but must lose the benefits they would attain by @ wise and FAR-SEEING POLIGY. I therefore submit to you that however vast and co- lossal your andertak! seem to be, when your judgment accepts a definite plan you must pursue it, although the trade of dwart into pga Besides, you are not wor! , but for all time,” low, to descend to particulars. The RIGHTS AND CONTROL vested 1n you by this actexceed those ever yet vested in the local authorities of this city or parted with Me the State. The State, the several pone. has given up to you many powers which it already withheld jealously from any board or commission. You are invested, in the first place, with the right to take its property; in the next place, to build with- out restriction such structures thereon as youdeem just, and lastly, to Mx the rates of wharfage for the ‘docks you build. THE BREADTH AND SCOPE of these immense grants of property and power strip the subject of improving our water front of many Yexatious questions which formerly encumbered it, ‘You have no longer to steer between the rights of Uhe State as a corporation in the land, the rights of the state in its legislative capacity to direct the use of the waters, the rights of the city as a corporation in its land and docks, its police power to regulate the use of them, and the rights of private owners over their wharves. You can take the property of the States which it overs as @ gift to commerce; you can take private property by making due compensation, aud you assume the whole power of the city, being trustees in place of former officers. RESPONSIBILIVIES OF THE BOARD. Thus vested with the whole subject matter, with- out a question as to your right and authority, you alone are responsible for the wisdom and efficiency of your work. And you have another duty to perform as trustees—that ‘as to the tnancial part of your labors. You are permitted to raise, by an years’ bonds, at seven per cent or less, $3,000,000 per annum, to build these new structures and carry out your plans. You are expected to manage.this property 8o that the city shall feel no direct tax for this out- lay. You can raise by revenues from wharfage and leases sufficient to pay the interest on these bonds and a sinking fund to pay their principal. What the cost of these structures may be when finished cannot now be estimated. The Groton Water Works cost $11,000,000, and are now worth $100,000,000, besides having made in revenue enough to pay It all on. ‘The Park cost, $9,000,000, and 1s now, in less than tif- teen years, worth $75,000,000, The public DOCKS OF LONDON cover an area of 1,000 acres and cost some 875,000,000, and the whole cost in the last filty years in England for public docks, built at government ex- pense, ls more than $200,000,000, But this incindes expense for structures which we will never need. It must be borne in mind that a BROAD RIVER STREET on both sides of this island of 100 feet in width, with room for every variety and need ol! transportation, voth for freight and passengers, with splendid docks and warehouses, rye in) m: times tn value the private property on the adjoining streets, and in- creases in almost incredible tions their own value, Your work is to make New York rich, and to prepare for the accommodation and accumulation of it3 riches, With care and conscientious wisdom and economy tuis can be done, and there is not, 1 believe, a citizen of this city who doubts that a Department can accomplish ail that is expected at, 1 have made, in behalf of the Citizens’ Association, many addresses before our Legislature and else- where in favor of tie establishment of such a de- partment,tand the subject is a favorite as well as an old one with me; but 1 can hardly express to you the deep sense of thankfulness I feel at seeing a project so Vital to the interests of this city at last happily inaugurated and destined to success, THB PLANS PRESENTED. At the conclusion.of Jnage Daly’s speech plans were presented bythe following gentiemen and corporators:—Ne' ‘erk Pier and Warehouse Com- pany, 8. B. B. Noland, engineer; Theodore Alien, Howe & Colton, H. E. Boller, B. D._ Perkins, Gilpin and Charles Pontez. Most of these embrace also correlative lans for sewers, ¢mbankments and warehouses, Bome proposed @ system of iron piers, others stone one iron piers covered with concrete, as a protective against salt water. One genius thought of building embankments over the Narrows and Kills at Staten Island and away up at Harlem, so as to make @ complete dry dock of both rivers. ‘The majority of the plans, however, seemed feasible, The first offered was - THE NOWLAN PLAN, which, in the words of the La be consists of a system of docks and piers, with granite water fronts, running slong the seaboard of the island, forming a perfect encasement of the island, by constructing a wall laid in hy- draulic cement, giving twenty-five feet draught of water, without any obstructions as at present by the metho d of piling and filling in with rubble stones to form piers, by which a lodgment is made of the refuse of the city which, permitted to accumulate and acted on by the solar rays, produces miasmaic Mee gy three pestilence within its neighborhood and ucing the depth of the river one foot annually. In consequence of the low 'grade’for ranning off the xeiuse of the city, not exceeding six to nine feet between high and ebb tide, It 18 impossible to clear e refuse from tne present sewers. It if meceasary, therefore, to adopt princtples suited to the necessities of the island. ceiving basins are to be arranged, run- ning along the water front and under South and West streets, twenty feet below the present sewers and thirty-five fect below the surface of the street, resting ten feet 1m an inclined line from the granite facing on the front of the river. These recet) ba- sins are capable of receiving the refuse of three or oy sewers, and by the floodgates constructed on front of the granite wall and at right angles with the piers, which pass over each SOuduaee at five feet rise and 150 feet projecting into th® river, spanning 1x granite columns, fifty feet cross section, givin; the face of the roadway a superficial area ol 150x60—7,600 feet, with string beams around, to pre- vent carts, &c., falling of. Through these flood. gates the refuse accumulated in the basins from the sewers is taken off by means of scows or lighters, assing under the piers as explained in drawings, nis refuse can then be taken to various stations up the rivers and disposed of to farmers for manure. ‘The flood gates dre formed of large cast iron lates attached by hinges, having a sight inclination at bottom outward to canse them to lay im their bed, in order to prevent the influx of high tides as at present, which washes the filth of the various sinks in on the basements of the lower wards. ‘the granite encasement cuts oif all tidal influx, and would have the effect of giving @ perfectly dry formation of earth, in place of the saturated mass as at present, where threeor four streets are almost under water by influx at every flood tide, This would give property owners the advantage of constructing two or more basements under their present buildings, and greatly increasing the value of the property, and yy this improved system of recetving basins, make the present sewerage of realadvantage. For the expenditure of millions could not accomplish a more certain means of obtaining for the lower part of the city a pure and healthful atmosphere. By the Introduction of these receiving basins thirty-five feet below the level of the street and twenty feet below any sewer in the city, and forming a chain connect- ing with each other by side pipes at the base of each, the sub-drainage of the upper part of the island can be effectually accomplished, as reported on by General Viele, explanatory o! the settlementjof water which, becoming stagnant, evoled aguea nd swamp fever to residents of such localities. The receiving basins are built of blue stone and the water front faced with granite; the basins will be fifty feet long by fifteen wide, and twenty feet below the sewers, nd capabie of draining all springs underlying the surface of the island. In connection with each pier it is proposed to raise mee ee warehouses in line, with granite facing, within sixteen feet of front, built on colonnades of cast irom pillars, twenty- five feat above the sidewalk, 300 feet in len and sixty feet in height, more or less, with cerrick attachments on front, with running tackle con- nected with pormanené steam engine, making them very aesirable for bonded warehouses in view of storage and transhipment of goods. In construction of these piers and whaves they will be put together by Nowlan’s patent rigid tight-joint connection, giving & strength superior to acrews, equal to thirty- lve per cent imcrease in strength, durability and economy on the old plan of construction. NEW YORK PIER AND WAREHOUSE PLAN. The next pe was Offered py Mr. H. C. Gardiner, who spoke for some length of time on the disadvan- tages New York was laboring under by net having a good sysiem of wharves and piers, the abserice of which, he thought, even now was diverting com- merce to Boston, Baltimore and Philadelphia. BH: sala the position CT by the @oard was at- tended with responsib! of the gravest beter a and is co-extensive with the broad te conferred on it by the Legislature and on the high duties tt had assumed, and on the proper exercise of those powers depended the health of millions, the lives of thousands and the financial prosperity of this com- mercial metropolis. The engineer of this company proposes to erect & system of warehouses on ‘wharves after this fashion:— ‘The construction of asolid wall of masonry, built in inter- s may be necessary; but with w view to its ultimate continuation alon, ‘form line of the shores, coincident with the present bulkhead limit, Through this wall the sew- erage outlets will debouch at their proper intervals, wail will serve as a defector for water, which will thereby not only carry off the sewerage matter, but also the pro- “for a mud bro Ear, rivera 6 wharves, wuere je consequently stored up pes- Mlentiat” faith “to “perroeaty the atmosphere with poisonous and intolerable odors that not only render the air at th insupportab'e at the wharves, but tamentably. tutlue sanikaty condition of whe popblation, “I propose to cot from this wall permanent iron, piers, by sinking east iroa piles or pipewto the rock or firm bottom and Sutag the pipes with masonry or with concrete under pressure, to form solid artificial stone, a ayatem which bas been most’ satis(actorily employed for years in Knyland aud elwewhere, A primary duty of the hollow columns ix to serve as coffer dams for con structing the vertical supportin, tron columns alone wht also rl tho supersitucture loaded to any re to carry. ‘They will be prepared for ronating Oxidation, and doubtiess last as long as the warchouse itself. ‘The piles will be so arranged as not to Impede the water cur- ronta giving free circulation to, the tides for carrying away allsolid matter; at the same time will allow free space Sor dredging under the piers should it beco: a these piles I will construct @ cart and = gl completing tok ‘i or ain Other accifent, And asi design thie structure for more than or- dinary duty it will, when completed, be ioaced with a testing weight of yuble that It will’be required to carry, By I nnot ordjuarily receive or die charge cargoes in bad weather; besides, mercuundise on the wharves is ever exposed to injury. 1 am informed up ward of $200,000 « year has been paid by our merchants for the bire of tarpaulins and other wharf coverings, which af- ford but partial shelter for the property. | Besides, « major proportion of the merchandise designed for reship- Se ae Ranta eamerted |, 10 am arenes: dibense of five hundred yards from the river for storage, Jn in most cases, two cartages before reshipment or distri- bution for ale here. “Moreover the crowded condition of our treets now, by carts and drays, presents @ ray inere: mg ‘embarrassfaent tothe business facilities of the ‘porte And ‘aa within the water limits of the ted need but ask what must be th when the population will More mere beyond the bi rach refore propose to nc. It really aeome ed, their maximum ‘submit that all merchandise de port or pment in its received condition should never Croas @ street at all, and should boas far as possible stored ‘and as warehouse room is not only much needed convenient to the, shipping, T pro) those frequirements by employing this pier for carrying a weather shed and wareliouse, by erecting hereon a fireproof fron building, five stories in height, the ‘as now, free for the ‘cart les, with four cloned lofts pler 800 feet ion long by 85 feet wide. This je stores, each say 100 feet long by 8 feet wide, divided by fireproof partitions, and with four Warebouse floors, with ralis along the floors for convey- ing goods. Vessels will lle on either sido alike, by braclug their yards fore and aft or otherwise. I propose, however, to increase the width over the present piers, as there is ample space for ap doing. Within the building one or more steam engines wil be placed, and outside, just under the roof, atrong swing cranes are rigged ; and through these two agen- cies all merchandise to an from the vessels and warehouses well as directly to and from the provided through the floors, It uikhead end of the pier is so taken up with goods that vessels further out cannot work to advantage. By the plan bropored the floor above may be used ag an auxiliary pier, and allow the to progress; and fact that by this #; He directiy alongside of and may discharge directly into or receive directly from the plers or’ ware- the work will not be interrupted during in- clement weather, and the goods may landed and Me in perfect safety on the pier proper, If placed there to be taken away by caris, All thone facilities must greatly lessen the detention of the vessel at the pier or in port. The steam engines will also be constructed for working powertul fire engines, which may be employed to extingutsh fires in ad- jacent buildings, vessels or otherwise. The proposed build- ings being isolated and fireproof, with unprecedented means for extinguishing fre shovid aby occur within the edidces, they will'present uneauailed security against that dreadful n ‘scourge to our commercial interests, and greatly lossen the Fate of insurance on the property stored within them, The AL be distances, ler wi Highted by gas at proper at. night, "and tho. street’ end wi closed by gates, guarded by a watchman, to prevent the passage of {m- proper persons, . This will not only protect the property, but greatly tend to break up those pernicious nurseries of tarcen Sed other crimes, now general along the plera, and whic felonies are perpetrated night and day to a most alarming ex- There is an entire absence in New York of any special ays. tem of warehouses for the storage of merchandise, elther de- signed for export, or for im goods In bond, as in all other agricultural, commercial and mandfacturing countries, a requirement which has compelled the general gavernment to resort to and depend upon the use of such ordinary build- bout the city as could be hired or offered for that purpose, all of which ure within and Immediately ad- joining the compact lines of structures forming our streets and thoroughfares, and are not only considerably remote from the shipping, but ‘absolutely inaccessible except by crossing the sidewalks used by the pedestrian masses of the metro- polis. THE PONTEZ PLAN. Mr. Theodore E. Tomlinson proposed the following plan from Charlies Pontez, of Harlem:— To form a wharf, neries of pairs of columns of stone masonry twenty féet in diameter, with foundations extend- ing to a depth of about thirty feet, are placed directly oppo- site each other at a distance of 115 feet. The spaces. be- tween these columns are spanned by caissons, or strong vessels of fron or wood, each of m size to fil an entire area between every double pair of columns, These caisson wharves could be constructed as massively and durable as the structure designed to sustain the 85,000 tons of masonry which will form the pier of the Brooklya bridge. To place aud secure the caissons in thefr position and to raise them when required, they are fur: nished with a balance chamber like a dry dock, and when they are floated to their places made to aink by admitting water ito the chamber, the ends of each vessel sinking through deep vertical grooves formed in the masonry, and Gnally resting, at the depth of fifteen feet, on broad shoniders left in the columns, thus firmly securing immobility by lock ing the structure in the masonry. The decks of the caisson, reaching to the proper height above the water, form, in one continuous line, the floor of the ' whari, which can ade ‘as sold as ordinary mi street pavement, The Interior of each catsson com- rises a clear space of 10x40 feet, and in a wharf 450 feet Fong has storage room equal ton wirehouse of four oors of that size, Lighted within at the sides, aud ventilated by a simple expedient by every riso and tall of the tide, there in- teriors would be in every respect adapted to and offer un- walled advan for storage, rece merchandise . Extending Into the water only toa dopth of fifteen fect, excepting the small space occu- pled by the stone piers, there would be but little im. iment to the current. 1 0g this system to which I would direct the attention of the Commiaaionera. The period will arrive when by the expan- sion of the commerce of the city more warehouse room wili be required. "A wharf constructed on this system can at any subsequent period be converted into a site for = warehouse, thereby involving neither expense for alterations to the exist ing structure nor loss of material; the calssons in @ half hour could be floated out and removed to serve a like purpose else- where, and other pairs of columns placed over the spaces occupied by the caisons and the intervals spanned by iron girders or to support the superstructure. Wharves constructed on this plan, with. stone piers resting ‘on deep, permanent foundations, with caissona strongly con- structed, with a view to permanency, would endure for a long series of years, and may be said to be imperishable. About once in ten years it would be necessary to overhaul and re- pave them. This could be done without interruption to busi- ness. In one hour a caisson could out, exchanged and taken to dock for repairs. The large dry dock has been in the water eighteen years without being taken out, The cost of construction would not be more than one-half or two-thirds that of a solid stone structure on a deep, rellable foundation, or on iron pneumatic piles. ‘Set- ting aside the pecuniary advantages and facilities of the stor- age space, this mode of constructing a permenent wharf is probably the most economical that can be devised, and the deeper the water the er the ratio of the difference of cost in favor of this 8: 2 open whar! has but one source of revenue. On this system, besides the wharf rates, storage. Moderate whur! interest on the cost of construction, for the eatinguishment ot the principal. ‘The involves no Untied experiment or engineering diffleulsies ; the entire work would readily be undertaken by contract. THE GIBPIN PLAN. Mr. R. A. Gilpin read a Jengthy communication to the Board, in which he advocated a plan of construct- ing piersrunning in an angular channel, £0 a8 to con- torm to the action of the current. After the reading of this document the Board adjourned until twelve oolock to-day. The Department of Parks. The work under this department is going on ina most commendable manner. The various places under the control of the department show signs of great improvement, while the providing of music in the parks affords amusement and delight te hundreds in all parts of the city. The improvements contemplated in Park avenue do not seem to meet the approval of the re- sidents and as, owners along the avenue, With a view to concillate all interests, the Executive Commitiee of the department will meet to-day at two P. M., at Commissioner Hilton’s office, to bear suggestions from parties interesied in the proposed improvement. ‘The Department of Public Works © is also working along eiTectively in all parts of the city. Besides the improvements already noted in the HERALD a new pavement is belng laid on Elev- enth street, from University place to Sixth avenue. This is a composition made of coal tar, silita and sulphur. It is extremely hard and in a few hours after it 1s laid 1s solid as granite. Itis laid on a bed of small broken stone, and during the process of con- struction travel on the street isnot interrupted. The department is laying the pavement in Eleventh street as an experiment, and so far the block and a half which has been finished promises entire satis- faction. The parties having charge of the pavement, under the direction of the Department of Puniic Works, claim there ig no odor from the pavement even in the warmest weather. The residents along Eleventh street were decidedly opposed to the new ‘legend at firat, thinking it might be something like the Fifth avenue plaster but are now quite Pleased with it, Inrelationtothe . PUBLIC FREE BATHS Mayor Hail sent the following communication to the Common Council yesteraay, but as there was n0 quo- rum it was not acted on:— Mayor's O1 ‘%, New Yorx, June 2, 1670. GENTLEMEN OF THE ComMON CouNct With characteristic energy the Commissioner of Public Works basin a few weeks, and with the limited appropria- tions at his command, procured two free floating bat Mel shortly be. opened to the reat, East ‘one North river. “the. expense, It now becomes necessary to place the baths under proper direction and ney. ‘and to authorize lations verning the of baths, and punishit infrac- ions, Isubmit a of # short ordinance, which I hope will be immediately passed, so as to mal 0 #8 once effective the very trifing commencement ot what we all expect will be- come an increasing benefit to the public. “ny OAKEY HALL, The Mayor, Aldermen and Commanalty of the City of Kew York, in Common Council convened, do ordain as fol- EECTION 1. The free floating baths which have been Pe ee EE A use of ment of Public Works, and the anid bathe be Shak basins Saves eines ores fen As authoria Pites aad ‘regulations, "Bi yuan fa in reguia- doueri day, ton shall be punishable by fine t exceed tre ‘@ fine not exceeding five for one ofiance or by imprisonmen: Sroeeding on RELFASE OF GENERAL GLEAgON,—Tho President has ordered bh. release of General Gleason and pro ceedings against him discontinued, it appearing that he befongea to the Fenian organization which is opposed to the Nvasion of Canada.—Ogdensburg Journal, June Ly NEW YORK, HERALD, FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1870.—TRIPLE SHEK THE COURTS. A Counterfeiter Bailed—The Chronio Erie Diffi- eulty—Marvied, Not Mated—The Fenian Scandal—-The Romance of a Wardrobe, or the Vulgar Fact of a Hotel Bil—Dry Legal Facts. URITED STATES ClACUIT COUAT. Bailed. Kefore Judge Biatchford. Etheisea Woodward, charged with selling counter- felt money, was discharged to-day on motion of counsel on his own recognizance. prison since September last. He has been in SUPREME COURT—CHAMBERS, The Fiek-Rameey Litig: Before Judge Barnard, James Pisk, Jr, v8. Joseph H, Ramsey 6t Ql ‘The defendants in this suit moved yesterday to strike out the suplemental complaint filed in this suit hace ig that the Albany aud Susquehanna direc- tors had paid Mr. Ramsey a large amount of money and considerable stock, as alleged after the original complaint being fled, The motion was argued yes- terday at some length by Mr. Field for plaintiff and Mr. Tracy for the defendants. Decision reserved. A Divorce and Its Sequel—A Loving Epistle. Before Judge Cardozo, William €arieton vs. Catharine Carteton.—But a very short time has elapsea since William Carleton and his wife Catharine were living together as happy as man and wife could be, This state of affairs was not of long continuance, for William Carleton either no longer loved his wife or suspected her of unfaith- fulness. He accordingly brought a suit for divorce; but instead of succeeding in his design he met with @ most disastrous defeat. Catharine, the defendant to the sult (who seems to have truly loved her liege lord), made countercharges of infidelity and suc- ceeded not only m establishing her own mnocence but in obtaining an absolute divorce, and was allowed temporary alimony, After having procured the divorce she married again, and upon Carieton learning this fact he refused to pay any fur- ther alimony, which it was very natural he should. A writ of attachment, non-bailable, Was issued against him, and he was arrested. His counsel obtained @ writ of habeas corpus and had him brought before the court yesterday, when @ motion Was made to vacate the writ of at- tachment. Connsel also stated that Mr. Carleton’s profession (he is an actor at present af the Tam- many) required him to travel a good deal and that his counsel was not able to pay the allmony, Judge Cardozo heid that the writ of attachment should not have been made non-batlable and accordingly admitved Mr. Carleton to bail in $250. ‘The foliowing letter, an excellent specimen of a ishing love-letter, breathing passion and devotion every word, was read; and Was written, It is sta- ted, after Mrs, Garleton’s second marriage. The un- fortunate man must feel pleasant when he reads it:— ADDRESS — Wi.11aM CaReton Irish Comedian In care of frank queen Clipper Oflice ‘New York. THR LETT: ON BOARD STRAMBIY My DaAw WILLTAM—I have at Inst complide with your dent wish. Ihave left New York and have arrived safe at now orleans this morning, a thing whitch I ought to have done long ago. yes my gariing have left for your sake. for with ali my erein nd fanite. and with all your Gxo Wasntaton April 11th 1870 faults my daring, [ love you better than any living man on earth,’ Yes my darling 1 love you to my hearts core and well you know it and Ido truly say from the bottom of my heart a curse on barley ten thousand times a curse on him for he bas been the cause of all our unhappiness, it was a wad day for me that I ever laid my eyes on him but my darling billy {aball bury him with the past forever, and banish him entirely from my me- mory. Yes my darling you can belle you T have given up New York and al Out here to try to lead better and purer fife. und my dar- ling if you wish to come and ahare it with me I will eend you the money te come on with, for believe me dearest 1 have tiven up everything for your dear sake and my daring I am Teddy to lay down my life for you and to do anything in the World iffyou will only come to the open arms and bleading heart of your loving but erring Kate, for my darling I ah never know a moments happiness untill you ure with me. dear billy if you have any love or affection for me do come darling and soothe the broken heart of an ereing but repent- ‘ant woman for darling I shall never cease to love youso long asl breathe the breath of life. dear billy I will stop at the same hotel where you stoped piase come darling I will send you the money right away if you write as noon as you rec this letter, please answer quick as possible for oh my ling you cannot imagio what I have sufered since I parted from you. dear billy. if you will only come to me, I will do every thing in the world to make us both happy. I must now closé my darling. for my heart ts burstin, from one who is truly yours from now until death CATHERINE CARLTON HESSLER. Address to Catherine Cariton New Orleans L. A. SUPERIOR ‘COURT—SPECIAL TERM. Tke Fenian Fund Decreasing. Before Judge McOunn. Jonn O'Mahoney vs. John Lawless, August Bel- mont, Earnets B, Luckey, Addison J, Riceand W. J. Wilson.—This rather complicated case has been before the courts go long and so often that it is need- less to give the particulars of it. Yesterday it was up on an application by the receiver to have his fees paid out of the $20,000 in his possession, which the Court ordered defend- ants to piace in his hands, The Court granted the application, saying, that as ail the other attorneys and counsel engaged in the litigation received $2,500 for their services the récetver and his counsel were entitled to an equal amount. If the litigation con- tinues much longer the Fenlan fund will be non est inventus, which will be, perhaps, about as fair an an issue as could be arrived at. SUPERIOR COURT—TRIAL TERM—PART 2. ‘The Livingston Hotel Bill. Before Judge Barbour. Rachel a. Livingston vs. Frederick Lachmeyer et a.—In this case the jury rendered a verdict for the defendants. ‘The action was for the value of a ward- robe belonging to plaintiff, which the defendants, who are owners of the St. James Hotel, sold for a hotel bill. The defence was, that besides owing them money, @ great parp of what was in the wardrobe belonged to themselves, SUPERIOR COURT—SPECIAL TERM. Decisions. Before Judge Friedman. McDonald vs. Titus.—Motion granted. 4 Polhamus vs, Gaintsee.—Motion granted. Jones vs, Miller, do. fotion to punish for con- tempt denied, and 8, E. Nolan appointed receiver, Bennett vs. Bunker.—Motion granted. Gildersleeve vs. Feeny.—Motion denied. COURT CALENDARS—THIS DAY. SurREME CouRT—OCrrcuiT.—Part 3—Before Judge Brady—Short causes.—Nos, 6456, 6596, 6762, 6830, 4416, 4818, 2802, 4820, 5604, 6128, 6280, 6426, 6424, or 6708, oe 6807, 6856, 688134, 6912, 6924, 6932, SUPREME CoURT—CHAMBERS—Before Judge Bar- nard.—Nog. 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 87, 88, 135, 158, 160, 178, 201, 218, 250, SuPsRion CouRT—TRIAL TeRM.—Part 1—Before Judge Spencer—Short causes.—Nos. 1774, 2189, 8246, 2658, 3221, 2748, 3182, 3167, 2038, 9093, 2586, 2930, 8164, 8165, 2714, 2043, 2944, 3023, 3258, 4269, 2818, 3063, 8281, 8278, ComMON PLEAS.—Part 1—Before Judge Loew—One hour causes.—Nos, 1968, 1915, 1988, 1977, 1555, 1595, 1544, 1397, 1900, 1901, 1904, 1709, 1739, 1972, 1919, 1261. Part 2—Before Judge Van Brunti—Nos, 1828, 1843, 1880, 1250, 1711, 1560, 1407, 1568, 1914, 1348, 660, 1946, 1961, 1532, 1582, 662. ' MARINE Oourt—TRIAL TeRM.—Part 1—Before Judge Curtis.—Nos. 1350, 1419, 1449, 1477, 1478, 1446, 504, 1537, 1538, 1821, 1405, 1435, 1503," 1546, 1661, 1552, 1558, 1559, 470. Part 2—Before Judge Alker.— Nos. 1350, 1006, 1066, 1283, 1355, 1436, 1461, 1490, 1531, 1645, 1647, 1549, 1127, 1488, 1550, COURT OF GENERAL SESsIONs.—The People vs. Archibald Craig, robbery; Same vs. George Palmer and John H. jon, burglary; Same vs. James Dobbins, do.; Same vs. Henry McCord, John Sh: er and Simon Bernard, grand larceny; Samefv: Wiliam ©. King, hago Same vs. Jacob Schaal. man and Frederick Goodall, false pretences; Same vs. George Bennett, disorderly house. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT. Action to Recover an Alleged Loan. Before Judge Benedict. George W. Higgs and others yesterday filed a libel against the British schooner Catharine John, they having sued to recover £208 6a. for repairs done to the vessel and £1,282 34., which latter amount they claimed they loaned the captain at Nassau, where the repairs are alleged to have been executed. The amount of the alleged loan and interest thereon 13 37, KINGS COUNTY COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER. Alleged Perjury and Larceny of a Judgment Roll. Before Judge Pratt and Justices Voorbies and John- son. A motion was made yesterday morning in the Court of Oyer and Terminer to have admitted to bail Frank Archibald and John M. Holt, who are now in jail under indictment on the charges of perjury in a divorce suit, and of ae judgment roll in the Dalzell divorce case from the County Clerk's office. The accused are alleged to have veen in collusion with Fisher, the divorce lawyer, who was indicted some time since and jumped bis bail, He is yet at large. The ground of the present application is that moro than two terms of the court have passed without the defendant being brought to trial. District Attorney Morris appeared for the people and opposed tho ‘anting of the application, contending that he had Ways been ready to try the cases, and that the cagse of the delay was not on his side of the case. adge Pratt took the papers and reserved his do- ciston, THE FIGHT FOR HOSE BONDS. Another Examination Befere the Surrogate and Further Revelation of Interesting FucteEvidence for the Prosecution About Choned. In the Qurke-Gardiner case, which 16 sti!) drag- ging its slow length along, but with the encouraging promise of soon reaching the end of its tether, there was avother hearing yesterday afternoon before Surrogate Hutchings. The testimony of the severai Witnesses called, though not vitally important, was interesting, as developing some new and interesting facts in the case, SIMPLY TO OBLIGE A FRIEND, William P. Colgate, against whom an attachment was issued requiring his” attendance at court, but Whose absence was explained in a manner satisfac- tory to the Court, was the first witness called, He testi- fled that he was employed in the Internal Revenue De- artment of the Sub-Treasury Office tn this city, His UsILess Was paylug interest On coupous, He never knew Captain Alexander; about a year ago George Gardiner, son of Mr. and Mra. tfa C, Gardiner, gave Dima coupon bond for $1,000 to sell for hin, which he dia stinply to oblige a friend; he would swear there were not three bonds; lie only recol- lected one bond; Mr. Gardiner sald he wished him to sell this for him, as he would probably save the commission; he never sold any other bond for George Gardiner; since this transaction he had had no conversation with George Gardiner regarding Ue affair; he took the bond to Henry Clews’ office, in Wail street, and sold it to a clerk, but could not tell the name of the clerk; he went to the gold desk instead of the paying teller’s; he could not tell the amount he was paid; a check was him, which check he took to George Gardi on the latter saying that he wauted money instead of acheck he took the check back and got the money; the check was made payable to his own order and he endorsed it, and then the money was paid to hin. Q, Are you willing to swear that you never sold another bond for Mr. George Gardiner? A. Lremem- ber only one occasion Q. Where ts that check now? A. L understand it is tn pomsgenion of, Judge Fullerton. Q. Itis, and also another check of yours nego- Uated for George Gardiner, and sUli you remember only one transaction’ A, Only one; witness did not know Mr. James W. Graff; he did not know of any one else in the office selling bonds for George Gardi- e Was not told by the latter that he wished he serve secrecy in the ca: orge Gardiner in the oitice thirveen years, and he thought it ali regular and therefore asked no questions; George Gardiner lately told him he was sorry he (ihe witness) had got mixed up in the case; he did not know Ira ©. Gardiner; he had never pafd taterest on coupons for George Gardiner; the latter could do this for himself, and there was no necessity of his doing it for him, SOMETHING ABOUT A SENSATIONAL NARRATIVE, Peter B. Uriek, the next witness, testified that he was a teacher 10 @ public school in Hariem; he never Knew Captain Alexander; he did not tell a reporter ot the Sun that he had known Captain Alexander ten years previous to his death; he gave the reporter the address of Captain Swain, who could give him ma- terial for a sketch of the Alexander case, and upon which the sensational narrative in the Sun was Q. ‘You are @ son-in-law of Mr, and Mrs. Ira C, Gardiner? A. Yes, sir. Q. Did you not see any bonds In the possession of Mr. and Mrs. Garainer, one or both of them, at the uu oe their arrest by Deputy Coroner Shine? A. r. Q. In the possession of Mrs. Graff or your wife? A. No, sir. Q. After Mrs. Gardiner’s arrest did she not give you papers to keep’ A. She could not very weil, as she was handcuffed. Q. Did you or did you not at the time of your mar- riage give money to Mr. and Mrs, Gardiner? A. No, ir. Q. Did you before your marriage give either of them money? A. No, sir, Q. Have you'given them money since ? yes; frequently. Q. For what? a. Board, ACY OF BROTHERLY KINDNESS. William T. Graf, the next witness, stated that he was a lawyer and brother of James W. Grai, son-tn- law of Mr. and Mrs. Ira ©. Gardiner; his brother called on him for professtonal advice regarding dis- sition of bonds; Mrs, James W, Gratf also called on im once m regi the same matter; neither Mr. nor Mrs. Gardiner had ever called on him professionally; he had never been told how they came in possession of the bonds referred to, and all he knew was what he bad read in the papers; he never heard of his brother having over $4,000 in bonds; these bonds were placed in his (the witness’) safe and remained there two or three days; he thougnt that Captain Alexander might have been buried at this time; none of the bonds Cm none of the proceeds ever came into his posses- sion, Two other witnesses were called, but neither answering to their names the case’ was here ad- journed, It is belleved that another sesston will ex- haust the testimony on Mrs. Burke’s side, OUR HOME STAMINA. Condition of the Crop is Being Most Extensively Raised and the Average Yield—The Season the Best in Many Years. ‘The agricultural mind of Long Island 1s very jubi- lant over the prospect of a great crop this season, ‘The prospects are very promising, and the farmers say that it is the best season they have had for many years, notwithstanding the fact that the coming of spring was late. The potato crop promises well and if nothing injurious to its growth occurs will be unu- sually productive. The Early Rose, Samaritan and Sebec are almost fit for digging, and many of the first mentioned have found their way into the mar- ket already. Tne stalks are thick and julcyj and the evening dews ana midday suns have so prepared the earth as to give them good root. Tne Garnet, Chile, Jackson Whites, white and red Peachblows, Mercers and Buckeyes seem to be most cultivated. The Peach- blows seem to have the preference, for the reason that they are more lasting and marketable. It is estt- mated that over two million bushels will be gathered this season, more than two thirds of which will find @ market in this city. Last year 4,000,000 bask- ets of potatoes were sold in this city, 600,005 bushels having been exclusively furnished by River- head, Their cultivation is aoe 80 general this year, owing to depreciation in prite last year, many farm. ers sustaining serious logs thereby. the deficlency is al mp with turnips and f fen The rutabaga turnip 1s the principal one cultivated. ‘The rye crop looks admirable, and two or three weeks of Contin- ued heat will make it ft for harvesting. Carrots for table use and for horses are not much cultivated, finding root only in new made ground wy way of a fertilizer, Beets are also scarce, and the agricul. tural mind is divided as to the best species, of which. there are four—the blood, sugar, mangel and or- ange. The cultivation of onions is more an employ- ment of the gardener, although some extensive farmers cultivate the red onion for market, delaying their sale till late in the winter. ‘the early cabbage is not very extensive; but nevertheless every farmer has more or less of tt growing. This is owing to the fact that the winter cabbage is the most sought, and the rot almost invariably destroys the early spe- cles. The drumhead has the preference, both In cul- tivation and at the mankets, Tomatoes, although A. Oh, considered a palatable vegetable, are not cul- tivated to any great extent, as they rot easily and are not vitalizing to the soil In case of decay; moreover, it is a waste of soli, as but one crop can be taken irom the field, Lima beans and peas occupy considerable soil this season, which can only be accounted for by the fact that two crops can be taken from the field before winter sets in. Parsley 1s not cultivated for the market ex- cept by gardeners who have a special contract for itesale. The pumpkin is advertised indiscriminately, as it does not require extra soll or attention. ‘They are (epee in corn flelds, and thas the frugal farmer realizes two crops from one field. The grain crop promises to be an extensive one, @ad it 18 the principal product on which the farmer hopes to retrieve hia hopes of last year. The red and white spring wheat is very far advanced. ‘Tho winter species Jooks well,fout its success in general 1s far from positive. Rye 18 extensively planted, while barley finds little encouragement. ‘ne oats crop } averages about the same yearly, as it 1s retained by the farmers for thelr own use. Buckwheat is ex- tensively pianted this year, as 1t commanded a good price during the past winter, and is also an artucle of double value, The early sweet corn is rather limited, but the white and yellow corn is cultivated extensively. ‘The fruit crop 1s very promising, as the weather was exceedingly favorable while the trees were in bloom. The apple trees are heavily laden, as are also the pear trees. Tho grapes and other garden fruit, such as quinces, plums, cranberries, blackber- ries, melons and peaches, look exceedingly well, and unless injured by worms or bugs there will bea at yield. The cherries are fast ripening and the ‘uits In general are assuming a purple appearance. ‘The average yield per acre on Long Island seems rather astonishing, but it has been substantiated by actual measurement yoar alter year. The average aan of corn per acre 13 193 bushels: of turnips, jashela; Of oats, 81 bushels; of carrots, §20 bu: of beets, 772 bushels; of potatoes, 254 bush. els; of wheat, 40 bushels; of asparagus, 900 bushels, with an average weight of 45 unds to the bushel. In 1860 Peter Coek, of yster Bay, raised on seven acres and seven rods of land 9,165 bunches of asparagus, which he soid for $1,022 65. The cost of cultivation was $649 75, leav- ing @ profit of $1,372 80. It is reasonable to suppose that Long Island can be taken as a criterion, and if the prospect there they are pretty apt 18 ta are be good throughout the State, It ts surprising that for a place so extensively en- gaged in agriculture as Long Island the cultivation of seed 18 not more Numeror carried on. There are but two farms on the whole island, and these are given almost exclusively to the prepara- tion of seeds for the foreign market, It 18 an undis- puted fact that ifseed was returned to soil whence it emanated the vegetable would be more palatable and the yield greater, The agricultural mind 1s con- sidering this subject, and a favorable conclusion will no douot be arrived at and this deficiency be flied in time, THE HOOSAC | PRESENT CONDITION OF THE WORK, It Will Be Completed ip Three Years. Few of the tnany who have heard of the Hoosac tone! appreciate its unportance, either as @ great undertaking to engineering or in relation to its value when completed. With all the modern appliances that have been brought to bear in its construction the work has dragged along through many years, fully demonsirating that mountains cannot be “bored” with unpunity, Its construction has already cost miliions of dollars and hundreds of lives. Ite length, when completed, will ve four ana three quarter miles, the entire distance, excepting afew hundred fect at the western end, being cut through solid rock, PRESENT CONDITION. A measurement of the excavation had just been made, It showed that 7,043 feet had been accom- pitshed at the eastern end, and 4,902 at the western end. ‘This leaves about twoand one-half miles yet to accomplish. The Messrs. Shanjey, who now have the work under contract, are pushing it forward with much greater rapidity than ever before, About fifty feet per week 1# now the average progress, and when the centrai shart shall have been sunk to the grade of the tunnel (of which It now lacks ninejy- four feet) headings will be started both ways from it, when more rapid advance will be made, The con- tractors are confident that trains will be ranning through the tunnel within three years Their time for fintsuing the contract expires March 1, 1874. TO THE TUNNEL. Up through the valley of the tudson for one hnn- tty dred and miles to Troy, and from thence ser valley of the Hoosac for about thirty more brings you to North Adams, which is 1 the western base of the Hoosae mountains. bustling Village it is, with a good hotel, two Sand several 'mportaut Par Tre ipag'e4 We reached North Adams at night, and iz prepared for the trip to A horse Was mustered into service for we started off. A interests, early (he following mort the tunnel. the purpose and mounting bun ride of half a mile brought us to THE WEST END ofthe tunnel. Twenty-five hundred feet further up the mountain we came to tue “west shaft,’ which we prepared to descend, And here let us remurk that visitors are well received by the superintendents and empioyés,and are furnished with evers factlity for inspecting the great work. The descent at this potat 18 made in a sort Of box elevator, open on one Bide to admit a car, Such as the rock and débris are taken out upon, One of these elevators is coming up while the other Is going down, The depth of the shaft is 318 feet, or nearly 100 feet more than the heignt of Trinity church spire. Donning @ rubber suit, whieh was provided for the purpose, and with feet encased In rubber boots, we made the descent in company with the foreman of the gang of men then at work. From the bottom of the shait to the west terminus the tunnel is completed. Fora portion of the dis- tance, in. consequence of the shattered condition of the rock, it is eucased with brick. The tunnel is compteted for about 2,500 feet beyond the shaft, the entire distance at this‘end being 4,902 feet. With our “lanterns dimly burning” we marched through the darkness, occasionally tumbling over a piece of rock ora timber. Some five hundred fect from the end we were forced to clamber up over the rocks several feet, for the heading is carried forward at the top instead of on the regular grade. There was # noise as of half a dozen cotton mills and as many printing presses as we drew near the end of our Journey. and, after jumping aside several times to avoid imaginary cars, we gathered from the foreman, who shouted it in our ears at the very top of his voice, that the dfilling machines were in Operation, ‘These drilis are ariven by Compressed air, Which 18 also used to ventilate the tunnel, The rock now bvelng worked through 18 quite hard. “Nitro- glycerine is being used at present. The workmen here, a# at other points, are divided into three gangs, working eight hours each per day, 80 that there is never any cessation of hostliities, The drilling mach es seem to do their work rapidly and effectu- ally, and they create a shower of dust and @ Babel of sounds that makes the rock bound compartment a perfect Pandemonium, There were driils to the right of us and drilis to the left of us, with the miners’ candies, like @ mmiti- wie of firefies, throwing a fitful glare over the scene, It was a place that no one would care to remain in jong, and how the workiren stand itis amysiery. To be tmmured in such a gloomy dun- geon any way 18 bad enough, but to be shut up with such @ terrific clatter about one’s cars adds to the discomflture. After being hauled up again into daylight, ana laying aside our rubber garments, we mounted our orse for a ride OVER THE MOUNTAIN, a distance by the zigzag road of nearly eight mi} to the eastern end of the tunnel. And a delight ride it was, @ good road, well led, and an abun- dance of really splendid scenery, making it highl: enjoyable. Up and still up the mountain side, witl ‘the beautiful Hoosac valley stretching out far below you, until the summit 1s passed, and then dowao again on the other gide, with the picturesque Deer- feild river and valley at your feet. There are some well tilled farms upon the very summit of the moun- tain, but the high country, in the main, ts not very inviting. Midway of the termini of the tunnel, ana in a sort of miniature valley on the top of the moun- tain, issunk THE ‘CENTRAL SHart. Its mouth 1s surrounded by @ large wooden struo- ture, containing the engines for working the air pumps, hoisting the buckets, &c. Being desiroug of seeing every portion of the work, we asked and ‘were granted permission to descend tn one of the buckets. The sensation of being lowered rapidly into the earth, with the horrible possibility of @ breakage somewhere and @ consequent terrible death, is @ trifie “scary.” The present depth of the shaft 18 about 960 feet, and the bucket ts attached to an elevator which runs in grooved timbers to within about fifty feet of the bottom. Two minutes is the average ume occupied im lowering or holsting a bucket, Soon after leaving the surface we were made aware of the presence of water bya perfoot shower of that fuid. The pumps are kept constantly at work to pump out the water, which collects rap- idly at the bottom. It was at this place that thir- teen workmen lost their lives in 1867 in consequence of the burning of the buildings over the shaft, by which all means of escape were cut of. Theshait rapidly filled with water, and the bodies were not re- covered for nearly a year, when the buildings and pumps were replaced. jany other accidents, in- volving the loss of about sixty lives altogether, have occurred at this shaft. ‘There 1s now # series of lad- ders extending to the bottom, by means of which the men might escape in case of any accident to the hoisting apparatus. As we left the surface nothi: could be seen of the miners’ lights below, nor cou! any light be seen above after we had dropped a short distance, the latter fact being attributable to the roof over the mouth of the Before reach- ing the bottom, however, the lights could be seen flitting about far beneath, and a }; mn of sounds, inciuding the linking of hand drills, came up. Neur the bottom the bucket was detached from the croas beam and swung clear the rest of the way, quickly descending to the floor ofthe pit, among the workmen. The drilling here is done by hand and the blasting by nitro-glycerine. Only about ninety feet remains to be sunk before it reaches the grade of the tunnel. Then headings will be started both directions. We did not alight. from the bucket, a8 we should have stepped into a foot or so of water or else got in the way of the workmen. Besides, the numerous candles afordea abundant means of examtaiy the premises. The engineer above being sigaalled we were soon on our upward way, the bucket being raised slowly, in order that we might examine the work, From the central Rink we rode down the eastern side of the moun- in to THR EAST END of the tunnel. Here 7,048 feet, or nearly a mile and ahalf, had been accomplished. The trip into the mountain at this point was made more Tapidly and pleasantly than at the others. Mounting an empty car, drawn by a mule and driven by @ boy, we were conveyed to the beading at a spanking pace. These cars are little trucks or'carriages, six feet by four, and about two feet high, and are used to carry out the biasted rock. ‘he percolation of the water through the rock overhead, @ short distance from the entrance, gave promise of discomfort, but the pagal ceased as more solid rock was AS ye ‘The darkness became intense, and seemingly blacker from te feeble lantern oarried on the car. The murkiness enveloped us iike @ mantle, and the light scarcely penetrated it. A look back disclosed a sick, blufso light at the entrance, and even that soon faded away. Our driver suddenly acreeched out “Down with yer head | and we hi rledly followed his tnjunction, justin time to ayo! collision with a sort of timber work erected where soft rock Was encountered, Finally, a groupof fire bugs dancing before us, with the sound of the drilis, gives us warning that we are approaching the spot. Where the finishers are at work. They are on a platrorm above our Lgetiyg Bn we pare’ caught & giltapse of them as we bobbed our heads to avotd the timber work. We might be going in, or we might be going out, for all that we could tell, until our eyes gota little accustomed to the gloom, 80 what we were able tq see tho jagued rock ing past us. More fire bugs anda more ind of drills presage the approach to the enlargement, after whion the size of the tuunel de- créases considerably. Fot the remainder of the journey, about haifa mile, the roof of the tunnel is u} @ few feet from the car, instead of from fifteen to bighteen, as before, andjso uneven that the ex. plaer is le to come out with more than thd complement of “bumps” upon his craniuin. At th¢ end of the heading another gang of workmen wee busy. Aitheugh the air is kept tolerabiy pure byipumps it is damp and close, and must be un. he Atay! ‘The men, however, look heaithy and , and deny that it isso, The process of work hete is the same as at the other points, and is about ‘thé same, only on a largex scale, as is employed in ordinary tunnelling. laving thus thoroughly inspected the work at all points we rode back to North Adams, very hungry and tired and fully impressed with the magnitade aud importance of the Hoosac tunnel, whic 1s, the Mount Cenis tannel alone excepted, the largest un- dertaking of the kind in the world, $