The New York Herald Newspaper, September 30, 1870, Page 8

te’ UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS’ COURT. Avother Counterfeit Case, Before Commissioner Betts. ‘The United States vs. Matlock Buckly.—The defend- fmt in this case was brought before Commissioner Betta yesterday to answer @ charge of passing & roving 200 Ul om Patrick Kenny, hel fom ant paving TBatihad Yo the tact te case Was ad- till October 1, when witnesses will be called the defence, SUPREME COURT—GENERAL TEAM. The Central Railroad of New Jersey Beaten en a Matter of Costs. Before Judges Ingraham, Barnard and Cardozo, The People vs. The Central Railroad of New Jer- sey.—This suit was brought to compel the Central Railway to remove ail its filling in on the Jersey shore and its long wharf, on the ground that they ‘were nuisances and obstructions to the harbor and ‘that under the treaty between New York and New gersey the former State must give its permission to ‘Warrant any ovstruction to the waters,of the river opposite New York and in the bay, ‘The suit in volved in prineiple the whole frontage of Jersey City and Hoboken as far north as Spuyten Duyvil creek. After two arguments, in both the Special and Gene- ral Terms, Judgment was given for the plaintiffs; but on appeal the Court Appeals reversed the decision and gave judgment ior the defendants, The cuse came op yesterday on an appead from an erder allowing the defendants $12,400 a3 costs. The Court reversed the order, with leave to renew the motion at Chambers, on uilidavits se po forth the expenses before the trial ut Special ‘erm. Chronic Litigntion—Erio Again—The Ramsey Suit. Fisk, Jr., vs. The Albany and Susquehanna Rail- road,—This was the action brougut by Mr. Fisk to compel Ramsey and others to pay the full face of certain stock of the railroad, alleged to nave been issued on subscriptions of five per cent, for the pur- pose of fraudulently controlling the stock, by the Ramsey party. After the finst complaint was served ‘the piaintut obtained leave to serve a supplemental complamt. The defendants then moved tw strike out the amended complaint. This motion was de- nied, and the defendanis appealed. The Generai Term affirmed this order, holding that even if parts ef the supplemental complaint were odjectiouabie or impertinent the motion should bave been to strike out those parta, and not the whole. ‘The case still on, Mr. Tracy for appellants; Pields & Shearman for respondents, COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. Christian Dectrine and Church Government. Before Chief Justice Daly. The African Union Church vs. Porter and Others.—This was an action by the congregation of @ colored church against its trusiecs, who were charged with attempting to change the name and octrine of the church, as has been aiready rted. Yesterday Judge Daly dismissed the complaint and rendered an opinion, in which he says it Do at empt to change tne doctrine of the churcn is shown, and as for the change of name, that cun only be ef- 4ected by process of law, COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS. Clese of a Brilliant Term—Adjournment of the Coart in Henor of Admiral Farragut—Re- marks of Mr, Fellows and Judge Bedtord. Before Gunning 8. Bedford, City Judge. As will be seen by the subjoined remarks of Assistant District Attorney Fellows and Judge Bed- ford, the September term of this court has closed, His Honor and the gentlemen who have been asso- elated with him in the prosecution of criminais de- serve, as DO doubt they receive, the thanks of the community for their vigorous and well directed ‘blows at the criminal class in our midst, ALLEGED LARCENY IN A LAGER BEER SALOON. Wilham and Helena Gono, who it was proved kept a respectable lager beer saloon in Mott street, were charged with robbing John Shoais, on the 13th of this month, of $61, The testimony for the prose- cution showed that the complainant went into the saloon with a young woman and drank a bottle of wine, for which he paia two dollars, and that the proprietor invited him to have another, a part of which he drank. As he was leaving the saloon the man seized him, while the woman took his money. ‘The story of the female defendant, who appeared to be a respectable woman, flatly contradicted the compiainant’s version of the affair. Mr. Hummel cross-examined Shoals in ap able manner, and the City Judge being satisfed that there was a doubt in the case, the Jury promptly rendered a verdict of “Not guuty.”” 4 BOLD LARCENY—ONE OF THE THIRVES AN OLD OFFENDER. Henry Miller and Eaward Mangon were tried and convicted of petty larceny from the person. Mrs, Elizabeth Nuskey testified that while she was pass- ing throngh Twenty-first street, on the 16th of this month, in the afterpoon, she stumbled upon a loose flag, Whereupon the harwormi approached her and seized her watce an chain. The property was re- covered. Mr. Fellows informec the court that Miller was an old owmder. His Honor, in passing sentence, said:—Miller and Manson, you have been convicted of @ daring lar- ceny—one so bold in its character that Iam led to believe that at the dark hour of midnight you would not only garrote, but, if peeds be, murder. Miller, you are an ex-convict—five years in the State Pri- son, Manson, turee years ald six months in the State Prison. {n the afternoon, Assistant District Attorney Fer Jows said that there were many oases on the calen- dar which had to go over 10 consequence of the ab- sence of witnesses, ana that he had no further bust ‘ness to bring before the court. He called attention ‘to t. e business that had been transacted during the term. Aside from the vast business accomplished by the Grand Jury—they had YOUND TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY INDICTMENTS— he particularly noticed what had been accomplished ancourt. There were, besides the indictments called tat day, 103 cages disposed of during the term, eighty-six having been convicied and twenty-two uitted. That was av unusually large calendar 0 dispose of in one term, and the Court andp rose- cuting oMcer were indebted in a great degree for it to tne prompt action of the jury. The aggregate term of years for which parties had been sentenced to serve in the State Prison, following the verdicts of this month, was 803 years and 6 months, aside from the prisoners who were sent to the Peniten- tary for a lot term of years. For that prompt and retributive Justice the community were indebted to the City Judge, and ne (Mr. Fellows) desired, a3 one of the oMiclal organs of the commuuity, to bear testimony to that fact and accord his thanks for it. At was @ subject of common remark that terror has been struck into the ranks of the criminal class, and he was safe in asserting that this action would not be spasmodic, but that severe sentences would fol- Jow prompt convictions. PARRAGUT’S FUNERAL, In conclusion, Mr. Fellows moved that the court adjourn in order to afford the officials of the prose- cuting department to join in the funeral procession on Friday. Judge Bedford, in granting the motion, observea that he concurred in the remarks o/ the Assistant District Attorney respecting the present panel of petty jurors. They had certamiy done their duty and siinply their duty, and he hoped that their con- uct would be imitated by luture juries. Let an order be entered that this court be adjourned as & mark of respect and esteem to the memory of the honored and distinguished hero whose joss bas caused & weed sorrow throughout the nation, and to , a, whose record, replete as itis with deeds of naval brilliancy; New York city will pay a just and desery- ing wibate, COURT OF SPECIAL SESSIONS. Before Judges Dowling and Shandiey. IMPOSITION UPON THE CHARITABL A common mode of swindling the public is by col- lecting money for assumed charitable purposes. A long list of namesjof respectable citizens is paraded to show that others consider the object for which the money is sought is agood one. Half the time these names are forgeries. ‘Too often they are genu- ine signatures of charitable persons who have been duped by the swindling collectors. Not only 1s this system of fraud practised to a great extent in this city, and upon persons, too, who one would think ought to know the proper channels through which to bestow alms, butit is an organized system of cheating all over very many of the States. Asa@ general thing the swindlers go in twos and threes, and, of course the objects which they present to the victims as worthy of assistance are numerous as the collectors’ brains permit of. One time it is @ poor, respectable family starving at darlem; wilt an named Ed K, Dusevbury. posaively that Be was employed ‘so mt awe and never re~ i a, es witb Ge that fa be had given that amount to Mr. Weaver. 1D passing sentence on the prisoner, tore web of “Weaver” tp the lollowing old igs that of system of swindling Dot wo be exposed and punished the charitable people of this city would become the too easy, does of such knaves as you. We regret that it is notin the power of this court +o inflict @ heavier sentence on you than that you are. about to receive, whieD 14 six months in the Pepiten' and to stand committed ‘uli you have @ fine of fifty dollars, which I trast paid you will not be abie to pay for some years to come, Dusenbury went across the bridge of sighs utter- ing maledictions on Justic: § Dowllag and Shandley, MUSSING A MARSHAL. man, WhO resi found that individual 80 obstreperous that not ‘was the badge of office merely an incentive to pugi- Mstic exertion, bat had the same eifect on Goldman's vision @3 @ red reg has upon the optical flerceness of @ well knowa ferocious animal. ln other words, tue doughty Goldman seized the ofiicer of the law by the throat, snook him all over repeatedly, stared at him with murderous meaning, 9nd Dnaily tossed him away from him, a distance of several yards, All of which cost ten dollars, ALL ABOUT A PITCHER. Monday night last John McKeever, proprietor of a barroom in Houston gireet, Jogan Fay and Julia Raymond were imbibing freely in the aforesaid sa - loon, AU were “under the influence.” Strasbourg had not then surrendered, and drinks were bet that it never would be. Other bets were made as to whether Louts Napoleon should ever become King ot Ireland or Ki Wiliam be beheaded, In this glorious state of hilarity were these three persons “passing the time,” till, just as the clock was strik- ing twelve, Logan Fay offered to bet his old nat against the plated bar pitcher that i a fair stand- up fight he could “lick”? anybody on the whole earth, Sepectally kings and emperora, Things havin come to this point McKeever thought it time to sen: Logan home, and accordingiy “shouldered” him out of the front door. Raym: Wears this undertaking did not occupy more than a second of time, and that precisely two seconds after Fay had left the pitcher Was missing. Serious consultation was held all the next day in the barroom as to who stole the itcher. All agreed that Logan Fay had “hooked”? it. Logan was arrested, aud on being arraigned yesterday was honorably discharged, there being 2o evidence against him, ‘A VERY COMPLICATED CASE, WITH A LADY IN IT. Mrs. Laura E. Fraser is a young and married lady and a mother of one, Toward the close of last week she went out house hunting, and in the course of that very serious undertaking called on Mr. Terence Leonard, who keeps & furniture store in Eighth avenue, far up town, and requested nim to call at her residence, witn & view to the purchase of a bureau and a table, Mrs. Fraser’s nurse, a pretty jittle girl ufteen years of , Was ip the room when Leonard entet Fraser swears that Leonard er ear an to take the baby down stairs and ve 1t an airing carriage, ee _ 4 A nurse jat_the proposals Fraserjrefused to stale in its little most positively retused to do. were cannot be stated, as Mrs. them publicly in court, and consequently the ma- gistrates were compelled to hold a Kind of whisper- ing explanation between themselves and the lady. wulch nobody heard but the three, looked very bad for Leouard at this stage of the proceed- ings, but his coungel stack to him like @ “brick”? and’ put him on the stand to tell hts own story. Leonard entered into along yarn which promised to exhaust the forenoon hours, the pith of which Was that the whole complafut was & put up job, a conspiracy to cheat him out of money and a lie in every one of its various hues, all the result of a difference he had two years ago with Mrs, Fraser's husband, Guilty or not guilty Leonard bad to “pony” down the sum of fifty dollars. EIGHT MONTHS FOR A SHOPLIFTER. George Taylor, a shoplifter, Was sentenced to four months in the Penitentiary, on the complaint of Wil- liam Hartman and the compiaint of Henry C. Read, Jr. ‘Taylor 13 am ill-looking scoundrel, who, though he pleaded “first time arrested,” 1s evidentiy au old hand at the business, ‘The Court never loses an op- portunity to impose a severe sentence on this class of thieves, and ever admonishes all spectators that the way of these transgressors is hard as adamant, Justice Dowling looks beaming and happy when “sending up” @ shoplifter, male or female. A COLORED LADY'S INGRATICUDE—DIDN’? CARE FOR A CRIPPLED HERO. Thomas Kelly is a poor, one-armed soldier, rather ood looking in appearance, but at times devoted to the “Bacchanalian Patent Perverter.! Last Sunday evening he was over at the Soldiers’ Home, in New Jersey, making arrangements for a permanent above therein, Having belonged in the old times to the Third New Jersey infantry, it was not surprisin, that he should have met over there some of the 0} comrades, and who is that fortunate individual that has never suifered from the effects of “lightning” of our neighboring sister? Tom was coming along with all sails on, happy as a commissariat generai, sing- ing for hunsei! a yerse of the now forgotten war songs, and had got safe and sound into West Broad. way. Whether it was the thought seized him that the sleeve of his cost was hanging empty by his side for sake of “colored gemmen”’ und the “colored wenches,”’ or thar it was «ine to the effect of the “‘Jer- lightning, anyhow, Tom, espying a colored “gal’’ standing at the corner of a street, saluted her in @ manner she altogether disapproved of. The name of the darkey is oarah Birch, and she proved avery ticklesome bireh for poor Tom. In her story to the court she narrated how Tom ‘came over to her, and she seeing he was a one-armed man didn’t want to have nothing to do with him by no manner of means, and how he wanted to clinch her to hug her round the neck;, how he tried to Kiss her; how she picked up” & and how he bel it, and made strike herself with it, and how a ‘‘colored gemman” living next door, and who was dressed for church, would not put his hands near the soldier, lest he might soil him- self, but touched the soldier’s legs with his cane, telling him to move on and let the laay be.” All this Miss Sarah told with an alr of the greatest non- chalence. Tom was put on the stand and swore that so far from his rookie | struck ine Jady with the brick that she pummelled Pim very badly with the said obtuse instrument over the neck ond shoulders, leaving black marks thereon which might be seen even at that moment. Tom further looked as if he was very much ashamed of himself; for, really, Sarah is about as ugly looking a colored ord ever sat in a city horse car thissummer. The Court sentenced Tom to get away to Jersey as fast as ever he could aud to avoid the “lightning. BAGS AND LEGAL TECHNICALITIES. Joseph McCann was arraigned on two separate complaints; one of steal twenty-five bags from Appleton & Co., of West street, and the other of stealing fifty bags from the same firm. McCann was in the employ of the firm and admitted to his em- Ployers that he nad stolen the i eg His coun- sel, however, showed on the first complaint that ex- cept McCann’s own adinission there wasno evidenc against him. The Court nad to admit this an acquit him. But on the second complaint, though there was just as little evidence of his guilt, the Court refused to decide in his favor, and, tgnorin; the legal technicality sentenced him on the merits o} the case to six months in the Penitentiary. AN £GQ GOURMAND. Francis Turner is @ monomaniac in the matter of eggs. He recently stole a box of them from Joseph Stharie's store, {a Greenwich street, He admitted that he meant to eat every one of them, and more, too, if he could only get them. He got three months’ Penitentiary diet. LARCENY FROM A BABY. Mrs. Louisa St, Clair, a tidy little housekeeper of the First ward, put her baby to sleep in the cradle at her residence on Tuesday afternoon last, and went out to make some purchases. Now, this baby has the fault common to all babies, as is said, of ning to cry the very moment it wakes up. Rosa Murphy was seeing a friend who resides im the same house with Mrs. St. Clair on the day above named, and srealthily entered Mrs, St. Olair’s apartments, having seen that lady go out a short time pefore. She saw nothing inthe rooms, however, that she could carry away conveniently with advantage to her wants except a very pretty little quilt in which the baby was wrapped up. Gently uncovering the little sleeper, she contrived to unfold the quilt from around it and was safely out of the rooms and on her way down stairs, when the baby, becoming sud- cenly conscious of there being something wrong, immediately began screaming. Now, it so happened, as luck would have it, that Mrs, St. Clair had by this time returned to the house, and was in a room on the first floor conversing with a neighbor, and hearing the baby cry at once set oi to render motherly assistance, when lo! who should she meet with the quilt under her arm bat Rosa Murphy. Under these circumstances Rosa was sent to the Workhouse as the best place she could be. IN MEMORIAM FARRAGUT. All the courts have adjourned over to-day as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Admiral Farragut, wif REPUBLICAN STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE. The Republican State Central Committee met yes- terday morning at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. There was a large number of prominent republicans present, including John A. Griswold, R, H. Pruyn, 0, M. Depew and numerous others. The members of the committee present were Thomas E, Stewart, Oharies A. Anthon, Henry Smith, George H. Sharpe, James W. Husted, Hamilton Davis, Levi Biakeleo, H. N, Bliss, 5. B. Dutcher, Benjamin Field,{R, Nelson Lers and Murray Athes, it was thought that the committee would fill the vacancy now existing. The meeting was strictly private, but it is understood that the vigorous,progecution of the cam resolved upon. Preparations were comp! vigorous canvass TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS. Mode of Estimating the Basis for Taxation— Machinery in the Tax Office—New York the Most Lightly Taxed City iz the Union. During the past tew days several splenetic effu- sions have appeared in some of the so-called news- papers endeavoring to show that the Commissioners Of Taxes have been derelict im their duty or partial in the assessing of property In varioug portions of the city, To those who have taken the trouble to inquire into the matter, those who have examined the modus operandi pursued by the Commissioners, who are not viinded by prejudice, actuated by feel- ings of personal or professional disappointment or seeking to make political capital, tt js plainly evi« dent that the work of assessing the real and per. sonal estate in the city and county of New York ts now performed io a strictly conscientious manver, for the good of whe city and with all due considera tion for the wishes and welfare of the assessed. ‘The gentiemen comprising the commission are too well known to need any further commendation as Individuals at the present time. The best refutation, therefore, that can be given to the slanderous insinug- tons that have been put forth against the Board will be found in @ statement of HOW THR WORK IS DONE by and ander the direction of the Commissioners, ‘The city is first divided into sixteen districts, and to each district ts assigned one deputy and an assist- ant, and on the first Monday of September the work commences. The assetsor assigned to the Thir- teenth ward, for instance, makes his assessments on the property without any regard for its relative value to any Other portion of the city. So with the assessor in the First or Eleventh or any other ward, ‘These reports are handed in and revised at the end of each week by a general Kyte ‘This latter office is filled by a gentleman well known to all the large property holders and reai estate dealers in the city, and was appointed to the position on account of his thorough acquaintance with city real estate and on the recommendation of s large number of heav: dealers and holders. The Commissioners in their desire to do full justice to every: do pot rest satisfied oven with their general deputy’s thorough knowledge. To atd, therefore, in making the basis complete they have the records of the real estate TRANSFERS FOR THE PAST SEVENTEEN YEARS, copied into sixteen different books; reports of build. ings erected and improvements effected also copied tuto sixteen different books, and fll sets of ingur- ance maps, such as are used by fire insurance com- panies, with dimensions and general character of every building carefully noted. From all these sources the assessors derive their information, and 16 must be apparent to every intelligent person that the basis arrived at is as nearly perfect as ibis now possible to reach, THB SILLY CHARGE OF FAVORITISM is easily dis) of, a8 the books, when completed, are opgned for public inspection on the second Mon- in January, and they remain open until the first day of May in each year. The Commisstonersgive due and ample notice of the fact that the books Will be 80 opened, and they invite all persons interested in the matter to call at tho office of the Commissioners and see for themselves just how much each one 1s smsenoed, and whether or not there are unfair or Partial discriminauons made in any quarter. An evidence of how this works was shown a few days since wheu a property holder in one of the up-town wards called to ask how much bis house been assessed at. He then inquired, ap; mtly at ran- dom, how much several other houses of the same sort were assessed at. The clerk to whom he applied, totally unaware of the name of the rties to whom the houses belonged, answered his questions freely, and showed quite ily that there was no favoritism, as the ofien bonace noNnerDiDS minions he had inquired were the property of persons hold rominent and Influential positions. id ae . PERSONS FERUANG AGGRIEVED atthe rate at which they are assessed, or having other cause for complaint, have only to apply to the Board for redress, and a special examination is made in each case. Dene the past season there were between 3,000 and 4,000 such applications, In each cage @ sort of arbliration committee was formed, and while in many Instances the assess- ments were found to be higher than circomstannces would justify in others they were tound to be too low. The result of the action of the Board in this regard is shown in the foliowmg § ble: — ye tuctione Ward 1 Increase. 83,000 Total... + -1$14,564,800 404,800 This process having been gone through with clean copies of the books are made and transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for extension and examina- tion, 80 as to detect and correct clerical errors, If any there should be. The work of extension and correction having been completed by tue Super- visors, the books are returned to the Commissioners and again thoroughly examined for the purpose of ascertaining What alterations or ainenaments have been made, if any, aud aiso as a check upon any attempt to manipulate the amounts of asacsaments. ‘The books are then sent to the Receiver of Taxes, and by him the moneys are collected. Shoula any taxpayer have been unable on account of sickness or absence from the city t0 have examined the books while open for inspection, he has the right to apply to the Commissioners at any time and have his assessment corrected shouid he find 1% WW be erroneous. For determining THE PERSONAL ESTATE BASIS the Commissioners take the general city diroc- tory, the special city business and partnership directories, the Newark, Orange, Jersey City and Hoboken directories, and all other records to which access can be obtained and from which any infor- mation could be gleaned to ald the Board in their onerous and unpleasant duties. In comparing the city directories with those of cities in the vicinity, the Commissioners find many who do business here and possess personal estate Mable to taxation, but which has escaped such taxation by the owners claiming that their estate 1s situated in the State of New Jersey, and which escapes taxation in New Jersey by the owners claiming that they do business in New York. The Commissioners, by their mode of working, have succeeded in adding SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED ADDITIONAL NAMES to the lists of persons lable to taxation on personal property. And yet it 13 undoubtedly true that not lore than one-third of the personal estate in this city which should be taxed escapes through legal channels, Residents of Brooklyn, Williamsburg and other places in the State, who do heavy business in this city are exempt from taxation for the support of the city government. The immense amount of stock of the Central, Erie and other roads held in this city 1s also exempted, as the law requires the tax to be levied only in those counties through which the beds of the roads are lald. It will be seen, thereijore, that MANY ITEMS ARF OMITTED which should properly be expected to contribute to the support of the government. During the past year there has been 80 much depression In business that the personal estate of many has been dimin+ ished, Yet, notwithstanding these drawbacks, the Commissioners, by their diligence and zeal, have discovered personal estate habie to taxation amount- ing to nearly $25,000,000 in advance of that assessed last year. The relative value of real and personal estaie in this county a8 asses. “A for 1869 and 1970 Is as follows:— Assesements Assesements Wards. 1o6¥. jor 1870. Increase. 1. 483, $50,587,800 112,800 29,225,000 000 82,436, 00 ~ 2 641,450 1, 3,226,000 1,184,500 444,900 2,466,500 $20,308,803 4/4127 Shareb banks. Total.. $24,510, 8 In the Third ward the valuation of Property has been decreased $69,300, and the amount of taxation on shareholders of banks has been de was ted for & ~ $680,879, making the total decrease for 1870 $730,179. RECAPITULATION, Total valuation for 1870. ° + $1,047, 427,049 oral valuation for 1869. 964, 257,164 Total Increase tn 1870. 833,900,004 Total decrease In 1870. . 730,17 Net increase in 1870 . 83,169,885 ‘The increase 1n 1870 is occastoned in part by the addition of $43,000,000 worth of improvements, in artby the discovery of many pieces of property heretofore omitted, owing to imperfections in the maps, &c., and in part by en increased valuation on property heretofore assessed two low, in proportion to other property. From the foregoing it willbe seen that the Oom have taken all possible precauuons to CUTTING DOWN THE TAXES. Tarif—A Few Items About the Inceme Tax. In addition to the internal revenue taxes already enumerated in the HERALD as expiring on 1st ticket dealers; the tax on all sales except those made by dealers in liquor or tobacco and stock and gold brokers; the tax on legacies and successions, on passports, watches, gold and silver plate, carriages and eames pond kept for entre use; also on can ‘nese comprise the exemptions which take effect from to-day. im ‘The odtous Income tax, ashas been already stated, ts reduced to two and a half per cent, and the amount exempted 18 increased to ‘The tax ‘at this reduced rate is to be levied only upon the incomes derived during the years 1870 and 1871, and thereafter to coase altogether. As is well known, banks, railroad and insurance companies are compelied by law, before paying over any interest or dividends on their bonds or stocks, to deauct the amount of the income tax from. the same and pay it over to the United States. Such interest or dividend ts not then to be {ncluded in the income return of the individual receiving the same. This enabies the government to collect an in- come tax trom foreigners holding bonds and stock of banks, railroads, &c., situated in tne United states. Congress, however, in continuing the tax the reduced rate, passed the law in such a shape as to Jeave a gap of five months—namely, trom August 1, 1870, to January 1, 1871—during Which these corporations are not au- Uorized to make any deduction on account of the income tax from the interest or dividends paid or declared by them during such period, and it is left to the honesty of the individual receiving the same to return the amount so received on Ms annual in- come list with other incomes, But asa large pro- portion of the bonds of our incorporated companies are owned by foreigners, who make no income re- turns in this country, the interest on the same from August 1, 1870, to January 1, 1871, will escape taxa- Uon. Congress has thos, by its bungling legislation, deprived the treasury of a large amount of revenue, and that, too, from & source Which could well afford to pay heavily. TERRIFIC EXPLOSION OF A STEANTUG., Extensive Damage on Shore—A Lake City Treated to a Mild Earthquake Experi- ence. (From the Oswego Advertiser, Bent, 28.) About ten minutes past four o'clock this morning the whole city Was aruused by a most terrific report and concussion that shook butidings to their founda- tions and rattled windows and crockery ware like a veritable shock of an earthquake, Everybody was abroad at an early hour, anxiously inqutri ture of the alat event. ‘the intelligence wassoon ctreulat t the steamtug George J. Dodge had ex- ploded her boiler while lyimg at the wharf in front of the Columbia Elevator, on the east side of the harbor, but. with the gratifying assurance that no injury to life or limb hud attended the disasier. A glance at the neighborhood of the explosion, and almost anywhere on the principal streets on the’ west side of the river, ludicated widespread destrucuon of_property. ithe Dodge had been laying up at the wharf over night, the captain and engineer being ashore, and the only persons remaining on were James Burns, the fireman; Penfield, deck hand, and tne wife of the latter, who was employed as cook, Be- tween three and four o’clock Burns started up the fire in the furnace, as he was accustomed to do, and the explosion took place in an hour afterward. From the circumstances, there can be no doubt that the occasion was a lack of water in the boller, the small quantity which it coutained being speedily Srpeiey into the dangerous expiosive gas, of ten- old more force thau steam. Who was responsible for such culpable negligence as this appears to have been, the parties who owhed or run the tug are better entitled to explain than us The upper portion of the tug at least was blown into atoms, and Burns relates that he was sitting in the engine room when the explosion occurred and found himeelf foundering in the water some yards out in the river, without any clear comprehension of the manner of his sudden transition. He swam ashore and escaped without the slightest injury, which was one of the most astonishing preservations that ever happened. Mr. Penfield and his wife, who were it inthe cabin of the tug, also found them- Rose The water, ana were rescued by men Irom a neighboring vessel and found to be entirely uaiu- Fragments of the boiler and débris of the wreck ascended through the southwest corner of the Col- umbia Elevator, tearing away a large section of the building and ae the timbers into match material. The damage to the elevator will amount to somewhere between $1,000 and $3,000, The great destruction elsewhere wrought was on the west side of the river, the lofty elevators break- ing the force of the concussion on the east side. A few windows were broken in diiferent stores on East First street, but the damage was light. On West First street, on Water street, on the west sides of those strects the destruction of windows was almost complete in some buildings, and the damage extended from Seneca to Bridge streets, Tn some instances the whole front windows of stores, sashes and all, were entirely smashed, and numer- ous parties have sustained damage to considerable amounts, A large piece of timber, a part of one of the knees of the tug, Way found on First street, in front of the Palladium office, and small fragments have beeu found as far away as Filth street. ‘The starting bar of the engine, bent out of shape and which weighed twenty-four pounds, was thrown over the commercial buildings on the wharf, the high stores on the cast side of First street and passed through the front of William Blackwood’s grocery, making @ clean sweep of windows and sasb, knock- ing@ showcase and ite contents into chaos, and bringing up against the head of a barrel of vinegar in the rear of the store. A large pace of frou went through the roof of the Bronson block, on Water street, dog considerable to the building. A piece of timber was thrown through the side of Mr. Asniey’s hotel, on Water street, smasl shelves and crockery ware and bei Lt Hd el in the dining room." Another piece of timber strack Mr. Ashley’s buggy, Which was standing in the street, and made & complete wreck of the establisn- ment. The worthy landlord relates that the uproar occasioned no little consternation in his hotel, and a few moments afterwards one or two travellers came down from their rooms with their valises in hand and inquired if the next train was about start- ane long list of parties who have suffered more or Jess damage by the explosion could be made up and which would include most of the occupants of build- ings north of Bridge street from the river front back to Second strett. People who were sleeping within those limits siate that the concussion was tremen- dous and buildings were shaken as if by earth- uake, It must be considered fortunate that the disaster occurred at an hour when the streets were entirely deserted, as it could hardly have been pos. sibie in the day time that such an explosion could have failed of fatal results. Many splinters of the tug have been picked up to- day on the streets and in the dooryards on the west side, and a water pall, somewhat battered, was found on the roof of # building on Water street. The captain of the brig Sea Guil, who was sleep- ing in his cabin within a few feet from the bow of the Dodge, relates that uhe shock of the explosion completely overwhelmed him, dnd he was unable to collect his senses for some moments, when he came up and assisted In rescuing the parties in the water. The stern of the Sea Gull was slightly chipped and one of her davits cut off square, This morning bios ar ed of the tng were seen floating over the spot where she sunk, while pieces of her wheel and large fragments of boiler plate, torn in ragged strips, Were found lodged among tle timbers of the elevators, Space would not permit us to recount the profn- sion of incidents, many of them very amusing, re- lated In connection with the disaster. of an establishment on Water street, Who appears to have a ready comprehension from past experience, had the front windows of her. place blown 1, and shortly after came running up to the station, crying ‘Police, police! there they go round the corner 1” A guest ac one of the hotels on the east side had requested to be called at Ave o'clock in the morning, and ou being aroused by the explosion, with a rattling of windows and wash pitchers, he sprang out of Soa promptly, calling out to the suppos porter, “That will do; you needn’t wake such & d—d noise about it.” A drowsy citizen on the west side was shook into consciousness by his wife with the alarming piece of information that a burglar had just fallen down the kitchen stairs with the newing machine. *Yes,’? declared the exasperated lady, ‘I knew it would be 80, coming home at all hours of night as you do, and leaving the doors wide open.” The citizens says it waa the heaviest blowing up he has expe- rienced for some time. The Dodge was owned by the Frost Brothers and Mr. Thomas Dobbie, aud Was valued at about $8,000. She will prove a total loss, insurance not being re- coverabie, STRANGLED BY A VOG.—A few days since a8 & peddier was entering the premises of a citizen of Montgomery county, he was attacked by a mast, who sprung to his neck and got such a hold that the ia ae to death. He was found lying oor man 8 been a desperate st le, ‘The ferocious dog was Soon afterward killed by hig owner,—Carltsle (Xv.) Messengers ‘NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1870.-TRIPLE SHEET. atten A. M., Right Rev. Bishop Potter in the chatr. ‘The galleries were well filled with ladies, and over three bundred and firty delegates were on, the floor, representing one ‘undred and seventeen parisnes. ‘Minutes of yesterday’s sesaion read and adopted. Several lay delegates from parishes which had for- ‘warded no notification of election presented certif- cates and were admitted to seats in the Convention. ‘The name of St. Anna’s church, at Fishkill Landing, ‘Was changed to “St. Luke’s Matawa.” Resolutions of condolence were read and adopted on the death of Guilan'C. Verplank and Edward Jones. Tne name of Castleton church, Staten Island, was changed to “‘st, Paul’s Memorial charch.” ADDRESS OF BISHOF POTTER, Bishop Potter, in his annual address, said:— ‘We hear from the Continent of Europe fear- ful stories of war and desolation—stories which thrill -us with horror and sorrow. All the bright dreams of vanished before the. am- bition of political leaders and professional warriors, The inhabitants of two countrics which claim with pride to Jead the march of civilization and BP ei 1A AREAL OF BETES ROIIES WES has hardly a parallel in extent in history, and this 1s 1n @ land and in an age when religion claims to exert tull sway. We, who have passed throt a terrible and inody we can appieclate the Pea responsibility of those who are guilty of forcing this struggle upon the people of France and Germany. Yet we have advanced so greatly in the arts and in science, they tell us, and now these Christian na- tions do naught with all their inventions and im- provements but turn them into. + ENGINES FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF LIFE. In the fur-of interior of China and Japan they hear, by the same ships which carry our missiou- aries, of this war in a Christian country. The people to whom we preach peace catch us continually at war, and they learn to spurn our teachings and and advances for their conversion with scorn and contempt, ey say justly, “You preach peace eternally, but you eternally fight, You have peace in your mouths and war in your hearts.” ‘Thus the condition of Christendom to-day 13 painful to con- template, and the depressing effect on our mission in foreign countries can hardly be over-estimated. Still we must not be discouraged, but trust m the strength of the Lord and pray that He will sustain us now as ever, About twelve o’clock the Bishop said that, not feeling very streng, he would postpone the remain- der of bis address tll the ens session, ‘Ihe receipt of @ communication from the Diocese of Long Island was announced by the peareiary: ‘The rales of order were suspended to allow it to be received, It tad referred to the Committee on the Diocesan Fun The Committee om the Admission of Churches recommend the admission of St, Mary’s church, Yorktown, Westchester county. ‘The election of the different committees was then proceeded with, The regular ticket was elected, ‘The report of the igen ae the Promotion of Re- lgion and Learning in Diocese of New York oy October, 1869, to October, 1870, was as {ol- wa: + $T61 . 205 50 Long Istand. 50 11 Private... aT $1,005 Total. An abstract of the report of the parochial fund of the diocese shows the amount received auring the past year as $841 62; assets on hand, $5,059 79, Mr, James F. De Peysterand Irving Parish were re-elected trustecs of the ‘hial fund. A communication received from the Diocese of to the division of the Episcopal! fund. membered that the Diocese of Long Istand was for- merly a part of the %locese of New York. They now wish a division of the fund. The report of the com- mittee was read by Dr. Dix, and a speech against any division of the fund with the Long Island Dio- cese was made by Dr. Vinton. He took the ground that the Convention had no legal right to do so. Dr. Montgomery spoke i favor of giving a fair share, about $10,000. He also said that the Diocese of Albany was enti- tled to a like amount. The committee having the matter in charge since the last convention asked to be continued. The remainder of the session was occupied by dis- cussion in regard to a number of matters connected with the diocese, but no business of tmportance was transacted. ny DEMOCZALIC CONVENTION JERSEY CITY. ‘The fiint-Lock Faction in Council—No Ger- mans Need Apply—The Young Democracy Overslanghed—Sworn Charges of Fraud. The Hudson County Democratic Convention as- sembled at Library Hall, Jersey City, yesterday af- ternoon, tor the nomination of a Sheriff, a Surrogate and three Coroners, The police arrangements were excellent, and, as none were admitted except by tickets, the rowdy element had to remain ontside. The pugilistic exhibition at Hoboken was there- fore not repeated, but, on the contrary, the Convention was the most orderly and respecta- ble gathering the democracy can boast of for years. Judge Martindale was elected temporary chairman and A. A. Gaddis permanent .president. ‘The business of the meeting had hardly been en- tered upon when a delegate arose and objected to the interference of policemen in the affairs of the Convention. Several contesting delegations were present, but the appointment of a committee on credentials was carried out with such a keen regard for the interests of one of the candidates for Sheriff thatthe proceedings which followed were nothing more than amockery. The young democracy deie- gations of the Seventh and Eighth wards of Jersey City presented affidavits showing that they were entitled to the seats, that their opponents so man- aged the ballot boxes at the primarics that in some cases a bundle of tickets rolled up as one Peay rere’ one ‘ atte Fully counted separately, t juent protests were made against these frauds by one of the judges of election as well us py several others; that the police were violent towards those who protested, and instead of protecting the honest citizens in the exercise of the franchise, actually became the agents of the parties perpel g these frauds. It will scarcely be believed by the honest demo- crats of the county of Hudson that these aMdavits were rejected by the committee on the technicai int that the o1 als were not produced, although jt was known throughout Jersey City that mass Meetings were held on Wednesday night, in Seventh and Zighth wards, to protest against the fraudulent returns. une of the aMdavits was made by Mr. Meehan, &@ most respectable and wealthy resident of the Eightn ward, who snatched from the hand of the judge of election @ bunch of tickets which was about to be deposited as one ticket, and called the attention of the police to the fact; but the officers conntved at it. aMdavits be read before all the delegates; but this was voted down, as it would materially interfere with the programme drawn up before the Conven- tion assembled. The aon of the young de- mocracy thereupon withdrew, been satisfactorily adjusted by was had for Sheriff, with the following result:— ‘Thomas Gaffney, 73; Alderman Harrington, 20; Ber- nard McAnally, 2; John H, Midmer, 4. Mr. Gafiney was srerennee declared the nominee. He w: as lately a Police Commissioner, and this explains some matters in the aiidavits referred to. no City; Charles H. Bagley, of Hovokeg, and John P. Voihardt, of Jersey City Helghts, were nominated. With the exception of the latter candidate the Ger- mans received no consideration whatever in the convention though they hold the balance of power im the county. lt was expected that they would receive sultable recognition, especially as the repub- licans have nominated a German for Surrogate. It was only after the Convention adjourned that the fatal mistake was fully realized, The Germans were ignored last year, and they had their revenge by going over to the republicans and de: feating part of the democratic ticket. This year they have, additional reasons for de- serting the old democracy, and two weeks ago the German Central” organization was Epes by their mouthpiece in Hobo- / ken to have repudiated the candidate of the old de- mocracy for Congress. Hundreds of them have since joined the ranks of the young democracy, whale others declare their intention to vote for the repub- lican nominee for Congress. This defection, to- gether with the bolting of the young democracy, will give the results in advance. The old demo- cracy is doomed, aud the dilemma in which they find themselves was aptly expressedgby a represen- tative of the young democracy, who proposed the following as a standing advertisement:—‘Wanted, a strong German candidate, to save the democratic ticket.” & During the interval of business in the Convention Judge Rankin delivered a very earnest address, on the prospects of the democracy in this campaign. A MURDERED GIANT RESURRECTED. A petrified Numan body of colossal proportions was recently disoovered on the right bank of the De- troit river. A tradition among the residents of the neighborhood connects the body with that of a giant who was murdered for his money about twenty years , Ago, Dear the city of Wyandotte A motion was made in the Convention that the | BROOKLYN CITY NEWS. - Interesting Miscellaneous Loos and Police) Paragraphs, ‘The total number of smallpox patients at presen§ in the Platbush Hospital is fifty-eight, ‘The cost of the Brooklyn Board of Health since tte organization, in last, to the taxpayers at large,’ smounts to the suum of $8,440. ‘ne James Brennan, of Laurel Hill, Queens county, was: held to bail in $500 by United States Commissioner! Jones, on the charge of carrying on the business of, Tetail Liquor ‘aealer without j hart John Pisf, the boy who fell down stairs while 1& @ fit, at the leather manufactory of F. Bailey, corner: of South Fifth street and Second, on Wednesday’ eventing, died from the effect of his injuries at the City Hospital yesterday, Justice Walsh yesterday imposed a fine of twenty« five dollars upon Dr. Henry Schmitz, of Willlams- bi for lecting to report @ case of pox: which he had attended, Inspector Fiske ap; a8 complainant against the delinquent, The basement of the residence of Mr, W. Irwin, No. 220 Union street, was entered by a sneak thief yes and robbed of sixty dollars’ worthof silver plate, The stolen property, which conatsta princi+ ly of fruit knives and forks, is marked with the uals“ H. D. i.” ‘The Water Board has commenced two actions—one against the directora and the other against the re+ ceiver of the defunct Central Bank, to recover gat, which it had on deposit in August 1: when i@ bavk failed. The Supreme Court has ape pointed Henry T. Chapman as referee to make & complete luvestigation of the affairs of the bank. The ladies of the diferent congtegations of this city, who are interesting themselves in Ny eels the increase of the funds required for the erection of the proposed Catholic Chapel at Bath, L.1,, have opened a fair at St. Mary’s Hall, corner of Court, and Nelson streets. The tables are woll filled with’ handsome and useful articles, and are presided over by charming aud charitable ladies. The Delano House, at Sheepshead Ray, L. L, of, which Henry U, Delano is proprietor, was destroyed) by fire on Wednesday afternoon, ‘There is no fire’ apparatus in the village, hence but little was done to stay the progress of the fames. ‘Che loss, which! is covered bv insurance in the Atlantic Insurancg' Company, 1s $5,000. The fire issaid to have been of accidental origin. Brown and Grogan, two of the gang of five who were arrested a coupie of weeks ago, for commit ting an outrage upon ag Ann Spain, r emis, rant, whom they found §=wande! along ront street, near the Fulton ferry, in thy middie of the night, were discharged custody by Justico Walsh yesterday, was nothing in the evidence to the twa, men named. It was shown on the testimony of Mu-! loy, another of the accused, that the complainant was intoxicated, and that she was not robbed, ker’ statement to the contrary notwithstanding, Coroner Whitehill took yesterday the ante-mortem. deposition of Mrs, Eliza Smnith, a lady who wea! injured on Saturday night while interposing be- tween her husband and a young man named James, her resi- dence, No. 29 Hoyt a is far advanced Pregnancy. stepped between t two men to prevent Smith from b struck, whe ghe received two blows from Farrell’s elbow in the lower part of the body. The eifect of the inju received by ber caused her to take to her are where, she is now |; , Bhe believes, at the point of a The ace who is about twenty-six yoars of age, ig respectably connected and bears an execllen character for sobriety and honest industry. He was: arrested by order of the Coroner and neld to await: the result of Mrs, Smith's tnjurtes. Health OMcer George Cochran, of Brookiyn, issuett, an order yesterday pronibiting the conveyance of dead bodies through any of the streets of that city, ; or to the cemeteries adjacent, unless upon & burial; certificate or permit procured from his office at the; County Court House. The cause of this rather sin? ‘ular order, Which 13 to take effect on Saturday next,} js the course recently pursued by the New Yorks Health Board in requir! gorane trang) Ene corpse from Brooklyn to or through New York city’ to first obtain a permit from the sanitary authorities of the latter city. This oem of ignoring the perd mits of the Brooklyn Health Ofice ‘nettled” Dr. Cochran to such a degree that he aetermined upon, exercising @ similar course of procedure tn dealing: with New York, The t inconvenience angk sunoyanice which ae bis Caused, by at eupare os i: the funerals which cross the ferries Green- ‘wood, Cypress Hill, Calvary, Cemetery of the Hol Sores the Evergreens and other burial places of me pre fav Pee Seer ee aeroomettn day. no} @ Brool rit re before Saturday the troabl wii be averted. FIGHT BETWEEN THE DOCiORS. The Shine and Merrill EmbrogliomAllezed: Malpractice—How May a Citizen be Are rested?—Shine Taking “Satisfaction.”? The quarrel between Doctors Shine (deputy to Coroner Flynn), and Merrill, both of the First ward, which resulted, first in the arrest of the former and. subsequently of the latter, still goes on; but which of them will prove victorious remains to be deter- mined. As the case now stands, both the doctora are under ball, awaiting the result of future inves~ tigations, the progress of which will be watched with much interest, John Glenerhen, a shoemaker, thirty-five years of. age, died on the 22d instant at No. 19 Albany street, and Dr. J. N. Merrill, who had attended nim, certl< fied that acute peritonius was the immediate cause of death and the remote cause perspiration and ex- hastion. The cause of the peritonitis not being satisfac- tory to the Board of Health the case was referred dics Coroner for invest! eons a yt eine @ case Was reported rdey, no wi heard of its being one of malpractice tt natn il eae afternoon, when Dr. Shine condescend: hand to, the representatives of the press somé informal state- ment having no evidence whatever of boing sworn tq oreven taken in presence of Coroner Flynn. Many be leve the statements eS taken after the arrest and incarceration of Dr. Merrill by Shine, to justify hing in the ae he thought fit to sending a member of wn profeasion to ‘Who could be found at any time when wanted, a will pond to ai higher than the Coroner's court. ‘ho arrested Dr. Merrill does not aj Shage Dowling for brutally assaulting Dis pt OW! for brutally assaulting sional brother (Merrill) he (Shine) ofered a Dat 1¢ ball by rofes~ vilian about the City Hall the paltry sum of douvare ) he would arrest Dr, Merri, without even pre- tending that he had a genuine warrant oe usttry the act. e statements as they are presented, being in- formal. amount to nothing, but the public may draw slightly upon them. Deborah Glenerhen, the widow of tne deceased, Stated that on the 22d inst. her husband was taken with severe pain in the powels. Dr. Merrill was called and administered what was said to be croton oil. Dr. Robinson was subsequently called, as the . patient grew no better, but could do nothing more than had already been done. Johanna Carroll, a sister of deceased, stated she was called to see deceased and found Dr, Merrill at- tending him, and as deceased was vi suggested that another doctor be called, at which Merrill, as alleged, said to her, I dare you to send for a doctor, and will have you arrested if you say any more.” Dr, Merrill then adm! red what he said was croton oil, and repeated the dose. He subsequently gave injece tions. Deceased was in great pain and complained so the doctor. Deceased grew worse, when Dr. Robinson .was called, but nothing more could’ be done, Dr. Shine says that the case will be farther inves« tigated on Tuesday next. In the meantime Dr. sick she -Merrill, who is said to be skilled tn Lis profession, and whose private character is above reproach, is at large on $1,000 ball. His numerous friends charac« terize his arrest as & 88 Outrage, and say It w: done maliciously by r. Shine, for the purpose o' injuring him professionally. .£x-Judge Stuart hi been engaged by Dr. Merrill’s friends to see that Justice 13 done In the premises. AN HONEST GRAND JURY. ‘The Passaic County Grand Jury in the Patersom courts yesterday terminated their labors and were, discharged. Several presentments were madeagainst] existing nuisances. Among these was one against the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad} for carelessness im running and management Another was in reterence to the custom 0! justices of the eace inentertaining petty suits and bringh before the Grand Jury charges which there was no evidence to substantiate. The Grand Jury also made @ presentiment setting forth the careless and dishon« est manner in which the last Board of Chosen Free« holders managed the affairs of ithe county—‘‘spend< ing large sunis of money for cigars, liquors and freshments, and indulging Jn gross. ads in con: nection with contracts made for public works, &c,” Several arraighments were madg for petig offences, and twenty prisoners against whom no dictments were found were released frométhe count} Jail, The sentences of those thus fur convicted cruminal offences will be pronounced to-daye «