The New York Herald Newspaper, May 30, 1871, Page 3

“TMG MINE DISASTER. ‘Who is to Blame for the Pitts- ton Calamity ? WEGLIGENCE OF A MINE INSPECTOR. Persistent Violations of the Mine Ventilation Law. FUNERAL OF THE VICTIMS TO-DAY All Pittston With Closed Doors and in Mourning. THE INQUEST UPON THE BODIES. Pn ae The Facts of the Horror as Told by the Survivors, ‘Where Lies the Faule of the Calamity tA Negligent Inspector—The Mine Ventilation Bill Disregarded—The Miners Themselves Partly to Blame-The Funeral of the Dead To-Day—Pittston in Mourning. t WILKESBARRE, May 20, 1871. ‘The very full, correct and graphic reports of the mine horror at Pittston publishea in the HERALD of Buhday and Monday leave very little more to state im the way of detail. We hear no more the walling of bereaved friends, and strong, earnest men labor- ing to save life afford no longer thrilling interest to ‘the scene at tne shaft, PUBLIC EXCITEMENT HAS WANED and the work of the journalist approaches an end almost as speedily as the devouring clement licked ‘wp the man-trap at the West Pittston snaft, News- Paper readers have been duly supplied with tne events of the dire calamity by which so maay human beings have been cut off in the flower of their manhood, ana the question now naturally is, what was the legitimate cause of this most direful effect? A COUNTRY JURY ‘will be called on to discuss it in all its bearings, Bnd the probabilities are that the world will be just as wise when they get throngh as they are now. The jury in the Avondale dis- aster did not censure bebe ia particular, but mere! ontented fhemsglyeg vith dee Dlaring thal 4 ata of weit ton i dan. gerous, aud recommending thatall mines should be Provided with two openings that the men might have a means of escape in case of accident. In that instance the people supplied to the verdict What the jury omitted, and the opinion was univer- sally expressed that CUPIDITY AND RECKLESS DISREGARD of human life on the part of the owners of the Avon- dale mine led to the terrible result. That decision bas never been reversed, and the Delaware, Lacka- ‘wanna and Western Railroad Company has been furnishing evidence for nearly two years that it was strictly correct. In the case of the West Pittston calamity, it may be sald it was caused by apre- ventible accident. Thatit can and will be set down to gross carelessness, 1s indicated in my despatch Of last night, there cannot be a doubt. THR FACTS ‘ere simply that the mine has been driven to its fall capacity since resumption took place, in order that the benefit of the increased price of coal might be realized by the proprietors. Three shifts of men Rave been working eight hours a doy, thus showing that the coal has been produced through the whole twenty-four hours. In the hurry and scurry to get the coal to market the machinery had been in almost ‘onstant operation, and there has probably been too much business to allow a thought that the journals might require oiling. There seems to be no excuse for this neglect, and whe Coroner's § jury must find that somebody has blundered, with most fearful and fatal effect. Now that the smoke ‘and confusion has subsided people have already begun to canvass why the provisions of the Mine Ventilation bill have not been complied with py Messrs, Blake & Co., lescees of the mine, The Jaw providing that all mimes in the anthracite coal field shall have two openings bas been in operation nearly eighteen months, aud it does not appear that any movement has been made at the West Pitiston shaft to provide that most important adjunc: to the miners! safety. ‘The bill declares that, while work is being carried on fm driving a second opening, but ten men shall be employed in the mine. It docs not say twenty mers and their laborers, Increasing the number to forty, or even sixty, as it has been consirucd at the ‘Weat Pittston shaft, and therezhas been A DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE ACT, for which somebody must be held responsible, and that somebody the operators of the mine. There is already a very strong feeling against the mine inspector for this district—Mr. Thomas M. Wil- Mams—and many miners are censuring him in the harshest terms, It 1s reported that the inspector has been remiss in mis duty, in not seeing that the mine was not overcrowded with workmen, and it ts also intimated that strong influences have been at work to secure an evasion of a wholesome enact ment by several mines in the district, It is hardly just to prejudge the case of Mr. Williams, fod much fairer for all partics concerned to await the developments made by the Coroner: Dut these are tacts which people will talk about:— Why was not proper attention paid to the ma- ohinery, and why were there more mon in the mine than alowed by law? That the number of DHATHS WAS GREATLY INCREASED by the crowding of the mine cannot now be de- mied, and it must ve decided legaliy who is to Diame. At this point it is bat candid to say the miners themselves have been much to blame in the matter by putting more men at work than 1s allowed by the Mine Ventilation bill. They have been so anxious to go to work that they have shown a disposition to take all the chances in order to obtain a chamber, This fact has been fully illustrated at Pleasant Valley, When Mr. Blewitt, the inspector for the Upper Diz trict, posted his notice on Swoyer's works that the mine was em jloying a number of men contrary to Jaw, the men were very indignant, aud declared ‘wneir intention TO WORK, LAW OR NO LAW, ‘and they have been working ever since, regardless of danger and the enactment of tne Legislature. The catastrophe at West Pittston will have a teu- dency to decide whether a law designed to protect the miners against the cupidity of tho operators hall not bo enforced to shield them from acts of their own personal recklessuess. This will be an interesting issue throughout the whole anthra- cite coal flela, In view of the terrible calamity work will be suspended in Pittston till after tho Suneral. ‘The following 1s posted around town :— NOTICE. In view of tho sad Cannan which has just be- falien our community, and to aiford opportunity for ‘assisting in burying the dead, the members of the Pittston Board of le are respectiully requested to . Tuesday, By order of the Pitts: ‘Trade, © ©. K. CAMPBELL, Secretary. By affthority of the Burgess and Town Council of the borough of Pittston if is hereby ordered that all Race, of ‘iness be closed to-morrow, May 39, nuit five P. M.; and it 18 most especially ordered that all saloons where liquors are sold be likewise . By order JOSEPH P, SUNOOLEY, Burgess, THE ROLL OF DEAD. Owen Mackin, one of the victims, diod this aiter- noon, at six o'clock. John Lioyd died between seven and wight, The funerals of the sacrificed miners will take place to-morrow, at four P. M. The deaths now amount to twenty, The other victims of the casugity are slowly improving, and it Ww thought that no moye deaths will ceour, The feel- joe in the community J8 very stron@ against the company; but, a8 intimated above, the miners are themselves ima measure to blame. The work of CLEARING AWAY THE DEBRIS of the burned shaft and breaker continues, and the dead animals will be removed from the mine as soon as possible, THE INQUEST, Testimony ef the Engineer and the District Inspector—No More Than Twesty Men Allowed to Work at Once in » Mine—The Signal of Alarm Net Conveyed Immediately te the Miners. PrrtstTon, Pa., May 29, 1871, At the inquest held by the Coroner's jury, at the oMce of Coroner Dr. J, P, O'Malley, to-day, the Jury being composed of Joseph Walsh, foreman. James Fitzpatrick, M. Bolon, J. W. Freeman, 8. H. Bar- rett and M. Jones, James McDermott was THE FIRST WITNESS called. He testified:—I was engineer in charge of he machinery on Saturday at the shaft of Blake & Co., in West Pittston; the first I knew of fire was when Mr. Kendrick came into the en- gine room and hallooed fire; the large door obscuring the shaft from my sight was opened and Isaw the fire on the inside brattice next to the fan, which 18 some ten feet above the en- gine house floor. I gave the alarm by pull- ing a wire in the room that was connected at the bottom with an alarm hammer. I also gave an alarm through the speaking tube. I do not know at whut time the fire broke out, I was in the fan house at five minutes of one P. M. with theanper> intendent, and all was in good order. We had three engines at work at the time which could be discon- tinued. Myself and Mr. Kendrick measured the air and found 24,000 feet passing through the mine, ‘The cracker box is some fifty or sixty feet higher than the floor of the engine house. There was no communication for an alarm between me and the cracker top. It was the business of Rolland Gorman to off the machinery. I could not tell whether the fire occurred a the fin or at the top. If it occurred at the fan it might have been caused by a hot journal. I do not know whether there was proper ventilation ornot. There is no place to get out of the mine but through the main shaft, We were only working one vein of coal M. T. Williams, the inspector, was in the mine last Thursday; heard no complaint from the Inspector about men work- img inthe mine; the company are driving a slope for the purpose of sinking @ shafl; the shaft was commenced some six or eight months ago. David Harris testified—Ventilation of mine was very poor; the slope has been pushed 1,182 feet from the foot of shait; 1t was the duty of the scaleman at the foot to waten for signals from the engineer and communicate warnings of danger to the men; Thomas Phillips was on duty that day; Phillips ¢ané up on the first carriage after he received THE ALARM OF DANGRR and did Pot communicate the intelligence to the miners; thé footman, Richara Clark, came up with Phillips: there was plenty of room to sink an air passage for the purpose of improving the ventila- tion now going on; atthe time a foundation was being laid for a new fan; if a blast was made in my “breast” the smoke would remain all day; I and Thomas Price were driven out of our “breasts”? on Saturday on account of smoke. Thomas Phillips sworn—Was weighing coal on Saturday; I neard the sapper; the footman and my- self had puta car on the carriage, and when we heard the signal we pushed it off again; I went to the speaking pipe, but did not use it. Told the footman to signal, but he received no answer. Iputon my coatand locked up the books and slate in the scale. When I learned it was fire I came to the foot and went up. I don’t think {tc was two minutes from the time I commenced to prepare to leave un I was ready. 1 did not know it was my duty to givo the alarm to the men in the mine. Mr. William Kendrick swora—I am superintend- ent of the West Pittston shatt, under Blace & Co, My duty is to take charge of the mines, lay out work and have a general superimtendence of the work above and below. I considered the yentilation sum- cent for the number-of men wé had at work WE HAD THIBTY belohging to the shafts and at work at the time, I employed Phillips. Did not give instructions to him as to his duty, I gave Frank Keller mstructions. The duty of the weighmaster was to weigh coal. It is the footman’s place to attend and respond to signals from che engine room, or tell the weighmaster to do so, There 18 only one Tapper. Four raps was to communicate with the speaking tube, It is not a warntng of danger, but calling attention to the speaking tube, The speaking tube was in working order, Increased means of ventilation should be made a8 soon as __ possible. ‘Thora day the Inspector and myself tested the air in the passages and found 11,600 feet per minute passing through. The company courts a thorough investigation by the Coroner. Several men had gone down to change shafts. At this point the inquest was adjourned antil three ovclock. At reassembling Mr. Kendrick was = recailed. He further testified the combany have not commenced to shaft, Tae mine inspector has visited us three times since January, He considered it necessary for another opening. I do not consider the ventila- tion good, but I consider it suMcient for the number of men employed. It 18 not possible to tell how many men were in the mine that morning. We only know how many men aren by the amount of coal mined in the day. T. M, Williams sworn—1 am mine inspector of this district. 1 was at West Pittston shaft on Wednesday. In one portion of the mines ventilation was good, but in the other portion it was bad. Through the East Gangway smoke was so dense we hadto grope ourway. The law specifies that no more than twenty persons shall work at a@ time, Including boys and all laborers. 1,650 feet alr was passing into the mime for the supply of the miners We examined tho fan and sound it driven very fast, and up cast air- way very small, I did not think there were any more men than the law required, Only twenty persons are allowed to work ina mine. 1 did not put a direct question to any man in the mine or to the superintendent as to the number of men in the mine. The company have been trying to improve the ventilation, but have not been very successful. I did express my approval of the arrangements under course of construction in the mine. if I found more men than the Jaw allowed 1 was to notify, and if they refused to reduce the force 1 was to go to the conrts for an in- junction, said to Mr Kendrick, “It may happen you may work contrary to law for ninety years, and then, again, you may not work ninety hours; and if anything shonid happen the company would be responsible, and @ small com- pany would be swallowed up,” Mr. Kendrick re-examined—Mr, Williams did not ask me if 1 had more than twenty men in at any time that Tf am aware of. The number of men in on Wednesday and Saturday was about the same, fold Mr. Willlams upon his question that there probably was more men in the mine than the law allowed. 1 had never any instructions from ae we were working agaist the provisfons of 0 law. Richard Law, sworn—I attended Foot on Satur- day. Iheard the signal on that day and knew that THE BREAKER WAS ON FIRE. It was my duty, aud the welghmaster'’s duty, to give warning to the men of danger. I “Fire,” but did not go back into the gang- ray. I went up on the third carriage 1 only recollect Mr. Jones going up with me. Phillips, the Weighmaster, come up in the next car after me. ‘There were men on. the first, second and third cars, also on the fourth. Simon ‘Thomas sworn—I am a miner at work at West Pittston shaft. I wasat work on the outside of shaft on Saturday. The VENTILATION WAS NOT GOOD, The company intended to sink ashaft when the vein was reached. The work on the sloj had to be abandoned on account of the gas. The number men employed in the mine at the time would not vaty much from forty. 1 was engaged on the slope, and was driven out on account of the gas, At Wie time of chang- ing shifts for @ turn thero were more fh the mine, but on this occasion eight of the morning shift came out, and of the night shift two had en- tered. Heard no complaint from Inspector as to quantity or quality of air. Here the inques was adjourned till Tuesday morning. A_REBUKB TO THE INSPECTOR. Inspector Williams, during the examination of witnesses, Intruded upon the dignity of the oficial position of che coryner as wel the jury and received thé welt merited repuke of ng ordered out, which he did, piocing up his traps and oT upon the order of going, but went at one NEW YURK HERALD, TUESDAY, MAY 80, 1871. TRIPLE SHEET, Decorating Our Soldiers’ Graves—Proepara- tions for the Celebration—Programme of Arrangements. ‘To-day the beautiful, touching and solemn cere-" mony of decorating the graves of those heroes who fell in defence of the republic will take place. All the preparations are on a grand scale, and it pro- mises, under the able direction of the Grand Army of the Republic, to be a great and complete success. ‘The people of New York have come generously for- ward with liberal contributions of money and flowers, and from all sections of the country come the same reports, that THE DEAD HEROES ARE REMEMBERED. In this and all the principal cities of the Onion lic offices will be closed and everything possible done to make itaday of days in the nistory of the nation, THR PROCESSION in this city will form at Union square and will start romptiy at half-past nine A. M. in the following or- Platoon of Police. Omleors of the National Guard and atges Guests, core of jonal Guard and other mounted, Po.t Koltes, 0. A. Re, No. 83. Poat Weed, G. A. R., No. 91. Post Dahigren, @. A. Post Sedgwick, G. A. R, Post James Miller, a. A. . Rey No, 24, evons, G. A. R., No. 35, Post Cameron, G. A. B., No, 79, Post J. A. Rawitns, G. A. i, No. 88, Post #hil Kearney, G. A. R., No. & Boldiers’ and Soldiers’ Orphans of the Home and School in large stages. Crippled Veterans from the Soldiers’ Home on Ward's Island in large stages, ‘Three Compames of ti National Guard, 8. N.Y. ‘Company of Colored Veterans. Decorated Wagons, Containing F.owers. The procession will proceed down Broadway to South ferry, stopping at Trinity church to decorate the grave of General Phil Kearney. After crossing the ferry the procession will be enlarged by the addition of Brooklyn posts of the Grand Army of the Repubile, and will take the Atlantic avenue horse cars to Kast New York, whence 1t will march to the Cypress Hills Cemeiery. The two thousand soldiers’ graves here will be decorated with national fags low AT GREENWOOD the ceremonies will be similar to those at the Oy- Par! Hills Cemetery, and Thatford Post, No. 3, of outh Brooklyn, have prepared for a fitting observ- ance of the day. The ceremonies will take place at the Soldiers’Plot at two P. M. All donations of flowers and material aid will be received at head- quarters of the Post, corner of Twenty-second street and Third avenue, on the morning of Decoration Day, or by the following commictee:—Benjamin Conlin, James Woodhead, Samuel Sourley, John Brown, James Saliin, John H. Landon, In the evening there will be exercises in the Aca- demy of Music, the proceeds, after paying expenses, to gu tothe Union Home ara School for Soldiers! Orphans. The Governor’s Island band will be pres- ent. Rev. H. 8. Stevens will open the exercises with prayer, ir. W. lM. Pope will five @ recitation, en- itled, “The Raising of the Flag.” Mr. William M. i ng pag Pi iy gpgagcd by the committee to de- ver Ait addréss, dg has likewise the Rev. Dr. Tyug and Rev. Dr. J. P. ei gin The ceremonies will be participated in by peveral gianna DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS. Tetters promising cordial co-operation have been received from General Ingalls, Admiral Smith, Hon. Charles P. Daly, William M. Evarts, General Shaler and othors, Letters expressing nterest in the cause have also come from General Burnside, Gen Sigel, General Butier, Governor Jeweil, Secreta Fish, Dr, Bellows, General McClellan, Vice Presi- dent Culfax, Secretary Creswell and many others. Honors to Admiral farragut. At two o'clock A. M. a government steamer will leave the Brooklyn Navy Yard, having on board the Marine Band and 100 marines, all the officers of the United States Navy now in the city, and the officers of the foreign vessels in the harbor. The company will proceed to Harlem, where they will take 9 special train to Woodlawn Cemetery, there to deco- rate the grave of the late Admiral Farragat. The coremonies wWiil take place at sunrise. The oration ‘will be delivered by General Catlin. ‘The following order was issued yesterday:— SPECIAL ORDER—NO. IIL. HEADQUARTERS VEPARTMANT OF THR East, New You«, May 29, 1671, By order of the Sec: of War all oflces In this elty con- nected with the army will be closed to-morrow, May 30, Decoration Day. command of Brigadier General MODOWELL. AUNCEY MOKREVER, A. A. G. Tho Day in Jersey City. The procession will be formed at two P. M., and will move through some of the principal streets of Jersey City as far as the Cemetery of the Dutch Reformed charch, on the Heights, where the floral decorations will take place. The Mayor, Board of Aldermen and the other branches of the city gov- ernment will participate. THE VIADUCT ROAD. Important Mecting Yesterdnay—Elcction of Officers, &v. ‘The directors of the Viaduct Railway Company met yesterday in the Governor's Room. Nearly all the members were present. Among the gentlemen who were in attendance were Mr. Peter B. Sweeny, Mayor Hall, Comptroller Connolly, Mr. Alexander T. Stewart, Mr. Henry Smith, Mr. William M. Tweed, Judge Hilton, Mr. August Belmon:, Mr. Navarro and others. ‘rhe meeting was held for the purpose of org anization. Senator Bradley, Sheriff Brennan, Mr. Hugh- Smith and others subsequently attended the meet tng. fir. A. T. Stewart was appointed chairman, and Comptroller Connolly temporary secretary. Judge fillton presided, and read a certificate of the election of the directors at the previous session, held on Friday in the Wovernor’s Room. Mr. Duncan informed the Board that Mr. J. Ty Johnson, one of the directors, was unavoidably absent in Philadelphia, but would attend the next meeting, Mr. Blodgett was also out of town, THE OFFICERS. Mr. Hall moved that the officers of the New York Railway Company be composed of @ president, vice president, treasurer and secretary, the same to be removed at the pleasure of the Board. ‘Mr. Hall then remarked that he took great interest in the progress of the road as Mayor of the city, and that that should be his excuse for trespassing on the attention of the Board. ‘The Mayor then nominated Judge Hilton as Prest- dent and Mr. Duncan, now with Mr. Hugh Smith, as vice president of the company. Both gentlemen were unanimously chosen, Judge Hilion was then conducted to the chair by the Mayor, and, on taking his seat, the Judge thanked the meeting for this hign mark of their con- fidence. On motion of Mr. Tweed, Mr. Edward B. Barker ‘was chosen secretary. Mr. Hall then referre’ to section two of the bill referring to the election of directors, He then moved that the Board proceed to the classification of directors, according to the prescribed terms of office of each, and that Mr. O'Gorman and Mr. Tif- tany be appointed tellers. ‘The motion was then adopte:, THR CLASSIFICATION OF DIRECTORS. Ballots were then cast with the following resul P. B, Sweeney; one yei J. Astor, tree year: Henry Smith, five years; E. P. Morton, four years; Heury Hilton, five years; A. Oakey Hall, one year; A five years; Richara O'Gorman, one yea Stewart, four years; H. Smith, four years; W. T. Blodgett, three years; J. T. Jonnson, three yea R. B. Connolly,.two years; W. Travers, one year; E. B. Wi , two years; W. G, Hunt, four years; August Belmont, three years; Charles A. Lamont, one year; William M. Tweed, four years; J. J. Bradley, two years; William B, Duncan, five years; J. F. Navarro, two years} Charles L, Tiffany, two years; J. B. Jones, four years; J. F. D, Laner, three years, HB ENGINEERS, Messrs, Jonn Serfell and Leopold Sedletz were chosen engineers of the road. SUBSCRIPTIONS, Mr, Hall read the section relative to obtaining sub- scriptions to build the road, and Mr. Duncan moved that books of subscription be opened for the purpose, the amounts to carry seven per cent interest. ss ‘Tne motion was adopted, COMMITTRES, Judge Hilton, the chairman, then appointed the following committees :— ‘Execul.ve Commni(tce—Messrs, Stewart, Hall, Astor, Tweed and Sweeny. Bylaws—Messrs. O'Gorman, Wesley, Henry Smith, Travers and Lamont, Finance—August Belmont, Morton, loagett, Con- molly and Duncan. the meeting then adjourned till the 7th of June, TELEGRAPHIC NEWS ITEMS. The farming toterests In New Hampshire are suffering severely from drought. Two busiaess blocks in Gloucester, Magn., were destroyed by fi re yesterday. Loss $26,000, ‘ Wiltam P. Braman was accidentally drowned at Rocky Point, R. 3., yesterday afternoon, ‘The new ratlroad bridge over the Missourl river at St, Charles, Mon was ovencd yesterday with Imposing ceremo: Dies. The steamboat Far West, which arrived at Fort Burton, tacked by the Sicux Indians at Bow Island, in tne Missouri river, Nobody was hart, The Bohomians, of Cleveland, Obio, yesterday celebrated the anniversary of tbe martyrdom of John Huss, ory ©, Daniell, Inte cashier of the Webster National Bank de Stagenctuvetts, hat. Deon indicted in the United States District Court for’ embexziing its funds to the amount of $10,000. re The Treagurer of the American Edneation ety ex: hihita the following Feport:—Recalpte for the year ending Wprlt 80° 98,400; kvailable funds, 682,000; disbursements airing the year, $20,400, D. Buiterield, aged fifty-two, shot himeclf in Mass., yesterday, A cabls telegram announces the death of Mra. mother of Kato Field, of Boston, on board th Russia.at Queenstown, om the 26tb instant Health of Vice President Colfax Improving. Meeting of Supervising Inspectors of Steamboats. ‘Time for Filing Applications for Pensions. WASHINGTON, May 29, 1871. Heulth of the Vice President Improving. The following bulletin was posted to-day at the door of the Vice President’s room:— The Vice President was better than on any night since he was attacked. He is able to sit up quite a while at @ time, and now only needs strength, which he is recovering, though slowly. Tho President’s Visit to Long Branch Postponed. President Grant has deferred his visit to Long Branch until Thursday. He will to-morrow attend the ceremonies at Arlington of the decoration of the graves of the deceased soldiers, Meeting of Supervising Inspevtors of Steame- bonts, ‘The Secretary of the Treasury to-day telegraphea to all of the supervising inspectors of steamboats to assemble In Washington on the 7th of June next, in order to organize under the provisions of the “act to provide for the better security of life on board of vessels propelled in whole or in part by steam, and for other purposes.’? It will be remem- bered that at the last session of Congress an act was passed providing for the appointment of a Super- vising Inspector General, and Joseph Belknap, of New York, was confirmed for that position, The Board of Inspectors is convened ander tne act remodelling the regulations governing steam vessels, and among other important matters to be disposed of are the regulations for carrying retined petroleum, which will not ignite at a temperature less than 110 degrees Fahrenheit thermometer; the number of watchmen to be employed tn the cabins and en deck of steam vessels to guard against fire; the number and kind of metalic lfeboats to be placed on vessels of certain tonnage; the kina of instrument, machine or equipment for the better security of life; in c'eunsing boilers of incrusta- tions; the establishment of necessary rules and reguiations required to carry out in the most effective manner the provisions of the aci for the safety of life; the rales to be observed by all steam vessels in passing each other; the kina of safety valve that shall be used on board of steam vessels; regulations prescribing the number of fire buckets, axes, life preservers and yawls to be used on barges; the kind of lights that shall be carried from sunset to sunrise; tne lights to be used by ferry boats; the kind of life boats, floats, rafts, life preservers and drags that hall be used on ateam vessels navigating the ocean, or any lake, bay or sound of the United States, as well as the kind of pumps, their capacity and other appliances for freelng the steamer from water in case of heav y leakage, The New Iron Revenuc Steamers, The Secretary of the Treasury to-day de- cided to name the largest of the new fron revenue steamers now in process of construction in honor of the President, the next in honor of the Vice President, and the other two in honor of Hamilton and Gallatin, the first two sec: Tetaries of the Treasury, It has been customary to name this class of vessels after the Secretaries of the Treasnry, and when tt was proposed to name one of them ‘Boutwell’’ the Secretary promptly de- clined to allow his name to be used, Important Patent Case Decided. The case of Gray, assigner to Hovey, vs. the Rub- ber Top Pencil Company, which was argued on final appeal to the Comnnssioner of Patents on the 3d February last, has just been decided in tavor of the Rubber Top Peneil Company. , Financial. Seven hundred thousand dollars in coin were transferred py telegraph to-day from the Sup- Treasury at San Francisco to New York. ‘The internal revenue receipts to-day were $607,261. ‘The subscriptions to the new loan to-day up to noon were $200,000, Decrease of Taternol Revenue. The receipts from internal revenue for this month are not more than half of what they were during last May owing to the reduction of taxes; but the receipts from customs are larger than were antict- pated under the reduction of the tariff. Paper for Printing Nutional Currency. ‘The employés sent from the Treasury Department to the Glen paper mills have made their report, to the effect that 53,000,000 sheets of paper especially manufactured for the government currency pur- poses have been counted, and it further appears that amount of paper, without any exception, came safely Into the possession of the Treasury Depart- ment. ‘Time for Filing Pension Claims. The Secretary of tne Interior to-day decided that a further claim of a father toa pension on account of the death of bis son must be filed within five years from June 6, 1866, or, in other words, within a week from the present date, Persoual. Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Richardson will leave this country on the 14:n in the steamship Java. He wiil be accompanied by Mr. John P. Bige- low, Chief of the Loan Branch of the Treasury, Decision in the Court of Claims. The Court of Claims in the case of Varlute & hen- derson against The United States, in the decision recently delivered, says:—"A8 to the procceds of sixty-eight bales of cotton captured by the Union forces in Alabama in 1864, their title 1s made out, The claimants are subjects of Great Britain, and at the breaking out of the rebellion were residents of Georgia, residing in that State during the whole period of the war. The only obstacle to their re- covery grows out of the fact that they became man- ufactiirers of saltpetre, and sold nitres for the express purpose of making gunpowder, having worked in a cave, the lease of which was pan by the so-called Confederate State: aving received paynient fof the same from a rebel omeer, instead of observing their obligations of neutrality which their alten character imposed, they voluntarily and deliberately supplied an article of rime hecosslt and thus gave ald end comfort to neenémy. This is a flat bar to their suit. ‘The court by another decision allows $26,000 to Francis J. Willis, a physician, residing in Savannah, for 184 bales of ris cotton, Throughout the rebellion he warmly opposed the secession of his State, Danie] Hass, a subject of France, residing in Charieston, 18 Allowed $12,123 for ninety pales of cotton seized at Charleston in 1865, and the court also allowed $12,345 on another case. Other cases were diamtssed owing to the Claimants not estap- Ushing their pozsity. ‘The chse of Anthony W. Henry against the United States was decided. The claimant had acted asa com. missioned officer, Dut had received no pay for the services, and hence the suit. Tbe Court recognizes the objections raised on the argumeut by the Assis- tant ‘Attorney General, and beiteves they are e1 titled to very serious consideration; bth case affects not merely the ciatmant, but also @ meritorious Class of citizens, who certainly de. serve the privilege of having their equitable claims reviewed by the Supreme Court, The rightof appeal in this case being exclusively with tle defendant, pro Jorma, Was entered in favor of the claimant for 1,118, in the New York, Newfoundland and London Te egraph Com; case against the United Staies the Court says that the conversation between Secretary Seward and Wilson G. Hunt, at the dinner given to President Johnson, at Delmonico’s, on the goth of August, 1886, was merely incidental and implted no contract; but the claimants can main- tau their action in the corporate name of the company. The Secretary of State had ample power and authority to bind the United Staies for the fair and reasonable rates of charges for the transmission of the despatches involved in this action from Washington to the respective points of destination in London and Paris, There was no specified or formal contract between the parties other than What arose by law. The pubtished rates of charges or pay are not so exorbitant, under ail the circumstances of the case, as ty justify the Court in reducing them to a@ lower stan. dard. The judgment in thie suit was rendered in the usual form m dollars and cents, without dis- tingatshing the kind of money in which the debt must be The amount Is $32,240 75, which es} com| claimed should be paid in. gold. But the basiness was transacted since te passage of the Lege Tender jaw, the obligation can be dis- charged in paper, The Court of Claims haa rendorea judgment In with the ——, of one, all cases con 5 which will be announced on Thursday, when an adjournment wil) take niace nntil the fale Trial of Patrick Cunningham for the Murder of Anthony McDonough—A Policeman Tam- pers With a Juror and is Fined. The trial of Patrick Cunningham for the murder of Anthony McDonough at Weehawken on the 25th of March last was commenced in the Hudson County Court of Oyer and Terminer at Jersey City, before Judge Bedle, yesterday. The court room was densely crowded, owing partly to the excitement created in the county by the brutal character of the murder and the desperate attempt of the perpetrator to take two lives at that time, and partly from the large circle of sym- Pathizers which the prisoner undoubtedly nas among the quarrymen at Weehawken anu in Jersoy City. District Attorney Garretson appeared for the State and Leon Abbett and A. 8, Cloke for tho prisoner, There was some commotion among the crowd In | court when the prisoner—a tall, broad-shouldered | FORMIDABLE SPECIMEN OF HUMANITY— Wes brought in and placed inside the railing near his counsel. Everybody was anxious to get a peep at @ man who stands charged with the perpetration of a murder characterized by brutal ferocity. Ther was a good deal of legal fencing before a jury coulda be obtained. After the lapse of three hours THE PANEL WAS &XHAUSTED and only elght jurors were qualified, The Court took @ recess, and issued an order that tn the mean- time Sheriff Mount should draw twenty jurors from the general pauel, and if they did not appear he should select persons from the spectators in court, or others without the court, ad he might in his dis- cretion sec fit. After the receas the requisite number was ob- talped, and the jurors were sworn in, not, however, till the Court had to interfere tor the protection of those selected again:.t influence and INTIMIDATION FROM « UTSIDERS. ‘The close and searching scrutiny adopted in tho Foster caso at New York was falthfully imitated. But a man’s knowledge of the case through news- pes did not constitute a disqualification, and to | human no credit of counsel on both sides it 1a but just to state that they eliminated the ignorant clement—the men who never formed opinion, and who never read @ newspaper—from the Jury box; so that the ty, ig one which will gatisfy the public, whatever the result, man who Would swear that he NRVER RBAD A NEWSPAP IE would be certain to be set aside in any case like thi Ina Jersey court, either on account of solt:confer ignorance or because in a case of such notoriety his statement would not be belleved on oath. Mr. Abbett, counsel for the prisoner, stated distinctly that 11 is only im oases where a fixed opinion had been formed of the innocence ov gnilt of the ace cused, stich as would require evidence to remove, that he would insist on bis objections to a juror, re- serving of course the right of peremptor challenge. It 14 such an opinion that constitutes the prejudice which the law re.ers to, TAMPERING WITH THH JURY. Before the jury list was completed the Court called on one of the jurors who had been challenged and set aside aud asked him if he had been ap- roached by any. person in reference .w'this case. he man hesitated tor a moment—being taken b; surorise with such & Paper eres then repited 1 the Affirmative. Juage Bedle then desired tim to point out the Man who approached him, and the juror jointed to Patrick Haruey, who was eee court, ‘This Harney was among the jurors on the general panel at the commencement of the term; but the Police Commissioners having since appointed kim a patrolman in the First preciuct he was excused from jury service. Judge Bedle ordered him to come inside the raillng, and remarked tbat it looked very suspicious that ne (Harney) should be hanging arouad the court alter being excused from duty as a juror, The juror reierred to then stated, in reply to the Court, that Harney used tuis language to him, “If you get on this jury YOU WON'T BE HARD ON CUNNINGHAM, will your’ or something to that effect. Anothe: Juror stated that he had heard the conversatio! between Harney and the previous juror. ‘Lhe Court then questioned every juror who came upon the stand to qualify whether he had been ap- proached by parties for the purpose of inflaench ‘thelr verdict, and of the whole numoer five state that they were so approached, three directly and three indirectly. A POLICEMAN IN DISGRACE, The-Court then, addressing Harney, said—‘‘Har- ney, stand up. The Court does not want you here any more tis term, and the Court does net think HONOR THE UNION DEAD. | WASHINGTON, | THE WEEHAWKEN MURDER | THE GERMAN MOVEMENT. An Agricultural Raid on the Long Island Barrens, Germany Invading Holland—Progress of the Spring Campaign—Hollaad Resists, but is Taxed and Surrenders. There ts no locality in the immediate vicinity of this city In Which @ more important yet unpreten- tious change {a in progress than on Long Island, from the outskirts of Brooklyn proper to beyond tha somewhat famous Patchogue. It may not be’ known to some of our readers that covering what ia, known as tne backbone of Long Island there are many thousands of acres of land sandy as the shore of any sea, and to attempt to cultivate which haq never been even dreamed of by the phiegmatio de- Scendanty of the early Hollanders who have planted themselves on the beach. The lond was barren of needs other than occasional deer, rabbits and birds when the Indian tribes roamed over it and sought the bay for food. Wher the English seized it vast tracts were bequeathed to titled names, not for agricultural purposes but simply a3 ground for sport, and when progress at either extremity of the island gave promise of pos- sible trade the old Central line railroad engines de~ stroyed what covering of green remained by BURNING THE SCRUD OAKS AND PINES. And so this Jong, lank, barren and drearily levet backbone of the island remained, while population increased on the Jersey shore, New York going there to reside, The antediluvians who owned the barrens never thought of improving them, didn’t suppose it possibie; never tried ta sell them, not supposing them to be wort anything to anybody, and they never Made an effort to give them away, for the beet was strong that the more a man had the poorer ne was, and that no one would accept the gilt, It is only a few years since that a New Yorker, becoming aw enthuelast in the building association mania, feund, himself m the wilds of scrub oaks and stauted Pines struggling to uproot enough of them to place acabin there, The shore line natives heard of what they considered a madman’s effort, and straightway @ committee was appointed from the OYSTER, CLAM AND MOSSBANKER at to order the man away. He told them that he had come there to build a home for himself and family, Tobey opened a clam-catcher’s eye upon him, saw that he was not mad, but be- Neved him to be either tdiotic, or, in Yan- keo parlance, somewhat cunniag, and they told him that 1t wouldn’t do. They ceclared that they had all they could do to support their own families down on the shore line, and that they didn’t mean to let any New Yorkers plant themselves on the bary rens, for they could only do so m the belief that they could come on the towns for their families’ support, which would tend to increase the taxation. And such 1s the feeling even now among & very large number who ‘don’t take the papers,” and Who no more think of visiting the barrens, heron for kindling wood, than they do of going to Montauk. And they have some excuse for it other toan thelr CHRONIC AVERSION TO TRAVELLING even a mule or two when they have no hope of gain, There were o¢casionally mon who wandered out upon the barrens, staked out @ farm, up- rooted the scrabs, and, blinded by the blow. ing sand, went down to tell the shore Ine men that all they had said was true. There was seldom anything lost by these efforts other than time and patience, and until New York city came to be teeming with sturdy Germans there was little of change on the barrens, whicn refused to be blown away. With an occasional German, however, there came patience, persevorance and surprising frugality and contentment—a willingness to WORK ON SMALL PROMISE OF GAIN, and to live by their work and work on. ‘That the) remained was surprising, and that they ‘mint to continue astonished the shore-line men. But still they did, and still their number increased until DOW 8 Very large tract 1s dotted over with Germag families. “ They manage in some way to gcral @ living from the formerly barren eart?, and the prospect now 1s tat these noted barrens, as they are called, will soom de as thickiy setiled by nard-working Germans any agricultural district within many miles of Ne York. The greatest danger to be feared 1 that speculation may tend that way; the purchase of shee are fit to be a police oficer. But, of course, that @ matver for THE COMMISSIONERS WHO APPOINTED YoU, If they can stand it the Court can, Remain there and the Court will dispose of your case presentiy. After some deliberation with the Associave Justices Judge Bedle announced that the Court sentenced ogee | to Paria fine of fifteen doliara for his lence. very mild punishinent took by ‘surprise ail who heard the announcement, a3 it was eapected that the offender would be com- mitted to jail for contempt. This practice, if-once permitted to enter the courts, will undermine the urity of the administration of the law, for which New Jersey has a most enviable reputation. Jt 1s hoped thatthe foregoing unpleasant reflection on the Police Commisston will arrest that Junta in its reckless careerjof appointing most unfit men, ‘The District Attorney then opened the case, recit- ing briefly the particulars of the murder. He thea called to the witness stand Michael Egan, who testi- fled—I live at the Shades, in .the towashtp of West Hoboken; L recollect the 26th of March; I knew Anthony McDonough; I saw him that even- ing,, about six o’ciock, at Mailey’s sa- loon, on the Hackensack plank road; there were two. or three men there, but knew only McDonough and the bartender; a man named ‘tuomey, Who was in company with me, went out of the saloon; McDonongn and 1 had a glass of beer each and we started for our homes; on our a lsaw three men coming towards us; McDonoug! was a few steps m advaice ol me; one of the three men stepped up and caught McDonough by the collar of the coat: thatman was Patrick Cunningham, whom 1 recognize (pointing at the prisoner); 1 whecled to the left of McDonough and Cunningham seized me by the right shoulder; I put my right hand on bis left shoulder and { was almost immediatel, thrown to the ground on my back; that was ail can recollect of the occurrence just then; cannot say Who threw me down; when I arose McDonough was on the opposite side of the street; could not say where Cunningham and lis companions went; I went over to McDonough and we started for home; We had not gone far when we met Cunningham with only one of his companions, whose naine, I belleve, 1s Coyne; McDonough said to Cunningham, “Ain't ‘ou the’ man we met a while ago?” dia not war the reply to this; McDonough told Cunningham to go home and have no quarreling; 1 think he called Cun..ingnam “friend;’’ hardly a mo- ment had clapsed when McDonough cried out to me, “Mike, I’m staboed—I’m ripped; I turned round suddenly and Cunningham rushed on me and stabbed me in the right side of the breast; after I was stabbed I went into the saloon and asked for assistance; the bartender applied a towel to th wound; during the affray Coyne stood still; cou) not say what I was stabbed with. ‘The witness was subjected to a lengthy cross. examination, after Which the Court adjourned till this morning. War DEPARTMENT, OPFICE OF THE CHIBF SIGNAL UFRICER, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 30—1:30 A.M. Synopsis for the Pag- Twenty-four Hours, The barometer {s rising with westerly wind and clearing up weather on the Pacific coast, and 1s falling with cloudy and threatening weather fn the lower Mississippi valley. The winds continue south and southeast from the South Atiantic to the interior, Rain has fallen during the day in Tennea- see and North Carolina and southward. The weather is generally but little changed since Sunday. xg Probavilities, It is probable that the weather will continue with- out material change on Tuesday. Threatening and rainy weather Is especially probable on the South Auanile coast THE FOULKE ASSOCIATION. One of the most pleasing reunions of the season was that of the former scholars of the First Ward School, banded under the title of the Thomas Foulke Association, which came off last evening at the Astor House, The association is named tn honor of the first principal of the school—Mr. Thomas Foulke. ‘That gentleman was present last evening and in company with some thirty or forty of his former scholars and President Smyth, of the Board of Education, sat down to an excel lent dinner, Mr. T. Francis Giohons presided, and around tne tabie, among others, were Messrs. @, W. Wyekott J. B. Scully, John Kennedy, County Clark of Hudson county, New ‘Jersey; Martin beully, L. M. Bergen, A. Devitt, 8. Cassin, Joseph 5 M, Fields, 7. Meighan, 1. te Goiay, Vice Wrincipal ofthe old school—No. 20; M. 'T, MeManus, Alonzo Dutch, M. J. Kelly, A. Wycko and others. With the rectal of remintscencies of the schoolboy days, songs, stories and speeches, the hours were passed ite ‘pleasantly. Mr. Cody's rendering ,ot “The 8 a Shandon” was remarkably fine. The gath- ering Was not ag numerous as that of some of the school agsoctations in the city, but was such as to augur well for the fature of the association. William Brisley was arraigned before Judge Léd- ‘with at Essex Market yesterday Morning for tap- Philip Brewogel, 72 avenue A, and Posing Gheretrom thicty-ave. dollars, The mae was secn In his poseession. Ho was held under $5 bail to answer at General Sessions, lempstcad Piains by Mr. A. Stewart having called unusual attention in that direction. There is, however, much less to be feared irom that feved than would natarally be supposed, The dead flat level of the barrens 1s ixely to prevent Ad “VILLA PLOT! SPECULATIONS, and the forbidding aspect of the soil, which sd strongly resembles sea sand in its whitenegs, is not Akely to tempt any who may be looking for brown stone fronts and fortunes as the result of a single crop. Nothing but the persistent Industry, rigid economy and easy contentment which are the pecuilar Indtvidualisis of the work- ing-class Germans can ever come succesaluily out ofthe troubles and trials and vexations of spirit Which muss precede the permanent population of the barrens of Long Island by @ thrifty people. The Ume for hasty speculation will come when these ad- jacent lands shall have gone through the tedious process of reclamation, and until then untiring per- severance alone will meet with success, ‘The OVFOSITION OF THR OLD INHABITANTS of the shore line tothe peopling of the island by other meaus than the patural tnerease of the stoc! tothe manor born 1s an additional obstacle, That, however, bas been partially disturbed by the en- uctment of 9 law under which these barrens can be and aro taxed. ‘This has induced many of the shore- line holders of the barron acres to sell sparingty, and the present spring finds scveral hundred more Germans settling down to years of toll than have been found there before. ‘The effect of this German movement cannot be other than beneficial to the city of New York ume, The increase in the production of foo cannot be very rapid or large, for the reaso that these districts require time, experience, great perpey erase a0 care to make them producuve, ‘hey offer no alluring promise to enthusiasts; out when, years hence, they shail have been reclaimed, the now spare-fed German laborers will blossom ag the rose and this city will fund a garden where now there are only scrub oaks aud stunted pines. It if along, tedious, poor-pay work, but our Germand are equal to it, and New York will reap the reward, A Commission to Investigate the Condition of the Tri in New Mexico and Arizonn— Harmonious Action Between the Civil and Military Authoritios. WASHINGTON, May 29, 1871. Commissioner Parker has addressed the following letter to the Sceretary of the Interior:— Orrtc® INDIAN AFFAIRG, WASHINGTON, May 29, 1871. The serious disturbances which’ are now being en- in Arizonu and New Mexico between the Indians and Nites of that region, as reported by the newspapers, Induced ‘mo to address you thie letter, with the following recommen: lations Firt—That the Board of Indian Commissioners be re- quested to send one or more of their number to Arizona withont delay to co-operate with the, military authorities if their eorta vo collect and locate the Indians upon the Whil Mountain reservation. ‘sero. d—Thatthe Board be instructed to inatruct thelr repres sentatives to said country to open comm vat with as many of the bosiile Indians as to use every cifort to impress npon ‘act that. contintious war against the peop States will only end in ther tier ruin, and that in a perma- nent peace ja thelr hope for comfort and assistanes from the propriation of 879.000 was made by the lust ‘ess to be expended under direction of the ‘OLecting the Apaches of Arizona and New servations, furnishing them with ead: upon nee other necessary articles ana to pro- peace aud clvilization among them It is, therefore, recommended that the member or ard who may go to Arizona be author) ized and empowered to use not more than halt of said $70,000 in such manner as, in their judgment, they may deent wise and proper to effectually carry out the object of the ap: propriation. ‘These troubles -In the Southwest neem very Kerious, hence at by the said Commlsscomern in'leaving and T would alg respectiuly suggest, roval, that theWar Department Jans, “that orders may be at once sent military anthorities of Art zona and New Mexico, with the view of securing har. monious co-operation between them and the ropresentauvae ‘of said Board, and that the united efforis of doth and military bratches of the government may, tf possible, bring aboui a lasting peace with the sald ind wis, No special information rogasding existing ¢ publes, ta Ari, zona can be furniabed by this oflice, as a0 aivices baye ‘ting them frou tue Supertntcudent ot that Territory members of said t no time ahowid be for the said country should this meet 70 7 be advised of there out to Raartanis n Aifaira for 5 Very eapestlrs Your Qe Spa KER, Commasione. Hon. C, DRLANO, Secretary Leach ciaean ositions of the Commissioner ita beer anal Copruved by the Secretary, tie War Depart- ment was notified of the measures proposed and requested to co-operate, and a communication ad- dressed to Mr. Branot, President of the Indian Com- mission, who 18 at Pittsourg, explaining the case, and asking him designate one or more members that body to undertake the task assigned them. HKelleving the necessity for immediate action very great, every effort will be made to expedite the exeentio: plan proposed by Commissioner Parker, Nearly month ago the Board of Indian Commissioners, at ‘the urgent request and solicitation of 3 seeretary, i reeaiution, Instracting Mr. Colyer to go O arizona and endeavor to promote in that ‘region, but before he could leave news was feceived of the massacre t Indians, fmmeaiately following it the killing of Liew Cusbuig 1a revenge for this by the Coenise, ny was considered by the chairman of the Soard aa in- augurating a condition of war Mr. Colyer was in. structed todetay hts journey. What the action o the Board under the above recommended action Commissioner Varker will be remains to be seen.