The New York Herald Newspaper, June 7, 1871, Page 5

MASONIC MATTERS, Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Eighty-eighth Annual Convention—Addresses by the R. W. Grand Chaplain and the Grand Master—Secretary's Report—The Hall and Asyium Fund. AS announced in yesterday’s HenaLp this boay Resembied at two P. M, yesterday for their elghty- eighth annual Communication, at Apollo Hall, cor- ner of Twenty-eighth street and Broadway, the Most Wershipiul John A. Anthon, Grand Master, in the Grand East, and all the members and representa- tives, numbering nearly two thousand, present, Grand Marshal, the R. W. Joseph Koch, having Called the Grand officers, &c., to their stations, St. Cecile Lodge, W. Wiliam ¥, Sherman Master and Musical irector, opened the proceedings by sing- ing, with admirable effect (the entire craft standing, and after the Lord’s Prayer had been repeated by the R, W. and Rev. R. L. Schoonmaker), John Parry's hymn, “Fail to the Craft.” ‘The R, W. Grand Chaplain, Rev. J. H. WsnsTer, then deitvered his annual address touching the in- terests of the crait, in which he enlarged on the duties of the brotherhood and the Grand Lodge as a legislative body. ‘The Grand Master, JoHN H. ANTHON, then de- livered the following eal ADDRESS: BRETHREN, OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE M. W. GuAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACOEP IED MAGONS OF THE Svare or NEW York:— With the return of summer comes the annual Communica- don—the General Assembly of Masous—as though to teach Us that we should meet in cheerful, kindly summer spirit, Let us, therefore, now that our Convention is opened with music and solemn service, be resolved to act in harmony and brotherly love, “In rendering ecount, acoording. to the cus- tom, of my stewardship, I will try to be briet. Its only pre- face is tliat, itke ali human efforts, it has no doubt been full of error und Imperfection, and thai tor all I only ask you “Gently to hear, kindly to judge.” Since our last communt ot left unvisited the chambera'ot our temple. On the 28th of August, 1870, our It, W. Brother, the Rev, Francis H, Johnson, Vast Master and Chaplain of’ Niagara Frontier ‘Lodge, Past District Deputy Grand Master of the Nineteenth, now Twenty-tret, distr patsed trom among hs aw getiy-as be bad live On the’ 2th of January, 18/1, inthe ninety-tifth year of hi go, was from us our Af. W. Brother Mordecal Myers, Tne death on Thuraday, September 1, 1870, of Brother George R. Jackson, in the sixtieth year of his age, was a griet and loss to an unugually large number, Still later we were called upon to mourn ithe death of R, W. Brother John P. Jenkins, a man beloved by all who knew him, an earnest laborer in the Masonic eid. Passing from these sad topl Tiirt report my action as to matters specially committed to mo at the lust communication. In compliance with a resolu- tion then adopted I appointed W. Brother Jobn G, Burker as competent brother to classify and arrange the library of the Grand Lodge, He bus made some progress in bis work, which he has reported, and I recommend the continuancs of the work, with, if needed, a moderate appropriation for expenses, The Grand ollicers, in compliance with a similar resolution, applied to the Legislature or the State at ite last session, and obtained the passage of an act exempt- dei jon ing the real estate of the Masonic Halland Asylum Fund from taxation, hhave found that, used to « imited extent, I events, f if tertainment, the publfe ceremoules attending tion of lodges have been beneficiai to the craft. Where pub- lic teeing ls favorable to Masonry they tend to strenghihen ft; where it is adverse they offer @ Dold challenge of investigation, which our enemies are usuaily slow to answer and’ we do not tear to provoke. | Especially is this true in reference to ladies attending such celebra:ions. Debarred as they are from any admission to Masonry, or to anyihing which Masonry acknowledges as belonging to itself except its charity and love, they can, by witnessing theo bile ceremonica, be coavinced of ite purity of our teach ing, for it would ve a basenest almost 1udesctibable 10 5 stich fanguaye in publicand before them as we do in Services aud a different tongue in our private assemblies. Tsay that his te the only way in which we oan appea! to ove whose enter we value wore highly, than ther, Because you woll Enow thes at PernaPe han any NO SUCH THINGS AB FEMALE MASONRY or side degrees, or the lke, are recopuizod in Masonry.’I fear, indeed, that serious evil may result from the so-called de- Be grees, an apprelension strengthened {0 my mind by numer- ous applications for ald made to me by anaes waose only hope of provinga Masonic claim waea badge or sin, or somo tier attempted proof, that they belonged to som ‘ec—some branch of female Masonry —of which I, of course, ‘new nothing, The RK. W. Grand secretary will report toyou the number of dispensations for the establisament of new lodges, with their locations, and the number for premature conferring of the third dezree, Wilch have been maued, "Both, I'am happy to say, are leas than have been fasued in ilar period for many any i ee ‘The (‘rand Master and Deputy have {ue cummencement of the Masonic ear hot ae tbat exceps in apectal localities was there no need for more lodges, but that the number is already excessive, Applications for peusations for leave to confer the third degree to the Deputy and myself bave been onmerous and very generally [nsed. When issued they override a provision of the con- stilution, they approach nearly to the most arbitra gative clatmed by Grand Masters, that of making ht; they dispense with prero- fasons at proper Masonic education, and in candidate contempt for the degree #0 easily obtained. In no case dispensa- tion been granted except an extreme emergency sl Justiled it, Our relations with foreign Substantially uncu. Hamburg suil clalme jurisai over two lodges, bi jt) hope that at some future ume the two lodces may themselves settie the rest Masonic question, by asking the Grand Lodge of Ham jury to release them to'the right of choosing a foster moth-r Rearer to themselves. Ihave felt compelled to file with the Grand Secretary an order receliing the commission of our 1d lodges remain bapa, by the AG ent position of French Masonry, leugued with commun- ym anc atbeism, and bearing ‘THY DANNEI OLVEL WAR, indicates too surely that uaill purified and reformed French Masoary aiffers eo widely iro our own that, fraternal Fels: tions ave impossible with it and other bodies sparing its errors. Another aspect of our foreign relations, actaal or rospective; I deatre to subinit to. the Grand Lodge. During Gre'Grand Masteranip of M. W. Brother Gibson = commis: sion was issued by bun to Brother Aibert G, Gooui iting” bin generally to foreign grand bodies as our ive, [a time this commission was submitied to ine, erbal report by Brother Goodall, and was there- upon cancelled amd annulled by, me, its’ purpose being accompitshed. The result is the tniedded presentation by Srother Goodall of certain triendly applications from cer- tain Masonic bodies, termed Grand Orjenws, in South Amer- ca and Europe, and which are herewith trapsmitted to you. a alinont every Inuance thery are coaflciin 8 of legality of constitution, and, though Brother fn some instances reported one or the other accred- ty regular, the report fa not authoritative, being merely (is individual opinion, and based upon principles and tem uf Masoury and Masonic government wholly un- Known to our Grand Lodge. Each of these Grand Orients fe more or less subject to the authority of T Leneve to be known ss a “Supreme Grand Council,” wi fe, as ita name denotes, the altimate goveruing of tue Masonle jurisdiction and superior to the Grand Urient, The ‘Supreme Grand Council belongs to a rite and requires for ad- mission (o {ts governing body the possession of de woolly unknown te this Grand Body, and in those countries considered and spoken of and’ reaily being “higher nd Te Representation, thereiore, with the Grand is a. representation and treaty between the Supreme Masonic Power, in the Free and Accepted Rite; our own @ subordinate body in the ‘Anclent and Accepted Rie, adopting these terms as conre- Dient, Representation between the Grand Lodwe and the Supreme Councils is, of course, impracticable from the de- £608, Additional to thet of Maier Mason, requirod in thove dies, and doubtless also trom the rank and authority over “interior” degre:s, no termed, which Delong to them. In our ows jurisdiction there is aiso a Supreme Counell which, 45 common the Grand) Chapter an Grond Erftampment, has adopted the generous fraternal policy of & cession of ali claim to jurisdiction over the first three degrees of Masonry to the M. W. Grand Lodge. This, however, is not the case with the Grand Orients, now applying to us, Iam myself averse to the justituiion of the represoniative system between our own Grand Lodge and Grand Orients. which, In legal goverumental power, organi- zation, ritual and rank, as independent jurisdictions, differ 40 widely (rom our Grand Lodge. Nothing in tais vicw con- flcte with the mafutenance of the moat (rtcndly relations, as is the case with the Supreme Gran Council, In the jurisdic. tion of which this State fx situate, which acknowledges, with- ‘out even alusion to any claim to the contrary, THE BUPREMR CONTROL of the M,W. Grand Lodge over Aucient Craft Masonry in hor thre’ degrees, and among whore members are many brethren of exalted rank in our Grand 1 recommend, therefore, your consideration of the mater, not disguising my own oj inion, but desiring not to prejudice your caliu, temperate judgment. With our sister ‘Grand Lodges in the States of ‘the Union we remain on the old iriendl terms, Occasional complaint f# made, the evil rectitie and all goes “merry as u marriage bell.” Application is ma: tothe Grand Lodge by tue Grand Lodge of Quebec ior recognition as a legaily congtituted Grand ‘nia is the firat time that any appircation [rom the Grand of Que- bec bas reached this Grand Lodge, and I beg you to give it curefal consideration. 1 advise ite reference to a proper committee, and taai it be carefully considered and discreeuy acted upon, so our devermination may be considerate o the interests involved to our northern breturen, and worthy of the piace that so large a jurisatction ought to hold in the counciis of the Masoulc World. The report Committee on Foreiga Correspond- ence, which will be suomitted to the Grand Lodge, contains fair representation of the mertis of the applica: thon and Induces me, without in any degree desiring to inilu- euce your judgment, to say that from my own examination of the case, and the arguwent presented by we Grand Lodge of Quebeo, 1, myselt, regard the position oi that body as mi ‘sonic and worthy of recognition, ‘The application and papers yiag tare submitted herewith, There have been eI few cases needing discipline, a doctors sometimes aay, have “readily ‘yleited pent.” Where no application to ihe was needed ave not thought | it necessary to the iuterest of the craft to make report. The “ject of Masonic clsetpline being roformatory, it ts betier, Mf possible, to administer it privately. | 1n December, 18/0, t received from the Master of Whitesvilie Lodge, No. 340, 8 Fepert of ite conditon indicating approaching’ dissolution ‘advice. In pursuanee of the advice xiven tne been surrendered, the mecessary at taken to iy of the lodge to the proper vans, and auy imaiiar condition are cautioned that iti better to 7, “folding the drapery of their couch about fall unwilling atthe last. ‘The condition of the written Jaw of Masonry In the jurisdiction 1s not, as is @eneraily known, entirely satisfactory. OONVLICTING PROVISTONS Of the constitution have been consirued by conflicting de- cisions of the Grand Lodge, ti it ia often ditticult to trace true path.” ‘Tl point which I recom- med “iandmarke” in The Grand Louges of 1889 and 1870 fection 8 of the il, insertion after ng” of the worse “not leas than weeks thereafter,” thereby fxing the time to elapse sween the proposition and the ballot. A very wise provision ; Dut when wo come to examine section 8 we find that division it defines « ace enumerated as ancient laddmarks of the fraternity, having as such been woiveramily reocived and ac- knowiedged by Masons.” ‘The Grand Lodg bas therefore @ landinark, which 1 been universally rece id acl and which is itself only two years ol “amendment to apouher landmark, vorite of some Graud Masters... tue landmark Master may make Masons at sigut.”” Havin thus called to these so-called Seadmar! which struck me as incorrectly stated #0 10 be. Fikst—Recommending that the amendment of landmark my attention found several mit odge to Lue claim oi the followin she at ropor.tions a8 landmarks—that is, |i r noon, anetent. “"whermante the mewory ef fuau rennet NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1871.—TRIPLE SHEET. fait ts not in the power of avy man, or of any body of men, to make innovations.” 1 Meandiviaiga & That the right to visit Masonically s an absolute right, but may be forfeited or limited by particnlar lations.” “A right which is absolute, yet foreltable and limitable fs not strong enough for a landmark, constitution this right is taken away entirely ‘from non: afliltates (section 91), and by numerous decisions of the Grand Lodge left almost absoluccly im the discretion of the Master. 2. The clause” of subdivision 13, that a petition to be made a Mason “must be acte! ‘pon by report of committee J ballot,” Is in variance with the constant practice of this rand Lodee, whereby the Grand Master and his deputies 4 district deputies, and even the masters of lodges, arrest the course of candidates before tmitiation or baliot for want of jurtadtetion, want ‘of physical qualification and the like, an 3. not contrary, and in our there is no report of committee or ballot, ‘The clause of section 15 requiring signature to the aby. member of a lodge can scarcely be & onénement of membership to Master raised Mastor Mason refuse to sign the bylaws and so become @ non-atiiiated Mason ? (4.) Can the iooge compel the newly raised Master Mason to sign its bylaws, and if 80, how ? ) Can the lodge refuse to perm it him to wep the bylaws? ') If objection is made by a member to signing of the type ‘what is the course to be pursued? Ir the established poltey of this Grand , discouraging non-atiiliation, ts to be fully carried out this should, bein, conceded not to be a landmark, be erased, or, if retained & constitutional provision, should be wo simended as to viston 25 enacts ‘That the disciplinary powers of aloige may not be exercite! for a violation of the moral law, au dustinguished trom the law of the land, until the offender has been thrice admonished by the master or wardens of his lodge. No purely Masonic obligation necessarily violates more than the law of morality, and offences truth, chastity, obedience, fraternal love, violations of any of the Iand- marks, charges ana laws of Masonry unpunished till the third offence and admonition, while a commission of one of the hundreds of acts which ihe law makes penal as misdemeanors would subject to instant punishment. The list of wo-called landmarks should certainly be revised so as to make them conform more to fact than they now do, THE CONSTITUTION NERDS AMENDMENT, 1. In the definition and description of the eifecis of sus nision, Pefection 28 provides that membership ina lodge may be terminate’ by expulsion orsuspension, a definition appa Fently contrary to ‘at least the ordinary intention of pension, which fs the infiction of a penalty in all {ts parte to expire with the term fixed by the sentence. The tion adds that suspension is the act of the lodge o1 in fact suspension may also be the act of the Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master in suspend- ing warrant, or of the Grand Lodge, oF of ite representatives, the commissioners, appointed to try charges preterred to the District Deputies, or Grand Master, or Deputy Grand Master, It nowhere pro- vided in the constitution what effect susper Mabitity of the suspended member for dues; nor what, if any, difference existe in the respects mentioned between define and indefinite suspension. 2, In the section (48) which authorizes the Grand Master to permit, on certain terms,an election to fill a vacancy In the masterstlp without similar provisions for the vacancies in the offices of Senior Warden and Junior Warden, so thata vacancy 1n all three offices, which in one instance during the vast year bas occurred, resulta in a very dilicuit position. These are ouly afew instances of ‘CONFUSION AND UNOERTAINTY, 4 the difficulty of interpreting, accommodating and in me instances forcing interpretations of the constitution n omy be appreciated by one who has been for a year Hable to official question from seven hundred lodges and volunteer interrogation from 70,000 brethren, I therefore suggest a revision of the constitution, “It is long since one has been had, and partial amendments havo made without "reference to the body of instrument, tll ft bas me a very unsafe ulde, A new constitution, clearly expressed, brief, and rom its novelty circulating rapidiy through the craft, would, T think, bea biessing to us all. Few decisions have been made during the past year involving anything that could be considered new law, and where it seemed to o¢ 89 It was of suflictent consequence to justify an appeal, which, if either een disaatistied, has doubt taken. I shall hot, therefore, burden you’ with many. Indeed, the publica- tion of decisions is rendered almost needicss by the labore of the Masonic press, which, I doubt not, strive to relieve the Grand Maator of much toll.’ Indeed, soften reminds me of o titerly, speaking of his spouse:—"She forms and e fminense variety of opinions upon an immen: jects.’ Ina tew fustances 1 deem it right to ibstance of the law, as I have expressed my un- deratanding of 1t, sometimes in @ single case, sometimes in many repeated decisions, 1. ‘The physical quaiincations of a candidate are that he must be a nan, free born, of lawful age, being neither too young Dor too old for the Master's work, hale and soun Geformed or dismembered. This !salandmark in whicl he irapressive words which Diecens’ plnces in the ir. not no ti the candidate bas in f cannot conscientiously, therefore he cannot masonicali; initiate; norean # brother not #0 satisfied conacientiot or masonically vote for or be present at the initiation of a candidate, the same. rule applying. to passing and raising when the defect nas not arisen since initiation. ‘The Master or brother cannot in this matter substitute for his own con- science or opinion the conscience or opinian of any other mau or body of men; no dispensation or advice can protect the offen: cun only make sharers in his guilt. a. 1 have decided the following case:—In 18(4 = candidate was proposed in Lodge A and rejected; in 1866 be applied to Lodge B, which appiied to Lodge A for consent, was refused, ‘and, otwithatanding, balloted for the candidate aud re- Jected him. In the early part of 187) he applied to Loage (, ‘which, knowing of the former rejections, asked no consent, But beuoted for and, rejected him. Subsequently, having je further inquiries, Lodge 0 received, & Fenew proposition from the candidate in the latter part of 1870, and ‘asked the censent of Lodge A, which was given. Lodge B now claims jurisdiction, and’ refuses consent, — That Lodge A held jurtadiotion tll st consented to the initiation by Lodge C, in which, by that consent, jurisdiction became and ‘was, at the date of the opinion, vested, 3.’What Is commoniy termed the Past Master's degree, as preliminary to tie installation of the master of a lodge, 1s hotin any sense a degree, nor is the degree known under 4 in lodges of ‘herefol in the can take any that name in Capitular Masonry acknowieq the rite of whicn thiais the Grand Lodge. installation of masters of our lodges no brot ‘special part by reason of any degree conferred in a chapter. ‘The ceremony intended by the term Past Master's Degree vate tmposition, in a certain traditional 4 simply, the form, of an obligation suitable, to the mastership by a Past ‘Master by actual election fn a i either in the presence of other actual Masters, or without, if none can be obtained; but in no case elmer by or im the presence of brothers only Past irtue of a chapver degree. “i The question 1a Ballard’s appeal from the decision of the Master of Farmersville Lod, jrans‘erred to me for decision by M. W. Brother Gibson, was simply thie:—Atter favorable report by un examining committee on application of « can- ai jaster refuse to ballot or initiate on #8 not jurisdicdion over the candid: decided that he had the right uate, can the proud that the lodge h y reason of non-residence? to do 6 °h. Tn saswer to a host of Inquiries as, to the work and leo- tures of Masonry, I have decided that no priated or written book of any Kind, pretending to contain any of AK BEORETS OF THE MASONIO WORK and lectures, has ever been endorsed, recommended or ap- roved by this Grand e e standard not otaerwis ante, fe titual or leciures adopted or approved by 4ge, and that the composers, PUblishers oF users of any other are liable to discipline. 1 condition of the Hall and Asylum Fund will be seen by the report of the trustees, The main object in view at present is to press the completion of the buliding so as to receive from {tat the earliest possible moment ao inceme which, after inj debt which m: hereafter owsi be Buea may be spuboatio. waaly, tc tee pur: ‘Any such. debt may pose oases of the Asylum. Ely ‘be ‘avoided by a vigorous effort of the « Uberal contributions now m: et Ot the completion of the Hail, a dso} be at once devoted to the Asylum. The trastees and the Grand Lodge are both indebted to R. W. Brother Sinclair for aid in relieving the Hall from a large as- sessment and for counsel in the application for the reiease from taxation, Tn conclusion, I have only to any, that the general report of the condition of the craft is favorable, and that to the officers Of the Grand Lodge, the district deputies and the Grand Lecturer I owe my sincere thanks for the promps attention which they have given to the interests of the craft and for their course] and information, which have greatly lightened the labors of my oifice. The address was referred to the Deputy Grand Master and the Senior aud Junior Grand Wardens. THE SECRETARY'S REPORT, The Grand Secretary, R. W. JAMES M. AUSTIN, M. D., presented his annual report, by which it appenied that there was $63, recetved to 3lst jay. There were 10 warrauts granted for new loages and 7 dispensations; 635 lodges reporied for duty in the Grand Lodge, There were 6,778 tnitia- tions during the year and 7,859 afiliations; demit- ted, 1,844; expelled, 47; suspended, 33 ‘icken from roll, 2,037; restored to membership, 349; died, 702, Total number of Masons now in good stand- ing, 175,262. Total number of lodges in the State (warranted), 649. The general condition of the craft 1s good. THE HALL AND ASYLUM FUND, The Grand Secretary next presented the report of the trustees of the above, of which the following is Qn abstract:— Casn on hand last report, $44,887 53; received, $70,956 63; total, $115,575 11, The largest sums Were from lodges, $20,277; Grand Commandery Koights Templars, $3,000; Grand Chapter Koyal Arcu, $7,000; now on hand, $21,761 91, ‘otal und Invested, $455,433 11, The special Committee on Hall and Asylum re- ported that $395,000 had been expended, and there ‘Will be $400,000 more to be raised by loan, exclusive of what isin hand. When the femple is completed the rents therefrom will be about $60,000 annually. They recommend the building t© be pushea for- ward witivut delay. THE NEW CAPITOL AND MASONRY. tees which may Another Protest Against the Proposed Cere- monies. New York, June 5, 1871. To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:— Sir—I have noticed im your iasues of the past week several letters on the subject of tne laying of the corner stone of the New York State Capitol. Although I think the matter of Freemasonry one diMicult of newspaper discussion, as calculated to reanimate into useless controversy @ much-worn and impracticable question, yet Mr, Morgan’s letter of the 2d inst, seems Lo me to demand, on its own merits (%), some repiy, both from the palpable ab surdity of his 4 posteriori statements and tne fla- grant violation of every recognized rule of logic, it is a well-known maxim of the schoolmen that “Bare agserticn, unsupported by proof, 18 un- worthy of argument,” and an equally weli- known device of evasive arguers to begin their ropositions with faise premises, that thence may llow—In seeming specious sequence—fallacious nelusions, the titer tO deceive the unwary, casual or inattentive observer; but when one of these casuists deliberately makes an argument, im- possible of refutation because of his exciusive source of information, he at once assumes a position not only untenable on any fair grounds, but ridiculous also trom ita character of invisibility. Mr. Morgan, in replying to ‘“Impartial’s’’ letter, says, With much coniraternal egotism, that “in tne first place ‘Impartial’ writes something he or she knows nothing about,’ and that “the New York Commussioners ought to be proud in obtaining such @ Mason as Mr, Anthon to lay the corner stone” — following with some general and unn re marks about the unobjectionable character to the universal sense of the Masonic ritaal employed on such occasions, and concluding with these word “and aby false prejudiges should be banished until people, learn and are competent to judge impar lily. Without wishing, Mr. Editor, to trench too far upoa your valuavie space, | desire to suggest some, ithink, very natural differences from the logical integrity of this gentieman’s views, How is It sible for any one desiring, a8 did “Impartial,” to obtain just and proper action of the Commisstoners, to write upon the worthiness or unworthiness of a& secret science (as Masonry preposes for itself to be), @ud 108 professors vw be foremost in great public movements, when only the most vague and illusory explanations of the Order’s objects and method are given us? And, equally, how can we “banish false Prejudices until we become competent to Judge” (sic!), When (he doors to such Knowledge are shut in our faces and we are told that this same information cannot be vouchsafed us unless we become one and @& part of the Society of Mystic Arcana f to the sublime ee corey of Mr. Morgan’s second clause aud the effusive senti- ment that expresses in hoping that he “may ever remain @ sincere Magon,” we have nothing to do, excepting to wonder, perhaps, at the implied 1n- falllbility of the one and to contemplate the mys- terious and awful fate that might beiall him shoud his hope prove anortive of the other. In respect of the whole question of mght or wrong, justice or injustice, wisdom or otherwise, that ihe iew York State Capitol Commissioners have dis- played in their selection we have liitie to advance that has not already been given to the public by abler pens, but we still think the instinct humanity at large to be, as it been, against any association having for its fundamental principle secrecy, with all {ts trresponsible attributes. So powerful, indeed, has tne influence of this unknown “something or other’ attaching to the fraternity become that there has grown up among “outside barbarians’ a sort of tacit terrorism, which seems to forbid any criticlam Upon its actions or application, and effectually bar, a8 being inthe popular esiimation *“impolitic’ and “dangerous,” our freedom of speech on anything concerning Masonry. Whether this 1s & proper, equable and desirable thing we leave to the constderation of the non- masonic community, believing an appeal to those Within the pale of masonic civilization a8 worse than useless, or as conducive to What would proba- bly be a very unsatisfactory solution of a still more unsatisfactory fact. Lam, Mr. Editor, very reapect- fully, &c., WwW. O. A SENSATION EXPLODED. The Suspected Poisoning Cane in Westchester Ceunty—What John Whitzel Died of in 1866—Conclusion of the Coroner’s Luquest— Ne Traces of Polson Discovered—Vindica- tion of the Innocent. ‘The official investigation, which was commenced by Coroner Bathgate and a jury of inquest at Wood- lawn Cemetery on the 19th ult., over the remains of John Witzel, who died under alleged suspicious cir- cumstances at Mott Haven, Westchester county, dur- ing the {all of 1866, particulars of which have been fuliy set forth in these columns, was resumed and terminated at the last-named village yesterday afternoon. It will be remembered that on the day above indicated Wooster Beach, M. D,, of New York, whose services had been engaged by the widow of the deceased and an acquaintance named Henry Wagner, made a post-mortem examination of the remains, and removed portions thereof for the pur- pose of having them submitted to A CHEMICAL, ANALYSIS, it having been reported that Witzel had diced from the effects of poison. In order to await the results of an analytical investigation the inquest was ad- jourued uutil such time as Dr. Beach might be ready vo report. Joseph Zugner, having been sworn, testified that he was the undertaker who had buried the body of the deceased in 1866, and alterwards removed the remains from Bensonla to Woodlawn Cemetery; that the body, which was viewea by the jury and from which portions were removed for analysis, Was that of Jolin Witzel. Dr. George Zeusciner testified to having attended the deceased during his last ilmess and just previ- ous to his death; that in his opinion WITZEL DIED OF CHOLERA; the certificate produced, bearing date September 12, 1866, and setting forth the cause of death, was given by him, and was substantially correct. The witness also testified that several cases of cholera hid occurred in the ne'ghborhood about the time of Witzei’s death, A certificate trom another local physician, who had also attended the deceased immediately Bie ceding his death, was read to the jury, and fully corroborated the testimony of the last witness. Dr. Wooster Beach, having been sworn, deposed that he had, with the assistance of Dr. Freeman, made @ post-mortem examination at Woodlawn Cemetery on the remains of a man whore name was said to have been John Witzel, and who, it had been reported, was poisoned; that ne found THE BODY VEKY MUCH DECOMPOSED, all of the flesh and tissues that remained being con- verted into adtpocere; there were no remoants of the stomach, liver or any otner organ; took portions of the body from where the stomach, kidneys and liver had been, and placed them ina ciean giass vessel; next day gave the jar and contents to Dr. Endemann, an analytical chemist, for analysis. Here the witness submitteu the report of the chemist. RESULT OF THE ANALYSIS. The aMdavit of Herman Endemann, one of the analytical chemists connected with the Board of Heaith, was read to the jury, setuing fortn that depo- nent had made a chemical analysis of the parts o' human body given him for that purpose by Dr. Beach on the 20th ultimo; that he had subjected such — to a complete and thorough examination, and that he nad found NO POISONOUS SUBSTANCE WHATEVER IN THEM. After some additional though immaterial testi- mony had bee taken the following verdict was ren- dered vy the jury:—We find that the deceased (John Witzel) came to his death from an at- tack of some virulent disease, resembling cholera, during the month of September, , and we hereby exonerate Mrs, Witzel (widow of tne deceased) and Henry Wagner from any and all unjust suspicions aod ramors which have been circulated in conuection with the death of the said John Witzel. In justice to the suspected parties it should be mentioned that they have cheerfuily contributed of their limited means towards detraying the expense of the Luvestigation which nas now thorougtly vin- dicated their entre innocence in the premises. THE RELIGIOUS WAR IN CHINA. Aw Inside View ot the Situation—Chinese Causes for Complaints Agniost Cbristians— Hatred and Distrust of Forcigners—The Way to veal with the Celestials. WASHINGTON, June 6, 1871, A gentleman at Kin Kiang, China, im a letter writ- ten to a friend in this city, and who has good oppor- tunities for knowing “the situation” in that coun- try, gives a circumstantial account of the diMcultes between the Roman Catholics and the Chinese, say- ing:— The gentry dislike all foreigners, and most in- tensely they dislike all peli, eget of religion, The Teasous ure endless. will name only @ few of them, We have forced ourselves on an unwilling country; we are fierce, rapacious money-getters; we have encroached on and sulyected to our sway other countries, and may «do the same here; we have broaght opium and jorced that, till now it 18 killi them and eating away Ube energies of the land; we have humiliated their Emperor, and we are pressing on for more and more. Now we hatred of Teligious teachers ia increased, because such ao ee, w convert people to a true (a8 we think) faith 18 too disinterested a thing for them to compres hend. They think we mean something covert; and why should they think otherwise, seeing that we make a gain out of every missionary row that takes place? Tney see notning but revoiution 1m our reli- gion, and, alas ! for them, Christianity is revolution. ary, ‘They drove out missionaries trom Naochang- fee, the capital of Kiang-si, and the result is gun- boats of the French in the Poyang Lake, a demand of the French Minister for 6,00u taels, which was paid, and a coming reinstatement of the hated mis- slonaries in Naachang, They drove them out of Nganoing, and the result s—gunboats, tue French Minister, degradation of their owu gentry, and some prociamations that Cathoiics must be protected. [ um not certaia whether a One was or was hot im- posed, Count Kochechorart paid a visit to Hankow and mee a threat to push on further with troops, and demanded a heavy payment of 15,000 taels, I think it was, and ali Was peace. Many of these rows were away froin treaty ports, ‘The right vo reside and acquire land im the interlor (for French missionaries) rests on an insertion in the Chinese text of the French treaty not found in tue version Of the French text, You thus see why the geniry hace us, but the gentry are much to be hated by us in return. ‘The Chinese respect only as they fear you; they would murder us all to-morrow uf they dared. We must never lose this from sight. ‘Witness tne seizure of the flag of trace party under Parkes and Lock, near Peking, in 1860, and the in- human tortures to which trey were subjected, causing their death In horrible agony. Witness the Chinese prison and punishment system in geueral. So We must not trust ourselves to them. We must be always on guard. [ hope the Chinese wilt be dealt with firmly and vigilantly, for they cannot be trusted, but Kindly, with a regard for what 1s realiy true—the fact that they have great diMcuity 10 opening the land to our rather too progressive de- manas. THE COD: IN PENNSYLVANIA. Rustic Bindes Attempt to He Henor—A Woman in the Case—U; Iaterference by the Police. PrrrsTox, June 6, 1871. Considerable excitement was caused tn thia vicin- ity to-day by an attempt to fight a duel, about day- light, on the banks of the Susquehanna, within the Umits of West Pittston and within a short distance of the scene of the late mine disaster, Charles Schlosinger, alias “Five Cent Joe,” and J. Harris, both living in this place, quarrelled about a woman, and the former sent @ chalienge to the latter. A meeting was arranged, and as the ap- pointed time and place Harris, attended by a triend or two, arrived, and was followed shortly by Schios- imger and his second, The preliminaries were ar- ranged and the men were about to fre their pistois, ‘When the police apgeared, and the whole party fed. No arrests were made, BROOKLYW SUNDAY SCHOOL PARADE. AGala Day Among the Little Scriptural Students of That City—About Thirty Thousand Ju- veniles Take Part in the Display. Yesterday wasa gala occasion among the juve- niles of the City of Uhurches who are wont to attend the churches of the various Protestant de- nominations. The event was the celebration of the forty-second anniversary of tne Sunday School Union. For weeks, aye, for months past these children and thelr enthusiastic instructors have been looking forward in glowing anticipation to the realization of their fond hopes of an auspicious celebration. The ranks of the classes have been infused with an esprit de 007" which had the tendency of putting each boy and girl upon his or her mettle to do all in their power to contrivute to the number and effectiveness in point of display upon the oft quoted “Sixth of June.” New suits were ordered for the special oc- casion long in advance, and, in brief, the thoughts and imaginings of the JUVENILE ARMY OF ZION by day and by night all centred toward this great gala fleld day, Where, under the marshalship of the ‘pillars’ of their respective fuids, they were to walk in colors 80 gay and enjoy that sweet morsel—not un- known to older heads—mutual admiration, Hence itisnotto be wondered at, then, thatas tne day drew nearer young hearts and older heads should begin to pray for fair weather that no postponement of the appointed time might ne necessary. In this, as the result has proved, they were not disap- pointed. Tiough the early portion of the day was somewhat overcast and cloudy there was no im- mediate imdication of rain, At eleven o’ciock the City Hall and fire alarm bells of the Western District Tang forth the GLAD SIGNAL, announcing that the anniversary should be held, ‘Then there wasa mighty rush of youngsters home- ward for embellishmenc of attire, and the stuf and starched clotnes were donned, with all the taste and care that proud parents could bestow upon their pious ofispring. Mar- snails and thelr aids, mounted upon gentle horses, displaying badges of huge dimension, burried to and iro, delivering their instructions w their subordinates in zeal and ofice. By one o'clock the churches and schools attached were filled with the happy participants. ‘Ine pretty female teachers and the beaux of the Young Men’s Christian Association, and others who were in charge, paid cbarming compliments to each other 4M mutual congratulaions upon the appearance of their Sabbath scholars and themselves, At two O'clock exercises, consisting of singing, reading, prayer and an address, were gone througti with In the several churches, and at half-past three the several divisions, numbering in the aggregate about thirty thousand pupils, formed for parade. ‘The churches repieseuted nambered thirty-two congregations, and were under the Grand Marshal- ship of Mr. Henry ©, Peck, Bands of music pre- ceded each sub-division, and the eifect as the sun shone respicudent'y down upon tue brightly at- tured girls and boys, bearing rich and costly ban- ners, With glowing orbs, keeping slep as well as little feet would permit to popular and fanuliar airs, was Indeed an eucbanung scene. Exultant maimmas and proud papas stood on the sidewalks along the route of procession and reviewed with pardonabie vanity thelr cilldren as tiey passed on, lulily con- scious of the importance of their post- uon, as the admired of all observers for the tine being. By four o'clock the parade of the forty-second anniversary was among the things of the past, and a new ieaf in the Tealization of the tact so lamiltar to maturer years, that all the pleasures of this life are but fleeting, illusory moments, was opened to the youngsters, Who were marched back to their class rooms. Here CRUMBS OF WIS00M AND PLUM CAKE were dealt out in profusion, the latter evidently be- ing the more palatable part of the repast. Oranges, rasins, almonds, candies, ice cream, lemonade and such like ingredients were also served the hungry young ones, as in strict accordance with prior ap- Ucipations and happy usage. Upon the conclusion of the repast cheers were given by the juveniles tor the day they celebrated, and to the music of “Put Me in My Little Bed’ the youngsters sought their welcome couches, TRUSTEE RILEY'S TROUBLES, Continuation of the Examination in the “Bribery Case ”—Golding’s Testimony Squelched—The School Trustee Vindicating Himsclf—No Money and No “Influence.” The examination mto the charges preferred against School ‘Trustee Riley was continued yester- day afternoon before Commissioners Gross and Lewis, of the Board of Education. The complaio- ants having put in ail their evidence, Mr. Riley was yesterday on the stand in rebuttal of Golding's charges. The following was his testimony:— Know Mr. Golding about four years; never had any conversation with him relative to the sppoint- ment of Miss McKenzie; did not receive any money for the appointment of Miss McKenzie from any rson; never promised at any conversation with ir. Golding to Interest myseif tor Miss McKenzie; Golding never said to me that he would make tt all right with me if i secured the appointment of Miss Golding; Alderman Masterson interestea himself in Miss Golding’s appointment; he never nad any money transaction with me; did not hand me twenty-five dollars at the corner of Eighth avenue at any thine; had a political difference with Golding; we were both candidates for school officers; Gold- ing ran as a stump candidate against the regular candidate; | was authorized to offer him a position oi four dollars a day if he witharew as candidate for School Trustee and he refused; I have never spoken to him since; Mr. McKenzie or Mr. Golding never had any conversation with me at any porter house; do not know elther of Mr. McKenzie’s daughters; never visited at Mr. McKenzie’s nou: Cross-examined by Mr. Kookstaver:—Have no re- collection of when Miss McKenzie was appointed; Golding opposed my election to the office of School Trustee with great pains on his part; on my run- ning for office for the third time Golding made speeches against me. Mr. John Jasper examined:—Have lived in the portion of the city now known as the Twenty- second ward for thirty-five years; have been Trus- tee and Commissioner of Schools; bave known Mr. Riley about fifteen or sixteen years; never knew of Mr. Riley having receivea any money for appotnt- ments of teachers, nor of tus using any influence with other memoers of the Board to procure ap- pointments; as to what I may have heara | may say that | have heard of Mr. Sampson receiving $10,000 year for procuring appointments. The oauantar ae of this witness was unim- tan owing to the absence of materia! witnesses for the defence the comimittee adjourned to meet this after- noon. THE HORNELLSVILLE ERIE STRIKE. RAILROAD {From the Elmira Gazette, June 9,] The brakemen’s strike still continues at Hornells- ville. Themen are demanding two dollars a day, They were receiving $1 88. General Saperintend- ent Rucker, It is reported, went West this morning and is now at the scene of the struggle. No fregnt trains have gone east w-day. The Advertiser states that avout two o'clock in the afternoon @ througit freigut train consisting of between thirty and forty cars, on the Buitalo division, attempted to teave the yard, but some of the fastenings had been un- coupled, and only @ part of the train succeeded in etting Out Of tue yard. As these were ascend- ng whe grade, one alter another of the cars were detached and went rushing back towards the yard ata@ feartul rate uf speed. Finally three cars laden with molasses were uncoupled, and in weir downward descent came im contact with the cars which had preceded them and which had stopped at a crossing, smashing the cars, burstin the hogsheads of moiasses and piling the cars ai fragments in such @ position as to iurm a pyramid, ‘The chains communicating with the breaks Tha been removed and i 4 assumed @ serious aspect. ‘The result was the train did not proceed to Builaio, but returned to the yard av Hornelisviile after the track haa been Cleared of broken cars, &c. A great deal of excitement prevailed at Hornelisville 1 conse quence, ‘The conductors of freight trains on the several dl- visions of the Erte were telegraphed to stop their trains at the several stations at Which they ieceive the despatches until further orders, thus preciudmg the congregating of any considerable number of brakemen. This strike, It 18 presumed, will not In- terfere With tue regular running of maul or express trains, and it 1s hoped the matter bewween the Erie Company and its brakemen will be amicably and speedily adjusted REAL ESTATE MATTERS. ~ The real estate market appears to have settled down into complete stagnation. Of forty-seven lots offered yesterday at auction by Muller, Wilkins & Co. only two were disposed of—viz., one lot on the south side of 109i street, 295 feet west of Third avenue, for $2,650, and one lot adjoluing for $2,476. ‘The purchaser was Eli W. Arnold, The balance, situated on Fourtn avenue, 108ch and luvth streets, were withdrawn. Messrs, Johnson & Muller sold three luts on the soutia side of 106th street, 162 feet west of sighth avenue, which were knocked down to Mr. Underhill for $5,960 each, aud three lots op the north side of 105th street, 155.6 feet west of Elgath avenue, which were knocked down to Mr, Bien for $5,100 each, Messrs, Blackwell & M: withdrew the country seat ot the late BE. RK. Bogar- dus, situated at Tarrytown, upon a bid of $17,750, P yonge, at Kddietown Heights, Staten ialaud, which was algo Witbdrawile en ne nett LUSIC AND THE DRAMA. Firva AVENUE THEATRE.—Mr. Harkins took his annual benefit last night, selecting for the occasion one of the most successful and popular of the many plays which Mr. Daly has placed on the boards of his theatre. “Man and Wile,” with ite Firth Avenue cast, 13 too well known to theatre goers 1n this city to need recapitulation of its excellencies and weaknesses—the latter are few and far between. It is never dull or uninteresting in @ single scene and will be always hailed with pleasure by the public, A large and fashionable audience greeted the favorite leading man of the establishment and gave an emphatic endorsement of his value in the company and bis high merits as an actor, To-night will be produced for the first time Mr. Daiy’s dramatization of one of Wilkie Col- lins’ characteristic novels, “No Name.” The plot deals with the unrighteous laws of England ard- Ing the bereege and rights of children, As “Man and Wife" satirizes the absurd old Scottish notions of marriage, this play lashes the injustice which is sometimes done to children under the laws of Eng- land. In the cast may be found Miss Morris, M1 Davenport, Mra. Gtivert, Miss Newton, aud Messra. Harkins, Lewis, Davidge, De Vere and Parkes. WaALLACK'S—THE SUMMER SEASON.—Theodore Moss has seldom, if ever before, commenced his summer season at this standard temple of the drama so prosperously as this year. First of all, he has the most popular play of tne theatre, which might be called its tramp card. There is nothing lost eltber since its first production some years ago, A tear may be dropped to the memory of those who are dead and gone, and who shone as stars for 80 many years 1m the Wallack galaxy. But the merry romance is as enticing and fascinating as ever, and it draws to an extent compeiling many w take back seats or stand during the performance. It will be succeeded by “The Long Strike,’ which will be revived in truly Wallacklan style. Irvine HALL.—A very interesting panorama of the French and German war, consisting of a large number of very striking and artistic views, Is at present on exhibition at Irving Hail, An explana- tory lecture ts delivered by the well-known actor, W. H. Pope. Mr. L. F. Harrison has lately assumed the management ot this exhibition, and has placed it in @ more favoratie light than it has been known betore, Many new and attractive features have been added, and a perceptible increase in the at- tendance is evident, MUSICAL AND THEATRICAL NOTES. In the Provinces. The San Francisco Minstrels are pretty severely condemned by the press throughout the West in consequence of their broad remarks and double entenares, Miss Ada Harland has been secured, through Colonel T, Allston Brown, to open at the Museum, Boston, on July 6, tor a summer season of bur- lesque, with Kobert Craig as the star. M. Blondin will revisit this country the last of this month for a fareweil tour of America, Mr. Cor- byn, of the firm of Parravicini & Corbyn, the prin- fen dramatic agents cf London, will accompany Robert Craig, Hart Conway, H. B. Phillips, ©. R. Thorne, May Monteda, Miss iis and Mary Mad- derp, have already been secured for the Chestnut street theatre, Philadelphia, for next season by E. LL, Davenport, Little. Ned, with a dramatic company, under the Management of Mr. Kidder, go out skirmishing threugh Jersey for a brier time, commencing on June 6 Harry Clifford, W. Loveday, Mary Saf- ford shannon, Milss Williams and others are of the company. Newcomb & Arlington's Minstrels open at tne Trimble Opera House, Albany, N. Y,, on the 12th inst, for one week, and go thence Westward. Char- ley Day, their business manager, does noi go with them, as he is negotiating with Laura Keene for a tour through the South, stopping at Eulaia, Ga. On ait that Miss Butler, daughter of Pierce Butler and Fanny Kemble, will be married {a London on the 29th inst. Barney Williams is endeavoring to make arrange- ments to send to his residence at Bath, L, [., a barrel or two of water from the Lakes of Killarney, where he 1s domiciled at present, At the Royal Schauspieinans, of Berlin, three one act picces have been produced, of which the two lirst have been very well received. Halm’s dramatic poem, “Camans,’ which has not bee. performed in berlin for many years, Was very etfective; and Herr Adolf Wilbranat’a “Jugendliebe’ met with great success, ‘Vater Kurmarker und Mutter ricarde,” by Herr Jonas, did uot please, Mr. Byron’s new play, ‘An English Gentleman,” prodace:t at the Haymarket theatre, will hardly aa- vance the author's reputation or Mr. Sothern’s. Since his one great “creation” the latter gentleman has not succeeded in making a part so successful as to stamp him as a remarkabie actor. He has rather proved his littlemess out of the particular line which reached its climax in Lord Duudreary. His subse- auenl pae have been echoes of the Dundreary type, Havored with similar mannerisms aod iv- formed with :nuch the same spirit. At tue Itallan Opera of Caicutta “Lucia” has | been given for the beneiit of the prima donna, Sig- nora ys The Calcutta papers, while calling atten- tion to the fact that Signura Coy reveives no re- muueration for her services during cept what may be obtained by her benefit, suggests that the hadwués should do what is done in some of the great European cities, and should send an Aono: arium to the Venéslcraire over and aboye the mere price of aticket, How glad wonkld American impresarii be if such @ mode of payment of their prime donne existed | GREAT STORM IN TEXAS. Part of Galveston Inundated—T Steamship Alabama Ashore—Foundering of an English Bark—Dai Railroads—Dwellings Washed Away. GALVESTON, June 6, 1871. Aterrible storm has prevailed here since last Saturday noon. The wind, which was southeast, forced the waters of the Guif on the island, cover- ing to the depth of severai feet the southern part of the city, About two miles of the track of the Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railroad is washed away two miles above the city, The bridge across the bay .is safe, The steauiship Alabama, of the Morgan line, with @ Cargo of cattie aud sheep, irom Rockport to New Orieans, Went ashore twenty miles west of here on Sunday, and will probably be a wreck. The bark Virginia Dare, irom Cardiff for Galves- ton, with @ cCurgo of railroad iron, went down avout six miles east of hereon Sunday night. The crew, consisting of fourteen men, were taken terday from the masts, where they had beenslashed since three o’ciock on Sunday morning. Many buildings 1n the lower part of the city have been washed away. No jives were lost, The velocity oi the wind on Sunday night at ten o’clock was Wirty-nine miles an hour. Six tnches of rain have fallen since Saturday at two P. M, . The storm also prevatied to & great exient at Houston and much damage was done re. There woe. heavy rains at all telegraph stauionus in the taterior. NEWARK’S SANITARY SCARE. ‘The Sumllpox Epidemic—The Anthorities Arousod. The spread of smallpox in Newark has at last aroused the Health authorities of that city to a keen sense of the necessity of taking active mea- sures to check its terrible course, and, If possibile, Toot it out altogether. They have ordered the im- mediate erection of @ separate building, after the pavilion style, for the w care and cure of severe cases, and have promulgated circulars giving needed instructions to citizens generaliy aud veopie having Sinalipox im their families in particular, in the case o1 Dr, W. 5, Baker, Who failed to report @ case Of sinalipox unlil the patient's recovery, the city atiorney was ordered to prosecute bim and compei him to pay @ fine of fifty dollars, The peo- pie, e-peciaily tne wealthier classes, have a mortal dread ef placing On their pouses the label “smallpox”? as required by law, and were it not tuat these latter were wealtby aud influential the city treasury might be enricued by several thousands of dollars, Not to labei the house 18 aiso punishable by tine. A curious fags in | counection With this disease in Newark is the coarse | pursued by the authorities toward the press. At | Orst they elected w exciude reporters from iheir Meetings, aud still carry on this course; but now, in the nope of Irightening people into rulness, they are seemingly anxious to have every tact pub- listied, except (neir debates in meeung. WHAT DOES iT MEAN? The Belleville Chinese Laying Ie a Stock of Pistols aud Bowie Knives, The heathen Chinee attached to the taundry of Captain Hervey, at Bellevilie, seem to be believers in the proverb “in time of peace prepare for war.” Recently several ef them visited Newark and pur- chased @ number of pistols and bowie knives. In the store where bay hee one of them tested & pistol by hiring @ biank cartridge at the ceiling, under tue directs of the proprietor, Mr. Kay, but in attempting the same thing while the attention of tne latter was drawn in another direction the cartridge exploded in such proximity 16 his head -as to singe his ear. ‘The Chinaman at once flew into a ra of ex citement, gesticulating wildly and distorting his face and body Im the most maeacribable manner in his efforts to make an atonement for the mishap. Alter (he excitement that ensued was over and the heathen had made ample apology he commenced beating down the price. He succeeded, but ag he , vald in gold the dealer lost owning alier ail, the season ex- es | 5 TOMBS TAMPERING. Attempt of Two Skilful Burglars to Escape from the City Prison. How They Obtained the Material, Measurements and Experiments—The Perfection of Lheix Koys to Fit Every Lock in the Prison and Gates—Sentence, fing Sing and Sorrow. The attempt at breaking out of prison by Mé&ifar and smart hands and heads has been common, if not proverbial, among great criminals since the days when George Barrington and Sixteen-String Jack fought their keepers amd baMed the watchful- ness of armed sentinels and red-taped officials in that renowned and most miserable of prisons, New- gate. Butit has been considered that the advance- ment of science, the increased skill of the lock- | smith, and, above all, the improved methods re- sorted to in the management of prisons have so iar rendered the cages safe and surrounded their human birds with such caution that the attempt to escape at the present time from a prison having any pre- tensions to security 1s almost ludicrous, Never- theless such an attempt would have been made in this city yesterday, and, as far a3 can be ascer- tained, the schemers might have successfully car- ried out their plans and escaped to prey upon the community. John Flarity and James Stevens, two of the worst characters and most experienced criminals in New York, were arrested some time since for committing burgiary at 44 Howard street, from whence they stole property to the amount of $3,627. Being men well known to the detective force of tnis city, and the facts of the burglary being fully and clearly established against them, leaving no doubt a8 to their gutlt, they were remanded to the Tombs City Prison for sentence, They were confined together in cell No, 70; but during the time that had elapsed between the day on which they were remanded and yesterday, when they were sentenced, they had fully utilized their time in making keys, procuring flies and otherwise studying the locksmita business, bent on “breaking cell,’”? a3 it 18 termed in prison parlance, HOW THEY RECEIVED SUPPLIES. ‘The question naturally arises, how did they obtain their tools and materials and how carry on their clandestine trade? The facts are chiefly as fole lows:—It is usual before prisoners are sentenced to permit a few friends, such as wife, mother, brother or sister, to visit them in their cells, and sometimes: food in small quantities, with coffee or tea, has beem passed in, in compliance with the earnest entreaties ol those interested in the welfare of the prisoners. When the iriend first calis the prisoner reveals hig plan, and desires the person to bring him in certain materials for making keys with, files and everything complete to carry on the business; and these mates rials have frequently been found and seized and the entire plans broken up before the prisoner has had time to fully commence his project. But the food aua the drink haye been the chief means of conveyance, and used as @ biind to escupe the vigilance of the gatekeepers, Not long since Minnie Davis, now im the State Prison, wat permitied to pass Into the prison with a quantity o! food in @ pasket and @ can of hot coifee for prisoner who was subsequently sent to the State Prison also. As she was passing the inner gate the keeper observed sumething that looked very pecu- liar fluating on the top of the hot beverage, appeur- ing something AFTER THE SHAPE OF 4 SMALL SNAKE. ‘This aroused his curiosity, and he stopped her to examine the strange animal He soon discovered this to be a coil of splendid rope, which had peep neatly packed in the bottom of the can belore the coffee was put in, but the heat and the motion in carrying it had caused it to swell and rise above the liquid, The coll was about fifteen yards long and ‘Was intended W ald her man iu scaling the prison wail. A dish of steamiug potatoes was next ex- amined, and beneath them were discovered a set of the most custiy and effective jewellers saws, of fiteen or sixteen in number, any two of whico would have sawed the thickest bar of tron in the prison asunder in half ao hour. They were alt seized and contiscated. THE WAY THE MEASUREMENTS ARE TAKEN. Having secured the matertals 1013 not a matter of great dificulty toobtain tke dimensions of tae locks. very day the prisoners are allowed to take exer- cise, 50 many at a time, around their respective ers, arcutng for a certaim time, according to the Tules of the prisou all tae While uuder the surveul- lance Of the officer in charge. ‘The impression of the exact size of the keyhole on tie outside has to be obtained, and us they dare not employ wax for fear of creating suspicion they employ the ball of the thumd, pressing it against the outer part of the lock unul an exact Mmpression 1s obtained, This Impres- sion Will remain on the haud for about tweaty imin- utes, long enough for them to take the measure. ment of the size of the hole and the varrel, An old key covered with seuling wax will furnish the size aud exient of the wards, and by means of a file or two the business can be easily completed. ‘The next thing 18 Lo give instractions for getting the dimensions of the luck of the gate leading into the prison yard, and for this a “friend” has to ve etn. Ployea and can do it without exciting the least sus- picion, by pretending to shut the door or any other maneuvre of a simular nature, ail of which are weil understood by burgiars apd their accomplices, Hence the WAYS AND MEANS FOR AN ESCAPE. It is somewhat requisite to enter ito these par ticulars to show how Flarity and Stevins managed so far to conclude their work that they might in twenty-four hours have been free men, and aiso the extent of the watching aud caution to be exercised by Warden Stacom and his assistants. Toe manner in which the two prisoners managed 1s supposed by the Warden and olbers Lo be exactly as fas been explained above. Crafty iriends supplied the material and a portion of the dimensions for the keys and tried them alter they were made so as to make sure of thelr marks The prisoners had beeu observed for several days to rewatn io their ceilas thouga they were mediaung upon their late, but no one suspected their “iittle game” of trying to take French leave of their quar- ters atthe Toubs. After recelving their sentence, whicn, by the way, came only just in me, yester- day, insirucuons Were sent to lorward them to the State Prison tor five years each. They were ine jormed of the fact, and, much to their chagrin, were compelled to nide the beauufully made brass keys and Hat key files in the tick of the ved on which they had been siecping jor several weeks previous, | ‘They knew tt would be useless to retula possession of them, and to take them to the State r’risou would ouly open the eyes of the wardens so a8 to put them in closer confinement. As soon as they had been sent away from the Tombs Warden Stacom ordered tueir bed wo be burned in accordance with the regular castow, aad it was while preparations were being made for its destruction that the keys and files were found. One of the keys WOULD OPEN EVERY CELL IN THE PRISON, including the one in which they were couiined, and the other opened the only other obstruction to an escape—the aoor leading into the yard. Once here, vn the dead of night, theré would have been no dim. culty whatever in scaling the wall, droppiug over on to the street and getting away into the slums, As it happens, the ciever burglars had adopted a singularly bad time for carrying their designs into effect, for there are two condemaed tmuraerors present In the prison, and the constant watch oy: them rendered their chance of escape somewh: slim, Sul, the perfection of the keys and the adroitnesa of the hands that were to use them, might have reduced the dificulty and tne escape thus been etlected. GRTHUDOX FADS. The Friends met again yesterday, and in the morning a proposition was received from a Western yearly meeting suggesting the propriety of holding a general Conference of all the yearly meetings im this city in Ocwber, 1872 The proposition waa referred to @ committee to be considered and re- ported upon. Reports were received from the Tract Committee and Peace Commitee giving an account of the prow | gress of these respective iuterests. Every yearly meeting has & Peace Commitiee, and these are associated in One delegated committee, which reports to the general Cunference, in the aiternoon written reports from the several societies Were presented, givibg a review of the re~ ligious condition of each. It was reported that, 60 jar as known, only four persons bad used spirituous, liquors as a beverage during the past year. The ex~ ercises last evening were devouonai, aud earnestex~ a were cenrerea i. ve peremvee and Mr. a 4 ass, anc interesting were lated by many others, A religious meeung will be 1 in'tne fame place this mormng. ‘The Confer+ ence will provably adjourn on Thursday. BULGLARS IN NEWARK, Early yesterday morning the residence of Mr. i O. Headley, in Newark, was entered by a burg! and robved of a large quantity of silverware, While making his escape he was observed by an officer, who darted after iim, He dropped his plunder and eeded in escaping, He was in bis kings. rly on Monday morning Kichards & Brown's stupyard, located in the Twelfth ward, near the New Jersey Zinc Works, Was broken into and the following avticles were carried oif:—Ftitecn baies of oakum, forty-five fathoms of new varnished anchor cham, ® number of suip blocking and a wagon of new ropes, value! at $1,000, A bran new set ol sails for & schooner, Valued at $500, Was taken (row w too jolt of one of the buildtuga,