The New York Herald Newspaper, September 10, 1872, Page 5

GETTING NATURALIZED. Something About the Manufacture of American Citizens. On a Tour of Inspection—Hunting for a Republi- can Committee—Found at Last—In a Lager Beer Saloon—“‘Not Putting Many Through: Too Early in the Season” —The Various Stylee of Full Papers—Plain or Bond Paper or Parchment—You Pays Your Money and You Takes Your Choice. As eventful November, big with the fate of a President, of some scores of thousands of officials, Of aGovernor and countless State and city place- holders, draws nigh, one of the most jmportant branches of American politics begins to break out tmto even more than its usual Autumnal activity. ‘The branch referred to is, of course, the manufac- ture of American citizens, which, in this city es- pecially, possesses some very curious and interest- features, ms IN OLD TIMES, ‘which ancient fogies persist in regarding as the “palmy days of the Republic,” this was avery solemn and august ceremony. It was then believed by the men who sat at the feet of the fathers of our country that to be admitted into the family of free American citizens was, for a foreigner‘ an honor only inferior to that of being allowed to pass through the peary gates into the Kingdom of Heaven. The naturalization of an alien, therefore, ‘Was not only, as it is stil) legally supposed to be, Bedged round about with imposing formalities, in ‘the shape of oaths and official seals and appear- ances in Court, but the ritual of initiation was car- ried out with rigid strictness and precision. Any flaw in a candidate's character was fatal to his success, and he had no chance to rush through the @oer ina mob, and thus in the press of people escape examination, while to enter by climbing over the walls wasan utterly impracticable and @bsurd impossibility. THE DEGENEBATR PRESENT. But the stream of emigration was then small, and American life was scarcely se filled as it is now with the cares of material prosperity. In these days foreigners arrive in small armies each week, and the task of receiving them formally into American citizenship has to be done by wholesale. The work is, therefore, performed in a somewhat perfunc- tory manner, and there would be little dificulty in B thiet, or drel of on bee dye, passin Saccsastaliy into tne shfoyticn Sash aah privilege of American freedom; for the qualifica- ns laid down by the law as necessary—good jaracter, @ certain length of residence and & gettied intention of permanently residing in the country—are all notoriously and constantly evaded, Or, at any rate, have been evaded in former years, It ‘would be impossible for the sitting Judge in the ©ommon Pleas to exercise anything like a rigid serutiny over tne lives of the thousands of men ‘whose papers he is called upon to sign 3 the pat, i dozen weeks before election; all he can do {s to re- ire that there should be evidence given onal ‘8 citizen that the candidate is in every way entl- to the distinction he seeks. And such a wit- gripe the command of every man who has lived the country a year or so, no matter what may be social status or moral standing. Bill Sykes, of the Sixth ward, can vouch, without any fear of the words bergen fn his throat, that his.friend and partner is a highly respectable, industrious and worthy man. What, then, are we going to do about 4? Probably we can do just nothing at all, Our consolation must be that the vast bulk of the reign element are peaceable, honest folk, who Jeave their native land simply because they were too enterprising to be satisfied with starvation ‘wages and a pauper’s grave. NATURALIZATION BUSINESS AS YET DULL. It is a little carly in the season as yet; but @lready one political party begun the work of drumming up aliens and “putting them through” the formalities of citizenship, making sure, of that the men whom they thus oblige are ing to vote the right ticket. For several days the fu licans have announced that their Naturaliza- tion Committee is sitting at 25Chambers street. No. 25 isastore on the floor level with the street, and ‘wp above is chiefly filled with lawyers’ offices. The writer yester started in quest of the committee through the building. No outside indications enlightened him where sat the objecta of his search, and he ventured into several tegal dens in vain. No one seemed to know any’ about it, and, indeed, looked some- ‘What suspiciously at a visitor who was pre- g@umably a candidate for naturalization, and about whom there was, therefore, prima Jacie evidence that he was of none too reputable a character. DISCOVERED AT LAST, But at last, in a very small room, he came upon & ing gentleman who was amusing himself while waited for business—and what a business that “waiting for business” is for ® young New York lawyer |—by reading the HERALD. “Gan you tell me where I can see the Republican Naturalization Committee ?” inquired the writer. The smile which had lit up the young lawyer's face at the hope of securing a victim in the shape of aciient faded sadly away, but he politely re- plied :— “Down iu the lager beer saloon below, sir, I be- Meve.”” THE RIGHT SALOON, And it turned out upon a closer examina- tion of the premises that there was, indeed, @ lager beer saloon in the basement, though it was by no means obtrusively conspicu- ous. It was very much like all other lager beer saloons in its general appearance. There were half a dozen round tables, adornea with wet rings of superabundant Jager and weiss, and at them were seated a few choice spirits—probably clerks and printers—who were whiling away the noontide hours and cooling their heated frames with beakers of brown fluid. There was also a lunch counter, redolent of sausage and Limburger cheese, and potato salad ,and similarly unsubstan- tial dishes. The bartender was the most obliging of his species. “The Committee 1” quoth he, cheerfully, “you ‘will find them in front, sir, dawn those steps.” “QUIDES, PHILOSOPIIERS AND FRIENDS." At last the guides, philosophers and friends ‘‘of the poor foreigner’ were found, There they were, ‘ma cool cellar, lighted by a grating and by side ‘windows opening upon the beer saloon. They were Feclining gracefully on a high desk fixed against the wall, and as there were no stools it isto be apes that they do their work standing. In the back room, however, there was a table, with some ¢ane chairs and some empty lager beer glasses, The committeemen—as many of them, that is, as Were visible—were twoin number, one of whom had a very red face, while the other had a ver, Jong, large and conspicuous nose. The man wit the very red face seemed to act as chairman, and cheerfully answered the questions put to him. His companion, it appeared afterwards, is merely the Unguist of the establisiment, and can recite the constitution of the United States in more than a dozen languages. NOT PUTTING MANY THROUGH. “Ja business brisk 7’ inquired the reporter. “Well, we have put two men through this morn- ing,” said the gentleman with the red face. “We ony began to-day, and shan’t do much, I guess, for another month or six weeks yet—not until a little nearer the election.” Here he produced some pink cards, which he said he was going to distribute pneny the chairmen of the various ward organizations. It read simply :— AO OIEROLELE IE RE LEEDIODE RE DOLE SIDE DOO ‘To the NATURALIZATION COMMITTEE of the REPUBLICAN GENERAL COMMITTEE: Trecommend Mr. —— for Naturalization. Signed mi Office No. 25 Mec stree! H jours from 10 to 3 o'cloc! AUG, SCHAFFEL, Clerk. LOO NCC LO NEOE DOLE RE TEOOLEDE IE LOE LE DODOION DOM This is about all he had to tell, and he and the Mnguist fell away tothe back table with an air very highly suggestive of their ardent wish that ‘Maree o'clock had already arrived, and that they could wend their way uptownward. ‘The next visit made was to THE NATURALIZATION OFFICE itaolf in the old City Hall. It is a dingy little room on the same floor as the Mayor's Oitice, with win- dows looking towards the new Post Ufice, One @ide of it is fitted up with shelves, upon which re- pose the recoras of past naturalization formalities and piles of empty forms, There is a space railed of for the presiding clerks, one of whom sits at quite an imposing looking desk. There is in this place also @ table covered with blank naturalization papers printed in colors. The chief clerk, who is a very py pleasant gentieman, welcomed hie vis- itor with the most cordial hospitality and laid bare secret of his office with a chatty frankness that was very captivasing. “Glad to.see you, cir. How many have we put h to-day, did you say? Jom (perhaps, by ‘throug! the way, it was Henry, but it was at any rate a Christian name), this gentleman belongs to the HgRawp; just see how many papers we have made out to-day. Twenty-three, sir, and last week about aixty, I should think. You see, sir, it i# @ little too early in the season just yet.” yw much is the fee for taking out papers?’ AN BXPLANATION OF THE “STYLBS.” “Lost et Well, it varies. Fifty cents if the man only wants a plain sheet of paper, with a stamp on it. But then we have two other styles. Here (pointing to a huge sheet with the “United States of America” printed in big red letters, on crisp paper, highly suggestive of securities and tin and bank parlors) is one style—United tes bond persone dollar and fifty cents, The again (pointing top yet largershect of parchi Bim, sen nn ot Anes ea ne), 0 r finest style—parchment, a dee bee Mand” ps hment is high tional which style the man e pla , or bond paper, or hment, tenn ie a plotare, and tien, of course, they iD & a , aD , + don't. stick at the Fast dollar, and take the best of all. There is no compulsion about it at all, and we treat them just the same whichever they take.” tthe writer had originally intended to see a batch e r had 01 ni of candidates put their naturalization course, but ib was everywhere represented to him that just now there {s very little fun in the cere. mony. By and by, when the election is at its height and when the manufacture of citizens has reache: ite busy season, the scenes in the Court are, how- ever, very amusing. But you might be there just @t present, and ina whole week you would not Jaugh probably more than once or twice, while yoar ‘awns could counted by the thousand, When he right time comes, however, the naturalization bumors of the Court of Commen Pleas shail, of course, be verbally and vividly photographed for the readers of the HERaLp. MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. Pebeeetanians Meeting of the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors convened in regular session yesterday afternoon, Mayor Hall in the chair. Owing to the tardiness of the members the business of the seasion was not commenced until long after the hour named for the convening of the body. A petition from the National Rifle Associa- tion for an appropriation to purchase ground for & rifle range was read among other petitions. The Committee on Annual Taxes and Finances submit- ted an ordinance fixing the amount to be raised upon the city and county property for State tax at $30,437,528 01, at the rate of $2 90 on the $100, Mayor Hall explained that by an actof the Legislature the limitation was fixed for the tax at two and three-quarters per cent, After this act was passed there were adopted by the Legislature other acts, one of about a miliion for the Fourth avenue tmprovement, an assessment of about $900,000 per year for street cleaning pur- poses, another of $160,000 for the Free Academy and another of $5,000 for the National Rifle Association, These items, he explained, were ordered by the Legislature to be raised, and they would increase the rato to $2 98 instead of $275 the $100. The Board of Apportionment had to-day made certain pat tS reduced the rate of taxation to te Vin Sohatox stated that although a member of the committee he had no alternative under the law but to sign the report, which was prepared in the Comptroller's office, Mr. Conover was in favor of ordering the ordi. mage prinved, as there was plenty of time yet to act. Mr, VaNcg said that the Comptroller's necessl- ties demanded that the collections be commenced atonce, After further discussion, and the declara- tion of the Mayor that the Board could be com- sores by mandamus to raise the amounts called for, the ordinance was adopted. A resolution was passed continuing the Counsel of the Board at the old rate of $2,000 per year. The following is the statement of the appropria- tion made by the Board of Appottionmen for car- rying on the said Board for the present yéar:— * ors A pairs to county offlees and buildings $20, Printing for Legislative Der artment... 20,000 Erinting for Executiye Department..... 3400 ~ wT : si - 22,468 8. Payinents, ia 4 ar Stationery, law and blank books. 25, 5,627 Support of prisoners in count . x $87 Arhkories and Ul room perse save 350 008 43,787 ‘The Board adjourned until next Monday. Board of Aldermen. The above Board met yesterday, President Coch- rane in the chair. A petition was received from Augustus Daly against the removal of his lamp corner of Twenty-fourth street and Broadway, which was referred to the Committee on Pnblic Works. <A resolution was adopted request- ‘ng Commissioner Van Nort to compel the Second Avenue Railroad company to replace the pavements on Second avenne recently taken up by them. The Corporation Counsel, to whom was referred the resolution looking to the abolition of the fat palling: establishments in the city, gave it as his opinion, in a review of the law on the point, that the power to remove them from the city is uly weaed in the Board of Health. The resolution authorizing the paving of Seventy-second street, from the east side of Kighth avenue to the North River, with Telford-Macadamized pavement, was adopted. A resolution authorizing Commissioner Van Nort to pain his last annual report was adopted. ir. Conover called up an old resolution (preceded by many “ whereases”’), which looks to the proge- cution by the Law Department o& Cornelius Vander- bilt for taking Peypocen of public parks and pl for the use of his rapid transit railroad, but no de- cisive action was taken beyond its discussion and the consumption of valuable time by Mr. Conover in reading the charter of the scheme, The Board adjourned at a late hour, The Assistant Aldermen. There was a quorum of the Assistant Aldermen present yesterday, and a little unimportant busi- ness was transacted. Nearly the entire session was devoted to discussion of points of parliament- ary practice, in which Mr, Connor, of the Four- teenth, led tn ventilating his knowledge of how the thing works under Creswell’s rules, The Board, under this gentleman’s enlightenment, unravelled @ snarl in which they had been placed by the non- advertising of the ordinances and resolutions of the previous meeting. They cut out all record of the age of these resolutions, &c., and recalled them from the Clerk of the Board of Aldermen. Mr. Connor never consumes the valuable time of the Board unless there is a large audience from the Eleventh and Seventeenth wards present. THE IRON STEAMSHIP NEW ORLEANS. eh mtr doe olf The Latest Addition to the Cromwell Line—Her Dimensions, Machinery and Accommodations. The new iron steamship New Orleans, the latest addition to the Cromwell line, was inspected yes- terday at noon by a number of invited guests, and notwithstanding that she was not quite finished in the particulars of her intended elaborate up- holstering, was found to be a first class vessel of her character, and to combine many improvements not found in coasting steamers, The New Orleans |, Was built in hull and machinery by Messrs. Pusey, Tones & Co., of Wilmmgton, Del., from designs by and under the supervision of Mr. John Baird. Her dimensions are:—Length on deck, 249 feet; breadth of beam, 33 feet; depth of hold, 24 feet; depth, moulded to upper deck, 26 feet 9 inches; tonnage (C. H.), 1,440 tons. Her keel is of the best forged iron, 9 inches by 23¢ inches, and the frames of angle iron, in one length, 5 inches by 3 inches, and 22 inches between centres, being double under the engine and boilers. The floors are 22 inches deep by 9-16 inch thick, and the reverse bars 33, inches by 3 inches by 7-16inch, The beams are of bulb iron, with strong bulb lower ends, and double angle iron on upper edge, all forged in piece, 9 inches deep by 9-16 inch thick. The beams—10 inches deep, 5 inches gcross top and bottom, and 9-16 inch thick—are between the lower deck and floors. The plating is % inch thick on garboard, bilge and bottom: outside strakes, and above the bilge strake 9-16 inch thick. Beam stringer plates are laid on main and lower deck beams ail around the vessel, and also at the intersection of beams in the lower hold, continuously around the ship. The riveting throughout the vessel is of the double chain character, excepting the main deck stringers, tie plates, &c., which are treble riveted, The New Orleans has four water-tight bulkheads, two en- closing the engine and boiler, and two collision bulkheads, forward and aft. A new feature in her construction is an iron house which encloses all | openings in deck to soaiee and fre rooma, which ina moment can be made water-tignt, thus insur- ing the impossibility of water from over the deck ever reaching the fires: and this improvement also con- stitutes an admirable protection in case of fire, ag the tron house runs between decks and will prev the flames from spreading. There are hoisting en- gines on board and all other known necessary im- provements, The New Orleans is fitted with one of Baird's direct-acting engines, 48 inches in diameter of cylin- der and 6 feet stroke of piston. It is furnished with @ suriace condenser and has @ separate circulating engine and pumps, with steam jacket around the cylinder. Steam will be supplied from two boilers, 14 feet by 12 feet 6 inches and 18 feet high. The plates of these are % inch thick and are double riveted. The boilers are inspected to carry 60 pounds of steam, but have been tested to a pres- sure of 70 pounds. the most extensive nature, and such as to make a voyage to the Crescent City one of pleasure. There are roomy rooms, fitted in luxuriant style, capable of furnishing berths to forty firat class and extremely well ventilated apartments for fifty second class passengers. Her owners assert that everything has been done to make this vessel superior fh every respect, and those who are ac- mainted with the requirements of a steamship of this character will not dispute it, after a careful examination. In ber recent trial trip from Wilmington to this port the New Orleans developed great speed, fully coming up to the expectations 0! all interested in her construction. Her carrying capacity is 15,000 barrels or 8,500 bales of cotton. " the initial fh, on ‘ork This vessel will start for her intended route of service between New and New Orleans on Saturday next, from pier No, 0 ae River, under the command of Captain E, Y, ‘The accommodations of the New Orleans are of | 2M, on the , TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1872.-TRIPLE SHEET, THE COURTS. Interesting Proceedings in the Now York and Brooklyn Courts. Charge of Stabbing—Alloged Counterfeiting—The Murder of John Halloran—Business in the General Sessions. UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS’ COURT, Charge of Stabbing « Mate of a Vessel. Before Commissioner Osborn. The United States vs. John Cosley. The defend- ant is charged with having stabbed the second mate of the American ship E. 8, Stetson under the following circumstances:—The E. 8. Stetson, of which Mr. John Moore is captain, left London for New York about the 22a of July, and while the ship was still in the Thames, off Gravesend, a dispute arose between the second mate (Roberts) and the prisoner. The latter drew his sheath Knife and Stabbed Roberts. The wound was of a dangerous character. The captain made a complaint to the authorities at Grayesend, but they declined to interfere on the ground that Lge? aid not deem they had power to do #0. losley was secured on board the vessel and brought to New York, Yesterday the captain went before the Commissioner and stated that there was no person on board the Stetson who could prove the offence, but that Roberts, the assaulted party, was on his way, and would be here in the course of a ew days. The Commissioner, upon the complaint of the cap- tain, issued his warrant for the arrest of Gotleys Later in the day riots was apprehended and neld in default ef $5,000 to answer the charge. Charge of Attempting te Pass Counter= feit Money, fi Before Commissione¥ Stillwell. The United States vs. Caroline Strack. The de- fendant, a very ola woman, was held in $2,000 bail on a charge of attempting to pass counterieit fifty-cent currency stamps, SUPREME COURT—CHAMBERS, Murder of John Halloran—Vindication of the Law—James Burns, Who Killed Halloran at the Gotham Saloon, Sent Back to the Lunatic Asylum. Before Judge Leonard. In the case of James Burns, tried in the Court of General Sessions for the murder of John Halloran at the Gotham Saloon, but acquitted on the ground of insanty and sent to the Lunatic Asylum at Utica, and whose discharge was sought on a writ of habeas corpus, and the same argued on Satur- day last before this Court, Judge Leonard yes- terday rendered his decision, accompanied by the opinion which we give below in full. It will be seen that he dismfases the writ, and orders Burns to be sent back to the Lu sylum. The fol- lowing ig. #. Rwiir’ pe oy pie” THR JUDGE'S 01 tm nie ‘Thé prisoner was acquitted of murder in the first degree in the Court of General Sessions of the City of new York in July last, on the ground of insanity, Such appears to have been the verdict of the jury. That Court thereupon ordered the prisoner to detained in safe custody and sent to the State Lu- natic Asylum at Utica, where the Sheriff was di- rected forthwith to convey him, and it was fur- ther directed that the prisoner be there DEVAINED IN SAFE CUSTODY ‘until discharged according to law. It is alleged that he has now become sane, and the prisoner a] plies for his discharge from eystanr nan a writ of habeas corpus. The question of his sanity is not raised either on behalf of the people or the Su- perintendent of the Asylum, the judgment and process or order of the Court ee the only ground on which the right of detention is claimed, The question is now and must be disposed of princi- ® reference to the statutes 6 asylum was organized and 6 author- ity to receive and detain criminals was given by an act of the Leaisatare. June 12, 1852, to be found in the Revised Statutes, Bamodns’ ed., vol 4, p. 68, Itis “heey by sec, 31, p. 25, that a person acquitted of a criminal chi upon trial on the ground of insanity, the Court being certified of the tact by the jury or otherwise, shall ascertain if his insanity continue in any degree, and, if it does, shall order him in safe custod’ and to be sent to the asylum. Sec. 32.contains provisions for send- ing to the asylum other persons under indictment or sentence and criminal charge, &c., or committed for want of bail, &c., or for keeping the peace or appearing as a witness, or on a summary convic- tion, &e, This section also contains provisions for the discharge of persons imprisoned under this section, By sec. the power of the Chancellor over the person and property of the insane are de- clared not to bave been abridged by the said act. By gec, 41 the power of the managers of the asylum to discharge patients on the certilicate of the myer. intendent of a complete recovery is given, but the case of those detained under a criminal charge or liable to be remanded to prison, is expressly ex- cepted. The discharge of PATIENTS OF THE CRIMINAL CLASS to which Burns bel is by section 42 author- ized by order ofa Justice of the Supreme Court, if upon due investigation it shall appear safe, legal and right to make such order. The office of the writ of habeas corpus is for the purpose of inquir- ing into the cause of the detention of any person, and, ifit appears to be illegal, of granting a dis- charge. Ordinarily the regularity 0 the process of the commitment terminates all further inquiry, and the prisoner is to be remanded into custody. The Court cannot on habeas corpus inquire into the JUSTICE OF THE SENTENCE or judgment, That has been pronounced by an- other tribunal, which can be reviewed only in some other manner by ao higher Court, but not upon habeas corpus. It 18 certainly clear that the jndgment and process in the case of Burns are regular and sufficient. The General Habeas Corpus act provides that a prisoner confined ona judg- ment or sentence of a court of competent jurisdiction is not entitled to that writ. The prisoner must show preliminarily that he is not so confined when he applies for the writ. From this circumstance I think that it appears that Burns was re oa. NOT ENTITLED TO THE WRIT, and that when it was stated in the petition that he ‘Was notconfined upon the judgment of a compe- tent court the petitioner was at least mistaken, It is probable that the equitable powers of the Su- preme Court, where the jurisdiciion belonging to the Chancellor at the time the statute in question was passed, in 1842, now resides and is vested, might in_a proper case be invoked by the petl- tioner. These powers are expressly reserved by sec. 40, This power may also be exercised oy a justice of the Supreme Court under sec. 42. This should be done also upon petition, and not bv the writ of habeas corpus, The regularity of the judg- ment and commitment fully orders the claim % a@ discharge upon the power quoted by virtue o! that process. The writ must be discharged and THE PRISONER REMANDED 2 the asylum from where he has been brought ere. Charles Moore to be Kept in Prison THI His Case is Heard at the Court of Ap- peals. A decision was likewise given to-day upon the attempt made through writ of habeas corpus to effect the release from the Tombs of Charles Moore, convicted of swindling an emigrant out of $900, and sentenced to five yearsin State Prison. This verdict was appealed from, and Moore's discharge on bail was asked for pending this appeal. It will be seen that Judge Leonard refuses to interfere ! with the decision of Judge Barrett, and that thus Moore has to remain in durance at the Tombs ‘unless he can hit upon some more successfl plan for getting out. The following is the decision :— “The former writ of habeas corpus was decided by Judge Barrett, and filed June 19, 1872, with the endorsement of his decision, ‘Writ discharged and prisoner remanded.’ The facts upon which the application was then heard were in all its legal aspects the same as in the present one. I think it must bo taken as.res adjudicata, It would be illegal for another Dg to grant relief where the case has been before heard and decided upon the merits. The only remedy ts, then, by appeal. It is not competent for one Judge to sit in review of the decision of another. On this ground the present application is denied and the prisoner remanded, SUPERIOR COURT—SPECIAL TEAM, Decisions. By Judge Sedgwick- Edward Lacomte vs. Anton Marhert.—Motion de- nied, without costs. James A. Lyon vs, Thomas M. Isett et al.—Claim for allowance of $1,000 to be entered. Richard M. Seaman et al. vs. Giron Bochu.—Mo- | tion denied, with $10 costs, Samuel R, Mabatt_vs, The Corn Exchange In- surance Company.—Error granted. COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS. An Alleged Professional Burglar Con- victed of Grand Larceny. Before Judge Bedford, The only caso of general interest tried in this Court yesterday was an indictment for burglary in the third degree against Charles Grant. From the evidence adduced by the prosecution it ap- peared that on the night of the 10th or the morn- ing of the 11th of Junethe upper floor of No, 300 Broadway, occupied by William M. Fowler, was burglariously entered, by the boring of @ hole in the roof large enough to permit & man to enter, and about $2,500 worth of revolvers stolen. The testimony against Grant was that of Mary Phillips, who was occupied in @ shirt factory at No. Sop floor, where there is a door ona | kind of an elevation leading to the roof. She met the prisoner on the stairs at half-past seven o on the morning of the 11th, carrying two bundles under his ams, Sone up in brown r and ee string, which proved to be similar to the paper in Fowier’s store. She afterwards saw that the lock on the door leading to the roof had been broken ané put loosely ace — The proof was technically insufMiclent to sustain the tewig of burglary; but Assistant District At- wart earnestly pressed for a verdict of gran larceny, capecial as Mr, Grant declined going upon the stand to tell the jury who he was. verdict of guilty of grand larceny was rendered, ir. Price moved for f Leo age an ent on Friday. The promised to hear it at that time, and remanded the prisoner. is Sieeear’ intimated that Grant was a profes- urglar, An Acquittal. William Dalson was tried upon a charge of steal- ing $6 from the person of John Lindian on the 20tb of May, while riding on @ Third avenue car. Re- spectable witnesses were sworn to show that the accused was in their company the evening of the all theft, and his fe character was no clearly established that the lidge anid that tt, was a case of mistaken identity. The jury acquitted the de- fendant without leaving their seats, A Dishonest Domestic Sent to the Island. Sarah Carrell, against whom were three cases, pleaded guilty to an indictment ‘charging her with stealing, on the 17th of August, a silk dreas, valned at $45, the property of Sarah Corscaden. Judge Bedford sent her tothe Penitentiary for three years, Larceny of Clothing. John Cain, charged with stealing $30 worth of clothing and a silver watch from Francis Campbell, on the 23d of August, pleaded guilty te an attempt At grand larceny, and was sent to the Penitentiary for #1x months, The cases of Edward Butler and Benedict Clark, charged with robbery, and Susan Herring, charged with larceny, were discharged by the Court at the Tequest of the complainants. COURT CALENDARS—THIS DAY. MARINE COURT—TRIAL TERM—Part 1—Held bj Judge Shea.—Nos, 2, 88, 92, 162, 180, 182, 184, 18 188, 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, Part 2—Held by Judge Joachimsen.—Nos, 107, 3, 125, 169, 189, 101, 198, 195, 197, 109, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, SUPREME CoURT—CHAMBERS—Held Dy, andes Leonard.—Nos. 65, 60, 72, 73, 80, 83, 84, 85, 80, 96, 99, 100, 108, 118, 119, 140, 121,'123, 134, 126,"120. Cal—132, CouRT OF GENERAL SEssIONS—Held py Judge Bedford.—The people vs. Joseph Thompson, rape; the Same vs. Cornelius McGuire, rape; the Same vs. Richard Johnson, robbery; the Same vs. Wil- Mam Howard, Patrick Kane and Hugh Kelly, bur- glary; the Same vs. Isaac Ephraim and Lewis Ja- burglary; the Same vs. Philip Sherjdan and Thomas MoGarvey, grand larceny; the Same vs, Minnie Forrest, grand larceny; the Same va, Henry Merose, grand larceny; the Same vs. George Mur- and John Francis, ‘and larceny; the Same vs. James Boardman, Richard Reading and Say grand larceny; the Same vs. Thomas McDonald and Henry Rutter, grand larceny; the Same vs, Michael Lannigan and others, grand larceny; the Same vs. John G, O'Donnell, petit larceny; the Same vg, Ellen Wilson, grand larceny from person; the Same vs. William Kinney, attempt at larcevy. BROOKLYN COURTS. Me UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS’ COURT. Tho Special Tax. Before Commissioner Winslow. Three re‘ail liquor dealers—John Uster, of No. 685 Flushing avenue; #hilip Anthony, of Dean and Pear- sall streets, and Lewis Fritz, of Stapleton, Staten Island—came before the Commissioner on the charge of carrying on business at their respective places without paying the special tax required by law. The hearings in all the cases were postponed, the defendants being held to bail to appear. SUPREME COURT—GENERAL TERM. The Lee Avenue Railroad Trouble. Before Judges Barnard, Gilbert and Tappen. Upon the application of property owners on Lee avenue @ short time since an injunction was is- sued restraining the Williamsburg and Flatbush Railroad Company from laying their rails in that thoroughfare. The point raised was that the com- pany had not obtained the consent of a majority of the property owners, which was requisite before they could proceed with the work. e company, on the other hand, contended that they were organized under the General Railroad act, and thereby acquired all the hts of corpora- tions organized under such act. They also neld that it was optional with them to act under this eneral act and obtain the consent of the Common uncil, which 1s alone required, this being a road not terminating in the city; or under the act of 1866, and obtain the consent of a majority of the property owners. They chose the former way of going to work and obtained the consent of the Common Council. Yesterday morning the case was before the Gen- eral Term on appeal, when counsel for the company presented the pointa given above. Counset! for the plaintiffs argued that the com- y, in assuming to act under the Lbigeene act, resorted to a subter! to avoid the necessity of obtaining the consent of a majority of the pro- perty owners, which they found it was impossible to do, “He contended further that they did not file a map in the County Clerk's office before commenc- ing the road, as the general act required, but that on the 26th of August they filed a wey in the Regis- ter’s office, as the act of 1866 required. The defend- ants had had the act of 1866 passed for their pellet and had acted under it, inasmuch as they had lai @ rail of less weight than that the general act re- quired, Counsel argued that they should be bound by As ‘enactment of 1866 and compiy with its pro- visions. After hearing the argument the Court took the papers and reserved decision. SUPREME COURT—SPECIAL TERM. A Divorce CasemCharges and Counter= Charges. Before Judge Pratt. Delia Carpenter brought suit against her hus- band, Robert . Carpenter, for an absolute divores. The charge was adultery. The parties have been married since 1861, and have five children, the youngest of whom is an infant girl. Defendant de- nies adultery on his part, but charges it on his wife. He says that this infant is the result of his wife’s infidelity, and as a further defence alleges that in November last the plaintiff leit his bed and board without provocation, and has since remained a WEY. Nthotton was made yesterday that Carpenter be committed for refusing to Ray alimony and counsel fee previously ordered. he amount of alimony was $5 he week, and the counsel fee $100. Car- nter ol jected on the ground that his income at st was but $40 a week, which was consumed for board and liquidating indebtedness incurred while they kept house together. Decision reserved. The Bay Ridge Avenue Improvement. The report of the commissioners on the opening of Bay Ridge avenue was before the Court again yesterday morning. It may be remembered that the report was sent back last week for revision and correction, and since that time the commis- sioners have awarded a Mr. one $200 more than they did originally, but Pope still objects, and saya that he wants $1,500 for buildings taken. Hence he continned to oppose the adoption of the report. Judge Pratt heard the argument and reserved his decision. CITY COURT—SPECIAL TERM. Explosion of a Kitchen Boiler—Question of Liability. Before Judge Neilson. At the last term Mary Jagge sued Henry Hartean to recover for injuries received by the explosion of a kitchen boiler provided by the defendant. On the trial the complaint was dismissed after the plain- tiffs testimony had been heard. It appeared that the defendant had leased the property toa tenant, by whom a portion thereof had been relet to the plaintiffs husband. The lease contained no cov nant a8 to the condition of the tenement or fix- tures, or as to the making of repairs. The de- fendant had made no agreement whatever with the plaintiff or her husband, nor had the lease been as signed to them. ‘he question contended on the trial, as to the defendant's lability, was somewhat special, there having been no contract to the breach of which the claim could be referred—no yt for applyin the rules and principles peculiar to the relation o} landlord and tenant. On the trial counsel, in view of the terms of the lease and of the status of the parties as mere strangers, claimed that if no ele- Inent ministering to the case could be found in the relation of landiord and tenant the action could not be sustained. He showed quite clearly that such element could not be drawn into the case without doing injustice to well-accepted principles and coming into coniict with recent adjudications, Amotion for a new trial was recently made, Yesterday Ju Neilson rendered a decision deny- ing the motiot Decisions. By Judge Netison. John G. Provost vs. Richard A. Vervalen.—Mo- tion for relaxation denied. Patrick Julien vs. Henry Harrison.—Motion on the minutes for new trial denied, witn costs. Mary Ke ye vs. Thomas F. Gallagher, &c.—Judg- ment for the sale of the premises ordered, Frangott Kaurtz vs. Peter McCarron.—Injunction continued. No costs. Frederick Beinke vs. Lozens, Koehler, &c.— Judgment for defendant. Charles Brown vs. Joseph Anderson.—Order re- ferring case for trial. . Virgigia Sypber vs. J, L. Syphor,—Judgment for | divorce ; defendant guilty of adultery. Plaint have custody of ihe child. sal ae COURT OF SESSIONS. A Court House Pen—The Grand Jury Room No Better Than a Jail Cell—A Wall from the Sufferin, Grand In- quest. Before Judge Moore and Associate Justices Voor- hees and Johnson. The Grand Jury room in the Kings County court house has long been complained of as wholly unfit for the purpéses for which it has been set apart. It isa bt little, filly ventilated apartment on the top floor of the bi , and, acc ig to the sen- timent of the members of the Grand Jury them- selves, can only be compared to a Cell in Jail. Nevertheless, Grand Inquest after Grand Inquest have been huddled together in it apparently with- out courage to insist upon better accommodations. Yesterday, however, the September Grand Jury, of which Mr. Charles S. Baylis {s foreman, broke out in open rebellion, They actually presented the fe nan a8 g nuisance as soon as they entered Court. ‘itness the following :— To rue Counr or Sessions oF tHE County oF KINGS i= The Grand Jurors empanelled by said Court for the September term respectiully present: irat—That the want of ventilation of the rooms set apart for the use of the Grand Jurors of this county is such as to be not only inconsistent with the comfort of Jurors, but is dangerous to their health. That all the means of ventilating said room is through a hole called a window, about two and one half feet square, which. when open,’the iolge trom the street is 40 great that it 1s impossible to hear witnesses testify, (That the furniture of said room is uncomforta- ble and ina dilapidated condition, and the ceilings and walls have the appearance of never having been cleaned since the erection of the Court Louse. Fourth—That the sewer which escape into. the Toom cannot be endured, nnot be otherwise than deleterious to the heaith obliged to inhale them, Fith—That the room Is, in fact, only a counterpart of a cell in jail somewhat enlarged, and we, the Jurors afore- said, do respectfully but earnestly protest against our confinement in said Foom. CHARLES 8. BAYLIS, Foreman, 18 THERE NO REMEDY? Judge Moore remarked that he had frequently conferred with the Supervisors Committee on Court House with reference to the room, and it was ar- Tanged that they should all meet together this morning at ten o'clock. The Judge regretted that [iene ope should be called from their business to e contined in such a room on Grand Jury business. He had represented the evil in vain, but he attrip- uted the failure to remedy the matter to the lack of accommodations in the building more than any- thing else. He promised to examine the law be- tween that time and to-day, aud see whether or not he had authority to compel the Sheriff to furnish them @ better apartment. He requested that the foreman should be present at the meeting this acti which the latter promised to do, The Grand Jury then retired to their pen. JEFFERSON MARKET POLICE COURT Monday Morning’s Watch Returns— Violating the Excise Law—An In- furiated German—The Assault on an Oficer—Another Officer Assauited—A Sunday Evening’s Visit—Assaulting and Robbing nm Emigrant—Carry- ing Concealed Weapons, Justice Cox, at the above Court yesterday morn- ing, had sixty prisoners presented before him for disposition. Forty-two of these were males and eighteen females. Eighteen were charged with intoxication; seventeen with drunkenness and disorderly conduct; eleven with assault and bat- tery; eight with disorderly conduct; two with fighting in the street; one with felonjous assault; one with violating the Excise law; one with mali- cious mischief, and one with reckless driving. Thirty-three of these were held and twenty-seven discharged, THE ASSAULT ON AN OFFICER, John Cole, of 448 Washington street, who at- temptea to stab Officer Maher, of the Greenwich street station, the facts of which have already ap- peared in the HERALD, was arraigned and placed under $600 bonds. The prisoner stated in his own defence that he had been drinking and had no in- tention of harming the officer. VIOLATING THE EXCISE LAW, Larry McKeefer, proprietor of a liquor saloon at 88 West Houston street, was presented by officer Nicholson, of the Prince street station, charged with violating the excise law. The officer testified that McKeever did not have the doors of his place effectually closed on Sunday afternoon, and was selling beer to different persons in pails ana itchers, He was committed in default of $100 il to appear for trial. AN INFURIATED GERMAN. Officer Hoar, of the Greenwich street station, pre- sented a@ young German named Wolf von Schier- brand, of 8 Chrystie strect, who was coatiess and besmeared with blood. The officer stated while on hig post Sunday night he saw a crowd of over one hundred persons congregated in front of a cigar store. Insido were several persons holding the prisoner, who was intoxicated and straggling to get away. The bystanders informed him the risoner pursued some person into the store Syne @ large knife in his hand, which he flourished over his head, threatening to commit harikari upon the man he was pursuing. As the latter had got out of the way and Wolf was intoxi- cated he was taken to the atation house and locked up on 4 charge of being drunk and disorderly, Yes- terday morning, upon complaint of the officer, he was committed for examination. ANOTHER OFFICER ASSAULTED. Sunday afternoon Officer O*Halloran, of the Thir- ty-seventh street station, was called into a saloon on Tenth avenue, between Twenty-ninth and Thir- | tleth streets, to quell a disturbance. As the officer entered six stalwart young men, partially under | the influence of liquor, seized him and commenced beating and kicking him. One of the gang drew a chair and struck the officer a powerful blow across the back and arm with it. He finally managed to get them loose from him, when they started on a run from the place, The hindmost of the party, James Morris, of 866 Greenwich street, was cap: tured and taken into custody by the officer. While on the way to the station house the officer espied another of the party, named James Hackett, of 548 West Twenty-ninth street, standing on the corner, and, pointing him out to the roundsman, he was also taken in custody and the two locked up. Yes- terday morning, while they were in the prison box waitil the arrival of the justice, a third one ofthe party, named Thomas Kain, sauntered | into the ceurt room to see what aisposition would be made of his companions. Officer O'Halloran ob- serving him placea him under arrest. The trio | were arraigned, and committed to answer on a charge of assault on the officer, A SUNDAY EVENING’S VISIT. John Simpson, of 329 West Fortieth street, Sunday night, becoming overheated in the Twentieth ward, concluded to visit the Kighth ward in quest of some of its refreshing ana invigorate, air, During his erambulations he met and admired a small comeiy jooking female, named Margaret Wilson. The meet- be one of love at first sight, as John wil trim Se accepted an invitation to accompany her to a room in Thompson street, John states that when he went into the room he had a fine gold watch In his vest pocket, but upon coming out it was miss- ing. Margaret was arrested by Officer Quinn, of the Greenwich street station, and yesterday morn- ing taken up for trial in default of $600 bail. ASSAULTING AND ROBBING AN EMIGRANT. Mary Kennedy, residin 430 Second avenne, a | recent importation from Emerald Isle, appeared | as complainant against one of the notorious Tenth avenue gang, named Francis Featherston. She complains that while passing through Thirty-ninth street, between Eleventh and Twelfth avenues, Saturday evenin , the prisoner and @ companion jumped from behind a lumber pile and attempted ‘to force her behind it, for the pw of taking im- proper liberties with her. Her shrieks so frightened the ruffians they loosed their hold, and pulling a shawl, valued at $35, from her back, both ran away | with it. They also took possession of her hat, valued at $3, and carried that of. Uficer Minnick, of the Thirtleth street station, yesterday morning ar- rested Featherston and recovered the shawl. The prisoner denied the charge, but was committed for trial without bail, The complainant was sent to the House of Detention. CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS. About one o'clock yesterday morning, a8 Officer Crowley, of the Thirtieth street station, was on his post he heard a disturbance in @ naliway on Sev- enth avenue, noar Hse Adit street. Opening | the door, he found Edward Tea fighting with an un- | known man. As the officer entered the hallway he | saw Tea draw a revolver from his pocket and point it at his antagonist. He seized the would-be mur- derer by the arm, and while attempting to wrench the weapon from his hand was struck a power- ful blow on the nose by Tea, which started the claret, The revolver was finally taken from him, and after a desperate roy tee e was overcome and taken to the station house. Upon searching him a large dirk knife was found secreted about his clothing. Yesterday morning he was committed, in default of $600 ball, to answer a charge of carry- ing concealed weapons. YORKVILLE POLICE COURT. Before Justice Coulter. THE NINETEENTH WARD GANG, One of the most notorious members of the gang of murderers and thieves that infest the Nineteenth ward, and have done so for the last two or three years, was arraigned on a charge of highway rob- bery, with violence. His name is Peter McLaughlin, and on several occasions he has shown himself although still @ young man, to be another Jack Sheppard in deeds of violence, robbery and at- tempted crcages from the custody of the ree to Pip and kncexing him down, they robbed him a watch, The prisoner was arrested yesterd: morning, and on his coat were several large streaks of bi which were taken as conclusive proof of his gull , besides being fully recognized by he epee He was held to answer. He was also for trialon a e of larceny for steal- ing ‘wheel from Henry Eisner, of No. 822 East Fourteenth street. THE VICTIMIZED WATER STREET MISSIONARY, The case of George F. Howell, charged with re- oe under false re; tions the sum of $500 from the Rev. Henry Koden, the Water street. Methodist minister, came up for examination, but at the request of the prisoner, who seems to court the fallest Spresueaticn of his conduct in the Matter, now that it has been made Pre? the case Was sent to the Court of General Sessions for t Interes developments are expected when the case is fully ventilated. A TERRIBLE ASSAULT, A rufianly looking fellow named Joseph Quinn, whose counterpart could only be found in the ‘penal colonies of England, was placed at the bar charged with striking Mrs. W. 0, Esterck, an aged woman, living at No. 509 Second avenue, across the bridge of the nose with a policeman’s night club. Her conditton was horrible as the result of tie brutal outrage, Two highly respectable witnesses volun- tarily came into Court and testifled against the ner, WhO Was committed for trial in default of all LONG BRANCH. Secretary Fish a Guest at the Presidential Cot- tage—Politicians of Larger and Lesser Degree in Conforence with the President—What President Grant Thinks of the Political Situation—Hotel Gaieties—An Ex- citing Scenc—The Hot Weather. LONG BRANCH, Sept. 9, 1872. Secretary Fish, who arrived here on Saturday, is still a guest at tho Presidential cottage. He will remain through to-morrow. He has taken several rides with the President and the two, freed from the cares of their oilicial duties, seem toenjoy their vacation with the same hearty zest characteristic of ordinary mortais, Both attended church yesters day at the Episcopal church and it is unnecessary to state were the cynosure of general observation, Rumor, always prolific with busy imaginings, will have it that the object of the Secretary’s visit is to confer with President Grant regarding the Geneva claims arbitration and the action to be taken by our government upon the decision bemg made known, ‘The probability is that it © wilh be deemed time enough to hold such conference after the result has beem officially promulgated to the State Department, and meantime that Secretary Fish is only here to reciprocate President Urant’s recent visit paid the Secretary at his country seat on the Hudson. Another visitor to the Presidential cottage is Governor Cooke, of the District of Columbia, He comes here to confer with the President upon mat- ters in his district, and this ended will return to the field of his gubernatorial duties. We might continue the list of visitors, Collector Arthur spent a@portion of to-day at the President’s, New York Custom House affairs, it is presumable, formed the bulk of tne conversation. Senator Cattell was also closeted with the President for @ time, the subject of conference, in all probability, being New Jersey’ Politics. Speaking of New Jersey politics, Governon Joe} Parker has also been here, deep in consulta tion with Senator Stockton, arranging the pro-, gramme of politics in their little State. Of minor politicians making hurried visits here there is no end, These come for the most part with petty axes togrind. As the Presidential campaign advances: and the political combat deepens, it is probable that the big political guns and wire-pullers will begin to putin an appearance, Meantime those who have conversed with President Grant upon the present political situation, all unite in saying that he fs perfectly willing to bide the current oi politi< cal events, tliat he repudiates for himself aS party any connection with the Louisville Convention and that he regards the voice from Vermont as only: the brilliant presage of more brilliant victories to follow, After the present week, except the Howland Hotel and Occan House, which remain open until the end of the month, ail the leading hotels will ba closed, At the Howland, which sttli retains nearly. the maximum of its guests, ail the gateties of tha season are still kept BR. On Saturday evening there was a magnificent hop here, at wile ail tha beauty and fashion of the Branch were present, including the prominent guests at the other hotels and most of the cottages, nearly all of whom still) wisely remain here to enjoy “the mild September” at the sea side. "There was quite an excitement on the beach last evening, caused by @ daring and predatory youth who, having filched Johnny Howland’s row boat, allowed two boys, sons of & gentleman stopping at. the Howland Hotel, to jump into the boat, and then’ boldly plunging through the breakers, which nearly caused the boat to swamp, pushed out to sea. Wild with excitement, messengers were sent to the vil- lage for fishermen to hurry to their rescue, but after a brief row and before ‘the fishermen arrived the reckless youths, seemingly regardless of the shouts to remain where they wére, but which it seems were drowned by the noise of the breakers, again shot into the breakers and made for the shore. All expected the tiny craft would be swamped, but she came through like an arrow, landing the partyin safety. It was @ moment of intense anxiety to hundreds, The cir- cumstance {furnished a lively ripple of exciting talk during the evening. During the hottest days of last Summer's heated terms the thermometer did not reach as high a int as yesterday. It stood eighty-eight degrees in the shade, and to-day reached within two de- grees of this point. AsIclose my letter & refresh- ing shower has cooled the air. There is @ cook breeze from the sea, and the Branch—there having been no sea breeze for the past three days—is it« self again, fh CLEVER COUNTERFEITIN G SCHEME. Capture of Spurious Currency Plates and Several Thousand Dollars’ Worth of Unfinished Notcs—Plot to Flood the Country with New Fifty-Cent Stamps— | The Bost Counterfeit Ever Issued. Information was received at the office of the | United States Secret Service Division, in this city, | last week, in regard to the operations of a large gang of counterfeiters at St. Louis, Mo, It was stated that an adroit plot had been arranged there for flooding the country with spurious counterfeit fifty-cent currency notes, of a description dim- cult to detect from the genuine stamps. It was also announced that the plated had been partially engraved and printed from, and had been forwarded North in order to be completed. This course, it was explained, was taken for the purpose of escaping the strict spirit of the law affecting counterfeiters. Fears were en« tertained by the Treasury that the plot, if not frus« trated in the bud, would be of incalculable injury to bankers and business men, and accordingly the most strenuous efforts were ordered for the dts~ covery of the offenders. Colonel Whitley, Chief of the Secret Service, detailed several of his most skil< ful detectives to the work of unearthing the coun- terfeiters. ‘They accomplished the best part of their undertaking yesterday in the capture of the counterfeit plates, together with about twenty, thousand dollars’ worth of half-finished Po Tar ‘These were found ina large box addressed to B. Still, which was waiting delivery at Westcott’s Express Office, in Brooklyn. The box had remained there for several da} nd it Was supposed that the per. son to whom it was consigned had become fright- ened and was afraid to claim it. The plates which: formed part of its contents were two in number, one being the obverse side of the fifty-cent notes and the Other boi et | the red seal on the face, engraved on copper. It was ot) thas the intention was to have the remainder of the en< graving on the reverse side completed here. The plates and the stamp which had been printed froi them were pronounced the best of the kind eve! executed, and 80 near like the genuine dies as ta deceive ordinary experts. Beneath the plates in the box was found thegfollowing singular letter, which is copied verbatim from the original :— tell C to do his part of the work Will try and get eve thing ready by the time Col. H.C. Whitney ites, piteh overboard. As soon as G (Greeley) and B (Brown) gt elected we can make our Jack. Whitney and all of old files will be discharged. I think Sam Felkner or ol Dill Woods will git Col. nines lage, and if eather of them gites it we will be all O. K. right side up. be verr: ceaurful till I see you. if we dont fit, & new crew afte! it will be healthey for us to go to Ca. had 5 temo old : k the other day he is hartey bur Afraid to let me have that press so you will have to git b “dead he has “not been well ay AAs olor and. freed such @ turbel rut deal thnks he wil be al ight when 1 takes the ‘chair for ye c Me eat wile old whitney 1s in-oMee Too while old THULE be over till alter the farie. yeh STILL. The box and contents were removed to Colonel Whitley’s office to be forwarded to the Treasury Department, ry A FIREMAN BURNED TO DEATH. Coroner Keenan yesterday received information that Jacob Stilgee, late a member of the Fire De: partment and attached to Engine Company 23, bi authorities, or four years he was sent to the House of "forage, but attempted toescape by crawili through 4 sewer loading to the river bank. On Sunday night atalate hour he, with two of his comrades, at- tacked Christopher Nulanherm, of 887 First avenue, while on bie way home, and, after severely beating died in Roosevelt Hospital, Tenth avenue, neart Sixty-seventh stree' rom the effeets of burns i ceived early last Friday morning, during the barn: Ing of oll and explosion which followed, in Sixtyy fifth street, An inquest will be held over the r