The New York Herald Newspaper, November 17, 1872, Page 5

VICE. Raid on the Concert Saloons in the Fif- teenth, Fourteenth and Eighth Pre- eincts by the Police Last Night. DISMAY IN THE DENS. Planning and Execu- tion of the Work. SCENES IN THE SALOONS. Consternation and Excitement in the Music Halls at the En- trance of the Police. FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM. The Arrests, Preparations and March to the Cells. Terrified Cockneys and Affrighted Countrymen. Brazen Beauty and Weeping Help- lessness Side by Side. List of the Names of the Per- sons Arrested. ‘The prompter had rung in the orchestra, and the musicians had ushered in with lively strains the second and concluding part of the performance last aight at the Arion Music Hall, on Broadway, when Captain Byrnes, of the Fiiteenth precinct police, walked upon the scene, féllowed by half a dozen officers. The audience in the place at the time was composed of about two hundred men and thirty-five women. Some were seated at tables and others were standing at a bar that ran along the upper end of the saloon, drinking. The women were mostly dressed in tights, Spanish jackets end trunks, and almost all were tippling. One very diminutive and active girl sported a full Highland costume, and she appeared to be attract- wg more attention than any of the rest. The aged fequenters of the place—and there were ® good many of them present last night— seemed to be strangely fascinated by this Beottish dress, and the wearer of it was in demand on all sides, The musicians, some half-dozen scedy Teutons—sat inside a railing im- mediately in front of the stage, which is built on the west side of tne saloon. As soon as it dawned apon their lethargic minds that the saloon was in possession of the police they made a raid on the junch counter, which stood close beside the orchestra, and disposed of the edibles laid out there ina manner that seemed to say, “We will have a good feed for once, whatever happens.” The stage is raised from the floor about three feet, and is adorned with a crimson glazed calico curtain, with a severe rent in the middle, no foubt jor the convenience of the perform- ere, who generally like to have a wok at the audience before begin- Bing Operations, not only in music hails, but in places of more pretension. Between the unpretending drop and the view of the stage a row of footlights burned. They were sunken 100, according to custom, and no doubt when their full refulgence was turned on by the gentieman in the first entrance who ought to hold the book, but did not have any volume to sustain in this instance, they cast a very brilliant reflection upon the countenance of the artist. A number of medium-sized mirrors adorned THE WALLS OF THE AUDITORIUM and their reflecting attractions were gracefully re- lieved by an inverspersion of colored plates in frames of a rather doubtful moral school of art. Critically examined these printed scenes of human life could scarcely be tousidered respectable. They were in keeping with the place, however, and all init. At the fur- ther end of the saloon and opposite the stage was & staircase that led to the dressing rooms on the floor beneath. ‘There were six of these rooms, all leading of the hali, and they were fitted up inastyle that looked, to say the least, more than unusital. Behind the lunch counter and over the head of tho man who vended the un- wholesome viands was a large placard setting forth in sparkling letters the tariffat which a man might send his nerves into an agony ana ruin his digestion. The man himself wes the very picture of what an- other biped would be sure to come to from a short acquaintance with his merchandise. An inéense hatred of the whole human race was stamped upon his features, though with the exception of a nose he scarcely seemed to possess any others; yet there was a something that stvod in the place of a face, and a bitter, unrelenting hatred of his fellow seemed branded on t! urface. Upon the head, at the back of this trowning front, Was a mass o! black, oily hair, of the description usually seen on blocks ina barber's window. Neither the nose nor the ee aaa th plateau from which it grew was clean, and the hands were in asimilar condition. The lunch counter man evidently knew Captain he for as soon as he saw him walk into the place he set his elbows upon the counter, buried the point where the cnin ought to be between the hands, and grinned at the au- dience. There was a something so exauisitely sin- ister and vicious about the manner in which he eyed the peopie before him that one could almost fancy his thoughts, if he indulged in any, ran:— “Ah, you precious batch of fools! You have been coming in here night after night, wearing away ur lives in this filthy atmosphere, ruin- ing §=6your _—ihealth, your morality and your ‘reputations, under the delusion you were enjoying Byer Now you're caught at last and wiil have to pay the penalty of pestle idity by being locked up in the station se all night. Serve you right! Serve you right! Iam here, like all the other monsters of the Place, to prey upon your folly, and now that our game is stopped I'm glad to see you sulfer.”’ The expression upon the countenance intensified and heightened as Captain Byrnes moved into the centre of the hall and said, ‘All here will consider themselves under arrest.” At this startling announcement the mep started to their feet. The women rushed into corners and ‘the men at the lunch bar grinned. The musicians reseed their instruments, looked over their spectacles in amazement at the officer, but not &@ word was spoken, The rattling noise of the glasses and botties was instantly hushed, and for several seconds not a sound was made, The people were hig amazed by the announce- ment, and the cool, determined air of the captain of police augmented their consternation. me the younger men grew white in the face. Others became scarlet, and the gray-beaded roves, skulking tp corners, trembled with «dismay. The raid was made in a totally uif- ferent manner trom anything of the kind ever at- tempted belore. Instead of rushing into the place with a platoon of men in uniform and fright- ening away the birds, without catching any of them, Captain Byrnes went in there alone in plain clothes to sce if all was going on as usual. Satisfied that no one in the saloon had any or of his intention he returned to the side- walk, beckoned to a number of oflicers who were on the opposite side of Broadway, also in plain dress, and then went back to take pos- session. Two policemen were left at the outer door with instructions to jock it and let no one pass. The others followed the captain and took their sta- ton at the head of a number of steps that led from the front part o! the saloon to the hall itself. aiter informing the parties they were under arrest Cap- win Byrnes ordered the women to CHANGR THEIR CLOTHES as quickly as possible and go with the oficers to the station house. The poor creatures set about ol these instractions, some crying, others laughing, and some With a stolid indiiference that showed {ye atter recklessness that en iD itepa and ‘ay to th door, They were met by Deteysive Hender- | NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1872—QUADRUPLE SHERT. 101 to go. police movements were admirably arranged and well carried out. Nothing could have been more quietly or effectually done. There was no noise or excitement and the work was well performed. The same vool- ness and thoroughness characterized the pi ings througtiout, and the place was closed, the peo- ple arrested taken to the station house and locked up without any accident having occurred. While Captain Byrnes was operating at the Arion, Ser- geant Carpenter was active in @ similar manner at e Pavilion. Both those places gave what they THBATRICAL PERFORMANCES, and pretended to be licensed as theatres, The people found in the Pavilion were treated like those caught im the Arion, and they ail met at the Station House. The raid on this place was c@rried out exactly like the one on the Arion, and the same results were arrived at. Sergeant Holbro was detailed to capture the persons i the Branch, on the corner of Fourth street and Broadway, in the basement, and at about the time the other houses were gutted of their inhabitants, he was ready with bis of the work. THE FOURTEENTA PRECINT. — The “Canterbury,” “Oriental,” “New Idea” and “Assembly Rooms” Raked. Passing down Broadway the first of these dens met with is the ‘‘Canterbury,” No. 632, kept by Ehjah Gregory. It isa monster affair, in fact the largest institution of the kind in the city, ex- tending, as it does, clean through from Broadway to Crosby street, and having a frontage of twenty- five feet. Within ita tawdrily gilded walls, hung here and there with lascivious paintings, fine drapery and magnificent mirrors, nightly assemble from three to FIVE HUNDRED MEN, who spend their time drinking, smoking and carousing with the half-naked girls. Of these latter there are constantly employed in the ‘Can- terbury” from twenty-five to thirty, and it is safe to say that a more lewd, vulgar and highly indecent set of females cannot be found in the metropolis. With but two or three exceptions they are wholly. destitute of even an approach to beauty, while their swagering carriage and filthy expressions are quite suflicient to disgust any respectable man, The scene in THIS DEN OF INFAMY just previous to the appearance of the officers last evening was one of exceeding animation. There were probably three hundred persons there assembled, al] chatting and laughing, and smok- ing and drinking, while the girls fitted briskly among the tables, dispensing whiskey, wines, lager and vulgar grins meant for killing smiles. The band played merrily; the birds, hanging every- where on the walla, twittered their pretty songs, glasses jingled, innumeraote little clouds of blue smoke ascended to the ceiling and permeaied the entire atmosphere, while CHAMPAGNE CORKS POPPED GAYLY on every hand. Im the midst of all this the tall, manly figure of Captain Clinchy, of the Fourteenth precinct, was seen entering the door, closely tol- lowed ,by fifteen or twenty officers in citizen’s dress. The doors were at once closed and nota soul allowed to enter, while every male biped in the front of the saloon was quietly, but firmly, shown to the sidewalk. Several officers pro- ceeded to the rear of the room and intimated to the men that they had better vacate, and their advice was instantly taxen. Gregory, the pro- prietor, now began to see that something unusual was up, and hurrying over to where the Captain stood began entreating that officer to withdraw. It did not take long, however, to convince him that withdrawing at that stage of the game was quite out of the question. He seemed FRIGHTENED NEALY TO DEATH and for afew moments rushed frantically back- ward aud forward, but finally partially subsided, when the bartender intimated that he had better have the girls hand their checks and money i ip to this time everything in relation to the ‘pull’? had been conducted so quietly and effectively that the girls still kept on about their business, while the band tooted and fiddled away ax independently as you pivase. AS the crowd be; to thin out pretty fast, however, the girls mistrusted all was not right, and when one of their number recognized Captain Clinchy and annouuced his presence to her companions a genera! stampede was made for the doors, both front and rear. It was ineffectual, and soon the unfortunate but shameless creatures got to look the matter over calm!y, and, indeed, quite philosophically. Of course each one wanted her Harry, Billy or Charley sent for, and, of course, it was not done. The great majority of them laughed, ARTICULATED MONSTEROUS OATHS and filled the air with filthy and disgusting utter- ances, One or twocried and tried hard to faint, but it was no go, while @ low-browed, lecherous looking beast jumped into the middie of the floor and danced a genuine Irish jig, amid the shouts and applause of her companions. The work of handing in the checks and “stamps” ‘was now begun and occupied nearly half an hour, in the course of which a small army of those dis- isting individuals known as “lovers” besieged he door and vainly tried to get a word with Cap- tain Clinchy. The money and checks disposed of, the girls soon threw on their wrappings, and were hurried off in twos to the station house. While these scenes were being enacted at the Canterbury, like ones were transpiring in the “New Idea,” No. 598 Broadway, the Oriental, No, 626, and the “Assembly Rooms,” No. 636 Broadway. Simul- tancous with the decent on the Canterbury, the officers, in citizens’ drese, quietly fled into each of these places, and with no more excitcment or dis- turoance than was created by the squad headed by Captain Clinchy in person, drove out the men and arrested the women and the proprietor. SCENES IN THE STATION HOUSES. eS eer arora By haif-past eleven o'clock some of the prisoners, male and female, commenced to arrive at the Fourteenth precinct station on Mulberry street, between Broome and Spring. On their way from Broadway the miserable girls were foilowed by a large crowd and their lovers pressed upon them, but they were turned back by the officers in plain clothes, who did thelr duty as gently as men under the circumstances in which they were placed could do, The night was bitterly cold, the thin snow which had fallen earlier in the evening having melted, and as the girls trudged along they shiv- ered from top to toe, their flimsy drapery and light shoes offering but little protection against the in- clemency of the weather, Captain Clinchy had made ail preparations for the reception, and when they arrived a iarge fire was burning in the main room. As the first batch entered the station house a crowd of roughs and maudlin lovers endeavored to gain admission also, but the police soon closed the doorway to all but parties who had business and representa- tives of the press. Minute by minute fresh detach- ments of girls came in, and by tweive o'clock the large room was completely filled with weeping, nystericai, langning and giggling girls. Looking at \the group we would wonder how the places in which they held forth had so long flour- ished. Out of a crowdof more than a hundred there were not half a dozen who COULD BE CALLED PRETTY, the great majority being bloated, faded and dissi- pated in appearance. The gaudy dresses by which they have too long been allowed to delude greenborns with partially concealed by the water- proof cloaks which they ail wore. The dis- play of legs which have dazzled the eyes and walked into the purse of Many an innocent coun- tryman did not appear so attractive in the station house as they did half an hour previous in the concert saloons, under the brilliant gaslight, Shorn of their padding and bedaubed with mad, they presented a sorry spectacie, and a feel- ing of disgust would creep over the mind looking at the miserable creatures whose vile calling has long since driven away every spark of modesty and decency. The snow had washed the paint from their faces, and it trickled down their cheeks like ochre upon a red Indian. There were faces in the crowd which might once have been handsome, but, though still young, time and dissipation had done the work, and where the eye was once bright with innocence and purity it Only now glitters when a lascivious leer is put on or a glass of wine quased, THE BLOATED COUNTBNANCES of the majority of the girls gave evidence of their cailing, and the foul stench of the vile compounds they had drank during the night made the station almost insupportable. ‘The greater part bore their sufferings witn philo- sophic calmness, laughing and cracking jokes with each other and the policemen, but here and there a girl might be seen weeping bitterly who had evi- dently not been so Jong inured to a lile of sin as her compapions, One girl of tender Yeare—she could not have been more than sixteen—sat a chair near the stairs and Tmoaned as it Pita brought up in @ superior eal $0 tune came rude! innocence and beauty in the bud. Another, a fair- haired Teuton, who spoke Ley but imper- fectly, abandoned herself to grief and refused to be comiorted. ie officers did all in their power to quiet the wecring ol sisters in crime mocked them for being 80 chicken-hearted ; but they only wept the more, and continued to do so until they were removed to their cold lodgings Jor the night. THE NUMBER OF FAT FEMALES in the room was astonishing, and their number was explained by an officer, who said that the re- spectable looking countrymen whose custom 80 largely contributed to the support of the concert rooms, preferred the lusty style of beauty, Yon might look in vain for beauty of form or delicacy ofoutline. Dissipation had taken away all shape- liness, and when the hideous dresses were con- cealed, most of the girls looked like bundles of woollen clothing. The twee grievance which the girls seem- ingly had to bear was the refu ot Cap- tain Clinchy to admit lovers or friends. The door Was surrounded by an anxious crowd of old and young men, gamblers and pimps, but none of them could pass in, and the girls were not permitted to go to the door or hold any communication with them. By half-past twelve o’clock the last contin- nt of prisoners arrived, and the scene at that ‘ime was truly dramatic. So long as the girls thought they would not be locked up for the night they bore the ordeal bravely, but when the order was given that their names should be taken, and as they were taken that they should be hustied off for the night, even the most hardened felt uneasy. Many wept who had not wept before. Some blasphemed and scolded, and others plunged into hysterics, but all did not avail. The girls were of all ages. Some were as young as fourteen and others as old ag lorty, and it ‘was painful to contemplate the WRECK OF EVERYTHING PURE AND HOLY and the sinful destruction of body and soul that could be witaessed all around, One girl said to the HERALD reporter, ‘Why don’t they arrest the Dropieiors and let us alone? If they were put out of the way there would be no places to entangle us into.” One little girl shook her fist in the face of Richard 8, Campell, one of the proprietors of the Dew Drop Inn, @& stylishly dressed scoundrel, who stood by the desk in the station house, coolly smoking a cigar, and said, “if it had not been for you, I would not have been here to-night. enticed me to go work in your saloon.” Ex- clamations like those were frequent all around, and the justice of the remark is apparent enough, The ends of justice might be as well served it the girls had not been taken in a state of comparative nakedness and locked up without much to cover them on @ cold wiuter’s night. The rufManly pos of the dens, who have grown rich and fat, did not take the proceedings of last night as coolly as they have done similar ones on former occasions. They looked anxious and perturbed, and, to judge from their countenances, We would judge that their long career of infamy was about to be wound up. Frea, Hughes, the proprietor af the Oriental, and part proprietor of the Canterbury, is a man about thirty years old, He has a rather handsome face were it not for his eye, which is deep set and cunning. He sports a black mustache, which he keeps well dyed, and last night he was very fashionably dressed. His partner, Elisha Gregory, is a lanky individual, with an uncertatn kind of blonde hue about his hair and face. He looks the thorough rufian. The bartender of the Canterbury was also among the prisoners. He is a brother of Hughes, and, like his brother, was stylishly attired, WEARING DIAMONDS ON HIS FINGERS and in his shirt front. Campbell, one of the pro- prietors of the Dew Drop lin, was, however, the great swell of the occasion. He was rigged out in a well fitting suit of black clothes, over which was carelessly thrown an expensive Balmoral cape. Hia mustache was most eiaborately waxed, and he swung a gold-headed cane in his Wands, The proprietors oi the other read are Brown, a hard-looking case, oF the ‘New Idea,” where Perkins, Reddy the Blacksmith’s friend, re- ceived his death wound afew months since, and Charles Waketield, proprietor of the Assembly Rooms. In addition there were a large number of supernumeraries, hangers-on and bartenders taken up, which swelled the entire number in the station house to more than a hundred persorts. When the girls were called up at the desks to give their names THEY NEARLY ALL GAVE FICTITIOUS ONES. To listen to them it might be imagined that the poets had been ransacked for poetical names, There were any number of Mauds, Florences, Marys, Idas and Coras, Scarcely any ofthe girts gave in any name so common as Mary or Maggie, and there was not a single Bridget or Rosy in the entire crowd. As fast as the names were entered tne girls were taken to their quarters, and as batch alter batch left, the room was’ rapidly cleared, As the number grew less the remaining ones became more agitated and the sound of weep- ing could be heard both in the cells and the outside rooms. It was a sickening and painful sight, and the officers looked upon themselves in the light of men who had to perform a very disagreeabie duty. Captain Clinchy did Ins part of the work as gently and quietly as possible, and he was well seconded by Captain McCullough, of the Kighth precinct, who with a squad of men assisted in making the raids, Before the gitis were all taken out an old womun was taken into the station helplessly drunk, She shouted to the sergeant, “Put me down 78, I have got one, sure.” The girls crowded around, and bad as they were they shuddered at the fear- ful spectacle. She was removed to her cell, scream- ing and swearing, and the younger sisterhood in the paths of vice soon followed, A large crowd surrounded the station house until the exciteinent had entirely died away. THE EIGHTH PRECINCT. In the Eighth precinct there were but two con- cert saioons, One, tie Broadway Garden, above Spring street, is more like a lager beer garden than @ concert saioon, and, a8 the place is not so bad as the others, the women wearing long dresses, it was not pulled. The other place was the Alexis Garden, 504 Broadway, one oi the worst of the dens wich infested the city. From here about a dozen wretched harridans were taken to the station house corner Prince and Wooster streets. They were followed by a large crowd, and when they reached their destination there was a repetition of the scene at the Mulberry street station, but ina smaller degree. Some of the girls were intoxicated, and their cases were quickly disposed o/, and the station house was in a short time cleaned. IN THE FIFTEENTH PRECINCT only a few saloons flourished. In Captain Byrnes’ precinct, “ihe Arioa,” next door to Linw Edwin's theatre, was the Lirgest and most tasteful. One very bad place was located at the er of Amity street and Broadway, “tne Matin¢ée Garden,” an under. ground ho! in which numerous robberies were committed, ‘The third piace was “The brane’ by Harry Winters, one of the most orderly Glsorderty huuses, whose term of lite closed last night. So cleverly were the raids planned Ly Cap- tain Byrne: t nearly all the girls were in the station house hefore a hundred persons were aware of what had occur taken to the sta- few excep- ing and bet position keenly, not been town. ‘They cried bitterly, and lane: enviable position in which they were placed. A great crowd surronnded the station house door, but none were admitied except reporters, wiose name last night was legion. Captain Byrne did everytiung in his power to make the position oi the unfortunate women as com- Jortable as possible, and, like Captain Clinchy, used no unnecessary harsnnesa. Harry Winter, proprictor of tue “Branch,” took the tit calmiy. He is a slight young man, with a bal head and an incipient mustache, and, like tne rest of his companions in trade, Was weil dressed, His girls were decidedly better in appearance than those oF any other saloon, They wore long dresses and did not induige in so much dissipation as did others of the same ilk. Their principal amuse- ment when not at work consisted in playing dominoes, the Branch being famous for its goo “muggins” players. ‘The proprietor of the Matince Garden is a shabby, bad-looking individual, the worst looking of the whole vile frater- nity. Several men were ar.ested in the Arion, which was run by @ company. ‘The giris who came from this place were many of them English, and had not been long in this country. The place was much atfected by English swells, some of whom came to the station house last night to endeavor to release their girls. About half-past one o'clock the last of the girls were shown to their apartments for the night, and the station resumed its ordinary appearance, here were 100 persons taken to the Fourteenth piscine’ fifty to the Fifteenth ana twenty to the ‘ighth. They will be arraigned for hearing at Jefferson Market and the Tombs this morning. ‘The following are the names of the persons ar- rested and the names of the saloons in which they worked :— PAVILLON. Theodore Wilber, Will Hamilton, Joe Buming, Bennie Brigg, Emma Bilis, Minnie Ellis, Linzie Dixon, Mary Brower, George Witt, Charles Schet- ter, Mory Speiimen, Louisa gid Annie Maynard, Jennie Carr, Mary Ury, Mattie Leubau. ‘ARION, Mary Savage, Emma Lane, Lizzie Besson, Bey Elsworth, Kitty Pesser, Olie Atterd, Annie Hamii- ton, Nelly Bird, Lizzie Smith, Minnie Miller, Belle Howard, Annie Wilton, Nellie Brook, Annie Ciifton, Eddie Smith, Emma Taylor, Nellie Smith, Jennie Turner, Beile Cariton, Mary Wilson, Fred Neubell, John Harris, Alex Brown, Lael Johnson, ‘Thomas Jerome, Waiter Jerome and John Jerome. BRANCH, Mary Stephen, Lizzie Moore, M: le Eddieton, Lizzié Sutherland, Annie Brown, Kate Bremen, Mary Bregselin, Mary Corneil, Francis Maher, Ebbie Brooks, Josephine Brown, Will Bohman, Fred Winter, Henry Winter. IDEA, Josephine Baker, Ammie Andre Georgie La- ton, Fannie Abbott, Carrie Chulon, ry Stickney, Nellie Brown, Fannie Brown, Matilda Sul ivan, Mary Milier, Jennie Wilson, Nellie Jasper, Annie Ki Hattie St. Clair, Hattie Jackson, Frank Wakefield, Lena Russell, Eva Miller. CANTERBURY, Minnie ‘Foster, Hannah Williams, Emma Swan, Hattie Green, Pauline Holeman, Annie Ailen, Neliie Hogan, Louise Bunck, Maggie Ward, Louisa keyna, Carrie Lambrecht, Nellie Ryder, Carrie Smith, Bella Williams, Catharine Croker, F Davis, Parker, Charles Heemaam, Wii Guiselberg. A WEEK WITH INSURANCE MEN. ‘The Boston Fire and Its Effects Upon Fire Un- derwriters—845,000,000 of Capital and How It Stood the Seorching—The Lessons Learned at Boston—Mansard Roofs and Elevators as Auxiliaries to Fire— Out of Disaster Good to Come. Never in the history of New York, with the single exception of the days succeeding the Chicago fire of last year, has such excitement prevailed in insur- ance circles as during the week just closed. ‘The excitement in the earlier part of the week amounted to a panic, but as time passed, and the fire ceased to rage, and insurance companies ascertained the extent of their losses, there became an easier feeling and insurance men breathed freer. The HERALD has already given very full statements of losses, and the condition of the companies which represent in THIS CITY ALONE OVER TWENTY-ONE MILLION DOL- LARS OF CAPITAL, and a surplus of over $7,000,000; but a few facts in the way of @ résumé may not be out of place at this time, when nearly every citizen who owns a second suit of clothes is interested in the suppres- sion of fires and the solvency of our insurance com- panies, Besides the $28,000,000 local capital in- vested in fire insurance, companies of other States doing business in this city have eapital repre- senting $13,000,000, and surplus of $6,000,000. There we may say is $47,000,000 invested in the business of fire insurance alone, and hence it is not to be won- dered at that a conflagration such as that which has just visited Boston should create consternation in insurance circles, , Of the many million risks held by New York com- panies in the burned districts, losses of only a little over six million dollars were sustained. Compared with Chicago, the ingurance interests in this last fire has suffered but ilttle. In the Chicago fire, where the property was estimated at the lowest calcula tion at $175,600,000, sixty-four companies had losses footing up over twenty-three millions. Of these twenty companies failed, having sustained losses amounting to $14,500,000. The companies that sus- tained their character for solvency lost $8,660,786, From these figures it will be seen that the losses to New York companies are only about one quarter of what they sustained in the Chicago fire. It is a gratifying faet to note that the losses have affected our companies much more lightly than last year, only three companies, the Humboldt, International and Maiket being com- peiled to suspend. ‘The fact that so few New York companies have been CARKIED DOWN IN THIS LAST FIRE may be assigned to two causes. First, that the Chicago disaster awakened insurance underwriters to the necessity of more care being exercised in the selection of risks by distributing them over large territory, instead of accepting risks of from $1,000 to $10,000 on nearly ye! other buildin; a block, and, second, to the spirited competition that existed between Boston companies and those of New York for the business of the former city. The superb granite structures that the burned district existed in were considered first-class risks by all underwriters, more especially owing to the high reputation of the Boston (ire Depart- ment, aud New York capital made an eifort to compete with local capital in covering them. owing to the pride that the Boston people enter- tain for their institutions, the local companies were successinl in securing the greater part of the risks at rates under those offered by New York underwriters, who were forced to turn their atten- tion to mill and factory property. These circum- stances, insignilicant as they may appear at first, doubtless are the cause of New York companies escaping so well, while the local companies feel the disaster severely, and in many instancps have been swamped, nsidering the amount of CAPITAL INVESTED IN INSURANCE in this State our companies may [eiicitate them- selves upon coming out as well as they have. The following figures as to the capital and surplus of the companies doing business in the State on the 1st of January last, are official :— ‘pital, 020 ¢ Surplus, Companies of this State.. $21; $7,372,387 Companies of 0 States doing basiue in New York...... ‘Total invested in N. Y.. $3: The losses sustained by these com, i more than covered by the surplus, while the Boston companiés, in a great many instances, find their entire surplus consumed and a large portion of ie capital in addition. In this connection the 108s in 837,020, BUILDINGR BURNED IN BOSTON bcs 4 be of interest. The following figures are compiled from the assessor's books of the city of Boston, and will be found more complete and accurate than those hitherto published :— Street. No. Buildings. Value. Federal......... “4 $1,380,500 Leather square. . 2 4,00 Matthews 46, High..... 1,482,900 Congress 658,000, Channing 11 430) u ts +48 S11471,800 how the value of the buildings only, k, and inay be somewhat uuder the excinst actual amou! With the e: the Chicago fire no confla- gration has o 1 in this country since 1% j Where more buildings consunied, Jn the } great fire in tuls city, im 1835, $18,000,0U0 worth of troperty was destroyed, mcluding 600 stores, ‘The nearest approach to the Chicago and Boston fires thatis a matter of record is the great Londo tire O1 1666, Where The loss was $50,000,000, THE LESSON OF THESE FIRES. While New York may congratuiate hersel! that her | insurance interests have uot sufered more severely, these fires will, it is believed, resuit in good, both | to the insurer and the insured. fu tie past tie business OF insurance has partaken too much of @ species Of gambling, It has been ‘ound a pront- | able business in weich to invest surpius capital, ar it has been growing in popularity. he companies 83, ! and year by yi While it has been iound pri ¢ entered into a spirited riv in doing so have been too reckiess in the seb tion of their risk: They have been more anxious to show a large iin , big capital and large surplus thau to exe are in the character of the risks they assume, Theu this rivairy or cut- throat policy has been carried so lar that risks are often taken at a rete that is not at all commen- surate with the character of the responsibility they assume, and they have put their trust in provi- dence rather than in the judgment of their survey- ors. Anotier very great aouse that has crept into insurance is ‘THB DANGEROUS DRAWBACK SYSTEM, Many companies professing to adhere to the schod- ule of rates. adopted by the underwriters to secure business and distance ‘all rivals have resorted to the practice of giving large arawbacks to property owners who apply rsonally at their head offices jor insurance. Hy this means companies with sinall capital have been enabled to undermine good companies who desire to exercise care in the selection of their risks, and when a great conflagration comes these wood-cut com- panies fall before it, and their dupes lose a large Portion of their insurance. While this is the case, or rather while this practice largely prevatied pre- vious to the Chicago fire, and is still foliowed to some extent, it would be unjust to say that all the companies which have succumbed to the Koston fire have been guilty of this pernicious drawback practice. Other causes have doubticss embar- rassed some of the companies. Another lesson that our insurance men have dearly learned is that they must in the future avoid centralizing risks in a few blocks or one city, and especially where Mansard roofs prevail to any great extent, Instances are known, right here in New York, where companies have taken risks aggregat- ing over half their capital on territory less than that burned at Chicago, A few hours’ sweep of the fire flame would wipe such a company out of exist- ence and leave te insured unprotected. The wy | true theory is to scatter risks over as large a terri- tory as possible, and in different cities. ‘Then, in the event ofa it fire, the losses would be more | Conscious innocence. years of age, rather above the medium height, | resembles her deceased father very much; is retty and has an amiable, intelligent expression. Mies. Smith is about fitty years of age, with gray hair; is a dignified matron, whose bearing would at once inspire respect, The bearing the whole the flat jacilitate the costly progress of ik throughout the Dutiding, and thus becoine continuous canker upon insurance capital. And now, while the Boston experience {s fresh and full of re! underwrites should manfully stand tor thelr own righ ae agatnst ‘ait these. conspirators againet their 160. re reason, (yay A why these com- panies uld be compelled to Squt for their lives against such fe jul odds as has latterly been the case. They are me ition to dictate more equal terins, and it will ow in a post be their owa fault if the opportunity shail be unim- proved. The Boston Traveller seems to confirm the dan- rous aid rendered by the elevator in thc follow- ‘asin the engine room of this building that the fire ‘open fall way or elevator served as a chim. ney. Relore ‘the. fire was discovered. the flames rushing up the elevator wath tremendous power, and in ten minutes the fire was not only in every story, butt loty tinder box on the top of the edifice’ was irc mass of flames. The en astiey always are, but. the roof tit coud not be reached. ‘The heat radiated from the roof Was intense. From cellar to roof it was a mass of flames. All these subjects, as well us the best means of supplying water for the suppression o! large fires, are now engaging the attention of insurance men, and it ts confidently anticipated that out of the counsels being held & general schedule of rates will be adopted that will redound alike to the protec tion ol property owners and insurance companies. ‘The public, who are fully aroused to the danger that in all densely populated districts of large cities threatens them, will hail with pleasure some well-defined system of insurance that will give them more protection. Until that is accomplished there must exist a feeling of insecur: and the capital invested in insurance will gradually be withdrawn and diverted to other channels where the risks are not so great, THE FIRE UNDERWRITERS. PEt a See Important Action Apropos of the Boston Confingration. The Board of New York Fire Underwriters met yesterday and adopted the following important resolutions :— Resolved, That, in the jadgment of this Board, the lawa of this State requiring official examina intendent of the Insurance D arian Proper mode of ascertaining the actual c nies, and that the exercise of the power: ord ample protection to the rights of p dat the same time secure in the best possible the rights of claimants and the interests of sivck: Resolved, That whil is Board recogn it that the judicial authorities should, on the aclainan r loss, or of in Nal sto action en} ing an insura its business and appointing is cases where the embarrassment of the company arises from fraud or incompetency, its members hereby declare that when a company becomes embarrassed in cot quence of extensive conflagration: other cities, any such action bec and is contrary, as experience has terests of claimants and stockhol spect to economy and expedition in has heretofore best proineted by judicial the instance ot the Board of Directors of ti ch, with re- affairs, Ken at neti any “ and by the appointment of a receiver nominated by such oad. Resolved, That m the judgment of the embers of this Board any judicial action taken with regard ane company, upon the ex purte statencn ant, stockholder or officer, when the com netially becomes, oF is suppdsed to be emba. honorably pursuing its business, by the. oc such fires as have taxen place within th month, would inflict a Wroms upon the com | its honest claimants and stoekhglders ani | involve substantial mapaniessin ser, Ou | cuses even to produce d r siteliy. WM. W. E DR. SMITH. tas REV. The Widow and Daughter of the Deceased Pastor Released from Cus ody--The Chargo of Poisoning Not Sustained--A Novel and Affecting Scene in Court. RALEIGH, OV. 16, 1872, At nine o'clock to-day Mra. Mary !. Smith and | Mrs, Frances L, Mann, charged wilt the murder, | by poisoning, of Dr. J. Brinton and father, were brought by Sherif? Lee belo Judge Watts on a writ of habeas corpus. The were accémpanied by Messrs, N. H. and R. H. Bat- tle, their counsel, by several lady friends, three other daughters of Dr. Smith, Revs, Dr. Smedes and Mason, of the Hpiscopai Church, and by Captain Smith, of Philadelphia, a brother of the deceased, on whose arm the wilow Jeaned. There were present a large crowd of in- terested spectators. The calm demeuuor of the prisoners and their relatives and friends was noticeable, The family were ali dressed in deep black, and on the part of the prisoners there was no affectation of grief—it was deep and pure. In- deed, their ccountenances bore evidently an ex- pression of resignation and also that indication of | mith, the husband THE FAMILY & most interesting one, is of high culture, and ap- parently kuit closely together by tics of atiection. Mrs. Mann isa lady apparently about twenty-iive family throughout has been commendable. While expressing surprise at tove suspicion thrown upon them they have invariably dis- countenanced any theory which would cate otiuers, as well as the theory suicide, which they repelled with emphasis. Smith insisted upon the post-mortem examination and the analysis of the chemist. and bow parties have shown no disposition to conceal anything { regard to the mysterious death. On being warned of the action of the if y Dy Mr. Battle prior to ar an it be 80 FIENDISH A DEED" possibie that any one During the examination Mr. Mann, the husband | of one of the accused, entered, having just arri His meeting with the family under tie um- stances was most affecting ‘The evidence adduced jury, and analysis of Professor Genth, showing the pre: ence of strychnine in the stomach, brain, &c., W read. Mr. Rh. E in vehall of tbe ntended thi crime. I! 1 man; his affairs were e were most deeply intereste: Jamil the daughter was Dr, Smith's favo: a@iniable character of both offset any presumption of guilt. i CAPTAIN SMITH, OF PHILADELPITA, brother of the deceased, testified to the high love- able character of Mrs. Smith, that her auiability had been the subject of congratulation in the fan ily, as weil as the tact that his broiler had been joined to one who so well understood and could so well endure and excuse his brusque manner and | quick temper. When asked what were her princi- | pal virtues he remarked, “All the Christian | graces,” | Dr. Smedes and Dr. R. B. Saunders also testified | to the character of the prisoner anc the afiection- ed gg existing between deceased and his family. Judge Watts then delivered his decision, that there was not the slightest evidence to sustain the charge against either prisoner, and ORDERED THEIR DISCHARGE. Tremendous applause from the audience fol- lowed the decision, while numerous friends crowded around the prisoners congratulating them, ‘The self-possession so long maintained wave way at the last moment, and, dropping their neads with a uick start, they oth burst forth im audible sobs, ‘he spectators were deeply moved, and tears filled the eyes of nearly all the spectators in court, The judge’s decision was universally approved. Mrs, Mann, her husband and the other daughter then pressed forward to thank the Sheriff fur his deli- cate kindness during their incarceration, ‘The Messrs. Battle, of counsel, were heartily thanked for their efforts, The whole was, indeed, @ most affecting scene. After the trial the family retarned to the Sheriffs residence amid the congratulations and good wishes of a ot multitude, and shortly after proceeded to their residence. Thus ends, so far ag these parties are concerned, one of the most startling tragedies that ever occurred in this State. Mrs, Smith and daughter are belteved unt- versally to be innocent of the crime, as adjudged by Judge Watts, but the mystery of the death of generally distributed among the companies, and could be more eal hoe by the insurance world, These are subjects that are now attracting the careful attention of insurance underwriters, aud there is good reason to hope that, from the LESSONS LEARNED AT BOSTON and Chicago, our insurance business in the fature will be conducted upon a more sound and equitable basis to all concerned, Another subject that has forced itself upon in- rg men’s attention by the Boston contagra- on THE DANGER OF ELEVATORS as an auxiliary to the spread of fire. On this sub- ject Las Insurance Spectator, of this city, sensibly remarks :— Tf, as the Boston pace appear to agree in charging, the elevator openmg in the building where the fire originated wasthe means of ‘ing up the flames to the roof and spreading disaster over sixty-four acres of a great city, it is certainly important for underwriters to take into prac- Ueal consideration the entire question of exposures nd dangers of this class. It is not diMcult to understan how fully these elevator holes, as now arranged, must act a8. #0 many invitations to the flames to leap at once trom the lower to the upper Moors of aby building provided Dr. Smith is still impenetrabiy veilea. AN ALLEGED TEA THIEF, Mr. Daniel Abbott, of 175 Powell street, Williams- burg, owns and drives atruck., Yesterday aiter- noon he was driving through South street and stopped a few moments to go in a store close at hand. He had no sooner dismounted from his truck than some individual made way with @ chest of tea which he was carting. Skirmishing around Mr. Abbott soon discovered the property | non VILLANY MOST VILE. A Whole Family Tortured by a Party of Burglars. oe a SS Bound, Gagged and Ironed—Money Extorted by ‘Threats of Death—The House Set on Fire and One of the Inmates Dreadfally Burned— No Clue to the Villains—Terrible Excitement in the Oil Regions. PirrspuRG, Pa., Nov. 16, 1872, Titusvilie—in the oil regions—is in a state of great excitement to-day over a most “aring rob- bery which was perpetrated there last night. While the family of John Watsot esiding on the hill ope posite the old Hinkly refinery, were at supper, a party of men, numbering five, entered the house, and approaching My. Watson with pistols in hand aud = omasks on their faces, demanded his money. They cautioned the family not to make the least noise, telling them that it was thetr money they wanted, and that all must submit tobe bound and gagged, and thatif they made the least resistance they would call in the balance the gang, who were guarding the entrance outside, They proceeded to handcuff the family, applying leg-ivons to the men—Jobn Wat- son and Archibald Stewart—the latter the son-in- law of the former, at the same time gagging them, and then tying the entire family together. They next ordered Watson to open his sale. The latter replied, “My money is all In Warren, deposited with my brother. They replied, “We know whom you refer to, but your money is in the house, and we mv have it.’ Watson thereupon, with the muzzle ofa huge revolver PLACED AGAINST TIS BAR, opened the safe and something like two thousang dotlars were abstracted. Alter the sale had been robbed the family were tied ina long rew and com- peilled to follow the thieves down ia the cellar, then up through every room in the house, and, at the peril of thei lives, information as to where valua- bies we kept was dem: 1 and given. After a ‘thorough search the family were conducted back to the dining room, Mra Watson, Stovh Stewart and Archibaid Stewart were placed on a lounge, blindfolded, ironed and gagged. and tied to the stove in such manner that ii they moved the stove would tip over npon them, The flends tou lett the house, having remained abous an hour aud a half, while the balance—nine } in ali—were standing wateh on the outside, In the hurry to depart the Hghted lamp was upset and ON FIRE. The revi and, taking clothes from the wardvobes, threw thom on the burning portion of the « ling, and with the utmost dim- culty Jed tinguishing the flames, Mr e robbers made le flames, James » pail him from nbor of the faintly, d Intdnight and found the tamily ina s trons on Watson eut hina into the bleeding prosasely. r Of the family were also very painful, and wer off only by them with a The thieves unteuis for every member of the and their pockets ied with Landkerchiets, is the norn- and av been their ved home after Hight. The Those on the oth ply of jog ire police y ing all the th town made. Thc work i to The wrea regions over ti dent eve notitied and at stole. in the pire a, but no a Villain o*clook t 2 Were + i tively a cour have so ott no clue to their whereat ex fis oaty were rat ihe porty aware money in his io 2 had neglected to deposit asum the exact a of whiel does not know. None of the family were ured but Mr. Stewart, whose ieet aud ih ead. fally burned by the upsetting of a anp. ANOTHER WiLLIAMSBURG HORROR. The Late Ra emg | 6SCIE Tie u phanteinether Victim Last Night. Between ten and eleven o'clock last night the police of the Fitth precinct, Williamsburg, were m- . dying condition North First and s'reets, and they quiekly bronght him to wrth street station lonse aad summoned of mrgcon Bridy to attend him. On ex- aminatic found that the man’s skull ctured and that the back part of his head was covered with clotted bloou. He was jngenstole when brought to the station ond remy ht, when the ound of the infamous, but hose san- i 4, is now under sentence of deat, Last night's victim of these Thu 1s a young itly “about was {0 » his pe aut greed ruflianly gang on this occasion, of gain inspired t STABBED TRROUGH THA HEART. Another Mysterions Williamsburg Mare der. Ata late hour last night a vamber of young men conveyed to itis lat South Fifth street, Willilaniabuny 3 Whalen, sixteen rs of teft, with- out giving any inform death, On eXaminauon it Was found that Whalen had beea stabbod through heart, and it Was run 1 that the tragedy occurred in the grocery store of M. Drews, South Pith and F ets, but 3 is denied by Drews, and the t y remained @ mystery at an carly hour t EIGHTEENTH WAKD COUNCIL OF POLITIOAL REFORM. A meetiug of the Eighteenth Ward Council of Po litical vim was held last eveuing at Orienta Hall, Fighteentu street and Third aveaue, Mr. Eltal P. Hall presiding, The Committee on Organiza- tion, through Alderman Geis, reported prog. rm fhe Aideriman said, however, that t basis of e committee's port would be that the Cor intended not t jpport either democrat or hiican in future who was not thoroughly in javor of monicipal reform. Mr. Beers, of the Central Council, In some remarks Stated that the work re them n Iw should be to continue as they had gone on before election. In regard to what the central organization was doing, lie said it was intended not to aliow the prosecution of the delingucnt officials to cease, but that the process against them was slow, owing to the difticulty of getting honest juries. Remarks Were also made by Messrs. Haigit, lrankelheiner, Hall and others, after which it was determmed not to go into au election of oMecers for the en- suing year until next meeting night, The Council then adjourned, THE JERSEY POLICE WAR. The Policemen to Get Their Pay at Last Another Commissioner Appointed by Governor Parker, The new Police Commissioners of Jersey City held a mecting yesterday. All were entexcept Mayor O'Neill. A preamble and resointion were offered by Mr, Vieming as follows:— Whereas it appears that owing to doubts as:to the legal- ity of the acts ot parties in possession, there is a nay due to the officers and men ot the Poltce’ Department tor ser- vices; and whereas, Without recognizing the right of tae parties attempting fo perform the duties of Commisston- ers, we deem It proper that the men should be paid with- mat del, OMtevolved, That tho warrants be drawn by the City Clerk for pay due the officers and wen of the Pulice De partment, and that the Mayor be requested to sign such of said warrants as shall present a legal claim tor servico rendered. The resolution was adopted unanimously, The Board took this action to relieve the men on the police furce, Who are not responsible for the long- standing difficulty, and who have received no for ten weeks, Governor Parker appointed ex- Assemblyman James Stevens to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Gaede. Mr. Stevens took the oficial oath, and made his ap- in an express wagon, driven by one Thomas Hew- itt. Hewitt was arrested and taken before Judge Shandley at the Essex Market Police Court, where he told @ very ingenious story about some one hav- ing hired him to take the tea to a place in Chatham street. This did not save him, however, and he is now in prison, where he will have an excellent o| Portuns's to reflect upon the mutability of earth pearance in the Board tor the first time yesterday. A HELPLESS FIRE DEPARTMENT. INCINNATI, Nov. 16, 1872 The Chief Engineer of the Fire Department gavi notice this aiternoon that every horse the 4 a | partment had the horse disease.