The New York Herald Newspaper, November 23, 1872, Page 8

“ARE WE FIREPROOF ? Whe Iren, Stone and Brick Buildings Compared. Prick and Iron Against Flame, Fury and Fiery Ferocity. An Architectural Opinion on the Destruc- tibility of Cur Noblest Structures. ‘Loston Theories Bursted to Pieces by Scientifie Facts. New York city contains a million of people. A Marge percentage of the million are property hold- ‘ere—a very much larger percentage than MANY PERSONS WOULD IMAGINE. ‘Bhere are two questions at present—terrible ques- tions—which every man puts to his friend or ac. quaintance, “Will we be burned out of house and home?” and ‘Are we to be murdered in the streets without redress or justice?” ‘The firat question is the most pertinent one— “SHALL WE BE DURNED @ut of house and home ?” The suggestion that fol- Jows the Jast question is, “Are the stores, business places, tenements and dwellings of the city safe from Bre, or are they to be burned up when the fre gtrikcs them like shavings or kerosene ¢”? A GREAT MANY THOUSAND persons are frightened about the great number of fires that happen from day today. Chicago, Bos- ton, Brooklyn, Jersey City—where shall the next fre burn mi!'ions of property and endanger lives fmen and women? To furnish some informa- tion to . THE CITIZENS OF THE METROPOLIS ‘on these questions, & HERALD reporter called yes- ‘terday afternoon at the office of Mr. Arthur Gilman, one of the most celebrated architects in New York. Ap architect 18 generally the best judge of con- struction of buildings, and his opinion may be taken safely by business men and owners of prop- erty. Mr. Gilman HAS A REMARKABLE KNOWLEDGE OF BOSTON, and in particular he is conversant with that sec- sion of the city which has been destroyed by fire. The ofice of Mr. Gilman is at 111 Broadway, IN THE TRINITY BUILDING, rom the windows he has at dusk a splendid view 01 the Gothic phantom of Trinity church and 1f8 ADJOINING GRAVEYARD, His office is in the fourth story, and he is sur- rounded by haif a dozen intelligent, good-looking and industrious clerks, There are maps, charts and plans, drawings of churches and villas, hung ip elegant confusion all over the walls, ‘To this office on the fourth story, obedient to the a ale of the policeman who stood in the ‘all, WITT A CANE IN HIS HAND, the Hera.p reporter ascended, Mr. Gilman is a gentieman handsome in figure and face. He is a brunette, with black eyes, a @elicate mustache, grayisn hair and a very wiraight and solid form. Tue HERALD reporter stated HIS OBJECT BRIEFLY, and with the courtesy of the ancien régime Mr. Gilman asked him to take a chair, “1 would like to ask you, Mr. Gilman, a few ques- ‘ons in regard to the matter of safety from fire of the buildings in this city. Our people daily *end hundreds of communications to the HERALD ofiice about this all-absorbing question, and we would like to have the opinion of a competent Judge, a8 you must be, on the CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES, 4s well as the subsequent results that may or may * Dot How from that terrible disaster?” Mr, GILMAN (sitting back in his chair and smok- ing a civar which was redolent of the perfume of Matanzas)—Some of the newspapers of this city have been led into grave error about the character of the buildings IN THE BURNED DISTRICT OF BOSTON. An evening paper that I will not mention, in New York, contained an article on this subject With the heading, “A Whole Fireproof District De- etroyed.” RErORTER—Can you give us the name of that evening paper, Mr. Giuman ? Mr. GiLMan—I had rather not do it, Mr. Reporter, ty hag a very grave error and was calculated very wuch TO MISLEAD THE PUBLIC, 7~TpronPRE! suppose you know Boston well, Mr. Gilman’ Mr. GILMAN (taking a whiff)—I am well acquainted With the whole of the burned district and have practised in Boston as an architect for twenty-two ears, and I know the neture of most of the build- ings destroyed pretty thoroughly. ‘here is nota gullding in Boston AS MUCH FIREPROOF AS THE NEW Building corner of Ann and Nassau streets, 1 cannot call to mina that there was a fireproof building in the whole territory, or any one which had a claim to be 80 considered, with the exception only of the few Post Office, which was constructed under the supervision Of Mr. Mullett, the principal United States government architect, with iron beams and brick Noors similar to those of THE EQUITABLE LIVE INSURANCE OFFICE, the new banking building of Messrs, Drexel & Co., and aisoO the tron and brick building now in Fogress on the site of the old HeRavp office in jassuu street, at the corner oi Fulton street. There g@ie others like these in this city. RerorreR—There ts, then, some difference be- tween the so-called fireproof buildings of Boston and New York? Mr. GILMAN—The character of the district burned in Boston resembled very strongly the ary goods district in Church and Leonard streeta, in this city, having stone fronts, but with wooden floors throughout, aud with light wooden rovis, mostly MANSARDS, COVERED ONLY WITH SLATE on the exterior suriace, and of course falling an easy prey to suc destructive confa, The Boston Post Office appears from all published accounts to have completely withstood the force of, ‘MWe Names, although Diled with INFLAMMABLE SCAFFOLDING in the interior, The for of the flames were checked in that direction toward State street almost completely, If the buildings whieh 1 bave enumerated had stood in a lune with the Post Office 1 think that the fire would have stopped from a lack of combustibles on which to feed. At all events it 18 evident that were @ whole neighborhvod comcosed of such buildings it would be quite impossible that a “Boston fire” could originate among them. {it would be totally impossible that a fire should start in a neigubor- hood composed of the kind of buildings that 1 have mentioned, r On the other band they would be likely a secure barrier AGAINST THE SWEEP OF A FIRE which might destroy more combustible material. RerorTER—Then have youno hope for our city tn case Of a great fire ? Mr. GILMAN—Let ne explain, It is true that no building can be considered. fireproof unless there a# HOLD} its construction that will burn and uniess there is nothing stored in it that will burn, Now the Boston fire commenced in a building not only BUILT AND FRAMED AND ROOFED with wood, but also stored to ion With arti- ficial flowers, loopskirts, bo frames, false bosoms and the lightest deseript OF GENERAL HABERDASHERY, No more infiaminaly description of kindlings could be ived. There were plenty of other sto in the« neighbortiood of the same ¢ er, (0 Which the flames soon com: Mubicated and thus rapidly got up a very exten- sive conflagration. Doubtless the next thoroughly fireproof building that could have been erected would have, under euch circumstances, t PREITY WELL GUTTED OUT. It would be next to impossible to save such a etock after the fire had once got headway in that rucular building. But Puldings been completely fireproof, or had tl constructed with Corn Mansard roofs bec’ had the neighboring | RPORTER—Mr. Gilm: describe the con- sxruction of the new on the old HERALD or GrLMAN—The walls of the new HERALD build- ing in Nassau street are reall; OF BRICK AND ARB VERY MASSIVE. ‘They are two feet four inches thick and plated only on the exterior with iron. The interior par- titions are wholly of brick, and the Mansard roof, of Cornell's patent corrugated iren, covered with plaster, will be perfectly incombustible and fire- proof. In fine, the buils will be like ap estate. 1 WILL Last A LIFESIME and succeeding generations, 2..°D.° ie eer en Mr, Gilman bade the reporter a courteous eu, ~ MACAULAY. Lecture by the Rev. W. Moricy Pun- shon, Last Evening, at the Hall of the Young Men’s Christian Association, on Thomas Babington Macaulay—An Old Lecture with a New Face. The fourth of the Winter course of lectures 08- tablished by the Young Men’s Christian Associa- tion was delivered last evening to a large audi- ence, by the Rev, W. Morley Punshon, the eminent and eloquent preacher of the Methodist denomina- tion, ‘The subject of the lecture was “Macaulay,” an old subject with Mr, Punshon, it having been selected as one of his earhest efforts in the lecture field, The title to the lecture in the printed list of the association had the little word “new” ap- pended to it, The newlecture proved to be the old one recast by its author, and it was presented to the audience of last evening as an old friend with anew face, and evidenced a desire on the part of the lecturer to be less sensational and more thoughtful than the older effort, and which helped to achieve the early renown of the lecturer in the country of his birth. Mr. Punshon commenced his lecture by a sketch of the birthplace and family of Macaulay. ‘The former was stated to be a midiand town, in Eng- land, and the latter was described as middle class, ‘The father of the hero of the lecture, Zachary Ma- caulay, was described as one of the Clapham sect, and the life-long purpose of Zachary’s life for the sup- pression of slavery was described in eloquent and sententious sentences. The childhood and the youth of Macaulay developed into a form which” brought him out of the society of the saints into the society of the whigs. Hannah More, in one of her letters to him, rejoices that his classicality had not destroyed his poetry. A tribute was paid to Charles Knight as the first publisher who kindly encouraged Macaulay, and whose earty literary efforts made their appearance in Knight’s Quar- erly, Magazine, His old love of the ballad was hot lost by graver studies, and the “Battle of Naseby” hurries away the most peace-loving among us with an admiration for war, Mr. Punshon re- cited with great effect this ballad and was loudly applauded. Macaulay’s —connec- tion with the Edinburgh was told, and its origin and progress were given in very descriptive sentences, With a pungency peculiarly Punshon, each essay contributed to this Review bad its leading thoughts epitomized so thor- oughly that it resembled one of those miniature photographs that ‘can only be seen . in completeness by the aid of a glass of microscopic power, The admision of Macaulay to Parliament was regarded by tne lec- turer as ashering in a life of political consistency and stainless honor. He might be safely set down, thought the lecturer, as a model statesman, Macaulay’s celebrated Kdinburgh letter in reply to & request ior a subscription to the races afforded Mr. inshon an opportunity to deliver a volley of those impassioned passages that are characteristic of this lecturer's style, and in an urgent appeal to his audience to keep intact their integrity, despite all temptations to dishonor. “Ihe Lays of Ancient Kome” received considerable commendation, and was illustrated by a remarkably fine rendering of “Horatius,” As the historian Mr. Punshon said, he was grateful to Macaulay for making his- tory interesting and taking from it the dreariness of dates that resembled so much an auctioneer’s catalogue. The great charm of Macaulay’s narra- tive was his wondrous patriotism, the marvel- lous love of country. ‘The great defect ot Macaulay’s life and writings, viewed from the Christian standpoint, was his negativism. The enemies of Christianity cannot claim him from their own, but he tonclies subjects like the solemn promise of the soul, its whence and its whither, with a serené indiiference, Itseemed as though it never occurred to him when his hero was saved from assassination. Did he never wish for & God that should evolve order from the chaos of events? Did he never pant for a spiritual liie or a religious faith? Alas that his writings on these matters give no sign! No Christian heart can think of this without deep regret. The parallel as to the fame of the son and the Jather, the graves of both in Westminster Abbey furnishing the Material for the reficction, and a short summary of the principal events of their reapective lives, re- sulted im the lecturer's declared preference for the more modest fame of Zachary Ma- caulay, that had been consecrated in the memory of all good men by the earnestness for good by which that life had been sanctified, and- which earhestness was strikingly and conspic- uously absent in the more gifted son. The death ot Macaulay, the final resting place and its sur- roundings, in Westminster Abbey, gave material for the conclusion of a lecture that was very elo- quent from its first sentence to the last. NEW YORK CITY. The Comptroller will pay to-day by Paymaster Falls the wages of laborers on Boulevard to 16th inst., amounting to $29,912 67, Warden Burke, of the Almshouse, Blackwell's Island, yesterday informed Coroner Herrman that Joseph Chamberlain, an inmate of that institution, had died rather suddenly at fonr o'clock the morning, ‘The body will be seut to the Morgue and an inquest held, ‘The free schools under private auspices entitied to share in the appropriation from the Excise fund are again reminded to make prompt application for the requisite blanks. Monday, November 25, is the last day. The blanks may be had of the Clerk of the Board of Education, corner of Grand and Bim strects, Another examination under the civil service rules toox place yesterday in the Custom House. The vacancy is a $1,600 clerkship, and candidates for it were chosen from the incumbents of ofc of smaller salarics. In a few days there will be another examination for entrance into the lowest grade of the service, Commissioners Hitchman and Galway had an in- formal conference with Commissioner Van Nort yesterday with reference to the introduction of salt water into the city for fire and cleaning pur- poses. The Commissioners urged and are disposed to stand by their suggestion of having a large re- servoir, with stationary engines, in certain locali- ties, The Commissioner expressed himself as con- fident that with the three large mains now being laid and their connections at Chambers street an ample supply of water could be obtained for all | practical purposes, No conclusion was arrived at and no steps can be taken without legislative action, SHOCKING SUICIDE IN BROOKLYN, A Man Cats His Throat with a Rezor— Probable Death of His Mother from the Shock, Arthur Sproal, a carpenter, thirty-five years of age, who resided with his mother and sister at 156 Douglas street, South Brooklyn, committed sui- cide at six o'clock yesterday morning by cutting his throat with a razor. The de- ceased formerly kept a liquor store at the corner of Smith and Bond streets, and was well known in the Tenth ward. He married a rich widow, who left him a portion of her estate just before her death, and since coming in possession of the property he has not been en- gaged in any business. On Thursday night his mother and sister heard him walking the floor after going to his room. Yesterday morning he | @rose early and told his mother and sister to get | the breaklast ready, as he was anxious to go to work. They proceeded to do so, and he stepped in | his room again, as they supposed, to get ready to start out. A few moments after they heard a = ‘ - heavy fall upon the floor, and ‘on goin, patent corrugated iron and plaster covering, as | hs "i tie new Building in Nassau street will shortly ae eas ee eg hn be, then there is every eason to suppose that the ned s yin; upea result would have been different. ReEPORTER—Mr. Ginan, What conclusions do you @raw from the premises you have advanced ¢ Mr, GILMax—The Boston fire, 69 far FROM FURNISHING ANY ARGUMENT against fireproof buildings, is in reality the etrongest and clearest testimony in their favor that this century has been able to show. cite the Boston Post Onice ss un instance poyt my theory. REPORTER—YOu Know, of course, Mr. Gilman, that our citizens are deeply interested in thie matter ef freproof or destructible buildings, The @an who can suggest a solution of THIS GRAVE ARCHITECTURAL PROBLEM will be regarded as pre-eminentiy the savior of property. We would jike to know if there are y fireproof buildings in New York, or if there are many to be erected’ Mr, GiLMAN—I can name gou a few, ere are the Drexel buildings, in Wall street; the Equitabie Life Insurance buiiding and the new ui , in Nassau styoct, The HERALD sulin | cone ler will be perfectly safe and tre- DB Hnishes . ALL PROPERTY STORRD im the jatter has agnaraptee against fire jn its brick wells and their iron coatings the floor near his bed with his throat cut from ear toear, and the blood streaming from the wound, ‘The sight caused the mother of the deceased, a woman eighty years of age, to faint, and the physicians say the shock will cause ner death, Sproal had been drinking for tie past few days, and is supposed to have been jaboring under a temporary aberration of mind when committing the act, The mother of the unfortunate man has not spoken a Word since the act was committed, ANOTHER MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE, Wednesday evening last Robert B. Morton, of 76 Jane street, went over to Hoboken te sce a fire, after the extinguishment of which he bade some injends “good night" and re-embarked for this city. Since that time nothing has been seen or heard of him, and his friends are tearful least he should have fallen overboard or heen dealt foully with. Mr. Morton was twenty-six years of age, was five feet eight or nine inches high, medium build, biack hair, smooth face, and has a scar over one of his eyes. He wore a light-colored overcoat, dark pant light shoes, black irock coat, black round ha! ify white shirt, and bad a plain gold ring on the litwe Hoger of hig jest band, CURTIS AND PRINDLE. The Marine Court Judge and the Chenango County Justice Before the Senato- rial Impeachment Committee. eS ge ste vencdinmeapaeoe aus i Strong Arguinents in Defence of Prindle—All His Sins Those of Ignorance, Not of Wilful- nese—No Decision Arrived At—The Curtis Case Adjourned for One Week. ALBany, N. Y,, Nov. 22, 1872, ‘rhe Senate met at ten A, M. Senator Murphy presented the credentials of William F, Scoresby, Senator elect from the Fourteenth district. Heap. peared, the oath of office was administered to him and he took his seat. THE CASE OF JUDGE CURTIS. Mr. Henry Smith, of counsel for Judge Curtis, inquired of the Senate when it intended to take up the case of his client. He said there were a num- ber of witnesses present, and the information was desirable. Mr. D. P. Wood moved that the case be taken up to-morrow. He thought the Prindie case could be disposed of to-day. Mr. Johnson said the members would like to return to their homes to attend church, if for nothing else, and he moved that the Curtis case be taken up on Monday. Mr. D. P. Wood replied that there were churches in Albany; besides, to postpose the case to Monday would be equivalent to putting it over for a week, ior the reason that the members will want to go home to spend Thanksgiving. There was another Teason for going on with the case—the witnesses were here and available, Mr. Bowen said from the information he had re- ceived the Curtis case would occupy the greater part of December. He, therefore, moved that that case be referred to the Judiciary Committee to take the testimony and report on the first day of the regular session. Lost, as follows :— Axrs—Messrs, Baker, Benedict, Bowen, Chatfield, Dick: inson, Foster, Graham, Johuson, Lewis, MeGowan and Wagner—Il, Nons—Motwrs. Adams, Allon, Ames, Cox, Lowery, Mur. phy, Perry, Robertson, Tiemann, Weismann, D. V. and James Wood—12, Mr. Lewis then moved to lay the whole matter on the table, inasmuch as there was not suflicient in- formation in possession of the Senate to decide upon it. Carried, JUDGE PRINDLE’S CASE CONTINUED. E. H. Prindle, of the counsel for Judge Prindle, then resumed his argument, contending that his government bond transaction was a purely busi- ness one, and fully understood by the old lady; that the respondent took no advantage of her and that she acted for herself solely, The counsel then proceeded to notice the charge that the respondent has acted as attorney and counsel in the Supreme Court while Surrogate, contrary to law, and said the respondent was at the time ignorant of the law referred to. He maintained that there was not one in twenty lawyers of this State who knew of this law, and called attention to the fact that Judge Boardman, of the Supreme Court, before whom the respondent thus acted, was not aware of it, Now, said the counsel, the charge is that the respondent wil- fully and corruptly violated this statute. Could he have wilfully and corrap iy violated it if he did not know of its existence? He violated the stat- ute, but he did it innocently, without without wil- fulness of corruption. Should you, then, remove him for that? The counsel proceeded to notice the charge that the respondent rendered his decision in the matter of ponding the town of Smithfield in behalf of the Central Valley Ratlroad so as to give an advantage to certain parties, He quoted freely from the evidence to show that the charge was uttorly groundless; that the respondent, instead ol giving information as to how he would decide so that the bonds could be printed with the Com- missioner named py him printed thereon, did not render his decision until long after the bonds were printed, and that THE BONDS HAD TO BE ALTERED to conform to the time of the rendering of the de- cision, This fact alone, he contended, showed that there could have been no conspiracy between the respondent and certain parties to secure an advan- tage over others. Counsel referred ‘to the char; concerning the substitution of Murphy for Dwight as executor, for which it was said a money consid- eration was paid. He reviewed the testimony on this point and claimed that it was palraatyoreny as it was contradictory. Counsel turned the charge that the respondent refused to go before the Board of Supervisors and submit to an investi- gation of his official conduct. He said respondent had acted in this case under tne advice of his counse}, Who assured bim that the Board of Super- visors had no jurisdiction over him or his office; that it had no right to call him to account; that there was provision maae by law for the investiga- tion proposed; but respondent informed the Board that he was willing to allow them to make such examination and investigation concerning his office, which they had a right to examine and in- vestigate. The respondent declined or retused to submit to this investigation in order to have the case brought before a Judge of the Supreme Court and @ decision had as to whether the Board had the right and power to make an examination of the ofilcial conduct of the Judge. But no; the Board would not do this; that was not what they wanted, They wanted’ to get this respondent in their power, and then and there ruin him. This, he charged, was the object in view; there were nocharges, no specifi- cations; there were none of those safeguards which are provided for the protection of every man brought into a court to be tried; these were pur- posely avoided, so that this respondent, once in their grasp, they could GO INTO A FISHING EXAMINATION, by which they might, through foul means, blacken his character and ruin him and his family. The hour for going into executive session hare arrived, and counsel suspended his remarks, On motion of counsel for Justice Curtis attach- ments were issued for witnesses Izadore Zutter and John O’Brien, who had been subpoenaed, but failed to appear this morning. The Senate then went into executive session with the understanding that the case of Judge Prindie would be resumed at four o'clock P. M. Afternoon Session. The State Senate reassembled at four o'clock P. ¥., when E. H. Prindle continued his argument, reviewing the testimony relative to the allowance of costs made by the Judge and the services per- formed by George W. Kay. He dwelt upon te charge that Ray, while acting as clerk to the Surrogate, was charging, and was allowed to charge, for his services as attorney and counsel, Counsel denied that Ray wes a clerk; he was an attorney and coun- sellor. He advertised himsell as an attorney and counsellor, and had authority to practise as such in the courts, Counsel also referred to the testi- pay Humphrey, to the eflect that the Judge and Ray granted letters of administration to htin, and that the Judge directed him to pay Ray. Coun- sel showed by other testimony that neither the Judge nor Ray had anything to do with this transaction; that they were both out of town; that two young men, named Merrill and Remsen, did the business, and Hum- phrey confounded them with Judge Prindie and George W. Ray. It wasa strange mistake for the witness, Humphrey, to make, and counsel warned the Senate to be careful in taking the testimony in this case as all trathful. He had shown, he said, that much of it was false—not wilfully so—but it only showed how easy it was for a man to be mis- taken concerning a transaction occurring several years previously, and this waa the position the re- Spondent was piaced in here. CHARGES OF THE MOST SERIOUS NATURE were made against him. They were scattered broadcast over the county; and every man who had ever had any business at the Surrogate’s office was likely to believe that he had been swindled. These people Know nothing about the business; nothing about the expenses and charges; nothin; about what work was to be done, who was to do it or who was to be paid. mney only know what charges of dishonesty were made against the respondent, and what was more natural than that they should believe they had been swindled; and yet in the face of these charges solely upon the mauner in which he had really discharged his duties last Fall this re- spondent triumphed over all his enemies, by being re-elected by the people of the county to his oMce. Counsel proceeded to explain ‘the charges concerning the Bowdish estate, and showed that it was necessary aud entirely proper in order to secure a settlement of the est: bd Senate here took a rec Pp Evening Session, ll seven o’clock The Senate reassembled at seven o'clock P, % when Mr. Prindie continued his argument. H spoke at much length, citing numerous authoritic against the charge that the Judge had been guilty extortion in charging for services in drawing up papers. He showed that he was uot required by law to draw up these papers, but, — on the —_ contrary, expressly proved that Surroga’ should be entitied to fees ior doing such work. Counsel turned to the charge that the respondent had violated the statute which reqnired him to keep a book of accounts of his fees, He admitted that he had not kept such a@ book, but it was be- cause he did not know of a such statute, How many statutes are there, he asked, to which no attention is paid ’—statutes known as dead letters, There was a law which required a District Attorney to make a report of to the County Treasury, How all wettle thelr accovpte with his omc! tae! many dy it? They the Board of Supervisors, and there they wilfully and corruptly violate the statut Do the: by ett their duty in res i? Notat by negleting thet’ duty it, thu respect? Mot at those against WOREING av seats ON Suspay, ve against profane sweariag and against horse rac- ing. and asked—Because a District Attorney, police officer or magistrate neglected to arrest and punish those violat such stgtutes should they be charged with wilfully and s¢-anntiv violating jaws requiring "7a to arrest and puilsn and ano -4 ve removed from office ? nse] proceeded to discuss the seventh charge, which all sd that the Judge had been paid $500 for his decision in the “Smithville town bending matter. He denied the charge, and pointed to the testimony of Shumacy, who was present at the time the alleged conversa- tion took place, and who swore no such conversa- tion was had. Counsel said it was upnecessary to bag 9 anything further re 4 the mat- ter, but he would add that the witness upon whose testimony this charge was based was iendly to the respondent up to the time the bond- ing decision was rendered. From that time is dated his present enmity. He had gone to the private residence of the Judge and endeavored to get him to de as he wishea; but the Judge told him he would have to decide according to the evidence, and he did so decide, Thatdecision gave birth to the se se in turn brought forth these false charges, ‘The counsel closed with an appeal to the Senate to act with caution and justice in this mat- ter, and referred to the sentiment of the people of Chenango county, which was that the respondent ‘was innocent, On motion of Senator Perry it was ordered that when the Senate adjourns to-morrow it adjourn till a week from Monday next, at four P. M., and that the witnegses in the Curtis case be required to attend before the Senate at that time, under the subpoenas already served upon them, ‘The Senate then adjourned till nine A. M, to-morrow. Nominations By the Governor Confirmed. ALBANY, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1872, The Senate in executive session has confirm: ie gee the nomination by Governor He offman orP, W. Chapman for Superintendent of the Insurance De- partment, vice G. W. Miller, who resigned last Spring. The Governor also sent in the nomination of H. C, Van Vorst to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Judge McCunn, of the Superior Court, between this time and the 1st of January, at which time Mr, Van Vorst will take the office by virtue of his recent election, The nomination was con- firmed. The Senate also confirmed the following Com- mission to revise the constitution of the State, the first two named in each district being republicans and the last two democrats :. First Judicial District—George Opdyke, John J. mee John D. Van Buren and Augustus Second Judicial District—Odle Cloe, Benjamin D, Silliman, Erastus Brooks and John J. Armstrong. ‘Third Judicial District—Robert N. Prayn, Corne- Anes Tracy, Willam Cassidy and George C. Bur- Fourth Judicial District—James M. Dudley, Ed- eee W. Foster, Artemus B. Waldo and Samuel W. jackson, Fifth Judicial District—Ralph McIntosh, Elias W. Leavenworth, Daniel Pratt and Francis Kernan, Sixth Judicial District—orian W. Chapman, Jonas Ws ears Lucius Robinson and John F, Hub- ard, Jr, Seventh Judicial District—Horace B, Howland, David Rumsey, George B. Bradley and Van Rensse- laer Richmond, Eighth Judicial District—Sherman 8, Rogers, ei bipe Pringle, Cyrus E. Davis and Lorenzo lorris, This ts the same list that was sent in last June, with the exception of the substitution of KE. W. Leavenworth and Benjamin Pringle ior Frank His- cock and D. W. Bolles. ‘The following notaries public were confirmed by the Senate in executive session to-day :— For New York—Herman E, Street, James Barry, Alfred Taylor, Adam H. Neipart, Hugh McCutchen, Stephen H. Lancaster, Louis Cohen, Heter Kauren, Fenton Rockland, Frank W. Paullman, James 8. A. Averill, Sidney E, Busteed, Meyer Butzel, Frederick ©, Steffen and John P. Crosby. For Kings county—James H. Gilbert, Edward A. Ball, Frederick 8. Beck, Charles Crawiord, J. Wor- den, Benjamin G. Heald, P. H, Hanlon, George F. Haywood, Andrew W. Kent, John Leonard, isaiah ‘T. Lovejoy, James Meyer, Edward S. Nelson, Wil- lam ego August Van Wyck, Frederick W. Den- ton and Chauncey 8S. Ryder, FREE RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATION. Freedom of Religion in Religion—The Efficacy of Prayer=Lectures by Revs. O. B. Frothingham and E. D. Mills. About one hundred persons assembled last even- ing in the Unitarian church, presided over by the Rey. Mr. Chadwick, corner of Clinton and Congress "strects, Brooklyn, pursuant to announcement that @ lecture would be delivered under the auspices of the Free Religious Association, The Rev, Mr. 0. B. Frothingham, in opening his discourse, sayd it scemed to be necessary with most systems of religion to accept it Only in the letter and form, and it is by such religious adherents gen- erally contended that those not in strict conform- ity with the letter have no religion atall, The Free Religious Association, however, did not tole- rate any, but accepted all. We protest against the letter and pull down walls, so that peo- ple cam come and go over our borders. We have no borders to disenchant those who would seek heaven in a broad and liberal spirit. Those outside our belief say that we are an intelligent body of gentlemen graduates of Harvard College, capable of expressing our views very well, and that we are not willing to be guided by the common theology of the world, and therefore have @ way of our own. A com- mon impression about us is that we are mere speculators in spiritual matters, and are not practical in our purposes of religion, He hoped that in the course of time this erroneous impression would be obliterated, The movement in which they were engaged began in practical reason and common sense. Our object is that we may bring religion down to earth and make it a daily practical and working faith, vital in all things, in politics, industry and associations, What we call infidelity had its origin in a fecling that religion was not sincere, or practical. All infidela were, first of all, deep-feeling en. The speaker then spoke of Vol- taire as having done some of the most heroic things that were ever done by men, and eulogized him for his charity and 1 gene to his fellow men, Out of moral sensibility at the craven manner of sectarianism grew Paine’s infidelity. The crusade against theology came out of the hearts of men and not from the heads. Our work strikes deeper to weld men together from practical work than any other system of religion. The mabey then spoke of superstition, and upon this subject he said there were many different forms of superstition. The term implies the reliance upon the power above us. Speaking upon the efficacy of prayer, he said that he visited, during a visit to London last year, an orphan asylum, which was supported solely, he was told, by prayer; no contributions Were even solicited for its support. It was under the auspices of Dr. Spurgeon’s church, On @ certain Sunday he visited church and that eae preached @& very indifferent sermon. There were about five thousand people present. During his remarks mores Made a strong appeal for the asylum. There were boxes placed in every aisle, placarded, calling attention to the asylum, and the speaker heard the money drop- ping like hail into these receptacles, Now this was the manner in which the institution was supported by prayer alone. That there was a special rovidence in the matter, Perna, Spurgeon be- teved. Perhaps the people believed the Lord sent the money. It was @ superstitious, but innocent belief, But the speaker believed that nobody was @ materialist now; materialism has been etherial- ized. People have risen out of the vulgar slough of inaterialism to a higher perception of mankind. He dwelt upon the project of Professor Tillen to set apart certain wards in a hospital in London to test the efficacy of prayer, that the patients in the one might be prayed for, and those in the other ward he left to the treatment of the physicians, without spiritual supplication in their behalf. In the controversy which had grown out of this pro- ject it was remarkable that there was not one of the theologians that did not repudiate the ortho- dox theory of praver in this matier. They looked upon the project as a@ caricature, Man should not turn over his work to Heaven when he could do it himself, Other instances were cited in which cures were made and moyey subscribed for hu- mane and charitable purposes, but all these, ob- tained professedly cha prayer, came regular: from material sources. In conclusion, Mr. Froth- Pelee defined religion as being a consciousness of being free to walk upright in truth and justice, and to ask questions of ail men, Mr. E. D. MILLS, of Syracuse, was the next speaker. He took for his subject Bible idolatry. jan, he said, was ever looking in other depart: ments—secking to go further. There was no sphere which he did not seek to enlarge and no depart- ment that he did not seek to expand. There was no department of enjoyment that, ha’ reached, he did not look fer one still Mgher, for his thoughts went out far beyond all he had ob- tained heretofore. The two worlds of which we sometimes speak were, he said, as inseparable in the minds of men as the gold which was found in California was ingeparable from the sulphur and iron, Dividing the spiritual and material was a diMcult matter for humanity, Eternity as con- sidered was @ time beyond our sojourn here, and we could not shift to any spiritual exist- ence in which the physical was not in some way involved. The speaker then proceeded to briefly review the various systems of belief in higher Being which existed since the inning of the world; and, col to the Christ ‘a and to the jong day, he in favor of greater tolera- jon and the abolition of all sectarian fcelings ap dnupical to Christian faith, shour, GREENVILLE'S TROUBLES. | #2: Hudson County, N. J., in a State . of Great Excitement. BO es nm TT a eons’ Aehwpeteaichs — * “ee A VIGILANCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED. Arrest of Three Members of the Street Com- mission of Greenville Yesterday. Stormy Meeting of the Inhabit- ants Last Night. The excitement in Greenville, N. J., relative to the action of the Street Commission is greatly on the increase, and yesterday it culminated in a coup d@état on the part of the indignant taxpayers. Early in the morning, while the inhabitants of the village were buried in slumber, Deputy Sheriff James Donnelly and Constable Cline, of Jersey City, rap- idly drove to the residence of J. 0. Sey- mour, the President of the Street Com- mission. The officers gained admittance to the house and demanded to see Mr. Seymour on ur- ent business. Mr. Seymour was in-he? Gnd ob. jected to being disturbed, but the officers insisted upon seeing him, as their business was important. Making a virtue of necessity, Mr. Seymour arose from bed, and, making a hasty toilet, descended tothe parlor, where the Deputy Sherif! was in waiting. “Mr. Seymour, I believe,” said the con- stable. “That is my name,” said the gentleman, “TL have a warrant for you,’ said the officer, pro- ceeding to read the following document:— State of New Jersey, Hudson County, a.—To any constable of said county—Whereas it appears to me by’ the oath of George W. Dillaway that J, O. Seymour. John A. Cadmus and John Morrell, claiming to be and act as the Board of Finance of the township of Grecnyille, ax aforesaid, the last-named John Morrell claiming to be the Treasurer of the sald township of Greenville, did wilfully and traudu- lentl; id conspire together, with the intent and for as the verily be- property lieves, and ' taxpayers township out of a large sum of money, to wit, the sum of $20,000, by set- ting up and pretending that said large sum of mohey was necessary and positively requisite to meet the necessary legal expenses of the Street Commissioners of the sald. township. These are in the name of the State of New Jersey to authorize and command you to apprehend the said J, O. Seymour, it he may be found in your county, and forthwith bring or canse him to come betore me answer said complaint, and be further dealt with as the Nc Jaw dire Given under my hand and seal at Jersey City this the said. 2ist day of November, 1872, In the county afore THOMAS ALDRIDGE, Justice of the Peace. Mr. Seymour was then formally arrested and placed in charge of Sheriff Donnelly, while Con- stable Cline started in search of Mr. Morrell, the town treasurer, who was also found in bed. The constable stated his business, whereat Mr. Morrell became greatly excited, stating that if it was not against the law he would put a bullet through the Justice who issued the warrant in less than halfan He was allowed to eat his breakfast, and then, in company with the officer, he started in quest of bail. He was then taken to the RESIDENCE OF MR. SEYMOUR, | and the two gentlemen were left in charge of Sub- sheriff Donnelly while the constabie departed to make a third arrest—Mr, John A. Cadmus, another of the Street Commissioners, This individual was also found. He took the thing ina very jocular way, saying “Come on; I am ready for ‘Tren- ton.” The whole party met again at Seymour’s, whence tne prisoners were trans- ferred to an open wagon and _ taken tothe residence of Judge Aldridge. The entire morning had been consumed in making the ar- rests, and by this time it was nearly ten o'clock. Greenville was awake, and so quietly had the ar- rests been planned that but few people knew what was inthe wind. As the unusual cortége passed along the muddy streets the excitement was complainant great, and the inhabitants looked on in astonishment while the leading officials of the place were being hurried along as prisoners. At eleven o’clock the prisoners were arraigned before the Justice, Charles H. Winfield appearing as their counsel. Heargued that the proceedings should be dismissed, as there was no crime alleged against the prisoners, The Judge was of @ onbraty opinion, and after an argument of more than an hour determined to hold the al- leged soe in $6,000 bail each to oboe before the Grand Jury to answer on the 3d of January ‘The 3 BAIL WAS PROMPTLY FURNISHED by Mr. Wintield, and the three genticmen left the court rejoicing. A HERALD Peper visited Greenville yesterday and was furnished with many additional facts of the trouble, It is of much longer antiquity than ‘was at first supposed, the leading inhabitants of the place of both political parties having for several aeae contended against what they considered the arbitrary and tyrannical conduct of the commission. The township is mortgaged to the amount of $300,000, and for this nothing can be shownh but a few streets laid out and graded, but unpaved and unlighted. The taxation has yearly gobe on increasing, and although the people have frequently Tremonstrated and had recourse to law their efforts were ineffectual, and the Commis- sioners went on doing just as they pleased. This year the taxes, independent of the assessment, amounted to the enormous proportion of $3 20 to the $100, which the taxpayers indig- nantly ~ refused to pay. The Commissioners insisted upou the bills being footed, whereupon meetings were called and resolutions adopted ask- ing them to resign. This they refused to do, and on Wednesday night, when a committee of the most respectable citizens of Greenville visited their office they refused them access to the books in which the accounts of their transactions were kept. The people were naturally incensed at this strange conduct, and hence the events of yester- next, day. It was stated by the Commission- ers some davs ago that the agitation against them was of a _ political na- ture; but this has been proved to be incorrect, as botn democrats and republicans are opposed to their transactions, the Presidents of both clubs be- ing members of the Committee of Investigation. ‘The committee represents more than HALF A MILLION WORTH OF PROPERTY and is composed of the most wealthy and respecta- ble citizens of the place. On last night a public meeting was held in Schrei- ner’s Hall of all who are opposed to the strect commission, The proceedings were of a most ¢x- citing and interesting nature, as will be seen from the report below. The littie hall in which it was held was decorated with German and Ameri- can flags, and was densely crowded with an audi- ence representing all classes and ages. The men looked determined, and it was evident from their appearance that they meant to make a stout battle for their rights. Judge Schultz, an influential Ger- man, was appointed chairman, and after the ro- vice from various committees had been received, . Van Wynckle, a prominent lawyer, was called upon for an address, He denounced in unspar- ing terms the corruption of the street ring and advocated union with Jersey City as the only speedy cure for the ills of unhappy Greenville. The law’s delay had given the Commissioners a long lease of power, and it behooved them to speedily terminate the trouble. It the Commissioners were guiltless of ae crime they were incompetent for their ofice by the manner in which they conducted their business and they shenid be got rid of. If they were not incompetent they were guilty and should be punished. He was a3 much opposed to violence as any one, but in this case patience had its limit, and if the Commissioners were not got rid of peaceably they must be got rid of by some other means, (Tremendous applause.) ‘Then considerable excitement was caused by the announcement that a warrant for arrest on a charge of perjury was out against Judge Dillaway, pe ee complaint the Commissioners were ar- sted, MR. VAN WYNCKLE continued. This job, which has been put up upon Judge Dillaway, won't do, and if he is arrested he will be sustained by every doilar in the township, (Great cheering.) Mr. MATIHEW ARMSTRONG, an extensive leather dealer, next addressed the meeting. He wished to correct a statement which had appeared in some of the public papers—that this was a Nitical movement, It was nothing of the kind. it was a Movement of honest men, independent of party. Here Mr. Armstrong called upon all who were democrats to rise to their feet, whereupon more than half the entire audience arose amid great cheering. There, now, said Mr. Armstrong, you can see whether thisis @ political movement or not, We are determined to have an honest government and have something to show for our money, Mr. Armstrong resumed his seat, and Mr. AN- DREW VAN HORN was loudly calied for. Mr. Van Horn is a gentleman of very muscular appearance, and his speech Js fully a ligerent as his looks, - His address was more forcible than elegant, but, Pa or was replete with good sense, He commenced by saying that the Commissioners HAD BEEN PROVED TO BE LIARS, and when they were liars they could easily be be- lieved to be thieves. ‘They had been riding over the people of Greenville with a high han |, but their time was about to close, and they would be ousted by all means, both fair and foul, He felt good to know that some of them had been ar- mas bone there would be more of them in the same box. The taxes had been increased at an enormous rate during the year, and the value of Phi, had depreciated so much that it was dif- cult to sell the town bonds, He for one was «e- termined he would pay no more taxes, and he hoped every one else would be of the same mind, The stationery bill of the village fer three | case of the np se reould.searel woes @ vigorous to b3 ‘igo we Pe: People to stand up for hi ‘4 motion was now made to adjourn, but as 1 ‘was abont to be put to the meeting's alawraneale ntleman nawed Kernan got wy) ea Hee: vigilance comm! tee, be Hoe sp ares oe the interests of ti na. The hi been tried in California and had worke well. This motion caused @ tremendous uproar, and on first pcing put to the meeting was declared lost. Mr. Van Wynckle, however, made a strong appeal for it, and stated bape -his opinion, the. motion was a good one and ld not be lightly dropped. He did not mean that it should : BE A HANGING COMMITTEE, Let it first be appointed and then develop itself as to what action should be taken. The motion was reconsidered, and, on being again put, was unanimously carried, amid great confusion and cheering. Mr. Joseph Kernan,. Mr. A. J. Van Horn, L. Murtha, Mr. J. A. Lillien- dahl and Mr. Folenbrook were appointed to act as the committee, and the meeting then adjourned to meet again this evening week. The entire imhab- itants seem to be unanimous in the course that is’ betes adopted, and they are enthusiastic in gup- porting the ineasures that are being taken against tha commission. Counsel are to be retained to Ree the cases and to defend Judge Dilloway in the event of an indictment oie found against him. A number of Deputy Sherit’s were hanging around the village last Tigh to arrest the Judge, but they did not suceced in. finding him. As he is an old man he did not want to be arrested so late ai. night, but he intends to deliver himself up this caterers Bail to any amount will be turnished by his trieads, WARMOTH AND THE LOUISIANA ELECTIONS,’ “ New ORLEANS, Nov. 2% 1872, ~ In the United States Circuit C the case of Kellogg vs. Warmoth etal, has been postponed! until Monday. It is how believed that Governor Warmoth will commission all city and parish oMicers clearly elected and have them inducted into office, District Courts under the new officers are working smoothiy this morning. Federal interference in State aifairs, which has. been talked of by some of the parties to this con- featove r since the late election, is not now appre- ended, LAURA FAIR AGAIN TROUBLED. Charged With Conspiring to Poison the ~ Milk Supplicd to Judge Dwinelle’ Family. SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 22, 1872, Asensation has been caused here by the publi- cation of an alleged plot between Laura D, Fair and a restaurant waiter named Frank to poison Judge Dwinelle and Alexander Campbell, counsel for the people. The waiter Frank, who reveals the plot, says it was formed before Mrs. Fair’s second trial. He states that that. lady tried to induce him put poison to in @ decanter in Dwinelle’s house or into the milk can at the door, At the same time that this was intended to be done a woman went to the latter’s house and told Mrs. Dwinelle not to leave the milk can out. The matter was concealed from the public, but has been investigated by Chief of Police Crowley, Judge Dwinelle and all the counsel in the case. Some thought the waiter insane, but he had a@ plan of Dwinelle’s house in his posses sion, Mrs. Fair remains in the city. The people are’ ea imcensed at her proposition to give publie: lectures, THE CHIOKASAWS, _ The Indians Call Upon the Presidcnt te Carry Out the Land Treaty of 1866. Sr. Louis, Noy. 22, 1872, Reliable advices from the Chickasaw nation say that the Legislature of that nation, which has just adjourned, passed a resolution requesting Presi- dent Grant to carry into effect that hart of the treaty of 1866 between the United States and the Choctaws and Chickasaws which provides that wien the Indians desire it the lands heretofore held in common may be divided among individual members of the tribes. } Adjutant General Sigel telegraphs to Governor Brown from Lafayette county that evermshing is quiet there, The county authorities deny that there has ever been a necessity for outside interference, and say they are perfectly able to enforce the lawd aud maintain order, THE LATE BOSTON FIRE. Postmaster Burt on the Danger of a New York Conflagration. In a recent letter from General Burt, Postmaster at Boston, to a friend in this city, detailing some of the meidents of the great fire, which were graphically reported in the HERALD, that gentle- man uses the following language, which, though somewhat disquicting, is nevertheless timely, if not entirely correct:— You are exposed to a similar conflagration in New York any day, and steam fire-engines are en- tirely unequal to the high, deep bali ings of New York, as they were here. that saved the Sub-Treasury and State street was the of powder, and if we could have use had _it in sufiicient quantities even at two o'clock A. M. it would have saved half the loss. Do not let your people get any false ideas; you must be pre- ared to use powder in not less than four hundred, ive hundred or six hundred pounds for your large warehouses, and your firemen must be ready to co-operate. SOIREE MUSICALE, An exceedingly enjoyable concert was given las® evening at 222 Madison avenue in ald of the Sheld tering Arms. The audience was, of course, very fashionable, and an interesting programme was carried out to the evident satisfaction of all pres- ent. The artists who gave their services for the occasion and contributed so largely to the success of the concert were Mme. De Lussan, Miss Clarke and Messrs. Mills, Leon! and Fossati. Miss Clarke created quite a favor- able impression, not only in the duet, “Guarda che Blanca Luna,” with Mme. De Lussan, but. more particularly in the charming aria, “The Beating of My Own Heart,” which she sung with excellent taste, displaying to advantage a rich and flexible contralto voice. Itis almost supertuons to add that Mr. Mills’ pianoforte soio was heartily frye oh Madame De Lussan sung one of Abt's delightful ballads with her usual artistic finish, A WIFE BEATING WRETOE, Yesterday afternoon one Christopher Neill, re. siding in Court street, Hoboken, during a quarre) with his wife, smote her on the head with a plate, pee a frightful gash and cutting a portion of er ear. The aillicted woman fainted from loss of blood while Dr, Goble was dressin; Theiohuman husband was arreste await an examination, ALLEGED THIEVES ARRESTED. For some tithe past two men, named respectively John R. Lawrence and John Raley, assisted by William Wilson, a lad thirteen years of age, have been, it is alleged, stealing firearms of various kinds from several large firms in Broadway. After vainly endeavoring to capture the partics the firms were constrained to re the to Captain Irving, at. the Central Office, and solicit his assistance. Detective Elder was detailed to work the case, and yesterday after- noon he succeeded, with the assistance of Officer Dodge, of the T'wenty-fi'th precinct, in arresting the alleged thieves, on one of whom were found two Peleg, said to have been stolen trom Remington: Co, ‘The prisoners were locked up at headquar- ters, and will this morning be taken to the Tombs Police Court for examination. her wounds. and held to PUTTING THE NEWARK POLICE TO THR BLUSH, The Newark police have been put to the blush and taught their business by a desolate but dell- cate fomale named Delia Blanchard. Miss Blatich ard Was a boarder for three days with a notorious termagant named Beemer, well gnown in Newark as common nuisance in conse. bg of her limitiess tongue. Mystcriously rs, Beemer and her daughter Gertrude sipped away to Philadelphia, carrying Miss Blanchurd's trunk contaming her dresses and love letters. The robbed lady applied to the police, but they said the: could do nothing with Beemer. Nothing daunte , the poor young lady started for Philadeiphia an with the gallant aid of Mayor Stokely, ferreted ou Beemer and compelled her to disgorge. Misa Blanchard has returned to Newark, but says when she wants to catch a thief again she will go where they understand police business, ———_—_—_____ THE POST OFFICE NIGHT CLERKS, To THe EprroR OF THE HERALD:— Within a few days past orders, to say the least, of an arbitrary nature have been issued to the night clerks of the Post Office in this city, If there be any class of oificials in the pay of the govern ment entitled to the public sympathy and thanke it is those who attend to our interests during the Yet, strange to this most dead hours of night, when we are Gen thee re. class . 8a} Troubled and worst paid, There ts be. leve that the Postmaster is iguorant of these new orders and that they were concocted and issued W) underlings, We hope the Postmaster will in gate the case and do ampie justice to all 1, FalB