The New York Herald Newspaper, March 11, 1873, Page 3

THE FOSTER CASE. Have the Car-Hook Murderer’s Friends Given a Bribe? 4 unarge that Mrs. Putnam Received $15,000 for Writing Her Appeal to Governor Dix. What Wm. L. Allcn, a Relative of Mrs. Putnam by Marriage, Says. “There is No Doubt but Money Has Been Used, but I Decline to Give You any Statement”—“I Was Mrs. Put- nam’s Legal Adviser.” A PROTEST FRSM MERCHANTS. What They Said to a Her- ald Reporter. rumam’s Brother to Present the Petition to Governor Dix. The merchants of Broad, Beaver, South William and Pearl streets are greatly excited over statements made by William L. Allen, butter merchant, 67 Pear! street, that money has been paid to Mrs. Avery DP, Putnam for signing the letter to Governor Dix. The report circulated rapidly and was soon the sole theme of conversation in the Produce Exchange. A reporter of the HERALD called upon Wiliam L. Allen to get his statement of the alleged bribery. REPORTER—MTr. Allen, it is asserted that you are cognizant of the fact that Mrs. Avery D. Putnam has been paid $15,000 by friends of Foster to sign the letter which has been published. Mr. ALLEN—There is no doubt but that money has been used, but as Mrs, Putnam is a full cousin of my wife I must decline to give you any statement tor publication, Rerorter—If money was used by whom was it furnished? Mr, ALLEN—The money came from a rich relative o! Foster. REPORTER—Was not $15,000 a good deal of money to pay for such a letter? Mr. ALLEN—I acted as adviser for Mrs, Putnam, and must decline to say anything further. RerorTeR—Do you think, then, that the letter had any effect with the Governor? Mr. ALLEN—It certainly should not have any more weight than from any one else. Personally fam in favor ef hanging Foster; but my family relations are such that 1 must decline to talk fur- ther. William A. Covert, of the firm of W. A. Covert & o., No. 68 Pearl street, was next called upen and stated :—The statements of Mr. Allen in regard to the payment of money to Mrs. Putnam have been made directly by him to myself, a8 well as to a umber of other men here in the neighborhood, each and every one of whom are willing and ready to make affidavits to the facts. Mr. Allen stated to me that negotiations with Mrs, Putnam bad been ‘begun by the friends of Foster more than one year ago. As a relative 1 was called in as adviser. Mr. Willcox, of the Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Company, went on to Providence to negotiate with Mrs. Put- nam; he acted as the go-between threugh which the compromise was consummated; the first prep- osition presented to Mrs. Putnam was an agree- ment to educate her son. Mr. Allen declared that he had advised her not to accept any terms unless money was offered. He advised her to ask $25,000, and mot to take less than $15,000. He also advised her not to sign any Ictter until the money was paid into her hands. He stated also that he had becn absent for some time end did not know exactly what sum was paid, but was certain that it was not less than $15,090. In fact, he went so faras to say that he might ltave made $5,000 out 0/ the business himself if he had romised to use his influence with Mrs. Putnam. ir. Allen concluded by saying that “now that Mrs. Putnam nad received the pene, he aid not care who kuew the story.” Therefore I do not have any hesitation in making this statement. Mr. Austin G. Putnam, brother to the murdered man, here cutered the office of Covert & Co., and affirmed that he had been told the same story by Wm. L. Alien, All were astonished at Allen’s re- licence after the manner in which he had previous- ty spoken of it. Mr. George Ho)lister,of Hollister & Chamberlain’s, No. 90 Broad street, Was next called on. He con- firmed mevery particular the statements made by Mr. Covert and Mr, Purnam, and saia that Mr. Allen had repeated the story to him. Mr. Hurlburt, of Hurlburt & Sons, No. 65 Pearl street, made the same statement to the HERALD reporter, with the additional {tem that Mr. Allen had told him privately of the negotiation more than Dhe month ago. H. Henneberger, former partner of Avery D, Put- pam, also stated that Mr. Allen had told him the same stery in general. All of these will standready to make aliidavits to their statements, A PETITION FROM THE MERCHANTS. The following petition was on Saturday after- noondrawn up and circulated for signatures :— To His Excctiency, Joan A. Dix, Governor of the State of New York :— We, the undersigned, in consideration of the unholy means employed to defeat the ends of justice in the case of William Foster, condemned for the murder of Mr. Put- nam, do earnestly Prayzon to wholly ignore all signa- tures, petitions and letters to your Excellency and de- cide only on points of law and évidence, such ax the cor- rupting influence of money has not toucted. H_ Henneberger, 68 Pearl street; William Hurlburt & Son, 65 Pearl street; etson, Jr.. 73. Pearl street; Benjamin Ford, 69 Pearl 8. Robinson, 73 Peart street; A. A. Platt, 73 rect; Benjamin F, Dominick, 0 Peart ‘street; Benjamin’ F. Tuthill, 191 Duane street; William L. Allen, 67 Pearl street; George B. Darley, J0' Pine street; Edward A. Sewer, 49 Pearl Z strect; b. F, Card, 37 Pearl street: J. M. Atwater & Brother, (il Pearl street; A. W. & F. W. Leggett, 36 Pearl street; William P. Robbins, 33 Pearl street, W. R, Pres- ton & Lo., @ Peari street. Interviews with the Petitioners. The gentlemen who signed the above petition knew Mr. Putnam personally in his life time and were cognizant of his many good qualities and of his failings. The petition was, therefore, made ‘with full cognizance of ail the circumstances of the ase, and was got up by the friends of Patnam to counteract the great influence which has been brought to bear wpon the Governor that he might accord the condemned man grace of his life. It ‘will be noticed in the interviews given below that the general opinion prevails that all the state- ments made came in reality from one source, and that the gentlemen interviewed pretend to know absolutely nothing of their own knowledge, but to have taken for granted the statements which were made to them by their friends, On the other hand it is said that the most im- portant point has been a common matter of con- versation around the Produce Exchange, where all State that no secret Whatever was made of tne matter, but that on the contrary it was given all the publicity possible among those who took @ peculiar interest from the facé that they had known the dead man, Putnam, and it seems singular that the story which has heen so well known among them for some time should not have become pub- licly known before. But-here again it appears that Mr, Allen, WHO FIRST GAVE THE REPORT CURRENCY, according to the statements of all, only did so after Mrs. Putnam received the money, saying that then he had no farther interest in keeping it quiet. Among those who signed the petition, Mr, Hen- nebergar lives in Melrose, Mr. Tuthill in New Jer- sey. The others, with the exception of the three who have been seen, and from whom it was fair to infer that all Which would be of any interest or im- portance has been obtained, are not mentioned in the Director,, The HRaLpy reporter was, there- fore, obliged to confine himself in his researches to these three—Mr, Stetson, Mr, W. R. Preston and Mr. F. W. Leggett, who jive im the city. The reporter first proceeded to the house of Mr. W. Stetson, Jr., at 232 West Fifty-fourth street, and acquainted that gentleman with the object of his mission. Mr, Stetson said he wag auite willing to NEW YORK HERALD, say all he knew about the matter, which, however, he added, was little. . “Yon signed the petition,” said the HERALD re “Yes.” ke You notice the’ ‘in consideration of the unholy means employed.’ ‘To whom or to what does that refer, as. ‘the phrase ‘such as the cor- rupting influences of 'y have not touched’? Mk. STETSeN—To the Best of my belief these pbrases refer to the money which has been PAID TQ MRS, PUTNAM to give her name to the letter asking for a commu- tation of sentence for Koster. “Do you know that money has been paid to Mrs, Putnam for the use of her name?’ “1 have no doubt sharit bas, And yet it has eimnply come by hearsay to me, though it is a matter of notoriety to many of us.” “And what is the source of this information 7” “It comes from Mr, Alien, whose name is signed to the petition, Mr, Covert, who occupies the store at No, 68 Pearl street, formerly used by the murdered Putnam, has been circulating this 'peti- tion around, and hag been yery active in getting names, He drew it ap, and hes shown great, ia- terest in the matter, ie told me that Mr, Alien had distinctly told him that Mrs. Putnam had had overtures made to her some time ago to put her name to & petition, at that time the offer made te her was to take hér child and educate tt. This she refused to do, amd then the proposition of gi ing her $15,600 was made, At this time she, i pears, consulted with Mr. Allen, who js some rela- tive of hers, [understand that even the FIPTREN THOUSABD: DOLLARS) WAS REFUSED, butat ali events bargain Was finally consum- mated at something between $15,000 anu $20,000,"" “Is Mrs, Putnam $0 poor that it was necessary lor her to taxe this money ¥)? “There is no doubs that she isin very needy cir- cumstances and that sie has no sinall’ ditticulty in supporting herself, Putnam was a man whe did a small business, andijust did about enough to sup- port himseli and hisuamily; nothing more. He was not able to put ba ned ‘a and when he died his widow, | believe, Dad all she could do to support herse}!,”? “You have them He positive knowledge that money has becn vend 0 buy Mrs, Putnau to peti- tion for her hush; Ys murderer's reprieve?” “| have enough Knowledge to be thoroughiy con- vinced and to signed the petition in conse- quence. Mr. Co} ig u vhoroughly respectable and reliable gen! and so is Mr. Allen.” “But,” broke reporter, “Mr. Alien, when questioned about Matter by a UBRALD reporter, scemed to eye! willing to substantiate the statements ly made before.”? “That seems to’ very surprising, as it is noto- rious that Mr. wn has courted publicity vo his statements and has made them very freely. ‘The matter is u0 secret among us On the street, and it was on the assurance that it was true that we signed the petit . J myself would like the Goy- ernor fo kuow that the influences that were pecuan upon the widow o! the murdered man have en SOMETHING MORE POTENT than mere scntimental ones. The idea of the pe- tition originated irom the article in the HERALD a tew days since, which, alter urging the Governor not to reprieve Foster, ended by saying that of all the documents presented to him the only one of any force or bearing was that in which the widow ot murdered man sued for the life of the mur- derer, We wished then to show that this docu. Ment was not so strong aud so disinterested as it appeared upon the surface. and that, seeing it was so paid for, no great amount of importance could be attached to it, as its only strength lay in its ap- parently pure-minded disinterestedness. It now jies. with the Governer, after we present the pe- tion, to say how much weight her letter must bring. All we wanted to do was to show the tacts as tuey were.” The reporter here left Mr. Stetson and called upon Mr. W. R, Preston, at No. 27 West Forty-eigint street. Mr. Preston was in bed and the HERALD reporter was shown up lito his room. ‘hen told about the petition having reached the HERALD ottice Mr. Preston expressed the greatest Teluctance to have his name identified with it. He said he supposed it was simply a petition to the Governer and that it would not be published, “On what grounds did you sign the petiuon?”’ asked the HERALD reporter. “simply because I believed that the Governor had been unduty INFLUENCED BY PETITIONS and letters in favor of the prisoner. I thought that it was very well for him to consider the ques- tions of law in the matter, but not to go outside of these, If after Governor Dix looks over the cise on these questions of law ne comes to the conclu- sion that Foster had better be reprieved 1 shall have nothing to say, but it was simply on these grounds that} signed the petition, and without any idea that it Was to be made public.” “You have, no doubt, observed the strong ian- Jouve of the petition you signed?’ said the JERALD reporter. ‘“fhus, ‘In consideration of the unholy means employed to defeat the ends of jus- tice ;!and again, ‘such as the corrupting influences of money have not touched.’ ”? “This ls very strong language,” rejoined Mr. Preston, “very strong, and if I had noticed it when ie een Was put before me 1 would not have signed. “Do you Mean to say you signed it without look- ing over 1t 1" “{ just cursorily glanced over it, you know, but dia not take in its spirit.” “You have heard of the charges which have been made about Mrs. Putnam’s name being paid for ?” “Yes, [have heard remarks of something of the kind, bat I don’t know ayn, about them “And yet it is acknowledged that this is what the Reece armed at by using the language it does. id you know that ?’” a rel, as I tell you, 1 did not know or understand wha TUB OBJECT OF THE PETITION was, and signed it on being asked to do so.’ “From whom did you hear that Mrs. Putnam had received money to sign her name to the letter to General Dix?” “Oh! Lheard it from several parties, and I be- lieve from Mr. Allen, wio is a relation of Mrs. Put- nam. “and from no one else?” “Tam not sure from whom, but I heard it from hpi But | did not know the petition meant all 8." Mr. Preston again said he honed his name ree not appear to the petition, and the reporter en He then called upon Mr. F. W. Leggett, of the firm of A. W. & F. W. Leggett, Mala, dealers, whose names as # firm are signed to tne petition. Mr. Leggett said that the petition was signed by his brother in the name of the firm, and that his brother knew more about it than he did. “You Know, however, I presume,’ said the HERALD reporter. “what the petition refers to.” “On! certainly,” answered Mr. Leggett. ‘It re- fers te the fact of Mrs. Putnam having received money from the Foster family to sign her name to the letter.’” . “What do you know of this transaction ?” “Mr, Blank, a wealthy man, was the person em- loyed by the Foster site to negotiate the matter. hire. Putnam was then offered money to give her name to a letter asking Foster's reprieve. SHE WENT TO MR. ALLEN and asked his advice. Iunderstand he advised her not to take the money, but if she were to do it to ask a good price. She asked whether $15,000 would be enough, and he said the family could as easily pay $25,000. 1 believe it was at this last interview th Mrs. Putnaw allowed her name to be used, because she showed her disposition to take the money and disregarded Mr. Allen's aavice to re- fuse it.” “What do you think of Mrs. Putnam's action in this matter “TI think that very few women would do it, and I leok on it as being rather queer of her to do. But then, on the other hamd she is poor, her husband’s py having been bankrupt at the time of his | leath. “Is Mr. Allen's course in the matter commented Upon at all?” “There was no obligation upon him to keep the matter secret. Infact, 1 dare say he thought it his duty to make 1t public. Ilook en it this way, that whiie I THINK IT MY DUTY to let the Governor know the facts of the case, I do mot care Pe to see Foster hanged. About that I shall be periectly satisfied as the Gov- ernor decides." “But how ts the Governor to know the circum- stances of the affair? They are not given in the petition, They are simply hinted at.” “Mr, Putnam’s brother is to present the petition to the Governor, and while presenting will explain the whole matter to him about the paying money to Mrs, Foster for her name." “You know, then, that this money has been aid 7” rf “There 1s no doubt of it. Mr. Allen knows all about it, and so does Mr. Henneberger, the dead Mr, Putnam's former partner. In fact, they know @ reat deal more than I do about it. But the actual fact of buying is a matter now of too public noto- riety to admit of any doubt. I doubt whether I would have signed the petition myself, as | was educated at Janesville, the place where Foster was educated, and I think we were there at the same time, I know a good many of Foster's schoolmates also. But the petition was signed by my partaer in my absence from the store, and of course I can- not withdraw my name. THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE. ae A Peace Preservation Motto for General Dix id the People. New York, March 10, 1873, To THE EDITOR OF THE HeRaLD:— General Dix gave 08 &@ War motto, Allow me to Suggest ® “peace motto,” thus:—“If any man independence) journal has taken with regard to the hanging of thé murderer Foster—as much pleased at your open and fearless fight as disgusted at the Weak (and merciful to ane man at the expense of thousands) expressions of the press generally. If Foster is not to suffer the full penalty of the law, what protection has a man from the roughs and scoundrels who infest our street cars and corners aiter dark? we are not protected by law we. must go armed and _ pro- tect ourselv@; and perhaps, after ail, H that would be the safest way; but it would sound bad away from home, that no man ia safe in New York without a pistol, There has been & great deal of capital made ‘rom the letter of Mrs, Put- nam to the Governor, saying that Foster’s death would not make her loss any the less or her gnef any less hard to bear. Docs Mrs. Patnam suppose that her feelings are to be considered in the matter any more than mine or 4 one’s else? Does she sup the public wish Foster hauged to revenge her. She should stop and consider that tt is tor the protec- tion of others, and to Keep other wives and chil. dren from being made widows and orphans that this man should be made an example of. ‘There has becn so much said in regard to the case that it 18 Unnecessary for me to attempt to review any part o! it; brt F teel ag uM sothere” were thousands waitin, for the decision of this, the test case, and that there are a great Many who, in their mercy for this man, for- get how little merey they show for themselves and the community at large in advocating the commu- tation of Foster’s seutence. 1 heard a fentieman gay tunis morning if the HERALD would start a petition to the Governor, praying him uot to interiere with the decision of the Courtein this matter, he would walk ten miles to sign it. I hope you will think weli oi this pro- Position and start such a peution. By giving this poor expression of my feelings a jlace. in your excellent paper you will conier a favor on one who would see justice take teen i over mercy. W. A New YoRK, March 9, 1873, A German View of Law, Facts, Phre= nology and the Social System. New YORK, March 10, 1973, To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD: — We may congratulate ourselves that there is still one paper jeft defending right and justice—the HERALD. jl other papers, even French and Ger- Man, scem not to know what marder is, Really there Was more reason for Stokes to kill Fisk wan there was for Voster to kill Putnam, Foster knew well where the best place is to knock a man down and he struck it—the head of his victim. The fact that Foster is a pious man should not save him irom the gallows, I cannot understand why so many advocate the abolisument of capital punish- ment, Our society sutfers from many p.isonous ulcers; let a8 purify society and hang eveyy thief rp mann erer ees, sini igen Toe ERALD, the only paper rejecting unsound, outside influences. A GERMAN, in the name of filty-three club members, Did Cain Go To Sunday School!—Why Was His Death Sentence Commuted To the Brand? To THe Epiror oF THE HERALD :— In common with many others, my attention has been drawn to the Foster case, which at present is being so much agitated in the papers. From the facts developea when the crime was first com- mitted who could help approving the verdict rendered ?. But other facts have since come to light which have materially altered the appearance of the case. In the Courts, however, the facts as found by the first jury have never been subject to review, No new light has been admitied, jor, though on appeal from General Sessions the appel- late tribunal reviews the facts, on an appeal from Oyer and Terminer (where Foster was tried) noth- ing is permitted to be argued but questions of law. The case, therefore, has never been reheard at all, though many think that al every turn the wholé thing has been thoroughly ventilated, ‘The original “tindings” have neyer been subject to im- peuchment before any lega! tribunal; anc though the public view has been gradually changing, the legal, with its proverbial slowness, is jusi where it originally stood when a disagreeing jary brought in @ verdict which they were advised could never hang, but at the utmost imprison tor lite, And this is the only pot worth looking at in the case, All this namnby-pamby about sunday sciool in early life does not in any manly mind amount to arow of pins, Cain most likely went to Sunday school, if that institution was then in existence; but that was not the point in the commutation of his sentence. And Governor Dix, if he is at all worthy his title, will tnd but this one thing—i. é, the jury’s recommendation to mercy, which has by usage imperative force whereon to base his par- don. In closing | would merely add that though some regret, most rejoice, that the days of Claver- house justice—hanging first and trying after- ‘wards—are over. And the community at large has every reason to be glad that our law has had at leust this one escape, though a narrow one, from being an instrument 01 great injustice, C.W.G. - ‘Will the Governor Surrender?—Can the Church Carry the State? New Yous, March 10, 1873, A question of vital importance as to the safety of the lives of our city inhabitants is now pending consideration before our Governor, and his deci- sion is anxiously awaitea by a great number of our peaceful and law-loving citizens. Will the Governor surrender? That 1s the ques. tion. Will the Church carry the State? When in- sanity dodges, self-cvaporating and magical pistols, such as used by Fisk against Stokes (but not as yet patented), drunken fits, but with precedents of able Sunday school training and former regular at- tendance to oy are brilliant and pgwerful pleas fer a deience of murder, has the pul¥ic not good cause to fear? The HERALD alone among our leading city papers stands firm and fearless in demanding that the sentence of the Court be fully carried out, and refuses to pro- claim with flourish of trumpet that a reign of terror has begun, The return of justice and the contradiction of the words of the immortal Jack Reynolis, that “hanging is played out,” are what the writer seeks im your columns for the sake of the community. Should the commutation of Foster's sentence be obtained, liquor emotions will secure to our city a formidable array of assas- sins, Who wiliat their leisure embark in the pro- fession, pu threatening their victims with the promise of “hell and keep their word as gentle- men of honor, avoiding the burden of carrying a | weapon, uided in this respect by the convement | Tailway car hooks, and seeking refuge from pun- ishment for their daring outrages in the protection afforded to them by the jong, discussed and con- sidered arguments of our laws concerning mur- ders, Fortunately, the greatest confidence is placed in the late words of our Governor, promis- ing no interierence with the decisions of the Courts, and he has now the chance of proving to the world at Jarge that the present Executive of our State “is the right man in the right plac Foster the Champion and Defender of Deserted Wives=A Few Words from a Lady. To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:— The writer feels particularly grateful to “True Justice,’ the author of the letter in behalf of F terin your columns of to-day, His view is cer- tainly the only true and correct one—namely, that Mr. Putnam fuily deserved the fate that befell him, because absent from his own hearth and interest- ing himself in other women than his own wife. I, wo, have the misfortune to have a husband of like prociivities, and I view the act of Mr. Fostér in his | summary disposition of Mr. Putnam as rather hay- ing been directed by an avenging Providence than by the low and wretched motives commonly assigned to him. Indeed, the writer heartily wishes that there were a manly and pleasingly gpporrane Foster for every delinquent husband. She thinks that instead of hanging one who clearly acted tnrougk the unseen, but not the less powerful, influences of a “Higher Power, for — whic’ no rightly thinking in- dividual can hold him accountable, he ought to be rewarded, and honorably mentioned, In this Christian land to punish ignobly by the gallows a person thus secretly and unconsciously inspired to avenge the injuries of neglected wives can only be characterized as monstrous. Asa melancholy sufferer from marital negivet I call upon Uaose of our sex similarly situated to rally to the preservation of our herg, to insist upon his immediate libera- tion, and thata haudsome purge be mace up for him 48 @ tardy co! nsatiou for the at and cruelty to which as been subjected while act- ing in behalf of our sex. Iniuture let no obstacle be placed in his way of efectually dealing with husbaads Who delight in other smiles than those legally entitled to receive them by virtue of the ri and the blessing, This evil of truant usbands is the crying shame of our age, and only powerful correctives can puta stop to it, Every virtuous member of our sex long ago made up her mind that Foster, in what he has done, ia the selected agent in the ad. ministration of the corrective, and that tv is a fé and malignant sentiment that would punisn him. Let this question of Foster's fate be passed over to our sex and be assured he will cease to appear the foul and murderous wretch which an impure and frenzied jogecelty, has painted , but the noble and sacred avenger of ne; ed wives. If not premature I would propose & subscription of funds be started in Mr. Foster's behaif through your hands. Thousands of wives, I am confident, stand ready to manifest in this practical and praise- worthy manner the sense of the deep obligation they feel towards this noble, misused and perse- attempts to shoot another in America haul him up on the spot.” W YORKER, Vital Questions for Citizens at Large. To THE EpiTor OF THE HERALD:— Are the respectable and law-abiding citizens to be protected by law, or left to go armed and pro- tect themselves ? Ihave been more than pleased Mt the bold stand vour influential (because of ite . Lam, respectful cuted man, fay respect NEGLECTED WIFE. BROOKLYN, March 10, 1873, “Throw the Blame on Some One Else.” To Tuk Eprror OF THE HERALD:— ‘As one of the citizens of New York who feel a deep interest in the enforcement of the Jaws TUESDAY, MARCH Il, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. poor, I thank you for your independent stand in the case of Foster, and by opening your colamus to those who may feel that “hanging is not played out” you are doing a public good that will not be forgotten. My object in writing these few lines is to call attention to what your correspondent “F.” Says in yesterd»y’s issue or the HERALD:—‘“Throw the blame on the surgeons, and save the man, who ig nota rough.” ‘This is another of the devices jor screening murderérs, another doubt for the pris- oner. “Per! Putnam would not have died had he received rent treatment,” &c., exciatms the advocate of the car hook asa pleasant diversion, only a little {nn of a drunken rowdy (1 beg ius par- don, uet a rowily, 80 Bays Dr, Tyng), to experiment on your skull, aad if he smashes it completely, 60 as to drive the pieces of bone way into the brain, it is really unreasonable in you to die, and the friends of the murdered man are to be told “that he did not mean to do it.” Whata sham and a pretext is sucha declaration! Let Foster take the respensibility of his own act, and not at- tempt to throw it upon other shoulders. Stokes says he did not intend to kill Fisk. Scannell says he was too crazy to know what he was about. King will say that he oniy tntended to “wing” his friend, and simmons will say that Duryea was choking him and he only applied the knife'to make him let go, and | am inelined to think Waguer’s defence for the horrible murdcr of two, and per- haps three, unofending women, Will be emotional iusanity. In the name of Heaven and all that is good let us puta stop to murder. Lend your power- ful influence to thisend and speak for the great mass, Who seldom or ever appear in public print. EQUAL JUSTICE, Why Foster Should Not Be Hanged. To TH¥ Epivor or THE HERALD: — Why shonid Foster be hanged? Except where Lynch law prevails, a man is not hanged unless a jury have been convinced that he has committed a crime for which the law prescribes that penalty. Has that happened in this case? ‘The certificates and affidavits of @ majority of the jury state that they never did agree on the point whether Foster intended to murder Patnam. They say they only agreed. to that verdict because they believed that, a8 matter of law, the verdict including a recom- mendation to mercy woutd save the man from in- Hiction of the death penalty. ‘This being so, ought he to be hanged? It looks to me like a trick upon justice, and | think a man’s life is of too much importance to be dealt with im this manner, HW the Governor thinks Foster did intend murder it is clear that he will have some of the jurors with him, but not all. Nor do I think he will have the intel- ligent and thinking part of the public with him, The sober second thought of such people, so far as 1 hear, is that Foster did not intend the death of Putnam, and, that being so, that he should not be treated as if he had so intended. Our jaws and Courts are more likely to be respected if it is gen- erally understood that the life of am accused per- son can be protected under such circumstances than If it is understood that his life is subject to be taken away on a mistake of the jury who try him. Js it not better that in a doubtiul case a man should escape irom death to mprisonment for life than that the whole community should incur the responsibility of putting a maw to death urder a Judgment which the jury never agreed upon? JOHN MURPHY, 235 Lexington avenue, Respect the Law. ‘To THE Epiror or Tak HERALD:— Will you not furnish, as suggested by your corre- spondent on Sunday, the form ofa brief letter to be used by those desirous of urging the Governor to vindicats the law in Foster’s case? If you will do 80, General Dix will be likely to learn what public Sentiment really is. The friends of Foster are busy | in his interest, and cn ae their money or their energy can bring forth in nis favor is paraded be- fore the people as “public sentiment.” But nobody is striving v0 give voice tothe great undercurrent of feeling, which, if it could find voiee, would startle General Dix with its earncstuess, crying for justice. In the form of such a ietter as suggested that sentiment might find utterance. For every man who wauts Foster reprieved or pardoned there are a thousand in our midst who Want justice, and say the law must be vindicated, Pardon Foster and law is a farce im New York. Pardon Foster and Stokes won’t hang; neither will Scannell, veither will ming Let these men of and banging for murder is, indeed, “played out in New York.’’ The day is come now when murder stalka in our streets and slays its vietins without fear. if the law will not check it the day may be near at hand for vigilance committees and lamp- post hangings. out yous Washington square, ANNEXATION. Mogttnx of the Citizens of the Twelfth rad to Express Their Sentiments on Subject—Gencral Sigel Speaks— at He Thinks of Rapid Transit. A theeting was held last night at Lincoln Hall, 128tsatreet, between Third and Fourth avenues, under the auspices of the Cretzen® and Taxpayers’ Assoctation of the Twellth ward. General Palmer was choses Chairman, and on taking his seat he briefly stated the objects of the meeting to be the consideration of all questions having a bearing on the improvement of the upper end of the island— among others the an jon of Westchester county, the clearing of Hell Gate and the most ad- visable means of obtaining rapid transit. When General Palmer took his seat the Secretary read the following resolutions, which were unanimously | adopted:— Whereas, by the rapid increase merce and business of this ¢ 'Y, this mmetropolis'is tast becoming one ot the greatest in te world; and whercus the experience of the past, has” conciusl iy demon. sirated that short-sighted and parsimonious aitention to iuimediate wants exclusivels ails upon the future great pecuniary loss and inconvenience, and that true nomy demands tuat all expenditures tor improve- nents in this metropolis should be made not only proper regard for its present needs but also with a prudent recognition of its future re- quirements; and whereas some of the citizens of this ward have recently represented that the seubment of the people of the Twelfth ward is strongly opposed to one or more of several measure of the population, com- 1, 4s we believe, vas, the ence of rd, their silence may ng their real views; expression of the rehension respec d, That the obstructions in Hell Gate amount | purdensome tax, not ouly on the commerce of New } ‘k batot the world, all of wh may be saved by a ly completion of the necessary improvement. We | refore urge the appropriation of money to carry on work as fast as convenience aud economy will per- jolved, That we heartily recommend the invited ex- tension of our municipal laws over the towns ot Morrisa- nia, West Farms ant Kingsbridge, in Westchester county, for the following among other reasons:—The interests of | the people of both places are identical in business, educa tion, police, prowetion against, fire, sanitary measures, means of transit, and, in short, in relation that can, be affected by the making execution of | laws and ordinances. Certain much needed im- provements and advantaves will be greatly facilitated by such — aunexation, among which we may reasonably expect the speedy completion | of a rapid transit railroad, the improvement of Hariem River, cheap homes and mo¢ limits of the city of New York a rate rents within the | a the Linprov ot relieving localities in tion of population A taxs y ew York, which, through a policy we deem shortsighted and unwise, iad been driven froin us to other localities, and the speedy increase of real estate values in Harlem, resulting from its being transformed from an outakirt ‘into « centre of rade. Resolved, That the completion ot a rapid transit rail. road in the'shortest time possible is a measure involving the health, the comtort, the convenience and the money of the citizens to such an extent as to inake ita public | necesssity and its delay 4 serious Injury and @ grievous wrong. Resolved, That the Industrial Exhibition enterprise, which contemplates a crystal palace and great and im: portant improvements this part of the city, is an un- dertaking worthy of the age, and one that should be aided and pepporred with words of encouragement and money liberally subscribed. General SigEL was introduced. He confessed himself but superficially infermed as to the ob- jects of the meeting. His remarks werd on rapid transit, with nothing new in them. Mr. MILLIKEN, Who drew up the reselutions, next addressed the meeting. He was warmly in favor ofannexation, and gave the reasons irom which he drew his deductions a8 to the necessity of the | measure ina plain, Clear way, Which carried con- viction with tt, Several minor spouters made little specches and the meeting adjourned, sine dte, A DEATH-DEALING HATORWAY. Wholesale Censure by a Coroner’s Jury. Coroner Young yesterday, at the City Hall, in- vestigated the case of Mr. Joho Donnelly, the car- man who was fatally injured on the 26th of January last by falling through the hatchway of premises 223 William street, as previously reported. Within the last ten or tweive years several persons have | fallen through the same hatchway, and there is now lying on @ sick bed in this city and beyond the hope of recovery a young Woman who fell through the hatchway oniy a few weeks ago. The evidence | adduced before the Coroner and the jury went to | show most conclusively that persons unacquainted witk the building in ing the hatchway were liable to fall in, by chance the doors should have been left open. Mr. Edward 0. Je kins and Messrs Dunham & Russell omy most of the premises, but the occupants of the first floer did not appear in evidence. After listening attentively to the testimony the jury rendered the following VERDICT: “That Join Donnelly came to his death from 1! juries received on the 26th day of January, 1573, 4 falling through the hatcliway of premises William street, jointly occupied by Messrs. Dun- ham & Russell, Edward ©. Jenkins and other parties tous unknown. And we censure the par- ties named and aiso Peter 4. Hoe, owner of the building, for allowing the buildimg to remain in an ansale condition.’ | torney General to institute pr | whether this stock was issued law/ully, and also that ‘ated that the reiatives of Mr. Donnelly menced a civil action fer damages against Acasoas all crigupals, great and small righ aud | some Of the occuDants of the Dreminen, a THE STATE CAPITAL. Further Developments Expected in the Insurance Mystery. How the “Harlem Jump” Occurred and Why Wall Street Slipped. The Erie Resolution Called Up and an Investigation Nearer Now. NOTHING NEW RELATIVE TO THE CHARTER. ALBANY, March 10, 1873, The galleries of the Assembly Chamber were crowded to repletion this evening, the expectation being general that the fight, which on Friday broke out over the HERALD’s exposé of the life insurance blackmailers, would again be renewed, with the prospect of many new facts being dragged to light, But Mr. Hendee was not present to ex- plain his positiof in the affair, and so everybody was disappointed, It is understood, however, that he will rise to a question of privilege to-morrow, and that he will show that he offered in good faith the bill he did offer and will give his reasons in full ‘why he did not want it referred to the Committee of Insurance. . If these reasons are given as freely ag he is said to have given them to Mr, Prince in private there can be no doubt but that the fight of three days ago will be renewed with tenfold more bitterness than ever, THEN WILL COME THE NeW FACTS, and in all probability, if the New York detective has been a& yet successful in his hunt alter the fellows who have been trying to pull the wool over the eyes of innocent legislators and at the same time fill thelr own pockets, there will be de- velopments which will create a decided sensation. There was a rumor this evening that the Dill, which has indirectly created all the row and which by resolution on Friday was taken out of the hands of the Committee of Judiciary, had most mysteri- ously disappeared. The Insurance Committee, after the resolution had been passed, were unable to get it, and up to the time when the House met tmis evening no one appeared to know any- thing about where it had veen spirited, if spirited atall. Antiea got into tne nead of the Insurance Committee that it had been destroyed, but it was finally discovered to-night in the desk of one of the assistant clerks, where it had been mislaid. The discovery created great relief among members of the Judiciary Committee, who might have been placed in rather @ suspicious position bad the bill | not been brought to light. EXTENSION OF THE ULARLEM RAILROAD TRACKS. The following 18 the bul which was formally re- ported by the Railroad Committee on Friday last in the Assembly :— An Act to authorize and require the New York and Har- Jem Railroad Company to extend their tracks through certain streets of the ‘city ot New York tor the use of their small cars only The people of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as tollows:— Skeri0n 1.—The New York und Harlem Railroad Com | any is hereby authorized and required to extend their racks, by laying down a single or double track, connect- ing with their present tracks in Centre street, in the city ot New York, through aud along Chambers street to James street, thence through and along James street or slip to and across south street to Roosevelt strect terry, together with the necessary curves, switches, turnouts and side tracks for the road and the exte: nm herein pi extended tracks to be for the use oftheir stall cars only, 2—The New York and Mariem Railroad Compaiy ¢ compensation to the Mayor, Aldermen and Comimonalty ot said city of New York for the valugof the rights and privileges herein granted or authorized, which compensation shall be ascertained and determined in the thanner, ag far as practicable, provided tor fixing compensation for railroad rizhts and privileges by the act entitled “Au act to auth. the tormation of ‘railroad corporations and to regulate the same,’ passed April 2, ISh0—thut is to say, belore said additional tracks tensions shall be putin practical operation or the + rights and privileges be ade available, the said com- puny shall apply to the Supreme Court for the appuint- mnetit of three coum sto appraise and determine the amount. of comp: ns nually, or in a gross #1 Cominonalty as such privileges herein gran made on not less that te 1 ight . Suen application shalt days’ notice to the said Mayor pensstio Aldermen and Commonalty’of the time, place and thereot, 80 0 The the said commissioners appointed, or 4 majority of them, ’ as the amouni of such compensation, shall bet lustve as to the men and Co} decision of ‘und o/ said city by th arier ‘the aame becomes ‘sion atoresaid, and applied td city, eMect iminediately, THE “JUMP TN HARLEM, The idea that the simple report by the Railroad Committee of a bill of this character created that “jump” im Harlem on Friday 1s absurd. It is pretty certain that even its passage by both heuses would create no rise in the stock. HOW WA EET WAS HUMBUGGED, The real cause se in the stock was an in- geniously devised sto which was circulated in certain circles in Wall street on Thursday, te the effect that the bill would be reported “requiring”? the company toextend their road by running a double track for horse cars on Broadway. When the bili was reported on Friday some interested sharper here telegraphed down toa New York that the bill requiring the Harlem road to extend its tracks through aad along Broadway had been re- perted favorably. It wili be seen that the bill, which is given above precisely as it was reported by the committee, has no such feature in it. The | a thing to be wondered atin the whole matier is that Wali street could be “gullible”? enough to swallow the batt. RATES ON THE NEW HAVEN RAILROAD. The bill which was introduced by Mr. A, N Wight, of Westchester, requiring ,the New Haven Company to reduce their rate of fare, 1s still lying in the committee. No ciort is being made wiiat- ever by the friends of the bill to push it, and it is said that they gnd the company have “harmonized”? matters—whatever that may mean, Mr. Babcock called up his resorutions directing Attorney General to institute PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE ERIE RAILWAY COMPANY to restrain them from paying the dividend on all the outstanding fraudulently issued stock. He offered a substitute for the part directing the At- edings, which pro- port to the House vided that that oficer shouid re a select committee be appointed to investigate the | matter, with power to send for persons and papers. Mr. Husted said he was willing to vote lor the resolutions provided the investigation was made | by the Railroad Committee. He was opposed to all select committce matters, as they had never heretofore proved a success, i. Babcock reierred the gentleman to the select committees of last ses- sion, sayiug they had proved very successful. He then proceeded to advocate the adoption of his resolution. Mr. Hustel said there was no select committees appoluted last year, All the work done was done by standing committees, He , moved to substitute the Raliroad Committee fora select committee. Mr. Vedder said that this was a very important matter. It was one in which the | Phe of the southern tier were deeply interested, f the truth had been teld, a great, a stupendous fraud had been perpetrated on the people. At tlis stage of the session he thought this work could be better performed by au select committee. He wanted a thorough investigation and believed the only way to secure it was through a select com- Messrs. Clark and Fort sustained Mr. Husted’s motion to refer the motion to the Rail- road Committee. The question was taken and it was carried—43 to 39, ‘The question was then on the substitute offered by Mr. Babcock. Mr. Jacobs moved to amend that | the committee report within thirty days, which was acoepted by Mr. Babcock. Mr. Opdyke moved | to strike out the resoiution providing fer an inves- tigation. The wrong, if any had been committed, was a wrong against the stockholders, and they had their remedy in the Courts, He thought ita waste of time to investigate the matter. Mr, Hus- ted said there Was a Charge of corruption against the Legislature, and he hoped that weuid be in- vestigated, Mr. Opdyke’s motion was rejected and the resolution was adopted, BOARD OF HEALTH BOARDING STATION. Mr. Cook offered a resolution reciting that, Whereas the site of the boarding station for the Board of Health is said to be unfit for that purpose, | the Commissioner of the Land Office be directed to report to the Heuse all information concerning the matter. On motion of Mr. Cook it was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. GETTING TOO OLD, A resolution was adopted calling on the Adjutant General to strike from the roll of the National Ghard all members who are over forty-tive years of age, they being exempt from taxation by reason of their membership, and undt for war ou account of | their age. BILLS INTRODUCED. ‘ Bills were introduced to authorize the Corpora. | tion Counsel to audit and adjust the Claims of ex: — Sherif O'Brien; directing the Comptroller to | borrow money 10 pay the Department of Public | Huildings for January, February, March and April, | 1872; to introduce the study of German in the Brooklyn schools, and to appoint @ Superintendent and Agsistant Superintendent in ea. THE CHARTER IN THE SENATE. The charter still lays superfluous in the Senate ‘The recess ore eel = bam d logs to the impatient men who yea br more, impetuous dashes at the document. A meeting Was leld this evening, in which the work was continued harmonionsiy and smoothly, The committee have discussed the charter as faras the seventiéth section, Very curiously, however, the twenty-fifth section, Which refers to the nomina- | committee. | stroag probability that the Senat 3 ting power, was passed over entirely until minor matters were disposed of. As regards THE APPOINTING POWER. the speech of Ex-Mayor Opdyke, iast Wea evening, had a very convincing effect even upen the opposing “Seventy” who heard nim. He ciuimed that it was better for the Mayor himsetf if the appointing power is placed out of his hands so long as the power of removai is given him, be- cause it removes from him any of those incentives to whitewashing the acts of officials which might be found in his personal feelings towards an ap- pointee of hisown. The Senate Committee will be Unable to report the bill to-morrow, and ma; possibly not be able todo so before ‘hursday. Riceting of the committee was called for to-night, alter the seasion of the Senate, at Woodin’s rooms In Congress Hall, but owing to the illness of Woedin Dimseli' the meeting was postponed, Another meeting will be held at ten o’clock to-morrow morning. AFTER COMPTROLLER ( AGAIN, Senator Tiemann’s series o. resoiutions callin upon Comptroller Green for ayeport o: a statemen of claims paid to bis office Was uugmented to-mgnt by another instalment. In this new resolution the Senator calls for a statement of cluims paid to newspapers by the Comptroller within tue last five years, and to what service enc to whom such claims were paid. The Senator is determined to investigate the Comptroller as tar as he is able, without the auxiliaries, ROW 80 NUCH in lashion, of @ peripatetic committee, The bill relative to THE FERS AND DUTIES OF TIE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT was called up.in Commitice of the Whole; but laid Over, at the suggestion of Senator Robertson that there were parties pet present just now who weuld want to be heard upon the subject. Mr. Appleton Sturges, who represents the inter of the great hep {2 ines, has written to Robertson that the bill as printed will seriously injure the steamship lines that own their own wharves. The Constitutional Commission, ALBANY, Marcu 10, 1873. In the Constituttonal Commission this afternoen the question of the appointinont of civil and police Justices was discussed. It was agre that in cities of 300,000 or More inhabitants t Might be appointed. Progress wi and the Commission adjourne TOM SCOTT'S TACTICS. The General Railroad Bill ‘Referred to a Special Committee—Startling Rumors—$100,000 for a Senator's Vote—Logislative Corruption Denounced from the Pulpit—Raiiroad Taxation—The Commicsioners of Jurors Bill Killed. The crowded galleries in the New Jersey Senate last night showed the intense interest feltin the fate of the General Raflroad bill, but the crowds were doomed to disappointment, © When the bill came up Tom Scott showed his hand at once. Ag was anticipated, the bill was referred toa special committee, consisting of McPherson, Hewitt, Stone, Moore and Cutler. Two of the five— McPherson and Moore—are Tom Scott men, and they muy, if their master desires, bring in a minor- ity report, which will be a looptiole through which the Tom Scott Senators may creep in defeating the measure. The appointment of the com. mittee bodes no good, but Hewitt, stone and Cutler express their determination to checkmate any filibustering in committee. The committee are to report this morning, and then ‘will come the tug of war. All Kinds ot wild rumors are afloat. One is that the large sum of $100,000 has been offered to each of three Senators, now on the side of the people, if they will vote against the General Railroad bill, The lobby and the hails swarm with detectives from Philadelplia. Uf the bil should be def violence 18 appre- hended, and Scott is pouring in his guards to protect his faithful servants of the Senate from bodily harm. Angry denunciations are leard in every quarter, and the police are om the alert. Noman fs more to be pitied than the Sergeant-at-Arms. The Scott Senators were en- gaged in constant and anxious consultations, Up to inidnight it appeared as uf the momentous ques- tion of the hour would occupy the attention of the committee all night. Even witn the crowd night Was turned into day. Canfield 1s as nervous as Leison is solicitous over the appointment ot the The latter met his defeat with resig- nation in Assembly bill No. 3, and he extends all his sympathy to the former, Whose billis now in peril. ‘The great topic of discussion in the lobbies wag the treachery of the Senator who is reported to have sold out to Tom Scott just before the debate ou the People's Railroad bill last Tuesday. ‘There is @ Will agpoint a comuiittee to investigate the alleged corrunt trans- action. The phrase “Crédit Mobilier’ 1s in the month of everybody. A public ing will be called to urge the investigation of the case. And, as if co incite the people to activity in the matter, the question has taken #ession of the pulpit, In the ‘Trimity Methodist Episcopal church on Sunday The Rev. Mr, wrence t6ok his text frouz Jeremian, v.. 1—‘Kun ye to and fre through the streets of Jerusalem Gente) and see now, aud know, and seek in the broad places (Legis- lature’) thereof, if ye canfind a man, there be any that executeth judgment and seeketk the truth, andl will pardon it.” In the course of his temarkg he aliuded to the Legisiature—these ure his werds:—“(o into the halis of our’ Legisla- ; ture and pull aside the curtains of the secret pm and see the wine, corruption and green- cks used to influence legislation.” He spoke of the action of the law-makers im relation rail- road accommodation to relieve travel over the present roads, and thereby preserve the sanctity of the Sabbath, The preacher made a most earnest appeal to tue large congregation present, and corrupt and dishonest legisiation came in for a merited share of rebuke. The sermon was the all-absorbing topic of conversation on the streets during the day, and its words in regard to the Legislature have made a deep impression on every one who heard them. Its delivery lasted fifty minutes. There was a large lobby from Jersey City, chiefly in reiation to the Boulevard Dill. As soon as it comes up the small African behind the ditch will be disclosed, Keardon’s bill, taxing the property | of railroad companies in Jersey City tn the same manner as private property, Was passed in the House, only two members voting against it. -Tom Scott will fight this bill, and when his faithful Sepa- tora come to pass upon itits fate will be very uncer- tain. The remarkable success of the bill in the House was due to the intense anti-monopoly feel- ing aroused by the late action of the Senate. To say that both branches of the Legisiature are in antagonism wourd be to set forth the situation in mild terms, The HERALD representative had his camp stool on hand, expecting the decree of ex- puision every hour, but the Scott men seem to have lost courage on that basalt hg The Commissioners of Jurors bill for Hudson county came up in the Senate, and gave rise to @ long debate. It was vigorously opposed by McPherson and Wood, the former defending the character of the jurors Hudson county trom the attacks of Stone, Who was bitter in his denuncia- tion. His support of the bill was based on some remarks of Judge Hedle, who told him that the bill was a good one, The bili was defeated by the following vote :—Yeas— Messrs. Havens, Hewitt, Hopkias, Moore, Stone, Taylor and Williams—7, Nays—Messrs. Bang’ Beesh Cutler, Edsall, Hendrickson, Jarrard, Lydecker, McPherson, Newkirk, Sewell, Sheppard and Wood—12, Absent—Cornish and Irick. UTAH. -— Brigham Young Has an Opportunity for Another Coup=—The Governorship Still Exciting the Saints. SALT Lake Crty, March 10, 1873. A large number of Mormons met in the Vid Tabere nacle on Saturday, to conter in regard to the pro- gramme to be prepared for those called by the Church to settle the new district of San Francisco, in Arizona, The Trine (conservative) says Brig- ham Young, tm this scheme, has an opportunity to make a “goed thing” out of the thirty-f:th parallel routes, Sm ox is reported raging to a fearful extent in the diferent towns of an Pete couuty. In the village of Spring City fifteen fatul cases have oe- curred, Complaint is made that the religious prejudices of the ks 1 a them obtaining edical attendance, Pithe community is still excited upon the question who is to be Gover! of Utah, The latest despatch that Claggett has Leer ay the position 18 very gravating to the saints, er decision of the District Court to-day there appears to be no way for an Appeal irom the lowest judicial tribunal of the Territory, the probate juris. diction being denied by the Supreme Court, SPORTSMEN'S OLUB, A well attended meeting of this club was held last evening at Delmonice’s, Fourteenth street, with Mr. Royal Phelps in the chair. After some routine | business Mr. Meyers reported that Mr. Robert B. Mooney had knowingly violated the Game laws in selling quail out of season, having stowed away game in his ice chest and keeping it there to sell to those whom he thought were not members of the ciub, The matter was referred to the counsel of the society for prosecution. ‘The Presid then addressed the club, expressing a hope that nobody would be elected fo the Club wo would not be fully and properly vouched for in every Pa go Mv. Whitehead, counsel to the Club, pe al the status of cases in which the Club was complainant, showing that the Je of the State were bn cor ing duly alive to the Importance and necessity of the Game laws. The company then sat down to a very fine Delmontco supper, at Which most 4 nious and appropriate speeches were made by tl President, Mr. Royal Phelps; Messrs. Whitehead, Roosevelt, Swaub aud others,