The New York Herald Newspaper, April 9, 1873, Page 7

IS THIS ALL GAS ? Mairs Becoming Critical in the Strike of the Gasmen, THE “STRIKERS” BELLIGERENT. Se The New Employes Beaten and Pursued in the Streets. An Appeal from the “Outs” to the Legislature. THE NEW EMPLOYES PROTECTED. The Officials of the Companies Express Their Views on “the Situation.” . a PROBABLE FAILURE OF THE “STRIKE.” The strike of the gasmen assumed a very serious phase yesterday. It was feared early in the morn- ing that the scene of the ’63 riots might again become a theatre of bloodshed and a starting point for labor riots which might extend all over the isiand. The gasmen had been foiled in their attempt; that was plain from the beginning. The wretched Italians, who had sought on this Con- tinent the exile promised to the humble peasant of the servile powers of Europe, had supplanted the regular and skilled gasmen and had furnished a temporary expedient to “beat” strikes, The gas- men saw this; they saw that all their humane appeals would be made in vain; that the severe toil which they had undergone for years would count for nothing because there was a pauper population on Ward’s Island whicn would work for an unreasonable compensation—that is, for mere existence. Could any other force have triumphed over this strike? Itis safe to say no. It was an accident which brought these Italians to our shores, and it was a bitter disappointment to the strikers when they were wedged in between the employers and the employed to decide a ques- tion which no human power has yet succeeded in deciding against the laboring men of the country. It was regarded as asort of North Adams experi- ment; as introducing a low-priced, ‘Chinese’ standard with which to compel obedience and to suppress strikes, The gasmen were unprepared for this ruse de guerre, this introduction of pauper Italians and unemployed Germans to replace them before the furnace doors and retorts. A coup, as it was, it exasperated them, and the violent actions of yesterday were the result. ITALIANS AND GERMANS WERE ASSAULTED, badly beaten, cut and had torun for their lives when they appeared in the streets about Twenty- first street and avenue A. The scenes up to night- fall reminded the passer and sojourner of the pre_ inde to the bloody days of the 12th of July and the never-to-be forgotten riots of '63. The frail balconies of the tenement houses were crowded with ill-ciad women and children, while the narrow entrances on the sidewalks were occupied by people hoping to beat a hasty retreat in‘ case of danger. The roughs and those of riotous disposition gathered about the street corners and hovered around the doers of the gin shops and muttered. threats against the Italians and Germans, The Eighteenth precingt is not frequented by the most angelic peo- fic in the world, and the new-comers from Ward’s sland have not sweetened the dispositions of the ‘old inhabitants. It was a curious spectacle yesterday afternoon to witness the carts, laden with mattresses and pillows, drive up to the works and discharge their cargo: mid the imprecations of the population. These imprecations were not loud, * but they ‘were none the less emphatic. In the mean- time the employés at the works retained their sume diplomatic, but foolish lune of conduct; and while professing to be candid they only tried to deceive every one inquiring for the truth. The atmosphere was one of embarrassment; it might be said, of positive fear. None of the com- ‘g ofticials were frank, and all assumed aconil- dence which they did not pretend to sustain. If ‘any serious disturbance had occurred yesterday the press would not owe anything to the super-ser- vicable “blowers” who manulactare importance and gas in equal quantities at the New York Works, They could not provide coal ms and they would mot provide apolagics in lieu of illuminating gas. Mr. Everett, the President, is always ready. to ex- plain. any matter concerniig his relations with the public, but his subordinstes sail on the other tack and hoist different colrs. THE SUPERINTENDENT assured a HERALD reprvseulative yesterday that all operations were goimg on well; that he was himself satisfied, and that the quantity of gas would be largely in excess of that of the day be- fore. While he was talking the reporter’s eyes ‘wandered to the groap of gas tanks which usually loom skyward on avenue A, but only one of them had risen into any prominence, All seemed quict Within the works, but without the building was Burrounded by pélicemen. A stroll down Twenty. first street to the East River disclosed THE ITALIANS AT WORK, But it was nevessary to stand before the barred ‘windows in order to measure these improvised fire- men and helpers at work. They appeared to take to their new employment well. Five retorts are in @ group, ard Italia’s sons are required to charge these reterts with coal, to charge the furnaces which geaerate the gas from the coal and to seal ‘up the coors of the retorts with be clay. The novices would not talk much. obably they had been instructed not to speak to the inquisitive stronger. At six o'clock, when the great laboring popula- jion of the Eighteenth precinct were returning home, it was hardly possible for a workman to pass by the gas works with saiety. IN THE STREETS the scene was intensely exciting. Wherever there was a gasman talking to lus petty group there soon gathered a large circle, and wherever there ‘was a suspicious laborer he was purstied by the rufMians who borrowed the livery of the gasinen in order to satisfy their riotous appetites. One mo- ment it was a party movement down the avenue, the next moment 4 surging Crowd pressing up the side streets, The poiicemen ali assumed that there would be blood. They said if looked very dark, and were satisfied that it would be a des: perate night in the Kighteenth precinct. Over eighty policemen were on duty,‘and every man Was armed with a club, though no weapons were displayed. PETITION TO THE LEGISLATURE. At a meeting of the gasmen at their hall yester- day, in the morning, the following resolution was muanimously adopted: ta delegation of members of the Ges m proceed to Albany and Iay before the Senate and Assembly the state of affairs ay now existin in the various gas Works in this city Prompt action De taken to appoint a commission to value ihe property of said gas companies, and that the property fo examined and reported id commission be bought dy the corporation of New York city and operated in the intercst of our citizens at the lowest cost prices, and that the Kight Lour law be enforced at said works. AT THE POLICE STATION in Twenty-second street, near the scene of the di turbance, a heavy force was kept in reserve throughout the entire afternoon. he men who ‘were attacked in the streets fled at once to the station-honse as the haven of safety. The arrested men were at once locked up, and the wounded, after being cared for, were conducted to their homes. «The Captain of the Eighteenth precinct stated to a HERALD reporter that trouble was hhable to occur at oy moment, and that he had issued the strictest orders for the dispersion of all crowds on the street corners. If the money of the strikers should hold out till to-morrow, 80 ‘that they could become intoxicated, a riot was not improbable. The Captain’s experience in this ‘ward warranted him in saying that the aspect of aifuirs looked very cloudy. He did not believe that the strikers as @ body intenaed to make any dis- turbance, but that their triends and the men who had done “sub’’ work in the retort house appeared to desire a row. If the manifestations continued to increase the patrolmen would be instructed to compel everybody to leave the streets and to go to their homes, The Captain felt perfectly able, with the aid which he already hau and was promised drom the several precincts to quell amy riot which Might occur, NO FURTHER ADDITIONS TO THE “OUTS.” The strikers of the New York Gas Company, to whe number of eighty mem, marched across Nineteenth street yesterday to the west- swe works of the Manhattan Company at the foot of West Eighteenth street, where the most a WE ad Were made to the workmen there employe. The body were under the leader- ahip of the Secretary of the Gasmen’s Union. The men at tho Manhattan Works were steadfast to their eee to eee foe strikers lee at eas This effert ional number of men into ‘the strike fips futile, Al Cag AT TITRE SEAT OF WAR. The Captain the Bighteenth precinct pa- NEW YORK HERALD, WED trolled the streets 1ast evening unti!a late hour, and stated that, in his opinion, the night would pass quietly. e sttrikers had dispersed and quiet reigned everywhere, THE OPINION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK COMPANY. President fveritt, of the New York Gas Com- ny, Was Jound yesterday seated in his oflice at Phe ‘corner oi Hester and Elizabeth streets. He re- ceived the HERALD reporter very*courteously, and expressed a willingness to give his opmions re- garding the present as weli as the future prospects of the strike. He stated that the several com- panies were now thoroughly prepared for a condi- tion of affairs much similar to that trom which the New York Company suffered. There was a fe of co-operation existing between sev- eral of the older organizations, and the Metropolitan Company had already rendered valuable service to his works by sending @& large force oi experienced men to their assistance, That the strikers had failed there was now not the shadow of a doubt, The New York Company re- garded their duty to the public as sacred, but their men had proposed to control the company, and this could not, of course, be tolerated. It would be as weil for them to give up their charter as to surrender their business. = Furthan — than tnis, many of those who are the loud- est’ in their clamorings ior the eight hour system would be the Very first tq deprecate the advance in the price of gas which the émploy- Ment Of three instead of two gangs of men would necessitate, When the manusacture of gas ceases to be renumerative, When the men reap the benetits instead of the stockholders, then a company may as well dissolve, The New York Gas Company has always shown a disposition to accede to any reasonable demands of their employés made in a regular way, but when such a re- quest is accompanied with threats of a strike such treatment on the part of the men becomes intelerable. The men will not be taken back now under any consideration. We lave gone beyond that now. The Italians are not a failure, They appear. willing to work, but they will, of course, require several days to learn even the routine of their work. When they shall have ac- quired a knowledge of the duties required of them, and shall become convinced that they are not to be mobbed by the men from outside, they will do the work well, The labor is not so heavy but that they can and will endure it. The amount of gas furnished to-night will be greater than on last evening. The day supply has been discontinued entirely, so that enough may be had for lighting the streets. The Company fully realizes that it is much more important to assist in protecting the city against robbery than to ad- vance its own private interests in an emergency like this. THE PRESIDENT OF THE MANIATTAN GAS COMPANY ON THE SITUATION. The rumors ofan impending strike by the men inthe employ of this company was declared to be Without any veritable foundation so far as the of- ficers or foreman knew. ‘That such a movement might occur at any moment was not, however, beyond the bounds of probability, As yet the om: cers bad perfect confidence dn the great majority ol their employ and believed that they would stand by them. They had not sent iu any declara- tion of hostility to the Company, aud it was not believed that the men would icave without any warning. The President said that he had almost grown up in the Company, that he had served for ears as chief engineer, and that he be- Heved he knew the life of a gas man pretty weil, He had passed many days and nights in the works. As tie work Was atpresent divided between foremen and helpers the exposure was not nearly so great as in former years. Only afew years ago the fireman was ex- pected to ussist in drawing the coal to the retorts and wheeling away the coke, but at present this service 18 performed by Helpers, The firemen who were exposed to the heat of the furnaces need not leave the buiiding from one weeks’ end to the other, The men were allowed from one hour to an hour and a half per day for their dinners, They were not, of course, allowed to desert their work at any time to go out of the works. No large mauufactory employing so many men could encourage any such a ‘system. The Manhattan Company pensioned all those who were disabled in its service and eared for the men when they were sick, All who had grown old in the Company’s ser- vice were provided for when they became too in- firm to work. If any trouble were seriously an- ticipated by us we should appeal directly to the Men, and, by urging them to be true to us, con- vince them that they would thus best pro- tect themselves. ‘the Manhattan Company are not, however, to be surprised and are fully pre- pared to fill every vacancy wiuch a strike would occasion, There are great numbers of laborers who would be very ready to accept the work at the very considerable ,increase oi pay. The men now atthe retorts have already been importuned by the strikers to jein them, but have, up to this time, declined to participate. If they go they may rest assured that they will never return to work tor the Company. CONGRESSHAN ROOSEVELI’S BACK PAY. + The Ex-M. C. of the Fourth New York District Hands His Back Pay Over to the Schools of the City—The Interest to be Given to Scholars in Prizes—The Four Ways (ot Congressional Consci- entiousness. Mr. R. B. Roosevelt, late Representative to the Forty-second Congress from the late Fourth district im this city, was one of thé Gideon's band that voted against the pack pay steal, After revolving in his mind the various modes by which he could dispose of the back pay without appropriating it to his own use, he has arrived at the beneficent reso- lution set forth in his letter to the Commissioners of Education, The two letters subjoined will ex- plain themselves: To THe EDITOR OF THE HERALD:— Will you oblige me by giving your readers the beneiit of the enclosed As it costs me $4,715, it ougat to be worth that. Yours truly, ROBERT B. ROOSEVELT, THE SCHOLAR'S HOPE. 160 BROADWAY, New York, March 29, 1873. To the Honorable COMMISSIONERS OF EDUCATION GENTLEMEN—I have the honor o! proposing to you a plan for appropriating my extra salury, as member of the rorty-second Congress, which I hope will meet your approval, and which, for the reasons that I herewith submit, appear to me the best disposition 1 can make of it. I propose to transfer the amount—which is about $4,700—to you in trust to be invested by you, the interest to be divided annually into prizes to be given to the best scholars of the public schools of this gjty; and to explain my reasens for preterring this fo any other disposal of the sum, allow me to oifer the following suggestions :-— ‘The city of New Yerk pays a very large propor- tion of all the taxes raised by the United States government; nearly, if not quite one-tenth ef the whole. Of the entire amount necessary to pay the extra compensation to the Forty-secoud Congress, some one million six hundred thousand, she will then have to contribute $160,000, The constitu- ents of the members who do not draw their Salary are taxed equally with the constituents of those who-do WU lett the money in the United States Treasury only an infini- tesimal small portion would accrue to the benent of my city, which would be taxed ali the same to raise the entire amount. Justice would therefore dictate that if the money should be applied to any public use that use should be one connected with the locality or district represented by the member, and no one Will deubt that our public schools are the most deserving institutions in our city, and that any assistance given to them will be most heartily appreved by the community. If it might be said that on this principle the money should go to the Fourth Congressional district, that being the ene which | represented, it must be borne in mind that the limits o1 that district have already been changed—that it has no permanent boundaries, and that in time, with the progr of popuiation up town, it will probably be left almost, if not entirely, without schools, as is now the case with ene of its wards—the Third, Moreover, there might be legal diticuities in the way of creating such trust, but the Board of Education of this city are expressly authorized by the statutes of our State to become the trustees of any tund donated to them forthe benefit of the schools under their charge. And lastly, it must not be forgotten that the meney legally belongs to the member of Congress entitlea to it, and may be disposed of precisely as he shall think most advis- able, and that no one else has the pies legal laim upon it. Oniy three modes of disposing of jimilar funds by those -members who, like myself opposed the passage of the law, and who id not feel inclined — to take the money personally, have been acaopted, One was to leave the amount in the United States Treasury, the objections to which I have stated; the other was to divide it pro rata among the mem- ber’s constituents, giving each one a few cents, & Plan not worthy to be sertously discussed, and the third has been to donate it to some charity. I far prefer to any of these, and hope you will coincide With me in my couciusion, to so use it that it will be @ stimulus to ; ry among our youths in self-im- provement a: « inducement, if a small one, to excellence in « Which is the foundation of our Tepublican Jor. vi government—popular educa- on. If these views meet your approval—and in mak- ing the propositien Ido not want to cast reflec- tiens on other members of Congress, many of whom were actuated by conscientious motives tn sustaining an increase of salary—and if you are willing, in addition to your other duties, to assume the labor and responsibility of this trust, f will complete all matters of detail, execute the proper conveyance aud will draw the meney and transfer it to your Board as soon as [ can conveniently do #0. Yours very Feapeeealy, ROBERT. ROOSEVELT, A MYSTERY UNSOLVED, Nothing has yet been learned regarding the fate of Eaward Kirk, Jr., whose mysterious disappear- ance from his home at Morrisania, Westcuester county, was set jorth in the HEeRaxp of yesterday, The missing man, having been long connected with the Maaonic fraternity, 6 the subject of much anxiety on the part of lis brethren in the town above named, and energetic measures are being sgoueee by tena looking tv his discovery, dead or Ve, THE DORAN HOMICIDE. Coroner Young— the Investigation Before Smith Held and Committed to Tombs. At the Twenty-eighth precinct station house yes- terday aiternoon Coroner Young held an inquest in the case of Edward Doran, the inebriate, who was fatally stabbed on the night of the 2d instant dur- ing a quarrel between Robert Smith, a man of great muscular power, and Patrick McDermott, in the barroom 549 Greenwich street. Nearly all the men in the place were Iebriated, and the fight was commenced by McDermott because the barkeeper rejused to give him more liquor. Below will be found the most material portions of the testimony elicited, William Smith, a bartender, deposed that he was acquainted with both deceased and prisoner; at a quarter before eleven o'clock last Wednesday night deceased entered the porter house, 549 Greenwich street; later prisoner and William ‘Thompson came in and called for drinks; Patrick McDermott came in and knocked Thompson down and blacked both his eyes; McDermott also struck two Englishmen, and agreat noise was made; deceased, who had been asleep, made for McDermett; Smith and Me- Dermott then came tn collision, and Smith aimed a blow at MeDermott ana hit Doran firstin the stom- ach and again on the jaw; prisoner (Robert Smith) was much under the influence of liquor during the quarrel; Smith, McDermott and Doran were all mixed in together; Smith hit Doran by mistake; McDermott was very drunk, and the witness re- fused to give him anything more to drink; that) Was the cause of the quarrel; deceased had been n bad health for a long time and raised quantities of bloody matter; took deceased to the Twenty- eighth precinct station house. James Thompson, of 106 Spring street, deposed that he was present during the quarrel, but did not see Smith strike Doran; McDermott struck the witness and two strangers; deceased was Voth sick and intemperate, Dennis Salmen, of 522 Washington street—Saw Smith strike Doran twice; Smith atterwards pro- posed to give himseli up, but by advice of the wit hess did not, and said Officer Van Gretehen knew where to find him; Smith then nt to the corner of Wooster and Houston streets; when Doran fell he struck on the back of nis head, Patrick McDermott, of Perry street, Hoboken, de- posed that he was in the porter house at the time of the quarrel; met deccased and several other men there; think some one in there hit him, but his memery as to what occurred there was not good; witness confessed to using bad language to persons in the house, Kobert Smith, the aceused, was placed on the stand, and confessed that he was intoxicated on the night of the difficulty in the Greenwich street saloon; never met Deran bef and did not in- tend to strike him; never met McDermott before, but intended to hit him, as he was mussy. The medical testimony showed that deceased came to lis death from compression of the brain, the result of violence, This finished the evidence, and Coroner Young submitted the case to the jury, who found—' t Edward Doran came to his death from the effects of vioience received at the hands of Robert Smith te 40 Greenwich street, en the 2d day of April, 873. Mr. William F, Howe, counsel for Smith, made a motion that his client be released on bail, inas- much as the case was not one of an aggravated nature, but the Coroner said he would consider the matter and give an answer to-day. Smith was thereupo ommitted to the Tombs, Smith is forty-two years of age and born in England, lives at 144 West Twenty-ninth street, and by trade is a plumber and gasiitter, By advice of his counsel Smith had nothing to say relative to the charge against him. MURDER TRIAL EXTRAORDINARY. Nine Men Charged with Homicide—The Sequel of the Pattenburg (N. J.) Riots. FLEMINGTON, N. J., April 8, 1873. , The trial of the Pattenburg rioters, which was to have commenced to-day, is the cause of consider- able excitement in this sleepy little town, From an early hour in the morning the country people from the vicinity of the place where the riot oc- curred commenced to pour in in ali sorts of vehi- cles, and by ten o’clock the single street which the Village contains was blocked with a motley-look- ing assembly. Curious people, who would like to know in what way the antediluvians dressed and looked, could not do better than come to a village in the remote part of New Jersey dur- ing the half-yearly sitting of the Court. The man- ners and customs of the Revolutionary times are here kept up in all their glory, and costumes and vehicles which in any other State would be looked upon as ridiculous and antiquated in this place cause neither comment nor astonishment. The circumstances of the fatal riot, which oc- curred on the evening of the 22d and the morning of the 23d of September last, are still fresh in the a minds of the readers of the HEKALD. On the evening of the 22d the people who lived in the, immediate vicinity of Pattenburg were startled by the seunds of flerce alterea- tions on the read. The noises continued for some time and then died away, and nothing more was heard until early the next morning. From the iact that large numbers of negroes and Irish- men were empleyed in the construction of anew railroad near the Village, and the animosity that is known to exist between them, the frequent rows which took place had come te be looked upon as occurrences that were inevitable; but this encoun- ter was Worse than any that preceded it, Early on the Sunday morning tne dead body of an Irishman, Thomas Coll, was found lying near the tunnel, terribly mutilated, by some farmers and laborers who were going to their work. About the same time an unusual commotion was observed near the shanties occu- pied by the Irish laborers, and soon after a dense body of men, about a hundred and fifty or two hundred, were seen coming down the road. They 'y sort of conceivable weapon—picka: uns, pistols and clubs. When asked what they meant by such a de- monstration, they answered that one of their number had been joully murdered by the negroes on the preceding night, and that they inteuded to have vengeance. The uegro shanties were about a mile distant from those occupied by the Irisimen, being situ- atedon the farm of a Mrs, Carter, Thither the Irishmen went with all speed, and very soon shouts and the noise of firearms could be heard in the stillness of the morning. It is alleged that a fierce combat took plat at this place, and in the mélée two negroes received their death wounds. The negroes, being unprepared for the attack, and having no means of defence, were forced to re- treat, their flight being accelerated by the smoke and flames of their burning shanties, which the Irishmen had fired. The negroes fled in the direction of Mrs. Carter's house, closely pur- sued by taeir foes. Here two more negroes were Killed, and, the rest escaping, the bloody Sunday merning’s work was ended. Notwithstanding the terrible nature of the riot the news Was not communicated to the Sheriff of the county, who lives about ten miles distant, until two days, after it occurred. By this time’ most of the ringleaders had escaped. But ten of the Irishmen and two negroes were cap- tured through the vigilancé of the officers. They were conveyed to the County Jail at Flemington, and a preliminary examination was held previous to their committal for trial. The investigation, which in New York would occupy about a day, extended over the long period of seven weeks, The proceedings were presided over with grave dignity by Mr. Dunham, the village justice, who has the merit, rare ina judge, of never interrupting the proceedings by any unnecessary talk. The prisoners were finally committed for trial. They were brought up tor trial m Decem- ber, but owing to the loose manner fn which the indictments were drawn up by the District Attor- yf the Judge refused to proceed with the trial. nerror of this kind Is not apt to ur again, and the trials will be promptly proceeded with, the Grand Jury having retired to bring im fresh indict- ments. § there are large numbers of Irishmen and negroes attending the trial grave fears are entertained that a collision may take place, and the Sherif’ officers are ou the alert to prevent any such occurrence. THE BULL'S HEAD BANK, Merritt, the Defaulting Assistant Cashier, Admitted to Bail, William EH. Merritt, the assistant cashier of the Bull’s Head Bank, who was arrested at the in- stance of the depositors of that bank, appeared at the Mayor's office yesterday morning. Through counsel he waived an examination, and the case was immediately transferred to the District Attor- ney’s office. Alter a shert hearing here it was de- cided te admit him to bail, He was arrested on an indictment for badd set in the third degree, but the bail given yesterday is to hold the defendant on three separate indictments, Merritt's bonds- men are David Allerton and William Meore, each of whom justified in $50,000, The two new indict- ments are for embezzlement, it is rumored that other indictments were found against others who have had to do with the collapse of the bank, bit ag these parties are not yet arrested the District Attorney will say nothing regarding them. VIRGINIA SENDS COMMISSIONERS TO VIENNA, RIcHMOND, Va., April 8, 1873, In conformity with @ resolution of the General Assombly Governor Walker to-day appointed the following Commissioners to represent the State of Virginia at the Vienna Expo- sith namely, General Bri johnson Charles J. Anderson, E. Robinso . Daniel and Major Frederick Scott, 01 ; Professor M. H. Humphreys, ot Lexington ; Alexander Mevon- ald, of Lynchburg; Simen H. tHieb, Staunten, and Professor J. U. Foertsch, oi Alexandria: will NESDAY, APRIL 9, 1873.—QUADRUPLE SHEET. FEDERAL OFFICE AFFAIRS. Depressing Effect of the High Premium for Gold on Duties —Imports Heavier Than Con- sumption—All the Bonded Ware- houses Gorged with Goods. i Civil Service Examination—The New Postmaster and His Imposed Duties—Merit To Be the Standard for Promotion—Rapid Delivery of Mail Matter Determined Upon— Highly Important Letter to Secre- tary Richardson, of the Treas- ury, from the Wine and Spirit traders’ Associa- tion—Are Importers of Wine Rectifiers? A stringent money marketand the high premium on gold has had a telling effect on the Custom House, and lessened the receipts of duties on imports very materially, While every incoming vessel is freighted to the gunwale with the valuable prod- } ucts of the Old World, and the stocks of goods are accumulating with lightning rapidity, still the withdrawals are very limited and the warehouses are fast becoming gorged, and unless the value of the precious metal assumes @ more moderate standard the result cannot very well be foretold. Last week THE RECEIPTS FROM CUSTOMS amounted to $2,186,000, which was $890,000 less than received the week previous. The receipts for March, 1873, were $14,098,000, against $12,121,000, or a deficiency of $1,977,000, The unporters transacting business at the Custom House seem very despondent, and trom transpiring events have just cause so to be, It is generally conceded that heavy purchases, effected in Burope during the latter part of the winter, have been countermanded, ‘The anticipated heavy Spring trade has proved delusive, either from miscalcula- tion as to the amount of goods remaining on hand in the interior of the country, or from the timidity of outside buyers, fearing to overstock themselves in the face of hard times at hand and prospective. At allevents there is very little doing in mercantile transactions. ‘The question among government officers in view of these facts occurs now—what has been the EFFECT OF THE REDUCTION OF TARIFF upon the imports, and will the receipts for the fiscal year ending June 30 come up to the esti- mated calculation? In regard to the importations it may be stated that as far as bulk 1s concerned the comparison with the previous year will prove favorabie—while the latter will fall far short of the sum counted upon by the Commissioner of Customs in his annual budget, unless the time remaining between this and July 1, can show a larget income than the ninety days just past. THE SPRING TRADE among wholesale dealers may be said to be virtu- ally over and a period of inactivity of over four months is at hand, The dulness in business is not confined to the merchants en gros, but tells with crushing effect upon the retail dealers, Retailers are making every effort to induce trade, and, if liberal advertising in the press 1s any indication, their efforts ought to be amply rewarded. Another cause for the FALLING OFF OF RECEIPTS from duties is the recent order of the Treasury De- partment in ra to coin, which has already been published in the HERALD. If the Secretary of the Treasury deems fit, or has any power to come to the relief of the importers by forcing a reduction in the premium on gold, more goods may be released from bond. As it is the merchants only drag along a hand-to-mouth existence, freeing Only 80 uch of their wares as are needed for actual consumption, A CIVIL SERVICE examination of thirty-three candidates, who have competed for thirteen existing vacancies, was hold last week, and was the last presided over by Mr. Thomas L. James, late Deputy Collector of the Third, or Warehouse division, how the Postmaster of this city. The names of the successful candi- dates—three highest for every usition—as ascertained by a comparison” of “relative ‘standard, have been submitted to Collector Arthur, from which he selects one to filleach vacancy and transmits the same to the Secretary of the Treasury. ‘The vacancy existing in the Col- lector’s Board of Examination under the civil ser- vice code, caused by the ee og ol Mr. James, has not as yet been filled. John RK, Lydecker, Special Deputy Collector and amember of the Board, will, no doubt, become its chairman, THE NEW POSTMASTER. On Tuesday morning Mr. Thomas L. James, who, for eight years, filled an honorable position tu the Custom House, for the last three years that of Deputy Collector of the most important division, entered upon the discharge of his duties as Post- master o1 New York, in place of General Patrick H. Jones, resigned, Mr. James furnished bonds in the sum of $500,000, his sureties justifying to double the amount. His bondsmen are Messrs. ‘Thurlow Weed, ¢x-Collector Murphy, Captains KE. B, Seaman and 8. P. Russell, B.°G. Jayne and Speaker A, B, Cornell, Mr. James has taken the reins o1 his office m hand in good earnest, and demonstrated to those under him that he “ameans business,” and intends to have the work done ef- ficiently. The new Postmaster is determined to have rapid city deliveries, and proposes that let- ters mailed in the morning shall be distributed at their destination on the same day, Colonel B. T. Morgan, Assistant Postmaster under General Jones, retains his oMce, and thus tar Mr. James has not effected any changes. As he is a great ad- vocate of the civil service he will strictly carry out the code in his depart t, and in the event of a vacancy promote the next man in order, if quali- fied, to the position, THE GREAT AMOUNT OF MAIL MATTER. passing through this ofice and the notorious in- adequacy of room to conduct the business in make the labor almost double yet; with all these drawbacks, Mr, James proposes to introduce vast reforms, Which, judging from his career in the Custom House, he is iully capable of carrying to a successiul issue, THE NEW SURVEYOK OF THE PORT, General George H. sharpe, has taken hold of his office in a practical manner. Not bemg acquainted with the routine, he has determined upon becom- ing thoroughly posted, and to this end he has at- tended to discharging the steamship City of Mon- treal, in order to obtain an insight into the mystery ol an inspector's actual duties. General Sharpe proposes to uniform his inspectors, and jet the pub- lic Know that they occupy an houerable position and must be obeyed and respected in thelr official capacity, Which blue cloth and brass buttons will better indicate than an unsightly little penny badge, PENSION AGENT. Mr. Silas B. Dutcher has about closed his dis- bursements for the present quarter, having paid out over three hundred thousand doliars to about eight theusand pensioners, The books and vouch- ers are now submitted to the Pension Bureau in Washington, after which Mr. Dutcher and his assistants will prepare for the next payment, Which commences on the 4th day of June next. INTERNAL REVENUE MATTERS. Are importers of wine rectifiers? is a question which has been agitating this branch of industry for some time past. A few weeks ago a decision rendered by Mr. J, W. Douglass, Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and addressed to Mr. Super- visor Lucian fiawley, setting forth that ‘wines im- ported and clarified by any process whatever sub- ject the importer to pay tax as rectifier, &c.,” was published in the HERALD in fall, and created considerable excitement, Since then an organiza- tion has been effected among the “trade,” and a few days ago their secretary addressed a letter to th cretary of the Treasury, detailing the objects ofthe society and the causes leading to its estab. lishment, at the same time suggesving a friendly test suit, Whereby to fix the intent of the term “rectifier.” The following 18 the decument, which will be 1ound of interest:— New York, March 31, 1873. ARDSON, Secretary’ of the ‘Treasury Stn—l an 7 Spirit Traders’ Society of the United States to advise y ofits organization, ‘ite meniverghip will Include thdi- viduals and firms in all parts of the country who are engaged in the gale or production of wines and spirits. The dim and object of this association is to unite the in- terests of all who may become its members in one body, complishiubnt of this by assuming the ¢ responsibility of protecting trade marks aud o pre nd unlawful practices; by under- {aking the defence of anja ns of its members; by discouraging exercising such proper supery of the trade ay will most readily lishment and maintenance ot ‘the highest and rigid rules of personal and commercial inte in and anong all the members, The necessity tor the imstitu- tion of such @ society has long been apparent to the minds of the best informed merchants connected with both the roreign and home trade, There have been many cases of unjust action on the part of government, officers and others against individuals. Legisiation affecting the interests of our business has been made in Congress— very crude, ill-advised and oppressive, and based upon arial and Unreliable data—the ettect of which has been ov operate a direct loss to the government by discourng- ing and preventing legitimate transactions. Many other evils also have been inaugurated and continued, and do still exist, because of the wart of a centralized and, sutt- cicut power to interpose in behalt of fairness and jwst- ice, This association intends to supply that want. There need be and Will be no collision between this Suciety and the government. It is hoved and expected that they in comulete accord and harmony. ‘he Sgciely < pledges itself to tne government, to supplement an he means in it¥ power the efforts of the United State authorities, to prevent merchants and others from pe petrating frauds upon or making evasions of the rev nue laws of the country, and they indulge the hope. thy the government. authorities will in the same frank spirit extend to them facilities in thelr attempts to make their own interests ident with those of the government. There is 4 question now pending, to hthe attention of the counsel of this Society has ed, involving the alleged necessity of an im- p wholesale dealer who eli i» wine taking out his ticense as # rectifier. ‘This question, but recently mooted, is of such general interest to the trode and of such raiical tance that this Society will instruct ite with you on hi views and requests co Department differ: behalt of the Sectety T co-operate with usin the jendly test suit to the vi have to1 wueKt that you. W submission of the question in a Courts (or their judpu determination. I have the honor to be, very r 1. BONFORT, Secretary. MUSICAL REVIEW. A glance at the list of works given below, pab- lished by German houses, wiht give an idea of the high character of the publications that find faver in Europe. UH our own publishers would only abandon’the trashy songs and dance tunes that are poured forth in a ceaseless stream every year and apply their resdurces to the production of real works of art, they would confer a boon upon all lovers of good music, Stern measures are re- quired to stem this muddy torrent of trash, and | these measures must be adopted first by our own | publishers, People who do not know the first | principles of muste insist upon thrusting their childish thoughts, which they pretend to be music, before the public. Some of the Western publishers confine their attention solely to this inane stuff, rejecting carefully anything that might savor of real merit. Cincinnati and Louisville particularly boast of composers whose published songs may be counted by the thousand, and we have yet to find one particle of merit in them, Such a degradation of the publishing business can- not fail to injure the progress of music. Happily in this city classical works are in greater demand than a song by Hays or a bundle of Sunday school tunes by Root, and trash is at a discount. William A. Pond & Co,, New York, publish the following: “The Spray,” mazurka caprice. John N. Pattison, This gentleman has attained an enviable degree of popularity by the charm of his mazurkas, which are now to be found in every parlor and salon, “The Spray” may be placed on the score of merit at the very head of the list. Simplicity, combined with gracefulness, rich themes clothed In fanciful attire and a neatness of finish will make this ex- quisite little gem a lasting favorite where poetry united to music is appreciated, “Manuscript Waltzes.” Edward Strauss. Many of the subjects smack suspiciously of the better known works of the brother of the composer, Johann, and the general effect of the parts is the same, Yet that does not detract from their popu- lar character, if it does from their originality. Edward Schuberth & Co., New York:— “Hypothesen Waltzes.” Edward Strauss, There is an absence of the dash and spirit of the real Strauss waltzes in this piece. Some of the themes are distorted out of all shape, and the modulations in many cases false and harsh. “Reception Lancers.’ Weingarten, About as good as what one generally hears in ball room, “Les Clochettes du Solr’? iaylle. Julien Alexis, Rather pretty for a work built upon a very slender foundation, the themes being of the delicate order, ‘The same house publishes two works by Mile. Teresa Carreno, one a waltz and the other of the idyl order, The first themes in the waltz are bril liant as might be desired, but are too strongly im- bued with the spirit, melody and treatment of Thalberg. Unhappily we hear too little of the sparkling works of that great pianist nowadays, and a reminiscence, even with another name at- tached to it, will be grateful to the ear. “Orientales,"? Joachim Raff, These are eight small works for the piano, and may serve to give the best idea of the characteristic style of the com- poser. They ave wayward and fanciful, and not without a wild charm of their own. Ex uno disce omnes, The first, in © major, will explain the nature of these petits morceau. “Serenade.” Josefy. One of those extraordinary productions that perplex even an ear prepared Jor the worst. There is neither purpose or intelli- gence in a single measure, and the only relief ex- perienced is when the finish is reached, Ditson & Co., New York and Boston :— “St. Peter,’ an oratorio. John Knowles Paine, ‘This is a work which should be hailed with pleas- ure by all desirous of a better class of musical pub- lications, as evidencing a desire to promote Amert- can art on the partof the puplishers, Mr. Paine isan organist of celebrity and an experienced musician, and as such is entitled to the respect and attention of the musical public. It would be im- possible, from a mere cursory view of the work, to give a decided opinion on its merits, so that we shall pe pone exranded remarks on it until our next @view. The words are selected trom the Holy Scriptures, and the history of the chief of the Apostles, as told in the Divine writings, is divided into four parts:—The Dtvine Call, the Denial and Repentance, the Ascension and last instructions to Peter and the wonders of Pentecost. Three Lu- theran chorals are introduced in the work, “Festival Cantata.” Eugene Thayer. Another ambitious work of which we shall speak again, Four chorals are introduced in it, including ‘Ein’ Feste Burg” and the national anthem, “God Save the Queen.” The words are principally selected from the Psatms, “Hope's Sun Will Shine Again,” song. Harry Sanderson. The beautiful verses of Finley Johnson are wedded to a melody which might be mistaken for one of Balte’s or Wallace’s, in its smooth rhythm and flowing measures. “Golden Butterflies.” Morceau brillante, Theo- dore Oesten. Sparkling and vivacious, and finished in this favorite composer's best style. “Ave Maria.” Song, duet and chorus, for female voices. J, M. Deems, A rather childish sort of composition, the theme being especially puerile. “Lily of the Valley” and “Violet,” two polkas. William F, Muller. These are remarkable more for eccentricity than brilliancy of style. Some of the ede are strangely linked together in patchwork order. ‘Middlemarch Waltz,” Tolmatschof! Strauss. Strangely conceived subjects, worked out so as to bewilder a pianist. There is a complete absence of the charm and spontaneity of Johann Strauss. George Willig & Co., Baitimore :— “Long Lost,” song. Virginia Gabriel. A very poor specimen of the talents of this popular song writer, Melody and companiment are alike childish and unworthy of attention. “Roaming Through the Green Fields,” ballad. Vivien. Of the “John Brown's Soul is Marching On” order, as a trashy @ song one we could desire. “Three Lilies,” song. V. Gabriel, A little gem in which music and poetry combine with grace and simplicity. “Thoughts,” song. V. Gabriel. melody susceptible of much expression, rangement is very artistic. “Forever and For Aye,’ song. Henry Smart. Trashy verses wedded to music which is no bette: “Doubt,” song. V. Gabriel. Sickly sentime: tality and hurdy-gurdy music combined. Why will such nonsense be permitted to appear in print? Half of those English a consist of apostro- phies to darlings and inquiries, ‘Will he come '”” “My Une True Love,” song. Virginia Gabriel. When @ musician degrades himself or herself by writing a melody to such execrable trash as Mr. Palgrave has written in this song the verdict must be unfavorable, Besides, the music is not on a par with some of the composer's other efforts, “The Joyous Reapers,” vocal duet. Campana. A Taare pEe ven but not without a grain of pleasing melody. Dory, Brothers, Providence, R. I. :— syes of Summer Blue,” —, Words by Samnel N. Mitchell, music by Charles D, Blake. A very beautiful song, which is sure to find its way into the concert room and into popularity, “Beautiful Thoughts,” song. Words by Mitchell; music by Biake. Another gem of melody and poetry, and equal to the preeeding one. “Bessie Kane,” ‘‘When I’m Walking-Down the Street,” two songs by the gentleman just men- tioned. The first is very pretty, and the latter fair for one of its kind, Ernest Reinking, New York. This house has re- ceived a large number of publications from the fol- lowing European establishments:—Simrock, Ber- lin; Cranz, Hamburg: Trautwein, Berlin; Siegel, Leipsic; Cotta, Stuttgart; Luckart, Breslau; Fried: A descriptive ‘The ar- rich Hofmeister, Leipsic; Carl Merseburger, Leip sic; Eistner, Leipsic; Breitkopf & Haertel, Leipsic, and Peters, Berlin and Letpsic. Simrock issues @ beautiful edition of Mendels- sohn's “Lieder ohne Worte,” those tone poems which never fall to delight the heart of a pianist. “Du Meive Seele, du Meine Herz,” fantasia on Schumann's ‘“Widmung,” by Gustav Lange. very brilliant and elaborate transcription of a weil-known lied, Perhaps the elaboration and labor bestowed upon it may prove a means of swamping the melody. “An den Sonnenschein,” fantasia on a Schu- mann lied by Gustav Lange. In this work Herr Lange succeeds in sinking the subject beneath the weight of his elaborate superstructure, “fairy March.” Gustav Lange, A work fal- filling the characteristics of its name, with an abundance of glittering passages covering the main themes, Mr. Reinking publishes two of his own works, a poika-mazurka entitied “Mary” and a walts named “Ada.” Both are gems in their way and give evidence of a cultured musician, Boesey & Fourteenth street, have the best and latest publications of the parent house in Lon- don, It would be dificult te find a catalogue of cheap music so complete and 80 well selected. The edition of the “Songs of Scotland” will recommend itself to all lovers of the melodies of the land of the heather, It is, without exception, the best collec tion of Scowch melodies ever Placed before the American pavlic, Carl Heuser, New York, publishes the “Alixe Galop,” by Rud, Aronson, dedicated te Mr. Augus- tin Daly. It is brilliant, sparkling and spirited, and worthy of the yeuny manager te whom it is dedi- cated, 7 RECORDER ACKETT OY USE Charge to the Grand Jury on the Usury Laws---Their Non-Execution aud Evasion, - = A Judicial Bombshell Yet Exploded. . THE GRAND JURY AT THE GUNS. Not Recorder Wackett, in bis charge to the Gran@ Jury of the General Scs*tons 6 tay last, threw 8 bombshell inte the strung'y entrenched camps of the great tribe of money de Ananeial epecus lator and note shavers, Welch promines tHe be Tesuita, It is not always to the best lad owt ca paign on paper, however, army orders, or even strength of cause that result im ¥ An enemy armed at all points, secare, bat yet oot trusti to long immunity from attack, Knowing the only weak point in their line of circumvaliation, and that well guarded, not only witha bet wir out, are not easily afrighted by even « joige’’ charge, Still, it into be hoped that the best re- suite—those in facet, desired by Recorder Hackett when he made the usury lt ¢ State, their hon-exccution, evasion and the Mmyuries ariving to the community because that they are a dead letter in our midst, the subject of a special charge to the Grand Jury, calling upon the powerful induence of that bedy to make suce Presentment to him in the py deliberation and cXamination of wituesses it may appear to them their duty to make, Recorder Hackett has dove his whole duty in the matter, He could only suggest to the Grand Jury what waa their duty in view of a law notoriously violated, and which, a8 a body of grand inquest, comes withia their special power, That charge was a bombshell in the camp of the street Maanciera, and it only remains to be seen what effect the Grand Jary will produce from it, It is understogd that Dick Sehell and other prominent and square dealers im the house of the Lord of Mammon will asst 1 ra, ory Recorder's charge, appe the Jury, and with such @ scourge t small as between them all they will be aby manufacture, drive out all who are ¢ their own little business Way of inter! the legitimate trade of the Rothsehids aud ait others of that tik. The Grand Jury will meet every fay, ee discharged, We give the charge below in full:— RECORDER HACKETT'S CHARGE TO THE GRAND JURY ™ USURY LAWS. RAND JURY—I am still com- GENTLEMEN OF ® to charge you upon the usury antile commuiity hopes that the Legislature now in session would conquer th cient superstition against free trade in im Competition in money, in the belief of all The pe cal economists, tends to cheapen tts tse, greatest number of lenders obey the against usury, yet there often come riods when borrowers are willing to make own contracts Jor the use of money, and then these, by the very 0} tion of the usury laws, are forced into a limited market, er, the Legis- lature has refused to assent to the repeal, and ‘ie usury laws remain, It is unnecessary for & judee to explain these laws or expound their palties to gentlemen ef such intelligence as tt e you to possess; but there is an offence of wate | may speak most particularly—ene which is the direct result of the usury statute, and which is latterly assuming magnitude and threatening public dis+ tress, This offence is comprehended in the combl- nation of individuals (and periaps of seme banks, through brokers and middlemen) to dimtaiss the etr- culation of money in regular channels, 80 as to raise the percentage for its use in irregular channets, to the mutual profit of the combiners, The result of this combination 18 not only extortion from a needy class of speculative borrgwers, but an embar- rassment of commercial dealings among classes not given to speculations. In the language of our Revised Statutes, such a combination is an act in- jurious to trade and commerce, “At common law practices (says Blackstone) which make the market dearer to the fair tradey were offences against public trade. If such offences eXist inquire fearlessly into their origin, and thoroughty investigate as to the offenders, without thought or considera: tion as to their position and without tear or favor. The theft ofone man from anether tay beggar the unit lover, but it is poxsibie, by a con- spiracy such as I have outiined, to beggar & com- munity of the character, extent and importance as to that in which we live. Theft of industry aud of regular profits by means of immoral and unlaw- ful machinations oi Capitalists or moneyed imstitu- tion—if such machinations exist—ought to com- mand your attention much more than to ¢ dinary larcenies of the prison calendar, PP his commentaries on criminal law, sa plain that he who uses the power which mo credit gives him to piay pranks upon the commu- nity is an enemy to che race, and ia as deserving of puntshment as the thie! or highway robber,"’ The jury then retired. MUNICIPAL MATTERS, THE OLD BOARD OF APPORTIONMENT, Half a Million of Boulevard Bonds ts sucd—Grave Legal Questions Raiscd= Sipgular Course of Commissioner Vai Nort. = A meeting of the old Board of Apportionment, of which the Mayor, Comptroller, President of Pub- lic Parks and the Commissioner of Public Works are the members, took place yesterday at the Comptroller's office, The call was made in accord- ance with section 4, chapter 683, of the laws of 1871, to issue half a million dollars’ worth of stock for Boulevard improvements. Section 4 of the act provides that no bonds or stocks shall be issued for this purpose except by the concurrent action of all persons present named in section 3 of the act. The law further provides that turee days’ no- tice of such mecting shall be given, and the prac- tice has been for the members of the Board to acknowledge service of such notice, When served last Saturday with the notice of the meeting € missioner Van Nort deciined to make the u endorsement acknowledging service, and Green caused an aflidavit of service to be made by one of his clerks. On the calling of the roll yesterday Mr. Van Nort Was absent, and C troiier Green stated that to make the action of the Board legal he had caused the aMdavit of service to be made, He was und the impression that the meaning of the act was that the bonds could be issued with the concur+ rence of all persons present. The law says, with the concurrence of all persons mentioned in sec- tion 3 who “shall” be present. ‘The Mayor asked if tie words “shall be present? were declaratory. Ti Comptroller responded that he believed it meant those “ who might be present.’ Colonel Stebbins placed the same in- terpretation upon the wordiug of the act, and a resolution was unanimousiy passed authorizing the issue of the half miilton bonds, There are many who have grave doubts as to the legality of a@ pertion of the Board issuing bonds under the act, and they argue that upon the interpretation of the law, as made by tne Comptroiler, one mem- ber who might be present would be sufficient to legalize the issue, while the intent of the # that all the members must concur. It ts belte that Mr. Van Nort remat ied awagfrom the me 3 for the purpose of preventing the bonds being issued by a unanimous vote. OOMPTROLLER’S RECEIPTS. Comptroller Green reports the following receipte of moneys collected yesterday :— RECKIVK: OF TAXES, From taxes, Croton rent aud interest... .... COLLECTOR OF ASSESAMENTR. From assessments for strec. opentus and Linprove- ments. oe 226 fORRAU OW Amie From arrears of taxes, assessinents, Croton rents SRE NMG iia s erica pa Se KURKAU OF CITY REVENGE, From interest on t and mortage nd and mor sta) . arket rent und te $73,098 COMPTROLLER'S PAYMENTS. Comptroller Green pad yesterday the laborers on the bi ipes, at the pipe yard, to April 1, $6,500. ig pipes, pipe yard, P! » REMOVAL OF THE CORONERS’ OFFICE. The Coroners, who have been called upon by the Department of Public Works to vacate their office and corner room in tie City Hall, are Dow looking for other quarters in which to locate.’ It is very desirable that they remaim in or near the Park, as the puvlic interest coud be much better attended to than by going furtier up town, The Coroners will ve permanently located again in @ few days. THE CASE OF JON VAN ORDER, John Van Orden, the Secretary of the Stuyvesant Bank, arrested at the sit of Stephen T. Gorden, for misappropriation of money intrusted to him im a fiduciary capacity, yesterday appeared before Judson Jarvis and gave bail to answer in the sui of $26,000, Gardner Lindon, entry Meyers, Franklin A. Thurston aud the accused in the bond, M the bond was released by the St had kept him in custedy throw uptown hotel. Jr, mus Hansen joming an Orden en signlog t who t uil’s efticer