The New York Herald Newspaper, April 27, 1873, Page 7

a » ‘took his breath away that a man should tell such @ e » a TFS-ON ETL GNI SEL EE Ione ere oon Pit bis, UL DnUrn, (sez see tee oe The Cashier of the Atlantic National Bank a Defaulter to the Tune of Over $400,000. HE SPECULATES IN WALL STREET Suspension of the Bank—The Comptroller of the Currency Appointed as Receiver to Take Charge of Its Affairs. “Cool Demeanor of the Defaulter—*‘I Don’t Want to Have a Scene About It.” The Executive Committee of the Clearing House Make an Examination. A ROTTEN STATE OF AFFAIR What the Defaulting Oashier Says—His Ar- rest—Interviews with the President of the Bank, with Mr. F. D. Tappan and with the Directors of the Bank. Rumors blew around Wall street about two o'clock yesterday that the Atiantic National Bank was in difficulties, Kor some time these rumors could be traced to no authoritative source, and a H&RALD reporter, in spite of most persistent ene qgaivies, could learn nothing definite. A depositor of the bank was finally met, who, after being | asked the question as to how the bank stood and. | whether it were true or not that it was in trouble, simply answered by flourishing a very respectable roll of greenbacks under the reporters’ nose, exclaiming, in great glee, “I’ve got my pile, any. how.’ It appears he had heard of the rumors, and rushed in haste to the bank to get his money. | While he was drawing it, margin and all, MR. F. L, TAINTOR, the cashier of the bank, said, as he took his money | in his hands:—‘‘This is somewhat irregular, Mr, A, but I suppose it’s all right.’ This, taken in connection with subsequent develop- ments, was © rather marvellous piece of self-pos- session. The reporter continued his researches, and by and by the whole story came out. It is one of the most sensational of recent Wall street de- velopments, and goes a great way to further prove the rotten system which prevatis in the financial centre of America. It is the old, old story of a de- fauiting cashier; of the man who, unable to put up with a competence, wants a fortune, and, wanting it too quickly, comes out ‘on the wrong side o1 the Sence, HOW THE NEWS CAME OUT. About half-past twelve o’ciock Mr. F. L. Taintor, the cashief of the Atlantic National Bank, walked into the Gallatin National Bank and asked to see Mr. Tappan, the President of the latter. he was shown into the office, and both gentlemen greeted | each other civilly. “Mr. Tappan,” said Mr. Taintor, calmly, sitting | down, “TI have come to tell you rather unpleasant Bews, which may possibly astonish you. I am cashier of the Aplantic Bank and am a defaulter to the extent of $400,000."" Mr, Tappan started from his chair. It almost thing in 80-cool @ manner. “You are a defaulter !" exclaimed Mr. Tappan, “and to such an amount ! You rather astonish me, as yohgay. But why doyou come to me with such a statement ?”” “1 come¥o you,” said Mr, Taintor, still quite im- passive, “because you are the chairman of the Ex- ecutive Committee of the Clearing House, and I wish you to take charge of my keys and of tie bank.” “ “Of course you have communicated these facts to the officers of your bank ?”’ said Mr, Tappan. “Not a word of this is known, excepting to you,” went on Mr. Tammtor, “I don’t wish the officers of the bank to examine into my affairs, I much pre- fer some higher power should «lo it.” Mr. Tappan’s curiosity was excited to the high- est pitch. He wanted to know why the cashier | came to him and confessed such a terrible state of affairs. He asked the question. “Well, you see,” said Mr. Taintor, “the Direc. tors pay their visit to-day to the bank and then some of the facts may come out. They probably wouldn't know the whole truth, but quite enough to put me into a bad box, Now, I don’t want any Scene about nor any reproaches, These people are old fogies and it would be unpleasant. There’ is a much easier way of fixing it—that your committee | should come up to the bank and make anexamina- tion; then you may see how things really are and verify my statement, That's the better way lam sure.”? “Bunt do you know to what you are subjecting yourself by this confession ‘”’ asked Mr. ‘Tappan. “Oh, yes," answered Mr. Taintor, ‘Iam fully alive toit. As they say in the papers, I realize my position. But the best thing to do, I should judge, is to make an immediate examination, Every moment that business goes on in the bankis a moment too much now.” Mr. Tappan made A CALL FOR THE COMMITTEE to meet, and one by one they dropped into his ofMce. Therecame Mr. Leveridge, of the Bank of New York; Mr. Hayes, of the Union Bank; Mr. Hunter, of the People’s, and Mr. Perkins, of the Importets and Traders’, who were soon made ac quainted with the circumstances by Mr. Tappan. Two or three of the gentlemen then went round to the bank at Mr. Taintor’s invitation, he accompany- ing them, When they arrived at the bank all was going on #3 usual, and it was evident, as Mr. Taintor had said, novedy nad the slightest idea of what was in the wind. The committee, or that part oi it which hat accompanied Nr. Taintor to the bank, then filgd into the President's room, at the back of the building. The President of the bank, Mr. South- worth, is a gray-headed, hoary-bearded, tali old man, and when he saw the three gentlemen from the Clearing House Committee accompanying Mr. Taintay, he seemed to have a sort of presentment that something was wrong. He extended his hands and said in a trembling voice, “What is the matter, gentlemen *” : One of the gentlemen then explained the facts of the case, and when the President heard the news he simply sank back in a chair and tears came in his eyes, It was evident that of all news in the ‘world this was THE LAST HE WOULD HAVE EXPECTED. For a few moments he remained speechiess. He said nothing to Mr. Taintor and did not even look at him. When the gentlemen trom the the Clearing House Committee said that perhaps it were better vo close up the bank immediately, Mr. Southworth regained his courage immediately and said he would never consent. to tt, The bank stood | well in the eyes of the community and he | was hot obliged to close up until the | facts which were alleged against the bank | were proven. This was the reason whi | the bank did not suspend, but weut on doing busi- ness until three o'clock, thus saving itself from the | possibility of its being said that the bank had failed or suspended. In the eyes of the law, as in the eyes of the public, therefore, the bank is still a solvent institution and doing business, It will en- tirely depend on the report of the Clearing House Committee whether the bank is allowed to open or or THE RUSH ON THE BANK, ‘The story, of which the facts are told above, had, pf course, not leaked out in Wall street yesterday; bat the rumors that the bank had failed were rife. Of another almost, so great was the anxiety to towards the paying teller’s window. When the depositors saw the quiet, orderly look of things they were no doubt greatly astonished, after hearing all the sensational ramors of the street. Some even plucked up courage and left the place without drawing their money, but still by far the greatest number were anxious until they felt the soft pliability of their greenbacks in their fin- gers. The paying teller worked away very hard, and was kept busy counting the pieces of money and paying them ont, and putting down the figures as they were given over. But most singular of all was that Mr. Taintor went behind the trellis work and was superintending and ordering the clerks around just as if he held the same position as ever. He even addressed jocuiar remarks to some of the aepositors .Whom he knew at all, and no one would have supposed that he was the man who had but just confessed such a crime as his. It is singular, too, that he should have been permitted to do so, Of course No one of the outside public knew the facts of the case, but the olticers in the pank themselves it might have been supposed, would have stopped any such display. At three o'clock sharp the window at the paying teller’s as well as at the receiving teller’s desk, where they had been taking in de- posits as usual, went down with a click, and after that time not mny was paid out, It was at this hour that ‘Tappan arrived at the bank with the other gentlemen of the committee. They immediately were shown into the presiden room, and a eonsultation took place. It was the determined to begin the examination into bank’s affairs on the moment, and the committee set to work at it, AFTER OFFICE HOURS. In the meantime the depositors kept coming in pretty fast, but in every cas9 they were refused any sausiaction, and in spite of all protests they were told “It is after banking hours.” When thé clerks were questianed as to the rea! trouble they refused to state it, come of the depositors went about deploring their lot, and some of them, half crazy with grief. When told that the bank had not sus- pended they would not believe it, but said it was a dodge to get them olf the track. At length the crowd of depositors became so great that the out Side iron doors were ciosed, and after that time one could only get in by being intimately acquainted with the ofticers. Mr.Southworth went round among the depositors, telling the trouble to some he knew well but con- } ceahng it from others, He wasmimeelf almost mad | with anxiety and despair, What had been a flour- ishing institution in the morning was now, iu Nis | eyes, disgraced, Some of THE DEPOSITORS surrounded him and said they wanted to know the | truth, uo matier what it might be, Mr. South- | | worth said he did not know himself, and would jet them know what developments tere were. He then 1 back to his OWn room and did not ap- pear again for some time, * Then, one by oue the directors of the bank came dropping in.” They had been telegrifphed for and | had coine in haste. Only part of them were pres- | ent, however, and they congregated together and | discussed the issue with great indignation. One ol them said that “a man who would abuse conti- dence as Taintor had done ought to be lynched.” The sentiments of the others, while not so warm as this, were not far below it in animosity to the cashier, ‘ihe directors shortly after nad an inter- view. with the president, but, no conclusion was come to as.to what should bédone with Taintor. ‘They were all old gentlemen and seemed to be be- iperee about the sudden turmoil they had got mito, WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAYS. When the reporter of the HExkaLp first went in, early in the aiternopn, he saw the president, Mr. Southworth, who said that he could not say any- thing about the matter until the next day, Subse- queutly, however, When the reporter saw Mr. Southworth, he was slightly more communicative. He persisted in keeping the tacts of the case secret, and simply told the reporter that a difficulty had been experienced by the bank, but what it was he could not then state, and what would be the (uture of the bank he did not know. AN INTERVIEW WITH MR, TAINTOR. Mr. J. F, Taintor is a young man apparently not over twenty-seven years of age. He may, possibly, be thirty, however. He 1s slight and smail, much below the average size. His face is juvenile and he wears a blonde moustache and has bloade hair, His eyes are blue, but _ piercin; and sharp, and there is nothing . oi that flour and water look about him that some blondes possess. In dress he is natty and stylish, and wears closely-fitting shoes over a neat toot. One would take him fora young, but solid “blood,” and possibly think he was a Wall street man. There is a determined air and a dash about him which looks as if he would go any length to gain a point. He, in one word, leokg like a man who, hav- ing played a bold game and Jost, does not shrink from the conseqnenee. but. them outin an evident spirit d, haps bold- neqs. As he waiked ronnd the office yesterday he was the, least emotfoned of all those in the place, and there was something to admire as well as condemn tn his courage. Nor did this out- ward bearing fail him for a single moment. To some men who came up and shook hands with him and sympathized in his “misiortune,” as they termed it, he said, “Oh, it’s all right; don’t fret about me.” When the HERALD reporter faiied in getting any information of any account from the president of the bank he looked uround to see wno could be | best buttonhoted for the desired news. It was before the fact had come out and the reporter was not aware that TAINTOR WAS THE MAN who causee all the hubbub. Not having the pleas- ure of Taintor’s acquaintance, in iact, the reporter went up to him and asked him whether the bank bad failed. This gentieman said :— “I really don’t know whether it has or not, No- body, in tact, Knows. The Clearing I e Commit- in sesston at present, and until it gets through eally can’t tell what the condition of the we bank is.” “You are one of the officers of the bank, are you not ’ asked the reporter naively. “Yes, 1 have an executive position here,” an- swered Mr. Taintor with admirable coolness, “But whatis the cause of the trouvle? Even though the bank may not have failed, there is some reason for the difficulty?” “Yes,” responded Mr. Taintor, with admirable coolne ‘Nhey say the cashier of the bank is im a difficulty, but [ don’t want to say so, because you know it is never safe to say these things of other people.” “And you have heard nothing of what the alleged aimculty is’, “No, nothing thatIam at liberty tosay, The president might be able to tell you more than I can. Lam sinrply his subordinate, and it wouldn't look wel! lor me to say too much.” “Will the committee get through to-night, do you think ¥” “T don't know. It*has a great deal of work to do yet, and very probably may not be able to examine everything to-night. But perhaps you had better remain and see. Something startling may astonish you by and by.” Ten minutes alter the reporter found that the man he had been talking. to was the great de- faulter, and the effect, as he had said, was some- what startiing. KEEPING BACK THE FACTS. It was a long time, however, before anything re- liable could be obtained. | Everybody belonging to the bank seemed to be interested in keeping the trath as ret as possible. The president went around to one and another and forbid anything being said to the members or the press, Even the | depositors’ lips were closed, and they would say nothing, probably uuder the idea that the more they made friends with the president the more they were iike to be weli treated when the clearing up day canis, . ‘At length the reporter caught Mr, F. D. Tappan, the Chairman of the Clearing House Cominittee, who had been hard at work all this time inside the president's office, and asked him some definite in- formation about a matter which no one seemed to be willing to converse Upon. MR. F. D, TAPPAN INTERVIEWED. 9 Mr. Tappan was about to speak, when the Presi- dent, Mr. Southworth, came up hastily, and said, “Don't tell him anything. Let him wait till to- morrow, and then he'll get all he wants.” Mr. Tap- pan said, aloud :— “I can see no objection in the world to give this gentieman the information he desires. There is not the least doubt that Mr. F. L. Taintor is guilty of having embezzled $400,000 of the bank's Money. These are matters which should be made public, and not kept seeret.”? Mr. Tappan then told how the matter had been first nade public, and how the cashter had come to him about two @eleek that alternoon and told him that the president and directors were about to make an examination of his accounts, and that he objected to it. “Tasked him why he did this,” said Mr. Tappan to the HeRALD reporter, and he then said that he had already refused to give up his keys to. the president and directors, and that he should do so under no circumstances. He then told me about his defalcation, and ended by giving me the keys of his tin box in which he keeps his securities and his papers, I have examined these since and have found that he substantially told me the whole truth and concealed nothing,” “How is it, Mr. ‘Tappan, that after the bank ¢ facts it kept opem until the usual The president was wrong in doing this. After the news of this defalcation came to him he should have cloxed lis doors immediately, He ought to have been satisfied trom the first that the bank could not stand such an onslaught as this. The bank wad no right above ail to receive any deposits alter the time they knew this until three o'clock, It was something like A FRAUD ON THE DEPOSTTORS, as the condition the bank was in must have peen | lost a great deal of tnis money periectly well Known to the president and the other officers of the bank. “What was the capital of the bank?” asked the reporter. “The capital was $300,000, which makes the de- falcation of the cashier amount to $100,000 more than the whole capital of the bank.” “What will be the action of the Clearing House in the matter 1” “We can't exactly tell until the examina- tion is through, but lam already satisiied that the NEW XYQRK | AY, APRIL 27, vill report aaYersely to the bank open- ute .. auday.’? ing \ts doors on ms the action or pie Clearing ‘And what will be ~s car title ecks on er ents oo the Bank ¢ ~~ “Why, we shall simply ignore the certifi stion and throw the checks out. It is the only cours. left open for us.’” “Can you explain tome the process by which a cashier, situated as this one was, can embezzle ae kg amount of money without being discov- red “Itis very easily explained if we have officers in abank who do not strictly watclr everything the cashier does, In many banks this is the case, and it then renders embezzlement impossible, but where officers are lax and don’t constantly look over a cashier's doings he can do as he likes and STEAL AS MUCH AS HE PLEASES withont anybody being the wiser for it until the crash comes, On the other hand, if Taintor had made money in his speculations the fraud never would have been discovered.” “He speculated, then 7’ vold me to-day that he had speculated in Wail street from the day he had entered the bank,: which is a period of five years,”’ ican has this money been going ever since e “I judge not. He must have lost it recently.” “What has been the standing of the bank in the financial community +" “Well, the bank has not been looked upon as prosperous lately. Ihave known during the past two years that something was wrong, and in fact without ever having given my views any ventila- tion I have been somewhat distrustful of the bank. I, of course, knew nothing of the speculations of the cashier, but my impression was that the affair Was managed rather loosely, I think this was the general impression in Wall street, for the business Of the bank was not very large.” “What do you think of Taintor?” “Well, I think his coolness is marvellous. Alto- gether, I think he is a very remarkable young man, “What shail we do with Taintor?” asked one of the directors, who was standing by during this interview. “I should certainly hold him,’ answered Mr, Tap- pan; ‘vou had better consult with Mr, Tracy, your counsel," Mr, Tracy came in a few minutes after and ad- vised the oMcers to arrest Mr. Taintor and keep nn close. In the meantime Mr. Tappan had telegraphed to the Comptroller of the Currency, John Jay Knox, asking him for instructions as to what should be done with the bank and explaining the situation. INTERVIEW WITH A DIRECTOR. Two old gentiemen stood around all this time, looking very gium. They were both directors. ‘The HERALD reporter interviewed one of them, He said:— “We, of course, had no idea that such a state of affairs existed, We made our last examination in December.” ’ you then find anything to excite your sus- “No, nothing, Ewerything was correct. We went through the bank and examined everything and found allright. We examined the securities also and jound them correct. There was nothing, eed, that could cause the sligh it suspicion or complaint, and I thought and have thought since that things were going well with the bank, Ihad heard that at the time some of the ofiicers of the bank were speculating in the street. I remember saying at the time, and Taintor was present, that 1 T had heard these rumors, and that if | had thought for one moment any ot THE BANK OFFICERS WERE SPECULATING with the bunk’s money, I should resign on the spot. ‘Taintor then said that the reports were ridiculous, and that there was no truth in the; You see the result.” “How much had you in the bank from deposit- “the deposits amounted to about five hundred thousand dollars. The business of the bank was good, We moved round irom Broadway because our expenses there were too heavy, Our credit was good, a8 was shown by the fact that a short time ago our stock was above par. There was none of our stock in the market lately, The largest depositor we had was the State of New York, which deposited its receipts for canal tolls in our bank, ‘The State had with us about thirty thousand dollars, We had several depositors who had a balance here of from five thousand to fifteen thou- sand dollars ali the time.”’ “What will you do with Taintor ?”” “We shail arrest him, of course, and hold him. The scoundrel has ruined us all. I hardly know what to do, the blow has come so suddenly upon me. ° About this time the bank ofices were cleared of all who were there except the clerks, the officers and the Clearing House Committee, LATER DEVELOPMENTS. Later mm the evening a Heratp reporter again called at the bank. A telegram had been received from the Comptroller of the Currency. It ran as | foliows : Wasrxatox, A 5 To F. D, Tarran, President, &m pst ite Have notes protested under section 47, and I will ap- point Meigs receiver as soon as notified. JOHN JAY KNOX, Comptroller of the Currency. In accordance with these instructions Mr. Tap- pan had a note for $5 protested pro forma, for the pone of throwing the bank into bankruptcy. r. Meigs, the United States Bank Examiner, then took charge as recciver, In the meantime District Attorney Bliss had sent orders with two United States Marshals to arrest Taintor and conduct him to Ludlow Street Jai Mr, Taintor ieft the scene of his brillant exploits in the same cool manner bo had characterized all his actions during the ay. The reporter had another interview with Mr. Tappan. He said:— TUG AMOUNT OF MR, TAINTOR'S DEFALCATION is something between $400,000 and $425,000, It is divided as \ollows :—$75,000 in gold, which he took froin the vaults of the bank; $160,000 of property which had been placed in the bank for safe keep- palance was in securities which had been ank 48 collateral on loans, “Did Mr. Taimtor tell you when and how this money went #”? “Yes,” said Mr. Tappan. “He said that he had in February last, and that the decline in Pacific Mail had hurt him very badly, I-believe he also lost in the late panic.” The committee of the Clearing House has been ableto make only a ory examination oi the | affairs of the bank. The committee finds that not only the capital of the bank but also its assets have completely vanished, owing to Mr. Taintor’s skilful Manipulations. Mr. Tappan Bays, however, that the depositors will in all probability not suffer any loss, as the stockholders are responsible to the last dollar. Mr. Meigs will begin on Monday to make a more thorough exami- nation of the bank’s alfairs, while the United States will deai with the defaulting cashier. The appoint- ment of Meigs as receiver is only temporary, The folowing is the FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE BANK. Realizable assets, $549,000; liabilities to deposit- ors, $615,000; stolen securities from the bank, $162,000 apital of hank, $300,000 ; surplus, $76,000, making an actual deficit of £604,000, This leads some to suppose that the real losses of Taintor are Much lsrger than he stated. A SAD AND SINGULAR STORY. A Stoker of an Ocean Steamer Killed on the Hudson River Ratlroad in Feb- ruary and Identified Only a Few Days Since. . Newsvrg, N. Y., April 24, 1873. On Sunday, the 2d day of February last, the hor- ribly mutilated remains of a man were picked up on the Hudson River Railroad, at Fishkill station, opposite this city, From pools of blood which were discovered on the track it was supposed that the man had been first struck by an up train, killed and thrown upon the down track, and then thata down train struck the corpse and threw it where itwas found, The head was crushed beyond all possibility of recognition, and the body was ter- ribly mangled. The CORONER'S INQUEST faiied to elicit, apparently, any means of identifi- cation, The knife and pocketbook, together with acare‘ul description of the clothing, were, how- ever, retained by the Coroner for possible future use. , Yesterday Mr. John Agnew, of 116 Western ave- nue, in this city, proceeded to Fishkill station, and from an inspection of the articles retained by the Coroner and from the description of the clothing he became convinced that the unknown mau was (Ode William Agnew, of Liverpool, Eng- land, A STOKER ON THE WHITE STAR STEAMER BALTIC. William arrived at New York on this steamer avout New Year's and came here to see his brother, When he returned, a few days afterwards, he found hat his steawer had sailed, and he came back to Newburg and stayed a few weeks with John, The night betore the body was found William started jor New York, intending to sail for home on the nextsteamer. This was the last his brother saw of him. The manner in which Mr. John Agnew came in possession of the iniormation was very siugular, When the remains were found on Sunday morn- ing Mr. David Stevenson, of Fishkill Landing, saw it A day or two ago he, with Mr. ‘Thomas McElrath, of this city, Was perusing @ paper con- taining illustrations of the recent railroad horror in Rhode island. At length Mr. Stevenson observed, as he read the description of some of the killed and wounded, that it reminded him of the sight he saw on Sunday morning, February 2, and proceeded to give a detailed description of THE DBAD MAN'S APPEARANCE AND CLOTHING. Mr. McHirath, who had become acquainted with Mr. Agnew during his visit bere, immediately recognized him from the description, and seut word to his brother, The latter had in March last received a letter from his brother's wife, inquiring as to.his whereabouts, but he could give her no in formation, He proceeded to Fishkill Landing, and, on being shown the knife taken from the clothing of deceased at once recognized it as his own, which he had lent to his brother, who had forgotten to return it. The pocketbook was also recognized, a8 also the clothing, from the description given by the Coroner, The deceased leaves @ wife a” threo in Liverpool, "THE TEACHERS’ PAY. ca o mt It Ie~“The Laborer W. ‘of ils — During the past few weeks public attention has been more than ordinarily directed to the conduct and management of the common school system in the metropolis. The system of education in the public schools has been brought to a point as near perfection as could well be expected; but this re- sult has been attained only after years of experi- ence on the part of those to whom the work of ar- ranging and directing the grades and studies has been committed. The people had become satisfied with the teachers and the way In which their work was done, and gave no evidence of disaffection or dissatisfaction at the salaries paid the directors of “the young idea.” It is not everybody that can be @ school teacher, and as, owing to the recent changes in the School Boards and the peculiar ideas, of economy at present prevalent in the city, it has come to pass that an attempt is to be made to cut down the salaries of the teachers, to cover up, if possible, some looseness in other quarters. The movement in this regard was originated by a Mr. West, one of the new Hoard of Commissioners—a gentieman who was fornierly a member of the old Board, and one who should have known better than attempt to make a show ef economy by curtatling the amounts now paid to the teachers. There are few men, if any, tm this country who understand the responsibility of the teacher better than the present Superintendent of Education in this city, Mr. Henry Kiddle. Ina “Manual of Discipline and exercise of greater care than that of educating the young. and study are indispensably necessary, not only in relation to the branches of knowledge wigich may Rave been selected as a basis for and appliances to beemployed in order to render the instruction truly effective.” A class of people who can properly answer the requirements of the are—beyond the ordinary limits of people,” tor ghey must not only possess “brains” but force of chat obedience, enforce diseiptine and train the tender minds of those cominitted to their care, [t cannot be gainsaid that the idea of economizing by re- ducing the pittance allowed such people is erro- neous, and that u ‘reform’? must be practised in the schools, it should be commenced tn some other quarter. 'To show exactly how the salaries are ap- portioned, the following tables will be found very vauced in compliance with undoubted expressions of popular estimation :— Prineipals male department, m Vice principals male de Male assistants, an average of, Female assistants (male departin ximum tment, maxim nt), an a Principals female departiyent, maxitoum ci Vice principals femal lepartinent, maximum. . 00 Assistants, an ave o riick Sivsseings 00! Prineipats primary departments and schools, maxi- ee ais primary departments and sehiools, average of : In male departments, it average shall ha less, $16 for each unit; or, if more than 20), $1 unit. , In'female departments, if ayerage exceeded 120 (and not oiherwise), $10 for each nuit. In primary departments, if average exceeded 240 (and not otherwise), $6 it Ake (same Principals male departments Vice principals male departa Male assistants (when only on Male assistants, an avera, Female assistants, an average Principals female departments maxi Vice principals female departments, maximum. (Minimum fixed by the trustees). Assistants, aD AVETAZE Uf......-,c000 " 600 Principals primary departinenis ihaximam 1,012 Vice principals primary departments, maximum 700 Assistants, average Weary BOO | ‘the mi principals was fixed by the trustees, but by rule of the Board the mini- mum salary pald to any teacher in the schools through. ‘out the city was $100. Principals male departm Vice principals male de Male assistants, where only one is empio; 2 so Male assistants, male departments, an average of... 1,400 x assista its, inale departinents, an average ot 2 riments. . seve $1,200 10 170 departments. cece 1,100 stants, an average of. . a. OH) neipals primary depts. schools 000 to 1,800, ¢ principals primary dey'ts and sehools..8900 to 1,000 ‘ants primary departccnts and choo! a erage 0 on ; From this time wat May 1, 1872 $2,250 to $3,000 a ieee ROO, sistant was employed ina school, where the rate was fixed wt $1,000. Alter May 1, 1872"the rates were a8 iol- ows -— ‘asst pioyed). » assistants (male departments), an average Female assistants (nale departments), an average Principals, female deparments...... Vice principals female departments Assistants, tn average of. Principals primary depart Vice Principals prima Assistants, an averag: Minimum salary in all cased Reeneiiner 500 | The question of preparing a schedule of reduc- tion has been referred toa committee eomprising | Messrs. Neilson, Beardsiee, West, Vermily Kelly, Farr, Bro’ Jenkins and Hoe, The majority of these gentiemen are now actively engiged in business, and they undoubdgedly know that. those they. employ, if fitted to hold the positions they give them, are worthy of a recompense more thai would be given to common laborers or people new to the business, They know that the majority of ol teachers in this city are well edu- cated and well trained men and women, and-it is to be hoped that the good common sense possessed by the Commissioners will assert itself in this matter, and that economy can be, and will be, practised in some other way than in reducing the hard-earned money of the teachers. In times past it may have happened that unworthy persoms secured positions by im- proper means. In tact, it is a matter of record that teachers’ positions have been purchased from men who formeriy neld places as school trustees. There have been notorious cases in the Fourth ward, but when the fact leaked out that poor girls were obliged to pay wealthy but illiterate butchers | and others ofa similar calbre for minor positions the matter was promptly checked by the Board of Education and 4he disreputable omciats dismissed. ‘The teache however, were not to blame, and if there be any unworthy persons now holding place: as teachers there is a competent Superintendent and an able corps of assistants to find them out and show beyond peradventure that they are not worthy of their hire. As a class, however, they are eminentiy worthy, and the Board can gain pub- lic contidence in other Ways better than by curtail- ing the teachers’ pay. ts and schools $1,200 to 1,59 dep'tsand schools. ..$¥0) to 1,26 . reveceesss OD A Protest Against the Proposed Keduc- tion of Salari To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD: That Comptroller Green should look sharply after the large pipe men and the small pipe men; that he should detect fraudulent lamppost paint- ers and other mythical recipients of the public money, is right and natural; but that a body as enlightened and as honorable as the new Board of Public Education should consider it their first duty to lower the salaries of the teachers is unjust as weil as unwise. No one has ever doubted the im- portance of the teachers’ duties, nor the fidelity with which it is performed. Capable, earnest, un- ostentatious workers, they exercise through ail classes of society a wide and beneti- cent influence for which ‘they do not even now receive sufficient reward or recogni- tion. Tne young teacher enters upon her duties al years of hard study. She does not work for amusement bat for bread. The govern- ment of large classes is in itself a constant and ex- hausting strain on all the forces ot mind and body, Scarcely any one who has never entered the school room in the capacity of teacner realizes the amount of skill, patience and educated labor necessary to contro! and instruct a crowd of eager, restless and inquisitive children. For all this service the school teacher receives $500 a@ year, from which she must ay her board (six dollars a week at least), clothe Rerser and pay for washing and other fucidental expenses. She must have decent attire, even to command the respect of ner pupils, and the margin left will hardly permit her to be fas- tidious about the location or surroundings ol her boarding house, Regarding the higher grades of teachers, will men engaged a, in transactions that involve millions of money, tell us what value they place tpon the years of noble life, the edu- i faculties, the intellect, the priceless ex- fthe men and women who have speut Re. fil and twenty years in the schools of this city? The great difference between the salaries of male and femaie teachers, the fact that some hold honorable positions who are mere political ap- pointees, disqualified both by character and capa- city, are subjects well worthy of attention; but cheap instructors are neither in harmony with the spirit of the age nor the wishes of the people. Everywhere in the civilized world to-day the ques- tion of public education is considered the most vital to the State. This 18 @ven true in countries where the governing classes are not taught in the free schools, With us the governing classes (on whose intelligence depends tie glory and the permanence of the State) are educated in the puolic schouls, ‘True econoiny demands, therefore, that the puolic schools should be guarded with the most jealous care, and that they should be governed by the Instruction” prepared by that gentleman it is said— | “No task can be more respensible or require the Yo perform it aright special preparation | the instruction, but in regard to the proper method | school teacher should be—and they undoubtedly | “intellectual | eter and strength of mind to compel | pertinent. They show what the salaries have been | as lar back as 1564, and how they have been ad: | ; Randall, Bart, “th ) | his Snorkey in “Under the Gaslight.” ne the same, exceptin the cases where only one male as- | “ing, with Mr. Fechter in the leading part. 1873.-QUINTUPLE SHEET. not resist adding & room for, in this most labo Petesg to hamme? fence, cur mow very m not reat t down. Yours respectfully, MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES. The new pantomime “Azrael; or, The Magic Charm,” and Lulu, the sensation gymnast, take the stage at Niblo’s to-morrow evening. Herr Julius Ascher, a well-known German comedian, was the recipient of a complimentary benefit at the Stadt Theatre on Friday aight, when & sparkling comedy, “Das Volk Wie’s Weint und Lacht,” was presented, Mr. Ascher played the part of the Rentier Guisenow, displaying through- out much versatile humor. During her stay in Cincinnati Mme. Lucca was invited to visit the German Consul, Mr. A. Seinecke, at his home, at Walnut Hills. Arrived at what she supposed was Mr. Setnecke’s house, she dismissed her carriage, when she discovered that she had not only mistaken the heuse, but was among a large wedding party. She was compelled to perform the rest of her journey on foot. The new edition of “Humpty Dumpty” has run to good houses during the week at the Olympic The- atre, This week Mile, Morlacchi appears in tnree character dances as follows:—‘‘The Bee Dance,” “Flora’s Prayer to the Storm King” and “Hunga: ek es ; Tian Mazurka.’ Though we regret that ‘Buttalo Bil” has lost his “Dove Eye,’ we recognize as a wise change this return of a bad actress, butagreat dancer, to her legitimate pursuit. Mr. E. Molienhauer, the musical director at Booth’s Theatre, played two of his exquisite violin Solos at the Salyotti concert'‘last week. Beth naa composer and musician Mr. Moilenhauer occupies a place by the side of Wieniawski, and his fine touch often electrifies the audience in the entr’- actes at Booth’s, Apropos of his playing we recall the story of Mr. Bateman on one occasion joining vigorously in ite applause before he discevered the curtain was down, His chagrin. may be imagined when he found that Mr. Molientiuer was not “harping on my daughte: Another fortnight will close Mr, Boucicanlt’s en- gagement at Booth’s, Itis useless to indulge at this time in any extended criticism of the dis- tinguished actor's portrayal of Irish character, but two points must not be overlooked—his acting in “Arral-na-Pogue’ and especially in “Kerry? is the periection of art as seen under the unfavorable conditions of the starring system, and his concep- tion and delineation of Irish life superior to any- thing the stage has ever seen. The latter con- sideration alone makes the less of seeing him in these pieces the regret of a lifetime. Edmund Yates’ story, “A Bad Lot,” dramatized by one of our local playwrights, furnished no small | degree of histrionic delectation last week to the | audien esat the old Bowery Theatre. The piece was presented in four acts, and was, to use the | phrase of the gallery, “chuck full” of the strongest Sort of stage situations; but it lacked one clement inseparable from success on the east side—it lacked action. The heroine and victim, Kitty Wilton“was as unfortunate and as néble as the most exacting reader of W. G. M. Reynolds’ literature could dare to desire; and the villain of the play, Sir Frederick bad lot,”’ was one of the most infamous wretches ever impersonated even on this stage. But there was too little histrionic muscle in it, and, as a consequence, it has been withdrawn, A new and eriginal sensation drama, ‘Held in Check,” will be presented next week. With the representation of ‘Under the Gaslight” last night a number of familiar faces disappear from the stage of the Grand Opera House, Among these the most notable is that of Mrs. John Wood, who returns to London and the St. James. Some of the younger people, however, will be as sincerely re- gretted, Mr. Henry Crisp made many friends by his rendition of the Marquis de Rochemore in “Unele Sam,” and especially by the effectiveness of Mr. W. J. Lemoyne will be remembered for the excellence of hig Colonel Flibburty and Miss Mary Cary fer her Grace Flibburty and Laura Courtlandt. Though but recently transferred from the Filth Avenue Theatre to the Grand Opera House, the growth of these artists in popular favor on the west side was rapid and’ thorough, and the expiration of their engagements must be as much @ matter of regret to them as to the public. 4 The Lydia Thompson company, which is to ap- pear at the Academy of Music on Monday, May 5, will play the following pieces during the week in the order named:—*“Blue Beard,” ‘Kenilworth,’ “Lurline,” “Robin Hood” and “Aladdin,” closing on Saturday night with a misé@laneous pro- gramme. Itis some time since burlesque of the blonde Thompsop kind has been given in this city, and though it is notaurt it is likely to have patrons. “Frou Frou is having @ very successful run at the Union Square Theatre, snd there are no signs of an immediate change. It is understood that Miss Agnes Ethel has renewed her engagement with the management of this theatre and will travel most of the next season under the manage- ment of Shook & Palmer, playing about three months in this city. The Union Square companys from the acquisitions already secured, promises to be a very strong one next season, ‘Thomas’ grand festival of music closed last night at Steinway Hall. There were two performances yesterday. Rubinstein and Wieniawskt played and Mrs, West and Mr. Whitney sung at the mati- née, and the orchestra rendered some very tnter- esting selections, Rubinstein appeared to be the most prominent feature of the periormance, and he was in his happiest mood, The immortai choral symphony of Beethoven was performed in the evening with such a completeness of ensemble, spirit and finish as was never heard before in this country. The Handel and Haydn Society, of Bos- ton, took part in the last movement in Schiller’s “tymn of Joy." Want of space compels us to postpone a detatied criticism of these two noble performances, the crowning triumphs of Thomas’ festival. The receipts of the festival are largely in excess of the expel be. The hall was crowded to suffocation at the performances yesterday. Since Mr, Sothern began his present engagement at Wallack’s, in November, enly three pieces have been produced at that theatre—“Our American Cousin,” “Brother Sam” and “David Garrick. ‘This week, however, is the last of the last named piece, and on Monday, May 5, it will be followed by Mr. H. J. Byron’s comedy, “The Sqhire’s Last Shilling.” Mr. Sothern 1% to play the part of Squire Chuckley. The piece met with great success in England and is likely to be equally successful here, in which case the season will close with the production of only five plays this Winter. Beginning with “Pygmalion and Gal- atea,” the season at Wallack’s has been a brilliant one, even for that old theatre with its long list of dramatic triumphs, and, adopting Artemas Ward's famous policy, one might risk “The Squire's Last Shilling" on the brilliancy of its close. It is under- stood that next season Mr. Lester Waliack will play, in conjunction with Mx. Sothern, at his own theatre. A number of actors new to New York appear in the cast ef “Monte Cristo,’ which is to be pro- duced at the Grand Opera House to-morrow even- Of these the principal persons are Mr. Charles Wheatley, who appears as Noirtier; Mr. Charies Leclercq, who plays Caderouse, and Miss Lizzie Price, who undertakes Mercedes. There is a curious smack about these names in regard to which we do not venture even a guess; but we shall, perhaps, un- derstand its meaning when we see them play. It is always a dangerous experiment to suppiant old favorites with new candidates for public favor, though it 18 possible Mr. Daly is right In surround- ing Mr. Fechter with people who know his ways and can play in artistic harmony with him. If such should prove to be the result most persons will be satisfied with the change. Two other ac- tresses new to New York will be Mrs. Chapman and Miss Josephine Henry. Messrs. Ringgold, Rock- well and Devere, from the Fifth Avenue Theatre, are also in the cast. The enly real favorite of the Opera House company retained for the piece is Mr. J. W. Jennings, whose Signal Man in “Under the , the most enlightened and the most liberal Oe JUSTICE. To rae Epiton or THE HERALD:>—~ I was so glad to read your article this morning in :Feference to teachers’ galaries, 4c, that I could Gaslight’ we have alre: pointed out as one of the clevergst bits of acting of the season. The scenery and effects cannot fail to be very fine. The curiosity to see the piece is very great, and there is much promise of a brilliant engagement, both before and behind the footliahts, Thope, oa te pert fy Woy borer | THE ses, great though the latter | 1 GALLOWS IN CALIFORNIA er as ra M. J. Donahue Hung’ at Red. the Primary Cause of the Murder. A letter dated at Red Bluff, Cal., April 18, giveq the following account of the execution of M. Jy Donahue for the marder of William Orme :— On the evening of the 11th of July last Williany Orme and M. J. Donahue were playing pool at Te- hama, in Heider’s saloon, when an altercation Sprang up, Donahue alleging that the game played was a swindle on him. Orme, who was a ferry- man, struck Donahue on the hand with a btiliard cue and threatened to bit him with a billiard ball, ue went away and told several that he would kili Orme. Next morning he bought pow- der, which he said was to kill Orme with. He bored holes ina brick and run’ bullets in it, The same noon he went out hunting for Orme, threat- ening te kili him, He was somewhat, under the influence of iiquor, At sundown he wént to Hel- der’s saloon and saw Orme sitting there, Ha stepped back in the doorway and fired a Colt’s re- volver, wounding one Demott in the leg. On tha second fire Orme was shot through the lungs and stomach, Donahue ran to the bank of tie river and hid under it until he was arrested, an hour later. Orme died that night. Donahue was in- dicted at the July term and his trial began Novem- ber 7, betore Judge Lott, at Red Bluff, Colonek E. J. Lewis and W. F. Crawford volunteered jor, the defence. November 8 a verdict ot guilty o! murder in the first degree was rendered, an he was sentenced to be hanged on January 10. A motton for a new trial being overruled, the case was appealed. ‘The Supreme Court denied the Appeal, and the day of execution was flxed for Friday, April 1s, Donahue has been attended for weeks by Father Coleman. He has been gradually growing weaker, but had hopes tik this page Donahue ts a young iman of twenty-eight and @ native of Ireland, He is tive feet seven inches. He has light blue eyes, light hair, thin features, thin chin whisk mustache and fine forehead. He is @ man of much intelligence and shrewdness. He has been much given. to drinking and sprees, The defence sec up Was insanity. Last night the shadow of death | avout him and he did not sleep. ‘This morning at nine he ate a light breakiast. At nine o'clock @ priest visited Donahue and administered the last rites of the Church. At hali-past twelve our re- porter had an interview with the prisoner, He made the following statement: THE (CUSED’S STATEMENT, Orme and I were playing pool; he hy keep the game and some time previous. Whenever I “bw I said to Roden, | it right ana” put n to settia 1 Roden to had some talk with Roden L saw Roden swindling me. I “put up,” but Orme didn’t. yon keep the game, keep the balls down whem either of ux ‘burst, and stop handing the ‘pot money.’” He said, “If you don't lke the way p the game, Keep it joursell.” Orme then said, “What in the hell are you growling then he struck at me witha billiard cue. £ wp my hands and recetved the blow on the les, He then struck me again on the arn and grappled me; le beat me in the face and jatimed me against the table; I hatloaed for heip and to have him taken off. Then Roden said, “Bill, be has got enough.” grme replied, “Get out, youson of a b—h,” and gfabbed the balis to hit me, Roden got them away from him. I went home feelivg bad and next morning thonght that Thad been in the wrong as I had been in liquor. When I went down town I heard Orme had bragged of licking me, and dared the officers to arre him. I ard he was threatening to kill me, so 1 prepared myself with a pistos and told people [ didn’t Kuow Why Orme wanted to kill me, but ii he tried to he would get more than he bargained jor—I was not going to give bim the “drop ou me.’ At dusk | met him in Heider’s saloon, Where he wassitting down. Lstepped out, when he saw me and made a movement. I said are you the man who tried to kill me last night’ He nodded, then I fired. I was considerably under the in‘uence of liquor, and don’t know what | did then until | was arrested. If Orme had left me alone I would not Mave hurt hin; he might have lived a thousand years, Inever harmed a man until Orme “crusned in on me.” If 1 had triends I'd nave been out long ago. 10 THE SCAFFOLD. Deputy Sheriti— Come, Donahue, time is up.’? Donahue—“ All right, | am ready.” Donahne walked out of his cell in his stocking feet and shirt sleeves, went to cach prisoner and bid them goodby. To two he said:—“God bless you; may’ you never come to what Ihave. See what liquor has done tor me.” ‘Phe Sheriff went ahead; next came Donahue; your reporter then, the priest and Deputy Sherut. ‘As we came into the blaze of the sun of a most glo- rious Spriug day, warm, balmy and beautiful, Dona hue stopped and looked upward and all around, then, seeing the crowd outside the fence of the jail yard, he litted his hat, bowed, waived itand eried out i @ loud voice, “Goodby, boys? The procession he south Walk of the yard, and as we turned into the east walk another crowd was seen on that side. He repeated the salute to it. He tripped up the steps of the scaffold ligitly, and stepped on the trap promptly. Kneeling down he repeated after the priest a prayer. At the elose Donahue rose and stood easily and carelessly, His. hands trembles nervously, but he looked the Under Sheriff square in the eye ‘steadily as he read the death warrant, ADJUSTING THR STRAPS AND NOOSE. At this time twenty-seven persons were on the scaifold and thirteen under it, Sheriff Sleeth was terribly affected and almost unnerved. Sheriff McClure aided him with,advice how to adjust the straps, Which were bucklea en the arms, above the elbows, around the crossed hands, behind ihe back, about the thighs and about the ankles. These straps were the same that bound John A. Wright, hauged at Yuba City, March 15. Then Sherif sleet took a noose made from the same coll of rope from Which was cut the noose that hung Wright, five-eighth inch Manila cord, and as he adjusted it on Donahue’s neck the prisener turned his head around to the Sheriff, with a smile, and said. “Slecth, can’t you put that under my arms? £ was always ticklish around the neck.” ‘This was the straw to upset the Shertil, and his hand shook with his excitement, McClure, who was just as nervous hanged Wright, now coolly showed brother oficer Where to fix This done, Donahue ven his the knot behind the ear. was asked if he had aught to say, and he turned to yowr reporter and muttered, “He has it,’ or words of that character, in a very low voice. Sherif Sleeth then threw’ the black ‘velvet cloth over his head and pinned it behind aud before. Donahue now cried aloud, “Oh, God, receive my soul | Oh, God, uve mercy on me! God protect me !" THE At that instant si RAP FALLS. h pulled the lever, the trap fell quick a8 a Nash, and Donahue shot downward like an arrow six feet. Being a slignt man, he re- bounded on the rope, whirled round and then hang Motioniess. The drop jell exactly at sixteen mine utes and twenty seconds past one o'clock. TIMING THE RACE OF DEATE Drs. Jeffress and J, 3. Cameron at once stepped to the body and observed that the neck was broken eriectly, and then began timing the ebbing of life, the spectators standing around in breathless stlence—Dr. Jeffress counting the pulse, Dr. Came- ron counting the heart beats and your reporter keeping tally of Donahue’s life current as it ebbed against the illiinitabie shores of a dark eternity. ‘At one o’clock and sixteen and & half uinutes @ slight tremor passed over the whole body; the nest heaved once. The pulse at 1:02 marked now the re: ‘Kable fluctuations which doctors will record amoung the usual phenomena of hanging. At 1:17, pulse Was 114; 1:17), pulse 108; 1:19, pulse 102; 1:20, pulse 90; 1:204;, pulse 132. “What on earth is that 7’ says Dr. Jeffress, That's unusual,” says Dr. Cameron, 1:21, pulse 66; 1:22, pulse 138; 1:22, pulse 108, but very feeble; 1 4, pulse 66, and much fee- bler; 1:24, no pulse, but heart fluttering; 1:25, heart beats 105, no pulse at wrist; 1:27, puise beats irregularly; heart beats 108; . heart 76, feeble pulse ; , heart 72 and teeble puise; 1:30, heart 66 and very jeeble; no pulse now at wrist; 1:31, heart 48 and no pulse; 1:32, no heart-beat, slight fluttering; 1 dead, THE FUNERAL. As this word was pronounced the coffin was borne into the enclosure. It was neatly made and covered with velvet, and silver mounted. On the top lay & beautiful wreath of white roses, placed there by the sympathizing hands of Mrs. Kelley, of this city. A fine hearse stood outside, The body was cut down, the noose removed and measured; it had drawn to a loop two inches by three and one-half inches, The coffin, now tenanted by its clay, was closed and carried to the hearse. Your reporter thought thia hardly a pauper’s funeral, and asked whence this extra expense in the way of the tuneral, when he was iniormed that B.C, McKeon, George Worth- ington, M. Kennedy, M, Ward, Father Coleman. H. Mooney and some half a dozen others had con- tripated the money, and determined this trtend~ Jess wretch should have a decent burial, They fol- lowed him to the cemetery, Father Coleman pro- nounced a prayer, and so ended the last act in the drama of the law's swift vengeance, TROUBLE OF THE GREAT WESTERN TELE GRAPH COMPANY. Ouicaco, OL, April 26, 1873, Judge Blodgett, in the United States Circuit Court this morning, granted the petition of J. C., Hilton and the Commercial National Bank of Chi- cago for the adjudication in bankruptey of the Great Western Telegraph Company. Counsel for the company entered a motion for a review of the proceedings before the Cireutt Court, and prayed that, pending such review, no warrant of seizure During an altercation lust evening in the liquor store of Jules Johnson, at the corner of South and Fulton streets, Michael Costello, of 340 Pearl street, was shot and slightly injured in the right hand by William H. Morton, a resident of Mount Vernon, who was arrested by the police of the Second pre- cinct and locked up. The injured man was taken to the Park ee Manuel! Mantilla, of 648 DeKalb avenue, Brooktyn, was shot in the left jaw last night, in the liqior store of L, Martinez, No. 95 Maiden lane, by Serapio Serpa, Who was arrested by the police of the Sec- on ecinct. Mantilla was taken to the Park Hospital, where his wound was dressed. He waa taken to his home by his friends, :