The New York Herald Newspaper, May 4, 1873, Page 5

TUB CHARTER CHICANERY, | ——_—_+—— Politicians About two City Hall Going Wild Over the Smart Sensations. Tho Legislating of the Mayor Out of Office and the Little Aldermanic “Block Game.” —_+___. ‘The Forthcoming Nominatione—What the Great “Combiners” Say—They Deny It All Boand—How Mayor Havemeyer Pre- pares His List and Will Submit It for Confirmation. There ‘wae quite a lively sensation about the O'ty Mall yesterday, in consequence of the exposé ‘of the supposed plan to bleck the forthcoming mominations by Mayor Havemeyer, but of course it ‘was more of an indignant sensation on the part of ‘the members of the Board of Aldermen who were presumed to be im the combination. As early as ‘haalf-paat nine or ten o'clock there was quite a grand gathering of the political quid muncs in the Vestibole of the City Hall, and about the passages and doors leading to the Mayor’s offices, and they @iscussed o three-sided series of questions. First ‘came the rumor that the Mayor had himself been legisiated out of office by the charter, as reported fm yesterday’s HERALD, but in every case it was only the ingenuity of the argument used to sustain the point that was debated. The fact is, there was NO ONE AMONG THE CROWD who was qualified to express an opinion upon the merits of the case, for it was too fine for them; fut one and all (and the reporter conversed with @ouens of them) povoh-poohed the idea of the valid- ity of the question raised. They conciuded it was merely one of the political “flyers” always sent aloft in times of political excitement. Next in point of interest and discussion eame the exposure ef the Al@ermanic combination to defeat the Mayor's appointees, unless the Aldermen them- selves are accorded a first claas consideration by ‘the Mayor as to the persons whose names he shall present for confirmation, Everypody thought it was AN IMMENSE JOKE en the Aldermen, whether it was true or not, and while pearly all of the gentlemen alleged to have een implicated took the matter very good-na- turedly, a few were disposed to look very seriously at it as impugning their characters. Just as though Aidermen or even higher legislators were never known to make a combination or “put upa job” to make a point. And lastly, in point of discus- sion, though it wasthe basis of all their thoughts— for to @ good many of them it means bread and butter—came the subject of the nominations them- selves. Of course all had their favorites, and some were their own favorites, and everything ended in wonderment as to who the lucky men ‘were to be, ‘There were half a dozen Aldermen looking all at once for the IZRALD man, and one or TWO OF THEM WANTED HIS SCALP for presuming to use their names as among the members of the majority combination. One of them wanted the reporter's ear. Alderman Faulkner, who happens not to ve among the suspected “ring,” was first met, and Gpon being questioned by tne reporter as to his views of the affair said :— “i, for my part, must say that Ido not think there was any such combination in existence. I believe there is existing among the members of the Board a general feeling of accord with Mayor @avemeyer and 4 reliance in his discretion in mak- ing his selections, I think you willfind that when tne nominations are sent in the Mayor will be shown to have selected a class of men who are well known, highly respected, and that no objection ean be made to the qualifications, characters, ability and claims to public confidence. If that roves to be the case, 80 far as I am able to judge ‘om MY INTERCOURSE WITH THE MEMBERS they will doubtless act at once m his nomina- tions and confirm them unanimously. If, however, they tind the lists embracing a number of men ‘whose position and claims are doubtiul or obscure, it isnot tinprobable that they will inquire into them somewhat before confirming their J have seen several of the members w! ted to be in the combination, and they assure me ot the utter groundicssness of the allegations made fainst them.” hortly after leaving Mr. Faulkner the reporter met Alderman Flanagan, whose name had been put among the “biockers.”’ The Alderman feit somewhat annoyed that he kad been so classified, and said that he did not desire to contradict the report that he was in the combination, He was not envious either of the notoriety which the report gave him, nor of publicly denying it. He felt satis- Ged that all his friends knew him well enough to reach a proper conclusion concerning it, and he ‘was content to let it rest there. He had but one desire in reference to the nominations, and that Was that THE BEST MEN MIGUT BE SELECTED. Of course a good democrat as an appointee would be preferable in his view to agood republican, and he would exert all his pewer in his behall; but at the same time that would be no obstacle to his. free and honest action in veting for good men of either party. The next member of the conclave of ‘eight’! whom the reporter encountered was Alderman Koch. He was in an awiul hurry, as he passed along the vestibule of the City Hall towards the Mayor’s office, and summed himself up as fol- lowa:—‘That report in the HERALD was the first I knew about any blocking game, and its THE PLAINEST KIND OF A LIE lever saw.” And then he was gone. Alderman Monheimer said he “wanted the HERALD reporter's ear for ten minutes,” and, upon being asked what he knew of the conspiracy, said :—‘I was very much surprised to see my name Qs the chairman of that combination. I am not in agny combination. 1 don’t believe that there isany combination, neither do I think that there has been any meeting of the Aldermen that had for its object any combination. Whenever the question as to the Mayor's appointments has ceme up | have always said that we had better wait until we see whom the Mayor appoints. Ihave nodoubt the Mayor will appoint good men, and whenever the appoint- ments are sent in I,asa member ef the Board, shall want TIME TO MAKE SOME INQUIRIES, and if I find there is a man nominated cage whom there are sound objections I shall not su rt him. I don’t think the Mayor is likely to nom. ile @ man of that character. But I thimk it would ‘be a blind piece of business to go into a combina- tion before I know who we are combining against. don’t think any member of the Board has any chance of knowing that yet.” Aldermen McCatferty and Kehr also deny that they have been engaged in any scheme of the kind indicated, or that they know or have known of any intention to resort to such a method of regulating appointments. And so all the gentlemen whose Dames have been used in connection with it have Bow denied such alleged complicity, and nearly all of them took occasion to call on Mayer Havemeyer early in the day and assure him of the baseless @ature of the rumor and of THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM of action in reference to the neminations when- ever he thinks proper te submit them for actien. Late inthe afternoon the reporter had afew moments’ conversation with the Mayor in his private office. Mr. Havemeyer seemed quite amused at the result of the canard and said he had learned nothing further concerning it and didn’t think it like t there Was any lurther need of anxiety on the subject. In answer to a question as to when he thought it likely he would have THE LIST OF NOMINATIONS COMPLETED and sent to the Aldermen the Mayor said, “Well, I can’t answer that question as it is meant by you, Youseel am busy on them all the time, nearly, mapping out the lists, and I shall send ‘them in whenever I think I have completed them."’ “Then,” interrogated the reporter, “you will pkey in all the nominations together. Is that the ‘ideay “No, no; mot that exactly. You know I have to Make out a list of nominations for each commis- ion; and as fast as I fill out each cemmission and «onclude that I cannot make any more desirable @hanges in regard vo the names on it, | shall send at in for the Aldermanic action.” . “Then it is quite likely that you may send in the ‘iste for each commission separately ’’ “Oh, yes it is very likely, though I do not mean shall send them in exactly at the rate of atatime. if I have the names complete for e commission I shall send that in at the first eeting of the Board. If I have two or even three YFeady I shall send them in; JUST AS FAST AS I CAN get them ready I shali submit them, without wait- EBM seniplete @ll the commissions. You see I might have a list made up—I don’t know but what 1 may have had seme of them made up—and some of my friends or advisers might come in as soon as I had become satisfied with it myself and resent the name of some individual better fitted fill a pasition and more entitied to public recog- Dition on that commission than some one of the fee whose names I had got down. Ofcourse have got tive such @ case proper considera- tion and mighé conclude to insert the name last fase how and scrates off one.of the others, That's just how the matter stands and what makes it @ fe' be tes Sener tavernas tie bor about @ week. tie reperter withdrew, , ON : NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, MAY 4, 1873—QUADRUPLE SHEET. THE STATE CAPITAL. Interview with Speaker Cornel! on the Charter Meddlo—Is Havemeyer Thrown Out Because He Was Not Retained in the Bil? — Havemeyer’s Case Similar to Mayor Hal? 1870. ALBANY, May 3, 1873. ‘The article published In the HERALD to-day con- cerning the charter muddle created the most pro- found sensation here among those legislators who have not yet gone home, In fact, it was the gen- eral theme of conversation on al} sides at the Capi- tol building. The intimation thrown out by one of the lawyers, quoted in the articie, to the effect that the bill as introduced and passed in the Assembly the frst time made special provision for the retention of the present Mayor, but that the manipulation it received at the hands of the Senate destroyed this provision, is not founded on fact. This afternoon I carefully compared the bill as originally introduced and passed by the lower House, and I found that it contained ndggsuch pro- vision and that the Senate made mo material amendments to the particular section designated in the article. This evening I had A LONG CONVERSATION WITH SPEAKER CORNELL about the “muddle,” and he seemed to be as com- pletely in the dark aa the other members in town asto whether the statements made by the two lawyers to the H&RALD reporter were really of any weight. He said he had been looking up the char- f 1870 and comparing it with the one just wee tif had mot been able to satisfy meelf about the geapeion raised. “In my mind,” said he, ‘the whole thing will turn upon this—whether repeal of a law under which a man ts elected fates him out of office if he be Not 4 lly retammed. If it does, then Havemeyer is no more ae now than he was @ year re Conceding that he has been legislated out of o by reason of the charter not specially retaming him, he is gone remedy. Even ‘THE LEGISLA’ CAN*T HELP HAVEMEYER, The Mayoralty is am elective office, and you know that the Legislature capnot sprains Or instal a man into an elective office. Had thia point as to the charter, as it was finally iby the House, been raised a few daya all doubts on the sub- eee of the Mayor's I nure of office could have en settied in the declaratory act supplemental to the charter, and which was signed before the Governor signed the charter itself, by inserting a clause declaring that nothing in the charter should be construed as putting an end to the term of the Mayor for which he wag elected. The question is a knotty one, but it dees seem strange that the de- fect in the bil phome net have been detected by fed itcargfuly before 8 wes sigued, aud whe, T ne before it was Loceuninad, oaneral the ceeds Sp act passed @ Pentti dios stun hese is jon. e) seemed to be higity AMUSED THE PLIGHT Into which, if the argaments used by the lawyers id jd, the Mayor ed quite ‘heart referred to in the HERALD stan would find himself in, and iaughed when! suggested that if the President of the B« of Aldermen was act made Mayor of New York by the charter, the Cust House would take all the credit for having euchred their Sppe nents by Ce even though the whole thing was a biunder that no one in either House was able to discover. A member of the Assembly, who is a member of the Judiciary Com- mittee, teld me this evening that he really believed the charter had actually “LEFT HAVEMEYER OUT IN TH J ashe expressed it, He added that if the Courts decided that the repeal of a law under which a rson was elected puts him out or offe », then yor Hall was not the legal Mayor of New York from the 6th of April, 1870—the day the ster of 1870 was passed—until he was elected u.der the charter in November of that year, as every section rejating to the Mayor in the charter signed this week Bb almost identical in every section relat- ing fo that otticer in the 1870 act, and as the re- pealing clauses in the latter relating to any impor- tant matter were not essentially different as far as the Mayor’s tenure of office was concerned from those in the new charter, LABOR IN THE LISTS, The Strikes of the Coopers, Crispins and Gasmen—The Success of the Two For- mer Trades Assured—A Peacefal Fight. The general uprising of labor, threatened by the strike of the gasmen and precipitated by the action of the coopers and Crispins, still agitatea the me- tropolis. The various trades’ unions and labor or- ganizations hold frequent meetings, apd by their action encourage and urge on THE STRUGGLE AGAINST CAPITAL. There is every reason tw believe that the rumblings of an open “evolt, so long threatened, will precipitate an open rup- tire more general than any which has been known in the metropolis for years. The labor element of the entire country is organizing and threatens to use its power for the adoption of a platform under which it can elect men who will serve its interests. Many declare that, as a last resort, they will champion the female suffrage movement and by the strength of its adherents they expect te control the legisiation of the entire country. THE COOPRRS struck a few days ago to prevent the use of barrels manufactured in Portland. It was claimed that the supply {from abroad was so large that the coopers of this city were in danger of havi ing their business taken out of their hands. The Coopers? Union ordered the men to quit work, and those employed in the establishments most obnoxious to the tradesmen left their benches. In less than twenty-four nours the pro- prieters had acceded to the terms of the strikers and the men were back at work. A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL was held last evening at 165 East Broadway, and the representatives of the various lodges endorsed the action of the President of the Council. There seemed to be perfect unanimity as to the justice of the movement, THE CRISPINS, The strike of the Crispins has been contemplated for more than two months, and taxes have been levied Ala the various unions throughout the city to sustain all the men who should test the claims of the shoemakers to an advance in wages. The workmen of some six large firms struck on May 1, and all but two of the establishments at once suc- cumbed to the demands for an increase of about fifty cents for mak! each pair of tine boots. Since that date the Council has regularly assembled at No, 16 Spring street, and ordered the men to quit work in every establishment which declined to grant the advance upen official appli- cation being made to it. Thus the strife has gone on for several days, and is likely to go on Much longer. The advance amounts to about $2 per week additional for the best workmen. The lodges are all receiving large accessions of workmen daily, and the Crisping are sure that they will be stronger after the strike than before. THE GASMEN are stillout, and all attempts on the part of the men to compromise have been repelled by the New York Gas Company. It is not believed that the strike will extend to any other works, Measures to Make Out a Test Case— Mecting of a Trades Union General Committee Last Night. At the Germania Assembly Rooms a Gencral Committee of about sixteen or seventeen different trades unions, composed of three delegates each, who have been appointed to take measures to test, by legal action, a certain State law, known as the “eight hour law,’ held another .weeting last night for the purpose of receiving the report of a sub-committee appointed ata previous meeting. James Beston, of the Benevolent Society of Opera- tive Masons, occupied the chair, and there were the following ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTED by delegations :—The Protective Masons, the United Order of American Bricklayers, Nos. 1, 2,3 and 4; the Stonecutters’ Union, the United Order of American Carpenters, the Amalgamated Carpen- ters, three Ledges of Painters, the Plasterers’ Union and others, Action having been previously determined upon to test the validity of the eight hour law under the act of the Legislature in refer- ence to the Fourth Avenue Railroad extension, the committee reported that no satisfactory result haa been arrived at by conferences with the Mayor, Aldermen and other heads of the city govern- ment, and it was therefore determined to BRING THE MATTER INTO THE COURTS for settlement, to compel Vanderbilt to comply With the law, er eise foot the bill altogether. A committee was therfore formed to consult with eminent lawyers on the subject, and to report the result of its action at the next meeting. This Trades Union delegation wishes to have it under- stood that it has no connection with the Interna- tionals, and that it is der the influence of that organization. rina - MURDER BY A BOY, A Boy in Ridgeville, Pa., Kills Another Boy for a Parcel of Groceries. PITTsBURG, Pa., May 3, 1873. A special despatch to the Commercial states that a murder was committed near Ridgeville, Pa., on Thursday afternoon. A boy, named Geo, Schaum, about sixteen years of age, while returning from Ridgeville’ with some | Feng was met by another boy, named Timothy Bacon, who was several years his senor. ,Bacon was seen to strike Schaum and endeavor to take from him his groceries, the a time KJ ig A idee lee aad ay. found was lyt cove! Daete vas arrested and the deed. He wi taken to Greensburg and 40 Jail to awalt triak~ DALY'S GRAND, OPERA HOUSE. —-———___ Fechtcr in Monte Cristo. ‘TO TAY EvITOR/OF rue HERALD :— With the teappearance of Charles Fechter are heard vartations on that well-worn theme the sen- sational drama. New, honestly, is there not a vast deal of nonsense written and talked onit? One would suppose, from the manner in which SI Speare is lauded and melodrama derided, that the Swan of Avon swam in the most placid of mill streams, whereas there never lived a dramatist who showed 80 great a mastery of “effects.” ‘There ts not a play of his hoiding the stage that is not in the truest sense a sensational, and Shak- speare is acted not because of his poetry, but be- cause of his knowledge of situations and how to command the interest of an audience, ‘Hamlet,’ the noblest of all plays, is full of sensation. Murder most foul and unnatural precedes it, a ghost stalks abroad in the first act, there is mur- der again in the third act, a mad scene and drowning in the fourth, unlimited poisoning and Stabbing in the fifth act. What more sensational than Othello’s smothering of Desdemona? What more thoroughly melodramatic thun the tragedy of “Macbeth ?? What more opposed to nature than “Midsommer Night’s Dream” and the “Tempest?” And are “Richard the Thira” and “king Lear’ pas+ toral poems ? When Shakspeare forgets his effects he becomes & poet merely, and his plays, like those. of Ben Jonson and others, are read, not acted. The theatre demands situations first, language secondly, The difference between Shakspeare and the highest order of sensational dra- matist is, that one has great genias and the other great cleverness. One is a poet as well as a playwright, and the other is merely @ playwright, One ennobdiles his plot by the beauty of his verse, the other belltties it by the vulgarity of his dialogue. One endows his meanest characters with intellect far beyond what each types possess in real life, the other gives even his heroes nothing but “situations,” The greater in- cludes the less, bnt the less does not include the greater. If, then, Shakspeare be good anthority, melodrama is thoroughly legitimate. The sensa- tional actor is he who produces a sensation, An audience cannot be excited without being thrilled. It cannot be thrilled without being made to feel. An actor cannot make others feel without feel- ing himself, He cannot feel without pos- wessing the divine spark called genius. it is quite possible to be a good Melodramatic actor and not be able to properly interpret Shakspeare; but the actor who takes a modern melodrama, and, lifting it out of its absurdity, raises it to an ideal height, stands as an actor very near where Shakspeare stands as a dramatist. If an actor makes the impossible ap- pear real he has the imagination of a poet and gives evidence of greater ability than if he were Personating an every day hero. For this reason he is mistaken who fancies that anything less than greatness produces Fechter’s effect in “Monte Cristo.” It would be as absurd to deny Ristori’s genius in Sister Teresa, in Elizabeth and in Marie An- toinette, “Mrs, Siddons was quite as great in Mrs. Beyerly and Isabella as in Lady Macbeth and Queen Katherme, yet no one, We apprehend, will say that the poetry is equal,’ gays captious Hazlitt, whose criticism applies to rechter in the melodramas of “The Duke’s Motto,” “Corsican Brothers” and his own version of ‘Monte Cristo.” It requires most natural acting to create reality under the ribs of improbability. When bronght out in London, several years ago, Fechter’s “Monte Cristo” ran for one hunared nights. It was deservedly successful, as it is the work of a clever playwright. Ignoring the popular taste for pageantry, Fechter puts aside the wou- drous cave of Monte Cristo, which plays so promi- nent a part in the published drama, gives but passing mention to the gorgeous Princess Haidee, introduces comparatively few characters, tells but one of the many stories that make up the romance, tells his story decisively, and has not hesitated to take liberties with the original plot for the sake of dramatic effect. Thus, for example, instead of being Villefort’s father, Noirtier becomes his half-brother, by witch change the dramatist can, withont visitings of conscicuve, render Villefort doubly treacherous towara™Noir- tier, Mercedes does not marry Fernand until eighteen years after the disappearance of Edmund Dantes. Albert de Morcerf encounters Dantes dis- guised as an Abbe, at a roadside inn, instead of meeting him in Rome as the Count of Monte Cristo. The youth’s life is saved by Dantes in Africa, not in Rome, and all of Dantes’ enemies come to most dramatic grief before the final moment that wit- nesses the triamph of long suffering virtue in the union of Mercedes, Dantes and their son. These are a few of many transformations in an old friend’s features. The entire first act is a condensation of Dumas’ two first chapters. The drama is ne worse in dialogue than the “Corsican Brothers.” Occa- sional slips of phraseology attest its French origin, slips 80 palpable as to render their retention more than strange. The plot 1s good, but, oddly enough, Fechter has actually failed to make his own hero as all pervading as his avdiences desire, Were all actors ciever the spectator Would be content with the prolonged absence of the principal charaeter, but when subordinate parts are indifferently portrayed, that absence gives rise to dissatisfaction. In the first and sec- ond acts of “Monte Cristo” we catch glimpses of Fechter—nothing more—and the contrast between his mercurial acting and the imperturbable heavi- ness of his coadjutors creates a surprise that grad- ually succumbs to weariness. It has been said that the dialogue is too long; in reality the greater part of its length consists in its delivery. Were every character sustained with the necessary spirit and were the entr’actes shortened, the drama would terminate at eleven o'clock. Famili- arity with the text ought soon to lessen @ tiresome evil, and if Fechter will elec- trify bis conjsréres as he does his audiences the entire performance will be worthy of admira- tion. At present the high art ef “Monte Cristo” is founa tn the perfection of stage details, the beauty ofits scenery and the consummate acting of its author. In the first act Fechter is every inch a sailor; in | the second, his prison ‘‘make-up” is admirable. The dungeon scene, however, is marred by the creaky boots of the guard and the intolerabie siow- ness with which Faria tells his story. The music of those soles has grown fainter since the first night, but it still offends sensitive ears and Abbé Faria Still drags his slow length along. In the third act Fechter’s disguise as an abbé is most artistic, and his acting {8 worthy of his dress; but it i8 not until the fourth act that he gives himself an opportunity for the display of his best genius. In the garb of the Count of Monte Cristo he is the perfection of manner and neat acting. No actor can personate high comedy unless he have the instincts of a gentleman. A comedian cannot strut, cannot “take steps;" he must bear himself with the ease peculiar to good breeding. Adress coat is a terrible ordeal, and he who wears it triumphantly is a rara avis, Fechter has mastered its black angles. His interview with Mercedes is marked by all the intense passion for which his name isa synonyme, and the action and facial expression with which he recognizes in Albert «de Morcerf his own son 18 so‘ thrillingly Magnetic as to be re- ceived with call upon cail. The last five minutes of this act eompensate for every pos- sible shortcoming in subordinates. The fifth act exhibits Fechter’s consummate skill in fencing, ‘ana when the curtain falls it fails upon the last of @ series of fine tableaux. From the beginning to the end of the drama the massing of colors and disposition of figures denote Fechter’s complete knowledge of his profession, which commands for him the respect of all who appreciate its rarity. Draughtsman no less than author and actor, Fechter’s handiwork is visibje in the designs for the scenery s0 beautifully painted. There has seldom been seen on any stage a finer work of art than the interior and exterior of Chateau aif, the island prison in whieh Dantes is buried alive. The foreground discloses the dun- geons of Dantes and the Abbé Faria, with ramparte above, on which a guard patrols. In the back- ground the chateau’s gloomy tower frowns upon the cliff beneath and the threatening sky above. By sinking the dungeons the jagerior anoequy pears, amd then the previousty brewing storm breake out. Lightning, thunder, rain and wind are 80 real asto deceive the acutess eyes and ears. Fecnter’s devices in conjuring the elementa, especially water, are those of a wizard. Angry ‘Waves dash to and tro, and amidst this war of na- ture two guards, bearing the supposed dead body of Paria, but in theatrical reality that of the living Dantes, slowly ascend the steep steps leading to the summit of the cliff, where the body is buried into the sea, Guards disappear, the storm inlis, Dantes rises to the surface of the water, climbs to the top of a rock, falls on his knees, and, extending his arms towards heaven, exclaims with elec- trifying passion, “Saved! Mine the treasures of Monte ‘Cristo! The world is mine!” Gustave Doré, in his best moment, could not improve this picture. Scenery without acting is a Barmecide feast, With Fechter it is an exquisite frame, set- ting off the painting of an artist. Concerning Fechter’s English | have but to say that he fs the only actor on the stage of the Grand Opera House who speaks distinctly enough for me to hear every word, He is acensed of mannerism merely because his intonation is French, as it must necessarily be, His pronunciation is without fault, saving in the one word “ascertained,” in which he places the accent on the second syliabie, ascer-tained, This is an doubredly alapsus tingquae, U every American actor spoke English as weil as Fechter we should have reagon to rejoice; aud though it were far less un- der his control, his acting would cover a multitude of verbal sins. Ge: will shine through the cloudiest language. Not a lover of the drama but is indebted to Mr Daly for effecting this latter day engagement with Charles Fechter, and that the brilliant suceess of “Monte Cristo” may be vhe ‘harbinger of the pro- duction of “No Thoroughfare’? and “Black and White,’ bot dramatized by Fechter, and both dis playing Nis ability to great advantage, is the wish of Ne az FRE. E LANCE, AMUSEMENTS, The i " Wallack’aa Whe The new play at Wallack’s produced last mgnt Was witnessed by a large and appreciative audl- ence. It met with unqualified success, It is one of Mr. H. J, Byron's somewhat eccentric pieces, possessing all the merits and faults of Mr. Byron’s writing. The first act introduces none of the leading characters in,the piece, or at most only one in which the andience can take a triendly interest. The second act, however, where the action really begins, recem- penses all the faults of the others and gives the piece a new and delicious atmospher.e The main interest centres in Mr. Sothern as Squire Chuckles, who, in this part, gives us the heavtiest representation we have yet had from him. In every respect the actor attains lis ideal—that of a country gentleman proud of his estates, of his tenantry and of himself, The interview with Polly, where he manages to quarrel) with her because his ancestral pride would not permit him to marry @ farmer’s daughter, was very neatly done, and his facial expression in the scene where Lady Logweod assumes he has proposed to her daughter very fine, indeed. But his strongest seene is where Brandon produces the forged will and he bélieves himself not to be the rightful pos- Sesdor gf the property he had regarded as his own, If this Mr. Sothern realizes to the fullest the chatacter of the true gentleman and honorable man. There is no higgling over techni- calities, N@attempt to doubt the cunning work of Rachel Grigdrod’s fingers, but only a maniy yieli- i up the property willed to another. So effectively 18 done that his manliness becomes the light, what would otherwise be @ very dark picture. the third act, reduced to extreme Ree without even the Squire's last shilling, e di the same manliness, making his poverty bright with the sunshine of his art. And at last ‘when he oemes back to his own it 1s without osten- tation, a thing as di@icult in art asin real life, but equally commendable and glorious, Besides all vhis Bis Squire Chuckles is rendered more com- ete. by the qualities which shine pepecially in Mr. thern’s Lord Dundreary and Brother Sam—the verve he hrings to the illustration and individuali- zation of he part. Byron's epigrammatic sen- tences--W. phases, hed almost said Sothern’s witty st we strongly suspect that many of « Saris—bdiend so thoronghly in harmony (oe andhis acting as to make the crea- man, bog Saas the varied traits strongiy Marked qualities of mind manly man di The support, hroughout un- usually spirited and even. J. B. Polk, as Gresham, was very fair, and especially at the d, of the second act his acting was strongly mai sin, who had given him an allowance, without aliow- He took possession of the fine estates oi his ing the other-’even a bed; doing it with all the nonchaiance of a man _ suddenly rich. In the other scenes his acting was unequal to this bit, which, in its way, was exquis- ite, Miss Efile Germon played Poily exceedingly well, attaining very thoroughly the archness, sim- plicity, earnestness and highness of spirit of a Jarmer’s daughter, who could both resent and give the unfeeling words of the man she lov Mine. Ponisi dropped her haitches with great acc racy, and played the i, rant, ‘dora fing eg seltish Lady Legwood with fe and skill. iss Rogers was pretty as Rachel, and in the scene with her father in the first act, and with Chuckles in the third, displayed the emotions of dis- gust with her work and of her love for the Squire with intelligence and feeling. Miss Vandyke, a new face at this theatre, did the little she was re- quired to do acceptably, but she cultivates too per- sistent a frown and is too abrupt and mechanical m her haughtiness to be natural. Mr. George Brown’s Farmer Hodges was also worthy of men- tion, The other parts are fairly filled, and the whole piece is rendered in a way to give a pleasant. ana satisfactory estimate of the strength of the company. Musical and Dramatic Notes. Bergner, the prince of ’cellists, had a benefit con- cert at Steinway Hall last night. The Liederkranz Society give their last concert for the season at the Club House, Fourth street, on Sunday next. Miss Nettie Sterling, the contralto, will be ten- dered a complimentary concert to-morrow night at Plymouth church, Mr. James E. Hayes, the manager of the Olympic Theatre, has been very sick for a week with brain fever, but at last accounts he had slightly im- proved, The Catholic Choral Union, Professor Gustavus Schmitz conductor, will give a concert this evening at the French church in Twenty-third street. The principal feature on the bill will be Gounod’s “Messe Solennelle.”” Mme. Jule de Ryther, the well-known soprano, who is at present winning laurels at Boston con- certs, has been engaged, in conjunction with Mme. Van Zandt, as one of the principal soloists for the forthcoming musical festival at Rutland, Vt. The theatres are in or have just passed the last transition previous to the close of the season. The change at Wallack’s last night is noted at length elsewhere. Fechter’s engagement at the Grand Opera House is a very great success. At Booth's Mr. Boucicault’s “Arrah Na Pogue’ and “Kerry’’ will be withdrawn after this week, Miss Newson appearing on Monday evening of next week as Amy Kobsart. The Union Square Theatre retains “‘Frou-Frou” for the present, Miss Ethel’s acting in the part continuing to draw good houses. “Di- vorce,” at the Fifth Avenue, is soon to be replaced by Dr, Mosenthal’s long promised play. “Humpty Dumpty” will remain at the Olympic till June, and the pantomime and Lulu at Niblo’s are very satis- factory to the patrons of the house. At the Acad- emy of Music the Lydia Thompson troupe appear in burlesque every evening during the week. The new piece, “Held in Check,” a sensational play in which there is the proper quantity of conflicting emotions, 18 to be produced at the Bowery to-mor- row evening, and the minor theatres offer the usual bills called, we beneve, when accuracy of speech is consulted, “olios of fun.’ THE LATE BISHOP M’ILVAINE, Arrival of the Remains in New York— The Obsequics, ‘The remains of the late Bishop Mclivaine, of Ohio, who died in Europe, arrived the night before last by the City of Baitimore. The Episcopal churches of this city and Brooklyn have appointed a committee of one from each church, making in all thirty-five, and, in consequence of their decision, his remains will be placed in the vestry of St, Paul’s church, where they will remain until Monday, when Bishop Smith, of Kentucky, the Presiding Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States, wil a at the religious services, which are to be held St. Paul’s church, corner Broadway and Vesey street. Itis ul to remove the body to Ohio, in charge of a committee from that diocese, there to be interred within a mausoleum worthy of te ame and character of the euynent diving. YACHTING NOTES. The schooner yacht Resolute, Mr. A. 8, Hatch, N.Y.¥.C., is at Newport, being refitted for the sea. fon. Ina few days, however, she will be sent to the yard of David Carll, at City Island, where her bottom will be cleaned and the hull repainted. It ig the intention of Mr. Hatch to put her tn com- mission about the 25th instant and to keep her in these waters until the latter part of July, when she will be sent to Newport, the Summer residence of her owner, The Resolute, without donbt, will be entered for all the prominent club races of the year. ‘The schooner yacht Fleur de Lis, Mr. J. S. Dicker- sen, N.Y.Y.C., 1s being refitted at Essex, Coun., for the year’s campaign, The schooner Calypse, Mr. William B, Astor, N.Y.Y.C,, 18 being rebuilt by Davia Carll, at City Island. She will be lengthened 12 feet or more at either end, given a greater depth and entire new internal fittings. It 18 the intention of Mr. Astor to have such extensive alterations and improvements made that she will be enabled to, at least, do well in the coming races of the Club, The Calypso bas been an unlucky boat in the it, but in her new form, it is to be hoped, she wilt be move prosperous. The schooner yaent Vikin Mr, Mahlon Sands, N.Y.Y.C,, i@ in commnisaion. anchored foot of Court street, Brooklyn, She has been thoroughiy overhauled, ‘Tho new schooner it Brenda, owned by Mr. J. L, Littie, of Boston, ‘been added to the Eastern Yacht Club. She ts centre board, 70 feet in length over all, 60 feet 8 Inches oh the Water line, 18 feet beam, and 5 feet 2 mehes draught of water. Mr. G. F. Claude, of Boston, has purchased an English cutter, which he has en’ in the fleet of the Dorchester Yacht Club, and which will consti- tute a new feature of yachting in Massachusetts waters, She is 42 feet 6inches , With 9 feet & inches breadth of beam, and will draw about six feet of water. ‘There is a strong desire among the members of the Eastern Yacht Club, of Boston, it isreported, to Sy ceiitYialte oan boom of ane pod especially ose belonging in this ry. Two years ago a visit of this * ind wa made by a yacnes of the New York Club; whose owners derived & great deal of enjoyment from the reception vendered them by the gentlemen of the Rastern Club. In alluding to, this matter late Boston Paper says:—“These visits are very-“esirable, a8 they tend to increase the interest in the 4) ort as Well as the interest in the néw styles of build Many of which are seen in New York boats, Al the changes are net improvements, but all yacht- men must have an interest in the examination of any new principles or {deas in construction. There is considerable diMicuity, however, in inducing any New York boat to take the trip to Massachusetts Bay, as the rounding of Cape Vod ts generally con- sidered as something of A stretch of pleasure. The Vindex, which 18 the only iron yacht in the coun- try, made the trip from New York last year, though too Jate to participate in any of the season's sport. THE SHIPPING SCANDAL. Interview with Captain Duncan, the United States Commissioner—He De- mies the Charges Made Against Him The Alleged Conspiracy of the Board- inghouse Keepers—Anticipation of Thelr Trial for Combining to Evade and Nullify the United States Laws—A Square Fight, Last evening a HERALD reporter was sent to Brooklyn to see United States Shipping Commis- sioner Dunean with reference to certain allega- tions made by Captain Tucker and others as to the alleged mismanagement of the Sailors’ Exchange in Cherry street. The veteran commander of the Quaker City was found at home, and after wel- coming his visitor satd:—‘‘I felt certain that the HERALD would hear my version of the case. The sailors’ boardinghouse keepers, continued he, “are engaged in a square fight with the United States authorities, and [ may add that I confidently believe that I shall soon succeed in breaking up the conspiracy, | THE CASE OF THE SHIP NORTH AMERICA. We actually engaged thirty-one bona fide men for this ship, 80 as to make full allowance for those men who would not ship. When men engage to ship we cannot be responsibie that they will carry out their contract. Our office is only to witness the signatures of seamen, explain the voyage and | see that they are sober when they are engaged. | We then take their address and give them an ad- vance note. If the men who come to us are frauds, or are spirited away, we can not help it. sailors arrested and put on board, because the landlords, being interested, would heip as; but how they secrete them and hide them away. ‘The sailors are degraced and debauched mm every way, and the landlords have them in their power through their getting in debt, The cap- | tain of the North America and her owner, | Mr. Hastings, wanted me to violate the | law by permitting them to ship a crew out- | side, This I naturally refused to accede to, but to | help them in their plight, I wrote to the Commis- sioner at Boston to see if he could provide a crew, and upon their arrival here [ engaged to have their signatures witnessed. The Captain was justified in posing to sea with his crew, obtained through the boardinghouse keepers, because the law pro- | vides (section 14) that deserters may be replaced. During the month of April we have sent to sea elghty-thr hips, carrying 1,021 men, and to pro- vide for this complement we have had to engage at least 2,000, for as last as our men would engage they would be watched and frightened or per- suadedaway. Shipping fees will only be charged for the nen we actually shi CAPTAIN DUNCAN'S EMOLUMENTS. My salary as Commissioner ts $5,000 a year, pro- vided that there 1s that amount left aiter paying expenses of the office. Any deficiency I lose. The | surplus, if any, goes to the United States Treasury. | 1am President of the East Side Savings Bank, with dies of work but no salary. The profits of the bank are divided among the depositors, I am not interested in the cl thing store kept in the basement of the Sailors’ Exchange. I have seven deputies, and my son Charles D, Duncan is one of them, but he does not receive anything like @ salary of $3,000, Another son, George, is cashter of the bank and also Depaty Commissioner, but his total salary Is less than that of Charles. The same ap- | plies to my other son, Henry, who is in charge of the steamship department. With the exception of these three meutioned I have no other relatives about the place. With reference to arbitration “fees,” I have never received or charged a cent for the work and have prevented a good many law- suits. The law makes the Commissioner settle disputes between sailors and captains. I am respousible to the Circait Court of the United States for my conduct and to the shipowners of this | port, and am willing to exhibit the books of my | office to them, should they wish it. I have reason to hope that the trial of the(sailors’ boardinghonse keepers for Conspiracy against the United States | Jaws will soon take piace, and I think that a good many of them will be “sent up.” | CONCLUSION. The other charges made against me are false, Before you go 1 would remark that any detention | of vessels in this port for want of crews which may occur must not be ascribed to the law or its execu- tion, but to the combinations of sailors’ landlords. As to the Grinnell-Minturn case, the sailors were paid off at the exchange fixed by agreement with them at their point ot departure. Thanking Mr. Duncan for his statement the reporter bade him | good night. THE PRIZE RING, Arthur Chambers George Seddons. The final deposit for the proposed fight for $2,000, on the 2ist instant, between these pugilista, was made yesterday afternoon at a weil known resort in the city. Chambers, with his friends, among them Dooney Harris, his tratner, was first to arrive, when, without any words, he handed over $550 to the person appointed to be the temporary stake- | holder, Two hoars after Seddons, with | Butt | Riley, hig mentor, and a number of well Known friends put in an appearance, when | the $450 due from him to complete his $1,000 was at once given to the seiécted gentieman in the matter. George and Arthur then attempted to settle upon a final stakeholder; but this proving futile they mutually reed to leave this matter, | with the tossing for the fighting ground, until Tue day next. The crowd then quietly separated. From | appearances the men have been diligently attend- ing to their training, and no doudt when they put put up their handsin the ring they will be in the best possible fx. “FIRE IN BOSTON. Destructive Confi fon—Total Loss, $75,000 to $80,000, Boston, Mass., May 3, 1873, A destructive fire broke out early this morning in the steam planing mill of J. F. Keating & Co., 197 Portland street. The Messrs, Keating's loss, including 25,000 feet of lumber, is estimated at $25,000; insured for $20,000. The fire spread to the adjoining building, occupied by Alonzo Bowers, carpenter and builder, whose loss is $5,000; Ran- dajl Brothers, cabinet makers, loss $6,500; Thomas H. Hoar, carver, loss $1,000; J. P. Dunham, frame maker, ' joss $1,500; all partially insured. William A. & Co. grocers, corner of Causeway and Portland streets, lose $: A Butler, wholesale liquor dealer, loses L. C, Durkee, wholesale liquor dealer, ‘The buildings barned were valued at total 1088 18 $75,000 to $80,600, $3,000, and loses $5,000. $25,000, The Under ordinary cirewmsatances we could haye the | | funeral of | daugt The Fire Marshai reports twenty-one fires for the past week, upon which the estimated loss is $24,725 And be INEUEARCC $117,600 a ——“‘“COs—sSCS rn THE HON. JAMES BROOKS, ———— Final Arrangements for the Funeral The List of Pall Bearers—Action of the Board of Assistant Aldermen, the Asso~ ciated Press and the New York Typos graphical Society—The Will of Mr. Brooks. The remains of the late Hon, James Brooks were brought to this city last evening from Washington, They were taken from the Jersey City depotto Grace church, and will remain there until the funeral services at two o’clock to-day. The desire of the iriends of Brooks is to avoid all ostenta- tious display in connection with the funeral, ant the rites of the Episcopal Chorch, of which Mr. Brooks was amember, will be studiously adhered to in all their simple solemnity. William Tracey, Richard Schell, Du Bois, Royal Phelps, Horace F. Clark, Francis Skid- dy, George Opdyke, and John D, Jones, Action of t Assistant Aldermen. ‘The Board of Assistant Aldermen met at two o’clock yesterday and coneurred in the resolutiens adopted by the Board of Aldermen on Friday, ex- pressive of the feelings of the municipal authorities upon the Seath of Hon. James Brooks, member of Congress.“ Speeches eulogistic of the déceased statesman were made by Messrs, Clancy and Presi- dent Wade, and tne resoutions, which were adopted, were ordered to be spread upon the minutes. Action of the Associated Press, At a special meeting of the Associated Press held yesterday the following resolutions were unani> mously adopted :— Resolved, That we have heard with the most profound sorrow of the death of James Brooks, ono of the founders and editors of the New York » an original pro- Brietor in this association and a Reproventative of this city im the Congress of the Un! tates. ‘esolved, That his marked ability as a writer, his skill and uniform courtesy in the editorial conduct of his paper and his sound practical sense in all matters con- cerning this organization, have greatly endeared him to us who knew him more intimately, and have made widely respected by the entire press of the country. ved, That tis deep interest in the welfare of this elty, and his prompt attention to everything trom what- ever quarter affecting its interests, have won for kim the hearty respect and confidence of our citizens; and his ac; knowledged capacity and judgment as a statesman and legislator applied the people at large, which will be felt to which he to all that concerned the welfare of ender eath a nations e remotest border of the land In ‘was born, which he so fondly loved and to which he devoted all the energies of along and useful life. ved, Thata copy of these resolutions, signed by the President and warded to the the exp! Secretary of this association, be fer- family of our friend and associate, with ssion of our warmest sympathy in their sad be- t, and the assurance of our own deep sense of Joss in the event they are called to nourn. Resolvea, That the members of sociation will at. tend the funeral of the deceased yody. Action of the New York Typographical Society. A special meeting of the Board of Directors of the New York Typographical Society was held last evening to take action in regard to the death of James Brooks, Mr. James H. Easton eccupied the chair, T. C. Faulkner acting as Secretary. The President, in stating the object of the meet- ing, said:—“Gentlemen, you have been specially convened this evening for the purpose of taking some appropriate action on the death of the late James Brooks, an honorary member of this society. We are again called upon to mourn the loss of another great journalist, who, like his late con- temporaries, Raymond, Bennett and _ Greeley, made me for himself in his pro fession co-extensive with the English tongue, but who also achieved honor and fame by his eld quence and statesmanship in the council halls of the nation. Let us pay bis memory that fittin, respect to which his eminence as a journalist ani statesman is entitled, and in the lessen of his life learn to emulate his undoubted talents and many acknowledged good traits of character.” A committee of three, consisting of Messrs, T. C. Faulkner, J. H. Gillespie and 0. W. D. Fisk, were appotnted to draft appropriate resolutions, who submitted the following : Whereas death has suddenly removed from the scene of his long and arduous labors anether distinguished pub- lisher, journalist and political leader in the person of the Hon, James Brooks, senior editor of the New York Ea- prexa, and late Representative in Congress from. the {eighth district of thiseity; and whereas the New York Typographical Society, of which he was an honorary niember, desire to pay {ts tribute of respect to his virtues as a man, acitizen und a leader of public opinion; there- ‘ jore Resolved, That in the death of Mr. Brooks American journalism’ loses one of the earliest and most preminent 01 the class of able men whose efforts have caused the Dress to keep pace with the spirit of the age, and to whose intelligent und untiring labors it owes the measure of success and influence which it enjoys. That the cause of popular education and interests, upon which Mr. Brooks bestowed nd thought, will suiter serious loss by the ve and unwearied exertions. a of men like James Brooks, nond and Horace Greeley, who won their way irom poverty aud obscurity to posifions of trust and intluence, through their diligerit devotion to work and 1 whose of the y of their ican name, a printing art, Kesulved, That the members of this society tender to the family and friends of the deceased the sineere ex- pression of their condolence in this bereavement. The resolutions were unanimously adopted, A committees was appointed to attend the the deceased, and the banner of the society Was ordered to be draped in mourning for Ue space of thirty days. ott Tammany Society. In consequence of the inciemency of the weather last evening, and the shortness of the notice ef the meeting, there was not a sufficient number of members met ot the Tammany General Committee to form a quorum, and the tribute of respect tended to be paid to the memory of Mr. Brooks by the society was deferred untu alter the funeral. The Will of James Brooks, WASHINGTON, May 3, 1873, The will of the late Hon. James Brooks has been admitted to probate in the office of the Register of Wills, and an exemplified copy made, to be filed in the Surrogate’s ofMice at New York, wuere the executor will give the necessary bond. The will is written on parchment and covers two pages, and was executed April 28, 1873, in the presence of A. Y. P, Garnett, M. D.; E. McLeod and Henry Garnett, A codicil thereto, made April 30, two days alter, covers the third page. His signature to both shows that but little of the bodily strength, which was his feature in life, was left to him when bequeathing his worldly pessessions, He be- queaths as follows:— To his son, James Wilton Brooks, his right, title and interest in and to one-half of the New York Evening Express; aiso one-half interest m the &z- press building, No. 23 Park row. Also all the books in the room known as the new library, in his resi- dence, No, 363 Fifth avenue, New York. ‘To his wife, Mary Louisa Brooks. his house, No, 36% Fifth avenue, New York, with all the furniture therein ; algo $100,000 in land grant bonds of the Union Paciflc Railroad, on condition she renounce her dower right In the personal and real estate in Park row. To her also he bequeaths his horses and carriages. To William Tracy, a lawyer in New York, in trust for his daughter Virginia, all his real estate in Washington, including bis house, No. 1,813 F street, Witt furniture therein; also thirty-two $1,000 in- come bonds of the Union Pacific Raf!road; also hoe oe $1,000 first mortgage bonds of the same road. To his daughter, Mary Neilson, five Eastern di- vision Kansas bonds of $1,000 each, and $3,500 in the St. Louis, Chillicothe and Omaha Railroad bonds, to hold the same free from the control of her husband. To her husband, Charles H. Neilso twenty $1,000 first mortgage Union Pacific Railr bonds, on condition he defend all his other prop- erty against suits instituted by tue United States or other parties. The sum of $6,000 due him by his brother, Dr, George W. Brooks, of New York, is devised for the purpose of paying the mortgage on his house to that amount in this city. All his other property, personal or mixed, he bequeaths to his son, James Wilten Brooks, and names as his executor William Tracy, of New York. A codicil to the will, dated April 30, 1873, makes it a condition that his son, James Wilton, ‘and his r, Virgitiia, shall only enjoy the’ property left them by paying in equai parts ail the taxes which may become due on the house No, 363 Fifth avenue, New York, during the life of his wife, Mary Louisa Brooks, and makes such taxes liens on their estate; and that the son shall pay her $3,000 and the daughter $2,000 per annum Bing her lite- ame. _ the remains of Mr. Brooks left here for New York this morning, according to the programme. NOVA SCOTIA, | Arrival of the Moravian with the New Commander of the Foices=The Ste: ic Prince Edward at Charlottetown— Seventeen More Bodies Recovered from the Wrecked Atlantic. HALirax, May 3, 1873. The steamship Moravian arrived this morning from Liverpool. Major General Haley, who suc- ceeds General Doyle in command of the troops here, was @ passenger on the Moravian. The steamer Prince dward arrived at Charlotte. town, Prince Edward Island, yesterday, twelve days from Liverpool}, Seventeen more bodies were recovered from the wreck of the Atlantic yesterday. A violent snow storm has prevailed here all days 10E IN NORTHUMBERLAND STRAITS. Hauirax, N. S., May 3, 1878 An immense sheet of ice in Northumberland Straits prevents communication between Prince fatwara® dala and New Brauswick and Nove