The New York Herald Newspaper, May 15, 1873, Page 3

5 meee Seem eteee FIRE DAMP. Terrible Result of the Explosions Down the Drummond Mines, Miners Overiaken and Slain by Their OWARNINGS. gt a i eA phe Flames and Volumes of Deuse Smoke Emitted frém the Shatts, PUNT Ger eeeTl FIRST Villagers Flee to the Woods for Safety. THE KILLED. A List Containing Fifty-one of the Victims. Heartrending Scenes in the Vil- lage of Westville. jolt SUA Certain Death of Al! in the Mines but Litile Hope of Recovering the Bodies. Drummonp Cotuenry, Wrstyitty, Via Sx. Martin, May 14, 1873. ‘The most intense excitement has prevailed in this saddened community since the terrible events of yesterday. The happy homes of the Miners have been turned into houses of mourning, and ao funeral pall hangs over the village, where the wives, the sisters, the chil- dren and friends of the unfortunate men who perished by the explosion of the Drummond | colliery. still weep in silence. There is noth- ing doing in any of the mines in this coal district. All business is suspended, and the village streets mournful groups of men and women, who discuss in subdued tones the calamity and the causes that led thereto, There have unfortunately been many accidents of late years in this province. The people have scarcely recovered from the shock of the Atlantic horror; bat this latest calamity, coming more close to them because of the are number of their own kin who have heen so | suddenly swept into et:rnity, creates the pro- foundest grief among all classes. ALLEGED CAUSE OF THE DISASTER. The cause of the disaster is said to be owing to the men having struck a few weeks ago for higher wages, and he mine remaining 1dle so long it was filled with gas, which, when the men returned to work yesterday, exploded with the terrific consequences already stated. VIEWS EXPRESSED AT THE OFFICIAL INVESTIGA- ‘TION. At the official inquiry held in this place to- day, however, the night watchmen of the mine testify that the direct cause of the explo- sion was owing to powder having been used in a level in the mine where it had been pro- hibited, but where the miners would not work unless allowed to use powder, as the work, without its use, would not pay at the price the company gave. ‘The opinion of the Mines Inspector in this district, however, is that due care was not exercised by the mincr who was working in the bore where the fire first occurred in firing his shots; that {ho first and second shots were oniy “‘blowouts,’’ opening seams in the bench, thereby permitting the gas to accumulate therein, so that when the third shot went off the coal was set on fire. COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIRE. The fire occurred about eleven o'clock, in one of the bores on the first level, from the fizing of shots to ioosen the coal, and although the two cutters and others used every en- deavor, by the ordinary means of wet banks, to quench the flames, their efforts were un- e@vailing, and they were obliged to fly for €afety to the slope. Beneath them, in snother evel, were some fifteen or sixteen men at work. Word was passed down to them to come out as quickly as possible, and mes- sages wero sent to the surface for help. MEETING DEATH HALF way. It was then that the manager, Mr. Dunn, and several volunteers descended the slope for the purpose of rendoring assistance. One of the men who escaped passed them as he was coming up. He had scarcely reached the surface when the first explosion oecurred. The manager and his volunteers were by that time at the level of the slope, and their death must have been in- stantaneous. flames issued from both slopes, rendering it dangerous for any person to approach. SURFACE BUILDINGS SET ON FIRE. Hardly had the pit explosion taken place when another more violent occurred, and the next instant masses of dense smoke and flames issued from the air shafts, and the surface buildings were all ablaze. From that time until daylight this morning the fire raged with fearful violence, gathering fierceness every moment, BELCHING FORTH OF FIRE AND SMOKE. The sky in the immediate viginity yas illu. Dense volumes of smoke and evowded with | whW YORK HERALD, minated as if from a veleano, flames ond smoke belching forth fromm the slopes and shafts to a height of ong hundred fect. Ex- plosion followed all through the long night, instant destruc- tion the miners’ sand the companies’ buildings in the immediate vicinity. » The explosions were preceded by low, rum- bling sounds, like distant thunder, and when they took place the people on the surface, who were endeavoring to quench the flames, were obliged to seek shelter in the woods near by from the flying stones and débris that were emitted from the pit’s mouth. THE MOST TERRIBLE EXPLOSION. At two o'clock this morning the most terrible explosion of all occurred, resembling the dis- charge froma park of heavy artillery. The concussion was felt for miles around, and the buildings to a distance of, three or four miles were shaken as if by af earthquake. The flames, smoke and burning wood shot sky- ward for over two hundred feet, and those who witnessed it say it was the most fearful sight they ever beheld. The woodwork on the surface was completely destroyed by this latter explosion. The remaining inhabitants, living in the houses near the colliery, fled from them hurriedly, expecting every moment another similar explosion, THE MEN ALL LOST, All hope of saving the men in the mine had long been abandoned, and the efforts of the excited crowds who gathered about the scene of the disaster were now devoted to quenching the fire by filling the air shaft and slopes with clay and turning the water from the small streams in the vicinity into the mine. ‘The flames continued issuing from the mine all day to-day, and up to to-night, but some- what subdued. . ANOTHER EXPLOSION LOOKED FOR. Hopes are entertained that the danger is | past, although another explosion is looked for, as the mines have been drawing the air from one of the shafts all day. In one of the southern levels of the mine a quantity of loose coal is stored, and, should the fire reach this, the most fearful consequences are appre- hended. HORRIGLE FATE OF THE VOLUNTEERS. Many of the mea who descended yesterday went into the mine for the first time, and although the names of fifty-nine of the lost have been ascertained, it is thought that there are many more. Between forty and forty-five of the men lost were married men, all of whom leave families of small children. SAD SCENES IN WESTVILLE, } The scenes in this mournful village are truly heartrending; nearly every family has lost some relative or friend, and mourning fills the land. Great prcite is bestowed upon the Manager, Mr. Dunn, for the heroism and courage displayed by him in descending the slope in the faco of such danger to attempt a rescue of the workmen. Much sympathy is expressod here and in the surrounding vil- lages for his bereaved young wife. {HE OFICIAL INQUEST, convened here this afternoon, will probably dctermine before it closes the direct causes of | the sad calamity. At present all is specula- tion, The miners appear impressed with the idéa that the explosion would not have oc- curred if the miners had been paid a sufficient sum for cutting coal in levels where the use of powder was prohibited. ‘The opinion of the inspector, however, as to the cause of the fire seems to be the correct | one, TEREE OF THE MEN SAVED BADLY INJURED. Three of the men saved from the mine are | dangerously injured. Another, who had volunteered to go down an air shaft to try and save his fellows, was met by one of the explosions and sent into the air to the height ot over a hundred fect, falling into the woods, where his mangled re- mains were picked up this morning. No Farther Explosion Yet=The Excitc- ment Subsiding. Dnrummonp Cotumry, May 14—9 P. M. There is no perceptible change in the pit as yet, but the excitement is subsiding, and the fears of another explosion are allayed. The Court of Inguiry have adjourned until eleven o'clock to-morrow. ‘The Killed. The following is a list of the killed: — i MARRIED MEN WHO LEAVE WIVES AND FAMILIES. James Dunn. Philip Dunn. John Dunn. Thomas Gilen. James Richardson, John Bounce. George Bierney. John Emery. John Thoslott. Robert Dunbar. James McPherson, John McElvie. James Ramsa y, David MeNeill. Hugh Gillis. John Campbell. Samuel Hale. Henry Trueman, John McNeill. Colin Chisholm. Hugh McGilliveray, Hugh McDonald. Abram Guy. Augustus Smith, John Ellis. Alexander Elms. SINGLE MEN. Kenneth Cameron. Archibald Cameron. William Elliott, Owen McLeod. John Sinclair. James Cummings. Timothy Howitt. John McRitchie. Alexander Purves, Jr. John McElvie, Jr. Duncan McRae. Donald Shaw. John Frazer Taylor, Duncan Holiday. Danie) McDonald. John McDonald, first. John McDonald, second. Duncan McDonald. Nicholas O’Brien. Matthew Doyle. Matthew Manning. Edward Jones, | These are all the names yet positively as- | certained. The number will probably reach | seventy-five. The Wounded. The following is a list of the wounded: — John Burnett, fatally. George Stewart, fata}ly. John Dunstan. Pat O'Brien. William Eell. | Chisholm, slightly. The men who have escaped with great diffi- culty from the slope report that on their way up they passed bodies of their comrades who had probably become stupefied by the smoke since the explosion. None have come up alive: INSTANT DEATH OF THREE VOLUNTEERS. Of the four men who volunteered to go down the shaft shortly before the second ex- plosion three were killed—Edward Burns and Abram Guy instantly, and John Dunn after lingering for somo hours. The name of the fourth man was Glenright. Messrs. Clendennin and Hoyt, of the Acadia Company; Coxon and Hudson, of the Halifax Company, and White, of the Nova Scotia Company, ere doing all in their power to assist in rescuing the men. COLLISIONS ON THE RIVER. A Coal Barge Runs Into the Ferryboat George Law—Panic Among the Passen. gers—No Lives Lost. At halfpast eight o’clock yesterday morning, as the George Law, of the Bridge street line of ferry- | boats, was making her way from her siip on the Brooklyn side, she was run into and severely dimaged by a heavy double- ender coal lighter, belonging to the Navy Yard. The lighter is used for coaling the government vessels lying around the Navy Yard, and at the time of the colilsion was being towed by two tugs, one on either side, which made the collision a very violent one. The lighter was very sharp, being piaved with iron on either end, cousequently, when she struck the ferryboat she cut into ner side, which was not in ws sound a condition as could be desired, The lighter stuck fast im the whecihouse oi the George Law, and they floated up stream for some distance fustened together, | ‘The terryboat was crowded and the collision ver: naturally created a panic on board. Many jumped ou the lighter, while others ran about screeching and screaming and terrifying all who were not as yet worked up to the standard piteh of unconsciousness. Nice young men forgot their erect attitudes and the exquisite set of their Lobtails and ran around the boat in a delirium of fright, and many a ag’ shop gurl was minus her lunch, having lost the satchel in Which was contained the substance for her noon- | day exercises, The excitement lasted and in- creased until the ferryboat Idaho, of the Roosevelt | strect line, came to the rescue of the imperilied | asscngers and succeeded in drawing the George | Taw irom the grasp of tne ligater. ‘This was done by throwimg @ line to the Law and towing her against the tide. In the bow of the lighter there remained a deal ofthe joiner work of the ferry- boat, but, luckily, she was not cut below the water- line and she proceeded to New York, where she landed her passengers, and then procecded to Greenpoint, where she is being repaired. The ac- cident was not as serious as it might have been, as there were about three hundred passengers on beard, none of whom were injured. The Hell Gate Collision. The propeller Hope, beionging to the Commis- sioners of Charities and Correction, which was sunk in Bell Gate on Tuesday afternoon, during the squall, by the steamer Americus, has not yet | been found. For some hours alter the disaster | her topmast was visible above water, but during the night the flood tide carried her away, and yes terday morning she was not to be found, and it is the opinion of Hell Gate pilots that she has been carried down stream, Nothing has been heard of the three men who are supposed to have been lost, but the general supposition is that they swam to the shore and escaped. The following is the state- ient of Captain 5. W. Secor, of the Americus, which has been corroborated by Schenck, the piiot, and Wilkins, the whee!man :— At about a quarter past three P. M.. when at the upper joint of Blackwell's Island, the Hope was seen, also Bouts east, and keeping close to the shore at Haller Point. Proper calculations were made to pass outside, or on the port side of the propeller, and when opposite steamboat dock at Astoria, the signal (two whistles) given by the Americus. The pilot of the Hope was # to pat bis head out of the pilot nouse and look tow the steamboat, but did not answer the sic ‘Atong pilots no answer signifies. acquiescence, and ac cordingly the Americus pursued. the course indicated by her signal, when, withgut any notice, the Hope hanled off shore dircetly across the bow of the Americus, and a collision became unavoidubie. ‘The biow heeted the Hope over, and being without a deck she filled and sank iia eid ‘The concussion was hardly felt. on the Americus, and the latter, beyond ‘a slight abrasure of the copper on her stern, received no damace, Capiain Secor lowered a small boat, and for half an | hour remained near the spotim the hope of saying lite | and property. THE OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION. The following communication was sent yesterday | by Captain Addison Low to the Local Iuspectors ; with reference to the Hope catastrophe :— Orrice or Uniren States Supervisixe Tusrscron } or ream Vesseis, New Yor, May 14, 1573. Sirs—You are hereby directed to make acaretul and thorough investigation into the circumstances poending the recent collision between the steamers Americus un Hope which occurred on the evening of the 13th instant, | near Hallett’s Pomt, Nast River, resulting in the loss of five lives and the sinking of the latter vessel. Very re- spectfully, ADDISON LOW, Supervising Inspector. Second Distt mare on and Martuews, Local Inspectors, New ‘ork city. ” CHOLERA IN NEW ORLEANS. WASHINGTON, May 14, 1873. A telegram has been received at the Department of State confirming the newspapers’ statement that fifteen days’ quarantine still exists in Ha- vana on account of cholera in New Orleans; that the authorities in Havana do not believe the re- orts from the Board of Health at New Orleans, Bat depend solely on the report of the Spanish Consul; that five steamers are now in quarantine, some of them fifteen days from New Orleans, and that it would be better for no more vesseis to clear tor Havana from Galf ports which have con- stant communication, by Trait or otherwise, with New Orleans. NASHVILLE RAOES, NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 14, 1873. First race, two miles over eight hurdles, was won by Captain Hutchinson, beating Emma Sonson, Tom Corbett and Glenrose in the order named. Time, 4:05. Gleurose’s rider was unhorsed at the second hurdle, Second race, two mile dash, was won by Eucnre, beating Carrington and Flush in the order named. THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. 3 C. M. IN COURT. sade Spence The Government Suit Against the Union Pacific To Be Tried in Hartford—The Counsel En- gaged—Text of the Law Authorizing the Proceedings—The Bribe- Taking Congressmen To Be Made Parties to the Suit. WASHINGTON, May 14, 1873. ‘The grcat suit which is to be brought against the steckholders of the Union Pacific Railroad as the result of the weeks of investigation into the Crédit Mobilier swindie by Congress, ook definite shape to-day, when the able counsel selected by the gov- ernment, Messrs, Ashton, Perry and Jenckes, laid on the desk of the Attorney General a proof of the bill in equity. After discussing for some time the best point at which the suit should be brought, it ‘was agreed that Hartford, Conn., wouid be the most convenient as well as the most favorable to the prosecntion of a suit of this megnitude. Judge Shipman, recently appointed District Judge, it is satd, is an eminent lawyer, and will give this case his virgin love as a Judge. Hartford 18 not Oppressed with business, while if the suit were brought in New York, where the docket is in- terminable, or in boston, where the stockholders and interested parties are innumerable, the suit might never progress, But at Hartford, the centre of the Nutmeg State, that never dabbled in Crédit Mobilier or Pacitic stock, there is not only @ show of justice, but a fair promise that the Crédit Mobiliers and their accessories will be brought up on a short carve. The document to be filed by the United States on Tuesday or Wednes- day next in the Clerk’s office, Hartford, is a bill in equity, consisting of an elaborate statement of the case, the relie/ asked for, and the documents con- nected with the transaction. The theory of the bill is understood to be, in the matin, that the Con- gressional grants to the Pacific Railroad Company were upon the trust that the property should be managed for tie benefit of the security of the United States on account of the govern- | ment bonds and the interest which the United States pay on them, and that the manogers of the company have not performed the trust, but have distributed a large amount of assets among themselves and for their private benefit, The counsel for the United States contend that the Courts have power to compel these parties to restore the property obtained from the company in order that the security of the United States may be rendered unimpaired. This distribution of property among the defendants was aceomplished, it is claimed, by means of fraudulent contracts, in which botn sides were represented by the same partics. The eminent counsel for the defendants, so far as known, are Caleb Cushing, of Washington; Benjamin R. Curtis and Siduey Bart- lett, of Boston, and William M, Evarts, of New York. They will, itis understood, make their de- fence, first on a demurrer denying the jurisdiction of the United States to sue under the act of Con. gress, which is as follows:— The Attorney General shall cause a snitin equity to be instituted, in the name of the Untted Stutes, against the Union Pacific Railroad Company and against all persons who may, in their own names or through any agents, have subscribed for or re- ceived acapital stock in said road, which stock has not been pete jor in full in money, or who may have received, as dividends or otherwise, portions of the capital stock of said road, or the proceeds or avails or Other property of said road, unlawtully and contrary to equity; or who may have received 43 profils or proceeds of contracts for con- struction or equipment of said road or other contracts therewith moneys or other property which ought in equity to belong to said railroad corporation; or who may, under pretence of having complied with the acts fo which this ts an addition, have wrongfully and unlawfully received irom the United States bonds, moneys or lands which ought in equity be accounted for and paid to said railroad company or to the United States, und to compel payment for said stock, and the collection and pay- inent of such moneys and the restoration of such property or its vaine either to said raiiroad cor- poration or to the United States, whichever shail in equity be held entitled thereto, Said suit may be brought in the Circuit Court in any circuit, and all said parties may be made | Decrees may be entered | defendants in one suit. and enforced against any one or more parties de- lendant without awaiting the final determination of the cause against other parties, The Court where said cause 18 pending may make such orders and decrees and issue such process as it shall deem necessary to bring in new parties or the representa- tives of parties deceased, or to carry into effect the purposes of this act. On filing the bill writs of subpa@na may be issued by said Court against any parties defendant, which writ shall run into any «district and shall be served as other like process by the Marshal of such district. The books, records, correspondence and all other documeuts of the Union Pacific Rattroad og itd shall at all times } be open to inspection by thé Secretary of the Treas- ury or such persons as he may delegate for that pur- pose. The laws ol the United States providing tor proccedings in bankruptcy shail not be heid to ap- ply to said corporation, No dividend shall here- alter be made by said company but rom the actual net earnings thereo!, and no new stock shall be issued or mortgages or pledges made on the prop- erty or future earnings of the company without leave of Congress, except for the purpose of funding and securing debt now existing, or the renewals thereof. oO direetor or officer of said road shall hereafter be interested, directly or in- directly, in any contracts therewith, except tor his lawiu. compensation as such ofticer. Any director or officer who shall pay or deciare, or aid in paying or declaring, any dividend, or creating any mort- THE UNITARIAN CONVENTION. The Representative Ministers of Several Unitarian Other Christian Churehes in Conference Yesterday— Keports from the New York and Har- lem River Unitarian Congregations— Addresses by the Rev. Dr. Bellows and Others—Discussion on the Propricty of Establishing a Uniformiy Acknowl- edged Liturgy 1 the Uniterian Churches—Dissenting Opinions. The New York, Harlem and Hudson River Con- Vention of Unitarian Ministers resumed its sesaion yesterday morning in the Churen of the Messiah, Fourth avenue and Thirty-fourth street, Rev. Dr. H. W. Bellows tn the chair and Rev. Mr. Burr, of Yonkers, acting as Secretary. A number of other Unitarian clergymen were in attendance, viz,:— Rev. Henry Powers, Church of une Messiaa; Rev. W. T. Clarke, Brooklyn; Rev. J. W. Chadwick, Brooklyn; Rev, 8. H. Camp, Brooklyn; Rev. F. W. Holiand, Newburg; Rev. Mr. Young, Troy, N. Y.; Rey. J. B. Harrison, Montclair, N. J.; Rev. Mr. Foote, Boston, and Rev. Oscar Clute, of Newark Unitarian church, DURING THE MORNING SESSION, and after the reading of the minutes of the last Conference, the above named ministers reporied the favorable progress oi Unitarianism in their respective churches. R The Rev. Mr. Powers gave his views on the difference between the orthodox churches of Brooklyn and the new field in which he was now laboring. The worship there was for uniting the world with the church; here it was the reverse. He declared everything to be working so harmoniously among his people that he got no chance of taking advantage of, or becoming con- spicuous im, a disturbance which did not at all please him. The Kev, Dr. Bellows expressed his regret at the lack of Unitarian influence, whic he’ contin- ually attributed to the boldness and one-sidedness of their form of worship, and said that it was @ very unpleasant sight to him that Unitarianism could not be propagated according to his wishes, At the aiternoon session, which lasted from two o’ciock until hall-past four, there was a larger at- tendance of the members of the Unitarian and other Christian congregations of this city, and the spirit of interest evinced by those who took part in the Conference added much to tts importance. The Rev. Oscar Clute, of Newark, opened the proceedings with an casay on FORMS OF WORSHIP. It embraced a review of the forms of worshi appreciated in the innumerable dissenting denomi- nations and pointed out the distinctions between the prayers and liturgies of them. The principal tendency of hts discourse was to suggest a liturgy for Unitarians, and have it adopted in the churches of that denomimation, A8 worship was the elevat- ing of the mind to God, he believed that all forms of prayer calculated to elevate the mind were itn some way acceptable. He then showed the ad- vantages and disadvantages of a liturgy, and after concluding the Rev. Dr. Bellows declared the sub- Ject open to discussion, giving its object at the same time his direct approval, The Rev. Mr. Foote, of Boston, a lively, fasci- nating, but very wordy speaker, was the first to com- ment on and oppose the movement. He reviewed the history of Unitarianism from its origin down to Dr. Channing's Unitarian controversy. He was not in favor of a liturgy; he thought It should come into the Church spontaneously by real historical growth out of the noeds of the cou- gregation, It he were to form a book of prayer he would cut several things out of the one com- only used and insert many things that were not in it, The Rev. Mr. Chadwick, of Brooklyn, next took Part in the discussion. He advocated a little more Worship in the Unitarian Church, He rather op- posed the introduction of a liturgy. When he went into an Episcopal church it seemed so odd to see the minister getting over his ‘‘service,” as they called it, like an auctioneer, He thought while persons worshipped God by liturgy they worshipped tne liturgy too. He perpetrated A JOKE ON DR. BEECHER by alluding to a saying of that orthodox minister te his congregation, the sabstance of which was as follows:—‘Dr. Beecher found severa! love letters of his grandfather's secreted in his own writing desk, and argued to his congregation that he thought 1t would be as reasonable jor him to try the affections of a handsome young lady he knew by sending her his grandfather's old love letters as to address God in the old prayers of a hundred years ago.” Kev. Mr. Harrison, of Montclair, N. J., in a solid, earnest manner, was the next to advocate the in- troduction of a liturgy as @ matter oi necessity for the prayers of the Chureh, Dr. Bellows closed the discussion by a scathing review of all that had been said, und by au earn- est denunciation of the present form of Unita- rian worship. He said:—“When w one to speak ol relagion at large, of its devotees, of what ts de- sirable in its real machinery by men snd women, nowledge We Wabt a public iorm of Shall prepare, break in and reiter- isadark and a bright side to every “I coniess,” he continued, “I am tired of the boldness and one-sidedness of this metnod of ours. The minister has to do everything—tae cén- gregations do nothing. We run alter liberty of conscience—where to ? INTO AN OPEN SACK, and away down to the bottom, which is closed, and we lave to scramble back again. Does anybody believe that a liturgy shuts up the mind of the minister’ Is any mind shat up by the irequent repetition of the Lord’s Prayer ? Is cottee to be re+ bla, no matter how good, because it cemes out of AN OLD COFFFE Por? Forms are things to be used, not things to con- strain, imprison or enslave. “1 wish to mercy,” he said again, ‘we had seme syinbolical form = of worship, The greatest enjoyment [ ever had in my life was on a visit once to a Catholic chureh, I sat for hours in a periect rapture of soul and spirit, and felt really more happiness and pleasure than ever I did before in one immovable position, transfixed, as it were, by the beauty and harmony of al! things around me, Aud yet you seem torepudiate the introduction of w liturgy which can give such real pleasure. Ah, you must remember that we are but a branch among the branches of ove great trunk, and there is nothing gage or pledge prohibited by. this act, shall be punished by iinprisonment not exceeding two years and by fine net exceedin; 000, ‘The proper Cir- cuit Court of the United States shall have jurisdic- tion and determine all cases of mandamus to compel said Union Pacific Ratiroad Com) any to operate road as required by law. And the Secretary o1 tl Treasury is directed to withhold all payments t any railroad company and its assigns on account ofireight or transportation over their respective roads of any kind to the amount of payments made by the United States for interest upon bonds of the United States issued to any such company and which siiall not have been reimbursed, together with the five percentum of net earnings «due and unapplied, a8 provided by law, and any such company may bring suit in the Court of claims to recover the price of such freight and transportation, and in such suit the right of such company to recover the same upon the law and the facts of the case shall be determined, ana also the 2 Shee of the United States upon the merits o/ all the points presented by it in answer thereto by them, and either party to such suit may appeal to the Supreme Court, and both saia courts shall give such cause or causes precedence of all other business, This act will be the legal disputing ground. Whether it comprehends all that was intended by the friends of the government, it is said, admits of elaborite argument, and as Judge Woodruff, the Cireuit Judge, and Associate Justice Ward Hant, who is assigned to hear cases in this circuit, may have to sit in Judgment, the height, the depth and the mystery of the Créait Mobilier plague may not be known in this day and | generation. Should the demurrer, however, be overruled, the counsel for the defendants will ap- peal to the Supreme Court, and if not sustained they will then be compelled to go on and take evidence. On the other hand, should the demurrer be sustained the government will | appeal and bring the whole matter before the | Supreme Bench. The most complicated part of the suit is whether the Congressmen whitewashed | at the last session shall be included in the list of defendants, against whom the suit must be bronght, The act, as will be seen, makes the recipients of dividends, in fact all who have in any way enjoyed even in our present form but we have either bor- rowed or copied from Catholicity. The dissenting tone of Dr, Bellows’ address natu- rally surprised his audience, and although he con- fessed his adherence to Unitarianism, icft many under the impression that he would very soon relinquish his connection with that denomination. It also calied forth the comments of severai of the ministers in the subsequent portion of tne discus- sion, in which they denounced the habit of refer- ring to the modes of worship in other churches. Dr. Bellows tnally pronounced the Conference ad- journed until eariy in October, when some iorm of liturgy would be determined on either in connec- tion with or apart from the Evangelical Alliance, INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND, Anniversary Exhibition at Steinway Hall—Plcasing Programme of Literary Exercises and Vocal and Instrumental Masic. The anniversary exhibition of the New York In- stitution for the Blind was held at Steinway Hall last night, and never has it held a more thorougnly attentive and appreciative audience. There was hardly a seat vacant, and the ladies, who pre- dominated, in their loveliness and rich aitires, made the hall seem like @ parterre of flowers. The pupils present numbered about one hundred and fifty, and were equally divided in the sexes, The young ladies, wearing white, with pink sashes ele- gantly adjusted, occupied the front seats, while the young men, dressed in black, were in the rear, thus filling the entire platform. Among the officers of the institution present were Mr. Wuliam B. Wait, Superintendent, and Mr. Stephen Babcock, a teacher, Ldn bind, with otners conspicuous in its several departments of learning and = mechanical industry. — Aiter prayer, Thomas Dagnia, @ pupil, delighted the audience with the “War March of the Priests’ (Athalia), Mendelssohn; which was foliowed by the chorus, “Protect Us’ Thro’ the Coming Night," Cursehman, by all the voices, calling forth a round of ba Now the audience began to more heartily understand aud appreciate the character of the entertainment than at first, and the interest aroused by the sweet faces robed in spotiess white beiore them, but to whom all the brightness and the pleasure of stolen fruit, parties to the suit. and | it remains to be seen how far the report of the ; Poland Committee releases the Congressmen | charged with owning stock from this prosecution. | THE CONGRESSIONAL CONFERENCE. \ Sr, Lours, Mo., May 14, 1873. | The Congressional Conference was called to order shortly after eleven o'clock, Mayor Brown in the chair, Two or three trains which were delayed yesterday arrived last night, bringing severay more members of Congress, who took seats in the Conterence this morning. A letter from President | Grant was read, returning thanks for the imvita- tion and regretting that other engagements pre: vent his attendance, Letters were also received from Charies Sumner and several ot distin- pout gentiemen, regretting their inability to be resent. Captain James B, Eads, representing the St. Louis Merchants’ Exchange, was introduced and | read @ series of resolutions expressive of the views | of the merchants and business men constituung that body on the requirements of the Mississippi Valley, and what Congress ought to do for it. James 8. Rollins, of Missouri, then came forward and delivered @ speech, in wuich, after describing the extent and productiveness of the Mississippi ‘Time, 3:43%. ‘Third race, mile and a quarter dash, was won by Port Leonard, beating Doswell. Bach raca wag wou by tye favorite, » Valley, stated, ina general way, the necessity not only to the West, but the whole country, for an im- provement of the present and the opening of new water jincs of transportation to the seaboard, i elegance of the hall was ablank, never flagged during the entire programme, and loug and con- tinued applause repeatediy greeted the performers, ‘The voca: and instrumental music was excellent. and several musical celebrities present expressed great surprise at the excellence of this portion of the entertainment. Third ou the programme was & piano solo—“ Le Bananier,”’ L. M. Gottschalk, finely ; executed by J. Morris, when followed the annexed: Song—" serenade,” (Stradelia), Dagnia; Recitation—Object | Lessons; Chorw “Behold how Brightly” -(Massanielio), Auber; Overture—(Massaniello), Auber, Margaret Halpine, Fannie Samuels, Mary Conroy, Ianthe Carll; Trio— “Te Sai, Te Quest Anima’ (Attia), Verdi, Catha- rine Schain, J. Mahoney and G. Hammond; Recita- tion—Arituinetic ; Giee—" Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind,” KR. J. 8. Stevens; Piano Solo—Cappriccio Brilliant, Mendelssohn, Sarah Livingsten; Song— salina’ Stigill, John Mahoney; Keading—From books printed in raised letters; Overture— Magic Flute,” Mozart, Elizabeth Hozier, Sarah Livingston, ‘Thomas Dagnia, John Mahoney ; Waltz Song—"L'Es- tasi’’ Arditi, Catharine Schaln; Piano Solo—Aspira- tion, Schumann, John Mahoney; Recitation: Og- raphy with Dissected Maps. The intereating en- tertainment closed with Handel's “Hallelujah Chorus,” which was rendered in a grand and impres- sive manner. Flotow, Thomas CINCINNATI BANKERS FAILED. CINCINNATI, Ohio, May 14, 1873. A. G. Burt & Co,, bankers and brokers of this city, made assignment to-day to W, P. Hurbbert. The failure is said to be largely caused by the fadiury of Lockwood & Co., of New York, iew | bucthey are worth something. A HUGE FRAUD. A Boston Broker Raises Money Rap- idly by Raising Certificates. —-—_——— $232,000 SWINDLED. Bankers of the Hub Greatly Excited. Arrest of Coe, the “Irregular” Bust ness Man. Boston, May 14, 1873, Another irregularity occurred on State street to-day, of such @ nature, too, that the authorities place the amount of bail at $400,000. The culprit in the case is James A. Coe, a stock broker doing business at No. 76, and a high liver generaily. On Monday last a merchant desiring a loan from a Boston bank deposited with the cashier, as col- lateral, a paper which purported to be a certificate for 100 shares ef the Old Colony Railroad, drawn in the name of a leading firm, and endorsed by the same firm, ‘THE FIRST DISCOVERY. The cashier did not like the appearance of the paper, and on examining it made the discovery that the document had been altered froma ‘one? to “one hundred,” and that the name in which it had been issued had been erased, and that of the firm in question substituted, The endorsement of the firm on the back was genuine, evidently placed there by them under the impression that the paper had really been issued in their name. On inquiry at the O1d Colony office 1% was ascer- tained that the certificate in question had been issued to J. A. Coe asa certificate for one share. The gentleman who brought the certificate to the bank was advised to go to work quictiy and get back the money he had loaned on the paper, which he did, ANOTHER HAUL. Subsequently it transpired that a certificate for 100 shares of Eastern Railroad stock had veen de- posited in the Massachusetts Bank, on which @ large sum of money was loaned. The certificate was made out inthe name of the ba On inquiry at the Eastern office it was found that this also lad been originally a one-share certificate, issued to Mr. Coe, and that it had been altered to “one hundred” shares, THE HEAVIEST DRAFT OF FUNDS that has been developed was that madeon Mr. Nathan Matthews, on a certificate of 200 stares of Albany Railroad stock and other collaterals, Mr, Matthews had recently loaned to Coe a large rum of money—$40,000, 1t is said. Hed the certificate been correct it would have represented a value of $25,000, An examination by several bank officers this morning revealed the fact that this also was an altered certificate, having been issued as “two shares’ and altered to “two hun- dred.” The cashier found that the certifi- cate in question had been originally issued in the name of “FH. E. Coe,’ and receipted for at the bottom by J. A. Coe, STILL THEY COME. Subsequent investigation showed that Coe had maade the following changes in share certificates :— Old Colony Railroad Company, one certificate from two shares to two hundred and filty shares; one certificate from two shares to thirty-two shares, one certificate from two shares to two hundred shares, one certificate from one share to one hun- dred shares, one certificate from two sharcs to two hundred shares, one certificate from one share to fifty shares, There are other certificates in existence. Among them are certificates of shares of the Boston Water Power, denomination not known; one certificate of the Kastern Railroad Company altered from one share to onc hundred shares; certificates of shares of the Fitchburg Ratiroad, denomination pot known; one certificate of the Bostou and Albany Railroad Company, altered from a value of $25,000 to $40,000, or from two to 200 shares, THE LOSSES may be tabulated thus :— Warren & Co. 50,000 Hamiltoa Nati 20,000 ‘Third National Bank 20,000 : 7,000 15,000 20,000 40,000 Nathan Matthews. 40,000 Elliot National Ban 20,000 Total tteeeeee Such is the amount of the EB ‘irregularity’ so far as ascertained. Coe bas been extravagant in his | tastes, his wife wearing diamonds to the value of $5,000, Both his wife wand child have just returned from a continentai tour. He was arrested this afternoon by Detectives Skelton, Ham and Dearborn, who successfully “worked up’? the case, and will appear in Court to-morrow. COB'S BUSINESS EXPERIENCE. Coe, who was formerly connected witn the house of J. N. Fisk, is about thirty-flve years of age, and, in the course of quite a large business experience jor a man of his years, has hereto‘ore sustained an enviable reputation. He is one of the best known men on the strect, and 1s a member of the Brokers? Bourd. A MERCHANT'S SELF-MURDER. empnipiankieneeing Another Unfortunate Surrenders to Dee spair and Kills Himself—Sickness and Basiness Trouble the CauscmHis Last Letter to His Wife. Coroner lerrman was yesterday called to 686 Lexington avenue to hold an inquest on the body of Mr. Philip Straus, formerly a wealthy merchant of this city, who committed suicide by shooting himself through the head with a pistol, while alone in his room, during the absence from the house of his wife and their two children. Deceased bad iost large amounts of money in his regular business, besides which he had been unfortunate in Wail street speculations, Added to his pecuniary losses, Mr. Straus was a great sufferer from neuraigia, and his combination of troubles proved too much for him. Consequently, he RESOLVED ON SELP-DESTRUCTION as the nearest way to obtain relief, While his wife and children were away he flred a bullet into hia brain and fell a corpse on the floor, where his body was found by his widow on her return home at night. Decoased doubtiess had contemplated suicide, and improved the faverabie Arig 4 resented to consummate his purpose. Below wil 4 found the copy of a letter addressed to his wite, Mra. Philip Straus, care of J. Straus, Bro. & Co., 340 Broadway, New York :— w Yorn, May 6, 1873, combat against this hints and iHasteattons My Dear Tittm—I have tried step, but itisof noavall. Allt that surround me are too late to me me. [am fully aware what my tate would be were I still to altos tous world, take good care of the children and watch over them closely till they are sure of their own foot- hold. Lenclose you @ draft received yesterday, from you can endorse it, Talso enclose yous blank che 4 in your favor, on Martin & Runyon; they owe me about $1.10), less interest, and are carrying, as you Know, 100 shares of Pacific Mail, which you should take up and hold on for much higher’ prices, or as you deem best. ‘The rest of my affairs you know all about; you ave the deeds of the lots in Houston, God bless you and the children, is my last prayer. Write to rather and mother and try and comfort their de- clining years; T would write to them, but it would do no | good. Your father and mother have always treated mo as their own son, and their reward will coine, Have faith in God, al your devotion, to Him, and Wedicated to His worship. lect you, and neglect those that come ‘aiter you. These ew are the only iuheriia:tce { ean leave You, Your affectionate hus- PHILIP STRAUS. May 15, 1873, Since writing this Tcashed the draft from Texas and gave you the money. Lalso had the last 100 shares sold ‘Out. “ALL you will liave todo is t get their account and God bless You and the children is my last prayer Yours, less you an e tHe . Deceased was thirty-five years of age and a na tive of this country. ‘ ARMY ORDER, WASHINGTON, May 14, 1873. The following order has been issued by the War Department:— Lieutenant Colonel F. J, Dent, of the Fifth artil- lery, bagless | at his own request, been directed to report for duty with his regiment, will repair wo the post ihe op to him by the Commanding Gen- 0 regula ly lect God, and he will neg. band, eral of the Department of the East, which '8 at Fort Trumbull. New London, Conn.