The New York Herald Newspaper, July 10, 1873, Page 8

8 PESTILENTIAL PATHWAYS. The Desperate and Disease-Decoy- ing Condition of the Streets, GREAT POOLS OF GREEN AND GREASY WATER The Poorer Classes Deserve a Better Fate than To Be Doomed to Live in Such Localities, poche, AN AFTERNOON OUT ON THE STREETS, If the Present State of the Streets Is One of Cleanliness and Health, Wel- come, then, Dirt and Death. New York is acity of slums. To the right or to ‘the left, let the pedestrian turn which way he may, there will be encountered in a very few minutes’ Walk bad odors, slimy gutters and small pools of stagnant water. Parts of the metropolis which Mature left in the shape of swamps have been, by the hands of man, converted into habitable neigh- borhoods, It is not to be understood that these lo- Balities are always healthy. The value which even such property acquires in the business centres o1 the city more than atones for any trifling awakenings of tonsctence on the part of the owner, and the large rents which follow the erection of buildings be- tome & fruitful source of profit. It does not matter ifthe cellar and entire buiiding are filled with deadly Miasma and noxious gases from the decomposing vegetable matter which had accumulated on the bottom of the lake; the land is worth $100 per square foot, and the tenants can take their own risks as tohealth. In other instances a fissure is ppened by which the sewer connects with the cel- lar, and at the season of bigh Spring tides the water overflows under the houses, leaving sedi- mentary flith, which renders the entire building un- healthy. A very few moments passed in the old swamp districts of the Sixth and Fourth wards will satisfy any one as to the truth of this. The inhabitants of the cellars lead lives of disease, from the cradle to the grave; and this ls 80 Jor good reason. They live over the secret jurking places of death, which cannot be seea or remedied, The sacrifice of human beings was never carried to a greater extreme than by the well-to-do property owners who entice lodgers to enter these deadly dungeons, ARE THE OFFICIALS SLUMBERING? The streets, open as they are to the light of day, and which are supposed to occupy the exclusive attention of one branch of the police force, are to-day in the most deplorable condition. All the causes which operate to render the cellars damp and fiithy should contribute to render the thor- oughfares of the metropolis clean and sightly. The present sewerage system is such as to render the cleaning of the streets an easy task, with proper ‘attention to draining the gutters. An occasional use of the hydrant in the worst localities would greatly assist in removing the sickening odors of stagnant dishwater. A better cartage system, by which certain streets should be assigned to the ex- clusive care of a regular squad of night scavengers, would remove the heaps of ashes and garbage. Three hours’ work on the part of a squad, detailea from the Department of Public Works, would re- pair each of the disgusting holes in the street pavements, 80 frequently encountered on the east and west sides, and abolish the stagnant pools which each of them creates. THE BUSINESS PORTION OF THE CITY NEGLECTED. While the streets and avenues lying between Third and Sixth avenues are, from their naturally Blevated position, as well as the better class of in- habitants who occnpy them, less filthy than other localities, it would seem that they receive a great share of the attention of the Street Cleaning Bu- fean. The business districts of the city are, as 4 rule, given over to dirt, and the commercial com- munity has to make the best of it, At every street crossing the man of trade, as well as the pettiest Bustomer, encounters some new outrage to his ideas of cleanliness or his sense of smell, It may be only a heap of rotten oranges or a pond of filthy water caused by an obstructed sewer gate; it may be only a quagmire in the heart of a long stretch df Nicolson pavement; yet it causes him to turn out of his way to avoid it. Dirt, pure and simple, meets him everywhere on Broadway, bronght ‘here from these very same slams which we have named. Broadway, the great thoroughtare, whicti is really a marvel of cleanliness under the new re- pime, adjoins some of the most unhealthy portions of the city. Itis only a step down Franklin or Leon- ard, in etther direction, until the old swamp, with its vile smelling tenements, is en- tountered on the east side, or West Broadway, with its almost impassable pavements, on the Other side. Scarcely ten feet from the door of the HERALD ofice, at the junction of Park row and Ann street, there has existed for many months a dirty pool of water, which serves to deiuge the passers-by as every street car passes. The entire length of Ann street seems to be a negiected and ancleaned district. AFTER ROMANCE REALITY. ‘The streets of New York, presented with all the @cenic effects which stage carpentry and the paint pot can give, seem to invite at once our praise and to awaken our pride. Never having plurtged into the regions where filth most abounds, the better class of the city’s population admire that which is as far from the reality as it is possible for anything to be. Utopian metropolis there is in store an awakening very much like that of a child when he first begins to doubt the marvellous stories of the “flying Islanders.” Yesterday the streets were to be seen under the Most favorable aspects. A bright Summer ater. | noon, with a good breeze blowing, ought to have ‘predisposed the most critical pedestrian in favor Of the condition of the streets, There had not been @ny rain for some days, and there was no excuse for mud in the streets or water in the gutters. Bouth street is the receptacle of all that is FISHED OUT OF THE ADJACENT DOCKS; of the beg gs from the carts en route for the dumping piers: of ihe scrapings trom ships bot- toms, and oi! al! the ¢ ed fruit which fails to command buyers at tie market. The mtre of the Fourth and Eleventh wards, devouching frou many dirty streets, soon makes the mud intolerable to pedestrians. One cun start at Coenties slip and gradually feel the grit get worse and the mud more glutinous, until the maximum is reached pear the Catharine ferry. ‘The entrances to its Sewers are choked up in ‘many instances, forming Bickening ponds. Oliver street, with its unhealthy popaatton, 18 soon passed. It seems to be a recep- cle for ashes and offal. There ts very little stand. Ing waver to be seen, it must be remarked, to the credit of the Oliver-streeiers. Catharine’ street abounds in heaps of broken bricks and unset pay ing stones. Market street is next encountered, with its gutters clogged with ashes, damming back tle slops in their course down toward the river until the sickening slime trickles across the wements into the basements and cellars, South reel, at the corner of Rutgers, is A SKA OF DIRTY WATER. In the slip at the foot of Gouverneur street there is a nd of green water, in Which a few goats, and littie children are to be seen lying down together. A boatbuilder utilizes it for sea- soning the jumber with which he constructs his merchandise. in Corlears street great pools of een water are seen Lear the stables of the Cross own line, Monroe street is dirty aud worthy of the special attention of the Street Cleaning bureau: it abounds in noxious efuvia and contains much rubbish and garbage. Grand strect, near the Kast River, is at present in a cleaner condition than ‘usnal, bat is not even Now What it should be, It is @ much travelled thoroughfare, and should be rendered a more pleasant 0 PROMENADE FOR THE BAST SIDE POPULACE. Turning up Goerck, Lewis or Columbia street g00n brings the pedestrian into the very heart of a pestilentiai neighborhood. Goerck street is espe- Clally (ithy, and contains old boots aud siops from the kitchen; the gutters are dUed with joul- smelling #soapsuds whieh will not run off. It would seem to ve the scullery matds’ Paradise, lor it is a sight truly beautiful to behold the confidence with which they deposit the contents of a slop- ‘bucket in the middie of theroad. Rivington street fe dirty and fll-smeling. A man was seen opening @ hydrant to cleanse the yatters. The street is 80 that even the ill-dressed archins tread its yp gd with caution; to iall down would en- i @ sound thrashing at the hands of an angry paren, bare Wouston sect Gyerck rivaly we To ali such believers in an | : NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. Rue de Baxter in its smens and muaay Avenue D is in a distreesing condition, THE MULTITUDES OF POOR who reside im the greasy tenements on either side re to be condoled with for their unfortunate con- dition. It contains mauy of the dirtiest places in the Eleventh ward. Avenue A is in scarcely better condition, having many mud holes and mach garbage on ite sarface. At the corner of Fifteenth street there is a sickly 1 of stagnant water more than ten jeetin diameter. There is another pond at the corner of Fighteenth street, caused by the closing up of the sewer entrance. The cross streets at that point are in scarcely better condition than the avenue. In the neighborhood of the New York Gas Com ’s works the avenue is in condl- tion; the smell of the gas destroys all other odors. First avenue is in a disagreeable plight, the cobbie- stones being forced apart in places thus forming huge ruts, ugh which the dirt works up from underneath. HING IN A NAMB. SOMET! Twenty-third street is in a bad condition from East River to Second avenue. When it is not dirty its gutters are filled with water, and at the corner of First avenue there is a dirty pool of water. The most orderly classes of hard Working mechanics in- habit the neighborhood, and they are as justly en- titled to the attention of the city oMcials as the most aristocratic house owners on the avenues, It seems almost impossible that this street, which, in its central portion, contains many elegant and fashionable mansions, should have such a large tenement population atits eastern extremity. Al- though they reside on a Jashionable street, they live surrounded by a8 much slime and filth as if they resided in the Fourth ward. Second, Third and Fourth avenues are not remarkably clean in the vicinity of Twenty-third street. AN AVENUE NEEDING A SPECIAL CORONER, The great thoroughtares on the West side are, a8 @ rule, more cleanly than those on the Kast. Es- Pectally Is this true of Sixth, Fifth and Eighth ave- hues. But Seventh avenue, horresco reserens, 18 from one end to the other a mass of inequal- ities and mud holes. From between the dif- ferent layers of the wooden pavement muddy water spurts up, fountain-like, as ever: team. passes along. At the corner of Twentietl street there exists a bad place, one to be avoided by all save the most reckless horseman. The ave- Lue seems to be the receptacle of broken carts and rubbish of a like nature; for at the corner of Sev- enteenth street a number of cast-away vehicles are to be seen. The Nicolson pavement ends at Fourteenth street, and below this the ayenue is a scene of confusion, The Department of Public Works are doing something to remedy the condl- tion of this part of the avenue; but, in its present pea the next rain storm will make it a sea of THR CHARM OF AN ELEVATED ROAD. Ninth avenue 1s much better cleaned than was to have been expected, The fact that there is not a great deal of travel over its pavements may possi- bly account for its comparative cleanliness. Green- wich avenue is devoid of much of the garbage and ashes which used to be so well known a feature, but the same old smells remain, It still has a thick layer of dust, which the sprinklers convert into mud. West Houston street 1s narrow and dusty, and between Wooster street and the North River Seems to be the receptacle of much that 1s unheal- thy and unsightly. Heaps of rubbish, consisting of broken bricks, Ime, dead cats and rotten garb- age, are to be seen ateacn side of the car track. Tompkins street abounds in mud holes, the water from which is thrown over the people who walk on the pavements or ride on the front of the cars, A GREAT THOROUGHFARE ALMOST USELESS, ‘The present condition of West Broadway is such that, off the car tracks, it 18 hardly possible for a team to draw a loaded truck. From Canal to Duane street it is one succession of sloughs and ruts. The importance of this thoroughfare on the West side, as @ relief to Broadway, connot be over- estimated, and the attention of the Department of Public Works should be called to it at once. Until great repairs shall have been made by the repaving and regrading of this street there is little use of the nignt scavengers visiting the thoroughiare. Greenwich, Washington and tudson streets are in a remarkably clean condition just at present. They are usually almost beyond the endurance even of those who occasionally visit the lower part of the East side on business. The condition of West street is what it has been for ten years past, and what it is feared it must remain until this great waterside thoroaghtare has been widened, In the vicinity of Washington Market it is always aired and iilthy, The efficacy of Croton water might be tried on t occasionally with good results. THR WORST PICTURES UNDRAWN. In speaking of the condition of the streets men- tion has been purposely omitted of the sickly slums in the Sixth and Fourth wards. Water, Cherry, Kose, Roosevelt, Hamilton and Oak streets are known as the havitation of a dirty and desperaie race, who defy the laws of health and oi order with equal impunity, The vicinity of the Five Points, the dusky slums of Baxter and Park streets, the foul smelling neighborhoods known as Bayard, Elizabeth aud Crosby streets, have not been spoken of in this article. Some oue of them is the subject ofevery newspaper report which appears on the sanitary condition of the city. Im each of them there extst facts enough and dirt enough to wind @sermon upon. We have chosen rather to visit the better part of the poorer districts of the city, and to show by their condition the lamentabic need of a more eilictent street cleaning system. The city is anxious for a change of some kind. Give us a relapse if nothing beiter. The thoughts of having it choked down our throat that New York is a healthy and clean city cannot be any longer entertained. POLITICAL NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS, digi Referring to General Butler's strength among the political papers in Massachusetts, the Spring- fleid Republican (anti-Butler) says:—‘Outside of a few not very Influential publications attached toa reformed civil service, the Gencral has no friends in the party press.” “When this tide of opposition to the salary grab rises to its full height,” says the Lansing (Micb.) Journal, “it will overwhelm the President, ana therefore it must pe defended because the Presi- dent must be defended.” “The republican papers,” says the Lawrence (Kansas) Standard, “are afraid that the democrats may get behind the grangers. The republicans are striving very hard to get before and in the way of the grangers, We advise the republicans that the farmers’ forward movement 1s a Vigorous one, and that they (the farmers) wear heavy vrogans.”’ Says the Lawrence (Kansas) Xepudtican Jour- nal:—The demvucratic papers oMciously assure the farmers that in any political enterprise they un- dertake they will have the democratic party behind them. This reminds one of the position of Mickey's horse in the scrub race. ‘Bedad,’ said the cheer- ful owner of the steed, ‘he’s drivin’ everything be- fore him.’ ” The Detroit Tribune predicts that those members of Congress who fondly hope that the public indg- nation with regard to the back-pay bounty jump will prove ephemeral will find out their mistake to their cost. The Geneseo (Ill.) Republic remarks that what with the Crédit Mobilier, the salary grab, the un- | just discrimination against the country press, it | would not be strange if there were quite a change in the personnel of the next Congress aiter the | forthcoming one. | “He returned his back pay and met his Creator | with a clear conscience” is the solemn conclusion | of an obituary on a deceased Western Congress- man. GRANT'S THIRD TERM—PARTY MACHINERY | | IN MOTION, [Washington (July 7) correspondence of the Bos- ton Post.} | It appears that the movement of the oMee-hold- | ers to secure the revomination of General Grant for a third term has already commenced. It is stated that the preliminaries were arranged at Loug Branch several days ago, and it is not denied tuat the President is cognizant of it. Those having tue matter in charge seem to count very largely upon the divisions supposed to exist in the ranks O! (he Opposition, and upon their ability to rally the | Moneyed inveresis of the country to the | Support of their scheme. Under the head of “moneyed interests” they include the hational banks, the railroad corporations and the Jarge capitalists. These, they ailege, are for Grant, because under bis administration it is not likely that auy legisiation will be enacted hostile to these | mstitations, Another argument used is that there is nO man in the repuvlican party who has ae- veloped greater popular strength than Grant, and itis hardly probable tuat within the next three years he will have @ dangerous rival. Of course the official patronage will be used in manipulating conventions and in securing delegates. Some of the President's friends think itis too soon to agi- | tate the question o/ the succession; but the matter has been kept very quiet, and it was not expected to be made public until at least a year hence. If | Grant should fail to get the nomination his iriends assert that Le will, at least, be able to name his suc- | cessor. NOT A HOMICIDE—ONLY AN ACOIDENT. Bernard Collins, a man thirty-six years of age, without a permanent home, died in Bellevue Hos pital, as has been stated, irom the effects of in- vuknown, but whichit now appears was not the case. Acting Captain Whitcomb, of the Nineteenth precinct, yesterday called at the Coroners’ UMice, and during ab interview with Coroner Young Stated that on the night of the 2ist witimo deceased feil from an embankment corner Seventy- #ixth street and Second avenue, @ distance of over thirty feet, and alighting among a mass oi jagged rocks sustained a compound fracture of the Tight leg and various other injaries, which resulted fatally in Believue Hospital. Deceased, who was born in Ireland, was @ shoemaker by trade, Cap- tain Whitcomb will produce the witnesses when- ever they may be needed hy Coraper Yonow, tentiona! violence inflicted at the hands of parties | MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Mab A LITTLE TALK WITH THE MAYOR His Enthasiasm Over the Manner in Which the Pubiic Charities Are Con- ducted—The Tax Books Not To Be Reopened—No Proceedings To Be Taken to Compel the Aidermanic Ring To State Their Reasoms for Not Contirm- ing. The Mayor, who spent Tuesday on the islands visiting the public institattons under the auspices of the Commissioners of Charities and Correction, appeared at his oMce yesterday in a happy mood. A HERALD reporter asked him how he liked the in- stitutions, when he answered enthusiasticaily, “They are in superb condition. I was surprised at the cleanliness and order that per- vade all of them. There may be some Uttle irregularities not easily noticed in @ single visit; but as far as I could see they are finely maneged. In Mr, Stern we have a prize. The other Commissioners may do well also; but he seems to take a great interest in them and gives them his personal attention.” “By the way, Mr. Havemeyer,” said tne reporter, “there is some anxiety felt as to what course you will pursue ag to the tax books—whether you will permit the committee raised at the last meeting of the Supervisors to have access to them: to ex- amine the Nineteenth, Twelth and Twenty-second wards’ valuation? Bo you propose to let them have access to them?” “T have not yet decided,” he said, and then, hesl- tating amoment, he continued;—‘Perhaps I'shall, I shall take advice of the Corporation Counsel.” “You do not think the committee have power to alter the vatuation?” “No; I do not think anybody has such power now. The Commissioners of Taxes and Assess. ments give notice by advertisement aud bills jor persons who may feel aggrieved to appear. ‘They give about six Weeks’ notice, then close the books, send them to the Supervisors, and the Board of Apportionment fix the tax, ir they leave the Commissioners I do not think any changes can be made, Property owners have a chance in these six weeks to be heard, and it is thetr own fault if assessed too high. Once 1 went before the Com- missioners to get the valuation on @ house reduced, and said to tiem, ‘1 believe you value at sixty per cent. That would make the honse worth $60,000. If one of you will give me $46,000 you may have it. You may deposit $1,000 ana I will take @ mortgage for the balance.’ They stated that, the books having been closed, they were unable to reduce the valuation, but I told them I would attend to future valuations in person. My impres- sion 18 that the valuation of the Commissioners is final; that the Committee on Taxes and Assess- ments have no power to reopen the books, and if they cannot, certainly this special committee have no such power.”’ “Well, the prospect 1s that the combination will keep your Police Justice nominations on the table all Summer,” “1 suppose 80,’ responded the Mayor, apparently unconcerned and resigned, “Have you heard whether any proceedings are likely to be taken by any one to compel the Alder- men to give their réasous before the Vourt Jor not acting upon them?” “Ihave not. It is certain that I shall not take apy action looking to such inquiry.”’ DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, Monthly Statement of the Comptroliter, DwrartMent OF Finance, } Comprrouten’s Orrick, New York, July 2, 1873. Monthly statementof amount of warrants drawn and for what purpose Ge the City and County Treasury, January tts June 30, 1873, inclusive ; also a ci arative statement of the sty, and county debt as of D mber 1872, and June 30, 1873, with statement of and for w! Cecive stocks have been issued :— Jn city account— Construction of new work ang im- provements and old claims, pay- able trom proceeds of issue Ameomnent Fund [$9,265,005 $87,117 essment Fun c 4 x rf Arroarages of 1371 and advertis- To May 31. In June, ing prior to 1872. 287,450 - Arrearages of Court, 1872, — 211 Departinent 276,695 17,309 Deparment of Docks. 151,407 44,693 Department ot Public Work: 636,663 327,526 Public Instruction, A 25, 197,586 1307 Amount payable from bonds 12,815,210 "498,864 Payable irom taxation— s Board of Apportionment, expenses Bo AP t ‘Audit, expenses of icvere S808 uM Contract Commission, expenses of. "8,378 2 Cleaning streets, under Police Do- WRU creccttas acct satin se Departimer tenance Departine Department of Puplic Instruction Departinent of Police... janice ealth Department of Fi Correction 2 ; Fourth ayenue improvement fund, Free floating baths. ‘ Fire Department. Foundling Asylum, for’ support ot fo vase 2 8,818 = Inte bonds.. 2,365,072 308, Judgment : - "100,430 42,277, Law Department, ‘salaries’ and contingencies of.)................ 41,954 6,807 Municipal Correction, Bureau of, 7,680 1430 Printing for departments, Civil and Police Courts... .. 13,517 1,645 Pvblic buttdings, construction and TOPAIPS....c.ceseee oi en 6 Removing night soitand dead ani- pot pad a ; + 12176 3,173 Revenue bonds of 1874 pai ‘000 ge Remission assessinen church property... 10,139 a Stationery and blank books, De- artments, Civil and’ Police Dourts. . iiéeperesatss | Cm 1,07 Stationery and blank Looks, Goi missioner of Taxes and A, ments. Hite ten 1.479 pi Salari vertising an gencies, Legislative Department 187,148 17,245 Salaries, advertising and contin- gencies, Mayor's office... 12126 8181 Salaries, ‘advertising and co encie®, Hoard of Asessors 9,311 3,498 Salaries ‘and contingeneie: partinent of Buildings... . 82,261 5M7 Salaries and contingencies, City Courts.........- pave 115,657 42.818 Salaries and contingencies, Board ‘of Revision and Corree 2,167 sai Salaries, judiciary 55,352 14,980 Amount payable trom taxation... $3,208,674 $1,819,088 Special and Trust Accounts— Duplieate assessinents paid........ 386 ‘al Excise Heense tund. 4318 Intestate estates 137 Amount paid from special and trust funds......... i $5,342 ~ Total amount warrants drawn in dune... = $anee Add amount = Yr'os9. 126 Total amount warrants on city ACCOUNE, «4... eee — swam, On county account— aad Payable irom issue of bonds— Arrearages of 1871 and advertising prior to 18 pean Sti 28,681 400 New County Court House 38 = Amount payable from issue of bonds $8719 400 Payable trom taxat Avertising.... 634 108 Armories and drilt'r 79,001 135,009 Asylums and reformatory institu. HOS... -,..rnp0e ce 240,609 52,017 Cleaning and #uppiles for county : 41,979 6,836 aissioners of | Re ex ere 13,282 682 Common schools for th 31,000 = Coroners’ fees... 17,500 19,778 Contingencies, Disirict Attorney's OOP cbiss ves s48 Sevekeres 308 = Contingencies, count 37 si7 Contingencies, Tax C Mee... 733 «~ Disbursements and fe ces and with 1,500 500 E 1 OXD ta 40,393 pe ince, on county stocks "and . . 268,601 5,000 us % Depart 16,854 m4 offices and 8,834 8,828 Berths 5. -snsentsh..> se 3,250 po Repairing and preserving records, ister's office 931 2 8 of prisoners in 5 ro 1onery, law wud blunk 4.132 1,838 aries, Executive, 443 1944 Salaries, Judiciary UT sa 78°381 Salaries, Legwlative... 10,583 = Amount payable from taxation. $1,856560 $4218 ‘otal moun Warrants drawn inJune........ Add ainount previously drawn. Total warrants on county account Add amount on city accotint Total amount warrants drawn, a CIY AND COUNTY. Deut, ‘i, . ais City account— Payabie from sinking 1 $24,160,063 23,966,113 28,966,113 390.0502 44,212,573 44,233,578 72 20,561,372 90,361,372 1,9 an E140,40 6,090,697 6,590,697 Revenue bonds, inanul _ pation of taxes, 1#73.... — $991,000 4,247,900 County account— Payabie trom taxation . 29,987,404 29,990,665 29,990,565 ane bonds, chapter 1, 9 and 20 Laws ot 1372 Revenue bonds, in antici. pation of taxes, 1873... ~ 1,667,700 1,604,700 1,694,700 963,000 2,481,100 Det serrastice rose Less sinkinig tant $95,407.1 h in Clty and County Treasury. Cash iu Sinking Punds For Public Works—Sewer repairs....... For Vublle Works treat improvements (ba For Rivei ark, Br iden For revenue fe aes Gor For publie school ‘Total. with special fe ansess' ith sp ws for works in i bonds on account of improvements in progress, and to be repaid by sommments be coll ; revenue bonds In anticipation of the taxes of 1873 bonds on aceount of arrearages and adve: y chapters 9, 29 and 375, La’ ‘The Comptroller's Receipts. f Comptroller Green reports the following amounts paid yesterday into the city treasury, viz. :— From arrears of tazca, ‘and interest... assessments for street openings and improve. Pigenws and inverest.. : S 7,888 BURRAU OF From market rents and fees. “eis . ae BUREAU OF W. ual From Croton water rent and penaitics,. eovees 92,890 MAYOR'S SECOND MARSHAL, From licenses... teceseserserers TAB GITY DEPARTMENTS—OPENING OF PRO POBALS, Total .....0++ At the Department of Public Charities and Cor- Tections bids were opened yesterday morning for farnishing 10,000 tons of coal, to be delivered at the various points indicated by said Department, and for building boiler and engine for new steam- boat. Comptroller Green was present, in accordance with the provisions of the new charter, which re- quires his attendance at all such openings. The Comptroller also attended at the Depart ment of Docks in the afternoon, and bids were opened for furnishing that Department with white i ine and spruce piles, iron bolts, spikes and ands; white and yellow pine timber, yellow pine, oak and spruce planks, &c.. The awards have not yet been determmed. COMMISSIONER VAN NORT’S REDUCTIONS, -Mr. Van Nort is still engaged in reducing salaries in his Department, but had not so far progressed as to make announcement of the result yesterday. He is now overhauling the pay roll of the Engineer's Department. THE SUPERVISORS’ OOMMITTEES, The Committee on Printing and Stationery, learning that some persons have supplied articies tosome departments without authority, gave no- tice thag no bills will be allowed except for such as may be ordered by the committee. The Committee on Armortes and Drill Rooms call for bids for car- ane and mason work to complete the Centre larket Armory. THE LABORERS UPON THE PUBLIO WORKS, No Nec ity for Their Discharge. A statement has been circulated since the Board of Estimate and Apportionment under the pro- visions of the new charter made the necessary ap- propriations for the several departments that they had reduced expenditures 80 as to necessitate the discharge of a large number of workmen in the Department of Public Works, and probably caused @ suspension of public improvements. This haa been the subject of much comment, and has caused apprehension among the Boulevard and other laborers that they would be speedily thrown out of employment. The facts, however, do not warrant any such alarin, for the reductions were made in what may be properly termed the household expenses of the De- artment of Public Works, and in no manner affect the workmen. They are paid out of the proceeds of assessment aud other bonds authorized to be ssued by special laws, while the moneys raised by taxation are the only funds subject to the juris- diction of the Board of Apportionment. The re- ductions were made with great care and with a broad view of the public interests, principally in the salaries of oMcials and other mapine ons which do not relate to the payment of laborers or any other workmen eng: on the public works, QUARANTINE MATTERS, At the meeting of the Quarantine Commissioners yesterday plans and specifications were presented for building the pulk and pier head at the new Boarding Station on Staten Island. Governor Dix Was absent, being out of town. Healuh Officer ‘Vanderpoel was present. The new Quarantine steamer will be launched in a few days. BROOKLYN AFFAIRS, Children’s Picnic. About five hundred poor children went on a Picnic yesterday to Canarsie, under the provisions made for their enjoyment by the ‘Fresh Air Fund Association.” This was the first of a series of ex- cursions to be given this season. The children are transported iree of cost on the Atlantic Avenue Railroad to East New York, and thence by Mr. Philip Reid's steam railroad to Canarsie. Malpractice. A warrant has been issued by Coroner Whitehill for the arrest of a “Dr.” King, of Amity street, New York, on the charge of having by malpractice caused the death of Mrs. Ann Carey, a widow, of 16 Clinton avenue, Brooklyn. Mrs. Carey died last week, and it was fully established on the inquest that death resulted from the effects of an opera- tion, “Dr.” King being implicated. The police huve as yet been anabie to secure him. He hag fled the city. New Offal Dock. The resolution introduced by Alderman Zindel, at the last session oi the Common Council, to es- tablish an offal dock at the foot of Court street, South Brooklyn, has led to considerable feeling among the residents of that section of the city, who stronaty protest agatnst thd measure as an out- rage. much travelled line Of cars pasess on this route, and in Gowanus Bay the yachts of the Brook- lynand Long Island clubs ride at anchor, while rowing associations—the Nerejd and Alcyone— have their headquarters in the vicinity of the pro- osed dock. About two years ago the offal dock was located at the foot of the street in question ; but the “how! of indignation raised” was so great that the authorities were compelied to discontinue it at that place. Since then the offal dock has been maintained at the foot of Washington avenue. The expenditures of the Brooklyn Park Commis- sioners for the month of June amounted to $89,906 91. The post keepers of the parks have petitioned the Boara for an increase of wages, They now receive put $1 85 per day, while the Cen- tral Park patrolmen, of New York, are paid at the rate of $250 por diem. A requisition has been made on the Comptroller of the city for $100,000 for park purposes. The Commissioners, at their last meeting, passed a resolution authorizing the Exec- utive Committee to oy out streets and avenues over the east side lands, and also to prepare the said iands for sale by curbing, guttering and filing up to grade such parts of the streets and avenues as they may think judicious, and to borrow such sums of money as may be required for said pur- poses, not exceeding the amount authorized. ithe same committee was also directed PGs under contract the regulating and paving of Underhill avenue, Baltic and Butler strects, Health of Brooklyn. The Health authorities have determined upon re- Moving the immense deposit of rotten grain which has been allowed to remain decaying in the dock in front of Woodruf! & Robinson's stores for the past five months. The nuisance arises irom the grain which fell into the water at the time the store houses named were burned. The people in the neighborhood have complained bitterly of nauseating odors emitted by the filthy accumula tion, which has caused much sickness from time to time, and Is particularly pernicious in its effect at this season. The New York Board of Pilot Com- missioners were notified by the Health Board to dredge the vicinity of the dock, as they have juris- diction over the water front. Up to the present writing the nuisance has not been abated by the Pilot Commissioners, 80 that the Brooklyn sanitary guardians will have the work done at the expense of the city. MUSIO AT MOUNT MORRIS SQUARE, The Department of Public Parks announce that, if the weather ts fine, there will be music by the Central Park Band at Mount Morris square, this (Thursday) atternoon, from four to six o’ctock. The following is the programme :— Pane 1. 1. March, introductory 2 Overture apa’ wehbe 3 Walt, “O'er Land and Sea", 4. Glee, Blow, Gentle Gates”... 46 G Gavotte, “Amaryilis”........... 7. Aria and scene from “Nabuco’ 6. La Promenade... 9. Collocation, “ 10. March from “Prim Li, “The Hibernian”... 12, Mazurka, “Fata Morg: Finale, The National. PATAL PALL FROM A WINDOW. Coroner Herrman was yesterday called to 343 Fast Eleventh street to hold an inquest on the body of Rose Reilly, a child, five and a half years of who was killed on Tuesday afternoon by fail- ie from # second story window to the pavement, along, her mother being sick at the time, GENERAL HOWARD'S CASE. ——1— Elaborate Opinion of Attorney General Williams. words ong vind The Chief Disbursing Officer Responsible Civilly and Criminally for Misconduet—No Opinton, as to Subordinates as Matters Stand— Military Delinquents Should Be Tried by Military Law and Others Criminally. ‘WASHINGTON, July 9, 1873. The following isthe opinion of the Attorney General in the Howard case :— DEPARTMENT OF J WASHINGTON, July 3, 1873, Sm—Ihave duly considered your communica. tion of the dist of May with the accompanying documents*and rs upon the subject of the frauds in the late Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, The papers which you transmit me are in many respects incomplete, and particu- larly so in not mcluding the bonds or copies of the bonds of the Commissioner of said Bureau. and its chief disbursing officer, and Ihave been able to obtain but one of them. I think, however, that I have enough facts before me to enable me to answer the questions which you Phe ag The Freedmen’s Bareau was established y the Act of March 3, 1865, the material parts 0! which are as follows:—By section 1 it is provided that the said Bureau shall be ander the ianage- ment and control of a Commissioner, to be ap- pointed by the President, by and with the aavice and consent of the Senate, whose compensation shall be $3,000 per annum, and such number of clerks as may be assigned to him by the Secretar; of War; and the Commissioner and the Chief Cler! shall, before entering upon their duties, give bonds to the Treasurer of the United States, the former in the sum of $50,000 ahd the latter in the sum of $10,000, conditional for the faithful discharge of thelr duties respectively, with securities Lo be ap- proved by the Attorney General as sufficient, which bonds shall be filed in the office of the First Comptroller of the Treas be by him pat in suit for the benefit of an; red party upon the breach of any condition thereof. The third section of the act creating the Bureau ties and responsi- ig then quoted to show the ‘‘dul bilit of the Commissioner.” ‘The papers which you enclose to me show that considerable sums of money have been taken from the Treasury by.officers employed in the Hureau, by means of forged receipts and vouchers ior boun- ties due colored soldiers, and by means of receipts and vouchers fraudulently procured from them; and you ask my opinion upan the questions—First, in cases where the guilty parties cannot be pros- secut “What should be the course in order to the protection of the interests of the government and of claimants?” Second, when prosecution is not barred by the statute of limitations, “What action should be had!” ‘To what extent lr the late Commissioner of the Bureau ot Relugees, Freed- men and Abandoned Lands and his chief disburs- officer Got) att ‘our questions are mot quite so explicit as I could wish, but I am not certain whether by the word “prosecution” you refer solely to criminal proceedings against the offender or to civiland criminai. For offences of this kind it is open to the government to proceed criminally against the offender and likewise to proceed in civil action against him and against any person who is re- sponsible for his acts. When it is impossible to proceed criminaily, elther by reason of the offend- ers having absconded or the prosecution veing barred by the statute of limitat.ons, he may be sued in ‘a civil action if it be deemed expe- dient, or if property, of his can be attached, If, therefore, any disburai: oMcer or any other oficer or clerk employed by the Bureawhas obtained in the methods mentioned in your com- munication, moneys from the government, and it is thought best to sue him personaily, tie papers may be sent to the District Attorney of the dis- trict in which he resides, or where he has pro; erty, for action. There is no statute barring.the United States inaction. The late Commissioner of the Freedmen’s Bureau gave no bonds on his Cs intment in 1869, because, as he informs you, Mr. jtanton, the Secretary of War, did not think that the provision in respect of bonds was intended to appl to the case of an _ oiticer army detalied for duty under that After due consideration, I find it impos: sible to concur in the opinion. e object of bonds is not have the means of punishing a delaulter, but the protection of the government irom pecuniary loss, and the — 1s just as important im the case of a military ofiicer as of a civilian. A bond, however, given uu- der the act of 1865 clearly would not cover the loss of money paid to the Commissioner under the joint resolution of 1867; but by the third section of that of that resolution all money paid or disbursed thereunder shail be held and disbursed under the same rules and regulations governing otner bursing officers of the army. This required the Commissioner to give a bond in the same manner that any oficer of the army would do. On the 31st of October, 1871, the Commissioner did give a bond in the sum of $10,000, the conaition of which recites that he had been appoimted “a special agent and disbursing officer of the Bureau of Relugees,” &c., and provides that he shall “hence- forth, during the holding and remaining in said oMce, caretully discharge the duties thereof, and faittuully expend all public money and honorably account lor the same and for all public property which shall or may come into his hands on account of the Subsistence and Quartermaster’s Depart- ment, or of such Bureau, without fraud or delay.” ‘This bond was not given until four years atter the Pelee td of the Commissioner to pay the claims of colored soldiers under the joint resolution of 1867, and, of course, covers no dejault previous to its date. The form would seem to be tor bonds of ordinary disbursing officers of the army, and [3 a little ambiguous in designating the office and the duties of the prinvipal Saye Refer- enee ougit to have been made in the bond to the joint resolution, ‘There is no provision requiring any Otuer ofMfcer than those already named to give bonds, but it was perfectly lawiul to take a bond from any subordinate officer of the Bureau employed in the disbursement of money direct to the United States, and such bond would have been valid and binding, although not required by statute. Under the act of 1865 the Commis- sioner of the Freedmen’s Barcau would not, I think, be liable for funds paid directly to the As- sistant Commissioners and by the As- sistant Commissioners. They were not appointed by him, nor were they his agents, but were gov- ernment officers; a! by juiring bonds to be given these officers statate would seem to have intended to relieve the Commis- wioners from liability tor their acts within their several jurisdictions. But the joint resolution of 1867 is very explicit, All money paid under that “act is paid directly to the Commissioner, and it is enacted that he shall be responsibie for the safe custody and faithiul disbursement of the junds en- trusted to him. Nothing is said about any of the Assistant Commissioners or about any ef the dis- bursing officers, and, although it was probably necessary and undoubtedly lawful tor the Com- Missioner to appoint and employ disbursing oiticers besides himself, nevertheless, he is re- sponsible civilly, under the act, for their acts the same as if done by himself, and, even if he took bonds from them dit- rectly to the government this cannot relieve him of such liability. The government may eniorce both securities in order to indemntly itself for an: loss which, through the default of subordinate orti- cers, it may have suffered, This liability must, in some respects, be enlarged by the terms of the bond given by the Commissioner, but of course it could not be in the least inished. The Commis- sioner of the Freedmen’s Bureau is, thereiors liable for all losses su: ined by the governmen through the delault of a subordidate disoursing officer or other persons employed by him in the dis- bursement of inoueys entrusted to him under the joint resolution of 1867. As to the Chief Disbarsing Oticer, it is almost impossible, from the facts which are now before me, to state what his liability to the government may _ be. Of course he is liable, both civilly and criminally, for bis own misconduct, How far he is uable for the acts of subordinates employed under him is @ question which it is impossible jor me to answer Without a copy of his bond and without more in- formation in respect to lus appointment and employment than I have been able to obtain from the perusal of the papers sent to me, ii any other officers give bonds to the government their sureties are liable for their misconduct or loss oc- casioned by them, according to the tenor thereof. Further than this, upon the facts belore me, I can- hot answer. Your second question seems likewise to include the subject of criminal, in addition to civil, prose- eution. For acts of fraud or embezziement un- der this act the offendii parties are, of course, lable criminaliy, 38 the offence is barred by the statute limiting ofdinary criminal prosecutions to two years Any disbursing or other officer who has misappropnated money en- trusted to hno under the act may be indicted therefor whether he is aj ted directly Ld the government or is a subordinate officer or clerk ap- pointed by the Commissioner or any other officer of the Bureau. Such tion must be by in- dictment, unless the offender is lable to érial by court martial. By section 3 any military oMcer may be detatied and assigned to duty under this act without increase of pay or allowance. It is suficient in the present cage to say that a military officer so detailed and assigned to duty still re- mains within military jurisdiction, and is liable to military law for any ‘violation of his duty ag such. <A more dificult question arises under section 3 of the joint resola' of March 29, 1867, whereby ali money held or disbursed under the Tovisions of this resolution shall be heid and dis. ursed under the same rules and regulations Meat 3 other disbursing. oMeers of the army. he language of this is @ little obscure when ref- erence is made to the act establishing the Freed- men’s Bureau; and this obscurity probably arises from the fact o! which 1am ‘informed that ali the principal officers of the Bureau were miltt Oflicers assigned to this special duty, I do vehi Kai think that this provision can be considered as sub. ting to court martial & not otherwise sub- ject to such jurisdiction. have thateffect the act ought to be clear and unambiguous, and it would only be by a most forced and violent construction that “rules and ré lations Poverning other dia- buraing officers of the Army’ cam be imterpreted facinée Habitity to trial by martiar usw fm re- Spect of civilians. The rules and ‘gov. pros ot respoasibalty and’ ccaun os Commissioner would be liable, lea his trial civil or military tribunal to fe ‘upon his ev or military status. This — lon, however, if the facts be as I am informed, of no, practical s | therefore, any military officer detafled for duty in the Freedmen’s Bureau has been ot the misappropriation of money or of any of the rules governing disbursing officers of tho Army he may be tried by court martial in the game manner as ar other such army of- Teak tea, Svc ts an Sheraton who have ol ed manag from the Bureau by means of forged receipts and vouchers and other frauds, can be prosecuted criminall, two ‘shave not elapsed since the c or crime, and can also pe sued in the civil courts by the United States in the game manner a9 employ¢s of the can be, . As Ihave before = there ts no statute limiting the time within which the government can ne clvil suit, but suits for penalties and double dam- ages under the act of March 2, 1863, must be begun W.thin six years.—i2th Statutes at Large, Pp- Ihave the honor to be very respectfully your obe- dient servant, ‘GEORGE fe WILLIAMS, Attorney General. Hon, W. W. BELENAP, Secretary of War. The Le Droit Park Speculat TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:— Your Washington correspondent of July 5 closes his article on Howard University by saying, ‘It ts not believed any defence will be attempted of the Le Droit Park speculation.” If you will allow me space I will defend it so far as to say I bought from & committee duly appointed by the Board of Trustees of Howard University for the express purpose of making such sale, at best price which they could obtain from any one, some twenty acres of land, which is now @ part of Le Droit Park. ‘The action of this committee was afterward ratified by the Board, and I believe without a dissenting voice. Others wanted the property and made liberal propositions for tt, but no one of responsi- bility offered to pay a8 much as myself, pea for it nearly double’ the price paid to Mr. A, R. Shepherd, nearly treble that paid to Mr, Joseph Protheo, several cents per { the price at which Mr. David McClelland put in his land, the four properties united cewprising the lands of Le Droit Park. The deferred payment is secured by mortgage on the property, able OD or before ten years from 1, 1878, a8 my option, and bears interest at seven per cent, sem! annu 1 am now under contract to build im- provements on the property, the cost of which 19 over one hundred thousand dollars, Iam sure business mnan will concede that the security ample beyond any contingency, and that the rate of interest is, liberal” Your correspondent also says:—“it has not heretofore been known, how- ever, as a Howard University operation.” True, it has not, and for the simple reason that after sell- ing the land to me Howard University had no more to do with it than the editor of the Nsw Yore HERALD, “or any other man,” and, to be more ex- plicit, I will say my partner, A. L. Barber. who re~ signed his professorship in January (before any ne- tiations were entered into for the purchase of this property), ts the only person who has any in- terest whatever, direct or indirect, in this or an: other property owned by me in the city of wash ington, or the management or finances of Howard Uni- versity I know nothing whatever. I only know) thatin this transaction there is nothing that will not bear the closest investigation, and we are per-| fectly beg fou have kale to light” not only the “main features,” but all the detaiis from A to Z, and to any ove desiring intormation will give all there is to give. I will only add tnat, in effect- ig this sale, Howard University realized a net pront over all taxes and interest of over one hun- red percent on ori imvestment made only, three or four years since. I trust you will give thi fe este prominence fed Oe ont ery respec you: bs Tot A. L. Barber & Uo. Proprietors of Le Droit Park. HaBRISBURG, Pa., July 7, 1873, THE CHURCH WAR. The Meeting of the Ward’s Island Com~ mittee of the Commissioners of Emi- gratien. ‘The Churoh question on Ward's Island is @ fruit~ ful theme for the present Board of Emigration/ Commissioners, and every meeting of that body seems to Warrant a passage of arms between th rival champions. The meeting of the Ward's Iét: Committee at the Verplanck Hospital yesterday, morning was made the scene of the latest encoun ter. There were present Commissioners Stephen< son, Quintard, Lynch and Starr. After the transac- tion of some routine business, which was the osten< sible reason for convoking the meeting, Mr.Stephen< son, the chairman, called the Rey. Mr. Schmidt, tha rcoeeene Beinn poet Fogg seoyit to io any far, er rmation le regardiny 16 pro} \ chi in the church system, Mr. Soh it Rated that he believed in the doctrine of Luther, and as- serted that Father Prachensky, the Catholic priest, was working hard to make proselytes; that he had abducted three or four children of Protestan’ motters, with the intent to piace them in Catholl schools,’ Mr. Schmidt desired to be permitted ta use the new chapel for Protestant worship. The following tb bole then followed fh tha cross-examination :— i Mr. nch—Q. Do you attend to the spiritu: wants rue cgiearads, for instance, who wish “4 remain such? Do you minister to titeir 5] hate) wants’ A. Ido not beleve that a Uni ts. Cathott te le a) Prorestant ). a otic woud you atcond MRP AT KOE te be ion bidden by the rules of the! fr me to attetd those who have abjured their Q Do various denomin: in_the institationg or throughout the country in Europe worship eee A. Yea; but I cannot any in BI CeB. ‘Q, Do different denominations worstip toget! intne United States? A. Yes; but I Know Sond @ few instances. ‘TESTIMONY ON THE OTHER SIDE. The Rev. Father Prachensky was called denied that he had ever attempted to make an; Proselytes. He had not attended Protestant onty in cases where he bad been sent for an im such cases he had never refused, H could not administer any of the sacraments to any in without the consent of that person, oF unk jess he was satisfied that the penitent desired tq become a Catholic. The three children whom h had been charged with abducting were about bein, abandoned by their mothers he assumed of them at the mothers’ requests. It is a fact that nearly all of the women who give birth to children on the Island are unmarried, Man’ starve their children to death, juently try to get rid of them in other ways. They ave them in the Foundling Hospital basket. Tha Father then reiterated that he took the children merely as an act of charity. e Much other testimony was taken, but no addi< fect i iacts were developed. me committee ad journed until next . when there will ba another church matinée at Castle Garden. Willy Wallach Discusses a Few Points Made by Ex-Secretary Casserly. New York, Joly 9, 1873. To THE Eprror or THE HERALD:— If T request once more the privilege of using youn’ columns, it is mostly for the parpose ot expressing through the same, my sincere thanks to ex-Secre- tary Bernard Casserly for the ‘frank admission in his letter of the Sth instant, “that from his knowl< edge of the temper of the Emigration. Commia stoners, he fully expected a determined effort would be made at their meeting held on purpose ta discuss the annual report to strike out from it tha word Catholic wherever it was used in reference ta the chapel, and that the sentiment of the majority of the Commissioners present at said meeting ap< peared to favor the motion of Mr. Kaufmann, ta strike out the words ‘for the Catholic inmates’ the word chape!.” This admission seems to justi the conclusion that at that state of te proceed< ings, the Commissioners were not in harmony om the Chapel question, Mr. Casseriy prefaced this acknowledgment by stating that he obtained his knowledge of the tem bi of the Board by being present when the ques~ lon was canvassed by both the anti-Catholic and the other Commissioners. | did not enjoy the sama, Privilege, and Mr. Caaserly had, therefore, the ad« vantage Over me of knowing the plans and tactica of the other Commissioners, This may explain how I came to interpret the decision of the President embracing all special reference to a Catholl chapel wherever it occurred in ae port; and how Mr. Casserly, knowing tha reai intention of the otuer Commissioner felt astonished that neither “in wel known fury against Catholics an thei jurch,” nor my coadjutors, Messrs. Forrest an iimang, raised any farther “objections 8 Test of the sentence on page 10 a read cretary. (I may state hereby that | had notice on previous occasions thas tue Secretary could rei ag well from memory as from mani ) Atte his astonishment had wway, mast ha felt quite elated that the reading of his manuscrip' le Be eae by Mr. en aaee hay nt to silence so tent an Opposi tion as this question had mets on former oot wit casions. It i#, therefore, aesekabte in him to giory over the apparent ness on my, and what bi calls ny, faction’ is | st | that, inlssioner Lyon to ‘ge this fument to ‘show that tne vertance a8 an ar. Boar juare foot More than *