The New York Herald Newspaper, July 16, 1873, Page 4

; i : — vee - eg EA MARSHAL SERRANO. ag Interview of a Herald Correspond- ent with the Duke de la Torre, BISCUSSION OF UNHAPPY SPAIN. Does the Federal Republic Mean ; the Commune? The Great Intriguer Laying Down Political Maxims. SERRANO'S HOPES AND FEARS. Mis Prophecies Regarding the Next Three Months in Spain. SERRANO’S DOMESTIC TIES. Pi y Margall and Castelar Under the Microscope. LIFE OF THE ENERGETIC DUKE. His Last Words to “Re- member!” BraRnitz, June 6, 1873. ‘The sun shines brightly, the bine waters of the Gulf of Gascony ripple pleasantly over the sands, but the Villa Eugénie is lifeless, the hotels de- serted, the Casino in the hands of masons and painters—the fashionable watering place is but @ shadow of its former imperial self. Several fami- ties have, however, already arrived, the bathing ‘women are looking “cheery” and the Winter-sea- mide seedy waiters are brushing up in hopes of a “season.” The cluster of Madrilefios “weeding” fragrantly at the omnibus station—as yet the only excitement in Biarritz and that of the mildest order—indicate that many of those forced by re- cent.events to leave their native Spain cling Closely as possible to the frontier in readiness for A POLITICAL SPRING, ‘cross the Pyrenees. The object of my present visit to Biarritz is an interview with a Spanish Motable, whose safe arrival in France was the source of undisguised pleasure to the Figueras Ministry. Opposite to the Hotel des Princes is a small villa. Temter the garden, in which are children’s toys, Swings and other signs of domestic felicity, but mothing to denote the residence of a military and political celebrity. Imake my way to the open house door; a Spanish female servant appears, and, in answer te my inquiry, replies that the Duke de la Torre resides there and is at home, She quickly disappears with my card and a letter of introduction from most intimate friend of the Duke. Within a few seconds an active, quiet- looking man, dressed in dark morning costume, Issues from the drawing roem ana bids me wel- comé Re is ® man of rather over the middle height, apparently about sixty years of age, with (rank, open countenance, good forehead, steady gray eyes, determined chin, short hair, tace clean Bhaven, with the exception of a gray mustache and imperial barbiche, which have been making the best of their way to the front during the past five ‘weeks, since the razor, by abolishing their prede- cessors, helped to render the Duke’s escape {rom Madrid secure. The appearance and manner of the newcomer bear striking resemblance to those of an unassuming hearty old English country wentieman. Extending his hand to me he ex- claimed, “I am glad to see you. Come into the Grawing room.” Pleased with the opportunity for wonversing with a man whose name during the past thirty years has been so completely identified arith the destinies of Spain, I gladly followed THE DUKE DE LA TORRE, wetter known to the world as Francisco Ser- rano. In the drawing room we found an extremely handsome woman, painting in water colors, the Duchess—agreeabdle, tascinating and unassuming in manner. Surely she must render the quiet life of her hus- band on the French coast far more enjoyable than the dangerous “aps and downs” of political in- &rigues in Spain, although those in power gener- Billy do their best to protect their opponents, After ‘the coup @état of the 234 April Serrano sought refuge in the house of the British Minister at Madrid. Castelar himself warned him of his dan- ger and urgea immediate fight. Serrano’s escape rélieved the government from a most embarras- wing responsibility and the present Minister for Foreign Aifairs from a debt ef gratitude, ‘ TRE GOLDEN RULE. Political convulsions in Spain have ht to Politicians the wisdom of the maxim, “Do unto others as you would be done by.” On a previous Decasion Serrano saved Castelar. Besides, who an prophecy how soon Castelar may again re- quire the assistance and protection of Serrano? Ere long the latter may be, in ali probability will be, in Madrid, and the former on this side of the frontier. The Duke offered me a seat, and our conversation, in which the Duchess occasionally Joined, commenced with answering his inquiries wespecting events in Madrid since his departure. He was much pleased with the printed official re- port I had brought with me of the speech made by my good friend—“£l Excelentisimo Sejior Presidente Del Poder Rjecutivo de ia Republica en La Solemne apertura de las Cortes Constituyentes.” Serrano bad hitherto only seen extracts which had reached Biarritz. Having read the document I brought, he exclaimed :— FIGUERAS DECEIVED MR. He told me that the Republic should be estab- Sished on a sound basis, and I believed him. I offered to support the present government by all means in my power. Instead of having adhered to ‘his promise, the Republic is drifting into federal- dsm. Miegal acts have been committed and the ex* ecutive power nominated by the Cortes has actually ‘usurped the powers of the body which created it. ‘igueras is incapable—weak, deceittul. As to the speech at the opening of the Assembly, and of ‘which for the first time I see a fall report, it is an eccumulation of exasperations and misstate- gments.” “@aving heard your opinion of Figueras, I should ‘much like to hear what you think of the only two other members of the present government who carry any weight, Of course I alluae to Piy ‘Margall and Castelar?” “With respect to OR PI Y MARGALL, I pay but little attention,” replied the Duke; “he fs a sectarian; but Castelar is of diferent monid. He is @ good man and earnest in wishing to estab- Aish the Repubiic on sound principles.” “Bat,’’ I observed, ‘‘Castelar has not mach power as @ Minister. He told me himself that he intended to leave the governmerft, for he will be able to render more valuable service as @ simple Deputy than a Minister. The late elections have returned @n overwhelming majority of federals, and with- ut doubt a federal republic will be immediately jprocisimed.”” “Yes, Withont doubt it will be; but it cannot Mast. Federalism will be the ruin of Madrid and the inland provinces, The present state of affairs wannotexist. Trade is stagnant amd the shop- Keepers and workmen dissatisfied. The Spanish ‘workmen are patient and docile, they will not complain until torced by necessity to do 80; but the téransigentes Will be the Orat tw clamor in poorer "NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, JULY’ 16, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET, favor of reaction when eight. reals per man per | nominated an Executive Power, with Sefior Fig- day are no longer forthcoming." “What, then, do you think will be the ultimate form of government ff" THE FORM OF COVERIEENT. “That is @ most diMoult” question to answer. It is impossible to say what will be the ‘result of the coming struggle. We are only at the beginning of our difficulties, One thing, however, is certain, that the present government will fall. We sball then have, at any rate for a time, @ Unitarian Re- public.” “You say for a time, as if there is probability that the Republio may not be the definite form of government in Spain. In the event, then, of the Republic falling and s monarchy being re-estab- lished, do you think that the Oarlists will attain to power ?”" THE OARLISTS IN BAD ODOR. “No; offers have been made to me by the Carlists, but we can have nothing to do with them, We Gesire a liberal government and progress. We will not retrograde. If a republic bo possible we will Sapport it loyally; but we will mot accept any priest-riaden monarchy. It is possible that Don Carlos, in the present unhappy state of Spain, may succeed without us; but I do not believe that he can do so, although the QOarliate will not be sub- dued by the present government. To suppose that they can be swept away is absurd. Tne army is disaffected and disheartened. With but few, very few exceptions, all of the superior officers are with us, Officers and men look anxiously forward to the day when the present government shall be overthrown,"! DON ALFONSO. “Has Don Alfonso any chance ft!” “Yes; but not at present, and onlg in the event ofall attempts to establish a republic having failed. Spain has yet a sea of blood to pass through. Anarchy and violence will be the result of federal- ism, and lead to reaction. Spain is not in heart republican. The present government has done nothing to inspire public confidence, and 1s fast ruining irretrievably the credit of the country.” ouBa. “What between civil war, military disaffection and national debt the present government has in- surmountable obstacles to overcome. Do you not think that it would be a relief to sell the island of Cupa 1? “The present government, should it last, might contempiate the act, but no other could do so.’’ “And the present government will not last ?’’ “No! The conservatives and radicals will regain Power, How they will do so is another question. They may do so by dissensions arising among the Tepublicans or by the army openly declaring against the government. Within THE NEXT THREE MONTHS you will probably witness in Spain most terrible events, To save the country—uniess discord in the federal ranks shall cause federalism, which in Spain means communism, to crumble—there re- mains but one chance. Sword. You may rest as- sured that unless the former shall bring salvation the jatter will be resorted to. The temporary suc- cess of the illewal coup d'état on the 27th April was the death-blow of the present government. We have not been tdle, and should chance not effect a change we are prepared to do so, if necessary, by force,” The glistening eye and determined manner of Marsha! Serrano as he spoke were sufficient evi- dence of the belief entertained by the old soldier tnat the sword alone will be THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION of the present Spanish dimculties. Our conversa- tion was suddenly cut short by the appearance of a fine boy, who bounded into the room and rushed up tothe Dake. In his hand he held a dinner nap- Kin, with which he scientifically but irreverantly flanked Serrano, exclaiming, as he did so, “Papa, come to breakfast!” The napkin flank had a magi- caleffect. The old soldier and ex-Regent was in- stantly again the perfect type of an old English squire. Paterfamilias smilingly said to his son, “I am coming, my boy,” and, turning to your corre- spondant, added, ‘You had better breakfast with us.” In manner the Duke de la Torre 18 quiet, and singularly unassuming. It is diMcalt, indeed, to believe that the man with whom I passed the morning at Biarritz is the Serrano of whom the world has heard so much. The son of a distinguished General he entered the military service as @ cadet and rapidly found rank during the civil wars which took place after the death of Ferdinand VII. Devoted to the Queen he was named General of Division at the age of thirty- two, and he was one the first who proclaimed the déchéance of Espartero, Serrano, after the res- toration of the Queen Mother, combined with Narvaez to destroy the influence of the Minister Olozaga. In 1846,a Senator and Lieutenant Gen- eral, with extraordinary influence over the Queen, he was the cause of continual discord between Her Majesty and her husband. Narvaez succeeded to power and Serrano was “shelved” by being ap- pointed Captain General of Grenada, As Sen- ator he SYSTEMATICALLY OPPOSED EVERY MINISTRY until 1864, when, in the menth of February, he was implicated in the insurrectional movement at Sara- gossa and exiled. He subsequently declared bim- self in favor of O'Donnell, and was named Captain General of artillery, which he exchanged after- wards for the Captaincy General of New Castile, and thus Madrid was in his power when O'Donnell made the coup d'état in 1856. He overcame the in- surrection in the Prado and Retiro, and shortly aiterwards replaced Ulozaga as Ambassador at Paris, In 1857 O’Donnell fell from power and Ser- Tano was recalled, Subsequently appointed Gov- ernor of Cuba, he restored St. Domingo to Spain, and in 1862 was created Duke dela Torre. In the Senate he joined the opposition, which led to the fall of Narvaez, and in 1865 the new Ministry of O'Donnell nominated him Captain General of Madrid. When Narvaez returned to power Ser- rano showed devotion to the Queen by his ener- getic suppression of the émeute in 1863, but before the end of two years he joined the opposition in consequence of the ille- Gal prorogation of the Cortes, As President of the Senate, he, with Rios Rivas, Presi- dent of the Chamber of Deputies, presented to the Queen a protestation signed by many members of both chambers, The two Presidents and those who had signed the protests were prosecuted and banished. Serrano was for some time IMPRISONED in the m‘itary prison of Alicante. When, in 1868, Isabella was driven from Spain, Serrano hastened to Cadiz (of which place he is a native), and, with Prim, on the 19th of September, took direction of the movement. Two days later he was provisioa- ally invested with supreme power by the Junta of Madrid and named Commander-in-Chief of the revolutionary army, He played 4 principal part in the acy of the revolutionary government—the es- tablisnment of universal suffrage, liberty of reli- gion, education, press, right of meeting, the insti- tution of the jury, immovibility of the Magistrature, abolition of privileges enjoyed by religious corpo- rations and dissolution of some of them, and the expulsion of the Jesuits. At the reunion of the Cortes in 1869 he declared to them the definite victory of modern over old ideas in Spain, and his powers were extended and strengthened. The labors of the Cortes progressed slowly until Jane 1, when a monarchical form of government was determined on. The diMculty of finding @ monarch was great, and Serrano was named Regent by @ majority of 193 votes, He took the constitutional oath. DiMculties soon arose, occasioned by the task of selecting a monarch and the question of prolonging for three years the re- gency of Serrano, priests joined in the movement, Deputies headed the insurrection, Catalonia and Andalusia were in revolt. Serrano displayed his accustomed energy. The republican bands were routed. THE TOWN OF VALENTIA, which resisted, was bombarded, and after nine days’ siege forced to surrender at discretion. The more recent events connected with the career of this remarkable man are too fresh in the memory of your readers to require expedition. When King Amadeus abdicated with- Out eaving @ successor to be approved by the Cortes, supreme power should have legally re- turned to Serrano as Regent. The republicans however, ingeniously carried the day. They did not attempt to name even a provisional govern- ment, which would have alarmed the majority, but Republicans gained courage, | (weras as President, At a recentdnterview which I bad with SENOR FIGUERAS he complained that the European Powers had not recognized the Spanish Republic, and he insinu- aved that they thus gave sign of evident hostility. I pointed out to him shat in reality no republican government had yet been prociaimed, but simply an Executive Power, and that be continually signed the deorees as simply President of Execative Power. “That is net the case,” sald the President. “Look at this,” pointing, as he spoke, to a decre: in the Gaceta signed “President of the Republic.” Fortunately for my theory on the same page was another decree signed ‘President of the Exeoutive Power,” The conservatives and radicals insist that the Ministers nomtnated by the Assembly com- mitted a most illegal act when they dissolvea tho Permanent Commission, which represented the Assembly; that the recent elections do not faith- fully record the voice of the country, for only one- fifth of the electors recorded their votes; that ac- cording to the constitution the old Assembly still exists. The ex-Regent is vigorous, clear headed and evidently “RIPE FOR MISCHIEF.’ It has been said that his fight from Madrid in disguise and without the well known military mustache has caused him loss of prestige. But this I doubt, On the 23d April he awaited orders from the National Assembly, but they came not. The Permanent Commission hesitated, the Executive Power did not, and gained the day, Had the for- mer, however, called on Serrano to act, he and the generals who were with him would have been backed by the troops, blood might have been shed other than that of the unfortanate coachman killed by a astray shot; but the present government would have rapidly reached the frontier, The past career of the Duke de Ia Torre preciudes the possibility of pelieving that he will not again float to the sur- face, and that ere long. I have not forgotten tho quiet determination with which he sald, when I took my leave—“Remember, FEDERALISM IN SPAIN MEANS COMMUNISM. Unless dissension in the federal ranks shall canse the overthrow of the present government the only chance 01 saving Spain will be by the sword. My unhappy country is but at the commencement of her troubles, She has, I fear, a sea of blood to pass ere agound governmens with liberal ideas and in favor of social progress can be established.” WATERING PLACE NOTES. H. L. Powers, of the Grand Central Hotel in this city, is stopping with Major Leland, in Sara- toga, Maryland is to have a watering p!ace, which will rival, so the projectors say, Long Branch and Cape May. It is to be located at Berlin, in Worces- ter county, on the eastern shore, along the beach. The site is in view of Phoenix Island lighthouse, and about one hundred and eighty-five miles from Baltimore. Hons. William T. Hamilton and George R. Dennis, the two Maryland United States Sena- tors, with a party of thirty or forty capitalists, went down last week to settle all the prelimina- ries and ax the spot for the erection of a large hotel. Mr. William M. Evarts is sojourning at New- port. Bathers at Long Branch and Cape May snould keep their thoughts continually on the dangers of the undertow. Rosas Winans, of Baltimore, has just finished a splendid palace at Newport. ‘Mr. S.C. Thompson, President of the Firat Na- tional Bank of this city, is at Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. A children’s ball will be given this evening at the Grand Hotel, saratoga. Mr. Israel T. Hatch, of Buffalo, is at the Clar- endon Hotel, Saratoga Springs. Sidney Dean, of the Providence (R. I.) Press, is at Congress Hall, Saratoga. Colonel Jerome Bonaparte and Mme. Jerome Bonaparte are at Newport. The former drives a splendid tandem. An effort is to be made to make the high land at Hyannis, on the south side of Cape Cod, Maas, a Summer resort. Ole Ball and wife, of Norway, are at the Sea View House, Martha’s Vineyard. The widow of General Robert E. Lee has engaged quarters for the Summer at the White Sulphur Springs. Fifty-two licenses to sell liquor were granted in Newport in one day last week, Wash. McLean, of the Cincinnati Enquirer, ia at the Grand Union Hotel, Saratoga. Miss Charlotte Cushman is very popular among the poor of Newport. The newspapers published at the prominent watering places are the Saratogian and Sentinel at Saratoga Springs, the News at Long Branch, the News at Newport, the Ocean Wave at Cape May, the Review at Atlantic City, the Gazette at Niagara Falls and the Seaside Gazette at Vineyard Grove, Martha's Vineyard, The Marchioness de Noailles, Madame Jerome Bonaparte, Mra. Loring Andrews, Mrs. Oolford Jones, Mrs. J. Marion Sims and Mrs. De Peyster are leaders of the fashion in Newport this season. Ex-Mayor A. Oakey Hall has been invited to de- liver his lecture on “Love, Marriage and Divorce”’ at Saratoga Springs. A very proper place. The watering-place letters are uncommonly dull, stupid, trashy, senseless and uninteresting this season. The regular correspondents seem to have fallen into a lethargic state, and the Bohemians have evidently had their hotel supplies very much reduced. The administration wilt not leave Long Branch for the Adirondacks until the last week in August, Mrs. Grant does not like the General’s English carriage. She says it is a story too high. ‘The steamboat landing at Cape May is now the favorite drive, and those old resorts, Diamond Beach, Fishing Creek and Cold Spring, are totally neglected and almost forgotten. Admiral Porter is at Newport. There are nineteen hotels and 140 cottages at Cape May. The Governor General of Canada will pay a two weeks’ visit to Long Branch next monti. A very young guest arrived at the Stockton House, Cape May, on the 4th, it being its first ap- pearance anywhere. Lake Side is a new watering place on Lake Erie, Jt is situated on a promontory running out between the lake and Sandusky Bay. A Providence paper states that Mrs. Senator Sprague invites clergymen, schoolteachers and common people to fill the eighty rooms of her home at Newport. There are about twenty Japanese Summering at Saratoga. They say they like the place, but they have no occasion to drink the water. * Among New Yorkers at Watkins’ Glen may be mentioned the family of ex-Mayor (. Godirey Gunther, of this city. ‘The tide of Summer travel is setting toward the breezy Berkshire hills. Gilmore and his band are soon to be one of the attractions of Saratoga. Charleston (8. C.) papers say that Sullivan's Island, upon which stands Fort Moultrie, is des- timed to become the Long Branch of the South as @ Summer resort. A new steamboat, the Major, carries guests between Portsmouth and the Isic of Shoals this Summer, Watering places along the south shore of Long Island are becoming popular. Islip has many visi- tors from New York. Seven Springs, “high up among the hills of Orange county,’ is @ cool, quiet and pleasant re- sort this Summer, Three doliars a day “pays the bill.” Minnequa Springs, in Bradford county, Pennsyl- vanla, are 1,500 feet above the level of the sea, and are surrounded by mountain scenery of ungur- passed grandeur, The Rev. George H. Hepworth, with an elegant yacht at his disposal, will spend the month of July at the Isle of Shoals, John G. Whittier and Bret yet ar @iso expected there about the Ist of gust, Since the middie of 1,000 colored waiters have passed thro vi to the Northern Sum- mer resorts and ring places, Mr, George William Curtis has gone to his Sum- mer home in Ashfeld, Mass., whither his family Jane J preceded him some weeks ago. MUNICIPAL MATTERS. What Will the Aldermen Do To-Day !— Those Justiceships—The Proposed Can- cellation Loan of $150,000,000—A Market Squabble—The Beard ef Appor- tiomment and the Nertherm Boulevard. There was very little of public interest transpir- ing in or about the City Hall yesterday, and all the gossip that was abroad was in reference tothe Aldermanic “job” on the nominations for Police Justices, All those with a taint of Tammany about them held out bravely for the Aldermen by asserting that they ‘did just right,’’ bat they were destitute of argument to show where lies the “right” of a combination which refases to do what it can to reform one of the most important branches of the municipal government. There is no question of the tact that toe whole “deadlock” has been put up and manipu- lated by parties im the interest of the present incumbents of the Poltce Court Bench, If the nominations now before the Alder- men are not proper nominations for the positions, they would be doinga laudable duty by rejecting them; but they make this excuse of unfitness the Probability for some months, as st the meet ing @ resolution was adopted that when the Board adjourn on Wednesday (to-day) it adjourn until tember next. No one supposes that the Alder- Ft ‘will take say aor ae a the a even 0) jeoting Hens aed, hor have the opportunity nealing other names, uoless the re that regolotion of jourmment. It e adjournment is an resont Board of Police Justices. A: Better that one of the best ways of feelings is through his sto! question of & consolidated loan of b0000,000, bonds bearte interest at five percent, for the can- collation of the present municipal deot. The scheme originated with Supervisor Van Schaiok and is about equally endorsed and opposed by the finan- ciers of the metropolis. The present city debt is Said to be $110,000,000, and the issue of this loan, if successful, woul a surplus of $40,000,000 for public uses. ‘The Poectpal bes bab of the session was to hear Supervisor Van Schaick’s views concerning his Proposid ion. r the committee was called to order Mr, VAN Somaiox Ge peace the proposition, He said that in view of the present condition of the city finances it would be well to create @ lean 01 $150,000,000, payable iu 100 years, and bearing interest at the rate of five per cent, He thought that with the proceeds of the proposed loan the present net devt Of $110,000,000 could be cancelled, and that the residue—namely, $40,000,000—could be applied to defray the expenses 0! various improvements now in progress, ‘ne matter was then laid over. The committee then took up the resolution pro- viding for raising € 200009, by bonds for the Indus- trial Exhibition Company, to be given to them as @ loan on good security, The committee, aiter the resolution, declined to take action mn it at present. ‘he Aldermanic Committee on Markets also met to resume the investigation into the complaint of West & McKay seeking to oust one Noah L. sexton from the occupancy Oo! a standin Clinton Market, Spring street, It appears that McKay and Sexton eed some time since to excl the stands ey then respectively occupied, and that both ex- pressed satisiaction at the result of the trade. Sub- sequently Sexton became dissatisfied and appealed through the Superintendent of Markets to the roller, who restored to him his original stand. From this decision of the Comptroller the plaintif, McKay, now appeais, Both sides introduce varying circamstances and fail to agree as to the conditions under which the “trade” was consummated, and the committee. not knowing exactly who is right, have resolved not to decide it just yet. The Board of Estimate and Apportionment met yesterday afternoon in the Comptroller's ofice, present the Mayor, the Comptroller and Presi- dents Vance and Wheeler, The sum of $11,868 86 was appropriated to make up a defictency in the orginal appropriation for salaries of the Judges of the Supreme and Superior Courts and the Court of Common Pleas. The eh will cover the period from June 1 to June 5; ‘A resolution was adopted also authorizing the issue of assessment bonds to the amount of $500,000, the proceeds to be expendee in the work of extend- ing the Northern Boulevard irom 155th street to wood. Comptroller Green remarked, in reference to this resolution, that this scheme was, like many others which had fallen into his hands, a legacy Irom other people who had preceded him, and the provisions of which the present Board of Apportionment is bound to carry out, The Courts have ordered this work to be done, and there was now no help for the matter but to do it. The sum asked for originally was, however, $1,000,000, The Board authorized the Comptroller to direct and notify the various departments to send in, on or beiore the 1st day of September next, an esti- mate of their expenses for the year 1874, together with a full statement of the number of their em- ployés and the salaries paid to them. President WHEELER iniormed the Board that Supervisor Disbecker, publisher of the City found the services of an additional clerk in iis bureau indispensable, and he desired the Board to make an appropriation to meet the expense which guch services would incur. An 4) ropriation of $3,500 to meet the expenses of the Pub- lishing Bureau for the current six months was made and the Board adjourned. CHiSTERFIELD WITH A BADGE. reiterate thant Cenductor 69 of the Second Avenue Rail- Company and “A Lady of the Nineteenth Ward.’ To THE Eprror or Tux HeRaLp:— The letter which was written for Conductor 69 and published in your paper yesterday will not smooth over the case or cause it to be lost sight of. The conductor's letter does not answer my charges, but simply adds to them by deliberate falsifica- tions. I do not propose to deal with this fellow at all. Ipropose to deal with the company whose agent has committed so outrageous an assault on the travelling community in my person. Solely with the view to place the matter in the plainest shape before the public, I shall merely add that the answer to my letter is purposely eva- sive, It does not deny that I was charged six cents for my child, while other passengers were only charged three cents. It does not deny that the money which belonged to the company was wantonly thrown after me into the street by this gentlemanly conductor, whose name, it appears, is A. G. Maynard. If he had no right to charge six cents for my child he should have returned the three cents when I spoke to him first about it. If he had a right to charge six cents then nothing I said ought to have Induced him to pay me back what he says did not belong to me. At all events either three cents or six cents belonged to the company, and there was no excuse for throwing the company’s money into the street. You see I am solicitous about the company’s in- terests in this matver, as well as my own interests, for which I hope the President and Superintend- ent will be duly grateful. This r, Oppressed conductor, who so patheti- cally styles himself “‘one of that hard working and much abused class called conductors,” draws a touching picture of how he was wronged by myself and an “old man,” who called him “thief and liar and other aoe a epithets.” He is shocked, also, used such @ dreadfully siang term as ‘cowardly backdown.” Well, I have no doubt the old gent omne Ain BA yolees 4 dactor Maynard's le e1 apology. for myself I shali certainly consider the propriety of tal lessons in politesse from the Chesterfield as @ conductor. Itappears that I have harrowed this conductor's feeilt alao, by ne oan. insulting Sy entSmitn, “whom the citizens of the Nineteenth ward and patrons of the road peacraty know too ‘weil to believe that the ‘fear of lurther insult’ de- ferred the ‘Lady of the Nineteen’ Ward’ from appealing to him if she deemed hersel! aggrieved.” Ke 1am gorry I shall have to deprive Chester- field Waynard ‘Of even this pretty little chance to Jean on Mr. Smith. Ido not know Mr. Smith my- self, and do not ae = ad at a ae wme to state that the best way to mer! Te wat tl pon 18 of be tage is Wh sw itor an ‘ards, whether conductors or nen However, Mr. Smith, “the fear of turther inault’’ was not from you, but trom the conductor, whose abusive tongue | apprehended might follow me even into zou sanctum, and I had no desire to isten to it further. inl is the only reply I haye to make. Will you kindly aliow me to add that I would be grateful if the gentieman who interfered in my behalf, and the other passengers who witnessed the occur- rence, Would send their names to you, so that I nicate with them ? hg LADY OF THE NINETEENTH WARD. SUIOIDE BY HANGING. Ganpingr, Me., July 15, 1873. Samuel Hooker, formerly of the frm of Hooker & Libbey, committed suicide by hanging himself in his barn this afternoon. Despondency caused by business troubles is ned ag the cause. De- coased was sev -three years of age, ald leaves \ & wie aud two ‘ouildren. FERRY FRAUDS AND FRANCHISES, The City Property Swallowed Up by Monopolies. How New York Acquired Her Titles—History of Ferry Operations Since Robert Fulton’s Day—Valuable Water Fronts Given Away for a Song—The Swindle in Giving the Union Ferry Company Five Landings for $1 Per Year. Commodore Vanderbilt as a Competitor and His Victory Over Bobert Fulton. Some Valuable Compilations Regarding the City’s Righis—Number of Feet of Water Front Owned, Reve- nue Derived, &c. The recent declaration of Mayor Havemeyer in the meeting of the Sinking Fund Commissioners where the question was on the awards of ferry franohises, that ‘4t was about time the city knew what property it owned,” has set the statistical and historical commissioner of the HERALD at work to fathom the ferry tranchises and ferry frauds, if frauds have been practised. In his in- vestigations he hag referred to old volumes, covered with the dust of over a century, and leases musty and mudiated, and bonds “stamped, signed, sealed and delivered,’ that for years have mildewed in the safes of the city, and old manuscripts dated anterior to the Revolution, that would be valuabie adjuncts to the archives of the Historical Society. HOW THE CITY ACQUIRED ITS: RIGHTS. The city acquired its right to the ferries from the Dongan and Montgomerie charters of 1686 and 1780, seotion 15, which declares :— And we do further, for our heirs and succes- sors, give, grantand confirm unto the Mayor, Alder- men and commonality oi the said city of New York aud their successors forever, that the Common Council of the said city for the time being, or the major part o{tuem (but no other person or persons whomsoever, witnout consent, grant or Ucense of the said city for the time being, or the major pare of them), from time to time and at all times hereaiter, shall and may have the sole, rail and whole power and authority of settling, ap- pointing, establishing, ordering and directing, and shall and may settle, appoint, establish and direct such and go many ferries around Manhattan Island, alias (this is said to be the first alias known to New York) New York Island, for the carrying of and transporting cattle, goods ‘and chattels from said Island of Manbattan to Nassau Island (Long Island), and from theuce back to Manhattan’s, ant also from the said Island of Manhattan to any of the opposite shores all around the same island, in such and 80 many places as the said Common Council or the Baler of them shall think ft, who have hereby likewise full power to let, sell or otherwise dispose of all or any such ferries to any ne rig i a tages ‘aang ‘nd accruing from all and every 81 ferries we do hereby fully and ireely, for heirs and successors, give and grant un! our the Saree, Aldermen and commonalty of the city of New York aforesaid and their successors forever, to have, take, hold and enjoy the same to their own use, without being accountable to us, our heirs or successors for the same or any part thereof, THE RIGHT REITERATED. In section $7 of the same charter these powers and grants are confirmed for ail ferries on both sides of the East River, and “all other ferries now or hereafter to be erected or established around the Island of Manhattan; and the mangement and rule of all fees, ferriages and perquisites to the same, or any part thereof, belonging or to belong, and also the ferryhouses on Nassau Ialand, with the barns, pens or pounds and lots of ground thereto belonging; and also all the ground, soil or land between high water and low water mark on the said Island of Nassau, irom the east side of the lace called Wallabout to the west side of look; and also to make laws and rules for tho governing aud well ordering of all the terries now erected or established, or hereafter to be erected around the said Island hattan, he waste, vacant, untenanted and unappropriated land lying and being within the said city of New York and on Manhattan Island aforesaid, exten: to low water mark.” * * * The privileges and franchises are confirmed to the city by what is known as the Dongan charter of 1686, to which the Montgomerie charter and Lord Cornbury’s grant are supplementary and merely reiterative. The rights thus acquired have never been doubted, and the city has continued to exercise control of the ferries ever since. HISTORY OF THE FERRIES. The first ferry established was about April, 1686, en route contiguous to the present Fulton ferry, The privilege was granted to Robert Fulton and his associates, who introduced steam to replace the old horse power plan. The original lease to Robert Fulton is still on file in the Comptroiler’s office. For a number of P mo it was run by Ful- ton a8 a steam ferry, the terminus on thi being Market slip, the corporators having ac- quirea the right from the State to use steam in all the waters Sas, York harbor. Fulton and his associates held this grant from the State adverse to all competitors until about 1823 or 1824, when Thomas Gibbons and associates, of New Jer- sey, who eeprocared, the value of the grant to Fulton, and believing that the State of New York had no power to give Fulton such a monopoly, de- termined to raise @ test case. Cornelius Vander- bilt,* the Present railroad king, was then the skip- r of a “periagua,” navigating the waters of New ‘ork harbor, He was celebrated as a skipper— always hardy, roars and ready, sober, fearless and brave—and the Jersey party naturaliy picked him out from all the skippers of the bay as the man to lead, what many considered THE YORLORN HOPE WAR against the Fulton combination. Vanderbilt was taken from the insignificant “periagua” and placed upon a steam _ vessel, run from some point on the Jersey shore up the North River, with a MH of bringin; on @ conflict between the State authorities ba those of the United States. Every time Vanderbilt made a landing there was an oficial ready with the documents to take him into custody, and probably no man in the early history of New York gave bail more frequently than did Skipper Vanderoilt, the resent Commodore. After a legal fight lasting Wo or three years, in which Vanderbilt gave the authorities an opportunity to institute a test case, it was decided in the United States Courts agains’ the State and in favor of the right of the United States to jurisdiction in the waters of New York arbor. ‘Thus, it is said, was won the title of Com- modore by Cornelius Vanderbilt, who ever since has been so closely identified with the internal de- velopment and prosperity of New York. CATHARINE STREET FERRY. The beat information attainable shows that this ferry was established between 1815 and 1818, by Rodney Bowne. It was originally run by horse power until about 1833 or 1834, when other ferry schemes were started in opposition, and the com- pany were forced to resert to steam. THE SOUTH FERRY ‘was originated about 135, by Lyman Betts, Conk- lin Brush, Charles Kelsey, Joseph A. Perry, Wm. L. DeGraw and Anderson Blake, who entered into a Jease to pay the city $1,000 per year irom 1st May, 1836, THE WALL STREET FERRY ‘was established July 1, 1852, by Jacob Sharp, who secured a ten years’ lease at $20,000 per annum, although the city only owned at that time the slip on this side. The rate has varied since the ex+ Piratien of the lease in 1862, At present, as far as can be ascertained, no revenue is derived by the city from this ferry. THE HAMILTON FERRY Was founded in 1346 by Jacob R. Le Roy and Henry E. Pierpont, as trustees of the Union Ferry Com- y. The city owns about one hundred feet on the lew York side, and gets no revenue except the dollar paid the city for itand other ferries by the Union Ferry Company. THE ROOSEVELT STRERT FERRY Was originally started to Bridge street in 1852 by J. H. Martine, and was subsequently transferred to Le Roy and Plerpont in December, 1 the rent being fixed at $3,000 per year. At this time was & oui, from old Peck slip to South Seventh street, Williamsburg. In 1857 authority was gi vo change the termination from South Seventh street to the present landing at Roosevelt street. In the meantime the lease had been transferred to the Brooktyn Ferry Company, of which Geor Law is the leadin, spirit. ition was started, and — eck siip ferry was abandoned in by om ye 1859, The Commissioners of the Sinking ind sold the lease of the ferry from Peck slip to South Seventh street without any authority from the Common Counell, and the lease was deciared null and void, This led to its abandonment. A new lease was given in November, 1807, for ten years, at $6,400. THB HUNTER’S POINT FI A from James ln was started originally in 1852 from ier 35 Kast River tothe boundary fine between he cities of Williamsburg and Brooklyn, & lease being given A. J. Berry and John J. Hicks fer fifteen = at $3,000 per year. The terminus en the lew York side was later (about 1859) changed to James slip and Hunter's Point, on Long Island, and the lease was sold to Oliver Charlick about 1868 ior $4,000 per y THR GRAND STRERT PRERY, running from Grand street, New York, to Grand street, Brooklyn, was started abont 1! but the original rent ig Got Known, It was 10, 000 $500 tor the balance per ve never executed, the rent was reduced to $9,000 per year. STREET PERRY. A lease was given in 1851 to Alexander 4. Schultz—per: mm to run a ferry from Four- teenth street, East River, to Greenpoint, he stipu- lating to pay $260 for the first nine years and $750 er year for six subsequent years, The lease nally got into the possession of G. L. Knapp, and the landing on this side was changed toTenth street, the rent being fixed at $1,300; but it does not pear that the present owner pays any revenue to he city, as It Owny nO property on either side, AST TWENTY. This fe Patrick’ intend -THIRD STRKET FERRY. ny is indebted to the trustees of St, : femedarrd pte heap ate ace 0 run en) near Calv: Cemetery, The lease wast jor te years from be. cember 27, 1852, at $100 per year. In , 1853, the lease wastransferred to G. Bnapp. who changed the Long Island terminus to point, A new ig was secured by him in 1864 for ten years at THIRTY-FOURTH STREET FERRY. This ferry was opened in August, 1857, by A. D. On @ ton years’ lease at $100 per annum. In 1867 it was again sold to the same parcies at $800 per year rental. THE ASTORIA FERRY was started from the foot of Kighty-sixth street to Horn’s Hook, as early as 1611, vy Richard Smith, who used horse power instead of steam, and who agreed SPY, $125 per year. It got into the nands oi Samuel Blackwell and others in October, 1838, who took a seventeen-year lease at $90 for the first seven years and per year ior the ten. In 1842 ny, secured @ lease until 1857, at $1! rear. In 1860 it was sold to the same parties Rer_ year, bat the lease was never exeonted. ‘ne ferry was Aballe changed to ety-secund bad and purchased by A. D. Winans at $50 per i THE STATEN ISLAND FERRY lease was granted in 1824 for the establishment of a ferry from Whitehall slip to Morsereleaus Point, Staten Island, for thirteen yeara, the frst three yeara at $175, the next ten years at $200. It Tun until 1837, when litigation and oppoaiies. Killed it. Finally a new arabe the north side of the island was established, about 1847, unger the roerars of William B. Tow! is4 ooh erty gered ra ol e who north side. The Louch ‘Side ferry was opened about 1816, but ite early history is but littie known. In 1627 the lease was given to the Falton Bank for ten years, ai per snnum, The lease subsequently came into pos- session of the Riclimond Turnpike Com- pany, among the principal stockholders of ‘which were Oorndates Mauran and Cornelius Van- derbilt. Ou the death of the former Mr. Vander- Dilt became the sole owner, and held the lease until he sold out to George Law and his associates about 1955 or 1856, By the latter it was transierred to the Staten Isiand Railroad Company. It may be mentioned in this connection that Vanderbiit and Mauran consolidated the North Side and Sout ferries to run off opposition. The present North Side ferry was founded by Townsend to run Van- derbilt off The Staten Island Railroaa Company id $1,000 per year for ten years, from May 1867, ‘The olty derives no revenue from the orth Side ferry, which only occupies a part of a pier, although some years ago they paid $1,200 or ‘$1,600 per year. THE CORTLANDT STREBT FERRY. ‘This ferry was established in to rua froma unt immediately south of Battery Garden (Castle arden) to Paulus Hook, N. J., by Chancellor Rob- ert R, Liviny hol inlaw. ton snd Robert Fatton, his orother- The lease ls dated April 16, 1811, to run for yn years at $3,000 per year. The lease says int south of Battery and the ad- Tun from part of New look at the expiration of the first mine years. ‘This additional privilege was fi basis Of Cortlandt street ferry. The same le: ‘was the basis of THE BARCLAY STREBT FERRY, to ran to Paulus Hook, for filteen years and six months trom November 1, 1825, at $1,500 per year advance. This seems to be the only lease hat fixes rates, the corporators, Francis B, Ogden and Samuel Swartwout, Collector o! Port under General Jackson, binding themselves to charge For market wagon and two horses Gig, carriage and two passengers. Se. Sie. THE PAVONIA PERBY ‘was opened by the Erie Railway February, 1854, to run from Chambers street to Pavonia avenue at a yearly rental of $9,050, with the side of a pier ud- Gitionsl to 100 feet, and the whole of pier 30 North River and one-half of bulkhead between piers 30 and 3i. The property of the city used by this terry is estimated to be worth $15,000 or $20,000 per year. ‘The pter alone 13 about 600x40 teet. The Erie got & new lease for ten years from May 1, 1864, paying thereior $9,300 per year. The first lease was made to the Payonia Ferry Company, the last to the Erie Railway Company. DESBROSSES STREET FERRY Was established May 1, 1362, 0n @ tea years’ lease to Jersey associates, and who pay $1,000 per year. CHRISTOPHER STREET PERRY. This was founded on a lease to John Stevens, made in 1813, and it granted permission to run from Spring street basin to Hoboken tor four years at $25 per year. Another terminus was at Spring street ‘until about 1838, when 1t was changed to a point below Canal street. Eight years ago it was aban- doned, and the Christopher street line remained running in the meantime. A lease to Stevens, dated 1835, gave the property, to him for “one cent, it lawfully demanded.”’ About 1862 it was sold to Wm. W. Shippen at $800 per annum, TAR FORTY-SEOOND STREET FERRY was established on a lease made November 1, 1856, to Francis Price, of Weehawken, for ten years. He assigned it to the Weehawken Ferry Company August 3, 1859, the rent being $50 per year, but they now pay $500 per year. ‘THE TWENTY-THIRD STRERT FERRY, on the North River, was established a tew years by the Erie Railway Company, who pay but per y the city owning no piers there. The above is a brief and as accurate a history of the ferry establishments o/ the city as can be Col- lected from sources visited and leases and con- tracts carefully scanned. The following table will be hg capteenog mg although a year or two’s errors may be made in some of the dat FERRIES ABOUT MANHATTAN ISLAND. s| ar RE aRARREETTG ‘lps opetahhe [EE RETREAT g = b | ‘Lyman Betts, &c. Robert Fulton. SOME OF THE ABUSES. Here we have no less than 1,620 feet of water frontage in New York occupied by these ferries, and 625 feet of frontage in Brooklyn that belong to the city of New York under the charter and grants, or a total frontage of 2,245 feet, that ought to bring onan ave! per foot rental per year, or a revenue of $110,900 per year. It will be seen that the total revenue paid by these aorey Svmpaneee is but $61,060. In some cases, no doubt, the city re- ceives more than the value fromthe companies, It is outrageous that for heony | Tesidents of Brook- lyn toand from New York daily at one cent during certain hours, and a consideration of $i, the taxpayers of New York should surrender to the Union Ferry Company all the revenue that should accrue from their five ferries. This great monopoly is indebted to the city at the present time in the sum of $22,000, which is now in litigation. This is back rent due before the Legislature gave the Brooklyn people all the city’s Interest in the five ferries for E per year. Another ay ap apparent fraud the Surrender of a pier 600 feet long by 40 feet broa ail of pier 30 North River and nal ob the bulkhet Pentes | it from pier 31 to the Erie Railway for the insignificant sum of $9,300, when they penny J the Long Island Ferry Company $15,000 per year for 150 feet on either side of the river, re can be no question but what there are many abuses in the giving away of the city’s rights to these proper- tes; but as the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund have referred the whole matter to the Comp! and Chamberlain for a report it is tobe hoped they will at an early day devise some means to rec- tify them. ‘The Union Ferry Vompany have got the best plers of the city in their maws, and the next Legisiature should repeal the law giving them to this monopoly. One cont fare is no doubt a boon to the poor, but it 1s an insignificant retura for the franchises given.