The New York Herald Newspaper, December 5, 1873, Page 5

CONGRESS. Senator Foulys Speech on the Currency. SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES Repeal of the Salary Bill in the House. ———- mR. COX ON HIS DIGNITY. SENATE, Wasuineron, Dec. 4, 1873. After the presentation of a number of petitions ‘the following bills were introduced and laid on the table, to be referred to committees hereafter :— THE JAMES RIVER AND KANAWHA CANAL, By Mr. BOREMAN, (rep.) of W. Va.—A bill to com- plete the water highway trom the James River to Ahe Onio at the mouth of the Kanawha, A GOVERNMENT BUILDING. By Mr. InGaLis, (rep.) of Kan.—A bill to con- struct a public building at Topeka, Kan, GENERAL AMNESTY. By Mr. ST¥VENSON, (dem.) of Ky,—A bill to re- Miove al) political disabilities, MORAL SUASION IN UTAH. By. Mr. LoGAN, (rep.) of Ul.—A bill to aid in-the pxeccution of the laws in the Territory of Utul, CIVIL RIGHTS, Mr. SUMNER, (rep.) of Mass., presented a petition pf 10,000 citizens asking the enactment of the Civil Rights bill presented by him. PUBLIC PROPERTY aT HARPER'S FERRY. Mr. Davis, (dem.) of W. Va., offered a resolution @irecting the Secretary of War to communicate to the Senate all the information in bis possession in Felerence to the government property at Harper's Ferry and the sale thereof. THE LOAN OF 1858, ) Mr. SHERMAN, (rep.) of Ohio, called up the bill Mnatroduced by him yesterday for the redemption of ‘he loan of 1858, which was reported at length in the proceedings of yesterday, and it was passed afier the clause in the report of the Secretury of the Treasury recommending iis passage had veen Tead, CURRENCY CONTRACTION, Mr, HamILTon, (dem.) of Md., presented the re- wolutions of the Baltimore Board of Trade, askinz 2 Feturn to specie payment and opposing any infla- Alon of the currency. MR, FERRY’S FINANCIAL SCHEME, Mr. FERRY, (rep.) of Mich., called up the resolu- ion introduced by him on Monday, instructing the Finance Committee to report a bill providing a vemedy for the existing monetary derangement, gud addressed the Senate in favor thereof, He Bpoxe trom business experience and a practical standpoint rather than from any experimental theory. He was ready to support auy plan more remedial, and believed it tle duty of all to con- tribute what of thought and observation could throw light on a subjeét so vita) to all the people, Free banking, open to all, would relieve thé pank- mg system of special privileges and accord more with the spirit of the day. He proposed that the currency be issued directly from the goverament und made legul tender, as the greenbacks, instead Oi one-half, a8 now, through the agency of banks, with the denial of the function o1 lawful money. This was a national discredit to so much of the currency. He proposed that the sabstitution of Jegal tenders for the national currency be effected without lessening the volume of circulation, and through the purcuiase of bonds held by the banks, | pr of outstanding bonds, ‘his would work the ayMeNL Of $350,000,000 of the public debt and save he annual outlay of over $24,000,000 of coin inter- e8i—nearly euough to pay the one per cent re- quired by law to be paid annually on the public webt, Bankers may at first thought demur to tm, ms inimical to public policy. He could unuer- Band how this might conflict with puolic vonvictions, having some stock himself mone of the banks. Private interest Buouid give way to public welfare, Freedom trom federal tax aud other irksome provisions will com- pensate, and the further refection will lead bank- ers to choose it with its freedom irom redemption Bud other exactions, He argued im favor ot the Maximum circulation to be $800,000,000, being $60,000,000 more than that now; of $400,000,000 of greenbacks and $3850,000,000 0: national currency, and ail made lawiul money, We owe it to tie honor of a great nation to tully accreait its issue gud stamp its monetary unit, ine currency doliar, ‘With sovereign value, attested by the aggregate weait) of the whole country. Ability to pay, not haste to pay, is the measure of valine. He roposed that the currency be convertibie Into 3 65-100 per cent currency bonds, and that shey be reconvertible into currency at the will of und ciasticy Of the currenc), Some advocate the shia of interest being paid by the banks, rohibitory legisiation is either evaded or not exe- cuted, Far better counterpoise it by employing the stimalus of the evil to Work its cure. ‘The in- terest on these bonds will arrest the flow of cur- rency te the seaboard centres and hold it tor emer- gencies everywhere. For immediate relief, he Thought, the $44,00,000 reserve shouid be used in the purchase of bonds and enough more issued to make up the maximum. Tl is would pay for bonds enough to save $25,000,000 of coin interest annu- ally, more than enough to pay the one per cent yearly on the public debt, Tien the redemption of Jractional currency in silver at intervals at the eonventence of the Treasury. The durability would compensate jor inconvenience. Can there be hesi- The gravity. of the situation demands more than words; it challenges action, Over 1,000,000 men are thrown out Oo! employment at a Jow average of wages; this 1,000,000 handed less is $1,000,000 datiy; prolonged for a year the count #wells to hundreds of millions and tells its teariul story. The straits and suffering entailed need no words to voice their distressing wani—the waste of hand ge) the nation feels, though uried not by persoual pangs. Individual loss is no national gain, Whoever can dismiss action cannot escape Tesponsibility. 1t bears with it ail the cumulative pressure of daily demands of relief, ‘The appeal is ‘10 Congress; let us act. In conclusion, Mr. FERRY asked that the resolu- tion be referred to the Committee ou Finance, swhen appointed. SEANDING COMMITTEES. Mr. ANTHONY, (rep.) o1 RK, 1, moved that the Senate proceed to the election o1 standing com- miitees. Agreed to, He also moved that the thirty-fourth rule be amended by adding a new committee after that on education and labor, to be known as the Coim- anitiee on Civil Service and Ketrenchment, and that two members be added to the comnitttees on foreign relations, Claims, and education and Jabor. Adopted, ‘The Senate then elected standing committees as ollows:— On Privileges and Electionte—Mr. Morton, chairman; Anthony, Alcorn, Mitchell, (ot Ma.), and Sauisbury. Re Re oe Gamercny, ens Messrs, 01 amilion, owe, Frelinghuysen, jomk lin Hehurz, Stockton and McCreery. sate . On Finance—Mr, Sherman, chairman; Messrs. Morrill fenton and Bay- wear peott, Wright, Ferry (oi Mich.), ‘Un Appropriations—Mr, Morrill (of Me.), chairman; ‘Messrs, Sprague, Windom, West, Ames, Sargent, Allison, Btevenson and Davis. On Commerce—Mr, Chandler, Byencer, Conkling, Buckingha Dennis, On Manufactures—Mr, Robertson, chairman; Messrs, Kprague, Gilbert, Fenton and stockton, On Agriculture—Mr. Frelinghuysen, chairman; Messrs, Rove: Lewis Dennis and Gordon. On Mirtary Apaire—Mr, Logan, chairman; Messrs. Dameron, Spencer, Clayton, Wadieigh, Kelly and Kan- mn On Naval Afaire—Mr. Cragin, chairman; Messrs, An- Phony, Morrill (of Me.), Sargent Conover, Stockton and Norwood, Dobie Sudiniary Mr. Ramande, chairment,, Memes. sonkiing, Car + huysen, Wrigit, rma pnd teflon Frelinghuysen, a urman On Post Ofives and Post Roads—Mr, Ramsey, chairman ; Messra, Fi chairman; Messrs, joutwell, Gordon and in, Ferry (ut Mich.), Flanagan, Dorsey, nes, Sat st Merriman and Hamilton (of Md). vy Pubs Fr, Sprague, chairman; Messrs Win- Brew ratt, Oglesby, Wadleigh, Boutweil, Kelly rivate Land Claime=Mr. ‘Thur chairman; Messe. Perry (of Conn), Fenton, Bayard antl Nosy. On Indian Aj oire—Mt. ‘Buckinghan, chairman; Mes Ty OS Weey Morrill, of “Me., Ingalis, Bogy and Om Pensions—Mr, Pratt, chairman; Messrs. Ferry (of Conn.), Oglesby, Tngalis, Patterson i dexas) nd Norwoeae” is, ‘atterson, Hamilton (of ‘On Revolutionary Claime— Messre. Gilbert, Conover, Brownlow, chairman; obuston and Goidth waite, On Caimae—Mr. Scott, Chairman; Messrs, Pratt, Bore+ aman, Wright, Mitchell, Boutwell, D: "i gran. Wal avis, Merrimon and On the Dittrict Columbia—Mr. Lew f ee oe is chairman: if itchcock, Robertson, J md Johnston. on, Jones, Dorsey On Patents—Mt. Ferry (of Conn.), chai ndom, Wadleigh, Hamilton Wi’ Maye and sone Md), and Jotne ne On Public Buildings and Grounds—Mr. Morrill (of Vt), chairman; Messrs, Gilbert, Cameron, Stockton and ‘Oper, On Territortes—Mr, Boveman, chairman; Mes Hiteheock, Cragin, Clayton, Patterson, Coop id MoCreery. On Kailroads—Mr. Stewart, chairman; Mesers, Scott, ‘West, tamsey, Hiteheock, Cragin, Howe, Frelinghuysen, Hamilton (ot Texas), Kansom and ‘Kell On Ms y—Mr. Hanlin, chalrman: Messrs, Ath waite. nited Sialee—Mr, Conk Stewart, Aleorn and on and kahor-Mr, Flanagan, chairman; the holder, thus securing localization | } immediate: NEW YORK: HERALD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1873——TRIPLE SHEET. Patterson, Mmealls, Sumner, Morton, Sogy sna Goin Citi Kereice and Retrenchment—Mr. Wright, chairman ; Meews Souswell, Sherman, Hamiin, Howe, Hamilton (ot haryland) and McCreery. To Audit and Control the- Contingent Bepenses of the Senate— Mr, Carpenter, chairman; Messrs, Jones and Dennis. Gn _Printng—Mt. Anthony, chairman; Mesirs. Howe i Saulsbury. On the Lirary—Mr. Howe, chairman; Messra, Allison and Edmunds. On Enqrowed Bile—Mr. Bayard, chairman; Messrs. Lewis and Cooper. (Low Enrvted Bule—Mr. Ames, chairman; and Mr. Clay- Bi the Ruler—Mr. Ferry (of Mich.), ebairman ; Merrimon, Mie Missusippi_ River—Mr. Alcorn, chatr- jesurs. Clayton, eeuurz, Crozier and Cooper. On' Transportation Routes ww the vd—Mr. Windom, chairman: Messrs, Sherman, Conkling, West, Couover, Mitchell, Norwood and Davis. THE JAMES RIVFR AND KANAWHA CANAL BILL, Mr, Boreman’s bill to complete a water highway from tide water on the James River to the Ohio River directs the 1 War to lay out, con- struct, enlarge and improve @ water way from tide water on the James River, at Kichmond, Va., to the Ohio Kiver, at the mouth of the Kana- wna River, in West Virginia, by way of the James River and Kanawha Canal, the James, Jackson, Greenbrier, New and Kanawha rivers by canal slack Water sluices or open river navigation not less than 70 feet wide and 7 deep, with locks not jess than 120 feet long and 20 feet wide, and with canealy for vessels of at least 280 tons burden, The States of Virginia and West Virginia are to convey to the United States their in- terest in the property or franchise of any corporation having @ claim to that continuvus line of water communication projected and in part compieted by the State of Virginia, aud the cost of the work is then to be defrayed the issuance and sate of United States ten-filty jour and @ half per cent bonds to the amount of $8,000,L00. Pro- vision 1s also made for the purchase by the Secre- tary of War of the piivate stock in the James River and Kanawha Company at a price not ex- ceeding $25 per share, and also tor the appoint- ment of commissioners to equip, maintain and manage said water wav when completed, one each to be appointed from the States of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, lowa, Missouri, lilinois, indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. Mr. Marron, (rep.) of Ind., moved that the cre- dentiais Sf Messrs. Pinchback and McMillan, as Senators from Louisiana, now on the President’s table, be referred to the Committee on Privileges and Blections; also that portion of the President's Message relerring to the amendments to the con- stitution of the United States, Agreed to. The senate at two o'clock, on motion of Mr. RAMSBY, Went into executive session, Aiter an executive session of five minutes the doors were reopened, and the Senate adjourned till Monday next HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WASHINGTON, Dec, 4, 1873. REPEAL OF THE SALARY BILL, Mr. HALE, (rep.) of Me., offered the following resolution :— Resolved, That a select committee of seven be appointed to take into consideration the subject of the repeal of the Salary bill, so called, and that said committee be instructed to report at the earilest practicable day; and that all bills on the subject be reierred to sald committee, Mr. Woop, (dem.) of N. Y., remarked that the gentleman from Maine had already proposed to bring up this question with the morning hour, and he hoped that the gentieman did not intend to delay the repeal of the Salary bill by referring it te any committee whatever, (Loud laughter.) Mr. HALE replied that the object of the resolution was certainly not to delay the matter. Mr. Cox, (dem.) of N, Y., said he had the form of a bill which was very sweeping in its character, and which he wished to have reported by the com” mittee. Mr. RANDALL, (dem.) of Pa., remarked that the gentleman trom New York (Mr. Cox) did not have his back pay swept into the Treasury until a very Jate day. Mr. Cox replied that that was not 60. Mr. Hale’s resolution was adopted, and the Speaker remarked that he would consider the res- olution as permitting the introduction and refer- ence now of all bills on the subject. a , Under that resolution @ large number of bills on the subject were introduced and referred. One by Mr. Morry, (rep.) of La., and one by Mr. FPrEevp, ) of Mich., proposed to abolish the pay and vances to members, and one by Mr. BECK, (dem.) o1 Ky., proposed to prohibit, all allowances Jor the expense of the President’s housenoid in considerauon of the increased salary of the Presi- dent. Mr. Cox asked unanimous consent that the special cominittee just authorized haye leave to report at any time. Mr, NEGLEY, (rep.) of Pa., at first objected, but withdrew the objection, remarking That his object Was that there should be no inde- cent haste in preparing this question on the part of the House. Mr. HALE remarked that bis object in having the maiter go toa special committee was that there should be no indecent haste in the matter, Mr. Cox said he had no idea that the gentleman from Maine or others proposed to postpone action on this subject. He supposed that both sides oi the House would join in the desire to get rid of the subject Mr, NeGLEY remarked that the gentleman (Mr. Cox) had taken ali summer to make up his mind on the subject, aud the House should certainly have some tune, Mr, Cox—That is not true. (Uproar and excite- GLEY—What does the gentleman say ? i can convince the gentieman trom nia— The SPEAKER called upon the members to come to orue Mr. NrGLey—The gentleman from New York Makes a curt reply to me, and says that my state- ment is untrue, and now be says he desires to con- vince me, If ne uddresses me in the language of a gentiewman I will be very readily convinced if 1 made a ustake, Mr. Cox—The gentleman said I took all summer to put tue money back ip the Treasury, Mr. NegLuy—I judged so from the reports in the newspapers, wiich | believe are always correct on thus suyject. (Laugnter.) Mr. Cox—The gentieman should have’ gone to the Treasury record. Alter some further sparring between Messrs. Cox and Negiey the Speaker said he wished tne House to understand the attitude in which the Matter was, The resolution merely gave the Select Committee the right to report at the earliest’ practicable day—that meant under the rules. ‘This, being @ select commitvee, would necessarily go to the foot of the committees, and would be the last to be called in the reguiar course, Jt could not be reached until all the standing committees, with their multiplied and various business, tad reported, He had no doubt that a very large Majority of members destred tion in this matter, But it he should an- the standing committees he would thereby put himeel! in league with the one or two gentle- Men Who objected to giving the special com- mittee the mght to report at any time. These gentlemen, however, could not postpone action, because the chair would feel it to be its duty not to obstruct the report of this committee by appointing the standing committees, He would thus leave this special committee the only one to be called, He theretore again submitted the ques- tion Whether there Was any objection to giving this special committee the right toreport at any time. No objection was made and the Spraker an- nounced that the select committee wou.d have the right tu report at any time, BILLS INTRODUCED. The House then proceeded to the call of States for bills, Under it @ very large nuneber of bills, public and private, Were introduced and referred to their appropriate committees. Among them were the following :— By Mr, ScHUMACHER, (dem.) of N. Y.—For a gov- ernment building at Brooklyn. By Mr. Paksons, (rep.) Of Ohio, and others—To repeal the Bankruptcy law. By Mr. Beck, (dem.) of Ky.—To repeal the “iron- clad” oath bill; to authorize the payment of haif the Import duties in legal tender bills or national bank bills instead of goid; and for the removal of disabiliies imposed unger the fourteenth constitu- tional amendment, Ly Mr. MERPUAM, (rep.) of N. Y,—Authorizing the Secretary o/ the Treasury to loan United states legal tender notes on the security of national bonds; also amending the National Banking act, and authorizing tree banking, with practical re- deimption, v4 By Mr, Cox, of N. Y.—Recognizing Cuban bel- ligerency. By Mr. KE) , (fep.) of Pa.—For the improve- ment oi the currency. ‘rhe following is the text of this bill:— An Act for the improvement of the currency duction of the uiterest on the funded debt of Suties. Be it enacted, fe., notes tt vidi nd the re- no United That the amount of United States circulation be limited, exceptas hereinafter pro- $400,000.00), and that holder ot said notes presenting any sum’ not less than 860 or some maltiple thereot to the Treasury of the United States, or any of the Assistant Treastcion, siall Tecetve in exchange tieretor au equal amount of bonds of the United States, coupon or regisvered, may by said holder be desired, vearing interest at the rate of 3 65-100 per cent per annum, payable semi-annually, which the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized te prepare and tur- Hish for that purpose; And that when any person shall demand of the Treasurer of the United states, or an: ‘Assistant Treasurer, redemption of said bonds it shalt be the duty of said Treasurer, or Assistant Treasurer, to y in United States notes the principal of such bond or onds with the accrued interest, and cancel and for- ward the bonds thus redeemed to the treasurer of the United states ‘ortiiwith, in such manner as the Secre- tary tay preserioe Srorion 2, That the Secretary of the Treasury shall cause to be prepared ( nied States hotes of the several denoui- nations now in use to the amount of $60, which shall be heid as a reserve or redemption fund, for the DUrpose of securing prompt payment of said bonds whea nd the United States notes so held in reserve ly when needed tor the payment of said Donds on their presentation, and shall be withdrawn and Placed again in reserve, out of any United States notes hot oth appropriated, received by the Treasury atter; andthe whole ainount of United States notes received by the Treasury Devaryment in ex- change for said bonds, bearing | 65-100 per cent interes shall be appropriated and applied by the secretary ut the Treasury as rapidly as practicable to the purchase or redempuon of any bonds of the United states outstand. Jig aC the Nagata oF this act. Pred Thal the dations, banks are hereby authorized dem 8 Wo Nold said honas Dearing 365-10 per cent interest in- py the reserve of United states notes, now required By Mr. ALBRIGHT (rep.) of Pa., and others—Re- lating to the free transmission by mail of news- Dapers and periodicals, 'y Mr. NEGLEY, of Pa.—To amend the Steam- boat Passenger act; to improve the harbor of Pitts- burg, Pa.; lor ainarine hospital and other public bulidings at Pittsburg. By Mr, RanvaLL, of Pa.—To proninis the pay- Ment Of interest by national banks; to amend the Natioual Banking act and to reimburse disuliers their outlays for spirit eters. By Mr, Leacu, (dem,.) of N. C.—To restore the frauking privilege, B (rep) of 8. 'y Mr. Morky, of La., and CAIN, Ge Sappiemen taty to the Civil Rights bi By Mr. Hunrsga, (rep.) of Ind,—Authorizing the Secretary 0; the Treasury to put in circulation the Tesidue Of the $44,000,000 reserve by purchasing government bonds therewith, By Mr. HawLey, (rep.) of I ‘To regulate com- Merce among the several 8’ "8 by ralirouds, Also for @ canal connecting the waters of Lake Michigan and the Lihnois, Mississippi and Rock rivers. By Mr. Wrison, of Ind.—Declaring the true Intent and meaning oi the Pacific Kailroad acts, It prohibits the approval by the President 0! any de- partment of a map presented by the central branch of the Union Pacific Railroad Company for an exten- sion of the road of the companyfrom its present West- ern terminus to the luoth meridian, Its object is to prevent this company from procuring a subsidy of Jands and bonds for a distance of about 260 miles. it declares that under existing legislation the com- pauy has no right to tne subsidies sought to be procured by the approval of tue map. by Mr. PARKER, (rep.) Of Mo,—For the territorial organization of Okiohomo, ror public buildings at st. Joseph, Mo, By Mr. WELLS, (dem.) of Mo.—For the improve- Ment of the Mississi: pi River between the mouth of the Ohio and the Missouri, © By Mr. CONGER, (rep.) of Mich.—To promote im- inigration to the United States. by Mr. Kasson, (rep.) of lowa—To secure to actual settiers the public lands of the United States not otherwise appropriated or reserved, 10 repeal certain laws relating thereto, and to free the national domain trom speculative use on and aiter the 4th of A 1876. Also to assure tne transportation of mails on railroads, By Mr. MouRary, (rep.) of lowa—Concerning in- ternational arbitration. By several members—Bills for a canal around Niagara Falls and other directions. Also bills to re- peal the Bankrupt act; with relerence to the free circulation of weekly newspapers; in regard to pensions and bounties; relating to indian affairs; Telating to public education, By Mr. KENDALL, (dem,) of Nev.—To require uni- form charges on ralireads, and to pun.sh unjust discrimination im Javor Of or agaist particular persons or places. By Mr. BUTLER, (rep.) of Mass.—To provide for the’ just and equitable distribution of the Geneva award, Also to repeal the law prohibiting*promotions in the Ordnance Department, By Mr, Harris, (dem.) of Va.—For the recompu- tation of the accounts between the United states ae several States growing out of the war of Propositions to amend the RULES OF THE HOUSE were made, and relerred to the Committee on Rules, as jollows:— By Mr. GareieLp, (rep.) of Ohio—That when House bills come back to the House with senate amendments points of order may be made in the House against such amendments whenever they seem NOL germain to the subject matter of the bill, or when such amendments contain an appropria- tion not autho: by jaw. By Mr. LAWRENCE, (rep,) of Ohio—That no bill shall contain more tuan one subject, to be ex- pressed 1n its tie; that the report o1 a committee of conterence shall be divisable, and that no gen- eral legislation shail be engrafted on an appropria- tion bul by a committee of couference. By Mr. POLAND, (rep.) 0: Vt.—That all resolutions cailing ior intormation from the President, or irom any department, shall first be referred to some appropriate committee for a report as to the ne- cessity aud propriety of making such call; such committee to report theteon without delay, and to be authorized to report at auy tie; that, when- ever any resolution or proposition is offered by a member for an investigation by a committee relat- ing to the conduct or action of any member or any officer or department of the government, such Tesolution or proposition shail be reierred to some appropriate standing comuittee for a report, Wuether tuere 1s reasonable and probable cause for such investigation, aud the member offering it Svall appear beiore such committee and state all the knowledge and intormation he has on the sub- ject, the committee io be authorized to report at any time. By Mr. Morry, of La.—To add to the regular standing committees of the House a committee on the Mississippi levees. By Mr. CopuRN (rep.), of Ind.—That the Com- Mittee on Appropristions be divided into five or More commitcees and consolidated with tue Com- mittees on the Expenditures, such newly tormed committees 10 be invested with power to report appropriations and to investigate into the accounts and expenditures in the fullest manner, By K. H. Ropegrs, of N. Y.—(hat the call of States on Monday jor bills be made by calung them alphabetically, and that each member shail have the right once only to move to suspend the rules, Mr. KELLOGG, (rep.) 01 Conn., offered a resolu- tion directing the special committee on the reauc- tion of salaries to investigate the actual amount paid to members of the last Congress for saiaries, mileage, stationery ,and other allowances. ke- jerred to the special committee, The SPEAKER announced the special committee as iollows:—Messrs Hale, of Me,; Maynard, of Tenn, ; Kasson, 0. lowa; scofleld, of Pa.; Hale, of N. Y.; Nibiack, of Ind., and Jewett, of Ohio, ‘The House then, at hali-past two, adjourned, the Speaker stating that he would announce the stand- ing commitiees to-morrow. HISTORIC CYCLONE. a Se eA A scientific Mend, Mr. F. H. Jahneke, of St. Thomas, West Ludies, sends us the following mghly interesting history of the great October storm, which our readers will remember. According to Mr. Jahneke’s laborious investigations its pro- gressive velocity was 300 miles per day up to the 2d of October, and then increased to 400, Scien- tists and the public generally will find the data extremely instructive :— This cyclone had its origin to the west of the island of Martinique, on the 25th September, ult., and its principal cause was the contact of the equatorial current or southerly wind with tue polar current or trade wind. From the beginning of September up to the 25th the southerly winds were steady and predominant. * On the 26th and 27th in St. Thomas it suowed itself as a steady, hard-blowing trade wind, east by north, witha steady barometer, 1-100 below its medium for fine, serene weather, Lhe steamer Elbe, from Jamaica dor St. Thomas, ran through it on the 27th south of St. Domingo; barometer, lowest, 29.96; had east- northeast winds, with heavy squalls; 28th Septem- ber, at ten A. M., wind shifted suddenly to south- east in a lieavy squall and severe thunder and lightning: after 15 minutes’ duration it moderated, sky cleared off (this 18 to all appearance); that 6 she passed through a@ strong current of trade | wind, and not @ cyclone,, or her barom- eter would have falen greatly; ite fall in all was 1-20th of an inch, The equatorial must have pressed tne polar current towards the hign land in Hayti, Jacmel suffered dreadfully. All siups in the harbor capsized, sunk and on shore. it bappened on the 2sta, between the hours of ae and ten A. M.; it lasted no longer than one and a half hours ; not a house on shore was left stand- ing; it ran over the peninsula west of that town; the high mountain caused a deluge of rain, in Ja- maica as weil as in the Island of Cuba, and the dia- meter of the cyclone was contracted by the east end of Caba; but it enlarged again, proceeding west, passed over Yucatan, ran into the Gulf of Mexico and had its culminating point to the north ot Vera Cruz, where the diameter got so eniarged that it almost covered the whole Gull, But on the Mexican coast it was so inflated that it showed it- self in the form of a norther, according to the re- ee f the steamer Corsica, Who weathered at vera Croz, Alter turning, it had an easterly direc- tion from the Guli of Mexico to Fiorida, This must have been caused by the polar current which was sweeping down to the Mississippi Valley, aiter it had passed Fiorida; soutawest or equatorial cur- rent gave it a northeaster Y direction and carried it into the Atlantic Ocean, The wind was not strong at Havana, but the sea has done a great deal of damage. CHURCH DEDICATION, Last nigot the new Presbyterian church, corner of Lorimer and Noble streets, Greenpoint, was dedicated to Divine service, After the doxology and @ selection from the Psalms, the Rev. T. L. Cuyler, D. D., delivered a very impressive dis- course, The pastor, the Rev. William Howell Taylor, then gave a historical statement of the church, aiter which the services were concluded by prayer and benediction. The church was or- ganized in 1869, with a soctety of 16 members, and services have been given regularly since in @ temporary edifice, The new edifice is @ substan- tual brick “and stone structure, and has cost about $40,000, which has been collected principally by weekly contributions of the church members. Next Monday evening General 0. 0. Howard, of the Freedmen's Bureau, at Washington, will de- liver & lecture on ‘The Oampaign and Battle of Gettysburg,” the proceeds of which will be Jor the benefit of the Sunday school, BUILDING ACCIDENTS. CrNcrNNatt, Dec. 4, 1873. A large screw factory, four stories high, at Day- ton, was blown down by the gale early this morn- ing. Worcester, Dec. 4, 1873, Apart of a wall-of Gross, Strauss & Co.'s brick butiding, in process of erection opposite the City Hall, fell at five o'clock this morning. The low building adjoining, ocenpied by C. Gor- ham & Co.’s music store, Was completely crushed, Loss, several Unousand dollar ART MATTERS. ~ Something New at the Metropolitan Mu- seum of Art. It 18 pleasant to know that the managers of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, iu Fourteenth street, seek to enhance the attractiveness of ite already valuable contents, Preparations are now making for the ensconccment there of @ large collection of arms of every age and nation, This collection em- bracesnot less than 5,000 pieces, and is the prop- erty of M. H. Cogniat, of No. 29 East Fourteenth street, a French gentleman, who has resided in New York for the last thir:y years, and who isa very intelligent and enthusiastic collector of an- tiquities of this kind, having spent the whole time which we have spedinen in their pursuit, Almost every concelyable weapon known to warfare dur- ing the Middie Ages finda representation, and in addition there are a@ valuable collection of seals and coins, some wonderful jewel boxes of the time of Louis Quatorze aud @ store Of miscellaneous autiques such as none but @ patient gieaner o! archwological wheat would have acquired, Tne entire assem- blage will be ready for exhibition within a very few days. Among articies that might be specialized are halberds, rapiers, arequebusses, helmets, pow- der horns and steel caskets of the filteenth, six- teenth and seventeenth centuries; arbalets on wheels, from the eleventh to the sixteenth cen- tury, similar to that shown in Backalowicz’s “court of Henri Il,” lately put up for sale in this city; pistols of the seventeenth century, swords of the time of Louis Treize and Louis Quatorze, re- pousée metal dishes, old Rouen faience, majolica, Bevres, tiles from tue principal chateaus of France, Persian and African — Indian knicknacks; dirks, aaggers and paneis, [tis by such accretions as this, Which possess intrinsic worth, historical associations, romantic blendings and artistic beauty that the museum mast tope to continue prosperous. It is a collection the Museum ought to bOssess, NOt boriow. Another Album for Thiers. It will be remembered that a few weeks ago a California album of great beauty and magnificence was forwarded to M, Thiers, Every one who in- spected that album, which was @ miracle of art and richness, will be interested in hearing that another, not less costly, is now preparing in this city, and will probably be completed within a fort- night, It wili contain forty pages on vellum, each page being bordered with an elaborate arabesque and containing over 5) names of French residents in this city, ‘here will be over 2,000 names in all. The frontispiece is one ot the most splendid specimens of iliumination that we have ever seen, and has been executed by one of the most deit artists in that line in the United States, The design is emuiematic, and bears reference to the ship Of state, propelled towards her proper harbor. One or two original poems and addresses occur’ at appropriate intervals, and bear reterence to the agony through which France has lately passed. The entire testimonial wili cost somewhere in the neighvorhood of $2,000, One great beauty in the California album was its covers, Those of the New York oiering will be not less tasteful and costly; indeed, from what we can understand, they will be more 80. As yet the work is voo in- complete jor us to g.ve @ more eiaborate descrip- on. Brooklyn Art Association, The twenty-seventh reception of the Brooklyn Art Association will be held next Monday evening in the Art Building and Academy of Music of tna: city. PALESTINE EXPLORATION, ro Important Movement to Illuminate Bib- jical History. The reader is doubtiess aware of the existence in this city of the Palestine Exploration Society, of which Protessor Roswell D, Hitchcock, D. D., LL.D. is President. This society has had an expedition in the fleld, during the last season, engaged in a thorough scientific survey of the country east of the Jordan, Lieutenant Eagar Z, Steever, Jr., United States Army, commanding expedition, leit Belrat, Syria, last March, and from that time until September was engaged in active field work. Moab was reached the latter part oi March and the camp soon established at Hesbdn, the ancient Heshbon of the Bible. A base line five miles in length was measured in the desert ten miles east- southeast of HesbOn, and the surrounding country covered with a network o/ triangles, Over 6v0 square miles have been triangulated and the details of 500 square miles filled in, together witn the hill shad- ing. The whole has been done on the scale ofa | mile to an inch and in the same manner as that pursued by the English engineers in Western Pai- estine, where they have been at work over two years, #o that the maps of tue two expeditions can be joined together and make one harmonious whole. This grand undertaking, if carried through to compietion, will give us an accurate, detailed map of Palestine from Dan to Beersheba and Irom the Mediterranean to Salcah. A number of inter- esting ruins were visited and measurements of their plans, architecture, &c., taken. Several new inscriptions have been found and copies and squeezes made, some of which are now on their way to this country. Proiessor Paine has careiuily examined the sites of Nebo and Pisgah, and has prepared a voluminous report on the iden- tification of these interestingjviblical localities, In addition to the regular work the whole country east of the Jordan and from the Zerka Main to Da- mascus Was gone over and a reconnaissance made ol the route travelled. On Lieutenant Steever’s return to Beirut he eects to the Advisory Com- mittee the Maps and drawings then in progress, and he was recommended to make an immediate return to the United States to lay before the Ex- ecutive Committee of the society @ true represen- tation of the magnitude of the work, its import- ance and the necessity of the reorganization o1 the expedition on a larger scale. The Meeting To-Night. Lieutenant Steever arrived in this city last month, and, in consequence, the society have calied & public meeting for this evening (Friday, Decem- ber 5), at eight o’clock, at Association Hall, corner Fourth avenue and Twenty-third street, under the auspices of the American Geographical Society, Chief Justice Daly presiaing. Addresses will be delivered by Chie! Justice Daly, Professor Hitchcock; Lieutenant Steever, United States Army; Rev, Dr. Adams, Kev. Dr. Washburn and Other distinguished gentlemen. Tickets (.ree) can ve had of Randolph, 770 Broadway, and at the hail, It is gg: | necessary to call the attention | the public to the importance oi this enterprise and the desirability of he!ping tne society in a substantial way to carry out successiully its ob- Jects, MUSIOAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES Mme. Nilsson is studying the role of Elsa in | “Lonengrin,’? Mr. Fechter’s engagement at the Lyceum Theatre begins next Thursday evening. Mrs. Scott-Siddons gives a matinée recitation at Association Hall on Saturday, Master Henry Waiker presides at the piano, During the spring season of the Strakosch com- pany in New York “Lohengrin” and “Romeo e Giuletta” will be brougtt out in grand style. Mr. Boucicault’s new play, which isto be pro- | duced at Wallack’s Theatre in a few weeks, is high comedy,“and 1t 1s believed will prove one of the most acceptable of the new pieces this season. The Amateur Philharmonic Society, a musical organization founded on the principle of the vener- able Phtiharmonics of this city, will give a concert at Irving Hali on Saturday evening, with an orches- tra of 50, The reason of the falling of the curtain at the Fifth Avenue on the opening night before the close of the second act ts very amusing. Lady" Keating touched her ‘“‘gong,'’ and mistaking it for his bell, the man at the ropes Ist the curtain drop. The play wasthen begun over again with the same result, CANAL NAVIGATION, ALBANY, N, Y., Dec. 4, 1873, Commissioner Fay telegraphs to Auditor Dayton from Rochester that he will be able to take care of all boats on the Western Division of the Erie Canal. Commissioner Berkeley telegraphs from Fort Ed- | ward that unless there is a heavy thaw navigation on the Champlain Canal will not be resumed, Franklin Edson, President of the New York Pro- duce Exchange, telegraphs that if the State au- thorities will keep the water on and the locks clear of ice @ very large proportion o! the boats now on the Erie Canal will be got through to tide water. The canal at Sprakuer’s Aqueduct ts filled with ice [rom the creeks in the vicinity breaking up. Commissioner Stroud telegraphs from syracuse that the superintendents have cen instructed not to draw the water from the canal. ‘A FESTIVE FIGHT, PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 4, 1873, Ina fight at a@ ball at the corner of Spring Gar- den and Broad streets last night James Campbell was shot trough the lungs, and Alfred Johnson and (harles Simmons were badly cut. The dim. culty arose from a quarrel between two rival gangs of young rowdies, A number of the combat- wnts have been arrested, MECHELLA REPRIEVED, rnor Parker Grants a Respite for Five Weeks—The Preparations for the Execution Complete=A Peep Into Cell No. 2 ‘To-day Mechelia was to expiate his deed of blood on the gallows at Jersey Vity. The machine of death was erected yesterday and all preparations were complete. Sheriff Keinnardt transferred his ofice to the parior in the County Jati, not merely to be on hand in case of any emergency, but to escape the swarm o! morbid sightseers who desired passes to witness the execution. The jail was sur- rounded by @ crowd that seemed to hear music in the sound of the hammer within the jail yard, The deputy appointed to complete the Trange- ments and to superintend the execu- tion took up his position im the jail yard and posted the carpenters on this new branch of business, at least to them, As this pcr- sonage was photographed in the HERALD in con- nection with an execution at the Tombs not one year ago it wonly necessary to remark that he was the same fancy, dapper little fellow, trimmed upina@ holiday attire, with a heavy black mus- tache ornamenting a handsome face—bandsome, at all events, in the distance—sporting an Astra- khan collar, and looking altogether the type of a genticman who would create a flutter among the tender sex at a fashionable gathering. Gazing on such @ man, and thinking of the execution— the quenching out of human lite by & violent death, the two upright posts supporting @ cross beam and all the terrible associations which the grouping conjures up, one feels in spite of him- selfin the mood of the melancholy Dane when he found solace tin the thought that “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horauo, thag are dreamt of in your philosophy.” Within the wails, stretched on a pallet in ceil No, 2, on the ground foor, lay the murderer, LOL sleep. ing—tieré was no time ior sleep—but counting the seconds with his arms and legs in alternate motion to relieve the mind, The ringing of the Court House bell tor lunch, at one o'clock, startied him and he heeded attentively the con- versation of the keepers and Visitors out- side his door when they observed that wuen that bell tolled jor one o'clock next day he would be cold in death, His eyes were sunken and glassy, lis whoie demeanor was subdued, and how and then couid be detected in the changing lines that chased each otuer over pis face the agony oi his soul He would, if he could, fling thought to the winds, but tuought weighed him down like a millstone, Mike O’Hrien, the special deputy in charge, gave a long look at the wretched man through the bars, then turned, suake Of Lie head, remarked, “I'nat’s the way he has been all night; he knows well he’s got to go; he’s no fool, as some people would make him out,” Mike had hardly finished this seutence when Mecnella cried out, *Boleece, boeece; pring me some prandy.” “here it is again, you see,” said Mike; ‘ne is calling for whiskey and brandy ali the time, He would ask nothing more than to have plenty of it tik the last moment,” Vuring this time Governor Parker was holding a conference with a iew sentimentatists down town, buving come on from Freehold fer toe purpose. Une week ago the Governor stated to a HERALD reporter he saw nO grounds vo grant @ reprieve, and che Court of Pardons were unanimous in re- fusing a commuta‘iop. At the instance of a small conclave, the Governor granted a respite, so that the execution will not take piace til the oth of January. Nobody in Jersey City clamors for the murderer's blood, but the verdict of the community 18 that the murder was most coid- bioodwed, deliberate and atrocious, and tiat if ever there were a case demanding speedy punishment this was on ‘Yhe only ground on which the respite was claimed was (hat Mechellais notin a proper condition, reugiously considered, for death, Not a word was said by thé petitioners about rais- ing a dollar for the widow and orphans of tiie mur- dered man, The insanity piea was shivered to atoms long ago, 60 thal it Was deemed inexpedient to offer it again. Suerif Reinhardt was oMcially notified of the reprieve lasc evening, He says the vigilance over the prisoner will be nowise relaxed, and the gal- lows Wil remain standing in the jail yard. SEQUESTERED SHARKEY, La sanantetl The District Attorney In a Quandary— Will He Use Mrs. Allen’s Evidence? The rumor concerning Mrs. Sarah Allen turning State’s evidence has assumed more definite pro- portions, She lias intimated to one of her counsel that sie wished to make certain statements in re- gard to the matter, and these statements have veen laid before the District Attorney. It 1s said, however, that the District Attorney is not very anxious to use her as @ witness, as her evidence | would not, under tne circuinstances, stand well before a jury, She had been a witness in the case of “Wes” Allen, and tried to prove an alibi, but her testimony and character were then riddiea to pieces by the District Attorney himself, In regard to Sharkey’s escape it is now pretty certain that it had been concocting for at least three months, and he had also nade an attempt before, but was not successful. About two months :zo Warden Johnson was summoned from his house in Carmansville tn the middie of tue night by a despatch saying there was a revolt in the prison, He came down about three ‘o'clock in the morning, and found the cells of Wil- liam Martin, who was charged with rape, and Henry Wiley, alias Short, wuo was arrested for being connected with the burglary on which “Wes”? Allen was convicted, juil of ropes and burglarious implements, It was tie intention to open the cell doors, pass along to the top tier, make the ascent to the roof and thence let themselves down to the street. Sharkey was, 1t is authoritatively stated, in this picts but there was nothing at the time found in is cell to give any evidence o! it. Since his escape, however, it has been discovered that the bars of his cell door had been sawed and were ready at any time to be displaced. This may have been done at the time of the attempt made by Martin and Wiley or since, At that time Martin and Wiley were transferred to the condemned cell, but, sin- gular, to relate on being brougut to General Ses- sions and tried they were boti discharged, Mrs. Allen, Maggie Jourdan and ex-Keeper Lawrence Philips were brought down to Court take had been made tn the jast one jound against them. Maggie Jourdan looked somewhat down- as usual. She tried hard to speak to the woman Allen, but was not aijowed to, under special in- structions from the District Attorney. Keeper Richard Finnan is not included in the new indici- meut. THE BRITTON INVEST:GATION, ° Fourth Day’s Proceedings Before the Governor's Commission. The investigation touching the charges preferred torney Britton, of Kings county, was resumed yes- terday before Mr. Cadwaliader, of the Commission appomted by the Governor to take testimony in the case, General Tracy appeared for Mr. Britton. The charge investigated was that of the litigation for Charles and tram and Cook. that they bad eorge Gardner and Messrs, Ber- The clients of Mr, Billings alleged been swindled out of $40,000 by one Gilpert Risbeck, who was @ client of Mr. Britton’s, The counsellor testifled that he called upon Mr. Brit- ton im relation to the case, and thought -that the District Attorney did not treat him very cour- teously and they had sone words, when .Mr. Brit- ton suid that they were (meaning witness’ clients) all a set of scoundrels, Witness told Mr. Britton that herthought Kisbeck was guilty of perjury and should be indicted, Subsequentiy his clients were, upon their own admission, indicted for conspira Cook and Gardner are now in jail 1n New Jersey. Mr. Levi Faron, chief clerk of the District Attor- ney’s office, testified that @ bench warrant had been issued against Risbeck, upon the direction of Mr. Britton, but the officer had been unable to find him, Gardner had also been sent for, The charge of not investigating the election fraud cases, which was made by @ local weekly Sheet, now extinct, against the District Attorney, was taken up. The proprietor of the paper in question, Mr. Amos Stillman, testified as to his ap- pearing before the Grand Jury, Civil sults were commenced against Mr. Richards aud witness by Mr. Britton. The suits are still pending. The remarks on the Keenan case were also @ cause of the alleged libel. Witness testified that Juage Moore said he held the sentence over Mr. Keenan because he thought 16 would be better, and would secure fis good behavior in the future, but if the Grand Jury desired him to do so he would sentence him then, ‘The prosecution will close their case to-morrow. The investigation will be resumed at Samuelis’ As- sembly Rooms at noon to-day, HEAVY GALE AND FLOOD AT BUFFALO, Burrao, Dee. 4, 1873. A terrific southwest gale has prevailed here since early morning, causing the water on Lake Erie to back up in the harbor higher than for the last 20 years. Many stores and tenement houses in the lower part of the city were flooded in the basements and ground foors. Part of tie Niagara Falls brauch of the Gentral Ratiway on the past side of the city was washed away, causing S trains to travel by the eastern branch. But lictie damage, so far, has beea reporked. retreating raidlve . yesterday morning to be reindicted, as some mis- | § A FEARFUL ACCIDENT. Fall of a Four Story Building, from its Own Weight, in Passaic, N. J. Two Prominent Gentlemen the Victims, Great Excitemsnt and Indignation of the Citizens—Miraculous Escape of Work- men--Who Is to Blame? A most appalling accident—appalling, not (rom the number of lives lost so much as from the ehar- acter of the catastrophe and the prominence of the gentlemen who came to an end as sudden, as cruel and as untimely as revolting—oceurred yes- terday in the picturesque and sedate town of Pas- saic, On the line of the Erie Railway, in the State of New Jersey. The accident spread a fecling of intense horror, gloom and indignation over the people of Passaic, and for hours alte® de- tails of the terrible disaster became known the greatest excitement prevailed among all classes, and hundreds of persons flocked to the scene and gazed with terror-stricken countenances on the mass of débris and scattered timber. At between twenty and ten minutes of twelve o'clock yesterday an inogmpleted three story and French roof building, situated on the corner of Main avenue and Washington place, trembied, creaked and toppled, and, with a tremeudous crash, tumbled to the ground, a heap ofruins, ‘The sound of the timber and what brick and mortar there was used in the construction, agit came to the earth, was described, by those who happened to be ip the immediate vicinity of the disaster, as resembling that of an immense land slide. THE STRUCCURE was erected directly opposite the depot of the Erie Railway, one door trom the town Post OMece and in the most populous part of Passaic, where numbers of pedestrians have hourly to pass and repass to and [ro, aud though only two lives were lost, it seems most miraculous that many additional human beings were not sacrificed to the parsimony of a capitatist. THE TWO GENTLEMEN KILLED were named George W. McLean, one oi the City Council of Passaic, and a genUeman universally esteemed for the possession of many excellent. qualities, and Mr, William Burclay, a resident of this city, and relative of Mr. J. FP. Barclay, ot Pas- saic. Mr, McLean was one 0; the foremost men in the place when the deat occurred, He was of the firm of A. & G. manufacturers Of cot- ton fabrics unt. the factory of which firm was in er “street, Paterson. He was one of tue first Councilmen — of the city of Passaic, a pading man in every public improvement and hh respected for his honesty and integrity of character. His residence, one of the handsomest in the neighbor- hoo 1, was at the corner of Bloomfeid and Pauiison avenues. He leaves a wife to mourn his unex- pected demise. The family puysician of the de- ceased, Dr. R. A. Terhune, Was the first to commu- nicate the sad intelligence to the widow, first smoothing tie way by telling her that her husoanpd had met with a yery serious mishap. but, finding that she could not be restrained from’ franticaily rusning to the spot, feit compeiled to tell the worst at once, butin the gentlest manner possible, The gricf and agony of the lady upou realizing the fuilextent of her misfortune was beyona ali bounds, as may well be supposed. Mr. Barclay had purciiased recently some valu- abie marsh property on Lexington avenue, and visited the place yesterday lor the purpose of givig out a contract for tlie building of a house. His body was taken in charge by his relatives and placed in a cofin preparatory to transportauon to his late abode in this city. MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. ‘There were a mason and carpenter at work on the top cornice of the building at the time of its fall and their escape from instant death was miraculous, They came down with the roof, but in some manner were thrown outwards towards the railway track and did not receive very serious injuries, One of them, named Tyler Vreeland, had two ribs broken and received some contusions on tue forehead, A laborer, whose name could not be ascertained up to a late hour last nignt, was in the = follar at the wmument ie | crash, but had presence of mind enougk to jump | imto the area way, and though surrounded wita broken timber and considerably irightened was re- hearted yesterday, and not by any Means as blythe | lo | away | hook and { by the Committee of “Fifty” against District At- | in which John G, Billings was employed as counsel | and also that three | dhe water is | periectly sale, teased finally witnout having sudered more than a few scratches about the region of the head. Of course the report of the calarnity spread with the speed of the wind, aud us soon as the norror- stricken denizens recovered from their couste: nation work was at once commenced to extricate whatever persons were thought to be buried beneath the ruins. THE WILDEST RUMORS gained currency, aud it was feared that some 8 or 10 citizens Were killed and quite us ian, wounded. Just before the snell came to tie earth Mr, Barclay was passing along in front of the building on Washington place, a few feet from Main street, and, seeing Councilman McLean on the opposite side, crossed over to address him. Just as they had passed a@ iriendly salutation a Mr. Fred, Whitehead, a resident of Passaic, came up’ om his way towards Main avenue and met them. An instant alterwards a singular noise attracted the latter gentieman’s attention, and looking up, more trom instinct than heat else, he saw the topof tne building fall- ingin. In @ twinkling he called to the two de- ceased to run and save themselves, while he him- sell sprung across the street just in time to escape the danger. The warning was tov sudden jor either of tie unfortunate men to realize the peril they were in, aud belore they could comprehend the situation the structure ieli upon them and they were at once seized in THE HARSH EMBRACE OF DEATH and buried from sight. Buta moment prior they wee in the happy possession of fuli corporal health and vigor, and now their bodies were suff and mangled and torn and dead, The fire alarin Was rung and a hook and laader company hastened to the scene. Mr. Whitehead pointed out the spot where he had last seen his irtends alive, and vigor. efforts were immediately commenced to clear the heavy rubbish, The hooks of the ladder company were brought into yeauisition and in a brief space of time the body of McLean was reached. 1t Was quite lifeless. One leg was doubled up ander the body and the lower limbs were badly crushed. The lower part of is body wus mangied in a frightful way, a large piece of timber having been driven completely through the region of the abdomen, tearing a hole large enongh to admit of the entrance of @ Closed hana, | and through which the entrails protruded, A lage hole was also made in his forehead. Mr. Barclay was discovered only a@ few feet distant irom tus trieud, His body was not so shockingly bruised, but his head had sustained tn- juries very similar to those seen on Mr. McLean's head. His death must have been immodiate, though some assert that lis lips Were seen to move a second or two alter he Was extricaied irom the rubbish, OTHER ESCAPES, Patrick Dowd, an expressman, was driving past When he heard the waruing snout of Whitehead. He looked up, sawthe danger and sheered his horse to one side in tune to save his life. Three men Were digging a cesspool in the rear ol the building, but eluded the danger, ‘The house was in dimension 39 by 73 feet ana had been in course 0! construction for the past two years. It was ownea by Mr. Henry Speer, one of the wealthiest cttizens of Passaic and who has a place at No. 93 Chambers street, New York. The bu.iding was very high and constructed of exceed- ingly light timoers. “A great deal of comment had beed excited avout the FRAIL AND UNSAFE manner of the construction ol the building previous to the calamity, and many who had examined it expressed their conviction that tt would tumble down before completion or soon after. Under ail circumstances tt may be esteemed a fortunate thing that the accident took place vefore the work had been finished and it was occupied and filled by people, The girders that run across the dist foor were supported by joists in the cellar, in size only two inches vy four. These were bet apart about 24 feet aud about 16 feet apart inadirect line along the girders, These ave Way under the increased weight of che butid- ng, caused by the slate being placed upon the French roof, and allowed the whole to sing to the ground, The work was done under the personal Supervision of Mr. Speer, and by day’s work. It was said by many Who professed to have know- ledge on the subject that tue construction went forward with the meaaest economy, and much severe comment Was passed upon the owner by the indignant persons who congregated at the scene of death, and Who gazed horror-stricken at bes POOLS OF BLOOD ‘ | on the sidewalk, which marked the place where the | victims had lain, ‘Squire Sprouls summoned @ fury and surveyed the débris, Belore proceeding to take testimony it was thonght advisable to postpone the inquest until Saturday ensuing, when @ thorough in- vestigation will be had aad the blame placed where it should properly rest, Mr. Speer has been confined to his honse from iliness for some weeks past, but was interviewed by the reporter of the Hgraip. He said that his building Was put ap tn strict accordance with the plans and specifications furnished by his architect, au Mr. Carpenter, of Broadway and Chambers street, in this city. He considered the structare ‘assaaic city is intensely agitaled | over the terrible occurrenca.