The New York Herald Newspaper, January 4, 1874, Page 5

THE COURTS. nee THE GRAND JURY PRESENTMENT. Condition of Our Public Institutions—The Continuance of the Tombs as the City Prison Recommended—The Sheriff’s Prison Fees Overhauled. BUSINESS IN THE OTHER COURTS. Yesterday Leopold Levi was held by Commis- sioner Shields in $1,500 bail to answer a charge of @ealing in cigars without paying a license, Richard Smith, of No. 812 Eighth avenue, who had been recentiy charged before Commissioner Shields with not paying his special tax asa retail liquor dealer, was aisciarged yesterday, the Comimis- sioner holding that the defendant was not liable to the payment of the tax. The examination of E, W. Bradley, who is charged before Commissioner Betts with having committed acts of alleged fraudulent bankruptcy, ‘was adjourned yesterday, by consent of counsel, till Thursday next, Ayoung man named Henry Schreiber recently enlisted in the army, swearing at the time that he ‘was 21 years of age. Ona writ of habeas corpus, before Judge Blatchford, yesterday, the voy’s father showed conclusively that he had not at- tained his majority. Schretber was accordingly dischargea from the army; but he was immedi- ately arrested on a warrant issued by Commis- moner Shields, charging him with having com- mitted perjury in swearing that he was 21 years Old atthe time of his enlistment, when such was <Feally not the tact, He wus held in $1,000 bail for examination. J. W.jNorton, who, some time ago, heid the po- sition of Superintendent of the Money Order De- Partment of the Post Office of this city, was charged before Commissioner Shtelds with having embezzled about $150,000, the property of the gov- ernment. He waived an examination and was commitied in default of $20,000 bail to await the action of the Grand Jury, Yesterday, in the United States District Court, before Judge Blatchford, counsel representing Mr. HL A. Frost, one of the creditors of the Market Sav- ings Bank, made an application, ex parte, Jor an order to compel the receiver of the bank to show cause why he should not be obliged to file a sched- ule of the assets received by him and also of the bank's liabilities. Decision reserved. The jury empanelled to try Matthew Rickard. gon in the United States Circuit Court, before Judge Benedict, on a charge of having committed perjury as a witness in the Lange mailbag case, Were discharged, without having been able to arrive at a verdict. The proceedings recently instituted in Supreme Court, Chambers, belore Judge Brady, for the open- ing 01 avenue B from seventy-first street to Eighty- third street and from Eighty-filth street to the Harlem River, were yesterday discontinued. It ‘Was shown that a majority of the property owners were opposed to the opening, and even the stat- ute governing such cases. Judge Brady ordered a diacontinuance of the proceedings. . THE GRAND JURY, we ee An Important Presentment—The Condi- tion of Our Public Institutions—The Sheriff's Prison Fees. fhe Grand Jury of the Court of General Sessions made the jollowing important presentment to Ke- corder Hackett yesterday morning :— To the Hon. Jonn K. HACKETT, Recorder:— The Grand Jury, having visited the Bellevue Hos- pital, the County Jail, the House of Detention, the Lity Prison and the Police Headquarters, beg leave to submit a report, as follows:— THE BELLEVUE HOSPITAL, under charge of Warden Brennan, was found in excellent condition, cleanly throughout, and the immates apparently well cared for. In THE HOUSE OF DETENTION there was a general cleanliness, but the atmos- phere of several of the dormitories was very im- jure. In one of them the atmosphere was 80 very pure, OW1Ng, ag it is understood, to the imperfect condition of the waste pipes and traps, that it was by us considered utterly unfit tor the habitation of any human being. We think the least the city should do jor the poor creatures who are held in captivity as witnesses would be to make them comfortable. In this building were observed two an girls (one a loreign subject), who have been eld in custody as witnesses in homicide cases for upward of six months. The jury consider it not oniv a hardship, but @ great wrong apd an in- fringement ot individual rights, to keep the inno- cent in custody tor so long a period, notwith- standing it may be for a public benefit. It must not only have a demoralizing effect upon the young when so confined, but it leads to habits of idieness, and it might lead to vice also, from associating necessarily with the many of the lower Classes who are also confined there as witnesses. The inmates are obliged to perform all the menial Services appertaining to their dormitories. We con- Sider that witnesses detained in the city’s interest should not be subjected to these duties. In THE COUNTY JAtL, LUDLOW STREET, it was found generally cleanly, but several of the cells Were in a filthy condition. THE CITY PRISON, under the charge of Warden Johnson, considerin; ‘the character 01 its ever changing and degrade inmates, we found in good, cleanly condition; but lor want of room many of the cells were over- crowded, there being two or three prisoners in many of them. The Grand Inquest. in view of the great expense that will be tucurred in the purchase of ground @nd in the destruction and erection of buildings under the “act” ior A NEW CITY PRISON, venture the opinion that no more healthy site can be found than the present block of the City Prison, and none more convenient to the courts, &c., with ample ground, and would recommend the erection 01 additional cell buildings on tne line of Elm or the side streets, which would leave ample yard room, and by the proper permanent improvement Of the sewerage and waste pipes to tie present buildings, with proper maps to prevent the efluvia from arising into the buildings, and to prevent the Same trom becoming cloggea up. We would there- Jore most respectiully recommend to the Common Council the passage of an “ordinance” asking the Legisiature for @ repeal of the aforesaid ‘act’ authorizing the acquiring of ground for a new city prison, D. B, TURNER, Foreman. ADDITIONAL PRESENTMENT—THE SHERIFF'S PRISON FEES, And this Grand Jury, tor want of time to fully investigate the following subject, would respect- tuuy beg, leave to offer the following present- ment:—The Grand Inquest have had under con- sideration THE BILLS OF THE SHERIFF against the county for supplies furnished to the County Jail from the 1st of January, 1872, to the 1st of November, 1872, inclusive, amounting in the aggregate to $28,457, and witn a view of investi- gating the correctness of the same, have called upon Warden Tracy, directed through the District Attorney's office, for the average daily number of ‘isonuers confined therein, for the period of these ills and the average daily number of United States prisoners confined therein for the same time, and the amount received irom the United States for their support, which. infoimation has not been furnished. It appears that tuere is no check what- ever upon the Sheriff or his Warden in the pur- chase of such supplies, and that the general bill of the Warden for monthly supplies are attested and sworn to by him as correct; that the services have been periormed by due authority and that the prices are just and reasonable; and the Sheriff also Certifies that the lead have been received for the use of the jai; that the services were performed und that the prices were just and reasonable. And the certificate of the Board of Supervisors declares the bills to be audited and allowed, and direct the Comptroller to pay the same. Section 2, chapter @20 of Laws of 1847, reads as {follows:— “No account shall be audited by any Board of Town Auditors, Supervisors or Superintendents of the Poor for any services or disbursements unless Buch account shall be nade out in items, &c.”” Accompanying the bills herein referred to there are NO RECEIPTS OR VOUCHERS, and many of the articles are so named that no auditing of the same could be had, as the prices were stated simply in gross, without items, quan- tity or price per galion, pound or gross, There- tore, in the absence of such items, bills or voucners and the absence of weight or quantity of many of the goods, was not such auditing fraudulent, wiiful and corrupt; and where no competi- tion 18 had, agin the case of furnishing the sup- piles, the Grand Jury have taken (as they believe) competent testimony that the prices charged in these bills were 75 per cent above current rates, and if the datly average number of prisoners had been furnished this body, as required, we should have been able to ascertain the cost per day for the wupport Mf each, a conclusion, the Grand Inquest would recom- mend to the Board of Supervisors the contract sys- tem for the fornia ‘and preparing of all sup- ig and the household regulations of said County jail. D. B, TURNER, Foreman, After the Grand Jury had made the presentment they were discharged by the Recorder, wno warmly NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, thanked tnem, saying that they had performed more than the usual Jabor falling to previous grand juries, and had performed it with great faithtul- ness and ability. BUSINESS IN THE OTHER COURTS. UMTED STATES DISTRICT COURT. VOLUNTARY PETITIONS, William H, St. John, Joseph M, Babcock, Jacob Hays, Nathan Frankel, Frederick Hays, Marcus £ Harris, Simon Kosenbaam, ADJUDICATIONS IN INVOLUNTARY CASES. J. W. Mance, Ja nes H. Finch, Willum H. Decker, Stephen T, Wiliams, Louis Auzat, Louis De Casse, Wiliam B, Putnam, DISCHARGE, George W. Oakley. SUPR: ME COURT— PECIAL TERM. Suit to Set Aside a ivorce Obtained in New urleans. Before Judge Davis, Some eight years ago Wiliam H, Hunt, a lawyer, of New Orleans, married, in this city, a daughter of Jacob Barker, the former well known banker and broker of Wallstreet. Mr. Hunt and his bride went to New Orleans, where they lived two years, when she went to Kurope, obtaining first, as she alleges, his written cousent, He brought suit ior divorce on the ground of abandonment, and, under the Louisiana laws, he retained counsei lor her, she having declined to obey a citation to appear beiore the Courts of Louisiana, such Citation having been served on her in this city, where she wus then living. The divorce was obtained, but sne claimed that her lawyer acted in the interests of her husband and that the decree was granted on insumicient testimony. Upon this resuit proceedings were institutea in this Court to set aside the decree, on the ground that she had never lost her domicile iu tis city, and that want ot jartsdiction on the part of the Louisiana Courts. ‘The case, which has been on trial for several days, Was concluded yesterday by the summing up of counsel, Most o1 the time was occupied in veating toe testimony taken in New Orleans, none oi which, however, developed any Oo! the Briay material generally incidental to divorce suits. Judge Davis took tue opposing briets and other papers of the lawyers, reserving his decision, SUPREME COUIT—GIRCUIT—PART 2, Decisions. By Judge Van Brunt. Pratt vs. Parker.—Uranted. Muis vs. Brennan, Sheritt.—Memorandum, Bank o1 the New York National Banking Asso- ae vs. Romer et al.—Granted. (see memoran- un.) Fasmacht et al. ve. Stehm.—Opinion. SUPREME CURT—CHAMBERS, Decisions. By Judge Brady. Schaeffer, &c., vs. Brummer.—See opinion. Palmer as Chamberlain, vs. Masterson aud Oth- ers.— Granted, Dearing vs. Grau and Others; in the Matter, &c., Gerhardt vs, Howe, Hummel and Another.— Memorandums, SUFERIOR COUAT—3PECIAL TERM. Decisions. By Judge Freedman. Hawkins vs. Hawk:ns.—Motion granted. Gilhooiey vs. Both.—Oraer granted, Sherman vs, Gilbert,—Injunction dissolved, By Judge Van Vorst, Bishop vs. The Hmpire Transportation Com- pany.—Order to be filed. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS—SPECIAL TERM. Jadgments Against the City. Refore Judge Loew. In the suit of William Colligan, assignee of the claims of seven laborers employed in cleaning the City Hall in the latter part of 1869, judgments were obtained against the city yes- terday in this Court. This is the last lot of these claims, some 25 in all, the city has had to pay within the past two months. The answer of the city was, “No appropriation.” Judgment was ordered on demurrer to this answer, counsel claim- ing that under the decision of the Court of Appeals in the case of Juage Quinn the city could not escape its honest liabilities, on account of its own Jailure to make an appropriation to meet them, and that the answer, thereiore, was not sufficient in law to constitute @ valid defence to the action, ‘The total amount recovered was $2,000, Decisions, yy Judge Loew. By Towle vs, Covert.—Motion denied, (See memo- randum.) Covert vs. Recknagle.—Judgment declaring the marriage contract null and void on the ground of fraud granted. Schoppy va. Schoppy.—Judgment of divorce granted. Mooney vs. Snowden.—Motion for leave to enter judgment or decree granted. COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS. Close of the Term—The Business Trans- acted=Maggie Jourdan Balled. Before Recorder Hackett. Yesterday the December term of this Court was brought to aclose by the discharge of the Grand Jury, whose labors have been unusually pro- tracted. During the month the extraordinary large number of 225 indictments were found and bu cases dismissed. His Honor the Recorder dis- posed Oo! 239 prisoners while the Court was in ses- sion in December. There were 41 convicted by the jary, 119 bs ert reais of guilt; 26 were acquitted and 62 discharged tor want of suficient proof, “Mageie” Jourdan Bailed. Margaret Jourdan, who was tried for aiding Sharkey, the murderer, to escape from the Tombs, but as to whose guilt the jury failed to agree, was bailed yesterday in the sum of $5,000. James Bar- clay, ol No, 18 Macdougal street, became her bonds- man. As soon as the bond was approved and signed by the Recorder “Maggie” was released from prison, and after thanking her counsel, Judge Beach, she left the Clerk’s room in company with her iriends, ESSEX MARKET POLICE COURT. An Old Swindle Revived With Effect, Before Justice Flammer. William Johnson, an old offender in the eyes of the law, was committed in default of $1,000 bail on each of the three several charges preferred against him of obtaining money and goods by faise pre- tences. His modus operandi was this:—He wonld enter a store, generally a small one, and choosing about $10 worth of gnods, would offer & $50 or $100 billin payment. The parties naturally hesitated to cash so large a bill, whereupon he said, “Well, then, I have a few $20 bills at home and you can send your boy witi the goods and the balance for change and 2 will pay him.” The scoundrel would then take the poy to some house he was acquainted with, and, taking the goods and the balance of the change trom the boy, go up stairs for that $20 bill. Of course the boy waited for him in vain, There were three complaints against him, preferred by George F, Bates, No. 406 Kast Houston street, Bernard Festner, No. 111 avenue B, and Kilen Mayer, of No. 82 Pitt street. The latter he swindled out of some e#hoes a few days ago, and she recog- nized him as he passed her store yesterday and cried out “stop thiel.” Officer Charles 0’Connor, of the Eleventh precinct, gave chase and caught Johnson, He had $450 in $60 and $100 bills in his pocket when arrested, Good for Twenty Years. A man of forbidding appearance, giving his name as Herman Arnold, was arrested yesterday by Officer Dyer, of the Tenth precinct, in Bayard street, on acharge of burglary in the first degree. Some three weeks ago the sleeping apartment of Fanny hy eel @ charming widow, residing at No. 179 Kast Broadway, was broken into at two o’clock In the morning, and silk dresses, worth several hundred doilary stolen, one being taken from @ chair just at the head of her bed. She heard the noise, but was afraid the rufllan would murder her if she moved. The next morning Officer Dyer and two ladies saw Arnold drop a bun- die in the haliway of No. 170 Division street, and Tun. The bundle contained the stolen property, The officer has been laying for his man ever since, and, meeting him yesterday, put the “nippers’’ on him. He was heid in $5,000 bail to answer, BROOKLYN COURTS. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT—IN ADMIRALTY. A Collision Case. Before Judge Benedict. In the case of Ellen Mullen against the steam tug Alfred and Edwin, which was an action to recover for the sinking of the libellant’s varge by a col- liston with the tug, Judge Benedict yesterday ren- dered the following decision:~—Upon examination of the pleadings and proofs in this cause, Iam of the opinion that the loss of the libel- lanvs boat Was not caused by any negii- gence on the part of the tug in her m agement of the tow, but arose from perils neces- sarily incident to an attempt to tow the boat ina channel made narrow and dangerous by ice. The nature of the service to be periormed and the character of the risks attendant upon ita perform- ance were known at the time when the tug was employed. Under such an employment, as the evi- dence discloses, the tug cannot be chargeable for negligence in undertaking the services at a time ‘when it was necessarily hazardous to the iow, and ppon the proofs the services, when undertaken, | newspaper oftice in the land, were periormed with all the regard for the safety ol the tow that circumstances would permit. Tne lide) must accordingly be dism:ssed, with costs, SUPRENE COURT—SPECIAL TERM. Judge McCue’s Libel Suit. Before Judge Pratt. Judge Alexander McCue, of the City Court, ts suing a New York newspaper association for libel. Desiring to amend the summons by substituting the real name of the writer of the alleged Itbel in the paper for the fictitious name of Joun Doe, the Plaintifl’s counsel moved before Judge Pratt to have a rejeree appointed to take the affidavit of W. F, G. Shanks, the city editor, as to the name of the author of the article im question. Judge Pratt appointed ex-Juage Greenwood as the re-eree, and yesterday Mr. Snanks appeared beiore him and was sworn. He emphatically re- jused, however, to disclose the name of the author Ol the alleged libel, sa: ing that ii he should do so he shonld deserve to be kicked out of every decent No honorabie man, he asserted, would do tt. He suggested that the responsible editor, who was accessible would be the proper party to apply to tor the information desired, The referee will report the result of the examina- tion to Judge Pratt. SURROGATE’S COURT. Lest Week's Business, Before Surrogate Veeder. During the past week the Surrogate admitted to Probate the wiiJs of Jane Newman, of the town of Gravesend; Francis A, McCiddin, Joan W. Inness, Lydia Allen and Killian Sultan, all of the city ef Brooklyn, Letters of administration were granted in the es- tates of the tollowing named deceased persons, viz.:—Thomas Rice, of the town of Gravesend: Isabelia Studam, iormerly Isabella Hodge; Morgan Burns, Wilhelmina Krotzsca, Fanchen Sussman, Robert McElroy, Mary Ann Sparrow, formerly Mary Ann Carew, and Ephraim Poileck, all of Brooklyn, Letters of guardianship of the person and egtate of Menka Sierho to Johanna Feist, her mother; Of Sarah &. Strong, William 4. Strong and Catha- rine A. prone te Sarah Jane Strong, their mother; o! Harriet E. Downs to Charles B. Holder; of Hiza- beth Merkel, Mary Merkel, Fredericka Merkel, Pillip Merkel and Pauline Merkel to Fredericka iegrich, their mother, all of the city of Brooklyn, “JUDGE DONOHUE, He Declines a Public Dinner. The following correspondence will explain it- self:— New York, Nov. 26, 1873, Dean Sir—Congratulating yon on your elevation to the Bench of the Supreme Court of your native State, the undersigned desire an opportunity to give you a social farewell on your leaving tne Admiralty Bar, where we have known you so long and so well asa distinguished Aamiralty lawyer. Will you, theretore, give us the pleasure of your company atdinnert We are, with great Tespect, your brethren and triends, E. 0, BENEDICT, JOHN A, OSBORN, E,W. OWEN, R, BREBE, B,D. SILLIMAN, ‘To Hon. Cuariks Doxonur, JUDGE DONOHUE’S REPLY. New York, Dec. 26, 1873 Gunruewex—Your kind congratulation and expression of regard have been duly received, and are far more gralty- ing to me than the tact ot the election to the high posi- tion the people have given me, To feel, after so 1ong an Acquaintance at the Bar, that our intercourse has been productive of so gratilying @ result to me asthe kind feelings your letter expresses is something I may well be proud of. Ican ireeiy say that te feelings you so kindly express are reciprocated. It would have ‘given me géeat pleasure to accept your kind invitation, but the pressure in atte:npting to ‘close up my professional ments has prevented it, und all I cando is to to each of you, gentlemen, my kindest wishes for Yourselves and my regret atbelng unable to meet you As you desire. Tam, with great respect, your triend and brovher, CHARLES DONOHUE, To Mesare. E. ©, Bewxpict, E. H. Ownn, B.D, Sitti Max, and others. CLEARING THE MARKET. eee geet Removal of All the “Squatters” Around the Market—A Lively Moving on Satur- day—Mr. Devoe’s Complaint to the Mayor and What Came of it—“Tur. key” Declines Eight Cents in Two Hours—Beef and Mutton at Genaine Pantie Prices. The long threatened raid on the sidewalk standa of Washington Market was made yesterday after- noon by a detachment of 12 men, under Captain Williamson and Sergeant Lonsdale, For some reason best known to the Board of Encumbrances the busiest part of the busiest day in the week was selected for the raid. ‘Confusion worse con- founded” was never witnessed in the market, not excepting the memorable night when the Board or Health made its first raid on the venerable stench hole. At one o’clock yesterday afternoon the platoon of policemen marched down Vesey street and told the proprietors of “street”? stands that they had just a quarter of an hour to clear the walk, and that if it was not done within that time they would be assisted, or, in police parlance, “dounced.’’ Many declared their intention of accepting the “pounce” rather than quietly submit to what they considered an outrage. The police paid no atten- tion to the declarations of defiance made by the Women, and continued their march down Vesey Street to West, where they divided, one detach- Ment going up and the other down West street. When the detaciiment that went down West street had made a détour of the markct they halted on the corner of Washington and Vesey streets to await the arrival of the other division, The reappear- ance of the police seemed to stir the ‘squatters’? into action and they began to move. On the de- voted head of Mr. Shafer, the Superintendent of Encumbrances, the market women called down the maledictions oi all the avenging saints and angels. The horror of their VILE INVECTIVES was only equalled by thelr ingenuity and originat- ity. These poissonieres seemed to despise the ordinary methoa of sending the police and super- intendent to the dominion of Pluto, so they clothed their vile abuse in many @ vulgar meta- phor. The genealogy of Mr. Shafer ior eight generations back was reprobated by these furious women, who, not content to,abuse him, inveighed against his progenitors and cursed nis posterity ‘until the Day of Judgment, Mr. Shaler submitted to the abuse of the women with true Christian fortitude and forbearance; but when the men began to blackguard him he gave them to understand that he was carrying out his orders and would put up with no “gab” from any man in the market, As this declaration was accompanied with manifesta- tions o! belligerent intentions the men thought it wise to give the Superintendent a wide berth, Realizing that alternate prayers and curses would avail them nothing, the squatters” decided to vamose, This wise decision of theirs saved the police and themseives much trouble, and once the work of demolishing the stands began it continued in good earnest until no vestige of the booths re- ained. ers. Martha O'Donnell, the stout lady who for years has Kept the provision stand on the corner of Vesey and Washington streets—the entrance of the market—explained THE POLITICAL ASPECT OF THE RAID in a lucid and statesmanlike manner to the HERALD reporter. ‘This raid” said she, “has been instigated by Mr, Devoe, the Superintendent of Markets, We of the Vesey street side are to be put out of the way of making an honest living, while those on West street are provided tor. When Irving was Superintendent of Markets he at- tempted to remove Devoe’s stand at Jefferson market, and Devoe said if he knocked down hts he would knock him down. I told this to Devoe to-day, and asked him how he would like to be knocked down now for doing what he defied an officer to do when he kept a stand himself. He denies that he made the charge; but he aid, and is the cause of our being removed.” THE CONFUSION AND CRUSH. At aboutthree o'clock, when the crowd in the street was impassable, the contusion was some- thing unprecedented, People with baskets and bags elbowed and edged their way through the pas- sageways, while the migrating marketmen howled and cursed in Satanic frenzy. ‘the police vainiy triea to keep the crowd moving; but it was impos- sible, as a jam occurred every lew feet by reason of some stand being athwart the sidewalk, The raid not only affected pedestrians and purchasers, but prices also. Prime turkeys, for which 18 and 20 cents were asked in the morning, went down to 10 and 12 cents, with tew takers. The “inside’’ mar- ketmen were offering $25 to $10 that the raid woud not take place Chageetiley and many were the jokes cracked at thelr expense when their money was Won and the stands began to come down, THE WORK FINISHED. By six o’clock there was not a stand on the street, although several enterprising persons started trade on barrel tops, dispensing such deli- cacies as “salary” at “three cents a bunch,” matches, shoe laces, &c. Mr. Shafer informed the HERALD reporter that he had orders to remove the shed that had been erected over the street since the raid of the Board of Health, and would begin work on Monday morning unless he received con- trary orders in the interim, NEW YORK INFANT ASYLUM. The annual ball or the New York Infant Asylum, No, 24 Clinton place, is announced for the 13th inst., at the Academy of Music. This charitable institu- tion has been in existence for the last two yea and has done much service in the humane caus providing for abandoned children. The institution not only receives uniortunate little waifs, but aiso cares for mothers with children of tender years. The managers of the institution have now under their protection some 130 chilaren. In connection With the asylum are houses at Flushing, L. L, and at Sixty-first street and Tenth avenue, this city. The ladies who have so kindly watched over this charity from its inception desire the cordial aid of sympathizers with good undertakings, and the coming annual ball in aid of the asylum ought to beagreat event jn the record of the charities of yhe season, and 43 others. JANUARY 4, 1874.—TRIPLE SHEET. THE NEW COUNTY OFFICERS. Appearance of the Sheriff’s Offic: the New Dispensation—Cleanit Bustuess the Order of the Day—The Per- sonnel of the Sheriff's and County Clerk’s OfficeseEix-Sherif Brennan’s New Offices. Sherif Conner has entered upon his term of office with a determination to put ‘his house in order,” and yesterday painters, decorators and up- holsterers were busy renovating the Sherif'’s offive, fn the new County Court House. The clean- liness is to go turther than that of cleansing the floors and decorating the walls. Printed notices are placed in conspicuous positions, asking gentlemen to refrain irom smoking within the office. The little room on the right of the entrance to the deputy sheriffs’ room has been fitted up with desks, and eight deputy sheritfs now occupy @ room that was previously the shelter of bootblacks and loungers, Sheriff Conner intends to have the business conducted on thoroughly business princi- ples, and, on Friday, forwarded the following letter to each of his subordinates : Suxnirr’s Orrice, New You, Jan. 1, 1874. Deak Sin—It is my intention to have all the transac- Vons in this office conducted in a courteous, business-like and satistactory manner, From 9A. M, to4P. M. it is Sapecien. that the deputies, clerss and ‘all the attaches ‘will be in attendance at this office. except those who, in the discharge of their official duu re necessarily ab- sent, That every one may be enabled to attend to hiy articular business without confusion or loss of time, it expected that no person will induige in loud or bois. terous conversation,or permit the lounging around of visitors not having official business to transact. Smoking in any of the apartments connected with this office during business ours 1s positively prohibited, Deputies and their clerks or assistants will remain in attendance at their several departments, and not visit the general office except when summoned on official bus- Incas. A due observance of these regulations will greatly facilitate a correct and prompt discharge of your official business with the proiession and others Yours, truly, WILLIAM C. CONNER, Sherith The following is a complete list of the ofticials ap- pointed by the Sherit’: — John T. Cuming, Under Sheriff. James E. Maxwell, Assistant Under Sheriff, * Messrs. Burns, Keese, Dunlap, Sheils Fay, Carraher, Upham, Gale, Carroll, McNulty, Macuire, Aarons, Camp: Under bell, Kelly, Radley, MeNally, Kerrigan, bodge, Cunning- ham, Sun: Speaon, Brown, Bourke, Cooper, Li gan and Scofield, Deputy Sheriffs. LUDLOW STREET JAIL. The Warden oi Ludiow Street Jail, William A. Dunham, has the foliowing assistants :— Deputies, William Watson and William Gardner; day watchmen, F Hughes, Whilam H. Dabbs' and Jacques chmitz; night watchmen, Thomas Connolly, ‘Thomas Wiliams'ana Patrick McCarthy; engineer, John ©. Frazer. Patyick Coughlin and Michael Daly have been ap- pointed special deputies to convey convicts trom the Tombs to Sing Sing. COUNTY CLERE’S OFFICE. The office of County Clerk Walsh has undergone no external change. It still remains the dingy and gloomy apartment of the marvie pile. The County Clerk has made the following appoint- ments :— ona A. Gumbleton, reappointed Deputy County lerk. oii Mirtax McLaughlin, Assistant Deputy County Cler! William Sinclair, Clerk at Chambers, Supreme Court. ohn Von Glabn, Clerk Circuit, Part3, supreme Court. Isaiah Kynders, Clerk in Chancery. Thomas F. Grady and Hugh ¥. Dolan, Recording Clerks County Clerk's office, John Kennedy, Messenger. Major Kent, Colone! Moody, Mr. Duryea and Mr. Plum have not yet been reappointed; but it is understood that the County Clerk will do this in the course of a few days. DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. The Commissioners of the Department of Public Parks have made the following additional reap- pointments: — Frederick Law Olmstead, landscape architect, $6,500 per annum; J. Wray Mould, associate architect, $5,:00 per annum; Julius Munepurtz, superintending’ agchi- tect, $1,0N) per annum; John Bogart, engineer, per annum? Frederick L. Underhill and Chatles M. Harris assistant engineers, $1,800 per annum; Howai aru, George H, Harrison, Clerks, $1,500 per annum; Samuel T. Houghton, bookkeeper, $2,200 per annw C. Pratt, assistant bookkeeper, $1,500 per annum ank A, Calk ins and Max L. Lhompson, surveyors, $1,900 and $! h. draughtsman, $1,506 per annur Axel Holmgren, draughtsman, $1,200 per annum; Arth Krause and £4.'M. Kemp, draughtsmen; H. Hermans, J. Mahoney, Danicl Campbell, A. Miller, ro men; Charles S. Millard, Edward Van | Valkenburgh,® Michael J, Kelly, chainmen; Patrick Phillips, Joseph H. Choate, W, A. Jeiters, M. G. Robinson, Frank Odell, John Gleason, Cortland: &. ‘Paimer, axemen; W, L, Salmon, tapeman; Jonathan Gaddes, laborer; William E. Beams has been apoointed property clerk, $2500 per annum; Carnot Mecker and Christopher Smith, toremen, EX-SHERIFF BRENNAN’S OFFICE. On the fourth floor of the building corner of Broadway and Warren street ex-Sheriif Brennan has established his offices. It is @ weary ascent from the sidewalk to this floor, and will prevent the ex-Sheruf from be- ing troubled with many loungers. When reached, the visitor finds that one corner of this floor has been appropriated for Mr. Brennan and his associ- ates’ use. Here the carpenter, the painter, the decorators and the cleaners were busy. Ex-Under Sheriff Joel Stevens was up to his spectacles in ledgers, books, and masses of sheriff's office papers, and Judson Jarvis had blockaded the entrance to all the rooms by piacin @ temporary writing table in the hallway. The table was filled with papers, and he was busily engaged writing notes and letters. Ex-Snertif Brennan has a snug little office. overlooking Broadway, and the walls are decorated With the photographs of prominent politicians, MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS. Statistics for the Week. Fire Marshal Sheldon reports 18 fires for the week, involving a loss of $52,880; insurance, 171, her year; Otto sib The police arrested 2,141 persons this week. There were 548 deaths, 448 births, 149 marriages, 41 still births ior the past week, Board of Estimate and Apportionment. A special meeting of this Board was held yester- day at tne Comptroller's office. Present—Mayor Havemeyer, President; Mr. Vance, President of the Board of Aldermen; Tax Commissioner Wheeler and the Ges A resolution authorizing the issue by the Comp- troller of $100,000 assessment bonds was adopted. The Department of Parks made application for $83,906 50 for tmprovements in Westchester county. The resolution to grant the same was laid over. Mr. RoswgL. Hatcu, on behalf of the Fire Com- missioners, presented a resolation ee by his Commission, to authorize the building of chemical engines for the fire engines, pursuant to article 16, section 91, Laws of 1873. The resolution was jaid over. No other business oi importance was transacted, and the Board adjourned to meet at tue call of the Mayor, The City Gas. The commission, consisting of the Mayor, Comp- troller and Commissioner of Public Works, to re- ceive proposals jor the supply of gas for the street lamps, held @ session yesterday afternoon, at which the various bids were read over; but as the Comptroller desired to examine further into the bids the awarding o{ the contracts was adjourned to Wednesday afvernoon. Department of Public Works. Commissioner Van Nort makes tne following statement of public moneys received by the De- partment of Public Works during the week ending yesterday (Saturday) :— For Croton water rent and penaltic For tapping Croton pipe: For vault permits. . For sewer permits... For sewer pipe sold (o contractor Total. Annexation Documents. Commissioner Van Nort, of the Department of Public Works, makes the following demand on the Town Clerks of Morrisamia, West Farms and Kings- bridge for all papers and documents in their pos- Session relative to street improvements :— Derautwent or Puntic Works, City Hatt, To the Town Clerk and other officers of the town of ——, who are custodians of records, documents or papers relating to the matter of opening, laying out or constructing any boulevard, avenue, street, highway or sewer in the town of = GENTLEMEN—=By chapter 613, section 13, of the Laws of 1873, you are directed to acliver to the Commissioner tor the Departinent of Public Works of the city of New York, on or belore the Ist of January, 1s74, ali ‘records, docu- ments and papers on file in the town ofices, or in the Possession of the several officers of the town of the matter of opening, laying out boulevard, avenue, street, town. Such papers not having been delivere | my office, 1 now make a jormal demand on yeu for the same, and have authorized Ldward H. Tracy, bsq., Chief ineer of the Croton Aqueduct in this departinent, to receive them from you and receipt for the saine. GEORGE M. VAN NORT, Commissioner of Public Wokrs of the sity of New York, City and County Treasury. Comptroller Green reports the following dis- bursements and receipts ot the Treasury yester- day :— Claims pald—Number of warrants. 8% amount, | 15,499 ng to.. see cericeres arnt 16 Pay rolls—Number of warrants, 81, amounting to. Total number of warrants 1 RECEIPTS. From taxes of 1873 and interest. From arreary of taxes, assexsme krom collection of assessments and interes! From market rents and tee: 595 From water rents,...... Aah From sales of vitrified stone pipes. . 133 rom sewer permits. aly From licenses, Mayor's office. 4 From sales, City Kecord, (1 week) 26, From penalties, ‘poration Attor' 362 From lees and fi Be interest . District Courts. osits, Merc! TOALs..+.cnmnsnecssnascnnsrons oesrecarse renee: THE COAL MONOPOLY. and | A Herald Reporter Among the Coal Men—Their Views on the Combination—A Uniformity of Supply and Demand the Object—an Equalization of Labor Throughont the Year—A Gradual Increase from Spring to Winter —The Re- tailer and the Consumer. With the rapid increase of our population, the growth of our great cities and the destruction of those immense forests which covered the land tn the days of our fathers, the question of a due sup- ply of fuel for the practical uses of life and at such prices a8 to make it accessible to the poor, is each Year becoming of more interest. In England the labor question and the great depths of the coal mines, which have bean worked for ages, with other minor causes have so enhanced the cost of production as to advance the price of coal to an unprecedented extent, and to cause the fear that the time may not be far distant when to “carry coals to Newcastle” will be regarded as a legitimate commercial transaction, and not an evidence of folly. Fortunately for us nelther the labor ques- tion nor the depths to which our own mines have reached furnish any cause ior alarm in this coun- try, and if she price of coal is to be advanced toa point when it will become A BURDEN TO THE POOR too grievous to be borne, it can be attributed to quite different causes, As the recent combina- tion between the railroads and the great mining companies—forming a gigantie monopoly—to shape and control the production of coal and the placing it on the market and consequently the Price to be paid, has excited considerable feeling and comment among the people to be afected by it, a HERALD reporter was yesterday directed to visit & number of the companies and dealers for the purpose of obtaining their views upon the sub- ject. He was received by them all with entire courtesy and frankness of speech, though in every case requested not to make public the name of the person iurnishing the information desired. On stating the object of his visit to an extensive wholesale merchant the latter proceeded at once to remark:—“There was @ time when the price of anthracite coal depended on the sup- ply and demand, I do not consider that it does so any longer. There is say 20,000,000 tons of this coal taken out and placed on the market every year. Possibly this might be increased one-half, I do not think it could be doubled, It has been found sufMi- cient to supply the demaud. The combination to which you refer, and which 1s composed of the Reading Railroad Company, the New Jersey Cen- tral, the Lehigh and Susquehanna and the Dela- ware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad compa- nies, and all the great coal companies, such as the Reading Coal and Iron Company, the Delaware and Hudson Canal Compuny, the Lehigh Coal Naviga- tion Company, the Wilkesbarre Coa) and Jron Company and the Lackawanna Coal and Iron Company, is for the purpose 0) placing this COAL ON THE MARKET gradually during the year, and to keep the capital of the companies from lying dormant during many months, as has been too often the case, Hereto- fore, the immense machinery at the mines and the large amount of rolling stock of the roada, together with the employés, necessary in those seasons when the demand for coal was the largest, were comparatively idle at cther times. The annoyance and inconvemence of this can be readily appre- ciated, The object 1s to keep steadily at work throughout the year, and, to accomplish this, the combination must be able to control the prices every month in the year, in order by advancing or lowering it, to equalize the demand. With the ex- isting habits of the people the desire ts to induce them to purchase in the spring the supply ior the winter, and, therefore, the price of coal, as you may have observed, has increased ten cents @ ton cach month since April last, The advantage of the desired equalization would be to keep bota the railroad and mining companies reg- ularly employed, thereby avoiding many annoy- ances and inconveniences, especialiy with the miners and other workmen, and would give them their money tor their coal, Which lies at the mines during the summer, several months earlier.”’ “Do the merchants see no danger in tha future in such combination }’ asked the reporter. “Not any, The public are not threatened with being pioneered through the combination. The object is to prevent coal sinking below a remune- rative price, as it has heretofore; but any atrempt at raising 1¢ exorbitantiy would defeat 11s own ends very soon. ‘There are, say 20,000,000 of tons,, of anthracite coal taken out by these companies every year; suppose a combination was formed to advance it $2 per ton over a legitimate price. There would de $40,000,000 to be divided, and the temptation to undersell or in some way to obtain more than @ proportionate amount of this vast gum would not be resisted and the combination would soon fall to pieces. The association formed by these companies is similar to that of the iron- mongers in England, who decide absolutely upon the price of iron, changing it from time to time as they think proper; but no charge of robbing the pubic was ever brought against them.” “What is the advance on coal per ton since last spring?” here inquired our reporter. “From 50 cents to $1,”’ was the response. “It is higher than it was last year too. In December of 1872 Lehigh lump sold at $5, as against $5 85 last month; broken for $4 75, against $5 7Ug stove, $5 10, against $6 85; Chestnut, $4 15, against $5 15. ‘The last the difference of $1, whichis much, I do not regard these prices as extravagant. The prices: of 1872, which grew out ol competition and the sale of many thousand tons at auction, were ruin- ous to the companies. The average hice at tide. water now is $6 65. This is the maximum, it will not advance further.” Thanking the gentleman for the patience and courtesy extended him, the reporter withdrew and wended his way tothe oilice of the great coal corporation, recently formed, consist- ing of the Wilkesbarre, Honeybrooke and Lehigh Coal companies. Herein the Honey- brooke Company has leased the lands of the Lehigh and then consolidated with the Wilkes- barre, thus forming the new corporation which controls most of the lands in the Wyoming Valley. ‘The HERALD representative was courteously re- ceived by vhe Secretary, but no new facts in refer- ence to the combination were elicited. The new company has between 20,000 and 30,000 acres of cou! lands, and will take out nearly , tons of coal yearly. The consolidaton, a: ated, was for the betier organization of the inter- ests involved, and it was especially denied that it was designed in any way to adect the price of coal, Others were called upon for their view: which were, generally speaking, treely given, an: were confirmatory of the statement that this prime arifcle of fuel was not to be advanced extortion- ately—indeed, that it would ADVANCE NO FURTHER THIS WINTER, and until it falls to the legitimate spring price, when, under the in*uence of tue monopoly estab- lished by the combination, the price will increase a stated amount each month, ag heretuberore re- ferred to and explained, ‘The next and final visit of the reporter was to the retail dealer—he wao comes een, in contact With the consumer, upon Whom the bur- den ultimately falls, and who knows his habits and wants in this connection, Said he:—“What ‘we most desire is untiormity as a base of calcula- tion, if for no other reason. People wili not buy their supply of coal if the price has fallen within a few days, a8 they are always quite sure it is going lower. They are ignorant of the agencies and in- fluences affecting it, more so than of any other ar- ticle of general consumption, ond 80 they are always expecting something Which will fedound to their benefit and seldom buy until prices are tending upwards again. The combination of the railroad and mining companies has advanced the prices somewhat over last year, but there is little difference to the consumer, Let me show you my.books for the past few years. In December, 1870, Coal began to advance, owing to the strike among the miners. Doubtless there was plenty of coal; but the companies would not send it for- ward. Well, in April, 1871, it was selling at $134 Then it began to go down, and in the winter of 1871-2 it retailed at $7. It then declined to the proper base for a starting price in the spring, say $6, and to $5 and $5 50, again advancing to $6 in peptember and to $7 and $7 50 during the winter. It is now selling at $7.7" “Still you pay more, do you not!” asked the re- porter, Yes, I paid $4 30 last season, and at the same date this season $5 90; but the retail prices hold about the same. There is a little diverence among the dealers, Some charge 2% cenis or ou cents more or less, imfuenced by @ desire to build up @ trade, There is a difference in the gross and net weight, too, which 18 the more to our advantage the higher the price ts,’ “You don’t fear any ill results (rom the combina- tion, then *” “Well, no. Not as affecting prices directly, per- haps, or a8 long as matters go on smoothly; but strikes among the workmen may iollow, and then the consuming public would be at their mercy. Indeed, some fancy @ strike may be purposely brought about. There is coal enough now at the mines to last for @ year, and if work should cease it would be easy to send the price up to some tre- mendous figure, and no one to blaine except the Strikers, perhaps, with whom the public always sympathize.” Some aia remarks followed, ana the reporter retired, é Trade for 1873 About 1,500,000 The Increase in the Co Over the Previous Year To The Pottsville Miners’ Journal of Friday has some valuable statistics of the coal trade, which will be of interest to dealers ana consumers gen- erally. It says:— The quantity of coal sent to market for the week was 62,431 tons by rail; by canal, 723 tons; for the week, 63,164 tons against 23.148 tor the correspond. 5 me week Inst year. merease for the week, 29,288 The quantity sent for the week from all the re- lons, including the supplies via Phiiadeiphia and eading and Lehigh Valley roads, foots up 233,668 tons anthracite and 33,974 tons bituminous— ier the Week, 267,646 tons, against 152,382 tous for the cor- noe toe last year. Increase for the week, RB he whole supply from the regions embraced in our table for 1573, so tar, is 24,759,661 tons, against 21,152,543 for the corresponding period last year. Increase, 1,407,108 tons, of which 843,254 tons is an- thracite, and 563,854 tous bituminous, The increase for the year will be in the neighbor- hood of 900,000 tons 01 anthracite, and about 600,000 tons in the supply of bituminous coal moved to- Ward the seaboard, making the increase for the Year, in round numbers, avout 1,500,000 tons, Con- sidering the tightness 1n the money market that prevatied during the whole year, tollowed by the crash, the increase is larger than we anticipated as the season Leggroneht, but uot so large as we supposed {t would be at the beginning of the year, beiore the depressed state o! the financial affairs had been fuity indicated. Had the business of the country continued ag active as it was at the close of 1872, the market would have taken at least 2,000,000 tons increase in anthraeite alone, ‘The coal trade, we believe, Was the oniy branch of business Of any magnitude that continued to increase weekly during the panic, and the prices were not only maintained but advanced 20 cents per ton after the panic had commenced. And we may also state tat so iar asthe miners and laborers employed at the collieries are concerned, ithas been one of the moat rosperous, as they received good wages on the Bhate adopted, and they had more regular work throughout the year than in former years. he operators complain that thelr profits are not suMcent to pay a fair percentage on the capital invested in the business, in other words the prices paid for contract work are too high in the arrangement ot the basis, and that too much goes to the employes without suf ficient profit to the operator. The empioyés on the other hand seem disposed to resist any re- duction of the basis of 1873, and are willing to continue it for 1874. But, taking all in all, the coal trade was rescued from and made profitable in defiance o1 the panto by the thorough organization that existed between the associated companies and the vasis of prices arranged, which weve to govera the trade for the year, and which were strictly adhered to throughout the year, the companies having only dropped an advance of 10 cents tor the month of October, which they proposed making, but did not after the anic commenced. The trade also increased dur- ing the panic, and the heaviest weekly increase was made during that period; and even for the last week the trade shows an increase o! no less than 115,264 tons over the corresponding week of last year. Notwithstanding the advance in the price of coal of 10 cents per month, amounting to 70 cents during the seuson, from the opening prices last spring, made an average advance 0: 35 cents per ‘ton, the retail price of cual 18 as low to-day in the cities 4s it was last year at this season, and in some instances lower. This is caused mainly by lessening the expensés4n handling and selling the coalin the cities. So well has the organization worked in keeping the trade regular, while at the same time they maintained regular prices to the consumers generally, and the better the arrange- ment becomes understood by the people the more goog! will it become among the retail dealers in coal and to the consumers, and particularly to Jarge manufacturers, Who wil Know what prices they will be compelled to pay for their tuel during ae year, and can make their contracts accord- ingly. THE NEW STEAMSHIP ETHIOPIA. ee The Latest Addition to the Anchor Line—Her Dimensions, Accommodations and Machinery—List of Officers. The new steamship Ethiopia, the latest addition to the transatlantic service of the Anchor line, arrived at her pier, No, 20 North River, on Friday evening last, and since yesterday morning has been open for mspection by the travelling public. ‘This vessel 18 much larger than any of the line, and has been furnished with all the improvements which experience and a lavish outlay of money can secure, She was launched in October last, finished early in December, and Is of the tollowing general dimensions:—Length over all, 420 feet; breadth of beam, 40 feet; depth of hold, 34 feet 6 inches; draught of water at load line, 26 feet; has three decks, is bark-rigged and of 4,250 tons burden, builders’ measurement, while her registered tonnage is 2,600 tons. Her hull was built by Measrs. Alexander Stephens & Son, Glas- gow, and her machinery by the Finneston Steam- ship Works, The bottom plating is one inch in thickness, which is reduced to three-quarters of an inch at the sides, and on every deck are beam ties or stringers in sucn profusion that the vessel pos- Besses great strength and stabillty. Her trames are of double angle iron, and she is titted with eight watertight bulkneads, MACHINERY. The new steamship’s motive power consists of Rik Taal lei engines, the low pressure cylinder beitlg 107 inches in diameter and the high pressure cylinder 79 inches in diameter, pi ton is four feet. Steam is provided by six ilers placed athwartship the vessel, each having three turnaces. Here are two cold water pumps and an equal number of ar, feed and biige pumps, ‘There is also noticed a novelty called an “aur ex- tracting fan,” worked by a@ separate engine and used to free the cabins, steerage and holds of im- pure air, The stroke of ACCOMMODATIONS. The accommodations tor passengers are of the most ample and iuxurious character. The saloon entrance is wide and elegant, and as you step into this spacious retreat the eye rests upon appomt- ments of the first order, and which have not been surpassed in the finish of any ocean steamship cabin afloat. The saloon ts 40 feet by 38 feet, nearly amidships, and 10 feet high. The panels are of satinwood and the mouldings of rosewood, ex- quisitely finished, while gold beads are so dis- tributed as to give the whole a fresh and pleasing effect. The ceiling is painted white and relieved with gold beads. Mirrors are furnisted in pro- fusion, also arm-chairs, numerous glass racks of peculiar construction and a firepiace, which is in- tended to be more than an ornament, A deck- house promenade above tne saloon, and commu- nicating with it, is an attractive feature, and with- out doubt will prove a popular lounging place with the passengers. This apartment is elaborately decorated and furnished with a plano and organ of large sizes, while the roof is covered with hand- some colored glass, The view of the saloon from the promenade, with its flowers and fittings, is very pleasing. A smoking room is also provided on the upper deck, which will be found convenient. Alt the saloon are TRE STATEROOMS of first cabin passengers. These are of the roomiest possible nature, the berths being wide and all the fittings of the most ample and com- fortable character. Over 100 saloon passengers can be accommodated, and such, as well as those in steerage, can be assured of fresh air, as tae ventilation is perfect. On this, the main deck, are the retiring rooms, bathrooms and lavatory for the ladies, while further a(t are tue same conveniences for gentlemen, Electric beuls are fitted to all the staterooms and communicate with the steward’s pantry. Forward of the saloon 18 the pantry, and opening into It the barber shop, officers’ quarters on the port side and staterooms on the starvoard side, The comfort of the STKERAGE PASSENGERS has not been overlooked, and while there are ac- commodations for 1,200 such their quarters are pleasant and well ventilated. The atter steerage 48 set apart for married couples and single females end the forward steerage for males. The retiring rooms for these passengers are so arranged that privacy can be maintained at all times. Among the roe improvements on board the Ethiopia is the appiication of the azimuthal lamps tor the port, starboard gud masthead fights and the erection on deck of TWO IRON LIGHTHOUSES, These are built of malleable iron piates and firmly riveted to the deck, and are about nine feet high. It is from the top of each tie port and starboard Ughts are displayed. The steamer is supplied with @ patent steam steering apparatus, and the tele- Rane arrangements between the officers on the ridge, the steering house aft and the engine room are very simple and periect, ‘There are 10 lle boats on deck, The Ethiopia will be followed by a sister steam ship, the Bolivia, now building on the Clyde and soon to be delivered to the company by the build. ers, Messrs. Duncan & Co., of Port Glasgow. The Utopia and Aisatia, wi three ofier vessels for the line and in’ process of construction, will be put on the same route of service 8© S0OR as completed, These will make ap ocean fees of steam clippers of the first magmicude, LIST OF OFFICERS. The Ethiopia will sail on Wednesday Ot this week. The Mea idea are her lag Captain—James Craig. Oplcers—First, oDere Hutchison; second, Hugh Brown; third, Andrew P. Russell; tourth, Alexan- der ten pe Purser—Davi' . Doctor —Wilvam J. Mitchell. Steward—Vavid Muir. Engineers—Chie}, John Kennedy; second, Geo: Torrey; third, George Barrett; assistants, John Miller, Jobn Murray, Alexander Giisun, Aiexander Macvey. CENTRAL PARK METEOROLOGICAL DEPART. MENT, Abstract of Report for the Week Ending ati P.M, January 3, 1874, Barometer—Mean, 29.985 inches; maximum at OA. M., January 3, 30.267 inches; minimum at ey tog December 28, 29.223 inches; range, 1.034 c Thermometer—Mean, 33.7 degrees; maximum at u P, M ee ae degrees; oy om Ky PB ., December jegrees; range, jegrer Remarks.—December 28, snow from On. 0m. A. M. 65 inch. January 1, . M.; amount of water, .05 inch, January 2, rain from h. Om. A, M. to 11:30 A. M.; amount of water, .30 inch; total amount of water for week, .90. Distance trave led by the wind dnring the week, 1.386 mules,