The New York Herald Newspaper, January 10, 1874, Page 6

ae eae ee , -hia counsel. 333 6 BLOOD FOR BLOOD,' pan eee Tho Last Act in the Stephen- son Tragedy. Execution of Jacob Meehella at Jersey City. HE QUIETLY SUBMITS TO HIS FATE. All Attempts to Turn His Heart to Heaven Fatile. “No! No Going Hang ! Don’t Hang Another Bungling Execution—The Noose Fails, the Culprit Falls and Is Hanged Up Again. @m the evening of the 9th of July last a party of ™% wallors were engaged in playing cards at a Doarding house kept by one Wilnamson, in Cherry street, in this city, when Jobn Stephenson, @ deputy United States Marshal, accompanied by two g@esistants, entered. They were in quest of one Priit, @ saiior, who had deserted his vessel, and for whom a warrant had been issued. Prilt was not there, but Stephenson picked out a Finlander, mamed Jacob Mechella, saying, “You got $10 tor ronning that man (Prilt) from the vessel.” Mechella replied, “No, bot I Jent him $0.” One of the sailors in the party cried out, “Don’t go with them, they are voarding house runners.’ Mechella thereupon said he would not go with them. Stephenson pulled out a pistol, grasped Mechelts by the collar and with the aid of the two assistants pulled him ent into the street and Mechella was locked up. Next day he was brought before a United States Commissioner on a charge Of resisting the Marshal, but the case was compromised by Mechella con- senting to go with the Marshal and find Priit, who Re stated was at Washington, New Jersey. accordingly, on Friday afternoon, the 11th of July, Stephenson and Mechella c.ossed over to Jersey } Quy, where they appeared before Commissioner | ‘Muirhead and obtained a warrant for the arrest of Pnit. They left the Commissioner’s office and proceeded to that of Marshal Bailey, just two Blocks distant, at the corner of Grand and Hudson astrects. This brings us to THE MURDER. Not an unfriendly word had passed ‘oiween the men, and the unsuspecting Marshal walked a little im advance of Mecheila, Just as they had arrived at tme corner of Grand street, opposite Mr. Bai- ley’s office, Mechella steaithily drew a knife and dealt Stephenson a biow in the back that sent him staggering into the sireet off the curbstone. The Marshal resolutely faced his antagonist, whose eyes giared like those of a hyena. They clutched gad struggied across Hudson street to the side- walk, when Mechella, being the more powerful man, threw Stephenson over a pile of timber and buried the knife in his heart, ‘rocking the weapon backwards and forwards,” as ove witness re- marked. After repeating the thrusts three or | four time he drew the blade across his own throat. A crowd coliected ana Stephenson was raised slighty up but he was a corpse. THE TRIAL. Mechella was committed to jail, was indicted for murder and on the 2th of October was brought to ‘trial before Judge Bedie and Justices Hoffman and Wiggins, associates. ‘ihe prisoner being iriendiess ‘was assigned counsei by the Court, and the plea in his bebalf was self-defence. Mechelia was sullen, silent and tmdiferent durmg the Fefusi to communicate even with When his brother was placed for the deience the pris- ener broke out from his wonted silence and became very excited. He protested loudly and vehemently against his brother being called on to testify, and cautioned the latter, half im bis Rative tongue and hall in English, to say about bis iather or mother or home. His counsel calied on himself to take the stana in his wh defence, but he stubborniy refused. Counsel spaces vo the Court for a compuisory order, but the Court declined to grant it. The trial lasted three days, andthe jury, after deliberating tor three-quarters of an hour, brought in a verdict of murder in the first degree. The Russian Consul attended the trial. RETRIBUTION. One week after the verdict was rendered he ‘vas sentenced by Judge Bedle to be hanged on Friday, She Sth of December, and the prisoner listened to | the sentence with that sullenness and indifference that ebaracterized his demeanor during the trial Throughout his term of imprisonment his conduct ‘Was violent, abusive and boisterous, his actions at times revolting and his language invariap'y blas- Pl He buried imprecations at nis keepers, at the kind friends who calied to see him, at on tne stand those who took 4 warm interest in his ease, and especially at the clergy, to whom he bore an unaccoantadile anupathy. He would not be interviewed, nor would he heed any counsel, by whomsoever tendered. H:s favor- ite and mildest retort was, “You go get yourself drunk.” In consequence of these exhibitions a mal! party of Jersey City men made representa- tions to Governor Parker that the prisoner was in- wane. The Court of Pardons had already been ap- to, but in vain. Every prominent physician ‘Who examined him pronounced him to be sane; a few thought the case doubtful. and the majority believed he was feigning insanity. The keepers roved to be the best judges in the case. © special deptities who had charge of him— @ Brien and Crawford—nit the nail on the head ‘when the former remarked, “He is more rogue than fool,” and tue latter declared, with em- “rnat fellow 1s very Keen and shrewd—al- ‘ost too sharp for us.” REPRIEVED. Yet the Governor not only lent a willing ear to the representations made, though almost the en- tre Popuistion of Jersey City was shocked by the gudacity of the murder, that on the day preceding that fixed for the execution he came to Jersey City and issued a reprieve, t© expire on the 9th of January—fist five weeks. Mechella was subjected to an examination by a dozen of physicians or more, and yet not one of them stake his protessional reputation on the assertion that the man wasimsane. The Vourt of Pardons was calied into special session, discussed the testimony presented to them by the piysicians, after which, With unusual promptness, the Court Bnanimously declinea to interiere.’ The last plank was bow gone, and the news was conveyed to Mechaila that he must prepare for death. But, emboldened by his success io Obtaining a reprieve vy violent conduct, he now became exasperated. He assaulted his — was placed in trons, raved like a maniac became altogether ungovernable. Every day ‘was drawiog him nearer to his end; but that re- conveyed no meaning to his heart. He ‘made up his mind on one point—ne would not any clergyman, Judge Wiggins, one of the justices who tried the case, callea on im, @ Lutheran prayer book ; bat he beat hasty retreat to avoid a missile directed at his head by the prisoner. THE MACHINERY OF DEATH. A new jows was erected, taking that in the Tombs as @ Model, and set in @ corner of the jail yard. The executioner was an expert who graduated years ago in New York, and who banged #everal culprits within the Tombs, incinding Foster and Nixon, On top of the wall surrounding the jail yard a high wooden fence, covered with an awning, was erected 80 a8 shut out the view from the outeide, Two hundred and fifty passes were issued, and to pro- cure accommodation for this number recourse was had to the roof of one extension—the ‘wash room for the Nagorters and the boiler room fer the Freeholders. “Three companies of the State ‘militia surrounded the pailding, and no precaution a smeciea tan ace of order was ormitted. It was ant ted that Mechella would hecome violent at ‘the last, and the Sheriff had on hand a strong posse of deputies, He also adopted a wise gi stion tendered him—that the prisoner be kept im strict seclugion the day previous to the execution. The effect of the secinsion Was magical. He spent im remarkable quiet and repose. able ind repose for one nit #0 ungovernable. He became meditative and when he retired for the night he covld not weep He moaped and sighed, and was heard to remark at one time, “OH, MY MOTHER!” When asked pero Bay peer ‘ed he answers —_ ask my ‘other; be n0 govua edema oi. He jumped Dp, paced the cell, smoked a stamp of a cigar for haif an hour, then nature was vielorious and he fell on the cot ex- Rausted. “I tell you,” observed Crawford, “aiter that he slept nine square hours.” Expressive enough was this for the siumber that was to pre- the long repose in the cold, silent grave. time was at hand, and the recollection it weighed ee te even the it is neediegs to remark they were than ever to the wretch who had #0 sud ag | came the rattle, ul 8) | would yield to the power of the law. enhancement @enly and who was s0s00n to with thermfor ever, “What wil you nave sabe" asked every one of the de: with @ irequevey waraupyined with s geod sed wit! with @ relish, walked up elothes—what paredy !—like a feariul schoolboy, The gray dawn streaked the floor, an he could hear the murtaur and buzz of many owes Outside, as the crowd collected, but he could po! distinguish vans like these among that multitude, “They say hes wilted at last, What did you bear?” “Don't know; they say the Sueriif tecla doubt” “Lt will be an awful thing if the, to carry him to the gallows,” and sucb mark: At nine clock the Rev, Messrs, Rice and Hed- arrived and made to the culprit a Anal APPBAL TO TURN TO HEAVER, “Jacob, we like you and want you to pray with us, Won't you listen to us?” 3 ‘o, i. won't aoe aman aes. 08 go get your- selves drunk, | no listen to you. ‘The Kev, Mr. Kice knelt and invoked God to be merciful and turn the heart of the criminal, Me- chelia meanwhile pacing up and down smo*tog his cigar, his arms foided and occasionally direcung a glance, charged witi contempt, at the sealous ministers. ‘Ihey had to abandon effort. A few minutes aiterwards arrived Mr, Norton, the boarding iouse keeper with wiom Mechella lived for a time, and the truest and most tried friend during all the prisoner’s troabies. With him came his wife, who, on shaking hands wita the prigoner through the bars, was deeply affected. The orig reproved her sharply ib this fashion:—“You ¢cry—damn‘ fool—ge home— who the hell be you’-—ygo home and stay these.” Tbe faithful womap implored bi “Jake, you should try and prepare yourself tor death.” “Ub, you go home and get drunk,” was the reply. ‘Time was passing. Ten o'clock was approaching and the messenger of death was awaiting tue stroke, The prisoner was called upon now by his connsel, ag well as Judge Wiggins, ur. Quimby and a jew sincere friends, Mecheila was 11 & musing Mood at one end of the corridor, still among cigar, whea he caugut sight o) the crowd outside, “What is that crowd doing outside- there?” he asked of Deputy Sheppert, “On, 1 don't know,” was the reply. “Are they Waiting for mei”? was the next query. “Oh, | suppose whey are,” returned Sbeppert, “Weil, let Lnem wait;’? and Mecielia Walked oi aud resumed his retlective mood, A FOKLORN HOF, Ten o’clock struck, and Norton approached him for the last time. The wre'ched Wun was very cheerful in conversation til it assumed a religious turn, when he clesed his left eye, roiled tne cigar across his mouth, folded his arms across, and, Li- clining his head to one side, Struck up an atutude that would be envied by the man who studied ior months to deciaim “Not jor Joe” witn effect. “Po you beueve in God?’ Norton asked, “What me know about God)—-me have never seen Him,” answerea the prisuner, “Do you know where you wiii go when you die?” Was the next question, “Me don’t know ;” and he walked of m disgust, The time was tiffeen minutes past ten, when a great rustling andtramping up the stairs struck on the ear, and every one of tnat smal) group standing around Meche could feel his heart throb convulsivety. pa DP, Up, With terrible baste eruy ahardt appeared, with a large staff of deputies presaing closely on his heels, and THY, MINISTRR OF DEATH, with his cords in his hands, bringing ap the rear. Mechella was stinding in the ceutre of the corre dor, Still smoking, and wien the group of pew comers pushed hastily towards him he realized at a fash his awial doom. He receded quickiy, ihrow- img up his hangs and saying, “Nv, ho, no,” tripping along before them as if he could keep them atbay. When he got to the end oj tue cor- \dor and could go no iurther, one of the deputies caught bis arm apd held it up whiie another put on tim the dismal black coat. This was tue crisia, and some of the bystanders were nervous, Now was the time when, as some thougit, he would strike out and offer a@ last resistance before he But, quite unexpectealy, he hung down his head, bis limbs relaxed, his face fiusied, and with ail ms tron nerve and unconquerable stoteiem, the shadows that quickly chased each other over his face as weillas the coavuisive clutching at the cigar, too aa indicated that the beart was at last melting. Yet he did not reauze that after 20 min- utes more that heart would beat no more, and the light of this world would have dissolved 1n THE SHADOWS OF DEATH. Sheriff Reinhardt, anxions to have the terrible ordeal past a8 soon as possible, hastily read the death warrant, the phraseoiogy and sul import of which the culprit did not seem to comprebend. One of the deputies caught bim by the arm, when he snatched it away, saying, “No, no; me do no harm.” The reading of the warrant having been conciuded the Sherift said:—Jacob Meche.la, have yon anything to say? If you have, now speak, in presence of these gentlemen.” A mo- Mentary pause followed and the culprit replied, “No, no; me nothing to say.” ‘the executioner then slipped the looped curds on his arms, to which he Submitted quietly. Before tie operation was concluded he struck up @ dance, but faied on the third step. The etfort was futile. It was the last of his career of dissimalation for which he became notorious. “Whether he fealized the awiul import of the word “eternity”’ or not, he now knew full well, from all the prep- arations, the bouds, the display of force, the cere- mony and the extraordinary attention recently bestowed on him, that THE TERRIBLE MOMENT WAS AT BAND in which he wonld be cut off irom tompanionship with the living. When the executioner was re- moving his has the prisoner said, “No, no; leave that there—hat belong to the head.” His request was not heeded, and when the Diack ca) placed on him be was totally unnerved. U8 @X- pression betokened keen mental agony. Wuen the noose was adjusted he moved his head un- easily. : THE MARCH TO DEATH was commenced, and in less than two minutes the murderer was standing under the beam which claimed him till he should yield up his life. He raised his eyes and looking upwards saw the beam and the noose, and then, turning to the Sheriff — 8 jook brimful of entreaty, “No, no going ang 5 ere DON’T HANG.”? A prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Hedstrom in. @ manner so feeling that it reached the hearts of all, and even the wretched mau himself looked steadily at the minister as Wf he had then recetved the first touch of grace. The prayer finished, the Sheriff pulled down the black cap, but Mechella managed to push it up again over his nose saying, “No, no, whet for ;” and, while uttering these words, e Was JERKED INTO THE AIR. The face was visible from the tip of the nose downwards, yet there were nov the slightest con- tortions. He would have gone up with the cigar stump stil in tis mouth bad not the sheriff plucked it out immediately belore cutting the rope. A slight heaving of the chest followed, then ali was still. After being suspendea three minutes and a half the executioner, by request oi the phy si- clans, lowered him somewhat ; but while doing so A TERRIBLE MISTAKE OCCURRED. The knot placed on the left ear unravelled, and the wretched man fell to the ground, A cry of horror arose from the spectators, and everybody, Including those close to the gallows, was un- nerved, The executioner had another nvose in his pocket, and this he placed around the culprivs neck and raisea him A SECOND TIME IN THE AIR. Many strong men turned away from the sight, and those who went there through mere curiosity had their curiosity gratified to the tull, It is one re- lieving consideration that the unfortunate man‘s sufferings had ended beiore he fell, Not a muscu- jar movement was visible after he was raised the second time. The rope was cut by tne Sherif at twenty-live minutes past ten, puisation ceased in 14 minutes, and in 29 mmutes the body was lowered and taken Im charge by the physicians, Who pro ted to make @ post-mortem é€xamina- tion. County Poysician, Drs, Chabert and Quimby and others conducted the examiuation. The brain weighed 52 ounces and 1 scrupie, a weight that overcurows all the fanciful theories of those who urged on the Court of Pardons the proposition that Mechella was a nan of very low intellect, in fact semi-idiotic. For a man in lus avocation It 18 an extraordinary brain. The body was placed in a handsome coffin bearing the inscription— OOCCOMOP PELL BOLE MOPEO DELETE TOLLE OOOOEOED JACOB MECHELLA, eae 3 Digo Jan, 9, 1874, AGED 2 YRARS, eererrernererocese rest ee recone rene serene nner: —and taken in clarge by Mr. Norton, who con- veyed it to New York. Mechella was a native of Finland, The only relative he has in this country 1s one brother, now living tn New York, It is due to the law-abiding residents of Jersey City no less than to the militia w state that not the slightest symptom of disorder was mani- fested outside the jail, The Sheriff made most admirable arrangements to preserve order within and without. Deputy Sherins Cronan and Tange- Man were most courteous and attentive in provid- ing accoramodation for, and jurnishing information to, the members of the press, This was the first execution in Hudson county, THE INTERNATIONALISTS AND GOVERNOR M’SNERY. The internationalists of this city nave addressed the following letter to the Governor of Louisi- ana:— New Yon, Jan. 9, 1874 To Governor McExxr Dean Siz—-You have in the State of Lonisias acres of idle, unproductive land. We have 1W0,0u0 able-bodied men idle and homeles: utilize lands to the enrichment of both the State and in- dividuals! These men are able and willing to work, but they do not possess the means to emigrate to your Stato. They are scarcely able to iive from day to day in this State. If you in your official capacity will aid us, we will try ie solve and benefit onr fel laborers aud techantes, to settle rers a Ingen Seater the State wh ‘millions a thetr families, tue in any healthy count i furnish each emigrant ‘acres of good land, transportation, food, seed, tools, Ue lumber or tents, and other necessaries to setue and col ivate the land, money materials advanced by the Tana 28422, Eat, m0 on the improvements of sand goods 0 we able at a Wrest in seyen years, J would eal your attention to the settlement of Aroostook county, Of Swedes, in 1870, at the cost of Btate to the ben of both state and holon so the move! it on toot to sptile Canade, with infan ahorers from id by & command. ie Named Oy ee pe MR RaRY, aident oun ternat J.W, Mapon: Secretary Commel oF Im NEW YORK HERALD, S ave j | PLYMOUTH CHURCH. HTS Se? Peace Restored Cnce More—T' Three Thoughts of Christ’s Teaching—The Past Year—Proceedings at the Annual Meeting. Alter the usual services last evening Mr. Beecher #aid:—There are three thoughts—a trinity of thoughts—that are at the basis of Christ’s teach- tug. Firet ts that the kingdom of God te with you, Second, the power ef inward life, as dis- eriminated from the outward life—“God be with you; 1’ enser and abide with thee.” Third ts, «“Because 1 live ye shall hve also”—immertality insured by the word of God. Now, the progress of the kingdom of God does not depend on our own philosophical statement of tt. We are to determine what this Kingdom ts by asking to what extent do the elements of my natare control themselves tn the spirit of Jesus Christ? Take the element of reason, To what extent does it work under the inspiration of the Divine Spirit? My imagination, all my mora) sentiments—in what degree do they move all my social relations, in what degree do they expréss trutn, fidelity? This would pe self-examination, if we were competent was | to do it, and in some degree we are, During the past year in whatdegree have my powers come into accord witb the spirit of God? And in dowg tis it is not enough to do what others do; our standard is not the pubiic sentiment of the com- munity. JHSUS CHRIST 18 OUR STANDARD, and lower than that we may not go, and it is a pretty solemn test, Has pride throbbed in me as it has in other men? Take the element o) selj-in- duigence; in what respect am 1 living any better than I did last year? Take beneficence; in what respect am I more blossoming? where have I the eMuence of positive deveio, ment? Taese are cru- cla) tests, When I look at you here I don’t think of you as human beings scareely. Every one of you are TEMPLES OF GOD} every one & mansion, some velter kept than otners, Now, in visiting Europe | had seen some O1 the famous piciures, but not all, had seen them in engravings and was familiar with the sub- jects, bus i bad access to what are called the studies of the ureat masters, and I can’t teil you what a feeling came over me when J frst saw them, Little scraps of paver, with perhaps a hand sketched #0 and then 60 and then so— (Mr. Keecier timstrating the | O#ition)—until at last we see the hand aa it i8 in some great picture, Here | could trace tue thouxht, Jn some of Raphael's masons pictures the figurea were put in differcut attitudes th he was satisfied. 1 know the completion, put here on the steps they seem to be a part of the man. Now, to make the appiica- tion of thig, It is a very_poor thing to see a man or a woman making progress in divine nie—to lo k at the steps day by day, Itissmall material for a rsou’s pride to have @ little of the light of eaven thrown on it. When you come to take individual efforts they come to but iit#le irom a critical point of view. But there is @ point of view from Which it becomes interesting—httle things in themselves, but immense im the connection, There are & great many things a person would not like to say—that it would not be delicate to say; but | want to say that Guring the year that ig passed i bave had very ae frequent evidence of the divine presence day and by night. Ihave always had great Taih, but for the year past i have had more than ever. The year past has me & deeper, intenser insight into epiritual I think I have been abie to maintain a jorm of love, of earnest desire for men, and to Want a wistful, earnest desire ior all; tuat | have alvo had wrought in me a kind of giving up of my will, a surrendering of myseli to the care of Provi- dence, and I can say, “Thy will, not mine, be done.” 1 don’t remember but one time before when Thad so clear and marked submission to the will of God. I recoilect the day on which | was going to make my speech in England, for my country. On the afternoon of that day I went down into the valley and shadow of death. 1 got into a state of despair and I had to fall back into the arms of God. I had an overpowering sense of tie great principles of jiberty. I did not know what an Engiish audience was; did not know but Isiould be hooted of; but I remember | was in er Incessantly all the afternoon, and I got re- bout an hour beiore 1 was to speak, and ef then there came at once a perfect submission to God’s will--ii 1t was God's will that I should be put where | was willing, and there came such a FLOW OF PEACE then when I stood facing those 5,000 faces I felt erfectly calm. I had a sense of the power of God in Jesus Christ and the power of the Spirit of God w annihilate wordly tl 3, Thave found peace in the bosom of God and be- Neve others can doit aiso. This past year I can be more grate!ui for than any other of my life. I must write down that it was a great year Of harvests— the revelation o/ Himself was a biessing. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY. The annual meeting of the society of the church waseld also, The soctety 18 comp: sed of all such as contribute to the support of the society, and these oniy are entitled to vote at its meetings, M. K. Moody was elected Chairman; H. Chapin, Jr.. fecretary, The meeting open-d with prayer by Deacon Hutchinson, The Chairman stated that the chiel business of (he meeting would be to hear the report of the Treasurer and elect turee truse tees to fill the places of Augustus Storrs, Daniel S, Arnold and Moses 8. Beach, whose terms of office will expire in one week. The minutes of the last annnai meeting were read and approved, Augus- tus Storrs, Treasurer of the society, presented his annual statement, of which the loliowing is an epitome :— Receipts... we 960,598 Disbursement 57.186 Balance in hand...........-s0.0++ oos+ $34 The eiection of trustees and others was the next business in order. J. B, Hutcninson and 8. V. White were appointed presidents of election and B, Carpenter and Sidney Smith tellers. The result of the voting wag the re-election of Augustus Storrs, D. 8. Arnold and Moses S. Beach as trus- tees; H. Chapin, Jr., as clerk, and R. W. Ropes and M. Moody auditors. Moses 8. Beach referred to the pleasing fact that the treasurer’s report showed a gooa balance in hand. It was the first time in the entire history 01 mouth church that they had had a clear lance im hand. The principal reason why they had not had a balance was that the several mission enter- rises in Which the church had been engagea had, ogether with the church Lay teens absorbed all the receipta. It might not generally Loe the but he stated it as a fact, that nearly $100,000 churen. Since the church was organized it had been expended on mission schoois belonging to paid from its mcome not only all the current ex- penses and high salaries, but had defrayed almost the entire original cost of the church property, as well a8 tne $100,000 invested in missions, The meeting then adjourned. DR. BUDDINGTON’S PRAYER MEETING, Prayers for Jew and Greck, Barbarian and Scythian, Bond and Free—Jews and Sailors the Fature Missionaries of the World—The Peace with Plym- outh Charch, The prayer meeting in Clinton avenue Congre- gational church last evening was crowded. Camp chairs were called into requisition, and yet a few were compelled to stand. Dr. Buddington read the programme of topica appointed for prayer by the Evangelical Alliance. They included prayer for Roman Catholic, Mahometan, pagan and nominally Christian countries; ior Jews, for seamen, for Christian missions and missionaries; for the oppressed and enslaved in every tand; in short, for the conversion of the world. These topics of prayer were based on selections of Scrip- ture a8 found in Psalms Lxvili., ¢xxil., and Hebrews Xii, which the Doctor read. Prayers were subse- quently offered by Messrs, Hale, Stillman, Millard, of the Water street mission, and otners. Remarks were also made on tue wpics presented, Toucinng tue SVANGELIZATION OF THE JEWS, a brother said that the Fulton street daily prayer meeting was startied yesterday by some statements of the ieader, who remarked that since the time of Christ more converts to Christianity have been gained from among the Jews, in proportion to their numbers, than from the Gentiles. This was cause of gratitude and of faith, and prayer was ear- nestiy oflered last night for the conversion of God’s ancient people. An instance of the callousness or indifference of the Jewish mind toward Uhristianity ‘was also given. A brother remarked that there were 65,000 Jews in New York and vicinity, and he believed that from that people would come yet the great mis- stonaries to the Gentiles. who, like Paul, are to carry the Gospel to aii lances. The Jews are now scattered among all lands and are speaking the language of all nations, and this brother believes there is a Divine Providence in this which snail result by and by great to the glory of the Redeemer’s Kingdom. We should therefore have increased faith tor them. A brother also spoke concerning THR CONVSRSION OF SEAMEN, who, te sas, make the very best kind of missiona- ries, because they are cohverted from top to bot tom. He was surprised to find so much unbelief prevailing in the churches in regard to the con- version of sailors. Let us, he said, pray more earnestiy and jaititnily for them. Prayer was also poedte for che dissipated son Of @ member Of the eburch, Dr. Buddington announced the final prayer Meeting of ie week of prayer to be etd this morning at hali-past eight o'clock. At the close of the meeting the church committee which has had the Plymout® charch matter in hand retired with the Doctor to his study, when the event of the woek between the three pastors—Messrs. Beecher, Buddington and storrs—was talked over, and the matter was presumed 2 be settled finally thereby, It was lerstood that one oF two of the brethren are not entirely satisied with \the truce, but are quite willing for peace’s sake.to tet the whole thing Feat as jt ja apd where it is, PiLGRIM CHURCH PRAYER BESTING, pat cca EM A Letter from a Survivor of the Ville du | M Havre. At the Friday evening prayer meeting at Pilgrim church, last night, Mr. George H. Goddard read o very interesting letter from Mr. Nr Weiss, one of the survivors of the Ville du Havre, to Mr. Albert Woodrug. Mr. Weiss writes from Paris. He was one of of the delegates to the Evangelical Alliance, and Dr. Storra spoke of meeting and couversing with him. The letter contained a graphic deseription of the terrible disaster to the vessel. The fog and the storm of the evening previous bad cleared up, and the passengers were beginning to forget their sea sickness. About two or half-past two o'clock in the morning he lelt two mighty shocks, like that of a thunder ciap. He immediately aroze, leit his state room and went on deck with Mr. Lourrions, One of the passengers said that & little ship had struck them and it woul be nothing. They were all out on the deck, however, and saw the sailors trying to lower down the boats, Some of the passengers, in a great hurry, pulled away the life buoys and great excite- ment prevailed, Mr. Lourrions nad been calling Mra. Lourrions and the children, and succeeded in getting them together, One of the little girls clung to bim and said, “You take me; don’t leave me. He promised to take care of her. Shortly aiter this the masts of the vessel iell, they were separated, and he found himself struggling in the water among the timbers. He prayed, as he Supnoeed he would soon go down. He bad prayed previously with the little girl, Mr. Lour- rions and nis family were lost, and a ter remaini in tbe water a long time he was rescued, A liberal! collection was taken up In his bena.. It was decided that the annua meeting should be held on Monday evening, the 26tn inst. Dr, Storrs then satd that as there was no farther business they would adjourn, The congregation then separated, RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. sic aha Tie dk The Roumanian Question—A Promise of Good News. {From the Jewish Messenger.) The American people, and particularly that por- tion of them who adhere to the faith of Judaism, wil learn with no small satisfaction that the ear- nest eiforts that they inaugurated some three years since, and have 80 persistently tollowed up in be- hall of the sorely oppressed Hebrews of Roumania, are about to meet with a most gratifying reward, ‘Yhe Izraelites of Roumania, as it is well known, have for nearly 10 years been denied all recog- nition as subjects or citizens of the Principalities, This outrageous exclusion has applied-without dis- crimination to botn native and foreign Jew, all of whom have been treated as strangers, out- casts, wagabonds, pariahs! And this, too, while both native and foreign Hebrew have served in the army, paid taxes and borne all the burdens put alike upon the enfranchised peasant and ‘uli panophied citizen. The world knows to what persecutions they have been subjected as a natural consequence of this dental of the natural mghis of man, In view at length of the proposed legislation in their favor we have no disposition to recall the sad past in this respect, and we shall be content to ovliterate it, as we have ubliterated many other sad pages in his- tory, if the Roumanian government and people will now do justice to our coreligionists. The intercession made in their behalf by the gov- ernments of Europe in 1868 brought no result; on the contrary, worse persecutions followed this m- tervention, In 1870 the United States government, answering the voice of humanity and the out- raged sentiment of a very large number of its citi- zens, determined to use its efforts to cure the ex- isting evil, and if Heigl bring to the crushed Hebrews what it had been instrumental years be- fore in bringing to the struggling Greeks. ‘The appointment of a consul, Wita iuli authority to use all consistent diplomatic means, and the retention of this oficial in his position as the ac- credited agent of the American government near the court of Prince Charles of Hohenzoliern— the reigning prince of Roumania—and the judi cious course pursued by this agent—nis ur- banity, his winning and persuasive eloquence, bis remarkable social quaities and captivat- mg manners, were just those arts of diplomacy, joined to a feariess spirit and courageous and persistent will, which, in such @ jand, betore such a court and with such a people, were calculated to win success. The barriers were gradually broken down, the false notions of bling and senacless prejudice and superstition over- come, and now it is proposed to recognize the Roumanian Israelite and to extend to him civil rights, out of which must speedily grow his com- raed political liberty. A petition to this end will ye presented by the actual Cabinet of Prince Charies to the present session of the Corps Légis- lati, and it 18 calcniated with certainty that it wul pass by @ large majority beiore the ides of March are reached, Thus will the frait of the hara labor of three years, and the money which American Israclites have spent, and are still ready to spend, to raise the unhappy social status of the Roumanian Jew, be realized, and the national goverumeut—an ay, President Grant and S-cretary Fish— ave the proud distinction of adding this undying laurel to their brows. We say undying laurel, tor the history ol the sufferings ‘by persecution of the Jews of Roumania jorms one of the darkest pages of this enlighteried and so-called Christian age, and the eniranchisement o! these 500,000 uuman beings will be citea as almost a paralei to the abolition of slavery in America, But though the extension of civil rights to our Roumantan brethren oy the present Legislature 13 among the more than possible things oi the dawn- ing year, the mission of our Consul is not yet com- plete; at least until he shail see the law practically carried into effect, and our breturen on the sure and certain road to their political livertues, which alone can give them final immunity and the pos- itive guarantee of life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, Should, however, the legislation of the present session of the Roumanian Chambers result as we have the best hopes jor believing, the extended sojourn of our Consul—uniess the position through the growing commercial importance of our rela- tions with Koumanta should demana & representa- tive of bis character in that coantry—will no longer be necessary, and we may hope to welrome Mr. Peixotto back to his native land early in 1875, The trade of Great Britain with Roumanta ex- ceeds £2,000,000 sterling per annum, while the import trade of Roumania reaches litte less than £8,000,000, or about $40,000,000, There is no reason why American commerce and American manufac- tures should not go to and find a remunerative market in the principalities, yet for the past five years not More than jour American sips have been entered in the ports of the Danube. Rou- mania is @ purely agricultural country, and the richness, fertility and productiveness ol! its soli— even withits extremely crude and imperiect culti- yation—is so famed throughout tue world that its great proprietors, the Boyars, are still calied princes, and have revenues that seem fabulous tor such @ country and such people, Railways and telegraphs are now being estab- lished, and English, French and American engi- neers are finding remunerative employment, while the import of agricultural and mechanical machines is each year growing in importance. Koumania, also, 18 soon likely to be recognized vy the great Powers to the Treaty of Paris as an inde- pendent State; indeed, it is more than probable she will declare her tuil fledged autonomy beiore next summer, and, passing irom under the suze- Tainty of the Porte—she has long been virtually independent of the “Sick Man’— she must take her place as one of the independent States of Europe, and as such be entitled by our government to the same recognition which shall be exteaded to her by Eng- land, France, Germany, Austria, Russia, &c, In such contingency the necessity of our having a proper representative will naturally point to the man who has studied her institutions, knows her people, her laws and resources, But we reirain irom speaking more on this subject, as, according to our jast advices, Mr. Pelxotto would not on any account protract his absence abroad beyond the iuifilment .of the mission he underwok, it would, however, be but a proper mark Oj recognition on the part of our foverument to suitaoly recog. nize his services by tendering him—even should he decline—the appointment o1 her first Minister Resident, for to such, in less than another twelve- month, Koumania will probably be entitled. We have Ministers to Beigium. (population 4,839,094), Denmark (population 1,784,741), Holland (popula- tion 4,858,055), Portugal (population 3,987,867), Switzerland (population 2,510,494), Greece (popu- lation 1,457,804), while to Koumania, with Ber od te a Of 4,632,286, we have only an unpaid Consul! At the court of Prince Charles X European Nations are represented, the seven principal Powers of Europe having diplomatic agents and Consuls General, and the other three (#elgium, Holiand, and Greece) Consuls General, ‘The salaries of the former are in no instance ess than £1,500, and of the latter £1,000 per annum. The geographical position of Roumania, her spiendid commercial facilities (if they were oniy developed), by her inland rivers and the magnificent Danube, which washes the whole length of her snores, trom Ausiria-Hungary to the Blick sea; the richness of her sou, her great forests in Northern Wallachia; her coal, sait and petroicum mines, of which her fait is alone developed, and that but imperiectly, e the prospect of her tuture, especially should she now declare the emancipation o1 the Hebrews (her most industrious and intelligent subjects), fully equal, if not superior, to auy of the other States of which we have made mention above, jag our [theta ey ae the other great Powers, to recognize her independence, we canpot do less than send her a Minister, and in such an event our present Consul would appear to be just'the “right man in the right piace.” At all evenis. fet us rejoice at the promise of early suc- cess to hi# mission, and the dying out of one more dark and reszible imat o1 the ew remaining of the centary, ATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1874.—WITH SUPPLEMENT. THE C\UN:Y thty Statement of Warrants Issucd by the Department of Pinance. Comptroller Green reports the following dis- bersements and receipts of the Treasury yester- day — Ola id —Ni warral x ing to... $05,257 Payrolis= No. of warramis. oh; amounung 10. 81/38 Total number of warrants 1°4, amannting to. $103,016 RECEIPTS From taxes of 1873 a sane Fre wie om one tlie. TREASURY. From Nocusee Mayors Once ° “a From tees and fives, District Courts. 30 $42,513 xP ARTMER?-OF 01 Orrice, mw Youx, Jan. 2, 1874. Monthly statement of the amount Sartre drawn and lor what purposes against the cil county treas- Thea Jauuary 1 to December 81, 15%, inclusive also a comparative statement othe city’ Gounty debt as of December 31, 1872, and December 31, 1873, with a state- mment oF and for wiist purposes stocks have been issued — STATEMENT RRANTS DRAWE, sagean ‘To New. 30, In Dec. a $243,134 $31,786 ne gencics and Bureau of ts. 29,020 7,851 jw Department—Salaries a CODEMNLENCIER, ». os. 2s eee 99,817 4,539 Deparinent of Finance—Salaries and contingencies, including Chamberluin’s office... 412,201 762,589 Deparuuent of Public Works— aries, cont re an aitures under diréction 319,999 Department of Public OC! and Correction,........ 1,824,797 126,882 Department ot Public Parks—N: tenance account... 478,718 15.532 Department of Bulid 72,518 16,981 Department of Police. 78 38,535 Depu ru of Pubhe ing College of the City of New York... sess exe 2,760,903 815,847 Depariment of Taxes and Assess meni +e 68605 2,639 1,153,993, 126,453, 1186, 995 7,396 6 975.000 — ity Couris and Court 477,605 78,130 Interest on city debt... <5 x9171t 306,857 Reduction of cny “debt—Bonds 1. Fourth avenue improvementinnd. 773,59 161,256 Judgments . we:-. 165,026 - City” Record— , salaries, contingencies and advertising... 8410 2796 Printing, stationery and blank ‘dooks. 6 aod 22,738 9,763 Commissioners of Accounts. 1709 1,u00 Miscellancous...........+ 108,580 13,126 Amount payable from taxation.$20,104,623 $2,133,189 Consiruction—New works and im- provements and old claims, pay- Able from issue of bon Arrearayes of 187) and advertising claims prior Wo 18iz....... sees $822,789 — Assessment 1und—Cost of opening new wireets, & see» 10,310,197 $138 Consoidatd debt tund—For as- SeSSMCNLS VACATE... - 00,000 Depariment of Pau! struction accoun: 612,537 119,727 Depariment of Docks. 492418 04,161 Depariment of P@blic Works. Baz = 777,410 Department of Public Instruction— Krtcuow and repaire of school buildings -_ 9,157 12,541 Fire ‘telegraph. of arrearage of . 197,586 ~ Museain of Natural es 19,755 8,087 Mnseum of Art building. . 231 2.055 New York and Brooklyn Bridge... 800,000 Sd Old claims and | Judyments (chapter 706, Laws 13TS)..veceeeeeee. oie. 168,646 94,329 be crbagret tera a ings arrearages 1872 (chapter 872, Laws 1873). errrerrrae = Amount payable from issue of bonds. 2 seers ee -$27,931,105 $1,820,402 Special and trust accounts— Charges on arrears of taxes........ $4,388 $1,300 Duplicac assessments pala and prevand app ar 4 585 408 yartui (ehapu 2h, 2,084 - Excise License May b. 4.818 cond Comin! (since May 1) 20.082 3,300 Intestate exiates 26 - Donations trom der specia} law: 60,753 - Retunding taxes paid in error... 4,217 2,769 Redempilon of city debt (bonds ' ‘paid Baty: tore: id 7,697,900 5,855,145 Amount payable from special and tro ‘ounts. $7,794,995 $5,863,023 ty account +++ $9,916,615 in Decermbe: id amount warrants previously drawn.... 45,830,625 Total amount warrants drawn on city ac- COUNL AM MST3. sss eee ceteceeree $85,747,241 On County account, payable trom taxation— For state purposes. 901,567 $1,550,000 bal $! General expenses. 8 132,947 Interest on county 1,912,425 235,114 ‘Asylums, retormutories and char- table institutions. 553,617 602 Balaries, executive. 90,469 10/676 Salaries, jucticiary. + Sd U8 falaries, Ley 13,416 2,500 ‘oma col . Clerks. oe 821 8 Redeinption of county debi—Bonds paid off. 500,000 me Taxes collected in error and re- Amount payable trom taxation.. $7,627,213 $2,119,037 Special and trust accounts, payable trom issue of bouds— rrearages o: 13/1 and of adverts. ing prior to 18/2. $80,657 er Assessunent iund—cost of opening Boulevard, north of 165th street 752,425 $15,245 County claims and judgmenw (chapter 756, Laws 1873). 0,980 20,518 New County Court Hovse. F a4 County revenue Londs, 187 2,806,100 167,000 Amount payable trom special and TUBE ACCOUMUB. 6... eee eeee woe...» $3,700,181 $202,763 Amount warrants drawn in December on | county account...... ‘ 2,302,401 Add amount previously drawn. i, 45 Total amount, warrants drawn on county account, 1S73*... wees+, $13,549, 71 Add amount warrants drawn on city accoum? 59,747,241 Total amount warrants drawn in 1873...... $69,196,967 CITY AND COUNTY DEBT. Dec. 31, Now. 30, Dee. 3), City account— 1872, 1873. 1373, Funded debt, | payable from taxation and sinking fund. $63,786,255 $68,652,064 $69,624,054 Temporary debt, ie from assessmenis....... 16,927,372 31,331,072 21,927,372 Bevenue bonds, to Py ‘old debts (chapters 9, and 378. Laws 1872 €146,4977 6,615,697 6,615,697 2,034 2,06 6,176,292 | 1,473,547 Reven a ing taxes, 1875. County account— Funded debt, payable from taxation.. ij M7404 29,894,608 29,889,168 inticipat- Revenue bonds, to pay debts (chapters 9, 29 and. 576, Laws 1872).......... 1,667,700 1,694,700 1,004,700 Revenue bonds, antici- pating taxes, 187%...... — 885,100 ae 5,229 184,821,616 131,204,071 ira ATT eset Totals ...... ‘Less sinking iund. Balance $95.467,154 110,042,826 106,371,953 Gash, in city and county treasury hy Cash in sinking tunds........... Stocks and bonds have been issued for the following UF POSER, Viz — epuriment oi Public Works— ‘or Croton water purposes. For sewer repairs.... For street improvements. For Riverside Park, Broadway widenini ison avenue exiension, &c.. For Boulevard north of iSoth street. Department of Public Parks— ‘or park improvements. Sat a +$1,510,000 + 1,600 For Museum of Artand Naturai His tory.. om For assessments vacated (consolidated stoc 572,500 For old ciaims and judgments (chapter 756, La’ of 1373 ‘292,000 For New County Court House, old claim 3,160 For fire telegraph. .... 197,586 For New York and Brookiyn Bridge. ‘000 For docks and slips........ 194150 For public school building: ‘000 For Department ot Buiidin on 38, chapter 025, Laws ot 1871 r 2,034 For paywent ot old debts (chapters 9, 3 and 375, LAWS Of B72)... eceeee eo ce eees rey 200 Revenue bonds ior current expenses, anticipat- ing taxes, 1873... ses ses ove 12,588,692 Reiseted to pay b btreet Improvement tund bonds. Department of Parks Improvem Central Park Commissio Total amount of bonds issuea... + wees $31,585, 174 The above stocks and bonds were issued under special Jaws tor works in progress; assessment bonds on account of improvements in progress, and to be repald trom assess- ments to be collected; revenue bonds in anticipation of the taxes of 1873; bonds on account of arrearages of 1371 and of advertising cine prior to 1872, as authorized by chapters 9, 29 and 375, Laws of 1872, and special bonds tor Departinent of poaings as provided by section 38, chap- ter 625, Laws ot 1871; ids for liquidation of claims and judgments, under chapter 756, Laws ot 1873; and consoli- ‘dated stock to reimburse the Street Improvement tund for awesvinents vacated by order of the Supreme Court, aa provided by ch: 8 bor Improvement f $22, Laws of 1871. ¢ following stocks and bounds have been paid o' joldiers’ substitute bounty redemption bonds Volunteer soldiers’ Family Aid fund bond Water stock ot 1870... oc! al estate bonds. Pubite education st 000 New York city five per cent BUDS... 50,000 sxensinent bonds...., one 755,000 Street {mprovement fund bonds. seeeee 4,965,000 Central Park Commission improvement bonds.. 80 Department of Parks im) 900 \ Revenue bonds of 1574 113 Revenue bonds of 18 1,116,155, Total. 19,199,842 FISHERMEN DROWNED NEAR RED BANK. At anearly hour on Thursday morning a boat was discovered floating bottom upwards in the Shrewsbury River, opposite Pintard’s Point, and two colored men—amos Free and Charles Wil- lams—were missing, As the boat belonged to one of these men @ search waa instituted, and yester- day morning the bodies were found by James and A, H. Minton, of Red Bank. It is sup; the were oystering on Wednesday night, and the boa’ becom: The men were ua- a ee THE CENTERRYAL CELEBRATION. SAE ES SE Acceptance of Plans for the Building—Progress of the Work of the Commissioners—Letter of Minister Jay to the State Depart ment—The Appeal for Congressional Aid—Prospects of the Success of the Great National Scheme. PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 9, 1874 ‘The most important and decisive action made thus far in regard to the American Centennial will be Jound in the following resolutions, which were adopted this afternoon at & secret meeting of the Board mentiqued below, and which was not made known until eight o'clock this evening:;— ‘The undersigned, a couimitiee on behalf of the Board of Siate Supervisors to co-op ‘rata with thes Dirortor Gen- eralof the United States Centennial Commiaion and their architects, M Collins and Autenrieth, in per- fecting designs, plans and specifications for a pe t Centennial Exposition building, as provided for ‘ot the Legislature of Pennsylvania, dated March respeetiutly report the tollowing resolutions: — Resolved, That the<moditied designs plans and speei- fications for & permanent Centennial Bx, bulldima, as prepared by Messrs, Collins and Fieth, architcets, and ax presented to this on cho Lith ult. by A, T. Goshorn, Director General, accompanied the’ recommend: kxecutive Committee of the United tennial Commission, modifed sill turther by certain suggestions of the architects as to the material to be the same are hercby sccepted and. &p- designs, plans and specifications for permanent rpm B Exposition pudding pro for by ap ae he Legislature of the State dated No- vember 27. 18) means for the erection of which are to be tucnished'by the state of Pennsylvania and the eity of Phiadelphia, and this Board, not doubting e $1,5W,000 heretofore appropriated by the State and tho city of Philadelphia tor the erection of said bailding will he furnished as needed and called for during the years 1874, 1875 and 1876, do furcher earnestly recommend that the United States Centennial Commission and the Boar of Finance proceed to contract ‘or theerection of \waid building at the earliest date practicabie. Resolved, That in compliance with the provisions of an act of the General Assembly, dated March 27, , thig Board will proceed to enter into a contract with the United states Cenwonial Board of Finance, the Gom- ‘oners at Fairmount Park and che proper representa- used, be and proved as, he ‘ol the city of Philadelphia, fixing and det ‘the conditions on which a permanent Centennial Exposition building may be erecied in Fairmount Park, an ita copy of this resolution be furnished eaah of the other Arties to ihe proposed agreement, Daftsolved, That the Fresident be requested to prepara a report of the proceedings of this Board, wo be presemted to the’Governor. EXTENSIVE WORK ACCOMPLISHED. Our late international dimicuities with Spain and the inclination which all people have naturally shown to regard this subject to the exclusion of every other have kept irom out the columns of all our journals the record of the doings of the Amer- ican Centennial Commission, so that for the last two months there have appeared in the HERALD no commanications which have indicated the fulness and magnitude of the commissioners’ work. The public will nowbe glad to hear what has been done during that time. Now that Con- gress is to be approached in reference to the matter, everything appertaining (o it 18 sure to come before the public tn a broader and clearer light than ever before. READY TO BEGIN BUILDING. The Centennial Commission are now ready to Jay the foundation of the building. The ground has been set apart, and there is nothing to hinder them from breaking the earth at any moment. In ali other international exhibitions the govern- ments under whose auspices they have been held have always regarded them ay affairs of national glory and renown, and have invariably voved large appropriations for their promotion and success. At some time during the next two weeks a petition will come up be- fore Congress, urging our xovernmen® to de the same, The appeal will be made vy the Centemmial Commissioners, who will visit Washington and ciearly present the arguments and justice of their clan. The President has aiready issued his proc- lamation and invited all governments to join with our own in iriendly competition, A member of his Cabinet in the President’s name, on the 4th of last July, consecrated und dedicated the ground in Fairmount Park for a national exposiuon, in the light of which circamstances the government seeins pleaged to support the action 01 its Presi- dent, and Congress, no doubt, will heartily respond to the commissioners’ plea. Minister Jay has already forwarded to the De- partment o1 State a long communication be: upon the subject, but the exact contcnts of wht are at present @ mystery. it issate to say, how- ever, that tie Main idea of the commonication is the relation of the Centennial to the honor glory of America and the reason why our govern- ment should appropriate fuuds to render it one of great success. Minister Jay’s article shows What a POWERFUL RECONSTRUCLIVE AGENT the Exposition will prove, how beneficial it will be to all the natural and industrial resources of our country; how it will tend to heal all our sectional wounds and “span ihe chasm of the dreary past.” It turthermore svows how foreign capitaland foreign labor when bronght in ence of American resource and American enter- prise Will naturally invest where their money and work will bring to them larger returns than they would were they used at home. Such, in the matn, is the nature of Minister Jay’s letter, the lull strength and spirit of which will be given here+ aiter. While these negotiations are going bn at the natioval capital, the city of Puiladelphia, taking advantage of a propitious season, is most com- mendapiy rendering itseli worthy to become the scene of such @ great and honorable event. When @ staid and dreary ola place like this shakes off the dulness and conservatism of the past, and, in- spired with the spirit of the great work in hand, sets aside old prejudices and precedents and turns @ mighty army of laborers in her dusky and. dingy thoroughfares, the action is one of great import, and demands from the most indifferent the heartiest praise, Such 1s the case here. Ali the old and dangerous pavements, ever so justly and heartily condemued in these columns, are being removed. The streets and avenues leadtug to Pairmount are being widened and improved and the local city government are doing all in their power, by way of appropriations to place the Sleanly and sanitary condition of this city on a par with that of any city in the Union, In other States THE INTEREST INCREASES in ardor and warmth as the year of 1876 draws mgh, The_ Legislatures of ama, lilinots, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts and Florida have been the most recent to give their hearty as- surances of co-operation, and mass meetings in these different States are numerously held. Twenty per cent of the entire space in this monstrous theatre has already been appiied for, many appil- cations coming from French, German and bnetten Manufacturers, The various religious denomina- tions have also begun their part of the work, ana 1m a day or two your correspondent will be enabled to show what a grand and beaatiial action the Catholics of this city have undertaken, A very important change has recentiy taken place in New York. Mr. N. M. Beckwith, a gentie- man who was United States Commissioner General to the Paris Exposition of 1867, has just been sp- pointed by President Grant to re)resent the State of New Yorkin place of Mr. J. V. L, Pruyn, re- signed. AS @ manager in such affairs Mr. Beck- with has had great experience, and the choice may be regarded asa very happy one. Mr. Beckwith, in a letter received this morning, accepts the ap- pointment, and henceforth identifies himself wit the work, The ES for the Memorial Hall, paid for by the city, now entirely complete. Philadelphians claim that aside trom the Capitol at Washington, it is the most complete architectural triumph in the country. Your correspondent velieves that the puolic will not only admit the justice of claim, but will also ireely acknowledge that Memo- riai Hall contains certain features which not only equal but greatly surpass that of the Capitol. THE BOARD OF FINANCR is exceedingly busy just now, subscriptions for stock coming in recently at the rate of $6,000 per day. The clerks and bookkeepers have of late been kept at work from nine in the morning until ten at night to register the purchasers. In the room of the Centennial Commissioners everything 1s restless and active; an immense correspondence is kept up, and no intrusion what- ever is allowed in the compartment, or any de- partment of the Commission. The success or the failure of the scheme gret tly depends upon the manner in which Alinister Jay’s letter shall be received, and the action which Con- gress will take upon the plan svon to come up be- fore them. With an admirable plan selected, with a section of ground set apart, with the assurance Of co-operation from every State and Territory in the Union, with daily applications for 8} ‘om abroad and with millons of stock subser! for at home, there seems to be every reason for sup) ing that Congress will supplement the stand which the President has taken, and appropriate a liberal amount of money to render the affair a success, THE GREAT BOND FORGERIES, Mr. Leonard Brown, who was arrested and placed in the Tombs for alleged complicity in the great bond forgeries, 18 now at liberty on $2,600 bail. The bail was given by two of the Wall street bank- ers, who have the firmest belief in Mr. Brown’s honorable intentions, aud point back to his long and respectable mercantile career as an evidence of weir confidence. Mr. brown fell into the hands of Bharley Williamson, who, it is alleged, placed forged bonds in the hands of the former for sale, PATAL RAILROAD CASUALTY, Coroner Croker yesterday held an inquest at bw office, No, 40 East Houston street, in she case of Barbara Schloss, the German woman (late of No. 301 East Houston street) who was killed by being struck in Fourth avenue, near seventy-third street, of cars belonigiag tothe Harlem Railrosa Uorn- of car longi n| e 16m pany. The tention? showed most conclusively that the occurrence was accidental, and in their verdict to that effect the jury exonerated the one from all biame. Daceassed wes 63 years Of Bae