The New York Herald Newspaper, April 22, 1874, Page 5

FLOODS AND FAMINE, Immense Tracts of Land Under Water. FLIGHT OF THE PEOPLE. Great Destitution and Ap- peals for Help. New, ORLEaNs, April 21, 1874. @aptain Porter, of the steamer Alice, reports.the whole of Amite Valley under water. The river generally bas a bank of twelve to fifteen feet, but Bow the water is four feet deep over the banks, ‘and has washed away houses, implements, &c.. aud the innabitants have fled to the high lands, where they now abide in a destitute condition. General M. Jeff. Thompson, Chief State Engi- neer, sends the following despatch from Baton Rouge to-day :— The Hickey crevasse is 1,200 feet wide gnd passes seven fect of water at a velocity of eight mtles per hour. The two McCulium crevasses are each 150 feet wide, but will be closed in a few days, Obstruction to Travel. Mempnis, Tenn., April 21, 1874, The Memphis and Charleston trains now run throngh, also the Mississippi and Tennessee. The Memphis and Louisville roads are still ob- structed on the Clarksville aivision, but telegrams state that the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers will doubtless begin to fall to-night. In the meantime trains will be run to Louisville via Nashville. Reports from the Lower Arkansas and White rivers give gloomy accounts of the inundation. Immense numbers of stock have been drownod, and actual destitution pre- vaiis in many places, The Howard Association to- day sent $2,500 to the Howard Association in New Orleans for the sufferers from the overilow. Two Towns Sabmerged, MoBILE, Ala., April 21, 1874. Farther advices from Yazoo City to-day s:ate that Greenwood ond Burtonia, towns on the Ya- m00, are entirely submerged and deserted, the wa- ter there veing higher than it was in 1867. The ‘weather was clear this morning, but is now cloudy, ‘With indications of more rain. - Whe Flood in the Mississippi. The New Orleans Times of Thursday has some facts regarding the crevasses along the line of the Mississippi in addition to the telegraphic ad- vices :— THE CITY FRONT. Along the levee below Canal street Wednesday morning the outiook ts a@ much pleasanter one than that of a few days since. By the gauge at the head of Canal street the water is three-tenths of an inch below the mark ot ‘71, and in con- sequence there 1s adry levee where was a sheet of water a few days ago—viz., opposite Jackson square. THE BELLECHASSE CREVASSE. the lower coast steamer Hunter, arrived early Wednesday morning, we learn that all efforts to stop the crevasse at Bellechasse has 80 far proved unavailing, everything giving way be- fore the tremendous force of the water. At Sawyer’s it has been stopped, and at Greenwood trere Kabah ia prospect of succeeding. But at Point-a-la-Hache they were on the ‘point of stop- ping work tor want of material. in which case ‘what has already been done will probably be a waste of labor and material. The general ap- pearance below is certainly not encouraging. FURTHER FROM BONNET CARRE ‘OREVASSE—THE BREACH ON THE INCREASE. From the officers of the steamer Garryowen we learn that the break there, which was on Tuesday Morning 100 feet wide, has increased from that time to three A.M. Wednesday morning eighty feet, which makes a total of 180 feet. The water from this crevasse is undermining the new em- bankment placed at the old break of 1871, and fears are entertained that 1t will soon succumb to the great Father of Waters. The water rushes ee ata depth of ten or twelve feet with irresistib! force, and already begins to pour into Lake Mau- Tepas. As yet the water does not cover the track of the railroad, but such must inevitably become the case very soon. FROM THE LAFOURCHE. From the officere of the Henry Tete, which ‘arrived in port last evening irom the Lafourche, we learn that the crevasse at the Moreau plantation is still unctosed, The rush of the water eerougn the breach is described as being tearful to . Tne same geutiemen also report that when the Tete Bonnet Carré at rits| o'clock P. M. yesterday the breach had wid ‘to 250 feet. Y THE SITUATION IN OTHER PARISHES. [Thibodaux Sentinel, 11tn.} On last Sunday morning, about seven o’clock, @ crevasse occurred on she upper line ot the Moreau plantation, about three miles above Thibodanx, on the right descending bank of the Laiourche. ‘The break of the levee is variously estimated at from 125 to 150 feet (che latter beang nearer mark) and the depth of water flowing through, some six or eight feet. The following plantations are almost entirely mundated:—D. Triche’s home piece, Aurelien Braud & Brothers, Leonard Lasseigne, Maurean, Lonio; while the piantations of Jamison, Live Oak, HK. Perkins and Leche are partly under water. The whole of the Chackey and Choupic settle- ments will be more or less injured, but to what ex- ‘ent is not yet Known. {Madison Journal, 7th.) . Bayou Macon, Joe’s Bayou, Tevsas, Willow Bayou, in iact the whole parish west aod north of Walnut and Roundaway bayous, is now under water. The loss of stock has been immense and this has all been caused by a crevasse ina levee which the Louisiana Levee Company has beeu Duilding every year since its organization and jor which it receives fifty cents @ cubic yard. In addition to the Latourche crevasse several other small breaks have occurred on the Missis- and one so large that the Foise River plan- tations have all been inundated. The Shreveport /imes of the 11th inst. says:— “The river at this point for the twenty-iour hours ending at three o’clock yesterday alternoon feil ‘one inch, leaving it twenty-five feet and ten inches above the lowest water. The officers of the Marta Louise report the lower river falling fast untu the last rain. At Alexandria the tallhas been four inches in twenty-iour hours previous to the arrival of the Maria Louise, but it was again on the rise, ‘The crevasse at George Wilson's, twenty-five miles below Alexandria, was drawing the water oft very fast, and it is thought would relieve Alexandria entirely. The last three days’ rain has ynjured the planting interest more than the overfiow.”” {HE MAIN NEAR JACKSON, MISS. The Jackson Clarion of Thursday says :— The news received as we go to press (Thursday morning) is that the water was steadily rising in the Mississippi below, and was overs the railroad track in several places, Padi radee lt the tre- Mendous efforts of General Manager Frost and ‘other officers o! the road to stay the current. ‘The trains are still ranning, but we are prepared to hear at any moment that they are stojped. In this event the company will continue operations by a line of boats by the lakes arouna and across the overfowed district. The waters are rapidly permeating and encircling the city of New Orleans, The Vicksburg Heraid of Thursday confains some details of the foods, It says:- In @ conversation with Major James, the Louisi- ana levee contractor, a lew evenings ago, a rep- resentative of the Herald learned that Bass and Lookout levees were hopelessly gone; that the breaks in either were very wide and constantly in- creasing, and that nothing could stop them. Major James also expressed his conviction that @ rise of a foot more would overfow all or nearly all the levees this side of Greenville, and, as there 1s every prospect that that loot more of rise is sure to come, we may safely assume that these levees will be utterly swept away, as our last night’s telegrams report a Jurther rise in the Ohio of ten inches, forty-six anches at Evansville and forty imches at Louts- ville, and also a further rise at St. Louts, Cairo apd ae and other points on the Mississippi and ts aMuents, The high water ol 1867, and probably ‘that of 1862, will almost certainly be attained be- fore we find any relief from its subsidence; and irom present indications there will be lew levees this side of Memphis, on either side of the river, that will be abie to withstand the pressure, Already thousands of acres of the richest and moet productive soil of the Mississippi Valley is under water and tne torrent ts still pour. ing down upon us, the levees offering no protec- tion whatever to the planter, Below this city, no sae below the mouth of Red River, the situ- lon 18 very alarming, and the water is nearly even with the top of the banks at nearly all places ‘where it is not actually running over; and while the taxpayers are contributing thousands of dol- Jurs to the support of levee contractors the only yeturo they receive is an inundation of their jarms aud the sweeping away of their crop pros- pects by the relentless waters of the great inland sea. These facis staring the people in the fi very naturally induce the opinion among a gr many people that the levee system is a great sailure, and that the only means of preventing an overfow of this great valley is to open up ail the outlets and give the water as inttch scope as posst- bie rather than attempt to confine it to a narrow channel that has not capacity sumicient. to carry off the immense volume of water that finds ‘w the sea irom the mountains and valley Jn our conversation with Major Tene Herald reporter saving New Oriea: james, he iniormed orme: that he thought the means of and the lower coast was to NEW YORK HEKALD, WEDNESDAY, open Bayou oad outiets below eR rurtien the river pep as possible jor moving on. . A writer in the Chicos (Misa) Herald gives some statistics interesting'at this While great di the best fhode or nothing Ge ined that haa ete vi the levee system, and wi wi flood. In the year 1 ever before known. fee bap of 184 ce 1796 higher than 185 bat it was imagined the nor an outlet in this tiver. At two feet lower than im ears were 1828, 1861, 1b 1862 was above all between leon Vicksburg. Thav 0+: 1668 -' ot -a- etand eighty- seven days; 1859, ninety-five et Memphis; end the former 100 Gaye-at- end 190 days at Vicksburg. +R gem ere ’ The Destruction on..the Ouachita and Red Rivers. The Picayune of | ‘Maas the following relative to the flood im a&e Ouachita and Red rivers :— e Fiver, The ri from its banks and 18 Sates raining the rich an country and mak- ing ory ane, a we in the extreme. 18 river is full of drift, cattle and wreck of every description, aud hundreds of are rendered homeless by the rapisiy inoreasing waters, the rise being unpreceden and rather om the increase than decrease. Kvery me fannie the 00d with fear, and nothing edone ‘save the goods of the lanters, which are Swept a1 in many instances. ‘nis flood, which has been. pouring iiito: the Red River, and thence sw the Mississippi, only a small portion running ough tie Atchatalya, 1s now on the tucrease, and will add to the vast volume of watey atour doors, =~ UPPER LOUIBTANA, ah: The Vicksburg Herai@ has the following :— The river continues stationary, but will proba- bly not remain so very tong, a9 there is sufficient water coming down from above to start it upward again very soop. The levees, both above and below, are steadily giving way, and the whole face of the country 18 covered with water. Almost the entire western portion of Louisiana is submerged, ca bo general opi ig that the worst 1s not yet. ‘The Arkansas river was still rising rapidly at last accounss, and there was then over twenty leet in the channel, trom Lite Rock out. The Lucy Keirn’s onicers report the Yazco and Tallabatchie Tivers falting all the way down to Yazoo City, the water from the break in the Hushpuckana levee not having reached that.low down when the Keirn came down, Aé far a8 we are ale to learn the Yazoo Valley has not yet suffered irom overtiow. The Flood in the Cumberland. The Nashville Banner of Friday reports the Cum- berland risiag ten feet per day, and carrying away houses, mills, bridges and everything that ob- structs its headlong course. The scene at Nash- ville is thus described :— There is hardly any end vacated along.this overgro' its banks great bottoms of THOUSANDS has overflowed & tremendous flood, number of houses )river, belching over visited every available day to Fitness the extraordinary gran water to be sée! east, north and west. © continued to flock to the Capitol, the esplan: and inds, which Were filled with people ing the entire day. From this point THE GRANDES? OF ALL is obtained. You can ata yn the northeastern corner of the esplanade in one of the most of # flood, ever sublime spectacies, im the | witnessed about ‘Nagnvil king a lopg way up the river you can see i§ spread out, with the tops of great forest trees) ping up above the water, the tops of the @n the Nashville side nestling down im the rive d_contimuous rows of rafts, looking like the e of the ground pro- truding, in spite of the 4 volume of water, running @ stiff race as if 1% Looking over into SHELBY’S bi J behold there a br ving a connection with reat vend, discernible all very devil was afier m 3 tof Water which, 6 river aronnd the ‘way by the tops of ull trees, Hows down by thi pension bridge pier on that side of the riverg Then there opens a grand yuiline, ing a) a Pipe the bayou dividing North ed Sout! tield, and then again via tue White's Creek pik down by higher ‘vund to the north, taking in Face, looded, the eves 0; the ykissing the water’ edge. The ent tal aroul bead, moving } throagh the Woods, e visible again away through tone country several miles below, winding among the high hills which rise up prominently in that direction. But the scene*here changes. ‘Tite ends of invisible streets rise up, together with se eral small houses which float about on the surface, HUNDREDS OF DWELLINGS are surrounded by water, many of them being almost completely inundated aud threatening to buildings are small cottages, and bave a most melan- choly appearance, iaving been deserted by those who made them serviceable in times before the flood. Casting your eyes around to the north and and northwest, Jefferson and Clay streets mark out the line. There 1s nothing beiore you, in tact, but an Open sea of water dotted on the outskirts by hoases with the substantial trestle works holding their own. Tue passage of an occasional locomo- tive around them makes the scene all the more in- teresting. Numerous dugouts, skiffs and im- promptu rafts were afloat on the surface, and were paddied about by those having a nautical turn of mind and poorly paid pleasure in view. NORTH NASHVILLE. Possibly the water in this portion of the city pre- sented a more varied scene’than elsewhere about the city. More houses are vacated, avd consequently more distress has been experienced by those forced to leave their homes, and not only that, but to pack away all their household effects wherever storage room was attainable, and then to reiy upon their friends for shelter and their last dime for something to sustain an existence. r ‘The water 1m the bottom is about twenty-five feet leep. Several houses between College street and the bridge are nearly submerged; others have been invaded by the water to the first foors, compeli- ing the occupants to move into higher quarters, WEST NASHVILLE. On West Line street the water rose very rapidly yesterday, having been only at the corner or McLemore and Line streets the night before, and at the corner of Spruce and Line streets last night. From thir ty to iorty famuies had to move out in consequence. The house occupied by Emma Hines was sub- merged up to the first floor. There is now no com- munication between Spruce street to beyond the trestle, except by boat. Beyond and around the | trestle about 150 houses are vacated. Cunning- | ham & Co.’s tannery is surrounded by water. SOUTH NASHVILLE, South Nashville has suffered as muchas any other part of the city, as the back-waters are rising ; more families are daily having to move out and seek a home elsewhere. "The crowd of specta- tors at these scenes of desolation have not diminished at all, but, if anything, they are in- creasing. Market street is submerged to the depth of about three feet, with the river sul rising, Up to six o’ciock last bef the water had risen to within our feet, as indicated by an old nan aperies mark, of being as high as the flood or 1847, “i STATISTICS OF THE RAINFALL. Since last report the river has falien 14 inches, indicating a depth of 48 tcet above low water mark and a deptn of 60 feet in the channel. From &@ Signal Office report received from Cairo, IIL, it is ascertained that the force of the flood is’ just reaching that point, as the Ohio rose at that place yesterday 9 inches. The temperature of air over the Cumberiand yesterday was 63 degrees; and the temperature of the water at surface of the river 56 degrees, and at the bottom 54 degrees, Fahrenheit, The total amount 0! raintail for the year 1872 was 39 inches and 5 hundredths (39.05), the greatest precipitation occurring in the month of April, be- ing 5 iuches and 91 hundredths (6.91). The total jor 1873 was 49 inches and 47 hundredths (49.47), its greatest precipitation occurring in the month of February, being 7 inches and 14 hundredths (7.14). From January 1, 1874, up to date, the amount of rainfall is 27 inches and 54 hundredths (27.54), 9.23 Inches of which fell in the month of February. From’ April 1, 1874, up to date, the total amount of rainiall is 7 mches and 89 hundredths (7.89). The Nashville Banner of Saturday has later de- talls:— The flood has at last become so common that it has, in @ great measure, ceased to attract more than ordinary attention, Tne excitement the Tiver produced, while having av upward tendency, has been dissipated by the fact that it had, up to six o'clock last evening, fallen about eight inches. It isclaimed, however, that the river experienced aslight swell yesterday morning, while some pre. dict that there will be a further rise. Others, who are sanguine, say it must fall to a reasonable height within the next two or three days, Farmers, report that the damage done to farms, to crops already planted and to houses and fences is incalculable. Besides, the backwaters have cut off communication in all directions. Steam- Doats find it diMcult in making a landing at more than half a dozen points betweenthis city and the mouth of the Cumberland, The water in the Sulphur Spring bottom fell about four inches yesterday, and the hopes of the citizens ef North Nashville are consequently ris€ up in spite of solid fastenings. Most ol the | peas eter ss, ees eae é i f | i : § H i : ii a ee his oe oar cee the hear ueseness of rotectors. The backwater extends lor miles on eituer side of the river. EBARUART’S MILL, situated on Stone’s Creek, about a mile from the river, 18 almost completely submerged, nothing being visible but the comb of the rool. To give an idea of thy stage of the water at this point, we will state that the mill is between forty-live and fifty eet in height. The Tennessee and Pacific road suffered seve! at this point, having sunk @bouta toot anda halt. It wili probably be over- flowed by this ning, the water being within ten inches of the rails. The damage to the road is estimated at $10,000, The Rise in the Tennessee. The following particulars as to the rise In the Tennessee are from the Chattanooga papers of Saturday: See RIVER OUT OF 1T8 BANKS. The river had risen iour feet in the twenty-four hours ending at six P. M, yesterday, and was 6 rising about one-inch per hour. It ia out of banks on the north side of the river, but has not yet covered all the bottoms. ‘The backwater ex- tends up the ravine om Railroad avenue, near Sixth street. A PLEASURE BOAT ON IMPROMPTU LAKE. We made @ brief visit to the United States bar- racks yesterday alternoon, and found quite a good sized lake on the low portion of the grounis caused by the high water backing up into the en- closure. Captain Cook, taking advantage of such splendid water ppp has improvised a pleasure boat jor the occasion, It is the work of his own hands, and, though constructed from rough ma- terial, is really a model of neatness and cornfort. We enjored @ pleasant ride on the transient lake allowing our host the inimitaple privilege of doing ull the paddling oi his own canoe, JOHNSONVILLE NEARLY DESTROYED. The Nashville Banner of Sunday reports :— The Tennessee River was on a stand at Chatta- Rooga yesterday. It rose twenty-one inches at Jonnsonville Friday night, and at last reports was still rising rapidly. Over one-half of Johnsonville has been overfowed, great distress resulting to wae Dogpile Sp naein eto ime ee ne cpa leet at Chattanooga of being equal to rise of February, 1873, si ini RELIEF FOR THE SUFFERERS. Aid for New Orleans—Meeting of the Cotton Exchange. Ata meeting of the Cotton Exchange, held yesterday aiternoon, the appeal from New Orleans lor help, Mm consequence of the disastrous results of the overflow of the Mississippl, was considered, and the following committee appomted to receive subscriptions :—C. A. Baston, Meyer Lehman, 8. b. French, John Maximos and Colonel H, H. Hare, The First $19,000 Sent to New Orleans from Boston. Boston, April 21, 1874. All day there has been considerable sympathy manifested for the relief of the Louisiana safferers, and in response to a call of the Mayor between thirty and jorty prominent citizens met at the City Hall to-day for the purpose of taking. actign, @pon thé ., > aba tpi Rivage ‘The meeting was one of int and among the assemblage were George P. Bald- win, E. R. Muage, Otis Norcross, Wiliam Cilaffiin, H. G. Crowell, Edward Lawrence, Eugene H. Sampson, Frankiin Snow, Charles Hulbert, J. Henry Sears, Charics W. Wilder, A. H. Batchelder, Ezra Farnsworth, George P. Baldwin, Avery Phimer, Joseph F. Paul, George 0. Carpen- ter, Francis Dane, E. S. Tobey Weston, Lewis Harrison Loring, W. W. Clapp. After the meeting had been called to order by Mayor Cobb, and some remarks made by Messrs. Baldwin, Mudge and Norcross, and that Mr. Henry P. Kidder be selected as Treasurer, Mr. Franklin Snow desired at this time to present the contribution of the members of the Berkeley street church collected last Sunday evening. If the re- ports of Sunday had not been so doubtful the sum would have been larger. He presented $505. (Ap- plause.) Mr. George P. Baldwin said it might be well to begin the work immediately, and on behalf of his firm he presented a check for $500. (Applause.) Mr. Snow suggested this be not made an lu sively Boston matter, and that the committee re- ceive contributions from all the cities in New Sng- land. Many of the cities and towns on the coast had interests in common with New Orleans, and would undoubtediy contribute liberaliy. Mr. NoRckoss—The committee has full power. The meeting then adjourned. Subsequentiy a meeting of the Committee of Twenty was held, and Mayor Cobb was elected chairman. The Mayor sai he would not be able to engage actively in the work, but would be in the City Hall at all times if his services were needed, The large committee room was at their service, and could be occupied by them at any time. <A general expression of opinion was had relative to the course to be pursued. Mr. George 0. Carpenter was elected secretary of the executive committee. Mr. MupGE suggested that it might be well for the committee to guarantee $10,0(0 at once, and the suggestion was favorably received. A despatch was then prepared and forwarded to Mayor Wiltz of New Orleans. The despatch reads as follows :— Boston April 21, 1874, To Hon. Lovis A, Witz, Mayor of New Orleans :— A committee of our citizens has just been appointed to solocit aid for the sufferers by flood and famine in Louis- jana. In anticipation of subscriptions you are hereby authorized to draw at sight on Henry F. Kidder, Treasu- rer, forten thousand dollars, this being the first install- ment of Boston’s contributions in aid or the suflerers. SAMUBL C. COBB, Mayor. Mr. Ezra Farnsworth was delegate’ to appear on ’Change and notily the business men of tne ac- tion of the meeting. Tne secretary was authorized to prepare a head- ing for a subscription paper, and acircuiar to be sent to other cities, and after the transaction of some further business, the meeting adjourned till to-morrow morning at nine o'clock. The New Mayor of Albany Recommends Assistance. ALBANY, N. Y., April 21, 1874, Mayor-elect Judson was inaugurated to-aay for the short term, to fillthe vacancy caused by the resignation of the Mayor-elect several weeks since. On the 1st of May he will enter upon the discharge of the duties of the office for the full term, to which he was also elected at the recent election. His first act was to call upon the citizens to Mead gee to the appeal in behai! of the aflicted people in Louisiana, and recommending that the unexpended balance raised jor tne Chicago sulferers be handed over lor this purpose, A GRAYHEADED MURDERER SENTENCED, LOWELL, Mass., April 21, 1874. Samuel W. Hildreth, who killed Oliver A. Doland, a fellow inmate in Westford Poorhouse, last De- cember, by first striking bim with a chair and then cutting nis throat with @ razor, to-day pleaded guilty of murder in the second degree, and was sentenced by Judge Devens to imprisonment for lite, Doland was seventy-two years old, and Hil dredth is over seventy years and too badly par- alized to walk, ‘APRIL ‘22, 1874.-QUADRUPLE SHEET. THE STATE CAPITAL. Day of Adjournment Definitely . Fixed. —_—_—_._-____ Discussion @f the Third and Fourth Avenue Transit Bills. Medées of the House on the * Rampage. ‘ ALBANY, April 21, 1874. ‘This morning she Senate concurred in the reso- Yation to adjowrm on the 30th of April, and that question is NoWdefinitely settled. A week from next Thoreday, leaving only seven working days from thts date; Goth nouses—to the regret of very few—will stam@ adjourned til next year. The etfect of this Métion of the Senate isto throw the “Modoes’ Of te Assembiy into confusion, There ‘was a lingering Rope that the Senate would keep the resolution @ while longer and prolong the ses- mon until abows the 10th of Mav. So little time is ‘left and 60 masy Gils are still in committee and on | general ordera, that the Modoc mind is bewlidered, ‘The johns whie& were kept back in committee up to ‘this Will be to@late to pass, and the Senate may be credited with the intention of closing down ‘brakes on any Basty attempts to rush measures through that Body, THE CANAL SUPPLY BILL, which contemplates a larger steal of the public money than all the other bills of the session put together, will, itis to be hoped, receive a thorough sifting at the bands of tne Senate. The Chairman of the Canal Committee, Alberger, insists that it is the cleanéstbill ever introduced for alike pur- pose. This Alberger was one of the three Canal Commissioners @ (ew years ago when the canal corruption was a0 great as to call for a committee of investigation. He is a bold, brazen, pompous specimen of the modern rurai legislator, and be- longs to a typg Fhat has made Albany legislation a byword a0@@ distrace, ~*~ *°*" DISCUBSION OF THE MONOPOLY BILIS, The monopoly bills—Vanderbilt’s and the Third Avenue—were up to-day in the Assembly in Com- mittee of the Whole. The Third Avenue was dis- cussed all the’morning, and a feeble effort made to render it in any degree acceptable. Its supporters were the same men who voted against Eastman’s bill and did their best to turn it into ridicule. The bill wul evidently pass the House, and there it will stay; and even shoulda it pass the Senate—which is unlikely—it will undoubtedly be vetoed by the Governor. Several New York members—Messrs, Leake, Blumenthal, Daly and Waehner—did their duty in pointing out the defects of the bill and sug- gesting the proper amendments, But the first principle of the bill 1s bad—namely, to erect a structure in the centre of the streets all the way from City Hall to Harlem, Fancy such a trestle- work railroad as may be seen extending across the Jersey meadows and you have @ fair idea of how the Third avenue Elevated Road will look. But in truth this infliction is not contemplated. “Tne Third Avenue Company only want the charter So that nobody else shali trespass on their route. They have no serious notion of going into bank- ruptcy in carrying out the ridiculous rapid transit conception embraced in this bill, SUBSTITUTE FOR EASTMAN’S BILL, When the third reading of bills is resumed East- man’s for pa transit will come up. It is talkea of among the opposition to Eastman to intrust Spencer with @ substitute for the original bill, which is to proyide for a commission naving lim- ited powers and little or no compensation. At the evening session of the Assembiy the discussion of the Third Avenue Rapid ‘Transit Dill was regumed. One amendment worth mentioning Wi made to compel the company le bond of $500,000 with 0 a the Comptroller within sixty one alter the passage of the act. Alter some tinkering about the fares, 1t was finally agreed to charge ten cents for short distances and fliteen cents to Harlem. The whole debate showed the most fgracetut disregard of the rights of the people of NeW York. Here was @ mob o! rural members ready to stand up every moment and vote in or vote out any amendment. that suited the Third Avenue Railroad Company, Though Mr. Spencer had charge of the bill, pave nally introduced it, he acted with the utmoss, fairness and courtesy throughout. Not so with Lincoln, of the Ratlroad Committee, who, alter tate of fare for short distances had been eed On at eight cents, insisted on , and carried his point. Then me up, with its infamous pro- vision. leit in by the immaculate iroad Com- mittee to confiscate the parks and public places of New York below Forty-second street for the uses of the Fourth Avenue Railroad without compensa- tion to the city, but Weed and Lincola united were unable to FORCE THIS INIQUITY THROUGH, and it was stricken out. Mr. Hamilton Fish, the excellent Representative from Putpam county, fought the bill in every section, ana Messrs. Blumenthal, Miller and Waehner also made effective wariare on But it it. was Of little use, for the legislative Hessians, if they desired, Were strong enough to vote down. all op- position, Finally the bill was made to conform to vhat of the Third Avenue, and both have been or- dered to a third reading. OF BILLS REPORTED FAVORABLY to the Senate were the following:—To alter the map of the city of New York with reference to the ‘Twelith ward; for opening, widening and straight- ening Kingsbridge road and eet for an eastern Boulevard ia the city of New York, ‘The Committee on Cities agreed to-day to report favorably tne bill for the consolidation of the city and county of New York, by a vote of 6 to 3, ~. THE NEW CAPITOL INVESTIGATION. In the Capitol investigation to-day Senator Lowery asked that J. W. Smith be sworn, which was done. Mr. Lowery asked witness it he had possession of any private papers from the Commissioners for ex-Superintendent Bridgeiord, of the new Capitol. Witness replied he had. and, in answer to other questions, said its contents were to the effect that the Commissioners indorsed Bridgeford’s abil- ity and competency as Superintendent, and that no mistakes Were attributable to his management. It further transpired that Bridgetord expressed himself satisfied with this endorsement, and said he could not use his influence any iurther against the Commissioners, THE CHEAP TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION. Messrs. Baxter, Sterne, Thurber, and others of the New York Cheap Transportation Association are here in regard to the improvement, of the terminal facilities of New York and the Canal Funding bill. VETO OF SPECIAL LEGISLATION, ‘A good many bills that have been passed and come under the head of special legislation must perish if the Governor's veto message sent into the Senate to-day be an indication of bis course in all similar cases. He has returned to the Senate un- approved the bill authorizing the ‘Rochester Atheneum’ to change its name, and gives as hus reason that the bill is unnecessary, and is in direct violation of the principle sanctioned by both branches of the Legislature to provide for special cases by general laws. THE SUPPLY BILL. The delay in ordering the Supply bill to a third reading in the Senate is because of the desife of Mr. Wood, Chairman of the Finance Committee, to conclude the investigation into the New bay ey building, 80 that some dispusition may be made of the commissioners in charge of that very juicy job. THE AMENDED CONSTITUTION A bill by Mr. Vedder, for submitting the amended consututution to the electors, was introduced iy tip APRA and referred to the Judiciary Com- mittee, CHARGE OF THE MoDOCS. The Modocs of the Assembly made a charge down upon a quiet litte bill that was sliding along toa third reading, Se Rene Forty-second Street and Grand Street Ferry Railroad Company to ex- tend its tracks, and killed it.” ‘'hore was nothing in it, The vill authorizing the Hudson Tunnel Com- pany to bore under the Hudson River to Jersey City met a similar fate from the Warm Spring In- dians, wko are a different tribe, and, expecting nothing, are never disappointed. The amended Brooklyn charter, though recom- mitted in the Senate, is virtually dead, RAPID TRANSIT IN THE ASSEMBLY. Debate on the Third Avenue Quick Transit Bill. ALBANY, N. Y., April 21, 1874. After the third reading of bills this morning, and upon the motion of Mr. 0. 8. Spencer, the special order was taken up, being the New York Rapid ‘Transit bills, The House then went into Committee of the Whole and finally took up the bill to incorporate the Third Avenue Quick Transit Company. Mr. FIsH moved to strike out the clause permit- ting the company to construct @ branch to con- nect with the Brooklyn bridge. Mr. BLUMENTHAL sald he had intendod to make the same motion, This would give the company power to run branches in every direction. Mr. C. S, SPENCER said no court would grant any such privilege. Mr. W. MILLER called attention to the fact that the reading of the clause waa “a branch track.” and thi ould give them the privilege of running in every direction. Mr. LINCOLN did not think such @ construction could be placed on this clause, Mr. Weep said he had an amendment al: repared which would permit of this connection ry Sroniaing that this company could conn ect with @ single or double track. This was agreed to. Mr. WRIGHT moved to strike out the clause allow- ing the road to run @ branch track {rom Park row to and through Beekman street as extend ed across the City Hall Park to Broadway. Carried. Mr, FisH’s motion to strike out the clause per- maltsing the connection with the Brooklyn bridge oat Mr. LEAKE moved to locate the commencement of the road at Chambers street instead of Aun street. Lost. Mr. WEED moved to reduce the space granted in the streets from fifty feet to twenty-five feet. Carried, Mr. WRED moved to strike out the clause direct- ing the city authorities to aid the company in carrying out the provisions of the act. He looked upon it as unnecessary, Ar. LEAKE moved to extend the amendment so as to strike out the clause giving exciusive right to the Corporation to do what is in the bill, Lost. Mr. Weed’s motion was adopted, Mr. W. MILLER then moved to strike out the entire sixth section, which provides that the road shall be for the exclusive use of the company. It was the first time such a provision was put in @& bill, This would per the company to make this a freight carrying road. Ali franciuses are granted for puvlte benefit, and tt would be wrong to allow Lr dear to do With theirs just what they Mr. HaMMOND thought this was the true con- struction of the clause, and it should be stricken Mr. C.S. SPENCER said it should be remembered this was to be an elevated railway, and the clause that it shall not be lawful to any one other than a Public officer, in the execution of his duty as such. with his assistants and agents, to enter upon the road and cars, meant merely that there should be no interierence. It was certainly not intended to exclude passengers, Messrs, LEAKE and BLUMENTHAL also advocated the amendment, saying thas the section was a dangerous provision, Mr, WEED called attention to the fact that the pape is put in all elevated ratiroad charters, t is claimed that itis put in simply to pronibit any one else irom goiag on the tracks and oper- ating @ road. After further discussion of the question the mo- tion to strike out the section was negatived. Mr. WEED moved to strike out the word “ex. siveiy,”? having reierence to the right of the co: pany in the use of the road, With that word stricken out the accommodations ef the public would be secured. Agreed to, Mr. FISH moved to strike out the words and property?” 80 as LO confine the transportation to passengers, Mr. C, 8. SPENCER opposed this motion, as there Was & necessity for the rapid transit of freight as Great as that for the conveyance of passengers, Mr, Wright took a similar view as to the neces- sity for the rapid trunait of freight, but he was op- posed to having the provision in a rapid transit passenger bill, Mr. W. MILLER also thought a freight road should not run through the centre of the city. Sucha road should run along the water fronts of the city, He velieved this bill was intended to give atreight } road and a freight road only, He thought this pur- pose was covered up in the sixth section, and wanted tne word “freigut” stricken from the bill entirely, . Mr. WEED moved to amend by substituting for the words “‘ireight aud property” the words “lug- gage, expyess packages and the mails.” He wanted to perfect the bill as mMuca as possible in the inter- ests of the people, Mr. LINCOLN thought’ this was a injudicious amendment. Without it no one, could have his baggage conveyed, Strike out the words “ireight and property” and leave it thus, and no baggage will be carried. Mr. C,S. SPENCER said he cared not how this bill Was amended, All ne wanted was rapid tran- sit. Mr. DaLy asked him if he really believed that the Third Avenue or Fourth Avenue Ratiroad co: panies wanted rapid transit. Mr. C. 8. SPENCER replied that that was avery dil- fleult question to answer. Ail he knew was tuat tne Presioent of the Third Avenue Railroad Company nad put it in writing that he was ta earnest in asking for this road, Mr. HUSTED said he had ever advocated rapid transit. Bilis had been passed in lormer years, | but no road was built.. The question as to good | faith had been beiore raised us it had now, and in | unswer he reada letter irom Mr. Squires, Presi- dent of the Third Avenue road, declariug that the company, was determined to build the road ifthe no rca |, and consented to an increase in the onds. Mr. DALY Said the people of New York wanted rapid transit; they are suffering for wantofit, At the same time they have lost all contidence in ail these propositions. Faith has not been kept. Bills have been passed in former years, but nothing has been done. Who, he asked, ever heard of a railroad | company framing a billin the interest of the peo- ple? He was sorry to say there was @ suspicion in bag public mind that there was no intentiou—real, faithful intention—to build a road, Mr. EASTMAN Sid that just such letters as had been read were read tw years ago from Mr. Van- | derbilt, and what did they amount to? Did he keep iaith with bis promises? What dic the oropo- sition to give bonds amount to when we find.tol- lowing the provision a ciause letting the corpora- tion out in case of delay by legal proceedings ? Who does not know these will be instigated by the co:npany itself? He said tuis bill could nor “pass, and it was a waste of time to consider it. The Vommon Council had protested against it. , Mr, Fiso withdrew his ‘amendment in favor of Mr. Weed’s, which was adopted, Mc, WAEHNER moved to amend by requiring the company to commute its fare as fixed im the bill at | @ reduction of at least forty per cent and sell tickets to the amount of one or five dollars’ wortn at a tine. Mr, C. 8. SPENCER thought this would be unwise. Tt was unusual. Mr. WABHNER said people would be likely to use this road several times a day, and it would be a great accommodation if they coula commute the same as they do on the Harlem road. Mr. WAEHNER'S amendment was lost. Mr, Fish moved to reduce the fare from fifteen to twelve cents for riding the {ull length, and ten to eight cents for lesser distances, Mr. WEED thought the iare low enough. The dis- tance was ten or twelve miles, and one and one- half cents per mile was low enough. ‘rhe first part of the motion as to the fare for full distance was disagreed to, | The second part as to lesser distances was then | announced, + Mr. BLUMENTHAL moved to make it six cents, The question was first taken on Mr. Fish’s mo- tion for eight cents and it was agreed to. Mr. BLUMENTHAL then withdrew his amendment, and moved @ clause that it shall be unlawiui to coilect any lare 1rom a passenger not supplied with a seat. This elicited some debate on the subj2ct, and was negatived 18 to 34, Mr. Eastman moved to make the fare six cents from the City Hall to Forty-second street, so as to make it conform with that proposed on the Fourth Avenue road. Mr, ALBERGER did not believe this road would ever be built, for the reason that the main pro- vision wanted—namely, the freight clause—nad been stricken out, [e was opposed to this propo- sition to fix the fare. That ought to be lett to the company, who will consult their own interest an make itas low as they can in order to secure patronage. Mr, EaSTMaN’s motion was negatived. On motion of Mr. BLUMENTHAL @ Clause was in- serted which required that the pneumatic tubes to be used shall not interfere with the trafic on streets and avenues. Mr. BEEBE Moved to strike out of section 8 the clause giving preference to legal proceedings against the company, Mr. C. 8, SPENCER said this was put in so as to hasten the construction of the road, in case har- assing legal proceedings were commenced against the company. Mr. BEEBE looked upon this proposition, this Whole scheme, as a sheer humbug. ‘Is company was never going to build this road. All they | want&® was the charter, so as to head off others. He was opposed to giving this company the mo- nopoly of the machinery of our courts in jurther- ance of their humbug. They will instigate legal proceedings to be brought against tiem, and then have protection in the courts. This would be an outrage on other litigants, even if this company were sincere, His motton prevailed, | Mr. BLUMENTHAL moved to strike out the clause following the requirement that the road shall be completed in three years, which provides that necessary and unavoidable delays from legal pro- ceedings shall be excepted. ‘ of two having arrived, the Speaker ir and announced a recess until seven “freight Evening Session. The Honse reassembled at seven P. M. and re- sumed consideration of the Third Avenue Kapid Transit Bill. ‘The question pending was on Mr. Blumenthal’s Motion to strike out the words “necessary and un- avoidable delays from the pending of legal pro- | ceedings against said corporation excepted,” hav- | ing reference to the required completion of the | road in three years, Alter discussion the motion was lost. On the motion of Mr. Wight the company was made subject to all provisions of law governing other railroad companies, Mr. ‘COLN moved to increase the bond required from the company that they shall have the road completed within three years from $100,000 to 150,000. Mr, ALVORD moved to make it $200,000, Adopted. Mr. BEEBE moved as a substitute for the thir- teenth section that the company deposit with the State Comptroller or the Comptroller of the city of New York bonds for $500,000 by the 1st of Jane as guarantee that the roau wili be completed to Harlem Kiver within three vere na in case the road is not completed within ime, then these bonds shail be forleited to the sinking fund of the city of New York, and in case the road is com pleted the bonds, with interest, shall be returned” to the company. Mr. C, 8. > CER thought this was asking too much, as It took $600,000 irom the company, tue bonds called for being the same agcash, He’ said SB caneny prec bees rs ve bonds guaran- ed by the rd Avenue, Railroad Com; bed ste! Worth $5,000,000, aap After some discussion Mr, Beebe’s substitute was negatived—24 to é Un motion of Mr. WED the section was amended . 6 90 that the delays, if any, shall be duly certified competent autiority, and the bonds anal be riod nore the Mayor of the city. Mr. DaLNy moved an ‘amendment that, im the event of this company failing to carry out the Pang i arpone ae put then the pct Lt memes hts, on ir. WRED, the take effect on the company fing with the ‘Geme Sailep of the city of New York the bond provided Mr. LINCOLN moved to restore the 1 ’ for short distances to ten cents. It hen bend ae duced to eight cents, Mr. Fish opposed this motion, contending that the committee had to-day acted wisely in reducing this fi The company will afford the carry pas ngers short distances for eight cents. This coms pany does it now for five cents and the Fourth ave enue road charges six cents. He could not under. stand some of the votes which had been given on this bill, and now that this committee had done ao much for this company he tnsisted that it ought to do something for the people who are to use the road, Mr. W. MILLER was surprised at this movement to increase the fare. It looked as if orders had been received from headquarters. ‘The motion was carried by 47 to 34, Mr. WRIGHT moved an amendment that when- ever any street or rails in the street are disturbed they shall be restored by the company. Carried. r. WEED moved that the company shat) run card one hoar in the morning and one hour in the even- ing to carry the working classes, at six cents faro to Forty-second street and nine cents to Harlem. Mr, BLUMENTHAL said he had intended to move such aD amendment, making it two nours in the morning and two in the evening. This was accepted by Mr. Wood and adopted. Mr. COUGHLIN moved that in case the guarantee bond was not filed with the Comptroller within 61x days after the passage of the act it shall be void. st. The bill was then ordered to be reported to the louse. THE HARLEM QUICK TRANSIT BILL. The same committee then took up the bill to age thorize the New York and Harlem Railroad Com- pany to construct a rapid transit road in New York c On motion of Mr. ALVORD, the company may run the road through the tunnel. * On motion the provision for connecting the road. With the Brooklyn bridge was stricken out. Mr. WAEHNER moved to strike Out the first sec tion of the bill. Lost—18 to 30, Mr. WAEDNER then took the floor and declare that it would be an owerage upon the citizens o! New York to build this road in addition to the ona just provided for. He would go turther, he said,, aad denounce allthese schemes of rapid transit, which were for the beneflt of land speculators im the upper part of the city. They had bought lots there, and now they want them improved. Un motion of Mr. FisHER all provisions allowing: the use of parks or public grounds for depot sta- tions were stricken ons ‘ = : The pill 0 conform with the pro- visions ortte MRA Srdeus bill, and the commite vee then rose and reported both bills to the House. In the House Mr. BLUMENTHAL renewed the amendments he moved in the committee, and theyt were voted down. They were negatived and the bills ordered to a shird reading, when the House adjourned. CONFLAGRATIONS. Disastrous Fire in Michigan—Famili Rendered Homeless—Death of a We= man from Excitement. CHICAGO, April 2, 1874. A destructive fire occurred at Ishpenning, Mich, on Sunday night, originating in the store of Samuel Price, on Main Street, spreading north and south, making a clean sweep of the block from Kirkwooa’s drug store, on the corner of Main. and Division streets, to and including Anderson’s. Hall, and thence across to the west side? Of the street, destroying the entire block to Peart! street. Thirty families are rendered homeiess and; twenty-five Nusiness places destroyed. The toes: will not all short of $160,000, and the insurance is , but $80,000, ‘The only fire steamer in Vergennes, three miles: distant, was sent to the scene of the conflagration, but fliteen minutes after- wards was recalled, a tire having broken out in Vergennes, On the way back the steamer overturned and was rendered useless;, consequently the fire burned itself out, destroying, six residences and causing @ loss of irom $16,000 to $20,000. Mrs. Mathews, wife of the hotel proprietor in Ishpenning, died suddenly irom the excitement‘ attendant upon the tire. Among the insurance companics suffering from: the fire in Ishpenning are the loliowing:—Alle-- mania, $8,500; Continental, $1,500; North Mis- svuri, $1,060. Burning of a Hotel. Concorp, N. H., April 21, 1874. A fire at Groveton last night destroyed a hotel ana satel the property of William Neison. ‘the loss is $6,009, Large Fire in Richmond—Destruction of Flouring Mills. RicuMonD, Va., April 21, 1874. A fire broke out at nine o'clock this evening in the upper story of the main building of the exten- sive Qouring mils known gs the Columbia Mills, and owned by Haxall, Crenshaw & Co, The fire is raging fearfully, and has already extended to the other mili building. Tne whole Fire Department are at work, but their efforts seem to have but little effect in staying the flames, The: fire is burning mainly on the river front, and can- not be reached but by passing through the bui ings; hence tne firemen are greatly impeded by the density of the smoke. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. The Swatara—Changes at the Brooklyn f Navy Yard. The United States steam sloop-of-war Swatara will go into commission on Friday, May 1, at the Brookiyn Navy Yard. She will be under the com- mand of Captain Ralpn Chandler, the present pergetic, assistant executive officer of the Navy. ar e Y¥ . Captain E, A. K. Benham, late of the mont- tor eon will relieve Captain Chandler at tnis station, The destination of tne Swatara is the South Pacific, whither she will take out a scientific ex- peditionary corps to witness the transit of Venus. Changes Ordered—Health and Where- abouts of the South Atlantic Squad- ron=—The Powhatan and Wachusett, WASHINGTON, April 21, 1874, Surgeon D. Kindlebergh is ordered as & member ofthe Retiring Board. Captain E. R. Calhoun is detached trom the command of the Hartford, om the Asiatic station, and ordered to return to Sam Francisco to report ior the command of the Rich- mond. Commander Bancroft Gherardi is tempo- Trarily detached from the command of the recelv- ing sbip Independence, at Mare Island, Cal., and ordered to command the Richmona until the ar- rival of Captain Calhoun, when he is to resume | command of the Independence. Lieuten- | ant Commander E. A. Walker has been detached from the Lancaster and placed on wait- ing orders; Midshipmen Henry Barroll, P. Bi e,. A. P, Baker and John Koller, from the Wyoming and placed on waiting orders; Midshipman J. U. Burnett, from the Kearsarge und ordered to are ceed to San Francisco and report his arrival; Medi- cal Inspector Jonn Taylor, trom duty as ir of the Retiring Board, but to continue on duty as. member of the Soard for examination of candi- dates for admission to the medical cor; maker James Wilson, from the Bentcta, on her arri- val at San Francisco, and ordered to the recruiting ship Independence. THE SOUTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON. Despatches have been received from Rear Adm. ral James A. Strong, commanding tne United States naval forces on the South Atlantic station, dated at Rio Janeiro March 24, on board the flagship Monongahela, These despatches contain nothitig of general interest. The healtn of the squadron continues good, The Wasp was of Mon- tevideo March 16, The surveys on which she had been engaged were about completed and the re- sults were being worked up. KEY KEST, The Powhatan, at Key West, has becn ordered to a yal Roads and may be expected about the 1st of May. The Wachusett sailed trom Key West on April 19 on a cruise. THE NEW DOMINION. Riel Still Hiding—Dissatisfaction with the Jury System and the Law of Libel— American Bishops in Toronto. QUEBEC, April 21, 1874. Riel is known to have been here for several days. Many rumors are in circulation touching his move- ments, but nothing positively is known. A heavy snow storm set in here last night and Still continues, About seven tnches of snow have fallen, and the drifts are equal to any in mid- winter. A large and influential meeting was held in Mon- treal last night with reference to the Jury system the law of libel, Resolutions were passed con- demnatory of the present jury system. Acom- mittee was appointed to prepare a petition to Paritament to amend the law increasing the quali- fications of jJurymen, and to make the law for libel in this country the same as in Englan Hon. E. B. Wood, Chief Justice of Manitoba, is detained at St. Catharines by @ severe attack of sickness, and his departure will necessarily be deferred a lew weeks beyond the time originally shoo MoQaaide, of Rochester, Bishop, MoNter. rican Bishops wi Oaigiated at the consecration Of Bishop Crisnom at Stratiord on Saturday are quests of Arcubishop Lyneb, of Toronto.