The New York Herald Newspaper, July 13, 1875, Page 5

~ THROCCH 10 WESTCHESTER, | . Push on the Rail and Give Us Rapid Transit. TUR COMMSSON TO MEGT FOR WORK TO-DAY, —-+—__—_ \nventors Growling About the Iron Interest in the Commission. Day by day the Interest in the question of ranid transit between the apper end or tne reeently an- nexed district and the Battery becomes more and more intense tn the financial centres of the city, | among the real estate speculators and real estate owners, in associations of property owners, to street railroad companies and to the thousands who comprise what Jona Bright was once berated or calling the “residium”—that 1s, the laboring classes, Our people have been so long TRIPLED WITH BY MEMBERS OF THY LUGISLATURD, "Who have been charged with being in the taterest of the slow-moving horse car companies, that few entertained any hope that we were to have rapid transit in this decade, But the passage of the Dill providing for a commisston to act upon the gubject and the selection by the Mayor of J, L. Mott, the tron dealer of Beekman ana Cif streets; Mr. 0, H. Delamater, of the Delamater Iron Works; Mr. Chari ‘anda, of No, 214 Broadway; Mr. Louis B, Brown, real estate dealer, corner of Broadway and Pine street, and Mr. Jesse Selig- men, the banker, seem to give many encourage. ment, amdjead them to hops that, after all the trifling of the past five years, out of the act good may come, The announcement was made in the papers that the Commissioners would take pos~ session of the rooms assigned to them on the northeast corner of the third floor of the new Court House yesterday, and that, in the mean- time, PERSONS HAVING MODELS AND PLANS to snbmit for their consideration could leave them at the Mayor’s office with Colonel Harrison, But ns Colonel Harrison, private secretary of the Mayor, and tho temporary representative of the Commissioners, has been absent from the cily since Friaay, many inventors were disappointed When they calied atthe Mayor’s office. Several ‘who bad plans and models to submit were found by a HERALD reporter at the door of the rooms that were being cleaned out for the use of the Commission seeking some one to whom they could | contide their “brain work;” but there was no- body other than the Court House cleaners to re- ceive them, and nono to direct them who to ap- apply to during the absence of the temporary secretary. Some left and sought tho PRIVATE OFFICES OF THS COMMISSIONERS, while others railed against the Commission and declared that notning would come out of it. One inventor met the Hunan reporter in front of the door to be used as the office of the Commission, sad broke out with the remark— “THIS 18 A NICE CONDITION OF THINGS, They ask Inventors to come here, and we find nothing but room sweepers so receive us. Ihave 8 plan to sabmit, but no one Is here to take 1t or | examine the model, 1 don’t believe 1t wiilamount toa pinch ofsnuf. (Perhaps he did not mean his plan.) I fear there is a job in thie bill to get us to exhibit oar models and tsen adopt some scheme that will cut us ail ont, The Commission should have oven authorized (o pay a bouusf rthe plan that is acopted, as was provided for by Dawrou’s bill of 1871, Which made steal on the Canals a grand success,” Another maa who claimed to be there to sun~ Mit plans, declared that he believed the Dill after “all was careially engineered in tue interests of the tron men of the city. ‘‘Why,’? said he, “turee | out of the fve Commissionets are workers in fron, They are Messrs, Mott, Canda and velg- mater. Itlooks to me as if Wickham ana Gover- nor Tilden are playig into the nands o: the iron men, The tanuers say ‘There 18 notuing hke leather,’ and the iron men will swear “THERE 18 NOTHING LIKE IRON? With an tron majority against ong eal estate man and one capitalist, Waat chance Will any inventor have whose plan proposes that tne road snall ve chiefly constructed of stone work and wood? Hud Mayor Wickham desired to remove all cause of complaint he should have selected as commis- sioners practical engiueers—men of probity aud | practical knowledge." Another man, wo claimed that he was an in- yentor and had sent bia models to the Mayor's Office, Seemed to think that the polite private secretary of the Mayor should never nave been ohosen as secretary of the Commission, Said he (addressing the secoud speaker) :— “You are about right. 1, too, am ready to resent planus and models, but d—m me if think this thing is going to be run ‘on the | equare.’ Tue Mayor appoints a majority of the Commission trom tie iron interests. Do you not know that some schemes are to be presented of which seveuty-live per ceat of the materials to be used are iron ana steel? And then Wickham selects ots own private and confidential secretary as secretary ol tae Commis- sion; or at least the Commission do tt in recog. Bitien of tue compliment paid toem by Mr. Wiek- ham. Colonel Mariison 1s a g ewan always police, aiWays approach. i ew hia when I ‘was in the Confeder ce, dud he was merely # young stripling. @ Watt and kick the 8 Here Ww dust off our shoes, as 5% Paul did when the Jews would not permit him to “dead head’? upon them (the fellow here laughed sardontcauy) ; | “aud there is no one to see us—none to say, ‘Go | away, ’m busy.’ ve deen down stairs in the | Mayor’s office, to see Wiluam 4.; but my friend | @ Newiwan 18 absent, and the policemen won't | admit me.’ | Such was the drift of the comments mate yes terday about the door leading to tue rooms of the | committee, It shows that there 18 mucu feeling | Ou tue part Of Persons WHO propose to subMIs | planus or who have already dove so, This is much to be regretted, The gentlemen selected ou tuis Commission are certainly business men, wio stand igh in the community, and, althougn in- terested in iron, there Is no reason to believe that they Rave been selected with @ view of giv- jug irom precedence over stone and brick or other | material which the emginee:ing sail of the city may approve. The reporter yesterday called upon Mr, J, L. Mott, one of the Commission, and found him en- gaged in an earnest interview with two rapid transit geutiemea, who had spread eut before DIM Maps and diagrams of their proposed solu- tion of the question. After waiting half an hour, the reporter got the attention of Mr. Mott, and explained to him the object of his visit, Mr. Mott stated in substance that the Oommission earnesiiy desire all partis who nave plans oF suggestions to make %o appear before them to-day (Tuesday) at noon, at their office in the New Vours House, and suo- mit them for their consideration. Said he, “We have cailed a)on all parties tateresied im the Various schemes to send their MODELS AND PLANS TO THR MAYOR'S OFFICE, and we will be happy to give them a patient bear- ing. We snail receive sacn plang as are presented by the various geutiemen interested, Several per- eons @ calied here aad subimitied plans, but { have invariably reques.ed them to present them at toe rooms of the Commission, as it would be a waste of time for me to neglect my business, or for my associates to do #0, When we will have to go over them again in our sessions, These gentle- men who have just left have plans to su mit, and fs they are my pergonal frieuds, 1 have conierred With them; but as I am only one of five selected for the work I referred them to the full Commi: sion.) Your Commission,” said the reporter, “is largely composed of gentlemen familiar with iron architecture?” Mr. Mott replied that Mr. Delamater and he were the only members now connected with the iron interest, although Mr. Canda bad been associated with it, He said that they would have to be gov- erned tn their selection of a plan entirely by the opinion of engineers, Gentlemen wuo have plans to offer call upon me and tell me that their schemes cannot be objected to, and the next one wile comes in offers serious engineering objections, I bad in my pocket to-d plan that the inventor yet, when I showed ay periect; claimed wi it to these gen en WAO have another pian, and Who have just leit me, they pomted out three objec- nons.” Some of the pian red have great merit, 4n my opinion, while others are ridicalous.” ae you propose to sit aaily i’? asked the re- er, | subject of rapid transit that this engineers’ pepars id | avenue named said that if this road Was WEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1875.—TRIPLE SHEET, claim :—“Oh, no; tne people want steam transit, and we are the representatives o| e people! Don’t tempt us! If we strike bands witm you your carpet-dags will be our coffins.” THE PROBLEM AS VIBWED BY PRACTICAL EN- GINEERS, At the beginning of this year a committee of five from the American Society of vivil Engineer Ported to the body on the subject of rapia transis. This committee consisted ef the following civil engin 0, Chatuie, M. N. Yorney, Ashbel Welch, Charles K. Grabam and Francis Colling- wood, The report was read ata meeting of the society February 3, 1875, It was a very remark- able document, and its lient points are well worth reproduction at this particular time. They disapprove of underground experiments, They favor (he elevated idea, and they offer suggestions so (ull of practical thought that their report must rank among the Very highest , expositions on the subject of rapid transit that the New York public bave ever bad, The society recognized the report of its committee as “ admirable,’ and cers tainly the perusal of the document, which 1s yo- luminous withour being tedious, will convince any obe that there is nothing left to be said upon rhe does not cover, Tho report is very long, Teugon of its length the geueral pub.te been deprived of reading it, yet every paragraph it contains is worth taking into serious considera. ton, and as arule the soggestions are based on sound common sense and edueated experience, Tne committee named above was requested to repor ‘ ‘The best means of rapid traneti fer pas- sengers, Sepnd—The nest and cheapest methods of de- livering, storing and distributing posas and freigat im aud about the city of New York, They were instructed to exum{ne plans and to receive suggestions such as parties interested in the matter might choose to offer, The labors of the committee were great and varied, According to the report they read ali the publications they could find ayen the sunject of rapta transit. They advertised circular for communteations in writin, they held five pubic meet- ngs ab rooms of the 80 give hearings to such ag chose to appe: sought interviews with all persons and organized bodies which were likely to possess information, ed the ion of the Produce Ex cvange and Groce: ‘d of Trade in gathering Statistica, They addressed circulars to the prop- erty owners and tenants along the line of the Greenwich Street Elevated Ratiroad, inquiring into the effect of the operations of that rai upon business and property along the live, They helu many private meetings, to discuss and examine, t With the aid of Seoretary of 1@ 8O- ciety, the large mass of materials thus accu. mulated. The assenger amd ireigat questions were separatel, disched, marys J THE RESULTS of tits discussion may be thus epitom'zed. In the first place leres onthe rapid transit lines should be as low or nearly as low as upon the sireet ratiroads, Nothing else ecula enable the rapid transit roads to secure the enormous trafic which they must have to pe Peeatanie: The trajoa should run at high speed. Low fares cannot ie charged if @n extensive business is not secured, or if the cost of operation and oonstruction be onerously expensive, Then the report proceeds to lay the biame of the fallare of rapid transit on the peeple of New York, who wanted impossivle re. | suits, Tae committee, DeXt considering with a cares ful calculation the cost of transportation, arrived AT PHE CONCLUSION that while it 1s quite possible, by the adoption of @ cheaper Motive power such as steam, and-by ax. grogating passengers in train joads, imstead of single oars, to Convey eveu && high speed some- what cheaper than 1s now done at low speed. If the fares be limited by existing circumstances, 1b Wul wholly depend on the volume of business and the amount of capitai invested whether a rapid transit road will pay. Condensing the entire re- port, which if priated in exfenso would tage up Many columns of the HERALD, the ooneinsions of th’s admirable report go to sbow that the ele- vated plan of rapid transit, properly constructed aud properly administered, would solve the entire problem of quick and cheap transmission of per- Sous und property in the metropolis, RAPID TRANSIT IN BROOKLYN. OPPOSITION VIEWS ON THE ELEVATED RAILROAD PROJECT—THE OTHEB SIDR O¥ THE QUES- TION. Yesterday forenoon another conference was heid between the Common Vounell Committee and the directors of the Silent Safety Elevated Railroad Company. The meeting was to entertain the appiicacton of the corporation named for permis- slon to change the route from Sands street and Park avenue to Pearl sureet and Myrtle avenue, from the commencement of the East River Bridge. Property Owners were present to remonstrate against the proposed line of the rapid transit road, The citizens opposed to the innovation are for the chief part storekeepers on Myrtle avenue. Alderman Fisher presided, aad there were pres- ent of the committee also Aldermen Dwyer and Vaughan. In behalf of the opponents of the change of route, Generai Pullip & Crooke appeared aud argued that the side owners hod tho right to the street, and that any personal otcupation ot a Bireet for private purposes Was a pudiic nuisance, An elevated road was not to be tolerated. AS a lawyer he considered 1t was a nuisance to plant anything ona highway #0 as to obstract puolio travel, Buch @ Toad as the one contemplated should and would be fougat as a public nuisance, ‘the steam which was to be used could not jail to drive ousiness away irow the strect. It was not im the power either of the Legisiature or of tue Commoa Couueil to take property without di process of law. The mere setting of the posts in tue ground Was AL luiringement on the property Of tue side owners, Shvald such an institusien be introduced tn the little country town of Fiatbusa, where he realdes, the counsel sald, he would feck Warranted in biowiag tue railroad up with a keg of gunpowder, £X-Mayor Samuel Booth said he did not desiro to see tue business of Myrtle avenue ruined, but be would like a little more time to luvestigate the subject before he could give fuil expression to big views, In the meantume ho noped that tue Lom- mon Council would delay action in tue premises tor the present, A gentiewan who owns two buildings on the 10 ve built pe would sell his property there for $5,000 less than he cocid get for it now. Business would be ruined. £x-Coumisstoner of Charities Prank Kirby could not see wiy the oid OWO-rs On that avenue shoud bé ruined ior the venedt of persons wio are living @t the other end of the city, Wao migut own soms lots, and im whose interest this scueme was got- ten up, Another property holder said he was not op- posed to elevated raliways li Diaced in s.de and hon-business streets, but he and his business Intends were totally Opposed to haying such a coa- tilyance on Myrtle avenue. On benalf of tue Eievated Railroad Company, the President, Mr. John Burtis, said he iailed to See tue Lorce Of the theory that the read slouid be Tuo through streets occupied by poor peopie in reference to thorough ares where people are vet- r of The question was whether Brooklyu should have rapid transit or not. Some of the Jar; veld property owners were in favor of tho rajec # Mr. Job Johnson said that though he is one of the largest property holders on Myrtie avenue, he would ratuer give $6,000 than not Mave tue Ble- vated Ratlr constructed there, Mr. Burtis was confident that if this road was Duali its benefits would be so clearly estavlished that other and similar lines would ve constructed to penetrate Long Island in different directions. Basiness would increase so rapidly on Myrth e- hue tiatit would early become tne Broadway of Brooklyn. There would be no tracks to ruin ve- nicles, and nothing to jeopardize lile anu limp. He showed bow other towns by perinttti: roads to run through them bad aitracted millions of Wealtu trom Brovklyn, He said it was a year ago last May since te charter to build this read passed the Legis: and the people wei anxious that it should be constructed. Jron is now very low, the contractors are ready, and there are many unemployed men who would be giad to go (oO Work, BO that the present time was most Tavorable to commence. le said, im Conclusion, that he expected to shake hands some day wita every man in Brooklyn tor this improvement. Ab adjournment oi the Commitiee was Bad till Wednesday evening next, NEW YORK CITY. Officer Mulcahey yesterday killed a mad dog at No, 431 Greenwich street, Thomas Brennan, of No, 633 Greenwich street, ‘while removing @ press yesterday morning, was severely injured by it falling upon him, He was tuken to Bellevue Hospital, Otto Hoffman, residing at No, 140 Essex street, Was accidentally shot in the face and severely burned by Jonn Heck, aged twelve years, who a er Hofman was taken to Bélievue Hos- pital Madeline Jackson (colored), ® servant at No. 91 West Eleventh street, was severely burned about We pi i tO have frei it sessions,’ said M Mere a get through as s00n We ahi provabiy hold three sessi or more if necessary. We will be re: ig id models to-morrow w: ill likely hold two other sessio! is e wi best we can in the way o/ making cess,” residents and property owners ofthe city ‘will watch with great concern the proceedings of ‘this Commi that Meets at noon to-day, and it y that from the well known character of tho gentlemen who have accepted @ com- missi to solve the vex em, wooden ir toterests, anking inter+ @ interests—all will be sunk 1% matters not whether problem be solved by Teal estate agents or the eople want is that the pres- the way for the work a reality that the orse railroad men go Carnet-bawe, wi @x. ; pro dono publigo, the rapid transit the tron dealers, +) bankers, Up With ther well fli the face and body by her clotnes taxing ®& lighted candle. She was removed to Hospital. James McDumn, of No, 429 Washington street, was found by an oflcer of the Eighth precinct at ‘he corner of Grand and Variok streets, yester- day, suffering from ag teil wound inflicted by an a own person, Ww W 4 beer glass at Alm. Hie was seut to Vellovue Hospital. BROOKLYN, On Wednesday next the action of ex-Tri Sprague against the city to recover securities meld by the city, and which were surrendered when the defalcation was discovered lagu 4 ars ago, will be continued peiure Judve Baruard, Riehard Cionan was yesterday awardea the contract for building & public hath for the use Of the Eastern District. The cost is to be $11,790, James Malone, allas “Red.” was arrested on a Warrant issued by Justice Walsh yesterday, on a ¢ of mayhem, The brutal rnMan bit off the wor part of the Jett ear of Thomas Fau kner during @ Oght in Hudson avenue on Tuesday | nig A fire broke out about one o’clock yesterday afternoon im the store of John Maitland, No, 677 Bedford avenue, destroving $209 worth of steck; Insured in the American for $2,500. Tne building, whieh } oepee by General Meserole, was not mach injuréd,™ oo - The census enumerators of Brooklyn are pro- gressing slowly in their labors, though the time for handing in the returns has expired. From a rough estimate it ts believed that the population will aguregate 600,000, In 1970 the city’s popula- fiom was 296,000, There are 412 children in the Kings County Nursery, and only one case ot sickness, Commis- sioner Norris states that the children cannot be removed to the private institntions beere August, and that some of them must remain ti! September 1, as they will not be able to take care of them at an earlier date. The faneral of a veteran ofMcer of the Irish Brig- ade, Lieutenant Joseph M. Barns, took place yes- terday afternoon, from the residence of his father, No, 101 Atlantic street. Deceased, who served gallantly doring the campatens of the Sixty-ninth regiment, Was a member of the Brigade Assocta- tion, and @ iarge number of bis comrades 1 lowea the remxins to their last resting place at Evergreen Cemetery, NEW JERSEY. Congressman Teese, of Essex county, has a nom- Ination for the appointment to West Point of a cadetsbip, He will receive applications and ar- Tange for @ competitive examination, About nine o'clock on Sunday evening a little girl, Qaughter of Mr. J. W. Whitehead, residing at No, 355 Halsey strect, Newark, fell trom the tnird story of the house, Her fall was broken by her striking on a clothes rope, and, altnough tn- sensible waen picked up, she soon revived, She ‘Was apparently uninjured save @ bruise on her hip and arm, A young lad named Henry Toeppel, residing in Bancock avenue, while bathing tn company with several companions, in Pen Horn Creek, was taken with cramps and sank into the water. He rose nO More, nor could he be founa by his friends, who dived after him: several times with tha hope of saving his life. Late in the evening the body was recovered and carried home to lis griei-strickea parents, The Qungeon horror in the Hudson County Pent- tentiaty isto be immediately investigated. Tho uafortunate prisoner Lawton ts now a confirmed junatic in the Stare Asylum at Trenton. The sys- tem of tortare practised in this institution ts so Tevolting that the keeper of acounty jail in the Interior Of the State stated to a HERALD reporter yesterday that it wasa disgrace not only to tho State bat the civilization of the age. Mayor Traohagen, of Jersey City, has vetoed the resolution of the Board of Education for the pay- ment of tea teachers’ salaries tor the monta of July on the ground that the salaries are not yet due. This 18 in strict accordance with the city charter, WilcA provides that ‘no moneys shall bo ps till the obligation is incurred.” Yet Mayor rapbagen’s predecessors paid no attention to this provision of the law. The Board of Finance bas also noufled the Board of Edueation that the expenses must be considerably curtailed, Asingular instance of juvenile depravity was brought to light io tho First District Court at Jersey City yesterday. A boy named James Moran, aged Miteen years, was charged with drunkenness and disorderly conduct. It ap- peared that he, in company with other boys, en- tered a saloon in First street, aud after taking soveral drinks beat the bartender and left with- out paying. Moran’s defence was that they did rot enter the saioon for tne purpose of beating the bartender but to thrash another man whom they expected to find there, The young scamp Waa finea $10. THE KEHOE WIFE MURDER. SHOCKING PICTURE OF DOMESTIO LIFE—A MAN BE HANGED FOR HER. The trial of Patrick Keboe, a blacksmith, on an indictment charging him with the murder of his wife on the 21st of May last, was commenced in the Court of Oyer and Terminer, at Jersey City, yesterday. The prisoner, who is about thirty-five years of age, Was brought iuto court by Sheri Laverty and took a seat beside his counsel, Mr. RB, Seymour, Before the lust of jurors was called counsel for the prisoner desired to retract the plea of not guilty, but tue Court refused to allow it and the trial proceeded. District Attorney Garretson opened the case @nd stated that on the date mentioned Kehoo went home to nis residence on Third street, Jer- sey City, in the evening, id there beat his wife aad inflicted a wound in her head from which she died in a short time, The chief witness againat the prisoner is his som, about nine years old, The other cnild, a baby, died since the murder, The Court stated that the jury would be kept together from the time the oath was administered till a determination was reached, but that if any memver O! the jury desired to visit his aome pe | Could do 80 in the Company Ol an ofticer, ‘The firs. witness Was a colored woman named Louisa Jounson, Wao testified:—I live at No, 3.9 Third street, Jersey City; Kehoe occupied toe Door avove thai wuere Lresided; saw Mrs. Kehoe alive .or the last time ona Friday in May, vetween four aud stx o'clock 1n the alternoon; she was sit- tug im the Laliway and remained there tli Ketioe caime home; heard @ dog wark in Kenoo’s room; Kehoe told the seg shut up; next heard loud groans trom Mrs. Kehoe; the little boy went dowo airs aud got water, with which Kehoe told him to Wash his (the boy’s) motner; Kehoe told tue poy sie Would be all right ip the morning; we boy sald, “Papa, what have you doue to mamma ?)? he answeied, “Nothing, she was drunk and feil of the lounge; the boy asked her if sue ielt better, and she uuswered no; sie asked the boy to take of her old shoes; the boy came down for more water; heard Mrs. Kehoe give two loud groans; asked the voy what was the marter wish ma mother; he answered, “Nothing;” Kehoe yelled to tue boy to hurry up; a short time afterward Kehoe came do#a and | asked him what was the mutter With his Wiis; he replied, *; God damn it, she’s de. e ought to Gead long ago;” he tuen asked me go up aud see ker; previous to this I heara him say to bis wise, damn you, this will carry you out to-night; you'll never be Here again to bother me or the neighbor gent for an officer; Kenoe said he would go oat je came buck with the Cor- 3, When tne police came We weut into the yara and found @ pail flied with underciothing, which Kenoe had placed unser the pump; beiore Kehoe went jor the doctor I heard bim drag Mrs, Ketoe ucross the floor and place ber in the bed; be dragged her, ay i shouid judge by tne sound, from place between the aoor aud ti kitchen window, where a pool of blooa was found; the blood was gear the jounge; tue blood ts stil on tue floor; saw the tracks of @ man’s feet irom the pool to tae bedroom; saw Mrs. Kehoe lying on the bed; her face Was covered with blood; she was unaressed; tue clothing under the hydrant was covered with bicod; Mrs. Kehoe was periectly sober when | last saw her guve 12 the ballway; the doy carned Up 8X OF BeVeR palls of Water; often beard Kehoe threaten his wie; om the Sunday morning before jhe died he beat her, turew her dowm stairs and said, “i mean to kul you yet; I mean to pe hung for you;” have ofvea heard him come in late at nigat and beat her, alter whick he would mako her go outin the snow without any clothing; on ‘the hight of the murder beiore 1 heard the arag- ging sound I heard @ noise like the tearing of jothing. Wiliam Johnson testifed :—I am husband of the previous witness; remember the nigut Mis. Kehoe died; saw ber at hail-past six sitting on the stoop; @ bade me good evening; saw Keave soon after 3 he did not speak to his wife were upstairs tairs, and a piece of glass » place Where 1 was sitting ; ‘ueu heard a heavy thud on tue Goor; then sear ¢ & something heavy pass across the foor and movo toward the sofa, and there Was & sound there was @ jall on tho suia; heard 3. her littie boy ¢ when the boy retur loud cry and sald, a, WHAG with my mother?’ Kehoe said that drunk and 1e!) off the jounge aud burt like thay ‘Pete, take my Old shves off; Ken up, aad sue cid not feel incti ‘Get up, you dawned b—b, you Won't trouble any you will be out of everybod, the morning,” dam old » Kehoe, she is dead now—she won't Counsel for tue defence asked the witness if Mrs. Kelioe was sober during the K previous to her deatn, but the Court overruied the question on the ground that murder could not be justifiable evon if the deceased were intoxicated. Jno case Was adjourned kul this morning, “Well, Mr. come back no more.’? WHO FOREWARNED IIS WIFE THAT HE WOULD | THE BOARD OF APPORTIONMENT, Harlem Flats Nuisances Discussed. VERY POINTED PERSONALITIES. Comptroller Green on “Fill- ing In,” THE WATER SUPPLY. A special meeting of the Board of Apportion- Ment was held ia tho Mayor's office yesterday at twelve o’clock. Mayor Wickham, Comptroller Green, Alderman Lewis and Tax Commissioner Wheeler were present, The meeting was called for the purpose of taking into consideration the resoiuiion offered by the Mayor authorizing the transier of $21,000 to the Board of Health trom unexpended balances of that Gepartment for 1872 and 1873, This resolution had been introduced in response to a communication from the Board of Heaith calling attention to the terrible Harlem flats nuisance, ana asking for an appropriation of $50,000 to enable the Board to ‘Oil in the pestilential lots. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, ‘The question was then put as to the acceptance of these minutes, and Mayor Wickiam declared them unanimously adopted. Comptroller GREgN—I have not voted, I am Opposed to their adoption. I wish to have stricken out all the communications therein set forth, A vote was taken upon the matter, when Mayor Wickham, Alderman Lewis and Tax Commissioner Wheeler voted in the affirmative and Comptrolior ‘Green in the negative, Alderman Lewis then called up the resolution relative to the Hariem fats and the Beard of Health, A SPIRITED DEDATB, Comptroller Green said the communication from the Board of Health respecting tnis very urgent matter was adcressed to Mr. Jonn Wheeler on the 30th of June, Where it had been all the time for the past tea or eleven -days he did not know. It was very strange that a matter oi such im- portance was not brought to the notice of tho Board until after the lapse of eleven days, Ho had desired to have tbe matter ile over to Tues day, untll he bad an opportunity of examining the questions involved. This being denied him, ke had taken such leisure moments as he could get to look into the question iu order that he might act intelligently thereupon, They could allow the matter to luy eleven days without bringing 1t to the notice of the Board, and yet wanted to rush it through on the last day of the week with- out giving time to see if tt were drawn in accord. ance With the law or consistent With the state of tue finances. Tne Comptroiier conunued to speak on the subject as follows :— I have been familiar with this regton for some ten or more years. As long ago as this the cflensive matters 1a. the neighborhood were @ source of annoyance to the operations at the north end ot the Central rark. 1 took the pains on Saturday to visit the infected grounds in order that I might see precisely, their exact condition, 1 @ same OUOr that was offensive there some eight years ago, und iound ‘he objectionable condition of the grounds in the vicinity ot we Larlem 8 arose from four distinct source: situated west of , Mich had for years spread over the sur- i passing oFiginaliy through the Har. fom Lake in tho Parg to the Last avers Second—Olfensive maver tilled in wider contracts with Jones and McQuade, Third—Staguant pools of water, occasioned by filling in by private owners of some of ‘their juts aud ica ving their other lots depressed and not filled tn, A fat rendering establishment at the foot of 106th or 17th sirect, in iui Working condition, This was not required to be illied iu, itt» necessary (0 analyze the condition of affairs tn this vieinity in order to aflosd prompt aud 1utelligent relief. Most ot the objectionable area ls owned by pri- vate parties, Who sould fli up their own lots at thoir | own expense, ‘fhe portion that is before tuis Board to act upon, at the soggestion of the Hoard of Health, is a Jew sirips of iand constituting tue bed of certain streets, ani vat a trifling pocton of the whole area. To fill these beds of the streets without acting upou the larger area aff-cted Is like drawing tarough the ftau- cet of a hogshead when by breaking in the nead you couid iet the “whole contents out at once. «ven it the Board of Apportionment do what we Board of tealih ask iw appropriating tuese moncys, there are acres oi this same ground scaked and saturaed with bis oeusive matter not touched or rem edied by this resolution. We haye not oney in such surpius as to Warrant proceedings of this kind, taking the property of taxpayers to fill up the beds of street which, 10 the naturalcourse of things, should be paid for by the property owners, uniess there exists an im- Derious necessity for it; unless the action tollowed by the Board of Health ts 'to be eflective and to entirely abate the Daisances complained of. ‘ihis cannot be be- cause it touches but @ small portion of the area where this offensive smell exists. Lam entirely willing te ac- cord tw the Board of Health credit tor the zeal already shown ia this mater, It has li the effect ot urging private owners to proceed with the filling of their tots, and in that way has been useful. it must be recollected that the filling of an area of some seventy or eiguty acres of soft, marshy ground is Doc a work that can Le fluished to morrow morning. it is to be done by coutracts; ma terial has to be found by the slow processes of hauling earth from a aistance to accompish the result, Ihave known coutrac.ors to fil) streets ree auiring probably less thau one quarter of material re- quired here that took years veiore completion, It is Botacail probable tae portion of these grounds owned by private owRers, Which are stagnant and oujeckon- auie, can be flied during all the suimmer, and the dou: Of the work the Joard of siealtn now asks us to do will not to any considerable extent remedy the existing nuisances. One of the streew wich the Boara | of teuith desires to get money fA in 18 a part of Lexington “avenue. “It is alreauy wader coutract with one Gavin, who has & largo Amount of Work going on In the Department ot Public Worss, aad whom itis only necessary to as work under ¢cn ract to have it complied wi Mot unligely tust so1 sented (or interfering with hiscontracy 1 have caown suis to be comimenced ayainsi the city on much less ground. One biock of streets proposed to be tiled was dug out, and thus rendered a piace for stagnant water, by some of the sub-contractors on ihe Fourth avenue improvement who desired to get sanu irom that place. The Commissiover of Public Works was notlied of the depredaioa, but tailed to take any mousures so prevent 1." These sub-contractors stould be required te ul this up aud nok call ou tho city to expead the money of the taxpayers to restore what hud beea Wrongtully taken uway. I am iniormed that the Hoard of Health hag made repeated requests upon the Commissioner of Public Works, without any avail, This subject 18 @ proper subject ior conference aud concerted action among the departments. Here we Lind We Board of Heath asking for mouey io do the yery work which the Commissioner ‘of @ublic Works hus advertised jor proposals to be opened on the 19th just. We find one authority directly yoing in the tace of the other in this matter, and Lam called tpon again to stand up and prevent, if possible, the misuse of the pub- lic moneys growing out of couinsion of autuerity so Glearly apparent. “I see the Cowimissioner ot Public Works present, and am informed that private owners eady Commenced to fill in the lows for whieh he advertised for proposals to be opened on 19a inst, Us causin, more conta ‘B10 io es, to make auy improper siacements, and 1 shall thank the Commissioner of rub- lic Works to correct me tum wrong. Nothing bat con- fusion can grow out of this action. Now, this resolution proposes to transier moneys which ha’ and which 1¢ is Wrong for this Board to autempt to fer, have taken ground ever since the Board came gether in January last pp: tions haying uo money to meet them, ts wrong w do 80, and I wish to answer the childish, puerile and unin tolligent questions of the President ot the Board of Aluer- men ou these subjects, It.would be uf no use to do the small part of the work contemplated here, unless tuo to do the dil up & lew patches of this offensive land and touched ix scarcely the way to accomplish any ficial results to the people of that neighborhood. than 4 year ago ig More 1 took measures to protest against the filling 61 this area as dove by Jones & McQuade, ut in tals, in & thousand o:her cases, ] am met by the cer- tiflcate of the Commissioner of Fublic Works ana other ofliciais to the effect that ance with the cyutract, © work is done in accord- m met in the courts con- stantly by the cerdileate of officials to which effect is given’ by the law. ‘The contracts are not carried out, aud yet { am compelled to pay the moneys under them. Professor Chandier, who was present, made a statement in relation to the position of tne Board i Health in regard to the Harlem flats. A con- ference Was called some time since between the Mayor, the Commissioner of Public Works and the flealia Department relative to the nuisances pre- vailing iD What quarter of the city. The result of this couference bad beea the preparation of a series of ordinances, waich were suomittied to the Board of Aldermen. lt was apparent that some- thing suould be done speedily, and the Board pro- posed to avail Ltselt of all possibie powers in order to prevent @0 epidemic. ‘Ihe Professor then gavo a deseripiion of the mature of those nuisances. A great dullculty arises irom an iniet in the vicinit; running irem the East River to the Central Par! Several lots were now filled with stagnant pools, from Wuich great stenc! ari Some or these lots belonged to tne city, while a large num were tie property of private owners, Orders had been-served upou many of the lavwer to film their lots We were liable at any time to have disease break out in this qui omptrolier Green d hew long {t would ms @ beiore these private o could Mili in their 0 frofessor Chandler was not able to give the exact time. Alver some farther debate the Mayor's resolu- tion Was ten put and carried by tie sollowing ‘vou Yeas—Mayor Wickham, Ald ee Meor Wickham, Alderman Lewls and Tax Nax—Comptrolier Green, THE WATER SUPPLY. Mr, Lewis, President 01 the Boara of Aldermen, Offered & resojution ty issue $260,000 Croton Aque- duct stock. Uomptrolier GregN—Will Mr. Lewis refer me to naa bang @uthorizing tue Board to act upon this pubjec: Ar, Lewts apparently called on the Commis sioner of Pudlic Works, Who Was present, to point prepared by him, but by that tieman, Comptroiler thougnt it % Hire bed er hus Le ormmnypey e Commissioner of Publio Works re‘erred two statutes, and Mr. Lewis read them, ners, upon tae Comptroller said there was no authority Under those statutes to issue the bonds, It would be singular if tho Commissioner of Public Works, | an executive officer, should draw resolutions in- | correctly, out an officer of that Boara shouid ar least be able to show bis autiority for a resolution involving matters so tmportant as aading a quar- ter of miljlion to the debt. ‘The statutes cited Were not the slightest autuority ior the Board to pase this reso'ution, If was strange that a mem- er of the Board of Apportionment sneuid be | Unable or unwilling to show U3 authority in a | Matter of such umportanee, Mr. Lewis thought the Comptroller was very Ungentiemauly, ‘The Comptroller said that wa: very small Method ol getting out of auswering a question of this character by alleging ungentiemanly replies, articulariy 10 @ Board that so largely transacted business through the agency of winks and The Mayor came to the rescue by moving that the matter be referred vo the Vorporation Vuunsel for his opinion, 4 The Comptroller replied there was no occasion 3 such reference, and voted against it, saying :— “I shall endeavor to keep the issues of stocks and bonis strictly within the law, and no bonds shall be issued that nave nos the clear autuority of the statuies,)? No further business being brought up, the Board adjournea. THE COMMISSIONERS OF EMIGRATION. The committee of the Legislature appointed at the last session to investigate the affairs of the Commissioners of Quarantine and the Health Oii- cer, also the affairs of the Commissioners of Emi- gration, met yesterday at Castle Garden, ostensi- biy for the purpose of beginuing their investiga- Uon of the affairs of tae Commissioners of Emigra- fon, but no business whatever was transacted, Messrs, McGuire and Vosburg not being preseat. The members who were on hand, however, made ap inspection of Castle Garden, and due! through the varfous department otfictals, who explained to them the deta! Management of each. The committee to-day wlil Vistt the islands under the charge of the Kiigra- tion Commissioners, and on Wednesday, if it is possible to got all the committee together, they will go to work to take the testumony 0: the wit- | nesses Who have been subforuaed. REPAIRING THE CROTON MAIN PIPE. | Arumor having been circulated that the main water pipe at the corner of Broadway and Hous- ton street bad burst, some anxiety was created among the inhabitants of the vicinity, and large crowds congregated to ascertain the particulars, On going to the Croten Water Bureaus HeraLtp reporter was informed that no pipe had burst at all, bat that some old gates which bad been in use for thirty years were being removed, and that only @ temporary inconvenience would result (rom the operation, A personal examination confirmed this statement, On taking up the gate, which lay Opposite Houston street, in Bronaway, it was found that several ol the ortion of the main for further use, Was removed, a new gate | supply of water bas been only cutoff for some hours in one block, and will be as usual this evening, it will also be necessary to remeve the gates at Tenth und at Twenty-ninth streets, as they are worn out from long wu: BROOKLYN COMMON COUNCIL. If the 98 BOt Correct Be ongat used up and unos portion of the pipe betog put in, and the VETO OF THE INCREASE OF FIREMEN’s PAY— MORE WATER FACILITIES URGED. The Board of Aldermen met yesterday after- noon, President O'Reilly in the chair, A commu- nication was read from J, £. Lymer, declaring nis intention to commence action against the city for injury sustainea by coming into collision wita @ mounted policeman, A veto commanication was received from Mayor Hunter in the matter of the resolution to increase the pay of the firemen, His Honor takes the ground tbat there is no appropriation applicable Jor that purpose, and 1t could not be done without | materiaily increasing the puolic barden of taxa- | tion, The veto was placed on file, and the ex- pectant firemen who Were doomed to disappolat- Mens thus cruelly by the veto leit the lobby very | | | angry. nit Mayor algo vetoed the resolution providing for the repavement of Bridge street. A communication was read from His Honor recommendi reservoir at Ridgewood. fSarly and prompt ac- tion is urged mm the maitey, An additional oasin of ten or twelve fores should, he thinks, be com- menced without delay. The preseat reservoir is not suificient to meet the imcreased demand upon its capaacity. ire bydrants were voted to be constructed on Graham avenue, Boerum and Ewen streets, Tao Board then adjourved till Thuraday even. ing, when a fax Commissioner will be nominated to it by Mayor Hunter, THE NEW YORK PRESBYTERY. The closing session of the New York Presbytery | for the season was held yesterday in the chapel of | the University piace chureh. At the previous meeting it was decided to meet In July and ad’ Journ till October, rather than to close in June and reopen in September, The most important business before the Presbytery yesterday was the appointment of clerical commitiees to assist the | moderators of sessions of the several churches | which are now pastorleas. There are half a dozen of these—namely, the Brick church, Fourteenth streets church (on Second avenue), Canal and Spring street churches, the Fourth and Seventh { Presvyteri.n churches and the Manhattanville church, All, or nearly ail, of these are pas- | toriess because of heavy debts restimg on | them, aud whica are crashing the vitality | ons of them. It was stated that within the last few years five churches bad ceased To exist frou this cause, and tnat ii the Presbytery did not take Some action aud make some effort to | Stay the work of dissoluiton five more would drop | out during the next few years. There is noeded to-day &t least $600,000 ‘o relieve heavily indebted | churches and keep them im existence, When a | church gets a debt of $75,000 or $100,000 on it, on | which, out of an income of $5,000 or $6,000 a year, it has to pay interest and meet curreut expeLses, its life 18 Merely a question of time, and of very brief time at that. A committee was also ap- poivted to confer with the Canal street and Spring street Presbyterian churcnes in relatton to a con- solidation of the jorces and the property of the respective societies. Rey. H. K, Wilson was re- ceived by the Presbytery ftom the Presbytery of Elizabeth, and a memper of the New York Presby- tery Was sent to thatol Obloago, Alter a brief | session and the transaction of some minor busi- hess toc Presbytery adjourned till the fal, YOUNG MEN’S OHRISTIAN ASSOCIA- | TION. Tho monthly reception of the Young Men’s Christian Association took place last evening in their hall on Twenty+third street and Fourth ave- nue, The attendance of members and thetr lacy friends was fair, though many of the fasnionabies were missing. Professer Elder gave two or turee selections on th or Sedgwick gave an illustrated address on the big trees and the Yosemite Valley of California, Aside & Visit to the locality, perba) @ better idea of suis wonderiul wi tham these views. The reiigious me association will be held without interruption during the sutm: but the gymnasium will close in @ day or two of the eoctoti ‘The associatio: Sabbath at and Eigath Rave open alr meetings on the riem, Yorkville, Thirty-ourth street enue and at other points in the city. A recent letter from Mr. Dodge, the President of the aseociation, gives an interesting account of Moody’s Work in London, NAVY YARD MATTERS. Yesterday 150 men wero taken on the payroll and set to work at the Brookiyn Navy Yard. It bas been determined to compicte the new sloop. of-war Trenton, and the force bas been set at work on her, she will be armor plated when Anished, and rate as @ second class #loop-of-war. ‘The Java and Colossus, which vessels bave rottea for ton years on the stecks, are to be taken to pieces, The Delaware, Susquehanna, Guard and pupply will also, 1t is thought, be broken up as ua- serviceabie, The frigate jorado, the Roanoke and Swatara are awaiting repairs at the dock, The latter vessel 18 destined Jer the Kuropean squadron, It has been urged upon the depart ment to break up the oid recetving p Vermont and substitute Colorado for aby. It is doubtfal, nowever, considering the present skeletonized condition of the navy that such vessel as the Colorado will be spared irom the active seagoing list of the navy. DIED OF HIS INJURIRS, Coroner Simms will hold an inquest to-day in Brooklyn over the body of Mathew Hayden, an iceman, who died No. 62 York street from In- ternal injuries recetvea on Juno 16, Deceasoa called at No, 16 Fleet atrect to collect a bill for ice, and engag while on the landing of the second floor in “‘skylarking’’ with @ couple of colored women, toxicated at tne time. One of Out the law, and staled tue resolution Was nut | an enlargement of the distributing | 5 PILKTNS, THE EXPRESS ROGBER, Is Skeleton Found in the Sewer of Clinton Prison ? Ft Ma THAT HE IS STILL ALIVE, ene The Late Express Robberies Supposed To Be Under His Direction. W EVIDEN( ——___. SKELETON QUESTION CAN BE DECIDED, HOW THE Poston, July 12, 1975, The case of the American Express robbery ana attempted murder of the messenger at Albany a few years ago 18 revived by the story that the skeleton of Jobn L Filkins, the supposed robber, haa been found in one of the sewers leading from the Clinton Prison, The robbery and the vircum- stances surrounding and succeeding 1t were all of & singular and interesting character, and the events which wave developed from the to time since the imprisonment and escape of Filkins are of such & remarkable nature as to excuse the sute Picton that this skeleton story 1s more romantic than truthful. Nothing in tne line of American crimes was ever bolder or moro skilfully planned and executed than was this one tn question, and that the perpetrator was ever fonnd was due more to aseries of Providenttal happenings than to any skill of the detectives. THE STORY OF THE ROBBERY, 4% well as the events which immediately followed, Swakened an almost universal interest at the time. One evening, in midwinter, when the owl train for Boston arrived at the Greembush or st Albany station, one of the attachés of the train name Colson heard groans from the direc- tion of tho express car, and upen Investigation he found that Halpine, the messenger, had been shot several times, the keys of the safe taken from him and the contents of the safe approprt+ ated by the robber and would-be murderer, Although several builets had been put through nis head Halpine was yet conscious, and before being taken from the car he gave a minute ac- count of what happened, and his statement was written down by the conductor of vhe train, Ho said that just as the | train lefs Alvany @ man jumped into the car, and afier firing upon him several times took away the keys and went hurriedly through the safe and then left tae car just a6 the train had crossed the east end of the Hudson River bridge, He described the robber as a tall man, with heavy Diack beard, and was very particular im the de- scription of bis dress and general appearance, One or two partics were arrested ‘bn suspicion and afterward released, 1m the course of a few days suspicion fell upon Filkins, He had fora long time been pressed for funds, sn4@ suddenly ho began paying up some bills which were held against bim, and in their payment he tendered currency resembling that which was taken from the express safe, Another and more conclusive circumstance Was the finding of a piscol on tne ice uader tne bridge, Which was identified by au Albany dealer as one ue had sold to Filkins a few days before. Is was then determined to arrest him, but when the o(ficers wens to do this he nos to be found. He was discovered in Wester: New York suortly after, and bad diaguised himself by cutting off aiuil beard which he aad worn jor years. There was a long trial, ia which the most eminent counse, was employed on both sides, The evidence, as may be supposed, was very strong against tne accused, aud he Was convicted gud sentenced 10 twenty years in the State rrigon, About the only points iu his favor were the jact that Halpine’s descciption was exacuy the reverse of Filkins’ actual appearance, and the establishing of bis Whereabouis a few momenrs aiker the suooting and robvery must Nave takea piace. Netter of these circtimatauces, however, Were sufficient 10 baiauce the weight of circum~ | stantial and other evidence broughs to bear | against him THR ESCAPE FROM PRISON. Tam not aware just now how wany times the | bold and ehrewd genius broke away fiom the | Cunton Prison before ols flual leave-iaking, it is a@ matier of pubdlic recoru, thougn, that ne got away two or inree times, Aud Of the Occasion of his last departure tt ts relaved that ne walked cut boldiy in tue middle of the vay, avd that the of. cers were sO dumbfounded tiut they did not real- ize what Was going Om Until it Was too late to re. capture the prisoner. ‘luis 18 the story that wi tod at the time, and, ff correct, there can littie (rath in dhe statement that it was aus ske! ton which was fouwd in the sewer of the prison the other day. The reported supposition ts that he emtered it via one of the water closets, und when he reacaed the end he found 45 secured by strong = Ddaurs of iron and beavy wails of masonry. The idea that this skeleton Was the mortal remnants of the express roboer ig slready disregarded, and the belief is current in some quarters that he is stil alive and well im tke neigubering Dominion of Canada, CAN THB SKELETON BZ IDENTIFIED? At the time of Dis fluai @cape it Was suspected im Albany that it Was the result of collusion with some Of the prison oflviais, and Ghat some of the Jauda of the foobery were employed for the pur- pose, and 10 view of this iL would seem very proper tuat the idently of thls sewer skeleton should be estubl.shed beyond a doubt, Orainariy the identity of @ skeleton Would be an tmpossi- bility, Dut in the case of Filkins nothing wouid be easier, 1rom tie fact that from one foot nearly all Bae LOes and a Portion Of the Woot itself Rad Deew a@mputated, Auotner matrer of asststance in 1dentifcation Would be w lull set Of false teech in | Uke upper jaw, 1 rememoer reading, shortly alter his tnal | escape, an accouut of un aiteapted robbery Im the Wess, aud among the articies which were lefs betind was a kale, woich Was aiterward identifned as belonging to the Onion Prison, and which Was missed at the tue Pikins left the instivu- oa. SEEN AND RUCUGNIZED, and in Albany tue populur belief is that he is now @ fugitive somewnere in Canada. im view of ail these circumstances and ruioors it certainiy Seems desiravie that this skeleton story should ve juvestigaced, THE LATH EXPRESS RODDERIES, Assuming that fi)Kins is still alive, it is not om Teasouabie to think of hii in connection with some of Wuese later express robberies im the west- erp part of the country, Allof them seem to in- dicate that tie attempts were made or duected by @ person perfectly famular the railroad and express vusiness, ai is probably not im the whole United Sta! a@uy better posted in this respect tu Over twenty years of his lile Was spentin a@ bag- gage and express car, Ne commenced as a brake- wan OU @ passenger train between Albany aad Springieid, and lor ever twelve years he was through baggage master betweed Boston and Albany. Alterward ue was a messenger for the American Express Company bevweeu Boston and Springheid and subsequeatiy between Alvany and Suspension bridge. In tie latter part of his ca- reer jm the express business he bad vbarge of the transierring Of tue noney sales of the American Company in Albany, a position which he resigned Jor the purpose of engaging in business for Bimself, During all this time he was om- formly faituful and honest, and there were many days Wher millions of dollars passed through bis hands, When be wemt into ousiness for nim. self he was unfortunate, aud, to reileve Limself of the tmportanines of ereditora, he became so desperate as to resort to ROUBERY AND MURDER, He was always regarded as a singularly geniai fellow among Ris fiends, and in the qualities oc bravery and recklessness there are few who coud equal Dim, ing Tobber he yased all tue requisites, a at he awed consequences 1s Manifested by his bold and successiul ats-mpts to escape from the Clinton Prison, Tae attempt made to rob a train on the Vandalia Railroad, last Toursday night, tooks like @ joo of Fuxins’ man- agement, The engiueer, Milo Bames, woo was Si0% ¥ one of the robbers, belongei in Wasning- ton, Mass, and was employed on the Boston and Albany Railroad the same tie Fukins was, INCIDENT OF THE ALBANY KOBBEBY. I was weil acquainted with Filkins, and at the time ef the Albany robvery I interviewed him about the probable perpetraior, and his opini Were forwarded to the Hmrap, He expresses mach sh ery 4 tor Halpine, the messenger, who: Was shot, aad id robber sion OF tb meets his eve, [ hope iL on an autientio denial of whi POLICH MUTUAL AID ASSOCIATION. From the quarterly report of this association it appears that teirvcen members have passed away since the preceding notification of the President, Sergeant William HM, Lefferts, of the Sanitary squad, The disbursements amounted to $16,047 60,, the skeleton story somes irom tae Uiintem Prison, the women bim @ shove, and he fell back- | Two deaths oceurred on the Brooklyn force and ‘ward and out of the open window, landing on the | the remaimder were in Ni York, Five of the sidewalk, Where ne was picked 9 tasenaible and || beirs of deceaged oflcars were paid aa Nigh as. taken te his home. é 1) $1,250 each,