The New York Herald Newspaper, August 10, 1875, Page 4

4 POLICE DISORGANIZATION. Commissioners Voorhis and Matse in Reply to Smith. | | | | | IMPRACTICABLE IDEAS OF REFORM. Matsell’s Discovery of Pla- giarism. After the two Police Commissioners, Messrs. Matsell and Voorhis, on whom their associate Commissioner ‘Smith bas been so severe of late, had terminated the in- vestigation of the charges against Captain Burden yester- day, « Hamano reporter called on both, taking Commis- sioner Voorhis first and reserving the venerable Matsell for 4 subsequent interlocution. Mr. Voorhis is a man of small, tidy frame, bright mobile eyes, a mus- tache, and a mouth beneath it that smiles with pleasant content, and a voice and address of limpid and agreeable | flow. He exhibited no more animus against Commis- Sioner Smith than if he were an erring child whose | offence resulted from a sudden and pardonable impulse. | “Are you willing to admit,” asked the reporter, “that | the charges of demoralization made by General Smith | Against the police force have any foundation in fact” | NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1875~TRIPLE SHEET. word “Smith was enough. Shakespeare’s theory as to how aman should bebave in peace and war was Miustrated on the spot It was times before that unfortunate conjuring word “Smith” was uttered, and then it was war, terrible and relentless, Commissioner Matsell is a large man whose ancestors lived to great ages and bequeathed to him a vitality of frame that nothing can subdue. He is the father of the police force and the editor of the Police Gazette, in which he takes great and uncommon pride. “My Gazette,” he criedin tones of enthusiasm bor- | dering on the sublime, “has chased thieves to the ends of the earth; has pilloried them before the world in every land and clime. self he was gazetted, and mine was the Police Gazette, not the — sham that to suil under false colors by borrowing the mine. Ihave done more than all your det ‘together, and, only life's too short, I could thousand ways in Which I have assisted in vindicating justice. "? ag paused a moment, while the reporter put the ques- tion, * What do you think of Commissioner Smith f’” ‘The Volcano was ablaze. ‘Think of Smith?” he ex- claimed, with an expression of contempt which, if pos- sible to put in the form and force of a thunderbolt, should have left no more trace of Smith than bis name, STOLAN THUNDEM. “He is all very well in the army, but it takes a man of a different kind to deal with thieves and villains of all kinds, Smith wants to be President of this Board, and that is what is the matter with him. real es along by the piers and wharves of the city. Was & suggestion of mine twenty-five years ago.”” Mr, Matsell pulled forth a book, and turning over the leaves alighted on the message of Mayor Woodhull to the Common Council. the improvement in the discipline and eiliciency of the | police departinent;’ and again, ‘I would also suggest | the propriety of adopting the suggestion of the accoim- panying report in relation to the lighting of the piers and wharves, especially such as are in the actual occu- pation of shipping.’ “Now, if you Want to see what, I suggested to His | “I am willing to admit, and regret the fact, as I state that the force is not in as thorough a state of efficiency | as 1 would desire myself; but it is greatly improved, | and I say it without egotism, since I came on the | Board, and presently I will show some of the reforms | \ccomplished. I differ from General Smith materially | im the statements he made on Saturday that the police | force has been growing duily worse and worse. My ex- | perience justifies nothing of the kind, and since I haye | been a member of the Board I have given CONSCIENTIOUS ATTENTION to the duties demanded of one in my position, and per- | haps am as competent to offer an opinion on the present State of the force as General Smith, from the fact that I have been connected with the Board thirteen months, while his connection has been only for the brief period of three months. Thus, you see, I am over four times as | long studying the subject as General Smith, I had an amendment passed to rule 83 and promulgated in order 220 doing away with the previous requirement that a Police captain or sergeant should report to the | Board before he could act in the matter of closing up a gambling house; 1 reorganized the detective force and succeeded in having half of the detectives in whom I had no fuith transferred to patrol duty, and holding the Superintendent responsible for the integrity and efficiency of the rest; another reform accom- plished during my-connection with the Board was com- pelling patrolmen, sergeants, &c., seeking promotion to apply for the samethemselves, thus doing away with the _ influence and presence of politicians in this building, which before that was constantly crowded with them. The mistake with General Smith isthat he supposes | ‘whatever is wrong with the department originated with the present Board. During six years previous to my | entry here practices of a demoralizing tendency had Deen gradually creeping into the organization of the | force. It is impossible these could all be got rid of in a | day, and if General Smith thinks by fulminating against | the men who work beside him in this Board that he can | make matters straight in a day he is greatly mis- taken. Now, to show how little be knows | about the ' Police Department or how it | shouki be governed, here is a proposition of his which | he mays we rejected, as if we had no good reason to do 60, je wanted to divide up the department and create VIVE DIVFERENT HEADQUARTERS. | There were to be four inspectors, each having a district | and u headquarters of his own. Captains and sergeants | of precincts were to report in duplicate to these in- Spectors, and then the inspectors were to send these re- | ports, with remarks of their own, to the central head- | juarters. This arrangement would make o delay of | rested its case. ee or four hours before the reports would reach | here, and if a citizen came in the meantime | w inquire about anythiug—a lost child, a missing friend | the Fifth Avenue Hotel, was called to testify that or any other object—we should be compelled to wait | ‘until the inspectors sent in the precinct returns, along with their own remarks. Not only that, but there would necessarily be a division of power under the | proposition he made, If any organization requires a | Single, distinct and responsible head it is this. There must be one man at the head in place of tive, The amendments which he complains were rejected were Submitted to the Board in June. Prior to that Mr. Matsell had framed a set of amendments nearly Similar, Both were discussed together, the main diifer- ‘fence being upon this question of inspectors and of dividing the departinent and erecting, at some expense to the city, suitable offices for the purpose. After the amendments were discussed, altered in some points and finally agreed upon, they were printed in the regular Feports of our meetings in the newspapers. In this way they were given circulation among the members of the force, not so touch at first that they should be guided’ by them, but experimentally, ‘that they might be tested to see if their practical work” ing tended to impair or improve the efficiency of the force. Several inspectors came to us to point out where. there was a wording of one rule that could not be strictly adbered to without detriment. ji | Revortenx—General Smith refers to the case of Gaff- | ney, who, after being dismissed for false swearing, was treated to # picnic at which several members of the | force attended. How about that’ Commissioner Vooruis—Au entire mistake, Gaffney | Was not dismissed for false swearing. The case was Shis:—There were charges against Captain Kilalea of taking money from Koch, the proprietor of the Central Park Garden, and from Casefung, of the National Garden, Tenth avenue and Sixty-third street, That ‘each gave money to the police was cleurly established, and b's money was given to Gatfhey. When Captain Kilalea’s case came up Gaifney declined to appear and resigned. There being no charges known against him then his resignation wus accepted. Then some people up im that district tendered Gaffrey a picni@ and several oificers were present, but the Superintendent after diligently inquiring into the affair found one of the men bad been regularly detailed there on duty. In the case of Mooney who Was seen drinking in a saloon for twenty minutes, he belonged to the Sanitary Squad, and bad left this building at his usual hour, six in the evening, aud was then off duty. Now, General Smith’s idea of treating delinquents is purely military—the d@rambead court martial /style. @ must proceed in the regular and authorized way. POLICEMEN HAVE RIGHTS as well as other citizens and if they do wrong let the charges be presented in the usual way to the Board and | the Board decide upon them. General Smith would allow them no such privilege, but on a simple complaint | purely ez parte dismiss or transfer a patrolman at his | ure. You cannot turn a municipal force like ours into a military machine, es Rerortee—How do you get along with Commissioner Bothy Commissioner Vooruis—I have no ill feeling toward bim. The fact is the man has been so long in the army and accustomed to command that he finds it awkward to joke himself with three associates who are all equal to mself. Ifhe has not been in supreme command in the army he had at least « command all to himself, and in that command he was boss, “monarch of h surveyed.” His great ambition is to be Pre ‘this Board, but Mutsel! President when he entered it, and one with the little experience he has of New York had no right to expect to be put over the head of ove who knows much more of the department, Rerowree—Commissioncr Smith complains that you put him aside and tendered him only the office of Trews- trer. How do you explain that ¥ | Commissioner Vooxsis—We offered him the position of Treasurer because it was the o eft, and was next in importance to that of Pres feces ser, General Duryes and it was only natural we should ask him to take the positic Previously filled by the man whom he succeeded. Hi gave to me as au excuse for not taking it that he was ineapable of taking care of his own money; that he was uo hand at figures, and all that sort of thing As fur being put aside, if he refers wo his being first assigned a room in the north wing of the buildir why he could not possibly wish a place more comfort able, Now, however, he cannot well complain, for he has as good a room as anybody else. We waited three weeks ior General Sinith to take the office of Treasurer. and, as 1 his intention of doing #0, 1 Wok it mysell, for the policemen had to be paid, and the Office could not well remain vacant any longer. | Reporrer—You ure charged with misleading Mr. Matsell, taking him to lunch and trying Ww make @ cats- | paw of him. What do you say to that? TAKING IN MATSRLL, Commissioner Voorits—I only laugh at that. Matsell is old enough to be my father, and any man who tries to make @ caispaw of Matsell will have to be @ year or two older than Matsell himself, As for the lunch business, it was fhe custom here for four of the Commissioners to take lunch in the building, furnished by the janitor’s wife, and of course paid. for First General Duryee broke away from our mess, preferring for econotay and comfort’s sake to yet his lunch athome, Then Dis- becker defected, because, he said, as hi rded at the Metropolitan Hotei and paid for all eals going, he did not see the fun of paying extra for his lunch with us. Finally Matsell and myself were left alone, and it is to be presumed some day General Xmith saw ‘us eat ing together and at once jumped to the conclusion that 4 was I who was feeding Matsell and seducing bis con- science through the medium of his stomach. WSTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT MATSELL. Passing from Commissioner Voorhis’ room into one adjoining the reporter found himself in the portly ce of President Matsell, who was.seated at his desk and ruminating calmly. There was no disturbance jo the cheerful sereaity of his countenance, notwith- standing the lightnings and earthquakes that have flashed around and rumbled so fearfully loud during the past few days, Me was the picture dn re- pose of he od of those solid burghers of Am serdam, Ww! fer his dram and hie dinner brings forth his ipe, takes his seat by his door aud | Ke intense quiet uve, was the vuloano bo contentiient on the lazy waters of te a euaeen Tbe whuaperca | | houses in his precinct. tions over the desk to his men to report all panel houses | lation for some time past in regard to the alleged at- known to be in the precinct. The Captain mentioned | tempt to consolidate the Western Union and the At- | and Burden had sworn false Honor (turning over a few leaves) here it is (reading):— | ‘In the report made to Your Houor for the quarter end- | surance Morgan was secretly conveyed from Canandaigua ing with the 30th of June, 1850, I omitted to direct your special attention to the urgent necessity of lighting the | piers of this © l consider this 4 measure of the first importance, to enable the members of the department | Rochester, Clarkson, Gaines, Lockport and Lewiston em, and | were necessarily let into the secret. After Morgan was to discharge faithfully the trust confided to one demanded alike by every consideration of ity and a just regard for the property citizens. If the piers were properly lighted it would greatly facilitate the operations of policemen in detect ing river thieves and in preventing the latter from depredating on the property necessarily for a short time exposed on the piers.’ Now, you see, Mr. Sinith has been stealing my thunder. Look at his letter and see if he hasn't copied me almost word for word. Now, young man, the moment I heard that letter rea my ears ' became as long as a jackass In early youth when we do or say or write anything particularly good and sweet we remember it in old age. thought that suggestion of mine to Caleb Woodhull Was a good one, and when I heard this military genius rolling out his original ideas thinks I to myself that’s something | have heard before, and that’s Commis- sioner Smith,’” Mr. Matsell once again relapsed into peace and the reporter retired. OUR MODEL POLICE. human- CAPTAIN BURDEN’S TRIAL—THE CASE CLOSED— WHO ORDERED GAMBLERS NOT TO BE MO- LESTED ? ‘The case of Captain Burden was before the Police Commissioners, or rather two of them—Messrs, Matsell and Voorhis—again yesterday, and was at last closed, after having occupied the attention of the Commission- ers from eleven until four o'clock. ‘The first witness called was ex-Police Justice Cox, who testifled that he knew of panel house robberies having been committed in the Twenty-ninth precinct while Captain Burden was in charge. He also said that Captain Burden frequently arrested panel thieves, but | always did it in such a way that the offenders would only | be held for disorderly conduct. In the opinion of the | witness no panel house could exist in a precinct except | through the connivance of the police captain or of the | special duty officer. He did not think Captain Burden had administered the affairs of his precinct in the inter- est of public morals or justice, He further declared th; Nelly Hocy was a well known panel thief, but that He had never been requested to issue a warrant for ber ar- rest. With the testimony of this witness the prosecution Mr. Charies W. Griswold, one of the proprietors of THR REPUTATION OF CAPTAIN BURDEN WAS GooD, Officer Brennan testified to having broken up two panel houses at Nos. 316 and 318 Fourth avenue. At this stage of the proceedings Captain Burden was put upon the stand by his counsel, ex-Mayor Hall, and swore that he was ignorant of the existence of panel He had always given instruc- Wherever a thief showed him. | “Here,” continued Mr, Matsell, | “His Honor says of me:—I would call your attention to | | | Morgan was writing progressed step by step, becoming Last Saturday he | more and more intricate, until it assumed aspects un- read # letter to be sent to the Mayor, calling for lamps | foreseen by ail the individuals who became involved Why, that | sn i, | the Ontario County Jail. | Captain Brandt, an Indian chief, would provide a home | Ur | conined in the fort those who brought him there | by which it was expected that Morgan would be received | | | several gambling houses that he broke up. The witness | was asked what measures he took to break up gambling | in bis precinct, and his auswer was that he was told not in to interfere with these houses; never had any com nts against gambling houses’ while in the precinct charge of burglary but was never tried for the burglary; the witness was transferred to another precinet, and did not know what thief; NEVER CLASSED NELLY HORY ‘ tus a panel thief; she was classed as a keeper of a disor- derly house; it would depend on circumstances how soon a cuptain could purge his precinct of panel houses ; could not say whether there were more disor: derly bouses in the Twenty-ninth in other precincts; before the Legislative Com- mittee witness guessed there were; when in command of the Twenty-ninth precinct witness fre- | quently reported gambling houses; never had a com- | plaint against any and never made a descent on any; the rule then was different to what it is now; then a | warrant had to be obtained; now any captain can make adescent if he can get into a gambling house without breaking down doors; 1 was advised by my superior officer not to interfere with gambling; this was in 1860; in 18721 had the same superior officers as in 1860; had no contidence tn Martinott and applied to have him | transferred; I gave him the post of ward detective be- | cause my superior officer told me so to do; I applied to have hit transferred because of the number of burg- | Jaries on his post; when Maminott was transferred he left his effects at the station house, and knowing that various articles had been lost’ in the station house, and suspecting Martinott I told the door- man when he (Martinott) came to fetch his things to watch him and see that -he took nothing but what be- longed to him; came into the Police Department in 1850; cannot say what I was worth then; it might have been’ $5,000; property came to me from my father; HAVE MADE MONEY SINCE Thave been in the department; cannot say how; made it in various ways; I decline ‘to say how I made the money; I am aware that there is a rule prohibiting policemen from engaging in business ; I have always fol- lowed the police business; cannot say how much | have spent on the Long Isiand City property since I inberited T have never bought any other property since I have been in the departm had confidence in Martinott when he was first made special duty man, At the conclusion of the Captain's testimony Mr. Mclean, counsel to the Board, called several witnesses to prove that Martinott had act Haven depot in regard to confidence men. + Mr. Butler, a republican politician of the Eighth ward, testified that he would not believe “The” Allen, who testified against Detective Martinott, under oath, Mr. James Winterbottom gave similar evidence, Mr. Hall said, “You are an undertaker, Mr. Winter- bottom ’”* Mr. Wfnterbottom—Yes, sir, Mr. Hali—Then you come to bury Cwear, not to praise him. Dr. Cook testified that he could believe Allen under certain eircamstances, y. A. Martinott was recaMed and denied all ‘The,’ Allen’s statement and produced a record of Allen's con- Vietion for petit larceny and sentence to four months on the Island, All the b jes, with the exception of two or th that o on the witness’ post were offences that he was sent to investigate. He | foe that the testimony of Gilbert in regard to his cing, IN LEAGUE WITH CONFIDENCE MEN in good faith at the | | those spoken to by the Hxkatp reporter yesterday, and | it was perfectly plain that an uneasy feeling pervaded | the commercial community in regurd to this subject. | The consolidation of the two companies would be looked | Upon as an unmitigated evil, as ahere Would then, to all | intents and purposes, be no competition worth speaking | trigues of Jay Gould to get hold of the Western Union rfere with them. He refused tosay who told him not | have caused some alarm in commercial circles, and, * | notwithstanding Mr. Orton’s denial, it is generally be- arrested “Johnny” Rivers, « noted panel thief, on the | lieved that “where there is so much smoke there must he was committed for examination, | be some fire.” | business obliges them to use the telegraph to a large became of the case, Witness was subjected to a long | €Xtent, in conversation with a HenaLp reporter yester- series of questions in regard to the definition of a panel | day expressed their fear that an effort was about to be precinct than | be very inconvenient and very injurious to many busl- | ness interests. Mr. Orton’s statements were generally | | don’t believe the President of the company could be so | answering questions always shows there is something in | cally bein the hi | would be in a po which will not be for the public benefit, and | they are considered as tantamount to an ad- ‘mission that negotiations for the — consolida- | tion of the companies, or for some arrange- | at the New Haven depot, and of Chamberlin in regard to his picking the lock of # Broadway store, was fal d that his transactions with Mr. egory, | who gave him $5 for guarding his store, were regular, | the custody of Marshal Bailey. They were ac- | dhe proved that at the ain y | about the matter, and I told him to take the Mus Congmtted & burglar: roe. be was accused of hav | companied by their counsel, ex-Judge Vermilyea, of | money, and I Would show myself in u place was in pri rong giary h “Mart” Allen the latter | giason Island, The government was represented by AS | pei they ght en Pic ~ gy to do it, In answer to Mr. Hall the witness claimed that “The’? | sistant District Attorney King. Special Treasury Agent | the “copa” despatcher to a hed ‘ork for ‘coney "| Allen, t, Chamberlin, ¢ y and Captains Winee || aaa aie | Money with which to pay the reward. AW luck would net him. Harry Hill was called as 4 witness; but Harry not | knowing anything about the of the parties to it was allowed to “step down and out.” ‘The case was now closed with the understanding that Mr. Hall would send tn his summing-up by next Thurs. | day morning, and that the counsel to the Board would submit documentary evidence from the books of the Twenty-ninth precinct. THE LATE JERSEY CITY EXPLOSIO -_—_— r The fate of the river thief who escaped from the | at $2,000 for | in Jersey ity. | fore | Chalker and the proprietor of the hot | where the prisoners st wharf on the morning of the explosion at tho Morgan | street dock, in Jersey City, is still shrouded in mystery. ‘The police of the Second precinet are confident that the missing man is Ford, who appeared at No. 400 Greenwich “A GOOD ENOUGH MORGAN.” ANOTHER LETTER FROM MR, THURLOW WEED— SOME ADDITIONAL FACTS, To Tux Epirox ov rie Henacp:— The kindly editorial with which you accompanied my letter in this morning's HRRALD is suggestive of antici pated criticisms to which I am induced to submit a brief reply. That no “adequate cause” existed for the murder of Morgan will occur to other minds as it did to yours. My reply to this is that no such intention existed in the minds of those who were connected with his abduction, I have prepared for publication at another time and in another form a full and impartial account of the abduction and murder of Morgan, so far as the facts were developed by investi- gating committees or established judicially, together With a history of the origin, progress and dissolution of the anti- Masonic party. Meantime, it seems due to the question in its present aspects to say that what origi- nated in « desire to suppress a book which it was known After Morgan’s manuscripts were seized at Batavia it became necessary, in the judgment of those concerned, to separate him from Miller, his publisher, That object was effected by Morgan’s arrest on a charge of larceny, ou which he was taken to Canandaigua and confined in | Here assurances were given by a Canadian that if Morgan was taken to Niagara for him in a far West fur company, Contiding in this as- to Fort Niagara, a distance of 120 miles, By this time many of the most influential citizens of Canandaigua, crossed over the river to attend the meeting of a lodge, and sent west; but after long and anxious consideration the Canadian lodge refused to become parties to, or complicated in, the affair, This occasioned serious em- barrassment. They could not go further, and it seemed dangerous to recede. Two or three days of bewildering anxieties brought a large number of men high in the Order to Lewiston, where a Knights Templars Encamp- ment was inaugurated, All knew that Morgan was con- fined in the magazine at Fort Niagara, and all were greatly disquicted by that knowledge. While at the table, after dinner, the chaplain and orator of the day gave a sentiment so significant that all eyes and thoughts werd turned toward Fort Niagara, Immedi- ately afterward Colonel King, as stated in my letter, was driven ina carriage to the Fort, accompanied by John Whitney, of Rochester; Mr. Cbubback, of Lewiston; Mr, Garside, Canadian, and Mr. Howard, of Buffalo. Colonel King had been an officer of the United States Army. Whit- hey was a stone mason, Chubbuck a farmer, Garside, | butcher and Howard a bookbinder; all men of cor- rect habits and good character, and all, I doubt not, were moved by an enthusiastic but most misguided sense of duty. I knew Colonel King and John Whitney intimately, Both would have shrunk from the com- mission of a known crime, and yet both, impelled by the delusive idea that they were discharging a duty, participated in the . commission of the high- est crime. Of all the persons connected with the abduction, arrest, imprisonment and subsequent fate of Morgan, there was not one within my knowledge who did not possess and enjoy the respect and contl- dence of his fellow citizens, It was not strange, there.” fore, that facts subsequently established beyond denial, were at first very generally and indignantly rejected. | ‘The people would not believe that respectable citizens were guilty of open and gross violations of law, and yet none but reputable citizens were thus complicated, none | of whom, however, intended or apprehended a catas- trophe. Nor would that catastrophe have occurred but for the unforeseen and infelicitous conjuncture of difficul- ties and circumstances which I have related, TW. Avausr 9, 1875, THE TELEGRAPH MONOPOLY, FEARS OF A COMBINATION—JAY GOULD AND ORTON—CHEAP RATES IN DANGER. Considerable interest has been aroused among the public generally by the rumors that have been in circu- lantic and Pacific Telegraph Companies. The alleged in- | Several commercial gentlemen, whose made to consolidate the Atlantic and Pacifle with the | Western Union, in order ‘TO OBTAIN A COMPLETE MONOPOLY and raise the present high rates toa figure that would characterized as vague and evasive. “Instead of meet- ing the issue squarely,” said one gentleman whose busi- ness with the West compelt him ty use the telegraph largely, ‘‘he simply professes ignorance ad to the amount of Western Union stock held by Jay Gould, I | ignorant of its interests as to be unable to say whether he held 10 or 1,000 shares, This non-committal style of the background which it is not deemed expedient to prc Such, as a general thing, was the tone of nearly all of, and all the telegraphing in the country would practi- ids of a complete monopoly, which nu to charge whatever rates might suit its convenience, and there would be no redress, ‘The admissions of Mr. Orton tsat there has bee some talk ainong the shareholders of the two companies above mentioned on the subject of a union of their in- terests tend to contirm the opinion that SOME COMBINATION Is ON FOOT ment that will have the saine effect, are in progress It ed on as simply spe ding to say that one | ny could do the whole business of the country at | (than a portion, and therefore that a monopoly | vould be able to send messages at lower rates, The | ability to do so is not doubted, but there are very stub- born doubts that any reduction would be made even if there was no increas entertained that recently started in Californ! hope of ¢ opinents are awaited with some impatience, and it is be- lieved that the next week or two will bring them forth, THE DIAMOND SMUGGLING CASE. HENRY AND HALL AGAIN BEFORE THE COMMIS- SIONER—BALL FIXED AT TWO THOUSAND DOL- LARS EACH. ‘The examination of James Henry and John Hall was set down to occur at half-past one o'clock yesterday | afternoon, before United It prisoners tes Commissioner Romaine, was almost two o'clock be- the made their appearance in d_were also in attendance, Both prisoners were tastefully dressed, Hall was nery- ous and anxious, but his companion composed himself to meet whatever might happen. There were no friends or sympatl on band, When the Commissioner announced that he was ready to proceed there wis along and earnest consultation between the prisoners and their counsel, A conference was then helt by the opposing counsel, afier whieh an adjournment was demanded by Mr. Vermilyea, He also moved that his clients be admitted to bail. | | This I consider one of the meanest tricks that was i | { | | THE NATHAN MURDER, The Story of Bill For- rester. MORE LIGHT. Exoneration of the Suspected Member of the Vietim's Family. Are Parties High in Power Implicated ? [From the Chicago Times, August 7.] and when old Ray asked me where I proposed going to Ttold him boldly, “To New York.” This settled it in his inind that I Was not Forrester, else why should I go to the very place where I was wanted most. So I went to New York, arriving there in August and keeping under cover until February, Then I left for the South, visiting Norfolk, Richmond and Petersburg, Va ; and, coming back to Washington I was arrested in the latter city on a charge different from the one of murder, but ‘Was not then known as Forrester. 1 was afraid of being “sent up” on the charge, so 1 told Detective McDewitt who T was. The New York authoritie e notitied and [was brought on there, I have now told you every thing about my career previous to being brought to New York for the murder of Nathan, so you can commence asking questions, Revroxrer—When you commenced your narrative you said you would explain the connection between certain stutements and certain others to follow, and this is about the proper place to do so, is it not? FornestkR—Yes, After I parted with got into some trouble, was arrested and to sing Sing, When the New York police officials heard that 1 had been captured, they sent a man on to Sing Sing arrange a story with Ellis AWOUT THE DOG with which old Nathan had been killed, and when that Was satisfactorily settied he was taken to New York to identify the weapon. After arriving there his woman was allowed to enter his coll and remain there for an hour o¥ more and between them they concocted another story. The substance of both stories was to. the effect that the “dog,” with which Nathan was killed was tuken by me trom a yard adjoining the place in noon- orge Ellis he Tt is well known that the convict in the Joliet Peni- tentiary—Forrester—at the time of the Nathan murder was a fugitive from this State, having broken jail and | fled. He was tried about three years ago*for the mur- der, but it could not be fixed upon him. The prisoner did not hesitate at the time, however, to acknowledge that he could, if he liked, give such information as would forever clear up the mystery of Benjamin Nathan’s death. A requisition from the Governor of | this State was in the hands of the authorities, so that, as soon as he evaded the clutches of the stupid blunder. | ing New York police officials he was en route for his | old quarters in Joliet, and from which he shortly be- | fore that beat such a hasty retreat, Wheu he saw that his fate was sealed he offered to “give away’? the mur- derer of Mr. Nathan on the condition that he should receive a full pardon from the Governor of Illinois, but this was refused, and he was lodged safely in the prison where he now is, Since he was returned here various attempts have been made to gain what knowledge he | had of the murder, but all without avail, his invariable | condition being the same as the first—that he would only ‘squeal’? when pardoned, The revelations made by Policeman Conkfin revived the whole subject, and in the hope of haying it either wholly or partly corroborated or contradicted, if he could do either, a Times reporter yesterday morning visited the prison at Joliet, The reporter when allowed to see the somewhat noto- rious “eracksman’”’ found no difficulty in engaging him ip conversation. Rerowten—Have you any objection to speaking of the Nathan tragedy ? Forrester—None in the least. 1 have been thinking over the matter for some time, and have arrived at the conclusion that it would be better for me to make known what I know about the aflair, now that it has again been brought prominently before the public, than to keep it any longer to myself. Nothing can come of the latter course; some good may come of the former. What 1 will tell to-day is partly old—that is, I furnished it to other newspapers about the time of my last arrest; but the greater portion of whatI will say is new, end has ot been divulged to any one. EVERY WORD OF IT 18 TRUE to the best of my knowledge and belief. Rerortez—What do you know, then, of the Nathan murder? Forrxester—That question is a little premature. In order to give you a full apd clear statement of what I know about the matter, and my connection therewith, I must begin my story at a period about four months r ous to the murder, and tell you my subsequent h istory, Later on, I will so connect the circumstances that youqrill see the logic of them. About the time mentioned, George Ellis, Red Tim, und myself went to Noonday, N. Y., a small’place near the Canadian fron- tier, todo some “work.” We were after a bank and | store combined, and had all our tools along with us. As we Were about to effect an entrance through a back win- dow, we were scared off by some noise or other, and ran away toward our Wagon, which was on the oulskirts of the town waiting for us, We left our tools behind, and | they were afterward found there py the New York de- tectives, who were sent to work &p the job, You may not see the point of my story now, but it will hereafter appear, Jumping into our wagon, we PLED TO CANADA, and kept under cover for awhile, We finally ventured to New York, and from there went to Philadelphit. About this time the Wilkesburre, Pa., bank robbery was concocted, with which George’ Ellis, Jim Elliott, the prize fighter; Tom Scott, Wat Dunn’ and myself were | connected. ‘The bank was entered and the vaults were | being “worked,” when the party was “pinched."” All were arrested but me, but as the Sher{’s son was in with the gang they escaped being “sent up.” I went to Philadelphia, and was there arrested by Pinkerton’s | men. [broke away from them and escaped, going to Pittsburg. A reward of $200 was offered for me, but they found no clew to my whereabouts until they fol- lowed my wife to Pittsburg. ‘Then they came on to me again, and I was rearrested and taken back to Philadelphia. I was locked up for the night in the top story of the Pinkerton building, with three men to guard me, and my clothes all taken away, but I man- | aged to escape in my shirt and drawers, and get to ‘here the remainder of my clothes were, This escape joned considerable newspaper comment at the but I don’t care about any further notoriety in th wtter, From Philadelphia I went to Baltimore. Thithor the detectives again followed my wife, making | it so hot for me that I decided to leave altogether. Ac- cordingly I shipped for Key West; thence to Havana, and thence to New Orleans, arriving’ in the latter city on or about the 10th of May, 1870. On the 16th of that month I was AGAIN ARRESTED in New Orleans by Pinkerton’s men, and gave bail in the sum of $5,000. After leaving the station I was | ullowed to go three blocks and was then re-arres' ever played on me, On the 18th I was disclmrged on a writ of habeas Grid te and the following day went to Mobile, where remained about a week. | For the succeeding six weeks I alternated between | Mobile and New Orleans, keeping under cover all of the time. Nathan was killed on the night of Friday, July 29, though I did not know anything about ‘it | at the time. On the following morning I took the boat | for Lake Pontchartrain, arriving there on Sunday morn- | ing. I first heard of the murder either on Sunday or | Monday, and remarked at the time that I would be “collared on the job, to a dead certainty.” My im- | ression was that the work hud been done by “guns.” | ‘rom } Orleans I went to Memphis, and while taking the evening breeze in the latter city one day, I saw a | couple of friends of mine. One of them was Jimmy | Lyons, and he had a copy of the New York Heratp in 1 WAS ACCUSED OF 1 A dozen different fellows got together after a while, and we discussed the matter between us. al advised me to attend to the matter, else it might go hard with me. I went back to New Orleans, and* wrote to Captain Kelso telling him that I would give myself up on the Nathan matter if he would secure my pardon on the time I owed Joliet. I confess this was a | stratagem on my part to get out of my Illinois troubles, as I knew they could not hold me on the Nathan ‘affair, His answer was to be made through the “Personals” of the Hxraip, but I never heard from him, My letter to him was mailed by John Connors, the man with whom I boarded in New Orleans. Shoftly | afterward ““Red-Eyed" Egan—and, by the way, I want to tell you something about that fellow, He used to be a detective in St. Louis, but he “stood in” with an ex- reas robbery, and got the worst of it afterward. . The detectives tried to “shake down” the other fellows in gave back his “bit” to the express company, and turned State's evidence against the others. Of course, “Red-Ryo” was collared, and years, but he NEVER WENT TO THE PENITENTIARY, | having influence that secured hix pardon, He is now United States detective at St. Louis, Well, Ean came to New Orleans alter me for the purpose of getting the | Nathan reward, but he couldn't find me, though he knew I was there and knew my boarding house keeper. | He telegraphed to Kelso, and the latter sent on two New York “cops,” Phil Farley and his partner, to ferret me out. They worked on my boarding house keeper for some time, but could get nothing out of him until they offered him $6,000 to show me up, He told me have it, the train bearing the cor | the track, and nothing ever ea afterward, detectives lett, I went from New Orleans back to Memphis, Thence I went to Louisville, and meeti York to Dave Cummings there sent him to N Barney Aaron, and have him eall on Kelso, the Governor of Illinois provided I would give myself upon the Nathan matter. Barney did call on Kelso, but the latter told him he could get me without any pardon, This shows conclusively that they knew in ww York that I had NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MURDER, else they would have been only too glad to take me at adjourned till meantime pre h they can easily do if the wuthorities to’ send out some pe ‘on Who may identify Street, New York on the morning of the explosion, burned | the accused and the jewelry in their posse: in severely about the face, hands and body. Next day a | without such evidence Mr’ Chalker said he was ready man enting himself as a detective appeared und | to proceed yesterday, as he had sufficient testimony took Ford away ina carriage, and his whereabouts has | to warrant the Commissioner in remanding th never nh since trac It was rumored that he | ers to jail ranspired that the pri vd of ids injuries, The Jersey police, how- | not have been detected but tor their own confession, know that Ford was @ well known thief, | while intoxicated, tc formed saequaintance and for some time in the neighbor- | named La Croix, in Hol his individual led them hood onia avenue, He was well known | on, step by until they were fastehed in the toils. to the ‘longshoromen at the Long Doek, but they will not divulge anything as to his whereabouts, Chief of Police Chatupuey li Up, Aud, i! arrested, he will be loci Doamori bi (ial pW sl bd detailed detectives to follow him | this valuable prize the Treasury deteeti my word. I was their ‘stall’ throughout, From | Louisville I went to Nashville, where I expected to get a statement regarding the large amount of jewelry in | private letter from New York, but I had a presentiment their possession be correct, Despatches have been sent | that the post office would be watched, and I did not call , | by the Treasury detectives to England, asking the police | there, My Judgment was correct, as I afterward dis. covered that one of the only three persons in New York | who knew that the letter had been mailed informed the police, and the latter telegraphed to Yankee Bly, the innati detective, to go to Nashville and arrest me L called at the post office, I went from there to | was arrested by old Bill Ray, who had my picture in his | possession, I had SOME STOLEN PROPERTY that the city authorities wanted, und when I turned ‘They confessed to him that they were possessed of £3,000 | that up I was told to leuve the city, They did not know sterling worth of diamonds and jewelry, and to secure | then thas my name was Forrester, because several per- a are bending | #008 bad been arr costed in different parts of the country ail their energies. The prisoners were taken bagk ba | for me; b they had mny picture, they strongly # eustody of the Marsal to sue Hudson County Judi vector me ’h “cheeked’” ih out with however, his hand. He pointed out an urticle on the Nathan | murder to me, and then I saw for the first time that | Il | Dr. Willis, the Tombs knew I was as innocent as any one of them, and they | the affair, but one of them wouldn't stand it, and he | and try and fix it up with him to secure my pardon from | Montgomery and from thence to Savannah, Ga., there I | k day which we were trying to break into, for the pur- oe of raising a beck window, and’ was carried hy me to Canada and thence’ to New York, Now, docs it seem hkely that T would carry a mon iron “dog? all that distance and léave valuable tools behind, and besides no one ever heurd of a “dog” being used by first class profes. sionals for any such purpose as Ellis described, To slow you that it Was a pat-up job by police authorities to divert attention from themselves and others, T will tell you that they caused en “dogs”? to be made similar to the one with which Nathan was killed, and even used vinegar on them to make them rusty. ‘They then laid them out on a table in Police Headquarters: and summoned Ellis to pick out the one he claimed I took in noonday. Without any more than glancing at them, he instantly picked out the third one from the right hand d, saying “That is the Now, you know very well that where there are a dozev instru- ments ulinost alike, such a thing cannot be done. It was @ put-up job, and there were many more besides, all of which I will explain, RevorrerR—Hdw about Ellis’ woman? What did her story umount to¥ FoRRESTER—Oh, it was even thinner than Ellis’, - Be- tween them they had made it up that she should swear that I catne to her house in Philadelphia the day of the murder, with my CLOTHES BLOODY; that I washed myself there, and then went away with out saying a word, I have’ explained to you where I was, and prove it by reputable and “honest men, not “guns;”’ so that shows you that there Was another | put-up job'to shield the guilty parties. RetoureR—Now, as to your career in New York, 1 vst free that ever I witnessed. Had he conducted it ax an honest and disinterested magistrate would have done th er of old Benjamin Nathan would have been bro Justice long ago and the crime would have been forgotten, Mind you, when I quest had been held and the witnesses before the coro- ner’s jury had placed themselves on record. Where were those witness | when I came belore Dowling’ Neither they nor it were there; but I can explain, perhaps. One of the witnesses at the inquest was Mart Allen, a the notorious Allen tamily, of New York, the ot which, The. Allen, is as well known as any “crooked” man that walks this country. His principal business has been to knock money out of politicians by coutrol- ling the “gang,” while some of his brothers were thieves and others were “fences.” This Mart Allen, at the time of the inquest, was UNDER A SENTENCE OF FIVE YEARS in the Penitentiary, but he was pardoned through the interference “of the police authorities on condition that he would swear to such and such a state of facts at the inquest, This he agreed"to, and the pardon was procured. When placed under oath he swore that on the night of the iaurder he saw me opposite the Nathan mansion and spoke tome. Now, why did they not bring him bef Dowling and have him swear to te same thing? Simply because they knew I could prove I was in the South, by honest witnesses, Why, if they were anxious to tind the Nathan murderer, did they noi prosecute Allen for per- jury and send him to the until he confessed. who put him up to it, and t find out their reasons for doing soY Simply be of the political ring of which Dowling, Jourdan, Cardozo, Kelso, McCord and others were prominent members, Revor there any Witnesses brought against you in the examination? Forresten—Yes, one, Corwin, and there is a story connected with it that I roust tell you. It points conclusively w another put-up job by the police authorities, and a glaring ove. Central station, waiting for my examination, 1 was taken into Captain Irving’s room “one day for the pur- pose of being looked at by some one. 1 an a firm BELIEVER IN PRESENTIMENTS, and I had one on my way to the captain’ I cannot explain it. At auy rate, before entering the door, I covered my chin with my hand, and kept it so covered while I remained there, There was sitting near Captain Irving, and when asked if I was the ale she nodded her head. I was then taken buck to lay cell. = This Woman was the only witn at the examiyation. She swore positiv me standing under a lamp light on Uy urder, and that I had something stucl which Was intended, I suppose, She also sworo that she could te y eyes, something that you know is an absolute impossi- bility in a casual glace ut night. T noticed while in court that the woman was very near-sighted, having to use glasses, and I instructed’ my attorney to ask her what was the color of the clothes that I then wore, and, though I was not more than ten feet distant, she could not tell. I also instructed my lawyer to ask her if the man she saw at Police Headquarters wore an imperial, and she, remembering that I kept my chin covered with my hand all the time, answered that he did. Now, I never Wore an imperial in my lite, This, of course, SETTLED kK TESTIMONY, und as she left the stand she was hissed’ by the majority of the audience. Why was not this wornan made to tell who it was that put her up to the perjury, so that they could be questioned as to their knowledge ¥ Both Mart Allen and her would have “squealed” before going to I believe her name was Miss that she saw ning of the y sleeve, nent members of the Ring were in danger. The mur- derer of Nathan could have been discovered had these two witnesses been proper! y exumined, and that was the only way to get at the business, earontan—What became of you after the examina- tion? Forrester—I was remanded to the Tombs for further hearing. While there another incident occurred that was never correctly published, as all the New York pa- pers were in the pay of the political ring. A DUTCUMA. who could scarcely understand English, reported to the police authorities that early on the morning of the mur- der he saw a man crossing a park near Nathan’s house, and the man’s shirt was bloody, Common sense would tell a person that the murderer would never go around with his shirt exposed in that manner, and it is likely | thatthe man seen had been in a row, got his shirt bloody, and was getting home before daylight. Well, this Dutchman was taken to the Tombs by Captain Ken’ He d the prisoners all over, but failed to pick out the one he claimed to have seen crossing the park nedy waited in the prison yard | for him, and when he came out questioned him as to his | success. The Dutchman said he could not find his man, physician, happened to pass them at the time, and he asked, “Why didu’t you pick out the man with the pateh under his ¢ Thad a sore eye then, and wore a patch, to ry Kenne the Dutehman to try again he came and let in telling me not to leave my cell until my lawy He also said he would yet twenty pieces of plaster like the one I wore, and aifix them to twenty different men before the Dutch was brought in. When Kennedy heard of this he discharged the Dutchman, and nothing | further was heard from him, Was that a put-up job? Rerorren—What was done with you then’ Forxesrsk—I was brought before Dowling next day | and the case was dismissed, though Dowling said in | open court he was | POSITIVE 1 WAS THE MAN, | If he thought so, or if the public authorities thought 80, Why did they let me come here? And in this con | nedy to examine me, * being the posses: ehetration in remarkable degree, 1 was taken from New York to Joliet Twas brought throagh Canada, yet no newspaper ever in- quired the reason why, It is a well known faet that I rs of foresight, y y, aud no one could molest md yet 1 did not | doit. Lhave my own idea of the reason that impelled my conductors to tuke ie through a foreign country, | and may explain it some day, At present you can sur mise it for yourself. Revonrek—Now what ) AUOUT THE MURDERRR? | Can you explain anything about him? |. Foruestan—l can only give you my theory, and I think it has been uphold’ by thé logic of events. Do you know anything about thieves, or “guns,” as we call aud their ways? Kevorrke—Not Very umuch, but sufficient to under. stand y ve are different classes of them. “day workers,” ning workers,” and ht workers’,’ or the The “evening worker” generally does his business when the community is at tea, Such a one visited the athan mansion some six weeks previous to the mufder, and gained access to the second story by means of the porch, When he entered the rooin hi third y men of the in profession, OUSERVED A SAPE ud atonece concluded that that was tyle of ork. He lett immediately, to a well known “putter up of jobs,’’ to whom he related what he had seen, That individual at once | formed the opinion that, as Nathan was a very wealthy | Man, and as Jows as a class prefer to be the custodians | of their own money rather than trust it to bank vaults, | the safe in question must contain a considerable amount | in bonds, money and other valuable property, He } selected his now’ it, but first he let two or three prominent poli als in with the ‘job, i from exper “of L speak, because nothing vd unless some of t first ‘stand ju’? with it. A wet and stormy ted for the robbery, and the result is well standing ther no place for h | and we | | class “copp night was sel enough known now, Revorrea—Then you believe that there are men on a police farce in New York who can point to the mur- orer Founrsran—1 om as certain of is as that I stand bere Wiis moment, mind youl do not say that they kouw the Penitentiary; but then, as’ I said before, the promi. | | ing; if T have to serve out every day of | think of it, | was pronounced, | Governor look favorably uj anything of the murder prior to its occurrence, but were “in” with the Sob to rob, and now they cant give away their pals; besides, it was not the irst time they got their “whack”? from the same and other mea, Revorrer—Can you tell who these men are? Foreesren—That is a difficult question, but I can tel you this:—I mean to be revenged for what has bees done to me; Jourdan, who was Supgrintendent of Po lice when the murder Was committed, fell into a speedy rng in consequence of it, and that scoundrel Ji Cord is following rapidly after him; my time is com my sentence 1 WILL BRING THEM TO seRTICR. Tam a Scotchman, and have all the pertinacity of mg race, and I never Yorget an injury. Dh septs do you think of the Conklin-Ryas story ? Forrrsrer—I do not place much faith it, There never Was @ first-class thief of my acquaintance named Ryan, and if Conklin is to be believed at all it is because he says he was ordered to desist his search by his supe If he was searching at all 1 have no doubt be wat d to stop it, It is not likely, however, that an or dinary patrolman could get on to'such a job as the Na than patie and robbery, where first-class men were engaged, Rerorver—You are, then, of the opinion that certain policemen in New York are cognizant of the whole affair, and their so-called searches are merely “blinds” to covet up tracks nearer home ¥ Forresrer—That is ae belief, and I might almost aay iy knowledge, and I will yet PROVE If OK LOSE MY LIPE in the attempt, So help me God, I'll do it, for those fel- lows and their accomplices sent my father and mother to an insane ery and it makes me cry whevever 1 hy did Jourdan allow young Nathan's shirt to be washed after the discovery of the murder? Because he Lah ord a chemical analysis would tell whether the blood’got on there when it was warm or When it was cold, and he wanted to save the reputation of the family, _Revorrer—Then you do not believe that any of the Nathans were implicated in their father’s assassination 1 Forresten—They are as innocent of it as you are, Revorrer—Have you anything further to say abouf the matter ? Fornest—I have told you all I know, and it is the first clear and full statement I have yet made, There is no man in this country who dexpises me more for the lite I have hitherto led than do myself; but to- day Tam as “square” a man as any of those who have traduced me; at least I have quit ‘stealing and the in- oy to do so, aud when I leave thissplace my purpose is to EXPOSE THE RASCALITY of which I have given you only a mere outline, and of which I have been at times the victim. Indeed, [am now the vietim of a police conspiracy, as Tam entirely inuocent of the charge for which my second sentence T have laid the evidence in the mat- ter before Governor Beveridge and expect his favorable consideration of it, as well as that of the legal adviser of the State, upon its merits as submitted. Should the (pp petition I will leave here jn the early part of the coming year, and then you will hear from me, I would say in addition that ‘the “dog” which was used in the commission of the murder WAS A BURGLAR’S TOOL for the time being. It was used as a “back-brace” for the “upright,” by means of which the safe was being drilled, but was not in position when the old man came | on the seene, was brought before iin as being the inurderer the in- | and where was their testimony | ember of | | | country, | use it would implicate members | Hor testimony was rank perjury throughout, | When Play in the | office, though | a woman | Forrester explained this to my entire satiafustion by arongh model of a safe-breaking instrument whic he hewed out with a knife, The uninitiated reader would scarcely understand its shapa or application if | deseribed. It remains to be seen what action will be taken by the | authorities of Hlinois and New York, in view of this re- markable statement, It is certainly’ entitled to grave consideration, and if there is any truth in itatall it proves conclusively that there are as great erimiaals on the police force of the metropolitun city and amng its so-called prominent men as are hedged by any pauiten- tiary in the land. Governor Beveridge’s course in tho matter will especially concern the people of the whole THE NEW POST OFFICE. THE BUILDING IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION— THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT NEARLY COMPLETED—THE UNITED STATES COUBTS BACKWARD. The work on the new Post Office, so far as the de partment itself is concerned, is practically finished, and there is no danger of there being any hitch by which the removal would be postponed beyond the present month, They are simply waiting for the painters and other me- chanics to get through. All the appurtenances belong- ing to the Post Office proper are in position and ready for work. The 6,000 lock boxes are all put in and work sat, isfuctorily. The newspaper drops are also ready, and the letter drops, of which there is one for each State and territory, and one for each of the big cities, nearly so, nothing being required except the mahogany grat- ings underneath. The distribution racks on the floor are all in their places, and so far as these are concerned, as well as the reg- ular counters and paraphernalia of the office, it might as well be occupied now, The floor is still taken | up, however, by a host of laborers of all descriptions, s against me | who are constantlye being hurried up in their work, so that it is evident that there are a number of details to be yet attended to before the department can move in, This so far as the first floor js concerned, On the second floor matters are in a much more backward condition, The principal room of the floor on the Broad. way side, that of the Postmaster, ts being at present frescoed. ‘The designs for this are very simple and beau- tiful, the background being pure white, ornamented with pale green, offget with gold. This room will be the handsomest in the building and will be beautifully fur- nished, It will be finished this week, though the Post master will not occupy it until the whole department moves in. Along the western side of the building the various offices for the transaction of the Post Office business— such as the Auditor’s department, the money order office, &e.—are pretty well finished up, with the excep- tion of some furniture and carpeting. On the eastern side of the building, on this floor, the same state of prog- ress exists, and the work for the Post Office Depart- ment itself is being pushed with all vigor, and little remains to be done. The elevators are in a very unfin- ished condition, those on the northeast and northwest corners of the building not being in yet, while those in the middle of the building are about half finished. The | tumbled down them. doors have not even been hung yot, and it isa some- whut singular fact that no one lias "been crushed or As long us the doors are not hung, something should be put before the openings, to prevent accidents. On this floor there are somethi | like forty rooms devoted to Post Oflice purposes, and | will rk that 1 have always looked upon stepped off the train in Canaga and claimed | are located on the two corridors running lengthwise through the building. The ventilation is very perfect, and is accomplished by tubes running from each room to two immense wells, running the whole height of the buildjng, from the subcellar to the roof, ‘THE COURTS, The three courts on the same floor are in various stages of advancement, The Circuit Court, in the mid dle of the corridor, is very nearly finished,’ so much 9@ that it is now occupied for business. Scaffolding stands around here and there, even disfiguring th neh itself, and the carpets are not all laid, The gallery is now Dein painted, and the cornices and ceilings, Which are very tastefully decorated in plaster, haye yet to be frescoed, so that the tranquil administration of justice be for some time troubled here, Tho District Court, on the northeast corner of the building, is in a much more backward state, The bar and the railings stand in a confused heap in the middle of the floor; but there is no other furniture in the room, It may be @ fortnight before court will be convened in this room. ‘The judges’ private rooms, next the court rooms, are deserving of remark, a8 being specially handsoufe and well titted up. They are incomplete a8 yet; but there are pleasant indications of what they will be. The third court on this floor, for the transaction of the United States equity business, is ina backward condi- and not fit for use as yet, The stair- here, between which run the elevators, yet of dangerous access, On the next which is almost exclusively — devoted « offices are it weing Broadway it floor, to United States Court business, various stages of advancement, Fac Tnited States District Attorney, now the office of occupied by him, and directly over that of the Post master. ‘This is all ready, as are also some of the officer of the clerks of the L States Marshal's offi Here aguin the north ited States courts and the United , Which are very numerous, n side of the building is most backward, and on the rooms facing the City Hall Park much work has yet to be done. This corridor leads to the doors of the yaileries connected with the courts W, aud on the northeast corner stands the United * Criminal Court, which js the most backward of rooms on the floor, the plastering not even being done, It is a handsome chamber, but smaller than the court rooms on the floor below.’ The tloor requires tuainly details of finish, though with the single exception noted it is very serviceable now. ‘There is only one of the staircases leading to the top floor in a perfect con- dition, the small one running up the Broadway side of the building, ‘The others are in a somewhat shaky and dangerous state ax yet, This top floor of the huge building is very backward and will not be completed for a couple of months to come. Of many of the rooms the ultimate destination has not been settled. Ip many respects it i the moat agreeable in the building by its height and airiness, the distance being nothing ad itis reuched 80 easily by elevator, Tn some case the planting work is not finished, and # great’ deal remains to be done in’ all the branches, There is one floor above this, prac teally that the dome on the south end, which possesses an immense space of flooring, Ite purpose is not decided upon, Many persons visit the dome daily and mount to its top, "The view is very fine, affordin, on a day like yesterday a clear sight of the Narrows aud Highlands beyond on one side, the North River aud Bergen Hill on the other, Brooklyn and its patches of green on the cust, and the whole city stretching inter: minably up through Westchester on the north. Work: men are now laying the roofing on the top of the dome, ) and ina short time an iron staircase reaching from one below will take the place of the ladder which’ now loade up to the floor in the dome, | A-visit to the whole structure convinces one that everything has been done that could be done to make @ pertect building of the kind, Every detail jv in the beat | Of taste and anaterial, Nothing is plighved, nothing i@ mean, In large oe ia small the Work has | daoe ud porfectly as rhe band of inan cad do guy tains ga