The New York Herald Newspaper, August 26, 1875, Page 5

OUR CIVIL WAR| A French Officer’s Opinion of American Strategy. The Comte de Paris and His Campaigns. INTERESTING SUMMARY OF EVENTS. DN LA Guenee Crvits ex Ammnique. Par M. Le Comte do Paris, Ancien Aide-de-Camp du Général McClellan. Tomes IIL. et !V. Paris: Michel Lévy frores. 1875, These bulky octavo volumes of abont 700 pages each are a continuation of the perspicuous ond admirable his- tory of our civil war, of which tho frst instalment of two volumes was published last year, and received with tokens of osteem and appreciation by European critica. As cach pair of volumes carries the history forward about a year, and as the last two years of the war were not less full of events than the first two, the completed work Is likely to consist of eight volumes, It is tbe most ambitious and claborate and promises | to be the most complete and instructive narrative of the events of those four momentous years that has been yet attomptod on either side of the Atlantic. It isa great deal moro than a lucid recital of tho military op- prations of tho period. It explores their causes, traces | their consequences, piaces them in correlation, 0 as to reficet light upon one another; disposes thera in a con- nected picture, with due light and shade, and puts them in a frame or cadre which sots them forth in their full Significance. The first volume was particularly rich in tomprehensive surveys, intended to render tito history Intelligible, such, for cxamplo, as the detailed account pf the organization of the American army, exhibiting ‘he nature of the instruments with which tho military zesults were accomplished; the careful topographical descriptions, which show under what vory different ponditions war is conducted in Europo and tn a country wf vast distances and immense areas of forest; the nature pf our political institutions; the bearing of slavery on this tontest, and various other topics, which were handled with tho breadth of a statesman, the detailed accuracy of a statistician and the insight of a philosopher. Theso preliminary discussions, which gave so favorable an im- pression of the scope, force and clearness of the au- thor’s intellect, give place, in the subsequent volumes, to narrations of the actual operations of the war ina style of transparent clearness and singular elegance, which show with how much profit the Comto do Paris has studied the beautiful models of historical writing of which his nation has furnished so many within the last half century. This work is likely to be the source from which a majority of intelligent Europeans will draw their knowledge of our civil war for a long period to come. i Whether this interesting and voluminous history will permanently hold its place as a standard authority may, perhaps, admit of doubt, It is probably too early for a comprehensive and classical history of our civil war which will stand the severe tests to which the publica_ tion of original memoirs like those of General Sherman and the private correspondence of actors will expose it. The Comte de Paris has, indeed, advantages which no other contemporary writer is likely to possess for ob- taining full and accurate materials. His illustrious rank, the chivalry with which he imitated the example of Lafayette and the pleasing impression he made upon all who met him while he was in this country unlock for him the memories of all the distinguished actors to whom he might apply on doubtful points, for no American would refuse him the courtesy of such assistance, But his modesty and his confidence in published materials may have prevented him from making much use of this resource. There is another important souree of information which is not accessible evento the Comte de Paris, and will not be to anybody in this generation. Our civil war was watched with deep interest by foreign governments, and its result often trembled in the balance of their Intentions.’ Their diplomatic agents were constantly supplying them with secret information gathered in confidential conversations, and the intercourse and con- Bultations of those governments with one another on the question of intervention must be also of consider- able historical value. The mass of secret ‘information: buried in the archives of foreign governments will be jealously guarded for a long period, because it tends to compromise the actors and revive old animosities, We therefore conclude that all the set histories of our civil war written during this generation will be finally sup- planted, and that a permanent place in literature will be held only by the personal memoirs of actors and cyo-witnesses, like General John- ston’s “Narrative of Military Operations,” published last year, and General Sherman's recent interesting volumes, But the work of the Comte do Paris hasa tombination of merits which will cause it to ontlast all the experienced historians that have preceded it, and make it the best general history of tho civil war that is likely to appear in our time. It would be interesting to test the accuracy of the Comte de Paris’ narrative on minor points by tracing correspondences or discrepancies between it and that of General Sherman where they relate to tho same avenis, if we had larger materials of comparison than arc afforded in these volumes, Butthe fourth volume of the Comte de Paris ends with the events of 1862, and up to that time General Sherman’s opportunities of personal knowledge were quite limited. Up to that period the conformity is tolerably close, which might be accounted for by supposing the Comte de Paris to havo perused General Sherman’s memoirs if there were not a few marked discrepancies which are not easily recon- ciled with the supposition. It is certain, however, that these two volumes were announced as ready for pub- lication about the time that the ‘Memoirs’ appeared, ‘and that there has been an unexplained delay of six or | seven weeks. This might be explained by supposing the author of the history to have kept back the new volumes to see whether he needed to revise them in the Night of General Sherman's recollections. If this is the case there are some points upon which he continues to rely on his first information although it is con- tradicted by General Sherman. The differences relate mainly to General Sherman’s unsuccessful assault on Vicksburg at the close of the year 1862, We will translate a paseage of the history, which has a peculiar Interest as expressing the opinion of the author that General Sherman is the ablest of our great soldiers, and alterward point out the contradictions between it and the “Memoirs: — Tho check of Sherman bad been too serious for him to | hazard a new nssaai, The nature of the ground pre- cluded the centration of forces necessary to give | such an attompt chances of success; the federais had | learned, at their expense, that the enemy's works wero stronger, better armed and defended by more troops than they had believed. It was necessary to profit b; thie experiment, which Sherman comprehended, and, ag soon as be learned Blair’s failure, he countermanded every other movement for that day. On the morrow, December 20, after a night in which the rain fell in tor- rents, the situation of his army was still worse, Ie had been able t measure his losses, which amounted te 175 Killed, 930 wounded and 743 priconera No message had ‘been received from Grant but alarming ruinors respecting hin: were current. | The news of the cayiare of Holly Springs haa reached Vicksburg, and the few inhabitants of the country with whom the femicrais found themselves in ntact took pleasure in giving them the reports with all the exaggerations Deual in such vases, These rumors were in the oyes ot Sherman an additional zeason for not abandoning bis post eo long as it presented the alightest chance of suo. | esa; indeed tho more dificult the situation of Grant | the more he feit the importance of extricating him by drawing upon himself all the hostile forces, He accord. ly remained in hie position during tho whole day of the Sist, menacing Pemberton m appearance wiih a new attack, and preparing a movement to tura the obstactes whieh he could not surrsount in front Omitting the details of thecs preparations wo pass on to the general comments oa Sherman's failuro at | Vicksburg, in which oriticiem is almost lont in the efful- gence of culogy founded on Sherman's subsequent ca lic epinion in the North was deeply excited by tho check at Chickasaw By frant was alread little popular; Sherman became the object of atta ‘by the w tacks which Were more wnspar- ing bee: everity he had shown toward the newspaper correspondents who accompanied is any ey reviewed even the absurd calumimies which had | the beginning of the war agaist this | er (cet exprit zagace et profond). It ts | that lis expedition deserved eriticiem in several | Fither by his fault or the circumstances he had = been — unabl an army of 30,000 men to throw moro than 3, into: an assault upon formidable works, and had sao | Tifloed 2,000 of theso without any chance of success, He had not shown on that occasion all the great quale ities which, in the end, raised him above wil his com- ‘panious in aring ag woll ag all his adversarios (loutes les | | lier volumes to the fact that they can now extend their | would be distributed to-day at three P, M., at the police station in Eldridge ytreet, The ehitdron heard tho | | glad news within afew minutes and flocked trom all | parts of the ward to got the etreulars. The tin front of the station was aimost swpassitle within ton | minutes, and the entire 1,000 bills were givon into tho NEW, YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1875.—TRIPLE SHEET. par Pélever au-dessus de foes rae et frost near meee saies); but he knew how to fit by ex While awaiting « more, avorele ie ccceaion this modest and courageous gene virtue to openly as- sumo the whole vosponsibility of the defeat, and to accept, without a murmur, the subordinate position which resulted from the arrival of MeClernand ‘Wo suppoge this high estimate of the military capacity of General Sherman, of which we bave inserted the text to enable readers to weigh the exact force of the words, is pretty generally shared by foreign military critics, It is at least certain that the Comte do Paris ranks him, in point of genius, above General Grant and General Lee as well aa above Generals McClellan, Johnston and Jackson, But although glad to introduce this compli- ment, and selecting the quotation partly with this ob- Ject, our chief purpose is to exhibit discrepancies be- tween the two narratives and slow how impertant it is for other distinguished commanders to imitate the ex- ample of General Sherman by giving their recollections to the world 4s contributions to history, According to the Comte de Paris General Sherman had learned of the capture of Holly Springs through rebel sources pre- vious to tho arrival of MeClernand, According to General Sherman himself he first learned of the capture of Holly Springs from McClermand and had becn listening for days to catch the sound of General Grant’s guns in the vicinity of Vicks- burg. This disposes of the pretty theory that Sher- | man was preparing feigned attacks for the threo days succeoding his disastrous assault in the hope of draw- ing rehel troops to Vicksburg and aid the extrication of Grant, He could have had no such purpose, for he knew nothing of Grant’s extremity. He had heard the | noise of trains bringing rebel troops into Vicksburg, but he hac no idea whence they came until he learned from McClernand of Grant's mishapgnd forced retreat, which releared a great part of Pemberton's army for tho de | feace of Vicksburg. It morcovec appears trom General Sherman's “Memoirs” that the blamo heaped upon Grant Jor his failure, and which he acknowledged in his reports, was undeserved, and that tho failure of tho assau!t was due to General Sherman, who neglected to reinforce Blair, according to orders, at the proper time. This fact invalidates the criticism of tho Comte de Paris, founded on the smallness of the forces which General Sherman Jaunched against the place in the assault. In his subsequent volumes the | historian will have the advantage of the “Memotrs,”” and will not be Ikely to diffor from General Sherman on any point anless compelled by strong countervailing evidence, If he has seen the ‘Memoirs’ since the new volumes were ready for publication he probably pre- ferred to make the few corrections needed in the form of 8 note to the next voluine rather than change the plates after the edition had gone to the binders. We may, at any rate, trust his scrupulous fidelity to facts, so far as ho bas the means of ascertaining them, Wo have alluded to this subject chiefly to illustrate the impor- tance to future historians of such works as those of Generals Sherman and Johnston, President Lincoln comes more fully into view in these volumes than in their predecessors. The final chapter of tho fourth volume, which consists of a recital of all that was done on the great subject of emancipation, up to the time of the final proclamation, is written with great clearness of insight and an appreciation of Presi- dent Lincoln’s course which shows that the author's mind is entirely free from any bias derived from the views of General McClellan. The Comte do Paris dis- cusses this subject with great intelligence and penetra- tion, justifying every step taken by the President, from the protection of fugitive slaves in the camps and the enrolling of them as soldiers, up to the second and final ‘proclamation of emahcipation. He also recognizes the great impediment to such steps which existed in the pub- lic sentiment of the border States, and thinks President Lincoln’s slowness and caution was as wise and prudent as his final action was necessary and inevitable. Of the propriety of the earlier steps the Compte de Paris speaks in this decided tone:—“The protection accorded to the fugitive slaves was the first logical consequence of the war; their enrolment in the federal armies was the second.”? He warmly indorses Mr. Lincoln at every stage of his progress toward emancipation:-—“The day came when he took his part, courageously assumed the responsibility of it on himself and executed it with resolution, We believe that he chose the opportune moment; it was immediately after the battle of Antie- tam, and this great decision was like a response to the invasion by the Confederate army of the States faithtul to the Union,” In speaking of the second and final proclamation the author says:—'*That proclamation, suf- ficient to render the namo of its author illustrious, marked the beginning of a year destined to be more bloody than the year 1862. It inaugurated, at the same time, a new period, and the struggle, extricated from all the remembrances of past concessions, took thereafter its veritable character. It could terminate only by the complete abolition of slavery on the soil of the Republic, or by the triumph of that in- stitation in the greatest part of the American Conti- nent under the protection of the confederation, aggran- dized and all powerful. At the epoch at which we leave ! the recital of military events, after the terrible defeat of the federals at Fredericksburg, their serious check before Vicksburg and their barren victory at Murfrees- boro, the most optimist spirits of the North began to doubt the success of their cause.”” We have trans- lated this impressive paragraph, with which the author brings his volume to a close, in order that American readers may perceive the author's just appreciation of the real character of the struggle whose events will be learned from his pages by a majority of European read- ers in this generation. This admirable history has no tinge of McClellanism, though it does full justice to the military capacity of that general; nor does it bestow indiscriminate praise on President Lincoln, but treats all the actors in the war with the enlightened impar- tiality of a mind of perfect candor and scrupulous moral rectitude, As General McClellan’s connection with the army closes in the midst of the events narrated in these yol- umes it may be interesting to seo in what manner the author takes leave of him. Considering their relations, we are tempted to give a rather long extract:— On the 7th of November, at evening, in a storm of snow early for that climate, McClellan found himself under his tent with General Burnside, when a messenger was announced from the President. It was General Buckingham, an officer unknown to the Army of the Potomac, who brought an order couched in three lines and signed by Halleck, This order dismissed McClellan from the command of the army and designated Burnside as his successor. Such a piece of news fell with the suddenness of a thunderbolt on these two officers whom an old and close friendship united; but the Iatter alone showed any emotion at the order which imposed on him aresponsibitity to which he had never aspired. After McClellan had read the despatch, without any visible feeling, he passed it to Burnside, simply say- ing, “You command the army.” Burnside resisted for some time, All his friends and his former chief pressed him to accept; they overcame his scruples, which the future was unhappily destined to justify. On the morn ing of tne 8th the Army of the Potomac learned with astonishment and grief that it had Jost the chief who hud formed it, who had frst led it to battle, who had shown it the steeples of Richmond, who on the morrow of a great disaster had restored 1 to confidence in itself, and who at length had Just conducted it to victory. We will not here judge the military career of General M an, Despite our sincerity, the reader would see in such an appreciation the reflection of our scntiments of profound gratitude and of fathful friendship tor our former chief; bat each can form his judgment in accordance with the facts which wo havo impartially recounted. We only state that the authorities at Wasuington took every kind of precaution to prevent the soldiers of the Army of the Potoinac from giving to McClellan prools of their xympathy, which wonld have been too severe a criti- cism of their decision, and that the newn of his depar- ture caused universal joy among the adversaries whom he had go often encountered on fords of battle, Among the subjects comprised in these volumes wpon which opinions aro expressed, in connection with a full recital of the facts, aro the blockade, tho finances of both parties to the war, tho suspension of tho habcas corpus, the caso of Goneral Fitz Joun Porter, General Butler's rolo in New Orleans and tho rising merits of General Grant, who had not yet established his famo by tho most skilful of all his military entorprises, tho capture of Vicksburg. Wo have not space for oxtracts on these interesting topics, the chict object of this notice being to call the attention of readers of the ear- acquaintance with 20 readable a historian, THE TENTH W PICNIC. Yesterday Mr. George F, Williams, manager of the free picnics for poor children, sent 1,000 bandbills to the Tenth ward station house to be distributed by the | policemen to the poor children of the ward, ansoun ARD . FREE The ville | that the tickets fur the picnic on Saturday | hands of litde applicants within thirty minates, The managor will now be compelled to exercise his tact. in = order to prevent mote than 2,000 childron from joining in tho procession to tho boat on Saturday morning, GOOD USE OF AN INDIAN CLUB. 4 BURGLAR “KNOCKED OUT OF TIME” AND ALMOST INTO ETERNITY—HIS ACCOMPLICE ALSO ARRESTED. | Yesterday morning, at an early hour, two burglars, who were not made timid by tho treatment which one of their thievish fraternity received from Dr. Ham- mond on Monday night, forced open the hail door of the residence of Mr, John G, Gotts- berger, No 345 ast Seventeenth street, Having entered the hallway they noiselessly as- conded to the second floor of the house, There they entered a room and collected a varied pile of plunder. Part of this they carried down into the parlor and thon returned to prospect further. While moving around the back room of the second floor they awaken- ed Mr. George C. Gottsberger, ason of the proprietor of the house, who was sleeping in an adjoining room, He threw open a window of his room, gaye an alarm and then picked up an Indian club, with which in his | hands he ran into the hallway. Tho burglars heard tho | alarin and ran out of the room down to the first floor. Mr. Gottsborger, Sr., having been aroused by the call of his son, joined the latter in pursuing the fleeing thieves, One of these, being quick in his movements, opened a rear window and jumped safely into the yard. The other was clumsy, and as he was getting through the window was grasped by the leg by the clder Mr. Gotta- berger. Ho turned as if to assault his captor, but the latter's son prevented him from doing any harm by striking him on the head with the Indian club, He wi thus knocked backward, and fell into the yard, where he remained lying unconscious, Roundsman Kelly and Officer Farrell bad heard young Gottsberger’s alarm, and had started for the honse wheneo itcame, They reached it just as the fleeing burglar, who had Jumped through tho rear window, ap- peared on the street. They captured him and were then admitted into Mr. Gottsberger's honse, The wounded burglar still lay unconscious in the yard, A stretcher for him was procared, and the above named officers, with the aid of others who had been snimmoned, conveyed the prisoners to the Figh- teenth precinct station house, There the uninjured burglar gave his name as Barncy Gibbons, and his comrade, upon recovering his senses, gave his as Donald Harris. They were both recognized by the | police as professional burglars. Upon the person of Gibbous were found ap amethyst ring and two silver badges, Yesterday morning the two thieves were taken to Police Headquarters before Superintendent Walling. The wounded man, Harris, presented a horrible appear- ance. On his head were two great _gashes, from which, in order to induce weakness through loss of blood and therefore be sent to the hospital, he had torn the patches of plaster the surgeon had pnton them. On the way to the Central Office Harris had to be sup- Ported by two officers, The Superintendent ordered ptain Garland to take the burglars to the Yorkville Police Court. At the court Mr. Frederick Frank, a jeweller, whose place is at No, 421 East Nineteenth street, appeared and identified the amethyst ring and the badges which were taken from Gibbons as his property. He said that his store was broken into on Monday night and robbed of the ring and badges, and other jewelry valued at $193. Justice Kilbreth, therefore, held the two burglars on charge of robbing Mr. Frank as wellas attempting to rob the residence of Mr. Gottsberger. After his committal Harris was taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment. His wounds, though severe, are not likely to prove fatal, THE GREENWICH STREET TRAGEDY. MR, NOE'S CONDITION IMPROVING—MOORE DIS- CHARGED. Those who read of the terrible affair that occurred in Greenwich street last Sunday morning, in which a rich and respectable merchant, Mr, Noe, was furiously assaulted by a burglar at present unidenti- fied, will, no doubt, be glad to learn that Mr. Noe's condition has very greatly smproved. His recovery, in the first place, seemed wholly impossi- ble, but, owing to his strong constitution and his carefal treatment at the Chambors Street Hospital, the chances of his recovery are quite favorable, Owing to the severe beating he received about the head with the iron bar wielded by tho burglar, Mr. Noe is only conscious at raro intervals, He was quite delirious on Tuesday, and Dr. Kelsey says at that time he thought the man would surely die; yesterday, however, this delirium was almost wholly ‘dispelled, and Mr. 'Noe’s condition was so far improved that he recognized sev- eral of his relatives and called them affectionately by name, His sane moments, however, were few and far between, and followed by hours of absolute unconscious- ness. MOORE DISCHARGED. John Moore, who was arrested with a man known as “Desperate Mike”? Welsh_on suspicion of being the per- son who assaulted Mr. Noe, was yesterday discharged, the witnesses in the case failing to identify him, WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS GRANTED. In the case of John Corbett, arrested on suspicion of boing the man who committed the burglary at Mr. Noe’s factory and assaulting Mr. Noe, a writ of habeas corpus and certiorari was granted by Judge Tappon, in Supreme Court, Chambers, yesterday, returnable on Monday. Corbett answers Mr. Noo’s description of the man who assaulted him, and the general impression seems to pre- vail that Corbett is the guilty man, A BOGUS INDIA SHAWL. MR. MONROE'S EXPERIENCE WITH A PROFES- SIONAL SMUGGLER. A man wearing eyeglasses and a glazed cap similar to that worn by officers of European steamers, and an- swering to the name of Rogers, was arraigned before Judge Morgan yesterday, on a charge of larceny by trick and device. The complainant was Robert L. Monroe, of No. 357 Bleecker street, a salesman. Monroe alleges that on the 15th of October last Rogers entered the sew- ing machine salesroom of Theodore Froment, Jr., No. 35 Bond street, and representing himself as having just arrived from the other sido, offered to sell him a shawl which he said was smuggled and of East India manufacture, worth $300 in gold. Monroe told him he had no money about hig, but of. fered his gold watch, worth $75, in exchange for the shawl, if his representations were found to be correct, Rogers at once proposed to go to a dry goods establish- ment m_ the Bowery and have the value of the shawl tested. Monroethen detached his watch from the chain and handed it to the pseudo seafar- ing man, Together they proceeded the Bowery, and the seafaring man and — tho watch ‘suddenly vanished, Monroe retaining the shawl on his arm, which he subsequently ascertained was worth exactly $6. He had abandoned all hope of recovering his watch until yesterday, when he espied the seafaring man entering a house in Chrystie street. He called an officer and had him arrested while he was negotiating the purchase of some second hand far. niture. Rogers is a dealer in second hand furnitare at No. 535 East Twelfth street, and denied all knowledge of Monroe or having had any transactions with him. He was identified, however, by Theodore Froment, of No. 35 Bond street, and held for examination. CUSTOM SEIZURES. On the arrival of the steamship Ville de Paris from Havre at this port yesterday morning the Custom | House officers, under Inspector Shearman, seized a false-bottomed trunk, which concealed the following articles:—Sixty yards of silk, one-half dozen silver forks, five silver spoons, four ‘lockets and chain, one open-faced gold watch, three pairs of fancy slippers and a broché shawl articles have not yet been ap- praised, but it is supposed that their total value does not exceed $250. LUNATIO ASYLUM ABUSES, DECISION OF THE KINGS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON THE MAGEK CASE—IMPORTANT CHANGES AT THE INSTITUTIO! The Kings County Commissioners of Charities held a | special meeting at Flatbush, yosterday afternoon, to render their decision upon the charges of cruelty pre- forred against the management of tho Insano Asylum by Mr. Nelson Magee, a formor inmato of that institution There wore present Pr. Thomas P. Norris, President of | tho Board, and Commissioners Raber, Cunningham and Midas President Norris delivered the decision. Ifo reviowed the evidence of all the witnesses and raid that the Com- miesionors had concluded that the nurses Henry Bigle- | hoffer and Georgo Barkmoyer should be discharged. The Board had decided that the camisole should only | be used by direction of the Medical Superintendent, and | that it shonld only be placed on patients in his presence, ‘That oficial would be required hereafter to visit all the | lis and rooms where patients were confined at least times a day. ure & book would bo kept att o that any patient who had anf | auch « pationt, could register their complaints. ! as no doubt in the minds of the Commissione i} the charges of Mr. Magee I | that he had been shamefully abused, The Comimis- sioners had therefore adoptod the resolution removing | tho offending nurses, | Alter the adoption of the report it was resolved, on | motion of Commissioner Cunningham, that a comuit- | tee of three Le appointed to devise a better system of | employing and inqui into th | seeking positions as | Avyluim, said committee to inquire tems of governing charitable {nsuitutions in op throughout the country, with a view to securing a now ayatem under the Board of Commissioners, Tho Scerotary was authorized to notify tho Medical | Superintendent of the new rules and the changes at the Insano Asylum. Tho Board then adjourned. minutes. THE ERIE ENGLISH COMMISSION. AN INSPECTION OF THE TRUNK AND BRANCH ‘LINES. The Commission sent out from England on behalf of the bondholders and stockholders of the Erie Raliway Company, of which Sir E. W. Watkin is Chairman and Mr. John Morris Solicitor, have been in tho city for nearly a week. They found on their arrival that Mr. Jowett, Receiver of the Erie Railway Company, was laid up at bis residence, and they have visited him there. For several days they have been visiting in tho neighborhood of the city and presenting letters of in- troduction to leading gentlemen of the metropolis, The Chairman and Solicitor are accompanied by Sir Joseph Heron, of Manchester, England, who, however, has no official relation to the Commission, and Mr. Morris, a nephew of the Solicitor, whose visit to this country has no connection with the Erie affairs, unless it be that of private secretary to the Commission. Yesterday Mr. Watkin is on the Hudson, and, after breakfasting with a lead- ing railway official, he returned to his hotel in this city. This morning the Commission will leave the city by the Erie Railway to inspect the line and all its branches. They will be accompanied by Sir Joseph Heron and a number of Erie magnates, who propose to show them how a leading main line across a great State is man- aged. It is understood that they will proceed by eas stages to Niagara Falls, where Sir Joseph Heron will separate from them and proceed to Chicago. The Com- mission, after a brief stay at Niagara, will return by the Eric and run over the branches of the road. It is ex- ected that a week or ten days will be consumed in the investigation, after which our English visitors will spend some time in the city investigating with a critical ‘eye the books of the company. returned from a brief visit to an artist, whose residence COMMISSIONER VOORHIS DEF¥NDED. Heapquantens oy Tux Momiciras Reromu ASSOCIATION, Seventn Assempty District, New York, Angust 24, 1875, At a meeting of the Executive Committee of this as- sociation held this evening the following preamble and resolutions were adopted :— Whereas charges have recently been made to the Mayor against the Board of Police of this city, and which in part reflect on the character and qnalificn Sommissioner Joba R, Yoorhis, a member of said Bi this community has hitherto been. bey earnost and determined efforts in behalf of fent, capecially. since the refor the despoilers of our State and city, mblie life is without stain and whose have been for the best interests of the people of our city and have reflected credit on himself, all of which Jnatly entitle him to the highest regard of our citizens; and whereas we view with surprise and regret this attack on his character and integrity; therefore, bd Resolved, That the confide: f this sasociation in the sonar, and capacity of Comn ioner Jobn Kt. Vs asa man of honor and principle, until sneh time as he shall have been heard in his defence, remains unshaken, it when heard we believe will fully clear himself from the charges preferred, and we appenl to tho public for » suspension o Spinion against him. LLOYD ASPINWALL, President. Jamas W. Consa, Secretary. THE COMMISSIONS. The Board of ire Commissioners met yesterday and were in session for over four hours, transacting con- siderable business. The appointment of a Chief Clerk occupied their attention for some time, but they wero unable to agree. It is said that Charles E. Gildersloeve isto be the man. Some twenty transfers were made and three men were dismissed the foree. The Commis- sion located permanently the Aerial Ladder Fire Tracks, but no action was taken on the back pay of the fire- men. ‘The Commission of Public Parks met yesterday after- noon and appointed some forty men on the public parks and police, THE PRODUCE EXCHANGE. Yesterday an official notice was given to the Produce Exchange that Mr. Jobn Trench, prodace dealer, of No. 3 Bowling Green, was unable to meet his liabilities. The failure of this gentleman was not unexpected, and was only another of those small liquidations constantly go- ing on among the lesser merchants who have had paper renewed on old obligations and are unable to meet the issue of maturity. Upon repairing to the office of Mr. Trench no one was found who had authority to speak as to the liabilities of the firm, but it was a matter of no curiosity to the members of the Exchange, as the effect of the failure was insignificant, THE FAULHABER MYSTERY. = = Some importance is attached to the information elicited at the inquest on Caspar Faulhaber, on Tuesday evening, to the effect that Alexander Gourlay and another man were seen in deceased’s company on Saturday, the 14th inst., the day of Faulhaber’s disap- pearance. The strange man and deceased were seen going together toward Hoboken. Who the man was could only be asceptained from Gourl A. detective wax sent to the latter’s residence, in Fourth street, Jersey City, and he found that Gourlay had diea on Monday, after a few day’s illness, Thus embarrassed in the endeavor to clear up the mystery Coroner Rein- hardt has adjourned the inquisition till Tuesday next, If the strange companion don’t come forward and ive an account of his tour with the deceased it will lead to the assumption that Faulhaber was robbed and murdered. RELICS OF THE SCANDAL. Yesterday, in the office of the Clerk of the City Court, notices of issue were filed in the suits of Theodore Tilton vs. Hegry Ward Beecher, Tilton vs. Thomas Kinsella and Tilton vs. The Eagle,’ by Morris & Pearsall, attor- neys for the plaintiff, LOADER ADMITTED TO BAIL, Joseph Loader, the upholsteror, who is under indict- ment for libelling Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, was ad- mitted to bail yesterday in the sum of $2,500. His surety is Thomas Mullen, of No. 217 Myrtle avenue, GAS EXPLOSION IN BROOKLYN. Fire Marshal Keady made an investigation yesterday into the cause of the explosion which occurred on Tues- day evening at tho residence of Mr. KE. G. Webster, No. 304 Clinton avenue. Mr. Webster stated that he went into the library to light the extension burner, when an explosion, caused by escaping gas, took place. The house was damaged to the amount of $2,500; fully in- sured, Mr. Webster, Mr. L. G, Thrall and Celia Olson, a servant, were badly burned. THE JERSEY TRAMPS. ENCOUNTER WITH A BRAVE WOMAN. Yesterday’s criminal record in Jersey City shows that the tramps continue their operations with unusual vigor and activity. One of these tramps entered the grocery store of Mr. John Anderson, on Seventh street, near the corner of Brunswick, and just as he got behind the counter he was seen by Mrs. Anderson, who is a strong, muscular woman, and in a moment sho clutched him by the neck and dealt him several heavy blows. struck her on the head and shoulders. In his frantic efforts his coat was torn, but Mrs, Anderson still clung to him and kept up her cries for help, but no one camo to her assistance, At last, by a sudden movement, he released himself from her grasp, and rushed into the street leaving behind him his coat and vest, which were torn to shreds, His shirt was nearly torn off his back. Daring the struggle he retained possession of thirty five cents which he had takon from the money drawe: till the last moment, when he dropped it. No clew to | his whereabouts was afterward discovered. Another tramp entered Brook's fancy store on Ege avonue and pretended ho wanted to buy some goods While the articles wore being sought for he took posses- sion of $20 worth of pearl buttons and coolly slipped ont. That was the last seen of him. Tho schooner Eva Adele, lying at the public dock, was visited by tramps during Tuesday night and clothing valued at $65 was taken away from the forecastle while | the young man in charge was in the cabin. This is the dock where the explosion took place and a@ river thiof burned to a crisp a few weeks ago, ‘A lager beer saloon on Palisade avenue was cntered by a tramp who called for a glass of beer, and while the bartender was stooping at the keg, the fellow slipped a | ham under his coat, and under pretence he had to go to a rear apartment, walked into the yard. Tho bar- tender’s suspicions were not aroused for eight or ton Search was made in vain for tho thiof, A HAND-TO-HAND QUEENS COUNTY POLITICS. The Republican Convention of the First Assembly district of Queens county, to choose delegates to tho State Convention which is to meet at Saratoga on the 8th of September, is called to meet at Roslyn, om Wednesday, September 1. The convention of the ond district is called to moet at the Jamaica Town Hull, on Friday, September 8 The Jamaica primary will be held on Monday evenii xh STATEN ISLAND POLITICS. The politicians of Richmond county, both democratic and republican, are busily at work preparing for the fall campaign, which promises to be very oxciting. The oflicers to to elected are;—A Senator, member of Aszem- bly, Selool Commissioner, County Judge and Surrogate, County Clerk, Superintendent of tho Poor, two Justices of the Ses & Coroner, The democratic cand)- —For County Clerk, David H. Cortelyou aud dr.; for County Judge, T. ©. Vermilye; yiuan, I 5S. D. Stephens, understood to dot the roilt ferry, and for Senator, Mr. of Queens county. The republican candidates ure probably :—For County ('ork, George W. Waters; for Assomblyman, Hon. Davia wy. Judd {very strong in Richmond county); for County Judge, Hadley and Tompkins Wosterveit; for School Commissioner, Rev. Dr. Brownlee, of Port Richmond, will poll a large non- party vote, The thief struggled to escape and | mitted to the Board, and tho matter was Drought up at this and has been at every subsequent } meeting when the minority were present, the majority | less, was personally satisfied THE WATER SUPPLY. Facts and Figures Which the Aldermen Should Keep in View. THE-CROTON MAIN ORDINANCE. General Porter’s Reply to Alderman Vance’s Resolutions To Be Submitted To-Day. General Porter, the Commissioner of Public Works, will send in to the Board of Aldermen to-day his answer to the resolutions introduced at the last meet- ing of the Board by Alderman Vance. It will be a very ‘elaborate one, and will give every detail concerning the present condition of the reservoirs, the Croton mains, &c, The Commissioner states that in order to give the city an ample supply of water the following aro neces- sary — ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY WORK. A twenty-inch pipe on Fifth avenue, between Fifty seventh and Tenth streets, with the necessary connec- tions, 12,600 feet. ‘The estimated cost of this work is fixed at $8 50 per foot, making a total of $107,100. ‘A forty-eight inch pipe through Eightieth street to First avenue and down First avenue to Sixty-sixth street, for which the department has the pipes from the Fourth avenue improvement, 5,400 feet, at $10 per foot, $54,000. A six-inch wrought iron pipe, boxed, &c., across the Rarlem River to Randall’s Island, ‘estimated cost, $16,000. ‘Three thousand feet six-inch pipe on Randall’s Island, with stopcocks, hydrants, &c., at $2 50 per foot, $7,500. Amain to laid on each sido of Fourth ‘avenue, from Harlem River to Forty-second street, connecting with the pipes on each street (all the pipes on the ave- nue between these two points having been taken up on account of the Fourth avenue improvement), and the following :—Fiftcen thousand feet of six-inch pipe, at $5 per foot, $75,000, and 20,000 fect of six-inch pipe, at $2.50 per foot, $50,000, To supply the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards, 15,000 foct of twelve-inch pipe, at $5 per foot, $75,000; 20,000 feet of six-inch pipe, at $2 50 per foot, $50,000, For an additional pumping engine to the district now supplied with high service water, estimated cost, 45,000. THE RESERVOIRS, In relation*to what has been done and is being done in the matter of reservoir construction, the Commis- sioner states that on November 16, 1874, a contract was made for the building of a road on the easterly side of the Storage Reservoir, at Boyd's corners, The esti- mated cost of the work was $18,070, and of this work there has already been estimated to the contractors and paid the sum of $13,419. On the dam, he contends, iron railing, covering for stopcock tower and stairs, foot- bridge to the tower, fitting up the entrance to the lower side of the dam and for covering up the stopcock vaults and for the clearing up below the dam and the building of a house for the keeper, the estimated cost ot the entire work being $25,000. The estimated cost for the construction of a reservoir on the middle branch of the Croton in the town of Southeast, which, when com- pleted, will have a capacity of 4,000,000 gallons, is $505,000. There has already been paid on the contract $51,749. It is believed that $85,000 will be sufficient to purchase the 340 acres of land that is to be used for the restrvoir and for the construction of the roads that must be built to take the place of those to be over- flowed, This reservoir will, it is expected, be com- pleted in two years, Itis estimated, too, that $30,000 will have to be paid for lands owned by a so-called iron mine company, which owns land that extends into the proposed basin, THE SPECIAL INFORMATION ASKED FOR. ‘The city now uses daily 107,000,000 gallons of water, and has one reservoir whose storage capacity is 2,700,000,000 gallons. The daily consumption this year exceeds that of 1873 by 7,000,000 gallons. The aque: duct is at present delivering about all the water that it can carry with safety, It will be remembered that Alderman Vance's resolution asked what means are necessary to secure a proper head of water that will guarantee an ample supply to all consumers, the actual condition of the Croton Aqueduct, the character and form of construction of the lower ‘receiving reservoir, the original cost of the Croton works, as well as the amount expended upon them during the last ten years, ‘The Commissioner has prepared a categorical answer to all these inquiries, full and complete, in addition toall the generai information embodied in the figures and state- ments given above. As to THR CONDITION OF THE AQUEDUCT, he will advise the construction of a new one, not so much because the present one is-in a dangerous condi- tion as that in case of serious accident to it, as Alder- man Blessing forcibly put it at the last meeting of the Board, “the entire water supply of the city would be cut off.’ If such an accident should occur, the city, as Alderman Vance also argued in his fesolu- tion, Would have no security against a disastrous con- flagration. Why the reservoir in Westchester county has been allowed to remain all summer in the filthy condition that it has been, whether Mr. Vance’s inti- mation that it has never been cleaned or purified since its original construction, and that it has been for thirt: years the cesspool of the large drainage basin of which it constitutes the centre, are questions which will no doubt be answered by the Commuasioner in his reply, but whether or not satisfactorily to the Aldermen yet remains to be seen. THR ALDERMANIC DEAD LOCK. For several years past the Chief Engineer of the Cro- ton Aqueduct has annually reported the necessity of larger water mains for the supply of certain districts of the city, and these recommendations have been em- bodied by the Commissioners of Public Works in their annual reports. Commissioner Van Nort, in his annual report of 1873, said:—“When the Croton Aqueduct, res- ervoirs and distributing system wero planned and’ exe- cuted it had never been contemplated that more than thirty-six gallons of water daily to each inhabitant would be required or used, and upon that estimate the system of mains south of the old distributing reservoir at Fifth avenue and Fortieth street was arranged.”’ As | ‘about 107,000,000 gallons is the daily consumption now, the average to cach inhabitant is about 100 gallons per diem, Fifth avenue derives its supply a+ present from six-inch main, a capacity for distribution so obviously inadequate that it is presumable the insurance com- panies would refuse risks in that locality were it not for the character of the buildings and the care with which they are guarded. The pipe system for the en- tire district below Canal street is insutficient for a supply in an emergency. Church street, containing PROPERTY OF IMMENSE VALUR, is supplied by a six-inch main, A great fire would in- evitably sweep the district. The same remark applies to other sections. It was upon consideration of these and many other facts pertinent to the subject that the Legislature passed last winter an act appropriating $1,500,000 for the purpose of increasing the supply of Croton, of which not more than $500,000 was to be available in any one year, To obtain this amount by e sale of bonds three-fourths of the Board of Alder- men must concur in ordering the work. It will be re- membered that the two branchss of the Legislature which the bill were of opposite politics, and that the bill was approved by Governor Tilden, whe, doubt- of its necovsity. Soon after the bill was signed the Mayor transmitted, with his approval, to the Board of Aldermen a communica- tion from Commissioner Porter, requesting action upon the law. On the 25th of June another communication was transmitted through the Mayor, calling attention to the first and urging immediate action, This was sub- supporting and the ininority opposing and defeating the measure each time. Nearly three months have passed since the ordinance was first proposed. Frost Will soon come and make pipelaying much more expen- sive than it would be now, and THR DANGER FROM FIRES will be greater. The Executive Committee of the New York Board of Underwriters passed the following reso- lution on the 28th of June:— Resolved, That the unmediate attention of th responsible for action in the premises, be called to ingly iundequate water supply for purposes of fire extinguis! mont in th er part of this city, and that they are spectfully requested to take measures to extend and increas as tho exigencies of the case may demand, with | pines AB to complet same betors froren | hail interfere with the work. a tirects a In the latter part of Juno Chicf Engineer Bates, of | tho Fire Department, wrote a letter, which was pub- lishod, declaring the great need of AN INCREASKED WATER SUPTLY to preserve the city from the peril of a disastrous con- | flagration, It will be remembered that many of tho hydrants and water pipes in the lower part of the city Woro frozen last winter, so that they could not be mado | available in case of fire, which shows that new pipes of larger capacity should be laid deeper under the surface. | The question of laying the pipes by contract, mstead_ of day's labor, has been brought in collaterally to afford A pretext for preventing the execution of the work. the Commissioner of Public Works will boar the re- sponsibility it seems proper, the democrats think, that he should use his diseretion In that respect. ‘They claim that it 1 almost unanimously accepted as a prin- | ciple by careful enginoers that in work requiring so | much care, tdelity and attention as laying pipes for the water supply of cities, where the syst and gas may compheato the dificult 1 giv ns ol sewerage , the contew ed unfavorable results and {s the most exp Tn the summer of 1872 Corporation ion addressed to Com syste rt y clearly specitied cases where work by contract would be wholly impracticable and | decided that the judgment of the department was conclu. | sive, Afterward the Common Council by a vote of over | three-fourths authorized the Commissiouer to use his own discretion in the matter of ' LAYING TH PIPRS, and the 36-inch main from Madison avenue to Chambers street was laid by day’slabor, The two 72-inch mains conveying the entire contents of tho aqueduct from Ninety-second street to the old Central Park reservoir, were laid by contract, and the work was so imperfect that the entire water supply of the city was at one time Of this work Commissioner Van Nort _ annaal report of 1873 as follows :—‘*This work —LA.4 by contract, and when the water was first let into the ipes twenty of them split at the joints. it furnishes another illustration of the inferiority of contract work and the necessity of laying water maing with the utmost care and skill’ A prominent official yesterday, speaking of the factious Ppposition of the Tepublican Aldermen to the passage of the Croton Main ordinance, remarked:—‘The course of the minority with respect to this most important question will com vince the public that, so far as the charter of 1873 pre. give an efficient or economical administration to the city, it is an entire failure, A charter which insures one-third of the Board of Aldermen to the party in the minority and gives fewer than that third power to defeat any ordinance inyolving the expenditure of money cetablichos « systems anomalous in a republic. Comment is superfluous. The practical operation of the city laws, as shown in this water question, is before the public, and itdoes not require a politcal pyle to detect the utter absurdity of this so-call PRINCIPLE OF MINOKITY REPRESENTATION— a hobby which has no possibilities in the United States or State of New York governments under their consti- tutions; but is 4 partisan outgrowth of the shifting and unstable legislation with which Albany has cursed New York for many years. As confusion and tyranny are the only fruits of the principle it may be safely inferred that no future Legislature will retain it The overthrow of an anti-republican hobby, however, affords no compensation fur the hourly peril of the city, nor for the inconveniences which the domestic, bust ness and sanitary interests of the city are mado te suffer from its offspring, our republican City Fathers, upon whom rests the onus of an insullicient water sup: ply for that portion of the city where the great banking institutions and wholesale mercantile interests of the city are centred.” THE REPUBLICANS’ STUBRORNNESS, It is the general opinion among the politicians whe make the City Hall their headquarters that, no matter how satisfactory General Porter's reply to the Vance resolutions may pe, or how much additional. strong proof he may adduce in it to that which he has already given the Board to show that the Croton Main ordi- nance should be passed by the Board; that the republi- can Aldermen—through fear that the passage of the or- dinance will Leapiyhery patronage into the hands of the democrats, or that they will not. be allowed to be partakers of the patronage that will be invested by it im the Department of Public Works—will resolutely op- pose 1t to the bitter end. BROOKLYN. A boy named Charles Sommers died suddenly without medical attendance yesterday at No. 116 McKibben street, John Garnett was yesterday arrested for stealing « failboat from John Matthews, of Bay Ridge, He was held to answer. A female child, about one month old, was found yes- terday morning at the corner of Henry and Summit streets and taken to the City Nursery, Coroner Simms was notified yesterday to hold an. in quest on the body of Emma Treadwell, a middle-aged woman, who died very suddenly at No, 45 Chapel street. John Walsh, a laborer, of No. 132 Dikeman street, had his skull fractured yesterday by a falling brick while working on a new building at the foot of Van Brunt street. Rev. George B. Porteous, D. D., yesterday resigned from the pastorate of All Souls’ Episcopal chureb. It 1s his intention to enter the lecture field during the coming season. John Tobin, of No, 353 Hicks street, was arrested yes- terday for cutting John Reddy, a resident of New York, in the hand and arm during a dranken quarrel. The examination was adjourned, Elizabeth Schulte, twenty-one years of age, a servant of Ignatz Pohlman, No, 667 Fourth avenue, was are rested yesterday for stealing his gold watch and chain, valued at $150, She was held for examination. Richard Todd, a notorious young rough, was arrested yesterday for stabbing James Madden, liquor dealer, of Hoyt and Wyckoff streets. The prisoner, who has just served a term in the Penitentiary for burglary, was held for examination. NEW JERSEY. Another prisoner escaped from the Penitentiary at Snake Hill on Tuesday. The Palisades Boating Association, of Guttenborg, are making arrangements for the construction of a new club house on the brink of the Hudson, Philip Koch, who was beaten go severely by Lundy, the Weehawken policeman, is pronounced out of dan- ger. Lundy has been admitted to bail in the sum of $5,000, ‘The Pavonia ferryboats are to be equipped with gates similar to those on the Hoboken ferryboats to prevent passengers jumping off before the boats are chained to the bridges, Officer Burnett, who was injured so severely by falling ‘on the stump of alamppost near the Ravine Road in Jersey City, isin a very critical condition. The physi- cians fear that his injuries may prove fatal, ‘A Texan stoer broke loose in North Bergen on Tnes- day ovening, creating much commotion through the township. George Sturges caught the bull by the horns and was flung into the air by the infuriated animal, He narrowly escaped fatal injuries. The report of the Hamblet Place Improvement Com- missioners, who have just terminated their labors at North. Bergen, shows that the total expenditures were $16,033, and that the amount to be raised by taxation on the property benefited is $19,404, The people of Guttenberg are agitating the topic ot throwing more light on the depredations of thieves and the outrages by Modocs that take place in their midst, At present there is not an oil or gas lamp in the place, and rowdies prowl through the locality taking advan- tage of the situation, Charles Sacia, the President of the bogus Palisade In- surance Company of Jersey City, has returned from the Iunatic siding in the Bergen dis. trict of Jersey City. ‘the Secretary of tl company, is serving a term in the State Prison at Tren- ton for his complicity in the fraud, Some of the property stolen by Mary Ann Waring, the female thief, at Jersey City, has been recovered. A valuable pait of earrings were found in the possession of a female companion, to whomshe gave them. A costly gold watch and chain, stolen from the widow of Justice Corrigan, have not yet been found. From the report of the Commissioners in charge ot the improvement of the Bergenwood road, in the upper quarter of Hudson county, it appears that $49,551 09 have been expended on the work. A portion of this outlay was taken charge of by the Board of CI Freeholders who constructed the bridges and culverts, John Ramsey, the keeper ofa faro bank in Jersey City, was held to bail yesterday on the complaint of one Baker, who was robbed in the gambling den on Ex- change place. Owing to outside pressure Baker refused at the last hour to testify, whereupon he was remanded to jail, where he will remain till the meeting of the Grand Jury. The examination of Maher, who is charged with at tempting a diabolical outrage on the person of his little daughter at Jersey City, took place yesterday before Justice Horsley. Maher was committed to jail to await the action of the Grand Jury. His wife admitted that she was instigated to take proceedings against him by her brother and sister-in-law on account of religious differences between them and her husband, The burglars have performed another successful ope- ration in West Hoboken. ‘§hey broke into the house of Mr. E. Martin, at the corner of Spring and Hill st and secured a gold watch and chain, a pair of locketa and a silver watch, An aged woman’ was lying sick im bed and heard the robbers helping themselves. She shouted lustily for help, and the visitors desisted and ran away. STATEN ISLAND. A mecting of the Workingmen’s Independent Clab, Stapleton, will be held at their rooms on Saturday next, ‘The body of Felix Grabam, who was drowned on Saturday last, while bathing at New Brighton, was found off Port Richmond and an inquest was held yesterday by Coroner Tappen. Thomas Donobue, of Jersey City, was found yester- day in Canal street, Stapleton, Staten Island, helpless from paralysis, Hoe was taken to Police Headquarters, where he stated that he had just been discharged from ¢ charity hospital in New Jersey. At the last meeting of the trustees of the Smith In. firmary, at Tompkinsville, resolutions were passed re stricting the admission of incurable cages, as the insti. tution is now filled to its utmost capacity. — It is under. stood, also, that several cases have beon admitted from outside the county, THE NEW POST OFFICE. ‘Tho mechanics and laborers on the new Post Office building yesterday were closing up the work they have been engaged on for years. Painters and cabinet makers have for a day or two sole charge of the interiot of the edifice, and their labors are to be confined to the inaiu and mezzanine floors, upon which the vast opera “tions of the mail service at this city will be condncted, Yesterday the offices of the foreign mail department and the rooms of the special agent were finishe the money order office, with ail its adjuncts, is now ready to be oecapied. The Postmaster’s and the other responsible servants of the Post Office Departmeyt offices can be moved into to-day, They are completely furnished, ‘The letter box arrangement is mot yet en. tirely complete. The larger size require some special Jabor in regard to construction and the management of locks and keys, which will consume a day oF two be fore finished. ‘The clerks from tho old building in Nag Bani Street were busy yesterday placing the names on the 6,000 boxes showing to whom they have severally beew awarded and for which rent has been paid for the uarter, The removal of books and documents in dangor, and the expense of repairs was very heavy, the old building hag already far advanced,