The New York Herald Newspaper, August 27, 1875, Page 8

~ TH BOARD OF. —_—_+———_ The City Fathers Have a Talk About the Police Commissioners. ALDERMEN, A FIERCE WAR OF WORDS The Rapid Transit Question in an Aldermanic Tangle. THE CROTON WATER SUPPLY. General Porter’s Reply to Alder- man Vance’s Resolutions. ‘The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting yes terday, Despite the absence of several of the members ‘those who were present managed to make the meeting quite a lively one, The indications before the hour for the sitting had arrived pointed to a bitter fight between the democrats and republicans over the Croton main ‘ordinance; bat when the Board was called to order and {t was discovered that there were not seventeen mem- bers in their seats the general order was not called up. The subject of Croton water, however, was the enter- Ing wedge to the goneral proceedings, and it came up in the shape of a numerously.signed petition, which Alder- man McCarthy presented, from uptown residents, pray- Ang the Common Council to pass some ordinance author- Auing the employment of additional means to increase the supply of water. RAPID TRANSIT. Alderman Gross offered the following, which, he said, fhe had drawn up without conferring or consulting with anybody :— Resolved, That the Counsel af the Corporation be, and he rewith requested and directed to inform this Bourd, at + regular mecting, 48 to his interpretation of the tol- points of the constitution and of the law in question :— Fira(—The constitution of the State, in article 3, section 18, providing, “That no legislative act shall authorize the con- Struction vr operation of @ street railroad, except upon the condition that the consent of the owners of ‘one-half in value y bounded on and the consent also of the local au- ‘aving the control of that portion of a street or high- ‘way upon which it is pro} to construct or operate such railroad be first obtained.” The question arises whether the working of this provision in the organic act of the State does Bot make itself evident and logical that. the route or routes of the railway or railways should be located first before the Common Couneil can intelligently aud conscientiously dis- sharge the duty imposed on them by the coustitution us Second—Article 8, section 18, of the constitution, being virtually an injunction on the’ State Legislature to be dis- solved only on the condition of previous compliance with the directions thereia contained, {he further question arises whether this Board would not violate the letter and spirit of he constitution by giving earte blanche to the Commission eroated by act of tl ure in reference to the location ef such railway or railways. Third—Whether the Commissioners of Rapid Transft do met labor under # mistake in speaking of a desire for “an barrassed use of the full time” allowed and Ax the routes, dc. as well 8 of an discretion” con ‘on’ them by the Ley . ‘to the strict compliance with the aforesaid provi- ‘of the constitution in article 3, section 18, without which the act, chapter 606, Laws of ‘would be rendered Gneonstitutional, and the Legislature be without authority fe confer any discretionary power on the Commission. "Fourth—Whe caida tericta innate \f oxtng to. the poudist intoriures J us e if, to the jar interlardin, constitutional provision sion Pevvigins ereeted by ths, yas seen in section 4 of 006, Laws of chapter they would likewise take the view of the Commission- ers a3 8p] from thelr preamble and, resolutions pre- fon on parent: ted to this Board, and thereby overlook the ji psced-on them all Le the wording in article 3, section 18, of the ee © and all—Legislatare. mission consent of the owners the constitution of the State? itation, “that the ‘consent also of the local authorities,” 4c., under a strict does not imply that not only the streets aud but also the naines of the respective owners, Be abmisted to the Common Council in asking their eonsent to the use of said streets and highways; for, although $he legislative act seemingly \s giving iustruction aud, dirco- tion to the Common Co it is in reality the constitution ‘that does it? The compliance with the constitutional pro- vision in the premises, should it not precede all other action, ‘es on It the power of the Legislature to pass such an act is spe E tne Common Couneil adopt the armble and Resolution submitted by the Commissioners of Rapid Transit @o they not thereby forego all right to objections and exec) tions to and from the pr sive decisions of sald Commis sioners, and thereby unduly surrender a trust and duty im- shen te uncil by the constitution and the 4 LITTLE PLAIN TALK. . ‘Mr. Blessing, at the close of the reading of ‘the reso- Iutions, said that the question at issue was a very plain ‘fone, and he did not see the necessity of asking the Cor- plearly defined by the act which brought them into being. Common sense, he said, was common law, and he did not seo why the Commissioners could not apply p little common sense to their interpretation of the law. The law distinctly said that the route must be estab- Mahed within sixty days after the Commissioners had organized as a board. After they got the consent of the property holders they would then have to come to She Board of Aldermen to obtain its approval of the route. They had already consumed nearly two months th deliberating on th Ley ar te he believed that they ould have accomplished ail the work required of them tmacouple of weeks at least. When the Board had ‘ence approved of the route they could go on and build the road without hindrance, and take as much time over it as they liked, as there was no provision of law that compelled them to have it completed within a given time. Mr. Purroy moved to amend the resolution so that {It would be considered at an adjourned meeting to be held on Saturday next. He said the question of rapid transit as such an important one and the time was so short within which the commission had to complete their work that {t would not do to postpone action on the gesolation for a whole week. Mr Blessing said he hoped the amendment would so that the rapid -transit mystery, so far as the ‘was concerned, would be definitely settled. ‘Mx. Purroy’s amendment was accepted and it was re- polved that the Board should meet on Saturday (to- morrow) w take action upon the resolation. ‘THE “ZPFICIENCY” OF THE POLICK BOARD, Alderman Blessing offered the following :— Whereas General William F. Smith, the newly appotnted mg joner for the Department of Police ee ofNew ive abilis; ork, has manifested marked execu’ , has ecquired, it would seem, intuitively such a thorough khowl- paue of the wants and requirements of that department, and as applied himself with 40 much diligence and determination to the vices, evils and rascalities with which it is tow infested, that he has earned for himself the ‘esteem of all citizens, and his efforts in that should receive mom mark of approbation from this 7 ervfors ived, That the Common Counefl does hereby applaud and commend the efforts made by Police Commissioner Will jem ¥. Smith to extirpate the inefficiency and corruption that now pervades the Department of Police, and to increase, go far as he has the power, hunesty and efficiency in the fee: detection and punishment of erime in this city, ‘he undertaking, in the face of the difficulties thas environ ‘un, is an arduous one, and ls of such magnitude as to entitle im to encouragement and mupport from every well disposed habitants of this city, and we bespeak for bi lasses of our citizens, other than the criminal, tion and praise; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of this preamble and resolution be duly authenticated and transmitted to General Wiliam F. Bri, A4,An evidence of the appreciation of shia, Common 9 improve the mort partment of the oity of New York. subishigiteicemtt . A SUGAR PLUM Por “maunY.”? ‘The reading of the resolution created quite a senen- tion, and the republicans while it was being read moved uneasily im their chairs and interchanged inquiring glances, as if each was anxious to know what the other thought best to bedone under the circumstances, in order not to be placed on record for or against the reso- lution, the passage of which would be a deadly blow to General Smith's three associates, However, On learn- ing that the democrats were divided as to the propriety of the resolutions being offered at all, they assumed a coniident air, as much as to say, “Who's afraid?” Mr, Blessing, when the Clerk had finished reading, said that he had offered the re: tion, believing that General Bmith had deserved well of the people for the stand ho had taken against the infamous clique that be haa found in the Board, Ho was the ovly man in the Board who seemed to know what hig duty was, and who, knowing it, dared to perform it. He hoped the Mayor ‘Would not hesitate much longer about what should be done with the balance of the commission, but that he would speedily clear them out, as they were a disgrace to the city. These remarks caused the spectators in the lobby to give way to loud applause, which President Lewis prompuly checked, DISBECKER AS AN PXCLAMATION POTNT. wot Simonson sake if the resolution was a proper one offered for the conaideration theta aes ee of the Board, He resident Lewis ruled that it could \ whe Beard be considered by ir. Gilon sald that, while he agreed with Mr. Bless ing in everything that he had said eulogistic of the yen Boh General Smith, be thought there was another member of the Police Board who deserved commenda- tion, ifcommendation was to be awarded by the Board to any one of the Commissioners. He roferred, he said, to Commissioner Voorhis. Mr. Simonson, envouraged this stand of a ‘avon d democratic member of the moved to amend the resolution sv that tt would inelt in the general commendation the names of Com ers Voorhis and Disvecker. The mention of the e of Disbecker seemed to afford considerable amusement to the democrata, who exclaimed in a “Ohl” “Ohi” “Oh!” which considerably dis- Mr. Simonson, who had evidently any demonstration of the kind, and made the th heartily, At this stage Mr. Morrie rose with great dignity and, looking as serious as an Owl, gaid that the whole sub ought to be laid on the table. If General Smith had done all that was claimed that he had done he had only dove bis duty. He bad taken an oath to perform his duty faithfully; so why should he be commended ? GETTING INTO PERSONALITIES. Mr. Simonson’s motion to include the names of Com- missioners Disbecker and Voorlis wag (len Duy aud im from all |, commenda- NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 1875—TRIPLE SHEET. was defeated by a strict party vote. The friends of Mr. Voorhis in the Board were not to be thus set back, and felt confident that the democrats had yoted solidly, as they had to show their opposition to Commissioner Disbecker, rather than because they had any feeling against Commissioner Voorhis, and so Mr. Gilon, the moment Mr. Simonson’s amendment was declared do- feated, rose and moved that Mr. Voorhis’ name should be Cg or in the resolution with General Smith’s. Mr. Reilly said that he would like to vote for Mr. Voor his, because he believed him to be an honest and upright man who performed bis duties faithfully and to the best of his ability; but he could not see for the life of him how any member of the Board, republican or democrat, could think for @ moment of voting for such @ man as Disbecker, Mr. Blessing believed that Mr. Voorhis was a worthy and an honest man, but he did not think that he had backbone enough, courage and energy enough, to show up the two members of the Board associated with him before General Smith was appointed. If he had the pluck to do so he had not given any evidence of it Mr. Morris remarked that Mr, Voorbis had done more good as 4 Police Commissioner in one month that Gen- eral Smith could in four months. Mr. Blessing said he would like to know what Mr- Voorbis had ever done. Mr. Morris replied that he did not go to the Police Commissioners and ask favors and declare that if they were not granted he would have resolutions passed in the Board of Aldermen denunciatory of the department Mr. Blessing wanted to know to whom the Alderman had reference. He liked # person to be straightforward and manly in making any charge that might reflect upon anybody else, He desired Mit Morris to bame the party be had made allusion to, Mr. Morris replied that he had not stated that any member of the Board had made threats agninst any do- partment if he were not granted what he wanted. Mr, Reilly laughingly suggested that the party in question must be Alderman Morris himself, He bad heard that a friend of the Alderman’s bad lately been discharged from the Department of Public Works, and that the Alderman had threatened dire destruction to the democrats ever since, This brought Mr. Morris to his feet m @ rage, and with the declaration that he never had a relative in public office, Finally, after Mr. Simonson had moved to refer the resolution to the Committee on Buncombe, Mr, Gilon’s amendment to include Mr. Voorhis in the resolution was lost by a voto of 10to 8, Mr. Biessing then moved the adoption of the resolution, but an amendment, offered by Mr. Pur- roy, that it be placed on file, prevailed by a vote of 14 to essrs, Blessing, Reilly, Seery aud McCarthy voting in the negative, The following communication was received from Com- missioner Porter in answer to the resolution offered by Alderman Vance at a previous meeting of the Board:— Darartwxst ov Pustic Works, ) Commissionsu’s Orricx, Roow 19 Crry Hau, New Yorx, August 25, 1873," § To the Hoxorate THe Boarp oF ALOKKMEN :— GurLesex—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your resolutions of the 19th inst., requiring me to report to You answers to certain questions in relation to the meus- ures necessary to increase the head or delivery of Croton water, the present coudition of the aqueduct, the character and form of construction of the receiviug reservoir in West- chester county and the original cost. of the works.connected with the water supply and the amount expended upon them during the last tea years, In reply £ respectfully subuit the owing :— Firsi—What means are necossary to secure a proper head of water which will insure its delivery to consumers in such quantities as they have a right to receive and for which they are taxed ? In answer to this I would say that the consumers are Fetting the amount of water for which they pay, but in many Instances not at the proper elevation, the head being reduced by the necessity of passing the larger volume of water evn sumed through small pipes The capacity of the pipes for distribution, leading from the reservoirs, is no larger than the capacity of the aqueduct. The water runs through the aqueduct with equal velocity night and day, but the con- sumption occurs mainly between the hours of five A. M. and six P, M. The water consumed must be forced through th distributing pipes during these hours, requiring the velocity of the tow In the aqueduct, an Volume of water In the distribasing reservoirs, ‘and cons quently the head or free, This is illustrated by the fact sh @t night and on Sundays, when the draught is small, water is obtained on the upper Hoors of bouses where it does not reach during day time on working days. he remedy for this is more large mains. The present system of distribution was adopted when amuch smaller quantity of water was con- sumed, when mauufactories and steam engines did not exist in every other building in the lower part of the city. ‘At the High Bridge a reservoir has been constructed, and » tower, containing a tank, for supplying water on the higher Frounids of the island, ‘This reservoir and tank are now filled y pumping from the aqueduct. This suppby is dependent upon one engine, and another should be put up as soon as racticable, to avoid stoppage of the supply im ease of wect- nt to the present engine, now runuing night and day. ‘Second—W hat is the presdnt actual condition of the Croton Aqueduct, as verified by the certificate of the engineer in charge of the line of the works? ‘The present condition of the Croton Aqueduct is, in general, good, and it has delivered an uninterrupted supply during the last year, except two days in December last, when the supply was shut off to make con- nections with the new line of pipes, laid to take the place of een Ninety-second and 113th str by order of the Legislature to reduce the grad streets crossing that section. The aqueduct is pi tz, bridges and embankments carefally ex- tin repair, An engineer is kept on the line to supervise this work, and his certificate of its present con- dition is kereto annexed. . Third—W hat is the character and form of construction of the lower receiving reservoir in Westchester county? Hus it ever been cleansed or purified ? and does its construction adwit of being cleansed without shutting off the water! The lower reservoir, or Croton Lake, is formed by a dam of earth ‘and stone acrom the river, below the entrance of the aque- duct. The weir of the dam is forty feet above the low water level and fifty-live feet above the bed of the ri The width of the masonry at the low water line is si ‘The lower face of the masonry is curved—the re eal. Above the masonry an embankineut of earth is filed in, with slope of one to five on the upstream face. T! dam sets the water of the river back five miles, and forms a reservoir of 400 acres, which acts as a settling basin, Tho water is let into the aqueduct from near the surface of the lake, It is purified by passing for five miles through this lake, thas allowing impurities to settle. ‘A waste culvert is built through the dam, with suitable fron gates to draw off the water, but it cannot be drawn out of the lake without stopping the supply in the aqueduct or necessitating the erection of pumps to supply the aqueduct while the water is so drawn down. Tlis bas never been deemed necessary or advisuble since its construction, as with each heavy rain the large body of water coming down the Croton River entirely changes the water in the lake. During the last three weeks the water in this lake has been changed eight times by the lute rains in the Croton Valley, the surplus water wasting over the dam. The water on the th intt. passed over the dam at a depth of sixty inches ‘Fourth—W int was the original cost of the works for water supply aod what has been the amount expended upon the works during the last ten years? The total amount expended for works, structures, &c., con nected with the supply, ineluding maintensncd sud repairs, to January 1, , Was $20,090,221 Ws, The smyunts expended sines that time are as follows :— In li ($224,337 27 12,528,710 99 090,221 9 Total cost to Angust 1, 1875......+-. $32; From this amount it ‘is but just to deduct expenditures rendered necessary, not for any improvement of the aque- duct or water supply, but in obedience to acts of the Lemisla- ture and for she beneds of property adjoining the aqueduct, s follows :— For removal of aqueduct and substitution of Ninety-second street, ‘tions ter supply since Jauuary 1, 1505. 8,902,400 11 And the total expendisare since beginning... 622 OF The yearly revenue derived by the city from Uroton water since ite introduction amounts in the aggregate to $25,308,168 51, or within $3,516,459 53 of the eutire expen- diture on the works. This ive of the benefits which the city receives in ite control and distribution of so large # supply of pure and wholesome water, and the supply to its many public build- ings and institutious from which no revenue is received, Very respectiully, FITZ JOHN PORTER, Commissioner, Darantusxr oy Postic Wonks. Exorvamn’s Orrice, August 21, 1875. T hereby certify that I have been for the past sixteen years, and still am, engineer in charge of the line of the Croton Aqueduct, from Croton Dam to the reservoirs in the city of Now York; that the entire line is carefully watched and patrolled daily, and that 1 am constantly going over it in person, and with an adequate force of men making repairs of drains, culverts, protection walle embankments aad ull details necessary for the protection of the work. ‘That the aquednet is now in as good condition as during ‘any previous year thas I have been in charge, BENJAMIN & CHURCH, ‘TUE KINGSERIDGE ROAD, On motion of Alderman McCarthy the two ordinan- ces relating to the Kingsbridge road were referred to the Congmittee on Roads, so that the property holders slong the line of the improvement may have an op- porvunity of giving their views as to the way they want the work done—by day’s work or by contract, Both ordinances provide that the work shall be done under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, Alderman McCarthy, who is chairman of the committee, ae goon as his motion was carried issued a call for a taeeting of the committee to take pluce on Weduesday next at one P. M. MUNICIPAL NOTES. Alderman Guntzer has introduced an ordinance in the Board of Aldermen which prohibits the playing of hand organs ia the streeta after ten o'clock at night ‘The militia seems tobe too much of a big thing m this city to be agreeable to Alderman Billings. He wants the Governor to reduce the infantry force to two brigades of four regiments each, and the cavafry and artillery in proportion, The resolution which requesta the Governor to do all this is now in the hands of the Committee on Repairs and Supplies, It will stay there, Comptroller Green desires that the Aldermen should by special ordinance authorize him to issue bonds of the Brooklyn Bridge before he takes any action what ever in the matter, but the Aldermen have decided to let the Corporation Counsel give his opinion as to the legality of the isene of the bonds before passing the Comptroller's ordinance, Under section 8 of chapter 800 of the Laws of 1875 it is provided that $8,000,009 shall be raised by bonds for the construction of the bridge, Brooklyn to raise two-thirds of the amount and New York city one-third—that is, $2,606,606. It is pro- vided that the issue of bonds by this city shall be but $500,000 in any one year. The city railroad compandes owe the city for unpaid licenses for many years past over 0. The Com- jounci! months ago passed ution calling upon the Mayor t commence suit againgt them for the recovery o! the money, and yesterday he was ogain, by Special resulution, called apoi jc . ee » Gpon W prosecute the com. The resolutions relative to the death of ex-President Johnson were yesterday adopted by the Aldermen. The pumping “high service” engine at High Bridge, on the working of which Carmansville, Yorkville, Mur: ray Hill, in fact all the upper part of the city on high ground, depend for their full supply of Croton, broke down on Wednesday, aud yesterday the small engi in the tower also broke down, Tho two accidents will create seareit; uptown districta ‘whieh Will ‘be seveedly iy 8, 1,006 felt, a8 the Commissioner of Public Works says the en- gines cannot be repaired properly for several days. If the Croton main ordinance, which the republican mem- bers of the Board of Aldermen have et time it has been called up, had been passed a mont ago there would have been an additional pumping en- gine at High Bridge by this time, and the accident to the present one would not have caused apy inconveD- jence to the uptown residents, According to the quarterly report of the Commis- sioner of blic Works, submitted to the Aldermen yesterday, the revenues from all sources during that pe- Tiod have becn $334,313 47, and contracts have been awarded to the amount of $490,847, The appropriations for this year to the credit of the department are $1,719,500, the expenditures up to June 30, $767,262 93, Jeaving a balance of $952,237 07, RAPID TRANSIT. THE COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING YESTERDAY—STILL CONSIDERING THE ROUIE—ANOTHER HEARING TO THE GILBERT AND GREENWICH STREET IN- ‘TERESTS, The Commissioners of Rapid Transit held their usual daily “star chamber” gathering yesterday, No new plans were submitted, and itis likely that all those de- siring to present designs for consideration have already done so, The main business of interest remaining is the selection of a route and plan, Mr, Forrest and Mr. Navarro, of the Gilbert, and Mr, Scott, of the Greenwich Street Elevated roads, were present at the meeting yes- terday, a8 representatives of their respective companies, It is understood no definite conclusion has been yet ar- rived at as tothe route, Mr, Mott is of opinion that a feasible route, giving entire satisfaction to the public, will be determined upon this week. It is said consider- able difference of pinion exists among tho Commissioners upon this question, They are harassed with propositions suggesting numerous streets, From present appearances it is considered almost certain that Third avenue will be the main street selected on the east side, and the Greenwich street lino, as far as built, for the west. Mr. Scott, representing the latter corporation, has been before the Commission almost continuously for the past three days; but, on being questioned by the Hzkaup representative as to the nature of the proceedings, remarked that ho was nol yet ready to speak upon the su MR, SPERR’S PLAN. Acommuniestion from Mr, Alfred Speer as to his plan and submitting a descriptive map thereot was re- ceived yesterday, Ho says his route would answer for the endless train as well as for locomotive with stated traing, Tho roadway could be used for either, The route proposed by Mr. Speer is as follows:— Beginning at or near South ferry, at the corner of Whitehalt d Pearl streets,; thence a single track on asingle row of columns on’ the easterly curb line at Pear! strect to New Bowery; thence along the east- erly side of New Bowery to the Bowery, up centre of the Bowery to Third avenue; up centro of Third avenue to Forty-second street; along north side of nu) Forty-second sircet to Fourth ay down the centre of Fourth avenue to Eighth street or Clinton place; along north side of Clinton piace to Greene street; down Greene street and Church street to Battery, thence to the place of beginning, torming a circuit of single track through the most travelled portion of the city, The route to be extended from junction of Fourth street and Third avenue on a double track road, supported by a double row of columns up Third avenue and back, one track for up travel and the other for down, The rows of columns to be placed at the outside of the horse car tracks, 60 as not to interfere with passages. The communication concludes by stating that the end- less train may then be used on the downtown circui whero there is always a great stream of travel, an where local accommodation as well as rapid transit is wanted, ‘MR, BUCKMAN’S PROPOSITION, Mr. Ira Buckman also sends in a communication as to his route and plan. He purposes to commence the east side route at Broad street, with a single track through Pearl to Whitehall to South, up South to Broad, up Broad to Pearl, then with a double track up Broad to and up Nassau tb Chatham, Bowery and Third avenue to Harlem Bridge. He next suggests a west side route for his plan as follows:—Commencing at Church and Morris streets with a single track, and running diago- nally to No. 9 Broadway to State street to South Ferry, up Whitehall back to No. 9 Broadway to Church street; then with a double track running along Church street, and crossing Canal to Greene street, up Greeno to Eighth street, west on Eighth street to University lace, running north to Fourteenth street, west to Bienen avenue, up Eighth avenue to Harlem River, running up Harlem River to Kingsbridge, THE NEW POST OFFICE. With the view of insuring certainty in the opening of the new Post Office for the transaction of public busi- ness on Monday morning, some additional mechanics were placed at work yesterday, The scene in the in- terior was one of great activity, and were it not for the great confidence expressed by Mr. Steinmetz, the Super- intendent, that the building will in all respects be ready to be turned over to Postmaster James this evening, one would be inclined, from appearances, to doubt that this end could be accomplished within such a very brief period, But all details and eventualities have been provided for, and there is no possibility of any delay or postponement, Yesterday a large quantity of blank forms and records were transferred from Nassau street and arranged in their destined places. The annunciator is in complete working order, and the weighing and despatch clerks’ department ready for occupation. The foreign letter bureau is receiving final touches, and tho registered let- ter department, which occupies considerable space on’ the mezzanine floor, can be taken possession of at any moment, The numbering of boxes and placing the names of holders on them are in progress, and the soo- tions devoted to the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western mails are located and designated by large printed cards. ‘The basement, which 1s to be devoted to the receipt and despatch of newspapers, is free from all encum- brances and nothing remains to be done but to finish the employés wardrobes. ‘The gas arrangements are also completa. Two com- anies are to supply lighting material, each of which put in two 300-light meters, having capacity to fur- nish many thousand burners’ The object in having a supply from two companies is that if by any accident one should fail the other can be drawn upon, To-day will see the last of the mechanics, and to-mor- row and Sunday will be used to remove all’ mail matter, booka, furniture, &c., from the old building so as to have everything ready to go into full and successful operation ¢arly Monday morning in the new edifice, THE OLD BULLDING. ‘The signs of removal were also everywhere visible yesterday at the old Dutch church building in Nassau Btrect. In the room of the Assistant Postifister cases were packed with the printed archives, and in every corridor and passage were parcels and boxes of every variety labelled for the different rooms of the new building on Broadway, Postmaster James was at his dosk, a8 usual, and Superintendent Gayygr was busy with the routine of his bureau. The r informed the Hgranp reporter that the switching of the mails to the new building would begin about six P. M. on Satur. day, and it was expected that the business of the office Would flow on regularly and smoothly by Monday next, POSTAL FACILITIES. Inspired by the rumor that it is intended to establish a Post Office station in Wall street to accommodate tho bankers and brokers, the dry goods dealers are about to petition Postmaster James to establish @ branch oflice in the vicinity of Canal street, PAYING TOO DEAR FOR HIS KEY, ue THINKS) To Tue Eprror ov THs Herawy:— By circular of Postmaster James I am called upon to pay one dollar for the keys of my new box, I was un- der the impression that the Post Office building was built by Uncle Sam with our money, and that it has cost from $6,000,000 to $7,000,000, and on March 8, 1875 (vide United States Statutes at Largo, vol. 18, page 895, Session Il., chapter 190), I flnd the following sweet morsel—viz., ‘For completion of building for United States Post Office, Now York, $388,160 03 (cight cents !). And yet, we, the 6,790 boxholders, are taxed $1 for the keys of our boxes! Will somebody in the Post Office Department rise and explain what will become of the $5,790 during the time wo have the keys? I have been the hoider of my box since 1859. ‘Sixteen years have elapsed, and if, then, I had to ay one dollar a8 deposit, what @ nice plum for some- Baty the use of that dollar! The new style lock boxes are for the convenience and economy of the Post Office Department, for they save more than $6,000 a year on clerk salary. Yet tho public is called upon to pay $5,790 extra for said accommodation vo the department. Tt seems to me that with the same right the grocer may charge for the scales with which he weighs his cus- tomers’ sugar. In fact, when $7,000,000 have been spent on such a building as the new Post Office, the key tax is the smallest potato business Uncle Sam ever wout ANXIOUS INQUIRER, into. Avoust 25, 1 THE CUSTOM HOUSE. ‘There were no items of especial interest in the Custom House Department of the government in this city yes- terday, A summer dulness secms to reign everywhore except among the mechanics, who are busy painting and generally freshening up tho dingy walls and cloister-like corridors of the granite structure, Mr, Phelps, Assistant Surveyor and head of the Ninth divis- fon, told the Heratp representative yesterday that he had directed somo changes to be made in ihe arrango- ment of ‘THR SHIZURE ROOM, whercby reporters and others could receive information dn special room Teese office without their going among the contraband cases, except in certain proper contingencies, and that this office would be open to all sous duly accredited from the journals of New York, Tris is a desirable reform, and will in tho future do away with any favoritism potty officials may bo disposed to exercise, and probably check incivilities which have been known exist to an offensive degree in this de- partment, POOR CHILDREN’S PICNICS. DISTRIBUTION OF THE TICKETS YESTERDAY FOR SATURDAY'’S EXCURSION. ‘That the picnics given to the poor children of the city, under the auspices of the Free Excursion Fund for Children (whic&, by the way, has no connection with St John’s Guild), are looked upon by the parents of these little waifs, as well as the participants themselves, a8 & great boon, was more than ever instanced yesterday by the manner in which the coveted tickets to the next excursion, which takes place on Saturday, were songht after, This excursion gives the little ones of the Tenth ward aday’s amusement in the fresh and pure air, which bat for this magnificent charity they would never experience, In fact since the first estab- lishment of these picnics the children of the various wards have yoarly looked anxiously forward to the day when they could once more enjoy a voyage on the river or bay, a swim, good cheer and the fan inei- dental to all these trips, which take place under the management of Mr. George F. Williams. Any one who witnesses the thorough manner in which the little po- nickers enjoy the treat provided for them cannot fail to be surprised that so much happiness and healthful pleasure can be furnished them at 80 small a cost Karly this week bills were distributed through the Tenth ward, which, as everybody knows, contains an immense quantity of tenement houses, wherein chil- dren dwell as thickly almost as bees in a@ hive, saying that the next picnic for the poor children of this ward would take place on Saturday, and that the tickets would be given out at the Eldridge street station house yesterday at threo o’clock. As & consequence, long before the hour named, there was a congregation of children which filled the thoroughfare from Grand to Broome street, and it was with the greatest difficulty that Captain Ullman, with the assistance of a score of offlcersy could keep tho anxious and expectant throng in order, After some dif- ficulty, however, he managed t8 divide the boys and girls and form them into lines on the sidewalk, where they were as tightly packed as sardines in a box.’ There they were all equal a8 regards condition of life. Most of them were burefooted, wearing clothes that it puzzled the spectator to understand how they could be kept on them; wizened and shrivolled persons, capless and dirty,’ Yet each ono of the vast gatheriug wore an anxious and eager look of expecta- tion, Considering, however, the vast number of theso Litile ones there was but little crushing and no fighting for place, for they one and all knew by past experience that there were tickets enough for every one, and that it required but @ little time for them to secure the sought for piece of pastevoard, Indeed, among these poorly clad and, in most cases, ignorant little speci- meng of humauity were occasionally brought out truits that would do credit to people of larger growth who occupy more envied positions in the world, for time and again, when a poor, laine,’ deformed, or otherwise alflicted boy or. girl would be seen wistfully looking as though he or she would like to obtain a Ucket, but was afraid to Jom in the line for fear of a possible hurt, they were seized on by others stronger than they, and a way would be at once opened for them to be accorded a good position and tender care until the ticket had been obtained, To attempt to describe the incidents of yesterday would be futile. Suffice it, however, to say that as goon as tho tall form of Manager Williams was seen turning the corner he was the recipient of such a hurricane of cheers as to clearly evidence that his labors for tho benefit. of his little charges are at least thor- oughly appreciated by them, AS soon as the ~ station houso was reached he at once began the distribution of tickets, which he completed in one hour exactly, giving out’ in that time 8,000. A notice was then posted up stating that no more tickets would be given out until the morning of the picnic, the start for which takes place from tho station house already named at eight A. M. sharp, It is expected that at least 2,000 children will participate in the pleasures of the day. In order, however, to.enablo these picnics, which are of such incalculable’ benefit to the poor little Arabs of the city, to be continued, it is necessary that contributions should be immediately sent in to Mr. Edward King, Treasurer of the Froe Excursion Fund for Children, No.’ 73 Broadway. THE FLOATING HOSPITAL EXCUR- SION. The excursion of the floating hospital given by St. John’s Guild yesterday was provided for by the Gold Exchange, through Mr. R. T. Bragaw, its Vice Presi- dent, The expense was $258 03, and the number of sick children on board was over 1,100, Dr. Thurman, as is his custom, took his place at the gangway at each landing, to see that so cases of contagious disease came among them. ‘The excursion was under the manage- ment of the Rev, Alvab Wiswall, who was assisted by Mr. Henry King. THE HARLEM FLATS. COMPTROLLER GREEN TRIES TO MAKE A POINT IN FAVOR OF THE NUISANCE, Si Commissioner Porter yesterday sent a communica- tion to the ‘Aldermen relative to the Harlem flats which shows that Comptroller Green is doing his best to thwart the plans of the Commissioner for the filling in and draining of the flats. General Porter states in the communication that, having become satisfied that the resolutions concerning the flats now on tho files of tho Board could not be passed owing to the stand taken by certain of the factious Aldermen, he had availed him- self of the law of 1871 and of the orders of the Board of Health to advertise for proposals to have the flats drained. He says that the bids he received were opened on the 19th of July last, and that the contracts wero drawn up and sent threo days afterward to tho Comptroller with the view of securing his ap- proval of the sureties. The contracts were not returned until the 19th of the present month, and when they were returned they were accom- ed by a letter from the Comptroller, in which e stated that he could not approve of the sureties, bas- ing his refusal on an opinion of the Corporation Coun- sel declaring that assessments for filling in lots could not be made except authorized by an ordinance of the Common Council. On the 24th inst. General Porter replied to this letter of the Comptroller, in which he contended that he (the Comptroller) was mistaken in tho stand he bad taken, and that he Sse Porter) had a legal right to proceed as he had done, as the laws of 1871 and the orders of the Board of Health authorized the filling in of lots wherever necessary to their proper drait He maintained that to Lge eri drain the Harlem flats it is necessary that some filling in should be done, and that this had been done before in filling in other lots within the scity limits To show that fill- ing in can be done under the law of 1871, &c., General Porter called the attention of the Compiroller to an opinion of the Corporation Counsel, dated November 21, 1873, in which that official had stated that filling in was legal when found necessary to drain alot, without the Commissioner previously obtainin, aspecial ordinance of the Common Council, Gener: Porter stated in his communication to the Aldermen that what he had asked the Common Council was that the work on the flais should be done by day’s work, and nut for authority to do it by contract. He did so because he found thatthe workof fillingin had not been properly done under previous contracts, and that some of the earth the contractors used was not of the proper bitte He adds that if the work is done by day’s work It can be done under the supervision of the De- partment of Public Works, and that the Department could avail itself of a quanuty of fresh earth for filling iu purposes which has already been offered by private parties, To his last communication to the Comptroller the Commissioner bas as yet received no reply. ANOTHER JESSE POMEROY, A San Francisco case of Jesso Pomeroy has come to light’ The Bulletin says that Harry Rogers is a boy of about ten years of age, whose mother, now Mrs, Chris- tian Herdt, formerly a resident of Oakland, now lives on Vallejo street, above Stockton, When about eight years of age the youngster was detected in catching tho neighbors’ chickens, which, having conveyed to some hiding place, he proceeded to torture to death by inflict- ing cuts on every part of their body with pieces of glass, apparently utterly regardiess of the sometimes painful wounds which his own fingers received from his un- manageable weapon during the operation, Curiously enough, he seemed to have sense enough to prolong the tortures of his victims by avoiding any wound jin tho neck or other vital par that victim of bis — bloodthirstiness were occasionally able to make their way home after being releasod. About this time a disposition to bito and pinch children was manifested, and his mother sent him to the Brothers’ school in Oakland, and afterward to two other private schoois, from all of which he was sent home in a hurry so soon as he began to display hig peculiar propeusities, Finally, after two years of trouble with him, the mother, who sw an invalid, pro- cured him board with family named Bennett, near Saucelito, and here for the first time he seems to have given full vent to his infernal appetite for blood. One day last week ho inveiglod a child of tho family, lees than three years old, into the barn, and covered it par- tially with gunny sacks, after which, with a piece of bone which had been broken so as to present a chiselled edge, he proceeded to cut the child's hips in a most terrible manner, inflicting no less than nineteen wounds, and finishing by severing ite right ear from its head, with the exception of aslight piece of skin. The father of the injured child was absent at the time, and young Rogers was instantly sent home 0 his mother, sig- nalizing his arrival by setting fire to the curtains and nearly destroying the hous, His mother declares that the mania bas come hs him entirely within the past two years, and that when accused of his misdeeds ho frankly owns up, only saying he ‘could not help it.” On one occasion he got hold of ablack and tan puppy belonging to his stepfather, which was of so diminutive @ breed that when ball grown it weighed one and a half pounds, and literally flayed it alive, causing a not loss of to the owner, The boy presents no marked pe- culiarities of appearance, and is especially lacking in the full under jaw generally supposed to indicate a bloodthirsty disposition, At school ho studies well, and is fully equal in point of education to average boys of his age, Judge Louderback committed him to the Industrial School, where his fature course will be watched with no Lttle interest, A VILLAGE TRAGEDY. —— LOVE, JEALOUSY, SUICIDE AND PROBABLE MUR- DER—A FARM LABORER AND HIS WIFE QUAR- REL OVER THE WIFE'S AFVINITY—THE HUS- BAND CUTS HIS THROAT AFTER AN ATTEMPT TO KILL HER. * Srver’s Station, Pa, Angust 24, 1875. The epidemic of crime that seems to be sweeping over the country has penetrated even to this quiet and hitherto peaceful hamlet in Northern Pennsylvania, taking the form here of one of those fearful domestic tragedies that from time to time shock and sicken whole communities, The circumstances of the case are as follows:—About a year ago @ young man named Jerome B. Wilcox, a farm hand, working then for a farmer named William Wilson, just out of this place, whs married to a girl named Selinda James. Neither party was of very good stock, nor were their personal antecedents any of the best. Wilcox was one of three brothers who were born ina small log hut inthe mountains near here of parents who lived on the com- munity, Two of the brothers were forced to fly the place to escape arrest and punishment for assaulting and attegnpting to outrage @ young lady school teacher about a year ago, Jerome worked now and then for farmers, but never for longer than to get money enough to have a periodical spree, The girl James bore a bad name, with the rest of her family, but being an excellent domestic was tolerated in good families, . A FOURTH OF JULY WEDDING, A year ago Jast July Wilcox and Selinda James came to this village to spend the Fourth. While here the former bantered the girl to get married, She consented and they were made man and wife by Esquire Powell. After a couple of days’ carousing about and visiting friends the newly married couple returned to their employer’s house, Hoping that by being married a mutual reformation might be effected in the couple, Mr. Wilson fitted them up a house on the farm, furnished it and gaye it to them rent free, each one to perform tho duties they had been accustomed to about the farm. Matters progressed well for some time, when diMoulties grew up between Wilcox and his wife, and quarrels and fights became common, Tho consequence was that Wilcox increased his sprees, and in ono of them he gave his wife a beating. She left him and returned to the farmer’s house, AN APPINITY FOR MRS. WILCOX. Soon after her return Wilcox was discharged and went of A young man named David Callen was hired in his place. Mrs, Wilcox, and Callen svon formed an intimate acquaintance, and their conduct so scandalized the farmer's family that they were both discharged, The woman went to her father’s house, and Callen found work in the vicinity and occasionally called upon her, Last Friday Wilcox reappeared in this village Ho ‘was intoxicated, and said he had come back to settle up with his wife,.as he had heard all about her conduct, His friends did not attach much importance to his words, and he remained about the place until evening, drinking very little, ‘THE PATAL MEETING. About nine o’clock he went to his former empl oyer at the farm and inquired for his wife. Upon being told that she had gone home to live, he went there. The Jameses were in bed when ho reached there, but he aroused them and said he wanted to see his wife Tno latter's mother replied that sho wasn’t in, and that if she was he couldn’t see her. Wilcox then turned and walked up the road about half a mile, when he met a man and woman walking quite fast in the opposite di- rection, He stepped in front of them and inquired, “Is that you, Selind#” “Yog, ie me; and what’re you going to do about 11?” ‘was the reply he received. “Dll show you what'll do if you dou’t leave Dave Callen and come with me |? THR MURDER, The couple then attempted to oe by Wil when, with an oath, he grasped Callen by the arm, and, draw. tng a large khife, attempted to stab him. Callen jerked away and ran up the roud. The woman started toward home crying, “Murder!” Callen heard tho cry and saw Wilcox start after her, He did not hear nor sce more, but went in @roundabout way to James’ house. This Wok him ten or fifteen minutes. Neither Wilcox nor his wife had yet reached the house, aud Callen at once raised the alarm, with the cry, “Jerome has killed Selind up here in the road.” 4 DISCOVERY IN THK Woops. The woman's father and brother, together with Callen, Started as soon as possible up the road, and about 10 yards this side of where Wilcox had met Callen and his Wife they found Wilcox lying in the road. The light from the lantern showed that his throat was cut from ear to ear and that he was dead. A few feet further on "they found Mrs, Wilcox lying in the grass off of the road, She was groaning, but unconscious. Her friends picked her up and carried her home, and then sent for farmer Wilson and Esquire Powell, With them came a large number of neigh- Loe and an inquest was held on the remains of Wilcox. Besides the gash in the throat he was cut in the right forearm, among the large arteries. A large dirk knife was found lying by his side, near his left hand, A verdict was found in accordance with the accompany- ing facts and circumstances, Mrs. Wilcox was found to have received two stabs in the left side of her neck, but not he Another bad cut was in the right breast and one below the ribs on tho right side. It was evident that she had struggled bard for life, and when she finally fell to the ground fuinting from loas of blood, her assailant, supposing that she was dead, finished the bloody work by becoming his own executioner. The neighborhood is wild with excitement over the terrible affair, The wounded woman was alive at last accounts, but little hope was had of her recovery, TRAGEDY IN THE WOODS. A HIGHWAYMAN SHOT BY A CONSTABLE—THE BODY MYSTERIOUSLY REMOVED. About midnight on Wednesday night the old Myrtle avenue road, between Jamaica and Newtown, was tho scene of a deadly encounter between an ofiicer of the law and a supposed highwayman. Constable Abrah&m Hamer, of Jamaica, had a warrant for the arrest of a man in Nowtown village, and about eight o’clock in the evening he rode over to serve it, riding Inalight road wagon. His man, it happened, ‘was not at home, and he consequently had to wait some time for his return from the city, whither he had gone on business. When he finally did return he proposed to obtain bail, but, of course, the constable was not authorized to take it, and it was too late to obtain it by the usual proceeding. In this emergency, as he did not wish to take the man to prison, he, at last, consented to take some other person's guaranteo for the prisoner's appearance at Jamaica in the morning, which, after some further delay, was obtained, and the officer started for home. The road between Newtown and Jamaica is a lonely one, and Officer Hamer after leaving the former village prudently cocked his revolver and laid it-upon the seat beside him, Between Glendale and Richmond Hill the Myrtle avenue road is at some points densely shaded by thick woods on either side, and the moon had not yet risen. Reaching a placo where the road is narrow and bordered by bogs on either side he was driving slowly, when a little distance south of the tactory of Messrs. Lalance & Grosjean his horse, @ very spirited one, suddenly plunged to one side, and the wagon slid partially down into the roadside gutter, Looking for the cause of his horse’s actions ho, through the thick darkness, discovered the form of a man at his head, holding the check rein, and appar- ently entangled by his clothing with the shaft. Hamer, after groping for a second or two, found hig revolyor in the bottom of the wagon, where it had dropped, and, aiming as well as he could in the darkness, fired at the inan, who, up to that time, had not uttered @ sound. The man at once dropped to the ground with @ groan, and Hamer subsequently heard a gurgling sound, as if from his throat, Haier immediately dismounted, and, after quicting the horse, proceeded to examine the prostrate form to see whether there was any life in it, ‘he man was Faget dead, as there was no pulsa- sah rs a the “9g or the heart, Officer Hamer then proceeded to lift his wagon from the ditch and prepared to resume his way home, and in doing so one of the wheels of the wagon ran over tho body, which still did not exhibit any signs of life. Just as he was about to get into the wagon Hamer heard a whistle to the northward, which was immediately an- swered by one from the southward, Anticipating further trouble from confederates of the supposed dead man, who wero evidently near at hand, Hamer crouched behind the wagon, with hia rovolver ready, and determined to give them @ warm reception. After waiting for somo time, however, ag they did not ap- pail he cautiously got into the wagon and drove slowly homeward until he got out of the woods, when he increased his speed, not having been molested, Arriving at Jamaica Hamer awoke the Coroner, and the two went back to remove the body, which had been left where it fell. No body was found, however, tho dead man’s confederates having removed {t meantime, Nothing was found at the spot but some blood on tho ground, the marks of the wagon wheels where it had slid into the gutter and the footprints of the horse, At daylight yesterday morning the search was re- newed by a party of men, but no trace of any cor} could be found in any direction, No doubt it was either removed by confederates in some conveyance or buried in some out-of-the way place im the swamp Which is not easy of discovery, Officer Hamer, who is a courageous and trustworthy officer, bas no doubt that he killed the man, and his only regret now is, that he did not put the body in the wagon when he Iolt the scene of the. shooting, Word of the occurrence was telegraphed to the Brockiyn and New York police. Up to a late hour last night there had been no new developments in the case. DEATH OF MR. NOE. FATAL TERMINATION OF THE INJURIES INFLICTED BY HIS BURGLAR ASSAILANT. Mr. J H. Noe, the gentleman who was so furiously assaulted early last Sunday morning in his store at No, 275 Greenwich street, died at the Chambers Street Hospital last evening at five minutes past seven o’clock, ‘The circumstances attendant upon his death are so remarkable that the following brief recapitulation of the terrible incidents preceding it do not seem to be out of place:— a ‘THE stORY, Briefly, the story is as follows:—Some time during last week Mr. Noe received at his place of business a large invoice of very expensive feathers, the value of which exceeded $10,000. Owing to the condition of the stores adjoining his, one of which was uncompleted, the safety of his own establishment was involved, a fact which led him to leave his house several hours before daybreak on Sunday morning, and pro- ceed to 275 Greenwich street, Upon enter- ing his store and cxamiming his premises he beheld a burglar trying to escape down a ladder, Mr, Noe made a rush for the 1an and succeeded in securing him, He dragged him down a narrow pair of stairs in the top story. A furious struggle ensued, during which the burglar struck Mr. Noe on the head with a “‘jimmy,’? ‘Two more blows with the sane implement rendered Mr, Noe powerless, The burglar then tied bis hands and feet with a stout cord and bound and gagged his mouth, Consciousness returning after a while, Mr. Noe beheld the burglar quietly washing his hands, Mr, Noe begged for water, but the burglar reiused him, and having previogsly robbed him of a valuable watch and Bikin, as well as $25 in cash, left the premises, and has in ali human probability, up to this hour, evaded arrest, Mr. Noe, lying in a of blood, was suffering from yreat pain, and for se' hours cried in vain for help, At last a lady, Mra Harris by name, hearing the cries, crept down an old rotten and ailppary roof, and at imminent danger of her own life gained entrance to the room where Mr, Noe was lying and cut the cords which bound him hand and foot, She also gave the wlarm for aid, which subse- quently conveyed him to (he Chambers Street Hospital, whero he hus ever since been lying. THE DETECTIVES, The terrible news spread like wildfire over the city, and a general alarm aroused all the detectives. Then came the usual number of false detentions and arrests, with the old stereotyped assurances from the authori ae they were ceriwin to catch the man who did While all this was going on Mr, Noe was lying in a very precarious state, frum which, however, owing to his ofoseainaly, strong constitution, his physicians were hopeful he might rally, so that he would at least be able to {identify the party who had assaulted him, But though for a@ litile ‘time there were cer- tain grounds for these fair, hopes, bis condition latterly gradually set them aside, and his physicians phngecitag ds felt sure that he was beyond all human aid. ie was conscious on Wednesday night just long enough wo identify his wife and children fanny yuped y fe around his bedside, but he alinost immediately fell into & comotose state, from which he never revived, aid im the depth of which he quietly passed away last evening, At no time during his suiiering would the physicians permit the police to bring any one to his bedside for identification, and now that he is dead all hope is passed of ever arresting the man who murdered him. Here, then, in @ brie poriod of time two rich and respectable citizens have been murdered by men enter- ing their premises to steal, and in each instance has the murderer escaped, and the “vest police force in the world” have given'up all expectation of finding him, The whereabouts of the murderer of J. H. Nve are as unknown as those of Benjimin F, Nathan, and the death of both must now Le ascrived to those unknown ruffans who, in the largest cily of America and under the eyes of the police, cau enter private dweilings acd ublic stores, crush in buman skulls with ‘dogs’ and Jimmies,” carry off their booty and remain forever unsuspected aud wuknown, THY FAMILY, Mr, Noo’s family, consistiug of a wife, four sons and two daughters, were at his bedside when he died, He had made no Wilk Permission has been given for the removal of his body, The Curuner will bo.d the inquest immediately, si ALMOST MURDERED BY HIGHWAY- MEN, THE BLOODY AFFRAY AT THE HACKENSACK BRIDGE—TIHE SUPPOSED PERPETRATORS IN CUSTODY. ' Jon Hughes, the Jersey City contractor, who was beaten so severely by rowdies on Wednesday morning near the Hackensack Bridge, now lies in a very precari: ous condition at his residence, corner of Wilkinsow avenue and the Bergen Point Piank Road. The police of the Fourth precinct scoured the Vicinity of the affray, and about midnight on Wednesday they succeeded in arresting George Norton and George Watson at a hotel in Greenville. Jobn McGillen, a bartender employed at Robert Blewitt’s saloon on Communipaw avenue, waa also arrested and held as a witness, The prisoners were arraigned before Justice Keese yesterday morning, McGillen tesvifigd that between one and two o'clock on Wednesday morning Hughes and tho two prisonera entered the saloon; be was not acquainted with them; but he described them so accurately that the police had! no difficulty in finding them; they drank four rounds of ale, for which Hughes paid; after the lapse of twenty minutes they left, saying \uey were going to the picuic at Glendale. George Watson, one of tho prisoners, then made the jlowing statement :—I am twenty-two years old; was born in Brooklyn, am a jeweller by trade; live oa West. Side avenue; have not been at work tor three months. He admitted having beqn at the saloon with Hughes, und that he left with him to go to the picnic, but’ when: he reached the corner of Bergen avenue he changed his: mind and went home, George Norton, the other prisoner, stated that he was twenty years old and lived on Harrison avenue with his mother; was a painter, bat had not worked at that busi- ness for a long time; earned his living by playing ball at $8aday; was with Hughes in the saloon; about three o'clock they left aud went home; he said that Hugh while in the saloon, said he was going to run for Sheriff, and he treated the boys liberally. Both prisoners wero remanded for further examimation, The police found the weapon with which Hughes’ head was battered. It is known as a ‘black jack,’ made of whalebone and lead, and was picked up close wo the spot where Hughes was found da He received five blows of this weapon on the head. e gold watch and chain and the ring and money stolen from Hughes afier he became unconscious have not been recovered. ‘The police are contident that they have the guilty par- ties in custody, One sergeant remarked that he has known them to be ‘‘very hard characters’? Watson éleeps in an empty house every night and has no home, Norton wag in the habit of carrying a slungshot, and the police say they can trace the ownership of the weapon found to him. It will be also shown that al- though the prisoners were not acquainted with Hughes they watched him and tracked him closely on Tuesday night SUSPICIOUS CLEMENCY. An investigation has been made by Sheriff Sammis in regard to the allegation that a Mrs. O'Neill, of New: town, had been discharged from the Quoens County Jail at North Hempstead, by the jailer, Coombs, after a few days’ confinement, when she, according to sentence, should have been compelled to stay there six months Coombs, having been recently removed trom the position on account of lax discipline and other irregularities, the jail records were searched by Mr. Sammis, and it appears that Mary O'Neill was committed on the 7th of July by Justice Murphy, of Newtown, for six months, on the charge of being drunk and disorderly, The sen- tence was regarded as excessive, the Lisgoye} in j such cases being generally limited to from thirty to ninety days, but with thie, of course, the jailor bad pavoine 8 todo The ar of the same wom signed few same Justice Murphy, was also foun among the records, and is dated tbe ath of July. So that instead of remaining six months in jail she was only kept about five days, The Sherif! knows nothing about the inducements held out for this quick discharge, but Mra. O'Neill alleges that she paid $50 to Justice Murphy for her release, Whether any portion of this amount ‘went to Coombs does not yet appear, WHAT KILLED HER? Areport having been circulated that the friends ot Miss Fanny Oakes, who recently died at Patchogue, as alloged from the effects of a dose of ether, administered by Dr. V. Smith, a dentist, propose to commence a suit for damages against him, Dr, Smith makes a state- ment to the effect that he administered the ether at her request; that he extracted thirteen teeth, more or less decayed, and as soon as the last one was pulled she was herself again and appeared to be all right Two weeks afterward he saw her again, and sho said she folt better than sho did before she her teeth pulled, It is further stated in Dr. Smith’s defence that shortly be- fore Miss Oakes died she was taken sick and Dr, 1 ‘was called in, who found her suffering from disease of the heart, from which she di twenty-six days after the ether had been Adminiecered Under the circum- stances @ suit for damages seems improbable, BRUTAL ASSAULT. George Grove, eighty-six years of aga, residing at ths corner of Fourth avenue and Twenty-second street, South Brooklyn, was escorting his niece, Miss Deacon, to her residence in that vicinity, on Wednesday even- ing, when ho was suddenly struck on the back of the head with a barrel stave and felled to the ground. The blow was dealt him by one of a gang of young corner loafers, who took flight when the old man fell, Mr. D. Feely discharged two shots from a revolver at the flee- ing ruflians, Mr. Grove’s skuil was found to be frac tured. His recovery is regarded bv the physi extremely doubtful ia