The New York Herald Newspaper, October 7, 1875, Page 4

at ea THE BLACK The Intended Massacre of the Commis- . sioners by the Wild Sioux. A DAY BIG WITH APPREHENSION. How Suspicion and It Peeling Were Aroused Among the Indians. THE GATHERING OF THE TRIBES Advance of the Red Columns and the Dispositions for an Attack, HOW THE DANGER WAS AVERTED. Honor to the Brave Young-Man- Afraid-of-His-Horses. THE STORY OF A CHIEFTAINESS. Rep Croup Ixpran Agency, Neb., Sept. 24, 1875. ‘The annals of human horrors might have gained a new and bloody chapter yesterday, had a signal been given. The Grand Council for the perpetuation of peace between the white people and the Sioux nation by the purchase of the Black Hills and the Big Horn Mountains would in a moment have become a scene of | massacre unequalled since that of Fort Phil Kearney. It searcely needs further demonstration that the mak- ing of a treaty at present will be most difficult, and is, Perhaps, even impossible, Stumbling blocks have gradually filiea the way since Licutenant Colonel Dodge's expedition was sent into the Black Hills, and the Commissioners, in the manner in which they have. conducted the preliminary negotiations, as I have shown in a previous letter, have been far from mitigat- ing the jealousies between tribes and chiefs, but have rather engendered fresh feeling of discontent. The two Commissioners, whe are thoroughly acquainted with ‘the Indian charastor—Messrs. Hinman aud Beauvais— ought to have been able to have pre- vented this, but they did not Beauvais is, fndeed, disgusted with the modern method of treating with the Indians, great feast had been made for all the chiefs and an im- mense pile of blankets and other presents had been Placed in the middie of the council circle, they would have come to terms jong ago. But this has not been * done, and the experience of yesterday is the result of estimating the intelligence of the Indian too high and of expecting him to treat and bargain in the abstract, His mode of doing business is otherwise. He requires some evidence of his promised compensation to be visible and within his reach before his native enthusiasm for a trade is aroused. He ts by nature a barterer, and @ prompt one, too, but all his transactions are per- formed with tangible values and seldom with mere Promises, unless they emanate from him only. The Commissioners bave excited in bin SUSPICION OF A FRAUD intended, in making such a proposition as that of bor- rowing or leasing the Black Hills and Big Horn Moun- tains, instead of buying them outright, in accordance with the idea with which the chiefs were impressed when they went to Washington last spring. The speech | Of President Allison on Monday was a great surprise to all the Indians. Whenever they had talked therctotore with the Commissioners the words used had been, “to buy the Black Hills” Without questioning the honesty of the commission it cannot fail to be ap- parent that toa dull-intellect there would seem in this change of purpose a deep design to deceive. The mo- tive would be in jesseniug the estimate of the coun- cilmen of the value of what they would be relin- quishing. Many of their chiefs are shrewd enough to discern so much, but, unfortunately, cannot see further. The Commissioners cannot be accused of insincere dealing, because they are all gentlemen of too much Bagacity to stop where the [ndian would and imagine that the acceptance of such a proposition would be more to the pecuniary advantage of the government than to bin. THE SQUAW MEN. The feeling among the Indians inimical to the ac- ceptance of a reasonable price for their lands has been mainly caused and nurtured by the miserable class of creatures called ‘“‘squaw men,’’ who, by all the machinations in their power, are and have been en- deavoring to exaggerate in their minds the value of the gold region sought after, Spotted Tail has a son. in-law, a portly Frenchman, and Red Cloud's daughters uro married to Nick Jarnis and Todd Randall. Those men have strong influence with the chiefs and their people, are sought | after by them for advice, and, in reality, fa treaty ts | made, will be the makers of it on the part of the Ogal. lalas and Brulés. Fielding, an interpreter, is of equal importance among the Missouri River Sioux. To serve private interests such men as these incite the Indians to any course which suits them and too often succeed im their purposes. They have considerable control over the Sioux with whom they reside, It is often used to embarrass the agents and is now employed to thwart | the plans of the commission. Their influence is so Powerful that orders for them to leave the Indian res- ervation forthwith bave been time after time rescinded almost under compulsion of their red skin constituents, ‘THE WILD INDIANS, Another and more imminently dangerous clement, however, to create trouble in council and lodge, are the Northern Indians, whom the sub-commission, with the aid of Louis Richards, induced to atsend the treaty- making. It would have been wiser to have allowed these wild warriors, who bave never before been at an agency, to remaim where they have hitherto roamed. Having never pretended to behave themselves, their right to the consideration of the gov- ernment is very small Little Big Man, their chief, has been a devil of discord in every council beld by the Indians in the villages. He has argued, threatened and cursed to induce the Cheyennes and Ogallala and Bralé Sioux to withdraw from treating with the whites. The young men of the first would require little persuasion to put them in readiness for any devilment. Southern Cheyenves are still among them and still bitterly hos- tile to the whites, One of them, a week ago, was breathing bloody threats through the camps, which it is now certain were not altogether without significance, He bad made a yow to shoot a Commissioner in the council, aud there were a sufficient number of young bucks ina similar mond to wipe out the wholeof the delegation from the Tonka-Sila. Little Big Mam abided many days at the village of Young-Man-Afraid-of-His- Horses, The young Ogallalas aro easily excitable, and do not like the peaceful pace of Red Cloud, nor, indeed, the stole policy of Young-Man-Atraid-of-His-Horses_ They envy and hate Sitting Bull, head soldier; and they are ready to do war or murder on their own re sponsibility. Little Big Man was also received by the Wazacbi and Kiocsi bands, and on the evening before the talk of yesterday was at the camp of Sintigeliska, engaged in an carnest council with the great chief. So earnest it was that {t gradually grew confused and discourteous, and Spotted Tail and Littl hhausted Dakota invective upon each other. Little Big ‘Man went from the council fire swearing away the life of Sintigeliska, who answered him that he bad but once todie, Little Big Man threatenod him with annihi tion if he came to the general council. Mis anger knew 0 bounds, because Spotted Tail would not relin- quish bis position in favor of coding the Black Hills, Fora week the young mon in all the bands had not been in ® happy frame of mind, aud had warned Weir | elders, when they were gathered to smoke the calumet and talk, to “heed the young men!” Spotted Tail’s braves had Joined in this cry. VOLY UCxORS. ht rumors, ugly im purport, bad come tothe y during Wednesday, and in the evening not a red was (o be seon loanging about, as was usual, but wll wae oc!) cod deserted, Not so in the tepees, how- ever, Imposing Woubip wap eming aby and says that if a | Big Man ex- NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, the old. ‘ YEARS OF THE COMMISSIONERS, The commission on Tuesday morning started at a seasonable hour, with the escort of 120 cavalrymen, for the council tree, Every soldier carried his carbine loaded. There was undoubted apprehension in all minds of an uncertain danger. Its importance or exact phase wes unknown. The council ground was reached long before there were any Indians there, except the soldiers of Sitting Bull—fifty in number—who were on guard to secure the chairs, benches and tables left in the tepee. I I] , there were close councils of the young men as well as of ‘ The sun blazed notly and there was no breeze to cool | Indians were grouped on the kndlls and single | the air. horsemen were observed at a distance galloping through hollows, appearing and disappearing. Patience is a virtue with which the commission have shown an intimate acquaintance, much to their credit, as the Savages are superlative in vexatious delays. They sat under the canopy and talked, and finally ate lunch in the tent before a single Indian came to shake hands with them, The ground was covered by a fine dust which the slightest movement caused to rise in pene- trating clouds. The question discussed was the aban- donment of the negotiation unless the Indians came forward and gave them some decisive response to their late proposition, Much discouragement was expressed by certain Commissioners. ‘At noon No Flesh and a few Brulés arrived, and soon after Spotted Tail came with all his sub-chiefs and war- riors. They dismounted from thei horses at a little distance and sat down to smoke and converse. From that moment dusky horsemen continued to appear over the eastern horizon, most of them in close rank. After the Brulés the Yancktonais and Uncapapas appeared. Most of them were unarmed. They dismounted near the bank of the river, where they secured their ponies and then advanced foward the canopy, led by their prophetess and real chieftainess, Mrs, Gulpin, a civilized and educated Indiantady, cele- brated along the Missouri River as the widow of Galpin, formerly a wader at Standing Rock and a companion of Father de Smet in his dangerous visit to the camps of the wild and cruel tribes then living in the north, The | Flat Heads were the principal of these and at length be- | came tractable Christians and good Roman Catholics, THE INDIANS’ CHIBFTAINESS, Mrs Galpin a few years ago possessed a wonderful | influence over all the Dakotas on the Missouri, and they evidently are guided by her at present. She is of matronly appearance and rmodest and timid in manner, Her features aro of the Ruman type and very refined and benevolent in expression. Her complexion is of a rich olive tint, her eyes darkly brown und her long and | luxuriant black hair is slightly tinged with gray. She at present wears mourning attire, and there is nothing in her dress or countenance indicating the Indian, She commands the utmost respect among both whites and Indians, and her example and benevolent efforts in the cause of the advancement of her race are of great and undoubted public service. When these Indians were drawn up on the east side | ofthe council ground, Mrs. Galpin standing at their front, carrying a sunshade over her bare head, Spotted | Tail rose from his seat in the midst of his chiefs and | came forward toward the Commissioners, who were grouped under the canopy. His tread was stately and | his mien noble. He stood oefore them a fine type of BARBARIAN MANHOOD, | They had never seen him before in his costume of | state, which he now wore, It consisted of leggings, | striped with red and gold, and a jacket, richly embroi- | dered with beads,4n which yellow, green and white were harmoniously blended; aud over all was a, finely woven blanket, parti-colored in red, green and white. In his hair, wnich was dressed in true Indian style, he wore two brilliantly tinted eagle feathers, It couftsbe seen that, while the heart of the great chief was as firin | as arock and untouched by fear, he felt a grave con- sciousness of the uncertain issue of that day’s gather- ing. Thero was a paleness anda set expression in his face as he approached; but it immediately vanished when he grasped the hands of the white chiefsand greeted them with a trueand brave smile. Spotted Tail knew a that moment that he might be standing in the midst of life that soon would be transformed into death; that the menace of Little Big Man was not made idly. By | the time that Spotted Tail bad exchanged greetings | with all the whites present the Indiaus from the Stand- | supported with the right thign and hand, AN INDIAN COLUMN. Looking across the plain to the west long ranks of Indians were scen, just crossing the verge of the horizon and riding down the long slope toward the council tree. It seemed as if there would be no cessation of the successive emerging of line after line of armed warriors to view. So well did they preserve the order which they have learned to imitate from the white soldiery that it looked as if a brigade of cavalry was ap- proaching. The air was filled with their choruses, Their gutteral voices, richly blending, sounded very melodiously. As these dense ranks advanced it was seen that each man bore a rifle, polished to a shining cleanliness, and was attired 80 loosely that all of his clothing could be cast off in an instant, They rode their ponies with nothing on their backs but blankets, Each soidier band formed | a separate line of battle, and thus they closed into the circle on the west and south; Young-Man-Afraid-of-His- Horses at the head of the Ogallalas, and the Cheyennes, under Little Wolf, massing in their rear to the number ' of 200. THY THREATENED ATTACK. The armed array of nearly all the Indians made an unpleasant impression on the Commissioners, Tho chiefs and braves from the Standing Rock Agency, | known to be very friendly in disposition and most com- pletely under contro!, were asked why they remained mounted in council, Their reply was:— We would like to remain mounted.”’ | TheCommissioners, after » moment's consultation, sent reply by an interpreter that, if thoy desired it, they could stay on their horses. Many of the Uncapa- pas, Yancktonais, Brulés and Ogallalas dismounted and sat on the earth, on the inner side of the circla Young- Man-Afraid-of-His-Horses sat thus among his warriors, his father being on his right hand, A silence reigned and the immense assemblage weemed almost inanimate. Directly in front of the Com- missioners, outside the circle, Little Big Man, in perfect | nudity and painted appropriately, sat upon a splendid | gray cbarger, probably once taken from @white man, | with bis scalp, Around him were a few of his young | men, in seanty attire. \ LITTLE BIO MAN is of small stature, but finely formed, the well rounded museles bulging from his limbs and indicating great | strength. In his dark skin he looked likea bronze | statue of some ancient gladiator. His hair is long and sable, his head small and round, and his features very regular for those of an Indian. His oyes gleam very wickedly below a low brow, and seem at times to have | ® look of madness and demoniac cruelty. On the left, two other savages were observed to be naked, one of them wearing over his shoulders @ checkered table- j cloth, His came is White Robe. The other was seated on a magnificent black pony, and both were painted in readiness to do battle Spotted Tail’s people were | grouped on this side, and No Flesh regarded the naked Jodians with watchful scrutiny, Young Man. Afraid of- His-Horses, although bis face never lost its stolidity, kept his eyes fixed upon Little Big Mam while he qui- | etly smoked. THE SCRE. To say that the scene was brilliant and impressive is very little, Tho costumes of the chiefs were varied and conspicuous, Every Indian had a bunch of feathers tied in his hair, Their guns and pistols had been pol- ished so that they shone brightly im the sun. The vast ring of savage warriors and chiefs in dense array was a noble sight, but suggestive cnough of possibilities to thrill the stoutest breast. The cavalry had been posted in the same position as om the first day of the council. OPENING THE COUNCIL. The stlence was broken by the crier, s venerable Ind- tan with good lungs, who secured attention and indi- | cated the commencement of businesa Then about 100 chiefs came forward and shook hands with the Com- missioners, who smiled and responded to their ‘How! bow! Cola!” with patient resignation, The principal o¢ these chiefs were Conquering Bear, Black Bear and Yellow Hair, Ogullalas; Little Black Foot, of the | Blackfeet Sioux; White Rear, of the Yanck, | tonais; White Bull, Turkey Legs, ® renegade Cheyenne; Calfskin rt, Ogallala; Red Cloud, Slow Lull, Minneconjo; Pawnee Killer, Kiocsie; Wolf Nicoleus and Running Antelope, The last said Uthat he desired the concluding council to be held then, as he and his people desired togo bume White Bear brought his sop to the Commissioners and presented Saying, Wilh pleasurg aod pride shining in his ing Rock Agency had moved up closer to the Commus- | | sioncrs and sat motionless on their horses, with guns | “We are afraid there will be trouble in this council, | | and iftbere is we want to have our horses near us. | | yieeu face, that he had resigned his chieftainship, having | become very old, and had given itto him, The sense | of fear among the elder Indians showed itself by their | refusal then to draw nearer the Commissioners and | share the shelter of the canopy. The latter, therefore, | caused a portion of it to be removed so that they could | be seen by their red brethren. Silence once more fell over the conclave, and Red Cloud and Spotted Tail, amid murmurs of approbation | in the Dakota tongue, advanced from opposite sides of | the circle toward each other. Red Cloud, whopreserved | astately dignity, stopped before reaching the centre, and Spotted Tail was thus compelled to go the farther distauce to meet him. He did not hesitate, however, but with a natural, lofty grace, showing him superior to petty scruples of pride, and the living impersonation of Fenimore Cooper's North American savage, he madoa merit of an intended humiliation, and raised himsely in the estimation of whites and barbarians. The scene was historical and pregnant with meaning to those who contemplated while gazing upon it the past, present and future of the red race The opinion that never again | will a simjlar one be enacted, with the same significant surroundings, will surely not be disputed. The present 1s the last grand gathering of the greatest of the sur viving Indian nations, Spotted Tail and Red Cloud sat on the ground in op- posite positions, and were immediately joined by Two | Strike and Little Wound, both second in authority in their respective tribes, Other chiefs quickly followed their example, striding into the arena, and an inner circle being formed a council within # council was soon | in progress. A ripple of uneasiness seemed to pass through the vast throng. Red Dog at this moment arose and spoke as follows, seemingly greatly excited :— SPEECH OF RED DOG. “My friends, we are here to treat peacefully with the men sent to us by the Great Father. But it seems go me that it looks very bad for both the whites and the Indians to be here with their guns in council.” Before this speech a silent movement’ had been ob” served by Colonel Mills and Captain Eagan, command- ing the cavalry guard, and Sitting Bull had gone over to the spot where Young Man-Afratd-of-His-Horses was seated and placed himself opposite him, While Red Dog was speaking aband of young men from the Ogallaia and Cheyenne camp had crossed the White River silently and placed themselves in the rear of the soldiers and council. Some had dismounted and thrown themselves among the grass and shrubbery, and others still remained on their horses, hidden by the tall bushes near the bank of the stream. When those visible were first observed their guns were cocked, Little Big Man, astride of his powerful charger, was meanwhile keeping up a constant movement in the outskirts of the crowd, circling around and around with a few of his braves, Indians who had been sitting on the ground suddenly got up and mounted their horses. Instinctive perception of the imminent danger by this time had aroused the small group of white men seated in the centre of the perfect trap formed by the Indians. The first shot, the brief struggle and the finale of ter- rible butchery were confidently expected, MILITARY PRECAUTIONS. Your correspondent went to the rear of the canopy to observe the Indians who were lying in ambush, and found there General Terry and Colonel Comingo, both agitated. Colonel Mills mounted his best soldier, Cor- poral Ballard, on the finest horse in his company and sent him around the outer edge of the crowd, with an | order to keep near Little Big Man, watch him closely, and, on the smallest hostile signal, to shoot him dead, Corporal Ballard is well known as a perfect marksman, and is rashly brave, He obeyed his orders, The cav- alry were moved backward a few pace, to enable them to maneuyre easily. Captain Eagan swore between his } teeth to ‘give the red devils hell if a shot was fired.”” Orders were given, however, that Spotted Tail’s and Red Cloud’s people be not fired at, THE DANGER AVERTED. Young-Man-Afraid-of-His-Horses had meanwhile | seen the danger and knew its approach before the whites. Those who observed him say that he simply | removed his pipe from his mouth and spoke a word to | an attendant warrior, who quietly retired, and in a | few minutes a band of Indians had driven the young | bucks from their position in the rear, and had formed | | in line of battle to support the troops, Their leader, an | old man on a white horse, meanwhile loudly exhorted | them to courage and loyalty to the whites, reciting, as | arefrain, his own brave deeds, The movement was as | well and quickly executed as would have been possible for a company of United States soldiers. For ten minutes longer there was the most intense suspense, An assurance then began to be felt that Little Big Man had seen his plans frustrated, and soon | after he was observed on the inside of the conclave, sitting quietly on his horse, but wearing an angry and | malicious expression in his face. He subsequently | shouted loud disapprobation of parts of White Bull's | speech. Old-Man-Afraid-of-His-Horses was standing in the inner circle of chiefs, and joined in the council. Red Dog, after the moment of apprehension had passed, again came forward and addressed himself especially to Commissioner Beauvais. He said: RED DOG CONTINUES. “You are in too much of a hurry to make this treaty. You can go around in the States in summer and in win- ter and walk where you like, But you are afraid of staying out here too late in the season. We have fine weather here now and there is no reason why you should not remain here Jong enough to allow us tomake up our minds about selling our country. It is not so plain tous ye. We have got an important business before us now and you must give us time to consider it.” He concluded by saying that the Two Kettle band | | were starving and that the Commissioners had better give them some beefto eat or they would not remain | longer at the council, but would go home, White Bull, of the Sans Arc band, next delivered an effective harangue, in which he accused the Ogallalas and Brules of petty jealousies and squabblings, and said that Red Cloud and Spotted Tail @ere fools. He Said that he and his people had come there to do busi- ness and were ready now to make the treaty. They had long ago decided on what they should do, They should notremain here any longer than two more suns, when they would start for home. They had many bundred miles to travel, and the snow would soon cover the ground. The principal chiefs said they would be ready to meet the Commissioners again on Saturday, and the conclave then began to disperse. The Indians from the Standing Rock Agency came forward to the canopy and said that they would leave this country on Satur- day forhome They resisted the persuasions of the Commissioners, and declared that they could not ro- mainlonger. They had business at home to attend to | and wanted to return before winter. They were asked | by President Allison about their position in regard to a treaty should one be framed with the other Indians, They replied that they would delegate their ‘father’? or agent, Major Burke, to accept or reject it tor them, according to his judgment, The Commissioners got into the artillery ambulances and returned to the agency under escort. A band of Ogallaias was stationed on an elevated point in the road, to watch for their safety, as | was informed with signs when | rode up to them in advance of the general cavalcade. ‘THY REALITY OF THE DANGER. Since the council of yesterday evidence has been ac- | cumulating of the reality of the danger of a general | massacre, It was observed that at the critical time the | hhalf-breeds under the canopy, all of whom, an unusual fact, carried rifles, stole to the rear and disappeared in the brush along the river, Two of them, well known here ag interpreters, ran down its banks four or five miles, All of them bad received warnings from their Sioex relatives They had been told that there would be trouble in the council and thata great many people would be killed. It has also been learned that the | young braves who stationed themselves in the rear of Ube gathering, near the stre: were exactly equal in numbers to the troops on guard, and that each man had his special victim assigned him, who stood immo- | diately in frovt of him, within easy range of his gun. Louis Richards, the interpreter for the commission, re- coivea warnings frou several Indians to leave the coun- ci. He told them that be had been employed to inter- pret for the commission, and that he should do it if it cwused big death, During all the excitement Louis stood in (he most dangerous place, directly in front of the Commissioners, with a stolid countenance and no | betrayal of the slightest knowledge of his peril. At the | dispersion many of tho elderly Indians were very earn- | ot im their congratulations to the white men on the avoidance of a disturbance. One of them actually hogged your correspondent and shook him repeatedly by the bad, mistaking bim tor an amiable representa- tive of the Great Father, e THA LOYALTY OF A curRe. The loyalty shown by Young-Man-Afraid-of His- Horses js in keeping with his record as a good Indian The commission bave discussed the propriety of recé nizing him as the principal chief of the Ogalialas, and certainly the great extout of bis influence and his wi doubted rank would justify such an act as wise and pol- iia Red Cloud's usefulness bas gone, although he is wo proud to believe it. H* isonly nominally achief, hav- ing formerly been Old-Man-Afraid-of His-Horses’ head soldier, and was raised to power only by the will of the whites. He is not recognized by many of the best men of his tribe as their chief. Young-Man-Afraid-of-His- Horses not only deserves the reward promised him by | the commission for his expedition to the north, but other aad more valuable appreciation for his later ser- OCTOBER 7, 1875.—TRIPLE SHEET, RAPID: TRANSIT. The Commissioners’ Second Report to the Mayor. THE NATURE OF THE STRUCTURE. The Rate of Fares and Other Details of the Work. Particulars of the Organization of the Manhattan Railway Company. The Rapid Transit Commission yesterday made their report to the Mayor of the character of the structure authorized by them. The report, which covers twenty foolscap pages, states very little that the public have not already learned from day to day through the Heratp. They leave the plans of structure to the judgment of the capitalists, who build and operate the roads, merely providing detailed specifications for their guidance and permitting them to use the best features of the plans filed. These specifications authorize the creation of roads precisely similar to the illustrations given in Tuesday’s Heranp, The most im- portant features of the report are annexed :— Although the Now York Elevated Railway Com- pany and the Gilbert Elevated Railway Company give us reasonable assurance that they will construct and operate railways within the times and upon the routes prescribed to them by us, we still adhere to the opinion, suggested in our ‘previous report, and for the reasons there stated, that A NEW CORPORATION should be organized, as the law allows us to do, to ren- der assurance doubly sure that our labors will result in rapid transit actually accomplished. That corporation we have decided to name “The Manhattan Railway Company ;” it is to be organized with a capital stock of 2,000,000, and books of subscription to the capital will be opened’ within the next thirty days, and, as soon as practicable, after we shall have drawn the articles of association by the law required to be by us prepared for the subscribers. We have also, and within the statutory ninety days, determined the times within which the several portions of the railways shall be constructed and be ready to be operated, together with the maximum rates to be paid POR TRANSPORTATION and conveyance over such railways, and the hours dur- ing which’ SPECIAL CARS OR TRAINS SHALL BR RUN at reduced rates of fare. Copies of our resolutions on these subjects are hereto annexed as a part of this sreport, Q THE SPECIFICATIONS, Accompanying the report are specifications as to the structure, the main points of which are as follows: The general plan or plang of the structure shall be of an elevated railway, with the track or tracks supported upon a row or rows of columns; the track or tracks shall be carried by longitudinal ‘girders, resting either upon the tops of the columns ur upon transverse gird- ers, supported by the columns, Where the Width of the suroet between the curb. stdhes doés nol eXceed thirty-six feet the plan of con- struction shall be as follows, as the company construct- ing the railway shall elect, t. ¢,—either First—With a row of columns ou tho line of each curb, and a superstructure carrying two tracks upon transverse girders spanning the street; or, ‘Second—With a row of columns upon the line of each curb, and a superstructure carrying a single track over each row of columns; or, Third—With gothic transverse arches spanning the roadway of the street from curb to curb and carrying longitudinal girders. Where the width of the street between the curb- stones is more than thirty-six feet but less than fifty- five feet, the plan of construction shall be as follows, ag the company constructing the railway shall clect—a.'¢., either First—With a row of columns on tho line of cach curb, and a superstructure carrying wo transverse girders spanning.the street; or, Second—With two rows of columns, the one upon the line of either curb and the other along or near the centre line of the roadway of the stroct, and a superstructure carrying two tracks upon transverse girders spanning the portion of the roadway of the street between the two rows of columns, but this plan is allowed only in New Church street “and in tho case of a stroct wie thero is no existing street railroad upon the surface of the roadway; or, Third—W ith a row of columns upon the line of each curb and a superstructure carrying a single separate track over each row of columns, but this plan is not al- lowed along or over Second avenue, between East Hous- ton street and East Twenty-third street; or, Fourth—W ith Gothic transverso arches spanning the roadway of the street from curb to curb and carrying longitudinal girders, Where the width of the stroet or avenue betwoen tho } curbstones is fifty-five feet or more, the plan of con- struction shall be as follows, as the company construct- ing the railway shall elect—< e., either First—With a row of columns upon the line of gach curband a superstructure carrying two tracks upon transverse gris spanning the street; or, \d—With two rows of columns in ‘the roadway of the street, and a superstructure carrying two tracks | upon transverse girders, but no columa authorized in this plan of construction shall be erected between any two tracks of street railroad upon the surface of the ‘ay; OF, Third With a row of columns upon the line of each curb, and a superstructure carrying a single separate track over each row of columns, but this plan is not allowed along or over Eighth or Ninth avenue, between ‘West Sixty-first street and West 110th street; or, Fourth—With Gothic transverse arches spanning the roadway of the street from curb to curb and carrying longitudinal girders. Where the width of the street between the curb- stones is more than thirty-six feet .but less than fifty- five feet, the plan of constructign shall be as follows, as | the company constructing the ‘railway shall elect—i. ¢., either First—With a row of columns on the line of each curb, and a superstructure carrying two tracks on transverse girders spanning the strect; or, ‘Second-—-With two rows of columns, the one upon the lino of either curb and the other along or near the centre line of the roadway of the street, and a super- structure carrying two tracks upon transverse girders spanning the portion of the roadway of the street between the two rows of columns; but this plan is allowed only in the case of a street where there is no existing street railroad upon the surface of the road- way; OF, Third!-With a row of colutans upon the line of each curb, and a superstructure carrying a single separate track over each row of columns; or, Fourth—W ith Gothic transverse arches spanning the roadway of the streat from curb to curb and carrying longitudinal girders. Where the width of the street or avenue between the curbstones is fifty-five fect. or more the plan of con- struction shall be as follows, as the company construct- ing the railway shall clect—& ¢., either First—With a row of columns upon the line of each curb and a superstructure carrying two tracks upon transverse girders spanning the street; Second—With two rows of columns in the roadway of the street and a superstructure carrying two tracks ubon transverse girders, but no column authorized in this plan of construction shall be erected between any ‘two tracks of street railroad upon the surface of a road- way ; oF, Third—With a row of columns upon the line of each curb and a superstructure carrying a single separate track over each row of columns; but this plan is not allowed along or over Eighth or Ninth avenue, between West Sixty-first street and West 110th street; or, Fourth—With Gothic transverse arches spanning the roadway of the street from curb to curb and carrying longitudinal girders, Whenever a column or row of columns is above au- thorized to be upon a line of curb, such column or row of columns shail be erected only within the line of curbstones, and shall be there so situated and placed ag not to obstruct vehicles or the ordinary traffic or travel in the roadway of the street. There shall not be more than two rows of columns or more than two tracks in any one street or avenue or public place, ex- cept as hereinafter authorized. No eolumn shall be erected between any two tracks of street railroad now upon the surface of the roadway of the street. Except where the width of a cross street, between the curbs thereof, is fifty feet or more, every cross street shall be spanned by a single span, when and where the plan of construction used is one having a row of columns upon a curb line, When and where the plan of construction used is one having two rows of columns in the roadway of tht street no colamn shall be erected within the curb lines of across street elsewhere than upon the centre line of such cross street, but may be there erected, A single of double track may be placed between lon- gitudinal girders and carried by tron floor beams, the latter supported by the longitudinal girders, Where columns are authorized to be in the roadways on each side of a street railroad track upon the surface of a roadway the transverse distance between the col- umns shall be at least twenty-one feet in the clear, ‘The transverse diameter of a column authorized to be in the roadway of any strect shail not exceed fifteen inches at the base and thence for at least ten feet above the suriace of the roadway; and the transverse diame. ter of acolumn authorized to be on the line of a curb shall not exceed twenty-six inches at the base and thence for at least ten feet above the surface of the roadway. The transverse diameter of columns above indicated does not include fenders; and adequate fenders shall be fitted around the base of each column placed in the roadway to prevent the hubs of the wheels of passing yohicies from striking the column, Where authorized to be in the roadway no column shall be nearer than five feet to the house line of the cross street, but every column erected in the roadway af the street shall be set back at least five feot from that |i The longitudinal distance between the col- umns, when both rows are in the roadway, shall not be Jexs than thirty-five feet, The longitudinal distance between columns on the curve shall be at least twenty- five fect. On curves of 300 fect radius or less the Joi itudinal distance between the columns in the roadwi may be reduced to not less than twenty-five fect, No art of the girders or superstructure shall be less than Parveen feet above the level of the street, excepton @ | supmit Where, when nowessary on account of srada. the height of the lowest part of the girders, above the roadway of the street, may be reduced to twelve feet. ‘The girders may be either plate or lattice, or any suita- ble form of truss, and shall not be continuous over more than two ‘spans Upon every track there shall be two continuous longitudinal stringers, of suilicient size, of the best quality and kind of umber itable for the purpose. The joints of such longi- inal stringers shall be scarfed and bolted, and such stringers shail be securely fastened to every support on which they rest, so as to tic the structure firmly to- ther and give it stiftness ina longitudinal direction. ‘his requirement may be fulfilled either by longitudinal stringers under the rails or by safety guards of timber if made to comply with the above conditions. ‘The matorial used for that part of the structure above the ground shall be wrought iron or el, except that connections between the posts which form a cluster column may be of cast iron, and except the rails, which Shall be of steel, and except the tes or longitudinal ringers supporting the rails which shall be of the best quality and kind of selected timber, Tho safety ut if of wood, shall be of the best quality and kind of timber. Wood shall not be placed in any posi- tion where it may not be readily renewed without in- eran travel op oe ire ni ie ion iron 8! the following general character :—' in ri highly fi and of a quality which shall be in’ every ‘ial to that used in first class American iron rail Dio part of the meruevure shall on subjected to a Strain of tension or compression than 9,000 pounds to the square inch; and no part shall Soha Fane cl a ee shearing strain than 7,500 pounds to the square and the structure shall not be proportioned for a Jess moving load than 1,200 pounds per lineal foot for each track, ‘The maximum deflection of any girder under the pas- peree ‘@ train shall never exceed one-fifteen hundredth 1-1500) of its length. The plates composing the longi- tudinal parts of a column or girder shall be in single pieces, except in the case of a girder of more than forty, feet in length. All rivets shall be of double refined iron which shall have an ultimate tensilo strength of 60,000. pounds to the square inch. The rivet holes shall be truly and accurately oppoxi cach other, and the rivets shali enter the holes withvut drifting or forcing and shail ll the holes, All parts which make up the section of a column, except where cluster columus are used, shall be of equal thickness and uniform quality. ‘The strength of the columns shall be proportioned by Gordon’s formula for the ratio of the diameter to the length, with ive as @ factor of safety. Tho different parts of the structure and their connections shall be properly proportioned to resist all the momentum of the train which can, by the application of brakes or in any other manner, be im| to the structure, The foundations for the columns shall consist of brickwork, stonework or concrete. The masonry for foundations, where the span is fifty feet, shall measure at least f¢ and one-half feet square upon the top, at least si: square at the bottom, shail be at least four feot it depth and shall rest upon two thick blocks of granite or other flagging, three teet by six—so as to make a base for the masoury not less than six feet square, When the span is more than fifty feet the dimensions of the foundations shall be larger, ..d when the span 1s less than fifty feet tho dimensions of the foundations may be smaller; but the foundations must, in every case, have og much stability relative to load as is aboy ure wahbmapibikie se propared for this masonry by be- ing made firm and solid, id covered with a bed of good hydraulic mortar. very column or post shall be Secured to the masonry by meaus of a heavy plate of | ¢ast iron, so proportioned as to distribute the weight which comes upon it uniformly over the foundation; this plate shall be fastened by sufficiently strong wrought iron bolts passing through the masonry—the bolts pring mesh shel be upset and not welded, and taviig Washers of Suflclent siz beneath the stohes above named, and Immersed in the bottom bed of hydraulic mortar,’ The cast iron plate, its con- nections with the column, the wrought iron bolts aud their heads and washers shall possess sufficient strength vo receive and resist, equally well with the col- umn, all strains which can come upon the latter. The cast iron shall be of the best quality suitable for bed plates, which are to be covered under ground, ‘and all casting shall be sound and fair. Al! the iron work beneath the surface of the street shall be covered with hydraulic mortar or in some way protected trom rust. Good hydraulic cement shall be used in the masonry, and Portland cement of the first quality shall be used in case the foundations are constructed of concrete. If bricks are used they shall be hard burnt and of the best quality. The foundations, where necessary, shall be increased in area so that in no case shall a weight greater than 2,000 pounds to the square foot come upon any base. All wrought iron work shall receive one voat of metallic paint aud oil before leaving the shop, and ovis eo after big got og ia at least two coats of good paint. parts of the structure shal, where practicable, be made accessible for the pu 8 | of painting and shall be well protected from rust ‘where not accessible, Efficient safety guards shall be pro- Vided so that in oase of accident the cars shall be | effectually prevented from leaving the structure. The best form of continuous brakes, 80 arranged as to be under the control of thé engineer, shall be applied to all trains and to every car in each train. Every switch | shall be of such design that, if left open or placed wrong, it cannot break the main track or offer any im- pediment which may cause the derailment of a passing train. Rails shal! be of steel, not less in weight than | fifty pounds per lineal yard; they shall be laid and fastened in the best manner as regards security, level and parallelism, and great attention must be given to the rail joints. The railway must be equipped with the most approved system of to guard against acci- dents, and there shall be necessary telegraph aud signal devices. Stations shall 80 ar ranged as to be convenient of access from the street, There shall be no steps (other than those leading from the street), sills or any other projections about stations over which persons can trip or stumble, The plat- forms of stations shall be on a level with the platform of the and nothing shall intervene between a plat- form and the cars that must be stepped over to enter a car. ach station shall have ample space, under cover, to accommodate the passengers. Where two rows of columns are authorized and either row 1s placed in the roadway of the street, the columns shall be erected in pairs, and both columns of each pair shall stand in line upon a Jine at right angles to the direction of the length of the street. The stairs and all parts of the stations, except the platform, doors, windows and inside sheathing, and except the tread ‘of the stairs, Shall be of iron, All station platforms and stairs shall be protected by substantial iron railing. | Every axle shali be of steel of a quality best | suited to the purpose and shall be subjected to such tests and safeguards and be of such dimensions as are usual in first class railway practice. Every wheel, whether of @ car, locomotive or tender, shall have atire of steel of the best quality and form suited to the purpose, and shail be turned on the tread. ‘The wheels shall be fitted with the best known means of deadening noise and preventing jars, Authority is | given for construction of such ‘supports, turnouts, Switches, sidings, connections, landing places, stations, buildings, platforms, stairways, elevators, ‘telegraph and signal devices, and such other requisite appliances upon the route or routes, and in the location deter- mined by the Commissioners, as shall be proper for the purpose of rapid transit railways and as shall be neces- sary to meet the requirements of the travelling public. All car axles shall be provided with the best devices used in railway practice to catch the axles and revent them from getting adrift in case of fracture. The structure shall present a substantial and tasteful appearance. On River street westerly from Fourth avenue, and on Eighth avenue northerly from 165th = street, the railway may be constructed as °° surface railroad upon the grade of the street; it shall be a double track road. Allof the materials used in the construction of the work shall be of the best quality for the purposes for which,they are to be applied, and the work shall be ex- ccuted in the best style of the arts and in a workman- like manner, It is the intention and spirit of these specifications to provide in every respect fora first | class structure, and no omission of specific require. ments to this effect, if any exist, shall in any case be con- etrued in any way to invalidate this general requirement specifications extend the time for the completion NEW YORK ELEVATED RAILWAY COMPANY of their portion of the road over the time specified in the resolutions of August 27 as follows: Eight months on the line from the Battery to East Fifty-ninth street, via the east side, and six months | from Fifty-ninth street to the Harlem River, The com- pany is also compelled to run special cars at reduced | rates, for the accommodation of the laboring classes, | morning and evening. THE GILBERT COMPANY are ordered to so modify their plan of construction that it shall conform to the general specifications above laid down. The following clause authorizes an extension of time for the construction of the road under certain conditions :. If the said company, its successors or assigns, shall elect to construct and complete, and shall construct and complete, the railway, for not less than three miles, | on the westerly side of the city, running south from West Forty-second street, within ten months from the Ast day of October, 1875 (subject only to the proviso and reservations by said company reserved and provided in said resolutions of the company of September 2, 1875, as to time of completion), then and im that case tho time for constructing so much of said railway as is to be upon that portion of the route which extends from the Bowling Green along certain prescribed streets to First avenue, thence along First avenue to East Twenty-third street, thence along Bast Twenty-thira street to Second avenue, thence along Second avenue to Harlem River, and thence along River street to Third avenue, shall not begin to run until the expiration of one year after the right, by this Board of Commissioners conferred upon the New York Elevated Railroad Company, or two be conferred by this Board of Commissioners upon the company to be formed and organized by this Board of Com! 101 under the terms and provisions of chap- ter 606, Laws of 1875, to construct a railway or railways | over, through and along Third avenue, shall have re- | mained unexercised and shall have expired; and pro- vided, also, that these conditions and requirements | shall not be deemed to limit or abridge any right, privi- | lege or exemption conferred upon said company by the charter thereof or by the or either of the acts amend- atory of said charter, The same regulations as to running commission or cheap cars as govern the New York Elevated Railway are applied to this company, THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE MANHATTAN COMPANY. ‘The specifications provide that the time within which the company to be formed and organized by this Board of Commusioners (and which shall be known as the Manhattan Railway Company) shall construct the eral portions of tho railway and railways, and shall have the same ready to be operated along and upon the route or routes heretofore by preambles and resolutions duly adopted on the dd day of September, 1875, fixed, determined and located by this Board of Commissioners, be and hereby is fixed and determined as follows:— 1. The portion of the railway or railways to be con- gtructed irom Tryon Row, along the eagterly gide of the city, to East Fifty-ninth street, shall be constructed | be ge to be operated before or by the 1st day May, 1877; “strntte Portion of the allway or railways to bo con structed m East Fifty-ninth street, along the east- erly side of the city, to the Harlem River, shall be con- structed and be ri to be operated before or by the Ist aay of December, 1877; 8. The portion of the railway or railways to be con- structed Soe hane'qed a to the High — an to be ‘nied before or the Ist day of December, 1378; me J 4. Tho portion of the railway or railways to he con- structed from the line of Chambers strcet, along the westerly side of the city, to West Fifty-ninth street, shall be,constructed and be ready to be operated before or by the lst day of May, 1877; 5. The portion of the railway or railways to be con- structed from West Fifty-ninth street, along the westerly side of the city and to the northerly terminus of the line of the route on the Sentariy. side of the city, shall be constructed and be ready to be operated before or by the Ist day of June, 1878; and 6, The remainder of the railway or railways to be con- structed u tbe route or routes so a8 aforesaid fixe determined and located on the 3d low of September, 1875, shall be coustructed and be ready to be oper before or by the lat day of June, 1878. Second—That each of the said periods and Um{tations of time hereinbefore referred to and prescribed, as the time within which the seyeral sections or portions of railway or raiiways shall be constructed and be ready to be operated, is, however, subject to this pro- yiso and reservation, as follows:—That the time, if any, unavoidably consumed by the pendency of legal proceedings, or by the interference of the public au- thorities, shall not be deemed apart of any period of the time within which construction and completion of the railway or railways ig required to be made, But the time, if any, during which such unavoidable delay shall continue, shall be added to each of the periods hereby otherwise limited for construction and comple- tion of the railway or railways. Third—That the rates of fares authorized and allowed to be charged and collected upon trains to be run upon such railway or railways, or upon any portion thereof, shall be only as follows—the same being the rates ob fares by this Board of Commissioners fixed and deter- mined as the maximum rates to be paid for transporta- jo and conveyance over such railway or railways—at follows :— 1, Upon trains and in cars other than those herein- after designated as ‘commission’? trains and cars, for any distance under five miles, not to exceed ten cents; and not to exceed two cents per mile for each mile or fraction of a mile in excess of amile over five miles, until the fare shall amount to not to exceed fifteen conta for a through passenger from and between the Battery, or any point to the north thereof, and the intersection of Third avenue and the Harlem river; and from and between the Battery or any point to the north thereof and — the High Bridge (running upon whether the easterly or the westerly side of the city), not to exceed seventeen cents for a through passenger,’ For the entire distance, or any part of it, from and between the Battery and either Hast or West Fifty-ninth street, the fare shall not ex- ceed ten cents; and, 2. Upon what are hereafter designated as ‘‘commis- ston’ cars or trains, to be run during certain hours at re- duced rates of fare, for the accommodation of the public and of the laboring classes, the rate of fyre shall not ex- ceed five cents from and between the Battery, or any oint to the north thereof, and either Kast or West ‘ifty-ninth street; and shall not exceed five cents for any distance not exceeding five miles; and shall not ex- cood seven cents for a through passenger trom and be- tween the Battery or any point to the north thereof and ae River; and shall not exceed eight cents for roug! onger On any of said ‘commission’? rains or card trot ae fis AP the Battery or any point to the north thereof and the High Bridge. ‘ Fourth—The company shall run special trains or cars at reduced rates of fares as aforesaid, for the accommo- dation of the public and of the laboring classes, daily, during the hours between 5:30 o’clock and 7:30 o'clock A. M., and 6 o’clock and 7 o'clock P, M. Such trains or cars shall be known and designated as ‘commission’? cars or trains; shall be in numbers sufficient to accom- modate the public and the laboring classes during the hours indicated, and shail be run at intervals really to afford such accommodation; they shall stop regularly’ at ali regular stations of the company, and shall be run at the rate of speed of the othor local trains of the com- pany. During said hours ageat shall be provided ina “commission” car for every passenger on the train who desires to travel in a “commission” car; other- wise, any passenger desiring and demanding a’ seat im such a car shall be entitled to occupy aseat in another car upon the train upon payment of only the reauced rate of fare to be paid for transportation and conveyance im a “commission”? car. Fifth—A seat in acar other than a ‘“commission’® car Shall (except during the hours above indicated) be provided for every passenger upon any tram, who de- sires and demands such a seat; otherwise, and except during said hours, such passenger shall be entitled to travel without payment of fare. As a part of any train of cars, there may be one or more of the kind known ag “saloon cars” or ‘drawing room cars,’ with special ar- raugements for extra comfort and space, and there may be demanded of, charged to and collected from euch passenger who shall, when a seat in another car 18 pro- vided, Occupy a seat’ in such a “saloon car” or “drawe ing room car,” ap extra (though not unreasonable) rate of fare, in addition to the rates hereinbefore fixed and determined, ‘ izth—The eompany is not required to construct railway upon any portion of the route along Second avonue, ifa railway shall, within the time hereinbefora limited’ for construction’ of a railway along Svcond avenue, be constructed and completed upon the route fixed and determined by this Board of Commissionera along Third avenue. When the commission closed their session at half past three yesterday thoy expressed their delight that the most dificult part of their duties had been per- formed, and some of them gave utterance to the hope that it would prove satisfactory to tho authorities and the property owners. The members hurried away to their respective offices, Mr. Seligman decigring that he felt like a man just released from jail. They will hold their next meeting uext Monday week. THE DOCK COMMISSIONERS. A regular meeting of the Dock Commissioners was hold at their office in Duane street yesterday afternoon, Mossrs. Wales, Driscoll and Westervelt being present The Police Department seut in a protest against the removal of the dumping board at the foot of loth street, Kast River. A petition of ta: yers was re- ceived, advocating the abatement of the nuisance im that vicinity. Tho Treasurer reported $563,427 59 in the hands of the Comptroller to the credit of the de- partment; disvursementa, $0,549 06; balance, October , $553,878 03; received’ for dock’ and allp rents, $1,684 62 A resolution was adopted to advertise for proposals for the building of pier 42 North River, to be used by the new@rench Transatlantic Steamship Com- pany. THE SINKING FUND COMMISSION. A meeting of the Commission of the Sinking Fund was held in the Mayor's office yesterday. Comptroller Green, Mayor Wickham, Alderman Gross and City Chamberlain Tappan were present, The Comptroller handed in bids received for ferry leases, which have been already published in the Heratp, Ho announced that only two were regular, those in relation to Barclay street and Pavonia ferrics. On motion of the Comp- troller the franchise for the Barclay street ferry was given to the Hoboken Land Improvement Company and the Pavonia ferry to the Erie Railway Company The consideration is 24% per cent on the gross receipts of Doth ferries, $15,000 per annum in additional being paid to the Dock Commissioners for rent by the last mentioned company. The other bids were all rejected as irregular in some technical particulars and directions given that the franchise should be readvertised. Comptroller Green offered a ‘resolution, which was adopted, directing that five lots, located at Sixty-seventi» street and Lexington avenue, be assigned to the Board of Education for the purpose of erecting a grammar ‘school in that district, A resolution was also adopted providing that all prop. erty belonging to the city which has been sold, and for which terms of sale have not been complied with, ba restored to the original owners. « i Applications for acquisition of certain property to be used by the Dock Department were received. It was determined to hold a special me@ting of the commission at two o’clook on Suturday next to take this subject into consideration, A resolution was passed permitting the Dock Com. mission to alter plans already adopted Jor the construc tion of pier 42, North River. After the transaction of some further important busi- ness the commission adjourned, THE “POSTE RESTANTE.” Postmaster James has ordered that hereafter all let. ters addressed to this city marked poste restante, ‘to be called for,” or words to that effect, shall be retained here for three months, subject to the call of the = sons addressed, before sending them to the Dead Let- ter office, It has formerly been the rule to retain them but thirty days, and the new arrangement will prove of much advantage and conventence, more expecially to occasional residents, touriats and other travellers, THE NEW POSTAL CARDS. The new posta) cards, being printed without a border, offer a temptation to the printing of business advertise. ments and jllustrations on their face, but the public should take care not to yield to it, as anything except the address written or printed the face of a postat card renders it unmatlable and condemns it to the limba of “held for postage”’ letters. QUEENS COUNTY SUPERVISORS. The Queens county Board of Supervisors held theis annual meeting at the Court House in North Hemp- stead yesterday, every member being present. Johm H. Brinkerhoff, of Jamaica, was elected permanent chairman, and Pierpont Potter clerk. Dr. D, Ray Porter was elected county physician, A certificate from the Secretary of State was read, fixing the assess- ment of Queens county at $92,320,796, and the amount of State tax at 5) ‘he election of @ county printer to print the Session Laws of 1876 was doferred uptil the 13th inst, The Board Loge ® resolution that the next annual meeting sball be held at Jamai on the last Tuesday in April, 1876, and that afterwai pred ha erage pegs be held at one on the Jast Tuesday in April in cach your unt otberw: dered by the Board Dh aiid.