The New York Herald Newspaper, October 21, 1875, Page 4

4 THE COURTS. Jacob Standerman Sentenced To Be Hanged on December 10. ANOTHER CHAPTER IN THE RING SUITS Andrew H. Garvey on the Late County Auditor Watson. Motion to Quash the Claflin & Co. Indictments, 4 YOUTHFUL DESPERADO AND HIS CRIME. Tt having been announced at the close of the trial on Tuesday evening of Jacob Standerman, found guilty of murder in the first degree, for killing his sweetheart, Louisa Siedenwold, that he would be brought up yes- Jerday morning to be sentenced, the Court of Oyer and Werminer was crowded to it@ utmost capacity bya crowd eager to witness this feature in the sad drama. ‘The prisouer’s countenance lookel pale and haggard, but otherwise he gave no token of realization of his ter- rible position, Immediately on the opening of the court, and the usual question asked him—what he had hosay why sentence of death sbould not be passed upon him—he did net say a word in reply, but Bimply gazed with a listlessly vacant stare. MOTION FOR ARREST OF JUDGMENT. The prisoner’s counsel, Mr. William F. Howe, at once arose and addressed the Court as follows:— “your Honor, I have to state on behalf of the prisoner that we feel the trial was most fairly and impartially | eonducted, and that all was said for the prisoner in Your monor’s charge to which he could be fairly en- titled. Your Honor will permit me, for myself, to say What the only defect of which I am conscious in the de- fence was want of ability, not of zeal. 1 now move re- Bpectfully in arrest of judgment in this case, upon the | record itself, the special plea interposed challenging the jury panel. The District Attorney pursued the only pourse he could—that of demurring—and Your Honor oad no other course than that of sustaining the de- murrer, I now move an arrest of judgment on the round that the demurrer admits the truth of all the fitegutions im the plea, as the record shows, and that the petit jury by whom the prisoner was tried were im- | properly selected. PASSING SENTENCE. Judge Barrett having allowed an exception to be taken to his ruling sustained the demurrer and pro- Beeded at once to pass sentence as follows:— Jacob Standerman, you have been Lag 9 convicted of The commission of a'great crime and you have forfeited fo life to the law of the land. There never was a | limsier pretence than thatof your insanity. An en- lightened jury bas not failed to distinguish between the guilty frenzy ofa wicked and vengeful mind and the innocent unconsciousness of a diseased brain and-dark- ened mind. I trust in God that your fate may induco other hands to pause, other hearts to reflect, and that it | may thus prove useful to the community. The hope of it is its justification, You have exhibited in jail some signs of remorse. In your defence these were treated | as symptoms of insanity; but I will do you the justice | of believing that they were expressions of anguish from | ad awakened conscience. May this disposition of eart continue, and may it result in that true repentance | for which there is yettime. Nothing remains but to | Pass judgment, It is asolemn duty, but the individ. | ual ‘is sustained by the consciousness that iu is the Court which speaks, and that even the Court is but the mouthpiece of the law. The sentence of the Court is that you, Jacob Standerman, be taken to the City Prison of the city of New York, from whence you came, and that on Friday, the 10th day of December, 1875, you be hanged by the neck until you are dead. RRADING THE SHERIPP’S COMMITMENT. Mr. Sparks, the Clerk, directly following the passing ofthe sentence, read the Sheriff's commitment, the | prisoner still standing on his feet. During both the | passing of the sentence and the reading of the com- mitment the prisoner Deputy Sheriff Cummin; 6 Prisoner in charge. With a firm step the prisoner walked out of the court room, unmindful of the gaze of the crowd, many of whom followed on after him to the City Prison, where he was conveyed to await expi- ation of his crime upon the gallows. THE WATSON ESTATE SUIT. The suit brought in the name of the people of the Btate against Margaret M. Watson, to recover from the estate of her late husband, County Auditor Watson, the sum of $7,729,282 03, was continued yesterday before the referee, ex-Judge Murray Hoffman. As already Stated in the Hxratp, the money is alleged to have been stolen from the city under the Ring adminis- tration, through a conspiracy between the late Auditor, William M. Tweed, and the official distributor of the plunder, Woodward. At the former hearing of the case it was stated by Mr. Charles O’Conor that, although the amount stolen and claimca in the suit was very large, yet it was not contemplated on the part of | the people to prove frauds beyond an amount which may | be satisfied out of Watson’s estate, estimated at $500,000, ‘and all of which is asserted to have been the fruits of | Bis frauds on which the suit is based. At the same | bession James H. Ingersoll gave his statement as to his having solicited from Tweed and Watson the priv- ilege of furnishing the city with labor and supplies under an agreement to increase the bills, which were honest to the extent of sixty-five per cent, and present others wholly fraudulent and in fictitious names, and | to divide the stolen proceeds among the members of | the Ring. He also identified bills to the extent of | nearty $1,000,000, which had been presented and paid | under the fraudulent agreement, and the surplus of | which, over the honest claims, had been divided in | certain proportions between Tweed, Connolly, Sweeny, | Watson, Woodward and himself. The plainti! Were represented by Mr. Wheeler H. Peckham, and the defendant by Mr. John H. Strahan. The Arst witness sworn was Andrew H. Garvey He testified, in response to questions by Mr. Peckham, that in 1869 and 1870 he did work for the city, to the Dills for which additions were made to be divided be- tween other parties; he received his instructions from Woodward and Ingersoll, approved by Watson, | p. 870), was read, as completely disposing of the fourth to raise |. NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, $392,242 of which snm they retained $145,462 67, and Javed distributidu $236,579 61. Of ail the war- rants testified to there was paid for distributioa among public officers the total sum of $648,491 51. With this testimony counsel for the plaintiff rested, and the further hearing was adjourned until eleven a, M. to-morrow. THE CLAFLIN & CO. INDICTMENTS. ‘The motion to quash the indictments against the firm of H. B. Claflin & Co, came up yesterday, before Judge Benedict, in the United States Circuit Court, Mr. William M. Evarts appeared for the defendants, and Assistant United States District Attorney Foster for the government, The indictment found at the October term, omitting the name of Mr. Donaldson, was chosen as the test, Mr. Evarte stating that he should make the same objections to the other three. Mr. Evarts said that the indictment contained four counts, the first three of which were open to the same legal criticism, while the fourth was bad for additional reasons. In the first count the defendants were charged with fraudulently receiving and concealing six cases of silks, valued at $30,000, contrary to law, &c, The second charged them with facilitating the transportation of the goods, and the third facili- tating their sale, but giving none of the facts consti- tuting the crime. The fourth count was more general, and cl them with fraudulently buying and selling the goods. It was supposed that the indictment w: drawn either under section 4, of the act of July 1 186d, Statutes at Large, or section 3,082, of the Revi Statutes, probably the laster, as the phraseology of the indictment followed it very closely, both of which defined the criminality atiaching to the dealing in smuggled goods. The possession of such goods was sufficient for conviction, unless satisfactorily explained, | "This well known firm was brought criminally before | the courts on an accusation failing to particularize | any crime, None of the counts gave proof of any | act, fact agency any criminality, ex- | cept that which mamed these men as being | pose ina respect which otherwise was not named. No marks of the importation, ship, consignor or con- signee were given. No description of the goods was given, no one named as the smuggler or as connected with the illegal importation of the goods, The mere imputation was made. Reference was made to six cases of goods, whére héndreds of such entries would be found on the books of the firm. Six cases of where 1,500 were received and delivered each day. A man to be tried for the crime could justly demand to know all the attending circumstances and prepare a de- fence. The criminality in the statutes named roforred wholly to smuggled goods, not such as passed through or in the Custom House, even at an undervaluation—goods | entered in evasion of the Custom House. Other | statutes covered the other particular. This was the section under which the defendayts were indicted—for dealing in smuggled goods. ‘The jurors must have had cvid@mce of smuggling by some smuggler, at some date and of some describable goods, or they had no right to bring the indictments, and, if they had, the defendants had a right to the in- formation, what and by whose action the defendants were made culpable? The defendants were not charged with smuggling, but of having the goods after they had been placed inthe market. Dealings in the market | after the goods had passed the Custom House certainly | could not constitute a crime, The firm bought and sola $50,000,000 worth of goods yearly, millions of dollars worth coming from France, and they could rightfully de- mand now when and where first occurred the crime for which they as dealers in the market were now held culpable. ir. Evarts quoted a number of legal authori- ties in the matter, reading from | section 19, act of 1842, Statutes at Large, section 2,865 Revised Statutes. ‘The decision’ of Judge Nel- son in the case of the United States vs. Moulton (Blatehford 6, p. 428) was also, raferred to, where a motion to quash was granted, Section 4 of the Moiety | act was referred to as giving the statutory definition | of smuggling. The decision of Judge Hall in the case of the United States ve. David H. Thomas (Benedict 4, count in the indictment. The argument will be con- tinued this morning. THE INFANT ASSASSIN. Asomewhat extraordinary spectacle was presented to the habitués of the Court of Oyer and Terminer yes- terday, it being no less than the arraignment at the bar ofa boy called Thomas Wilson, charged with murder in the first degree, the penalty for which is death. Wil- son is only fourteen years of age, a fall-faced, burly lit- tle street urchin, with a countenance not devoid of ex- pression, anda pair of sparkling black eyes, under a roof of short cropped, dark hair. It appeared that the youthful prigoner resided at No. 14 Carmine street, in the house with another boy of about the same age, | named Alfonsi Guerogo. On the 1st of July last both | youngsters became entangled in some juvenile dispute, in the course of which Wilson, becommg angry, made | use of the exclgmation, “I’ll'fix you,” ran into the | | house, and returning with a single-barrelled pistol, | poimied it at his infant antagonist, turned away his ead, and fired. The ball struck Guerogo on the head, | fracturing the skull and causing death, Upon his arraignment Mr. William F. Kintzing appeared as | counsel for the youthful assailant, the case being called for trial by Assistant District Attorney Lyons. Mr. Kintzing stated to the Court that he had thoroughly examined into the facts, and was convinced that the shooting was the result of culpable negligence rather than of any homicidal intent, and that the prisoner, | acting on his advice, offered’a plea of guilty of man: | slaughter in the fourth degree under the indictment. | The plea of not guilty was then withdrawn and the plea | as offered accepted. Judge Barrett, addressing the prisoner, said: “Ttiomas T have examined your case with care, and have listen to ail that has been urged by your counsel. I confess there are some ugly features about it; but Iam going | to give you the benefit of all doubts, in consequence of | ‘our extreme youth. Your act caused the death of the | joy, but Iam inclined to think that your case is one meriting correction rather than severe punishment, and I shall therefore send you to the House of Refuge, | where 1 trust you will learn to become & better boy.” The precocious little fellow seemed to consider the | whole thing as rather a good joke, and, turning around | to his counsel, smilingly remarked: “Mr, Kintzing, can’t you get me sent to the State Prison instead of the House of Retuge, where I would have less time to | serve?” His stile became rather grim, however, when | | an officer tapped him on the shoulder and told him to | follow him. | DECISIONS. SUPREME COURT—CHAMBERS, By Judge Lawrence. Porter vs. Morris; Hand ys. Browne; Doll va. Bang, Reger vs. Clay; Bram vs. Rank; White vs. Birdsall: United States Trust Co, vs. Perry; Wood vs. Morris; Dodge vs. Colburn; Austin vs. Blauvelt; Matter of the German Hospital; Murtha vs. Murtha; ‘Havemeyer vs, Barton; Cline ve. Cine; Fagan vs. Magnes; Barney vs. Putnam; Cameron vs. Mittnacht; Stietz vs. Green; Gillies vs. Johngon; Lohman vs. Lohman; City N: tional Bank of Philadelphia vs. Gerry; Warren vs. Brooks; City National Bank of Philadelphia vs. Gerry. —Granted. Moore vs. Tallcot.—Motion denied without costs. National Bank of Texas vs. Harten.—Opinion - Betts vs. Betts. —Bond approved. Matter of Ferris. —See memorandum. Matter ot Columbia Insurance Co. counsel in regard to this application. Porter vs. Morr: otion is prematurely made. Terpenny vs. Adams; Mechanics’ National Bank of | | | | I wish to see the bills; got bis warrants trom Woodward; all county Dills were audited by Watson and stamped with a seal; when he got his warrants he went with Ingersoll and | Woodward into the room of the Board of Supervisors nd Woodward would ask for his check for the sarplus, which was sometimes forty, sometimes s five per cent; when be complained of the figures being | large, Woodward would tell him to hurry up, the amount was all rigkt—they were | gong. Wateon’s own figures; he gave his check | for the fraudulent surplus on the Broadway Bank; ‘Woodward deposited the check, and then drew his own checks for the division; sometimes he (witness) drew the money, which was ‘in large bills—targe as he could | get them; he sometimes gave money w Watson bim- self; he got forty per cent of warrants submitted, and the others got sixty percent and all the interest; on other warrants, also submitted, he got sixty-tive per cent, but on them there was no interest; of the war- rants to Penchard he paid out sixty-five per cent; y or sixty- | warrants to Cashman were similarly both Penchard and Cashman were gg employ, but had nothing to do with the | ills; he used their names by direction of “those people; on warrant, date August 30, | 1870, to his own order, he paid out fifty per cent and all the interest; that warrant was for altering the records; of other warrants, payable to himself, he identified as | having paid out sixty per cent, retaining forty per cont | for the work; all the warrants identified by him, and of which a division was made with the “leaders,” amounted to over $500,000, Of the sum retained a portion went to Watson as well as to the others; he Bever made proof anywhere or before any one of the Correctness of the bills. Arthur E. Smith was the next witness. He testified ‘that he was engaged with Mr. Taintor in examining city Accounts as to the frauds; was formerlyyen; od as bookkeeeper in the Broadway Bank, and kept the ac- counts of Garvey, Woodward and others; according to | those accounts the statements of Ingersoy! and Garvey Wore correct. The witness then proceeded to explain the division made of the warrants testified to by Ingersoll and Garvey, showing by the deposits that the division had been secord- ing to the fegpeticn testifled to by them, and Fanging from forty to sixty-Ove per cent. Of most of these warrants Watson's percentage was paid by checks: of Woodward, which checks were deposited by Watson in the Shoe and Leather Bank. Ingersoll’s habit was, fm some instances, to draw bis own check on the Broad. way Bank, deposit it in the Bowery Bank and draw | ees the Bowery Bank for the percentage to Watson. | oodward usually drew a portion of the divided per- Centage in bills and gave Watson his share jn checks, | which were deposited by the latter in the Shoe and Leather Bank. Of ail the warrants testified to Wateon ‘was shown by the witness to have received not only his own share, but also that of some of his associates; the ehecks given to him and deposited in the Shoe and Leather avernged from twelve and a half to fif- teen cent. At this point the hearing was adjourned to P.M. At the hour to which an adjournment had been taken | the examination of witnesses was again resumed. Mr. Henry E. Smith further testified that he nad figured up all the claims paid on warrants to Ingersoll as testified to, and found them to amount to $106,452 50; these were warrants known as class “A,” and of this sum In- Ml retained $241,206 32, and paid for division },216 99; the same class of warrants paid to Garvey jounted to $328,024 96, of which sum ho retained $142,530 03, and paid for distribution $186,394 92; all the warrants known as class ‘‘B,’’ paid to both Ii oll and Garvoy as testified to by them, amoun Pla agin vs. Herbell; Pawson vs. iy vs. Dayton; Emigrant Ind. Savings | Patrick ve, Lewis.—Orders granted. | Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minne- | gota Railroad Company.—Sea memorandum. Matter of Blumenthal.—I find no report of referee, Matter of Gilmore. —Blanks to be filled up in order, Manhattan Savings Bank vs. Hamilton.—Retferee’s report not before me, and I wish to hear counsel as to | amount of aliowan proof of lo: | up yesterday a of Captain McCulloch. After some mg between the oppositing counsel, it was finally arranged that the Seniag should be postponed until to-morrow w enable counsel to file interrogatories and answers themto. Strauss, Lehman & Co., importers of dry gopds, fled bd —— Fieger im heyy bay yp nye Court. oir Eng’ ebis aggregate and their prin- cipal English creditors are in Teanchansen Huddersfield and Bradford. The chief New York creditors are Morris Tuska, to whom is owing $31,804.80, and Hallgarten & Co., to whom is owing $17,44876, gold. Their liabilities sum up $899,745 48, gold, ‘and thetr as- seta $194,031 O4, gola, Morris Tuska is the 80. In October, 1861, Stevhen ©. Fiske Daniel Sweeney three tons of ingrain cents a pound, deliverable by the middle of Sweeney failed to deliver, and Fiske broug! damages for the breach of contract Pending the suit Fiske died, and his interest was transferred t¢ Charles 8 Goodrich, On o trial of the case the plainutf recovered a verdict of over $500, which was set aside by the General Term. On a retrial yester- day before Judge Sedgwick, of the Superior Cjurt, the plaintiff failed to prove that the ts were worth more than the contract price at the time the; have been delivered, and the Judge directed a wrdict of @ nominal character—six and one-fourth ce! Mr. | Ter peared for plaintiff, and ex Judge Cardozo and M Hurley for defendant, In Supreme Court, Chambers, before Judge lawrence, another motion was made peaeay to vacatean order of arrest against Duncan, Sherman & Co, F. De Bray Longchamp deposited with Duncan, Shermat & Co. a draft for 3,000 francs, payable at Poictiers, Prahce. The money was collected on the 24th of July, Payment was demanded at the banking house of défendants, in this city and refused. The ment was substan: the same as that pursued in the Roebelling Bros, on before in the Herat. Judge Lawrence, after h@Mring the argument, took the papers, reserving his fecision, Marx Levy, assignee of Levy & Oppenhbim, has brought suits Spies several fire insurance cdmpanies to recover $1,: insurance on dry goods at their store No. 63 Baxter street, which was destroydd by fire December 19, 1872 One of these suits—that against the Metropolitan Fire Insurance Company—bas been on trial for the last four days in the Baprect Court, Circuit, before Judge Loew, ex-Judge Curtis appearing for the plaintiff and ex-Judge Fithian for thy defend: ants. The defence was that the place was fired, and that there was fraud and false swearing in making the thus vitiating the policy, In summing udge Curtis made a speech thrée hours and a half in length. A verdict was given for $4,750, being the full pro rata amount claim Among the indictments against Charles L. Lawrence in the United States Circuit Court is one charging him with having forged the name of F, L, Blanding to im- porters’ bonds and oaths of entry, A demurrer to the indictment was entered by counsel for the defendant, S, G. Clarke, which was argued yesterday before Judge Benedict. Mr. Clarke stated that it was claimed that the indictment was frimed from section 5,421 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, and this could not be made to apply to the Lawrence case, and in the absence of any statute affecting it the Gourt had no common law jurisdiction, In support of bis argu- ment Mr. Clarke quoted from a printed briet of consid- erable length. Assistant District Attorney Foster stated that the counsel for the defendant had made a mistake. The indictment was framed from section 5,418 | of the Revised Statutes, His argument was conclusive &s to section 6,401, but was dissipated by a reference to section 5,418, "To enable the counsel to prepare a fur- ther brief on demurrer the motion was postponed. COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS. Before Judge Sutherland. VERDICY OF ACQUITTAL IN THE ALLEGED MAL- PRACTICE CASE. The case of Eliza Altenheime, Julius Von Meyer and Theophile Webber was concluded yesterday. These people were placed on trial last Thursday on a joint indictment for manslaughter, in having caused the death of Mrs, Ursula Wick, of No, 224 East Forty-sixth Street, while attending ner during her accouchement in August last, The proof was that Mrs, Altenheime, who was employed as midwife, told the husband of tho sick woman that he had better call in a physician; that thereupon he called in Professor Von Meyer, who made a diagnosis of the case, and found his patient af- fected with disease of the heart, granulated kidneys and various abnormal conditions, including placenta previa, He pronounced it a fatal case; but, although telling the husband not to call in another physician without noti- fying him first, another physician was called, Shortly after the woman died, The question was whether Professor Von Meyer was guilty of gross neglect, omission of duty and rashness in his management of the case, Assistant District Attorney Henry conducted the case for the prosecution, and Mr. George W. McAdam was coun- sel for the defendants. The trial lasted five days, during which some medical experts were examined, in cluding Professor Guernsey, Dr. Burdett and others tor the prosecution, and Professor Newton, Dr. Borne, Dr. Wilson and others for the defence.. The jury brought along time, and wholly vindicating the professional reputation of Professor Von Meyer. SWALLOWING A RING. been under bail to answer a charge of petit larceny, ‘was surrendered by her surety. It is charged that she stolea ring from Herman Kralt's jewelry store, No. 184 Bowery, on the 4th of April last, and being de- tected in the act, swallowed it to destroy the proof, She was bailed by her lover, Peter B. Hassett, of No. 69 Washington Market, and troubled nerselt no more about the case tilla day or two ago, when, in conse- quence of some real or fancied slight, the young man became jealous and threatened to-cancel his bond. She aroused his indignation to the highest pitch by aitend- ing the circus in company with another young man on Tuesday night, and in consequence he delivered her into custody yesterday. She was committed to the Tombs. TOMBS POLICE COURT. Before Judge Otterbourg. A CUSTOM HOUSE BROKER IN TROUBLE, John E, Sarle, of No. 93 Wall street, was in 1871 and | 1872 a member of the firm of L. W. & P. Armstrong, of New Haven. During this period there wero sundry large instalments of cigars consigned to them in bond in this city om which they wanted to have the duty ployed Stephen B. Babcock, a custom house broker, as their agent to pay the money to the proper officer. On they allege, $450." Between the 21st of January, 1871, and the 15th of January, their indebted: ness to the United States government increased $1,307 46, making in all $1,847 96 all of which Babcock received money to liquidate. Some time ago it was discovered that the duties had never | been paid and that Babcock had appropriated the | money given him to his own use, He was arraigned on an affidavit setting forth the above facts and was held in $2,000 to answer, FIFTY-SEVENTH STREET COURT. Before Judge Murray. A POLICEMAN’S FIGHT WITH A ‘THIEF, Officer Haines, of the Twenty-first precinct, proferred acharge of robbery against Jobn Jones, a powerful looking ruffian, who said he had no homo and no occu- pation. Haines sald that as he lay in bed at his home, No, 514 Third avenue, he saw the prisoner in the act of climbing into his room over a partition that separated it from a vacant room infront. Pretending to be asleep he allowed Jones to rummage around until be had taken from the bureau drawer a two-dollar bill which Hanover National Bank va. Gregge.—If this is under | the United States Revised Statute give me @ reference | to page. i Matter of Stewart.—Counsel must furnish a refer- | ence, &e. Manhattan Life Insurance Company vs. Adriance.— | Affidavit of regularity required. Bell vs. American Seaman's Friend Society.—There must be a reference. | Wentworth vs. Morange.—Neither of the orders con- | form to my decision. Memorandum. Cowles ve s0n.—See memorandum. Burns vs. Coe.—Motion granted, without costs. Dessauer vs. Kensy.—Afidavit should show some effort to ind the defendant. SUPERIOR COURT—SPECIAL TERM, By Judge Curtis, Weld vs, Eisig et al,—Motion granted, Nathan Isaacs vs. Hannah Igaacs,—Report of referee confirmed and divorce granted to plaintit, Thurber vs, Jacobsun.—Motion to vacate order of arrest denied. Bail reduced to $600. Elsen vs. Mackie.—Motion that plaintiff accept answer granted, SUMMARY OF LAW CASES, In the well known Platt divorce suit there was a | trial yesterday before Judge Larremore in the Court | of Common Pleas. The General Term had sent the case | to this Court for the jury to find on the issues, A ver- dict was found for the wife. | The administrator of Mr, Tone obtained yesterday, in the Court of Common Please, before Judge J. F. Daly, a verdict for $6,306 96 against the city on a claim for laying curb and guttér in 123d street. A verdict was reached yesterday in the suit brought against the city by Christian Kerchner, which has been on trial for two days in the Saperior Coart before Judge Monell. Riding through Morrisania he was thrown | from his wagon, through alleged imperfections in the | street, compelling the amputation of an arm, The suit | is for $10,000 datmages, and the jury gave him $429. In the friendly suit brought to determine the con- Straction of the will of the late James J. Roosevelt | there was quite a lengthy argument yesterday before | the Supreme Court, General Term. It is claimed that one portion of the will conflicts with another portion, and the object songht 18 a judicial interpretation of the intent of the testator so as to remove from the execu- tors all question of doubt as to their power in the | Premises, | | Ex-Congressman Kerrigan put in a prompt appear- | Qnce yesterday in Supreme eure, fk af Perore if | Judge Lawrence, to anawer to a second charge of con- | tempt of court, in disobeying its order directing him to Give his testimouy before the Police Board on the trial | calendar. Mrs. Haines had placed therein a sbort time before. He then jumped from the bed and collared the thief, A fierce struggle ensued in the presence of Mrs. Haines, but she was too much afraid to even enter the room, much leas to render any assistance, Haines found that his prisoner was too strong for him and would (nally overcome him. He called tu his wife to throw him bis club, butshe, in her excitement, threw bim two of them which she found hanging together in the closet. The contestants got one each, but Haines having ex- tricated himsel{ from the grasp of the thiof, his superior skrll with the club enabled him, aiter a few passes, to become master of the situation, A well directed blow on the side of the head finally car the thief to suc- cumb and allow himself to be taken to the station house. He was committed for trial. COURT CALENDARS—THIS DAY. Svrnemx Covnt—Cuamuxns—Held by Judge Law- rence.—Nos. 45, 52, $1, 86, 101, 104, 113, 121, 124, 131, 142, 172, 175, 181, 190, 198, 203, 206, 210, 2915 323} 27) 356 Supreme Covrt—Gexenat Tenu—Ield by Judges Davis, Brady and Daniels. —Nos. 177, 182, 110, 133, 139, 140, 141, 142, 194, 118, 130, 161, 178, 154, 95, 967 105) 94, 108, "117. Scrnems Court—Sractan Tarm—Hold by Jud Vorst.—Law and fact Van | 08, 388, 21, 426, 421, 620, 443, 862, 417, 206, 445, 213, 214, 494, 246,’ 490, 549, | 561, 401, 560, 651, 577, S79. vo bata Scurreme Covrt—Cincerr—Pat Adjourned for the term. Part 2—Adjour riaay. Part 3—Held | by Judge Donohue,—Case on. No day calendar. Soreeiok Covrt—Tniat Tenm—Part 1—Heid by Chief | Justice Monell.—Nos, 715, 635, 851, 703, 1477, 849, 743, 575, 297, 763, 881, 760, 126, 765. Part 2—Held’by Judge | Sedgwick.Nos.' $04, 862, 520, 056, 882, 1506, 712, $64, | 872, 950, 1332, 392, 884, 962, 80014, Supsrion Count—Srectas Term—Hold by Judge Cur- tis —Demurrer—No. 2 Law and fact—Nos. 19, 21, 34, | 61, 12, 80, 42, 48, 40, 40, 18, 45, 9, 41, 65 Common Piwas—TriaL Tex—Part 1—Held by Judge | Larremore—Same calendar as yesterday. Part 2~ | Held by Judge Joseph ¥. Daly/-Case on. No day | Coumon Puras—Kovrry Texw—Hold by Judge Charles Daly.—Nos. 78, 00, 11, 12, 19, 62, 67, 66, 60, 08 P. | anixe Covnt—Taiat Tenm—Part 1—Held by Judge | Alker,—Nos, 4052, 3410, 2007, 3090, S189, 4196, 2262, 8263, 3279, 8328, 3 1, 2892, 3485, 3457. Part 2— Held by 'Judgo Jouchimaen.—Nos. 4857, 5486, 6487, 6488, S241, 3427, 4807, 4500, 4034, 4800, 3470) S480) 3481, 3482, JAA4! “Part 3—Held by Judge Spaulding. — Nos, 3928, 4464, 5083, 5081, 5140, 4041, 6296, 1410, 6497, 6277, 984, 6092, 5012, 4746," 5387. Covat oF Grwenal Smasions—Heid by Juage Sutherlan ‘The People vs. Joseph Connelly and Thomas McCarty, robbery; Same vs, John O'Brien, robbery; Same vs. Patrick Whalen, Edward Grady an Thomus Grady, robbery; Same va Thomas Madden, felonious assault and battery; Same vs. Adolph Wey: man, burglary | Samo vs. Hugh Park and Dennis Me- Kellar, gr larcony; Same ve, Stevben W. Wiking, in a verdict of acquittal against all the defendants, and | thus terminates the malpractice trial, the most inter- | esting case of the kim there has been ‘in the court for | A young woman named Harriet Pierce, who had | pa‘d. The amount atone time was $450. They em- | the 21st of January, 1871, the firm remitted him, as | | | each. OCTOBER 21, 1875—TRIPLE SHEET. forgery; Same vs. Richard Fi Same va. Frank Farrell and James Farrell, gamblinj Count ov OvER anp Ti ld by Jud Tett.—The People vs. Thomas Callaghan, Remictia SUPREME COURT CALENDAR Roonesrer, Oct. a, calendar for Thursday, October 21, 1! 142, 162, 164, 213, 21 74, 5, 84, 148, 156 DISTRICT ATTORNEY BLISS. On inquiry yesterday at the office of the United States District Attorney it was found that Mr. Bliss was absent from the city, From questions put to others connected with the office, however, it was found that no i row a Lemipens 4 et a charges having n preferred against Attorney Bliss, The notice which was published to the effect that charges had been presented to the Prest- dent against the official named is looked upom a8 & political dodge and of no importance, especially when the fact is taken into consideration that the ‘alleged charges are said to be ‘substantially the same as those presented aud dismissed @ year ago. REAL ESTATE SALES. disorderly house; = 1875, :—Nos 21s) 210, 24, 227, 8, '29, 61, OL, A GREAT REVOLUTION IN THE EAT SALE OF CENTRAL PARK LOTS—NEARLY ONE MILLION DOLLARS INVESTED. The Real Estate Exchange was crowded to its utmost capacity yesterday, some of the most valuable property that has been offered in the market having been adver- tised for sale, A large number of prominent citizens were present, among them some of our most wealthy merchants, who seemed to take a deep interest in the sales. To the as- tonishment of almost everybody the several lots sold brought higher prices than was anticipated. It was a general remark as certain lots were sold, “There don’t seem to be much shrinkage about that.” Adrian H. Maller & Sons advertised that they would dispose of 128 valuable lots on Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Madison avenues, Fifty-seventh, Fifty- eighth, Sixty-third, Seventieth, Seventy-fifth, Seventy- sixth, Seventy-seventh, Eighty-eighth, 126th, 127th and 140th streets. ‘ Said property being sold by order of Griffith Rowe and of the executrix of William H. Ray- nor, deceased. The first lot offered for sale was a lot on the north- east corner of Fifth avenue and Sixty-fifth street, 25.5 by 100, $35,000 to remain on bond and mortgage, to W. J. Terrell, for $40,000, said property being valued at One lot adjoining the above, on Fifth avenue, 25 4 100, $17,500 can remain on Vond and mortgage, to M, Newhall, of San Francisco, for $25,000. ‘One lot adjoining the above, fronting on Fifth avenue, 50 feet north of Sixty-fith street, $17,500 to remain on bond and mortgage, for $26,000, to H. M. Newhail of San Francisco. it, on Fifth One lot, 25 eet south of Sixty-sixth atreet avenue, 25 by 100 feet, cast side, to William J, Terrell, hree years ago one of the above lots sold for One lot on the north side of Sixty-third street, 150 foot east of Fifth avenue, 25 by 100.5, to A. R, Warner for $16,000, Two lots, each 25 by 100.5, on the south side of Sixty- fourth street, 45 feet west of Madison avenue, to J. H. Seely for $15,000 each. Four lots on the southeast corner of Sixty-fifth street and Madison avenue, each lot 25 by 100 feet, for $15,000 each, in all $60,000, to Jacob Rothschild, One Jot on the northwest corner of Fifty-seventh street and Fourth avenue, 25 by 100, fifty per cent to e500. ‘on bond and mortgage, to Aaron Barnett ior 22,300, One lot, 25 by 100, adjoining the above on the west alae, otouting on Fifty-seventh street, to S Cohen, One lot, Fifty-seventh street, adjoining the above, 25 by 100, $17, ‘000, to Aaron Barnett. i One lot, Fifty-seventh street, adjoining the above, 25 by 100, to Aaron Barnett, $17,000. Three eg Fifty-seventh street, adjoining the above, each 25 by 100, to 8. L. Jacobs, for $17,000 cach. One lot adjoining the above, 25 by 100, toB. F, Raynor, $17,000, Two lots adjoining the above, on Fifty-seventh street, each 25 by 100, to Aaron Barnett, for $17,000 Four lots, on the south side of Sixty-third street, 100 feet east of Madison avenue; each lot 25 by 100.8, to J. W. Stevens, for $45,000. Two lots, on Fourth avenue, 25 by 100, 25 feet 5 inches gouth of Sixty-third street, west side, to Henry Knickerbocker, $10,000 each. ‘Two lots, adjoining the above, 75 feet 5 incbes north of Sixty-second street, each 25 by 100, to Henry Knick- erbocker, each $9,590. One lot, on the southeast corner of Seventy-fifth street and Madison avenue, 28.8 by 100, to Benjamin Raynor, for $11,500, One lot, 26 by'100, on Fifth avenue, east side, 75 feet south of Eighty-eighth street, to J. Newhouse, $20,000. One lot, on the south side of Seventieth streot,’ 250 feet west of Eighth avenne, 25 by 100.5, subject’to a mortgage of $4,750, for $5,600, to Isaac blumenthal. Four lots, cach 25 by 100, on Eighth avenue, on the northeast carner of Eighty-fourth streetand Eighth avenue, to E. 0, Booth; $12,750 per lot, in all $51,000, Five lots on south side of Eighty-eighth street’ and 100 feet west of Eleventh avenue, each 25 by 100, to J. Phythian; $2,500 each lot, in all $11,500. Three lots on the southeast corner of 102d street and the Boulevard; each 25 by 100, to E. 0. Bootn, for $6,250 per lot, in all $18,750. ‘Phroe lots on the south side of 127th street, 175 fect west of Sixth avenue, 25 by 99.11,to J. Lyson, for $2,200 per lot, in all $6,600. . £. H. Ludlow & Co, sold, ofi executive sale, to close the estate of William F. Blackington, deceased, four story basement brown stone front house, 28.4 by 70 and ex- tension, the lot 125 feet deep, No. 628 Fifth avenue, southwest corner of Forty fourth street; also the three story brick stable, 25 by 70, with lot 100 feet deep, No. 12 West Worty-fourth street, gouth side, 250 feet West of Fifth avenue, to J. V. Vercharer for $115,000. Richard J, Harnett sold by order of the Supreme Court, in foreclosure, one building, with lot, 20 by 99, by | 66.5, by 36 by 82.6, by 55, on Broadway, northwest cor- ner ‘of Sixty-eighth streot, tor $13,500 to Samuel V. Hoffman. Also one plot, 152 by 100,’on Union avenue, north of Glen Cove, for $900 to Andrew Ward, plaintif! James M. Miller sold by order of the Supreme Court, in foreclosure, two houses with lots, each 16.8 by 100.5, on East Fifty-frst street, north side,’ 125.8 east of Firs avenue, to Theodore Van Ellert for $10,000 each. E. A.’ Lawrence & Co. sold by order of the Supreme Court, in foreclosure, one house with lot, 25 by 94.9, on West Forty-first street, north side, feet west of Tenth avenue, to John K. Plaston for $9,000. ‘A. M, Muller & Son sold under executive sale the two story brick front house, 25 by 80, No. 92 East Broad- way, north side, between Market and Pike streets, to Mr. O’Brien, for $8,600, Poter L. Meyer sold by order of Supremo Court, in foreclosure, one house, with lot, 25 by 100, on Ryer’s jace, west side, 125 feet south of Irving street, Ford- am, Twenty-fourth ward, for $700. Total amount of sales being $790,800. BOARD OF EDUCATION. BEPORTS READ AT THE MEETING YESTERDAY— THE SUPPLY BILL FoR 1876 ADopTED. ‘The regular meeting of the Board ot Education was held yesterday, Mr. W. H. Neilson presiding. The min_ wore read from the trustees of the Fifth and Ninth wards against the action of the Board in September, re- garding musical instruction in the schools, These pro” tests were supplemented by a memorial, signed by over one hundred principals, asking that the internal manage. ment of the schools be left undisturbed with the principals, whose prerogatives would be encroached upon if assistant teachers are to report to musical directors, It was further urged that the action of the Board in September imposes additional labor on teachers already overtaxed, hence its repeal was re- quested. After some discussion of the matter it was committed for immediate action and a report was final! adopted amending that portion which, if left unaltered would send the special muSic teachers now employ out of office on November 1, prox. Superintendent Kiddle réported the inspection since last meeting of forty-six corporate schools under con- trol ofthe Board. in these 10,724 pupils were regis- tered, of whom 8,651 were examined. They employ 203 teachers, most of whom are unlicensed, In other respects the instruction and discipline were approved. The average attendance during the month in the regu- lar grammar and primary schools was 100,751, an in- increaso of 4,789 over last year. This increase was found principally in the Twelith, Nineteenth and Twen- ty-second wards, where some schools are still densely crowded. The average aggregate attendance in the new school in 128th street was 964. The enrolment in the evening schools was 15,724 and the average attend, ance only a little over 10,000, This falling oif was a° serious evil, because girls as well as boys were among the truants while their parents were ignorant of the truancy. To help remedy this the hour of ope changed from a quarter to seven to a quarter p P. M. and the time of closing proportionate! The average attendance at the Evening High School for the firsttwo woeks was 1,462. The Superintendent of Truancy reported the investigation of 455 cuses, of which 266 were placed in school, four committed to the Commissioners of Charities and Correction and one to the Society for the Reformation of Juventie Delinquents, The rest were rightfully absent or had left the city. The Board appoitedJohn Curtin, John 8. Ketcham and A. L, Heckler as traancy agents. The commitwe ap- inted to investteate the matter against Trustees Von Jahn and Mitchell reported that the charges were not | | Sustained. An expenditure of $1,000 was ordered for Fepairs on the ship St. Marys. The supply list for 1876, with the exclusion of Perry’s Manual of “Biblical Selec. tions,’ was adopted. On motion of Commissioner Wood the name of the Model School was changed to the Training School for the Normal College. After authority | utes of the previous meeting were approved. Protests | | extended. | had been given for the purchase of @ site for anew | school in Fifty-sixth street, near Tenth avenue, the Board adjourned, BURGLARY ON FIFTH AVENUE. On the night of the 18th, burglars effected an entrance | into the jewelry store of Richard Keeping, No, 539 Fifth avenue, and stole therefrom clocks, watches, chains and other articles to the value of $144 The police haye no claw to the Derpetratoriy THE “BIG” PIPES Investigating the Department of Public Works. Commissioner Fitz John Porter Makes Some Frank Admissions. THE CITY PAVES MR. WICKHAM'S SIDEWALK, Jackson 8. Schultz on Blackmail- ing .Coroners, The testimony of Commissioner Porter before the Sonate Investigating Committee yesterday was of great interest and developed many abuses inthe Department of Public Works, Those portions of it alluding to the gross abuses of tho labor ticket system, to the bad character of some of the department’s employés, to the removal of competent men and the appointment of incompetent men in their places from political favorite ism, to the waste of public money by employing the day labor instead of the contract system, for political reasons; to the relaying of pavement in front of tho residence of Mayor Wickham’s father, &c., suggest the necessity of a closer investigation into every root and branch of this department, It will be observed that theso abuses are only hinted at in Mr. Porter’s frank confessions. The testimony given by Messré. Schultz and Sherwood was perfectly startling. Commissioner Porter, of New Jersey, was the first witness, Q What are your duties as Commissioner of Public Works? A. To take charge of the following bureaus :— ‘The Croton Aqueduct, Sewers, Water Purveyor, Water Register, Repairs and Supplies, Street Improvements, Lamps and Gas and Street Encumbrances, Q Have you not also a bureau for the Construction of Roads and Avenues? A. I beg your pardon—Oh, yes, sir. Q Can you give me the number of laborers employed at the present time? A. From 2,500 to 2,800, Q What is your system of appointing laborers? A. They are put on as necessity requires; sometimes par- ties come to me and ask that laborers be put on, but | their requests are not granted unless the men are wanted, ABUSES IN THR TICKET SYSTEM, Q You have a system of tickets, have you not? A. The ticket is addressed to the Chief Engineer, with orders to employ the man for whom itis made out. Q Isit nota fact that the man who recommends the laborer receives the ticket? A. Yes, sir; that is | often so. Q. Charges have frequently been made that men who recommend laborers have sold these tickets, and that those who bought them have got work, representing themselves as the person for whom the ticket was made out? A. Ihave investigated many of these charges, but never found a case in which it was true. Q The system is open to such an abuse, is it not? A. Yes, sir; I think it is utterly impossible to prevent all fraud in this matter, It was here suggested that the laborer should be brought personally to the Commissioner’s office and there identified by the Chief Engineer. Mr, Porter said that even then laborers had been found "TO HAVE EXCHANGED THEIR TICKETS through the connivance of the foreman. In all such cases he declared that upon proof of the facts such men had been discharged. He was then asked as to the extent of the work on the changing of the “big” | pipes (the Croton Aqueduct). The work extended from | Ninety-second to 119th street, and was begun in 1871 or 1872, The Commissioner then explained at length the character of the work. He said by to-morrow night two of the newly transferred pipes would be ready for the reception of water, leaving still three pipes to be transferred. In his opinion the whole work would bo finished this year. Under the statute the department was authorized to spend $3,700,000 for the alterations from Ninety-second to 113th street, and all this money had been spent but $245,000. The work had been going on fivo years.’ He was asked to give his opinion as to the condition of the aqueduct, and went on to state what work had been completed before he went into office and what since. Under Mr. Porter’s administration only $190,000 of the total expenditure of $3,455,000 was spent, Q Asan expert will you tell me what you think of the cost? A. I am not capable to answer this question, as I know nothing of the condition of the work done before my time. EXAMINATION, Q As Commissioner of Public Works you have not examined any portions of that work? A. No, sir, | @ Can you not tell me whether it was done at a fair or at an expensive price? A I think it was ex- pensive, Q Was it not very expensive? A. I should not like they are barkeepers at all, sir, I do not consider it essential that they should be mechanics. wer it not be much better? A. It would be You pre tent for nee mores om pe veunicr ‘es, sir, for giving @ larger water si py, to the lower portion of the city. This work is to done by contract, not by public advertisement, ever, but by invi to a dozen of the best ana most reliable contractors, The amount asked for new works was $500,000, ‘ rit Are you aware that Eleventh street, betweem h and Sixth avenues, has recently been paved? Mr. Porter, after hesitating along while, tinally said:— “0 yes, | drove over it” Q Is it not true that the mon on that little work have bega enaneed on it for nine weeks? A. I dare say it is very likely. © A portion of that pavement in that block has been newly relaid, has it not? A. Yes, sir, it has. Q. Is it not true that just in front of one residence the pavement was relaid because its owner was Mayor Wickham’s father? A. I don’t know, sir. If the work has been done there I have no doubt it was because it was necessary. You give out the city prin & Most of the printing is given to the National Print- ing Company? A. Yes, sir; they generally underbia. Q Bao’ a fact that the company has its work done by the boys of the House of Refuge? A. | don’t know, sir. Q. Do you know who are the principal stockholders in that company? A. I don’t know, sir. Q Isit nota fact that General Frank Spinola and Bernard Kelly are the principal owners? A. No, sir; L never heard that General Spinola was interested in it; T believe Bernard Kelly is. Q Is it true that th Chief of the Bureau of Stree! Mr. Moonoy, was foruferly a professional prize aghter A. Idon’t know, sir; Mr. Mooney does his work, and L never enter into a man’s private r unless itis derogatory to the department. Mr. Porter explained the reasons of the increase of the estimates of his department for 1876. Many of the stop cocks were corroded, &c, Q How ees the men in your department were pe f when Mr. Tweed was its chief? A. About ten or welve, Q. How many of these have been appointed by you? A (With remarkable haste.) None, sir. JACKSON 8. SCHULTS ON THE STAND, Mr. Jackson 8, Schultz was the next witness. He said ho had had occasion frequently to visit the “big pipes” ever since the beginning of the work, five years ago; he had made it always his business to count the number of workmen at work and those who were idle, and the result was, without scarcely an exception, that from twenty to twenty-five per cent of the men ‘were work- ing while the remainder were idling about, Even the majority of the men who did work were not suitable laborers; they showed that they were not experiencea with the pick and shovel; the men who did not work stood about in groups, smoked their pipes, talked or sat on the bank! Being asked to make suggestions of possible reforms in departments Mr, Schultz said he had reason to state that great abuses had existed in the Coroners! oflice and did exist there now, THE CORONERS AND THEIR DUTIES. In this elty the Coroners should be appointed by the Board of Health, and not elected at a popular election as now. It might answer as well if the Ipspectors of the Board of Health, who are all medical “men, should perform this service. The irregularities and grossly improper conduct or the Coroners and their employés are 80 great that they defy exposure by their heinousness, There are many misfortunes which may befall a per- feetly innocent family requirmg, under the present laws, the intervention of a Coroner, the concealment of which ts made expensive at first but ruinous in the end MAYOR WICKHAM’S FATHER, | to those who foolishly suppose they can rely upon the bonor of the Coroners’ oifice. Yo 1S, ‘a Corouer or a Deputy, or {n any way confiden- tially connected with the Jaguest of this city, isa placer which never ceases to yield large sums of money or ita equivalent. An i faut hh Coroner can make more money by {ufidelity to his trust than any other public officer in the city. “a onthis subject trom intimate knowledge of the abuses which existed a few years since—abuses | which I have reason to think continued in a modified form ever since. Let me give you a familiar illustration; one of thosa classes of case§ which I may refer to without bringing the blush to your cheeks or mine—as many other casea would if mentioned, ’ A dissipated son commits suicide. He has sisters, brothers, father and mother. All are anxious for con- cealment. The family doctor has the case committed to his care; he arranges with the Coroner for a private inquest; a certificate for burial is obtained. The death 1s announced as ‘‘sudden.’? The Coroner holds the secret, and never fails to remind the family of the obligation, and either himself strikes them for money or allows one of his officials to do this dirty work. While all the world knows of the suicide the immedi- ate family think them ignorant and continue to pay blackmail through all time. ‘The relation of Coroners in a large city to the admin- istration of its criminal law is as intimate and confiden- tial as that of a physician to the family. No one would depend upon a popular election fora family physician. We should have in this city for Coroners mon of the highest professional honor. They should, if possible, ba doctors or Jawyers, a8 the profession of both these classes may serve ‘a useful purpose in the Coroner's office. But 1 submit that our experience for the past ten years has not given us such men. ‘There is not a physician of large practice in this city who, if interrogated, would not confirm this statement and add many others if his professional honor would permit him to reveal the secrets of his practice. Mr. Schultz went on to say that many of the cases were so outrageous that it was impossible to reveal them for decency’s sake. THB INSTITUTIONS, In regard to the islands there was one great abuse~— namely, that the keepers were a demoralized set, and that thoy came over to the city and visited the haunts of crime and vice, whither they conveyed messagea from the inmates of the institutions, The expenditures ‘were economical enough and the food was even insufll- cient. “Nobody can retorm until his belly is uli Mr. Schultz sententiously. As to the state of di cipline on the islands, Mr. Schultz said that he visited them a short time ago and had never during fifteen years found agreater state of demoralization than he saw at that time. Hoe walked through one entire insti- to say that. Mr. Porter gave the number of laborers employed on the Boulevard as about 2,000, and described the work of completing the sewerage atconsiderable length. He was unable to give the total expense of the work. A small portion of it was done by contract, and contract work now compared favorably with the day labor system in point of cheapness. Nevertheless, Mr. Porter ad- | mitted that, under his administration, scarcely any of | the work had been done under the cheaper contract stem. Q If it is cheaper to do the work by contract why have you not adopted the system? A. I found the | system in existence and thought a change in it might make trouble to the laboring people and produce a bad | effect politically; Ihave no doubt that tne contract | system in point of cheapness is bap hh patios but a | good deal of this contract work has tw be done over ain, ba ‘Well, could you not, as Commissioner, inspect the works done by contractors? A. Yos, sir, and it is done as thoroughly as it possibly can be. Q If your inspectors do their duty, is the contract system not preferable in every respect? A. Yes, sir. Mr. Porter was unable to state the number of gangs on the Boulevard or the number of men in each gang. He inspected the works once or twice a week. EASY INSPECTION. Q Whatdo you mean by inspecting; do yon mean riding by it? A. Yes, sir; sometimes I found men not working as. they ‘ought to have done, and some- times I found negligent foremen, whom I removed. Q Have you had many complaints? ‘A. Not many, ‘but wherever there has been a complaint it has been thoroughly investigated, and justice has been done to the city. Q How is the work being done? A. Most of the men | are working very well; they don’t work as a con- | tractor’s men will work. | Q And why is that? A. Tenppose because the fore- men don’t exercise such rigorous care, Q. Who is above the foremen? A. We have regular inspectors and @ general superintendent and his as- sistants, a Q Have you ever been informed of’ the frequent ar- rests of forémen along the line of the work in a state of | 88 intoxication? A. No, sir, Ihave never heard of it ws Q. Have youaforeman named McCugh? A. I don’t now. Q Will you ascertain whether he is still a foreman? A. Yoo, sir, I will. Q Do you require a certificate of competency from the inspectors. A. No, sir. Q Does the law not require that they should have certificates of “competency from two master masons? A. I think there is no such law. Q [am informed there is such a Jaw, A. I don’t | know of any. ‘Rocky’? MOORE. | Q. Who has the contract for the cleaning of sewers? | A. Moore and Gavin. | Q Whois that Moore? A. Ionly know him asa contractor. Q Is he not “Rocky” Moore, the prize fighter? A. I don’t pretend to know the soubriquets of these le, Pe Then the records of your department will not show that he has been quite prominent in getting ap- | on for laborers? A. No, sir, except for his own rers. Q Who is the keeper of the aqueduct at Yorktown? A. I think a man named Eagan. @ Isn't it Fernando Wood, Jr.? A. (with an ex- pression of immense surprise) Yes, I think it is | Q There was a very competent man named Palmer there before Wood and he was removed without cause, was henot? A. Ido not think there wero any charges against Palmer; Wood was appointed at the recom- mendation of his fathor. @ Bo you know what Wood's mental condition is? | A. 1 don't know, sir; ithas been stated that he is only half-witted. “GENERAL!” EAGAN, Q Do you know the charadter or standing of “Gen- a ay is fee Lf be doen at Dobb's erry wave nm told that he dischar; bis duties satisfactorily. bd Q Are you not aware that he was dismissed from the mney = the Department of Charities and Correction ? 0, sir. Q@ Are you not aware that he was indicted at one time? A. No, sir. Q [see that six of the eight aqueduct keepers have been removed by you. Have any of them been re moved on charges? A. None, sir. Q What improvements generally have you made in the department? A. I found an excellent system when I went into office, and have closely adhered to it, MODEL PORBMRY, | | | Lincoln, tution without seeing a singlo keeper or official. | suming the subject of the laborer's method of doing | the work of the city, he said his visits to the Boulevard were made on the occasion of his regular visits to the Bloomingdale Asylam, with which ho was connected asan officer. The great wrong was that political lag | zaroni did the work. He thought that members of the Legislature should be reformed also, Otten members from the western —. of the State came here ta recommend men as laborers, thus seriously interfering with the interests of New York city, MR. JOHN I. SHERWOOD, avery respostabie looking gentleman, had counted the amen on all the public works of this city. He had ob- served this, because it had cost him hundreds of thou- sands of dollara, he being a large realestate owner, Out of a gang of twenty only six would work while the other fourteen were telling stories, smoking, &c, Q How about the foreman’ A. I have never seem one whom I could distinguish as a foreman. Mr, Sherwood stated that his lots in the Harlem flats were assessed $350 to $550 for sewerage, while he could ot rich by providing it at $100, Along Sixth avenue, fon Fifty-ninth to 125th street, the assessment for im- ee which was from $S00 to $1,500 per lot a few years ago, was now $2,100 to $2,500. These im- rovements, for which the property owners were sa Beastly taxed, were made from ten to fifteen years in advance of necessity. They were not wanted by the: por ny nine OWNERS OF Groasnors, who desired to have the men there in order to sell liquor to them, and by poiiticians who kept them there as voters. While the aquednet work, a mile Jong, cost $3,700,000, the Fourth avenue improvement, which was ten times greater in magnitude, only $6,000,000. The first took six years and the latter two years. The money spent on waterworks was wasted, as there was already water enough, and the only reason fof a scarcity was that twice as much water was wasted as was used, By a meter system co If these assessments on the west next three years he would prefer to let the city sell his property. The great evil was that in those departments which managed his property the ignorant and foreign element predominated, while the native born American had no voice. As tothe actual cost of the improve- ments, he could do them for one-fourth the price charged by the department. ‘The committee at this point adjourned till Friday morning, at balf-past ten o'clock, THE DOCK DEPARTMENT. The Dock Commissioners held their regular weekly meeting yesterday at the office in Duane street, Mr. William 0, Stoddard sent in his resignation as principal clerk to the Chief Engineer, which was accepted. This gentleman was formerly private secretary to President ‘The following statement was made by the Treasurer for the week ending October 19:—Amount re- maining to credit of Commission in Finance Department October 12, $581,564 03; disbarsements during week, $14,440 85; leavis balance of $617,113 18. HEAVY SEIZURE BY THE SHERIFF, Deputy Sheriff Hardy, of Brooklyn, armed with authority from Messrs. J. Schmidt & Co., tobacco mer- chants, of New York, and Mr. Strasser, of Albany, yesterday levied on about $30,000 worth of goods, alleged to have been obtained by one Frederick Feette on a fraudalent note, The property, consisting of tobacco, whiskey and dry goods, was found stored away in a two story frame house, No. 167 Gwinnett | sureet, The house was in charge of a Mr. Ruebold. Mr, Feette was “not at home’’ when the Sheriff called. RUNNING AMUCK. James Sullivan, who resided at No. 137 York street, has been subject to repeated attacks of insanity of late, and became so violent that his friends were compellee | to provide for his incarceration in the lunatic asylum Two officers called at his residence in a carriage yester- day atternoon, for the purpose of removing him to the Flatbush asylum. Sullivan wok his seat in the carriage quictiy with his custodians. Wher the vehicle reached the corner of Hoyt and Fulton streets, he suddenly prodaced # knife and mado a feintas though about to attack the officers. He then jumped from the coach and ran up the strest, brandishing his weapon as ho ‘went alonj Chase was given, in which about fifty people join Q Do you know that many inters, barkeepers, saloon proprietor [Beitwertozes gy otenpisel a2 am your foremen are &o., and aware phat, oolared va jong run, the dangerous madman was re captured and overpowered. With the assistance of twe policeman the man was removed to the aaylume