The New York Herald Newspaper, February 13, 1876, Page 6

6 NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 138, 1876—QUADRUPLE SHEET. NO SEAT NO FARE. u + The Killian Bill Before the | Legislature. WHAT WILL THE RAILROAD-COMMITTEE DO ? | at ies Views of the Committee on Cities, of the Committee cn Railroads and of the New York City Members, ABUSE DENOUNCED. : TUB OVERCROWLNG Will the Railroad Companies Prove as Powerful as of Old? Aunany, Feb. 12, 1876, ‘The No Seat No fare bill, introduced by Mr. Killian, which was published im full in the Herat a few days | ago, has been printed, aud was to-day placed on the Qles of the members of the Assembly. It is now in the bands of the Railroad Committee, of which Mr. George West, of Ballston, is chairman. As much interest is felt im the bill, and the lobby was bold enough even be- fore it was introduced to boast that it would be buried | out of sight in the Hoase if the committee reported it | favorably, and after it was introduced became still | bolder and vaunted their ability to smother it tn the rommittee, it may be of interest to know just how the members of the Railroad Committee, of the Committe om Cities and all the New York members are disposed | toward it, Your correspondent has endeavored to ob- tain their views on the measure, but some of the mem- ers seem to be more than unusually reluctant to talk | about the matter, However, the general opinion seems to be favorable to the bill. THN RAILROAD COMMITTER, Mr. Gronax Wnet, of Ballston, the chairman, is, of course, a republican, He said:—‘There's been con- siderable talk goin’ on about what the lobby intends to do with this bill. I tell you what it is, they havn't got a hold on the Railroad Committee yet, and they won’t if {can help it Ifthey say they can ‘fix’ us so that the bill won’t be reported they'll find out they’ve been on the wrong track. The bill will be reported in some shape; there will be no holding back on it If the com- mittee think it’s wrong, why, they’ll report adversely and let the House do with it what it pleases, If they think it’s just the thing, or will be amended properly they'll report it favorably. But there’s go!n’ to be no ‘smothering’ about it, I have'nt looked into it closely yet. Something ought to be done to afford better facil ities for passengers in the street cars, and I am willing to go as far as anybody to give those facilities. But as to this bill of Killian’s I can’t say yet if itis just the | thing.” ‘ Mr. Power, (rep.) of Columbia—I will be ready to give my views fully and frankly about the bill when I have had time to study it thoroughly. It may be an | pnobjectionable one in every respect. That’s what I want to be sure of before 1 can say I am in favor of it, Mr. Gripay, (rep.) of Oneida—From all I have been | able to learn the people in New York are treated rather | badly as a rule by the way they are compelled to hang on vo straps and be half crushed to death in the cars. | Yhe idea of giving them relief is a good one, but | whether the bill introduced will accomplish all that 1s | desired and at the same time protect the rights of all | \ concerued—railroad companies as well as the travelling public—yet remains tobe seen, Ihave not made up my mind yet how | shall vote on the bill, It ia yet, think, in too crude a shape.” Mr. Wortm (rep.)—I'd like to say right now | that I will voto for the Dill, but, to tell the truth, I bav'nt seen it yet. All 1 know about itis that it com- pels the companies to give every passenger aseat. Some bill might be drawn upto put an end to the erush- ing on the cars, but I think that no matter what laws are passed people will ride even on platforms and | banging by straps if they are in a hurry, I’m wil- ling to do allI canto give the travelling public all | tho relief possible, but I want to see my way clear | first, to see how we can possibly get at the matter | and pass a law that will amount to anythin; | Mr. McKzr, (rep.) of Herkimer—Something ought to be done to put an end to the crushing in the cars. If the bill can beso perfected ax to compel the companies to run cars enough to accommodate, during the hours | when travel is the greatest, it ought to be passed. Mr, Barpwis, (rep.) of Allegany—I don’t know any- thing at all about tho bill, When it comes from the committee Iwill look into it, If itisajust bill Pl vote for it; if itis not 1 won't. Mr. Metix, (dem.) of New York—I will do allin | my power to further the wishes of the people who want | ties for travelling in the horse cars. If | be done by putting on more | cars 1 say bave them put op, Any good | Dill just and fair to all concerned I will vote for, The | bill introduced, I think, needs considerable pruning to | make it mect the wishes of those who want a bill that | will be eflective when passed. Count me as one who desires to vote right on the measure, regardless of all considerations. Mr. Cook (dem.), of Queens—The bill, so far as I have | been able to learn (I haven't read jt yet), means well. | Anyhow, it is aimed at the abolishment of some abuses | which ought to be corrected. A good bill of the kind will find a friend in me, | Mr. Wurrsow (dem. ), of New York—Some of the pro- visions of the bill are good. There are some that weaken instead of strengthening the aim it las in view, T have not made up my mind how I will vote. 1 want to see the people get ail the accommodation possible on the hoarse cara. My vote will depend altogether on what sbape the bill will be in when put to a final vote. ‘The main object of it is a praiseworthy one. THR COMMITTER ON CITIRS. Mr. Fisn (rep.), of Putnam—I think it’s a pretty fair | Dill Lf it will put an end to overcrowding by the com- panies, and it is possible for the companies to run cars | 60 that there will be no standing passengers, well aod good Mr. Hrcars (rep.), of Kings—I will look into the ‘merits of the bill closely and will vote as I think right | Mr. Surra (rep.}, of Onondaga—Ifsuch legislation can de obtained as will afford better accommodation for passengers in the care there ought to be but little oppo- sition to it If the Killian bf covers all the ground necessary allright’ But there are many things in it that look like impossibilities. Can the companies with profit run cars enough so permit of every person hay- ing a seat? | ft. Granam (rep.), of Monroe—The bill's object is a laudable one, If passengers can be protected against the abuses complained of in New York, I say protect them, and if the bill when properly considered and reported satisfies me that it will do that I will vote fort But at present I think is is attempting too much in a lump. Mr. Prasopy (rep.), of New York—Ot course I like to aseat when I ride in acar. But what ti a | fellow would like to stand up, especially if he sees a Jady; friend in the car when there is no vacant ee: | Does it prevent a man from stepping along to ha chat with her? But the crowding in the cars in New | York is terrible, and if Killian’s bill will put an end to it Tsay, Ameo. | will go it, | Mr. Guont, (rep.) of New York—There ought to bea remedy for the evils complained of I don’t see ox- | how the crushing ts to be ended; but if Killian has | the right idea in his bill J think it will meet with Pe support. I am in favor of any good bill that deal justly in the matter. or Modaoakry, (dem. ) of Kings—Well, the companies will make a big effort to kill that bill. There are some | things I approve in it, others that Idon’t When it im committee of the whole ft will, no doubt, Py b I am in favor of doing somethin wo give im the cities better means to travel com! ; but the question is, How can it be domo effectually vy such « billas Killian’s? Can cars be run ite number is added to the present it peels Que to be solved ; vitae ought (dem., of New York) views are best He says he is determined to push it any fair amendments, anything, in ae? ey prepared it tantly je says Bublect before the ire early and hitneeif in oamleege the whole to mie, & member of this committee as Committee, His views ha’ 3 232 ‘THE CITY MewnERs. city members who do not belong to ittee On Cities or the Committee on | benefit the people of New York. | which this gener | ask fourteen inches o! gers more accommodations, The bill seems to be a pretty good one and ought to pass. Mr. Exouenant (rep.)—-A very good bill in its way, but can it bring about what it 18 driving at? There are very many difficulties in the way. However, there is nothing like trying. We witl be able some day to | travel comfortably mm New York, but I’m afraid it won't be im the horse Mr. Gauvin (dem,)—D'm favor of any bill that will | If this bill will benefit | thom [I’m there every time. I don’t like to be crushed | to a jelly on @ horse car auy more than the next man, | and Pve bad my fill of it. I think every man and | Woman in New York ts about sick of it Straps and platforms are not attractive, and we shoald all be allowed @ comfortable seat. Ir we can’t bave arin chairs or arocking chair or a sota each, why, hang it, let us each bave some kind of a seat, at all events, Mr. auton (dem.)—The people of New York want rapid transit, and they want to travel comfortably, too. They don’t get much consideration ‘rom the city rail road vompanies now, a ngs can be changed so that the travelling public can be bonefited, I, for one, Won't stand in the way. Mr. Grave (rep.)—Every one who travels on a city car should have a seat, and the companies should be made to run their cars in sufficient numbers to accom- modate the travelling public. Mr. Hays (rep.)—Ln the Arctic regions, where tho car companies don’t do a very lively business, a fellow can get a seaton a sied and travel pretty well Why can’t the city horse car companies accommodate us then’ Seriously, the crush system in New York is an intolerable nuisance. The people are too patient altogether, but [ think they are at last aroused and the present regulation of no seat no fare subject will be | beneficial, Something must be done for the travelling public in the city. Mr. Kiva (dem. )—The bill seems to be all right. If F find it is I will give it my support. Mr. Muxpuy (dem.)—Don’t koow much about tho bill except in a general way; but, bless my soul, what | can you do with those horse car companies? They'll beat you every time, Iam in favor of anything that will “help the people along who have to use. the cars, bat I guess ill be bard work bucking against the com- panies. I don’t know whether the bill suita yet or not, Mr, O'Haxx (dem.)—I haven't made up my mind yet, A bill of the character of the one introduced ffeeds to be carefully considered if it is intended to amount to any- thing. It will, [ think, be @ rather difficult task to cover all the ground necessary to putanend to tho overcrowding of cars to afford each passenger a seat, and all that, I will vote according to my best Judgment of what is right and proper when the time comes. Mr. Sixvin (dem.)—I have not examined the bill closely, There may be some features in it that may not meet with my approval, but the intent of the meas- ure isagood one. Passengers, at certain times of the day, on certaim iines, have to put up with agreat deal that I think might be remedied, Mr. Srnanan (rep.)—The time will come when travel will be better regulated in New York than tt | now is, The bill, I learn, bas for its object the com- fort of the passenger. If legislation can eflect that 1 am in favor of such legislation. Mr, Warrs (rep.)—The subject of overcrowding the cars bas been a sore one to New Yorkers for s, Whether the Legislature can better things it is ard to tell, There are many sides to the question, but I have no doabt all the New York members will do ali they can for the benefit of the people there when | they have to tackle the subject, PRESS OPINIONS. STREET CARS. (From the New York Times of yesterday,} It seems a very small thing to ask of the street rail- road companies that they shall guarantee fourteen inches of sitting room to each grown person who shall pay his fare. Yet tbis is all that the most radical measure ever introduced into the Legislature demands of these corporations, It cannot be doubted that tho announcement that the street car companies had re- solved to guarantee this space to their customers would be greeted with satisfaction, Tho travelling public, always ina hurry to get somowhere, and never with letgure enough to observe how it is getting there, docs not see how scandalously it is imposed upon until ome moral hero, some city Hampden, withstands the | public enemy and makes an example of the railroad company. By and by, when the popular conveyance for the | streets bears the same relation to the street car of the present that the street car does to an Irish jaunting car, posterity will be amazed at the patience with jon submitted to the insolence of corporations and petitioned for fourteen inches of room, But it cannot be expected that the street car companies will do anything for the comfort of their passen- gers except under compulsion. They have provided against competition, and enly the Legislature, from Which their powers wore derived, can compel them to concede anything whatever to the public demand. In fact the pubiic do mot “demand” anything, except in that vague and general way m which popular grum- bling takes shape. For this the railroad corporations do not care a straw. know very well that what is everybody's business is nobody's, ana it is only when some influential and well-to-do citizon like Messrs. Johnston and Prime dares to force them into the courts that they regard popular murmurs with any attention. The spectacle of a street car crowded wita passengers, who are made wretched and unhappy by bad air and physical pressure, is enough to move any man’s indignation. Here is an association of capital- ists who make a great deal of money on their invest- ments, who hold au absolute franebise in the public ects, who keep their employés ina rigorous bond- ‘e, and who daily exact payment of fare from twice as many passengers as they furnish with suitable accom- mogations. Why should it be tolerated? Itis no answer to this statement to say that the people are to blame—that they persist in getting on a car when they know perfectly well that they cannot gotaseat. lt is very true that passengers will crowd on @ steamboat until it is overloaded, and that the one thousandth man is just as eager to go as the first man of the first five hundred which the vessel can carry salely could possibly have been. But this is no argu- ment against (he right and duty of the Legisiatare to protect passengers, and, if necessary, to protect them | against themsolves, The gates of ferry landings and | railway depots are not for the convenience of the cor- poration; they are to prevent people from rushing into danger and death, So long as men will jump on al- ready overcrowded cars the companies will be willing to carry them, and collect fares from fifty passongers instead of {rom twenty-fve. The company that can crowd its daily traffic into one bundred vehicles will never increase its stock unless compelled to do so by something more than a ‘popular demand.”’ When tho law declares that the complement of pas- songers to each street car shall be limited to the capa- city of the vebicle the corporations will find ample means of accommodating the public travel There | Bo possible danger that anything but a snow blockade or @ disease among horses will prevent somebody from furnishing facilities for cheap street travel. At any rate, the state of things of which the street car com- panies profess to make some complaint is their own work. These corporations bave been the steady and | active opponents of every scheme of rapid transit in this city. Whenever the Legislature has been asked to provide some means to relieve the thorough. fares from the pressure of travel the railroad companies have used every means to defeat | that petition. They have managed to secure & monopoly of street passenger traneportation, they have set up the most arrogant claims to ownership in | the streets of this city, ang have assumed the right to hold the avenues through which they have jaid their tracks, with the power to decide whether any vehicles bat their own shall pass through them. And, having so fortified themsolves and driven off all competition, they say that they cannot furnisn adequate accommo: dations for the travel which they have fought so hard to monopolize. The people of New York are. the real owners of the streeta To the railroad companies has been given the right to run cars at fixed rates of pas- senger fare. The people who own the streets humbly ce for each person who rides and pays the price o/ bis transportation. A MEDICINE FOR THE HORSE CARs. (From the Evening Mail.) It may possibly be surmised that wo are about to recommend some medicine as a preventive or cure of the diseases which are likely to be caught by peoplo whose unfortunate fate it is to bo packed daily in horse cars with a great mass of unclean and diseased humanity. We bave, however, nothing of that kind in our mind, We leave to the medical profession the care of the maladies which the city railroad proprietors distribute gratuitously, and desire to speak at present of a medicine of which doses have been already taken of tho horse car own ] with & prospect of others having to swallow soi the same, which they sodeaniedly 1 do with a wry face. Our citizens have long groaned under the imposi- have bad to submit to in being obliged to eiF residences to their places of business and back suspended to a strap im cars crowded beyond all endarance. It is all very well to talk of (the effeminacy of the ago ahd the folly of people insisting on riding when it would be better for them to walk. Bat large numbers of persons are altogether unequal to walking four miles or more after a hard day’s work, and would injure their health by attempting it, while it is important for them to reach their homes as quickly as possible, even at the risk of great personal discom- fort The horse car companies, aware of this, have run as few cars as possible and loft their patrons to bang on by & strap and trample on each other, The extension of the Elevated Raitroad to the Park, however, has already afforded great relief to those living ow the west side of the town, and has demon- Strated to one line that it ts not so absolutely masver of the situation as it has been heretofore. The poopie of the west side, who bave any regard for decency and health, and choose to have a seat in return for their fare are no longer obliged to submit to the {m- on them, and by using the Elevated oe have ¢ ove, oe fortable and rr conveyance to and from their tn The result is, according to an juctors Elevated ‘ark travel between there aud Twenty-third street bas fallen off fully sev- per cent, while they estimate the total decrease ot company’s business since the construction of the road at forty per cent These figures cannot fail to exctte the envy of dal travetiors on the Third Avenue Rail and to call forth earnest wishes that rapid transit on east side may be pushea forward as rapidly as possible, in order (Wat the east mde Ue eM lr the luxury of a seat and @ clean, wh and comfortable con- veyance How much more tho relief i needed om the east side than the west is shown by the figures of the Menace. sccording to which 18 carsonthe Eighth avenue y carried but 121 Persons, while the same number of cars on the Third avenue during the same hours carried 1,057 persons, or nearly an average of 51 persons to each cars—one car carrying 77 persons—or more than three times as many as it could seat These Ogures are eloquent ai managers of rapid transit o1 ¢ east side to push for- ward toeir work with all possible rapidity, and, by ad- ministering ou the east side the medicine which has already been 80 potent on the west side, cure or at pened mitigate the ils from which we have saffered so jong. OPINIONS OF THE PEOPLE. WATCH THAT BILL. To tax Eorvor ov Tue Heaup:— The only hope for relicf from the street car owners isin the bill introduced in the Legislature yesterday. Lobbyists are already at work to defeatit, and every resourco known to that clique will be brought into requisition in the car owners’ interest. The threadbare croak, that ‘‘the poorer classes will suffer,’ is a most transparent humbug. The compenies will carry every passenger who can pay his fare, and if seventy cars are insufficient to do it they will promptly add ity more rather than lose the riders. ought to spur on the manner suggested in the bill above referred to. Amend- ments will be offered repeatedly tending to nullify the measure, and it remains for those who have originated the movement to watch this bill until it has become a Jaw of the State, and fn such a shape that it will com- pel the city railroads to furnish each passenger with a comfortable seat. And when the cry is raised that it is tmpossible to do this, let the people answer and de- mond that it be tried first and condemued afterward, if necessary, not before. This bill must become a law, ‘and the people want to kuow who, if any, dare op- pose it, ANTI-MONOPOLY. New York, Fen. 10, 1876. THE BILL CRITICISED. To Tax Evrror or Tax HERALD:— In to-day’s issue I find the bill to prevent overcrowd- ing our street railway cars, but let me call attention to section 4 of this ‘No seat no fare’ bill, which says:— When there are no vacant seats in any of the aforesaid cars there shall be placed sign or signal in a couspicuous place on the outside of such car showing forth that fuct, aud no passenger shall be taken on such car as aforesaid under the penalties prescribed in the first section of tuis act, This will be most dizastrous to the public, for no matter how important it may be for a person to reach & certain point ina shorter space of time than it would take to walk that distance, they might be obliged to wait for a dozen or twenty cars to pass by with the sign of ‘No seats” placed outside, on any one of which they would gladly ride standing and pay thetr fares, too, in order to reach their destination in time. But no; they will not be allowed to get on under any cir- cumstances, and must walk or wait unul a par- tially filled car comes along, and consequently miss the train they would otherwise have taken, In fact, they will have to endure some one of along category of disappointments which any one of common sense can, m a moment, think of T have my own horse and carriage; but often want to go a short distance in a lees time than it would take to have my horse harnessed, and then I ride in a car; therefore, in order to save time and to get to the sick persgo without delay, am willing to stand up and pay my ‘fare, too. The companies should certainly be Obliged to put on a greater hdMber of cars during their busiest hours, and afford their patrons all the accom- modation possible, but to be deprived the privilege of getting on any car you choose is entirely wrong, and I } trast such an act will never be passed by our logislu- tors. Very respectfully yours, DOCTOR. Nuw Youk, Feb, 10, 1876. NO STANIING PASSENGERS. To Tax Epirorn ov Tax HeRaLp:— I respectfully submit the following:—Let the State law decide that cars shall not carry standing passen- gers, for the reason that such passengers interfore with the rights and privileges paid’ for by those sitting. “No seat no fare’ doos not cover the point at issue; the,public require as much protection from themselves as they do from the car companies. Thereare many pe ple who havn’t the native common sense and decency to restrain them from standing in a car to the discom- fort of others, and we want “No seat no admittance’ to save us trom such boors, If the companies want to know how to seat twenty-eight or thircy persons inside their cars at present in use let them address the under- signed, who also suggest that by lengthening these cars ‘hey can seat forty. The talk about climate interfering with outside top seats is childish. Let the parties who raise such an objection explain the difference between hanging on outsido both fore and aft and sitting on the top. Tbe dimensions of acar seat shduld be decided by law and not by the conductor or a passenger, other- wise a car is never {ull and the conductor may crowd the seats to his lik! Smokers are not allowed in- side. It would be well for the companies to also banish those uncivilized creatures who forget that all their fellow passengers have not said tarewelb to decency, and who object silently but none the less strongly to the sight and smell of tobacco expectoration. Provide chewers with accommodation on cattle cars. DECENCY, ORDER & CO, No. 193 Mapison Srreet, Brooklyn. SEATS ON THE ROOF. To tax Eprror or tux Hexatp:— Ifyou were to insist on the railroad companies placing seats on the roofs of the cars, as is done in Eng- land, you would confer a great favor on thousands who use them to get to their places of business and back, and as this would take but a comparatively small out- lay I am surprised the companies have not thought ot doing 60 long ago. It would not be necessary to make any change in the fare, as many people would prefer to ride outside from choice, And, while you are urging this reform on the street railroads, why shouid not the tage and ferry companies be compelled to do the same? What a delightful sai) t would be across the river on tho top of the boat, instead of being shut up in a stuffy cabin with no ventilation, or being compelied to stand t the end of the boat, where the companies ‘e not even the grace to place seats. REFORM, rd AN OLD LADY's VIEWS. To tum Eprror or ram Heraup:— I take this opportunity of thanking you for your per- severance in advocating the rights of the pablic on the above head. I have been a great sufferer internally, with many others of my sex, by having to stand ten and sometimes twenty blocks, while the men (I will not say gentiemen, for they ought to know politeness) git there taking tt easy and allowing an old lady to stand. I will say, In defence of the Third avenue line, that I find as much politeness in their cars as among the high-toned gentlemen of the Fourth avenue. Hoping you will keep the ball rolling in our behalt, with grate- ful thanks, AN OLD LADY, AN INVALID'S COMPLAINT. To tax Eprrom or THe HeraLp While you have this matter of the car companies still in hand I feel it appropriate to say what I have suf- fered at their hands, giving expression to the feelings of the many silent sufferers who are daily obliged to accept the miserable accommodation they offer. I was at the time—only some eight days ago—an inmate of the Presbyterian Hospital, Seventieth street, but a pressing business affair requiring my personal attend- ance down town, and being im a convalescent state, but still very weak, I took @ pass and went out. My busi- ness despatched, I took a car at the Post Office exactly at five; but the car was already crowded and the seats ocoupied. Of course, I could not stick ao card on my back proclaiming my sickly condition and claiming a seat in preference to females; the crowding did not cease and the speed wasameré amble. I had calculated on reaching mj destination in some thirty or forty minutes, but it took twenty minutes to Broome street and thirty-five minutes to Thirty-sixth street, and we did pot reach Sixty-fifth street until five minutes past six. To make it short, I did not reach my destination until twenty minutes after my pass had permitted, and was so much im- proved as to be obliged to retain my bed the next day. © number of this remarkable car was 85, Third avenue line. In commiseration for those whom I daily ee running after the Thira with the mistaken idea their destination sooner, ue cars, to'go up to hes © going Drea ign myself SYMPATHY}, RAPID TRANSIT. During the past two weeks a large number of objeo- tions have been filed ia the office of Chariton Lewis, the Secretary of the Rapid Transit Commission, Bs property owners along the proposed routes. names of many people encouraging the movement hawe also been placed le, and to-morrow morning eleven o'clock they will be ted, together = those of the objectors, at meeting of the Rap Transit Commission, in room 15 City Hall. STREET ABUSES. New Yorn, Feb. 11, 1876 | To rar Eprro! tur Henacp:— \ L beartily agree with Mr. Derby in the letter “Street Abuses” in this morning’s Hxmato, and woul Nike to call, throagh your columns, the attention of thi “finest and most efficient police force in the world’’ ol one street only of many where the sidewalks are ®© much used by the occupants of the stores that it is utterly impossible for pedestrians to walk along with comfort and celerity. Ireferto CBtharine street. It is useless for me to desi each separate business where the entire is ased for the exhibition of ary ore, bent tee &o. Business mea who are obliged to walk through this street once or twice a day on terrible Butsaace thse’ Yosra, Teapeecwge ce this ‘ours, respectfully, A SUFFERER, ROBBING THE CATHEDRAL. A German, who, when brought to Court, styled him- | self as Patrick MoGuire, was yostorday committed in detauit of $1,000 bail by Judge Bixby for having on saarey morning at two o'clock broken into poor- boxes of St. Patrick's Cathedral. He cme the act of opening one of the boxes by the watchman of the Cathedral and broughé to tho station house, In any event this matter should be tested, and in the p THE HIPPODROME DOORS. Bars Up and Bars Down—Necessily for Stricter Caution—A Herald Survey. In the Hunan of yesterday a report, signed by two inspectors of the Department of Buildings, appeared certifying to their having made a thorougs examina tion of the means of ingress and egress of the | Hippodrome, and declaring that they were amply suf- | ficient in every respect. While an assemblage of some | seven thousand people were listening to the persuasive | discourse of Moody and the musicai pleading of | Sankey on Thursday nighta Henaxp reporter, under | the conduct of a sergeant of police, was traversing the | corridors and byways of the vast stracture, peeping into the nooks and corners and examining the facilities | offered the rapt multitude in the great hall to make a sudden departure im case of emergency. From entrance to entrance he passed, trying every door and exploring every recess of the labyrinth until a com- plete circuit of the building had been made, The in- vestigation showed that the eld doors opened outward, and in some instances swung backward and forward. Inside were newly constructed doors swinging both ways and giving admission to different parts of the building. The north door of Madison avenue, how- ever, which seems to be the principal entrance, was @ sliding one, running on @ trough, which, on the first night of the revival, became so clogged with dirt as to make the door unmanageable and cause it to defy the most strenuous efforts of a half dozen able policemen to move it. This door, contrary to the report of the Department of Buildings, from its nature could open neither outward nor inward, and the management evidently were led to appreciate the importance of this obstacle, for a box door has lately been constructed inside and the use of the old door has beon dispensed with. According to the account of the police in attendance, this door was placed there only when the statement had appeared in the Hxraxp touching the insecurity of the building. From the doors the reporter passed into the maze of halls and chambers underlying the great ball Here are kept the furnaces which supply beat, and here such apparatus as is needed to keep the building in order is stored, Entering through doors in the framework par- tition, these unoccupied sections were traversed. Mighty beams of wood are here braced at intervals against the outer walls, groaning under the weight of the throng seated on them. Huge wooden stead- fasts stretch from floor to roof and from the boarded ceiling. AS the reporter passed along, could be heard the hum and rustle of the vast muiti- tude above. On entering these deserted halls and corridora the frstsubject of remark to the reporter was the curious and varied accumulation of lumber which bad found storage there. There was timber évery- where. Nor was it boards or even sticks that appeared sometimes, Once or twice in passing the furnaces an oud pile of shavings showed itseif at no too great dis- tance from the fires, and an occasional heap of nonde- script but positively inflammable débris was tobe seen in nearly every nook and corner. The reporter took occasion to Suggest the chances of a conflagration, but eee mesie at once that the furnaces and apart, mehfSpad been thoroughly examined and declared perfectly &&fe by competent authorities. From these smear sections the reporter passed through an amorphous Collection of ante-rooms, offices and closets traversed by woodéN partitions, connected by complicated wooden stairways, and ‘invariably empty and unwatched. Through these a corridor g¥e access to the upper terraces of seats in the great THE POLICE ARRANGEMENTS. During the services on Thursday evening an accident occurred im the gallery of the main hall while Mr. Moody was speaking which ghowed that the police were actin, tndepecenny of ghe ement and Superintendent Thorne, who has att the résponsibility of the arrangements on his shoulders. Sergeant Taylor, of the Twenty-ninth precinct, had taken the Heratp reporter through the Hippodrome and had taken particalar pains to investigate the different doors, the entire number being examined carefully. It was discovered tbat the large wooden beams ‘that serve as bars for each door were standing op on end at the en- trances ready to be put op. On Monday and Tuesday night these bars were 51 ed across each pair of doors which constitutes one entrance and exit There was one door on Twenty-sixth street, by which “Chris- tian Workers’? and the choir enter, attended to by a Mr. De Bar, who stated that ad no wooden bar on Thursaay pighh but admitted to the bar being used on Monday and Tuesday nights. Ser; t Taylor, in making his perambulations through the building, 0 to the door in Tewnty-seventh street by which ‘the press and tue clergy are admitted. This door was tested on Monday and Tuesday nights b; the Herp reporter, and at eight o'clock isely it was found that this door was closed fast ana that a yooden pine bar was placed across the box doors, out- Fide ghe main door. A number of reporters provided with adt ion tickets tried this door and t ad- mission, b ¢ = doorkeeper inside on the two evenings ref to ees not open the door, as it takes some ot to mon eit bes nich AR pe grooves in w 18 en Sergeant lor came to the door on Thursday evehihg the bar ooald not bo found, and the attendant declared that the door had always been open from the beginning, which was not true. “Where is the wooden bar,” asked the reporter, when the doorkeeper said that there was nobar. The reporter looked around amd in @ corner founda bar about ten feet in width, which looked as if it would fit across the doorwa! “Try this,” said the reporter to Sergeant Taylor, “and see if it will fit.” ‘The Sergeant took it up and placed it a little awkwardly across, but it did not ft Tne doorkeeper, jetting himself, cried pepe the other end, Sergeant,’ and on the latter shifting the wooden bar it fell into the groove as if it had been fitted. There was asmall group standing in the porch at the time, and somebody said, ‘That it,” 0 the party passed on. The Sergeant noticed the great mass of lumber in his circuit around the build- ing, the inflammable material amounting to perhaps a undred wagon loads. A vain attempt was made. to ind by what authority the doors were thus barred attor cight O'clock. Most of the attendants denied that the doors were closed on Thursday night or barred, but acknowled, that the HenaLp was correct in stating that the were closéd and barred during the ser- ‘vioes on Monday and Tuesday nights, but the investiga- tion of the trouble had opened the doors wonarously wide on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. It seems that the police had acted without orders in taking off ‘the vars and leaving them open during services on ‘Wednesday night, as will be shown, a aN sae USsHKR. - During the services on Thursday night Sergeant Tay- lor was standing at the head of the stairs on the gullery of the main hall, which is very effectually ¢creeved from the audience by a huge len partition, While conversing with the Heraup reporter a young gentle- man named Demarest, who wore the e of an asher, came to the sergeant and stated that he wanted the sel mt to stop the audience from going out of the hall into the street. Tartoa—I cannot prevent any one from leaving the ball It would be an infringement of per- sonal liberty, and I dare not doit The law is agai and there are prisons to keep offenders in; but the police are here only to keep order and see that there is no dista as well as to see that they get in and get out all right. Mr. Dexangst—Well, will you not obey the oraer of Mr. Tho. the superintendent? He says that you mast people from going out during the eer- vices and you mast keep the doors closed during the services. it Tavuon—I will keep order, But how do you eapets that can tell one man or ten menor ‘Women to stay in or arrest them unless they are dis- orderly ? P Usher Dexarest—Well, | thought you knew your duty, and Superintendent Thorne ‘that you must not allow any one to go out of the building. Henaip Rerorter—Did you come from Mr. Thorne with orders that the are to prevent people from getting out of the building if they choose to leave? Usher Damansst—Yeos. Mr, Thorne insite that the audience must romain in the building during services, and that the police should close the doors to prevent thelr egress. Sergeant TayLor—But how is {t possible for me to stop apy man or woman when they are not committing apy disorderly act or creating any disturbance ? isher Damagest—Do you mean to say that if the Police Commissioners ordered you to arrest a citi: even: be were committing no offence, you woud not do it? Sergeant it Tavton—I mean to say that none of the Police Commissioners would ask me to arrest any one unless be had committed a crime or was suspected of one. Usher Dawannst—Vory weil, sir; if you will not obey + Thorne and prevent people from going Lshali have to report itto him. It is the under- standing that the door shall be closed during service and that the audience must remain in the building ‘until tho services bave closed. ‘ing for epert tend Tho bs ng. juperintendent Thorne the re- Dodge. This gentioman stated that he was connected with the ent of the Duilding; that he was a member of the committee, and ‘was noxt in rank on it to Mr. Fisher Biggins, _ The re- he 0 of the large amount of timber and flammable matter under the stairways, when Mr. Stewart Dodge said he did not believe anything of the sent trcaae nee seyeen eres OLS jor, found it in am ‘aaexseptonally dengerous ition. Mr. Srarwant—Why, sir, there are four fire- men scattored throughout the audience, each one stand- ho i Babcock fire extinguisher, to act in caso - The reporter then asked M?. Dodge how he could fond the use of the hoge board partition which screens the corridors of the sais from the view of the audi tm the main hall. Mr. e—That is just why we have the firemen in the puilding with their axes. They can demolish those partitions in a few moments, Rerontan—Would it not de too late at that stage to oh? Boayy answered very ly 4 warm! had beon taken to insure safety in the city could be em He also added th: BRALD The reporter then Brewed of Mr. jaree number of ladies bad not been carried fainting into the ante-rooms, Mr. Dodge said that such was the fact, but that there were three surgeons in the ante-rooms in readiness for any necessity LETTER PROM A SUFFERER. To tux Eprron or raz Heraco:— 1 know you are always ready and willing to expose any imposture on the public. I attended the meeting at the Hippodrome last evening, and 1t was evident to my mind that a large and @ privileged class wore ad- mitted by Hckets through several private entrances, while three-fourths or the larger portion of those desiring admission had to suffer all but death preyious to entering the main entrance. I saw ladies standing in the mud and water, which was two inches deep, lor an hour and a half belore the door w: ned. Mt Penning is right in all he says in th 10th in regard to the shameful mismanagement. Feeroary 10, 1874 J. @. HARLAND. BROOKLYN'S CHARITY. A meeting of prominent politicians was held yester- day afternoon in the Assembly Rooms of the Academy of Music, Brookiyn, to take such measures as might be deemed essential to effect a reorganization of the Department of Charities. Republicans constituted nine-tenths of the assemblage, The members of the Boara of Commissioners of Charities, who now dis- tribute relief and control the county institutions at Flatbush, were elected, and the Commissioners are democrats. The democrdtic party relies upon their influence with the Executive for a veto of auy bill that may be prompted through partusan motives providing for a change in the existing system. <A bill has already passed the Assembly which legislates all the Charity Commissioners out and provides for the ap- pointment of a Board of twelve trastees, who shall serve without salary. Among those tn attendance at the meeting yesterday were Judge Lott, Mayor Schroeder, Park Commissioner J. 8. T. Stranahan, ex- Alderman Ripley Ropes, Water Commissioner H. W. Slocum, Assessor Wilson, Mr, Libby, President of the Citizens’ Gaslight Company; J. J. Van Nostrand, Rev. Mr. Bass, A. A. Low, ex-Police Commissioner Sigis- mund Kauffmann, Assessor Norton, C. H. Peters, ex- Charity Commissioner John Cunningham and Alder- man Ray. The Mayor called the meeting to order and briefly stated its object. John J. Van Nostrand was elected chairman and Parr Harlow secretary. The po ha of the bill above alluded to as being before the Legislature wero then circulated and discussed section by section. Ex-Judge Lott said that the people of Brooklyn had not had sufficient time to properly consider the pro- posed amendments. He deprecated the haste with which the bill had been rushed through the Committee on Cities. There were many provisions in the docu- ment which were wrong, that section relating to the mai ent of pauper labor notably, He objected to the Mayor, who is a member ex 0; of the Board of Supervisors, being made a member of the appointing ower, Twelve trustees is too large a mumber. Mr. oettecher said he was in favor of paying salaries to the officials who were to dis- tribute the charities Mr, Eschwege contended that the Legislature had ne power to legislate out the men who were elected to office Supervisor Stron, offered @ resolution denunciatory of the present sy: tem of charity administration, which was adopted. Ex-Congressman Barnes believed more time should be given to consider the bill. ‘Assemblyman Ogden said that delay would be fatal to the dill at Albany, It eould not pass if what had been said was true. Assemblyman Worth said if the bill was to be amendea they should do it then. Ex-Judge tt moved that the Mayor’s name be stricken from the appointing power. Supervisor Strong was opposed to the whole schome. Though the present system was bad enough, that was not the way to mend it. The bill was referred to a committee of seven to amend and report the result next Thursday. NEW DIRECTORY OF CHARITIES, A now edition of the’ “Directory of Charities,” cor- rected up to the present tim: ud considerably enlarged, has jast been issued by the Board of United Charities, Its title {8 the ‘‘Handbook to the Benevolent Institutions and Charities of New York,” and it contains the ad- dresses, objects and other particulars of 187 different societies engaged in charitable work. A BLUE BLOODED DECEIVER. + SOM OF A HUNGARIAN BARON IMPRISONED For BREACH OF PROMISE—-A TEN THOUSAND DOL- LAR SUIT. Count Theodore Von Friedman, a young Hungarian nobleman, is now imprisoned in the Tombs on a double charge of bastardy and breach of promise, This gen- tleman, who is the son of the Baron Von Friedman, of Pesth, Hungary, was sent by his father in 1874 to stady the English language and customs of this coun- try, but, being amply provided with means, be plunged into dissipation and soom eXhausted his resources, Shortly after his arrival hemgt Miss Wilhelmina Brown, and, under promise of marriage, seduced She applied to the Commissioners of Charities for of arrest; bet as the Count left her with tho remark that he was off by that day's steameP for Germany the case was apparently ended in iseountry. Altar the pict of her child, Ave months 0, finding herself penhileks ayd dependent on friends, she resolved to go to Pesth and #88 {he Baron, Just as ‘she had made preparations for the Voyage Von Fried- man tarned up in New York and she hi jim arres| but as he refused to support the child on the groun that he bas no means he is still detained. Yesterday her counsel, Dr. John G. Boyd, applied to Judge Daly, in Common Pleas, for an alias order of arrest, which was granted and placed in the hands of the Sheriff. Should the Count be released from the Tombs on any pretence he will be at once rearrested on a $10,000 suit for breach of promise and taken to the Ludlow Street Jai. His father allowed bim $1004 month, but finding that he lead a dissipated life stopped his allowance and he was #0 reduced as to be obliged to sell pretzels tor a ving. JACOBS-CAVANAGH CONTEST. The Committee on Privileges and Elections who were appoimted tv investigate the contested seat in the State Senate now occupied by Hon. John C. Jacobs from the Second District, held another session yes- terday morning in the Kings County Court House, Colonel Cavanagh and Mr. Jacobs were present with their counsel and many political adherents. Among the witnesses examined were Captain Riely, of the Twelfth precinct, who testified as to the roost of the returns at the station house on election night and the correctness with which the figures were pe to Police Headquarters. Several of tho Twelfth ward canvassers of election testified as to their returns on the senatorial ballot A discrepancy in the returns thirty votes was shown in one district of the Tweifth ward tm tavor of Mr. Jacobs. THE WILL OF THE LATE PARAN STEVENS. [From the Lowell Courter, Feb. 9.} Litigation concerning the will of the late Paran Stevens has commenced before Judge Ames in the Pro- bate Court, lt will be remembered that Mr. Stevens left @ property valued at about $3,000,000, and by his will gave $100,000 to his wife, and also $1,000,000 in trust for hor benefit, the trustees being Mr. Charles G, Stevens, of Clinton, and Mr. George F. Richardson, of Lowell. He bequeathed $40,000 to the school which he founded at Claremont, N. H., gave his wife his estab- lishment at N L, and nis dwelling houses in New York and Newport, with their contents. The balance of his property went to trustees for the benefit of his children, the trustees being for Mrs. John L. Melcher, who was the oldest child, Stevens and Richardson, for Miss Minnie Stevens, Mr. Stevens and Jobn L. Melcher; and for Mr. Harry Stevens, Messrs, Ricbardson and Melcher, On the 2th of April, 187 peo pone sen Bass doer bolle execntors wore fled io and were by all th Mra, Stev included, ibe Jaq: Tetne. a commen with the othera, The accounts show that the executors have received $192,040 99, that they have out eg 11, leaving @ balance tn their ot 2 Li Med comes betore Fh oy on & uestion whet! e executors are fal lischarg- ie their trast 24 THE SING SING LIBRARY. Sing Sova, Feb. 11, 1876 To raw Eorron or 718 Heraty;— In consequence of no appropriation beng made by the Logistatare last year for our library, tt hag gradually become very much dilapidated, and we have become in consequence thereof dependent upon the charity of our friends for donations. Wo take this opportunity to appeal to yéar sympathies in bee oe and trust that if you have any old or lets pears Sona ee ne bs will enable them to store their minds wiih use. and pass many a weary otherwise nt in All addressed to tho epiain atSie Sng Feison will be thandally received ‘EEPER CHAPLAIN’S OFFICE. Goniniaiihaadacbihtthnsietaiadil A CORRECTION. New Yon, Fob, 12, 1876, To ras Epitor or rue Herato;— The statement made in the despateh dated Louisville, referring to the action of the Ticket Agents’ Conven- tion, im 80 far as it relates to us, is erroneous, Our bs Jobira tepeddmenps rp bernie = te atm Newag architect plans, the ovation boing marked ou te ofl ts ap: 0 Directar General, proved by COUK, SON & IRNKINS. A COLOSSAL SWINDLE. Arrest of the Treasurer of a Defunc! Insurance Company. A LOST LEDGER. The Way Chicago Insurers Were Robbed. George C. Smith, formerly the President and Treas urer of the now defunct State Insurance Company of Chicago, was yesterday arrested at the foot of Barclay sireet by Deputy Sheriff McGonegal, on an order granted by the Supreme Court of Kings county, at the instance of Mr. Homer Cook, of Chicago, the assignee in bankruptcy in the case of the State Insury Com- pany. The action is brought to recover sitoo1 83, said to have been fraudulently misappropriated by the defendant, as algo the imterest on the sum since August 80, 1872, and the interest on $316,274 95 from Decem- ber 8, 1871, to August 80, 1872 The defendant was held to bailin the sum of $200,000, The circamstances of the case are somewhat pecu- Nar, to say the least, and illustrate in @ most forcible manner the way in which policy holdere can be swindled by dishonest officials when they enter unto a combination, as was evidently done in this case, to defraud these who become their confiding customers. In this instance the officers of:the insurance company were also the directors of a trust and loan company, which was constituted the bank in which the insur- ance company should deposit its funds. The two com- cerns appear to have been worked in unison, and the manipulations were so carried out as to completely de- Iude the unfortunate policy holders, while they worked entirely into the bands and pockets of the officers. Both concerns are now defunct. TAR STORY TOLD. ‘The following are the facts in the case, and they will botound peculiarly interesting. After the great Chicago fire the State Insurance Company, of Chicago, gave out that thoy had sustained losses to the extent of $700,- 000 and that their assets were only $400,000. Of this latter sum $281,000 were invested in 5-20 bonds and $60,000 in cash. The cash was deposited in the National Loan and Trust Company, of Chicago. The bonds and other securities were placed in the hands of George C. Smith, the Treasurer, who was also Presi- dent of the National Loan and Trust Company. The di- rectors of the insurance company were also directors of the trust Sompany. It is alleged that the bonds of the State Insurance Company previously referred to were converted into cash by the treasurer, George ©. Smith, without the knowledge of the dir rs, and that $251,000, the proceeds of the sale, were deposited tn the trust company to the credit of the insurance com- pany, making.with cash already to its credit a total of $341,000. This account was checked against by the in- surance company by drafts drawn by George C. Smith, the treasurer. There wore other assets belonging to the insurance company, which brought up the whole of their resources to 000, which was the amount with which they had to meet their liabilities on losses by the, fire aggregating, as already stated, $700,000. Finding that the company must succumb, the directors formed, it ts said, a combination to buy up the claima against’ it at the rate of ten cents on the dollar, with a view of making a profit out of the very loss. In order to do this a report was circulated that the lossea of the insurance company by the fire were $4,000,000, inst assets of $400,000, or ten cents on the dollar. The combination succeeded, before the concern was declared bankrupt, in buying up claims to the extent of $260,000. To pay those THE TREASURER DREW CHECKS on the trust company at the rate of ten per cent om the amount mentioned, and when the creditors from whom these claims had been purchased surrendered ThélF policies, with their indorsement thereon, they were réquiréd to give an assignment of their claims to the order of J. B. Smith, a brother of George G. Smith, the treasurer, and also to C. M. Smith, the vice president of the insurance company and at the same time a director of the trust company. ‘These parties then issued notes im the name of the Stute [usurance Company, payable to J. B. Smith oa demand forthe full amount of the policies surrendered. The trtst company charged ‘those up against the insurance com} value, and paid out thereon the sum of $260, fictitious charges were iu the bank account of the Insurance company, amount Fe $60,000, leaving only & balanco to the fatter of $117,000.’ The insurance company was them put into bankruptcy, the officers continuing to buy up fhe claims of the policy hold: at the rate of ten cents‘om the dollar until thoy obtained over $200,000 mdre, which they endoavored to prove ma the estate in the bankruptcy ings. They then elected or secured the appointment of alawyer named Perkins, the attorney of the tn- surance company, and ‘who was also the at- torney of the trust compamy, a8 assignee in bankru) . This individuat ed his posi- tion to assist in the combi oey bed &. further claims until, by the summer of 1! bought up all but $225,000 of the claims. ors representing thig sum, it appears, to sus- ething wrong, for the inventory filed in the showed ay assets to the jount bd ov 7,000 was put dowm © Ly . An inv as casi est ‘Wis made and the whole scheme brought to light and the further pur- chase of giaims on the ten cent Ryu as em stopped. e then made an andes in their rates and offered 50. cenlg on the dollar, but wil avail, Proceedings were instituted against the as-* signee for his removal, on the ground that he had fraudulently connived at fraud upon the creditors. His removal was effected. Proceedirgs were com- menced against George C. Sntith ahd THE OTHER OFFIORRS of the insurance company also against the trust company in order to compel them to pay over to the assignee the moneys which they had lulently mis- pia The result of these proceedings was that $157,000 was paid over to the assignee and the case was dismissed. . A dividend of forty cents was then paid to the creditors who had not sold out their claims and also upon the $200,000 purchased by the Ring aud roved against the est they thus receiving back 000 of the $157,000 they bad just over, The proceedings which had been previously dismissed, ag against George C. Smith, the treasurer of the insur- ance company, were then, on petition of the creditors, reopened and an order was granted by Judge Dram- mond for Smith to show cause why he should not pay over the balance due, amounting, with int to up- ward of $200,000, ese proceedings are still ding ming: im the Chicago courts, the defendant peraphenatpe had ry insert to compel him to pay over the money in ® summ: Proceeding of the character of that instituted, and tat the ocedinars and the new assignee must proceed by full suit at law or im equity. Meanwhile George C. Smith removed ont of jurisdiction of the United States Court im Chicago and has since been residing in New York or its suburbs, Another feature in the which is somewhat in- teresting is the manner in which the trust company’s operations were conducted. This company is also now defunct, The claims that were purchased by the trust company CR patel aire lag nlf net the insurance company at oer ean us waving * promt to the trust company of What done with this sum does not fot The trust ona: a profit for the year EX only showed which this transaction occurred of $20,000. Id not be found, anid it was only by it that th could no! was only by it that the m: tery could be solved The Court ordered the ‘deteouves, to produce it, but they stated they could not find it. ‘The only trace discovered of this missing book was jat the family rs of the ‘ed a pacl iy receiv at about the time the book was reported missing. Package sealed with was wi up in brown paper, and seal of National ‘and Loan Company. It form correspondent 3 man was, which instructions: for by the man by w! man, some six months afterward, Fremont vin. :—That one evening while out driving be hitehed bis horse and toa near the offices of the National Trust Loan Company and weat a to attend to of false representations made to ies aepaners Wan tees oe rsa ©, . George C, cago, and has not since returned alge ‘ery attempt to discover bis whereabouts nas Ao The matter placed in the bands joony Boland’s Detective Agency, in city, who tracked Smith to Morristown, N. where he has been living in clegant sty! Lately it was learned that he ap) to making preparations for an extended travel, and presen’ Cook, Teoeiver of the bank, Mr, Sommanionted with. That alloca ons u torney to New York, and, through Messrs. Mo ‘Sn order of arrest was obtained and arrested. It ts also asserted that Smit was with Sir Joho A. Macdonald in bis Canadian that ho svent a great deal of money in jhat & +E =e. 3 & Hy $ Hanis