The New York Herald Newspaper, February 16, 1876, Page 3

NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY I6, 187 6.—-TRIPLE SHEET. 3 THE ADVISORY COUNCIL The Rules and Discipline of Plymouth Church Under Consideration. DR. BACON MODERATOR, Matement of the Situation by Henry Ward Beecher, Dr. Edward Beecher and R. W. Baymond. \PPOINTMENT , OF COMMITTEES. Three Sessions To Be Held Each Day. The Advisory Codncil which has formed the theme of so much discussion convened yesterday in Plymouth rhurch to determine whether its method of disciplining ‘ts members is im accordance with Congregational asage, There were delegates from all parts of tho country north of Mason and Dixou’s line, and the gathering was decidedly impressive. The doors of the shurch were thrown open at one o'clock, and the gal- ‘eries wore quickly filled, the main body of the building veing reserved for the members of the Council The audience included a large number of ladies. The arrangements were in all respects as perfect as possi- bie, Mr. Beecher entered the church shortly after one #clock and mingled with his friends, with whom he was engaged until the opening of the proceedings at wo o'clock, The platform bad a business look; the appearance of the Council was grave and dignified, and tltogether the scene was well calculated to enlist atten- ion, There were present, among others, at the com- mencement, Dr. Smart, of Albany: Dr. Marsh, of Oswego; Rev. J, Twichell, of Hartford; Dr. Dexter, of Boston; Rev. Mr. Cooper, of Lockport; Rev. 8, Scoville, of Norwich, N. ¥.; Rev. Dr. Boynton, of Newark; Dr. Edward W. Bavon, of Springfeld, Il; Dr. Woolsey, of Yale College; Rev. J. Douglas, of Pulaski; Dr. HM. M. Storrs, of New York; Mr. E. i Noyes, of Binghamton; Mr. A. K. Potier, Lock- vort; F. L, Jones, Oswego; Rev. Mr. Wooley, Nor- valk; Rev. E. B, Turner, Hannibal, Mo.; Rev. William Wright, Boston; Rev. J. Meyers, Boston; Dr. Lyons, New Havon; Rev. G. W. Hield, Bangor; Rev. 8. B. Fay, Bangor; Rev. S, L. Blake, Concord, N. H.; Dr. Nichols, Burlington, Vt; Rev. EK. A. Lawrence, Poughkeepsie; fon, H. A, Smith, Washington; Rev. H. KE. Thomas, Pittsburg; Hon, Charles Beard:ley, Iowa; Rev. C. M. Terry, St.,Paul, Minu.; Rev. John Charicton, Law- ‘ence, Kansas. , MR. BEECRER’S ADDRESS OP WELCOME. Rev. Hehry Ward Beecher ascended the platform shortly after two o'clock, and amid breathless silence telivered the following address :— BRETHREN AND Fatuxrs—it is made my duty to wel- some you to this place and to the duties which will be ‘ncumbent apo you as an Advisory Council You have come from great distances, many of you, and all of you have come-from occupations that could Hi have spared you, We appreciate your fidelity to the great principle of mumpaiby.sed of fejlowsbip by which the thurebes are united vogoiher and by which those that wre in feel themselves at liberty to call for succor and for help trom their brethren. You con- HMitute Bot the Hirst great Council that has assembled in sbis ety—a city favored of councils, It is the second largest Council in the history of American charches that within two years has con- vened in Brookiyn, and although the Council of 1574 was impressive by the dignity and the learning, the piety and the general excelience of its members, | be- ve it will be regarded that this gathering will be not a whit bebind that in song aud moral excellence, and that you surpass them wn numbers is not a matter for any special remark except to say that this consti- tutes the largest Council ever convened in America at the call of any church to discuss the affairs of that charch. 1t is a matier that needs no explenation that Piymouth cl been for the past four or five years ‘sca a voyage through a stormy sea Its diffl- C culti are known have been many, but every heart Knows its own bitterness beiter @ny other can, and these difli- culties within and tue trials e been more vnerous than those that have been known without. Nevertheless, through these trials and storms you will jor with tye in giving thanks to God that the heart of this great charch bas been united, and it stands as ono map to-day, and that though it been set upon by versities it bas pleased God to biess its afiiictions, and there has not been a month io our history in which the Spirit of God has not been present with the Word, or in which there has been more jakening 1m men, comiorting them aud bringing m into the church and quickening the members of the church in all their various labors, so that it has been a perpetual summer of Caristian experience among us whi we nave been ing through our church has au average of between 2,500 and 2,600 members. Plymouth church is equi ordinary churches, But there 1 also a great body for whom we feel ourselves responsi- bl Ifyou take our vutiying missions we suppose ourselves to be the centre of 12,000 or 16,000 persons who look to us jor instruction, consolation and for moral direction. The fe community which ig brought into trouble has lifted up its voice to you and said, ‘Come over and help us,” At one period, for reasons unnecessary to mention, it was thought to be unwise to call this Council; it was thought unwise that the churches shoula respond to it; but on sober second thought it has been deemed best, and, although many thought that there ought not to have been an bs Aue council, the best anawer that can given is, ‘Behold, you are here.’ And now I need only say that you come to us bringing, as we trust, wisdom, and, as we hope, w receive {rom us not only fervent gratitude, but | assare you, Chris- Uan brethren avd fathers, you come into an atmo- sphere of prayer, Your coming, to thousand of house- hoids, has been the theme of morning and even- ing ‘supplication, You have been remembered betore God. In all your sessions you will be pomantiret, by man and woman, and by t multitude who have power with God, and we have reason to believe that your stay will not be alone for our benefit, but for your own spiritual edi- Secation, and that watering, you yourselves will be wate! Let me say one ‘word moré in regard to the theme which you are called to discuss. The lower missive. will give you more intormation. Although ft may be that in the topics mentioned they will have as an interest as any that can come up in church mo there are things more important than polity, an in & range, we hay the question ty 10 be among the {mminent ques- ons, ere is this peculiarity, however, that you are called not to a personal question, not toa church ques- tion, but to a joint one—the pre-eminent personal ques- tion which has had long and many sequences, the roots of which run back toa personal question, It is not for ‘me, it is not for this church, to suggest anything to you. We studied to draw this letter missive so that you could feel yourselves at liberty, within the meaning of the charter of your existence, to make all and every in- quiry of every sort that you thought to be wise aud best, and, whatever investigation you may wish to make, whatever in tion ‘you may think it wise to gigs or to adopt or reject, I be; that you will act aceording to your own discretion, and not on any expressed wish or re- striction in spirit or letter on our part, for 1 may say, without having formally asked the church, what- ‘ever in the Judgment of this Council it is best for them to investigate and consider, they will have the consent amd the failest desire of the church wo do it; and I may say for myself that I fear no adequate and just investi- gation, and, whatever may be thought wisest and best, ‘that I most earnestly covet ft, and that I cortainly ad- vise it, You have not present with you many no- table names and many notable churches from this immediaie neiguboriood. That bas not been an acc’. deni. At an early stage we received from some friendly churches an expressed Gesire that they might not be called, a1 further covsideration such has been the continuance of thts trouble in this surroanding commanity, and to such an extent has the division of opinion ran through families and churches that after mature consideration it was thought wisest not to in- voive, by so much as was fequired fur consultation, the churches near the centre of the trouble, and go, witu- out any disrespect, and so out of respect for them, they bave been exonerated from that respons:b.li(y which will devolve upon you. Brethren and fathers, we know that many of you have left scones of revivals—the most tender and exciting scenes in a pastor's life, and we regrot that we were obliged to call you away; but we believe that the Holy Guost—we believe that the pre- sence of the Saviour—we believe it is possible for Goa to pour out His spirit upon you in your sessions here, and that you will be better qualified to go home end lavor jn the revivals, and that in giving you the most cordial welcome to our homes and to this church, we also express the ardent desire that there may here be such a presence of God that when you return home you will fo with added power, with more faith in God and fove for saving souls. I bid you, brethren and fathers, ‘a bearty greeting, aud now, with these few remarks, Tsupp my duty will be discharged after the naming of atemporary chairman, as the first step in the order of organizing this Advisory Council. OMGANIZING THE COUNCIL Rev, J. W. Weitmas, of Massachusetts, nominated Dr. Leonard Bacon, of New Haven, as temporary Moa erator, and be wag unanimously elected. Rev. Mr. Ciark, of Jamaica Piains, near Boston, was elected tem- ry Seribe, with Reve B. Frank Howe, of Terre te, Ind., and Rey, Mr. Boynton, of Newark, as As sistant Seribes. ‘The list of churches was then called by the Scribe. As. the name of cach church was read the delegates elected to mt it responded Ry apnouneing their names, w! were entered by the Assistant Seribe. Out of the entire some forty four churches were unrepresented the pastors at the four churches of Wiscon- sim not ome attended the Council, Dr. pe ge hg homage as Permanent Moder- , of linois, and Nelson W. Dingiy, Jr, of Lawmion, Me, wore elected Assitani Moderatora, Rev. Lyman Abbott then offered the following reso- lution: torconnder and transacting its, coi The comet @ slip of paper which had been hi to Lannounced that it was signed srhanded' om Gouve aud contained a request they read Dineteenth chap ter of the second ‘k of Chronicles, commenc- ing with the words “And he in the and throughout all the cities of J * city city. heed ye do; for ye to the ju x age Repke 3 mmittes of five be appointed fo the Councli ‘upon the manuer of ment. pon ou; take heed do it, for there is no iniquity with ibe bona pt pn Sanatat persons nor taking of ‘The Dr. Bacon then offered prayer. Rev. ° The scribe them read the letter missive convenin g the Couneil, firat, ‘this church or its pastor. If it peeds ‘‘whitewashing’’ it should have others than us to perform — seryico of that kind, (Applause) Lut me say, secondly, we are not called to revise and correct the Judgment of any former Council, Such a supposition contravenes the very idea on which Congregational councils exist, and the committee of this church, in representing their case, will paturally show us it the first and second questions in their letter missive do not call us to sit im judgment on the Council that was held in a neighboring church two years ago. In the third place, we are not bere to amuse the pub- he by drawing off attention to any side issue—to apy questions merely incideutal lt would be a disrespect, to this church to suppose that it has convened us bere with any such intention. Inthe fourh place, we are not here to de- cide nor to try the main question, which has agitated not only this city but the entire country and all English speaking Chi om, I may say, for the last three years and more, We Bothing to do with that question— the main question. It is not submitiedito us. lt would be preposterogs to submit such a question as that to an assembly like this, Wilt are more pumeroas than reabyterian synod we are more unfitted for avy, judicial function than the General Assembly of the resbyterian Church itself (Laughter.) We are not invited to sit for the trial of such a cause as that. Let it be od at the outset th: ven if this charch should itg committee invite us to try that juestion and ide it, we have nothing to do with it, @ are perfectly incompetent to try se like that, We are not here for that purpose. What are we here for? I say in the fifth place we are here to advise this church concerning the manner in which it has dealt and the manner in which it ought to have dealt with what is well known as the great scandal, To revise ali the proceedings of this church in rela- tion to that matter, and to give our advice as to whether those pr have been wise and discreet and right, aud ly to.advise in regard to the pri manner, of in the case under the fifth speeitication—I is of the third section. That apome on, eget T tinny we are competent to advise, nota question of fact to be tried but a question of principle, a quésiion of advice to this church how to, deal with such aq has that. And then, finally, we are to give wi rer advice may seem right and expedient in to the matter submitted im the sixth question, Let me say, as the bay as already intimated, the whole history of this for six or seven and twenty years—the w! ‘T of the church ts opened tor the Coancil to jew and aid, to advise if in any point, anywhere, it % have erred in its proceedings. Now this is @ very serious affair we bave on hand, and I trust we shall take itup. I know weshal take it up with seriousness, with all impartiality, ten- derly ani ly B in the fear of God and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit of And let me say one word, not only to the Council, but to ail who may be pregent here.” Intimations in whatever form—audible intimations of approval or of disapproval will not tend to facilitate or guide ‘the deliberations of this Council, Our irtends who till the galleries must’ rémember that we do not want t hear on any occasion during the sessions of this Council expression’ of ap- proval or disapproval. We want silenco—solemn silence, earnest silence—from first to last, on the part of all who are present here as auditors and spectators. And therefore I say, furthermore, that we want silence of the same sort on the part of the members of the Council, silence ag to a Sabbath assembly in an old fasuioned gp eos Mecting house, listening to him who for time beidg has the right to be beara, who has the floor, as they say, and not disturbing him with expressions of approval or disapproval. * THE COMVORT WPF THK DELEGATES. forward and explained the meas- to entertain the members ‘session. The Moderator named as the Business Committee Rev. Lymon Abbott, of New York; Rev. Dr. J. P. President Fairchild, of and President :—“T hold in 0, of Lewiston, Me. ; Oberlin; Judge Withey, of Sturtevant, of Illinois College. Rev. Mr. Fxssenpey, of Stamford, said my hand a communication directed to this Council, and which 1 have been desired to present. I cail for its its reading for the information of the meeting. ” ‘The paper wag entitled ‘‘A Statement and Protest to be laid before the Adv! Council called by Plymouth church, of Brooklyn, February 18, 1876,” and was signed . West,”’ Afier considerable dis- cussion it was decided to let the paper go into the hands of the Business Committee, in common with all other documents which might be presemed to the Council, PLYMOUTH'’S PRELIMINARY STATEMENT. It was resolved that the convention js now ready to hear the Committee of Plymouth Church ;in reference to the matters concerning which it asks advice, where- upon Henry Ward Beecher ascended the platform and opened the case, reading from the printed statement as preparet! by the committee, ‘occasionully adding thereto such remarks as teuded more clearly to elnci- date the peculiar conditions of the church in relation to which the council has been assembled, After reciting the early history of the church, when its membership was small, and stating that in his Stage its rules of discipline were simple and formed on the patterns of Congregational churches of tho seven- teenth century, it states the rapid growth of its mem- bership, which from 130 in 1848 had grown ten ycars later to'1,250, iicluding a very few wealthy citizens of Brooklyn, a large number from ite middie class and al- most as many more from the respectable poor. These were liable to scatter, from business and other reasons, yet though the church officers encouraged the absentees Wo form connection with other churches they were reluctant to do so, hoping to come back. After the employment of Mr. Halliday as assistant pastor it was made his duty to visit the members who reside in Brooklyn and New York at least once a year and to correspond as often or oftener with all absentees whose address could be learned. It was thus the church en- deavored to maintain supervision over its membership and to be conversant with their daily life and religious state, But with 2,500 members, notwithstanding all these efforts, there mast remain a cousiderable number concerning whom no satisfactory information can be ob- tained. Some persons, sincere in their apparent conver- sion, uniting with a charch, afterward conclude that they were mistaken. Others change their views, yet do not desire to ask letters of dismission for many causes. For ail these classes of cases the church had at first no provision for severing their membership, except by the harsh method of excommunication and ceusure, which in fact was never applied. A spoctal case in 1858 brought about the adoption of a rule that mem- bers might be dropped trom the roli upon their own request and the recommendation of the Examining Committos, In 1858 the rule was amended so that if a metader had abandoned the church his name could be dropped on the appitcation of any otber person, con- firmed by the Examining Committee and a vote of the church, In this form it now stands, and though up- pled to many cases it bas never been complained of until within the last year, and then not the rule, but ite application to a particular case. Mr. Beecher alluded to excommunication 4s practised in the Catholic Church, and said that even among Protestants it was understood to imply severe censure aa impracticable as 1% was harsh ina large church, and proceeded to consider the several classes of subjects of discipline with which the Church now finds fiself specially» called to deal, as alluded to in the letter missive, A further difficulty of disciplining churches in large cities is ‘the exposing all proceedings to the pubiic through the newspapers. We are compelled to accept complete publicity or sut ous and incorrect reports. This condition of things demands of us extraordinary caution in dealing wita individuals whose names can ho sooner be mentioned than they are biazoned to the world as under discipline, It is not to relax, but to maintain discipline that we desire to release ourselves from responsibility where vital connection has ceased, and to retain no person asa member who is not really under our watch and care, This vigilance has been increased during the past five or rather than diminished. Extraordinary cart exercised also in receiving persons to membership. You are doubtiees aware, brethren, that the position of this church two years ago was interpreted by some 8 & rejection of Congregational fellowship. We wero then charged with maintaining practices which ought to exclude us from such fellowship, and, if that were not enough, with having virtually declared ourselves outside of the community of © ational churches, The first of these accusations we lay before you, court- ing your full inquiry and seeking your frank advice. To the second, this Council called by us, and respond- ing so freely to our call, ® itself an anewer. We do not desire, nor do our « sented by you desire, that wi dependent, bat not isolated ; verwaelm ing er churches repre- stand alone, In- the conviction of ber sole responsibility her r, bat doubly strong in t ny sympathy and, if need be, admonition of her brethren, Plymouth church offers you the welcome and the thanks of {raternal fellowship, and prays that the Holy Spirit may guide and bless your deliberations to the glory of God and the welfare of His people. Mr. Benue followed the reading of the statement ith a few remarks, in the course of which he said:— In 1873 I urged the brethren of Plymouth church in consultation to take the frene of absolute indepen- dence, specially adapted, I thought, to this church, and specially adapted to its pastor. I did not feel willing that the brethren should be obliged to father ali the sermons that | might utter, and theretore I urged it; but the brethren after mature delve eration said, “Bo, we fer the old Con- gregationaliem of Ne land: th was our bag ean ot immediately after the électton of sach com- i otore i. 3 Kind from those je og gee father earns my | be from half jl communications body be presented ‘SXcth—That no meider shall speak more than twice on the same subject and nos more than Mfteen minutes the first Ume nor more than five minutes the secoud, The first two resolutions were Septet, and the Coun- cil adjourned tll half-past seven P. THE EVENING SESSION. At the evening session the business of the Council did not commence till eight o’clock. At that hour about were seated in the church. The galleries . Beechor and the members of er family, The second ery was but partly filled. The Moderator, Dr, wird Bacon, occupied ‘he chair. He announced to the delegates that they would be addressed by Rev. Dr. ward Beecher on bebalf of the church. A objected on the —s that the committees should be appointed first. ‘he =Moderator explained that the committees woula Probably be arranged while Dr. Beecher was speaking. Dr. E. Bescues then said that he proposed to speak to the first two questions submitted to the Council, and he then read them. He then spoke on the question as to what should be the standard of aj in the disei- pline of Congregational churotes, following by an ex- planation of the church covenant, in its power as the source of discipline, there being no discipline that docs not come from the covenant, In speaking to Congregational usage, he referred to a recent criticism which appeared in the leading Congre- gational newspaper in New England, believed to have beon written by its responsible editor, as his initial was aflixed. A DeLecare rose and said that he bad the authority over Dr, Cusbing’s signature that Dr, Cushing did not write the article referred to, Dr. Bexcusk thanked the brother for the information, but the article was written, and somebody bad written it, (Shgbt seusation.) The speaker continued his arga ment on Congregational usage and the powers of a Congregational council, stating it as his, view that the atmosphere of God should control in spirit and in real- ity the action ofa council, We have so drawn our letter missive because we felt that there was a need to keep up to the standard ef the word of God. On the point of the power of the church covenant, he asked whether there was any way out ofa church except by Jetier, by death or by excommunication. He instanced the case of the late N. P. Willis, with the Park sireet church, Boston, who during a revival at Andover, while laboring under great excitement be- heved that he had become a: Christian and joined the church. Aft @ few months he came to the speaker and told him that he bad made a mistake, and asked if ho could not be let out of the church. Tho speaker told him that he would do what he could. He jaid the case before the chureh, but found that thoy were held strictly by the usage—letter, death or ex- communication—and the speaker told him that if hi leave the church he would hay to do something bad that he would have to be pat out, 8o the poet went to the theatre, and ‘hat was then considered bad enough to excommuni- cate him, and Mr. Willis got his release, But there are other covenants Any church hag a right to lay down ils own covenant But no council has a right to jay down any covenant for a church ag the only cov- evant, or to disfellowship a church unless it can show that the covenant adopied by that church is at variance with the Word of God. There should be Pees Ai conscience in the matter of Ape ere have been greatmistakes made in our churches on the question of discipline, Many of them have been ruined by discipline. The Chureh should elevate, rity ennobie a@ mab, but whew it is found that discipline must be enacted and enforced by tribunals ‘he easiest way oat of the Church is the best; but if the man is determined to remain'in the Church { may be- come necessary to enforce tte discipline even to ex- communication, The Moprra’ innounced the committee of seven on each of the six questions before the Counetl. The first two questions have been left to a committee of twelve. If the Council wants a second report on the first two questions it can have them by dividing the committee, The commitiees have been composed of " selected from puint# separated as widely as Tt was moved and adopted that the nominations of the committees be approved. MR. RAYMOND'S ADDRESS. Mr. Rossiter W. Raymond made the closing address of the evening for the church, and this morning Mr. Shearman will conclude the presentation of the case, Mr. Raymond said that for years the cnurch had been suffering silently under charges against the fair fame of its pastor, and of willing connivance with a crime; that we bad betrayed our Lord. With swelling hearts we heard them. This church has not onty been accused of a knowledge of a crime committed by oar pastor, but of being guilty of committing such crimes ourselves. Some of you come trom distant parts of the land; it bas been easy for honest and con- scientious men to be misled, and we assure you that we have not subordinated our sense of duty to any temptation, however strong. Nobody has ever come to this church right in a spirttof jonism, until we cried aloud to you to hear, We weleome you in all Christian spirit, and we hold up our hands before you and pledge ourselves to you that we are clean. If it is a sin to love our pastor then we bave sinned. We do not hold him Innocent because we love him; we fol- lowed this inquiry as a mother inquires into the worst that can be known of her child, as a brother would in- quire about bis brother, or asa physican woald inquire. of a patient for fear that he should fail to find the dis- ease; and alter our investigation we teil you he is imnocent, aud we know it Dr, Lyman Abbott read the resolutions in reference to the order of business, offered during the afternoon ses- sion, which were adopted. After the cailing of the revised roll the session was closed. The session will commence this morning at half-past nine. Daring the calling of the roll consid- erable amusement was croated by somo of the dolegates insisting upon the title of “Honorable,” ‘“Geveral” and ‘Deacon” being prefixed to their names. Ap- parently they did not relish the preponderance of “Reves.,” *D, D.’s” and “LL. B.'s” among their fei- Jow councillors. THE BEECHER JURORS AGAIN. At a meeting of the Law Committee of the Kings county Board of Supervisors, held yesterday tore- noon, the petition of two jurors of the Beceber- Tilton suit, claiming extra compensation, was considered. The petitioners were, after some dis- cussion upon the subject, requested to appear before the committee and explain the law under which their claim for “extra compensation” is based, The jarors ask $5 per day for their services, which extended over six months Their business suffered materially by reason of their detention in the jury box, and they as- sert that common justicé entitles them to the money. GLENDENNING’S LATEST RESORT. A paper bas been in circulation for several days on Jersey City Heights setting forth that John 8. Glen- denning was innocent of the charges preferred against him during the past year anda half. The signatures of several citizens have been solicited to. this decu- ment, but thus far without effect, A despatch has been received from Glendeoning at Henry, lil, setting forth that his congregation had given him and his bride (late Miss Brown, of Jersey City, and a member of the choir of the Prospect avenue church) a wari re- ception. He has changed his purpose of spplying bim- seif to the study of law. The rumor that he intended to pursue the study of medicine in Chicago 1s pro- pounced untrue, BALLS AND LECTURES. The seventeenth reception of the New York Mas- querade Club was held at Tammany Hall last night. The display of costumes was very fine, exhibiting great good taste, The tenth annual ball of the Societa d’Unione e Fratellanza Italiana will be held at Standard Hall on February 23, A masquerade and civic ball is advertised for this evening at the Uptown Assembly Kooms, Fifty-fitth stroet and Third avenue. The second annual ball of the George Washington Encampment at Lyric Hall, February 21. The Brunswick Club (invitation bail) at Lexington Avenue Opera House, February 17. Hebrew Ladies of Benwvolent Soctety at Irving Hall Maennerchor mask ball, at Turn Hall, on Monday, February 21. Forty-third Reception of Firrt Troop, Washington Greys, at the Armory, Forty-fifth street and Broadway, February 22, RK. J. De Cordova lectures at Chickering Hall, on Sat- urday evening, February 19. Dr. Isidor Walz lectures on the “Atomte Theory,” at Cooper Union, on Saturday night. Dr. Lord on “Columbus,” at Assoctution Hall, Thurs- day, February 17, at balf-past eleven A. M. THE CONDEMNED PUBLIC SCHOOL. The basement of public school No. 7, in Jersey City, hasbeen condemned yy the Board of Health in conse- quence of the damp and malarial exbalations which endangered the health of the pupils, The children have been withdrawn, but the Board of Works retuses to make any alterations daring the present year, as tho ; bonded debt is already very large. THE STATE CAPITAL. A Debate on the Responsibilities of Oounty Treasurers. LAWYERS’ -Park Commissioner Martin Before the Committee on Cities. FEES TO BE REDUCED. |THE LAW AS TO MURDERERS DEFINED. Auuany, Feb, 15, 1876. In the Senate, this morning, the bill providing for commission to investigate the affuirs of the State ‘prisons, was amended by striking out the clause provid- ing for a preliminary report from the commission in April, and increasing the appropriation for expenses from $15,000 to $20,000, ‘THXAS AND PACIFIC RAILROAD. Mr. Woodin offered aconcurrent resolution, which was, adopted, calling upon the New York Senator's andRepresentatives to protest aguinst the granting of subsidy to the “Texas Pacific Railroad and hike schemes, The following are the resolutions :— Whereas it appears that applications for the ald of the national government in the form of money, credit, bonds or the indorsements of the bouds of private curporations are how pending in the Congress of the United States to aa amount exceeding $600,000,000, for the purpose of promot- ing schemes of canals, railroad ‘or other internal impro ments, the value and utility of which are at least doubst and which are not demanded for present commercial, mili: tary or national reasons; and wherous it also ap- pears that important commit of the said Con- are now seriously eonsidering the pri mending the appropriate legislation, whereb States will be d to a guarantee ment of the interest payments upon the bonds or promis- fobligations of certalu railroad corporations, amounting aggregate to about $250,000.00 in gold, for the pur- of coustructing a railroad li fro Northwestern Wosesto the Pacitic Ocean, wont th cond parallel of latitude, with uawerous brane amounting to over 3,000 miles, and this encouragement given t this class of Proposals tenis constantly to swell the number and ex: tent of such applications, aud is giving rise to many schemes of like questionable eo wal of private bined influence and suppo with the proper subjects o Resolved, That, if the Assembly concurs, it is uawise, politic aud dangerous at this time of depressed trade and heavy finaucial burdens for Congress to embark the country upon such giguntic works, and thereby invite other and tur- ther demands Assistance Lo the detriment of the and ninent; and that our denators and prosentatives gress be requested to use all proper influence to counteract and to defeat such atterapts: and that the Secretary of State be instructed to .orward, without delay, a copy hereof to each of them, RESPONSIBILITY OF COUNTY TREASURERS, Adebate of some length took place on the County Treasurers bill, which is of interost in view of the late defaleation in Monroe county. Mr. Harris renewed his amendment that the banks fur the deposit of fands be selected by the treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Supervisors, Is might happen that tho Boards of Supervigors, being in collusion with unsound banks, might make wrongful selection of banks of depostt. Mr, Woodin thought the county treasurers ought to be allowed to designate banks of deposit and wwracter which have failed to secu alist, and which by their cv burrass, retard aud interfere tadion ; "be it therefore, be. required to deposit all moneys daily. Hoe objected. to the Boards of Supervisors being the authority to designate banks of deposit. He also objected to the concluding portion of the section, which provides that all loss which may be sustained by the default of any dank selected shall be chargeable to the county. Such a provision was unjust and was made to appear go in the light of the sixth tion of the bill, which provides that the Treasurer shall make a special deposrt to the credit of the State Treasurer of all money collected by him, The money being thus given in charge of the State, im case of de- falcation the county in which it occurs should only be required to pay its share of the loss, Mr. Hammond contended that the repository of the people's money was in the pockets of the County Treasurers, and his bili proposes to correct that abuse. The Canal Board designate the banks lor the deposit of moneys received by the collectors, and She geggpatence tg that the State bas never Jost a cent. } Atte debate the bill was progr: BILLS PASSED BY THE SKNATE. The Annual Appropriation bill passed the Senate; algo, the bill.amending the military code relative to the militia of the State, LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS. Dorman B. Eaton, ex-counsel of the Erie Railway, made an argument this afternoon before the Senate Judiciary Committee in favor of the bill subjecting law schoo! students to the same probation as other students, THE GOVERNOR AS 4 WITNESS, Governor Tilden lest this afternoon for New York to Appear as a witness to-morrow fn the Tweed suits, LAWYERS’ PRES. La referees and others who are fond of pock- eting fees in mortgage foreclosure proceedin. § will pot be very gratified to Mr. Rnglehart, himacif a lawyer, tor the seal be is manitiesting in hing she, phe the old time pergu sites of the fraternity, He al- ready imtroduced several bilis which are rather dis- tasteful to Sheriffs and their pot jawyers, and to-day he went for attorneys generally in another Dill which provides that no greater allowance than the sum of $200 shall be granted or allowed by any judge or court to the plaintiff or his attorney in any action or proceeding for the foreclosare of a mortgage, aud Do greater sum than $50 shall be charged by or allowed to any sheriff, referce or other officer for his fees, percentage oF services for uny sale under a decree or judgment of foreclosure. It often happens the way things stand now that jodges give the lawyers of ntifis in the suits for the foreciosure ot a mortgage $1,000 to $1,500, and that the officer who selis ‘the property is allowed at the time from $200 to $300. It thas Capiene ‘that when @ man, a mortgage on whose property has been foreclosed, comes to redeem it he finds from $8,000 to $4,000 t0 pay as an additional burden by réaton of this freedom of throwing round feos to “Tom,” “Dick” and “Barry.” BXAMINATIONS BEPORE TRIAL An effort is made to fotlow up the reform inaugurated by the Trial and Examination bill, signed by the Governor on Satarday, and Mr. Patten has introduced in the Assembly a bill which provides that instead of holding examsmations at the trials when they are called they can be held at any time before the trials take place in the discretion of the inagistrate, This includes any examination for the purpose ot making a certain motion, at the request of the party claiming the right, before 'a judge of the court where the trial is to be had, or a county judge, a previous notice to the party to be examined and ‘his attorney being given. Other parties who may be opposed to the motion must get a notice of five days uniess the Judge sees fit to or- der otherwise. When a party is adverse to the motion, and who is go opposed because he desires to frame a pleading, it ig required that an affidavit shall be pro- sented to the Judge showing the necessity for his oppo- sition, No one to be examined can be compelled to atieud in any other county than the one in which he resides. THe PARK BILL. The Committee on Cities heid a session thie after- noon and gave a hearing to the friends and opponents of the bill introduced by Mr. Forster, which legislates out of office three Park Commissioners and retains the President of the Board, There does not seem now that certainty of the passage of the measure which was so apparent last week, as some of the country republican members have changed their minds as to the advisability of passing so sweeping a- bill. How. ever, if ite is made ao party question they may be whipped into line. Two of the Commis- sioners whom the bili is aimed at—Mesers. Martin and O' Donobu before the committee and argued against the passage of the measure, Mr. Martin said he was ata lose to determine on points to present their views since no argument had been made in support of the bill, and no petition or representation in 118 favor from the property owners had been presented. He treated the question first on the prinetple of administration, and said that from the nature and yariety of the duties of the depart- ment, whith comprehended so many subjects, they could be performed better when the resident of the department had the assistance of associates who were gentlemen of culture and taste, and that in such a board there could be no partisanship, because each had to agree on the appomtment of every superior officer. No charge had made on any —poiht of. administration except that there was a deadlock. This he wholly denied. The business of the Board had steadily pro- kressed, because the affirmative measures proposed had been such ag after investigation had commanded the unanimous assent of the Board. To show this he referred to the documents prepared by himself and Commissioner O'Donobue, the substance ot which was published wm the Henan on Monday. The latter clauses of that document be presented as his argument on the pretended de: lock and the advantages of a numbér of Commissioners ip the Board. He then, for an illustration of the work, exhibited the maps of the surveys of the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards, He had taken the responsi- bility of defeating the old plang; his objection, which was fatal, was the cost. The engineers had recom- mended ‘these maps without calculating the cost, He had ascertained that it would ve $8,000 per acre, 1 to $5,000,000 for the area west of the Harlem Railroad. This was twice and three times the total value of the property there and was ruinous to property. He illostrated this by a state. ment of the amount of assessments on the west side, There boulevards had been constructed costing $1,000,000 a mile, An area of two and a half square miles had, since 1860, been subjected to $20,000,000 of assessments and the work was wot more two-thirds completed. The tax valuations increased trom $9,000,000 to $34,000,000, and the property had in value receded ten years, This was the result of the adoption of such expensive plans, and 1 showed that there was no property on the face of the earth that could stand it. He had determined to save the annexed district from ruin, and had m the is ideas for ont this district He took in view the uw! ed» of ® new plan for laying | nial frow the ying xchange cccapation not as ® compact city but for suburban Villas. He proposed a plan of Park treatment with roads conformed to the natural surface, and not on the rectangular sevel system of the city, and that lines for rapid transit, drainage and main thoroughfares should receive the first consideration. Thea bad been adopt the Board, and work was commeneed on them under the direction of Mr. Olmsted. This he a8 ao il jr fore the Boarg, | ws*tation of the principal question Mr. Stebbins was in favor of the ola plan, Mr. Martin thought it ruinous, and took, without besite- ton, the responsibility.” No property could stand $8,000 per acre of expense to fit it for final occupation mee, ee average value of the land was not over @ discussion followed between Mr. Martin and Mr. Forster, the member who introduced the Dill, as to the views of the property owners. Mr. Martin named all the principal owners, and challenged Mr. Forster to produce any one of them in favor of the re- Fern genes es Out that district or ip favor of is bill for reducing the commission, He claimed that he had fully answered the points that bad beou subd- mitted fn favor of the bill. ‘THN MURDER Law, There seems to be considerable misapprehension relative to the pri amendment to the law tn rela- tion to — hen the bill was oe erent, some weeks ago, the general impression prevailed that its object was to allow ajury to bring in @ verdict of murder in the second degree where the killing of one person by another ts perpetrated in the commission of a felony, if it could be proven to the satisfaction of the jury that tbe killing was not done with design to oiitet death, Most people nat- uraily revolted at this supposed change, being of the erroneous opinion that, as the law now stands, the crime of a burglar or other person whe killed another Wlile, for instanee, struggling to escape from the house he intended to rob, was murder in the first degree. The real aim of the proposed amendment which 18 now pending in the Assembly is to make the crime of a person who, at the commission of a felony, kills another, murder in the first degree beyond adoubt In the present law of murder that portion which relates to this particular killing read@ thas:— “Such killing shall be murder in the first degree when Perpetrated without any design to effect death by 4 person engaged in the commission of a felony.’ It will be seen, therofore, that now a jury in dealing with o@ burglar who may have killed 4 man in his own house while he (the burglar) was attempting to escape, must be satisiied that the killing was dove ‘without any de- sign to effect death,” before they could declare him guilty of murder in the first. degree, certainly a very diiticult matter. In order that you may be able to see at once the Importance of the amendment now pend: ing, I give it herowith precisely as it reads on the printed files :— Such killing, untess it be manslanghter or oxeusable or jo, as hereinatter provided, shall be mur- der in the first degree in the following cases : Fird—When perpetrated from a deliberate tated design to eifect the death of the person human being. Scomd-—When perpetrated by an act imminently danger to others and evincing a depraved mind, regardless of although without any premeditated design to 1b of any particular indi vidual When perpetrated by a person engagea in the com. mission of any felony, such killing, unless it be murder in the first degree, or manslaughter, or excusable or justifiable homicide. as Lereinafter provided, shall be murder in the second degree, when perpetrated intentioually, but without doliberasion and premedi In the section of the pr w relating to murder in the first degree the word “or’ es Hot Gecur between the words “excusable” and “justifiab! whereas the words “without any design to effect death” do occur between the word “per. petrated” and “by # person engaged in the commission of ‘any felony.” The amendment, you will perceive at once, is a most important one, and’ will have just the effect, if it be- comes a law,’ which some people havo erronepusly got it into their heads it would not have—namely, to make the killing of any person by a party engaged im the commission of avy felony mar- \d_ premedi- ied or of any der in tho first degree, no matter whether tho kilhng was done with design to effect death or not. I may add that the amendment was re- ported favorably to the Senate unanimously by the Judiorary Committee, headed by Judge Robertson, and that it will be reported to the Assembly favorably by the unanimous vote of its Judiciary Committee, Had it not been for the misapprekension which has pre- vailed among those who did not take time to look into the change in the present law the amendment proposes to accomplish, there never would have been a voice Taised against its adoption, THE RECEIVER OF TAXES OF NBW YORK. According to the bill introduced by Mr. Whitson the Commissioner is hereafter to perform the: duties of the attorney for the collection of arrears of taxes, and have power to appoint a person to serve summons, &c., who will have ali the authority of a marshal. THE SOUTH PERRY BLIP. Representatives of the Produce Exchange to-day ar- gued before the Committee on Commerce and Naviga- tion against the Bradley bill, which proposes to take piers No. 1 and 2 from the ‘‘canal district." The real object of the bill is to give the Union Ferry Company room for an additional stip for the South ferry boats. NAVAL AFFAIRS. THE STAFF AND LINE QUESTION FINALLY TLED—GENERAL ORDER FROM TARY OF THE NAVY. - Wasmxorox, Feb. M4 2876. ‘The vexed question as to rank, which has wistih’bed the line and staff of the navy for many years past and made the service anything but comfortable or harmo- nious on shipboard, is about settled for the future, so far as Congressional enactments and department orders can go. Hereafter the law and regulations of the service ought to be plain, and the old harmony and esprit de corps again be found on our ships afloat. By this general order of the Secretary of the Navy it be seen that all doubts as to seniority in cere- monious affairs are removed. The staff officers have positive rank, and the commander of each vessel will receive on the qturter deck such reports as are re- quired to be made to the commanding officer from his subordinates, The functions of the executive officer, so far as these matters and others of ceremony go, aro abrogated. There can be no difficulty hereafter be- tween line and staff so far as the little troublesome questions of seniority are concerned, and it:may be safely asserted that the question has not been deter- mined too soon for the general good of the service. The text of the order, only issued to-day, if as fol- ows :— SET- THER SECRE- GENERAL ORDER NO. 205, Navy Deranrwxwr, Wasuinctox, Feb, 11, 1876. service is reminded that the rank of all officers is es- tablishod by the statute law of the country, and that the nk of officers of thi fixed by law, fs derived Tom the same autho y law for the oflicers of the lin where itis customary to interchange personal salutos, iv the duty of the junior in rank to first salute his. soni whether of the line or stall, provided. howevag, that the ofl cor actually in command of the ship ia entitled to the ct dae to that position, whate: be Horeafter on board of all sions of general muster, in like occasions shall receive in person, as commanding officer, the reporis customary on sneh occasions direct trom the Leads of de. nts and officers of divisions. All commissioned officers of the navy attached to of war when desiring leave from ship shall obi required permi the commanding officer, and their return report the same to him through the offic the dec! Officers senior in ri the aid or executive are not re- to inform the aid or executive of the or ir return to the ship; this is the dut the officer of | the deck, who will communsoate such information to the aid or executive. All orders and regulations of the navy inconsistent with this order aro heroby abrogated to the extent they aro so inconsistent. GLORGE, M. ROBESON, Secretary of the Navy. THE WAY OF TRANSGRESSORS. | Butvepeur, N. J., Peb, 15, 1876, Patrick Ward, convicted on Saturday of the murder of P. J. Myers, at Philipsburg, last May, was to-day sentenced to be hanged on March 24. The prisoner recetved his sentence coolly. John Ritter pleaded guilty to murder tn the second degree ot bis children at Hackettstown last October. Ho was sentenced to forty years imprisonment, twenty yerrs ‘or each murder—ta full term. The prisoner entirely broke down at his sentence and wopt bitterly. CUBA, The following report, purporting to give news con- cerning the present condition and policy of the Spanish government in Caba, undor General Jovellar, and of an intention on the part of the rebels to lay down thoir arms under certain conditions, has just been received in New York 'S ROLE IN THR ANTILLES —MOVEMENT VELS FOR SUBMISSION TO BPAIN, Havana, Feb, 9, 1876, It is reported that General Jovellat bas prepared quarters for himself and in Fort Cabaiias and in- tends moving over in a few days, | EMANCIPATION AND A°NEW SYSTEM OF RULB. real emancipation and a provisional govern- ba similar to that of Jamaica to Sngland. in circulation that Jovellar will in a few days disarm ail Havana volunteers. He gas now quartered inthe Cabaiine 6,000 Spanish regulars} to enforce his orders in case the volunteers create any disturbance, A MISSION PROM THE INSURGENTS, ‘There ts also a Well founded rumor in Spanish cir- cles, particularly among the officers of the army, thae commissioners from Maximo Gomez have been in Havana and held a consultation with Joveliar in regard to putting an end to the conflict, Your correspondent was informed by a Spanish officer—an atde-de-camp— ‘that the rebels were willing to down their arms on the basis proposed by General Jovellar, provided that Spain would give a guarantee to some loreign govern. | ment that would fuldl her part of the contract. | ‘The ramor is generally believed from the fact that tho | rebels have discontinued all operations of a military and incendiary character for the past two weeks, A CENTENNIAL EXCHANGE. Colonel Peyton, an agent of the Centennial Exhibi- tion, was at the Produce Exchange yosterday for the porpose of perfecting arrangements whereby the Ex- change should call a meeting to organize a representa. ion—in common with other trade bodies—on the Centennial grounds. Action will, it t thought, be taken at an early day. The idea is that # building shall be erected, near or in connection with the Department culture, and that it shall bea ‘National Centon: time of the vpening of the Ex. | bursted pipes, wili natu: | over night, and you cannot prevent it, because the THE WATER SUPPLY. The Only Means to Secure the * ‘Safety of the City, BUILD A NEW AQUEDUCT, _——_— Lay More Mains and Tap Them Oftener. The greatest possible interest was excited by the put lioation in Tuesday morning’s Hra.p of a map of the district below Bleecker street, which in case of any large fre would have as very insufficient supply of water to serve the purposes of the Fire Department. The want of a plentiful supply of large mains to fur- bish Water, no matter how great an areaa fire might cover or bow long it raged in the downtown district, was commented upon by our citizens in mercantile life, and they seemed very much disposed to eriticise severely the want of care wad judgment on the part o) the municipal authorities, The Croton Water Department of this city*has been urging on the Commissioner of Public Works, and the latter in his turn has recommended to the Mayor and Common Council that the Legisiature should be asked for an act empowering the Croton Water Department to construct another aqueduct in addition to the only one ever built, and which is now in use. It is desired that the new aquednct shall begin at a point north of Croton Lake and have an elevation of twenty feet above the present dam, or feeder, This was urged on the Mayor and Common Council by General Fitz Joun Por- ter, late Commissioner of Publio Works, in a lengthy communication dated January 17 of this year, and out of the funds of the Croton Depart- ment competent surveys were made, beginning nearly a year ago, of the entire route, and their results wera submitted by Chief Engineer Johu C. Campbell to the proper authorities. The proposed aqueduct and hocessary mains would cost over $10,000,000, and ths people of New York would hot grudge that or even a larger sum of money to insure the safety of the city. When the present aqueduct was constructed, thirty- five yearsago, it was estimated by the constructors that the daily consumpti by each inhabitant would be about thirty gallons day, and they placed the limit of the population on Manhattan Island at 2,000,000 per- sons. ‘The capacity of the aqueduct has far exceeded the calculations of its builders and the population ef the city is supposed to be about 1,050,000. A NEW AQUEDUCT DEMANDED, It was believed that the aqueduct would deliver 60,000,000 gallons daily, but in reality it delivers ovet 115,000,000 gallons daily, Twenty-three years ago the Croton Aqueduct Board reported to ‘the Mayor and Common Council that the dally consumption of water per head was ninety gallous, Besides the resident population of New York there are at least 200,000 of a floating and non-resident population, and these people consume immense quan- Uties of Croton for manufacturing and other purposes, as many manufacturers have moved into the city, owing to the purity of the Croton water which makes {t so much moro available for many business purposes. It not to be supposed that the sixty gallons of an excess per head over the original calculation is all wasted or useless in its ex- cosa, This sceming waste of the Croton coutributes ta the more perfect sewerage of the city and carries off vast amounts of flithy and dangerous matter, and, therefere, there 1s obviously a necessity for another aqueduct.’ The Croton River is abundantly able to sap- ply all the water that might flow through the pro addXional aqueduct, as tbat river drains an area ol 350 square miles. It ig estimated by Chief Engineer Campbell that $00,000,000 gallons of water flow over the Croton dai daily, nearly all of which could be brought to this city if there Were sufficient aqueduct and storage facilities, It is proposed to construct an addi- tonal dam about a quarter of a mile above the head of Croton Lake and at an elevation of thirty feet above the present dam. thus forming ‘a settlin| basin of about 800 acres im extent an & capacity of _—_—‘1,180,000,000 gallons. = The masonry work would’ be’ continued as far south as Jerome Park, where a receiving reservoir of 550,000,000 to 600,000,000 gallons would be constructed, ‘The tron pipes carrying the water as tar as the Har- lem River, the new aqueduct, would have the capac- ity of supplying the city with an wdditional 150,000,000 gallons, making, with the present supply now fur- nished' by the old aqueduct, 250,000,000 gallons of water daily. The citizens of New York might then defy the spread of any fire over an extensive arca in the business quarters of the city. ‘There will be another advantage in the proposed hew aqueduct, in that ag the plans offered by Chief Engineer Campbell pro- vide that the new supply aqueduct and dam would have an clevation of bead of forty-two feet above the present Park reservoirs, the dweilers on Washing- ton Heights, at Carmansville and other elevated por- tions of the city would never be annoyed by want of the pure Croton beverage. DELAYS ARE DANGEROUS, It fs nearly a month since Gencral Porter sent in his report asking that action be taken by tbe Mayor and Common Council on the then facts fully stated ag admonitory suggestions, and since then a $4,000,000 fire has taken piace, and tor the first time the scarcity of water, from the absence of water mains and fire hydrants, caused a treinendous destraction of property that aright otherwise have been saved. No action whatever Las been taken by the Common Conne’!, ana when a reporter of the Hxraup called yesterday at the Clerk's office of the Board of Aldermen it was found impossible to get any information as to what had ben dove, if anything was done, in ho matter, Mayor Wickham was also, visited by the reporter, in order that some facts might be got in regard .o whether he had received the communication of the Croton Aqueduct Department, or if he had sent it to the Board of Aldermen in order that it might be acted upon and that tue Mayor and Aldermen might recommend to the Legisiatare that av act should be passed immediately for authority and an appropriation to construct aqueduct in as short a time as possible. Th Mayor stated that he did not thoroughly r member’ the communication having been sent. in to, him, but he presumed it had been, and Mr. Lathrop, the Mayor's recent clerk, did not find the communication in his journal. Bat Mayor Wi bam furnished @ copy of resolutions passed im th Board of Aldermen on last Thursday, in regard to the construction of mains iu the most thickly set- tled busmess portions of the city, Ho said be had yet examined the resolutions nor signed them, and stated that he would have to send them back to w Commissioner of Public Works before acting in th matter. ‘The resolutions passed by the Board of Aldermen are very important, and read as follows: — Resolved, That the Commissioner of Public Works be au- thorized and directed tu hi f main down Chureh and Greet eet to Battery pinc feet south of Canal, hydrant “Resolved, That he be diregted to lay north from Church and Canal, through Canal tu Woorter street and up Wooster street to Ho stroet, with large ydrants, as below in the dry goods distrie Rewolved. That all these b nts, also all the large hy- drants that were put dows iu dry goods district previous to this resolution, be properly drained by pipon to the sow. ors, pursuant to tbe provisions of section 2, chapter 477, Loews of 1875, A TALK WITH CHINY ENGINEER CAMPRELT. + Chief Bugineer Campbell was visited by thé reporter, and, as Commissioner of Public Works Allan Campbell could not be found, the Chief Engineer's statement may be deemed suiliciont. He said that there were 400 miles of mains ip the city. Additional wore wanted very much, and they could not be ished soon. He did not believe in using salt water to extinguish fires, and said that if it were used it would be necessary to'have as many more miles of mains as are now laid down for the Croton water. What ts wanted 18 a new aqued The salt water supply would bave to be pumped all the time. His predeces- sor, Mr. Tracy, had repeatediy urged that a new aque- duct shonid be built, and also the constraction of two large mains as being very much needed. People did not seem to think that the city was growing every day perpendicularly as well as horizontally, Buildings of great height were now the rale instead of — as in tae old time, the exception, and it is impossible for t ire Department to get water into the upper stories of hundreds of the high storied edifices that are to be found im the metropolis. Here lies the great danger to our city 1 case of high winds and a great conflagration. There is a remedy—anew aqueduct and extensive mains for the lower part of the city, This how the greatest manufacturing city in the United States, ite manufactures are be it further | larger even than those of any county in the Union, reat quantities of Water are wasted every utacturors and in downtown stores. It ougbt #0, but the merchant who has to pay @ of $100 or $200 anoually, the result of cold and lly let his Croton water run piumber’s bill re to frighten him into this kind of Wustefulvess. Sait water &t fires would destroy mer- chandise so that it could not be used, 1 Mr. Campbdell also stated that the Cot sioner of Public Works was really and in fact the Oreton Water Department, and tbat he had the matter im bis hands, reports having been sent to him, The water had talien nine feet in the reservoirs weathor had sent in. Im fine, Chief Ki bell recommends that a new aqueduct with sudictont and solid iron mains, and Croton Water Department awa the Mayor, Common Council and State matter. Merchants throughout the Goods district, asi. B. Clatho, At Stewart a G6 Calon, Co, ; Milis & Gibb, BE. 8. Jaffray Terry & Steel; unhatm & Co. Co. ; Cornell, Anorman & Co, ; pany, Lawrence: Uhat the city authorities should to furnish the lower portion of facility for extinguishing tres. completely of yesterda: It 18 proposed by some of