The New York Herald Newspaper, March 9, 1876, Page 4

4 CUNGRESS. Exciting Scene in the House Over the Bill for Protecting Witnesses. A SUCCESSFUL STRUGGLE FOR DEBATE Energetic Personal Explanation of the Member from Florida REPORT OF ‘THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, My. Clymer on the Pendleton Railroad Scandal. MB. PINCHBACK RETIRED TO PRIVATE LIFE BENATE. Wasuinctox, March 8, 15 ‘The morning hour having expired, the Chair laid be fore the Senate the unfinished business, being the resolution for the admission of P. B.S, Pinchbuck 4s 4 Senator from the State of Louisiana, the peiding question being on the amendment of Mr, Edmupis to insert the word ‘not’ before the word “admitted " Alter debate, in which Messrs. West, of Louisiana, Morrill and Edmunds, of Vermont; Morton, of Indi- ana, and others participated, the question being on the amendment of Mr. Edmunds to insert the word “now” before the word “admitted.” so that the resolution siiould read:—‘Resolved, That p. B. 8, Pinchback be Rot admitted as a Senator from the State of Louisiana for the term of six years, beginning om the 4th of March, 1873.” It was agreed to, yeas, $2; nays, 29, as follows:— Yxas—Bayard, Cooper, Davis. Den: J Carlmomayy Jones of Capertorton, Christianey, Cockrell, ‘ . Edmunds, English, Gordon, Key, MeCreery, jerrimon, Morrill of Vermont, Norwood, Paddock, Randolph, Ransom, Saul Stevenson, Thurman, Wallace, Whyte and Withers: ‘Navs—Messrs, Allison, Anthony, Houtwell, Bra ¢ eron of Vennsylvania, Conkling, Vonover, Cragin, Dorse Furry, Frelinghuysen, Hamilton, Hamlin) Hurvey, Hiteb: tock, Howe, Ingally, Jones of Nevada, an, illan, Mitchell, Pattersor Burgent, Sharon, Sherman, , Mortor spencer, West and Windom —29. Messrs. Bogy, Booth, Wadleigh, Goldthwaite and Dawes, Who would bave voted im the ailirmative, were paired with Messrs, Alcorn, Ogieaby, Ca neron of Wis- consin, Clayton and Wright, who would have Voted in the negative. and Robertson, ‘The question then being on the revolution 4s amended, it was agreed to, yeas, 32; nays, 2% The yeas and nays being taken and recorded as above. While the vote was being taken Mr. Pinchback was ‘on the floor ot the Senate, and stood near the eutrance to one of the cloak rooms. As the roll call proceeded he manifested some nervousness, and goon alter the | vote was announced lett the Chamber. ‘The Senate then, on motion of Mr, Hitchcock, took up the vill to enable the people of New Mexico to form | ‘constitution and State government and for (he admis- sion of said State into the Union, so it would come up us untinisned business to-morrow, and at half-past four, ov motion of the sal Senator, went into executive fession, and, when the doors’ were reopened, a lourned. HOUSE OF BEPRESENTATIVES, WasuinGron, March 8, 1876, The Speaker announced the appointment of the fol- jowing committee on matters connected with the so- called whiskey frauds and the Attorney General's office:—Mr. Knott, of Kentucky, Chairman; Messrs. Harris, of Virginia; Glover, of Missouri; Cochrane, of Pennsylvania; MeMabon, ot Ohio; McCrary, of lowa, and Plaisted, of Maine. On request of Mr. Harnis, of Virginia, ho was ex- tused, and the Speaker said he would appoint another member in bis place during the day. CHANGING THE RECORD, Mr. Hoan, (rep.) of Mass., called attention to the fact that im the official record of yesterday’s debate a | pote had been added by Mr. Lamar, of Aississippt, explanatory of his position, and tuat a few days since a lke note had been added by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Hill). He did not mean to intimate that there was anything fisagreeable in these additions, but it was obvious that the correctness of the record of debates (their absolute Adelity) was the protection, and the only protection, of ull of them in their public lives here against misrepre- ventation elsewhere, Ono of two things must exist. Members would have to be judged by the country trom she newspaper abstracts of what was said, or they must bave an absolutely faithful record of debates. Mr. Hint, (dem.) of Ga, concurred with Mr. Hoar that no change ought to be made that would affect the substance of the reports, and ne explained that the note in the Record was inserted by the reporter on his own Judgment and without bis (Mr. Hill’s) knowledge. APPROPRIATION BILL, Mr, Ranvatt, (dem.) of Pa, chairman of the Com- mittee on Appropriations, reported the Legislative and Executive Appropriation bill, and made a statement as to the reduction proposed in it, The estimates trom she departments for the subjects embraced in the bill Amounts to $20,773,306. The appropriations in the tame Dill last session were $18,734,000, and the appro- priations reported tn this bill were $12,799,883, so that it was a reduction of avout $8,000,000 on the estimates and a reduction of about $6,000,000 om the bill of last year. Besides that, the committee had laid in this bill the foundation of further reductions to the amount of $5,000,000 more. The committee recommepded the transfer of the Indian Bureau to the War Department, which would effect # direct reduction of $1,000,000 in the Iudian Appropriation bill, and he bad the agthority of General Sheridan for saving it would effect a reduc- tion of $3,500,000 more in the Army Appropriation butt. The committee had also recommended the abolition of fifty-three special agents of the customs, because they were believed to be utter!: sary, and would admit amendi te to be ollered by the Chairman of the Commitiee on Invalid Pensions Mr. Jenks, of Pennsylvania) to transfer the Pension butene from the Interior to the War Department, by which the services of 800 persons could be dispensed with, The report had been reached by the committce with great unanimity, There was no difference in committee with regard to the propriety of the reforms And reductions recommended, Mr. HoLmax, (dem.) of In committee, concurred in w! and added that the transfer apother member of the Mr. Randall had said, the Indian Bureau to MHcient or unneces- | the War Department would in nowise affect the efll- | ciency of the agencies heretolore resorted to to civilize | and ameliorate the condition of the Indians, and would leave in full foree the Peace Commission. Mr. Foster, (rep.) of Obio, another member of the committee, ‘hat what the chairman of tne com- mittee had said Was mainly correct, but he thought he (Mr. Randall) bad placed the aadition which the mi- hority of Ube committee would recommend at too low A igure wheu he placed it at $20,000. The minority of | the commitice would propose various amendments, ng gregating $1,000,000, probably 000, notably in the Interna: Revenue Department, where a sweeping reduction has Leen made, such as might endanger the collection of the revenue. Mr. Raxpatt said when the bill should come to be discussed he should be able to establish the fact that those reductions ought to be made. The bill was or- dered Lo be printed and made the special order for Fri- day next. rao isa summary of the recapitulation of the bill: — For compensation and{mitles of Senators—Appro- risted in 1875-6, 000; estimated, 1876-7, 400,000; recommended, 1876-7, $358, 000. For officers, clerk and tm Angel the Senate—Ap- ropriated, 1875-6, $146, ; estimated, 1876-7, 146,268 80; recommended, 1876-7, $100,150. of the Senate—Appropri- For contingent ex ; ertimated, 1876-7, $147,200; ated, 1875-6, $168, recommended, 1876-7, $7€, 790. For reporters of the debates and gress—Appropriated, 187! 1876-2, ‘435.000; recommended, 1576- For Capitol Police—Appropriated, ak, $52,600, estimat 1876-7, $52,000; grecommend 1876-7; ig Con; ional Directory—Appropri- ; eatimated 1876-7, $1,200; recom- ‘ed 1876-7, $1,; For compensation and mileage of ats Re riated 1 76-7, $1,650,000; For compensation of ttl the House—Appropriated 1875-6, mated 1576-7, $222,704 70; recommended 1576-77, $178,890, For contingent expenses of the House of Repre- PeesstivesApproprinied 1875-6, $208,585; estimaved 1876-7, $206,085; recuamended 1876-7, $121, 768. For the office of Congressional printer—Appropriated 75-6, $17,070 60; estimated 1876-7, $17, recom: 620. 0 Botamic Garden—Ap- So atmated Te16-1,, $63,000; $78,400; ed 1876-7, -6, recommenued dele- propriated 1! $66, recommended 1876-7, $43, For the £ wages ngewe estimated 1876-7, $78, 5 Fecom $63,491 11 For the Department of State— Aj riated 1! 217,650 timated 1876-7, $247.11 sf, ete Can ee | who had used penitent convicts to build houses aud ‘Those not voting were Messrs. Buruside | Ciitivat \ 7 “3 ——s | relationsand conJuct of Mr. Furman should be invest- | and, on motion of Mr, Hoar, the committee was in- | whose testimony before the Committee on Expenditures in the said articles w NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1876—TRIPLE SHEET. $8,520,836 60; estimated 1876-7, $3,529,940 60; recom- { nivaded 1876-7, $2 50. For the independent, Treasury—Appropriated 1875-6, | | 80; estimated 1876-7, ,850; recommended Is , $315, 150. For the expenses pt collecting the Internal Rev nue—Appropriated “1875-6, (061,000; estimated | |, 5,061,000; recommended 1876-7," $3,491,000. the Mints and Assay Officers—Appropriated 1875-6, $1,220,145; estimated 1876-7, $1,592,945; rec- ommended 1876-7, $728,820. For the Territorial Government: 1875-6, $351,441 40; estimated 1876-7, ommended 1876-7, '$184,700. For the office of the Secretary of the Interior, inctud- | ing th@ contingent and general expenses of the Patent Ottee building—Appropriated 17 mated 187 ‘or the G Approprinted 765 0; rec- nd contingent expe j estimated, 1876-77, ‘T, $897,020. Appropriated $633,980; recommended 1 For the Patent Utliee and ¢ propriated 1875-76, $741,400; estimated 1876-77, | $659,080; recommended 1876-77, $575,080, For the Bureau of Eaucation and contingent ex- penses—Appropristed 1875-76, — $35,570; estimated $47,690; recommended 1876-77, $16,000. eral and priated 187: 800; estimated 1876-77, $166,400; recommended 187) $189,300, Forthe Post Oilice Departinent and contingent ex- | Appropriated 1875-76, $524,452; estimated , $081,112; recommended 1876-77, $422, 122, For the War Department and contingent expenses. Appropriated 1875-76, $1,133,568; estimated 157 j Fecommended 1876-77, $774, 720. Navy Department and contingent expenses— Appropriated "1875-76, $141,240; estimated 1576-77, $143,760; recommended 1876-77, $105,150. For the Department of Agriculture, and contingent expenses—Appropriated 1875-76, $185,130; estimated 1876-77, $219,740; recommended 1876-77, $153,080. Forthe United’ States Courts, Attorneys and Mar- shuls—Appropriated 1575-76, ' $305,260; estimated 1876-77, $895,450; recom 4 1876-77, $894,200, For the Court of Clains, and to pay judginents—Appropriated 1 B, $485,990; es- Limaied 1876-77, 6,340; recommended 1876-77, | utingent expenses—Ap- 640. | For the Department of Justice and contingent ex- Appropriated | 1876. $120,820; estimated gle j recommen | riuted 187 $20,773,316 20 otal’ “appre ated 1876-77, 2,707,883 61. A PERSONAL EXPLANATION, PURMAN, (rep.) Of Fla, rising Wo @ question of called attention to a eharge made against him in the Washington correspondence of the New York Sun, in which be is spoken of as “another money making Congressman,” and in which it alleged be had beon increasing his Worldly possessions by the sale of a naval cadetship and by other means, He said that his two accusers were Stearns, the acting Governor of Florida, and Martin, bis henebma, As to Stearns, he characterized bim a8 one Whe ba: 86 quality to dis- tingutsh him avove the common herd, as being deficient in Jearning and culture, as without education or respectable associations, a8 having bo fixed prinerples except those of avarice and stupidity, as one who, when agent of the Freedmen’s Bureau, had swindled the | freedinen and the government; as 4 “phlegmatic incu- bus; as the Moses and Tweed of Florida; as the em- bodiment of all the political woes of the State, and as an “uneivilized monster,” who had betrayed and mis- governed the State, ‘The other man (Martin) he char- | acterized as a “hireling” and an ‘*ingrate,” and as one cultivate vineyards tor bit, He was led to exclaim as to Martin, “#t(u brute.” He declared there was not one scinuilla of truth inthe charges ag@inst him He detied and challenged ¥ ledged his honor as # may and the vile and chil- dren to prove their falsehood, He moved for a select committee on the subject. The Speaker expressed the opinion that after the House was fully organized Into standing and select com- mittees ajl subsequent creations of select committees only tended to weaken the general effectiveness of the body, and it was better, in all matters of this kina, to have them referred to one of the standing com: mittes Mr, Purman explained that he had only asked for a select committee because he understood that ail the standing committees were overworked, Mr. Wurrruonyx, (dem.) of Tenn., Chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, intimated that in tho progress of the investigauion of that committee cer- lain facts had been developed allecting the character of the representative trom Florida; that the commitiee had uot felt at liberty to prosecute the matter so far as that gentleman was individually concerned, but only so far as the general service of the country was affected, but that he thought it eminently proper that the oflicial gated. Mr. Hanns, (dem.) of Va. moved that the matter be referred for investigation to the Committee on Naval Aifuirs. Mr. O'Briey, of Maryland, suggested that, under the circumstances, it mtgut be better to refer the matter to a select committee, After some discussion on the point it was so ordered, structed to investigate the matiers referred to in the New York Sun, A WITNESS IN CONVULSIONS. As soon as this matter was disposed of the recusant witness, Mr. A. B. Wolf, who bad refused to answer certain questions put to him by the Committee on Na- val Aflairs, was LUrought betore the bar of the House, and Mr. Whitthorne, the chairman, was proceeding to state that the witness had this morning appeared and answered, and that be might, therefore,.be die- charged from custody, When the witness himself fell ‘on the floor in an epileptic tit, producing much exeite- ment and sympathy in the chamber. He was atrended by a physician and subsequently carried trom the hall, when Mr, Whitthorne concluded his statement and had the witness discharged from custody. On motion of Mr. WurrrHorsk two sub-committees of the Commitiee on Naval Affairs were authorized to carry on investigations at the navy yards of Charles- | town, Mass., and Kittery, M The sub-committees are lessrs, Mills, of Texas; Burleigh, of Maine, and Jones, of New Hampsbire, for | Kittery ;' and Messrs, Mills, Harris, of Virginia, and | Jones ior Charlestown. THE IMPEACHMENT OP BELKNAP. Mr. Kyorr (dem.) of Ky., Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, made the following report in the case of the impeachment of the late Secretary of War:— ‘Tho Committee on the Judiciary would respectfully report that iu pursuance of the instructions of the House the have prepared articles of impeachment against William W. lknap, late Secretary of War, fur high crimes and misde- mmenuors in olfice, but that since preparing the same they have been infurmed and believe that Caleb P. Marsh, upon r Department, und referred to them by the House, | e framed, has gone beyond the jurisdiction nt of the United Staton and that probably ndance a4 a witness before the Senate, sitting as a ‘of Impeachment cannot be procured ‘sufficient to convict said William W. Belktaap of high erimes and misde- | meanors In office us Seeretury ot War. They therefore rec- the adoption of the following resolution :— Resvived—That the resolution instructing the committee | ou the Judiciary to prepare articles of impeachment against | William W. Belknap, late Secretary of and misdemeanors in office, be recommitted to said com mittee, with power to take further proofs; to vend for persons and papers, to sit during the sessions of the House, wand to report at any time. Your committee, impressed with the im securing the tullest indemnity to such witnesse: required to testify in behalf of the goveraruent b: house of Congress, or any committee of vither house, or Senate sitving ax a Court of impeachment, rn the immediate passage of the c ‘A vill to provwet witnesses who shall be required testify in certdiu cases.” The: wonki further recommend that the accompanying bill, entitled, "A bill in relation to witnesses,” be introduced, ‘ar, for high erin | mittee, and submitted that, even if | rum) Mp Blaine made another effort to secure a | Dret time I nave printed. and reterred to the Committee on the Judiciary, with leave to repert thereon at auy time. ‘The following are the bills presented by Mr. Knott:— t witnesses who shall be required to testify that when any person shall be required to est before either house of Congress, or oF the Sem sitting as a Court of Tupeachment, and shall so testify under protest, he shall not thereatter be beld to answer criminally in any court of justice, or subject to any pouslty or forfeiture, on xecount of y act, concerning which he shall be so required to testify, provided that nothing herein cuntained shalt'be so con- strued as to relieve any person from liability to impexen- m Be it enacted, &e.—Every person who shall wilfully absent hinself trom bis piace of residence or concen! Limself or ub- veut himself from the United States or, being absent, shail wilfully rem: tempt to do so fo the purpose the vervice of any | M ful writ OF process re: ppearand testi ee evidence or prod . letters, documents or pers, or for the purpose and with the ‘inteut to avoid bebng required to testify or fixe evidence oF to become, « Witness shall be deewed gullty of a crime and punishable by 4 fine not exceeding $1,000 not exceed both of said punishtn Nothing vonstrud to exempt any such person from tng three years, of *. shment as for # coutempt. a8 the Hous on the bad subject. closed such infamous crimes and misdemeanors on the rs of the late Secretary of War as had caused every onest American to bang his bead with sham a igoomipy, The committee bad,proceeded to tl churge of ite duty, but had no sooner completed than the committee was confronted with the fact that Mr. Marsh had fled beyond the jurisdiction of the gov- | erpment He would not undertake to say what was the immediate cause of Mr. Marsh’s prompt Might. He wou'd say, however, that, having testified beiore the committer, and having given no indication ot @ contempt of the louse, it was beyond the power of the committee or of the House to have ordered him into custody or to have | restrained him in aby mawner of his liberty without | baving been guilty of almost as great as ene that charged on the Secretary of War. Marsh, how- ever, might bave been taken into custody ip pursu- | ance o1 law by another department of the goverument. | | He (Mr, Knott) did not insinuate that the distinguished head of the Department of Justice or that the District Attorney was not aware of the proper mode and manner of securing Marsh's detention. There was but one method now by which Marsh could be brought aud that method was infallible one. It was im the power of one man to hi Marsh in Wash- ington city in forty-eight bours It was @ simple siom (rom the the President of the iy, honestly and sincerely desired the impeachment, indictment and punishment of the | late Secretary of War, whose enormous crimes bad dis- graced his own administration aud had caused every American cheek to mantie with shame, all that he had + to do waa to give assurance to the witness Marsh that ite would come betore the tribunals and tell the truth and wothing but the troth a tree pardon, and Marsh would forty-eight bours. Marsh was bot coming without such after what bad been blazon ’ ‘The question, therelore, presented Itself to the co: mittee, What was most advisabie for the House to dot syd the eaminitten hal envaln od ta rpeeert piece nt be no sufficient evidence to sustain them would put the House iu an attitude which would render ridiculous in the eyes of the world and contemptible in its own estimation, He did not believe that there was more than one man in the House who would feel disposed to place the House in that attitude, particularly when abundant evidence might, with opportunity, be pro- cured to sustain the charge, Mr. Lyxvg, (dem ) of Wis,—another member of the Juaiciary Committee-—sustained the report of the com- ir. Mar resent, it would not be prudent to present articles om his testimony alone, particularly when it was apparent that other and important testimony could be procured. He regretted the manifestation of any partisan fecling onthe subject, and intimated that no member of the House could ride into the Presidency on the manuer in | which this investigation should be conducted. At the conclusion of Mr. Lynde’s remarks, Mr. Law- rence, (rep.) of Ohio (also a member of the Judiciary Committee), tried to get the floor, but Mr. Kxorr | moved the previous question, and resisted the appeals of the republican members to withdraw the motion. The previous qnestion was seconded and the resol tion was adopted, Mr. Kyorr then moved the previous question on the bill to protect witnesses who shall be required to testily in certain cuses, Mr, Kasson, (rep.) of Towa, appealed to Mr. Knott Hot to insist upon the previous question, but to allow the same a little discussion, Mr, Buaivk, (rep.) of Maine—Thei Speeches made on. the opposite side of the House. (Shouts of “Order!* “Order!"? from the democrats.) Every man bere is tw favor of the bill, but we want one short specch on this question from a member of the Judiciary Committee, (Continuous shouts of “Order!” Oraer!") sir. Davis, (dem.) of N. C.—The gentleman from Maine is out of order, and he knows it, He ought to ‘obey the rules of the House. (Laughter.) ‘A vote by tellers was taken on seconding the pre- vious question, but the republicans generally refrained from voiing, #0 that there did not appear to be & quorum, ‘There being nothing in order im that condition ex- cept & motion to adjourn or for a call of the House— Mr. BLAINE again appealed to Mr. Knott, #8 a saving of time, to allow a short debate. He himself did- not have been two aid that thero were some apparent detects in the bill, aud that the pre-- vious question would prevent the offering of amend ments, He thou. ht the bill would easily — Mr. Buaiye—The vote would be unaniinous, Mr. Kyorr declined to make any compromise, and so there was nothing for it but a call of the House, After the call (which showed the presence of a quo- hance of discussion on the republican side, disclaiming any- thing that had the appearance of fillbustering, but bis vou demoerais, & Another vote by tellers had the same result ,and there was another caliof the House, After two hours consumed in this Way an arrangement was (which Mr. Knott said he bad proposed from the be- ginning) that half of the hour left to the committee after seconding the previous question should be given to Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence yielded part of that time to Mr. Kasson, of lowa, Who expressed his regret that state- ments which had been made yesterday dn the heat of debate had been repeated to-day by the cool gentioman trom Kentucky (Mr. Knott), and who undertook to show that Mr, Marsh could not have been frightened away by any Cabinet proceeding, as he had leit’ Washington at hall-past one o'clock ou Thursday (three hours be- fore the report was presented in the House), and could not have learned anything about the mythical meeting of the Cabinet till he read it in Montreal on Saturday morning. Mr, Lawrence also yielded a few minutes to Mr. Blaine, of Maiae, who declared that he was au- thorized to say that there never had been auy instructions in the Cabinet to prosecute Marsh, Marsh’s case had never been considered in the Cabinet, but simply the question of prosecuting Bel- Knap. If anybody stated that Marsh had been fright- act out of the country by anything the Cabinet had done, he stated what had no foundation infact, The simple failure of the Committee on Expenditures in the | will gradually diminish, the final coniact being on the The gradual | War Department to discharge Marsh would have tained him bere. He (Blaine) would vote for this bill even if it were full of outrages, and be begged his re- publican friends to do the same; but be ventured the prophecy that no matter what bills of exemption were passed, ibey would not get Marsh, Several Democrats—How do you know? Mr. BLraink—I do not know, butI am a Yankee by adoption and can guess, and I guess that he will not come before the great dignity of the House. In regard ‘to the indictment of Belknap and the halting of the Judiciary Committee about impeachment, it looks to me as if the late Secretary of War would es- cape and drop between the two stools, He will neither be indicted because it is against the dignity of the House to furnish the testimony, nor will be im- peached, because on the whole there is not enough to | impeach himon. (A whispered remark from Mr. Hour.) both quickly. (Applause on the republican side.) Mr. Lawrencr, of Objo, asked whien side of the House was responsible for any failure to 1mpeach or in- dict Belknap. ‘The republican side had voted yester- day to send to the Criminal Court the evidence within the control of the House for the purpose of indicting him, and the democratic side had voted against it. ‘Then, who was responsible tor Marsh’s absence? Ho | did not entertain the slightest idea that the chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the War Depart. | ment had designed that Marsh should escape for the purpose of relieving the late Secretary from impeach- ment or indictment, but the fact was true, nevertheless, that the witness bad becn discharged when hour: bave been held, and that if he had not been discharged he would be here to-day to testify alike before the Grand Jury and before the High Court of Impeachment, Mr. Kort closed the discussion, and noticed the fuct that, notwithstanding the anxiety expressed on the other side to debate the bill, nota word had beon said about it in the three speeches made. As to the willingness of the other side to aid in exposing and punishing corruption, he reminded them that they had had many years to do so, but had never done so, (Ap- plause on the democratic side.) ‘The bill was then passed by a vote of 206 to 10, MR, CLYMER’S PERSONAL EXPLANATION, Mr. CLymin, of Pennsylvania, rising to a question of personal privilege, seut to the Clerk’s desk and bad Tead a statement in the Washington correspondence of the New York Hxraup to-day, relating a supposed in- terview bewween Mrs. Belknap, Mrs. Marsh and other ladies at the Arlington Hotel, in which the charges against Mr, Belknap were discussed, and among them a charge that Mr. George H. Pendieton, of Olio, had paid was drowued in shouts of “Order” from the | made | As my friend trom Massachusetts suggests, — give the case to this side of the House and we will do | | | | | | | lower to Mrs. Belknap a bribe of $70,000 in the interest of | the Kentucky Central Railroad, when Mrs. Belknap is represented as having suid that she had ouly received half that amount; thatthe facts hud been brought to Mr, Clymer’s attention by Mr, Danford, one of the members of the committee; but that Mr. Clymer hai wid no attention to them, and further, that Mrs, Bel- , Messrs, Pendleton and Clymer and Mr. and Mrs. Marsh had made the tour of Europe together, whi Mr. Clymer became gradually acquainted with the main facts in the case. The paper having been read, Mr. Clymer rose and said :— ‘MR, CLYMER’S REMARKS. “In a somewhat prolonged public service bere and elsewhere this is the first time | ever felt wyself called | upon to make a public statement with reference to any- thing which has appeared regarding me in a news- Paper, for the i@ reason that I believe it is the seen my personal honor or recti- tude impugned. Now, with reference to this article, I never saw Mr. Marsh, the witness in the case, until Jast Monday week, when he appeared in the committee room. | never saw Mrs. Marsh but once in my life, and that was last Thursday morning, the day they left the | city, when, taking an eariy breakfast at the Arlington Hotel, whom I presumed to be his wife, They seated them: selves near me, and, out of courtesy to a woman, I went and was presented to her, The interview ee taiuly did not last three minutes, and the case before the committee was not alluded to in the remotest terms, | have never met George H. Pendleton save on this side of the water; thereiore the charge with refet ence to my having traveled tn Europe with any of those parties, at any time, jg absolutely and totally false, ‘Again, it is alleged, or seems to be alleged, that I was coumzant of @ meeting at the Arlington between Mrs. Marsh and Mrs. Belknap aud others. such a meeting L certainly was not at it. were discussed there with reference to another ori 1 could only and 1 did only hear of it by rumor, and there was no foundation in the world (or me to go upon save that it was said that there was a record in the War Department; some ove told me so, Fortunately, I | have the witness bere whom iast week I told to goto the War Department and search it up for me soas to start that investigation with all my other labors. On Monday, while in the Capitol, a telegram was received trom Mr, Peudlewo asking when he could be beard before our committee, and 1 directed a friend of bis to telegraph him that we would hear him to-morrow afvernoc b reference to my being Gnwilling to investigate matter, my iriend and colleague on the committee (Mr. Danfords will bear me witness that on Monday morning when I came into the hail he came and said that be wished Mrs, Marsh to be summoned, not telling me the reason, He will tur- ther bear me Witness that insiantiy at the sugy ry | L said “Yes,"’ and the Sergeant-at-Arms will prove that I went to bim and took out a subpoena, and had bim send a special messepger immediately to New York for tha purpora. Now, 1 vrand the whole article, so far as it relates to myselt, utterly, rely and absolutely false. And Isay that the man or men who concocted it did so with malice aforethought for some purpose which I teave the House and the peopie of the country to judge. iwish to say, further, that I will not be deterred trom my duty, as imposed upon me by in investigating frauds (rom the highest to the body politie as they this How strike the dearest iriend ov earth I will have the co solation of knowing that I have done my duty to this House apd to my country, And they who expect to intimidate me through insingation or otherwise, or to deter me from my duty, have mistaken their man, [ have as great respect as any man can tor the third estate, but when it 1s used fora dase and vile purpose 1 will defend myself against it, and will appeal. to honest men here and everywhere tor my support and justification. (Applause, vs, (dem. ) of N. C., another member of the heard of the matter in quest.on until he Saw it \u & Hewspaper this evening. The effort to deter investigation by turning the battel fos of Vituperation on acummiitee engaged im tryin to Go its duty would fail in its purpose, So far as be was concerned, he proposed to sai! his craft bodily into saw the witness with a lady | thie fight anti it was biown out of the wat nd that would not be done until he had blown off of a lew more thieves Whom he knew of (Applause on | the democratic side) Mr. BLAcKRRS, another member of the committee, said that he had pever heard, either officially, or other- wise, of the charge here «liuded to wh or three days ago, whon Mr. Clyme: at pranace was ex to testify to. That was first, last and only time he ever heard anything of it until he saw this article, He was perfectly indi’ ferent as to what newspapers said. No one held th American journalist tn higher appreciation than bim- self, but When one of his craft forgot his duty and be- came a baruacie on his profession—a m uleer and excrescence that existed only to disgrace those with whom he was associated—he (Mr. Blackburn) ever held it his duty to retuse to stoop s0 low ag to notice the ms- erable hireling. He did not care if every newspaper in the country turned iis batteries on ihe committee; ail that this committee asked was that haods should be kept off its witnesses, and before Congress adjourned they would unearth enough of villanies accumulated within the last fourteen years to sicken and vomit the | country by exposing the putrid carcasses that had been so long sedulously covered up. Mr. McDovaat, (rep.) of N. Y., (contemptuously)— We have seen putrid carcasses enough bere. Mr. Biarye called Mr. Biackburn’s attention to a mis- statement made yesterday by him in saying that the #8 Marsh Was within the power of the House the report was made, the fact being that Marsh had left the city three by betore. Mr, BLackuuRy made the correc! on, but intimated that Mr, Blaime seemed to have been keeping company | with the witness or keeping close on his track. Mr. BLaixw responded that he bad never seen Mursh, and he never heard of him until the case was brought belore the House, but that the fact of Marsh’s leaving the city at that time was a very essential fact in the history of the case, and so essential that after the news- papers throughout the United States had blazoned tt abroad that Marsb had been frightened oif by an order from the Executive Department, be (Mr, Blame) had taken pains to find out when Marsh lett the city, Mr, Danvonn, of Obio, another member of the com- mittee, stated’ his connection with the matter, He had never heard it spoken of till Saturday evening last, when a gentleman of credibility came to him and said Mrs. Marsh would prove certain matters alleged against the War Department. He asked that she be subpenaed at once, und on Monday morning he came to the House, found, the Chairman, Mr. Clymer, as soon as be could, and asked that Mrs, Marsh be snbpanaed to appear forth- | with before the committee, ‘The chairmun’s reply was that he would gladly and willingly do it; that he did not know the purpose for which she was to be sub- wed, nor had be (Mr, Danford) stated it; but that ‘ould bring her here, let ber testimony strike where it might, friend or foe, ‘The vate of the witness had been yiven to the chairman, who had at once gone in the direction of .the office of the Sergeant-at-Arms. ‘That was the enure counection he (Mr. Daniord) had with the matter. This ended the discussion, and the second bill re- | ported by the Judiciary Committee was recommitted, ‘Lhe SrkakER appointed Mr. Phelps, of Connecucut, ‘on the Select Committee on the Whiskey Prosecutions | in place of Mr. Harris, of Virginia, resigned. ‘The House then, at six o'clock, adjourned. ECLIPS: THE MOON. or There will be a small eclipse of the moon, visible throughout the whole American continent, commencing this evening and occurring at the following times :— Moon enters penumbra, 11h., 2m., New York ume, Moon enters shadow, l2h., 45m., New York Ume, Midule of the eclipse, 1h., 26m., New York time, Moon leaves shadow, 2u.,'26m,,'New York time. Moon leaves penumbra, 3h., 5um,, New York time, ‘Tho time for any other place may be determined by simply allowing for the difference in Jongitude. The en- trance of the moon into the earth’s penumbra will merely dim its light almost imperceptibly unul nearly the time of the entrance into the shadow. At twenty- five minutes alter midnight the approach of the shadow | will be perceived on the lower edge of the moon’s disk, a litle toward the left. This will gradually encroach upon the disk for an hour, when it will cover nearly one third of itgdiameter .but there will be very much | less than one third of the entire surface covered. Dur- ing the following hour the encroachment of the shadow | edge a little toward the right. shading of the edge of the shadow will make it impossi« bie to observe the mes with precision, 50 that a lunar eclipse has no special interest to astronomers. worthy Of note that the moon’s node iz now less than one degree distant from the point where the echptic crosses the equator; the ascending node crossing the first point of Aries on March 4, and requiring pine- teen years for a complete revolution. At Lhe next new moon, when the moon reaches its other pode, there will be a partial eclipse of the sun, visible im the United States and Cauada; and these will be the only eclipses visible here during the present year. HENRY M. PARKHURST. New Yorx, March 9, 1876. A NEW CLUB THREATENED SPLIT IN THE UNION LEAGUE. ‘The eruption of the political Vesuvius at Washington is evidently frightening very many of the would-be re- publican leaders of this city as well as the rank and file of the party throughout the couatry. circles in New York, it may be stated that @ “spliv? has already been effected in the Union League Club similar to that which made a wreck of the Puiladelphia club of the same Dame some two years ago. 1n one of the parlors of Delmonico’s there assembled lust evening between twenty-live and thirty of tho Union League's members, | headed by Judge Emott and Joseph HM. Choate, who gathered for the express purpose of organizing a re- form republican club in opposition w the club of which all the gentiomen are at pres- ent members. The movement thus far baa been carried on ina very secret manner, only such gentiemen as have expressed their desire to reform the republican n party having been consutted or invited. A reporter the Hekatv called on Judge Emote during the meeting last evening, but that gentleman, so far from vouchsating any in- formation, seemed somewhat embarrassed aud not a little annoyed that the fact of his meeting had become known outside the churmed circie. He was very anxious, he said, to sone the matter a secret for some days yet. When the new organization had thoroughly established itself the Judge woulda be only too huppy to inform the public, through the medium of the press, of their action. ‘Later in the evenmg another gentleman connected with the new movement was met at the Filth Avenue Hotel, and he was not so guarded in his speech as had been the proposed Pres- ident of the Reform Republican Club, “Well, 11M tell you,” said the gentleman in question ; be truth of the matter is, it’s the old story of rats deserting the ship. If the Union League Club won't come out as an organization and denounce the corrup- tiou that bas crept tuto the party and is eating away its very vitals, we propose to abandon the club and or- ize‘one that will use its best endeavors to reform the party while it is yet day. Things look pretty bad just at present; but people that corruption will be made odious. “Did you organize a reform club thie evening?” | asked the reporter. “No, we did not affect an organization, but we made all the necessary arrangements to do'so at once,” responded the voluble retormer. ben will the next meeting be beld atm not at liberty to state that just at present, but I will say ths much: a permanent organization will be effected in @ few days, and, mark my word, the Union League Club will soon be a thing of the pust. REGIME) Mr. Royal Phelps, for the Seventh regiment, re- ceived a compitmentary letter (rom Mr. J. A. Hopper, President of the Singer Manufacturing Company, ex- tolling the regiment's gallant conduct in the days of the rebellion and containing a check for $1,000, a con- | tribution to the Armory Fund, 1 thero was | If matvers THE TAILORS’ STRIKE. ‘The central body of the Tailors’ Union held a meet- | ing at Coburger Hall, in Stanton street, last night. A Teport was received to the effect that the “watch at Brooks Brothers’ store 1 kept up without interrup- tion, to prevent the tirm from obtaining new bands in place of the men on strike om account of the reduction of wages." lt was stated that there was no turiher in- | terference on the part of the police. The Law | committee, composed of Charles Roseukranz, Joba Madge, William Cashman, Carl Fraude and Wii: ; sam Kiingerfuss, sabmitted a report ww the efect Uiat tue trial of the ‘men arrested {or paradiug in tront of Brooks’ establishment will take place in the Supreme Court on Monday. 1 r will come ap oD a writ of certiorari wo determine whether the firm had a right to cause the arrest o( these men or not, DISSATISFIED DISTILLERS. A meeting took place yesterday of the merchants in highwines and tho distillers of spirits tn regard to the matters affecting their trade, Alier considerable dia- € ussion a committee of four was appoivted to draw up petition to Congress, which will to-day ve relerred to e Board of Managers of the Exchange, wna, if they approve, the resolutions will at once be forwarded 10 ‘ashington. INQUEST ON THE BOATMAN JERSEY OITY. 1 The Inquest on the body of Frank Ford, the cana boatman who died from stab wounds {nieted on lim by another boatman named Jobn Heavey, Inet Saturday Bight week, in Washington strect, Jersey City, was be- IN gun last evening before Coroner Gannon, in the Alder. | manic chamber, The first witvess was Dr. Lathrop, who doscribed (ne stab wounds inilicted on Ford; did not kuow whether the wound in Whe side penetrated took part in the post-mortem examina- tion, but made no observations, The witness was closely plied with questions by ‘Mr. Daly, counsel for Heavey, ut relused to ‘express an Opinion as to the direct OF Indirect cause of death, saying he was not an expert Francis Whelan, John Ward, Joby Sheridan aud George Weinburger we: ikewise examined, and the inquest was adjourned rostrate condition # commitment to Jail, it he show tesued, The body of Ford still rei as none of the family ot friends Coroner il! pro able have to order the imtermenr of this pomt, Heavey is meanwhile im a the City Hospital. An order tor recover, has been the ; It was too late on Saturday evening to do it, | Teas | As an evi- | dence of the consternation existing in administration | have faith in the ability of the | party to pull through, provided its leaders show the | THE BURNED ASYLUM. Impressive Scenes at the Fu- nerals of the Victims. | NOBLE DEVOTION OF THE SISTERS i | No More Bodies Found, but Three Old Men Yet Missing. The sad calamity that occurred at the Roman | Catholic Home for the Aged, corner of Bushwick boulevard and Chestnut street, full details of which | appeared tu yesterday’s Heraco, still continues to be the exciting theme across the river, Betore it the Beecher and Bowen controversy pales, and all classes of the community read the uarrowivg details of the | burning of eighteen aged and infirm men with feelings | of horror, Pubhe sentiment agrees that there bas been | @great fault perpetrated by some one who should be held responsible for the fearful holocaust that has car- ried grief and terror to many a household, Just where | this responsibility rests at this stage of the inquiry it | is impossible to determine; but the public look to the Fire Marshal and the Coroner to make such searching inquiries as will settle the responsibility beyond all pos- | sible cavil. The Home was yesterday the . SCEN% OF MANY SAD INCIDENTS between the preparation of the crisped and charred | vodies for burial, the removal of the property of the institution from the grounds, to which it was carried by the police and the firemen during the exciting events of Tuesday morning, back to the dormitories, aud the reception of the aged inmates who returned to the in- stituuon, The Lite Sisters of the Poor had all they could do. Yet amid all the tumult and | confusion that resulted from these causes of excite- | ment Sister Mary of the Apostle and her. asso- | people and receive the hundreds of ladies and gentle- | men who came to sympathize and show their apprecia- tion of the Little Sisters by the deposit of generous | offerings, ‘The funeral services, which are fully de- scribed elsewhere, were of a very simple but impressive character, The authorities are now satisfied that all | the bodies have been recovered, and that the total | deaths are but eighteen, j ADOUT THR HOME YESTERDAY. 13 ‘Threatening a8 was the weather yesterday morning | at an early hour hundreds of men and women—some in | Search of friends and others attracted there by im- | pulses of curiosity merely—gathered about the gate- | way on the Chestnut street side, where an officer, de- | tailed by Acting Captain Dunn, of the Ninth sub-pre- | cinct, guarded the entrance, supported by che Captain and several patrolmen distributed about the institution | and grounds. At the gateway was a poor box, over which was painted “Remember the Aged.” Into this box scores, who had read of the self-sacrifices of the Little Sisters, deposited their offerings. In the crowd | that clamored for admission were a number of fashion- abiy dressed ladies, some of whom bad left their | carriages on the Bushwick boulevard. They came, not | as curious seekers after notoriety, but to deposit their | offerings in behalf of the institution that had passed through a double baptism of fire and water, Parts of the floors had fallen through into the cellar, carrying with them portions of the roof and such fur- niture as had not falien during the fire, The walls and charred frayments of flooring were dripping with water, and a large pool had formed im the cellar. About the rani numerous articles of household furniture and kitchen utensils lay im the mud. A number of Sisters were busily engaged in removing the beds and other articles of furniture to that part of the Home that had escaped the flood and flame. | | Many men and women knocked at the gate and asked | for missing frienas, and they were generally overjoyed on receiving information that their loved ones were safe. Those who had lost friends went mournfully away to prepare for.the funeral, RETURN OF THE INMATES. Many of the aged inmates returned yesterday after- | noon, and among them were several who were supposed to be among the dead, The Sister Superioress received them most kindly and anxiously inquired ax to their welfare. “Where did you stay last night?” she asked | of an aged man named Wilder, “Oh, I stopped with my sister, down in De Kalb avenue,” replied the man, who was a littie old fellow, with wondergully bright eyes, ‘I thought you might think me dead, and so I ‘came back to tell you that I wasn’t.’ The’ old men | were all assigned apartments in the uninjured portion of the building, THE SISTERS’ LABORS. None of the Sisters partook of much rest since | exciting scenes of Tucsday until yesterday moromg | “in the wee sma’ hours.” They were up with the sun and when the HeRratp reporter strolled through the drenched and burned apart. ments every one of these little toilers in the cause of charity was silently at work repairmg the damages, | washing the bedding, nailing up cloths over broken | window panes or repairing the torn garments of the inmates. During ail the commotion of the day these | worthy women never lost a single moment from some useful work, proving that their self-possession had been gained by long continuance in habits of imdus- try, fragahty and thrift. The reporter cast his eyes down into the basement on the east wing yesterday it two o'clock, and there, all alone, was Sister Gregory busily at work amid the débris of ashes, beams, iron cots, half burned bedding and furniture, With a shovel the litte sister was turning over the débris, carefully examining every piece of burned clothing, in earnest effort to discover something Jong sougift ater. Looking down upon her as she moved about cautiously were many spectators, und close to the writer were two pretty and | fashionably dressed ladies, One expressed her tear | that bricks might fall on the devoted toiler in the Diack pit Of death, and, after scaning the Sister ior | some ume, turned away, remarking:—“T bave begged for most every cause, but now I shall for the Little Sisters of the Poor. Never beiore members of my sex labored lke this.’” the Little Sisters, it Is proper to say that all the work of the institution is periormed by the Sisters them- selves. They are only fitteen m number, but tuey have divided their daties with such excellent system vhat they never fod them oppressive, Sister Mary of St. Peter, the Mot of the Order, who has been in New Orleans, yesterday telegraphed her departure for Brookiyn. Upon her return, and as ‘ances wre settled, the work of repair- institution will be commenced., To put | the Home in as good order as it was vefore the fire will | necessitate the expenditure of about $25,000, ‘The walls are yery thick aud strong, and will not | have to be taken down, but new floors will have to be put in and the roof must be replaced. THR VICTIMS. It is now verv satisfactorily settled that there are no | more bodies in the ruins, and that the total pumber of | victims 1s but eighteen. The firemen who removed tie bodies trom the debris all declare that the rains were | most thoroogtily raked, and that it is Impossible that | other bodies “can be there. A reporter of the HexaLp yesterday went over the hist published in | yesterday’s HeKato of the supposed dead and missing, and made corrections. Sister Mary first learned trom | the reporter that Jerry Suldvan, hitherto — re- | ported among the recoguized, stated in yesterday's Heratv, The Sister, , believes that the following is a full list of 0 dead and ‘intssing :— Michael Retley, Theodore Chagnot, James | Ryan, George Donnolly, Frederick Eleghurd, James | Connolly, Dante! Gorman, Joon Cavanaugh, Peter Kelly, Roger Farrell, Peter Huyes, Patrick Healy, Conrad ‘Laudemann, Michael Cummings, Joho Barroden, James Meon and Michael Pieifer (hertofore given as Michwel Feefe). It will be seen that these = foot up & total of seventeen known . to be among the dead. Among the missing to be accounted tor are John Rignev, John Matterboff and an unknown German. Sister Mary thinks that one of these three miss- ing inmates is the eighteenth person among the dead, aud expresses the belies that the other two missing will be heard from tn due time. Jolin Costin, reported iu the HetaLo among the missing, and in all the Brooklyn papers of yesterday as among the dead, 18 alive aid Well, Fireman Keighler, of sugine No, 13, which par- | teipated in the suppression of the fire, is a son-in-law | of Mr. Costin, He stated yesterday to the writer that bis father-in-law escaped unburt, and is now at Mr, | Kerghter’s residence. | INCIDENTS OF THY Dat. | During the afternoon Jobe Garral aged seventy- | six years, who has long been an inmate of the Home, appeared and asked one of the Little Sisters to assist him tn finding his prayer book. A search of the | enapel where the water had made sad havoc discov. ered the sacred reiic, and when 11 was handed to nim he moved of, remarking:—‘Thank God it's saved, al- , wet; but [ can dry it I have had jt forty | Years." | A heartrending scene was witnessed whon Mrs, Com- mings altost torced her way into the chapter room ; where the body of ber aged husband had been jaid, | When she got in she dropped on her knees before tl coffin, and with a hysterical ery fell fainting invo the arms of a bystander. A fow moments before the removal of the coffins Thomas Connolly, whose father, James, is among the | tl dead, anxrously asked to be allowed to make an mspec- | on of the bodies. The coffin lids, however, had been screwed on and his request was denied him, “If 1 could only see his hand.” he sobbed, “I would know | him na moment.” “There is not a perfect hand among them,” said the undertaker. A granddaughter ol Peter Kelly wished to see the bodies. She would take no refusal, and had to be forced from the apart- ment. Henry Melion, one of those who eseaped, entered the court yard of the institution this morping just after some friends had anxiow aquired for him No one seemed able to give t they were just givin again when he entere A daughter of one of the inmates who was said to have been burned was standing i chapel this morning when the news w it to her that her father was among the dead, into hysterics im. mediotel™, and hod to he eaeried inte ene of the Steters’ ip all hope of ever seeing him ciates found time to answer all queries from curious | id E know that | Speaking of | alive and in the hos. | many information, aud — father was among those who had escaped, and a joy. ful meeting between father and daughter followed, i THE PUNRRAL, interment of the bodies was to Mr, Tracy, of Keptavenue, He and his assistants were en gaged duris ay night im preparing the remaing for burial, The: task, in which, to such extent as practicable, they were aided, by the ‘Sisters, whose svlicitude for the proper treat. meut of the remains was in keeping with the grief they felt ac the logs of the deceased. Some of the bodies were so distorted by the sufferings endured by the untortun- ate creatures that 18 was im} ible to place them i coffins, The undertakers to place such in pine boxes, and, owing to the rigidity of the limbs, even this was a difficult matter. At nine o'clock yester morning, however, the arrangements were complete, and at baif- Ripe mass was celebrated in ment of the remains, iu the basement of the female department, by Father McUarty, of St J 's Col. lege. The services were brief and such merely as ar¢ appropriate to the burial of the dead. Solemn requiem high mass for the repose of the souls of the decease¢ will be held this morning at ten o’clock, in the of St. John’s College, Willoughby, near Throop avenue, the clergy of St. John’s College officiating At | o'clock the funeral took place, and, notwithstanding the heavy rain that fell, about a ‘thousand people assembled around the batiding. Promptly at the hou | pamed a cortdge of sixteen hearses tormed e OB De Kalb place, r to the side entrance of the institu. tion, and there received the churred and mangled bodies, As the coffins and boxes were borne out by the undertakers and deposited in the hearses, a cborus of sobs arose from the women in the crowd, that inter. mingled with the melancholy wails of the Sisters and the female immates Who remain at the institution, and who viewed the mournful procession of the dead from within the tnclosure, As each hearse received the cottin it was appointed to convey, tt moved down De } Kalb place and took up its position in the block be- tween Bushwick avenue and Broadway, and whea the last co#in was rolled in upon the trestles, and the six. teenth hearse united with the line, the pageant moved slowly forward, the dark plumes of the learses uod- ding in dismal concert with the tread of the horses? -hoois. Its‘destination was the Cemetery of the Holy Cross, at Flatbush, in which the Kight Rev. Bishop Loughlin provided a plot for the burial of the remains, When the sixteen bodies had thus left Lhe matitution the remains of two only of the victims remained, These were the bodies that had been identitied, Ove was that of Michael Cummings, aged seventy-tive, killed by the | frantic leap for life that formed such « terrible meident | of the dismal horror. His body was yesterday recog- | nized by Commissioner Pyburn, who was acquainted | | with the deceased in the latter’s life time, during a visit tothe institution, Cummings’ funeral took piace at balr-past three o’cleck, from the institution, and the remains were interred in Calvary Cemetery. The others recognized were Conrad Landerman and John Gorman, the former by his wife, au inmate of the female tment, and the latter by one of the Sisters, Lan- derman was also recognized by his grandson. Hia funeral took place at noon (his relatives having taken charge of bis remains), from St. onard’s church, corner of Hamburg aud Jeflerson streets, K. D., the Rev. Father Raber officiating. The body was interred in the Branch Evergreen Cemetery. Gorman's re- | mains, enclosed in a neat rosewood coffin, with his name marked thereon, were interred with the othe: bodies in the Cemetery of the Holy Cross, THE INVESTIGATION RY THE FIRE MARSHAL Fire Marshal Keady yesterday continued bis invest. gation into the cause of the disaster. The only important testimony recorded was that of P. E. O’Br contractor, Who erected the institution. He gaid:— live at No. 164 Bedford avenue; by occupation | ama builder; l erected the all brick pain at the Home for the Aged, at Bushwick avenue and Chestnut street, from time to time; | erected the burned cast wing about four years ago; the building was designed by Father Levere, who designed all the buildings of the Order in this country; he is now in France; he made the plans, wrote the specifications and made the contract and superintended the erection of the building; everything | was done under bis supervision; I was the contractor | for all the work and then sub-let the mason work to | James Ashfleld, a mason; he put up the walis, plaster. ing, &¢.; day by day Fat! Levere superintended the | work; have the original plans in my possession; the east wing was four stories with the cellar; it was about seventy-tive by fifty feet outside of the chapel, and was built of brick im the most substantia | manner, with sixteen inch wails; this wat | not necessary, but the Father would bave itso; the beams were of spruce trom ten to twelve inches, and from teu to sixteen inches apart; the beams of the upper story were uot 80 strong as those below; the roof was constructed with trusses about 8x12, 6x8, &e. ; tt was planked over with tongued and grooved white pine plank and then covered with felt und siuted; the gutters were lined with tin and the | valleys were flashed with lead or zinc 1 the very best manner; tn that part of the building burned there wore two fireplaces on each floor, running all the way to the apex of the roof; there were three ues in each chimney breast; lsaw them built myself and know they were good; they were 4ll parched (plastered) on the inside ag the building progressed; none ot th beams were permitted to enter the fi jeader framed in front of each fire; building; the flue was protect: eight ineh brickwork and in front by one brick ok (four inches); 1 have examined the building this mora- Ing caretully, Q. From what you saw do you think the fire could have originated irom any of the tues? A. 1 am sure it could not; I did not put in the beating apparatus; put im the plumbing and gaz fityng; ingress and egress to and from the building were provided for the east wing by a main stairs in the origival building commu. nicating with another stairs in the wing; in adaition te this there was an outside stairs reaching up to the third story, inclosed by wood work ; the middle stairs, wh:et connected with the main stairs, was in the burned building, wear the chapel; all the stairs were con- structed of the best quality of yellow pine about four feet wide and properly protected; the inmates could have left ali parts of these buildings by any one of these staircases, assuming that the doors were open; the outside stairs were put up after the building was erected ; the design contemplated was the carrying out of the building W the next street. Why were not fre escapes provtded for so large a Duilding as this wus, containing as it did neariy 200 persons? A. Having so many stairs we did not think tire escapes necessary; the contract for the building, a3 near ag I can rewember, was made about six years ago, | this is all 1 can remember about the buildings, FIRE IN WEST BROADWAY, A fire broke out at a quarter to nine o'clock yester- day morning on the second floor of the five story brick Yenement house No. 120 West Broadway. The en- | ei promptly responded to the signal, but before their arrivala scene of much excitement took place ip the burning house, The oceupants numbered in all over thirty, and were mainly composed of poor fam | lies. Several of the children had not yet risen, and agonized motbers ran through the house screaming tor help, but doing little toward insuring their safety, The quick action of the firemen, however, averted a panic, and the Ore was soon extinguished. damage | was only $200. The fire originated in the upartmenta ¢ Wiliam Bell, a track driver. The cause is uu- own, KINGS COUNTY SUPERVISORS. i Al a regular meeting of the Kings county Board of | Supervisors, held yesterday afternoon, the County | ‘Treasurer was authorized to issue bonds of the county | for $10,000 tor the purpose uamed, A gentle reminder of the expenses of the Ruben: stein murder tris! was presented to the Supervisors in the way of a bill from the chemist who made a mi- crogcopic analysis of the blood spots and fibres of corn and wool which were found on the clothing and boots of the condemned man Protessur Eaton's. bill amounts to $46u. It was re. ferred to the Finance Committee. Lt was resolved t@ exchange with the city of Brooklyn the Forty-seveutn Regiment Armory for certain vacant lots owned by the county op Adams street, between Myrtle avenue and Joboson street. The ground 1s wanted by the city tor the purpose of erecting & suitable building tor Police Headquarters. The report of Keeper Sheviin, of the Kings Coumty Penitentiary, was received, showing that un mber of prisoners in that institution March 1 was 774; received during the past month, 109; numver employed m the shoe shop, 487; amount earned by the contract work, $5,840 25; = money pad County Treasurer, $7,099; paid to discharged Digg ne $123. An onslaught was again made on House of tne » Good Shepherd by Supervisor Nathan, who offered a resolution caluing on the members ot the Legisiature from Kings county to secure the ye of un act re- pealing the act of May 23, 1872. resolution wag referred to a special committee, wilh power to send tor rons and papers and investigate the aflairs of tne | House of the Good Shepherd, | LONG ISLAND'S NEW COUNTY. The Asgembly Committee on Civil Divisions had their first heariug on the matter of the proposed formation of “Nassau county” from parts of Queens and Suffulk counties on Tuesday afternoon, The new county | party was most numerousiy represented, and both delegations were of marked intelligence, The advo cates of division came prepared at onco to go ite argument on the merits, but the policy of the opposi- tio was to obtain delay, tt being alleged tha tine bad pot been given to enabie all the people | mierested to obtain requisite iniormation upon the subject, and that certun statutory provisions in reim | tion to preliminary advertising had not been complet with. Alter cousiderable lively discussion the oppo sition finally carried their point, and a second hearing 1s to be had on Wednesday alternoun next, Tuesday's jon Was entirely Occupied with this discussion, the arguments upon the merits were not com: ithough the committee were desirous that Wd be and continued at the next week's men bey meeting. ANOTHER BURGLAR SECURED. Michael Mullen, one of the parties arrested in the n kbown as the “Burnt Rag’ yesterday morning, having been identified by Burke, the hackman, ag one of the meu implicated in the burglary ot Brown’s dry goods store at Jersey City, Captain MeKaig, of the lat- ter city, came to New York yeste and de. manded that Mullen should surrender mseit to the Jersey utnorives. Mule Clos, of Police Headqua: jersey | spatched to Trenton and obtained from Governor Bedie & requisition on Governor Tilden. Clos took the night train for Albany, and Malien will Gnd himself to-night bebind the bars in Jersey, jetection of this em- tire vang has been the swittest and most effective po 3 the presence of the Sisters, preliminary to the inter- © -