The New York Herald Newspaper, March 11, 1876, Page 3

THE CRISIS OF CORRUPTION The Question of Marsh’s Escape in the House of Representatives. ‘Controversy Between Bass and Clymer. The State Assembly a Scene of Par- tisan Recrimination. A RESOLUTION ON BELKNAP. The Dismissal from Custody of Important Witnesses Condemned. a A LARGE BRIBE BEGGING. Did Babcock Accommodate It?—A Significant Appointment. Wasnixotox, March 10, 1876. In the House of Representatives to-day Mr. Bass, of New York, a member of the Committee on Expenditure in the War Department, proceeded to make a persona! explanation in reference to insinuations conveyed in two of the speeches of his colleague on the committee (Mr, Blackburn, of Kentucky), that the republican members of that committee had taken no part in the Belknap investigation until the proot was all in, signed and sealed. He showed that no notice whatever had been given to the republican members of the committee until after the testimony of Mr, Marsh had been taken, Ho called attention to the fact that although the meet- Ing at which Marsh testified was held on a Tuesday— the regular day of meeting—it contained evidence that he had been before the committee on the previous day @tonday), He asked why the republican members of the com- mittee had not been advised of that Monday’s meeting. He spoke of Dr. Tomlinson, whose mission to Wash- ington bad been to fix up the matter, as having been the messenger betweon Marsh and the committee, It was after such secret proceedings as those that the House had been dramatically told—not once only, but several times—that certain members of the committee had not crossed the threshold of the committee room until the proof was all in, signed and sealed. Ifthey had not ,there was therefore the greater reason why they should have been notified of this special and important case, The record of the committee showed that there had been only two meetings of the committee up to the time of this investigation, Reverting to the dis- charge of ‘THE WITNESS MARSH, he (Mr, Bass) dissented distinctly and umequivocally to the statement of Mr. Blackburn that the witness had been discharged with the knowledge of the entre committee. One of the republican members of the committee (meaning himself) bad strenuously opposed the discharge of the witness and had stated some reasons why; but the witness had been discharged at half-past eleven o'clock that same day. The objec- tions had been made in the presence of the committee slone after cleven o'clock of that day, when the resignation of Secretary Belknap had been notified to the committee. The two subjects had been the matter of discussion, The reasons which ho (Mr. Bass) had stated against the discharge of Marsh were that Marsh was the sole wit- ness in the case and that his testimony was uncor- roborated, and that if the Secretary of War should be a witness before the committee aud should contradict Marsh’s testimony it would be necessany to recall sh; and further, that the safety of the committee, regarding its own reputation, would not allow the dis- eharge of the witness pending those proceedings. The discussion on these two questions—jurisdiction and the discharge of the witness—had lasted severa; minutes; then a single question was put to the witness by Mr. Blair, couasel for Mr, Belknap, tho witness having been called for that purpose, and thereupon, without any question having been asked of any member of the committee and m the sole request of the witness, be was dis- sharged by the chairman. The witness had then itated that he desired to leave for Now York on the ne o'clock train, as he expressed it, and the chairman pffered to go with him and get his fees, and said if he bad not time to get them before the train left he would sond them to him by mail. Mr. Marsh then inquired as to the contract between himself and E and the chairman stated that he would send it to him by mail ina few days. The witness then left the room, and be (Mr. Bass) had not seen him since. These were the racts: the case. This man (Marsh) had testified to tho most grave and serious charges against a high officer of the government, id those charges had been sufficiently proved to justify a demand for immediate impeachment; but the charges were wholly and utterly uscorroborated. Evi- dence bad been given by the witness as to certain cer- tificates of deposit that were sent to the Secretary of War. Would it not haye been judicious at least to have detained the witness until the bank had been ap- ied to for corroboration of this evidence? As to Mr, Know's proposition, that TH DETENTION OF THE WITNESS would Nave been an assault, he (Mr. Bass) regarded that 438 a preposterous absurdity. It been chargea by the genvlemen on the other side that other people were responsible for the escape of the witness and it had been wsked bow they could detain him, The answer was that he could been detained as ho bad been brought—by a subpoena. What evidence was there that the subpena had Jost its virtue half-past eleven o'clock on Thursday? The witness would have remained in obedience to the subpoena, or if ho had escaped while under it an attachinent could have been immediately fssued againgt him and aa officer sent in pursuit of him in the next train, who would have returned him to the custody of the House for incarceration. REPLY OF MR. CLYMER. Mr. Crrmer, of Peansylvania, the chairman of the committee, replied to Mr. Bass, prefacing his remar! with the statement that he would not have said a word the subject were jt not that the recollection of bis colleague (Mr. Bass) differed essentially and thoroughly from the recollection of every other gentle- man on the commit so that his colleague stood in the attitude that one witness aid against four, He led, read extracts irom the statements of Messrs. Danford, Blackburn id himself and from the records of the commitiee in order to refute Mr. Bass’ statements, but he was in- terrupted by Mr. Daxvorw, who asserted that there was not the slightest discrepancy between his (Mr. Dan- ford’s) and Mr. Bass’ statements, Mr. Cymer said he would jeave the House and the country to judge of ihat. It the statement of the gen- veman from New York was correct, then {t was im- possible for the statements made by tho other four nembers of the committer to be correct. He wished © State, once for all, that if any member of the com- mittee (when the witness Marsh left the ‘oom) ad = made the slightest suggestion that he should be retained, neither himself oor any other member of the commitice would have made the slightest objection. To state that be (Mr. Clymer) was responsible for Mareh’s discharge moro than any other member of the committec was to itate what was neither just nor fair. He was willing o the full responsibility for it with every other aomber of the committec, He repeated his belief that fe 0 logal power in the committee to have de- tained Marsh and that his detention by the committee would bave been an gutrage ond wrong. REMARKS OF MR. BLACKHURN. Mr. BLackncny said he had no doubt the House was ‘sick of personal explanations growing out of tho Fansaction as the country and tho republican party ere sick of the transaction itself. Ho had no doubt shat the gentieman {rom New York meant to tell the Tuth, and he was only sorry that that gentleman's Matements were not corroborated by cither the com- @ittee or the rocord, Mr. BLacksurn then proceeded to disprove from the record of the committee Mr, Bass’ statement that the committee had only two meetings before Marsh was telegraphed for, and he repeated that from the day vhat Congress convened until Marsh's testimony had ceon completed and signed neither of tue republican members of the committes has crossed the threshold ot the committee room, although having notice of (be regular meetings of the committee, and that neither of them would have ever come, doubtless, if a special messenger had not been sent for them.’ The sugges- tion of the gentleman (Mr. Rass) in regard to the re- tention of Marsh had reference only to holding bin until he was cross-exumined, and he dared that yeutle man to deny the statement that he never did oppose discharge of the witness after the cross-examina- tion, He (Mr. heen Sage ngs that Marsh had made ony euch statement as that he was goiug to leave on the one o'clock train. Referrmy.to Mr. Bass ba og loft the committee room jo order to have a CONFERENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT, de suggested that he bad entertained the hope that she recently vaonted War Oflice was about to be filled ] by a member of the committee which had unhorsed its late occupunt, Whether Mr. Bass had been sent for to be converted into a Secretary of War orto advise the President and the Council in regard to the prosecation of Marsh, he (Mr. Blackburn) did pot know, The Ex- ecutive, the gentleman from New York and the Lord only did know, If that gentleman wanted Marsh de. tained why did be not suggest it to the President or to the Attorney General to stop him? That gentleman bad satin the committee room, assenting by bis silence to the discharge of Marsh, as bad every other ol the committee, Whether he (Mr. Bass) had acted in 1 taste or bad illustrated his appreciation of far treatment, he (Mr. Blackburn) was willing to leave the House and the country to determine, He repeated that the gentioman (Mr. Bass) never did object to the dis- charge of the witness (Marsh) after bis cross-exemina- tion, and that be saw the witness leave the room with- out inaking a single objection, Mr. Bass insisted that the record of the committee bore out bis original statement that the committee bad hela only two meetings prior to telegraphing for Marsh, those meetings being on the 2d and 19th of February. As to the suggestion about his advising the Attorney Geueral or the President to stop the escape of Marsh, he regarded it as too absurd to require an answer, The only tribunal in the world that had jurisdiction of Marsh was the Committee on Expenditures in the War Department, subordinate to the authority of the House. The witness had been discharged —_ before ¥ republican member of the committee bad any knowledgo of is. How could the republican membets of the committee have known when the Chair Jeft the committee room with Lhe witness what directions were to be given to him? Denunciations had been hurled in this House by the gentleman irom Kentucky at the bean of the Seeretary of War, and the charge made that he had fought to shield himself behind tho dishonor of his family, when, as every other momber of the commit- tee Knew, the struggle had been made on his part to avoid their dishonor and to shoulder the burden imself, Mr. BiXtcknern said he was glad to know that that sentence had gone on record, and that he (Mr, Black- bura) stood belure wie House and the country as one who had done all that an lonorable man could do to shield irom criticista aud censure an innocent woman, The gentleman trom New York was welcome to staud before the country as he did now, striving to shield from punishment a guilty man (applause (rom the gal- leries and sneers from the republican side of the House), CORRUPTION DISCUSSED BY THE ASSEMBLY. AN EXHIBITION OF PARTISAN WRATH—A REPUB- LICAN RESOLUTION ADOPTED LAUDING THE IMPEACHMENT, BUT CONDEMNING THE BLUN- DER OF CLYMER'S COMMITTEE. Atnaxy, March 10, 1876. Consideration of the resolution offered by Mr. Wonzel day before yesterday relative to the Belknap scaudal was taken advantage of to-day by the democrats and republicans tor the purpose of making a little party capital, The exhibition the House made of itself was not a very commendable one, to say the least, for most of the members who took part in the discussion over the resolution appeared to regard the subject as an eminently amusing one, No doub! Mr. Forster offered in good faith his substitute, which referred in grandiloquent torms to the “unsullied char- acter” of tho late Secretary of War previous to the ex- posure of his Fort Sill business, but here and there it smacked very much like an attempt to damn with faint praise the Secretary’s evil doings in sucha way as to weaken the force of the original resolution, ‘THE SUCCESSFUL SUPSTITUTE. The full text of the substitute is as follows:— the bribery and corruption disel tigation in Congress have startied the people by the exposure of the unworthiness of one whose pro- vious unsullied reeord, both as a soldier and as a civilian, had won the admirati in his late high position |, unanimity with which songre parties have taken steps to call the unworthy official to account wes the sentiment of the people, who, with one voice, rial and punishment of officials guilt meanor in oftice, the w: Let no guilty man eseape ;” therefore Resolved, That the people of the State of New York, rep- resented in this House, demand that W. W. Belknap be bronght to speedy trinl ot the crime charged against him, and that thoy most earnestly deprecate, any auch wonk and ineflicient inquiries by committees as shall lead toa loss of the evidence necessary to conviction, whereby any offenders escape or avoid the punishment’ of their guilt, demand. ic that ine se of malfeasance in office the same vigor ail be manifested as characterized the prosecution and resulted inthe conviction and sentence of the Whiskey Hing, to the end that every corrupt official be speedily removed from any position of trust, and that the houor and integrity of our government be maintained, Wenzel advocated his resolution in aset speech, care- fully written for the occasion, and Forster supported his amendment also by talking Ina general way about how anxious good men of both parties ought to bo to root out corruption in office wherever found. Strahan gave a partisan turn tothe whole debate, more by the manner of his offering it than by the amendment to the substitute which he did offer, pro- viding that after the words “Let no guilty man escape,” should be» added, “or important or necessary witness.” This was meant, of course as a slap at Clymer’s committee, and as such was resented rather spitetully by the democrats Fallon especially lost bis balance in referring to It, and challenged the republicans for proof of the neglect of the Congressional Committee to do its whole anty in the inquiry into Belknap’s villany. Mr. Sherman, tho ablest man in the minority, was the only member who kept perfectly cool and dignified during the discussion, and who appeared to regard the subject under debate as too serious by far to be used as A PARTY FOOTBALL. He asked for a postponement in the consideration of the resolution, a8 he thought many of the members desired tine to study it in all its axpects before voting nit. This bid for delay nettled Mr. Fish, who re- plied rather testily that he did not think it would be Jast the thing to give members who were anxious to in- ‘dulge in stump speeches a few days and nights to get up elaborate discourses. He said it was ht and proper that the crime of General Belknap should be ‘‘stamped with reprobation,” and the sense of the House could be ascertained then and there as well as a week thereafter. The excitement at this time among the members had reached such a height that it proved too much for the susceptible West, of Saratoga. He could not bear to hear the word corrup- tion bandied about so freely on all sides, and so he took the floor. West was evidently mad’ as a March hare, and he went lor everybody's scalp who had mado himself in any wise prominent by advocating the resolution, “It don’t do for us to go on this way,” he exclaimed, throwing back his shoulders and stutling his hands in bis breeches pockets with the air of a man vhat was about to make a revelation, “If we're so mighty honest let us go abead and tell Congress what w do, but I say that people who live in glass palaces shouldn't heave stones at their neighbors. Let’s see if we ea ¢ the stones.” These remarks brought down the House, and for about five minutes West kept hammering away at THE GLASS PALACES, and challenging people who were so mighty honest to “heave” stoves. Weiant, a democrat who can talk more and say less than any other member, then took hold of the resolution, and began by saying he was not afraid to “compare notes” with the gentleman {rom Saratoga, West apparently took this personal allusion to his carcer ag a legislator or as w business man, and he hotly replied that he wouldn’t allow any man to ‘compare notes’? with hit, efeating quite a laugh at Welant’s expons Weiant then went on to talk about how the people were setting their faces against corruption in office, ana closed by declaring that be would vote for the resolu- tion as amended. Finally, on motion of Mr. Sherman, it was decided that a vote should be first taken on the preamble aud then on the resolution. The domocrata, role, voted against the preamble. While the vote was being taken on Forst substitute several of them gave varu reaxons for not voting for it, while they were in favor of the original resolution. Lyon declared that he wanted all THE VILLANIES OF WASHINGTON OFFICIALS summed up in the resolution, particularly the “pusil- Janimous conduct of our country toward Spain.” This remark made young Fish wince a little, but he made no reply. When West's name was called, on pretext of giving his roasons why be desired to be excused from voting, he began to talk about the resolution generally. Mr. Payne rose to a point of order that Mr. West was not asking to be excused from voting. “I deny the gentleman's aseortion,” exeyedly exclaimed West, who was ruled out of order, but who refused to vote unless compelled to by the House. Tue House, by an uproar- fous “pay,” and amid much laughter, refused to excuse him, and West Mnisbed his fight of the day by voting in the affirmative on the amendment. The resoli- tion voted on separately was adopted without a dissent- ing voice, A TRADER’S STORY, [From the Chicago Times. } As far back as 1863, Jerry P. Cooper, who now resides in Chicago, at No. 80 Langley avenue, went across the plajns, as many boys have done before him, in quest of adventure, and moved by a passion that he had long felt to behold that part of the world. As was to be gxpected he saw much that opened his young eye to the wickedness of mankind, and was made familiar with the tricks of which he never before dreamed and whieh were the common practice out there. After a varied career, Cooper, in 1965, found his way toOmaha, He went with the Sully expedition into Minnesota, and carne back, at Omaha getting into the office of Colane! Taylor, who was superintendent of the northern ogency. In 1866 Taylor was retleved, and H. B. Denman went into the position. Soon after- ward $2,000,000 worth of goods were to be purchased forthe Indians in New York, and Denman was ap- pointed one of the board to receive them. Cooper went to New York to assist, but, he it was sucha farce that he threw up in disguat and went to Omaha, declaring that he would have nothing to do with it, The goods were nothing like the samples—wero inferior in every respect and were NEVRE EXAMINED BY THK BOARD, spied as & matter of course. This. it one case of stores were made, In ent at Fort Laramie, buat did votremain there long, as the Indiavs were all hostilc at the time, and there was Do necessity ot his oceupy- tug the post, so he wrote in to this effect, and was re- Neved. In 1869 he left the Indian service. In that year proposals were asked by the government for supphes to feed the Indians on the Missouri River, at auk- ton, Whetstone, Crow Creek, Cheyenne and Grand River agencies. The amount of beet alive to be fur- Dished was about 10,000,000 pounds. This coutract was ded to Edward Fenelon, H. B. Denmam, D. W. Powers, and Senator Caldwell, of Kansas, Powers pur- chased, Denmam delivered aud Fenelon attended to the fivances, This contract rau for ove year from the 18th of June, The cattle turnished were the retuse of the Texan market—poor, scrawny animals—and the gov- ernment paid $4 45 per 100 pounds for them. Cooper at this Lime was the agent for the firm in the delivery of the cattle at the Cheyenne Agency, At nearly every post, he says, FRAUDULENT VOUCHERS were issued for more cattle than were delivered. There was a big difference between the rations. allowed end the number setually issued, and the difference constituted @ big Steal, Which the agents and contrac- tors divided among themselves The contract also specified that the cattle should weigh 1,000 pounds on tho hoof, but he (Cooper) supplied a lot to fill up the quota for Fenelon that weighed only 727 on scales at Wh stone Age ‘There were 600 head of these aione, but they were turned in as 1,000 pounds each, It was very seldom that they ever went to the trouble of weighing the cattle. ‘They would simply guess them off and call all 1,000 pounds; it didn’t make any difference to them whether they weighed 600 (as many did) or 1,000, it Was ail the same so Jat as the pay was concerved—the immaculate agent never stopping to question the pro- cedure, but making out the voucher tor the tull amount and the contractor drawing the money, which he in tura shared with bis iriend who bad been so kind as to heip him along in the steal, Sometimes, Cooper says, no cattle were delivered, but the vouchers were made ail the sume, Tue agents had got so accustomed to making out vouchers that they couldn't stop, If they did not want any catvie they would tell the contractors so, and along would conte the money in due season, the government paying thousands of dollurs in this way for things it never had— not even aninierior article, Mr. Cooper next reterred to THE BOSLER CONTRACT for cattle, flour, bacon, &v., Which was made in 1870, without any proposals having been made by the Indian Department, It was always considered a special steal on the plains, and went by that titie among ali who know anything about the facts of the case, Cooper helped Bosler duy supplies, 1t brought in a fat thing jor Bosler, In September, 1870, Mr, Cooper figured with William A. Paxton, Join McCormick and J, A, Morrow, of Omaha, to get a contract, preparing a bid and going to Washington with it. The contract was awarded, being signed by W. F. Cady, clue! clerk and acting commis: sioner for the government; and by J. A. Morrow, | the contractors, Vaxton and Cooper bought the cattle, some 7,000 head, at Obeline, Kansas, to be delivered in the vicinity of the agencies. AS a square deal this would give them about $100,000 profits, As near as he can learn about 1,880 head less thun were purported to be furnished were receipted tor—or about 1,500,000 pounds. J. W. Bosler gota halt mterest in this con- tract somehow, by promising to get an order from the department to deliver all the. caitie ut once, and not monthly, und thus save the expense of wintermg them. But velore this could be done, W aissioner, cume along, spoiled the 1un and d fraud, Be Welch left one of his agents proposed to Cooper to give him as agent for Morrew a voucher for cattle delivered, without requiring any to be delivered, and that Morrow and himseif would DIVIDE THB STRAL. Cooper referred him to Paxton, and Paxton accepted the ofier, He gave the agent $4,000 cash for a $10,000 voucher for cattle (not) furnished, This cash the agent sent to Sioux City by express marked ‘Indian trinkets,” and it went to the states to his wite, This was his share of the steal, Paxton thus securing $6,000 clear, While up there on this contract Cooper met the man Cady, who had resigned his position of $2,500 a year in ihe Indian Department and secured ‘an agency bringing him a salary of $1,900! Cady told him the Whole programme, and said’ they were gomg to make all the money they could, The agent who divided the rofits with the contractor Paxton was J. Lee Engle- ert, who had been placed in his position through Com- missioner Welch’s instrumentality, Alter these things Cooper came East, DISGUSTED WITH THE WHOLE BUSINESS of Indian contracts, aud wrote out the whole matter for the department. He wentto the Hon. J. V. Farwell, who was then a Poace Commissioner, with it, He never succceded in getting interviews with these gentiemen, oticed shortly aiterward thav 8 change had been made in Miesouri River agencies. Mr, Cooper says that at the time ot his leaving Omaha for the East the man A. ©. Leighton, who 1s now figuring in tho sutler business, and who was at that time known as a dispenser of post-traderships, came to him and asked him to make an application tor the sutlership of Fort Sully, He assured him that he could get itif,he wanted it, and would fix up certain contingencies, ‘He told Leighton that he did not want the place, would make no “arrangements,” and 80 came East to earn an honest living DEMEANOR OF MR. AND MRS. BEL- KNAP. £ [Washington Correspondence Chicago Times. Balknap is by no means deserted in his adversity. The very evening of his open disgrace Babcock visited him and remained till long after midnight, Robeson and his wife spent Friday afternoon, while Shepherd and bis peculiar set have kept up an unceasing in- timacy, Mrs, Belknap is by no means abashed by the situation, A visitor yesterday found her lying on a blue satin sofa, dressed in an exquisite morning robe of crimson silk, covered with the richest laces, She alluded unreservedly to the trouble and declared that her husband was bearing up under the prosecution manfully. She complained bitterly that some of the Washington people, who owed ber husband everything, had seen fit to stand aloof now that seeming adversity had come, but she kept up good cheer, she said, be- cause-all would bo bright in the end. Last evening an officer in the army, who had hereto- fore had private business relations with the tary of War that were pot adjusted, called upon dr. Belkna; He gives a very graphic description ot bis visi. He says:—‘I never underwent A MORE PAINFUL SCENE. When I reached Belknap's house, upon G street, I was profoundly struck with the change in the situa- tion by the presenec of the uniformed police pacing solemply in front of the house. Upon entering 1 thought the police business rather overdone, for dur- ing my short visit I counied not less than tive stalwort peelers securely planted at various doors ot egress. They all had the appearance of an intense determin: tion to fulfil their duty of preventing any appearance of escape, which must have had a very depressing effect upon the inmates of the house {sent up wy card to the Secretary, and waited bis coming with an intense nervousness that foreshadowed the necessary ¥MBARRASSMENT OF OUR MEETING. At our last meeting he was in an excellent condi- tion of bodily bealth and mental satisfaction with bh self. He was in his little office in the War Departm: and when I came to bim ho gave me two fingers how-howed me in the most approved style. In rep! to my card asubdued-looking domestic came to me and told me that Mr. Belknap would see me in the rear parlor. The manner of the servant was as lugubrious as an undertaker when he says, ‘You will now take @ last look the deceased.” I had to wait but a mo. meat, I heard A PALTERING STEP upon the stairs, an uncertain tread in the hall, then the door opened siowly os the ex-Seeretary entered. My God! Words fail to express bow this man has aged and suffered during the last few days. His flowing silky beard was knotted and tangléd, his hair was un- Kempt, great black rings were under bis eyes and his sunken cheeks made up a picture of woe and despair that would bave touched a heart of stone, 1 was so moved that I sprang forward with a word of comfort. Regardless of truth I said:—Mr, Secretary, 1 believe you to be an honest map.’ Belknap at this caught me by the hand and BURST INTO TEARS. He was'compictely unmanned. He choked aud sobbed several moments, when he managed to starmimer out, ‘I am going to prove it to the people of this country that {am an honest man before this business.’ The officer concludes his story by saying that Belknap said repeatedly that he had a much better detence than ple supposed. He bus, by the advice of counsel, kopt it back until Summoned Jor trial. Then he claims that he will be able to make a showing that will create a change in popular opinion in his favor. He was espe. cially indignant at the presence of the policemen in his house, He disclaimed any Intention of running away and passionately oxclaimed that his former triends were trying to urge hin to desperation by constant heaping up of indignities upon him, PROVISION FOR MRS. BROTHERS. [From the Chicago Tribune, March 8.) A gentleman well known in this city, intimately acquainted with the family of Mrs, Belknap—the fom- linsons—tells how it was that Gonorai Belknap mado the acquaiutance of his first wife and her sistor, Mrs. Bowers, his present wife. During Sherman’s campaign in Georgia two of Mrs, Belknap's brothers, who wero voth in the Confederate service, were captured, and, as prisoners of war, placed under chargo of General Belknap, as Provost Marshal. Tho sisters visited BELKNAP'S bim- to intercede for the paroiling of tho brothers. It does not appear that they suc- ceeded, bat m- 1870, when one of the young men was a clerk at the Spencer House, Cincinnati, and the other was travelling for a wholessle house, one ol them received the appointment of post trader at Fort McDowell, Arizona, said to be at that timo the most profitable trading post at the disposal of the Secretary of War, and as to which one of the Tomlinson brothers said they expected to make $110,000 a year out of it. The appointmont of an ex- Contederate to this position connected with the army excited no little comment at Cincinnati at the time, and there was talk of some job connected with it—es- pecially as without it people were ata loss to atcount for the appointment, since one of Tomlinson broth- ers, who shared in the profits, besides being an ex- Confederate, was reported to have killed three men at Harrodsburg, Kentucky. The same gentleman recounts an incident ilnstrative of Heiknap's character, During the war Belknap and some of his command boarded a Missisaippi steamer coming np from Vicksburg. The boat was #0 crowded with passengers that the tubles at meals had to be set and cleared away about lozen times, and parsen- gers had to walt sometines two hours for their turn at the table, One morning, about nine o'clock, Belkuop, after having waited a ‘while, exclaimed, “By G—d, nobody shall have breakfast until my officers and my- kel! get ours.’ He called a squad of soldiers tmto tho to stand guard over the waiters, with orders to and his party wore see that nobod: geutiemen on board but Belkn: served, while ladies and waited, WHO IS THIS? [From the Utica Observer.] Shortly alter the first inauguration of President Grant, in 1869, a certain New Yorker addressed a let- ter to an officer who held high rank Im the army during the war, saying in substance, “If you wil! procure my appointment to the position of I will pay you the sum of $20,000," The officer in ques- tion was not engaged in that line of business, and felt justly indignant at becoming the recipient of such a scandalous proposition, He made no reply to the let ter, which was soon followed by an unavailing persona appeal, But, ehancing 10 be in Washington shortly after, bo met Orville E, Babcock, and, thinking it was proper that the President should know what efforts had been made to procure a lucratt fice through purchased ipfiuence, he fore Babcock the facts in the case, appeared more inter than surprised, He wanted to see the letter. It was shown to bim, and he iter reading it carefully :— emo this letter. You don’t want it, and Ido.” Thinking that Babe desired to exhibit it to the President the army off readily complied with the request. He went away satisfied that the would-be briver would be made to feel the power of the Chief Magistrate’s wrath, — Six weeks later he was overwhelmed with surprise at find- ing that the who had offered $20,000 for an oflice bad been appointed by Ulysses 8. Grant to that very pesition, Four months later this excellent representa. tive of civil service reform was overtaken in co rupt practices and forced to resign his pince. We have purposely outlined the case in such a way as to provent tue identification of the parties connected therewith, the But we have forwarded by mail to mittee the name of the oflicer who r ved the offer of $20,000, and of the olficial who made the offer, who was appointed, and who subsequently betrayed his trust. AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL LETTER BY JUDGE TAFT. {From the Troy Times, March 9.] We have before us a private letter from Mr. Taft to an old schoolmate residing in this city, who wrote to him some months since recalling their youthful friend- ship. The letter ts dated Cincinnati, January 10, 1876, and contains @ brief sketch of Mr. Taft’s career. In view of his elevation to a Cabinet offics we presume the information given will prove interesting. He graduated at Amberst in 1s and for two years afterward taught @ high school in Ellington, Conn. Being appyinted a tutor in Yale College, he went to New Haven and re- mained two years, studying law part of the Ume in the jaw school. “In 1838 be was admitted to the Bar. Ho then returped to his home im Vermont, stayed Lill fall, and then, September, 1835, started out for a new field of labor.’ He visited Troy, Albany, New York, Phila- delphia, Pittsburg, Columbus and finally settled tn Cincinnati, where heb; resided till now, He has continued in full practive at the bar during tho whole period, with the exception of six years, which he served on the Bench. Te has never mingled much in politics, his most prominent appe: fn that line Deing as a candidate betore the Republican State Con- vention for Governor last year, the nemination going to Governor Hayes. Mr. Tatt_has been twice married, and bas several children, His two eldest sons are graduates of Yale and associated with him in the prac- tivo of law. It was to be with them that he resigned his seat on the Bench. Bovs made the European tour alter leaving college. Another son is now in his second year at Yale, and two, still younger, are preparing to matriculate, Mr, Tatt sa ‘I have worked hard, made some mohey, lost some, spent some, and have a moderate competency. Bat lama working man, You see I have gone upon the principle of preferring to give the boys a good, thorough educational training rather than any large inheritance of property or money.” He is evidently a man of practical common seise and kindly temper; one of the soré that inspires confidence and respect, THE PRESIDENT DESPONDENT. [From the Baltimore Sun.) Tho developments of the lase week have producea more effect upon the President probably than anything which has ever happened during bis term of office. It 1s plain now to perceive that beneath his impertur bability there is an uneasiness and a disquiet which has never before troubled him. Since the failof Belknap he has seen but very fow visitors outside of Senators and members, and the business he has with them be despatches as soon as possible. He has refused sinco last Thursday to see several distinguished persons, An air of gloom and despondency seems to hang around the White House, When the President goes out he keops his eyes downcast and does not seein to care to recognize apy one, With the very few persons to whom he talks confidentially he admits that he is not in a happy frame of mind, He seems to realize what was sald by one of his friends on the day of Lelknap’s resignation, that the bottom has been knocked clear out of the third term. Whether he sees in Belknap any aigns of impending disaster to himself is known only to himself, but it is beginning to be whispered around that the very offence of which Beiknap stanus convicted inthe eyes of the world willbe brought directly home to the President. It was said to-night by a person supposed to be weil informed that within three months General Grant would be convicted and removed from oilice by the vote of a republican Senato, proper com- POST TRADERS VERSUS THE CAN- TEEN SYSTEM. New York, March 9, 1876, To tue Evitor or Tuk Herauy:— The scandal regarding the salo of appointments of post traders being now a geveral topic of conver: tion, it may not be inopportune to ask the question— Cannot the position of post trader be beneficially abolished and the canteen system, as in the British army, be introduced? I see no reason why it could not be. [am not familiar with the details of it, but it is co-operative in character, and the object is to provide the men with necessfries, and even luxuries, at tho jowest possible prices, aud is an acknowledge ecoss, Legislation should here, as in other countries, protect the soldier trom the rapacity of human sharks, among whom, I think, might very properiy be numbered the sutlers or post traders at frontier posts. page's tr ALPHA. MARRIAGE OF A FAMOUS OARSMAN, (From the London Sportsman, Feb. 26.) Mr. James €. Tinné, of University Colloge, Oxford, was married on Wednesday last at St. Anne's church, Avgburth, Liverpool, to Miss Katharine M. Sandbac! third daughter of the Rey, Gilbert Sandvacn, of Wood- jands, Aigburtb. Mr. Tinné rowed No. 4 in the winning Oxtord etghts of 1857, ’68 and '69, also had the same seat in the winning Grand Challenge crews of 1867 and (Old Etoniaus), and in the Old Etonian eight and four that won the ehiet prizes at the Paris regatta of 867. He also rowed in the winuing Stewards tour at Henley tn 1867 and 1870, and last; No. 3 and captaiu of the Oxford jour that beat Marva in 1869. In the fainily of the bride also athictic honors lave trequently been won. The Rov. G. Saudbach was stroke of the Eton eight and of the Urasenose eight in the year 1839, when the University Boat Club was first jounded. Mr. Gilbert Sandbach, is soo, was a winner of the long-distance steeplechase at Eton, and the stroke of the Eton eight last sammer is, we believe, a cousin of the bride, A WANDERER FOUND. Atan early hour on Thursday evening lust, a young and interesting looking girl was seen to stagger and fall, near the corner of Fourth avenue and East Fourteenth street. She was picked up and carried into the Arling- ton House, When snfliciontly recovered she gave her name as Julla Utley, fifteen years old. She said she lod accowpaated her parents, who were about to visit Albany, us far as New York city, and while pass- ing down the avenue on her way home, be came suddenly iL Subsequently she was re- moved to Bellevue Hospital, and there stated that her parents resided in Rahway, J.,. but that they tiad just sailed for Europe on one of tho outgoing steamers, whose name she could not give, Yesterday afternoon a reporter ot the Innato visited Rahway, aud learned frum the mother of the girl that ebe had been missing three weeks, and that red rewards for iniormation regarding ber iihout any response, and supposed her lost. Mrs. Utley deciares that her daughter is insane and 18 anxious to place her in an Asylom. Her insanity is Supposed to be due to excessive study. SHIELDS’ CASE ENDED. Tho trial of the Shields case in the Supreme Court of Kings county camo to an end last night, Yesterday altervoon William A. Beach commenced the summing up in behalf of the defence, being followed by Judge Daily for the plainti Judgo Gilbert dolivered an impartial charge to the jury, and owing wo the fact that it then nearly nine o'clock he directed them, if they agreed, to bring ina sealed verdict. They fed, and alter being out about two hours brought in a verdict for the plaintiff, Jano Shiolds, upon all the questions raised—that they intermarried; that they lived and cobabited together, and that the planwit never relinquished her claim to the estate, A THEATRE CLOSED ¥OR DEBT. The Arcade Theatro, on Newark avenue, Jersey City, was closed on Thursday night by the proprietor, much to the astonishment of the lessee and his patrons) The cause assigned for this is non-payment of rent, The lessee admits that be was backward in the matter owing to hard times, but insists that the proprietor, by his unexpected course, violated an agreement for ‘the gradual Hquidation of tho debt. COOPER UNION. A lectare in the Cooper Union free course will ve do- livered this evening by Dr. J. 8. Newberry, of Colum. bia College, om “Tho History of Plant Life,” <7 but not least, was | . SEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1876.—WITH SUPPLEMENT. THE STATE CAPITAL Details of the Quarrel Between the Health Of- ficer and Commissioner of Quarantine. THE NEW SALARY BILL. A Debate on the Erie Railway Bill. Auvasy, March 10, 1876, The Salary bill reported by the Committee on Cities to-day 1s the Peabody bill somewhat amended. Tho committee concluded at tbe last moment to strike ont of the bill the clause making the Mayor, Comptroller and Recorder, a Board of Salaries, to fix the salaries of all persons paid out of the City Treasury and to ap- point and remove subordinates in the various courts, as weil as the provision compelling all commissioners in the various departments, with tho exception of the presidents, to serve without a salary, A provision was inserted in the bill by the committes providing that at the expiration of the term of office of all the Commissioners otber than the presidents their offices should be abolished, and that thereafter each commis- sion should be under the controt of but one eommis- sioner; but tho vote by which it was carried was re- considered just before the bill was reported this morn- » and it was decided to let the commissions stand as thoy are numerically. Tne following are tho salaries as fixed in the bill, It will be seen that they are fixed at a lower tigure than they were in the orig- inal bill, though somewhat higher than they were in GraQ’s amendments to the Forster bill, which was the first “reduction”? bill introduced :— THE VIXED PIGURES, Mafor, $9,000, Comptrotier, $9,000. Commissioner of Public Works, $7,000. Corporation Counsel, $9,000, ahd all legal costs col- lected by him shall be paid into the treasury of the city, President of the Board of Police, $7,000. Commissioners of Police, other than the President, $6,000 each, President of the Department of Parks, $5,000, Commissioners of Parks, other than the President, nothing. President of the fire Department, $6,000. Fire Commussiouers, other than the President, 4,000, President of tho Department of Charities and Correc- tion, $4,500. Commissioners of Charities and Correction, other than the President, $3,500, President of the Health Department, $4,000, Commissioners of Health, other than the President, $3,000. Members of the Board of Aldermen, $2,500, in full for all services as Aldermen and Supervisors, President of the Board of Aldermen, $3,000, President of the Department of Taxes and Assess- ments, $5,000, To the Commissioners of Taxes and Assessments (other than the President), $3 600, ‘To the President of the Department of Docks, $4,500, To the Commissioners of Docks (other than the President), $2,500. To the Superintendent of Buildings, $5,000, To the justices of the district courts, $5,000, To the City Chamberlain, $7,000; his clerk hire to be patd tor as in other departments. he M, e Court judges, hereafter elected or ap- pointed, $7,000, The judges of the Superior Court, Common Pleas, and Surrogate, hereafter elected or appointed, $10,000, ‘The justices’ of the Supreme Court each a sum, in addition to what it received from the State, as will make their compensation $10,000, The Recorder, City Judge and Judge of General Sessions, $7,500. ne clerk'and employés of the Board of Aldermen a sum not to exceed $15,000 a year. To the Corporation Atlomey, $5,000; Public Admin- istrator, $3,500, and all fedS collected ‘by him must be paid into the city treasury. To the Commissioner of Jurors, $5,000; Commission. ers of the Third District Court House, $1,500; Attorney for the Collection of Arrears of Personal Taxes, $4, The bill does not contain the provision that was in the original, giving the Comptroller the appointment of the Attorney for the Arrears of Taxes, so the Mayor can tally one against Green on that score, The office of Commissioners of Accounts is abolished, and it is provided that no subordinate in any department shail receive a greater sulary than the head of the vepart- ment in which he is employed, except the Chief Engi- neer of the Dock Department, whose salary is fixed at $7,000, DEBATE ON THE ERIE RAILROAD BILL. The bill ‘tor the benetit of the Erie Railroad,” as Senator McCarthy catis the bill entitled “An act pro- viding for the reorganization of railroad companies sold under mortgages,”’ was announced in the senate for athird reading. Senator MoCarthy moved to re- commit It to the Committee of the Whole, and said that it proposed to introduce a new principle in the management of railroad corporations and one that ou,bt not to be made without caretul consideration. T ill, which Was ostensibly merely an amendment toa general law, was in reality a special vill, under cover and in violation of a provision of the amended constitution, He would like to know who it was that asked for the passage of the bill. It had not been made known to the Senate if any considerable number of the stock and bond holders had asked for it. The bill was a mystery and drawn up with an apparent peers to contuse. Mr. MoUarthy here read the iol- lowing telegram asking for a postponement of the con- sideration of the bill: — New York, March 9, 1876. "a, Senate Cham! rruw with 4,000 To Joun H. Sx ili arrive to: ares opposing. Ad- ie. nt MELCHOW GUORASKL DEWEZLE, of London However, he (McCarthy) was not opposed to the Dill if it cofttribuied to throw the Erie road into the hands of the bondholders. Mr. Rogers was at a loss to reconcile the conflicting position of the Sevator (Mr. McCarthy). Me failed to seo the appropriateness of reading a telegram from a entioman claiming to represent a large number of brie shares if the purpose was not to delay and kill the bill. He (Mr, Rogors) was not there as an advocate of theErie road, The bili simply provided that a rail- Toad sold ner mortgage may be reorganized on a systom in which ove of the features shail be the mght of the stockholders to vote, What was there in this to excite opposition from any Senator? If parties now step in aud buy the Erie Railroad it iseminently proper have a voice in tis management. If irchasers happen to be the bondholders, whose will be infringed upon if they are given a voice in agement? The jaw now before the Senate was not complex bat simple, clear and easy to be under. stood, Mr. Woodin spoke against the proposition to recom mit the bill, and insisted that debate might just as weil be held now as at any other time, He denied ul the bill was a special one under cover. Lt-was not so, cittier technically of in fact. The amendment of overy general statute is suggested by some special in- ltorest or circumstance, and it would not do for general Tuiu to Occur before amending a general law. The bill provided a protection lor every interest, of whatever name and deseripioo. The circumstances ot the Midiand = Railroad induced =the amendment to the general law last winter. Mr. Starbuck said that the fntroduction into the Boarg of wn tofluence from the bondholders was one of the best features of the bill, He did not, hewever, pro- pose to discuss it and merely desired to say that in his opinion it was useless to recommit it. Mr. Rogers said he bad determimed when the debate was con- cluded to suggest that the bill lic over. Mr, MeCarthy thereupon withdrew his motion to reeommit, Mr. Morrissey made a motion to recommit, with instruc. tions to amend, by providing that the bondholders may Vote by proxy, the same as the stockholders, The vote on the motion stood 9 and @, and the President declaring in the affirmative it was carried. The bill now lies on the table, SENATORIAL HONCOMBR, Senator Brad: on @ resolution requesting the At- torney Genoral to mmunicate to the Senate informa. tion relating to the prosecutions, civil and criminal, ituted in bebalf ol (he State, and whether there has wen any delay in bringing them to trial, launched out into a speech as dry and tedious as a chapter from Genes! It was mostly a detence of the Governor and the democratic party and an arraignment ot the ad- iwioistration and its supporters, THE QUARANTINE QUESTION. The Quarantine Commissioners, Messrs. Steers, Judd and MeQuade, don't like tue proposition to extinguish their official existence and hand over the management of Q tine to Dr, Vanderpocl The latter, too, has his complaint against the oul, which provides ‘that Quarantine shall be made a self-supporting mstitution, Last summer be inturmed the Assembly investigating committee that he thought he could run the institution with a State appropriation of 000, or $99,000 less than it cost last year. Alter three or four months’ reflection he concluded he might be able to do the job for $25,000, and tho other day, through the medium of Tom Alvora, and ufter still further cogitation, he made an offer to per- form all the necessury duties for $15,000, day M Worth called up and had passed his resolution calling on Dr. Vanderpoc! to appear betore the Committce on Commoree and Navigation and mform them of the sources from whence the ,Health Ufficer’s fees are derived and what the annial receipts. The latter, it is understood, reach an average yearly of $70,0°0. Ont of this sam the Health Officer pays two depaty hoalth officers, and the remainder, it 18 presumed, gocs to himself, The Commissioners, who offer t Tun Quarantine without any cost to tho Stat by paying the doctor a regular salary of $10,000 a year, insist that tho fees are quite sufficient to cover all the expenses of mainten- ance, Which consist in the payment of the superintend- ont, the physican, the nurses, stewards, bargomen, shipkeepers of the hospital hulk Iino and the eap- ‘of two steamboats used by the depart- s inquiry is naual State irresistible, Wik ppropriation, avera hyde + LEGISLATIVE NOTES, A concurrent resolution was offored by Senator Rob- erison agreeing to an amendment to the constivution sx | providing for a superintendent of State prisons and abolishing the office of Inspector of Stave Prisons. It was agreed, on motion of Mr. Rogers, that here after the Senate hold sessions on Tuesday and Thurs- day evenings. A resolution to remove the seat of government and the new Capitol buiiding from Albany to New York city will be introduced on Tuesday next, MOODY AND SANKEY. There were about 4,000 people pres ent at the noon day meeting in the Hinpodrome yesterday. Mr, Moody and Mr, Sankey were present, surrounded by a number of clergymen, among whom were;—Rev, Dr, Conklyn, Keformed; Rev, Dr, Anderson, Baptist; Rev. Dr. Armitage, Baptist; Rev. Dr. Rogers, Reformed; Rey, Dr, Miller, Baptist; Rev. Dr. Newell, Presby- terian; Rey. Dr, Booth, Presbyterian; Koy. Dr, Sa. bine, Reformed Episcopalian; Bishop Janes, Metho- dist! Rev. Mr, Vatl, Methodist; Rev. Mr. Johns Methodist; Rev, Dr, Hepworth and A. Arnold, Church of the Disciples; Rev. Mr. Kirkpatrick, Presby torian; Rev, Mr. Harris, Methodist; Rev, Mr. Ray, gatio Rev. Mr. Colcord, Congregational Mr. Moore, of Harlem; Rey, Mr. Betker, chaplain of the Tombs, and Rev. Mr, Davis, Metbodist, The service opened with the singing of the twenty. ninth hymn—*What a friend we have in Jesus’’—and then a Humber of requests for prayer were read out by Dr. Hepworth. As soon as Dr, Hepworth was throug! Mr. Ralph Wells suddenly sprung up im the middle 9} the hall and offered up « prayer which took up twenty minutes in its delivery, Mr. Sankey sang the eh teenth hymn—*Rescue the perishing’—and thea Mr, Moody said that, « sulject of the day wag “In he. to make his bearers under there was no hope for the drunkard except Ubrough Christ. A man may have a strong will, but the tempter is stronger than him, and unless he throws himself on Christ aud asks Him to take away the appetite he will never be sure that ho is saved. Thanksgiving jor the number of drunkards who had already been reclaimed wos then oifered, and Mr, Sankey sang the not,’ O gentle Saviour.”” Dr. Reynold land, was then introduced, He gad that be had been a’ practisiny physician for years, but be bad untortunately inherit a love of strong drink. For twent rs he had drank, had delirium tremens, and had sullered the torments of the damned. He bad tried pledges and promises and tapering off, but one bight he knelt down alongside the sofa in his office and begged of Jesus Christ to take away from him the appetite for drink, That wus two years ago and nota drop of liquor bad touched his lips since, and the two years past were years of genuine happiness, He did not wake up every morning to safer the misery of disappointment and increased degradation, but woke up to thank God in Joytuiness tor having consented to save him from him- relf. Dr. olds made an earnest appeal to all drinkers present to cali God to help them, aud they would find all the help they wanted, Two more reclaimed drunkards then related their experiences, Ono ot them had been a stavion house lodger, and en BO y ff me! He toid bie story very patheucally, and affected bis audience to projuse tears, The meeting couciuded by Mr. Sankey singing with much feeling a temperance hymn, A large meeting of young men was afterward held ip the Madison avenue Nall, it was presided over by Dr. Reynolds, Many persons told their experience, aud at the conclusion of the meetmg alarge number went inte the inquiry room. AFTERNOON SERVICE. Seven thousand people were present in the sfadisop avenue hall of the Hippodrome at the four o’clock meeting yesterday, three-fourths of whom were ladies. The crush at the door was as large as on the day before, and many ladies went away very much disappoiuted, Mr. Moody gave his second lecture on “Heaven.” He took hia text from Matthew, sixth chapter, nineteenth verse:— “Lay mot up for yourselves treasures wpon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, where thieves break through and steal; but lay up treasures in heaven.” He said:—Friends, lay not up treasure for yourself on this earth, but think of that place waich is your i heritance, and which Christ came on earth to gi you—the bome of His Father. We aro merely pilgrim travellers on this carth; we are not to stay here, but expect some day to goto the heaventy city. If wa would only Ve as anxious about our investments in the next world as we are about our transitory investments here how much betier it would be for us! The man whose whole mind ig upon railroads, upon mines or upon politics never gives a thought upon laying up a treasure in the other world; but the time will come him, as it does for every man, to wish that he thought a little less of the things of this world aud more of his unfortunate soul, It is not necessary always to have money to bave this worldly fecling. We sometimes | our whole affections and thought on our children, on our families, and even something less holy, and uever think of heaven until. we are dy- ing; apd death comes so sudden often that we have little time to think. Mr, Moody continued for some time on this point and affected his audience considera. bly. He said he was ashamed of the Courch in Amer- ie’, as it is given altogether too much to worldly things and does not seek to lay up treasures in heaven, The meeting concluded with the singing of the eight eonth hymna by"Mr. Sankey. EVENING SERVICES. There was another tremendous crowd in both balls a the Hippodrome last night, and handreds turned away from the doors. The choir was particularly strong, about 250 wou" ladies and as many gevtiemea assisting . Sankey. The services opened with the singing of the ninety-second hymn, “Oh, think of the home over there’? and then Mr. Moody announced that there would be prayer meetings to-day at Association Hall at tw and eight o'clock in the evening; to-morrow ting at the Hippodrome at eight ck P. M. and eight P.M. On March ; ion of ministers would be heid in the Hippodrome, to last two days, meetings from twelve to one and two to five during the day and preaching in the evening. sankey eung the hymn commencing, “One more day’s work for Jesus, one day’s less work for me,” and then Mr. Moody gave the lecture of the evening on “Heaver lt was the same as that given at the four o'clock meeting, bat somewhat amplified and illustrated with telling ancedotes, It seemed to be one of his best efforts, and his description of the preaching and life of Panl of Tarsus was almost litelike, He concluded by hoping there would be a great reforma tion in this country soon, for it very much needed it, as the love of money and the treasures of this earth o fast bringing ttto ruin. The meeting concluded hyma, “Waiting and Watebing ing of boys from fifteen to sixteen wag held in one of the smaller rooms immediately after the general meeting, at which about 250 boys were pres ent. Last night was the regular one for the boys’ meek ings, but they will be held every evening hereafter, PLYMOUTH PRAYER MEETING, The prayer meeting at Plymouth church last night was not so well attended as usual, owing to the fact that no business meeting was to follow it, and also because many prominent members of the church, ineluding Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher and Mrs. Colonel Beecher, were engaged im attendtag the fair for the Mayflower Mission, which was in progress on an upper floor, Mr, Beecher’s talk was briefer than usual, and consisted of an effort to show the error that men are continually Jaliing into by confounding devotion or the offering of praise to God with religion, The latter was a part of religion, he said, but to love God and your neighbor as yourself was all. He pleaded for i hocent amusement and social intercourse, whieb, he said, were not merely to be considered as simply com- patible with religion, but ax actually developing it, Plymouth hurch had been from its foundation cher ishing a spirit of geniality among 1 members, and to that fact it owed much of the community of sentient whieh had strengthened it and enabled it to throngh troubles which would have shattered other churches to preces. At the close of Mr. Beecher's re ‘ks the audience adjourned up stairs en masse, . THE FEAST OF PURIM. Yesterday, the last holiday of the Jewish ecclesiasth cal year, and known as the feast of Purim, was not cok ebrated, as the Sabboth began at sundown, The festiv. ities thas unavoidably postponed will take place to- night, when rare sport is anticipated, Tho feast which is celebrated by the Hebrews throughout the world by masking and merry-making will be very generally ob- served in this city, To-night there will be masqyerades at all the east side halls, and extensive arrangements have been made for the entertainment of the guests. The poorer classes of Israelites club to- gether to celevrate the Purim feast. while their more wealthy nnd fushionablo brethren observe it mach after the manner of our New Year's Day ob servance. While the lower classes mask and dance at public halls, the aristocratic Hebrews go abroad, attired in dominoes, at their frienda. At every houses bountiful board 1s spread, “and they give them drink im vessels of gold (the vessels being diverse one from another), and Royal wine in abaudance.’’ Much merri- ment 18 ‘occasioned by the advent of a masked visitor to the parlor; speculation is rife as to his identity, aud oiten he esea, with his incognito undiscovered. Atong to viunds on the hospitable mabogany it placed, by way of ornament, a baked egy of Haman, the favorite ot the Persian King Artaxerxes IIL, whe sought to exterminate the Jows who remained in Per. sia at the end of theircaptivity, — Among the religious exercises are tho rexding of the Megillah, Esther, the distribution of alms among the poor Jews and Gentiles alike and the exchange of presents from men to mea id women to women. The festivities will Jast until iy, when bow | will be brought to @ close by @ grand reception at Delmonico’s, at which will congre- gate the members of the aristocratic Hebrew clement in New York. The festive season will be immediately succeeded by the Passover, - KELIGIOMANIA, Another victim of “religious mania,” in the person of John Green, aged forty years, was received at Belio- vue Hospital yesterday morming. He was extremely violent, and it required the anited strength of six mem to prevent him from injuring bh: hdward |. Willams, ube colo et, who became deranged a awnnounced himself a couvert to Moody and Sanke! IMogs, 18 how regarded as hopclessiy insane, © imagines himecit surrounded by devils, And that bis misison ts to destroy them. He will be sent to the Asylum,