The New York Herald Newspaper, December 14, 1876, Page 8

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WR. PARISH’ WILL Second Day’s Proceedings Before Surrogate Peter Dorland, OPENING ADDRESS OF COUNSEL. Alleged Undue Influence of a Young Woman in the Case. Povonkesrste, Dec. 13, 1876, The socond hearing in the Yhomas Parish will case occurred before Surrogate Petor Dorland in this city to-day, and the court room was crowded with listeners. | The counse! present. were Thompson & Weeks for | Mrs. Thomas Parish, the widow; Hon. Homer A. | Nelson for Mrs, Leason Holdridge, niece of deceased; Judgo Charles Wheaton jor James Parish, nephew of deceased; Hon, HM. Vlatt Carpenter for Susie Hayt Parish, the ado; daughter, and Mr. William J. ‘Thorne for Nathaniel and Peter B. Hayt, executors. Among those present directly ipterestod in the caso outside of counsel were Mrs. Mary Parish, the widow; Loagon Holdridge, merchant; James Parish, Mr, and Mrs, David Marris, Mr. and Mrs, Richard Titus, Mr. i Mrs. Shindler, of New York; Mrs. Honry Mulford, Mrs, Pells and Mr, Augustus Jarrett, OPRNING SPEECH OF COUNSEL, Mr. Thompson opened the case as {oliows:—“May it please the Court, before entering upon an examine ation of the witnesses in contestation of this will, it will be proper that I should present an ontline of the case as we NOW understand it, from the parties im in- terest, Thomas Parish, whose will is now propounded for probate, died in this city on the 3 ber, 1876, at the age of forty-four. James Parish, a respectable and upright man, whe died several years syice, leaving a son Jacob, und this son Thomas with their mother since surviving; the property, left by bis will, was in part disposed of di- rectly to his widow, to Thomas, and (his son Jacob having deceased), to his two chiidrey, Mrs. Holdridge aud James Parish—tut the larger part of | his estate was directed to be held 1m trust, the interest tobe paid over to Thomas and the two children of Jacob in equal shares during their respective lives, with a power in trust to them to dispose df the same toany person they saw fit by a last will and testa- ment, one halt by Thomas and one-quarter by each of the other two legatees, providing, however, in case | no such will was made, that the fund so undisposed of should be paid over to nine benevolent societies and beneficiaries named by him in his will, This fund, if und sposed of, constitute’ the principal part of the estate now in controversy. Thomas Parish at the age of twenty-three was mar- ried to Mary Harris, his present widow, who was tour years his junior, a lady every way worthy of his devoted affection, as pure hearted a woman as ever graced the bouse of a husband, making it the one business of her Ife to please him, to add to his comfort and happiness | by all those nameless attentions and services which a devoted wile only knows how to renaer; and he, gen- erous by nature, impulsive, and open hearted, in those early years returned her affectionate fidelity with a Kindred reciprocation. He had been educated to no profession, but after his tharriago he lived in the neighborhood, sometimes vc- cupying a farm, and sometimes boarding, and atone | time attempting a clerkship in New York ot Jater entering into a pertnership with Mr, Je Frost, of this city; durmg all these filteen years, th Ppiness of their domestic life was undisturbed, not ipple ot discontentment passed over its suriace st day of Octo- happy in his love and coufidence was to him both a wife and a ebild, dauger menaced their domestic lite from any qnarter, it was feared only from an increasing fondvess he manitesiod tor the soeial cup whica rew upon him gradually, owing to the want of a regu. jaf occupation, and his keen enjoym t of a boon companionship; often and olten dit he confess his sin and folly in this respect, aud bis letters to her when away were {ull of tender pathos and promises of amendment; be contesse: her loveand iidelity was all tp all to bit an he would abandon ail iland dissolate courses and be more worthy of her pa more true to his own manhovd. These letters and | expressions of affection were continued by bim up to | and during the years 4869-70. No happier couple, to all appearance, ‘lived in the town or cfty’ of Poughkeepsie. If any seeming interruption’ was witnessed it came from the nader in the cup, and was istantly healed as the poison lost its maddening | power. This atfeetionate iceling between husband and | Wie up to near the date om this will constitutes the | first polvt we shall establiSh in this investigation, | Our Second point will be made by showing that t testamentary dispositions were with whatwoald be J bis domestic wifuirs, Wo have ti nce, ax Wo Suppose, of ther execution of three wilts prior to 1871, By the first he gave everytuing to his,wite and made her sole exccutrix. By the second he remem- Dered some of lis more intimate frends with legecies, and left the balance to his wife. Hy the third he made an equal — division Of bis estate beiween his wife and the person now eluiming (ne whole substantially, And so far as our ation )8 the series of sad, untortu- intluences, in which ana out of which oryusicd tho infamous document now pro- pounded. THE WOMAN IN THE CASE, The old story of the serpent in Eden and its sad con. sequences is re-enaéted Iu the world’s history over and over a thousand Limos, avd will be to the last syllable of recorded ti In an evil hour for the peace of this household, this scheming and ambitious girl was in- Jectod into this family, I see it said inone of our prints, that she came a delicate child to gratily bts affections, and grow up under his eye to Secure the wandering tendrils of his heart that were feeling after some appropriate object on wifch to cling and fasten, pmas was tiesh aud blood; it was a dangerous experiment; the intat- tions Of the wife were propletical; she wanted a babe to fondie and hold to her motherly bosem, to grow up under ber eye ond be pure and virtuous. Thomas wanted a buxom lass to sit on bis lap; to lay hor rosy [ps to his; ‘in linked sweetness long to ride by his side in solitary nigh with him alone all over & wm Italy, in Paris, | Rome, where no prying and carious and eculative eyes need be avoided, and no wile or friends at hand to forbid and warn. | And so Florida and Caltornia were vise | fied by these two wandering impocents, all uo- Conscious in their sweet simplicity that character was better than mo: nd that those who outrage the Propricties of social life must meet the penalty o1 social condemnation. A trile over six months at school, clothed like a princess, covered with jewelry by bis fatherly and brooding tenderness, ruting tim and the | Houseliold in the minutest particulars, in six months ter her graduation she bad supplanted tue wito— | and bailed in her first project of viciting Europe with | him alone, for which she had made ample preparations, | hurriedof without her as much tor the purpose ot sep- arating the map and wile, as to place eflectual barriers im the way of their reunion on bis revura, and this without ‘a word of quarrel, difflenlty or dis. agreement between them up to this hour, except her Femopstrance with bim on the impropriety of going to Europo for two years and tray Lot eighteen years alone, and wh ferred the original arrangement, It needed tighter grip on his will to eifect this desired accom. Hishinent, and which she aiterward offvcted to ber eart’s content, aod dimming with the aristocracy of | Europe at Nice and Mentoue, in the number of her | horses and the gorgeousness of their eqaipmeuts, Well, sir, L forbear to go into tho particulars ot thay nice machinery by and through which she secured the reat object of her ambition—the possession of his roperty and the atter abandonment of his ithiul, wacomplaning wite. Her efforts were directed in two channeis—tirst, to possess her. self of money and securities, which he could hand over and she couid hold asa present gilt, without power of Feclimation. This she elected to such an extent that all his monesod income was placed to ler credit in the bank, She actually submitied to pay his debts with her cheexs as her agent or attorney. She woulda got trust him to disburse lis own money. Hrs babits inay | ompetent, but hardly to such aa | her the olf homestead and paid He sold real estate, and pocket to an atmonnt of $20,000, In all be gave hee over $70,000. He gave her horses, carriages, furniture, a house io the city and paid $1,000 for it. From 1871 to the ume of Dis death, shis girl lived with him, nianaged and gove erued him withas absolute a despotism as if he was her siare or sb¢ hud some secret in ner keeping which he dare not provoke her to disetose. How they live {the wife excluded) supplanted wo shail leave for toe Witnesses to develop. The eayrwity of bis tofatua tion, the abjectness with which he followed ber dicta- tion, was the wonder and mystery of all wo had known bim in better days, The wile, abused and butraged by ths upstart woo was in no Way a relation to her or ber husband, watted and bopea that the moral insanity of her fusband would drown itself out, and bad he his better nature might have revived; but the die was cast; this will, recorded in May, ISTI, just atier a severe fit of eickness, was executed aud given over to her keeping, nd now if he could be prevented from muking | nother, the prizo was secured; the patient waitiog of is wife, 10 Whom he gave an ‘allowance of $2,600 a | it at $10 000. turned the money into her Year at first, wich he ditnimished afierward, and to | Which sho also submitted, acting under the will meant, yet wo think mistaken, udvice of the frieods af botl ties, who hoped and-beiieved that be would grow Festive under (he surveillance to which he was subjected, this waiting of his hopeful and faithful wife ‘who held buried in her boars she remonstrancce and indignations which should bave Dinzed forth at this desecration of her | are He was ason of | NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, DEUEMBER 14, 1876—TRIPLE SHEET. bond not before been given to this usugper and her father. 1am ashamed to read this document in the face of the community where the parties haye lived. It was never the will of Thomas Parish when lett to himself; |, there is poison in the lines; or it his will was de- bauched and controlled, then you will inquire bow it became so, and by what moans it was so influenced ana debauched. THE LAWYERS’ WRANGLE. bd B. Piatt Carpenter asked Mr, Thompson if that was his opening. Mr. Thompson replied that Mr. Carpenter could call it what he wanted to. Mr. Carpenter replied that it was an extraordinary document, Mr. Wilitam J. Thorn again asked Mr. Thompson if that was Bis openipg, and Mr. Thompson rephed that it was, when Mr. Thorn said it would notin hinder the admitting of the will to probate. Court awaited the arrival of Nathaniel Hayt, of New- burg, and big daughter, Susan Hayt, to whom the bulk of Mr, Parish’s property was lett, During Mr, Thompson’s address the room was filled with spectators, who listened to every word with the most intense interest, aw it was evident that his opening Was fruitful of scandalous statements to come, In fact, Mr, Thorpe stated in court that at the proper also make an opening relating things of much interest aixo, i MR. SUINDLER'S STORY, The first witness examiued was James Shindler, of New York. He testified to have known ‘I bomas Parish since 1860; met him at Staalsburgh in the spring of 1860; he boarded at the same bote! with Mr, and Mrs. Parish; weut on trips together to the White Mountains and other places; Mr Parisn visited witness in New | York and atways heM friendly reiations with him; al- | ways travelied together; had a trip together in the fail of 1863; went to Clinton and Nantu ; the party was: composed of Mr. and Mrs. Yarish and Mr. and Mre. Shindler, Theodore Johnston, &c.; always spent the time very pleasantly at Mr, 'Parish’s house; al thought Mr. and Mr, Parish were extgemely ple: never heard him scold her por she him; never heard an unpleasant word pass betweethem ; they [requently staid at our house tn New York; Mr. Parish said on mapy occasions ho liked to have lus {riends visit him because his wife always made it so pleasant for him; Mr. Parish desired to go to Europe with wii ness, but said he could not leave bis mother alone; On his cross-examination witness stated that he saw but iittleof Mr, Purisa since 1870; talked with him con- fidentially mure or less; nev Mr, and Mrs. Parish had any dificuity wh wise; never hud a word with Mr. Paris! we were uS Iriendly as ever but not so intimate; in 1870 heard from vuiside rumor that there was a aillt- culty between Mr. and Mrs, Parish; heard they had not lived together since 1870; since then Mrs. Parish had visited witness’ residence, but witness could not say how many times; the Iamily' of witness had visited Mrs, Parish since the separation ; was there during the i racing meeting there, aqonth ago; witness said he had not visited Mr. Parish fora few years back be- cause be didn’t tee) disposed to; was at the ball of the Americus Club in January, 1870, and met Mrs, Parish thore, and Mr, aud Mrs, Mulford were wiih her; never heard Mr. Parish find any fault with bis wite of uny did not know that Mr, Parish was in charge ot @ clan in 1863 or under treatment; never iearned that from auy source, ! A SATTLE NICKR THAN THK REST OF THEM. beth Pells testilied:—Resides in the towm ‘of Hyde Park and is the wile of Johu 8, Pell kuown Tbomas Parish and wife tor twenty years; was intimate with them after their marriage; the families visited Irequeatly; staid there three weeks at a time; witness was not married until after the Parish Separation; witness neyer heard an unkind word be- tween them; they seemed to be as pleasunt and happy together as anyone possibly could bo; never heard a disagreement—no coldness or unkindness; has heard him speak Of bis wife as “ta smurt, nice lite woman ;”” on New Year’s night, 1870, saw him enter the hou Mrs, Parish was lying on the sofa; arms around her und kissed her, said sho was a little micer than the rest of thom; the last New Year's they spent .on the farm ho | spoke of adopting a child, but Mary (Mrs. Parish) wanted to adopt a babe; he wanted to adopta child grown up. In regard to Me. Parish’s babits wituess said he would at times come home with gentlemen and there would be considerable drinking. Om ber cross-examination witness said the talk about the adoption of a child occurred 1m the winter previous to their separation; they had already adopted this xirl; was there a few months previous to Susie Hay't's coming; never heard trom. Mr. and Mrs, Parish that they had a difficaity in 1863; have beard rumors; Mr. Parish always called his wile Mary among bis inti- mate friends; never heard him say sie bad dune bim | any wrong. After taking similar evidence, the Coart ad. jJourved till cen A. M, to-morrow, Since the adjournment it has been evidenced that the contest over the will 18 to be a most bitter one, and in all probability the entire city will take sides, as the feeling runs high. LIEU, COLONEL WEIR’S FUNERAL. ONE OF CUSTER'S COMRADES LAID TO REST ON GOVERNOR'S ISLAND. About one o’clock yesterday the steamer Henry Smith lay at the foot of Canal street, North River, and on board of her were conveyed with all absence ot pomp and ceremony the mortal remains of Custer’s brave and trusted iriond, Kleutenant Colonel Thomas B. Weir, of the Soventh United States cavalry. Tho pallbearers and mourners were few, but they were those who cherished with devotion the memory of the gallant soldier who was laid away to his final rest beneath the willows on Governor's Island The casket was placed reverently dow on the upper deck of te steamer, and above it was the heimet with the yellow planic and the sabre that “flashed as ft turned in air’ in the memorable fignt on the Rosebud, His remains wero exposed to view—to the view of his old comrades, whoso eyes, unaccustomed to betray emotion, were moved on this | occasion as only strong men ure moved in the pres- ence of the loved and dead—to tears, Of bis military companions present were General Stanipy, Colonel George Gibson, of the Fifth infantry; Colonel Kent, Colonel Stacy, Major Morris, Surgeon S. H. Orton apd Lieutenant Douguerty. Of his old college classmates, to whom he was especially endeared, were B. F. Blair, Ira Olas, Dr, W. A. Ewing and B. F. Rice, Arriving at Governor's Island, the remains were received with military honors by’ Colone! Chainbers, in command ot the post, and two companies ‘of iniantry. The cortége then proceeded to the littio cemetery on the south side of the island at measured paco and in solemn silence. Here the impressive barial services of the Episcopal Church wéro read by the post chaplain, alter which the body was lowered into its last resting place, Then a salute was fired over the open grave, and this was supple- mented by the trumpet sounding the taps, whieh beautifally symbolized the oxtinguishing of the lite Hight of the young and giftea Colonel. ‘Taps’? is a familiar sound to myitary ears, being the bivouac evening signal to put out tho lights in camp. Its in- froauction at the grave filled every mind wiih its stm- ple and touching appropriateness. Above the earth that covered the soldier’s remains was placed a chaste and beautiful cross of white immortelies presented by Mrs. Colonol Gibson, and there wero wreaths of flowers contributed by tha soldiers who with loving hangs had put them to- wether, Lieutenant Colonel Wei@was a native of Ohio, He died of congestion of the brain in this city away, it is true, from bis home, but not entirely famong strangers. He was thirty eight years of age, Ot mag- nificent build, wore his blonde hair long like the chief he so much’ admired, Custer, and by the army was looked upon as one of the most dashing and promising officers in the service. He fought ander Revo within A gunshot of Caster ip the memorable engagement with Sitting Bull, He was a graduate of the Univer- sity of Michigan, class of ‘61, and entered the Third | Michigar cavalry as leutenant at the ontbreak of the war, He served until the end, when he was commis- sioned in the Seventh cavalry, Frank Berry, a special officer attached to the Police Court of Justice Hayne, in Chicago, was arraigned be- foro Justice Smith at the Essex Market Court yesterday to answer a charge of blackmailing preferred against him by Frank Monroe, of No, 39 Marion stre rapeze performer now playing at the Volks Garden, in the Bowery. From the statement made by the complainant itappeared that, a fow nights ago, Berry, who bad known Monroe in Chicago, entered the Volks Garden and told Mouroe that he had a requisition from Governor Bover- idge, of I!hnois, for Monroe's arrest on a charge of lar- ceny preferred against bim py Mrs, C. A. Lawrence, of Chicago. Monroe, alarmed by the uititude of Kerry, handed to him a pawn vcket for the property in ques- tion, which he claims Mrs. Lawrence gave him beiore ho loft that city. On the following day Berry calied again and told Mouroe that if he did not wish to have trouble he should x things, and asked bim for $15, offering to give him a receipt for the money, Monroe refused to pay the money and intormed the police, Detective Van Ranst, of the Tenth precinct, arrested Berry, On ' being brought before Justice Smith the prisoner exhibited to the Court a number of official documents, amoug which was a reqaisition for thoarrest of Valentine Mayfort. Berry stated that Mayfort, who was formerly em- ployed as bookkeeper by AT, Stewart & Co, was a defaulter to a Chicago house fora jarge ammount — = admitted that he bad no requisition for Monroe's arrest, but said that Monroe was under indictment for larceny in Chicago, — Jostice Smith discharged Berry on his promising to retarn the property he had taken from Monroe, A TEN-YEAR-OLD BURGLAR. While the family of Mr. Willi 8. Kiely, of No. 208 West Twenty-first street, were preparing for dinner on ‘Tuesday evening three boys opened the basement window and entered the house Offieer Thomas, of the Tweuty-ninth precinct, who suspected, from seeing | the window open, thal a robbtry Was being commit. ted, jumped through the window and arrested James Mack, aged ton years, who had In his posses- sion eight silver napkin rings which bad been stolen from the dining table, On being arraigned before Justice Bixby, at the Washingwn Piace Police Court yesterday, young Mack said that a big boy told him to ko in the house and steal the rings, fle was held in $1,000 bail for trial, His mother, who was ta court, geem to havo been construed into sequie: fame insepsibility to the dishonor of her h Now oven this pittance is swept away, and we como to this docament substantially ignoring bis wife and tho ebildren of his only brother, and turning over ali that tuld Judge Bixby that she always sent her boy to school wud could not account ior hiscommntung the robbery. She cried bitterly when he was taken down stairs to the cells, The police arc looking for his com- pantons, ¢ OUR CITY MISSIONS. THE WORK OF HALF 4 CENTURY REVIEWED— REPORTS AND ADDEESSES—ELECTION OF OFFICERS, i The New York City Mission and Tract Society having Teached its fiftieth year of existence and labor Organization yesterday commemorated vhe event by appropriate exercises in the Fourth avenue Presvy- terianchureh. Mr, A. R. Wetmore, who has been connected with the society fof a great many years and has been its president for nearly a score, occupied that position yesterday. The business meeting was beld in the chapel of Dr, Crosby's church af ten o’clock, and the annual reports showed that the society was organ- ized im the old City Hotel on February 19, 1827, with oflicers and a board of directors composed of the lead- ing merchants, professional aud business men and ministers of the city at that timo. It was organized as A tract distributing agency auxiliary to the American Tract Society, its special work being to reach the sai)- ors coming to our harbor and the hamane and criminal ‘stitutions of the city and county. During the first year the society distributed through the agency of its committer nd volunteer Visitors, 2,368,548 pages, equal to 6 ts ot four pages each, wud received and expended the sum of $2,090 86, and com- menced the second year with a balance in the treasury of $24, Six years later the society enlarged its spuere of usefulness and employed missionaries in the Fifth aod Eighth wards, and it has continued since 1833 to be both a missionary and a tract society, In 1835 the society resolved thenceforward to meotings in December, on tho Wednesday following the recoud Monday, and that accounts for this anni- versary being held pow instead of in Februgry, when its iftieth year will be Iterally completed, RESULTS OF THURTY YRARS’ LAVORS, For thirty years the tract missionaries, as they wero genoraliy called, carried ‘orward their evangelistic operations, bringing the neglectors of the sanctuary into the churches, the children into Sabbath schools, and holding prayer mectings in destitute neighbor- hoods, &c., and during this period they reporied an aggregate of tracts distrivuted, 30,000,000; of conver- siong, 7,000, and money expended, $400,000. im 1964 the society reorganized, and resolved to erect churches for the converts gathered by its missionaries, and a fund of $100,000 was ratsed for tuis purpose. In 1966 the society was incorporated by the Legislature to enable it to have and hold realestate, In 1867 the first of the chapels, now known as Olivet chapel, was built. ‘The soviety bas now five ussions and employs thirty missionaries, [hree of its stations havo regularly coustituted church organizations aud the number of members gathered during the past. six years aggregate 1,204, of whom 767 yet remain. There are in counec- tion with the missions four Sabbath school contain- ing 1,400 children, Temperance, belping hand socie- ties, lodging houses and reading rooms, have also been organized and are in active operation in connection with the missions, The amount of money expended in fifty years, including building fund, aggregates $1,045,51762. ‘The labors of the society are seconded by’ the Missionary Association ot the Presbyterian enurch at Englewood, N. J.; by the Booth Missionary Association; the Harlem © Missionary — Associ- ation, and by collections taken up in many of the Presbyterian churches and sunday scpools of this city, Tue missionaries of the society during the year distributed 750,000 tracts, 916 Bibles and Testaments, led 1,280 childrea into Sabyath schools and 109 to day schoois, induced 438 persone to join Bible classes and 8,472 10 attend churches and missions and got 981’ persons, to sign temperance pledges; 329 united in membership with evangelical churches, 58 were restored to church fellowship and 7,500 persons were aided pecaniarily to ghe extent of $7,040 70 altogether. So that since the society was first organized 12,972 persons have been converted under its operation: O74 ored to Charch fellow- ship, and nearly 43,000.000 tracts distributed ; 109,317 children buye boen gathered into Sabbato schools, 23,303 into di and 14,274 into Bible classes. 8 OF THE SOCIRTY, After the ajoption of he reports the following off- cers wero elected:—President, A. R. Wetmore; Vice President and Treasuror, Morris K. Jesup; Correspond- ing Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, Lewis E. Jack- son; Superintendent of Fewialo Department, Mrs, A. R. Brown; Executive Committee—Rev. Juhno Hall, . D.; Rev. Charles 8. Robinson, D. D,; Rev. Wiliiam M. Taylor, D, D.; Rev. William Ormiston, D. D.; Rev. Willham J, Tucker, D, D.; Rev. D, Stuart Dodge, A. R. Wetmore, Nathav Bishop, John Taylor Johnston, Mor- ris K. Jesup, William E. Dodge, Jr., Howard Potter, A.S. Hateh, Gamaliel G, Smith, Walter 1, Miller, Ambrose K. Ely, Jobn E. Parsons and Lewis E. Juck- son. A board of fifty directors was also eletted, Brief addresses were given by early friends of tho society, among whom were Revs. 8. B, Halliday and Richard Horton, Messrs. 0. R. Kingsley, 8. Cutter, 8. B. Schietilin and others. The Women’s Missionary Association held their an- niversary at two o’clock, in the chapel, when reports were read und addresses delivered by the ladies tlus- trative of the work. 4 At half past three P. M. a public meeting of the gen- eral society was held in Dr, Crosby’s church, at which addresses were delivered by Dra. Churies 8. Robinson, W. J, Tucker and William Ormiston, and the society adjourned with a devotion and determina- tion to do more and better work, if possible, in tno future than it has done ip the past, BISHOP CORRIGAN'’S DEPARTURE, The Right Rev. Bishop Corrigan, of the diocese of Newark, sailed yesterday in the Cunard steamer Algeria en roufe for Réme, He was to have been ac- companied by Archbishop Bayley, of Baltimore, and all the necessary preparations had been made, but yesterday morning the Archbishop was suddenly prostrated, so that his tour as beon abandoued for the present, This sudden attack was caused by an affection of the kidneys, to which he bas been sutyect for some time. He is stayimg at the Episcopal residence in Newark, where be will remain until he is able to return to Baltimore. Bishop Corrigan was accompanied to the steamer by a large number of priests, among whom were Very Rev, Mgr. Seton, Vicar General Doane, Fathers P. Corri- gan, McQuade, Moran, Connolly, Killeen, Smyth, Cody, Tarwoert, Holland, Smith, Esser, Paciticus,’ Ever- hardt, MeCartie, Flyno, Mccarthy, Burke, Tuomoy. The laity wero represented by John Halliard, ex-Mayor O'Neill, Joun A, McSoriey, Hugh W. McKay,sJohn icinerny, John Garrick and other.promivent citizens. he Bishop will be absent between tour and tive months, The primary object of the tour is to pay the customary episcopal visit to the Pope. The afluirs of the diocese will be administered during bis absence by the Very Rev H. Doane, V..G. TEA PARTY FOR THE SHELTER ING ARMS, On the evenings of next Tuesday and Wednesday, December 19 and 20, a grand tea party will be give Trenor’s Lyrie Hall on Sixth avonue, opposite Re: voir square, for tho benelit of the Sheltering Arma, The progeammo includes a good old fashioned teq party and a dance—as enjoyable and entertaimng a combination as could be devised, Those who may de- sire io contribute fancy articles or retreshments may send them to Mrs. Ko F. Ware, No. 138 West Thirty- 8IXtb street, of Mrs, W. P. Lee, No. 326 Sixth aveuue, Tho tickets wil be sold at 31 each, and may be bad of any of the Ladies’ Association or of the trustees, The following is a list of th lady managers of the association Mesdames kK. E. Ander- son, K. W, Aborn, Serle Barclay, Miles Beacb, G. W, Burnham, Samuel Babcock, Arthur Bissell, Blake, D. W. Bishop, F. L. Barlow, C.F. Chickerin, Raward Cooper, N. D. Clapp, V. 'R, Conger, Ro Chisholm, Ehe Coarher, Cartisle Norwood, Dr. Net T. M. Povers, Waiden Pell, H, H. Porver, H. D, Pain ©. i. Perkins, Charles Post, H. E. Pellow, Slyvan Reed, Henry Rogeré, Marsuall 0. Roberts, J. Rob- ison, Algernon 5, Sullivan’. L. strong, BF, Corlies, Henry Clews, Jonn A, Dix, William P. ‘Dixon, J. We W. H. de Forrest, Cuaries Fearing, Arthur Gil- mal Frederic Goodridge, Jasper Grosve- nor, I. A. Hurlburt, ‘John Hay, Henry Hioftman, Louis Hevop, Thomas — Hitcheoe! C. Henderson, L. Bayard Suith, Joon Sherwood, ster ling, Wallace Shilito, Gardiner Spofford, Honry Salis« bury, F. Tames, RH. 1. Towasead, W, P. Talboys, Henry Turubuil, B.S. Throop, Albert Tuorpe, R. MM. Vail, Alexander Van Renégselaer, Barton flarrison, Chaties Isham, Samuel Irvin, Heury. Y. Leavitt, Ed: ward Loavitt, Abraham Lawrence, J. Lawrence’ Lee, J. A. Lowery, Charies Liveri.ore, Woodbury Langdon William P. Lee, William &. Martin, Chauncey MeKee- sver, Johu Mason, Theodor3 Moran, Philip Van Ronsse- Inet, Witham Vanderbilt, Miss Catharine Wolle, Mesdames R. F. Ware, Lewis Within, Francis Wajdo, John Wo, Sidney ster, Edward Woolsey, WH. Wolls, ¢.'E. Whitehead, F, Withers, C. Walsh and Edward Leavitt, Jr. THE KENMARE CONVENT LOTTERY. Sister Mary Francis Clare, of the Convent of Poor Clares, Kenmare, county Kerry,Ireland, writes to the Haran that the prizes for the lottery in aid of that institution and its schools havo been released after a dotention of nine months, caused by mismanagement on the part of persons acting jn the name of tho Sisterhood. ‘The prizes, which dre vuluable, will be duly forwarded to the fortunate holders ot winning tickets resident in America, The splendid bann worked by the hands o! the Nuns, is still anelaimed, Only three or four persons beld uckets for it. The Nuns oj Kenmaro are preparing to hold another gon- eral loery at an ourly day, and are pleased with the encouragement which they have already received in furtherance of the prospect. THE HEBREW CHARITY BALL. On the 2ist inst the charity ball iu a:d of the United Hebrew Charities of this city will be held at the Acad: emy of Music, under the auspices of the Purim Asso- ciation. Tho sale of sickots is progrossing quictly, and ail the boxes have alfeady been disposed of, [tis cal- culated that this «ffair will realize about $12,000 above allexpenses, Gratuila’s Band, of 100 periormors, will furaisa the music. , KINGS COUNTY PENITENTIARY. The annual report of the Kings County Penitontiary presented to the Board of Supervisors yesterday show that tho financial condition of tho institution on August 1 was as follows:—Expenditures for salaries, food, clothing, fuel and light, &a, $102,249 955 the old its annual | to ipe 4 receipts for labor in shoe shop, board of United States pers, board of Queeas county oners, board of Richmend cou prisoners, prisoners, &c., $86,870 11. The tation ‘Was $20,000, making a total af $106,870 11, leavin, balance’ of $4,630 16, besides articles on hand other than food, clothing and bedding now 1m use valued at $6,671 70. But five deaths occurred during the your, On August 1 there 1,529 convicts in the institu. tion, of whom 1,243 were maies. THE POLISH EMIGRANTS. WHO 18 RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CARE? —PHEIR PRESENT QUARTERS AT THE GARDEN. The case of the Polish emigrants who arrived here in the steamer The Queen, op the 6th inst., has been the cause of comment unfavorabie to the Commissioners of Emigration. H is ailegea that the Commissioners refused to iake any furtifér care of these poor aliens on the ground of baving no monoy for that purpose, while they were using the $200,000 appropriated by the Legislature toward supporting indigent foreigners for rebuilding the prewiscs destroyed by the fire. In order to find what truth there was in these charges a Herasp reporter yesterday morning visited-Castle Garden, In a corner of the large apartment kept for the emigra! sut the Polish arrivals, smoking and chatting. The men were mostly muscular fel- lows, drersed, in dirty white smock frocks The women and children, “however, looked the very essence of misery and poverty, The Commissioners have succeeded in getting work for four ofthe men. None of the emigrants know auy trade, and are in consequence unable to do anythi but laborer’s work. They had no intention of coming to this country when, they left their bomes, but in Liverpool some one who professed to bea friend to them advised them to go to New York, and thus they arrived here without ang moans, withqut friends and with no idea of what to do, “We give them their three meals a day,” enid Colonel Coonan, “bread and coffee in the morning and evening, and meat, coflee and bread at dinner. Bach meal costs us ten cents. Wenever ask any of the emigrants to do any work around the house; there are plenty of servants employed for this purpose and there is no need of their helping, The men siton those benches smoking all day long as you seo them now, and the women see to their children,” NOW TH REPAIRS ARK PAID FOR. “Is it true,’’ inquired the reporter, ‘that the money propriated by the Lexisiature for the purpose of supporting sick and indigent emigrants 1s used for re- pairing the buildings and other foreign purposes?” “No, sir,’? emphatically replied Colonel Coonan, “the necessary repairs aro defrayed irom the money obtained trom the tire insurance companies, We re- ceived from them, in all, $18,000, and the buildings were repaired or rebuilt, it necessary, by a contractor who received close on $15,000 for bis work. 1 course we have been greatly inconvenienced by the abolition of the head tax, and we do not think that wo are treated fairly in this matter, he steamship companies hayo not reduced their rates in consequence; nevertheless, we do not let any of those intrusted to our care suffer want, All of them are liberally supplied with food, and even outsiders who are in want and come in here for aid are never allowed to goaway hungry. As regards these Poies, we shall keep them bere until we havo provided jor them in some way or other. If we shall be unable to succeed they wilinodoubt be sent to Ward’s Island after somo-time, pot to the charge of the Commission ers of Charities and Correction, bat to our own build- ings, at the lower end ot the island.” WHAT SHALL BK DONE WITH THEM? The Commissioners of Emigration are short of fund) and so they nave reluctantly had tovcall to their ar the Mayor of New York, who is empowered to act in the matter by ono of the old laws reiuting to the Com- missioners of Emigration, The following letter was sent to the Mayor:— Orrice oF tax Comsisstoxers OF EMIGRATION, Caste Garpen, New York, Deo. 1873, H To Tax Maron or Truk Orty or New York Sin—Pursuant to the laws of the State ot Now York we hereby report to you that upon an examination mad preseribed by law, into the condition of the passengers arrived at the port of New York on the 6th day of Decem: 1876, by the stoamship The Queen, vf the National ling, th following persons among the pnasangers were found likely to become 0 eliargeadle upon the public are as follows— viz., Joseph Gebarorrsky and thirty-six others, GEORGE J. FORREST, President of the Board of tmigration, WHERE TUK RESPOXSIPILITY RESTS. This notice was received by the Mayor on Monday, and pi a it, with the following indorsoment, served upon F, W. J. Hurst, manager of the National line, from the Mayor’s office: fe Pursuant to the Jaws of the State of New Yorl hereby required, with two sufficient sur to execute a Joint and several bond to the people of the said State, in 4 penalty of $500 for every passenger above named steamer, to indemnity wn armlei of Emigration, and each and within said State, from any fart! Commissioners shall ineur tor the m: of the persons named in such bor five from the date of such bond. = port m, withia A NEW OCEAN STEAMER. Anew American steamship arrived in this port yes- jterday from the yard of Jobn Roach & Son, at Cheater, Pa Tho vesse) is built of iron and named the Rio Granade, being ivtendod for the Southern trade. Tho keel of this handsome craft, now the largest on the coast, was laid ip the Jattor part of June and she was launched on the 21st of October, leaving Chester for this port on Tuesday. She is to leave next Saturday for Galveston, and is capable of carrying 6,000 bales of cotton. i The following are the dimensions of the Rio Grande:—Length, 308 feot over all; 59 feet beam and 21 teot 9 inches depth of hold. Hor displacement at ¥6 feet draft is 3,700 tons, She is schooner rigged, foremast 74 fect and mainmast 78 fect avovo deck. Her anchors are worked by steam power, as also her cargo winches, Her machinery consists of one pair of compound engines of 1,600 indicated horse power, with cylinders of bare aati eo inches diameter and 54 inches stroke of piston. has four cyliadrical tubular 2 feet and 10 feet long. She hasone smokestack. peller wheel is 14 feet tn diame! ‘with a mean pitoh of 22 feet, and itis claimed that sheis capable of running fourteen knots an bour, Tho Rio Grande ts built of the best American plate and angie iron. The main deck is of 34-1nch iron, andthe fower deck is covered with iron over the engines of the same tnick- noss, A curious feature of this vessel is tho iron deck- house, 81 feet long, 18 feet wide and 8 teet high, which encloses all botlers and machinery. This house contains ali the cooking arrangements, inflammable stores, fe in this yessel is an immense tank placea ti for water baliast, capable of holding y which will bo used to sink her alt wnen re- quired to give power to the working of the screw. The saloons, rooms and halls are furnished in ama- ranth bird’s-eye maple, rosewood, satinwood, aud no expense has been spared to make her equipment hand- gome and luxurious, Her cost was avout $300,000. She is to be commanded by Captain James Bolger, long engaged in tho New York and Gaiveston trade. She was visited by a large number of shipping yesterday, who greatly admired hei Raneesees THE HUDSON RIVER TUNNEL. ‘Tho logal gladiators in the Hudson River Tunnel caso mot again in conflict yesterday at Taylor’s Hotel, Jersey City, in presence ot the Commissioners ap- pointed by the Supreme Court to condemn lands needed for the construction of the tunnel, Mr. Van-~ atta opened the argument by submitting the claim for damages of the Morris and Essex Company at $50,000 and that of the Jersey Shore Improvement Company atahke amount. He admitted tho (utility of straggling any longer to prevent the construction of the tunnel, asthe action of the courts had placed the right of the Tunnel Company to proceed bey: the region of debate, He would therefore address himself entirely to the question of damages which would be sustained by his chents, the Jersey Shore Improvement Com- pany an® the Morris and Essex Company. These com- Panies had procured their property and filicd it in at great expense, They had paid $25,000 for the right of Way tor the new Bergen tunnel to one property owner, and the Hudsow River Tunnel Company ougntto pay in proportion, He comtended that inasmuch as the Hudson River Tunnel Conmany needed the land so much it wag very valuable to them, and tho railroad company ought to receive good prices. Mr, Whitereptied on benall of the Hudson River Tunnel Company, and ported out the fallacy of sume of Me. Vanatt’s argumeuts, The condemnation of the property, in the case of the Borgen tunnel, proceeded on the principle that the railroad company bad a right to take all the property condemned clear up to the str- face, If Mr. Vanatta had negiccted or failed to secure moderate terms for bis cients in that case 1t must not be made a precedent, for the rarlroad company had been assessed as much for a mere excavation seventy feet below the suriuce as though the whole property were to be taken Instead of the property neqfed by the Hudson River Vunnel Company being damaged, it would be, reality, benefited, aud he, thereture, susisted that the damages should be merely pomrpal, Mr, Vanatta had evidently been proceeding on a false principle, tor the surface of the property needed by the Hudson River Tunnel would be always kept in proper order, Equally unteonble was the position that he ¢laimed not only persona: but also prospective damages. Alter hi the arguments on these points at som Commissioners adjourned til to-morrow morning. ROBBED BY PICKPOCKETS. Of Into quite a number of complaints have been made at Police Headquarters by persons who have had their pockets picked or jowelry taken trom them at the dif- ferent ferry landings, One of the victims 18 A. V, De Horch, nephew of the late Baroy Von Huimbotd, who had his pocket picked of his pocketbook contain, Ing $878 in bills ahd seven twenty dollar notes while crossing the Desbrosses street ferry. Another victim is William Farren, of Philadelphia, Who tost a yalua- ble diamond pin, which was take from bis shirt trout daring a jostle on the boat, The thet was probably committed by a young mau jose his pretended balance as the boat strack fe shy \d fel) againat Mr, Farren, Shortly missed bis pin, but the young man bad vanwhed. RTING THE MAILS. EFFICIENCY IN THE POST OFFICE HOW LETTERS ARE ASSORTED AND BOXED FOR DELIVERY. ‘The essential preliminary to & prompt delivery of letters is their correct assortment according to the method and locality of their proposed delivery, and the accomplishment of this task is among the most important duties assigned to the clerks of the N York Post Otfies, requiring {or its performance a thor- ough knowledge of the bou@daries of the diflorent de- livery districts, the location not only of every well kuown and important street and avenue, but of every out of the way ‘‘place,’’ ‘‘terrace,’’ ‘row’ and alley of the metropolis, of all public buildings, Denke, insure ance and newspaper oilices, bospituls, asyiuis, col- leges and even of a large proportion of our private mer- captile huases, A good assurting clerk 1s expected, also, so be ablo ta tell ata glauce the particular win- dow of the box delivery at which a letter addressed to | any box holder is deliverable, and as there are 5,000 boxes rented, with each of which be is required to as- sociate in hig memory the uames, on an average,’ of five persons, 1t 18 obvious that for the correct pertorm- unce of bis work be mast be possessed of muemonic power little short of miraculous, In oruer to secure the greatert poseible efficiency in thts important branch of the service Postmaster James introduced a system of examination by which the rela- twe proticiency of each asserting clerk is thoroughly and accurately tested at regular quarterly intervals, A case of nest ol pigeon holes 18 prepared, each com- partment of which represeats a box Window, with the exception of two, Which are assigned to “carrier de- livery” gnd ‘general delivery’ respectively, The clerk undeg examination is then furnished with about 1,500 cards, 4 bearing the name of a box holder or ol afirm or person whose letters are delivered by car- rier or called for at the general delivery, and be igthen required to place each card in ils appropriate compartment, At the conclusion of his task (a note having been made of the time consumed in tts com- pletion) the diferent compartments of the case are ox- amined and allerrors recerdes, When ail the clerks have been thus tested a tabular statement 18 trom the notes which have been taken, and each is ausigned toa certain grade for the ensuing quarter according to his standing on the recurd, and as to the higher and lower.grades are attached correspondiog salaries each clerk bas a lively interest in perie {ng himself by careful study and attention in the performauce of his duty. The system has workea admirably and has ellected a marked improve- ment in the service. For the quarter ending Septem. ber 30, 1876, the average standing of the twenty-nine assorting clerks, as shown vy the tabular statement of the examimation’ for that quarter, was elghiy-five per cent (the maximum being 100), tho records of the dit- Jerent clerks raagiug trom 99.06 to 62.37, Alter the assortment of box letters to the different windows or divisions they are taken by the delrvery clerke to be placed in the boxes in which they re- spectively belong. To perforin this daty with the requisite care and at the same time with (he necessary rapidity is no easy task, aud it would not be surprising 10 to find that occasional errors occur in its periormance, especially im view of the similarity in pames of many diflerent firms and corporations, and of the fact that large number of lettors are so insuificjently, illegibly and incorrectly addressed that mistakes are often par- donablo, if not unavoidable; but if due to carelessues: or indifference they are not tolerated, and when dis: covered are apt to entail disagreeable consequences in the shape of penalties, In order to secure the mini- mum of errors of this kind a system has been devisea whereby each clerk ig required to report daily bis own mistakes—should ho muke any—and these roporis form the basis of a division into highér and lower grades and salarics, This plan, whereby the rank and salaries of the clerks ore made to depend upon their efficiency, with- out regard to other considerations of influences, is a practical phase of “civil service retorm’’ which not only secures justice to the clerks, but is of intinite benelit to the public whose correspondence is intrusted to tneir hands. UNDELIVERABLE LETTERS, The delivery of a letter according to its address ts theoretically a very simple matter; but a glance at the superscriptions on many of the letters recotved at the Post Oifice tor delivery, or a trip made io the company of a Jetter carrier on hfs route, would show that this apparently easy task surrounded by Jor- midable diliiculuiea Letters misdirected m every conceivable mauner—bearing wrong numbers, streets and names, addressed in all known and unkuown tan. guages, in hapdwriting exhibiting every possible dis- tortion in chirograpby—are daily handed tv the car- riers mn the expectation that they wiil in some manner reach tho hands of tfose for whom they are intended, and this expectution 18 justified to an extent which 18 bighly creditable to the severance and fidelity of those hard-worked officials. Tho following statietics are copied from the official record tor last month, showing the number ot letters re- ceived by the carriers in each delivery district, the numbor actually delivered, and the number retutned to the office as undeliverable, It will be seen that the proportion of the latter is but one-half ot one percent :— ‘ Letters Received Returned by ane Branch E.... Branch F. Branch G...... Brapeu H. Branch K.... Branch L. MOARTHY IN “AFRICA.” ABREST OF TWO THOMPSON STREET ITALIANS AS PRINCIPALS IN A TRAGEDY, Last Tuesday night Captain McDonnell, of the Eighth police precinct, ascertained that a man named Jobn McCarthy, who had beon found insensiblo in front of No. 59 Thompson street on Saturday, had not died from a fall, as war at first supposed, but had been pushed down the steps by two Italians, his head strik- ing the sidewalk and causing his death from a fracture ofthe skull, Tho Captain proceoded to the piace in question and succeeded in arresting Donotti Rossi and*Raphaol Seraphino, the principals yn the aftray, together with five witnesses. . McCarthy, who was found on Saturday afternoon lying insensible in front of bis restdence, was sent to Chambers Stroet Hospital. He died there the next day. Coroner Ellinger was notified, and Deputy Cor- oner Goldschmint found from the autopsy that the man had died trom a fracture of the baso of the skull. Atthe time McCarthy was brought to the station house a woman, named Eliza Keily, accompanied him, and told Captain McDonnell that she had seen the man fall down the steps, Tho Captain, however, was satis- fled that something was wrong and concluded to inves- tigate the matter, Detectives Murphy and Reyuolds Were put upon the case and the services of ‘an inter- preter were secured. The interpreter entered the aen and learned from Lizzie Gartland and Rose Hoey that MeCat had come there Friday while invoxicated and remained there over might. chargea With stealing a pair of shears, He aented theft. He was ordered to leave, and on his refusal Dowetti Rossi, Raphael Seraphino and Antonio Dirico attacked him and put-him out of the house. He at- tempted tu re-enter, and was again attacked by Rossi and Serapbino, who pushed bim off the stoop. He fell and struck the jower etep with bis head, tractur- ing his skull, All the witne: of the scuffle ran fearing arrest. h They wera kept at the station house all night Yesterday afternoon Coroner Eluinger, accompanied by his deputy Dr. Goldschmidt, went to the station house and made 4 preliminary examination. William Palmer, a colored mon, said that he had witnessed the scuifio and had seen Rossi shove the man off the stoop. He saw him Jall, his head stroking tho stone. The mao did not cry cut but only gave one’ groan. This orcurred at twenty minutes past two Saturday afternoon. Amelia Hall,-of No, 90 Crosby sireet, iso colored, said that she had gone into the place with McCarthy on Friday to get a drink. She went in again om Saturday and found MoCarthy in a quarrel with the Italians, Sno Witnessed the ensuing uffray, corroborating the toati: mony of Palmer, Aller hearing their statements Cor- oner Ellinger committed ihe two prisoners to the Tombs, und the witnesses, Antonio Dirico, William Paimer, Amelia Hall, Lizzie Gartiand and Rose Hoey to the House of Detention, tixing the time of the in- quest at one o'clock Saturday atternoon. Tho place called Africa,” where the affray occurred, is asmali court iu Thompsen street, between Broome aod Spring, flied with tenement houses. These aro frequented by Italians and negroes of the low- est character, Stall boys aro sent around to the diferont lager beer shops to collect the droge ‘eft in the kegs. This liqnor is then kept for sale at aceat a schoonor or threo cents a quart Toe stoop down which McCarthy was pusbed is about jour feet high and bi steps, on the lower one of which McCarthy fractured. Tho dens in this court have been st ded by the police, bus thus far the dat have not euc- ceeded mn breaking U up, seners taken, after bav.ng served their terms, always returned to their old haunts, Last June a precisoly similar case occurred bere, A man named Patrick Coniin was found in the court in- sensible, with lis skull fcaciured. It was found that he had been pushed down aud afterward beaten with a shovel by Jobn Sewell. The intter, 'n colored man, tried, convicted and sentenced to Sing Sing. where he ts now held. It was this circumstance that led Captaia McDonnell to investigate the present case. A GRECO-ROMAN ROW. Alphonso Dracke and Givro Jactie, natives of sanny Italy and-proprietors of a two-cont lager bier saloon at No. 4 Park street, yesterday got into a row with a couple of Irishmen who had patronized 'their estab- lishment and refused 'to Moran, of No. 444 Pear! rect, passing at the time, Italians was set upon by, the and badly beaten. Dracke anu Jactio wore arrested and held in $500 to commitied te the House of THE ‘GAS BRIGANDS, An Oatrageous Swindle of-$120,000 To Be Attempted, “YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIGHTS? — Will the Commission Surrender 10 the Mo nopely —Remedies, There is no little excitement among taxpayers of thh city over the attempt to swindle the city now beiny made by the gas companies which was disclosed by yesterday's Hxranp. It is scarecly necessary to say that the gas companies did not hke 1, The president, of the companies all haa tnterviews in the afternoot with the Commissioncr of Public Works, but persisted that the exorbitant price asked for lighting the city was necessary to protect their own interests; that coal was higher than last year; that the repairs of lamps were expensive, &c. No compromises was arrived at, and it 6 probabio that at the next meeting of the gas ‘companies ail the bids of the companies — willl be rejected and new bids will bo advertisea for. If the combination to put up tho price of lighting the city te $36 and $37 50 per lamp Is then continued the Com- mission may have to accept the bids and make acon tract for four months, during which time means saa be provided to light the city with naphtha, gasolue or kerosene, This, says Mr. MoCormick, Superintendent ot Lamps, cou'd be accomplished at a great saving te the city by an extra expense of only seventy-five centa or $l per lamp. It will bea mistake, however, to allow the city to be swindled evon for four months, and thus to submit toa deliberate conspiracy to take a large sum of money out of the city treasury. WHAT THE TAXPAYERS DEMAND. The Legisiature will soon be in session, and should certainly afford some remedy by which such dep- redations by graspitig monopolies can be effeo- tually stopped. Tho unanimous demand of the taxpayers, who are already being crushed ua- der the weight of taxation, is that the Gas Commission, composed of Mayor Wickham, Comptrol- ler Kelly and Commissioner of Public Works Camp- bell, will not budge an inch in their fight with these monopolies, and will exhaust every means to defeat this scheme of robbing the city of $121,000, The avove amount 1s about the difference between the bids for 1877 and the prices paid lust year, as the following “carefully compiled comparison will show, The prices given are those paid per Jamp:— 1 874.) 1875. 1876. | 1877. New York Ga: Light Com- f pany .,..... |$30,00] 833.001 $28,00 |$23.00 }$36.00 Manhattan Gas Light Gom- pany. «-| 89.00] $3.00) 28.00} 2300 | sa0e Metropolitan Gas — Lignt| | Company. 39.0] 33.00] 38,00 | 34123) 3200 Harlem . Ga: - Light Com-! 1 A pany. 39.00) 89.00) 38.95. | 3f95 | 37.60 New York Mu- tual Gas Com- pany... —| 35.00|29.16 25.75 | 36.00 It will be observed that the prices paid in 1873 were even higher than those now asked for 1877; but this was because the New York Mutual had not yet begun to drivean entering wedge into the monopoly enjoyed by the four companies, m VIOLATING THE LAW. Now, itisa fact whieh it may be worth while to point outto our city authorities who are charged with guarding the city treasury against depredations like these, that the Jaw distinctly forbids the companies to chargo more tban a uniform rate to all their com sumers, and that this. attempt to charge the etty more is a clear violation of the law. The gas companies charge their private consumers only from $2 to $2 50 per 1,000 feet, and as the lighting of a street lamp =‘ requires by city ordinance 11,00 feet, the cost to the city, should be from $23:to $28 75, and no more. The gas.com- panies claim, through their respective prosidente— Messrs. C, Ks Garrison of the Mutual, Leos of the New York, General Roome of the Manhattan, and Zollikoffer of the Metropolitan—that the expense of repaiting and lighting the lamps is considerable; bat this is counterbalanced by tne fact that the companies have toemploy for their private consumers indexera’ (examiners of meters) and collectors, who have to col- lect a vast number of petty sums under great aiffi- culties, while the city {san enormous consumer that pays in bulk and without trouble, Having thus shown that there 18 no reason whatever to charge the city moré than private consumers the inw may here be quoted to prove that it 18 @ flagrant violation of law:— THE LAW IN THK Cask, Chapter 194 of the Laws of 1874 is as follows :—""An set te revent extortion by gas conmipanies in the counties of New ork and Kings’’ (pussed April 17, 1874). 1he people the State of New York, reprc 4 in Senate and Assem bly, do enact as follows:— Skcrion shall ongeued in lee of New York and Kings to charge agroster sum per 1,000 feet for gas supplied to one consumer or class of gorau than other consamers, but the rate shall be uniform to all consum provided, nevertheless, that nothing in this act contained shall prevent an; '¥ from charging or viliage municipalities a ‘than may be chat, to private cousumers or from m: rate tor aay bullding need for charitable, pa UrpOses, ‘4 reduced rati ming | nite r creative: fecha consul v ny Tak provisions is or $50 for ares an action by ths pecsen oh poneens agarnes whom such overcharge is made, ‘Sec. 2.—This act shall take effect immediately. WHAT THK CORPORATION COUNREL SAYS, The Corporation Counsel, Mr. Woitney,' was called upon in reierence to the subject, and he gave it as big opinion that in the case of « contract entered into be tween the city and the companies the companies could not be prosecuted for overcharges; but ifthe cixy maae DO contract an rejected tho bids, aud still continued to light the lamps and to charge more than their uniform rates they would certainly be I bie to be prosecuted under the law. Mr, Whitney sai that the legal iuteresta ot tho city would certainly be guarded, aud promised to look into the matter to see what Jogal remedies there were, Hw was of the that the charters of two of the companies had expiréd, and on reference to the of 1859 this was found to be the ca York Cumpany expired in ohatian terminated in 1868 OTHER REFORMS NECRSBARY. While these rapxcious companies shoul vented from overcharging tho city othe demanded and should roceive the attentit siavure as soon as it meets in Albany, According to the agreement tho gas which these companies tur- nish should be equal tothe light of sixteen candies, Now there is very good authormy for saying that in the tulfitmens of this provision {he compunt aun wotully behind. But whether they do of not, there 16 Bo test whatever applied to see if they do. In Scow land Yara, in London, the gas is contiuually burned within @ scientitic test apparatus which shows pre. cisely the power of the light at apy hour of the day or bight, and if tbe light fails below the twelve candice power required by the Enghsh contracts a corre- sponding deduction is made in the price paid. Moreover, there is even no whatever asto whether the gas companies here furnish the 11,500 feet stipulated, and jor which they are paid. it isentirely left to their senso of conscientiousuess ; they 11,500 or they may only serve 6,000. Tas’ is certainly wrong. Tests should be m: not only of the power, but also of the qnantity oY the gas, and the latter could be asseftuined by measuring the pressure, ARB WK AT THRIR MERCY? The gas comp:nies, to judge trom their present ae hon, are evidently of the opinion that the taxpayers: are completely in their hands, ba they demand $36 nor irom chargit quantities; provided in ail eases th feet to those consuming equal quantit Ifany corporation shail violate the such corporation shall be lab! each 1, 80.0) and $87 per jamp for 1877 ey may demand $66 und $57 per lamp for 1878, a1 oo If ever thero were ‘‘sowlloss” corporations to they are hits | them: Said a prominent citizen ‘ho only thing now to do 1s to show the already sullering taxpayers cannot be fiveced at their pleasure, Let the Gus Comm: ere take a determined stand now and resolately ralooe all these bids which are on their face unaoabtedly the ro | sults Of a secret conspiracy, and then let the Legisla: ture take such measures as to put a stop to similar at tempts in the futuro and as to hold the companies t¢ a strretexecution of their contracts, bot ae to thé power and quantity of the gas turnished,” Astaras the Harlem Company is concerned tbero is/happily a clause in their contract which enabies the erty to purchase their works at an advance of ten per cont, and this company will’ cortatniy préfer thoit present fat monopoly to such a contingeucy. At reat Ee the gas companies enta evormous prota heir stock is not lu Le bought at any price, NU COMPROMISE. Thq Gas Commission, which consists of Mayor Wickham, Comptralier Kelly and Comiisioner Camp- bel, will hold an adjourned meeting afternoon. - It 18 stated thoy Will thon wke somo shoe 80 he Lay ¥ 4 compromise with the gas companies and prevent the extortionate increase of prices asked in the akeren To judge from the pablic teeling of the matter exe Pressed in all quarters the i cee e sears irae duc cect a the companies © |

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