The New York Herald Newspaper, December 17, 1876, Page 7

hae . THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE Wr. Albert Hill on the Mathematical Accuracy of the Specifications. Colonel Paine on the Progress of the Work, A Startling Statement as to the Value of the Tests Just Completed. The work of the engineers of the Brooklyn Bridge Company engaged in testing the samples of wire sent im by the bidders for the 6,800,000 pounds contract is as Jast completed, and their report wil! be sent im- @ediately for the consideration of Pr. jent Murphy and his Board of Trustees. Mr. Albert Hill does not eppear satisicd with the way that work bas been don and, in ap interview with a Hrraup reporier, que: dons the accuracy of the figures upon which the speci- Seations are based. He demonstrates mathematically— iret, that 3,600 pounds, and not 3,400 pounds, is the correct ultimate breaking strength corresponding to 160,000 pounds per square inch of solid section in a No 8 steel wire; second, that most of the samples submitted for test exceed tho weight of 14 feet to the pound, required by the specifica tions, from seven to nine per cent, und are also more or less in exces: of the prescribed diameter, thus diminishing the number of wires and increasing the weight of the cavle without showing a corresponding excess of tensile strength, and last he points ont an apparently glaring error im the calculations by which the total stretch is ob- tained. A VISIT To TOR Works, Yesterday afternoon a HxRa.o reporter paid a visit bo pier 20 Fast River, and finally found Colene! Paine, one of the engincers in charge of the works, The fol- lowing conversation ensued :-- Rxrortsx—Will you please give me any informa- Mon as to how the testing of tho wires is progressing, and when you expect to finish it? Colonel Paixe—We have alronay Onished all the \ests that are to be made. Reronrtzn—Havo these tests been attended with satisfactory result: Colonel Painz—Some have and some have not, but veyond that general statement I cannot say anything more. Reporter—Can you give me any statement as to the results of these tosts? . Colonel Parxu—I cannot, Every wire manulacturer who has had his wire tested by us has been present and taken copies of the results of the tests, But it would not do for me to give youn copy of these re- walts betore I have communicated with those who au- thorized me to make the tests, Ido not withhold this Joformetion from any unwillingness to obiige you or the Henarp or the public, but asa matter of strict professional duty oc my part toward those who havo the first right to the knowledge. The tests have been Mado as publicly as the wire manufacturers themselves haye permitted. » Rrrontxx—When will you report the results of your tests to the Bourd of Trustees? Colouel Parxx—I report inem to the Chief. Engineer, and do not know when he will present the repurtto the Board. They have a mectng ina few days and I do not anticipate any delay. Revortsx—Do you think awarded on Monday next? Colonel Painz—That would be merely a private opin- oe and 1 have no reason tor Knowing one way or a ather, RxportER—Is there anything new to say concerning the progress of the work on the bridge. Colonel Paixx—I don’t know that there is. A part the contract will be “af the thirty tons of wire which were called for tor the preliminary work has been dolivered, and all the details of the machinery for the stretching of the ca- bies are progressing rapidly, Rerorrea—Have you anything to say in regard to Mr, Hill’s statemonts? Colonel B-—-None of the engineers on the bridge that Iam aware of have said one word iw re- gard .o Mr. Hill, proorcon. Tney are not personally Acquainted with him, and have made no statemonts in enswer tohim, nor bave they apy to make. Colonel Roevling, Mr. Martin and myseif have bad the charge of the wire work on this dridge, and we have neither said nor have anything to say on this point. INTRKEVIEW WITH MR. MIDE, A Herap reporter paid a visit yesterday afternoon toMr. Aibert Hill, at his office, and obtained the tol- lowing interesting interview:. . Rerorren—l have callea, Mr. Hill, to see you in re- gard to the tests, as you told me when they were com- ota you might perhaps have something to say about em. Mr. Hus—I do not know that all the tests are fin- ished; ut tue samo time | have bere an exact record of the results of abont seventy of them. You remember wh our tirst mterview that I -beticved that these tests would probably form no true criterion as to the quality and ultimate strength of the material used) 1 am now Rrore Jully satisiled than ever that my tirst impressions ‘were correct. « Rerortxr—Why are you now more fully satisied that the tests are no true criterion of the quality and ultimate strength of the material ? Mr. Hiti—Simply becauze | have since then taken the time and troubie not only to carefully revise and recalculate the results of the tests az I obtained them from day to day, butalso to investigate the correct- bess of the fundamental formuia which formed the basis for tho specrfivations. kPORTER—Mr Hill, have you any objection to give me a statement of your :nathematical calculations and their exact results ¥ Mr. Hitt—l certainly have vo objection to giving you.some of them, but it’strikes me that the Heratp Would be hardly willing to throw open its columns to ® parely scientific discussion, although the points at issue do not require any extraordinary proficiency in applicd mathematics; Kevortex—The columns of the HrRaLp are open to every discussion in which the public are interested, whether political, religious, scientific or otherwise. should hke to have your views on the question? Mr. Hitt—I am at present preparing a pamphlet which I intend to submit to the American Society of Civil Engineers for discussion. 1 have no objection to pive you such portions of 1t as 1 think might be of in- jerest to the general public. KRevortxr—I shall be very much pleased to have rou give the HERALD any statement on a subject which sannot but be interesting to the taxpayers Oo! the cities ot New York and Brooklyn, BRKOR IN THE PUNDAMENTAL FORMUL.. Mr, Hint—T'o begin with, article5 of ine specifica- Mons for letting of December 1 reads:—‘Each wire must have a breaking strength of no lese than 3,400 pounds. This corresponds in wire weighing 14 feet to the pound, to. rate of 160,000 pounds per square inch of sulid section. The elastic limit must be no less than 47-100ths of the breaking strength, or 1,600 pounds. Wathin the limit of elasticity it must stretch at a uniform rate corresponding to a modulus of elas- Licity of not less than 27,000,000 nor exceeding 20,000,000, ‘The quality of the wire in regard to its Biretchiug is iurtuer alinded to under the head of “Tests:'’? Now, nolortunately, an ultimate or break- mg strength ‘of 3,400 pounds im a No. 8 atecl wire weighing 14 feet to the pound docs Bot represent a ratio of 160,000 per square inch of solid section. This breaking strength of 3,400 pounds is, according to the specifications obtained from formu iw—160,000 divided by 336 multiplied by 14 equats 3,401.3. plus, or in round pumbers 3, pounds. The defect in this formule arises trom the fact that it presupposes the weight of every cubic toot of steel offered for test to weigh 485.54 pounds, which could be only the case ti ail the different kinds ol steel Were of the game density or specific gravity, which is obviously a practical impossibility. The terivation of that = formule is as fol- lows:—Some of the old ‘haudbooks’’ give the Weight of stecl at 453.54 pounds (the correctness of even this figure ts debatable); then It a cabte foot of steel weighs 483.84 Ibs, then one inch square one foot loug weighs 483.84 divided by M44 equais 3.36 and f inches one foot jong weigh VY 4.36; thereiore, 11 we say wrod Id feet jong weighs 1 Ib., Its cross section must bo 1 divided by 436 multiphed by 14, and the fatvo of 118 breaking strength to that of one squa Inch of golia section must be 160,000 divided by 4 muitipled by 14. Buta No. 5 wire, Birmingham gauge, has a diameter of .165 or “‘tull’’ 170, which corresponds to an area of cross section of d square multiplied by B14, divided by 4, equals .17 square multiplied by divided by 4, eq 0226 Now substituting this area, which is the true area, we obtain the ratio, 160,00) divided by .0226 equals 3,616, or im round moers 3,600, pounds us the correct ultimate break- strength, corresponding to 160,000 poanas per iy square inch of solid section ina No, 8 steel wire, CHARACTER OF WIRES TESTRD. Of course this is only a theoretical demonstration of the insufficiency of an assumed breaking strength of 3,400 pounda, five you # [abuiated siaiement of the weights the digmeters uf the wires submirted for test, 1 here that it will be shuwn that their avera na an weight and diameter exceeds the primary requirement pf the sperifications, In the toot note, signed W. As R., on the urst page of the specifications, “even with the quality called jor in these pecifications, one-third of toe sirength is taken up in supporting is own weight,’ fhe words, ‘its own weight,’ retet 10 the main cable. Now the samples ot wire submit. ted in the majority of cases exceed the weight of feet to the pound required by the specitications from 5 to 4 per cept and are aixo more or less in excess of the prescribed diamerer, thus increasing the weight anit diminisbing the number of wires possible wo patina Yb-inch cable without showing a corresponding excess of tensile strength to compensate theretor, s ERROR IN OTOTAL sTEeTET.” Reroxtee—-ls there any other point in article 5 that jou take exception tof ye Hint—-L will say only this moro, “Within this Imit of elasticity 10 musk streteh ata uniiorm rate nin; a modulus of elasticity of nov leas than 21,000, 00, nor oxcecding 29,000,0%0;"7 and in ticle 10 wo find the stretch determined as follow: ‘aind the total etretch betweon the toitial and ter. Bat, though J am not prepwred to | minal strains shall not be less than 97 divided by 1,000 of one toot, equal to 194 dividea by 100,000 of the 50 fees.” Now the formate for stretch within the elastic limit is Fequais £ 4 X atvided by Z, in whieh F means any force within the elaswe limit (in tins case 1,600 tbs.) B, the modulus of elasticity (equal bere to 28,000,000) 4A, the area of the cross section, WV, the streten, and LZ, the length (one foot), David: ing both mombers of this equation by A, the area, and substitating the value we hal 3 equals 28,000,000. divided by 2; amd A the total streten equals 1 divided by 17,500 of one foot, insicad of 97 divided by 1,000 01 one loot, as stated in the specitica- tions, lt is very evidewt het bere is a cousiderabie error. Revorten—Have you discovered any further errors im the specifications? Mr. Hitt—l thivk this will do for to- There are one or two more points in article 10 of the specitica- tions which are certainly, to say the least, open to criticism, and at a future time | shall consider them more tuliy, THE STARVING POOR. WANT OF HARMONY AMONG THE WORKING- MEN'S RELIEF COMMITTEES--THE PRESSING NEED OF FUNDS. ‘There will in ail probability be a clash between the two wings of the workingmen in this city in connec- ton with the destitution which prevails, Already, it ‘g alleged, the party which savors somewhat of tho “radical”? has taken some steps by way of rolief for the idle men, while others of the well known leaders bold back from ary participation in this miovement, and will not make any effort toward a pubhe petition im behalf of the distressed, Whether or not in a matter of such great moment both parties will sink old differences and unite now In organized endeayor to combat the present emergency it is difficult to say. Whatever action may be taken should be open and avove boxrd, so that no consequent recriminations may aris¢, and the leading object to be attained at this terrible season frustrated by jealousies or chicanery, It is a well known fact that after every concerted action by the workmgmen in furtherance of what is known as the labor interests, quarrels remain to be settled, aud not infrequently the old bickerings und jealousies spring up to mar the prospects of numbers of men, A SMALL PLAN FOR GETTING FUNDS. An announcement is now made by some men who profess to be identificd with the workingmen’s organi- vations that mass mevtings are to be held and other steps taken for the relief of the unemployed. The trades unions are tobe invited to send delegates to co-operate in this movement and committees of re- sponsible men are to be chosen to act a8 com- mittees in the districts throughout the city. A central committce seems also to bo in existence, and this body at a recent meeting resolved to issue 10,000 “dovation cards” and an address, Each card is to contain 100 squares and each square will rep resent five cents, the contr-butor to punch tho card with a pip. Now this plan may have its merits as weil its obvious faults, but suroly it is not the proper way to deal with the large army of- 50,000 unemployed workingmen. It would be an excellent way to receive from these 50,000 men, if they were all at work, in- stead of being penniless, their mites for the struggling poor of a largo city. But in an emergency like the present it bg to be ridiculous, What help the plun might afford would be in- significant compared with what will be needed wher the season becomes more advanced and the bouselees and bungry grow still larger in numbers from day to day. The suggestion ag to the appoint- ment of committees in the several districts to uscer- tain the wants of the straggling is excellent, the latter mot.on being exactly what HkkALD reporters have been engaged in doing for several days past But this proposed movement is confined merely to a section of those who claim to be represeatative workingmen, OLD TRADES UNIONISTS’ METHOD. The writer conversed with sone of the men who for years pust have, takeo a prominent part in the man- Agement ot trade organizations, and none of them Knew anything about the proposed incthod of raising funds and had not been consulted, They did, bow. ever, express a willingness to co-operate with any class of citizens who might initiate a movement by which the actual condition of the working classes should be made known to the public generally, with ‘a view to having relief aflurded in the proper way aad to the proper They dd bot place much faith 10 the state- city government would tke some steps toward commencing public work for the benetit of the idie men, nor did they believe there was an adequate response to the cry ol distress im tho caring tor such areince§ cases of poverty und helplessness as might have public aitention especially aturacted to them. In their opinion the want was a eneral aflliction, affect- ing so many thousands of families that the plan of re- hef put in operation should be on a scale comm: turme with the extent of the suffering. They trusted. toa large generosity from the wealthy men et New York, and affirmed that unless the rich helped the poor im the existing crisis there was to ve no donor at all, and ibe thousands of uniortunate people with the shroud of dire poverty now winding Found them, might. die for-want of saciter and bread. They telt assuredithat the starvation would not be al- Jowed to become an epidemic, and that the delay so far arose from the fact thut even the well-to-do theinscives: have been unsettled in their prospects and timorous as to what may be coming as a consequence trom the po- litical problem 1n agitation. CASES THAT EXCITED SYMPATHY, At the police courts yesterday the homeless and hun: gry continued to make application tor shelter and tood oo the Istand, During the past week about 200 work~ ingmen were sent to tue alinshouse irom the Tombs. ‘The magistrates have grown so accustomed to the pe- titions of these poor fellows that they promptly give the required committal and the men are transierred speeaily ag possible to the Island. At the Tombs yea- terday some eight or ten were transierred early in the afternoon to their new howe. A few of theso cases were espectally, painiul. One was that of a father and son, Luke and James Coyle, who bad beeu residing at ‘the corner of Fiftieth strect and Sixth avenue, Sane she father, iq thirty- eight years of age; James, being sixteen, a tine, honest-{aced, healthy boy. Lake Coyle was for a long time employed by the broadway Railroad Company as a helper im watcring the horses, but avout six weeks ago he was dismissed, and the httle money he hud saved has been ail spent during the idicnuess. Luke bas a daughier younger than the boy, and when t worst came was fortunate in getting her a-home in some respectable family. He also endeavored to per- suade tbe bo: to remain in the city, and trust to some friends to be helped until he could get a chance to earn his bread. But the boy grieved so much at the distress to which his father had been reduced and was so much attached to him that he begged to be allowed to go wherever his father went. Futher and son presented themselves betore Judge Dully atthe Tombs yester- day morning and told their story ot destitution. Judge Dufly comunitted both of them, but limited tho term for a month. The landiurd of the house in which tho Coyies lived offered to let them havg the room they occupied free of rent until the father shonid get work, but this was declined as neither Jather nor children could longer continue to exist in the condition m whieh they were placed for the past few days, ‘This was the first instance this season of father and son going to the almshouse for sheiter, Another case that excited sympathy was that of hac] Hanley, who resided in East Kicventh street. r man is thirty-two years of age, a native of the United States and by occapation a tugboat foreman. Hanley stated that he had been out of work six weeks. He bad strained every effort to get employment at any- thing, but was everywhere met with a reiusal. Ho had suffered severely trom want, and saw nothing be- fore Lim but the almsbouse. When he was taken down to the prisun be shed bitter tears, and seemed to feel most keenly the state to which be had come. Another case Was that of James Smith, a sailor, whose funds hud all given out and who was reduced to the lowest extremity. Every effort to get a ship hadJailed, the last upplication to Commissioner Dun- can having twken away ali hope. This man was re- duced to a very low condition, but, from his own story, be made a galiant fight against the almshouse. THE DESTITUTE* POLES, DECISIVE ACTION BY THUG NATIONAL STEAMSHIP COMPANY. : The problem of what the Commissioners of Emigra- tion should do with the destitute Poles who were shipped to this port by the National Lino from Ant- werp. and who arrived hereon the 6th inst, was | solved yesterday morning by the line assuming the responsibility of sending them back ‘home again to Galicia, Austria Up to yesterday morning neither the authorities at Castle Garden nor the emigrants hemselves had any idea that the National I, ne bat determined opoa this course of action; in fact, since the official notification thay under the law of 1847 the wus reeponsible the utmost secrcey has been titate as they were the Poles did not seem to regard the news with favor, and by signa tried to ex. Press the iact tat they were very comiortabie in their present quarters and that they preterred to remaim in them. Several of them were evidently feartu: ef the recepticu they would meet with on their return, and one of them, « young man named Ditzchovy, concluded to remain with a newly joand friend, a Mr. ot No. 66 Pike street, who bad offered Lim employment, He was taken to the Labor Mureau office and alter having been registered was allowed to go. On Friday lad named John Sirngali, aged thirteen, had been taken from the Garden, with the courentol his parents, and placed in charge of a beney- olent Pole nar oseph Pap, of Rutherford Park, New Jersey, who bad oflered to adopt him, When the news was carried to them that they were to be sent home ayain the parents rerused to leave their ehild, and fn special Messenger was despaiched for him, The Jad was brought back to Castle Garden but refused to leave lig new home and lis adopted father, A most distress. ing scone followed. ‘The poor mother clung to her son nnd begged him to return home with ther, He steadily retused to do go, and at last his parents consented to leave him bebt While the leuvo-takings were going on an express wagon had been procured and the Voles were placed in 1t in charge ot an officer of Castic Garden and taken to Pier 46 North River, ond put on board the stoamer Spain, which sailed at threo o'clock, > natural | to do, even with the aid of the centen ADVANCING THE RATES Combination of the Trunk Railroads on the Freight Question, 'S THE RAILROAD WAR ENDED? The rai!road officials of the trunk lines met yesterday atthe Windsor Hotei, The resultof the conierence was acontract signed by William H. Vanderbilt, vice president of the New York Central Railroad; H. J, Jewett, receiver of the Erie Railway; Thomas A, Scott, president ot the Pennsylvauia Railroad, aud Mr. King, vico president of the Baitimore and #hio Rail- road, Tho provisions of the contract, though not fully made known, eworace, itis said, an adyance tn ireight charges, and a cessation, for a time at ieast, ot | To-morrow the ad- the practice of “cutting” rates, vanced rates willbe promalgated, East bound freight from Chicago will be advanced to thirty cents perhundred on grain and flour, and to thirty-five cents per hundred on fourth class and pros | visions, Wost bound freigats will be advanced to iifty cents per hundred on first class, andin the same pro. portion on other classes, All through competitive rates will be the samo on all the lines, On purely local rates, as be:ween Chicago and New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia, Baltimore will have ten percent and philadelphia about seven and a half per cent less than New York. On the local rates between St, Louis and New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia, the discrimination agains, this city will be about thirteen per cent in favor of Bal- timore, nnd about teu por cent in favor of Philadelphia. The action of Mr. Vanderbilt in the matter is re- garded by many asa “caye in” to the opposition, For more than six weeks past rumors of a compromise of this kind have been ailoat on the street. Some of them were founded on the fact that several mectings have been held before having in view the object ac. complished yesterday, Others were merely fabricated for the purpose of bulling the stocks. Some of the afternoon papers of yesterday denied that any settlo- mont bad been made and accounted tor the presence of tho represesentativo of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- road by connecting his visit with an art sale, Later in tho day it became generally known that a compact had been made and there was much speculation as to the = result, Among stockholders and the bull element in the differ, ent roads there was, of course, congratulation, It is not probable that the terms of the contract extend over the winter season, and when spring arrives and the lakes, cauals and rivers are open for navigation there will probably be another break up and a conso- quent war on rates. The suicidal policy of *cutting” rates bas brought about the alleged settlement, and it 4s asserted that it will Jast as’long as it proves ‘advan- tageous to all parties interested; but that whenever ove of those parties finds it to its advantage to reduce Tates it will be done, MR. VANDERMILT’S ACTION NOT A CONCKSSION, Mr. Samuel Sloan was found by a reporter at bis ofhce, corner of Kxchange place and iiliam street, He was cognizant of the action of the managers ol tho trunk lines and had entered into a conversation as to bus view whether or not Commodore Vanderbilt’s action should be regarded as a concession to the Others, whon a friend came in. To this genticman, who desired to have bis naine withheld, the reporter was relerred ior a more decided opimon on the subject, A general conversation ensued, It was held that far from anything hke concession Vanderbilt's action should be considered as a great benefit to the city of New York. It would be tound that this would lower rates now, and lower them still more when the present cold season was succeeded by warmer weather, and the canals and lakes, now closed, would be opened, and trade be carried on’ by water as well as on iand. It was thought probable tbat tho ex. isting agreement had been entered into with the in- tention of holding to % longer than during this winter. VIEWS OF ME. RUFCS MATCH, A Hxrrato reporter called upon Mr. Rufus Hatch, at bis office, on Broad street, yesterday afternoon, to obtain his views upon the reported combination of the trunk lines to raise the rate of freights and its prob- able effects, particularly as affecting New York inter- ests Altera little hesitation be consented to answer the following questions on condition that his state. ments should be taken down without even a verbal alteration, His general opinion upon the situation he was willing to express as follow: “lt has been a personal fight between the New York Central and the Baltimore and Ohio. I do not believe that Mr. Scott, of the Pennsylvania Central, and Mr. Jewett, the receiver of the Brie road, are against this settlement, [believe that Mr. Scott bas done ail ne can, legitimately, to advance the rates in the interest of the stockholucrs, Mr. Garrest willdo that in the end which will seem to him and his board of directors the most advantageous to the stockholders tbat he rep- resents, There can be a combination of the other tronk lines to advance the rates in case of Mr, Gar- rett’s rejusal, The tonnage from the West to the East 48 morethan allthe through lines can accommodate at the present time, and wil! continue to be go till the opening of navigation; I mean by tonnage, grain, live stock and provisions of ail kinds, RgrorTeR—w bat, in your judgment, will be the ad- vance in ratos {rom Chicago to New York? Mr. Hatca—From twenty to thirty cents on 100 pounds, which is equivalent to filtty per cent of the presept rates; and if made on business principles and after au equitable adjustment of ajl differences, this comnpact will last forever; if made by sleight of hand between the parties it will be broken when it 1s the interest of either party to break it. ReportRr—Bul, recognizing tho fact, Mr, Hatch, that you aro partially begging the question, is it not true that owner compacts of this character have been Violated by this same combination a few days or weeks after they have been made, and is not the samo result likely to occur in the present instunee f Mr. Harcu--No. Stockholders will take charge of their property at no distant day if their managers per- sist in conducting business ata loss The amount of money invested in railroad property, to develop tho country, is two and one-nait mes the amount of the government debt. Railroad stockholders are entitled toa fair divivend on their investments just as cer- “tainly as are the holders of government securities ; and let me add that personal and private dilferences will not be permitted, hereafter, to determine the manage- ment of these great properties. The large interests which are take are being gradually jorced to th wall and compelled to express a power that must eventually tell upon the plang of speculative directors, Rerort«R—With reference to the immediate furure in speculation us the result of this change what aro | your views ? GOING DOWN HILT. Mr. Hatcon—We have been going down hill for four years wutil our imports are about $200,000,000 less than our exports. Li the Silver bill passes—to make ver legal tender—and 18 signed by the President, it is equivalent to printing $1(0,0C0,000 of greenvacks perannum, Weare onthe eve of the greatest infla- on that has taken place since 1863. In view of the fact that the lake and canal navigation will be closed untti April or May thero 1s every reason to believe that both the New York Central and the Lake Shore rail- roads will have all the empioyment for their rolling stock that they can take care and it is but to suppose that they’ will make a better Anancial showing in consequence, at the end of that time, than they have been able 1 travel of the past six months. How much mere imanipulation may have to do with the changes in price 1 ain, of course, unabie to state. In five years past the Lake Shore Railroad has earned upward of $52,000,000, as shown vy ‘Poor's Manual.” Tho interest on their bonded debt and leased lines docs not exceed $20,000,000, Ths pens steel rails and machinery. aves about $64,000,000 to pay the running ex- and diviacnds and to expend oa the road in This certainly proves that it @ pretty good property amt tho pres. ent time. The condition of affairs generally, se far as speculation ig concerned, is an encouraging one, in view of the settiement that has been made, and while there is unquestionably no little manipulation in progress, there is evidence that somo ol the country people living on the line of the roads, likely to be ufected by this settlement, have sent thelr orders into the street In anticipation of the same, and are now legituuately “long” of stock. When I say legitimately, I mean the word in contradistinction to the ordinary speculative movements with which our people are farmliar on Wall stree MR. DAVID DOWS? VIBWS, A Henatp reporter called last evening upon Mr. David Dows, at lis residence im Twenty-third street, He said that he did not apprehend apy injury to the commission interests by the reported chango of rates; | jor be did not Lelieve that avy branch of trade can | bo permaneatly benelited ai the expense of any other, and af, as Was) likely, the railroads had been ing freignts at an uuremunerauye rate, be for one nge. Still, unives coaniry revives freights must com. tinue to be comparatively low; for the trunk lives, if there was a sharp compesition for freight, would in- Jy rau probts down lo the lowest living margin, No conibiuation could stand for any longth of time the eileets which would result from) a lack of busness guflicient to keep all the combining lines employed. One line would eecretly undersell the Text and as goon as this was known the agree ont would be In the present instw tere was likely to be sor some time a suilicient supply ot business for all the combining lines. The shipments of pork, in the form of bacon and lard, to European ports, Were not yet fully bogun, and it was probable that the present eemand for breadstufls in Europe would continue to increase. In fact sor the Inst thirty of forty days it = had been dificult to obtain cars @nough to ship the freight offered from the West, and complaints of this He was not aware of any the business of Uh e trom the West which would | ponas tor $1,047,000. | 39, 40, 42, the schedule adopted by the © Je himself had ho private arrangement with Mr. Garrett, and the only advantage which he looked for was that, as a large shipper, 1 tight be easicr for him to obtain traus- portation than for the smaller merchants—that is, he Might be favored by the railroad companies in tho EW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1876.—QUADRUPLE SHEET. supply of cers, He did not believe thay Mr. Vander- bit had any large or long running contracts outstand- jog with auy merchants sbippivg to the East which would interfere with the rates agreed upon. alt contracts, to bis knowledge, lad been on tue basis. of \ transportation at the current rates and a no fixea | eum named. There might be sume contracis of the ature referred to in regard to ireights bound West but it was not likely that those would be belt to in- Vahdate the present coutract aa a geveral rule, ile dia not consider that Mr, Vanderbilt had surrendered or sucriliced New York inte ta, und did not believe that any ope of the Unewe great existing cies Waé Nkely to obtain more than their fair sbare of trade by the vew apportionment of rates said to have been de- cided upon, A BEAR CORNERED. VANDERBILT'S NECROLOGIST TO BE FOUND AT THE CENTRAL OFFICY, The sensation of the 16th of October last, when a bogus telegram announced the death of Commodore Vanderbilt, 1s again recalled to mind by Detective Sampson’s arrest of the alleged autbor of the despatch yesterday. On the date above mentioned uo little excitement was created tn the ety by the report. Tho message had all the air of genuinencss about it, and was made espeetally trustworthy In appearance by the name of the Rey. Charles F, Deems being ap- pended, It read as toliows:— New Yoru, Oct. 16, 1876, To Assoctarxy Pruss, New Yorn :— Commodore Vanderbilt died this morning at twenty minutes alter ten, — Reporters especially requested not to all atthe house, Particulars will be given to the press, Rey. CHARLES F. DE The despatch was received st the branch office of the Western Union Telegraph Company on Broadway, op- posite the St. Nicholas Hotel, and when it reached its | destination the Aszociated Press sent out private de- spatchos to editors, and the nows was quickly bulletined at various newspaper offices, I¢ was fully an hour later before an authentic denial of the report was made public, and in the meantime the nows had ma- terlaily affected affairs iu Wall street, Pacifle Mail, Western Union and Delaware, Lackawanna and Western each fell considerably, and all tho other leading stocks were slightly afected, A great deal of speculation was afterward indulged in as to who was the author of the telegram, and us to what had been his motive in seuding it, The Associ- ated Press and Western Union authorities at once took steps to trace the matter to its source, but so much time had since clapsed in fruitless eflorts that litle hope was lately entertained of discovering the criminal SUCCESSPUL AT Last. President William Orton, of the Wostern Union, placed the case in the hands of Detective Sampson, whose ellorts were yesterday crowned with success. It seems thata baliman in the St. Nicholas Hotel, by the name of James McKinley, took the despatch, at tho request of a gentieman, tu the telegraph oilice directly opposite the hotel, on Broadway. Avother employs i the establishment, named Joseph Duun, also saw ibe person who wrote the message, and these two were called into service by the detective for the purpose of identifying the forger, They havo Deen since employed in the vicinity of the Stock £ change and other points where i was likely we crim. inal might appear, Yesterday afternoon the man was discovered on Broadway, near Wall street, and at once taken into custody by Detective Sampson. Tho pris- oner gave his name as Edward A. Condit, aged thirty- one years, and stated that he lived at No, 139 West Houston street, He was taken to the Wasbington Piace Police Court tor examination, and Justice Bixby remanded him unul Monday oext for further evidence, He 1s now confined in the Central Police Office. Its understood that Detective Elder rendered Sampson valuable assistance in procuring the arrest, WHO CONDIT 18. Condit’s residence is in a bourding house kept by a Miss Lake. It 18 one of a row of four story brick buildings, and its interior 1s furnished in a comforta- ble but not over eicgant fashion, When the HxraLp Tepreseutative called there Inst evening he was re- ceived by 4 gentieman who proved to be an intimato ind, as woll as fellow boarder, of Condit. From ‘this person was obtained a fow tacts regard- ing the occupation and character. of — the man under arrest. When the subject of the capture was (irst iatroduced, the gentleman shook his bead laconically and saia:—"*Why, Mr, Condit is totally ignorant of that forged telegram, they have suspected the wrong man,” Then heudded, torgibly :— “It isa pretty rougn thing to be charged with a crimo of neg sort when you don’t know anything about it at al ‘The gentleman further stated that he had known Condit for a long time, and was well acquainted with his afairs. He snid the prisoner was a real estate broker and dealer, having an office in the Evening Post building, and was possessed of independent moans, He had.been in the real estate business for thir- teen or fourteen years, ever since ho grad- uated from Princeton’ College. Condit was a single man, and very much respected by those who were intimate with him. The fellow boarder then proceeded to eulogize his triend in the highest terms, saying that he could not possibly have had any motive in mumitting the forgery with which he stands accused, und besides he was not the man to commit snch a crime, 1 was totally inconsistent with his position avd character. His arrest was a hugo mistake, and further examination he believed would show it. Condit, he said, often went to the St, Nicho- las. Hotel to send despatches, and they had identified bim under ‘a. msq] eusion. When asked by the writer it ho had seen Condit since his arrest, the reporter’s informant roplied:—‘Ub, yes; I have just leit him. Ot-eourse he feels pretty badly, and the prospect of pepe inacell over Sunday is not a pleasant one; but he'll come out all right.” The writer then took his Jeave of the cheerful fellow boarder and went to the Ceniral Station, where Condit is confined, THY PRISONER IN IS CELL. Upon entering the cosmopolitan establishment on Mulberry street the reporter wos shown to thecell, but not permitted to speak with the prisoner, as bis counsel had provided against it. The room in which Condit is confined is comparatively comfortable and kept. in a most orderly condition. There were two persons within, bat it required little perception to discern which was the one resting under the shadow of the law. He-sat apon the httie, low bed. with bis legs crossed under lim, tailor fashion, having relieved himself of coat and bouts, Condit appeared to be of something below modium stature, and is very siight in figure. He is of palo complexion, and his features are of a very ordinary stainp. He has light brown bair, blue, expressionless eyes, and wears a diminttive mustache, He looked very intently at the HeRratp representative when he entered, but betrayed no discomposure or uneasiness on account of bis situa- ton. What disposal will be made of himeven If found guilty forms. an interesting question for con- sideration, In an interview with Mr. William Orton, published in tho Henan of October 17, that gentleman used the following not very encouraging janguage:—“It seems useless to waste much ume on the matter, as when we do find the originators of the despatch wo wil! not be able to punish thom, because there is no Jaw to punish aman for sending @ bogus despatch. It is nota forgery ofa criminal nature, and it wedo catch them we can do nothing with them.’ A HEAVY INVESTMENT. NEW YORK PROPERTY VALUED AT THREE MILLION DOLLARS PURCHASED BY THE CHAKTER OAK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Hantronn, Dec, 16, 1876, One of the largest real estate transactions ever oc- curing in the United States has just been consum- matod by the Charter Oak Lifo Insurance Company of Hartford, in the purchase of New York real estato on Broadway, Broad street, &e., to the extent of over $3,000,000, One of the objects of the company tn pur- chasing this property was to place it among Its assots im substitution for $1,250,000 of the second mortzago bonds of the Connecticut Valiey Railroad, which have been held for four or five years past’ ~The transaction was effectod through Mr. Hf. J. Furber, of New York, financial manager of the Charter Oak Life, who first purchased from the company all their Valley Railroad property for $3,030,000, On this property the Charter Oak Lite hei orikage amounting to $500,000, mainly on tho Globe and Empire buiiings, and ou Nos, 78 and 80 Broadway, while there were other mortgages in favor of the Mutual Life Insuranee Com- paby and others of $800,000, making an aggregate of about $1,400,000, AU th's stage of the trang. aciion the company agreed to give Mr. Furber lor the property the sum of $5,000,000, requiring 06 in addition to the $1,047,000 of bouds to part payment and the mortgage of $400,000 held by the company. ‘Tho properties thus coming into possession of the Charter Vak Life are extremely valuable, and command high rentals for business pur- poses, On Broudway the buiidings bonght are Nos. 38, 69, 71, 73, 78, $0, 64 and 66, all below Wall street and inelading the great Kmpire block. On Broad street the propertios purchased are Nos, 17, 19 and 21, at the corner of Exchange place, also No. 33. On Exevange place Nox 45 und 47 are taken and on New etrect Nos 6, % 1%, 19, 24, 36, 53 and 4% The entire property, as' a’ mutter ot convenience for the company in securing returns therefrom, bas been lcared to Mr, Edward Mavtuews for two years from the first of May noxt, at an annanl rental of $212,100, for the payment of which Mr. Matthews has given amplo security. By this pur- chase, whieh, m practice, effects a trangier of its rail road bond assets inte New York city property, the barter Oak L asos LO have any further fnterest In whica baa been p ay and upheld by 1 for 3. Walkley, treally controll com years pust through efloria of Mr, J. who was President both of the railroad a surance company, but who ts now ene later by BE Wiggin, of Boston. The change of assets ia regardeu as highly advantageous to the company and to 18 policy holders in that there i secured real estate per cent net and mt- whieh, in which will fall advice and counsel of Mr. soba W. Stedinan, Tusurance Commissioncr of Connecticut, aud Gov. ernor-elcet Hubbard, the counsel tor the company. Mr. Stedman has given hts approval of tho transaction aiter @ personal inspection of the property, He then bought from Mr, Ed- « | ward Matthews, real estato. broker, of New York, the A FAMILY ‘FRIEND. Her Son. A LEGAL PUZZLE. Seldom has any event excited so much comment as the arrest of Mra Bertha Snyder, of No. 38 East Fourth street, for robbing Mrs. Eusebia Fitzgerald, of California, who was boarding in the foriner’s house, of a box of diamond jewelry, valued at $4,000, Mrs. Fitz gerala made the following affidavit of complaint against Mrs, Snyder bofore Justice bixby yesterday :— THK AYPLDAYIT, 5 That thisMeponent resides in ine city of San Fran- cisco; that she came to this city about three weeks J and, with ner son, became a bearder in premises 3 East Fourth stree pt by Mrs. Bertha Sn where she was to pay $20 per wee; that se the last week of deponeut’s bourd became due, had stolen from her about $50 money, the proceeds of a check by deponent since her arrival in this cisy. That this deponent has Iriends residing in Philadel- phia, and being pressed to pay a balunce due for board, amounting to $40, she stated to Mrs. Snyder that sbe would go to Mhiladelphia, leaving three of her tranks, coulaining the greater part of her wardrobe, worth many hundreds of dollars, as security tor this balance unul she could send the money or return with it trom Philadelphia, That Mrs. Snyder was not satisfied with | the proposals made to her by tis deponent. And de- ponent further says that at the time and place yafore- | suid she showed Mrs. Bertha Spyder » box containing the aforesaid property, while sho, the said Snyder, was in deponent’s siceping room, and that Mra. the room aud possession ot deponout, ‘That the trunks and contents which this depouent proposed to leave with Mrs, Suyder as security for the sum of $40, was well known to Mrs. Snyder to be worth many hun- dred dollars over the amount due for board. That since the taking of said property by Mrs, Snyder, she has dented that she ever took it, and denies all knowledge of the same, and says the statement made by de- ponent and her son as to the tak.ng of the property is false and untrue, And deponent charges that the taking and carrying away said property against ber | will was with the felonipus intent to deprive depon- ent of the same andto cheat and defraud her out of its entire value, which is not less than $4,000, EUSEBIA FITZGERALD. Annexed to the affidavit was the schedule of the stolen property, olready;publishea iu the Hznatp, THK BXAMINATION, At halt-past three o'clock all the persons were pres- ent. Mrs, Fitzgerald wore a brown and purple dress, a valuable sealskin sacque, and her blonde hair was tustefully arranged beneath a light gray hat, She was accompanied by her son, Horace Lee, aged eleven years. Mrs, Snyder, who was ‘plainly dreased, sat be- side her counsel, Mr. Price, Mrs. Fitzgerald gave the following testimony on her cross-examiyation:—I havo given my right namo; I reside in the city of San Francisco; | do not choose to say where; if I must answer, 1 hive in Washington street; I do not know what street my house is near, or what tho number is; I have lived in my own house there seven years; I left there on the 28th of May last; I went direct to Philadelphia, where I have been ever since | left California, with my ‘son; three weeks ago I left Philadelphia and camo here; I went to board at Mrs. Snyder’s; Colonel St Martin had engaged board tor me there at my request, Atthis stage of the proceeding Counsellor Price ro- quested that Mrs. Fitzgerald’s son Horace bo placed In another room, which was done, PLAINTIFE’S ACQUAINTANCE WITH COLONEL 8T. MARTIN. On tho examination beingresumed My. Fitzgerald said:—I have known cotdhet St. Martin for a great many years; he is an old friend of my first husband; I have known him go long that I cannot be positive how long; itis nottrue that I met him for the first time at tho Centennial; I came to this city to see alter a policy on my’ first. husband's lite; while in Philadeiphia; 1 lived with Mr. and Mrs. Morris, in Thirteenth strect; | do not know the number; when [ came here I went direct trom the depot to Mrs. Say= der’s; I did not stop anywhere on the way; I received a check for $300 from the insurance company; Colonel ‘St, Martin was not with mo; I was too ill to go out, and he got it for me and casbed it; this was on Mon- day last; when | cameto Mrs. Snyder's I did not rep- resent Colonel St, Martin as being my brother-in-law, Q. Did Colonel St. Martin pay your first week's board bill? A. I may say he did, bat with money of my own, & Borrowed money? A, Yes, borrowed money; the last 1 saw of the $800 was that I placed it in an envelope and put it in my pocket on Monday evening; Mrs. Spyder and my boy were in the room; 1 thought I pinned it in my pocket, but I now know [ must not have done so; Colonel St. Martin called and we went ut together; ho did not know 1 bad the money in my pocket; while I was placing the money in my pocket Horace said, “Mamma, don’t take the money out with you,’ and I suid, “Nonsenso, child; mamma won't lose it;’? I asked Colonel St, SMartin to go out with mo; I was in nocd of fresh air; I also wanted to buy some clothes for my son; Colonet St. Mart! nd I went to Dorion’s, in Fultop Market, to have somo oysters; on the way down Colonel St, Martin did not me about tho money; he did not know I had it; alter wo ate the oysters I paid for them with money 1 had in my purse; I did not discover the loss of the envelope con- taining the $800 until 1 reached home, WHEN THE DIAMONDS WERE TAKEN. Mrs. Snyder tock my diamonds between two and three o'clock on Wednesday; 1 sent my boy to Volonel St, Martin’s witha note; ho was not at his office, but came in the evening; I did not mention about the diumonds to him, because after I had written the noto Mrs. Snyder persuaded me not to make any troubie about it, as tt would be all right; she promised to give mo $10 to go to Philedelphia; on Thursday she said she was Lag to pay her gas bill, and would give me the money when she camo back; she wanted me to go out tor a walk, but I said I was 100 werried to go anywhere; Thursday evening Colonel St, diartin cae and said that the old woman bad been to his office tT him for money, and that be was greatly aanoyed rang the bell for Mrs. Snyder; hor servant auswored, and said her mistress was dressing; I knew that was not 60; I rang again and Mrs. Snyder camo; I taxed her with deceit, and said that she bad ample security for her paltry board bill in my baggage and diamonds; she then denied having my diamonds; and I t for the police; [ know the servant, Elien Dillon; w her on Thursday, after | had accused Mrs Suy- der of stealing my diamonds; I did not tell her that, if she swore she saw my box of diamonds im Mrs. Sny: der’s possession down stairs, 1 would give her $600, and take her travelling as my servant. WOULDN'T ITAVE BUCH A SERVANT, If she would do such a thing I would not have her in my service; I positively swear I did not offer her $500 tor either recovering my property or to swear against Mrs, Snyder. Q. Who is your present husband? A. I do not seo what that has todo with the case; I am not ashamed ot bim, Q You seem to be. What does he do in San Fran- cise A. He bas tull churge of the city and county hospital. Q, Do you know a Mr, Myles? A. Yes. @ Whoishe? A, Ishan’t tell you. Ask me any- thing about my family and 1 will, bat I will not say anything about my Iriends, Q -Did he not frequently visit. you at No. 88 East Fourth street? A. (indignantly). Yes, and so dia bis wife. Hea gentiemrn and she 18 & lady. @ Where does helive?: A. Lretuseto say. Judge Bixby—tl will not force the witness to answer any such questions, Counsellor Price—Your Honor will see the impor- tance of it when I say that 1 intend to prove the falsity of this lady’s statement, Judge Bixby—I adhere to my former ruling, but Mr. Myles? residence will he farnished you in private. Examination continued—I did pot take any box house on Thursday evening; it 1s truc that ¢ Ellon found my jewel box on the bed on Wednesday and placed it on the bureau; 1 did not show her any jewelry; I may have said thatit was my jewel box; the box was not on the bureau on Thursday; 1 never wrapped the box up in paper, THE WE GIVEN At this moment Ellen Diilon, the servant, who was sitting In the room, jumped up and sutd, You did.” Mrs. Fitzgerald's exatnination closing with her Jast an- Swer, hor son Horace was called. The boy on being placed on the stand preved to be one of the smartest witnesses over examined by the counsel. He said:— On Thursday | dia not go for Mr. 8 Martin; when Mr, St Martincame be said the Old woman bad been around to his place asking for money, and that there had been loud talking and that he was very much annoyed; when Sirs. Snyder camo into the room mamima ‘demanded her baggage and diamonds; Mra, Snyder threw up her hanus avd aid, “Your box of diamonds! why, you must be crazy!" sbe denied having them; mamma did not say toine, ‘You saw her take them—you can ves good Witness for me; 1 ¢o recollect Mra. Snyder ching me by the arm and saying, ‘Dare you say, before God, that I took those diamonds!” I saw, on Monday, marma put $800 tn her pocket and pin st; Colonel St, Martin came io and Went out with mamina; Mrs, Sny- der came into the room after and ‘sat down by the bec; Mra. Snyder took the diamonds on Wednesday, between two and three otclock; Mra, Snyder and mamma were the bureau; mamma was very angry and ; followed Mrs, Snyder around and demanded her dine monus; Mrs, Snyder she was an honest woman aud gave names as references, but no residences; Mamma asked her for a receipt but she said she could bot write; on Wednesday evening Colonet St. Martin came and I was sent out for cigars; I saw the servant, (illen) find the box in the bed on’ Wednesday; 2 did hot seo the box on Thursday, THE BOY CONTRADICTS MS MOTHER, After mamma had accased 8, Snyder 1 heard her ask Elion if she had seen the box with Mrs, Snyder down stairs, and tell ber if she found the diamonds sho would givo her $500." At this direct contradiction of Mrs, Fitzgerald by her son Mra, Spyder, who was Examination of Mrs. Fitzgerald and | j Snyder did there, against ber will and without | the consent of nent, violently take said | propery trom ohenvs possession, saying that she would hold the same as security” tor said bulance, and did carry the same away from | 1 donated seated by her lawyer, uttered an exc! she was at once checked by the cour: would leave the room if she did Bot Feprest any such demonstrations The boy coptinued:—"T did not tell Detective Slevth that {was lyrug on the sola when the diamonds were taken, ond not standing up; when we were in’ Vailadelphia the first piace 1 St. Martin was at Mrs, insiow and Thirteenth streets; the Cincipnati State militia, and wok Centenmw! grounds twice to not ju uniform. mama and 0 sev bis regiment, but w Mrs. Fitzgerald on being recatied said that she in- od to the detectives that sae would recompense them for recovering rty, but never mentioned $500 to the servant, Ellen Villon, personally. At this rtage the examination adjourned unt! to-morrow after- Boon, at tures o'clock. tn Justice Bixby Oading that Mrs. F i yu tzgerald was pen- would be responsible niless, told Mrs er that he for the amount of Mra. Fix der surrendered Mra, Fitzgeral taining her valuable Wardrobe, Captain Byrnes, of the Fiteenth preeimet, they procured board for Mra Fite gerald at the Grand Central Hotel, where she now is. |, _ In an interview bad by a Henan reporter with Mra, Fitzgerald, last evening, after repeating her story aa alresdy pubtis! she stated that Colonel St. Martin was merely a frei her former busband, and had no claim 6b bor W er, oF she 08 Lia. Mrs. Snyder, pear to-morro: toro, and said THE BERTH ¥AMILY. HUGO ADMITTED TO BAIL IN ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS—HIS BROTHER COMMITTED IN DE FAULT OF FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS BATI. Mrs. Catharine Berth, who, the day before yoster. day, was shot accidentally, it was claimed, by her has band, was lying at her residence in Chrystio street ins critical condition Jast night, Her wound is pronounced by the attending physician not necessarily fatal, Her j busband and his brother Hugo yesterday afternoon | went tothe Coroner’s office in company with a nuin- friends who bad volunteered to give bai! for the ers, While waiting for Coroner Woltman, Hugo wept like a child, probably more trom vexution, hows ever, than irom any regrets at past wrongdoing, Charles appeared to regard bis brother's dixplay of fooling as an intirinity, which he neither understood nor appreciated, When the Coroner appeared he deciared hus determination of taking no less than $5,000 bail ior Charles Berth and $1,000 tur Hugo, This ‘an- houncemeot seemed to discomfit the prisoners’ friends, who bad evidently looked for more lenient-terms. “Do you think,” Hugo cried, “that I, who breathed only tho 'Iree air of she prairies, can itv that cursed pit? Another night would kill would drive me mad." Then faite ax bofore, he exciaimed, “1 came Cheyeune to have a good time hero, 1 meet is a prison,’ A consultation of the friends of the brothers re. sulied in Adam Stenger, of No. 151 Bowery, giving Dail for Hugo. Charles, tailing to procure » Doudsmag for $5,000, was romanded wll to-day, when he hopes te find such a iriend, THE BROCK MURDER. paaaraibys It 1s three weeks since seutence was passed un Ryag and Oschwald, the alleged murderers of Oilicer Brock, in Newark, and sinco their counsel took steps lookiug | to the procurement of a new trial, They claim to have worked diligently ever since, but, owmg to “the jaw’s delay,’ the frst necessary step has not yet been ‘ully completed--the ‘certilication by Judge Dupue of the application to Chancellor Kunyon of a writ of error. There have had to be copied for this proceeding over 1,800 pages of evidence, It will be fully the middle of the coming week belore the papers are all ready to submit to the Chancellor ta begin argument upon. The counsel of the unfortunate men express the greatest confidence that the Chan- cellor Will grant the writ, and, that tuts granted and a pew trial ordered, they will make out soch a case for their chents as will renaer conviction impossible, SKATING, ho was released on her parole to ap- nied Mrs. Fitygeraid’s statement ta 10 would establish her 1nnoccnes, ber of brot! ma nd the first thing THE SEASON FAIRLY OPENED IN THE SISTER CITIES, ‘The skating season bas not yet been inaugurated at the Park, though the chances of the ponds being thrown open to the public at an early day are encour: aging, Ico has been making very rapidly within the past forty-olght hours, and the latest report to the proper authorities last ovening was that a thickness of over three inches was formod. As it requires but five inches to insure safety the boys and girls who are watching the street cars for the fluttering flog to tell them t ball is up’’ are likely soon to bo whirung from ond to end of the ponds festive as larks, the mu- sic of their stecl-clad fect keeping time to shouts of merry laughter. N The work of replacing the houses of shelter at the several ponds is progressing, and, now the Commis- sioners are again in (unds, there will be no further de+ jay in this respect. Three or four more days will suillce for their completion. The authoritics have given the curling clubs per- mission to use the Conservatory pond, seventy-fourth street and Fifth avenue, during the winter, and they are now prepared to take advabtago Of the first day the ice is in condition to lay out a rink. IN BROOKLYN. Un Monday morning a cold northwest wind swept over the surface of tne Broeklyn lakes and ponds and finally cemented tho thawing waters, to the delight of the ekating fraternity. That evening hundreds of eople visited the Capitoline pond and the Prospect ark lake and enjoyed tho opportunity presented ior indulgence in the first flash of winter sport on ico, But it was + not until yesterday that the rush be; At nine o’clock in the morning the mercury marked 37 degrees above zero. The cars wera early crowded by young people of both sexes wending their way to Prospect Park, There a magnificen ace of ice, covering tilly acres, was presented for thetr ons joyement, Tho ice was im excellent condition and a ‘largo force of the park policemen were constantly moving among the skaters maintaining tho best pos- sible order. the rules for the observance of the peo- plo who seck 10 enjoy tho privileges of the park Inko are properly strict, and their rigid enforcement makes tt the more agreeable for well disposed people. It is sup- pared that fully 3,000 men, women and children were on the lake yeaterday. The Capiteline pond was also welt patronized yester- day by a select assemblage of people. The ice wag in admirable condition, REVEREND MOTHER JEROME, Mothor Jerome, of the Sisters of Charity of the Diocese of New York, has again been clected Roverend Mother of the Order for threo years. This esteemed lady 13 one of the oldest mombors of the Order, and it a native of Baltimore, Sho camo to this city'in 1830 from St. Mary’s, Emmettsburg, Md., and established in Barclay street the Orst house of the Sisters of Cnar- oe north of Baltimore in the United States. Thao office of Reverend Mother has already been hold for ; two terms by Mother Jerome, her second term expir~ ing in 1873. According to the ralos of the sisterhood it can not be held by the same person for more thas two consecutive terms. GRAND JURY INSPECTION. Mersrs. W. J, F. Dailey, acting foreman; William Kemp, James T. Young, C. P, Cummings, ©. J. Delay van, Louis C. Hoppel, T. H. Abeelye, Ms Huddy and M. Hoxie, members of the Grand Jury, made a tour of inspection of she institutions on Blackwell’s Island yesterday. They visited the Lunatic Asylum, the Workhouso, the Charity Hospital and the other build~ ings on the island, and loft highly satisfied, like many other grand Juries in the past, after a good and sub. stantial lanch, After landing at Twenty-sixth street they called at Bellevue Hospital, waiked through the waras with the Wardon, Mr. J. F. O'Rourke, and exe pressed themselves highly pleased with the care and uiteation given the patients. BROOKLYN TAXES. It was announced by Tax Collector Furey yesterday thot on Friday last the collection of taxes and asscer ments amounted to $142,909 01, This sum makes th: total collections since December 1, $2,436,601 98, at average of $162,440 13 per day for the first baif of the present month, NuWS IN THE CITY. The annual bal masque at the Academy of Musia, given by the Cercle Francaise de |'Harmonie, will take place on Monday, January, 22, 1877. Captain Joseph J. Mackey has been appointed ad jutont of the Eighty-eighth regiment by Lieutenant Colonel James Doyle, in piace of Adjutant William Barry. On Friday night an unknown woman was found lying insensible on a seat in Contral Park, She died shortly after her removal to St. Luke's Hospital, Papers found in her dress pocket indicate that her name was Mary O’Brien. The body was removed to the Morgt The crow of tho Heath Park, who were rescued by the Cireassinn, wero seut home yesterday in tho stoamer Spain by the British Consul The mvostiga- tion inte the canses of tho wreck of the Cireassinn Wiil not take pince before Tuosday or Wednesday next, as the vessel hus to ve thoroughly examined, and the captain's report most be at hand before any systematic sqmiries can bo made, The annual communication of Atlas Lodge, No. 31@ F, and A. M., was held last evening In Masonic Temple | The foilowing wero chosen officers for the ensuing year:—William H. Corsa, Master; Joseph W. Dugliva, Senior Warden; Edward Doad, M. D.. Juotor Warden; John Gault, Treasurer; George: W. pba don Secretary, Johu Boyd, Louis Koelsch and Alexandor Frazer, Trustees; Henry G. Brown, Senior Deucon; Kovert A, | Wisdom, Janior Deacon; John Hutton avd Alexander MacBonald, Masters of Ceremonies; William Smith, Tiler, The installation ceremonies wore performed b; i W. Edward M, L, Ebiors, District Deputy Uread jastor,