The New York Herald Newspaper, January 24, 1877, Page 7

-RETRENCHVENT AND. REFORM. _—_— The Municipal Conference at the City Hall. VIEWS OF THE COMPTROLLER AND MAYOR, Speeches by William Cullen Brytnt, Peter Cooper. George W. Lane, Dorman B, Eaton and Ex-Mayor Wickham. THE REMEDIES TO BE APPLIED. Looking Toward Albany for Relief. The conference between Mayor Ely, Comptroller Kelly and a number of prominent citizens relative to Proposed reforms in our municipal government took Place yosterday ufternoon, The committee of mer- ebants and bankers arrived in the Mayor’s office shortly after three o'clock. WHO WERE THERE, Among the gentlemen present were William Cullen Bryant, Oswald Ottendorfer, Dorman B, Eaton, Jack- son 8. Schults, Henry Kergu, Peter Cooper, Thomas J, Creamer, Sinclair Touscy, George B. Hall, Joseph Se- Ngman, ex-Mayor Wickham, H. B. Claflin, William A. Booth, Howard Potter, John J. Cisco, F. D. Tappan, ‘George W. Lane, Theodore Roosevelt, John 'T. Agnew, David Dows, John A. Stewart, Levi ¥, Morton, Joseph H. Choate, A.R. Whitney, George D. H. Gillespie, Charlies 8, Smith and about twenty others, Comptroller Kelly, Aldermen Bryan Reilly, Pinckney, Cole, Gunt- zer, Cowing and Hall and other members of the city government were also present. At half-past ‘bree o’clock Mayor Ely called the meeting to order. MAYOR ELY SPEAKS. He said:—Gentlemen of tho committee, I would like ‘to say that I feel very greatly gratified by your pres- ence here this afternoon, and it convinces me that my mercantile and financial friends and the common people of the city generally are awakening to the knowledge tbat their full daty ascitizens is not dis- bharged by merely attending at the polls on the day of lection; that they have some further duty in the mat- tor, and that they should look iurther into tbe affairs of the city government and into the condition of those to whom they have intrusted them. I am very glad to have mot you here and will be very happy 10 Feceive any suggestions you may have to make, (Ap- plause.) DOES NOT LIKE PUBLICITY. Mr. William A. Booth, chairthan of the committee, , Yupposed that tho conference would be private and that it would not have been given so much publicity, Since 1871 thero bad not been so much interest mani- Jested as within the last month or two, Inevery quarter peoplo were found discussiug mutters concern- ing the affairs of the city government. Tho heavy debt of the city and the economical administration of public affairs were subjects which engaged the atten- Won of all public citizens. During the past twelve Years the city debt bas increased trom $40,000,000 to about $125,000,000 or $10,000,000, and the taxes bad increased to such ap extent that they were as heavy ascould be borne, 1t was an opinion quite general that the city and its commercial interests were hasten- tng into bankruptcy. On account of the municipal burdens borne by the taxpayers the business of the city was threatened with great reverst Mr. Booth tontended that what was wanted in the city govern- ment were honcsty, efllciency and economy 1m its ad- ministration, The present expenses of the city w much larger than they Id be. 1 was thought by many that the Mayor and Comptroller should be au- thorized to dismiss an. untaithiul member of any dopartment and get somo ono else to fill his place. It was believed that there were many sinecures which should be dove away witb, The gentleman advocated @reduction of all the salaries in the different depart- ments. If the debt should go on increasing great dis- tress must arise, . REFORMERS MUST BE ABLE MEN. Mr. Witham Cullen Bryant was the next speaker, ‘He felt somewhat embarrassou in speaking of Dnancial matters in the presence of men so eminent in busine: matters were those present. He was glad, how- ever, to fecl that he was Ip the presence of a man who ‘was tully sensible of the force and application of that great maxim of government, that the aflairs ot govern- Mont are to be exercised solely for the benefit of the community at large and that ho who attempts to per- vert them into instruments for his own personal ad- vantage is guilty not only of an abuse but of a crime. Bearcely less was the criminality of those who ran governments, whether national or local, general or municipal, as a party machine. The man who set himesell up as a reformer in a great city like this must be an able man and must be possessed of great cour- 2, One of the objects of the present commiftee was to offer to the Mayor, in any course of reform upon which he might determine to enter, a cordial sym- pathy and a hearty support. ‘THK LATE MAYOR ALLEN, An allusion was here made by tho speaker to the career of Mr. Stephen Alienas Mayor of this city. He complimented this gentieman in the highest terms, ating that he was so honest be did not suit the poll+ cians and he consequently wes not nominated for a second term. It followed down to the prosent aay that the Mayor who performed his whole duty to the city must expect to meet the opposition of that cl of men, and consequently needed the support of all Goed citizens. AN EX-CHAMBERLAIN’S OPINIONS. Mr. George W. Lane, tormerly City Chamberlain, next addreased the assemblage. He said that not only in this city, but all hone ge the State, where in stitutions held the securities of the city, there was a feeling of great anxiety. Whenever he (ifr. Lane) had been spoken toon the subject he had replied that if the debt was not increased there need be no fear. If, however, this debt went on increasing he could not say what the result would be. Many per- sons bad suid to him that ifthe debt Kept on increase jug they would not take (ct dyin of our securities and would sell those which they held. As soon ag this took place the credit of the city was gone. It there- Jore behooved everybody to look the question squarely in the face. ‘The credit of the city rested with the pres- cut Mayor and Comptroller, and it would not go beyond them. “lt was with them to adopt such methods as would confine the indebtedness within its prosent limits, and it possible insure its reduction. PETER COOPER'S PLAN. Mr. Peter Cooper aroso, with a long document in his hand, and called the attention of the meeting to a plan which he had submitted to Mayor Havemeyer in 1842 for the consolidation of tho Police and Fire depart- ments, which, he argued, would savea great deal of money to the city. DORMAN B, EATON’S IDEAS, Mr. Dorman B, Eaton argued in favor of economy in the reduction of the pumber and compensation of em- ployés, Inagreat many instances they would bave to go to Albany, but the Mayor and Comptroller haa authority in other cases. After some farther remarks Mr. Eaton presented tho following resolutions for considoration of the meeting— THE RESOLUTIONS, Resolved, That by our words as well bere we wish to declare our conviction :. That it isno les» the duty of all good expecially of men of intelligence and propert sud ald the officers of the city in all their effor administration, than it isthe right of cach citizens to con- a a such officer whenever they muy be re. ‘by our presence cltizens, und "ty, to defend ry for abuses, 2. That it is « condition of real reform in our city admin- rather as @ inass of business, to 8 upon business princi than asa mattor of poiitien, 0 aged in the Interest of any party or of - arty loaders. That the incronse of the city debt should be at onc rested, and the current city taxation and income be m equal to tbe current expenses; and s moderate sinking fund should be provided. : ‘4, That there should be an {mmodinte réduction of all thove sularies and expenses which, by reason of an inflated ney or other causes, have clearly been fixed at too high # rate; and ay the earliest moment practicable there should be # general and systematte reduction and etassifien- tion of knlaries and of the official And clerical force of the elty, based upon # caretul examination of the numbers and nsution necessary to secure economical and efficient administration. %. That the permanent city debt should be funded in bonds jod to ran and at the lowost rate of inter- ved for tho Irequent issue of short by appropriate arrangements and having a lon pail feat je . 6. That itis much to be desired that tho existing Com- mission on City Affairs shov!d make an early report, so that She way may be open for furtuer reforms in the struc e city government. and especially for secnring to who pay the taxes @lnrger influence as to the mse to be made of the moneys with which they supply tho city treasury. A SHOT FOR THK LOCAL STATESMEN. After rendivg these resolutions Mr, Katon continued #is romarks, Ho said, incidentally, that they, tho mombers of the committee, ought to repent in sack Gloth and asbes for not taking a deeper interest here- tofore in public aflairs in tn city. They had allowea partisan politicians, pettitoggers, briciloss lawyers aud Other di le characters to pillage avd plunder LER KELLY REP sat down Com When Mr. Kato dresacd the committee, He was received with ap. plause, He bad liste very attentively to the tirst kers and aiso to what had vee 5 ‘agreed with that gentienan that th existed in this city Were mainly attributable io legisine Hon at Albany, Mr. Kelly then continued by saying <1 agree with him also that the people of this city, Fo | wealthy, 80 influential, so intelligent, should not permitted this clase of legislation to be carried cut oy f the pratiication of their own se designing men ends. The debt ot this cily has become exceedingly Jargo, aud it behcoves every one whe has any mierest here to take sieps to los ma ent It becoming : ’ by, fhoan be dune i tue Way see emed hal yeu the proper quarter, id that is at Albany. When you censure the public officers of «thin city for the increase of the debt you muke a mistake, The people who hold official positions here all render services {or the money that they receive. There may be some of them that recive too large salaries; Dut, 60 faras my knowledge extends, | do not know of any sinecures connected with the de- partments of this city at the presepttme. I have Dot the least doubt that if you gentlemen co-operat th the officials of this city much good will be done. You must understand that the duties of the Mayor are very onerous, and 80 ure the duties of Comp- troller, It has been a matter of astonsbment to me that the late Comptroller should have been able to have performed the labor which he did perform in the hmited time allowed for these duties, It 1s probably not bis fault nor avy person's particular fault, but the confusion connecied with the office, the derange- ment of tbe office, tho want of system connected with the office, compares very unfavorably with affairs as they are conducted ina mercantile house, If at the very beginning and inception of reform that was brought about here in ast you had continued the aid which you then bestowed’ probably you would not pow have had anything to complain of, You should not have allowed the men connected with your departments to go to the Legislature i get laws pasged whieh they thought would be of great benefit to the party, but which in the end accomplished great injury, As regards commissions, [ in the bill now belore the Legislature a proposition to reduce the num- ber of commissions. My experience has clearly demon- Strated thts fact—that you cunuot get along well without three Polico Commissioners, Mr. Kelly then went on to dilate upon points which have already ap- peared in his interview publishéd im yesterday's eRaLD, He concluded by presenting a lengthy state- ment relating to the Finance Department. MR. KEDLY'S STATIS Be The Comptroller showed that the bonded debt of the city, December 31; 1878, amounted to $142,002,713 28, leaving the nes bonded debt, after deducting 102 79, the amount of the sinking iund, at 610 49, At the same date there were out- standing revenue bonds payable from uncollected taxes: amounting to $6,104,844 51, and also the debt of the annexed towns of Westchoster county, for which the city of New York is liable to the amount of $1,245,000. From 1873 to 1876 tho sinking fund paid off $6,949,657 50 of thecity debt. The sinking fund should be applied to the whole bonded debt of the city payable trom taxation, It was believed to be ample for that purpose’as well as for the payment of that portion of the debt provided for by payment from the sinking tund, This would spread taxes over a series of years, and the dett payable from taxation would be finally redeemed and cancelled with- out excessive taxation at any ove time, During last peal the revenues of the sinking funda for the redemp- ion of the city debt amounted to $2,698,344 23, while the reveuue of that tund to be applied to the payment ‘of interest on the city debtamounted to $1,698,181 45, The revenues of the city would doubtless be largely increased and taxation proportionately reduced by openiug up new sources of revenue und by Strict enforcement of collections. Ferri: nd strect railroads were, many of them, largely in arrears for dues to the city, and they could bo fairly made to contribute more revenue to the city for the privileges they enjoyed, for the relief of taxpayers. The appro- priations composing the city budget for the present year, amounting in the aggregate to $30,984,260 48, were set forth in detail in the Comptroller's statement; also, that it was proposed tusell tne real estate belong- ing to the city which was not in use or necessary for public purposes and apply the proceeds to the reduc- tion of the city debt, a proposition which was entitled to serious consideration. The church property and all their corporate and private property should be equitably assessed for all street improvements, and vacations and remissions of assessments should be absolutely probibited by law. city treasury had lost millions Of dollars trom the failure of the law to enforce the yment of assesements on property benefited by street improvements; that the arrears of taxos on 1 ainounted to over $12,000,000, and that on personal estate to over $5,000,000; tbat. there wero Arrears of taxes amounting to more than $600,000 duo on city revenues from street railroads, ferries, &c. ; thatthe amount of arrears remaming uncoliected December 31, 1576, was $10,333,515 54; that the amount of advances on contracts for works not com- pleted and for which assessments had not beon confirmed atthe samo date was $11,167,793 30, and that several of theso last named amounts must be charged to th city at large. Tho statement presented by the Comp troller will be printed in full tor the convenience of the committee. EX-MAYOR WICKHAM’S HOT SHOT. Ex-Mayor Wickham said be was surprised to observe the ignorance displayed by some gentlemen present in regara to the actual condition of the city. He en- deavored to show that the budgets for the past years were as economical as possible, and a great part o/ the moneys raised irom the city of New York wont lor State tax, for charitable institutions and other purposes made compulsory on tho city by legislation at Albany. ‘the Department ot Police requires $3,000,000, Board of Education requires $2,700,000 tor salari the Judielary is a largo item in the city tax levy, an none of these departments nor the salartes attached were under the control of the officers of the city gov- ernment. There was not one dollar of the judiciary appropriation that the Board of apportionment was responsible for, The taxable charities of New York came within $200,000 of the amount appropriated for the public institutions. He had heard a good deal about sinecures and dis- honest officials, but he doubted if there were in reality 350 officials in tho actual omploy of the city government, and bo did not believe any of those places were sinecures. The tax levy jor this year was $27,000,000, the rate 2.60, and he could no! Ow it Could be much reduced by any retrenchment on tho part of the real officers of the city government, Tho city was paying, by legislative enactmont, $100 and $110 per capita to n great many of these private charitable institutious, and these enactments were assed during | war times, How the eity debt as it at present stands could be reduced he did not see; the debt was there, and it had to be paid. The city credit was the best credit in the market, and the city bonds were as good and ought to bo us good as Untied States bonds, Uf course it was desirabie that they should be placed at as low a rate of interest as possible; but he appealea to any gentleman present if he possessed a large quantity of city bonds payable in a specified time, olther in his own right or representing aon imatitution, it be would bo willing to exchange them for long bonds at a lower rate of interest. Ex-Mayor Wickham concluded by saying that he did Dot wish any ofthe gontiemon present to go away with the impression that the officers of the city government for the past few years were in any way responsible for the accumulation of the city debt complained of; that all possibie measures had been taken for retrenchment and reform, and as far as the Board of Apportionment ‘was concerned the work done was all that could be expected, A COMMITTEK TO BE APPOINTED. Mr. Theodore Roosevelt moved that tho resolutions presented by Mr. Eaton be adopted, and Mr. Charles G. Smith moved as an amendment that a committee of fivo be appointed toact with the Mayor and Comptrol- ler to promote legislation in the spirit of the resoiu- tions offered. This motion was carried, Mr. Booth said he would not appoint this committee until he had carefully considered the matter with other genticmen who were active in the new move- ment for re(orm. TH MAYOR'S CLOSING REMARKS. The Mayor said that he had been more or less quainted with all the mayors since tue time of Mayor Variau, and he thought that they bad been all well- meaning gentiemen. He had no doubt that they would have done much better had the people of the city been more aympathotic and the press a little more charitable. He also thought that they had now en- tered upon a new and a better era, and he could only say that if any representative gentiomen of the pree- ent meeting should wish to call upon bim (and he would speak for the Comptroller also) they would be very happy to co-operate with them for the purposes of the public good, The meeting then adjourned ject to the call of the committee of five to be ap- pointed, WAS VIRTUE ENSNARED? THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FUNK-VIRTUE STORY— THE PROPERTY GIVEN AS A TESTIMONIAL OF REGARD. An account appeared in the Hxraup of Sunday ofa suit of the executors of the Jate William A. Virtue to recover certain property deeded to General Funk, Miss Bellow and others by Mr. Virtue, The case is now pending in the Suprome Court of this State, and the acgount referred to was founded upon the statements of the platutiffs as filed in the court records, The story of the defendants shed addi- tional light on the case, T ho suit is brought to recover the property at No. 12 Dey street, valued by the de- fondants at about $20,000, By u will dated September, 1874, the entire property o: the late Mr. Virtuo was Jott to relatives in England, Previous to his death Mr. Virtue deeded the property m question to Stiss Bellew, in trust tor General Funk. The defendants claim that the property was given to them in good faith, and contend that the plaints have no evidence to the contrary, The following clause from the plaintifls’ affidavit 1s quoted as show- ing that no positive evidence exists that any undue in- fluence Was exerted over Mr. Virtue by the defendants, ‘The affidavit states that it 18 nad nents of & numver of parties during ne of suid Willian A. Virtue, Such information was obtained in de- tuched portions, a little from one person and a lite from another, and that it would be linpessible for de- ponent to give the Dames of the different persons trom whom such pieces of information bad been obtain And upou hig iuformation thus derived after the tacts aforesaid, he states that the allegutions of said com- plaint, aud which be hereby repeats, are true,” &. Wilham A. Virtue and General Funk, 1 1s 'stated by the colendunts, were for years warm personal Iriends aud companions. This constant companion. stip resulted ju a friendship that remained unbroken until the ceath of Mr. Virtue, He aied in Angust, 1875, by apoplexy, being tl only three days, Up to the time oF bis prosteation be attended regularly to lis business affairs, and resided most of the time in Irving place iu a bouse immediately adjoining the residence of General Funk, Two monibs pre- vious to Lis deatu, wishing to give the G a “tangible exprestion of his regard,’ he gave hia the te General Funk berms iw bank sthne tue property was de trust for tim, This deed w ‘The defendants clam that the navter Was -ht and clear, ane str s matter comes before tue court are contident ofa ver- diet. TOO MUCH COAL, Henry Rermers, a canal boatman, was skin Jor steal me Cwenty-two t iv aa Piitads iphia and Keating gal Company me cuber last, Whie be was caplain Last event arrested ini apuiomon, should wxviciae your iullueuwe lm | 06 tue caual vont Novo, ns ot AY By NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, A GREAT SOCIETY’S WORK. WHAT H4S BEEN DONE BY THE NEW YORE SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN DURING THE YEAR JUST CLOSED—ABSTRACT OF THE SECOND ANNUAL REPORT. Probably one of the most interesting and instructive of the numerous anoual reports of the various socie- thes of this city is that of the second annual report of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, now in readiness to be given to the public. The society was organized by an act of the Legisiature passed on the 2st of April, 1875, and, although in operation but two years, the amount of good already accomplished by 11s members from president down can scarcely be estimated, Like its kindred society established by Mr. Bergh to repress cruelty to animals, the Society for the Preven- tion of Cruelty to Children has had its obstacles to contena with from the commencement of its work; but, by diligence aud the perseverance of its members and friends, it has successfully combated everything tending to detract trom its usefulness, aud its friends now are congratulating it upon the great work it bas done, Its president, Jobn D. Wright, in his imtroduction to tho report, says:—‘lt is not in the province of tho benevolent and other societies of the city to rescue from the dens aud slums of the city thoso little unfortunates whose childish hves are rendered miserable by the constant abuse and cruelties practised on them by tho human brutes who happen to possess the custody or control ofthem. This work the Society tor the Prevention of Cruelty to Childron undertakes and proposes to curry out, Ample laws havo been passed by the Legislature ofthe State for the protection and prevention of cruelty to little chilaren, The trouble seems to be that it is nobody’s business to enforce thom. Hence the cuild beaters livo in comparative security. Hence the children, hardened by bru- tality and eruelty, grow up to be men and women scarcely ess hardened than their tyrants, The society proposes to enforce by lawful means and with energy the laws referred ‘to, and secure ina like manner tho prompt. conviction aud punishment of every violator of theso laws, Instead therefore, of interfering with other societies it will aid them,” Secretary E. L. Jonkins, in his report, wishos par- Ucularly to call attention to the gratilying progress which the society has made during the past year throughout the city and country, He says:—"At the instance of the society similar organizations have been formed in this and other States. At the present time there are seven district societies, three of which are in this State, besides ‘al others pow in process of ‘formation throughout — the country. ‘They have adopted our emblem, thus recognizing ours as tho parent society. ‘hero have been within the year just wrminated 197 cases prosecuted, 223 children rescued and found bomes or Placed in justitutions, Those cases disposed of through the milder iustrumentality of remonstrance or warning and occasional visits by our officers are far too numerous to mention. TH “WONDER” NUISANCE ABOLISHED, “The hiring out and use of children as gymnasts, acrobats, circus riders, &c., in our city has been en- tirely suppressed and throughout tho country it has received a check, Several cases bave occurred in which very young children have veen used for tho purposes mentioned and after con- siderable trouble and expense the society has succeeded im rescuing them trom hives of torture and placed them im good homes Their treatment is described by them and others as hor- rible, and affords conclusive evidence that the busi- ness of training young children for nearly it not all public exhibitions should bo discontinued throughout the country. During the year correspondence has been opened with many large cities in order to extend our work. Numerous letters of sympathy and com- Mendation have boen received from England, France, Germans, Russia and Australia, Tho National Prison Congress by resolution greets the society and ex- tends to us their warmest sympathy.” Included in the secretary’s report is a dotailed statement of the most important cases in which the = societ; bas been engaged during the past year. it enumerates revolting specimens of bru- tality to children by fathers, mothers, brothers and those to whorn tho little unfortunates were indentured, Among the most interesting mentioned 1s that of See dastian Zangliant, who was arrested while a member of Montgomery Queen’s circus in San Francisco, and the boy “*Littlo Harry” was rescued trom him. The boy 1s now under the protection of President Wright Tho other was tho rescue of three boys from ‘Professor’ Low, of Smith & Murray’s Circus. The oldest of the trio 18 now uncer the care of the Catholic Protectory, and hig two intantile companions in misery are cared for by tho American Femaie Guardian Society. Both Smith and Marray were indicted by the Grand Jury of Dutchess county, and are under $500 bonds each to ap- pear for trial during the February term of court. WHERE THK RESCUED WERE SENT. Tho following 1s the disposition made of children at the instanco of the society :— Homes tound or situations obtained or......+.0... 26 Stolen, lost or strayed cl ren returned to parents 25 Sent to American Female Guardian Society and Home for the Friendieas.......... tee ceeeeeee Sent to Association for Befriending Children and Young Girls. sess Sent to Children’s Ald Society. eee 2 Sent to Commissioners of Churities and Correction. 15 Seut to Foundling Asylum of the Sisters of Charity, 6 Sent to Hospital, Charities and Correction. 2 Sent to Institution of Mercy Sent to New York Sent to New York Juvenile Asy Sent to Nursery and Chiid’s Hospital Sent to St. Mary's Free Hospital for Chiidren, Sent to Society for the Reformation of Juvenile De. linquents..... Bent to St. Joseph’s Asylum, Sent to St. Stephen’s Home for Children Sent to Union Home and sehool..... Sent to Women’s Aid society and Hor Jess Girls, Total... The troawuror’s report for the year just closed is as follows Recetved during tho yea Expenditures during t Balance in Bank ot America. ..........04+. $2,077 87 THE SOCIETY'S COWORKERS. ‘The Board of Managers of the society heart!ly con- gratulate ite friends and supporters on the success which has attended its labors in the past year, ‘They say that the passage by the Legisiature in 1876 of an act entitlod wn act ‘to provent and punish wrongs to children’? has considerably assisted the society, as under its provisions it has been able to do much toward relieving the sullering of the little ones aud to punish many of their tormentors, and to deter otbers trom acts of cruelty. The Attornoy General of tho State nas authorized tho attorney of the society to appear and act for the people as counsel in all actions and pros- ecutions instituted. District Attorney B. K. Pheips bas acted CEA Societies modclled after the parent organization of this city have been formed in Rochester, Bullalo, Clevo- land, Philadelphia, Portland and San Francisco. These and others that will be established will investi- gate apd prosecute when necessary in all cruelty to ch edge. Tho society in this city earnestly entres porsons to report without delay to sts officers evoryg case of positive cruelty, in order that it may act,on the same, In all cases when an officer 1s notitied t6 mak Qn arrest and refuses bis number and name is desired, The following are the names of tho officers of tho society :— Prendenbd—Jonn D. Wright. Vice Presidents—James Brown, Jonathan Thomas, Robert L. Stuart, F. ve Peyster, Honry Bergh, James Stokes, Heed Roosevelt, wel Willetts, L. 1. ), Hicks, 7 king, Collector—J, ¥. Griflin. LIFE INSURANCE, THE NEW JERSEY MUTUAL DISBARRED FROM MASSACHUSETTS—A REFEREE IN THE CONTI- NENTAL CASE. Deputy Superi ndent McCall yesterday made a re- port to the Insurance Department of his olllcral ex- amination of the Washington Life Insurance Company. In this document he states he very satisfactory condition of the company is attributable to the man- agemont of its affuirs by able, prudent and honorable men, It gives me pleasnre to stato that ina minute and exacting investigation I find nothing to condemn but on the contrary much to commend’? Mr, McCall discovered the total admitted assets of the Washing- ton to bo $4,174,278 $3; total Mabilities as regards policy holders, $4,386,685 83; surplus, $786,593. The New Jersey Mutual Life has been debarred from doing business in Massachusetts by order of tho Insurance Superintendent of that State, The examina- tion by the New Jersey Departinent is stil being delayed by the tardiness of the officers of the company in presenting their anous) stavement, THY CONTINENTAL COMPANY, The apporntinent by Judge Pratt of a reterce to assist iy nuravelling the arcana of the Continental Lite In surance Company may serve some geod purpo-e eventually, but 10 now makes the situation more per- piexing than ever, Hau such a step been taken a wouth earlier the results must have be advon. tageous, As it is, the Insurance Department seeins avont to obt control gi the concern, and | once having done so will require no assist in neking plaw tue frets conceruing the tui! the Iriendly receivership which followed. Judge Pratt's order has provoked much contradictory com- Ment amoug insurarce men, Some believe it ig an Important step toward the desirea iuvestigation, while others aro inclined to regard tt with suspicion. The Fcontiiet has become so confused that it 19 not & new battery belongs. a Allen Butler, who received the appoint. ment, is at present im Washington, bat will return shortly und enor upon the tuldimeni of bis duties in the Continental olive, JANUARY 24, 1877.—TRIPLE SHEET, ENGLISH TROOPS IN NEW YORK. EXPECTED ARRIVAL OF THE FORTS-8SRCOND HIGHLANDERS—EN ROUTE TO BRITISH CO- LUMBIA, Among the changes in tho stations of the English army recently ordered is included the transfer of sev- eral regiments to Nova Scotia and it is stated that detachments more or iess strong are to take post at Esquimault, Vancouver Island and at other points in British Colum- bia, It will be remembered that immediately after the Dominion Confederation was formed all regular soldiers were withdrawn except from Halifax, where @ considerable furce has been maintained. The garrie 80n at that place at present consists of the Sixtieth Rifles (Royal American Regiment), the Eighty- seventh Royal Irish Fusileers and the head- quarters and four batteries of the Seventh brigade of field artillery. The Twentieth toot and the Ninety-seventh foot are now umler orders and probably on their journey to Nova Scotia, The most expedi- tious and convenient route for the troops intended for service in Puget Sound to reach their destination 18 by way of New York ana the Pacific Railroad. ly ta understood that an application has been made to the United states government for permission to use this means of transportation, which would spare the men @ very loug and harassing march over the desert country extending trom Lake Superior to Frazer River, or the great inconvenience and aelay of pro- ceeding by way of the Isthinus of Panama to Victoria, ‘The friendly concession requested is not likely to be withhold, nor is it the frst time that a similar request has been made and granted. We may, thereforo, expect to have the city enlivened at an early day by, tho presence of several huadred of Her Majesty's troops, who will no doubt be allowed a short breatbing spell dolore starting on thoir trip across the continent, It is very certain that they will be kindly received and that many citizens will be disposed to mako them the objects of special attention. THE VORTY-SKCOND MIGHLANDERS EXPECTED IN 1858, 4n 1868 New York was ip expectation of the arrival of the Forty-second Highlanders (Black Wateh), one of the crack regiments of the Koglish army, This corps, too, had received orders to proceed to Puget Sound in viow of the disturbed, if not threatening aspect of affairs growing out of thd disputed title to San Juan Island, which, under the provisions of the Treaty of Washington, was decided by tho Emperor of Germany 1m favor of tho United States. General H ney, Who was then tn command of the Pacille division, rejected in foto the British clam, and sent a company of the Ninth infantry to the island with instrucuons to hold it ugainst all comers. Goverhor Douglas, of Vancouver Island, was equally determined to assert the rights of the’ Hudson Bay Company, and was backed up by seven or eight mon-ol-war. These vessels unchored belore tho fortilied camp of the Americans, and matters for a time looked very squally, At length General Scott was despatched to the scune of the ailll- culty, A joint occupation by British and American troops Was agreed upon until the question in contro- versy should be settled by the respective governments, and Harney, the brave and impetuous soldier, was 01 dered Kast, Tbe matior of title to San Juan was con- siderea too unimportant to cause any serious misun- derstanding between the two countrics, but it arose at a timo when rich and extensive discoveries of gold were reported on the banks of Frazer River, which had the effect of causing the rush of about 15,000 adventurers trom California into British Columbia, which up to that time hud been uninhabited, oxcopt by a fow wild Indians, and as dreary a waste and as inbospitubie a climate as couid be found south of the Arctic Circle. It turned out that the precious metals were scarce and diMcult to obtain, There was consequent want and suffering among the large num- ber ot emigrants who sought to become suddenly wealthy, and there were many deaths among them. They were, bosides, very much discontented with the oppressive regulations ostablished by Governor Dougias, an official they soon learned to cordially de- test aud even threaten, In this condition of things tho English government appeared to have determined to send a strong inilitary force to British Columbia, and the Forty.second Highlanders was selected tor the ser- vice, The act was not intended nor was it viewed by the United States as affecting the good understanding between the two governments The disappointed Americans were most anxious to get back to California and the fladson Bay autuorities were equally desirous to get rid ot them, The Highlanders were to act as police and seo the business carried out without disor der. Thoir taking New York ia on their journey (with the consent of the United States) therefore yave eneral § satisiaction. Preparations «were made for = extending = tos the = Black = Watcha. bearty welcome. A day was fixed for their sailing from Liverpool. The Common Council took the matter in hand and hold several meetings to devise measures for entertaining them on their arrival. But the Highlanders never came, ‘the orders tor their doparture wore couatermanded, and in their place was gent a body of artillory and engineers, who quietly passe1 onto Esquimauit, the harbor of Victoria aud the headquarters of the British fleet in the Pucitic Ocean. PROBABLE MOTIVES FOR TRANSFER OF TROOPS. Tho object of sending troops to Vancouver island at tho present moment may possibly have some con- nection with the War cloud bow ominously looming up an the east of Karope. At has been uoticed that ten Rus- sian men-ol-war have joined company in the barbor ot Sun Francisco, These vessels formed the imperial squadron stationed ou the Amoor and in the Okhotsk Sea, und were uot exposed to any danger ot attack from a superior Turkish naval foreo, The armed snips ot European Powers gtationed in China and Japaneso wate! however, not very far distant from t coasts of Siberia, and it will be remembered thata combined Engligh and French fleet attempted in 1854 to capture Potropauiovski, und were driven off with sevore loss, It 1s ousy to account for the Russian Mediterranean squadrdn retiring before the presence of ap overwhelming hostile forge and veeking a friendiy harbor in Chesapeake Bay; but the rendezvous at san Francisco must be taken to imply an apprehension of danger from other quarters than that of the Ottoman Empire. The despaten of troops to Esquimauit and the recent reinforcement of the English fleet im the Pucitlc by two powerful iron- clads aro facts of peculur significance It 18 true that the people of Vancouver Island have lately manitestod much dissatisfaction at what they consider unfair treatment by the Dominion governmentén failing to build @ railroad, which: was one of tho conditions of joining the Confederation. Smarting under this ‘neglect mony of the tuhabitants have declared that their condition would be much improved by annexa- tion to the United States, und that in any event they would secede from Canada unless the agreement rela- tive to the railroad wus carried out without delay. Lord Duflerin’s visit a few months sinze did not mend matters, and the colonists, though few in number, continue to declare that they will not submit to a con- nection that hus so far proved injurious instead of beneficial to them. However, the idea of coercion, or any occasion ariging jor the use of it, is not enter. tained in any quarter. The colonists will be pleased to find tho soldiers stationed among thom. It will turn ont that itis for other purposes that they go to British Columbia; that it is anticipation of possible foreign and not domestic troubles that bas led to the transfer of troops to the British possessions in America, IN NEW YORK. Tho presence in New York of un organized body of British troops will be a novel occurrence, Since 1858 we have become better acquainted with milita matters and With Various unitorms, from the zouay to that of the piain boys in blue, The Highland cos- tume, too, bas become more familiar, and even the Forty-second would not create much of « sensation in that respect im these times, Notwithstanding the red coats when they come will be decided objects of in- terest. Their passage through New York inay be ac- cepted as an indication of the uneasiness that exists in Europe and aa an omen that the continuance of gen- eral peace 18 regarded as uncertain, THE LATE JAMES HEALY. Ata meeting held at the International Hotel. of the Tammany Hall Goneral Commitiee of the First assem. bly district Inst evening, Judge Dully presiding, tho following committee, appointed at the mooting on Sun- day last—Jadge Dennis Quinn, Andrew W. Leggett, James Wilson, Patrick Korrins and Dennis Keenan— reported through their chairman the following resola- tion in relation to the death of the late James Heaty, which was wnanimously adopted and a copy ordered to be sent to bis family :— ‘hereas it has ploased the Alinighty in His divine provi- uove from our midst Hon, J aly, tee und mem Assembly doath of James Healy this commit: no otits mst energetic and naetul membe tee has lost and tho First Assembly district a representative wh iny tour lextrlntive sessions, by his vote and. voice in the Assembly, always proved nimself the faithful detender and advocate of the interests of hiv constituents, As a legisiator ho never proved unfaithful to the trusts confided in He was a tr friend, whose generosity was pro- verbial, a kind father and a loving husban THE EMERALD CHARITY BALL, The Emerald charity ball, given annually, will occur this evening at the Brooklyn Academy of Musiq, It will be the thirty-ninth in the series given for tho ben- efit of the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum. Prepara- Hons ob A grander scale tuan ever have been tiade, und it 18 expected the uflatr will eclipse all previous efforts, THE MASSON HOMICIDE. In the Essex County Oyer and Terminer, at Newark, yesterday, the trial was continued of George Steckert for the murder of Jacob Masson, Most of the day was taken up in the examination of Paul Gressell, an eye witness of the murderous assault on Mass Joseph and William = blinger. — Gressel dence went ‘to prove that alter ert had stabbed Oberle and others undertook to disarm bim of his knife, Steekert flew at him then and hacked bim with it im the back and abdomen. He deseribed Steckert as otherwise show. ig & Inost murderous disposition, The Kilinger boys are nephows of Steckort. They corroborated Gressell Lr substantially told the same statement, already published In the Hunan, Tho case is atill on, - THE PROBLEM OF THE HOUR, MR. PARKE GODWIN ON THE SITUATION—SHARP CRITICISM OF RETURNING BOARDS—THE DEM- OCRATS TO INSIST UPON THEIR BIGHTS, - Parke Goodwin delivered nis view of the politi- cal situation in the form of an address at the Cooper Institute last evening, under the auspices of the Young Men's Democratic Union, before a large audl- ence. On the platform were General Sigel, William Cullen Bryant, James M. Brown, Adrian Iselin, C. C. Baldwin, C, M. Fry, Eastman Jobnson, Charlies D, In- gersoll, Henry L, Clinton, Simon Sterne and many other notabilities in politics or the professions Mr. Wil- Mam Van Wyck, President of the club, introauced the lecturer as a political philosopher and sage. Mr. Godwin commenced bis address with the re- mark that it would be needless to say that the situation is not critical, Business was pros. No one was wholly at bis ease, and there were although he did not agree with them, who had a lorking dread of civil war. Ho warped the members: of the association, however, that they must not ex- pect the fervor of utterance he had once displayed at the Cooper Inatitute on a former occasion, when the issues of the campatgo wore still pending. Chancellor Kent had pointed out long since that in a certain con- tingercy the day must come when our institutions ‘would be tried, The Chancellor's words were in some respects prophetic, The crisis had certainly come. The question whether Mr. Tilden or Mr. Hayes should be President of the United States for tho noxt four years was umimportant Neither could enter upon any radical measures with one of the great legislative forcos against bim; and either would no doubt fill the office creditably, The important point was that tho question should be Settied in accordance with the constitution, and that the defeated party should yield up 118 power grace. fully and frankly, This hag been the rule for a cen- tury, save in one instance, when the Southern States preferred bayonet to ballot, and took up arms to vin- dicate ou the field principies they could not Sustain at the polis, ‘The question, then, was to decide > which candidate was righttully elected, The republican party was entitled to all honor for the con- duct of the war. The work of reconstruction involved, however, one great mistake—that of putting ‘he ballot into the hands of ignorant men, incapable of wielding it, and hable to became the prey of den gogues, This mistake bad been accepted, howev as settled, und tho only living question, therelore, at the late election, was tie question of administration, He beloved that the management of the finances, ot the ervil service, and other important interests by the republican party was decidedly tneMeient and detri- muntal to the public good, DECADENCE OF THY REPUBLICAN PARTY, It was au issue also of the opposition that during tts long levso of power the republican xdministration had grown corrupt, and that such cases us those of Belknap wero only sporadic eruptions of a deep seated cor- ruption, It was further urged that the recon- stfuction policy of the party, and particularly its present policy toward thé South, tended to keep alive sectional issues and to distract the country. It was an understood thing during the campaign that the republican party was on trial. Ifthe people did not understand this it was not for lack of the issue boing svt strongly before them. Tho Tribune had con- ceded 188 electoral votes to Tilden on the moruing after the election; the HkxaLp 199. The Times seemed to be sadly muddled on that morning, 1t stated shat it Hayes had carried New Jersey he would havo 187 Votes, anu then congratulated the people of the United States on the quietness with which the election had been conducted. Not acase of violence at. the polis was recorded, io the votes of many millions of men. On the second morning, however, it was intimated by the Tribune that the result was not so cer- win, as i depended on the counting of the votes in soveral States where the defeated party had the counting. He did not think any caj observer doubted what the result would be atany timo while the campaign was penaing. Tho leaders uf the republican party had then already commenced to desert the party. Such men as Adams had years belore assumed tho position of open critics, In 1876 this movement culminated, and thousands everywhere, who had not been tollowers of the democratic party, became incorporated in its ranks. These deserters frum the republican party foll into threo ct: ss. The first consisted of what Mr, Lincoln usea to call “plain peo- ple.” The second was composed of business men who bad become weary of Custom House extortion, of fast and looso administration of tho currency question, and of mismanaged Qnance, Tho third ciass, led by men like David A, Wells ahd Professor Seolye, wus composed of men who dissented trom the republican party Ou economical issucs and in radical tenets of political philosophy. RRCENT GROWTH OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, Mr. Godwin here proceeded to show the statis- tical development of the democratic party during th past few years and compared the perceutuge of demo- cratic gain in proportion to the aggregate vote in the several States with tbat of the republican party. At this rate of progress, be said, the democrats would have tour of the six New England States at the next tion; and of the great middie belt ol States, at the rate of increase during the last eight years, not ono would be left to the republican party in 1880, He next proceeded to an analysis of the growth of democratic majorities in the Sauthetn states, attribu- ting a very large proportion of that growth to the dis- gust of the negroes with the carpet-bag politicians that had so long been their leaders, With this preface he Went ou to discuss the returns in Florida and Louisi- aua, deciding that the Tilden ticket had an undoubted jority inthe former, aud a very large majority in the latter, It seemed to bim that the admiaistration was clearly beaten in the recent cont By the sounding voice of the people at tho last election, tt bad been decided that corruption should be proved. The first lesson of this campaign was that the republi- cun party had no margin to retrieve a mistake. saw ho reason why the democrats should be les: gressive than they had been, or why they should not insist calmly and firanly upon their rights under the constitution. The great objection to the Louis- jana Returning Board wus that it was not a “coustitu- tional body ;?” but his ‘was still more fuudamental—namely, that it wa sistent with the very naturo of republican govern- ment, No 10n Whatever could confer upon any body of me nd reverse a popular verdict; and this was exactly the function of the Lou- isiana Returning Board. Ho discussed intimidation as 4 political cry, arguing that under the principles applied by republican politiciana, any ten buliies could overturn any election at any polling place in tho State of New York. By such processes an alteration of 13,000 had been mado in the vote of the State of Louisiana, which would be equivalent to an alteration of 90,000 in the vote of the State of New York, MK, GODWIN’S REMEDY, But how was tbe country to be extricated from sucha dimculty? This, im bts opinion, was the question for republican leaders in Congress to answer, Une ques- on had been soitled, and thas was that the Presiaent of the Senate had no power over the vote, and he was glad to see, irom theattitado of republican Senators | toward the new joint rule, that a better and more patriotic spirit was now gaining ground over partisan passion and bias, He had thought himselt that it Would bo well to refer the question back to the people, say about next April, for a unal decision, but he would hot venture to predict what measures would be de- cided upon by Congress, He hoped in any event that the people of the Uuited States would torever put down such engines of fraud as the returning boards that bad boen discussed. He concluded with a outogy of Sam- uel J. Tiiden as one of the great statesmen and pubil- cists of this country, and retired from the desk while the audience was scill applauding, EX-DEPUTY COLLECTOR WILLIAMS, HIS STATEMENT—THE BLISS BIDE OF TRE STORY. The arrest of this well known official, as published in yesteraay’s papers, Was an astonishment to him and bis many friends, Mr. Williams could not be found on Monday evening, although he was not under duress for one minute, having furnished bail as soon as tho warrant was served upoo him, Yesterday at noon Mr. Withams was found at the Astor House, where he was surrounded by ® namber of friends, among them some prominent lawyers, who expressed considerable sympathy for him and volunteered to detend him free of charge, On being approached by a reprosentative of the HLeKALD in regard to the arrest Mr. Wiliams expressed himseif freely on the injustice of the act, and vone- mently declared that there was not the slightest truth in the allegation made by Lawronce that any complicity existed between them in the alleged frauds agamst the government, Mr, Williams requests spension vl public opinion, a y trial, upon Which he ieels positive to be able to estab- hah bis entire maocence, He did not propose to enter into any eriminations against anybody, nor give his line of defence at present. COLONEL WLISS OX THK SITUATION, District Attorney Bliss was wa)ted upon by a HERALD reporter and disclaimed any personal move in the arrest of Mr, Williams. He said:—When the govern- nent was acquainted with the fiet that Charles Law- rence Was going to turn State's evidence he was given until the Ist of Octover to ure his evidence, but ‘omplete the doc th, The evidence thus furnished to the de- a was passed upon by such men as Sidney Webster, ex-Secrotury ot the ‘Lreasury B. H. Bristow, Biuford Wilson, Attorney General Plerrepont and by the present Altorney General ‘att. At the head of the — various allegations swod the name of Mr. Williams, and all the gentlemen i have named favored pr ings ainst hin. In November the election excitement pt us from making a move in this direction. In De+ against me (Col hd now as | ain avout to Jeuve the office | consulted with Goneral Woodtord, my stecossor, laid the case before him, and on his ad- Vice commenced the process at once against Mr, Will- jams, The officers charged with making the arrest Wero Instructed not to serve the warrant except at such @ time as would enable Mr. Williams to obtain ball, t this action on TY part Was purely personal is as devoid of truth as it is ungenerous, I haa nothing m view except my duty, and that I d'sebarged consciontiously. 1 cannot tell whether Mr. Williams will be convicted on a trial, but tho Grand Jury has already indicted bim, wt until the 10th day ot | ago the fight was made | THE SUSPENDED PEDAGOGUF ‘AMINING THE CHARGES AGAINST VION PRINCIPAL MAPLES. The charges brought against Mr. Brainerd W. Mapiba, suspended vice principal of Grammar School No, 19, were Investigated by the Committee on Teachers yess terday afternoon. The gentlemen composing this committee are Commissioners Halsted, Hazeitine, Kelly, Piaeo and Baker. There appears to be two sides. to the story of the suspension. It1s stated that Mr, Maples is not for the first time a victim to the desire of the principal and trustees to make a vacancy in his position. The principal of the school died in July last and Mr. Maples became an applicant for the position, being in the line of promotion, buts late Custom House empioyé, Jobn J. Doane, an old school principal, who earned a high reputation twenty- five years ago and was then elected Reg- ist of the city, wanted the place, and friend, Captain Frederick Wagner, of the trustees, secured it for him, Maples continued to be the vice principal until, owing to various causes, his health failed, and he asked to be retired fora time to recruit. His request was granted, and while he was absent interested partics made so much talk about some things that bad occurred that his leave of ubsence was changed into a suspension, and he was sammoned to appear vefore the City Superin- tendeut to show cause why he sbould pot be dis- missed, The City Superintendent and the district of- whom the Iaw makes his associate juages, after a hearing decided that the trustees had not mado out their cuse, add the trustees then brought their troubles betore the Board of Education. At precisely four P. M, the Committee on Teachers repaired to tue committee room of the Hall of Educa- tion, corner of Kim and Grand streets, with an im- portant, mysterious ate that excited curiosity but repelled inquiries. Closely following them were tho witnesses, composed of the sebool trastees of the Seventecath ward, among whom were Messrs, Wagoor, Merz, Horgan and Reynolds, Mr. ills, mspector of the Third district, was also present. So Principal Doane, looking a trifle flushed, anda number of the assistant teachers in the soho After this body hud filed into the comuittes room the door was closed, and a geoup of reporters waiting out- side were hopelessly debarred fro:n admittance. There wus, however, a delect in the means taken to keep out tbe'Henato' man, The principal and tho tras- tees and the otber oMeciais all testified, each giving his opinion of Maples, a big two hundred pound speci men of humanity, and he was dissected physically, morally, mentally and miscellancously. One thoug! he was a very superior teacher; another said he was a food teacher, bus he told crooked stories, They all he bad trouble with bis eyes, but the operator was not the man he (Mr. Maples) @aid he was, general thing the testimony was not caleylated to tm. prove his reputation for veracity, but when Maples came to tell his story things wore a different aspect, He retorted upon his accusers, relating a long story of his services in the schools, tho history of previous as- saults of like nature upon him, and the treatment he had received while bo had been in the Seventeenth ward. He acknowledged tnat bis health would not now permit him to keep school and was vittor in his romarks on tho advantage taken of him wile he was sick ana unable to defend himsell, From the conilicting testimony which reached the re. porter’s car he came to the conclusion that Doane’s story and Maples’ caunot be reconciled, and that the are serious discrepancies in both. THK PROBABLE DECISION. A gentleman who was interviewea concerning the Proceedings said:—‘I won's give my name, butt # teacher and a superintendent of a school, I belie Mr. Maples? explanation to be satisfactory, and that he will be allowed to resign. He claims that he 1s sub- ject to epileptic fits, and is not respousible for what bo docs, Mr, Doane, the principal of the school, believes he 1s clear headoa, and knows perfectly well’ what he ig about, The decision of the commitice is reserved uptil to-morrow (Wednesday).”” WHAT MAPLES WANTS, Maples bimseif says he has no softening of tho brain that he has never lived in Japan, and that he would like to know what has become of the $100,000 he made in Harlem stock. BROKERS AT PRAYERS, A BROOKLYN SINNER'S FREAKS OF DEVOTION— PRAYING FROM THE TOP OF A PEAR TREE, There was an unwonted gathering yesterday at the rooms of the Board of Underwriters at No. 156 Broad. way. William Peck Smith, of the Stock Excbange, occupied the desk, and was engaged in telling his reminiscences of the great revival in 1857. About fifty gentlomen, of various ages, were grouped around the speaker, while from a remote seat in the rear 9 constant punctuation of smothorod and mourntul amens gave a tinge of pathos to the enthusiastic dec. lamation of the orator, Brother Belcher related bis experiences in the seat revival movements of the last thirty years, : AN ELOQUENT YOUNG MAN, A pale, slender young man, who desoribed himself as a resident of Brooklyn, roso slowly as tho last ‘yes’ faded into silence and commenced the relation of a most remarkable series of experiences, “Brethren,’? he sald, “I think one thing is essential to the success of these meetings, and that is that Jesus snould be put forward prominently. Jesus isn’t unreasonable in bis deman Nobody is asked to climb a tree or ascend Triuity stecplo to hold meetings. But if he did you and I would be bound to follow. (Breatbings of ‘yes! yes!’) And it wouldn’t be so very bard, either, ‘brethren, to climb if Jesus required it Brethron, 1 have a very fino pear treo in my garden in Brooklyn, and once the idea got hold of me that | must commune with Jesus from ‘the top of that pear tree, Ob, how easy jt was! I hardly know to this day how'I climbed that tree, I was in such @ wonderiul state, But what a time of commanion with Jesus I bal when I gos ro, among the fresh breezes from heaven, with the green grass under me aod the blue sky over my hi sus Was with mo there, brethren, as He bad never been with me beiore, There was a deep well in an- other part of the garden, and woen | camo down | was moved to commune with Jesus from the bottom of that well. 1 scarcely know how I got down there, was in such an excited state; but Jesus was with me there, tuo, juet as cle haa beea in the top of the pear tree, On auother occasion, about three years ago, I was moved to commune with Jesus from the top of Trinity steeple. It bard work to get ap there, brethren, I teli you, and I toiled on and on for some poo until I came upon twelve men fixing the clock, DRINKING LAGER IN TRINITY CHURCH. “Aslecame upon them they were—wiil yan believe it, brethron’—drinking lager beer from a largo pail of the nasty stuff. Only think of it, bretbren; drinking luger beer in the house of God! They offered mo some, but | declined it and rebuked thei for banging lager into the steeple of God’s holy house. ‘They wore quite abashed and impressed by what I said. Then I leit the twelve sinners drinking jager together and toiled upward until 1 coulda’t get any nearer to the aky. The great city, seething in sin and wickedness, was spread out below, I looked down Wall street, like & narrow causeway leading to tho shining river; then 1 fixed my thoughts on God and prayed up there ull sloue as I have never prayed before, Ab, brethren! what & communing with Josus I had for tho few minutes that was up there! The noise of the busy world right under came np like the low hum of some- thing very far away, 1t Was like having a personal ine terview with Jesus, it was so silent and strange up the fairly out of the world. Ab! w! a communion it was, brethren! How sweet! How satisfying! It really seemed to me as if the breeze that fanned my forehead was the living breath of Jesus, and I meltea in communion with Him as 1 had never doue belore.’? ‘The brethron present did not seem to be particularly editied by the experiences of this enthusiastic young mau, and were perhaps a little astonished in conteme ig of the remarkable adventures with which they had been associated, particularly as climbing irinity steepic has never been regarded an essential in re ligious exercises. A DRY GOODS CLERK'S EXPERIENCES. As they recovered trom the awkward pause that hnd ensued while the bi reo Were ruminating upon thit new foature of spiritual commanion, a young maa, with a large parcel projecting from his pucket, arose, and with some emBarrassment xatd that while sitting {no the room ho, had been impressed with the convice ion that Jesus was present. And what a solema thought it was io him! Ho had heard prayers ascend to God that he would shake this city trom river to river, from the Battery to Harlem, He believed that his was the starting point of a groat movement that ually invoive the whole nation, About three weeks ago they had started a clerks’ prayer meeting in a hall uptown, At the first meeting only four persons were present, but within a week the hail was crowded with 600 lieteners. It was very easy to tnik in meeting, but 1s was a different thing to stand behind a dry goods counter and retam one’s invegrity, “Just as lam, brothren, without one plea,” eama from the loader at tne dosk, a4 tho last speaker sat down, and the hymn commencing with those words was sung, most of the group taking part’ This Anish alter a fow desuitory remarks, Mr. Bolcher commen to intone :— His faithful followor I will bo. Ue loadeth me, He leadoth me. Mr. Henry Kimball took the floor, with the romark that he always enjoyed religion most when he repented most. He had been @ stock speoulator, and he believed that stock speculation was sinful, The leader, 8 mem- bor ofthe stock Exchange, defended the membors of that organization as large hearted aud honorable men, Almost any day money might be seen on the tabioia the Stock Exchange rooms which had been collected for benevolent purposes. After some turther exercises Mr. Kimball reported that there was a prospect of securing a large room in tho Post Office buildivg for further meetings, aud come mittees were appointed to canvass the Stock Exenange, the Produce Exchange, the Gold Room and other oan: cial Ceutres, ADJOURNED. Tho brokers’ prayer meo.ng was then adjourned to meet this afiernoon hatl-past thece o’cluck, at the Joba street Metuodist cuureh, A BUTTER BURGLARY, For four tubs of butter stolen from tho store of | comet of No, 50 Warren street, Thomas H. Bock, No. 362 Washi streot, Frank peneetaet held omaba Cours Wa $800 ball vo saw atthe et pe ae ee TSE