The New York Herald Newspaper, January 26, 1877, Page 13

THE COURTS. Interesting Argument Under the S'ilwell Act. MORE OF THE LAWRENCE FRAUDS, Sending a Highway Robber to Prison for Twenty Years. A CIRCUS SUIT. A few doys since, as was reported in the HeRaup, Judge Speir, of the Superior Court, granted aetend- ant’s motion dismissing the proceedings instituted ‘under the Non-imprisonment act, oihcrwise known as ‘the Stilwell act, in an action of William 8. Keiley, as Receiver, vs. Dusenbury, upon the grounds that the Supplemental examination on which the warrant was Granted was not competent evidence to prove defend- ant’s frauds, and that itis notacase in which, under the Stilwell act, the defendant could be arrestea, Yes- torday a motion was made by D. M Porter, of counsel for the plaintifl, fora re-argument upon the grounds that the Court erred in dismissing. the proceeding: inasmuch as the judgment roll was conclusive evi- dence of defendant’s guilt, under tho authority of Krekeler va. Ritter, 62 New York Reports, and for leavo 40 supply additional proof, 80 as to mete out substan- tal justice between the parties. The motion was opposed by Mr. Charles Blandy, on Debalf of the defendant, upon the ground: first, that this was a criminal proceeding, and under the con- Btitution the defendant cannot twice be jeopardizea for the same offence; second, no good reason is assigned, as at most it appears the plain. tif’s counsel miscalculated upon the legal effect of certain testimony and ought not now to be permitted to again speculate by changing his course of proceedings; third, that the former decision ‘was right, and ovght not to be disturbed, Under this Jatter point the counsel for defendant argued at great length that the pluintiff’s counsel haa mistaken hia remedy, as this was nota Visions of the Non-impris abolished imprisonment for debt in certain cases, witch are defined section 1 of the act of 1831, and, excopt im those cases, the remedy of imprisonment remained as it existed undor the common law, subject to such changes only as are made by the Code}; that the right to arrest under section 8 of the act of 1831 existed only in those cages where, by the first section of the last named act, imprisonment for debt was abolished, and bhat tho judgment in this action was not founced upou Sontract, so ns to bring the case within the purview of section 1 of the last named act; and, fourth, that tbe original judgment offered in evidence was not competent to prove any ‘of the plaintifi’s allegations, inasmuch as by section 42 of the act it waa forbidden to be used as evidence against him, and therefore tho authority ot Krekeler vs, Ritter did not apply; and that these proceedings must be carefully and hborally construed, the act being ono in restraint of the Nberty of the subject and because imprisonment for debt is not encouraged In. this State. The decision of Judge Spicr in this case sheds a light upon this Stilwell act which makes the legal pro- fession look forward to his decision on this motion with cagerness. Tho Judge took the papers and reserved his decision on the question of granting a re-argument. D. M, Porter, for the plaintiff, appeared for the motion and Hall & Biandy, tor defendant, opposed, THE LAWRENCE FRAUDS. The Lawrence frauds, it appears, aro as yet unde- veloped to their fullextent. The principal in the sys- tematized plot of defrauding the government is at large, weaving his web around his former accomplices, but now his victims. Des Anges languishes in prisoi the only offe, perhaps, of ull the confederates whose Cpse excited any sympathy. One or two others are fugitives in Europe, and those who re. mainea hero, after Lawrence’s understood ar- fangement with the government té enact tho réle of informer, did so with the sword of Damocles hanging by a singlo thread over their heads, The sword has exccuted its mission; it has again failen, and more of Lawrence’s accomplices—or al- loged accomplices—are the victims. Fresh arrosts ere made yesterday, and in a little more time the calendar of tho United States Circuit Court, to which these Custom Rouse cases may be arsigned, will present considerable work for the newly appointed United States District Attorney and his assistants, A warrant was vesterday placed in the bunds of two of the most trusted deputies of the United States Mar- shai’s office—Robiuson and Crowley—lor the arrest of Morris Hess, The party was formerly an importer of laces at No, 358 Broadway, luter t» partnership with Herman Hersch in Canal street, and at present doing business as an importer at No. 198 Church street. Hersch, his tormer partner, was also ur- rested some time ago on information fur- nished by Lawrence, gave bail, and very soon after sailed for Europe, The deputies executed their warrant and Mr. Hoss was broaght betore United States Commissioner Fields for examination on a charge of defrauding the revenue by means of traudu- lout importations, or undervaluation of imported goods, the modus operand: of which has been {ro- quently stated since the detection and flight of Law. rence. Inconnection with these Lawrence frauds, involving #0 many other partics, suits were com- menced on Wednesday Jast in the United States Dise trict Attorrey’s office against a number of importers Obarged with fraudalent importations to recover in civil suits, Among those are a suit against: Herman Hirsch to recover $540,000, gold; agninst Kdward & Louis Haas to recover $110,000, gold, and Custobel ‘Alionso to recover $130,000, gold, Hess, after his arrest, gave bail in $10,000 to ‘await oxamination, CHARGES AND COUNTER CHARGES, In tho Court of Common Pleas, a few days since, motion was made on behalf of Joel Hyams to compel Leopold Bamburger to deposit in a trust company $30,000 received by him as assignee of several estates, The motion was denied on the statement that Bam- burger has commenced suit for an accounting and dis- charge. Hyams then commenced euit for a receiver of the $30,000, and in Supremo Court, Chambors, yester- duy, courfsel stated the grounds to be that Bamburger had sold $18,000 of tho trust fund in payment of his individual indebtedness and $3,000 in purchasing a mortgage for his sun-in-law and in using the balance dn private ulation. Hyams sues as surety of Bam- burger and as creditor of one of the assigned estates. In reply, M. 1. Townsend read affidavits denying Hyams? allegations, and alleging in roturn that Hyams came fn as assignee by the purchase of a $200 claim against the estate. and that he has misappropriated $25,000 of Bamburger’s money, as to which clam a re- ceiver of the property of Hyams & Bamburger, lor. mer partners, as been appointed. The Court ro- served decision. A CURIOUS SUIT. In the suit of Joho W. Hamilton against Jacob Lorillard, where plaintiff! seeks to recover $350 due as salary for his services a8 press agent of Howes & Cushing’s circus, now on a trip to the West Indics and South America, the defendant, Jacob Lorillard, was betore Judge McAdam, in Morine Court, Chambers, yesterday, and was oxainined by Brewster Kiseam, counsel for plaintif, as a witness before trial, The ex- amination was quite interesting and of some lengthy, Thery was quite an acrimonions feeling, apparently, betweon respective counsel during the examination of the witness, In che course of the proceedings it was sought , to. establish the fact that most, if not ail, of the circus paraphernaiia of Howes & Custing is owned by the dofendant, the detendunt, however, contending that be is not in parthership with the co-defendants, Howes & Cush. ing. Upon the statement of Mr. Lorillard’s counsel to the effect that the steamer North Povwt, which ac- Commodates the circhs troupe, will bave returned from the trip on of about April 2 next, when the de- fondant will ve ublo to produce an agreement of al- loged copartnership with Howes & Cushing, in which ho alleges he has no interest, the turther bearing waa ostpyned to that date, Lt té Understood that M fenitvon Will institute another suit for $5,000 dam ages for having been lefv in acritical and dangerous Situation in Bermuda ns agent forthe company, and from which predicament the delendant refused to ex- tricate him by sending him sufficient funds with which to defray actual debt contracted for the circus, The Suse was then adjourned. WHICH IS WHICH ?, A motion was made before Judge Donohue yester- day, in the suit of Honry Simon against Gustave Cohen, to vacate an order of arrest against defendant ina suit for falso imprisonment and malicious prose. cution, It appeared that defendant bad Simon arrosted in a suit for assault and battery, which arrest was vacated by the Marine Court, whereupo commenced a suit for damages, it was contended that the action did not lie antl tho determination of the aseaalt case. The Court ordered the issucs tn the suit for damages to be tried next Monday, SUMMARY OF LAW CASES. Judge Donohue yesterday appointed a referee in the suit of J. C, Bancroft Davis against the Erie Railroad Company. In the case of William P. Murtin against the Windsor Hotel Company to recover $60,000 for profoxsiona, pervicos asa lawyer, tho facts of which bavo already | been published, Judge Donohue, yesterday, appointed a releree, The motion of James Lee to set aside a judgment ob- tained by the city was yesterday denied and the order to show cause of setting aside the procecdings of the Sheriff issued upon the judgment vacated and set aside by Judge’ Ponohue, Thomas Ryan, for twerty years past an officer of the Superior Court, died at his residence on Wednesday might of brain fever. Deceased was a faithiu! and ellicient officer and was higuly respected by bis asso- Freedman yesterday settled the proposed amendments for appeal in the case of Anna L, Nel against the American Popular Lite Insurance Company, the tall facts of Which bave already been tuly pub- lished 1m the HeRaLp. Ins ut of Henry Wilson against Joseph M. D: the plainut! obtained an injunction restratoing the auctioneer trom selling certain property under tore- Closure of @ chattel mortgage. The order was disobeyed and the auctionger went on with the sale, whereupon an order Was obtained to show cause why the auc- tonver, the deiefdantand purchaser should not be punished tor contempt. I'he matver came up for argu. wentgesterday belore Judge Speir, in snpefior Court, Special uu. His Honor took the papers, 1n the suit of Howard T. Felton against William A, Parks, in the superior Court, growing out of certuin partnersbip transactions, an injunction was recently obtuined restraining the detendunt,trom collecting the deots of William A, Parks & Co. or from disposing of their property. Judge Speir yesterday entered an order vacating the mjunction. The Singer Sewing Machine Manufacturing Company have brought a suit against Heary stewart for alleged infringement of srade mark, Judge Speir yesterday granted ap injunction restraining the delondant from magufucturing or disposing of any of their machines or from imitating their trade mark, ‘The Corporation of the city of Brooklyn yesterday filed its answer to the suit of Abraham B, Miller the Brooklyn Bridge Company in the United Jireult Court, The finui bearing of the case will be had before Commissioner Shields on the 3d of February. Julius Wisthetmer was yesteraay taken before Com- missioner Shields on 4 charge of passing a counterieit half goilar on James F. Sherry, of No. 134 Division street, Wisthelmer, who 18 only fiitecn yeura old, con~ fessed tothe uct, but said he did not know it was wrong to pass bad noney. He was released on $500, his father becoming his security to that amount, Louisa Meineke bas broughta suit for limited di- vorce ngainst her husband Frederick, for cruct aud in- human treatment, Among other acts ol cruelty, she states that n one occasion choked her so badly was unable to swaliow for some days alterward, and she says he wpped the climax of his cruelty by turn ing her out of doors. The defendant, who is nearly twice as old as the plaintiff, protests that all he wants istobave the plaintif hive with him, and that ho never turned her out of doors. Application was yes terday made to Judge Speir to punish the defendant for non-payment of alimony. The Court took tho papers, DECISIONS. SUPREME COURT—CHAMBERS, By Judge Donohuo. Gilmore vs. Arthur; Hoffman vs, Ulrich; Tho Mayor, &c., vs. Goldbery; Hubbard vs, Decker, ‘Nos, 1, 2, 3; Ames vs, Crowley; Phelan vs, Millor et’al., Nos. 1, 2 8; Brown vs Browne; Matter of Hirsch, kc; Tho Union Dime Savings ‘Institution vs. Finkeuauer; Collender vs. Phelan; Matter of Bonny, &c.; Tho Union Theological Seminary vs, Molie! Maidhoit vs, The Mayor, &c,; Priest va Priest; Matter of Miller, 4 Horandt vs. Cyase.—Granted, A lull consideration gf this mi Dok has passed on all the points and the rest must be dismissed. Perault vs. Rand et al.—Denied, with leave to renew on decision of General Term, without costs. Matter of Jessurum.—Writ dismissed, Prisoner re- manded. Emanuel vs, Stern.—Another surety must be pre- sented, Grifin vs, Helmbola; Simmons vs. Simmons; Percy ys. Chave, and Sammia vs. Gray,—Memorauauns, Ritter vs, The Second Congregational Churc! Mayor &c. va, Leo; Mansbach vs. The Metrop Lite Insurance Company, and Leszy osky vs, Broome,— Motions denied. Snebly va, Conner.—Bond approved. Ryerson vs. Brunnagin and Lignan vs. Blank.— Motions granted. Connors vs, Titus.—Order granted, Foley vs, Rathbone.— Motion denied, Memoran- dum. McKay vs, Jamieson, —Motion denied, with costs, Martip va, The Windsor Hotcl Company,—Reterence ordered. SUPREME COURT—CIRCUIT—PART 3, By Judge Larremore. Jamos vs. Cowing aud another.—Motion for allow- ance denied, MARINE COURT—CHAMBERS, By Judge McAdam. Thacher vs. Booram.—There is a conflict in the Prools as tothe question of non-residence. I cannot determine the dispute on affidavits, Reference ordered, (See papers.) Bonneville vs. Schmidt.—Motion granted, without costs. Neville vs. Rosenthal.—Motion granted for February 13, Rosendorf vs. Michealis.—Kdward Jacobs appointed receiver. . Grout vs, Hanson,—Thirty dollars costs allowed, McDonald vs. Cavanagb.—Memoranda. (See papers.) Fay vs. Lespinasse; Hutcbins ve. Butler; Meinicke vs. Schultz; Muldoon vs. McClarerty; McCale vs. Dougherty, —Motions granted. Appell vs, Welty.—Complaint dismissed. ‘kson vs. Harmon. —Detault opened on terms, Judgment on answer, ‘& Jacoby; Hamilton va, Brooke.—De- y faults noted. Simpson ya. Keltor.—Examination filed. Kubn va. Griswold; Wood vs. Bleecker ; Berlowitz va, Bemah; Suaw vs, Coiling; Shaw va Losuon; Kearney vs, Candler; Bowland vs, Wheeler; Kruger vs. sim- mons; Waltemann vs, Conaor ; Allen vs, Connor; Brot man vs. Lanigan; Murray Hill Bank va Wakeman; Jackson vs. Harmon; Sloane vs, Freemont, —Urders granted. By Judge Sheridan, Tucker vs. Sheritan.—*otion granted upon pay- mont of $10 costs, delendant to have six days to answer from date of service of order; amended sum- mons. By Judge Goepp. Goetz vs. Soobach,—Motion denied, without costs, GENERAL SESSIONS—PART L Before Judgo Gildersieeve, AN ALLEGED FORGER CONVICTED. * Aman named Edward Craft, fifty-one years of age, of No, 50 Bleecker street, was arraigned at the bar, charged with having uttered a forged check. It ap- peared that on the 6th of December the prisoner presented to the paying teller of the Sccond National Bank a check for $463, purporting to be signed by Mra, E. Dows, Suspecting that something was wrong about the document the teller sent for # police officer and hud Craft arrested. Upon inquiry being made it was ascertained that the signature was not genuine, The prisover, in reply to his counsel,“Mr, William £, Howe, t the check was given him by a man namod Jaseidy, in payment of a debt, who, ho said, had since been arrested tor forgery, Craft further suid that he bad been in the English civil service for a considerable period and was in recoipt of remit- tances trom England, where, he said, he bad an uncle amember of Pariiament, Whuse name ho refused to give. Assistant District Attorney Rollins, wno con- ductea the prosecution, sent for Cassidy to the Tombs. Ho was immediately recognized by Crait as the person from whoin he had received the check in question, Crait, however, found guilty. At the request of Mr. Rollins the prisoner was remanded for sentence, in order that some inquiries might bo made as to the trath uf bis story in connection with Cassidy, A HEAVY SENTENCE, George Lewis and Peter Delaney were arraigned at the bar by Assistant District Attorney Rollins, charged with robbery under the following circumstances :—Lt appeared that on New Year’s night Jacob Miller, of No. 311 Rivington street, went into a lagor beer saloon in Goerck street, in the vicinity of Stanton street, to seek for a friend, Uncer the impression that he was in the midst of a gang of thieves he quickly left the saloon, Some six of eight ruffians followed him and atonce attacked him. Ho bravely defended himself for a while, but one of tho gang, identified as Lewis, of No, 26 Goerck street, struck him a terrific blow on the tace, while another man, subsequently identified from Miller bis wateh and chain, Miller receiving at the game time a blow on the forchend with a siung shot whick knocked him senscless, Miller lay of the sidewalk io an unconscious state, ana on recovering he found that his watch and chain had disappeared; that he was suffering erribly from the beating; that he had been stubbed in the back, and that a irightiul cut extended down his face irom the temple to the cl The {nets were made known to the police, and shortly after Detective Charles 0'Con- nor, of the Eleventh precinct, arrested Delaney and Lewis, who, on being contronted with Miller, were tm- mediately identitied as twoot Liose who atincked and robbed him, Without hesitation the two prisoners were found guilty. Beiore sentence was passed Assist- unt District Attorney Rollins stared that the prisoners belonged to a notorious gang of sidewalk desperador and that Lewis tad already been twice convicted o previous occasions ‘o the Court of General Sessions, knew nothing of Delaney’s previous career. In sontencing the prisoners, Judge Giluersloeve said that the crime of which the prisoners hud been convicted was a most aggravated one, In view of the tact that this was Delaney’s first offence he would not impose the fuil penalty, and would sentence him to fifteen ears in the State Prison at hurd iavor. In the case of wwis, however, who was a hardened criminal, no mercy would be extended, and tho sentence of the Court was that ho be confined tn tho State Prison for the term of twenty years at hard labor, ROBBING A SOLDIER. Charles Gerhard, a discharged soldier, was robbed in a den in Thompson street some time ago of $315. Nellie White, Mary Smith and James Strain wero shortly afterward arrested by Captain McDonvell, charged with the robbery. Nellie pleated guilty, and ‘was sont to the State I’rison for five years, STEALING A TRUNK. William Quince pleaded guilty to stealing a trunk, ject to & mortgage of only $4,500, Properties were exchanged, a bond | mortgage being execaied by Mrs. Stark containing $130 in money and Cag ry | valued at $1) the property of H. Mathus, of No, 110 Ridge street, a ‘Was sent to the State Prison for oue year. A YOUNG BURGLAR. Charles Dougherty pleaded guilty to the charge of breaking into the store of E. A. Dolan, No, 469 West ‘Twenty-second mags and stealing $4 1m money and a quantity of cigars, He was # nt to the State Prison for three years, GENERAL SESSIONS—PART 2 |. Betore Judge Sutheriand, THE OPIUM CASE. ‘The trial of Johu Collins and Nicholas Collins, who are charged with receiving 1,000 pounds of opium, which had been stolen from the United States bonded warehouse jin Bridge street, in February last, was continued yesterday. Mr, John H. Draper was the first wituess called, Ho testitied as to the good charic- ter of the defendants. The defendant Nicholas Col- lins was then examined, and in response to ex-Judge Curtia stated that he knew nothing whatever avout the opium in question unotil imbterrogated, by Captain Brackets, Special Treasury Agent, when he told him that if he had known anything about it he would have reported the matter to the police authorities He was rigidly cross-examined by Assistant District Attorney Bell, after which John Collins was interrogated upon the subject. He testified that one McKenna, a broker, came to bim about March ast and showed him a sample of siuil, the charactor of which be did not know until afterward, Other brokers subsequently, in the course of business, looked at the sumpie which was in his store aud two of them ord euch a barrel, He communicated the order to McKenna and the stuff was sent to its destination, This was the only transaction in the way of opium he ever had, and ali he did in this instance was to sell for | McKenna to oblige him, as be (McKenna) had tormerly been in hisemploy. Assistant District Attorney [ell | recalled the witness Murray, who bad testified that about the time mentioned he had carted some casos and bags rom No. 1 Bridge street to tho stable of No, 31, occupiea by the defendants. He stated that when he arrived with the goods there was a man in tho stable bitching horses, The evidence on both sides having been concluded, ex-Judge Curtis addresseu the jury on behalf of the defendants, denouncing ‘we whole proceeding as an organized conspiracy, there boing how peading several civil suits in relauion to the property in question and tor [alse Imprison- ment. The Asistant District Attorney replied on the part of the prosecution, cluiming thut the evidence in the case clearly pointed to the guilt of the prisoners, Judge Sutherland, in charging the jury, lucidly | pointed out the law bearing oa the case, ‘The jury retired, but, not being able to ugreo to a yordict, they were locked up lor the night, and the Court adjourned until ten o’clock this morning, COURT CALENDARS—THIS DAY, Sureea# Court—Cuamuxrs—Held by Judge Dono- Nos, 55, 69, 78, 92, 101, 105, 149, 153, 157, 194, 238, 252, '261,'263, 264, 265, 268, 208, 209, 280, (286, 237, 288, 289, SUPREMK COURT—GENERAL TkRM—Hold by Judges Brady ana Daniels,—Nos, 64, 72, 13, 28, 4%, 47, 52, 5Y. 60, 66, 90, 165, 204, 172, 211, 212, 213. Surrems Court—SpxciaL Txea—Adjourned for the term, Surexme Covrr—Cincerr—Vart 1—Hela by Judge Van Vorst—Nus. 3849, 4265, 3970, 8981, 3856, 2723, Part 2—Held by Judge Van Brunt.— Short causes, — Nos, 2240, 3508, 4513, 3730, 4236, 4150, 4152, 4250, Part 3—Adjourned unul next Wednesday, ‘at UPRRION COURT—GENERaL TkKM.—Adjourned sine ie. Surxnion Covnt—Srxciat Txxm.—No day calendar, | Screxiok Coukt—Th Ikum—VPart1l—Heid by Judgo Sedgwick. —Case on, 652, Kuapp, &¢,, vs. Roche. No day culendur, Part 2—Held by Judge Curtis—Short causes, -—Nos, 1078, 1020, 1070, 379, 764. Common PLEAS—GraKkaL ‘Tkex.— Adjourned until Monuay, February 5, Common PLeas—Kquiry Term. —Adjourned sine die. Common W'L8a8-—TKIAL TkkM—Part 1—Held by Jud, Van Huesen,—Nos, 143, 1004, 78, 915, 510, 726, 827, 877, 583, 478, 371, 305, "1039, 1065, 728,'1223, 071, 786, 590, 1132, Parts 2 and 3—Aujourned ‘until’ Monday, February 5, 1877. Manixe Count—Triau Tenm—Part 1—Held by Judge Sheridun.—Nos, 7658, 900, 8173, 7221, 9018, 6983, 8644, 7352, S174, 7202, 9055, 9074, 7315, 9089, 9009, Part 2—held by Judge Goepp,—Nos. 8463, 8326, 8595, 9033, 7060, 6385, 0024, 8748, 8550, 8985, 9055, 6: 8552, 9044, 8071, 8427, 5207, 90S2, 9083, 9068, 9077, H0SZ, 9003, 6u14, 8u04, Purt 3—Held’ by Judge Sheridun.— Short causes. —Nos. 7741, 0014, 8021, 8709, 7684, 9023, 8149, 9020, 9011, 5131, 9026, 761 9056, 9001. Court ov GkNKRAL SkswioNs—Part 1—Heta by Judge Gildersieeve,—The Peopie vs. James Quino, felonious assault and battery ; Samo vs, Henry G,. Richmund, felo- ious assauit and ‘battery; sume va. William Camp- bell, burglary; Same ve, Edward Murphy, burglary; Same vs. Henry Garno, burglary; Same vs. Jonn Rud- ley, James Gannon and Thomas’ Donovan; burglary ; Same vs. Thomas Willard, burglary ; Same va Walter James and Samuel Watson, burglary; Samo vs, David Scunion, grand lurcony; Same vs, Samael Foroman, grand larceny ; Same vs. Annie R. Mack, grand larceny; Same va. Richard Stoltenbot!, grand larceny; Same vs. Maggie Turnbull, grand larceny; Same va. James Ryun, grand tarceny. Samo vs. Peter Muller, grand larceny; Same vs, Richard Mullin, grand larceny; Same vs. George Davis and Ellen Smith, graud larceny; Same vs. Klizabeth Mack, grand larceny; Same va, Charles W. Conklin, grand larceny; Samo’ ve Elijah W. Houghton, torgery. THE $20,000 SLANDER SUIT. The action br-ught on Wednesday last in the Su- prome Court, Circuit, before Judge Gilbert, by Leon B. Winship against John B. Adriance, dry goods dealer of this city, to recover $20,000 damages for slander, was concluded yesterday alternoon. In charging the jury the Court said the mere spoaking of slanderous words imphes malice, and the plaintiff 18 entitled to recover. Ifthe jury come ty the conclusion that the words spoken were privileged, and mado with an honest view, then they would exonerate the de'endant, Tne moasure of damages, the Judge charged, must be determined by the good. sense of the jury. The jury, which was absent two hours, being ‘unable to auree, was discharged, They stood elght for the plagtff and four for deiendant VINEGAR OR RUM? Tho cage of August C. and William Fisher, owners of vinegar works on Third avenue, Brooklyn, who are accused of maufacturing illicit whiskey, was resumed in that city yesterday, before United States Commis- sioner Winslow. The tesum for the government was closed with the examination of Mr. W. A. Ford, un expert in the manufacturing of vinegar, The case will be continued on Monday next, BROOKLYN CRIMINALS SENTENCED. Judge Moore, in the Kings County Court of Ses- sions yesterday, sentenced the following ‘named pris- oners to the Penitentiary :—John Duffy, Robert Brow- ley and Edward Hynes, burglary, the two tirst named fortwo years and six mooths and the latter for ono year and six months; Edward Fisher, grand larceny, five years; Victor Kelly, burgiary, three years; Charles Cleagreen, grand larceny, three years; Klien Kelly, shoplifting, turee years, a4 A TWO YEARS' WATCH. Julias A. Wuenscher, a young German, of No, 5 Filth strect, Brooklyn, E, D., was tried and con- victed in the Kings County Court of Sessions, yoster- day, for grand larceny. The prisoner, who gained some notoricty a few months ago by personating Gen- eral Steinmetz among certain females in this city, was accused by Matthias Heizman, of No. 618 Broadway, with having fraudulently obtained two watches and a yold chain, valued a€ $150, from him. ‘The: pris- oner, according to the testimony, called at the store of Heiaman, on November 20, and’ represented that he wanted lo purchase a watch and chain for bis sister, ‘The jeweler, having a slight acquaintance with tue prisoner, gave him permission to take the property hamed with him that the lady might make a selection, Nothing turther was seen or heard of the accused until December 25, when he returned to bis home, He was thereapon arrested. Wuenscher testified tu his own behalt that he did intend to bay a watch and chain, but on bis way home he met a od with whom wonto to New Jersey. Ho wus sentenced ,to the Penitentiary for two years, ALLEGED FRAUD. Mra. Margaretta Rau, residing at No. 41 Morerole street, Eastern District, Brooklyn, was arraignea be- | fore Justice Semler, tn Brookiyn, yesterday morning, as Deianey, of No. 87 Goerck street, attempted to drag | on the charge of detrauding Mrs, Stark, of No. 839 Park avenue, out of $16,000 werth of property. Bits alleged that Mrs, Stark, on or about September 1, 1876, owned a farm at Hempstead, Long Island, together with stock, crops wad fixtures, The property was worth at that ume $15,000, and was sub- ject to a mortgaue of $6,356 66. A real estate agent, loarning that Mrs, Siark wished to sell her farm or excbange it for city property, called and told her he had a purchaser. in ume Mrs. Rau was roduced to Mrs. Stark as the purenaser, R ted that she owned considerable real estate in New York and brooklyn, and would transter Jor the farm tures a house and lot on Tenth avenue, which was worth $22,000, and which was Mrs. Stark accepted Mrs, Rau’s warrantee deed and took onsession of the premises, while Mrs, Kau settiod Mrs Rau, to make up the diflérence in value, herselt on the Stark farm at Hempstead. Once there, for a nominal coasideration she transferred the prop- erty by deed to her cousin, Mra, Catharina Krouze, and converted the stock, crop and fixtures into cash, Toe property on Tanth “avenue, this city, was dis- covered by Mrs, Stark to be so covered by mortgages As to be Almost worthiess, Mrs, Kau pleaded not guilty, and ber case was adjourned until to-day, COURT OF APPEALS. Aunasy, Jan, 26, 1877, No, 183, Millard vs, MeMuliin.—Argumens resumed and concluded, No, 169. McDougall vs, Hess.—argued by M. J. Shoceratt for appeilant, Charies Mason lor rerpondent. No, 132, Simpson. va. Brown,—Argued by Calvin Frost tor appeliant, W. J, Groo for respondent, Frociamation made and Court adjourned, Day calendar tor Frmday, January 26—Nos, 170, 172, 173, 176, 177, 179, 180, 182. Y NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, JANU A MONROE MAN IN TROUBLE. John G. Davidson, who claims to be proprietor of the Seven Spring Mountain House, of Monroe, Orange county, this State, was arraigned before Judge Duty at the Tombs Police Court yesterday charged with ob- taining gvods under false pretences. Samuel R, Beardsly, a grocer of No. 179 West street, appeared as complainant and testified that on the 22d of last May Davidson called at his store and representing himselt, wife and daughter as the joint proprietors of the hotel mentioned, asked to open an account, His manner Was plausible and his references passably lair, so Mr. Beardsiy sold him a bill of groceries to the amount of about $300, Since then the complainant made several attempts to collect the amount due, but all were inefiectual. Obtaining evi dence that Davidson was not as represerted he re- vently swore out a warrant for bis arrest and Officer Gardner was inirusted with ite execuvion. The lati found that a man answering hia description was wont to frequent the Belmont Hotel, but made it a notice- Able point never to register. In order to sat him- self Of the identity of the man the officer addressed an envelope contulning a blunk sheet of paper to Joho G. Davidson and had \t placed where it could be seen by the stranger, The latter bit at the bait by demanding the letter, whereupon he was taken into custody. In answer to the charge the prisoner pleaded not guilty. Ho was held in $500 to answer. A BAKER'S SPREE. Mr, Rader, a well known baker in Fordham, im- bibed too freely from the intoxicating bowl on Wednes- day afternoon and afterward started for a sleigh ride. After driving bis horse furiously for some tume he stopped at a hotel for the purpose of keep- ing his spirits up by pouring the landlord's spirits down, leaving his horse unblanketed uu- der an ‘open shed. His attention was called to the fact repeatedly by an officer, whom he required in silvery accents to Visita locality which would be uncomiortable even at this time of the year, He came out ot the hotel shortly atierward aud proceeded to administer a tremenuous beating to bis quadruped by way of reminding him that he still bad an owner. The offiver jumped into the sleigh Just a8 he was driving off and arrested him. As they were going to the station house, and were waiting ata railroad crossing for the passing of @ train, the. horse dropped dead, the result of ‘the abusive treatment which he bad re- ceived, Judge Wheeler committed Rador for trial, in default of $800 bail. RAMMING THE TENTH, The Tonth precinct police, under Sergeant Horbelt, on Wodnesday night raided a disorderly house in El- dridge strect, and arrested the proprietors, Charles and Amelia Marder, who were beld for trial at tho Essex Market Court yesterday, Six girls and two men found in the house were discharged. THE RIVER MYSTERY. Michael Sullivan, the ‘longshoreman, arrested on suspicion of baving thrown an unknown woman over- board at pier 37 East River, and Antomo Morelli, the Chinan sailor, subsequently charged with having ad- mitted that he pushed tho woman whon she staggered and fell overboard, were both committed by Jus- tice Flammer, at the Essex Market Court, yes- terday, to await the uiscovery of the woman’s body’ "or somo positive evidence to her Identity and the actual commission ot the crime, ‘Yo this end Captain McEiwaine and Detective Shalvey, of the Seventh precinct, aro strenuously working. As yet the only evidence against Morelli is tho statement of tho threy sailors—Hill, Bennett and Currier—that Morelti told them he had pushed the wo- man and that she slipped and fell overboard, The wo- mao ts supposed to ve a Water strect unfortunate. The three witnesses—Hill, Bonnet, and Currier—aro in the House of Detention, ‘They, as well as Morellt aud Sullivan, ropeat the statements already published iu the Herat, Morelli denying that he ever saw tho woman, : “COUNTIED OUT. A fraudulent real estate transaction came to hght in the course of a trial, before Justice Pinckney, in the Seventh District Civil Court (Filty-seventh street), yesterday. It appears that some weeks ago Wiliet MoCord, who owns a three story brown stone house iu 113th street, entered into negotiations with a real estate agent named John Martin for the purpose of ob- taining «farm in exchange for his house. Martin found a farmer from Pike county, Pa., who was willing to make an exchange. Ho represented bis property of 115 acres to be worth $10,000, and McCord, without going to see Whether the representations were true, signed an agreement transierring tho ttle of his houso to (he farmer, and vice versa. When at length, how. ever, he came to exainine the property he found it not by any means as represented, and instead of being in Pike county, it was in an adjommmg county, to whicn it had been reinoved by an uct of tho Legislature of tbe State of Pennsylvania, Martin sues now for his com- mission from McCord, Which the latter roiusos to give on the ground of iraud. A PRECOCIOUS YOUTH, On Wednesday night Mr. Francis M. Rossa, of Seventeenth street, found a shoviess and ragged urchin in Filth avenue, shivering from the cold, He brought him to his restterce, and gave lim a warm dinver, ‘The boy said that his namo was Arthur Cam- eron, and that his stepmother, at No. 234 West Thirty- ninth street, had turned him out in the street, Mr, Rossa communicated with Captain Williams, of the Twenty- ninth preciet, and signor Chiardi, the agent o1 the Society for the Prevention oj Cruvity to Cuildren, whe chanced to be m the station house, proceeded to inv. tigate the case. found thut the boy was an veterate liar, that he had a good home, acd that on leaving his parents’ residence he took off his shoos and stockings and threw them away, us they burt his cet, In addition, he bad already been an inmate of tho House of Retuge, Justico Otiervourg yesterday sur- rendered the youth buck to his stepmother, When sho got him’ out on the sivewalk his cries could ve heard a block away, After the brief contention be- tween mother and sun’ terminated Master Cameron walked home, demure, and, it is to be hoped, repentant, STEALING NEW YORK HERALDS. Pat Donoghue, aged sixt of No. 451 West Twenty-seventh sirect, Was arrested yesterday morn- ing by Officer Riolly, of the Twenty-nimth precinct, and arraigned before Justice Otterbourg, at the Wash. ington Place Court, charged by Mr. Robert A. Greacen, of No, 161 West Thirty-first street, with Hekatp from the stoop of Mr. Greacen’s yesterday morning. Tho boy said he simply went up ihe stoop to find out what the street numbef of the house was, and as an evidence of his honesty produced an order trom the Hexatp office entitling him to ten copies of tho paper. The boy, who supports a poor mother and a little Sister, was discharged, There is no question, however, but that some boy has stolen Mr. Greacen’s Hekato from his stoop every morning this week, Samuel Munsen, the voy fourteen years old, arrested by Detective Schmidtborger, of the Twenty-ninth precinct, at the instance of the Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Children, on a charge of outrag- ing Carrio Volk, aged eight yoars, and Kate Volk, aged ten years, at the residence of their parents, No, 232 West Twentieth street, was brought before Justice Ovterbourg, at the Washingtom Place Court, yosterday morning and discharged, the Justice learning {rom the girls’ stories that no actual crime bad been committed, FOR A STARVING MOTHER, Mark Simon, @ boy sixteon yoars old, living at No, belore Justice Otter- bourg, at the Washington Place Police Court, yester- day, charged with stealing a tub of lard, value $3, tho property of Wilcox & Co., No. 63 Vestry strect, Mr. Philips, superintendent of the firm, stated that they did not care about the value of the lard, but that their large shipments by steamers were daily delayed by just such petty larcenies. Whon Simon was asked what he had to say, he stated that hia mother w: sick and warring at home, Justice Otverbvourg hi him io $300 bail for trial at Special Sessions, an he would inqutre into the truth of atement, AVERSE TO MUSTARD. Edward O. Brinkerhof, a demure looking man of forty-five, who is said to be a retired cracker baker, with @ fortune estimated between $400,000 and $1,000,000, was placed before the bar of the Tombs Police Court yesterday, while Judge Dufly listened to the solicitations of his friends for Irie release, When taken into custody the unfortunate man hed on his person $470 and a@ valuablo goid 1b. His hailucina- Hon appeared to be that war re constantly mix- ing mustard (to which he was decidedly averse) into his food, Having put up with the outrage long enough he sought satistaction vy breaking the windows of hie hotel, which act caused the police to interfere, His widowed sister, Mra. Cooper, "promising to see that he wis immediately sent to the Bloomingdale Insane Asylum, the Judge ordered his release and directed the money found on him to be paid over to her. AN IMMORAL TEACHER. A professions! card writer, who has resided in the village of Jamaica for several months past, giving bis name N. M, Hicks, was arrested yostorday by Officer Remsen, on a warrant issued by Police Justice W. T. Brush, charged with making and distributing obscene pictures, Several of these pictures were pro- duced in evidence and proved to be of the most dis- gusting character. It ts alleged that Hicks has been in the habit of selling or giving such pictures to the young ot both sexes. The Justice sent the prisoner j the County Jail to await the action of the Grand Jury, ARY 26, 1877.—TRIPLE SHEET. “FORDY,” THE SHOOTIST, On the night of the 9th of November last it will be remembered the ‘Burnt Rag,’’ a liquor saloon of un- enviable notoriety, at No. 263 West Seventeenth atreet, verely wounded, The assailantse! Burnham were James McGuire, alias Mug,” aed John W. Ford, alias “Fordy.” The iatter ia twenty-five years of age anda japanner by trade. His record, as given by the police, places him at the head of the list of desperate villains in the metropolis. Atter the attack on Burnbam he fled to a shanty ip Seventy-second sirect, kept by a young wowan pained Kate Donnelly. Here be lived for some time with two women, One of these was Annie McLaughlin, and one bight, whi x her in the shanty, other womgo, Donnelly, interfered, vod Ford turned and fired three shots, one of which entered her neck on the lett side, causing a wound which confued her to Bellevue Hospital tor about two months, Fora then fled, Detectives McGowan and Tucker succeeded in catching bim Wednesday night, Yeser- Ford was arraigned as the Filty-seveoth Street Police Court, belere Judge Smith, to answer the com- plaints ot Kate Donnelly and Charles Burnham. The first he said was only an accident, and of the second he was not guilty, Ou both charges he was commitied for trial in default of $5,500. Ford’s photograph has ded to the Valuable collection at Police Head- THE POLICE BOARD. INCREASING THE SUPERINTENDENT'S POWERS— BUILDING INSPECTIONS—CHADWICK'S FRIED EGGS. The Police Board met yosterday, Commissioner Nichols, who is very ill, bemg absent, Alter the transaction of minor business the following rosolu- tions were adopted :— Resolved, That the Superintendent be authorized to dotall Any member of the police force to thy performance of any prover police duty or business (and for such purposes may order and allow any suc member to leave the city) when- vies ure such ay bo pre Hieation to the Board, In all s nll immediately report to the in the premises, NSPECTIONS. BUILDING The following copy of a resolution passed by the Board of Fire Underwriters was read and ordered on tilo:— Resolved, That this Board observe with appro n of the Board of Police and tire Commi looking to the better protuction of life. and property in theatres and other pu itisot the niow that the inspection authorized und required b mild be frequentiy ime that the requiremonts of the samy suall not bé neglected, bus strictly eniorced, Hosolved furthe Commissioners b ve given them in section 4 of said chapter 742, taaw and tht they be und are hereby requested to ful it with reterence to all the classes of onildings reierred to tu suid section, attention of the said d_to the wuthority 4 THE BONUS QUESTION. Acommunteation trom Smith, Hedges & Co., asking permission to give Detective Dunn $100 for the arrest Of a thief, was received and the request grautod with the usual deduction, Officer Hoverside, of the Fourth precinct, was permitted to receive $10 for the capture of a deserter irom a war vessel, ptain Lowery, of the Sixth precinet, forwarded the $2 received by Michael Culley dourman, from George Chadwick, the prisoner in the great forgery case, who wanted fried-egus served to him. ‘the letter Accompanying It referred to the Committes on Rules and Discipline, In this case charges bad been preferred against the doorman tor taking money from a prisoner, und Captain Lowery sent the sum received to the Commissioners, with the explanation that the man did not know that in xo doing he had been guilty of any violation of the rules. BOARD OF ALDERMEN. At the rogular meeting of the Board ot Aldermen yesterday, with Mr, H, D, Purroy in the chair, the fol- lowing miscellaneous matters were attended to:— THR THIRD DISTRICT COURT, A resolution authorizing the Commissioner ot Public Works to complete the Third District Court House, in view of the fact that the term of the commissioners in charge of that structare had expired on the Slat of De- cember last, was referred to a committee, THE WATE SUPPLY. On motion of Alderman Keenan the Commissioner of Public Works was requested to inquire into the Liver- pool plan of preventing waste o! water. Tho special commitice on Croton water was author. ized, on motion of Alderman Tuomey, to ascertain an to the statement that the contractor for tapping water mains uses tapping cocks of insullicient size and in- ferior make, resulting in a serious damage trom leak- age, MUNICIPAL CONFERENCES, On motion of Alderman Purroy tho following reso- lution was yesterday passed in the Board :— Resuived, That His Honor the Mayor be and he is hereby. directe:t to summon the heads of the several departments and branches of the city cluding the Presi- eet with him at his and vitenge if of conferring and taking t devising and recommend- the public interests aud of thus se- tion which in al bow her ie ing measures affectin curing that con ALDERMANIC “BULL-DOZING,” At yesterday’s meeting of the Board of Aldermen Mf. Cole presented a series of resolutions in support of the Compromise Electoral bill now pending before Congress, Alderman Purroy squelched the high- sounding provunciameuto by remi “E move that the resolutions be placed on fix, as the bill B already passed the Senate.’’ This motion wus carried and Mr, Cole's eflort thus consigned to oblivion, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, The Supply Committce met yesterday afternoon in tho ball of the Board of Eaucation for the purpose of auditing bills for supplies, Twenty-five thousand dol- lars were appropriated at the meeting of the Board of Education on Wednesday, the 24th inst., for the pay- ment of bills for the month of January. Bills to the amount of $17,759 02 were audited yesterday after. noon, THE MEXICAN TROUBLES, {From tho San Francisco Chronicle, Jan. 18.) The telegraph of the past two days bas been making sad havoc of Mexican news. The names of generals and places moutioned sound @ little like the novelties of an African explorer, The General Jairoga of the telegraph is Quiroga, who is reported as having been shot by the revolutionists, He was in command at Matamoros at the time 16 was captured and held by Diaz tor a few days during the pit year. Ha was one of the military men who clung to Lerdo, even aiter ali hope appeared gone, During Lerdo’s reign Quiroga ‘was in command of the Northwest. This is the hero, also, Which some of the despatches make out as En- querago. General Labarial, as the telegraph has it, is General Labarra, tor a iong time Collector of the port of Matamorus, and now en rouée lor the City of Mexico, If not caroiul ~be will most likely meet the tate of Quiroga. THK MATAMOROS TROUBLE. The news that the troops of General Rivueltas broke into ana plundered the stores in Matamoros, despatches ot the 1doth state, must he a mistake, for the revolutionists, under the notorious bandit Cortina, are reported to have entered the city some days later. The soldiers, under Cortina, are the most desperate cutthroats along tne Rio Grande. They makea proies- sion of plundering. robbing and murdering. It 18 the testimony of all unprejuaiced observers that the re- gular army, as supported by Lerdo, has conducted itself according to the rales and principles governing civilized wartare. The officers of the regular army during their contest with the evolutionists have not committed an act that could stain their reputations us soldiers. FROM LOWER CALIFORNIA, A late private ietter trom Lower California says that the Mexicans on the frontier have no longor any fears of invasion, They havo quietly settiod dewn to busi- ness in the usual way. Jose Moreno, a native of this State, is still in command, but no longer assumes the title of Governor. He reigns under the popular tile of Representative of the People. Neither (rom Lower California nor Northern Mexico do we get an item of rdo, Everything is distinguisho: we call him, bas reached official or non-official Mexican circles in thiscity. The defeat of Igiesiay by Diaz has created great joy in revolutionary circles here, RAINS ON THE PACIFIC COAST. (From the San Francisco (Cal.) Post, Jan, 17.) All causes for uneasiness regarding’ next season's crop 16 practically atanend, The rain which began in Southern California on the night of the 12th inst. spread allover the State, as we anticipated it would do, Atdaybreak on Tuesday morning the rain began in San Francisco, and it has continued to fall in show- ers since, By present appearances we are in fora continued downpour, Despatches from various poinis of the State are equally assuring. About Santa Barbara City a slight rain followed a wortherly biow und dust storm on the 16th, but it rained beavily a few miles away, The weather was cool, the sky overcast with raio in the westward the Indications w ported favorable riners are busy preparin; ground tor winter sown grain. Rain in Febr Marco and May would assure a geod crop in this trict. Large areas were dry sown in the northern part of the county, umd the farmers will now derive the benefit of their forethought. Stock is suffering Iu some cages but not generally. A San Diego despatch of the 16th states that the snow!all there is tho heaviest (or weveral years, extending lower down the mountains (hao asual. The bills in De ta Viegas Valley, thirty Miles castward, are covered with a sprinkling of light 7, a Mos Anusual circumstance, The range from ith’, Mountain to the Lower California line is cov- ed with snow, RE eT TN TEE a HUNTING THE ELK. STB JOHN REID'S HUNTING EXCURSION we rm COUNTRY OF THE SIOUX INDIANS. In the early days of October Sir John Ray Reid ang” hts cousin, Mr. Charles Eaton, accompanied by a gacie- keeper, arrived in New York with the intention of setting Out op a hunting excursion in the wild Indian country of the West. Securing the services of “Texas Jack,” whose bunting expleits and Iudian adventures aro so well Known throughout the country, the party lett this city and proceeded to Rawlins, Wyoming Ter- ritory, where they were joined by Tom Sun, better known in the West ‘Indian Tom,” an old ber anda well known Indian Gghter, At Rawlhas the bunting outht was rigged out, and consisted of wagon, pack mules and gaddie ponies, im all about eighteen head of stock, The hunk ing party had by this time ipereased to seven people—Sir John Ray Reid, Mr, Cparies Eaton, “Texas Jack,’’ ‘*Indian Tom,” the game keeper Robert, and two assistants, The intention was to move inte the heart of the Sioux reservation, where it was re- ported there were eik in abundance, At Fort Stevie soine of the officers uttempted to diasuad party from the undertaking op account of the hostility of the Indians and tue dangers thoy would necessarily in- car from so perilous an undertaking. The chaaces of getting scalped did not, however, buii-doze the hunters and they resolved to continue their journey, See.ay them resolved to carry out (heir progranme Lieu! ant Keefe, commanding officor at Fors Steele, guve Sur Jobu and bis toilowers all the information and assist ance in his power to © the bunt successiel ‘Texas Jack,” who bad been through the country a short time previous, felt satisfied they would counter no Indians, a8 he bad seen many of the lodget cross the frontier on the approach 61 winter. ‘THK HUNTING GROUND, About sixty miles north of Rawlins the be in| party struck elk by the thousana, large herds oi blac! Ufiied deer and mountain sheep in plenty. Moving north the party remained along the tributaries of she North Platte River tor about threo weeks. They came across one berd of elk numbering about 3,000 bead and followed them for seven or eight miles. During the rua. they secured several pair of ino antiers, At one time the herd was driven into camp aud in the contusi and excitement the mules became frighteved and nearly stampeded, « As much meat as was required was red trom this herd. ‘lhe party continued still further rth during the latter partol November and had magnificent hanting. Early in December they changed their course west, struck the Sweet Water and pro- ceeded along tts banks and finally pitehed permanent camp near vid Independence Rock in Devil Gate coun: try. Here the bunting proved to be exceptionally fide, including elk in abundance and mountain sheep and biack tailed deer in 1mmense quantities. YING TROPHIES, During the stay in this jocality a dozen pair of ag fine antlers a8 huvo ever fallen to the lot of sportsmen to secure were obt Sir John Reid was so wall Pleased with the prizes that tbey were forwarded to Omaha and sent on to this city for shipment to Eng. Jand. Some ot these antlers measure trom the base of the skull to the tip over five feet, and will measure in width about four feet. The finest specimen was taken from a fine old buck, killed on Christmas Day by Sir Joun himself on one of the highost peaks of the Sweet Water Range. When the carcass was drawn into camp there was great merry making, and the Christ. mas festivitics were celebrated with increased ene thusiasm, There was po wanton slaughter of game in any respect. ‘The best specimens were singled out and followed, ana alter the camp Was aupplicd with clk, deer and mountain sheep meat, and Fort Steele tur- nished with an umple supply, the balauce was for- warded to Omuba, where it was sold at trom eight to ten cents a pound to the poor, while Texan veel was bringing twenty and twenty-five ceata, COLD WRATIRR, ~ ‘The temperature durmg the hunt and up to Christ- mas ranged avout zero; shortly alter it began to grow colder and colder until twenty-five degroes below zero was reached. Snow also began to fall heavily, and oo the 27th of December the party broke camp and started homeward, passing through Sand Creek, one of the most enterprising twining cam; ol the West, and reached Kawiins on New Year's Here the party separated, Sir Jobn Reid and Mr. Faton continuing their journey across the coutinent to San Francisco, en route to Lndii ndian Jack’ re. pairing to bis old Indian haunts, and ‘Texas Jack” proceeding to this city with the trophies of the hunt secured in the interior of the Sioux country, THE DESTITUTE, There is very little that is now to report in the situae tion of the distressed, fhe charitable societies are laboring with uaremitting zeal in trying to collect fands to supply the needed food for the thousands of the famtshing. The St Vincent do Paul Society bas done a vast umount of work quietly this winter, This society works by parishes, each church baviug « branch sciety of its own working separately irom all others, In every pariah the demana for relief has taxed the society to the utmost. §=The St. Jobu’s Guild "1 the St. Viacent de Paul Society have principally borne the brunt of the relieving 80 far, Both orgaui- vationg are hard pressed tor junds, The poorest of the poor are dependent tor food on either one or the other of these societies, and without voth the cry of distress would have continued to be as bitter as it was im the early part of the winter, Daring j;be past week there were three noticeabie features in the distress, One was that, for some revson or other, the tunds sustainsng the guild, and which had bithorto been so generously give in to become of very serious cause tor alarm as lo tueit continuance, Au that the Washington Market and Faiton Ma kitchens were in excellent working ord daily nearly 2,000 of the poor, Both th are now fortunately d facts for the r winter, market people generously supplying the m tial for their support. As fast as the coal could ve supplied by the Department of Charities and Correc. tion the applicants bave received it. ken altogether the week bas passed over without the development of any especially marked cases of exireme poverty Still the suifering among the better class of the work- ing people has beea extreme, though the reli they | have been afforded has saved thet trom the most abe solute distress. If the societies how organized to re- lieve the idle workingmen were generously sustained the rest of the winter might pass over without any acaths from starvation, thougu perhaps not from the sicknesses incidental to it. ST. JOUN'S GUILD. * The following contributions were received yesterday, and will, Mr, Wiswall says, furoish supplies lor to day :— ? RO. W., $20; Py M. H.. $5; A. W. Budlong, $20; C 50; ' Henry Harvey, $10; ; science, $9; F. O. Matthiesen, $100; A Frien i Wiltu:n L. Chamberiain, $25; Kerba & Spiess, $40; A poor boy's mite, 10 cents; A. B. C., $5; Sm ploy és of {he Commercial Fire tnsurance Company, $5; Miss sarah A. Kovins, $100; Mrs, Ameba Robins, At. Kepp: tmann, $5; Ano- $ FF. M. W, $50; A. WwW W. A., $2; 205° W. George ©. Oo; A.Genti Davis, $2; Miss P., $1; AB. N., $5; Re S | Friend, $1; Miss A. Wilkes. $10; A’ Strang ; ; RK. MeCartney, $2; Mrs. leaac Aboot, § thener, 1 40; W. J. H., $5: Employds of C. A, Aulem, Ordt'& Co. $37 60; Casn, $6; Cust, $30; Cash, $10; N. 8., $5; Lowell Mason, $100; N. J, B. & Brother, $25; G. H, W., $10; Anonymous, $5: 6. M. Baxter, $1; Taylor & Co., $100; Mary H. Tuomas, $7 07, Total, $962 17. Contributions to this fund are earnestly solicited for the work to-morrow, and should be sent to Andrew W. Leggat, treasurer, 42 East Fourteenth street, SWINDLING POOR ITALIANS. Detective Von Gerichten, of the Central OMice, ap. plied to Justice Murray, at the Washington Piace Court, for a warrant for the arrest of Nicolo Mattalo, an Italian residing at No, 214 Mott etreet, on a charge of swindling a number of poor Italian emigranta, Mattalo’s actions were brought to the attention of Con- sul General de luca, and the facts were obtained by Mr. E. P. Bergamini, ot No. 10 Contre street, The Story told by Luigi Curio, who accompanied the detec tive, was that Mattalo told him be wouid bring him to the office of one of the greatest judges in the city, who, for a emall consideration, would farnisb him with @ permit allowing him to play the organ all over Yhe United States without molestation by the authorities, Mattaio brought him to the ofice of a lawyer named H 8. Levy, to whom he paid $9 60 He called repeatedly for his permit, but wi given no satisiaction, Justice Murray said that he was reiactantiy obliged to decline Issuing the warrant, as the money was paid to the lawyer and not to Mattalo, Some time ago Mattalo employed a num- ber of Italians to work in the country at $2 75 per day, Qnd alter obtaining $1 50 each trom Gerard d’Orio, Nicolo Mastrangelo, Giovanni Papace, Guiseppe Pragonetti, Domenico Bosco and others, lei them stand tn the feiiroad depot at Newark, N. J., for twenty-four hours and absconded to this city, leaving his victims to get buck aa best they could. fits latest effort in the swindling line was engaging ltahas labor. ers to work in South Carolina and charging them $& each steamer passage, The transpareucy of die was shown by the announcement that th to carry (be lavorers to South Carolina was to start from Troy, N.Y. Among those victimized by Mattale tn this scheme were Luigi Ruftano, Domenico Bosco, Antonio Antida and Guiseppe Fragonnewti. The swine dle has been broken up by Detective Von Gerichtes and Signor Bergamini LITTLE LOUIS NEFF. Coroner Flanagan held an inquest yesterday on th body of little Louis Neff, aged three years, who was drowned in the tank of Fletcher on January 20, while the passengers were being transferred on board of her from the steamer France to Castle Garden, The testimony of James EK. Emmons, Wiliam Lashor, George I. Piass, Teresa Neff, the chiid’s mother, and Dr, Miller waa deemed sufficient by the jury to warrant the following ver. dict :— “We find that the child Louis Neff came to hisdeath by drowning, by accidentally falling imto the tank on board the mee William Fletel On the 20th ist, oved im consequence ot the cover bei from said tank by some person to us unk: \