The New York Herald Newspaper, February 8, 1877, Page 5

“LOW TOLLS. A Reduction in Canal Tariff a Commer- cial Necessity to New York. MASS MEETING AT COOPER INSTITUTE, Letter from Horatio Seymour—Speeches by Eminent Advocates of Lower Rates of Freight. A mass mecting was called last vight at the Cooper Union for the purpose of eliciting an cxpression of public opimion as to the best means of reducing the present rates of tolls on the canals throughout the State. Tne call was signed by Messrs. J. 5. Brown, W.C. Ciark hnd H. R. Preston on behalf of the Com- mittee of Arrangements, Although the subject matter to be discussed possessed no common intorest for cer- tain classes of our laboring men, the attendance was not very large, Among tho gentlemen who had seats on the platform wore:—Mr. Poter Cooper, who presided; Thomas E. Bishop and Robert E. Stokes, secretaries, and F. A. Conkling, Theodore #. Lees, James Wadsworth, A. W. Humphreys, A. B. Miller, H, C. Smith, J. Brown, HL R. Preston, M. F. James, N. J. Clark, William Spen- cer, James A. Richmond, J, H. Baker, Robert Aitkin, Thomas Patterson, Samuel J. King, Richard A.-Smitb, Alden D. Swan, Wilham A. Cole, Mr. Englebardt, Mr. Cooper opened the proceedings by reading an mteresting paper in which he detailed several in- genious contrivances of his own invention, intendod to cheapen canal transportation. In the course of bis remarks Mr. Cooper said: — “We have met, my friends, to ascertain, if possible, what course of policy will most effectually promote ali the substantial interests of our city, State and nation in the future ase of our Eric Canal, “There are gontiomen present who will, I trust, dem- onstrate to the satisfaction of all that it will be for tho truo interest of our city and State to collect no moro tolls from the cavals than will be sufficient to keep them in tho best possible condition to transport the vastproducts of the West at the cheapest rate to thoir natural market 1n this empire city of our Empire Bate.” Our £ric Canal, that now taps one of tho largest fields of internal commerce in the world, is destined to receive contributions from a much wider field than has ever belore poured its treasures into its bosom. Its influence, I believe, hus more than doubled the value of our city and State, besides the untold benefits it has conferred on the different Stutes of the West, If ithas done all this what may it not do when it comes to be still further connected with the great waters of the Omo and Mississippi rivers, us now contemplated ? IT have ventured the opinion thata saving of fifty per cent can be made by using the elevated waters of the canal ag a motive power to tow the bouts, If 1 was a younger man I should want uo better chanco of for- tune than 4 GER which would allow me to placoa chain on both sides of the Erio Canal, with the privi- lege of charging one-half the amount that is now being expendea in towing the bouts. The power ‘to tow the boats would be obtained by passing the water through a wheel trom one level of the canal to an- other, Tho posts can bo so arrange: not to interfere with the prosent towpaths on the cunal. THR RESOLUTIONS. The following resolutions were read by Mr. Wads- worth and adopted:— Resolved, That tho double taxation imposed upon the in- strumuants of commerce, as represented by the canal boats and thelr apoliances, is most burdensome to the bone owners, suicidal to the State, injurious to commerce and nt economy: and that bation of fall variance with sound politica high tolls, low tolls or no tolls shall be the futare police: the Sinte; we unitedly ask that, this, most odious tax be immediately and forever abolixhed. Hexlved, That the Erie Canal, ax an ag; no longer do effective buttle for the commercia Of the people and tho State, wutil direct revenue, us w Imary idea of their institution, shal! be abandoned, and shall be succeeded by sound comm jal doctrine that not rover but 0 wetion, not direct enue to the State ont enlarged business to the citizen, shall herealter bo the sole eud and aim of thelr administration, ved, That, since facte demonstrate thal all revenue n rom. t to be applied in like ral Fund debt includ- im to pay the general er lure suws to be super-surnlus revenues for the ala; therefore, by immediate constitusional amendment if necessary, unless the power shall be found to exist alrend: should be tasued ficient to dischurge all wineh now have a lien by the con- surplus revenues, the Stute shall creditors and its citizens, pus itself record and in harmony with the progressive 0 times, , That we respectiully commend to the Logislu- ture of the State the propriety of declaring the Erie Canal a public highway of the people, freo to all com four ‘own and sister Staten, Whereas the Erie Canal is a great national artery of communication, connecting the Jukes with i in the language of Heury Clay, {a the same, whether you promote commu jal channel where now there 1s non ry with whieh it may be ducted whieh the bounty of Providence enoral government come thereby & national Mshway, the common prop- the erty, and aubjedt to common use of whole Union, is a Proper si for the immediate consideration alike of citizen, State and nation. Resolved, That an Executive and Financial Committee of five persons. of which L, J. N Starks shall be the treasurer, be wopointed by the Chair, to take into thetr hands the fur- ther prosecution of the objects of tnis mecting. aud with full power to call turthér meetings, co-onerate with existing soc ‘and corporations, raise money nud expend the a’ such manner asin their judg- general commercial Interest. mediately of} Ki Ang lens than ai power and Insuring increased speed, requiring uo logistution, no alteration in the preseut struc: ture of the e or of canal boats, and requiring no fur- ther prouf of adaptability than already furnished by actual operation, Is. a imutter ot paramount importance and neces: sry to & perfect realization of the benefits to be derived from the reduction or abolition of tolls: therefore, Ived, That we heartily indorse the recent report of tho New York Canal Transportation Association upon the Belelan system of steum cable towing as boing “the most direct, ceonomical and ex yet dovined for that pur: = ved, ia Canals we woprove the use of the Belgian as the must pric. tie ve of tent yet demonstrated for general intcoduc- tion upon the Krie Canal, and recommend its Introduction upon the ensire length of the canal and pledge our encoar- agement and support. MR. SEYMOUR’S LETTER. A letter from Horatio Seymour was rend, The following are the principal points contained jn it:— The owners of more than 6,000 its have been struggling for years pastagainst unwise legislation, bad management and unjust public Lrg = nsion with regard to these avenuos of commerce. While they have been of great servico to the public by keeping down railroad charges on commerce, by making food and (uel choaper in our markets, they have not had that degree of sympathy to which they were entitled from all classes of our citizens. Tho public mind has beon misled with regard to our canals by the way in which their accounts aro kept, the light in which thoy aro piaced by our State con- i} ution, They are all grouped together as a tem, and we are taught to look upon them a whole, and not to discriminate between those which pay and thoso which waste, Yet we have called upon the boatmen using the Erie, Os- wego and Champlain canals to pay for the cost of build. ing and keeping in order all the other water routes, ‘With tew excoptions the boatmen are ongaged on these three canals. Since they were made they bave paid into the treasury of the Stato more than $120,000, 000, Toisleavesn profit of more than $40,000,000 above i} that has been speut upon them for con- It wm tntorest account is Btated it will increase the balanco in tavor of these three works toa exceeding $63,000,000, notwith- standing all that bus boon wasted and Jost by extray. | geunce and frauds, They have taxed for thou- sands of bridges ond other structures for the. une 4 oe towns which have been made rich snd prosperous by those works, When the constitution regulated the financial sys- tem of ourcanals and required them to pay certain sims each year for the purposes demgaated, it, in fact, saud that the commerce of the Erie should pay the Uebts, keop in repair and make the improvements of allthe other public works, Some of these, like the Oswego, aided tv tho business of the Erie as tribu- \artes and should be credied the amounts, b upon its commerce tom Other States have larger territories, more wealth 1 the fertility of their sole and in the richness of their minerals, Whe tan curly day, tar-seemng men astoniaued the | world by their bold torprixe §=oof uniting the waters of the great inkes with thoso of the Hudson they did not look to} the pohoy of taxing the commerce which | might be drawn through our Stato, but ouly i a largo | might promote ite wellaro aud honer by eheapening transportion und promoting commerce, the rest agent of civilization, prosperity anid wealth. | Under this policy the erty and state of New York rapidiy putstripped all competiiors. Tn an evit hour the wise and liberal policy of the men who made this the torc- ost State mm the Union was changed aod we red to look apon our canals as commercial speca- Men sought to draw trom them the means to r schemes, and with tne deeay of the great purposes of ther founders abuses aud frauds to their management, ot hen foils are put up the railroads put up thelr hus, 0 that when §1 18 gained im thie way from Psi "tho people, the taxpayers, pay $4, of which the rattroads got $5. way how they i tations, rarry out othe been tation would have ouly Shout shehail of tie ebay Ay the aigersace would be thrown upon the vther counties, The pros cb the commerce upon our water rouies has this city and the counties I have referred to ved sections from the payment of this isis fact that whut is called the rail- road war grew out of the claim that roads in other States carry Lig sgt from the West to rival cities on the séabord Jeas than those paid to the lines se New York, because the latter were of greater ‘e have in our canals the weans of regulating the cost of transportation. It will be.a little matter for this State to make the toll treo and to put thom In the Dest condition for competing with all rivals 1 know that there are. constitutional diMouities in the way of carrying out this policy to its tuilextent, but if the necessity arises constitutions can be amended. In the meantime the tolls can be re- duced to the lowest point which sball give revenue enough to keep our canalsin repatr. We can give courage to our boatmen by showing a desire to help them and our sense of the value of their exertions, SPRECH OF JAMbs WADSWORTH. The speaker with Governor mour that the Joweat toll was not the best toll, but that no toll was The progress of radical measures must necessarily ‘The march of the grand idea of American independence showed this, for the first time it was broached in # legislative Assemby but sev of the whole body voted for it. A radical demand should be made that the canals bo declared free as the sca, free as tho Inke, freo as the river. The cunal as it now te appears to be dying of constitutional strictare, A tax on the cal of commodities und not on con- sumption has no warrant in apy sysiem of civilized government since the days of Adam ; Smith dowo, The Eric Canal must be to the people tree trom all impediment restrictions. The c receives $2,400,000 annually, just that amount moro than it has any rigbtto, An Yot this provision is constitutional. There is one, and one only, ‘of escape, and that isa change in the constitution, If necessary, let once more a constitu- tional convention be assembled and sirtke off from our laws this injurious clause in the State constitu. tion, The food of the world is the proporty of the world and should not be taxed by man, peaker coucluded amid loud applause. SPEKCH OF A. A. HUMPHREYS. Mr, Hompbreys read a speech, in the course of which ho said in substance:—First aud foremost, let the Stato sell, give away or pay somebody any moderate suin to take ail the side canals which arc not a necessity as sources of water supply, or in some way abandon thi and the care of them at once and forever, The constantly and only aheavy ex- pense to th ‘and {ts people. Their balance, al- Ways upon tho wrong sido, is posdlenty, looked upon as forming a necessary part of the policy of having any canals, The tolls from the Chemung Canal for 1874 emung, + $515,971 61 1,938,635 20 The total tolls cullectod on the Chi Canal since 1834 are......+ Cost of collection and repairs. 8 and the umount of tolls in forty yoars completed is $736,461 50—lese than one- its cost. ‘The ‘Genesco Valley Canal has cost $17,622,055 92, und tho total amount of tolls received on {t for forty years has been $813,874 20—less than one-twenticti of its cost. In 1875 the tolls received from this canal were $12,000 and its expenses $125, 000, Those canals I bave pnamed are not tho only unprotitable waterways of this State, bat are mentioned to sliow the principle involved ; tho whole lot ot laterals are simply pauper canals, and the sooner that fact is widely recognized and vigorously acted upon the bet- ter for tho true interests of the really usoful and de- sirable canals, The Auditor of the Canal Department in his report for 1875 gives the total profit of the Erie and Chum- plain canals, trom the time of their opening to Sep- tomber 80, 1874, as over $90,000,000, and all this, and more, bas been spent on the laterala. It would almost seem that, besid uperinsendent of Public Works, there wae alsq needed a superintendent of legisiation, ‘The corstitution of the Stato now permits tno sale of most of the lateral ind the voice of sush meetings as this is only needed to stimulate the necessary legisia- tion upon the sunject. MR, THKODORY ¥. LEE'S SPRECI. Of the bundres t railroads throughout the Union not one was constructed for tho benetit of commerce; they were all built und inanaged for tbe interest aud benefit of their constructors. Not until tho compre- hensive mind of Chuton gave us the Krio Canal did Now York enter upon that carcer of unparalleled Prosperity which now distinguishes this State. Should the railway supersede the canal and throw out of em- ployment that creat body of boatmen which to-day tind their suppert trom tho canals, that day would be an unfortunate one for New York, And this can only be brought about by the continued bad management of the canal directors. Before adjourning the mecting passed a vote of thanks to the chairman, and named a committee, con- sisting of A. B. Miller, L. J. N. Stark, Willam Spencer, Emerson, Foote aud H. R. Preston, in compliance with the rosulutions which had been adopted. MATRIMONIAL COMPLICATIONS. TRE THIRD WIFE OF THE LATE WALTER W. PRICE—DOES ACTION FOR FRAUD ABATE WITH THE DEATH OF THE WRONGDOER? , The matrimonial complications of the late Walt W. Price, a wealthy retired brower, who died in the month of June, 1876, in Warren county, New York, wore again brought forward yesterday, before Justice Gilbert, in the Supreme Court, Special Term, Kings county. Action was brought some time ago by Constanco B. Price, third wife of the deceased, to recover $200,000 damages for fraudulent representations alleged to have been made by him to plainwff at the time he obtained her consent to a marriage. The case comes up now In the form of a motion to revive the cause of action as against the personal representatives of the deceased, whose executors are Mrs, Ashmead, o: Judge Brown and another. The cause is based on alleged fraud on the part of deceased in representing that he was competent to enter upon the marriage contract when he was not. In the complaint are set forth several remarkable facis. In April, 1839, in England, whero Mr. Price was born, he married Susannah Butler, from who he separated and came to America, Here he was prosperous in business and procured a divorce in ss In the month of October, the same year, ho was married to Caroline Joliet Batier in this city. lived with his second wito until 1860, when he menced a sult to have the marriage declared oull and void on the ground that the first wife was living. In November, 1864, a decree was entered by the court to that effect. The plaintifl in the present suit bad known him for several years previoas to his proposal of marriage, and ho told her that his frat wile died in Australia. They were married in 1864 and lived together for six ears, plaintif® having borne him three children. rice then abandoned her and began a suit to declare e third marriage, null and void, on the ground his first Wite was alive. The divorce was granted, stituted the suit lor d. doer, He hold that under tho Rovised Statut ich actions did survive, Here there was, ne claimed, fraud and damage done by this bigamist to the plain- tint, Counsel for the enecutors claimed that there was no cause of action. Wrong done to the person, as in this case, did not survive. udge Gilbort took the papers and reserved his deci- sion. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER'S COLLEGE, The semi-annual commencement of St. Francis Xavier's College took place yesterday evening at the College Hall, The attendance was very large. Among the more promment people present were Right Re Bishop Lynch, of Charleston; Mgr. Seton, Nowark; Kev. H, Mudor, Presiaent of the college; Father Traynor, Vice-President of St. Jobn’s Colleg Fordbam; Father Freitag, (. ‘8. RB, of Ne port, and Rey. W. Hurst, a Methodist clergyman. (he literary exercises of the evening were under the charge of the dobating society, composed of the wentor and junior classes ot the college, After the ex- ercises were over Bishop Lynch made afew remarks expressive of the pleasure he had derived from the entertainment and complimenting the Jesuit Fathers on ther success in educational matters. An elegant collation, served in the dining ball of the college, closed the evoning’s enjoyment. of MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY. | At the regular monthly meeting of the Medico-Legal Socloty last evening ® paper was read by Dr. Carroll, of Staten Island, on “Insane Criminals and the Crim- jnally Insane.” The Doctor claimed that many per- sons Who are affocted with mental disease yet act from vicious motives, and should be held ntablo fo the Jaw. Alter discussion on the questions raised by tb lecturer a report trom Dr, Loring was read in anew to questions proposed by the Committee on School: Among other points it was claimed that bad air would induce disease of the eye, and that in reading the light shouid soive from tno leit side, a little above the head, THE FAT MEN'S BALL. “This is a light ball,” said one of the heavy weights last night as bo edged bimselt sideways through the yawning portal of the ball, and ho waa right. Thi sume fat man noticed im the committec room a sia id immediately inquired :——ls them guns ana into these skelotons 7?” and with the iast ure in the direc. | tion of the A ciam-bake aud very hot | woather are necessary to. 1rosure a largely-attended meeting of fat men; then they do abhor accelerated motion, and this may be assumed as a reason for the slim ationdance last night, A BRUTAL FATHER, On Tuesday night Thomas Cassidy, of No, 240 Fast | Fifty-foarth street, quarrelled with bis son James and inflicted such sevore injuries on his bead with a power The upon the ple for State purposes, its ty taxes tpn atelary, stools, &o,, amounted the : w 207432." OF thin kum at by this city ah rook the counties along the of tho Err Lay Champlain canals, taxation iyn Oswego aud L that he is now confined to bod. At the Fifty-seventh Street Court the father was held examination. | NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 187 THE “REAMER” MURBDER, JAMES ¥LOOD BEFORE THE CORONEB AND IN THE TOMBS. - Mary Flood's murderer is at last in the bands of Justice and sojourning in the Tomvs/whitner he was sent by Coroner Ellinger yesterday to await the result of the inquest to be held on Friday at eleven o’clock, As the readers of the Hxra.p are already aware, he surrendered to Captain Leich in Brooklya ou Tucsday night und was held there until yesterday morning. Captain Leich took him betore Justice Riley, who de- Cided that he bad uo jurisdiction in the case, and ordered the prisouer to be delivered to the New York officers who were in waiting, Detectives Wade, Corey and Quinn, who had beon detailed by Cuptain Allaire, then toog charge of Flood and brought him across the ferry to the Fourteenth precinct in Mul- berry street. There wero few persons in tho velgh- borhood at the time of the prisoner’s arrival, as it had been specially desired by the polfee to get the man into his cell with the least excitement possible, BOOKING HIM, The proceedings at the desk wero as cold and formal asusual, Sergeant McClintock merely put the cus- tomary Questions, booking them and tho arraigned’s replics with as much imperturbabihity as character- jzes his examination of tue petticst thief brought into the Fourteenth. “What is your name??? “James Flood,’’ replied the prisoner in a low voico, uw old are you?” ‘Thirty years of age,”’ said Flood, ehifting bis weight trom one leg to the other, “Where were you born?” +1n Ireland, ’” “Where do you reside?” (Alter hesitating a moment.) street, Brookiyn. “What 1s your business ?* “L am » Hasmith,’’ faltered Fioo!, who certainly Seemed to appreciate to tho fullest extent the weight jh awers had in tixing his tdeut! earch him,’’ said Sergeant McClintock, and Officer Wade carctully examimed his pockets, felt his sides, breast dnd garments, Nothing was found upon Flood except two or threo trifli rinkets, which he deciared to ve the property of his sister, together with a smalt section of a cross studded with pearis, which be seemed to regard reverontially, a8 he believed it to have been made irom a piece of wood taken from Mount Olivet, HOW FLOOR LOOK. “Take him down stairs,” said Sergeant McClintock, and the prisoner was returned to w cell. James Flood did not look exactly like the man described by tho police on Sunday, True, his noso is indented. bus his ir 16 not at ati sandy, boing of a brown shade, He ‘was cleanly shaven and neatly clad, but his demeanor was dejectod and he ovidently appreciated the desperate strait he was in. BRYORK THR CORONER, Precisely at threo o'clock Detectives Wade, Cory and Quinn brought James Flood to tho Coroner's Othico, which, it will be remembered, is on the corner of Houston and Mulberry streets, Versons who had au “At No, 82 Fulton | inkling of the probabic advent of the prisoner stood on the sidewalk to caten a glimpse of him as he passed. But he bad been hurried up stairs and into the back room betoro their curiosity could bo halt satistied. Coroner Ellinger was at the dosk, and, outside of tho attachés of the office and a few representatives of the press, there were no spectators of the ceremony of committal, which did not occupy two minutes. ‘Tho prisoner stood botore the Coroner, who said, Your name is James Flood ?”” “Yos, sir”? “You will come here on Friday, eleven o'clock, to ate tend the inquest on the body uf Mary Flood,” ‘That was ail, Tho committal to the Tombs had beon already mado out and handed to the ollicers, who de- parted for the Egyptian pile, in Centre street, with their charge, The whole business was speedily trans- acted, aud nobody hud an opportunity of scrutinizing the man, After he bad gone Captain Allaire entéred the Coroner’s office with ‘tho reumer”? with which Mary bad been killed, and, holding it up, said:—‘*This ig a Nice weapon to strike anybody with.” 1t will be produced at the mquest. " ““STAMPY JOB. NUMISMATIC-PHILATELIC EDITORS AT LOGGER- HEADS-——A VILE ABUSE OF POETRY. An unseemly editorial war has of late been fiercely waged between the editors of a number of microscopic journals, couducted forthe enlightenment of stamp and coin maniacs These numismatic and philatelio publications proclaim, at irregular intervals, the inter- mittent variations in the postage stamps of the different nations of the world. They all claim to have facilities for procuring for anxious purchasers cancelled stamps of all the postal systems {rom tho firat establishment of post offices, bythe Antonines, in Rome, down to the latest American editions, Theso enterprising editors do not conflne themselves to the coining of tokens and currency of ton centuries since, but boldly storm the screne belghts of philology, and claim for “?hilately” a place in the lexicons. “Phi- lately,” it would appear, is a female substantive, for one of the editors im question, in speaking of the degeneracy of the times und the decline of chivalry among young editors, claims that they have ‘too long brought contempt upon Philately and disgust to many of her followers.” If Philately is the lady her name would import her to be, she must be sadly shocked ut the wrangling of thoso who claim to be “her tol- lowers.”” STRONG WORDS, of art,” aad other epithetstoo horrible for publication. They write epigrammatic verses full of satire aud infirm orthography, and traduce in genuine Huliugsgate cach other’s native towns. For a jong time they have been content with this method of “getting square,” as thoy call it editorially; bat hungering fora greater field of display, they have at last inadea début in the police courts.” The Tombs, famous as the scene of many a8 One the ot strnoge acts, was’ chosen these fighting —editors. comely young = man , who tinds suflcient time his class at Grammar School No. 2 to edit a paper, (nine tuches by tour) which he ures the public is ‘Fearless und Independent,” 31 bis brother in lot- ters and science, Mr. Kottshofski, for libel Mr. Kottsnofski is the editor of a journal about the size of a sheet of note paper, called the J’hilatelic Snoozer, and yp this (vol, 1, No. I.) ho prints the following stanza, 10 which Mr, Casey, of the **fearless and independent,”’ takes exception :— Casey his name, of Celtic birth And bogus Bertord fame— A creature caxt iu nat mould, Devoid of truth or theatre of Of stamps upon the brain, ce in ride phrase and accents low, His schoolboys cailed him stampy Jos. “THE POMK” INTERPRETED, M. Kottshofski told Judge Dufty that tho “pomo” ‘was pot original with him. He clipped it from an- other organ of Philately rejoicing in the title of the Timbrophilist. Judge Dufly, who claims ability to in- torpret the most weird aud mysterious poems in tho langange, tailed to discover the m line of th me” above, Ittranspired later that in that obscure line reference was made toa certain bogus stamp sold to confiding collectors in the yeor 1874, A Boston paper of that year publishes the fol- lowing account of the Berford gffair:— & magnificent discover; ‘w stamps this tin d th somewhat as follows « ago aman called Berford had an expr p conveying letters from the Atlantie seaboard to Vall and that in a fortunate hour # diligent local stamp discov: orer nunted him up and discovered him, discovered that he had stamps which he had used twonty’ yearsago, and coverest a few, very few of them remaining. whict as a per- sonal favor the distinguished discoverer would kindly sell to stamp collectors, for which kind favor they would of course feel sincerely grateful. Tho discoverer of those stamps, according to the Boston paper, was the editor of tho “tearless and inde. | pendent,’ and itis further claimed that the stamps ot 1851 ‘‘were made one day last winter in the office of the New York Graphic Company photo-iithogra. phers, and that the edition consisted of 800 sets, whic were duly paid for at the usual price of such work. EXKUNT ON Judge Duffy considered the case as one which merely required a sight judicial reprimand and accord. ingly dismissed Mr. Kottsboiski with the tajunction that he must discontinue the Snooser, Mr, Kotts- hotsk: objected to this raling, and it was finally modi. fied 80 that bo might publish the Snover, but not any “pomes" on Mr. Casey. All parties then left the court, and Casey vs. Kottsholski was a matter of record, A MUTINOUS CREW. As the police boat Seneca was coming up tho bay yesterday morning from somo special daty Sergeant Schultz,"who was in command, noticed a schooner fly- ingasignal of distress. Supposing that something was amiss the Seneca steamed alongside of tho schooner, whic cortained to be the Alfred Bradbrook, ptain John Phillips, and the pilot | boarded her, The Captain, upon perceiving him, said he telt no little relieved on i18 aypearance, as bis men had retased to go to thor work and threatened bim with violence if he should attempt to enforce his order, danger, he said, aud catlod upon the Sergeaut to pro- tect him. Upon being asked who the icaders wore, Heury Andrews, Frank Foley and Patrick Sullivan were picked out by the Captam, and were accordingly transierred to (he Seneca, where they were put ia trons vod conveyed to the city. The men, upon being questioned, complained bitterly of the treatinent they had been obliged to undergo trom the Capunn. abused them continually, and in order to protect them- acives Iu some measure they felt themselves under the necessity of retusing to obey his orders and even to \breaten him with Violene’ ‘The prisoners were ator ward brought belore Commissioner Shiciis, who investigate the matter, They were sent to Ludlow Street Jail, ARTISTS’ RECEPTION. Areception by the Amorican Socioty of Painters in Water Colors took place last evoning Inthe studio ot J. Some two weeks ago be broke his wife's jaw, and his general character, as givon by the polico, 16 that of a desperate character, ). Nicoll, at the Stadio Barldtog, No. 61 W sircet, aud Was attended by many promi color artists and literary men, ing of the second | He beheved his hfe in | He had | OUR SCHOOLS, BEPOBT OF SUPERINTENDENT EIDDLE—THE TRUANCY QUESTION—COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMPTROLLER, The Board of Education met yesterday afternoon. Superintendent Kiddle presented tho following report for the yes NUMBER OF CLASSIFICATIONS OF SCHOOLS, ‘The whole number of schools under the care of the “Board is 305, as tollows:—46 grammar schools for males, 46 grammar schools tur females and 12 grammar schools tor toth sexes; 66 primary depart. Ments and 46 separate primary schools; 7 schools for colored children, inclading 4 grammar aod 3 primary departments; 46 corporate schools, 35 evening schools, imeluding =the evening igh school, the Bautical school, the Normal College und train- ing scboo! counected therewith, and the Satar- day normul school for teachers, The atteudance of pupils reported as taught during avy portion of the ear 18 252,155, and the average daily attendance is 22,618, showing a decrease in the foriner as compared with last year of 2,567 and an increase tn the latter of 1,560, ‘The average attendance in the grammar and pri- mary schools, exciustve of the colored schools, was 101,559, aguiuet 99,090 last year, showing an increase of & little inore thin two and a’ balf per cent during the year, while the inercaso last year was about three per cent and the year pre- vious about seven and a half ‘por ceot, The average enrolment during the yeur is 113,867, and the average attendance is nearly ninety per cent of the average enrolment. There are at present employed in the several schools 3,247 teachers; assistant teach- ers, 41. The examination ot scholars was found to bo— cellent, 1,248; good, 708; fair, 109; indifferent, 5— total, 2.073, OVER EXPENDITURE. Acommupication trum Comptrolier Kelly was read regarding the personal habilitics of heads ‘of depart. ments lor spendiag in excess of appropriations, stating that they can ve held to strict account, Commissivner Baker presented a resolution request- ing the Committee on Bylaws to so amend them that there will be no necessity tor the appointment of vice principals in the future. CONTAGION. A lotter was read froin the Board of Health commu- keeping of children at home while people in their resi- coutagious diseases, The Board of Health resolved that,a list of persoas sick with contugtous diseases und their residences should be sent to the Board of Kducation daily. ‘Tho seerctary was directed to communicate with the pastors of the different churches and the Arch- bishop in order to secure oamphance with tho pro- visions of these resolutions, The communication was entered on the minutes, REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF TRUANCY— | AMENDMENTS SUGGESTED, | ° The Superintendent of Truancy, Mr. Alexander N. Stanton, bas just issued his report forthe year 1876 concerning the working of tho act ‘to secure to children the bonefiis of an elomentary education,” better known ag the Compulsory Education act. The report says that 14,719 cases have been investigated by the agents of truancy during this period, of which number 3,966 have been found to be truants and 401 noo-attendants, The beneficial effect of checking truancy in its inci- } fran d is shown by the fact that only 593 of this num- er of truants have been reported, WORK OF THK DRPARTMENT SUMMARIZED, The subjoicod simmary represents the work done by the agents of truancy during the year:—Number of caves investigated, 14.719, which are classed as [ol- lows:—Children kept at homo by parents, but returned to school at soliciiation of agents, 3,627; ‘kept at home by sickuess, 2,369; by poverty, 658; taught at home, 37; physieally or mentally disquatifled, 54; transferred from ono schoot to another, 529; under 8 or over 14 yoars of age, 950; withdrawn from school, 356; num- ber whose residence could not be found, 1,519. Total huinber not classed as traants, 10,009, Total number places in school, 4,620, The nationalities of the pa- rents of children arc as tollow: erican, 1,582; Gorman, 2,696; Irish, 7,904; othor nationalities, 1,340; unknown, 1,197, Of those placed in schoo 1,242 were actually taken from the streets by the officers ap- pointed under the act. A SCHOOL CENSUS, An annual school ceusus, that is a census of children of the school age,” is suggested by tho Saperinten- dent Mr, Stanton conclud his report as tol- lows:—That the law meots with popular favor is conclusively shown by the fact that thore has been little or no opposition to its enforcement, its justice and necessity being acknowledged by all, It bas un- doubtedly done much good and brought into schuol many who otherwiso would havo boen jolt to u lite of idleness, Our work hus been mainly accomplished by persuasion and argument, striving to wake the law a moral torce rather than an engine of terror, aud only when these incasures have failed to accomplish retor- mation has its legal power beon evoked to panish the delinquent. BROOKLYN RINK. Les patineurs s'amusent, Last night at the charm- ing little piace in the City of Churches where skaters congregate and where Conterno’s band holds forth in strains that are entrancing there was a large attendance. The manager of the rink, rightly considering Jack Frost untrustworthy, has entirely ignored tho Pret dent ot the Ice Returning Bourd and bas devised a rink that defics all changes of weathor. Instead of a solid sheet of ice, subject to every whim of the ther- mometer, he bas constructed a solid uobroken sheet of asphalt which ke terms a Swisa pavement, It is very different from what Swiss tourists experience in the ascent of the Simpion or on the Mer do Glace, but it serves its purpose ad- mirably. Over,ite smooth surface the parlor skates glide noiselessly, and many a fair expert on the rollers kept time to the measures of a Strauss waltz or a Bilse polka last evening. Many members of the crack regiment of Brooklyn, the Twenty-third, were present, und distivetions of Fauk were for the moment abolished as captain and private t down suddenly on the smooth but treacherous suriace. There were experis who cut fantastic und uracelul igures on the asphalt, and there wore beginners who didn’t. An officer of the Twenty-third passed at a swilt paco near the stand at the entrance und was the admired one of all the skaters, But, alas! he hoard a familiar voice in a tremalous treole cry, “Ob, Charley!” and be en- deavored to bow to the fair interviewer. The next moment he was gazing at ‘the chandelier above, in spread eagle shapo, and wondering if the roof of the Rink bad fallen apon bim. The ludies seem to be tno best skaters in the instituuon, Grace and beauty are combined in their movements Tho “frou-trou’’ of silk novor sounds to such advantage as when the fair wearer sways through a throng of skaters and the lithe form 18 piloted trom one point to another. To- night there will be a gala performance, and a very attractive programme will be presented, Magnificent prizes will be given to the succosstul candidates :n certain feats ol skating; among them a challenge silver tankard, of very beautiful workmanship, worth over $300, Fora night of real enjoyment commend us to the Brooklyn Skating Rink, BRIO-A-BRAC SALE. The salo of vric-a-brac at Leavitt's Clinton Hall sales. rooms, yesterday, was well attended by ladies and gen- tlemen who cultivate a taste for ola china, The oia- ding was lively and the prices good, although a nuin- ber of very pretty bits were knocked down at an extremely low figure, For instance, a dozen old India dark bine tea plates sold for Miteen cents each, somo beautiful old cups for Afty and twenty-five conte; a large, quaint toapot, historical American, §7 5 another, decorated in red, historical, $7; oalf a dozen tea cups and saucers, $2 cach ; others at $5 eacl avyl'narical coffee pot, twisted handles, $9. There wag considerable good natured rivalry’ among the bidders, the ladies not always making themselves heard. The sale will be continued to-day, when somo very pretty and interesting aruicioa will be offered, THE KETILE-DRUM. Ono of the most select affairs of the sosson was given Jast night at Delmonico’s, Twonty-sixth street and Filth avenue. The proceods of the entertainment are for the benefit ot the New York Infant Asylum, at Sixty-first street and Tenth avenue, while the aftair itselt is a complimentary offering to the lately instalied first Directresa of the institution, Mra B. H. Van ‘Aukob, About 500 guests were present and the affair was undoubtedly a groat financial success, as well as a delightful entertaininons, ST. ANDRE W'S CHURCH. Under the auspices of the Ladies’ Parish Art So- ciety a concert js to be given this evening for the bene- fit of St. Andrew's church, at Dodworth’'s Hall, corner of Fourth avenue and 129th street, Among the artist who have kindly volunteered their services are Miss Louisa Fineh, mezzo-soprano: 8 F. 1D, eters, so- | prano; Miss if. Finch, o to; Miss M. F, Lucky, | paniste, and the Halton Gleo Club, A select and tempting programme is presented, and tt is probaule that a handsome sum will bo realized for the benefit of tho chureb, TEMPERANCE MEE’ | ING, Hl Tho Seamen's Mission rooms, No. 34 Pike street, | were filed last oveving, the occasion being tho weekly | temperance meeting. Mr, B. A. Morse, of Massachu- made an appeal to all present to be tomperate, | and tod a auober of ancedotes to illustrate bis sub- ject. There was somo singing anda number of per. ‘sons signed tho pledge. BLOOD AND BREAD. sett Valentine Kellor and Frank Miller, journeymen bakers employed at No. 286 avenue A, bad a fight y torday morning on account of disparaging remarks made by Keller about Miller's etylo of making loaves, The iatter during the struggle picked op a small hatchot and chopped Keller on the hoad with it three times, inflicting severe wounds, Miller was { mitted for trial im doiault of $1,600 bail, 7—TRIPLE SHEET. | expenditure of $15,000 for the poor during the present OPENING HELL GATE, HOW CONGRESS VIEWS IT AND HOW GENERAL NEWTON vizws 1T—$600,000 ssKED ¥oR, $200,000 GranrxD—wuat IT 18 woRTH. ‘The largest single item, says a despatch irom Wash- ington, in the River and Harbor Appropriation bill, completed by the House committee yesterday morn- ing, 1s $200,000 “for removing obstructions from the mind having reached the conclusion immedately ye great explosion at Hel] Gate that that cban- nel was open ip all the meaning of that word, inquiry became pertinent of General Newton, the engineer in charge, as to the relation of this $200,009 to the desige nated East River improvements, with Hell Gate spe- cially mentioned. WHAT GENERAL NEWTON Says. General Newton offered all the information in bis knowledge, but asked consideration of bis report of the operations during the year 1876, and his estimate thereupon for future work. This report is of imter- est to “the commerce of New York,'’ hence t figures submitted, becauso it is just as well that, upon the ove of new tide of prosperity whieh swoms to bo setting in, Now York merchants should bave clear datain regard © measures that may be presented to them unt jater conditions of # more prosperous tecling. Consequently the simple pre- septation of these bottom facts may now help them largely tu making op their minds later. It should be borne in mind that it is General New- ton’s opimion, expressed five years ugo and repeated to-day, that when the coinmerce of New York demands the opening of Heil Gate it will be speedily opened. Tho delay in operations simply reflects the indiffer- ence of the merchants or those moat interested in the commerce of the port. No more, nc leas, in this con- nection the following table will be found full of sug- gestion:— ESTIMATE FOR THE YEAR'S WORK, Amount asked to be appropriated lor the fiscal year ending June iv, 1878:— Work of steam drilling scow on Diamond Reef, Frying Pan and shelidrake. ...... Excavations at Fiood Rock (Middle Reel), Total.....+ see DRIGINAL KATIMATE, Reofs at Hell Gate and Viamond and Coen- Hes Reel Amount appropriated... +690, 000 Deauct amount reverted to States TOMSUFY ose seressereeersers $3,158 Deduct amount alioted for Harlem 11,000— 14,158 Amount expended during 1876: — Excavations at Hallet’s Point Excavations at Flood Roc! Steam-drilling rcow.. Allotment tor Harlem Contingencies, engineoring, & Total... $195,577 $252,718 MONEY STATEMENT; Amount available, July 1, 18 m ‘Amount expeaoded during’ fiscal year e June 80, 1876. ....6- 0... Amount available July 1 1876, Awount appropriated by act gust 14, 1876. Amount (estimat of existing pr " Amount that can be protitavly expended in fiscal year ending June 30, 1878........... 600,000 Six bundeed thousand dollars asked tor and $200,000 granted. Tho reporter put tho Inquiry, How could that $200,000 be applied and how fur would it go? WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THX AMOUNT VOTRD, General Newton, buttressed by experiences into a con- dition of calm upou the retusal of Congress to grant money, Whence no wave of individual disappointment may reach bim, expressed himself a# pleased that evon that amount was provided tv complete the important work he bad in charge. Asked how far ho thougbt it might reach he said it ‘would be tnore than sufficient to comple:e the work on Diamond Reef (just one side of the ship channol be- tweon Governor's Island and the Battery), while the Lporat would materially advance the work upon Flood ok, Genoral Newton, in his conversation with the re- porter, deprecated the popular idea tliat the groat ex- plosion at Hell was in any sense a completion ot the engineering work there. [t was great triumph. Is was great progress. But very much remains yet to be done which this appropriation may help, but will not bearly complete, Si. a 8,213,278 JOHN'S GUILD. WARDEN W. H. WILEY'S STATEMENT OF THE MANNER IN WHICH PURCHASES ARE MADE FOR THE PooR. Mr. W. H. Wiloy, Warden of St. John’s Guild, made the following statement to a Hera.p reporter yester- day respecting the prices pald for articles distributed by the Guild, Mr, Wiloy saya:— A correspondent, jing to w Henatv about the Ist inst, says that the Master of St. Jobn’s Guild has paid higher prices tor the quality of coal purchased than the same ceuld have been bought tor of other parties, and montious the differeat compa- nies where purchases at tho Jower ligures may be made, We have pat ourselves in communication ‘with these companies and find they aro vot prepared to furnish the quality of coal purchased by as, deliverable in quar. ter-ton lots, at prices less than we huve paid. Tbe fol- lowing letter was sent to the officers of the two com- nies mentioned in the communication to the KRALD : Will yau please inform as at, what price you will sell St; John's Guild red ash stove coal, which has been screene und kop. under cover, aptly delivered This company will rell on the same touting as t take the coal by the cargo. ton at any pri swer of the Pennsylvania Coal Company nounced that they do not mine ash coal, Wiley says tho chiof difficulty is in the de- livery of quarter ton lois at widely different parts of the city, The Guild’s contracts compe: the deuler, trom whom we purchase, to deliver a quarter of a tun promptly on notification at any point below Fifty- Dinth street, Ifthree or four perrons needing coal bappen to pe living in the line of delivery necessary to be pursued to serve the one first ordered, the dealer, if provided with a compartment cart, may take a ton at once, but he must take the chances in regard to such deliveries when making the contract, Now, with regard tothe purchase of groceries and provisions. These things we distribute irom oar reliet office in Varick street. Uur purchases are made trom prominont wholesale grocers, flour and provision dealers at lowest market rates, boing a much. lower figure than they can be obtained by the poor at retail stores. uw at the circular price and place most 1avured, provided you will We could not deliver in lors of STATEMENT TO THE COMPTROLLER. ‘The following communication has beon forwarded to Comptroller Kelly to account for the manner in whieh the moncy given tho Guild by the Board of Apportion- ment was expended :— Hon, Joux Knuy, Comptroller of tho city of New York:. Sir—l herewith submit to you the fcllowing state- ment of the disbursement of the sum of $15,000, the amount given to St. Jobn’s Guild by the Board of Es- | timateand Apportionment since December Jast:-.Flour, 461 barrels, $4,578 66; hominy, 338 barrels, $1,419 55 corn meal, 345 barrels, $1,252 50; oatmeal, 338 bar. rels, $2,264 05; rice, 129 barrels, $1,717 53; beans, 10 barrels, $1,821 02; tea, 114 half chests, $1,826 0 barrels, $87 80; caronl, 10 boxes, $22 50; sugar, 4 barrels, $101 £3—total, $14,975 92, 1 also nerowith subinit a detailed stutemont of the average prices paid by the Guild compared with the average prices Which the poor are obliged to pay at the retail grocers’ stores, tho former prices being taken from our bills and the latter from thirty differ. ent retail grocers’ stores in all parts of tho city, This | statement shows that the Guild, by at first hands, saved $8,544 56 on an expenditure of $14,662 09, All ot which is Tospectiully submitted. ALVAH WISWALL, Master of St. Jobn's Guila, No. 42 Fast Fourtsests Stnext, Feb. 6, 77. going communication :— Average Price per Pound, “Per quart, _tFor Va pounds, s JERSEY CITY POOR, ‘Tho Board of Aldermen of Jersey City has adopted a resolution asking tho Legislature to legalize an extra year, The familes of the unemployed laboring class are in great distress throughout the city, ENLARGING BROOKLYN JAIL, Ata meeting of the ngs County Board of Super- visors, hold yesterday afternoon, it was resolved, after a lengthy discussion, to purchase two lows of ground from the Brookiyn City Hospitat Directors, at a cost of $25,000, for the purpose of building an ‘extension to the Raymond Street Jail, Brooklyn. The work of en- lurging the prison will be commenced this spring. MALICIOUS PROSECUTION. The suit of Fredorick Franz against John Mattern, to recover $10,000 damages for malicious prosecution and false imprisonment, which has occupied the vention of the Brooklyn City Court tor the past Foy term. Jed yesterday, the ju! iter veing out one hour anda returning with # verdict for $500 {h favor of the plainuill, purchasing goods | | The following is tho tablo referred to in tho tore. et UNION HILL'S DOGBERRYS, ITS WHOLE POLICE ¥YORCE PUT UPON TRIAL BY ITS PRESIDENT—BETTING DRINKS IN COURT. The baleyon stumber of that peaceful little town om Hoboken heights, Union Hill, has been disturbed for some time past. Its 100 lager beer suloous—thore . 13 one to about every sixty inbabitants, including woe men and children—resound with angry excitement over the troubles of the local police. Union Hill revels in Ove policemen, one of whoin giories in the title of sergeant and draws twenty-five conts a night more than his subordinates. DID THEY PUT Him TO nED? The origin of the police trouvie was a jolly sleigh drive taken some weeks ago by Mr. Littlofield, Presi- dent of the Common Conneil, Mr. Littlefield is an ice dealer at Union Hill. It was stated that on the return from sleighing the honorable Prosident of the Common Council betrayed evidences of too much beer, and that two of Union Hill's five policemen were engaged that night im taking bin home and putting bim into his Mitle bed. This story was soon bruited about in all the breweries, gardens, schuetzen parks, lager boer saloons and groceries of Union Hill, and came to Mr. Little. fleld’s cars, LITTLEFIELD'S REVENGE. Littlefield determined to have bis revenge. He knew that he occupied the same relation to Union Hill watch the Lord Mayor does to London, and he probably asked, “What would the Lord Mayor do if two police- men boasted that they put himto bed?” Miskamm and Grimm were the two officers in question, but Miskawin’s tongue hud wagged even in more lively style than that of Grimm, Miskaum must be dis- missed, So Littlefield went to Sergeant Waas and peremptorily issued bis flat that Miskamm must go. wou'tdo it,’’ reptied Sergeant Waas, shaking his largo, round, thick head stubbornty. Not even a schooner of the best Union Hill beer could have swerved the Roman police sergeant from bis duty. Waas believed that Littlefield was tipsy that night and that Miskamm and Grimm had put him to bed, and instead of dismissing bim thought Littie- field should decorate Miskamm with a medal of fidelity, A DERP PLOT. Littlefield, however, was not to be baiked in thia “manner. As the republicans #00n after the lection found a convenient construction of the constitution, according to which the Vice President counts the votes, so Lituefield found a construction of the char. ter by which be could dismiss Miskamm by his own act. The Police Committes was appealed to and shey reinstated Miskamm the next day, Lituletield’s tury then increased, and he declared that ho would cause the whole police force of Union Hill to be dtami hy and brought a long array of charges against them, And here we come to & clever dodge on the part of President Littlefield, which should render him worthy of obtaining the vacant seat in the Louisiana Rewrn- ing Board, He had often quaffed the toamy lnger with Sergeant Wangs, and wouldn't it be a good idea to decoy him outside the limits of the town, there to press into his hands a gigantic schooner, under the guise of frienaship, and then de- nounco him beiore the Council? This was done, Lit. tletield apparently “made up” with Waas, and while the lattor was supposed to watch over the peaceful sleepers of Union Hill, the two Jauncned into Myer’s saloon in Hoboken and enjoyed some beer at the expense of Littlefield, Soon after, when Littlefield’s tormal charges wero presented, Wans ascertained to his cost that the “friendly treat” was only a trap into which he, alas! had fallen, The whole force were then put upon trial. THE TRIAL DRYORK THE COUNCIL. The trial before the Common Council developed some raro scenes. Littefela had charged each officer individually with drunkenness, absence from his post of duty, negligence und other offences. Ho actod as the prosecutor, and was seconded by Warren Smythe, his advocate. On ono oceasion, it was contended by the counsel tor the potior, that Littlefield must verbal: swear to nis charges, whilo Mr. Smythe matotained that as ho had sworn to his affidavit ho had satisfied ail the requirements of the law. There was a great legal con- test over this disputed point, reminding the spectators of the forensic battle before the Electoral Commission, Dut it was bronght to a close so telicitously that it is hoped it may be adopted by the Commission, Messrs, Evarts, O’Conor, and the other counsel. “L know 1t isn’t s0,”’ cried Mr. Smytho, ‘and what's moro Ill bet you Grinks !? The Court (desiring to set a praiso worthy example to Justice Clifford) accepted tho proffered wager, and the point was settled by the whole party adjourning to ® neighboring beer saloon, * THK CHARGES DISMISSED. Last evening the Court rendered its judgment and the Council brought in a report, of which the following {s aliteral copy. It will be observed that they address the report to themselves, the signers embracing all the members of the Board, with the single exception of Littlefield, the President ;— SOLOMON OUTDONE. ‘Tows ov Usion, Feb, 7, 1877. To tHe Hovonante tar Boanp or Counct GeNTLEMEN—Your Committee of the Whole, to whom was reterred the charges against the police force, would most respoctfally report that Sergeant Charles Wass be reprimanded for going ont of the town limits and taking « drink with Chairman Littlefield; also that Chairman Little. it field be reprimanded for inducing the said Sergeant Wans to leave his post and the lentt he town to tnice a drink that, therefore, Sergeant excused from sal charse 4 the same eo also fin Charles Wans ex on Decomber 20, at court during that da: for being — minotes = on account of being eng ‘and, therefore, this charwe dist missed. The uther churgus, nut having ‘been proved, are hereby also dismissed. In regard to the charges against Charles Miskamm we have come to the conclusion thet the charges have not ber missed. ve would furt Attest. DIE PURCHASING COMMEPTEE Of SI, JOUNIS GUILD? neibla report was adopted at the meeting at the Town From the office of the Lehigh and Wilkesbarro Com. | Bal! last evening, and Sergeant Wass an iatia4 " olficers now breathe more Ireely. Our reporter cailed Pany the following answer was received :— upon Mr, Littlefield during the afternoon, and the late ter said he expected un adverso decision as a town election was approaching and the policemen all being influential politicians naturally had co: erable weight with the Councilmen, who all wanted to be re- elected. He denied the statements which reflected up- on bim, and averred that on Saturday night between Dine and ten o'clock he saw Sorgeant Waas in a grocery store on Hudson avenue, and heard him say to the pro- [teres of thepiace, ‘Now 1 am drunk; you can will JAttlefleld, it you area mind to’? He then went on to allege t he raw Waas come out, roll over some empty barrels and lie sprawling In his uniform on the street, _ FREIGHT RATES. Inquiry at the office of Mr. William H. Vanderbilt as to tho alleged reduction of freight rates for Phila. deiphia, Boston and Portjand to fifty-five cents, the rates for New York remuining at soventy-six cents, resulted in a decided denial of the truth of the report, A meeting of tho freight ageuts of the great trunk roads was held a day or two ago, but no such reduc- tion appears to have been discussed, and, so tar as our railroad men are informed, there 18 no dis+ position on tne part of any of the great | torough routes to abrogate the existing ar- rangement. They are all doing as mach business at seventy-six cenis as their facilities can carry, and there is pence a prima facie improbability in ments alleging a reductivo that would only diminish | thetr profits without materially 1ocreasing the amount of their transactions. “The wish 16 father to tho | thought,” said Mr. Vanderbilt, having rapidly scanned | the paragraph’ printed in the morning papers. ‘Our shipping inen havo a habit of putting such statements in circulation at intervals, just to start a hittle agitation on the subject.’ Inquiry in other quarters teaded to | verify the statement that the report of a reduction is | without foundation. | BROOKLYN FIRE RELIEF FUND. Mr. Daniel Chauncey, treasurer of the Brooklyn | fire relief fand, yesterday received tho following let. | ter, accompanied by acheck for the sum therein stated, | from Mr, A. M. Palmer;— Ustow Savane Theatnn, » New Youx, Feb. 6, 1877." § My Dean Sin—In accordance with the directions of the managers whore 8 joined im t benetits givens In this clty for the sufferers by th Brooklyn re T have the pleasnre hand you herewith our id b check for $0,762.57, the sane being seventy-five pew caliite dntund.de falda, Te lized. "Tho balance of the tind will, by Purchased. tn Bulk. “the Guild. Retail Grocers. | Waedoch nad Rocroagin, as follows == Bola, Cents per i, Cente per lb. er, 61,000; to Me. Burroughs? family 461 3.84 6.20 | whatever remains alter paying the few small bills which are | 38 4.80 | Charged against the fund | We. hope the amount to be given Rat | this tamily wil be at least $2,900, A large amount ws | realized by the benefit given in bebalt of Me Murdoe! Oatineal 5, family in . and the sum donated by us will make an Rice 5.82 | nsgrocate large ononxh, we hope, to place them. beyond Beans: 10.0 it. No benefies have engiven in behalfof Mr. Bur. Tea (half chests). 68.13 famil . a9d the sam at a by un to. them thera, id (lo n2 that given to the «family of Oye, voor bg 18.00 Yours roapoctiully, ‘AM. PALMEI. THE PARK COMMISSION. The Park Commissioners held their woekly meeting yesterday and made further changes with tho view of ringing the expenses for the year within the approprias tion. George A. Cusbing and R. M. Cook, division | engineers for the laying out of the annexed districts, and A. M. Bailey, asistant engincer, wero dismissed, a8 wore aiso Thomas Fox, Matthew Cox, Rodmen and John Heckel. Henty Bertholf and, Daniel Daly wore | appointed care takers of the Central and Harlem | Bridges, respectively, at a salary of $1,000 cach, BROOKLYN BURGLARIFS. | Mortimer Green, aged forty years, of No, 173 Frane | lin street, and Francis Parsons, residing in Gravaw street, near Park avenue, Brooklyn, were urrosied early yestetday morning, charged with entering the saloon of John Semater, No. 36 Hopkins stréet, by eat. tung a hole in the rear door dnd stealing about $60 worth of property. Yiiliam Vanderver, aged forty-five years, was re rested yesterday on complaint of Mrs. Monngti, siding corner of Kiliott place and Fulton ave: | Sez the prisoner with stealing clothing,