The New York Herald Newspaper, March 10, 1877, Page 6

THE ROAD TO RUIN Five More Life Insurance Companies Find a Receiver. EVILS OF AMALGAMATION. A Comprehensive Sweep by the Broom of the State Department. Prospects of Continental Policy Holder's. | At a special term of the Supreme Court in the | Fourth Judicial District at Schenectady, Judge Landon | r presiding, the Attorney General, upon the Sth inst, made application for the appointment of a receiver and the closing out of the business of the tollowing | Bamed tile insurance companies :— | The Guardian Mutual Life insurance Company. ‘Tho Widows and Orphans’ Life Insurance Company. Tne Reserve Mutual Lite Insurance Company. ‘The New York State Liie Insurance Company. | Tho North America Lite Insurance Company, | BASIS OF THK PROCREDINGS. ‘The proceedings of the Attorney Goneral were based ona petition setting forth that the Superintendent of | the Insurance Department bad examined the compa- pies named; that trom such examination it appeared they bad not funds suflicient to provide for the rein- surance of their outstanding risks, and that it wae not for the best inter of the public that they should be allowed to engage further in the business of insuring vos. ‘An order to show cause had been issued in each case, feturnable at one o’clock on the 8th inst, before the above Court. At the time the Attorney General, with his assistant, Mr. Page, appeared and asked the Court for final judgment, dissolving the four first named com- pa nd the closing of the business of the North | ‘America, which is amenable to different statutes on | account of the system it has of issuing registered poli- ciee, The four first named companies were repre- | sented by Measrs. Sewell and Pierce as attorneys, wbile Messrs, Alexander and Green appeared as at- torneys for the North America, Mr. Sewell and Mr. Green were present in Court, making no opposition $0 the request of the Attorney General. THE ORDER OF DISSOLUTION, ‘A decree was entered iu accordance with the pe- tition dissolving the Guardian Mutual, Widows and Orphans’, Reserve Mutual and New York State Life Insurance companies, and appointing as receiver Mr. Henry R. Pierson, of Albany, the receiver’s bonds in the case of the Guardian Mutual veing fixed at $25,000, and inthe cases of the other companies at $5,000 each. It was ordered in thecase of ths North America Bhat its business be closed and that Mr. Pierson be appointed receiver, bis bonds being placed at $100,000 ‘with power to receive premiums and carry on the Dusiness under the superintendence of the Iosurance Department, until such time as further orders should be made by the Court in the premises, AMOUNT OF ASSETS REMAINING. The Widows and Orphans’, Reserve Mutual, and New York State companies are understood to have no assots, thoy having been reinsured in the Universal Life Insurance Company. The assets of the Guardian | Mutual are also small, while in the case of the North Amorica the assets consists entirely of real estate, ex- eepting $1,500,000 in mortgages which are on deposit fn the Superintendent’s office at Albany. By the terms of the various orders, the receiver is not entitied | to act without further orders {rom the Court, and his | ceedings aro to be entirely under the direction of Superintendent of Insurance. The decrees in the cases of the four first namod co} panies dismisses all complaints and abates all uctio ainst them, The North Aweriea decree contains a use enjoining ail persons from commencing, cou- tipuing or maintaining suits against the company un- Ail the receiver has reguiarly been made a party ‘thereto, THE DISSOLVED COMPANIES. The Guardian Mutual was organized in New York August 5, 185¥, with a paid up capital of $125,000. It continued doing business until March 4, 1874, when eighty per cent of its policy obi: by the Universal, and on March 24 tot atce of its risks Were similarly taken. From a state- mens made to the Departwent by G. L. Montague, | Vice President, and Lucius McAdain, secretary, upon | the 17th day of March, 1876, it appeared that at that of casn, | jedger balances, 5 _ total, | 2 The Nabilities then consisted of $20,000 | tn unpaid losses. The Widows and Orphans’ Life Insurance Company | ‘was organized in New York, September 17, 15t4, with acapital paid up in cas! $200,000, The company passed through a wonderful series of pantomimic bransiormations, only equalled perbaps by the history | of the wonderful “House that Jack Built’? The out- Blanding risks were reinsured in October, 1871, 1n the Mutual Protection Life Assurance Society; thence, by | change of name, into the Reserve Mutual; thence, by | Auother reinsurance, they passed into the Guardian | Mutual, and tually are found beneath the comprehen. | sive stieid of the Universal Life Insurance Company. In the last report of the Insurance Superintendent they Wero said to have securities deposited at Albany to the amount of $105,000, Its actual existing liabilities were limited to the stockholders, The Reserve Mutual was organized in New Yor! the Mutual Protection Lile Assurance Society, July 21, 1868, with a capital of $100,000. Its present name ‘was obtained by special act of the Logisiatare, passed | February 13, 1872 lis risks were reimsured in the | Guardian Mutual, passing atterward to the Universal. On Docember ¥1, 1874, 11 had $125,000 on deposit at Albany, with no liabilities except to stockholders. The New York State Lite Insurance Company was organized in Syracuse June 4, 1866, with a cast capital of $120,000. On December 17, , Us outstanding risks were reinsured in the Guardinn Mutoal, and ali ite assets were transferred to the latter, excepting the | securities deposited with tho Superintendent at Al- | bany. These securities, m the Superintendent's re- port for 1875, were stated at $102,200. | CONDITION OF THE NORTH AMERICA | This company was organized in New York city Octo- | Gi opposed to the position assuined by the Attorney Gen- | things which Mr. | The order stipulates that the plaintif! consents that | did not HERALD, SATURDAY, M NEW YORK the money used by the New Jersey Mutual, leaving a batance of but $102,000, He iear that the New Jersey Mutual woald not resist a suit for this balance, but would resist any action to recover a whole or part ol the other securities alleged to have been trans. ferred. He therefore framed his complaint or amended {it 80 that, in addition to the $102,000 prayed = for, ho would be able to recover anything additional which the Con. nental was entitled to, Mr. Fullerton said he was in- formed ut different times by John J. Anderson, D. J. Noyes and J, H. Stedwell of some old transactions by which the New Jersey Mutusl became apparently in- debted to the Continental for certain amounts; but the bonds and mortgages wore never delivered. Ja the sifit to recover from the New Jersey Mutual $102,000 in mortgages were obtained, and are now in the possession of Receiver Grace. | Mr. Fullerton, with the referee, and Messrs. Sewell, | Moses and other counsel, then eptered into a conver- | sation about the conflict’ between the proceedings of | Hoyt vs. The Continental and those of the Attorney Geperal. Mr. F strongly | Merton expressed bimsel! eral, and favored a continued resistance thereto. In | | the course of bis remarks Mr. Fallerton said geome Moses claimed to imply a question of the good faith of the reigrence proceedings, and after a passage of words between them Mz, Moses said that be would press for another examination of Mr. Fullerton, in order to prove his assertions. Mr. Clark, a former bookkeeper of the Continental, and Mr, Chandler, the wctuary, then gave some unim- portant testimony. After a further examination of Hilton Scribner upou subjects previously inquired ing the relerence was adjourned until Monday, at two WHAT WILL THE POLIC eT? 1) the midst of all these interesting litigations over the Continental, it may be considered unnecessary and monotonous to Inquire into the prospective divideads that may eventually betall the policy holders, still | the gradual decline of the policy holders" prospects may hot be barren of interest to all, and an approxi- male statement 1s therelore furnished from the present outiook of afturs, and from which deductions mi drawn, The principal assets are now about as follows :— Mortgages. : $1,180,000 Cash 200,000 Butiding No. 400,000 On deposit at Albai saee + 100,000 Loans on poticies, $1,200,000, of which is ap- plicable, say. concensspneceage 800,000 eeee++ $2,630,000 , but the above ‘an be realized for the payment ties to policy holders are about $5,500,000, which, compared with the assots, would’ insure a’ dividend of about fifty per cent. But there are an infinite number of suits in prospect, notably those arising from old reinsurances, such as the Empire Mutaal, North British, Mechanics and others, which may, before affairs are finally set- tled, reduce the amount payable to creditors to torty en thirty per cent. eiver Grace guid yesterday, in a conversation with s beld by the company New York city and Brooklyn bad just d, and looked exceedingly well. In the company has $490,000 in mortgages, ‘or does not think there will be a depreciation of five per cont. Mr. Grace, at bis own petition, has been appointed receiver ot the Continental's property in New Jersey by the Chancellor of that Stato, ax auxibary to the ap- pointinent bere, His sureties are F. 8. Lathrop and J. J. Barri. Under the New Jersey law any creditor in that State was able to attach property existing there and apply for a receiver. ‘The appointment of Mr, Grace will prevent any such unnecessary complica- tions, represents about w ofclaims. The hab! the writer, that the mortg in Yonker: A SUIT DISCONTINUED. An order of discontinuance of the suitof Henry FE, Tremaine against the Guardian Mutual and others has been entered, Mr. M. W. Tyler having been sub- stituted as plainuf’s attorney for Redfield & Hill, this action be discontinued wittiout costs to either purty as agamst the other, and that all orders and in- Junctions heretofore made in said suit be vacated, and ‘that the proper order be entered to carry this stipula. tion into eflect without further notice, THE FALLEN SIOREHOUSE, APPEARANCE OF THE RUIN—REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF BUILDINGS—THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. If an earthquake had shaken to pieces the lofty Urick house on Washington street, whose tall was described in the Henan of yesterday, its wreck could not be more complete, Walls and roof, beams and flooring are a crushed and shapelees beap, The wails fall outward, as was reported, but crumbled rather to their base, Splintered beams and piles of broken brick do partly obstruct. the passage through the — street, but they were not thrown outward by the falling wall. As the floors were crushed in the walls yielded to the unusual strain aod melted away, as it were, under the pressure, flowing over rather than falling into the street. A compact hill, sixty feet in height, sisea be- | tween two tottering walls, Bricks, mortar, sphatcred wood, barrels of sugar, flour and peas, boxes of dried aud canned fruits, and heavy canvas bags of salt lie closely packed togother. AN AVALANCHE OF GROCERIES. “It looks like an avalanche of groceries,” said one of the many lookers ou, who gather in groups on the pposite side of the street to stare at the spectacle and sist the laborers at work in removing the débris with their sapient comments, On one side of the wreck 18 the brick building, No, 349 Waspington street, occu- picd by the same grocer, Mr. Henry Welsh, why rented the ruined building. The wooden awning and some panes in the windows of this building were shattered, but no serious injury to the framework was sustained, On the other side of thg ruin ts a litle frame building, the roof of which was battered in by the crashing weight of the falling bricks. The attic and second story with their contents were crushed, but the oc- caupants escaped miracolousiy without jury. Even the baker, Robert Merson, who slept iv the attic and was wedged in immovably by the overlying mass, wos pot seriously injured, as Was at first reported. When the zealous officers pulled him out of the heap he was white from bead to foot with powdered limo and his face was covered with blood. In all baste an ambu- jance was sutmmoued, and they were about to put the speechless and apparently dying man into it and drive hum at once to the hospital. TUE SUPFERUR SPEAKS. As they were tenderly laying him in the bottom of the ambulance the patient raised himself up with su prising briskness, and, xrinnt said, cheerily, ‘Be jabers, boys, waat are you currying me to the dead house for? There's nothing the mat- ter with me!” So it proved upon examination, the lucky baker baying sustained no worse burt than a stight scalp wound, from which ihe blood had flowed quite treely, a INSPECTING THE RUINS. The Superintendent of Buildivgs, Mr. Walter H, Adams, made a caretu inspection of the fallen building yesterday and will present his report to the Depart- ment of Buildings to-day. The general features of this ber 22, 1562, with a paid up capital of $100,000. Na- than D. Morgan was its first President, who remained jn that position unuil about two years ayo, when be was succoeded by Mr. Henry J. Furbver. about the time of this change the company was adjudged insol- vent, and, though the deticiency to its extent was then made up, the has not sivco been regarded = with gree of confidence, The present condition, ‘with the causes leading thereto, t picts in the Hekanp in connection with a suit ought for a dissolution by « policy volder named | Ethelber! Belknap. wo or three orders under this, | §nctusive of one to show cause why a receiver should Not be appointed, are returnable to-day before Judge Dykeman, in Brooklyn. What effect the order cited will have upon this case remains be goen, It may serve to revolutionize the procecdings or at least a postponement, seems probabie, as Judge Dykeman was yesterday reported to be quite il, There | are alzo suits for dissolution pending against the Guar- dian Mutual, which, under the above decree, will doubtless be discontinued. The Superintendent of the [nsurance Department | commenced au official examination of the | the esterday Juiversal Life losurance Company, which will have an important bearin the North America and of the others m In the sworn report to the departme: eomber 31, 1875, te Nortn America claimed assets amounting to $3,671,664 75, of which $1,065,000 was in “real estate owned after deducting all hens and incame | brances,” und £1, uns secured hy deods Of trust or mortgages upon real state,” fis hubilities ‘ag to policy holaers were given in the above report at 668,371 $7, and its surplus as regards policy holders at $103,193 18 On December 31, 1815, th pany Bad of doposit at Albany $100,000, nud for the special rotwction of registered policies 60,716. All tue ures in the ubove statement neiderably teduced since, and a «i minated or reinsured in the Univers CONTINENTAL INVESTIGATIONS. . examination of the Continental allairs before Reterce DeWitt was continuca yesterday alternoou at No. 22 Nassau street. bx-Judye William Futlerton explanatio results of se of appeared to give som: regarding a suit | which he bad brought in behalf ot | iver Anderson ainst the New Jersey Mutual Life insura Com. ny, to recover cortuin securities that had been tlie- ly traosierred to thei by v ontinental It was clail he said, that these transfers consisted | Gf one lot of bonds and mortuages value wt $116,000, | one lot valued 7,000, and alot of United States Hie sail he was instra bonds valued ‘sis, 000. ed by Mr, Anderson to bring ir prop. erty of Rage tag fo could that was then in the 01 New Jersey Mutual, He ascertained the receiver that the transier of $107,000 In ‘and mortgages was shown upon the | while wl te ‘wae nothing to show the other traosier of $116,000. Mr. Fullerton said that he | nderson and others that tio last charge Siw ont of Id transactions between the two compan: which led to a fictitious credit o! that amount on | books of the Continental, og there Ml mre vlly no | transier of mo! OF the $78,000 in United ‘use Bonn, be foaened that $45,000 bad youe into the Chemica! Bank as collateral for a loan, and | It was my to get back any ‘these government securities. yROM THE NRW romainder had been converted ito cash and dis. brresred rerore impossible said 1 bad been paid and | ‘or the $107,000 Gonnd shot one } burlding. ort he give courteously to the Hekano repre- ntative. He was of the opinioa, upon ex. aminanon, that the building was ‘earetully and thoroughly built, and would have proved sufficiently strong to resist’ any reasonable stram upon its walls and flooring, A build structed) as this was should be able to sus pressure of pounds to the square foot, should estitnat Dear was more than 450 pounds, in tho exact weight of th ause th r, tr, Wel but he that the pressure actually brought to It was dificult to stores in the build= bad seemed uowill nds stored, but he | Not exu also pa tribuuing the weight an ing much more thun if stowed in a prop j In particular be called the attention of whe reporter to | a pile of salt bags which rested the end of one of | tie main girders, and were so heapad ap as to bring a strain of several tons within the space of a few square | feet, ho'build. | manner, THS CAUSE OF THK FALL. The immediate cause of the fall of the building, in udgment, Was t n Of & large load of vy barrels op the day e breaking down of tho | ‘Two hundred and fifty barrels of canned peas, weighing about 290 pounds each, were received and stored together on the third floor of the buriding. | The working tun t day, was too short to admit of their being pla Ing, and they h piled, in cousequeper, one upon another, immediately over a brick coluinn in the | coliar, The undue weight preased down a he eam throug tre of the brick pillar, splitt it through like « cheese, and following the crumbint briek into the cellar, With the sinking of this beam, the falling Nt of goods. davon pilars to totter and crnt’ ina moment, the flooring collapsed, and the from attic to basement was a wreck. A lawsuit seems provable berween Me, Wiliam B. Skidmore, the owner, nod dir. Welsh, the teuant; and Mr. Adams ine h hi 0 dicated with suificreut explicitness where, in his | ninion, the blame for the ruin of the house and stores | Ho said that be bad given orders for the re- Vof the goods and the takiny down of the over ng walls as quickly 08 possible. ANOTHER LIX. Mr, Adams mentioned, 1 connection with the fall ot the baiidirg on Washington street, t cotton stor aye louse, orcupied by Michael Cotligan, at No, Koade street, had been examined by the inspectors and found fo be ina very dangerous condition. Braces had | beon eree keep the gable end of the wall from bulging out. Tt is the intent of the Department of Buildings to have the honse tiken down at once. AN INSOLY RAILROAD'S. DEBTS. Judgment in favor of the plainuff was readercd | yesterday by Justice Gilbert, of the Kiogs County Sa- preme Court, in the case of David C. Van Cott, receiver of the Rudgon Avenoe Rujiroad Company, who fled a bill in equity against James A, Van Grant and Henry L, Straight (o recover from them, as holders of atoc in the gow fusolvont railroad, the amount unpaid on | the stock held by them, or as much a8 may be necessary to pay the debts of the corporation, for which these stockholders are alieged to be linbie, Tue plaintiffs also sought to recover against the de- fondants, a8 direstors, whatever might be considered in excess of the corporation’s debts, mnourred while they were directors without their dissent, expresse according to jaw, over and above three tim he amount of capital actually paid. up. dfrom ihe rear, in Washingion street, to | | the city, was nothin Pr | ern aftatrs: LOTTERY DRAWING. COMSTOCK’S RAID ON THE WHEEL OF FOR- TUNE—A DISTRESSED BATCH OF ‘‘BANKERS.” The largest lottery drawing that has over taken place in this cily was witnessed yesterday, according toa programine, however, that was not laid down by the managers, and proved to them agurprise of an’ execedingly unpleasant character, Acts 3 and 4 of the Revised Statutes provide especial penalt! wainst all who sell or deal in lottery or policy tickets or slips. | For a long time past Mr. Anthony Comstock, the special agent for the suppression of immorai litera- ture, bas had his attention called to the numerous circulars that have been sent tbrough the Post Oihco advertising lottery schemes, coming trom different dealers in’ this city, The firm ot Emory & Co,, of | ‘o, 33 Park row, have it out thousands of | these circulars, mauy of which have failen into Mr, Comstock’s hands, Mr. Cotmstock states that he bas received numerous letters trom parents complaining that these iviters are sent to their chil- dren, aud asking him to do something im the way of abating the evil, He determindd that he would take up the matter, and after pationtly collecting sufficiont evidence, on Thursday he went before Justice Dulfy at the Tombs Police Court, who, upon Mr, Comstock’s affidavits, issued thirty warrants for the arrest of the principal lottery dealers in the city, Some of these lotteries are honestly conducted and others are what are termed “skin games,’ but Mr, Comstock saw that he could make no distinction, as the law made none, THR RAID, Yesterday afternoon, with the assistance of Spocial Agent Josep A. Britton, Speeial Detective Woolsey, of the Twenty-sixtb precinct police, and a torce of men from wat precinct under command of Rounds- man Sheldon, Mr. Comstock started out on his mis- sion. The first place visited was Binory & Ce kers, No. 31 Park row, where Henry broker, and James E, Price and Churies. Had- ley, clerks, Were arrested. A policeman was ti arge ot the plucs, and No, 2 rk row received acall, Here Sherman Read, broker, William Casey, errand boy, and Isaac Ludium, “pres ident of the Bullion Mining Compuny,” were taken in charge, and after leaving the place in the care of a po- liceman the party burried on toJ. Clute & Co.'s *bank- ing” office, No. 200 Broadway, where John Bishop, Charles W, Shea and James Gugle, bookkeeper, were arrested, William Parks and James Emerson, forming the firm of Parks & Emerson, brokers, of No. 180 Broadway, room No. Jackson & Co., of No, 202 Broaaway, aud George Wallace, cverk, were next taken in charge. Jonn Dull, of J. Dut! & Co, No, 42 street, und James Maher, clerk, Were sont to the st tion house, protesting ‘against the arrest as illegal Moses Bogert, broker, of No, $4 Nassau street, also re- ceived a cull, and followed his companions to the sta- tion bouse, John Barry, of No. $17 Broadway, was aiso arrested on a charge of gumbling and solling policy ships. PLAYING FOR WIGH STAKES. ‘The raiding party now entered tho “street” and proceeded to the ollice of Taylor & Co., of No. 11 Wall | Street, the agents of the Royal Havana Lottery, who had so long prasecuted their business with perteot immunity. Here Mr, Taylor, who gave the name of George Bailey, was arrested, Across tho street, at No. 10, Mr. Martinez, of the firm of Martinez & Co,, also agents forthe Royal Havana Louery, was found and taken into custody. At No 116 Nassau street Edmund 1. Zschoch was found, and Peter August Meyer, clerk, at No. 84 Nas- au street, both of whom were urrested, James H. Sturgos, of No, 24; Murray street, was poxt waited upon and accompanied to the gtation house, TAKING IN THK SMALL FRY. _ The party of officers, now cousiderably diminished from having left a man in charge of each place visited, went back to the City Hull station and started out afresh for tho smaller shops At W. H. Gammon’s place, Nox 48 and 45 Chatham street, Thomas J. Tay- Jor was arrested in the act of selling a policy siip. Jobn &, Brennan, of No, 60 Chatham: street, who gave his name as Jobn Maloney at the station bouse, was algo arrested and sent in the little back room with the rest. Hrennan was just in the act of selling a ticket, and tore it up as the officer entered his place; but Mr. Comstock succeeded in securing tho pieces, Next the party, accompanied by several reporters, juinped on a truck’ and were rapidly driven to 18834 Greenwich street, where Mr Edward W. tulse, proprietor, and Charles Brady, clerk, were added to the list. liulse called himsclt Brown, and Brady preterred the cozno- nomen of Smith to his real name; but, altrough Brown aud Smith were good names, the two men were known and recognized. No. 176 Greenwich street was then visited, but the birds had town, and a notice ‘To Let? bad been hastily stuck in the window GATHERING IN THE SPOIL. i After all the arrests had been made Mr. Comstock, accompanied by bis assistant, Britton, and tho de- tective, Woolsey, tooh a large nuimber of bags and drove with the truck to each of the places visited, when the books, papers, lottery tickets and slips, cir- culars and other materials were taken possession of and carted away, The track was tilled with these bugs, which contained evidence of the violations of law upon which the men wore arr Special search war- rants had been issued for this purpose by Justice Dull'y and United States Commissioner Osborn: DISPOSITION OF TILE PRISON: While all the prisoners were at the station an order came from Justice Dufly to prodace them before him at the Tombs Police Court at ouce, and Captain Walsh sent them up under the escort of a squad of police, Justice Duify neld them all to bail in $1,000 each to ap- rat oie o'clock this morning for examination. jollowing were not able to jurnish’ bail aud were t to the Fourth Precinct Station, .where they were lockeu up for the night:—Bailey, Barry, P' Maher, Zschoch, Meyer, Hadley and W Carson, whose real ume is Emory, of Emory & Co., was held also on a United States warrazi by Commis- eioner Shields in $1,000 bail, in addition so the bail be- fore Justice Dufly, POLICY PLAYING AND THE POLICE. Nicholas Muller some year or so ago was arrested for keeping a policy shop. His case was then sottled some way or another, and his probably light punis- | ment induced bim to venture in the business again, He has of lato kept a policy establishment in a back room on the first floor of No, East Forty-sixth street, Yesterday he was visited by Detectives McGowan and Tooker, anu arraigned at the Fitty-seventh Street Court, He was bailed by a [rind in the sum of $500. A number of papers other articles pertaining to policy practice were displayed, BOARD OF TEACHERS SALARIES—THE APPROPRIATION— PROPOSED LAWS DISCUSSED. The Board of Education held an adjourned meeting yostorday to discuss ¢wo bills, submitted by the Com: inittee on Bylaws, and the propriety of sending tho same to Albany for enactment: The bills contemplate empowering the Board of Estimate and Apportion- ment, upon application of the Board of Education, to raise the necessary {ands to carry on the schools, ana to enable the Board of Estimate and Apportionment to supply any deficiency which may arise in the uppropriitions for educational purposes, not exceed~ ing $100,000 in any one year, The bill evoked a spirited discussion which occupied several hours. Commissioner Watson opposed both acts. He did not think it was poltey at this time to present the bills; tue present state of public finances searcely en- couraged sucha move, Unless there was a to corruption and a united effort on the part of everybody in the government and out of it to stop expenditures tho property in the city of Ne hh the tax laid apon it, TL he continued, onght to join int ment, and should surreider all notions of what they ought to be permiited to do, In his opinion it wus better to keep within the amount given them this year. Commissionor West favored the vills, and spoke warmly on the subject. Commissioner Walker thought that the bills were simply correcting what Lo-diy 18 the most uncertain, irregular and incomplete arrangement—the statutory law as regards our moneys, The retition m wh Board of Education stood to the public, Joss than an abnormal thing. ident Wood called Commissioner Henrdsies to air, and spoke emphatically upon the evil of the ailment of the teachers’ salaries and the doing EDUCATION. | away with the supply for building new schools that ere needed, Bourd of Apportionment, in nis a, had used them very discourtcousiy and nad kreat mistake when’ they nad reduced their sand the only motive he could find for ther ion was that the successors to Mr, Andrew H. t they were not golng to be conomy, and they took this opia na him in matiers to show it, He hoped the bills would be sent to the Legislature, At the close of the devate the question of adopting the bills was voted upon and carried i Commissioner \ ered a resolution to pay the salury of Miss M «1, Dowke, late prine:pal ot the Traihing School, for the month of February, and also for the same month in the Saturday session of the college. Reierred to the Committee on Bylaws. BEHIND THE SCENES. WAS THE MEETING OF THY UNION LYAGUE ON THURSDAY A LOVE FEAST? The meeting of the great Leaguers on Thursday night, a report of which appeared in yesterday morning’s | Journals, has not been the love feast which a perusal of the doings would indicate, Iv has leaked out that the great model civil service apostie, Mr. Dorman Katon, was guilty of ball-dozing some of his collen A committee bad been appoimied to draft resolutions on civil service, on the currency, aud status of South ve sub-comtuittees BubMitled their sev. eral reports to Mr, Baton, who, being requested to make bis report short, presepted nothing but bis eda. #00 ob the civil service nnd lott eat the other vital points, Th miuisiravion wis indorsed, being made to the two major obj: community bas ta alt was that the without any relerenc wii is in eb the more interest than 1 bolding legislation. A number of the members of the Union League are in dignant at the course parsued by Mr, Katou, and the deuunciations of his proceedings are loud and deep, THE SICK The condition of the sick horses at the Greene and Gates Avenue car stables, Brooklyn, was no bottor Jaat evening, but no deaths ocenrred yesterday, and it ARCH 10, 1877.-W1ITH SU AMUSEMENTS. THEODORE THOMAS’ FIFTH SYMPHONY CONCERT, On Thursday afternoon the public rehearsal for Thomas’ Ofth symphony concert took place at Stein- way Hall. A large and fashionable audience listened with great interest to the following programme:— Symphony in D, Haydn—1, Adagio, Allegro; 2 Andante; 8 Menuetto (Allegro); 4, Allegro Spiritoso. Recitative and Aria—“Ma che vi fece, o stelle"? Mo- zart, Miss Emma, Thursby. Overture “*Fidelio,”” in E, No, 4, Beethoven, Intermission. Symphony, No. 3, op. 153—*Im Walde” (In the Forest), Ral First part—Daytime; impressions and sensations. Second part—Twilight; a, reverie; b, dance of the wood nymphs, Third part—Night; the quiet murmur of night in the forest, Arrival and departure of the wild bhuntsmap with Dame Holle and Wotan. Break of day. This, although nos so severe as his iast programme, is equally interesting to musicians und more go to the general public. The Haydu symphony was played by tho unaugmented orchestra, as 1s the custom of Thomas with all the pre-Beethoven masters. The orchestration of the work is that usual in the days of Haydn, being tor strings, the usual wood, two horns and two trumpets, The first movement, though very interesting and beautifully rendered, calls for no special remark; it is jn Haydn's most individual style and fully ap to bis best moment Indced, this may be said of the whole aymphony. The adagio 18 noticeable from the fact of its commencing and proceeding for somo time with strings alune, the only relief being the doupling of the melody occasionally by tho fagotti and octave below. It 18 also noteworthy that the return 10 the first subject foreshadows oue of Bectho- yon’s favorite eflects, the repetition of an apparently trivial phrase in dialogue. It should be remarked that Wehner’s beauti(ul flute tone was very prominent in this movement, and, indeed, throughout the concert his exquisite playing enhanced the enjoyment of the compositions, The menuetto is charming, and Thomas was kind enough not to take it too fast. The character of this menuetio would al- most warrant one in calling it herzo, What, bat a Joke, is that queer little pause near the end of the first division of the movement? ‘The last movement is the go-culled “Bear-Dance.”” Fanciful people ima- gine they hear the growls of the bear, the applauso of tue multitude and any number of wortderful ct ceteras in this movement, thus making old Pupa Haydn out to boa “programme music”? writer of the first water, which would much astonish him if he knew it. The plain trath is that the old gentieman beard a Savoyard playing for big bear to dance, and thought that the inelody would make a good theme to “work up," used iu and “worked it up” accordingly. In this, as in almost all his compositions, Haydn occasionally as- tonisbes his hearers with effects which sound ‘mod. ern’ @ to our Wagnoerizod ears. Miss Thursby undertook a heavy task when she at- tacked the Mozart recitative and aria, for she is a light soprano whose strong pomt is execution, and light voiced soprani are not generally well fitted for grand concert arias, The result was what must have been expected by all who know this talented little lady. She was overweighted in the recitative, but sang the florid and difficult aria in the most satisfactory manner, Tho ‘Fidelio’ overiure is so well known tbat the only remark necessary about it 1s to say It was played as only the Thomas orchestra can play it, ‘Tbe *Im Walde” symphony ot Raff, with which the programme closed; has not been played here for some time, It may be well to prepare those who did not hear it yesterday for the enjoyment of the work they will hear on Saturday evening. The frst movement {allegro) is entitiea “Daytime.” Commencing on a sus- pension, rapidly followed by a horn call in U (which horn call, with an undercurrent of shitting barmonics, plays an important part all througn this movement) gives for. ao instant im- | pression of being in that key; but in a vory few mensures that impression 18 destroyed by tbo intro- duction ofa bint at the first motive in the initial key (F) ot the work. The first twenty-six measures show distinctly that when Raff sat down to write this first movoment he had a very distinct idea both of what he was going to say and bow he Intended saying it, tor they contain the germs of every subject, principal ‘and secondary, of which he makes use, The second subject of this movement is of ex- quiaite grace, and has a swaying beauty, which makes 1% a fine contrast, both to the bola char- acter of the principal motive and to the hight character of the two secondary motives, ustheti- cally, this movement is pericct, In it ure the hum of the insects and the thousand and one noises of the woods, not imitated, but suggested, while the mind we dusky recesses, open giades and loity arcades, toliage-rooted and sun-flecked. The jargo and scherzo belong together, both reprosenting twilight scenes, The ‘Reverie’ (largo) is exquisite, the finest and most poetic movement of the symphony. The broken recitative of the clarinet, the almost reli- gious melody given out by tho violins, and tinally the shimmering effect produced by the tirst violins playing pianissimo passages con sordint over this same melody, throwing, a8 it were, a silver haze over it, and the peacetul charm which seems to reign over tho whole movement produce the effect for which Raff evidently sought when he pamed the movement, The ‘Danco of Dryads’” (scherzo) may bo briofly dismissed with one word, “Mendelssohn,” of course colored by Rail’s individuality, which 1s strong, but Mendelssohn never- tholuse, It is a captivating movement though, and the way the twelve first violins played a long ana difh- cult series of running passages Was.worthy ol the high- est praise, ‘The opening of the last movement shows very distinctly where Goldmark got bis idea for the com- mencement of tho ‘‘Liudliche Hochzeit,” go lately played by the Philharmonic Society. It’ shows also that Raff himself can sometimes take a handiul from some one cise, for the passago which ushers in and out the “Wild Hunt of Dame Hoile and Wotan” is identical in form and harmony (and the barmony is peculiir) with a prominent passage in the ‘Warriors’ Chorui of Gade's “Comala,”* The hunt is. vividly depicted, ana the closing of the movement, ‘Tho Break o! Day,”* ig very beautiful, winding up with a hint irom tho first movement, To criticise the performance of this work is needless; 1t was almost fauitiess, But mention should be made.of the tirst horn, Mr. Schmutz, whoso playing yesterday was unusuilly good; his lip was evidently in good condition, und the audience could enjoy the rare pleasure of’ listening to a horn solo without 4rembling in fear of an accident. Mr, Thomas may ‘ve congratulated on the fact that, in spite of many changes in the personnel of his orchestra, it still re- mains the first and best, as it has always deen, EAGLE THEATRE. This house was crowded last night, on the occasion of Mr,-Duplan’s benefit, by a fashionable nudiénce, anxious to mark their appreciation of tho artist's talent. For the occasion Mailior’s charming opera comique was produced, with Aimée in the réle of Rose Friquet. The music of this work is simply delightful. It abounds in well concerted pieces, und melodies of touching sentiment aro scat- tered through it, Although suffering {rom a cold Aimée sung the réle ot Rose Friquet with excellent effect, Raoalt as Sylvain acquitted himself weil, and received merited applause for his singing of somo of the senti- mental airs, Dupian appeated in the ré/e of Thibaut, He was warmly received by tho — audi. ence, Owing to the sudden indisposition of Mme. Duporo the réle of Georgette, which had been assigned to that lady, haa to be sung by Ming. Du- chesne, This evening “La Vie Parisienne” will be presented and Aimée will introdace her new Englist. song, “Pretty Peggy.” MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES. “Filth Avenue’? will be performed for the last times at Booth’s Theatre this afternoon and evening. To-night “Around the World” will bo given for the Jast time at Niblo’s, “My Awful Dad,’ a three-act farce, in which Mr, Charles Matthews made a great success in London, will be played at Wallack’s to-night for the frst time in America. Mr, Wallack will assume the leading part, Mr. Charles F. Coghlan will have his first bonetit at the Fifth Avenue Theatro to-night, aud will play Ham- let. In the afternoon “Pique’’ will be revived for the only time this sea “JOR COBURN. SUDDEN CHANGE or BURN, IN COMPLIAN HIS RESIDENCE TO AU- f WITH AN INVITATION RAPH TO THE HERALD. ] tkeEvsiE, N, ¥., March 9, 1877. Joe Covurn, the New York pugilist convict, passed here to-night. He was in a compartment in a Wagner drawing room car, und heavily ironed, Thera were only two geats in the compartment, the other being occupted by Special Detective James Jackson, of Sing Sing Prison, Neither knew of the trip they were to take until half-past five this afternoon, when a special drait was made for Coburn to go to Auburn Pison, Ho was astounded at the intelligence ana showed much anxiety, The first Pacific express train 1s due at Sing Sing at6:2 P, M., and Cobarn and his guard stepped Ou board alinost unobserved. THE RE NG “PROFESSOR? DISSATISFIED, When the train reached thts station ap interview was had with the voy ag Coburn expressed great indig« | nation over the suintuary proceedings from the time of Lisarrest til now, fle seemed to think that he had not been fairly deult with from the start, and that the trip | he was now taking was due to the advice of the New York District Attorney to Mr, Pilfsbury, General Sup- erintendent of State Prisons Detective Jackson stated that he knew nothing about the order uoul half-past | five this aiternoon, | HK PREPERS BING SING, | Al this station Coburn dictated a despatch to his | friend, Kd, Maliahan, notilying him of bis sudden change of rosidence, and asking for interference to got him back to Sing Sing. IN UNIFORM, nh He was attired in the striped uniform of the prison, was clean shaved, and bis hair was cropped short. fis fuce was pale aud full oi anxiety. He is due at Auburn ateight o'clock to-morrow morning. The door at his end of the car was bolted and barred so that be might not be in dangor of catching cold trom too much ventl- | is thought by the doctors the disease gs under control, | lation, PPLEMBNT. WIFE SLAYER CONVICTED. JAMES E. PANNEL FOUND GUILTY OF MUKDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE. (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE SEBALD.) Lancaster, Pa, March 9, 1877. Probably the most interesting and exciting murder trial ever known in this city terminated to-day, James E, Pannel, a young man, being the murderer. Ais lite has been a peculiarly chequered one, After spending his patrimony on fast borsea/ and fast women, during the revival services of Mr, Hammond in this city in January, 1876, be professed to be converted and joined the Church, Ho there mét Miss Annio E. Hedericks, whom be married on April 12, Pannel was a carpenter and worked at the Ceutennial buildings, Phila- delphia, and, being of a jealous disposition, soon quarrulied with his wife, they often com- ing to biows, On the night’ of July 4, he pliced a poker and a bowl of water under the:r bed, but bis wife refased to enter iL On July 20, he re- turned home, when he found she had bired as a dining room girl at the Keystone House. He arranged for a meeting with her at ber mother's bou t seven P, M. of the next day. She then told him she would hover live wish him again, when he instantly shot ner, empty ing the contents of two barrels Into her head. INSANITY SET UP. Pannel’s mother committed suicide when he was a youth, Eminent coungel were employed by his uncle, liam &. Pannel, of Harford county, Sid., who wealthy, The plea of imsanity was set ap. Dr, Atlee, Sr., and Dr. Carpenter, eminent physicians of this city, pronounced him insane, while others considered him sane, The trial lasted sixteen days, ¢ Judge Patterson charged the jury. He charged that the Inw, as decided in this State, required that doubts rogarding insanity must be determined in iavor of the Commonwealth, A NICK LEGAL DISTINCTION. The Court aflirmed a new point presented by the coun- sel for defence, namely, that the jury might find the pris, oner of a condition of mind capabie of malice but inca- pable of that premeditation which is necessary to make outa capital case, and might, in that case, fiud him guilty of murder in the second degree, GUILTY OF MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE, ‘The jury remained out fliteen hours, when they ren- dered & verdict. of murder im the first degree, at ten o’clock this morning, at which hour the Court House was dousely crowded, this being the first verdict of tne kind in tnis county in twenty years, The verdict meets with popular approval, but the case will be taken to the Supreme Court, OENTENNIAL THIEF ARRESTED, PmiLapeLpHia, March 9, 1877. William Rock was arrested to-day, charged with baving stolen neurly 15,000 fans, screens and other fancy articles from the Japanese Bazaar on the Centen- nial Grounds, At the close of the Exhibition the Japanese merchants employed Rock to remove their exhibits, Iastead of taking them to tho place desig- nated by the owners Le hauled them to his owa resi- dence, and until to-day the Japanese have been unable to dnd him or their goods, He was arrested to-day while offering some of the articles tor sale, and the police found about $9,000 wortn of the articles at his bouse. ARTY MATTERS. THE FROST COLLECTION AT KURTZ’S GALLERY. ‘A largo and varied collection of pictures belonging to Mr. Frost, a gentleman who is pretty well known as a collector of pictures, is now on exbibilion at the Kurtz Gallery. The quality of the works composing this collection is very uneven, but this inequality is in part componsated for by the great number of artists represented. There is no evidence of any settled plan in the gathering of these works, which have been bought apparently more from personal king» than in pursuit of any settlea scheme or theory. As a result, the collection boasts the merit of variety more than any former qne which has been offered for sale. 1t possesses fewer of the works which go to make the ordinary deale: tock than is usual, which we take to be a proof of a certain individuality on the partof the collector. It is certain that wo meot here a goodly number of pictures of fair merit, by artists whose names aro little known at this side of tho ocean, ‘There {s, however, a pretty strong representation of well known names, like that of Bougereau. A large can- vas by this artist shows us a somewhat poetical peusant girl, rake in hand, suggesting the fulness and abundance of the harvest. It possesses all the peculiar charm of this artist’s style, combived with a rare ex- cellence im the painting of the flesh tiuts. Our old friend Koek-Koek 1s represented by several landscapes, one especially of considerable importance, In it we have a fine study of trees with a rapid stream rusbing near by, an excellent example of thia artist im his vappiost mood. Thomas Gerard’ group of a peusant family returning from the labors of tho harvest field 1s clover in grouping and exquisite in feeling. The painting is rather pleasing than lorcivie, but the story of the picture more than compensates for any deficiencies of execution. We instinctively feel some of thejoy and pleasure of the young mother who con- templates her offspring, the mpo aud garnered harvest of an honest lovi Ove of the strongest pictures in the collection is a green landscape by Durand, which 1s remarkable for its breadth of treatment and torce of haudling. One picture of this quality ig worth ® score of the tricky sunsbines which are accepted as clever pictures bé- cause they strive to be pretty at the ex- pense of those more solid quahties which make art truly respectable, Verboeckhoven, whose works in this country are prized far beyond thoir merits, is represonted by two cows lying ina field, the very pice ture of ease and contentment. A work which deserves attention for the cleverness of its treatment, as well as solid merit in the bandtwork, ts Baner’s “Old Woman Reading the Bibie.’”? It is sympathetic with age and 18 free [rom pretension. The arrangement of the light is also thoroughly artistic. There is a brijliaut wood- jand scene by Xavier de Cock, painted with tdelity to nature, Ove of the best works 1n the collection is a mariuo by Musin, a picture ull of poctry and charmingly com- posed. "Tho atmospheric effocts, especially, have been painted with rare skill aud — success, Among our American artists David Johusou 4s well represented by threo or four sirong laud- scapes, painted in his best manner, delighttully cool and hing a spirit. of tranquillity. ‘There is a large and smportant summer landscape by Cropsey in which the —noovday atmosphere is happily rendered, Shattuck ts represented by some fat sheep in pasture, Mulier’s ‘*Roude de Mat” be- Jongs toa class of modern classics which are very seldom represenied in art sales, This work ts strongly painted and fairly well composed. Wynnleldt’s “Martyrdom of Morel” belongs to a class of subjects that ougnt never to be paipted, The action of the main group ts dramatic, but the accessories are not well tutroduced. The painting is strong, but the drawing ts detective, There are a. umber of other promment artists repre- sented in this collection, which 18 ove of the most tnter- esting that has been offered to the public tor some time. SALE OF PAINTINGS. Acollection of painungs, by American and foreign artists, was sold at Schonck’s art gallery, on Liberty street, op Thursday and Friday afternoons, The ae tendance on Thursday was good and the bidding fair, ‘Tho following pictures were disposed of at yesterday's salo:—"Grand Party at the Salon of Madaine Thalien,”” by Charles Kratka, a pupil of Gerome, which brought $270; “Lake Dunmore,” by Jobu B. Bristol, $38 “Robins Beef,” Ed. $a ‘Storm at Sea,’ Carlebur, $: ‘Old d and Pedler,”? Kasinia Johnson, $24 Reading the News to Mother,” I. M. Damschroe 3; “The Forgotten Air, Brown, $345; School,” L. de Koning! a AK: er, “Atler “Seone on the Ausable River,” K. Vi “ureenwood Lake,” J. F. Cropsey, $150 plain,’ J. G. Wiggins, $170; “The Paris once,” BE. L. Henry, $16 rly Morning, r Tart,’ $160; “Boustering Day on tho Beach,” Peter Moran, $92 50. THE AVERY LIBRARY SALE. ‘The sale of the Avery Library was concinded by the Messrs, Leavitt Inst night, Tho chict feature of tue sale was the dispersion of a large collection of Shelley’s works and “Shelleyana,’? comprising nearly 200 vol- An edition of Sheliey’s Poetical Works, edited by his wife, London, 1839, in four volumes, brought $10 40, The samo im one volume, 1850, brought to edition of his prose and poetical works, with memoir, by Leigh Hunt, London, 1866, sold for $10 60, His poetical works, with notes and memoir, by Rossetti, two volumes, London, 1870, sold for $7. An edition of the poetical works, edited by Mra, Shelley, and with memoir by James Russell Low- ell, three volumes, New York, 1871, brought $4.35. The poetical w edited by H. B, Forman, London, 1976-7, sold for $5 50 per volume for two volumes, and $9 for the two volumes not yet published. s Letwers,"’ with yntroductory essay by Robert Bro 1B, brought #8, Hogy's “Late of Shelley,” 1m two volumes, brought $10. ‘The whote collectiow ‘ot Shelley's works brougbt $109 57. The eyana,”? of course, brought considerably less, q seal Works,” with memoir by Lord and 120 illustrations by Schart, sold for $4.25; Peacock’s works, In tour vol brought $4 60; Taino’s “History of English Literature,” in 4, $15; Craik’s ‘English Literature and $6 '25; an edition of 8 in teh volumes, Chiswick London, 1826, $25; an edition of Shakespea works, in three volumes, ediied by GC. Verpianck, Harper Brothers, 1547, $24 75; Schoolcralt’s dian Tribes,” $35; Smith’s “History of the ‘Province of New York,” 'a lurge copy of the original edition of 1757, $10; Thackeray's works, $13 50; Thiers’ ‘“Ilis- tory’ of the French Revolution” and of tho “Con. sulato,’ in nine volumes, $19 10, A large number of catalogues, &c., of the Centennial wero also sold. A CARPENTER DISAPPEARS, William O'Connor, a journeyman carpenter, has beon missing trom his home, No. 243 St, Mark's avex umes, THE STATE CAPITAL. The Joint Committee’s Report on the New York Bill. PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF THE MEASURE A Large Reduction: of Ex. penses Contemplated. PROVISION FOR A SPRING ELECTION Aupany, March 9, 1877, As lL auticipated Senator Morriescy’s bill, or rathor skeleton charter, imtrodyced last week, was repro- duced in the measure that met the favor of the joint committee last evening. While it is easy enough to frame a billto bring about the millennium in the city government of New York, and bills of such a pure pose and character have been here by tho miilion, it is ahotber thing to give it | body and efficacy, . As the frame of the bill stands it commends Itself to most people who take an interost in the welfare of Now York, Few will object to hear that !t 1s proposed the Dock Department ehall be merged in the Department of Public Works, and that all work now done by the Park Commissioners, outside of the Park, shall henceforth be pertormed by the Commissioner of Pub- lic Works. How 4he two houses may act when the pressure of a thousand interested politicians ts brought to bear upon them in @ ‘variety of ways is another question. The joint committee starts out bravely, as many similar undertakings started out before; but it must be borne in mind that interests so strong and so deep rooted as it is proposed to assail and overthrow do not surrender easily, and that, without being a prophet of evil, itis wellto bear in mind that however triumphantly the ship may be launched, there is no guarantee of security against the breakers she may have to encounter, FEATURES OF THK BILL The abolition of the Park Commission can hardly excito alarm, bearing in-mind what a machine of politi cul intrigue and personal aggrandizoment it has been turned {nto of late years. It will be well enough at- tended to by tho Department of Public*Works. Everybody will recognize the propricty of merging the Department of Buildings in that of the Fire Depart ment, which is to have one commissioner and a Super- intendént of the Building Bureau, and the oxpenditures limited to $50,000 a year. ‘This year the Excise Department asks for an appro- . priation of $54,000, It is proposed to turn it over te the police and limit its expenditures to $15,000. Next Monday, when the committee meets, the street cleaning question is to be again considered. Mr. Cow. din has one notion of how it should be dealt with and Mr. Mitchell another, and both are members of the committee, The unsettled proposition ts that it be left where it is, ‘im tho hands of the Police Bourd, and that it be let out by contract small’ districts ior a term of not less than two years, so that those who contract may feel it worth while to go to tho expense of grepacing all the neces- sary appiiances in the shape of carts, brooms, scows, &c. By adding the Mayor to the commission tt 1a thought the citizens will havo an assurance that the streets will be more honestly cleaned than they are at present. It was Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, who has beon so long identified with the State Board of Charities, and who: experience in all relating to the moment questio: of pauperism and crime is superior to that of most men living, that suggested two in place of three com. missioners for the Board of Charities and Correction ‘one to look after the charities und one aiter the cor- rection, the third man being deemed a superiluity, Perhaps the chief featpro of the whote 1s the pro. vision tora spring election, which the Herauo lont its earnest advocacy to tor so long @ time, and which is now, though tardily, beginning to bear truit, Of course it is too late for such a thing this year, but it 1s set down in the bill for mext year, and botter lat¢ than never. After much deliberation it is thought wisest to let the Police Commission stand as it is, two and two, repro seuting equally and impartially both political parties, Three or four small bareaus in the Public Wor! Department are consolidated into one and a saving thereby effected, Ibis thought the reduction of expenses by this bill will bo (ully twenty-five per cent, and it is easy to cal culate the result in beball of retreuchment that musi finally be reached in the course of ten years hence, THE MARINE COURT. ‘The abolition of the Marine Court, that greatest of judicial excrescences, is recommended, though not authorized mm the vill, Mr. Jobn H, Stra han has tho architecture of this re: measure now in bis hands He is te having been furnish the superstructure and fittings, supplied with the main ideas, and he fs to be ready with the work by Monday next for presentation on ‘Tuesday to both houses. It is unnecessary to suggest the detaiis of the plan proposed, as 11 must be evident where three conspicuous departments are merged into one, as in the case of tho Docks, Parks and Public Works, provision must be mage under the Commis- sioner to whorn ail three are relegated for the conduct of euch by competent and responsible subordinates, ‘The bill, when set afloat on the billowy waters of the Assembly, will no doubt undergo much buffeting and be at times among the breakers, Butthe prospect ahead is bright 1n the extreme. KVIL DOINGS OF CONMITTRES. Two committees, Cowmerce and Navigation and Railroads, made each an adverse report this morniug ‘Ot bills that were fairly im the interest of the public, but the House, with more wholesome appre- hension of public opinion, retused to indorse these adverse reports and reierred them to the Committee of the Whole, One bill, introduced by Mr. Bulmer, the member who stated solemnly on ihe floor ot the House that he was approached and offered $2,000 to let hia bill go to Jericho, provided that the Thirty-fourth Street Ferry Company, a plethoric corporauon, should bo made to reduce its fare for foot passon- gers from four cents to two, This bill was discussed in the Committee on Commerce and Navigation, and three lawyers appeared on behalf of the company. Finally it was reported amended so thitt the fare should remain at four cents, except bes tween the hours of five and seven in the morning and five aud seven in the evening. This avaricious come pany thought this too much of a concession to the public, and, through one of their creatures in the As sembly, they succeeded tn having tho bill re-com- mitted. To-day it was again reported, but ad- versely, Mr. Webb, of Dutchess, the ‘chairmao, and Joseph Stern, of Now York, dissenting. Mr, Tighe, ot Kings, moved to disagree with the report, avd considerable debate followed, Mr. Bulmer, who was offered the bribe, a young man of no speaking powers, stood up to tell his story of that $2,000, but he was choked off by a motion tor the previous questioa, and it was clear the lobbyist ot the ferry company had a hold of some of the members, for Bulmer was choked off, but fuatly the corruptiomsts were beaten and the vill has sulla chance to be discussed. ‘The other bill adversely reported was that requiring the Klovated Ratiway to charge for the accommodation of working people five cents in place of ten, between the hours of five to seven in the morning, and the samo hours in the eveniug. ‘(he charter of this road permits it to charge only ten cents for tho whole length of ite track to Harlem, aod yet it ts only completed to the Park, Mir. O'Hare, the only momber of the committee who dissented from the report of 4 ourmittee, moved to disagree, and-his notion was carried, So the two committees, under strong suspicion of being derelict to tho public ine torests, were beroby rebuked by the action of the House, “How is it, Mike?'?askod a man of big Mike Healy, “that two comimittecs hand in adverse reports that the House refuses to confirm ¢”? “Oh, well,’ answered Mike, “it is Just because the committees see too inuch money.” AN BXCISK HILT introduced ao excise bill that he aliont features of Jor its leading recom: Senator Baaten says has taken «llthe good and dozen other excise bills, and tnendation to the New York the doing away with the practice or even the apprehension ol arbitrary arrests. THE BOND STREET FIRE, Workmen were busy all day yesterday gotting out the sales fram the ruins of the Bond stroct fire, Six safos were got out, all of them im good condition, apparently. Many people watched the operations during the day, Tbe tire is entirely out, and the work of excavation Will nuw go rapidly on. ‘Two sates of the tirm of Robbins & Appleton, takon from the ruins ov Taursday, were opened yesterday, They bad beow romoved to the tactory in Thirty. seventh sirect, near Kighth avenue, and ab ten o'clock & committes from the insurance companies and some members of the tim witnessed the the saics, The contents were foun good condition. rely ruined, batthe cases can be used again, total value oO! the goods m the two sates was $80,000 ‘The books and papers were slightly Injuced, A CORRECTION, To tim Eprron or toe HeraLpi— In your paper of yostorday, in tho Hat of insurance on stock in Boud street fire, you quote the New Yor and Youkers Insurance Company as having $5,000 and the New York City Insurance Company $7,600, Thie is not correct, tue New York City now nts a dollar onthe risk, but the Now York and Yonkers bave $5,000 on the American Watch Company and $2,600 on nue, Brooklyn. On Monday a week ago ho left the building in Luquer street ou which be wes employed to go home, and hi Pierco, Kursh & Co., both policies reading ‘contained in substantial iron sates’? Please make the correce’ Yon, and much oblige JOHN W. SIMONSON, | Secretary New York Vity Insurance Compengy cr] 4 | i