The New York Herald Newspaper, April 7, 1877, Page 6

q ] RAPID TRANSIT. DEFEATED Mr, Ecclesine’s Bill ‘Railroaded” in the Assembly. NEW YORK’S ENEMIES SHOWN Strahan, Hayes, Gilbert, Cozans and Rockwell Say ‘‘ No.” WHAT DID IT. Rae eer ey Horse Car Railroad Fares as Legislative Motors. “HIGHWAY ROBBERY.” Specious Arguments of Rural Mem- bers—What Is “Fee?” CHEATING A MILLION PEOPLE —_—_-—_—_—_—- { {BX TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Atmayy, April 6, 1877, Mr. Robert H. Straban, member of Assembly from the [hirteenth district of New York city, took up the | Henacp to-day in the course of the debate on the ad- verse report of the Rapid Transit billlrom the Railroad Committee, and the paragraph from your Albany correspondent stating shat im a day or two he | should give tho histories of all the men on that committee who agreed to slaughter rapid transit, He thon challenged the Hexaup corre- Spondent to give the histories of the sixty-six men who voted in favor of the adverso report, meaning thereby that he would find it rather a woighty task. 1 presume the columns ofthe. Henaty aro too valuable for this work, but Mr. Straban might be reminded that the mere | numerical proponderance, sixty-six to twenty-eight, Is not an index that rapid transit is unpopular, The gen- tloman may mean well enough, and he has his argu- | ments to support the position that there should be no rapid transit where the owners of property on the line of an elevated road are denied damages; but ho argues | for a ring or aclique because the universal voice calls for rapid transit, and Mr. Strahan ia simply standing | in bis own light when with his groat ability he op- | poses it, HORSE CAR COMPANY MONEY DID IT, It was defouted to-day. It bas now been set back for years, Tho money was unlimbered and set going, | and that beat it. It is perfectly absurd to suppose that Jonn Smith from the tar west of the State voted | | | | | against the dill in the public interest, He voted aguinst it because his paw was greased by some of the iniernal lobbyists who have in- fested the Legislature fur the last three months, and tho strect car railroad companies of New York are at the bottom of the corruption. When the Attorney General gets tarough with the Tweed business it is to be hoped be will address himselt to this matter of cor- rupting the Legislature, and where he sees that a street railroad company of New York has used money with the purpose of defeating rapid transit ho will take measures to vacate the charter of such company. | MR, HCCLESINE’S SPEECH. i Mr. Ecolosine moved to disagree with the report of | the committee and commit the Rapid Transit bill to | the Committee of the Whole, Mr, Ecclesine said:—I | do not feel as strong as I hoped to do to mect ® serious question of this kind, but if I roso from a dyimg bed, and the breath that I drew was the last feeble breath that responsive to the last effort of Iife I shuuid deem I expended in using 1t advocating the motion that 1 havo made in reference to this bill, It 13 a bill framed in the interest of rapid transit in the city ot New York, It isa bill, as I believe and as the gentiemen who prepared the bill believed, that will meet a crying Want of the citizons of that great city, aud that will go Jar to solve a problem that is important not only to the citizons of that city but the State generally. I bad hoped from the reception that the bill first met with in the committee, 1 had hoped from the sound argue men's of the learned counse! that appearea before the committee ; | had hoped more especially from the flimsy character of the arguments and the evident waut of good taith of the oppouents of the bill to have received Avery different report trom a committee constituted as Ue Committee on Railroads is, having on it only one member trom the city of New York. I was not prepared lor this adverse report irom gentlemen whose interests certainly cannot be aflected one way or the other by wis bill, If 1am not‘able to convince this House in Committee of the Whole that the bill isan honest one, a fair one anda proper one, then 1 am willing to meet with the defeat that a bill of that ohar- acter sbould entail, But 1 do not want it smothered here, like a misbogotten babe, end put out of | the way. 1 want it brought bere that members ofthis House can be put on record whether or no they are in | favor of rapid transit. if the bill is of such acharac- | ter that when it is carefully examined in Committee of the Whole it proves to be other than what I have stated it, gentiemen will bave aa opportunity of speaking and voting against it Certainly a question of this kind, involving such !m- jortant interests as it does, itseems to me, should not e smothered uuder an adverso report, and that the friends of the bill should have an opportunity of being heard in Committee of the Whole, 1 trust the motion will prevail. Mit. O'MARK SUPPORTS THE MEASURE, Mr. O'Hak#—I rise to support the motion made by the gentieman trom New York, Mr. Ecciesine. The Question of rapid transit is one which bas long en- gaged the attention of tuis Legislature, the press and the people of the city of New York at large. The | the provisions of this bill. gavo to this matter an impartial hearing. 1 will stand by the report of those meu who are capable of determining Whether or not this is a proper bill, and who ure influenced only by considerations of duty this House and duty (o the people of the State. Any attempt to Cast this bill into the Committee of the Whole should be regarded with great suspicion, and for the most remarkable reason that nove of us understand what its provisions are, therefore wo ought to put it into the Committee of the Whole. Upoa this question 1 ope that this Houge will stand by the committee, MORE WONDERFUL LOGIC. To my personal knowledge they question argued pro and con with great and cal deliberation. They have given to tt their best con: ation. They are a committee of the best men iu this House, and lot me say that when they stamp a bili witb their approval or their disapproval that stamp ould have some weight velore this House, aud no euch singular nus thal given by my colleague from the Fiith sbouid have apy weight as agaipst Such @ report irom such a committee. LL MAYES AGAINST RAPID TRANSIT. Mr, Hayes—Mr, Speaker, 1 have very great hope that the House will not adopt the motion made by my colleague from New York; indeed, | may aay 1 hove great expectations. Now, than one of the meetings of the Railroad Committee when a hear- heard this ful e ing was given to citizens of New York—I think to the number of some thirty or forty— mm relation to this {dentical bill Thi i was andor consideration in the cotnmittee belore and alter these hearings, and it 13 idio to say that the House thinks its constituted committee 1s not in pos- session of the requisite umount of inlormation of the facts In regard to this bill oecessary for it to make up its judgment. [ do not believe there has been bill more carefully censidered by any committee of this House during the present session. TOUCHING INJUNCTIONS. 8 Lunderstand it, tho provisions of the bill ‘ourts shall not grant injunctions in the event of constructing elevated railroads in cities, I am in lavor, a8 every one knows, of rapid transit. Lam not in favor of highway robbery. The provisions of the bill remind me of a line or two from the witty poet, Dr. Hoimes, where he says:— ‘There are three ways iz which men tuke one’s money from out some pleasant day, and counting up your fe A fellow jumps from out a bush and takes your horse’s reins Another liuts some words about # bullet in your brainy It is hard to meet such pressing friends in such » lonely spot; It is very hard to lose your cash, but harder to by shot; ‘And so you tako your wallet out, though yon hud rather not, Now, that is ail there is about this bill; it simply proposes that a company shall go through the streets | of New York or any otbor city tn this State, build their structure und Fely upon the courts afterward to give them compensation for the damage dope; and if that is not highway robbery there 18 no such thing in the world, That ts all there ig aboutit. Jam in favor of rapid transit, but Iam not in favor of robbing the people in order that there may be any amount, litle or great, of public benefit granted to the community at Jarge, ‘There are 1,000,000 people in the city of New York, and they are all of them anxious for rapid transit in some way or shape. A SHOT Fok STRAHAN, Mr. Mircuxti—1 have a singie word to say. Tho gentieman {rom the Thirteenth district of New York (Mr. Straban) asserts that he regarded the statements made by the g ith as very singular; that he ghould support this motion, I want the gen- tleman to understand that any act of mine is open to the inspection of every intelli. gent member of this House, and every vote that J cast I am responsible to my constituents for; and 1 wart him to understand that L have as much respect for the mtegrity of the gentle | man whois chairman of the railroad committee us L have for the integrity of the gentleman from the ‘Thirteenth, and ji | was pressed bard I might say that I uad more respect for the avility of the gentleman at the bend of the railroad committee than I have for the ability of the gentleman from tho Thir- teenth. It may not strictly be parliamentary, sir; but I want no gentleman to cast auy suspicion or impute any improper mouves to me in wy course here, If he does shall repel it with scorm aod con- tempt and fliug it back mto the teeth of the author of the “‘woodchuck.”? Lsaid that I did not uftderstand Tsay so now; and it was simply tor the purpose of examining the bill that I should like to see the bjli reterreed to the Commitice of the Whole and printed. ME REAL ROBBERS BXPOSED, Mr. Eocursixe—Iit 1s not by any meaus such an un- usual thing 1u paramontary usage to dikagree with the report ol a committee. Certainly it is the lure thest (bing from my thouhts to cast any rellection either upon the intelligence or tho integrity of any member of the Railroad Committee ia the motion that T have tnade to disagree with the report, but after tho violent assault that has been made on this biil, cuaracteriapg it as highway robbery, I could not rest eusy here, being the author of the bill, il I did not take some occasion to repol that, There may be nighway robbery in this fight of rapid transit; but if Lam not able to demonstrate before the faut is over that the highway robbery is on the other side, then I dou’t know anything about rapid transit, Now, the gentleman endeavored to smuggle this bill into bis commities in the first instance, and failing in that endeavors to kill 1. ‘the gentieman has said that there was no such precedent belore for taking this property without compensation. ‘There is no such pro- vision in the bili as taking apy property with or with. out compensation, Former jegisiation bas decided that question, and the courts will decide the constitution- ality of that former legistation, WHAT THE BILL 18, This vill simply provides that the efforts of the peo- pie to secure rapid transit shall not be defeated by -y 1juuctions that ure get asiie as ¥oon us a bg 18 bad upon them, That is all that it provides; that 18 the ‘wallet’? that to take; that is the “highway”? robbery that it at tempts ‘to commit, ‘The principle of the bill, for itis purely a master of principle, 18 one that Lam willing to go betore this House on, und what particular good it can do the citizens of New York to let this bill go iuto Committee of the Whole, where, if ip 1s wrong, it can be killed, I cannot conceive, HORSE CAR INTKRESTS. I can conceive, however, tliat it would be very con- venient for the interests of horse car mouopolists pot to let that bill go into Committee of the Wnole; 1 can conceive that it would be extremely convenient for the Sixth and the Eighth avenue horse cur companies to have this ill killed here belore there is an opportu. nity of fair discussion of its merits, put I do not think the temper of this House 1s such thatit will suf. fer any such uction as that to be taken. ANOTHER WHO HAD NOT READ IT, Mr. H. H. Rockwet.—I desire to inform the gentlo- man trom New York, much as I respect bim, and glad as 1 would be to accommodate Lim, one reuson why I do not thind it is proper this bill should go to the Com. mittee of the Whole is this—the Rairoad Committee have carefully examined this bill aud decided that itis a bad bill, Any man who attended the rmcetings of tuis commitico and heard the testimony, and con- sidered the legal proposition involved im it himselt, would consider ita bad bill. It denies the right of ins Junetion in favor of this corporation in the city of New ork. ; Mr. Ecciesixn—Will the gentleman give way a mo, ment? [1 does notand 1 could not deny tho rigut of injunction, that being a common law right It could not deprive any citizen of the right of injunction, It ouly prescribes how the injunction should be granted and under what consiacration. Mr. Rockwett—I understand that, but it virtually deprives every man of 1 living along the line of the road, and it makes an exception in favor ot this cor- poration, but that 1 not the reason why iv should or should not go to the Committee of the Whole. The Rapid Transit law of 1875 was the initiative of that grand step of progress which was to secureto the | people of the city of New York the blessings of quick trangit, But is Was not sufficient, and this bill was in- | troduced and supported by the friends of rapid transit | with tbe V.ew of perfecting that very system, Does | . Maecomplish it, or does it not? is nota question to be | now considered, as we cannot go into the merits of tho bill ona motion of this kind; but I ask this House to give the members trom New York, to give the Iriends of this bili an opportunity to show its hierits im Committeo of the Whole, an opporiunity to show that it will accomplish what the people oi the city of New York have sv loug, so ardently, but, alas! 50 vainly hoped tor—the accomplishment of rapid | transit, I hopo the on of the gentioman from New York, Mr. Eeclesine, will prevail | MITCHELL'S REMARKS. | hope thegmotion mado by the gen- | | | tleman from the Ninetventh will prevail, for the rea- son that, as a member from the city of New York my- sell, and being desirous of giving to the people of that city rapid transit in @ proper form, if this bill is drawn so as to meot the requirements, 80 as cot to do an injury to the property | bolders aiong the line of the rome, 1) Shall cheeriuily give it my support, aud | want to seo the bill printed and upon our files, Without com- mutting tyselt vro or con, i see no impropriety in the motion by the geuticman irom New York Tsay, by adopting bis motion that no disrespect will be paid to the Chairman or to tho other members of the Railroad Committee simply, as a member from New York, wish to see thie bill prin 1 want to read its provisions and to understand tbem | tw order that! ms t my vote intelligently upon he Bulyect. And I hope the members (rom the rural dis tricts will see ¢ Jing to the request = of the genti Nineteenth and the other members the floor otf this House trom the city of New York, and allow this bill to go to the Committee of the Whole. [ have no dourt that it has oven carefully | considered by the distinguished chairman and other | members of the Railroad Committee, but. yet it am admitted fact that the other members upon the floor of this house are ignorant Of the provisions of that bill, apd, in order that they may act intelligently, I hope that the report will be disagreed to and that the bill will be referred to the | Committee of the Whole, Without committing myseif either in favor of or against the dill, I tor ove want to understand ite provisions in oraer that | may vote tue | telligentiy. | STRANAN'S OPPOSITION, Mr. Steanax—I consider the reason given by my colleague from the Fifth (Mr. Mitchell) why the report of the committee sbould be disagreed to and the bill referred to the Commuttee ot (he Whole as a very re- markable one. The reason that he gives is thatthe members ov this floor who are not members of the rail- road committee are ignorant of (he provisions of this Bill; | therefore wo ought to commit it to the Committee of the Whole; therefore we ought to priat this bill and then take up a day or two of \me in discussing it, bo~ cuuse We do not know what is int, because we do not understand {t, Sir, it isa singuior posiion tor a | tieman to take; it 6 pocuiiurly singular for any | ntleman to take that position wits regard to a rapid sit Dil, AE MA NOT READ TT, ner sir, n this bill [ propose to stand by e- hong [ne cemmittoe, I have never read the bill, but have a gonoral idea of Its Contiseating principles, and {will stand by the report of the cominitieo who carefully and delberately considered ite pro- Pisioas 1 Rut stand by the port of those qon whom I know to be unpre) and who | amount of Teason is this~ within ovo week at leust one jouding New York paper, holding a large realestate up aut tho upper end of tho island, which is financially interested in this corporation, has said, i notm so many words at least in efect, that every man tn this House who voted against (bat measure would be branded as a striker nd that money would be used to defeut the bil in this House, Now, they desire to put this bill into the Committee of the Wholo for the purpose of *bulledoz- ing” the members of the Honse with the newspapers, As long as tue Railroad Committee, having caretully examined it, decide against it,and have taken the responsibility, 1 go for supporting the Railroad Com- mittee, und hot allowing Uke newspapers to come here and try to brow beat members of this House into the sup- port ol A measure that is 80 manilestly bad on the {aco of it as this is, That is one reason why 1 do not want it to go to the Committee of the Whole, Mr. O’Hana—The gentleman trom Chemung bappens to bo a member of tue Judiciary Committee, and, like his colleague, Mr. Strahan, I presume that he is com- mitted Lo the other side of the proposition. Ido not say that he is absolutely, because 1 know nothing ot it, por do 1 know that the gentleman from Now York, Mr. Strahan, is committed to the other side of the proposition, but from the appearance I should say this was a fight between the Judiciary and Railroad Committee as to this particular bill, Tho Judiciury has reaped the laurels, 80 far, Now, tt is bot such an unusual thing to disagree with a report of a committee, A POOR DEFE from Now Y ed that himself 1 ku ® within two Weeks has experienced that ordeal three or tour tines. [I do not desire to raise AY invidious discussion of this matter; but as long as ahan, has ow that the Railroad the gentieman trom New York, Mr, Strahan, was solid Jor sustaining the report the commitiee, | ouly wish to call bis attention to the fact that that — prac had not been unitorm, 1 desire to make no reflection —_either upon the, gentiomen of the judiciary committee or upon those of the railroad committee, The vill was squarely beaten in the commitice, there 18 no doubt about i, Six to one, bab T think the members of this House slould have an opportunity of hearing what New York men here bave to say apon the matter, which they understand over and above ail the other members of this Legislature combined, becuase it is a | matter most uearly and directly concerning them, CO“ANS, TOO, Mr. Cozaxx—I do not desire to enter into this dis- cussion, Dut, a8 one member from New York, I do vot hesitate to say exactly whore I will stand upon whis subject, 1 consider the bill a8 an improper one, avd tbat it should be beaten at the start, 1 congider that any Measure in the support or in the interest of cere tain railroads in New York, which was conceived in corruption and bas Leow carried throogh tn fraud, suiould be beaten from the word go, and 1 will vote to Sustain this Commitiee in Lhis report. GILHERT SHOWS HIS HAND, Mr. Ginnent--[ have tisteued with considerable at- teution to the discussion in respect to this motion, made by the gentioman from New York, M sine, There 18 one thing at the outser concerning which we do not difer, and that is in respect to tae unportance of rapid ‘transit, There are several otber matters in respect to which we do greatly aud utterly differ, One is as to the propriety of this bill, Now let me say that there have been five hearings, | think, upon this bill, The piittee from the outwet ba regarded i ag an in portant matter, Lthink Lmay say every hearing ex- cept one was almust exclusively given tho promowrs of EW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, aPRIL of the bill « had in this Chamber, but that was wearily, 1 ~ sey de entirely, be aa was suid by Shem w shi ject, aed ind very melt ae juired of the attoruey who appeared to promote the bill:— “Have youanything further that wish to say— anytinng ther that you wish 10 ‘odor? i ud + No, 2 $a lasked him if be was au! to eay for the in- troducer of the vill that he tad atthe turther to say tm tavor of the bill, igi He sala, “You”? N “Very well,” said I, “then on the part of those wi promote tbe bill the hearing is ended, unless the com- mittee should think it beat to give the opponenta of earing. ‘ent into executive session, and ev member of the committee, except my iriend from Ni York, Mr. O'Hare, readily and at P to give their yote 1n reapect to the bill, and they did cast their vote yesterday afternoon, | think between id eight o'clock, after a long and patient GILBERT TELLS WHY. 1 tell you, gentiemen, 1 am in favor of rapid transit, but 1 believe this bill 1s a bad ope, ana if anybody de- sires me to give the principles wilch I think it vio~ Jates 1 am ready 10 do tt—I will do at It is conceded by those who promote the bill that this railroad may pass through an avenue and may depreciate the property along the avenue anywhere from tive and forty or more per cept. The opponents of the bili claim it will render their property practi- cally worthless to them. I have a long letter here from a gentleman, who sa; “IT have worked here for twonty-nvo years, aud the results of my savings and my hardgbips aud my earn- ings are put into two houses upon this avenue, and [ have a mortgage upon them and if this railroad goes through there this property reduced 8 that it a worth litte, if apy, more than is necossary to cover the mortgage, and my property is virtually wiped out.’’ Now, the ointl make is this:—1t is conceded on ull hands that property hus depreciated in many cases and may de- preciate in every cuse, and it is claimed by those wao oppose the bill that it 18 very greatly and in some cases runously depreciating the value of their property. We asked them on both sides, “Have you any redro They told us **No,”? Lasked thom on both sides, “It your property 1s depreciated in value, can’t you go into court and get sume redress for 11?” Both parties consent in saying “No.” The {oe of tho Jand is in the city and they gan go right by these men’s property and depreciate it ten, forty or filty per cent, and vir- Sealy wipe out the eurnings of a lifetime, and they are absolutely without any redress, . AN AWPCL AVOWAL, Now, I want to say to you, in ail solemnity, that 1 will see my right hacd fall palzied to my side belore, by any voice or voto of mine, I shall deprive a single property owner along the line of those streets of any redress which they may now have im any court of justice, In my judgment, i you are prepared to say to the Committee on Rallroads tnat you area set of incompetent men; that in some way Your judgment bas been warped; that you have tailed to give a lair hearing to this matter, then you ought to send it to tho Committeo of the Whole, But it you believe wo are iair men, {f you believe that we havo given them (I think it {3 five) long beur- ings, until they say wo have “nothing more to say,” then the report of the cdmtnittes sbould be agreed to, The rights of those concerned compelled me to castmy vote as I did, and to utter what I’ have uttered now. WHAT 13 PEE? ‘Tho gentleman jfrom Madison (Mr. Sheldon) asks what is meant by the ‘fee’? in New York? It means this, that in 1813 a luw was passed by which the fee of all the streots in the city of Now York to be opened thereafter was to pass to the city in trust for public use. Well, now the courts have gai virtually that al- though these railroads run through the avenues and de- preciate the value of property, yet you bave no redress, Some parties have gone into court and sald this law is unconstitutional; but what I say to the men who pro- mote this bill, and to anybody else, is this—that if you have any redress in a court of justice left to you under that law of 1575, no voice or vote of mine shull deprivo you of one jota of it, and 1 am opposed to the bill, GILBERT CORKECTED, Mr. Eccresink—It is just exactly as I conceived it, My fnend, the chairman of the Railfoad Committee, fails to grasp exactly what this bill provides. He has ‘voted conscientiously, no doubt, as he always docs, but he has voted, as 1 conceive, from a misconception of tho facts of the case. The law as it at present stands = give the fee simple absolute over the control of these avenues to the people of the city. It is held for public use, subject to the contro! of the State. Now, then, the rosidents along the line of this avenue huve no rights in that avenue if that is the common law, and there- fore the fact that thoy come into court not having any right, but having only the color of a right, to obiain an injunction which is dissolved when- ever a bh ng 1s hud, snotsucha right as they should be suataiued in by any conscientious man, But does this deprive them of thisright? Notatai!. It simply provides this; that belore they’ shall obtain their injunction they shail ‘file certain securitics in court, and that ifthe railroad files a counter-boud that the injunction will be dissolved and the matter relegated to the final bearing 1m the case. Now, where 48 any injury done to any litigant there? Injury? Why, it is @ positive beneit, because, where beforehand they had nothing to obtain by the final determination of the issue but a judg- mient for damages which might or might uot be good alust the railroad company, they now have this additional bond of security given to them ol a bond of $10,000, If they have any substantial rights the Court will protect them, and it they have no substantial rights they have no right to go in and barass and annoy the vested rights of o:her parties, simply for the purpose of obtaining <eeiporers delay, ' Now, there is the question In anutshell. Let me say to my respected colieague from New York, Mr. Cozans, that 1 do not understand that this vill wus drawn in the taterests of any one particular railroad or any one particular line of railroads, whether coticeived in fraud, of begotten in fraud, or born In fraud. Cer- tainly, so far us Lam concerued, no right hand of mine would be soiled by anything (hat was tainted with fraud, it is drawn simply in the interest of every rapid transit railroad company. It takes away no Tight from any citizen or class of citizens tbat the law now vests iu them. It simply regulates and prescribes how courts shall exercize that right avd bow they shall exercise their judicial discretion under it, But whether the bill on its face is meritorious or not, whether tho bill on its face is honest or not, the question is now whether wa shall havo an opportunity to discuss it in all its length anu breadth before the whoie House, and there let itsink or swim on its merits, and if ft 16 the moasure {ts opponents say it ts, Jet it go down in infamy, but do not let it be smothered like an ill-be- gotten child at the first inception of its being. MR. PURDY'S IDEAS CLEARLY EXPRESSED. Mr. Punpy—lI have listened with great interest to tho arguments of this question pro and con. ave determined, so lar as I am able, to do nothing that can directly or indirectly stand in the way of rapid transit in the city of Now York. But the arguments of the Chairman of the committee ure not without much force, and appeal to tho sense of every man who desires fatr play. He says that the rights of the individuals will suffer if unis bill becomes a law, But let ine remind the gentieman that the whole railroad interest m this coun- try was curried through by trampling on the rights of individuals, Let me remind him of that maxim that the good of the few must yield to the good of the many. Let me state that in almost every iustance where a ruilroad 19 laid there is great hardship in individual cases. There is a seeming damage, only to be reimbursed afterward. ‘The proposition of the — gentle- man who Sntroduced this $s merely this—that tue rapid transit schemes of New York shall not be embarrassed or bo delayed by technical objections; that 11a ian goes into and on ez parte papers, as understand it, without a hearing. and procures a tem- porary injunction, stops the workmen, stops every- thing that is going on, he at least shail give some se- curity for any damage that he may inflict It seems to mo tbat. this isa fair proposition. It seems to me at Jeast that Chere 18 enough in this bill to take it to tho Commitico of the Whole. But let me warn my friends from New York that, while we may differ on ‘retorma- tory schemes, the people are united in their desires Jor raid transit; im fact, the salvation of that erty depends upon it. am not influenced to my vote or my couduct on the floor of this house by the newspaper alluded to by the gentleman trom Chemung, (xr. Rockwell.) Tho New Yor« Heraun, was the paper, and the editorial in which it Stated that gentlemen who voted against this biil would be called *‘strikers.”? If I shall see occasion to vote agamst the bill Ishall do go, but until 1 learn that this bill is notin the interest of rapid transit I shall want to have it considered, No damage can be done by acaretul consideration, It it is a proper Dill then let us consider it in the Committee of the Whole, I do not regard it as a reflection upon the Railroad Committee, DRAWING COMPARISONS. Tn fact, my friend Dr. Hayes was very activein having the Beach Pneumatic mattor, which Was, reported ad- versely, sent to the Committee of the Whole House.’ I aided him in that for similar reasons to this, and because while the Beach Pneumatic might be of doubtful utility, stil it might solve the proviem of rapid transit, and’ we disagreed from the committeo from no reflection on tho committee, There are mat. ters.on which men may fairly differ; theretore 1 shall vote with my friend, Mr, Ecelesine, AR. STRANAN KNOWS, Mr. Steaman—I want the opportunity to refute the 4 specious argument which is used here, and which f do Dot want to have deceive gentlemen on this tloor who are not as woll acquainted with the facts invoived in this case a8 representatives trom the city of Now York. The specious argument which I want to reply to is that usod here in the name of rapid transit, the Iusinu- on that if this bill 1# killea rapid transit is impeded; the insinuation that this bill {8 to aid rapid transit. Sir, I deny that that is so, Newspapers and gentlemen on this floor have availed themselves of the a knowlecged and recognized need of rapid trans: to ery through a scheme in favor of a particular rail- road company called the Gilbert Elevated Railrond Company. { ‘say they have adopted the cry of rapid trausit to get that particular scheine adopied, and this Dil is in aid of building that particular road which now, having been started, is stopped under an inyune- tion, LOOKING FOR WONDS, ‘The Gilbert Elevated Ratiroad Company have asked that their bouds be put upon the market, sending to the Stock Board in Wall street a request of that kin and Lave stated in terms that $3,000,090 1s all that required to put thoir road jn operation, And yet I bere challenge the dental of the assertion tbat they have issued $22,000,000 of stock. This 18 1n ald of that particuiar road’ and company which has issued this eburmous amount of stock, which has subsidized every man ond every power that it could roach with its bonds It js intended to curry — that — particular = road =~ through by a bill which sball deprive the citizen of tis constitu tional right. ‘That is what this bill means, The courts have enjoined them. This DILL says you shall not en= jola them, Let as go on and burld our road, and after our road to the bil, ‘Tho opponents | constitution of the State says that the citizen shall The injunet: S not be of bis or of his Pe pepary tay Peer than bis pt tg Bart for a like this except on just compensation, bill pi to deprive bim of those constitu. tonal rig! smely and solely for cular scheme r the purpose of complet! je parti ot rapid transit, the Ghbert ‘Elevated Railway, which bas ited & route up Sixth avenue, and which pat in a bill in 1872, I voted for the charter of that road. J voted for the particular road fed in the bili, but under the terms of another bill, which 1 de- Bounce here a8 unconstitutional, they bave obtained the Nearly without Coming ure, In an proper e obtained ‘th that any ma borhood of his property. purpose of pi tibg througb that particular scheme that this bill is re, and they try to cry it (hrough this House on the ground tbat it is rapid transit. ltis not. Itis the Gilvert Elevated Katlroad Company. a company that has issued $22,000,000 of stock to build a roud that bas cost $3,000, 000, REMARKS OF MR, HAYES, « Mr. Harxs—I rise simply to supplement whet the Chwrman of the Railroad Committee has justly and truly said, with regard to the damugo done to property by tbe building of a road which 1 am glad has been at length, by my colleague, Mr. Stroud, called bs its name, that 18 to euy, the Gilbert Elovated Railroad. Ho has taken the words almost out of my mouth, ln ro- spect to the property that is destroved by the building of this rond, as has been said by the gentleman trom Franklin, I will simply call attention for one moment to this circumstance, There was a street in the city of New York called Laureus street, 1t was widened, and nearly $2,000,000 was expended in purebasing twenty-five fect on one sido of the street, thereby widening !t for the purpose of relieving Broadway. Now the Gilbert Elevated Railro: cupies all of that stroet to-day, to tho exclusion of other.| business, and the posts of that railroad, ruuping — clos up with a few feet of tho houses, have depreciated tho value to such an extent that thero 18 not ope house, wot one piece of property on the whole line of the road to-day which would selt for the mortgages upon it. Iv is absolate destruction of the property, It runs through a mighty stroet, und there it absolutely fills up the street neary to the euves of the houses, Then it proposes to run ipto Sixthavenue, [here it bas met with opposition, and injuctions have been Issued. It has been said by iny colleagu that this 1s provided for in the bill, but he says they can go to the courte and get their remody. A lawyer himself, bo knows how long it will take bim to get his case through the courts to get redress, How long will ittake? Meanwhile, whore does the poor man who bas invested all his earnings and all his savipgs in that property get his remedy? What is to become of him? I say that before that right shall be invaded thd man who owns the property shall be paid for it# destruction belore they go op, FINANCIAL STATUS OF THN ROAD, Another fact I will state for the information .of the House. That Gilbert Eievated Railroad cost $300,000 a mile And what 1s that represented by? One million first’ mortgage bonds, one million second mort- gage bonds and $800,000 of stock, A margin between the actual cost of the building of the road and that which it represents in the interests aud in the pockots of the pevplo who promote the enterpriso 200,000, And when I say it is bighway robbery. when I say that every man along the line of that road ig utterly rained I point out the fact that hero are $2,200,000 going—where? Out of their pockets and into the hands of aconscienceless and dishonest and dishonorable corporation, SPEECH OF MR. VISH, Mr, Fish—Perbaps there is no one constituency rep- resented on this loor whieh is more interested in tho subject of rapid transit, with the exception of West- chester county, than that which f have the honor to represent, outside of the city of New York, but lam unwilling, for my part, with my great desire to secure rapid transit, to secure it by tue provisions of such a bill as this, It bas not required on my pare tho discussion that has taken place on this floor this morning and the statements which have been so ably made by the chairman of the kailroad Committeo and the gentiemen from New York, Mr. Straban, Dr, Hayes and Mr. Cozzans, to inform me what was the import of this bill, It is simply in the interest of one corporation to enabie it to take privato property, to confiscate it absolutely without paying for it. ‘Now, I hold, that we should not, in our engerness to secure rapid transit be willing to destroy private property. This discuasion was held a year ago in this very Honse, and the commitice de. cided then if private property was to be taken and contiscated that these railroad corporations must pay for it, and I am glad to see in this House that the Rail- road Committee have desided by so large a majority to report this bill adversely. Itrust this House will sus. tain that committeo without allowing the vill to go to the Committee of the Whole.* There is no reason for it, as iy friend from New York, Mr. Cozens, has said. This is a bad bill and an infaineus bill, and we should strangle it here. #PRECH OF MR. SPINOLA, Mr. SrixoLa—This question is one of as much !m- portance to New York as any perhaps we shall be called toact upon. It isone, sir, which affects directly the rights of the citizens of that city. lt proposes to take away from @ citizen bis constitutional pre- rogatuve. It proposes, aa I gather from glancing over it, to legalize what, in the language of the bill, is only catied ‘ootorably’—a most peculiar word to use in connection with the enact- imeut of a statute, 1s this Legistature prepared to divest a citizen of his constitutional rights as a siglo citizen standing against the entire community, or will you advance slowly and see that their interests are taken care of as the law provides they shall be? Let me illustrate a principle, A citizen from somo art of the Interior of the State gocs to the city of New ork to locate id commence the transaction of public business. Ho has suflicient capital to engago mn his undertaking. His first step is to look around for & suitable location. He purcha: his house in which he is to couduct his business; bo in- vests in that building protty much all his capital, ox- cept such he requires Jor the transaction of his business. makes his purchase. He opens his business, It goes om successfully for a fow years, when, unoeknown to him, and without his authority or consent, and’ without bis knowl- edge in the most’ remote way, by somo act of the Legislature a corporation is creatod, and they erect what is called a raptd transit road along the front of his residence. The erection of that very railroad going along tho second story of his build. ing and darkening bis store and ruining nis basiness prospects is a precisely paraliol case to that under con- sideration, These men have bought their property, paid the money for it without any knowledge that aby such thing as thie was to take place, and without their consent or intimation being given to them wo tind this Gilbert Elevated kailroad Company constract- ing their road through certain streets in that city, and if any gentleman on this floor will visit New York and go through Amity street and South Filth avenue be Will see at once the great and irreparable damage done to the property holder there, Ho is cut off trom his rights and his privileges and prerogatives are invaded the Legislature without bis consent or knowledge. Now, my iriend from the Nineteenth has reterred to vested rights, What vested rights baye any of theso corporators, #1r THE PREVIOUS QuRSTION, On motion of Mr. Asvorp the previous question was ordered, The question was then submitted on motion of Mr. Ecclesiae, REMARKS OF MR, CORSA. When the name of Mr. Corsa was called he asked to be excusod and spoke as tollows :. 1am in favor of rapid transit in thy city of New Yorks but Iam not in favor of depriving any citizen of his guaranteed rights. Believing that this bill’ will really do so I must vote in the negative. VOTE OF MR, COZZANS. Mr, Cozzans asked to be excused from voting and spoke as follow: I consider that, while I am in favor of any of rapid transti, I am perfectly justitie any measure that [think improper,” As To improper, as unjustly diserimina in favor of & Corporati As I consider al Mr. Ecolesino, | © roner method in opposing Fr tbts bil n individual voto against under the existing Jaw, this corporation has power and has every opportunity afforded it or any other railroad corporation to noquire any interest, and particularly under the amen ment passed last year to the generat law applying partic lurly to the strects of cities, T think this bill shonld not pss, and thatthe report of the committee should be su tained, I withdraw my request aud voto m VOTE OF MR, ECCLESINE. jsked to be excused from voting, and Mr, Ecclesin spoke as follow T just want to contradict two statements that havo been mi wile here. First—Thut this bill is drawn in the interest of any on d that the Gilbert Elevated R. drawn by the counsel of anuther company, wich Elevated Railrond Company, and 1 perso know one man, from the President down to the porter, nected with the Gilbert Elevated Ruilroad. I do not know one vf the incorporate ‘Another statement that has been made hero as to the | subsidizing of any one inside or outside of this House by 1 do not own one cent of the stock of sor stock. ny elev to, in blip city o! explanation I wit MR, GI Mr. Gilbort aske spoko as follows :— It lias been said that thisis not in the in roads, Now nobody but attorneys wil peared before this committee to ad ec Bay, without fear of suece: effect of this bili 1s to tmp in heir endeavors nin the courts. W y request and ERTS EXPLANATION, to be excused from voting and rest of rail. 2 hart to give way. Jaw is always careful do it in this case. This all hands. What I panies wow have excesive and hot call them rights, but legalize they come 9 court’ and ask tor imore, the It is rapid, as com- ot rapid transit at all, it is not the final on the horse cars, bi 8 tion of rapid transit. The genticmnn says the Chair ‘of the Railroad Committee does not understand this ell, we ought to understand it after tive long We certainly had the opportunity, nnd we next plage, it hearinut certainly made the effort, and as to the ability of the come mittee to do so, here 1 have nothing to say, except we think Wwe do perfectly understand it, I withdraw my request and Mit, HAYRS? EXVLANATION, Mr. Haves asked to bo excusea from voting, and ‘This bi Is in tho tnt ever may be the deni word of my friend from New Yori Rnd as he means. “Lt isin the interest of iw corp. tending to build a railroad ir the gity of New York ou sticks, which is not rapid. transi and it destroys Overy effort that the citizensot New York are to necowpiish that mneh desired ends Emi A locomotive could ever run over th bat it conld fot run at » hin rate of speed. would be nothing rapid vont He tt the interest of that corppora and such tures in. the elty of New York ave been the best engineers of the country who have been consulted noon the subject pronounced to be an absardity, nnd the Oni¥ result of the whole concern is to destroy the property of the private citizen and deprive hin of his just rights, whieh tre guaranteed to him by the constitution of the State. I Withdraw my roqnest and voto no. MR. HOGANOOM IN RXTENOATION, Mr. Hoganoom asked to be excused trom voting, and est of a cortain corporation, what- tT will take the 7, 1817—WITH SUPPLEMENT. 7 si use of determi to say, Ie whi is another provision ‘this bill tis “the interference. in" restraining the powers of the court to have matters: preliniinary determined, and provides for the laying of thig road and comumisting the trespass, if 4 trespass is commit ted, before Shepuention in determined, and iu that respect I think the bill fy fatal and that the judgment of the Com- mittee on allrouds is correct, I withdraw my request and vote “No. ‘MK, HUSTHD’S DOUBLE TRUST. Mr. Husrep asked to be excased from voting, and . spoke as follows:— ta areaumg no one will question, the Interest T have aken in rapid transit, Fort ave fough and bled wud died ou the floor’ of this ffouse ia that great jot been buried yet. about to say that! been reaurrectedt Now [am a rapid transit man from the — bott of my heart and in every fibre of my system, a1 am placed to-day in ® most” embarrassing position, and ich I think, will commendiny request unaniinous ¥ this hotise. My firm, x lexal firm, has been during the p employed and ret for w rapid transit cv ied as counse) rily Is directly interested in the pu Suge oF non-paxsage of this bill, 1, personally, as Grand Muster of the Masonic fraternity of ‘the Xtute, repr of $1,500,000 whieh {stn di ny which nece: an, I wouid be in 1, In the other & _ trustee, r am compelied to assage. In other words, can neither vote fur it nor against It without violating ® trust that has been reposed in me. gr withont violating, on tho other side, that rule ot the Assembly which provides that person ihat'ix directly iuterested Ju a question cannot voto. [ask to be exeused from votlng, The Speaker—On the statement of the gentleman from Wesichester that he occupies the position of an interested P rity on this question, he is excused irom voting by the rules of this House. Mr. Langbein asked to be excused from voting and spoke as fullow: Lam in favor of rapid transit, and to say anything olse wold be simply nonsense; and,'in saying this, I say that L utter mere common dense. In my trom alt I ry ard upon this bill, and from one of the sessions of — the co attended, ft seeins to me that this pill is not only an unjust Di buss bad bill. It takes away the prerogative ot tho citizen, I see no reason why tuis corporation should have any greater privileges in the courts than otlivr corpora Hons, [see no reason why the common law right of in- Junction should he enlarged or diminished in this caso ‘wguinst any other case, withdraw my request and vote no, MR. MAYNARD'S VOTE. Mr. Maynard asked to be excused from voting and spoke as follows 1 cannot agree with some of the gentlemen who have spokva In oppusition to thie bill In the proposition which thoy have unde that this vill is designed to give this cor- poration or this class uf corporations auy special or excita sive privileges, Ax I understand the general railroad law Of this State If any railruad corporation organized under that law seeks to erect or construct ils roud over any prop- erty I may obtain an injunction to restrain it trom doing #0; but itthat company xo into court und give ample curity for all damage which) mu; tt consequence of the” construction the court is bound to dissolve the oppose” ite tn road injunction, that As I understand it that is this bill. Is provides shat if himselt agarie by the const: to court, and ovtilos an injunction ot pany trom proceeding with the constructio that that injunction must bo dissolved it the company gi ate accurity for the payment of the damage which he stain in consequence of the construction of the road. ntleman inquires of me why they desire this vill? © this bill because thoy do uot come within the rond law. These companies yz, The courts uve decided ‘The companies are meroly the street, in which the of interest tor tlemen who have spoken in op- position to HL led to point ton single, deciston ot uny court of this State which upholds the rights of tho Property holder upon ghis question. The courts have de- Cided unliormly that the property holders have no tungible rights whic are alfected ur destroyed by the construction of theso railroads, I withdraw my request aud vote in the aitirmative. Mr. Srranan asked to be excused from voting, and Spoke as follows Just as my name was called I found in the Nxw Yore Henatp the following: — “Defeating Kapid Frunslt—The Railroad Committee of the ‘Assembly concluded this afternoon to, report ad- versely the bill in favor of rapid transit, Mr. Stephen O'Hare dissenting, Justilying my hopes that he would uct fn honest and independent putt and the peuple will remem: Ver him for it. Put down all the rest ot tze committee and T shall give their histories ina day or two as being erned and led” by the street ratlruaa companies. should these fellows tro is right and proper for N ri cau stand up auainst the avalanche of public opinion.” 1 propose to stand up againat the avalanche, and I invi the correspondent of the New York H&Ratp to pay his re pects not only to the members of the comiteae, but to the gentlemen who ure casting this overthelming vote against this bill I withdraw my request aud vote “no,” The motion of Br. Ecclesine was lost—yeas 27, nays “uve NEW YORK'S GOVERNMENT. ANOTHER MEASURE TO REGULATE THE DEPART- MENTS OF THE CITY BY SENATOR GERARD. Asay, April 6, 1877. Mr. Gerard introduced a bill im relation to the local government of the city of New York, which provides tbat the members of the Board of Aldermen shall serve two yoars, at a salary of $2,600 each, and no cxtra salary to the Presidgnt; that thore shall bo no spring election. There shall be three Commissioners of Parks—one to have a salary of $5,000, the others to serve without salary. They are to lave power over the parks and the streets and avenues adjoining, but no power to curb, gutter, pave or sewer. Thoir power as to desig- nating the pow wards ja continued, ‘Ihe Department of Public Works has the same powers and bureaus as in the so-called ‘Omnibus bill,’? ‘except the Dock Bureau; also the same general pro- visions us to the other bureaus. The Commissioners of Chartties are left threo in number, Tho Commissioner having the longest term to serve shall be head of the Fire Department, sulary of 65,000, The Departmont of Building: abolished, and the powers, &c., transferred to the Fire Department, The expenses of tbe Building Bureau are not to exceed $40,000 annually. It abolishes the office of attorney to the Department of Buildings, the attornoy for the Excise Board and the attorney of tho Health Board, all their duties to be pertorued by the Corporation Attorney. The number of clerks and omployés in the Board of Excise and their salary shail be as fixed by tho Buard of Estimate and Apportionment, to take offoct August Ist, 77. It abolishes the Board of Docks, but con- the Department under one’ head, ab a salary of $5,000, sutject to the annual expend ture, Bot to exceed $40,000, clerks, officers and engineers, and all other expenditures to be determined by the Sinking Fuod Commission- el Street cleaving and the removal of garbage is ‘on {rom the police aod put under one head. The compensation of the commissioner and tho number of his clerks to be tixed by the Board of Apportionment, Contracts may be made for- districty with the assent of ‘tho Mayor. The head ot the Street Cleaning Department snail perform such additicnal cleaning as in tho opinion of tne Bourd of Health is ue ary hy mgs the streets, avenues aod public places clean, The bill abolishes toe oil Of inspectors and sealers of weights and measures; their duties to be performed by the Mayor's marshals. Tho clerks in tue County Clerk's Office are to act as clerks of tho Board of County Canvassers, There are some other general provisions similar to the so-called Omnibus bill, except tuat the powers of the Mayor and Board of Excise are ovt transterred to the Police Boa: BANK SUPERINTENDENT ELLIS, GOVERNOR ROBINSON RECOMMENDS HIS RE- MOVAL—FALSE FIGURES CONCERNING THE MECHANICS’ SAVINGS BANK—CULPABLE NEG- LIGENCE SHOWN—PATCHING A KOITEN CON- CERN. Anast, N. Y., April 6, 1877. The following message from the Governor was traus- mitted to the Senate to-day :— State oF New York, Executive Cuamssr, Avvaxy, N. Y., April 0, 1877. To THe SENATE :— e J bave received from William J. Best, who was ap- pointed by the Supreme Court in July, 1875, receiver of the Mechanics and ers’ Savings Bank, charges against Dewit C. Ellis, Superintendent of the Bank Department, accompanied by depositions and dpcu- mentary proof in support thereof. The charges are that toe bank was insolvent in July, 1874, the de- ficiency being then avout $200,000; thay this con- dition of the bank was exposed to Mr, Ellis in September, by two of its trustees; that Mr. Elis then pertonally investigated the aftairs of the bank; that upou such examinavion he admitted the bauk Was insolvent; that he was frequently re- quested on bobalf of two trustees to Like mnmediate proceedings to protect the creditors, and he begiected to do so until June, 1876, a period of nearly wo years, In suppyrt of the charges are submitted :— F.rst—A Walance sheet schedule made out by G N, Pratt, who wus at tue time general bookkeeper of the bank, aud verified by bis oath, showing a ded- ciency in July, 1874, of $201,017 52, Second—The testimony of William Floyd avd Ira W. Gregory, two of the trustees of the | bank, contained’ in their depositions, that they as & Bpecial committee appointed in July, 1874, to examine its conditions, reported a de- ficiency of assets as compared with the liabilities of $151,409 71, and a deficiency in the annual income of the usual dividend of interest to depositors was de- clared of $15,041 70. Schedule B and ©, showiog this condition of things now appended to’ the charges, formed u part of all, Mr. Floyd deposes further that the trustees having, notwithstanding this report, clared the usual dividend, he, through F, P. Bellamy, | nis attorney, in September, 1874, Inut copies ot the re- | port of himself and Mr. Gregory, accompanied by the | schedules above mentioned, belure Mr. and requested him to ‘institute to protect the creditors; tbat thereupon Mr. Bi to New York and in person examined the conditr tho bank; that after such examination Mr, Bilis ad: mitted to Mr. Floyd that the report of himself aud Mr. Gregory was substantially correct and that the bunk was solveut, aod promised to take immediate steps to protect the depositors; that ne (Fioyd) ve quently, between that tine and June, 1876, urged Mr. Killa to take some action in the matter, but shat until _ eorge | therefore, to take aotion to protect the creditors, at had mailed several letters to that effect between tho time of the examination and June, 1876, but shat Mr. Ellis neglected to take any proceeding uatil the last date. .. Fourth—The deposition of Mr. Gregory to effect that be confirms all that Mr. Fioyd has sresgi eopenre: loyd and himself aod The avnual report of the Bank Department, March 5, 1875, exuibite this bank as possessing a surplus of assets over liabilities of 1,240 08 (Assembly docu. ments No. 108, p. 148); that of 1876 exhibits the bank with a surplus of $0,530 13 (Assembly documents of 1876, No, 97, p. 157). Mr. Bestalleges that 6 tine he was appoimted receiver in July, 1876, the deficiency bad reached nearly $250,000. Upon these charges, and the th su; of them whick I transmit to you meters * Sceememies duty to recommend to you, as | now do, the removal from office of Dewitt C. Ellis, Superintendent of the Bank Department. This recommendation is made as basis of action on the part of the Senate, and upon t! assumption that depositions annexed to t! Fg inery are true and make outa prima facie case, It acquit bim of any intentional wrong, but not 1n my judgment of culpabie negligence, I submit the whole matter to the Senate for sueh in- vestigation and action as it may thidk proper tor the protection of the public interests. L. ROBINSON, THE STEAMBOAT INSPECTORSHIP. AN APPLICATION FOR A REHEARING IN THE CASE OF ADDISON LOW, Wasaixotoy, April 6, 1877, Tne frionds of Addison Low, recently removed from the position of Steamboat Inspector at New York, have asked for a rebearing in his case, and their ap- plication will be considered, Jt is understood that the only reason why str. Low was removed consisted in a strong impression that he was not sumiciently vizorovs in the dischurge of the duties of nis office and did not exact proper enterprise ov the part of his suvordi- nates, THE CHARGES OF MISCONDUCT REFUTED—As LETTER FROM SECRETARY BRISTOW, ALBANY, April 6, 1877, A Washington despatch having stated that Addison Low, of thiscity, Suporvising Inspector of Steamboats iu the Southern District of New York, had been re. moved op charges of misconduct, Mr, Low refutes the charges by producing the following document :— TRkasuRY DxPant4nnt, Deo 23, 1875, Sin—The several charces made by certain. parti ing your official Integrity as Supervising Inspector of Vesiels have had a thorough investization, first, by the su: revising Inspector General and subsequently” bs the So. icitor of the Treasnry, Ltake pleasure in suying that the evidence adduced and’ the reports of thexo officers, founded thereon, completely exonerntes you, I regret the reitera- tlon of these unfounded charges in the public press which makes this vindication of your oftieinl charactor nece Respectfully, . H. BRISTOW, Secre ‘To Appixox Low, Supervising Inspoctor. STRIKE OF COAL MINERS, ¢ Prrtenena, Pa, Apri 6, 1877. The miners at Connelsville, Broadford, and along the lines of brauch roads in Fayette county, have struck for higher wages. They were getting twenty-five cents per wagon load and now demand thirty-three cents, They are opposed to company stores and want their pay in cash instead of part store orders as here- Throughout this region all the coal mined 1s used for cooking, In the Youghiogheny district tho miners are still at work, but a strike 1s anticipated, ‘There will be a meeting of miners at Broadford this afternoon, LARGE FIRE AT LYNN. Bostox, Mass , April 6, 1877, A firo in Lynn, Mass., this morning started in C. 0, Sweetzer’s factory, corner of Central avenue and Ux. ford street, and rapidly spread, destroying Sweetzer’s block and the shoe factory of E. F. Bancroft, The fou lowing is a correct list of the losses und tnsurance:— Messra, Sweetzer Brothers, on butiding, $23,000, in- surance $16,500; ©. 3. Sweetzer & Co., $50,000, insur- ance $28,500; F. F. Tyler, $1,200, no insurauce; Boyn- ton & Bancrolt, $8,000, insured; G. H. Whipple, shoe gtitcher, $6,000, insurance $5,000; Bancroft & Co., $12,000, partially insured; Josiab W. Heal, grocer, $1,000, insured. Several dremen were severely in, jured, The fire throws 160 persons out of employment- BUSINESS FAILURE, Sr. Jonx, N. B,, April 6, 1877. Mills & Jago, ship owners and brokers, of this city, have failed. Their property will be placed in the handt of-a trustee for the benefit of the creditors, Their lia- bilities are $100,000, and their assets if sold at once would not realize filty per cent of that amount, Me Jago resides in England. A JOYLESS HONEYMOON. On Thursday night a modest, neatly dressed young woman applied tor and obtained lodging at the Third Precinct station house, in Jersey City. Yesterday morning, when the lodgers were leaving, she ap- proached the desk and said to the Sergeant, ‘Can I my husband now, please?” The Sergeant told her sho was free to go and see him, ‘But,’ she rejoined, ‘he is here a lodger, too.’ The Sergeant was confounded, She stared that ber husband vamo in after her, but she did not know what name he gave, as they wero travelling under assumed names. Ihe seventeen lodgers wore marched out for inspection, aad she threw her eyes rapidly aloug the line and said he not there, She then burst into tears und disclosed t had been married the previous day by a York city, and the magistrate claimed as tees all tho money the you@g pair posses: They had friends in Ranway and they set out to travel on foot, but as the journey was too jong for the remuinder ot the day they ‘conciuded to seek for lodging that night. She had hardly concluded her story when the young brid groom entered and seeing her oxclaimed, “I was ju: outside waiting; I came here last night, and when I saw the poor accommodations for lodgers I would not stop.” ‘The bride’s face suddenty lighted up, and, altue thanking the Sergeant, the young couple started out to Rahway and on lifo’s journey. ST. JOHN'S GUILD. THE COMMISSIONERS OF ACCOUNTS REPORT It IMPOSSIBLE TO EXAMINE THE INSTITUTION’ ACCOUNTS—A CARD FROM THE TREASURER OF THE GUILD. Instructions wero recently given to the Comis- sioner of Accounts by the Board of Apportionment to examine into the (uancial affairs of St. Jobn’s Guild to ascertain what dispesition bad been made of the funds contributed by tho city trom the Excise tunds, Astatement was yesterday sent in to the Board of Apportionment by Mr. Lindsay I, Howe, one of the Commissioners of Accounts, ip which ho sets forth “that it 8 impossible to muke an examination of the finaveral aflairs of St. Jolin’s Guild for two reasons:. “First—That all moneys received by St, John’s Guild, whether from the city treasury or othor sources, have been deposited in the personal or private bank ac: count of the Treasurer of the Guild in connection with his private business affairs, and there are no meaas of determining the sums belonging to the separate in- terests, ““Second—That tho Treasurer of the Gaild has not kept any books during the pst three years, except such books aud accovat ave been prepared for the pur- poses of this examination since the action of the Board of Estimates; and which caunot be accepted ar books of original entry.” THE TREASURER OF THE GUILD EXPLAINS, To Tue Epitor or THs HenaLp:— In the report of the Commissioner of Accounts to the Board of Apportionment of his examination of the counts of St. John’s Guild, a great injustice has been done to me, and 1 respectfully ask space for an ex- planation. Relerring to tho ‘*first’’ statement, it hi been my custom, for convenience, to deposit with the National Trust Company all trust funds commit. ted to my care, of which the relief fund ot St John's Guild forms a portion, These accounts have not been creaited on the books of the com- pany separately, but my books have been so kept tat L coum wt any tie ascertain the amount duoto éach fund. It has never before occurred to me that any criticism could be made in respect to this, My private business aceount has always been kept with the Chemtcal Bank, and has never been in any way mixed up with trust funds, Ip respect to tho econd’? statement, I havo always, as treasurer of the Guild, kept books of original entry, which, although accural Rot specimens of bookkeop- ing, as I do pot profess to bo a practical vooK- und were referred to by me for the purpose of making up my monthly and annual stat iments, my maip reliance boing the original voucher which I have always carefully kept and filed. Some time previous to any action on the purt of the Board of Apportionate with reference to an tovestigation of St. John’s Gurld tt became apparent that in the future the Guild would require regular sets of books, and L had propared trom my books of original entry aud vouchers the books of the Guild, which were alter- ward submitted to Mr. Howe, and these, together with the original youcbers, which were also submitted to and examined by him, conveyed a complete exhibit of the financial condition of the Guild since d have acteu as treasurer, It mast be borne 1p mind that no provision has ever been made by the Guild tor the employment of a bouk+ keeper, and ‘my services as treasurer have been rons }» dered gratuitously, ANDREW W. Liéogat. New Youx, April 6, 1877. the last named date he neglected to do so, Third—Ube testimony of F, P, Bellamy, attornoy at Jaw, of Brooklyn, contained in bis deposition to the Simogacts and to the same admissions to him by Mr. fills, alter bis personal explanation of the conaition We hayo passed v0 some extont to the discussion of tho | toes above named, frequently | spoke as follows — of ‘the bank, that {twas insolvent, that ho (Bellamy) ‘had, on behalt of the two trus- urged Mr. Ellis, DISORDERLY HO USES RAIDED, Captain Williams, of the Twenty-ninth preciact, last night made a descent on tour disorderly houses, located in West Thirty-third street. Twenty-five arroste wero made and the houses were closed, ay