The New York Herald Newspaper, May 2, 1877, Page 4

4 CRUSHED 10 DEAT A Portion of the Post Office Roof Fa On Ten Workmen. FOUR MEN KILLED. Two Severely Injured—Four Es- cape With Slight Injuries. CRIMINAL BLUNDERING SOMEWHERE | Mr. Mullett’s Grave Accusation—Were Human Lives Sacrificed to Political Spite ? An accident, vy which three men were killed out- right, one so grievously wounded that he died tna few hours, two severely wounded and four escaped with only slight bruises, occurred on the fitth story of the new Post Ollice yesterday afternoon, by the failing in of the rool of one of the apartments in that building. The upper story of that magnificent structure is still in an anfinished condition, and the rooms are cither unoccupied or are used as store- houses tor waste materials, except !n a few instances, tn which they are devoted to the accommodation of the postal clorks and mail agents of the routes leading in and out of the city, A moro forlorn looking place | cannot well be imagined, and death among the débris of a lalling root in such a locality only gave a sort of Wrid terror to a garret whore all the ghosts in the metropolis might ind a hiding place. The room in which the aceident occurred was originally a double | apartment on the City Hull side of the building, one-halt of it being a storeroom tor waste material aud | dgbrig and the other a reading and smoking room | for the postai clerks. Origimally the partition which divided the storeroom trom the smokiug room was of brick and was built the entire length of the builcing. The necessity of providing a court room for Judge Benedict on the tloor tmmediately below re- quired the partition on the fourth floor to be removed, #0 as provide an apartment sufficiently large for the purposes of the court. This caused a slight deflection iu the ceiling of Judge Benedict’s room and occasioned some uncasiness lest the ceiling should fail, To the brick’ partition above was the deflection attributed, and Mr, Thomas H, Oak- shott, the superintendent of construction, determined to remove it, The wall bad already Been down a week, and it was while the workmen were engaged in strengthening the supports of the roof that the acci- dent happened which it is now the puinful duty of the Hegatp to describe. ‘Th follpwing diagrams will give a better Idea of the gene and character of the accident, so far as the Duiiding 13 concerned, than a whole column of deserip- tion could afford:-- B to a S\N | Sectional view of the room, showing the arrangement of rder and roof, A.—New iron gitder—taking the place’ of brick wall— whick broke wid caused the disaster. B B.~ Portion of root filled with concre C G,—Irow beaws resting upon girder and supporting tho rool, A O B A st Office building. is rating the scene of the accl- | Sa A A—North wall of BBB-Y: livided the two pot where the body of Patrick Julnson was found, Loeniity in which tha remaining men were extricated from the rubbish, S—Room adjoining the one where the roof fell, at pre forming part of the room by the removal of the wal ‘Toe root over this portion dia uot fall, THE acciDENT, It was nearly three o'clock yosteraay afternoon when Christian Handsuch, the watchman on the iilth story of the Fost Oflice building, approached tho door of the apartment in which the workmen were eugaged in | strengthening the supports of the rool. As he stood at the door, looking imto the room, he heard | & sharp, quick sound, and betore he could realize what had occurred bis eyes were completely bhnded with dust, He coulda not cry out, so unex | pected and so sudden was the catastrophe. Notknow- ing the extent of the calamity or its character his im- Mediate impulse was that of sell-preservation, which isthe first law of nature, avd he started to run, He bad only zone a step or two, however, before he was seized by the hand by one of the workmen who had escaped from the room in which the accident bad hap- pened, ond he began to understand that the catastrophe, ‘Wwhavever it was, Was over, although only afew seconds Dad elapsed. Turning back he was met by a son of Mr. Docherty, one of the overseers of the workmen, who inquired, piteously, “Is iather there A little investigation revealed the fact that the lad’s guxiety Wus Unnecessary, but at the game time showed & sceue Of horror so terrible aud sickening that Ho pen an do it justice, 1t wus death come in the rudest and Most uncouth fashiou in which he can come to the children of men. There wero none of the glories of the Dattic field 10 soften the scene to the imagination— | not even the graudeur of tho burning dome and the fierceness of the strugule on the stairs | when the ill ed Brooklyn ‘Theaire was | consumed with its human olocaust. It was imply death in bis everyday attire come to strike | down the favoring man in the babiliments of | Yoil. Inatorm so commonplace, so bold, so utterly unsytmprchetic may the boits of Leaven descend as to | Jail towoucb ibe venderer chords in our nature, and it | Was suche dgaih scene os (his which yesterday tad | the power vo uppal tt it lacked the syinpathy whieh Blobe oun soften. And yet such an o heart was in every Way more pathetic un ich and the proud and the great bad These were hands which flied the ny i, fallen. mouths | of helpless women and children—iLe men who toiled | that vtuers might live ov the scanty reward labor, and when they died or were wounded the door was opened to suffering and want, us weil as gf ) ‘The wolt cawe to tho door of more tian one | wsebold while Christian Hanusuch was baving his eyes filled with dustin the very face of yesterday's aia of thoir | to death THB ALARM—OCTRAGKOUS CONFUSION, After the accidenttve alarm spread iiko wildfire over tho immense building, aud tor time it was ime | possible jo ascertwin anything detiniely in regurd to what had occurred, Novody seemed to kuow the buture of the calumity or evento be able to toll the | scene of the catustrople, und yet everybody seomed to be guing somewhere und trying to do something, Tho excitement and confusion which ensued were | terribie. Mon rushed here aud there aimlessly, and | employ és of the building, in their excitement, refused to allow muny representatives of the press to pass to the upper story of the building. At the top floor was a wooden door, which had to be passed arriving @t the scone of the disuster. dually the whole scene and the full extentol the uy Were revealed, and a sadder story in overy not often told than that which crystallized to the inind of the spectator while the débris was being siowiy removed from the broken apart+ Ment and the dead and wounded slowly ex- tricated from the spots where they were stricken down, For a considerable time the dust rone in clouds from the room, and as the reporter, who ‘was first in the field, came in contact with some ani- mate object, is touch was answored by a hollow groun, and it was found that the sound camo from oue of ¢ prorkmen who, by the merest accident, had escaped | | roof and taken out about an hour alter dead, | was his first day on duty, | depria, } room NEW YURK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1877.—TRIPLK SHEET. with only bis scalp cut and bleeding by the fallin timbers. As he crouched upon a beuin and pre poh aan 7 head between his dust-grimed hands, be cried :-— “I don"t know anything abont it; 1 only know that something struck me betore | knew that anything was falling at alk”? THE SCENK OF THK DISASTER. AS the seune of the disaster Was approached it was found that the doors of the room were biocked w Inside, ine floor was eovered with # curled won and fallen beams and pillars and brokew concrete, Above, the blue sky looked iu through the broken root, and after a time the senttered rain drops began to fail upon the ruins, Beneath trag- ments lay the bodies of the dead apd the and writhing forms of the Wounded. Io an instant alter the workmen who were to rescue their hving associates and Care tor the dead arrived atthe spot the work of clearing the room begay, [1 was no easy task, for the broken roof had been a solid mass of masonry and-concrete, and it was dittieult to put the débris aside suiticrebtly to enable the men to get at the broken masses of flesh and boues beveath tne brokeu rvof, which covered the floor of the to @ depth of two or three feet. In the meuntine firemen, policemen, reporters trom twenty e ney bvOriD: Wwepupers, uttachés of the Post ud idlers of every description bad gathered in the room and the corridors, There was a cull for a plank and it was borve inside, und then the order came, ‘*Make way there, voys!—ecusy now;’? and four tirewen bore out from the ruins the rigid figure of a laborer, tail, stalworth and dust-begrimed. A sigh of sympathy escaped trom the crowd as it opened a pavsuge, and Ube body Was carried to an untinished room im the vicinity and the excavations continued, One alter another ail tue dead and Wounded were ro- moved from beneath the timbers and concrete, and those Who were alive were immediately trausferred to the hospital, REMOVING THE BODIES. When the bodies had ail been recovered from the débris they were tuken to the lower floor and placed iu the jetter carrier’s department, The poor fellows were placed on the floor und attended by the ambu- Jance surgeon of the Chambers Street Hospital A lange and sympathetic crowd stood aboat the budies, and the silence was only broken by the orders of the surgeon aud an occasional =murmur ol pity. from the Jookers-on, An — immense throng blocked the doorway near where the bodies were laid, and when finally driven back bv the police covered the sidewalks and the lower portion of City Hall Park, The bouies were removed, one by one, to the Chambers street hospital by the ambulaaces, but even after the lust Nad been tken away the crowd sul lingered and gazed at the wails of the great build- ing. THK DEAD AND INJURED, ‘The men who were in the room at the time of the’ disaster were;— Patrick Johuson, who was buried under the hig i This Charles A. Kobinson, who was also crushed and tukeu out dead, Jono Johnson, who was instantly killed, Dennis Fieming, badly injured, died at Chambers street hospital lust might Max Henzett, wuo was badly injured about the bead and baci John Collister, who was struck by the falling débris on the head und back, receiving severe contusious, Heury Jones, who was slightly cut aud went Lome, ‘Thomus Mackingoa and Fred Cooper, who cacaped uninjured, Collister and Fleming were taken to the Chambers Street Hospitai, whither a reporter followed thei. Upon examination it was found that Fleming bad re- ceived a commuinuted fracture of the left humerus, in- volving the elbow, a compound fracture of the right -humercus, and a deep scalp wound, exposing the bone, Collister’s Injuries were comparatively sight and con- sisted of coutusions vu the back and bead, 1s is ex- pected that Collister will be able to be removed to his home in atew days; but Fleming's injuries and the shock trom whicu he suffered were so serious that | hy hopes Were entertained of his recovery from his reception at the hosptial. He passed away quietly. Henusett made his own way into the corridor, aud Joues and Mackingon rushed out through the window to a passage which runs round the builuing. THE CORONER'S ACTION, Deputy Coroner Goldschuidt, representing Coroner Ethoger, arrived at the bospital shortly after and took charge of the cases, ordering the dead bodies to be re- inoved to the Morgue, Coroner Ellinger last evening culled at the 'Twenty-sixth precinct stution house, aud ordered that the police uilow nothing to be displaced, The Coroner also aunounced his intention of thor- oughly investigating the accident to-day. Experts ; wal be ou Land, and the débris will be examined care- fully. THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, An inguiry into the cause of the accident will give rise co much difference of opinion and involves some con- troversy. Mr. Oaksvott, who liad churge of the work, to of He opinion that the disaster was due to some undiscovered flaw in the iron, but Mr AB, Mule lett, under whose direction tho building was constructed, has a very different theory, which will be ‘found in “the st.tements relative to the matter which follow, Between these two Opimions, so conflicting in themselves and one ol them so startling, the whole question rests. A thorough investigativa Will probably show whether Mr. Oak- shott or Mr. Mullett is rigut, aud it is to be presumed that the investigation will oe made, If Mr. Muliett is. righttbe imdignation which will follow cannot stop short of the punishment of that oficial cuipabiluy whieh risks human life lor the gratification of personal ends, POSTMASTER JAMES’ STATEMENT, Postmaster James wus uot in his oflice at the time of the disaster, but arrived a lew wowents later. Heo could give no ucts in relation to it, As Postmaster he hau nothing whatever todo with the construcion of the building or with alterations of any kind, THOMAS H, OAKSHOTT Mr, Thomas H. Oakshott, Superintendent of Con- struction, was in bis office at the time of the aceident, ubd #® eburt time afterward was culled upon by the representative ct the Hekatp, Mr, Oakshott was visibly affected by the uffwir, aud said that tue accident could only be _ explained by a fiaw in the iron girder, Wuen be lad assuined charge of the Post Office building be had found that the ceiling of the court room immediately velow the rooms ju whieh the disaster occurred seemed to be settling. ‘The wa!l wus cracked, Upon consul- tation with Mr, Hil, the Supervising Architect, it was deelued to replace the brick wail with an iron girder or equal strength. The wall wus accordingly removed about a week = ago and the ruof supported by wooden struts, When the girder Was plied in position Ubege struts were removed und the workmen were just about removing the last when the crash came. Mr, Oakshott estimatea the damago at about $600, including the new truss, which was wort $200, Supervising Architect ill had been tele- graphed to aud Would make a thorough investigation Of the cause of the accident, STATEMENT OF A. BL MULLETT, About five u’clock 11 was ascertained that both ex- Supervising Architect A, B, Mulett and General W. G, Steinmetz, who was tormerly (he superintendent of repairs under Muliett, were both at the Post Office. Being in the city voih bad beard of the accident and harried to the scene to personally inspect the damage and ascertain who was to blame, reporter was sent to seo Mr. ovluin bis version of the aster. The ex-supervising Architect was found 1 Postmasier James’ private room, and very willing to be interviewed, He expressed bis opinion very freely, and unhesitating'y made assertions whica de- mund immediate investigation by the government, and which, it true, reflect very severely upon the protes- Sional integrity of tue present occupant of the posi- tion formeriy ted by Mr. Mullett, who is Mr. f a Hilt) Mr. Mullett, after drawing a diagram of th aged rooms and rool, went on to say :— A FATAL HLUNDER, “The whole trouble im this case arose from the fact that a suspensory truss Has been sec in as a girder, ‘The brick Wall which was taken away on the top floor, thereby throwing two rooms into one, and which was inteuded to be repluced i carrying capacity by the iron truss, Was originally coutinued up irom the foun- dation of tue building. ‘In order to form @ suitable room on the fourth floor for Judge Benedict to hold the sessious of the United States District Court in it had been found necessary to remove a brick wall on. that floor, directly beneath the one on the tifth floor, This removed the support for the fifth floor wail, and deflections and cracks began to be no- ticed in Judge Benedict's room. The present engineer in charge, Mr. Thomas H. Oaksnott, having Decoine alarmed ut Uhis detection and these cracks, feared tbut the ceiling of tue court room might tall, and, Knowing that be was hot a competent engineer, sent tor Mr. Hill, the Supervising Architect, to 1spect the piace, Mr. ili did $0 on Monday and pronounced iteuie, and the work which had been done correck 1 emphatically say tat the work was biunderingly done, and moreover, that there was nothing 1n the d flection of the ceiling of the court room and the cracks thereim to occasion any alarm. “Ou the other side of the building, a room was orig- inaily builtin this manner with w suspensory truss, | und it is doing tts work to-day, veuring a similar strain, aud is perlectiy sate. This was pat under my control, wod was properly setin. ‘There are turee otner trusses of the sume kind now in the building doing sunilar work, and are periectly Safe. A proof ol this statement ack that in the injured part the roof bas fae to the duplicate truss, which 1 set in prop. Mr, Uakshott said that he aid not know that there Was such @ beavy weight ol concrete on the roof, ‘There was not % parti nore concrete there than Was | hecessary to subserve the purpose tor which Ib wus jutended, which was to make the roof absolutely fre proot, Tis roof ts one of the few metal rouls in this country which ure perfoctly fireproof, and this 1s due to the overlaying of the concrete on the arches of cor- Over the crown of the arches tho js turee inches thick, Ol course it 1s more in the launches of the arches, A GRAVE ACCUSATION. “Three weeks ago | called the attention of the proper Authorities to the fact that Mr, Oukebutt was detailed to do duties Which he does not profess to understand, ch Le is incompetent to do, He is a supervise clor, aad us such Is Valuable to the govern: put lie ts out of his place when acting as sup dent of cousiruction ag Qo ts bob an engin Mr. Oukshott knows this and admits it, and Is serving unwillingly; but he i kept in that position to keep Out & colnpetent person, General W, G, Stemmets, whom I bave repeaiediy recommended for the post Hon, but against whow Mr. Hill bas a personal feeling, growing out of his personal feeling against me. There is Hothing io thi¥ #eeident to ocvasion surprise, and 1 would Lave been foreseen by any competent en- gineer.? STATEMENT OY JOHN COLLISTER, John Collister was one of tue workmen who were injured, though he fortunately escaped with less injury thau any ol the others, He was seen by a HunaLp Pe- porter, after lis removal to Chambers Street Hospital, and made the following stavcineut of the oveurreuce:— “I, with tho rest of the workinen, Was in the north- east room, On the top tloor of the building. The brick wall which had fortnerly formed the partition be. tween the two rooms had been taken down, thus throwing the two rooms into one large room. The irom gitder bad been put op ad « number Of scantiiugs Were Standing under i, We received 1 orders to knock’ these scantlings away. This we did, and, after the last one was knocked leaving the gi entirely free, I beard a loud cra¢kins 0 rr looming up saw the roof coming in. I show sprang Up to run oat of the door, but was not quick evough, The corrugated copper root, which cove ered with great, heavy masses of concrete came tain) ling m as quick as hgbtning, and { was struck on the head and back with’ pieces of one or tho other, { don’ know whieh, 1 was stunned, and the next thing | know 1 was in thie wim- Dulanee being curried bere, 1 du not know who vise was burt, There were working im the room ut the tme five men, who were bracing up the iron work of the roof, which was iasecurely doue, and belore bad finished it came dowu upon us,”? lt wil be observed by the reader th: statement conflicts somewhat in its cari portions, but this is owing, probably, to the confusion ofmind resulting from the severe shock to his nervous system, Collister’s and latter RACING IN TENNESSEE. THREE CAPITAL CONTESTS--MILAN, RICE & BEYHUNE’S MELBOURN, JR, COLT AND COU- RIER WINNERS, Nasuvinte, May 1, 1877. ‘The spring meeting of the Nashville Biood Horse Association began to-day, ‘he weather was churm- ing, the track in most excollent order for racing and the attendance very large and respectable, The races will continue tive days, Three events came off to-day, the first the Young American Stake No, 1 for two-year-olds, colts and fillies; adush of half amfle; $25 entrance, play or pay; the association to add $200; second horse to have $30, The starters were Captain Cottrill’s bay gelaing Tickler and bis chestnut filly Mary R., D. Swigort’s buy colt Milan and bis bay colt Petrel, Rice & Bethune’s bay colt Duncan F. Kenner, Jobn- son & Co.’s bay colt Bramble, W. T. Linck’s bay Olly Bergamot, Wilham Mayo’s brown filly Silver | Maid, #1. B, Douglas & Co.’s bay filly Bonanza, and | Edwards & Co,’s chestnut colt Ensign, Milan was the favorite, THE Rack After eight false starts the horses got away, with En- sign in the lead, but be was quickly pas by Milan, who won easily by three lengths, Bramble second, two lengths if front ot Duncan F, Kenner; Bergamot was fourth, Bonanaa fifth, Ensign sixth, Teklor seventh, | Mary R, eighth, Silver Maid ninth and Bergamot tenth. THR SECOND RACE was the Commercial Hote! Stake for maiden three-year- olds, colts and fillies, Who have not wou previous to | January 1, 1877; a dasb ot a mile and a quarter; $25 entrance, play or pay; the association to add $250; | the second horse to have $50. Tho starters for this event were Rice & Bethuno’s brown colt by Melbourn, | Jr., dam Magnetta, by Mahomet; J. W. Hunt Reynolds’ bay filly Felicia, by inported Phaeton, dam Farfaletta, by Australian; N. B. Cheatham’s chestnut colt Jo Burt, ‘by Bonnie Scotland, dain Noty Frico; William Mayo’s gray Qlly Alico Murphy, by Bonnio Scotland, dam Bettie Marti, by Kmu; Darden & Co,’s chestnut colt Vienipo, by Bonnie Scotiand, dam Dora, by Austra- lian, and their chestnut filly Satinet, by Bonnie Scot- Jand, dam Sadowa, by Jack Malone, Plenipo was tho favorite at even money agatnat the fleld. Mayo’s chesinut filly Aunie C, came to the post with the others, but in one of tho Iai arta gbe ran away aud went ono mile und threo quarters befure she was pulled up, She was then taken to the lo. THX RACK. Alice Murphy bounced away with the lead, closely pressed by Plenipo and Felicia, The trio passed the stand in this order, the remainder of the tleld in close order trailing. Alice Murphy led until she reached the quarter pole, where she was passed by Pienipo and Kice & Bethune’s Melbourn colt, Felicia third. ‘They raced in this order to halt way down the hom stretch, Rice & Bethune’s colt then joined issue with Plenipo, and, coming away, won easily by a length, Plenipo second, half a length in front of Felicia, Alice Murphy fourth, Jo Burt tftn, Satinetsixth. Time, 2:14. THe THIRD RACK was for the Association Purse of $250, mile heats, for all ages, For thisevent tive came tothe post. These wero Fair Play, Grit, Courter, Glasgow and Amanua Warren, Fair Play was the favorite at 100 to 60 against tho fleld, THE RACK, First Heat.—Fair Play was in the lead when the drum was tapped, Grit sccond, Courier third, Glasgow fourth and Amanda Warren fifth, There was no Change {o the positions of the horses until tney reached the three-quarter pole, when Grit and Courier massed Fair Viay, Courter won the heat by two jengths, Grit secoud, Fair Play tnird, Glasgow tourth, Amanda Warren fifth. Time, 1:4534. Second Heat.—Courier the favorite, The horses had an excellent start, Grit in the lead, which he never relinquished, and won the heat, after a desperate struggle, by a head; Amanda Warren gecond, Courier | third, Glasgow fourth, Fair Play Ufth, Time, 1:451;. Third Heat.—Tho bettivg was now 3tolonGrit. A | good start was had, with Courier in the lead, which he hold to the lower turn, when Grit passed him. Alter a desperate struggle to the stand a dead heat was the re- sult between Grit und Courier, Time, 1:47, Fourth Heat,—All the other horses wore now out of the race, Grit and Courter got away side aud side and ran bead and head the entire mile, Courter winning on the post by a@ throat-latch, after a must exciting contest from start to finish. Tim The following are the SUMMARIES, Nastvitte Bioop Horsk Assocration—Srrinc | Mextinc—First Day—May 1, 1877.—Young America Stake, Nu. 1, tor two-year-olds, colts and fillies, a dash ot ball a mile; $25 entrance, play or pay; the associa- tion to add $200; second horse to have $60. Starters. D, Swigert’s b, c Milan, by Melbourn, Jr. dam ‘Alumna, by imp. Eclipse. 1 Jonnson & Co.'s v. c& Bramble, dam Ivy Leaf, by Austraiian. cosccveaes @ Rice & Bethune’s b, c. Duncan F. Kenner, by Gil- roy, dum Nora Creina,......0.ssecessceeceeresees 8 Captain W. Cottrill’s b. g. Tickier, by Daniel Boone, dam Tick, by Monte, reed sevens 0 Captain W. Cottrill’s ch, f, Mary R., by Daniel Boone, dam Maggie G., by Brown Dick.......... 0 W. T. Linck’s b. f, Bergamot, by Bonnie Scotiand, dam Juauiata, by Jack Malone. 0 Edwards & Co,’s ch, & Ensign, inda....... . sesereeeeee . 0 H. B, Douglas & 8b. f. Bonanza, by Bonnie Scotland, dam Jessamine, by Brown Dick......6. 0 D. Swigert’s b,c, Petrel, by Lever, dam Bosio, by imp. Eclipse..... weoepsecsseons essveccves - 0 William Mayo’s br. £ Silver Maid, by Bonnte Scot land, dam Monica, by Sovereign.....e.see-eeeees 0 | Tithe, 503% sec. Same Day.—The Coimmercial Hotel Stakes, for Maiden three-year olds, a dush of a mile and a juarter; $25 entrance, play or pay, association to add 250; second horse to recive $50, There were uine- Teen nominations and six starters, STARTERB, Rice & Bethune’s b. c by Melbourn, J. dam Mag- netta, by Mahomet,......06. pipet! Darden’ & Co.'s ch, & Pienipo, by Bounie Scotiand, dam Dora, by Australian, PERE J. W. Hunt Reynolds’ v. 1," Felicia, by imported Phaeton, dati Furtaletta, by Australian... 8 W. Mayo’s g f Alico Murphy, by Bonnio land, dam Bettie Martin, by timp. Emu... coven N. b, Cheathata’s ch, 6 Jo Burt, by Boule Scot land, dum Noty Price....... sees 6 Darwen & Co.'s ch. f, Satinel, by Bonnie dam Sadowa,.. 8 sevens 6 ‘Tam ik Same Day—-Association Purse $250, milo heats, for all ages, STARTERS, P. M West’s b. ¢, Courier, by Star Davis, dam by Lexington, 4 yours od.......... 1 2 0 1 W. T. Linck’s bv. c. Grit, by Meibourne, r., dam Wagonette, 4 years cld........ 4102 Mr. Owin’s b. b. Fuir Play, by Vigil, dam Crucilx, 6 yeurs old...... oa f Amanda Warren, by p by Big Boston, 4 years old, Dime, 1:45 y—1.4 Q—1 AT RACING IN Gauvestox, May 1, 1877, This was the second day ot the races here, The weather was fing, the track in good condition and the attendance large. The first race was two and a quarter miles, for ali ages, and was won ensily by George Quinib, Dick Morgau second and Kottou third, Time, 424035. ‘The second race was for the Gulf City Stakes; dis- tance one mile and a half, Elia Rowett won by a Jength; Vergilian second and Conrad third, beaiing Sand and Methodist. Tino, 2:42 45. The third race, mile heats, for all uges, was won by Jack Hardy in two straight heats, Littie Reb being sec- one in each, Time—L:43% and 1:0. AMERICAN JOCKEY CLUB. Tho following are the wolghta decided’ on by the bandicapper for the ‘flyers’? that are candidates for tho Grand National Handicap Steeplechase, to be run At the spring mocting at Jerome Park ;— 3 4no0 6 3no TEXAS. Lbs. Doubtful, 4 years old.. 138 Trouble, aged Fredericktown, 4 years Bullet, aged. Deadh , 4 years old. 134 . Waller, 6 yours old.... 140 New York, 5 years old, 144 MURDEROUS MELIA. James Melia, of No, 238 Kast Forty-first street, who shot Stephen Geoghegan in his iiquor store, corner of Thirty-ninth street and Second avenue, on Monday night, was at the Filty-seventh Street Court yesterday commitied for trial without bull, Geoghegan claimed that Melia bad insulted one of his customers, and thas be Lit the inan on tho forchead with a giass, Toon Melia drew a revolver and fired. Geoghegan has an ugly wound on his forehead, Melia denies the shoot. ing of the complainant, Ho states they were both drupk, and after some men had ieft the saloon Geoghee gan told him he had insulted friends of the proprietor, und struck him on the forehead with a qlass tumbler aud knocked Lim down inthe middle of (he strect: Melia knew nothing further about tho matter. Ho suid to have been connected im another shooting affair Jaat Now Yoar's, RACING IN ENGLAND. THE COMING TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS CON- TKST--SKETCHES OF THE VLOBABLE START= ERS, Loxpox, April 19, 1877, ‘The first of tho five “classic’’ races of the year is tho Two Thousand Guimeus Stakes to be run for on Wednesday, May 2, at the Newmarket first spring meeting, over the Rowley Mile, This course is one mile and seventeen yards long, and is the last part of the A, F. (Across the Flat) course, Notwithstanding its being considered one of the important events of the year it excites but a small modicum of attention from turdtos until wituin a few days of the race, the spring handicaps engrossing the great share of interest until the determination of the City and Suburban Handicap at the Epsom spring meeting. This year the numberot starters for the Two Thousand Guineas promises to be a small one, not more than eight or nine being looked upon as certain, though there will be doubtiess some additions at the Jjast moment irom quarters least ex- pected, which will swell (he number into double figures. 1n view of the fact that none of the most prominent candidates have sported silk this year any review of the capabilities of the expected performers is neces- sarily contiued to their two-year-old record and upon that basis the colt which first of all arrests attention is CHAMANT, the property of that popular patron of the English and French tart, Count F, de Lagrange, who in 1865 caused consternation among the Euglish turtites by winniug the Two Theusand Guin Derby and St. Leger with Gladiateur, and supplemented this triple victory by carrying off the Grand Prix de Paris in his native country, Chamaot is @ bay colt by Mortemer, out of Araucaria, and was foaled at Count Lagrange’s breed- ing establishment, the name of which he bears, Last year he ran cight times and was unsuccesstul on five occasions; but it was evident that his first cssays were those of a new beginner, and he was algo on the big side; while he finished up the season by displaying racing abilities which placed him indisputably at the head of the list of aspirants for the three-year-old events of 1877. Chamant first came out | at the Newmarket July meeting in the July Stakes, but failed to get plowed. at Goodwood the sai movth he ran second to Shitlelagh for the Levant Stakes. The folluwing week at Lowes he was fourth for tho Astley Stakes, and on tho follow- ing day scored bis maiden victory by winning the Priory Stakes from the speedy fillies Tribute and Dee, the latter giving four pounds and sex allowanco to the winner, At Doncaster Chamant was unplacca, when Lady Golightly spread-eagied ber field in the Cham- pagne Stakes, We now come to the first of bis two great victorics—the Middle Park Plate at the Newmarkot sec. ond Octover meeting. Kightven of the best youngsters on the turf did battle tor the valuable stakes of the ‘““pwo-Year-Old Derby,’ as the race 1s occasionally called, Lady Golightly fu the Champagno Stakes run- ning was made a warm favorite, waile about Cbamant twenty to one could be obtained, The race was aclose one, Chamant only winning by @ hoad from Pellegrino, while the same distance separated the latter trom Plunger, with Lady Golightly fourth, a neck behind, It is necessary Lo look at the Weights carried in this threo- quarter-mile dash, ‘The winner and the favorite each curried 126 pounds, go that Lora Falmouth’s filly bad her sex allowance the worst of the weights, Vellegrino carried 119 Ibs, and Plunger 121 Ibs, and ail of the other runners beside those hamed carried less, except Orieuns, whose weight was the same as Piunger’s. This turm was good enough ot itself to stamp tho Frenchman as a colt of uncommon merit, but when it was supplemented by bis next and last victory in the Dewhurst Plate, two weeks later on, he at once estab- lished big reputation as tho best of his year. In this race he again met Plunger, whose owner, Mr. Baltazzi, felt so confident of success that the son of Adventurer and Lina started first tavorite at even money, ‘This time Chamant had to carry 131 ibs. and Plunger 126 Ibs,, a difference of two pounds in the latter’s favor compared with the Middle Park Plate weighta, The result, however, was the same, and Chamant, appa- rently relishing the extra furlong he bad to travel, gave Mr. Baltazzi’s colt a decisive ball-length beating, waile, of their tive opponents, Winchelsca was the nearest to them, four eng! behind, — Cer- tainly upon this form, unless there 1s some- thing in the dark division of very extraor- dinary merit, of itself highly improbable, Chamant ought to be an unbeaten horse this year, But the transition of a two-year-old into a three-year-old is some:hing which ofttimes upsets ail theories, and there‘ore the present comparative appearance * of Count Lagrange’s chumpton bag to be taken into con- sideration, During the winter he enjoyed the best of heulth, but notwithstanding this importaat element in bis favor it is the opinion of the cleverest judges that Chatmant has pot made such an tmprovement io his growth as he ought to have done to maintain his undisputed claim toa continuation of successful es- says this year, und that there are others who, having grown more abd become furnished in proportion, may lower the colors of their former cougueror, Of these PLUNGER fs ono thst is spoken highly of. Last year Mr. Bal- tazzi carried off the Derby with Kisber, and ho ts not without hope of being equally tortuuate in one of the Dig races this year with this very bighly bred son of Adventurer und Lina, Last year Plunger started five times, beginning with the Findon Stakes at Good- wood, Where he finished with w zero to bis name, We ‘next find him at Doncaster, roiurned as a wivner of a three-quarter — mile sweep. stakes, carrying 122 Ibs, and winning easily by three lengths trom Dee, 126 Iba, and Chimant, 129 Ibs, with four unplaced, His ext effort was in the Middle Park Plate, which, with bis tual appearance in the Dewnarst Plate—r ferred to above—more than counterbalances his delvat of Chamant in the sweepstakes, On tho day following tho Miudle Park Plate Plunger won the Prondergast Stukes, carrying 125 iba, and beating Paim Flower, 126 Ibs., und Lady Goiigutly, 129 lba,, the latter being badly Deaten, Plunger has undoubtedly made much greater improvement during the winter recoss than the French representative, but it is very questionable whether it 1a Suflicient to reverse his last two deteats at the bands of Chamant. Unquestionably, one of if not the most improved colts which will be seen this year is the Duke of West- minster’s PELLEGRINO, abay colt- bp The Pulmer, out of y Audley. His nove owner, Mr. Robert Pack, his' traier, abd the whole of the supporters of the Russley atubie are vx- tremely sanguine of his success, As a yearling ho was bought for 1,600 guineas, but being a very big colt ho required time to furnish, and, with good judgment, Mr. Peck did not attempt to force him too mucn, pre- ferring torun once or twice before ho was thorouxbly wound up for the important engagements ut the back end. in the Molecumb Stakes, ut Goodwood, he at- tracted much attention from his very racing like ap- pearance and quality, but it was quite apparent that he wanted time tu see him im racing trim, so that bis tail- ing to do vetter than get third to Shillelagh and Ha- drian did not excite mucn surprise. Previous to the Middle Park Plate be bad been very highly tried, but it ts & matter of record that Chamunt therein guve him six pounds and a head, beating, though as he was intertered with at a critical point of the race there 16 reasonable grounds tor supposing that the verdict might have been reversed lad the trouble not occurred. Pellegrino bas uu- doubtedly made mach more advancement than Cha- mant since the Middle Park Piate day, and as be showed then by bis resolute style oi tinishing that he was guine enough it is not at all unlikely the Umsh be- tween the two will be as close at even Weights 1u (he dwo Thousand Guineas as it was ab tho dillerence of 8 Jbs when last they met, Another in the same stable ix MOKIKR, anown brother to the lute Lord Glasgow’s Two Thou- xund winner, General Peel, by youug Melbourne, aud, hike bim, « large, heavy framed horse, sluck ih the back und loius, “Great things were expected of Morter, but it was out of the question getting hin anyway tit to race lust year, so he has yet to make bis maiden essay, Good animal as he may very possibly be, there 1s yet the very best reason tor asserting that Rassioy pits its faith upon his stable companion tor the Guineas, SILVIO AND WARREN TASTINGS aretwo that, although in totally different interoats, aay yet be considered as one, Ob account of their rap- ning yesterday at Newmarket, Both have lost all their Claims Lo consideration, for though on taat year’s run- ug a fuir performer, rauking avout top ot u ang Warren Eaustings was also turiy suceessiul as well as being © particularly strong, well developed and Jarge colt, though rather "dickey” ib lie understandings, ail their past deeds have been wotully discounted by their not betug able to make anything of a fight for ttin the Newmarket Biennial 1b 18 highly improbable, therefore, that either will credit his owner With Ube race under Consideration, but it is at the same time a pretty sale thing Lo Bay thal future engagements will show that yesterday's periormance was not trae rooning—in fact, it was too vad to be believed, and the atrocious weather jn Which the race was run may have had more to do with the result than many imagine, Ia addition to Silvio, Lord Falmouth has another representative 10 LADY GOLIGHTLY, a bay filly, by King Tom, out of Lady Coventry, aud who, up to the Middle Park Plate race, was the facile principes of the (wo-yeur-olds of 1876. In that’ race, owing to her previous successes, sue had to carry a penalty of 7 Jbs,, aud, ootwithstanding she was giving weight to allo! F opponents, yet she started Orst favorie, How sho only succeeded In get jourth piwee, two heads and a neck behind the winner, Chumant, has already been told, ‘This, of iteel!, was i meriiotious periormance, bat her subsequent rua- ning 1b the Prendergast Stakes, the same week, won by Piuuger, showed that she was far from being the same apitaal that cautered away with the Champagne Stukes ut Doucaster, und she closed Ler two-year-old career wnuer a cloud which shadowed her previous brillant performances, ‘To Uiese it may be as well to refer. In the July Stakes, at Newmarket, Warren Hastings beat her by @ head, Chamant being upplaced. ‘This wus tollowed by five victories in succession—th Streichworth Stakes, won in u canter from jour oppo- nents; a sweepstake of £1,000 ut Goodwood, when, with Surrey as ber only opponent, she landed the ouds of 100 to 8 on her im the easiest possible manner, At Doncaster, the Champagne and Went- worth Stakes were little more than exercise gallops for Lord Falmouth’s flying filly, and tater ou at the Newmarket First October Meeting she beat two tur mmate ease, |‘ clo Park Plate, her next e:say, for she apparently bad the race ut ber mercy. There is this to be said in ber favor, that spe bad had a long season of 1, aud & youugeter cannot stand so much work as a more matured uorse, £0 that she may have trained off ai the bi end of the year, tis guid that she is touched in nor wind,* bat this rey requires confirmation. Springtime ts a bad period of the year for fillies, yet, if Her Ladysbip is Ot and well and has regained her two-year-old form, as shown at Duneaster, there are more uniikely things than Lord Falmouth being creditea wit the Two ‘Thousand Guineas, notwithstanding the tact that fillies reg 48 Unable to attain success in thut race asin tne erby. THUNDERSTONE, by Thunderbolt, out of La Belle Jeanne, was one of the biggest two-year-olds thut showed last year, and vory naturally he failed to mature to the sume extent that more compactly built Lorses did, #0 that bis perform- ances have to be taken more as au indication of what he may be able to do when his frame is thoroughly set Shan a8 4 oriterion of his actual merig Thunderstone was kept back until the Middle Park Plate, and as his Dame Was hever mentioned in the betting it will be Fira nd Understood he was only out for ap airing, so bis failure to figure in the race is of no consequence, At the Houghton Meeting at the end of October he wou a home bred sweepstakes, but as he was in receipt of 10 Ibs, from tbe second and 6 los. from the third, he eo @ won to entitle him tu be considered possessing apy merit whatever. His viclory was bioodiess enough, as he cautered in ten len; fronu Jast essay, two days later, be ran 126 Ibs., beaten a bead, Thunderstone carrying 129 }bs,, und the other six starters were ail in receipt of weight trom the pair. No sbrewder trainer ig to be found at Newmarket than Peter Price, aud he is particularly sanguine of the success of his churge, who bas developed wondertully since his last race aud has been quietly backed by his trainer and his owner and their irionds to win a lot of money. MONK, by Hermit, out of Thorsday, ts another that has been bacl to win @ good siako, be will uave to show great improvement over whut he displayed when, at Nis only essay last year, he wasa bad second to Lady Golight!y in the Champagne Stakes, The above are the important candidates which, unless any accident befalls eliher of them, will sport sitk over the Rowley Mile on the 2d of May. In aadi- Von there will in all probavility be found the Voltella colt, by Buccaneer, owned by Mr, Alex. Bultazzi; but as he will doubtiess run in the City and Suburban Handicap next Tuesday a more correct estimate can then be formed of his morite than by any r his unsuccessful two-year-old cu He that event with something tn hand to bo entitled to col ‘ation as & probable winner of the Guineas Actwon will, like Morier, play second fiddle to «bis stable = com; Pellegrino, being owned by Mr. Rob Sidoula, Shilies lagh and Rover buve so many times by Chamant, Plunger, Jellegrino aud Lady Golightly that nothing short ofa miracie could improve either of them, so that be could turn the tables on ail of those named. Alvert Edward, another of the Princess of Wales’ colts, by Marsyus, figures in the same category, aud shows no signs, as yet, of fol- Jowing tn the footsteps of his illustrious brother, George Frederick. Yut of the uisety and nine original subscribers to the Guineas there may crop up one or two additional ones ag probable starters before the day, but, uncer- tain ag the sports of the urt are allowed to'be, one cannot fear anything in geet the assertion that the Dame, pedigree and past performances of the winner has boen given above, The latest market odds on the race are as iollows;— 9 to 2 aget Chamant. 20 to 1 agst Monk. 7 to 1 ayst Pinger. DW to | ans i 7 to 1 agst Pellegrino, 25 to 1 a Bto 1 agst } 33 bo 1 Morier, B to 1 agst Lady Golightly, 10 w 1 agst Phunderstone. 12 to 1 agst Silvio. CUSTOM HOUSE ee ings. 34 to 1 agst Rover. INVESTIGATION, GENERAL SHARPE EXPLAINS THE WORKING OF HIS DEPARTMENT FURTHER—ABUSES O¥ THE DAMAGE DEPARTMENT. At the hour appointed the commission to investigate the workings of the Custom House met yesterday in the Naval Officer’s room, Mr. John Jay presiding, ana Mesars, Turnure and Robinson being also present. ‘The examination of General George H. Sharpe, Sur- veyor of the Port, was continued, He gavoa further account of the duties of the inspectors, Ho stated that the Collector has the utmost difficulty with politicians, who recommend aspirants for offico from the ranks of the most ignorant of men. He knew of a case whero an inspector had been appointed and discharged threo different times, the last time being for cause. There should be a grado of civil service governing the ap- pointments of inspectors in order to obtain good men. Usually about election time there is an assess. ment laid the employés for political purposes, but these contributions were always paid voluntarily and to persons not in tho government service. General Sharpe submitted:tbe following statement in regard to the labor porforured by the weighers in 1876:—Im- ports, 119,597,416%0ns; export: (6,037,054 tons; coal urd salt, 5,177,846 tons, Foes, $419,843 86; expense, $240,663.91 Agyregatés of 1870, 1871, 1872, is73, 1874, 1875 and 1876—Iinporta, 17,653,220,440 sous; exports, 812,403,430 tons; coal and galt, 47,372,212 tous, Fees, $3,599,716; expense, $2,008,862 55, Mr. Jay read the lollowimg extract from the law relating to bribery, and asked Surveyor Shurpe what he knew concerbing its violauion:—*-Every person engaged in the importation of goods, warcs or mer- Chandigo into tho United States, or interested as prin- cipal, clerk or agent iv the entry of any goods, wares or merchandise, who, at any time, makes or offers to to uny officer of the revenue gny gratuity or present of any money er other thing of value shall be fined not more than $5,000 or be imprisoned not more thun two years,” The witness answered, ‘‘As far as he knew about Gratuities it was a dead letter, Merchants cannot be stopped from paying ollicers for dog their work quick, as, for instance, a vessel is on demurrage and the importer is apxious to obtain a verification of the weights, marks, numbers, tare, &a, in order to settio freight, such work has to be done alter ollice hours, aud It 18 optional with the officer to.do itor not. The weighers make. thoir revurus a8 suon as possible at the Surveyor’s office, whero tho importers have overy op- portunity to examine them. ‘The Surveyor then related how an alleged ‘Custom House robbery” of brandy was traced to the captain and crew of the vessel The captain, on being discovered, fied. In 1835 there were but threo appraisers, who also acted as boarding officers, three a Ants and BIXty- ono discharging officers.’ ‘That year the revenue amounted to $14,465,116 04. In 1872 the revenue col- jected reached $148,981,778 73. The present torce ot inspectors, a8 & general thing, ure very competent men. The oilicers are constantly on the alert jor vio- lations of the revenue laws, especially those detailed tor special service. THE APPRAISER’S DEPARTMENT. Mr. Silas B. Dutcher, the appraiser, testified that he had been but oght weeks chiel of the Appraiser’s hho and 13 not thoroughly informed as to its work- ngs. Mr. Bausch, special Deputy appraiser, said he nas been thirty-six years conuected with the Appraiser’s Denar he commenced his career as an examiner; niS Ys Che Sixth division, in which all woollen goous, such ag Carpets, &c., are appraised; he haw three ex- aminers, tWo clerks and cleven openers and packers aud one messenger; there are now about filty examin- ers and about pinety openers and packers, besides the clerks and messengers employed in the deparunen he does not think the force could be decreased wit! out injuring the business; owing to the complications in the tari! the labor of ‘he department bas increased very materially; he thought, Lowever, that the old system, belore the reorganization in 1806, consisting of ua bourd of three appraisers, who bad five assistants, pow there are ten assistants and as many examiners as needed ; the assistant appraisers are nob always qualitied when they are appointed, but become wo by Constant practice, Mr. Bausch tuought thut, on accouut of the great responsibility resting on the as- sistant appraisers, they ought toreceive at least $5,000 instead of $2,500 paid now, and the examiners THE DAMAGE DEPARTMENT. Mr. Bausch was very severe on the Damage Depart. ment, which, he said, was badiy managed. lu his own department be had reappraised, by order of the appraiser, woollens for which torly per cent allowance had been made, and which were not damaged over tive er cent, In his judgment all damaged goods should Ww appraised by the respective divisions. “Soe ot tho damage appraisers are better able to handle w plougn or hoe thuu tw judge of damages accruing to goods, ? The service would not sufter inach by vue abolition of the Damage Department, as the greatest abuses exist there, The importers should look to the insurance c damages, Inoue instance, Mr, Bausch nined eighty four bales of Woollens which bad been adjudged as badly damaged. He touud out of the entire lot but twelve bales which came under that head, and these were only sightly wet trom sult water, A civil service code would not tinprove the efiiciency of the Appraiser’s Bureau, especially us long as “specific, ad Valorem ana compound duties” were imposed by the existing tari Mr, Bausch gave many more interesting details of bis department aud prom- ised to suggest to the commission such reforms as bis long service warranted bim to know the ne ty of, The commission adjourned until this morning, MISFORTUNE AND SUICIDE. Henry Monke, of Middle Village, while engaged cut- ting brash tn the swamps near the Lutheran Ceme- tery on Monday last was horrified by finding the dead body of 4 man sitting In ap Upright position on a log iu the centre of the swamp aud about one hundred tees from the track of the Southern Railroad, In his right hand, tghtly clenched, was a smail single-barrel istol, WKH Which he had suot himself through the t. The explosion of the pistol bud set fire to bis clothing and burned his body, which was terribly disiigured, Corouer Cerroll, of Newtown, was at once notified wnd took charge of the body, and ad- journed the inquest until yesterday morning, the body being left in the swamp where it was found. Late in the evening the remains were recognized 4s those of John Koeller, of Middie Village, aud tue proprietor of the sMiadle Village, Kast Williamsburg aud New York Express, who has been missing (rom his home since the 2st of April, Recently the deceased had met with many business reverses. Several of lis horses died, and a bundle of coats valued at $180 wus stolen = from hia wagon. In pays ment for the coats he had given the owner his note, which tell due on the 2ist. On leuv- ing home he told his wile that be was going to see a Mr. Schneider, near the cemetery, to try and raise the mouey. He did cull, but did not see Schneider. The was tie last seen of hin alive, Dr, Fink made a post. mortem examination of the body aud testilled that death wus caused by a pistol shot through the heurt, and that death must have beeu instantancous, The was no W fu oath House stuvle fancicd ber #o highly Jor the Mid. jury found a verdict of death by suicide while laboring Bader a temporary aberration of mind, OUR COMPLAINT BOOK HOBOKEN FERRY TICKETS. To THe Epitok ov Tue Henauo:— The Hoboken Ferry Company until recently sold commutation tickets for $4 per quarter, a saving of about $1 50 on the regular fare. Now they aunounce that no quarterly tickets will be | but hat seven- teen passenger tickets will be Aor y cents, a saving of only one cent. ‘This is rather hard on wor! ing girls and boys who cross daily (their commutation tickets were only $2 00), and who sellom earn over $3 or $4 per week. 1 think the company might sell tickets at the same rate as other Jersey ferry comr panies—twenty tickets for fifty cents. MANY HILLERS, POSTAL CARD ADVERTISING, To tux Evirox or tae Hera.p:— . > Happening to want some postal, cards, I sent to neighboring drug store for them. ° Every one in the bundle bad printed ou it the druggists’ advertisement of a patent nostrum. Is this lawful? Surely the posta) authorities do not countenance such practices, A FRIEND, A DIVIDEND QUESTION. To tux Epitox or THE HERALD: — i would like to know whethor there is any prospect of a dividena being paid by the *receiver” of the late Third Avenue Savings Bank, and, also, how many dividends have been patd since the bank's swindle hag come to light? Lam waiting patiently for some por. tion of my little savings, and trust that you may be ablo to throw some light on the matter. INQUISITIVE, CHURCH SEATS FOR STRANGERS. To rue Eprror ov tas HeRALp:— Ou Sunday forenoon I accompanied.a lady to Dr, Hail’s church, on Fifth avenue, Not knowing the pre- cise time of commencing service in that beautiful edi- fica, and in order to be early, we were there at half-past ten, There were but few tn the church, and we stood in the aisle, as did other strangers, thinking that ata proper time we would be shown to seats, The lady folt {aint from standing so long, but tried to be patient, hoping every moment that some attention would be shown us. Finally, ateleven A. M., after the organ voluntary, Dr. Hall opened witu prays and still no seats. ‘The lady was so faint wo were compelled to go out, and she sank down on the church steps exoausted from standing so long, and I, a man ot ordinary heakh and strongthy felt quite tired atter standing stil in one place thirty-five minutes, I should like to inquire through your coluinus what provision is mado tor strangers at that church or during what part of thé service seats are offered them, if at ally lam happy to say that one gentleman was kind evough wiv’ he saw the lady siting on Lhe steps to offer us a sent, bat {t was then too late, as she did not feel able to go back, Please pnblish this trom one who went a long distancd to visit Dr, Hall’s church—even from CARMANSVILLE ' t CHURCH BELL PUNCHES, To Trax Epiroe or tue HeRaLp:— At the church I attend thore was @ call nade yédere day for a charitable purpose, and noticing some prom4 inent officials of detunct savings banks acting. jay the capucity of deacons the idea struck mo that it would be a protection both to charity and the characters of the other deacons to bave them furnished with bell punches and strips, and that abe, church be call “fhe Bell Punch Church,” so that strangers may’ not be afraid of their contributions being misappropriatedy By inserting the above in your valuable paper you will greatly oblige ove who gets scolded ry morons tng for reading the Hexatv and letting bis breakiast get cold, OVERCROWDING CHURCHES, To tux Evirox oy THs HegaLp:— 1 would like to call the attention of the authorities through your ‘Complaint Book’’ to the Plymouth Chureh (Mr. Beecher's), Attending evening service there 1 was struck by tho violation of law tn filling the aisles so closely that exit is an impossibility during service, At this time of public excitement, gince the disastrous Ures bere and in St. Louis, the word Fire’? would turn those buodreds of people into’ #0 many wild beasts, and the loss of life must of ue ba frightful. The panic in the Church of St. cia Xavier igan example in point. Stops should be takes to compel churches to keep open aisles, ah + DOWN WITH THE BELLS, To tux Epitor oy THE HERALD:— » In yesterday’s edition of the “Complaint Book’? noticed 4 statement in which the pupils of Grammar School No. 45 complain of the noise made by the bell® of ragmen, The same nuisance exists ip front of Grammar School No. 65, During the greater the aay the bells of an invulnerable army of ra are coatinually chiming. Cannot this be stopped? By inserting tnis in your valuable “Complaint Book™ ou will conier a favor upon : SENIOR FIRST, GRAMMAR SCHOUL NO. 65 TOPKENOT COME DOWN To rue Evitor oy raz HukaLD:— If I may encroach upon your valuable space to make known to the ladies that which causes steb great in- convenience to all you would contera favor not only upon myself but upon thousands of others, The im convenience I speak of is the custom of wearing suet tremendously high bonnets at theatres. All intere: and connection in the play are lost by being constantly forced to dodge the head from one side tothe other, thereby causing great annoyarce not only to the come plainant but also to those spectators seated directly behind him. 1 know, Mr. Kditor, it is wrong to find fwalt with the ladiex, but when they cousiver for a, moment they Will th.uk the subscriber justified in ap. pealing to them, with whom alone the correction of this matter rests. PARQUET. A PLEA FOR THE GIRLS, To Tug Eprton ov tHe HkRALD:— The boys have the ball ground, the children have the goat carriages and carousel; but the young ladies, what bave they? The Park Commissioners must be bard hearted indeed if they cannot be prevailed upen to relinquish a small portion of the immense Park ta the lovers of croquet, We do not ask such a large ground as we had tormerly, but we do want one of our own, upon which we may play at least tour days of the week, Aud now, girls, you who love the game, **keep the pot a-boiling” antl we have doth silenced and cou. vinced the Commi-sioners, and by our pleadings coms pel them to return to us what long Reaeeasto8 bas ROQUET, made us consider our right. SCHOOL FIRE DANGERS. To rue Eprror ov Tue HenaLp:— Allow me to suggest the propriety of having a fire extinguisher and a good bose in every school in New York, tis a startling fact that in but few schools are there any preparations against fire, with the exception of a cleaning hose. ‘They could be used vory ellectively by the janitors, who, a8 a rule, reside in toe building. C.F. w. (Norg.—Letters intended for this column must be accompanied by the writer's full name and address to insure attention, Complainants who are unwilling t¢, complywith this rule simply waste time im writing. Ep, Heratp.) ANSWER. THE SCHOOL BADGE QUESTION. To tax £vrrok ov THs HeRALD:— The “Complamt Book’ in Sunday’s edition of the: HeRaup contains an article, signed by Jos, Pozanskl, calling the attention of the public and the Board of Education to a system of so-called “gambling” as taught and practsied at our public schools, aud which the writer condemus in rather strong language as hav- fug ‘the oor of the ‘tapis vert,’ the ‘pool room,’ &¢,”? While not belug 4 member of the Board of Education to which honorable body 1 must apologize tor fore+ stalling them im this grave aud important mattor—J would request the privilege of replying to Mr Pozauski, conceding that bis communication is of sufll- cient importuuce to merit attention, Whick is question- abic. Assuming that Mr. Pozanski’s statement is based upon Incts—which, alter nature deiveravon, do not appear of so heinous a uature as he Would impress the public they are—i contend that there is nothing ia the teachers’ mode of selecting from among ten ors dozen equally worthy children a recipient tor the Iit- Ue vadge of merit that would warraut such a vituper- ous and even inalicrous article as bas emanated irom the pen of your correspondent. The metpod chosen, jar trom being synonymous with any Of the terme bi stowed on It, 18 In fact the most equitable and impat tial course thar could be pursued by th uuder the circumstances, Mr. Pozunski doubtless suggest, in order to avoid any the tint of “gambling,” that the childron whose vames comprise “the Foil of honor’ be subjected to & competitive examination In thelr rex spective studies, (he winner in which should receive the “budge.’’ These means would certainly not be equully fair to the children, as the most apt and intel- ligent echolar would undoubtedly carry home the tes- Uinonial, Tuis, as | understand ft, would uiso ae the object of the teacher, Whose atin 18 to select, wi out regard to prolicieucy in studies, Irom among the Dest bebaved and most panetual scholars, ove whom to bestow the “badge,” Perhaps Mr, Pozanskt Will inform the public what rule suvuld guide the preceptress under the circumstances. It is com+ Menuabie i the teachers to cucourage emulation to good conduct and ationdance among ti providing out of their Limited salaries & Without furnishing a dozen, as your corfesponden thinks should ve done, 1 trast that! hav fringed too much upon your valuable spu the insertion of this will tend to somewhi the alarm and apprebension parents must have alter reading the starting announcement of Mr Povanski—viz., that their children were sent to inst tutions wherein they ate rapidly developiug into “gamblers” and “blacklegs"’ under the able tation of those who should instruct thew 1D Domes aiae