The New York Herald Newspaper, November 27, 1878, Page 8

THANKSGIVING a os Origin and Associations of the Great National Holiday. FEAST OF THE PURITANS Preparations for Its Worthy Cel- ebration in this City. "The grand holiday season of the year will be inau- gurated to-morrow by the day of feasting aud thanks- ing. Unlike most holidays, this is not an anniver- sary of some one event of great national or univers@l significance, but rather a time set apart for the ex- pression of gratitude for all blessings which have come upoa us throughout the entire year, Optimism should, and perbaps for a little while does, reign su- preme. No one, no matter what misfortunes may bave befullen him, can review the experience of 365 days without finding something that shall cause his heart to warm with gratitude and his lips to “show forth praise.” COLONIAL DAYS. It was never intended that the day of praise and thanksgiving should degenerate into an occasion of mere sensual feasting. yunts differ but slightly as to the origin of our national Thanksgiving Day which was doubtless suggested by the Hebrew feast of ingathering at the end of the year. The most notable instance of a special observance of the kind in modern times was the day of thanksgiving cele- brated in Leyden on the first anniversary of the city’s deliverance from siege. his was on the Jd of October, 1575. It was forty-six years later— in the fall of 1621—that Governor Bradford, after the first harvest of the Plymouth colony, sent four men out iv search of game, that special rejoicings might be had together. Almost two years after that, in July, 1628, a day of prayer and fasting on account of drought was changed into one of rejoicing by a heavy fall of rain. An arrival of supplies from Eng- land at the Charlestown settlement was equally well timed. Days of thanksgiving were, it seems, offi- cially appointed in the Massachusetts Bay colony for several years prior to 1639. In the Plymouth colony similar appointments are supposed to baye been made annually during the last quarter of the seven- teenth century. New Netherlands’ Dutch rulers also set apart regular days of thanksgiving between the years 1644 and 1665, and 100 yeurs thereafter the Eng- lish Governors of New York followed their example. IN THE UNITED STATES. Throughout the Revolution the observauce of Thanksgiving was annually recommended by Con- gress; but after peace had been confirmed it was deemed no longer necessary, till in the year 1789 she adoption of the constitution was made a subject of national thanksgiving by appointment of Pres- ident Washington. The suppression of insurrection in 1795 and the restoratien of peace in 1815 were re- joiced over im like manner, In 1789 the Prayer Book of the Pr-testant Episcopal Church recommended the first Thursday in November as a day of national in case no other day were appointed civil authorities. Other denominations have made similar provisions for an annual observ- ance. Sixty-one years ago the Governor of New York began the appointment of a regular day, and the other Northern States were not slow in taking simi- lar action. The Southern States, however, lagged be- hind, and it was not til after the late war that Thanks- giving Day might be said to have become a national institution. Now the Presidential recommendation is made in due season, the Governors of all the States and Mayors of leading cities indorsing his action ith untailing regularity. Custom has ut last finally set apart the last Thursday in November as the day to be observed. NEW ENGLAND'S FAVORITE. But though the observance of Thanksgiving Day is no longer contined to one section of the country, it is in New England, its early home, that the anniversary is most he cel e Even day of days in ali other parts of Christendom, can hardly be said to appeal more strongly to the sympa- thies of the Yankee heart. t only does the family reassemble at the festive board and fireside, but brotherhoods and great societies. make this an occa sion of reunion and kindly intercourse. The New Englander unabie to return to his native State seeks out his fellow Statesmen, and devotes the day to roast turkey and historical ‘retrospect, with asional lances at the magnificent future of his darling Yan- om. THE Day IN THIS crry. ‘The following proclamation was yesterday issued by Mayor Ely: Exacvtive Drvantwey New York In accordance with honored and ladly jo Governor of the State of of this city to set apart Thursday thanksgiving to God for the im blessings which He bas bestowed upon us duriag the past year In witness whereof T have herensto set my hand and euused the seal of the Mayoralty of the city of New York to be hereto affixed, this 26th day of Norember, 1872, SMITH ELY, Jr, Mayor. OPEN AIR SPORTS. Lovers of outdoor sports will have an interesting Programme to select from. The following list gives At ‘de! . M. the newly organized Westchester Hare and Hounds will have their first run. The start will be from Schroeder's Hotei, Central avenue, Woodlawn, and the hares—two in number—will be sent away fifteen minutes in advance of the hounds. At ten A. M. the games of the Mauhattan Athletic Club, Eighth avenue and Fifty-sixth street, will be talled. After the amateur athletes shall have rested sud taken their lunch they will repairto the grounds of the Scottish-American Athletic Club, where another interesting handicap programme will be found, em- bracing more entrie: han any similar num- ber ot games ha ¢ called out, * On the grounds of the St. George's Cricket Club, foot of Ninth street, Hoboken, the football teams of Yale and Princeton will play a championship match, Both these teams have defeated Harvard this season, and so the qnestion of superiority among the colleges Bt this exciting sport is leit to the teama that will come ether to-morrow. Game will be called at balf-past of Bergen ie games on ‘The games will P.M. Argonauts Rowing Association, \. J., will give @ series of athh their new track near the boathouse. be called about ten A. M. . At Myrtle Avenue Park, Brooklyn, L. 1., E. W. John- son and James Daley, professionals, will compete in a number of games, the winner of five to be declared ‘the best man and be entitled to the stakes that are up. The University and Westchester Lacrosse clubs will play a match game the Central Park baseball xrounds in the uftern: ‘The Lest three out of tive goals will win. Captain Bogardus will shoot a match for $200 at the Brooklyn Driviug Park, the conditions being that he will kill 75 out of 100 pigeons, 50 single and 25 double rises. The shooting will commence at twelve M., and Biter the match there will be sweepstakes, open to all amateurs. There will also be numerous pigeon shooting Pweepstake Erb's Hotel, Bloomfield avenue, New- ak, N Five hundred pigcons are on hand and the iret sweep will be called at ten A. M. ‘The Blizabeth Gun Club, a vigorous organization, will meet wt Brinton Renge, at twelve M., and have pleasant reunion in pigeon’ shooting. It is open to Bem bers only. Billy Fields ("The Steel Man’’) will be given a ben- fit in the afternoon at Hill's Theatre. There: will be mme aud several boxers of note N'S AID SOCIETY, cu 5 A grand dinner and entertainment will be given at the Kivington street branch of the Children’s Aid So- ciety, at half-pust seven P.M. ‘There will be tricks, Paneh and Judy shows, songs and dances by the boys of the institution. YOX HUNTING. The master of the huunls of the Montclair Hunt has announced the meet to take place to-morrow at the kennel, near Mr, Sadlier’s, Grove street, at eleven o’clock. It being ladies’ day, special arrangements have been made for a genuine fox hunt. The pack is 4o be increased by additional conples of hounds from Cong Island, A very laryely attunded moot is ex- nae — — — MURPHY'S TEMPERANCE WORK. ‘The series of mectings in the Seventh Street Metho- @ist Episcopal Church in advocacy of temperanc under the great leader, Francis Murphy, was con- tinued as usual yesterdsy, Three weetings were held, each one being crowded, They will continue at the usual hours—noon, half-pret one aud half-past seven o'clock—every day. The afternoon tmorting is @ special inquiry n . On Thank fy serviees will be beld all day, beginning at tou o ok in the Morning, the regular meetings yoing on wi their he time being o A Thanksgiving ad ious to sinners. H will be spread in the vestry, and Mr. Murphy quested everybody to bring furke pose tl ast. There was # grest deal of sameness about yes- terilay’s moetings, the sane prayers, the satue exhort tions aud but few new faces. MRS, VAN COr “MISSION. ‘The prayer meetings in ¢ Gist Episcopal Church were continued yesterday under tho lexdership of Mrs. Van Cott. She prowhed twice during the day aud on cach ovcasion had the leventh Street Metho- Christmas, the | NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1878—TRIPLE SHEET. RN satisfaction of seeing a number of persons gather round the altar, ask the prayers of the faith- ful and express their determination to take up their cross and for, the future follow the footsteps of he! Master, The subject of the morning's discourse was selt- de and the recommended # resigning of one’s self to as the only means of truly under- standing our spiritual condition. In the evening she reminded her hearers that at one time or another through life they had made vows to the Most High, and implored of them, in the words of the psalmist, to “pay their vows then in the presence of the people.’ At the afternoon service Father Macnamara wax present and participated im the exereixes by leading in prayer, and exhorting the conyregution to seek Jesus as the only sure road to salvation, WOMEN'S MISSION, PRESBYTERIAN ‘The religious, social and intellectual condition of the women of Syriaand other Mohammedan countries was painted yesterday by the Rev. Dr. Jessup, a re- turned missionary from India, ‘The Ladies’ Board of Missions of the Presbyterian Church gathered in -goodly numbers in Dr, Booth’s church in University place to listen to the address. Some of the scenes pictured were quite thrilling, and the contrasts between the social and religious lives of Mohammedan and Christian women converts from Mohammedanism in the Orient and between some of the present forms of society in Syria compared with twenty years ago were very striking aud remarkable, ‘The influence of Christianity is so permeating that land that the rising generation of girls walk the veets with unveiled fu as Amerigan girls do, Such a thing could not be done twenty years ayo with- out inciting revolt among the Mohammedan popula- tion. ‘here are 575 children in Protestant sun schools in Beyrout and 1,500 girls attending day school. SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIA'TION, The annual meeting of the New York Sunday School Association was held in tho chapel of the Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church (Dr. Crosby's) last evening. After the reading of the various reports, which showed the association to be in a prosperous condition the following officers were clected for the ensuing year:—Presideut, Elbert B. Monroe; Vice President, Frank Allen; Secretary, J. W. C. Leveridgo; Treas- turer, Caleb G. Knevais; Librarian, Williaa “A. Cald- well. FINLAND'S ATTRACTIONS. At the Hall of the Young Women’s Christian Asso- ciation yesterday afternoon Miss Selma Borg gave the third lecture in the course she is delivering in that place. It was on the tourist's Finland, id the lee- turer gave her hearers a capital idea of the natural features of the country and the present condition of the people, besides taking them on a flying trip through the principal cities and towns. She described the formation of the inland seas and the peculiar formation of the rivers. ‘Lhe climate of Finland she described as severe but healthy. The tempera- ture on the coast, she said, is more even than inland; the winters betng less severe and the summers cooler, while spring and fall linger longer and are less vari- able. One can make his calculations pretty far ahead as regards weather, for she said she had often known six weeks of perpetual sunshine there. A LONG ISLAND JOKE. Some wag in Amityville, L. I, on Monday com- municated to the Brooklyn press the following rather striking announcement :— ‘The event in Amityville to-morrow will be the marriage of Mr. Edward Ketchum, « bachelor aged about ninety, to Miss Elizabeth Wanser, a spinster azed about ninety: one. ‘The couple have bech engazed for over forty years. A New York insurance agent, a lightning rod man, 2 dry goods drummer—ail three on their way to the town of Babylon to solicit orders—and half a dozen newspaper reporters got off the train at Amityville yesterday morning to witness this extraordinary union. The three com- mercial men seated themselves by the stove in the hotel to await the hour of the ceremony and the reporters started out to see how the land lay. They called first on Rey. Mr. Filmer, the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who spoke slow! and with deliberation, declaring that he did not thin: either of the persons announced as being about to get married wae quite nincty years of age. In fac if the ninety was divided by three it would come nearer to an estimate of the laly’s age and the figures for the gentleman would not be far away from hers. Mr. Ketchnm, a man of robust physique, held his breath and his hand trembled when he read the an- nouncement that he was a nonogenarian and ubout to be wed to one similarly advanced in yeurs. ‘Do I look,” he cried, with his black eyes flashing fire, “like @ man of yy?" and there was a general nod in the negative. ‘Well, now, I aint ninety, and what's more | am not going to ‘get murrie’, and that settles that,” and being a man of evidently few words he returned to his labors and said no more. But he had a motive in saying he wasn't going to be married, for the villagers knew nothing of the matrimonial engagement, nor did he want them to, because he was afraid of being serenaded by the tin pan and horse fiddle quartet, which are greatly dreaded in that section of Long Island by newly married couples on their wedding night. The re- porters, however, behavea honorably and kept the secret to themselves, and Mr. Ketchum and Miss Wanser were duly married in the evening and were spared the hornble experience of a tin pan serenade, ANSWERS O'LEARY. “SPORT” A VERY GOOD OFFER TO O'LEARY THAT NO FAIR MAN CAN OBJECT TO, “Sport's” representative called at the Henan office yesterday with the following statement and card in reply to O'Leary's challenges. It appears that “Sport” and his friends did not intend to enter into any com- petition until he had had an opportunity to test his power under the same conditions which other noted_ pedestrians have enjoyed, and, to say the least, he and his friends, although fully confident of snecess, have been extremely modest, and made no attempt to profit by the notoriety given to the astonishing Bridgeport performance. “Sport,” who is one of those peculiar characters who will never content themselves with a second clase place, defines his position thus:—“A doubt reste upon my Bridgeport record and I desired to prove to my friends and the public by an unostentatious repetition thereof under proper surveillance that I am able to do all that is claimed for me, and if successful under such auspices 1 need not ask nor accept odds, and can then offer the best of them a match on level terms, d until I had thoroughly satistied myself, my friends and the public that I have a right to meet the best men I did uot mean to ask more notoriety than that so yencr- ously accorded me for my first attempt at long dis- tance pedestrianism. But as the champion, O'Leary, does not appear disposed to let me remain quiet to carry out my original intention, I have consented to the publication of the following card in reply to the several challen, hich have appeared in print:”— “sPOWT's” CARD. New York, Nov. 26, 1878. To tHe Eprron ov tHe Hewatp:— It was my intention to give myself another thor- ough trial in long distance pedestrianixm before mocting any of the geutlemen who have won so much distinction in this field, and, above all, 1 desired to avoid the champion, O'Leary, until such time as I had fully satistied myself that it would be safe to give my enthusiastic friends an opportunity to invest their mone But, as Mr. O'Leary so persistently urges me to incet him on the track, T vive my consent toa match, to yo as you please without aid for six days, for an even wager of $1,000 aside, the winner to take three-fourths of the gate money remain- ing fourth to go to the loser, provided he covers 450 miles. If the latter fails to accomplish t lated distance the winner to take the entire If this proposition, which I e: with a general approval [amu ready to “put up sign articles for a mateh, to take place at atime and in @ locality to be agreed upon hereatter, P. NAPOLEON CAMPANA (‘Young Sport”). PIGEON SHOOTING. Dexter Pang, Jamaica Roan, L. I.—Pickox Saoor- rmo—Teespay, Nov. 26, 187 The Fountain Gun Club members competing for a Fox shotgun, at 10 birds cach, 96 yards rise (except Wyrin at 30 and Gildersleeve at 28 yards); 80 yards boundary; 14 shot; from five H and T traps; ties decided at $ birds cach; the use of two burrels of the yun al- lowed, and the kong Island rules to govern. Killed, | 1--100-111 18 1-00i—1*1 iz 1 8 0 i .11* 1 i 111 1 i 111 t i lot 10 6 iot 1 5 eee lot lo 5 Durgro. Jiiie 10 6 Gildernlecy v1u0l*oli9d 4 Atkin ooLL0001tO rr vooLoOuLL® Ss -OOFLLOFOFO a POOTBALL, The freshmen of Columbia College and the Stevens Ingtituie played 4 mateh game of fuotbail on th grounde of the St. George's Cricket Club, Hoboken, yesterday atternoon, which ited in a victory tor Columbia by one yoal aud two toucndowns, THE BROOKLYN ELECTION. INVESTIGATION LAST EVENING INTO THE ALLEGED TAMPERING WITH THE BALLOT BOXES—MARTIN TAYLOR TELLS A STARTLING STORY UNDEB OATH-——-FLAT DENIALS OF THE ACCUSED OF- PICIALS. The publication of the rumors that Murtin Taylor, & painter, who formerly was employed by the Brook- lyn Police Department to do general repairs, was about to make certain statements showing that fraud had been used to obtain possession of the office of Surrogate, now held by A. H. Dailey, led to considerable excitement yesterday in Brooklyn. President Jourdan, of the Police Board, with a view to clear the reputation of that department from all suspicion of wrongdoing and to punish if guilty the officials who might be found to be implicated in the frands, caused an investigation to be begun yesterday afternoon, When Mr. Taylor was first requested to go before the Board and testify he refused to do so, The Com- missioners then found that they had the power to compel his attendance by virtue of provision of the esident Jourdan in opening the proceedings said certuin statements had appeared in the New York and Brooklyn papers appertaining to the Police Depart ment in relation to alleged tampering with the ballot boxes. The investigation was held for the purpose of determining whether the police have been guilty of the offence ulleged or otherwise. President Jourdan assured Mr. Taylor that there was no spocitie charge against him, and the witness was thereupon duly sworn and testified as follows : ‘TAYLOR'S STORY. My name is Martin Taylor and I reside at No. 338 Degraw street; my business is that of general con- tractor. Q. State how you came in possession of the keys of the ballot boxes of the city of Brookiyn. A. I got them at the Sixth precinct station house two years ago. The witness was here handed three small brass keys by President Jour- dan, and he identified them as the keys ne had taken. Continuing, Taylor said:—I got them in a drawer behind the desk in the main room; I marked them with a nick on the bottom of each key and I made three strokes on the upper portion of the ke; the drawer from which I took them was not locked; I knew the keys were there, because I had been looking for them; I wanted to get them. Q. By whom were you requested to get the keys? A. By Abram H. Dailey and Thomas F. Farrell; they told me that they wanted them to get some tickets into the bailot boxes; before going further I would state that Dailey came to me and afterward Farrell came to me on the same demand; they came to me at intervals about two months apart. Q. State the conversation which Mr. Dailey had with you. A. Dailey said to me he wanted to secure the keys to open the ballot boxes; that there were three small brass keys on a bunch and that if I would tind them he could fix things up; Farrell told me that he had a man to perform the duty; I got the keys that saine evening and took them, to Mr. Dailey, on Fourth street, Williamsburg; Mr. Dailey told me not to give them to him, but to give them to Mr. Far- relb; I did give them to Farrell, Q. Do you know what he did with them? A. He told me he wanted me to give them toa party in the Fifth precinct station house; he told me who the party was, it was a member of the Police Depari- Inent—it was a sergeant. Q. What is his name? A, Ican’tthink of his name; I would know him if I saw him; I saw the man inthe Jackson Club House previous to this. THE POLICEMAN IN THE CASE, Q. Did you hear of any police officer having any connection whatever with these keys? A. Idid; L would know the officer if I were to see him; 1 could not swear to his name; the officer was a man about five feet eight inches, and had pimples on his face and red blotches on his cheek; had a light mustache aud was stout; the sergeant I saw at the club house was a good sized man; I would know him if I saw him. Q. Did he specify any number of ballots? A. I can't recollect; he didn’t say to me what he had done with the ballots; the work referred to wasin respect to the ballot box keys; I did not see that officer atter; this conversation occurred some time last sumer; Mx. Farrell said to me that all that could be got in the Fitth precinct was fifteon votes. Q. Did he state why ? A. He said that there was a disturbance at the station house; I had 200 ballots of “Dailey for Sarrogate;” I had these ballots to use them it I got a chane Q. Did you put any ballots in the boxes yourself? A. No, sir; I didn’t get a chance, nor did I try to; I gave the keys to Farrell, and at the time the Dailey- ‘Livingston quo warranto case was going on I was wor- ried and I asked Farrell to get them back for me, so that if any one called for them from the Sixth pre- cinct station they would be there; Farrell said Cap- tain John Riley had them; 1 was doing the entire contract work st the station houses for the depurt- ment at that time und had a right to go anywhere in the station house. YRUIH OF THE STATEMENT DENIED. . a clerk in the office of Surrogate by Taylor, next took the witness’ chair and testified that he knew nothing oi the alleged facts recounted by Taylor; ‘Taylor had never handed witness (Farrell) any keys, nor had he ever heid any conversation with him on this subject; witness never had any ballot box keys | in his hands, except in the Zeizer-Kessel con- | when ‘he was directed by the Court ; had met Mr. Yaylor in Mr. 3 we em him to go to the station houses and get astute ploys " ment of the votes; I deny all Mr, Taylor's statements us to my getting Keys from him or giving keys to him; I gave no keys to any officer of the Sixth precinct, Surrogate Duilcy denies that there is any truth in Taylor's statement. NAT URALIZATION FRAUDS. COMMISSIONER DAVENPORT DETAILS HIS METHODS OF INVESTIGATION AND EXAMINATION, Testimony was taken yesterday, under the refer- ence of Judge Blatchford, before United States Com- missioner Betts, in the case of Peter Coleman, who is charged with a violation of the election laws. Assis- tant District Attorney Fiero appeared on behulf of the government, Mr. G.F. Wingate and Mr. E. E, Andar- son for the defendant. Mr. Anderson served upon Mr. Davenport a sub- pens to produce the original minutes of the proceed- ings that were held before him in the case of Cole- man. Mr. Davenport produced a slip cut trom @ sheet of foolscap paper, on which was inscribed, “14. Poter Coleman, thirty-six years old, 1860; first paper, 1867; second, 1568; witness, Samuel Holland.” Coleman said that he lived at No. 102 James street, and that he was arrested on the morning of election day; he was born in Prussia, and bad followed the sea since he was a boy twelve years of age; he had sailed in English ships, and he came to this country about 1860, and when he was about seventeen years of age: the original certifi given to him when he was naturalized is at his house in James strect. Mr. Anderson produced the copy of «certificate made on the 20th inst. Mr. Davenport also pro- dnced a copy of the certificate, and they varied, the name of James Sweeny, clerk, being omitted in Mr. Davenport's. After an argument the Commissioner admitted that produced by Mr. Anderson, Witness was then cross-examined as to what took place when under examination before Commissioner Davenport. Z MK. DAVENPORT'S TESTIMONY. Commissioner Davenport was examine The Coleman case was the fourteenth I election morning; it was between half-past six and seven o'clock in the morning; I did not keep any re- cords of the cases; Coleman said he got his papers in 1864; Lasked him what his age was and he said he was over thirty-six, that he came to the country in 1460, that he was eighteen when he first came here and that when’ he took out his first papers in 1468 he had a witness with him named Samuel Hol- land; Lentered upon @ piece of paper, in 4 memo- randum of my own, the statement of Coleman; IT told Coleman after referring to the inaex of the Superior Court that he eppeared to have been naturalized as a minor, and tuat his wituess was named Edward Wayne; I told him that the District Attorney had given full notice of the fraudulent aud void character of the naturalization certificates of 1858, aud that he should have taen out new papers; he replied that he thought the papers were yood enough, and I asked hun if he would waive curther examaivation, aod he said he would; Leommitted him iu default of $2,000 bail; the witness was ready with his answers; there was no excitement in his maungr, | and there were that he was or had been he imitu nk; it was pertectly light urt room, for the yas was lit. in cross-examiuation by Mr. Wingate the witness said: —1 had been in the Post Offiee building fur two whole nights in the election week; the complainant in this case is named Stephen Mosier; he is « special deputy aarshal; he made in the neighborhood of four complaints; 1 referred to th. case in the 1 my office; L sat on the bineh ine to pro- sheet from which the we are now investigating super wotil ale duce the remainder of t ain exhibit is taken; viewnan ens ne investigator as adjourned until this morn- PAYING ELECTION SUPERVISORS, ne payment of the federal Supervisors of Elec tions will commence on Vriduy night at six P, M., in the office of Marshal Payne, in the Post Office Build. iuy. She following will be the ved: Vriday-—Avsembly distr ud 6H Suturday ~19th, 2uth, 2st, 2d Mo day—sth, 7th, Sth, 9th and 10th. ‘Tuesday—1ith, iin, | vik and 16th, Wednesday, 4th, 16th, 17th and sth, ANTI-TAMMANY. MEPTING OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE OF THE CITY DEMOCRACY AY TEUTONIA HALL. A meeting of the General Committee of the city democracy was held last evening at Teutonia Hall, corner of Sixteenth sirect and Third avenue. ‘There was a large attendance. Among the prominent gen- tlemen present were Congressman-elect O’Brien, John B. Haskin, ex-Judge Ackert, Jerome Buck, Theodore E. Tomlinson, Vanderbilt Allen, George W. McLean, Robert B. Nooney and ex-Alderman Kelly. Mr. John B. Haskin presided and made a spirited speech, in which he alluded to the nt victory achieved by the combinationists against Tammany Hall and prophesied the destruction of the Wigwam as a political organization. The battle was over, the vic- tory was won and the fruits were yet to be obtained. If the city democracy were true to themselves in ad- heriag to the principles of retrenchment and reforin— leading issucs of the last campaign—they would murch again and again to victory. ‘The battle was wayed in the name of the people, and not of the politicians. ‘On motion of Mr, Buck the following was adopted:— Whereas the re: independent demowrats of the city in th d Cooper, ) James O'Brien, C 3 wolus Hau, man, has been t earnest and unt ff ths and personal am Resolved, Th 1 be appointed from ir fellow democrats of of tasolid and lasting union for the benetit of the p of the State and United States and tor assured demoer success in the future. ‘The following gentlemen were appointed upon this committee :—-Jerome Buck, Washington Hadley, Will- iam E. Demarest, James O'Brien, Nicholas Haughton, Jolin M, MeGregor and John B. Haskin. After a short speech from Mr, Buck loud calls were made for Congressmun O’Brien. ‘That gentleman was greeted with cheers as he advanced to the side of the platform. Mr. O'Brien congratulated his hearers upon the glorious results of the late election. He wanted to see the democratic purty united in the future. They had to muke many’ sacrifices, and should now get realy tor the Presidential contest of 1880, No one man should stand in the way of the unioh of the democracy. It was a matter of necessity for them all to come together. In the last local con test they had to make some concessions to their re- publican friends in order to secure an honest city gov- ernment. ‘There was no doubt the democratic party would win in the next State and national con- test. ‘They had elected a democratic Mayor, who would do everything in his power to unite his party in city and county. The deteat in the State on the Sth of November last was due to the unholy alliance made between Tammany Hall and members of the Canal Ring. It was fortunate that the democracy had a majority in Congress. After further allusions to the necessity for union Mr. O'Brien concluded avid wpplanse. Committees were appointed to draw up suggestions for a new city charter and report on the proposition to enlarge the Erie Canal, when the meeting adjourned, SOUTH CAROLINA'S REVENUE TROUBLES. Secretary Sherman has written a letter to the Kev. Lyman Abbott, editor of the Christian Union, in regard to the United States revenue officers who are now under arrest in South Carolina. Mr. Sherman says, “The government has done all that it can do in the legitimate exercise of its legal powers to secure the liberation of those officers, The difliculty of enforcing the laws of the United States in South Carolina has been illustrated dur- ing the recent canvass and electioi in that State, when organized bodies of men, fully armed, broke up public meetings and bullicd un- armed, unorganized and defenceless citizens who are invested by the constitution with the right to meet and discuss political questions and vote for the candidates of their choice. When these pro- ceedings were not suficient for success they cheated the poor blacks of their franchise by the meanest tricks of ballot-box stuffing. Such offences are more degrading and dangerous than resistance to the Revenuc laws. You must see that it ix difficult for the executive officers of the United States, crippled ax they arc by recent legislation, to meet this formidable opposition to the exvcu- tion of the laws. Ail they can do is to. try and enforce the laws through the courts, and if the machinery of public justice is so corrupted by local prejudice that it cannot punixh such offences, then the only remedy is in combining the political power of all those who will not tolerate this new form of rebellion against national authority.” CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLEMENT. The suit of Thomas J. and John E, Pope against George Perault, to recover some $30,000 alleged to have been embezzled trom them by the latter, who was in their employ, came before Judge Lawrence, in Supreme Court, Chambers, yesterday, on a motion to vacute an order of arrest against the defendant, ‘The motion was based by Mr. Morange, counsel for the defendant, on the ruling in the Lagrave caso, it being claimed that Perault had been induced by trick to come trom Indiana to this city and into the jurisdic- tion of the Court on # promise of complete immunity from arrest. The facts in the case, briefly told in an affidavit submitted by the firm, are as follows:—On the 9th of October last they discovered something wrong in their bank account and asked Perault for an explanation. He fold them that it was merely an error in transferring from the gold to the currency account or vice versa, und said he would no doubt be able to discover it within a few days. On the evening of Suturduy, October 26, while the search was still going on, members of the firm went out to supper. Mr. John E. Pope returned in about lalf an hour, but saw nothing of Perault, who had disappeared. "A day or two afterward, as is further alleged by Mr. Pope, Mr. Henry H. Morange galled on the firm and said that he wis a friend of ‘He Perault, and had come in that capacity, He said, has done wrong, but if I will have him come and ex- plain everything will you forego prosecuting him ersonally?”’ Mr. Pope said they would, p= end orange Meplied that he must have some writing or something to satisfy Mrs. Perault. Mr. Pope there- upon wrote the following, which expluins itself: Mrs. Gronce Prnavur:— Deak Mavas—If Mr, Perault will come here and explain and cnuble us to settle up our books, will not take criminal action in the matter. Respectfully, THOMAS J. POPE & CO. A meeting was then arranged betweon Perault and hix old employers, and the missing man made his appearance in the store and began operations. It was then discovered, as Mr. Pope further states, that on the night he went away Perault had taken $200 from the money drawer. They charge that he refused to give them any further information, but finally ad- mitted that he had embezzled $4,700, and difference of $25,000 more in balances. Perault then went away, and did not turn up afterward. The firm imme- diately got out an order for hia arrest, and his bail was fixed at $20,000. Under this order he was ar- rested a few days ago, and the case came up, as stated, ona motion made yesterday by Mr. Morange to va: cate this order, Judge Lawrence readered a decision refusing to vacate the order, STEAM HEATING JOBS. Alderman Foster, who originally introdnced in the Common Council the resolution giving General Francis B. Spinola and “associates” the privilege of laying down mains in all the streets and avenues of the city for heating purposes, yesterday presented the following to the Board:— Resolved, That the Commissioners of the Sinking Fand ve and they are hereby aushoriaed and owered to grant permission to any person or company or association to lay ain and pipes with all necessary counvetions within the et, avenue or public place in the eity of New pose of Lurnishing steam to said elty or an ts for heatin, for which steam may be uw a pipes shall be laid, under wy permission said, the par ving such portuission “shall ugree ers of the Shuking F the city for the bet tion as may be deemod sion, together with suc! nocessary for the protection ‘This resolution was passed by the following vote:— Yous—Messrs. Koberts, Bennett, Carroll, Poster, Guntzer, Hall, Keenay, Lewis, ner, Shiels and Slevin (Tammany), andMeilly (anti-Yammany), Nays— Messrs. Biglin, Ebrhari, Gedney, Jacobus, Morris, Perley and Pinckuey (republicans) and Kiernan (anti- Tammany). It is stated that an attempt will now be made to rush thix scheme through the Sinking Hund if the above resolution should become a law, OY COMMISSIONERS. The Board of Pilot Commissioners met yesterday, Ambrose Snow in the chair, A letter was read from al Schoonmaker, in which he stated tuat he would do all in his power to prevent the dumping of garbage in the buy. A leiter was received from Admiral John Rogers, chief of the Lighthouse Board at Washington, prom- ising to have placed in the harbor during the winter months both iron and spar buoys. ‘The mecting then adjourved. A VILLAGE ELOPEMENT. Kmima Ketchum, of South Oyster Bay, L. L, an at- tractive looking woman, about twenty-seven yours of age, the mother of two children and married to Alonzo Ketchum, 4 farmer, eloped on Friday night witli an unmarried man engaged in the oyster busi- ness, named George Smith, about thirty years of ag ‘The man took all Lik clothes and traps from his father’s house, and the woman, pretending to her husband hat she Was sending her sewing machine to town to, get it repaired, managed to wrap all her spare tog- gery around it aud send it away by Se gee The fuyitives leit in the direction of New York, the bag- fase being addressed to Mury E. Wilmot, No. 157 Jlwood street, Brooklyn. ‘The husband started in pursuit, determined on having some sort of satisfac- tion, but so far thy results of his earnest chase have not transpired. SUSPICIOUS DEATH. MICHAEL RILEY ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF HAVING MURDERED HIS WIFE, Officer Kane, of the Eleventh precinct, Brooklyn, wes approached by a citizen, yesterday morning about cleyen o'clock, who informed him that a woman was lying dead at No. 15 Sullivan street, and it was said she had been murdered by her husband, Upon entering the house he found Mrs, Christina Riley, # woman about thirty years of age, lying dead in her bed on the first floor, Her body was almost completely covered with bruises, and the officer at once came to the conclusion that # brutal murder had been committed, Hastening to the station house he Ne y proceeded to No. “Lb Sivan strect to investi. wate the case, On th floor and walls of the apartment in which the bedy lay were asek spots of blood, The furniture was scattered about in confisi and presented the appearance of haying been knockel about @uring a severe struggle. Michael Riley, the husband of de- sed, was found in King street and arrested, He said he had not besten his wite, but that she had fallen against the stove a number of times while drunk and hud received her injuries in that manner. Mrs. Grant, who resides in the upper portion of the house, said that she hud seen Mrs. Itiley at nine o’clovk on the even- ing previous, and she appeared to be all right then. Ir there hud ‘been lggle in Mrs. Riley's apart- ment she was ware of the fact, us she had heard no noise, police learned that Dr. Macwuley, of Van Brunt street, had been summoned about nine o'clock yesterday morning by Riley to attend his wife, and that tl wufottunate woutun had died almost imunediately after his arrival at the house. Dr. Maculey went directly to the office of Coroner Simms to inform him of the cuse, but found thai the Coro- nor hud to Miley’s residence to anake am investigation. A. juxy was enqpanelied by Coroner Simms, who adjourned the inquest until after a post mortem cxamination of the ins hed been made, Riley, who murried the deceused about five months ago, was formerly the husband of her sister. It is said that the deceased drank liquor to excess, and her death is attributed to this fuct. CITY NEWS ITEMS. ‘The HERALD has received $5 from “C. Bengel, No. 254 East Houston street. In Association Hall, Fourth avenue and 129th street, Mr. E. W. Austin lectured lest evening on the ‘“His- tory, Signs and Proofs of Phrenological ‘The Aldermanic Committee on_ Streets has a propo- sition before it to designate the thoroughfare running across the City Hall Park, behind the Post Office, as Mail street. < ‘A fancy fair was opened last evening at the Union Chapel, corner of Grand and Allen streets, in aid of a building fund for a Baptist church to be erected in that neighborhood. In the Surrogate’s Court the will of Christopher R. Robert wat offered for probate yesterday. ‘The tes- tator died in Paris a fow wecks ago. Large bequests are given to “the trustees of Robert College of Con- stantinople.”” A resolution providing for the erection of ashes and garbage receptacles in front of all houses in the city, soas to properly separate this refuse matter, was yesterday referred to the Aldermanic Committee on Police and Health. Mayor Ely was yesterday requested by the Alder- men to inform them what proceedings, if any, have been taken to compel the several strect railroad com- pames to pay licenses for their cars, as provided in certain of the city ordinances. Postmaster James received yesterday a letter from the Postmaster General, in which it is ordered that no addresses be issued by letter carriers or other em- ployés of the Post Office for the purpose of receiving Christmas or New Year's presents. A mecting for worship was held last evening at the Friends Meeting House, East Twentieth street. After prayers Sister Balkwell delivered a touching address, in which she explained the glories of the Church and the happiness of those who joined it. ‘The Aldermen yesterday referred to their Finance Committee a resolution providing ‘that all city bal- ances not settled by express statute be reducej twenty per cent, in accordance with the bill ve by the Governor but tavored by the Comptrolle ‘Au ordinance was yesterday passed by the Board of Aldermen which will operete, it is understyod, in qiving the Clerks of the Public Markets power to regulate the location of stands and the sale of pro- duce in the immediate vicinity of these pices. Detectives Handy and Fogarty, of the Fifth pre- tinct, yesterday arrested Charles LE. Titus, otherwise kuown to thei aa. “Rogers’Land hompson,” on charge of forgery. He was remanded until to-day in order to allow the detectives to produce the parties whose names it it alleged have been forged. The amount involved is $350, It was reported yesterday that several prominent members of the Lotidon Stock Exchange had sent a representative to this country to investigate and pose alleged fraudulent operations of certain parties here who are accused of breaking down Erie stock last August and thereby violating their agreement with their London friends. Michael Costello, a cart driver, and William Van Hise, driver ot an express wagon, became involved in a quarrel yesterday, on West Browdway, when tello grasped a stone from his cart and hurled it at Van Hise, striking him on the eye and destroying its sight. Costello was arraigned at the ‘tombs and com- mutted for trial in default of $2,000 bail. The annual mecting of the Childrens’ Aid Society was hold yesterdey ut the American Exchange Na- tional Bank. ‘Lhe treasurer's report showed the re- ceipts of the past year to have been $229,607, und the expenditures, including interest, $226,195; ‘balance, $4,400. ‘The legacies were us tollows:—John G. Kane, $500; Sarah Aun Ludlum, $10,000; J. W. H. Aymar, $1,025; Mary M. Danser, $20,v0u, The parties who were arrested on Monday night at tho Libby House and in Est Twenty-seventh street, were urraigned before Judge Dutly at Essex Market Police Court yesterday. Oliver M. Ferguson was heid in $100 bailon acharge of violating the Excise law, and in $1,000 buil on a charge of keeping # disorderly house. Mrs. Fish and Mra. Collins were similarly held, and Kate Mills and ¥, ¥. Furrell were sent to the House of Detention, i ‘Thomas O'Connor was cominitted, on the 15th of October last, to the Tombs prison on the complaint of Mary Roth, who charged him with unlawful familiarity. He languished in jail until yesterday when he left the prison walls and entered the world aguin 4s Mary's lawful husband. The marriage cere- R.,” for Mrs. mony was performed by Father Duranquet, and Deputy Warden Finley and the prison matron stood up with the contracting parties. % Ludiow & Co. yesterday offered for sale on the Real Estate Exchange, by order of the receiver of the Mem- phis and El Puso Railrow, titteon lots on the south side of Li2d street, 200 feet west of the Graud Boule- vard, this city; 134,947 acres of land in various coun- ties in Texas, and 6,500 shares of $100 each of the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad. ‘Che stock was sold to k Bond for ten cents per share. ‘Che high- est price bid tor the Texas land was twenty-five cents per acre, and for the lots on 132d street $500 each. The real estate was withdrawn, * ‘Tho factory of George C. Britner, in First street, Williamsburg, was en! by burglars on Mouday night or Tuesday morning and # large quantity of horn and ivory sto! ‘Tue thieves escaped. William R. Tal the confidential clerk of T. C. Brown & Co., of Jersey City, who pleaded guilty to robbing his einployers of silk yoods valued gat over 31,000, was yesterday sentenced to three years at hard lavor in the Trenton State Prison. George W. Coolbaugh, a Newark cigar manufac- turer, had an examination yesterday berore Commis- sioner Whitehead on a charge of defrauding the gov- erminent in the matter of revenue stamps. He was held for further cxaminution ia $1,500 bail. Patrick Pur ulue and Edward Burns, the th nily for the masked burglary at th Andrew S$, Bugel in Fairview, N. d., were yesterday taken to the state Prison at Trenton to beyin tieir ten years’ terms of fmprison- ment. The Kings County Court of Oyer and Terminer, Justice Gilbert presiding, was oveupiod again yester: day inthe trial of the Kings County Charity Com- missioners for misdemeanor in office. Several. wit- nesses were examined, but no yery material evidence elicited. The trial will be continned to-day James Cross, a laborer emplo, Island, on Monday evening picked up ap pipe, dnd began melting the solder. became heated an explosion his face and blew off the thumb of ‘his right hand, y of tin When the pipe pipe had contained a tew drops of nitro glycer- | ine. Several Italians complained to the police of Jersey City yesterday that they had been engaged by & man in this eity to cross the river aud work at Snake Hill, ‘vhe man coll $9 trom each for the fare, and promised to mect them with the tickets at the Brie Depot, The Lalians could not find him, and the po- lice, atter plaining that they had been swindled, sent the men howe, An vaknown woman while crossing the track of the Long Isiaud Raiivoad at the corner of Bedford and Atluatic avenuos, Brookiyn, yesterday morning, fell ou the rails and was picked up by the man in an unconscious condition. The police, ‘who were notified, had her taken to the City Hospital, She was uppurently forty years of age, and her clothing con- sisted of a brown dress, blue overskirt and brown het, An adjourned convention of delegates from the Brooklyn Mothodist churches, to consider the limita- tion of the pastoral torm to throe years, was held last evening in the Washington Stréet Church, in that city, Mr. Whiting offered a resolution to the effect that the present system only requires thorough working to secure resnite far aiepassing any hereto- fore attained. It was adopted by‘a voto of 60 to BY, ‘The Conyention then aljourace rered, which lacerated | CONDITION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNTY INSANE ASYLUMS—WHAT COMMISSIONER DEVE? REUX, OF THE STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES, HAS TO SAY—A PRETTY BAD SHOWING. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Urwa, N. ¥., Nov. 26, 1878, Tfound Mr. John C. Devereux, Commissioner off the State Board of Charities; at his house on Rutges place, adjoining Seuator Conkling’s residence, and interviewed him on the subject of the condition of the insane in the county asylums of the State, more particularly regarding the recent developments in the Onondaga county insane department. “Conmnissioncr Devereux, the HeraLp wishes some official information in regard to the alleged brutal. treatment and neglect of chronic insane paupers in the Onondaga Couuty Asylum.” “Well, the Onondaga County Asylum for the Insane is one of those excmpted several years ago from the Jaw which places the chronic insane under the im- mediate control of the State Board of Charities, Tha law requires that every acute patient shall be sent to the State insane asyluzus under a penalty, and all chronic cases must be sent to the Willard Asylum at Ovid, except in the counties exempted,” “On what conditions have certrin counties been exe empted f “When the Board is satisfied that good and suffle cient buildings are provided for the accommodation of chronic cases and that they will have the requisite medical 2nd personal attendance.” “Has Onondaga county vomplied with these condi tions?" “In 1677, with the Superintendent and Keeper, 1 visited that asylum, and was informed of about three peculiarly chronic male cases. We were told thof they were vile, dirty and inexpressibly beast-like in their habits, destroying their clothing as rapidly us it could be put on, then befouling themselves and still worse. ‘The officials said no amount of attention would prevent this occurring from honr to hour. 1 was told that cclls had been built in a half basement, on a level with the kitchen hall and storeroom, where patients would be warm and as comfortable as possible. Competent local medical authority said they were under as good care as theircondition would admit. In August last, on visiting the asylum, I found it overcrowded, and, on my suggestion, fiva chronic cases were sent to the Willard Asylum, The County Asylum was still overcrowded, but, as tha Willard Asylum already contained more than it could conveniently accommodate, there was nothing to be done but to make patients as comfortable as possibl athome, The Onondsga County Poorhouse is k ed four or five miles south of Syracuse, on the top of @ high hill, and the road to it is steep and at timeg dangerous. The most thorough visitors either of the professional or retired class of citizens do not keep carriages, and as there is no public conveyance to be had it cannot be visited without some ex) and inconvenience. These buildings should alway be placed on a street car linc, or within easy walkin, distance from the city or village, so that they couk be casily visited by all clusses.”” RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ONONDAGA OFFICIALS, “You mean to be understvod that the fault, if any, lies with the officials of Onondaya county 7?” ii “Cortainly. As long as that county is exempted from the operation of the lew the State Board holds the medical directors of the asylum responsible for the condition of patients, and in obedience to the laws of humanity the supervisors should provide as ood accommodations us possible for chronic pae tients,” ‘ “Why do county officials retain chronic cases ine stead of sending them to Willard?” “One reason is that they think they can provide fon them cheaper at home. At Willard necessary attends ants are place‘ over putients to keep them clean ang clothed, In the county asylums, to save expense, paupers are too often detailed for attendants.” “Can good men be employed to cure tor patienta who are so involuntarily unclean and vile? “Certainly; any nuinber of good men can be bad af reasonable rates,”” “What 80. yon, think of the officials and attendanta at the Onondaga County Hous “As far as I could ascertain they are competent, hue mane and faithful. The fault, if any, 1s with the offic cials over them in not providing the necessary accom modations and attendants. “You say the Willard Ayyluin for chronic patients is overcrowded. What is to be done now?” “Yes; theve are over. 1,490 patients at Ovid, The remedy is to build plain, substantial and economical additions to that asyluin, The Hudson Ktiver Asylum, ut Poughkeepsie, should be at once supplied econ cally with plain, suitable buildings for the care of chronic cases from the castcrn part of the State.’” YUE SEAT VERSUS THE COUNTY SYSTEM. “In general, which is preferable on the score of humanity—State or county care of chronic insan¢ paticuts * “State care, by all means. At Willard Asyfam each nt has the best of medical attendance, resident . physicians; good, nourishing food; constant attention to insure cleanit end clothing, and comfortable quarters, wel heated a’ yeutilated. In county — asylyme the medic 1 attendance is irregular; ‘the food "too often insufticient and not the kind required, and many helpless suffer by neglect wad uncleanliness from want of the necessary number of attendants for the crowded asylums, of which the county officials outside see but little, except on annual visitation days. The Onondaga county sensation is a new one, and speedy investigation will be made. In spite of the best care individual cases ot upparent neglect will occur. ‘The standard of county asylums in gen< eral is low. The late reports will ‘have a good effect in attracting the attention of the indifferent public to these untortunates and compelling county officials te do their whole duty.” . CONDITION OF THE COUNTY INSTITUTIONS, “What about the other county institutions withim your district?” “One-third of the county institutions in the Stata are defective und negligent, Oneida County Asylum is in good condition, having a new, well hi and ventilated building ’and fuir attendants. Chenango has improved and is exempted. Jefferson county's exemption is withdrawn on uccount of its bad cone dition. It has been remodelled and improved and exe emption is again applied for. Lewis county needs improvement. The Supervisors the other day dis cussed the proposition to expend $5,009 in good works Oswego county is good; in Madison county improve ments are in progress; Otsego County Asylum is in & horrible condition, and Scholaric is as bad as it posd sibly can be; Montgomery hus but few chronio cases; Broome and Cortland are fitting and have ap- plied for exemption. All the Hudson River counties, except Orange, are bad. A special visitation to Onondaga will’ probably be ordered by the State Board, and, if necessary, all the chronic cases will be sent to the Willard Asylum. pati from WEST SIDE IMPROVEMENTS. An adjourned meeting of west side property owners was held yesterday afternoofi in the Museum of Natural .History, Eighth avenne aad Seventy« eighth street, Dwight H. Olmstead in the chair, ‘The objects were to take measure to advance the iamprovyements on Manhattan square and its vicinity, and high water service on the west side, A committee appointed at a pres vious meeting submitted a report, from which it ap. peared that while the Mayor and some other heads of departments favored the project the Comptroller was opposed to it in consequence of the present heavy indebtedness of the city, and because it would ive a considerable expenditure from the city treasury, Aresolution was adopted again urging tha appropriation of $50,000 to pat the square in order, aud usserting that such an expenditure will ims mediately return fifty per cent upon the investment, A committee was appointed to wait upon the Mayor and request him to draw his warrant from the re- serve fund for # sum sutiicient to pay off the indebt edness due contractors ior labor done on Riverside avenue, in order that work now suspended there may be resumed. THE COAL COMBINATION, Ata mecting of the directors of the Lehigh Valley coal companies held yesterday at Bethlehem, Pa, resolutions were passed to the effect that the present allotinent of tonnage was unsatisfactory and that the existing arrangement should terminate on Decemecr SL. It was further resolved that an arrangement f the restriction of the production of coal during 18 to the demand should be made in the iuterest of companies. DECLINE IN COAL Seventy-five thousand tons of Scranton coal were sold yesterday at wuction by John H. Draper, at Noy 26 Exchange place, by order of the Delaware, Lacks awanna and Western Railroad Company. The followa ing table will show the prices realized as compared with last month’s sale; October, November, Steamer.....$3 45 a gd 473s go Grate 3 BT), - f Eug. 6G ber Stove.. oo Chestnut... 330 a 3 5244 FAST DRIVING, Alderman Shells yesterday introduced a resolution in the Boanl of Aldermen, which wus passed by ® vote of 18 to 2, and which will practically permit the driving of horses at any rate of speed over the bowles vards and other public drives of the city dw days light. ‘Tho ordiaanco ia as tollowsies te Resolved, That all the highways in the eity of New Yor! north of 19)th street, known as boulevards ov public ‘rivet be and they a rm ‘ finan centile! " ye Hl pil v8 St au of chapter 29 Ordipances uf 146, entitled ‘Of driving horses in the eity.” nin 2 all othor ordivaueos or partsot limiting the speed of hos also apply tu St. Nichol xeoption 9b fe ubuve exception sbal forth of 11uth trout,