The New York Herald Newspaper, November 28, 1878, Page 4

4 ST. CROIX.| NEW *YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, N OVEMBER 28, 1878—TRIPLE SHEET. YEGRO INSURRECTION AT ST. CROIX, W. I. Causes Which Led to the} Map of the Island, Showing the Names and Positions of the Burnt Estates, and the Chief Towns, Christiansted and Frederiksted.: Recent Outbreak. EVILS OF THE EXISTING LABOR SYSTEM. eceenenee! Thirty Years of a Freedom Little Better than Slavery. WHAT HAS FOLLOWED EMANCIPATION, Business Interests of the Isl- and Paralyzed. ADDITIONAL TROUBLE FEARED. Sr. Tuomas, Nov. 21, 1878. ‘The beantiful island of St. Croix, so recently wendered desolate by the torch of the incendiary Dlack laborers, is quict on the surface, but the causes which led to the trouble have not been re- moved, and there is plenty of evidence that a very bad feeling still exists, which, if not allayed, may lead to a repetition of the horrors already experienced.” Since its occurrence there have been many specula- tions as to the cause of the outbreak, and any num- Der of theories have been advanced by those who have taken only the most superficial view of it. These theories have been but little better than ridiculous, ‘and «show how wilfully blind men are ‘to the wrongs of any system by which they prosper. ‘The outbreak was in fact nothing, more than a servile Insurrection by men who have been practically Waves under the so-called “provisional” labor law which has been in existence for thirty years, and from which all the disadvantages of slavery have wecrued to the laborer and none of the advantages. While it has been and is still admitted that labor ‘laws or vagabond acts of a stringent character have "been found necessary in ail those islands where slavery formerly existed, yet experience has clearly shown that good results have followed them only Bs kind treatment and a fair remuneration have been accorded the laborer. DIFFERENT LADOR SYSTEMS, In Jamaica the seutimentalism which had its origin Bt the time of Wilberforce prevented the enactment of any laws for the regulation of the manumitted blacks, and so they were left to their own inclina- tions, which were to bask in the sun and eat the spontaneous products of nature, and as the result that once beantiful and thrifty island became little better than # desert. In Martinique the Vagabond law enacted by the French following emancipation in 1843 kept the negro at work, while having respect to his freedom as a man and the pleas- ures of his semi-barbarous nature, and giving a fair remuneration. The result, as is known, has been one of entire satisfaction to the employer and the em- ployed, and Martinique is one of the most prosperous (slands under the sun. I refer to these cases as they tonstitute the two extremes in the treatment of the labor question following the abolition of slavery. LABOR IN ST. CROIX. The Labor act of St. Croix—bad enough in iteelf ‘and naturally made worse by the greed of the planter and the natural sympathy of the magistrate for those of his race, the men with whom they are on terms of social intercourse and oftentimes of intimate friend- ship—was enacted as a provisional measure more than thirty years ago. The subject of its repeal has been repeatedly broached by the Danish govern- ment, but so strong has been the opposition pothing has been done. The planter thrived under it bpd was enabled to meet the demands upon him made by the government, while the only persons who suf- fered were the toiling blacks, for whom no one par- ticularty cared, and so the law remained on the statute book. Some years since a commission was wppointed to revise the act, and after a lengthy investigation it was concluded to forbid the issuing of rum as aration to the negroes.- I bave copied the ut from the statute book, and present it below as the cause of the recent outbreak. Some little in- justice, fancied or real, may bave precipitated it, but the recent work of destruction in St. Croix was but the natural result of long years of extortion and suffering endured by the blacks at the hands of their white em- ployers. That their revenge was terrible, that ina few short hours they destroyed far more than the ac- rumulations from their labors during the thirty years pf the system of which they complain, may be seen trom the accompanying map, which will show the extent and details of the destruction at # glance. THE LABOR Act. The following is the text of the Labor act:— ProvistoxaL Acr to regulate the relations between the of janded estates and rural popu- lation of free laborers. GovrExmeNt House, St. Crorx, Jan. 26, 1849. First—All engagements of laborers, now domi on landed estates and receiving wages in money or in Kind for cultivating and working such estates, are to ‘be continued a« directed by the ordinance of July 29, 1948, until the Ist day of October of the present year, and ail similar engagements shall in future be mado, or shall be considered ax having becn made, for » term of twelve months—viz., froin the lst October to the Ist October, year after year. Engage- ments made by heads of families are to include their children between five and fifteen years of age, and other relatives depending on them and staying with 7. Seeond—No laborer sball be discharged or dismissed trom or shall be permitted to dissolve his or her engagement before the expiration of the same on the let of October of the present or of y following year, except in the instances hereafter enumerated :— A. By ynutual agreement of master and laborer be- fore a magistrate. B. By order of a magisrate on just and equitable cause being shown by the parties interested. marriage and the nataral tie between mothers @nd their children shall be deemed by the magistrate Just and legal catise of removal from one estate to another, The husband shall bave @ right to be re- moved to his wife, the wife to her husband, and c! dren under fifteen years of age to their mother, pro- viding no objection to employing such individuals Shall be made by the owner of the estate to which the femoral is to take piace, Third—No engagement of a laborer in future shall be lawful unless mate in the presence of witnesses tnd entered tu the day book of the estate, NOTICE TO QUIT. Fourte—Notice to quit service shall be given to the employer ax well as tu the laborer at uo other period but ones s year, in the month of August, wot fetore the og | cr there: after the last day of said month. An shall be made inthe day book and ent in writing shall be given to the en oF reerived where laborer. The laborer shall nave gi legal notice of removal from the fervex before any one can engay Wise the new contract to be voidand th ing in tampering with a laborer emp! will be dealt with according to law, Owuer or manayer of an estate shold disinies a la borer during the year withont suitietent should refuse to ree bim at the time stipniated, or refuse to urant iin a passport when due ne removal hae been given, the owner or manager « Iaborer and to he sentenced to he dd oF rated as first, second i yek in onecrainy customary tor Ai presans shall do, m, unlews ‘ork only. the fell or the estate w such Jaborers to pertorm. to dictate what work or ref the work he is ordere expreesiy eugaged for some part. Lf a laborer thinks bimeclf agyrie therefure leave the work, but imdue time apply to the owner of the estate or to the magistrate. It ix the duty of the iaborer on all ovcasions wnd at all times te protect the property of his employer, to pre- vent minchiel to the and not to give countenance practions, HOCRS OF WORKING. Sith 'The working days to be as usual, only five | a Aed r week, and the same days as hitherto. ordinary work of extates is to begin at sunrise aud to be fuisied at sunset every day, jeaving an hour for breakfast and two hours at noon, frown tweive to to o'clock. Planters who prefer to begin work at seven o'clock jn the morning, Insking 10 sepurnte brenkfnet time, are at liberty to adopt this Jin. ‘The isborore shall be press tips at he plans where thes are to work, the led Bud enawered conan y newer the list when calie List Seventh .No throwing ot yraes of wood hall be ex- acted during extra hours, wil former agreements to the contrary notwith#tanding, but during crop the Jdavorers are expected to bring home # bundle ot lopg he shall not | tate, to apprehend evil dovrs | to or conveal uniawiul | Joviey Hitt Goatt aa Pc Grove, Cane ‘Bly, [samme OF Bog of Aiea Hope 0 @curte o Turk we. Pa Lower Love giv? suns Hn Bethle) CO New Works Goller Grove co Oderasatem Humbug 9 @Work & Rest ©Stoys © MtPieaant 0, Sou, *° Alun Boetzberg, 2 SuPetee Els Low: Retreat sido Sally's Fancy o Petroncllo © Annashope @Grenade =“ Henatero ‘ane Garden eens “Schoo! sou? Soli “gare mt Coakley 5 Mt. © Washington Cotton Diamond Leneford SOAR spring The Island of St. Croix, or Santa Cruz, a Danish West India colony, and the scene of the recent insur- rection of the negro laborers and destruction of a vast amount of property by incendiary fires, is the largest and most southern of the Virgin group of islands that lie to the south and east of the Antilles, St. Croix lies about sixty-five miles east-southeast from the Spanish island of Porto Rico, and in latitude 17 deg. 42 min. north and in longitude 64 deg. 48 min. west. ‘The length of the island, about twenty-five miles, lies east and west, and it varies in breadth from two to six miles, the narrowest part being at the eastern end, ‘The area is about eighty-four square miles and the population about twenty-four thousand, Except the low range of hills that lie along and parallel | SUGAR ESTATES BURNT @ STOCK ESTATES BURNT to the northern shore the island is nearly level, but it has numerous streams and is considered a well watered area ‘The soil is extremely fertile and adapted to the rais- ing of all kinds of tropical crops, but chiefly to sugar and coffee. At times, however, droughts cause the complete parching of the soil and the fuil- ure of but this calamity is not of fre- About half the cultivable area is under sugar cane, the other half being devoted to crops; quent occurrence. ordinary food crops, grazing tracts, or made up of waste patches. Except to natives and acclimated whites the climate of St. Croix is unwholesome at all Hurricanes of extraordinary violence are yearly experienced, and earthquakes are not unfre- seasons. quent. Lying right in the very track of the cyclones the island has suffered considerably, even within the past fow years, ‘the principal towns on the island are Christiansted and Fretericksted. The former “ts the place of rest- dence of the Governor General, who exercises undis- puted sway im his little territory. ‘The accompany- ing map shows the positions of the two towns. Seat- tered throngh the island are the very numerous fac- tories and estate buildings. Those marked with full black circles and squares have been burned by the infuriated negroes. It only needs a glance at the mep to show the extent of the ravaged districts, The history of St. Croix may be summed up in @ very few words, The island was first discovered by Columbns when making Jhis -second voyage to the West Indies, In 1643 the Dutch made a settlement on it, but three years later were expelled by the Englisn. Four yenrs later still the English were driven from the island by the Spaniards, who devastated the little territory after the fashion of the con- querors of the period, In 1651" it’ was pur- chased for the Knights of Malta, who, in 1664, sold it to the French West India Company. In 1696 this company’s claims to St. Croix were sold to Den- mark, towhich Kingdom it now belongs. St.Thomas, St. John and St. Croix now form the possessions of Denmark in the West Indies. The three islands aggregate in area about 127 square miles and in popu- lation about 40,000 souls. tops from the field were they ave st work. Cartmen and crook people, when breaking off, shall attend property to their stock as usual. Fight—During crop the mill gang, crook gang, boilermen, firemen, stillmen and any other person em- ployedabout the mill and tbe boiling house shall con- tinue their work during breakfast and noon hours as hitherto usual, and the boilermen, firemen, megass carriers, &c., also during evening hours after sunset, When reqnired, but all workmen employed as afore: said shall be paid an extra remuneration for the work done by them in extra hours. The boiling house is to be cleared, the mill to be washed down and the megass to be id up before the laborers leave work, as hitherto usual, REMUNERATION TO BE PAID. Ninth—The laborers are to receive, until otherwise ordered, the follow: remuneration :-— ‘A. The use of a house or dwelling, rooms for themselves and their children, to be built and repaired by the estate, but to be kept in proper order by the laborers. B. The use of @ piece of provision ground thirty feet square as usual for every first and second class laborer, or if it be standing ground up to nifty feet in square. Third class laborers are not entitled to but miay be allowed some provision ground. CG, Weekly wages at the rate of fifteen cents to every first ciaas laborer, of ten cents to every second class laborer and of five cents to every third class laborer for every working day.” When the usual allowance of meal an‘ herrings has been agreed in part of wages: full weekly allowance shall be taken for five cents day or twenty-five cents per week. Nurses los- pal two hours every working Gay shall be paid at the rate of four full working days in the week. The wages of minors to be paid as usual to their parents or to the person in charge of them, Laborers not calling ut pay time personally or by another authorized are to wait till next pay day, un- less they were prevented by working for the estate, No attachment of wages for private debis to lowed por more than two-thirds to be deducted for debts to the estate unless otherwise ordered by the magistrate. Extra provisions occasioaally jiven during the*ordinary working hours are not to be claimed as a right nor to be barzatned for. Tenth—Work in extra hours daring crop is to be paid for as follows:—To the mill gang and crook gang for working through the breakfast hour, one stiver, and for working throngh noon, two stivers per day. (Value of the stiver is, ssy, one and one-third cents.) Extra provision is not to be given except at the option of the laborer in place of the money or a part ofit. The boilermen, firemen and megaes carriers are to receive for all days when the boiling is carried on until late hours a maximum pay of twenty cents per day. No bargaining for extra pay by the hour is permitted, Laborers working such extra hours only y turns are not to have additional payment. estates are considered as engaged to perform the same work as hitherto usnal, assisting in the field, carting, potting sugar, &c. They shall be rated as first, second and third class laborers, according to their ‘proficiency, WI definite ‘terms have been agreed to previously wages of first class tradesmen having full work in their trade are to be twenty cents per day. No trudesmen allowed to keep apprentices without the consent of the owner of the ¢ to be bound for no less than y be removed without the permission of ‘the magis- t Ce PAY FOR EXTRA LABOon, Tworlfth—No lavorer is obliged to work on Sunday, but if they choore to work tor hire it is proper that they should give th n estate the preference, For a full day’s work on Seturday there shall not be asket fof nor given more than twenty cents to a first class laborer, thirteen cents to w recond 8 lalforer, seven cents third class laborer. Work on Satur- day may be id by the magistrate axa punish- ment to the laborer for having absented himself from lwbor during the week for one day or more and for having been idie during the week, aud then the la- borer shall not receive more than bis nsual pay for a common day's work. . Thirteenth—All the male laborers, tradesmen in- | cluded, above eighteen yoars of aye, working on an estate are bound to take the usual night watch by turns; but only once in ten days, notice to Be given Lefore noon to break off from work in the atternoc with the nfirses, and tocome to work next day eight o’elock. ays wud holidays to take ard and to act a8 pasture ving pay for a weekday's work. Alaborer appointed to take watch and not attend- ing, another is tu be hired in his pluce and at hts ex- pense, not, however, to exceed fifteen cents, | FIXES Fol NOY WORKING. Fourteenth-Labovers wiltnlly abstaining from work on a working day are to forfett their wages for the day and will have to pay over and above the for- feita Ane Which can be iawitlly deducted in their wages of seven cents for a first class laborer, five conts for a second class isborer and two cents for a third class laborer. Laborers abstaining trom work for # halt day or breaking of betore being dismisaca, to forfeit thetr wages ty one day. Luborers not coming to work in duo time to foriett half a day's wages. Parents keeping their children from work shall be fined instead of the children, No ange of house rent is to be male in fatare on account of absence trom work or tor the Satnrda; Laborers wilfully abstaining from work for two more days during the week, or habitually absenting themselves, or working badly aud “ily, shall be punished as the case merits on complaints to the inagistrate, Surtrenth—Laborers assaulting persons in authority on the estate will be punished secording to tnw. CARE OF THE stcK Stventeenth—Unti} measures can be adopted securing medical attendance to th wlating the treatment of the sick aud intirm it is ows: —Infirm persons shail be ma: tutes and attended to by their reta- children of suich infirm persons not remove from the estate, leaving them |, Without making Vision for them. Kightrnth—A laborer reported sick and found ab- sent Without jeave or ocenpied with work requi health sill be considered wiltully absent from w a ‘The laborer must prove illaess b ical vertitiva Meawteenth—Vromant women are at lberty to work With the small yang, and when confined not to be | called on to work tor aeven weeks after confinement, Young childven shat) be fed and attended to during the hows of work at xome proper place at the coxt of the estate, | ,, fwentirth—It ix the duty of the manager to report to the police any contagious of snspicious canse of illness or death. GEXERAL PROVISIONS, Twenty-firt—The driver or foremen of the estate is to reveiys in wages $4.50 monthly, if no otber teins have been agreed apen Tiventy-eoomd—No jaborer '& allowed, withont the expectal permission of the juenager, to approprinte woud, graes, vegetables, {1 wid tLe Like belonging to the estate, nor to appropriaw such pr other estates, nor to cut canes nor to burn eharconl, Persons yuilty of etch offences inay be punished by for | fines of imprisonment with hard labor. “Lhe pawpea:, Likewise the male laborers are bound | faborers end for, sion of such articles not satisfactorily accounted for shall be sufficient evidence of unlawful acquisition. Twenty-Uird—All_ agreements contrary to the above rules ave to be null and void, and owners and man- agers of estates convicted of any practice tending wil- fully to counteract or avoid these rules, by direct or indirect means, shall be subject to a fine nt exceed- ing $200. P. HANS Governor General of the Danish West India Islands. PRESENT CONDITION OF THE ISLAND. The evil effects of the outbreak have not ended with the destruction of the estates, The manufze- turing and agricultural interests of the island are paralyzed by the want of confidence resulting from a knowledge of the fact that the cause of the tronble still remains and may, and not unlikely will, lead to further troubles. Men sit despairing amid the ruins of their estates, seeing no way to recover from their losses. The nogroes—and they are comparatively’ few—who are willing to work for the wages pre- scribed by law are natnrelly * regarded with suspicion, fears being entertained that they only seek an opportunity for revenge or additional destruction. The course which has been pursed, in suppressing the insurrection and punishing the insurgents has not been characterized by wisdom. It bas had the effect of practically establishing a color line, placing every negro in antagoni-m to the whites. It has resolved itself into a war of races, in which the governing class are only protected by their arms, of which the negroes are entirely destitute. The latter are peaceful for the time because they are powerless, but there are not wanting evi- dences of the feeling which controls them. Only last week a negro who had been instrumental in saving property belonging to Mr. Fintaine, the planter who was killed at the post, was murdered in his house, and this is but a sample of what is occur- ring. What the end is to be no one can tell. In the present condition of affairs it is evident no attempt will be made to conciliate the laborers and, without this, only the strong arm of military power and the practical re-establishment of slavery can induce them to return to their work. Meantime, business is pros- trated and no attempt ia being made to restore the destroyed estat DEFENDING A DIPLOMAT. A UNITED STATES CONSUL REPLIES TO AN AT- TACK ON A UNITED STATES MINISTER—NOT THE MEANEST MAN IN LIO-—-THE UPHOLSTERY OF OUR MINISTER TO BRAZIL. The following correspondence, together with the original documents which follow, has been received from Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, The letters will explain themselves :— Seal of the Consulate ot the United at Rio Grande do Sul. Usrren STATES ¢ ULATE, } Rio GRANDE dO SvuL, Bri Oct. 9, 1878. § To tHe Eprron oy THE HERALD :— From the Kvening News, a daily paper published in the city of Detroit, Mich., of date August 5 last, this day received at this Consulate, I clip the following :-- Our Minister to Brasil, Henry W, Ifilliurd, bos the ropata- of being the meanest man in It! 5 with a of $12,009) a year he keeps no legation; maker « , scantily furnished room in alow quarter of the city answer all the parposas of bedroom, dressin . parlor, 1 public office, and patronizes the lowest f etroot cars, becarse he for half him in the better class guage but hisown, and kuows nethia plomacy It is possible that articles of similar tone and char- actormay have a] din othor papers in the Sta and, if so, would have a tendency to do great bi | and injustice bad gentleman named, and to correct y motive I have in writing you at this jon to visit Rio compelled to re veral days, and during my stay there I called, officinily and socially, with other American citizens, several times upon Minister Hilliard, and 1 state and do hereby take pleasure in stating positively that there ix no truth whatever inthe statements contained in the above paragraph. In fact and in truth the very contrary is the mapnor of Minister Milliard’s living and doing. He resides in that part of the city known as “Botofogo,” the most pleasant and beautiful place to be attained, and occupies ax his reception room and sleeping apartments the entire soath half* of the , largest and most desirable mansfon to be found in this favorite, and, I may say, aristocratic part of Rio Jaueiro, Hix apartments, including elegant parlors, are elaboraiely furnished at his own cxpense, in @ style end manner to do credit to the cuief diplomatic ofiver of the United States or to any other government. Fromm what I saw Tshould jn Be that his expense account must quite equal his salary, He docs keep a legation, and his Seeretary of Legation is a gentleman from Chicago, with whom, however, I did not moet. There ave no “lowest grade of street cars’ run- ning fo thie part of the ci and when Mr. Hilliard goes into the gore in the same way and manner as other gentlemen. .f may hore add, perhaps, with propriety that the Britis! Minister has his apartments in the residenes as “our Minister,” aud it is no disparagement to say that, at Best, thgy are no more elaborately furnished are in no Way more pleaca: iiard is on elderly yeat! hool, & gentleman Who pr under all ciremastanc ple and eourte- 6 toward all, and is 4 general ite iu the diplo- les at the Court of Dom Pedro and is the cipient of many favors and attentions from the n of. the diplo- os hin dignity ents above copied must have been put in me disappointed axpirant for post him hide his head in shame. nity to expresa, not nks, but also the thanks of the an and English people who daily viait this Constlate, for the daily Hrnacy circulation tion, andl if » the thanks voted ite publisher for the knowledge d pleasure which it imparts, Tehall take pleasure early writtny y letter on topics of general ine terest from this s¢ what distant ¢ try Yours traly, JOHN 1 Conant wal of the Conanlute \ tf the United ste af (et Riv Grande do sul. S Ocroaen 9, isTS, Dear Minister Hinitanp:— 1am this dey in receipt of sevoral nowepapers trom the States, among which is the Detroit Daily Evening News, and in which I noticed a dastardly attack upon yourself. I have taken occasion to “clip” the para- graph and incorporate it into an articlo in rejoinder to the New York Hrranp, which I herewith enclose with an addressed envelope from this Consulate. If you shall approve of my ection in the premises please forward. If I have assumed too much in writing this communication have the kindness to attribute it to the head and not to the heart. Yours always. JOHN L, FRISBIE. Uxrrep STATES CONSULATE, Rro GRANDE DO SuL, Oct. 1, 1878. Hon, Mr. Hmsanp, United States Minister, &c., Rio Janeiro:— Sm—I have the honor to inform you that I have this day received into my possession the archives and property belonging to this Consulate, and have this day entered upon my official duties as United states Consul at said Consulate. Larrived at this Consulate on the 17th ultimo, but, in obedience to the stated law and custom of this province, was detained from entering upon 4 dis- charge of my official duties for want of the qualifying indorsement and recognition of the honorable Presi- dent of this province of Rio Grande do Sul, which ‘was not received by me until the 30th. 1 take this opportunity to protest my thanks to you for kind favors received at your hands (und at the hands of United States Consul General Adamson) dur- ing my recent stay in Rio Janeiro, and to express the hope that at some future time I may be permitted to express my gratitude in a more substantial manner. Itrust that your Secretary of Legation has arrived, and that by his good assistance you are relieved from much of the hard lubor heretofore incumbent upon you for want of «uch assistance. 1do not find Rio Grande do Sul to be the most pleasant place, particularly as the weather has been cold and the atmosphere. very damp since my arrival, to that ex- tent that it has brought upon me quite severe rheu- matic pains, which have an increasing tendency. ‘This appears somewhat strange to mg that I should be so attacked after having withstood the exposure and hardships of years on the “tented field” and in camp without rheumatic symptoms. Please excuse whatever appears in the above which you may tind not to be diplomutic, as I have not in- tended, by any means, to write u strictly diplomatic lotter, but rather a friendly letter slightly tending to diplomacy. 1 am, courteously, your obedient ser- vant, JOHN L, FRISLIE, United States Conenl. (Seal of the Consulate of the United States at Rio Grande do Sul. INDORSEMENT. ITED StgTeS CONSULATE, , Oct 1, 1878, Jous L. Frussre, United States Consul. To the Honorable Minister of the United States, &., Rio Janeiro, Brazil. Contents—Entering of Consul on a discharge of his duties, ke, ARMY AND NAVY PAY. SALARIES PAID TO OFFICERS OF CORRESPONDING RANKS IN THE BRANCHES OF THE SERVICE. Several correspondents, having written to the Henan, asking what is the present pay of officers in the army and navy, the subjoined table is presented for their benefit. The corresponding grades in the two branches of the service are placed opposite each other, with the salary paid to each, The Agures indi- cate the amounts paid to officers in active service. In the case of naval officers a very considerable teduc- tion ie made when they are on shore or waiting orders. Lineal rank only is given. The rank of admirai is not recognized by the statute fixing the relation of the grades; but it is nevertheless in actual existence, and the salary is paid. The bill introduced into the House by Mr. Banning last winter for the reorganiza- tion of the army coutained a section providing for a decrease of the salaries of officers in that branch of the service; but the matter, as will be remembered, was referred to a committes which is to report on or before the Ist of January next. Following arc the present initial salaries paid:— ARMY. NAVY. General... Lieutenant ¢ Major General. Brigadier ¢ 1,800 First Lt, (mounted), 1,600 First Lt. (not mount- 'P ie statute of July, 1870, be “paid to each commissioned [army] officer below the grade of brigadier general, including chaplains and others having assimilated rank or pay, ten per tof their current yearly pay for each term of five rs of service.” The total amount of such increase Yor length of service, it ix provided, shall in no case exceed forty per cent on the yearly pay of the grado as provided by law. ‘With respect to naval officers, lieutenant command. ors after four years of service receive an additional #200 a your; lieutenants, masters and ensigns, after five years of service, are given $2008 year qxtra, MRS, VAN COTT AT WORK, The weather had a very deprossing effect on the revival invetings in the Eleventh Street Methodist Episcopal Church yesterday. Two very #mall con- gremations assembled in the afternoon and evening to hear Mrs, Van Cott preach, and, with the exception of the lady herself, there was ® want of fervor on the port of thove present. The exercises at both meet- ings were of an informal character. In the morning Mrs. Van Cott spoke on the pleastres of re- ligion, and a mninber who gave their experi- ences followed her lead in declaring the joy that the knowlege of Christ had brought to their souls, lu theevening all the converted who were there s- sembled told under what circumstances thoy first carne to the knowledge of Ohrist. Mrs. Ven to seek Him while under the shadow of affliction, Rey. Mr. Morehouse was brought ap to revere Him, but never really experienced His saving love until his fifteenth your, when he was induced to give testimony in Hiv behalf at a revival meeting. “With the heart ye believe unto righteousness, but with the mouth confeesion is male wito salvation,” was Mrs, Van Cott’s comment, One man told how be was con tod ot one of Moody’« moetings, and another jad ‘ Christ, and bad Dacksliden, but was bronght back during the present series of meetings by the saving power of God, Prayers were offered and the congregation joined in singing at both the pfternoon aud evening mectings. BURIED BY A LAND SLIDE. JOHN SINNS, AT WORK ON THE NEW PIER AT LONG BRANCH, BURIED ALIVE—ALLEGED CARE- LESS MANAGEMENT OF THE WORK. A lamentable ent occurred yesterday morning in connection with the construction of the Long Branch iron pier, by which John Sinns, a resident of Long Branch, was buried alive. Work was first begun on the pier two weeks ago last Saturday by making excavations inthe bluffin front of the Ocean House for the sea wall, which is to be 225 feet wide. The contractor of the work was Mr. Job Johnson, of Brooklyn. Mr. Johnson was also the architect of the prospective pier. The work of build- ing the pier attracted many visitors to the spot, and on some days over three hundred of the country folk came in by wagon and train to witness the undertak- ing. They would approach the verge of the bluff to witness the movements of the workmen, and the contractor, becoming afraid that the bluff would give way, erected a wooden fence to keep the throng back. At a depth of about fifteen feet was met a streak of white sand of twenty inches in thickness. ‘The men at work wero warned that this streak of sand would give way by the effect of any storm and that the bluff should be braced, The advice was not heeded. In spite of the warning of storm signals that a heavy northeast gale was imminent Foreman Scho- field ordered « gang of eight laborers to work exca- vating the bluff yesterday morning. THE ACCIDENT. Herctofore—so it is stated—a lookout was posted on the bluff to give word of any danger of the bluff mov- ing; but men and foreman alike were working below when, without any warning, the top boulder of earth slid. Two men, the deceased and another, named Michael Flood, ‘were caught by the falling débris. Both made w#run toward the sea. Flood escaped by leaping into the trench, but his companion was caught by a second slide and buried beneath fitty tons of falling earth. An alarm was given and the seven workmen, assisted by many willing volunteers, began the work of extricating poor Sinns, He was buried with about three feet of earth over him. It Was some timne before they located his body by the dis- covery of a mason’s plumb line, Twenty minutes after the caving in of the bluff the body was found stand- ing close to the wall of the bluff with the face toward the sea, and both of the arms stretched upward in the position they were in when he attempted to leap out of the trench, before the second slide came on him. Dr. Hughes was immediately summoned, but life was extinct. The Coroner was summoned, and at first said that it was not necessary to hold an inquest, as Sinns’ death was purely accidental, but when the reporters told him their suspicions he empanclled a jury and held one. The verdict was accidental death, The only witness examined was Schotield, the fore- man, who said the man_ was killed by his own care- lesancxs in not throwing down his spade and ranning through the trench. Major Wardell, wrecking master for the coast wrocking service, one of the Coroner's jury, told the Hrmatp correspondent that one hour before the acei- dent he visited the spot and passed the remark that the bluff, to be kept from wiry 9 should be bracea and shored with planks. Michael Flood, the man who 80 luckily escaped, informed the HeRaLp correspond- ent that Foreman Schofield was at work elkewhcre laying cement when the accident occurred. The de- ceased lived in Clark street, Long Branch, was twent, seven years old, married, and was a painter by tradi ‘The body remained until three o'clock at the work- men's house on the bluff, until Father Walsh, the pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Chi said he would raise a subscription for Sinns’ inte: ment. GILES’ STEPFATHER. See heah! Don't b'leive dat are Don't b'leive it, sak! He done gone swo’ to alice, sho! He 'cuse dis yere chile of sayin’ dat I was gwine to kill him! Fo’ de lamb o' greecious, Jedge, dat are a perjurious lie, dat are, fo' shuah!" was the impassioned declaration of a cream colored individual at the bar in Jefferson Market Police Court yesterday, “Well, well! The complainant swears you threat- ened to take his life yesterday, Giles, Are you rel- atives?” queried Judge Morgan. “Relatives? Dat are coon and me relatives? No, You ‘Onah!” indignantiy replied the prisoner, “wa aren't relatives. Gucss not, bress de Lor! He only married my mudder!”’ Is that why “Seo heah, Jedge! eullud man’s word! “Oh, he only married your mother! you threatened to kill him, eh?” », sit, Jedge, You 'Onuh! I nebber, nebdber uso owdacious langidge to dat are pusson, I'don't qua’el with sich trash!” “Well, now, Washington,” said the Conrt, turning to the complainant, who stood near by, resplendent in shirt collar, cufis and bergamot, “explain this mat- You 'Onah please, I am Giles’ stepfader, an’ he kind o' like I hed'nt done much work fo’ de las’ few months, You ‘Onah, ‘cept help de olo woman, yere (with a jerk of his dexter thumb over his left shoulder), to ir dd fotch de cloes home to de hots, An’ di *, las’ Sunday, tell me ho don’t want nm e, want to be killed I'd kee . kep' away fo’ shualh! Twant de law to purtect me in my marital co netion rights, sah! bat's all.”” Jedge, You ‘Onab,”’ said a mulatto lady, bouncing on the stand and #7 a look of indignation and in- effable scorn at the complain “dis yere prisoner am my son, Ho's willin' to s'port me right along, sah; an’ J'1n satisfied dat he should. I don’t want no sich common nigger as dis yere complain whangin’ and lowfin’ roun’ me, “No, sah; I don’ yant sich to cross my do’ sill.” Madame, the question to be decided: here is whether the man's in danger of \gsifig bis life by Zour son's hands. Is the complathant your hus. "i no, sul! I don't ‘knowledge him as my Paseadt said the woman, with an air of repudia- ion. “Did you live with him without marrying him?" queried the Judge, half reproachfully, “No, sah! sdge, You'Onal!’* hastily responded the woman; “I’m too ‘spectable fo’ dat! I married him two years ago! But’ (gathering her shawl tightly about her and giving the complainant a sidelon glance of contempt) I'm done with him, He needn’ come sneakin' roan’ me any mo’, Lfro’ hin off fo’ J dont want de ond husband ae tim “Well, inw'ain, {is of your lawfal spous cor up your family jars.” \ deeuncomney, inoke belligerently {aclined than ever. uct can’t help you to got rid Go home, all of you, and / Vodder of keepin’ sich @ | THANKSGIVING. How the Day Is To Be Cele- brated in New York. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPORTS Generous Provigion for the Hungry Poor. ‘This is the nation’s day of praise and thanksgiving, aud no citizen fulfils his duty to the State who fails to enter wholly into the spirit of the ‘celebration, ‘They who wish it may find an opportunity for public worship in the churches, while those who prefer the domestic altar 1usy remain at home without offeud- ing their chureh going neighbors. Perhaps. the chiet enjoyment is to be had when the family gathers at the festive board and the lordly turkey is dismembered and discussed. This bird, though possibly without his own knowledge and against bis will, has usurped the place so long occupied by the sacrificial lamb and bull, and is the ackuowledyed emblem of a great na- tional holiday. The followivg stanza from a now for- gotten ode on Thanksgiving Day shows the respect in which he was held away beck in Puritan times, ‘The rythm, by the way, is said to have suggested that of Milton's immortal hymn on the uativity. ey zobbler pale, Roroft of tuft and tail, No donger struts abou But on the gro: ble ties, ‘Well roasted, plu 1d brown—a plousing sacrifice, CHARITABLE DINNERS. ‘The day will be appropriately observed in various charitable institutions of this ¢ At the Five Points House of Industry dinner will be served at ono o'clock, in the play room. where visitors may watch the children eat. At two o'clock, “if suficient means are furnished,” the outside poor will be treated to their annual dinner. As the tre:sury is $3,000 in debt some fear is felt as to the possibility of carrying out this portion of the programme. Interesting ser- vices will-be held in the chapel, the children singing, reciting and performing calisthenic exercises. ‘The ladies of tho Soldiers’ Relief Association desire to provide a dinner for disabled soldiers and for the widows and orphans of those who fell in the late war, Contributions of provisions may be ‘sent .to. the Twenty-second Regiment Armory, in Fourteenth street, to-day. It is intended, if possible, to provide each family under the care of the association with a turkey and vegetables, that they may enjoy the din- ner at home. ‘ ‘The inanagers of the Association for the Benefit of Colored Orphans also purpose feasting the 300 desti« tute children in their asylum at 1434 street and the Boulevard. Contributions will be recoived there and at No. 37 Madison avenue. Two hundred and fifty children connected with the Wilson Industrial School for Girls, at St. Mark's place and avenue A, will be amply provided for in the way of good things to eat. More than cighty poor families belonging to the mission will likewise be cared for. Between 300 and 400 boys will be feasted at noon in St. Vincent's Home, Nos, 53 and 55 Warren street. ‘There will be interesting exercises in the chapel throughout the day. MISCELLANEOUS CELEBRATIONS, An old and prominent citizen of this city, and hia family, will dine to-morrow with the editor of a Prove idence (R. 1.) newspaper, together with the latter's family. The acquaintance of these two Grdeee was Metnet thirty-five years ago, when the editor, thena renege hs ret the New Yorker a ten dollar ‘old piece which the latter had handed him by mise fake inatrain. Only a few weeks ago this acqueint- ance wag rene und the friends are determined that it shall never again be broken. In the year 1853 another New York business man lost a vessel on Lake Ontario. A few weeks ago he: received a letter from the mate returning $200 which he said he had stolen from the captain when the ves- sel sank, and which had been intended for the pay- ment of canal tolls. Tho mate says that he has nm converted, To-morrow he and the owner of the ship will dine together, In tho Westminster Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, special services will be held, the music to be fure nished by Miss Clementine Lasar; soprano; a bari-+ tone, two trumpets, tuba, chpir and Sunday school. In the leeture room of the Young Men's Christian Association a tea party, will be given at half-past seven P, M. for the beneAt of men who have becn ine fluenced by the Sunday night temperance meetings in the Park Theatre. Morning services will be hold in Zion (Episcopal) Church, at Madison avenue and Feri, street. ‘An excellent prograthme has been artanget ‘The original Hound Guard, of this city, will hold a oops parade at Gebhardt’s Schutzen Park, Staten, Island. ‘ Tho steamer Seth Low will leave the stone pier next to the Staten Island ferry at eight A.M. Cod fishing is the object of the trip. The Clinton Athletic Club will hold its first annual games on the grounds in Sackett street, between Henry and Clinton streets, Brooklyn. Games begin attwo P.M. There will be walks, runs, jumps, ham- mer throwings and @ tug of war. The so-called “Pig Skin Club” will mect just above Fort Washington at ten o'clock, to enjoy a hunt. One of the riders will be chased from Fort George acros@ the imcadows to Kingsbridge. A grand foot ball tournament will be held at Seton Hall College, New Jersey. Company ‘Twenty-second regiment, N.G.8.N.Y.. will shoot at Creedmoor tor the officers’ cup; distance, 900 and 500 yards. This prize is shot for annual! Two handsome medals have 0 been o1 private of the company, and will be shot for, one at 100 and 150 yards, and the other at 300 and 400 yards, ‘The patients of Bellevue Hospital will be regaled with poultry and a variety of Ne open for dinner. In the afternoon apples, lemonade and cakes will be given to all the patients and employés. In the even- ing the Warden will give them a concert or musical entertainment, at which Miles. Mnnier and Spicker will render several beoutiful melodies, Mr. Mabigan, organist of the Church of the Holy Innocents, will preside. ‘The managers of the New York Infant Asylum ap- peal to the charitable on behalf of their heipless charges. Aid may be sent to Mr. L. M. Bates, treas- urer, No, 451 Broadway; to the Directress, Mrs, B, H. Van Auken, No. 421 Fifth avenue, or to the Asylum at Flushing, L. 1. ‘The eyes of the newsboys and bootblacks Ie acter | in anticipation last evening when the superintendent of the sboys’ Home announced that a grand “blow-out” would be indulged in to-day. Five hun« dred pounds of turkey have been provided, besides an unlimited amount of ham sandwiches, mince pic, “plum duff” and fruit. The feast will take p! seven o'clock this evening, @ud before the dinner the boys will be addressed by 'a number of distinguished gentlemen. It is said that last year, when the speeches came after dinner, the superintendent had to lock the doors in order to compel the boys to listen to tho somewhat prosy and decidedly long speeches of their benefactors. Active preparations were being made all day yester-, day to give the prisoners in the Tombs an unusual feast to-day. Turkeys by the hundred were being made end for the oven, and the officials und aids, one ‘ng all, seemed to take a hearty pleasure in the work, f with aspect proud; HEBREW OBSERVANCES. Preparations on a yrand scale are being made for & general observance of Thanksgiving Day by the Jew- ish residents of this city. Most of the synagogues will remain m all . At the Temple Emanuel, on Fifth avenue, an claborate programme will be car- out. Eminent rabbis will detiver appropriate 8] es and # selected choir will render # number of classical seloctions. Several congregations have united aud will celebrate the day in the Forty-tourth Street Synagogue. AT THE THRATRES, Performances of an attractive nature will be given ut nearly all of the public places of entertainment in the city, both in the afternoon and evening. It is scarely necessary to do more than catalogue them as follows:—At the Union qu ‘Mother and Son;" Grand Opera House, “Yuli Standard, “Almost a Lit début of Mrs. Alfa Merrill as Julia “That Lasso’ Lowrie's Park Theatre, “The Comedy of aud Crane as the two Dromios; Brooklyn, Dion Boucicault in “The Sen Francisco Minstrels, general fun; jeneral variety; Lycown, Den Thompson as Joshua Witteomb (the last week); the Aquarium, trained horses and other noveltios; the fair at the Cathedral; at the Brooklyn Park ‘Theatre, John McCullough aa Julius Cesar and Jack Cade; Broadway, Mr. auc George Knight in “Otto, MUNICIPAL NOTES. The resolution passed by the Aldermen on Tues day permitting horses to bo driven at any rate of speed on the boulevards and thoroughfares north of 130th street, and St. Nicholas avenue above 110th street, yesterday received the signature of Mayor Kiy, ‘Tho Metropolitan Advertising Company was heard yesterday betore the Aldermante Committee on Publie Works in relation to the reqiest for permission te hang advertising signs from the public lampposts throughout the city. No coneliusion was arvived at, it is now understood around the City Hall that Mayor Ely will jeave the duty of filling the prosunt itivial vacancies to his sticcessor, Mr. Etward Uoopare.