The New York Herald Newspaper, January 30, 1879, Page 8

8 A RICH MANS PATE - How the Relatives of a Hali-Million- naire Gave Him a Surprise. JONATHAN TREMAIN WELLS’ HISTORY. — Foity Years of Penurious Toil Closed by a Lunacy Commission. More than furty years ago an active, stirring, suc- Peusful business man hoisted a plain board sign on the front of No. 117 Maiden lane ou which was Painted “J, T. Wells.” In a loft of that building Mr, Wells accumulated bonds, cash, Hxaaups, Jribuncs, Expresses, old straw hats and a fortune of half a million dollars; and there he remained until the day before yesterday, when,'on endeavoring to enter his place of business, he found the old fastenings bad Deen forced apart, and a brass padlock prevented his opening the door, Thunderstruck and alarmed, he Staggered into the office of # gentleman xdjoiniug, and, with the burden of seventy-nine years upon his shoulders, sank exhausted in a chair, Shortly a‘ter this a great crowd gathered about the outer door, und as box after box was brought out aud put upon a cart it was rumored that officers had taken possession of the old man’s effects, and that scores of thousands of dollars were being carried off to a place of safety, and that the pitiful remnant of the old time ‘J. I. Wells” was.to be sdht at once to a retreat for the care of the insane. The locum tenens in which Mr, Wells made the greater part of a very large fortune is on the first floor of one of the oldest buildings on Maiden lane, and is simply one long loft, extending through to Thames strect. In it aro two desks and several safes, one of which is the old-fashioned kind, with imitation knob-bolts on the front, long boxes’ filled with. straw hats, fashion- able thirty years ago; bundles of Hxnatps, Tribunes and Expresses, as far back as 1840, and on to date, On the desk used by the occupant every day ‘was a copy of the Hematp of 1860 and one of the Bz press of 1855. No antiquated room familiar to the readers of Dickens looked more odd. There was no carpet on the floor, no curtains go the windows, no lump or gus fixture, no stove, no chair of comfort. It looks like an old, unused garret in which the lum- ber of long ago has been covered with cobwebs and is thick with dust. The long boxes, in which are dozens of hats, look like coffins ina vault. Appa- rently they have rested undisturbed for years, and it is probable their contents haye never been brought to light. The fastenings on the door were of the most ordinary kind. Any one with a chisel or a hammer could have found access with ease, and now that it is known that there was an immense treasure there it is a wonder that the old man was not robbed of all he had years ago. ‘ WHO Is MR, WELLS? In all the forty years of his occupancy of the loft Mr. Wells never had a fire. In the coldest weather he sat and worked, wrote, kept his books with mar- Yellous neatness and correctness, made and saved, invested and tucked away, but never spent. His neighbors thirty years ago considered him a careful Dusiness man, though a trifle eccentric; his neigh- bors to-day consider him a miser, with a strange tone of secretiveness, an utter abnegation of self in all that makes life comfortable or even endurable, but withal a pleasant, inoffensive, well-meaning man, On the books the name of Jonathan Tremain Wells stood with the best. His word was as good as his Yond and his bond was as good as gold. It was known that he owned real estate in Now York and Connecticut, that he had considerable inter- est in railroads, that he was an investor in mines and that he long ago put money in a ship canal scheme. As years rolled on the eccentricities of the lonely man became habits, He was the lust of five sbns, no one of whom ever married. He was not & woman hater, still less agyoman lover. He spent nothing on himself, became more and more ,penuri- ousas he grew older and grudged every cent he was compelled to pay out. So far as was known he had no relatives, but it was noticed that hard characters occasionally called to see him. This attracted the at- tention of his neighbors, and oné of them on several Ovcasions took the trouble to follow suspicious look- ing people up the stairs and to give by his suggestive presence a hint that the old man was not unpro- tected. During the present winter Mr. Wells has made himself unusually neighborly with other occu- ants of the building, Nos. 115-117, and often went ato the office of Mr. Alden 8. Swan to warm him- self. At times his memory scemed impaired, but his head was clear and all his faculties as they should be. enty-five years ago Mr. Wells took board in No. odhuil street, Brooklyn, with Miss Sophia H. Ruckel, and there, in the same room, he has re- maine ways methodical and careful in his personul expenses, as he got older his care be- came parsimony. It was difficult to induce him to purchase necessary clothing, and under would he spend a cent tor personal enjc other boarders respected his qualities ot head, and while there was nothing especially attractive in his quanner he made many friends. His anaint expres- ious and practical suggestions were peculiarly entertaining, and in fact outside of business angl oftice dealings he was simply a quiet, upobtrusive, queer old man, Recently his landiady and his fellow boarders noticed a change in his manner, He was never over careful in dress, but of late his carelessness became marked. His memory, too, seemed wavering, and his personal habits subjected the people in the house to considerable annoyance, THE PROCEEDINGS. Suddenly and without warning to him proceedin were brought before Judge Jasper E. Gilbert, of the Sapreme Court, in Brooklyn, and on the petition of Kumuel D. Clapp said to be second cousin of Mr. Wells, backed by affidavits ‘made by Roswell G. Rolston, sident of the Farmers’ Loan and Trust Company; G. P. Fish, secretary of the sume; A. N. Smith, teller of the Union National Bank; George E. Kibley; Miss Sophia E. Ruckel, his landlady; Joseph ¥. Clueke and D. H. Gray, a commission to inquire ) the mental conditio: Mr. Wells, was ordered, Judge Gilbert designate ederick A. Ward, a law; (formerly a partner of the late ¢. Jenks), Di id r. Daniel £ . & physician in Brooklyn, and Charles ‘A. Townsend, a gentleman prominent in the social cir cles of Lity of Churches as the commission, and they will sit as such next week. On Thursday last, ason not ascertainable at present, but ely has connection with apprehensions ent destruction of account books, Mr. Bibley, a lawyer at No. 54 Wall street, a second cousin of Mr. Wells, weht before for some relief. udge Gilbert and asked Judge Gilbart suggested that a re- as to the sanity or insanity of Mr. t the suggestion of Mr. Sibley, who said tives, appointed Adrian . 54 Wall stro 80 8 ident of the Mereautile % Vansinderes was promptly ve bonds in $50,000, with Fraukiin and i. W. Coriies as bondsmen, who were by Judge t. «with the authority of the Supreme Court, companied by Mr. Sibley, Mr. Vansindcren went to the old man’s office, It was fastened but the e ‘t blows of @ lockamith soon opened it, ands ight was disclosed, Coflin like boxes lvomed Up in the dark distance, « huge rat scampered over a dusty pile of ancient Henatps, dark safes, covered with dirt, stood armed like sentinels and @ general fimosplerc of neglee® and squalor pervaded the pb! iring, the receiver directed the smith to new brass padlock, ot which he took the The next day he galled again with a retinue 1 Mile. Jarbeau sings of in “Pina “Klis sisters and his cousins and his aunts,” jally his cousins, whom be numbers by the He tound the poor old man in the hospita Mr. Swan's office. Lhe receiver isa ide-whiskered man, with @ ther wou the old mari r very iittle talk he gave up the Meantime it was bruited about nye was goin oin No. 115 and t the door, and expressions of jguntion wand dixguat were freely made, WHAT WAS FOUND, evur may be the result of the lunacy commis- i evident that Mr. Wells ut on dozens. aorowd sympathy, hau ers, bonds, coups tered here and there, les of bouds were found, a of debt, A chock for uy evide «und drawo to his order on the 10th of January, wos tocud between the loaves of a book, The lott is the 1 desi rewreat of a miserly re cise, utterly unprotected against intruders, Any burglar could” have gotten in as easily ws the receiver did and might have car- tied off thousands of dollars’ we of property a bo one be the wi Vousinderen was perfectly estou Me xl his assistants to take the papers froin the sates, box them up and carry them i, ned to Me. Wells that it was to his ine his done avd the old man seemed sat. isfied, The receiver asked him if he had eofwnited his counsel, but Mr. Wells was so bewildered by the suddenivss of the assault aud the absolute impo- toncy of his protest that he yave uo coherent answer. Aiter Mr, Vansinderen, the lawyers, the cousins and, the crowd bad yome and the away his efvcts Me. Wells tottered into Mr, Swan's office aud sat down perfectly exhausted, “Cheer up, old triend,”’ said his host. *You'll be all right, What's the matter ?”” “Oh, they say I can’t attend to my own affuirs.”” “Oh, that’s nonsense. See your lawyer. Here, I'll send my man along with you.” “Not now; I'll see him to-morrow. Dut, say, isa't it a little strange? I had wit enough to make my ey and sense enough to keep it, and etill I cn't the ability to hold on to it till I die,” hh, the courts will put you all right, and it won't Just ag oe “Oh, I don't know, I don’t know,” said the old man, and, ring himself together, he went to the entry, looked sadly at the new brass padlock on the door and feobly passed down the stairs, home- ward bound, For some reason, said to be fear that books of account, checks and other business testimony: will be concealed or destroyea, at the petition of Mr. Sibley an injunction bas been ted aud served on the several banks where Mr, Wells dealt, aud also on his counsel, Messrs. Crosby & Kent, of No. 20 Nassau street. WHAT TRE RECEIVER SxS. ‘The receiver sat in his easy chair and regarded the question with undisguised astonishment, when he ik with you # moment concerning Br, Wells, J.T, 7” Removing his glasses, the lawyer regarded tho questioncr with increased amazement, and then, after lee closing the door, said, “Certainly, certainly. ‘hat do you care to know ?"” «What is your connection with the Wells matter.?” “Only that Lam the receiver of his estate.” “Tsn't it rather strange to appoiut a receiver while proceedings in lunacy are pending?” “Under ordinary circumstances it is, but there scem to be peculiar reasons why this shouid be made an exception.” 4 “How were you chosen?” “Mr. Sibley, the petitioner, is a lawyer in this building. He asked it I would serve, After declining, I consented, and, being appointed, gave the demanded bonds.”" “Have you seen Mr. Wells?” “Yes, ‘The morning I was appointed I conceived it tobe my duty to examine the premises. Ihad the locksmith open the door. It needed a glance to see the necessity of something radical. Next day I met Mr, Wells, got his keys and opened his safes and drawers, I found everything in confusion and evi- dences of an unsettled mind everywhere, I told him I must take the things to's safe place, He consented, I felt sorry for him and asked if he had consulted is lawyer, He said he had, then that be had not, then that he hadtjust left him and had another ap- pointment in the afternoon. I could yet no idea of what he had, none of where his property was, His money and valuables were exposed in unsafe places, aud T wonder he was not robbed long ago of all he c it is said you are a partner of Mr. Sibley?” [hat’s not so, He has an office here, that’s all.” nd that you made his brother the uccountant?”’ “His brother was my accountant in the suit against Tilden and others, and I found him so useful that 1 put this in his hanUs, as a matter of course.” “Do you consider Mr. Wells # lunatic?” “{ decline to answer that. He does not talk ration- ally or connectedly. He contradicts himself continu- ally, and as this proceeding is in friendly hands and ES id best interests I regard it as benevolent and ind.” WHAT THE SECOND COUSIN SAYS. Just here the conversation was iyterrupted by the hurried entrance of a white bearded individual with a tall hat and something on his mind. ‘This,” suid the bland receiver, “if Mr. Sibley, the lawyer and second cousin.” Mr, Sibley bowed, and sat on a box full of the old mun’s deeds, “What was your motive, Mr. Sibley, in putting Mr. Wells in this position?” “Woll,”’ suid he, as he pushed back his tall hat and smiled through his beard, “I'll tell you, and if I could tell you all you'd be suprised. As it is you'll be interested. In the first place Mr. Wells—he always calls me George, and I’ve known him always— was once in the straw business, He never married, He was the last of five sons, each ot whom. a “Yes, I know; but how came you to think of the lunacy’ proceedings?” ell, as I was saying, none of the five sons ever married, Mr. Wells, who is very fond of me (al- thongh I am a sceoad cousin, and my wife is too, I don’t see how Ican be benefitted a cent by his prop- erty, even under the State laws), was in the straw line and ie made money very fast. tle is a regular miser. You've no idea of his peculiurities. We don't mean to let him suffer. He shall have the same home he's always had. Why, Miss Ruckel is as kind to him as if he was her father, He lives pleasantly there and all the Ruckels are very good to him.” “Did you hear from them anything of his habits?” “Well, Mr. Rolston, President ot the Farmers’ Loun and Trust Company, gave me un idea that Mr. Wells, who was a triend aud dealer in the bank, ought to be cared for, I knew then of no ueur rela- tive of Mr. Wells; but in Elizabeth, N. J., there lives ung man named Clapp——"’ ‘What business ?” ‘He’s a travelling salesman when he works. He's a second cousin, and he made the petition. We don’t propose any harm to Mr. Wells, but he doesa’t know ow to take care of himself. A's for his property, he it is.” “He scems to think he doe: “That makes no difference. There's an inside his- tory to all this, and sooner or later we wit eae a systematic scheme to rob this old imun of all his property. His check books show extraordinary re- ceipts und outlays. He has bought all sorts and kinds of property, all manner of good-for-nothing bonds—Portage Lake bonds, Ship Canal bonds and a perfect raft of Cuban bonds. usked Mr, Wells where his other bonds were. He thought they were in the bank, but they are not. Where they are he doesn’t know.” . “How about his relatives?” “It seems I was mistaken when I said he had none. He has relatives in Connecticut by the name of ‘Latt, but they are now in harmony with us. We shall not send him toa lunatic asylum, Hecan have the home he has iad for twenty-five years, He is a it care and burden to Miss Ruckel, but she likes him and is willing to keep him. ‘The fact is the old man’g gone, We are backed by tirst class men in all we hav@ done, and when I left Wells this morning ho was the happiest — living.’ “Can he have what he wants to spend?” “He nevor spends a cent. When he hurt his finger he wouldn't CAS fifty cents for a bottle of medi- cine, because he thought he could work it through a wholesale druggist for twenty-five cents.” Yan he have what he wants to spend ?”* “Why, certainly. He'll be well cared for, but we can’t find his bonds. The registered bonds are all right, but there are others. He is worth half a million dollars.” id he mal doesn’t know where it is or whi nd, now he’s yone, who are his counsel?” | “Crosby & Kent were, but an injunction was served on them as well as adi ihe rest.” WHAT HIS COUNSEL SAYS. ‘The clegant ofticgs of Messts. Crosby & Kent were thronged yesterday morning, but the Hxnratp repre- sentative found speedy audience with Mr. Kent, whose Byronic make-up is as near a fac-simile of the late lamented poet as one can fiud in a whole year’s walk. Ln response to a question he said:—"Yes, we wre Mr, Wells’ lawyers, and propose to take early proceedings in his case 7" “Do you consider him crazy?” “Weil, whatever impression he may make in ordi- nary conversation, it wouldn't be safe for youto do business with Lim on that supposition.” “Then he understands the value of his money?” Howes it poate to have. bi “How was it possible ve his property put in irene = 4 receiver?” tata: “It-was done, as always, on an ex parte hearing.” nd could badone to any one?” 44 ‘Certainly.”* “When did you last see Mr. Weils?” 3 “The day the receiver called on him.” “Was be straight?” ‘6 “When do you moving?” “At an early day? oe NOT" “And what? “We havo uot decided whether to move for a re- moval of the receiver or to meet them on the iain issue of lunsey. I think it will prove a dificult tack to show that the old mau, queer and ccventric as he Unquestionably is, cannot take good care of the prop- erty he accumulated so cavetully.” “Has he relatives 7’ “L eco thoy «wear he has none, but they are mis- taken. has, and very near ones wo.” BAR.” A hearing was given yosterday by Police Com- mixsioner Erhardt, in tho cases of a number of officers of the department against whom charges had been preferred. Among those who wero called upon to answer was Putrolinan Andrew Kelly, who, according to the story of a roundsmarf, passed sov- eral minutes within the precincts of a liquor store on his beat. The roundsman further stated that Kelly did not come out the same way he had entered the saloon, but « ed from the doorway ot a house about six doors below. policeman called as @ witness in his own behalf a youth of unmistak- Celtic origin. ‘What ia your business ?” was the first question asked by the Commissioner. rindin’ bar, sir, Your Honor,” was the answer, What do you know of this charge?” “Well, sir, alb I know of the case is that TI was tindin’ bar wan day, a few wakes since, and whin I wus fixin’ up «bit of the cratur, Kelly comes in to me, aud he ses, ‘Was l in here a while ago?’ ‘No,’ sea I, ‘you was not. Why? ses L. ‘Weil,’ ses he, ‘there ia # man thet sos 1 waa in here, aad he's yoing to make a complaint agin’ me.’ ‘Och,’ ses I, ‘if that’s all, its meselt that'll swear like the divil for you, be- enuse T know you wasnt here at all. And here Tam, Your Honor, and I’ve told you the whole of it.” Commissioner Erhardt instructed the witness to nd as he walked out of the trial room he Ja moment and whispered in the ear of the “{INDIN' 3 And maybe he did, for decision was reserved, HARRY HOWARD SQUARE. ‘The city authorities have placed handsome signs on the corners of the property on this triangular square, It is lveated on a hill midway between Broadway and the Bowery, aud ix bonuded by Caual, Walker | Sad Mulberry etweute, BRAZIL, TUL GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO AID THE SCHEM- ING BANKRUPT PLANTERS-—-ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE A DAY DYING OF SMALLPOX IN CEARA—THE MADEILA RAILWAY LABORERS RETURNING TO’ THE UNITED STATES, Ruo Janemo, Jan, 5, 1879. ‘The goverument continues to keep the Legislature in suspense in regard to the measures it purposes bringing forward to assist the planters and for other objects. Ax in the budget a credit was asked for a guarantee of interest and annual redemption of land bank interest-bearing potes, called here “hypothe- cary bills,” it was supposed that the government would promote the formation of banks of loan on mortgage and guarantee their issues, in accord- ance with a law passed in 1875. On the 3d, however, the Minister of Finance pro- nounced in the strongest terms against such & measure, characterized it as a scheme for bolstering up bankrupt and spendthrift planters at the cost of the nation, declared agaiust any policy which* would involve the government in banking directly or indirectly, dnd said that the ‘only legitimate way to assist the planters lay in the con- struction of rogyis and railroads, which were for the general advantage. This uncompromising language, although it has completely upset the preconceived ideas formed as to the policy of the government, has proved very acceptable to the commercial classes, whose dread of the consequences of throwing 100,000,000 or 150,000,000 milreis more paper currency on the country in the shape of “hypothecary bills’ were allayod only by the well founded belief that no foreign capitalist could be found to enter upon so dangerous & business as to advance loans at long dates upon the rottenest security in Brazil—its plantations—rotteu by their complete de pendence upon slavery, and doubly rotten from the venality of the judiciary, which renders the collec- tion of a debt from an influential planter an impossi- bility. His Excellency, moreover, has agreeably sur- prised them by a recent reversal of the financial policy he announced at the beginning of his adminis- tration, as, apparently enti ‘tend on the currency question by the continuous depreciation pt the paper money--now ut twenty-five per cent discount—he issued only 32,000,000 milreis of the 60,000,000 he pro- pored to issue, and has just negotiated a saic of 40,000,000 of six per cent currency bonds for the pur- pose of avoiding the need of issuing more “paper money, aud of funding @ part of what has been emitied. ‘This sale has been made at par and it indi- cates that he has abandoned the intention he ap- peared to have to reduce the interest on bonds to five percent. No further sale is to be made before the end of January, 1880. ENGLIQH CAPITALISTS REPULSED, Mr. Richard Harris, the negotiator of the Bolivian bondholders of London, arrived here on the 30th of December on a mission to obtain trom the Braziiian government abandonment of the Madeira und Ma- moré Railroad enterprise and consent to the release of the fund in London, to permit its division among . the bondholders in the same way as he last year negotiated with the Bolivian government, in a mis- sion which cost the bondholders £25,000 in Mr. Har- rin’ expenses and in secret service money. He has had an interview with the Minister of Agriculture, who, however, at once declared to him that his mis- sion was utterly useless, as the present Cabinct was resolved on carrying out the policy of its predecessor in regard to the enterprise and to support it in ever; way inits power. AMERICAN LABORERS LEAVING, ‘The bill guaranteeing seven per cent interest on £400,000 additional capital, which is at its last read- ing, is expected to pass early in the week. ‘The last news from the railroad was that 200 of the laborers had abandoned it and gone io Para, because Messrs. Collins, not being able to get payinent for the works and material certitied by the company’s enginecrs, were unable to keep up supplies of food. We also hear that, in consequence, the President of Amazonas’ had gone up to the works and declared to the work- men that the province would furnish their food and wages until the contractors could make their ar- rangements. But the men left for the coast. A DREADFUL DISEASE. ‘The accounts from the Northeast rovinces con- tinue to be of increasing famine and of decimation of their unhappy population by smallpox, 1,000 a day dying at Ceara alone. In Rio the general health is improving, but cases of sporadic yellow fever have become more frequent, as the weather has been very hot of late. A SUBSIDY FOR AN AMERICAN STEAMSHIP CoM- PANY, PERNAMBUCO, Jan. 10, 1879. . The Diario de Pernambuco of yesterday publishes the following telegram, received from Rio:— Rio, Jan. 8, 1879. Yesterday, in the Chamber of Deputies, tho pro- ject conceding the subsidy ‘of $200,000 to the line of steamers between the United States arid Brazil was approved in the third discussion. ARRESTED IN BRAZIL, A ONCE PROMINENT BUSINESS MAN OF WILKES- BARRE, PA., CHABGED WITH FOLGERY—HIS PLIGHT, TRAVELS AND CAPTURE. ‘The steamer City of Para, which left Rio Janeiro on the bth inst., brought to these shores yesterday afternoon a prisoner named Thomas D. Conyngham, formerly well known asa prominent business man of Wilkesbarre, Pa, He was in charge of Detective P. Golding, of the Metropolitan Police, who arrested him in Rio Janeiro, AN ALLEGED FORGER, It will be remembered that Conyngham abeconded from Wilkesbarre in August, 1877, when accused of forgerics amounting to something like $250,000, He is a son of the late Judge Conyngham, and up to the hour of the discovery of his alleged crimes was held in high esteem by all who knew him. His arrest was brought about at the instance of the president and offi- cers of the Second National Bank of Wilkesbarre. The forgerios were perpetrated on notes against parties in New Haven, Cotin.; New Jersey, Philadelphia, Potisyille and other places, What Conyng- ham did with the money does not appear, but it is believed that $70,000 of it was invested in a Haytian banking scheme planned by a person then known as Lazar,who hus since turned out to be a Spanish Jew called Lazarus. There is some speculation atlout as to whether the lavish use of the pardoning power by ne State authorities of Pennsyivania may not have had something to do + with Conynghain’s return as a prisover, «How did the prisoner behave?’ usked the reporter of an influential cabin passenger on the Para, “What prisoner?” asked the surprised passenger. “Way, Conynghaig; the man accused of forgery.” “You do not mean to tell me that ——" ‘The astonished travelicr having inspected a news- paper which convinced him that Conyagham was un- der arrest said:—“Why, ho sat near me at the table aud is a most gentlemanly man. No one on bourd suspected that he was a prisoncr. Who has him in clusrge? “Detective Golding; the man whom you see stand- ing near him.” “Golding—that’s Major Golding; Mr. Conyngham always called hima major, LInoticed that he did not like it though, and now understand the reason.” Detective Golding, who is a low sized man of ap- parently herculedh strength, said, upon being spoken hat is Mr. Conyngham over the: but don’t him now, He is athorough gentleman, and 1 do not want to have his teclings wounded, He will inake no stateinent; neither wili Ll, Weare going to Police Headquarters and expect to ba there about ave o'clock. I can't teil you a word more.” ‘THE PRISONER, ‘The detective having said this much he and the re- porter op roached Conyngham, who was standing with his back to the port gunwall, near the shrouds, conversing with a man said to be his brother. Co- uyngham 1s about fitty years old, cousiderably above the medium ete and large in proportion. He was dressed in a well cut, fashionably made suit, a black overcoat and drab colored pautaloous. His gaiters were particularly natty and his linen immaculate. His face is a strong one, the features large, well chiselled and decided in tone. His hair is gray and closely cut; he wears ® mustache and goatee of amber and gray tints, and has a clear, ton a blue eye over- rows. Meeting him on arched by rather bushy Broad street, the beholder would be likely to class bin coon the well-to-lo members of the Stock or Goid boards. ‘Lo a question ho replied;.—"No, there is notanything that I care to Lg What could a man in my position say that would serve him? We had 4 pleasant passage here, ‘The fare was yood and “ officers did their best to make everyone comfort able.” ‘The prisoner raised his hand, stroked his goatee and motioned an adieu while he turned to the man with the troubled countenance who stood near him. CONYNGHAM’S TRAVELS, Although neither Conyngham nor the detective would say anything about their interesting travels, their jnniettings through foreign lands are not quite unknown, cette eee wheu he lett Wilkesbarre made his way to don and then to Paris. After doing 4 portion of the continent west of the Pyrenees he doubled, like reynard, on his own steps, returned to London and embarked for Mar- seiiles. From this port he went up the Medi nean to Minorea, whore he had # cousin residing, with whose husband ho stopped, From the Balearic Isles ho went to Spain, At Lisbon he conceived the idea of visiting South America, and took the steamer there for Callao, in Peru, © ho arrived in due course and where he remained nearly a year, ON THE TRAIL, About this time—some six or eight months ago— Detective Golding comes on the scene, Some one, at present unknown, put him on the scent, the au- thorities in Mulberry street gave a permissive nod ands significant wink, and away posted the rept sentative of the Mutropolitan Police force bound tlso NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 1879.-TRIPLE SHEET. for Peru, Com Atlantic coast of ARRESTED IN RIO JANELLO. He sailed through the Straits of Magellan and came in a small German steamer to Montevid in the Argentine Republic. Golding, who had found his man in Peru, but could not touch, in the al of an extradition treaty between that country and the United States, kept on his track, leaving Callao last October, bound for the same destination as the man whoni he was shadowing. Conyngham reached Rio Janeiro some time in the latter part of last No- vember, The deteetive pounced upon him; he was extradited, and taken to this country. ham thought he would visit the ‘he South American continent, A DEPLORABLE PLIGHT.” THE MEN WHO WENT TO BRAZIL TO BUILD THE MADEIRA AND MAMORE BAILROAD—RETURN- ING HOME PENNILESS AND ILL, ‘The steamer City of Para, of the Brazilian line, ar- rived at this port yesterday from Rio, bringing among her passengers from Para 100 men who, by their appearance, gave indisputable proofs of the hardships and sutfering through which they hat passed, Thoy were mechanics and laborers who had gone from this country in the employ of Messrs, Collins Brothers, of Philadelphia, to engage in the work of building the Mudeira and Mamore Railroad, of Brazil. As they appeared yesterday they werea set of cadaverous, bilious meu, who had evidently once been stalwart and fine looking, and whose hats, clothing, beards and skin had fated under the tropi. cal sun alinost to the same color—a yellow brown. ‘They were all penuiless, or nearly so, but scemed, even in their destitute condition, to. be overjoyed at getting bo near home as New York. ‘THE ENGINEER'S NARRATIVE, As the steamer lay at Roborts’ stores in Brooklyn a Henan reporter received an account of their ex- perience from the principal man among them, Mr. O, ¥. Nichols, of Brooklyn, who was resident engineer of the railroad in construction. The workmen, by their words as well as their looks, confirmed his story, so fur as they knew the particulars. Mr, Nichols said:—'There is no question that the export ot North American workmen to South America has proved a failure this time, even independently of the unfortunate chain of circumstances which brings us home in such aplight. The climate, the food and the habits of life iu South America wore all entirely strange to the men, and they were unable to accustom themselves to them. In consequence many of them sickened and some died, ‘They were paid for their labor in certificates of indebteduess, which have not yet been redeemed by Messrs, Collins Brothers on ac- count of the English chancery suit which has stopped the construction of the road.” “How was that?” asked the reporter. “I went out from Brooklyn last February,” re- plicd Mr. Nichols, “to represent the English’ com- pany, wh: then had the construction of the goad in hand. This company issued construction bouds to the amount of $4,000,000, some of which were taken up by English caplenlists; and, as the roud passes, or is to pass through Bolivia, the Bolivian government parr the payment of the interest on the bonds, When the interest came due, however, it was not paid, either by the company or by the Bolivian gov- ernment, and a suit in chancery was brought in Eng- land by the bondholders to force a return of the amount they had subscribed to the fund, they alleging that the rosd could not be built. ‘Shis suit was decided adversely to the claimants, and’ another suit was at once brought in the same inter- est, different persons being made partics to it. ‘This also was decided in favor of the English company, and then, the way being supposed to be clear, Messrs, Colfius Brothers undertook the contract. ‘They went in in good faith, being assured By, hog te Juwyers that thoy were in no danger of further litigation, aud they put $800,000 into the enterprise, recviving for a portion cf the money certificates trom mo of the work already done, for which they are accordingly entitled to pay out of the fund whieh is now again in chancery. AND YET ANOTHER. “A third suit was begun a short time ago, similar to the two alroudy docided, and pending the decision of this one, which is to come Up on the 14th prox., Shanwe employed by Collins Brothers remain un- paid. “Seven hundred of these men went out and those who have just returned make 300 who have found their way back. ‘They were working under a six months’ contract and have received uo pay beyond their keep, excepting in the shape of certificates. ‘The money trom which they expect their puy, being the sum due to Collins Brothers on certificates trom the nulisly company, will, so the English lawyers say, be rele’ from chancery by the result of the pending suit; or, if this third suit should result un- like the other two, the amount advanced by Collins Brothers must in any event be returned to them, so the men will undoubtedly receive their pay. SEARVING IN PARA. “When the men’s time expired they wore at San Antonio, where about one hundred and titty Ameri- can and four hundred and fitty Brazilian workmen still remain. The others made their way to Pura, whore they stayed for some time in a destitute con: dition. Collins’ agent at Para w:s found to be with- out funds, and foratime the men were threatencd with starvation. ‘There was no work for them and they must inevitably have suffered, poroane died, it some of the charitably disposed cit: 8 of Para had not come to the rescue. They put their hands in their pockets and established a soup house, where the men got one meala day. It was not sumptuous liy- ing, but it was enough to support life, and on th's they got ey he best they could, hoping for some chance to get home. There was no-chance for some time; but their story in some way came te the cars of Mr. Roach, who telegraphed to Pernambuco to pring hg home, which Captain Carpenter accord- ig id,” , Nichols said further that the Madeira and Mamore Railroad would, he thought, eventual; built, thongh the experiment of trying to build it with North American labor was a failure. THE VENEZUELA REVOLUTION. GUZMAN BLANCO PROCLAIMED— STRONG PARTISANS IN OPPOSITION TO ZHE GOVERNMEN’, Sx, Tuomas, Jan. 22, 1879. ‘The Hadji, from Venezuela January 11 (La Guiria), arrived here to-day and brings the following informa- tion :—This steamer was not allowed to go to Puerto Cabello, which port is entirely in the hands of the revolutionists, the castle, or citadel, having been sur- rendered to them on the 9th iust. The chief of the revolution at Puerto Cabello is General Coderes, who has proclaimed Guzman Blsnco. Barcelona had also declared against the government. Some six hundred men were sent from Caracas to the relict of Puerto Cabello. They were met by the revolutionists and defeated, numbers having pre- viously deserted. Generals Polledo and Ayala made a demonstration against the governinent at Caracas on the sth, but were repulsed. It is reported that they, too, have joined the revolutiouists. A son of Genera! Polledo, who lately went from here, was im- risoned on landing. Guzman Blanco is to leave urope February 1, to be in Puerto Cabello on the 24th of Februar, EXPORT BONDS, ‘The following order relating to the extension of ex- port bonds was received yesterday by the Collector of the Port:— ‘Tueasony Derantaxyt, Wasitxuroy, dua. as, 1900. $ To Courectons oF Customs axv Orasns’ Article 706 of the customs regulations of this depart mont, sep tol ischarge of export bonds, is hereby modilied by the addition of the following instructions :— ‘On the application under oath of the principal for un ex tension of any bond conditioned for the prox certitieate of the landing of am dive abroud unde estublished by this department, the coll taking the bond ma 1 to re for a period atter its maturity equal te for which It was originally given, pro} suretics eswont in Writing and continue responsible, and that evidence be presented under oath showing that due elfort has beeg maue to potiety ise conditions. | Hy under, H. F, YRENCH, Assistant Secretary. RUMOR MISTAKEN. A rumor was prevalent on Wall streot yesterday that payment of the interest on the first mortgage seven per cent bonds of tho Western Union Railway Company had been refused. This road belongs to the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway Com- pany, and is about two hundred and twelve mileg in extent, running from Racine, Wis., to Rock Island Junction, lil, To give strength to tho rumor it was said that Mr. G. A, Thomson had arrived in this country from Scotland, as the representative of the City of Glasgow Bank, for tue purpose of ctiecting some settlement, as that institution held a jarge number of the bonds. On inquiry this whole story was exploded by a member ot the banking firm ot J. 8. Kennedy & Co., who said that Mr. Thomson was here representing the liquidators of the City of Glasgow Bank, who hold large amounts of these coupon bonds, and bis only object in coming to this country was to negotiate for the sale of them. His firm has lately been in communication with the oft cers of the Western Union Railway Company, but the payment of the coupons had not been refused as alleged, and the interest did not mature until the Ist of Kebruary next, The funded debt of the Western Union Rail dh oto 8 is $4,000,000, issued in coupon bonds Ting seven per cent interest, THE PRICE OF COAL DECLINING. One hundred thousand tons of Scranton coal were sold at auction yesterday by John H. Draper, in the salesroome No. 26 Exchange place, for the Delaware, Lackawauna and Western Railroad Company. The attendance was large, but the bidding was not spir- ited, and the coal” was distributed among @ great many buyers. At the December sale, it will be re- , there Was an average decline of 70'% cents per ton, and yesterday this was still further in- ereased 204 cents per ton, Earaeren the syerage de- ~ since tho sale in last November 90% cents per on. | THE INSURANCE. PCH. Efforts For and Against the Abolition of the Department. GOVERNOR ROBINSON UNDER FIRE. Replies of Companies Whose Opinions Were Invited. —+___- It may be doubted if a bombshell of greater pro- portions than the auti-Iusurance Department sugges- tions in Governor Robinson's last message has been exploded in Albany’s political camp in ten yeurs past, It affects not only the Superintendent and all his deputies, clerks and representatives, but a host of examiners, experts and actuarics, as well as the com- panies themselves. It requires no special acumen to discover that politics and politicians are at the bot. tom of the movement against the Insurance Depart- ment, and that politics and politiciaus are also at the bottom of the counter-irritant. That tho Governor and his friends are determined to abolish the depart- ment, if possible, is a certainty; that the Fish- Sioane interest is equally determined is also clear; that some of the stronger companies are quite willing to place themselves in the ranks of the icon- oclasts seems clear. -On the other hand, it is just as patent that Superintendent Smyth is strenuously in- dorsed by Speaker Alvord, Assemblyman Knowles and many of the best companies in the State. AN ASSAULT ON THE GOVERNOR, ‘That Suporintendent Smyth does not intend to fold bis arms and abide events, but proposes to carry the war into Africa, may be seen by the followfhg extract from a specch made yesterday by Mr. Charles R. Knowles in the Assembly :— When the Executive of the State, in his annual message to the Legislature, secks to poison the mind of the legislator against one of the most deservedly Pc Mig effective and honored departments of the tate: when the Governor of this grand Common- wealth asks us to abolish «department that has accom- plished for the great insurance interest of this Stute such praiseworthy results as has the Insurance Depart- ment; when he would rob the assured of the only pro- tection they have against the irresponsible and worth- less companies that would flood the State but for the existence of this admirable preventive; when, influ- enced by personal dr party consideration or personal prejndive, the Executive, with one stroke of the pen, seeks to destroy the ese work of twenty years, then, sir, loyalty to principle, adherence to what I know to be for the very best good of all demand that I raise voice of warning nore, that inthe name of the millions of policy-holders within this State and in the interest of every sound insurance company, native or foreign, doing business within our borders, that I euter a solemn protest against the adoption’ by this body of the recommen- dation of the Governor for the abolishing of the In- surance Department. * THE GOVERNOR AND “THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.” Besides renouncing the platform of his party His Excelleney seems to have changed his own mindon the subject. There was a time when he cherished a very different opinion as to the value and wisdom of State supervision. [holdin my hand the seductive rospectus of the Widows and hans’ Benefit Lite Eisai Company. It assures the public that this company is “under the direction of @ Board of Trus- tees, coinprising the most experienced, capable and successful life insurance directors in tho United States” —a statement which I am not disposed to dis- pute, since the gentlemen s of their own rare qual- itications, and who should know better than they? First on this list of trustees, with the full decoration of the honors already accumulated, but since in- creased, I find the name of “Lucius Robinson, ex- Comptroller of the State of New York.” Glancing along the persuasive prospectus I observe that, after setting forth their own title to public trust, the next claim to confidence made by these “most experienced, capable and successful life insurance directors in the United States,’’ with Lucius Robinson at their head, is that the company was “incorporated under the wise and rigorous insurance laws of the State of New York!” oncerned, THE FIRST GUN. The first gun fired by the Superintendent in re- sponse to the Governor's recommendation that tho Insurance Department be abolished was @ circular, already published in the Hxnaxp, addressed to the various lite insurance companies, and requesting a response to the téllowing question:— Is Stato supervisign, as conducted in the’ State of Now York, @ pratection to the policy-holders, or would their interests, as well as those of solvent com- panies, be served if the various laws establishing the department were repealed and supervision abandoned, and a simple rendering of an annual statement to the Comptroller substituted in place of present require- ments? HOW IT LOOKS IN ALBANY. Desiring to ascertain the pros and cons of the matter from official sources, @ Hepatp reporter. hunted the Superintendent up in Albany. Mr. Smyth was discovered in the gloomy old basement of the State House. He seemed to be in unison with the surroundings, looking weighted with care and ner- yous, like one who focls he is the victim of a con- spiracy. Members of the Assembly and Senate made frequent visits and indulged in considerable talk about “a big lobby,” “rushing through,” &c. Piles of let- ters from various insurance companies were upon the Superintendent's desk in reply to his questions regarding the desirability of. State supervision. The contents of many of these have been published, but it has been charged that he carefully avoided giving to the press any letters adverse to a continuancé of the department. ‘On the reporter asking to see all the letters in ro- ply, Mr. Smyth directed his deputy, Mr. McCall, to “select the letters from the nfvst impdrtaut com- yanies,”’ and that gentleman did so, but he lected to furnish the leiters of the Mutual and the United States Lifo—the latter company standing almost alone in its opinion adverse to State supervision. Mr. McCall, on being asked to do so, furnished the letter which is printed below, and likewise that ot the Mutual Life refusing to give an opinion. SMYTH Vs. HAMILEON FISH, In reply to # question as to the direct incentive for the movement to abolish the department Mr. Sinyth waid : it isa personal matter. Hamilton Fish de- sires to revenge himself upon me, and I will tell you now what is ssid, It is said that Hamilton Fish, betore he accepted the nomination for Assembly, wrote mo « letter desiring to know if and atl omy iriends would support him for the Speakership. It is said that the 1; to that Jetter was very cold, It is said that at ry od ata | of the session Mr. Fish applied to me to use my intluence and that of my friends to elect Mr. Sloan Speaker, instead, of which I worked for Mr. Alvord, It is said that Mr, Fish, on discovering this, and that he would have no good places on com- mittees, declared he would ‘go for me.’ It is said that Mr. Fish has declared that so soon as the Knick- erbocker Lito Company takes answer to the resolu- pe calling for information that he will attack me on sat. “Did Mr. Nichols, president of the Knickerboéker Life Company, work for Alverd?” “Yes, he did, and that’s where he made avery great mistake, He never should have come up here at to Now they propose to fight me on ort.” 4 But why is it assumed now that the report wil) be certainly untavorable 2?” “I don't know why; but they seem to think so.” ME INTENDS TO STICK. In Mr. Smyth's circular letter to the insurance con) he suid that if the Cas yo J ‘were op- posed to State supervisions he would rosign, and the reporter inquired how he interpreted the answers, “Why, they like it,”? said Mr. Smyth. “That's what they all say, andl am going to stick. Ishgll be here until next December, sere. T suppose they will pass the bill, for they have got # mighty big lobby up here at work.” . “Who are they ?’” “Lhe big conipanies.”* ‘But if the big companics all like State super- eae why are they speuding money to get rid of it?” “Well, one big concern is doing it.” “Aro you not aware, Mr. Smyth,” aeked the ro- porter, “thatit i» the ge belief that no insur- wnce company dares to express its real sentiments for fear ot your cd The Superintendent get and said, “That's all nonsense, Why, imany of these companies are worth millions and are in splendid condition, and need have no sort of fear of this department, and yet they nearly all approve of it.” ~ Mr, Smyth said that the State Comptroller could not conduct the affairs of his department or give any such attention to tho insurance business as it re- re- uires. He suid he had a hiet nearl; ‘or distribution which Produtained ai ie, views” in regard to State supervision and the action of Governor Robinson. This pamphlet is the report of. the speceh made by Assembly nian Knowles, and is evidently the joint production of that gentleman and Mr. Smyth, AT LAST, THK LETTERS, “Now then, Mr. Smyth, can the HumaLp have the lettcrs in response to your circular?” “Certainly it cau. Ten they are.” THE MUTUAL Live DI ES TO ANKWER, Mutvat Lire Insunan PANY OF New Yorum Hon, Jon F. Saviit y DrAR Sine. 18th inst. ype to the last mos tho State, in whi he ree 8 tho Insurance Department the partof the Somenay wou, tod ot and req ing & response on in. approval or disnpprovel i tml | recommend leas been duly re westion — presgn is ao important (hat ort fe he od oF Mitel? w ex, opinion of fp eompeny, pect to it with: consideration nor until It shall fe boen to and disenswed by the of Truss Wo will, therefore, lay your communivation lore our Board at ite movtlig, to beheldow the lvth of February next, and will we prea sbject._ Tm the Jptowrn yon of thelr cation co, He Stl Winnie OPINIONS PRO AND CON. The Equitable, New York, W. and Man- hattan, as well as other life companies, have been heard from aud favor the system of supervision now companies, the ‘ire, the Nisgara, Continental give in existence. Of the American fire Williamsburg City, the American F Glen’s Falls, Pacific, Home and favorable answers, ‘The Royal Canadian thinks the Aapesimeees ought to be abolished, and the Superintendent said he was not surprised at that, for he made the company pul up $100,000 extra. "fhe Phenix Company is of the opinion that the in- surance business would be better served by placing it on the sume footing as all other basiness—namely, “Eyery company to stand or fall upon its own merits, State supervision enables a great ‘many companies to secure & standing and credit in the community that they could not do if they had to de} upon their own exertions independent of the department.’ ‘The German-American Insurance Company believes that supervision is all right, so tar as ‘the assets and liabilities are concerned, As to all other matters re- quired in statements we do not believe they are any advantage either to policy holders or to the State, but, on the contrary, are an unnecessary exposé of the private «ffuirs of the company, which should be known only to stockholders," ‘Lhe London Assurance Corporation, Liverpool and London and Globe, British American Insurance, Commercial Union, Luoperial and Nortiern, a Royal all believe that the Insurance Department would be « protection to policy holders and regard its abolition unfavorably. \REPLY OF THE UNITED STATES LIVE. ‘New York, Jan, 22, 1879, med favor, ynder date of the 16th ico during my tethporary absence on ac. i have received an curlier re. ply. Yours under date of the 2ist inst. ne to-day, and } fidsten to reply. Iam not one of those who believe in a pa: ternal government system. Could we always be sure ot having the right ‘man in the right place it might In some Tospects be advantageous, in other ot, im my judgment. Twas once buying some’ faney fish aud asked the vender ow I should feed thom, Ho was evidently an illiterate understood fish better than 1 did, and looks up to smiled at my ignorance and said, A tish can hisself better than any one can feed him.” Tt occurred tc me that he was a political eeonomist, although an igaorant o could Instruct many of our law Inakers to ad. vantage, The Insurance Department of this State, as ad- ministered by the present incumbent and his predecessor, hus dong ‘officiont and profitable service, not only for thé public, but also for the solvent corporations under their care, Sut What shall wo say wbout sume of their predeces- sorst .In our judgment there should be some State super vision somewhat similar to thut oxereised by the Bankin Departnent over banks, For instance, if the Superintend- ent should call upon the insurance ‘companies, at leust ‘seven or more tim year, for a Qvtailed statement of their condition, up certain past date that he might, in his diseretion select, and if upon examination of their re- port, rendered in pursuance thereof, he should find any- thing unsatisfactory in such report, it whole or in detail, he should at on despatch an expert to examine the ‘Such reports should thon be promptly published expense of the company fn at last one newspaper, also should keep a statement in its oflice, subj tion of any person desiring to see it during bust. ness hours, under heavy penalty. Public opinion would thus be brought to bear directly upon the company and the people be educated up to taking care of themsclyes, so that the public would soon learn, to use the worda of my friend the fish dealer, “to feod hisself better than any one could un jm.?? Banks ask their dealors for statements of their condition Hon, Joun F. Savi Dean Sir—Your ame to our offi of sickness, or it woul inst. 01 when they desire information in regard to their credit and Fesponsibility, and there {x no reaion why life oF other: in- i p surance companies should not give such taformation, in « detailed and authentic form, to those whom they ask to uecept their credits and pay their money therefor. Turn parties on thelr About, fx fair play: and tends to Koop al hs good behavior, There is n ie same ral should not be applied to cor x credit that is appliod to individuals asking eredit—publicity. Frequent public stutements will benetit strong, well-managed insti tutions and weed ont the week ones. Credit is a sensitive creature, and runs from weakness like tear from @ con- tagious disease. Very respecttu ~~ Y Fespee AMES BUELL, President. At WHY CORK SNUBBED GRANT. (From the Washington Star, Jan, 27.] Private letters received from Cork and Dublin by Trish citizens of Washington confirm the opinion that the refusal of the city of Cork to receive General Grant was due priicipally to the treatment which the Centennial address adopted by citizens of Iroland and sent to this country received at the hands of Presi- dent Grant. The sentiments expressed in President Grant’s Des Moines speech on ‘Church and State’ was made the ostensible reason for the refusal of Cork to honor the ex-President; but the indignation felt at the non-reception of that fraternal address was, it is alleged, the true ground of resentment, {It appears that the whole feeling against Gen- eral Grant was worked up by a Mr. Doran, who, tO make sure of the ubbing of General Grant, used his supposed “anti-Catholic views against him. The people of Ireland, the letters state, were not enraged at the refusal of this govern- ment to receive the address, but at what they consid- ered their shabby treatment by General Grant. Tho embossed document was sent ovey to this country by Messrs, Parnell and O'Connor Power, two Irish mem- bers of the British Parliament. Mr. Parnell was se- lected as one of the delegates because he was a grand- son of Commodore Stewart, of the American navy, “When these gentlemen arriyed at New York Genera] Grant was atthe Fitth Avenue Hotel, They called upon him with a number of compatriots living in this country, and made known the object of their visit. One of the gentlemen who was present at the interview told a Siar reporter to-day that they were received most cordially. President Grant was glad to sec that so kindly a fecling was felt in Ireland tor the welfare of the United States. He would, he said, be most happy to receive the address, and ex- sed himself as ready to receive it then and there. ‘he delegation thought that, to give more éclat to the presentation it should be made here in Washiug- ton. General Grant expressed himself as satisfied with the arrangement. Messrs. Parnell and Power came to gton, and upon the return of the President sent the document to the White House. The next parang. they received a note from Assistant Secretary of State Cadwallader—Secretary Fish was absent and did,ndt, as is generally supposed, have any hand in the Mmatter—saying that the col not be received except through the British Minister. As the contents of it were inimical, inferentially, to Great Britain, the impossibility of such a course being taken was evident. The Irish members of Parliament then left tor New York, ‘The addrees was sent from here by a gentleman to Mr. Powor, in New York, but whether it was taken back to Ireland or still remains in this country is not definitely known. It is very probable that it is now in Now York. The letters from Ireland say that no bad feeling would have been engendered if the President had stated that he could not have reccived the addre: hen first waited upon, instead of promising to do so and then allowing the bearers of it to be rebuffed iu the manner described, RAPID TRANSIT. A petition to the Senate and Assembly in favor of rapid transit in Brooklyn was placed in the Fulton ferry house early yesterday morning, to be signed by all persons in favor of the seheme, By six o'clock last evening the list of names measured about eight feet in length. The following is a copy of the petition :— Jo tuk HONORABLE THK SENATE AND ASSEMBLY OF THK State or New York :— oer gemeoars residents and property owners in the city of Brooklyn, humbly prosent that the general interest of Four petitioners aud of thove who reside ur own prop- erty in said city will be greatly promoted by tie introduction therein of ri transit through the medium of cievated steam way that such facilities aro now promised under the act of tho Logislature of this Stato, fn the year 1870, embodied iu chapter 006 of the Session Laws of ihat your,” Your pe- titioner wi afl nw that they are informed th are being taken forthe repeal of such act, and f teasures that may retard or defeat the construction rapid transit railways, hat should such measures adopted, the growth of the city of Brooklyn would be greatly impeded, and your petitioners and others continued subject to the hardsitips of travel now existing. ‘Therefore your petitioners respectfully romonstrate against ang modification of the present lnws relating to 5 struction Of stent oF elevated rail- tation of passengers in said city, aud ‘FIVE CENT STAGE FARES. ‘The fare on the Broadway stages will for the future be only five cents atrip. ‘The change commences to- day. It has been adopted alike by the three com- panies that control this h of the city trafic and is the result of an agr it arrived at by their members, In all other respects the present regula- tious of the companies will remain unaltered. Tickets will be sold as before, but at the rate of twenty-one for $1, and transfor checks, enabling passengers to change from the vehicles of one live to those of another, will be issued as usual, ‘The reduction in the fares, a4 explained by mem- bers of the stage companios seen by a Hknaxp re- rter last evening, would seem to be @ sign of roe ‘arning prosperity.in the city. “You seo,” said Mr, Charles Johnson, of tho Twenty-third street line, “we aged to chargo only six cents before the war,” “What effect have the clevated roads had in pro- ducing this change?" asked the reporter. “Oh, hardly any. This is not a new movement, We have had it in contemplation for a long time—two or three months. Of course the new roads have affected us somewhat, but not so materially as to have any effect in causing us to reduce our feres.” “Have you been influonced in the matcer % the ptoposal to construct & surface railroad on ” know nothing about that project. The reduc. tion has been intended tor some time, We to incroase tho ‘short’ traMe very lar oly by it.’ Mr. Charies 8. Andrews, of the bir th Avenue line, and Mr. Jesxe A, Marshall, of the Madison Avenue Stage Company, Were also -eulied on. They made statethonts almost identical with that of Mr. Jolin« fon, saying that it was with a vfew to increase thoir Dusiness and not from » fear of its that they had adopted the new rates, GOMMISSIONERS OF ACCOUN'RS, Mr. Robert ¥. Hatfleld was yestorday officially nott- fied of his appointment to the position of Commis. sioner of Accounts, made vacant by the removal of Mr. John H, Moo: Mr, Hatfleld will have for his colleague Mr. Willi Pitt Shearuian, who was ap: =” short time since in place of Lindsay J. we,