The New York Herald Newspaper, February 8, 1879, Page 5

THE STATE CAPITAL, Another Bill to Regulate the Cleaning of New York Streets. MURPHY’S DEFEAT. Assemblymen Refuse to Investigate the City Departments, FREIGHT ‘TRANSPORTATION. Measures to Reduce the Fees De- manded by Pilots. Atvany, Feb. 7, 1879. Although the Assembly was only a little over an hour in session to-day New York city received con- Biderable attention at the hands of the legislators. ‘The deep interest always manifested in metropolitan matters prophesies some lively controversies in both Senate and Assembly in relation to bills now pending and about to be introduced affecting that locality. ‘THOMAS DUNLAP AGAIN. ‘The veteran politician, Thomas Dunlap, is likely to be again disturbed by the present Legislature. The gentleman now receives $15,000 per annum as Commissioner of Jurors. The appointment is at present made by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. Mr. Dunlap’s term expires on the Ist of May next. Dr. Hayes to-day introduced a bill which fixes the salary after that date at $5,000a year and gives the ap- pointment to the Chief Justices of the Superior, Com- mon Pleas and Marine courts, HEATING THE CITY BY STEAM. The corporations desirous of heating the city of New York by a new steam or hot water process are not entirely satisfied that the Common Council pos- fsesses authority under present statutes to give them the desired privilege. A bill has consequently been introduced by Mr. Brooks, which designates specifi- cally boards of aldermen in cities to pass ordinances of this character, and also gives authority to the same ‘bodies to name the amount of compensation these corporations are to pay in return for permis- sion to lay pipes through the various streets. ‘THE INVESTIGATION SCHEME DROPPED. The resolution of Senator Murphy providing for the appointment of a special committee of three Senators and five Assemblymen to investigate all the New York city departments was called up to-day in the House and speedily set aside by an almost unani- mous vote, Dr. Hayes made a vigorous speech in opposition to the scheme, arguing that no good ever came of such investigations. There were many gentlemen inthe Assembly who could give all nec- essary information upon topics of this character without going to the unnecessary expense of an investigating committee. Several important bills affecting New York city were now pending before his committee, and he had given notice that a special hearing would be given upon the salary prop- ositions on next Wednesday. Other matters relative to New York interests would be taken up every subsequent Wednesday. Dr. Hayes also pointed out as an argument against this proposition the re- sult of the Booth Investigating Committee in 1875, which had assembled so many times in luxurious quarters at the Fifth Avenue Hotel without accom- plishing anything. The Doctor was supported in his views by Mr. Brooks on the democratic side of the House. Mr. Strahan also spoke against the resolu- tion. When the question came to be voted upon it was found that only two were in ‘its favor. The whole subject was indefinitely postponed. GARBAGR NUISANCE IN THE BAY. Another attempt is to be made to prevent the de- struction of New York harbor by dumping refusé matter, ashes and garbage from the streets of the metropolis and other places into it. Dr. Hayes has presented a bill specifying severe penalties for of- fences of this character. No material of this descrip- tion can be dumped within one mile of the outer bar. INFORMATION WANTED. Dr. Hayes also wishes to procure from Mayor Cooper a list of the salaries paid officials in New York city for the past five years. His main object seems to be to get at the facts as to whether or not any reductions were nade in the high salary list during ‘that period. OVERHAULING THE. REFEREE RING. Mr. Wells, of Westchester, demands from the Su- Rene, Superior and Common Pleas courts a list of e referees appointed since January 1, 1874, to Janu- ary 1, 1879, and all the facta connected with the duties by these gentlemen in the following resolution :— Resolved, That the clerks of the following courts—the Supreme Court, Superior Court and Court of Comm Plens, in the city and county of Now York report to “Assembly, within ten days, the date of Spgeatsete of ench referee appointed by the several judges vf suid courts be- tween January 1, 1874.and January 1, 1879; the names of all referees “so appointed, she mame of the judge by whom cach appointment wad made, the nature of the ac tion, the amount myoived inwach case and the date wh referee so appointed filed his final report in sueh « enc! tion. A,r 1.IAR ASSESSMENT BILL. Mr. Langbem to-@ay presented a bill which may require some consideration before final action is taken. The first section, which seems to embody the germ of the measure, provides as follows :— ments for regulating, sewering or otherwise e following streets and avenues in the city of and Seventh uve- Nicholas avent Sixth nnes, north of 110th street; Ei 116th street, from avenue A to Seventh avenu pavement on Bast Seventy-second street and upon a A—which were confirmed since January 1, 1860, are hereby Feducod one-half the amount to which said were imposed on the lands, tenements and ehurged therewith when originally confirmod, STREET CLEANING—AN IMPORTANT MEASURE, Mr. Langbert is the author of the first important bill introduced in the Legislature during the present session, relative to streot cleaning in the city of New York. The gentleman says it has received the sanc- tion of Mayor Cooper and all the municipal authori- ties in New York excepting, of course, the Police Commissioners. The text of the bill is as follows:— AN we, ee for cleaning the streets in the city of w York. poopie of the State of New York, represented in Sen- ate und Assembly, do enact as follows — Suctios 1.—The Department of Pubiic Works in the city of shall have full and oxelusive power and au: ew thority and ix horeby charged with the duty of causing ali Streets, avenucs, lanes, wileys, gutters, wharv heads of slips In’ said Gity to be iy clea Hime to time, and k 8 and pi times t ughly eldanes in said department, whieh shall of Street Cleaning, the head of kuown as the Superiutendent of 1 bo appointed as hereinafter pro- ‘The Commissionor of Pablic Works, as tho head of said department. shall, withiv twenty days after the nage of this act, proceed to subdivide ihe city uf New Firk'iico noe less than twenty-one distelets, and may from time to time, in his discretion, alter the bouids td districts and increage their number wioner of Public Works shall ha uty from time to time to persons for cleaning AIL thines all thoroughly cloan streots, . alleys. gutters, heads of slips, public in each of ‘said districts, and for re- ‘of every kind, rubbish, The gaid Commissioner shall also tiuve Wer, und It shall be hix duty from time to timo, to enter soparate contracts with any responsible person oF per for the collect removal from each of sald moving there! dirt aud a Hh eoph Oy nen) resaid, The said contract Heald provide wally alone, without shall distinetly eee jou removal of garba, admixture with ther probibis oll such adimixture ith public notiee, dul; Jun itesioner of vw 1 by the duty of the vurtinenn swia Ce ts in two mornin t paper published in yung city'al Now York, callin Ore tea eee La ee a th iy and proposule be publicly opened y the Commissioner. ot Public” Works.” upon s da; 4 hour and in learl set forth awarded to con of Public the bid of @ security for the manuer tracts secured thereby sel ty the Corporation as ty 5 dor on any contract shall refuve in forty-cight hours after w pon him that the same hae oF if, he alll recep, hy awarded bn shall not Provided within dequato security ee herein! Lis aecoptunce, forty ight hours afer thy contract shall Invetyre | provided. his contract hall be read verti Mie "All comtrnets sb fo be made by the olty u ot dvertived and relet as hore: aay net NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1879.—TRIPLE SHEET. shall be executed in triplicate. Said contracts shall be | praiser and to provide just compensation to owners ' Of property when such is taken for public use or | damage done to the same, provides that the office of filed in the Department of Public Works, and an- other copy shall be filed. with the Comptroller of the city and county of New Said contracts so tiled shall be at all times subject to pub- | inspection, A ipt for each payment lic w cei cor on account of any of suid contracts shal! be in- ‘d thereon by the persun receiving such payment, which shall be made only by the person or pergons making the contract, or his or their properly authorized representa- tives. No bid shall be accepted from a contract awarded to Any person who Ie In arrears ty the corporation upon dabt or coutract, or who is # defaulter, as surety or otherwise, upon any obligation to the corporation. ‘AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS. Sec. 4—Tho ani jouer of Public Work bave power and it shall the said contract penalties for t neglect of any contracts in the execution of bis contracts until sueh default or negioct shall have been duly remedied to his satisfuction. He may procuro any work neglected or left. undone by any contractor or his successor in interest, and called for by the terms of the contract to bedone wider his own supervision aud by persons em- ployed by him, and the expense of such work shall be by Link deducted’ from the price stipulated. iu the contract Ho may, in his discretion, after notice to the contractor, abrogate and annul any contract made by him, as herein: before provided, whenever the contractor or his successors Jr interest shall fail or omit to perform all or any of the stipulations in his contract contained. RKGULATING PAYMENTS, Sc. §.—All paymouty upon suid contracts shall be made by the Comptrolier of the city aud his warrant upon the city Treas duly countorsigned b; tho Mayor. Such payments shall be made upon the cortiti- cate of the Superimtendent that the contractor presenting the sume is entitled to suelt payment, and euch certificate, dd by the eontractor, shall have voucher for the pay: made thereon. ‘Ts unt to be troller upon the said racts shall the aggregate in ro, on opt @ sum of BK), a and the suid Comunissioner of Public Works shall, in mak: ing the said contract, not exceed the sum of $500,000 as ato sum to be paid thereon in any one year. i The suid Commissioner of Public Works shall have puwer to appoint, two clorks to keop the tue Burcau of Street Cleaning. One of said clerk ot to oxeeed the sum of $1,000 (d clerks sul roceive w silury not to exci pay: aid by the Com not) exceed. tn 000, PKRINTENDENT OF STRERT CLRANING. id Commissioner of Public Works shall have power an is duty to appoint, at not exceeding $9,000 per annum. an executive officer who shail be the bead of the Bureau of Stroct Cleaning, and shall be known as the Superintendent of Street Cleaning. io shall be vested with power authority to supervise, and is hereby charged with tho act of supervising, allowing “the Commisioner to Ter all contracts. He shall hold bis office during good be- havior, and be removed by suid Commissioner on! for catise, and not until he ax been informed of the cat of said proposed removal and has been allowed an oppor. funity Yok’ boing heard in, ‘his own defences and in every case of removal tho true grounds thoreof shall be entered upon tho records’ of tho said Department of Public Works. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent to report to the Commis- siouers any neglect of the contractors, He shall eurry out and enforce ull rules and regulations prescribed by tho Commissioners for the enforcement of contracts. He xball cause to be opened ut the Bureau of Street Cleaning a book Wherein shall be recorded every complaint made by uny cit- izen of any district against the coutractors of said district for neglect of duty. Such complaint shall be received and entered, whether iude in person or by letter or by postal card, but uo such complaint shall be received und en- tered unless subscribed by the complainant with his full name and address. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Street Cleaning to daily exuminy such book and to investigate all complaints re- corded therein and to report such complaints and the re. Sultof his investigation thereof to the Commissioner of Public Works. In caso auy complaint shows neglect on the part of any contractor needing immediate Atiention he shall forthwith call upon such contractor to remody suid default or neglect, und in the case of the refusal h detuult or neglect he persona omployed by him, and ali, by the said Commissioner, Fi Sxe. 7.—The 2 e ‘expense of such work tl be deducted. from the price ‘specitied in the said con: tract, The Superintendent of Street Cleaning shall, sub- Ject to the approval of the Commissioner of Public Works, select and appoint for each of the districts into which the y whali be subdivided by the said Commissioner an in- spector ta sulary not to execod 8X") per annum. He shalt huve power to all tors 40 appointed to such districts as he may elect. inspector shall make to the Superintendent, upon forms to be propared for that rpose, u daily return of the condition of each street in Pivtistvietwnd of the manner in which the coutracts for swooping. the same and removing thorefrom sweopiigs, Asher und garbage are carried out. Said returns shall, other things, state the hours of work und the num of perso the amount 0 and its disposition, Said roturny shall bo tabulated by the Suveriutendeut and presented by him, with a geuoral re- ort by himself, to the Commissioner of Public Works at jeust once in each week. iginal returns and reports shall be filed in the office of the Bureuu of Street Cleaning, und be at all times open to public Inspection. DUTINS OF SUPERINTENDENT. Sec. &—The Superintondent shall have power, in caso of negicet of duty on the part of any inspector de pou, the written complaint of any throe citisens residing within tho district to which any Inspector may be allotted that such inspector las neglected his duty, to suspond such in- Spector from duty and from pay, and report such suspension, With his reasons therefor, to the Commissioner of Publ Warks within twenty four hours from the time of such pension, The said Commissioner shall thereupon consider The complaint against the inspector, who shall be Infornied thereof und have opportunity of wiaking an explanation personally, and, ia case she complaint fs regarded Rs substantiated, may remove such inspector — from office, and the cause of such removal shall be entered on tho records of the Department of Public Works. The suid Commissioner of Public Works shall, at least thirty days before the Ist day of November in each year, send to the Bourd of Estimate and Apportionment an’ estimate in writing of the amount of expenditure, specifying in letail the ct to eurry out the provisions of rdof Estimate and Apportion- er, investigate and pasa upon an fixed by thom, in therr if inate of the amounts required to SPOR ses: ting the public business of the city and county of New York, and shall file the sume with the Comptroller, and the amount so included in this final estimate shall, with the other items in suid final extimate contained, b itled by the Comptroller to the Supor- visors of the Coanty of New York, and it shall be the duty of sald Supervisors, and they aro ‘eupowared und dirgeted ‘Annually to cause to be raised according to law aud col- lected by tax upon the estates, real and personal, subject to tuxation within the city and county of New York, the said amounts so fixed and certified as aforesaid; but the said Bourd of Estimate and Apportionment shall not revise or alter the wuounts returned by the said Commissioners Of Public Works as payable upon the contracts made by them as hereinbefo vid M THK STREETS, Ske. 9. id Commissioner of Public Works is empowered and required to make @ contract or contract: at an expense to the city of not more than $50,000 per un’ hum, the same being in addition to the said $500,000 per isonum for said removal of snow and ice, as wi mote the convenient use enjoyment of the public streets and all the provisions bi so far asin their na- {ure applicable, suall apply to the making, execution, en- forcement und ‘term of the contracts, and to the suin of money in this section provided for VACILITIES FOR DUM The docks, piers, slip designated and set apart for the for streot cleaning purposes, s) other docks, piers, slips and’ berth bo designated for like purposes by 4, be vet apart and maintained fi missioners of Public Works in carrying out the pro- Commissioner shall have NG RERU und berths in slips now ¢ of the Board of Pul cy visions of this act, and ssid power and authority under such regulations and upou Ruch terms as we may adopt and impose to grant the use of such docks, mn n this to the con- i and ship. nd refuse, iers, slip {a°for the this act, hereinafter provided, the Board of Police in the city of New York are empowered and directed to expose at public sale or auet! iuder the superintendence of their P carts, sweeping machines, water carts, sprinklers, harness and tools of every description, steam tugs, scows and all the vessels now in the possession of said Board aud employed by the: ee cleaning streets or Femoving therefrom, af from the jirt am rhage. ublic notice the time “and place of such mont, to be — published fo C five other duily newspapers published in the elty ‘ol Now York. The proeveds of such sale shall be deposited by the said of Police with the Chamberlain of the city and county of New York to the credit of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund of said city, and the account of saies, verified by the President of said Board, shall be tiled im the office of the Comptroller, m io part of the authority conferred by this act be used to promote the spectal interests of yny varty Se individual, nat shall the oticlal authority or tutiuenes rin said city be used for such pur- execution of this act, or the employinent of any perso any suid contract: Ske. 13,—All parts of this act creating or enforcing au- thority upon the Commissioners of Public Works shall take offect Immediately; but such parte Nereof as relat execution of any ade hereunder sli effect at the end of sixt; after t which last mentioned t sistent herewith shall c HEPDUBN'S APPORTIONMENT BILL, The following is the bill reported by Mr. Hepburn in the Assembiy to-day :—“‘Au uct for the apportion- ment of the members of the Assembly of this State.’ number of members of the Assembly of or tu be chusen in the several countios passage of Parts of acts incou- et. Onondaga. 3 Ontario. 1 Orange. 2 Orlean 1 0 2 Esse: Few nkiiw ‘ Fulton and Hamilton. Ee ee re ee eit ct coe Be eee He tat thi . They shall organize by appointing number as chairman and another their all proceed to divide their respective so many Assoubly districts as they are ubly wider this * 0) their vor res) ly to 4 ‘shall thereupon itivn of euch , contuining @ doserip aneunbly dis ying th wach district and the popalat wut according to last Stato cousus. Said certifies by & majority of such county of Yor majority of the Bourd hall cause duplicate ee he Seeretury the of State and in the ctive countion, 4 lramaed ia RAILROAD TRANSPORTATION, Mr, Baker introduced # bill which provides for equality in rates of transportation, storage and hand- ling of property carried wholly or partly by rail- roads in the State; prohibiting rebates and draw- backs and contracts therefor; providing for equal facilities for the transportation, handling ‘aad clans ing of freight; the publication of schedules for the {uflietion of penalties for a violation of the act, and to prevent violent and injurious fluctuations and ua- just discriminations in the carrying, storage ot haud- ling of such property. The bill is aimed at the man- ner in which oil is transported, CANAL APPRAISER'S OFFICR. Mr, Sheard’s bill to abolish the oflice of canal ap+ vities of the ry Swe, J.—This act shall take el canal appraiser is hereby abolished, aud the books nad rs pertaining to the office shall henceforth custody of the Sapestatendens of Public All claims for canal es and all notices and papers pertaining thereto hereafter be served upon the Superintendent of Public Works, and all notices required of the canal appraisers shall be served by said superintendent, 6 is hereby inyested with ail the wers and duties of the canal appraisers, subject to the provisions contained in this act. and compensation for property appropriatea for or damaged by the canals unless agreed upon and adjusted by and be- tween the owners and the superintendent shall be ascertained and appraised by three commissioners, to be appointed by the county judge of the county where the property is located, upon the application of the Superintendent of Public Works, and in no case shall their term of office exceed three months, Such application and appointment may be for a sin- gle claim, or for several or for all claims pending in the same county at the discretion of the superin- tendent. Subpa@nas to compel the attendance of witnesses to testify on such hearings may be issued by any justice of the peace of thecounty, as well in bebalf of the State as of the claimants, and such subp@nas may ve served in like manner and with like etlect in all respects as sub- | poenas issued out of the County Court for attendance ‘on thegrial of issue therein. The Commissioners of | Appraisal hall Koop minutes of their proceedings ‘and the testimony before them. Every deposition shatl be reduced to writing, read over and subscribed by the witness, and the same with the awards, and the decisions of the Commissioners — shall be filed in the County Clerk's office of the county where the property is situated, and every such record shall contains proper description of the property for which such award was made, When the award is for the full value of the property ap- propriated or damaged they the title of the same shall rest in the State. The clerk shall at the same time record the same in the book of deeds. For these services the clerk shall be entitled to tees from the State to the same amount as for similar services for individuals. ‘Lhe office of the Commissioners ot Appraisal shall expire upon the filing of their uwards upon the several claims Wy which they were appointed, and they s be entitled to compensation at the rate of $5 por day for every day of actual services. Com- pensation for official services required by this act shall be paid by the Superintendent of Public Works out of the proper funds appropriated therefor upon the presentation of verified accounts thereof sutistac- tory to him as to form and amount. Appeals may be made from the awards and decisions of the Commis- sioners of Appraisal to the Canal Board by serving | within sixty an 's after filing of the awards or deci- sions a notice of appeal, stating the grounds thereot, upon the Superintendent of Public Works, who shali | therenpon cause a copy of the returns of the ap- praisers filed in the County Clerk's office to be filed with the auditor or clerk of the Canal Board, and attach thereto 2 copy of the notice of appeal. PILOTAGE. Mr. Mooer'’s bill in relation to pilotage in the har- bor of New York provides that the fees for piloting vessels to and from the port of New York by the way | of Sandy Hook shall be as follows:—For every vessel | inward bound and not exempt from pilotage by any law of this State or regulation thereunder, drawing less than fourteen feet of water, $3 75 per foot; for every vessel drawing fourteen feet and upward, $450 | ‘The pilotage on vessels outward bound as follows:—Every vessel drawing fourteen feet, $2 90 per foot; every vessel drawing fourteen feet of water and upward $3 per foot. Mr. Sharpe's bill relative to the pilots of the channel of the Kast River, commonly called Hell Gate, provides that any of the pilots of the said channel who shall first tender his services to any sailing vessel or steamer under regis- ter, or to any vessel travelling between New York and a foreign port, either inward or outwara bound, shall, whether accepted or refused, be entitled to the pilotage now established by law; but no pilotage charged to any vessel under a coasting license unless such vessel actually employs a pilot. FIVE POINTS HOUSK OF INDUSTRY. Mr. Hayes’ bill copferring certain powers on the Five Points House of Industry, in the city of New York, provides that the trustees of the Five Points House of Industry, an asylum for homeless and or- han children, located in the city of New York, are ereby authorized aud empowered to adopt into fam- ilies any orphan, half orphan or destitute child who may have been in their cure and charge for the space of one year unprovided for, in case said child under ten years of age, or six months, in case of any child over ten years old. ‘Che Board of Estimate and Apportion- ment of the city of New York shall, in the year 1879 and every year thereafter, include in the tax levy on said city, at the same time and in the same manner as the contingent charges and expenses of the city and potioag, raed levied and collected, and pay over ty the Five Points House of Industry, in the city of New York, the sum of $2 per week for each and every or- phan, half orphan and destitute child received and supported by said institution the expense of whose support is not paid by private parties. INSURANCE MATTERS, Mr. Fish offered a resolution calling on_ the receiver of the Atlantic Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany of Albany to send in a detailed statement of the receipts and disbursements, to whom moneys have been paid, together with @ list of the securities which have come into his hands, and much other like information. Adopted. On motion of Mr. Strahan, the Judiciary Committee, in the matter of the inquiry as to the Mutual Life Insurance Compa- ny’s rebate plan, was given power to send tor persons and papers, to hold sessions elsewhere than in this city and to employ a stenographer. A SUICIDE’S SECRET. Louis Mersheimer, twenty-three years of age, a native of Germany, committed suicide early yester- day morning at his residence, No. 439 Ninth avenue. ‘The deceased # represented as a man of steady habits and good education. He came to this city from Hesse two years ago, and after a time became an apprentice in the drug store of V. G. Werner, No. 439 Ninth avenue, where he was adopted as one of the family. It was understood that he was paying his ad- dresses to a young lady in Brooklyn. Letters fre- goenty. passed between them, and whenever he could slip away from business for an evening Mersheimer was sure to pay a visit to the lady of his love. On Thursday evening he appeared to be in his usual health and spirits. From the fact that the gas was burning brightly in his apartment until after mid- night it was supposed that he was studying. Later in the night Mr. Werner and his wife, who occupy adjoining rooms, heard sounds as of @ person groan- ing. They listened, but the sounds were not re- euted. At five o'clock yesterday morning Augustus Verner, son of the proprietor of the drug store, knocked on Mersheimer’s door, but, receiving no response, broke it open. ‘The deceased was found lying in bed in a natural position, with s small phial medicine glass containing all quantity of prussic acid beside him. On an adjoining table were found two letters, which were examined by Coroner Woltinan, and read us follows :— My best thanks to the Werner family for kindne 7 ceived. T beg pardon, LOUIS MRS EN 7 ° Mr. Frank Britnanz, No. 33 Cortlandt street: Drax Faruxp—Take my xither, whieh I put and keep the iustrument, dear to me, as a koep- i, regards to the be Yours, LOUts. P. 8.—Don't try to find out the eansé of my death, for be- sides myself there is only one other being that kbows it, aud that one will keep it a secret. Folded in this note was a pawn ticket for the zither, showing that it had been pledged for $2 at a place in the Bowery. ‘The body was removed to the Morgue, where au autopsy will be held by Dr. Cush- man. SUDDEN DEATH IN A HOTEL. John 8, Brush was several years ago connected with « circus, and subsequently managed tie Galveston (Texas) “Iron-Clad Minstrels.” Abandon- ing the show business about two years ago he went to Cedar Keys, Fla., and married, starting in busi- ness as astevedore. His health failed, however, and returning to this city last Wednesday week, he was conveyed to the home of his relatives, at No. 432 Hal- sey strect, Brooklyn, and placed under modical tre ment. On Thursday he came over to New York, with two friends—John Madell and Joseph David took a ride to Central Park on the Third Avenue “L"" road. In the evening they visited a theatre, and about one o'clock yesterday morning went to the Van Dyke House, where deceased was conducted to room No, 4. When called at eight o'clock he shouted ‘all right. Tell Madeli I'll be over ina short At halt-past ten Mr. Madell went to the hotel in person and rapped on the bedroom door to arouse his friend. Receiving no reply the room was opencad and Brush was found lying on the bed face down- ward, with bis head buried in the pillow. Life was extinet, but the body was still warm. An autopsy showed that death bad resulted from ancurism of the heart. THE FIREMEN'S BENEFIT, So successful have the fremen been in disposing of the matinée tickets for the benefit of the widows of the late John W. Irving, of Engine Company No. 29, who was killed at the Vesey street fire, and John Reilly, of Engine Company No. 17, who was killed at the Broadway fire, that, in addition to Niblo's Garden, Booth's Theatre will also be given for the same cause, and the tickets will be good for either theatre. There has been over $6,000 worth of tickets wold, and the money has been handed over to the committee in charge of the affair, The firemen have been by 3 0 like beavers. The first battalion have sold over 1,000 tickets; the second battalion, 600; the third battalion, over 900; tho fourth battalion, 600; fifth battalion, 500; sixth bat- talion, 400; seventh battalion, 400; eighth battalion, 900; ninth and tenth battalions, 500, THE POLICE BOARD, be than ed when in The Police Board held a meeting yesterday and transacted a great deal of routine busivess, A num- ber of patrolmen were dismissed and others fined for violations of rules. A resolution from the Board of dermen advocating the immediate re-establishment of the Sixth precinet was reevived. It is said to be protebio that the station howse will be established in rear of the Bowery Theatre. The meeting of the Board was a secret one, aud it was understood that it Was not at all times harmontous, RENO'S TRIAL. GENERAL GIBBON GIVES HIS OPINION—THE ACCUSED TESTIFIES IN HIS OWN BEHALF— CUSTER GAVE NO PLAN OF BATTLE—WHY HE PLED TO THE HILL, (ey TKLEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Curcaco, Feb. 7, 1879. ‘The Keno Court of Inquiry will probably close to- morrow. After reading the evidence Recorder Lee stated that General John Gibbon would be intro- duced. General Gibbon is commander of the Seventh infantry, now stationed at Fort Ridgley, St. Paul, Minn. He said he had visited the battlefield of Reno two days after the fight. The questions addressed to him were for the purpose of getting at bis opinion of the nature of the ground in the different positions taken up by Reno with a view of arriving at the true character of the latter's generalship. When the queries in relation to the matter came to be too direct, Mr. Gilbert objected to “cxpert” testimony of this kind. If it were allowed he did not see where the inquiry wouldend. If the Court decided to ad- mit it he would also introduce the evidence of out- side experts. The Court itself was composed of ex- perts. Recorder Lee replied, contending that as Colonel Sheridan had been asked such questions, it Was proper to yet General Gibbon's views. A spir- ited debate followed, and the doors were ordered closed. After the secret session the Court again con- vened and announced that evidence as to Bano’s posi- tion on the hill would be allowed. GHNERAL GUNBON'S VIEWS. General Gibbon pronounced the position a very weuk one, where men and animals were greatly ex- posed. He counted forty-five dead animals in one ravine. It will be remembered that the position on the Hill was Reno's choice in his retreat from the timber. After some questions by counsel of both sides General Merritt took a hand on topographical points. General Gibbon’s evidence was svon closed, as he leaves for Washington to-night, where he is to serve us 4 member of the Hammond Revising Board. RENO MAKES A STATEMENT. Mr. Gilbert, Reno’s counsel, took the floor, and | epeaking at length on the character of the trial, asked that Major Reno be allowed to appear as a wit: ness. Recorder Lee replied by reading « inilitary law based upon an act of Congress to the effect that 4 witness acoused as Reno is could appear only ut his direct requext, while # refusal to so appear would not be construed ‘to his prejudice. Mr. Gilbert followed asking it ae a fayor in his own behalf, and left the matter to the dehberation of the Court. ‘The deci sion was that Major Reno could appear only it his | own formal request, nor would the Court consider that he would be in any way compromised by doing do, The formal request was made, and Major Reno, on being sworn, stated that on the morn- ing of the 26th ot June his regiment was lying in some sage brush, Colonel Bentcen came over to his command, Soon the column was on the move. Wit- ness was not consulted as to the plan of movement. When colonel Benteen went off to the left witness asked him where he was going, and Colonel Benteen replied that he was going off to pitch into whatever he might come across. Witness’ command and that of Gen- eral Custer moved down stream until a short distance past the Indian “tepec.”” which had been mentioned, and then the commanding officer beckoned him across to his side of the stream. Here he received an order from Adjutant Cook to take a gait which he might deem proper, and, advance, and when he met Indians to charge and ne should be supported by the whole outtit. He took # look, and, after crossing the river, he apprehended that Indians were ahead of him in overwhelming numbers. ‘TOO MANY INDIANS IN YRONT OF RIM. ‘Twice he sent back word to General Custer to that effect, once by Marcilargy (dead) and by Mitchel, his cook, the last time with the statement that the Indians were ahead of him in great numbers. He drew his companies up in line of battle and said to himself that he could not make a successful charge, but the number of Indians had thrown him on to the defensive instead of the offensive. He had impres- sions as to large numbers of Indians from trails and from Indian scouts, and with his own eyes saw five or six hundred Indians. The trail which he followed was covered with four or five inches of dust, and there were several distinct trails showing that Jarge numbers of Indians had passed that way; it was plain to him that Indians were getting to his rear to hide, and were using the woods as much as he; he knew that he could not stay there unless he stayed forever, and, in order to secure a union of his regiment he moved to the hill, a point where he could be seen, and where he thought he could ad- vantageously dispose of the men; some of the men on the skirmish line fired at random and some with more discretion. NO PLAN OF CAMPAIGN. He did not examine the battalion when it was as- signed to him to ascertain the amount of ammuni- tion; he had no ides where Captain McDougall or Colonel Benteen were; if there was any plan of campaign the subordinate officers had no idea of it: there was no uso of his remaining in the timber; he could help no one there, and his moving out was the best plan, as subsequent events, he thought, had shown; he thought it his duty to move out to save the lives of men; he was willing to lose some of his men that the remnant might be put in a position better than the desperate position in which it then was. Bloody Knife, the Indian scout, was killed at the side of witness while he was trying to get from him by | signs some information at the crossing of the river. ‘The troops were exposed to a severe fire. Mostof the eres whom he saw were armed with Winchester rifles. WHY HE OCCUPIRD THE HILLS. Mr, Gitnent-—-Your movement to the hill was not regarded as a triumphal march, was it? Rexo—No, sir, Nor did lintend it asa retreat. I went to that hill just as a manin a room would go to the corner to prevent a number of enemies from | striking him in the back, which the Indians had already done to my men in the woods; after reaching the top of the hill I went back to look after Lieutenant Hodgson, who I thought might have been wounded; I took trom the body a ring and a bunch of keys; when 1 got back the pack train was not in sight; [could not make myself omnipresent; Imade Lieutenant Hare my adjutant and sent him back after the pack train and told him to hurry up; Ithink it was about an hour before it arrived; I would not be positive; after he got the pack train, witness formed the column and started it down the river. They went about a mile. He expected Captain Weir to act as an advance. Soon Lieutenant Hare came to witness and said that he had used the witness’ name to authorize Captain Weir's company to come back on account of the number of Indian: “By whose order was the halt made and the back movement?” asked Mr. Gilbert. “py mine,” replied the witness with a good deal of emphasis. He chose the hill, for it was nearer to the water than the other position aud for other reasons. Being asked by whose order the troops were dispo: the witness said that he told Colonel Benteen to take one side and he would take the other; wituess took the side where le ex- pected the heaviest attack would be made; some of the troops had scarcely facilities for hiding them- selves; the firing lasted until after dark and was very severe; between aix o'clock and nine the witness went twice Over the lino and was satisfied with it; he could sce the Indians dancing by their fires over in their village; at nine o'clock he went over the line and made further disposition of the companies: he told ouch of the captains to protect himself as best he could. RELYING ON TERRY'S APPROACH. He expected that he would not long have to hold out, for he knew that General Terry was somewhere in that country; he did not know where, for he had never been consulted by the commanding officer as to the information ho had; on the next morning he went over the line and had the bugle sounded; it was about daybreak, about hal fant ewe o'clock; he could see the Indians going w bottom; he could not see the Indians around the command; when they began their fire again their position was ouly to be tol by the puffs of smoke. The fire was as severe as any hoever saw. He estimated the number of Indians ac 2,500 in his report, but he thought now that he had underestimated it, ‘The fire lasted in its intensity until about ten o'clock. He saw them going down the bottom and supposed then to be going to their village for more ammunition, Ho afterward knew that they went to meet General Terry. The Indians watched very closely when the soldiers went down in the ravine to get the water. he Court adjourned at this juncture until to- morrow. WOMEN OF THE MIDDLE AGES. ‘The wubject choson by Dr. John Lord for his lec- ture, “Chivalry and Women of the Middle Ages,” at- tracted a large audience of modern women to Chick- ering Hall yesterday morning. Queen Philippa was made the text of the lecture, because she was an ex- cellent type of the woman of feudal times. Though there were warlike women in those days they sought simply to defend themselves from danger and not to encroach on man's sphere. They would hasten to the rescue of husbands and brothers, and thus earned the devotion they received, Love of God and the ladies was the watchword of feudal lords, Women presided at their feasts and acted as a re- straint upon lawlessness, and an insult to a lay was a thing unheard of. For the first time in news women was the companion of her husband, uch as has been said about the aris- tocracy of the women of chivalry; personal merit was their test, As Sir Philip Sidney answered Queen Elizabeth, “want wus never iutended to privilege wrong.” The glory of the feudal knights was con- sidered incomplete without the approbation of women. They accompanied them to tournaments and crowned the victor, A knight without an object of devotion was like a ship without a rud- der. What was the secret of this chivairic devotion? Was it beauty? No; not that. The beautiful women of Athens or modern Paris never called out the ad- miration of the chivalric ages. Was this reveronce based upon her accomplishnents? No, for they were strictly domestic women, Perhaps this rev- erence for women was born in the race, Her isolated life was conilucive to the development of character- istics that her interesting. Country life is not dull when men remain st home. There was nothing dull in the feudal castles. The country is also more favorable to the growth of friendship, City people | | | | are more brilliant than profound, and their affections are not very deep nor are they very warm-learted, He is a benefuctor who will make the country as attractive to us as it is to the English people. Dr. Lord concluded his lecture by saying that it was Christianity that elevated the chivalric women. Chivalry was intimately connected with worship of the Virgin. Veneration for the sex culminated in the worship of the Queen of Heaven. IMPROVEMENT OF THE SIPPI. New Yor, Feb. 5, 1879, To vue Eprron or tue Heraup: Some of the most egregious errors concerning the hydranlics of the Mississippi River, propagated by engineers and swallowed by statesmen, are:—1, That “the amount of sediment held and carried away in suspension is in proportion to the velocity of the river's current;” this is baseless in fact and absurd in theory, and requires so much modification as to amount to nothing, forthe reason that a half-mile current under some conditions will carry away more sediment than @ current hav- ing a far greater velocity under other condi- tions. This may be observed in any part of the Mis- sissippi River. 2. That an increased number and Capacity of outlets “will not” reduce the surface level of the river and largely prevent overflow. 3. That the cause of bar formation at the mouth of the riveris by reason of the “diffusion of the stream where it enters the sea.” 4, That false banks or jetties ever “have or will” prevent bar formation. 5, That a littoral outside current of any velocity “will” obviate bar formation or in any way affect that tendency be- yond determining the place or position of its re- formation outside, 6, ‘That damming up and con- tracting all the outlets of the Mississippi River, as is now being done and recommended to be further by government engineers aud others, ‘does impede the outflowing current and cause an accumulation and flood which in no sense means @ reduction of the surface level of the river, and when done simultaneously with the building up of loveos, a8 is proposed, becomes simply conjunc- tive means to create the trouble sought to be obvisted. 17. That contracting the outlets “does not’? emphatically and decidedly nullity the benetits expected to accrue from levees in proportion to such contraction. 5. ‘That turning other streams (Atchafaiaya and others) into the Mississippi when it cannot accommodate its present flow is another absurdity. 9. Uhat contracting the Upper Missis- sippi at Plum Point Reach 1 order to cut out a deeper chaunei thereat “will not” cause a higher level of surface water throughout all parts of the river above that point and tend to create overflows by impeding the velocity of the current above, and, further, that such work “will not” proportionately result in also building up the bed bottom of the river above by deposits--in other words, such works will result in building up or raising both the water surface level and the bed bottom level, for which reason Mississippi River improvements are likely hercatter to be as directly interesting to the people of the Upper Mississippi River and tributaries as they are now to the people of the Lower Mississippi. The physical results named in this clause may be found in the rivers of France and other parts of Europe— vide the Thames Embankment for striking and dis- astrous consequences annually recurring by the mis- carriage of a similar contemplated improvement. ‘The proper place to commence the improvement of the Mississippi River is at its mouth. Such improve- ment should solely consist in opening its mouth so that its waters should have e much freer aud unim- eded tlow to the sea, which would result in reducing oth its levels of water surface and bed bottom MISSIS- throughout its length, concentrate its channel in a deeper and more direct course, und likewise tend to straighten the entire len; of the river by cutting off its bends and elbows and reducing its serpentine character. 10. That the re- verse of this is being done now, both naturally and artificially, by contracting all its outlets, which pre- vents the free escape of its waters to the sea, and this is the direct aud decided cause of the river taking its serpentine character, which serpentine character is and will be directly increased in proportion to the contraction of its mouths and impediment to dis- charge; the same applies to its channel throughout its length, its wide reaches and its overflows. Lastly, the whole country will continue to be deceived on the question of Mississipp! River improvements until the proper kind of work is done at its mouth, and such proper work will result in giving it a wide and deep commercial entrance worthy of its name and future commerce, and greater in depth and width of channel entrance than any other port in the world can at present boast of. For such an outlet through the Southwest Puss I have a bill pending be- fore the present Congress, in which, at my own risk and cost, without askiug for a dollar betore benefi- cent results are secured, I offer to undertake the work at a nominal price, on the principle of no cure, no pay, binding myself’ in the most clear and unam- biguous terms, with no saving clauses to secure lib- eral interpretation or subsequent easing off of itscon- ditions or obligations. HENRY F. KNAPP, C. E, PLYMOUTH PRAYER MEETING. It is very evident, said Rev. Mr. Beecher, at. the regular weekly prayer meeting of Plymouth Church last night, that the Lord did not make this world as we should have made it, Neither did He make the laws governing this universe as we should have made them. Dr. Johnson, with all his ability and reason- ing, could never overcome the horror of death. It was the most dismal thought that entered his mind. Death itself shall die, says the apostle, and the apostle pointed forward toward dying as he (Mr. Beecher) felt about spring. The grave was called the covenant of the Lord, and death was but falling ssleep in the Lord. Take the Christians as they id Bee! march, rank and file, said = Mr. her, and the idea of death is rather mournful to them. When death entered a —house- hold, the dismal garb of mourning was put on, and not only the father aud mother cried, but the sisters and brothers and uncles and aunts and cousins cried and wore long faces. | Where were the hope and joy and triumph? Were there no angels or heaven? In- stead of wearing the solemn black robes and long erape veil, Mr. Beecher thought it would be better to attach to the person a ribbon or little badge, which should signify that the wearer lost some near and dear friend. All his lifetime he had struggled against this dragging down of death, and had always tried to feel that in it there were be and joy anda glory which surpaswed everything. Sitting Before the members of his church, enjoying full health and in hix right mind, he could say that there waa nothing in life. He had as much to live for a8 any other man; still he would rather die than live. We ought not to feel sorry, he said, that our feet are quickening their paces toward death. It was not known who would go first, but we should all be ready when the Lord called us. TALMAGE'S TALK. Tho Rev. Mr. Talmage delivered his usual Friday evening discourse, in which pleuro-pnoumonia among cattle in England, Canada and the United States was a special subject of remark, The reverend speaker averred that one cow ts worth all the lions in Nubia, Ile would change the saying “Stupid as s cow” to “Useful as a cow.” here have been no defalsations this week,” he. ‘The national clouds of bankruptcy have va ixhed and cheerful words of welcome are heard. ‘The speaker referred to cortain brutal exhibitions— one where & poor woman was dragged on a track to Keep up a walk. He uryed all good citizens to keep aloof from such exhibitions. The reverend gentle man delivered an cloquent eulogy upon the late Richard H. Dana. id Fire Marshal Sheldon was yesterday examined by the Fire Commissioners regarding the cause and origin of the late fires in Grand and Worth streets, He submitted a number of affidavits bearing on the subject from several citizens, among whom were the folowing :—William Mahony, of the insurance pa- trol; Augustus J. Robb, bookkeeper for Wilkinshaw & Voight; G. F. Randolph, telegraph operator; Roundsiman Orr, of the Fifth precinct; Officer George Becker and Officer John H. Kellor. Tho tatter de- posed that he saw smoke coming from the entrance atthe front part of the building at No. 62 Worth strect, and also found the door open; he ran to the corner of Leonard and Chureh streets and sounded an alarm; from there he went to the station house, where he remained about ten minutes, and returned to the fire; at that time the building was cuveloped in flames; the insurance patrol were there, but the firemen had not arrived. ‘The Marshal testified that he had been endeavoriny to ascertain on what floor the Broadway and Gra) strect fire originated, and who was last on the premises before the Lae yom | was destroyed. Re- garding tho Worth street fire he said that he was en- oring to determine how and by whom the alarm were sent out, and also how the fire started. Board then adjourned until Saturday at ten o'clock ‘A. M., when the attendance of witnesses having any knowledge of the fires is requested. WANDERINGS OF A POSTAL CARD. An English postal card arrived in this city yester- day and will be returned to its native country by the steamer City of Berlin to-day. When it arrives at ite destination in London this littie bit of pasteboard will have made the cirenit of the globe on a wager that tho tour could be made in one hundred days or less. It was posted in London to the British consul at Singapore, where, however, there is no such official; Yokohama, San Franciseo and New York, with & request to each of those officials to forward it on its journey, On the face and back of the card appear the following postmark nm, October s tJ 18, 1874; Alexandria, October 1878; Sis » November 17, 1878; Yokohama, December ae A818; San Francisco, January 40, 1879; New York, Feb- ruary 7, 1879, The wager hae been lost; for 1 iL Will have elapsed when the wanderer re-enters No. 80 Ferutowa road, | GRTTING TO WORK. The Mechanics’ Long Struggle with the Hard Times. SIX YEARS OF IDLENESS. Followed by a General Revival of Industry. Asure indication of returning activity in trade is the diminution in the number of unemployed me- chanies. The signs of the times are that a general revival in ull branches of industry has fairly set in. ‘Taking the years one by one since the great panic of ‘73 workingmen have reason now for the first time to look hopefully to the future. Three winters ago there were 60,000 idle men in this city, Thousands of families had been reduced to poverty by want of work in the preceding years. They were selling all they hat to buy bread from day to day. Yet the idle and suffering classes recognized the fact that the merchants and capitalists of New York were not to blame, and the only public action on their part was to petition the Mayor to put men to work on public improvements. Now that the worst is over a lesson of thrift has been learned by the small storckeepers, who have been among the most gen- eral sufferers by the hard times, their support de pending mainly on laboring men and women. DISRUPTED TRADE ORGANIZATIONS. During these five years of distress workingmen’s organizations nearly all became disorganized, They struggled for a time to show a solid front and to ex- ercise @ power which they had hitherto believed would be perpetual, but discovered in the end that, without “the sinews’” of war, war could not be maintained. They even began to learn thatthe enemy ‘was an invisibie one, and could not be met in open battle. These societies had been once a great power in this city, They dictated terms in the most ar- bitrary manner, and were, of course, used by poli- ticians for political purposes. They might have gone on increasing in power had not the “hard times” broken them up. Only afew of them still hold out. As the years went on, after the panic the question was not so much what the rate of wages should be as how to get any work at all. Mechanics were glad to work for almost nothing, and at any kind of employment. The year before last their condition was simply desperate. Last year it improved considerably, but the advantage gained was only such when compared with the state of labor during the few preceding years. All branches of in- dustry had become paralyzed. In the spring of 1878 there were more hopeful signs in lighter industries; women had a better chance to make a living; the large stores of the city felt the confidence which was growing throughout the country; there was more need for help generally among the men. But the system of labor as it had been in practice before the panic was out of vogue. There was no law by which a mechanic could put a price on hie day’s work. He took what he could get, un- der the compulsion of starvation. He had seen his fellow craftsmen pressed so far during the “hard times” that they appeared in the police courts asking to be sent to the Island to avoid dying in the streets. It was as bad, if not worse, outside ot New York, There was not enough spirit leftin the men to hold out in a contest with em- ployers, nor enough money to be had from any source to keep them going in opposition. The “strike” always ended in an abundant supply of willing hands to work for as little as would keep body and soul together. All hope of being able to control the imperceptible laws which were swaying the fortunes of trade was abandoned, and mechanics finally submitted, awaiting the return of better days. PULLING THROUGH THIS WINTER. The month of February is the dullest of the entire year for the working classes; but it precedes the opening of the airy trade, and the workingmen begin to look forward hopefully to steady work in the future. In the meantime, however, how do the unemployed manage to live? ‘It may be stated as a fact that for the most part the families of idle mechanics are not helped this year by charitable so- cicties nor by private assistance from the well-to~lo. The wealthy classes are the slowest in giving assist- ance to the families of idle workingmen. In the first place private charity does not know how to seek and find the suffering families; and secondly, these ple shrink from public attention to their stress. As a rule they are helped, as im former ‘years, by their more fortunate’ friend It would be difficult to give, in a general way, an; explanation of how this mutual help is practise though each individual case has a history of its own. Only a minority of idle men’s families have to lay their petitions at the doors of charitable societies. Happily in the better times that are coming the num- ber of all classes of men out of work will be so far diminished that the mechanics of the city will be able to re-establish their benevolent associations, and thus place themselves beyond the necessity of sp- pealing to public charity for relief. The number of the unemployed does not now reach 12,000 men. During the winter of 1873 it was computed thats daily average of over 25,000 men were idle in this city, and the number annually increased until it reached as high a8 60,000, then fell again until last year it was only about ten per cent greater than now. During the six years of this continuous suffering among the iechanics, as already observed, the wages of the dif- ferent trades steadily went down. Tradesmen who were getting $4 50 a day in 1873 have had to accept $2 50; those getting $3 50 were reduced to $2, and fo om, The mutual aid societies having become for the ost part disorganized, the injustice of compel. ling their own men to remain idle in the midst of dull times became apparent, and the “unionists” were at length scarcely interfered with in taking work wherever they could get it. But the old spirit of these organizations still lurks among the mechanics, and if opportunity offered to-morrow the men would again appear under their old banners as resolute as ever. ENCOURAGING FIGURES. The following table gives the number of the unem- ployed in 1873, the first year of the panic, and the average rate of wages then given, with a comparison of the number of unemployed at the present time and the existing rate of wages. It will be seen that less than half the number then thrown out of work are still unemployed, and when it is remembered that the present number of idle men is not tar in excess | of the average in ordinarily prosperous years it will be understood how encouraging is the prospect tor the coming spring season — ——-1879. —— Average No. _— We Unem- ployed. per Day. oued, 10,000 ars Ww barr Carpenters... 2,000 18 1,000 Masons and stone- cutters... 3b 1,000 Brickh BuO Plasterers . coo Painters . 800 Rooters 100 Moulders 150 Sawyers 25 Harness “0 Blacksmiths: 100 Longshoremon (ship work).. 100 Cabinet makers. 200 Boxmakers. 150 Printers...... 60 Wagon makers... 3 00 100 Brass finishers 50 bu Engineers... 400 Tron workers. 1,000 ‘Tailors (cust 5H 30 ae Cap makers. ou Cigar makers. 00 ou 11,396 ‘THE OUTLOOK IN NEW YORK, Business men, of course, understand fully the vari- ous catses which have conspired to bring about thie renewed activity in the trade of the city. At the present time the immense quantity of freight which is be handled gives laborers a fair chance for work, during this week numbers of these men have been ployed day and night to mect the emergency. Manu- facturing fneilities have notably increased in the city this season. In the linen, coll and cuff, ruffling and lace goods business there has been an enormous increase of manufacture of recent years, and thousands of hands have been provided with work thereby. Now York is rapidly attractin to itself manutactories which formerly were confine almost exclusively to outlying towns. chanics, two, look forward hopefully to the ultimate benedt which the elevated railroads will bring to their vari- ous crafts, and it is believed that the prospeetive movement of downtown residents to the upper ses tions of the city will stimulate all branches of me: chanical trade, “ALWAYS WITH YOU.” ‘Tho Fematn has recotved from K. M. K. $1 for tho general fund; from “Little Friend” and Duncan $3 for Julia Walsh, $2 for Anna M, Schoonmaker and $3 for Mrs. Lovell, of No, 26 Broome street, and from J. B, F. $10 for the family at No, 17 Ludlow street, men tioned in yesterday's edition. The name of the family in distress at No, 234 Greenwich street is Curtin, not Conlin, as erroneously printed a few days ago. From “A. V.,” $5 for Flanagan family, rear build. ing, No. 17 Ludlow street,