The New York Herald Newspaper, March 2, 1879, Page 7

NEW YORK HERALD, ‘SUNDAY, MARCIE 9 ~ SAFRTY ON THR “L'S.” Shortcomings that Suggest Increased Precautions. THE HAND ON THE THROTTLE VALVE. Dangers Incidental to the Use of Common Tracks. CHATHAM SQUARE CROSSING. ‘The patronage extended by the public to the rapid . transit roads now being operated in this city shows ‘that their construction has supplied a great and pressing want which tho bad and selfish management ‘of the surface roads during many years rendered ‘very apparent. Few who have experienced the mis- . eries of winter travel by horse curs in New York - ‘will ever forget them, and thecontrasting experiences “of the present season, which, although not wholly ,» free from discomfort, have been rapidity and regu. “larity of transit, show what an advance has been | Made toward a successful solution of the problem of city travel. Weare no longer compelled to sit, or stand on wet straw in a foul smelling, crowded car, drawn slowly along by a pair of jaded horses guided by a tired, poorly paid and overworked driver. De- ceucy is no longer outraged for the traveller by disgusting dialogues between drunken rufians on the rear platform or unruly rowdies in the car itself. Conductors do , Bot now charge through the packed passengers like ‘wild Texan steers, in search of some possible would- be deadhead. Civility has to some extent taken the place of the brutal insolence to which passengers, and especially ladies, have been subjected by the “captains bold” of the avenue horse » Ina word, an immense improvement is perceptible since the monopoly pf city passenger transportation has been broken up by the construction and operation of the rapid transit elevated roads, “1! TRAVELLING, It would afford everybody, not excluding even the managers of the “L’ roads themselves, it is to be hoped, satisfaction if circumstances would admit of the attainment of the maximum of comfort in travel- ling over these new lines. But the passenger traffic is so heavy at certain hours that the evil of crowding has attached itself to the enjoyment of rapid transit. This is admittedly due to the fact that the com- panies maintain a distinction of fares be- tween the time when many pe»ple want to travel up and down town and that when the traffic is not so great. Few people of moderate _ Means are willing to pay ten cents when b® waiting from half to one hour they can ride for five cents, Consequently there isa rush within a few hours each morning and evening which renders travelling on the “L” roads uncomfortable to a certain degree and by no means void of danger. It is said that the companies are considering a reduction of the fares to a uniform charge of five cents. If true vesdom governs their councils they will speedily decide on such a step as being calculated to pro- mote their own interests and the comfort and safety of the travelling public. Nothing seems to be more absurd than to see posted in a car whose interior and platforms are packed with passengers, a notice by the company to the effect that passengers are strictly for- biddew to ride on the platforms. Not long ago a Hunacp reporter, who had resolved to test the appli- cation of this rule, was rudely refused by a New York “L” brakeman the “privilege” of standing yn the platform of a south bound train, on the ground that such a “privilege” was reserved for offi- ‘cets of the road and officers of the law—+. ¢., mem- era of “the Ouest police inthe worl.” At the same | | timeerowded north Sound trains were passing and on the double platforms the reporter counted from eighteen to twenty-five passengers, packed so that. it * was with diMeulty any one could enter or leave a car at the station. . STOPPING AND STARTING. ‘The unexpected traffic has had another effect on the operation of the New York “LL” road which de- serves mention. When the trains first began to run extraordinary precautions were taken to bring them exactly opposite the platforms of the several stations end so that the passengers could enter or leave the cars by any door, Now it is by nO means unusual to find the platform of the last car projecting beyond the end of the station platform, and so that no passenger can leave by the rear door. When the cars are crowded it is a mere matter of chance whether a passenger at the reac end of the last car can get ont at his or her station. Within a few days a reporter of the Heratp noticed that this occurred at three consecutive stations, and some ladies and children were carried one ind two stations further down town than they wanted to go. This trouble is wholly due to careless driving, for the enginecr ought to know exactly how far the locomotive should move #o as to bring every car opposite tho station plat- form. Again, to careless driving may be attributed the rude shocks given to the train, as well as to the road structure, by the sudden start- ings and stoppings of the engine ana the use the steam brakes. The = strength of the structure may stand these unnecessary jars for a good while, but the inevitable result must be a dangerous weakening of the road near the stations, It is also noticeable that the signal to start the train is often given by | brakeman while passengers are getting on or offanother platform. The rule on the Metropolitan “L"’ is much better, because the signal is given from the station platform when all Is ready. JUNCTIONS AND CROSSINGS. ‘The foregoing remarks are intended to show that there is room forimprovement in the ordinary op- eration of the “L” roads, even where the trains run on straight tracks. How much interest at- taches to the points where junctione or crossings oceur can be seen when {tis considered that at these the element of positive danger is introduced. Taking the cake of a simple junction such as that between the main line and the Eighth avenue branch, at Fifty-third street and Sixth avenue, now completed and in daily nse, it will be seen from the annexed diagram thatthe “up” branch trains must @ross the “down” main track at Fifty-third street, FIFTY-THIND STREET JUNCTION. ROAD uw > < Gi 1 sT. collision is pretty well provided against. Red danger signal disks, however, are not guarantees against accident, especially when white disks are in- tended to show a clear road. Snow will lodge on the face of the red disk and make it look white. Some years ago the writer saw a freight train plunge through the open draw of the Hackensack bridge of the Morris and Essex Railroad during a snow storm. The red danger signal disk was coated with snow, and the engineer thought the road was unobstructed, BEAVER AND PKARL sTRERT JUNCTION. The difficulty at a junction is increased tenfold when the trains of different and possibly rival roads meet there. Such will be the case if the proposed junction at Beaver and Pearl strects is used by the Metropolitan and the New York “L’’ trains. What will add still more to the danger is the joint use of the tracks northward to Chatham square by the two companies. Both roads will be compelled to run trains often enough to accommodate passengers, and unless some arrangement is made such as that recently proposed in the Hrnap, by which the joint use of any junction or section of road by the tivo companies can be avoided, the most dangerous kind of confusion will inevitably arise. The familiar street car blockade would fall into utter insigniti- cance beside an interruption to the operation of rapid transit on the two roads if a Metropolitan north bound train was to break down from any cause when it was crossing from Beaver street to the main ‘up’ track on Pearl. All the tracks ‘up’ and ‘down” would then be effectually blocked at this point. THE DIFFICULTY AT CHATHAM SQUARE, This has been fully explained ina recent issue of the HeRarp, wherein it was also suggested that a compromise between the Metropolitan and New York “L” companies regarding the division of the traffic might solve the problem. The accompanying dia- gram shows—first, the tracks of the New York “L,”" as they are at present latd direct from the Bowery across Chatham square to and down the New Bowery, also the City Hall branch road via Chatham strect; second, the line of the Metropolitan “L."" which running through Division strect is proposed to join that of the Now York “L” at Chatham square, and use the sections between Chatham square and the junction at Beaver and Pearl, and to City Hall in common with the New Yord “L;” third, the com- promise plan by which the Metropolitan “I, will have a separate road all the way to its southern ter- minus at the Battery, and the New York “L" the exclusive use of the City; Hall road through Chatham street. The lines laid down on the diagram are yot arbitrary ones, and practically they must depend on the new arrangement of supporting columns to carry the weight of four tracks and possibly of four loaded trains at the same point. But there is no other way out of thedifficulty, unless the routes can be changed materially and through some private property. ‘he present station at Chat- ham square must be moved northward in order to give safe and sufficient platform accommo- dation to the New York “L’’ up trains. This latter work is by no means difficult; but the whole scheme may involve the suspension fora short time of the operation of the } York “L" road south of Chat- ham square. This, however, rests with the en. dineers, who, by tempgrary trestlework, may be able to carry the tracks over new lines while the work of change is being pushed on in Chatham eqnare, SUGGESTIONS FOR RAPID TRANSIT ROUTES TO AVOID DANGER, New Yors, March 1, 1879, To tHe Eprtor or THR Herao:— The “rapid transit crossing” problem can bo solved very easily, and here it is in @ nutshell :—Let the Metropolitan “I go ahead with its work on the east and west sides in the routes originally Inid out by the commissioners, with the exception of continuing on First avenue up to Thirty-tourth street instead of Twenty-third street, as mentioned in your columns a tew days ago, which was, indeed, a splendid suggestion. Now for the New York “ Let their tracks on Third avenue and the Bowery remain as they are, and let them continue with their City Hall branch, which is greatly needed. For the matn line I pro- pose the following :—Starting from South ferry the same as now (with pending improvements), the west line to go through Greenwich street withont chang. ing route, but the east line, after going through Front street to Coenties slip, instead of turning there toward Pearl street, as now, it shoud turn toward the river and continue up South street, as far as Oliver street,-and then through. Oliver street to Chatham square and #0 on up the Bowery. These routes will give but one crossing of the two roads, and that is at Chatham square, where there is plenty of room for laying the necessary tracks and switches, and the approaching trains aro not hid from each 68, a8 they certainly wiil be at the ju Land Beaver streets. ‘The Metropolitan “L" must, of course, abandon {ts proposed Chambers street branch, such a branch being of no practical use whatever and its coustruc- tion only # useless waste of money, The tracks of the two companies at Chathani square can be so ar it ranged that they need not interfere with one an- other (as already suggested by you), and the chan, of route of the New York “L" from Pearl to South street avoids the using of the same track by the two tompantes at any one point, and will not cause a difference of three minutes’ time. The Metropolitan will have Peart street then all to itself, and there will be no lives lost’ In changing route from one alrealy existing the companies must pledge themselves to remove any structure already erected but not in actual use, If there ts a better plan—let’s hear ot it, EAST SIDE. ANOTHER SUGGESTION, New Your, Mareb 1, 1879, To tne Eptton or tan Henatn:— I beg leave to suggest the following method of ob- viating the difficulties arising from the joint use of the elevated road by the two companies :— ® First—That the Metropolitan, instead of crossing Dowling Green, shall continue their road through the block from Morris street to Battery place and there join the Ninth avenue line, ‘The ‘terminal fa cilities at South terry could easily bo increased to ac- commodate the additional trains. Second—That on the east side line the Metropolitan rate that portion of the road trom South ferry to Chatham square, and the New York road that part from the City Hall to anid aq Tnird—That the receipts of all stations between South ferry, the City Hall and Chatham square be equally divided between the two companies, Fourth—That the cost of constructing and main- taining such portions of the roals be shared equally by the two companies. By inserting the. above in the columns of your valuable journal you will obii RAPID TRANSIT, THR STAFF OF THE NINTH. Colonel Ryder, of the Ninth regiment, has made the following sppointménts on his staff:—Charles L. Houseman, first lieutenant and adjutant; Reuben Bat on there is » signal box on the “up main | A: Britton, first lieutenant and quartermaster; Ste to the branch and main line, and as are “) operated by tho Metropolitan | feed, captain and chaplain; G@. Henry Whitthans, oficers, tha, dagger of # Lcaptein and inepector of rifle practive, hen W. Roof, major and surgeon; George B, Fowler, rat Houtenant and assistant surgeon; ward A. A SUGGESTED SOLUTION OF THE CHATHAM SQUARE “L” PROBLEM, SSS SSS SSSESS not to be disturbed ey Y.L.] Sectton 9, SS SS‘ S WAV Sos SS not to be disturbed ML. SSAA New Bowery not to be disturbed FORTUNE'S REVERSES. A ONCE WEALTHY BROKER SENT TO THE TOMBS FOR PETIT LARCENY—IS HE INSANE? A touching illustration of ‘outrageous fortune” was witnessed at the bar of the Special Sessions, on Friday, when Robert M. Martin, a comfortably dressed, mild and dignified man, of middle age, who had some days previously been found guilty of petit larceny, was called up for sentence. The aceused had been charged by Mrs. Parsons, of No. 85 Maedongal street, with stealing a coat and under- clothing from her boarding house. Among the law- yers in court was Mr. Addison G, Jerome, who had known the prisoner when the latter was a prosper- ous bueiness man, and, sympathizing with his un- fortunate position, he addressed the Court, stating who his old friend was, recalling his former munifi- ceut gifts to churches and charities and the circu stances of his failure seven years ago. He besought judicial clemency for one who had done so much good for his fellow men. After a conference with his associates Justice Wandell said:—‘Robert Martin, you have had enough experience to know the disgrace of committing a crime. Mr. Jerome, howeyer, has told us of your severe misfortune, and we are therefore inclined to deal mercifully with you. The sentence of the Court is that you be imprisoned in the City Prison for the term ot five days. REDUCED TO POVERTY. Mr. Jerome said to a {eLatp reporter yesterday :— “I have known Bob Martin for over twenty and have had a great many business transactions with him, I simply stated to the judges what I knew of his former history. When I first met him he was a Wall street broker and a member of the k Exchange. ny, but t all his money, and for the last ‘few years has been working as a clerk and earning a dollar wherever he could get a chance, He was at one time superintendent of a@ Suuday school connected with a prominent chureh in this city. Whether his wite is alive now or not Leannot say. 1 ars Ste At one time he was w i guess Martin is about one of the oldest stock brokers in the street. He was prominent in the street at the time when A. W.-M niel Drew, Lock- wood & Co. and at the zenith veral other large firms were of their prosperity. He was arrested ou a charge of having stolen an overcoat and two shirts, When placed on trial last Wednes- day he pleaded not guilty, but after hearing the evi- dence of Mrs, Parsons, who testified to having n him going down stairs with the overcoat and a valise in his possession, he adimitted the charge. Me stood med, and svid, I did it, but Idon’t diges thought from the man’s yy o that bis manner mind was affected, And re- manded him for the purpose of being examined by the Tombs physician, who subsequently pronounced him sane and responsible tor his act. I desire to state that notwithstanding the doc- tor’s certificate of his sanity it is my firm belief that the man’s mind is aflected and was at the time he committed the act. Knowing him as well as [ do, his actions and appearance on Friday, when I him in Court, as well as his demeanor toward when I met him on the street, a few days ago, co: vince me that he is not in his right mind. He has never, to my knowledge, been a drinking man, but 1 have not seen him very often of lat HIS BEHAVIOR IX PRISON. At the Tombs the reporter ascertained that much sympathy was telt by the prison officials for the un- fortunate prisoner. Since his incarceration Mr. Martin has told one of his cnstodians that he had, when in good circumstances, given $10,000 to a church in this cit Athat since being reduced to poverty he had been refused assistance by members: of the same church. His cell is located in the hall of the main prison, and there he was found by the re porter yesterday atternoon. He seemed to be con fused “in mind, and partially indifferent — to the gloomy surroundings. No complaint es- caped his lips, por did he seem to look forward with pleasure to the — termination of his brief imprisonment. On being asked whether he wished to mako any explanation in regard to the charge for which he was sentenced he replied, without raising his eyes from the floor, “It was alla mistake, but I had rather not talk about it. The least said, the soonest mended.” To the questic ther he hat a family he replied in the afirmative, and said that they were living in Con- necticut sod did not know that he was tn prison, THE LARCENY. Calling at the boarding house in Macdougal street the reporter learned that Mr. Martin had been stay- ing in the house only about 4 week, and that he paid for his board in advance, He was very quiet sca re tiring. At table, if a dish was ofered him, he would invariably decline it by @ shake of the head, and perhaps a moment afterward would leave his seat and walk to the opposite end of the table for the purpose of helping himself to the same dish. Mrs. Parsons said:—"l don’t t lieve that he knew what he was doing when he toc those things belonging to @ boarder who was in the country, because most ot the articles wero of Mttle use, while in the closet of the room occupied by himeelf were better clothes wot locked up. After commg down stairs he stood on the veranda with the overcoat on his arm and the valise in his band for some minute: though he didn't kuow which way to go. Of ¢o I did't know what other things he might have con- cenled about him, and I sent the cook to eall a police- man, When my son brought bim into the hall and told him that he had clothing belonging to another man, his only answer was, ‘Well, you've got them, haven't you?’ Ido hope that the poor man’s friends will get him ont of prison and seo that he is taken care of.” BROOKLYN THEATRE FUND. The Brooklyn Fite Reliet Association, which was organized shortly after the burning of the Brooklyn Theatre, in December, 1876, has expended the last dollar intrusted for distribution among the more needy relatives of the 281 vietims of ° that, The Executive Committee of the calamity. association, in whose charge the $47,000 sub- scribed were placed, was composed of Rev. n, Daniel M. Chauncey, ex-Sheriff Albert ett, ex-Mayor Schroeder, Colonel W. C. Sinn and Thomas Carroll. Areport of the expenditures will be made public ina few days by the committee, as soon as the Auditing Committee shall have completed their labors. At one time there were 188 families in receipt of aid, and the aggregate of the persons in these families was When the last dollar was paid out there were still fitty families on the roll, and among them were many exceedingly poor and deserving people. THE LECTURE SEASON, THE WORK OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DIS- CUSSED BY MR. J. W. SIMONTON. “The Associated Press 1s # co-operative institu: tion,” said Mr. Simonton, at tho Cooper Institute, last night, “the first duty of which is to obtain the earliest news, To make it thoroughly efficient it should be an antocracy, guided by an experienced hand, moved by a single will, But Americans are jealous of the one man power, and such a system would not answer in this country. It is sometimes censured for being a monopoly, for excluding outsiders from participating m its advantages, The Associated Press is a private corpora- tion, and possesses an unquestionable right to govern its own actions. Efforts have been made in Congress to curb what ix termed the monopoly of the Associated Press, Such efforts must alway prove vain until copartnership is pronounced a felony. Congress has no right to interfere in a pri- vate business, It cannot dictate as to the rates of telegraphing any more than it could in regulating doctors’ fees. The Associated Press is not a monop- oly. It does not hinder others from collecting news, but by long experience and admirable skill it hi quired superior facilities to all oth L thing #8 partisanship known int represents all parties, and the lifieation de- manded of anemployé is to be honest and capable, It ix not true the Associated Press and the Weste aph Company have entered into a 1 oppress the people. An erroneous imp} sion prevails that the association lives by the Wi ern Union. ‘They are as pach other < the merchant and his ° Western Union gives certain the Asso- ed Press, just as would to a customer ‘who deals with — him, But there is not a scrap of contract to show that the Associated Press should have advan- er other competitors, neither is it the cham- pion of the telegravh comp The postal t graph movement which has been proposed cannot ever lessen the power of the Associated Press should it be carried into effect.” Mr. Simonton explained eve ailof the machinery employed in the col- lection and distribution of ‘uews, and showed the great benefits conferred upon the nation by the agency of the Associated Press, tage f, WATER, WOMEN, WIT AND WISDOM. Rev. W. B. Affleck delivered a loeture entitled “Wine, Water, Women, Wit and Wisdom” in Repub, lean Hall, Thirty-third street. The lecture was given for the benefit of the “Helping Mand’ Benevolent Society of the Seventh Street Methodist Episcopal Church, When Mr. Atfieck took tip the subject of winé ho referred to @ temperance man who would not give up his wine because | Nosh planted a vineyard and drank wine, the | duet thereof, said the lecturer, as if he | “Noah was 600 years old when he did ou are only fifty, you will have to five 460 years before you reach the age when Nowh became a wine drinking man.” The speaker was very amusing when he referred to woman's wit and humor, MUSCLI AND SKIN, Dr. J. W. Rannoy dotivered In Chickering Hall tho first of acourse of four lectures on “Physiology.” The subject was the buman skeleton, nv jes and | skin, and was accompanied by beautiful stereopticon illustrations and a very perfect skeleton, As the lec- tures aro delivered under the auspices of | somit wo Sn ae cna tar tok | " ie Legislature on Tuesday morning. + cony the Manhattan Athlette Club, prominence was | fuittow will also heat addresses from. gentlemen. in given to tho laws = relating = to muscular | torgsted in the passage of the bill, among whom action, espectally as applicable to walking, runutng, leaping and rowing. Dr. Ranney denounced the | present mania for performing pedestrian feats with. | ont preliminary training, and said that all sneh a tempts must not only end in failure, but in perma- nent injury he t-exerted muscles, The next Jecture will be deli don Saturday evening, and the subject will be “Food aud Digestion. LIVE AND ART IN ANCIENT POMPETT. Rev. Henry G. Spaulding will to-morrow evening, in Chickering Hall, begin the delivery of a series of ctures on “Life and Art in Ancient Pompeti public has not forgotten what pleasure was de- rived from this gentleman's discourses on Pagan and Christian Rome, delivered in this city last season, and it is believed that the course proposed will prove equally popular, Each lectire will be tlus- trated with ‘stereopticon views, many of them col: ored. “How Pompeii was Destroyed’ is the subject to be discussed to-morrow night, and on successive Monday evenings the temples, pat paintin statues, Mosaics and household articles of the burie city will be described, There will be morning tutes on Tiesdays and Frianys at eleven o'clock, t ginning Mareh 4, CHINA AND THE CHINEST. Rev. Dr. J. P, Newman will lecture on “China ana the Chinese," at the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, next Tuesday evening, The object is to augment the ladies’ endowment rund of Drew Theo- logical Seminary, . a 1879.-QUINTUPLE SHEET. ; A. Meholson, United star | soon carried up the river to the dock at which | ments very successfully, considering the roughness 7 THE TRAINING SHIP MINNESOTA, PLEASANT VISIT BY THE MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE—MORE BOYS NEEDED FOR THE NAVY. A large number of the members of the Chamber of Commerce visited the trammg ship Minnesota yesterday, on the invitation of Commodore J. W. Navy, commandant, The party, numbering between sixty and seventy, left the pier foot of Wall street at a querter past two P. M., on board the Navy Yard propeller Catalpa, aud were | the Minnesota lics, On the disembarkation ot the visitors they were received by a platoon of sailors of the corvette Marion, under the command of a lien- tenant. In the open space near the wharf to which the training ship is made fast # battalion of the young sailors was drawn up im line, which, after being imspected by the visftors, accompanied by the Commandant, went through the different move- | of the cobble pavement. After the exhibition drill came the inspection of the vessel, This was done very rapidly, and every one seemed well pleased with | the neat appearance of the shtp. The boys were then put through their exercises at the large nine-inch cannon, apd it was really astonishing-to see the youths Joad and fire the great monsters as easily as if they were big toy guns. They kept the starboard and port batteries going in the most lively manuer until the sound of the bugle ordered them | to cease firing. Then came the sword exercise and boxing. In the latter hygienic diversion the young sailors displayed a great deal of science and pum- melled each other in true P. R, fashion. One of the great features of the visit was the exhibi- tion of the diving apparatus, An experienced man donned the suit and was led about the deck, the water being too cold to permit of his being put over the side. After a few minutes he commenced waving his hands as if in some trouble, and the front of the helmet was taken off as rapidly as possibly. The diving show being over, the party adjourned to the cabin, where they were entertained by Captain Luce. Here the usual speeches were made. ADVANTAGES OF THE TRAINING SYSTEM. Captain Luce made a very neat speech, in whieh he showed up all the advantages of the training ship system. He said—"We have here at present over three hundred and fifty boys who are learning a trade which will be a benefit to them in their battle with world. We give them yood instructions and ey are cut off from any influences that might lead them in the wrong path. There is one thing cer- tail said the Captain, “that boys who come h addicted to the use of tobacco and who have habit of swearing, are, in the vast jority of cases, cured of | their evil habits by the time they have served their apprenticeship. When the boys have gone throngh their time a majority of them may not return to the navy, but wherever they yo, and no matter what uirsuit in life they choose, they will always feel the benefits of their training bere. The Captain then brought up the matter which led to his invitation to the Chamber of Commerce. It was simply this:— There is a bill before Congress in which a clause giving power to the Secretary to enlist 750 boys more, so that they could be perfectly trained in the art of seamanship and made competent to perform all the duties of @ sailor, There is no money asked, the Secretary having enough to defray all expenses; all that is wanted are the boys, At the present time there are but 7,000 men in the United States navy, Captain Luce was followed by Mr. E. C. Cowdin, w spoke in glowing terms of the future ofjthe American navy. His speech, however, gradually drifted into a general pleading for subsidies to be given by the government in order that the American merchant marine could hold its own against the world. The speaker referred to the fact that railroads were paid by the government to carry the mails, and why not the merchant marine service? When he finished Captain Luce said that he must have mistaken him, as he said that the education of the boys was for the good of the navy, the government not taking into consideration the merchant marme, HESSTONAL AID ASKED. After several speeches, nearly all otf which depre- cated the government's want of justice or fore- thought in not paying a subsidy to American vessels forthe carrying of mails, one gentleman said that it would be well it the members of the Chamber of Commerce present took action in reference to the Navy bill. So, on motion Mr. Lane was voted to the chair, He called the meeting to. order and put the question whether those members of the Chamber of Commerce present would be in favor of asking the passage of bill 2,240, It was carried unnimously, It was then moved and carried that the Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce be requested to telegraph immediately to Washington. ‘The following despatches were then made out:— ‘ew York, Mareh 1, 1879, the Now York system of 4 sx to the merchant NE Mon. A Have te passage of the House Di No. 2249 in regard to the train Aid 1g school. WL eas much as possible. G ptain then expressed his sincere thanks for on ot the visitors, and all went on board the a, which conveyed them to New York. ne Minnesota is manned by 25 officers and 554 sca- men. its passa The ¢ the ac BLIGHTED BLISSVILLE, DESOLATION OF THE SWILL STABLES—THE WORK OF STAMPING OUT DISEASE DRAWING TO A CLOSE—NEW JERSEY TAKING ACTION, The war on diseased cattle in Brooklyn is rapidly drawing to a close There was a bustle in the De- partment of Health yesterday that indicated unusual activity among the sanitary officers, When the Henatp reporter called in the after- noon General Patrick and Professor Law were closeted in reference to communications from Goy- ernors Robinson and McClellan. The substance of these communications the reporter tried to obtain, but in vain. General Patrick stated that the corre- spondence between him and Governor McClellan was strictly confidenttal. “The long agony will be over,” chimed in Profes- sor Law, “in aiew days at Blissville, and I shall be rejoined General Patrick, “and I shall be glad of it too. You will not be subjected to any further violence from the stablemen atter next week, If we had anticipated any such rowdyism we would have made preparations to meet the disturb- gelement. The Sheriff understands fully by this time that if he is not prepared to afford ample pro- tection to gentlemen engaged in the peacetul per- formance of their legitimate duty in the vicinity of the stables the Governor will act promptly in the premises.” TAS SEEN IT@ BEST DAYS. Aflenatp reporter called at the Blissville stables last evening and found the place almogt deserted. One of the deputy sheriffs, who stood on the Hun- ter’s Point side, approached the reporter and in- } quired his business, The reporter inquired in re- | turn if there were any cattle for sale and the in- quisitive stable ke replied in the ne Just at that moment a squad of cowherds er from the yards, bat it was observable that ho seritiny Was exercised on their lenving. tribution of swill continued to the keepers of cows, wand hogs in the vieinity, but it was jutimated the stables would be closed at the cild of next ' that week. ‘Assemblyman John Owen Rouse, in a conversation with the Hinaty reporter, stated that a bill similar to that now in force in New York we the New Jersey Logisiature by f£. Governor McCicilan assured Gen that the bill so framed will be promptly signed by hi Mr, He e will have an interview with General Patrick and Professor Law to- rrow morning, and will mit the eon. meeting of will be ox-Governor I Dr. MeLean and the sa ral stables itary squad inspected seve- yong them a stable at New Lots, where some of the cattle exhibited symptoms of plenro-pneumonia. owner, Whose name is withheld at the request ot the doctor, sid that the cattle caught an ordinary cod, but Dr, McLean considered the case serious enongh to place the animals in quarantine. The case was promptly reported to Generat Patrick, who confirmed the action McLean, was some excites ment among the veterinary s' it was annowne MeLean in regard to the « Blisaville had been accepted, The judges in the ehal- ¢ have Hot yet been annow ‘The result is interest in medical circles, AT SLAUGHTER HOUSES, ‘The rumor that General Patrick would visit the slaughter houses on Johnson avenne yesterday sot the butchers all astir, and the employés of the May Brothers were ke 1 han Uy ment tor in- eth Inspector O'Neill, finding that the Gen- and Protessor Law did not arrive, notified the eneral inspection world be made the middie ot next wee n evening. sant petal Patrick to the Henaty reporter asa farewell, “when next we meet at Blissville, A few days more we will t Yould you like to follow ws through Orange and Rock! We are needed there just now. | had another message to-day from New dersey and L expect every hour to heat from Govern¢ McClellan that be is movinw om the enemy's works,” } | Polar expedition, } POLAR EXPLORATION. The Eothen Franklin Search Party. A Lecture by Chaplain Bryan, of the Hall Expedition, THE JEANNETTE’S FLAG. Wasuisctox, March 1, 1879, Mr. R. W. D. Bryan, who held the position of chaplain, astronomer and historian of Captain Hall's tured at Lincoln Hall to-night on the subject of “Arctic Research,” illustrating his subject with a series of stereoptic views. The pro- ceeds will be devoted to furthering the work of searching for Dr. Franklin's relics undertaken by Lieutenant Schwatka. The lecturer traced the history of attempted Polar exploration baek to the thirteenth century. But it was not until the beginning of the present century that England by several important expeditions, especially those of Parry, Franklin and the officers of the Hudson Bay Company, explored the northern shores of America and narrowed the problem of the north- west passage to the question whether a channel running north and south connected Barrow Strait with the waters that washed the continent. Sir John Franklin left England in 1545 with two vessels and nearly one hundred and fifty men to settle the qugstion which had for three centuries octupied the attention of explorers. Three years passed and no tidings were received from him. The gov, ernment became aroused and expedition fol- lowed expedition in search ot the lost explorers, The search became an object of universal interest, During the next twelve years more than forty-seven expeditions by land and sea penetrated the icy zone. For the greed of gain which animated former expe- ditions was substituted the noble and philanthropic purpose of saving life. Russia and France joined. Expeditions from the United States under De Haven and Kane, known as the Grinnell expeditions, partici. pated in the search. The lecturer diverted for a mo- ment to expose what he pronounced the absurdity of an open Polar sea, and stated that the Polaris dis- covered land where Dr. Hayes has stated he saw the rolling waves of the open Polar sea, In 1850 McClure discovered the Northwest Passage, which he was unable to navigate on account of the ice, He, however, actually passed through the Northwest Passage by abandoning his vessel on the western entrance and traversing about forty miles of of ice to another vessel on the eastern side. In speak- ing of the ill results of the Franklin search parties the lecturer showed that they had pursued their in- vestigations in the wrong direction, and if they had searched to the south and west of Barrow Strait some of the Franklin men would have been rescued. Nine years after, when the English government declared. thei dead, Dr. Rae found numberiess relics of the lost explorers—silver_ spoons, pieces of clothing, in- struments, &c. The Esquimaux had also very direct information establishing ir death. Then Lady Franklin sent out McClintock, who found relics and three skeletons of the crew, with a boat and a great number of articles. He also found at Victory Point a record the fac-simile of which was shown on tl sereen. With McClintock's return in 1859 all efforts on the part of England ceased, but America continued it in the person of one man, who, fired with a noble enthusiasm, devoted his life to Arctic explora- tions, left a name second to none in the roll of Polar heroes and died at last a martyr to the cause he loved. The speaker referred to Charles Francis Hall, with whom he had been associated in the voyage of the ill fated Polaris, and he paid a glowing tribute to the unselfish devotion and noble enthusiasm of Hall, who, beginning in 1850 in searching for Frank- lin, terminated his Arctic labors only with his lite. In ‘speaking of the objects of the present voyage ot the Kothen, the lecturer said that Frauklin and his officers. were deeply interested in science, and their observations during three years would fill large volumes and be of the greatest yalne, Then the ships’ logs and the private journals of both officers and men would ot necessity in that time have assumed bulky proportions. These heavy books could not be transported, and the conclusion was reached that they had been buried where they could be rec 4 Captain Hall found a number of relics of the Frank- lin party and learned that one of their ships bad sunk off King William’s Land and the other had drifted toward the south. But he failed to find the records, which, however, ne believed could be ob- tained if sufficient time and labor were devoted to the search. Satisfied that all of Franklin's men had perished, Captain Hall's attention was diverted by what he considered the more important objects to be attained in trying to penetrate to the North Pole. In 1872 interest in the Franklin records was again the information brought to this by ® mate of a whaling vessel, Barry. He obtained from the natives very counts of a party of white men, led by a an with stripes on his shoulders, ‘They were ‘o the south, and had buried many books and of stones, ‘The natives traded revived by country nam fall lar Hf ing pers under heaps on to him a number of silver spoons and other articl the York, identified as belonging to Mr. Grinnell, ot New very much interested in Barry's took the spoons to England and ed them to Lady Franklin, who was prevented from taking any action by a serious ill- ness, which proved fatal. Soon after Mr. Grinnell died ‘and for a time the interest thus awakened was unpro 77 Barry again returned from & whaling voyage, and stated that while at Marble Island he was toid by some of the natives that in tneir country there were buried by white men many books such as he was writing in, referring to the log of the ship. ‘The natives pointed out the place on a chart. ‘They also gave Barry a silver spoon with Franklin's crest. This information was regarded of such a val- uable nature that Chief Justice Daly, the president of the Ameridan Geographical Society, and others con- versaut in Arctic matters, deemed it of the highest importance that a seareh party be organized at once. ‘The difficulty of securing the requisite funds for the equipment of such an expedition was overcome by Mr. Morison, of New York, who offered to send out tue Eothen on a whaling voyage and piace on board a se rch party. This offer was cepted with enthu- siasm, and with the hearty »peration of friends im New ‘k and other localities the vessel was equipped and supplied for eighteen months. Lieutenant Schwatka, an enthusiastic, brave and talented officer in the United States army, was placed im command, and with three companions and Esqui- mau Joe they started from New York in the Eothen on dune 19, 1878. The little search party will be lett on the land to follow up the information in regard to the Franklin records while the ship is engaged im whaling. The lecturer then conciuded by saying that it was the design to send out supplies in the spring, and that Mr. Morison had arranged this leo- ture to help defray the expense. Contributions in money, in canned tneats, in dried fruits, in pickles, hard vread ndensed milk and flour were requested, acknowledgments of which would be made in the ‘ew York HenaLp, one of whose ubiquitous corre- was with Lieutenant Schwatha, jean flag, formerly the property o@ Mr, Grinnell, and now belonging to the American Geo- graphical Society, which had been saved from the wreek of the United States steamship Peacock, and had been with Wil ¢ seas, with De with $1 GA, on the Polaris in 1871, was exhibited, and the hope expresse 1 that the gallant De Long would carry it on the Jeannette to the very Pole itself. POSTAL COMMISSIONS. New York, March 1, 1879, To the Eprron ov tae Henaup: In an article in your issue of thts date, under the title of “Postal Commissions,” Mr. Pearson, the As- sistant Postmaster, gives the impression that the commission allowed agents has been a “big bonanza’ which Franklin was were party. to them, and that several of them devoted their entire time and attention to this business alone, is the That thie demonstrate to Mr. Pearson's untrue a few figures will most ignorant. 1 will take ures to prove my point. He says that #ix » the bulk of the business and that their es amount or $60,000 quarterly. I will not only yrant this but will allow that these six agents sell om If of all stamps sold by such age cies, which, taking Mr. Pearson’s own figures, nid be $500,000 a year, This would give a commission ae, which, divided among six meu, would give Sto each agent yearly, out ot which he has his rent, clerk bite and other expenses to pay. Now if Mr. Pearson can show any bonanza in such figures as these it is more than I can do. Again, Mr. Pearson says, “Many banks, insurance companies and others have bought their stamps of hese agencies and shared the commission with * This is mere moonshine, for how much A be left to the agent if he shared the commis~ sions with his customers? Mr, Pearson goes on to sary to increase the force need be at the general oft upptehencded by thers that they will be inconventence the least by this § order of the Postmaster Gene! . and that drnggtsts apd others will continue to hoop stamps for their customers. As to the first, 1 work hants, baukers and others will testify that they bay thett stamps now of these agencies solely on account of the delay they have met with at the General Post Office, and as tor dragyiste and others supplying them with all they may need free of commission irom the governn Nh ME erson go to a druggist who is hot an agent seo ihe can buy $10 worth from him at any tn eay that thousands of met