The New York Herald Newspaper, March 8, 1879, Page 8

WASHINGTON. Republican Leaders in Search of a Platform. JEFF DAVIS AS A NATIONAL ISSUE. Alarm Cries of Partisan Journals and the Real Situation. A REVOLUTION NOT PERE SS FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Washiseton, March 7, 1879. THE JEFF DAVIS DEBATE IN THE SENATE—RE- PUBLICAN SENATORS SHOWING TO POOR AD- VANTAGE—FACTS THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SUBSTITUTED FOR DENUNCIATION, ‘The republican party here in Washington ia united, undoubtedly, but it is so anxiously looking about for some subject to be united on that it has jumped with quite ludicrous eagerness at poor Jefferson Davis as the more available platform, The de- bate in the Senate on excluding his name from the list of pensioners for services rendered in the Mexican war is boasted of here by the extreme republicans as an immense victory and as almost in Itself insuring the election of a republican Presi- dent next year. It should be understood that Gen- eral Shields’ amendment to the Arrears of Pensions Dill was adopted by a vote of 36 to 22, eight repub- lcan Senators voting with the majority and two dem- ocrats, Messrs, Kernan and Randclph, in the nega- tive. If the eight republicans had voted-against it it must have failed in the Senate, and it wae not passed by a party vote at all. Then came Mr, Hoar’s amendment to exclude Jefferson Davis, the debate on which has been made the occasion of so much partisan noise. It must be said that; con- trary to the boasts sent out from here to partisan journals, the republicans. did not figure well in this discussion. They vilified Davis as the head of a great treason, and they did so knowing that Davis’ name is peculiarly edious to Northern men. They compelled Southern Senators to reply, and their re- plies were in the main moderate, and in some cases ery effective. General Shields pertinently remarked that to single out Mr. Davis for exclusion was to elevate and distinguish him, and was therefore unwise. Mr. Lamar caused a letter from Mr. Davis to be read, in which he asked that, in case a motion to exclude Kim should be offered, his friends should not oppose it, as he needed no pension and did not want to stand in the way of mazy poor men who did. For the rest, the Southern,Senators, being men and not dogs, ranged themselves on the side of Davis. They woukl be poor creatures if they had done less, for they were engaged in the same* rebellion with him, had been guilty with him and could hardly remain silent when he was attacked. They can never understand what the republican Senators «o well know and so meanly take advantage of that Jefferson Davis is the object of a peculiar bit- ter and lasting dislike to Northern people. But even if they did know this they were compelled as men to speak when they heard him denounced on the other tide. When they spoke they naturally went to some lengths in their eulogy as the others had gone in their denunciation, and they gave the republicans a fair opportunity which they entirely failed to avail themselves of. The Southern men spoke of Davis as a statesman and en able man, and it is surprising that some re- publican Senator had not the wit, on this, to substi- tute truth for denunciation and to give an accurate character of Davis. Tho truth about him is that he was in Mexico a gallant soldier; that he was, with the exception of Mr. Calhoun, the ablest and most enlightened Secretary of War the country ever had previous to the rebellion; but that as a statesman, in any true or largo sense, he was alwa: and remains, an utter~and pitiful failure, and so far as statesmanship goes all the Southern men who were with him originators of the rebellion must fall with him. The attempt to dis- solve the Union, and the intention to do so in the interest of slavery, was as unstatesmanlike and blun- dering & proceeding as history records, because it is the part of a statesman to measure forces, to foresee difficulties, to provide against the ruinous loss of the people he assumes to rule and guide, and to lay his plans in a such way that they will be made happy and not miserable. If the republican Senators had had in their minds anything higher than a desire to stir up bad blood and sectional hostility this is what they might very well have said. And they would have found a very large part of the Southern whites heartily agreeing with them, for Mr. Davis is disliked almost as gen- erally in the South as in the North. ALARMING REPORTS OF PARTISAN JOURNALS CON" TRASTED WITH THE REAL SITUATION OF AF- PAIRS, e Considering the alarming nature of the reports which have been sent from here to the various parti- san newspapers within the last few days, it seems advisable to assure the readers of the Henanp that in point of fact everything is very quict and even dull here in Washington. The rival candidates for the Speakership are conducting themselves like ger cmen; the President sleeps in his bed every night unvexed by dreams of war; neither the democratic nor the republican party contemplates a pronuncia- mento or revolution; the democratic leaders, so far from standing up infuriated on their hind legs yelling defiance, have mostly gone home with their wives and children; the President, so far from having blood in his eyes, is as amiable and IMMINFNT. hopeful as ever; the honorable Mr. Chandler remains true to the republican party, but is on friendly terms with most of his democratic colleacues; a close scrutiny of the hotels and other public places warrants the confident asser- tion that nobody of either party is hatching treason; there is no reason to believe that the White House and Congress are going to open fire on each other on the 18th of March. In fact, all is quiet on the Poto- mac, and the occasional sputter of noise, magnified reporta of which are telegraphed North, comes alto- gether from the party bummers on each side, who have slim pickings just now, and dislike nothing so much as quiet. THE NEW SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE— REASONS FOR CARE IN THE SELECTION, When the democratic Senators come to select the chairmen of committees in the Senate it is to be hoped that they will exercise proper care. It is well known that all Senators are honorable men, but it is & fact that the Senate Committee on Appropriations inserted in the Sundry Civil bill, when it camo over from the House the other day, several amendments of a kind which are commonly called jobs, and they were jobs of the worst kind, so bad that they were struck out as soon as they were reported to the Senate. Now, though the Senate Appropriations Committee had at that time a repub- Wiean chairman and a*majority of republican mem. bers, it is « matter of common rumor here that some of the democratic members of the committee aided in inserting these jobs in the bill. It was 4 dangerous trick which might have succeeded, for the bill and its amendments were acted on by the Senate at night, very near tho close of tho session, and thore was at least 8 possibility that these jobs stuck on in committee might slip through unnoticed. It is therefore reasonable to ask that the democratic Senators, in selecting a chairman aud members for the new Ap- propriatious Committee, will we such precautions es shall prevent the recurrence, while they control the Senate, of so unpleasant an incident, —- + ———- GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasnixaton, March 7, 1979, THE ORGANIZATION OF SENATE AND HOUSE, The democrftic Senators will hold a caucus the day after the mecting of tho extra session to take action NEW YORK HERA on the reorganization of the Senate and the consti- tution of the various standing committees. Mr. A. M, Waddell, of North Carolina, is now the only candidate for Secretary of the Senate from that State, as Mr. Shober, who was also a candidate, has .withdrawa. ‘The Senators trom North Carolina, the Legislature and the entire Congressional delegation are in favor of the election of Mr. Wa/ldell, and his friends assert he will have @ considerable support outside of the State, The democratic members of the House of Repre- sentatives will hold their caucus either on the 15th or the 17th inst., to select candidates for office. The republicans and greenbackers will also have separate consultations. THE NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH, At the Cabinet council this afternoon the appoint- ment of the members of the National Board of Health, under the bill passed during the closing hours of Congress, was considered, The bill pro- vides that the Board shall consist, respect- tively, of one member representing the Treasury Department, one the Navy De- partment, one the War Department and one the Department of Justice, and seven to bo appointed by the President. It was decided that Sur- geon General Woodworth, of the Marine Hospital service, should be the representative of the Treasury Department; Medical Director Francis M. Gunnell, of the Navy Department; Solicitor General Phillips, of the Department of Justice, and Assistant Surgeon John 8, Billings, of the War Department. IMMIGRATION INTO THE UNITED STATES, ‘The Chief of the Bureau of Statistics furnishes the following summary of the official returns of immi- gration into the United States :— During the ‘calendar year 1878 there arrived at the several ports of the United States 209,254 passengers, of whom 153,207 were immigrants. During the calendar year 1877 the total arrival of passengers was 190,361, of whom 130,503 were immigrants, show- ing an increase of 22,704in the number of immi- grants, or about seventeen per cent, THE ALASKA TROUBLES. DETAILS OF THE RECENT INDIAN OUTBREAK— THE APPEAL FOR PROTECTION TO A BRITISH MAN-OF-WAR—NECESSITY FOR SOME ACTION BY THE GOVEBNMENT. WasHINeTon, March 7, 1879. To Tux Epitor or THE HEBALD:—- Ihave received the foliowing letter from Victoria, containing interesting detail® concerning the Indian troubles in Alaska, which I forward you for the bene- fitof your readers :— Victont, B, C., Feb, 19, 1879. Wiit1aM GovverNeuR Morris, Washington, D. C.:— Sirn— Knowing the great interest you eel in Alaska affairs I have thought a statement trom me on the present difficulties in that locality would be accept- able. You are, no doubt, diready informed by tele- graph of the ‘principal tacts, but the details may Detter enlighten you. We arrived in Sitka on the steamer California the 8th of February, and found the citizens there under arms, momentarily expecting a raid by the Indians. It appears that a party of the savages, belonging, I be- lieve, to the Kake tribe, on the day previous had attempted it, and in an endeavor on the part of some of the peaceable chiets to prevent actual hostilities afight had occurred among themselves which re- sulted in the killing and wounding of some of the party. The Indians then threatened to revenge these deaths on the whites, their creed requiring the blood of sume white man as compensation, no matter how indirectly the whites might have been the cause of the Indians’ death, This is the latest casus belli which has been raised by the Indians, although, as you well know, they have for some months past been very insolent and threatening, committing many acts of aggression with comparative impunity, aud even murdered one white man at the Hot Springs. Two of the Indians have been arrested and sent down by the Collector, Colonel Ball, on the steamer California to Portland, but in the absence of evidence I fear no good can re- sult from the arrest. THE APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE. It was feared that this would add fuel to the flame, and the uncertainty of the tate of these Indians would still further stir up the hostile feeling and increase the probability of trouble and render the need for assistance more urgent; hence the appeal trom the citizens of Sitka to tne captain of a British ship-ot-war for relief, This appeal was brought down by the California and delivered on the 15th of February to Captain Holmes i Court, of Her Maj- esty’s ship Osprey, who immediately repaired to the Consutate and signified his readiness to go to Sitka on an offidial request. This request was made, I be- lieve, atter communicating with the department at Washington, it appearing by a communication from Collector Webster that no United States vessel could be sent at so short notice as the case seemed to re~ quire, and on tue 18th, at noon, the Osprey sailed with @ competent pilot. It pk oceeorirech understood that she will remain until relieved by vessel of the United States. ‘Ihe appeal was not signed by Colonel Ball, the Collector, as 1 believe he depended on the arrival of a cutter trom Port Townsend. I gathered, in conversation with many of the citizens, that they telt able to stand a siege until the arrival of assistance, but con- sidered the position critical. Some women and chil- dren came out on the Calitornia. NEGLECT OF THE GOVERNMENT, This, then, seems-the culmination of the Indian ditticultics in that district, which has been toreseon tor some time past by those scquainted, like your. self, with the stato of affairs in Alaska, and is tho natural result of the neglect on the part of the gov- ernment to afford the people in that part of the Terri- tory the same protection which is accorded specially to that portion lying further to the westward, where the interests of the Alaska Commercial Company lie; not that I, by any means, join in the (at present) popular outcry that that corporation is the cause of all Alaska dificulties. On the contrary, a great deal of c aptrap and Luncombe appears in ine press, I, with others whose interesis lie in a, simply ask what we are entitled to—thut protection for fits and property which is or ought to be the aim of all good government, but which in this case seems singularly overlooked, Late developments show a very prosperous future for the Territory. Some very excellent ledges of gold and silver have been discovered about the Tonguss country, which increase the necessity for a civil gov- ernment there. Respectfully yours, WILLIAM E. GEORGE, Alaska Coast Pilot, The writer of this letter, Captain George, is the pilot of the mail stesinship California, which makes monthly trips from Portland, Oregon, to Sitka. He is a reputable man and his statements can be relicd on. He has been on the Northwest coast for years; is intimately acquainted with the Indian tribes, their habits and customs. Hoe married the daughter ot the Russian Bishop of Kodeak Island, and has been in the employ of the Hudson Bay Company, and is authority upon this subject, NEGLECT OF CONGRESS. Congress has adjourned without doing anything toward establishing a form of government for this abandoned and unhappy country. The Senate Com- mittee on Appropriations refused to insert in the Sundry Civil bill the item of $175,000 for the con- struction of a new steamer for special service in Alaskan waters, notwithstanding that Senator Mitch- ell appeared before the committee and made a verbal argument in support thereof, showing the absolute necessity for such a vessel, and reading also a strong letter from Secretary Sherman tirging the appropria- tion and stating that he had not a single vessel in the revenue marine suitalde and available for this ser- vice. Unfavorablo criticisin upon my part of Congres- sional action might be misconstrued, 4nd therefore I must pationtly await the result which the produc- tion of additional light upon this subject may have upon the minds of our lawgivers at the approaching extra session. Very respectfully yours, WM. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS, Special Agent. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE. ‘The convention of Irish socictios mot last evening at Academy Hall, in Third avenue, near Twenty-third street, pursuant to adjournment, to perfect the ar- rangements for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Mr. Peter McGowan, president of the convention, occupied the chair. Tho first business before tho meeting was the report of the committee appointed to conter with the Police Commissioners, the Mayor and the ard of Aldermen as to the route of the procession and the reception by the authorities. The committeo, through Mr. Patrick Gibney, the chairman, reported that they had been received with every courtesy by the Police Commis- sioners and the Mayor. They were instructed to call upon the Superintendent in regard to the route of the procession, and he assured them that the route selected met approval, and would, in all proba- bility, be approved by the Board of Com- missioners at their meetin next Tuesday. The qnestion of marshals’ aids was then bronght up and the Grand Marshal, Mr. James Hag- gerty, informed the meeting that he would have an advertisement inserted in the eveuing papers as to time and place for a meeting of the candidates who should be proposed as aids of the different divisions intending to participate in the 6. Some discussion followed an¢ 6 convention ad- journed to Friday next, 14th ins! FLOATING IN THE CANAL, The body of a young and neatly attired woman was yesterday found floating in the Morris Canal, near the Linden avenue bridge, Greenville, N. J. The body had apparently been im the water all winter, ~ ORGANIZED PERIURERS Men Banded Together to Swear Away Life and Property. BLACKMAILING ‘AS AN ART. Innocent Citizens Arrested on Trumped Up Charges. Perjury in the minor civil and criminal courts has long been asubject of comment, but the cases that have been prosecuted have been exceedingly few com- pared with the frequency and boldness of the crime. That there is in existence on the east side of the city aclub whose object is the giving of evidence on occa- sion for a money consideration will prove startling information to many, but not so to the police au- thorities or the criminal prosecuting officers of the city. DEVELOPMENTS IN A POLICE COURT. The oxistence of such an organization as that refer- red to was developed in a hearing had before Justice Murray at Essex Market Police Court on Thursday. ‘The case was that of fn alleged assault preferred by one Samuel Edgart, of No, 32 Orchard street, against. Henry M. Greenberg, 8 merchant, doing business st Nos. 212 and 214 Church strest, The assault was “alleged to have been committed at a Jew- ‘ish synagogue at No..32 Orchard street, Edgart swore that he was kicked to insensibility by tho acensed, and a part of his testimony was cor- roborated by three Polish Hebrews, named Samuel Bernstein, Solomon Geist and Jacob Fonpenflinger. On his cross-examination Edgart was compelled to reluctantly acknowledge that ho had had Greenberg arrested on six different occasions; and further, that he (Edgart) belongs to aclub that meets in a saloon in Orchard street, near Rivington, the mem- bers of which are leagned together to “put. up jobs,” as the slang phrase goes, and procure mock witnesses whenever called upon. One of the witnesses (Fenpenflinger), when called to the stand, turned around as if to signalize to his con- federates, but Justice Murray, anticipating the charac- ter of the witness and his testimony, had ordered their removal from the court room. Then it was de- veloped that the witness had a civil suit ayainst a railroad company and that E’gartand Bernstein were among his witnesses. A CONSPIRACY PROVED. On the defence it was shown that Mr. Greenberg was in the synagogue when Edgart thrust his heaa within the door, and was ordered away by the former. No assault was committed or even attempted. This ‘wag most positively testified to by three or four per- sons who were inthe synagogue as well as by the accused, Mr, Aaron Nosh, of No. 218 East Broadway, a professor of the Hebrew language, testified to his knowledge of Edgart’s bad character gouerally, and tothe fact that he belonged to a club composed of twenty-five members, who are sworn to assist each other as witnesses in any case whatever. Morris Grossman testified that Edgart had boasted to him that he belonged to a club that could send any man to prison. Justice Murray ordered Mr. Green- berg’s honorable acquittal, and told Edgart that his proper place was in the State Prison, WHAT JUSTICE MURRAY SAYS, In investigating this subject yesterday a HenaLp. reporter called upon Justice Murray, who said: “This man Edgart came here and swore out 4 war- rant for Mr. Green! ‘s arrest. The first examina- tion took. place on Wednesday. When the sccused was arraigned Edgart swore that he was so pay ‘in- Pi by Greenberg that he had to be attended by tWo physicians, with great danger of being crippled for life, and that these injuries were inflicted at the 8 ogue. Greenberg dehied the assault. He swore that art camo there, and, knowing the charac- ter ot the man, he ordered him away, saying that he had no business in such a place. Ho ‘was positive that Edgart only thrust his hoad within the door, and that he (Greenberg) did not touch him. Adam Noah gave Edgart a very bad character. He said that he belonged to a club of twenty-five men who were banded together to swear in.courta of jus- tice, to protect each other and to swear for each other in any case where money was at hazard. Then I ad- journed the case to ‘Thursday, so as to get at the bot- tom ot the matter.” DAMAGING CONTRADICTIONS, “When the matter came up on that day I told the witnesses to stand up, and the sergeant took them to another room. Edgart swore that the assault was just outside of the door of the synagogue, and that it was of the mcst aggravated’ character; that two witnesses carried him down stairs, and that it oc- curred on the “4th of February. . next witness swore that it occurred on the 3d of March, and as he did so he looked around so as that the other witnesses might hear him and note the date testified to, but my precautions had re- moved thein beyond sight and hearing. In his testi- mony Edgart said he belonged to the perjury club, and two of his witnesses admitted their memvership in the same. None of his witnesses, however, claim that they saw the assault. The accused (Greenberg) repre that rapport bed fa vey the Sige e synagogue, and when go away threatened to be revenged. This was the whole of the occurrence, according to Mr. Greenberg. No assault was shown ina thorough cross-examination of all the witnesses who were called to the stand. Three or four persons were in the church at the time, who corroborated Greenberg."’ THE CLUB'S BOAST. Mr. Noah testified that Edgart had introduced him- self to him by means of a manufactured story, and that he had heard Edgart boast that he belonged to a club that could make or unmake any man in New York. Moreover, that he (Edgart) could go into court and swear any man into or out of trouble, no matter what its nature might be. Another ope told me that he had been asked to join the same club. On one occasion Edgart was in a street car with this person, when Edgart threw himself down and ex- claimed, ‘‘I want you to swear that my leg has been broken!” The man refused to swear to the lie. Edgart was after damages. He snid, “If you don't I shall have you arrested,” He kept his word and had the man arrestea and brought be- fore Civil Justice Dinkle for some singed irregular- ity in a note or money transaction, When on the stand Edgart swore that he had never been in Court, but it was shown that he had had several brought up in the Marine Court on orders In these cases damages were sought to be it 7 A PREVALENT CRIME. ’ ‘here is, no doubt,” be continued, “an immense amount of false swearing among this class of people. Lrecognize their faces in court every day. In this Rayart matter I thought the best way would be to ventilate the whole subject, so as to get at the bottom of what I believe is a prevalent crime. Had 1 peld Eadgart he would have had fifty witnesses to swear as he wished, That’s my experience in dealing with thisclass. They are mostly natives of Poland. They have a system of telegraphing their thoughts or evi- dence by movements of the lips and fingers and even by the shrugging of shoulders, and these signs seem. to be generally understood.” PROFES#OR NOAH’# STORY. At No, 218 East Broadway, the reporter found Mr. Nathan Noah. He ia a most re: table and vener- , aud told his ‘story with great caution. He said:—"l am © poe Lused to dine at No. 32 Eescx street. A man uamed Samuel Edgart made my acquaintance there by telling ie from Godiner, in Busso-Po- my native place, He said belonged to one of the best in the placo and is # son-in-law of m:! schoolmate, He auswered mo that he waea clot cutter and made $126 a month. I him repeatedly and noticed that be was not at work, This first aroused my suspicions. On one occasion he said he had lent a Mr. Levy $500 and took a note. That note he de ited with Mr, Greenberg for safe keeping. Greenberg, he said, gave the note back to Levy. I asked him what he was going to do about it. He said he did not waut to go to court, but would go before rabbi, and asked me to be one of the traters, Alter some persuasion I agreed. BLACKMAIL, “One night the arbitrators met at Rabbi Asch’s house in Suffolk strect. We did nothing that might and adjourned for two days. Then Edgart told mv tuat if I could get $50 from Greenbery he would be satiafied. ‘Khat made me more suspicious of him, When Rabbi Asch asked me how I came to know Ed- art, the Rabbi's mannor mado me feel that 1 was in faa company and I withdrew from the caso. few days later ® poor tailor named Mor- ris Grossman came to me and told me that Edgart had blaccmailed him out of $4 and $15 respectively by means of false arrests, He wanted to arrest him again, and I promised to see art about it at No, #2 Essox street. Edyart said he had to arrest that man because he (Edgart) had sued the Becond Avente Railroad Company for $2,200 dem- ages; that Grossmon knew all about the case and he ‘was sure to be w witness against him, Therefore, he would cause his arrost several times more, 80 that his evidence would have no weight in court. Edgart by this means would show that Grossman was an enemy of his. Did you every know such roguery ?”’ WITNESMES PLENTY, Resuming his convefsation, Mr. Noah said:— “1 asked Edgart how he could get witnesses when he had'no case, Ho replied that it made no difference; pe could get all the witnesses hoe wanted in any nso, asked him how he had arrested Greenberg so any times. Ho said he could cause his arrest atany timo, as he could get ali the witnesses he wanted from his club when he desired who would swear that Green- berg was going to leave the country, This is the way I got to be dragged into this disagreeable busi- ness. It seems to me that Kdgart is the leader of an organized gang of perjurers. He is not from my; place; neither is he the son-in-law of my school- mate, as he sepresented himselt to be, Mr. Solomon, who lives in Essex at neat atreet, told ine that the man named Al am Free man, Who was revently sent ty Ktate Pron for lite ior LD, SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1879.—TRIPLE SHEET. arson, was once one of the willing witnesses in one ox | Edgurt’s cases. Ihave heard that Edgart was under arrest in Poland for the same offences as those he is charged with here.”” KNOWN TO THE POLICE. Superintendent Wi told the reporter that he had never heard of this suit, but that he had heard a great deal about perjury in arson cases when investi- ated in the Fire Marshal's office as well as when ried in court. He added:—“I have heard that there is a regular organization among them over on the east side, banded to swear each other out. I assisted the District Attorney a great deal in ascertaining about the cl of some of the witnesses who were called to ve an alibi in the case of the in Freeman and Bernstein, recently con- and sent up for life. Assistant District Attor- ney Rollins gave me a list of names, and theinforma- tion I then got I believe went far toward securing the conviction of those persons. My investigations then satisfied me that there is # among these people to turnish CHARGED WITH PERJURY. Police Justice Walsh, Brooklyn, yesterday com- mitted Andrew Buteher to the Raymond Street Jail on the charge of perjury preferred against him by Wallace P.Groom. The plaintiff, it will be remem- dered, instituted suit in the Supreme Court against. Peter Cooper for libel, and Mr. Butcher was a witness tor the philantheopist during the trial, which was held fore Judge Pratt. Butcher swore that Mr. Groom did not properly distribute the pamphlets which had been gotten up in the in- terests of the nback party and paid for by Mr. Cooper. Justice Walsh set down the examination of the case for Wednesday next. ANOTHER GOOD MAN GONE WRONG. ages organization widence to order.” 4 PHILADELPHIA TAX RECEIVER RUNS AWAY— ‘ge B@RE A GOOD REPUTATION AND WAS HIGHLY RESPECTED” OF COURSE. ‘ PHILADELPHIA, March 7, 1879. Another trusted official is to be added to the list of good men “gone wrong.” This time it is Mr. Ben- jamin Shallcross, Receiver of Taxes for the Twenty- third ward of Philadelphia. Like all his illustrious predecessors, Mr. Shallcross was widely known aud respected. Ho was of good family, had always borne an excellent reputation, and, in fact, in the good old times would have been the last man suspected of being a doliberate thiof.. In the light of recent experience his respectable antecedents should not have shiclded him from scrutiny in his financial dealings with the city; but they did, nevertholess, so that now the community is suddenly shocked with the intelligence that Mr. Shallcross is a de- fauiter in a large amount. ‘There rre circumstances which make it appear that the stealing has been going on for years and that Shallcross has enjoyed a very comfortable and cosey little steal, owing to the immunity from investigation which this public official, fortunately for him, has always enjoyed. A LAW UNTO HIMSELF. ‘The Twenty-third ward of Philadelphia is a sub- ‘urban village called Frankford. When the Philadel- phia city government was given control of all the towns in Philadelphia county Frankford became a part of the incorporated city, like many other out- lying towns and villages. Mr. Albert C. Roberts is the Receiver of Taxes for Philadelphia, but it appears that under a stupid act of the Legislature his juris- diction does not include the Twenty-third ward, and an entirely independent Receiver of ‘Taxes is pro- vided for that district. SHIFTING THE RESPONSIBILITY. Said Mr. Roberts, in explaining his ignorance and innocence of any complicity with the accused offi- cial:;—‘‘Although I aprolnies this man I am in no way responsible for his oificial conduct, ‘Lhe. law takes away ail his accountability toms. I bie head the passage of a law placing the position directly under my control, and then it would cost less money and there would be a more thorough check upon the ofticial. I urged this upon members of the Legislature as well us Councils, but nothing has beon done.” Under the law Mr. Shall- cross held an independent office, Anact of the Legis- laturd’of May 3, 1960, authorizes tho Tax Receiver to nominate a receiver for the Twenty-third ward. Coun- cils are required to confirm the appointment and the official is responsible only to the city. He simply sends the Tax Receiver his accounts, which no one audits, and the delinquent list gocs into the proper official’s hands, NOBODY TO BLAME. “I have not the power even to remove, which can only be done by due process of iaw. His securities do not even come here. They are entered in the City Solicitor’s office, and the city holds the official re- sponsible, Officially I know nothing of Mr. Shall- cross’ deficiencies. Idid not reappoint him, in con- sequence of the rumors which were in circulation affecting his integrity.’ “NEGLIGENT O{TY GOVERNMENT. On the Ist of March the term of Mr. Shallcross as Receiver of Taxes for the Twenty-third ward ex- ired. He was originally appointed to his office by zeviver Smith, Mr. Roberts’ predecessor, six years ago, and his term expired on the Ist inst. For a lo: time past rumors have been current in Frankfo: that something was wrong with Shallcross’ accounts, ‘and two weeks ago he disappeared, having gone, it is said, to Virginia. The full history of the case shows @ most astonishing carelessness on the part of the City Council, as it ap that their at- tention was called to Shallcross’ irregularities about two yours ago. As far k us that Mr. Frederick K. Womrath, himself a Common Councilman from the Twenty-third ward, called off- cial attention to the need of investigating the re- ceiver’s accounts, but after a very discouraging ex- nce of red tape, and being referied from one to ‘he other officer ot the city government, he gave up his attempt to secure Justice in disgust. Mr. Wom- rath says that on the 12th of December, 1876, ho id to Shallcross $1,552 10 for his taxes. the January following he was astonished to learn that he had been returned as o delinquent, He followed the matter up, and Mr. Shallcross, hearing that he was dolug 80, called upon him, and assured him that “it was & mistake, and he was sorry for it,” asking him at the same time to overlook it. He was not disposed to do this, be- cause, he said, he had paid the taxes by check, and the check had been paid into the bank on the 1sth or 20th of December by Mr. Shallcross. Hearing from time to time complaints from his neighbors and others, he says that he decided that tho entire matter should be bape ind inVestigated by City Councils, and to that end he called on Mr. ‘Albert C. Roberts, Receiver ot Taxes for the city, and acquainted him yen the Peete affairs. Piatt Ge mot seom disposed © any steps t direction, he told Mr. Joseph L, Caven, the President of the Com- mon Council, that he intended calling for a commit- tee of investigation. Mr. Caven acquiesced in his views, and Mr. Womrath at once set about securing the proper evidence to be laid before the committce when it should be appointed, He was, however, met at the outset with a gencral reluctance on the part of the property owners to appear as witnesses; and being unable at thé time to gain the consent of more than one or two of them to testity before the com- mittee, he was compelled to let the matter drop for » h appeared in the Frank- tord Dispatch referring to the public dissatisfaction regarding Receiver Shallcross, and since that time Mr. Shallcross has not been seen: ‘THE AMOUNT STOLEN. The full amount of mouey involved cannot be known until all the tax payers who gavo money to Shallcross have presented their receipts, Shall- cross’ successor will at once begin an examination. ‘The peculations are said to have been carried on since 1873. A gentleman who has means of know- ing fixes the amount stolen at $25,000. He is also prepared to prove that where the pi erty owners were unable to compute proj eely the ge i which they should pay, that Shali- cross chai them a more than the rate aud pocketed the difference, He also knows in- stances, when no official valuation had been made of properties, that Shallcross valued them himself and ut the valuation and interest into his own pocket. in one case he did go in the presence of a second party, remarking as he slapped his packet, ‘That's all my own, every cent of it.” This gentieman said, in conclusion, Mr. Albert C. Itoberts, the Receiver of Taxes tor the city, and Mr. Thomas J, Smith, whom he succeeded in that office, both knew all about this thing for yeors, for called upon them and told them all about it.”” According to the act of Assembly the Receiver of the Twenty-third ward is requii to onter security in the sum of $10,000, Shallcross’ bondsimen are James Waiters aud George Shalicross, @ relative of the missing official. These og eye aro Fre for the amount of their borids, but tho city will lose all beyond the $10,000 probably. ROWING. MEETING OF THE STUDENTS OF THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY—EIGHTS AND FOURS FOR THE REGATTA OF THE AMERICAN HENLEY. (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HaRALD.) $ Irnaca, N. Y., March 7, 1879, Ata meeting of all the students of Cornell Uni- ,Yorsity bere to-night it was almost unanimously re- solved that the Cornell Navy directors be authorized to make arrangements for the entry of an eight-oared freshman crew and a four-oared university crew at the regatta of the American Henley, to be rowed on Saratoga Lake next summer. There were a few supporters of the ition to send a four-oared crew to the English Henley regatta, but Uf gave way to the project that was finally bai 4 § The University gymnasium has been lately refitted, and the competitors for plices in the crews will be put to work immediately. ‘There was a strong senti- ment expressed iu favor of the hope that Columbia will also enter crews tor each race in which Cornell will be represonted, ‘ 4 “ALWAYS WITH YOU." ‘The Hanan has received trom “Gratitude, M. D.,” 2 for No. 609 Bost Thirteenth atroet Macy dalmugulia, No, 11 lontoo nurves reise Th ile. Not long since a THE ZULU MASSACRE. THE DISASTER OF ISANDULA—GRAPHIC DESCRIP- TION OF THE DISASTER—DEAD ZULUS CAST ON THE BRITISH BAYONETS. {From the London Daily News.) The following detailed account of the terrible dis- aster at Isandula is telegraphed from Madeira :—‘‘The day before the action took place Colonel Glyn, in command of the third column, acting under tho direct orders of Lord Chelms- ford, sent away the advance guard under the command of Major Dartnall, composed of a detachment of carbineers, the Natal mounted police, Lansdale’s native contingent and others, ‘This advanced guard sent to say it was engaged with the Zulus. Lord Chelmsfprd himself and Colonel Glyn pushed forward. the main foree, con- sisting of seven companies of the 2-24th, under Lieutenant Colonel Degacher, Lons-- di native contingent, under’ Major Black, 224th and other troops, leaving behind as rear guard five companies of the 1-24th, under Lieu- tenant Colonel Palleine, one company of the 2-24th, under Lieutenant Popo, and a portion of the First regiment of the Nati! native contingent, under Lieutenant Colonel Durnford, with the following cavalry:—About thirty naval carbincers, the Buffalo’ Border Guard, and about enty- five Newcastle mounted riflemen. In addi- tion, Colonel Durnford had Sikali’s Horse and two gins, under Captain Kussell, Royal artil- There were a few artillerymon. The Army ital Corps, the Commissariat, with a column rd. Chéimsford’s, moved forward with the main body either on the evening of the 2ist or the morning of the 22d. ‘The rear guard had finished its usual morning march outspanned when Zulu skirmishers were observed surrounding the hills, These skirmishers advanced toward the camp, keeping up a desultory fire. The camp was pitched in a broken country in a sort of valley, with distant surrounding hills, Colonel Pulleing sent skirmishers, who responded to the fire of the Zulus. It seems that the number of Zulus was not estimated, it being considered a slight demonatra- tion of afew men, As the enemy's scouts were soon joined by bodies of considerable strength Colonel *‘Pulleine’s skirmishers were recalled, and the camp hastily put upon the defensive. The Zulu army then came on rapidly in regular battalions, eight deep, keeping up a heavy steady fire, until well within assegai distance. They then ceaded their fire and hurled assegais. Our men kept up a very steady, iling fire, and yreat numbers of the ¢nemy dropped,- but without checking their prouress. ‘The piaces pf Se, mon who tell were constantly filled by com- rades.* THE AMMUNITION WAGONS CAPTURED- While this attack was going on in the reur adouble flank movement was executed, by which the horns of the Zulu army surrounded the camp, The disad- vantagerot the wagons not being packed in laager was now evident, and it led to the disaster. Our men had emptied their pouches and found it impos- sible to replenish them, a6 the Zulus had obtained ion of tho ammunition wagons. ‘he affair then became one of absolute butch- ery. Our officers and men were asseyajod as they stood. ‘They made . no charges. ‘The Zulu host came down with the weight of its bat- talions and literally crushed the small body, which could only defend itself with the bayonet, and very soon it had not even room to use that. The Zulus_ picked up the dead bodies of their comrades and hurled them on the bayonet points of our soldicrs, thus simply beating down all defence. The work of destruction was complete. Within two hours from the time the Zulu skir- mishers were seen there was not 4 living white man in the camp, ‘The ammunition, the guns, the com- missariat supplies, the wagons, the oxen, all the ma- terial of the column, fell into the hands of the enemy. Fortunately two cannons wore spiked by Captain Smith, Royal .Artillery, who was assegaicd while in the act of spiking all the ammunition and phe wagons, and destroyed whatever was left be- ind. The Zulu army was completely organized. It ad- vauced, first throwing out skirmishers; then, as the battalions came down in muss,” used, their rifles while at long range with considgrable effect. When near enough to use their own more familiar weapon, the assegai, they threw in two or three showers. All this time they were advancing steadily apd ay idly, and the stabbing assegai was soon at wor ‘The impression in Natal is that this engagement on the part of the Zulus is not attributable to general- ship, but that the army of invasion was making for Natal and accidentally came across the rear g1 of Colonel Glynn’s column. Our trodps were allowed. to cross the river at various points. Colonel Glynn's main. body was enticed by a feint advance away frowA its material. Then the main body of the enemy, supposed to be under Sirayo, the favorite Induna of Cetevayo, swept dawn on the baggage guard. Our native allies fought bravely, too, and the camp had been formed in laager, and our men could have been furnished with the ammunition with which the camp was #0 gen- erously supplied, it would have given a different ac- count vf the enemy, Young saw nothing of bar- barities, The way in which the men were surrounded and crushed down by weight of numbers proves that utter annihilation took p'ace, but it is ‘hoped that the horrible stories in circulation have no founda- tion in fact. ‘THE HORRORS OF THE SCENE. All that are left of the Twenty-fourth regiment are Captain Harrison’s heey stationed at St. John’s River; Captain Upchers and Captain Rainforth, who were at that time on their march to join their bat- talion; Major Much and Dr. Hartley, who were in- valided a short time before, aud Lieutenant Mors- head, who was doing staff duty at Pietermaritzburg. The great wonder was that so few meu—for thero were only about six hundred mon in the camp, excluding natives who ran, and not ‘including Colonel Durnford’s mounted men, under Captain Barton, who did fight well—were able in the open, and with no protection of cover, to keep off for tour or five hours the large numbers of Kailirs that must have attacked them. The line of Zulus which came down the hills to the left was nearly three miles long, and must have consisted of over fifteen thousand men, while a body of over five thousand remained on the top as a reserve and took no part in the action, but simply drove off the captured cattle, wagous and plun- der. When these men moved they took most of their dead bodies with them in our wagons, mixed with the débris of the commissariat wagons, the contents of which—flour, sugar, tea, biscuits, mealies, oats, &c.— were scattered about and wasted in pure wantonness, On the ground there were also dead horses shot in every position, oxen mutilated, mules stabbed, while lying thick upon the ground in clumps were tho bodies of the white men, with only their boots and shirts on, or perhaps an old pair of trousers, or part of their coats, with just enanghy showing to indicate to which brauch they belonged. In many cases thoy lay with sixty or seventy rounds of empty cartridges alongside them, showing they had only died after doing their duty. ¥ THE ‘ASTLEY BELT CONTEST. At cloven o'clock yesterday morning Mr. Charles HH. Haswell, engineer and surveyor, visited Gilmore's Garden and measured the track over which O’Leary, Rowell, Harriman and Ennis will tramp next week for the Astley belt, Mr. G. W. Atkinson, of London, and two or three more of the corps of judges se- lected to look after matters during the competition. ‘were present. After giving full directions to the carpenter engaged to place the inside border frame in position Mr. Haswoll said that the measurement ‘would be verified in presence of all the judgos so soon se the track was built, when he would hand Mr. Kelly, the business manager, his certificate regarding the length, which he found to be exactly one-cighth of a mile: The competitors are much pleased with the work in progress on the track, and with the precantions that are being taken to secure them from annoyance during tho contest. Thies is to be secured by means of a stout railing plaéed inside the columns in such a way that the spectators who will be on the floor cannot possibly be near enough to trouble them, even if such a thing ‘was contemplated. Fair play is only asked by the friends of the four men, and all who know the temper of a New York audience are positive that this will be given them. The cottages for the competitors will be erected to-day, When the four buildings are in position a drawing for choice will take place. well completed his hard work yesterday morn- ing at the Garden, appearing for the first time in his track costume. This was of blue trunks, white shirt and drawers and red and blue cap. He will now rest, excepting, of course, the daily exercise required to keep his muscles from stiffening until Sunday night. ‘The English candidate wears a confident expression and smiles at the various guesses, suggestions and gorge regarding the siruggle. ‘ pens | passed the morning tramping around town on business, and relieved the monotony of tho occasion by msking » few small bets that 640 miles will be covered during the week, His health is good, Ennis took @ gentle spin in the Garden in the morning and ed about the city in the sfternoon. He is confident and hopeful. “I think,” said he to a friend, “that somebody will be surprised about this time next week.” Harriman remained in partial seclusion during the ‘day and had not been at the Garden up to a late hour, iy Leeper ve i [iv-8 seen — of New York, very sure arley wi sur’ se everybody before the competition ts over, . 4 During the prosence of a small Pert it the Gardon yesterday afternoon, Norman D. Taylor, the runuer, covered five miles in 29m. 50s, PIGEON FLYING CONTEST, The Homing Pigeon Socicty, of Troy, have ar- ranged for their annual pigeon flying contests for the championship of the. State and the United States. The first contest will take place on May 9, Tho Pigeons will from St. Johnsville and fly to pur miles. A weok later and ay to the Iong distance fly meual will take from Syracuse ir destination will be Troy, distance 130 miles. On June 14 the gront race for Staton will the championship of th ited ie Uni take place. The distance will be from to Tpoy, tot eighty, Aniwerpe. will be” Arous, March. THE ATLANTIC CABLE What the Energy of Five Men Ac complished for Humanity, LINKING TWO CONTINENTS, Preparing for the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Birth of-the Project. ‘Twenty-five years ago last night five merchants of New York met in a dinitig room in Gramercy Park. ‘Tre dining room has becomehistorical, Foyrtomale fignres, representing nothing in particular and dressed in nothing worth mentioning, still caper allegorically on the walls. Columbus and the ex- Plorers of old still look down with keen eyes from the corners. An oaken table, laden. with plate and flowers, has replaced the green baize board whereon these five merchants projected one of the greatest enterprises of the century, aud agreed to invest their fortunes not in lands, nor houses, nor machinery, but at the bottom of the sea, ae - Next Monday, in the same dining room in Gramercy Park, four of those five merchenta will meet again. One of them has made his last invest- ment. Tho, rest will be honored by a congress of some of the most notable men in America, agsem- bled to congratulate’ them upon the work they pro- jected under the sea twenty-ve years ago. Diplo- mats aud judges, governors and secretaries, boldicra and physicians, commodores and presidents,of col- leges will vie with each other in paying honor to the persons who composed the original Atlantic Cable Company. MR. FIELD AT HOME, i Mr. Cyrus W. Field will receive,them as his gudsts He was found yesterday evening by 3,.Hxnatp ro- porter busily intent on the coming reception. His eye is # little dimmed with age, but it:can stitl flash with fire, In his hand was a specimen, card of invi- tation which Tiffany had designed aud engraved. It is surmounted by the cout of arms of Mr. Ficld’s tamily—a shicld, sable, bearing threo sheaves. of wheat, or, between a chevron, argent. Tho crest is hand and arm, gules, ristug ‘from clouds, argent, and supporting a globe, all, of the heraldic tinc- tures being beautifully printed im colors. The escutcheon is supported on ‘ons ‘sidé “bd; the British naval flag, on the other by the Stars an‘ Stripes; ‘and the base is embossed on a. silver scroll the poco te motto, ‘Sans Dieu, Bien,”’ Tha four quarters of the world that the’cable has knotted together have their places in the four corners. Europa sits, queen like, upon & bull; bronzed Asia, with golden armlets, is borne on @ kneeling elephant, two brahmins beside her; Africa perches mn tha hump of a camel, and America, with’ freer mien, bestrides a bison. © bail 4 berries aud leaves twine themselves round the medal- lions, and a cable, coiled and _ twisted, wéaves itself into the letters ‘“. W. F.” On one side is the date of the cablo’s birth, March 10, 1854; on the other the date of the ¢clebration, March 10, 1879, In the centre is an oblong card of invitation, , Cyrus W, Field req) the ure of ———'s company Monday evening, 10, trom nine te twelve. Gramercy Park, New York, February 24, 1879.” At the foot is the dining room, with map and globe, and likenesses of the five mercliants who met therein, and of their counsel, Mr, David Dudley Field. THE FIR. “Yes,”’ said Mr. Cyrus Field, pointing to the card, “the gray beard in the armchair is’ Peter Cooper, When the idea first took form in my brain, from hints here aud suggestions there, that the'telegraph might be made to span the Atlantic, my earliest thought was to apply to ngs 4 gree spirited neigh. bor. £ appealed, not to ket, but to bis he I appeaied so effectively that le ry our president. Near bim, behind the globe, sits Moses Yaylor, who was then in the West India trade. He was an older man than I, and I shall never forget how he received me. He ‘heard me through tor nearly an hour without a.word. Then he rose, not less calmly, aud agreed to join us. Holding the map is Mr. Marshall 0. Roberts, whose history has been a succession Pst dug enterprises, He was the first tp project the 1G (palaces rich now ply the wat ot the Hudson an A agree C8. He was one of tho early mnoters the G Railroad. When gold was discovered in California he started the line of steamers pening, to the Isthmus of Panama and controlled largely the come merce With the Pacific, His .whole course hasbeen marked by a na hee Lamang gow daring’ ee men call rashness unti ey nee 6 an¢ en laud as marvellous Gone Hf Te joined ua read Bnaily wrote to my friend Mr. Cuandler Whit living at Fort Hamilton, He was slow to yi argument, but my enthusiasm was magnetic, and gd yi en ta my glowing descriptions at last d him away. I had thought of Kerio g ten capitalists, but Mr. Cooper asked whether? five would not do as well, No sooner asked thau answered, Five we were then, and five we are to-day, for, when Mr, Chandler fell at his post, auother eminent merohant, Mr. Wilson G, Hunt, stepped into line \y.”? THE PICTURES. Mr. Field then pointed to the pictures on his, wall. “There,” said he, “is the history.of the cable.” Tho first represented the bold and rocky mountains of Valentia on the Jrish coast. The Agamemnon has just brought into harbor the cable of 1858, The fishermen aro | Araggi it on shore, while the Knight of Kerry si com- fortably looking on from beneath an umbrella, and children upon the rocks clap their , But the next picture shows the arrival, at 8 Con tent, in Newfoundland, of the cable of 1866, ‘The Great Kastern looms up in the morning sky. All ia wild excitement on shore. The Albany rounds the int and enters the bay. Tho Torrible is close ind, And the Great Eastern gli calmly in, among shouting sailors and chi uta, and drops anchor in front of the telegrap! use, having trailed behind her a chain of two thousand miles and joined the Old World to the New. ‘This time the success was assured. But the smaller aintings show the price at which it was obtained. flere, beneath a lowering sky, is the huge vessol harpooning, with gigantic grapnels, for a broken wire. Here are the tars on deck splicing ol- rope and buoy-rope. Here are the rockets , in honor of @ recovered strand. “And this,” said Mr. Field, “portrays the most exciting moment of my life. We have fished up the cable, and are try- © ing under the be Wo tolo- araph through it to Ireland. Will it aaswerr We our breath. The spark flashes back. We are saved.” THE COMING GUESTS. Tho visitor was next shown the extension which Mr. Field has built in the rear of his house, to be the supper room on Monday next, His nephew's house, which adjoins Mr. Field's, will also be thrown open for the tion. The rooms decorated with messages will flash round t that almost a thousand guests will be The notabilitics of Washington will be represented by Secretary Evarts; Sir ward Thornton, the British Minister; Nicolas Shiskin, the Russian Min- ister; Judge Allen, the Hawaiian and Justice Field, of the Supreme Court. From Phila Aeiphia will come ex-Governor Hartranft, George W. Childs and the venerable General Patterson, now eighty-cight yeers of age. Massachusetts, where Mr, Ficld waa born, will send ex-Go oF aged dent Chadbourne and ex-President k Hopkins, of big oe nts . ill be t tl wad of the military con’ wi General Hancock, and Commodore Nisholson ‘will lead the naval. From Rhode Island Senators Burn- side aud Anthony will present themselves, and fgom Baltimore Mr. John W. Garrett. Pilgrims from the Western States will also turn their taces to the* Mecca of Gramercy Park, while the brothers of Mr, Cyrus W. Field—Judge Field, David Dudley Field and the Rey, Dr. Henry M. Field—will support the pontiff of the ceremonies. In short, reception wilt bo one of the most brilliant and notable events that modern New York has ever seen, THE MAYOR AND MR. ERHARDT. The publication in yesterday's Hxnatp of the 6vi- dence taken by Mayor Cooper ih his secret fnveati- gation of the charges made by Commissioner Erhardt against General Smith was the subject of @ good deal of talk about the City Hall. How did theim- portant information leak out ? was the question on "a tongue. A Mr. Cooper Pesatively, declined to say what course he would adopt in relation to Mr. Erhardt’s charges, tating that he would have to examine the evidence thoroughly before coming to # conclusion, “KESHER SHEL BARZBL, The triennial convention of the Jewish Order Keehor Shel Barzol will moot at Pythagoras Hall, Nos, 194 and 136 Canal atreot, to-mprrow morning, ‘Tho convention, when in session, is styled the Bu- reme Lodge of the Order, and is eompoont, one jelegate from each subordinate lodge. ‘aii con. tinue in session four or five days, or until ite busi. , ness has been completed, The Order is understood to have lodges 1m almost all the principal cities of the United States and Canada, SLEEPY HOLLOW CEMETERY. On Thursday evening last William Wood, G, T, Davis and Ward Carpenter were reappointed trustees of ther Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Association for the term of threo ‘