The New York herald. [volume], December 28, 1875, Page 5, Image 5

About The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920

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A Spicy Chat with Colonel Joyce at tSe
Jefferson City Penitentiary.
"THEY'LL MARK BABCOCK A SOFT BED."
Joyce May Yet Come Forward
with Damning Exposures.
"I'VE COT SOME POLITICAL PAPERS."
"I Could Shake 'Ein Ity if I Wantrd to,
but I'd Rather Wait.''
JsrrKKgoN City, Mo., !)?'?. S3, 1RTS.
Tbli little place, the capital of the great Sutw < f
Missouri, II now famous for one thing?for poa*issitjg
among the convicts in its i'enitent ary no leu a jxriion
than Colonel Joyce, the former leader of the groat
Whiskey Ring. The Penitentiary Is a long, low build
tug, which looks scarcely better than a abed, and
compares with the Penitentiary on Hlackwell's
Island or the state Prison at Sing Sing
as a lager beer saloon on avenue B compares
with a residence on Filth avenue. However,
In this miserable building no less than 1,300 prisoners
are huddled together, all of them infamous and only
one of them famous?Colonel Joyce. ! hud long felt
great curiosity to see this remarkable man, for I was
generally told in St. Louis that he understood crooked
whiskey better and could quote more from Plato or
Cicero; tbat he knew moro about the true
inwardness of the Whiskey King and tho
measure of Bahcoi k and could write better poetry;
that he could give more telegrams from Dnbcock and
talk more lofty sentiment tliau any other man in this
populous State. "Ah, If Joyce would only talk,"
people said to me, "it would make such a sensation as
would rock tho entire country to it* centre. He knows
til!" In fact, one of the counsel for the prosecution
admitted to me privately tbat Joyco knew more than
all the rest; that if Babcock was guilty he had all the
evidence, arid as iho Hkkald is desirous of laying
"the truth, the whole truth and nothing but tbe truth"
before Its readers, I took the morning train from St.
Louis to pay a visit to the distinguished prisoner.
I'KKMIIINAKY DIFFICl'LTIES.
This was no very easy matter, however, for while you
generally have no trouble whatever in seeing a Cabinet
Minister at Washington you do experience considerable
trouble in getting at Colonel Joyce. Captain Bradliury,
the Captain of tho t'rison. stoutly declared that Jovce
was visible to no one except upon a special order from
the Governor of the State. No appeal could molt him,
and as the Governor could not be found the situation
was becoming critical, when luckily tho Secretary of
State, Mr. McGrath, a most polished and genial gentlo*
man, stepped in and procured from tho Chief Warden,
^ Major Sebrea, the magic word that opened the prison's
portal.
HOW JOYCR LOOKED.
Joyce, when he was brought out into the Warden's
room, presented certainly an interesting appearance.
He is a very good looking young man ol about thirty
two, well built, with broad shoulders and a muscular
lace, with very boldly cut, marked features. The up
per portion of the face is very broad, while the lower
la very narrow, and tho sharp, long chin, tho aquiline
full nose, and the keen, expressive, grav eyes, archcd
?y heavy, dark eyebrows, as well as tho heavy, dark
aiustache that shades his full lips, give him
tho look of a man of great intelligence,
is well as decided individual, ty. His well
thaped head rests upon a heavy, fleshy neck. His
ikin looks tanucd, but the face has otherwise a look of
well fed comfort, which indicates that he does not lack
ibundaut and wholesome nourishment He wore a
broad brimmed black felt hat, which half concealed his
lorehead, and the regulation striped suit of tbe ordinary
tonvicL The jacket being open ho exhibited a fine j
linen shirt of snowy whiteness, ornamented with a
pretty, neat shirt stud. He did not look at all like a
convict, but more like a man wjjo out of pure caprice |
bod chosen to assume an odd, quaint garb.
BOW UK ACT1D.
1 stated to him that 1 had comc, as a representative 1
?f the Hkrald, to have a talk with him. Ho
termed very (-lad to tee me, and at onco
launched Into conversation. But before I pro
ceed to give the dialogue that ensued I must pre- !
mine Hint during this interview Joyce evidently
played two r6let very distinct atid different. An long !
u ho talked about his book and othcr'unimportaut I
?ubjecte he was delightfully chatty, communicative and
anreserved, and apparently unconscious, but the mo
ment the conversation diverged to any point which
?eemed to invite a communication of the secrets of the
Whiskey Rintf conspiracy from him he squirmed, became
oneosy, restless and as non committal as William ol
Orange. Ho lost his former unconsciousness instanta
neously, and his manner as well as Ins words became as
tonscious as those of a theatrical perlormer.
TftK FIRST ATTACK.
"Colonel," 1 began, jocosely, "America hangs on
four Hps; everybody is looking for the unprecedented
exposures of the true inwardness of the Ring which
yoa are about to make !"
The firm shot glanccd off completely; tor instead of
(Wing information as to what he knew he began talk
ing abont the Herald.
"The Iikralp Is a great paper," said he, pulling his
bat far over his eyes, which gave him the appearance
pf a picturesque brlgnnd; and. turning very violently I
toward the writer, he asked in a vehement tone, which
I suppose was meant to portray the earnestness ol his
conviction:?"Do you know that 1 consider the Hrrald
the head paper of this country, if not of the whole
world? And that's the re.ison why I'd like tho Hrrald
to publish my book. 1 think I could make an arrange
ment with the Hkrai.d satisfactory to both of us."
"You are writing a book Y"
"Yes," he said, talking rapidly and with an expres
sion of keen gusto, as when one talks ot a pet project;
"it's to be on the 'David CopperBeld' order; it's to be the
history of my wliola life from my early childhood
down to these walls!" (And ho significantly pointed
?t the massive walls of the prison.)
"You will also touch upon this great whiskey con
spiracy in It ?"
QriTK A LA PICRIRB.
"Yes, but only In the latter portion of the book. 1
tiav* now only a third of it finished, and there 1 give
little pictures of soul-life, In the style or Dickens' 'Cop
perBeld.' I will give you some for the Hbrald if you
like, and then you can judge for yourself I"
"Thank you. 1 should vary much like to read
thetn."
"It's a book out of which 1 want to make a hand
feme profit. I want it to sell like 'Sherman's Memoirs,'
for instance, and I think if you'd publish some ex
tracts of It In the Hkrald It would be a good adver
tisement?for, my God, the Hkrald has got a larger cir
culation thau ail those other fellows put togother. I
write a good deal of poetry, too, and 1 will give you a
lew little pieces If you like."
"Colonol," 1 said, beginning seriously the attack, "I
in informed that you bare nothing to hope for from
the President. Why not, therefore, give up all the evi
dence that is locked in your breast to the world?"
Joyce's complaisant ease forsook him in an Instant.
Be squirmed and assumed a forced theatrical air.
"THST AKR all HO.KIRAHI.C MRS."
"The evidence? I know nothing! Aa far as these
frauds are conccrned 1 know nothing! As far as 1
know Babcock is an Innocent man! As far as I know
the President is an Innocent man!"
"People say, Colonel, that yon know more about the
secret history of this Ring than any other living man?"
Joyce laughed. He fairly chuckled; but In a forced
manner, thatwaa rather painful than otherwise.
"They do, eb?** he replied; "they think I could
knock these fellows all higher than a kite, do they,
th?" And he shook hia head, laughing la the aame
unnatural way.
"Cok nel, you are a man desirous of fame. If yoa
made such,an exposure you would become the most re
ason* man In the country."
"The most infamous, yon mean," he replied, nerv
easiy and sharply. "1 am Infamoua enough already."
A?A he tried to turn the conversation to anothtr sub- I
Jtev "DM tli* HnuLC print my tpeecb that > mao?
before I wu seiU.onced t" t
"Yet, nod it gave evidence of great litefary ability. ?
"Well," Joyce Mid, bit lormer happy look ?nd ?an
ner returning like a gleam of tunthine after a storm,
"1 have got a good edacation and I worked lor It. I
CWt slept on the floor In order to procure the
means to study law. OK, j!'? ^
I read here-'Plutarch's Livo*,' Shakespeare, Byron,
kc. (In a confidential whitpo.i ''hit prison isn't nearly
so bud as it's painted?that It, If yon re a phllotopher.
Yos, 1 have kept my health bore remarkably well. I
get a good many Utile comforts here , I get the Herald
smuggled here onco in a while Y? usee they have a
rule allowing no newspapert In the prison t"
"THE PRESIDENT In Tilt OSLY Hi* 1"
??Why If you were to rnako a clean breatt o( every
thing that hat happened it might turn popular opinion
so in your favor that it might ultimately result in your
liberation."
Joyce here forgot himself and did not aasume hit
former constraint. "How would it secure my libera
lion?" he quoried, in a whisper. 'The only man who
could liberate me Is the President," but hero he re
membered hit other r6te, and violently changing hit
tone and manner he said, grandly, and with a flourish of
hit baud:?"No, sir, I know nothing; 1 have declared
in my speech that I am an innocent man, and I am an
innocent man. I stand licre before the world as the
victim of other men's guilt. 1 know nothing that is
Inconsistent with my uinocence."
'?What 1" 1 returned, "are you willing to bear ihe
whole punislimeut while others equally guilty go tcot
free? Are you, a man of your spirit, Colonel, willing
to quietly serve out your term while Babcock, for in
stance, it either acquitted or pardoned ?"
This was a bull's eye, and Joyce writhed under the
blow despite his remarkable self-control With his iips
slightly trembling he lowered bis voice, and putting bit
head closer to that of the writer he eagerly asked :?
"THEY'LL XAKK A SOFT HID FOR UABCOCR. "
"Do you think the President will pardon him If he's
convicted; do you think he willf'' And without wait
ing for au answer he murmured to himself:?"Yes, 1
suppose they'll make a soft bed for Babcock. I sup
pose they will." (Again turning to his interlocutor)? |
"Hoes Dyer thiuk ho can convict Babcock? Do you |
thiuk ho will convict hiiv? Now tell me earnestly '
what you think. 1 want to gel your own opinion. You
have been down at St. Louis and you have watched ,
those things." j
"My own opinion Is that he will either be acquitted,
or, if convicted, immediately pardoned."
"Yes, I suppose ho will be," Joyce went on 111 ?
whisper, which betrayed his menial anxiety on this
subject. "Graut strongly believes in his Innocence,
don't he?" And here Joyce suddenly burst into a fit
of laughter, as though It were a good Joke. "But yon
don't think he can remain tho President's private sec
retary after he's convicted, do you ?"
"It's hard to tell. Perhaps not."
"The Hkrald goes in very strongly against a third
term, don't it? Well, I am opposed to it, too. If
George Washington were to run for a third term 1
wouldn't vote for him."
"But, Colonel, are you really Inflexible in your reso
lution not to give the evidence you potsess to the
Hkrald?"
Colonel Joyce smiled good naturedly, and for the
nonce he forgot the rOU of the Innocent, and In the fol
lowing reply gave an implied admission of the fact of
I his possession of evidence:?
A GOOD SPECIMEN OF LOGIC.
"Now, look here! How can 1 cornc forward with evl- |
dence about this conspiracy when 1 have come out and |
in my speech In open court declared that 1 was per- |
fectly Innocent, and how can 1 know anything about
these frauds if 1 am Innocent and had nothing to do 1
I with them?"
This was a smart answer, and showed how ready Is
Joyce's wit for auy controversial discussion.
"You might know something about them and still be
Innocent," 1 replied.
"No, 1 wouldn't," said he, vehemently; "the whole ;
people would turn against me as a man who lied once
and therefore couldn't be trusted or believed again." |
"But you might render a lasting scrvice to your j
country."
Joyco laughed dorisively and said In a tone of fa
miliarity, "Now, I tell you nobody can get anything
out of mo unlest 1 want to give It. 1 have got perfect
control of this headpiece ol mine. (Humiliating)?No,
it Isn't that 1 am expecting anything; 1 don't expect a
pardon. I am just man enough to break stones in thlt ;
place and to bear it like a philosopher. (With assumed I
indifference)?I have ouly two years and nine mouths
to serve, and I am just man enough to serve it out."
"I assure you, Colonel, 1 do not ascribo your silence
to motives of fear."
"Well, you see, I am up against the wall now. I
have got to be very cautiouB Just now; but at to bold
ness, 1 am as bold as a lion. When 1 have onco made j
up my mind to do anything I'll do it, and if I had any- j
thing to give now I'd give it to the Hkrald, simply
because It's tho biggest paper?that's all. To use a
slang term, 1 wouldn't go to tho guts when I can go to
the head I"
Joyce's body and Joyce's soul.
"You have a very philosophical way of looking at
things in this world, Colonel."
"Well, yet; I am a philosopher, as I have already
told you. (With a great flourish)?And, alter all, they
only have my body here; they haven't my soul I My
mind goes wherever it lists. You see, 1 am no boy; I
have seen something of this life; I have been in three
battles, in iwenty-teven skirtni.shei and havo three
wounds Thai's enough, ain't it?"
This last query was put In a tono of great pride.
"But how about this Congress?" he asked, very
eagerly ; "they are going to investigate all this whiskey
business, arn't they?"
"1 believe so."
"Well, they can Impeach him aDd the Senate can try
him. If the next Grand Jury would Indict him that
would be belli Indict tho President of the United
States I Oh, God!"
And Joyco fairly worked himself into a state of
great excitement Irom ouly thinking of theso contingen
6168.
"1 do not thiuk the President could be Indicted," I j
observed.
"Oh, dear, no; oh no," Joyce returned, quite un- ]
consciously and in a familiar whisper. "Why, you see j
the United states Marshal can select for the Jury !
whomsoever he pleases, so that they can control the
enure Grnnd Jury from Washington. Oh, no; no :
United States Grand Jury could Indict him."
?'And so you will be silent, Colonel, while yon could
make the whole country ring with your disclosures?"
FEAR IHTMBER ONI.
Joyce smiled complacently and replied, "Ye?, I
might say something that would sbnko 'em up. but I
won't do It during tbeso trials; I'd rather wait. (Korgot
ting himself completely, and with perfect unconscious
ness.) You seo, General Graut will be President for
another year from next March I" and he shook his
bead ominously, as though that was a very Important
and gloomily significant fact to a man who could only
be pardonod by the President
FEAR Kl'MBKB TWO.
'?And besides," he added, "I can be tried on another
Indictment in St. Louis after 1 get out from hore, al
though I don't think they could send me back here, as
it ia for Just the same thing."
"And so you would ratner wait, Colonel?"
"Yea, 1 am liko Micawbor?waiting for aomethiag to
tarn up. You know what the Irishman said?he'd
leave things in statu quew; that's what I'll da (Alter
a pause.) Hut it's about my book that 1 want to speak to
you. You see, If the Hkkald would publish it It would
have a large sain. But, of coarsc, I want to make a
good thinx out of It 1 can Mil you now that I wouldn't
take ${>0,000 lor it U's a book which everybody will
want to have in hia library, Just as he has a copy of
?Tlutarch's Ltvca." And I tell yju I shall benefit this
world with tola book or mina."
"How so f"
JOYfl AS i MORAL TEACHES.
"Will, by the good lessons U inculcates. Now, In
the extracts which 1 will give you there's a lesson on
libertinism; Just read that I tell you everybody can
learn something Irom my llfo. But, of courss, I say It
frankly, the only reason why 1 give It to the Hbralb
In preference to another paper la breause I think It
would pay me beat (theatrically). The Herald Is noth
ing to me except In so far aa It subserves my own In
terest; I am nothing to It except In so far aa 1 subserve
Its Interest."
"Colonel, you are quite sententious."
"Well, you see, I am a philosopher; I take life as It
Is. Interest Is the spring of all homan action. Yon
remember what Rochefoucauld says In one cf his
maxims. 'Human action tarns upon a pivot of human
Interest,' and 1 agree with him. Don't you ?"
"1'crfectlT. Colonel, but there's somethins that later
??M me Mr more man any or Jloetieroucauia'a maxims
Ja it true thai you poetess important letters from
General Grant, Implicating bins, at it Is said, In lit.
Louie t"
"WKii i'tb oot 80m? rouiiCAL f*r*Ka."
*CT I
Here Joyce became conMm of dangeroui
ground he wag treading on, and luddenly he became
mum and dumb. "But nev r mind Grant or Babcock.
I?t me road to you some of tbe opening chapters of
my book, which 1 wrote specially for you last night?I
wrote till two o'tlui k this morning. I tell you tbe
Hirai i will want to publish the book next summer
when it I* ready It'll be a first rote campaign docu
ment" (and Joyce heartily laughed at hi* own joke).
'?What will be (he scope ol the book T"
"Ob, I shall (.'iv* my whole life, including this last
great conspiracy. You see there are a great many
things in 1 hie business that people don't pot hold of. 1
can give tbem a good deal of the interior of this case.
In my last iwenty-Qve ( haptars I will tell all about my
official career as a revenue officer."
"Will you (.'jve ut pictures of Grant, Bristow, Bab
cock aud all these famous men?''
"i'll give ai.l tiikms fiople a rotrcn.
I'll give them all a call,'' he replied, laughing. "Now, I
have written a good deal ol poetry. Let me read to
you these little poems, whith 1 wrote last night," and
Joyce read the following with admirable expression and j
pathos, and in a melodious, sonorous voice (explaining
j first, however, that he wrote the "Sunbeam" simply
I on the inspiration of seeing a sunbeam stray into his
cell in the afternoon):?
TilK St'NHEAM
(Written an'l composed in less than twenty minutes.)
A bright golden beam came into my coll,
Fresh iroin the eye of Jehovah to tell
That bolts and burs could not keep out tho light
Of truth and justice, merry and right.
It checkered the llag? through the ir< n doqff
Aud dnnced in tbe shadows that kissed the floor,
And loitered about in a ttiendiy way
Until beckoned home, at the close of day.
When out through tho window it How on high,
And hastened back to its home In the Bky.
I followed tho beautiful beam to rest
To a sea of light in the golden west, ,
\y here It dropped to sleep on the dark blue sea,
Wrapped in night?lost to day and me.
J turned to my soul lor a loud relief?
A balm to the wound, a stop to the grief?
I When an angel vision appeared from above
V. here tho beiim is Goii and Uod is love I
BBLI1VB MR.
Believe mr. when 1 tell thee, darling,
'lhut my heart is warm aud true;
And the years have only brought up
Hope and love combined with you.
Bitter memory wakes the sorrow
Thai has slumbered many years;
But the daylight hour is nearing
Wheu we meet in smiles aud tears.
The world may scoff and turn coldly
On mv track o'er land or ?ea.
Yet I'll bear tho blow more bravely
It It leads to love and thee.
Lonely hours and fading pleasures
Kill the mind with days gone by,
When wo ktsaed our lute treasures,
l'.irimg sadly ; you aud 1.
Fate and tortune ever battling
In the ranks of bounding life.
Down to-day and up to-morrow
Is the lesson ol tbe strife.
Loving hearts must never falter,
Hoping onward to the last;
Breast the norm without a murmur;
t>od will help when all is past.
"Bravo, bravo!" I exclaimed, with genuine enthusi
asm at the truly artistic reading of these poems. 1
then listened to Joyce's novel pictures, which be read
with deep feeling and highly dramatic expression. It
was difficult Ij say which was best, his pathos or bit
bathos. Alter the reading he and the Warden showed
me his cell, which is light, airy and neat. It Is situ
ated in the corridor of the colored prisoners, of which
Joyce has charge generally.
As we parted Joyce flnul'y Mid, "As to tbe evi
dence you want, you may !?? ?urr th.it if I give it to
anybody I will give it to tbeH?.kAL< l it that's all I
cau say now. tioodby!" Mi? it. a grasp of
my hand he returned to his torr
"A wonderful man this ? n 'lined Captain
Bradbury, the captain of th> pr>< u. who had also
listened to Joyce's readings. "A won.u-rful man."
DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.
A FORMER PUPIL'S ACCOUNT OP TUK CAUSES OF
EPIDEMICS AT THE INSTITUTION.
To thk Editor of Tnt Hkralo:?
The columns of the are always open to the
public for criticism and correction*, and now I take
the liberty to say a word or two in reference to ihe out
break of typhoid fever In the New York Institution for
the Deaf and Dumh, which is situated on Eleventh ave
nue and 102d street.
I am a graduate of the above In.-litmion and was
under a six years' course of instruction. While I was
there I was under Dr. Kodensiem's and Dr. Brooks'
care and not under Dr. 1'orter's, the present Super
intendent and resident pbvsieiau, lor he was chosen
in the year 1872, 1 tnmk. During my time 1
saw many outbreaks of epidemics. Twice the typhoid
fever appeared?once in an al. .ning form, but only
fifteen pupils out of 580 d>e1. and the fever was goon
under control. Th s appeared at the time Dr. Rodon
steln hud charge. Such outbreaks are not, 1 believe,
caused by the new road and the water in the cave, as
Dr. I'orter lately stated to a reporter of the Hkralu.
1 think thut the causes of such outbreaks are the 1
followingWhile a pupil myself I saw that the floor in '
the boys' washroom was always wet and the walls j
damp. The sitting room in which the boys study is
very large and airy, but the desks aro cloao together, j
and the pupils are not pleased to sit so close. During
the cold weather great difficulty Is experienced in heal- 1
bg this room to a comfortable temperature. This 1
sitting room is warmed by steam pipes, which run j
around it and are adjusted to the walls.
The school rooms ou the third tier huve of late been
changed into bedrooms, and they are as largo as our !
cumin >n r ooking rooms. In these rooms a large num- j
ber of pupils Bleep, and it is known that :be air at '
night is very unpleasant?the windows being ciosed? j
and injurious to tiie health of the occupants. In each
o! the other dormitories there is a very large number |
of boys, of all sizes and ages, sleeping not more than
two toet apart on iron beds, and when cold weather
sets in It is also difficult to warm these dormitor.es to
a comfortable l mperature, and the breathing which
comes from each sleeper seems to be of a bitter nature,
for one person's breathing differs from another's. !
Nearly every dormitory and room in the buildiug has a
sink, and when the pipes are broken the stench is awlul.
There is a swill-house adjoining the privy vault;
garbago of every description is emptied therein, and
the stench that arises from it is both unpleasant
and unhealthy to the pupils, and It Is a constant
cause of death or sickness to the Inmates. The swill is
taken away by a colored man in an open wagon; but
what is done with it Is not kuown to me. The [Mind
Just below the institution is very unhealthy, and ought
utonce to be tilled. When the river (alls mud Is only
visible, and the stench is cleurly manifested to the
pupils when the wind drives it over the premises. The
pupils, of whatever ago they may be. indulge in sports
In winter, and they evon do not care for the rainy days.
It is mostly in winter when they get their feet wet,
and being unable to change their wet stockings in the
day timn they hang them on the steam
pipea in the sittiug room to get them dry;
but most of them do not cafe whether
they catch cold or not, and therefore keep their wet
stockings on tbrougn the day. The supervisors and
managers know of this, and whenever the pupils want .
to chunge their clothes they ought to bo allowed to do I
so. Oiten when the pupils caunot find their clean un- j
derwear on .Saturdays or Sundays they keep their i
dirty ones on for another week or so, and I ask if this :
Is healthy. In the bathing room there is a large basin |
tilled with water, in which each class ha* a turn to |
bathe every Saturday, but the water is not changed lor [
each class. In this stagnant water all the boys bathe,
and Is not this unhealthy? When a pnpil
complains of being sick be Is sent to the siok '
room, where other patients are placed, and It Is not
known what disease or sickness be has till be grows a
little worse or till the nurse calls on him. For
instance should a person have the typhoid fever, he is
gent to the sick ruom. Before the typhoid fever pa
tient is closely examined one or mere of the other pa i
tients aro laid up with the lever. Why do not such i
persons have a close examination before being sent 1
there to tpfead the disease f
The managers know all about the above, and there
fore a plea of ignoranco on their part is a plea of guilt
Whenever the pupils appear before some one to com
plain there is always on the side of the oppressor |
power, and for the oppressed there is no helper '
and everything la "choked ofT." The Institution is
unlike our other ones, lor it will be seen that sick- *
neFs of some kied broaks out at It nearly every
year. Th's institution Is very popular, and is a great I
gift to the metropolis; it has imparted the bless'ugs ol
an education to more than 2,460 deaf mutes sinco its 1
opening In 1818, and has elevated many deaf mutes to
the pinnacle ol ordinary intellectual abilities. It is cer
tain that Dr. Porter, the Superintendent does not
want such trifles kuown to the public, for it is a con
tiuous source of trouble, because the parents and
friends of the pupils go to the school
after bearing ol the epidemic, and only re
turn with Joy after finding their children
doing well; but some are so alarmed that they take
their children home for oettnr care. This is all iwn
sense; for it Is a great loss tq the State, because each
pupil over twelve years til receives $300 a year
lor board aad $30 for cifcthing, beside medical care;
and when the fever breaks out, snd proves of a severe
character, the pupllfi are sent borne for a month or so.
and during that time a portion of their $330 is laid
away; ana as they have a courso of eight years, part of
their time Is spent for nothing; and, should thev go 1
borne averv tall for one month iu ?vcr? year U??? 1
would low ?tjht months' Instruction In conclusion,
I would like to say that J bay* no bitter leehug*
against tbe Superintendent or Principal or any of the
manager* of the Institution; hut 1 write this for tbe
benefit of tbe reader* of tbo Bsn-ii.ii at well as the
parent* and friends of tbe pupils, Hoping jou will
$ive lb is publicity, 1 remain. respe< tfully your*,
W, A. BUND, Graduate '72.
BkOOSLTW, Dec. 21. 1875.
THE CENTENNIAL.
INDIANA EDITORS, WITH THEIJt WIVES, MOVING
ON PHILADELPHIA?THE MILITARY DIS
PLAY? TKOOi*8 EXPECTED FROM THE DIFFER
ENT STATES.
Philadelphia, Dec. 27, 1873.
Tbe Secretary of the Centennial Commission has re
ceived a letter announcing that tbe editor* of Indiana,
with tbclr wives, numbering in all about 200 jiersons,
will visit Philadelphia about the ltith ol January, lor
tbe purpose of viewing tbe Centennial building*.
Not tbe least interesting of the many adjuncts to the
Philadelphia Kxhibition of 1876, and one which will add
brilliancy and color to the occasion, will be tbo repre
sentation of the State militia or National Guard of the
various States of tbe I'mon. Tbe addition of this
feature was proposed long since, and invitation* were
thereupon officially sent to tbo Governor* of tbo
States.
.Forty acres of well located ground within Fairmonnt
Park, convenient to the Kxbibition enclosure, have
been designated by the Park Commission for the ac
commodation o( the visiting troops and transferred to
Governor Hartritnfl, to be at his disposition. With
the view of facilitating the action of the officials who '
will have charjo of the matter?whoever they may
be?a volunteer committee of citizens and others was
formed in this city for the purpose of getting informa
tion. a letter of inquiry being prepared and sent to the
Adjutant General of every Slate.
The replies tc Hits letter Indicate that a very large
representation will be rnado by the militia of the differ
ent States, some of which may follow the example of
Connecticut, whose entire militia will come In a body.
The militia of tbiR State is composed of two companies !
of horse guards und two companies of foot guards as ;in |
escort of bono- to the Governor, ami the State !
National Guard made up of four regiments of in
fantry and one section of light artillery. They |
propose to encamp at Philadelphia lor six or j
eight days about the last week in August. New York
will be 'represented by at least ten regiments of the
National Guard and other independent organizations, !
numbering, in >11, 12,000 or 10,000 men. Among the
regiments from New York from whom acceptances
bavo beer obtained aro tho famed Seventh, the Twenty
second, the Old Guard, and rcgiuienls lrom Albany.
Rochester and Buffalo have also indicated their inten
tion to be present. New Jersey will send many of h*r i
citizen soldiery, but exactly what organisations will j
come cannot y? be told. From Now Hampshire the ?
Manchester l.ipat battery and the Portsmouth Anil- ,
lery have thus far accepted. Little Rhode |
Island will send tbe Newport Artillery Com
pany, the United Train ol Artillery and the
First regiment of infantry. The Massachusetts sol
diery will he represented in the lioston Light Infantry,
the Lexington Minute Men and tho Ancienl and Honor
able Artillery Company.
Of the Wostera -Suits Illinois and Ohio have sent re.
plies informing she committee thai from Illinois the
First regiment of State Guards, of Chicago, and the
Governor's Guards, ol Springlleld, will come; and from
Ohio the Myers' Cadets, of Toledo. The respouse*
from the Western Slates have been the least numerous.
The Southern Stites have been very prompt in re
solving to sen! their old soldiers to Philadelphia to
shako hands with their Northern brethren. Froin
South Carolina will como the Washington
Light Infantry, the crack Charleston or
ganization; aud companies from Greenville, Chester
and Richland. The famous Washington Artillery, of
Louisiana, will send three companion to Philadelphia
for a brief visit, arid Mississippi's Columbus Light Ar
tillery will accorpany them. The well kuown Norfolk
Blues will come, probably with other Virginia regi
ment*, aud will compete in a friendly way with tho
Slate Fencibles, of this city. In a contest for protlclency
in drill. Baltimore's Seventh, the Fifth Maryland, wiil
appear for her State, and her little sister Delaware will j
fetid one regiment. From Georgia will comc the i
Clinch Rifles, while Tennessee will have 1,500 men i
lrom diflcreut regiments.
ART AT THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION?WHY j
FOREIGN ARTISTS HAVE RE EH ASSIGNED j
SPACE AND WHY AMERICANS HAVE NOT BEEN.
PtiiLADitU'HU, Dec. 27, 1875.
Recently, wlu'n tho Centennial Commissioners had
read the ingenious articles in a New York paper con
cerning the Kxbibition, their exclamation has been In !
i effect, if Dot in words, like that of Falstaff in "King !
Henry IV.," "Lord, Lord, bow this world is triven to I
! lying!" The litest assertion requiring correction is
| that the Centennial Commissioners have refused to
! make any as-ignment or space in the Memorial Hall,
! the art gallery, lor Aniericau artists, while thoy have
i long smoe assigned the space for foreign artists under
I their respective nationalities. Theso allegations may !
| be briefly explained t>y the announcement, authorized (
! by Mr. Sartuin. bead of the art department, that
NO A^Slli.lMli.NTS or SPACK
whatever have be n made iu the Centennial art gallery I
until very lately. The general a|iportioument?a pre- f
limlnary matter quite diflerent (rom individual assign
I ments?has Just been beguu. None has yet been made
! lor the United States, tor the very good roason that
j the Commissioners have not been informed how much
j room our artists will want, and because the Director
i General will be able to give them all tbty need, it is
thought. Since the Centennial Board ol Finance has
! been authorized to construct the
ADDITION TO TI1K ART GALLKRV,
which was lately described in the IUk.u.d. one-third
I mure room is given for this department, making 81,000
( square feet of wall space, or, countiug the building
i for the display of photographs, over 100.000 square
1 leet in all. If there is un impression that
foreign nations have be?*n assigned space in
the art gallery it ar.ses evidently lrom the tact that
when the Commissioners from abroad have asked for a
definite amount of space on the walls of the gallery it
has, of course, been accorded?Just as lielgium lias to
day requested 6,000 square leet, and even the tittle Ar
gentine Republic for 300 feet, ttf coarse, when these
foreign commissions know the number of artists from
their country who waut to exhibit thev ask for tlier
allotment, and themselves make the assignmeul* to
the pninters and sculptors who have npplied. As the
art bureau of the commission for our country have re
ceived no such detinue intormation on this point?tins
matter being by no means the only one in winch we j
are behind our transatlantic competitors?they can i
make no estimates.
THE SPANISH COMMISSION.
The members of the Spanish Commission to the Cen- j
tennial Exhibition In Philadelphia arrived in this city ;
from Liverpool, in the steamer China, on Sunday, and
are now stopping at the Grand Central Hotel. The
commission ts composed of the following persons:? i
Colonel Loj>ez Fabra, Chief Commissioner; Signor Al
varo de la Lands r a, Director of the Department of In- ;
dustry; Count del Douadio, Director of the Depart- j
ment of Fine Arts; Siguor Joaquin Oliver, General !
Secretary, and Sigtior Allredo Escoba, Official Secretary
to the commission.
The commission has also w'ith it an interpreter who
proceeded to Washington yesterday. Colonel Lopez
De Fabra was called on last evening by a Hkralo re- j
porter, when he stated that the members would re- .
mam in Now York uutil next Thursday, when they '
would leave for Philadelphia. The Spanish govern
ment had accepted the invitation to be pres
ent at the American Centennial Exhibition,
as a matter of courtesy, just as it sent its
representatives to l'nris, London and Vienna on
the occasions of the universal expositions held at those
cities. The commission intend to erect a building in
Centennial Park, and twenty-four of the Corps of Civil
Engineers and eight men chosen from the ordi
nary walks of life will arrive from Spain in a short
time to prosecute the work. All the provinces ol
Spain will be represented at the Exhibition.
Colonel De Fabra comes lrom Catalonia, which is tho
seat of the chiel Industries of the country, and for that
reason was made ehi?f of the commission. The Colonel
Is director ol the Hrvitta d> Correal, or official Post Of
fice review, and the inventor of tho photo-typographic
or heliotype process.
The members of the Spanish Commission are very ;
enthusiastic concerning the products of their native
country aud expect to make a good exhibit at the Cen
tennial Yesterday they visited the new Post Office lit
a body and examined all Its interior workings with
evident satisfaction to themselves To day and to
morrow they will visit the other public biddings and
Institutions of (he city prior to their departure lor
Philadelphia and Washington.
THE FIFTH AVENUE PAVEMENT.
Dkckmdkr 23, 1875.
To tiic Editor op the IIkrai.d ?
A taxpayer's communication in your excellent paper
of the loth Inst. Is but a single expression of the ma
jorlty of your thousands of readers who either walk or
ride on Fifth avenue. We all hope that you will not re
lax your efforts to bavo that thoroughfare repaved with
gome kind of material that will not only be durable, but
more quiet and easier upon the leet of the poor homes,
who are now compelled to travel upon It as if tb/y
were afraid to put their (eet to the ground, "fax-,
payer's" suggestion In regard to having the drlv4 alop-g
Filth avenue in Central I'ark is excellent, and } btipo
that the Park Commissioners will act upon it, R1, ?
the people an exit at 110th street on that Vvenne. 1
have heard very many ladles who drive t<4 A.hat beauti
ful place express their dread ol the ste^p an(j winding
hill abovs Mount St. Vincent, leading t(fc0 sixth avo
nue.
With Fifth avenue repaved, sn? fcn *xit from the Park
at IU northeast corner, there Vill be two additional at
tractions to pleasure seekers,v,8i?ing the Park and the
upper end of the Island.
Reeling thankful, with, the rest of your readers, for
your efforts in beautif^ing and improving our great and
rapidly growing city. 1 subscribe myself yours Ac..
T frlfc-TH AVjUftl
THE NEW REGIME.
The State and City Governments
lor the Year 1876.
THE LEGISLATURE.
The Departments, Presidents and
Active Members.
The following are the name* of the member* of the
variotiM depart iiwnia 0f tU? State and city government
for the year 1876:?
?>TATE OFFICERS.
Governor Samuel J. Tilden.
I.icutenan* Governor William Dorsbeitner.
Secretary of State John Bigelow. *
Comptroller Lucius Robinson. *
Treasurer Charles N'. Ross.*
Attorney General t narles S. Fairchlld, Jr. *
Engineer and Surveyor.....John I). Van lluren, Jr.*
Prison Inspectors...
Canal Commissioners.
< Mosch K. Piatt.
J George Wapener.
(It. R Crowley.*
i Adin Thayer.
'James Jackson, Jr.
(Christopher A. Walralh.*
?Elected last November.
COURT or APPEALS.
Chief Justice, Saudiord K. Church; Associate Jus
tices, William F. Allen, Charles A. Raimllo, Charles J.
Folger. Charles Audrews, Theodore Wilier, Dauiel M.
Karl.
THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
THE 6ENATE.
1?L. Bradford Prince.
2?John K. Kennaday.
3?John ('. Jacobs.
A?Join Morrissey.
6?James W. Booth.
0?Caspar A. IiaaJen.
7?James IV. Gerard.
H?Francis M Hixby.
<?? William H. Robertson.
10?Daniel H. St. John.
11?B. l'lalt Carpenter.
12?Thomas Coleman.
13?Ham.lion Harris.
14?Aug. Schoomaker, Jr.
15?Webster Wagner,
id?Franklin W. Tobey.
Republicans
Democrat*
17?Darius A. Moore.
18?James P. Starbuck,
19?Theodore 8. Say re.
20?l>arid J'. I.oomis.
21?Benjamin Doolitlle.
22?Dennis McCarthy.
23? William C. I.anont,
24?John H. Selkrep.
25?William U. Woodin.
2ii?Stephen H. Hammond.
27?George />'. Bradley.
2v>-?ieorpe N. Etnerson.
20?Daniel II. Cole.
80?Abijah J. Wellman.
31- Sherman 8. Rogers.
32?C. P. Vedder.
Republican majority 8
Democrats in italics.
THE ASSEMBLY.
ALUANY.
?>Ut.
1?Peter Slingerland.*
t?Thomas D. Coleman.
3? William J. Mahar.
4?Allied Leroy.
A I.LEO A NY.
Sumner Baldwin.
BROOM K.
X. A. Ftnd.
CATTARAl'Gl'S.
1-_Harri*on Cheney.
2?Edgar Shannon.
CAYt'GA.
1?George I. Post.
2?John S. Brown.
CIIATTAAVlfA.
1?William II- Whitney.
a Theodore A. Case.
CHEMUNG.
Pdmund Miller.
CHENANGO.
Isaac Plumb.
CLINTON.
Shepard P. Bo wen.*
COLUMBIA.
1 George H. Power.
2?John T. Hogeboom.
CORTLAND.
Judson C. ^tlton.
DELAWARE
1?George D. Wheeler.
2?Isaai II- MuynartL
IIUTC HKSH.
1 Thomas llannnond.
ii?DeWitt Webb.
ERIB.
J?Daniel Crulce.
2?William W l.awson.*
3?Edward Gallagher.*
4? Charles F. Tabor.
i?Utrlrand I. Chaffee.
ESSEX.
Wiltam K. Calkins. ?
VRA.NKLIN.
John J. Gilbert.
Ftl.TON AND I1AM1LTON.
John J. Hanson.
UBNVHKS.
Newton H. Urceu.*
UKKKNB.
Burton G Norse.
HERKIMER.
Myroti A. Mclieo.
JKKFKKS0M.
1?Lotus lugalis.
2 Lansinti Becker,
kings.
1?Daniel bradley *
2 Jonathan Ogden.
'd-?Michael Coffey. ?
4?7'. r G. Talmage. *
6?A. P Biggins.
0?Jacob Worst*
7?C. I. Dyon.
g_A. M. Suvdam.
9?John McGroarty.*
LEWIS.
Alex. U Crosby.
LIVINGSTON.
Janus Faulkner, Jr.*
MADISON.
1?Morris M Campbell.
2?Ered. C. Fiske.
iionrob.
1?Willard Hodge*.
2?.Limes S. Graham,
a?Human Glass.
mobtcomkrt.
George M. VoorheeB.
nkw ^OKK.
1 Nicholas Muller.*
2?Felix Murphy.
3?James J Slcvin.
4?John Galvin.
Geo. W. Belts.
0? Matthew I'alten.
7?Isaac 1. Hayes,
h?Frod. Gugel.
0?Andrew J Campbell.
10?Joseph Hod man. Jr.
11?Charles A. Peabody.
12?Archibald Watts.
13? Robert li Strahan.
new york.
Hist.
lb?Martin P. kill inn.
lfl?George G. Whilson.
17?Win. T. Gratr.
lb?<V. J. O' Hare.
10?James T. King.
20?Isaac A Englebart.
21?Joseph P. Fallon.
NIAGARA.
1?A mo* A DisselL
2?Jonas W. Brow n.
ONEIDA.
1?R V. Sherman *
2?Sylvester Grid ley.
3?James H. Flanagan.
4? Walter BaJlou.
ONONDAGA.
1?Allen Monroe
2?Carroll E. Smith.
3?C. Frederick Herbit.
ONTARIO.
1?fifth Stanley.
2?Hiram Maxwell
ORANGE.
1?Thomas W. Bradley.
2?John H. He-ve.
ORLEANS.
J. Drake Billings.
OSWEGO.
1?George B. Moan.
2?T. W. Green.
3?John Preston.
OTSEGO.
1 ?J S. Daceuport.
2?George Scramling.
Pl'TNAM.
Hamilton Fith, Jr.
VJUEKNS.
1?Tmensend D. Cox.
2?Air>n T. Payne.
benkselakk.
1 ?William F. Cleary. *
2?William F. Taylor.
3?Thomas B. Simmons.
RICHMOND.
Knee land Townsend.
R<'CRLAND.
George Wetant.
ST. LAWRKNCl.
1 ?David Mcl'slls.
2?A. B. Hepburn.*
3?J* C. J^ing.
SARATOGA.
1?George West.*
2?Isaac Noyes, Jr.
SKNECA.
Lewis Post
BCHENECTADT.
Emmet O'NetL
Bt'HOMAKIB.
John M. Kotcuc. *
BCBrri.CR.
William Gulick.
STKl'BKN.
1?W. b. h'U'tgles.
2?J. ?. B Sautea
Bt-rroi.K.
Samuel A'. Gardiner,
Bl'LUTAR.
Adelj/ms H. M eiueL *
TIOGA.
Eugene B. tiere.
TOMPKINS.
Samuel S. Hailiday.
Tlbtkr.
1?Thomas Hamilton.
2?John H. Il'iiru.*
3? Davis Winne.
WARREN.
Robert Waddle.
WASHINGTON.
1?T. J I'olter.
2?H. G. Burleigh.
WA YNR.
1?Emory If. Gurnet.
2?A. S. Russell. *
WESTCHESTER.
1?George H Forster.
2?C M. Schieffelin. *
3?James W. Hugied.*
WYOMING.
Arthur Clark.
TaTBS.
John Sutherland.
14?/'. J i 'arty
?Members ol the last Legislature.
Democrats in italics.
Republicans "
Democrats 6
Republican majority I1
MILITARY DEPARTMENT.
Adjutant General?Major General Franklin Town
send
Inspector General?Major General John B. Wood
ward.
1' tiginecr In Chief? Brigadier Genera] Edgar M. Cu
tan.
Judge Advocate General?Charles Hughes
Surgeon General?Brigadier tJeueral Austin Flint.
yuartcrmaater General?Brigadier General 8. 8. Klla
wortb.
Paymaster General? Brigndler General Herman I'M ;
Commissary General of Subsistence? Brigadier Gen- |
era I Charles U. Srnytb.
Cbici of Ordrianco?General Kilburn Knox.
Aide (-de-Camp to the Governor?Colonel James B. I
Pearsall, Colonel Charles Tracey, Colonel Thomas
Stokes, Colonel l.albaui C. Strong, Colonel Clifford A.
H. Bar lie tk
THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
Mayor'?William H. Wick ham.
cochty omenta.
Surrogate?S. 1). VanSchaick.?
Kecorder?John K. Hackett. 1
City Judgee?Josiah Sutherland, Henry A. Gilder
aleeve *
District Attorney- Benjamin K. Phelps t
Coroner*?Henry WoHuian, AuA'hony Klckhoff, Rich
arit Croker, Moritt Kllinfer.*
Register?Parick H J one*.
* Elected las November.
t Ke-clertwl.
ooraoyeoniciL.
A Mermen at Urge? 'jUmuel A. I*vn>, * John Reill*, *
U L. Cult,* M tonus (Jrvtt,* U. P. H. BiUm^u,*
Jacob Hess.
Fourth Senator Aj District?Thomat Sktilt, Patrick
lytaffhiHryan hr>:iy
Fifih Senate'** ti^irtct?John J. Morris, ? William
Wade, Jan**
Sixtti Set Serial District?Patrick K'enan, John IF. |
Gunttrr,* >.Kpi, o. Piiu kney.
Seventy Senatorial District?Peter Sccry,* H'iUiam
Saurr, l/enry g, Howland. *
f-iK'Uh Senatorial District?Henry p. Purrm/,*
Mith Tutmiev, tVU/ium U. McCarthy* Joseph Cud
llpn,
''<!in<>crats 16
fiyhiicans 7
* Members of the laat Board.
Corporation Counsel?William H. Whitney.
Commissioner Department Public W.irks?Commis
sioner to be appointed by Mayor and Common Coun
cil.
Sheriff-William C. Conner.
I'nder Sheriff?John T. Camming.
County t lerk?William Walsh.
Deputy County Clerk?Kairia* McLanghlin.
Police Commissioners?George W. Ma sell, William
B. Smith, Abram Disbecker. John R. Voorhia.
Health Commissioners?Charles F. Chandler, Edward
G. Janeway.
l ark Commissioners Henry O. Stebblna, David B.
Williamson, Joseph J. O'Donohue
Dock CommisaioBera?Salem H. Wales, Jacob A.
Westervnli, Henry F. Dimock.
Fire Commissioners?Joeeph L. Perley, Roawell D.
Hatch. VincentC. Km*
Tax Com ni ibioners?John Wheeler, George H. An
drew!, John N. Hay wood.
foiurnsskmersi ol <Jti?ritl??8 104 Correction?L B.
Bailey, Thomas 8 Bronnan, Tuwnaend Co*.
Comptroller?Andrew H Ureen.
Department Puhlio Buildings?Walter W. Allans,
Boiiorinii U'lent
Cotnroiaeioner* of Excise?James L. Stewart. D. D.
T. Marshall, William H. stinor.
Commiseiont-r of Jurors?ThomM Dun lap.
Commissioners of Education?William H. Neilaon,
President ('buries V. l.rvtia, Henry P. West, William
Wood; J. Mathewfton, W llam Dowd, P. J Patter
Bon, Albert Klamroth, L. N Fuller, James M, HnUtead,
Jacob M Vermilyea. Kuge.no Kelly, William Herring,
Joseph SeUgtnan. David Wetmore, A. J'. Man, Ferdi
nantl Traui. R. W Townsend Ruf'ji't Beardslee, Ed
ward 0. Jenkius. David F. Baker. City Superintend
ent?Henry Kiddle.
/TDICIAIT.
Supreme Court?Noah Davis, Chief Justice; AiaocU
site Justices, John H Brady, <?eor!;- C. Barrett. Abra
ham R. I.awreuce, Charles Donolric and fheophilud
We.-throok.
Superior Court-C L. Monell, Chief Justice; Aitsoci
ate Justices, Gilbert M. Spetr, John Sedgwii k, W. K.
Curt ?, Hooper C. Van Vorst md C F. Saniord. *
Marine Court?George Shea, Chief Just ee, Associate
Justice*. Henry Alker, Alexander Spauldinr, David Mo
Adam, Charles Go( pp* iiildJ. B. Shoridan.*
Common Pleas?C. P. Daly Chief Justice: Associate
Justices, J F. Daly. Charles H. Van Brunt, 11 W. Kob
HMton, R. L. Larremore and George M. Van Hoeeen.*
Civil Justices?First district, .lolin Callahan; Second
district, Charles M. Clancy; Third district, Georga W.
Parker: Fourth distriet, J A. Durkee; I- ifth district,
T. J Campbell; Sixth district, W. H Kelly; Seventh
district, W. S. Pji, kuev; Eighth district, Frederick G.
Gedney; Ninth district, H. P. MoGowan; Tentl> district,
John Flanagan.
All the Civil Justice? abovemontioned were elcctcd al>
the last election, with the exception of Flanagan.
? Kluctcd last November.
BOAliD OF ALDEliMEN.
HIGH SOUNDING CENTENNIAL EESOLCTION8??
THE CEOTON MAIN ORDINANCES AGAIN.
A regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen waa
held yesterday afternoon, Mr. Lewis in the chair.
The majority and minority reports in relation to th?
providing ol accommodations 1 >r the additional Court
of General Sessions were called up, but no action was
; taken, and they were laid over until the next meeting
of tho Board.
Alderman Sbandley offered a I ?n? preamble and
resolutions relative to tli ?? Centennial cr.chrution.
These resolutions, which were adopted unanimously,
; concluded as follows :?
Itcsolved, That In amiratuiof 4tion of this important event
1 in the history of our countr; ind a* ati appropriate Itianuu
j ration of the Centennial year, the Coinumsuoner ot Pui.iio
; Works causes the national standard to bo displayed from
I tunriso until sunset on every public bauding in this city oa>
the 1st day ol Jau .a\v, 1ST<>; that the owuers and occupants
(.r pri\ ate buildings, the proprietors of hotels, public places
of amusement- mid other public places controlled by private
individuals,-anil the masters of vessels in the harbor be and
they are hereby requested al,o to display their tlau? on thut
(lay : an<1 lie it further
Res >lved, In order. If possible, that this commemoration
may be general In every uortion of >ur extended <<ointry.
from the Atlantic to the l'aciflc and (torn the Si Lawrence
tothaRtoGrande.it is hereby respectfully suggested and
must earnestly recommended that the newspaper press of
this elty cause this roc >mnien<tatlon to be published In or
telegraphed to all pau^ of the country, in the hope that our
patriotic people may niter into the spirit of the occasion,
himI thereby, while honoring vir national emblem, in
augurate, iu the most appropriate mitnner. the centennial
year ot the declaration of American independence.
1 The Croton Main ordinances were apain called up,
and an nltctnpl made to pass them. Alderman Gross*
amendment that all this work should be done by con
! tract was adopted, soveral of the democrats voting with
i the republicans, but when the ordinance came up for
final passage it was defeated. The following is the
i vote on the amendment:?Ayes?Aluermen Billings,
Cole, Dean, Sllon, Gross, Gunth-r, Robinson. Simon
son, Southw orth and Straclc. Nays?Alderman Bless
j nig, I.ysagbt, Power, Purroy, Rciily, Seery and
j Sbandley.
THE POLICE COMMISSIONERS.
I
I The '-Committee on Humors" was ajain busy yester
! terday, and this time the statement conies that Gen
eral "Baldy" Smith Is to be nominated for Cornmu
siunes of Public Works in place of Genera! Fitz John
Porter. The story goes that Mayor Wickham in
tends to receive the resigualion of 1'olice Commis
sioner Snuth, to wuieti vacancy ho will appoint Gen
eral l'orter. This is the latest slate as arranged by
the politicians around the City Hail. They say that
Mr. K. P. Barker's Dame was withdrawn at a con'sulta
i tion held on Sunday last. The mansion on Mulberry
street, wherein the Commissioners manage llio '-linest
i policeforce in the world ' was unusually quiet.
The aged President of the Hoard sat in his accus
tomed chair, thinking, no doubt, of the good old dayit
i when Canal street was the northern boundary of tlie
| city, and when, instead of 2..VX) odd patrolmen, one
; filth of tnat number terrified the inhabitants ol tJothain.
i When questioned by a Hkkalo reporter as to tlio ru
I mor that Governor Tilden had at last a' ted upon hia
! case, Mr. Matsell elevated his spectacles, and vacantly
, saia?
?'Sot a word of truth in it. I haven't heard directly
or indirectly from tho Governor. To be ?ure the ru
mors have reached me, but so far ts 1 know they are
groundless. I am not yet removed."
Commissioner Disbecker was sought, hut he
; could uot be louud. He had left hi< ollico early in the
day. and none of Ins clerks co ild tel! his whereabouts.
Commissioner Voorliis smilingly said that be hud
heard nothing whatever in relation to the rumored re
movals either trom tho Mayor or Governor. To the best
| of his knowledge tho present Board of Police was in the
same position now as they were two tuontns ago, when
the subject of their removal was llrst officially agitated.
He had heard plenty of rumors and had also hoard
several candidates for the vacancies mentioned, but he
knew nothing whatever officially.
i General *iuith was also unaware of any recent action
by the Governor In the matter of'removal He knew
ol no movement in that direction other ttian what is
already generally kno>vn.
Superintendent Walliug, on being interviewed, Hated
that he had heard various rumors, but he could trace
none ol them to an authentic source.
Among the candidates mentioned as likely to All the
vacancies when made are ex Justice Ho^un and Sidney
P. Nichols.
MUNICIPAL NOTES.
On Wednesday next a caucus of the new Hoard of
Aldermeu will be hold at the City Hall to decide upon
the officers for the term of 1S76. Mr. Samuel A. Lewis
and Mr. H. l>. Purroy are the names tneniioned for the
presidency of the Hoard, while Mr P.J. Twomey and
Mr. William H. Moloney are stated (or Clerk and Deputy
Clerk.
The Assembly Committee on Crime meets for the
last time at the City Hall to morrow. Vhoy will hold a
long session, commencing at eleven o'clock.
Mayor Wickhaiu is perlectly non-com initial as to his
choice of Commissioner of Public Works.
(Hi Thursday next will be held tho last meeting of tho
present Hoard of Aldcriuen.
Governor Tilden and Mayor Wickham are a^ain re
ported as in harmony on the immediate removal of
Police Commissioners Disbccker and Maisell.
BROOKLYN MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.
RAPID TRANSIT AGAIN CHECKED AND THE OAS
1XTOKTION DISCUSSfcD.
The last regular session ol the Brooklyn Common
Council was heM yesterday afternoon, President Ber
gen in the chair. The Aldermen who are g"mg out of
office wore a melancholy expression. Not only do
many retire from office wilh the old year, but the dem
ocratic majority falls trom poeer snJ becomes the mi
nority In the Board. The attendance In the lobby was
very numerous. A series of resolutions was oirered
by Alderman Hopes expressive of th? satuslaction the
President had given in Ins impartial decisions. Reso
lutions or a complimentary character were also passed
for the faithful services rendered by City Clerk, Bishop,
and his subordinate's. Alderman Hopes, t.'hairmnn of
the Committee on Finances, was also complimented by
resolution ol the Board.
A veto message was read from Mayor Hunter, with
holding his signature from the ordinance passed by
that body at a recent meeting authorizing the Klevated
Hapid Transit Silent Sarety Railroad Company to use
certain streets, Do Kalb ivenue among the number, to
construct the railway. This route was opposed boiore
the Alderman <c Committee by Kev. T. Dc Witt l a.mage.
A. W. Tenuey and other promineut propertj owners
on tho line. This is the second time that rap.d transit
measures have been defeated in the Board. The Mayor's
veto was laid on tho table.
John McGnire, a counsellor at law, w?s confirmed,
upon the Mayor's nomination, member or the Hoard of
Education, vice William A Furey, resigned.
The name of William Marshall, of the Committee of
One Hundred, was sent In by the Mayor for President
01 the Hoard ol City Works. The nomination was not
palatable to the "regular" democratic members, and
Alderman Clancy, leader of the majority, moved that
the communication be laid upon the table. The motion
was carried. The Alderman then asked that they
should adjourn for tlfieen minutes to confer, as the
Mayor had not consulted toe democrats be I ore making
this nomination. Subsequently Uie nomination wag
taken up and rejected.
Aldermen Ropes and Ptrong ealogised Marshall's
qualification for the o.Ilce, en tlie plea mat "il he is not
a faitb'ul democrat he is at least an upright citizen."
Alderman Bergen would not vote lor Mr. Marshall,
as that gentleman Is already a member of the Bridge
Direction and a Park Commissioner, and bis time is
taken up with bis business.
The motion to coiitirtn the nomination o( Mr. Mar
shall was lost by a vole ot 13 in tho affirmative to 21 it
1 the negative.
It was resolved that when the Board adjourned K
would be to meet again on Thursday afternoon at tbrel
I o'clock, to finish up all business.
Tbe committee having under consideration the reduo
tlon of the number of gas lamps iu the city reported
! in favor of reducing the number of gas lamps to 2,6U0i
In a debate which ensued Alderman Dwyer held tbat s<
enormous was the price charged for nearl)
| $600,000 per year, that oil should supersede that ex
i pensive method of illuminatios. Alderman Ropei
also spoke of tbe cicessive rates, $11 per 1,000 leel
to private consumers and $2 60 to tbe city. Tbe re
port waa adopted.
The Finance Committee reported In favor of tbe pay
j ment of tbe bills due the engineers and the lawyer!
employed by the Committee on Law, Water and
Drainage, to determine the capacity of the Storagt
Reservoir at Bempstead and tho legality of the co?
: tract of the city with Kingsley and Keener. The ??
1 wratc aiuuuul of Said bills Is >4.10(1