4
WfilMiO
_____
ill
The Model Appraiser at the Port n'
of New York.
o:
, u 1
Ml
Iiow the Customs Kevenuc ! 1",!
c
Is Assessed. <*
ill
I V'
~~ o
CORRUPTION, FRAUD A.\D INCOMPETENCY. I
k
<1
i i
The Hero of the Third Avenue Savings Bank | ?
Asked to Step Down and Out.
. ii
A report to the efloct that William A. Darling bait re- , r
ilgnuil the position of Appraiser at the port of New j'
fork was widely circulated yesterday, and was as tj
aiJcly credited by those who know a good deal about
;bo secret workings of the Treasury Department aud ''
the Custom House at this port s
Mr. Darling denied the report yesterday; but from 11
reliable inforination obtained by a UKfULD reporter u'
lust evening thero la no question that the Ap- r
pruiscr will bo compelled to resign in less
lhau a week. A special ageut o( the Treasury J'
baa been several weeks engaged in Invcstl- t
gating Darling's disgraceful connection with the d
Third Avenue Savings Dank, aud last Saturday for- ?
warded his report to Washington. Immediately on lis e
receipt by the Secretary of the Treasury Mr. Darling's w
resignation was requested. Darling went to WashingIon
and saw Mr. Urlstow, but those best informed in t
regard to the matter suy that the Secretary was incx- s
oruble, und ins.stcd upon the Appraiser's vacating his
office. | ii
While the Third Avenue Savings Bank ufTuIr was s
doubtless the imuicdialo cause of tho Secretary's uo | 1
?' ?* ?o?.a saoiiIi won 1.1 imniiAatlAnnhltr hnrn hnnn 1
reached had that easo uevcr been hoard of, for it is a jwell
known fact that Mr. Brisiow has for a long tlmo s
been much dtssatlslied with tho present management d
si the Appraiser's Department.
TI1K APPBAlSBIt'S DKPAKTM KNT. s
Of course no one supposes for a moment that tho n
stupendous frauds and the disgracolul system of brilicry b
and corruption of all kinds now being unearthed at ^
Washington are coiillned to Cabinet olTlcials or tho t
various departments at tho capital. That they extend ^
to the Appraiser's Dopnrtmont at this port will bo c
shown. This department Is one of the most ln?- s
portant, if indeed not tho most important, of the v
Tour subdivisions of tho machinery for the collection \
01 the government Imposts at this port. It is a I
fact more or loss notorious among merchants that this J
branch of the Custom House is rotten throughout. !
Abuses of every kind have crept into the department i p
little by little, month after month, until at last the *
place has become a disgrace even to tho present aduiu- j j
istratiun. i 0
Of source it is impossible to conduct so vast a concern j,'
as is tho Appraiser's Department in such a manner that 8
fraud, poculation and other abuses can be cnuroly pre- c
rented, but the office can and has been so administered t
in the past that merchants were not continually swin- u
died ami robbed by tho employes ofAbe government; that b
bribe taking was not couutcnuucod on every hand;
that personal lrlcnds and relations of Die Appraiser p
acre not thrust into ever/ position of iinportaucu in
llie department; thai efficient and competent clerks, ^
examiners, experts ami other officials were no', kicked
jut of office on trumped-up charges to make room lor I
relatives and favorites who knew uothiug of the needs ^
or workings of the service; that thieves and bribe p
lakers were not appointed to positions aud retained in h
them. jt
Somo ten or twelve days ago, Special Agout Jayues, t '
ol the Treasury Department, aud General Butler came 0
onto Now York with instructions trom the Secretary J,
of the Treasury to investigate certain alleged irrcgu- : \
lartlies, if uothiug worse, in tho Appraiser's Depart- 1
mcnt. A hurried investigation was made and the re- J
lull reported to Mr.Ilriatow, who, but lor mo inquiry t
it the liiuo going on lu relaliou to Mr. Darliug's con- |
section with tho Third Avenue Savings Bank, would.
It is said, havo taken immediate action in the matter. t
It is uow understood that Mr. Bristow is lully aware of J
the rotten condition of the Appraiser's Department (
ind will send on threo or four special agents to tlior- j i
ougly overhaul the whole concern.
WILLIAM A. DARLING. , a
General George W. Palmer was removed lrom the '1
head of the Appraisers'Department in 1871 and Will- ] 1
lain A. Darling was appointed as his successor by Preg- ^
Idcnt Grant and conlirmcd by the Senate. Mr. Darling
has been belore the public in various positions for sev 1
cral years. lie was twice in Congress, and ,
he has been President ot tho Third Avenue
Kailroad Company, President of the Murray
lltll Bunk, Secretary of the Third Avenue t
Saving* bank, and dually Appraiser a', tlio l'ort or New l
York. He lias boen described as an Irritable, fussy, '
Intriguing politician, having nn average quantity of
brains, but no particular ability. He evidently enter- 1
tains a fondness for bis relatives, near or distaut, and
always tries to make the government or ibo insti- ,
tution with which be has a "pull" provide tbom with I
a livelihood. His leading characteristic, however, lius 1
Seen to hold public otlicc. Ho usually monopolizes j
lour or five positions, but ut present he holds hut three. <
In regard to his position us Appraiser at this port con- j
taut complaints are being made by merchants who j
have to do business with him. As one gentleman ex- '
pressed It yesterday, Mr. Darling spends so much time 1
In savings banks and primary meetings that it Is with j
the utmost difficulty that merchants con see him at all. i
Mince his connection with the Third Avenue liauk busi
ness the entire lore# of the department has lost that
? degree of respect it should entertain for a chief;
therefore demoralization la the result.
WHO STOl.S TUK HAM f
Isaac 0. Hunt was one of tho Board of Appraisers
lotuc tltoo ago. Isaac was known to have a marked
partiality for haina, and, as a number of real nice
sugar cured Wostphali* .bains were then constantly
passing through tho Appraisers' Department, tho |
temptation was too great for Isaac, and he was
detected In carrying one of the hams away. In '
those duya It was customary to frown upon dishonesty; |
to Mr Hunt was frowned upon, and thrown out of a |
situation. But ho resolved to lead an honest lite and, I
'
therefore, went into politics. In a short time he bo
came a power in tho Assembly district where bo lived, ]
and, as his residence and that ot the present Appraiser
are In close continuity, bis services were Indispensable
to the political aspirations of Mr. Darling. Under
these circumstances Isaac had to have a place In tho
Custom House, from which he had oneo been Ignominloualy
expelled, and ho got it and still holds it
Nowadays It appears that In the Appraisers' Department
dishonesty is not always considered good grounds
for removal For a lime it was customary lor Mr.
Darling, when he wished to make room for a son, a
brother-in-law, a nephew, a cousin, a lather In-law or
any other favorite, to semi some gentleman In tho department
a pcrtuiued note stating that, owing to the
l.ict that the United Mates District Attorney had proturpMi
fhar?ni ai/aiti-t httn hia nositioti uould at mice
be considered vacnnt for t uow Uiii sysioiv ol ma- |
iiipulaiing the guillotine worked admirably; lor, us*
rule, *11 were conscious ol being so lar corrupt that
Ibey know charge* by the Dletrict Attorney were not
only |MM?lble but were probable; there lore they auietly
lubtiiittod. Mr. Darling win eonatuniiy looking
about lor vacancies to create. until the
whole lauilly ol Darling held olllec and there
were no luriher reason* lor removal* At the present
niomenl this remarkable family la aald to druw no less i
a sum than gdd.UUi per annum la it any wonder,
then, that Mr Darling did nut hate to go outside Ins
own oilier holding family to procure bail In the Third
At I'buc Savins* Hank case*
W lole the olUcial decapitation was In progress Mr.
Darting happened to dismiss some three or lour honest I
men, who knew that the District Attorney could not
make charges against them. Alter their removal
they wrote a let lei to Mr. Hllss asking what were tho
charges pre;erred against them. As lliey had anticipated,
Mr. llllss replied that ho never had tunde nor
received any charges, and asserted that Mr. Darling
could no longer use linn as a cat's-paw in that way.
UUIVaa OK THB "CLVOK."
About a rear ago an invoice of gloves and gauntlets
was received at the appraisers' stores. The goods w ere
put on the tloor lor examination. While the ca-ea
sere open an examiner irom the Damage Hnrcau
passed through tho room, and, seeing the gloves, look a
fancy to one ol the packages. While nobody was
looking that way. as he sup|x>sod, the examiner' delib ratciy
carried oft the coveted package, tine ot tho
tmpioyes shout the premises saw the theft and reported
the larl to hla superior, who In turu reported
the matter to Mr. Darling. A man was sent to the ]
alleged thief, and soon returned with tho missing I
NEW YORE
ovps. A few months later tho man who reported the gree
cl i'f the theft lu tho Appraiser was remove.I, but the and
;rson who stole tuu gloves anil holds oillee and re- ruin
ices in uu increase of his yearly salary.
tiik it skis' or iscomrstkni'y.
So sooner liad Sir, Darling esublisbud himself well ?
office than he began his search lor place.- lor his relIves,
tine ot liis first appoiulineuls was that of a
rolhcr-lu law named l.ce, a brother ol the man put youi
to the Third A\ enue Uault and who developed into a *
Haulier to lue amount of from $70,000 to f sO.OoO in
t>s than throe months. Mr. Leo was appointed an I'opi
(amitier In tho tenth division, through which posses poor
I works of art, such us statuary, paintings, cbroiuog ..
id steel engravings, lie-lore Mr. l.ce entered the
[hue the business ot exarniniug, sppraismg and doss- ?8nl
ig Uie-e articles devolved upon Mr. 1>. , proii
Slurgps, a gentlemun who has been in tho that
parimcui many years, growing up with tho business w,'o
nd making his duly a lilo study. Mr. Slurges is uni ham
i-rsally recognized to be the only export iu this branch , has
f the service now in the Custom House. Leo's uuly I thte
ualihcaliou lor tho position was that he hod kept a tricl
mall slat.oiiery store on Third uvenuc. lie did not llevi
now a Muriilo "irom a Chiucsu lea sigu. As an evi- j Thir
euro of his utter incompetency It Is only nocessary to w*r
ito one case out ot hundreds which recently occurred. . ol II
. large invoice of old Spanish paintings, engravings [
nd chrouios arrived here and were sent to the Ap- I
rumors' Heparlmeut for examination and appraise- To 1
lent. Leu had the packages opened, took up H
umo ol the paintings, vlowed ilium in various ~
gbts and positions, looked exceedingly wise and up- u" J
rmsoil ihu whole lot ul $J a pioce. Tliu urticlos wore ! In I
amoved to an uuclion room, wlirro they were rupidly ^nnl
ud readily sold at prices ranging (rum $10 to fJOO.
.eo's ligurvs were wore tlian 700 per cent loss than hari
Ueir real value. | tliol
Constant complaints wore wade to Mr. Darling for a 1)llt
>ug Iiwq in regard to Loo's Incompetency aud insub- 1
rditialion iu the division to uhlcti lie bad been as- I * '
ignt'd; but Mr. Darling continued bis brotlier-in law am'
i otlico, although it has always been considered mat a huti
omplauil by an assistant appraiser in regard to any t'f
iuu under him was equivalent to that man's instant wl>l
emuvuL yrv
At the head of the silk divison Mr. Darling flag ?e
laced his son's father-in-law, K. W. Gibson. Ul course, u,"l
be necessity ol placing in charge ol a department "I'D
brough which thero yearly passes many millions of a re
ollars' worth ol goods a man w ho Is an expert and in ,c,an
very way competent to supervise the business In an ",0
itelligeul manner is recognized. Now, Mr. Gibson
njoys the reputation of being an honest inan, aud one ?ur
rho intends to do us well us lie can, but lie is not uud l'in
lever was an expert ou silk labrics. The only expert cou
u these articles now iu the Appraiser's olllee is a gun- | l'os
lenmu named Day, who bus cliurgo of the lourlh dlvl- t'lu
lou?a section ol much loss importance than the third c'al
r silk division. It is only another illustration of how stor
oi to do it. Mr. Day was for ten years an examiner j ,nel
utlio silk division. Iius been Vice Consul ul Lyons, [ *hei
peaks French fluently, and would rellect credit upon ?f 1
he service. ' bo I
As lor tho Appraiser himself, what with the Murruy
(ill Dunk and the Third Avenue liauk aud bis various i
iw suits, he never reaches tho Appraiser's stores be- j
rro twelve o'clock, uud rarely belore one, and never j
lays later thau hull-past two or throe, lie drives j
own to tho corner of West Droadway uud Canal |
m et, w here lio loaves his carriage, uud then proceeds : T!
u loot to the otllec, lest Ills carriage should get { >..
cratclicd or jammed In the lower streets, (lis bust- j
iuss at tbo Appraiser's stores is usually delegated to 'lay
Its "Man Fruluy," a person known us Iutrry Huruoy. gi
Ir. Harney has loug been the bosom coni|>untou ot Mr.
lul ling, whose loudness lor luui seems a little strange . 1'
a the uninitiated. Mr. Darling took llarnoy Into the ' lri"
epartmeut with him, although some say the allair i niei
(as reversed and Harney look Darling in. At all
vents, Harney was provided with a position commonurate
with his puciffiur abilities und intelligence; ho Tl
ras made a messenger. 1 brh:
Haruey a sense ol liouor revolted at the thought of .
icing called a "messenger." To relievo bis wounded I "
irulii Mr. Darline ebalieed the olllcial title Oi Harney's sell
iomUoh 10 thutol "olilef clerk In churge ol the siu- I nlc
louery." Alter u time tlio various attaches or the
epariment bocumo In doubt as to who was tho Ap- i Prol
iruisor and who was the chief clerk in charge of tho ; Fou
lalloiicry; but the mutter w as tinully settled In lavor ji
il Harney, lor ho had but to wpik or nod aud Mr. .
larlmg responded. II Mr. Harney says remove such P
r such a mull that man will lose his olllcial head bo- gett
are two suns havo sot, or, il Mr. Haruoy ucu{
ays uppoint such or such a man the man .,
u'ddoniy lluds himsell Installed in otllce. Of '
oursu Harney would not attempt to persuudo j aiuc
Ir. Darling to remove any ol his relatives. Whenever ! jg c.
ho subordinates are to bo assessed lor electioneering or I
ther purposes Harney calls them together, each cla.-s j "ml
y themselves, and announces the amount of the tax. brid
'orlhwilh the mouey is produced und bunded over to an a
lurucy, who baud-it over to Darling. Nono dare re- \ ,
use, lor Harney never lorgets a delinquent. f1*
ilUNKSTV MUSTS ITS llKWAItl). ! J*011
No man has ever been three hours about tho Ap- * ?
raisers' Department without having heard ol tho J BU'|
Personal EHect bureau, or the .Seat ol Corruption." I . M
util recently it was presided over by Chuuncey P
lurry. Mr. Murry is not theiu now ; ho likus lloslou niul
otter. A greut many comparatively small but valuable ' P?B'
ackages reach this port by steamer without wol)
aviug any luvoice und aro entered ul the Custom J'J?'
Louse, and au appruisemenl order lulcen out |
ur them. Across this ordor the broker writes ' avt
'Personul.effects," aud if charity covors a multitude Ul?
I sins these two words cover an equal amount of 1
ruud and deceit. It Is alleged, aud not without sumo 'j""1
olor ol authority, that niuuy thousands of dollars' 1
north ol dullablo merchandise Uuds Its way through
his bureau without the government ever gelling a j y
lout's worth ol duty. The broker cau "see" the ' JDt
ixamiucr, and tho examiner can make his return on .
.ho uppraiseuieut ordor "Personal effects In use," ;
Wearing apparel," "Professional books" or "linpleneuis
ol triulo," all of whicli are not dutiable. A !
partial check was recoutly put upon the abu>e known uu<
o have existed iu this brunch of the service by the
inearthing ol the "watch case," and at the same time 1 un<
loucsty met 11a usual reward at the hands of those In 81 r
lutliority. some ten or twelvo months ago a house ovt
li William street imported a lot of very valuable evt
[old watches These articles should always pass,
ogethcr with all kiuds of precious stones, through tho
lecoud division; but the watcues in question did not. J"1'
['he examiner ol the soeoud division, au old, experienced
laud, who has been fifteen years in tho service and is Y*r
iverywhere recognised as an expert, met one day In
Vail slrc.'t the gentleman who imported tho wulches. jn 1
"H?w did you like those watches t" a-ked the im- '
wrier. noJ
"What watches have you reference to?" replied the wu
ixaminer. < *
"Why, those you passed a day or two ago." 101
"1 did not puss any." cra
"That's singular. I got a lot of lino gold watches m
hrough Davis, Turner .V Co., the huro(iean Cxprosc am
jeople, and they were passed at the Custom House. I *PC
?.h i. ihom at mv stLnp.s uou\ Thev rjtmA throui/h vour ^ri
lopartmcut, didn't they f" ,
"No. sir. they ilia not go through my department. I
will look mto this aflair."
And ho did. 'n
Heturning to the Appraisers' Department the ox- **
ttuiuer luado inquiry for some lime, but without meet- J
ug Willi any satisfactory result. At last ho went to .
die Personal KMeets llureau and asked two or ihreo ' V? '
larnes about the matter and tlually struck upon the 1
right tuan. Ills name it Kroderick Clark. When taxed i,
wiih the matter Clark acknowledged be had passed the 7.?
package. It was dually arranged that he should go to * ?
Davis, Turner & Co. and gel them to pay the duties. ?,
lie did so and the dunes were paid, and the crammer | , '1
who had ferreted uut the fraud was requested to sign ' ,r<
the necessary papers, that they might bo tiled. This lie ,
refused to do, staling that he had not seen the V'1
joods and hud no record of the package ever having f..r(
Dome under his supervision. Strenuous ctlorts were
made to hush the thing up, but it nnaily leaked out ;
and tlie examiner was subsequently dismissed the scr- ?
sue, and the man who passed the watches was ad- i
vanned In position and salary, and still holds olllce.
It may be well to mention that immediately after this
transaction a great many appraisement orders ol Davis, T1
Turner k Co. passed through the second division, whilo
previous to It tlicv were seldom seen there. Mr. ilurry,
who was at this liino head of the Personal Effects llureau,
resigned shortly after this watch case was exposed. a 1
"SKKIXd" CXAMIXkK*.
Among the multiplicity ol abuses existing In the Ap- (
praisors' Department uono uro more liugrant aud, at .
the same time, more transpureuf ttuu tho one or '
"seeing'' or "Oxing" some of tho examiners. A S
broker or a liicrham wishes to got au Invoice of goods Coi
examined aod passed at onoe, and he intimates to
the examiner through whose hand! tbey must I
jo that It is worth something to him if he cau have the brc
mailer Hied without deday. II bo kuuws his msn?and qui
brokers usually do?ho will havo his wislios promptly ,
it tended to, and then tho examiner and the man whom |
tie has obliged dine together aud drink the best brands 1 The
at wines and sniolto the bust cigars. The business be- i u,(
gins iu tins way, but after the lapse of a tew months a
:loser intimacy springs up between tho man who j
"sews" and the man who Is "seen," aud then dinners lev
tud wine parlies aro supplemented by tho "lending'' { tbc
an the part of tho broker of any whore from $6u to
fit*) to the examiner. Tins matter of "borrowing" |
money ol the brokers has become one of common or
notoriety, but no uian ever yet heard of a case where *b!
.be sums so obtained woro refunded. In one sense st?
Llns matter lias united into a species of blackmail, the Ku
broker knowtsg lull wcdl that a refusal on hit part to he
lend the desirod sum may subject him to all manner of i an
innnyance and inconvenience, since II Is In the power co
at the examiner to detain goods on some technicality an
lor several days aud thus occasion the merchant (or sU
shorn iho broker acts to loso the opportunity of a on
ready sale of the merchandise so held. It Is not lie
lHlllio.1 llim ail Mia uaaiinuvra in iiiv /t|>i>r*i?i-m m
parttncnl itidulgc id Kim bu.-iae.4s, bul lli.it navunil of su
ibeiu have dull* It aud allll do it is susceptible of proof ol
it auy niuo. Ye
It not infrequently happens that invoices arriving pa
here aro found to be undervalued. nnd in tins cuae it is to
not only llio privilege or the examiner, but It Is Ins ea
ittty, to a<iv*ato tlio eunro tuvoice to tUe proper tin
bgures. Incitsvsot ibis kind ceruiu examiners have it
I em known to noiily the broker having charge ol tbo wi
(t< -is that they pro|>osod to advance the luvoico Irom ah
teu to tilleen per cent, at the (atnn time slating that wi
they are a little short for the time being anil would liko wi
to borrow $60 or $UW. This is said with a knowing
wink, nnd mo result Is that the invoice passes us it In
was originally entered. Transactions of this kind aro U
lusccptrble ol prnot. lit
TUK IK KI ISO IK T UK CI TV. ill
rrornlnent rcpuhlicana iu tbnP< ity bave been urging pr
Mr. Iiarltng to re-.gii tor the last six months, but have oo
met with no succoaa. tne general impr-ssiou being Hi
that Ilarllug is nlruld to resign iu lacs or the Tbird *<
Avenue Savings Bunk i tposr. The parly lead- to
srs teel that tho Appraiser has become Is
t serious burden and one that ihsy cannot to
much longer carry. It Is claimed that be baa lost ol
pretty ranch all the Influence he ever luul, even in bis ur
iwu district. In other word*, be I* politically dead. lb
His inalieuilon to Hie dunes or his oittce?an uNic* v?
hrough which loar-lllilis of th? cusioms revenue of ag
Ihe I nited States are assessed?the leaders intvetesred Hi
til along would result In the tormation of rings and m
'liquet In the department, by which the govern- Its
tent would tie heavily defrauded, and which, sooner tel
>r later, will lie exposed to the inflnite tni'irv ol the II
party'sprospecu. Mr. Iiarltng was deaf to afl entreaties, Yt
lewever, and seems determined to bold on until Con- lb
: HERALD, WEDXESD
a sends a committee here to overhaul the eoLcrr
kho? up us rottenness, or uuiil he is peremptoril
uved.
TUK MODEL 11ANKEE,
rue Editor ok tub Hkkalo:?
iving read of the trial ol William a. Darling I
valuable paper 1 think Congress abould appoint
inittoe to examine the a Hairs of the Appralsori
irtment. II Mr. Darling i> guilty of robbing Hi
' people that havo deposited their hard earnings I
Third Aveuuo Savings ltank, which be does n<
r, what will ho do In the poaitiou he holds as A]
ser in robbing the government? There is one not
he hua uppointed there by the name of 1. C. Hun
was removed troiu the same position (or atealln
h, ol which he la acquainted. This suiuc liut
control ol the Nineteenth Assembly diatrict In tli
rest of Darllug, which is In the Congressional dn
I of which he is a cuudidale lor Congress. 1 hi
l' this man Darllug Is president ol Bome bank o
d avonue. 1 think the depositors should t
lieu ol tins uungcrou-i man, ana nave me accuuui
je bank examined at once.
A HEADER OV THE HERAl.D.
rus Editor or tub Hkuald:?
uw much one hears about William A. Darling
yet how little I We are amused with the accounl
he papers of his perjury, hit deceptive saving
i accounts and his defrauding of their little all tli
i-worktng laborers, mule and female, extending 1
r families and children. All dreadful enough Indeoi
why Is It so sedulously concealed that this Wllliai
turling is a conlldentlal friend of President Uran
through uud by his putrouugu represents tl
ou lUell ill the responsible position of United Stall
inilsor at the port of New York, for the duties <
ch ho confesses himself about us incompetent i
tile's opiuiou of himself does lor an ludiuu trader
delegates the duties of appraiser of all the silk goot
laces to a superannuated and othorwisu incouipetui
riintto, tor the solo reason that he
Inlivu by murriage, and a distant one ut thatonly
explain It thus?"his sou's litlhcr-iu law.
results ol their olllctul decislous, which are nevt
pd upon their own knowledge or oxperienci, alio
uatlonal character Itself, lor ihey are report)
lUghoiit the civilised commercial world, uud,
rsc, are universally condemned, iiui lie lituls .-ni
itlons as well for all his relatives at the expense
dear public. His son is tho custodian ol all ui
med merchandise remaining in the Custom Hon:
'eg; another is uxutniuer in tho dumugu depur
it, and there is another relative here and unoth
re throughout the Custom House uud public stori
ibis port. Some ol your correspondents who tut
letter posted will, no doubt, give you fuller detail
MERCHANT.
BOARD OF APPORTIONMENT.
Bill DUES OVZll THE UAltLEM BIVEB.
be Hoard of Estimate and Apportionment mot
Mayor's office at quarter past two o'clock yoate
afternoon, Mayor Wickham in tho chair,
iveral small transfers in the appropriations for t)
lartmont of Public Works were authorized,
islcr of $200 from tho appropriation for tho Deput
it of Taxes for lb"5 to the same appropriation f
i year wus rnado.
be Mayor said tlie question of issuing bonds to bui
Igcs over the llarlem ltiver had been beluro tl
rd for somo time, uud he desired that lumo fin
on should be taken on the question. He called i
resolution to issuo $100,000 ot bonds to build tl
[>osod bridge over tho Harlem Ulver, bolwci
rth and Fifth avenues.
r. John J. Crane, l'rcsideut of the Bauk of the II
lie, spoko strongly in favor of better facilities fi
Ing across tho Harlem Klvor, and that the brid|
r Filth avenue should be built at once,
irk Commissioner Htebblns said no matter vb
iuuI of money the Hoard might appropriate to-di
uuld only be used to mako examinations and pr
narics toward tho orocllon of tho proposed thri
ges over tho Harlem Kiver, and ho was in lavor
appropriation to enable the l'ark Commissioners
;e these prolinuuarica Tho general government
ig much to improve navigation in this locality ui
officials of the general government should be col
ed belore bridges were placed over the river,
r. Lewis (J. Morris said he was fully aware of tl
ortauce and necessity of better facilities lor coti
iication across the Harlem Ktver, but ho was o|
3d to placing low bridges over the river, wbn
lid interfere with river commerce, especially I
v of ihe improvements now being made and in coi
plulion by the genital government. Ho whs i
ir, however, of some temporary structuro acroi
river.
be Comptroller said the question was one of grei
;ultude. and that It should be fully, carefully an
beralely considered. What they wautod to do hei
i the Inception of what might cost tho cil
,000,000 or $110,000,000. Ho thought they shoul
iw what was to be dona botore storting out l
it, Uotore any mouey was appropriated or actic
en in tins matter surveys and souudiugs should I
de and plans decided on, which hiivo not been dun
nmercially speaking, the Harlem itivcr, which Co
Ms tno North aud East rivers, was ot vast itupu
ce, which people have but lutcly commenced
leiwlnnd and nnvthlntr in connection With til
cam?Improving us navigation or building bridgi
>r u?wis not only it city question but a State ai
'D national ona The commerce of the North Itivi
cbcd away buck to and ul!ucled the products of tl
stern Stales; and the Kastern States are equal
urested in It as being the link between the Xort
or and the Sound, by which Iwenty-tive miles i
v tedious and dltllcuit navigation can be savci
bridges are to be built across It?and he wi
uvor of laud cotuuiunicalion across it as au abs
9 and growing necessity, let them be such as w
iniorlero with the vast amount of river commeri
irh is certain at no very distant time to occupy th
earn. The magnitude and importance ol this quo
a demanded the most carclul and thorough coosi
Hon, and before any abridge w as built across tli
er by the city it should bo known what the nation
1 State governments would do Ho was opposed
ndtng auy money on tho building of llio proposi
dgos at present.
'lie amount named In tho resolution was reduci
u $lt*),ooo to $10,000, which sum is lor tho Pai
imrtmcnt to havo soundings, surveys, lie., mad
^ resolution to issue bouds to tho amount of (10,0
adopted, the Comptroller alone voting in the neg
r.
'he Hoard then appropriated tho following amour
charitable institutions:?
John's Guild $3,8
enly-third ward lteliel Association 6
ung Women's Aid Association 6
rkviilo Homoeopathic Dispensary 2
Joseph's Home lor the Aged t
male Christian Homo ?
imi and licet House ?
ildrcn's Kducatinual Relief Association 2
bort Library nud Prisoners' Aid fund ?
;e Training School !
st Side lteliel Association 2
ToUl $8,4
'hesc appropriations come out of the excise mono;
'he Bourd then adjourned.
IE COMMISSIONERS OF EMIGR.
TION.
DECISION OP THE UNITED STATES SCPBE!
COUllT WHICH VIRTUALLY , ABOLISHES Tl
BOAUD.
lome time since the North German IJoyd Steams!
in pan y paid under protest a large amouut of "hi
ney," as it Is called, ou a number of posseng*
>ugbl to these shores by their ships, and tub
r Investing tho Commissioners of Immigration w
> power to collect "bead niouny" wan brought bell
i Supremo Court of Iho United States. "Hi
uey," it may be well to explalu, Is a per capita I
led on tho steamship companies for every passeni
y bring from Kuropo, In order to tndcmntly I
no for any expense It may sulfur Irurn tho sickn*
pauperism of such emigrants. In the early stca
ip days it was customary to exact a bond from I
aiuship companies lor the support or return
rope of such persons as they bad broui
re who were unable to eup|K>rl ihemseh
d became a burden upon the people. Through I
nVonicnt channel of legislation, the matter v
ranged at Albany so as to limit the liability ol I
sio hip owners, and bato tbetn pay a per cap
ail emigrants, and out ol the luml so colloctod b
s Slate support the indigent and helpless. T
ea?l money'' grow little bV little, under dlflbri
itutes, until it reached the round sum ol 50. Tli
course, made discriminations un avoruble to Ji
irk, lor steamship people would much pretor to *r
seeiigera elsewhere than to a port at which they ti
pay an ouerous lax. The fiKKatu lias long ?
mostly protested that tho law authorising the coll
>11 of "head money '1 was unconstitutional, sud tl
wss a matter of commerce ami navigation which
is the province ol Cougros* to regulate. The Hsnr
to advocated the passu.e of a law by Congroax wli
tuld make the tax e<{ual at all ports, and thus do aw
tb the unfair discrimination in lavor of other poi
I ho decision ol the Supreme Court on Monday I.
the esses ol Hendersou and the North licrm
u> u nuiiiii.1i uiw wiiiiiiiNNiuui'rn ui nviuu, <
ered by Mr. Juvlice Miller, virtually doea nmty w
e Kiuigratloa loinnnraioii and leavee New V or I
y to tbo crying abuae* which obtained bo tore I
ioUi.haioii wu? organized. If the advice ol l
(HAL.ua augge^tiou had bceu taken tbe mat
ruld liava I con nettled and tbe prvnenl timalial
ry stale ol altair* would not have been. Ttio deem
alike uusatndactory to tin- ateaundiip lotereal* >
tbe coiumiaaion. The latter la deprived ol itamei
Huppot t. and the lortner la in a *
icotnlortable quandary, owing to the ex pectit
at the old bond lyateni wilt lie revived. In a r
rralioQ bad with one ol the hi in or Oelricha K C
enia of tbe North Gorman Lloyd, yeaterday
(ralu reporter leurneil that the company wo
uch prefer to pay tbe head money and hare th
ibility end w ilh that than be reqnired to gire bon
m il open many poaatbllitiee which are now avoid
ttin wecieion, which haa not yet been wen tu N
?rk in ita integr.ty, doea not declare nnoonatitutio
e right tbe Stale baa aaaumod to protect tteelf
AT, MARCH 22, 1876.-TRJ
n Iho bond system against the Importation from fcurop
ly of pMtiii'C, vagrants, criutinaU and diseased persons
tLnit system will be revived.
An interesting |uostiou lias been opened by tbla da
clsion as to what bar Uio Uncling bureau at Casili
uarduu will be abolished, and, in such an event, wuub
the -hips bo allowed to land passengers at their severe
u dork-. 1 ha old system ol "bagguge smashing" wil
a again be revived, and all sorts ol extortions will 1*
, practised on uusoiilnsticated emigrants.
| l otoinissioner Maujer, of the Hoard of Emigration
is who was questioned yesterday by a reporter of thi
a Hsksmi in regard to the effect ol this decision, ran
, | that the Hoard wai substantially abolished, as the prca
out system was eulircly dopuudcut upon the hoai
> ] money lor its support.
n The Commissioner said that this docifion had beai
t, | expected by toe Coinmisaioners, and thul they had In
>K j lorinally discussed the steps to bo taken ll 11 was ron
it dcrcd. A couiuiuniculiou will bo soul by tbo board li
io : tlie (iovornor, probably tbla week, giving a slateiuun
* of the facts in tbo case and asking lor instructions
>- A meeting ol ibe Hoard will bo called to day or tc
u morrow.
* POLICE DISCIPLINE.
The Hoard of Police met yesterday, all preaenl bu
Commissioner Wheeler,
j The complaint against Captain Hedden, of th
lg Thirty-third procinct, charging him with failing to us
,9 all legal efloris to solve the mystery ol the llya
|0 tragedy In Uroome street In 1873, was dismissed, al
;o votiug yea.
t. Patrolman Uealy, of the Kifleenlh precinct, was dis
in missed from the department
t The complaint against Captain McDonnell, of th
I wu lilt; He triumphed over death ?n<l the grave. 11
entered the realm or death and struck the sceptre froi
. the hand of the tyrant.* To him who belongs to Chrti
the grave is robbed of Its gloom, and such a oue wi
the deceased. Mr. i'ortor, said the speaker, took
deep interest in tho revival now going on at the Hipp
drome, and, even on his deathbed, requested his wi
HE not to allow her devotion to bim to intertei
with her attendance at those religious meo
lugs, and Mr. MacArthur spoke eulogisti
ally of tho Christian character of the d
, ceased, and in his closing prayer recommended tl
p widow aud her two children to the faiheriy proteclit
>*d of Christ. Then wassuog the boaulilul hymn, "tVate
era lug and Wailing;" alter which tho benediction w
given and the Iriutids were Invited to take a farowi
look iu the roinaius. The casket containing the r
>h? mains was ol rosewood, with ailver bar haudlea, si
ith <>u the lid was tho Inscription:?
ara ; SAMCRI. M. l'OKTEK.
ad $ Died March Id, 1870, In tho forty-first year of
taX ^ his age. ^
5or The organist at the service was the Rev. (>. 8. Pun
ibo Icy, the soprano Miss Maria S. Urainard, lormorly
r tho choir ol this church, and the tenor Mr. Thatch*
one ot Mr. Sankey's aids at the Hippodrome The i
m* mains lay In the Calvary lispllst church all last uigl
,l0 | under the charge ol watchers, and will l>e this morm
to conveyed to Watcrbury, Coun, lor Interment.
___________
he THE LATE SUPERINTENDENT KE]
T? I NKDY.
I la ???
ivo Yesterday afternoon a committee of clMxont wont
llls ttie house of Mrs. John A. Kennedy, much to tli
i,1'1 good lady's surprise, anil presented to her a tribute
ow regard for tbo character and public services 01 Iter li
D<1 husband. The coininlttee consisted of eX-Uoveru
Dlx, l'eter Cooper, William C ltryant, General 8hali
eo- General Fremont, Uraud Master Thorno, exCoiuini
'at sioner Acton, ex-Mayor llall, Sinclair Touscy,
, ,, Oiteraoti, Captain Urackelt, Le Grand U. Canuc
icli l'ollce Commissioner Voorhoes, Excise Comiultsion
ray Marshall, Charities Commissioner Stern, Colonel Uu
is. dy. George Jones, Superintendent Wailing, Itispci I
list Speight, the 111.putlan Captain Waahburu, the voter
ian Tuurlow Weed, George S. McWalters (who must lis
le* the credit ut originating and working out the preseni
ith tlon), and soino other gentlemen. Govern
i a Ihx msdu the necessary remarks, recalli
the the services of Mr. Kennedy, and spealti
ihe warmly ol his olltcial and i>ersonal character,
tor thou presented to Mrs. Kennedy a handsome albu
UC- Containing .1 Illtl'riefS Ol 1 r. M-minn, luuuaca
KID "J.Oou signatures ol ottlrrrs and tnen v? ho served uin
md him and tlic names ol the committee of preaentatlc
ilia Following ttio-o were the nonces ol Mr. Kennedy, I
irjr mediately alter hi* death, that appeared in (ha Hut
Ion aud other journal*. Heiore the business wax ovoi
on- numoer of lady frionda ol Mr*. Kennedy appear*
la, among them," tho widow ol Mayor Havemcyi
, a Meadumaa K Thome, W. IV Kennedy (tha wile 01 Jo
did A. 'a brother), Mia. J. A Jackson (a TeuUeasce lai
eir who stood hy tho old (tag at iminlueut peril of her I
da, on more than ona occuaion), Mrs. A I). Cooper, M
ad. F. J. Olteraon, Madame Krr.anl, Mr*. Dr. Clarke,
aw Mr*. B. II. Kogera, Mrs. Van Cutt and others. Al
n*l aether It >u a auecesalul aurpriaa party and a oleas*
hr I hour lor those concerned.
io | kightn precinct, charging mm witu lauuro to orea.
-'3 up a gambling bouse at No. 82 Thompson slrcot, wa
lS taken up, General famuli moving that tho complain
? bo (1 lauiuhoU. Commissioner Krhurdt lavoreU tb
13 : motion, but Commissioner Voorhis thought that th
jl CapUlu should bo flui d, us ho regarded the complain
'* us analogous to those upon winch Captains Lima
and Vuu Duscn wero each lined thirty days'pay. Th
I vase was tlitully laid over lor luture action.
5r j The following names wore ordered to ho placed oi
L''' I the list ol bonOntMe mention lor meritorious service
"j. In capturing burglars:?
Houudsuiuu Charles Hughes and l'atrolmcn Wats*
'8 and Sullivan, Kighlh precinct, and l'alrolman Wood
ruff. Filth precinct.
a" Oltlcor laitnh, ol the Fourth precinct, was permitic
'* to receive giiUaud a silver medal (rum the Lilo Savin
l" UeuevoluuiAssociuiiob of New York lor saving a tna
er Iront drowning ut the foot of Dover struct; Fast Rlvei
3 Detectives Holly, I.yon and King, ol the Cenirt
lV Otlleo, were permitted to recoivu $60 each from C
* Waring lor the recovery of stolen property.
A pension of $'J50 per annum was granted lo Anni
Nicholson, widow ot Sergeant Joseph Nicholson, lut
ol the 'thirty-second precinct.
A communication wus receivod from the Hoard c
Aldermen calling the alien lion of the Commissionoi
to liiu ordinance relative to thu tiring of Urearms. H<
in lerrcd to thu ^Superintendent lor enforcement.
A SUGGESTION FROM THE MAYOB
10
A The special committee consisting of eight memhoi
t of the Hoard ol Aldermen, who were appointed undc
uf, Alderman Gross' resolution "to establish a fricudl
cartel with i'hiladulphia during theCeuleunial," wa.le
on Mayor Iflckham lato yesterday afternoon to asic h
co-operation with the committee in the promises, 'l'L
Mayor asked thu commitieu what thsy intaudod to di
al and nonu ol,them seemed to have uuy dehuitu idea o
ip ; thu subject. The Mayor thou asked Iheui bad the
not hotter wait until Philadelphia had Invited them I
do something and not thrust themselves into u plac
n where probably they were not wauled. Tho eight A
dertuen loll snubbed and left.
?r FUNERAL OF MR. ARNOLD.
The funeral ol tho late Aaron Arnold, senior partnc
of the lirin ot Arnold, Constable k Co., took place yei
&t torday morning from Trinity chapel, West Twenty
iy fltlh street, whero the service lor the dead w?
e- . ._ _ , _i._. ?#
' ponunncu iu iiic picsuu^u ui u mrgu uuiuuoi ui muit
L'e unit geutlomon. friends aud relative* of tit* deceasoi
of Among this congregation wero noticed many of 01
10 ' most prominent citizens, all lrionds of the docoasei
I* either in business relations or in socity. Th
a- | remains were brought from the Arnold res
| denco. m Weal Twenty-third street, to th
10 chapel, and as soon as the elegant rose
it- ; wood casket was placed at the hoad of the centr
p. j aislo it was at once surrounded with beautllul Uowen
:lt j auluutu leaves aud heads ol' grain, in tusiolul desigL
la ' and iestooned with wreaths of ivy. The Solent
t- ! and impressive service ol the Episcopal Chyrcl
n was conoucted by the Kcv. Dr. Swope, assisted by tli
,s Dev. C. K. Oimstead. The pallbearers at the funert
were all gentlemen lor many years conucutcd with th
it 1 business of the lirin of which die deceased morchan
id was the honored lounder, viz.;?Kobcrt Johnston
re j Hugh Johnston, William Moftatt, S. T. Peters, Wllliar
,y : Irwin, K. C. Sinitb, Theodore Lvons and Androi
id Campbell. No iuuoral sermon or eulogy was delivered
to In detcrcnce to tho well known wish of Mr. Arnold
in Alter tho conclusion of the funeral service in th
io church tho remains were conveyed to Grcenwoo
e. Cemetery, whore thoy were deposited in the famil
a- vault.
?? FUNERAL OF MR. PORTER.
Is
jj A funeral service was held yestorday afternoon i
sr Calvary Baptist church, AVest Twenty-third streoi
j" over tho remains of tSamuel M. Porter, of tho Arm <
Porter brothers, who died at his residence in Wet
of Twenty-third streoi on Sunday last. The church wa
well tilled, most of tboso present being tho relative
1 and Iriends of tho deceased. At half-past throe o'cloc
>11 tho cotlln, which was covered with dowers, was born
up the side aiale, preceded by the Kov. Mr. MacArthui
1 the pastor of the church, who Intoned the psaln
d- I "1 am the resurrection and the life,'* an
^ was lollowed by the pallbearers, Messrs. E. 1
to Abbott, of this city; M. Hailev, of Jersey City
jd I>. D. Ives, of Brooklyn; W. Irving Adami
i of Montclair, N. J.; Thomas Russell, of Mon
cd clair, -V J., aud Samuel Insloe ol this cltv. Alter then
rk came the clerks and other employ(5? of Porter Brotl
lo. crs to the number ol about forty. The widow, chile
00 brother and other immediate relatives of the decease
-a. were present. While the procession was moving u
the aislo the organ played a requiem, which was lo
,1a lowed by tho hymn, 'Co bury thy sorrow," as a qua
tot, wh.ch was very impressively rendered. The Roi
00 Mr. MacArtbur then read from tho Scriptures, ufl<
00 which the air, "I know that my Redeemer livoth,
oo preceded bis remarks on tho life of the deceased. Mi
100 MacArtbur spoke most toulingly of the late Mr. Porter
,05 blameless lifo and the religious sentiments which hu
,00 guided hint Irom his earliest years in ull his dealing
,00 with society. Deceased during bis life, up to the tin
[00 bo was seizod witb his fatal illness, hu
,oo never known what It was to be sick. lit
,00 death comes to all of us. Earthly fee
loo Ink8 cannot satisfy the longings of the soi
which recoils from the Idea of annihilation. Deal
l'J6 reigned from the days of Adam, but with Christ cam
?? the lultHnn-nt of the dream of the prophets. Chrn
IPLE SHEET.
I A TRUSTEE GONE.
k
I #
{ Sudden Disappearance of Lawyei
William C. Barrett
a
J HE'SAILS FOItEUROPI:
1
1
I Startling Rumors of His Heavj
J Defalcations.
What Clients and Friends
Have to Say.
Considerable excitement woe created In legal circle
0 (n ihla city yesterday by a rumor that Mr. William (
0 liarrott, the well known lawyer, bad absconded. Th
D rumor was also coupled with another to tbo oflect tbi
lie had defaulted to a large amount. As Mr. Uurrei
was known to be a trustee (or several Important ei
tales Ibe bolief seemed to be that he had misappri
printed the fuuds In his nands. How h
0 went awuy, when he startod, and to wht
^ extent he bad becomo a defaulter. . wi
8 unknown, and the more investigation was had th
1 more mysterious and remarkable seemed the whole a
0 fair. Uleaucd from a multiplicity of statements, con
? bining as much fiction as fact, the slate of this cat
u soctns to be about us follows:?
0 Til K K1KST SL'SriCtONS.
n In the first place it must bo said that for the past tw
s or three days rumors have bccu flying around of
heavy defalcation on (ho part of a prominent inembi
? of a well known logal firm who bud been intruste
with large numbers of bonds and other s<
'' curiiies belonging to his clients, and suddenly al
jj scondod. Fresh froin reading of the gla
lug frauds in which many of the lug
officials of the country have been implicated, tbo rum<
spread a general fooling of insecurity, and people tx
e gnn to ask one another wbon is this kind of thing goii
? to stop. To many political stealing was no new sior;
and the columns that have recently been printed gi'
s Ing the particulars of tho stealings of tbo adminlsir
'* tion otUcisis only confirmed their previous belief; bi
when they were told that William C. Barrett, late
the firm of Barrett, Kedfleld & Hill, one of the be
i kuown logal couccrns in tbis city, bad fled the countr
s | carrying with him the lands which had been tntrusti
r to his care by his clients, their interest was Imrn
u > diutulv uvcitod. It was a blow that struck direct
d i homo; It wan not govorntn nl funds that had bci
is stolen, but the saving* In bonds and coupons or near
,e a dozen of the leading families ol tho city.
IX TUl CLUBS.
" Tho first Intimation of tho real state of tbo case a
o ; pears to have reached tbo clubs on Sunday, and the
e the story of the misappropriation of the funds bolon
Ing to prominent New York families received a .strut
backing in a tresb history, in which Mr. William I
Barrett was creditod with defrauding somo Montro
clients of a large amount. On Monday the news begi
ir to spread and the Montreal rumors took a decided a
'* pcaranco of truth when it was positively atllrmed Ih
r' Sir Archibald Gait had come on from Canada about t<
13 days ago in order to muke an examination Into tl
' business which Mr. Wtliiam C. Barrett had cbargo
' for some Montreal parlies. Mr Daniel Torrance,
" this city, it was reported, was interested with 8
Archibald Gait In this same case, and togntb
0 thoy appear to have mado some arrangement wii
Mr. W HI lain C. Barrett that secured their claima I
* an examination of recent real estate transactions It wi
o fouud that William C. Barrett and wile convoyed t
*? deed on tho 14th of March two blocks of real estate
the value of about $30,000.
ti By many of his personal friends these stories we
* received as a tiaaue of falsehoods, as he was known t
0 them to be a good Christian and a regular attendant
t the First Reformed Episcopal church. Ho Is also sa
'? to have been very charitable, and Is credited with ha
a
? ing supported quite a Dumber of old friends that wc
I, in distressed circumstances. Yosterday the departu
'a ol Mr. Barrett aud wtfa on the Peroire for France w
j the aubjcct ol general conyorsalon, and peop
y appeared to have gained c^hsidonlbla confident'
making their statements about the lossos of the
friends without the slightest hesitation.
THK KXACT AROI NT
D | of the loss sustained by bis clients did not appear to 1
t known, as although there were plenty of rumors as
,( the Hmount, nobody appeared to be able to farnii
,t 1 sny definite Information on the subject. The cllen
a appear to have sufierod mainly In convertible proper!
,a such as bonds, slocks and coupons, and there are i
It charges (bus far bearing upon any fraudulent trun
o actions In real ostate. It was ollegod that Mr. Willis
?axrnlt h:lU hoon in (lliHcillLtM for HntllO lllBA tllii
and the recent decline In the valae of real estate b
j ' brought matters to a climax and plac
L 1 his business affairs In such a muddle tli
>. ho foand himself unable to clear them up. He is ul
>, , reported to have lost considerable money by the d
lo . clinc of property that be purchased in North Carotin
1. ! and others asserted that on the street It was said I
I, had suffered some heavy losaos through the decline
J the value or Pacific Mail stock. Of course, in the e
p
(. gftement that the news of his departure created the
r- I were Innumerable rumors flying around, piaclng tl
|r defalcations at a very large figure, some even going i
>> far as to say that twelve clients would lose near
r. (400,000. That, however, appears to l>e an exaggcr
* tlon of the real condition of affairs, for although tl
:g victims themselves cannot give the exact Qgures, the
ie \ appears to be comparatively Halo doubt that his Nt
^ York clients will lose over (100,000.
I. Such was the confldonca in the integrity and respoi
tl sibility of Mr. William C. Harrott that many of li
^ clients, although warned by the rumors of the Mo
,t treat business, paid no serious attention to their ov
lo 1 affairs, until tbev became startled by the iutolllgen
that be had really left the country. Tbey then ha
u leued to examine into the condition of hit affairs, si
a (rotn what ts asserted found they had suffered a heui
loss. There has not yet been time, however, to inve
tigate tho entire mailer, and some developments in.
, arise that will place mattors In a more favorable ligti
t" | , a visit to tub orriCB.
"j" A reporter of tho Hkkald called on Messrs. Redflo
" ' k Hill, at their offices. In No. 20 Nassau street, yeate
' day. The rooms, once latnoua for (heir elugHnt n
! pointmeuta. were in a dilapidated condition, preset
?" ing nil the appearance of a place from which the occ
I? pants wcro moving. The larnlture was topsy turv
and law books and papers wcro strewn about the Hoc
j of the several apartments. Messrs Kedllcld k H
were in and received the reporter quito cordially. M
j. I Hill, however, who wus the spokesman for the fin
'* was determined to say nothing in relation to Mr. llu
i rett's rumored disappearance.
? ''Has Mr. ltarrett left Now York V said tne reporte
"1 nave noining to lay aooui inc anair n? mm, sir,
jJ. ! replied Mr. Hill. "1 have not any intention whs
of ever or making any statement touching tho minor;
,r that you will he merely wanting your time asking <in
0'. tlona. Hereafter occasion may ariae to warrant 01
,t making some sort of a statement. I'nlll It ahull, hoi
jg aver, 1 will l>? silent. It is useless to ask any <|ue?tion*.
There waa that about Mr. Hill's manner which showi
beyond doubt that he waa lu earnest. Therefore tl
! reporter withdrew.
!i- ! 1'lm lirui with which Mr. W. C. Barrett waa rormor
connected waa originally formed ten years ago by h
entering into partnership with a Mr. Brinsmade.
j tunc Mr. Urinamado retired, and Mr. Kedtleld took h
to placo, and about tho same time Judge Hurrelt also b
IBt i. eaine a partner. When the latter was electi
. to bis present position he left the tiri
0 and was succeeded by Mr. Hill. A few weel
ilo ago the attain of William C. llarrett were found
or he !u an Insolvont or muddled condition, a real
which led to his retiring from the lirm. This fact wa
lT' however, not known until yesterday, when It was a
- bounced by Me.-srs. Kedllelii At Hill. Neither ol the
j gentlemen had any uoiiuucliou with the oaIousi
trustee business transacted by Mr. Barrett, and tin
"? cons; ipteiitlv know nothing about that branch of li
ier law business.
hi-. I'irat-orRaeri'L. iricctiTiosa
sir William C. ll.irrctt wua led into extensive land spec
an luteins in South t'nrollna through John McKay, Ic
ve ineriy a tea broker, who tailed In this city. Mr. Its
la- roll's speculations In oouth Carolina proved lailurt
ior He had a large number ol Canadian clients and is ?u
ng posed to have Invested largely In bunk securities
ug Montreal aud to have sullerod by the heavy bank la
Ho nre there some months ago. His books show that
ni. was interested In mining transactions in the West ai
by tbut tne stocks proved worthless.
Ier The friend* of Mr. William 0. Barrett say that abo
in. twelve ycurs ago he fell from the City Hall step*, ai
m- aiiicu then his iu oui condition baa oltea boon such
lu to rendor him unlit to transact business Hit uccour
a are alleged to be very much muddled. William A. Di
id; ling, appraiser of this port and President ol the Tin
or, Avenue Savings Hank, was an intimate friend and o
hu of tho clients of Mr. Barrett,
ly, 1 si.Kiri.ar '(in. nstlt? tram*actios*.
Ha | In conuecliou with the allegod Irauda committed
ra. | Mr. William C. U*rreil. who Bailed lor Kurope i
in, Saturday lust, the lollowlng vtrbahm copy ol roer
to- real estate transactions in which bo was I
ml principal will be ol Interest, As Will be se
I the Urst aud third transaction! rolerred
below, and dated the lain and lOtn Inst respectively,
refer to the name properly?the deed ul the properly ? W
to Uaaiel Yorrauce, of Montreal, being exocuted on the j \
Aral mentioned date and tbe mortgage to secure
$27,000 to Spencer Campbell Thomson, of Edinburgh,
being recorded on the ldih inaL
f Wiilinm C. Barrett and wife to Daniel Torrance.?
Deed dated March 14, 1876, consideration expressed,
$1, rooorded Libre 1,371 of Conveyances, page 181,
March 15. 1876, conveys premises south side of Thirty*
niuth street, 235 feci west of Lexington avenue,
20x08.9 lent; also premises north side of Thirty.fourth
^ street. 150, feel west ol Second avenue, 25x98.9 leet.
i William C. Barrett to Nuvin W. Huller.?Assignment
of inortgagu executed by Margaret J, lialpiue, widow ol
Charles G. Halpino, for $4,399 47, aa collateral to securt
the payment ou demand to said llutler of $2,500; re_
corded Libre 1,294 of Mortgages page 178. March 16,
T 18T6 ?ie .
William C. Barrett and wife to Spencer Campbell
Thoinauu, of Edinburgh, Scotland.?Mortgage dated ' ?
March 16, 1876, to secure $27,OOu, recorded Libre 1,287
ol Mortgages, page 303, March 17, 1876, conveys premises
south side of Thirty-ninth street, 235 leet west of
* Lexington avenue, 20x98 9 feet, and ul-o north side of
Thirty-lourth street, 150 feet west of Second arenue,
94vlift U f.?AL
AX ALLHOKD CUNVM9JOW.
The fact of Mr. Barrett's Quaucial embarrassment was
known to hts moat intimate irleuds several days boioro
be lull for Europe, and he conk-ssed to several pcrsous
' that he had uiimsed the funds intrusted to hia care,
o It la behoved that ho told the enure story to the pastor
of the First Reformed KpUcopal church, of wbiob Mr.
Barrett was a prominent member, for oq .Sunday
R prayers were oiferud during the services lor both Mr.
i. and Mrs. Iiurrett. Several tnotnbcrs of tho congregation
were told ot tho tacts by Mrs. Uarrotl on
>- Friday last. On that day Mrs. Barrett waa tlrst told by
'a her husband thai they would bavo to leave the couujt
trv. Mr. ltarrutt himself expected to be able to bridge
over his u(fairs, and it waa only two works ago that he
! discovered how seriously he was embarrassed. Boid
sides his real estate speculations ho waa, 11 la said,
f. j carrying a large line ol l'uciUc Mall stock, on which, > '
' by the recent decline, he lost a large sum of money.
I Mr. Barrett was exceedingly generous. His church
>o subscriptions .done during the past year aru said to
have bei-u $1U,UU0. lio supported a liumber of persons,
am) his friends are led to believe that he saved scarcely
I anything, and that all the money Intrusted to him was
o | lost in his speculations.
a | WILLIAM a UAKKKIT *
' Is a native of Ireland, and haa been a resident or Noif
'r York lor fully forty years. Being admitted to the Bar
d Immediately alter his arrival in thia couutry, Mr. Bar?
g. | ri'll soon socurcu uu c?uuaiio yisuiiui m mu vn?
courts and butlt up a valuable connection with the old
J" Knickerbocker families. He attended to the interesti
r- 1 ot bia clients uud looked after their properly, In manj
1, Instances tiuviug almost exclusive charge ol the eslalel
held by thuiu. Always esteemed to be a careful
>r man and a taltbful guardian of the Interests committed
e- to but care, he was enlliely trusted by hit clients, who
lelt in his hands the details ol rents and other necessary
operations Incidental to the proper administration
ft ol their tinanclal aflairs. In tact, ho acted as a solidv
tor for many of the old families, as is usual la
? Knglund uud Europe. In 1847 Judge Iturrett,
his nephew, became his adopted son, tbo
J' brother, Kov. Ollbert Carter Barrett, having
of Just died as a missionary among the Indiuns,
Young Barrett studied law in the otllco ot his uncle,
nnd after a time entered on the practico ol the law in
>*. his owu behalf. The long years during which l<r.
m1 William U. Barrett practised in this city gave abundant
reason lor the unqualified trust reposed in his integrity
by his numerous clients, and tbo sudden dig'7
appearan'co of tbulr legal adviser seems to be a mallei
>n i ol astonishment to theiu all.
. AT Til K UOVSK.
' A visit to Mr. Barrott's house, Mo. 112 West ThirtyI
ninth stroet, was mudo last oveuiug by a Hmkalu roporter,
who lound the said dwelliug presuming au /
unilluiniuated and dreary appourance Irorn the out- \
P" side. The servant girl who responded to the ring ol *
ro the bell slated that Mr. and Mrs. Barrett had gone
g. away ou Friday last, but where she did not know.
They did not go away ut alt suddenly, having been ex'S
peeling to leave the city for some days past. The ?er2.
| vunt said that they were only to be gone a short tune,
al | and would probably return by the week after next.
I AX OLD KKIKXO's STATKMKXT.
10 1 Knowlngthut Mr. John Foley was an intimate friend
p- of tno gentleman against whose character such grave
m accusations have been made, a Hkralu reporter called
upou that gentleman to seu if ho could throw any ligbl
in upon the matter.
te Mr. Foley manifested the greatest surprise when Inof
formed of tho cuargcs that huvo been mude against
Mr. Barrett, and at once expressed himself as disb.'liuvlug
that Mr. Barrett could be guilty of any such act.
Ir Mr. Foloy gave a short sketch of Mr. Barrott's life in
er this couutry, tue priucipul points ot which are as follows:?"William
C. Barrett was born in Ireland, and
emigrated to this couutry about forty years ago.
ly I have known htm for twenty years, and
u during that time he has been a lawyer, with a large
practice. I have heard that he was executor lor several
estates, but do not know* their names. Ho wae
of | one ol the Committee of Seveirty, and in and out of it
I took au active part in city mutters and the relorta
movement. Hois an uncle to the present Judge Barr*
I rclt, ol tbe Supremo Court, and used bis intluenca
>y | toward the election of his nephew in 1872. He is maruf
rted, hut has no children. He has always lived in an f
unostentatious manner, and borne a reputation for th<
d strictest integrity.
Pix's place, at Weal Hampton, I. L, which ho pur1
chased about tlltoeu years ago. llo has always beeg
r* vory tondol shooting, fishing, Ac., and ia u member ol
dj J the Spoi'Umon'a, liuiou League and Manhattan clubs.
1 have alwuya coualdered him to be a man ui consider*
! ablo means, aud one who did not live expensively.
;0, 1 Ho bas alwuys been happy with his wife, and, in fact,
ur ; with everybody else with whom be cauio in coutact,
for he was ono of the most whole-souled, geuial men
that you evor saw. He is a man who has befriended
I many an unfortunate fellow, and 1 have known him t?
Lm be the support of an entire family at a time. When
. Charles G. Halpine (Miles O'Ueiliy) died Mr. Barret!
took charge of the very small estate which
-h the deceased left. ana by good manage,
tg tnent increased it to about $30,000, which
; he turned over to the widow. He and Horace Ureo.
Y ley were the means of securing the appointment of
to General Jones, by Governor Hodman, to tbc ortlce ol
lg. Register, to serve out the unexpired time of Halpinft
All tho salary received by Jones was donated to Mrs,
m Halpine, according to Barrett's suggestion,
it, 1 In conclusion, Mr. Foley said that Barrett was th?
as last man on earth whom ho would suspect or committing
a dishonorable action, and if be wits proven to bo l
8,1 fraud ho (Mr. Foley) would not know who to trust
at JieieafliT.
80 WHAT JCtHjlt BAKRKTT SATS.
Judge George C. Barrett, of the Supreme Court, is
?* nephew of William C. Barrett. After the Judge left
a, the beuch yesterday In Supreme Court, Circuit, Part
he 1, where he had been oiignged all day In the trial of a I
cause, a Hkkald representative briefly Interviewed
>a bun in regard tu the rumors concerning bis uncle
x- i '4 atn greatly surprised," said the Judge, "at the
re 1 recital ol the rumors you say aro In circulation regarding
Mr. Barrett."
he i "I have come to you," pursued the reporter, "la
to compliance with my instructions, thinking that yod
ly doubtless would know all about the matter."
"I atn almost the last person you should coma to for
any positive information." the Judgo replied. "The
lie fact is that some two years ago Mr. Barrett treated ma
n Is ? manner that I 'deemed entuely unjust, and w? .
i have not spoken to one another since."
IW "Hut you must know something about bis circumstances,"
interrupted the reporter, "and whether
j. there la any Justitlabie basis lor tbe rumors to which I
have referred."
'** "1 don't see how it is possible that there can be any
n- | truth in them," responded tho Judge. "I know that
rn Mr. Barrett, accompanied by his wife, recently sailed
lor Kurope on the steamer Percire. Quite it party ol
c0 friends accompanied them to the steamer, and nuts
mcrous bouquets were presented to Mrs. Barrett in lhA
,,j way of pleasant fa row HI tokens."
How came ho to leavs just at this time?" ?
fy "As I understand It, he went solely on account of
is- his health. Boms eight years ago ho had a stroke of
iy apoplexy, and lor some time past he has been threatit.
ened with nuothcr stroke. Dr. Hallock, his physician,
finally told taun that In order to ward olT such attacks
Id he must give up Ills business and allow do cares or
t- i anxieties to worry him. It was on tbls advice, I am
p- | told, he lull for Kurope."
it- "Do you know anything about his trusteeships?"
u- | "I can give you no positive information on thai suby,
jecL?
rs "Do you know whether he was embarrassed at all?"
ill "I know thut he has been greatly embarrassed flnaur.
ciallv, the rosult of lo>ses from shrinkages in values."
n, "You dup't think be is a defaulter. "
r- "I can hardly think that (losslble. Whatever may
be his demerits I give biin credit for Integrity.'!
ir. INTKRVIKW with a CUK.vt.
," | As soon as the storv becatno current that Mr. Willi
liaia C. Barrelt had mi led lor Kurope and cmbexzled
so the property intrustod to his care by bis clients, a
s- i Hkkali> reporter was despatched In search of what Inur
formation lie could lind upon tho subject. There was
v- no deUiiito intelligence to work upon, no he sought tba
" public places of resort, such as tbe hotels and clubs,
sd and -non learned that there was very little doubt thai
lie several tainlliva, moving in the Oral clreh-s ol society,
would lie heavy ioeers by Uarroll's deiaieatlon.
ly Alter a rather tedious search the writer anally met
is one ol tho cliotits ol William C. Barrett, aud the folIn
towing conversation ensued:?
Is llKiMHTku?Can you lurnish me with some Informse
Hon as to the amount your lamily bas lost through Mr,
ed William C. Barrett?
it, Clikxt?I cannot possibly do that, as wo do not know
Its ourselves, and in tact up to Saturday last had not tho
to slightest idea that there was anything wrong in Mr.
lit Barrolt'a all airs.
is, KsroBTBit?How were your suspicions first excited?
n- Clisst?Through the -lory that was reported that '
so Mr. Barrett bud misappropriated some funds that wsri
sc placed In his hands by some of Ills Montreal clients.
?y HtixWTts?Can you give me no inlorinution what>ia
ever as to the amount Mr. Barrett is supposed to have
l cmbciulcd ?
Curst?None at all, except that in one instance 1
) believe a client will lose about $40,000. There are
ir- elithl or ten others that will also sudor considerably,
ir- KkmsTKR?What kind of property was It that Mr
>0. Barrett inude use ol ?
p. Curst?Nearly entirely properly of a convertible
in nature, such us bonds, stocks and coupons. I have
II- beard or no inoUoct In which hu has tampered with
ne the doeds ol real estato intrusted to his keeping,
ad Another gentleman that the reporter met In lbs
Fifth Avenue Hotel atalcd that ho believed Mr. Barrett
lit lind made a aalislaclory aeliiumout With his Montreal
ad clients,
as
THE ALOOTT-CLARK COLLISION.
If- 1
Yesterday lorrnoon I'niled Stales Marshal Harlow
i and his deputies proceeded to the Erie basin dry dock.
Hod Hook Point, where they found the schooner a
by Adelaide J. Alcoit undergoing repairs. The veseel erafl
mi Immediately seized, an oiltcur being placed in charge of
it her tu accordance with a libol uled against tier by the
Ito counsellor the owners el the dilated brig Prank (lark,
en which was run dowu and sunk on Krulay last while of
to , Uaruegat by the schooner libelled.