The New York herald. [volume], May 20, 1876, Page 4, Image 4

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

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PETER COOPER,
The Venerable Philanthropist on the
Condition of the Country.
THE VITAL ISSUE LN THE MG CAMPAIGN.
Commercial Depression Directly Trace
able to Contraction.
THE MODERN SEARCH FOR A MAN.
"Yet." said the venerable Peter Cooper, as ho looked
?I a Hkrald reporter over till tour-glassed spectacles;
"I think Grant has a belter chance than anybody else.
1 don't object to a thlrd'term. It isn't the length of
time so much us the man. If Grunt wore a second
Washington, 1 should think it a good Idea to re-elcct
him. ltut he Isn't. If I wore to suggest any ctiango
at all In that,* dirottlon It would be to have but one
term?a longer one than four years?and then niuke it
Impossible for a President to bo his own successor.
That being the law the incumbcnt, Instead of worrying
nbout a renoinlnation or a desire to get out with a for
tune, would l>o naturally desirous ol leaving a good
Impression, so that, lute In life, ho tulght, perhaps, be
recalled to that exalted station."
Rki-oktbr?From the emphasis you laid on the
words "the man," just now, I Infer that yon are like
Messrs. Adunis and Weed?looking for the "Grout Un
known." The Western convention seemed to think
you might be ho.
Mr. Coot'KR?Yes; I see, 1 see. God knows I love
my country and would cheerfully lay down my llle lor
her lu tins dark hour of her need. The terrible con
dition of airalrs Is well calculated to stir every Rontl
ment or patriotism mid regard a iuaii has In his breast.
Tho end is uot yet. llulf
TilR CITY IS MORTUAOKD, f
and the mortgages can't even pay the intorest. Lot mo
give you n specimen brick. Some time since n friend
ot mino purchased property for $20,000. He had a
mortgage on It of $10,000. He did'nt comply with tho
term* It was ndvertised for sale. Ho attended. The
only bidder was the mortgagee. who bought the $20,000
property for $600 cash, und now holds the $20,000
property and the bond lor $U,500 besides.
??Will he have tho heart to enforce the bond ?"
?'Every cent of It, until It takes the lust drop of blood
In his debtor's body. Now, that's a nice state of
things, ib'nt It ? And it's what wo ore all comlug
to. Ltbor Is too high.' Evorylliing olse Is depressed,
and yet the
BY ST KM or STRIKES
Is encouraged by the great body of workingmen and by
some of the Inconsiderate press. 1 know what labor Is.
1 began life us a worker, mid frotn my $1 50 u day saved
and saved until 1 went Into business and amassed
enoogh to koep me in comfort us long us I Inst So
with the honest and Industrious men of to-duy. They
work and lay by something tor a rainy day, but pres
ently uttriko comes. They ure thrown out of work
ind tho bard earned money they carefully put avtuy is
Wasted in supporting a lot of luzy fellows whose ouly
claim is that they belong to tho union. It's all wrong
ind very terrible, but tho
MONKY TINKKHS ARK AT PAULT.
"When wo were at war, struggling lor tho life of the
Ballon, no sacrifice was too greut. To save the country
was our first utid constant thought. We did right to
borrow gold and silver as long us wo could and then wo
did right to Issue certificates of indebtedness until
peace cauie and then tho borrowing should cease. Wo
had then lu circulation nbout $2,000,000,000; now wo
have about $700,000,000 or $800,000,000. Look at tho
stupendous, the ruinous difference! How can we
expect to prosper with this state of things? The
$2,000,000,000 was the price of the nation's life; It
should bo restored to circulation again. It
should be made tho uever changing, never tluctuatiug
standard of value, increased or diminished only per
capita Vith tho growth of our population."
OOVRRXOR T1LDKX.
Rkportkk?The politicians rather avoid the serious
aspects of this question. Have you spoken with Gov
ernor Tilden ou the subject?
Mr. Coopkr?Oh, yes. I called on Mr. Tilden a few
days ugo and loft with him an address I was to have
lead, and which was read, at the Indianapolis Conven
tion. As 1 did so, I Mid:?"Mr. Tildon, if you oan
eland on this platform it will afford mo very much
pleasure to do what I cau to muke you President"
Out he has other things to think of. All these poll,
llciaus aro thinking of self und how to advanco their
own prospects. Mr. Tilden is a well meaning man, but
he ,i usi take a stand ou this questiou if he hope* to be
supported by thinking men.
TUB COMING MAN.
Rkportke? Who is tho coming man in your opinion?
Yourself?
Mr. Coopkr?Heaven knows, I would make any
sacrifice for my country; but I am too old. I am
elgiity-eigbi years old nnd would hardly live to reach
the placo, let alono tho end of the term. Ob, no. I
wrote tho Convention that I was admonished by the
nllrmitics of age?although I am in better health than
1 have been in twenty years?that I must decline, and
1 did. They have nominated Mr. Allen, who is an ex
cel leu t candidate und will develop a strength thut will
turprise the critics. There will bo enough voters
leave tho party ranks to elect the third party candi
date unless action, which mcaus relief, is taken at the
eon volitions
Kkpoktkr?How about Grant?
Mr. Coopbr?oh. Grant 1 wrote to Grant long ago
In relation to llio subject I told him then that tho
men who left thoir parties, having faith in his leader
ship, would stand by him agaiu If ho placed
himself right on this vital question. Wo look
too much at men and forgot the neces
lity of looking at principles. The constitution
Ihows us what to do. Nowadays people know very
little about the constitution, and caro less. That docu
ment is a chart by which the way to prosperity can al
ways be found. It expressly directs the government
what to do, and among other Imperative duties It says
government shall coin money, and that monoy?not
uecessarilv gold or silver?is to bo receivable for taxes,
duties aud debts of ejery kind. Wbou we borrowed
money of tho people we issuod these evidences of debt,
and tiieir withdrawal is tne chief cause of our financial
distress. Tho depression affects us all alike, und I am
glad to ilnd thut in the rauks of labor throughout the
country there-is not only un approclatiou of the act
that our trouble is properly chargeable to the mone
tary mistakes of Congress, but also an intelligent
understanding of tho desired remedy. I have been in
correapoudoiico with trade unionists all over the
country and find a very gratifying response to tbeao
suggestion*. You may de(>end upon it, if the two
great parties Ignore the central foatare of tne cam
palgn,
T1IK rXOPLK
will take tbo matter In their own hands and elect tho
ticket of their own choice. The preseut condition of
affairs is unbearable. Where we will all end is easily
Men. Mortgaged proporly, closed stores, lazy strikers
living on the littlo savings of tho iudustrlous, busi
ness paralyzed, whilo idleness and extravaguiico
waste our substauce. We need to return to
the solid foundations. Equity demands the re
turn to the people of that amount of Money
which was in their hands at the close ot tne
war, and what equity demands should always be
granted. Why, I sat next to Jones, oi the jTiSkti, at
the Chamber of Commerce dinner the other day and
Went all over this question witk him. He assented us
I went along, and then said:?"You are corroct, Mr.
Cooper; this is all as you say, but we cannot say so in
the Time*." The Iact is the papers are subsidized with
out knowing it; al>soiutely overshadowed by the power
and weultb of our great corporations. Both cuds are
wrong.
LABOR IS CAPITAL.
Wbjr, I went into the office of the F.xprut uows
paper the ether day, and in talking with my Irieud
Brooks, he said:?
??Mr. Cooper, I bave thirty men in that composing
?MMU 1 want to put any l>oy in there, but they won't
|M Be, because they bave two apprentices already I"
Haw you see there must bo a comity of in
IsisbI If in expect to bave a prosperous country. My
Inn bleeds for By country. Heaven knows the
aim Ig in, and getting deeper and deeper all the
ime. II only there could be born soma mighty mind I
that would tear away the veil that obscure* the vision ,
of our public lueu and shed the full light of Intetit
genceand honesty on our aflairs, It would be. indeed,
a glorious day tor na. My hope it in Allen. What the
result will be I can only Infer. If Grant and Tildcn, or
some candidate who is but Grant's right hand aud
Tildcn, are the opposing candidates, unpledged on thig |
great ,nation, tho third party will elect Ita ticket (or
the healing ol the nation.
KcfoKTKH?lu addition to yonr addresses on tbla
subject and your letter to the President, are you doing
anythinir to affect legislation in thla direction f
Mr. CoorxK?Yes, I have circulated all over the coun
try this
i-btitio*.
To THE Sr.NATK asd Housk or Rkfrebmtativm ?
Cokorksm Assk*iu.ei>:?
. Your petitioners desire most earnestly to represent
to your liouorable bodies tho sintering condition of
hundreds or thousands who not only gave their best
?ffBlta, in all forma of property and labor, but also
risked their lives Id save the nation through the years
ot its greatest peril. We now llnd ourselves deprived
ol' our former employments, property aud meaus ot
living by what we regard as a mistake made In tho
Duanclal policy ot our country. We believe that It la
even now possible tor Congress to restore prosperity to
our suffering people, by recognizing the fact that thero
should bo but one kind' of money for all pur|M>sos; and
all that Is now or ever h s heen required to cause
Treasury notes to be and remain as valuSlile as gold Is
that the government should niako them receivable for
all tortus ot taxes, duties and debts, uud interchange
able, at the will ot the bolder, with the interest-bearing
bonds of the government. Wo also suggest the with
drawal ol twenty-live per cent anuuallyot the present
bunk circulation till all ta replaced by greenbacks. We
urge on your honorable bodies, by every consideration
ol patriotism and humanity, and as ttie only uicnns.of
establishing Justice and promoting tho general welfare,
to legislate at once In tho reliet of the great bullorlng
and continual loss that tho present poiicy ot gov
ernment entails on tho great mass ot tho
people. Tho circumstances of the country
make some relief now Indispensable, as a largo
part ot the property of tho people la under mortgages,
that will inovilabiy pus* the property from the dis
tressed holders Into tho hands of those who now hold
mortgages tor but half ol its original cost. We most
urgently, therefore, press upon your consideration tho
moans of relief act lorth in this potitiou; and lor this
we will ever pray.
That goes to tho root of tho matter, and if Congress
would act In the promises we would be spared a torrlhlo
disaster. Out our politicians aro but politicians. Tho
nood of tho times is, indeed, n man?an honest, consti
tution respecting, God-fearing man.
REPUBLICAN REFORM MOVEMENT.
The offlcora and members of commltteos ol the Re
publican Reform Club, No. 39 Union square, are, thoy
say, actively at work this week carrying out practical
meaaures resolved upon at tho last meeting or the Ex
ecutive Committee, the nature ot which they decline at
present to make pubho, but which, thoy declare, are of
such a nature as to increaso thoir contldonco that tho
etl'ort to socuro tho nomination of reform candidates at
Cincinnati will bo successful. Some additions have
been recently made to the list of officers of tho club,
which is now as follows:?
J'retidetil?Hon. James Emott.
Pica frttidmU?Joseph li. Choate, Hon. John Jay,
Hon. William K. Dodge, John Jacob Astor, Isuno Sher
man, Rev. Henry W. Bellows, Robert l.onox Kennedy,
Alexander Hamilton, A. A. Low, Hon. K. L. Fancher,
: James C. Carter, John K. Williams, F. D. Tappan, John
K. Parsons, Albert Gallatin Browne, Jr., John II. Shor
wood. George 1* Schuvler, Jackson S. Schulti. Lo
Grand U. Cannon, Solon Humphreys, Elliot C. Uowdin,
General J. II. Van Alen, Houry E. Plerrepont, J. Pior
pont Morgan, Kuihertord Stnyvesaut, George Walkor,
llenjamiii H. Sherman, A. S. Barnes, L P. Morton,
Georgo Cabot Ward, William IL' Guion, U.G.Arnold,
David Dows, George S. Coe, Dorinan B. Eaton, John
Sherwood and George H. Forster.
Secretary-?Colonel Gouvorncur Carr. ?
Treasurer?George Walker.
Executive Committee?General II. L. Burnett, chair
man; John W. Ellis, Francis A. Stout. Generul Emer
son Opdycke, Cyrus Bullor, John A. Weeks, General F.
C. Harlow, Chester Grlswold, Colonel William C.
Church, Charles Watrous, Thomas L. Thornell, Will
iam L. Strong, George W. DlUaway.
GERMAN REPUBLICAN CENTRAL
COMMITTEE.
A regular meeting of the German Republican Central
Committee was hold Inst- evening at Romboldt's Hall,
Judge ftittenboefer In tbe chair.
On motion of the Executive Committee It was re
solved that thin committee will, lrorn now until after
election, bo known as the German Republican Central
Campaign Committee; that every district committee
now reprosented be entitled to further Ave delegates,
and that aM now organizations be entitled to three
delegates. It was further resolved that Uio President
Issue an appeal to all Germans to Join this organiza
tion, and that a meeting bo held on tbe day after the
Cincinnati nomination. It was finally resolved that all
new bodies, must organize bofore the first Monday la
J una.
INDEPENDENT LABOB PABTY.
Tbe Independent Labor Party met last ovenlng at
Masonic HalL The organization went into an eleotlon
of officers and succeeded in choosing William A. Casey
as president, Frank Waters and Benjamin F. Wcerdiua
vice presidents, Thomas Tully recording secretary,
Frank Livingston corresponding secretary and Joseph
J. Finnert treasurer. The organization tbon adopted
tbe greenback platform und the resolutions passod liy
the .state Committee of the greenback party at Uio
Sturicvaut House ou May 1, 1870. Anew constitution
and bylaws were adopted.
POLITICAL NOTES.
Nashville (Tenn ) American:?'"A party that for
'eiyht or ten years past has been growing steadily
worse' offers no very alluring promise to genuine re
formers. t^irl Kchurz mado a good application of a
current political bon mot, in the Justification of politi
cal fence riding, 'because thero was so much mud on
both sides.'"
Syracuse (N. Y.) Courier:?"The gentlemen of tbe
Conference had plenty of ability but little experience
In politic*, which accounts for their wordy address to
the peopla These Independents have no place In
American politics to-day. The people are bound to
support the nominations of tbo one or the otber of the
great political parttos. Thoy have tried experiments
enough, anJ we cannot expect that they will look with
\ any great favor upon tbe Independent movement"
Troy (N. Y.) Whig:?"Tho Ohio democrats are bold
men. The Slate Convention defied public sentiment by
elocting George JL Pendleton its President. This was
a blow at public and privato honesty. If Pendleton is
I au honest tnnn, after the proof that be took somo
j $80,000 lor nominal services on a claim that, if bad,
ought not to have been paid, and. If good, ought to
j have gone to the railroad, then Belknap ought to ho
i considered honest. Tha claim paid to Pendleton was
| not a valid one, and It i? acknowledged by Genera)
Dunn, a government officer, that it was rejected on its
merits and was ultimately paid on tbo personal influ
ence of Pendleton. Pendleton wronged the govern*
ment out of the whole cluing and pocketed nearly all of
{ it. Belknap did not take a dollar of government money."
Troy (S. Y.) /Imlgrl .'?"General Sherman is to be
brought forward for the Presidency, and thore'a elec
tricity iu tbo name. Iowa will propose him to the
' Republican Convention. He would 'run like the chol
| era,' nud could get more votes for President tban any
man in tbe l/niicd States.. He is tbe most popular
man yet named for the Presidency, as Roscoe Conkltng
is tho most able."
Sacramento Union "The democratic managers at
Washington are at present engaged iu the novel task
of digging their own graves and the gravo of their
I party."
Troy (N. Y.) HwlgH :?"Conkling stock Is steadily
rising. Liito news from Washington Is to tho effect
that Conkling will have tbe delegations from Kansas
and Nebraska. Conkling hits at least lour ?f tbe Ar
kansas delegation and a larger number from the Geor
gia delegation. The others of the last two States
named ure divided between Morton, Brislow and
Blaine."
Augusta (Go.) Constitutionalist:?"I'nless thero are
some new and startling developments in tho next
thirty days it would seem that Governor Tllden would
certainly aoeure the prize, even if tho two-thirds rule
be adopted, as he is gaiuiug all tbo while. We trust,
however, tbis rulo will not be adopted at St. Louis.
The republicans havo succeeded very well without It
for twenty years, and there teems no reason why It
should longer defeat tbe majority in tbe demooratio
party."
Macon (Gn.) TtUgrapk:?"When the Augean stables
had to be cleaned Hercules was called on to undertake
tne Job, and be did it by turning a big river through
the concern. Yesterday William C. Bryant and party
?Mt la Mew York to nudertake a similar Job for tl.e
radical stable, and expected to do It with a Utile Ink
and champagne Tho result will be a failure."
Newbury port (Miss ) Ilcrahi: "Ills safe to predict
that If Mr. Ad.imi should be nominated by any party
that bud a lair prospect of carrying the election be
would be as certalu to aoeept it as was Horace Greeley,
j These superior sea are, alter aU, haaiaa."
POLITICS, PEOPLE AND PAPERS.
BLAINE AND BBI8TOW?NJCW JBB8EX POLITICS
GOVERNOR TILDEN IN THE SOUTH.
Nothing ib more noticeable in rrcint politics than the
fact that, while up to the day before the Ohio Demo
cratic Convention newspaper erldence pointed to Thur
man s the choice of all Northern Ohio and of half of
Southern Ohio, aa a Presidential candidate, old William
Allen stepped in at the last moment and carried off the
practical honors. This was because the politicians em
ployed by Allen were better machine tenders than
thobo who sentimentally followed Thurman. The
truth Is that to-day the heart of democratic Ohio is iu
favor of Thurman, while the machinery has been
manipulated so as to give the practical preference to a
man who is far (roin being trusted or loved. Thurman
must be put down as a sentimentalist who did not
know how to run the primaries What Thurman has
lost will not accrue to the benefit of Allot). Ohio will,
alter the Qrst ballot at St. Louis, cast IU vote lor a can
didate from some other Slate. The Allen voto may bo
had for Thusman. but it does not represent the people*
Among the republicans the Ideas of the managers
?re narrowing down to Blaine aud Brlstow. New Jer
sey is as fully committed to Blaine as if her Uolegates
had been elocted upon an Instructing platform. John
Y. Foster, who wrote the Know Nothing lotter to
Blaine, wan a potent factor in the Trenton Convention
Dr. lluut, of tho Newark Jilrrrtitrr, was a Ultimo
tnan ; and Ueorge Worts, ol tho PateraoB JPrtM, was
mentally commuted to lllalne.
Senator Frolinghuyscu Is really a Conkhng umn,
while Cortlaadi Parker Is in favor ol Secretary Fish.
Tho I'reu says
That the sentiment of tho Convention was over
whelmingly for liluine is u fact that every one who took
pains to jjuuge it must admit. But that uuy attempt
was made 10 manulurtiiro sentiment lor Mr. Maine, or
that It was for a moment contemplated to instruct tho
delegation, or even "indicate" a choice, is uttorly base
less.
In the South tho strength which has boen given to
Governor Tilden because ho was the least of many
Northern evils is beginning to wilt. Tho idea In tho
South seems to bo that if New York, which holds the
casting vole of tho North, will bo democratic enough to
voto for Tilden, why will It not vote as stolidly lor
some other caudldato Just as good us he? Tho South
counts both Allcu and Thurman as out ol the race. For
all practical purposes the garrulous and vain old Mr.
Allen has thrown hisStato away, ll we Judge Irotn
newspaper evidence, which must not always bo ac
cepted as olthor popular or political ovidonce, the dis
affection between Allen and Thurman will give strongtn
to Governor Hayes as a republican candidate for Presi
dent. Thurman, of hard money thoory, is as woak as
a schoolboy, and Allen, a | aper man, is as stroug as a
blind mule; and Ohio is republican more through dern
ocrutic senility than through republican wisdom.
Governor Hendricks seems to recognize tho weakness
of his position and, practically, to have withdrawn
from the race. The South does not recognize him
becnuso ho Is not a man with Southern proclivities.
The Reading (Pa.) Timtt says:?
The South to day is as much a unit against tho North
as it was beiore the war. There Is scarcely a rebel who
did battlo against tho Union during tho war, who would
not draw sword or s-lioulder tnuskot a/uln lor tho "lost
cause" If he thought there was any show of success;
and, by tho way, tho race of Northern ''copperheads"
is by no means extinct.
In the samo voin tho Savannah (Ga.) Ntvot, while ac
cepting Tilden under protest, says:?
The Georgia delegation will not go to St Louis com
mittod to Tilden or any oilier candidate. The Georgia
delegatlou will not cast Us kolld vote lor Tilden on any
such grounds us those suggested by the corre*|>ondcnt
of the Oiiiciunali Commercial. Tho Ueorgia democracy
have a higher opiniou ol the New York democracy
than to bcl'cve that thoy will attempt to dictate tho
nominee at SL Louis, or that they will abandou the
party to defoat in tho cvont tnat the nonnuaiion is not
lor the third time given to a citizen of that State. The
democracy of Georgia deslro the success of the demo
cratic party in the coming Presidential election as the
only means of restoring honest, constitutional govern
mcnt. aud rescuing the country from impending rtnn.
Thoroughly Imbuod with this conviction, the Georgia
delegation will go to St. Louis entirely uncommitted in
favor ol or aguinst cither or the recognised aspirants to
tho nouruaiion for President.
The real object ol white politicians In the South is to
make the States pare. This Is an outgrowth'of old
Slate rights traditions, bat it is by no means an un.
worthy purpose. The Idea ol the old conservative ele
ment Is that if the goverument of the States recently
In robellion can be made as models the people of the
Union at largo will respcct them the more. In no
State in the U~lon have tho Intelligent people made
themselves more respected than have the poople of
Georgia, who drove the negro out of command in State
government.
In South Carolina the sentiment Is the same aa It is
in Georgia. The Charleston JYe?o? says:?
At no time have the white citizens of Mouth Carol In i
been more enrnost or more determined in their pur
pose to drive further back the black tide or corruption
and to make the State government as pure, capable
and frugal us It was In the palmiest days of the Repub
lic. They may laiL Radicalism in democracy Is as
fatal to the public good as radicalism In any other
guise. But they will not (all tor want of striving, lor
want of effort, lor want of perseverance. Why, then,
do they hold aloof from the democratic organizations?
Meanwhile the republicans of the West are by no
means unaware that the war had political results. The
SL Joseph (Mo.) /feraWlays:? *
Tho Confederate leaders and sycophants, who, by the
unparalloled generosity of the government, have been
rehabilitated with cilizoiiship, howovor, still chale un
der tho soro defeat of their pet scheme or nullification
and disunion, and are wreaking their vengeaoce upon
tho helpless negroes, reducing them to vassalage and
robbing them ol the dearest rights thai pertain to
American cllizonshlp. our government shonld tsko
steps at once to teach the unreconstructed ' rebels at
the riouth that whon they declared that they had ac
cepted the inevitable results of the wnr it was under
stood as moaning something moro than empty vtpor
mgsand hoi low-hearted prolessions, and they should be.
taught thai there Is yet power enough in the nation to
protect her people "regardless ol race, color or previous
condition of servitude."
GREAT ADVERTISING MEDIUMS.
[From tho San Francisco CalL] ,
A recent articlo in tho Chicago Tribune baa attracted
attention to Journalism In the leading Eastern cities.
Examination shows that in each large city there la one
and only one newspaper which Is selected aa the popu
lar medium lor the small, fresh advertisements that
are almost as much a part of tho news of the day aa
anything else printed. In New York tho Hbrald m
tho medium lor this class of advertising; In Philadel
phia the Ledger; In Boston the Herald; In Balttmoro
the Sun; In Cincinnati the Commercial; In Cbieago the
Tribune, and in San Francisco the Call, In the nrtlclo
alluded to at the commencement ol ibis paragraph the
Chicago Tribune compared Itself to the Nkw York
Hkiiai.u as follows:? .
The readorn ofyeaterdsy'a issuo of the Chicago TiVmne? |
Sunday, April '^3?could not ha\? lulled to remark tho ox- !
traosrilnnry exhibit of advertising patrunaiie it contained.
There *? a total column*. made up of 2.UUH distinct
advertisements, of which ^.'"3 were what are commonly
deaiiriiated "amall ads." Thia display was equal to 118
columns of ajrutc type in the New York IIkuai.ii, which
printed 7<> column* of advertisement* on Sunday, April 10,
it* heaviest day. Tho Tribune, it will i>e noticed, serving aa
the medium ol advertising tor a population ot Ml .in*), i'alla
short but two columna of tho lancet showing made by tho
llaiiAi.il which in a similar capacity serves a population
three times that ol Chicago. Relatively considered, the
showing of the Tribune ia by lar the more remarkable ol the
two,
lloroarkable ns this showing Is for a single nnmber
ol Chicago's leading Journal, San Francisco can more
1 than niutch It. The SunJuy Tribune is truly a marvel 1
i lor iho number unci amount of advertisements It con- I
I taiiis. Hut the Chicago advertising public seem to
* have fallen into tho habit el publishing nearly all their
advertisements on one day in the week, aud Sunday
1 utth>.t. In San Francisco people who ndveriise do not
I neglect any day in the week. Tne new advertisements
I printed In the Call on Tuesdays. Wednesdays, Thurs
j days and Fridays almost equal the number printed on
' Sundays. It Is only the church and niueltog notices
> that give Sunday the advantage.
CUAllLES MOOltE.
John Hussey, the I,ong Island City rultiaa woo shot
Charles Moore In the head during a quarrel in Moore's
saloon, at the toot of East Thirty-fourth street, baa not
yet been arrested. It is not generally known that
I Moore, whose condition Is now regarded aa critical,
ha? been ono of the must dangerous men In the oity.
For many yonra the Moore family, in conjunction with
others, ruled the First ward, and any one who en
deavored i ogam auy political ascendancy waa either bru
tally beaten or driven out oi tho city by threats.
Finally Charles Moore entered Into the emigrant awln
dlmg business, and, afiei several jears ol uninterrupted
success in robbery, was arrestoo, convicted and sen
tenced to State Prison. He served but one year, when
his counsel obtained n new trial and he was brought
down to the loin in ir>m Sing Sing, lie remained there
eight mouths mill wasihen discharged, owing tothesym
puthy felt b>r bis wile, an accomplished and lady-1 Ike
woman. AHor remaining in the First.wurd lor some
months ho bought out auu occupied the saloou in which
he waa shou
DYING OF HYDROPHOBIA.
Yesterday a medical mill was called In to attend a
little girt named Henrietta Sorhagen, residing at Nu
2H8 Norfolk street, Newark. Mo found bar sultorlng
from hydrophobia, and baa but alight hopes ol her re> ,
oovary. About two Montha ago the bouse do| bit bar.
THE BLACKBALLING OF BRISTOW.
To thi Kmtob or tub Hikai.u:?
As lb ere uu been 10 much misconception regarding
tho blackballing of Mr. BrUtow by the Union League
Club ud our connection therewith we think It do* to
the public and ourselves to present the following
litcta:?
liy law a duty la imposed on all raw sugar imported
Into the country, and upon the aatne goods being
redned and exported a portion of thia duty la returned
to the exporter, which la termed a drawback. The law
(K. 8., sec. 3,019) providea that this drawback is to be
ascertained under aucb regulationa aa aball be pro
scribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. The regula
tion prescribed by Mr. Brisiow waa hla circular order
> ol March 27, 1875, which, relating to sugar, la as fol
lows:?"Refined crystalline augur, 3540. per pound,
less one per cent retention; refinod B and C, lower
grade sugar, 2 'ic. per pound, less one per cent reten
tion." Tbis order waa in lorce June 16,1876, when we
sold for export a lot ot refined crystalline sugar, lor
which we were allowed the rate named In bis circular
for this grade of sugar, the same being paid ua Septem
ber 24, 1875. In November, 1876, we sold for export a
large quunttty of exactly the aamo grade aa formor
shipment, and upon applying for the drawback pay
ment at former rate (3,75) was refuted, It being sud
denly und unexpectedly claimed by Mr. BrUtow that
this rule was excessive, and ihia claiui made on hia
purl In the lace of the fact that his original order was
in lorce at the time o( exportation, noue other having
been issued countermanding or annulling it
In making these sales wo. ns is customary In auch
cases, gave the purchaser credit lor tho drawback to bo
returnud liy the government, anticipating no trouble
In its collection or arbitrary change in the rate; but by
some strange Irvak or caprice of the Secretary he ar
bitrarily relumed to pay us but three cents per pound,
thus suiijoctlijg us to a loss of throe-fotfrtlis of a cent per
pouud, which, after repeated delays und inconvenience,
wu accepted under protest. It must be remembered
thui this rale ol three cents wax, at time of exportation,
unknown to the law as applying to uny grade of sugur,
but was entirely arbiliary und exceptional. All or mak
Ing our shipments another bouse exported tbis sumo
grade of pugar, and betore doing so telegraphed Mr.
iirlstow o? to the rate ol drawback, und received a re
ply, over his own signature, stating that the rate was
three and three-fourths cents. Their shipment was
made before any question w.is raised in our cafe. Mr.
Brlstow s.ild to us be would puy no more drawbacks at
thia rate; yet, alter refusing to pay us, he
puid tho tlrm we bavo referred to the lull rate,
or three and t>>ree-fourihs cents. He also paid soverai
Boston retlners full rule on the same grade
ot sugar exported about the same lima We,
through our counsel, requested Mr. Brislow to refer
the matter botween us to the Solicitor of the Troasury
or to the Court of Claims, but lie refused to do so,
assigning no reason for his relusul. By law he might
have done either, and so avoided an expensive litiga
tion. to which wo must now resort. Wo would also suy
that at the tunc of making these exports there was in
session at tho Custom House a committee of Mr. Bris
tow's own appointing to reviso tho proper rule of draw
backs, kc. Their first action was to have the Secretary
revoke his UQjust order made October 10. 1876, by
which tho rutua had been cbangod. The order was re
voked, and the eommittec, In speaking of it iu their
report dated November 12, 1870, said"Tho interests
involved, which were disturbed by the sudden appear
ance of said order annulling contracts or renuerlug
their lullilment highly injurious, unsettling inarkot
values and paralyzing misiiiess, led your committee to
the recommendations bo lore referred to." Tbas It will
be seen how Mr. Bristow'sown committee characterized
ono of his orders, and it ts a fair nomraoutary ou his
Incapacity. The publio may put their own construction
ou Mr. Bristow'a versatility in construing a specific
law, discriminating In lavor of cerium firms to the
damngo of tholr competitors. He possibly has bis own
private roasons for so doing, to uso an old expression,
of "making lisb ol one and towl ot acother," while the
law aims at equality.
We present the foregoing tacts, briefly stated, to tho
unprejudiced minds of iho importers und mercantile
e.lsLses ot the community, und would ask them if, in
their Judgment, It would bo beneficial to their Interests
and that of the country at largo to further or abet tho
amMtton of this man for place or power, who bus by
tho facts hero presented shown iiot only gross incom
petency in his administration of ibo affairs of his olllce
und adjudication of questions relating thereto, but has
also ns-umed autocratic powers, construing iho laws in
a spirit of manliest unlalrnoss and favoritism as his
whim or caprice at the tune might praftipt, to the greut
detriment of the mercantile interests of the country,
which it snould be his special business to foster and
protect. C. W. DCHANT & SON.
JUDGE DOWLING'8 WEALTH.
Contrary to the expectations of all his relatives and
friends ex-Police Justice Joseph Bowling died in
testate. It was known that in 1871 he had made a will
which he destroyed somo time after. It was imagined
that he had mado another will in 1874, bat this was in
correct, as bofore his death Justice Dowliug Informed
ex-Senator John J. Bradley tbat he had not made any
will which was in exlstenca The amount oi Justice
Dowling's wealth was variously estimated by eveu his
intimate friends and relatives as ranging in amount
irom $-00,000 to $300,000, and the latter figure was
tbat most generally considered correct From the fol
lowing schedule of Judfo Dowling's possessions it will
bo seen that bis actual wealth fell far sbort of the gou
erally accepted estimate. The bale iu the Judge's
library was formally opened yesterday by Counsellor
James Ffnlay, formerly clerk to the Justice, in
presence of Mrs. Kice, Mrs. Keeler and Airs. Bliss,
sisters of the Judge, und bis only surviving relatives.
Mr. Flnlay tnndo au Inventory of the effects, which
showed the Judge to be possossed of ths following
estate:?
Personal property In bonds, securities, &c.... $40,000
Ownership of shares in Eagle Theatre 01,000
Five lots of ground at Soventy-lhird street and
Madison and Lexington avenues, origiually
Jo'ut property of JohnJourdan and Joseph
Dowliug, estimated value 45,000
House No. 47 Franklin street, in which ho
lived. ? 12,000
House No. 138 Mulberry street, in fee 8,000
Furniture, library, jewelry 2,000
Accruod interest on securities. 2,000
Total estate .'..$170,000
Yesterdsy aiteruoon Mrs. Bliss and Mrs. Kice, sis
ters of the Judgo, obtained letters ol atlministration on
the estate. In conjunction with Mrs. Keeler, bisnther
?ister, they inherit the estate share and sharo alike.
NEWS FOR THE TAXPAYERS.
Comptroller Groon has received from the Secretary
of State certified copies of tho acta Just slgped by the
Governor reducing the rate of interest on arrears of
taxes and assessments.
Interest on arrears of taxes Is reduced from twelvo
to feven per cent and on arrears of assessments to
eight per cent per annum. Taxpayers must pay all ar
rears of taxes within one yesr to avail themselves of
the benefit of the law. Arrears of assessments may bo
paid In instalments, but the first instalment must be
paid within a year. Properly ownera are already avail
lug themselves of these privileges.
THE FULTON BANK DEFALCATION.
Yesterday morning Borluh P. Rogers, who two
months ago fled from Brooklyn to Louisiana, taking
with him $25,000 of the funds of the Fulton Bank,
Brooklyn, of which be wsa paying teller, was yesterday
arraigned before the Kings County Court of Sessions,
Judge Moore presiding. About two woeks ago, when
first arraigned, he pleaded not guilty. Yesterday bo
withdrew that plea and pleaded guilty, upon the advice
of bis counsel ex Judgo Morris The Court remanded
the prisoner lor sentence on Monday It Is understood
that an effort is on fool by the bank officers and others
to have the Governor grant him a commutation of sen
tence so that the payment of a fine may be aoceptod in
stead of imprisonment.
COMMODORE VANDERBILT.
In reply to inquiries made by a Hkrald reporter at
Commodore Vauderbilt's residence, last n'lght, it was
stated that ho Is not seriously unwell, and that it la
expected he will in a few days be thoroughly rid ol the
temporary local trouble from which he is at present
suffering.
DROWNED IN A CISTERN.
A four-year-old boy named Charles Green, of No. 110
Academy street, Newark, fell Into a cistern last even
ing und was drowned. "
RESCUED FROM DROWNING.
A boy, about Bine years old, who was unable to
give his uamo or address, fell Into the canal from tho
i bridge at Summit street, Newsrk, last evening He
was seen when be was sinking lor the third timo
by a man who was working near tbo window of a
neighboring hoop factory. This bravo fellow Jumped
i out ol the window and Into tbo water, and succeeded
I in saving the lad.
LINDA GILBERTS WORK.
No. 15a Ka.-t Fiftkkxtii Strrh, )
New York, May 18, 1870. f
To thb Editor or the Herald:?
I shlpiied today to Lincoln (Neb.) State Prison
500 volumes of books, six doxen slates and eight docen
copybooks. Tbere are eighty one prisonors in this
Institution, many of whom csunot read or write, and
an intelligent prisoner bas organized a school to in
struct them. Among this number are four or five
Indian boys, and their teaebor talis me they learn
more rapidly than any ol his pupils. This prison hss
made nu extended appeal to wealthy individuals and
Christian a*soristkflis throughout the country, alto to
the Mtate legislative l>odn s tor books, without any
success whatever. I wish to express my thanks to the
Onion Star lino and (bo Chicago, Burlington and
Qinncy Kailroad for forwarding these books iree of
charge. 1 snail have ready in a tew days my leal year's
report of my work in New York. V - ry respectfully.
HELL GATE.
Description of the Hailett's
Point Work.
DIFFICULTIES A.\D DINGERS OF SUBMARINE MlNLNCL
A Grand Undertaking Promising
a Great Success.
EFFECT OF THE IMPROVEMENT.
New York the Commercial
? Metropolis.
The enormously increasing commercial Interests de
veloping In and around New York make the sale navi
gation of her harbors, bays and r vers of the inosi
vital importance to her prosperity as the great metropo
lis or trade In tbo United States. In these days or
railroads and stoaiusblps, telegraphs and Improved
labor-saving machinery, lb? city wblch offers superior
facilities Tor tbe export and Import of home and for
eign produce aud for the general transaction ol
commercial basinoas will attract to hor wharves that
much coveted prize, trade. It does uot matter what
rank lu the order of merit we may be disposed to
confer on any particular port by reason of the beauty
aud* grandeur of Ha surroundings, the siinplo requisites
of deep water, safe navigation and sheltered anchorage
Vrlll In tho end determine tbe great points for the
inlot and outlet of trade on this continent. The ex
pensive works necessary lor the protection of exposed
ports on the Continent of Europe, such as Cherbourg,
and In the.British Islands such as Plymouth, Dun
duo and Dublin, have been erooted not bocuuse these
placcs possessed any merits as seaports, but because
the political' necessities or the sevoral nations do
mandod tho creation of strategic naval strongholds,
wherein lleols might be assembled lor tho dofenco of
the coasts nnd tho national interests dependent on tbo
maintenance ot powerful navies. It will be remarked
that, although immense sums have boeu expended
on tho croatlon of arttflolal harbors, trado avoids these
places nnd tends to tho pot-la which nature has fitted
for Its roceptlon, for In dealing with the necessities
of commerce wo can only lmprovo on natural advan
tages. We fail whon wo attempt to Imitate them, lor
the force* which have combined to produce them are
entirely beyond the control or man.
TBI PORT OF NSW YORK
has been formed by nature to be tho grand commercial
gateway ol the New World on tho Atlantic coast. None
others possess to anything llko sn equal degree the ad
vantages in geographical position, available spaco aud
safety ror shipping -presented by our grand bays,
sbeltorod harbors and deep, navigable rivers, so
that In tho contest for supremacy with othor Atlantic
ports New York commencod with every prospect of
winning the rank whlcb she has now attained. But
tho ellorts to attract trade to other places, which have
been persistontly exerted since the establishment of
our national independence, have developed many new
conditions, to wblch even the superior advantages pos
sessed by New York must be adapted In order to pro
serve her supremacy. Geographical position is now
rendered almost a secondary advantage by the applica
tion ol steam to transit over land and water. Cities
have sprung up on tho most unpromising sites simply
bc-cause they were easily roached by railroad lines and
formed tho most convenient termini for great systems
of transportation, by which tho produce of tho vast tn
torlor is brought down to tho sea for shipmont to
loroisn land* Steam on our inland lakes, rivers, and
even canals, has created points of concentration lor
commerce which largely govern tbo importance of the
points of outlet. Thus Cnicago, St. Louis and Cincin
nati are inland points, lor the comraorce ol which Bos
ton, New York, Philadelphia aud Baltimore are con
testing by offering all tho possiMo advantages which
the several great railroad and steamship linos terminat
ing at these cities can create. To show the lullueuco of
mere position on tho law of commercial attraction It Is
only nccossary to point out the growth ot Hobokcn
and Jersey City, Irom tho fact that both cities, al
though separated from New York by a narrow strip ol
water, are the termini of several great railroads,
which ponotrato to tho centre of tho continent and
bring to tho port ol New York tho largest sharo or the
commerce of tho Interior. If tho breadtu of a slnglo
river can thus aflect the development of ono part or a
common port differently fro?i another, how much
must a natural doleol In tho navigable character ol a
channel or tho want of shelter in a roadstead or want
of space in a harbor affoct the port possessed or either
ono or moro ol these dUadvantages? New York Is
peculiarly circumstanced in rcspoct to her port. Tho
latter has two alstinct entrances, one through tbo lower
and upper bays and tho other through Long Islaud
bound. The rormer Is opon to tho occan, and at presont
receives and gives exit to all trans-oceanic trade, as
well as to that botwocn Now York and all tho points
lying along the coast or tbe American continent thai
I aru reached by a voyage to the southward of ilonUuk
I Point, at tho eastoru extremity or Long Island. Tho
latter outlet is usod principally by ships bound ror tbo
New England coast and tho British American ports.
The risk to shipping in crossing the bor at Sandy
Hook at neap tides is much greater than that attending
the entrance ol the upper Esbi Blvor from the Souud,
and this latter would have been a ravonte Inlet lor
New York commcrco were it not that a dangerous ob
struction. created by a largo number ">1 douched rsels
and projecting lodges, which cause violent currents
aud eddies in the Boll ?ale passage duriug tho ebb and
flow or the tides through that woll known passage, havo
operated against Its selection.
THS CCRRRKT8 A*l> KOUIXS Of HKLL OAT*
are entirely duo to tho obstruction to tho regular flow
ol tho tidal wave iuto jbo Souud through the East
River presented by its narrow channel and tho rocks,
ledges and islunds In tbo vicinity ot Hell Gate. Tin)
tidal wave arriving from tho southeastward on tho
Atlantic coast begins to till tho basin of tho broad un
obstructed lower bay or New York aud tho upper bay
through the diep chsnuel knowu as tho Narrows,
and through which an Immonoo volume ol water Hows
In a very limited ttmo. 4. reservoir Is thus created
southward Irom the Battery, rrom whence a llow takes
place llrst slowly, but with increasing velocity, through
tho East Kivef into tho Sound. The full height of tbo
tide al Governor's Island Is attained moro than
two hours In advance of a similar eoudltion at Han
dali's Island at tho mouth of tho Harioui River, and
! a difference ol level is tl.m creaicd which Induces a
I violent rushing ol tho waior through tho East Kiver.
i In the meantime the tidal wavo has been sweeping
along tho Long Island coast, and at Montuuk l'oiut 11
turns Into tbo Long Island Souud, afid flows rapidly
westward again toward the point north ol Boll Gato
where the greatest depression or level exists. Now,
by the time this Sound lido wavo reaches and lllls the
basin between Fort Schuyler and iho city or New
York tho tide at Governor's Island has begun to ebb,
?o that a reverao tiow commences through the Hell
Gato passage rrom the reservoir ropreaunled by tho
Sound Into tho constantly Increasing depression in
New York Bay. Hence tho waters which enter tho
Sound through Hell Galo cause a rukhing current 111
that direction during the flow of tho tide, and Iho
waters which pass the sumo point from tho Sound to
the Now York nay produce ono of equal volocity
during the obb.
TIIK PRINCIPAL OBSTRUCTIONS.
These are many and varied In character, from tbo
exposed island-shaped mass of rock, bare ut all stages
of the tide, lo the 6ubiuergod cluster ol tagged knile
like ridges that cause only a moderate tiorry ol tho
water as It (lows over them. Ul course lllaekweit's
Island must bo regarded as a great obstruction to Iho
froe navigation of tho East liivcr, hoeuuso It occupies
a central position between the river bauks, dividing
this space into two channels. In front of Hslleli's
Point ihere are many daugerous rocks. Among I horn 1
may ho named the Hallett's Point Heal, the obstruction
which Is about to be removed by the groat Hell Gato
works. The effect or tho obstructions to the regular
flow of th? water is to scour the bed ol tho East Hivor
clear of ail deposit, leaving the b it torn formed by solid
rock, Irom which riso up the dangerous points that
r msv be noticed In manv places along its courso. Tho
continuation southward and northward of Blaekwell'a
Island, in tne rorm or reels partly submerged. Illus
trates in somo degree the general character of tho ob
structions to navigation, tbe Hell Gato rock system
beiug or ibe same description, oulv that tho roots are
1 more distributed over a larger water area, and conso
! quently complicate tho channels between them lo a
I very marked degree. It is our object to describe those
dangerous rocka in this poriious channel In detail, bo
causo, although they all may be considered as parts or
the same system, different plans aro nocossary lor
their rtmovsL
THK IIALLKTT H rot.IT LKDUR.
This bolng deem.d u considerable source or danger
to passing vessels, the Unifed Slutes fovernmoni de
termined on Its removal, and Intrusted tho work
of the must experienced officer* ol the United Mates
En^lueer corps, General John Newton. the ledrf1
occupies the foreshore Immediately In froul ol oUl
Port Stovens,*and projects 111 a long, sloping, shelving
manner far inu. the East River, casing ?P?"'"
Cataract in,mediately over and around II ^urlng ih. obi>
ami llow ol the tides. The nature ol tho rock Is a
| species oL.tratlflod gneiss, t8e stratifications blnn
j priweuled lu both vertical anfthorisoutal positions
| whsn expos* lo vtsw oft U?e walls of Uts main .hart, ,
Ordinary blasting operation*, fuch aa thomidopM for
tbe retuovid of the lliatnoud aud Coentiea reefs, would
he Impossible In- such a position, because urlih the
strong currents aud narrow cliiuinel difficulties in
mooring the drill tr?wi aud other veascls neco-aary (or
tbe operation* wonld only be surmountable at tiie ex
panse ol the temporary interruption of navigation
through Hell Oat*. It was therefore decided to sliopt
tbe very ingenious plan ol aiukinK a large shall or pit
on the main land, aud Juat outside of the line estab
lished as tlie pro pom* 1 water line after tbe completion
of tbo undertaking, ana from this centre to drive tan*
nels radiating into the solid tnaas of the ledge aud ai
lar as they couid be aafoly carried without breakins
through the rocky shell which forms the river bed al
this point at preaent. It was aiao determined to
further honeycomb -he treat ledge by connecting tbese
tunnels by a aeries of galleries coaceutrlo with the cir
cumference or the aeml-circuiar pit, and with lb*
tunnels dividing up tbe holy of the rook into a
aeries of large excavations under a coiumoi
root formed by the preaent rock bed of tbo river. Tbii
roof Is aupported by rock columus, which were left un
touched iu order that the superincumbent weight ol
water might bo sustained by the ro< k rooralter tb?
mass beneath it was fully oxcavated. It was then pro
posed to mine and charge eaob of tbese column* iusucb
a manner a* to secure their certain and simultaneous
doatruction wheu everything was in readiness to re
move tbo obstruction by tbe grand explosion. The
supporting columns ol rock being blown Irom undor the
rock root, the latter lalla into tbo excavation formed
beneath for its reception nnl tbe depth ol water Is and
denly increased to that of the preaent floor ol tbe ex
cavation, lew that oocupiod by the thickness of the
debris ol the root, which would in time be entiroly re
moved by dredging and grappling. .Such was the gen
eral plan" devised aud adopted for the part of the Hell
(?ate improvements connected with tbo rumoval of
Halleit's Point Lodge. With very few mod ideations
tbia plan hua l>eeii carried out In tbo moat efficient aud
MitUfaclory manner, and preparation* are being mad<
lor the tlnal ile-tructlon or the rock by exploding the
rock columna. From tho commencement of tbo work
to tho preaent stage of its progress?aud Indeed wo may
now regard it as complete aud ready lor tho explosives?
the work baa been conducted with great cure and con
summate skill and well deserves to rank in the estima
tion of engineers us ono of tbe most dililcult and suc
cessiul works of ita kind on the American continent.
Tbe most experienced rninefs were employed in driv
ing the luuuels through the *olid rock and under the
waters ru-hing through Hell (iate, and tho workmen
wero aeparated from death ouly by about ten loot thick
of tbe roof rock and were daily in dinger ol a sudden
leak wbich would admit tho overwnolming river
wutcrs.
Nearly all the reef to bo removed by the operations
at Mullen's Point is submerged. It was, therefore,
necessary to protect tho otter or water side portion of
tbo aemi-circular shall ny a solidly constructed colfcr
dam which excluded the tidewater. This work hud to be
built with great care, because on Its -lability aud gen
eral effectiveness for tbe purpose* designed the prose
cution ol tbe ontiro work was mainly depeudent, II
at any tuno during the driving or iho radiating tunnels
and the circular counecting galleries tbe dam had given
way under tho pressuro of tidewater, tbe
whole of the work, with the workmen en
gaged thcrmn, would have boen overwhelmed by tho
inrushing waters lrom tho Kast River aud tho success
ol the undertaking compromised. Tbe ordinary ob
server, as a general rule, tails to recognise the merit of
uiuny apparently unimportant details of this groat
work; but practical muu, who aro familiar with tho
diUicultioa that besot tho engineer In an oporaiton of this
kind, will readily accord iho credit due lo General New
ton aud lua able assistants lor Iho skill and foresight
displayed in lis prosecution.
rRKUMI.MARY WORK.
In order to arrive at ;ho success attained at Hsllott'f
Point It was noceasary to make a perfect survey of
tho hdgo and Its surroundings, tho character of Its
formal ion, the numerous variations ot Ita st rat Idea
tion and overy inequality ot its surface. In a word,
lul'ormatiou had to be collected whieh bus enabled tbo
engineers to produce n perfcct model of the ledge, even
to tho minutest details of Its formation. This entailed
an umoutit of preliminary work which few but experts
can nppreciato, and tbo fact that success has attended
all tho operations up to their present advanced stage
shows how thoroughly that preliminary worlc
was performed. Tbo curronts flowing ovor tho
submerged rocks had to be carefully studlod
in order to determine as correctly as possible tbe vary
ing pressures on the coilor dam and tho probablo result
ot >ho removal or the ledgo on the tidal flow through
Hell Gai#j. Then numerous experiments had to b?
made on iho various kinds of explosives to bo used in
tbe excavatiou. This was an investigation requiring
great experienco and skill, because it must bo remoin
bered that only n thin shell of rock was allowed to
remain between tho workings and tho water, aud any
injudicious use ol explosives in tho tunnels and galler
ies migut have resulted in destroying tho cobosiveaess
ol'lbisrtocky roof, which beiug pressed down by ihaenor
inoua superincumbent weight ol tho river water a leakage
would be created, which no amount or pumping power
could overcome or any known means check. Tbo
least miscalculation In the drillng of ihis shell of rock
might have led to its perforation, and tbe force of the
water pouring, undor pressure, through tbe orifice so
lormod would prevent any plugging lrom remaining in
position. These are a lew ot tbe many details of the
preliminary work necessary to Insuro success, which
will convey to tho reader an idea of tho dilUcultles at
tending ibis unique undertaking. It Is satisfactory to
record tliat the results prove tbo moat complete Jus
tification of tho means, aud that tbo Scylla of the Kast
River Is about to be assigned a place atnoug the thlngi
thai wnra.
OTJTKR DAXGBROt'3 OnsTKCCTlOSS.
Tho pass oi Hell Guts vvoll deserves Us moJorn name,
applied to It on account ol the daugerous eddies which
ultiiust attain tho scale of whirlpools uvcr Us rocky,
rugued bed. Beside the HalloU's Point ledge there lire
numerous groups ot large and smull rucks dotting
the area ot the passage, all extremely clangorous to
the unwary uuvigator. Like tho famous Straits ol
Messina, Hell Gate has its Charybdis as well as iti
Scyllu, und the passage through it suggest* tho danger!
that besot the fleet ol Ulysses when, in endeavoriug l?
avoid the many headed Scylla, somo of the ships wera
devoured by tho monster Charybdl*. The best known
rocks and reefs uro tho Hog's Hack, the Pot Hock,
tho Great Mill ltock, tho Frying Pan Rock, Little Mill
Rook and Flood Kock, each ioruiing the most promi
nent parts of an iutrirate system of s'.;oals and rugged
points which is spread over the entire spaco between
Astoria and Ward's Island and presenting an array ol
solid facts which form the logic ol Hell Gate In lmpress
lng tho necessity of caution on the oldest pilots. Soma
of those rocks uro awash at low tide, the tops of otneri
are always exposed to view; but the channel complica
tions they create form an effective barrier to the pas
sage of Hell Gate except by vessels of comparatively
light draught engaged In the eastern coast trade and
under tho pilotage Ol men familiar from childhood
with all tho dangers that attend HeU Gate navi
gation.
RCStXIXQ TUB GAUNTLET.
A more interesting experience than the passage on a
vessel through the tortuous channel ol Hell Gate at
certain stages of the tide cannot be dosired. Approach
ing from tha southward the abip is headed lor Ward's
Island, apparently with the intention of rnnutng her
ashore on that homo for tho poor, the maimed an J
the bibulous. The inexperienced passenger, tearing a
catastrophe, Instinctively takes hold of the fluke
of the catted anchor in order to steady himself tor the
coming shock and have something to bang on to it the
ship splits upon one of tho woiilsh looking rocks that
grin at him out ol the surging, boiling, whirling waters;
Hut as sudden as thought tho helm is ported and the
ship Is swung broadside on to a cataract that tamblea
within a lew yurds of her trail sides. Then the light
ened passenger looks at the sky and the greeu fields and
the busy scenes ashore as though ho never more would
get his tottering limbs undor him on terra flrma.
Soon tho ship is pointing her bowsprit shoreward
again, but this time at a pretty mansion on th? Long
island side. A great knife-iiko reef Ilea across her
course, and she drives at It as though she would take a
liyiug leap over the obstruction. Her sides vibrato un
der the beating of waves generated by currents and
counter currents, but she glides post tho reef somehow,
and is aL'aln bound direct tor the Ward's Island Ine
briate Asylum, staggering ''long like a drunken monster
that meditated a roiorm of lite, liehlnd her roll lrtght
tul masses of dark water, tumbling over the sunken
rocks, and before and around her eddies and froths tho
angry flood as she treads her way through a labyrinth
ol dangers toward the clear straight channel a hundred
yards ahead. By the combination of luck and good
stoerlng, which has fortunately attended the passage Ol
Hell Gate since the establishment ol a regularly organ
ized pilot system, the ship ut last enters a safe channel
and proceeds on her voyage through Long Island Hound.
The frightened passenger lets go the anchor, looks
back at the scene oi his perila and raaarti that It la
just tho kind of place to Irighton nervous persona, but
that lor his part he never enjoyed himself ao much In
his life.
ran xrrxcrs or in nmotwnt.
These must be regarded from mora than one stand
point m order to bo tully understood The obstruction*
at Hell Gate at present prevent thorough communica
tion by vessels oi large toon ass between what might ba
termed the harbor of the Hudson River and that of tha
Sound, so that a valuable portion of the water front oi
Now York and Qaeens county, L L, is renderod use
less lor commercial purpose* If, as Is now certain to
occur, tho Holl Gato passage is cleared or all its dan
gers to navigation, a marked obange will bo at ones
eflectod In the condition of tbs upper parts ol New
York fronting on the Kast River, and commerce will
naturailv extend Itself to quarters that are now devoted
to private residences and ornamental plantations. It is
more than probable that tho want of foresight dis
played by our elty government In the past in the selec
tion of Mackwoll's Island, Ward's and Randall's islands
as sites tor public Institutions will have to bo rectified,
at great coat It is true, by the removal of all these pub*
lie buildings to soma points more remote from the elty
and better adapted tor such purposes. By such an ar
rangomcnt, whloh has much to recommend it, a large
area will be at once added to tho available business
spaces of New York, and all the advantages of a splen
did water front will be secured for commercial pur
poses. The currents in the East Kiver, now caused by
the obstntctiona at Hell Gato, will t> > lessened both tn
velocity and dolWnoa of Sow between tho tides, be
cause an Incroasod volume of water will pass through
a wide unobstructed channel to and from the Sound,
and a marked effect will be produced In the depth ol
channels leading to the Kast River from either end by
tbla increase of the wator volumes flowing through
them in a given time. The fact that It is possible to
blockade New York by a foreign fleet trader tho
present condition aod arrangement of our harbor do
fences at the Narrows and lower bay proves the neosa
sity ot securing an outlst by way of the Hound for all
the shlpplmr in the harbor. Sandy Hook undefended
leaves hew York liable to acloee blockade by an ac
ti vo enemy in this age ol long range riflo guns and tor
pedoss, for these engines ol naval warfare are as tflfco
ti vo lor oflhnos as d -f.-nco, and I be shallow channels oi
tha lower bay ooul<1 be cloned against us while IN
enemy luy snugly sheltered, and if necessary dotended
by tho Hook, and far beyond the range of toe blggosl
guns on Farts Richmond and Hamilton.
I ha advantages to be gained by the removol of UN
Hell Gate obstructions may, therefore, be eiassud
tinder tho general heads of Sommerclal, hydrographio
and military, the gaining ol any one of which would he
well worth the expenditure neusassry to imnpllrt m
desirable a rastUt.