The New York herald. [volume], April 13, 1877, Page 5, Image 5

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

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THE FILTHY STREETS.
fiews of Mayor Ely and Comptroller Kelly
on the Sobjecu
READY TO ENTERTAIN CHARGES.
The Mayor Powerless?Albany Deaf to Ap
peal?The Comptroller's Plan.
Tho public Indignation at the alsgracofully filthy con
dition i'l our streets, aa expressed through the Hkkalu,
has risen to such a pitch as to lores itself at last upon
the Immodiatc attention of our highest city officials.
It having heen curroutiyuuderstood that Mayor Ely in
tended to take some action regarding the failure of the
Police CutnmisBiouom to perform their duty, our
vortnjt chici magistrate was called upon yo-terday.
What he said In the course of the interview given be
low will be loubd to be of the very highest interest to
Cttlxens and taxpayers generally Mayor Ely was In
tbo very thick of bis countless official and extra official
engagements wben his views were sought, but bsving
evidently bestowed much care and study upon ibe sub
ject, be delivered bis views witb ease and rapidity. A
few perfumed billtt-Uoux, urgent applications for offices
and labor tickets aud a lot of officials, foreigners and
visitors from this city had to be disposed of helore His
Honor could subject blmaelf to the Interviewing pro
cess, but wbon be did tbe following was tba result:?
"Mr. Mayor, what do you propose to do In regard to
the failure of tbo Police Commissioners to dean the
streets f"
mayok sly's rmtx.
??I think tbe most practicable plan of gleaning tba
Streets Is to create a separate department and bnreau
of street cleaning and to appoint some energetic and
competent man as superintendent of streets, who
should have entire ohargo of the work ef cleaning
them and also perhaps keep them in repair."
"Is there any roason why the etruois of Mew York
cannot bo always kept thoroughly cloan t"
"Certainly not. It hns been demonstrated that It le
possible to keep Broadway and tbo Fifth avenue clean,
and that is sufficient proof ibai tbe whole city can be
kept equally clean if proporly attended to."
"Is there, Mr. Mayor, a shadow of Justification or
?xcuso for the Police Commissioners' negligence?"
"The great difficulty under whiob the Police Commis
sioners have bad to labor has been to find a proper
deposit lor the sweepings nod ashes. The plan for fill
lDg upLittlo Hell Gate hns been doteated by the Legis
lature. 1 think, however, if somo permanent system
of cicutimg the streets should bo adopted, parties could
readily bo found who would contruct to take all the
street dirt una utilize It lor fertilizing parposos. A
lortunecould be innde out ol ttl 1 thing the ashes
Bbunid be used cilhor lor tilling in Little Hell Galo or
sunken lands In the vicinity ol the city."
NO Horn FROM Al.ltA.NY.
"A change in tho present system, such as you advo
cate, Mr. Mayor, would require legislative action?"
"Of course it would. Whuii I first entered this office
I snpposed thui before this time some desirable
Bhaugos in tbe laws governing our local affairs would
have bocn made by the Legislature, but I have ceased
to expect auy relief irom tbut quarter and we must,
therefore, get along lor another year under our pres
ent system."
"Does not tba cnlpablo negligence of tbo Police
Commissioners lay them liable to be removed by you,
Mr. Mayor?"
QOVKKNOR KOUIN80X IX TUN WAY.
"Lot mo suy ou ibis point that I believo tbo public
expect more of tbo Policy Commissioners than is lair
considering tho great difficulty with which they havo
to conicnd anil which 1 havo alroudy pointed'out to
you. I havo bocu applied in by many persons to pre
fer charges before the Governor against tbe Polloe
Commissioners, but from careful deliberation 1 buve
.come to the conclusion that tbe Governor would hardly
be justified in removing them upon the state of luois
presented by their accusers, and, consequoutly, I have
thus fur reiraiuod from inking any action in tho mat
ter. Mo charges ol fraud or corruption havo been
Siado against them, tbo uccusations being based only
npou iiou-elliciency or negligcucu, and suob charges,
even If officlully established, have not hitherto been
regarded by the Governor as sufficient cause tor re
movant. Besides, 1 uudcrataud mat tne Commissioners
Can show that they have actually expended the (60,000
A month allowed them lor street cleaning by the Board
Of Apportionment."
! "is thai amount net entirely sufficient to havo the
Work well done?"
1 "1 think with $V!.000 a day (he streets can be thor
oughly cleaned and all the ashes removed. "
HEADY TO K.NTHKT.'.IN CUAKUK8.
"1 understand that a rcepociabio body of taxpayers
?re about to prefer charges before you?"
"It would be my duty under tlie charter to enter
talu them-aud to cue the Commissioners belore me In
order to give ibem un opportunity to unswei them;
end, if 1 consider theiu of sufficient weight to warrant
gucn action, to luy them before the Governor."
"But for tbo present you sue no hope ol relict?"
"1 do uol. As 1 buve ulreudy said, my control or In
fluence in tbe mailer can only be oxcrcised in tbe very
indirect way atrcudy referred to. 1 receive letters
everyday lroin citizens containing complaints ol tbe
tcmulo nonunion ol their respective locuiities. Those
emanating from m.iutlcstly responsible quarters 1 have
referred to tho Police Commissioners, and in somo
cases tbo complaints havo been attended to and the
streets In tboso localities have beau cleaned. I think
that during the lust tew days a great deal of work hag
been done in different parts of tbecny; and, us tho
season advances, 1 think the evil will undoubtedly
dimmish, oven il uo change takes pluco in tho udtuih
letratloD ol this branch of tho cliy government. Tho
present condition ol muny ol our streets is largely
owing to tho greut accumulations ol snow and loo dur
lug tlio past winter."
"Do yon regard yourself^ us liead ot tbo oily govoru
ment, responsible lor the condition of the streets 7"
A I'UWhKI l.SH MAYOR.
The unswor 01 Mayor Kly was quick and vigorous.
"In no respect whatever," said ho shurply uud de
cisively. "1 have just ns much control over the
Streets" ot Philadelphia as I Imvo over thoso ot Now
York until they reach u condition such as, iq my
Judgment, would be regarded by tbo Governor sul
flcient cause lor revolutionising ibo enure police sys
tem ol the city by u chango ot all the Police Commis
sioners. This is u very grave mutter, and I do not be
lieve that such u contingency bus its yet arrived."
"Your Iriends lu the l.ogmluHiro introduced a bill
glviug you ttie power ot uppoiutiug a superintendent
Ot street cleaning, who shou.d havo charge ot the
work*''
"1 know that such a bill bus been Introduced, but it
was not douo upon my suggestion, as this is u labor
and responsibility which 1 do not seek. 1 determined
whon 1 ussumed tbiaolUce to discharge such duties us
pertained to it or should bo imposed upou D faithfully
and to tho bust of my ability; but 1 do not deem it
my duty to seek to onlurgu tho powers of the office or
to solicit new labors and responsibilities which 1 might
fail to dlschurgo either to my own satisluction or that of
the public. Holding tbesu views 1 have carefully ab
stained from all interference with Albany legislation
on this or any other subject."
COMrTkOLL.SK KSI.LT ON THK SITUATION.
Comptroller Kelly expresses hlnisolf us entirely will
ing to co-operate in any movement which will insure
K thorough cleaning ol the streets. in un interview
With ihe Hkkai.ii representative yesterday he was em
phatio in explaining mis ofllcial position on ibu subject,
lie also went into precise details us i? his powers over
the mo 1'ohuo Commissioners In withholding tboir ap
propriations and the extent of his supervision or tbe.r
Street cleaning duties.
"The Hkralu contends, Mr. Koily, mat you nave no
Tight to pay u ceut for street cleaning io the Police
BoihinUsioners thai is not nouostly earned," remarked
te Hk.kai.d representative.
"1 have nothing whatever to do with the expendi
ture or audit uud puymenis ol these bills lor street
cleaning. Wo would bo astonished at this in.urination,
If anything could uslouiah us now in the management
and operations ol the .Street Cleaning Bureau as cou
necieavtith my department and our anomalous city
govcrniiicti t."
"What are really the facts as to your powers id the
premises V
"it seems that uudor the prcsout laws the Police De
partment is entirely independent Ol the audit buieau
ol mo Finance Doiiartmuut, auditing and paying Its
own bills ol ull kiinis."
TIIS A l'1'HOI'lll ATlUff qrsaTIOK.
"Have you any power antler the ( barter to keep
beck tbo appropriation lor the Police Department!"
".None wuutuver. Alter the charter ol 187U was !
passed somebody got through a supplemental act ex- i
eiiipi'ng the Police Department .ruin Us provisions I
ano virtually creating an independent department !
With complete control over its management and ex
penditures "
"What is the clause to which you allude 7"
"The Comptroller here pointed out section 7 of chap
ter 760 ol the l.aus ol' IH73, wnich reads as follows:? I
The Police Department through if treasurer and In pur
gnanee ol the orders, rules and regulations uf the Board,
shall pay all salaries and wuuet to tne oMoers and members
ol the police Department and leree aa umubllabrd and io
pursuance ol law, ..nil nil bills, claim- ?ml obligation* law
fully incurred by or by authority ot mini Hoard: und the
Comptroller shall pay over lu tlia treasurer ol police, on the
requisition id the Hoard of Police, the tot I ntnount annually
estimated, Ion-id. raised and appropriated lor the eupporl
and malnt'nance ol the Pnlicu I lupai turent Irem time to
time And in tach soma ><s shall he reqtilrjd, nut exceeding
?ne-iwellth part ol" aind total annua, amount any one
?tenth.
"In pursuance ol ibis provision id Itw," eontinned
Cotnptrollsr Kelly, "I pay oyer to the treasurer ol the
(Olicu monthly ono-iwellth part ol ilicunnn.il appro
notion to the Police Depurimnui lor ui! purpose.-, lu
eluding street denning. I have uothing whatever to
do Willi the payment ol the money, nud I am in no
planner responsible lor expenditures id the Pniico De
partment mid the street Cleaning Uurouu."
"Who then is responsible lor this now dilommuf"
"Why, tho ovil, along with hundreds ol othors.
Conies from tinkering and corrupt meddling with ihe
city gov<>rninnni at Albany (irom wbloli we hope to bo
rrlicvod by Hie proposed constitutional amoiidmonis),
pud lit which Ihe Polio# Deportment is allowed to do
l)n?i aa it plea.-,is "
COMI'Tllld.LKIl KKLLV'e PLAN*
I "i)B pen think it aavijsbit) to loave the street clean
lac bus! nose ?? the hand* of the Police Commission
ers?"
"1 do not. It should be an entirely dltlerent depart
ment. The police have enough to do to look after the
liven and property of the citizens. Neither do I bo
lleve in giving out the work by contract. You oiay
recollect the trouble that tbc city has had with the
Hackley, Brown and Devlin contracts. Litigation
has beau going on In the courts ever since I
wonld favor the creation o! a now bureau which
would have the exclusive control of this mutter
of street cleaning. It might bo conducted under the im
mediate supervision of a superintendent to be ap
pointed by tbe Mayor. One great difllcully aceina to
be encountered in llnding a proper place to dump tho
| refuse matter There are miles ol swamp lands which
might he uaca for mis purpose on tbe Jersey shores.
[ Ihere farmers wonld be glad to get tbe refuse from the
j streets if It were properly separated?the aabos from
the garbage. It penalties wore promptly enforced In
cases ol parties mixing this refuse mailer in trout of
| tbeir bouses we would not have much troub.e. tine
cart might come along aud lake awny the garbage
while another could tako care ol lho ashes. Another
difficulty has arisen as to the feasibility of bringing
scows through the bay so as to dump this offensive
nuttier I would suggest thst steamboats should be
used, so that it might be carried rapidly out to sea and
Ihus disposed 01."
I w ?ou *kinlc $725,000, ibe Amount appropriated
by the Board ol Apportionment lor street vlcanlos in
1877, suftlaent for thai purpose V*
"I think It is aiu.'le under ludlctous management*1*
| , LIFE INSU1JANCK IN NKWAilJL
WHAT THB GRAND JURY IS TRYING TO FIND
OUT?MYSTERIOUS FAILURE OF THE NEW
JERSEY MUTUAL?HOW THS HOPS REINhUB
l ANCB WAS RFFKOTSD IS AMY OMR TO
BLAME?
The city of Newark Is rejoicing in a Ufa Insurance
Investigation of ths most Intricate character. Tbe
history of the New Jersey Mutual Life Insurance Com
pany presents an Inviting held for Inquiry, Oiled as It
Is with complications ol the strangest oharacter, and
falling as the company did under circumstances of the
most extraordinary nature. The particular point of
inquiry wbiob now attracts attention, aud ons which
nearly concerns somo of tho most prominent men In
Newark, is ths reinsurance In the Hope Mutual in Oc
tober, 1873, when tbe management passed Into the
hands of tbe latter, and the old stockholders retired
with ? bonus ot Olty par cent for their stock. This
transaction has many peculiar sides, and, though fre
quently discussod, has never until tho present been
lolly explored. .
In an srtlclo published In tho Hirald of Docember
8. 1876, was given tho story of a stockholder of the
Hope, who claimed to have been badly treated, to
gether with his tellows. From but statement it ap
peared that tbe amalgamation was oonducted by a ring
composed of members from both corporations, sod
that the profits of the enterprise were divided among
tbom and ths New Jersey Mutual stockholders, he
stated that the prosldent or vioe president of tbe Now
Jersey Mutual was paid $60,000 aud $160,oOO?a pre
mium of Ally per cent was paid tor tbe Now Jersey
Mutual stock. The assets of ibe Hopo then consisted,
acoording to bis account, of about $760,000, but do
cash, and tbe New Jersey people had to pay themselves
from their own treasury.
A POPULAR VERSION OF THS CAMS.
A gentleman who baa been Intimately acquainted
with tho affairs of the Now Jersey Mutual for throe
years past, aud who from report la conversant with its
earlier hiatory, yesterday gave tbe writer the following
version ol facts concerning the Hope Iusurancc, which
appears to bo the one most commonly accepted. He
said that the Hopo Mutual was virtually brought Into
exiateuce by Mr. Henry A. Jonea, who was its first
president auu afterward ita vice president up to tho
time of tho amalgamation. Messrs. Taber and Plum
mer in turn succeeded Mr. Jones in tho otlice of presl
denl. Tho corporation fared but poorly, and at tbe
lline of the reinsurance of the New Jersey Mutuul wits
nearly II uot quite Insolvent. Tho inlorm
aat said It was supposed that Mr. Jones
as vlco president, sturied that project while
Mr. PIuminor was president. The Hope stock
was worthless, but it was reported to Messrs. Foroo
aud Lathrop, of the New Jersey Mutual, that a reinsur
ance would prove -a big thing," ana that tho Hopo
had a surplus of $200,000. A p.an was concocted by
which tlio New Jersoy people were to -ell to tho Hope
and tho former put their own stock back and took in
stead mortgages belonging to the New Jersey Mutual
and worth tilty per cent more than the stork. The in
formant said that tho New Jersey stockholders thought
that the Hope aurplus would mako up tho deflcit uiudo
by ibis payment, and be could only oxplain this
method ol compensating tbornselvos irom their own
treasury bv tuc supposition thul lliey did not euro to
tru t tho Hope manugers and wanted to make sure ol
their money.
THK URANb *UKT AT WORK.
Nowtbntthe New Jersey Mutual hug failed so igno
raintously, and so mauy questions have arisen respect
ing us property and management, tbe Grand Jury of
Essex county, stimulated ny Judge Depue, bavc en
tered upon a complete analysis ot tho cuuso ol lis fail
ure. Ihey are determined to arccrinin whether the
result was one ot dishonest management or not and
who, if uny, are to be bold responsible. They mean to
and out what bearing tbe withdrawal of tbe mortgage*
In nxohit'oge lor siock hud upou the welfare ol the
concern, and, It such action was Illegal, the uid ol Jer
sey Justice will be invoked agaiu-t tbe offenders.
.U tbe lime of ibo amalgamation Mr. Wnll.im M.
t orco was president ol the organization and Mr. C. C,' j
Latbrop vice president. Among tbe dir. ctors wcru
many prominent gentlemen, inducing Mr. John A.
Case, now cashier ol the Socond National llank ot New
ark ; I ho mas B. I'eddie, tnemltcr of Congress ? George
Holers, Aaron Carter, Jr.; James D. Grtou, N. M Hal
stead and James H. Tichouor.
Messrs. Force, Case and Latbrop bare appeared be
fore the Graud Jury.
O. C. LATIIROP'S STORY.
Mr. Latbrop went before tbe |ury Wednesday and i
yesterday, armed with oil reco.ds and inemoraodL !
Ho gave a succiuct history yesterday of tbo Now Jor- '
soy Mutual from lis origin down. He said tbui at tbo
time of tbe amalgamuuou tbe coinpuny was in a tlrst i
class ooudlnou and controlled a liuiid-ome aurplus It '
had numerous offers to reinsure its risks, and, among
others, a proposition was mace on tbo part of ibe i
Hope by Mr. P umraer, tbo president. Tlio directors
ol the Now Jersey Mutual appoiutod a comniittco to I
consider Hie rnuiter, consisting of Mr. Force, Presi- I
dent; Mr. Case, Chairman of Hie Klnunoe Com- 1
mltteo, and Mr. Lathrop himseir. They required !
Into tlio condition of tho Hope and the !
character ol Its officers, aud npon a favorable I
report made by them every stockholder signed a docu
ment favoring tbo proposoa reinsurance. Mr. Lathrop
told tho Grund Jury thul at a meeting ol tho Now Jer
sey directors Mr. Plumtuur presented from the Hope 1
$150,000, in checks aud bonds mid mortgages re pay I
nicnt for the stock. He sanl thul u New York law lo
which the Hopo was amenable, required that a ulo'lii
surunco company's investments re real estate to bo
within a radius ol fifty nnles ol its headquarters; and '
Mr. Plutnmer therefore wanted tho New Jersey !
stockholders to tako mortgages outside ol this
Until, and with whose character they were nc- j
qualutcd, in pnyment lor their stock, and tbo $150 000
In chocks, bonds aud mortgages wonld be pui into tbo
company Instead. This was acced d to, and tho con
tract was carried out. Mr. Lithrop sworo that neither he !
nor any other officer ol the New Jersey Mutual received i
any sort of bonus for the operation, except tbe
premium given lor their stock. He dented the atorv
that he received $50,000 lor hie services in effecting
tho combination. .
Alter tho adjournment of tbe jury Mr. Latbrop in
formed the writer that he had made a contract with
tho Hopo managers lo act us special agent, for which
hi* compel.satiou for a certain poriod was not lo tali
short of $5o,uo0. This contract terminate.i when Mr
Plutnmer retired from the presidency, aud ho declined
to say how much he received lor the lime iho contract
was in existeuce.
Mr. Churles H. Brinkerhoff. Secretary el the New
Jorsey Mutual at the time of the failure, will probably
appear before tliu Grand Jury lo day, and Mr. Lainr?p
will perhaps be recalled later on.
d epos irons in council*.
Another meeting ol the depositors of the snspeDded
Ocruiau Saviugs Bunk ol Morrisania, was held at Hup
fel'a brewery, Melrose, la<l evening. Tho report of
the commltleo appointed 10 procure signatures to tlio
agreement whereby tho depositors pledge themselves
to lenvo tbclr deposits In the bank, wiibout lutrreat,
I or one year, at (be expiration of ibut time to accept
ssvcnty-llve conta on tbo dollar, us a menna ol
preventing the appointment ol a receiver, traa pre
nelilod allowing thai about |193,UU(i had born signed
lor. Ah the amount due uepoailora if f'd25,0U0, lliero
Htlll rrniaina over fill),000, Hie greater portion ol winch
muni bo pledged in a similar way bcloro tbo director*
can loci sale in mumming thai iho Attorney Ucnural
will permit tlieiu 10 rcMtme business. One ol
tho objects ol tbe meeting wan to pronunt
thin ahilfl of affair* to l bono depnsnuM
whu are reluctant to sign the agreement, tu the liellof J
that If the institution Khuuld open its doom next week, ;
they would receive tbe full aioounl of their .ic|m>?i1h
Addressee weft delivered, urging the itnportaice of
unanimity on the part ol the depositors in signing tbe j
agreement betorc next Monday, as the externum ol tbe i
time lor dolug so granted by the dupreme Court at
Dcbenectady expires on that day.
THE TEITHOLOUIANS.
The seventy-first anniversary ol the Columbia
Peltholor"win Socleiy will inkr place Hun evening at
Irving Hull. The exerclsca will commence ai a quarter
to eight with a reunion or honorary members ID the
anto-rooin. This will be loilowed by an essay read by
Mr. Kugeno hawrenco.
CORONER'S WORK.
Tbe Coroner'i>| Jury at the inquest ol Timothy Ma
lonoy. aged eight, of No. 60 Cherry street, lound that
he was accidentally crushed beneath a log st pier No.
17 Knit Itivcr, on the 0th inst.
It wm lound also thai Mrs. Hart, of No. 118 Christo
pher street, had accidentally (alien Iroin tbe roof and
bad been killed. The owner wasrscomnioudod to keep
bis root In a bettor condition.
THE TAFT SHOOTING.
THE KVIDKNCK ALL IK ? TUB CASH FOB AWD
AOAINST P.ThB.
The trial ol Dennis Ryor lor the killing of his fellow
watchmen, Patrick Taft, at the Long Island Railroad
depot. Hunter's Point, In November last, was continued
yesterday morning at the Old Queena County Court
House, North Uoinpetead. Kycr's wile sal by his side,
with his sister, who bears a strong laicily resemblance
to liim.
The opening address by District Attorney Downing
was devoted mainly to a recitation of the tacts made
familiar to tbo public by the proceedings belore the
Coroner. He contended that the shooting was a de
liberate act?a loul murder by premeditation.
WITNESSES Sua THE rBONECCTIOS.
Frederick W. Whlttaker, receiving olerk at the
railroad freight depot, testified at to the manner of
finding Taft's body and its position. The dead mau'i
knee was against the door, so that it coaid not at first
be opened; be afterward wont in, with others, and
saw blood on the floor; there was a bullet hole at the
Jamb of the door, which showed that the shot had
been in nearly a perpendicular direction| the dead
man's clothing was bloody; witness subsequently
pointed ou' to tbo engineer, who made a drawing of
the scene, the position of the chair on which Tall'n
bead was resting, and the blood stains
Cross-examined?The witness doeorlbed the loca
tion of the blood aiain; It was not a pool of blood; It
was about a loot from the front of the easterly desk;
the bullet hole in the door jamb was pointed out to
him by another person; tbo whole back of Taft'e
coat was dirty and "roughed up," and there was a
blood stain on the left shoulder, or what witness snp
posed to be thai
It appeared that the wltnesa be/ere the Coroner tes
tified that he did not examine Tali's clothing.
Delavau M. Carter, who was the first to discover
Talt'a body, testified that be went to the freight office
a little alter seven o'clock to sweep It out, but could
not epen the door ao as to get in as Taft was In the
way; he supposed T?ft was asleep aud went away, but
soon went buck again, and finding Tali still in the same
position, informed Whlttaker, the previous witness,
l?*t Ibougnt Tali must be dead; the two went into
111? ofllco together uuri tuuiKl the body ana other things i
as already described; nothing was disturbed beioro the
Coroner ca uic.
Tbo witness, upon bis cross-examination, said tbaf
to bis Juogruoni, when he weot to the irclgbt ofllco
door It could not be opened more than nine lucbua
there was a blood stain upou the floor but no pool -
the diagram ol the premises waa shown to the witness,'
and be described the position of the body; be Bald tbo
Ulooa stain was about a loot irom tue chair, flap,
peured that at tbo Coroner's inquest be said thero was a
pool ol blood, and that it was turlhor aw iy,
Williuiu Waddell, employed us loreman in the rail
road yard, was questioned as tp uu alleged difficulty
between Kyor and Taft, but objection io the lino of
examination wus made and sustained. Uo described
the position ol the body; the side was toward tho
door.
I'pon cross-examination the witness said that the
Ta/u' proauce(1 'n ""H"1 WBS similar to one he gave
THE MKN OE miXHULT TEES A
Lewis H. Wormed, proprietor of the hotel where
Kyer and Tail wero drinking togethor on Sunday
night, testified that Kyer drank whiskey at different
limes?eight times in ail.
Cross-examined, the witness said that Taft also drank
wh skey, though not so many limes as Kyor; thev
were irieudiy and had drank together before.
Lowis Smith, tho Coroner's cleric, was called to tes
tily as to occurrences at tbo luqueau Mr.
mislead objected to any testimony in regard
to the siuteineni thou uiudo by Rvor but
tbo objectiou was overruled. The witness' went
on to say that Ryor desired to ninko a state
ment, though the Coroner regarded It us unnecessary
tho statement wus made una signed by Kyer- this
statement was produced In court aud identified -' the
District Attorney proposed 10 bare It read, but objec
tion wus made by Mr. Ilusioed, who, by dlrectiou of
the Court, prooceded to prosunt bis points ol objection
as sustuiued by the statutes; Kycr's state
ment was on oath, whereas tbo luw says
that such statement should not be made ou
oath; this Mr. Huatoed regarded as an error
fatal to the prosecution, aud he citod various
authorities to sustain tins view; he contended, also,
that the stuit-nieni could not be regarded us voluntary
III the proper sense, us it was inllucnced by the advlou
ol tbe lawyer, who was then acting as Kycr's counsel;
in uny event, the fact ihiu it wus swum to by Kver
should havo thtj cfluct of excluding it.
District Attorney Downing cued no authorities In
answer, but thought that uuder (ho circumstances tbo
siuicinout suould be admitted. Judge UarnanHltoughl
so too, and so decidad, an exception boiug taken.
A DOCTOR'S TKSTIMOSr.
Dr. Dounler. who saw lull s body altor it was found
testified ns to Its condition. Ho made a posi-moriem
examination on the next evening; one Hhui penetrated
tho bruin uud the oilier, eutcriug above the left nipple,
lodged near ilio spioul column; the shot In tbo head
was slightly upward and backward, the other slightly
downward aud buckwurd ; allor receiving ibo shot in
tlio breust a man might struggle some, bat not alter
the one In the head; tue doctor also huw the murk of
the bulletin the door of thu freight olllce. Tho bullet
which entered tbo breast aud was found near the Spine
was produced aud identified by tho wltnesa
Tbo witness in ills cross-examination said:?Tbe spot
or "pool" ol blood on tho floor ol the offloo was about'
as large as witness' hand; corresponded with a blood
statu on the buck of Tail's coat, which also had dirt en
Danlol Comstoek, night switchman, know of atflffl
cultv that occurred belwccu Kyer aud Tall, but only
from hearsay.
THK SMO0TI5I1 ADMITTED.
? i.011?.'*"1 *ooa' ol tt,,s Ia?n|{ Island City Police, sold
that Kyer came to bun on Hie morning alter the snoot
Iiir and gave up tho pistol produced In evidence he
was not uccompanied by Officer Minnock; tho Captain
went to tbo Iruigbl office und saw the bullet bole in Ilio
door and the indentation in the floor outside; Coroner
Darren showed bun tho bullet picked up there- four
chambers of the revolver woro discharged.
Cross-exumiued?die Captain said thero were three
apparently uuuxplo led caps upou tho pistol, winch
were taki-n off lor saloiy and delivered to the Coroner
there wero two cburges left unexplodcd; Kyer surrcn'
derud hiinscll to tbo witness between eight and true
o clock in the morning, admitted tbo shooting and
sum it was accidental.
The District Attorney, although he still had n nom
bcr ol witnesses not called, coucludod to rest the caso
lor the prosecutlou here.
THE DKVKXCK.
Judge Bustoed, in his opening lor tbe defence, con
tended that the prosecution had utterly failed lo estab
lish the proposition that the killing ol Taft was mur
der; that It was inlonuonal in any sense, or that it was
over dono by mo prisouor at the bar. Ho proposed to
prove that Kyer hud ulways boruo a good character;
that bo and lalt wore on excellent terms; ihut bo ouco'
hud a sunstroko, from the eflects of v. Inch be never
recovered; lliwt ibo whiskey no drank ou tlio night ol
tbo shooting had tho t*fleet of cxciuug him uodulv
that he voluntarily surrendered hliuseii, alter consults-'
tlon with bis wiic; that tbo pistol with which tlio
shooting was dono was Tali's originally, and that Kyer
was in ? moiit.d condition which rendered It impossi
ble ror bun to have premeditated the crime allogod.
OAMIKKS or riKEAHSK.
The first wiin? H> lor the deicnco w;?e Andrew I'ntchen
a dealer In firearms In Now York. Ho testified that II a
Colt h revolver were old or oui ol order or improperly
Inadod several cliatnbci's might explode at ouce. Tula
might proceed Irom several causes. Tho witness ex
amined the pistol in court, and thought sucb uu acci
dent might occur with it.
In answer to ibo District Attornoy and alter exami
nation, [he withers thought tbo bullet found iu de
Icndant s body might havo boon llrod through the
barrel, snd tl lUo other bullets lit tod as cmseiy thu
chances of exploding the charges in the other < ham
bera wre lessoned. Tbo otbor bullet produced waa
somewhat flattened, and there wore no indicatioua
thni it had been tired through the barrel.
A nuinbor of witnonea were called to prove Ryer's
previous good oharaoter, and that ho and Tail were ou
terms ol friendship.
James Weill') testified that be bad once flred n Colt's
pistol and that the charges in several chambers were
exploded
THK CASK C-bOSKd.
Mr. Musteed hero announced that Mrs Rvor. whom
he proposod to call as a witness, was loo ill lo go on
the stand, and as other material wilues.-cg bad not yet
appeared, though Mttachmciiis bad issued against
them, he desired an adjournment.
Judge K'irnard refused to order the delay asked for
unless upon ailldavus establishing the materiality of
Ibu testimony expected Irom the ubaeut witnesses.
Mr. Ilusioeii prepared an affidavit showing that lie
desired 10 prove ny medical testimouy that Kyor was
probably in n condition ol in.-nnily wiion the shooting
was dono. Judge Barnard did not consider this of
sulflclont i in porta nee lo warrant delay. Mr Kusiecd
dabided 10 call no other witnesses and Judge Barnard
deemed tbe case closed.
It was then decided that tbe summing up should
commence at nine o'clock thia morning, aud the Court
adjourned.
FEMALE LIJ5LE SOCIETY.
Tho rtxty-flrat annual meeting ol the new York Fe
maif? Ausilurr Bible Society wiu held ycnierrtay alter
noon In the (-.Impel of the Bible Houae, wblcb waa
ailed by an audtenco inoelly compoaed of lad lea. The
Rev Dr. K. W. (liliimn (maided. The report of the
mnnager*, embodied id which wan tbe treasurer'* re
port, wan read, in which it ???? hbown that the no
clcty'a work wan progrcaaing favorably. I'roper aliu.
aion wna made to the death of aeveral of the
frienda ol tho inetltiilloo, and eapecmi reierenon
glvon to the bandromo donation by Mr*. John O
Omen ol $ SO, IPX) lor the extenaion of the work. From
the treahurcr'a report it appealed mat the total re
ceipiH lor ibe year footed up S 1(1,-'131 95, leaving a
email balance on hand. I hern were now thirty ono
Bible reader* engaged, and Ml fiihlna, four Tealainoiil*
and HI4 part* had been distributed, tho vanto ol all the
volume* dlaiributod being fjuu 00. Tito recelpia
during the year were:?From iho I'reebyter ian
Chun lie*, (4,i:lU 3S; Irom the Keformed churche*,
$(inil id; from the rroiealani Kpiaeopal churche*,
fhi.'i 7ft; Irom tlm Amity llipiiat Church, fl.'i; from
the Moihodml Kpi'flopal chunhea, |6,7*tf; Irom indi
vidual donutioua, -at 70; from *ubicripuona to tbe
"itiaaiui Link,'' |t)J.
THE RUSSIAN FLEET.
THE GRAMS SOKE ALKXIH TIBIT8 THE RATI
YARD?A HAliUTK AND A DSCKIMO.
At ten o'clock yesterday morning the Russian Ad
miral, His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Alexia
Captain ol the Mvellaua; Sut> Lieutenant the Grand
Duke Constantino, Flag Commander Aloxleff and Flag
Lioutenanl Prince Stcherukoff left the Kvetlana on
borad the Orand Duke's benntlfully finished sixteen
oared barge, to return tbe visit of Commodore Nichol
son, commandant at the Urooklyn Navy Yard.
As they left tbe quarter deck of the Russian flagship
they puascd in rront of the officers drawn up in line on
the starboard side In half full dress. The Marine
Guard on the pert side presented arms and the band
piayod a march. A tugboat was In waiting at the star
board of the Russian flagship, and alter the rowers
had drawn the barge well eff from the ship, the tug
steamed to the barge, a line from which was
thrown to the tug aid made fast. During all
this the band continued playing. Tbe tug, towing tbe
barge from which tho Admiral's pennant was flying
aud In whicn were tho Admiral, the Grand Dukes, tho
flag officers, and the crew ol sixteen, with s coxswain,
then steamed down the North Rivor post the American
flagship Minnesota, around tbo lletlory and np the Host
Klver to tho Brooklyn Navy Yard.
AT Tim NAVY YARD
On arriving ofT tbe Navy Yard the tog drew off, tbe
rowers resumed their oars, aud at olevon o'clock tbo
Russian barge touched the lauding stairs at the Navy
Yard. On disembarking tho imporloJ party were re
ceived by Commo lore Nicholson, his aids Lieutenant
Commander Cottou and Lieuienant Cluy, Captain
Temple, Captain Illume, of the flagship Colorado, und
the heads ol all the Navy Yard departments.
A marine guard ol ubout Ally men, commanded by
Colonel Rroorne, was drawn np to the left, and
presented arms, tho flics playing aud tbe drums beat
lug a roll as the imperial purty roacbed the level ol the
quay.
After handshakings and compliments were over (he
party walsod up the hill to tbo resldouco of Comman
dant Nicholson. Shortly after their entrance into tue
drawing room Mrs. Nlch'olaou, Miss Nicholson suit sev
eral other ladlca entered, to whom the Grand Dukes,
the Admiral and the other Russian olllcer- wero pre
sented. After some hull au hour speut in conversation
tbe Russian officers took leave of lUe lad lee and walked
down to tbe dock, accompanied by Commodore
Nicholson and the other American officers. After
many handshakings the Russian party desccndod the
landing aialrs and re-embarkod ou board their barge,
tho marine guard presenting arms und the officers
saluting as ibey did so. Tbe Russiau officers weie In
bull full dress, wonrtng their largo gray cloaks, cockod
hots and swords.
A SALUTE.
As tho Russiau officers left the quay the Russian ou
slgu was broken at the main of tho Colorado, the flag,
ship of Commodore Nicholson. Tho Russian sailors
drew tbe imperial barge off from the stairs, and wtion
si a proper distance the heavy guns of tbo Colorado
thundered an imperial salulu ol twcnly-ono guns in
honor ol His Imperial Highness, Captain tbe
Grand Duko Alexis. Alter tho last echo
bud died awuv the tug Uiem steamed
no, and the Russian barge was again made fhst und so
proceeded. Whou ofT tho Raltory tbe witter whs so
rough that one large wave dushiug into tbe bnrgo con.
talnlng tbe Admiral, the Grand Dukes aud tuo flag
officers drencbod the whole parly. Tbo tug was then
stopped and the Russiau officers boarded her, remain
ing aboard until she neared the Sveilaua, when thoy
returned to the bargo until slio reached tbo flagship.
ON HIIOKK.
Captain tho Grand Duko Alexis wont on shoro at a
quurtor to two o'clock V. M. in tlio captain's gig. Tho
Gruud Duke Coaslaiitino remained on board all day.
The Grand Duke Alexis spent tho afternoon In the city4
returning to his ship sflor nightfall.
ARISTOCRAT IC ARTILLERYMEN.
ORGANIZATION OF A OATLINO GUN COMPANY FOB
OENKItAL HHALF.R's DIVISION OF TUB KTATE
MILITIA?TILE UNIFORM.
A number of young geutlomen mot Inst evening for
tho second ituio ul the Fifth A venue Hotel to arrange
for tho preliminary steps toward organizing a battery
of horse artillery to bo attached to Goncral Shaler'a
division of tho State militia. Tho meeting was pro
sided over by Captain W. B. Wutmore, lormorly of
General Pope's stall', and until Deoember last a lieu
tenant In the United States artuy, who baa been already
tendered the captaincy of me company. Alroady
forty-seven men havo beeu onliated, or rathor huvo
signified their intention to enlist, but 100 will
be the full complement for the battery.
Tho battery will consist of six Galling guns, the differ
ence bolwocn this battery and the ordinary artlllory
boing that the men will be all mounted and not car
ried on tho calason. Knch roan will have to furnish
his own horse. No such company as this proposed is
now in the country, end It Is intended to make It an
attractive addition to the First division of the Slalo
militia. At the previous tneollug committees were ap
pointed, consisting of Messrs. Murray Livingston,
Frank Isvliu, A. Boltnont, Jr., and Major James
Houghs, on organization and general oatimates, and
Mossrs. 1,. II. II. Liviucsion and Frank G. G.'iswold
on constitution, and botn those eoinmltteos re
ported last evening. The report on ostunaies gavo the
total expense to be incurrod for uniform, Ac., ou tho
first outlay, from I'JOO 10 and tho roport on con
stitution contained tun special clause that udinlasiou to
membership required tho rccommendnliou of two
members ot the battery, with tho subsequent Indorse
ment of h committee 011 elections.
Too following Is a description of the proposed UDl
form. as prosouled by the Committee on Organization;
the committee's recommendation In this roepcoi being
adopted:?
Tits r.stnnis
The full dress eoat will be of dnrk blue cloth, single breast
ed.with straight iront and natural waist, file -slrl to eat ml
Irnm "TH'-thlril to one hall of the dlstnuce I rout l e lop of
the hip to the bend ot the knee. The breast to be orna
mentr'l with line quadruple stripe* of gold wire card and
three rows ol gold frogs, live lu each row Mantling collar of
?< srhtt cletli and to hsvu a atrip ol gold Incc itrouoii the ed;e.
?una to bn of Ihe omt material us the Collar aud topped
with gold wire rnrtl. which will form a knot in the centre of
the tleevo Tho buck 10 lie ornamented Itv two stripes of
gold wire cord extending Irom the shoulder to tlio mid ol
the skirl and knotted at the ends, with two gold frogs ri
the waist snail).
I lie lull dro?? trousers will bo of dark blue doeskin and
worn under the hunts with a scarlet eloih stripe, three
quarters ol an Inch wide, ed-#d on either tide, with a strip
of quarter Inch gold lace.
The undress coat will be a blouse of dark blue, trimmed
llko tl.o dress cost, hut instead of tlio gold I sea there will j
be black silk, and the cuffs, collar end borders will be of
AstrHkRii fur
The hat will be a busbyfof block Astrnkan, with scarlet
hair piurue.
The horse equipments wl'.l be of russet leather, with sad- 1
die eloihs ol dark bine cloth trimmed with scarlet The 1
valises and holsters will bo of scarlet, covered with black ;
Astrsksti fur Tho hilts and baldrics will on of while ,
leather for the privates, and ol gold for tlio officers.
I he undress will be the round cap, without visor.
Tho roll ot membership, consisting of the forty- i
seven who have signified their intention to Join tlio j
battery, will be tilled early next week, and application
lor a charier will 1 hen bo miirlo to Adjutant General
Towusend, alter which the roll will be completed. Tho
next mooting will be for member* only, and will be
held at tho Filth Avenue Hotel, on Monday evening,
at balf-puat eight o'clock.
Dli. MUHLENBEKG'S OBSEQUIES.
INTERMENT O W THK OCTOOENAUI AN 1'JIILAN
THIIOPIBT YE8TEBDAT AT BT. JOHNLAND.
The honored remains of tho lale Ur. Muhlenberg
were Interred yesterday to the little burying ground
at tho St. Johnland Institute. At ten o'clock In the
forenoon relatives and friends ol the unco isod philan
thropist to the number of over one hundred persons
took the train at Iaing Island City lor St. johnland, and
arrived there shortly after noon. Among those
present were:?Messrs. Adam Nome, President of
the Society of Hl Johnland; Herman Dyer, Vice
President; Howard Potter, Treasurer; the Itev. Dr.
McNnmnra, pastor and genoral agent; Kev. K K Law.
ronce, Kev. Ur. Oeer, Kev. J. Ireland Tucker, Kev. Dr.
Silicr, of ItrooKlyn; Bishop Lltllejohn, of Long laiand; '
Klsliop Kurfoot, of Pittsburg, Pa. ; Kev. Dr. Kutlon, St
Clement's Church. Now York; Kev. Dr. Mstsou, New
York; Kev. Dr. Uowland, ltov. Dr. Plagg, Rev. Mr.
Sterling, Kev. Mr. Stepbouson, Molt Haven; Rev. Mr.
Mai tin, Jersey City; Mr. Henry Uibhons, Mr. T. Wnit
taker. Mr Kiizaimuiona, Kev. O. H Keith and many
others, Including u number ol ladloa
Tho cliarltuhie institution known us St. Jobnlaud is
situated on tbe north side ol Long Island, at a distance
of about lorty-live in lies from Hunter's Point, lilies
About two miles to the uortb of tbe Su John land rail
road station. Tbe group ol buildings?including the
chiltcn, school houses dwellings, dormitories, a print
ing and stereotyping offloe, Ac. ?form | pretty cluster
on the eastorn fold ol a hill, from wheaco a beautiful
view ol l.ong Island Sound is obtained. Near the top
ol this hill u the neatly leueed-ln graveyard, where
the body of tbe projector of tbis institution now rests.
THK rPMS.HAL HKh VICKS.
Tbe Iricnds of tho lamented deceased, having been
conveyed in carriages from the railr >od depot to tbe
little chdrcn, found the children assembled
more and the casket containing the remains
placed in front ol the pulpit. Tbe Knv.
Dr. McNiimara conducted the services In ac
cordance with tue Episcopal Church rtual. Alter tbe
melodious young voicos of tho healthv and appar
ently oouleiited children had lutouod the touching
air to which the twenty third psalm Is sol,
the pastor proceeded to road a portion of the
service lor tlio dead. When this was numbed the
casket was removed, a procession formed. Hi which
about live hundred of the children, their teachers and
neighbors around Joined, auo the whole gathering went
slowly un lb<> hill to the graveyard. Hern a eirclo was
drawn around tbo open grave while tbe officiating
divine read the remainder ol the Church service for the
dead. No sermon was preanheu, although many eyes
among tho iriunds present wept tears ol hearlloll grief
for tnc loss ol the good and pious man whom ilioy
came 10 bury. The visitors and mourning friends re
lu. nod to New York after iho services, reaching tbe
city a little before sis o'clock.
DEAF MUTES.
THtBTKKNTH AJf KIVKBHABT OF TBI MAIIOHAb
COLLEGE AT WASHINGTON?UEMAHKS OF
PRESIDENT HATES.
Washington, April U, 1971.
Tba thirteenth anniversary ol the National Deaf
If ola College was celebrated at ibe ball of tbe institu
tion at Keudall Green, jreateruajr, on wh en occasion
President Hajrea, being Introduced by Professor tiai
laudet, spoke as follows
srr.Ki'a or tiis rRKsioajrr.
Lavihs and Gkntlkmsn : ? I shall uot war the Interest
ol tbis occasion by undertaking to lulUI llto promises
ul this order of exercises I thank my Irlend Dr.
Gallaudet that be did not warn rue tbat my outne waa
to be upon Ibis hilL ll be had It would base deprived
mc ol two reason* for fooling aatlatled this afternoon;
one was what 1 escaped by leaving the otbor eud ol tbe
city, end the other wbal I gained by enjoying with you
thia pleasant occasion, and really this is a gratiiying
and lutcreallng tbiug. It Is sn occasion lor congratu
lations, for gratitude. These young gentlemen have
appeared beiore us and spoken ol oratory, mythology
aud botany. Wo arc acoustamed to bear these topics
discussed at college cotumenoeiurnie eud exhibitions,
aud bere we bave those yuung gentlemen with but the
lour souses doing It so sitisluctorily, so welL 1 am
told tbat these operations Ibal we bave listened to are
criticised or corrected In no way otbor thau la usual
with such essays by professors si our schools
and colleges, end yet we would not
detect, 1 am ;-ure, they were not written by young
men with ail the tire tenses. And how completely
they exhibited tbe characteristics ol the vouug men I
You and 1 are strangers to them, but we now know
tbat ibe llrsl thinks ol oratory as oue witn bearing, as
a scholar might think, as accurately, as correctly. He
tnoxsures it, seems to know what it means, as' II be
bad enjoyed It. practiced II. ludeed, bo did practice
It beloro us, and the ono who spoke ol mythology, that
londuosi 'or the poetical, lbs imaginative?all noticed
the peculiar bent ol bis mind and studies. And
boiany tbe aauio. And now have I not done all 1
promised f
These few remarks worn listened to with marked
attention, and the motes watched with Interest the
gestures ol tbo tntuiprcter who was rendering tho
President's speech into sign language.
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE EUROPEAN FI.KKT LOOKING AFTEB AH RBI
CAN INTERESTS AT CONSTANTINOPLE?MOVE
MENTS OF NATIONAL VKBHKLH?ORDEUS.
Washington, April 12, 187T.
Rear Admiral Worden, commanding tbo Auiurican
squadron la European waters, baa issneu orders lor
the vessels ol tbe squadron to assemble at Nice, from
wblcb point tbey will sail (or Constantinople and other
Eastern ports to look aftor and protect Amorloan in
torests liable to be Jeopurdlxed by tbe ousting Eastern
mould s. Tbo Vandalia and Marion are now ul Nice,
and tbo Trenton and Allmuce sailed from Lisbon yes
terday lor tbat port.
Tbe steamer Despatch, Commander A. U. Robeson,
now Ottlng out for sea at tbo Washington Navy Yard,
will sail about tbe latter part ol next week to rciulorue
tbo Europoau fleet at Constauliuople, and tbo steamer
Gettysburg, now on special surveying duty in tho
Mediterianean, bos boon temporarily added to tbo
Heel, in order that American luiorests can bo properly
looked after and protected.
Tho regular European fleet consists ol the Tronton,
Atliunce, Vandalia and Marion, the first two being new
stoups-ol-war. Just built, aud tbo others having been
completely renovated within the jiust year.
ILLNKHS or A PAYMASTKIl.
Tbe Navy Department baa received information to
tbe effect tbat Paymaster Charles P. Thompson, re
cently ordered to duty In charge of tho naval depot
at Nagasaki, Japan, is in very bad health, and iiim
request that another oflleer bo ordered there to relievo
bun will be grunted.
UOVKHN.NTH OP VMHHKLB.
The Unitod Stales steamer Powhatan, late flagship
of Vice Admiral Ituwau, at New York, will couvoy llto
iron-clad Dictator Iroiu Port Royal, S. C., to League
Island, Pu., and ibcnce proceed to Annapolis, where
her crew will be transferred to the practice ships Con
stellation aud Mayflower, which vessel* will take tho
midshipmen from the Naval Aoaiteroy ou their anunal
summer cruise. Tho Powhatan, however, will not
leave Port Koyal with the Dictator for a woo* or two.
The Tallapoosa leaves here to-morrow lor Norfolk, to
convoy the iron-clad vessels Wysudoite, Pussaic aud
Moutuuk from that place to Washington.
Tho lron-nlud Suugus receutly arrived at Savannah
from Port Royal, whore she will remain with the other
monitors ol the North Atlantic fleet in fresh water lor
a mouth or so uutil all ihc barnacles aro removed iroiu
them. They will return to Port Royal the latter purl
ol Muy, or early in Juue, so as uot to risk uny danger
of yellow fever by remaining at .Savannah alter tho be
ginning ol the hot weal her.
OKUKRH.
Captain E. Burrott, commanding tho Colled States
steamer Plymouth, now cn route up tho Mississippi
River, writes to tho Secretary ot the Navy Ir- rn llulon
Rouge, La., umlor date of April 6, that bo arrived ut
Dunaldsonville, La., on llio 4th tnsL TllS ship wan
saluted with the tiring of guns and aa Impromptu hall
was given lu houor ol tho otllcors on the evening of
the fun lust. Tbe ship was crowded wttb visitors,
among them many ladles. The olUccrs were most
hospitably entertained by tbe cttixrns ol Douuldxor.
ville, who seemed to vie wilb each other to tnako their
stay agreeable. Commander Sullivan D. Aines has
hot-n ordered to duly as Inspector ol tho Filth Light
house district in place ol Commander Francis G.
Raker, detached from that duty and allowed thirty
?lays 10 settle his accounts. Lieutenant Commander
Charles 0'Ncll has been detached from the training
ship Minnesota and ordered to the temporary command
ot the Supply. L outenanl Henry C. Taylor has Keen
detached Irom tbo command ol the Coast Purvey
steamer Uussler aud placed on wailing orders. Maxtor
natnuel Seabury bus liec-u detached Irom tbe Now
York Navy Yard and placed on waiting orders
COLOMBIA ANI) SOUTH AMERICA.
A GRAND BALI. IN HONOR Or OFFICERS OK THE
UNITED STATES NAVY ?PEACE IN COLOMBIA ?
CHINESE AND YELLOW FEVER IN TERU.
Panama, April 3, 1STT.
A magnificent ball was given at the Urund Hotel In
thik city, lust evening, by ilio foreign residents of
Panama, in honor or Kuar Admiral Alexander Murray
and officers of I ho United Stales Navy now in this
port. Roar Admiral Murray and staff, Rear Admiral
Preble and stall, and Hie leading officers ol iho Pen
?acolu llugsblp of the North Pacific squadron, and of
the Omaha, lor the time boing flagship of tho South
PrfdQc squadron, wero present; also Captain Rice, of
Her Britannic Majesty's amp Albutrons, now in port,
and iho lending residents of Panama. I) incing began
at ton o'clock aud continuad until duyligtu. Soon
ufior midnight a aumpiuoua supper was served, ol
which nearly '.100 guests partook.
The Pdiisacola is to leave boro to-morrow, 4tb msv,
for the coast of Moxioo, where she will likely remsin
three months.
fracm i* rnosrecT.
Tho war news from the lotorior ol Ibis Republic con
tinues to be encouraging, with every prospect of a
speedy end to the present troubles. Official news re
ceived yesterday by way ol Aspiowall is to the effect
that General Ponre had been aucocsslul at Kio Huche,
and bad captured the two small vessels which the en
emy had there to oppose bim. The expedition Into
Antioquia had reached Itemed lot Much enthusiasm
was expressed ou (he part ol tho liberal* at the Into
success ol their party in that fitate, and they ware
offering themselves lor service in large numbers.
CHINKHM LAllOH IN I'KKU.
The Olypham contrai l, so-called, lor the purpose of
Introducing iree Chinese labor into Peru, in virtue of
the irealy between the two Powers sud under tlm sub
sidy ol 110,000 sole* per annum authorised by Congress,
ha* been remodo'ed in part, and will in all probability
bo signed by tlio I're-ident.
VKM.OW KKVKR IN OA I. LAO.
There are rumors afloat that two Oases of yollow
fever have been reported in Lallan, and both resulted
fatally. This ih asserted by some of the medical men
of ihn port, whilo others?and among thorn the Health
Officer?declare that the lover raging just now la not of
that dreudtul tyn&
A ItANbROMS COMI'LIMKNT.
On the 32d of February, there being no American
man-of-war In C'allso, Hor Ilriunnio Majesty'* ship
Opal, Captain Robinson. saluled the memos* ol th?
??Knther of Ills Country" wnh twenty-one guns. Our
Minister, Mr. (Sibbs, paid an ofllnal visit to the ahlp a
day or two aiuce, and thanked the gallaut Captain lor
thia act of delicate courtesy.
CENTRAL AMERICA.
THE ftlMTER REPUBLICS IF.ACKHJL AND PROH
PBBOUS.
The different ropublics era at peace, and, conse
quently, prospering. TUe trouble! between Costa Kiea
and Nicaragua, whicb lor a time threatened w.ir, are
gradually growing leaa serious Tbere la nothing spe
cie! to report from any ot the republics.
Three oi the members 01 the commission engaged In
exploring the Marten lor a suitable route lor an inter
oiomic canal?lleanrs. Marbles. Uaudolu aod Iterator,
reiurned to Panama on their way to Prance, on (he
iPHii Inst .So far ?s we oau learn tho other members
oi the expedition are also ready to return, and aVe
merely awaiting convenient means lor making the
trip. Prom tnia It would appear that the labors of the
roinmiealon are rndod. It is aaid that the reunite are
satisfactory.
POCKETUOOK SNATCHING.
Mrs. i'undroy 3eal, residing at No. 293 President
street, Brooklyn, was walking along Cltntou street
yesterday alternoon, when two young men suddenly
stepped up ny her side and one ol liiein aontcbeu Imr
pookeibook from her hand. John Purred, agad twenty
i two years, was srrostsd for the odcucw
OUR COMPLAINT BOOK.
THE BOWDT EllTMZM.
Fiu Depabtmht or thi Citt or Nsw Tow*,!
Kauisa Covrtur Na B, }
New York, April U, 1877. J
To too Editor or m Herald:?
Will "Indignant Parent" please call at aoglao boast
No. 66 Kant Broadway and identity firemen man Ho nod
In complaint, or aend address to sbore nnmbor, oM
obligs MOMB W. KBH.
Foreman Engine Company Na ff
CKU1XTT TO CHILDREN.
To Til Editor or tu* Herald-;?
Not knowing the office ot the Society for Prevsutlua
?1 Cruelty to Children 1 herewith tako tba liborty to
inform said society through yonr valuable paper ot a
fact 1 noticed yesterday. At Na 1*0 Cherry street |
found a little girl, named Nora Dunn, aged about thir*
teen years, whoa, body was entirely bruised and out
tnruugb severs beatings Inflicted by her motile*
Neighbors informed me that this occurred very fro?
qnently, and 1 tnink it worth white lor the aoowty to
look alter It. K. 0.
A PLEA roil THE MINISTERS.
To tab Editor or tuk Hkrald ?
While we have a Board of Health for the en florae,
tnent ol sanitary laws, and a Society lor the Prereatloa
of Cruelty to Animals, would that some philanthropist
would originate a hoard of moral health, or u society
tor the protection of ministers of the Cos pel against
that disgusting human animal, an nnsexed Woman}
that libel on her sex who flauuia bor own sbamo be to re
the public gaze, and picks bur Tlotlms from the best hi
the land. Our spiritual guides, the teachers of our
children, the expounders of the law of Qod, and the
nature ol whose mission leaves them Uuleocolesa, are
peculiarly ut the mercy ol niiy indecent wile urged
on by a still more Indecent husband, who may wlah te
obtain blackmail or force the oaae into a court o< law.
Those constantly recurring complaints nave become ept
doiuicas it were'.originating not long ago in a neighbor
tug City Ibo disease ha* spread lur and wide, Koi* the
sake ol the moral health ol tbu little ouos in ourmiast
1 beg you 10 make room lor tins article In your valua.
hie ?'Complaint Book. " l.et the terry and street curoom*
plaints waituwhilo; Invito tnoro able poos thao minora
write this subject up to the notice ol our law makers
and down to the comprehension nf those females who
are continually pulling at ibo ecclesiasticaloloak, and
who, whon they lino It lelt in their hands, seek this
method ol revenge. Paradoxical es It may seem, the
accusation. 111 uine casus out ol ten, should bo the
best proot uf n pastor's Inmnenco. On the other
bund, it a woman haa not sufllcieui modesty for self*
protection or decency enough to uvold the occasion of
insult she can, at least, bo silout, and savo the public
from the disgusting recital ol har wrongs
A WOMAN WHO CAN TAKE CAHK OF UKH8KLB,
A DIHOItACKFUL NUISANCE.
To tub Editor or tiir Hkrald:?
Blading your columns open to the exposure of sit
kinds ol nuisances, I must draw your Rttentlou to tbu
increasing and disgusting sights to be witnessed by all
compelled to rldo on the Ilroudway oars in passing
through Grceno struct, between bleecker and Spring
streets. The houses aro mostly occupied by Trench and
colorod prostitutes, and the inmates ure to be seen
from tuoruing till uigbt at tlio windows soliciting and
hallooing at passers by, aud ply ibis ahameful trade In
aigltl of the llncst police. I liovo bucu tnlormed by
triiutwortli.v persons that tlio inmates or such houses
ol III lame pay n percentage ol their earnings, weekly,
to Ibo presiding captain ol the precinct to allow Iboin
lb do tots "window business." Many Indies have told
mo of this and what an evil It was. Girls and children
uru compelled to see all this ovorv day. and, Mr Kdilor,
is lucre no remedy 1 CHaRLEE FISHER.
MAN THAI'S.
To tkk Editor or tiir Hkiiai.d:?
Yesterday morning while walking down Prineestree*,
and near the Intersection with Uharltoo, 1 discovered a
lady who was wulking down Cnurlton suddenly totter
and fail. Hastening to the lady's assistance, I louud that
bar loot had been caught In ono ot those man traps or
cout holes (or whatever you term it). The cover had
been negligently put on, uud when tho lady stepped on
It It slipped and cuiiglil the sole ol her gaiter in HUdh a
wag that she could not save hersoll iroiu tailing.
Having tendered my asalsiame. on reaching tho
steps of the next bouse, which wus with no small diffi
culty, lor liur ankle was badly wrenched If not
sprained (she muni have aullered great psln; the color
having leu her chei ks. she becoming deadly pale; I
was alraid she would I nut, but sbn was too courageous
lur thut), I examinsd the cover sud found U not only
loose but so even with the (lagging that It rould ho
move1 by the loot wltn great ease. This occurred ia
Iron I of No. 1 Si Charlton street, occupied by parues
namod Cohen. Now, Mr. Editor, supposing the lady
ha brokou her ankle, who would lie responsible lor
damages, the party, Conen, who occupies the house, of
this miserably governed cuy r EYE WlTNEba,
dooi.
"Sandy" writes:?On tho corner of Twenty-third
streot and Tenth uveuue a number of bugo and fero
cious dogs arc kept. Occasionally they rush out,
seeking whom they miy frighten, it not devour. Hon*
day ulieruoon one ol tho brutes rushed at the Orand
Duke's coxswain. Until the Urnnd liuae himself or
sumo other dignitary ts inttun, small try had better
give the place a wido berth.
"A. \V. N." asks:?How many more deaths from
hydrophobia aro necessary? II ibo police Wonld put
away that dog at tho Wall street terry, they would
oblige.
"A Header ol tlis Herald" suggests:?II the pel Ion
of tho Tenth precinct, Brooklyn, woold see that that
dog mi flnttoi-li avenue, near Dean street, was put oat
ol tho way, I Hunk people could pass quietly along.
"Hydrophobia" announces as loilows:?P.ease allow
me to inform tbe proper authoriiea of the Increaae of
Spitx dogs lu the tioighoorhood ol Kigtity ItrM and
Highly-second streets. There are uow not less than
IIIty ol this species ol wolf, which is ol the most sav
age kind. | pope tho proper authorities will nee to
this buiore these dogs do any damage.
UNCLKAN 8TKKKIH AND NUISANCER.
"Taxpsyors" ask:?'Have we a Street Clianlng Bu
reau. and, if so, who has any influence over them, or
can they do as they plca-o? Pearl airoot, between
ilanover and Wall, is In a learlul condition with dirt
nud dusk Wo tiopo you will have the kindness to t?
S'-rt this notice, as It Is the only means we have of get
ting at the responsible parties. A little reform in ihut
department would he a blessing."
"A Sufferer" says:?"I nut living In Twenty-ninth
street, between Second and Third uvennes, and have to
cross the sircet to my grocer's. To my know.edge
this block bus not been cleaned in live months. It ac
tually baa three loot <>r flilby mad on it. "
"Cinders" reports:?"I ho thirteen sh barrels art
lull again, and the mud in Heater street, between
Kssi'X and Ludlow, lias been scraped into piles, but not
takeii sway. It sni- lis horribly. Our taxes are at
high as our uptowu neighbors, and we think we engbt
to gel tbe aurne niuMiimn ihey do. "
"A Traveller" calls attention to tbe horrtbir fllthy
con lltlon 01 West I hirty.sixth street Irom Sixth ave
nue to the Hudson KiVur, and also of tho smells that
emanate from neglected piles o! dirk Ho pertinently
ask-, "Aro your to-OBIISd Hoards of 'Health,' of
'Poltoe,' or whatever yon may style them, anything
more thau the merest shams f" He (ears "a pestilence
w ill he engendered which will arousa tbe Inhabitants
when loo lute."
"A Subscriber" complains of the horrid stench aris
ing Irom tbe manure dump nt Kast fifteenth street
between avenues B sud C. Hi pentad Coin plaints, both
verbal and in writing, have be n made to ibe author*
tie- ol the Health and Police departments, bat oo ro
il re a b.ts iniiuwrd. Many little onildren are tick with,
scartel lover and diphtheria, all owmg to this nuisance.
Tbe uraiusgs irom the manure piles flows svsr the
sidewalks and into tho gutters. What aro me ofllotalt
''going to do about It V
'?J. It. A. " says tbe pavement on Fifth avenue Is as
bad as to he dangerous to lile. Tho excavations tor
gas and water pipes during the winter have Uiled the
streeiway with holes. The ero-eiugs are out of order.
"A Taxpayer" writes:?"I trust that tbu bint yea
gave to the pollen Commissioners lu your paper to
day, In rog ird to ibetr neglect ol havlug the streets
cleaned, will have a good eftcck My children's eyes
are <|uiiu soro Irom the dast blowing in itoem coming
Irom school. It is a shame to havo the cltisans' money
wa-tnd while they derive no beneiit Irom Ik These
gentlemen can give grand dinners In uptown hotels,
and, like bensta, try who can eat the long' at lor lbs
honor ol paying for all, while many deserving families
are wanting tbe necessaries of lite whioU they would
have wore ttmir lathers or husbands allowed to work
cleaning the streets It seems to mo that a change is
our Police Board would b? a step in ths right dire*
tion."
ANSWERS.
MILITARY DRILLS.
To tbi Koiron or thi Hr*\i.p:?
1 notice id your "Complaint Book" a ooraoioRh
cailuu signed "Kepi Out," staling thai ha waa
not permitted by the guards at tbo Twenty-seeond
Kogiuicnt Armory to ontar and witness the drill oa
Friday avemng last, while ha observed otliar gentle*
men in oitifena' dross gain admittance without any
dilfloulty, and bo wants to know "why it la"
lu answer lo the goulleiuan I beg to say that It M
not necessary for the members ot this reglmnnl to
wear their uniiorms to obtain admission to too armory.
Many ol them are known to be mcmbcra by tbo
gunrile, and wnen there is aoy donhl they are qqea>
tionod, lor tiio-o wing drills are not "public perform*
aucos," but simply lor the instruction of the mora,
bers. C. H. a
THE RENT QUESTION.
To tits Rnirna or thk Hkralb.?
lu answor to "A Coustant Bonder" in regard to ?Hhd
rent question," I would ask, as an explanation, would
bo giro a year's rent to an irresponsible party
and a perfect stranger to him without payment in ad*
Turice ? I think no landlord Is so exacting u* to pot n
p< mni out on ao abort a notice it slin waa a prompt
, payor unlssa ha bad some complaint against her.
I Tk.Mi.MLM LA.NDLOBA