The New York herald. [volume], May 22, 1878, Page 5, Image 5

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

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WAR ON THE STENCHES.
Enoch 0. Coe Still on Trial in the
Court of General Sessions.
the line of defence.
Twenty-two More Indictments
Found by the Grand Jury.
the sanitary superintendent.
Interviews with Members of the
Board of Health.
Tho trial ol Enoch O. Coe, proprietor Of a fertiliz
ing establistimoQl at Newtown Crook, Long Island,
lor maintaining a nuisance, was resumed yesterday In
Part 2 of the Court ol General Sessions, beloro Judge
Gildersleeve. Assistant District Attoruoy Bell, witb
toiouul W. I*. l'routluo, appeared lor tho proaocntlon,
the accused being uofended by Colonel J. K. Fellows.
Among tbo wituessos examined were Warden
O'Kourke, of Bellovuo Ilospiial; Mr. l'belpe, of Phelps,
Dougu it Co.; Mr. Jackson 8. iSchultz and Dr. Gold
schmidt, who te8tlllod at lengin to tho offensivo char
actor ol tbo odors percofvcd up town and coming from
tho direction ol Greoupoint when tho wind was east
erly. Owing to tho disagreeable stencbos they were
frequently compelled to close tho windows
ol thuir nouses. Mr. Joslub Lombard, of
Lombard Se Ayroe, roilucrs of pelrolcnm,
testified that erode petroleum Is put into a still and
thore through tho application ol beat is couveried
into vapor. This vapor enters Into coils of pipe sur
rounded by cold water and converted into a liquid
which runs out into a tank. Sulphuric acid is then
introdacod. When It lias Uocd In the oil a reasonable
length of timo it sinks to tho bottom ol the tank.
Wueu drawn olT It Is quilo black, having already
purified the petroleum, though at tho beginning of
the process It was white and pure. This Is known as
sludge acid. When at rost It gives out no fffcnslvo
odor, but if agitatod, oven by tbo admlxluro or water.
It bocomes exceedingly obnoxious. This sludge acid
is sold to fertilizers' estnblisbmouts aud delivered at
Newtown Creek. Mr. James C. Smith testified tbut
he has smell the offensive odors In New York as dis
tinctly us at his home in Greeupoiut. the witness
added tbut the manufactories uso up ''everything
that is damnable," a pieco ol information that evoked
much luughter.
TUB bKVENCM
In opening tbo case lor the defenoe Colonol Fel
lows said he would oxamlne Prolossor Hiebtg, of Bal
timore; Professor Johnson, of Yule College, Pro
lossor Hauorsluw and other chemists, who would tes
tily that tbo defendant nad on.ployed chemical means
to destroy the ofleusive smell ol sludge add, and no
odor, therefore, could huve issued from his establish
ment. Tho Board of Uoallb, he added, uudor the lush
receutly applied by ltecordor Hucketl, had suddenly
awakened to tho exlsleuce of dozons ol ostablisn
moots within Ibis city that omitted ouors ut ollcnsivo
us those emitted from Humor's Point. Ibese insti
tutions had been ileeusod lor years by tbs Board of
Health. Now tho Graud Jury had indicted twenty
nine ol tho proprietors of those establish
menls. Tbo endeavor ol the defonco would be to snow,
not that tboro was no offensive odor Jroui Hauler's
Point, but that It was not tbo product of Coe's estab
lishment, which wus guarded by chemical appliances
that do uot permit any odor to escape irom il This
would be proven by mombere ol tbo Uourd of Health
ol Kings county and the chemist who bad charge of
tbe fuctory.
Dr. U. nurd, dentist, of No. 32 Bedford avonue,
Brooklyn, testified that on Thursday ho rodo from his
borne toward Humor's Point. About tnrce-quururs
of a mile away be smelt chloride of lime, whicn odor
be traoed to Coe's establishment. Dr. Orsou
H. Smith testified that he accompanied Dr.
Hard. Tboy first smelt a fLhy odor, aucb as
Is peroeptlbio ueur Palchogue, Long Islaua, where
flsu manure Is used; hut wuon they approached Coo's
they smell chloride ol lime, which was a disinfect
ant. 1 bo odors insido the factory woro offensivo and
probably made the manufacturing ollenslve to tlioso
In tho Immediate vicinity. Prolossor Freligb W. Ar
Vine, ctiemlst In Coe's factory, testified that be
bas been supervising cbeinut in several establish
mcnls wherein oUemicsis.wero used in manuiuciure*.
Two montbs ago be was employed by Coe to suppress
tbe odor ol sludgo acid. At first It wus tne custom in
Coe's fuctory to liuvo tbo sludge ucid burned in deop
pita It wae, however, eubsequeutly washed
with but water. Then it was agituioa
with spent sods. It was then putuped
through covered tanks sank In the earth to an
atomiser attuuted near the engine ol the manufactory.
Too atomizer lOrew the oil into the tiro under tne
boiler and it was consumed. Sludge acta was not used
to the manufactory. A dilution of It wus used. In
tho lulxiug of the tnulorials tor makiug tho fertilizers
there whs always a strong admixturo of bluschlug salt
and carbolic acid. Tne latter was also libcrully scat
tered over tbe heaps of materials. Offensive odors
did not, ne said, escapofrom Coo's lactory.
A discussion here arose us to whether tbe witness
could testily to ino surroundings ol the factory ultor
too da.e ol the indictment, and an adjournment was
Ukon until this inoruing.
THE QUAND JUBT AT WOBK.
Tto tnvcs.igatiou by the Grand Jury lato tbo causes
ot the polsououa uptown stenches, in order thut the
responsibility of the Boura of Health in tbo matter
might be properly do'erminod, was continued yeslor
day. Among the witnesses sutniuouod by the Grand
Jury was Colonel Emmons Clark, secretary to the
Board of Health, who ens subjected to a minute ex.
suilnattou In regard to tho method observed
by tbo Board In issuing permits lor tlaugbier
houses, rendering aud bonc-builing establishments
and fertilizing manufactories. The Cuairinan of
the Citizens' Conuutttuo, Mr. 1 humus It. Mu>gravo,
was also In attendance, uud testiUed to the laets set
turth in bis report, wnicb has already been published.
Messrs James lmuuaberry and Charles hpeir, piopric
tors el tbo rendering nunc Algonquin, staliouod at the
foot of Thirty-ninth street, Munh It vor, which pro
duces 8,000 loos of manure a year, uud l'ctcr Fecncy,
tno owner 01 a soap laotory at No. 621 West rilleentli
street, came to tho District Attorney'* olllce yester
day and lurnlshed bail in tbo sum ot f50U each to ap
pear lor trial. The Pal unco of tho twenty nino per
sons sgaiust whom indictments have been iouud w?ro
Iiersonaily served witb bouoli warrants by Doteelivoa
Nsld aud O'Connor, aud will appeur with their
bondsmen In tbe Court ol General .Sessions to day.
Their names and places or manufacture ore
? s follows:?Metculf A Oibba, IIunrue Crane, Charles
White, l'obey ft IJooib, Spring ft Unynes uud tStshl
hecker It Son, proprietors ol largo slaughtering yards
at I hirty-ntutb, Fortiotb and Forty-brut streets aud
North K.vur; Eliza Bucslaud, proprietress of a soap
factory at Seventeenth street and Tenth uvonue;
Benjamin Wallace, owuer of a soap luctory at No. 43u
West Seventeenth street; Geurgu J. Goaru.itou, who
keeps a soup factory on Nineteenth si root, oetwoen
Tenth and Eleventh avenues; Michiml Donobue, tho
proprietor of a blood boiling establishment at thirty,
ninth street uud North Hi ver; SuUwurzchtld A Suiz
beig, owners ol a bide, skin uud tnllow yurd ut Forty.
Bftli street and East ltiver; ltnlleriy A Williams,
Iiroprietors ol a large loriniziug manufactory at
'"orty-lourlb street and bast ltiver; John Kane, who
keeps n manure Iiuup at Forty-lltlh street anil East
ltiver; Lomoard ft Ayres, the owuere ol petroleum
aerks at sixty-sixth street and North lilver, and John
Lewla.
TUB BOARD or HEALTH ON THE SITUATION?
DR. DAY'S DEFENCE CF THE BOARD?TULI
ARE MOT AFllAlD or BEINO INDICTED.
In view of the Interest caused by the action of tbe
Grand Jury finding tbo Indictments above tudicitod,
a lizuALO reporter called upon Professor Chandler,
I'ruUdeut ol tho Board ol llooJlb, to request
bis views on this Important mutter. :be
Prolestor did not bnppon to bo in a communicative
frame of mind, and at Qrit declined to txpi'Ma any
opinion, but afterward decided to so lar depait Irutu
this resolution ns to odor an ezplanatiou ol tbe rela
tions szistlng between tbe Hoard ol lleaKli and tbe
ostaullsbments which, under tbo law, It is moro
specially charged to regulate.
In re; ly to a diroct question as to what bo thought
Of the Grand Jury's action Professor Chandler said:?
"1 have notning to say on the matter. 1 do not con
sider it advisable to exprcM any opinion. If Indict*
minis bavc boen lound against any parties tncy will
bsvu an opportunity to answer in court. Tbe Board
ol Health has uoibmg to do with Una,"
??Hut it is understood that many of tho factories
against which the Grand Jury lias taken action hold
permits from tbe llourd of ilorltb. Tbe public would
probably llko to know wbst explanation tbo Hoard of
Health may have to offer In explanation of this cir
cumstance. "
WliAT 18 A FKKMIT t
"There la a good dual of misapprehension In the pub*
Ho mmd as to the value ol 'a permit,' " replied Pro
fessor Chandler. "Tbo gonorul Idea stoma to bo lliat
tbo Hoard ot Healtti licences ibese establish
meats in soms way, hut tms is an error. Tbo so
calloi 'permit' of tbo Board IS simply s regis
tration. It confers no right to do anything
Illegal aud is no proiscllon against legal process. No
money or fee le paid for the permit. It wonld have
peen boltor bad lbs word roglstration tietn used lu tbo
law which created the Board ol Health, uecaute then
tbero would he no misconception of ita true meaning.
Tbo value of the pormlt or regigtrolton u fhat
u tnuulos people to carry on cerium businoss
such us slaughtering and lai rendering. . A per*(fa
curryiug ou uoy of tbuso businesses wltlioul u periuii
would bo liable to arrest, bui tbe perinll con fori uo
right to create a nuisuucc. 1'crsous holding a permit
are equally liable to prosecution io caee ibey crouie u
nuisance as though they bud none, only they are not
liable to urreit by tbe police on sight, as they would
be in not having a permit from the Hoard "
"Tbe Important matter, after all, |g bow the Board
of Health caino to give permits to lactones agulust
which tue Grand Jury has aoou well to issue indict
ments?"
"No; the Important point U that the public shall
understand tbo real nuture of tbo so-called permit ?
that It is merely au act of registration'
and con lore no right to do any act
otherwise unlawful ; that it ts not Itko
ono of lltoso licenses issued In old limes to permit a
crime to be committed, it confers no privileges* It
ts merely an set ol registration. Tbo GraudJury Is
not compelled 10 have tbo proofs before II, and can
act on very slight grounds. The mnnuiaoiurers who
have boen itulioiod win liavo lull opportunity to tie
fond themselves, aud wlion the cases come Into court
they must bo tried ou their merits."
As the ('resident of tbo Hoard of lioalth declined
to enter more lully into ttio question tho roporier
made his bow and withdrew.
or. day's views.
Or. Day, Inspector ol tho Hoard ol Health, was
next sought by tho reporter. The gentlemau was In
his ollloe at ihe building devoted to the Board of
iiuullh.
When Informed of tho objcot of the reporter's visit
Dr. Day said ho hud not heard of the indictments,
aud ilieruiore could not express anv opinion ou tuo
w ui tor.
"It is cburgod that manv of tho indicted parties
hold permits Irom tho Bourd of lioalth."
"Ifyou cun tell uie nny ol the nainos 1 can perhaps
Inlorin you whether tLioro is any louudalion lor tho
statement. '
"There is Spier, who keeps an establishment at tho
loot ol West Thirty-ninth street, auu l'otor Keonoy,
who Keeps a soap boiling establishment on Filloonth
stroei, near the north Kivor."
"Yob, Spier has u permit irom tho Boaru, but Keonoy
has uot. Soino nine ago bis permit was withdrawn."
"li is rumored that the (fraud Jury intend to indict
tho Hoard ol lleellh. In case it should do so what
course would tbe Hoard bo likely to pursue ?"
"Wo would have to siaud our trial. It would uot bo
a pleasant nor a desirable position to bo placed in, but
tbe Uourd would dome out all right I am sure. It
would glvo us an opportunity to explaiu what wo
havo been doing, ami 1 believo tbo people would
bo aslomsbod at tut showing wo could make.
For somo time our mouths have bocu closed
though wo havo beon very generally abused. Tho
press Is very hard on us, and mauy of the articles
published are uurcasoiiublo. Indeed, manv people
think we are Incillcioiu and noglecllul, while others
tbmk we are dishouesL Some very respectable
Dcoplo look on us as little bolter than robbers.
This is uot Dluusanf. Should wo bo brought into
court we would bo nblo to correct these lulsc impres
sions. Wo should bo able to make a very good
showing."
TIIK (IRAKI) JURY'S ACTION.
"1 hen you think tbo Grand Jury bus acted on tnsut
clcnt evidence?"
"Tbo Grind Jury enjoys great powor. It does not
need to hour both sides. 1 went before tho G rand
Jury ouce, aud on my suicmout and that ol unother
witness an Indlotmcnt was lound without hearing tho
doicnce."
"In the present case tho Grand Jury Is likely to
have exorcised more caution."
"Not necossarliy. Tho Grand Jury knows that iboro
Is a strong public leoling against these nuisances, aud
tliiuks tbe proscut time well suited to sot ou loot an
Investigation. The people Indicted will liuvo an op
portunity to UclciiU themselves, aud no doubt Ibey
will make a hard light."
"Do you thing tho Grand Jury isJusUQod in indict
ing ostubllshmeuis furnished with u permit?"
"Tbero may bo justiflc uiou In some cases, but not
mauy. Wo havo used sound discretion In gruutiug
permits, but it is very dtlllcuU to sutisTy evory ono.
During tho past live yours wo havu workod bard
to diminish these nuisances, and tho public
hove no Idea how muoh we nuve done wltb| tho meuns
ut our disposal. Our whole lorco consists ot eighteen
incn, aud ol these lonr ure detailed for special duly.
This loaves us just fourtoeu men to supervise a 1 theso
objectionable establishments and look alter the
sanitary condtllou of tbo lunoiuent houses.
Notwithstanding tbo smnllness of our lorco
wo bavo Uouo an immonso amount ol
work within the past live yours. I think that In
I most cases where permits havo been granted tbo In
dictments will full to ulicet auything, because during
our term ol oflloo we huve compelled tbe proprietors
to udopt sanitary precautions and supross all olfeu
slvo odors as lur as possible. Iu tnauy cases tho por
mlt has boen withdrawn."
CAN TilK XUISANOKS IIR AllOLISIIKD ?
"Then nothing more can be done to diminish theso
nuisances ?"
"While slaughter bouses aro permitted In ibo city
It will be Impossible to do away with such ofleusivo
industries us fut rendering. They must be carriod on
close to tho animal roruse, una to remove the slaugh
ter houses is a pretty big question."
??Would tbo suppression ol ihese industries seri
ously alloct the prosperity of me cliy ?"
"Tbe public buva no idoa bow many Industries
there are, moro or less objectionable, which como un
dor tbo sanitary laws. If we once begin paring qown
our Industries bccauso they are not odorous it may
lead us very lar. It must becomo very ditll
cult to draw tbo line. Fastidious people
might think mauy businesses a uui.-auce which or
dinary people would bo willing to tolerate. For in.
stnnco, ut tho back of my boute tbero aro some
stubles, and wnon tbe wind comes Irom tbo South (ho
odor is oUunsivo to some people. Now, must we drivo
all the horses out ol the city beo.iuso they are iu
somo respects a nuisance? Hore is wnoro tho practical
ditllculiy of drawing tho lino comes lo. Soiuo poo
plo's noses aro quito fastidious, while the buses of
otbors nro not fastidious at all. Iu nearly ull the poor
quertorsol the city pork reudoriug in siuull quanti
ties is carried ou. Now It is undoubtodly u nuisance
but whether it should bo suppressed or uot Is a subject
on wtucb thero might be a groat deul to be suid on
both sides.'1
"Thou, In your opinion, n good many of those so
oailcd uuiasncos are not injurious to health?"
"All unsavory smells are tujurious to health?not
perhaos dirocliy, but bocauso thty compel tbo people
to shut up their windows and so proveul tboui enjoy
ing good air."
TK1VUXO COMPLAINTS.
"Do you consider that ollensivo Industries aro de
creasing ?''
"Under the supervision ol tbo Uoalth Board thoso
industries which arc ol an olfuuslve naluro havo been
so regulated as to diminish, as far as possible, their
Uisagreeublo matures, nnd lor a long while we havo
had no serious complaint. There If, however, quite
a remarkable luere.iso in tbo number ol com
plaiuis made to tbo Hoard; tho people scorn
lo becomo more fastidious every day, and wo now
receivo complaints about matters lo which no at
tention would have beon paid a lew yeura ago. l'hl*
throws a grcut deal oi work ou the oflloers of
tbo department, as wu aro obligod lo ex
amine lulo ull compiuints, whether Irtvolous
or uot. It Ircquenlly happens that complaints aro
inudo to us Irom pure malice, in order to annoy somo
neighbor, in this way a groat deal of lime is lost, as
wc are compelled lo Investigate all casts brought
under our nonce. Wo have, ol coarse, in these oasts
lo act a- judges. "
us more any complaint made lo the Hoard about
any ol ibo twint.v-uiuo oslabiialinients against which
luoicitneulo h ive been found by the Grand Jury ?"
"No; we received uo coiuplaiols recently against
any ol these establishments Indeod lor some tuno
no serious complaints huve come to us Irom uoy
quarter."
STREET ENCUMBRANCES.
ALDKBMAMC ACTION ON THE BUEJECT? FltO
P >8AL TO PBOTECT XNCKOACHMKNT8 I Kl'.
MiTTED 11V THE COMMON OOl MCIL.
The Aldermen wore again occupied yesterday dur
ing a considerable part ol tbvlr session in discussing
the mutter ol atreot encumbrances. Much of tbo
grounds agitated at former meetings were gone over
again. Tbo proceedings in tbU connection wero
opened by Alderman lteiily in the Introduction of tbo
following:?
Iti-xilveil, I hat the Coinmissii.er or Public Works he nud
ho U In-ruby dfreciau nut t?> a.low or p.uu.t tn? superin
tendent ot Kucninbram to remuve any court vara, bay
window, allow wluilow, stoop or aland Ironi any sbl'.walk or
puollc place in tlio cil? that Itaa been placed llicielu ?y per
mission ol the i miiiiiou < on mil, and In tbe event ol any
audi removal tnen tlia said Oawtnleeluuer ol Public Works
and the ?ald HubcriiilenUeiit of i.iirnnibrancea are liereup
declined to act lu direct violation ol the order ol the Com
mon Council and shall bo held to a neraunel iice ointn'lllty
ruspecilvely lor the caeaei|Ueuce> resulting Irom mu un
lulliorlied action.
On tna suggestion ol Aldonnan l.owis tbls resolu
tion was referred to the L iw Co rum! Ilea Tbe next
strategic movo camo iroin Alderman Sbotls, who
olTereda resolution permitting sar.iti Walsh to orect a
stand under the stairs ot tbe Oilbnrt Klovaiod lUd
roud elation, on tbe cornor of Blxth avenuo and
Fourteenth atreot.
Alderman Morrla spoke in opposition to this resold
lion, stallug that the point proposed to be used lor a
Maud was directly opposite tUo? tabilslimonl of Mecy
At Co. t he tiriu bud objected to the placing el tbls
aland and bad informed tno Mayor that tliny paid the
Hilary ol it pollccinau to keep tbe eidowelka lu iruol
Ol llicir promises Irec ol all IRWRlirauraa
I lie resolution was referred lor consideration to the
ComniUteoou Public Work*.
Aiderinuu Bauer next proseoied a proposition to
penult the erection ol two columns In trout of No. 4ud
.Sixth uriiuMo. Next lu order camo lour vetoes irom
Mayor Kly against rvaolunona permitting various per
sous to erect posla on tlio aiduwalks. Those papers
woro laid over under tbo rulo.
riXOO TIIK LOUAsfUX OP STItKdT OBITRt'OTIOBS.
The vttoes were lolloweil by a report Irmu Alder
mau iteiily, obalrmau ol the Hireet Committee, roc
ommondliig tltu puksnge ol a resolution Introduced at
a lermer meeting calling upon tbo Commissioner ol
Publio Woraa to report as to tho location ol all stoops,
ureas, courtyards, stands, bay windows auti otner on*
croiichiiionts upon tho streets ami sidewalks in tho
city. The resolution also asks tbs Commissioner to
cominonce With Broadway, Fifth and I'urk avenues,
In older that the oucumbra&css may Aral bo removed
from those localities.
Au amendment was offered by Aldtrman Morris
providing that the Commissioner Include In his re
port only each encumbrances as have been ersoted
since tbo pnss.tgu ol the charter of 1873.
Alderman i'luckncy followed by reudlng an extract
from au odilorial in u dnliy newspaper, in wbleti allu
sion was made to alleged rumors its to improper in
fluences being used nmong iho Aldermen to secure
tho passngu ol resolutions with relercnco to street
stands and ether encumbrances. Mr. I'lneknoy
questioned the voracity of these charges.
Ho waa awaro, however, that gontiemcn out
aid* of the Aluertuon baa tried to iu
liueuce their Irleuda in tlio Hoard to grant
such privilege*. He (Mr. 1'iockneyj uuderalood that
monoy waa obtained by several property owners lor
privileges awarded lo the placing ul stands id front ol
their premises. He considered that tbla practice was
wrong, as the sidewalks and streets belonged to the
people. lbo gentleman concluded by moving to
strike out that part of the resolution asaiug tor Infor
mation as to Broadway and the two avenues.
Alderman Kellly objected iu an excited manner to
tho reading by Mr. fincknoy of the editorial reboot
ing on tho Aldermen. *'ll I bad road it," the speuker
remarked, "1 would bavo immediately called tor a
committee of investigation."
Ttie amendmeut was lost and the resolution passed
by a voto ol 12 to 9.
COM ML'NIC ATI VROM COMM1SSIONKK CAMPM1X.
The Mayor sent in a communication from Commis
sioner Campbell, lu which thu subject of street en
cumbrances is Hguin alluded to In tho concluding para
graph as iollows:?
While there can be no doubt tbat the apoeariiuoo of tbc
city would be improved if nothing were permitted to be
placed bey cud the stoop Hue lu the way ol slgua and sign
posts and awnings and awning posts, vet there It " clause
ut tho charter ol 1U73 (sub division U. soctlou 17) which
Confers up hi tbo Common Council power of "regulation"
in such matter*, and tiioy have, tborclore. not been con
sidered as encumbrances or obstructions absolutely pro
hibited by article 4 of seotlou 17 ol lbe charier to which
your attention has heretofore been called.
It will be seen that ibis parsgrapb only doals with
thu subjeal of oucuuibruuccs in connection with
"slgus und sigu posts anduwnings and uwniug posts."
Tho Commissioner does not chuuge his position us to
ins nuisances cruatcd by stands and other obstruc
tions ou the siroois and sidewalks.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIANS.
VIOLATION OF THE SABBATH DENOUNCED BY
THE GENERAL SYNOD? MB. CLAllEt'b SUSPEN
SION FOB IMUOItAL CONDUCT.
Tho half Hour of religious exorcises preceding the
opening of tbo morning's at-isiou ot tbo Cenorul
tyuou ol Reformed Presbyterians was dovotoil to a
discussion of ibe suhjeet of "Domestic Missions and
Cburch Extension." Tbo Coinuiittoo on Presbyterial
Reports reported that tbo condition ol the various
proxbytencs is, on tbo wbolo, encouraging. A resolu
tion was also adopted that tbo interest on tho sustcn
tatlon fund bo uppronrlatod this year to tbo use of
the Board ot Domestic Missions. Tbo treasurer ot
tbo educational tund reported a bulance ol $241 50.
Tho Board ot Ftnnnco reportod that tho travolllng ex
penses of delegates to tho Synod wore $305 In excess
ot the amount set apart for that purpose.
UKSKCIIATINO TUB SAIIIIATIt.
Upon resuming business in tho afternoon the fol
lowing resolution, which had boon presented by the
Rev. N. Woodsldo on Monduy and made tho apodal
order ot tbo day lor yesterday alternoon, was read
uud adoplod:?
Whereas Sabbath desecration Is rapidly increasing In the
great ceutr'.'S ot'oiir population and throughout the laii't in
the following forme?uaiuely. Sabbath excursions by land
and by sea-running of iroigbt and passenger trains; the
eiuploymeut of railroad bauds In workshops: entertaining
friends at dinner parlius; driving to our parks lor ruuiua
tioii- attending to secular business in counting rootus uud
thuroughlarus; reading secular papers and works "Miction,
thereby depriving domestics and others of ilia privilege of
attending the house of liod. and thus doing dishoiiorlo God
and lilt holy law; therefore
Resolved, That this Synod condemns all such forms of
Sabbath desecration and all other forms, whether springing
up in our uwn land or imported lroiu foreign countries;
""ite'solved, That foreigners must bo taught that this na
tion Is a Salibslb keeping nution, and that we will uot bar
ter our Sabbath birthright tor the profane practises on lual
auy to prevalent In Continental Europe.
8USPKNUKU VOIt IMMORALITY.
Tbo Committee on Discipline presumed a roport
sustaining the action ol tbo Northern Presbytery in
suspending tbo Kev. W. J. Oiarko, of Lisbon, 3L
Lawrsuco county, N. Y., lor immoral conduct. Early
in Murcb lust, It scorns, Mr. Oiarko was tried at the
Spring Term ot tho Canton (St. Lawrence county)
Court, of assault und battery on tho daugbior ot an
old gontlemHn living in tbo town ol Llsoou. Upon his
own coulosslou bo was couvlulud and OnoU $150.
H was believed that tbo uttnok had been inado with
immoral Intent, und on that churge the minister was
tried by tbo Northern Presbytery o! tbo Reformed
Prcsbyiertua Cborcb, In Fluokville, N. Y. All tbo
members ol tbo Prosbytery were uot present, und It
wus Unatly decided utter a session ol several days, In
which a great deal ol tesilroouy had bceu taken ou
both sides, to suspend Mr. Clarke until a full mooting
of the Presbytery could bo bold in this city. Such
a meeting was held on Tuesday and Wednesday ol last
week, and tho result was tUut tho minutes ol tho
Flackvlllo meeting wore so ulierod as to extend Mr.
Clarke's suspension tor ono your.
Tho charge referred to ubove was not the onty ono
against tho minister, quite a number ot others having
been prelorred and supported by ono or inoro wit
nesses. But Mr. Clurku objeetod to the action
of the Prosbytery on tocnnicai grouuds,
preferring a complaint to tlie Synod tbat
tbo action ot bis Judges was uoprcsbyterlul
uud oppressive. Tbo Committee on Discipline ex
amined nls oomplainl und supportod the decision or
tho Presbytery, recommending "Brotuor Clurke to
submit to tuis ouusiisomout which, lor tbo present,
may uot sooui Joyous but grievous, yet by diviuo
blessing may work out for Ills spiritual good. " Tiiero
was a long discussion as to whether Mr. Clarko
should be allowed to spouk again in bis own Ucleuco.
Mr. Woodside ttiougbl that bis tnoutb should not bo
slopped. Mr. Thomson sold bo would blutscll be un
willing that bis inoutb should bo stopped it open
ins U would do his case any good; but mo ouly result
would be to bring a mass ol illlbv matter
boloro thoSyuod, wbicu be thought should boavolded.
Mr. Woodside made a speech in which be contended
that Mr. Clarke bud uot been proved guilty ot ttio
more serious crime with which be was charged and
that tbc Synod should, tbsrelore, show mercy In bis
case. "Ho l?,"said Mr. Woodaide, ?'? son ol prayer
uud a man ol greut mental power uud euporior educa
tion, buviug been taught Greek iroui Ills lulaucy uud
liuviog Doon able to lisp iho Lord's Prayer in Greek
whon a mere child. II wo stop biin froiu preach
ing the evoriasilng gospel he may sink
down and never rlso again." Mr. Wood
side also referred to Mr. Cltrke's venerable
lather's aflToctiou lor nis son, and the many prayers
which bad been oflercd up lor bun both lu public and
private. Mr. Thomson protested against sucb a line
or argument aa spcotai pleading and said lliut Mr.
Cltrke's own brother bad told hliu be should uevur
have beeu a candidate for the ministry.
ARRAIGNING TIIK fKKMHVTKItY.
Mr ClarSo Was (luully ulluwud to speak, and ad
Crossed me Syuod twice, the first tune nayiog bo
would ouly ropout bis complaint age;nil tho decision
ot tto Prosbytery. Alterward, wUen another oppor
tunity was allorilod to deleud liluiseit, be said that be
was coulldent the Prosbytery bad doternnuod tocrflsn
and ruin lilm, having decided lilt case to accordance
with tbeir prejudices rather than ou ibe strength or ovi
donee. "A deep plot," bo said, "bad boou g .1 up ill
the town ol Canton to ruin me. I was tempted by
hirelings into a piaco where 1 should not have gone,
and when I lound where I was I made my escape and
did not return. But lor tho ollorts ol ono Iriend
their hellish machinations would have succeeded,
and Instead ol boiug suspended I would
have heou excommunicated.'' Mr. Thomson
said he had been ouo ol Mr. Curko'e most
eurnost defenders, till by bis own confession he
iiiul loarnoii that no bad boon deceived in him. Alter
a very protracted discussion I tic Synod accepted tho
report ol tho Committee on Disetpliue, sustaining tho
action of mo Presbytery lu auspuudlng Mr, Clarke lor
oueyear.
Alter Intoning to un address (rora Rev. B.C.
I.lppliicoll, corresponding delegate Iron] the Reformed
(Dutch) Churcb, tho Syuod adjourned until ton
o'clock Una morning. In tun evening uu entertain
ment was given lo Hie delegate* uud their Iriends by
the ladies of the congregation lu the church and leu
turn loom. To-day tho siyuod will conclude Its
labors.
PRESliY 1 EUIAN8.
MKETINOH OK THE TWO OKNKHAL ASH I'M UL1F.8.
| PlTTsiiluu, Co., May 21, IM8.
In the morning session the General Assembly
| (North) considered an overture I ruin the Pbiladulphu
Presbytery on Sund iy school touching and heard tho
I report of tbo Homo Mixtion Board. Alter the recess
Dr. Kendall spoke ou hoins mission work. Hul>
soi|iiontly Rev. Mr. Rogers, representing the
Iteinrniud Dutch Precbytorian Church, and ltev.
l.eouard llaooit Irom tho National Councils ol Congre
gational Churches lie tug introduced, mado Iraiernal
undresses, which were replied lo very liupplly hy Dr.
paitun. me presiding olllcer ol tho Assembly.
Dr. Poor, Iroin n special committee, reported on
German books and papers, to bu rocommauuod lor
publication by tho General Assembly. The waning
w*s davoiod to a popular meeting in boball of homo
missions.
????
I THE SOUTHERN OKNK1UL ARSKliBLY.
Knosvillk, Ky., May 21, 1878.
Dr. E. T. Balrd's appeal against tho Hynod of
Virginia was called, bat, as tho nppoilant did not ap
pear on account of lilno?s, Ilia matter was postponed.
Reciprocal salutations were addre-aed lolhu Mclhcdisl
General Coulereliec at Atlaniu and Iho Proahylurian
Assembly at Pittsburg. Tho Assembly entered a
strong protest aguliist "lay ovaugolixaHon." hovoral
re|>orts ot ouinmiHoos were read aud adoplod.
THE CUMBERLAND OENKRAL AHHEMBLY.
Nasiiviu.1, Tenn., May 21, 187E
The General Assembly ol the Cumberland l'reaby
ter.an Church at Lebanon to day dlsousaod Hie leports
ol the ConiinUteea ou Mieaions and slato of religion
ol the Church. The Assembly will probably bo in
aosaion for Ute rust ol tbo wcok.
l'UO 1 Ear A NT EPISCOPALIAN 8.
Tbo delegates to tbe annual Convantlon of tha Prot
estant Episcopal Church, of Long Inland, met yester
day morulng in tbo Church ol tbc Holy Trinity, Moo.
tuguo street. Brooklyn. Alter silent prayer, K?v. Mr.
Barrow, of Huntington, opened the servlocn oy read
Ing Irom the Scriptures. Bishop Llttlejohn tben de
livered the triennial ohsrue lo tbo clergy on tbo sub
Joel, "Theology and Practical Religion as affected by
I tbe Humanitarian Tendances ol tho Day."
Tbe Convonllon met again at two P. M., Ulehop 1.11
l tiejuhn presiding Tbo following standing committees
' lor iho diocese ol Long Island wer? appointed:-Uu
the Incorporation and Admission or Churches?Rev. C.
K. Baker, 1>. D.; Mr. Rrudfuru L. 1'rinre uud Mr. EJ
ward Hewitt. on tlioa-sau Fund?Rev. henry U.
Wslbrldge, U. 1). ; he v. Henry B. Cornwall, Mr. Churles
H, Marv.u, Mr. Jotin Y. Walker and Alexander V.
Blake. Ou 1 reiiBurer'e Report?l'eler C. Cornell un-1
Frederick Washburn. Clo tbo Ucuerul Theological
?Seunuarv?Rev r. Browne, Rev. A. H. Futridge, Mr.
lteury K. Fierreponi. Mr. Iboipus Messenger and
Mr. llccry VI. Ouderdouk. On Canons?ltev. J. Will
lum-ou smith, Mr. A M. Masters, Mr. U W Hnuierand
Mr II. A. Moore, ou Church Chanty Fdundaiiou und
other lienuvuleut lusiilut.ous?RiiV. ti- Hunt bchenck,
H.l) ; .Mr. Edwin W. Boers, Mr. K. 11. Frocmau. The
Episcopal Fund Commute- reported the receipts lor
tnu year to Uuvo been $4,000 74 ; payuieuts. #4,174 J
present uuiuunt ol tho luud, $64,'Jo7. tin motion ot
Mr. 1'ierrupout, IIr. i'riuco was appointed u mouther
ol the Board ot Trustees, to till the vacancy caused by
tbo death ol the latu Judge Murray llolTinni. Tho
Chairman ol the Committuo ou Home Missions read
im eluhorate report upou the condition ot the work
In Brooklyn.
The evening session was dovoted to the continuance
ol the Bisnop's trieuniul charge. 1 ho Couvuntlou will
convcuu this morutug at nine o'clock.
IIOCKBF. OF NOltTHJCltN MEW JEBSI.Y.
In Grace Church, Oruugo, yesterday, the lourtb
utiuu.il convention ol tho diocese ol Northern Now
Jersey opened its sessions, Bishop Odonhoimcr pre
siding. No busmoss o! liuportsnco was transacted.
METHODIST CONFLUENCE.
Atlanta, Oa., May 21, 1S7M.
Tbe General Conlcrouco to-day considered tho re
port ou tho publishing house at Nashville; the matter
is still pending. The houso will ho continued both as
u uiauuiucturing una publishing house, hut under low
restrictions.
At noon Rev. Gcorgo Douglass, LL. D., fraternal
messenger irom the Gouerul Coulcronco oi tho Cunu
dlun Methodists, was received. Bishop Kuvunuugh
responded. To-morrow the Irateruul delegates Irom
ibu African Multiodtsi Cuurch will ho received.
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK.
ANNUAL MLSTINO OF TUB AMERICAN SUNDAY i
SCHOOL UNION.
ITulaokli'IIIa, l'a., May 21, 1S78.
Tho Americau Sunday School Union celebrated its
Rlly-lourih anniversary at iho Academy of M usic, in
this city, this evcuing. Tho audience crowded iho
immense building. Addresses wero uiude by tho Rev.
William M. Taylor, D. I)., ol New York; Rev. Arthur
Mitchell, D. D., ol (he l'rusbyluriuu Church, Chicago,
una the Rev. W. Neiisou MeVickar, D. D., of tho
Holy l'rinily Church, Philadelphia. Tho old Moody
andSuukey choir, under tho leadership ot l'rolossor
W. G. Fisher, furnished tho music. Tho society has
bocu generously sustalued hi Us work during tho past
jotr, noiwilhslandiiig the great linunciul depression.
A special acknowledgment was made ul the muiiillcoiit
gut of $100,000 troiu thu estate ol Iho lute Julm C.
Green, ol New York, the annuity of which is to
ho applied lor i lie employ men t ol missiona
ries, uud lor sccuriog a higher order ol Suu
d.iy school literature. Fourteen now bonks have
bcuu uddded to Iho ciilulugue ol publications.
Thu l=suo ot a new monthly paper, Tin Scholar's
Companion, containing answers lor tho older eclidlnr.-*,
began Willi January 1. 1078. Tho othor periodicals
are the Sunday School World, the Chilli's World, three
grades ot lessou papers published monthly und tureo
of review papers published quarterly.
Tho Rev. Kdwiu W. Rico has been appointed
editor ol tho society's periodicals in pluoe
ol the- Rov. Richard Newiou, D. D., re
signed. the missionary work of tbo union
bus boon more tliuu usually prosperous; 1,147
uuw schools nave been established ua-1 il.Odo other
schools visitud uud aided, having lb nil 22,0*10 teachers
und upward ul 201,000 scholars; 10,202 Bibles uud
Testaments have Oeuu distributed ; 2.820,102 scholar*
huvo been piucod uudor Biole instrucliuu by this
society during the tlliy-iour years of its service uud
the past year bus been one ot the most hopclul uud
bUCGCBsldl Ol IIS eklhtonco.
THE CALiDINAL AT HOME.
Cardinal McCloskey returned to his cbargo ycuter
day, lrotu France, ou ttie Poretre, restored In hculm
and light in spirits. For long ulter his named de
parture It was (eared that a transatlantic voyago In
midwinter would mllltstu ugalnst his htultn, at that
time very delicate. 'Ibo result bus proved the Idle
ness ol these (cars, lor Ills Emmonco Is here again,
stronger than when ho lelt. ills geutul secre
tary. Futhor Farley, mentioned that the Car
dinal enjoyed the trip hotuewurd luunensoly, and
leels that it bus given him vast protii, as lar as
his health Is concerned. The trip ol the Poriere, was
Shortor, by twenty.lour hours, thuu was expected, no
that when the urcblepHcopul party sot loot ou iho
dock, at leu o'clock yontordsy morning, tlio debarka
tion was dotoid ol sll Uotuou-tlnillnu, much to tbe
salisluclion ol His Kmlnouce, who dreads show of uny
kind. Wheu Iho sleamur was sighted oil' the liign
lauds a telegram wus sent to Iho Very Kev. Vicar
tienerai Qutim, who in company with the Hunt Itov.
Bishop l.yuch, ol Caarloslou; Jtcv. John F. Kearney,
Kev. John J. Kane, Itev. William ilognn, Her.
Henry McDowell, Itov. Josopn Kcrslcr, aud
ltev. G. Lewis, went to lUc pior to uiei t una
welcome tbe Cardinal. Shortly ufior ten o'clock tlio
good suip wus moorod to ibo dock, and the gangway
being lot down, ills Kiulncnco, drossed in a plain
blank broadcloili suit, stepped lightly on tbe pur
where iho revereud guullein. n uuinod tenuorud their
wolcomes and congratulations. This lulorm <1 cere
mony occupied-out a lew momeuls, and tile Cardinal
was usuored to a seat lu tbe Vicar General's couch
and driven to tils noma ou Msuisou avenoa.
W ishing to duler to iho couveulenca ol Ills Emi
nence the clorgy have not yet concluded any arrange
uieuts lor bis loriual reception. 1 he best advice on
the ?u'joct, at present writing, fixes iho duto at May
2s and the place Si. Patrick's Cathedral. The ilmo is
subject to conditions, but the place U definitely hxed.
A grand pontifical high mass will be sung and Ibo
Cardtual will uddresa the puople.
ABT1LLEKY FIELD DAY.
BATTEHY BS MAltCII IN THE MUD AND EN
CAMPMENT ON LONG ISLAND?FILING PltAC
TICE AND THE SCOltEH.
The season nf artillery hold practice was inaugurated
yesterday on Lung Island by Buttery U, First division,
National Guard. From the condition ol the aooio
given below It will bo soon that the sc.unco of pro
jectiles has not been as complttoly rn istercd by the
urtlllorymen ol iho Natiouul Guard as it might be,
although the shooting yesterday was douo under ex
ceedingly unlavorabio circumstances. Tbe advance
suction ol the battery, as stated lu ttis Hkkai.o u( yes
terdav, lelt their armory lu Kim street on Monday
afternoon, and in adreuaiilng rain crossed iho Houston
streot lerry.
A Jll.611AUlil.kll CAW
"(Joztuo's Farm," whore the battery was to
camp lor tlio uigbt, Is seme little distance Irom Kust
New York, but au hour's pled aud splash through the
rulu, mist and mud brought the soldiers lu the spot.
Lieutenant Foeiler. commanding the section, ordered
the gun.' In position, the burses slablud aud lad uud
the guard mounted, and then turned his intent on to
preparing u supper lor the men, whose lung and disa
greeable ride had whetted their ap|>?tiios.
AX UXPHOMIHIAU PAWS.
Ail night the rain do-crnded iu torrents, aud St the
breaking el yesterday's <ia?u thereuppeurod no prom- ]
las ol a COS Sal toe. At hull-past lour o'clocs Ihu i
bugles soumicd lue r vellie, aud hall nu bour lali r
Ilia morning guu bo >nn d across the meadows. I Lu |
log was still deusv, but the runr uud silled down to a i
mist, and as the l.o irs wore ou a light streak in tbo !
Weal give nopo ol a clearing Urcakla*! '
?i< served til Isiill-i>'i?t s x o'clock and 1
eonsisleu ul i.lack u line (sugar, no liilik), j
boiled egg" ?ud bread. Allui Iho itiurulng meal tlio .
inoii aet iboui preparing the laigel lor llist day's I
uriug. and ns tlio work progressed the wi ether llgin- !
enoo up greatly. At nine o'clock Major Kenu. cmn- |
I , Hiding ihu battery, arrived with tbo rust ol iho m-n ,
sod was received Willi a aaluie ol aevoh guns The {
old guard was lakon in and a new one uiouuiod, and
alter soma necessary preparations tue pieSea were
placed in battery aud tlio prsetieu tiring cuuiuienced,
TSHI.Hr IHaCTKS.
The target, winch was twelve foot by twolvo feet In
sise, was distant 1,600 yards Ironi tbo firing point, and
at the c> iiiiiienceinsul ul tbe practice eoulo hardly bo
seen lor the lug which, though lilting rapidly, was
>till ol sulUcleut dsnsity to seriously inierlSTe Willi
the first hour or two ul Uring. About noon, however,
tbo >uu catue out brightly. K.tcu man in lue battery,
which lumbered about one btllldroU, received two
sbois, sighting tue piece himself and regulating bis
own wind gmi*o and eiuvstion. Tne pieces worn
placed on the ground, and alter tlio roood were,
ol course, replaced in position lor tbu next sbol.
Tbo am in million was fixed, aud each cartridge con
talued shorn one and throi -quarter pounds ol puwder.
The guns were iWulve-pound Napn.uons, and yester
day was llm first dag's handling they hud rciuived
Iruui tfio battery. Tlie wind, with It w as exceedingly
fitlul, blew strongly from ilu- southwest and wist,
and It seemed almost imjiossihie to get the correct
wind allowance, although tue uiauy spluudld Iimi-shots
made seamed to slgniljr, on tue uthur hand, that loo
elevations wore at lniies incorrect. Tito target was
only lnl a lew tunes during all ihu shooting, tint tlio
great majority ol the shots were oitlior very line liners
or to windward ol the target. Under lbs cirauiustuooca
It is lair to beileve llml lied a soeond round of two
shots per man been allowed tbo target would bsvo
been torn to pieces long beioro the con pietiou of tne
rosier. The following are the names ol ths members
of the battery who struok ths target aud the position
ol their shorn:?
Gunner Koine Heone, first ring, upper edge; Cor
poral Jehu ttSSt*, lllih ring, icll upper; K. Srillsg,
second riug, low centre; F. LuVi.ier, lourib ring,
luuor; Ad..iu Hooohnr. filth ring, ?pper right; cor
gesut Null, first ring, led up pur, ,
rn* Msscit nous.
About five o'clock, the shouting being done, tbo
men wore nulh cted and started lor Uuine, some by
wagons and tbo eamplng seouen as I bey lied so we,
with the pieces, I In- inarch boino Wus a pluassnt one
uil the command was applauded by the residents of
New Lots, Kast Now York sbd Brooklyn, through
which it passed. The armory was rsscnsd abuut
sight o'clock last evening.
WORKMEN CRUSHED.
rova mem b: meats a falling gibdeb of
THE ELEVATED BAILf.OAD -- ONE OF TUEM
DEAD AMD TWO FATALLY INJUUED.
Four men were crushed yesterday beueutb a girner
Of the Elevated Railroad which is being constructed
in tbe Bowery. One of tbem, Edward McCsuan, agv?l
thlriy-Uvo, ol Na 146 Ail nua street, Brooklyn,
died last evening in tbe Cliambera Streot
Hospital, and two others, Bernard Berryman
and Joba Itobiusoii, are believed to
bo fatally injured. Lato last nigut Herryuiau bad
bis lull leg amputated. Tbe ucctdcut Irutu wbicb
their Injuries rusultud occurred while iItoy wore
hoisting u girder, and the question Is still open aj to
whether tbe accideut was uuuvuidable or wlieiber it
is to bo attributed to criminal ucgligcuco on tbe part
ol tbo contractors.
T1IK ACCIDENT.
It appears that contractors Kellogg and Muurlco
bud eight men employe! In the laying ol tbe girdera
on the upright posts on the east sidu ol the lower part
ol tlio Bowery. Three of the lunula were eogngod In
couucctlou with the hoisting steam derrick, which
was placed on tbo completed portion ol the truck,
wbllo the live reinuiuing men were situated on tbe
sidewalk uud bad charge ol the guy ropes which cou
trollod the move incuts of the suspended girder pre
paratory to pluciug it In its proper posniou. Iho
girder is about three tons weight and requires earc
and dexterous management to place It ou tbo bud
surlaco ol tbo upright posts. Attached to the
hoisting derrick Is an arm which extends about mid
wuy between tbe pillars. To this arm is connected u
hook through which is suspended a hall Inch chain
that swings the girders into a horizontal position.
Yesterday about noon tlvu men woio engaged at ibis
occupation between No*. 21 and IKJ Bowery, and had
hulsted iho girder to its lull height wheu tlio chalu
snapped and too heavy girder lull, striking four ol
iho men in us descent, injuring, it is supposed, two
ol them lutully und inllicin.g paiulul aud severo
wounds on the outer two. At the timo ol the dis
aster the girder wau hall swuug around whilo
the ends were being got iu their proper position, and
u wus placed at right angles with the sidewalk.
About two hundred spectators were ranged around
wutchiug the movements ol iho workiiigmon, uud
they crowded the siduwulk in tno vicinity, mentiwbilu
numerous pedestrians kept passing beucuih the
swinging girder.
TilK FATAL CHA8IL
Suddonly tbo crash came and the girder loll trans
versely, one end in tbe uirectiou el Uiu r ilroad Hack
and the other directly in front of Sebroeder's Hotel.
At the latter place throe meu were lugging
at a guy rope, aud two of them were
struck by tbe heavy beam and dangerously
lujurcd. Their names aro Bernard Berry man, lorly
six years ol age, rosnting at No. 8S East l'lnrd street,
uud Juiiii 1...unison, IBty yours of ago, ol No. Mil
East Tbirty-sixih street. Tlio lormcr was caught |
under tlio girder and received faiul nuernal injuriio
while the latter received a scalp wound and had his
thigh broken. Cornelius Sweeny, ol No. 46 New
Bowery, who (ecupod with usligpi wound on the heel,
had his shoo torn irom his loot, ino wounded incu
were conveyed to Chambers Street Hospital lor surgl
cal trealmcnC the lirsl two ure murried men and
have families. Berry man is au ex-poliueiuan ol this
city and arrived Irom St. Louis a mouth ugo. He look
lodgings at No. 88 Third street Willi hisw ueuud three
little children, and shortly alter procured employ
ment us u workman ou tne Elevuted Railroad.
Tuo neighbors who reside iu tbe sumo houso with
tbe Berry mans, wueu they uourdol tbe disaster, con
gregated togetner to sou which ol them wouldcouscul
to apprise poor Mrs. Berryman Of iliu luial accident
wuicn had belullun her busbund, but none of tbo
women could summon sultlcieul courage to be tbo
beurrr ol suon sorrowlul tidings.
Wlule the kindly beurteu women wore besitatlng as
to wbich would go ou tills distressing mission a man
with u llory lace uud red board rudely brusued past,
ascended tno stairs and loudly knocked ou the door.
Receiving no answer bo used lus boot, sliukiug mo
door uluiusl oil tbe biuge-, but received no response
irutn witbin. He bud to leave without being ad
mitted. It turned out tltul he wus u neighboring un
dertaker, who had hoard ol the disaster, and wno al
lowed no sympathetic loellng to stand between him
uud a business opportunity. Wheu, subsequently,
the women were apprised ot the Identity ol the un
known visitor tncy were emphatic in their expressions
ol indignation.
STATEMENTS OF WOKKMKX.
James Wllliuuis, ol N'u. IHO East Eighteenth street,
wus ono of the workmen w no wus pulliug at tbe guy
rope w hen tbe acctnoiit occurred, lie gave tbo follow -
lug vuislon of Hie case:?"1 uud Berryman uud Robin
son bad bold ot the uptown cud ol tbe lope, which
coutruiled the uiovoments ol iho swinging girder. It
wus twisted round the wrong way. We wanted to
reverse iho ends, und hud managed to bring tt
around half way, with ono end over tbo sidewalk
and the other stretching toward tbo railroad track,
wuou oue of the links ol tbe chain snapped,
and down caiuo tlio three tou weight of
girder. 1 was on the further cud of tlio rope und I
bouudad back. In doing so 1 struck u woman who
wus putsing. Blie held a child by the baud. In sir ic
ing them 1 throw them u distance out <>l harm's way,
othcrwiso they certu.nly would have been killed
A this point an uttacho of the tine cuuic along and
porumpiorily lorbado the men saying uuyihing to re
porter, saying, "11 you give Ibum any lulormatiou
ul all they will ho sura to make a sensation out ol it. "
Turning to the reporter, tic said, "I Unvo Jus. <oiuo
from tha offlee and 1 would advise you to say nothing
about tula uifair; it is ouly an accident and nobody is
to blame."
LAST RIVER BHiDGE.
KAI Ii> TBANBIT COAlMltShlU.NEllB CONFBUK1MO
WITil 118 TitUH t b La?mnCCbSIUN IN UKUAllD
lO THK CAIIUXINO FUWKlt OF Tlib IlIUIMlE.
A uioctiug of tho Cotnmltloo on Kspid Trausli, ap
pointed by the Board ol Irua.uj* ot the Kust lliver
Bridge, wuh hold yesterday uttcriioon ul the rooms of
the Bridge Company on Water street, Brooklyn,
Mr, Thoiuaa Kiusellu In ibo chair. Tlio Brooklyn
Kupld Transit Commissioners were prcssut
us well as Uancral John Xowtou, Aaaistaul Kngiuvcr
Payne, Mr. snow, ol the Brooklyn Steam transit
Company ; Mr. Emory, who Intends to present plana
ot an oluvalud road boloro tho committee, and Mr.
Stone, ol the Safety Kiovutcd ltai.ro,id Coinnany. Af
ter the uieotu g bad boon called to order Mr. O. P.
Quioturd, secretary of tho Bridge Trustee*, read
the resolution passed by tbo Board In ref
erence to tho appointment of the UupiJ
Transit Cominlltco to confer with other
bodiee or corporations In rotation to the subject. Mr]
Kiusella eased II there was any uno present woo Had
auy suggestions!* to oiler, wiiun Mr. Felix Campbell,
cUairinau ol llio Kupld Trausli tJotuiulasiun, arose and
i aid mat tlio commission appeared beloro the com
roiitcu by an invitation and uot lor the purpose of
discuss! ii g the merits ol r-pld transit; that
the) desired to know what the committee |imwiMl to
on in ri latton to llio teriulliua ol ttiu bridge, so as to
urrauge their routes in < ross the bridge. Mr. Btrauu
bun ruld that the bridge was l elne constructed so
that, when completed, it would meot rapid transit
roads At either end, at grade or elevated. It was bis
opinion ttiero was iinilnug lu the cunatruciiou of the
bridge 10 prevtul the ordinary steam curs from cross*
lag it; but so lur us locomotives were con
cerned, In; would not like to giso any
opinion. Mr. Cample II thought that If the commission
wore furnished witn a pi in ol the llroo .lyn terminus
of the bridge It Would assist them a great dial lu cou
neutieg their elevated roads. Mr. Hit inabae Stated
ttsat tli si could bo Obtained without difficulty. Mr.
Kluselln said thai tho committee must iccommodato
thcm>eives to the one aubemo of ruplJ transit, as
lliey coul i not pruvlua for every one in New Turk
ami Brooklyn. Mr. tttranabaa said that net Only curs
ol llio rupid tiuiint roans, hut also me noav.er ooe*
ol the country railroad, could be taken ucio.sb) tno
circulating system.
MSCk'ISSIXU Till. CAHKYIMU row BK or Tils IIHIHUM.
A model ol the gaiety Kievat< U Koad stood st ouo
side o| tnu room, alia Mr. kiusills, oalliog Mr. StreBS
l.au'n attention to it, 'uni, ".-suppose the comiullteu
should adopt thai*" Mr. .Btfuiiuhan remarked mat
there were no | iovisious lor mat. lie iticaul car*
running on a gaugo ol 1 icel tuches. Mi. Rtaory
sai I it Usd beo.i stated I ha l cars uf any weight Could
cioas tlie brmgu, while no understood ibst fight
weight oars were provided lor in the pisos of tnu
engineer. Mo wished in know what load per
ruuhiiig loot tho bridge would carry on a gso.u
ol 4 fuel Sinches, kuglneur Payne said It was cal
culated that each Hour beam lu width ol track would
suslaiu a loud ol 6 tons, tlio beiins l?eilig 7', icel
apart. Hliould the weight ou a single Hour beam ex
ceed & Ions llieu the truss would earry tho load.
This wuuld enable the our) lag ul largi r concentrated
loads. Mr. Binary suited llial would lie aoout 1,4111
pouuds per lool. The rapid transit roads t n
tills city woulJ stand e sir.on of 1,IM pounds per
foot, and insxe provisiotis for a concentrated lea J ot
elevcu tons on s.jt loet spaces. The rapid transit lo
comotives could cross ibo bridge witu no trouble
whatever, but the ordinary locomotives could But, as
It was out ol the qusstion to think ol running thein
on a grudo ol 17b leek Mr. Murpuy, president ot ibo
Board of Bruise I'rustees, stated that when tho
bridge wsa completed it would Ou found capable of
earning any kind of road wlneb would ill
thai tinio be thouglit best lor tno public. Mr. Mono,
ol llio 8afely kluVuted ltailro.nl, said that with the
road ho represented itioro would bs no praeiicai difll
culty In crossing the bridge, as it could lie
carried on top ol the trusses. Sugluoor itoebling bad
said that a car crossing the bridgo must be capsule of
withstanding a wind pressure ol ill pounds to
the square look Hie oars ol the Bilely Klevaled
Bull road, Mr. Btone said, wonld withstand a pressure
ul 6u pouudc to the squ.rn loot in tho streot.
The cars ul th? Elevated llallroid of New York
would withstand a proasure ol 10 pouuds, whne
thosi; ol the Bllbort road would withstand PI 7*10
pounds. Bo far as the truss ol the Baletv Klev?t< d
Ksiiroud was concarnod It was no heavier than tho
weights ol tlio necessary tracks lor oiher roads. To
a question ol M.*. Campbell, as to whether a road
which extended down Fulton street < ouid be met at
the terminus, Mr. Btranabaa replied that no dilllculiy
would be experienced in meoting roads Irotn any
direction. Ibo Kupld Transit Committee then f> ?
solved to go Into executive session lor the purpose of
discussing other matters in connection with rapid
trsnsit oa the bridge.
THE IDIOT ASYLUM.
Verification of the Revelations Made
Through Anne Daly.
CULPABLE IRRESPONSIBILITY
A Wasting Disease and "Food Not Fit
to G ve Dogs."
Kurltior inquiries Id rotation to tho trcatmont of lbs
inmates ol too Uioi Asylum on Randall's Uland
proves mat me couJltlon ol tbe children, a* published
iu yesterday's lliiKiU), win known lor sometime to
tno Sla'.o Aid Society and tbo visitor# of ollior official
bodies. Tbo officials of tbo ubovo mentioned society
wore toon lu rclorcnce to tbo matter anil they stale
that tho prcseuco of scurvy at the Idiot
Asylum on tho island was brought to tliolr notice by
Mr. U.ikor, a gentleman of this city, who visits the
Institutions regularly ovory Sunday. Immediately on
receipt of tbo intoiligeuco several of tho visttore wore
sent to investigate tho cusc. A medical gentlemen of
this city examined tbe Idiots at their request end re
ported tho lacls to tho society. Tho State Aid officials
immodiatuly coiamuulcatcd with the members ol tbe
State Hoard of Cbarillus,uud :he members ol tins Hoard
proceeded to tbe Island and examined tbo doctors,
nurse, and attendants under oitb, wbictt tustttnony ti
now iu the possession of the president ol tbo Sluts
Comiul-isioncrs ot Charities. Cominuslouor K. C.
Donnelly staled to tnu writer thut the results Of the
Investigation and tbe icsllmouy taken could not be
luiuishod lor publication, but that the report fully
supported tbo statement publ'shed In tho Ukualu.
Mr. lion nelly staled, in reply to inquiries, as lol
lops:?
"\Vnull iho lucts came to tho knowledge of tho Stale
Hoard of Charities wo went over to Kendall's Island
uuJ examined all thu officials under oath. Tlie llrat
thing that Htiruclod alieultun was tho luct that luo
dculti ralo at tnu Idiot Asylum for tnu llrst quarter of
this year amounted to tho Urge number of thir
teen, wutlo Hie death rule lor tuo entire of the
your 1?7! was but sixteen. The drat case ol scurvy
occurred as lur Imck us tbe middle of iust summer.
It was during oilUer tlio monin ol Juno or July,
it uppears clear mat no proper precautions were
tukeu nutll the latter part ol March, when tho condi
tion ol tbo children become known to tho Commis
sioners ol Charities and Correction. Orders were
tbon given that fa) pounds of vegetables per
day should be given to tbo Inmates, for up
to ibis lime no vegetable.! were supplied except the
supply put in tno soup. I)r. Richards, one ol tne
assisting physicians, llrst uoltoed tlie disease inJauu
urv, bui up to March tbe supply ol vegetables was nut
Increased, which teemed the most reasonable way of
checkiug the disease. Altogether Iblrioou dualtis toolc
place at '.Uu Idiot Asylum It is but loa.ouablo to sup
pose tuat tneoutnresk ol scurvy was directly duo to the
waul of vegetable lood. It Is clear Ibul there was
culpable nogllgenco on the part ol tho will itals lu uu
llioriiy. Iu response to our inquiries Dr. Howard, lbs
Mouical Suiieriuloudunl ill cnurgo of ull tlio luslitu
Hons on Randall's Island. Hlutcd that one ol ins
causes of the difficulty was that bo bad too inuch is
do aud that bo bud toe lillo sslstancs."
UUU'Ahl.K NkOUUKNCk SOJIKWIIKIt*.
The dtato t . hiirltio* kuiuiulMslouer* have collected
all the testimony lu tho case, and Mr. Donnelly did
not hesitate to slulu that thero was culpable neg
ligence on the part of some one. fic did not wtsn la
express an opiniuu, its tie was not prepared to soy
wno was directly responsible lor tbe outbreak ol
scurvy ntuoug the idiot children. Mrs Lowoll,
also a member ol the rituto CUarity Couimissleu,
also inlormi-d (ho writer that tbo Hoard had made l
tuorougn examination Into thu dualhs from scurvy
at Hie idiot Asylum uud that lu all important particu
lars thu report published lu the Hsiialu was correct.
It was touud difficult to got any decided expression
ol opin.ou Iroin miny goutlemeu more or loss inn
tlmaloiy cunuectsd with Hie department, owing to
fact thai they did not wisn to be drawn Into
conllict with tho Comuiisstouors, but while stating
that It would Uuve been much bettor for tho
Visitors wno had uiudo Hie condition of tlie idiot call
drcn known to the public they did unt deny that tuo
| tacts as published were true In overy reaped, iu one
! ol lUe branch bulldiugs ot the Idiot Asylum no later
llinu w ithin tbe past leu days two dculbs bavo taken
place among the Inmates, aud in neither case were
tno siea children removed to the hospital, but were
left 10 die in a building whore there wore no proper
muuus of treating the sick. One child was subject 10
epileptic couvuUiuu ? and died la l week.
AN OfriCIAh'H TKSTIUONY.
One ot the officials ou tbo Island stated to the
writer Hiul during the mouths ol Jauuury, February
and March the lood was so had that tho chtidran
ottcn crieJ from hunger, mid that It was nurdly
worth while to call luoiu to tbsir meals. '?! spoke
uhout tne matter several times, but could got no
satiMiucliou; the times uru very hard nud
1 nave chlldrnu of my own depending
upon me; only for tins I would leavt
Hie lslauil lo-murruw uud expose tbo cruelty and in
famous practices ol these in aulboriiv here, tor I ..in
sick ol tha pi nee. In the mornings the children got
collee or cocoa, sum as It was, and drj' bread , the
bread was seamy and the collee or cocuu m bad that
ninny ol ibem woulJ not dr.uk it. iuruiuuer no moat,
hut a slop called soup, Willi broad anil uu potatoes;
Hie attendants had to loos ou and say uotlitug, tor
our places depended ou our keepma sheut.
.No action whs taken lopruvuut the spread ol scurvy
between alxjui tbe Ur?l ptrt ol January, when Dr.
Klcnarus slated that be discovered tlio pre-e-nco ol
tno disease, until tho middle of March up lo tlio tuns
I milt tne death rata of the institution became a inaticl
el luvcaiig ilion on tbe part of the State authori
ties. Tbe cxplunatiou ulturud by Hie officials, par
ticularly tlio medical superintendent, is that n?
hut too much lu do and too little asaialanc*
to properly supervise or take care ol tbo Institutions
under hie caro. An uileinpl is being made to try aud
prove Hint the di-euao was of a Very mud character
aud Hint the children died ol diseases ether than
scurvy, aud to provu this the testimony of itireo wait
known iiuysiciaos la i-lferod lo Hie publici hut Hie (act
remains that iu ell tlie deaths symptoms ol scurvy wore
present ol the most positive character, aud that It is
linposalblu lo deny its existence One gunllsniau, a
constant visitor at Randall's Island, staled wuen ques
tioned - u tno subject tuat he et iiinuud noariy all the
Chthlrcu Hutl were ill tbo hospital during tlie
prevalence ol scurvy, and that in ovory case he
found discoloration oi the si.rfaoe, contraction ol the
joints, sore mouth and throat and difficulty ol swal
lowing. Tne lacl was mso i om men tad upon that lor
a Considerable time tno physicians did Dot re cog n /*
Hie presence ol tne disease until cveu after StVural
nurses in the loailtuliou had pronounced the malady
uuder winch the cuilarou lauorud to bo scurvy or
scornulus.
The matron, Mrs. Herbert, who was In charge of
the 1-liot Asylum dur.tiu tne tnuo the disease was
lu progress, has departed lor ports unknowo, bav.
llig tendered her resignstiou lo the Commission
ers' immediately ou linding that Stir so
Aline Daly hud registered the condition
ol a Heir# and (list tho public were likely
lo be put iu full possession oi (he facts. This woman,
according lu all accounts, was lu lull possession ol tbe
roudltluu ol Hie children loug belere uuy one nine id
the lusltiullon ha i any knowledge of the presence of
scurvy, bu. -no positively declined to luterlore in tbe
?uattor and left tbe disease to spread.
h.MtKVkAhkh SVIPkNCK.
While the Mate Commissioner* ol Charities refuse
to mako public His testimony taken by them under
oath it Randall's Island, still It cau l>e surmised that
I it IHIIy bears out tbe statements ol Anne Italy as laf
as the poor and lo#ufTinieiil quality ol ib? food lur
! uiahcd Hie children is concerned, aud that the "diet
' scale" was quito insufficient us u protection against Itiv
development ol wasting diseases. One of th<- assistant
ptiyeii lans at the asylum -t iled to tha Ct inmissiouers
ol ilr- Slate Hoard ol Coarities thut the cnu?e of th?
. I . **?? was ih tt Hie inina.C! oi H.o in-lituileo, owing
to tii-ir peculiar indolent habits, want nl exorcise ant
unsound menial condition, wore peculiarly liable to
sueu uindm-vr, end that it WMOaly this clnse of the
idtoi children were affected with scurvy, the more
robust and active escaping the malady, although they
lied tbo same amount ol lood. No more slrlkiug
example ol III'' officials couid be olicrod than this
statement ol tho doctors, lor If thiy knew that the
Ineiaies ol tlie Idiot Asylum ware predisposed to
scurvv fr?iu the imtur- ol ttio'r diso.iao and nab.is, It
was man foxtly their duty to guard against tbe devel
opment oi lire malady by takiug all |>usalble precau
tious, inn Ural ol winch w?a to aoe that a lull #ud
proper supply ol vegetable loo-1 was given the inmates
under their care.
A VIHrott's STATRMSNT.
A visitor to the Idiot Asyium made tbo following
statement to Hie writer:-?1"1 have lienn a const ml
aud tegular visitor lo *11 Hie institution* on Randall'*
island for several years past. During all the lime
that I nave been yolug there 1 Uavu lound
that no proper supervision or care Uas
uueo taken ol the Imitates under thu charge
ol tho department 1 had great difficulty
even iu lludiug wini was the responsible head or wli?
wss iu Rlisrgo ol the Island, free inlorouurao hal
always boeu permitted hetwoeu all the institutions ?
criminals, idiots, tlio Inssoo at d paupers were all
mud u|> together without any ear*. 1 oncn noticed
the lood; II wss not lit to give dugs, inuofi
leas human bungs, and oven bad us it
is?llio wsy tho he.d was prepared end given to ths
Iniuatea ma'lo It minutely more repulsive both In ap
pearance and taste. I noticed the children
were ruuuing down in health and I spoke
several Hint* lo those In charge of ineiu, t
n,run iho nurses, but they only snook their heads
and said that It was not their laull. I ai*n noliee that
in spite ol the so-ashed Idiot #cliool Where Hie Com
missioners keep three or leur teachers, the Idiot cbiu
drcn nro growing duller and Ira* intelligent every
year.''
I no writer called on Mrs. Hoyt, one of the SUM
Aid Hocitly visitors, who first examined tbe ehargoe,
nod lound that aim wae out ot towu. Dr. Derby, tM
plivstoian wno vlaiUd Randall's Island at the re
quest of tbe above immi-d society, could not bg
Ion int. It was stulod on good authority Dial
some definite action was lo taken by OM
of tlie societies in regard to the abuses at tlie IdiOl
Asylum, one gentleman saying, "Duly ono of lbs
Commissioner??Mr. Urennen?does any worg, and
he lis* io work from morning till night lo make up
lor the others. I bo lime has cotno when the quo*
lien will lie tested whether officials can draw aalnrie*
lor acrvicss that they do not randar to I be ell/."