Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-04-07

,Sar;.tv of original communications from dieren,
parts of the country-together with choice seiec-
ton from the leading American magazines Tor Aprh
Police REFORM BEGUN.-By reference to our re-
port Of the Common Pleas il viii be seen that the
Court has decided against the motion OF Justice
Merrtt's COUNSEL and that his trial on the charges
against him will proceed. We are personally very
friendly TO Justice Merritt and, like humane mid
wife, wish him safe deliverance-but we also de-
sire radical, thorough, positive reform in the Po-
lice Department of New York for the sake Of the
character of republican principles and to accom-
plish so desirable object, we would mete out to
any Justice the same Justice which we expect he
would, aad ought to measure out TO others. Mr..
District Attorney Whiting, you have begun search
ing investigation in the Poice-go through with II,
or YOU not worth button
Another Great Excstement----Tren,cn dons
Row along the line OF the Croton Water
Works--strilse for Wages--StriENe for Love
and Bread sim ultaneousiy---Beasin and
Counter Bsctins---Turn Out of the Military
and turn In of the Irish
For the last eight days there has beena great ex
citement brewing among the Irish laborers on the
Croton Water Works. The contractors have made,
and are making, large profits by their operations,
day for their labor, which was little enough Last
winter they were reduced to 6s day, part of
which they had to take groceries from stores,
kept either by the their agents. All
this they murmured at, but still as il winterthey
were compelled to submit.
As soon as the time arrived for the contractors to
commence laying mason work, the nen in West
chester county began to strike for 81 day. The
first outbreak occurred the last Saturday in
March; and on the lst of April they came down the
lines, driving every man off the work; they also
went up above far Yonkers, and made all the
men they found at work turn out. On Thursday
last five hundred ofthem came down with clubs from
the works at Harlem bridge, driving off the carpen
tiers and masons, and also every man they found at
work down to the receiving reservoir at forkville
They also beat the laborers of the works at Cenden
ming valley, very interesting portion of the work,
which together with 4 view OF the bridge, we have
given above
On Friday they came down the works, knocking
down every they met with that was at work;
they beat those foremen who were out with horses
and CARTS the traces, upset the carts, breke the
mortar boxes, and did great deal of mischief
Moreover, they threatened to murder the contract
ors foremen and those who remained at work At
the bridge there is a steam engine at work-the riot
ers threatened to stop its putting 20 men remain
there all the time and are armed with the repeating
rife.
Whilst the workmen under Mr.. Price were en-
gagged, ON Friday afternoon, at work of the
lower sections, between four and six hundred came
down from above far Sing Sing, and compelled
them TO quit work, beating all those who refused
They then endeavored to bring them into their CON-
bination, To work for dollar not work at all
MANY did Join them and many refused. Those who
refused were handled somewhat roughly. One poor
fellow was pitched about TILL he said, 90 thought
I had no life at all, at all IN me-"
On Saturday morning, little before ten o'clock,
several Of the contractors waited on the commits
sicners at their Office in the City Hall, and repre-
scented to them the situation of aars-the ferocity
and characterization of the mcn-their determination
to prevent all others fram working on the line at
less than the stipulated wages and their threats TO
destroy the whole work already done, il their de-
mands were not complied with. The commissioner
heard the complaints patiently, and, after they got
through, they replied Well this is bad state Of
things. but what can we dot We have no power.
We are not peace officers. We have authority to
&C, in such a dilemma what are We to DOT
aid the contractors. 1--WE know not what you
to do the Mayor is the proper person to apply to for
protection against these attacks He Is the only
public effieer who has authority in such matters-
We will represent the difficulty TO him" Accord
insy three Of the commiss ioners Messrs. Stevens,
Birdsal and Ring, called upon the Mayor little
after ten o'clock, and made representation Of the
riotous proceedings to his honor. Mr. varian heard
them all through very patiently, but gave little or
no indication Of disposition to preserve the peace
Of the country. 81 will see what can be done, re-
piled Mr.. yarian.
At this Interview, Justice Bloodgood happened ia
be present. and heard the whole Of the conversation
As the Justice Is energetic man, well acquainted
with his duty and also keeper Of the peace, 1t wa.
natural TO expect that he would express his sent
ments on the occasion lie did So in his usual elias
sical style "ohi oh, what is thatl You want Us Il
send out lot of them sodgers to kill the Irshmer
last before the eleetion--I sees VERY well wha
you're drivin' at" The commissioners smiled, bu
said little
On Sunday they did nothing bat meet in gang
and organize, each taking an oath to stand by his
eomradc and to take no liquor. On Monday Eyes
terdsy) they came down to the bridge (ss repre-
scented above) and attempted to get possession o
the steam-epgiBe. Failing in this, they on q
Clendenning Valley, and drove of the men, and
threatened to destroy the works. They then assem-
bled at Manhattanville to the number Of 900, and
threatened worse than ever. The contractors me,
yesterday morning, and agreed that they could mol