The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-07

bly, the bill relative 70 commercial paper falling
due on holidays was passed Several bills of local
interest were passed to q third reading, among
them the bill relative to the Brooklyn ferries. See
our reports and dispatches for particulars.
The New York National Democratic State Con
vention for the selection of delegates at large to
the Charleston Convention met at Syracuse at eight
o'clock last evening, and organized by choosing
ex-Speaker Avord chairman. A committee was ap-
pointed to nominate delegates and slternates to the
Charleston Convention. and after some other pre-
liminary business, and general congratulation
upon the prospects of the national democracy, the
Convention adjourned till this morning. Mayor
delegates.
The inquest on the bodies of those burned to
death at the late calamitous fire in Elm street took
place yesterday, before Coroner Jackman. Several
of the inmates of the house were examined a. to the
origin and circumstances Of the fire. The owner of
the building was placed upon the stand, and his
testimony went to show the manner in which the
house had been constructed. In his evidence he
stated that it was intended to be occupied by TWEEN
tyone families but that at the time Of the fire, one
room was vacant Twenty families were, there
fore, in the building at the time of the sad occur
renee. The jury. after due elaboration upon tho
testimony presented to them, found . verdict
severely censuring landlords for building houses
higher than Eve stories, and fer not providing the
necessary means of egress from the upper stories
in the event Of fire. In conclusion, they requested
the Coroner to transmit copy of the verdict to
the Legislature, now in session, asking for the
enactment of a law making it incumbent on land
lords to provide for the protection of the lives of
tenement house occupants.
meeting of citizens of the Fourteenth ward was
held in the Reformed Dutch church, in Broome
street, last evening, to make arrangements for
relieving the necessities of the persons who were
rendered destitute by the Elm street fire. 1t was
stated that $707 in money and 5000 worth of neces
saries had already been contributed for the relief
of the sufferers. committee was appointed to
receive additional contributions The names ofthe
committee are given in our report of the proceed.
ings, published in another column.
The Coroner investigation into the causes of the
recent terrible boiler explosion at the hat factory
in Brooklyn, whereby six lives were lost, and q
number of persons were severely injured, was com.
menced yesterday We give report of tue test.
mony in another column.
At the meeting of the Board of Supervisors yes
terday, communication was received from the
Excise Commissioners, showing the number of
suits which had been commenced to recover penal
ties for violations of the Excise law during the
years 1858 and 1859, the number of cases which
have been discontinued or compromised, the
amount received in each case of discontinuance or
compromise, and the amount of such receipts paid
sv,xo H. IUn
cation in our report of the proceedings of the
Board, from which it appears that lO,2O4 suits have
been commenced, at an average cost of SO each,
and 435 suits discontinued on payment of costs.
The attorney of the Commissioners has received
$685. and paid for clerk hire, &c. 81 $50, leaving
balance of 81 ,655. The document is curious
one, and exhibits very plainly the utter Absurdity
of the Excise law.
In the Board of Aldermen last evening resolu.
ton was adopted requesting the Counsel to the
Corporation to memorialise the Legislature for the
passage of an act which will guard against the re-
currence of accidents of character similar to the
destruction by fire of the tenement house in HIM
street The City Inspector was requested to report
the number and location of such tenement houses
as, from their construction and excessive number
VI OCCupuAtc, oIC uouBCHOub W tuC puUAC u0dltu
and life. The resolution from the Councimen for
the appointment Of q commission Of competent me.
chancs to examine into the construction of the new
State Arsenal was adopted.
The proceedingsof the Board Of Councilmen last
evening were Of . routine nature. They con-
CURED with the Aldermen in requesting the Co
vernon to withhold his signature from city railroad
bills which may be passed by the Legislature. Mr..
Shaw presented q resolution requesting the Com.
mittee on Lamps and Gas to report what action it
viii be necessary to take against gas companies for
charging for the use Of metres, the late Corpora
ton Counsel having said that such charge was
illegal.
The trial of Haxlett, the last of the Hsrpers
Ferry consphators, upon an indictment charging
him with murder, treason, and melting rebellion,
was commenced yesterday at Charlestown, Va.
dense fog enveloped the rivers and bay yester-
day, but we do not learn of any serious accidents
in consequence The steamers Baltic and Northern
Light left their respective piers at the usual hour
bound for Aspinwal, but it is supposed that they
came to anchor in the lower bay.
Joshua R. Giddings delivered lecture last even
ing, at the Forsyth street Methodist Episcopal
church, on "The Duties of Human Government
A full report is given in to-day's HERALD.
According to the City Inspectors report there
were 40 deaths in the city during the past week
decrease of 10 as compared with the mortality Of
the week previous, and 4S more than occurred
during the corresponding week of last year. Sub
Joined is q classification of the dseases:-Bones
joints, &c, Q; brain and nerves. l09 generative or
gans, s. heart and blood vessels, IA; lungs, throat
&C., 157; old age, 7; skin &c. and eruptve fevers, sO
stillborn and premature birth, g.; stomach, bowels
and other digestive organs, AZ; uncertain seat and
general fevers, 81. There were also IL deaths from
violent causes Scarlet fever Group and other dis.
eases incidental to children, continue very preva-
lent The nativity table gives 800 natives of the
United States, 90 of Ireland, Al of Germany, and
the balance Of various foreign countries.
The sales Of cotton yesterday embraced about 1900
bales, $50 Of which were made in transit The market
closed without quotabe change in prices Flour was in
fair demand and the market for grades Of State