The New York herald., 1863-10-21
The Grand Explosion OF the wall strsss


We mentioned tho other day that Mr. JUS
tice Hogeboom had, from motives OF mercy,
applied only slow match to the explosive ma
terials of the Harlem Railroad machine in wall
street, 80 as to give innocent people chance
TO escape before the whole thing was blown
INTO atoms. We were not aware then that the
fuse was 40 short The explosion took place
yesterday, and brought CONSERVATION. disnay
and ruin to those who disdalned tho warn
ing. The grant OF Broadway railroad to
the Harlem Company by the Common Coun-
Gil, approved and Signed by the Mayor. has
been pronounced by Judge Hogeboom as of no
worth or validity in law; and so the ediiice
raised upon il topples to destruction. bringing
many victims beneath it.
The history of this short-lIyed sham il a ia
millar illustration Of Wall street. It Ia one
OF the superstitions of that locality that q per-
son uninitiated in the mysteries of stock gam
bling has only to watch the operations Of
certain successful gamblers and bet on the
same cards, when he ia sure to win. Under
the influence of this superstition the commu
nifty was drawn on to look upon Harlem stock
as q winning card, seeing that some Of the
wealthy stock gamblers deposited millions
upon it. But the latter. having bamboozled
the spectators aud drawn them deep into the
game. quietly withdrew their own stocks. having
realized largely upon them. and left the amateur
gamblers to their fate.
There was also another consideration which
had its effect in making people close their eyes
against the palpable illegality Of the grant made
by tie Common Council. This consideration.
we regret to say. was founded on the supposed
compatibility of the bench, and upon the Ger
tainty that the millonaires interested in IIar-
lem would make the thing all right with
the Judges. Unfortunately for this speculation,
the case came before a thoroughly honest,
honorable, upright and clear sighted Judge,
who did not owe his nomination to Tammany
or Mozart and who could not be induced to
look at the question from any other than a
legal point Of view.
A pretty good story was current in Wall
street some weeks ago bearing upon the
attempt to manipulate Judge Hogeboom. 1t
not be approached directly. but thatif he was
to.be stormed at all it must be by zigzag move
ments and saps. A skilful general was chosen
in Wall street to conduct the operations q
cunning dealer in stocks and all sorts of secu-
rites. This individual settled down in grand
style at the quiet little village on the Hudson
where the Judge has bis residence. He sported
the most splendid team, cut the most dashing
figure, and easily made his way into the best
society of the place. He finally managed to
establish sort Of intimacy with Judge Hoge-
boom, so that the latter would sometimes ac-
company him On ride in his magnificent equi-
page. Finally, In one. of these excursions,
when he and the Judge appeared TO be on the
best possible terms, he ventured to feel his way
into the recesses of the Judges mind on the
subject Of Harlem. Hogcboom let him 90 on
until he felt sure of the game. Then he dropped
upon him. Z" 1t appears to me-" said he lin lis
quiet, thoughtful, rather drawling tones, and
wiping bis spectacles in the manner peculiar to
him" that you are interested in Harlem Rail-
road stock, that you are speculator, and that
you want to pump me- My young man, it
won't do You have made mistake, and you
may return to New York as soon as you like
The specuIator, feeling that his game was up,
took the hint, and he and his dashing equipage
have been seen no more in the drives of this
quiet Hudson village. He knows by this time,
however, what are Judge Hogeboom'o opinions
Oh the subject Of Harlem.
TBE Russian BANQUET ET-MIsa,NAGEaESr BY
THE CITY HALL OrfUIALs.--Tbe munich
pal dinner to the Admiral and officers OF
the Russian fleet was thing very pro-
per in itself. aud which might have been
attended with important political results,
had N haen on1v decentlv arraupcd hv