The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-06-12
The Recent Powder Explosben and the
City Conn nittee.
TO THE EDITOR or THE HERALD.


LII TO THE EDITOR or THE HERALD.
The details OF the late terrible explosion at the Govern
ment powder manufactory in Jones Wood between Sew
entyeghh and Seventy ninth streets, East river,
sulting in such fearful destruction Of property aud more
fearful peril OF life and limb are familiar 10 the reading
public And yet from these necessarily abbreviated
ratves how little do OF the real extent Of the dis
asters which follow in the wake Of such calamity The
damages resulting to houses and furniture can DO
easily estimated and Of comparatively trivial import
ance but who follow out to the "btter end the inf
ntely moro gloomy addenda OF shattered nerves. i'm.
paired health and broken constitutions There
able ground for the belief that many the more delicate
victims Of that awful shock and fright and several
stances Of absolute physical violence and injury, viii
never wholly recover from their effects.
Tho city Of New York having given full and unques-
toned authority, through Its chief executive, for the
establishment Of an institution which from its
ture must bring terror and dread and pcrl to every
neighborhood In which chances 10 be established,
whose resources for evil are signay exemphd by tho
catastrophe question: has opportunity make
partial restitution for the losses sustained by OF her
most worthy citizens, without which most Just recon-
pense at the hands Of munidccnt Corporation they
wholly without remedy, and some Of them rendered
worse than bankrupt. ~.
We say partial restitution, for can only be partial
and health and future comfort TO which have advert
cd. They enter not into those material estimates
which verdcts and awards founded. however much
We the Corporation Of the great city OF
ing good such material losses have been absolutely
sustained by such OF her taxpayng citizens have been
be clearer and planer that these property holders
have not received hat protection which they have
right to claim from government to whose support they
have cheerfuy and literally contributed until such Pc
cuniary losses they have sustained through either the
negligence, the mistakes DANGEROUS use OF doubtful
powers on the part Of snch government shall have been
promptly and magnanimously made up 70 them. Such
damages are not within the scope or province OF
any known system Of insurance. nor can they by
any possibility be met by tho individual proprie
tors OF the exploded magazine manufaciory. The
and Just where was BY he willing sna
unqualified consent and authority Of the Mayor
sntcisnt .. equity 70 Ok upon the city the full! ro
sponsbty for the actual damage consequent upon its
destruction. at least to all tho parties directly
cerned In s establishment and management though they
may not be less entitled to the sympathy Of the
munity long the fact Of negligence carelesness
not alleged and proven against them.
70 be heard this day by the Committee OF the Board
Of Aldermen delegated BY the city government for that
report they will be guided by the spirit Of e,uty and
Justice and permit unworthy considerations petty
auibbes to sway their higher judgments silence tho
whisperngs OF humanity within them which ought
tanly TO be heard and regarded by arbtraneut
trammeed by the miserable technicaltes Of less
dgni1ed and less intelligent tribunals.
The general sentiment OF all who have taken the trouble
TO look into the question involved who know anything
OF the real facts and merits Of tho case is decidedly in
favor Of the full aud complete reimbursement to these
unfortunate parties OF such losses be estimated
dollars and cents leaving to them unavodaby the bur
then OF such injuries loss of and personal
Inconvenience as they must necessarily suffer in
quence Of this remarkable casualty The OF those
who have suffered most loss and damage in this instance
which occur to US s. c. Kcyes, n. S. Hustled,
Samuel Lawrence y. r. Riker, W. NJ. Wife, p. l. Rogers
Isaac Summers r. F. Rabcastein, James Hogg.
With the case Of Mr.. Seth c. Reyes, who with his IN.
teresng family are unquestionaby the greatest suffer
crs Of all, we are more fimiar than with any other.
Known for many years rast to most Of our business
community and held in the highest esteem an upright,
entefprising and successful tradesman, he few
years since overtaken by at period when
large proportion OF our business men compelled 70
bend their heads low before most terrific commercial
revusion from which disaster to his fortunes aud pros
poets he has not yet been able He at pre-
sent dependent onta small stipend which he receives
manding mis- whole time and attention. which bare
y sufficient. With strict economy TO meet the demands
Of growing family.
the health OF himself and family, has left him In nearly
desttute condition. and his only hope OF relief from
exency 50 distressing and prospects 80 dismal s in the
found In The COMMITTEES Of the Board Of Aldermen and the
Of the great city Of New York Many Of these
rearks apply with equal 70 the case Of every other
stood and generally admitted that NJ Reyes has suffered
most loss and that he but poorly fortified against IT,
tended With eonsequsnces 70 himself and family which
We shall not attemp&lo portray. eoss.l
The government could not DO 40 act which would meet
with more universal approval or more clearly subserve
the ends Of justice equity and humanity than 20 repair
90 far pecunary appropriations can repair the dsas
ters and losses which have thus resulted from an inud
cious grant Of power under its proper authority and
guarantee We hope by all that s righteous and just that
they will hive the courage and heart TO do most cheer
fully and promptly what their best judgments and highest
always look back upon with compaceney and satisfac
ton The people they represent will universally approve
90 righteous Judgment, aaA generations yet unborn will
rise up 70 bless them.