The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-25

HE GRAND JURY 0N'fHE ACADEMY or MuSrC.-
The Grand Ju.y, having recognized the import.
ance Of Recorder Hackett's suggestions a. to
the propriety Of looking after the Academy OF
Music and other unsafe buildings, made inves-
legations into the condition Of the building
being constructed on the ruins OF the old
Academy, and have made presentment there
upon. 1t is curious, however, that while the
Grand Jury state that they have received con-
siderable testimony on the subject, they refuse
to give i. 10 the public, but conHne themselves
to general report that the root is unsafe
What Is the evidence that the Grand Jury hold
backs The public, who are interested In the
safety of the building, will be anxious to know
the facts which the investigation has elected
with the aid OF some architect, three masons,
two carpenters and one blacksmith" II Is
right that the public should be made acquainted
with the opinions Of these experts, and the
District Attorney should direct thai the evidence
be published in full Unless this be done there
will be perpetual dstrust OF the safety OF The
Academy Of Music. and people win not care
to risk their lives within. lis walls Ii the evil
dcnce su5stsn.iates the statement thss the
building Is perfectly secure, with the exception
Of the ROOF why decline 10 iile IL ia the court
~ public recorda" "a aas
We entirely agree with the Grspd Jury ia the
recommendation that the doors Of ali ppiacss Of
amusement and public meetings should be
made to open cutwards, % as to afford chances
for escape in Case d Gre or panic. We had .
terrible example of the results Of this omission
in the catastrophe which occurred. at the burn
ing Of the church at Santiago some time ago,
where hundreds of people were consumed. BY
all means let the Grand Jury 3 recommendations
in ihis respect be carried cut Let US have
wide doors, opening outwards, and plenty Of
them, in all our public places Of amusement ;
but let us also have the evidence Of the seven
experts OF high character in the case Of the
Academy OF Music. II there il any reason to
conceal ii let us know what the reason t.
Without that evidence the presentment Of the
Grand Jury viii Y. 3 accepted e satisfactory
A Terrible Gas ExpIosoS--we.learn that
a great revolution Is about to take place in the
method Of supplying gas ia all the cities in the
Union. Under the new plan 4 q Contemplated
I'd mAnQisc.re gas on large scale, WITH i'm
mense works IN the immediate neighborho6d
Of the coal mines, where coal can be purchased
for Hfty cents per ton, aud to convey II through
mains TO the several cities, where il can be
consumed at one-qusrtcr Its present cost The
Atlantic cities and interior cities Of the North
ern States will be supplied from tho coal mines
Of Pennsylvania direct by one company.
Another will manufacture at the coal mines Of
Virginia or North Carolina, and supply the
Southern cities and towns. The West win get
their gas from thSAfissouri mines; and 20 on
throughout the Union. These several projects
will be conducted a. national affairs, under
the authority Of Congress. The immense ad-
vantages Of such system arc at once appa-
rent They reach not only to the great reduc-
ton IN price, but to the Improvement 10 tho
quality Of the gas, aud the Punishment or gas
msuuiact, turing nuisances from the cities Prepa-
ratous arc already In forward condition for
the consummaton of this desiablc reform md
Il viii be M established fact Ia less Gi,ah s,ree
g.a.a ~ a. .a~s.1s ..-a.. w a1s-. hs