The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-24
Average temperature.

Average temperature Tuesday.
BOARD OF UNDERwRITERs.-A meeting OF the New
York Board Of Underwriters was held on Monday, on
the recommendation Of the executive committee OF
the National Board. 1t was expected that acti on
would be taken In favor Of allowing rebate to per-
sons who themselves In this CITY, but to refuse
1t to the insured In all other parts Of the United
States Resolutions were offered to discontinue all
but after two sg the
meeting adjourned without taking vote on them.
CHILDREN's AID S0CIETY.-This society makes an
appeal to the public for pecuniary assistance. 1t
desires in this Christmas season to make at least
happy day for these young Victims OF misfortune and
poverty. In Its five lodging houses for boys and
girls are sheltered. partly fed and clothed, during
the year, about TO- 46l different boys and 2ss girls;
15i, AS, and Of lodgings 1o7,7so. q the boys
over 1000 were orphans sco In It. . Twenty
during the year; about $4,000 meals were given
and over $500 garments; some 900 was spent for
During the Past year 2s sn% mostly
ment In the country. They desire to provide q good
Christmas dinner for this great multitude OF chill
numbers, and to provide home for large Christ
mas party Of homeless children in the West.
COMMERCIAL TRAvELLERs.-An adjourned meet
ing OF commercial travellers was held yesterday
at the Astor House, for the purpose OF taking mea-
sures to secure the abolition OF the local license
taxes. Several Of the speakers denounced these
license laws as most odious and tyrannica and said
that several distinguished judges and lawyers had
taxes as beng III direct VioaSn Of section two or
article four Of the constitution OF the United States
which provides that "the citizens OF each
| state shall be entitled to all privileges and
| immunities Of citizens in the several States, y
and was consequently unconstitutional. The
general opinion appeared to be to make test
case and take 1t to the Supreme Court and have 1t
decided as soon as possible. The speaker sad mat
merchants more than for the benefit OF the travel
| lers the bills should be footed by the mer-
collected in days in the city to carry the test
successfully through the United states Supreme
was resolved that a committee be appointed to see
| Attorney General Evarts on the subject commit
| tee was next appointed to collect subscriptions.
| FIRE CoMMIssIoNERs.-Thc weekly meeting OF
the Metropolitan Fire Commissioners was held yes
| terday at Fremen's Hall. General Shaer presided.
The special committee appointed some weeks ago to
define the boundary lines Of engine companies and
to organize them into battalions and brgades and to
| assign assimated rank to the officers and members
i of them made its report to-day. They recommended
ht hne amer ia De h
| Engineers Rhodes Brandon and BITES; Engf-
neer Macsey 49,, to r be INSPECTING officer This
| report went on to recommend that asslmilated
ranks be given to the officers and members OF the
company. Upon this portion OF the report there
considerable debate. Some Of the commissioners
wanted to have the Chief Engineer made major
general, the brigade commanders 10 he brigader
generals, battalion commanders to be colonels
Finally 1t was decided TO confer the following
ranks:-Chef Engineer, to be coone assistant engi
neer lieutenant colonel; district engineer. major;
foreman captain; assistant foreman, Lieutenant
engineer or steamer, sergeant. fireman private: and
hossenlan and laddcrman TO he cadet. Commissioner
Galwey said he was opposed to military titles IN TOTO
but II there were to be any he was for giving the
Chief Engineer that OF major general. The matter,
however, was settled as before stated.
AMERICAN PROTESTANT AssocIArIoN.-The w. @.
Lodge OF the American Protestant Association held
at their rooms, No. s35 Broadway. Robert Guy,
w. G. Master, presided. Representatives were
present from the following Lodges:--Empire Lodge,
No. 1; Washington Lodge, No. .; New York Lodge,
No. 8; Protestant Boys Lodge No. 4; Jack.
son Lodge, No. s; Abraham Lincoln Lodge,
bia Lodge, No. s; wadense Lodge No. Q;
Henry Clay Lodge, No. 10; Excelsior Lodge, No. IL:
Liberty Lodge No. II; Kilyman Lodge, No. 10; Php-
nix Lodge, No. Is; Superior Lodge No. 10: National
Lodge, No. II; No Surrender Lodge, No. 10; Eureka
niskillen Lodge No 2s Yonkers Lodge. No. 81;
Maiden City Lodge, No. SO; Dimond Lodge, No. 80;
John Knox Lodge, No. 49, and Star Spangled Banner
Lodge. No, 80. After the receiving OF delegates
from the various lodges the grand body proceeded
to elect officers for the year 1884, The following is
v. @. Master-Thonas Blackburn, No. 16; W. G. Sec
retary--Wm Moone, No. %; w. q. Chaplain John
Clark, No. 20; w. q. Treasurer-Morgan Gray, No.
80; w. q. Conductors-John Hogg, No. L. VIM. Car
gie, No. 4; w. q. TIlers--Jacob Mckinley, No. is,
and Patrick Caul1eld, No. Z. X. w. c. Master Frank
McMulken installed the grand officers, after which
the Grand Lodge adjourned until It's next regular
meeting.