New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-12-31
THE THIRTY-FIFTR-ST SLAUGHTER.
A eTARTLTNG INDICTMENT.
TO the EditOr Of The Tribune.

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Ten days ago large building was top
pied over by puff OF wind and by It's fall several per-
sons were killed. The dimensions OF the buldng-f one
may so call tas stated by the builder, were Length,
fs7 feet BREADTH &c feet; hight IA feet 1t was OF
brick eight stories high the walls OF the four lower sto
res were two bricks, Is inches in thickness those of
the four upper stories brick and half or IL inches.
The two side walls each s7 feet long and ~ feet high,
were utterly unsupported by walls except at the
ends and otherwise only connected by beams eight
apart secured TO anchors fastened TO the walls The
other beams let four inches into the walls and the roof
were elements OF weakness. These walls were more
over weakened each OF the eight stories by the open
ings left for windows. could not from inspection or
the ruins ascertain the number and dimensions OF the
windows in the side walls but in the front on Thirty
1fth-st these wndow-spaces occupied, as nearly as
could estimate little less than one-ha, or more eX-
scy threesevenths, OF the whole breadth Of the wall
at each story Ipresume that these vacant spaces were
proportonay less in the side walls how much less can
doubtless be ascerained from the plan and specification
OF the building Practically, these two frail side walls
were independent Of each other. Take thin booker
rather the cover OF such bookset its edge so that
the back represent the roof and you have an exact
model In miniature OF the building in all its proportions
The wonder is not that tho building should have fallen,
but that Il should not have fallen before the walls were
half way up.
Ihave made several careful examinations OF the ruins
as they were a week ago. and as they are to-day The
fallen brick clean from mortar they were before
they were laid. Everywhere you can, with the naked
hand SCOOP I'D what was intended TO do duty mortar
1t will be hard TO find among the debris fragment as
large as o walnut and any which you can find can be
crushed TO powder between the thumb and finger the
rest simple sand destitute OF conference as the SAND
on the shore the dust blown about the street. From
the portions Of the walls still standing was able, with
Tho
ones hand. leave with you some Of these fragments
they ycome from the first story and were therefore
placed In the wall at least month ago; ample time,
suppose the mortar to have set 1t would ever set
at all. You crush any one Of these fragments 10
powder In the palm OF your hand. For all purposes OF
security the brick might just well have been piled up
without any mortar at all Any man with his bare hand
and small chisel can tear down such Of the walls as
now stand faster than person pick up ths bricks
and pile them away.
These facts are therepatent to all men who choose b
look at them And in view Of these facts charge that
every the persons done 10 death by the fan OF the
building murdered not, indeed, with malice pre-
pense and aorehought but with that gross and wanoa
recklessness which the law pronounces equivalent -
malice And charge furthermore,t that the persons
perpetrating this oense each and every man dl
recty responsible for the erection Of the building as 1t
was constructed First and foremost: III statement
put forth over his be true to the effect that
furnished by him, and under his constant superv
slon, charge, principal the owner Of the building
Second: II it be true, is alleged, that these plans and
specifications were submitted 70 the Superintendent OF
Buildings, and were by him approved, and permission
was by him given under those plans and specifications
for the erection OF the building charge that this
superintendent u Buildings I'm accessory be-
fore the fact. And it makes no difference whether
or not these plans and specifications personally
examined by him; for IL they not so examined, In
giving his approval he guilty OF derection of
his official duties for which, and for all the consequences
resulting therefom, he should be justly held account
able Third AS accessory before the fact and directly
engaged In the act by which these persons came 10 their
DEATH arraign the builder, by whom the building
put up Fourth there be, as is alleged, any such off,
cia as Inspector OF Buildings, by whatever title he
may be designated, whose duty IL made by law to
examine this building while in process OF erection and
report thereon In Ii found insecure and dan
gerOus and he did not report matter whether he
did did not examine the building, charge him also
accessory TO the crime
And demand In the name OF the people putting aside
the absurd verdict Of the Coroners jury, and while all
the facts In the be proven that all persons be
they who they may, implicated in this slaughter be
rdsned and put upon trial therefor.
ALFRED II. GUERNSEY.
No. ago West THIRTY fourth-sk, Dec. &c, 1870