The New York herald., 1872-11-20
BURSTING OF CROTON PIPES.
A Delicate Legal Point as to Personal
Liability or Responsibility Of the
Irresponsible Elements
BUSINESS IN THE OTHER COURTS.
Suit to Recover the Value Of Large Quantity
Of Wheat-Payment Of Alleged Excessive
Duties Under Protest in
the General Sessions-Decisions

In the United States District Court the number
O bankruptcy petitions filed since the 1st OF the
present month is wenty-seven-twenty-thr In
voluntary and four voluntary petitions
Yesterday the case Of John Sedgwick, assignee in
bankruptcy Of Comstock and Wheeler, VS.. George
N. Wheeler, came to conclusion In the United
states District Court, before Judge Blatchord ana
jury. IL was an action to recover $4,000, as
balance OF account on certain purchases OF gold
and stocks alleged to have been made by ComstocE
and Wheeler for the defendant, George NJ. Wheeler
The Jury rendered a verdict for the plaintin.
In the United States Circuit Court yesterday the
case Of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance
Company vs. David Dows and others was com.
menced before Judge Shipman and jury. II is an
action OF trover to recover the value OF % 200
bushels Q! wheat which the plaintiffs aege the
defendants wrongfully converted to their own use
The defence pleaded is the general ISSUE The case
Is still az hearing and will probably last ior two or
three days.
Yesterday Frank W. Jones, iawyer was further
examined before Commissioner Osborn on the ac-
cusation of having contrary to the law OF Con-
gress, charged greater sum than s25 for collecting
pension Tor man named MoIatt, father OF de-
ceased soldier OF the Union army. The defendant
gave testimony On his own behalf after which the
case was again adjourned.
Formal findings OF fact in the case OF the United
States vs. BENJAMIN ]. Cahoone were filed In the
United States Circuit Court yesterday. This suit
was brought as already reported in the HERALD to
recover 900, the amount OF an alleged defalca-
tion in the accounts OF the defendant who had
been paymaster in the navy. These special find
ings show that the time Of the alleged deficiency
the defendant owing to the disordered condition
OF his mind was totally unable to attend to any
business whatever. The judgment, az previously
stated in our columns, is in favor OF the defendant
.sThe laws delayn received another Illustration
ia the Tweed case yesterday in the Court OF Oyer
and Terminer. An application of leading counsel
for Mr.. Tweed resulted in the being postponed
until Monday next when Mr.. Tweed win be called
upon to plead on a charge OF misdemeanor. All
the other motions OF defendants counsel were dis
missed.
verdict for $115, ,253 was rendered Yesterday in
the Court OF Common Pleas against the Camden
ana Amboy Railroad Company. The verdict was
the result OF retriai OF the old suit brought
against the company by owners of cotton bales de-
stroyed az the burning OF the warehouse Of the
company at pier No. l North River, eight years
ago. An important feature OF this last suit is the
charge OF Judge Larremore to the jury (which il
published in full esewhere), account OF its cleai
exposition of the law, touching not only the liabil
ity OF common carriers, but the degree Of excmp
"
written contracts specifying such exemption.
An opinion given In our law reports by Judge
Fanchcr, OF the Supreme Court, In the case o
James W. MCGOWAN, defines clearly his views upor
the subject OF applications to punish the Comp
troler for contempt for alleged disregard OF the
mandates of the Court. He comedies to the Comp
troer margin Of discretion and intimates broadl,
the absurdity OF asking him to do impossihilities
that s TO pay money from the city treasury unless
appropriations have been made for this purpose,
or when the claims have not been previously
audited and allowed by the Board Of Audit and
AppOrtionment.
In the case Of Colonel Blood. jointly charged with
Victoria Woodruff and Tennie c. Clann In libeng
Mr.. Chalis Mr. William +. Howe, the Coonel's
counsel. yesterday renewed the motion before
Judge Brady, OF the Supreme Court, for reduc.
tion OF bail. Alter a very brief argument the
Judge reduced the ball from So 900 to $4,000 Mean
time civil suit was instituted by Mr. Challis
against the Colonel, upon which the latter Is held
In t5. 900 bail-the same bail required in the civi
suits commenced against woodhnll Clanin