Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-07-03
FIRST EDITION.
philadelphia.
OUR sATuR DAY LETT


THE II. G. MORRIS FAILuRE-TnE .'LEDdER's'
MONEY coLuMN--IHE ALEXANDER MURDER
CONVICTION OF MERyINE AND BARcIAY-GIFrs TO
THE UNIvERsrrY-THE NEW CENTENNIAL HOTEL
DEATH OF JUDGE STROUD, 20, &o.
Special Correspondence Of tho Commercial.
PHILADELPHIA, July g.
That the new Water Commission was appointed
mono too soon was abundantly proved by this
weeks events. A more serions question was
never brought to the attention Of great com
munity than this which we are forced to
face, and tho fears that have been
expressed, 10 far from being exag-
gerated, have not even fully stated the case
Before the heavy rain OF Tuesday the water at
Paramount was 70 low that only two wheels could
be run. On Wednesday five wheels were run,
but even then-with the river fuller than it had
been for month--the amount of water pumped
was $4,000, 600 gallons less per day than the ca
pacity of the works. These few facts tell the
story. The needs OF the city 80 increase that,
with the present system, even such heavy rams
as those of this week afford but very tempor.
AIRY relief. The dam s again as dry board
yard aud but three wheels running. The
commission had better get speedily 10 work.
The "Ministerial Union of this city, an or
ganization OF preachers, though comprising but
a small part OF the whole number OF pulpit wor-
kers, has done much good reformatory labor,
notably in the temperance cause but 1t il at pres
ent engaged in an effort 30 unpopular, and 30
opposed to the sense of fairness among men Of
all persuasons, that 1t is in high danger OF los
ing the advanced ground it occupies. This ef-
fort is directed against the Geological Society
and is All attempt to force tho closing OF the
gardens OH Sunday. 1t il rad TO such an ex-
hibition of bigotry In age like the pres-
ent. IL the gardens wcro nuisance
IN any way; if they led to disorder or
dissipation; or In any manner were an
offence to morals or public order on the Sab
bath the action of the I" Union would be praise
worthy. But tho contrary il tho exact fact. No
part OF the park no retired street even, is more
quiet and orderly than the !" Zoo" of a Sunday.
Indeed the " Union" makes no pretence OF dis
order, but only says it has the right to make this
complaint under the law. It knows, as We all do,
that Sunday is the only day uAat many people
have for pleasure, yet it would deliberately close
that opportunity, as far as the favorite OIL -do5r
resort OF Philadelphia is concerned. Its hold is
in tho admission charge, but the Society finds
in tho Sunday admissions, and with
out them could not keep the gardens
open at the present low figures. Opinion is 30
universally against tho "Uniou' that it seems
impossible the effort should not be abandoned,
but il it is maintained it would not be bad
idea for the Society to admit the public free
on Sunday and then to take up voluntary COL
lection. 70 prevent the crowding of improper
characters admission tickets could be issued. as
Tor commandments &c., by designated parties,
but without cost aud snch is the feeling in the
matter that collection would be bure to net AZ
much as tho present admissions. Thus the So
ciety would be as much within the law as the
preachers themselves.
A startling sequel to the failure OF Mr.. II. G
Morris, the extensive iron founder, has Just come
to light. Tho financial troubles OF Mr.. Morris
at the time he made an assignment for the ben
eft of his creditors caused great furry among
men connected with iron manufacturing, and
thoro was much sympathy expressed for an em-
ployer who had always been extremely liberal
with his workmen and who was furthermore be-
lIeved to be entirely beyond the reach of money
embarassments If recent developments are TO
be depended on, this strange failure was the re-
sult OF Wholesale system OF robbery to which
Mr. Morris had been subjected by his
confidential manager, a person named
Alex. Erwin. Alleged facts of this nature
have been discovered by the exports who have
been examining tho affairs OF the concern for
the creditors and 1t il said that no less u sum
than 51,2OO,00O was improperly conveyed and
wasted by Erwin. Mr.. Morris did not eive his
personal attention to tho business and Erwin be-
ing in absolute charge was able to fix up the
balance sheets, &c, which were at stated periods
submitted to his principal in such way that no
suspicion of wrong was excited, At last the
crash could no longer be delayed, but even then
Mr.. Morris was made to believe that it was
caused by bad debts i'll Cuba and elsewhere.
The affair is complicated by the connection
OF Erwin and his brother with one of our banks
the 7th National The bank officers make a
his brother arc at present associated with them,
but the case naturally makes good deal of
talk.
Mr.. Saier, the money editor OF the Ledger,
INDUCED day or two ago in some seaaonable
reflections on the occasion OF tho 35tll anniyer-
sary of his connection with that valuable depart
ment of tho paper. Indeed, the department has
had no other head. The Ledger was the next
paper to the N Y. HeraH to establish money
column aud Mr.. Saer has edited it from the
frat day until uOw Such flelity deserves
wide recognition, and fidelity here means
not only industry and persistence but
inlexible integrity as well. The public knows
| that there is not money enough tobuy the
| opinions of the ledger money column-and
| thus it is entirely trusted AMI respected. The
| department has been the leading financial
authority of this section, and it is repeatedly
quoted from by principal Journals in all parts
of the country
| The cases OF police officers Mervine and Bar
clay, charged with the murder of James Alex
ander, came to trial this week and despite the
political influences which it was expect
both men wero speedily convicted. The
| shooting was OF particularly brutal
sort, Alexander after falling senseless on the
ground being fired at repeatedly until at least
six bullets were buried in his body. 1t was the
result Of an old grldge, it seems, and Mcrvin o
| aud Barclay being off duty, were in citizens,
clothes when they came upon their unsuspecting
and unarmed vctm They were rather intox-
icated, also, but that plea WaH wisely fouu OF no
avail The lesson is stern one but it is believed
1t will do good. Policemen have grown to arro-
| gantly believe themselves above the law which
| threatens meaner men, aud this rebuke OF a no.
| tion perilously false will perhaps be needed
| News of additional valuable gifts to the Uni
vorsity of Pennsylvania has been printed. That
public spirited citizen, Mr.. j. Gllingbam Fell,
agrees to give the Medical Department of the
University $4,000 yearly for fiveyears to increase
| its efficiency Friends of tho Medical School
have latterly felt that it was somewhat neglect
| ed as compared with the other portions of the
University, and Mr.. Fell may have participated
in this conviction. AT all events his gift is very
handsome and timely. Even more import
ant is the bequest of Mr. Il. w
| Flower, West Philadelphian lately de-
ceased, amounting to 100000, for the
purpose of founding an observatory and for tro
noting the study Of astronomy in the University.
A very noble gift, indeed. but somewhat ham,
pered by the wish of the testator that the struc-
| ture shall be erected eithor in the Park or on
his farm at Darby. 1t is very desirable that the
University buildings should be kept together.
| Mr.. Flower did not forbid such action but he
left his wishes clearly stated. The University If
decidedly in luck a kind OF rage for giving to
| it has set in.
Tho feeling of veneration for Judge Geo. NJ.
Stroud, who has just passed from earth
| in his 80th year, is moro general
than that which often falls to man
who has been 30 long in public life and who has