Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-02-04
Our New York Letters.
THE EPIDEMIC OF cRINE-LITERARY, THEATRICAL
AND ART MATTERS.

THE EPIDEMIC OF cRINE-LIrERARY, THEATRICAL
AND ART MATTERS.
NEw YORK, Jan. %.
To the Editor Of the Free Press and Times.
This city seems to be suffering from an
epidemic of crimes in all grades. Beside
the multitude of minor offences, larcenies,
deialcations, burglaries, and the like, the
number of which is, of course, largely at
tributable to hard tines, the average Of
murders for the Winter, so far, must be
nearly two per week, many of them being
OF special atrocity. " Murderer's Row, as
one line of cells in the Tombs is called, is
but too well filled three executions have
already occurred in the Jail yard, and num-
bers more await the rope or executive elem
ency-that is, if they are not decided to be
unfortunate lunatics This insanity dodge
has been pushed to such brazen lengths in
the courts of this State that the public
gorge has begun to rise against it ; and al
ready bill is under discussion which will
give judges no discretion in sentencing this
large class of /" insane" homicides, who, IN
der its provisions, 90 into immediate con-
tinement in an asylum especially provided
for their reception, and stay there till they
die, beyond the reach of medical discharge
or gubernatorial pardon. The passage OF
this bill, if it occurs, will cover multitude
of legislative sins on the part Of our Albany
Solons, and will put healthy check on the
use of tactics which have many time de-
trauded the gallows of its just dues.
The list of the murders which have been
reported in New York during the five years
ending with last month, foot up two hun
dred and eightv-one, and Of this army of
man-killers only serm have expiated their
crime on the gallows, and over one-fourth
of the whole list never were brought to trial
at all. 1t is shameful showing.
The name of Longfellow in literature
seems to be somewhat as was the mantle Of
Elijah in prophecy. Mr. W. P. P Longfel-
low, nephew OF the poet, has entered the
field, and promises TO attain distinction as
the editor Of The American architect, an
elegant weekly commenced with the new
year by Messrs. j. K. Osgood & Co., of BOs-
ton. Its design, which the opening numbers
ably sustain, is to cover the entire range of
construction and decoration. and thus to
render important service to the architects,
builders, interior decorators, and all inter
ested in their work. In mechanical execu-
ton it is the finest special publication of its
kind in the country. And the illustrations,
of which each number contains several
pages, printed by the new heliotype process,
are many Of them, worthy TO be framed.
The American Institute of Architects has
shown its confidence in The American ~
cLited by adopting it as the official organ Of
that body.
The legal difficulties barring the prosecu-
ting of Tweed have been, at last, successful
" removed by the completion of the struck
jury, and we are beginning to indulge the
hope of getting back a portion of the 500
600 900 that arch-rascal confscate1. This
may also be considered a victory over the
| heretofore successful manmuvering Of a few
able, but INSCRIPTIONS legal tricksters, of
whom David Dudley Field was the leader
and moving spirit.
Edward ;. Stokes has signifed his inten-
ton to appeal to every Judge in the State ere
he will cease his demands for Justice claim
ing that the period of imprisonment pre-
cedlng and during his trial (some year and
a half should apply on his sentence, thus
giving him his liberty in month or 50. The
Governor meets public sentiment by reius-
ing all recognition Of the petition Of Fi.k'-
murderer.
THEATRICAL AND ART MATTERS.
\ little incident not down in the bill, oc-
Cured al Wallack the other evening Mr..
Wallack was playing Col. White in
e Home, when some one called hi atten-
ton to a large vase of paper flowers which
stood on the mantle piece against one Of the
side scenes, and which had in some way
caught fire. The light material blazed up
10 startling height, and it would have
been the easiest thing imaginable to precip-
itate panic, which, in the crowded state
Of the house. would have had most disas-
trous effect. Mr. Wallack saw the danger.
and, without betrayins the least surprise, or
changing his manner, stepped to the man
| tlepiece, removed the vase o4t from the in
lammable canvas, aud quietly watched it
! burn itself out When the last sparks had
| been extinguished, Mr. W. who, a. a. Col.
! W hte,' had lust been ordered 10 leave the
| house when the accident delayed his reply.
said, " Well, if | must leave your house, |
| have ct least saved it from burning, and
went on with his part. The roar Of au-
ulause which followed can be better ina
gined than described.
d" Julius Caesar. at Booths continues to
create increasing interest About eighty
. Aa1. 4 or
ness it, performance on one evening Of last
week, and on another, a wealthy Fifth
Avenue lady invited hundred and thirty
friends to enjoy the treat in her company.
On Thursday next a special matinee will
be given TO accommodate the theatrical
profession Of the city, most of whom viii
be guests Of the managers, MesSrs. Jarrett
and Palmer.
At forthcoming auction sale in Brook
lyn, will be sold " Paradise Lost, one of
the last finished and greatest works OF Hi
ram Powers 1t is expected TO bring very
large figure.
Awaiting themseye, of the repeal Of the
" mask" law, which in fact, wa. rushed
through largely by their influence, the man
ayers Of the French club " Cercle + llar-
monte gave the most elegant of all their
annual balls at the Academy of Music, last |
week, the gorgeur of the decorations and |
Of the maskers costumes being remarka-
bic even for the metropolis. Other simi- |
lar entertainments are on the taps.
An auction sale Of the pictures and brio
a-brac belonging to Mr.. W. Batter Duncan,
of Duncan. Sherman 4 Co.. bankrupts,
has Just been held The sale occupied two
evenings, and netted something ike 81, 900
Yours, DARK.
TIM ,,--.r,. o,. rur moon NAM, ,,-y,,n,,., |