The New York herald., 1879-03-13
MANHATTAN SAVINGS BANK.
PAYING THE DEPosIToRs-A QUIET THEoSG OF
y NEEDY PEOPLE,

PAYING THE pEposIToRs-A QUIET THEoNG OF
NEEDY PEOPLE,
At the time--ten O'Clock yesterday morning-when
the doors of the Manhattan Bank opened for
first time in over four months for the payment of
depositors about one hundred people of both sexes
and of various conditions of life in waiting on
the Broadway sidewalk. This crowd quickly filled
the space outside the officers desks and formed
into one long loop line. the head beginning at the
paying tellers window and the tail ending on the
sidewalk Two policemen were on duty, but their
services were only needed for short while in the
morning as everything was quiet and orderly after
Inc line nad oeen formed. Of course IL may De pre-
sumed that only those in urgent need OF money
composed the throng that attended at the bank all
day yesterday, for everybody was aware the bank
nands OF all depostors Had it not been the rush
on the nstitntion might have been alarming Elderly
gentlemen Of slender incomes and irritable empsrs
were noticed in the crowd. There were also many
keepers OF boarding houses from the Dcighborhood
Of ST. Johns Park Washington square. waverley and
Clinton piaces also young and plainly dressed ladies'
who might be school teachers. shop attendants and
sewing machine operators. few swell young men
were in the line but rule the depositors seemed
to belong to middle class of business and work
ing people who live in moderate degree of
scS No really poor s
Sixpenny Savings Bank when it was rcopened about
year ago by the receiver. half Of whom hrd hardly
any shoes ON their feet. Youth and old age were
in the long and patient line Many OF the faces
looked pinched and weary, as thoagh scant living
had been their portion. Others were cheerful and
lighted up with antcpations JOY in the knowledge
that their savings were all safe and were near to
their possession. There WAS little conversation
among the people in the line. Each one seemed
intent only on getting whatever money he or she
purposed drawing out. but when acouple OF men
acquainted with each other met they okcd about the
narrow escape they had Of losing everything An
additional force OF clerks was on hand. and time
was lost in satisfying every demand presented. About
two hundred depostors were paid during the day;
payments will continue indefinitely but 1t is not
ticpatcd by the officers of the bank that the
Of depostors taking out money will last longer than
two weeks.
OFFICERS ACCUSED. OF NEGLECT OF DUTY.
The trial of two officers, Van Norden apd Watson,
of the Fifteenth precinct for failing to prevent
or discover the burglary Of the Manhattan
Savings Bank during their tour Of patrol duty,
begun yesterday.ll Captain Byrnes preferred the
chsrses. He maintained that the burglary per-
petxatcd between tie hours Of six and hafpast nine
O'clock October 2T 10 substantiate this statement
Captain Byrncs produced as witnesses the night
;watchman who locked tho premises securely and
ascerta1ned that the inferior was unmolested
at six a. AsAAt that hour he proceeded
to the 5anitox's rooms over the bank by the
Blocker stEet entrance He locked the street door
after him. the janitor found his to the
street. hapdcued, and gave the alarm. rhe robbers
IN tho interim having bound and gagged him, Van
Norden explained his movements at the hours in
question. He said lie went on post at 8 A. NJ. he
tried all his doors several times. The door of the
bank he found secured ut 6:05. 1880 and
7:45 A. M. He did not learn of the robbery until
$50. He was relieved from duty at eight O'Clock.
Watson said he began to patrol the post at
eight O'Clock; everything appeared to be in its usual
condition. He tried the back door ut quarter to
nine; aftcrward he had to assist Officer McDermott
in taking prisoner to the station house
x Commissioner Smith reserved his decision.