USA > New York > New York City > History of New York City : embracing an outline sketch of events from 1609 to 1830, and a full account of its development from 1830 to 1884 Volume II > Part 44
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oration in the presence of a large multitude covered by umbrellas, for rain was falling copiously at the time. On the pedestal of the statue is the following inscription :
" On This Site in Federal Hall, April 30, 1789. George Washington Took the Oath as the First President of the United States of America."
In the evening, after the unveiling of the statue, the Chamber of Commerce and many guests banqueted at Delmonico's.
Preparations are now (18$3) in progress for the erection in the harbor of New York of the most colossal statue ever produced. It is by Bartholdi, the French sculptor, and is the gift of the " people of the Republic of France to the people of the Republic of the United States, " as a monument in memory of ancient friendship, the abolition of slavery in the United States, and as an expression of the sympathy of France in the centennial anniversary of American independence. It was conceived before that anniversary, and the colossal hand bearing a torch was on exhibition on that occasion, and also afterward in Madison Square, New York. The statue is of beaten copper, is 148 feet in height, and cost 8250,000. This sum was subscribed by 250.000 Frenchmen. The statue is en- titled " Liberty Enlightening the World." It is a female figure, bearing a torch aloft. and wearing a coronet of stars. The National Government set aside Bedloe's Island, in the harbor of New York, as a site for the great work, and promised to maintain it as a lighthouse. It will stand upon a pedestal and base nearly 150 feet in height, giving to the whole work an altitude of about 300 feet. The pedestal will cost about $250,000. It is in course of construction under the supervision of General C. P. Stone. It will be paid for with money raised by voluntary subscriptions.
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FIFTH DECADE, 1870-1880.
In the spring of 1877 the elevated road passed into new hands. Cyrus W. Field became its president. With his accustomed energy and sagacity he waged the war vigorously, and gained for the enter- prise hosts of friends and ample support. In the fall the Court of Appeals decided all questions in favor of the elevated roads. Their charters were declared to be constitutional. Injunctions were dis- solved, and all impediments were brushed away. On the invitation of President Field a large number of distinguished men-representative citizens-gathered at Delmonico's on December 26th, to participate in ' a " feast of thanksgiving." On that occasion Mr. Field said : " In the month of May [1878] we hope to be able to convey you all by steam, in roomy, comfortable cars, with seats for all-men, women, and chil- dren-swiftly and smoothly, without fatigue and without weariness, from the Battery to the Central Park."
It was done ; and now (1853) four elevated railway lines are in suc- cessful operation in the city." carrying millions of people annually be- tween the Battery Park and the Harlem River. They have amazingly increased the conveniences and comforts of the working people, vastly enhanced the value of real estate in the upper part of the city, and are advantageous to all classes of citizens and to almost every material interest.
This decade and a portion of the next were marked by centennial . celebrations of important events in the history of the Revolution or the old war for independence. The first was the celebration at Lexington and Concord of the skirmishes there on the 19th of April. 1775 ; the last was the celebration of the evacuation of the city of New York by the British troops on November 25, 1783.
* These are the Second, Third, Sixth, and Ninth Avenue railways. The first starts from Chatham Square, connects there with the Third Avenue line, and extends to One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Street ; the second begins at Sonth Ferry and the City Hall, and extends, by way of the Third Avenue, to the Harlem River ; the third begins at South Ferry, runs through Greenwich and other streets until it reaches Sixth Avenue, and thence along that thoroughfare to Central Park : and the fourth, beginning at South Ferry, runs up Greenwich Street to Ninth Avenue, thence to the Harlem River. The two companies owning these roads-the New York Elevated and the Metro- politan-have been practically consolidated by the leasing of both roa is to the Manhat- tan Company. At the time when the Court of Appeals removed the impediments in the way of elevated roads. the seventeen surface railroads in the city were carrying an aver- age of over 166,000, 000 persons a year. The omnibus lines carried 14,000,000 more. In 1883 there were nineteen city railways, the aggregate earnings of which during the year . ending June 30 was about $16,000,000. The earnings of the Manhattan Elevated road was $6,216,000.
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK CITY.
The State Society of the Cincinnati, of which Hamilton Fish * is president (and also president of the general society) and John Schuyler secretary, celebrated the centennial of the founding of the society on May 13, 1883. On this occasion a number of the officers and members of the society went up the Hudson in the government steamer Chester
* Hamilton Fish, son of Colonel Nicholas Fish, a distinguished officer of the Revolu- tion, was born in New York City August 3, 1808. His father was distinguished at the battles of Saratoga and Monmouth in Sullivan's campaign, and the siege of Yorktown and the capture of Cornwallis. After the war he was adjutant-general ot the State of New York, was active.in public affairs in the city, was supervisor of the revenue there, and was ever an efficient worker in the religious, charitable, and benevolent institutions of which he was a member. His son Hamilton was thoroughly educated, and at the age of nineteen was graduated at Columbia College. He was admitted to the bar in 1830, and married Miss Kean, a descendant of Herman Livingston, of New Jersey.
Mr. Fish took an active part in politics in early life as a member of the Whig party. In 1812 he was elected to a seat in Congress. He was nominated for the office of lien- tenant-governor of New York in 1846, but was defeated by the Anti-Renters and their friends, whose principles he had denounced. He was subsequently elected to that office on the retirement of Addison Gardner. In 1848 he was elected governor of the State of New York by about 30,000 majority, and in 1851 was chosen United States Senator. He strongly opposed, in that body, the ropeal of the Missouri Compromise. He has been an active member of the Republican party from its formation until now.
At the close of his term in the Senate, in 1857, Mr. Fish visited Europe with his family, returning a short time before the breaking out of the Civil War. He carnestly espoused the cause of the government, and contributed liberally of his means and per- sonal services in support of the national authority. In 1862 he was commissioned with Bishop Ames by the Secretary of War to visit the Union prisoners at Richmond, with a view to afford them relief, but they were not permitted to enter the Confederate lines ; they however made such negotiations that on their return a general exchange of prison- ers was agreed upon.
General Grant, on his accession to the Presidency of the United States in 1869, invited Mr. Fish to the chief seat in his cabinet, as Secretary of State, and he performed the difficult and delicate duties of that position during eight years consecutively, with great ability as a sagacious statesman. He suggested the Joint High Commission for the settlement of the Alabama claims, and conducted the matter to a satisfactory conclusion. with honor to himself and to the nation. He disposed of other international questions with equal sagacity and success.
When Mr. Hayes entered the Presidential chair Mr. Fish retired to private life, but not to the indulgence of ignoble ease. He was ever an interested spectator of and often a participant in the social movements of the day, and watches the course of public affairs at home and abroad with the deepest interest. He is active in the religious, benevolent. and educational movements in society. In the New York Historical Society he has been very active and efficient as a member and presiding officer, and in various social organiza- tions, such as the Union League Club, he is an efficient actor. In 1854 Mr. Fish was elected president of the General Society of the Cincinnati, and in 1855 he was chosen president of the New York State Society of the Cincinnati, both of which offices he still retains. Mr. Fish has done nich for the honor and prosperity of his native city. His son, Hamilton Fish, Jr., inherits in a large degree the abilities of his father.
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FIFTHI DECADE, 1870-1880.
A. Arthur, and visited the headquarters of the Baron von Steuben at the Verplanck mansion in Fishkill, where the preliminary measures for the organization of the society took place ; also the centennial at New Windsor, where that organization was perfected." These were about twenty-five in number, accompanied by a few invited guests. They were saluted with cannon peals from the front of Washington's head- quarters at Newburgh.
Many social, religious, scientific, artistic, charitable, and benevolent institutions in New York have first appeared since the beginning of the fifth decade and during the two or three subsequent years. As most of these have a history yet to be made, only a brief notice of a few of them will be given.
* This society was founded in May, 1783, by the officers of the Continental army, for the promotion of a cordial friendship and union among themselves, and for mutual help in case of need. To perpetuate the society, the constitution provided that the oldest male descendant of an original member may be admitted into the order # and enjoy the privileges of the society. The original constitution is written on parchment, and is signed by Washington and all the officers of the cantonment at New Windsor at that time. There were originally a general society and thirteen State societies. Many of the latter have ceased to exist. There are now only those of Massachusetts, Rhode Island. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and South Carolina. The Hon. Ham- ilton Fish, we have observed. is president of the general society and of the New York State society. Of the latter, William H. Popham is vice-president, John Schuyler secre- tary, Alexander J. Clinton treasurer, Edward W. Tapp assistant treasurer, and the Rev. M. H. Hutton chaplain.
* The order or badge consists of a golden eagle, with enamelling, suspended upon a ribbon. On the breast of the eagle is a medallion, with a device representing Cincinnatus at his plough, receiving the Ro- man senators who came to offer him the chief magistracy of Rome.
CHAPTER II.
A MONG the various social institutions in New York City the club holds a conspicuous place. Club life is not so prevalent here as in European cities, yet there are about eighty clubs, of various shade; of character and intention, in the metropolis.
THE LOTUS CLUB is one of the earliest creations of the kind of the fifth decade. In March, 1870, six young journalists met in the office of the New York Leader to take steps for the formation of a club which should bring into agreeable social contact journalists in particu- Jar, and literary and professional men, artists, actors, business men. and men of leisure of genial disposition and of aesthetic tastes. These young men were De Witt Van Buren of the Leader, A. C. Wheeler of the World, G. W. Hows of the Evening Express, F. A. Schwab of the Times," W. L. Alden of the Citizen, and J. H. Elliott of the Home Journal. They organized an association, and called it the Lotus Club. electing De Witt Van Buren, a brilliant journalist, the first president.
* The New York Times, a leading metropolitan journal, was founded in 1851 by George Jones and other capitalists, and Henry J. Raymond, who was its editor-in-chief. Its first issue was early in September. It took a high position in journalism at the start in its business and editorial aspects, and has maintained it until now. Mr. Raymond had been assistant editor of the Tribune and the Morning Courier and Enquirer for several years, and brought to the new establishment scholarship, great ability, experience, a wide knowledge of men, and indomitable industry and perseverance.
Mr. Raymond was a native of Lima, N. Y., where he was born January 24, 1820. He graduated at the University of Vermont in 1840, studied law, was a contributor to Greeley's Ver Yorker, and on the establishment of the Tribune became assistant editor. He had acquired great distinction as a reporter. Whenever Daniel Webster was abont to make an important speech in Congress he sent for Raymond to report him. He was fond of controversy. His discussion of socialism with Mr. Greeley and his controversy with Archbishop Hughes may be remembered by middle-aged readers. An astute poli- tician, he devoted his paper largely to political topics. until after the administration of President Johnson, whose reconstruction policy he at firs supported but afterward aban- doned. Elected a member of the New York Assembly in 1850, he was chosen its speaker, and in 1854 was elected lieutenant governor of the State. He assisted in the formation of the Republican party in 1856, and wrote the address to the people for its first national convention. In 1857 he refused the nomination for governor of the State of New York, went to Europe in 1859, was a warm supporter of the government during the Civil War, and was elected to Congress in 1861. Mr. Raymond die of apopless. after attending a political meeting, June 15, 1869.
FIFTH DECADE, 1870-1880.
Ile died soon afterward, and A. Oakey Hall, then mayor of the city, was chosen to succeed him.
At the beginning a reunion of the members every Saturday evening was provided for, and the "Lotus Saturday nights" have become famous. At these reunions might always be found most agreeable company. A good dinner early in the evening, music, recitations, exhibitions of new works of art, and general conversation make up the chief pleasure of the evening. Monthly art receptions are held during the winter, and there is also a " ladies' day" once a month. Many distinguished persons in literature, art, science, and the learned profes- sions have been entertained at dinner by the Lotus.
The home of the Lotus Club is in a brown-stone front edifice on the corner of Twenty-first Street and Fifth Avenue. It is elegantly fitted up, its walls garnished with paintings, and the whole furnished with every appliance requisite for a first-class club-house. Its membership is limited to 600 ; in 1883 it had 400 members. The initiation fee is $200, its annual dues $50. In 1882-83 Whitelaw Reid, of the Tribune, was president, Thomas W. Knox secretary, and Frederick B. Noyes treasurer.
THE NEW YORK PRESS CLUB was instituted in December, 1872. Active membership in the club is limited to persons employed on the public press of the city and vicinity, to city correspondents of news- papers abroad, and to gentlemen engaged in literary pursuits other than that of journalism. It was first formed by James Pooton, Jeremiah J. Roche, and Howard Carroll, and called the Journalistic Fraternity. It received its present name in October, 1874. The first home of the club was a small room : now (1883) it occupies a suite of handsome rooms at Nos. 119 and 121 Nassau Street, with a fine library, rich in files of newspapers and reference volumes. The Press Club is one of the best and most flourishing of the clubs of New York. and numbers over three hundred and fifty active members and several honorary members.
The officers of the club in 1883 were : Truman A. Merriman, presi- dent ; George W. Pearce, first vice-president ; James J. Clancy, second vice-president ; J. W. Keller, third vice-president ; William HI. Stiver, treasurer ; George Slater, financial secretary ; Albert E. Berg, record- ing secretary ; Augustine Healy, corresponding secretary, and II. ('lay Lukens, librarian.
SonosIs, a club for women, was organized in March, 1868, with the long-cherished object in view of promoting pleasant and useful relations among women of thought and culture, and ronder them helpful to each
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK CITY.
other. A preliminary meeting was held at the house of Mrs. Jennie (. Croly (" Jenny June") composed of the following named ladies : Mrs. II. M. Field, Mrs. Professor Botta, Miss Kate Field, who acted a- secretary ; Mrs. Charlotte Wilbour, and Mrs. Croly. These signed an invitation to several ladies to meet at the same place. Fourteen responded in person : an association was formed, and at the suggestion of Mrs. Croly they adopted for it the name of Sorosis, a Greek word signifying aggregation-the union of many in one. Miss Alice Cary was chosen the first president, but was soon compelled to relinquish the position on account of ill-health, when Mrs. Croly was elected to fill her place. She has held the office continuously since March, 1873.
The club numbered in 1853 about one hundred and fifty members. divided into ten standing committees, each a representative of some active interest of women. These committees have charge of the social meetings, which take place twice a month at Delmonico's, and provide papers for oral discussion. Music and readings compose the entertain- ment. Gentlemen are not admitted to these meetings, but there are evening receptions to which they are invited. The officers in 1ss; were : Mrs. J. C. Croly, president ; Mrs. Vincent C. King, treasurer. and Miss Mary A. Newton, secretary.
There are two Jockey Clubs in New York-the American and Coney Island. The former was founded by Leonard Jerome and others in 1866 ; the latter was organized in 1879. Mr. Jerome established Jerome Park, near Fordham, beyond the Harlem River, and there a track was laid out and convenient buildings erected. The first race there occurred in September, 1866. The American is the most prominent racing association in the country. It has a fine club-house at Jerome Park. The officers of the club in 1883 were : August Belmont, prosi- dent ; A. C. Monson, treasurer, and J. Il. Coster, secretary.
THE CONEY ISLAND JOCKEY CLUB is composed of the younger mem- bers of the American Club. Leonard Jerome is its president. It has one of the best race-courses in America at Sheepshead Bay, and a fine club-house at Manhattan Beach. New York City and its vicinity has always been a popular centre for the owners of thoroughbred horses. At the Union Course. on Long Island, so early as 1825, Flirtilla and Ariel ran a race for a purse of $20,000 a side.
The Germans of the city have a flourishing club known as the II.s: MONIE, and the Spaniards have one called LA ARMONIA. The German Arion Society or club is a social and musical association well known in the city through its concerts and annual masquerade balls.
Ti Brossom is a famous political club. It was originally the Ivy
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FIFTH DECADE, 1870-1880.
Green, organized in 1864. The first president was O. W. Brennan, with William M. Tweed as vice-president. Tweed was one of its great lights until he was suddenly extinguished. The president in 1853 was Edward Kearney, a distinguished Tammany sachem. The club has elegant quarters on the corner of Twenty-third Street and Broadway.
There are several athletic clubs, and clubs representing some special intent.or calling, like the Hide and Leather, the Merchants', the Chess, the Free Trade, the Racquet, the Cricket, and the University Club. One of the youngest of all these is the Arrions' CLUB, established late in 1882, designed to bring the older men of letters into more intimate relationship with younger men of the fraternity. It had in less than a year from its organization over fifty members.
We have observed that religious, benevolent, and charitable institu- tions have multiplied since 1870. Besides about four hundred and seventy-five church organizations, there were in the city in 1883 about 80 asyhims and homes, 27 dispensaries, 24 hospitals, 20 medical institu- tions, and about 290 societies, exclusive of the so clubs, which were formed for various objects, but largely for beneficent purposes. Be- sides these societies there was a large number of secret societies, each having a benevolent feature. These were respectively named United American Mechanics, Ancient Foresters, Druids, German Turn Verein, six Hebrew societies, nine Masonic lodges, numerous Odd Fellows' lodges, Order of Hermann's Sons, Order of the Sons of Liberty, several orders of temperance associations, and three benefit societies. There were also fourteen trades-unions, all of which have benevolent features. A large number of the institutions and associations referred to are old organizations, yet comparatively few of them date their origin previous to 1830.
One of the earliest of these more modern benevolent institutions is the WORKING WOMEN'S PROTECTIVE UNION, at No. 35 Bleecker Street. It was founded primarily for the purpose of aiding and protecting the large number of women and girls who, by the loss of husbands. fathers. or brothers in the war, had been thrown upon their own exertions for support. It was founded by leading citizens. Chief-Justice C. P. Daly was its first president. Its mission has been (and is now) most beneficent. Before this Protective Union was established the working women of New York City virtually had no legal protection against unscrupulous employers, no matter how just their claims, for they could not afford the expense of counsel .*
* The officers for 1882-83 were : Samuel Willets (since deceased), president ; J. IL.
HISTORY OF NEW YORK CITY.
THE WEST SIDE RELIEF ASSOCIATION began its work in 1869, and in 1876 a " Seaside Sanitarium" was connected with it for the relief of the sick and destitute children in the city during the hot months. This sanitarium was first established at Sea View, on the Long Branch Railroad. It was removed to Far Rockaway beach in 1578, where it . still remains. During the years 1876-83, inclusive, over sixteen thou- . sand persons of the class mentioned, with many mothers, were afforded the blessing of sea air by this institution .*
THE LADIES' HOME SOCIETY of the Baptist Church in the city of New York was organized in February, 1869. Its object is to provide the aged, infirm, or destitute members of the Baptist churches in the city with board, clothing, medical attendance, and their accustomed relig- ious services.t
ST. MARY'S FREE HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN was founded in 1870. It is one of the most active and useful charities of the metropolis. It was established under the auspices of an association of members of the Prot- estant Episcopal Church known as the Friends of St. Mary, to aid the religious order of the Sisterhood of St. Mary, belonging to the same church, and which is devoted to the care of the sick and needy, the orphan and the fallen, and the education of the young, without distinc- tion of creed or nationality. It began in a small way on November 7. 1870, at No. 206 West Fortieth Street. The increase of its work demanding larger accommodations, the Sisterhood were finally enabled to build the spacious edifice now occupied by this hospital at No. IT West Thirty-fourth Street. It was opened with 156 children in 1850. and is pursuing its benevolent work with zeal and success.
THE FLOWER AND FRUIT MISSION is a most salutary auxiliary to the system of nursing in hospitals and elsewhere, always bearing a healing influence to the sick. It was established in 1870 by benevolent ladies, who at the beginning were met with the utilitarian remark, " You had better turn your roses into bread." They did better ; they persevered. and won the gratitude of hosts of the sick and suffering, who were so benefited by their ministrations that they looked eagerly for the visits of the " flower ladies." The work was vet prosecuted with zeal in
Parsons, secretary ; Moses S. Beach, treasurer, and Mrs. Martha W. Ferrer, superin- tendent.
* The officers for 1882 were : Henry King, president : Thomas Burgh, D. D.S., vice- president ; II. G. Ham, secretary, and James Lewis, assistant secretary.
+ The officers for 1882-83 were : Mrs. D. C. Hayes, first directress : Mrs. S. M. Ambler and Mrs. D. Murphy, second and third directresses ; Mrs. John M. Bruce, treasurer ; Mrs. Theron R. Butler, corresponding secretary, and Mrs. William J. Toda, recor bit . secretary.
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FIFTH DECADE, 1870-1880.
1SS3. In 1882 contributions of flowers and fruits were received from the city conservatories and from 151 towns ; and there were distrib- uted in the hospitals, homes, and among the sick poor in tenement- houses 150,000 bouquets and a large quantity of fruit. Of these, 45.000 distributions were made in tenement-houses. The reception-rooms of the mission are at No. 239 Fourth Avenue.
There is also a BIBLE AND FRUIT MISSION and coffee-house in East Thirty-fourth Street, established in 1575, for a similar purpose. In connection with its beneficent work in distributing flowers and fruit and delicacies among the sick is a Loan Relief .Association, a lodging- house, a kindergarten class, and a restaurant .*
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