Evening Star Newspaper, December 5, 1882, Page 2

* Slow to Remedy the Evil—A Novel Sug- gestion—Let the War Department Police the City. ‘To the Editor of Tux Evextxe Star. The interests of Washington, as everybody knows, require that it should be the best po- Need city in the werld, and not one of the worst. It is peculiarly necessary, to put It on no higher than material grounds, that the living of law- | abiding antl well-disposed people here, of what- ever station In life, should be made as secure | and pleasant as possible. The capital has so | many charms that the blot which does exist 1s | doubly unbearable. In those quarters where the people are able | to protect themselves from rum shops and side- walk bucksters, where there is the be | found that is worth stealing, the bui sneak thief flourish. In those quarters where | there Is not so much to steal, but where many Fespectable and gently-bred people try to live In neatness and comfort and peace, the butcher | who ornaments the sidewalk with dead hogs, | the corner-loafer and howling hoodlum are | the only happy and protected class. Such po- | Heemen as there are say they “can’t,” and put | the responsibility on the suffering citizen; their | Officers put it on the Police Court; the Police | Court puts it on the law. So it goes. The Police fail, the court fails, the law fails. AN AVERAGE OF BLAME. If the p do not respect the court and the | court dees not sustain the police, it is natural | shouid care for either of them. fs not any one thing so bad as to cuous in the dead-level of inefliciency, ithe police are all so far be that they are all fall- npt among those who would be glad to take pride in them. Were this com- | compelled to govern itself, we would | 1 the temporary re- | the imevit- forms, the spasmoc able relaxations th cities in trying to | ONE POSSIBLE REMEDY that no others have. ly that she patri- | nizations whieh s our | n of policemen to men of their own | class. It will n urb the eq) of the ts on the United States and ut will make the It will do x} 101 than | “d to. bring | fender | «ticers who | fare of It will - ly of patrolmen who | will ytine. It will be | respected ill be looked Upon with gratituie and ¢ the orderly and honest. It will be bad for the ruffian, the t fer and the yawpin It ested. fear! % mm ditt appl ny Se it ought cult to obtain, but not to believe would not be. Why noc WIPE OCT OUR WHOLE F F oO ¢ War business over to the department? The army has more off an ean easily be made useful to their government in these Piping times of peace. It costs less to keep a foldier than a policema By employing “federal bayonets” here in the federal city we would not tread on any political toes, as might bedone in the states. The army, in time of Peace, is but the national police force anyway, Qnd there is no fitter way to use it than in pro- of the national eapital. uch a difference, to be sure, be- tween aman in uniform patroling the street with a uniform and another man in uniform ling it with a revolver and a club! Wash- on is quite as familiar with federal bayonets any otlier city, and the good peuple here, who are net children and believe in things Father than names, are not afraid of them. Barely there is as much reason in employing a small part of this national police force in this non-political national capital as in putting into the hand of the War department the rivers and harbors in all the states. Yet how quickly and wisely we came to that. Here sits continually the Secretary of War, a civil officer. under Whose immediate eye the work wouid be done. If Lydecker and Greene and Hoxiecan do our engineering. why cannot their comrades do our licinz—and do it as efficiently? We think if slwuid do it the hoodlums would net_ make fan of the patroimen, and it would not be im- possible to find a guardian when and where he Was wanted, and when found he would not be 80 heavy that he coulda’t catch anybody worth eatching. Gentlemen of the One Hundred, is there Something in this?. X.Y. Z. ‘The Street-Yelling Nuisance. ‘THE WAY INVALIDS oFFER. ‘To the Fditor of Tae Evesine Stan “Hark from the tomb you hear that doleful sound.” No, but daily about 9 o'clock a. m., in my neighborhood you can hear the mournful ery of C-0-a-- followed bi @ procession of the you his father lived in Mulberry L ice oysters and he dues the same, says they (the oysters) are butti brains Outarainst the can how can you resist the temptation to pure Hein turn is fullowed | by the “Hard-head cabbaze,” “Irish and sweet | oes,” then the w York cooking and | eating apples” and w Se they go up and down the street: pecting to grocer,” 4¢.; I presume they m join in, each , in addition toa good pair of ius there be music in the ait. But seriously, is there nothing due the poor invalid who has pas icht deprived Of sleep by fever, couzh, &c, and looking for- ward that daylicht may ‘give hin short naps to Fecuperate? I appreciate the efforts these poor ereatures are making fora livinz, but why not establish depots for the sale of their articles as others d: Let them keep good articles and deal fairly, and if necessary advertise, and I am Satisled the public, the patronage that is desir- ‘able, will ind them. UFFERER. Heapic Coaca Duivexs TureaTexep.—On Saturday night Officer Byrnes. of the seventh Precinct, was informed by a party that he had @verheard several parties putting up a job to lick or drivers of the Herdic ersection of 7th According to e . Where the driver was then be killed fyrnes at once went to the stand and found the ¥ to be assailed was not there, but ina Ettle time some of the parties described av- peared on t ordered off. appears U bs have been a on the st s been some feeling. and it would seem if the informa- tion xiven to the officer was correct that some zh to attempt to whip It ts but Just to the hackmen that the parties reported a n this plot are not the regular # the stand. and are believed to be Men who supposed that ¥ would be doing ‘the hackmen a favor. —_.—— Tee Narioxat Jocxer Ciun CTION.—At the annual meeting of the National Jockey hab last night, 9 oticors were elected for the en- suing year as follows: J.C. McKibbin, presi- Gent, re-elected: RepresentativesJ. 5. Barbour, W. Hooker, sergeant-at-arms of the House, Wm. Gait, Maj. J.C. Goodloe, George | Portion of the crowd. | tear aside the | oll we | reek! | it. Perhaps the eat ‘THE DEAD LETTER OFFICE SALE. Auctioning Off the Accumuiations of ‘Three Years. THE VARIED CHARACTER OF THE COLLECTION— THE ROMANCE AND PATHOS OF THE SALE— HAIR SWITCHES AND BANGS—THE AVERAGE OF CARELESSNESS MAINTAINED. The sale of articles that have accumulated in the mails during the past three years was begun yesterday morning at Duncanson’s auction rooms on 9th street. There was a good-sized crowd attracted by the sale, and the tempting prospect that they might strike something big in this lottery of the auction had, no doubt, its due influence in bringing together a good pro- These sales are no novelty in this city, but still they have always exerted a powerfnl fascination, and have been invested with an interest which the ordinary auction 1s powerless to elicit. There is an afr of mystery about the rows ot brown paper packages which are piled upon the shelves, behind the auctioneer, and a flayor of wild adventure and feverish speculation about biduing for them that is perfectly irresistible to many minds. The government endeavors to make the sale as matter of fact as possible by issuing a catalogue and specifying the contents ofeach package. It even goes as far as to ad- mit in a burst of candor that certain articles are “damaged” or “mutilated” or “silver plated.” But in spite of this frankness and attempt to , Which enshrouds everything with a pecutlar mystery counected with the dead letter office, nobody believes. THE CATALOGUE. Even the auctioneey casts a doubt upon its re- liability by posting conspicuously In the auction room the sizn ‘The catalogue is believed to be correct, but no guarantee is given,” That settles it in the public mind. There is a mine of wealth concealed in some of these packages. What is to hinder that long, slim package or that chubby little bundle from containing di: mond earrings or rolls of greenbacks or a dress? ik Suppose the catalogue does announce that the package containsa steel file or the b pundle a pai red flannel drawers. What of The catalogue may be mistaken. Some- tells the eager speculator that the cata- lozue isa sham and the government does not know what it, is talking about. They reason that if everything was as represented the goods would be displayed and not concealed in paper. Here is the El Dorado, the California mine, the the telephone stock and other means of sudden wealth going for a mere song pectator looks and listens something tells him that his dreams of affiuence are about to be real Here at last is the LON OOKED-FOR OPPORTUNITY. He hears tie auctioneer say, in a mechanical tone: “Number 317. Twenty-five cents is bid. Do Phear thirty? Twenty-five, thirty—thirty.” But he doesn't hear thirty. So he offers it for twenty-five; and no one accepting, in a fit of cklessness he puts it up for ten cents. The tor looks at that nice brown paper par- s pulse beats more rapidly as he thinks of the fortune that may lay conceaied within : it is an elec- real at liver pad, but to the excited mind of the speculate: y be anything from a piano to a | diame h bids the one else has discovered its ds fifteen, and with the greatest ¢ doubt and uncertainty the finaily knocked down to the r and he breathes a si: over his money and He no doubt sighs e Hinds the Hiver-pad, anda cheap But then he thinks that he will luck next time. So he goes on buy- he purchaser of lottery tickets. But re other speculators at the sale who are evidently small shop-keepers. and when the ¢at- a “12 gents’ linen collars package. “Lis of woolen half-hose,” “pair K attract this class and they get good barains, for the articles are often the best of the kind, and perhaps have been sent throuzh the mails as samples from some manu- facturer. THE ROMANCE OF THE SALE. The catalogue in its enumeration ot the thou- sands of articles from a hair pin and all the varieties of things tor personal adornment to a work on “Modern Theism,” would afford fine material for an imaginative mind. Sterne’s “Sentimental Journey” would suffer by com- parison. The progress of such a writer through this catalogue would be saturated with tears and accompanied by mournful sighs. Here for instance is a package containing a baby’s dress, which could be made a much mere effective theme than the celebrated episode of the death of the ass was to Sterne. It is possible that the dress was bestowed with the tears of a mother, heart-broken over the death ot her only child and who had sent it to some mother who was only rich in the possession of children. It is, however, more probable that it is only a common-place sort of a dress sent as a pattern from one mother to another, or from the manu- factory. Then there is a ring. Was not that ring the visible sien of plighted troth between two loving hearts separated by adverse fate? Perhaps so. It 1s customary to surround ety thing connected with the Dead Letter office with a pathetic, tra;ric interest, and the public has become so usea to it that tears start unbidden to the eye when the name only of the office is mentioned. It is a very easy matter for one to weep hix or her way throuzh this catalogue, and no doubt there are many affecting circumstances connect- ed with it. ‘A hurried vlance over the pages will convince those not entirely lost to all sym- pathy with human woe of this fact. VITCHES AND BANGS. For instance, the article that appears most frequently in the enumeration is stated ag fol- low “One real hair switch,” “two hair .”" and so on, with switches and bangs alternating with such frequency that the thought naturally arises if the fair ones are still waiting for the mail to give up its plunder, what a terri- bie bald-headed condition must the females of this country be reduced to! But the articles are not confined to wearing apparel and personal adornment. A box of cigars was sold yesterday for $1.35, and the auctioneer knocked it down with @ timely caution to the pur- chaser not to smoke the cigars in the room. Four pairs of red flannel drawers were sold for #2, while a hair switch only brought 20 cents. The buyers seemed to be influenced by common sense as well as speculative mania; but the lat- ter usually proves stronger on such occasions. Literature, art and music is not wanting in this collection, and the former especially contributes largely to the bulk. THE LIBRARY thus collected is distinguished for variety, if for nothing else. Here may be found “The Life of Christ” and “The Life of B. F. Butler,” “Songs for the Sanctuary,” and ‘How Gambler's Win,” in’s ‘lhe Tramp “Sewer Gases.” and “Mrs. Heman’s Poetical Works.” This collection numbers over three thousand works, and ranges from a pic- ture book to Adam Smith’s “-Weaith ot Nations.” There is a iar: collection of music | comprising the latest variety songs, as well | as church music. The Jewelry list is long and varied, and is distinguished by having the word “cheap” occur frequently in the enumeration. | __A perusal of this list reveais in a torelble way to the mind the almost indefinite uses for which the mails are employed. There seems to be no article outside ofa mowing machine or a loco- motive that is not sent through the mails, and that this is a growing tendency is shown by the increasing bulk of the catalogues of these | periodical sales. AMERICAN CARELESSNESS. Some would no doubt say that the increased size of the catalogues tended to show that care- lessness was on the increase, and not the mall matter. In this oonnection it may be stated that the Post Office officials have discovered that C. Gorham, vice-presidents, H. D. Melntyre, Secretary; RB. F. Baker, Hollinzshead, Stone, H. W. Biunt, _ - Hallet Kilbourn, Clarence Hall, J. F. Ohnstead, B.A. Curistman, 0. C. Green, and J. T. Dyer, ecutive committee. 4 —_--—_ Ovreetat Visrratioxs I. 0. or it uTES.— ‘The officers of Colu:nbia District Tent, No. 2, the folowing official visitations, hay- fommenced with Face, Jr., iast evening No. 47, Wednesday, December hip, No. 73, Monday, Decesber 11; 5 December 15; Anacostia, ry January 17; Stand- and Jehu. by D.V. aad L. apd D.C. RB elote of oficial year. ms the carelessness of the American people is a permanent factor, and that the mat- ter which finds its way to the Dead Letter office and which represents this careless- ness, maintains from year to year about the same ratio to the entire bulk of Major E. J. Dallas, the chief of office, maintains that while the ing no wore in this ing any better. As dies another is born, hoe airy This science of sociology. contribution to this Se has upon tl pment of this American character. the mail. WASHINGTON SIXTY YEARS AGO. The National Capital as it was in 1822. A View of the Past Obtained Through an Old City Directory. There is nothing which makes the growth of @ city more apparent than a comparison of an old-time directory with one of those of late years. A person well acquainted with the dif- ferent localities of this city may, by such’a com- parison, obtain a pretty tair idea of the changes made as to the fashionable localities. One look- ing over the Washington directory of 1822, the first general directory of the city ever published, is struck by the great increase in population and thechangesof fashionable localities. This was published by Judah Delano, and contains “the name, occupation and residence of each head of family and person in business; the names of the members of Congress, and where they board, together with other useful information,” and was printed by William Duncan, 12th street. It is asmall book of tess than 150 pages, and the directory proper contains but $4 pages, aver- ing 35 names to a page, and. ying, beside one of the large volumes now published, is a mere pigmy. The total population of the city, by the census of 1820, being but 13,247, of which 1,945 were slaves and 1,606 free colored, the book would seem to be fully in proportion to It. There were then six wares; Thos. Carberry was mayor, Wm. Hewitt register, and Thomas L. Noyes clerk to the mayor and register. Mr. B. J. Mid- dieton, who died-at an advanced age, a few weeks since, was then clerk of the board of aldermen. Judges Cranch, Thurston and Morsell held the Circuit Court, its October and April terms, at the Old Capitol building, corner of North A and 1st streets—the City Hall not then ing been completed for the courts, although the corporation end (west wing) was occupied. The Avenue then was a common dirtroad, and, as Dickens described it, the city was one of magnificent distances. The hotels were Stroth- , Where Willard’s now ts, (14th street and sylvania avenue); Brown’s Indian Queen, now the Metropolitan; the City hotel (Rumt's), opposite Brown; Franklin (Wm. O’Neale’s) Pennsylvania avenue, between 20th and 2ist streets; Queen's hotel, Ist, between East Capitol and A streets south, and the Washington (San- ord’s), Pennsylvania avenue, above Willard’s. The banks were the branch of the U.S. bank, corner of F and 18th streets; Patriotic bank, Pennsylvania avenue, between 9th and 10th streets; Bank of Washington, on New Jersey avenue, between B and © streets south, and Bank of Metropolis, 15th and F streets. There are four markets mentioned in the book—the Center, Western, Capitol Mill and Fastern, or Navy Yard market. The Washing- ton Asylum was then on M street, between 6th and 7th northwest; the Orphan Asylum estab- lished in 1815 on 7th street, between Hand I streets. The burying grounds were the Western, between S, T, 19th and 20th streets northwest. known as Holmeads; Eastern, square 1,026; Episcopalian, near ‘astern Branch, (now Congressional Cemetery), piscopalian, (new), between 12th, 13th, R and streets, and Catholic, at the head of 3d street The charches were two west. John’s and Chri three Presby ly . (south of the Capitol); second, now New York Avenue, and Dr. Lauries, on the site occupied y Willard Hail, F near 14th; two Baptist, first, (19th, between G and H), and second, (Navy Yard); two Methodist, Foundry and two Catholic, St. Patrick's and St. Pet the Unitarian, (6th and D streets). There were but two public schools, the Eastern, taught by Tippett, and Western, by Henry Ould. ong other officers of the corporation wei ers of the city lotteries, to raisea fund for ding two public school houses, a_peniten- tiary and a city hatl. In the list of residents two are put down as captains of steamers, viz.: Charles Walker, of steamer Washington, E street, between 10th and Lith southwest, and Joseph Jolson, of steamer Dandy, 34 street W, near Eastern Branch. Amusements, KA AS “ROSALIND.”—A large, fashionable and crit cal audience assembled last hight to wel- come Mme. Modjeska back to Washington after un absence of several years ant to witness the nl yerformance by her in this city of Rosalind, ‘ou Like It” It has been doubtful whether ka would make as marked a success in this role as in the more emotional ones which she viously has portreyed, but her performance last izht removed all doubt on the subject. As Mod- ka Is great in “Camiile” and *Frou-Frou,” so She fs great as Rosalind. Her accent, which 1s now So slight as to be almost imperceptible, was rather “n additional charm than @ hindrance to the ac- tion of the play. Maurice Barrymore gave a clean cut and agreeable interpretation of Orlando, and fairly shared the honors with Mme. Modjeska. The hunting song, ususlly so tedious, was excep- tionally well rendered by an excellent chorus, in which Were recognized several well-known Wash- ington vocal! Forp’s Orera Hovse.—The Hanlons made their first appearance here last evening in their new play, “Le Voyage En Suisse.” The au- dience which assembled to greet them was a large one, and seemed to heartily enjoy the many amusing incidents and situations in which the play abounds. It is a fresh and original periormance, and is destined to attract crowded houses nightly during the engagement. The stage hag been enlarged to accommodate all the machinery necessary to the proper production of the piece. The Hanlons have no superiors in their line. THEATER Comique.—The Richmond Specialty Company appeared before a large audience last evening, and presented a yery interesting vari- ety program, including singing, dancing, come- dy, and delineations of the Irish, Dutch and negro. Mr. Vernon Pace M. E. Cuurcu.—aA fair is in progress here, held by the Ladies’ Aid So- ciety. It will be continued to-morrow even- ing. Cnristian Cuvrca.—Rey. F. D. Power will lecture here this evening on “The Religious Life and Character of James A. Garfield.” a Hat.—Rev. Henry W Beecher alecture here this evening onthe y| olution and Revolution.” A large audience will doubtless be present. Farr.—Kemember the daily lunch of St. An- drew’s church from 12 to 2 daily this week at Willard’s hall, and fair each evening. sete Navy Yard Bridge. ‘To the Editor of Tae Eventna Star: Cannot the Commissioner of Public Buildings nas be induced to put a force of men upon the Navy Yard bridge after each fall of snow and have the carriage way cleared? The planks on this bridge were placed too close together, aud after water freezes on the the carriage way the teams have a first-class skating rink to come over. Our light falls of snow Invariably thaw between the hours of twelve and three, and the plank holds the water 80 effectually as to Justity those who are com- pelled to come over it in asking the proper officer to have the bridge -kept tree, if possible, of snow and slush. axacostia. ” THE ANGLERS’ AssoctaTION.—At the 137th monthly meeting of the Anglers’ association last night the following officers were re-elected for the seat ied Dr. Smith Townshend, resident ; John Hancock, vice-president; Theo. riebus, secretary dnd treasurer; Wm. F. Fearson, John Judge, N. Sardo, executive com- mittee. ——— ANNUAL Masonic ELEcTIONS.—At a meet- ing of Pentalpha Lodge, No. 23, F.A.A.M., held last evening, the following officers were M. Trimble, W.M.; J. P. Torbert, S.W.; W. P. Crews, J.W.; J. W. Griffin, treasurer: J. C. Poynton, secretary. The Masonic Hall Association held its annual election of directors last night with the follow- ing result: P.H. Hooe, N. D. Larner, W. H. Goods, 1. L. Johnsun and J. Willett. shar LE ATTEMPT TO SINK a Suir IN Mrp-Ockay.— An attempt was made to sink in mid-ocean the ship Joseph S. Shinney, which arrived at San Francisco Saturday from Havre. When four weeks out between three and four feet of water was discovered in the hold. After much trouble elected and install LETTER FROM OREGON. John Jacob” Astor-The Town He Founded—its Imposing Attractions, and Growing Impertance—Its Fine Harbor an@' Extensive Shipping—A Magniffent'River-The Bar of the Special Correspondence of Tux EVENING Stan: § Astoria, OREGON, Nov. 22, 1883. This enterprising and prosperous city of 5,000 inhabitants, located on the Columbia river about 12 miles above the bar, was founded by John Jacob Astarin 48ih, as a furtrading station, and was named fn honor of its distinguished founder. Viewed from its sea-side it presentsa picture of rare, romantic beauty. A thousand white houses strewed along the green slopes of a hill side, and looking down through long avenues of fir, pine, and cedar, is a truly picturesque and thrilling sight from the deck of aship which has just emerged from the wide rolling ocean into I the calm and sparkling waters of the Columbia. A large portion. of the town is built on the water,and yet itis singularly free fromall malarial diseases. Indeed, the oldest, and best intormed citizens claim a complete absence of ma- larla from this atmosphere. Though there is a rainfall here of half the year the climate 1s phenominally hospitable and healthy. The name of the bar- rooms in this place is legion, but the amount of moral and religious influence which prevalls serves to mitigate the evils flowing from these fountains of “liquid death and distilled damna- tion.” A half dozen of neat and comfortable churches, with intelligent and deyout congrega- tions, In conjunetion with a good school sys- tem, constitute the conservative elements in this society. It has in full play all the forces of the higher civilization, such as law, order, intelli- gence, industry, virtue and religion. Astoria, it 1s admitted, has one of the finest harbors on this continent, whose deep and tranquil waters ffoat with ease and safety the largest ships of the world. Its broad bay is perpetually white with the sails of the com- merce of all nations. Its chief exports consist of-fish, lumber and wheat, which yield a large revenue to this region. The annual income trom these three products aggregates as fol- lows: Salmon, $3,000,000; lumber, €500,000, and wheat, $1,000,000. Statistics show that in the matter of torelgn exports for the month of February, 1882, New York stood first, San Francisco second and Astoria third. This city is the center of . THE GREATEST SALMON FISHERY IN THE WORLD. Or the forty cannerieson the Columbia twen- ty-four of them are located at Astoria. The salmon of this river are superior to the same species of fish in other waters, chiefly in respect to delicacy of flavor and the amount of oil they contain. They are shipped hence in vast quanti- ties to Liverpool and London as great distribut- ing centers for all Europe. They are regarded as a real luxury by the laboring classes, and it is said that connoisseurs prefer them before any other canned fish in the world. Large ship- ments of them are also made to Australia and from San Francisco countless car loads are car- ried to the commercial centers of our vwn coun- try. These famous fish are accustomed to leave the ocean In.the spring and early summer, and to move in vast armies to the cooler and clearer waters of thé adjacent rivers and streams, where they deposit their myriads of spawn, which, in the course of afew months, abandon their birth- place and proceed to the sea, which is their na- tural and normal element. The river at Astoria 1s about seven miles wide and flows along in silent strength and grandeur till lost in the murisurs of the Pacific seas. Both banks are crowned with wooded heights of com- manding proportions, which stand as the fore- ground in the panorama of towering mountains in the distahce, lifting their gigantic and gilt- tering heads to f clouds. The sublime and beautiful scénery of the Hudson finds a parallel in this bold and brijllant picture. The extreme humidity of this atmosphere forbids that full flush of purple and gold which irradiates the clearer and calmer spies of California. But the softer tints gf evanescent color gleam here with purer hue apd fairer luster than in any other part of the tind. ; THE BAR OF THE COLUMBIA is the great obstruction to the entrance of this magnificent river. The perils attending its pas- Sage by large steamers prevent thousands from visiting this rich and romantic region. The board of engineers-appointed by the Secretary of War to'examine this bar and to devise some plan for its improvement have decided to recom- mend that an appropriation of $400,000 be made by Congress for the building of a sea-wail from Fort Stevens northward for the purpose of deep- ening the channel by diminishing the breadth of the current. We know of no more important work in which the government could at the present embark. The terrible wrecks of the Great Republic and of other vessels of smaller dimensions which are still visible above the roaring flood argue the importance of a speedy improvement of these dangerous shoals. THE RESOURCES OF OREGO! The resources of a country like this will be difficult to measure. For since it is new its mineral resources probably are, for the most part, undiscovered. Enough is known, how- ever, to say that Oregon is rich in iron, coal and timber. These three factors are certainly sufficient to make a state of immense wealth and population. Let the timber be removed from the country bordering on the Pacific ocean, as it will be to supply the greatly increasing de- mand of lumber for Australia, China, South America and Mexico, and there will be un- cov e To the capitalist and manutac- turer of the east here is a good fleld. First, in the manufacture of lumber at the mouths of the Oren streams. Next, in bringing by a railroad, running along the seashore from Coos bay on the south to Astoria onthe north, carrying lumber from the shal- lower to the deeper outlets for export. One million feet of lumber per day is said to be the average now shipped foreign from Paget Sound. Along the seashore of Oregon and extending for 20 miles inland, there is an abundance of large hemlock, the bark of which is sald to be much stronger in tannin than the Maine bark. In short, here in Oregon, along the seacoast, there is a country rich in resources awaiting the development by the lumbermen, railroads, tan- ners and dairymen and small farmers, not yet taken up. Going east across the coast range of mountains there are a chain of valleys, the para- dise of farmers, but now tolerably well settled. Going still farther east there is the Columbia river basin, the Ochoco and Klamath counties, which are dry but not too dry, unsettled as yet, inviting thousands of farmers and grazers to come and make for themselves homes. W. —_—_—_-e- ___ Alexandria Affairs. Reported for THR EVENING STAR. Tue Lavxcu.—No great crowd witnessed the launch at the.upper ship yard yesterda: arternoon. _ {he 1,900 ton vessel just compl . slid from the stoeks about 3 o'clock, and was named the James Beyce, jr., Capt. James Adams breaking the bottle of wine over her bow as she gracefully glided jnto the Potomac. Previous disappointménts ata the uncertainty as to the time of the @aunch; prevented the assembling of a greater crowd) The new vessel is 151 feet at keel; full;length; 176 feet. breadth of beam 351g feet, apd ayn of hold 151g feet. She ‘was built by the Potomac manufacturing com- pany and is dommatided by Capt. A. A. Duncan, of Maine. 7 NOVEMBER sean ae Alexandria i. im- proving in all respects. More marriage licenses ‘were granted here during the month of Novem- ber than during the entire three months pee vious, and over 60‘per cent more than in No- vember of last year) In August, 4 licenses were granted; in ;September, 7, in’ October, 6; and the leak.was discovered. Three augur holes had been bored throuzh the bottom just to the right of the keelson. below the breasthook hole in the inner sheeting, which had been plugged and coy- ered with loose dirt to conceal It. Aclose watch was kept on the crew, but nothing was discov- ered to warrant making any arrest, although members of the crew say that Captain Curlii expressed the opinion it was done by ‘Second ae Lighted ee i much Sa against capt a course, denies charges. = ————~_+9.____ A Church Sociable Conundrum. ‘From the Rochester Post-Express. Why is a man ringing a bell for an auction like a church sociable? “One makes a noise to get money and the other makes an oyster get money. The New York Herald says: “ The coming Congress is to have among its members. a very close and careful mi: He refused to buy a po- rous plaster because he thought it was moth- in Novem! he ee cite pened well. At the ral Te wi marriages here in Becsiaver st Porice Vatanét#s.—The joint convention of the city council assembles again to-night to re- new its ballots to fill vacancies on the police force. One new member has been chosen and other members at the last meeting will pene ent, so that the total of the assembly be 22. Thirteen votes are needed to make a on et. ‘and passed a number of patie which will- be ess pi: ee . ie Alexundria: 7 ). Demalt has just from an expedition t West ‘Virginia, “where he killed four deer, 8 bear, much smaller” Robert SOLDIERS’ HOME. ‘Twenty-Oone Yenrs’ Arrearnges of Des serters’ Forfeited Pay Due. The Second Auditor, in his annual report, adds the following interesting chapter to the history of the management of the Soldiers’ Homeaffairs: By section 4818 of the Revised Statutes all for- feitures on account of desertion and all moneys belonging to the estates of deceased soldiers, remaining unclaimed for three years subsequent to the death of such soldiers, are set apart and appropriated for the support of the Soldiers’ Home. I find that twenty-one years’ arrearages | are due said Home on account of moneys for- feited by those deserters from the regular army who were never heard of after desertion. With ‘a few trifling exceptions the accounts of such deserters have not been settled, When the men were dropped from the rolls of the army such data as was necessary to an adjustment of their pay accounts were entered on the muster rolls, and there the matter ended. There s also a large sum due the Home on account of un- claimed money belonging to the estates of soldiers who died prior to July 1, 1879. The aggregate amount payable to the Home from these two sources 1s estimated at upward of $1,000,000. It is clearly the duty ot the ac- counting officers of the Treasury department to adjust and settle the accounts of deceased sol- diers and deserters, so that the Home may re- ceive what the law has set apart and appropri- ated for its support; but the necessary clerical force Is lacking. I estimate that it would take six experienced clerks five years in this office, and a proportionate number for the same period in the Second Controller's office, to bring the work up to date. In view of all the circumstances, and consid- ering especially the length of time that the Sol- diers' Home has been deprived of a portion of its legitimate income, I venture to suggest a plan by which an equitable settlement between the United States and the Home can be arrived at without the expense and delay ot examining and adjusting the pay accounts ot deceased sol- diers and deserters—namely, that Congressshall appropriate areasonable amount, say 1,000,000, to bedeposited in the Treasury inaccordance with the provisions of section 8 of Senate bill No. 1,821, prescribing reculations for the Soldiers’ Home, and now pending in Congress, sald amount to be accepted by the Home in full dis- charge of all obligations on the part of the United States, under section 4,818 of the Re- Hess Statutes, up to and including June 30, 79. —— The Election Irregularities in Vir- xinia, CHARGE OF A RICHMOND JUDGE TO THE GRAND JURY. The grand Jury of the United States district court met in Richmond yesterday. Judge Hughes made a general charge without alluding Specifically to any alleged irregularities or frauds In the recent election. The grand jury will, however, look into all such cases as aro brought before them. In the hustings court of Richmond the grand Jury forthe December term also met and was charged by Judge G. L. Christian in regard to the violation of the laws against frauds in elec- tion. Judge Christian referred to the recent arrests by federal authorities of citizens on charges of forgery or perjury, or both, in the ment of citizens of Virginia with the state tax prior to the late election. These offenses he claimed to be offenses against the laws of the state. and he informed the grand juty that it was their province and duty to inquire into such charges, and if there have been violations of these laws to bring offenders before this court for trial. He said the jurors of United States courts are selected from all parts of the dis- tricts in which they are held. As_ to offenses against etate laws, they are in the contem- plation of the law as much foreign courts as those held in St. Petersburg or Vienna, with no jurisdiction’ whatever. In cases of | offenses against the state laws, he claimed that the ac- tion of the United States commission in inves- tigating the cases referred was a nullity. Judge Christian also called the attention of the grand jury to the coarse, vulgar, slanderous, and li- belous matter given to the world by the press and individuals to defame the character and disgrace the families of citizens. Nothing, he said, was sacred from these infamous ana insid- lous shafts, from the pulpit down. Whether true’ or false these libels and slanders are crimi- nal in the eyes of the law, because they tend to breaches of the peace; and he desired the earnest consideration of these subjects, so that they may be punished and suppressed. The grand jury is now inquiring into the matter of the fasuance ofalleged illegal capitation tax re- ceipts before the late election by John D. Snell- Ing, the deputy collector appointed by the au- ditor of public accounts, which appointment is said to have been, together with the execution of the bond given by the appointee, fraudulent and criminal. The auditor and other officers in the state capitol have been summoned. The bond given by Snelling was called for in court by the commonwealth’s attorney, Mr. Witt, and could not be found in the auditor's office. ——_—_+e- A Good Word for the Chinese. “*the genius, wit, and spirit of a nation are dis~ ‘covered in its proverbs.""—LORD Bacon, [For Tue Evexine Star. The following are specimen proverbs of this venerable nation: Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, taught 551 years before Christ, as follows: 3 “Human nature came to us perfect, but in process of time our passions have corrupted it. “Desire not the death of thi iy, thou woulds’t desire it in vain; his life is in the hands of heaven.” “Obey heaven, and follow the orders of him who governs it.” “Love your neighbor as yourself; let your reason and not your senses be the rule of your conduct.” *-Do to another what you would he should do unto you. Thou only needest this law alone, it is the foundation and principle of all the rest.” These precepts would not be unbecoming to our perfect system of Christianity. x The following are proverbs in general use and without particular parentage: The tongue which is yielding endures, the teefh which are stubborn perish. It isa principle or the Chinese government not to license what they consider immoral. Better be a dog in peace than a man in an anarchy. court instructed the ju government of the United In China the creditor sometimes quarters himself and family on the debtor. To violate the law isthe same crime in the lel as in the subject. ‘alkativeness in the wife is one of the grounds of divorce in China. 5 Before the Christian era they spoke of the ancient system of instruction in China. The hearts of the people are the only legiti- mate founndations of empire or of legitimate rale, Those who labor with their minds rule; those who labor with their bodies are ruled. Cope says “And those who think, still govern those who toil”) ; A vacant mind is open to all suggestions as a hollow mountain returns all sounds. When the tree Is felled its shadow disanpears. (Desertion of the great when unfortunate by parasites.) You cannot strip two skins off one cow. (A limit to extortion.) A man’s words are Iike an arrow close to the mark, a woman’s like « broken fan. The Chinese call a blustering fellow a paper Ager. 5 orerdoking a thing, a hunchback making a W. Who spend their charity on remote objects, but neglect their family, are said to “hang a lantern on a pole, which’ is seen from afar, but gives no light below.” ° The greater fish eat the smaller, the smaller eat the shrimps, and the shrimps are obliged to eat mud; said with reference to rulers of differ- ent classes. Patience, and the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown. Trust not the the flatterer; in thy days of sun- shine he will give three pounds of butter, and in thy hour of need deny thee a crumb of THE ARLINGTON ESTATE DECISION, Brief History of the Suit—Views of the Court as Delivered by Judge Miller. _ Tt was announced in THe Star yesterday that a decision had been rendered in the U. 8. Su- preme Court in tlie Arlington case, affirming the judgment of the court below, awarding the estate to the heirs of General Robert E. Lee’s wife. As heretofore stated, the Arlington es- tate, comprising some 1,500 acres in Alexandria county, Virginia, opposite Washington, on which the national cemetery of deceased soldiers of the late war is located, was sold tor taxes under the act of June 7, 1862, and pur- chased by the United States for $26,800, The amount of tax due was $92.07. Arter the death of General Lee and his wife, suit was brought in the United States district court by General W, P. C. Lee, their son, against. Frederick Kaufman, superintendent of the Arlington cem- etery, and Capt. Strong, commanding officer at Fort Whipple, Peete in possession, for the recovery of ‘the estate, Attorney General Devens appeared for the de- fendants on behalf of the government, and moved that the suit be dismissed for the reason that the government, as a soverelgn power, could not be sued in its own courts without its own consent, which had not been granted by Congress. To this the counsel for Gen. Lee de- murred, and the demurrer was sustained. The case was then tried on itsmerits. It was shown that the commissioners had adopted arule not ¢ to receive any taxes except from the owner in rson, and as Gen. Lee was then in the con- federate army, it was impossible for him to pay his taxes within the time designated. The | ‘y that if they believed | that the tax commissioners had adopted and | uniformly acted upon such a rule, then the sale | was invalid and conveyed no title to the pur- | {" chaser. The verdict was in favor of Gen. Lee, and the case went to the Supreme Court. THE OPINION OF THE CoURT. Justice Miller, in delivering ihe opinion of the | court yesterday, sald that the most important question presented 1s whether suit can be brought under any circumstances against the tates without that ie court holds, first, government's consent. T party defendant in any court whatever except where Congress has provided for such sult; second, that this exemption is, however, limited to suit against the United States directly and by name, and cannot be successfully pleaded in favor of officers and agents of the United States when sued by private persons for property in their possession as such officers and azents; third, that m such cases a court of competent Jurisdiction over the parties before it may in- quire into the lawfulness of the possession of the United States as held by such officers or agents, and give judément according to the re- sult of the inquiry. The court further holds that the constitutional provisions that no person shall be deprived of lite, liberty or property without due process of law, nor private prop- erty taken for public use, without just compen- sations, are intended as limitations upon the power of the government in its dealings with the citizen, and relate to the class of rights whose protection is peculiarly the province of the Judicial branch of the government. The courts are bound to afford aremedy torunlawful invasions of rights of property by officers of any uch of the government. peaking of the rights of individuals as j against the government, Justice Miller says: | “What isthe right of the defendant in error as established by the verdict of the jury in this case? It is the right to possession of liis home- stead. Arizht to recover that which has been taken from him by force and violenee and de- tained by the strong hand. This right being clearly established, we are told that the court can proceed no farther, because it appears that certain militagy officers, acting under orders of the President, have seized this estate and con- verted one part of it into a military fort and another into a cemetery. It is not pretended, as the case now stands, that the President had any lawful authority to do this, or that thelegis- lative body could give him any such authority ex- cept upon payment si fe compensstion. The de- fense stands here solely upon the absolute immu- nity from Judicial inquiry of every ona who asserts authority from the executive branch of the government, however clear it may be made that the executive possesses no such power, and not only that no such power is given, but that it is absolutely prohibited, both to the executive and the legislative, to deprive any one of life, liberty or property without due process of law, or to take private property with- out just compensation. No man in this country is so high that he is above the law. No officer of the law may set that law at deflance with im- punity. All the officers of the government— from the highest to the lowest—are creatures of the law, and are bound to obey It.” In conclusion Justice Miller says that the circuit court was competent to decide theissues in this case; that no error has been found, and that the judgment is affirmed. Justice Gray read a long dissenting opinion, which was con- curred in by Chief Justice Waite and Justices Bradley and Woods. + The United States must now acquire a valid title to the Arlington estate, either by direct purchase from the Lee heirs or by instituting condemnation proceedings. Political Notes. A peculiar election contest has arisen in Wayne county, N. ¥. William E. Greenwood, republican, and Leman Hotchkiss, democrat, were the contesting candidates for member of assembly in the second assembly district of the county. The returns, as first filed, elected Greenwood by one majority. The returns from one town were afterwards changed, there hav- ing been eight votes for assemblyman found in the judiciary box. Of these seven were for Hotchkiss and one for Greenwood, electing Hotchkiss by six majority, if they were allowed. The contest hinges on the legality of allowing these votes to be counted after having been cast in the wrong box and tire returns filed. | was held this morning at Telegrams to The Star. —— . The Chesapeake and Delnware Canal pompany. PHILAD ELPRtIA. Dec. 5.—An at of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Gr he oMice of the come When the meeting was called to order it ted by the tellers of the pending election the proxies of the United States ond the state of Maryland were challenged, and that 18 would be necessary for the meeting to take a te cess until the question of admitting these proxies could be argued. This was done, and the tellers proceeded to bear the arguments. nape 7 Sprague Black balled. Provipence, R. 1, Dec. 5.—The board of to-day voted not to Tecousider its vote re Jecting William Sprague as a candidate for membership, pany. The vote stood 7#to reconsider and $3 not to re consider, —___ A Legisiative “Round 8. Vicrorta, B. C., Deo. 5.—The failure of the looat goverument to call the new house creates com - ment. To-day two-thirds of the members of the house signed a “round robin,” demanding Chat we session be co nyened immediately. 's that Mr, Vanderdflt has Omaha road, also ail rumors ion of ratiway appliances ts gO On the Bist of May next, and extending to July 7th. A list of distinguished commissioners and railway men back We scheme 5.—Virginia 64, conmoltla im, OLR, now ten-fortion, 438t — 5.—Cotton firmer and quiet and unchanged. BA ORE. middling, 10%. southe Flow 20 % pruary, 1.11 1-16 Corn, southern’ lower; western dull wh du a $4246. di quiet, 63a6% nchanged. Keceipta— 24 ‘bushels: r 5,—Stocks “aud Tord et IN, Tree | 8, y and 101 3-16 t weadly, 11.40. 13-80 nt. US bonds, xtended Be, WM he 86. Tilin tral, 149, nn Reading, 264." Ontano and Paul, 104. Sylvania Central, Western, 2h. 'S —-—__- American Shipping. Mr. Dingiey, of Maine, introduced in the House yesterday a bill to remove certain burdens on the American merchant marine and to amend the laws Telating to the discharge of seamen; and also @ bill providing for the importation In bond free of rod of iron materials neé-essary for the construc. sall or steam Vessels to be employed In the catryine trade, uch vevsels to be bullt ans 1888, and before Ja uary Ist, Referred to commit tee on commet _ PooRty Pato Witnesses AND JURORS.—Attorney General Brewster in lis annual report calls atten= tion to the fact that by law witnesses of the Juited States are entitied to receive $1.50 per day, and fve cents a mile for going to and returning from the place of trial, wille Jurors are entitied to “Tr diem of $2 per day, and the same tatleage as tn —aA State of facts which works great im Wwernment In the dis jury to th 1 $i per day, the cost of transpore to 2) cents per mile, and the places urt, at great distances apart. He re- gislation providing that witnesses jurors in the districts nimed be paid their expenses in leu of the present mileage and fem. He suzgests also that an additional be app 1n all of the territories or @ ver judge Inte circuit judge, as in the states. Tue Court or CLAIM met yesterday and” today and adjourned ull Monday next The entire docket, containing 162 cases, was called, and most of them, not being ready for trial, were continued to the January and February dockets. ‘The follow: ing cases against the District of Columbia were dismissed On motion of the claimants: Charles Kennedy, A. P. Clark, David Warner, J. W. 8. Ourand, ‘Silas “Merchant, Samuel Ourind, G. W. Larner, J. ©. Eckloff, Eleanor U. I. Meeds, execu- tors; Charley J. Gill, executor; G. P. Hopkins, Lawrence Cavanaugh, and G. W. Goodall, to the use, etc, The following District cases were dis- missed ‘for want of prosecution: F. H. Johnson etal. Jeremiah Costello and Z. W. Denham, Jr. eee case Of Samuel Strong Was set for December qu District Government Affairs, NEW BUILDINGS, The report of Inspector Eutwisle for November shows that permits for sixty-e.cht new build seventy-three for repairs, and thirteen Lineal of vaulting were issued Guring tbat period. cepts for fees, $235. LIQUOR LICENSES. The Commissioners to-day approved applica- tons for liquor licenses as follows: Henry Buch- ler, Edward Barry, Frank Jungham, Miller & Jones, Lorenzo Sini, Alired Wandill and’ R. D. Pol- lard. ‘They also disapproved applications of Jos. Schlagt, Ernest F. Angera, Elward Deviney, J. M. Koenig, Geo. Lesch,Francts L. hert, Joun T. Kicks, P. H. Sheehy and Patrick Whituey. In the Police Court to-day tn the case of George Juennemann, charged by Mr. Raff with k an unlicensed bar, his attorney entered a pl guilty, and the flné of $105 was pald, on producing & certifeate from tae collector of taxes that had deposited $100, und a2 application for a icense, Mr. Raff, Neense agent, to-day swore out war. rants for Unlicensed bars’ against Michael Dough- erty, Fred. W. Anholt, Dominick Christorant, Geo, 8 + and Matthew Goddard, the latter for 1881 and 1882, SMALLPOX. Henry Helmsen, drucgist, corner 8th and H streets northwest, was sent fo the smallpox hog pital, This 1s one of the rosuits of the case of the The general term of the New York court of common pleas sustain the dismissal of the suit of John Foley and others against ex-Judge Gil- bert M. Speir, to recover $2,000, political assess- ments. The plaintiifs sued on belialf of the re- form association. The Indiana democratic state committee, of which ex-Senator J. E. McDonald is chairman, has published a congratulatory address to the members of the party. For the first time in years the Philadelphia democratic city committee closed its campaign with a snug balance on hand of over $2,000. ——__—_~-+-______ Backgrounds fer Pictures. There can be no greater mistake than to hang paintings on dirty lght tints, wnich always “drag down” the tones of the pictures them- colored man Joseph-Dade, sent by Dr. C. A. Nore ton, of northeast Washington, two weeks since, to the’ health office. On his way to the health office Dade stopped at Heimsen's druz store for some Temeilies, remaining there from firteen to twenty minutes, long enough to catch the disease, eur ee tad River TRaDR.—Harbormaster Sutton the: arrivals at tue Fiver front as follows: Schr. C. P. Stickney, coal, for Jounson Bros; sehr. Hem- purics, lumber, for EE. Jackson; long boats Ada and Wycomico, wood for H. L. Briscoe; schrs. Brewster, Charley’ Banner, and W. J. Ste oysters, for market; schrs. Geo. A. Traves, Home, L. D-mpsey, coal, for city dealers; ‘steamer Norfoik, merchandise, for Johnson Bros. ; schrs. Colman, Stewart, John Francis, Depy, Molly ‘Strong, and Deca, oysters, for market. = as devine Non-Workers AgREsiyD.— Four men mimed John Brocco, John Keily, Jose) wen ede Jona McCannon were all arraigned together to-day in Judge Snell’s court, on the complaint of Lieut, selves, instead of setting them off as some sup- pose. Another point is that the frames or mounts of the pictures must be taken into ac- count. White mounts in git frames are useful where the wall is rather pale, or of mixed cotor- ing; but should be excluded where the pietures hang on dark grounds. Ir the pictures are few and far apart, especially if “‘water-colors,” they are best hung on quiet tones of not too dark Kelly, of being suspicious persoas. The stated that they never work, and he arrested them in a barroom last night in “ Swamy te.” ae were all sent to the workhouse for 9) days default of bonds. es Lem. Among the permits issued by the buflding tne spector to-day was one to the Bachelors’ Club to erect a club ouse on H street, between 17th and 18th streets northwest, at a cost of $16,000. Gustav Guinard was changed before Judge Sucit to-day with carrying a pistol % color. If numerous, the tone of the ground may be strengthened with advantage. In the latter case, and for paintings in oil, a rich red has no rival asa ground color. A poor or dusty looking red is not good. The proximity of black rather tends to enfeeble water-colors (which lack de in the dark tones and shadows), but is beneficial to oil-paintings, which thereby gain Jn purity, s ‘hen there are man: oo to adorn a room, a painted wall is the background best pted to set them Off to advantage; but, if paper is employed, it should be chosen of some rtiary tint, powdered with wipers 4 into arranged Pebtin pent flowers and leaves. tertiary ints are approved, which ee ee in minute colors, wi Bnd wil yet be free ley, a design Portions the luce a warm, rich m even @ suggestion vided onl; ‘the colors Mirae beanies ce aH i é E E H : Mi i & that the defendant is a recent employe of the British legation. The British minister stated to him (Mr. Pacgett) that the defendtant was about to leave the country, and he would ask that the case be noile prossed, which was done. Court Ix GENERAL TERM. Yesterday, Andrews agt. Belt Line ratlroad com> pany; —- below affirmed. United or Patents argued o H Ashford; argued and submitted. Gry. Gen. t canelery. ir