Evening Star Newspaper, February 2, 1884, Page 2

2 Zt THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D. C.. SATURDAY, /FE le fy BRUARY 2, 1884-DOUBLE SHEET. cITY IAN RIAGES AND MARRIAGE FEES. AND DISTRICT. Why Washington is a Gretna Green for the Neighboring States. MATRIVONY—THE LAWS CON- CCRNING MARRIAGE MERE, AND IN MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA—THE COMPARATIVELY HEATY FAPPNSE OF A MARRIAGE IN MARYLAND—AS- NG VIRGINIA LOVERS OPPRESSED BY SENT LAWS—THE FEES PAID IN THIS WHAT MINISTERS SAY ON THE SUBJECT. ature of Maryland is pending the y cents, n favor of this mea: 1 in that state, is so ling within convenient court ho’ can ure their ving an . return d have been in- in the state. It is aryland tax is 1. it frequently happ n be saved by a HE DISTRICT TO SAVE MONBY. le doubt that economical rea- nd couples intent on the District to have the seems to be the anount fray the actual expe Formerls : ne in cents—and old © te he pur- ey did come son assigned. here, there shall be e alto- y provides ly Wrtwronese there wa shall fil a certidcate thereto directly h the AND CERTIFICATE. license and certificate are as Zo any Minister of the Gospel authorized to Cele- brate Marriages inthe District af Columbia, ‘by Licensed to solemnize the Rites of between + of + and of ——,if you find no lawful im- wviniz so done, you are com- J to appearin the Cierk’s one of the Su- Court of sald Distriet. and certify the Q aud the seal of said Cou! if the e mar. o rt re + in the Distriet of Columbia, ances, especially in the cases of 1, —___. Distrtet of Coin going Meense and minister's certificate are truly from originals of record In said ofc sstny ied and the seal of said court, the — day of —, Is—. » Clerk, TU OLD RE Prior to IN the clerk of the court was re- se at the court-house trom 1801 to July, IS64. d + the es these abbreviations , colored, or free men STUN requires, under the reznia. geverniing vital re made by 48 hours ¢! a fine of not less than © ) is imposed for the min- Inere than = following is th day of —, 183 he parties above de 5 residence. ant to many of the ten hesitate to ask 1, the larger portion ministe ply with the regulations, and probably th faithful compiiance with the requirements of the health office than there is usto the license at the clerk’s office. THE MARRIAGEABLE AGE. Tn the consolidated statutes relating to the there ie nothing said as to the ages sons thay Marry, and, as stated above, onsibility In this Lestions preseri ce here, but it has r. This imposes a ing, and provides that the 21 years of age, and females 1 wth prosecation formarry- umers, and @ lawy but the persons inter- of their inten i mposed for a failure to re probably not ted by the out ty In t tor that happens that there is ig A proper certitl- and in order to get uble of first obtain- at a Heens: ister of the. church ized. and pethaps be ant ofthe death or removal ‘ed the knot, to take sec- The delinquency of min‘sters er return at the court house rsthe source of great em- Bome nece cate or rece it pers ing a ceit MATRIMONIAL STATISTICS. The number of marriage licenses per year issued in the District is about sixteen hundred, and those issued to colored people, which can how be told ouly by observation, are thought to be nearly if not fully one-half of the whole num- it isestimated that twenty-flve per cent hole are couples coming from other ad iere Is counted those cases in ¢ of the contracting parties comes from for parties residing elsewhere and a like humber in which one of the parties resided out of the Distriet. Of the number where both par- e out of the District 65 couples were from Maryland, 37 from other states and 7 were Maryland and Virginia com- E MARYLAND Law. ‘The present Maryland law on the subject of is found on page 479 of the code, and es that the rites of marriage shaM@hot Le celebrated by any person unless by some minister of the ospel, ordained according to the rites and ceremonies of his or her church, or in | such manner as is used and practiced by the society of people called Quakers (act of 177%); that ne ‘ons shall marry within the state Without having obtained license, or before their bames have been thrice published in some church or house of worship on three several Sundays, and for this purpose every church or house of worship shall be recorded by the circuit court of each connty (act of 1868); that licenses shall be signed by the clerks of the circuit courts, or of the court of common pleas of Baltimore, who shall receive for each bea | pike) to the state treasury snd retaining 50 cents as hia fee. Under the head of crimes (page 80S) It is set out: “Ifany person belonging to this state shall out of this state and marry with any person longing to thia state without such license, each party, on conviction, shali be fined £100. And any person uniting in marriage persons under 21 years of age for the male and under 16 years of age for the female, without the consent ‘Ofthe parent or guardian personally given, or in Sr gto on conviction, be liable te a fine It will be seen that by implication women If Orda!ned as ministers may in Maryland perform the rite; that if the bans are published a license Is not absolutely necessary, and that quite a heavy penalty ie tm ‘on residents who marry out of the state. That the latter provision Je broken frequently In patent to all who have the publications of licenses issued in THe LAWS OF VIRGINIA ere tl more stringent. They provide that every marriage license shall be lasned by the Clerk «1 the eoart forthe county or corporation fa © t female renide The most severe Denaity of the code, aud that which end out of the d the mar- | tatisties in the District, | reetor of Ti y | Of marriages solemnized by him annually is ome min- | was issued and | son be under 21 years of age, and has not for- merly been married, the consent of the father or guardian, or itthere be none, the mother shall be given either personally to the clerk or jus- tice, or in writing, subscribed by a witness, who shall make oath that it was signed or acknowl- edged by such father, guardian, or mother. A minister before being authorized to celebrate the rite of marriage is required to produce proof jof his ordination and of his being in regular communion, and to give bond in $1,500. Pro- | vision is made also for the recording of mar- |Tiages. A penalty of from $100 to $500 ts im- posed for falsifying the record, and of from $50 | to $300 for giving false information in relation to the record. The price of a license in that state Is but one r. the same as in this District. Doubtle he failure of many wardens to obtain t t of parents or guardian that induces them | to come to the District for matrimonial purposes. The wonder is that even more do not come here | for the purpose, for In ia, a3 well as in | other places, observant ones state there are s who are more inclined to matri- trom 18 to 20 year: re than they are hey reach matufer y. erally. the to keep propo: | occurrence, in many p in this city, not to show church, jon in the states ecret tillafter thelr is a custom which prevails sland, and, to some extent, herself, either in company or at ta'week before the wedding a trip to the District that re- arry in the District fe ue subject well, and some, who seemed scarcely out of their teens, showed that while lacking some in respect to parental authority, they were of a practical turn of mind. ew A PRACTICAT. BRIDE. A representative of Tue Star assisted a youthful Virginia couple some time ago in their pade. When he found the age of the you! lady was but sixteen, and noticed that she hort di 1, ore resses, he was about to repent of the frie part he was gaking, when the young | lady dispelled all qualms of conscience by saying “AS soon as it is over we'll go home and I will walk right in to the family and say, ‘Ma, you know this was going to happen some time, and it it took place at home you would be expected to give a party and invite our friends, and some would have fe ‘ulted if overlooked, so we have sayed all f and expense, and if you wish to invest what a party would haye cost, just help John and me to set uphousekeeping.’* REY. ©. B. RAMSDELL, c | of the North Presbyterian church, says that he has married only an average of six or eight per year, and that the fees paid by them range from 35 to $25. He has refused to marry a number | of couples, whom he took to be runaway ; | couples, tor in this matter he keeps close to the | rules of his church, which requires that the | minister shall make inquiry as to the parties, | and not solemnize the marriage if he believes | that such marriage will have the effect ot dis- turbing the peace of families. . WHAT A MINISTER'S WIFE SAYS. Some ministers have made the rule to pay | what they receive for marriage teea’ to their | wives. Mrs. Hartsock, the wife of Rey. 8. M. Hartsock, of Hamline M. E. church, said to a Star reporter that the average number of | marriages performed by her husband was about twenty per year, and not over three were trom the states. “The average fee paid was not above | 33, especially from parties who come in car- Tiages. Those who walk to the parsonage usu- [ally have a to payfor the jo, but whenever she hears of a marriage to come off and hears a | hack stop at the door, she knows that it isa job. Often the couple seem to have started out with bul ». tor the clerk ot the court receives $1, the hack-driver 81 or #2. and the nnuister the balance. Some time since a party came and engaced Mr. Hartsock to marry them, saying he ; eXpeeted the bride that night. After waiting three days they finally appeared and were mar- ried, and he said nothing about the fee. | REY. E. D. HUNTLEY, | of the Metropolitan M, E. church, sta’ s that couples, three-fourths of them, owing to his lo- | cation, which is conventent to the court-house, ¢ couples from outside of the District. As ie the outsiders pay but small fees, not av- sing over 22. Some of them pay but fifty Je The city couples usually pay $5 or over. Most of the outside couples who have come to him are Alexandrians. He thinks that while some Virginians may come here to save ex- there is also reason to believe that the | strict laws of Virginia, and a desire to say tat they were married at the capital, has something to do with it. = | EY. THOR. G. ADDISON, ity P. E. church, says the number about 50. including a dozen or more of couples ‘nia and Maryland. While some of | the latter are doubtless runaways, he does not | think it fair to class all trom those states as | such, nor is it fair to say that the high license |in Maryland or the strict law of Virginia lead them to marry in the District. To combine the matrimonial business with pleasure seems the motive of many. In more than one instance he had, he said, found couples coming here to save the trouble ‘and preparation for a fashionable wedding at home. They could get married quietly here, and yialt ‘the public buildings. Not long azo, after he had solemnized a mar- riage, the handsome Virginia bride said, in an- swer to an inquiry, that she had never before been on a railroad train: that they had talked the subject over and had come to the conclusion | that a quiet marriage here, with an opportunity } to visit the capital, would be cheaper than a | wedding at hame, and she was sure that it was quite as pleasant. The position of the minis embarrassing, and It was dif r was often times | the | morning. and he promised to be there. Promptly | on time he was in the parlor, and there was in- troduced to as pretty a young miss as he had everseen, and also her intended. They were from Richmond. Suspectingthat they were runaways he asked if such was not the case, and he re- elved a prompt answer, “Yes, sir.” The cir- | cumstances of the case were then explatned to | him, and he realized the position he was placed in. “After a moment's reflection, he eaid to the | bride, “Say to your father when you return to (hin that fam’ observing the golden rule, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto | you, for if a daughter of mine went away to | Richmond with two young men for a metrimo- | nial purpose. { would in my chureh thank the clergyman who would marry them.” The knot was then tied, and the party left. On the subject of fees, Mr. Addison sald that the better class of those from a distance paid usually a fee of 25, but others @2 to #3 each. Most of the marriages in his church pay 20 and more. Z i REV. DR. S. F. RYAN, of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, | gtates that during the past year there were but | 18 marriages solemnized in his parish, and these ere of his uwn congregation. ‘ihe rules of the | Catholic church prohibit the priest trom marry- | ing parties not belonging to his parish unless | the consent of the priest in whose parish the | party resides is given, and theretore runaway | couples do not find their way to his or other | churches of that faith. Asa rule priests will not marry Snowinaty parties under age, twenty- one and eighteen. The usual fee pald by the grooms Is 35 or upwards, bat there 1sno fee exacted, as It is considered a free offering. Dr. Ryan, when his attention was called to the fact that but few of the Catholic clergy made return after marrying parties to the clerk of the court, said that it was not on account of any objection to doing so, but probably was due to carelessness, and to the idea, obtained from having a paper from the health office to fill, that g return to the clerk’s office was unnecessary. Ho suggested that it would be a convenience if & certificate to the performance of the marriage were printed on the back of the license, as such certificate could be filled and returned to the clerk of the court with the license. Arto the certificate for the bureau of vital statistics, he thought some of the questions ahould not be asked the candidates for matrimony, and ought to be omitted. REV. HENRY BAILEY, pastor ofthe Abyssinian (colored) Baptist church, says that he has about twenty-five couples to early, incl ten land’ and Vigginia. hers tn sated tone District from \ Mary act as tothe matrimonial age—t16 for the 21 for the man—and usually has totake thelr age, REV. DR. J. @. BUTLER, bat he the board health so far as he ‘get the inform: red that most ministers did so. A few min- could. wat requires the prospective bride | ded. It is safe to say that some, | since April last he has married twenty-two | and appearance of the candidates as proof of SECRET SESSIONS OF THE SENATE. Their Origin and History. EXCLUSIVENESS OF THE SENATE—FONDNESS FQR PRECEDENT—AN EFFORT TO HAVE THE SESSIONS OPEN. An effort will be made in the United States Senate at an early day to abolish secret sessions, or atleast modify the rule so as to limit them to such questions as a majority may determine proper to be considered in secret. Under ex- isting rules two Senators can close the doors of the Senate at any time. even though all the others regard it as unnecessary, THE ORIGINAL RULE, adopted February 20th, 1794, ts sttll in force as follows: “On a motion made and seconded to close the doors of the Senate on the discussion of any usiness which may, in the opinion of a Kenator, require secrecy, the presiding officer shall di- rect the galleries to be cleared; and daring the | discussion of such motion the doors shall re- main closed.” The only changes from the original rule is that “close” is substituted for shut and ‘‘sen- ator” for membet Under thts rute Mr. Ed- munds once closed the doors, though fully | three-fourths of the Senators present were op- | posed to it. THE PUBLIC EXCLTDED FROM ALL DELIBERA- TIONS OF THE SENATE. For some years after the organization of Con- @ress in 1780 the public were excluded from all | deliberations of the Senate, and that body sat exularly with closed doors. The first effort to) ge this mode of procedure and permit thé’ people of the country to know what that august body did and said was on the 30th of April, 17%), when a motion was made ‘that the doors | of the Senate chamber shall be open wher the Senate is sitting in their legislative capacity, to the end that such of the citizens of the United States as may choose to hear the debates of this louse may have an opportunity of so doing.” | But so little respect did the “fathers of the | republic” have for the people that they rejected this preposition outright. At the two subse- | quent sessions the same motion was repeated, only to meet, on each occasion, the same fate as when first submitted. On the 18th of April, 1792, a motion was made to admit the members of the House of Rgpresentatives to attend the debates of the Senate when sitting In its legis- lative capacity, but that sense of exclusion which has clung to the Senate and is still so marked a feature of the body, prompted the | rejection of this proposition. A yea and nay | vote was taken. resulting In the defeat of the motion by a vote of 6 ayes to 16 nayes. ‘THE FIRST OPEN SESSIONS. It was not until the 9th of December, 1795, that the Senate formally consented to open its doors to the people, thougn the rule quoted above in relation to motions to close the doors was adopted February 20, 1704, simultaneously with a resolution permitting the doors to be opened. On the date first named (December 9, 1795), the following was adopted: “Resolved, That in conformity to a resolution of the Senate of the United States, passed the 20th day of February, 1794, the gallery of the Senate chamber be permitted to be opened every morning, subject to the restrictions in said reso- lution mentioned;”%. ¢., to be closed on a motion haying a second. AN EFFECTUAL CUT OFF. Since 1868 the motion to proceed to the con- sideration of executive business has been one of those thatcan be made while a question is under | debate, and is the second in importance. The motion to adjourn is first jnorder whilea debate is pending, and next comes the thotion to pro- ceed to executive business, which, when carried, closes the galleries and puts the Senate in secret session. RU) FROM 1789 TO 1844. Aresolution adopted Argust 2ist, 1789, was as follows: (1.) “Resolved, That when nominations shall be made in writing by the President of the United States to the Senate, a future diy shall be assigned, unless the re Wuanhuously direct othery j taking them into consider: President of the United s ate in the Senate chi | Senate shall have e 1 the Prestient of the chalt Oa the Boor, be constd- ed as at the head of the Senate, antl lis chair be ssigned to the President of the United ules; that When the : sluall be convened by | the Prestdent of the United States to any other | place, the President of.t nate and Senators | suall attend at the place appointed, ‘The Secretary | of the Senate shall also attend to take minutes of | the Senate. ‘That all questions shall be put by the | President ot in the presence or | abs 5 and | the Senators shall signify (heir assent or dissent by answering, viva voce, aye OF no.” On the 3d of January, 1820, the two following paragraphs were added to, this pyle: esi “When acting on confidential or executive business the Senate shall De eteared of all persons; except the Secretary, Sergeaut-at-Arms, and Door: keeper, Or, in lls Bbsence, the Assistant Door- ec, ). “Ail confidential communtcations made by the President of the United States to the Senate Shall be by the members thereof kept secret; and ali treaties which may be laid before the Senate Shall aiso be kept secret until the Senate shall, by their resolution, take off the injunction of se recy.” And on May 10th, 1844, another addition was made as follows: .) “Any officer or member of the Senate con- ed of disclosing for pubilcation any written or printed matter directed by the Senate to be held in confidence shall be Hable, if an officer, to dismissal from the service of the Senate, and In’ the case of a anember to suffer expulsion from the body.” THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE SENATE. It is a forcible illustration of the fondness for precedent, even when it leads into absurdities that the rule, as quoted above. is still main- tained with a few immaterial changes, even in- cluding the clause, ‘‘When the President of the United States shall meet the Senate in the Senute Chamber for the consideration of execu- tive business,” though that custam has long been abolished. In early days the Presi- dent actually met the Senate, and in executive session advised with them upon nominations; but Jefferson abandoned the custom that took the President to the Capitol, and substituted the more sensible and equally efficient one ot send- ing written communications. THE RULE OF THE SENATE NOW IN FORCE, and only adopted a few days ago reads: 1. “When the President of the United States shall meet the Senate in the Senate Cham)er for the con- sideration of executive business, he shall have a Seaton the right of the presiding opicer. When tue Senate shail be convened by the President of the United States to any other place, the presiding officer of the Senate and the Senators shall attend at the place appointed, with the necessary officers of the Senate.’ ‘The other paragraphs are slmply repetitions ofthe old rule prescribing who shall be present at executive sessions, and penalties for vio- lationsof the injunction of secrecy. Under the rules treaties are required to be considered in ; executive session. CONSIDERATION OF NOMIN. BESSION: For some years past there has been a grow- ing sentiment tn the Senate tn fawer of doing away with executive sessions, unless under cir- cumstances and conditions pecullarly calling for secrecy. The original rule in relation to nominations was adopted August 21, 1789, and provided that 2.) «When nominations shall be made in writing by the President of the United States to the Senate, a future Shall be assigned, unless the Senate ‘unantmo' direct otherwise, for taking them into consideration.” It was amended January Sd, 1820, by the ad- dition of the following: (2.) “all information or remarks touching or con- { i | @ | TIONS IN EXECUTIVE {| tion of one of his playg. Mr. Campbell differs} LETTER FROM NEW YORK. aul. Jay Gould as a “Bull? Wakes Up—A New Stock Exchange — Ex-Mayor Onkey Hall—“Separation"”—The New Debutante—"ire, Langtry’s New Home —Thomas Keene, Etc. ‘Special Correspondence of THR EvENtNo StaR. New York, Feb. 1. Jay Gould woke up from the apparent lethatgy im which he had been for sometime immersed, a few days ago, clutched a huge bears Were squeezed so hard that they haven't got through gasping for breath yet. Gould has an admirable facuity of appearing to be asleep until the street begins to move without con- | sidering him, then he shakes himself and raises thedust. The effect ot his little schemes in Oregon Transcontinental was disastrous to a great many of Mr. Gould's dearest foes. Gonld has arrived at a point now when he takes no risks worth speaking of, for he holds the mar- ket in the palm of his hand. He was, by the aid of a brother capitalist or two, able to rake in seventy thousand shares of the stock of the Northern Pacile system. He knew that the Farmers’ Loan and Trust company held thirty thonsand more, and that the Orezon company had hypothecated at least twenty thorfsand additional shares. Therefore, with his immense Tesources he had actual control of the market. Then he proceeded tochastise the bears. Gould is a mysterioffs factor in Wall strect affairs. He is absolutely king of the stteet. There is prob- ably no truth in the rumor that he is behind the scheme. for A NEW STOCK EXCHANGE BUILDING. If Gould had any interest in a new building, directly or otherwise, he would probably build it himself and then force the exchange to ac- ceptit. One thing is certain, he would not bother with the tedious and troublesome board of governors in the present exchange. No one knows what the agitation over the new stock | exchange really means. Two years ago half a million dollars were spent in enlarging and re- constructing the present building. There still a great deal of dissatisfaction with it, mainly on the ground that it is inconvenient. | Its location cannot be surpassed, but unfor- tunately the entire business of the board can- not be transacted on one floor. The loaning of stocks and money is now done upon a floor when it should be in a separate department, and there are no facilities for dealing in un- listed securities. Another reason, and one that , 1s of more importance than ail the rest, is that | the board room Is too small for the large mem- | bership of the exchange. It is not unlikely that the Stock Exchange is more or less jealous of the Produce Exchange. The Produce has a superb building on lower Broadway. It is easily four times as big asthe Stock Exchange, and has convenlences for work which drive the heavier proprietors of the great Wall street_es- tablishment frantic with envy. The Produce Exchange has adopted a patronizing and far from respectful air towards their older brothers. A new bnilding, increased business and high commercial standing has done mach for the Produce Exchange. ~ Its members claim that it is on a surer foundation because It deals in staples—whereas the Stock Exchange deals In paper. The value of seats in the Produce Ex- change has increased very rapidly. and the posi- tion of the members In financial life has been much heightened by the prominence given to wheat and gra lations of late. Still, ral the prinelpal coi vig. by long odds the one in which Mr. ti casionally shows his power. . EX-HJTR QAKEY HALL. Oakey Hall his arrived safely in London and made his debutmat the Savage club. He is Known as an ‘oB6f New York, a brilliant journalist and gd6d fétiow, and he has already become a member of a well-known English law firm and received his first-retainer !n an impor- tant International law He has joined the bright galaxy of American “rounders,” headed by Sam Ward and William H. Hurlburt, and writes glowing and enthusiastic accounts of his London life. He ought to be a success in Eng- land, for he has all the qualities which English- men adinire, Mr. Bartley Campbell appeared in connection play “Separation,” at the Union Square theater, on Monday night. The play was sec- ondary to Mr. Campbell. A New York auudi- ence enjoys nothing so much as the spectacle of the attenuated. spasmodic, and yellow-haired playwright on the occasion of the first produc- from other eminent men. You never know where to expect him, nor how he will be dressed when he appears before the foot-lights. When the ‘White Slave” was produced Mr. Camp- bell came botore the audience wearing a sack- coat, a pair of white gloves, and a large and effulgent smile. The audience halled him with clamorous glee and forced him to make no less than seven distinct appearances. Shortly after that he produced an Irish play at the Standard theater. The people looked for the white gloves and the smile, but they were disap- pointed. After repeated calls the dramatist shot out on the left of the stage, clad in fault- less evening dress, a huge diamond in his shirt front, a buttonaire in his button hole, a crush hat and silver-top stick in one hand anda mouse-colored Union club overcoat tossed gracefully over his left arm, He looked blas6 and bored, bowed haughtily and retired. There was a dead silence for seyeral moments, then o tempest of applause that fairly shok the chande- llers. Mr. Campbell was called out several times, but he preserved the manners and ap- pearance of a millionaire. Later on he made an. appearance at the Union Square theater on the production of his play, “Siberia.” This time he wore a Newmarket coat, which fitted him co- piously around the neck, was very tight at the waist and spread _out like a crinoline about the legs. Heskipped around in front of the foot- lights like a prima danseuse, smiled graciously, and only restrained himself from kissing his hand to the audience by a violent muscuiar effort. He received no less than six recalls. We looked for his appearance on Monday night with mingled feelings of agitation aud pleasure. He carried a hickory stick, wore a | business suit, and a rough and shagey ulster, which resembled nothing so much as the nonde- script garment which car drivers and truckinen wear on stormy daya, but his smile was larger than it has been before for seven years. He was all vivacity and grace. His six feet two inches of stature fairly palpitated with delight, and he flung himself around on the stage with a reck- less galety that stupefied the orchestra and called forth shouts of approbation from the aud- iencd. He made a fine speech at the end of the play, and then flung himeelf off the stage with the same recklessness with which he had come on Mr. Campbell's play seems to have been a suc- cess. In many points it ts ridiculous, but the general effect of the play must have been pleas- ing, for the people, who were there stayed until the last act, and the papers the next morning pronoun it @ success. There are many in- Congruous things about the play, and I have no hesitation whatever in saying that, if it had been acted by a troupe of leas merit than that of the Union Square theater, it would have fallen flat on the first night. The play whlch presents Charles Coghlan, Eleanor , Efe Elisler, Maud Harrison and Messrs. Stod- dard, Parsell and Whiting 1s pretty sure to succeed. The stage setting was as the rehearsing has character or qualifications of any per- son notninated by the President to office be kept secret. A ph of the existing rule, and one that has in force for years reads: 2 “All information comm ARGUMENTS FOR THE ABOLITION OF EXECUTIVE SESSIONS. © Aside from the fact, generally realized and fee for,| sdmttted in these days, that the people of this ‘y “ Odette.” The whole plot of the play hinges upon an unnatural and sill; incident which is given in the prologue. husband and wife quarrel over a petty matter, again. The in the extreme, from @ journey, act in an ama- teur theatrical performance that night. He asks her not togo. Shesays, naturally enough, it would be unreasonable and absurd for her to stay at home after all of her rehearsals and after her appearance had been advertised. He tells iphatically she must not go, then leaves her em; the Two or three minutes later she ate ee her wraps and goes off to the theater with a friend. She has scarcely left the stage when her husband Renae rl Ing that eee ne ake cate it child and its nurse and leaves at once for Brazil He hohas, pore’ het hasan She finds occurs ina villa It would be im- the husband or a ee a bratal watioe; went on tue became a prima Jack The sscsooding rons to get the persons the a Seely ood strong ‘comedy clement, and Dy soveral of the known as Emma Lathan, and whose erratic | perch. | ning to feel the fatigue of the continual sucees- | travel with her dau: | Booth, McCullough, and Barrett put together. | | has played. Mrs, Langtry's sticcess may be at- | seems to bea lack of intellectuality! New York cost her $5,000, made a final attempt at acting by giving a representation of the bal- cony scene between Romeo and Juliet, at the Star theater. She labored under several disad- vantaves: her costumes had just been seized by acreditor; she had been fairly hounded by the New York press, and the theater, which easily holds an andience of 8,000 people, contained only 200. Those who were not deadheads were bitterly opposed to Miss Lathan trom the start, and ther gayed her without stint and mocked everything she said. Of all the weird, wild and unnatural Judiets, she was the worst. She were @ white satin robe, her hair was disordered, and her eyes rolled around as though some one were | turning them from the inside of her head with a | crank. She made constant convulsive grasps | at Romeo, who divided his time between the three occupations of gasping his lines, watching | ber rolling eyes with wonder, and endeayoring to escape the fierce and unsportsmanlike cluches | of her hands. It looked very much as though Miss Samuels was trying to knock Romeo off the | Her hands flew around In the most | unaccountable manner. It is to be presumed that she occasionally spoke, but nobody could | hear her voice. After the match was over she | came forward upon the enthusiastic applause of | seven men in the gallery, and recetved three | large bouquets anda floral ship. She will prob- ably return to San Francisco before long. MRS. LANGTRY says that New York shall be her home hereafter foreyer. She is thoroughly domiciled in her | residence in 13th street, and is negotiating for | the purchase of acountry place on the Hudson Just above Yonkers. Mrs. Langtry’s mother, who travels with her constantly now, is begin- sion of railway journ and will probably not } nter another year. She | wii! remain in New York and keep house. It is rather an odd commentary upon the numerous critics, who Prophesied last year that Mrs. Lang- try would be a failure after her first season, that | she has been more successful this season than a | year ago. She has indeed made more money than | Her engagement at the Fifth Avenue theater was more successful than that of any other actor or actress who has appeared there within two ears, and she has made money everywhere she tributed not alone to notoriety this year; she has become a fair actress, she is certainly a very beautiful woman, her costumes are superb, her company embraces some capital actors, and the stage setting of her plays is often magnifi- | correct. | chareh, Clev RELIGIOUS NOTES. CHURCHES HERE- AND €LSEWHERE. — Rev. J. J. Wheeler, of Rhode Isiand, has accepted a call to the North Baptist church of this city, and will probably enter upon bis chagte about the middie of this month. —The Cohocksink M. E. churc’ building in Philadelphia has been purchased by St. Michaels T. A. Beneficial society. — The receipts of the Missionary Society, of 3 church for 1883, were €751,459.90— 1y $60,000 in excess of last year. Messrs. Moody and Sankey began their ser- vices inthe Lavender hill hall, Queea's road, Battersea, January 6. —Two Presbyterian ministers—Rev. George E. Jones of Broadway church, and Rev. John P. Campbell of Faith chapel—have arranged, for an extended European tour this summer. — The Metropolitan M. E. church, (colored) in Baltimore, of which Rev. H. A. Carroll, is the pastor, has now a membership of 1,500, with about 100 probationers. — It is announced that Moody and Sankey have made an engagement to visit East Saginaw, reser) early in May, and hold extended services there. —— The report that Rev. J. 8. Inskip, (of the Christian Stawiard, Phiiadelphia,) had had a second attack of paral at Ocean Grove, is in- It wes an at of vertigo, and he is improving. —In Baltimore there is an anxiliary of the sentatives of ches, the special object being to support a mission station in Paris known as “The Salle Baltimore.” — The benefactions of Mrs. Valeria G. Stone, who died at Malden, Mass.. January 15, foot up 1,730,500, of which 0.000 were to churches and the poor, and @1,100,500 to collezes and other institutions. — Rey. Arthur Mitchell, formerly of Chi and now pastor of the First Presb thirty or forty ¢ 1s New York city to act as secretary of the Pres- byterian board of foreign missions, — The New England Congregational church, Chicago, Rey. Arthur Little, D. D.. pas reports the sum of $37,580 raised duri year, of which $22,225 was tor benevolences; the cent. She is well advertised, and she travels like a princess in a private car. All these things go far to make a dramatic success. MR, THOMAS W, KEENE nade a New York appearance, but he choee for his debut here a night on which there were five important theatrical events. The result was that none of the critics could give Mr. Keene any attention. His act- ing has not yet been fairly considered, but his success financial is assui The same clasa of old play-goers and gallery gods who worshiped Edwin Forrerst and who worship at the shrine of John McCullough turn out now In force to hear Mr. Keene. He has a greater voice than McCullough, and he acts with vivaclty and spirit. His enunciation is clear and distinct and his acting is forcible and manly, though often very much exaggerated. The trouble with Keene He has. none of the fine distinctions and delicate touches which distinguish Booth’s representations of Shakespeare's great characters, nor has he the pathos and tenderness and occasional nobility of McCullough. He never lacks force, but he seems always to be acting without heart. He never gives one the idea that he is lost In the role that he plays, Between the Lines. “Dear Mr. Browen”—I know she meant “Dear Jack;” that D with sentiment is overwelghted. Shy Uttle lov did not dare; ‘That flutter inthe M shows where She hesitated. What loving heed rokes; 1t does hot need reat penetration ‘To note the lingering, trusting touch; AS if to write to me were such 4.consolation. ‘The darlin She gives The Rorrer's came; so kind of A Chousand thanks?” Oy ‘The line betrays. ‘You know just there you sent a kiss; You meant that biot to tell me tiuls, And it obeys you. you. Miss “ They gave me such c happy day; T love them, so,” she meant to Sty, “Because you sent them. But then, you see, the page ts small; She wrote in haste—the words—and all— Iknow she meant them. ‘ At night Ehept them near me, too, And dreamt af them,” she wrote, “and you,” But would erase it. Did she but have one tender thought, ‘That perished with the blush It brought, ‘My love would trace it. “This morning ali the buds have blown,” ‘That flourish, surely, 1s “Your own,” oT ls written queerly; She meant itso. Ah! useless task ‘To hide your love ’neath such a mask ‘AS that “Sincerely.” “Prudence.” ‘Those tender words confess A3 much to me as a caress, ° ‘And, Prue—you know ft. But then, to tease me, you must add Your other name, although you had Scarce space to do it. A dash prolonged across the sheet ‘To close the note? ‘The little cheat— No, when she penned tt, She meant its quavering length to Say ‘hat she could write to me for aye, ‘And never end it. Prue! Love 1s like the flame that glows, Unseen, tll lightly fanned tt grows ‘Too Merce to quell it. And mine! ah, mine ts unconfessed. But now —;’that dash and all the rest— Tit have to tell tt. Faulkner, in The Manhattan, A Modern Prince. Paris Letter to The London Truth. And so the Princess Frederick Charles of Prussia has at length revolted against the swash- buckler tyranny of herillustrious husband! We are here delighted at the public washine -f family linen at Dissauand Berlin. The Reu .'rince, as florid English journalists are wont to call uim, is a good military workman, but otherwise no credit to his house or country. He is not a monogamist, and the memory of his heart is a short one, Nor does he like refined and cultured. women. The fraulein who serves in an under- ground beer-shop has the most chance of being “distinguished” by him. Perhaps it is because she does not think the worse of him when the numerous drinks he mixes stultify his brain, and make his irascible temper violent. As the Americans say, he soaks his liquor, and doesn’t want to share it.with any- body. In his most genial moods, the Prince Frederick Charlies is ready to tell seg eae truths. His pene in —— , Hes achnapps—is appalling, as he usesthe vocabulary of the first Brossion king of his race. When Prince Frederick Charles was in France, he used nightly to have a ker- esse in the chateau in which he was quartered. Ishall never forget an oral account received from an old lady of the state in which he left a An in Board receiving $3.046; Iinois H. M. S., $1,558; the A. M. A. $1,236; New West com- mission, $4,966; Chicago seminary, €9.065. --The Second Presbyterian church of Chi- cago gave a reception January 2ist to Rev. R. N. Patterson, D, D., who has Just completed his threescore and ten years. Dr. Patterson was pastor of the Second church for thirty-two years, and has been a resident of Chicago for nearly half a century. — Given to Cardinal McCloskey at the re- cent celebration of the fittieth anniversary of his ordination was a crucifix ten feet high, made entirely from olive wood grown jn the garden of Gethsemane. The inlaid marble pulpit to be presented to the cardinal in commemoration of the day will not be finished for six months yet. — Ate meeting held at the Y. M. C. A. uilding to further the preaching of the Gospel in Chicago, inthe Gaelic language, it was an- nounced that there were 2,000 Highlanders in the city who understood that language better than any other, and that Dr. Campbell, of Col- lingwood, Canada, would soon arrive in Chicago to take charge of the work. — Rey. J. W. Rosebro, of Lewisburg, West Virginia, Presbyterian church, has received a call to Concord, N.C. Rev. R. E. Lackey, of New York, has, accepted a call to the Presby- terian church, at Glade Run, Pa. Rev. Dr. Robinson, of Market Square Presbyterian church, Harrisburg, Pa., has accepted the chair of pas- toral theology in the Western Theological Semi- nary at Allegheny, Pa. —Rey. Francis Hawley, father of Senator Hawley, who gied at Westfeld, Mass., January 2d, aged 82 years, first entered the Baptist ministry in South Carolina, but, being an earnest oppovent of slavers, was obliged to leave there andcome north.’ He preached in Bristol, Celebrovk and Wallingford. Conn., and Cazenovia and Peterboro, N. Y., where he was the pastor of Congregational churches, retain- ing his views on baptism, but rejecting ciose communion. — At the Eleventh annual convention of the Tllinois Y. M. C. A. fifty associations were re- ported inthe state, with four branches. Num- ber employed as secretaries and assistants, thirty-three, an Increase of twelve; five new -roomns have been opened, and conver- sions are reported from almost all the auxilia- ries. The number of corresponding members was 198, the largest inits history. The year has been one of great activity in all departments, and of corresponding success. — The floral offering at the Channing Memo- rial church in Newport, R. I., January 13th, was arranged with reference to the recent death of Keshub Chunder Sen, the India reformer and philanthropist. A large cross of smilax bore on its face a crescent of white roses, while above it was suspended a star of flowers, symbolizing, “that union of Christianity and Hindoo Theism which it was the mission of Mr. Sen's life to ini- tiate.” Mr. Wendte in his sermon expressed the prayer of Unitarlans for the success of the movement now under the inspiration of Mr. Mozoomdar and others of the Brahmo Somaj. ——-eo—____ Arthur and the Astors. From a New York Letter. I see John Jacob Astor almost every day walking witha cane, and he seenf to walk several miles, for he looks as if the air and the exercise kept him up. He isa man more than six fees high, I should say, and probably weighs 260 pounds, but is not very fat. He is very seldom walking with anybody else, yet looks as if he had a kind social nature and no pride. It is among the respectable points of this family, and will probably be mentioned by their suc- cessors, that they took kindly to Arthur when he lived in a plain little house, which was about his only possession, over on Lexington avenue. After he got to be President they entertained him, and it is considered here to be the best family in the city. That family which is out of the vulxar lines of life, out ot the stock market, the horse puddle and those other places where we hear of Gould and Vanderbilt. sid forestier Saturday Smiles. always sings in long meter. ° A gasman who keeps his word; but then he has to.” “How is that?” asked Jones. “Because no one will take it.” Theman who sprinkles his icy sidewalk, in order to prevent pedestrians from falling, is sure of aheavenly home. Like the pheenix he will rise from his ashes.—Boston Bud “It is really very odd, my dear,” said an old one very hot day, to a friend.” ‘I can't the heat in the summer, and in winter 1 Jove it.” At aschool at Wallsend, near Newcastle, the master asked a class of boys the meaning of the word “appetite,” and after a brief ause, one little boy said: “I know, air; when I'm eatin’ lady, bear country-house of hers near Montargis, and of the uses to which he had turned the choice furniture in her drawing-room. He condescen- ded to play, some practical jokes on her when he was her tenant; they were heavy, and not good-natured. Prince Frederick Charles is the double first cousin ofthe Crown Prince, who was as acrupu- Jous in the lares and penates in French houses which he had requisitioned for his use, asthe other was the reverse. Fritz did all that in him lay to- mitigate the inevitable severity of war when he was at Les Ombrages. Prince of Saxony, st and St. showed himself a kina h meinded leman, ant & good name fie occupied the chateau of Baron Davill the famous collector of bric-a-brac and curios. An inventory of the furntture was by the Prince’s order, and his ‘was told to see that ted I'm ‘appy, and when I'm done I'm tight.” Scientists now boldly declare that this earth was peopled fifty million years before Adam was Sone Wearenct Prepared to dispute this as- sertion in cer por Ped have See corey ia how mankind co! so much < only six thousand years.—Lowell Citizen. A Somerville young lady is said to possess mania for starting fres. She will get over that when she is married.— Philadelphia Call. “ah!” remarked Fogg, a8 he gazed bashfully at the ballet-girls, “now I understand the full significance of the passage, “The body is more than raiment.” ola ee Mrs. B.! did you a di luring your visit to the ae oe B. indignantly: “No, sir; I didn’t. The fam- ily bought milk the neighbors.” — “Yes, sir.” sald Jinking, ‘Smithers is a man | Cellar in town; lay down and sc by GRAND OPERA, What It Is, and How i Differs From ‘That ts not Grand. From the Arkansaw Traveler, “Father,” asked a young man of his cynical parent, “what is grand opera?” “I don't know.” “Why are some operas called grand, while others are not so designated? It seems to me j that ifa composer could write grand opera he d never write any other kind.” ee. it is only by experience that n determine whether or net an If, upon first production, the music ts beyond the abilities of the siagers and bores the audience, tt is grand The weary yawn of a man does more, my sen, to de- termine the value of an opera than the highest reccommendation from a professional | critic of music. If, though, the # | to the summit of emerge: is pleased, the opera is ne poser goes away ] j fect the mistake brought to light on the pre sheet of first production. On one occasion « great composer produced an opera which he hoped would be . but, there was ®9 much m in it, singers did so well, and the audience went tnto such fits of rape ture and spasms of enjoyment that the com- saw his work doomed to. a wayward lite or appreciation. After the perform- ‘sand eat ap all might music and marking in rasp guinea-hen sharps. He went wita hext night to get arevise. The e Testiess. Men began to talk sic d buggy dealer from a 1 Ogured extensively on an omni- Women dre The voices on hattered frag- poser went aWay happy. His rand.” people continue their patronage the music was marked out and the opera pronounced grandi “Bless your ignorance, yes, Why, the Ine crease in attendance was wondertul. "Previo to an opera’s advent as grand—that I the music is crossed out —only really loved the ‘concord of sweet sounds’ went to see It, but afterward it was alike to all. The in with the dullest ear enjoyed it quite as much, or pretended to, which is all the same, as the person whose spirit was stirred by the gentle touch of soui-born harmony.” “But, father, if there is really nothing sweet in the grand operas why do you take mother to see them? “Because Tam a fool, son.” es. but why does mother—" Because she 18 a fool, my boy.” “Are all y “Yea: t people thus actuated?” tix, allwho are honest enough to ma bell leve there are people who en- Yes. hey are highly cultivaed, are they not?” No, not necessarily.” “What kind of people are they?” “Deat people, young mun. phi A Dakota Hail-Storm, From Correspondence of the Philadelphia Tinea, We were just finishing supper one evening, when, to some one’s observation that it was get- ting dark mighty fast, our chief looking up dropped knife and fork and yelled: “Thunder! boys, it’s going to rato. Hurry up! get the things inside the tent.” Get the mischief! for pitter patter—whiz—bang! and one of the worst hall-storms that ever swept the piains was upon us, driving us alli—a round dozen in bumber—tinto a little eight-by-ten tent. Three minutes after the firet drop fell it would have cost a man his life to have gone any distance from shelter, for the ice was coming down in Dlocks six inches in circumference and in per- fect sheets. Our covered wagon started off on a trip across the country—proving itself lt- erally a prairie schooner—and brought up in the river beyond, and, pite the cffurt of a dozen stalwart men, our tent came neatly after. Allaround inside the men were elther on their knees holding down the canvass, or hanging on to the ridge-pole with might and main, while the hail pelted the roof, sides and erds of our tent with such force that ne one could stand agulust the canvas, and through the hollows which the stones Knocked in our supposed tizht- ly-stretched tent the water poured in volumes, The mules of our outfit tore loose from their pickets and rushing wildly about sought shelter along the high banks of the river. One wise old ass, called Balaatr, backed-up agwigst the lee side of our tent, und assisted not a little in keeping it from blowing over. One particular mule—the meanest brute that every wore long ears—too stubborn to run, stook kicking throughout the storm, which lasted about ‘twenty minutes. We were about a mile away from the nearest int of shelter—a village of rougn clap board jouses. which had been runup in a day or so with the first talk of building a road. So, after the storm, for this village we started. Wet to the skin we waded across the intervening plain, many places over shoes In ice and water, and to add to our misery it kept getting colder and colder as we splashed through the water andice. Arriving at the only hotel in the town we found ‘the usual temap gr Hare To our demand for a fire by which to dry our clothing the landlord replied that weshould have one Just as soon as he could hunt up the necessary fuel. In the course of an hour the fire was started and around it we clustered, turning a dozen pairs of shoeless feet up to the warmth, and by alternar- ing “fore and aft,” drying the outside and wet- ting the inside, we fually succeeded in restor- ing circulation, A heavy rain now set in, and how it can rain out here on the prairies! Our land son stood in the hall eweeping back the water as it flooded in under the door—a practical iu- stration of King Canute and the flood and about as successful. Bed-time arrived and a dozen stiff boys, shoeless, coatless, as well as leas sev- eral other articles of attire, which need not be mentioned, all of which were left behind to dry by the only fire the hotel offered, marched out through the wet hall, climbed a ladder to the loft. Here we wrestled manfully with the bugs till near morning, when it began blowing such @ terrific gale that a dozen fellows came to a sit- ting posture to debate the question of hunting the cellar. One of the regular boarders awakened by the din settied the question by calling out: “You infernal fools; there's not @ 's better to be on top than under any day.” lay down, In the morning our landlord bro it up our shoes, clothes, etc., In a bushe' ‘ket and emptied them out onthe floor tobe scrambled for. On going out the worst ecene of devasta- tion it has ever been the lot of the writer to see met hiseye. The day before large fields of grain, ripe for the sickle, could be seen, stretcning away in all directions, of which not # stalk re~ mained standing; ‘Wn. Hart, in the New York Tribune. Wm. 8. Vanderbilt has a number of very fine Meissoniers. At the reception which he gave the artist last month, I was standing in admira- tion of one or two, representing a French gen- eral receiving dispatches. Mr. Vanderbilt said to me, “what do you think of that picture?” Isald “I ike it verymuch. I cannot say that I admire all of Meiseonier's works, for his latest productions seem to me to be earlier paintings. But this has the won jualities of the old Dutch 28 i li rt nat! ae eH n EI i rine E & F a i F i i Z i E ; é fi i F 8 ; £ if i i i g 2 ; i el I !