Evening Star Newspaper, May 31, 1884, Page 2

rte ¢ THE EVENT CITY AND DISTRICT. A DEXFANT "WEWORIAL. Proposed Fonors to the Engineer of the Federal City. THE CONTEMPLATED REM ToT AL OF THE REMAINS S CITY —THE OBSCURE AND UNMARKED D DIGGES ESTATE—A SKETCH © THE WAILLIANT FRENCHMAN QUAKRELS WITH LANDOWNERS AND ULaTs THE PATHETIC CLOSE OF HIS JINAL PLAN OF THE CITY, &€. ~ nition of the services engineer, who in the Dill on the 22d providing for an appro- ns of L’Enfant from ated money to p: ) his servives uve lim @ piece of real estate ¥ -eity limits, this patriotie 1 t work of be - hin “ of the Commis- ® re B Grounds, in this c cay or L’Enfant’s refusal to | and it reads as tollow ordered five by Messrs. Cun- 2 YoU mention as lot in the om which, ity u the erec- says that he the early part He was| r . with, nd at Chellum t did not do ved from the we suit some time ed States who eress pay this it solaier who ud be called the or Enfant » Charles L’Enfant sthat of th tor laying out t de ut. le The set sail Lieut. esident of war of the yin the | vis was not only t was situated * controtled. 3 crand private res ut street met in New York, intance of Major ftended the recon- which stood at the half of im ” At imme- an did red a man and siy he comm note, counsel that he got n ance and he sto be he day were “thre: the stories tion of | made for how extant, ke the eof the ° COR ad the The ov the ard reof, whieh » the owner » used to cause of Mt was his nds of the sed of ation. Morris and invested the nthe shares of lost in the common | er, the young | seed in the gay nd American pol- | pronged Phitadel- | In after years he tai fers, who th ng house, harrase- sof profit and his fears of which bad broken out in the jail, and ow ap humble though politic spirit. had completed the plans for this of the Cincinnati wished » to arrange for the en- e of that society, but ¥ the funda to pay the he ab! enses of the trip, 3 e of bis pac ntion of th ces. This draft was found amonz the Major's papers, with the following in his handwritii “The draft voted was uever draw ent to it.” 2 OF THE NEW FEDERAL CITY. Major L fant returned from France in the Sear 1784, and turned his attention to the house of Robert Morris. When the site on the Poto- uae was ch as the location of the new fed- eral capital, he was appointed by Washington to make a new city, and he at once went to work of the nd was a swainp, end the sincers were persecuted with Insects i t ous questions of the persistent curiosity ors, who rushed to the new < Congress had deeided upon it as f the capital. The principal per- t, the surveyor, and . Banne- ps of off- ssition, ntrol. i vith the + breayse. as he ex- ei t t 1 » ke © » 2 } pon be pvoly lot owners aud speculat 1) tal city, for a period of some twenty years | to secure the amounts due him from the Society | with bert: Morris, who was | ne per- | ‘pressed it, he would not allow them to take ad- vantage of his design and buy where they pleased, to the prejudice of future public archi- tecture. QUARREL WITH THE CARROLL FAMILY. The most important of the many disputes in which the engineer involved himself was with the well-known Carroll family. They had begun the construction of a new brick mansion on their estate, called “Duddington,” south ot the site of the Capitol, where the building | Which was finally erected still stands. This honse, as tt happened, was located right in the center of one of L’Enfant’s projected streets, and, considering himself a military officer, re- sponsible only to the government, he directed his assistants to raze the new building to the ground, which they did. Washington wrote letters to the engineer warning him that he and everyone was subordinate to the neighborhood law. As the difficulties with the owners and increased Thomas Jefferson wrote to fant, advising him to be more con- ribe to the condition of But the Frenchinan, with his irascible temper, was in no mood to bepolitic. Finally he Was removed by direction of Washington, b cause he sed. among other things, to ex- pose his plans to the inspection of the public in order that they might select lots to be purchased | at the public sales. He defended his action by asserting that they would at onceseizeupon the best lands in his vistas and architectural squares raise huddles of shanties wnich Would permanently distizure the city. ENFANT IN ORSCURITY. After he was relieved as engineer of the capi- ufant is lost sight of, and the few letters + preserved among his papers give the only traces | of him. Hamilton writes to him several times, inviting him to come to dinner or to supper and ne question of taste. President Madi- inted him professor of engineering at but upon the commission which m the old man wrote “Not ac- | put not refused.” During this period vely comfortable cireum- nstantly urges his triends of th es bitterly to Robert Morris, was a bachelor, ing at the hospitable houses of triends wed Lo keep within his income. THE ENGINEER OF FORT WASHINGTON. When the war of 1812 broke out and it became necessary to build a fort on the Potomac for the on of the capital, James Monroe, the ary of War, selected L? t as the engi- | acer in charge, and particularly ewutioned him that “his ¢ had said he was too expensive nd too slow” in his construction. The Major | planned the work, but again, not agreeing with | 1 authorities, he was dismissed. | From the date of his retirement from this, the last official position which he held, Major L’En- | nt for seme seven years lived at Warburton the estat as Diswes, which was rhood of Fort W: ‘on. Only few bricks and stones now mark the site of the rest¢ of one of the oldest and best k niliesin Maryland. After the death of gees Major L'Entant was-unable to live on friendly terms with the family, and so ac- | eepted an invitation of Wm. Dudley Digges, a nephew of Thomas Digges, to make bis home with him. Mr. Digzes lived at a place call ren Hill. abont five miles northeast of th city, On the site of the old house the stone W. Rises now stands. fan Ma | | complished by it Is invaluable. r 1824 that the old officer, ars, repaired to sublous caree rin the Unite y. His death o He was buried in ins still repose, with | ing place.” The | kly grown with myrtle vines, and les within the shadow of a pine tr LoEntant’s Original TAINED AND TATTE State: nr RIN THE POSSESSION OF ARCHITECT CLARKE. ‘own in cgreiessly among an ansin the g! little b thi ct of the Capitol, has lain, for years, the ¢ plan of Was rawn by 17 ovcupied by rin: 0), atl x in ch it The Ellicott aving been | ‘presenting, s that the new alieled plan is better known thro ‘ly encrave ts L’Enfant’s plan was never ‘ellow and worn with age. The the lots have paled until they are In haif a do has aved and is lines markin: almost invisi been torn on the in have disappeared entirel elegantly gotten up, the w r-plate, and the whole work is as | s that of a counterfeiter. From the rzinal notes one sees that certain ideas were ) as to the national capital which rried into effect. IDEAS NOT CARRIED OUT. One was for a national church, and the refer- ence tothe point, and where the patent oftice now is, says:—*This church is intended to be for ational purposes, such as public prayer,thanks- iving, funeral orations, etc. It is not to be as- ned to the use ofany particnlar set ordenomi- n. but it is to be equaily open to all. It will likewise a proper shelter for such monuments as were voted by the last Continental Congress for those heroes who fell in the cause of liberty, and for such others as may hereafter be decreed y the voice ofa grateful nation.” A historic jamn was to be located on point B, which honld be one mile from the federal house or ‘apitol, tances for the continent of America. On_ point C a naval column was to be erected to celebrate the founding of the American navy,and it stands there as a monument of its rise and its achieve- ments. At another point on the plot a great cascade was to be made out of Tiber Creek, and this was to be one of the sizhts of the city THE WASTERN AVENUE, ue was to run from the Capitol east to branch, 165 feet wide and a mile in On each side of this arcades were to be e were to be filled with shops Jenzth. erected, and the and fancy stores through the main part of the city. The fifteen squares co! vllow were divided among each of the fifteen s of the Union. either to im- - or to furnish a sum of money equal to the “of the land to be used for their improve- } square will admit of statues, obe- or any other orname suen as the state y select to perpetuate the memory and honor of such individuals as were conspicnons in giv- ing this country liberty and independence, and also noted heroes of other ages and couutries. — An Alaska Fish Yarn. The San Frauciseo Cail of recent date has the following: “Captain James Carroll for some time past as been master of the steamer Idaho, plying between Portland and Alaska, and not mixing up much withthe crowd of skippers about Broadway dock, it was to be expected that in drawing the long bow he could not keep up the others, but since his return to this port he has made it evident that bis skill ex- ceeds that of his rivals. Alaska has for many years been spoken of as a most wonderful coun- try and abounding in game, gold and scenery, but according to Carroll's yarns the half has never been told. Yesterday the subject of fish- ing came up and the captain’s story was that a year or so ago he had as a passenger one Blair Howe or Howe Blair, he knew not which, but the gentleman was the short-hand reporter of the House of Representatives at Washington. Coming down Takon harbor a southeast gale was encountered and the steamer was compelled to come to an anchor. While waiting for the storm to abate, the | short-hand man became restless and con- cluded to go fishing. The captain sent him ent of |! and should form the measure of dis- | coin. as it was then supposed, | ashore in a small boat, manned by four men and an officer. and the party in a short time were in | asmall creek, about a half mile distant. An ex- clamation from the lookout in afew minutes attracted Carroll's attention and with his glass | he discovered that something was wrong with | the fishing party. All six of the men with their rubber boots were in the water up over their knees and cutting up very peculiar antics, Ap- a they were kicking at something and | Carroll thought a sea serpent had got between | them and the shore and they were trying to + drive it away. Ev now and then a man would go down Into the water and his compan- jons would rescue him. Pretty soon all hands were ashore, and when the boat returned a half nour later it was completely filled with large salmon, and from the short-hand man he learned that in the creek were millions of sal- | mon going up and down the current, and the | fishing poles taken along were of no use, 80 that all the men got in the water and kicked the salmon ashore. Ifthey had had rakes or pitchforks, enough of the ‘finny tribe to fill the he! could have been taken withina few ours.” (The gentleman referred to in the above para- graph ts Mr. Wm. Blair Lord, well-known in this city. who says that the captain’s story, while not entirely accurate in detail, is sub- stantially trae asto the number of aalmon in the stream: Mr. Lord tell us that instead of a | boat load, some thirty odd were taken | in the manner stated, and by the use or @ hast- | PS a sensos and poorly made gaffl.—Ed. the Work of the HRedemption Division is Done. FABULOUS SUMS HANDLED BY THE CLERKS—TEN YRaRS' WORK OF THE DIVISION—HOW THE NOTES ARE SORTED AND COUNTED—MISTAKES MADE BY NATIONAL BANKS—THE DESTRUCTION OF THE REDEEMED NOTES—WHY THE FURNACE PLAN WAS ABANDONED, &0. One of the most complete of the government workshops is the national bank redemption division of the Treasury department. The work done there, while of a complicated nature, and requiring great accuracy, is so systematized that it runs without a hitch. Even if a mistake should occur in handling and counting the vast sums of money which constantly pasé through the bureau, the system of checking and re- ceipting is so perfected that it would be discov- ered in a very short time, and its origin traced almost simultaneously. The fifty-seven em- ployes of the bureau, mostly ladies, who are locked in @ long room on the west side of the building, are the ones who count and sort the old worn out bank notes, which are sent to the department for redemption. Each counter has @ separate table with compartments for differ- ent notes. The casual visitor to the department | gets a partial glimpse of the ladies behind the wire screens, rapidly fingering the soiled and torn money which has just been withdrawn from general circuiation, but, for precautionary rea- fous, visitors are seidom admitted to the inte- rior. TEN YEAR'S WORK. The bureau will have been in existence Just ten years on the first of July, and the work ac- Since its origin there has been redeemed $1,391,494,007.15, or over twice the national bank circulation. “What is the average lite ofa bank note?” asked a Star reporter of one of the officials. “About five years,” was the reply. “Of course,” he added, “we have no other way of fading out than by comparing the amount an- nually redeemed with that in circulation, about 20 per cent of the whole circulation being re- | deemed every five years. The life of the legal tender notes, being of smaller denomination, is only about three years.” ‘The amount of money redeemed from year to year varies from sixty million dollars to two hundred and forty million dollars. This would be an average of one hundred and fifty million, but the clerical force can’t be averaged in that way. When the redemption is over a hundred millior the work is really more than ought to be done with the present force. There is a promise of an additional force before a great while. HOW THE MONEY IS SORTED. A Srar reporter was escorted through the division the other day by the superintendent, Mr. Rodgers, and the modus operandi was kindly ‘Xplained. “Money sent here to be redeemed goes through three separate processes,” said that officer. “Packages are received from banks, and just in the shape they come are taken by counters, who give their receipts for them, to their tabies and are there sorted by denowi: nations. These packages containing bills a cording to denomination are turned in at night, and the next day the counters divide the bills into groups. We have fifty-two of these groups, which include all the national banks, anged alphabetically by towns in which th ated. New York has a group of its own, as Boston, on account of the large num- 's located in those citles. The group packages are deposited in the vault, to be grad- ually withdrawn and the bills separated accord- ing to the banks of issue. This constitutes the third and last process. Bank notes which are fit are returned to the banks of issue, and a check generally on a sub-treasury sent for these which are not fit. While the first two s are daily, the third is of course not. sups are ta from the vault in order, and the whole fifty-two are generally gon through with about twelve times a yi When redemption is under a hundred million dol- lars ina a enty-tive per cent of the " fit to be used agai jemption is much over 1 fit notes is much larger.” es are allowed to have com- le at wor ed THe Stan reporter, ars azo they were compelled rie cases and perform their work. But the constant st and from the use of the muscles of the shoulder in handling the money, very injurious. The 8 itizing of the work, however, per- wes in the manner of performing it. After five years of steady work in the old way a woman would be almost entirely used up.” “OVERS” AND “SHORTS.” “This book,” continued Mr. Rodgers, turning to @ rather small account book, “shows the workings of this division since its organization to the present day, giving the result of each day’s proceedings. It is balanced daily, and trom an inspection of it the workings of the division can be seenatagiance. If a bank sends more money than is marked on a package, or not as much as marked. it is noted here. On May the 9th yon will see that there was a short- age ot $360. That is rather peculiar for the package of money came from the National Me- tropolitan bank of New York, just a day or so before it suspended. The officers of the bank must have received the letter from the depart- ment noting the mistake on the very morning of suspension, but { guess they were too busy with more important matters to pay any atten- tion to it. That was the fourth time that there were large shortages In the packages from that bank fn the past ten years, but every time be- fore the bank would not own the mistake, but in- sisted that the trouble was in this office. Very often banks send more money than they mark on the packages. In fact, the ‘overs’ have ex- ceeded the ‘shorts’ amounting to $170,800 and the shorts to 2135.800. In the same ten yeara $41,900 in counterfeit notes has been discovered.” “Isit possible for an employe to extract note and take it home?” asked Tus Star man. “Yes, it is possible, but not at all probable. If it should be done @ mistake would be discov- ered by means of the checks and receipts, and the point of disagreement would be soon lo- cated. Of course, if clerks were inclined to steal they would be apt to take from an ‘over’ package, but a mistake of that character is often discovered at home and reported here be- fore we can inform the bank. We can point to the fact of the ‘overs’ exceeding the ‘shorts’ as a general proof of the honesty of the bureau.” DESTROYING THE REDEEMED NOTES. ~ Of course everybody knows what becomes of the redeemed notes. The bank notes are mace- rated in the basement of the Treasury, in the presence of a committee. The United States notes are similarly disposed of at the bureau of engraving and printing. The pulp which re- mains fis often made into ornaments of different designs and sold by private parties to curiosity seekers. The tact that each ornament contains the remains of thousands of dollars is its main attraction. The pulp is sometimes made into paper. but only the coarsest kind can be made, in fact_not so good even as formerly when the notes were printed upon better material than now. When the national bank redemption agency was first established the macerating pro- cess was in vogue in the Treasury ieee tat the proportion “1 see the lad < wh Subsequently it was abandoned and a e fur— nace used for burning the notes. WHY THE FURNACE WAS ABANDONED, This did not work satisfactorily, as the unus- ual draft necessary to burn the notes would often carry through the chimney notes only par- tially burned. It frequently Bappened that these were picked up inthe neighborhood and pre- sented at the department for redemption. One of the ofiglais arranged a plan to prevent the difficulty, py which the smoke had to pass through water. This worked very well until one night the machinery was not left in proper condition, the flues were closed or the drafts re- versed or something of that kind. At any rate, inthe morning the contents ofall the rooms which were connected with the furnace chimney were perfectly saturated with creosote. The carpets, furniture covers and paj showed that creosote had been an all age visitor. It was then decided to return to the macerating plan which had been somewhat improved. This Row gives entire satisfaction. ‘Too Many Books, ‘From the London fociety, We do not deny the treasures of our libraries nor the world-wide collections of the dally press. We wish not the sun of clvifization to go back upon the dial, but are we the happier or the wiser for it? At least, were our tastes or our intellects ungratified before? Certainly not. The mind, like the mill, can only convert a cer- tain quantity, and Is burdened and clo; excess. Hobbes said: “If I had REDEEMING ‘OL Nores."” |THE CHICAGO ‘CONVENTIONS. kK; has that always | train from standing, | The Conventioyts of 1860, 1864, 1868, 1880, 1884. HOW THE CONVENTION SYSTEM WAS CREATED + The Old Caucus Rule+Where the Na- tional Conventions Have Been Held —A Sketch of the Contests of Twenty-five; Years. ers Special Correspondence of Tue-EvExtne Stan, » - olCmcaco, May 29, The national republican’ convention, which meets in this city on Tuesday next, the 3d of June, is the sixth presidential convention, and the national democratic convention, which ‘meets on July 8, willbe the seventh held in Chi- cago. For many years inthe early history of politics in this couutry Baitimore was known as the “City of Conventions,” the first one having been held there in 1831, and the last, which nominated Horace Greeley, in 1872; but latterly local as well as national questions have entered almost as much Into the location of national conventions as the issues of politics and candi- dates, and they have usually alternated between the east and the west every four years; but during the past eight years the conventions have been held in the western cities of St. Louis, Chicago and Cincinnati—Chicago lead- ing as the ‘Convention City.” THE OLD CAUCUS SYSTEM. For more than thirty years candidates for the presidency were nominated by a caucus com- posed of U. 8. Senators and members of the House of Representatives, which continued till 1824, when the memorable caucus insisted upon by Martin Van Buren and other friends of Wm. H. Crawford, of Georgia, defeated the latter.as.a candidate and effectually killed the caucus sys- tem, which had become almost tyrannical in its tule. This famous caucus was attended by most of the Senators, but by only eight members of the House of Representatives out of twenty of the twenty-four states of the Union. Most #f your readers are aware of the rest of this polit- jeal history, which sent the election into the House, where the friends of Clay voted for Adams to defeat Jackson, which killed the republican party of that day as well as the rule of the caucus. THE EARLY CONVENTION! The first convention for the nomination of a President and Vice President, which came about as the result of the death of the caucus system, was the anti-Masonic conyention held in Balti- more in September, 1831, and which was fol- lowed In December of the same year by the first national republican convention of the old party of that name, which nominated Henry Clay for President and John Sergeant for Vice President. These were followed in Baltimore by the demo- cratic convention of 1832, which nominated Jackson and Van Bur the democratic one of 1835, which nominated Van Buren and Jolin- son; that of 1540. which again nominated Van Buren; the whig conyention of i844, which | nominated Clay and Frelinghuysen; the dei- | of 18H, which. nominated’ Polk and also of 1848, whieh named Cass and er (who were deteated by Gen. Taylor): the witig convention of 1852, which presented Scott and Graam, who were detgated_ by Pierce and King. who were also nominated the same yearin Baltimore; the whig convention of 1856, which nominated Fillmore and Ponelson, and which was buried with the whig party; the coustitu- tional union party of 1860, which named Bell and Everett, and the seceders of the democratic party, who put forward Breckenridge and Lane; the republican of 1864, which renominated Mr. Lincoln and put Andrew Johnson second on the ticket, and the last one im 1872, which, as al- dy stated, ratified tha nomination’ of 3 y Ing this time.three national con- ventions were held in Harrisburg, five in Phila- delphia, one in New Yor! in Buifalo, one in Utica, three in Cincigua In Chicago, one in St. Louis, and ong in Charleston, Up to four years ago the east ayd the, west have divided the honors. Now, byth copventions are held in the w f TION, IN 1860. The first national convention of the republi- rty met here on May 1th, 1860, and nom!- nated Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin. Tie convention was the second one of the! epublican party of this day. Four years after- wards the democrats held # national convention here in August, and nominated George B. Mc- Clellan and George H. Pendleton. Both co ventions were held at critical periods in the hii tory of the country. Happily, the one which meets on the shores of Lake Michigan next Tuesday fluds the city of its location in the floodtide of a peaceful prosperity, typical of the solid interests of the whole country. At the republican conyention in May, ’60, del- egates were in attendance from all portions of the northern states and from the then slaye- holding states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri. A delegation claimed to represent Texas, but it was subsequently proven to have been gotten up in Michigan and was ruled out. The District of Columbia sent one delegate, Gen. Joseph Gerhardt, a well- known resident, who died a year ago. Mr. Geo. Ashmun, of Massachusetts, who was president of the convention, was the last gentleman with whom Mr. Lincoln held any official relations on the. night of his assassination. Mr. Ashmun Presidea in @ mammoth temporary structure, nown at the time as “the wigwam,” and situa- ted on the lake front,not far from the site of next week's convention, and which held at least ten thousand people. ‘The nomination of Mr. Lin- coln, which was made on the second ballot, was almost as great a surprise to the convention as that of Mr. Hayes at Cincinnati, eight years age, and confirmed *‘a most ingenious parodox” in the action of national conventions: that the strongest candidates often prove to be the weakest ones!—though Mr. Lincoln was second on the first ballot, and remained so until he was nominated on the third ballot. But before the convention met he was not peserded strong as a candidate when compared with Seward, Chase, or Bates. Ex-Secretary of State, Mr. ‘Evarts, at Mr. Seward in somination. Mr. Judd, of illinois, named Mr. Lincoln. - Mr. Cartter, of Ohio, the present Chiet Justice of the Supreme Court of the District, nominated Mr. Chase, and Mp. Corwin, of Ohio, presented Judge McLean. The Indiana delegation and Mr. Delano, of Ohio, seconded the nomination of Mr. Lincoln; ex- Gov. Blair, of Michigan, seconded that of Mr. Seward, as did Mr. Schurz, the late Secretary of the Interior. Other candidates were voted for, including Wade, Cameron, Bates, Read, Dayton, Sumner, Fremont and Collamer. Mr. Seward’s canvass was In the hands of Thurlow Weed, the ablest political manager of his day, whose devo- tionto Mr. Seward amounted almost to idolatry. Who that was there can fail to remember the scene when the first ballot was read: Seward, 17334; Lincoln, 102g; Cameron, 50}; and the rest scattering; or when it rose with the excite- ment of the second ballot, when Cameron was withdrawn and Pennsylvania divided its vote, and the result stood: Seward, 184!¢; Lincoln, 1813¢; and Chase, 4237. The third ballot was begun at once, amid shouts which followed the breathless expectancy asieach vote was an- nounced, though as the contest narrowed and the busy pencils put down the vote the vast throng—there were at least 10,000—were silent till the roll call of stateg was finished, when it stood: Seward, 180; Lincoin, 23134; Chase, 24; Bates, 22. This gava Mr. Lincoln within two and one-half yofes of a nomination, and berore the result was officially announced Mr. Cartter, as Chairman of the Ohio dele- gation, arose and said: ‘I riee, Mr. Chair- main, to announce the change of four yotes from Ohio from Mr. Chase to Abraham Lincoln.” -That was enough. Mr. Lincoln was nominated, and for fully five minutes the wig- wam literally resognded with thunders of ap- plause. Maine followed Ohio's change, Massa- chusetts was next,; with Missouri, Minnesota, Towa and Kenttcky in close order, when the third ballot was announced: ‘Whole number of Votes cast, 466; Lincoln received nated. On motion his eyes to drive back the flood of humiliating tears. In the evening of the same day two bal- lots were taken for Vice Preaident, and Mr. Hamlin was nominated. At the very outset an important question was pated 3a Se oe sp convensien 1028 quire a vote a tions from all states to n¢ Trandidetes for President and Vice Preside D has been in democratic: ventions, But it was voted down by 331 to 130, so that a ity of those present and voting shoula only be required to nominate candidates. Mr. Judd, of Ilinois, (who died some years ago), who nominated Mr. Lincoln, was the first pointment which was made under ministration after the Cabinet had been se- lected. Of the national committee of that con- yention, Hon. Edward McPherson, of Pa.; Hon. William A. Phillips, of Kansas, and Hon. Carl Schurz are still living. Gov. Morgan, O. H. Irish and others have died within a brief period. THE CHICAGO CONVENTION OF 1864. The national democratic convention met on ‘rious delegates to secure the honor of the first the 30th of August, and was largely attended. Political excitement was more intense than at any period of the war, for there were two fac- tions in the democratic party, a peace faction and a war faction. The contest, therefore, was over the declaration of principles rather than candidates, for it was very generally conceded, long in advance, that Gen. McClellan would be the nominee of the convention. In fact there was no other candidate named in the conyen- tion, though ex-Goy. Powell. of Kentucky, sought to name one, but withdrew. Mr. Pen- dleton, of Ohio, the present Senator, was noml- nated for Vice President on the first ballot. When McClellan had been put in nomination the more extreme, or peace men, denounced him very bitterly. Mr. B. G. Harris, of Maryland (then a member of Congress), took the floor and assailed him as a tyrant and despot, and charged him with being no better than the republican candidate, from his standpoint. His grievance was the conduct of McClellan early in the war in arresting the members of the Maryland legislature who had assembled at Frederick to pass an ordinance of secession. During the excitement Harris was knocked down by editor Storey, of the Chicago Times, and foratime it looked as if the convention would vreak up Inarow. Mr. Harris and his supporters soon became reconciled to the ticket, ‘as the platform on which it was placed declared 4 the war a failure, and pronounced for a national convention to take steps to bring it to an end. Mr. Valtandigham, who had just returned from running the blockade from the southern lines, whither he had been sent by General Burnside’s orders, was one of the heroes of the hour, and the peace platform was largely due to his iaflu- ence. The inconsistency shown in placing a sol- dier candidate on a peace platform in about the darkest days of the war proved to be a blunder which drove thousands of democrats into the re- publican party, and swelled the flood tide of its victorjes from that day onward. The day the Convention met the gold premium touched the highest point, and the fact was placarded along the principal streets. This convention was also held in a “wigwam” on Michigaa avenue. THE CHICAGO CONVENTION OF 1868. The second national republican convention met in Chicago on May 20, 1868. It was not one of very great tnterest so faras candidates were concerned, for the nomination of Gen. Grant was a foregone conclusion. All who were pre- sent wil well remember the struggle of the va- nomination hoping to profit, doubtless, as Mr. Judd did trom first naming Mr. Lincoln in 1860. Gen. Logan, however, was recognized, and on the official record appears to have the credit of inating Grant, thoush half a hundred dele- es bawled themselves hoarse in the attempt. Mr. Carl Schurz—how strange it sounds sixteen years after—was the temporary chairman of the | convention and was as zealous for the nomina- tion of Gen. Grant then ashe was earnest against it four years later, and as he would have | been earnest against it if Grant had been nomi- nated in 1880. Gen. Hawley, of Connecticut, was the president of the convention, and, al- thougiran excellent presiding officer, it was all he could do to preserve order. The real contest ot this coavention, however, was over the vice presidency. The New York delegation came here determined to secure the | nomination of G 3 has v. Fenton, and a more spirited | canvass never been made. There were | probably five hundred of the most active rgpub- | leans from New York on the ground working | night and day, but the friends of Schuyler Col- | fax, under the marshalship of the pearly the entir press and a pow the nomination; it he failed to hold it for the second term of Grant, four years later, when nearly all the same iniluences opposed hiin. When the republicans began to gather here on that occasion they were very much excited by the fatlure to conyict President Johnson on the Impeachment trial, and this ement made up fully for the want of it over the candidates. Johnson was acquitted but a day or two before | the convention met by the votes of republican | Senators Fessend Trumbull and Ross. These men were thorou d, and the thirty- five who voted uilty” were as loudly com- mended by a resolution of the convention. The entire convention rose to its feet and cheered as the resolution was put upon its passage. great Was the crisis believed to be that the Vention also passed a resolution to remain vir- | tually in perpetual session by adjonrning subject | to the cail of its president. rse there | Was no such call, as Grant was el ‘din No- vember and i ‘urated March 4th, "69. THE CHICAGO CONVENTION OF 1880. The bitter contest over the candidates, the intreduction of the third term issue, the new scheme of the unit rule (by which an entire state delegation would be required to vote as a | unit for a candidate) and the probable closeness of the yote at the election in November of that year. all contributed to make the republican convention of 1880 most memorable in the political history ot the country. The details of this famous contest are yet freshly remembered, it is doubtful if we shall ever look upon its like again. For six days the contest between Grant and Blaine waged with an unceasing warfare, backed by thousands of their supporters ac- tively on the ground. At one stage or the pro- ceedings the vast audience, estimated at nearly 20,000 persons, took complete possession of the convention and for nearly aa hour it was a wild scene of demonstration by the respective triends of there two candidates. The dispatches of that day fitly characterized it as “a brief reign of pandemonium.” But after it came the calm that follows exhaustion. The convention went steadily to work, and up to the thirty-third ballot stood solidly by the leading candidates. Grant lead for six ballots, with 305 votes, fol- lowed by Blaine, with 284. On tne 6th and 7th ballots Grant rose one yote oneach and kept about even till the 15th, when he rose to 309, amid the prolonged cheers of the delegates who voted for him and the large crowd of nis friends in the galleries. It was not until the 34th ballot began that the indications of a break in the Blaine column were apparent. Gen. Garfield’s name had received one vote as carly as the second ballot, with considerable applause, which was repeated on the third, but on the thirty-tourth, when Grant began to creep up, the Wisconsin delegation led off with a transfer of 16 votes to Garfield. Indiana changed its vote of 27 to Garfield, but Grant stood at his highest point of 812. Before the result was announced Garfield rose to say that he was not a candidate and to withdraw his name, but he was ruled out of order. The thirty-fifth ballot followed at once and indicated but little change, but pre- sented the adherents of Grant still in a solid column. There were fears by the Blaine leaders that there would be a change in Grant's favor, and 80 the thirty-sixth ballot opened with a feeling of intense excitement, which indicated the coming of the storm, when the third state on the roll-call, Connecticut, changed 11 votes to Garfield, and Illinois soon followed with 7. From this moment the changes were so rapld from the Blaine column and Sherman's vote, the excitement and contusion so great, that it was almost impossible to keep the tally to the end of the roll-call. State tumbled over state in its haste to win in the race; but finally the actual result footed up: Garfleld, 399; Grant, 306. (The ‘fold guard dies, but never surrenders,” was the last rallying cry of the Grant men.) It being evident that Garfield had received more than a majority of the votes cast, Senator Hoar, the chairman, asked the convention “If the result should be made unanimous ?”—where- upon Mr. Conkling arose and said the chair had merely anticipated him, as he now would make the motion make the nomination of Gen. Garfield unanimous, and to appeal for the same unanimity in the campaign that had at last been manifested in the convention. At the evening session of the same day Gen. Arthur was nomi- nated, after one roll-call, by acclamation tor Vice President, and this closed on the sixth day the work of the greatest of all of the Chicago conventions. THE CHICAGO CONVENTION OF 1884. The telegraph anticipates very fully anything that can be said at the present writing of the convention which meets on Tuesday next. It will be held in the same building where the memorable contest of '80 was entered upon, but under very different circumstances. Most of the great leaders of the party will be conspicuous, as the phrase goes now-a-days, by their absence. The hirer ‘the detail, the discipline, that tl of that day have not yet aD] but in ti are delegates and delegations in doubt, candidates without posl- tive men as leaders, and speculation with but essa yet by day this mag all Be changes And seal Eat G. W.A.. Being Kind to Pediers. ‘From the Detroit Free Preas. An elder in one of the churches was last week making upaclub of subscribers for a Sunday |. school paper. In his roundshe called at a house ‘where he tound a littie girl of seven at home. He explained his errand to her, hoping to get her name to the list, and she replied. “Well, Pll ask mother, and I'm quite sure patrosige the pedlers wie. come slokg "Or they will be driven to steal and rob?” He hasn't gone back to see if she succeeded. Gb teen Naan Asad Basi Even Bectors Break Down. From the Cincinnati Enquirer, Dr. Dio Lewis, the fresh air fiend, has been compelled to stop all manual work and retire to a farm in New Jersey to rest. His health is THE LAND OF THE COWBOY. A ‘Trip Through Colorado ana Ranean DENVER BY ELECTRIC LIGHT AND BY DATLIGHT— THE WONDERS OF IRRIGATION AT GARDEN CITT —EFFECTS OF THE TIMBER CULTURE Law IN KANSAS—FARMERS BREAKING UP THE CATTLE RANGES—A MODERN EDEN aT WICHITA—« BOOM IN REAL ESTATE, AXD ONE FOR ARTHUR. Correspondence of TRE EVENING STAR. Wicurra, Kaysas, May 23, 1884, From North Platte, Neb., I proceeded fo Denver, Col. The country one passes through is most desolate, but it appears to be just the place for stock. The soil is so largely composed of alkall that it will never be used for agrical- tural purposes, and so the stock men will be left alone in their glory. At 8:30 p.m. we ar- rived at Denver. The city viewed by the glow ofthe electric light Is very handsome, and | daylight does not decrease its beauty. The sidewalks are well paved, the business blocks, churches and public buildings imposing in appearance. The Tabor opera house is indeed worthy of extravagant praise. Some of the residences are extremely elegant, especially this is the case on Capitol Hill. The views of the Rocky Mountains are grand. From the hill the sight of their peaks, clad with eternal snow, inspire one with enthusiasm impossible to de- scribe. During the day I spent in Denver we had warm spring sunsbine, a shower, snow, and toward night a cold wind blowing direct from the mountains. In fact, the weather is about as varied as the bill of fare at the St. James. I was fortunate in forming the acquaintance of Mrs. E. J. Brooks and daughter, who are well known in Washington. GARDEN CITY. From Denver I came south and east over the D. and BR. G., and A. T. and S. F. railroads to Garden City. My first impression was that it was called Garden City because there were no gardens, but a better acquaintance with the place inclines me very favorably to it. I drove out last evening to a farm, about two miles from town, and it was surprising to see what partial irrigation and cultivation would pro- duce. Here was a fine orchard of apple and peach trees, both giving every promise of an abundant crop. a vineyard, of which the grapes are said to be large and fine. Miidew ia un- known. Strawberry beds, luxuriant flelds of wheat and alfalfa ‘ent a charming aspect to the view, and in the distance towed the shining Ar- Kansas. This morning [rode up on the high- lands away from the river and in all directions the country is being developed agriculturally, which indicates that people have come here to stay. Wherever it is possible to irrigate the soil the farmers are eager to purchase. The crops raised are said to be enormous. I was told by parties, whom I consider reliable, that one acre of land had produced at one crop over 600 bushels of sweet potatoes. Wheat and oats are considered good crops to grow, but corn | does not do so well owing to the cold nights. The country is slightly rolling and the presence | of numerous young cottonnoud groves udds much to the general appearance. Cottonwood grows rankly. Iwas shown three year trees which were six inches in diameter, and stakes | are cut of that size and planted in the ground, | ered, and make in one year good trees. | Soe sounds incredibie, but I am assured it is a fact. Stock does well here, but the ranves near the town are much interfered with by the farmers, New houses are springing up like mushrooms in all directions and the price of property Is rap- | idly advancing. Mr. H. P. Myton, the register of the U.S. | land office here, isa’ young man of agreeable manners and energetic business habits. The | local paper is manazed by Mr. A. Bennett, who was formerly of Washington. 5 LARNED. From Garden City I followed the A. T. and 8. F.R. R. to Larned, Kansas. I visited Larned in the summer of 1878, and aim surprised at the growth and improvement of the place. Brick and stone buildings tiave taken the place of the frame houses that formerly ave to the towna cheap and undesirable appearance. The land about the city has also been much improved, and the prairie is dotted with groves of cotton— woods, which have sprung up since my last visit. While it is my opinion that the so-called timber culture act should be repeated, one cannot but admit that Kansas has to-day thousands of acres bare the result of that law. As a rule, however, I think that land entered as “tree claims” is ‘held mainly for the purpose of speculation. It is seldom the trees can be made to grow in this region. They start finely, but the long, severe drouths to which this country is subject is an obstacle to tree culture which is seldom overcome. The people of the west are facetious. Quite recently one of them stated in an affidavit that he had tried his best to comply with the law and make his trees grow, “but God Almighty and the hot winds beat him.” Vegetation withers in the breath of these terri- ble parching winds as though it blew trom the Desert of Sahara. Notwithstanding, this, how- ever, the country is settling rapidly; indeed the immigration is something wonderful to contem- plate, and the cattle-men, who require extensive ranges, are being broken up by the farmers. Miles of the vacant public land is fenced by the stockmen, and the Interior department has special agents for the express purpose of break- ing up these ranches, so that actual settiers may occupy the land. I am inclined to think, how- ever, that farming in this country will never be profitable unless it can be irrigated. I met many men who are anxious to sell out and get away. STOCK RAISING Is certainly profitable when conducted by expe- rienced men, and I think that it will eventualiy happen that this land will be used almost excla- sively for that purpose. A recent pre-emptor of the public lands, being duly sworn, stated that he was the head of a family, which consisted of “himself, wife, and at the last ‘round up’ of twelve children.” The language of the cowboy is everywhere employed. It is stated on good authority that the pute of stock raising are in many instances as high as forty per centum, and yet Kansas 1s importing stock constantly. I think that after a time there will be a reaction In this business, and it will not be so lucrative; but capital Is constantly pouring into the state, to be used for this end ‘ At Larned I met Dr. Wilson and wife, Judge W. R. Brown, formerly Representative trom this district and now register of the United States Land office; Mr. Frank Medberry, who was a clerk in the Pension office; also Mr. 0. A. Mor- ris, who has many friends in Washington. Capt. Morris and his lady gave a large party on the evening of the 13th instant in honor of their daughter Anna’s eighteenth birthday. LOVELY WICHITA. Leaving Larned, a few hours ride brought me to Wichita, a fine thriving town situated in the valley of the Arkansas river, in the southeastern part of the state. A lovely, luxuriant little city, I donot wonder that all unite in singing its praises. Here, for the first time since I entered Kansas, from the western part of the state, I be- held trees, grasses, roses, corn, wheat, oats, &c. growing almost spontaneously; that is the requi- site moisture and fertility of the soil are here. The residences of the town are fine in many in- stances,and almost embowered In trees. Straw- berry plants look like those we obtain from nur- serymen; they are so thrifty. Real estate has taken a prodigious buom—lots worth a year: $125 per acre are now worth $500, and wif farming lands prices have advance proportion- ately. One gentieman purchased two years ago 160 acres for $1,000. He has already collected 900 from two railroads that have ran through it, and Is holding the remainder at $8,000, with d prospects of getting his price. ‘The night Farrivea one hotel turned away twenty new ar- rivals whom they were unable to supply with beds. Business, brisk. From an entbusiastic temperance meeting, which some six hundred eltizens attended last evening at the rink, it would ay that “pro- hibition” means something in ita. I have met a good many politicians who are ostensibly for Blaine, but are in reality ng x A SAILOR ASHORE. Sailing Through the Grecian Archipele ago—Visits to Cyprus an@ Smyrna— ~ Queer Sights and Customs, Correspondence of Tae Evxstwe Stan. Ox Boarp U. 8. 8S. Lancaster, Suyana, TURKEY, 2678 APRIL, 1884. * © © The day before we sailed from Beirut several of us took a ride out to Dog river. For about twelve miles the road lies along the beach, which is frm and solid, and as we had good Arab horses we had some splendid gallops. On leaving the beach the road enters the Pass through which Dog river flows. In the pass are the remains of.an old road, plainly ble, and the ruts of the chariot wheels of the armies which passed over it are still tobe seen in some places. Through this passcame and went all the armies which marched into or through Syria. The kings and generals each left a tablet recit- ing the fact. tered along the road at irreg- ular Intervals, are large niches cut in the solid Tock in which are cut inscriptions and. fig- ures. They are chiefly Assyrian zyptian, and Roman. Among them ts pointed out one which is said to have been cut by the order of Nebuch- adnezzer, another one, weil preserved, is attrib- uted to Constantine. A NATIVE REPAST. We had luncheon In a little native house on the riverside, consisting of hard bolled egge, colored red, Lebanon wine,—sweet and aroma- tlo, asif made from raisins,—lebnee, or cottage cheese, made of goats milk, rather sour and musty, and ukzor bread m of corn and ont- meal. The ukz was shaped like a pancake, and Was over three feet in diameter, thin as tiasne paper, and touzh as leather. The proper way to eat it is to tear off a piece by main strength, spread it thickly with 1 itup, then bite it off it youcan, While the taste is not so bad after all, I believe 1 prefer homemade paa- cakes. A VISIT To CYPRUS. We left Beirut about tour o'clock in the afternoon, and arrived off Larinka, on the southeastern extremity ot rus, the next forenoon. Larinka isa miserable little village. Goldsmitir’s “Deserted Village” was a populous city compared to it. We wandered through the. Streets an hour or more, and did not see more | than a dozen people, and they appeared to be | strangers. The island of ( yprus, as you know, jis under the protection of England, for which privilege she pays the Sultan £40,000 annually. The island is of but little importance, except in case of war, when it would be a strong straye- tic point, and a splendid place for a base of sup- phes for English fleets. 4 GREAT SCOURGE IN THE ISLAND are the locusts, and they are destroyed syetem- atically in great numbers. They appear firet as | small worms on the top of mountains and high hills. When it is found the worms are com- mencing to move, they arecompletely surrounded by smooth olicloth placed vertically, up and over which they cannot pass. They then crawt along its fovt, until at intervais, deep, pits are dug, where the ollcloth hangs over the edge; and down into these pits they fall. When the pits are fuil they are covered over and mashed to death, and afterwards used to fertilize the ground where grows the grain they would have destroyed. It is said that o1 hundred theus- | and tousare destroyed In this way yearly. SMYRNA. We left Larinka the next morning, andin four days anchored in Smyrna harbor. It was very misty and overcast duriag the voyage through the Archipelago, so we saw very little of them, but we passed in sight of Rhodes, where once stood the famous Colossus and Patmos, where John wrote the Book of Revelations. Nothing could be seen of it, however, except high bar- ren hills. Near Sinyrua we passed a number of white and glittering piles of salt, each one as large as achurch. It is manufactured by evap- orating sea water in Immense alt pans. The city of Smyrna is situated in a vast level plain, behind which is arauge of high hills. On the highest of these are the ruins of « ess of the time ofthe crusaders. The walls have fallen in many places, but enough remains to show it was very formidable in its da: Along the water-front a long stone quay has been built, and it fs lined with hotels, cafes and stores. It is called the Blum, and is the lounging place of the whole city, especially near sunset, when every one comes out for @ walk. The city is much more European in character than any oriental city we have yet seen; most-ot the peo- ple wear European styles of clothing, and live in modern style of houses. The bazaars are large and numerous, but somewhat disappoint- lng after seeing those of Cairo. The great at- traction is THE RUG BAZAARS. The rugs are ot all kinds, sizes and prices, but the cheaper ones are much inferior to what can be bought at home for less money, and are evi- dently poorly-made machine counterteits. The larger and more expensive ones ate the prettiest in the world—two or three inches in thickness, soft and silky, with the richest colors in the oddest'and most extraordinary ways. The day we arrived at Smyrna was Easter scope f with the Greeks, who compose a part of the population here. They made a recu- lar “Fourth of July” ont of it, with the noise of fire-crackers, guns and cannons, and the ship- ping in the harbor was decorated. In the even- ing there was afire. It appears fires are of fre- quent occurrence here, there having been at least one every night since our arrival. To illus- trate the discipline and efMficiency of the fire de- partment of the city I would say that one eyen- ing some of us were ashore and visited a fire. It was In the midst of the city, aud was sur- rounded closely by dwellings, which, fortunately, were built of stone. The people were standing around wringing their hands and making a great nolse, but doing nothing else. Presently @ so-called fire company appeared, but they would do nothing until ® purse of five pounds sterling was made up for them, and we had to make up the purse. BRIGANDS AND THEIR WAYS. The country surrounding Smyrna is so much infested by brigands that it ls not considered safe to go outside of the city walls unless accompanied by a guard. Recently the English fleet was here, and the chiet of the brigands sent word to the admiral that he would allow the officers to go into the country on hunting expeditions. So faras I know, he has not ex- tended similar civilities to us. The authorities appear tobe unable to suppress brigandage, although the soldiers are waiking arsentils. Each one carries a gun aud & saber, and their broad sashes are filled with pistols and dag- gers. W. J. B. +e. — LAKE MINNETONKA, Minneapolis? Summer Snburb—A De- scription of the Spot which the Hifles are to Visit. Correspondence of Tue Evextsa STAR. Lake Mixwxetonna, May 20th. Nature, in Minnesota, sets an example which happily has been followed by her progressive She does nothing by halves. Early in March the great body of snow which had cov- ered the ground since the middie of December began to show signs of dissolution, and by the last of the month scarcely a trace remained. The farmers commenced thelr seeding toward the last ot March, the plowing having been done in the tall, and now the fields are beautifully = and the prospect is good for an abundant rest. ‘The charm of Minnesota scenery is in Its lakes, which are found in all of the state. Of these Lake Minnetonka is justly celebrated. It is situated about sixteen miles northwest of by that as uel tS ad, ts aye fo has been appropriated by ; Hikes ¥ ™ : ii 3 5 HH t ! 5 8 ag a: g