Evening Star Newspaper, May 28, 1887, Page 2

2 THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON D. C. sarundtes MAY 28, 1887—-TEN PAGES, cITry AND DISTRICT. ME PUBLIC SCHOOLS. what the Commissioners Say in An- swer to Criticisms. ‘SHB SELECTION AND COST OF SCHOOL sITEs—TER ATEMENTS MADE BY A CITIZENS’ COMMITTER— ‘YER GIGE SCHOOL. A Bran reporter asked one of the District Com- Wilssioners to-day, in relation tothe statement ‘made at a meeting of Citizens’ Association, No. 4, ‘Just Friday night,-chat tnymaking their estimates ‘Zor the schools tor the next year the Commission- ers discriminated against the Second Division, “That statement is utterly and entirely incorrect and misleading,” said the Commissioner, “for ‘what have wea board of trustees created by an ‘act of Congress? It isa part of thetr duty to ad- ‘YViseus when ft becomes necessary to make any alterations or additions tothe schools. Now, in Yefutation of the charge made by the Citizens’ As- Sectation, let me tell you a little of the history of ‘the affair. At a meeting of the trustees on April 14, 1985, Mr. Clark represented that there were $0,000 available for the purchase of sites andcon- struction of buildings, and asked that we be re- commended to cause certain bufldings to be erected and others to be remodelled, and that sites be pur- chased tn the third and fourth divisions. Not a ‘word was said about the second division, and, so far as I know, no further recommendation has deen made except that made to the last Cot to which Mr. Larner referred in his report. It 13 a@partof the ad of the trustees to keep us informed as so the needs of the schools from year to year, and we can hardly be charged ‘with disertmination against a division when two ‘sets or boards of trustees have failed to advise us ‘that It Reeded any attention. ‘SELECTING SITES. “AS $00 a8 we had obtained the appropriation,” ‘the Commissioner continued, “we realized that It ‘was highly important to commence the work of erecting the new school buildings as soon as possi- Die, in order tobe ready by the of the ext school year, and we called upon the trustees ‘w give the matter their immediate attention and Jo advise us where to purchase the necessary sites, ‘Now, Mr. Larner says that the situation of the ‘Vermont-aveaue site is bad and the price too high. In this connection he intimates that we ‘spent more money than we should have. “Now so far as Lares ee con ~ he _ ‘this: At a meeting o Trustees, jarct Sot this year, the Somuittes on bufidins Te. pairs and furniture’ was Tequested to consider the location of the new school ‘and report to ‘The board at a special meeting to held for that purpose. On March 15 their report was handed in 2taspectal meeting of the board, and they ad- ‘Yised that the sites in the second division should ‘be between 7th and 10th and $ and Boundary ‘streets northwest, and between Pennsylvania ave- nue and D and Ist and 3d streets. You can readily see that the Vermont-avenue site is within the Dounds designated by the ence hacer undoubt- ediy were ina position to know best the needs ¢ that division, ‘ ‘We used all precautions ase, even sofar as Keep our favendons unknown fo the newspa opt ag you well know, in order that taere it be no of the price of a lot when it ‘was known that we had our eyes on it. But on ‘the very morning after it was decided to purchase sites the newspapers advised the public, inspite of all efforts on our part to keep the matter quiet, ‘That the site for a school was to be selected in the Jocality named, HOW THE APPROPRIATION WAS SECURED. “The committee on schools of the Citizens’ Asso- elation say they secured the appropriation of $70,000 unaided and alone, and that the Commis. ‘signers failed to do their part. Well, this is sur- Pi hews, and it is the first time I have heard ‘that they got the appropriation through. It is the reverse, rather. I never heard that this commit- ‘We appeared before Senator Plumb, and that he made the remarks which they attribute to him. “So far as the other site !s concerned we found it Ampossibie to buy a site anywhere near Judiciary ‘Square suitable to our purpose for less—mind you—for less than $20,000.” “But they admitted that a site in that locality Inight cost more than $10,000 dollars,” interupted the reporter, “and, if so, they were willing to have the busing gprespondingly cheapened.’ said the Commissioner, “that we would spend all the money for a site, do you? Not by any means. We did the best we could to get a site in that iocality fora reasonable sum, but we failed and had togo elsewhere. I know that Judiciary Square was not mentioned in ‘connection with the expenditure of the lump sum f $35,000, nor was it ever thought of by the com- Initvees on appropriation.” ‘THR COMMISSIONERS AND THE CITIZENS. “1d like to know,” sald the Commissioner, “what ‘we are here for, and why there is a board of trus- tees, unless it be that we shall decide what is best for our schools without being interfered with. It really seems that they do it from pure mischief aud a desire to throw stones at our heads. It is Bot our piace to go down and ask the citizens ‘what they want, If they are dissatisfied with the ntilating ublic before have had sn opportvnity to defend ourselves. THE ADMISSIONS TO THE HIGH SCHOOL. “They say you have abolished examinations for admission to the High School, and thus the doors Tia ‘High School I went there and found that Mr. Paul, the principal, had gathered the faculty to- gether to meet me. I went upon the platform, and after listening to remarks by some of the gen Uemen, Mr. Lovejoy, who was then the com- Inittee on High Schoul, got up. He sald the High Schools were the apple of his eyes, and spoke on that strain for some time. At first I was Fs feature of Sur pubic schoo! sys. ‘oa unnecessary. feature of our sy Without going to the High ah However: T | it sHowever: found. after fa | found that our Hi to learn, and it now thai {t wouid be an act of crucity ‘Yo shut him out from the means of securing an education which will fit him for almost any sta- tion tn life. In there a man learns to deal with the problems of life, and what he does Jearn is of infinite assistance to him in the World, I think now, after my experience with the schools, that it is wrong to re- quire a man ‘to pass an Before he can gater the High School. 1 know of pany cases where Young men who had passed with little credit to them- | Intermediate selves haye been able by means of incessant | ‘cramming’ to pass the examination over the A system which admitted of such prostitution ‘Was evidentiy wrong and unjust. But so far as the Commissioners are concerned let_me say once ‘and forall that we have nothing todo with such Inatters. They are left entirely with the superin- tendents and trustees of the schools.” In speaking of using the Henry building as an | annex tothe High Schools the Commissioner stated | ‘That the matter was never seriously talked of, and | ‘that it was only spoken of ina general ‘way When | Ph ser ane few to what shall done with the Ly .$ of young men who will next year be ready and anxious toenter the High School was quscussed. ——.__ ‘The Soldier and the Type-Writer. A¥ 10a MAN WHO NOW THINKS GOVERNMENT EM- FLOYES DON'T HAVE 80 GOOD 4 TIME 43 HB SUP- YOSED THEY BAD. ‘The soldiers, as well as the visitors who are here attending the drill, generally; manage to take in ‘the sights of the city, which, of course, include a ‘Visit to the Government Departments. Inthe pas- sage through the halls and rooms of the public buildings of this constant stream of visitors there are naturally a good many amusing incidents con- stantly occurring. The other day a tall man, wear- ing @ uniform, was marching through the corridors of the Post-ofice Department, peering into the Toms, and evidently bound to See everything that was on. The click of a type-writer caused Tum £9: pause before the, open doorway of one of ‘the rooms, and he stood onthe threshold some ‘tume before venturing to come tato the prevence of ‘tne lady operator, who happened at that time to be the only one in the room. Presently, however, walked In, and the lady noticing his’ presence a ue aud asked pleasantly what she for btm. “Ob, nothing,” he replied, looking curt at ‘the type-writer, “I was just looking around. May Ee aales “Iam ‘on a type- ” was E “dave you never seen one betores* “Noj1 have pot,” said the soldier, “but 1 have seen the work.” “come around here then” said the lady “and You can see how It operates.” ‘The soldier stepped to the side of the operator's desk and watched deft Magers playing over the xey-board, and then he ced “do you do this ia = wean ty.t keep at work pretty constantly all day,” as 4 Well,” caid the soldier, after a pause, “I believe a Fathef hoe in the; lem than do that all day. “Where did you come from?” asked the opera- ‘tor, considerably amused by the comparison. “4 live in Iowa,” said the soldier, simply. “Out our way the People ‘think that you all have a ‘Ty easy time here tn W: but if you have ‘Vo Work like that, I beiieve I w rather stick to MiAitcr watching the operator little while longer watching the @ little wi ‘Wie soldier wandered away. pra eoewill = Im the Happy Fishing Grounds, ‘SMR PRESIDENT AND HIB PARTY REACH THEIR DRE TINATION ON THE UPPER SARANAC. ‘The President and bis party, consisting of Mrs. Cleveland, Col and Mra. Lamont, and Dr. and Mra. ‘Rosman, of Brooklyn, reached the Prospect House, ‘Upper Saranac Lake, at 7 o'clock last evening. ‘The frst considerabie stop after leaving Jersey City was made at Rutland, Vt., which point was Teached at 7:30 o'clock. A li crowd had as sembied at the station, and the President sepped out on the tiorm and shook hands with as any as could be accommodated during the unutes stay. This eas repeal program bgungion, Manchester, ‘St. albaus Re he party reached Paul Smith's station THE PEOPLE’S SUNDAY. Am Appeal for Opening the Museums and Libraries on That Day. To the Editor of Tux Evaxrxo Stan: It was an inspiring sight to see the thousands of People breathing the fresh air, as they mingled in | Pleasant conversation and listened to beautiful Music on the Smithsonian grounds last Sunday afternoon. No one but a pesstmist or a bigot could have seen aught but good in this innocent and healthful recreation. A close study of the faces ‘showed plainly the kind of people who constituted the throng. They were not the wealthy people of ‘the northwest, who own fine equipages, in which they have an abundance of time to ride all the ‘week, and to remain at home on Sunday if they wish. Neither were they criminals nor vagabonds, Dut they were an orderly, well-behaved crowd, consisting mostly of gentlemanly workingmen, elerks and people of houorabie but_not plethoris income, who are confined by their daily tasks and cut off "from out-door enjoyment or recreation. | I ¢alled it a glorious sight tose our American work- ing people so well dressed, so orderiy anf 90 appre- lative of nature and music, and I say all honor to the spirits that encourage this useful movement. ! But while listening to the alleged “sacred” strains (which would ‘have been much better if they had been simply “music”—which can be naught else but sacred) I saw a sad commentary on the injustice—I might say cruelty—of our traditions and institutions, Looking through the trees of the park, [saw the statue of “Liberty ” which surmounts the National Museum with her protecting hands outstretched over “Justice” and “Knowledge” sitting at her feet. But the doors to that museum, the most valuable educational in- stitution in America, were locked as tightly as if the 100,000 inhabitants of Washington, who most need its privileges, had never exisied. "It isa cry- ing shame in this day of light that right here inthis city of churches, apd focus of every maudlin reform, that the workingmen—laborers, mechanics, clerks and w: ners of all kinds— constituting two-thirds of our population, are ab solutely deprived of every enlightening benefit of our Government, and, instead of being encouraged to instructive Aud beneficial leisure, the only places actually open to them are thé drinking Saloons and houses of prostitution. The museums ‘and libraries are totally closed to them. ‘When We consider that these people are the bone and sinew of our Government, that upon their ad- vancement and intelligence depends its pro- sperity; that their strength is the w: ing qnergy ‘upon which rests the prosperity of tne rd, the tradesman and the professional man, 1s 1t not Shameful that society gives them nothing in return? What equitable right has our Govern- ment to invest their money in museums and libraries for the rich and then to lock out the poor from their benefits? It 1s enough to convert a saint into an anarchist when ono thinks of this in- ce. ‘The wealthy man or churchman who says the workman should spend his Sundays at home or in the church is simply ignorant of the daws of hygiene and sociology. Y have been a journey- man and know what Sunday tothe workman is. Half of them have no homes of their own; nor do they need tramps, asdo the idle and sedentary; nor do they always need sermons, even if some of them do descend to earthly things long enough to teach high ideals and stmplicity of existence. He Wants and needs light, refreshing change of en- Viromment, that 1s sil, and the young working- man 1s too apt to seek it in improper places, for Want of the cheap and useful opportuntties which an artificial society holds from h ‘The National Museums should be open on Sun- day, or admit that they have no educational in- terests, Dut are merely a ruse to obtain money from the Government for scientific investigation. | believe concerted action will bring this about. In New York the Museum of Natural History has | Deen recently opened on Sundays in response to the r demand. In Was! m_the same cam be brought about. Every laborer, | workingman, or Department clerk in Washington should sign a request, to Prot. Spencer F. Baird to open the inuseum, andif he should see fit to decline, they should make petition to Congress. Who will lead the movement ? H Ea CLEANING THE STREETS. A Talk With Capt. Eugene Griffin, of the Engineer Department. As so many complaints have been made of late to Tur Stan of the way the streets are swept and cleaned, a reporter interrogated Captain Griffin, of the Engineer Department, to-day upon the mat- ter. He prefaced his remarks with the statement that it does not necessarily follow because the People find the streets in a dirty condition that ‘they have not been cleaned. Very often it happens that between the time when the thoroughfares are cleaned at night and the following morning ‘they become dirty, littered with paper, tin cans and other stuff, but that is no proof that the streets were not swept. “As has been stated by one gentleman,” he continued, “it 1s often caused by persons sweeping the dirt and rubbish from their houses into the street, over which it is after- ward scattered by wind and vehicles.” ‘THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT DUST caused by the sweepers may have originated from the fact that very often there 1s too little water used in sprinkling, and again because when the streets are very dry and hot, if the sprinkler and Sweeper keep too far apart, the water evaporates quickly, and of course there 1s dust.” “it is the earnest endeavor of the District gov- ernment,” says Captain Griffin, “to obviate these difficulties and inconveniences, and for this pur- two rs_are employed, whose duty it to see that the work of cleaning ‘and sweeping the streets 13 properly performed, A great many people err when they think it the duty of the con to clean each and all the streets every night, amd that the reason why some are not cleanéd oftener than once a week is because the contractor and the District officials are in ‘A CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD the people. The fact 1s, that the contractor agrees to sweep a certain number of square yards of streets so many times a week, and, in accord- ance with a schedule p for his guidance. | ‘The amount of street sui ‘and the number of | times per week each seation ts to be sweept are | arranged in accordance with the amount of | money appropriated for the purpose by Congress. Hr the contractor falls to, sweep, clean, or sprinkle the required streets at and within the time spe- ecified by the schedule, he is made to lose the money which otherwise he would receive for his ‘THR CONTRACTOR SUFFERS FOR ANY NEGLIGENCE. ‘The truth of this statement Capt.Grifin vouched for by reference to his “street-sweeping” book, wherein THE STaR reporter saw on nearly every age that deductions had been noted against the money to be paid Filbert, the contractor, for such reasons as “‘improperly’ sprinkled,” “improperly Swept,” &c. Inone month the amount of these deductions was over $700. At this season of the | year it is especially dificult to keep the streets clean. There isso much dust and somuch wind to scatter it everywhere, AS TO THE NOISE MADE BY THE SWEEPERS, Capt. Griffin says that 1s a matter entirely for the police department. Next year, however, that diffi- culty will be removed by the insertion of a clause | tm the contracts. The captain said very emphatt- | cally that If the contractor does not do his duty he | ‘should be removed; but added that in this case he | seemed to be endeavoring to do it. Tn closing the captain stated ‘that he has not lately received complaints from any one about UntS matter, and that all he has seen has appeared in the newspapers. ea Platonic. ‘ (Read before the “Tuesday Club,” Washington.) I knew it the first of the summer, I knew it the same at the end, ‘That you and your love were plighted; But couldn't you be my friend? Couldn't we sit in the twilight, Couldn’t we ait om the shore, With only a pleasant friendship To bind us, and nothing more? ‘There was never a word of nonsense Spoken between us two— ‘Tho’ we lingered oft in the garden Till the roses were wet with the dew! ‘We touched on thousand subjecte— ‘The moon and the stars above: Our talks were tinged with silence, ‘But never a hint of love! Atraly platonic friendship, you said, Thad truly proved to you, ‘Could bind a man apd woman: ‘The whole long season through— ‘With never # word of nonsense, Though both were in their youth, ‘What would you have said, my lady, ‘If you hed known the truth? ‘Had I done what my mad heart prompted,— Gone down on my knees to you, ‘And told yon my passionate story, There in the dusk and dew— Hushed and hidden so long— ‘My story of passionate wooing, ‘Say, would you have thought it wrong! But I fought with my heart and conquered, Thid my wounds from sight; ‘You were guing away in the morning, ‘And I bade you a calm “Good night” But now when I sit in the twilight, ‘Or when I walk by the sea, ‘That “friendship wholly platonic” Comes surging over me— And» passionate longing Alls me, ‘For the roses, the dusk and the dew, For the beautiful summer vaniahes,— ‘Our moonlight talks—and you! A Word fer the Mercantile Clesks. To the Editor of Tux Evexrxe Stan: I wish to mercantile Dehalf of the speak a few words in employes in the District 3pm Three buckboards were Walling there to convey the party to Saranac Lake. The President nd Mrs. Cleveland and Col. and Mra Lamont are seated im Dr. Dunton’s @ short distance from the Prospect House. The nt, accom- (anied by his guide, was Lospend to-day 18 Mshing. | poles were furnished with a round table and a | rising, and he sald his boat, the Osceola, which | safety, ‘but our wood was out and our OLD TIME CAMPS, Recollections of a Veteran of the Old Light Infantry. HOW THE DISTRICT SOLDIRRS USED TO CAMP PORTY OR FIFTY YEARS AGO—A MEMORABLE TRIP TO RICHMOND—CAMPS ABOUT WASHINGTON—ENTER- TAINING VISITING COMPANTES. A member of the old Washington Light Infantry, speaking toa Srar reporter of the National En- campment and Drill, said: “The old Infantry was nota company to make a few parades each year. We used to practice the whole art of the soldier by roughing it in camp, and learning what to do incase of active service in war. The company was organized in 1836, and {t was not many years after before a complete set of camp equipments ‘Was procured—not from the Government, but pur- chased by the members and their friends. The tents were the Sibley round tents, of which we had a dozen made to order in Georgetown. The Tack for six muskets, that number of men living in each tent, and bunking in the straw. We always took our dwn provisions, those in each tent _gen- erally clubbing her. Each man took | bis turn as coox, and in that way those who after- ward becamé old bachelors received valuable les. sons for the future conduct of bachelor’s hall. T well remember some of our early experience in cam} 4 CAMP IN THE SMITHSONIAN. GROUNDS. “In 184 or '45,” continued the veteran, ‘‘we en- camped in the Smithsonian grounds near about where the main building now stands, with the National Blues and a company from the navy- Yard. We then first learned that more was necés- sary to comfort than simply pitching a tent. The rst night we were there the rain came down in forrents and ft was not long before we found (hat if we did not do something we would have to sleep in the water. Then it was that we found that trenching around the edge of the tent was neces- sary to keep the interior comfortable. ‘There was more roughing it among the military in those days than now. Notwithstanding the hard work we had a nice time at this camp, which lasted for three days. Reveille was sounded at day-light, roll call at ¢ ollock (for it was in July) guard mount at 9 o'clock, dress parade at 10, dinner at noun, and dress "parade and drill in the afternoon, We had many visitors, particularly of lady friends, numbers of whom stopped to partake of fe frugal meal of the citizen soldier, and joined ‘a dance upon the green until tal Outs sounded at o'clock. ‘Then we had’ Sostes infantry tactics, which were in use until a few years before the war, and our arms were the old fiint-lock muzzle-loader muskets, You may realize the difference between the old times and the present by the fact that to load and fire that twelve motions were required, while now with the new breech-logding rifle, welghing only about halt as much as thé olde loading ‘and ‘aring 1s done in three motions, We had had some camp experi- ence before this at the great militia encampment in Baltimore a year or two before, but the greatest atnount of experience we ever obtained was on a ‘trip to Richmond, in 1844. AN ADVANCE ON RICHMOND. “You never heard of the advance of the Light Infantry, on Richmond, did your” enquired the old infantryman. “Well,” he went on, “I thought when the Union armies started in 1861 for Richmond, that if they had as much trouble in reaching that place as we did in 4844 they would be a long time in getting there. We intended to go to Richmond by poat and en- camp there two days, and for that purpose the steamer Chesapeake Was chartered, ‘This was & relay steamer which the mail line to Acquia Creek kept here incase of an emergency, Wnen we sent our camp equipments to the boat and marched on ard we found that she had no captain, engineer or crew on board. Finally Captain Neavitt, of Alexandria, anda crew were secured, and some of the ma- chinists, who were members of the company, vol— luntecred (as was the case when the steamers were selged at the wharf in April, 1861). About 10o’clock on the 17th of Uctober, the steamer, with over 200 on board, steamed down the river. All on board were men. ‘There were about sixty in uniform and the others were friends of the members, The steamer had scarcely left the mouth of the Potomac when the engine broke down. Had it not been for the practical machinists on board at | once going to work upon them, we might not have | reached Norfolk. ‘The program was to stop inost | Of the 18th in Norfolk, and then proceed to Rici- | mond, reaching that place on the morning of the 1vth.’ After the repairs had been made, Norfolk Was reached rather late on the 18th, and w2 met with a royal welcome by the military there, and left in the afternoon for the capitol of te’ Old Dominion, allin excellent spirits, and hopeful of waking up in Richmond, AGROUND IN THE JAMES RIVER. “After getting into James River the pilot ran us aground, and there we laid all night, and when daylight came we saw that we were high and dry. A steamer coming up the stream, which proved to | be the steamer ‘Tum Jefferson, from Bultimore for Richmond, was halled, and she agreed to take the company to its destination. Riclmond was finally Teached about 10 o'clock on the night of the 19th. Here the Richmond troops and an immense con- course of citizens, Who had waited patently all day, received and escorted us to the market, | where dinner had been waiting for us for ten | hoursor more. Having enjoyed this we marched | tw Council Chamber Hill, now the site of the Ex- change Hotel, where the teuts were soon pitched, guards set and the command rested. As soon as | Tevellle was sounded the next morning, a long line | of colored servants was seen approacuing. When | ful breakfast had been sent us by the citizens, and about the same time our steamer (the Chesa- | peaxe) was seen ai the wharf. Aiter remaining in | camp Ull the morning of the 22d, we left, es- | corted by the Richmond military for Norfolk, ar- riving there in the evening. 4 ROUGH VOYAGE. “We were to leave for home on Sunday (234), and | Capt. Mitchell admonished us that a storm was | would leave after our steamer, would get to Wash- ington first. We did not, however, listen to his warning, but taking on board two ministers, who Were anxious to come here, we lefu Nortolk about 10 o'clock. Soon, however, we saw that Capt. Mitchell’s words Were coming true. Shortly after Passing Old Point a terrific nor'wester struck us, and those who Were not sea-sick were terribly, frightened, I never saw such a time. Not over | fa dozen seemed to have their senses. ‘rhe two ministers during the storm sat down at a table in | ‘the cabin and took comfort by reading their bibles, | but one of the men being pitched by the lurching | of the boat from the deck to the table be- tween them caused them to jump up with fright, thinking that thelr time had come. | Fially the mouth of the Rappahanock was reached, and there we lay in comparative rO- | visions were running low. We had calculated | | on leaving Norfolk to take breakfast at our own | homes Monday morning. After Une storm subsided, | having secured a small quantity of wood, we got | im the Potomac, and the steamer Columbia was | signalled and wood and provisions enough to last Were secured. The steamer Oscevia, Capt. | Mitchell, had been seen from a hill on the’ Rappa- | hannock Monday evening, when we were looking | for wood Ges aires res and when she arrived he | Capt. Mitchell not having sighted us, reported that We had left Norfolk on Sunday morning. As nothing had been seen of us he thought the ter- rite gale had blown usoutside of the capes, As we afterward learned this report caused the greatest consternation throughout the city, and I | mave no douvt many of us were mourned us lost. | We finally reached home on Thursday morning and When we reached the whar{—foot of 11th street— all Washington seemed to be there, Tired and Jaded as we were we marched up idth street to Ue avenue and thence tothe armory, bein lustily cheered all the Way, afid reached our fami- Mes four days over due. OTHER ENCAMPMENTS. “This trip came near breaking us up, but we hung together and had many other pleasant en- campments. On the occaston of the laying of the copner-stone Of the Washington Monument there were a number of encampments in and around the city, some of the Baltlnore companies jolning with our home companies in Judiciary Square and Parrott’s Woods, near Kalorama, We had a3 our guests for two or three days the Lancaster (Pa.) Feneibles, the Boston Light Guard and. the Chesapeake Rifleman, of Baltimore, and enter- tained them at the Odeon Building, mer Of 43 street and Pennsylvaniaavenue, By the way {n the olden time the hotels were not as well nized by the military as of late years, Our custom, When we entertained acompany, was to rent a building, provide cots, furnish tie provision and cooks, and, in fact, supply all thelr wants while here. In summer we have often entertained visi- tors in camp. On one of our trips to Richmond we wereentertained in this style. Down to the war it was the custom of the Infantry to go into camp generally for three days, about the 4th or July, and among these encampments I recall are those at Fredericksburg, Va., Winchester, Va., one near the oid Carroil Place, “southeast of the Capitol; gue at White Knobs pear, Glenwood (Capt, ’ Place); one on Col ickey’s farm, and ‘one at Fort Washington.” —~oo—__ BOOKS OF THE WEEK. THE PERSONAL TORY OF U. ion 1 Assistaut, Assist. a Alda, on Stat of Is¢t: Bossa: ‘stuthin fecbiugton: Brentano's, Win, Ballantjek Sos x, He a? "he whole edited by JUSTIN Wixson, Lil ‘Harvard Col Boe fon Houghton, Mimin & I: gh Co. Washington: Wm. AUNT HEPSY'S FOUNDLING, AN By Mra, ITH ADaMs, author of “Madelon ‘gl “ Geoffrey Stiri “etc. Philadelphia: J.B. Lip- pincott Co. Washington: Rents 2 LIFE OF HENRY CLA’ statesmen Boston: ‘Houghton. ‘Washington: tano’s. IN OLE VIRGINIA: or, they entered the camp it was found that a bounti- | ™ GUARDING THE POPE, that Once Defended the o1a ‘The Army TALK WITH AN OLD PAPAL ZOUAVE—ONLY A REM- NANT OF THE ARMY NOW RETAINED—THE PERILS OP A ZOUAVE'S LIFE IN THE REVOLUTIONARY ‘TIME—JON B. SURRATT AS A ZOUAVE. “The soldiers of the Papal army had to do some hard fighting.” The speaker isa gentleman now residing in this city, who wasonces Papal Zouave, and he was answering ® sweeping inquiry by a Sra reporter for information about the soldiers that guard the pope. “At one time,” he went on, “the zouaves, 800 in number, withstood for a long time at one of the villages of the Papal states 30,000 Italian troops, and yielded the place then only on terms mosthonorableto them. ‘They were permitted to leave the~place bearing their arms. Iremember seetng @ zouave, struck by acannon ball in such a way that he was disemboweled and whirled against a wall, drag himself to a gun that ‘was near, and fire ft. At the present time though, there is an army only innamie. Afterthe Franco-Prussian war broke out, when France's protection was withdrawn fromn the Papal states, and the Italians took pos- session, the Papal army was disbanded, the Guar- dia Nobili and the Swiss Guard only bethg retained in service. THE GORGEOUS NOBLE GUARD. “The Guardia Nobili,” continued the ex-zouave, “1g composed entirely of Italian noblemen. ‘There are one hundred of them, and they all rank as off- cers, ‘Twenty-five are on duty ata time. They attend the pope asa body guard. On occasions of at ceremony all of the hundred may turn out. ney are drilled as cavalry, and present a splendid appearance. When in undress uniform they wear Dlue coats of the swallow-tall pattern. ‘Their full- dress uniform coats are red, with gold trimmings, They wear helmets, with horse-hair plumes; white trousers, very Ught, with high-top boots, of patent leather, and make very elegant and soldierly ap- pearance. ‘Their horses are all white. ‘These geous guards susround the pope's coach on and his chair at St. he Swiss Guards guard the avenues to the church, “They are all men. six feet high or over, ‘The regiment, though called Swiss, 1s made up of Italians, French, Germans, and men of other na- tionalities. ‘The Swiss Guard 1s a very ancient in stitution, and, I suppose, Was ly recruited in Switzerland. : ‘THE DISBANDED ARMY. «when Iwasa Papal zouave, besides the Guardia, Nobili and the Swiss Guard there were a regiment of Swiss riflemen, two battalions of zouaves, num- dering 1,800 men, two batteries of artillery, 600 mounted gens d'armes, and a regiment of italian carabineers, besides two regiments of the foreign legion of the French army, sent there by_Napo- Jeon 111, but withdrawn, ‘during the ‘Franco. Prussian war. ‘This forelgn legion was officered by France and supported by France; and per. formed no police, vidette or scout duty. It was maintained there by Napoleon as @ menace to Italy. WITH TRUNK HOSE AND HALBERDS. “These Swiss Guards wore an old-fashioned ‘Swiss uniform, the national costume of old Switz- erland. The shoes wete black, and cut low, the stockings, reaching to the thigh, were striped lengthwise, with black and yellow stripes; the short breeches, or trynks, ‘were sinilarly striped; the tunic also was black and yellow in stripes, ‘The helinet_was of silver, and the Guardsman wore gauntiets, and was’ armed with a short sword with a black hilt, and a halberd, or axe, on the end of a long pole. “The Swiss riflemen were, as thelr name im- plies, Swiss. They were all men of small stature, and were uniformed like the light infantry of the French line, with dark blue tunic, light blue zouave pants; white gait facings white and green, and regulation French infantry caps. They carried rifles with sword bayonets. ‘THE ZOUAVES. “The Papal zouaves, to which I belonged, were recruited in Ireland in 1860, and were composed then entirely of Irishmen. They went to Rome during the troubles with Garibaldi, and remained there, but the organization lost its distinctive Irish character and became cosmopolitan—men of every nationality being found in the ran from the black African to the Caucasian American. I re- member one from Alabama, one from Missouri, and another trom Louisiana. As the Irishmen Were gradually eliminated by the expiration of their terms, or by death or casualties, the ranks were filled up, largely by gentlemen of means, and it became the corps d'eiite, being much respected, ‘There were very few members of the organization who did not wear decorations, To bea member of the organization gave one entree to society. The uniform of tie private or enlisted man was of light gray, faced with orange. The fatigue cap Was of the French pattern; his dress cap a low fur cap like that worn in the Russian army. He car- ried an Enfield rifle with a sword bayonet, The officers wore a uniform of sicy-blue, trimmed with | black, and hish-top patent-leather boots. “The Italian carabineers had a uniform consist- ing of a dark blue coat of the pigeon-tall pattern, and red pants with dark Diue stripe, and were armed with rifles and sword bayonets. The gens d’ armes like the French, wore a dark blue dress coat, wide pants of light blue with dark blue stripe, drawn Ught over the shoe, aigrettes of white, and Scnabeni: The facings were white, They were armed with sabers and carbines. ‘The artillery ‘uniform consisted of an artillery jacket, and pants of dark blue. The officers’ uniform had gold fac- ing ‘The commander-in-chief was nominally the inister of war. Each regiment had a colonel. ‘The zouaves, formed in two battalions, had a col- onel and a Heutenant-colonel. The colonel Of the zouaves was the actual com- mander-in-chief in the field. Col. de Churette, of the zouaves, was a member of an oki French family. At the breaking out of the Franco-Prus- ston war all the foreign leon and those of the zouaves of. French nationality or proclivities en- tered the French army, under the command of Col. de Charette and his Licut. Col, d'Allet, and they covered themselves with glory. Just after the disbanding of the Piedmontese army, the papal states were scoured by armed bodies of men who called themselves brigands, It ‘Was against these that our troops operated. HOW ZOUAVES WERE ASSASSINATED. “The life of a zouave was always in peril, even in the city of Rome,” he went on. “They were marked by the revolutiontsts, disliked because | they were foreigners and feared because they could not be corrupted. The revolutionists were afraid to killa soldier of the French legion for they knew théy would invite the vengeance of France. ‘They always sald they could buy the Italian troops, but the only thing to do to aZouave was to kill him. How did they do it? Well,a zouave would be walking along the street. Some one would tap him on the shoulder and say, ‘a light please,’ or ask the time of day, and as the unlucky Zotave turned his head a st{ileto would be plunged over his shoulder down near his collar bone, into his heart. These stilletos had blades half of glass, and the glass would break off and re- main in the man’s heart. He would be killed in- stantly without making an outcry. ‘The loose, open collar, exposing all the throat, worn by the zouaves Was a sort of invitation to an attack of this kind, These street assassinations were very frequent. We used to have a funeral nearly every day. Finally, orders were given us that if any man approached us to ask for a light or the time of day to draw our sword bayonets, and stand him off be- fore answering him. JOHN H. SURRATT 48 A ZOUAVE. “John H, Surratt, who was charged with com- Plicity in the conspiracy to assassinate President Lincoln, wien he escaped from the United states, went to Rome and betame a Papal zouave. He was a member ofthe company ‘to which I belon; the second company of the second battalion. ‘When it was decided by the papal authorities to give him up to the United States Government, Dreparauions were made for that pi ‘and meanwhile he was incarcerated in the castle of St. Angelo, the tomb of Hadrian. During the ht he was lowered over the wall by two friends of Capt, Bolsjoll, French oflcer of, the zouaves, and First Sergeant Thornton, of Toronto. They ted their long scarfs together and let Surratt down with them. He escaped to Alexandria and was there turned over to the United States au- thorities by the Turkish government,” nn Decoration Hymn. 1887. Written for Taz EvExtne Stan. Oh! singers, thou shalt never, never cease ‘To sound a requiem o'er our nation’s grave, ‘Where broods beneath the sod eternal peace, Where over blossoms of remembrance wave. Our song, though threaded with wail of woe, Shall stronger, clearer grow with each new day, As, like to phantoms, past the old years go,— A march of progress in our freer way. ‘The funeral dirge, ssd_squnded through the lands, Hath now a calmerand more hopeful strain. Behold! a bright-faced generation stands ‘To reap rare harvest from war's gloom and pain; And grateful, tearful o'er the dust of those ‘Who gave their lives that such as these might bo, We strew sweet tribute of the summer rose ‘In memory of their truth and loyalty. ‘And as the mold doth deepen o'er the dead, Love and remembrance strengthen hour by hour; Our nation is their monument o'erhead, ‘Expanding in new majesty and power, Lo! on its portals everywhere we reed In words of fire (inscription to our God) “Hore died the free that manhood should be freed; ‘The true Republic rose from funera) sod.” ‘Manze Le Barox, ++ Gen. Paine Will Use a Silk Sail, nse CHAM, AxcD OFmER SRAES ALS yan, Rem OF A WOMAN HATER. By @. deMox- me st Weckiy Paper getion Nea es oo —__—_ An Unpleasant Impulse. At Cleveland, Olio, Geo. Knierim and F. Horton at we were ork on ground, when Wm. DEFEATED BY PITTSBURG. Washingtons Lose a Game Through the Pittsburgs yesterday, after outbatting and outfielding them. It was too bad, but neverthe- less true, The score was-9 to8. ‘The Washing- tons made fifteen clean base hite to thetr oppo- nents’ ten, and one error to four. The defeat may dé attributed to Peter O'Day, who gave four men thetr bases, three of whom scored, and struck an- other, who also reached the home plate, In jus- tice to him, however, it should be said that in more. thén one instance the fifth ball was almout 48 good as a fourth strike, and the decision was close. Otherwise O'Day pitched a very strong game, and was unusually effective, In the first inning the home team made two runs on Carroll's base on valls and clean hits by Shoch and Hines. ‘The visitors, however, made three in their inning. Two men were out, when Farrell unexpected! failed to capture McKinnon's hard hit after reach- ing the ball in good time. ‘This was the only feld- ing error of the game, and it ‘a very cost! one, as the three runs rest of the The game Was chock full of excitement and lays, aad on ore, an one gezasoa the deeat ad on the partof the home teatn. ‘The Jieated cured two runs in their second inning, on a man struck by the pitcher, a base on balls and a scratch hit that dropped between short and left fleld. The ‘Washington's managed to tie thegame in the third inning, On clever hitting by Shoch, Hines and Far- rell, and they should have had at least one more Dut’ for stupid base running, The home team forged one aliead in the fourth and another In the fifth and gained another run in the sixth. The visitors, however, scored in the fifth and tied the e by making two in the sixth, the score being to 8. Both teams made desperate efforts to score, but the Nationals failed for three straight innings. The visitors came very near getting the winning Tun in the seventh and were only prevented by & napping at ant latter nelly col ded, the ball rolling twenty feet trom the base. Donnelly was partially stunned and Coleman made tracks for home. The plucky third baseman re- covered himself with an effort, ran after the ball and sent it to the plate ahead of the runner amid prot applause. the eighth inning the Wash- ns again postponed deteat. With a man on third and only one out, Smith hit to Farrell who caught the bail on the jump, and without waiting to recover himself sent it home in time to cut off a run, In the same inning an attempt to reach home from second base on a passed ball was frus- trated by Dealy’s the ball toO’Day. Such exciting play tended to keep the interest of the spectators strained to the highest pitch. ‘There was a reaction however in the ninth inning when Brown, the fleet runner from the smoky city, bunted the ball safe, and came home on Dal rymple’s terrific hit to right feld. The game was won and the strain was Over, but it was.a gallant fignt. OTHER GAMES YESTERDAY. ‘The Philadelphias shut out Indianapolis, 6 to 0. The Detroits retrieved their defeat of Thursday by downing the New York Giants, 11 to 9, and Boston took its turn at defeating Chicago, 8 to 3. ‘The Athletics defeated Cincinnati for the third consecutive time, 9 to 5. Brooklyn got back at Louisville and won a game, 8 to 5, The St. Louis had no aifmculty in defeating the Mets, 5 tol. THE LEAGUE RECORD. Following is the standing of the clubs to date: | ASSOCIATION. ‘Won. Lost. ‘Won. Lost. 4 St. Louls......25 5 7 (Baltimoré..:/17 11 10 |Louisville..1.117 14 12 | Brooklyn. 5 12 12 /Athletic. ‘S14 14 |Cincinnatt.....16 16 7 14 |Cleveland. -6 @ Indianapolis... 5 20 |Metropolitan..5 21 Notes from the Ball Field. Gore has proved a disappointment in New York. John Morrill made only one error in twenty ames, Sithink of Washington outbatting Detroit.— change. Captain Kelly to Captain Anson: “Ab, there! Stay there!” ‘The Cincinnatis are in a desperate strait for pitching talent. ‘The Philadelphia Clubmade $10,000 on the four Detroit games. About 28,500 people saw the games on the Bos- ton grounds last week. ‘tlernan, of the New Yorks, 1s claimed to be the aguc. quickest base-runner in the Indianapolis tried to buy the release of Tiernan from the New Yorks, but fatied. ‘Some California talent in the way of a pitcher and catcher are to join the Mets soon. ‘Nash and Wise lead the batters and Kelly and Burdock the base-runners on the Boston teain. Tn young Madden the Bostons have secured a Prize, He has done excellent pitching thus far. ‘The Pittsburgs offered to exchange Morris for Boyle of the Indianapolis nine and a big bonus. | ‘An exchange says that Bob Barr has signed to pitch for Chicago for the rest of the season. Mike Tiean and William George have proved themselves tne best of Manager Mutrie’s “colts.” It is claimed that Kirby ahd several others of the Indianapolis team are piaying for their re- Tease, Very few young phenomenals have held thelr own this spring.” The new rules exploded them in Tapid order. he Mets have little use for Esterbrook Present. It proposed to exchange him for Coll: of Louisville, ‘The Indianapolis papers say that the sum ac- le for Larry Corcoran’s re- tually paid to Nash’ Tease was $600. ‘Charlie Bennett, the great catcher of the Detroits, is averse to drawing salary While he is laid up a sore arm. ‘The Athletics were unsuccessful in their efforts to secure Sain Crane, ‘The Washington club wouldn’t let him go. it 1s stated that on May 12, last season, the Bos- tons stood seventh in the league, with three vic- tories and seven defeats. Six base ball presidents at New York together the other day created the suspicion that a base ball deal was being prepared. Deacon White, the Detroit third baseman, says ‘that Clarkson ts the prince of all pitchers and the hardest man to hit on the diamond. President Day has determined that Danny Rich- ardson shall be second baseman of the Giants and. Cea wing shall cover third bag perma- neutly. ‘phe Philadelphians have had a great deal more than their sbare of ill-luck this season. There Seems to be no cessation of the succession of in- Juries to their players, 10's sald that, Radbourne nas not come up to ex- pectations as y ‘spite of inge Salary he has sulky days when he don’t want to pitch, and then he is good for nothing. In the frst game with the Duluths, Quinn, loaned by the Indianapolis, made a single, a double and a tripie, and put out 5 and assisted 7 at second base without an error. Manager Gaffney intends to make several changes that he thinks will strengthen the Washington nine.—xchange. A short stop is the only change that appears to be needed. 1 must make Ci weep when the “Champs” are trounced three straight by Wash- ington. It will take oceans of whitewash to ob- literate the stain.—Detroit Free Press, Boyle, the crack pitcher of the Indianapolis team: Says Lue team ts not playing the ball 1t is capable of, and they frequently lose games which they couid win if they tlayed with more spirit. ‘Stagg, the Yale crack pitcher, has created some excitement by joining the Bergen Point Athletic Club in preference to accepting any of the high salaried professional engagements offered to him. “There 4 no use talking further about the mat ter,” says Manager Barnie of the Baltimores, “the St.’ Louls Browns are the greatest. players on éarth, They outclass all rivi in either the asso- lation or league.” Ivis reported that the Chicago Club made an offer of $2,500 the other day for the release of Galvin, Pittsburg’s pitcher, which was declined. President Spalding thea telegraphed to Pittsburg Taising the bid to $5,000. The answer was another retu: badly off for The New Yorks seem to be as itching material as they were last year. Thus. far ‘only cma jen—Keete and Geo ve shown D an is’ yet tobe tried before an opinion ‘can ‘be formed as to his ability as « Winer. ‘Miss Helen Dauvray, the actress, has decided to offer, as an emblem of the cham} onship of Amer- ica, & trophy to cost $500. It will be a silver lov. ing cup of the Grecian style, of massive and im- sing appearance. The trophy will be known as ‘Acrowd of men and boys utilized a freight car standing on a siding outside of the nia, grounds for en uipromptu grand "stand rom Which to view the game, fore they were aware Of it the car Wag attached to au engine, and the rowa on top were whisked on to Norristown, Spalding fs said to be agitating his one i scheme His idea now 1s to drop Wi ton and Indianapolis from the league, and Cleve- land and the Mets from the association, and form a twelve-club league, to be called the American League, which Will iniclude two clubs in Philadel. phia, It is sald by some that should Detroit and Brook- lyn prove the winning clubs this season Detroit ‘Will come into the Association and to Brook and that Bi will enter the fact that Detroit is too small a. best paying and most ap] tive cities, adds Weight to the probability of such a change. “But there is greater ‘Brooklyn will not be in at the finial bases. In nearly every case, too, itis the first man at the bat, anda run Bure to result. He struck out seven men y¢ , evertheless, can Dealy caught, . He throws elit rst and tira, Our otcond soma oul out Shoch continues to line out the base hits. His Tecord yesterday was @ home rune double, and ‘The Nationals should improve in their base run- patick. O'Brien in particular wes s lagyard ies x ‘il Hi Hi i EE Ei , i i i i i ib i ts : | i & 8 i LE snes gatd that Ton der Abe hea poss: suecesstul inthe Athietics, . elub, is from the He Nas the reputation Hels now on his way to jolm he club. ie 1s now on also expect to secure Larrigan, of Stockton, the youth who is surprising everyone With his ceptive drop ball, which enables FARMING ON THE VIRGINIA SIDE, May Meeting of the Woodlawn Club, ‘THE ROAD QUESTION—DMPORTANCE OF GOOD PUBLIC ROADS AND GOOD FARM ROAD@—DIVERSIFIED FARMING THE BEST. ‘The May meeting of the Woodlawn Farmers’ Club was held at the home of President Pearson onthe 7th inst, James W. Roberts, who was ap- Pointed to inquire into the status of the Alexan- dria and Washington turnpike, reported: “Tt ap- peared to be controlled by the railroad company, ‘and that the authorities of Alexandria had tried to compel the company to improve the road, but had so far failed to obtain any satisfaction. The canal company is willing that the bed of the canal ghall be made intoaroadway. The only diMculty is the wherewithal tor the construction thereof.” He was requested to continue the in- vestigation of the matter. ‘The report of the critical committee was read, ‘Which began with an apology forthe youngermem- dersof the club essaying to criticize the farming Operations of one having the experience of our «Venerable President.” ‘The farm consists of about 250 acres, 200 of which are arable. It hus a ‘Warm southern exposure and 1s copiously supplied with the purest water from numerous fine springs. Most of the land is nearfy level and well, adapted to grass, which in the optnion of the committee ‘was the best crop to be grown,and they would re- commend more attention be given to permanent pastures, with less plowing. ‘They noticed a com. last meeting here, with a capacity tor 30 cows: ie ™ ere, With a cat for 30 cows. was ocoupiea by about 20 cows, whieh showed the effects of good care and were responding very tavor- ably at the milk pail. ‘The cows were belng sup- Mr, ‘which gave good results; as did also the malt sprouts which were ‘supplied to them in liberal quantities, A field of 40 acres of oats was reported, Which looked very well. ‘The phe Eig d and clover also were very os ‘The farm shows the evil effects of the tenant system, in the filling up of ditches and neglect of hedge rows and which they cot tulated Our host upon having escaped from,and they were gratified ‘to see he was. eepeteng ane mischief that had been done, They noticed a fine vegetable n.givi promise of a bountiful supply for the famliy. Speciality is being made of poultry. A yearly Profit of one dollar a piece from the hens is re. Ported, as a return for the improved hennery; wire hetting is used for fencing, at a cost of $12 for 336 feet in length, feet high. Special attention was called to the farm road, which had been very much, improved by a halt days’ work with the plow and Toad machine, and it was queried whether Me better outlay of labor could be made, as the ad- vantage of a good road about the farm, the saving in the hauling of crops and manures, and in the Wear and tear of vehicles, &c., was immense. ‘The question for discussion was next taken up, “CAN WE IMPROVE OUR PRESENT SYSTEM OF FARMING?” ‘There was a disposition to criticize the wording of the question; some thought the meaning was not clear; that we might improve our farming with- out making it profitable; but the welght of testi- mony indicated the intent was to make it more profitable. After much talk and the indulgence in a good bit of growlti about hard times and of there being no profit in farming anyway, a report of the last meeting of the Deer Creek ‘Farmers? Club in the American Farmer was read, wherein this same subject was discussed, and the views of the different members, reported at some length in detail, were commented upon, and excited consid- erable interest. While some had hobbies and spe- clalties to advocate, the general sentiment was in favor of a diversified system of farming with close attention to detaily. Where one is near a good market milk dairying, all things considered, 1s probably the best ‘thing to follow, as the main Chance next to that would be butter dairying, The poultry business, conducted with care and Judgment, Would scarcely fail to be remunerative; also’ fruit-growing, to a considerable extent, on suitable soll with close attention to details’and careful handling of fruit, may be recommended. ‘There seems to be a misapprehension on the part of some farmers as to What constitutes profit, A merchant may appear to be doing better than a farmer in the cash returns from. his business, but he is ac the same time looking toward expending his profits in the arrangement of a comfortable or luxurious home and the spen¢ing of a portion of his Uuine and that of his family at some. summer resort away from the heat and dust of the city. The farmer, at the same Ume that he is taking in but little pe cash, may be slowly but surely improving his farm and surroundings, in which he takes a Just pride and much pleasure, and 1s enjoying the fruits of his labors in_ the "posses. sion of many of the essentials of a comfortable ex- istence that require of the city man a large out- jay in cash, and not the least among them is to be reckoned the gift of robust health for himself and tumily, whieh is seldom vouchsated to the denizens of the crowded towns, From the evidence at hand it was indicated that: STUCK RAISING I8 REASONABLY SURE OF SATISFACTORY RETURNS, and especially sheep. One member from an outlay of $268, last July he had sold $905 worth of sheep, lambs and wool, and had fifteen left over. Chas, Gibbs introduced the matter of the m- Proveuent of the road to Alexandria, and stated there were a number living within afew miles of the elty who Would subscribe liberally for the pur- pose of improving the road if others would do the same, He asked that the club take some action in the matter, The proposition was approved of, and he was authorized to solicit subscriptions for carrying out the object tn view. ‘he next meet- ing will be at the residence of Daniel Thompson, near Collingwood, on the 4th of June. Critical committee, D. P/ Smith, Oscar Baker, and T. W. junt For THE EVENING STAR. A SNAKE STORY. And No Slouch, Either. “Tell about yer snake stories,” said Gus, “when Jake and I went a gunning, down in the moun- tain wilds in North Carolina, Thad an experience in the snake line, and saw a snake, such as Ido not believe wasever seen or heard of before, “Jake was acquainted with the country and knew where there was an old deserted cabin. ‘This we took possession of for the few days we snatched from our business for recreation. Game was plenty. It was in :the fall of 1872; the nights were rather cool, I was not feeling well; Jake had gone to the spring for water, and on the way ack he stopped to plek up some wood for the evening. “While sitting there alone, by the dim light of a few small sticks, my mind’ running back to the early days when the country was inhabited by the red man, and game was plenty, there came a sud- den sharp sound trom the closed door, and with the rapidity of lightning, something seemed to be going around that room.” As it passed between me aind the fire it seemed like a snake eight or ten feet long. In less time than it takes to tell this I should think tt had made more than forty circuits of the cabin, Another sharp thud at the door, and it was gone. Soon Jake came in, bringing an arm- ful of Wood and a bucket, made of an old beef can, full of fresh water from the spring. I told him What had happened. He laughed, and said I inust be coming down with the fever and getting deliri- ous It Twas a Little unwell, 1 kuew T was DOt ‘What might be termed sick. But Jake laughed on, and so ridiculed my story that I sald no more. “By the now glowing fire we cooked our army fashion; smoked our pipes, and talked ingenéral. With afew boughs collected near by We made a fair bed. The next morning. as we lay there a few moments after waking, I saw Jake at thedoor. ‘What are ‘earnestly you looking att’ said L_ ‘At these two nice round holes in that door. Just look at them. They were not there yesterday.’ Then he got up and - C4 a » iE 3 i i ii if E i ° REAL ESTATE MATTERS, ag | THe Courts Define the Commissioners? Authority Over Suburban Subdivi- GALES OF PROPERTY IN THE VICINITY OF THR CITY—THE BANK OF WASHINGTON TO ENLARGE ITS BANKING BOUSE—NEW QUARTERS FOR THR CEN" ‘TRAL NATIONAL—SOME FEATURES OF THE LIKN LAW. A matter of considerable interest to owners of Teal estate has been before the District courts recently, and @ fnal settlement seems to have deen reached. It was brought to the attention of the court by Daniel R. Case through his agent, Edward J. Stellwagen, who on March 3, 1887, applied for the writ of mandamus upon the sur- veyor of the District, Wm. Forsyth. It was set forth in the petition that Case had presented to the surveyor a plat of @ proposed subdivision of certain lots in square 162. ‘The surveyor had cer- {fled that the lines of the proposed subdivision corresponded with the lines of the land owned by ‘the petitioner, and that the proposed subdivision was correct and to the law, % Yeyor refused to admit the subittsion te mason without the consent of the District Commission- ers. He referred to the order of April 1, 1881, issued by the Commissioners, as follows: “That hereafter all plats of subdivisions must have the approval of the Commissioners before being Te corded by the surveyor of the District of Colum At the hearing upon the petition before the Gen- eral Term Mr; Geo. K. Hamilton appearod for the Petitioner, and the attorney for the District, Mr. lddie, for the respondent. Judge Cox delivered the opinion of the im which he said that under the law applicable to the admission of sub- divisions to record in the office of the surveyor of the District, and contained in sections 477 and 478 of the Revised Statutes relating to the District of Columbia, the Commissioners had no control whatever over or right to interfere in the admis- ston of subdivisions to record, and that the sur. Sy charged with the duty of examin posed subdivisions, and if uy examination he should find that the lotsor parcels into which any square or lot’ may be subdivided agree in dimensions with the square or lot so 1n- Lended to be subdivided, and that the plat of sub- division contains the true dimenstons of the So expressed and is in all his duty to certit seal, and to reco! for this purpose; that this duty was purely minis. ‘Terlal, and a failure to perform it rei ‘the sur- veyor subject. to the supervision and direction of the court. In this case the surveyor had failed to do his duty, and the excuse offered, namely, the direction of the Commissioners, was insuMicient; therefore the writ of mandamus was ordered to be issued directing the surveyor to admit the plat of said subdivision at once to record. ‘This Was done on the 234 of April, when the order was made. A short time’ after- ward Mr. Walter S. Harbin presented to the su veyor ‘plat of a proposed subdivision in square 440, which the surveyor examined, approved, and certified to as being correct, but refused to admit the subdivision to record until the Commissioners first approved the saine. The letter of the sur- veyor Was as follows; “In compliance with the order of the Engineer ‘Commissioner of District of Columbia dated May 4, 1887, which requires all plats of proposed subdivision’ to be submitted to Une Commissioners for approval, I shall have to decline to admit to record. parts of lots 10 and 12 and allof lot 11, in square 440, until sald plats shall be approved by the Commissioners of the District.” “The order above referred to 18 as fol- v3: “The recent decision of the court in the case of Case vs. Forsyth, for mandamus to compel a record for resubdvision, effecis the preliminary adjust- ment of the matter until further legislation can be procured. Meanwhile there ts no hecessity for departing from the procedure hitherto ordered, Ramely, upon the presentation of proposed sub- division to the surveyor, he shall Uransmnit it to the Commissioners for examination and approval, Signed Wm. Ludiow, Engineer Commissioner.” A writ of mandamus was also applied for th this case, but the attorney for the District did not put | 1n an appearance, and there Was no retura made to the rule tssued' by the court upon Surveyor For- syth to show cause why a writ of mandanus should not issue. ‘The court, upon hearing the Uution, directed & writ to issie, which Was as fol- jows: “IU appearing that the respondent has failed to make recura to the rule of the court issued on the ‘ch day of May, 1887, directing him to show cause Why Une writ Of mandamus should not tssue as prayed by the relator, and it also appearing to the court that the interference of the eer Com missioner of the District of Columbia with the duty of said respondent in regard to the record of subdivisions in the Surveyor’s OMice of the District of Columbia, 18 unwarranted and illegal, it is on this 18th day of May, 1887, adjudged that ihe per- emptory writ of mandamus issue as prayed tn sald. peuition directing the respondent, Win. Forsyth, to forthwith admit to record the relator’s proposed. Subdivision of parts of lots 10 and 12 and all of 11, in square 440, Which said proposed subdivision 1s described in and made part ot relator’s petition.” A SALE OF SUBURBAN PROPERTY. ‘Mrs, Kall has sold a portion of her place adjoin- ing Kalorama, on the east, to Senator Don Cam- eron. The part sold comprises six acres lying be- tween the Washington Heights subdivision and the new subdivision of Kalorama. The price paid Was neariy $40,000, Which 18 over $6,500 per acre. Since the Work of extending Massachusetts avenue has the subdivision of the greater part of the laud in the vicinity has been made, and prices have advanced very materially. A. SYNDICATE PURCHASE. Mr. George F. Graham has sold to Messrs, Charies C. Glover, Thomas Hyde, Richard H. Goldsborough, and others, forming a syndicate, for $41,500, the farm of the late Joseph H. Bradley,’ known as Chevy Chase. The farm contains 304 acres, and lies at the intersection of the Broad Branch’and Brookville roads, north of ‘Tenleytown. Fifteen acres of this tarm le with- in the District Ines and the remainder in Mont- gomery County, Md. ‘The purchasers have not ap- nounced what disposition they propose to make of their property. Itis not thougat that the prop- erey Will be Diaced on the market for ‘soue ‘time yet, THE LIEN LAW CRITICISED. A prominent architect of this city ina talk with aSranreporter recently said that he thought the practical operation of the lien law had a tendency to cause considerable loss to innocent parties, He ‘ald that, Decause of the security given by the Jaw to material men, they were not at all particu- Jar to whom they. gave credit. The lumber men, for instance, would sell on credit to auy butlder who had a contract for building a house, It was, not necessary for chem to be assured that the man Would pay his debts and was good or the amount of the bil ‘They knew that, if he dtd not pay, all that was necessary for Uhem'to do was to lien’the house, Which was really the security for the debt, In this way some men of no financlal st were able to secure credit, and with that, of course, they were ready to make bids for’the erection of houses, If they had no intention of paying their bills, of course they could underbid’ an honest contractor who met all his obligations. “The owner — would be induced by the low bid to accept it, and as the work advanced and the payments on’ the building Decame due the owner Would hand out his check, and by the time the house was completed the owner would have paid out all he had contracted to pay, and, naturally, he would conclude that he owned his house. He was lable to find, however, that his contractor had not paid the lumber man or the brick man, but had pocketed the money given him for that’purpose. ‘The result would be That the owner would have to pay twice over for the same material. Of course, if the owner makes careful inquiry he 1s able to ascertain something about the character of the contractor, but the difficulty is sald to be that people are sometimes careless about such matters, and they suffer in consequence. ‘The architect ‘said that the only Temedy when there was any doubt about the con- tractor was to insist upon a bond of sufficient amount to make the owner in the event of his house being lened. He said that the mechan- 4cs, for whose benefit the law was sup} tohave Deen enacted, were not benefited, ita mechanic Was not paid at the end of every week the owner and everybody else were likely 20 hear about it. But the material could afford to wait for the money, and for this reason the law was an actual injury to many. ENLARGING BANKING QUARTERS. ‘The old red brick building at the intersection of street with Loutsiana avenue, which has been oc- cupied for so many yearsby the Bank of Washing- ton, is one of the most familiar landmarks in that ‘section of the city. It has: there, while many ‘There are now Changes made in the interior, wich Switch will ve facilities for the business. The Central ‘ational Bank, which has: ocoupled 2 of the front of the building, has pt AN DEMENGE BUILDING FOR OFFICE PURPOSES TO BE ERECTED ON F STREET BY WASHINGTON CAPITAL. A paper has been plaeed on record by which the following parties agree tothe purchase of the Tall- madge Hall property, on F street between 9th and 10th streets, and the erection of s large office building: Alex. T. Britton, Crosby 8. Noyes, Brain- ard H. Warner, Benj. H. Warder, Jno. Jay Edson, cotta work. The building will be nearly fireproof in its construction, and will be arranged in. condance with the modera requirements {of office jange stores, ‘The rear be so arranged as to be deposit if the owners should desire remov: be begun next that the new building will be by the Ist of May next, THE INCREASED WATER RATES. Captain Symons Says that the Com- missioners Have Full Power in the Mater Under the Laws. Captain Thos. W. Symons stated to 0 Stam ne porter to-day in reference to a communication from “A.C. R,” Which appeared in Wednesday's Srak, in relation to the proposed increase of the water rates, Ubat “the Commissioners have succeeded to all the powers of the old legisiative assembly in regard to the water service, by the terms of the act of June 10,1879. This act recites that ‘the Comumissioners shall have all the powers and be ‘subject to all the duties and limitations provided in chapter 8 of the Revised Statutes relating to the District of Columbia,’ Chapter 8 refers to the water service. Water rents have been paid since 1880 on a schudule fixed by Commissioners Dent Morgan and Twining. “Furthermore, the law of Congress of July 15, 1882, after providing for the completion of th dam’at Great Falls, the extension of the aqueduct to the high ground north of the city, and_the cone Struction of tho new reservoir, and requiring that | halt the expense thereof should be y the city, further stipulates that ‘water rents shall be So régulated from time to time as to be at least sumclent to pay the expenses of maintaining th» sald works and appendages, and the liiterest oa the capital account created tm accordance wit, Unis provision in addition tothe charges now Lin Posed thereon by law, &c “You Will see,” sid Capt. Symons, “that the last Congress appropriated the following sums for ‘the water department: Salaries, clerks, contingent expenses, Pumping “expenses” and z ne Talus treplugs, &e Xew puinping engines . interest and sinking fund on water- ir aerate Interest and sinking fund on account of increasing the water supply $11,936 00 ‘Total. “This is the “amount, Would seem to be the duty of the Commatssion | to provide for by regulatizg {he water rents, The Lotal revenue of the water department for tho Year July 1, 1885, to July 1, 1886, from all sources, | was $160,613.29." For the’ year’ 18A6-'87 the reve enues will probably be about $180,000, For the ar 1887-88 the revenues might atmount to $200,000, with the old rates tn force, Tals would | be less than the Congressional appropriation by | $05,000. It 18 to raise this sum that che water | rates have been increased and all opker sources of revenue carefully looked afver. “All this increased water rent, and the possibly greater increase which will be required in the Tature, 18 due almost entirely to the wanton waste of water indulged in by many of the peopie of We city.” = —2@0—_______ ‘THE DIOCESAN CONVENTION, ‘The Last Day*s Session—State of the Church—Committees—Bishop Parets Parting Remarks. The Protestant Episcopal Convention of the Diocese of Maryland, at Baltimore, adjourned yesterday afternoon. The report of the committ: on the state of the churches was made by John L. Lindsay, of West Washington, It stated that there Was an increase In all the linesof work, In Virginia, at Petersburg, 1s a well-organized School and theological seminary for colored people, and in that State are over 6,000 colored communi- cants, and more than thirty places of worsilp for those people, In Maryland we havo eight places of worship and 1,193 communteants, Wehave ad- ‘vantages here for the work, and there ts not that fear of close contact with the people. We see a reat lack of endowments from which ineans may be drawu for church purposes. We have no acades my or Uneological seminary, and but one girly School and one boys’ school. ‘Is 1 strange that our children go to Romish or secular schools, We have few hospitals, and butone instituuon for fallen women. Commirrens. . The bishop appointed as the committee om canons of convocations the Revs. Jas. Stephenson, 8.T.D.,J. B. Perry, W. M. Barker, Messrs. W.S, Baldwin, and Lioyd Lowndes. ‘The committee to consider Uhe establishment of & higher grade school for colored children Was con- Unwed unt! the next convention, ‘The following committee on missions waselecteds ‘The Revs. J.S. B. Hodges, 8. T. 1)., Jno. H. Elliot, 8.T.D., Albert R. Steuart, D. D., Chauncey B: Brewster, Messrs. Samuel J. Hough, Chas. F. Day- lor, Chas: T. Boehm, and Win. Keyser. The cominitiee Of religious iustruction was elected as follows: The Revs. Geo. C. Stokes, Fred. Gibson, J. Jullus Sams, D. D., Wm. M. Dame, Messrs’ Win. Woodward, Kobt. Atkinson, M.D. Edwin Higgins, and Samuel K. George. THE BISHOP'S CLOSING WORDS. Tt was decided that the convention would meet at St, Peter's church, Baltimore, next year, and Bishop Paret delivered a brief address of farewell, He said: “I doubt whether any among you can appreciate the deepness of Interest and anxiety With which I wait the opening of the coavention, While Tam sure that you are all thankful whet we separate, as we do, with tte reason for unpleasantness, I am thankful. 1 dreaded the Introduction of the questions which are agitating the church at Unis ume, We transact business in haste and speak in haste, and when questions Wuching those mightier interests are brought up for discussion I am sure they would not be sufficiently considered. They need consid - eration rather by the pen than by the tongue. Even in our own affairs we have been obliged (0 act hastily, so that sometimes it may have seemed that metmbers of the convention or I have spoken sharply. Iam sure no one will go away that way. Apology was made two or tree for seeming disrespect, but Lhad not regary them as such. We will not meet here again. The laity and clergy change from year to year, and it 4s foo much to hope Chat all Will be lu tals world, ai that time. May this thought make us t D. and forbearing towards each other, and earnest in the work of the chureh. Disaster on the Pennsylvania, FOUR PEKSONS KILLED AND TWO FATALLY INJURED ‘NEAR KITTANNING. As the fast train golng west on the Pennsylvania railroad was nearing Kittanning Point, Pa., last night, the wheel of car ona freight traia going east burst, and the car was hurled against the Passenger tran with disastrons effect, smashing in two coaches, Killing four persons outright and injuring many others. The Killed are #s follows: Dal Graham, son of ex-Speaker Graham, Alle heny, Pa.; J. P. Stauffer, of Lewisville, Ohio; vymer Snyder, of Shamokin, Pa.; John Norris, a newsboy, of East Liberty, Pa.; Frank McCue, of 7 east 33d street, New York city, will die, Chas, Beldelimann, of 'Brinfield, Nobie’ County, Ind., 15 dying. ‘The 'tnjured are A. Agen, Fayetteville, N. ¥., head and side, not seriousiy; Clara Alert, of Fiint, Micn., sligutly injured; Rev. Jno. Alford, of Beaver Fails, slight injuries; Hattie Luc’ ored, of Alexandria, Va., not seriously; Re Porter, colored, of Detroit, Mich; balun aged Gleven years, traveling with her mother, Was prostrated by the shock, but was not injured to any extent. No passengers occupying sieeping or parlor cars were injured, ‘The accident Was an Unavoldable one, und Ube Worst that has happened for years on the'Pennsylvania Ratlroad. ‘The Pennsylvania State Liquor League has 1s- ‘sued a call for a convention at Allentown on July 12, The call declares the high-lisense bill uncon- stitutional and unjust, and urges the liquor men ‘everywhere to enrol and defeat their enemies, A Tumor has reached the National Guard that Gov- ernor Beaver, who 1s a Strict teetolaler, Will posl- tively prohibit the sale of liquor of any sort during the summer encam| tne division of the It 1s further believed he will request that no Mask be taken into the encampinent. ‘Toronto’s Uselevs Police. 4 GRAND TORCHLIGHT PARADE AT MONTREAL Last wigHT. Not only the societies but all the French ‘and citizens generally par- Ucipated at Montreal last night in what was ib- tended to be the crowning demonstration 1n honor of Mr. O’Brien in Canada. The torchlight parade was a magnificent ‘At least 8,000 men carnied torch 3 cy fled past Law rence Hall, on the balcony of which Mr. O'Brien ‘stood withthe American newspaper men and the ‘officers of the local league, there was set up a deal - ning cheer. In the principal strects alyng. the Sad nrocehere teak while Mr. O'Brien was ‘ot the st. Lawrence ‘hauled throug {rod upon anotbior seating: trom Sr, ton arow, va explain he was badly is Short. He ts the ‘Workman, and & warm