Evening Star Newspaper, May 11, 1895, Page 18

18 1895-TWENTY PAGES. THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, MAY 11; FISHING CLUBS Resorts Where Anglers Have Their Headquarters. PLEASANT HOMES ON THE POTOMAG The Houses of the Woodmont ard Other Ciubs. THE GAMEY E BASS VERY MAN IN THE District of Columbia who owns a fishing rod, be it split bam- boo, reed or the new and popular steel, is anxiously watching the staie of the water just now and pray- ing for it to get clear enough for the bass to become live- ly and go about seek- ing what it may de- a a vour. The recent heavy rains retarded the usual spring exodus of anglers to points of vantage up the Potomac, but the good weather of the past few days has improved the conditions amazingly, and during the next few days the eddies and ripples, the pools and shallows from Little Falls up to Great Cacapon and above will be swept by the stares of eager fishermen. The census of the bass fishermen in Washington has never been carefully taken, and their meth- ods and manners are unknown quantities to most people, but belew interesting mat- ter will be found about the sport so pop- ular here and those who Bre so ardent in its pursuit. There are several clubs and associations which were organized espezial- ly for the purpose of giving their members excellent advantages for bass fishing, and the Potomac is lined for a hundred miles above Washington with resorts where in- dividual anglers may find opportunities to pursue their favored pastime. © THE WOODMONT CLUB. The Extensive Property and the Home of This Organtzation. There is a tendency on the part of west- erners when they come across an individual who fs particularly reckless and daring to remark that he is ‘a bad man from Bitter Creek.” If the party in question is more than usually tough the further informa- tion {s vouchsafed that he must come from the head-waters of the apocry- phal stream, because “the higher up you get the worse the inhabitants get.” The same thing holds g70d of the black bass of the Potomac when it comes to the question of locality. He is to the fish family what the tough westerner is to the human. He is reckless, careless, and when it comes to fighting has been known to get the best of a man two hundred times as big as him- self over and ov_r again. And the higher up the river he gets the more developed these traits of his become. It is not unnat- ural, therefore, that those who delight in seeking the bass and enjoying the sport of his capture should like to find him where he is most eager for the fray. Some fifteen years ago a number of well- known gentlemen of this city who were adepts at angling, and enjoyed nothing more than whipping the waters of the up- per Potomac, concluded that it would be an excellent thing to form themselves into an association which should maintain a per- manent home in the neighborhood of some of the best bass fishing to be had in Amer- ica, as well as in a wild and sparsely set- tled country, where the game of the fields and woods could be found in abundance by votaries of the gun and rifte. Woodmont Club House. ‘The suggestion having once been made, those upon whose ears it fell were not Jong in appreciating its pleasurable possi- bilities, and in March, 1882, the general as- sembly of the state of Maryland was calied upon to incorporate the Woodmont Rod and Gun Club, having for its object the preservation of fish and game in Washing- ton county, Maryland, and the enjoyment of the sports of hunting and fishing. The incorporators mentioned in the assembly's act were Alexander H. Evans, J. M. Tinker, Commodore Earle English of the navy, Gen. R. C. Drum of the army, Frederick B. McGuire, Samuel H. Kauffmann and William C, McIntire. It was decided to limit the membership to fifty, and to fix the amount of the stock of the club at fifty shares of a par value of $250 each, with the proviso that each member must hold in his own name one undivided share. A large old estate situated in Washing- ton county, Maryland, slightly over 100 miles from Washington, and bearing the title of Woodmont, was purchased for the use of the club, and a comfortable and commodious club house erected on the high bluff which rises from the Potomac. © original purchase consisted of about 2, acres, but additions to this have been made, vntil the club is now in possession of about 3,000 acres of its own, while its shooting, hunting and fishing’ privileges extend over a vast area of contiguous Maryland and West Virginia, which Hes immediately across the river, and is over- looked for miles from the porch of the club house. With the exception of a hundred acres or so, the entire estate is covered with heavy woods of excellent timber, while in many places a thick undergrowth furnishes excellent covert for pheasants ‘and wild turkeys. There are considerable deer in the neighborhood also, and quail were to be found in abundance until the severe weather of the past two or three winters killed off a great many of the old birds. Famous Among Fishermen, It Is as a resort for anglers, however, that the hospitable home of the Woodmont Club has become famous. The estate ‘fronts for nearly a mile on one of the best stretches of bass fishing water in the en- tire river, while above and below are ideal haunts for the wary fish that have been visited with profit and pleasure by the Most distinguished men of America, and whose fame has extended to every quarter where angling has its disciples. Dam No. 6 is situated in the vicinity of Woodmont, and the water above this work affords splendid opportunities for deep and _still- water fishing, while below it the stream runs for miles over a rocky or gravelly bed, now tumbling in cascades, now circling in eddies, and again resting in quiet pools so favored by the watchful bass and so tempt- ing to the fisherman's fly. A glance at the record book kept at Woodmont, upon which each member and gvest 1s required to place his name, the date of his visit, the number of fish taken, their weight, and the weight of the largest fish, Is a striking history of the royal sport which anglers have enjoyed at Woodmont every vear since its club house was bnilt. The two largest fish taken there, it may be interesting to note, have fallen to the share of the same fisherman, Mr. Harry Donald- son, a son of Dr. R. B. Donaldson. This young man uses live bait and favors deep- water fishing. Last year stream abo caught a sma Ing six pound in the stil] depths of the the dam Mr. Donaldson l-mouthed black bass weigh- | and a quarter. Two wee ago today, in the same place and mann he caught another weighing exactly th: same. It would be impossible in the ne sarily brief limits of this sketch to enum- erate all the wenderful catches made by | the members of Woodmont and the‘r Suests. Many Distinguished Guests. | rounding it must be remembered that an invitation to Woodmont is regarded as an honor of the most distinguished character. Presi- dent Arthur, who was an enthusiastic fish- erman, used to speak of his visits to Wood- mont as among his most delightful ex- periences. The leading statesmen, distin- guished forelgners and men prominent in private and public life regard their trips up to the famous club house as memories to be cherished among the pleasantest. The living accommodations at Woodmont con- sist of a comfortable club house, situated on the peak of a high bluff, overlooking the river, very much as Georgetown College overlooks the Potomac above the Aqueduct bridge. Indeed, the Potomac in front of Wood- mont is extremely like that part of the same stream in the vicinity of the Three Sisters, only its breadth is not so great. From the wide covered portico which sur- rounds three sides of the building magnifi- cent views of the country and splendid Sweeps up and down the river may be en- joyed. The interior is devoted to a large dining hall, a magazine room, store and linen rooms, servants’ rcoms and ten large chambers furnished with every requisite for comfort. In the rear is the kitchen and the dwelling Quarters of the superintendent and his family. The outbuildings consist of stables, an ice house, while the purest water is supplied in abundance. Two miles away, in the center of the estate, is the hunting lodge, containing six well furnished rooms. There are three or four other houses in different parts of the Property occupied by the game wardens, who look after the interests of the club, enforce the game and fish laws and pre- vent trespassing. The shooting lodge is con- nected with the club house by telephone, and communication with Woodmont sta- tion on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, by which the club’s home is reached, is also maintained in the same manner. By an arrangement with the railroad company the club members and _ their guests may take the limited trains *run- ring westward at 11:25 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily, and arrive at Woodmont three hours later, a half fare rate being charged. Present Officers and Members. The present membership of the Wood- mont Club consists of W. S. ‘Thompson, president; M. W. Beveridge, vice president; James P. Willett, secretary and treasurer; James M. Green, M. W. Beveridge and William G. Sterrett, executive committee; members, W. H. Acker, Thomas Blagden, Richard J. Bright, A. T. Britton, Wm. E. Clark, Henry E. Davis, Dr. R. B. Donald- son, J. Maury Dove, Senator Fred. T. Du- bois, Charies Early, Thos. M. Gale, Ralph L. Galt, Dr. W. S. Harban, W. B. Hibbs, Curtis J. Hillyer, Robert O. Holtzman, Jchn Paul Jones, S. H. Kauffmann, L. Z. Leiter, George E. Lemon, John W. Mc- Cartney, Wm. Cranch McIntire, Clarence F. Norment, Crosby S. Noyes, General Albert Ordway, Carroll Mercer, Myron M. Parker, Eugene Peters, J. W. Pilling, Philip G. Russell, Benj. P. Suyder, Edward J. Stellwagen, H. Clay Stewart, jr., A. R. Tichenor, Thos. E. Waggaman, B. H. War- ner, Beriah Wilkins, Henry A. Willard, Jeremiah M. Wilson, William C. Wood, Levi Woodbury, Senator Join L. Mitche!l, Serator William N. Roach, J. Henry Gulick and Frank M. Carver. A number of Chinese pheasants are to be released in the coverts at Woodmont this spring, and the beautiful birds will doubt- less multiply and afford fine sport in an- other autumn or two. The superintendent in charge of the club house is Sylvester Pittman, while the shooting lodye is cared for by Gamekeeper Robert L. Hill. There are numerous boats for the use of fisher- men, while conveyances are at hand, to- gether with experienced and trustworthy guides, to carry guns, dogs and spor men to the best shooting grounds during the fall aud winter season. The corporate seal of the club Is par- ticularly distinctive. Its appropriate de- vice is an antlered deer’s head and two dolphins on a shield, which is supported by a heraldic scroll bearing the legend, “Protect and Enjoy,” in plain, unmistak- able English, that means precisely what it says, so far as the Woodmont clubmen and their guests are concerned. THE BLUE RIDGE CLUB. A Picturesque Location in the Vicin- ity of Harper's Ferry. A little more than two years ago a num- ber of enthusiustic anglers,several of whom were members of the Woodmont Club,deter- mined to organize and secure a spot nearer to Washington, where they might run up and enjoy their favorite pastime. These gentlemen were also well aware, after years of experience, that some of the best bass fishing in the Potomac was to be ob- tained between Harper's Ferry and a point ten or tweive miles this side of the fa- mous little town, and they determined to make their habitat somewhere along this favored abiding place of the wily bass. Accordingly a fine piece of property was secured on the south bank of the river in Loudoun county, Virginia, and a club house erected after the club had been duly incorporated by the Virginia legislature, under the style and title of the Blue Ridge Rod and Gun Club. The club house may be seen from the Shenerdoah bridge at Harper's Ferry a mile to the east, situated on a high wooded bluff rising abruptly from tie Potomac river. So steep is the declivity that a pe son may walk out fifty feet from the club house porch and drop a stone almost di- rectly down into the stream, 200 feet below him. From Harper's Ferry the cheerful home of the association is reached b; aL particularly lovely drive along the river bank, a large part of the road having been made by the club. The member or guest, upon alightini: from the train, will find’ the club "bus, a ccmmodious and comfortable glass-inclosed vehicle, awaiting to convey him to the club house, and upon arrival there a cheer- ful and hospitable reception. The club house is so situated that it commands sore of the most beautiful views in this par- ticularly picturesque neighborhood, and up and down the river and back into the mountains are lovely vistas. Blue Ridge Club House. The lower floor of the structure is de- voted to a large parlor, a dining room, re- ception room, a locker room and lavatories. On the upper floor” are fifteen sleeping partments prettily and comfortably fur- rished. There are big fireplaces in which hickory knot fires crackle when the weath- er is cold or raw. At the foot of the bluff is the boat house, well equipped with the flat-bottomed craft which are nevessary to a fisherman in the shallow water and rap- ids that abound, and which are sturdily built, so as to withstand the hard knocks they receive while being poled through the currents and eddies. One of the most admirable features of the club house {s its. water arrangements. Through a mile of inch-and-a-half pipe the flow of a pure mountain spring ts brought to a 3,000-gallon tank, the overflow from which is piped to a fountain which censtantly plays on the lawn in front of the club house, and in whose basin numer- ous and freshly caught bass are kent alive. In the house there are hot and cold water, beth rooms and closets, as well as conv iently arranged plugs and fire hose oll through the building. ‘There is a telephone connecting the house with the telegraph station at 1) :- per’s Ferry, so that upon the shorte notice to the superintendent the "bus wiil be at the station to meet visitors. ‘The club owns about forty acres of land, but its members and guests have the shoot~ ing privilege over a large area of the sur- country. -There are numerous quail and rabbits, a great many squirrels and frequent flocks of wild turkeys in easy proximity to the club’s home, and these advantages are not among the least of the attractions to the members in the fall and winter. ‘Coon and ‘possum hunting is also indulged in with much delight during the 1 nights of autumn, and altogether the fortunate members of the Blue Ridge Club are luckily situated for all sorts of sport of the most attractive kind. ‘The stretch of water that extends from Harper's Ferry down nearly to the mouth of the Monocacy is considered by many the best bass habitat in the world, and that | part of the stream immediately above and the home of the Blue Ridge Club is lered the tid-bit, if such dn adjective is permissible, of the entire distance. It is ere the bass seek the gravel bars that vr the bed of the river or lurk in the The club is as famous for its hospitality as it is for the sport its guests enjoy, for pools formed by the numerous rocks jutting above the surface and breaking the rapid course of the stream. By the fly and the live bait fishermen elike this stretch is most favored, and some of the strings brought in by the Blue Ridge adepts could hardly be believed if they were cited in this connection. This magnificent bass fishing ground, however, is being threatened with serious damage, and the cause {s all the more ag- gravating, because it could be easily re- moved and its recurrence prevented. There are two pulp mills at Harper’s Ferry, one on the Potomac and one on the Shenan- doah. The sawdust, shavings and chips and other refuse from these establishments are thrown into the rivers, and they float down, covering the water, until they become waterlogged and sink to the bottom. In this condition the refuse fills up the holes and destroys the bed of the river, covering the gravel bars with noxious slime and injuring the fishing very ma- terlally. It is believed the pulp factory managers will remedy this evil when the matter is brought to their attention, as it will be. Officers and Membern. The membership is limited, as in the case of the Woodmont Club, to fifty, and each member must hold one share of club stock of the par value of $200 and pay an inittation fee of $100. The present officers and members of the club are: W. H. Hoeke, president; A. A. Wilson, vice president; W. D. Rudy, secretary and treasurer; B. W. Frazier, auditor; J. Maury Dove, T. M. Gale, J. T. Devine, and the president and secretary, ex-officio members of the executive committee. Members—C. Becker, C. J. Bell, M. W. Beveridge, C. E. Coffin, H. L. Cranford, Henry E. Davis, L. E. Dessez, J. T. Devine, Dr. R. B. Donaldson, B. W. Frazier, A. B. Graham, S. H. Kauffmann, Wm. Pitt Kellogg, J. B. Lambie, O. F. Long, John W. McCartney, J. W. Maddox, F. B. McGuire, W. H. Mc- Knew, Dr. T. N. McLaughlin, H. CG. Moses, J. W. Pilling, Wesley K. Schoepf, C. A. Shafer, L. A. Smith, Dr. L. T. Sowers, Leroy M. Taylor, C. P. Williams, A. A. Wilson, Jeremiah M. Wilson, Levi Wood- bury, S. W. Woodward and W. Wyman. The latter gentleman has the honor of having caught the first bass at Blue Ridge during the season, the fish rising for him in the latter part of April. Mr. John H. Leopold is the superifitendent in charge of the club house and grounds. The club will give a housewarming at its beautiful home May 30, when all the members and numerous invited guests will be entertained in a royal manner. There will be contests at fly and bait casting and various other interesting events which will serve to make the day as enjoyable as it will doubtless be memorable. ANGLERS ASSOCIATION The Oldest Organization of Lovers of the Sport in This Locality. The oldest organization of fishermen in this vicinity and one of the oldest in the country Is the Anglers’ Association. Under the name of the Great Falls Fishing Club it began its career November 17, 1870, its originators being Leopold Oppenheimer, who was chosen first president; Charles Thompson, vice president; Samuel Britton, treasurer; Thomas K. Davis, secretary, and Samuel Sloan, George Young and H. Woodley, members. The membership be- came large in a little while, and the first club house was 2 log structure, with a dirt floor, on the Conduit road near Great Falls. Some of the early members were Frederick B. McGuire, Rear Admiral Beardsley, Major William MacFeely, John Hancock, Charles Whelpley, Jacob Scheiffley, W. S McPherson, Joseph Platz, Walter D. Wy- ville, Edward Gilbert,Gus Lansburgh,Simon Wolf, E. G. Wheeler, F. D. Cleary, Nat. Fugitt, L. Moxley, Hayward M. Hutchin- son and Nat. Sardo. The favorite fishing grounds then were as they are now, from Great Falls down to Cropley’s. The water is much favored by bass of excellent size and athletic power and consists of rapids, shallows and numerous pools. There are two or three islands in the river that afford fine breaks. The association at present occupies a com- fortable club house situated between the canal and the Conduit road just where the latter turns. The club property con- sists of thirty-seven acres beautifully lo- cated and is about 2% miles this side of Great Falls. In its rear is the body of water famously known as Wide Water, and when the river is muddy excellent sport may be had there. The club house is comfortably carpeted and furnished, and, besides commodious dining and reception rooms and quarters for members and their guests, there are three rooms reserved for ladies, because the members believe in having their wives, daughters and sisters enjoy the advantages of their cool and attractive outing home. The club owns twelve boats, built especially for bass fishing purposes, at Point of Rocks, and during the season they are all kept in steady use. Officers and Members, The names of the present members of the Anglers’ Association and the years they became such are as follows: 'Theo- dore Friebus, 1870; W. P. Fearson, 187 W. K. Mendenhali, 1881; Samuel Einstein, 1882; Rickard J. Bright, 1886; H. C. Coburn, 1886; Leroy M. Taylor, 1887; Andrew W. Hancock, 1887; Wm. S. Roose, 1887; Thomas E. Waggaman, 1888; James Lansburgh, Frank N. Carver, 1890; J. H. Hunter, J. Jones, 1892; John Wanstall® 1892; . Otterback, 1892; Thad. M. Tyssowski, 189%; Jules A. Demonet, 1892; W. nett, 1892; Ed. Landvoigt, 1892 Benzler, 189%; H. M. Schneider, 159% Burger, 1894; George Bobinger, 184; V Fracker, 189; Thos. Hyde, jr., 1804; FP. M. Marshall, 1894, and J. Francis, 1804. The officers are W. K. Mendenhall, president; Samuel Einstein, vice president; Theodore Friebus, secretary, a position he has con- tinuously held since 1871, and W. P. Fear- scn, treasurer. The 270th meeting of the club was held at the residence of Mr. Frie- bus last Monday night. The membership is limited to thirty, the initiation fee being $25, and monthly dues, $1. There are now three vacancies. Mr. Samuel Bissett 1s the superintendent in charge of the club property, and the fame of Mrs. Bissett as a caterer has extended far beyond the club membership. On the 30th of May the club will hold a basket picnic to usher in the season. THREE ORGANIZATIONS. The Tuscarora, the Sycamore and the Mignon Clubs. Small in membership, but remarkably successful jn making a big “log” every season, is the Tuscarora Fishing Club, which makes its headquarters at George Chick’s, on the Potomac, near Tuscarora station, and frequents the splendid bass waters from the mouth of the Monocacy to Point cf Rocks. Mr. Charles H. Laird is the president; Mr. Harry C. Fisk, sec- retary; Mr. Arthur McCormick, treasurer; while Mr. Horace Upperman occupies the important position of bait catcher. Among the members are Joseph Owner, W. M. Shuster, J. B. Buckingham, Charles Mur- ray, Brad J. Smith, Howard Fill, J. G. Anderson, Cluskey Cromwell, P. J. Fay, O. H. Beard, Sam Dalzell and H. Westcott. ost of those named take a trip to the Youghiogheny every August. While not generally known, the waters of this stream give sportsmen splendid results for the time spent upon them, and the Tuscaroras teli wonderful stories of the strings that gladden them upon their visits there. While the Montgomery Sycamore Island Club is not strictly an association of an- glers, there are many fishermen among its members, who spend all their spare time in the vicinity of their beautiful and accessi- ble property, about a mile this side of Cabin Joh idge. The island, owned by the organization and upon which a com- fortable club house {s built, contains be- tween four and five acres, covered with immense sycamore and walnut trees. The waters afford excellent bass fishing. The officers of the club are Mills Dean, presi- dent; Louis Hartig, vice president; S. R. Brooks, secretary; Mathew Ruppert, treas- urer; J. Thomas Barry, captain. Some of the fishermen members are W. D. Chad- wick, Dr. Thomas Sanders, John Irwin, J. T. Barry, W. A. Percy, George Ely, Fred S. Newman, Maj. Thomas B. Kirby and Augustus Kaiser. The Mignon Club also devotes a great deal of well-spent time to angling up the river and expects to have a club house next year. ee Removal of Dirt. Inspectors have been making the rounds of the city during the past few days, mak- ing notes of vacant lots abutting on paved sidewalks, with a view of prosecuting the cwners thereof, in case earth was allowed to accumulate thereon. These reports were made to the Commissioners, and notices are now being sent out directing those own- ers to remove the dirt within five da otherwise it will be removed by the District and the cost made a lien against the pro} erty. This action on the part of the Coi missioners is by virtue of the authority Yegted In them under the act of March 2, FILLED WITH GLOOM Local Base Ball Patrons Disappointed in the Washington Club. WERE PROMISED SOMETHING BETTER Manager Schnigh's Predictions Seem Likely to Fail. NOTES OF THE PLAYERS There is a deep, dark brown feeling of despondency settling down over the en- thusiasm of the Washington “rooters. Some of them have suggested that Mercer was “playing off’ in order to get his re- lease. The fact that Mercer is at this mo- ment leading the league in batting nails that absurd report. It is true that Mercer's delivery has been hit hard, but other “star” pitchers, including Rusie, Stein, Weyhing and Gleason, have also been severely pun- ished. Tne difficulty does not ‘appear to rest entirely with the pitching department of the Senators, for the official reports show that there is a lack of team work and spryness on the base lines. Some cf the critics suggest that ineffective coach- ing and confusing signals given from the bench are, in a measure, calculated to re- tard the progress of the Senators when stacked up against the great base ball generals, like Nash of Boston, Anson of Chicago, Tebeau of Cleveland, Ewing of Cincinnati, Irwin of Philadelphia and Mack of Pittsburg. There is also a suspicion that the rela- tions between Joyce and Manager Schmelz and some of the players are not as cordial as could be wished. Last season Joyce charged that the manager was trying to “freeze” him out of the team. He said that Schmelz was jealous of the praise given him (Joyce) for the club's work, and had opposed his suggestions and tried to belittle him before the Washington public. Joyce claimed that the players were with him and against the manager. One case is well remembered where Joyce and Schmelz disagreed. Schmelz ordered Mc- Guire not to come up to the plate. with a man on the bases and the local team well ahead. Joyce protested and told Mac to go up. The latter hesitated, looked toward the bench, and, of course, obeyed the man- ager. It is safe to say that three-fourths of the base ball patrons disagreed with the manager. The management has put cut a denial that any unpleasant feelings exist or that there are factions in the club, but this has not been enough to quiet the suspicion that the club is a house divided against itself. Mr. Wagner's Disappointment. Earl Wagner and Gus Schmelz, it must be said, are as downcast as the most hum- ble “‘rooter” over the ill-success that has attended the home club. The players are equally disappointed at the poor showing they are making. They are as anxious to win as the home patrons are to have them victorious, and they are battling heroically to stem the tide of defeat that has set in so strongly against ‘them. The fact is that while the Washington.team is somewhat stronger than it was last season, the other clubs are a great geal,stronger. The Chi- cago and Cincinnati teams are striking examples of the truth of this statement. The Effect of Fining. President Young was putting away In his cash box a check. for $50—a penalty from a double contract signer in a minor league—when your correspondent called at headquarters yesterday. ‘In all my long experience in base ball,” said President Young, “I never knew such a long list of double contract makers as we have had this year in the smaller leagues. I sup- pose it is due to the anxiety of young play- ers to get the highest salary possible. There is but one way in which we can discipline them, and that is by inflicting a fine for the first offense, and, if they persist in the practice, we disqualify them for service with any national agreement club for a year.” Teams Better Matched. Turning his attention to the race for the league pennant, Mr. Young exclaimed: “Well, what do you think of that western division? What is the matter with Chi- cago and Cineinnati? Pittsburg and Cleve- land are expected to stand well up among the leaders, for they have strong combina- tions, and both of those teams are capable of playing very fast ball. This time lest year Cleveland was leading the league, fol- lcwed by Baltimore and Pittsburg. 'Chi- cago was down at the tail end and Cincin- nati was not far away. At the present writing four of the western clubs are in the first division, contrary to a great ma- jority of the calculations made during the opening week of this season, The records show, however, that the twelve clubs are much nearer together now than they were at this period a year ago. Last season on May 10 the percentage of Cleveland, the highest club, was .8i7, and Chicago, the lowest, was .154. Now Pittsburg, the lead- er, has .68S, and Washington, the tail- ender, has .281. Thus it appears that the teams are more evenly matched than they were a year ago.” Base Ball Notes. The best batting team up to date are the Baltimores. Cleveland leads in the number of runs scored. Cleveland has made the greatest number of base hits. In fielding Cleveland leads. The heaviest , batting team has been Cleveland. Cincinnati has stolen the greatest number of bases. The Pittsburgs have gone to base on balis often- er than any other team, Baltimore leads in the number of two-base hits, Cincinnati in the’ number of three-base hits, and Washington in the number of home runs.— Pittsburg Telegraph. Gus Schmelz prides himself upon the signal system now being worked by the Senators.—Sporting Life. A base ball writer speaks of Abbey’s sen- sational fielding last year. He stood 27 with Hassamer out of forty-five outfielders. Washington is here today, and Charley Irwin will try to cateh on with the Sena- tors. Irwin is in fine condition. He says that story of his haying a bad arm was all mconshine—an excuse to let him go and take Parrott on the team.—Chicago cor- respondence. ‘There can be no doubt that the illness of Holliday is seriously affecting the work of the club. Hogriever, I am sorry to say, will scarcely do, He comes about as near filling Hoiliday’s placeias a pickle would of stopping a leak in the Suez canal. Hoggie can ficld as well as the majority of them, but when it comes, to batting it Is almost an accident if he gets a hit, and his much- beasted speed on the bases has gone glim- mering.—Cinciunati correspondence. Cincinnati writers exhausted their stock of condemaatory plrases in roasting Jake. Beckley for his alleged. upsetting of Frank Foreman. Jake had no intention of injur- ing Foreman, and went to the depot to speak to "he man about the play.—Pitts- burg correspondence. It is virtually taking your Ife in your Tand and inviting your own destruction to say a word against the Cleveland club now- udzys.—Cleveland gorrespondence. Pfeffer has carrigi his threat into execu- tion and voluntarily retired from the Louis- ville team, the game he played at Chicago unday being the Jast,one he will par: pate in as a membé€r,o? the Louisville club. Pete Browning, the old gladiator and noblest Roman of them all, has forsaken the pursuit of curves and inshoots, and this week has bought him a saloon and bil- liard hall to embark in a 1-ew line of busi- ness. He calls his place “The Gladiator.” Louisville has given Pitcher Wadsv. orth notice of release. Dan Brouthers will fill a big gap on the Louisville team. Umpire Sage is again a member of the National League staff. George Miller is a failure in the St. Louis outfield. There is some talk of playing him on the bench. Mercer is not doing the good work ex- pected of him by the Washington ‘lub. The Portland club has signed Pitcher Southard, released Hannifen and “bor- Pitcher Dolan from Hoston. ington released Pitcher Krum, and then, regretting it, recalled the release. Kid Baldwin, once the crack little catcher for the Reds, is in a bad way. Without and without an engagement, his tht has failed him. Last week the Philadelphia players took up a collection to help pay for Kid’s treatment at a New York hospital. The father of Pitcher Wallace of Cleve- lard is a member of tne Pennsylvania leg- islature. Outfielder Lange of the Chicagos is the fastest big man in the National League. He ts over six feet tall, and weighs more than 200 pounds, yet he runs like a sprint- er, and slides into bases like a feather- weight. The New York Herald stated that the Cincinnati team was the weakest in the league. As the Giants have been beaten twice in succession by the Reds, their chances for tail-end honors are rosy. Capt. Nash leads the Boston team in batting, with an average of .417; Duffy is second, with .389. : : on der Ahe wants $7,500 for Breiten- stein. Carsey appears to be in good shape. Per- haps the release of Weyhing startled him somewhat. Meekin is at present doing the best pitch- oe ae the country, and Washington sold im. Hoy is playing great ball for Cincinnati this year. Frank Foreman seems to be in it this Season as a pitcher. Keeler will soon be leading all the bats- men, if he continues to hit the ball. Hemming is a batter, as well as a pitcher. Outfielder Miller of the Cincinnatis start- ed his professional career as a pitcher in Buffalo. Hodson of the Phillies, Wilson and Nyce of Boston, Hogan of St. Louis_and Cote of Louisville -all played in the Pennsylvania State League last year. Carey, who will hereafter play first base regularly for the Baltimore club, made his first professional appearance with the Altoona club of the Pennsylvania State League in 1890. His salary at that time was $40 per month and board. Bannon has joined the New Yorks in the west and‘Eddie Burke may warm the bench for a while. Louisville and Providence have made of- fers to Pitcher Weyhing. The report that Arthur Irwin had been succeeded by Jack Boyle as manager of the Philadelphia ball club is unfounded. Irwin is still manager, but Boyle has been placed in charge of. the team on the field. This means that Irwin will not wear a uniform and will therefore appear on the coaching lines no more. s it true that you are going to release Tommy Dowd?” inquired “Buck” Ewing of Manager Buckenberger at Cincinnati Sunday. “No. Why do you ask?” said Manager Buckenberger. “Because, if you are, I would like to take him off your hands, and give you some- thing to boot,” said Ewing. “No; there is not a word of truth in that report about Dowd and Conner going to be released,” said Buckenberger. “I don’t know how it got started. I am well satis- fied with my team. We will be heard from later on. Mark my words, if we don’t.— Brooklyn Eagle. Tom Daly of the Brooklyns is one of the fine players Washington has been unable to keep. Talking about other Washington players who are now with leading clubs, Daly said recently that the Senators would be up among the leaders if they _ had Meekin and Farrell, Patsy Donovan, Frank Killeen, Joe Sullivan and a few others who used to play here, who are doing good work elsewhere. In fact, there is not a po- sition on the local which could not be filled better by taking a former Washing- ton player. There's nothing the matter with the Sen- ators. They are simply outclassed. SENATORS WON THIS. After Seven Straight Defeats They Took ua Ball. By a decision against which all the base ball “fans” at the Cleveland base ball park yesterday protested the Washingtons won a game by 6 to 5. Cleveland had a lead of 5 to 1 up to the seventh, when Washington made a rally and tied the score. In the last the Senators made the needed odd run. Crooks flied to McAleer and Mercer struck out. Then Selbach hit for three bags to right field fence and Joyce’s single scored him. McKean got Hassamer’s grounder and touched Joyce. Greminger flied to Abbey, Wallace was out at first on a grounder to Cartwright, Burkett singled, and McKean smashed one past second base for a single, putting Burkett on third. With two men out and a man on first and third Childs hit to Joyce and was called out at first. Five hundred people surrounded Betts and it took him some time to get to the players’ room. The more enthusiastic fans yelled “Mob him!” WASHINGTON. R.H.O.AE. 22°00 2821 1100 0600 0) McGuire.c. 1110 Mealeer,cf. OjCartw't.ib. 0 O11 3 0 O'Connor, «. 0/Coogan, ss. o230 McGarr,3b. 1\Crooke,Zb. 1041 Wallace,p.. 0| Mercer, p. aul aed ‘Totals. 5) Totals.... 6 92714 3 Cleveland. 098310010005 Washington. 10000040146 Earned runs—Cleveland, 3; Washingten, 4. First base by errors—Cleveland, 1; Washington, 1. Left on bases—Cleveland, Washington, 6. First base on balls—Oft Wallac of Mercer, 1. Struck out —By Wall 2. ‘Three-base hit—Seibach. ‘Two- base hits—G. Stolen bases—O. poe eer, 3 Cartwr! nd Joyce. 1, Umpire—Betts. Time—2.05. Other Lengue Games. At Louisville. Pitchers, R.H.E. Louisville MeDermott.. 810 4 New York....Meekin, Boswell 463 At Pittsburg. Pitchers. R.H.E. Pittsburg .Colcolough, Hart. 6 2 Baltimore ...Hoffer, Gleason. S10 2 At St. Louis. Pitchers. R.H.E. Philadelphia Smith. 1421 3 St. Louis.. jarkson..... 484 At Chicago. Pitchers. R.H.E Chicago Hutchison. 1421 3 Boston . Wilson..... 164 Jem Smith Bested Pritchard. Jem Smith and Ted Pritchard fought last night at the Central Hall, Holborn, Lon- don, for the heavyweight championship of England and £200 a side and a purse. The decision was to,be given to the best man in twenty rounds. In the first round Pritchard had the ad- vantage, but in the second Smith jt in a severe blow on Pritchard’s body and soon knocked him out of the ring. Pritchard was unable to respond to the call of time and the fight was awarded to Smith. HAWTHORNE TRACK RAIDED. Deputy Sheriffs Swoop Down on the Gamblers. é The race track at Hawthorne, Ill, near Chicago, was raided by deputy sheriffs yesterday and Edward Corrigan, proprietor; John Brennock, Joseph Ullman and twenty- six others were arrested for conducting a gambling Institution. The prisoners were hustled off to the city and brought before Judge Ewing of the superior court, who, after a short discussion with the attorneys for the prisoners and for the civic federa- tion, which planned the raid, admitted the prisoners to bail in the sum of $300 each. The officers of the civic federation have determined that there shall be no racing contrary to law in Cook county this year, and they declare that they will repeat the raids as often as the management of Haw- thorne care to open up. The informal trial of the prisoners will take place on Tuesday. President Baker was prompted to vigorous action in the matter, it is said, by the federation peo- ple, by the audacity of the track managers in ignoring the law as entirely as if it did not exist. That betting at race tracks is a viclation of the state law fs not ques- tioned. TO LEAVE. MANY HOR Result of Outlawifg the St. Asaph Junction Track. As a result of the revoking of the license of the St. Asaph tfack by the National Jockey Club, about all of the stables which have beea running there have either left or will leave today or tomorrow. At a meet- ing of the management of the St. Asaph concern yesterday ufternoon J. M. Hill, Tobe Wall and J. C. Carr, it is stated, sev- ered their connection with the track. It is also stated that racing will be resumed Monday, independently, of course, of both the National Jockey Club and the Western Turf Congress. Steve Stilwell will be the secretary of the new management, it is an- reunced, but the other officials have not been definitely agreed upon. Horses which have been running at the Alexander Island track will be eligible to run at St. Asaph, together with such at the latter track as do not care to longer remain within the jurisdiction of the National Jockey Club. JRlpans Talbules For Biliousness, Liver Troubles, Colic, Constipation, Diabetes, Disordered Stomach, Dizziness or Vertigo, Sick Headache, Dyspepsia, Heart Burn 9 That Bloated Feeling. 0c. a Box AtallDruggists Teaching Singing in the Public Schools of Washington. * To the Editor of The Evening Star: Taxpayer No. 1, as well as many other old citizens, may well feel a little sensitive, when they see that the good work of the predecessors of the present managers of the public schools of this city is not only ignored, but misrepresented. The article in The Star of May 4, on “Teaching singing,” will astonish multitudes of the old readers of The Star. We are told that “the meth- ods, the theories and the results have been practically revolutionized,” and that “an old system” (of vocal music teaching) “has been utterly destroyed, and a new system has been established.” Let us show some of the things claimed to be new, and learn who ought to be credited with any new im- provements which are really of any value. It is said that “in former days a class of children could be heard singing, not only through the building, but upon the streets.” But what is the object of vocal music, if not to be heard? But who has ever heard of residents, liv- ing near a school, “complaining of the periodic screeching, through which the lit- ue ones were driven like so many young steam whistles?” As a proof that former school singing was not annoying to resi- dents near the schools let me say that some ten or fifteen years ago certain high officials of the English government were re- siding near the Franklin building for a month or so, where they could hear the children sing daily. Before they left the city, finally, we are told that they visited a former superintendent of our schools, and asked for an additional opportunity of hear- ing those children sing, with whose singing they had been so often delighted. The op- portunity was granted to them, of course. It may be true that some of the untrained teachers, who did not know how to sing themselves, and, of course, did not know ‘how to teach children to sing, have allowed their pupils “to regard quantity of sound rather than qualit But I can declare, from actual experience,that the majority of teachers who have had musical training themselves (which every teacher ought to have) have not allowed their pupils to “screech” and make “annoying sounds.” Indeed, I know of professors of music, employed in our schools, who have made it a regular specialty to train teachers and schools to the use of their voices, so that they could and did give every variety of quantity and of quality of vocal tones. But I have never heard them require their pu- pils to sing in tones which could not be heard. All vocal sounds are intended for the cars of the listeners, and not for the stomachs of the singers, although good vocal training is often very good for promoting digestion. It is a little marvelous to some of your readers that the superintendent who does not even claim to understand the principles of vocal music, nor to have the ability te give practical instruction in it, should have discovered, some years ago, “something wrong in the old methods of teaching music.”” It is true, he says, “he could not put his finger on the evil element, but he knew it was there.” But just about this time, as he says, a wonderfully gifted genius sprang into existence, who had evidently, to the great relief of the superintendent, been able to put his finger upon the “evil cle- ment.” It is true she had been trained un- der this old and now discarded system, which “had paid no attention to the quality of tones,” or to “the management of the voices,” where “their throats were strain- ed” and “ruined,” and “where there was no culture in their work.” But even this remarkable genius was not able to break up the “old system” until after she went to Boston, and put herself under the able instruction of the well-known Prof. Holt and other notable northern icachers of music. She (Miss Scammell) may be and doubt- less is a good teacher of music, and she may be able to enlighten some of her su- perior officers, for we do not know her, and the patrons of the schools have never had an opportunity to judge of her qualifica- tions, or of the originality of her system. Indeed, we are not sure that even she will claim that it is original. I freely admit that proper modulation in the utterance of musical tones is a very important element in good vocal music, but this modulation is to be controlled by the sentiment of the words set to the music, and not by mere fancy as to loud and soft tones. But thousands of people now living in this city know very well that former lead- ers of vocal music in our schools have la- bored to accomplish, and they have accom- plished, very much in this very line of vocal training, as we have had many an opportunity to know and see. So skillful have the schools become in former days that, without foreign aid, they have united to give public concerts, and have so pleased the public that the people's patronage amounted to about $3),- 000, which furnished the means for paying for pianos and school libraries. These con- certs successfully demonstrated the fact that the pupils, under the “old system,” but now demolished (?), could represent the most delicate and tender-sentiment by their well-modulated tones. Surely, we have heard their “nature songs” of birds, flow- ers, animals, employments, and even of the cannon’s roar, and of the funeral dirge. In this respect I am sure that our present schools can claim nothing new. Until within the last ten years special at- tention was systematically and successfully given to scale or interval voice training, and to time. This fact can be attested by thousands of living witnesses. But it has been evident to every careful observer that for a number of years past there has been less attention given to musical training than heretofore, and it is not owing to lack of training in former. years that time and tune have been neglected. Miss Scammell may have shown, there- fore, a highly commendable zeal and skill in reviving and in returning to an “old sys- tem,” and to old methods of musical Uatn- ing, which had been neglected. The “system of hand symbol: as it is termed, while it is not a necessary part of musical training, was introduced into our schools over twenty-five years ago by Prof. Mason of Boston. Even the numerals and the seven letters, used to represent the sounds of the scale, have been successfully used, answering the same purpose as the “hand symbols.” Thirty years ago, and more, we saw ex- hibitions of interval training and of sight reading,” quite as remarkable as any that can be shown now. And very much of this work was done then by Prof. Daniel, who has been employed in teaching vocz! music in our schools constantly for the last forty years, but who does not now receive a sin- gle word of notice in this flatterin y descrip- tiou of a musical renascence, Speaking of Prof. Daniel, 1 am reminded of an incident which occurred “some thirty years ago, when this veteran music teacher called tokether some 10,000 of the pupils he had trained in our public schoois to greet the “Grand Army of the Republic” with songs of various characteristics, from seats prepared for them on the side of Pennsyl- vania avenue. Their music was so beauti- fully executed and characterized that the whole multitude stopped to applaud this youthful choir with loud and continued demonstrations. The article on “music teaching” in our schools informs the public that “two great musical concerts are to be given in June next, to demonstrate what has been done, or accomplished,during the past five years.’* One concert is to be given by 500 selected voices, from about 12,000 pupils, and the other by 500 pupils selected from about 3,000 pupils in our High Schools. Yet, as We understand, these are not the pupils who have been specially trained under this wonderfully reformed system of training, for Miss Scammell's training has been con- fined mostly to the three lower grades, and entirely to the five lower grades. It is a little singular that in the last re- port of the superintendent not a word is said by him, nor by the trustees, about music, nor about this wonderful trans- formation of vocal music training, which is said to have been going on for the last five years, of which the public is now informed for the first time. But in relation to the proposed concerts I cannot help inquiring how it happens that, in view of the alleged facts, that our schools are now enjoying the advantages of the best musical talent and of the best musical instruction which our country af- fords, not even excepting Boston, it has been found necessary to call for the ser- vices of a foreigner (Mr. Tomlins), formerly director of music in Chicago schools, and the choral director of the world’s fair music, to come here at the expense of our city, to spend a fortnight in drilling these grand selected choruses? Has this been necessary in order to pro- claim to the world the excellency of this new system of musical instruction, which nas really been in use here for more than twenty-five years? TAXPAYER No. 1. —— ‘ Revenue Marine Promotions. The President has made the following promctions in the revenue marine servi Wiliam H. Hand, captain; Howard i Broadbent. first Neutenant.