Evening Star Newspaper, May 21, 1896, Page 12

12 THE CIVIL. SERVICE Annual Meeting of the Reform As- sociation of the District. SECRETARY'S INTERESTING REPORT Effort to Secure Extension to Dis- trict Government Employes. OLD OFFICERS RE-ELECTED The Civil Service Reform Association of the Dist of Celumbia held its second arnual meeting at Willard’s Hotel last evening, with a fairly good attendance, ing the bad weather. Mr. John son presiced and Mr. F. L. Siddons ected as secretary ‘Wolf, the treesurer, sub- Mr. Adolph ¢ mitted his arnual report, showing the ciation to be in a satis- finan factery ccr dition. election of officers for the ensuing resulted as follows: President, John Edson; vice presidents, Alexander y-Smith, Theodore W. Noyes and H. Macfarland; secretary, F. L. Siddons; secretary, Charles W. Stetson; Adolph G. Wolf; executive com- reneral officers and Charles rge W. Hill, Joseph G. Gurley, Howe, H. H. Glassie and A. L. je read an interesting paper on on of Civil Service Reform to in the Civil Service,” and a gen- liscussion followed, in which Dr. Lyman, Mr. Edson and Mr. elpate: »tion ¢ Wolf, a resolution was pted expressing regret at the death of William B. Webb, the first president the association, and directing that a arded to his family. ot copy be forw The Secretary's Report. The anrval report of the secretary. Mr. F. L. Siddons, was read to the meeting by its au and proved a mest interesting dccume he death of two Fromi ociation dur- ing the past yea Mr. William B. Webb, tts first president, and Mr. Marshall MeD. ex-fish com oner, and paid yute to the valuable services them in the cause of good There are row sixty-two the association in good stand- list of members continues to ative of the business and pro- elem ts of the Dtstrict. he most important work that yciation has undertaken during the been the at- nt into law of provisions of the fe > law to the Unite and was i of Represe Mr. Marriot in the civil it was referred A similar bill was intro- te a few days later by e, and referred to the com- he District of Columbia. The was refer to the District s by the committee, who 1 it with an emphatic ap- nt into law. One sidered it, at hat they did, and or- ersely reported to the ion, however, meeting with opposition of Senator Proctor , e or two others of his as- Senator Proctor has prepared a ‘ing the bill, which he the majority report ts ito the Senate. This the commit- lone, it will be observed, weeks ator Proctor has sought sev- e to have the report le, ne could present his views to the but far his efforts have failed r intended effect. © of the 0 this hasty ed oxition. of association, upon action of the com- e a reconsid- repeatedly asked for a > bill, but without success nt time. I have sought to he grounds of opposition to our ommittee and I feel justi- they are chiefly and based upon the fact ome a law a sat- tronage will be cut in the upper house le ative duties ict without hope of reward—a of affairs they do not view with y and which they will prevent that ively supply 2 le House of Representatives our » bill received but slightly better It was referred to a committee ayed a ‘masterly inactivity’ con- and, finally, after a little coax- taining it for several weeks, nittee repo: i it back without ommi nm. The officers of the assoctation a for an opportunity to its wishes r ting the proposed nd through the kindness of e chairman of the commit- the relation is indebted on te half of the bill, a hear- nis hearing was atten: Commission 1 by the three presentatives of board of trade ar e Center, as committee of this organization, om appeared in advocacy of the one in opposition ¥ present. iting a half an hour ‘be yond the sspointed, the hearing proceeded, with ‘three members of the committee pre en being a quorum. A fourth member subs: mor quently drif made their appearan nts on behalf of the b we asked what objec din, but no rong argu- presented, e were One member referred to cer- objections, but disclaimed objections himself, and he dis- some anxiety lest the record of the 1 wi fons t he * should show that he had referred to eve ed objections. His anxiety Was relieved by it being agreed that no mention of his statements should appear in the record. Feeling in the House. ‘It has developed that there is a feeling among the republican members of the committee that there are too many demo- crats holding local offices who ought to te turned out and their places filled by re- Publicans before the bill showld be per- mitted to become a law. It Is true that many of these emplo: are faithful, hard-working and ‘competent, but such homely virtues are of slight importance compared with the ugly fact that those who exhibit them hold to political creeds at variance with the party principles of the majority in the lower house. When this demoralizing condition of affairs has been reversed, as it is likely to be after next November, we have reason to believe that our bill will be favorably reported. “The fact that this measure is urged by a large proportion of the organized senti- ment of the District 1s of little or no im- portance to the gentlemen on the hill. By many of them it is believed .hat the Dis- trict oflices are their ‘pickings’ which can be ed to personal and party advan- tage. Incredible as it may seem to this asso- ciation, ccmpesed of men of radically dif- ferent views on political questions, it was serlously intimated to me by at least one member of Congress that among some of his associates it was believed that this bill criginating exclusively with this associa- tion and solely for the purpose of improv- ing the municipal service, was really a bill originating with democrats, and for the purpose of perpetuating democrats in the local offices. “We can expect no favorable action on our bill at this session of Congress." Mr. Siddons says that it is refreshing to turn to the progress of civil service re- ferm in other parts of the country as shown by the action of the voters of the cities of Seattle and Txcoma, Washin| ton, in having adopted radical civil serv- ice laws for their respective municipali- tle Wherever the people have been given an opportunity to vote on this maiter,” ways the report, “they have done so in no uncertain manner and always in its fa- vor.” In the Government Printing Office. “In June last,” continues the report, “the provisions of the civil service law were extended by executive order to the gov- ernment printing office. It is gratifying to know that this was brought about by the labor organizations represented in the printing office. “The public printer, however, has been charged with violating the rules, and the charges are now under investigation by a committee of the Senate. “It can be stated in connection with this extension of the rules that the old objec- tion about the impractical character of the examinations for places has been en- tirely exploded, and it is generally admit- ted by those who have taken examina- tions for places in the government printing office that they fairly, and in an exceeding- ly practical manner, test the capacity of the applicant.” The Tawney Bill. The report concludes as follows: “A Dill has been introduced in Congress and fa- vorably reported to the-House of Repre- sentatives by the committee to whom it was referred, which seeks to provide for government employes within the classified el service, who have become superan- nuated. : “It is insisted by the advocates of the bill that this proposed legislation is a logical part of the civil service reformers’ scheme, because In providing a means of getting persons into the service it will be- come necessary to provide a method for getting them out, when the infirmities of age or other physical and mental ailments permanently disable them from perform- ing properly their duties. “This argument may be sound, but I am of opinion that our efforts should be con- tnued in the direction of gathering all the offices possible within the provisions of. the civil service law. before tuking up the ane tion involved in the bill referred to above. “The crowning event of the year of espe- cial interest to us is the recent revision of the civil service rules, by which about thirty thousand places have become classl- fied, and hence protected by the civil ser- vice law. The President Thanked. “For this great step forward we have the President to thank, and it Is befitting that the association should record its apprecia- tion of this exercise of executive power. In reviewing Mr. Cleveland’s attitude to- ward civil service reform, simple candor compels the statement that in the main he has been consistent and true to his profes- sions on the subject. We have had occa- sion to criticise what seemed to us failures to uphold the law at all times, and we have done so without hesitation; but after all, when the history of his’ administration shall come to be written, the impartial chronicler will count not least among Mr. Cleveland's services his loyalty to the se that we espouse. This review of the leading features of the progress of our movement during the second year of the life of the association has, it is hoped, made plain the gratifying fact that this progress can no longer be se- riously impeded. It 1s seen that the re- form is in entire harmony with the spirit of our political institutions; that it is dem- ocratic In a very true sense of the word, Opening the doors of the government to all who would serve it, irrespective of their religion, politics or skin. “In conclusion, let me say that the asso- on must not abate in the least its ef- forts to bring the local offices under the wholesome operation of the civil service law, and to that end it will devote all its energies until success is attained, as it indubitably will be.” Brief remarks in support of the ideas embodied in the secretary's report were made by Messrs. Edson, Smith, Lyman and Sturtevant, and the report was finally adopted as expressing the sentiments of the association, —+__ BICYCLE TRACK IN AIR. Plan for One on Roof of the Elevated Lines. From the New York Journal. The rapid-transit crusade in New York, which just now is being vigorously pushed, has taken on a new and inviting aspect. The spectacle of a greater New York with an ab- solutely inadequate system of conveying !ts people from one part of the city to another has spurred the authorities to take a deter- mined stand in the matter, and has led the Gould-Sage syndicate, which owns the Man- hattan Elevated system, to offer new means for relieving the congested traffic. In addition to the plan proposed to Mayor Strong for a double-decked eight-track sys- tem on the present Manhattan line, and a new spur leading from the Harlem terminus to Yonkers, Lawson N. Fuller has made a proposition to the city to add to the proposed system a bicycle track extending the length of the city on top of the second story of the structure. The track will be forty feet wide and separated to provide for up and down town tracks. Tne proposition is to charge a round-trip fare of five cents for the entire system. Sta- tions are to be half a mile apart, and pro- vided with elevators for the use of wheel- men and their machines. If this plan is ap- proved by the city and adopted it will be the first concession of the kind yet made to bi- cyclists. The idea of the bicycle track originated with the late Jay Gouid five years ago, who said that such an improvement would be a ying investment. eg ee Spiders That Catch Birds. Mr. W. J. Rainbow, an Australian natural- ist, gives In the American Naturalist the following description of the large bird-en- trapping spiders of his country: “Represen- tatives of this genus abound in tropical and subtropical regions. Their webs are com- posed of two kinds of silk, one yellow, ex- ceedingly viscid and elastic, the other white, dry and somewhat brittle. The latter is used for the framework of the web, the guys and radii, and the former for the concentrie rings. These snares are at varying helghts, sometimes within reach, again 10 to 12 feet from the ground, but always in a position exposed to the rays of the sun. The diame- ter is also varlable, from 8 feet upward. One seen by Graffe in the Fiji Islands con- structs a web 30 feet In diameter. These snares are strong enough to entrap smal birds. In the author's opinion the web is not sct for such game, and the spider does not feed on her ornithological victim. In the cases where she has been observed with her fangs in the body of the ensnared bird it is probable that it is for the purpose of has- tening the death of the bird in order to pre- vent its injuring the web-in its struggles to escape. Spiders of the genus Nephila are easily tamed. Although exceedingly vora- cious, they can nevertheless exist for many days without either food or water. They pair in autumn. The sexes inhabit the same web for a considerable time, the female in the center and the male on the upper edge of the web. His efforts to Ingratlate him- self in the favor of his mate are not always successful. It not infrequently happens that he has to retire from her presence minus two or three legs.” — ——-40e Virtues of the Apple. From the Detroit Bulletin of Pharmacy. The apple is such a common fruit that very few persons are familiar with its re- markably efficacious medicinal properties. Everybody ought to know that the very best thing they can do fs to eat apples Just before retiring for the night. Persons un- initiated in the mysteries of the fruit are lable to throw up their hands in horror at the visions of dyspepsia which such a suggestion may summon up; but no harm can come to éven a delicate system by the eating of ripe and juicy apples just before going to bed. The apple is excellent brain food, because it has more phosphoric actd in easily digested shape than other fruit It excites the action of the liver, promotes sound and healthy sleep and thoroughly disinfects the mouth. This fs not all. The apple helps the kidney secretions and pre- vents calculous growths, while it obviates indigestion and {s one of the best-known preventives of diseases of the throat. Eyerybedy should be familiar with such knowledge. ————--- 400 Queer Lot of Animals. London's Zoological Garden has been re- cently enriched by a Campbell's monkey, two black-backed jackals, a puff adder from South Africa; a condor, from South America; a guillemot, a Morrisa tortoise, an Isabelline lynx, a white-crowned manga- bey, a Maguiri stork, a Guira cuckoo, six Mexican quan, a scarlet tanager, three scarlet ibises, a burrowing owl, a ruff and two red sharks, \ THE EVENING STAR, THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1896-SIXTEEN PAGES. cee ial CMa aad Parvin FS gia Hejror octave he Neck AC SIMIJLE BY PHOTOGRAPH he ~ OF LACE DESPULED: wits Bete COLT WiLL. THE SUPERSCRIPTION ON THE ENVELOPE, PHOTOGRAPHED FOR THE STAR. SUBURBAN NEWS ANACOSTIA. Jobn Gordon, an Englishman, who was employed by Mr. Harrison, near Suitland, Md., and with his family resided in a house on Mr. Harrison's farm, was struck by lightnlng Monday eveaing and in- Jstantly killed. The unfortunate man was seated at a table eating supper at the time, and had his back to the door. Immediately outside in the yard was a wire clothes line. The lightning struck the wire, passed Airectly through the wall, leaving a rent in the plastering, and after extingulshiug a lighted lamp passed into Mr. Gordon's body. Mrs. Gordon, who was uninjured, requested her husband to relight the lamp, but receiving no reply she did so herself, and was horrified to see Mr. Gordon lyiug dead upon the floor, His features were natural, and ft {8 bellevad that death was iu- ‘A. Linger is making very extensive prep- grations for the leap year lawn party and rose festival, which is to be held on his lawn Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. It 18 expected that this will be the greatest social and festival ever ven by eburch people on the south side of the eacostla river. Over 1,000 tlekets have been to sued and are being disposed of rapidly. Many unique attractions will be seen—among them a swing inverted by William H. Linger, son of Mr. H. A. Linger, that will hold four couples. - Rey, James McLaren, pastor of Anacostia M. B. Ghurch, will preach Sunday uight next on “Our Perils ‘and Our Hopes as ‘a Nation," before the members of John A. Logan Post, G. A. R. It 4s hoped to have the Sons of Veterans present also. the haflstorm of Tuesday afternoon cai a great deal of damage to the growing erops of some Sethe truck farmers in” that part ot pene George's county adjacent to the District. One prominent grain farmer xiso lost almost fifty acres of wheat, and word received from Charles county is to the effect that the loss to the growing to- bacco plants was very severe. Mrs. D. 'T. H. Shanks, who has been sortously fil for some time, is now believed to be convalescing. Mr. Benjamin Keyser, who recent 4 removed to Anacostia, and who is employed at the navy yard, is serlously ill. ——__ FALLS CHURCH, Miss Edith O. Merrifield entertained some of her friends Monday evening at her home on Washing- ton street with a delightful informal dance in hoxor of her guest, Miss Nell McCxrdell of Hagers- town, Md. Among those in attendance were Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Par- ker, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Davenport, Misses Fannie Moore, Mattie Jarvis, Eva Birch, Margaret Nourse, Hennah Selby, Anabel Rowell, Gertrude Nourso, Anita Phillips, Claudie Curtis, Mary Davenport. Sallie Yeatman, Tinnle Merrifield, Messrs. H, F. Rorebeck, Philip Nourse, W. W. Kinsley, jr, G. T. Mankin, Webster Fi: Geo. 0, Birch, Elmer Artber Fla; BE. Talbott, Boyd Wat- — les Parker, Dr. T. quick, Dra W. At the meeting of Pioneer e of Good Tem- plate Teeday night Miss Estelle Birch wae dugg ed vice templar; B. M. Rall, secretary, and Maurice Trammell, sentirel. Miss Ida J. Quick was ap- pointed | chorister, “Company HB, with “Mr, HF Reretick’ ea leader, wilt entertatn the lodge next ‘Tuesday night with’ @ sociable. Miss Mattie Jarvis of Washington was the guest of Miss Funnie’ Moore Monday. Miss Sallle Yeatman, who has been visiting Miss Edith O. Merrifield, tas returned home, Mies Jennte Fish of Denver and Miss Fersts Proud- fit of Washingtow were the guests of Mrs. E. J. Northrup Tuesday. Mr. de 8. Pitcher of Tonawanda, N.Y. and Mr. J..L. Hume of Texas are visiting Mr. M. , Chureh: Mrs, Elizabeth Iuseell of Washington bas pur chused ten acres of land on the Sleepy Hollow road . T. I. Gardner for $500 raded school of the town will close ). A ‘hhumber of the members of Ploneer Lodge of Good ‘Templars will attend the session of the istrict lodge at Fairfax C.H. Friday. —_—>—__. FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE. ie ‘The May term of the county court convened Mon- day, Judge D. M. Chichester presiding. The wills of Sarah W. Tudor, Mary E. Binns and Wm. Jasper were probated, and the estates of Sarah Dimsey, Dlizabeth G. Francis, Rt. P, Newman and Annie Gibson were committed to the sheriff for administration. ‘The case of Harry Poss and Thomas Henry, for tinued to next term. ay oecialsgeroa jury was sworn, with Geo. W. a Huntt as foreman, and returned a true bill against Jos. L. Money for seduction under promise of mar- riage. Letters of administration on tho estate of Lloyd Washington were granted to James McCuen, jr., and he was appointed guardian of his infant’ chi: dren. 3 - ‘Phe inquest of Engene McNerhaney was received and Bled. —— ROCKVILLE, ‘The board of county commissioners held a meet- ing here Tuesday, at which considerable business wus transacted. Bills for work on the public rovds were presented and pacsed, as follows: Third district, B. Oxley, €5.95; fourth district, B, T. Bean, $1.17; Washington Day, §3.80; H. C. Chaney, $9.75. The examiners on the road peti- tlored for by Charles F. Young reported unfavora- bly upon the same, which report was adopted. The following persons were appotated assessors for the several election districts of the county: First district, Reuben Riggs; second, third, Chas. M. Williams; fourth, ‘The sR. Clagett; fifth, Alfred ©. Tolson; éixth, sola 7 Rest; seventh, Henry Rensha' Y_ciguth, Leonard Neer} ninth, B. H, Etchison; tenth, Harvey C. Fawcett; eleventh, Brederick P. Hays: twelfth, R. Kent King; thirteenth, Hazel W. Oasbell. At a mecting of the bord of school commis- stoners ‘held “Tuesday trustees were ‘appointed to fill vacancies as follows: John E. Benson, school 8 district 1, vice H. J. Kinsey, declined; James B, King, school 8, district 2, vice J. BE. Deets, Thomas 'F, Gashell,’ Jas. Thompson & hool 4, disteict 1; D. 8. M. Fisher and H- Bradley Davidson, , district 7. Applications for ropairs, fur. niture, éte., for a number of the schcol houses of tho county ‘were laid before the board and the con- sideration of the same was postponed to @ meeting to be held on the 20th instant. ‘There appears to be @ general desire among the patrons of the schools that the county commissioners may be induced to approprite a sufficient amount of mouey this year to keep the schools In operation for at least line aenths. ‘The heavy rain and hail storm which passed over this section of the county on Monday cyening did a large amount of damage. At this place there was & perfect hurricane, accompanied ty a deluge of rein and hail, which ‘did much damage to rege- tation, A portion of a large tree was by the force ‘of the wind thrown across the street. and, Gtiiking upen a building owned by Mr.” Heur Miett, “partially wrecked the “same. A loa Wagon, but the horses and driver escaped without injury. Much damage was also done Jy other parts of the town, Along the Frederick road for several miles trees and telephone les were scattered in gyery direction, rendering the road in some placrs almost impassable. On the farm of Mr. Lee Offutt, on the same road, within a space of about three acres, twenty-seven large trees were blown down. Other farms in the same vicinity suffered in like manner. - The Western Baptigt Association will convene at Mt. Zion Church Monday, June 6. A large at- tendance 1s expected. TAKOMA PARK. The Takoma, Jr., base ball team defeated the Brightwoods by @ score of 11 to 10 on the grounds of the latter Tuesday. The Takoma boys have won three games out of six played this season and will meet the Woodside team Saturday, the 23d instant. Rehearsals are belng held by the “G. Hopper Family” and several other “Takoma Hoppers” for the celebrated Grasshopper cantata and musicale to be given at Takoma Hall Friday, the 20th of this month, for the benefit of thé Trinity Obureh choir, under the direction of Mr. W. 8, Childs. Miss Cowman’ has returned home to Baltimore after a visit of two weeks to Miss Swormstedt. Miss Julla Lay has returned from a visit to friends in Montgomery county, Md. Miss Hattie Beall ‘of New ‘York 1s the guest of Miss Kizzie Lewis at Takoma Heights, Miss Katie Lay of Takoma 1s visiting her sister, Mrs. Martin, in Baitimore, Dr. O. J. Waters 1s in New York on a business trip. ‘thie festival given Tuesday night at the Presbyte- rian Church for the beneflt of the Union Sunday school library was a_ success, regardless of the threatent weather. Ten volumes of the “Christian Herald Library"” were donated by Willie Sworm- stedt, one of the pupils of the school. Four hand- somely decorated tables were used for the cecasion, bell presided over by Mrs. H. L. Knight, Mrs. B: W. King,Mrs, H. J. Long and Mrs. J. N. Webb, as. sisted by young ladies an} gentlemen of the Sun- day school. Miss Bertha ii d Mr, Harry Campbell had charge of the lemonade stand. ‘The Ladies’ Misslorary Society of the Presbyterian Church met yesterday afternoon at the residence of Mrs. H. L. Knight. « ‘The Fexular prayor meeting, will be held at the Presbyterian Church xt 8 o'clock, Mr. F. P. Dewees and family have moved to ‘Tskoma for the summer. Mrs. Cartwright of Illinois is visiting the Misses Bitzer on Ogk avenue. About sevénty-five parcols of ground will be sold today at the annual tax sale ‘The construction of buildings now going on in the park is as follows: P. B. Cunningham, = large horse on the Sligo; George W. Beall, a one: story house, covering a’ large space of grout the Beall ‘subdivision of the Ourroll. thet, “and Stephen Sprague, two dwellings in North Takoma. whe qlttk hous on Maple avenue ts nearly com: pleted. ——___ SANDY SPRING. At the annusl meeting of the Union Turnpike Go. the following officers were elected: John Bready, president; Washington Bowie, secretary und treasurer; John A. Baker, Thomas Cashell, James Cashel, John C. Bentley, Charles F. Kirk and Thomas Waters, directors, A resolution not to charge wheelmen toll was passed, though many opposed it, claiming that bicyclists, of all trav- elers, ought to be willirg to pay for the use of a good, solid read. The Euvterprise Telephone Company also held {ts annual meeting last week and re-elected its former board of directors, Dr. Roger Brooke, Asa M. Stabler, Charles F. Kirk, Dr. French Green, Henry H. Miller and Joseph T. Moore, jr. Stock. holders were present from Laurel to Gaithersburg and from Brighton ky: epres censiderable portion “of Sontgeiage eee branch line to Lay Fill is nearly completed, which Will make ninety-eight public and private ” a direct communication with the central of at he home of Mrs. Sopiila Robison, in Sandy Spriug Village. Oakley cipal, public school, Miss Lillie B, Stabler, prin- closed Friday’ afternoon with creditable and dramatic exercises. Miss Alice B. Stabler, who bas been teaching at Linden, 1g again With her cousins, Mr. aud Mrs, Asa M. Stables of Sunnyside, area Mr. an rs. arles R. Hallowell ve have rented the pleasant "home of (Moe seat The lat- Ellicott and daughter for three months, New York, ter will probably spend the summer in as has been their custom for some years, spelt" country’ nome’ Tne ‘RMME, hang reopened ome, “The Ancl a the residence of Adiniral Jouett. ee Mrs. Louisa G. Paister, place, died tn Baltimore | Yenced nge. She was daughter of th Joseph Glipin, and bad numerous relatives eve” Alban G. Thomas has purchased of Charles @. once ‘a resident of this last week at an ad- and has already commenced to build thereon. : —— moe it is icted there will be several ze within foermect- sem trom a Sandy Spree ney ‘pring, and the first Will be that of Geor Cooke and Constanes Abert. Sure ee eteroe br. William ‘Tatum has recover horsa which was. stolen from ‘Mummers, GiviNE Meck, aiuce, and after hard usage’ abandoned” in e vicinity of Clarksburg. ‘Th arrested as yet. ite Mrs, Joseph M, Shoemaker, Mr. Wolter, Mise Helen Sitier, Me, . . Niller, Jr, and son, Mis net Miller ato’ at Allown ihm With Mrs. Ellicott, and Miss Ee a eee Other ‘obert Marshall and sons and Mise All Altoona, Henry W. Murray of Anne Avandsh Not than H, Batlle of Carroll, Samuel “Rumford op Wilmington, Mfiss Mabel Conner of Maine. aie Lillan Adams of Massachusetts, Mr, and Mrs Harry W. Beacham and Dr. Edward ‘iM Baltimore, Miss Myra Drake ‘and Miss Goosen Weshingtin. = Absentecs have been Dr. and Mrs,_ Franci Thomas In Carroll county, ‘Mrs. Joseph 'T. Mone in New York, Mrs. Roger Brovkewand Miss Pil, Stabler in Baltimore, Miss Flenor Hough at At lkutic City apd Samuel 8. Bond. The’ latter is recent visitors —————————————————) putting in an electric plant at Mt. Vernon Park, re Misses Isabel and Janet Miller expect to sail for England the last of June in company with their sister, Mrs. Joseph M. Shoemaker of Philadelphia, and remain there about two months. ‘The violent wind storm of Monday afternoon blew down a number of large trees, and the hay houses of William Lee and Robert H. Miller, and the corn house of Dr, Roger Brooke were’ wlmost a total wreck. Dr. Brooke's loss is estimated $400. The Threnaskeia will give itself a banquet on the cventug of May 28, at Rock Spring farm, the home of Misses Anna and Sarah Farcubar. ‘There is to be a lawn party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George F. Nesbitt Tuesday afternoon next. In the last of three games between the Brooke- ville Academy and Sherwood School base vall teams the latter were victorious for the second time. —$_.__— BROOKLAND. Miss Gertrude Hamilton has retucnad from Wood- side, where she has been spending a short while With rolativ Mrs. Chas. Gill and ber little dau; Mildred of Baltimore were the guests of Dr. and Mrs. Howe yesterday. The pupils of Miss Sarah Willerd Howe's dan. ‘tag School are making extensive prepara coming May ball, which will take r row evening at the Brookland Hall. There many fancy dan Mrs. If othing event ‘there will be mass in St. A: y Catholic h, 12th street, § May 24. Th : is much p with it« new house ‘The dedicatory services will take place soon. aie RANDOLPH. Mrs. Julia Ze been spending severs\ months with . Thomas Zepp, ned Friday last tc her home in Martinsburg, W Mr. J. T. Shafer of Burkettsvt ing friends in this vicinity, A pet dog belonging to the children of Mr. Joseph Dove died in a violent fit of rables Sunday last. Another showing unmistakable sigus of rables ts at large and causing much uneasiness in Va Md., is visit- the community Proprietor Repp of the Ingleside Hotel is ne- fotiating for better train eerviee at this point and is confidently expectant that May's « schedule will bring the much-needed ac tions. Mrs. A. B. Platt of Washington bas leased Oak- lawn, the fine country place Mrs. E. K. Dele- hant, and wll take possess Mrs. E. K. Delelant und f rin traval, before wi etown, for the better placing of her ool. J. Frank Bilford and wife of Denver, Col., Were the recent guests of Mr. A. D. Davis Miss Nante Bird of Dawsonville, Md., is spending the week with Mist Blanche Veirs Mr. Bliss N. Davis spent Sunday pleasantly with friends at Ingieside Hotel Mr. Jus. Bogley and famtly of Halpine have re- turned from a Urlef visit to relatives in West Washington. = Monday lust the farm of the late Chas. Ge was sold at auction, chaser being mistress Mary Hel property lies Phe price paid HYATTSVILLE. The case of infanticide, which was brought te light early last Monday morning, by the finding of @ white male child drowned in a buck tled up in a meal bug am small tributary stream of th ern bra the dairy of Dr. Chas. A. Wells, by the lit of Geo. Kindsvater, a ployed doctor's farm, still remains @ mystery ener’s jury reassembled at the office Carr yesterday afternoon, at 5 tice Carr as co and St water, in a near e burhes, je £on ou the a8 prosecuting attors examined, and stated tha the infant bad been born When it was placed in Jurymen said that be had di Woman's foot in some rabbish ne Where the baby was found. Severs examined, but light upon th a@ verdict that fulle The jury ti infant came wir subject the mu by the hands of persons unknov J A base ball club has been organized ab ds of Bladensburg, with Josep! e club is to be called the Overs, and ite players are as Magruder, pitcher, catcher; Pat M Magruder, center field field. This club ts anxious to club in Maryland or the District of Golu members are not over sixteen years of » Tuesday Club met last ‘Tuesday of Mr. an z S Mr. Mc nakespeare’s evening at <M. and Mr. A. «members den @ ted Tuesday in s ty held am interes inted a8 & committee to visit the pul of Chillum. y, a w the farm of M bear putting st Tuesday evening b ‘fson, it appears, mg his work, and the lat er-sensitive natire, repaired to wored to take his’ Mfe by ewali acid burned his stomach gained for, an Carr arr yesterday on the found guilty that y Carr liguor in the first rict of th without a Heense and also Clolating an sneral assembly. He Was fi Gov. Lowndes has made ments of assessor: district Dugan, 8. D. Hall; nd dis adeustou Queen’ Anne and Kent—D. M. it, Jerem| Berry; third district—Marlboro’ and v. R. W. Herc fou: Nottt Brandywine and’ Aquas Tippe . H. Gibbons; fifth distric Hil 8 and Piscataway—Jon W. Whe S. Bryan. “The county commissioners have a the following election districts of tute comnts M. ‘Magruder: Tae densburg, James Marlboro’, J. H. Tra- Nottingham, E, Pliny Martin; "Piscataway, 8. B. Boswell: Spaldings, A. P. Armstrong! Queen Anne, Rich Aquaseo, Robert Connick: Surratts, T er; Laurel, Franke W. Awalt; Brandyw Henry’ Murray: Oxon Hill, Angustus D. Brooke; Kent, . R. Brooks; Bowie, C. C. Clarke. Mr. A. T. Brooke wus ap: pointed clerk to the board of control and review Under the law the assessors are required to meet fn the court house on the first Tuesday in June to make arrangements for the beginning of their work. —_——>_—_ WIDOWS MAY RIDP. The “Mourning Whee Fad for Her Div From the New York World. Widows who have given away their bi- eycles and who shrink from wheeling as an impropriety will delight to know wheel has been patterned for their use. The “mourning wheel” jis now ix the Latest thor- oughly approved by mourntng etiquette, and the widow can take her morning spin with the comforting assurance that she is doing quite the proper thing. The mourning wheel is an appropriately somber affair of solid ebony blackness, unrelieved by any gleaming steel or nickel. It is not nearly as conspicuous as the yellow and blue on which are affected this year by some wo- ren, and surprise is no longer awakened by the sight of an occasional black wheel. ‘The widow who rides does not make any radical change in her costume. She still clings to her crepe bonnet and veil, un- suited as the latter is for combat with a stiff breeze. Her suit is of some soft black material, similar to that in her other gowns, and is made with a closely-fitting belted waist and short skirt. Very often a little crepe is seen upon the gown, while the wheelwoman who avolds long and dusty rides, may venture to add a narrow white collar and cuffs to her plain gown. The mourning wheel marks a decided reaction from conventionality and has proved itself an admirable method of assuaging grief and getting wholesome exerc —— +e- A Polar Railway. “The most northern railway in Europe,” says the Revue Scientifique, “Is the Swedish line between Langsell and Boden, built be- tween 1887 and 189%, whose length is 496 kilometers (about 800 miles). This line traverses vast forests and crosses the river Angermann and several other large rivers; it cost 36,000,000 of francs ($7,200,000), in- cluding the rolling stock, and ‘traverses a sparsely settled and almost uncultivated region. The line includes no less than seventy-eight bridges, of which the longest, over the Angermenn, is 270 méters (S85 feet) long and crosses the river 3 meters (124 feet) above the water.