Evening Star Newspaper, October 22, 1898, Page 26

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1898-26 PAGES. OHLO BEHIND PRISON BARS es sTal Arrang me ‘ts Made for the Care of District Convicts. IN THE OHIO STATE PENITENTIARY es A Trip to Columbus With a Batch of Lawbreakers. Se - NTIL. ted orney criminals rated in the pent tentiary at Colum- bus, Ohic During the past year or two \ \ all such District \ Y\ \ criminals were ¢ ' tined In the New Je Bey ate m at Trenton, and for sev- era 9 in the county penitentiary at Alt N.Y. The state of New York however, about two years ago, passed a law prohibit reception at any prison in the state tside offenders, and the nom r sreed to be taken by the state of New Jersey was overru time ago. herefore became ecessary for the At- torney General to designate some other prison wherein to incarcerate District crim- at finals. a penitentiary ead saloctaak The the co amns of The r, have b e of The den pas eNEEY coac trip sect ont y by y Gene Columbus rc mbus tar, through Harris of the Dt = REGULATIONS OTHERWISE the At- al, District of Co- to imp ment In a pen tlary will be inc Albany and Trenton prisons, through nm, ne people of the District, and h of District criminals b H peniten- and the pris- | ely held to; chains, handcuffs and men at the was them ade anied the party. The | < of the party were white } ored convicts, two rds } Harris. A special car was the Pennsylvania railroad, over the journey was made. It was h run | railroad sta-} prison van, | station and | attracied Interesting Trip. An | The train left ) in the after- 1 as the « s were, with possi- or two e ons, of the lowest | t ignorant cl journey to alarly wh t continued ‘ » little The white posed zed } ng a few convic s had be at of h very few among sentences. It w ovel one, that not t lenied his guilt ed with light sentences way they had imposed the court, and twitted who had th expressed train the comm. s guil he Math Charms. ates as had been given been more be ne others woul - } come s of | | up a i} Harris and his charges were conducted to the reception room ef the penitentiary, and there the District convicts were relieved of the chains which they had constantly worn since their departure from the jail at Washington. As exch man was rel from s shackles h was admitted t inner room, wh officer of the thorey searched him, taking from him everything prohibited by the rul of th m. ‘The cor ted articles w er to a “trus as the prisoners issist the officials wled, Who took ame of th 3 and carefully de a list of the artic! While the con- ts were permitted to retain chewing to- bacco, they were not allowed to retain pipes, cigars or cigarettes, the rules of the penitentiary prohibiting smoking on the part of the prisoners. No objection was mide to the retention of handkerchiefs mbs, letters or photographs of relatives friends. The rs, however fully read before being rete prisoners, so that the unfortu; might have nothing in their poss an improper nature. were cz to the ones on of Uniforms. the nev ining on The searchi Imitt they arher, ard over, rrive cellhou: nin cha s were n 2d to a were tak who ¢ d them cle their h: aving submitted to a cl men were clothed in the e, and ron- f fr. there by a ¥ i fie! ) Hee IN THE DE tenced by United States courts tc jmprison- ment in the Ohio penitentiary afé entitled to such reduction of their terms of itm- prisonment as is provided by the laws of that state. The laws of Ohio previde that where the term of imprisonment is one year the convict shall be allowed a deduc tion of five days from each of the twelve months of his sentence. A two years’ sen- tence may be reduced by six days.for each month; a three years’ sentence by eight days; four years by nine days; five years by ten and six years and upward by eleven days per month. The prisoners have great respect for this “good time” law, and it is not easy to over- estimate the restraining influence exercised over them by its provisions. Warden Cof- fin has found it to be a most effective re- straining lever in his hands, for while good time lost by misconduct is not lightly re- stored, it is restored for meritorious con- duct, and where the offender thereafter walks after its loss with conspicuous order- iness and exhibits sincere penitence. ‘The ‘good time’ law,” remarked the warden, as he explained the system to The Star's rep- resentative, “is one of the wisest and most humane measures ever enacted by modern legislature. It takes the place of a hun- dred guards.” A Big Place. It is claimed that the Ohio penitentiary is the largest penal institution in this coun- try. It 4s certainly one of the best equipped and conducted. The high stone walls around It inclose an area of nearly twenty- five acres, and in its numerous workshops are made articles of almost every description. rom its glove department, where about 350 men are employed, some days as many s 400 dozen pairs of gloves are turned out, and the other shops are conducted on a no less extensive scale. There are ioundries where all kinds of hardware are manufac- tured, a broom factory, cigar factory, print- ing office, chair shop, tin shop, brush shop, and, indeed, shops and factories of almost every description. There is a prison gas house of no small dimensions, not only the prison, but also the state house and other state institutions in Columbus, being sup- plied with a superior grade of gas, and there is a prison electric light and power plant not less extensive. both run by convicts. In- deed, the prison is a veritable manufactur- ing town, with a convict fire department, wspaper, the Ohio Penitentiary red weesly, with a circulation of paper is not only set up and y convicts, but also contributed | them for the greater part. Each ives a copy of the paper, and ds and relatives they are allowed not more than once a month the Weekly nd local papers, re- |ligious books, magazines, family photo- graphs, han ikerchiefs, suspenders, hvse, underclothi: chewing tobacco and eat- ATH CHAIR. tion prison uniform, but not in the striped clothing which is supposed to be the char- istic uniform worn of all n n E. G. Coffin, in 7 prison, believes that the ing is a badge of ignominy uld be worn only by those inmate © prison whose ct_in prison ¢ ‘them to othing else. Therefore, each convict, upon his arrival at the Ohi penitentiary is ythed in a suit of gray and cap of the same color, a blue stripe running down the am of the trousers s suit, denotes that the prisoner is a sec- ass man, the new arrival wears for t six months of his term of impris- nt, unless meantime reduced to the r fourth grade. If his conduct dur- ing this period has been good, he is pro- moted to the first grade, the distinguishing mark of which is a black stripe down the seam of the legs of the trousers, and he be- comes entitled to rank 4s a trusty and to enjoy privileges not enjoyed by the men of the other gri If, however the man is guilty of mi: a of a serious nature during the first s mths of his incarceration, he is r Guced te the third ¢ and arrayed in a suit of striped black and gray clothing. weers unti! he has exemplary conduct, This striped suit he entitled, by € uniform of the second If he attempt to escape or is guilty usually bad conduct, he is stil! fur- ther reduced, d compelled to wear nit ck and white stripes, losing all priv- uch a period as the warden may How well this graded system y be seen from the following fig- ures, given a weekly report submitted a day or two before urrival of the Dis- trict men: Number of prisoners, ); tirst ss, 1,084; nd class third class, 31; fourth class, 4 the total number thirty-one were Wemen, one of the latter being an Indian squaw undergoing a life for chopping off a man’s head. A Marked Innovation. sentence Warden Coffin, who assumed for a second time charge of the prison in the spring of 1895, announced the following October to the 2,100 convicts that he proposed to do away with the striped clothing worn by them, provided th duct that they tion. He explained showed by their ¢ served such consider: to his charges that every prisoner who during the time be- tween that date and the first of the fol- lowing January should, by good conduct, avoid punishment, would be permitted to discard the striped clothing. The result was an immediate improvement in the be- n- havior of the prisoners, whica so continued night was far advaa:« apted to sleep, and when | detested and degrading Another ng ~. | marked innovation of shed prison “_feeSt monotonous they | procedure made by Warden Coffin was the to while away the time ay with the lock-step. The men like most of their race, were arch to and from work and meals possessed of voi leasing to the ear, and ya heads erect, with military their repertof th sacred and ion, and not like cowed, disgraced secular must risoner either | é could not or w ithe e| Another reform established by Warden er d ellow unfortu- | Coffin, who is regarded as perhaps the was a young | greatest ent in this or gny other co x up f ri try of the h ennobling tre: rig ht-w | of convicts cording to ¢ He seng harg-d with misconduct an in 2 as his yotce before punishment. The and rumble of the train | w 1. Mr. Bradford Dawson, aling strains of “Where Is My | over this court, which is held each mornh: Hoy Tonight?” the better na-|and before him the prisoners repot criminals seemed to dominate | misconduct are brought. The statement of din the chorus with te | the officer reporting the convict is made in ™M RAVE to gay. from th \ of the prisoner, and the latter the pathetic, the stnging con- jis then permitted to give his version of thi advent of daylight next | case. The case is then disposed of, bu tention of the prison- | punishmeat does not al follow, ¢ ry through which they | where the offender ts shown to he guilty, ne for very ofter. he fs dismissed with words i Tisoner who had t con- | of advice as to his future conduct. or with fine him in t negeo | s\ reprimand. Where punishment iz Le to sing bass, but | directed the prisoner, if the offense be of a bs ne of his compitr remark- | serious nature. is kept in solitary confine- «4 is @ tenner man.” One of the songs | ment from three hours to five 3. ac: remiered wit than erd ling | cording to the seriousness of his nuscon- 1 er S was “O) |duct, or he loses several days of “good . Ma Loos As the time” that ts allowed by law as a reductton : SF ee On lof the term of imprisonment, or he is re z ia * duced to a lower grade Warden Coffin pa nes “ cif found t litary confinement generally in y ssured hit vefictal effect upon the culprit by wt ¥ te * for four | nto himself and inducing retle - y ee bts At © ume t » his conduct. This punishment is e « = ad red n aso self-inficted In more than one wr r we for # prisoner ordered Into solitary ¢ - " » Aw tp w | for a day or ay be rele tin an » " 1 one he so by sending for the warden or % " from teputy and showing that he ts truly « penitent ve meting For Good Nehay re . Th awe of the United States provid 7 ’ he terms of imprisonment of all ' os pr r whe Inet them . wt in prt ant hed “t ner of day ' han United Mtates prisons tt ” ‘ whieh yw ne , ve Therefore, ail prisoners een 1 | ables and fruits not to exceed enough for » ordinary meais, The laws of Ohio provide that all prison- s*ntenced to death by the state cour! ll suffer the penalty in the state pi entiary, to which prison they are sent im- mediately after being sentenced. The ex- | treme penalty of the law is enforced in what is known as “the annex,” located at the end of one of the cell nou "The laws of Ohio also provide that the death penalty skall be inflicted between midnight and 1 o'clock a.m., and about two years ago vh3 state legisiature substituted deatn by elec- trocution for that by hanging, the first electrocution taking place April 3, 1807. Since then four electrocutions have oc- curred at the prison, and thera is now in the condemned cell of the annex a young | colored man, condemned to be clectrocuted in about three weeks’ tima. Warden Coffin believes that education is a most effective agent in the reformation of convicts, and one of the most carcfu:ly conducted branches of th3 penitentia a school, attended by the uneducated pr oners at night. The last annual report of the institution showed that over 1700 pris- oners were admitted during the year, the av ge membership being nearly 700, divided into two cla each class attend- ing on alternate nights.’ There are tv four teachers, all drawn from the p ers, who are active and effective in their work. During th» year an Indian class, taught by a Indian chief, and a Chinese class were formed. The ages of ne attending convicts run from sixteen to ghty, and the prisoners exhibit an carnest ( desira to attend. The Parole Law. There is another law other than the “good-time’’ Jaw which holds out to the inma of the prison a great inducement to properly behave themscives while there, and that is the parole law. Under this every conviet who has been impris- oned under @ sentence ether than for mur- der of the first or second degree, and who has not previously served a term for felony, is subject to parole, provided he has served the minimum term’ provided for the crime of which he was convicted and has con- tinuously been a member of the first grade for at least four months. Of course, after being paroled he remains under the con- trol and in the custody of the board of penitentiary managers until the expiration of his term, and may at any time be re- taken and recommitied to the prison upon the order of the board. Last year eighty prisoners were released on parole, and the records of the last twelve years show that only about one in ten granted paroles hes been returned to the prison for violation: of the parole. This system of paroles be ing a state law ¢ not, therefore, apply to United State prisoners, and such con- viets must e the sentences imposed upon them with only the reduction allowed for good conduct. The effect of the sys tem upon the reformation of prisoner law so great, however, that the officials of the penitentiary deeply regret that United tates prisoners are not entitled to its privil eS, Such is the Ohio penitentiary, and while Warden Coffin is criticised for exercising, as his critics allege, too much leniency in his treatment of the men and women un- der his charge, yet his course has, accord- ing to the statistics of the prison, passed the theoretical stage and its wisdom ap- pears to be well established. For instani during the month of July, 1896, 226 prison- ers were punished by solitary confinement, while a year later the number was but 3s, | and is now still less. Indeed, it frequenly happens that the little court’ presided over by the deputy warden has very little to engage its attention, sometimes absolutely nothing. Yet the inmates of the great prison repre: nal laws. “Have “nt every crime in the crimi- we,’ asked the warden, in con- v ‘sation with The Star's representative, to ny moral right cruel and painful shut-in population? deprive them of their libe but ought we add torture to Imprisonment? If erime is a disease, a so many philanthropists allege, shall) we | punish the afflicted one for what he cannot p? If your child is sick, will you strike him for being so? Will you attempt a cure use harsh, violent, ures toward our with a club? I think not.” —_.+ ___ larity. \ From 1 Algernon—“It strikes me that foot ball ts a geoat dea Like Wagner.” Fthel "Like Wagner Algernon "Yes, you've got to pretend to | Uke it, whether you do or not! tee Wants Quickly t tng situatior on the ma ployes, Hin of titerent J to knew that advertine te under th aval V ed Help and Wante | Bitua . erie’ Ine The Mtar et @ ol arwr « wie fer fiteen w JUDGE COX'S'OPINION The Decision Made:in:the War Loan Oase.: REVIEW OF THE POINTS AT ISSUE Claimants Declaret! to Be Without Legal ‘Title. SECRETARY GAGE SUSTAINED In delivering his opinion in the war bond issue case, the substance of which was published yesterday in The Star, Judge Cox stated that in order to sustain the claim to a mandamus it was necessary for the petitioner in the law case, William H. Wharton, to show first that he had a right of property in the bonds claimed by him, and next that it was the plain ministerial duty of the Secretary to deliver them to him. The same showing should have been made in the equity case to entitle Weight- man to an injunction. The remedies of man- damus and injunction are correlative reme- dies. If one has a right to a mandamus commanding a defendant to do a duty, he has at the same time a right to an injunc- tion forbidding him to disable himself from performing that duty and depriving the plaintiff ef his rights. The object of the act authorizing the {s- sue of the $200,000,000 bonds, Judge Cox went on to say, manifestly is to distribute these bonds among the people at large, giv- ing preference to individual citizens over banks, trust companies and other corpora- tions and preferring citizens of moderate means to capitalists and speculators. A large discretion seems to be vested in the Secretary, for he is to prescribe all the regulations through which this object is to be accomplished. It is obvious, said Judge Cox, that in the administration of this law by the Secretary questions will arise calling tor the exercise of 1s judgment and discre- tion. For instance, he has the’right to be satis- fied that each subscription is genuine and is not forged or fictitious. In a case like the one at issue, it a party could present subscriptions ranging from $520 to $600 for ever six hundred people, aggregating $339,000, and it should turn out that these subscriptions were not in the interest of the nominal subscribers, but that they had simply allowed their names to be used for benefit of the party presenting them, iming as their assignee, it would be more properly called his sole subscription for the aggregate amount; and if that could be allowed he would obtain a preference for this enormous aggregate over all sub- seribers fur over $410 and under the $330,- 000, which would be manifestly contrary to the spirit and letter of the law. It would seem reasonable, therefore, ac- cording to Judge Cox, that if the Secre- tary suspected such an arrangement, he Would be justified in investigating the facts and in refusing to recognize such a trans- action. Secretary’s Suspicions. But whether {t appear reasonable or not, the fact is that the Secretary did suspect this movement to be of that character, aid cause an investigation, and did conclude as a matter of fact that Weightman was really the subscriber for this whole amount. and did conclude, as a matter of law, that he had a right to, and it was his duty to, refuse to recognize those subscription: “Can the courts interfere with him in that exercise of his judgment and avthor- ity?" Judge Cox asked. “Can a court {n- terfere to control it?” This question, Judge Cox continueé, was answered long ago by the Supreme ourt of the United States. He then read from the opinions in the ease of Decatur against Paulding and other cases to show in 2ffect that only when the executive has exhaust- ed its discretion, so that'nothing but a mere ministerial act remains to be done can a court interfere, and that when th? ex- ecutive has exhausted its discretion fs in every case a question to be determined by a consideration of the stage reached et the point of time at which a call for retrial at the hands of the court is made. In any transaction between one of the executive departments and an individual there is a point of time when the avthor- ity of the head of the department 13 ex- hausted, Judge Cox next said, and when the transaction {s closed and the power of the Secretary can go no further. The con- clusion, so the court stated, 1s that the power of the Secretary ends when the last act is done by him which is necessary to pass title to the individual dealing with the government, and “the application of the rule to the present case is that Sf the last act was done which would vest « title in these bonds in the complainant Weight- man and the petitioner Wharton, thea the power of the Secretary of the Treasury was exhausted and the title of these par- tles is complete.” Evidence on Question of Fact. Judge Cox then proceeded to discuss the showing of the evidence on the question of fact, and concludes that the bonds had really no existence as bonds at the time the demand was made. They had not been pre- pared, declared Judge Cox, had not been sealed or signed by the register, or any or- der given for their issue. They wer? not the subject of property, or !f they existed they had not been specifically appropriated io the subscriptions of the complainant or earmarked as his property, and remained the property of the United Stat Suppose that instead of the United States, said Judge Cox, this had been a private corporation making a similar contract and ulng similar bonds, could the complain- ant have brought an action of replevin for any bonds which had not been segregated from the mass of bonds and {dentified as his property? In the opinion of Judge Cox, very clearly not. The court added that the common law definition of a deed, of which a bond 1s one form, 4s an instru- ment sealed and delivered. Such an in- strument has no operation until delivered, explained Judge Cox, either actually or constructively, unless some earmark or other indication of proprietorship in the obligee can be shown. t must be borne in mind also, the court stated, that no statute law requires the y to deliver these bonds in. con- formity with his notice of allotment. There therefore, no obstacle of that sort in the way of his reconsidering his action upon the ground that he had been misled or decei Claimants Without Title. “It is therefore plain that no legal title to these bonds has become vested in either the complainant in the equity case or the petitioner in the mamdamus case,” said Judge Cox in concluding his opinion, “The enly obligation of the Seeretary was a self- imposed obligation in-the shape of a con- tract or promise to deliver the bonds in future upon payment of a stipulated sum. This a unts simply to an executory con- tract, not identifying any property, but un- deriaking to create property in the futur in the complainant and the petitioner like 2 mercantile contract to deliver goods in the future. It is impossible that a court can be called upon te enforce the specific performance of a contraet by the head’ of un executive deparcment by a mandamus or by an ingunction against withholding and refusing the performance. ‘On these grounds it Seems to me that yoth the injunction and mandamus must be refused.” xs Ss ervice at Soldiers’ b The program of meeting of the Soldiers Home Temperance Unioh service ig Stan- Temperance e ley Hall Thursday evening was as follows: lection by home band: singing of hymn No. so, *Y t to Temptation: repdat- j ing of the Lord’s Prayer; singing of hymn No. 1, “Hold the Fort; reading of min- utes of last meeting, #election by home band; voeal solo, “Only One Heart Divine by Mie# Hangs; to encore, “Answer:" vocal nolo Love's Proving by Mise Vira Howe ty encore she recited |i releetion by home band: ¥ Laure, by Mint Bangs: to encore, “Hanks | of the De neloction Dy band, #neine of hymn No. #17, “Parting Hymn: benedie- tion by president The Afteenth anniverary of the ante Will be celebrated went Tuesday evening UNIVERSITY NOTES Columbi:; Preparations’are being made to install the new electric lighting plant, which will be stipped from Pittsburg in a few days. This plant consists of a 25 K. W. dynamo, driven by a direct connected gas engine, and has been especially designed so as to adapt it for experimental uses. It will give a direct current for the lighting of the },building and for running small exp2ri- mental motors, and for the electrotypic ex- periments in ore reduction carried on by Dr. Chatard. The dynamo {is wound so that it can be used to give a quarter phase alternating current for exp2rimental and testing purposes. The engine is a double explosion gas engine of the latest design, and surplus power from it will be used in running machinery in the shops. The whole outfit has been designed and arranged with the view to the largest possible uses for experiments, and will prove an important addition to the equipment. Its coming is 2egerly awaited by the students in ciec- trical and mechanical engineering. A marked advance in the administration of the library has been made this year hy placing it in charge of the class in library science under the direction of the instruct- ors in that department. During the past year a complete card catalogue was pre- pared by the class in cataloguing, which ts in charge of Mr. Cutter, librarian of the Department of Agriculture. This year, members of the class take charge of the library during stat2d hours, and will give their assistance to the students in finding beoks, and in looking up references, and in all the many details in which a librarian can be helpful. Upon the completion of the new law building, the law library will be moved to the new quarters, and consider- able additional room will be given to the general library. This will make it possih! to replace upon the shelves many valuable beoks that are now stored in other rooms, and are not readily accessibl2 to the stu- dents. The new hospital to be conducted in con- nection with the medical school will be thrown open to the public shortly. It has accommodations for thirty patients in the public wards, and also a number of private rooms. The hospital is complete in every respect, with all modern conveniences for the treatment of patients. It is expected that a training school for nurses will soon be established in connection with the hos- pital. Howard. The foot ball team has been doing some hard work this week getting in shape for their southern trip. They will meet the teams from Lincoln University of Chester, Pa.; Shaw of Raleigh, } Virginian Normal Institufe of Petersburg, Va. Other games have been scheduled with Morgan College of Baltimore and Whalen Seminary of the same place. This will give the boy some hard work, but from the showing made in the practice game of Saturda last they will take good care of their side of the gridiron. Half Back Fox is laid up with a sprained ankle, but will be back in the gam> in a few days. The University Journal has not as yet been published for this year, and may not be for some time, as there is some talk of making it a quarterly instead of a monthly, as heretofore. If this is done it is doubtful {f much interest will be manifest- ed in the paper, as there is not much to in- duce the students to bring out the literary talent of the school. Mr. De Reefe, the edi- tor-in-chief, hopes to be able, however, to bring out the Journal in a few weeks, when it will have been decided as to the intervais of publication. The Eureka Society will hold.a meeting Friday evening, October 21, at 7 o'clock, P. V. Walton is the president of the society and Miss E. M. Harris secretary, Prof. L. D. Moore will have charge of the work in pedagogy and Latin in the college department this year. Miss Annie Barker has been engaged to teach in the training school for normal stu- dents, Miner Hall has a new housekeeper this year in the person of Miss Burrell of Phila- delphia, Catholic. Dr. Shanahan, professor of dogmatic theology, is giving a course of lectures on “Christian Philosophy” at the University of Pennsylvania. These lectures are deliy- ered on Tuesday of each week. Dr. Conaty, the rector, returns to the upiversity next Friday, after a short trip east. Georgetown. In the first two games of the season the university eleven broke even, losing one on the 15th to Swarthmore and winning one from Gallaudet College on the 19th. This afternoon a game was played with the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, Va. and Manager Watkins expects much of his team, Other games scheduled are as foliows: October 26, College of Physicians Surgeons, at Georgetown; November Villanova, at Georgetown; November Baltimore Medical College, at November 12, Virginia Military at Richmcnd; November lege, ut Georgetown; giving day), Colum ani Institute, ), Richmone Col- November 24 (Thank ian, at Washington. Judge Baker of the moot court at the Law School has assigned counsel in a large number of cases, and trials will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays the rest of this term. Mr. R. Ross Perry, professor of com- mon law pleading, was ill this week, oc- casioning his absence from the class rcom on Tuesday evening for the first time in ten years. National. The junior class of the National Univer- sity Law School will hold a meeting Tues- day evetiing for the purpose of organiza- tion and the election of officers. The sen- iers were called together last Monday evening by Secretary Coope, but there not being a quorum present no business was transacted. It 1s very probable that an- other meeting will be called for next Mon- ai The Debating Society of the university will call meeting at an early date for the purpose of organization and deciding upon the date for the first public debate. It is Judge Tucker's intention to convene the moot court early in November, as by that time the registration of the post-grad- uate class will be completed. The registration in the junior Class still centinues and more students have entered this year than at any time since the organi- zation of the school. Prof. Tucker's lectures on ‘Foster on Practice” will be completed about the first of Nov Prof. scnior cla . who is now auizzing the will complete the first volume leaf on Evidence” about the 15th of November, waen he will commence his interesting lectures on the “History of the Law” to the whole schcol, The post-graduate cl will hold tts elec- tion of officers the latter part of next week. FOR WORK. READY Beginning of Term of Y. M. C. Educational Classe: The coming season's work of the educa- tional cia: of the Y. M.<. A. was opened last evening at the rooms of the associa- tien on New York avenue, and hereafter on four evenings of each week an opportunity will be furnished young men who desire to improve their evenings in study. Mr. John B. Sleman, jr., the chairman of the educa- tional committee, made an address, durimg which he referred to the conditions under which the work is begun, and stated that the beard of managers of the assoclation had decided to reopen the classes this year in response to an urgent demand on the part of the young men who desired to have the opportunity of improving their evenings in study. He regretted that the associa- tion had no better facillties for conducting the work, but urged the members to make the best of the cireumstane there that hard work would make up for any of the deficiencies. He hoped that before many months there would be a new building with an equipment equal to that of any ass(piation in the eountr Mr. Sleman then introduced the instruct- ors wh of the work dur- ing the coming sea who briefly outlined {the plans for thelr respective departments, | Mr. Harry O. Hine will teach bookk: ii English and arithmett Mr. Harry } 0 Lewis will have charge of the classes lin shorthand, Mechanteal and arehitect [ural drawing wil be taught by Mr MK Griffith, — Tnetruction typewriting will | be wiven by Mr. J Ne A. I have charge n, in Arthur - : | AML Washington an Audioner, | ‘The Marea "Wanted Help and Bituatic colvmng are carefully read by (housands daily, With nie pays for Afieen words THE F THE NATIONAL GUARD. Beginning of a New Era in Local Military Affairs. REQUISITION MADE FOR SUPPLIES Formal Transfer of the Fern to Nava! Battalion. ee OFFICERS RESUME a DUTIES The return of General Harries to this city in the near future and his restoration to health will probably be foliowed by a gen- eral awakening throughout the District of Columbia National Guard. In the mean- time, however, matters in the brigade are | decidedly active, and Captain Dapray, the energetic acting adjutant general, is kept busy from morning to night. He fs in daily correspondence with General Harries, and beneficial results have been the outcome. Pending the settlement of the property question, requisition for ordnance and ord- | nance stores has been made for 40) each | of the following: Springfield rifles, caliber | 45, cartridge belts, blanket bags, haver- sacks, Canteens, tin cups, meat cans, | knives, forks and spoons. | Accompanying the requisition an explana- tory statement was sent to the chief « ordnance setting forth that the article called for are intended to replace, in part, the ordnance and stores which were turned | over, under existing law and orders to the Ist Regiment, District of Columbia Volun- | teer Infantry, in May last, when that regi- ment was equipped entirely from the store of the National Guard. The exact amount of property turned over has not, at the present time ben ascertained, but the mat- ter is now in the hands of a board of s vey appointed for that purpose. It is fur- ther stated that some of the companies of the guard are, in consequence entirely di armed, and for several months have bee unable to perform military duty. Officers Resume Their Duties. A number of officers of the Ist District Regiment have resumed their duties as Na- tional Guard officers, reporting formally to the adjutant general. They are Major F. S. Hodgson, 4th Battalion; Capt. William T. H. King, Company B, 5th Battahon; Capt. James L. Mock, adjutant of the 2d Regi- ment; Capt. D. V. Chisholm, Company B, 2d Battalion, and Capt. T. S. King, inspec- tor of rifle practice, Ist Regiment. Commissions have been forwarded to the following: Col. Henry May, Ist Regiment, First Lieutenant H. T. De Groot, adjutant | 2d Battalion; Second Lieutenant Alexander M. Allison, Company C, Ist Battalion; First Lieutenant Samuel L.’F. Piper, Company B, ist Seperate Battalion, and Capt. D. V. Chishoim, Company B, 2d’ Battalion. Commissions have been received at head- quarters for the fo.-owing, but they will be held until the officers report for duty: First Lieutenant Charles L. Lanham, Company A, 6th Battalion; First Lieut ant John H.’ Lewis, quartermaster, 2d Bat- talion; First Lieutenant Alfred A Smith, Company B, 6th Battalion; Second Lieuten- ant Will E.’Sorrells, Company D, 6th Bat- talion, and First ‘Lieutenant Leigh H. French, inspector of rifle practice, 6th Bat- talion. District Militia Regulations. Captain Dapray is compiling a set of reg- ulations for the government of the District of Columbia militia. This work has been lond needed and, it is generally admitted will be of great value. It will be modeled after the army regulations, each article relating to a separate subject. It will be a book of ready reference, culled from the orders and circulars that have been issued during the past eleven years. Accounts Mast Be Closed. A ruling of importance just decided on at headquarters is that officers who resign must make final return for all property charged to them before final action will be taken as regards their resignations. Cases are on record of several years rolling by after the acceptance of an officer's resig- nation before his property accounts were squared. In fact, some have never been settled. In order that Captain Charles M. Shreve, Company B, ist Battalion, may make the necessary property return pending final action on his tender of resignation First Licutenant Jesse F. Grant has been or- dered to receipt for all public property i sued to the organization mentioned and for which Captain Shreve is now accountable. Discharges and Transfer. The special order appointing Private Milo H. Sutliff acting second lieutenant, ambulance corps, has been revoked, and Private Sutliff has been honorably dis- charged on his own application. In like manner Private Russell B. Main, ambu- lance corps, and William E. Dougias, Com- pany A, Ist Separate Battalion, have been discharged. Private Theodore Silance, Com- pany D, 2d Separate Battalion, has been transferred td the Ist Division, Naval Bat- talion. Transfer of the Fern. Formal transfer was made this afternoon of the U. 8. S. Fern to the District of Co- lumbia for use as a practice ship and armory. It 4s generally conceded by naval officers that the District Naval Reserve ts very fortunate in securing from Secretary Long the assignment of the Fern. The vessel is in first-class condition for the purpose for which it is to be used, having had new botl- ers placed aboard last year. Her engines are more simple tnan those of the recently constructed cruisers, and will afford oppor- tunities for acquiring a thorough and prac- tical knowledge of the engine room on the part of those who will be assigned to duty there. The Fern is 100 feet in length between perpendiculars, 28-feet beam and draws about 11 feet of water. This will enable her to navigate the Potomac river without danger of run@Mng aground in places where the channel ix dhgllow, Order for The Navy Depart cluded to sell the Fi ued by t October 7 had con. 1 an ord nvening & folk, Va 2 bureaus the same timeplnetructed to re thelr arms, equips and the tke Cactiitate he Init diaposal re ot Wh iniet of ttalion le that she Was about Re out of coments sion, and Heed ial eooured from the {mander W. ERN. TMstrict Commis: ioners a letter or Signed also by other prom Questing that the Fern be ass use of the Naval Reserves. Ir of General Harries, this letter was prese petition, ent cit th ed to Capatin D. acting adjutant gen- eral of the District of « umbia militia, that it might be properly forwarded to the Navy Department. Captain Depray, on b half of General Harries aptly nd vigorously, indorsing the r in terms very flattering to the officers and men, and urging that the Fern be assigned as requested. By authority of Captain Da- pray, Lieutenant Hopkins the Naval Battalion personally presented the papers to Secretary Long, who Promptly gave the necessary orders that she be turned over to the District militia, t was the original intention to send draft of District men to N ter ene but the Navy Departm her to Washington. The ed to bring riginal Organization. Tho origtr anization of a naval ree Serve here was suggested In 18%, by Mr. John Rh an €x-seaman, and shortly afte Ward steps were tak permanent by sic en te make ft la 1, Passed an act legalizing the or Zanizar j ton, and providing for the enlistment cf | four divisions of not more than 10) men ecch, with corresponding commissioned offl- cers. Under this act, recruiting was commenced for the first division late in May, but the requisite number of men wer» hot musteres until Sept 1. The pa division Was recruited from July 1 to August 1. and its officers were commissioned iy the Presi« Gent August 5, Lisuts. Hopkins and Ship-ey being the first officers 40 receive comiuis- sions. This division, composed mostly blue jackets, was at once unifor proper arms were issued by “11 partment. They were also assis pedo cutter 270, the Frances, ergine room practice, and have their werk at the navy yard tn a very skill- ful and satisfactory manner. ‘) officers, October 8, wera commiss: = Commander R. P. Hains, L of ex- ned be t P A. McGrath, Payr Chief Engineer ¢ Bieber and On the same date commis: NS were issued to the officers of the Ist Division es fol- Jows: Lieut. Jos. S. Van Fleet, Lieut, Gunior grade) Grenville Lewis, jr.. Ensign L. C. Covell and Ensign Chas. E. Rugers. This diviston ts now uniforming fts*if, and {t is expected that additional arms vill be socn issued by the Navy De The men of the bat thusiastic in their w. expectzd that they will very snerally * an excellent record. Gen. Harries and Adjt. Gen. Dapray are much interested in the organizati and are Jending their best endeavors i pe ey & their best endeavors in its be: Of Historic Interes The F>rn enjoys the distinct been the first United States to enter Havana harbor afte ticn of the battle ship Main» the court of inquiry sat whil #>cuting its investigation. The naval vatialion will, therefore, be enabled to preserv> a vessel which has served an histuric purpose. The indorsement referred to attached at militia headquarters to the written re- Quest that the Fern be turned over to the District was as follows: “Respectfully submitted to the of the Navy, approved, and amc recommended. ‘The interest and enthusiasr by the officers and men of the nz tia have been so marked in all ¢ a of having naval vessel th a destrue- don her Secretary urnestly displayed val mill- at per- tains to progressive work, it is believed that favorable action on this application would not only tend much toward the en- couragement of the naval militia, but would result in speeding its permanent organiza- tion.” In con ection with the formal of the Fern this afternoon Commander Hains has received notification from Dis- trict militia headquarters that as the head of the naval battalion he will become re- sponsible for the custody and safe keeping of the ship and all property thereto per- taining immediately after the transfer to the National Guard. Commander Hains has therefore been directed to make all necessary arrangements for receiving the ship, including such details of officers and enlisted men of the naval battalion as in his judgment may be deemed necessary to man and guard the ship at anchor in the Potomac river, and wili give such explicit orders and instructions as are necessary under naval regulations. The commanding officer of the naval bat- talion has also been instructed to formu- late at once such general and specific rules or orders for the government of the ship and temporary crew as may seem wise and proper, especially with reference to the matter of admission aboard of visitors or other persons not on official duty. For the Naval Battalion, transfer Supplemental estimates of appropriations for the militia of the District of Columbia, to cover the expenses of the naval battal fon, have been forwarded to the District Commissivners, as foliows: For lighting and heating practice ship, $250; repairing uniforms, arms and equip- ments, $200; annual practice cruise, corre- sponding to annual encampment of the Na- tional Guard, $1,100, and contingent ex- penses, including painting and other re- pairs to ship, $500. Pat (who has been acting as guide, and on pointing out the Deville This and vil'x That for 4 two b , that’s the Devil neh Howl, yer viet Phe en a god deal of property ' Per Vere ¢ yer tut, tothe Meet as the other ' be ay bis tole in La