Litchfield enquirer., 1835-03-26
WAsHlNorON, March 6, 1885.

WASHINGTON, March 6, 1885.
 There have been so many rumOrs within the last ten days, On the subject of meeting that it is said wOnld take place between the Hon. Wm. Cost Johnson, and Lieut.. Barry of the United States Army, that have taken some pains IU inquire iniO the facts. always refer to these subjects with regret. bot believ- ing, as do, that misrepVesentatiOns have in this case been put tn circulation, will detail the circumstances, as ! have reason tO sup- pose, correctly. know the public curiosity on such occasions, and perhaps the sooner it is gratifed the better.
 It will be rrcolected, that about ten days ago, Mr. Johnson, in debating the Post Office question. spoke in strong terms of reproduction of the manner in which that department had been conducted. Among OtEer remarks. he said 'they are corrupt from the head to the heet; ;'' or words tO that effect.
 The next day he received letter from Ma j"r Barry. the Post Master General, inqUiring whether, in his remarks. he intended io inn peach his integrity ar his honor. as private gentleman. Mr. Johnson replied, that he did not admit the right of public officer to de- mand of him an explanation of words used in debate, tn reference to that office. That with his (Mr. Barry's) private character, he had nothing to do ]; but that he had said iH speak ing of the Post Office department. that |" they were corrupt from the head to the heel :''- that he should stand by it, and that he would take nothing back. To this he received no answer. ..'e
 On the Sd of March. he received by the hands of Mir. Paten of Tennessee, challenge dated the 97th February, from Lieut.. Barry of the Army. The reason assigned was the language used in reference to his father. for which he demanded satisfaction, and that his friend Mr. Paten would make the necessary arrangements with Mir. JohnsOn's friend for the meeting.
 Mr. Johnson replied that he did not admit the right to make the demand, sc. Nc.. but especially when exercised by a third prrson. He would, however, waive every objection of the kind, and give Lieut.. Barry the satisfac. tim he demaDded. He then informed Mr. Paten that he insisted on tke meeting that day, by three o'clock in the dtternoon. s. -
 Shortly after MT. Paten requested longer time. During the interview. he asked Mr. Johnson whether he would not disavow hav- ing made any reflections on ihe private char acter of Major Barry? He replied that he would disavow nothing; shat the meeting must take place that day, or the challenge he withdrawn. Alr. Paten suggested referring the matter to honorable men. Mr. Johnson su'ss ttr~s snrtsTaCVIOn had been demanded rom him; that he had waived his official p:ivile- ges for the purpose of yielding that satisfac- tion. and that while the challenge was not withdrawn. he should do nothing to change the responsibility.
 Mir. Paten having consulted Col. Richard M. Johnson and MT. Wise of Virginia, these gentlemen drew up brief statement. couclu- ding with a disavow al that he fCost Johnson) had intended to impeach the private honor of the Post Master General, which Mfr. Paten brought to Cost Johnson and requested him to sign. He replied, that he would sign noth- ing. That there wess thsee points he would not concede.
 He would not go behind his letter to the Post Master General.
 He would retract nothing said in debate.
 The challenge nrtst be wirhtirawn, or the meeting take place that day.
 Colonel R. M. Johnson and Mr. Wise then drew up and signed statement, that they had heard the remarks of the Hon. Wm. Cost Johnson in debate, and that they did not think any thing fell from him impeaehing the private character of the Post Master General This was satisfactory to Lieut.. Barry, and the matter was thus fortunately terminated.
 ~ Y. Courier aRd Em4
 The government paper says that. in v0- ting against the three million appropriation, Judge White of the Senate s.p0rted from the Presidene and kis Cabinet" How came the President and his Cabinet party in that ques- ton Neither the one or the other had re- the appropriation, or even hinted q wish for it-publicly. Was ihe appropriation, then. the secret work of the President or his Cabinet? Was the extraordinary proposition, to place three millions of money at the sole disposal of Executive discretion, the result of any priUGte intimatiOn from the President If not, how was Judge Whites opposition to that monstrous proposition a "parting from the President !" We suppose the truth to be. that all party-men are expected to know by instinct the pleasure of the President, and vote accordingly: otherwise they are immediately suspected of having slipped the coilar.
 Nat Ensei.
 Extraordinary Suicide in Fromce.--A dash. ing young man, who frequented the best so. cie!y, conceived the design of committing su- icide. which he executed in the following sim gnlaR manner, a few evenings since :--After having arranged himself in full dress as for m assembly, he lighted six tapers, aad placed them in order FS,,nd his bed, and near the lat ter was . pan ofcharcOaA The deiuded man gaily said to his neighbors, tlsat he was about to take long voyage. and immediately enter ed his room. which he was to lravs nO more alive. The fatal charcoal was ignited, and, in two1hours he was f0und lifsiess.-G Galignani.