Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-12-12
A report from the Intendant of the Asylum

was referred to the committee on the asylum.
| The bill to increase the salary of the marke
master Of tho Center Market to $500 per an
nun was, on motion Of Mr.. c. A. Davis take,
up and passed.
Mr.. Barr introduced a bill making an an
preparation for cleaning alleys in the Secon,
| Ward. Passed
Mr. Kelly introduced bill for the relief o
John McGarvey. Passed.
Inc special order of the evening, being tn,
olh 10 increase the salaries of tho police of
ncers OF the city was then taken up when
MI y. A. Davis, with tho view of testing
the sense of the Board, moved that the whole
suoJect be indefinitely postponed; which wa
relected-yeas 6, nays 10
The question being on the substitute
MIR. Busey moved that it be amended by
striking out all after the enaeting clause and
insert, that from and after the LIST of January
the salaries Of the different police officers, ex-
cept tho one at the depot, be $500 per annum
Rejected; yeas 8, nays IL.
Mr.. j. W. Davis moved that it be amended
| from and after 1st of January, officers of the
First, Sixth, and Seventh Wards receive $500
per annum, and that those of Second, Third
Fourth, and Fifth Wards receive $500 per an.
mum which was reiected-yeas Z, nays IA.
The question hen required on the substitute;
which was rejected-yea l, nays17.
Mr.. Busey then introduced his bill men
toned above as . new proposition, which
was adopted by yeas Ii, nays 8. So this Board
decided to give the police officers of the city
$500 per annum.
A communication was received from the
Franklin Fire Company inviting the Board to
witness tho trial Of new engine, which was
accepted.
The President laid before the Board the re-
slgnation Of Mr.. G. A. Davis as member of the
Board.
Mr.. Kelly offered a resolution appointing
Thursday, the 18th instant, as the day of tie
election to fill tho vacancy, and selecting
Messrs. T. W. johnson, James Dorset, and
Samuel Drury, commissioners
The Board then, at IL o'clock, adjourned.
: CoNUNDRUMs AND CoNuNDRUM MAKERS
GREAT TRIUMPH OF ASPIRING PuNsrRas.
The National Theatre, last night, was the
scene OF excitement unprecedented. The ad
mlrable band of negro minstrels, led by the
unrivalIed Kunkel offered two silver cups to
the authors of the best and worst conundrum
The house was filled with gay audience, who
listened with delight to the music of the
band, and was brimful of expectation as to
the result Of their conundrums
At last the curtain rises and discloses the
two cups end the elegant and accomplished
reader of the puns. Hear, hear" was dis
tinctly heard in all parts of tho house, while
some gay and versatile youth blew occasional
blasts on penny trumpet, after the manner
OF his angelic highness Gabriel" of the
manor of New York. The reader now steps
forward, bows to the audience, and thus be.
gins:
Ladies and gentlemen-I have received
louder, we can't hear] great many conun-
drums, from which 1blast on the penny trum
petl [ have selected ten of the worst and
fifteen Of the best. Their merits will be de-
cided by your applause. Long, loud and con-
tnued applause
After great deal of "neise and confusion
the audience decided that Mr. A. II. Prince,
of Adams's Express was the writer of the best
but not being present, it was
given to the second best, the author of which
was gentleman named Noble. Here is the
''Why is the Washington Monument like a
person recovering from severe illness 90
Ans. because it rises slowly from its bed"
great many gentlemen among whom
were distinguished members Of Congress, were
evidently disappointed in not receiving the
prize.
The second part of the entertainment now
commences The contest is ferce and the ex-
eli ement ungOvernable. Whose is the worst ,
" That is the question
y
Ans. Because he has an elbow
This was received with laughter, and
blast on the trumpet by the same incor1igible
rascal
No. 2. Why is tea pot like coffee not
Ans. Because it has spout
This had the name OF DISTINGUISHED con-
sular agent attached, and elected great ap.
plause.
No 3 Why is man about to be hung like
notorious citizen of Washington
Ans. Because its Truth" getting Gus
tice -
This conundrum elected shouts of laughter
It was written by the elegant and accom-.
plished Beau Hickman.
No. a, and the successful ono. Why does
Robertson, the editor of tho Truth, whom walk
ing Pennsylvania avenue, inspire patriotic
emotions!
Ans Because he whistles ''Yankee Doodle. !"
Such laughter and applause, and shouts and
yells, and waving of handkerchiefs and cries
tor Robertson, who was present. never greeted
mortal ears. This was at once decided to be
the OorSt conundrum The author, after
apOlogizing for his unwarrantable use of the
great philosopher name, called upon him
to address the audience from the stage. The
cries we're now deatening for Robertson-amid
which he waddled upon the Ilatform-and
thus commenced: "Ladies and Gentlemen
Qouder, old mutton head.) don't see why am
to be butt-(voice in the crowd take that
chicken out of your hat!' an a mar
with all the functions and muscles of man
(Voice-Shakspeare) 1 am an American
(Voice-you are Know Nothing) Three Of
my graDdfathers fought with Washington, and
two fought for their country since-(voicc-
you're granny dear) am willing to spill
my blood ana l don't think I'm butt-(voics
us a COW of yOur ppnarfl
At this point, he Was forced to cease bis
truly eloquent remarks, owing to the inces sant
applause, mingled with the martial strains of
Yankee doodle !" 1t was a proud tine for
the editor Of the Truth With the FIRE OF
hate flashing from his large blue eyes-his
nostrils distended with rage-his hair, what
there was of it, shaking with the heat from
the foot lights, and his long legs bending be-
meath the weight of virtuous Indignation, he
moved with striking grandeur from the stage.
Beau Hickman met him in the passage way,
and with hearty shake of the hand said !:
'Old horse, that was tip top ~
Quiet was soon restored, and the performance
was finished 1t was a night tha. will long