Washington sentinel., 1854-03-30
XetaI ann 4trsoaal.

UOdTu VI COuInOn COuuCu puooCu SSAtSs ~ ~
less than eighteen inierrogatories addressed TO the
board of trustees Of the public schools, TO which
the trustees replied in such a manner as TO leave
no doubt that they considered some OF the queries
highly offensive to their honesty and intelligence.
We will here remark that the trustees receive
no compensation for their services, except such
as the proud consciousness Of a faithful perform
ance of duty ever confers on those engaged in
Offices of human beneiaction.
As an instance of the character OF the conflict,
the council asked the trustees "whether they had
ever appointed any as teacher whom they did
not consider fully competent To which the
trustees replied that "the council could scarcely
have expected from the trustees an affirmative
answer TO such question, unless they considered
them either too stupid to understand its force or
that they were wanting in that honesty and integ
rity of purpose which should govern individuals
to whom such trusts have been committed
Other questions were asked, equally obectiona-
BILE to the trustees and answered with equal sharp
ness and these gentlemen say, in the conclusion
OF their reply, that if at any time, the authorities
appointing them should be convinced of their want
either of fitness integrity, and should be dis
posed to amend their proceedings, the way is at
any time open and tho slightest iniimation of any
such desire will be sufficient 10 induce them 10 re-
tire from their present positions, that wiser and
better men may be selected in their stead"
We regret that an issue should have been pre-
sented in this form, by questions and answers.
The standing committee on the public schools
should have prosecuted their Investigations in the
4 ~ 4 -. n. 4
are surprised that the council should have en-
dorsed an indirect attack on the educational sys-
tenn with the long knotted string of queries. If
there are abuses in the establishment they should
be reformed in some way other than by asking
questions merely, eiciting acrimonious responses.
The DuellO.--Intense excitement prevailed
throughout the city yesterday, rumor having
been put in circulation that not only had Messrs
Cutting and Breckenridge because OF certain
harsh words uttered in debate in the House Of
out to settle their grievances
by duel, but that both of them had been wound
ed in the conflict. This story, like all Others was
shortly after Improved by the addition of the start
ling fact that one ofthem had actually been killed
Everywhere, during the mo rning, the subject
was solemnly discussed, and there was painful
solicitude TO learn the full particulars. Dispatches
came from New York and from other cities, asking
an immediate reply to the question: :" Is it true :"
for the had been conveyed thther on the
lightning wires.
But SO far from Messrs. Cutting and Breckn-
ridge having "gone out" with their respective
seconds and surgeons, their friends were anxiously
engaged in the humane endeavor to heal the ex-
listing difficulty. Things thus continued until
three or four o'clock, Notwithstanding the hundred
and one startling and improbable stories to the
contrary.
The United States marshal and the district at
torney, together with others, were busy in every
direction, seeking for the Whereabouts Of the
gentlemen, with the intention Of arresting them,
TO prevent the apprehended recontre.
Messrs. Breckenridge and Cutting were absent
from the House yesterday.
AT ten o'clock last night, we learned that friends
Of the respective parties were still engaged in
deavoring to settle the difficulty in manner hon
orable TO both.
We earnestly trust that they may succeed, and
that mutual relations of offriendship may be restored
between the distinguished gentlemen now so un-
pleasantly and painfully separated.
The Ex-WO0dsawyer.-Ourc citizens remem-
Der George Haydock, the ex-woodsawyer, who
has wooden leg and but one eye-a comical old
fellow, who not long since paid professional visit
10 Washington, to enlighten citizens and the
temporary sojourners here on the subject Of total
abstinence. Having taken store-box for his
rostrum, near the corner of Louisiana avenue and
Seventh street, on a mild Sabbath afternoon, sew
eral months ago, he drew around him large con-
course Of eager listeners TO his rude Jokes and
homemade arguments I; but, 10 the cbagrin of the
auditory, the police officers interfered and ad-
journed the interesting meeting without even
putting the question in the parliamentary form,
for, with the law against obstructfg the sidewalks
on hand and the constabuary staff on the other,
each police officer was doably fortified. Mr. Hay
dock and seven or eight others were arrested at
| the same time for similar ofence-namely, OBJ
structng the sidewalks.
Well he could not pay the fine Of six dollars,
which Justice Morsell imposed, and took an ap-
peal to the circuit court. Yesterday, the case was
| tried, and the court affirmed the decision of the
| magistrates. The other offenders against the cor
| poraton statute will now likewise have 10 pay
their fines
washington National Monumcnt.-There
has just been received in this city block of mar
| BILE, for insertion in the monument, from the Sun
day-school children of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in the city and county of Philadelphia. II
is five feet six inches long, three feet wide, and
eighteen inches thick, Of American marble, con
| tanning suitable emblem and inscriptions.
The alumni of Washington college, at Lexing
ton, Virginia, have ordered stone TO be prepared
for them on the monument ground, the only col
lege endowed by the Father Of his Country
There can be few, if any, blocks in George Wash
ington's monument more appropriate than this one
As has been said very beautifully, "others ma,
bear his name but this was the only object Of hi.
special bounty"
| The board Of managers have passed a resolu
ton that, from and after the first of April the mon