Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-06-25
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

Very Indignant 1ndeed.-Mr. John L.
Smith, one of the Know Nothing set that
intsIfered with and disturbed the Old Line
Wing meeting on Saturday night last, indig-
nantly denies through the columns of our tai
ented, truthful and Ingenious neighbcr, that
In his sreech to the crowd of Know Nothings
AID Republicans from the City Hall steps de
hvered after the conduct of the persons there
congregated had broken up the Wing meeting
at Cops salOon) Mr.. Campbell of Ohio, al
luded in any way to the Brooks and Sumner
affair. We know well that he did not men.
ton the name Of either Of these gentlemen.
But why, if be designed no reference to that
affair, did he discourse Of "gutta percha
canes" and the g hireliDg Of the SOUTH?
Though not ourself present, We have far more
confidence in the version Of his remarks given
to US by an observing, cool and scrupulous
gentleman who did hear them, from whom we
derived the Information On which the article
calling forth Mr.. Smiths denial was based.
than on the assertion Of any enc writing ON
such subject matter under the obligation of
the oaths taken in Know Nothing lodge.
The truth is, Mr.. Campbell scattered his
IRE 80 much on that occasion, az that it was as
hard for him to remember just what he said,
rs for many of his Know Nothing brethren
present to comprehend the real drift of his
remarks. He (Mr. G "put his foot in it''
most egregiously on Saturday night last, and
u essaying to craw-fsh clear of the conse-
quences of his conduct on that occasion, by
using Mr.. Smith in the Organ, and his name
less friend In the hateiitgsncer The effort
Will not avail him, however. He had no bu.
siness whatever to interfere in the proceed.
lngs Of an old line Wing meeting being both
member Of Know Nothing lodge and a
stauneh Republicans Fremont and DAYTON
man at home. His prOtestations Of fidelity to
Wing principles on the City Hall steps, his
habit Of Boosting Of bis American partyism
at Know Nothing meetings here, and bis
pledges Of fidelity to the abolition cause of
the Republican Freesoilers at the North and
West, satisfy us that, however clever be NAV
be personally, his politics are cut after the
pattern Of the virtue Of the French vrva,,ds.
re, temale camp follower who always boosted
that she was true tO-a troop Of dragons,
Our City's Finances The Washington
property holders attention should be directed
to the proceedings Of Monday in the Board
OF Aldermen. The new Mayor estimates the
class OF the debts of the Corporation which
the late Mayor thought to be some SI4, 900, at
about s7l ,0oo-avast difference, truly. Msyor
Magruder deserves thanks for his prompt rs.
conmendation of increased taxation. The in.
terest Of property holders is at once to provide
for its payment at whatever cost This large
indebtedness is the result of Know Nothing
mismanagement Of our Corporation affairs
Under the Know NOthings, the policy of the
city government was to do everything in the
way Of special favOrs for every partizan of
theirs who applied for such assistance. The
money to pay the whistle must be raised.
Inc holders of Washington real estate will
nave got OF cheaply enough, if hereafter they
VIII proht by the lesson of the Know Nothing
era In their municipal affairs, out of which
they have recently escaped.
The refusal of the Know Nothing ma;or;,;ss
in the Council Boards to carry out the mavor,s
Recommendation promptly to increase the rate
Of taxation, seems u evince their determine.
ton still further to involve the corporation in
financial difficulties, merely, as far as we can
perceive, to CRAFTY a petty spirit of spite
They must know that it is the desire of the
property holders of Washington to get the
city out Of such debts as thew are TINS asked
to provide for, rid at the same time to con-
tinue the really necessary improvements Of
streets, &c. Knowing these facts, what else
but s7ch spirit as that to which We refer, can
be at the bottom of their refusal On Monday
last to carry out the Mayors recommend alton
in this connection?
Mr.. FIlmors.-Ihis gentleman cannot as
yet rsalizs how his determination not to with
draw from the list Of candidates for the Presi-
dency, cuts, in Washington. The Republican