Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-06-30
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

The CHAPLAINCY OF THe DISTRICT OF Co
LUABIA PENIrENTIARY.-This appointment was
conferred in August last upon the Rev. Mr..
Sipes, the pastor Of the Methodist Episcopal
chapel located near the Pententiary building.
The selection was made by the Inspectors APP
pointed in July last by President Buchanan
His principal competitor was Rev. Mr.. Bull
who has or had some connectio, or other with
the patent medicine business in Baltimore Mr.
b was l.. n. in his sympathies and afinities
The main supporter of his pretensions to the
position was Dir. Henry Slicer, well known to
this community as a very active and laboriOus
politician, at least in affairs connected with the
distribution of Office. Mr.. Slicer, like his ca n
didate, is not and was not citizen of this Dis
trict st the time he assumed to interfere in the
disposition of the chaplaincy of our Penten-
tiary, post exclusively local in all its attri-
butes
Mr.. Sipes was selected to fill it by the Inspee-
tors because he was the pastor of the only
church within from half to three-quarters Of
mile from the point, whose congregation (of
working people almost exclusively were very
posr-so poor That they could not pay him
more than 500 per annum and il was known
that, though so poorly compensated for his ser
VICES, he designed, if appointed, to devote the
$500 per annum salary of the post to the liqui-
dation of the debt of the congregation for their
church property. Since his appointment Mr..
Sipes has ministered to the consicts most sedu-
iously and efficiently, giving entire satisfaction
TO the Inspectors and the others responsible for
the proper conduct Of the establishment In
til his appointment, the Penitentiary Chaplain
I
one hour of each Sabbath morning; whereas,
Mr.. Sipes devotes a considerable portion of
each Sabbath to the prisoners, and visits them
in their cells once each day Of the week. 1t is
the unanimous opinion of the Inspectors that
he is accomplishing a most important work
among them. He has also redeemed his prom
Use to devote the salary to the redemption of
his church from its debt, becoming personally
responsible for all it owed
Recently a roundabout effort has been made
to Gust him from the position-we cannot con-
ceive upon what ostensible plea, in view Of the
substantial good he is certainly doing among
the convicts, as with the pay tor his services
rendered to them. Der impression is that Mr.
Henry Slieer, the well-knOwn politician re-
fsrred to above, is at the bottom of it, and that
his method Of proceeding has been, by hook OF
by crook to superinduce the removal of the
Inspectors, Mes.rs. George Parker, Robert
Ould and Peter Force, than whom no other
gentlemen possess more Of the confidence of
this community, o. deserve it more
Their commissions expire tonight and it
viii soon be known whether Mr. Slicer-than
whom we know no more shrewd aud active
operator in such matterS-has been able to
carry his point Of BUSTING Mr. Sipes or not
AZ scrapulously as be endgavors to master the
details OF (and the motives connected With all
subjects coming before him, whether they be
apparent or kept in the sha lie, it is utterly i'm
possible that President Buchanan can act upon
thorough information at all times; and that if
In this case he shall have laid the foundation
for the removal of the Rev. Mr.. Sipes from the
position in which he is doing so much good,
those upon whose representations he will have
acted In the premises-nOt himself-wiIl be
justly responsible for the consequences.
Army ORDERs.-Orders have Just issued
from headquarters, making the following dis
position of troops in Utah, or On the march
there, viz:
Eight companies Of dragons, PheIps's bat
III
artillery, and three regiments (the 5th. 10th
and either the 9th or Ith) Of infantry to remain
In Utah, under command of Brevet Brig Ger
Johnston. Ten companies of 4th artillery and
companies ID and X 81 dragons at present to
occupy the Platte district, and be subject TO the
'tAn department Six companies LIST cavalry
remain on the plains while the season perp,i,s
and return to Fort Riley or Leayenwor,b. tb.v
are to make excursions among the unfriend,v
indians The remaining companies of lst cav
airy are to return to Fort Riley.
Barney's and Hunts batteries are ordered
10 Fort LeaVenworth. The company Of Enci
neers Is to return to West Point, after com
pieting their corporations with the battalion
Of the sixth infantry in opening road to
Camp Scott, via Cheyenne pass The escort Of
Capt Marcy goes back to New Mexico. The
subsistence and reinlorcements now ON the ,xav
to the troops in Utah are to proceed on to their
destination; the former to be appropriated 70
the use Of the smaller force remainin, thar
Inc subsistence TO be sent forward TO the use
"oop' :" route is diverted to the use of
NOSE LII 'ne riatte district, together with one
thousanu Oh tne oeeVes to be sent to Utah
PROVISION - also made for replenishinp the
supplies Oh 'ne force In Utah in advance Of
those now on the way in the wagons of CON.
tractors, If requisite. A portion of the On
termaster's supplies and clothing ON the Wv
70 Utah is also TO be diverted to the Sc of -.
troops on the Platte district, and two hupdred
oil the one thousand horses ordered to be sen,
70 Utah, are to be retained by Gen. Harnev
for other service.
Lieut.. Col. G.. II. Crosman, deputy quarter
master general; and Captains P. +. iurnlev
u H. Page assistants quartermasters general.
are assigned to duty in the Utah Department
and Capt '" s. Hancock, assistant quarter.
master, Is to 90 with the trains. Breyet Mai
T. ID. babblts' assistant quartermaster. is Or.
dered to Fort Laramie Capt. w. l.. Cabeu
to Fort kearney; Capt NJ. D. L. simnson %
report to Gen. Harvey for special duty in sn.
perintending the commissarv ,la,o.,... =.