Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-30

SIkAA FIRE ENGINrs An ehort was made by
Alderman Price, last Monday night, to get from
the secretary's table bill for establishment Of
paid hre department, and the purchase of one or
more steam nre engines for the city of Washing
ton, but the attempt was a failure. Several MEM
bers opposed the idea Of making any change In
the present fire system until the Corporation shall
succeed In obtaining from Congress a surrender
Of the property Of the Government IN shape Of
engine-houses, apparatus, etc to the CITY As
constituted at present our Are department Is indie
pendent Of the city authorities, and cannot be
meddled with until the transfer now sought for
by the City Councils shall have been made. Mr..
Semmes stated that prominent member of the
IRE department told him since the late destructive
hre on Pennsylvania avenue, that had he been in
possession Of twenty ave feet Of additional hose,
worth Of property at the late fre.
MI. Donoho stated that within the past year
some $500 bad been appropriated by the City
Councils for the purchase Of hose for the several
fire companies
Mr. semmes said he was aware of that fact,
but that not one penny Of those appropriations
had been executed; consequently the are compa.
niles were destitute Of adequate hose for the extin
punishment Of fres.
Alderman Price has strven with much perse-
verance to effect a better condition of things with
reference to our fre department since be has been
In the City Councils, but thus far his efforts have
been unavailing.
The VOLUNTEERS, LAST NIsHr.-The appear
ance OF numbers Of the Washington Rifles on
apparent ignorance Of the purpose for which they
were called out, taken In connection with the
meeting of Company A, of the Light Infantry
battalion, at the company's armory, on Seventh
street, excited considerable curiosity last night.
:. Something Is out" was common remark on
the avenue. Nothing turned up however, of
startling nature, and It seems that The Rifles were
only ordered out for inspection and drill in full
uniform. They responded generally to the order,
ana as result OF their promptness received an
addition Of twelve or fifteen members to their
corps.
The meeting Of the Light Infantry was for the
purpose Of ascerfaining how many overcoats were
lost by the destruction Of their armory on the
avenue, near Four-and. a-half street. some weeks
ago, with a view to their being replaced imme-
diately.
THEATER.-To-night we are to have a speci-
men Of Mr.. Sothern's admitted unrvalled abili-
Ties as an eccentric comedian. He appears In his
original character Of Lord Dundreary, In the
comedy Of Our American Cousin, ~ in which he
has appeared we don't know how many hundred
times In various parts Of the country. The part
of Lord Dundreary, as originally written, was
rival sketch; bRk by the genius Of Sothern II was
made what 1t now is-the great individuality of
the play -,
can Cousin at Home" 10 soon to be brought
out at our theater in great style, with a moving
panorama OF the Hudson river, a skating scene
and other novel and costly features Of stage effect
fhe engagement Of Mr.. Sothern Is something to
be made much of by theater- goers, and those who
fail to see him win most assuredly regret it.
INDICTMENTS FOUND IN THE CASES OF BAILEY,
RUSSELL AND FLOYD The Grand Jury have
found true bills against Goddard Bailey, VIM
III. Russell, and John B Floyd, as follows -
Three cases against Bailey for larceny In alb
siracting the bonds entrusted to his custody. One
joint Indictment against Bailey and VIM H
Russell, for abstracting the missing bonds; three
indictments against Russell for receiving the
stolen bonds and one joint indictment against
Goddard Bailey, VIM. H Russell, and John B.
Floyd. for conspiracy together to defraud the
United States Government.
The OA1H-The following is the nature of the
oath which the militia of the District are required
to take, under the act proposed by Hon. Mr..
Stanton, of Ohio:
81 "A B] do solemnly swear for affirm, as the
case may bel that bear true and faithful allie
glance to the United states Of America, and that
j will serve them honestly and faithfully against
their enemies and opposers whatsoever, and that I
will observe and obey the orders Of the President
OF the United States, and the orders Of the officers
appointed over me, according to the rules and
articles Of war"
liens of the Second Ward was held at Temper
ance Hall last night for the purpose Of forming a
company to be attached to the Union Regiment
lately started under the auspices Of Capt Caring
tain, II. Dubant; First Lieutenant, 8. Kelly;
Second do, Lemuel King; Third do jeremiah
Hurley. committee was appointed to report a
constitution.
CIRCUIT CouRT To-day, the court took up the
case Of Horace 8. Johnson VI. Hon. Thomas F.
Bowie, In which acton was brought for the re-
covefy Of the face Of a promissory note Of hand
for 81 600. The defendant stated that he had no
Of ever having signed the note In
Campbell and by him endorsed 70 the paint iTi in
the case The case was non-prossed.
John Henry, was arrested by Lieut. Thomas for
stealing pair Of hi boots valued at So the prop
erty Of Mr. Cohen, shoe dealer. He was COM
United to jail for court. John Bennett and Mary
vagrancy, which being fully proven, they were
each committed to the workhouse for 60 days.
ORDERLY SERGEANT OF COMPANY A, UNION
REeIMENr.-Upon the recommendation Of Gen
Carrisgton, Mr.. Jos Murphy was elected unani-
mously, Orderly Sergeant Of company A, Union
ser vice In the Mexican war, and is well qualified
for the duties Of his responsible office. DR.. Jos
Howard was elected Surgeon Of said company.
SxowBALLINe.-Al little boy in the Northern Lib
critics yesterday threw balls In the street. and
q German arrested him and attempted to take him
to the watch house, when his little companions
rallied round him and rescued him. Shortly af-
terward the boys father met the German and i'd
ninistered corporal chastisement to him.
M NEW DkLE0ATlON Ot Shippers ana
Merchants arrived in this city by p. m train
from Baltimore and proceeded directly to their
quarters at Willards' Hotel. AS soon as they had
supped, they proceeded in a body TO pay their re-
spects TO the President of the United States The
Committee numbers twenty-six members.
Our OF CoMMIssIoN.-The com % ission of w
Cooper, as justice Of the peace, having expired,
the duties Of the tenth police district, peaormed
by him, will be performed by his associate police
magistrates for a few days, until his nomination
is confirmed by the Senate and his commission
renewed.
THE BORDER CoNvENTIoS.-The Messrs VIII
lard have rendered, through ex-President TYLER
of Virginia the Of their splendid concert hall
connected with their hotel for the meetings of the
border State convention to assemble IN this city
on Monday next.
AT ODD FELLOWS HALL, Seventh street, TO-
night, select calico ball will be given for the
benefit OF the poor. We have many needy among
Us, aud we would commend this novel entertain
ment to the favorable confederation Of our citi-
zeas.
PRoFANIrY.-Emma Burgess was arrested by
Policeman J. A. Gill, Seventh Ward, for pro-
family In the streets, In connection with fight
between her and another female. She was "a Ken
before Justice Dom, and ordered to pay fine Of
50 "a. # tgs.
CRIMINAL CouRr.-To.d day, The court took up
the case Of the United States agt John Pela, In
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