Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-02-16
LOCAL NEWS.


bribe w o. Baldwin, Surgeon of the Board of
Enrolment in this District, had a hearing be-
fore Justice John III. Johnson, esterday after
Ioon, at four O'Clock.
Assistant District Attorney, Nathaniel p.
wilson, appeared in behalf of the prosecution,
and Me ssrs: John E Norris and Richard
Laskey for the accused.
Mr.. Wilson read from Brightly's Digest an
act passed on the 26th February, 1853, which
specified that any person procuring or in fiuen-
cling, In any manner. any Government official
to change his decision, in any Official matter
upon which he was about TO vote, or upon
which he was considering, was regarded as
committing crime. and was liable to the pen
atty OF the law therefor. Mr. Wilson said he
was satisfied that the present case came with
III the provisions of the act.
Section % of an act of Congress passed in
December, 1864, relating to the duties OF boards
OF enrolment, Mr.. Wilson admitted, did not
hold the accused, as that section specified any
drafted person who should bribe, or attempt
to bTibe, any member of board OF enrolment,
should be deemed guilty, &c, when in the
present case the parties had not been drafted.
Dr.: W. 0. Bdldoin was sworn for the pros
ecution, and testified that he had been ap-
pointed surgeon of the Board of Enrolment on
the Goth Of October last; that it was his duty to
examine all drafted or enrolled persons pre-
senting themselves before him as being physi-
caliy disqualified from rendering military
duty; and that his decisions in such gases were
received by the board as final. Witness was
called on last Thursday, at 10 or II O'Clock
M, In his examining room, at the Office of the
Beard OF Enrolment, by a German named VIM.
Rothschild, who said he wished to see witness
privately. Witness told him that he transacted
all his business publicly. Rothschild then de-
sired to see him at his residence, and stated
that he wished to see him regarding private
matter. Witness told him to call in the eye-
ming, at his supper hour, and he would ses
him. Rothschild went to the house at the time
agreed upon, when witness was about to sit
down to tea, and asked witness If he wished to
make some money. Witness asked how it was
to be made. Rothschild said he had a friend
with him, named Erbach, whom he wished ex-
empted, and that he would give witness $50
to exempt him. Witness told Rothschild he
would see him there again at six o'clock, after
he had taken his tea. Witness then sent his
little son, privately, to the office for detective,
and detective Coddingham went to the house.
Rothscbild was soon present, with Erbach, bat
seemed to mistrust third party. Detective
Coddingham told him he need not fear any,
thing, when he stated that he wished witness
to make out exemption papers, for Erbach, for
which he would give him $3.50, and said he
would bring two more men on the next day,
for whose exemption he would pay him the
same price.
Cross.examined by Mr.. Norris - Did not
know whether Erbach was enrolled OF not:
did not have anything to do with the enroll
ment list. Erbach was to call on the board
and be examned and he was to exempt him
from the draft Witness issued no certif-
Gates.
George Coddtngham sworn.-Received a slip
OF paper directing him to go to Surgeon Bald.
wins residence precisely at O'Clock. He
went there, and Rothschild and Erbach ar
fnoW What At he SUPPOSED Was an e9
emp1on paper. Rothschild gave the Surgeon
Sl5U. which he Immediately handed over to
witness, and Rothsehlld retained $50, which
witness demanded, and then arrested the par.
ties. .thand. .cufted them, and took them AWAY
Points of law were discussed by the counsel
on both sides, after which Justice johnson
held Rothschild in $1,000 and Erbach in $3.50
bail, to answer any charge the grand iury NAV
bring against them.
THE MARKET HoUsE.-An estimate has
been furnished by Secretary Usher to the Com.
mittee on the District OF Columbia. relating to
the Long Bridge, and also to the Center Mar
ket: 1t is desired that the old bridge shall be
retained for the exclusive use of carriages
horsemen, pedestrians, &c, and that the iron
rails now thereon shall be removed to the ne W
railroad bridge running alongside of the old
one.
In respect to the Center Market house. II will
be remembered that the Mayor suspended
building on the reservation upon suggestion of
secretary tsher, who was moved to such
course by the action of the House Committee
on District Affairs, and also by other action by
the Senate and House of Representatives
This consisted ih the former body of resoIu-
ton by Senator Ramsay, of Minnesota, and
on the part of the House in the Adoption of a
resolution by Hon. James G. Allen, instructing
the District Committee to inquire into the sub
lect OF the obstruction of streets and public
reservations; and also q res Olution of like re-
ference, introduced by Governor Thomas of
maryland. looking to an arrangement with the
should be Withdrawn from the principal street
of the city.
Gov Thomas's resolution, now before the
District Committee Of the House, contemplates
a narrowing of the canal and the rormation by
sniiable bridges OF a close connection bet Ween
the market reservation ito be park and the
Smithsonian grounds.
Secretary Usher, who has given much thought
to District affairs, has recommended that the
market house be built over the canal east OF
7th street, and along said canal in its detiec-
IN q in hat tgTna
The plan looks to narrowing of the canal,
dredging 1t thoroughly according to the require
ments OF the law, H. e., four feet below low
water mark. ard raising the market house SO
tn at dredge boat may operate under it. At
Newark, Bangor, and many other cities OF the
North, market houses are built over canals or
streams. Secretary Usher proposes to give
Government aid in behalf of the measure: and
the locality commends itself to his Judgment
because OF its approximate position to the
center OF population; its ample space tor mar
ket purposes, with suitable drainage; It's close
contiguity to the present site, thereby not ma
terially affecting business in terests that have
grown mp around it, and its situation at the
crossing OF the city railways, running from the
four cardinal points of the city.
The following are the views expressed by
Secretary Usher upon this subject in his last
report:
1.-THE substantial and rapid progress of the |
city Tor the last three years, its increasing and
energetic population, and the certainty Of Its |
future prosperity, evince the Importance OF |
immediate action, having for Its OBJECT the I'M
provement OF its sewerage, the cleansing OF the |
caral-so as to correct, as far as possible, its |
present unwholesome and offensive condition |
and the adornment of the streets and public |
grounds thereby making the metropolis of the |
nation healthy and attractive. 10 that end, in |
to the suggestions contained in my |
last annual report it is recommended tha.
Congress provide by law for the removal of |
the Centre Markethouse from its present site, |
and the extension Of the Smithsonian grounds |
to Pennsylvania avenue. 1t is also advised |
that the public reservations bordering on the |
canal and adjoining the Smithsonian grounds |
be added thereto. The enlarged area which the |
change would give to these grounds, |
their adornment by the planting of trees and |
and the erection Of fountains, would |
add greatly to the comfort, health, and plea |
sure OF populous portion of the city, and be /
most agreeable and attractive to transient yisi.
tors The space occupied by the canal from |
Seventh street to Sixth street and the con-
tiguous reservation would afford ample room /
for the market house. The expense of making |
this space available Is not worthy of considers
tion, in view OF the substantial benefits to be |