Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-28
LOCAL NEWS.


1Pptdese by Mr.. GoRgecer-4pplanse by TAILOR
brgrn0Laaghter by M. Gangc~er-Ldughter BY
Last night, Mr.. Sayles ]. Bowen. CITY Post
master, Police Commissioner, Levy Court
commissioner, &c, &c, &c, &c, &c, &c, was
serenaded by MI Gangewer, Of the Third Au-
ditor's ONCE, and MIR. T. Ii. Brown. warden of
| the District Jail. The Chronicle having sud-
denly discovered the impolicy Of allowing Mr.
Bowen the further use of its editorial TYNE that
gentleman was thrown upon the awkward re-
source OF serenade to himself 1t was q roll at
| fair, droller than the famous serenade 10 which
Artemus Ward treated himself. Besides Mr.
Gangewer and Jailor Brown, there was brass
band and an individual with a felt hat said TO
be Waterman at the city post Office Also
Superintendent Richards, with a squad of po-
lleemen doubtless there in an official CAPACITY
IN lne course OF the affair, the audience was
enlarged by man who came out on the porch
OF an adjacent house; and a little later by
person appearing AT an opposite window Ii
seemed TO indicate sad lack of appreci-
self-sacrifcing philanthropIst and patriot
should have i'm this whole community but two
who had the influenza and was really not tit 10
be out, and Mr.. Brown, who had doubtless
torn himself away from official duties. They
did their level best, however. Mr.. Gangewer-
who really looked miserable, and ought TO have
been al home with his feet soaking in hot water
at that very moment-seated himself heroicaIly
on the cold doorstep and applauded and
sneeZed by turns. Jailor Brown, who looked
pretty able bodied, dispersed himself Judi
ciously by walking from time TO time up and
down the pavement, so that Mr. Bowen could
address him as the audience from various
directions.
Upon the conclusion of the tune, a loud call
was made (by Mr.. Gangewer and MIR. Brown)
for MIR. Bowen. That gentleman, who had been
seen for some time standing behind the passage
door, with a roll of manuscript in his hand
now came forward with effusion, very much
surprised by this unexpected compliment and
honor. which had torn him from his yirtuous
pillow. His surprise seemed to have taken the
shape OF carefully written speech Of ponder
Gus dimensions. new black dress suit, a clean
shave, and colored individual behind him
bearing two candles, whereby TO read said
speech. He commenced by remarking: "Fel-
low-citZens,' ito Mr.. Gangewer and Mr.
Brown,) and went on TO thank them most
heartily for this high compliment. this mann.
festation OF their kindness and regard. He
presumed 1t was intended 10 show that they
approved his course as a citizen and q public
officer. and that they did not sympathise with
those who had recently combined TO abuse and
villify him oSenSiJiy for publishing an article
in the ChT0Htcte. but really because he was and
had been for twenty years opposed to slavery
and IN favor OF the elevation of the coIorpd
RACED Applause, by Mr.. Gangewerl
He had resided in the District of COLUMBIA
twenty-one years. he said; and he proceeded
with a long detail of the crueltes he had seen
practised here in every form on the colored
people by the whites in this the capital of this
free nation. But now things are Changing
The slaye-pen and slavery nave been abolished
IN the District, and pardon given TO three thou
Brown Laws had been enacted TO give colored
persons the right to testify in our courts and
the supreme Court of the United States and the
courts Of this District had been transformed
from instruments of oppression in the hands of
the slave power 10 tribunals of equity and JUS
tee, and the police of this city changed from
hunters OF fugitive slaves and oppressors of
the colored people TO an element for their pro-
lection.
Free schools had been established for both
white and colored children, and all would now
m "a Of mob 80
thorities of Washington would, as GEORGETOWN
has cheerfully done, pay over 10 the trustees OF
eolored schools the money justly due them.
AND ne expected soon to see that s'in1lieu1ble
rtghi," the right Of suffrage, secured to every
man Of lawful age and ofproper education and
intelligence that resides within this ten miles
square, whatever may be his color or race: for
he thinks nothing is more certain than that
Congress, before the close of the present ses-
sion, Will enact law granting that boon 10 all
citizens alike.
He proceeded to remark that he had thrown
his talents and abilities in favor OF these re-
forms, while the eXertions Of his enemies had
been IN the opposite direction. Applause, and
sneeZe by Mr.. Gangewer.l
MIR. Bowen proceeded TO glorify himself at
great length, SO that one would have thought
that he had been the Ajax of the Union cause,
barring his right arm, and daring everything in
the most patriotic manner. whereby he made
hosts of enemies; quite contrary to the received
idea that he was so industriously engaged
gvIgiiIg al ms t5ats OF Office during the war
that he had no time 10 think of anything else.
His enemies, he said, only waited an oppor-
tunity to empty the Walls Of their wrath on his
when the article was published over his sigma
ture advising the friends OF equal suffrage to
stay away from the polls on Thursday of last
week. In that article he designated certain
classes of men who would be certain to vote,
but he did not state nor intend to be under
stood as issinuating that no others of
election. That many good men, Republicans,
voted, is undoubtedly true. But they did so
under the impression that Congress intended 10
grant the boon Of suffrage TO contrabands. and
all without any qualification whatever, when
in TACT nothing of the kind so far As he knew
and believed, is intended or proposed by Con-
gress. That these men are generally in favor
of permitting intelligent colored men to vote
will not be denied.
Many of the best friends he had personally
he was aware did not agree with him on the
suffrage question, and he therefore gave them
place among 'sthc good cierer teliOUS," enumer-
ated in the article, which article cleared the
way for the artillery of his old enemies, and it
was opened on him from every direction, es-
pecially the City Hall
He was charged with being an enemy .'of
Washington and its citizens. one and all, and
their interests" and that he has used his off,
cial position in the Levy Court, Police Board,
and City Post Office to traduce the people here
This he denied, and said that during the whole
period of his connection with them he never
uttered word against the city of Washington
or any citizen thereof, excepting to state that
certain official connected with the city govern
ment mao disregarQed his pledges TO the Levy
Court so many times that we could place no
further reliance in him.
If in the Levy Court and Police Board his
unfaltering and untiring energies to rid the
District of the Decentralization and degradation
of intemperance, caused by the unlimited
number of grog- shops licensed by the corpo-
ration; If in upholdIng the cause of the OPP
pressed colored man; il in advocating for him
rights which will elevate him 10 the standard
that the genius OF our government requires OF
all our people-if all this made him an enemy
of Washington and its citizens, he must plead
wguilty'' TO the charge: but he did not believe
the loyal and respectable portion of the people
would so regard it Aside from national and
political considerations, he had an abiding in
terest in the prosperity Of Washington. Here
he had taken up his abode, and expected to
make it his future home. (Applause by
TAILOR Brown.
As to the charge Of tyranny and injustice to
his employees, he could only say that no one has
resigned because of cruel treatment, and there
are applicants enough to NIL all vacancies
likely soon 10 occur. Laughter by Messrs.
Gangewer and Brown.
He owed an apology. perhaps, for alludng
to these charges, but as they Were calculated to
affect him injuriously where he was not known,
and as they relate to his official acts, he had
deemed ii necessary and proper. He was hap
hoxuever m the reflection that his most