Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-01-14

State and Ms. Fish for this season was held
last evening, and it brought out, as their recsp-
tons always de, a large and brilliant assem-
bsge. The attendance Included nearly all the
members of the Cabinet aud foreign represen-
tatives here, with fair turn out o. the most
distinguish people in military, civil and social
position throughout the country. The ladies
were present, OF course, in fuH force, and the
d splay of beauty and elegance OF dress was
unusually large and attractive. The guests
were received by the distinguished hosts with
their accustomed cordialty and grace, and the
cGarms of the occasion were heightened by oc-
casiopal airs from an excellent band in attend
anCe.
THE reception given by the Speaker and
Mrs. Blaine las evening was also one of great
brillisncy, and their spacious saloons were
hroBged until late hour by hosts Of distin-
suished friends o. the popular and hospitable
couple. As at he Secretary of States, many
sriking aud elegant toilets were observable.
Mrs. Gen. j. Z. Fremont gave her first re-
ceptiop this season at her residence on Vermont
avenue Yesterday afternoon. She was assisted
in receiving by her daughter, Miss Lille FREE
mont, and among the guests we're the ladies of
many distinguished officials and private citi-
ZeDs.
The Indiana Republican Club gave one o.
its agreeable social reunions at Marini's Hall
last evening, and the good looking children o.
that State were out in force to enjoy it. Among
those present were Vice President Colfax and
lady; Representatives CoburB, Shanks and
Packard and ladies, and Williams, of Indiana;
Mckee and Barry, OF Mississippi; witcher, OF
West Va, and Clarke and lady, of Texas; DR..
Goodwi and lady, Col. Otis and lady, Mrs
Judge Wright, and many others.
- Chief Justice Chase is remaining tempo
raTily in New York, at No. 10 Filth avenue, ad-
\ joining the Brevoort House. His daughter,
Mrs. Senator SPrague, is stopping for few
days at the same residence. The Chief Justice
! is improving in health, aud hopes to be able to
Supreme Court closes.
General Sherman will hold but two recep-
tons this winter, the times for which will be
announced hereafter, and for which the for
mality of cards will be dispensed with. The
General and his cOurte Gus wife propose to make
every body at home who chooses to favor them
with call on those occasions.
- The gossips have the following matrimonial
engagements for Washington bulietined-S Miss
Maggie Zelin, daughter OF General Zein,
commandant of the Marine Corps, to Lieuten-
| ant Adams, Of the United States Army; Miss
Lizzie Pickerell, of Georgetown, to Mr.. T..
| Robinson, OF Baltimore; Mis- Lizzie Poor, a
daughter of Admiral Poor, to Lieutenant Com
level os OF the navy Miss Blanche
| attache OF the Spanish Legation.
| - On account OF the war pending, no recep-
tons will be given at the French Legation this
| teasoD.
Cards will coon be issued for a party at Mrs.
| Pendleton's on Lafayette Square.
The BlRdensburS Turnpike Question.
INVESTIGATION BIZ THE HOUSE COMMITTEE
Messrs. Stone, Mckenzie, and Williams, a
| Subcommittee of the House Committee on the
| District OF Columbia, this morning had under
| consideration the resolution recently offered in
| the House by Mr.. Stone, directing the COM
l mittee to inquire into the condition OF the
| BledeDsburg turnpike, Gen. X. ID. Mucssy
| and Z. L. Creecy represented the people of the
county living along the line OF the road, and
l MIR. Temple conducted the eXamn alton on th
part of the Turnpike Company.
The first witress examined was Clark Mills,
l who testified fha the general condition OF the
| road WAS bad, ard had teen so for a number OF
years. In the best parts there were rot more
than 10 to 10 feet in width OF gravel bed, which
Is required by the charter to be q feet in width.
| He had waited on the president of the company
| aud urged him 20 make it a good road, as the
/ people were entitled TO it. The bridges were
| not p feet in width, as required by law. The
read was now leased out to the toll keeper and
| in conversation with him, witness was Informed
| that the best thing the people could DO was to
| sell it Congress. Witness paws toll on the
| re acIslG per year-and the road is only a5oCt
| Col. q. e. Alexander was the next witness.
| and he testified that persons had been obliged
| TO travel through vacant lots on account of the
| bad condition of the road in 1896, but at that
time no toll was charged. Ii Was in a very b Al
| cordItion then. The road was rot over Il feet
wide, ard the gravel appeared TO have been put
| on the center and had worked to wards the sides
| 1t was not possible for two wagons to pass each
| other on the gravel part of the road. When
| funerals are on he way to Mount Olivet, per-
II
compelled to form part of the procession to
i the cemetery gate-fOr a half or th.ee-fOurtbs
| OF a mile-on account of the road not being
| wide enough for two vehicles side by side The
| he thought.
| Mr.. Mckenzie remarked that it was rather
risky business leasing q road to q toll keeper il
repairs are expected TO be made.
Thomas Peters testified that he lives on the
Bladensburg road, about a mile and three
| quarters from the toll gate. Frequently tray-
eled the road. 1t was in a terrible condition
| In some places had no gravel upon IL. 1t was
| nothing more than a common dirt road. Wit
ress paid tolls at the rate OF $50 per snnum. Ii
| the road was in proper cordition could haul as
| much over ii with one horse as he now can with
two. Witness had travelled over many other
| turnpikes, and thought this was the worst one
| he ever saw-a disgrace to the national capital
1 Mr.. "A. Euppert. butcher residing on the
blsdensburg road, testified that his hCrses had
bad condition OF the road. In some pls ces it
was so narrow that it was impo. sihie to pass
wagon loaded with hay.
Gregory Lauer and Washington Dixon also
testified as to the bad condition OF the road gen.
orally.
q. +. Creecy testified that some portions OF
the road were not more than Is or 10 feet wide,
and had dangerous gullies on either side. On
the lett side OF the road about quarter of
mile from the toll gate, the gully was or 10
feet deep, and on the other side or 6 feet deep
Witness understood that the road was leased TO
Benson before the war, and had heard that tolls
were charged upon all government teams
Inc hour OF IL O'Clock having arrived, the
subcommittee adjourned until Monday, when
the case will be resumed.
m
THE METHODIST Book CoNCERN-Trial Of
ReU. DR.. Landkdn.-The friends OF Rev. DIR.
Lanahan were SO successful yesterday as to
procure the admission OF reporters of The pub
lie press to Lis trial before the Methodist Book
Committee. discussion ensued between the
me mbers Of the committee as to the scope which
the investigation should be allowed to take, DIR.
Slicer stating that the prosecution knew they