National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-01-13
ORDER 1856.
ITS GENERAL ENFORCEMENT.

Scenes About Town Among the noya,
Yesterday was a dry day in Washington, an ex-
ceedlngly dry day, and the cause Of this was the
famous order No. 1855, issued by Mai. Richards in
structing members ofthe police force TO use extra
diligence in discovering violations Of the Sunday
law. This order Ia regular periodical occur
renee, and the consumers with but few excep-
lions, passed II by unheeded, feeling satisfied
that they could yet their usual nip through
side-ioors at their usual places. But they had
"reckoned without their host" for the Ghosts, -
with singular unanimity on this occasion, made
up their minds that, though customers suffered,
the law must be obeyed, and consequently Gus
TONERS did suffer.
II was funny TO see the dry gentlemen as they
wandered lstlessly up and down the Avenue
trying to effect an entrance, nrst In one place,
then In another. only to have previous eN-
periences repeated and to turn sadly away with
disappointment mlrrured on their cOuntenances.
How keenly they felt the barring out, aud how
much dryer II made them was apparent, hut
though defeated they were not dismaycd. They
seemed TO feel that persistent endeayor would
certainly be crowned with ultimate success, and
every fresh failure was hut the signal for re-.
newed eNettlons. IL was too had; their laboTs
were certainly entitled to a reward, and Il was
real mean In Major Richards to isshe the order;
meaner stlll for the police TO carry 1t into eject;
and meanesi Of all for the proprietors to obey IT,
II seemed TO them uhe dry ones, an outrage
upon their rights as American citizens, q blow
at their liberties, and suppression Of one OF tho
lnestipable hoons for which their fcrcfathers
fought and bled.
Among the few places which were open were
the eating saloons Of Leonard A RUSSELL George
W. Driver and Gocll 4 Molair, and with the same
unerring precision that the needle points to the
pole they were sought out and visited BY tho
gents. OF course they entered with q noncha-
liant air, smiled quietly at the waiter, took seats
At the table and nominated the drinks required
with the air Of men who didn't expect a refusal
Then II was the walters time to smile, and he
did so with grim satisfaction, as he shook his
head and informed them In his blandest possible
manner that "they was sellin' no drinks; only
keepin' open for boarders." This was a setback,
but they rallied and put on a mysterious air and
knowing look, winking their eyes and noddlnR
heads In the direction Of any Of the side rooms.
Even this did not have the least effect. The
oriers were imperative, the walters incoritgihlo,
and the drinks "nOt-cum-Atihle." As a last re-
source the propnetos were interviewed, with q
like result, and hungry for Just one drink the
dsheartened travellers pushed on In search Of
the long delayed boon.
At the Marble saloon the prnprietors had the
order OF Major Richards printed In large type
and consplcuously displayed In the room, At the
foot being the following sentence In italics:
"This order will be carried out TO the letter." aud
that settled the matter, as far "a they were con-
cemed. And, as last resource, the dry ones
sought the houses Of their intimate friends for
private bottle somewhere about the prcmisel
aud, "you bet" the call was heightened out as
far as possible when discovered.
The experience OF yesterday has certainly had
some good effect, and clearly demonstrates that
the law can he easily carried out, as on next
sunday the customers will have nrpnarpd them
selves for their drinks at home.