National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-06-24
LEGISLATIVE FURNITURE.
THE STORY OF THE WHOLESALE
. ROBBERY A MYTH.

THE FACTS IN THE CASE, AS STATED BY
SPEAKER sHEPHERD-THE RESULTS OF A
PRACTICAL JOKE AND A LITTLE WINE
THE FURNITURE RETURNED AND THE
NATTER SETTLED.
On Monday, after the adjournment Of the House
OF Delegates sine die, number Of the friends OF
the members were seated discussing the future
prospects Of the District, when some one suddenly
asked what was to be done with the effects in the
hall Naturally enough, all present expressed
their wish for certain articles, and, by way Of 9
joke, an order was written by one, to which the
Speakers name was forged, for the clock. Later
In the day, after the demise of the old and the
birth Of the new government had been duly cele-
DRAFTED with innumerable bottles of vino, the sub
1ect was again revived, and, feeling particularly
good certain Of the parties went to the hail. and,
by way OF practical joke, took therefrom certain
articles, which formed the basis for the report in
Yesterday morning, after hearing Of the occur
renee, Governor Shepherd sent q note to Major
thea s5 asking him to take charge and sse
street was placed in charge OF the building, and
Detective Sargent assigned the duty Of finding
the missing Rrttcles-a not exceedingly onerOus
task. The furniture has sn been returned, and,
with the exception of one or two minor articles,
the hall is IN the same condition as it was at the
The following statement Of Speaker Shepherd
explains the whole matter.
SPEAKER SHEPHERDS STATEMENT.
The statements published in the Star Of last
from the hall of the late House OF Delegates is
very largely embellished and the facts given
greatly magnifed. In order that proper show
, ing might be given to the truth Of the matter, q
representative Of THE REPUBLICAN has been fur
nished by Speaker Shepherd with the following
facts: The Speaker states that Just AFTER me ao-
loving reporter Of The REPUBLICAN, with Mr..
A. Gleason, jokingly asked permission to carry
commissioners took their seats II (the clock) could
be returned. The Speaker declined, and thinking
the request Of the same character as the many
by the 'wiping out" Of the Legislative Assembly,
paid no further attention to it.
In company with nearly every member Of the
House of Delegates he proceeded to the Gov
ernor's office to pay that official parting visit,
taxing the precaution, however, to instruct the
70 remove their personal effects from the hall, but
nothing else was to be carried of without his
written order or an order in person. Beverly
seemed to understand these Instructions and the
Speaker left the hall. as above stated in company
with the members Of the House. He did not re-
turn to the hall again during Monday. Late IN
the afternoon, in response to q request Of Nh.
William Hussey, q well known citizen Of the Fiji
teenth district and upon his written agreement
Speaker granted him the loan of twelve chairs to
be used at q private meeting In the Fifteenth
district, for which action he had precedent in
House
Shortly after this action the messenger Of the
House. Mr.. WoolfOrd, waited upon Speaker Shep
herd and informed him of the fact that Mr. Glea-
son had presented to Beverly an order purporting
TO be from him authorizing the loan Of the clock.
The Speaker at once pronounced the order q for
gerry. and immediately sought Gleason and noti-
fed him to at once return the clock. To this
Gleason replied that he would, saying that It was
taken as a Joke, and he regretted exceedingly
that it had given offence.
Yesterday morning the Speaker visited the
hail, and was surprised when told that the Gov
arnOr had authorized the nOlicR take charoa
as under the law he is the custodian of the prop
erty until delivered to the successors of the pres
ent District government. Finding that the clock
had not been returned he DISPATCHED the Ser
geant-at-Arms, Mr.. Breen, for it. and while that |
oficer was performing that duty the articles from
Mr.. Hussey were returned.
Mr.. Perkins, one of the members of the House. |
- had taken his desk away, leaving a note |
informing .ne spsaEe, iA''' is tse hall
while the Speaker was ih the focln, n.y.. vac nAii
e how just as it has been for three ysars' Tne r
been carried of is untrue in every particular, The
mirrors spoken of as having been taken from the |
wash-room. and which IL lie alleged cost go. was |
broken by the sweeps, and cost originally 90. The
old brushes that were around the Wristbands |
were thrown out by the Janitor, with other refuse
matter.
The Speaker was not cognizant of Mr.. Trfmble's
alleged action and does not know the truth OF the
statement. That gentleman is reputable citi-
zen, and is responsible for anything he may have
done. dr. Urell is positive in his denial, and that
the articles charged as having been taken by
Trim BILE are all In the hall at the present writing
The Speakers chair never having been removed
from the hall would seem to Indicate that the Star
was wrongly informed as to some Of the facts
stated in its publication. Speaker Shepherd holds
possession Of the hall, and proposes to turn over
to the new government as soon as organized all
the property left in his charge by the House Of
Delegates. I