National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-09
TIE CONIRACTORS.
MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION LAST
NIGHT.

MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION LAST
NIGHT.
Last night the regular meeting of the Contrac-
tors Association was held at Territorial hall,
with a large attendance; the vice president, Mr.
Edw. Barnes, in the chair. and Henry Himber,
secretary. The committee on constitution and
bylaws was given further time to report. Mr.
Maurice Murphy was proposed and elected new
member.
Mr.. Finley inquired whether any additional
statement Of the accounts due them by the gov
eminent had been made by the contractors.
The secretary replied in the negative.
Mr.. Finley then urged the importance Of con-
tractors attending to this matter at once, in order
that the committee having charge Of pending ne
gotiations might proceed intelligently. He was
certain that in many instances the board Of audit
had passed upon their accounts, and he could see
necessity for paying ~ per cent. per month in
Washington when they could do so much better
elsewhere.
Mr. Lucas said he had addressed letter to the
Commissioners, calling attention to the fact that
the comptroller was now about TO pay the Ia
borers Of certain contractors who had failed to
pay them, and deduct the amount from the
accounts Of said contractors. This, he claimed,
was manifestly unjust, as there were some con-
tractors who had sacrificed their securities in
order to pay their labUrers. Some Of the men
whose laborers were now to be paid in cash had
Te1nsd rstas nS On or c beid 66c rs al
the men for the purpose Of securing the benefits
Of the order Of Congress. He thought it only fair
that some additional compensation should be
allowed him, or he should be paid in money, as
his contract called for. He knew some men Who
were getting 90 per foot for sewer which he
could do for IS cash.
Mr.. Himber said he had refused to sign the
paper because he knew the Commissioners were
poWerless in the matter. Congress had given
them strict instructions, and they could do moth
ing but obey them. All the contractors could do
was to appeal to Congress, and there was poor
prospect Of success from that body who had re-
fused to notice the message Of the President on
the subject Of increase Of the rate of interest
A general discussion on the subject followed,
and was conceded that for the present no action
should be taken on the subject.
On motion Of Mr.. Himber, the directors were
instructed to procure suitable permanent quar-
tiers, after which the meeting adjourned.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD.
On last Tuesday evening the Evangelical
Lutheran Synod Of Maryland convened at Mar
tinsburg, West Virginia, and a very able sermon
was preached by the president, Rev. D. Steak, D.
D., from the text Mark, ix:3s-4O.
The synod embraces seventy-three ministers
and fifteen thousand COMMITMENTS 1t has five
English and i've German churches in Baltimore.
The Lutheran is the largest denomination in
Frederick, HagerstoWn and other leading towns
m Western MARYLAND m Is the leading pro
testant denomination in Carroll, Frederick,
Washington and Allegany counties. This synod
in the District Of Columbia
The organization for business was effected
Wednesday morning. Rev. DR.. Steak read his
annual report. Five ministers were honorably
dismissed during the year to other synods haV-
ing removed into their bounds, viz: Rev. DR.. Sto-
bell, Rev. Messrs. Aleman, Sickle, Belmer and
Heydenreich. Five having taken charge Of Mary
land churches, were received from other synods.
One member, Rev. WV. Bowers, of North Caro-
lima, died during the year. Four new churches
were cOnsecrateG-St. Paurs Of Baltimore, Rev.
J. A. ClutZ, pastor; the Memorial, at Washing
ton, Rev. Or. J. g. Butler, pastor; the church at
Myersvtlle, Rev. J. Kerr, pastor, and the church
Of Knoxville, Rev. W. L. Mann, pastor. The
synod sustains two missions, one at Harper's
Ferry and the other at Grafton, W. Va. The
following officers were elected for the present
year: President, Rev. George Dlehl, ID. D.; Eng
lish secretary, Prof. p. NJ. Bfkle; German secre-
tary, T. P. Hennighausen; treasurer, T. NJ.
Bushey,