Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-16

spelling match which took place at the JEFF
ferson building, in the fourth district, last
Friday afternoon. The medals awarded to
the third and fourth grades secondary were
both gained by the school of Miss Martha
Barnes, located in the Potomac building
the second year she has won this honor.
The Insane AsyIu IN Investigation.
THE TESTIMONY TO DAY.
The Committee on the Expenditures of the
Interior department resumed their in yesti-
CATION OF the affairs of the U. s. Insane Asy-
lum this morning, hearing more witnesses
IN defense of the management
Lei III. BdJToic, the tailor OF the asylum,
was recalled, and testified that he did not
Know Of any abuse towards the patient Van
DIR. Chase, assistant physician at the asy-
1um, was recalled, and testified. that he
usually saw Van Kewan twice a day. He
was epiIeptic and properly cared for. Syca-
more ward In which he was kept, was occu-
pied by quiet patients. Only used two kinds
of restraint. the Kanisole or straight jacket
and the leather wristlets, which are attached
10 leather belt worn about the waist, and
which allows more freedom of movement
than the Kamisole. Beech ward is also oceu-
pied by q mild class OF patients. Did not
know of the attendant Owens stri king Van
Kewan over the head with a key. Never
heard OF IL until couple Of days ago, when
the fact was brought out before this COM
mittee.
II. II. Bristo,o, Secretary of the Treasury,
testified that he went 10 California In the
summer Of 1872. 1t was after the fire In
Chicago. Mrs. Bristow, Captain Shirley,
wife and son, and Judge Ballard and his
wife made up the party. Do not remember
Mrs. Van Kewsp and know that she was not
one OF the party. Have nodoubt that she was
on the same train, but was sure she was not
one OF the party, and had no recollection Of
knowing her.
Dr. Chase was recalled, and testified that
there was no change in Van kewan's condi
lion while at the asylum. He was kept
comfortable and tidy. Would not haVs
allowed any one to abuse him. When Wit
Sycamore ward. He had previously been in
Beech. To obl1ge his mother he was put In
Poplar ward. Did not know that there was
any vermin on him. Did not have charge of
him, but bad frequent conversations with
him. he was addicted to the excessive use
of tobacco He was weak-minded and child
1sh. BE was furnished with tobacco by the
asylum. Van Kewan was almost always in
hospital clothing, and from that fact Judge
that his mother did not send him clothing.
There are two instances where attendants
have been discharged for appropriating the
clothes Of patients. Do not remember any
other instances OF this kind. Have but little
knowledge OF Van Kewan's clothing, as he
? was under DIR. Knowles care.
Dr.. C. III. Nichols was recalled, aud gave a
history OF the Van kewan case. He had no
recollection of his admission TO the asylum.
Supposed he was about Ia years OF age at
that time. Have no recollection that Mrs.
Van Kewan said that she did not think her
kOn was insane. He was unquestiOnabiy in
sane. Promised his mother that he (witness)
would do all he could for him. Never saw
Mrs. Van kewan for several years after
wards
DIR. Nichols evidence was corroborative OF
that Of Drs. MOrrell and Chase and several
others, and was in substance that he knew
of no neglect or abuse, and was morally GER
tain that none took place. He received a
communication from the Surgeon General
OH % Inc Navy IN ho augmst, ls.S, to whom Mrs.
meDt Of her son at the insane asylum. He
replied TO The same, answering Mrs. Van
After DR. N1cbols concluded reading the
letter, In which he admitted that there were
yeTmin on the patient, the committee adj
tourned until to morrow morning.
BIDS WE'RE OPENED to-day by Chief En-
Rineer Hoxie, in presence OF the District
Commissioners, Water Registrar Lubey and
about isi lineai feet or sea wall on the James
Creek canal, and for replacing the present
iron bridge over said canal AT n street south
west, as Per advertisement. The following
X. A. Murphy a Color cut stone ma
sorry, so per cubic yard; rubole stone ma
sonry, 81 0do. concrete or hydraulic cement,
s450 do; excavation. dry, 25 cents, do; same
below water surface, 20 cents; new bridge,
complete Howe Truss, %, 500; or in lieu OF the
above prices, the sum OF $50 $40, from which
To be deducted Il 900 for old material on the
ground.
Sis5); % cents. "a cents; sI.42s, or sI4625.JO;
from which deduct s1,07i 50 for old material.
j. q. Staford-s23, SIPS per perch; ~ 90 per
perch: . cents, 80 cents; S4,739, or slS 1871
from which deduct 500 for old material.
Cavan Codwise-(Coping 50 IS per iineal
footli $50; SIP; $50; 40 cents; IS cents;
5000; from which deduct Al 900 for Odd ma
teTial.
Thomas Joyce. coping. per cubic yard
500 $50, 80, -. . cents, IS cents; II 800, or
s1s 80, from which deduct $500 for old ma
ferial.
The bids of John Lyons and Jonathan Tay-
Tor were informal.
IL hav
A WARNING TO SToREKEEPERs.-The
custom OF depositing sweepings and other
Iefurse matter OF stores and shops In the
streets was the subject OF a letter that
Chief Engineer Hoxie wrote q few days
since, calling the attention OF the chief Of
police 10 the matter, with the request that
he direct his officers 70 enfore the law on all
snenders. This morning was the nrst OF q
series Of cases coming before the Police
store keeper on 9TH street, was arraigned
on the charge Of placing store sweepings on
zth street Superintendent Q. w. Cunning.
nam gave testimony, In which he stated
Lnat me streets are swept at heavy expense,
md as soon as the sweeps 60 over them the
c sP es some AND
Two warrants have been issued against store
keepers and others. The court imposed q
hne IN me above case OF s3.
csERfous, PERHAPS FATAL, FALL AT THE
SAfiLoL-A page employed in the Senate,
street. while sliding down the marble pan
Ister OF the south stairway To day fall
stnking the marble terrace about ten feet
Selow, and thence rolling OF fell down the
1rst night Of the stairway leading 10 the
SsnsE restaurant. He was picked up by
ELL. w :Dempster, keeper OF the restaurant,
Nno carried MIN 70 the Sergean Z at-Arms'
room, where he was aftended ~ rs
q. NJ. Ford. The examination disclosed
severe fracture of the skull and
other injuries OF a serious nature. Ua ,gas
taken 10 his home unconscious This shonid
be warning To the boys At the CapItol xho
made 10 practice 10 slide on The banisters
daily.
CANARIEs-Mr. Bowling announces that