davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-04
LIFE In WASHINGTON.
SKETCHES ABOUT THE CITY BY THE
REPUBLICAN'S REPORTERS.
That Lincoln III all Pledge.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 1871.
To the Editor Of the National Republican:
lam sure that not only the Christian public, but
all good citizens will unite in doing all they to
close the gambling houses in this city. but am
xorry for one that in connection with this effort
the clergy and prominent church members are en-
deayoring TO stop card playing, for l observe in
YOUR paper that at Lincoln Hall, Sunday afternoon,
at the mass meeting, the following pledge was
taken by many: 81 hereby pledge myself, in the
presence OF God and this people, that will not
gamble or permit card-playing in my house, or any
place u1Gcr nay controL.' i have italicized the
last clause. Now, for one, 1 protest against put
ting cardplaying in the category OF gambling, and
there were many good people at the meeting VINO
think as do upon the question think 1t is ask
ing great deaf of the proprietor OF 4 boarding
house or hotel keeper that he should stop game
of euchre between two gentlemen in one of the
rooms OF the house, or social game ot waisl; l
ke game Of Whist tbt
IKE Ihem AL do not ritI understand T5rs tina,
by am Pla ITS Them, and il any one Of
he Clergy or Christian gentlemen who
GOT M hat pledge think differently should like
10 have them say should like to know who they
@fmy friends were inyegIed into taking thi pledge.
u.s. the I'd irvegled, for 1t IS nearer that than
aud while under temporary ex element took this
pledge, which they would have repudtated in their
lime was hardly fair just to the audience for
those who kept their seats and would not take the
gambling. have Just heard OF one who has broken
The pledge taken at Lincoln hall, and there will be
an innocent amusement, and so far from being In
furious to society, to my mind 1t Is the contrary.
thing else is TO make hons happy and pleasant; la
word the most attractive place that can be found,
mon or checkers. let us have them ali. tGinS that
pIeC &c at Lincoln hall might well be called "a
PRENTIsS.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-04

Very interesting ceremonies were performed
at the Masonic Temple last evening, the occasion
being the annual installation of officers of b. b.
French Lodge, No, l5 NJ. W. Grand Master E.
q. Davis presided, and installed IN due form the
following officers for the year 1877: VIM. II.
Earle, W. NJ; VIM. A. Galley, S. W; S. B.
Evans, J. W: S. ]. W. Taber, treasurer; E. A.
McIntire, secretary: Frederick Mack, S. D.; G..
F. johnson, J. D.; Brother Myron Boardman, s.
S. Brother Chas. H. Poole, J. s., and L. StOd-
dard, Tiler. After the speech es and congratula-
tiOns usual upon such occasions, a very pleasant
episode occurred in the presentation TO Brother
J. X. Garrison, the retiring w. NJ, with beau
tful and costly Past Masters Jewel. Brother
J. +. Douglas made the presentation address,
alludng particularly to the long and successful
services Of Brother g., and to the esteem in
which he was held by the whole Masonic frater-
nifty. The presentation took Brother Garrison
entirely bv surprise, but his remarks were we'll
timed and elOquently delivered, and were highly
appreciated by the members, as was exhibited by
the very long applause. b. Il. French Lodge has
been for many years the largest and wealthiest
lodge in this CITY.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-04
CITY BREyITIES.

The employees of Mr.. Allison Nailor, jr
liveryman, testified their respect for him by pre-
ven, on New Years day, SIS pair of sealskir
gauntlets.
Among the patents issued for the past week
were the following TO residents of this District
wagons; Adolf Hundawadel, improvement in me
ehanical movements.
There is gentleman in town who claims
to possess the power of mental telegraphy. and
there a medium upon whom his mental powers
have acted successfully.
The trustees for the poor of the county have
organized with l.. 5. Emery as president and 5.
Of L. S. Emery, ]. II. McChesney S. G. Brown,
o. s. b. Wall, J. II. Voorhees,, and DIR. &. G..
applications for aid are overwhelming.
Mr.. Edward Burns, one of the best knnwp
OF our French fellow citizens. in coming. abou :
ten o'clock on Tuesday evening, from meetin z
o. the French Benevolent Society, of which he is
the vice president, fell on Pennsylvania avenue
between Eleventh and Twelfth streets and
broke both bones Of his leg. that he was IN
able to rise without assists nee. DIR. Alfred
Points, Of the faculty of medicine of Paris han
pening fortunately to be near at hand was
called upon and set the limb.
The Knights of Pythias Mutual Relief Ass1
s0ciatOn-bas chosen the following officers for the
ensuing year: G.. J. L. FOxwell, president: Thomas
Summerscales, vice president: J. T. COldwelI
secretary: John NJ. Hinkle treasurer Directors-
q. Y. HanseII, N. II. Stevens g. ]. Brewer A. E
L.Keese, Robert Harden. Fred. LemkuhI, Johp
II. SchOmbert, J. T. MOling. W. f. Humphrey
B. +. TitlOw, J. p. Smith, J. T.. Mitchell ioseph
Williams, and F. A. Beckert. The reports of the
secretary and treasurer shovel the association to
be in a prosperous condition.
81 have about give up getting a divorce
from him Such was the remark inadvertently
overheard by REPUBLICAN reporter as he was
passing the corner of Fifth and r streets yester
day. me Womanly pathOs caused him TO stop
and eaten the rest of Of the sentence which was:
ale sCys II would ruin him and uni
man TO whom II was addressed made an fnandi.
bic reply to which she responded "Oh! he is so
good, so kind, SO noble, when not under the in
essay to be written; plain facts are reported
The reporter meandered on. thinking: "Wish
that husband had sworn off New Years Day
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-04
Unitarian Church Entertainment.

A dramatic musical and literary entertainment
will be given tomorrow evening, at Wllard's
hall for the benefit of the new Unitarian church.
The following programme will be presented: No-
cal duet, by Miss Mygatt and Mr.. Keene; read
ing, by Mr.. Tweedale; singing, by Miss Swallow;
recitation, by Miss Annie w. Story; piano solo,
by Prof Bischotf; and a comic drama, in two acts,
entitled Down by the Sea-" with the following
cast: Abncr Raymond, Ia merchaut) Mr.. W. O.
Murdoch; Capt. pdRdelion, "a city fOwer,) Mr..
Howard Nyman; John Gale, "a fisherman,) Mr.. J.
r. Gfsburne: September and March Gale, Messrs.
II. h Willard and F. u. Winslow who are stu
dents at Yale College, but at present spending
the holiday vacation with their relatives in
Washington: Jean CrGpGud, "a French peddler, }
MI Thad. X. Sailer: Kate Raymond, Ia city
BELIEF Miss Hattie McCOnness; Mrs. Gale. Mrs.
&. &. Adams, and Kitty Gale by charming
young lady of considerable talent, who makes
her first appearance in public on this occasion:
The performance is given under the auspices OF
the Unitarian Society, which includes many of
our most respected citizens The names on the
programme are sufficient guarantee of the ex-
cellenee of the entertainment. The congrega-
tion is striving to make the entertainment one of
social Importance gathering of distinguished
people of the capital. At the annual conference
OF the Unitarian Association, held at Saratoga
last summer, a generous offer of assistance was
made toward the erection CT a new church edifce
here. which is much needed. Nearly the entire
amount necessary has been subscribed, and this
entertainment is one of number projected by
the society to complete the fund required for the
successful prosecution of the enterprise.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-04
Origin of the Dollar Mark.

An exchange says: The origin of the sign for
dollars is follows The Spanish word for dollar
is 'geso" in the plural, ''pesos." In old Spanish
accounts the word is written in full and placed be-
fore the numerals. Then we find it abbreviated
into P.tS. Then we fni the small ''p' used, the
letter ''s'' placed on the lower part of the "p.'
Next that the curved part Of the ''p' is omitted,
which gives the present dollar sign, Z. The use
of two long strokes In the sign is a modern prac-
tce. Thus the sign is equivalent for the word
pesos"
The Philadelphia Press thus speculates on the
subject: There is no small difficulty In asc-r-
tanning the origin of the dollar mark. The Cy-
cIopeiiG of Commerce says that, as the Spanish
dollars once circulated here were called pieces
of s. consisting of eight reals stamped on the
coin = 3 RI The two vertical lines were run
through the figure in this manner, 4, to distiu-
guish IT from the mere mineral. l. CORE
spOndent reminds tine same mark is used
on the ml-reis of Portugal or Brazil, where
there are no dollars nor piece of eight-thus
a mil-rei is indicated Il CO., Speaking of
the Spanish dollar. the Nev american ERcyclo-
pGdfa says. The bestknown variety was the pill
Iar-dollar, so called from the two pillars on the
reverse representing the Pillars of Hercules. the
ancient name OF the opposite promOntories OF the
straits OF Gibraltar. The rude imitation of these
rude pillars In writing, connecting them by
scroll, is said to have been the origin of the dol
lar-mark, a. now universally familiar The
same authority adds, however, that the dcriva-
ton of the mark from the Spanish dollars being
called pieces Of Eight Is a more plausible ex-
PLANTATION"
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-04
ABOLIsHING THE PRESIDENCY.

Further Discussion on the Subject-A CouR-
ell of Seven PropOsed-The Meeting at
Clarke's Hall.
The parties interested in abolishing the Presi-
dency and others met at Clarke's hall last night
to further consider the subject. Col. L. Bingham
presided.
The following resolution, adopted at the meet
ing a week ago, was the subject Of debate last
night
Resolred, That a commit of seven be appointed
to before the Committees of the Judiciary
dom and necessity Of Substituting amendments to
the Constitution abolishing the Presidency as the
fli and patriotic way out of the present crisis or
disputed Presidential eleGtlon-pernaps to avert
Improvement in the future in averting the numer-
S Of fe sn
Government.
MIR. A. Watson opened: the discussion, and
stated that Lincoln's election was the cause of
the late civil war. He referred to Switzerland,
one of the oldest republics on the earth, which
had no president, but council of seven. He sug-
gested such a council for this country The
President and his officers were not responsible to
Congress. After SO much talk about war he
abOu The matter Of The
Mr.. Hillman said he was opposed to the meet
ings If the discussion was to take the direction
that it had taken. He contended that the move
ment was not irresponsible, and that the state
ment that Lincolns election caused the war was
unfounded.
Carl Roeser, of the Tolks Tribun, read from
pamphlet issued by himself in 1866 in relation to
The conflict between the President and Congress
regarding Cabinet appointments.
Mr.. J. b. Wolfe did not think our troubles arose
from the manner of the organization of The Gov
eminent or executive usurpation, but from the
INNATE CORRUPTION OF THE PEOPLE.
There was no craftsmanship to-day. The whole
body polite was rotten to the core.
Col. Bingham said that he understood and be.
lieved that clerks and heads of departments were
afraid to attend the meeting aud express their
opinions. The office of President with its powers
and appointments was the cause of all the vice
and corruption in political life. He favored the
passage Of the resolution.
Mr.. A. Watson again spoke and argued in ia
vor of n council Of seven as the executive branch
of the Government. He grew quite facetious as
be proceeded. Seven men couldn't get drunk all
at one time, he said; seven men would not all be
likely to have the dyspepsia or bunions, or any
thing else that might affect their efficiency.
Mr.. Wolfe urged that the safety of the country
did not depend upon the number Of executive off,
GERS, whether they had bunions on their toes or
not He respected the movement, and declared
that unless there was
RADICAL CHANGE
in our thesis of society and government, no change
in the form of Government could save the cOun-
try from inevitable disintegratlon and a re-enact-
ment of the scenes in old Mexico.
Virginian was the last speaker, and thought
gress the North and West would have the advan-
tage Of the poor, oppressed South, since those
sections had such preponderance of the weight
in Congress.
The meeting was then adjourned for another
week.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-04
MARKETS ELSEWHERE.


NEW YORK, Jan. 3.-CottOn steady: sales OF $50
bales at 12as@I2 1916. Consolidated net receiots.
S. $50 bales. EXports-Great Britain, A. 0o3 bales;
France 6,s59 bales; Continent, 5,Sl9 bales; Chan
mel, 4, sO6 bales.
Flour a shade frmer, with rather more business
reported for export and home use: No ~ @5 o.:
so psGod Extra Western ad ard State s eood
to choice do. s. 9O@ss 10; comwOn to choice white
s?s: e9% ter estF @
mon TO choice extra st. Louis, 8 %95I5: South
s5P a9G5 soaa to- ehGee doc Rye
STEADY; q S@5 IS for superfne; Gornmeal steady
SRSTt %1f @ g: 81 Ss
!, S for No 5 Mi!waHkee; d g for No : ChietSo:
Ry aet and Gofh
changed, Oats UNCHANGED, with little better de-
for csrgoes ls@s3c. gold, for job lots. Sugar dull
fma ii No
lasses quiet and unchanged Ri"e quiet and steady.
&c. Taliow steady at sac: Resin steady at q %
@2eO for straned: Turpentine heavy at E@E5c
Eus5os and Rio GTande light; middle and heavy
e aufea a9d e ee
sc; pulled, Ease; unwashed, l?@2sc; Texas, IS9
fnse ea unc faa WSsRy
ETsghts to aHerpG9sl que cotton per SAIL SEQ
BALTIMORE, Jan. 3.-Cotton frmer and higher;
v.
Flour firm, quiet and unchanged. Wheat irmer
higher and quiet; No. Western winter red, u go
81 a: No: Chicago spring, g. 35@s 80; Pennsylvi-
q 45@l 81 do. AMBER 81 S.: do. white 81 4o9l 60.
Corn-Southern quiet and firm. Western fairly ac-
tive and firm: new Southern white. 55956c; do vel
low, a@5Sc: Western mixed, old and spot. Ass@
5sAc: new, spot, 5S1t95sAsc; January, aSS@SsAc:
February, 59Iic; Oats steady; Southern prime, go
&C: Western white, 36@33c: do mixed, SS935c Rye
nominally UNCHANGED at 76@74c. Cloyerseed steady
at H1.6el5c. Hay dull and unchanged. Provisions
firm and quiet. Pork, sl7 5o@5 IS. Bulkmeats-
packed shoulders, 7c clear rib sides, 94c- Bacon
shoulders, nc; clear rib sides, 90. Hams, HlS9
I54E., Lard, refined, ulEc, Butter quiet and easy;
@27c. Petroleum nOminaly unchanged. Coffee
strong and advancing; Rio: l7a492lEc for cargoes:
E@:2lgc for job lots. Whisky dull; small sales at
Interpretations. 3. 100 barrels: wheat 200 bush
els: corn 81, so bushels. Shipments-Corn, Is, 90
bushels.
BALTIMORE CATTLE NARMET.
BALTIMORE, Jan. 3.-The market for cattle
during tie past week has been quiet, and prices
shade lower; very best, h4GD6b4c first quality A
dElic: medium good, fair quality, 3a9ib4 or
binary thin steers, oxen and cows. 39314c. Re-
cCpts, 10: sales. /. 1876. Hogs have been firm and
prices are higher; range. s9s4c. Receipts, 5,2i9.
sheep have been scarce and firm; range, A9jl4c.
Receipts, Sg6,
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-04

Moon rises, eve Io:is He Sht of rise. n. s. in.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AND GEoRGETOWN,
JANUARY 4, 1877.
This port is completely Fblockaded by the ice,
which is twelve 10 thirteen inches thick.
MEMORANDA.
Scbr Alice Hodges, Skinner, from Brunswick, Ga. )
schr Lucy whea'ley, Loilis, from Bay view; schr
Lille Falkenburg, Falkenburg, from New York;
schr W. S. Fsrwell, Lord. from Rockand; schr
Aimon Bird, Drinkwater, from Apponaug: schr
Elm. NJ Wright. Freeman, from Boston, arrived
WRECK OF TWO BALTIMoRE.vEssELs.
PRovINCETowN, MASS, Jan. 2.-The schooner
Walter Irving. from Baltimore for Thomaston, with
a cargo of corn, is ashore near High Head. The
schooner Massachusetts, with Cage OF corn. from
Both vessels are total wrecks. The crews were
saved with The sxesRtSn on SeergS Who
STEAMER SUNK AND LIVES LOST.
KEY WEST, Jan. 2.-The steamship Emile sank
last night in six fathoms of water. Only one man
and an infant are known to be lost, but a boat
of ss here hsTs
out in search of the missing passengers. The mails
were lost.
ICE cLocKApE.AT BALTIMORE.
BALTIMORE, Jan. 1.-The ice and snow in the
harbor Yesterday were SO thick that the OYSTER
boats which were ready to leave were kept at
anchor. The steamer Wi liam Crane, Captain
Howe, came up yesterday mornings, and the Sea
port that in the Forming there was heavy drifting
ice between Cove and sandy Points, and that the
in thicRntss. Tie fleet Of pungies which started
down the river Monday met floating fee at Seven
9t
had the leading tow was caught by the Ice and car
sunk The East
Norfolk. is also ashore off sandy Point and the Ice
boat Marylsnd, after breaking a track through the
ice, prCceC ded to her assistance.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-04
Death of Wilson f. Brown.

Mr.. Wilson Z. Brown died at his residence on
N street, between Eleventh and Twelfth streets.
at an early hour yesterday. Mr.. Brown was a ma.
tive of Howard county, Maryland, and came to
this city when a young man and learned the car
pentcrs' trade. He worked a few years as jour.
neyman. hut soon entered business for himself as
a carpenter and builder. Mr.. Brown was &C
tive, energetic business man Of strict integrity
and served as the representative of the Thi I'd
ward in the common council for two or three years
He was a stakeholder and director OF the Citizens
National Bank. and for several years was the
president of the Brickmakers' Union of the Dis
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-04

During the series of Union prayer meetings,
recently held by the Methodist churches in Wash
ingtOn, an eloquent divine of the NJ. E. Church
(SOutE) preached one evening by invitation. The
sermon was excellent, and the opening hymn
selected was given out by the preacher was the
familiar one commencing
show pity. Lord: oh, Lord. forgive;
Let Il returning cd live
Those present appreciated the sentiments, COM
ing from such source. most heartily, and the
exchange of chances was good evidence that the
point was well taken.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-04

4 lady and gentleman of this city. both quite
young. met by chance at a table set to refresh
New Years callers. After freely partaking Of
the dainties they began 10 banter each other
about matrimony, and agreed to be married. The
time for celebrating the nuptials was at first
liked for to-day, the 4th instant. A minister hap
pened TO be present and it occurred to the par
ties that they might as well be married then and
there. The minister considered the proposition
Joke, hut the parties declared their earnest
emphaticaly that he was finally per-
suaded to perform the ceremony. The marriage
was contaminated, and the new bride asked for a
certificate, which was handed to her Tuesday
morning. She seemed for awhile to repent of her
hasty action. but soon frightened up. People
who sheer at New Years receptions. and hold
that they are of no earthly use will change their
n,inhs
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-04
Oldest Inhabitants.

Al the meeting of the Oldest Inhabitants,
Association the resignation of Mr.. John d.
Clarke, on political grounds, was received.
A resolution was offered by DR.. Blake, and
adopted, to the effect that the Association accept
the resignation of MT Clark but couldInot consent
10 pervert the character of the society to po-
litcal organization, and held it to be their duty
to pay all proper respect to the constituted
authorities Of the Government, irrespective OF
party.
MI Clark objected strongly year ago to hav-
ing the society pay its respects to the President of
The United States.
George b. Smith, deceased, were also adopted.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-04
Police Court.
Before Judge Smell.
Reaping the Fruits of Crime.

CHARLES &. FISHER SENT TO JAIL FOR ELEVEN
MONTHS.
The court room was only comfortably filled yes
terday, the snow without evidently lettering
many from vCnturing outside their homes unless
compelled to do so. The chilly atmosphere of the
room caused his Honor, jurymen, and others to
remain inside their overcoats during the entire
day, while many Of the spectators sat with their
hands showed down into their pockets searching
for a warm spot for their fingers.
About II o'clock Charles G.. Fisher, recently
convicted Of abstracting records from the clerks
office of the District, accompanied by his counsel
Gen Sol. Henkle, came into the courtroom.
The trial Of John Bowen was temporarily sus
pended, and District Attorney Wells moved that
SENTENCE BE PASSED uroN CHARLES q. FISHER.
His Honor asked for the statute covering the
case, which was passed up to him.
General Henke said that he had handed three
papers TO the Court which he hoped would be
considered. The first was signed by all the jury
n the trial, recommending the prisoner to the
clemency OF the court The second was signed by
many members of the bar and was of 81 nilar
asking for clemency. He further remarked that
all he had to say in the imposition Of the sentence
was that his Honor would take into consideration
the time of incarceration in the jail, which he be-
eved was seven or eight months, his youth, family
and the surroundings of the case.
His Honor asked Charles &. Fisher
IF HE HAD ANYTHING TO SAY.
Fisher replied that be only desired to thank his
Honor for the uniform courtesy shown him during
the trial. and hoped that he would take into con-
sideration all the circumstances surrounding the
case, and the undue manner in which the cOnvic-
ton had been procured. He asked the leniency
of the Court as far as possible.
Judge Macarthur said that from the position
he had occupied to the Court, and that in which
the father had stood, as we'll as the standing OF
the family. 1t made the case an'exceedingly sor-
rOwful one. 1t was a duty that must be per-
formed, however, no matter how painful to the
Court, the family of the prisoner or his relatives.
The present penalty consists of fine and i'm
prisOnment, or both. In view of all the circum-
stances by which the case was surrounded, he
would pronounce sentence an Imprisonment in
the common Jail. 1t would not be right to impose
fine upon him, for that would be punishment
upon his friends.
THE sentence is that you be confined in the
common Jail for eleven months. and at such hard
labor as they may flnd for you"
The marshal then took charge of the prisoner,
and they retired from the courtroom, and later
he was taken back to Jail.
petition for his pardon has been in circulation
for several days and will be presented to the At.
torney General at an early day.