The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1877-01-04
Special Correspondence

almost a panic at Ge National Theatre.
HohHqy OJservances. .Hr. Hevias at
tuck on the Neic York P0d ORre Proc-
tor Knot and the ieiegrnyh. CopJrc's,
he Presidency and Appropriation bills.
Gambling heiis.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 90, 1876.
The National performances OF tbs
Two Orphans at tho National
Theater on Christmas afternoon,
and in which Miss Katie Claxton up
peared in the same rolo rs ut the
Brooklyn Theatre on the memorable
occasion which has passed into his.
tory as ono Of the most appalling
events OF the century outside OF the
rayages Of war, famine and pesti-
lence, furnished decided sensation
The theater was comfortably filed
and the play had advanced into the
fourth act when the audience was
electrified by the cry OF fire. An in
stantaneous stampede was threatened
but before anything more serious
than the fainting OF u score OF VOC
men, more on less. had occurred. the
false character of the alarm became
evident and the moro cool and self
possessed Of the audience. were able
to reassure and control the throng
OF half mad adults aud children, all
crowding for the entrance with q
desperation Of purpose rendered
truly terrific by tho miseries of the
late tragedy in Brooklyn. It ap-
pears that the alarm came from m
effort TO eype'l n drunken disturbei
in the gallery. 1t was narrow es-
cape for many there from being
crushed 10 death, and will probably
add to the number who have vowed
to never enter theater again. e.
tensiye preparations for the obser
vance OF the Christmas holidays was
made hero. tho shops aud stores
having boon crowded for woel;
past by thousands. who, notwith
standing. the lowering aspects ol
the political skies and The stringency
OF the times, appeared IN p Y
supplied with filthy lucre aud spent II Law
ishly. The cold weather which has pro,
vailed here for tho past two weeks nluos,
luninicrrnpiedly. =. coating our street. and ay.
cnnes with snow ani ice. has given an un.
usual impetus to nl the arrangements for
their appropriate celebration nnl enjoy.
mfnt. The morning Of the 2jth was ush
cred in by the spirited strains OF thsiool
horn Ia the hands Of Young Amcricn. Wh,
las lived in the street FOR week on his
skates. Sleighs were IN active dcman
during the day and evening n, any price
and the display on the icy streets would
have done no disrredit TO n New England
town. Sample rooms. hotel bars mud the
vile groggcries where the cheapest form OF
liquid madness anl death are hahiiunll
dispensed to hundreds OF infatuated vic-
tins. all did q thriving business which
was supplemented at later hour Of the day
aud evening by The active interference O.
the police force in egcor,ing the revcler,
TO their homes or TO the seclusioa Ola hos.
piible Ststion house. Many Of our !cgis-
lators remsinel in town iLe Congressional
recess allowing only those residing near,
est To Washington 10 yisit theit homes.
Fewer breaches VI the peace than usual
are reported.
One Of tho most notable events ortbc
past week in Congress ,hu urruu : -
menfef the New York Post Office by Mr..
| Hewitt who charged, or rather irsinunicl
that his letters had hccu tampered with
there. This drew forth an indignant de-
nial from Mr. James. Postmaster anil u de,
msndfor an investigation, Ne llcw.tt dill
not make a very creiitable display ofhim-
self. on the next day. when hc attempted
to disrourage tho proposed invcsti cation
and reluctantly ADMITTED, sppsrea:ly, that
he has no foundation for tie impression
sought to he made other than an uuory-
mous letter, which he sail De had destroy
ed, and tho wrinalei appearance Of s9n-
of the envelopes. which lie has saved. In
his humility he was somewhat profusc in
his expression Of high regard 70. Mr..
James. iIis friends have since volunteer.
cd many efforts to eXtricate him FROM bis
unhappy position. but without any mark.
ed influence in that direction.
! According to the precedent established
at the Instance OF Proctor Knott. my Con.
sressional committee can enforce their
demands against a telegraph company, foi
the production Of any kilograms in IL,
possession. without specifying even. 10
Congress, what it hopes or expects to cs-
ltabl'sh by such papers, or without show,
ing their connection or relevancy to the
matter uniey negotiation, This action ho.
awakened wide spread fc.liuE that we
are rapidly drifting hack to the practice
" Democratic administrations when III,
whole power o! the gpyernment was eN-
cricd ia the ie.eusc Of petty officials VII,
riiied mail bags on the mere suspicion thu
ihey might contain matter offensive 10 "a,
Southern clave hold. Congress makes yery
slow progress in matters OF general lcgis
lation, about all tue time being consumed
in the discussion OF matters pertaining
more or less directly to the disputed Pres
idential succession. Mr.. Holman, ha
stated, however, that he hopes to rcpor
the bulk Of the appropriation bills olrly
NEXT month. The National RfyajAcaH
after d!smounlins Fernando WOOD, ha.
/. united with the chnrches, the !. NJ G
Association anI public scatimcat, in de,
termined attack on thc r7mbling bells
which disgrace the National CAPITOL bl
their presence. ani TO such purpose as I,
have temporariiS. at least, closed tAcm up
May Iae efforts be crowned with success.
REps.