Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-09-24
A siueuIar Scene I'm 6,ou.t

DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS FINED.
This morning in the Circuit Court, Judge
Humphreys. the case of Samuel Strong agt.
the District of Columbia, which was COM
menced in July and adjourned over, was
lor pialntln, and MessrS. Riddle and Miller for
defendant. While some parties were prepar-
ing bones Tor the approval OF the court, Judge
humphreys asked; Are you ready gentle
PLAINTIFF
MIR. Strong (rising).-"I am. your honor,
ready for the last three years (handins letter e
to his counsel, as also one to the counsel for
defendanD'
Judge Humphreys asked what the defend
MIR. Miller answered, 1--WE are not ready"
Ihe Court.-Glye us reason.
Mr.. Miler.-l hope your honor will indulge
After waiting a few minutes Mr.. Riddle
came in and consulted with Mr.. Miller, and
during this consultation it was whispered
statement of Mr. Strong that he was ready to
proceed his counsel were not ready. During
the interview MIR. Strong and his counsel en-
lecl; he doing most of the talking while Mr.
mind.
At II 25 o'clock the court said: Mr.. Riddle,
readiness to go on"
Mr.. Riddle.-I would like to know II the
p!alntlH c0unSeI IS ready.
MIR. TOtten.-PerSOnally am not ready.
MIR. Cook called attention to stipulation
Mr.: Riddle asked if the stipulation was in
court and Mr.. Totten sent after the original
Mr.. Strong produced copy of the paper,
stating that Gen. Butler had telegraphed MIN
TO go on with the case.
Mr.. Riddle read the stipulation. signed by
Judge insists on going on with the case that
they will regard his orders as null and void.
The Court.-Flle the paper. Mr.. Strong,
MIR. Strong explained that he had been led
to believe that this trial would amount to
nought; that whatever might be the result it
would be appealed and he would be kept out
of his money.
The Court-Well, Mr.. Clerk, read the names
(Mr. Camp did SOY and enter a fine of $50
each against Messrs. Riddle, Totten, Cook,
Cole, and 500 against Josiah Dent and W.
Twining.
Mr.. Miller said that his name was not on the
paper, for the reason that he was not in the
MIR: Riddle said Mr.. Miller was apologlzing
for his name not being ON the paper.
fo The een GogrtIEntera fine against Mr.. Miller
MIR. Totten asked leave to retire.
The Court.-Ihe plaintiff must give his con-
Mr. Strong.-if it suits him better he can
Sir. To e as 81 can retire land taking
his hat he walked out; some of the bystanderS
Id
Mr.. Rddle.-With permission of the court
we having been here as spectators only, will
retire (starting to walk ont with Mr.. Miller.)
The Court.-Ihe Court cannot grant you
Mr Riddle.-Then, we will have to 60 with
seat, and he did SO, when the court remarked
that he thought the court had been treated
with contempt.
Mr. Riddle said that he had done what he
n a HrlfV 40 t1nro af,I
he did not recognize the right of the court to
compel him 10 remain when he did not con-
slider that he bad any right to remain. He had
endeayored to perform his duty. and had
treated the court respectfully, and he had
asked leave to retire as a mark of respect to
the court. not ackIowedglng that it was ne
thereupon walked out, amid Come demonstra
tons on the part of the Specv.tiOrS.l
The COurt-heep quiet. Let the pall-bear-
erS proceed.
After a pause the court directed that the
witnesses be called.
Mr.. Cook said that on perusal OF the stipu-
lation he found that it was as he supposed,
and under the circumstances he would con-
tinue in the case.
Messrs. Strong and Molliere were called and
sworn as witnesses.
The court here intimated that the Court in
General Term would meet in ten minutes and
he was compelled to attend it to make quo
rum, aud he would go On with the case at 8
O'Clock.
Mr.. Cook asked that the recess be taken
now.
The court acceded to the request, and the
jurors were discharged until 3 O'Clock.
The Worktngmen's Assembly.
ALLEGED EVASION OF LAW AT THE WASHING
TON NAVY YARD.
The Workingmen's Assembly met at Beck's
Hall last evening" Mr.. RalstOn presiding and
Mr.. John Christian secretary. Mr.. Hamilton
from the committee TO investigate the manner
q a
navy yard, made a report, which says that
the way 1.-The civil engineer, Annecita Meme.
COL Spaniard, evades the law in this matter
Is an outrage upon civilization and an imposi-
ton upon American citizens. and should not
be tolerated by free people" The report
says that the law requiring a committee every
outside the yard and fix the rates inside is
disregarded. When first-class carpenters,
plumbers. stonecutters or maSOns, bricklay.
engineer for employment the applicants are
informed that he has nothing In their line,
but he might give them lob atlaboring work
at si5o or sl15 per day The applicants ne,
to accept the employment, he (the engfneer)
Immediately sets them to work at the trade
they represent, thereby evading the law, as
when they are doing mechanical work for
which they should received $3.50 and s. 70 per
day The report states that at present there
when paSterers both in government and pri-
vate =, ploy outside receive So so. notwith
StahLt,-; the fact that the law says he shall
pay them the ruling rates outside the yard.
The committee submitted a resolution
which was adopted: THAT the corresponding
secretary forward the facts to the Secretary Of
the Navy for such action as he may deem
proper in the premises"
While this report was under consideration
Cohen. accompanied by several Of his. lieu
tenants, entered the room and took seats as
spectators.
PLASTERERS AND THE EIGHTHOUR LAW.
Mr.. jos. ROseberry, of the Plasterers' union,
said the question had come up whether the
plasterers should work or 10 hours per day;
that On the new department building they
were notified on Saturday Of the new rules
that hours labor should be days work.
and they had an intimatlon from Col Casey
that he preferred they work 10 hours. They
had held a meeting on Saturday night and
they had almost to a man resolved to work
but s hours. The building had been can
yassed, and the plasterers were unanimous on
the hour rule.
Mr.. Christian said the meeting on Saturday
evening was attended by about It's persons,
and related that committee had called on
Col. Casey. who was DESTROYS that they should
work ten hours to hurry the work, as he had
promised that the building should be finished
by the first of April. They stated to him that
they would work but eight hours, and that
they recognized a principle in it.
On motion OF Mr.. PlaSS the action of the
plasterers was endorsed.
The Assem- bly, went into executive session.
WORKING UNDER THE EIGHT HOUR LAW.
h1r do aSv u,orira %lo W..