The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-01-10

w. Jenkins, former Representative of
Louisville, in the lower house, was chosen
Doorkeeper of the Senate, on the seven
teenth ballot, over eight competitors. The
newly elected officers being then qualified,
the Senate, after some discussion, adopted
the rules of the last session. Several gentle
men were appointed for Speaker, and a
lively contest ensued, nine ballots being
taken before a Speaker was elected, when
the choice devolved on Ed. w. Turner, of
Madison.
A SHOCKING tragedy has just occurred at
Farmville, Va. Col. William Randolph
Berkeley, an eminent lawyer of the place,
was seated in his office, conversing with Mr..
Alfred Moth, Cashier of the English and
American Bank, when knock was heard
at the door, and Col. Berkley got up to
answer it. On opening the doer, a shot was
fired from without, and the Colonel fell
back with ball in his temple. Immediately
afterward Capt. VIM. H. Kennedy entered
the office, and, stepping behind CO.. Berke-
ley's desk, placed pistol to his own head
and fired. Mr.. Moth says all he heard was
a remark by Capt. Kennedy, as he first fired,
which intimated he had some grievance
IL
made three previous attempts on his own
life, and for long time has been in moody
and respondent condition. Col. Berkeley
died instantly. He leaves large family.
He was member of the law firm of Berkeley
& Berkeley, of Richmond. Kennedy's re-
covery was regarded as impossible.
THE Maryland Legislature organized on
the Sd of January. The Governor, in his
message, referring to the July strikes, says ::
" The great and only remedy for unemployed
labor is the revival of business and the en-
couragement of judicious political system,
by which it will be brought about. The
policy of the present national administra-
ton toward the Southern States has un-
doubtedly been of such character as to
inspire confidence and revive prosperity,
and like wisdom brought to bear upon the
financial question would bring forth capital
into new enterprises, and give encourage
ment to the dormant industry of the
country. No political platforms can be of
any use to the workingman, or furnish him
with work. In a free country like ours,
the relations of capital and labor must
always adjust themselves, and are regulated
by conditions which politicians can not con-
troll. The surest road to prosperity for all
classes is through just and economical
administration of the State government, and
an honest disposition of its revenues"
THE President and Mrs. Hayes celebrated,
at the Executive Mansion, the evening of
December 81, the twenty-ffth anniversary
of their marriage. This is the first gather
ing of the kind that has been held in the
White House for many years, if, indeed, a
similar one ever occurred there before.
The President and Mrs Grant celebrated
their silver wedding at Long Branch in 1873.
The private family gathering which the
President and Mrs. Hayes first contemplated
gave way at the solicitation of friends to a
more formal celebration, but, as it was, the
| invitations were limited to those included
in the following named classes: The Vice.
President of the United States; members OF
the Cabinet and their families; Chief
Justice and Mrs. Waite and Justice Swayne
old Ohio lawyers; and the following classes
and individuals, who are now residents Of
| Washington: The Presidents college mates
at Kenyon; members of the Cincinnati Lit
erary Club; lawyers practicing at the bar o1
! Cincinnati between 1850 and 1860; Judge
R. B. Ward N, before whom Mr.. Hayes tried
his first and second cases; Judge Thurmar
and Col. Dom Piatt, who were Judges o.
tn Superior Court when Mr.. Hayes trieG
his first case before that tribunal; members
of the Esd Regiment Ohio Volunteers; Ohio
army friends; Governor and Mrs. Dennison
at whose wedding President Hayes wa.
present thirty years ago; Mrs. Admira
| Dab1oran of whose Fl irst marriaoe Mr. Have,
was witness, and few personal friends