The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-04-26
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

Horner. his father-in-Iaw, which, strik-
ing the latter in the temple, resulted in
immediate death. Claxton was living
with DR.. Horner, who often subjected
him TO most violent and abusive Ian
puage. and the assault was the result Of
passion, induced by the words aud ac-
tions of the Doctor. 1t is not likely, in
view Of the palliating circumstances
attending this unfortunate occurrence,
that more will be done with Claxton
than to find him guilty Of manslaughter,
with light sentence attaching.
Our courts sentenced to the peniteu-
tiary for five years a woman and two
men for robbiug a Mr. Bishop Of his
money aud watch. He came here some
three weeks ago from the West, and
after filling his stomach with poor
whisky, started out 70 see the sights.
Falling into the tolls of this woman,
she took him to her rooms, and then,
under some plea, induced him to ac-
company her to an unfrequent street,
where he was garroted by these three
felons and robbed, she assisting in the
pleasant operation, and then departing
with them. The police at once. how
ever, arrested all the three, who plead
guilty, thus permitting short work in
disposing Of them.
Washington is situated between the
Eastern Branch and Potomac Rivers.
The promontory or long neck of land
which runs down to where the two riv-
ers join is occupied by the government
as an arsenal, at which is accumulated
immense amounts of army and navy
cannons aud ordinance stores gener-
ally, and the grounds cover about fifty
acres. 1t is now proposed in Congress
to sell these arsenal grounds to any
highest bidder desiring to purchase
them, and abandon Washington City
wholly for arsenal purposes. We are at
loss TO understand why such a sui
cidal course should be pursued, for it is
perfectly evident that in this place
should always be magazines for supply
ing our army and navy with all the
munitions Of war. We are aware that
Congress, under its specious spasmOdic
efforts at economy, commits many er-
rors; but how any sane member could
advocate the policy that the government
should not retain these beautiful and
most valuable arsenal grounds is a mys-
terry 10 US, unless We remember the huge
steal Of million which was involved
in the sale of the Philadelphia navy
yard and arsenal. That property sold
for million dollars less than its actual
worth, and the taint of the swindle still
clings to several high officers and mem
bers of Congress, and we feel safe in
charging that in the proposition to sell
our magnificent arsenal grounds lies a
deliberate attempt to rob the govern
ment by fraudulent sale similar to
that at Philadelphia. Somebody is TO
reap rich harvest. There is no reser-
walton in the city so attractive for its
natural beauty, aud bordering, as it
does, upon two rivers with deep har-
borage along its extended fronts, it is
extremely valuable for all governmental
use, and we, therefore, earnestly hope
that all sensible men in Congress will
interpose to prevent its sale.
Our temperance people are hard at
work since Murphy departed, holding
meetings all over the District and keep
ing things at a white heat generally.
To their force of speakers have been
added many reformed drunkards, men
Of considerable talent and ability nat
urally, who are able to attract audiences
wherever they speak, and, as a eonse-
quence, we cannot perceive any abate-
ment of interest in our temperance agi-
tation. \. NJ. Nye is one of their most
effective orators. He is q son Of ex-
Senator Bill Nye, of Bret Harte fame,
aud iuherits much of the energy aud
talent Of his father, aud his speeches are
full Of the odd originality, as well a:
good sense, characterizing the oratory
of the deceased statesman.
Charles II. Moultou, real estate
agent, about a year ago swindled oul
people out of nearly 100000, aud ab.
seconded. He had figured largely her,
as a business man, handled eonsiderabl,
J sums Of money, made some fortuuat,
specuIations, and in various ways sue
ceeded in gaining the confidence Of peo,
! pie generally. But after collecting al
} the money be possibly could by al
manner of false pretenses, even Gesortinl
to forgery, he suddenly disappeared
/ leaving hundreds of citizens in tn,
{ lurch. Heeame back after few months
absence, but finding that he would b,
. criminalIy prosecuted, he again disap
peared, and was next heard of in Lon
don, where he was arrested, and, uude
the extradition laws, returned here. H
] lies in our Jail awaiting trial. But Their
; is not the slightest hope that one dolla
4 of the vast SUM be stole will ever be re
: turned. While it is a satisfaction 4
$ have such kDaves in prison, yet it j
% poor reparation for those who have sui
fered so much at his hands. Severa
e lost their all by him, and from afIiuenc
, were reduced to beggary or dependenc
I upon friends for support.
. John A. Grow is being tried in Ne'
York for attempting to defraud the gov
eminent in collecting unclaimed bon
o interest due certain persons. Grow re