The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-19
OuTGROWTN or THE DISTRICT FRAUDS
Eppa Hunton's Challenge to
Columbus Alexander.
THE CARTEL FURNISHED 70 THE PRESS
A Grandfather Whose Fighting
Days Are Over.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPOND ENT.

WAsnSGToN, July Is. 1875.
AN APPEAL TO THE CODE BY CONGRESSMAN
kPPA nUyToN-DETAILs or HIS DIFFICULTY
WITH COLUMBUS ALEXANDRA.
Congressman Eppi Hutton, ofVirsinia, has cLal-
lengcd Columbus Alexander, OF this city, to fight
duel tho bcllgorent mssivc reaching latter gen.
uoman In registered letter received by HIM this
afternoon. General hunton represents tho
Eighth Virginia district, which includes the
city Of Alexandria. aud has been conspic-
nous member the Electoral
Commission and chairman OF The sub-con in,ttec
OF the Judiciary Committee which investigated the
charges against exSpeaxer Blanc Forty fourth
Congress- He Is also member Of the Potter Com
mittee He commanded u rebol brigade IN tnc valley
during the war.
Columbus Alexander Is q leading ctizon ana cham.
pion Of tue tuxpaycrs' party OF Washington He
fought the notorious Shepard Ring and by his battle
against thoir rascaty provoked them 10
Is known tho sais burglary conspiracy. This con-
spiracy to implicate him falsely In n pretended
burglary OF the District Attorneys Office
This affair brought about the Adjustment OF the tor
ritorai form Of government with its Board OF Public
Works. Mr. Alexander Is well known In Alexandria,
where he resided for many ycars.
THE CHALLENGE ABOUT.
The challenge came about IN this way:-Durng the
last days OF the session of Congress closed
bill was reported TO tho House by Goueral Hunton,
who a member OF the Committee en- District At
fairs Iesalizing tho ssmonts made by tho Board
Of Public Works, which only u littio while be-
fore had been reported 10 Congress In an
Official commu ncalion by Judge Bryan, ono OF
the Commissioners OF The District, TO be
.'.alse, fraudulent and corrupt" The blu
passed without any particular objection Tho follow
ing day Mr. Springer to personal explanation
and asked the recon slider alton of the biil having
read Bryan's report General Hunton, with others on
tho District Committee, insisted that the bill
prepor and tho motion 10 reconsider iaIod The only
parties benefited by the bill are tho FIRST National
Bank OF Now York and other Institutions which held
thu certificates OF asscssm en issued by tho Board Of
Public WORKS. and which were published at low
figures. Columbus Alexande as President OF the
Taxpayers Association, had fought in the for
several years tho onorccmeu. Of the collection Of the
assessments, suits being now pending for sums tho
exent Of nearly S. 900 600 This BILL Il Is alleged threw
these cases out court legaxod assessments
SO that they cannot be defeated in tho courts Tho
collection begins 10 morrow under the Law, the bill
having also passed tho Senate.
LIE DIRRcr
Last week General Hunton, In u speech in Alexan-
dra In defending himself against charge Of being
in tho ntcrcst Of the District ring In securing the
passage of tho Assessment bill, told his audience
| favored the bill, aud that he voted Tor 1t 10
| obligs them. This part Of General Hunton's
| speech was printed In a Washington paper and
Mr.. Alexander saw It. He Immediately author zsd
complete dental OF Hunton's statement, charactcriz.
ing II u e outright General Hunton inciosed tho
card, AZ 1t appeared in Alexandria paper, 10
Alex inder in letter and demanded that he retract
It, The letter was given to Captain Sheppard, OF
| General Aunton's appointments here. who called
| at Alexander's house In this city SOW.
eral times Sunday last, but did no,
deliver It until Monday afternoon. Mr.. Alexander
told him no had answer make then. aud that, as
the appeared 10 the papers. he would have LIS
answer appear in tho came way His answer was
accordingly printed In the Alexandria Gdsrtte
Tuesday last and reiterated tho charge tina, General
Hun,ou advocate Of the Distric, ring and
worked against the taxpayers OF this District
Tho day previous 70 this General Hunton was de.
cacd at the primary elections In Alexandra for dele
gate to tho Congressional Nominating Convention,
which meets Ia August. Those who arc opposed
his using AexanJcrs lettors against
him throughout the Congress ionai district, nnd
cordng to General Huntoo's ffionds thoy arc doing
him injury
THE CHALLENGE.
Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Alexander received tcle-
grain from Aunton, stating that no had sent him
registered letter. Mr. Aoxa nder called al the Post
ONCE for Il to-day, and found thoseter TO road
foiiows:-
ALEXANDRIA, Va. July 10. 1873
Mr.. CoLrNBus ALEXANDRA.
Su.--i addressed you u letter giving you oppor-
tuoi,y. Of which you should nave awaited yourself to
into which supposed you had .ailcu.
Instead OF doing you replied extensively through
the press and have been guty OF such illusions TO
apprehsosions shat you would avail yourself q The
police Of the District OF COLUMBIA IN subject any
/ m IN To he III "a q
safe method Of communicating wish you.
Relying ON your declaration Ia your second lctter
that you are n virginia., l ask that you ndicato
some place beyond the roach Of tho District police
where a dsmaud Tor tho rspsratou which vircinisns
accord In such cascs can be made OF you.
To be sure you receive this send ., registered
letter An answer addressed to at this place will
reach me. Your oosdisnt servant,
MN. ALExASpEais orRy ngrLy.
Mr.. Alexander, ~ no began shc controversy in the
Alexandria Gax,s, sent the otter there this morning
for publication. adding TO an explanation IN ths
shape OF open letter TO General Hunton, IN which
he says.--
| fccl compelled 20 show from tho record your
stptcmcnt false Instead OF writing to tho papers
and correcting the wrong you did me, YOU scnd me
OF your appointments undcr The radical district
government here to buIIdozc me. That you cannot
do am tree citixon. aud shall always avail myself
OF tho great privilege " dsiend myself aud fellow
or corrupt and couascatsg ring acls as the ono "a
question, aud for which you not merely votcd bot
sonaiiy. something which you dare not deny. You
have boon our enemy, and for tpat reason and
other 40 ask virginia democrats NOS 10 return you TO
Congress-
smEPpARp's yIsIra
In regard TO the visits Of Sheppard Mr.. Alexander
says
His visits frequent and annoy Ing ono OF them
beng after ten O'Clock on sunday morning
lie reminds General Hunion that 10 is not customary
10 polite society tor strangers calls In sucn
IN uuer n such timaa O 20 ana ucq.
ton that tho police would DO informed Of Shcpparas
vlsn Mr.. Alexander says:-
You nsedl have no lear of that Come here tho
police will not otcreve with you your friend You
on thor side, tor you well remember the polico
authorities here assisted and guarded q burglar who
sndeaversd TO cntra mo In she sale burglary anair
STATEMENT ALEXANDER
Ne Ala anuor said this eventuc tbat nm m. ans.