Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-02-12

oSOu tucSt udJS. ouly d lew u1yS ago y. w
Button, editor OF the Lynchburg TuyiniuE, was
challenged by editor Elan, of the Richmond
Wing, because Of something the former pub
lished which reflected upon the latter Mr..
Button replied, in writing, that he was a
"Christian man" and abhorred the code, but
that while he would neither retract the offensive
language nor fight duel, he could be found at
all proper hours in his Office, where he was
ready to attend to business. He also notified
Elan that If attacked he could defend himself,
Mr.. Elan and his "friend" took the next train
for Richmond, and so far the southern Journals
have commended Mr.. Button for his course. A
few years ago he would have been condemned
by the general voice of that section. The
recent "duel" between New Orleans editors in
which two shots were fired but nobody was
hurt, has done great deal towards bringing
the code into ridicule and disrepute
A curious Incident occurred recently on one
OF the bridges crossing the river Limmat, which
flows through the city of Zurich, illustrating
the sagacity of the gulls or terms frequenting
some Of the Swiss lakes. gentleman who for
amusement was In the habit of feeding these
birds with refuse of meat (Which they are very
fond OF had his hat knocked Off into the rapid
current below, by one Of the more eager gulls
lowering around. The lookerS-on laughed at
into the stream to secure the trophy, when, to
the surprise of every one, a gull was noticed to
dart down upon the floating hat, and after sew
eral Intellectual attempts, succeeded at last in
rising with 1t in its beak, and flying towards
the bridge, to the great establishment of every
one, when over its center dropped the we'll
soaked hat, where the bystanders at once Sc
cured it for the owner. Those who believe that
animals have the reasoning faculty will doubt
less add this to their list Of proofs.
-0>D-~-
The bill, reported yesterday from the Senate
Judiciary committe, for the suppression of polyg-
amy in the United States, will, 1t is believed be
taken up at an early day. This will bring the
whole question before the present session of
Congress and it will, very probably, be debated
at some length in both houses The bill re-
ported yesterday imposes penalties for the
future practice OF poly gamy, or bigamy, as it is
defined In the statutes and disqualif1eS any man
believing In the practice from jury service. The
Children born OF polygamous marriages prior to
November list, 1879, are legitimate, but subse-
quent births of that kind will not be recognized
by the law. Power to grant pardons for offenses
of this character is conferred upon the Presi-
dent. While the practice Of polygamy is gener-
ally condemned by the sentiment of the Ameri-
can people there is manifest desire that our
with mercy, discretion and consideration In
dealing with the people OF Utah.
The action of the Chicago hotel keepers In COM
bining to raise the prices OF accommodation
during the session of the republican national
convention is receiving universal condemnation.
The plan devised by the hotel proprietors is to
estimate the number of cots that room viii
contain, and charge the price of five dollars for
each cot. Any person can procure an entire
room by paying for its area at the rate Of five
dollars per cot. For instance, If the room would
hold five cots, the price per day would be S25
The delegation who urged the selection of Chi
cago promised, 1t is said, that the hotels should
charge only their usual rates to delegates and
visitors to the convention. If it were practical
BILE, 1t would be good plan for the national
committee to reaSSemble, revoke its action Sc
Letting Chicago, and choose some other place for
the convention. The democratic committee, at
Its meeting on the 23d, can avoid all trouble of
this nature by naming Washington as the place
for holding the national convention of that
party. No doubt the hotel keepers of this city
would file with the committee written obliga-
lions to maintain their usual rates Of charge
during the sitting OF the convention.
The Senate in executive session yesterday
began the work OF rejecting unacceptable nomi-
nations for census supervisors. The entire list
OF Ohio nominations was rejected by majority
OF Is or l6 several republicans voting with the
democrats against confirmation. 1t was alleged,
but not In the session OF the Senate, of course.
that the Ohio list had been selected In the in
terest OF Secretary Sherman's candidacy for the
presidential nomination, and that, If they were
confirmed, they would devote much OF their
time and all their influence to furthering that
candidate. The democratic Senators objected
10 the list because 1t was composed entirely of
repupncans There are other nominations for
supervisors which are marked for rejection, and
there Is every prospect Of an exciting contest
before the entire list shall have been filled
washington Territory has elected Blaine
deles ties to the Chicago convention, but unfor-
tunat, v Tor Mr.. Blaine, territorial delegates
cannot vote.-Erchdnge.
This Il mistake. Territorial delegates and
delegates ,.Om the District of Columbia have
votes in the republican national convention
hence the 81 lrpneSs OF the contest to secure
the delegation for this District last week, In
the democratic national convention territorial
delegates and delegates from the District of
Columbia have no votes and occupy merely an
honorary position.
1t has been ascertained that more than
100000 In gold coin was paid out during 1879
by the sub treasury at Chicago and the money
went into circulation among the people. One
railroad company disbursed between $500, 900
and $780, 900 OF the amount to its employees, and
IT Is the laboring classes not the banks, who
! are boarding the gold. If gold was circulated
at other points In proportion to the amount dis
tributed at Chicago, then it is estimated over
$50, 0O0, 600 went among the people last year.
The members OF the st. Louis Merchants ex
change have inaugurated movement looking
to the sending OF ship load OF provisi ons direct
to the starving districts OF Ireland. A commit
tee has been appointed to raise the money ne
cessary, and 1t is believed the vessel will be sent
within short time.
The legal minds OF the Senate are divided on
the manner In which the remainder Of the
Geneva award should be distributed. Senator
Ecmunds Is maintaining the equity of the war
premium men and Senator Thurman the law OF
tie insurance companies.