Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-09-02
The Capitol Hin Post once.

iii-'' VERSUS THE NAVY YARD-SOME LIVELY
hEAARKs-EAsT CAPITOL STREET BEATEN.
Inc interest In the location of the Capitol
Hill branch post office manifested itself last
night by one of the largest and most demon
strative public meetings ever held on Capitol
Hill. The meeting was held at Washington
Hall, at O'Clock, and before the doors were
opened there was large crowd assembled on
the sidewalk outside. When the meeting was
called to order there were fully $50 men and one
lady (Mrs. Briggs in the hall. Postmaster Ain
ger and his assistant, Mr.. Parker, were present
manned in the rear of the hall. They slipped
out unobserved before the proceedings were
half over.
Mr.. Thos somerville called the meeting to
order, stating thatits object was to give some
expression of the views of the citizens regarding
the location of the branch post Office
Upon Mr.. SOmeryiles nomination. DR.. C. NJ
Ford was chosen chairman. and armed with an
ice-pick as gavel, that gentleman displayed
much yigOr as presiding officer. Mr.. T. 3.
Marche was elected secretary.
ONE OF TWO SITES.
Mr.. Geo. F. Hardin stated that he had under
stood that the postmaster had decided upon one
of two sites-3d and B streets. or Sd and East
capitol streets-a statement which he made to
show the folly of discussing other possible sites
at this meeting
motion was made in favor of the Sd and
street site, and amended in favor of the Sd and
East Capitol streets.
Capt. Grant moved that half an hour be given
for debate
The chair stated that he was sure every one
had made his mind up, and thought the meeting
could settle the matter in fifteen minutes by
voting without debate.
Captain Grant was sure everybody there
had something to say about the matter. long
discussion during which numerous motions
and amendments were Offered-arOse upon the
method Of voting upon the question of sites, and
it was finally decided that voting should be by
ballot. each voter appending his residence to his
ballot.
Messrs Mason, Fuller and Geo. Hardin were
appointed tellers.
Amid the confusion that here arose Captain
Grant sprang to his feet and wanted to know if
trap was to be sprung upon the meeting and a
vote taken without discussion?
The chairman assured him that no trap was to
be sprung.
A motion was carried establishing the five
minute" rule an6 limiting the entire discussion
to half an hour.
CHARGE OF A PACKED MEETING.
MIR. Hawkins Taylor said there were 10. 900
people in East Washington and perhaps G, 600
voters, and he wanted to know if the postmaster
would take the voice of that meeting-a packed
meefing-as the voice of these people. This
speech created quite sensation and much con-
fusion. Capt. Grant also denounced it as a
packed meeting. He did not think the post
master would dare to be controlled by such a
meeting. which had been called by a few people
in one particular site, surrounded by
where no decent lady would dare to
pass. He handed in petition sent to the post
master that day to the secretary to be read. 1t
was protest against the location of the branch
office south of East Capitol street.
Capt. Grants remarks were known to be d.
rected against the Sd and B street sites and
they were greeted with Kisses by the advocates
OF that site, and the chairman had to pound the
table vigorously before he could restore order.
MIR. John w. Thompson Immediately appeared
as an advocate of Sd and streets He was no
rum mill hummer. he said; he had lived here for
80 years, and bore reputation as fair as any
gentleman there; the gentleman Capt. Grant)
mad always opposed the interests of East Wash
ington. [Sensation on Capt Grants side.]
Capt. Grant, rising, remarked that what Mr..
Thompson said was false
The chair here demanded that
PERSONALITIES BE DROPPED.
MI. thompson, resuming his remarks, said
that East Washington was not Capitol HILL He
had no axes to grind. He demanded to know if
any gentleman coming along Pennsylvania av
enue would want to leave that common thor
oughfare to go to East Capitol street for his
mail. Capt. Grant having charged as an evil
dence that the meeting was packed, that whereas
the meeting was called in dOdger at o'clock.
the doors were not opened till after 8 o'clock.
VI. y. D. DIV VI Hlstcut. tue OWHeT Ol Jue nail.
said that some gentlemen had secured the hall
and advertised the meeting to be held at 8
o clock. Other gentlemen then came to him
and said they were going to hold meeting and
got out the dodgers. calling a meeting at s
o clock. In order that no injustice might be
done, he had instructed the janitor not to open
the doors until o'clock.
DR.. Geo. Gross spoke for East Capitol street
and Mr.. VIM. Boron for site near the Eastern
market.
The half hour for discussion having expired.
the Time was extended 10 minutes.
GEN. HILL AROUSED.
Gen. Z. n. Hill, of Arkansas, here arose and
SAID that he did not propose to sit still in this
hall one minute and have his wife and daughter
insulted by any man, even if his hair was whittier
than mine, and his remarks were addressed to
that old man Capt. Grant,, who said no re-
spectacle woman would pass that corner
Mr.. Fuller wanted to know if a government
mail wagon should back up to the place of man
who kept grocery store and not to his house.
W AS PENNSYLVANIA avenue more of thorough
fare than East Capitol street? Did the men who
went up and down Pennsylvania avenue shout
ing Sweet Potatoes" Green COrn!'' have to
Have post Office near them to rush up and post
their letters.
Col. Case inquired what the distance was be-
tween Sd and b streets and Sd and East Capitol
streets. He thought it was all nonsense to dis
cuss the matter. His choice, however, was Sd
and East Capitol streets.
Mr. Hardin spoke for Sd and B streets.
CAPT. GRANT AGAIN.
Capt. Grant who had been clamoring for the
floor for some time, and who had been denied
the privilege under the provisions of the '.five
minute" rule, was here again recognized He
said that the petition in favor of Sd and East
Capitol streets had been signed by one thousand
people, and if the canvassers had had another
week they could have gotten five thousand
names.
Mr.. Marche said his name had appeared there
without his consent. He also defended the
sweet potato men," who, he said. had
as much right to be considered as
the government clerk One of the canyassers
sprang up and shouted: 'If the gentleman in
Inmates that wrote his name he saws a thing
that is not So" Mr.. Marche reiterated his state
ment, but the chairman stopped further pro-
ceedings. The meeting finally proceeded to
ballot.
THE RESULT
was announced by the chairman to be in favor
Of Sd and streets, by a vote of 1877 to Sc.
Capt. Grant arose and said a reliable, and
honest gentleman had Informed him that he (the
reliable and honest gent) had voted six times
and he demanded that the vote be referred back
to the tellers.
Some one in the hall called out to have the
Captain produce his reliable gentleman Messrs.
Ford, Marche, Somerville, DeLand, and