davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06
The Roscoe ConkIing Club.

large and enthusiastic meeting of the Roscoe
Conkling Club of Boys in Blue was held last night
in Grand Army Hall. The following officers
were elected to serve during the ensuing year. E.
W. Oyster, president; Benjamin g. Pike, first vice
PRESIDENT W. R. Ramsey, second vice-president
NJ. V. Casey, secretary; F. B. Wallace, treasurer;
Edward Morgan, notwithstanding; c. T. John
son, quartermaster, and Charles DanenhOwer,
marshal.
A resolution extending cordial invitation to the
organization of Onearmed Union soldiers to join
the club was unanimously adopted; also a resOlu-
ton of thanks to Hon. J. Ii. Starin, of New York,
for very generous contribution to the funds of
the club also a resolution of thanks to Hon. W. s.
Shallenberger, of Pennsylvania, for his contribu-
ton and assistance in advancing the interests of
the club.
The club intends to participate in the inaugural
parade on the 4th of March, and has organized a
fine drum crops and purchased beautiful flag
and guidons for the occasion.
The fOllOwing-named gentlemen have been
elected as honorary members: Hon. Roscoe COnk-
ling, Hon. J. II. Starin, Hon. w. s. Shallenberger,
Hon. Levi P. Morton. Hon. John H. Ketcham, Hon.
A. NJ. Clapp, Hon. II. Van Aernam, Hon. r. E. Fen
ton, Hon. Preston B. Plumb Generals John A. Lo-
gan, A. Z. Burnside, Arson G. McCOok, E. I. Beale,
John F. Hartranft, Chester A. Arthur, and Gov
errors Cornell and Hoyt.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06
West Point Nonsense.

Volunteer officers who were transferred to the
regular army are called mustangs by the West
Pointers. General Sherman set an example for
this, i'll his memoirs of q longbow, by terming bet
ter soldiers than himself political generals" The
West Point idea is that war cannot be learned by
experience in war, but must be read in books, and
that the most successful command Of troops in war
cannot entitle one to be an officer who has not
gone through the West Point course of study, al
though he may have higher education than that
of West Point, and one which has as much effect
in making q soldier. Thus, one who when a boy
appointed by political favor TO West Point with
out the sign any talent for soldiership and who
has passed through the course though he has never
seen real service, is held by the West Point
class to be more capable to command an army than
a volunteer officer who had before shown capacity
in general affairs who volunteered because of ap-
titude for the work of a soldier, who has become a
veteran by four years ofconsant service In war; and
has been promoted for gallantry and skill in many
battles \ class which reduces the military system
to such nonsense is costly to the country as it
found in the civil war; and is an anomalous in
science OF rank for a Republic Clept!aRd Herald.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06

The regular meeting Of the Fire Board was held
last evening, all the members present Chief
Cronin reported seventeen alarms of fire for De
cember, involving a loss of 1900 upon which the
nuisance was 5000 Four new horses had been
purchased at a cost Of S947 and during the recent
stormy weather it had been necessary to hire ten
additional horses for use in the department,
and each engine was now drawn by four horses.
OF the new horses purchased two each had been
assigned to Companies and L. He further stated
that he tried runners on No 6 engine, but it was
too heavy, and in turning the corners tended to
tip over.
Superintendent Miles, of the Fire Alarm Tele-
graph, in his report stated that the average num-
Der of alarms during the past month was equal to
that of the same month last year. The total num-
Der of alarms during the year 1880 was 12l.
James II. Fleet was confirmed as q private in
Truck "B" Company.
4 discussion arose regarding the action of the
Sndtor of the District in paying for the four new
noTSes furnished the department without first Sc
cIiiii5 the approval of the board, as a result of
the Commissioners aI vas lls- 20 Gi ~
procedure and investigate the matter in order to
ascertain who gave the auditor his authority.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS,

The annual reunion of the Old Students AssOcia-
ton of St Johns Academy took place last night at
the Tontine Hotel where Il banquet was spread.
The roof of Nc. James Chatham's stable on Pitt
street. between King and Cameron, fell in yester-
day morning, demolishing a wagon belonging 10
Mr. G. William Ramsay
The little daughter of Mr.. Henry Cook, of this
city, son-in-law of Senator WitherS whose leg was
broken accidentally last summer, so unfortll-
nate as TO fall and break it over again last week
at her grandfather's house near Wythesville
The Sun Fire Company has elected the following
officers for the ensuing year: President John Sui
Ivan; first vice-president, N. r. Norris; second
". Davis; third, George Duffy; secretary, F. w
Deaton; commanders of engine +. Travers and
J. Mullen; commanders of hose, F. Haywood and
i. Hughes: pipemen, H. o. Webster, f. Knight
and F. Price; standing committee John Sullivan
George Duffy, NJ r. Norris, F. Price, and r
Travers steward of hall, G. Haywood.
The bill of complaint in the case of William B.
Dinsmore, of New York, as president of the Adams
Express Company, and others, against the Virginia
Midland Railway Company was filed in the Office
of the clerk ofthe United States Circuit Court yes
terday, and the necessary papers were Immediately
served by Deputy Marshal William E Nye, of
Richmond, upon the president and treasurer of
the railroad company The suit is similar to others
that have been commenced against other roads by
the adams Express Company, and is to force the
railway companies TO give the express company
the same facilities they have always enjoyed.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06

The Senate District Committee yesterday re-
ported favorably upon bill for the relief of the
heirs of Edward Clark from accumulated back
taxes.
Senator Whyte, in the Senate called up for con-
sderaion three bills on the calendar of interest to
the District viz: To amend the act incorporating
the Belt Railway, amending the charter of the
Metropolitan Railroad Company, and to amend
the act giving the approval of Congress to the route
and termini of the Anacostia and Potomac River
Railroad. The latter was antagonizcd by Senator
Voorhees, with the Ben Halliday claim bill al
though Senator Whyte made strong appeal for
action in order that the House might have an op-
portuniy to discuss them this session. During the
debate the morning hour expired, and all three
went over.
The Commissioners yesterday replied to a COM
munication from the House of Representatives for
Information concerning the control of streets ave-
nues, and alleys in the District. They stated that
the permits under which several parties now &C.
cupy certain stands were issued by the Board of
Public Works, but as they have control of all
thoroughfares they can remove parties obstructng
the streets, the necessary power being vested in
the Health-Oficer. In conclusion they stated that
no further legislation was necessary on the subject
The House Committee on Commerce are not
favOrably disposed toward the proposition to in
clude an appropriation of a million and q quarter
for the improvement of the Potomac River front
in the river and harbor bill. As the river and har-
Dor bill already contains big budget, it is stated
that the responsibility for the Potomac River front
appropriation viii be thrown upon some other
committee
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06
Prominent Arrivals.

Artiaqtol-Stephen Preston, Hayden Minister
c. E. Fitch, C. F. Whitehead, A. d. Smith, New
York; Hon W. W. Aldrich Rhode Island; Hon. II.
B. Wright, s. F. Boyd, Pennsylvania. Rigs
Hon. Charles 0'NeiIl, Hon. William Ward, Hon.
William d. Kelley, Leonard Myers, Pennsylvania !;
D. NJ Keever W. II. WaterhOuse, New York; Hon.
3. McMillen, Tennessee; Hon. A. Saunders
Omaha; Hon. J. G. Carlyle, Kentucky; Hon. &. ID.
Robinson, Hon. W. A. Field, Massachusetts,. :....
K'olHa'egs-H. A. schumacher, H; R; Pratt, New
York; Hon. J. D. Cameron, Hon. w. w. Grape, D.
J. Shea, L. Melville, T. D. Quincy, Boston; n.
lowering, Philadelphia. -. E55h- Governor II.
D. Chamberlain, Hon. ]. B. Sheridan, New York :;
Hon. w. A. ]. Sparks, Hon. G. r. Davis, Illinois;
Hon. ]. H. Osmer Hon. ]. W Lee Pennsylvania;
Commodore J. C, Febinger, Lucien Young, U. s r.
...... UIHdrFS-Hon. William r. Morrison, Illi-
nois; Hon. T. NJ. Bayne, Hon. F. E. Beltzhoover,
Hon. E. Overton, jr, Hon. A. Herr Smith, Pennsyl-
vaniG; Hon. Eli Salisbury, Hon. Z. L. Martin,
Delaware; General n. L. Jeffries Ridley Park; A.
W. Hayback, Captain John n. Bofinger, ST. Louis;
Senator +. B. Jonas, Louisiana. 81. Jdmes-Hon
L. e. Lapham, New York. 80. .NdtiOndL-Congress-
mon Urner, Maryland; Finley, Ohio; Stevenson,
Illinois; Ferry, Michigan, and Forsyth, Illinois.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06
ESTATE OF JOHN .MoRRIssEY.
His Sisters Efforts to Set Aside the WOrl
Done hY the ExaGufnrs-

His Sisters Efforts to Set Aside the Work
Done by the Executors.
John Morrissey died on the 1st of May, 1878 In
his will, which was admitted to probate on the
18th of the same month, Senator Morrissey be-
| queathed. after the payment Of his lawful debts
| which he knew to be considerable $4,000 to each
of his three sisters and the residue of his estate to
his widow, Mrs. Susannah T. Morrissey Edward
T. Murphy, mayor of Troy, and William R. Travers.
of New York, were appointed executors The
heirs named in Senator Morrissey viii now living
are Mrs. Morrissey and his sisters, Mrs Ellen
Campbell, of Chicago and Mrs. Mary Muir
ply, of Troy. Mrs. Catharine Morris, also one of
his sisters and an heir, died about year ago. Her
interest i'll the will is represented by her sole sur
yiying child John Morris. Mrs. Murphy has been
obliged to work in laundry to obtain food for her
children, on account of her husbands sickness
She has received no part of her inheritance under
her brothers will and she was surprised TO learn
she says, when proceedings looking to an account
ing by the executors were had before Surrogate
Peters in September last that the prospect of re-
ceiving any portion of it was extremely unfavora-
bic. She determined recently to apply to the Su-
preme Court for relief and copies of the complaint
in her suit against the executors were served last
week.
Mrs. Murphy makes the averment that she was
ignorant of the condition of the estate until pro-
ceed1ngs were instituted before Surrogate Peters
in the matter of the application the executors to
beallowed to make their final accounting and to be
discharged. In those proceedings she AYERS il
was made evident that the claims against the es-
tate amounted to s54 53519 and the assets to S16-
59929, which would go to show that the creditors
of the estate would receive no more than twenty
per cent of their claims, and the heirs would re-
ceiye no part of their inheritance. In conclusion,
Mrs. Murphy prays that the Supreme Court assume
jurisdiction over the affairs of the estate, the
Surrogate's Court of Saratoga County having only
limited and statutory powers, and being unable to
afford sufficient relief; enjoin the executors from
proceeding with the accounting before Surrogate
Peters, to the end that they may be compelled to
make an accounting in the Supreme Court and,
ifsuch iefappear to be proper upon the showing
in the papers, either compel the executors to take
steps toward discharging their duties properly or
remove thCm from Office.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06
SHE DIDN'T DO 1T,
Mrs. Christiancy Denies Having Written
Those Love Letters.

Every day brings to the surface some new sur
prise in the Chrstiancy case. Mrs. Christiancy on
Tuesday made an elaborate explanation of the cir
cumstances under which she wrote the letters to
Giro published in THE REPUBLICAN that morning
Yesterday she made to a reporter a statement
which changes the aspect of affairs greatly. When
she spoke of the letters Tuesday she said she had
not read them.
Since reading them she wished to say that she
had not written one of them. She characteriz ed
the letters submitted by Giro to the examiner as
base, malicious torgeries, evidently gotten up to
play their part i'll the Mrs. Christancy stated
further that gentleman named Del Gardo, who
recently arrived from Peru, spoke in very
uncomplimentary terms of Mr.. Christancy, sayin q
that his life was constant caroJISal and that he
was engaged TO a Spanish CHILEAN woman of wealth
who had sought protection at the American Lega-
ton
Miss MelOy, companion of Mrs. Christiancv
who assisted her in the composition of the letters
to Giro corrobOrates the statementthat she did not
write the published letters The letters sent Giro
she said, in different yein and not so gush-
ing
Mrs. Lugenbeel, mother Of Mrs Christiancy also
states that the letters not written by her In
reference to the charge concerning Giro and Mrs
Ghristiancy at the St. James Hotel, she says that
her daughter was not away from home even a few
minutes on Christmas day, 1879. and therefore
could not be the woman referred to-
Mrs. Christiancy was quite Tnwell last evening
and refused to see callers. Mrs. Christancy hay
ing denounced the letters forgeries twill prob
ably become necessary to obtain expert testimony
as to the handwriting.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES,

Leave for one year is granted Captain John H.
Coster, Eighth Cavalry.
Dr. F. C. Ainsworth, L. s. A, is in the city, the
guest of Colonel Martin, Assistant Adjutant-Gen-
eral.
General Sherman left last night for New York to
attend the dinner of the Press Club. He will re-
turn to Washington Friday
The resignation of Second Lieutenant Guy r.
Beardslee, Ninth Infantry, has been accepted by
the President, to take effect December q, 1880.
Captain J. Gilman, commissary of subsistence,
will proceed TO New Orleans, La, on public bust
ness under instructions from the Commissary-
General of Subsistence.
The United States steamer .Vandalia, at New
York, is ready for sea, and will sail in day or two
on cruise through the West Indies and TO Aspn-
wall, Havana, and Key West.
A general order has been issued by the War De-
partment requiring the subsistence department TO
furnish soldiers with brushes, combs, and other
small articles. The soldiers now have to purchase
these articles of the suffers.
Some time ago Judge-Advocate Dunn, L. 6. A,
issued volume, or manual, containing opinions
on military law and procedure. The book was
printed by authority of the War Department, but
did not carry with it the official approval of the
of the publication has been issued.
The bill introduced in the House yesterday by
Representative Townshend of Illinois, to amend
proposes to change the law to read as follows
When any officer has served fifty years as com
missiOned officer, or is seventy years old, he may
be retired from active service at the discretion of
the President" The bill was referred to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06
AN AMERICAN VENICE.


1
Secured by Wet Reporter.
Thesteady dripofthe rain, the thump ofminiature
avalanches from the house-tops, and the wild
shrek of the pedestrian he sat down with force
enough to drive his spine out through his hat
crown were the only sounds that broke the still
| ness that early settled down on our streets last
! evening. The condition of things grew rapidly
worse, and by ten o'clock the Avenue. from Fiji
teenth street to the Capitol, was flooded several
| inches deep with sluShy mass that possessed
about three times the penetrating power OF wafer
and laughed to scorn such appliances rs Arcuc
rubber shoes" &c.
A representative of THE REPUBLICAN on his last
rounds was furnished with the following items,
which viii give the general public some ldea OF
the effects of the thaw:
just opposite the Census Office. The life-buoy was
cut away, and after much trouble he was finally
rescued, but not until he had gone down the second
time.
About midnight the body of an unknown man,
supposed TO be newspaper correspondent, drlhea
out on the turn-table at the corner of Fifteenth
street and New York avenue, and was secured by
the transfer agent of the Washington and George
town Railroad, who notified the coroner Mnen
last seen alive the party standing IN mont OF
Chamberlin's endeavoring to utilize two empty
cigar boxes for hfe-preserver.
Owing to the sewer traps being choked up With
snow and the continued rise OF the water along the
line of Pennsylvania avenue. the superintendent
of the Washington and Georgetown Railroad mas
made application to the Navy Department for two
steam launches which it is proposed shall to-day
make regular trips from Wizards Hotel to the foot
of Capitol Hill
In Georgetown the merchants and others along
the river front are making preparations in antici
patton of breakup of the ice and heavy rise In
the Potomac.
At the lighthouses members of the different
clubs were discussing the probability of freshet
and making careful inspection of their premises
to prepare for the same.
Old river men express the opinion that, unless
there is an early lowering of the temperature
there will be heavy rise in the Potomac before
the end of the week and general breakup OF the
ice. They say rain has already produced visible
effect on the heavy snowfall, and under the high
temperature of the last day two the ice is rap
idly rotting.
Bureau will at once dispatch an observer 10
Harpers Ferry, SO that warning may be given of
any decided rise in the river early enough TO en-
able owners of vessels and mills and warehouse
men to prepare themselves for it.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06
Amusement Notes.

The sale of reserved seats for John McCullough's
engagement, which commences at the National
at the box Office. The opening play will be
" Richeleu.'
The excellent performance of Cinderella
which ny. vas SO successfully given on New Years
evening at odd Fellows Hall This will be glad
news to the little ones.
Mr.. Charles A. Stephenson will appear in his
great role tonight in THE Two Orphans" and
will continue during the week. Miss Josie Batch
elder has been specially engaged as Hearictte Miss
Florence White will take Miss ClaXtous parts the
remainder of the week.
Miss Eleanor Calhoun. by the advice of judicious
and considerate friends, has placed her business
fortunes and her future professional career under
the care of Manager Ford, and will make her first
professional appearance before the public of the
Atlantic States in Washington, on Monday, the
10th of January, as juliet
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06
Filming n Constable.

HOratiO Maryman, venerable constable, of
Capitol Hill, was yesterday fined s. by Judge
Smell for assaplting colored woman named Eliza
Robinson. An appeal was noted. The woman
testified that Mayrman and a constable named
Carter came to her house to serve writ against
her sonn-law Andrew Jackson and levied on
property which did not belong to Jackson.
Eliza and her daughterin-law defended the
property and in the skirmish the alleged assault
was made The constableS tried to take Mrs Rob
insons stove but had to drop it, because twas hot
Judge Shell in passing sentence, said that the
debtor had rights well as the creditor and CEN
sured the constable very severely for his conduct
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06
Fell Dead with Heart disease.

In the midst OF life We are i'll death" Apparent
health, spirits, and activity TO be no guaran
tee of life. Yesterday morning, just before nine
o'clock, as John H. Speisser was leaving his resi-
dence, ON his way to the navy-yard, he fell sud
denly upon the pavement near his home a lifeless
corpse No symptom warned him of his fate; nc
utterance escaped him to give solace to those he
left behind. The only consolation to the bereaved
is that he passed into another existence without
realizing the pain terror of the last moments OF
life. number of skaters near by attracted BY the
fall, rushed TO the spot, only to hear him breathe
his last
Dr. E. A. Adams was quickly summoned. but
death had already done its work. He proclaimed
it heart disease.
Since the sudden death of his friend. Surgeon
Wells, on New Years Day, Mr.. Speisser has been
deeply impressed by the sad event, and it is DOS
sible that its constant presence to his mind has
had much TO do with his sudden taking Off
Mr.. SpeisSer was only thirty-nine years of age
He entered the naYy-yard as an apprentice in the
Steam Engineering Department at an early age
and served regular apprenticeship. His talents
were soon recognized, and he was appointed as
writer in the Office of the chief clerk of the yard
Upon the division of the bureaus Mr.. Speisser
was appointed chief clerk of the Bureau of Con-
structfOn and Repair, Naval Constructor Easily
Deceased has been a member of Mount Vernon
Lodge, Knights of Honor since its organization. He
leaves devoted and estimable wife to mourn his
sad loss. No man was better liked in the eastern
section of the city than John II. Speisser. He was
the prince of gentlemen and ali able young man
of spotleSs character and rigid integrity The
funeral has not as yet been announced.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-06
THE INAUGURATION.
Chafrnasn Thompson I'm Conference w!
the Railroad Men.

Csaairnasn Tnompson I'm Conference Win
the Railroad Men.
The regular meeting of the general executive
committee on the inaugural Ceremonies was ex-
pected to be held last night, but a quorum falleo
to appear. 60 an informal talk was INDUCED In
Mr.. D. B. Anger, viee-chairman, presiding.
Colonel Corbin announced that Mr.. W. fhomp-
son, chairman of the committee, had been called
to Philadelphia, in company with the chairman
of the committee ON transportation, to meet the
committee on the part of the passenger agents OF
the trunk-line railroads, when the quesnon OF
rates would be fully discussed and some DEFINITE
conclusion reached. Before leaving Mr.. Tnomp-
son asked that the committee adjourn unIlI the
latter part of the week, when he would De aDle u
furnish them with the result of the meeting III
Philadelphia, and at the same time the reports
from the various committees would be returned,
and they could proceed to active work. Acting
upon this suggestion the committee adjourned
unuI saturday next at seven p. m.
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS COMING.
Colonel COrbin, secretary of the executive COM
mittee, has received large number of letters in
quiring for information regarding the arrange.
military 0 de Gr to parcpafe
in the inaugural parade. Among those
stating positively that they will be in
National Guard of Pennsylvania, MajorGeneral
Hartranft commanding; the Palmer Guards, of
Columbus. Ohio, Captain B. F. Payne; Company
{, Lowell Mass Mechanic PhalanX, representa-
ton of the old Sixth Massachusetts, Regiment;
Pitts Light Guard of Medina, N. Y; the Kosci-
usko Guards, of Milwaukee, Wis; the Lynch
burg Light Artillery Blues. Captain A. II. Pet,
Guards of Pennsylvania, General Snowden
commanding, with 1900 men; the Republican In
vincibles, of NorristOwn, Pa, with 200 men; the
Hamilton Light Guards, of Cumberland, Nd. the
Chicago Union Veteran Club, 200 and the Langston
Guards, of Norfolk, Va. A number of other mill
tafy organizations express desire of attending If
transportation can be satisfactorily arranged.
Notice has been received from the general head
quarters State of California in reply to invita-
zion from the executive committee in charge of
Guard of California present thata competitive drill
has been authorized to be held in San Francisco,
to be participated in by all companies that may de-
sire to enter for the honor of being detailed to
make the journey to Washington. All military Or
CARNATIONS which may arrive will be comfortably
quartered in this city free of cost.