Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-01


Ex-senator Spencer ia6ulgeS In two-column
Interview Cxi lainGg his Te.ajtDn to the star route
trial an why H. no. present to testify when
needed IL M Spencer i1Iag mes that he has re-
neved himself OF an iOLa o. the odiun attaching
to him because or his conduct In regard to that
trial he is ~ st Iken. HIS complaints against COL
Bliss and of the manner In which lie was sub
pBnacd are mltters PERSONAL 10 himself. The
fact Is that he was Iere in Washington, AMI that
he sudden and much to the surprise and di sap
paintmeDt OF the prosecution, left the city just
at tnr time wh-n his testimony was required.
Whether lie Travelled In his own name or some other
Is matter Of no moment He evaded and avoided
a plain duty duty doubly incumbent upon
Spencer a citizen, and as ii servant Of the gov
eminent, which was prosecuting the case His
discovery, out west, that his subpoena was
"ilegal, he says determined him not to return to
Washington, by disobeylng IL no could not be
guilty OF contempt of court By this very admis-
sion Mr.. Spencer conVictS himself OF the charge
made against him OF DO .ging service and avoiding
the witness stand. IL was discretionary with hln
whether he should return or not, he says, and mis-
discretion admODiShet him to run away. Mr.
Spencer declares that he Is perfectly willing to
give any testimony he has In the star route case
upon a deposition" He betrays his fear OF q
rigid examination, in this declaration lie repre-
sented as having made damaging charges against
the star route thieves to more than one person
This is the point upon which Spencer Is wanted to
testify and after running half the country to
evade service, ne expresses his Willingness 10 tes-
ufy "up0n a deposition" 1t is plain enough that
Spencer breads the questions that Messrl Bliss
and Merrick would put to him.
Gambetta, the French statesman, died at mid
twth the expiring breath or the old year ut the
age OF a. He WIS in political life for about twenty
years, but had been Conspicuous as an agitator
ana leader since the Franco German war. He was
an outspoken opponent Of the empire, and was
among the first to proclaim the republic after the
surrender OF Louis Napoleon at Sedan. He be-
came minister OF the interior In the proyis-
fonat government OF national defense, and under
took TO conVoke the electoral colleges, but as Paris
was beSteged by the Germans no election could
take place. Gambetta e-clped from the beleag-
ured Gil y In balloon and joined his colleagues at
Tours. He assumed general direction OF French
Affairs ant French movements outside the capital
and though all his energetic efforts to raise
armies failed he issued decress, gave out hope
Iui reports OF the situation, and declared his pur-
pose To continue the war even after Paris
had been surrendered. He seemed to have
fancy for opposing those In Power and authority,
and was rarely ever In accord with even those
leaders whose political principles and purposes
were similar to his own Nevertheless, he MAIN
ta1ned his hold upon the people, and always dis
pnctiye Following. He was OF GenOese-JewtSh
descent As a forensic Orator he held prominent
position. and as political speaker he probably
mac no superior In his country. For some time
he has been out or the leadership, but the repub-
He which he created has got ON very we'll under
the administration OF less brilliant but more
practical than he, and 1t Is not likely that his
death VIII cause any serious damage to the cause
or popular government In France.
New Year Day was itly marked In Washington
BY the Introduction on her streets to-day OF the
regular London or Hanson" cab This Is a con-
veblence that has long been needed here, and the
public have TO thank the Pennsylvania railroad
company for at Last seeing and taking advantage
OF an opportunity OF which private enterpri Q has
upto this time refused or failed avail ITSELF tits
understood that for the present the limited num-
Der OF these vehicles I'D Use intended mainly to
De run In connection with the arriving and de-
parting trains Of that company, and In this way
tney Will meet long felt WANT The real need for
such conveyance Will hot De supplied however
until they are placed the streets In nOeraI num-
0er5, with regular stands at easily accessible
points, so as TO respond Instantly to the calls OF
visitors, business men, etc- Thus furn shed they
cannot fail TO become In short time not only A
great convenience to the public, but also the
source OF large and steady profts to their ownera
TIE year 1882 has made its record and passed
away. Taking general review OF Its short life Of
twelve months, 1t can be said that 1882 conducted
Itself very orJerly and peacefully. 1t excited no
wars produced no great COMMISSIONS Instead OF
writing its history IN blood, or famine, or human
suffering, the year 1882 brought much more Of good
than evil upon the world 1t Was year of general
prosperity. Crops yielde3 abundantiy, and indus
Sry reaped its proper reward. But, after all, the
year was no better no worse, than many OF its
predecessors The death OF an old year and birth
OF e new enc Is pathetic theme only In poetry
In PRACTICAL, every day lie the only change is that
which Is made In the last figure Indicating the
year.
Among the big things accomplished In the
speculative year or 1882 was the building OF II GOO
miles OF railroad