The National tribune., 1883-10-11
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Capital TOFics--CTimes and Casualties.
Personal and Political.

ordered ham 10 proceed at once 70 Washington
and report IN person. An answer was received
from him Friday IN which he declined 10 obey.
Major Nickerson, after he disappeared, regu-
larly reported his address every month to the
War Department until last month. a few days
before the end Of September letter was re-
ceiNed from him at the War Department, dated
Thorold. Canada. September 20, stating that he
had forwarded his address to Philadelphia but
he learned that II had not been received. His
practice OF forwarding his address was to pre-
vent his being dropped from the rolls de-
serter II is probable that the contumacious
officer will be treated as D deserter.
The District Commissioners, with view of
placing the militia affairs in Washington upon
a well understood legal basis wrote on the I'd
inst. to the Secretary OF War, suggesting that
the War Department give its Interpretation
of the present laws relating 70 the control
of the District militia and its proper quota OF
arms 20 the end that Congress may DE called
upon. IF need be. for such legislation IS VIII
make the volunteer militia Of the District ef-
feetive for The protection % the public build
ings IL any occasion should arise TO call for
their service. At present there is some doubt
as to who can cali out the militia, and who VIII
be their chief eommandeV when called out
The New Orleans National Bank, through its
counsel, Mr.. Chas. Thompson, October ;. insti-
tuted suit for 500 000 damages in the District
Courts against tho Postmaster General on ac-
count OF the latter's order Of September IS for
bidding the delivery TO ihe bank OF registered
letters and the payment 20 il OF money-orders
by reason Of its relations with q lottery com
pany. The hanks bin of complaint sets forth
that the order contained delamatOry and libel
Gus matter, and was intended to charge it the
bank with fraudulent practices aHd Illegal
action IN transacting Us banking business, and
80 have its customers believe that il was pro-
curing money by fraudulent practices.
Counsel for Sergeant Mason, the soldier who
attempted 10 shoot Guite&u, recently applied
To the Secretary OF War Tor q copy Of the Judge
Advocate-(iener review Of the proceedings OF
the coUrt-martial trial by which Mason was
tried. The Secretary refused the application,
On the ground that tho docament was conf
DENTAL Communication. it is said. however,
by the prisoners friends that the Secretary
withbolds the report bccsuse il Is favorable to
Mason. and contrary TO his own view OF the
case. Counsel VIII, Il IS reported, apply to the
President for the fun record.
Application has been made TO the War De-
paTtment by few survivors Of a Confederate
brigade residing In Norfolk for permission to
use their cid bsttle-fags. now IN possession of
that Department, on the occasion 0f a Reunion
to take place Ia few weeks Adiutant-Gen-
eral Drum said that tic application would have
to be refused, as neither the Secretary Of War
nor the President ca give OF lend these flags
without the sanction of Congress
General Geo. W. Getty. in command Of the
artillery school at Fortress Monroe, was, on the
I'd inst, placed up0n the retired list of the
army, having reached the age Of sixty-four
years. He win be succeeded in command OF
the artillery school BIZ Col John C. Iidball, of
General SheTman's staff, who viii retain his
present position as aid until General Sherman's
retirement
It is said by officer of The Post Office DEPART
meat thai the new postal notes are proving
great convenience 70 lottery companies, and to
firms and corporations which have been black
listed by the Department and denied the pTivi-
leges OF the money-order and registry system.
CRIMES AND CASUALTIES.
The buildings OF the Pittsburg Exposition,
with sheiT contests, were destroyed by fire on
the morning ~ the - inst. Loss about 81 000,-
600. The total insurance is SI600e0 on the
buildings and stock AT a meeting Of the di-
rectors the same evening il was decided not 10
rebuild. Business men. however. are in favor
of rebuilding with ir0n, and several have offered
tocOntribute.
As the lake shore train from Chicago was
nearing Adrian, Micb. on the Ath inst. il was
fired upon by coneeAed persgzss. Three win
dows in the smoking car were broken. and
three passengers hsG their laces badly cut by
fragments-of flying glass.
On the morning 0f the 5th inst, in Philadel-
phia, a locomotive rzn into s crowded street
car at q crossing, killing four persons and seri-
ously lnjurlng eleven. The train WAS running
1t the rate OF twenty-five miles an hour when 1t
struck the Car.
PERSONAL.
Judge J. P. Kiadsr. member Of the Dakota
supreme bench, died on the ID inst. al St Paul
MINI. He was Heutelant-governOro Of Vermont
one term, aud moved 10 St Paul In 1857 and
afterwards TO Dakota. In 1865 be was appoint
ed judge by President Lincoln. In l576 be was
elected delegate 70 Congress. He was after
wards reappointed Judge, which Office he held
81 the the time OF his death.
Rev. Dr.. J. H. n. Knox, of Bristol, Pa, was
elected, October ;. president Of Lafayette Col
lege, EastOn, Pa, az an adjourned meeting of
the trustees. Dr. Knox VIII accept He viii
probably enter upon his duties the latter part
OF this month, as the resignation Of President
Cattell accepted last June, after earnest efforts
to have him remaiEi,3 goes into effect on the
23d inst.
The Minnesota Conference of the " z.
Church, IN session at St. Paul on the 5th inst,
adopted a resolution requesting the next Gen
eral Conference 10 consider whether pastors
may not be appointed for one or two wears
beyond the present tern of three years, pro-
vided j shall not impair itneraBcy or the pre-
negatives Of the appointing power.
Senator Sharon on October 3 commenced a
suit in san Francisco against Aggie Hill, de-
ciaring that the alleged contract of marriage
between himself and her is fraudulent doeu-
1nent, and that no such contract was ever signed
by him or promise of marriage given BE asks
the court TO compel Miss Eill TO produce the
alleged contract.
President Arthur and party arrived at Wash
tngton on the Sth inst on the 1915 New York
Baltimore and Potomac express The President
Is the picture Of goOd health, and returns from
his trip 10 the seashore greatly refreshed The
party was driven directly from the depot to
the White House.
General Grant, wm- NJ Evarts, Commodore
Dpshur and others spoke al the animal dinner
Of the Seventh New York regiment veterans
at Delmonieo's Saturday night last check
for $4,000 was presented 0n behalf Of The vet
Grams 70 Mr.. EFarts, Cor the Bartholdi statue
pedestal fund.
q telegram has been received In Washington
announcing the safe arrival in San Francisco.
Cal, Of Lieut. Ray, who commanded the Point
harrow exploring expedition.
Matthew Arnold win sail from Liverpool for
New York in the Seryia aa the l4th inst. His
wife and daughter wiz accompany him.
POLITICAL.
Although several attempts were made 10 in
tergiew Governor Batter, OF Massachusetts.
while ia Washington, this week, on politics. he
declined 70 express any opinion IN pGblie He