Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-02

The sharp attack on Western Union by Vice Presi-
dent Garrett, Of the BaltirnCra Ohio railroad CON-
rlny, has set people 70 wondering what i5 in the
air Both Mr. Garrett and Nr. Gould deny that
there IS any thought Of consolidating the new tee-
graph company with the Old one, but in matters of
this sort actions speak louder than words; and
several incidents have occurred which lead suSpi-
ci0us people to scent coming combination. 1T is
urged for Instance, that the Western Union would
not let its most efficient and trusted employees
desert II for rival company with apparently no
effort at retaining their services unless these EN-
ployes were really the advance guard In an army
or occupation which is soon to I'LL the chief places
Ia a united organization. 1t Is noticed that con-
boidatlon In the past has been introduced by such
tactics, and the same may be true again.
Another complication in the present case Is the
aggressive attitude Mr. Garrett is taking on the
telephone business. To judge from surface indica-
tons simply, the daring railroad king, not content
with fighting jay Gould In his stronghold is pung-
ing into war with the Bell telephone COMPANY
one of the richest and strongest mOn0poleS In the
world The patents of this company are In Htiea-
ton. but thus far the courts have sustained them
ana the chances of outside parties winning any OF
the pending suits are, TO say the least, speculative
Nevertheless, Mr.. Garrett has organized rival teie
phone company, which Will contest the right of the
Bell company TO control the business. and in this
new departure he Is showing all his characteristic
energy and confidence. At present, in both these
ventures, Mr. Garrett appears as free lance
and the peoples champion against monopoly. 1t
remains to b1Seen how long he viii continue to play
this role
Wendell Phillips IS reported to be dangerously ILL.,
AMI as he IS now quite Old man and not at all
strong. this warning Paragraph may BE followed by
tdlngs of his death Mr. Phillips practically with
drew from the platform several years ago on ac-
Increasing To no
younger and growing generation his eloquence is
only tradition That as an orator pure and sim
PIE he ranks first in nation that has produced
Patrick Henry, Webster, Clay. Everett Beecher and
others Of equal gifts. win be claimed for him by
thousands who have felt the witchery OF his voice
and presence. Ills death will take away almost the
last OF the group Of agtators by whose efforts the
question OF slavery forced to The front in Amer-
can politics.
III IS proposed TO settle the row In Dr.. NeWman's
New York church by a congregational council from
the neighbOring churches. According to the
canonS OF the Congregation al church il there should
arise serious difficulties between pastor and his
people such council should be called II the
troubles could not be settled by the church itself
The disturbances In DR.. Newmans church are con-
siiered,-by his opponents at least,-aS sufficient
10 warrant the calling OF such council 1t is not
known whether DR.. Newman will consent to the
calling OF council, but he declares very decidedly
That he has no intention OF resgning.
very jolly champagne lunch given yesterday
oS a newly installed Senate clerk. In the Senate
restaurant, raises the question whether in the
opinion OF the Senate experts, that beverage Is sin
tOxicating."
This Is grounding day. when that sagactous
animal Is said to come out of his hole TO see how the
winter Is getting on. The legend Is that If the hog
sees his own shadow he goes back for six weeks
more OF winter; and the Is shining brightly
to-day the unpleasant deduction is that the coal
bills Will keep heavy till after the fourth OF March
fortnight OF stubborn balloting at Frankfort
leaves Carlisle in favor the most likely Senator
from Kentucky. The friends of the other candi-
dates, however, do not despair.
Rat Killing seems TO be the fashionable diversion
OF The titled and cultured. few days ago Brit
1Sh lord organized a little show OF this sort and
close upon the heels of this example party of Yale
students got up We must add that the police
had the lack OF taste and reverence for arstocratc
pastineS to break up the sport In both cases.
Judge Packer. the only remaining son OF the late
Asa Packer and the inheritor OF most OF his vast
wealth and railroad Influence, died yesterday at
the early age Of 33 years. By his DEATH under the
terms OF his fathers WILL the bulk OF the property
now goes TO sister who, II may be remarked is an
unmarried lady, with an income of g 900 day.
The weather is clear but COOL and the higher
temperature predicted, that was to let loose the
fOtOnlac floods, has not developed The signs are
low that We shall escape flood, this time
FtZ John Porter did not need the aid of the votes
OF the rebel brgaders TO get his bill passed In the
House.