Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-04
Judge Merrick ON the Bench Again.


Judge Merrick ON the Bench Again.
he Is SWORN IN BY CHIEF JUSTICE CARTIER
Judge William NJ. Merrick appointed to fill
the vacancy occasioned by the resignation Of
Juose Wyiie, appeared at the court house this
morning shortly before 10 o'clock, and met
Chief Justice Cartier and Justice James in the
consultation room, where the chief justice for
mally administered the oath of office to Judge
Merrick: There was a large number of men,
berS OF the bar and others in the court room ex-
pecting the oaths to be taken there some of
whom, from the doorway, witnessed their adj
mlnlstratlon. IN A few minutes thereafter the
was opened for business. Quite q number of
members of the bar and others paid their re-
sPGens R,It, 10 the new judge, among them Cen B.
r. Butier, who remarked that the judge was
now IN position to administer the laws that
he had helped to make.
,oa Tne oat9s taken by Judge Merriek are fol-
soclate justice of the Supreme Court of the Dis
trlct OF Columbia, do solemnly swear that will
AND do ra Without S respect to
and that Will faithfully and impartially dis
charge and perform all the duties incumbent
on me as associate justice of the Supreme Court,
according to the best of my abilities and un-
derstanding, agreeable to the constitution and
iaWS OF the United States. SO help me God"
the constitution and faithfully discharge the
duties of the office.
.fnso, tuS IRON claQ Oath, as fOlloWS: II, WIN.
NJ; Merrick, appointed associate justice, &C., do
soemnly swear, affirm, that have never VOL
unfairly borne arms against the United States
since have been a citizen thereof that have
voluntarily given no aid countenance counsel,
or encouragement to persons engaged in armed
hostiilty thereto; that have neither sought
functions OF, any office whatever, under any
authority or pretended authority, in hostility
to the United States; that have not yielded a
voluntary support to any pretended govern
ment, authority, power, or constitution within
the United States, hostile or inimical thereto;
that, to the best of my knowledge, will sup
port ana defend the constitution of the United
states against all enemies, foreign and domes-
tic; that will bear true faith and allegiance to
the same; that 1 take this obligation freely,
without any mental reservation or purpose of
evasion, and that will we'll and faithfully dis
charge the duties of the office on which am
about TO enter. So help me God"
Secretary Whitney and Mr. Roach.
SHARP CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT THE DOLPHIN.
Secretary Whitney's resolve to satisfy him
self of the true condition of the Dolphin, before
formally accepting her for the government, has
as yet resulted in but little more than corres-
pondence. The board specially appointed to
report as to her fitness carefully examined all
the papers relating to her construction, and
Captain Belknap, the president of the board,
then requested MIR. John Roach to prepare her
Tor another trial trip to settle the question of
her horse power and speed. MIR. Roach paid no
more attention to the request than if it had
come from private individual desiring to take
pleasure trip on the sound. He did not even
delgn reply. His reasons were those already
expressed that he had complied with the
hs dny Rs %as tepms f the Se and
the board are therefore suspended until
some action is taken to enable, them to
tered in different directions. In the meantime
brisk correspondence has been going on be-
tween Secretary Whitney and Mr.. Roach.
without making any aliusiOn to the proposed
new trial Mr. Roach, q few days ago, wrote to
the Secretary asking in effect what he proposed
doing as the vessel was completed and should
no longer remain in his possession. Because of
the Secretary's absence the exact nature of his
reply cannot be ascertained, but 1t is under
terms the necessity for another trial of the yes
selsbefOre 1t can be accepted, and calling atteu-
tion to Mr.. ROach's neglecting to take cOgni-
Zance of the request to prepare the vessel for
that trial.
Troubles Of the Virginia Democrats.
THE COUPON DECISIONS AND MALONE OFFICE
HOLDERS.
The recent decision of the U. S. Supreme
Court maintaining the validity of Virginia
coupons as medium for the payment of taxes
is q source Of serious trouble to the Virginia
democrats. A recognized leader of the democ-
racy of that state, in conversation with STAR
reporter said 1.-THE situation in Virginia is
very perpleXing, and l tell you unless the
administration does something for us, We will
lose the state. We cannot increase taxation;
the people won't stand it.: IT coupons are re-
ceived for taxes there will be no money in the
state treasury. 1t will bankrupt the state. If,
however. the administration will turn out the
Mahoneites and give the offices to democrats,
tnatwill help us. 1t will encourage the democrats
to overcome the difficulties which beset them
But that decision, just at this time, is a mighty
unfortunate thing for us.'
CHARGED WITH VIOLATING THE LAW
AGAINST GAMBLING.-In the Police Court this
charged under the second section of the gaming
act with permitting gambling in premises
under his control. Lieut.. Arnold testified that
from information received he raided the de-
fendants room at No. 926 E street northwest,
and found game of cards in progress, and cap
tured SO in money. Defendant said 1t was his
bedroom, and they were playing social game
OF cards. Andrew Wise testified that he had
played poker In Mr. Tobin's room several times.
the gan game Mr.. Williams for the tho 0 defendnmt o
said they did not deny these facts; that they
had been passed upon by the other court, and
he supposed the government did not ask for u
conviction. The court imposed fine of $1OO
and one day in Jail. Appeal noted.
GENTLE REBUKE TO AN OFF1cER-Judge
Smell had before him to-day jeremiah DriscOl
young man of South Washington, arrested for
disorderly conduct. On the way to the station
Driscoll put his hand On the officers sec coat sim
ply taking hold of the collar. For this the ad-
ditional charge of assaulting the officer was
lodged against him. Judge Smell told the OFF,
Ger mot to try to make too many cases." and
dismissed the charge of assault Driscoll was
fined 80 for dfsorderiy conduct.
ASKING A DIvORCE.-Martha L. Catlin, by
Mr.. j. I. Power, to-day nled a bill for divorce
from Bertram f. Catlin. They were married
here March 9th, 1862 and lived together till
March 3D., 1880, when, she charges, he willfully
deserted her without just cause.
THIEVES SENTENCED IN THE POLICE COURT
In the Police Court to-day Michael Began was
sentenced to six months in Jail for the larceny
of u silver watch, worth $40, from Joseph
Thelon, while the latter was intoxicated, Satur-
day night. Sarah Jackson colored, got one
month for stealing So from Esteiie Devaughn.
A small cOlOred girl, named Rebecca Ray, was
served with u similar sentence for stealing some
pop bottles. Larry Terry was charged with
stealing pOlicemans pistol. His case was con-
tinued. William Henry, for stealing q revolver,
will spend two weeks with Warden Croker.
CASES DIsMISSED.-The case of the B. & o.
R.R. Co. agt. Margaret Hetze ct AL bill OF inter-
Peader, pending since April 21st, 1881, has
been dismissed by plaintiff. The case Of Anna
and to subject part lot 4, square $50, to sale and
lien, has also been dismissed.
Alexandria Affairs.
Reported for THE EVENING STAR.
BAPTIST PASTORS CONFERENCE.-THE Wash
ington pastors conference of the Baptist
churches held its Monday session at the First
Baptist church here to-day, instead of in Wash
ington. The visiting ministers were Hospitality
received by Rev. DR.. FlippO, pastor of the
church, and the estmable ladies of the church
provided q nice lunch for them.
BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS. - Rev. Father