Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-24
MEN WHO CHIT FIGHT.

MEN WHO NIGHT FIGHT.
Congressman who arc Said to be Quick
on the Trigger.
BEIxoST-How Mr.. BELMONT SCARED FRENCH
MARKS ABOUT puELINa.
There are probably not many dueling men
in Congress. A few have the reputation OF
being quick on the trigger, and number are
said TO carry pistols. Some of the most cour-
ageous and quickest to resent an insult never
60 armed. Several Of the members of the
Fiftieth Congress are Crack pistol shots and
expert swordsmen. Two or three of them can
defend themselves with their fists skillfully.
The Backburn-Rucker affair brings up the
discussion of the courage of public men. 1t is
great mistake to imagine that southern men
are the only ones who are quick with 'gun."
No one would suspect the mild and courteous
little member from New York, who has Just
been sent to Spain, Mr.. Perry Belmont of
being 'fre-eater." Yet it is advisable for a
man who wants to avoid duel not to attempt
to put an insult upon him. He is one Of the
best shots and most expert swordsmen in this
>
BELMONT AND BIA INE.
1t is not publicly known how near he and
Mr.. Blaine came to having a meeting on the
field of honor. During the tilt between them
when the famous Peruvian investigation was
In progress both men got very angry. Yet the
publicity that was given to the affair was an
moving to both. Either would have been very
glad to have got out of it honorably without
more ado: MIR. Belmont confided to a friend
the fact that he would be willing at any time,
II agreeable to Mr.. Blaine, to 20 with him out
side the Jurisdiction of the United States, so as
not to violate the laws OF the country, and set
tie the matter according to the law Of the
code, with either pist.=. Or swords. Somehow
or other the affair w. - conducted that no
challenge actually passed between them, but
Mr.. Belmont's disposition was known to Mr..
Blaine. or to his friends.
THE COUNT sorsHr SAFETY IN FLIGHT.
When Mr.. Belmont was in Paris he had an
affair of honor on hand, but his antagonist, a
French nobleman, ran away to avoid the con-
flict.
At that time an engagement between Mr..
Belmont and beautiful young lady, who, be-
SIDES being beautiful, was worth several million
dollars, had just been broken off. A romance
OF that sort, involving people Of such wealth
anu prominence on both sides, was, of course,
much talked Of in society and at the clubs
1here was much speculation as to the reason
Tor the breaking off of the match. The par
Ties interested were silent. A certain count,
VINO was prominent club man. and withal a
great gossip, undertook to give the reason.
PUBLICLY at the club, in the presence of several
OF MIR. Belmonts friends, but in that gentle
mans absence, he proclaimed loudly that the
engagement had been broken off because of
Mr.. Belmont's dissipated habits. This was
IN lace OF the well-known fact that Mr.. Bel
mont was not in the least dissipated. His
friends r6nOrtp6 ha N, 10
once sent friend to the count with challenge.
Inc count denied having made the statement
and put the denial in writing Mr.. Belmont re-
fused to accept this statement, stating that
several OF his friends had heard what was said
and no denial could be credited. He demanded
hostile meeting. His seconds went back to
the count with this message. Mr.. Belmont's
Skill, both with swords and with the pistol. was
well known in Paris, and the count had no
desire to test it. He sent a message back that
foolish language while under the influence Of
wine the evening before, and that he was very
sorry for 1t. To this message the second added
the following:
1T this is not satisfactory you will have to
telegraph further communications. The count
has gone to England"
The counts action was made public at the
club and that ended the affair. Mr.. Belmont
may be depended upon to maintain the Ameri-
can dignity at the Spanish capital. and will do
credit to the Yankee reputation for pluck, if
necessary. But he is not a braggart, and has
not disposition to quarrel
SENATOR BLAIR MIGHT FIGHT.
few months ago Senator Blair, who comes
from the staid old state of New Hampsbire
supposed still to preserve intact a large meas
ure OF strict puritanical principles. caused con-
siderable talk by public statement to the
effect that he would fight duel if challenged.
He said at that time that he believed the late
yror nIrylnf have 1.1y r
had entertained other notions on dueling. He
reasoned that the notion that had got abroad in
the north that northern men lacked yalor had
much influence. A few duels before the war.
he thought, might have corrected this opinion.
Democrats Still Claim the House.
AND SAY THERE WILL BE NO TROUBLE WHICH
EVER WAY IT GOES
Democrats discredit the talk Of danger of
two organizations of the House. They insist
that there can be no trouble whichever way il
goes. At the House to-day they are especially
confident that they have a majority for the
democracy, and they declare that they will
have the organization.
A STAR reporter was speaking with Mr..
Breckenridge. Of Kentucky, on the subject this
morning. Mr.. Breckenridge said that he had
not been figuring on the House of late and had
no idea which party would have a majority.
but OF one thing, he said. there could be NO
doubt, whichever party had majority. if of but
one, would organize the House, and there
would be no trouble about it. 1--WE got through
some difficulties in 1876 without a revolution y
he said, "and in 1884 Mr.. Blaine, who is one of
the most daring men in the republican party.
could not resist the decision Of little 100 ma
iority. There is no danger of anything revo-
lutionary."
Speaking Of the Virginia situation. he said he
had not looked into the matter, but that he
had always thought that there ought to be some
tribunal before which such cases might be Laid
for settlement.
Sentences in the Criminal Court. =
SEVERAL OFFENDERS SENT TO THE PENIrENT1ARY.
This afternoon, in the Criminal Court, MARY
Morgan, alias Maggie Dunmore, convicted OF
petit larceny, was called up for sentence. Mr..
Kicks asked a suspension on account of her age,
seventeen years, and her previous reputation.
The sentence was deferred until January on
| bail in $500.
James Clark, a neatly dressed colored man
of twenty-five years, convicted of larceny from
| the person (pocketbook snatching from Barbara
Scroggins on August 18) was sentenced to the
Albany penitentiary for four years
John Williams, q colOred bow, convicted of