The morning call., 1892-07-10
LIVE WASHINGTON TOPICS.
The Contest Over the Will Of Allan
MCLalG.
Discussion taused by the Revival of the Sill.
YER Questionable Presidents
Family.
Correspondence of THE MORNING CALI.

Society has had little extra and unusual
amusement this week in the hearing of the
McLane will contest, and the courtroom has
been hiied with as choice a company as
could be gathered for an afternoon tea,
When Captain Allan McLane, ex-president
of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company.
died two years ago. his will devised nearly
all of his estate. of 100000 to his young
widow, the only sister Of his first wife, and
his daughters small portion had been made
smaller by codicil added year after his
marriage and two years before his death,
In the first Mrs. McLane's lifetime her
widowed mother and her sister. Mrs. and
Miss Knight, made their home with the
McLaues. Miss Abby Knight was but a
few years older than Mrs. McLane's daugh-
ter, and aunt and niece were brought UP
together and were more nearly sisters
Fourteen years after her mothers death
Miss McLane married Mr.. John Chopper
and went 10 live in New York, and soon
after Mt, McLane, then past 90. married
Miss Abby Knight. No one accused the
clear headed. strong-minded and strong
wlied old sea captain of not knowing what
he was about at any time during his life,
and he had discussed the matter with his
brothers before he married Miss Knight.
We've wondered why on earth you
didn't do it long ago if she would have you"
we're the brotherly comments on the pro-
posed union. 1t is not proved that Captain
McLane was ever very much In love with
his New York son-in-law, and after Cap
tain MeLane married, thus dividing the
estate which Mr., Chopper had expected to
manage, the son-'n-law made himself less
and less agreeable. Mr. and Mrs. Croprer
talked freely, pouring out their sentiments
and opinions To those who brought them
straight to Washington, and thus widened
hrnHen-
Lanes will was read they declared war,
ascrbing undue influence TO Mrs. McLane
and the captains brother, James McLane
Mrs. Chopper brought suit to have the viii
set aside. For three days this daughter sat
in court and allowed her lawyers to read
aloud the intimate aud loving letters which
her father had written her during period
Of several years. But Mrs. Cropper lost
her suit.
OFF FOR THE SEASIDE
There has been a little scattering for the
Fourth OF July, aud seaside and noun tain
resorts near Washington will receive con-
siderable accession for these few days.
Secretary EiknS will entertain a large house
party at his West Virginia castle, among
them the Secretaries of the Treasury and
Agriculture.
Every one thought silver laid low in Con-
gress, aud slain by three conventions. or
rather smothered by three comm tees on
ways and means of pacilying The voters.
uuI IL HIS bOtucO up again, ana ike Il RACK
in-the-b0X scared the ones that summoned
it from its hiding place Senate debates
drew large audiences and the professions
of brides and grOoms that go through
Washington In June and October in greatest
numbers have found the machinery Of legis-
latlon in full, visible, working order for
their benefit There will be q free enter
talament in the House, as soon as the cele-
orators return from their various Fourths
OF July, aud Washington sees every chance
for Congress remaining many weeks, now
that this fireb, and has started wild discus
sion once more.
THE PRESIDENT AND FAMILY.
The President will make a hasty trip to
the AdroHdacks with Mrs. Harrison to
make sure that the accommodations and
surroundings are what they should be for
her. aud then remain closely at his past
until Congress adjuurns Pretty Mrs Rus
sell Harrison has come on to preside over
his household for the time. and viii go from
the White House to Cape May, AS the Presi-