The morning call., 1895-01-12

AROUND THE CORRIDORS.

Walter NJ. Brodie Of Chihuahua. Mexico, is a
guest al the Palace. He Is the ebief engineer
OF tie Bafoplas Mining Company, the proper
ties Of which are located ia the interior OF that
country, journey OF TWO days by stage and
five days on L1nleback being necessary 10 reach
the ground Dir. Brodie is son-in-law Of
Alexander Shepherd, who was for years well
known in Washington and throughout the
country as "BOss," and who is now In charge
OF these mines. Some years ago "Boss' SheD-
herd organized number OF mining companies
10 various cities OF tie East 10 work these
Mexican properties, and ali Of them we're sub.
sequentiy consolidated into the present com
paDy. Mr.. Brodie says they have just com
pleted an aqueduct upon which work has been
going on for ten years, and which is in the main
cut into solid rock. The silver which these
mines produce, lie says, Is The pnrest in the
world, and the ore IS sometimes so rich that IL
is cut out with chlsel and wedge. Bodies of
ore weighing from 800 to 1000 pounds. from 80
TO IS per cent pure silver. have been taken
from these mines. he largest body OF silver
ever taken out weighed 400 pounds, was an
Isolated chunk. and was cut into three pieces
when mined.
Lieutenant Charles Fairbanks, U. s. A, who
IL In the city, says that the present military
prison al Fort LeaVenworth. Kan. and certain
changes which are contemplated In the manner
OF confinement OF military prisoners. are causing
much discussion In army circles in the East.
lie says that IL has Dren suggested that all
deserters be confined in guardhouses In the
various forts throughout the country, and as
eigbty-1ve per cent OF the prisoners in Fort
Leayenworth are there for that crime such a
m owe would be sure TO cause the closing up OF
the institution mentioned. "Tbe prison." lie
says, sis simply big manufacturing establish
meDt In which boots, shoes. chairs, harness,
bFoOms, and. In fact, almost any kind OF a
manufactured article are turned out by the
prisoners, who are thus brought In direct com
petition with free paid labor on the outside.
The trades unions and other labor organiza.
tions are urging the abandonment Of the prison
for this reason, but many military men are
strongly opposed TO return to the Old guard.
house plan Of Imprisonment"
There was little incident which occurred at
the C0tlllon Clubs party held In the Palace the
other evening which caused the bosom OF that
straieht-laeed society leader, Chambliss, to pro-
trude with pent-np Indignation. There Is In
the employ OF the Palace very pleasant young
gentleman OF fine figure aud cultured deport-
ment, whose duties connect him with he cafe.
Willie tie festivities were at their height the in
formation was brought TO Mr.. Cbambliss that a
plebeian walter had by some means gained ad-
mission TO the ballroom and was actually en-
joying the privileges Of an invited guest. Mr.
Chambllss leaned up against convenient
potted plant and gasped, Good Gawdi Show
me the misereant" still hunt was Instituted
to detect the interloper, but as many OF the
guests were strangers and cooks and counts
look very much alike when sttIred In evening
dress. the search was unavaling. 1t Is said
that In the future Mr. Chambllss will insist that
in every society event with which he is con.
nected the attendants shall each carry a towel
over the arm or bear some other distinguishing
mark.
Z. Black Ryan. the genial tax agent OF the
Southern Pacific Company, who makes the Oc
cidental his winter home. has fad In the way
OF collecting curious decisions made by the
courts In railroad cases. recent one was de-
iiyered by the Virginia Court OF Appeals and
grew out OF what Is known as the Thaxton dis
aster, which occurred on the Norfolk and
Western road on the night OF July /. 1889,
and by which two passengers perisbed. The
train ran into washout in high embankment
under which there was a stone culvert which
bad been there for thirty-fve years and always
before had carried OF the waters Of the
heaviest storms. On the night mentioned there