Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-12-10
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Mr.. Coleman Refuses to Accept Nomina-
ton.
Dad Condition of the Streets Subject
Of DiscussiOn - Local Notes
of General Interest.

not been able to secure more than a hand
full of votes at any one election. His name
is William Coleman, a pens!oner Of the
United States government, a veteran Of the
late war. He was an Independent candi-
date for Congress from the eighth con-
gressional district at the recent election
receiving dozen votes in the city; none
outside. Yesterday he was nominated and
elected to a position which he positively
declined to FILL His story, which was told
to the police, Is as follows: He said that a
young colored woman named Martha Ennis
had come to his residence, on st. Asaph
street. the evening before and asked his
wife II he was at home. Before the girl
could be answered, however, she deposited
young male infant on the doorstep, at
the same time saying that Coleman was its
father. Then she ran away, leaving the
infant. Coleman's wife lit into him and
upbraided him severely for his DIR. Jekyl
and Mr.. Hyde" conduct, though he all the
while maintained his innocence. Coleman
claims that the whole matter Is a vile and
malicious plot to ruin his political stand
ing. Coleman swore out warrant against
the Ennis woman, charging her with cruel
treatment to her child.
In the police court this morning the girl
was ordered to care for the child. The Of
Tense was committed, it is alleged at Fran
coma, in Fairfax county. so the mayor had
no jurisdiction in the matter.
The Whipping Post.
There Is a prospect of the old whipping
post being revived in this city, to be put
into effect on the tramps and others who
refuse to work on the chain gang when
sent there for vagrancy and other offenses.
The state laws allow such an ordinance to
be enacted by the city council, and 1t is
said that Mayor Thompson is very much
disposed to call an extra session of the city
council for this purpose. There are DOW
confined in the STATEN house On bread and
water diet number of tramps, who re-
fused to work on the streets, and who
doggedly refuse to go to work, saying
they will remain where they are until their
terms expire. Such procedure is a dead
loss to the city, and if the lash could be
applied. and If it were generally known
that /: would be, it is believed that tramps
Hould give the city a wide berth.
Police Court.
Mayor Thompson this morning disposed
of the following cases: Elma Redick and
Ella Cave, coloreds charged with assault on
Betsy Washington, colored; fined 81 each.
Martha Ennis. colored, charged with cruel
ty to her infant child; reprimanded. Lau-
renee Lawson, charged with defacing prop
erty of Robt. Elliott; fined 81.
United Daughters of the COnfederacy.
A meeting of the 18th Virginia Regiment
Chapter, United Daughters of the Confed-
eracy, was held yesterday afternoon at the
re sidence Of Mrs. William Greene. There
was large attendance, and eight new
members were elected. Ten dollars was
donated to K. E. Lee Camp, to assist in fur
nishing their new quarters.
Antiquntcd Streets.
Much to the disgust of many citizens the
city council again adjourned this week
without taking any action in regard to
the improvement of the streets, which are,
1t is asserted, becoming more and more
OF an eyesore every day. There Is not, it
is claimed. decent street in the city, and
on all sides complaints are heard about
them, not alone from Alexandrians, who
seem doggedly determined to make the
best of a bad bargain. but they the
laughing stock Of strangers passing
through en- route to Mount Vernon.
Hardly a train passes down King street,
the principal thoroughfare, but some of
the passengers make slurring remarks on
the Anticipated old city, 1.-The city of the
dead it is often called, and SO far as the
streets are concerned, In the opinion Of
some this statement is certainly correct
There are the Jail lot over two
hundred yards of cracked stone, which, 1t
has been suggested, should be used 10
macadamize the streets far 1t will
go, while in the old canal, which belongs
to the city, there are tons % stone which,
it is asserted, could be easily broken up
Dy the large NUMBER OF lrdmpS, negroes
convicted of petit crimes and others who
are sent to the jail subject to the chain
gang.
1t has been suggested that an organized
effort be made to elect to the city council
in the spring elections only such persons
whom ii is known will leg.slate for the Sm-
provements of the city streets.
There was a provision in the amended
city charter granted by the last legislature
giving the city the right to Issue $2OO,OOO
for street improvements. after having SUBJ
mitted the matter to freeholders. 1t is
claimed that this matter should be SUBJ
mitted to the citizens
There are about three hundred bicyclists
in town. and they are going to organize
looking to the Improvement of the streets
and the enforcement of the street laws.
They will play an important part in the
spring elections.
Dynamite in His Shoe.
A colored boy took a pair Of old shoes,
which he had just purchased, to the station
house Tuesday, and said to the chief that
there was something wrong with them, he
having noticed some shining substance in
the heel of one of them, which he discover
ed accidentally in removing a piece of loose
leather. The boy was told TO take the
shoes to a shoemaker and have them ex-
amned. He took them to Mr.. Wallis on
Upper King street, who examined the heel,
which had evidently just been repaired,
and found ensconced in it a railroad tor
pedo." The matter was again reported to
the police and they are Investigating 1t.
Had the boy worn the shoe the slightest
jar would have caused explosion that
would more than likely have torn his foot
into bits.
Arrangements are being made by r. E.
Lee Camp, c. w., to give q large banquet
on the birthday Of Gen. r. E. Lee, jan
uary 10, 1897.
Capt. George A. Mushback Of the Alex
ardria Light Infantry, has gone to Rich
mond on business of a military nature.
The Alexandra German Club will give
their next german Christmas night.
Col. Cecil Clay of Washington will de-
liver an address before the Brotherhood of
st. Andrew at Grace Church tonight.
NJ ID. Corse Camp, Sons of Confederate
Veterans. held a regular meeting last
night.
The funeral OF Elsie Marion, the infant
daughter of Mr.. Thomas M. Lynch, took
place yesterday at o'clock
The funeral of Tolliyer Holmes, who
committed suicide Sunday morning, took
place yesterday afternoon
Col. Cecil Clay of Washington delivered
an interesting address last night to the
brotherhood of st. Andrew at Grace
Church.