Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-01-01
the public buildings. Lfliuokalani passed


ing the course Of his remarkable campaign
and stumping tour of the country William
j. Bryan visited the city and was greeted
by an immense throng at the old base hall
park, but a sudden rain storm cut short
his address. After speaking in Baltimore
he returned to the home of friends and
spent Sunday here. Earl Russell. lori chief
justice OF England and a distinguished
party spent few days i'm sightseeing here
and other distinguished English visitors to
this capital were Sir II. STAFFORD North
cote, a member of the English parliament.
and Henry Norman, editor of the London
Chronicle, whose Washington correspond
ence to his paper on the Venezuelan ques-
ton did much to enable the English reader
to understand the American attitude In the
controversy. Mr. James NJ. Barrie and DR..
John Watson-better known as Ian Mac
laren-whose stories of Scotch life have
brought him prominently TO the view of
the literary world, both made brief stops
in this city.
THE POLICE COURTS.
Unquestionably the feature OF the year,
so far as the Police Courts of the District
are concerned, was the disappearance OF
Daniel Williams the collector Of fines for
the District branch of the court, who alb
seconded without accounting for upward OF
$4,000 of the funds OF the District that
were in his keeping. Williams was appre-
hended in St. Louis and returned to this
city, being now under bonds to await the
course of the law. The prosecution of per-
sons engaging in the sale of adulterated
milk and other foods, including olive oil,
vinegar and also drugs. attracted consider
able attention, and desirable results were
attained owing to the energy displayed by
Assistant District Attorney Alexander r.
Mullowney, and the cooperation of the
health Office. Cases involving the Illegal
sale of whisky were by no means as numer
Gus as during the preceding year, the situa
ton being due to the severe penalty pro-
v!ded by the new liquor law, its rigid en-
forcement by the Police Court and the un
firing prosecution of the assistant attorney
for the District. Mr.. James l.. Pugh, jr
The officials are highly pleased thai
great reform was accomplished at Ruppli-
Vile, settlement just outside the city
limits, where, it is said, prior to the turn
ing on of the searchlight of the law a. per
cent of the houses were conducted
"speakeases." Assaults on policemen and
cases of wife-beating seem. from the
record of the year, to be on the incT Ease
in spite Of the exceedingly stiff sentences
imposed on such offenders by Judge Miller,
Who frequently advocated the adoption of
the whipping post as the only and proper
punishment that should he melted gu; 10
brutal husbands. A most positive stand
was taken against all persons brought he
fore the court as keepers of houses of pros
itution, and Migrants especially those of
the professional tramp class, learned to
Gus locality wherein to ply their calling or
to merely yisit. The new bicycle regula-
tons went Into effect and daily feature
OF Judge kimballs court has been the ap-
peararce of wheelmen gathered into the
tolls for ''scorching,' not displaying
suitable light after the fall of darkness or
for riding wheels not having 4 bell at
tached thereto. In both branches of the
court the number of cases tried since jan
uary !, 1895. were fewer than during 1895.
and the aggregate of fines paid correspond
ingiy smaller. In the United States branch
consideration was given to 800 cases, and
IN the District branch TO 1858 cases, a total
of 15,013. The fines collected in the United
states branch amounted to slightly more
than S,o36.19, and in the District branch.
as near as can be estimated, 10 s16,9U1.
DISTRICT NATIONAL GUARD.
The twelve months just closed have been
the opposite of uneventful in the history of
the District Of Columbia National Guard
The progress of the local citizen soldiery
has been seriously handicapped by the lack
OF facilities for drill. owing to the trans
formation CT Convention Hall, formerly
used as drill hall, into an ice skating
rink and the consequent exclusion OF the
troops OF the guard therefrom In an en-
deavor to increase the general efficiency of
the brigade plan has been formulated and
is about to be put in operation. providing
panies are expected to enter and which is
10 De conducted SO to embrace all
branches of military work Cash prizes
VIII be awarded from a fund contributed
by the commissioned officers of the guard
A series of rifle matches was held in the
gallery at the armory during January.
February, March and April between COM
rany, battalion and regimental teams with
the most gratifying results. The annual
rife matches were shot on the outdoor
range at Ordway and consumed three days
during October. The prizes won then and
IN the gallery matches were presented to
mony held in the rifle gallery with an es
cort OF two full companies and the ID Regi-
ment Band in attendance. The series of in
door rifle matches were resumed in De-
cemoer and a marked Improvement in the
scores was noted. Early in September a
large detachment Of District guardsmen
1ourneyed to Sea Girt to attend the annual
meeting OF the New Jersey State Rifle As
ISOLATION. After spirited contest the Dis
trict brigade team again won the coveted
Hilton trophy, while several other valuable
prizes were carried off by the local con-
tingent. On their return to this city the
victorious rihemen were met at the depot
and escorted to the armory by q large turn
out of guardsmen. 1t was announced that
in all probability the District will not in the
future send a representative brigade team
to battle for honors at Sea Girt, the reason
being that the money necessary to cover
the expenses Of the team may be put to a
better end by applying it to increasing the
efficiency Of the brigade in general in the
matter Of rifle practice. Twenty-Five of the
expert riflemen Of the guard organized as
the Amateur Rifle Club for the purpose of
in a big Scheutzen match to
be held in Chicago in June next. The club
has secured a range near Chevy Chase
constructed a shooting house, and the
members mean to practice continuously
through the winter. Company A, Sd Bat
talion-the Morton Cadets-attended the
interstate drill held at Savannah Ga. May
1-16 and captured the first prize, s., 500
the title of champion military company of
the United States and with it the right to
possess the Galveston semi-centennial
cup. The company, upon it's
return, was welcomed by the remainder
of the guard and several Independent mill
tary companies, and escorted to the armory
in a blaze of colored fire and a profusion of
ryrotechnics. A serious split occurred in
this company in November, about twelve
of the leading members boiling from the
organization and attempting to take the
AFFAIRS property and funds of company into
their own hands After the lapse of several
weeks. during which charges and counter
charges passed to and fro, the boilers sur
rendered and much discussion followed as
to whether they should be honorably or
discharged from the National
Guard. The company finally voted to rec
that the seeding faction be hon