Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-13

ment Tuesday night and Wednesday, but
all nope was given up Thursday. when it
was apparent he was weakening gradually
He became unconscious yesterday as
stated.
His Personality.
Personally Mr.. Berret is one of the
most attractive of men. Those who diff
fered with him on political or civic ques-
tiOns loved him for his amiable and genial
disposition and his kindly spirit. Tall and
erect Of form. muscular and active even
when age had crept upon him. handsome
and distinguished in appearance ne was a
marked figure in every assembage. His
popularity has been confined to no class and
no creed. The cultured and refined the hum
bic and iowly esteemed him with real at
lection.
From early youth Mr. Berret was man
OF affairs. Born in what was then Balti-
more county, Nd, February IL. 1915. the
extent of his education was two years at
tendance at a country school. His father
was a farmer. and the boy became his
valued aid and helper. At the age of six
teen years his fathers death threw him on
his own resources. and the care Of the
farm devOlved upon him. He met the re-
spOnsibiiity as he did those that followed
with masterly ability. Ere he was twenty
years old he had the reputation of being
one of the best farmers in his section of
Maryland. as well one of it's able citf-
zens- because. while tiliing the soil, he
had studied hard. As he once said 81
made my daily life my daily education al
ways
Young Rerret took an active part in coun-
" affairs leading all movements that had
Its material Improvement in view. ara
when. in 1896. the portion of Baltimore
county in which he lived was made into
Carroll county he was elected without So
notation member of the state legislature
The notification of his nomination reached
him while he was at work in the field and
~ received his certificate of election signed
py Ihi governor when he was turning his
plo" horses at the end of a furrow. He
served two terms in the legislature taking
prominent part in its deliberations and de.
bates. and declined reelection.
Came to Washington i'm 1899.
MI Berret came to Washington in 1899,
having received an appointment in the
nted States treasurers office
He showed the same ability to master re-
sponsihllities in this new field that he had
exhibited hitherto. and gained rapid reputa-
ton for superior executive CAPACITY He
remained in the treasury until ls4S when
Iovernor Marcy, then Secretary of War
rendered him the chief clerkship of the pen.
sion office He held this position for only
d year. reSigning. in spite of strong re-
quests to the contrary, and when he re-
urea he was presented with a silver pitcher
Dy MS fellow officials and employes az
marx OF their appreciation of him las an
oiILceI. friend and courteous GENTLE
man This was the first testimonial eyer
presented to government official in such
way. and the pitcher has always been
sions P'''e'
In 100 he embarked in business for him
sen IN tRe prosecution of claims before the
several departments. and was very success
Iui- Ihree years later he was appointed
postmaster of Washington, a position ba
hled with credit for five years
The Know Nothing Troubles.
The know nothing agitation of the I.tsr
mites. which CONFUSED the country Gull
minated. as far as Washington city was
concerned. on June l. 1857, when an cleo
nor Tor mayor was in progress heated
discussion had arisen over the question as
10 whether naturaIized citizens should
naFe TIE right to vote the know nothings
10 considerable extent being opposed
10 their exercise of such suffrage Mr.
Berret was one of the most pronounced
opponents of this view. and In the diffl-
cuitieS that ersued was one of Mayor Ma
gruders chief advisors
trouble was anticipated for several days
ilu oeIore the election in question the
press ana conservative citizens did all I'm
their power to calm the excitement Ar
rargementS had been secretly made how
ever. Tor the importation of notorious
toiIghs from Baltimore. known as 'Dlug
ugiieS. and band of them reached bere
on an early train. others following later.
Az the voting precinct in the fourth ward
ar attack was made on a naturalized voter
az 80 a m and an effort made to drive
All such voters from the polls In tha
hght that followed Richard Owens COM
missioner OF the ward. was badly shot In
tRe arm and wounded in the head; Justice
Goddard. Justice Dom F. A KIoofar ana
Geofge II. Spencer were bruised by stones.
and Chief OF Police Baggott and OfHcers
Desges and Berckhead were more or less
severely wounded and driven away The
result was that naturaIized voters were
oe1oraiized and retired from the polls,
An hour later the plug uglies appeared in
Tue second ward and fred pistols.
The Marines Called Ont.
Mayor Magruder called on the Secretary
OF tue Navy for assistance and 10 marines
under Major Tyler and Captain Maddox.
were placed at the mayors disposal When
IL became known that the marines had been
ersered out a number of young men secured