Evening star., 1913-12-28

head Of the department Of labor. He has
held the Office under three governors, and
IL the organized workingmen can have
their way he will serve under four. The
latest of the unions to urge his appoint
ment Is that Of the Order of Railway
Trainmen. with headquarters in this city.
Gov.-elect Stuart will have to name
successor to Mr.. Doherty soon after he
assumes Office, and while he has made not
the least expression indicating his inten-
ton. the belief is that Mr.. Doherty will
be retained for another term. Mr.. Do
herty Is a cigarmaker by trade and was
for years active in politics He was chair
man Of the city democratic committee for
years.
Epidemic of Robber1es.
For the last two weeks there has been
an epidemic Of robberies of all sorts in
and around this city. Highwaymen,
sneak thieves, safe-blowers and pick
pockets have been reaping a harvest
with only one or two of the highway
men arrested. The principal work has
been that done by corps of expert
l1ght-hngered men who have mixed with
the holiday crowds and touched the
pockets of men who were known to have
money. They worked on the street cars
and In saloons and along the streets.
ne OGlcCLIVeS nave Ocen nara at WORK.
but they have not been able to get the
least evidence against any Of the opera
tors. The officers are convinced that the
crowd which has been operating here is
on its way to New Orleans and other
places where the people are in the habit
Of carrying large sums of money, many
Of them having come up from the James
town race meet and collecting enough
for expenses further south.
Observe Ancient Custom.
Tonight the members Of Manchester
Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma
sons. held Its annual meeting for the
election Of officers. For more than 100
years on st. Johns night the lodge has
held supper, at which time several fat
opossums are served. The supper is pre-
pared by an "oldtime fore the war"
cook. being baked to its perfection.
The occasion is always made memor-
able, there being a fixed address and
special music. Invitations are sent to
the more prominent state and city Of
ficials. few Of them declining to attend.
The crowds at these suppers Is always
large The opossum suppers had their
origin when the finances were at low
ebb. the tiler being directed to provide
entertainment for the lodge. Going out
side he saw large opoSsum sconing up
the steps. He captured 1t, fattened it for
81. JOhn night, and Since that time the
suppers have always been conspicuous
for the marsupalins.
Enquist Is Freed.
Several weeks ago a young white man.
Edmund Enquist, was arrested here for
flashing worthless checks. He proved to
be the son Of a well-to-do business man
in Brooklyn. When relatives heard all
the facts In the case they concluded to
let him have bit of Jail experience, with
the hope that he would return home
and lead an exemplary life It was
learned that he had engaged in such
practices before, costing the family much
notoriety and sorrow.
He declared that he had lost a large
amount while following the races at Nor
folk. coming here broke. He gave the
hotel here check for his bill, which
proved worthless. He was also wanted
In Norfolk for the same offense. The
hotel man here relented after he had
been in Jail for some time and agreed
to pocket the loss and give the young
man a chance to get to his home to
spend the holidays with his family.