1
TOIL FOR BREAD AND BUTTER ,
Reduction of Working Hours Demanded
Around the World.
A LEADER OP THE GREAT MOVEMENT
Tlio Slioo CIcrkN Have Applied to the
Knlghtft oT halior and n Hoy-
cott Hnw Itncn !
Involution in UOIII-H.
At the Inst regular meeting of the central
labor union of this city Congressman Cou
ncil's eight-hour bill wiw discussed nt con
siderable length. The result was thnt strong
resolutions wcro passed cndors Ing Its provis
ions and urging the congressmen from this
state to vote for Its passage. The bill reads
ns follows-
llo It enacted by tlm < mate and house of
rcjircM.'iitntlVosof the United States of Amor *
li'ii In congress assembled , That right , hours
filial ! constitute a day's work for all laborers ,
workmen nnd mechanics now employed , or
who may liorouf lur ho employed , by or on be
half of ( ho government of the United States ,
nxf'ont In CUM * * of cxlrnoidlnnry emergency
Yrhlcli mny nrlio In time of war , or In cases
tohuro It mny he necessary to work moro than
eight hours per calendar diiv for thu protec
tion of jiroperty or human life : Provided ,
Thai In all mich CIIM-S the hiboiurs , workmen ,
or mechanics NO employed nml working to ex
ceed eight lionr.-i per calendar day Hlmll ho
paid on the basis of eight hours constituting
n day's work.
Sec/2. That nil rotltraots hereafter nuiiln by
oronhohalf of the government of the United
Hlntes with any corporation , purMin.or per
sons for the performance of any work or the
fiiinlslilng of any material manufactured
within th United .States , Khali bo deemed and
considered as made on the hasls of eight hours
constituting a day's work ; nnd It shall ho un
lawful for nny Midi corporation , person or
persons to reiiulru or permit any laborer ,
workman , or mechanic to work moro than
eight hours pur calendar day In doing sneli
work or mnniifnctiirlng sucli material , uxeept
In the eases and upon the conditions provided
In scut Ion ono of t Ills net.
Keo. 1) ) . That , nny ollleerof the government of
the t'nltril Stiitii , or any person acting under
or for btioh ofllcur , or any contractor with the
United Slater or other person violating nny of
thu provisions of this act , shall for each
VilTenso bo punished liy u Uno not less than * . " > 0
nor more than tt.cou , or Imprisonment not
iiioio tliaii sl.x inoiillis. or bo both lined nnd
Imprisoned In the discretion of thq court.
In speaking upon the subject tlm prominent
members of the Knights of Labor iu this city
advanced the theory that it is only a question
of a short time when such nrulu , if not a law ,
will bo in force in every state in the union.
They suy this is only the beginning of the
great reform that in time will sweep over the
entire Innd , and to provo their theory , point
to the advancement mndu hi this direction
within the past llfty years.
In conversation with an old man ycstciday ; ,
ono who has been n Knight of Ltiuor since
the order was In its infancy , the latter said :
"WeJl do I remember lifty years ago when
n day's work begun at sunrise and ended at
sunset. Wo thought nothing of the practice
ns the example was set by our forofutlicrsnnd ,
what was good enough Tor them wns good
enough for us. But us time rolled on nnd wo
became educated , wo concluded the hours
were too long , nnd thnt by shortening them
wo would not only bo bcncilUing ourselves ,
but would bo lidding to the intcrcrts of our
employers. We imulo the demand and n day's
labor wns reduced to twelve hours. In this
nit wo worked along for years , but iignin wo
commenced to think , and 'observing the im-
irovemcnt the twelve hour system had
.vrought , wo made another demand , insisting
thnt ten hours should constitute n working
day. This mot with opposition nt llr.it , but
after a little time wo were victorious and the
concession was granted , both employer mid
employe being satisfied.
"To make u long story short wo arrived nt
the conclusion thnt in creating the world God
Imd divided time In such a manner that the
day wns composed of twenty-four hours of
I time , and lathis division lie had intended
tlwit eight hours wcro for labor , eight for
Bleep and eight for rest. Following out the
/jxumploof ills inllnito wisdom , wo are now
before the people with our demand , which to
every thinking man must seem just and
right , . " '
The leather of Shorter Hours.
OTho 1-Jtb of May stands la the calendar of
Industrial progress ns the anniversary of the
birth o.f Koburt Owen , the most famous labor
champion of the nineteenth century.
In those days of struggle for shorter hours
the virtues of this great philanthropist tire
naturally culled up. Nothing could have
been moro pitiable that the condition of the
working class In England when he began his
v grand efforts to ameliorate it , about the beT -
T ginning of this century.
Standing on a hill overlooking his factories ,
tills Vlch mid powerful manufacturer reflected
that they wcro llllcd with wretched men ,
women nnd children , doomed to from twelve
niv
IJ grutfifU " hours of daily labor , nml to enjoy
'eok at'.ly more of the comforts and refinements
8IG' < = 'ithati ' his horses and cattle. His h'euia
o wcro stirred , and from that
iflio determined to devote his fortune to
E'dtig ' labor attnu-tlvu and remunerative
iin& blending it with education and self-
rosport.
One of the flrst means adopted by Owen
was to secure shorter hours. Not being nblo
with all his wealth to enlist the London Times
In the causa ho hired its space and printed
bis Ideas as advertisements.
No sooner did the ten-hour movement
spread thnn nil the leading journals of Kng-
Innd strenuously opposed It. ' They said it
would ruiu British industry , encourage idle
ness and Increase crime. Ju short , such a
movement , they &uld , was akin to treason to
the state.
Yet the movement went on , and n campaign
of education gradually succeeded in winning
over other manufacturers , members of pnrlk-
ineut and the press , until ut last ten haul's
cnma to bo a legal day's labor iu Great Brit
ain.
ain.In
In the debates In parliament all the argu-
incuts of conservatism wcro exhausted to
that twelve or fourteen hours was the
proper thing for the highest moral welfare of
labor. The Joseph Cooks of those days wcro
especially zealous in showing that if the work-
ingmttn was given nny considerable margin
between their labor mid sleep ho would bo
sui o to make a bad use of his tiiuo and mono } ' .
Today the man who should raise iu parliu-
mcnt and move for twelve hours ns a legal
day's work would probably bo carried out us a
lunatic.
This movement for shorter hours is proper
ly an educational ono. The workiugmcn now
agitating It are moving steadily , rationally
nml peacefully forward. Tito constant in-
ereaso of productive power makes it Just that1
the workiugman should enjoy bis share of the
saving of labor , and in the end justice will
* \iv i > n M
Will U Ho a Iloyoolt ?
Although littleis snld , the movement on
the part of the clerks In the retail shoo stores
oi the city for a reduction of hours of labor is
by uo means dead.
Some time ago , when the subject was
taken under advisement , u petition was clr--
diluted among the dealers , anil signed by all
tho'lcadliig firms with the exception of three.
After that , a committee wultcd upon the
, thrco Unas with the hope of presenting urgu-
incuts which would couvlnco them It was for
il their best Interests to close their stores at 0
o'clock , at least during t tie summer months.
The arguments wcro without avail , the pro
prietors claiming that , by so doing , they
would lese un enormous amount of trade ,
which would go to the general stores , hand ,
ling boots uud shoes , iu addition to their
other Hues.
The clerks conferred with the houses favor
ing early closing , and although no publio
demonstration bus been made , have silently
waged a warfare that in the future they hold
will crown their efforts with success.
A few days ago a number of the clerks In
the stoivs favoring the early closing plan , hi
behalf of themselves ami their fellow clerks ,
held a meeting and decided upon the course
/o bo pursued.
The matter was presented to the Knights
. of Labor who , after approving of their action.
referred the complaint to the Central Labor
union , where it will bo ucted upou uo doubt
nt the next meeting of that body.
The. question now arises , "What can the
, Central Labor union do to aid the dorks ! "
L'pou this u number of the delegates have
been gccu and the sentiment seems to prevail
that but ono course U left to bo pursued ,
which is to boycott the houses refusing to
como to terms.
Yesterday a prominent worker In the cen
tral labor union cnld :
"Tho shoo clerks Imvo naked us to aid
them ami as co-workers In the same cause ,
we nro In duty bound , by the obligations of
our order , to give them the assistance wo can
In the way of affording relief. "
"How will you go about itl" was asked.
"Thcro are various ways , " ho replied ,
"but the most effective Is the boycott.
"In Omaha wo have from 10,000 to 15.000
men who la-long to societies organized to
further the interests of the laboring classes ,
nml should wo order a boycott , there Is no
doubt all , or at least nearly nil of these men
mid thelrfumilles would give these stores n
most severe letting nlono.
"The shoe clerks have Just cause for com
plaint , as it Is n most notorious fact that ,
under the present system , they are compelled
to labor from twelve to fifteen hours each
day. whlio men In other lines of
trade work only from nine to
ten hours , and receive as good , if not better ,
wages.
"Wo don't ' care to go before the public Just
at present upon this i > roKsltioii | , as the clerks
have not yet entered Into full fellowship , but
when they do , and then como to us , they can
make their demand , and rest assured it will
bo granted , with no half-way ground ,
" 1 feel safe in saying that not a merchant
in Omaha has any desire to see a firm boy
cotted , because It means the loss of busi
ness ; but , If the occasion demands , nnd the
boys want our help , the manifesto will go
forth. "
The clerks fully understand what course
the central labor union will expect them to
pursue and will net accordingly. There Is
now no doubt but that within the next ten
days or two weeks they will perfect an
organization and apply for the protec
tion which the Knights of Labor are only
too willing to grant , if the application comes
through the proper channel.
A number of the larger stores in the city
have already agreed to meet the demands of
the clerks and are only waiting until they
shall ask for shorter hours , while others are
holding out , claiming it would bo ruinous to
their business if their clerks wcro allowed to
dictate terms.
The next ten days.will settle the matter Iu
ono wny or the other , ns a point has now been
reneheu where. If the clerks do not win , they
will accept thair defeat without n murmur
and continue to labor us heretofore.
Hours All Over.
There are hut few people outside of the
bread winners who stop to consider how
earnestly the worklngmeu of America nnd
Europe nrc striving to bring about n healthy
and friendly sentiment upon the subject of
shorter hours of labor.
The agitation now going on throughout the
country Is evidently not the result of n week's
discussion. Neither did it begin lust month
or last year. Agitation nnd education have
progressed alike , through various stages for
the past twenty years. The labor-saving
machinery of the present age , invention , nd-
vnnccmcnt in skill and science , have made it
possible to do the world's work in a few hours
each day. Half n century ago it took long
hours , from sun to sun , nnd even then the
work wns not done. Figure it out for your
self. Four hours of work every dny by all
who should work , nnd there should bo no
idlers , would not only supply nil of the wants
of the world , but would lay up a surplus as
well.
If this bo true , it is bold that the hours of
labor should bo shortened so ns to give steady
employment to the idle hands and create n
new demand for the manufactured articles.
The great point Hint has been in controversy
Is the best wny by which this one object may
bo attained without creating friction or
stopping the wheels of progress.
This year the American Federation of
Labor , following the Instructions received nt
the animal convention , has made nn clTort In
behnlf of one craft the carpenters-hut
whether they succeed or not in establishing
the system of shorter hours , they have
started the work of agitatitiii , which the or
ganization states will move steadily ou until
manufacturer nnd workman alike will see the
neecssit } ' for the adoption of a system that is
not only practicable , but humuno nnd abso
lutely necessary. It is not to bo supposed
that becnuso there are different organizations
in the movement thcro is an antagonism be
tween them ; nnd whl'o ' all of them nro
not mnking special efforts this year ,
they , iUre none the less determined
to \ ) 'grX ' ! reform for themselves utsome time
iu tno future.
The plan adopted by the Knights of Labor
to shorten the time one-half hour each year
without any reduction or wages , has been
adopted without any friction in many places ,
the most extensive of which is in the shops of
the Union Pacific railway company. Uetwccn
the management of this road nnd the Knights
there is nn agreement to this effect and the
first steps looking to the desired end have
been taken.
All over the civilized world the organized
workmen are setting forth their claims for
recognition in this direction ; nnd , while they
may differ in opinion ns to the methods of de
tail , they stand ns one man upou the broad
question that the hours of u working day
must bo shortened.
Upon this subject General Master Work
man Powderly , u few days ago In au inter
view said :
"I sincerely hope thnt ns a result of the ag
itation of years the workmen and manufac
turers of this country may sco the absolute
necessity for a common understanding on this
question. There will bo no cessation , there
can bo none , iu the ngitation for the short-
hour system uytil it is put into practical ope
ration. It is n wnsto of time nnd energy on
the part of the employers to attempt to'light
down the idea , for it will not down. If it is
downed this year it will bo up the uoxt year ,
nnd though every organization now In existence
ence- should bo wiped off the face of the earth
in 1800 , the coming years will sco them reor
ganized and fnv moro determined to
win the reform demanded and fought for
through so ninny years. "
Organized Swedish Carpenters.
The Swedish carpenters of the city have
fallen into line and are about organized into
ono of the strongest unions in the city. Until
recently the wood-workers of this nationality
were opposed to uuioiis , believing that they
could secure better wages and have us much
protection by staying outside the fold.
About six weeks ago n number of them met
nnd nfter discussing the situation in the cast ,
determined to enter the brotherhood.
Last week ; of the ! IOO Swedish carpenters
In Omaha , 150 mot In Green's hall , where ,
under the direction of W. B. Musser of the
Central labor union they took the first step
toward organizing n society of their own.
Kutlutstiistio speeches were made by a
number of the gentlemen present , nfterwfiich
they all signed an application asking for ail-
mission into the Knights of Labor.
The application has been forwarded to
headquarters , nnd , upon its return , another
meeting will bo hold , nt which officers will bo
elected for the ensuing year.
With the formation of this organization and
that of the German carpenters , nearly all of
the flrst-elnss wood workers of Omaha will
lo within the folds of organized labor.
Imbor Notes.
ThoIIaverhlll , Muss. , plumbers and carpen
ters struck for nine hours ami their demands
were grunted.
In New York city 170 Italian marble cut
ters went out for nine hours and their places
wore filled by other workmen.
The wood-carvers in the Grand linplds ,
Mich. , furniture factories uro on a strike.
They demand nine hours.
In this city the waiters In ono of the chop
houses struck for higher wages last week ,
They had been receiving fS per week and do-
miuidcd $9. Instead of securing the addi
tional dollar they wcro discharged and .their
places filled with now men.
In Toledo , Ohio , the bakers and brewers
who have boon working twelve hours per
day , have had their time reduced and uro
no\v working ten hours and receiving twelve
hours' pay.
The Consolidated pavers of Now York city
have fixed the sealo at * 1.50 , nine hours and
110 sub-contracting.
Conductor Jurrls , of Division , Order of
Kullwuy Conductors , is at the Rochester con
vention. No. 49 has headquarters nt Mo-
bcrly , Mo.
Conductor William Flyun of the Union
Pucillo represents the Omnha divisions in
the convention of railway conductors now
convened at Rochester , N , Y.
Last week all the granite-cutters in Nlan-
tlc , Oroton uud Now London , Conn. , went ou
a strike , demanding niua hours , without nuy
reduction in pay.
Iu the Atlantic copper mines at Hancock
Mich,500 miners nro on n strike. They were
receiving tlO per month uud demanded $1,70
per day.
At Youngstowu , O. , last week all painters ,
Every Pair of Our'Men's ;
Shoes to be : 10 plocos bloaohod damask Bloaohotl at'lfic ; worth Dnmnsk GOc.
10 plocos bleached damask at 75e : worth OOo.
10 pieces bleached dama.sk , ( IS and 72 in wide , at $1 ; would bo cheap at 41.2-3.
10 pieces 72 in bleached damasit , in very cliolea patterns , at $1.25 ; well worth
11.05. ; i-l impKins to matoh , at $ ,1.75 ; worth $1.5 0.
7T\ Oroam Onmnsle
15 plocos extra crontn.i1umn.sk at 60c ; worth 05e , This damask is very smtablo
for boarding houses and restaurants.
Half bleached damask , extra line , nlOoo ; good value for S3c.
Odd Ololhs
Vfo have a small lot of odd olotlia tlnii wo have no napkins to match , in sizei
8-4 and 8-4 by 10-1 , this little lot will be sold out regardless of cost , anyone that
can use these sizes will do well to como early as the lot is small and they ; are
A T very 8.4 choap. flue damask cloths at < 2,2. " > ; reduced from 93.3o.
-A. 1 8-1 line damask cloths at $3.76 ; reduced from $3.
- 8-4 extra fine damask cloths at $ l.f 0 : reduced from $ b.
8-4 llnest daransk cloths nt $5.50 ; reduced from $7.00.
8-10 line diuimjk cloths at $ ; ! ; reduced from $4 ,
We have Decided not to 8-10 extra line damask cloths at Napkins $0.60 ; reduced from $8.50.
* Extra largo 6-8 bleached napkins $1.95 ; worth $ 2.35.
' Special Kxtra line 3-4 double damask napkins at $5.60 ; reduced from $7.
Keep Men's Shoes. 3-1 line damask napkins at $2.37\voll } ; worth $3.25.
. 3-4 extra damask napkins at $3.50 ; good value at $4.
To-wols
Flno huek , sl/c 17ixn ! : , nt (1.SO ( pcrdnrrn ; would he clicnp at J2.
I'lno hiiek towoK size lUxUS , i > l tl < lo.Tills towul Is very cheap nml Is well wortli J2.73. doz
And will close out at cost our large stock I'lno dnmii'sk towels , knotted fringe , ntl.'o ; worth 0e.
, At I'.ic ' wo show mi eleRunt nssortmcnlpf line diimnik nml hiiek towels , tlioy nro worth SVj.
At " . * > ovu sliowtlin tlnost line of dnnuiHk niul liiiok towels tliutuan uo found In the city ,
many of the towels In Hits lot tire well worth 350 mid 40o.
bought this spring direct from the eastern Bed Sproada
1M ( croohot hod spread ? at 7. " > o ! wortli Die.
] 0-J crooliul boil spreads , In in ir.sollles pattern1' , ut tlj Rood value nt H.25.
manufacturers. 11-4 I'roohi't hod Himwils nt. U.S1 , this Is a spaolal Imriulu anil is well worth 11.85.
. 1U-4 Marseilles ntJI. ? . " > ! rodueed from $ i.2l.
Hlieolnl At ftV ! ) wo show a mnrsellloi spread that li worth Si.M
Special At fci.s- . , extra line Miuviallloi spread * that nro worth f I..V ) . Wo call att ciitlon to
thcsu marked special , ns they nro the host value wo have ovorolTorod.
This is Positive and Absolute , Ka\v Slllc Table Covers
n-4 rnwsllk covers tit 12 ; worth M.30. 7-1 raw silk covers at $2.50 : wortli H.
8-4 tupi-stry cover at i.S'i ; worth * : ) . 8-10 tnuostry oovors atO.'J- worth IL
Men's fine kangaroo sowed shoes ifow made , now fri.So , regular prieo $5. Extra line silk covers , utj.53and J7.5) , These conn In oUra
$2.20 , regular price $2.75 , in congress Men's 2-hucklo plow shoes now $1.10 ,
and bals. regular price $1.8o.
Men's line russet calf shoes now $2 , Men's calf boots of all kinds at less
regular price $2.75. than cost.
Mon's line B calf shoes' , regular price Men's kip boots at J price to close.
$2 , now $1.00 , in bills and congress. Our men's shoes are all thelatchtstylc ? .
Men's bust quality hand made patent Wo have them in all widths and sizes.
leather shoes , regular price $7 , now $ . " . They wore all make to order for us anil
Men's best quality hand inadoHhoos in include many of the best makes. Coinu
cbrdival , kangaroo and calf at5 , rcg- early and got first choice.
ul nr prices SO.oO and $7 ; in bala , buttoner Our stockof ladies' , misses' and chil
or congress. dren's shoes is large. We have great
Mon's line French calf bhoe , hand bargains in oxford ties of all kinds.
All Men's Shoes
,
At Cost to Close. tiger
& Company
Corner Docile and 15th Street.
plumbers , bricklayers nnd masons wcro
granted nu'iulvnnco in wages and hereafter
will work but nine hours a day.
The carpenters ut Washington , PH. , went
on a strike last week for nine hours , eight
hours 011 Saturday and the discharge of all
non-union men. The bosses have not yet
como to terms nnd work is at a standstill.
Within the last ten days work has been re
sumed in theUorranec mid Prospect collieries'
of the Lehigh Valley coal company in Wilke.5-
barre , Pa. , and employment is now given to
I.WO , men and boys.
Since the first of last January the rolling
mills nt Birmingham , Ala. , liuvo been shut
down because the owners refused to recog
nize the demands of the union men. Last
week negotiations were entered into by which
the mills wcro started and employment given
to 1,000 men.
The Boston Globe , in commenting upon
labor affairs , says : The labor question is the
the grc.it portentous issue of modern times ,
overshadowing all others and making the
petty bickerings of kings and parties seem
small. About the only political questions
that now command respectful hearing nro
these that nro essentially fragments of the
great labor question : How shall the worker. )
got a fair shnro of the fruits of their work ,
and how shall every man's natural right to
supply his own wimts of his own labor bo
secured to him ?
There wns n meeting of D. A. 1(5 ( , Knights
of Labor , in Wilkesbarro , Pa. , hist week.
Resolutions were adopted declaring that the
present mine districts nro too largo for the
mine 'nspcctors , who , under the existing cir-
cuins'auccs , nro tumble to visit the various
mini s as often ns necessary for the proper
pro'ec ion of the miners. The legislature
will b asked to subdivide the present dls-
tric a. It was decided to levy nu assessment
of 1 per member to aid the strikers at the
Sheldon axle works. This will swell their
fund over $10,000. ,
Mary Queen of Scots' marriage contract
with Francis II. of Franco is to bo sold by
auction shortly Iu London. His n quaint old
manuscript of nine folio pages.
When the deceased wife's sister net was
passed in Canada , tho'loirical necessity of its
extension to the daughter of the deceased
wife's sister was overlooked , and a bill has
been brought into the sennto to remedy this
defect.
Edward A. GrccnwnUI , jr. , nephew of a
wealthy dry goods merchant , suicided in New
York city the other day on account of un unfortunate -
fortunate affair of the heart. Ho was the son
of the manager of tlm Now Orleans opera
house and had boon jilted by the dark-eyed
daughter of u wealthy southern planter.
As Hey. Mr. Hohrbough was going to mi
appointment in Phillips , W. Vn. , ho wus met
on the highway by Peter T , Heed nml Miss
Mnrthu MeUunlol on horseback. They were
eloping nnd iruto parents wcro in hot pursuit.
The minister wns halted , the license handed
over , and iu n twinkling the knot was tied.
Four yours ago n young Georgian asked a
clmrmliig hello of the pretty town of Thomas-
villo to marry him. " 1 will , " she snld , "when
you uro an ofllcer in the United States army. "
Too old to got an appointment to West Point ,
this young Georgian enlisted us a private In
nn artillery battery , his purpose being to rise
from the ranks to u lieutenancy. Ho ac
complished his purpose In just two years.
The wedding bus Just taken place.
Walter Lothalv Stanley Lnngormau , n swell
young lawyer of Noiv York city , met in Lou-
don last season Miss Gladys Stnnhopo , only
daughter of lit. Hon. Percy Homild Stauhopo
of Gilford , Surrey , and Is snld to have carried
on quite a Illrtatlnn with her. Ilcccnlly the
young lady arrived in Now York uud insisted
that her "own durling Lotlmlr" should marry
her , but ho refused and persuaded her to re
turn to Albion.
DA Turk named Stephen K. nobaslnlnii
came to this country thrco years ngo from
Constantinople mid engaged in business In
Chicago. Uo got into a corrospnudenea with
Miss Ucrthu Demnn , a pretty girl of Woodbury -
bury , N. J. , became engaged to her , and Just
before starting to meet her sent her nu inci
dent policy. Ho wns killed on his way east.
The loss of her lover and the discovery of
the fact thut only his relatives could recover
on the policy so preyed upon bis tlaiiceo that
she died of a broken heart.
A workman sold his lawfully wedded wlfo
to a small tradesman , or 11111101' lent her for
two years , ut the moderate price of one mark. .
The tradesman , well satisfied with his bar
gain , lived happily with the woman. At the
end of fifteen months the husband demanded
un additional IIfteen marks , asserting that In
handing over his wife ho hud overlooked the
fuet that she had an excellent sot of teeth.
The tradesman , would not budge a single
pfennig beyond the original murk until the
husband went Into court. The wlfo wus then
ordered to return to Ucr Igrd anil master ,
WICKEDNESS IN WASHINGTON ,
The Slums and PJnguo Rp.iti at the National
Capital.
GIVEN OVER TO THE /OUGHS
SoirccN of I IK ; Hell's Hottoni Clam
Hulce Association President Wash
ington nnd Davy Hums Iii-
ile.\illc Social
W sI fiTO , May 10. [ Special to Tin :
Bi : ! : . ] Spooks and scenes of ribaldry , foot
pads , highway men , A frican midnight picnics ,
and blood-curdling familiarity with the razor.
All this in * what was once the central grounds
of the nation's capital , and where the best
society of our flrst reigns of government held
their fashionable sway.
Decadence and retrogression seem to have
centralized in 0110 spot in Washington , and
the story of it nil can bo related in a few
thrilling paragraphs.
Although but a century old Washington is
able to turn a retrospective glance on a past
that is rich in romance and story n past be
ginning iu the troublous times of the now
country just succeeding the great struggle
from which it had emerged after casting off
the bonds that trammeled freedom , and em
bracing in Its chronicles the history of a
nation. Washington is of all other American
cities a city of strong and at times.disagree
able contrasts. A city of magnificent dis
tances it certainly is , and the visitor to the
capital city who confines himself to the wide
sweeps of perfect avenues and beautiful paries
loses sight of the
SI.UMS AND ri.Atiuu-sroTS
with which Washington like all other cities
is infested.
Of nil the dangerous localities there is
none in this city so noted for desperate mid
outrageous acts as the now neglected house
nnd grounds of the old Van Ness mansion , n
princely homo but a short century ago , and
now the resort of the lowest and vilest of
Washington's tough population. The hand
some old building , of the architecture of the
colonial period , though built long after the
colonies had ceased to exist , stands Iu a beau
tiful though neglected park just to the south
west of the white house grounds. It is n
building that bears upon every line and angle
the imprint of the 'genius ' of the
Architect Lutrobo , to whoso individuality
and skill Is duo much of the beauty of the
stately domed building that shelters out
law makers. From his bunds came the plans
and designs of the princely edifice , nnd under
his personnl supervision the structure was
reared. In its time it has sheltered the
highest ! dignitaries in the land , mid its walls
have witnessed the stately revelry of the
old-fashioned minuet wlta presidents and
premiers among the dancer ? , Now It Is given
over to the wild orgies held under the
auspices of the "Cell's Bottom
Clam Bake association , ' or the
"Foggy Bottom Herring' Packers society. "
Where the coy glance of , the artless maiden in
the quaint , picturesque costume of the time
answered the bolder looks of some gallant in
court dross mid powdered wig , now is seen
only the black luce and gleaming teeth of
some negro belle engaged In the task of dis
posing of her tifth glass of Hat beer in the
presence of her rough companion , who nerv
ously feels for his ever-present razor and cal
culates his chance of escaping when
Tim ISEVITAIII.1 ! rilEB I'lOIIT
occurs , It Is a degradation for the gods to
weep over.
The history of this old mansion is inalien
ably connected with the history of Washing
ton city. The mistress of that once happy
homo was the ( laughter of Davy Burns ,
"Ohstliiato Mr. Burns "
, as Washington was
wont to call him In many of his letters.
Burns was the original owner of the greater
part of what is now the city of Washington ,
and nt ono time raised largo and profitable
crops of ecru and wheat on the place where
the department buildings now stand , It may
bo interesting to the farmers to know that
the ground where the treasury building now
stands wus ut that time very productive , and
there is a record showing that ou this spot
Farmer Davy raised the largest number of
bushels of wheat to the acre of any farmer
for miles around. Burns had that obstinate
disposition that is often characterized as the
chief element of the Scotch nature , and when
Washington and the rest of the federal gov
ernment wnntotl to buy his ncres and build a
city. Burns was stubborn and would not sell.
All the persuasive force of Washington was
wasted on this obstinate Scot.
On one memorable occasion the discus
sion hail waged for over an hour. The
president of the young republic and the owner
of the land on which the capital of that republic
public- was to be built were seated under ono
of the trees .shading the Burns cottage and
which is still stiuidlug.
X WAS I'IHIMITOUV. : :
Washington , tired and heated witli argu
ment , nrose from the rude bench on which ho
had been sitting with the remark :
"I have been authori/cd to select a site for
the national capital , and your farm is part of
the site that I have selected. The city will
bo built on this ground and no other , and if
you will enter into mi amicable agreement
you will rercivo ample compensation ; if you
will not , then the government will tnko your
farm and turn it to its own use. "
This wns nn argument too strong for the
Scotchman nnd ho entered into an agreement
which made him the wealthiest mnu in the
section. It also enabled him to endow his
daughter , the peerless Marcia Burns , with
all that was needed to make her n hello of the
now city. By this fortuitous circumstance
the daughter" nn humble Scotch farmer
whoso highest hones would otherwise have
been a marriage with some horny-handed
laborer and n consequent life of drudgery ,
was enabled to wed with ono of the brightest
lights iu the national constellation. Her
father's fortune was not needed to
enhance her worth , however , for she
was known ns the most beautiful
nnd accomplished maiden of all the
suiTOiindini , ' towns. At her father's humble
i-nttiitrii cnlli'd nianv nf the Inndimr men of the '
times , and often met In the little one storied
house , Washington and many of his advisors
and counsellors. The man that she married
was fitted to hold u place with any of the many
suitors who thronged to her father's cottage ,
nnd her life with him wns most happy. John
P. Vim Ness , member of congress from New
York , was married to Mareia when she was
twenty years of age. They lived for a time
in the primitive homo where Marcia wns
born , but when their only daughter had
grown to youthful womanhood the now man
sion was built. The cost of the structure
was $ iiOK , ( ) ( ) , n princely sum In these days , but
the result Justified the expenditure. The
mansion is even yet beautiful in its design
nnd sturdy strength.
From the coming homo from school of the
young mistress of thocstuto dated n period of
social gaiety
xiviu : iiEroiiB'iQUAi.un : :
In the new city. The handsome grounds , laid
out with nil the skill of a landscape gardener ,
and blooming with the most beautiful of
flowers , surrounded a house filled nt all times
with the cream of the society of the rapidly
strengthening nation , Uny routs of all sorts
were predominant then ) and the sounds of
mirth and revelry were seldom stilled.
The young mistress of the mansion was In
her turn besought by suitors , nnd in time
gave her baud in marriage to Arthur .Middle-
ton of South Carolina. After a short but
brilliant reign ut the Immlsomo homo thnt
had been prepared for her and where she
lived with husband and parents , she suc
cumbed to n deadly illness.
Her death wus to her mother a shock too
great to bo endured , and her lifo from that
time on was largely given to works of
charity. Much of her Ufa was passed
iu the old cottage Iu which she was horn ,
and after a while she passed away. Her hus
band , then mayor of Washington , survived
her for many years , and during his after llfo
entertained royally iu the stately cdllleo on
the bunks of the Potomac. Ho himself hud
in time to follow the absolute law of nature ! ,
nnd with his death began the downfall of the
house so long fumed for its generous hospi
tality. Then came the neglect that has since
made the nhico u byword of scorn and con
tempt. The eye-pleasing avenues lending to
the mansion and the pretty walks leading
hither and thither throughout the grounds
nro overgrown with weeds. In many stwts In
the dense grecu of the thick shrubbery can
bo seen u
FAINT GI.EiU Or COI.OII
noting the presence of a ( lower that has not
been crushed to death by the rank growth
around U. Hero and thcro can bo seen a ruilo
shelter with a counter before it and the plan-s
lug announcement of the brand of beer sold ,
while Iu other parts of the grounds swings
and shooting gulluries attest the character of
the place.
The estate Is now owned by the heirs of cx-
Govcrnor Swunu of Maryland.
01 course there b tko usual ghost
frequents the place , and the legend further
avers that on the anniversary of the death of
Genor.il Van Ness six headless horses gallop
about the grounds. Other spirits seem to
save frequented the place at some previous
time according to tradition , but the unhal
lowed uses to which the place- has been put
has been driven away nil respectable spirits ,
and uono are seen thcro now save when the
negro picnic is in full blast nnd the black bottle -
tlo circulates with freedom.
The past season has probably been the
most conservative in social affairs that Wash
ington has ever had. Tlie-white house , which
always set the example in oulcial circles when
the social season begins , has been lively with
out being vulgarly gay. The president and
Mrs. Harrison have in a quiet but extremely
enjoyable way entertained moro people dur
ing the time they have been a position to en
tertain than nny of their predecessors , ex
cepting perhaps President Arthur. There
was n period of several weeks when crape
was on the doors of some member of the ex
ecutive household , nml of course sadness
filled the hearts instead of nn inclination to
lut miPiviaiflitiit. . nml Mrs. Harrison have
entertained around their private family board
soimtbody at dinner or luncheon almost every
dny when- the door was not closed on account
of death
There have been some instances where
society people experienced disappointment
during the past winter. This wns owing to
the fact that n great many now people that
entered social official lifo in Washington
were unused to the etiquette which prevails
here. It is ono of the unwritten rules of
official society that the ladles of officials must
make the flrst ndvniiees and cnll upon those
whom they desire to bo classed as their
friends. I am told of u lady , the wife of 0110
of the prominent officials ,
wno is KIINIY : :
in Washington society. When she came
hero she opened her spacious parlors and snt
IIUWU , ( JAICUIIUK IUU [ MJllUUJ Jluul/tU Ul tllU
I national capital to clustcrabout her on account
of her wealth nnd socinl position nt home.
She was told by her friends that she must
make the first advances If she wanted to bo
anything in society , nnd that no one would
call upon her who had not first received a
call. The lady said that she did not cnro for
the red-tape of Washington society , nnd thnt
the only thing required wns mi announce
ment in the papers to make her house full on
every reception day with the best society
people. She arranged her first reception on
n grand scale. The announcement was made
hi the local newspapers , and her
beautiful mansion wus a perfect
bower of flowers nnd n Klnro of gaslights ,
Her dining room could not have been mndo
moro attractive. The lady had about her a
bevy of handsome women mid girls , nil
bright conversationalists and ready to will
nil strangers who should appear. There was
but ono caller at that house on that day the
wife of an old friend who has lived in Wash
ington many years. The hostess was almost
heartbroken when her friend called , ami expressed -
pressed In vivid language her mortification
at having been passed by without * a caller.
She could not understand why it was till
the old friend informed her that no ono
woman , nnd in fact no ono sot of women could
break down the old established social Hues of
Washington. It took the lady almost three
mouths to make tip her mind to yield. A
month Inter she spent nlmost nn cntlro week
culling upon the wives of private nnd publio
citizens. When ugulu she opened her parlors
for a reception , the effect of her work was
readily seen. The street in front of her house
was *
nu.cn WITH FASIIIOXAIIM : EQUIPAGES
during the entire afternoon and evening.
Other women , now in Washington , who
wcro willing to conform to the social require
ments and whoso socials have not been a suc
cess , are unable to pacify themselves ; but
these are the only persons who do not look
upon the lust session at the national capital us
u success.
A few days ago Secretary Husk wns com
pelled , owing to the condition of the work in
the bccd department ami the depletion of the
appropriation for some of the work being con
ducted under him , to innko a large number of
removals of women who are employed pack
ing seeds. About fifty young nml old. baud-
some and homely , ablo-budled and invalid
women were dropped from the rolls. Almost
Immediately a largo number of congressmen
began to pour In upon the secretary , demand
ing the retention of these women. They , of
courao. wore compelled to acknowledge the
necessity nnd justice of the secretary when
they were Informed that there was not money
with which to pay any otio for the work which
these people bad been employed to perform.
When OHO congressman , culled and Insisted
uwn | the reinstatement of a poor woman ,
who had been dropixxl from the rolls , no
ascertained through ono of the officers hi the
agricultural dcjmrtuicut something about
the charitable work of the Secretary of agri
culture.
'I really believe , " said this oulcial , "that
Secretary Husk has for several weeks been
paying out to the poor women who have been
discharged from his department , almost as
much money from his private purse us ho has
received in the way of salary. They como M
him almost every day mid his generosity
opens with his purse and ho is constantly
giving out to them. ? . " ) bills. Ho has Just com
pleted a list of all the women who nro em
ployed In his department with an alphabetical
indication after each name , ns A B C. indi
cating "poverty , " "extreme poverty" nnd
"poverty with members of n family to sup
port. " Ho now intends to give people m
either of these thrco conditions preference. In
employment , nnd preference when there nro
removals made on account of short appropria
tions or any thing which makes reuiovnls
absolutely necessary. "
It appears that Secretary Husk Is getting
nn example for generosity in a great mnny
directions which will make it very bard for
his successors to follow.
PKIIIIT S. Hn'T- ' .
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if
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