Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 December 1883 — WASHINGTON. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON.

A large O’Donnell meeting was held in Ford’s opera-house, at Washington. Richelieu Robinson, of Nejv York, presided. Congressmen Calkins, Finerty and Belford made spirited speeches expressing their indignation at the treatment America had received after asking for the respite. The usual resolutions were passed. The following proclamation in regard to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Washington’s surrender of his commission was issued by the President Dec. 21: Whereas, Both houses of Congress did, on the 20th inst.. request the commemoration of the 23d inst., as the 100th anniversary of the surrender by George Washington, at Annapolis, of his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the patriot forces of America; and Whereas, It is fitting that this memorable act, which not only signalized the termination of the heroic struggle of seven years for independence, but also manifested Washington’s devotion to the great principle that ours is a civic government of and by the people, should be generally observed throughout the United States: Now, therefore. I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, do hereby recommend that either by appropriate exercises in connection with religious exercises on Dec. 23, or by such public observances as may be deemed proper on Monday. Dec. 24, this signal event in the history of American liberty be commemorated, and, further, I hereby direct that at 12 o’clock noon Monday next a national salute be fired from all the forts throughout the country. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done this 21st day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and- eighty-three, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and eighth. Chester A. Arthur. The Grand-Jury at Washington has found true bills against pension attorneys named N. W. Fitzgerald, S. C. Fitzgerald, and A. B. Webb, for the illegal use of the mails and for devising a scheme to defraud soldiers and their widows.