Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-11-26

Especial Correspondence OF the CommerciAl1
WABHIEaToN, d. O., T.
NOVEMBER 25, 1878.
The city is fast assuming its usual winter sp-
peArance and one is reminded upon every hand
Of the rapidly approaching date for the assem-
bling of Congress, which takes pisce on lMsndsy
next For some time past the familiar faces Of
the old and nevly elected members have been
seen upon the avenues. in the hotels, and wend-
ing their ways, through the various Depart
ments, looking after "the interists' Of their
constituents. Unfortunately for the Board Of
Public Works. the recent cold and wet weather
has materially interfered with the closing up. of
many portions OF the improvements which they
had fully contemplated to have
finished and in presentAbls order
for the eyer. Of their august legislators upoa
their arrival. Particularly is this noticeable
around the Capitol. Although the two squares
purchased by Congress for the extension Of the
park, and the two which have been lying unrs-
claimed for many years, have been cleaned Of
the debris upon them, ieveled, graded and en-
6losed by pavement still the cutting down of
First street, East, and the several avenues run
ming into the same, to conform to the establish
ed grade authorized by Congress, was work OF
such magnitude that 1t has been found imposui-
bic to bring it anywhere near completion thus
leaving that portion Of the city under the imme-
date view of Congress in = most deporsbie oon-
dition, and the Capitol itself almost unapproaoh-
able during vet weather &.s -r1
bp1hhoh Dthiuo Hhba hoou th tHo oity hoNuEAi
days but owing to pressing business, has NOT
been visible to callers generally. Among those
interested the question OF the organization OF
the lower House has boon the prinsipAl topic for
sometime past, and the various candidates for
Serg cant Of Arms and Postmaster are busy
pushing their claims, backed up by their friends
aud supporters. l name these two positions be-
cause there seems to be no question but that
Speaker Blaine will be elected. and 1t is also
pretty generally conceded that Buxton, door
aud McpharROn clark will hA FA-aiAAt-
ed, little or no opposition to either having been
developed.
For Sergeant at arms, Mr.. ordwAy, the pres
ent incumbent, 10 candidate, with chances
that are good, although Col. MarkaHd of India
ma ia prominently talked OF, and has 1t is thoughs
by many the better chance, from the fact that IL
IL claimed the Eastern aud Middle States have
already more than their share Of the oftioes, and
that the West ana South are entitled to repre-
ssntation in them. Ex Supervisor Dwyer, of
Ohio, and Supervisor Mum OF Illinois are also
talked of in connection with the position.
As for the postmastership, 1t IL doubtful
whether Mr. King can be re-elected, and IL has
been asserted, therefore, thai he will not be .
candidate, but be that as it may, there i no
heAreity Of those ready and willing to serve their
country in that capacity Among the numerous
applicants 1 may mention Gov Sam. Bard OF
Georgia, MIR. McNeeley Of the IndisnApolis
Journal and 'priyAte Dalzell," the latter being
one OF four from the great State OF Ohio. II is
impossible OF this date to give any idea OF the
lucky one, inasmuch as with so many To the
field, all OF whom have more or less local
strength, the matter is likely to go before the
cancus in an undecided State.
report has been going tue rounds the past
two days, that the Ptrginius was betrayed by
Spanish emssaries OH board who caused her to
spring q leak and otherwise crippled her pro-
gress 30 that the Tornado was able to overhaul
her. No authority is given for the report, but it
ia accepted by many from the fsot that 1t was
well known the Virglntu was muoh faster
sailor than the Tornado, having, durngjthe war,
exhibited her qualities in that line a. blockade
runner. = J. lA
The Cuban question has bsen the uppermost
theme with every one since the capture Of the
Pirgigius AND subsequent butchery OF General
Ryan aud his companions 1t present, under lat
or news from Madrid, the tendency is more pa
cihc but the feeling throughout has bsen that
of intense Indignation At. and demand for imme-
diate reparatiOn from Spain for the outrage. II
has been the principal subject OF discussion Of
every Cabinet meeting since it's occurreneel one
OF them having been OF over four hours durA-
tion. No pubic demonstration has A. yet been
made but steps have been taken for mass
meeting TO be held at an early date, the LegislA-
tive Hall OF the District having been secured for
| the purpose. ,..-..- .-.s-...s
Every prominent Senator, member, or oSher
publio Official is pounosd upon at once upon his
arrival by the modern interviewer, and drawn
OUT" OF course the expression in every caas
| has been one condemnation OF the outrage,
and call for speedy action by Congress as seon
\ As II Assembled. Largo number OF Officers Of
/ the Army aud Navy have already rendered their
Il services IN the event of . war, As Also have
many volunteer companies from different SEQ
i tions Of the oonntry. The force at the
Navy Yard has been grsaiy increased,
aud work is pushed rapidly, day and
| night, with intent Of having every avhilableaVes-
eel ready for active service at once. Secretary
Robeson leftlast night for PhilA, and New York
| 10 again visit the the Navy Yards inspect the
work and give tho benefit Of his presence and
| instructions upon matters requiring it.
Atthe came time, the War Department has by
| no means been inactive. Tho Ordnance and
Engineer Bureaus have in their respective
branches been busily engsgsd the former in
| preparing supply of heavy siege ordnance to
be mounted upon the numerous fortihcations
under charge OF the latter. besides breech loading
arms and field ;batteriee. The Engineer Bu-
reAu has alho directed = full equipment OF torpe-
| do Appartus to bo sent to the Gulf and have al
roady begun the instruction Of portion Of the
bat alion in the use thereof. In fact the Gov
ernment is making every possible preparation, II
war it must.
| Ia 1871 Congress awarded, in addition 10 the
sum of e5 900, to Mr. Geo. +, Robinson, who
wss with sir. Seward at the tune OF his attempt
ed assassination BY Payne, agold medal. tew
The medal was made IN Philsdelphia. at ths
Mint and IL valued ct $l, 400, and contAins near
ly $500 worth of gold. Upon one side Of the
| medal Mr.. Seward ls represented as lying in bed
1
bed stands Payne with dagger uplifted in ons
| hand, and with the other he clutches Robinson
by the throat. On the reverse side lie ADJUST Of
Robinson with a wreath of flowers ADJUST hi'
head, and the following inscription; "For biz
heroic conduct on the l4th day Of April, 1865
in saving the life OF the Hon. w. H. Seward
then Secretary OF State Of the United States.
Mr.. Robinson IL at present clerk il one OF the
Departments, and he has been requested to placs
the medal upon exhibition in some prominent
place upon Pennsylvania Avenue, but, owing e
his extreme modesty ne has as yet failed tS
comply with the request
Professor Joseph Henry Of the Smithsonian
Institute and Mr.. HilgArd, Of the U. 8. Coas'
Survey, have each received from France . mag
, niiicent vase, manufactured AZ the National por
eelain works at SeyTes. These vases were pre-
! eented by the French government as tesiimoni
J ais OF valuable services rendered by the gentle
men named, as United States Representatives o
the Commission on the International standard
meter. They are very valuable, aud as works o
art considered superior to anything Of the dn'
ever seen in this city. - hHAaAT.
DANIEL BOONE Aro-morrow evening, Mr.. Johl
A. Stevens opens his three-nights engagemen
at the Opera House with the play OF DAME
, | poona liz xVill ba EunnnFtad bV n strong AMI