The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-07-14
WaShington Letter.
rom our Special Correspondent.

From our Special Correspondent.
washington. D. c., July II, 1877.
This year is one Of great changes at
the capital. Politics appear to be
changing; newspapers face about with.
out a moments warning society un-
dergoes continual changes, and even
foreign affairs evince whf1ng dspos-
ition. Sir Edward Thornton and his
family went to England several months
since, and it is quite doubtful il he re.
turns here as British Minister, as he is
entitled to promotion in his profession,
and will probably be sent to European
court before fall. Lady Thornton is
benevolent lady, very highly esteemed
by those who know her on this side of
the water, Here is an instance of her
genuine kind. heartedness and thought.
full consideration near by the British
legation is a small Episcopal church,
short of funds and far from rich, and to
1t Lady Thornton always sent flowers
for its decoration on festivals, and last
Christmas week she sent refreshments
to the ladies who were engaged in trim.
mibg the church with evergreens for
the holidays. During the absence of
the English Minister, the Hon. +. II.
Plunkett, secretary of the British lega.
tion, takes charge of its affairs. lie
has beer promoted to the British lega.
ton at st. Petersburg, and will sail with
his wife "a Philadelphia LADY, next
week. Mrs. Plunkett is strikingly
handsome, of the sparkling brunette
style of beauty. She was very notice.
able in the Diplomatic gallery during
the counting of the Electoral vote in The
House of Representatives last winter,
because she wore hat trimmed with a
bright cardinal red veil, which she
wound about her throat AMI allowed to
float over her shoulders. Mrs. Fassett,
the popular artist, who is engaged at
present upon the painting of the Elec-
toral Commission, will Introduce this
lady consplcuously. The scene of the
picture is taken while Mr.. Evarts Is
speaking, making him, of course, tls
central figure. This picture will doubt
less 90 into history occupying an i'm
portant position, and will probably
make tho artists fortune as it is of an
enormous size, and will be purchased
by the Government at her own figure.
A paragraph that has lately gone the
rounds of the press concerning Sec v
Schurz, ought to receive some modifica.
tion, If not absolute denial. 1t was to |
the effect that he is hostile to the EN-.
ployment of women in his department.
On the contrary, Mr.. Schurz has given |
directions to the heads of bureaus aud |
chiefs CT divisions in the Interior De. |
partnent, to pay the clerks according |
to the quality of the work they have |
performedwth no distinction on account
of seX-the character of the work to be |
taken into consideration rather than
the fact that it is done by males or fe-
males. Probably the report started
from the fact that recent dismissal
from the Pension Office comprised 10
women and one man, and that men
were appointed TO fill the vacant places
of the nineteen women clerks. This
was done, however, because the sub
ject matter of the letters to be eXanlin-
ed in that particular division were UNI
fit for ladies perusal, aud the Commis-
sioner of Pensions himself recOg4Snend.
ed that no women should be employed
upon the work. The documents to be
read and copied consisted OF physicians
certificates regarding wounds, diseases,
&c, This reason is not sufficient one
to satisfy several of the discharged, who
talk about false delicacy, straiuing at
gnat, &c, but 1t goes to show that in
reality Mr.. Schurz exhibited his respect
for the sex by his course
During the absence Of the President
and family on their eastern trip their
servants, horses, and necessary effects
were removed to their summer residence
at Soldiers Home, where they went di.
rectly upCD their arrival here.
A large delegation of cOlOred men
visited the President last week, for the
purpose of insisting upon further recog-
milton of their race in the distribution
of Federal appointments of South Car
olina. They argued that appointments
made heretofore have beel of malattoes
and not OF the genuine representa- tive
of the African race.
MARTHA NJ. WHITNEY.