The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-11-14
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WAsHINGToN, d. c. Nov. 9th, 1873.
The sharp frosts that have visited this
vicinity during the past week or two, were
still more severe farther south, rnd have
had the effect of killing the yellow fever.
The latest accounts from the localities
that have suffered most from the scourge,
report its entire disappearance. The list
of victims in Louisiana, Mississippi, Ten
nessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky,
Ohio and Illinois shows total of 1851.
washington's philanthropic effort in send
ing relief steamer down the Mississippi,
with supplies to the fever districts, result
ed disastrously to the brave Captain, who
went TO his death, in command Of the beat.
He took the fever, and died in Mississippi.
Provision has been made by an apprecia-
tive public for the life support of his wife
and for the education Of his children.
Nothing can ever supply the place OF
mae 40 heroic as to face death as Lieut.
Banner did for suffering humanity.
The annual report of the Internal Reve-
nue. Commissioner, now nearly ready for
the printer, gives several interesting items
to this christian republic of ours. The
amount collected during tbe fiscal yeaI
ending June 80, 1873, is 11,0S9,319
which is 1885,, ,231 less than the receipts
Of the previous year. The receipts were
from spirits, tobacco, fermented liquors
banks and bankers, stamps, penalties, &C.
and the falling off was almost entirely il
the receipts from distilled liquors and to-
bacco-seven eighths on spirits and one
eighth on tobacco. This is owing to the
attempted legislation in Congress last win
ter for the reduction of the tax on whisky
and tobacco.
According to the Commissioner fig
ures, the American people are drinking
less whiskey, and more beer than formerly
Last year there was. manufactured $500,
900 gallons less of whisky and 1,5o0,0O'
more OF beer than the year previous.
The calculation shows that if proper
iionately divided, every man, woman ant
child in the United States consumed owe
seven gallons of beer, gallon and quar-
ter Of distilled spirits, forty two cigars, ant
half a pound of tobacco. 1t is an appalling
fact that $500, 100000 are annually ex
pended for liquors in the United States
sum, which if applied toward the publ
debt, would pay it in three years.
Important personages, of whom ou
Capital society" is largely made up, ar
now returning to the city, and making ar
rangements for their winter living. Th
members of the Diplomatic Corps ar
very generally in town at this season, an
nearly all Of them are here now. Sir Ed
ward Thornton, now the dean of the corps
will soon be joined by his highly popula
wifeAnd daughters, who have passed tn
.ast year in England. Baron Schlozer
back from his short trip to Germany. Ger
eral changes have taken place among th
diplomates, prominent among which is tn
transfer of Senior Mantilla from here
Constantinople. For years Madame Maj
tilla has been the "bright particular star
of Washington's social world, and her a
fractions will be greatly missed indee'
TheiPrussian Minister, Nicholas Shishki
has been here three years, and will doub
less serve the full diplomatic term. tt
Japanese and Swedish legations have r
ceiyed seer retarial reinforoements, and Il
third secretary of the British legation hi
has returned to England.
The Peruvian Legation has .sufier'
from death and various changes until the
is no representative whatever from Per