The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-05-22

or discussion here now among those who
give their attention to national affairs. At
this writing It docs not appear that either
the result Of the Chicago or Cincinnati Con
vention is a loregone conclusion. The near
approach Of the time has not in this case re-
solved the doubts, as generally happens, but
on the contrary, it seems to increase them.
We here in Washington, who want to know
whom the next occupant Of the White IIoure
ia TO be, have got our interest worked up to .
the highest pitch about now.
The question whether Congress would get |
through with its labors and adjourn before |
the Conventions is still unsettled so far as
any definite action is concerned, though the |
probabilities are clear enough that 1t will
not. "Takug one consideration with an
other as they say in the Pirate of Pen
zance, it does not seem likely that an ad
iournment will be reached before July.
Much depends upon what course the Demo-
Gratis take concerning the legislation lately
vetoed by the President. The present indi-
cations are that they will pass the Garfield
Springer provisions relative to Marshals as
a separate proposition, and if then vetoed,
no appropriation for Marshals' fees will be
made. Something of contest must arise
over such programme, aud the result would
be considerable loss of time. Night sessions
are lately being held by the House but they
are "lor debate only"-mero wind pcnics.
The proceedings of both houses are chiefly
routine now, embracing appropriations and
postponed subjects already referred to in
| these letters,
In view of the many propositions to erect
public buildings in various parts ofthe coun-
try, the refusal of the House to appropriate
money to complete the War and Navy De-
partment building is extraordinary, if any
absurdity on the part of Congress may be
considered extraordinary. The Committee
on Public Buildings and Grounds, have re-
ported favorably on the construction of six
teen new buildings in the different States.
The aggregate cost of these is estimated at
81 100000. The actual cost, taking the usual
rate, may be put down at about 1900 900.
The amount asked Tor the work on the de-
partment building in course of construction
here was only $2S6,OO0. The public build
ings proposed are new ones-the one for
which the appropriation was refused is hall
finished. If there was no more pressing
need for the completion of the work begun
than for the new building contemplated per-
haps nothing could be said for one that could
not be urged for the other But it is notori-
Gus that for years the government has spent
large sums of money in rental of private
buildings. 1t is still paying annually very
much more in this way than the amount re-
fused. The simple question of public econ.
omy is not the only feature in the case. The
private buildings thus occupied by the Coy
ernment are crowded with valuable public
records, the loss of which, would be public
calamity. Hundreds of tons of original wal
records, involving millions of dollars in
: claims against the Government, have been
slowed away where fire might wipe them
out of existence any hour Of the day or night
Many of these records are yet subject to de
struction by want of fre-proof repositories
They could never be replaced. That no such
calamity has occurred is due more to luck
than good management. Ifit does occur
, and thousands of dollars are asked for. to at.
tempt replacement, as in the Patent Office
) case, the responsibility will be placed where
it properly belongs-on the shoulders o.
Congressional pettifoggers.
Outside of Congress and outside of politics
We are to have some interesting events here
during the next few days, which will bring
hither vast numbers of people from all sec
tions. The much talked-of rowing match
between Hanlan and Courtney is fixed fol
next Wednesday, and the presence here o
both the contestants, together with a larg,
retinue of friends, hackers, ETC., makes thu
affair begin to look like business. So mucl
f "monkey business" has transpired in con
, nection with this contest heretofore tha
, many people are skeptical, and up to within
few days odds were offered that Courtne,
q would never start in the race, but he is nov
here and there is scarcely a doubt but tina
he is in dead earnest. Both men are il
splendid condition and both are in har,
practice over the course, which they unite il
pronouncing excellent. Doubtless the rae
: will be magnificent exhibition ofskill AM
physical endurance.
h The Spring meeting of the National Fai
4 Association, also occurs next week. Unde
= the auspices of this association Washington
. now begins TO take rank'among the lead
/. ing courses of the country and already tn
hotels are filling up with people intereste
. in fine stock and fine races. All of the be.
# stables are represented, and the best runnin
: and trotting stock now on the turf will cor
!. test for the large purse offered.