Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-08
Washington News and Gossip.


Mr.. WALKER BLAINE has entered upon his
duties as Third Assistant Secretary of State.
THE WEEKLY STAR, containing full account
OF the attempted assassination of the Presi-
dent, can be had at the counter ready for mall
ing.
THE Rooms occupied by Second Assistant
Postmaster General Elmer are being repainted
and frescoed. Meanwhile, the Office OF the
Second Assistant has been transferred TO IN
room occupied by Col. Parker, the Chief OF tn
special agents.
No APPOINTMENT Can be made as auditor Of
railroad accounts to succeed Mr.. French, re-
moved, for some weeks yet Certainly not
until the President is In condition to sign the
commission.
SECRETARY BLAINE Is almost a daily caller on
Nonresident Arthur at the resldence OF
Senator Jones, on Capitol Hill.
THE USUAL ROUTINE at the Post Off,e and
Interior departments has now been resumed.
From Saturday last, the day upon which the
President was shot up until a day or so ago,
others, were shocked and at f1rst almost panic
stricken. Now Secretary KirkwoOd and Gen.
James remain at their respective departments,
making occasional visits to the White House:
President Is going to get well.
letter informing him OF the death OF his only
sister, Mrs. Margaret Dowd, of Galveston,
Texas. This Is the third death that has oc-
CURED In the Senator's family within few
months. He lost his wife last fall; since then
q grown son of his died In Washington, and
now he gets news OF his sisters Geath.
PROF. C. v. RILEY was to- day appointed en-
tomologist Ct the department Of agriculture. In
place of j. p. ComStOck resigned, to take effect
August 1st, This was done in response to the
demands of the scientific and agricultural Or
CARNATIONS OF the country.
PERSONAL -viscount das Nogueiras, Port;-
guese Minister at Washington. ex-Secretary
Boutwell, and Rear Admiral Murray we're regis
tered in New York last stevening.-Mr. George
Howard and family, MIR. j. 81. Wall and family,
Miss Emma Robinson and Miss Mary E. Evans,
OF WASHINGTON, are at Willow Grove, va
Mr.. X. II. Taylor, the well known Avenue mer-
chant. has gone to Cape May.-Mrs. Admiral
Farragut is at Nantucket Senator Edmunts
has returned to Vermont from his Canada SAL
mon fishing trip, and is mum as to results
Rev. Dr. Bittenger mas gone TO Warren county.
New York. for short vacation.-The wife OF
seriously Ill at Newpo1l r. wy F. Holtznan tn n
is at Fauquier Sulphur Springa-Mr. Theo.
F. Shuey. OF the official corps of reporters in
last evening, to Miss Matte Mayes, OF that
place. and the happy couple will sail for
Europe to-moTrow.-Dr. Muncaster has re-
tuTuta ID Tue Clty lEOIn RcQlaQQ, MO-, WQoro ne
went to attend the funeral of his father, Mr..
E. NJ. Muncaster, who died on the 5th instant.
The following Washingtonians were regis
tered at the Shenandoah Alum Springs yester-
Clyde Cullen. ]. Il, Miller. Mrs. A. s. Jones,
Miss Blanche T. Jones. Thos. S. Keller, Miss
BERTHE Shacklett, DR.. VIM. NJ. Withers, Miss
Mamie Giddings and Miss Gertie Giddings.
The Comets Eccentricities.
HOW IT LOOKS TO THE AsTKoNoMsRs-A SPLIT
CONFIDENTLY BXPRCTED.
81 am here again." said TIE STAR man,
throwing his notebook down on Professor
SINNERS desk at the Observatory. 81 want to
find out about the split In the comet"
II believe Mr.. Rock took the last ooserva
tion," said Professor Skinner, so the reporter
hunted up Astronomer Rock. Mr. ock took
out his observation book and, opening 1t be-
fore the reporter, said "That shows the res Its
OF my observation" The reporter glanced over
the figures and looked as wise and knowing as
possible. The observation was taken night
6e s fore last about half7past twelve O'Clock when
is the way 1t looked" Mr. Rock here pointed
% little sketch representing the haZy coma
OF tie comet with a little nucleus having a tail
OF pOllywog shape inside OF 1t. "rhere was"
he said, "a bright tongue OF light about Is sec-
o0Csof an arc long. g.extendinefrom the nucleus In
the direction OF the tail, witt bright spot Of
The streak was curved to the right Before
that time, continued Mr.. Rock" this
had never teen observed. This Is new
feature at the Cincinnati observatory, be-
neve 1t was towards morning when it was dis
covered"
1.-The comet has not split them"
mo; the nae OF light was continuous. 1t
probably indicates that the nucleus is separat-
Ing. We are anxious to observe 1t to night II
1t Is clear enough to see. 1t is very likely that
this line Will separate from the nucleus"
The tail of the comet, Mr.. Rock explained as
1t travelled away from the earth was FORE
shortening and growing dim Soon the tail
would be on the side OF the comet away from
the earth Then It would appear to Us just IKE
astronomers were unable TO get any oDserva-
t1ons last night on account OF The clouds.
Have you obtained anything new Dy the
HarkRess.
Nothing new. 1t is the ordinary comet
spectum. In fact. there Is nothing new about
the ne comet comet at all: THIS breaking up Is not
other comets. IL seems TO be the fate OF comets
to go TO pieces, We never before have been
able to see one break up; This one appears
THE supply OF comets must then be nearly
exhausted" remarked THE STAR.
THAT is something we don'G know" replied
Ieyoives in an orsit In space and the whole
solar system with 1t. but we know very little
about it.
"Prof. Draper IL Is said. has photographed
the comet, remarked THE STAR.
1--WE have tried TO photograph It, but cou'd
not get at 1t very well. JauSen, In Europe, and
others have photographed it. The only purpose
Of a photograph Is to preserve the form, and
make q record that cannot be 1mpeached. In
cases OF ecupSeS Of the sun there Is not time to
sketch, and 1t Is necessary TO secure photo.
graphs. With a comet, however, 1t is quite
different. Besides ont has plenty Of time to
observe 1t and study It."
SILAs N. WAITE now serving term OF I'M
prSOnment0 for rogueTy in connection with the
Brattleboro' bank, OF which he was president,
for dividends TO the stockholders after the con.
Germ was bankrupt. In this way and by per-
Jured returns he kept the bank In existence.
His motive for doing so is not clear, but he Is
about to sue the stockholders for return OF
this dividend money.
TIE WESTERN CROPs.-The Chicago Times
publishes extensive reviews emanattng from
the western state boards OF agriculture as to
the growing crops. In Ohio the yield Is ex-
pected to re about eighty per cent Of that OF
last year. the early sown being the best. The
acreage in Michigan is about the same as In
are looked for. Indiana expects q crop OF only
80 coo GOO bushels as against Al 600, 600 bushels
last year, the quality being excellent. Wis
consin has large acreage In spring and only
half breadth In win er wheat. The CROP Is
in fine condition. The Iowa board estimates
the spring wheat crop at half that OF las, yet tr,
and the winter sown at fourty- -four per cent.
SEVEN HUNDRED AND FORTY Mormon imml-
York yesterday. Caroline Mattison, Swede,
Cd fo Ia SoIt Lab