The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-01
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. Feb. IA.

hired, music procured and the young
bloods with their lady friends dance
and carouse until late hour. An
elegant set-out of inner man comforts
OF which wine and claret are promi-
nent components is arranged and
royal good time is had, after which
the tired participants retire TO their
beds in the wee small hours OF the
morning. 1t is hardly possible for "a
young man to escort "a lady friend TO
an entertainment of the kind at less
expense than ten dollars. The entire
proceeds are placed in'the hands of a
committee appointed to collect funds
for the stricken Germans. Thousands
of dollars have been collected in this
way, mostly from the higher classes,
who are glad to develop the opportu-
nifty to enjoy little sport in a COM
mon sort Of way. The second comp
troller of the treasury has decided
several questions of
INTEREST TO NAVAL OFFICERS
In connection with the provisions OF
the naval act of August 8, 1882, re-
lating TO officers on shore duty. In
the case of Commodore X. w. Shu-
feldt, who was ordered from Santa
Barbara. California, to Wash
ington for duty on the ma
val advisory board, and also
to examine the monitor Monadnock
at Mare island, but the comptroller
has decided that he is entitled TO other
duty pay. Heretofore no-matter how
much work an officer might do out
side of his regular duty, he was only
allowed the specified salary OF his
rank.
John Sherman has remarked to q
friend that he expected to be on
TILE TARIFF CONFERENCE COMMIT
TEE,
and that he could not vote for the
senate bill in its present shape.
Should necessity arise for the ap-
pointment of such conference COM
mittee, il is rumored that Senators
Morrill,, Aldrich, Peck. Bayard and
Sherman will compose the senate and
Carlisle, Kasson. Kelley and Mckinley
and other leading tariff men the
house end. But few weeks now re-
main before the adjournment Of con-
gress, and the chances are that
little OF nothing will be done to-
wards changing the present tariff.
Our statesmen, at least a majority OF
them, do not seem to know what the
mass of the people want, and they are
trying TO dodge a change Of any kind.
A few days ago, in the capitol, heard
a leading statesman from the west re-
mark that he thought another pres
idential election would take place be-
fore any radical change would be
made In the tariff; then the peoples
representatives would know, beyond
a doubt, what they wanted done and
would act accordingly.
Among the attractions announced
to entertain the people OF wicked
Washington Is a great intefnatio1iat
DOG SHOW,
which takes place next week at the
Roller Skating rink. Illustrious ca
mines will be here from every state In
the Union and from Canada and
several European countries. Costly
prizes will be given to the best animal
of each individual breed. Every
through train that arrives in the
city brings additions to the number
already here, and doubtless the display
will surpass anything of the kind ever
given. The craze for showing dogs ID
not confined to sporting men; on, the
list or names entered can be seen those
of many leading public men and news
paper editors, and frequently "A fair
lady belonging to the upper crust OF
society sends in her name to have her
darling little poodle shown. The fair
one is generally solicitous about the
comforts to. be enjoyed by dogs.
Blair's bill in relation to the
INCORPORATION OF TRADES UNIONS
provides that any organization hav-
ing two or more branches in the states
or territories, shall be entitled to re-
ceive from United States courts char
ters as national associations, with the
power to sue and to be sued. This
bill is commented upon very favOra-
now in Washington.
A COLLECTOR ANXIOUS.
Since the publication in theSTArEs-
MAN about the shortcomings of Inter
nal Revenue Collector Umbdenstock,
of the fourth district, a large number
of the adherents of that individual
have been exerting themselves In his
behalf. Letters have come pouring
into Washington detailing the many
virtues of the official, and giving
glowing descriptions of his patriotism
and labor in behalf of the grand old
party. But the letter writing bust
ness not being prompt, and, as they
feared, influential enough, a delega-
tion in the collectors interest came
on here, and for the past few
weeks have been hanging around
the treasury department. The
chief argument of the Umbdenstock
men Is, that he was union man du-
ring the war, and always since a
staunch Republican. The latter fact.
they think, overrides all opposition to
him. They do not deny some of the
charges against him, but when
pressed, state his party affiliations
in defense. Other petitions than
those first sent have been received In
Washington, charging Umbdenst0ck
with fraud and incompetency; but.
as matters now stand it appears that
he will be able to hold his seat.
Raum, the commissioner of internal
revenue, has been fast friend to the
collector In his troubles and has been
diligently working in his interest,"
He openly expressed the opinion that
the charges against umbdenstock
! would be overlooked and the collec-
torlretained in office.
Frank Hatton's venal National. Re-
publican continues to vigorously de-
fend criminal
POLITICIANS IN THE sOuTH
who flee to the bosom OF the sanity
party to obtain government pap and
wear the mantle of patriotism. No
matter how black the past record Of a
man may be, or whether he fought In
the Confederate army OF not, 20 beccsne
a Republican Is to be washed Of all
his sins. After his conversion he can
write few libeloiis communications
to the Republican explaining himself
and Immediately the ablest liars en-
ployed In the paper will be set To-
work to extol him. Just now the
Republican is engaged in defending
Tom Ochiltree from the insinuati0ng
that he wantonly wasted large
amount Of the government funds
when he was the United States mar
shal of Texas. Perhaps the able edi-
tor does not know that Ochiltree was
not elected rs a Republican. Tom
himself does not seem TO care what
people think or what the papers sfT
and he continues to move around th,,
hotel lobbies at night with the
LoRDLY APPEARANCE
of the chief executive Of an empire.
TEXAS POSTAL AFFAIRS.
The recent bulletins of the postoffice
department contain the following