The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-04-05
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, March %.

General Howe is dead, and Secretary
rolger is in precariouS condition.
secretary Folger has now been con-
med to his room for several weeks
nd his condition is beginning to
ause great alarm. When he first be-
anne sick it was made very light of
md the public were led to believe that
lie would be at his desk in a few
lays, but now it seems that the attack
If ill-health was in the beginning
'ery severe, and instead of his getting
)etter he has been
GRADUALLY GROWING WORSE.
Arthur calls on the secretary often,
md evinces much anxiety. By his
ldvice the best medical talent has
been employed and the physicians
consult frequently about what is
pest for the distinguished patient.
Mr.. Folger's sickness was supposed to
be indigestion and skin disease at
will be attacked.
The announcement of the
DEATH OF MR.. HOWE
Was entirely unexpected. He left
the city some days previous to his
death in comparatively good health;
he declared that he felt badly, but
said that it was caused from
overwork and worry, and he
would go to Wisconsin for
several weeks and recover and recu-
perate his wasted strength, but he
had not been long in Kenosha before
his sickness developed into danger
Gus attack of pneumonia, which
caused his death. Every time prom
inent public functionary dies the de-
partment to which he was attached is
draped in mourning. This honor is
not alone accorded the cabinet Off
GERS and ex-cabinet officers, but
to any chief of a division that
may die. Since the death of Garfield
there has scarcely been month but
one of the departments would be
draped in black to do honor to the
memory of some official that has gone
to his everlasting home. Since the
commencement of 1880 an unusually
large number of public men have
died. This can account for so much
mourning at the federal capital.
The country is growing so RAPIDLY
and the number of men needed
in the departments increase so much
in generation that unless Uncle Sam
increases the Importance OF an official
to whom honor shall be paid when he
expires, there will not be a week in
the year but what one of the Wash
ington departments will be covered
with unsightly black cloth. Postmas-
ter General Howe died on Sunday af-
ternoon and the day following large
force of workmen were engaged in
placing black on all of the columns of
the general postoffiee.
Frelinghuysen and the small fry
officials of the state departments are
unusually reticent in regard to the
circulated rumors that
SACKvILLE WEST,
John Bulls Washington ambassador
and extraordinary plenipotentiary,
has notified Uncle Sam that her mai
esty's government fears rupture of
the amicable relations existing be-
tween the two nations if the utter
ances of the dynamite clique
and elsewhere are allowed to
remain unnOticed. In other words
England says she will get mad if
Uncle Sam does not act more gentle
manly and stOpso much talking about
her in his territory. John Davis,
first assistant secretary of state and
inclined to be very closed up indi-
vidual any way, when questioned by
the STATESMAN's representative en-
phatically refused to say one word as
to whether the rumorS were true or
not. He declared that Frelinghuysen
had also declined to talk on the sub
ject. The reticence of the officials
give more color to the story than it
would otherwise be entitled to. 1t is
puzzling to know why the state de-
partment officials are so afraid to say
anything about England. Some years
back, and when our country was
relatively much weaker than at pres
ent, The government did not care what
England thought on any diplG-
matte subject, and the state
department was boldin its inter
course with that country. But now
everythi9gis changed. England has
her own way in all diplomatic inter
course, and the state department hire
lings show a fawning desire to bow
to her wishes. Frelinghuysen Justly
deserves the title of confidential clerk
to her majesty.
NATIONAL BANK TAXES.
The treasurer of the United States
has referred to the attorney
general the question whether I'M
der the new tax and tariff
law national banks are required to
pay taxes between the periods of JAN
uary and March 3, 1883, under the
old law. The treasurer, who is
charged with collecting part of this
tax, is of opinion that the banks are
liable for it. The commissioner of in
ternal revenue, who collects the tax
on private bankers, has the same
view, but neither of these officials
care to assume the responsibility of
assessing the tax without first hav-
ing obtained Brewster's opinion.
The banks, of course, insist that
they are not required to pay. 1t I'M
questionably was not the intention of
the trainers of the law to give the
banks such exceptional privileges,
but as a matter of fact they are liable
to derive more benefit from the act
than any other corporation or the peO-
pie.
GEN. DIAZ
and suite have arrived in the
city, and taken quarters at the
Arlington hotel. The party are re-
ceiving much attention from our
officials, and spend most of their time
driving around and looking at the
sights of the capital city.
Your correspondent called at the
Metropolitan hotel on Monday even
ing and inquired after the health of
JUDGE REAGAN,
and was informed that he was about
the same, and would probably be in
the city for some time yet.
TEXAS POSTAL AFFAIRS.
A postoffice has been established at
CulbersOn, Cass county, on route 81,
013; at Farrar, Limestone county, 81,
1923; and Mosle, Burleson county. The
postoffice at Sarco, Goliad county, has
been been discontinued, and the mail
will be sent to Goliad; the postoffice
at Wheeler, Potter county, has also
been discontinued-the mail will
be sent to Tascosa. On route
81 ,232, from Giddings to Lexington,
Texas, after April 1, mail will leave
Giddings daily except Sundays at 2
p. m; arrive at Lexington by Z p. M;
leave Lexington daily except Sundays
at a. M, and arrive at Giddings by
IL IN. On route 81 ,481 from Crockett
to Augusta, mail will leave Crockett
Tuesdays and Fridays at p. m. and
arrive at Augusta by $50 p. M; leave
Augusta Tuesdays and Fridays at a.
M, rrirro M Hrc.nl-oft LIZ 90 ., M, c,r,