National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-15

amounts MS they have paid in Of the direct
war tax levied in 1861, and to forgive
them the amounts which they have not
paid. This tax has been vexing question
for years, and considering the present
plethoric condition of the national treasury,
Gov. Rusk thinks the whole matter might
readily be settled by congress in the manner
just mentioned. OF this tax the northern
states have already paid $12451, 437, and still
owe $16.4i5,23s. The southern states have
paid $2,220, 1897, and still owe 81, 1850
80
The Hon. Edward Mcpherson, secretary of
the Republican congressional campaign COM
mittoe, is preparing himself for the approach
Ing battle. lilo has already rented commo-
dious rooms on Sixteenth street, opposite tho
Arlington, aud will begin to do business
directly. The principal work before the
committee will be the circulation of
enlightening literature, and, thanks to
the blunders of the present democratic
majority in the house, the material is not
lacking. Republicans have put the COM
mittee in condition to pay printers bills and
the results will presently be seen in cam
paign documents upon the tariff, national
finances and bourbon misrule and massacre
in the south.
ssa
Mr. Holman was making q speech upon tho
postoflice appropriation bill, and people in
the gallery were making remarks about him.
"He seems to be feshless sort of man, J" said
the Virginia journalist. There was some
further talk about thin men aud bony men,
when the Pittsburg correspondent said: II
once heard Matt Carpenter tell Don Cameron
that he had just seen an empty carriage
drive up to tho department Of justice and
Alexander Stephens get out OF it,"
"There's vague sort Of familiarity about
that story" said the Virginia journalist, "as
if had heard it when 1 was a boy and for
gotten it. But know a less ancient one about
Aleck Stephens. 1t was at White Sulphur
Springs in 1861 think it was in '6s-but
any way, Gen. Robert L. Lee and Gen. Rose
Grams and other distinguished mon were
there at tho time consulting as to the best
means of reconoiling the north and south,
and bringing about much needed peace
and harmony in the nation. One day the
stage coach drove up in front of the hotel,
and out of one door of it stepped a news
paper man named Hanna. He was long
and so thin in body that he offered no partic-
ular obstruction to the passage of light. The
thickest thing about him was shock OF red
hair that hung down on each side of his face,
covering his ears and framing his cadaverous
countenance. He wore q long linen duster
about as large around as an umbrella case.
As he climed out on one side of the stage
Aleck Stephens climbed out of the
a,I ota ha
hotel together. One of the boys at the hotel
pointed at them and called out to me, Look
here, Gil; here comes the vanguard Of the
resurrection" .
~@e
"They appear to be making a great fuss
over in Philadelphia" said the Buffalo jour
nalist because some gentlemen with dark
skins are collecting news for the Philadelphia
newspapers. The eyes of Philadelphia news
paper reporters must be extremely sensitive
| to color. Now, in Buffalo, where the reporters
are about as good us reporters are any
where, mulatto by the name OF Crosby
has been doing newspaper work for several
years. Nobody there has ever found it
necessary to quit the profession because
Crosby was in it. He Is a member of the
press club, is good fellow, and is treated
just the same as if his skin were a few shades
lighter. 1 think he is city editor of the
| Times now and has white men working under
him, but I haven't heard of anybody throw
ing up good paying position in that city on
that account" '.
He was balloonist, and had made many
ascensions, but thought that the most anus
ing thing that had happened in the course Of
his experience in mid air occurred in Mis-
sissippi. He said: II had gone up from the
Metairie race track, near New Orleans, anG
struck a current which bore me rapidly
eastward. Just about midday made up my
mind to descend, and began letting out tn,
gas. As rapidly neared the earth saw tina
was going over a plantation. In the felt
beneath me solitary negro was choppinl
out cotton, and when he saw the shadow o
the balloon travelling along over the ground
he looked up and evidently thought thu
great day had arrived, for he dropped upol
his knees und began to pray Justify. Thei
he saw that the balloon was receding from
him and his courage arose, and he shouted
vigorous hallelujahs. Finally he called out
earnestly, but respectfully, Good by, Saviour
but say--how is yo pa?"
go
Gen. Guthrie, adjutant general of the stat
of Pennsylvania, and ex-Gov. Hartranft ar
in this city looking after the bill increasing
the amount annually appropriated for armin
the militia of the several states from 5000, 00I
to 100000 This measure was prompt.
passed by the senate, but when it reached tn
house Mr., Randall managed to have it referre
to the appropriation committee. 1t
claimed by tho friends of the bill that
should be promptly passed by the house, 70
the full amount of 100000. Under tn
terms of the bill states may elect to recev
their portion of this appropriation i
arms, or in camp and garriso
equipage, or in both. The gentlemen inter
estod in the bill have had interviews with
number os the members of the house, VIII
oil express themselves as most heartily /
favor of it, and it is not believed that Nj
Randall will persist in antagonizing it fror
mistaken ideas of economy. The appropria
tion for many years past stood at $200,00
and since it was first made the population
the country has increased from 100000 I
5O,O0O.OOO.
4"a
1t is said that the reason why Senate
Sabn voted for the Fitz-John Porter bill WI
that years ago whom Mr.. SRbin wasa mem bt
,, of the state legislature, he Endorsed an appl
| -. H. 80 Ia. 4