Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-02-06
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Feb. Sd.


DEAR REGIsTER.-On Thursday morn
ing last, about four o'clock, the EUening
Star printing Office caught fire, and in
short time damage to the amount Of
$50, 900 was done. There were two
presses In the building-one Hoe and
the other Scott press-each capable OF
printing, cutting, folding and pasting
$4,000 copies per hour, and they were
almost completely destroyed. The Star
came out the same evening, though
slightly reduced in size.
You will have noticed the Oklohoma
"boomers" have been driven ont of the
Indian Territory, though why they
have not as much right there as the rich
cattle ranchers is something that no
man can understand.
Considerable speculation is going on
here now over the visit to Albany, by
request of the President-elect, Of
Speaker Carlisle and Hon. Samuel j.
Randall, and it 10 thought that they
were summoned to consult in regard to
the next Cabinet. Hon. Henry G.
Davis, of West Virginia, is still men
toned for Secretary of the Interior, and
his prospects seem to be very good for
that portfolio, although it is said he
does not want 1t.
A glance at the advertising columns
of the daily newspapers show that the
people of Washington know that inau-
guration only comes once in four years,
and that they are determined to make
the most out Of it when it does come.
The lowest price for single windows is
$40, or two for SIS, and the highest
price $50. The average is from $50 10
$50, so you see if the average Shepherds
towner wants to have good window
from which to see the parade he had
better mortgage his house before he
comes.
The great bugbear just now is as to
how far Cleveland is going to carry his
civil service reform ideas. Department
clerks are resigning high salaried Of
fees and being reappointed to positions
within the bounds of the civil service
law, in hopes that they will be over
looked or in some miraculous manner
escape the official axe.
There has been great deal Of excite
ment among the higher government
officials over the dynamite explosion in
London, but since the New York ex-
plosion Saturday night, every one be-
gins to think that 1t Is getting too close
for comfort. There was rumor here
the other day that the authorities had
been warned that an attempt would be
made to blow up the Capitol, but SO far
there has been nc indications Of such a
plot.
There is now great deal of talk about
an extra session Of Congress, as the APP
preparation BILLS are very much behind,
but prominent members Of the House
say that there is no need for an extra
session, as all the bills can be passed by
the 4th Of March.
The annual report of the Commits
sioner OF Patents for 1891 shows that
there were issued during the year 20 ,297
patents and designs, and the amount of
fees taken in was 81 075,7
Everything possible is being done to
save the official heads of Republicans in
the departments, the latest being bill
to prohibit the discharge of any ex-
Union Soldiers. OF course such bill |
will not pass, but it goes to show hew
desperate the grand old party" is be-
coming since it sees the flesh pots slow
ly but surely slipping from their sight.
"TIBE."