The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1885-12-04
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
FROM our Regular Correspondent.


the news OF the assassination of
President Garfield was flashed over
the wires, CAUSING the very heart
of the Nation to inteFmIt in it's pub
sajOn, the country has not expe-
rienced such a shock as Was ecu
stoned by the news OF the sudden
aud unexpected death ofVIce Pres
ident Hendricks, which OccurredOn
Thanksgiving eve. Tbs leaders of
both political parties were startled
by the announcement. Although
several Vice Presidents have died
while Ia Office, the Vice President
succeeding has always been of the
same political opiuion as the Presi-
dent. In the present case, hOwev-
er, the Senate having a Republican
majority will, it is believed, choose
a Republican as It's presiding officer.
1t was u quiet aud sad thanksgiv-
ing Day at the White House.
There were no callers, aud no pub
lie business was transacted. All
of the Government buildings have
again been shrouded in Grape aud
bunting, which will remaln
untilthe dag after Christmas. Some
of tue members OF the Cabinet, will
attend the funeral. The party will
leave Washington today BY a
special train provided by the Penn.
s~ylvanIa Railroad Company.
Prior to the receipt of tue news
of Mr.. Hendricks death great prep.
arations had been made for render.
ing Thanksgiving an enjoyable hOl.
iday. Secretary Whitney issued an
order GU Wednesday closing the
Navy Department at l O'Clock, and
each one of the clerks who wished
it were given a check which, when
cOuntersIgned, was good for Il tur.
key at a commission hOuSe upon
the avenue. About two hnndred
of the clerks avalled themselves OF
the S%ecretary's liberal offer.
One week from to day the Forty
ninth Congress will convene.
Many of the members are now in
the city, and others are arriving
daily. Some of the Senators are
taking an interest in the movement
for a change in the House rules, on
the ground that the Senate suffers
from the ObtruSive character OF the
rules; that measures OF public in.
terest aud Importance which are
passed by the Senate and have the
support OF majority of the mem,
bers Of the House, fail because The
rules do not permit Il majority to
dictate.
1t is learned at the Interior De-
Partment that the proclamation of
the President directing the remOv-
al of fences erected 10y cattlemen
on Govern mpnt land Ia being OO-
served, aud The fences are being
removed. There has been bnt u
single exception reported, that be-
ing upon u cattle rauch in Wyoming
where the owner has commenced
the erection OF additional fences.
The Attorney General will at once
institute suit to secure the rpiuOv.
al of the fences In this particular
instance,
1t is now reported that Mr.. A. a.
Wilson, ofthis city is to be appoint.
ed U. S. Marshal of the District.
This decision will be Il great diSap.
p%OintnIeut to the large number Of
applicants tor the Office.
Frederick Douglass will very
soon be asked TO resign his Office
Of Commissioner Of Deeds, and the
President has announced his inten.
ton of appointing a colOred mau rs
his successor, ii a suitable one
could he found.
A committee representing the
American Medical Association have
been in the cry during the week,
engaged IN making the preliminary
arrangements for the International
Medical Congress, which is to De
held here in 1887. The committee
waited upon the President and re.
qupsted him TO bring the matter to
the attention OF Congress, with the
view OF having Congress make
some provision towards defraying
the expense OF entertaining dele
gates from foreign countries.
Senator Call, of Florida has com.
menced the construction of u resi-.
dence in the West End, aud is the
fifteenth member OF the present
Senate who has built or purchased
"a residence at the National Capitol.
A movement hes bepu growing of
late, having tor bis object to secure
the opening of the Capitol, Nation
al Museum and other Government
buildings on Sunday, has met with
serIou aud unexpected opposition
from the pastors OF the Evangelical
churches, who have formed an or
ganlzatiOn with the express purpose
OF opposing the movement. 1t is
also announced that tue organiza.
ton iDtendStO prevent Il series Of
Sunday night concerts, which were
to have been given in The theatres,
and to suppress ihe'sale OF nrwspa-
pers upon the streets Oh SUNDAYS.
The alarming Increase of crime
which has dpVploupd here of late is