Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-09-05
FROM THE CAPITAL.
The Malaria-The Court of CLAIMS
High Priced Counsel,

The Malaria-The Court of CLAIMS
High Priced Counsel.
Special Telegram to the lNrER.OcEAN.l
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2S.-Washington
is just now enjoying the peace and quiet
which yearly precedes the atumnal hub
bub, the political and social opening.
"Everybody,' as he calls himself, is out
OF town. But Everybody" here, as else
where, means only that favored small
per cent who have money or who can
borrow Or beg it for trip to Europe, a
month at the sea side, or two weeks
stay ut Il mountain farm house where
board is cheap and the contrast with city
surroundings is sharpest. In spite Of
the unusual heat of the summer the
stay-athome people of Washington have
managed to live in tolerable comfort.
There is more breathing space in this
city than in any other of its size in the
country. The wide streets and many
parks afford the amplest space for the
free circulation of air, and the malaria
SO much complained of is suffered only
by the Incorporate.
The return to Washington of her ho-
lday population will begin in week,
and will be complete by the first of Oc-
toocr. AT present Mr.. Lamar, If the
interior department, is the only cabinet
officer in the city. Mr.. Garland left this
week for his home III Arkansas. The
other members of the cabinet have been
out Of the city for several weeks.
The president had not been expected
before the last of September, bu, learn
that the present cool weather may cause
him to alter his plans. After roughing
it in fisherman's camp the luxury Of
the executive mansion will doubtless be
enjoyed.
The habliments Of mourning have
been removed from the white house and
all the government departments, the
thirty conventional days having expired
The recent rains had washed out the
cheap dyes Of the miles Of black cambria
in which the white marble columns were
swathed, and it will cost several thou.
sands of dollars to remove the discolor-
alton. The white house will be re-
painted.
The most sensational news Of the week
is in relation to the discovery of the al
legged frauds in the Alabama claims court
and also in the pension Office. The AL
ALBANIA claims court was organized in
1874 to hear proof of the claims to he
paid out of the Sl5,5O0, 600 awarded by
the Geneva commission.
1t is charged by Controller Dunham
that this court has on its pay-rolls large
number of officers and clerks not au-
thorized by congress, who have been re-
ccivng IN salaries about $35 600 per
year. Among those who have been paid
rs special counsel are Walker Blaine,
F. d. Hunt, Hamilton Fish, Jr, George
Frclinghnysen and others.
The force of the court Of Alabama
claims is demoralized by the decision of
the first controller cutting off their sal
aries. The judges have been telegraph
ed for and are expected to arrive here
very soon. They will probably prepare
a defense and make fight for the re-
tcntion and payment Of their employees.
IL is claimed ~ the court that the au
thority given the court to organize in.
cluded the authority to employ all nee
cssary clerical assistance, and they claim
that the force they have is barely sufIi-
cient to perform the work required of
! them, and at one time extra assistance
had to be employed and they worked
night and day.
They say. too, that Judge Lawrence,
the former first controller. was not ig-
norant of the manner OF the establish
ment and management Of the court, and
approved fit in approving the accounts.
During the six months limit before it
would come to date to file claims an
extra force was necessary besides those
objected To in Judge Dunhams decision,
and the court applied to Judge Law
renee for an opinion as TO the authority
of the court to employ more clerks. and
he replied that the court had the author
ity itself There were $3.50 claims orig
inally, and 400 Of these are still to be
adjudicated. The papers in these cases
| till two rooms.