The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-06-26
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. JUNE 2lst.

" fh7hANNAO4Nf u bNh @ApN1 ACOSf
With two stirring conventions here
during the week, one of the physicians,
and the other of horticulturists with
Mrs. Cleveland's two brilliant ovations
at the White House; with a South
American Prince among us vote
against the tariff debate in the House of
Representatives and the Senate rapidly
passing bills and talking about an all
summer session, it would seem that
neither gayety nor business were handi-
capped by the phenominally torrid
weather.
The royal visitor mentioned above
was the grandson of Emperor Dom Pc
dro of Brazil. This young scion is said
to have more strains of royal blood in
his veins than any man living, being re-
lated to the royal houses of France,
Germany, England, Spain, Italy, and
Denmark. He climbed to the dome of
the Capitol like other sight-seers, and
went to Mt. Vernon, where he clipped a
sprig from the magnolia tree planted
there by his Imperial grandfather when
the latter visited this country in 1876.
The brazilian Prince did not have in
vitations and attentions showered upon
him, like many other foreigners who
come to this country, Lord Russell for
instance, recently here, who gave rude
evidence that he would be more appreci-
ated if let alone little. But Lord John
Russell was English, quite English, you
know" and although his peerage dates
back only to 1861, he was as great lion
here as if his title extended back to
William the Conqueror. When some
one wished to introduce him to the Sec
rotary of War, he declined on the plea
that he already knew more people than
he could remember.
The Endicotts represent the blue blood
of the Cabinet, you know, the family be-
ing old when Noah went into the ark,
so imagine the immensely of Lord Rus
sells blunder. By the way, one of the
handsomest entertainments of the week
was the dinner given by Secretary and
Mrs. Endicott to the President and his
bride. Great attention was given to the
perfection of dainty detail, and old fami-
ly plate played conspicuous part, while
their guests were few in number, as the
family is in mourning.
Mr.. Durham, the first Controller OF
the Treasury, having placed himself e.,
rapport with the Administration, by
marrying wife, the question arises who
will be the next to follow the example
set at the White House. Secretary La
mar is the man accused, and it is thought
he will soon bring his bride to the Capt..
tai. His alleged fancee is a wealthy
Southern widow, for whom the Secretary
cherished a tender sentiment when both
were young
Speaking of Comptroller Durham, he
is the official who is called the "Autocrat
of the Treasury" The Secretary is, o.
course, head over all the affairs of that
Department, and the revenues of the
Government are under the control o.
Congress, not one dollar of which can be
paid out except by the authority of that
body. Still the first Comptroller count
ersigns all warrants for the payments o.
money, and the U. S. Treasurer will
honor no draft that does not bear hi,
signature. He decides every matter O.
payment, and no claimant, even if he
were the President himself can receive
his money unless the First Comptroller
satisfies himself that his claim is correct
This official was created as a check upon
the auditors of claims, and Congress has
given him additional power from time tC
time until he is practically supreme as
negative power. He can reverse the de,
cision of any official, and there is no APP
peal from him except to the Courts.