The Press., 1886-04-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washington D. Ce, April 7, 1886.
 In the early part of the week the admins tration threatened to break down physically. While Secretary Manning was still lying at deaths door, the attorney general and secre- tary of the interior were also taken sick. No sooner had Messrs. Garland and Lamar reach ed a state of convalesenee than the presi- dents private secretary was stricken with neuralgia. Secretary Manning's friends are still apprehensive about his recovery. The paralysis has partially disappeared, but the patient has not gained strength. He is re- stricted to B diefof beef tea and milk for the purpose of reducing his weight.
 It is said that the worry of the telephone investigation has good deal to do with At torney General Garland's indisposition. He has not said great deal about the telephone troubles, but he has been greatly annoyed over them, and when he has discussed them it has been with evident disinclination.
 A prominent physician who was speaking of the irrational policy of close confinement remarked that the president was sure to suc- cumb in 8 similar way one of these days un- less he would heed advice. He said, "Cleve- land is taking no exercise, but is sitting up there in the white house all day letting his blood vessels grow soft and fat. He has gain ed forty pounds since he has been there. Be- fore he knows it some excitement will send 14O0N4 vessels will burst, and he will die of cerebral hemorrhage and appoplexy.
 Labor questions have been discussed in congress this week, and there is much di- versity of opinion among congressman in re- gard to the placticability of legislation with regard to arbitration A variety of measures have been introduced, each proposing plan for settling strikes. The gentlemen who have presented these bills are now fearful that the labor committee will refuse to report some of them. The majority on this committee is op- posed to any action by congress looking to the legislation of arbitration between railroad companies and their employees.
 Said Gen. Weaver, of Iowa, who is strongly opposed to federal arbitrament, 'tThe bills on this subject are all captrap. I do not use the word in an offensive sense," continued he ''but we have laws now-state laws and na- tional laws-that cover everything there is to cover in this matter" He wanted to know how the judgement of an arbitration board could be enforced. You cannot compel men to go back to work if they will not do so of their own accord, and he held that @ tribunal could not be created to try the case with a thousand men on one side and a railroad company on the other.
 Senator Hoar, of Massachusetts, asks for longer sessions of congress every year. Rep resentative Beach, of New York, asks for more hours for work every day in the house. Between the two the people have chance of getting more law-making for their money. On the other hand, Representative Campbell, of New York has introduced @ measure giving the government clerks Saturday half holiday every week. This last is an immensely popu- lar proposition, throughout the departments, at least.
 The failure of the house committee on rivers and harbors to recommend the appropriation asked for continuing the improvement of the Potomac flats, just in front of the city, is call ing forth much indignant criticism. The reason given by the committee for not includ- ing this work in the bill this year is that the flats is fin dispute, and that the attorney gen. eral, although he has been frequently called on by congress, has never given an opinion on the subject
 Nearly million dollars has already been expended on this work, and the engineer in charge of it says, if it stops, but short time will be enough to undo all that has been ae- complished Others urge that it is a most in opportune time for retarding this important improvement, because there is every prospect that in three years time Washington will be the scene of an exposition, national and con- Gnental in character and extent and commem- orative of great events. Thousands of people from all parts of North and South America