The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-11-18
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. 13, 1856


WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. l3, 1856.
Official circles arc much exercised
over the rumor that tho Chief of Police
here has instructed his lieutenants to
keep an espionage over tho movements
of Congressman and other public men
this coming Winter, with the view of
influencing legislation by the use of in
formation thus gained. 1t is generally
believed that some members, after hard
days work in the halls Of Congress,
throw off the cares of public duties and
regale themselves by visiting glittcring
halls of pleasure, which they would not
be seen entering, except under the dark
shades of evening, for fear of public
opinion. The fears Of the guilty, how
ever, may be quieted, as the chief has
promptly denied any foundation for the
scandal, and preferred charges of conduct
unbecoming an officer against the lieu
tenant giving current 10 the story. This
lieutenant has been an applicant for the
position of Chief of Police tor several
years past, and just prior to the appoint
ment of the present chief, few months
since, had a strong and influential back.
ing for the office, but failed to get the
plum. The lieutenant's trial is set for
the coming week. While members OF
Congress have their weaknesses, still they
are no worse than other meu and conduct
themselves when here in highly COM
mendable manner, considering the many
temptations they are subjected to.
The President, since his marriage, has
become much more social than before,
and this Winter will not live neat SO
secluded as last. Within the past few
DAYS he dined with Commissioner Webb,
one of the triumvirate that rule over the
District. The number at the dinner was
small, but included most of the Judges
of the Supreme Court of the District and
several prominent citizens of both politi'
cal parties. 1t was the first time that
bis Excellency has dined out in Wash
ington, except with his Cabinet.
The report of the Fish Commission,
about to be submitted, will show that
9O,OOO,O0O shad fry have been distributed
for propagation, and that 100000 shad
have been caught for market; and that
the cost of production and distribution
has been only $4,000. Prof. Baird, who
is at the head of the Commission, is as
much enthused on the subject of fish
culture as he was the first year that he
ventured upon the experiment, and we
are deeply indebted to him-tho father
of fish culture-for the bountiful supply
of that delicious fish yielded up by the
deep waters. The professor is still push
ing, with all his Hgor, the establishment
of the largest Museum in the wide world,
and has already so far filled the immense
structure especially erected for that pur-
pose, that he has found it necessary to
recommend to Congress to appropriate at
the coming session for the erection of an
annex to cost S250,OO0. And so the good
work goes on.
M. Bartholdi is here again, ooking
after his two models for the statue OF
Lafayette to be erected by our Govern
ment in this city. All the competitive
models are in, except two not yet sent
from Paris, but they will not be waited
for. Both of those submitted by Barthol.
di were broken on their voyage across
the ocean, but have been repaired at the
expense of the Navy Department. 1t is
more than likely that one of the two
submitted by Bartho!di will be accepted,
and decision may be reached while be
is here. There is nothing like looking
after ones own interests in person.
The company organized here some time
ago under the name of the Pneumatic
Gun Carriage Company, to work under
the Powlet patents, has made PROPOSE
ton to fit out the unfinished monitors
with the gun carriage, and to charge
nothing unless the carriage gives perfect
satisfaction to the Government in its
workings. This pneumatic apparatus
handles and loads the cannon, and re-
wolves the turret as well as steers. These
inventions, which are American, have
not only been patented here but in all
foreign countries, and the plant construct
ed in accordance Herewith occupies very
little space, is very economical, and will
turn a 15.inch gun as if it we're toy,
and requires crew of only three men to
each gun. There is "big thing" in it,
not only for the Government, but also for
the owners of the patent.
There have been a few Senators and
Representatives-perhaps a dozen of
each-in the city last week, But they
tarried only short time. Representa-
tive Randall is expected to drop in upon
us this week to prepare for the meeting
of the Appropriation Committee, which
assemblies here in special session on the
22d inst, to lay out its work for the com.
ing session. The chairman wants to have
the sundry civil appropriation ready by
the time that Congress meets, as the
session is too short to permit any delay
in calling it up for passage. n.
SeYenty.FiYe Shocks.
LAuRhNs, November lO.-To.day