The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-01-30
washington News and Gossip.
From our Special Correspondent.

WAsulNGToE, d. c., Jan. 20, $50.
Mr.. EDIToR; The sudden death of
Miss Katharine Lee Bayard, the eldest
daughter of the Secretary of State. has
had depressing effect upon society,
which realizes the truth that one of the
gayest of her bellies lies silent in death.
II has in fact been week of mourning
in social circles; the projected eayelies
were for the most part postponed, and
dinners, teas, and reception invitations
were declined. Ladies who made calls
or received friends wore toilets of black.
Miss Cleveland secluded herself from
callers, and it was only at the earnest
request of Secretary Bayard that the in
vitations to the diplomatic dinner were
not recalled.
The state dinner given by President
Cleveland on Thursday evening in hon
or Of the Diplomatic Corps, was the
second of the series given since the com
mencement of the season. The prepara-
[ionsfor this acknowledgment were more
complete and extensive than have ever
graced the Executive Mansion. The
floral decorations were upon lavish
scale. Among the pieces which at
tracted much attention was an immense
floral globe representing all of the ma
tions of the world. The land surface
was marked by mass of carnations of
different colors, representing the various
countries, and the water by leaves Of the
camelia bush, while the streams were
traced by tiny lines Of smilaX. This
piece was mounted so as to revolNe
within a square frame, in the center of
the table. The frame was twined with
smilaX, while in the center, and Just
above the globe, was a single star in red
inlmortelles. The representatives Of
nearly every nation with which we hold
diplomatic relations were present, and
the dinner was a characteristic social
feature in the long line of State banqucts
that have been held in the Executive
Mansion.
The introduction in the Senate re-
Gently of a bill providing for the cree
tion of monuments to the memory of
Lincoln ana Grant. has awakened a
lively discussion by the press of the
country. Among the suggestions which
appear to meet with much favor, is that
instead of erecting towering "chimneys
o; marble, that tnumphal arch should
be constructed over PENNSYLVANIA ave-
nue, ornamented with life statues and
busts of the prominent generals of the
several American wars. Such men,
orial arch dedicated TO the American
soldier, would certainly be an imposing
and appropriate commemoration Of the
Nations dead heroes, and it is TO he
hoped that Congress may consider the
plan before acting upon the bill now Ue-
fore it.
The passage of the bill on Friday pro
viding for the purchase of the Produce
Exchange, in New York City, was ao-
c)mpanied by a lively scene in Il q
House. When the roll was called upon
the question of recommitting the bill,
the opponents of reCommittal found that
there were five votes against them.
| Every member of the House was re-
corded upon one side or the other, and
the only way to obyiate delay in the
passage of the bill was to persuade q
sufficient number of members who had
voted for recommittal to change theii
votes. The champions of the bill rushed
about importuning their friends to assist
them, While their opponents urged those
who had voted in the affirmative tc
stand fast. ! sUGicientnumbcr of votes
were however secured to defeat recon-
nittal.and the bill was afterwards passed
by a vote Of l42 to 70.
4 large number Of the most promi
nent members Of the District bar are in
teresting themselves in the case of VIM
NJ. Merrick, whose recent appointment
rs Judge of the Supreme Court Of tn,
District, was received by cordial eX
pressions OF approval here. His ap
pointIuent was so generally endorsed
that it was supposed that he would b,
at once confirmed by the Senate. The
opposition TO his confirmation seems tC
be headed by Senator German, and i.
believed to be the result of persona
malice. 1t is urged against him that ht
was put upon the bench at too advanced
an age, but as he is still a vigorous mar
it is urged by his friends that his con
tirmation should not be defeated upoi
this ground.
Widows and children Of soldiers O.
the Union, who are now receiving pen
sonS Of IS a month, viii be interested
in the discussion now in progress in the
House on bill to increase that class o.
pensions to SIP per month. The in
creased expenditure necessary to NEE
the advance would be something oYel
S5,0O0,OO0 a year.
Gen. Logan and other members Of III,
Metropolitan NJ. E. Church have started
a movement on foot with the view Of Sc
curing the return Of DIR, Newman to tn,
pastorate of the church. As the doctor
is at present without a charge, and ha,
expressed willingness to return, it i,
thought that no difficulty will be ex
perienced in securing the consent Of The
bishops who make the assignments.
1t is probable that the great telephon,
suit will be brought in this city, as the
scientific collections which go to estab,
lish the facts In the case are here. Thi,
city is the home of Mr.. Bell, the leading
spirit of the Company, and it is general,
ly conceded that Washington would Lt
the most convenient to all parties.