The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-02-20
Washington News and Gossip.
From our Special Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. Is,

WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. Is, $50.
After all that has been said in praise
ofthe sunny skies and salubrious climate
OF the National Capital, it cannot be
denied that even the favorable geographi-
cal location of Washington does not
always serve to render the climatic in
huences perfect. During the present
winter the changes in the weather have
been sudden and marked. The heavy
fall Of snow of last week has almost
entirely disappeared, and the danger of
a freshet in the Potomac has been
greatly increased by the rain. The
river is rising rapidly, although the ice
is still intact. Every precaution has
been taken to avert possible danger.
Steam tugs are engaged in breaking the
ice, while men upon horseback patrol
the river banks above the city. The
watch will be kept up until all danger
is past. In case of a sudden rise in
the river, the news will be at once
communicated to the Signal Office, and
merchants owning exposed property
along the river front will be notified.
Upon receipt of the news of the su lden
death of General Hancock, it was at
once ordered by the President that the
flags upon the various Departments be
placed at half mast. A bill was at once
passed by the Senate providing for the
erection of monument to the memory
of the illusIrious general, while the
House testified its respect in the Gus om-
ary way, and voted itself holiday.
During a general discussion OF the
silver question in the Senate on Monday
last, Senator Sherman astonisheI his
fellow Senators by making an earnc ST
and rigorous speech in open session on
the controversy between the Senate and
the Executive as TO their respective
| powers regarding persons suspended by
office. This is the first public speech
! upon the subject, which had heretofore
been discussed only in eXecuiN e session .
| Mr.. Sherman declared that all informa-
tion upon the files of any Department
belonged to the Senate; that while e
exercise any power over the President S
discretion, that the President must not
prevent the Senate from having the
same information that he had when he
made the nomination.
1t is reported that Senator EdmuLds
has of late changed his mind on the
subject of secret sessions, and that he
now fayors the consideration of the
/ In
and that he will make a speech in sup
port of Mr.. Platt's open session resolu-
tion.
The debate on the bill for the relief
| FitZ-John Porter was begun in the
order the debate Is TO continue without
| interruption after the morning hour
| every CAV until Thursday next, when il
will be closed by the previous question.
A large delegation of Indians, from
Indian Territory, are here 10 protest
| against the passage OF the bill providing
| for allotment of their land hi severalty.
The president gave his third State
! dinner on Thursday evening In honor
of the justices of the Supreme Court,
and on Friday evening entertained the
Diplomatic Corps.
On Thursday evening the final recep-
! tion OF the present Chinese Minister,
/ Cheng Tsao Ju, prior to his departure
TO his native land, was given. Nearly
all Of the members of the Diplomatic
Corps were present, as were also the
| members of the Cabinet and many
/ Senators and Congressman.
| During several years past there has
| been a disagreement between the pro-
fessors at the Naval Observatory and
the officers of the Navy over the control