The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-02-04
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOings at the Ma
tiOnal Capital.
THE SENATE AND THE PRESIDENT.


the President and the Republican MAJORITY III
the Senate is absorbing large share OF pubic
attention Everybody IS on the qal rare TO see
what Will come of it. The trouble grows out OF
a request BIZ the Senate FOR information re-
specting the removal OF certain hepuolieth
officials. The Republican Senators are not dis
rnssd 20 kick" in cases where good cause 1or
removal exists, but where changes are made
for reasons purely political, they are inclined
TO ask for the why's and wherefores,' in view
of the fact that the Administration is so fully
committed TO the spirit as well as the letter OF
Civil Service Reform, and against the old
"snuils" system. This information the Pres-
dent has declined 20 give.
It is rot the first time that the Senate and
the Administration have been at variance, but
the circumstances surrounding the present
complication invest il with an interest that mas
not often been equalcd. PROFESSIONALLY the
President viii have tie full support OF MS
party, net only here bat throughout the coun-
try. As a general thing Senator's and Repre-
sentatiYcs nav be considered TO fairly reflect
the feeling among their constituents. Espe-
C;aiIy Is this true when there is such Unanlm-
itv Of sentiment as that shown at this time.
Democrats express themselves freely on the
subject, and one has yet 10 be heard from who
Is not ready TO stand 10y the President to the
last Mr. Cleveland does not, however, appear
t. be in great need of being " braced up" lie
nuts his foot down hard, with an evident inten-
tcntion that it shall stay there, and II the
Senators do not want their cornS hurt they
must stand cut OF the way. Mr.. Cleveland has
shown this characteristic more than once since
he became President aud III cases where he
did not have the full support of his party.
Nos that he has the backing Of al his political
friends. his foot Will be as immoyable as II 1t
weighed q ton. HIS conclusion was not hastily
reached. The questions involved were most
carefully considered. with the advice of his
Cabinet, and ii is understood that they were
unanimous in opinion.
Bat what are the Republican Senators going
TO do about it? The air IS full of exaggerated
runorS most of which are no doubt hgmentS
of the Imagination. There is no probability
that Gen. Sheridan will have to call out the
troops There is likely to be a large expendi-
ture Of wind on both sides. 1t is predicted that
the Senate will be the scene OF the hottest po-
litical debate that has taken place under the
dome of the Capitol for years. This prophecy
may or may not be realized, but the rumblluS
OF the thunder that betokens storm has set
al! ears asog. The Republican Senators do not
seem to have made up their minds as to the
course they viii pursue in the premises. They
do not show any symptom OF recedlng from
the position they have taken. They insist
upeia their right TO all papers bearing upon
removals and appointments The President Is
no less firm in the position that he has perfect
right to withhold such as he chooses. There Is
much talk about the rods that are being put III
pickle by Logan. Hoar, Hale, ingalls, aud others.
What the end viii be no one can now fofeteli.
MRS BAYARD's DEATH.
The hand Of affection has been laid heavily
anon the household Of the Secretary Of State.
Two weeks ago the eldest daughter died sud
denly. and Mrs. Bayard, the loving wife and
mother, passed away on Sunday morning. For
several years she has been in feeble health, and
for this reason had taken no active part IN So
cicty matters. The social duties incident TO the
position Of the family were chiefly performed
by her daughters. Mrs BayaTd was completely
Frustrated by the death of Miss katharine, and
the shock proved too severe for her strength.
II was hoped she might rally, but during the
past few days her condition has been so critical
as to isstify the grayest fears. She was uncon-
sciou5 most of the time for 81 hours previous 10
her death. The Secretary and his three daugh-
tiers who are at home we're iii measure pre-
pared for the end, and were with her TO the
last. For few moments Sunday morning the
dying woman opened her eyes and recognized
heT husband and others, but she did not speak,
and TelapsGg again into Inconsistencies,
lied an hour later.
The Secretary has great command OF himself,
but Has for time almost overcome with gElef
A. 70 o'clock letter Of warm coincidence was
received from President Cleveland The latter
seceired the announcement OF MrS Bayard's
Heath while as breakfast. The news spread
sapidly through the city, and much sym
3sthy was expressed for the dcubly-
bereaycd family. Mrs. Bayard was 81 years
of age She was born in Baltimore. and
her father Josiah Lee was one of the leading
Business men Of that city 50 years ago She met
the Secretary while the latters father was
Senator FROM Delaware, and she was united in
marriage to him in 1856. There were II chill
dren born to them, seven OF whom are liy
iGg. Three daughters are at home. One Is Mrs.
Warren of Boston, one son is Secretary of State
-, +i.ar- aatc pi,aaf hn
remains were taken to Wilmington, Del, aud
lad beside those of her daughter. The last
time Mrs. Bayard was seen outside OF her house
was on the 9th of the present mouth, wcei.
before her daughters death, when She assisted
Hiss Cleveland at the latter's first Saturday
ocjstiGn. 4 large number of social entertain
Enemts IL Official circles had been announced for
the present week but all have been cancelled, as
q mark o. sympathy for the afflicted family.
SENATOR sHER,IAN's SILVER IDEA.
Among the bills introduced in the Senate
last week was one by Fir. Sherman, TO discon-
tinue tire coinage of the silver dollar and 10
provide for the purchase Of silver bullion in
bars not less than 100000 ounces nor more
than 1890 600 ounces, per month, at its market
price, and for the issue in payment therefor, OF
coin certificates, Of not less denomination than
$40 each the bullion to remain III the Treas
urg as security for the payment OF the certifi-
Gates. This plan for the solution Of the silver
question EdS eIiCltcn 1nGcl comment among
the statesmen here. Some OF the more con-
scrgatiYe silver men favor Mr. Sherman 5
bii which il considered to be in the nature Of
compromise. as il proposes to keep adding 10
the volume Of silver circulation, through the
medium OF the certificates while at the same
time avoiding the food OF actual coin. This
idea meets with much favor, and it is thought
by many that it Will afford way out of the
existing controversy.
FIRE IL TIE 6URGEoN-GENERAL'S OFFICE
The agitation for the erection Of hall OF
records IN which TO store Government archives
which has been in progress here for the last 20
years. received an emphatic Endorsement San
day ght. i FIRE, Which at enc time threat
cRed serious results, occurred in building on
Z street, occupied by clerks OF the Surgeon
Generals Office, in the Western Division OF
Records. On tho ground floor were more than
I coo books, containing valuable hospital rec
oris Of the war. These were placed on trucks
aud at the outbreak OF the fire they were
quickly run out. The fire originated in the
basement ard was fortunately confined to that
part of the building. No papers belonging to
the Office were lost. Mr.. French, who is il.
charge Of the Division, said that no material
damage was done to his office, and that vyogi.
wYgld be Immediately resumed.
WANTED, A sCHooLMAsTER.
Tae other day document was copied by one
of the engrossing clerks Of the House and sent
over to the Senate There was so much bad
II.