The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-01-30

gress to Pay ford "Zoo'' for Washington
JOAQUIN Miller daughter Vestnin-
ster Postofice, dc.
Correspondence of the Democratic Adrocdte.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 26, 1886.
The present Congress has thus far outdone
all its predecessors as to the number OF pliis
introduced. Up to Saturday, 23d inst, there
had been introduced $500 bills and resoiu-
tions-1, 1919 in the Senate and 40 IN the
Honsa If which 81 Senate and 90 House bills
have been reported back from the committees
to which they had been referred, which, with
amendments, make $500 that have been
printed. Many of these bills are never seen
or read except by the committee to whom
they are referred, and in the majority OF cases
not even by the committee. The printer at
the Government Printing Office is the only
one who reads them all. The printing OF
these bills involves the expenditure OF large
sums of money annually, and the room re-
ouired for the storing of them is immense.
MANY poor soul is made happy when ne
hears of a bill being introduced TOR MS relei
in some form or other, but should he know OF
the many thousands that are before him, and
be aware of the slowness of Congress IN acting
ON them, his glee would turn to sadness
tatiyes simply to crafty constituents, without
apy idea on the part of the Congressman that
they will ever see the light of day. We think
the following must be of this class. 1t was
introduced January IS, 1886, by Representa-
tive Fl. B. Strait, of Shakopee, Minnesota
It reads as follows:
"H. r. No. 4O68.-Be it enacted, de-,
That there be and is hereby appropriated out
of the money in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated the sum of twenty-five dollars,
to nav Mrs. John BOIL for the loss of hog
killed by the Sioux Indians in eighteen hun
dred and ftty-eight.
This bill was referred to the Committee on
Claims, and ordered to be printed. Comment
on such a bill is hardly necessary. Alter
t,oenty-eight years have elapsed claim for $50
is made for the taking of hog IN an lndlan
raid in Minnesota
Rock Creek is a pretty little stream that
winds its way through hills and wales to the
northwest of this city, and finally empties into
the Potomac between Washington and the
ancient city of Georgetown, which now pos
sesses the more aristocratic name OF west
Washington On the bank of this stream,
within the city limits, is the most picturesque
scenery. Here, too, is located the celebrated
and beautiful Oak Hill Cemetery, the ground
for which was given by Mr.. W. w. Corcoran,
and here in this delightful burial ground lie
the remains of the author of that celebrated
song, ssHome, Sweet Home" John Howard
PAYNE. 1t will be remembered that he died
in Tunis and that his body was brought here
and buried at the expense of Mr.. Corcoran,
who has also erected to his memory monu-
ment of imposing dimensions. Rock Creek
Valley abounds in the most romantic and ex-
tensive scenery.
From Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines, the famous
New Orleans litigant. Judge Paci6cus Ord, a
resident of Virginia, who spends most OF his
time in this city, purchased what is known as
the "Old Mill Estate" about 80 acres, which
is located in the valley, about mile from
the Treasury, near Georgetown. This he has
donated TO the city, to be used as park and
geological garden. His gift is conditional.
Should the city not convert the ceded prop
erty into the park and garden it is to be for
feited. 1t is to be hoped that the Commis-
sioners will avail themselves of this most gen.
erous offer, as public park, added to the
other attractions of the capital of the United
States, will make it the most delightful city
in the world. P. T. Barnum has offered
5000, 900 toward fitting up a ZOO on the re.
claimed Potomac flats, and in the event OF
its acceptance will winter his great show there.
The plan of establishing a park along Rock
Creek originated with Gen. Michler, who in
1869, in a report to Congress, urged them to
buy the land for that purpose, but nothing has
ever been done in the matter. On account OF
its beautiful and romantic surroundings, Rock
Creek is quite resort for parties in summer.
Of course, it has its Lovers Lane, etc.,
etc., and many tale of love its knarled oaks
have heard and its rocky cliffs re-echoed. On
the banks of this delightful stream Mrs. Emma
ID. E. N, Southworth has written many of her
pages of fiction Her home is but few
squares distant, in the city of Georgetown.
In one of her novels the scenery of Rock
Creek is delightfully."- described. Secretary
Whitney's new residence is not far from and
overlooks the delightful region.
. The recent hardships of Miss Maud Miller
MRS Arthur. Mackeye) have attracted mnch
attention in this city, where her father, Joa-
auin Miller, the poet and author, resides.
Statements have been published in the news
papers from each of the parties concerned.
Miss Miller says her father forced her to go
on the stage to earn her own living at the
early age Of II years; that he never did act as
a father should; that he sent her as a mental
to lady who was going to Paris, &c. On the
other hand, Mr.. Miller claims that he did all
he could for his child; that she was ''erratic
and high strung;' was married without his
consent and against his will; that he never
knew of the distress which has recently over
taken her THAT of being in a Western city
without money and friends, the company with
which she was playing having disbanded for
the want of support) till he read of it in the
newspapers; that he had her educated, &C.,
&c. Her husband, Arthur Mackeye, sou of
the theatre manager of New York by that
name, saws that he has always treated his wife
properly, but that she could not restrain her
love for the stage, and SO, against his will,
she Joined the company which last week dis
banded, and so left her penniless in a strange
city; yet so far as known he has made no pro-
vision for her. Another complication has
Just arisen in this very peculiar case: 1t is
announced that Miss Maud was married a few
DAYS ago in Chicago to Mr.. London McCor-
mick, who was manager of the company in
which she played. She claims that as her
first husband was not baptized, she, being a
Catholic, was not bound to get divorce be-
fore remarrying, and that her first marriage
was not legal, which is an exceedingly pecu-
liar view in face of the facts in the case. The
church does not bless or recognize such a
marriage, but there is no question as to its
legality. 1t is to be hoped that her new union
may be happier than the last, though to the
writer it would seem that Miss Maud is not
s'well balanced" mentally.
Mr.. Joaquin Miller lives in little log cabin
city, and in this curious home he keeps up
his literary work. Personally he is a peculiar
man, strong in dislikes and likes. Naturally
he has many enemies. His eloquent story of
his wife life and death will be recalled by
most of the ADvoCATE's readers. His promise
to his wife was to write her history after her
death, and this he did in pathetic and touch
ing way,
Snow fell here all day Sunday last, and the
temperature was little colder than Washing
tonians like.
Mrs. Taylor, of Westminster, is said to be
the only applicant whose papers are on file in
the Postofice Department for the postoffice in
your city. A. H. Huber's commission ex-
pires February 9th, proximo, and Mr.. Jos.
b. Boyle, it is said, will succeed him.
Miss Mary Anderson, Americas great
actress, the only actress who dared snub the
Prince of Wales, is playing in Washington
this week. She is greeted with packed
houses. This is her first engagement in this
city since her return to this country.
The total wealth of Great Britain is esti-
mated at forty-three thousand six hundred