The Washington critic., 1886-07-13
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

''Towle' in the Boston 1rdgellor, a
prominent politician from Delaware
came to Washington with the idea that
good, fat Office was awaiting his ac-
ceptance. He was friend of Secre-
tary Bayard he had good soldier
record, and he stood well at home.
One day he met an old friend on Penn
sylvania avenue, In whom he recog-
nized the colonel Of the regiment in
which he had served The colonel
was asked what he was doing, and he
responded that he was night watch
man in the Treasury Department.
Upon hearing this the rage of the Della
ware man knew no bounds. He raved
and sworc that the colonel should be
occupying such lowly position after
his brilliant service TO the country Days
and weeks and months passed The face
of the Delaware ofiice-secker became as
familiar about the uptown hotels rs
those of the "majahs and iedges" who
have been doing Washington since the
close of the war. Finally, one day the
man from the Blue Hen State, who
wanted nothing less than n foreign
mission called upon his old friend,
the colonel. Said he: "Old fellow, I've
got place at last. I've been appoint
ed night watchman in the State Depart
ment. Please lend me quarter to pay
the notary so that | can be sworn in
lie got the quarter and is now full.
fledged guardian of portion of the
vast property of the Government.
~
The same correspondent relates the
following as told by friend of the
late Representative Cole of Maryland
Cole was peculiarly gifted man. He
was O good physician, first-class
newspaper man and lawyer, and still
better politician Now / will tell you
something which he never would
mention as long as he lived. DR.. Cole
was a friend of the Booth family for
good many years. Indeed, 1 believe
that he was their family physician for
some years but at any rate he attend
John Wilkes Booth before the war and
knew him intimately. You remember
that years after the assassination of
Lincoln the Government maintained
possession of the body of his
murderer. Finally his brother Edwin
brought such influence to bear
that he obtained permission to re-
move the remains to the family bury
ng-ground in Maryland. Although
the government officials were positive
that they knew where the remains were
deposited. Edwin Booth wished to be
certain that the bones were those of his
brother. He requested DR.. Cole to
examine them, which he did. The
doctor made thorough examination,
l. AL l.. III
Booth received when he caught his
ing from the box to the stage
in his effort to escape, he
identified the peculiar gold filing of
one Of the assassin's teeth which he
remembered. 1t was upon DR.. Coles
report that Edwin Booth became thor
oughly satisfied that he had at last
secured the remains of his unfortunate
brother"
The Chicago Meas says that Senator
Culloms views in regard to the Hen
nepin Canal are the same as its own.
This plan contemplates the construc-
tion of the canal in such an ingenious
manner that 1t will run down hill each
way, and will have such a strong
natural current both ways that when
the wind sets favorably team OF
mules will be able to haul the heaviest
ocean vessel at velocity of two knots
an hour.
According to the New York Graphite
the widow of the late President Tyler
is living quietly on her estates at Nor
folk, Va, where she has re.
sided for the past few years.
She is n handsome woman, of
fine and imposing presence, with
much dignity of manner and mind Of
unusual ability-for n woman! Mrs,
Tyler was ut one time possessed OF
large wealth, but much of it has been
lost and she has now little else than
her pension of $4,000 as an ex-Prcsi
dents widow, and the property left
her by President Tyler and which is
situated in Norfolk. Some years ago
Mrs. Tyler was the central figure In a
protracted law suit. Her mother
owned much and valuable land in Staten
Island and in New York city. Mrs
Tyler, widow with several little chill
dren, had gone back to her mother $
house, and the latter dying soon after
ltlI uliilosl ucI CllllIC Cstdlc W 4his.
Tyler, making but scant provision for
her only other child, a son. This latter
of course, contested the will, but when
ore remembers that William M. Evarts
was the lawyer of the President S
vidow one Is not surprised to know
that Mrs. Tyler won the suit.
~
"Why is it that Congress accom-
plishes so little?'' asked the Louisville
POSTS correspondent Of prominent
Member Of the House. THAT is pretty
hard to answer. There are two very
apparent reasons, however. One is the
enormous amount of private legislation
asked of It; the other is its great size
and the absence of any personal re-
sponsibility on the part of members,
With Congress composed of over 400
members, 1t is hard for the average
member to feel any sense Of personal
responsibility especially when he finds
disposition to oppose any ideas OF
that sort that he may express or attempt
to put into practical operation" This
is pretty much the case. With more
than 10000 bills pressing, every mem
Der scrambling for his own particu
lar pet measure, and trying 10
knock everybody else out SC
that he can have. show
himself, there is little chance
for anybody. Congress has been in
session full seven months, and yet
oc;Jn rrnu, poceinU n LOT Of nrivotn billo