Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-09-24
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WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Sept. IS, 'S6,
To THE SOUTH KENTUCKIAN:

10 THE SOUTH hENTUCklAN
After life of various vicissitudcs,
extending over a period of 10 years,
the Alabama Claims Court has pass
ed out of existence. The Geneva
award was made in 1883, and was
Immediately paid by England, in
gold coln, the amount $l5,500,00O be-
ing invested in U. S. bonds. The i'll
terest on tine bonds accounted to a
httleover 100000, and this, together
with the principal, has been paid to
the multitude of claimants, the ma
jority of whom were from the New
England States. The aggregate Of
these claims, after their determine
ton by the court, was nearly $27, 000,-
600 and this necessitated the amount
available to be distributed pro rata.
The rate was trifle more than 80
2-l0 per cent. The distribution of
the money was an enormous job,
calling for an incalculable amount of
figuring, and the Treasury officials
are much relieved to have finished
the herculean task,
The Interior Department establish
ed in 1885 the Bureau of Labor for
the purpose of investigating the
cause Of the strikes, questions connect
ed with convict labor, and similar
topics. The bureau has done good
work during the past year, and its
large army of special agents are now
actively employed in the field taking
notes on the various economic ques-
ton assigned to them. The bureau
has been put on second footing by
the generous appropriations of Con-
gress, and is enabled TO do its work
well and promptly. The reports of
the agents will be impartial, and
both capital and labor will receive a
just hearing before this tribunal of
the Government.
Prof. Baird, ofthe Fish Commission,
has been in Massachusetts since the
middle of July, supervising the ex-
periments in progress for preserving
bait for the use of fishermen. Very
little headwayis made, but as to the
ultimate success of the undertaking
there is no doubt The bait used is
small fish called "squid," and as it il
necessary to keep the preserved bait
with certain degree of frankness
which is exceedingly hard to do, the
experiments progress slowly.
The new silver certificates, author
lied by Congress, will be issued by
the government at an early date.
The plate for the one dollar note has
been engraved, and is pronounced by
all who have seen it the most beauti-
full piece of work ever executed al
the Bureau Of Engraving and Print.
ing. The plates for the - and SIC
certificates have not as yet been ell.
graved.
The representatives of foreign gov.
ernments are little known outside Of
Washington. The Diplomatic Corps
however, is an important factor il
Official life here. There are twenty.
five foreign legations, most of them
occupying large and finely furnished
mansions. Every important countr,
isrepresented, and with their attaches
and large retinue of servants, tn,
ministers enjoy distinction entirel,
their own. The English minister
lives i'll a noble mansion, built b,
his government on Connection
avenue at a cost of 100000. TIL,
house has magnificent parlors, dining
rooms, and large ball room, en-
abling the minister to dispense hi
hospitality lavishly during the winter
season. The French, German ant
Russian legations give fetes, and theil
mansions are the scenes of brillian
balls during the winter, all of thu
ministers being socially inclined
But the Chinese and Japanese lega
tons in point of curiosity lead tn,
list. The Chinese legation occupie
Stewards Castle, fine mansion facins
on Dupont Circle and in which Their,
is ample room for the grand entertain
ments given by the minister durin!
the winter. 1t is furnished entirely
in the Monaghan style, and its apart
ments are filled with rare and curious
articles. The japanese minister ha!
large residence, furnished strict,
in harmony with the style prevailing
in his country, and within its WALL
are many quaint and beautiful articles
Many Of the members of the Chimes,
and Japanese legations remain in thu
city during the summer months, ant
often may be seen riding about tho
streets at very late hours on The
hottest nights in search ofcool brcezes
although in their loose and flowing
robes they look as if they were ex
ceedingly cool and comfortable. Ii.