New-York tribune., 1886-04-25
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.
INCIDENTS OF THE wEEK-PERsONAL. so.
CML POLITICAL.

CLAL, POLITICAL.
frnom TIE npcuLAg coRREspoNDEST or THE TRIBUSEl
WASHINGTON, April 24-The most interest
ing OF the week been tho appearance OF Jay
Gould before the House Committee which is charged
with the tasx OF investigating the labor troubles In the
southwe Tho in which the hearing took place on
Thursday thronged all day with curious crowd Of
people who had to get look at the railway mag
nate Mr. Gould himself seemed little concerned about
the curiosity Of which he the objact Indeed II
anybody was nervous at all, IL was tae MEM
Dor OF the committee who for ths time would
conduct tho examination. Tho reputed possessor Of
S5O,OO0 600 evidently inspired an awe which the COM
mttee at no time seemed able to overcome They hardly
knew what to do with him. 1t is true no answered with
perfect sincerity and with great readiness every ques.
ton addressed to him. but STILL when the examination
had come to close, there seemed TO bo dIsappoint-
mont dscernblc IN the faces OF tho committee which
could not be accounted for any other ground than
that tnoy had got all they waited ont OF Mr. Could
As is usual occasions the hearing on Thursday
was made an excuse for a gathering OF all tho
"cranks" In town. When tho committee took recess
at 2 o'clock Mr.. Gould at surrounded by .
number OF people. among whom noticed chevalier
dndustre who for years has had projects OF different
kinds before Congressj tramp. who wanted to prinS
the mllionaires picture in some obscure paper
In return for a goodly OF money; a sprtualistio
medium who with evident interest examined the forma
ton Of Mr. Gould's head; and a particularly sharp
young gentleman whose evident desire was to ges
the right sido OF tho stock market Jay
Gould listened to each with sort Of curl
Gus amusement, without svincins any impatience.
or seeming feel amazed. In the course OF tho after.
noon nearly every Congressman stroed into the
to get square look at tho witness Tho comments Ia
the crowd often amusing: "fs that him. sitting
there that little fellow Why he looks as II no hadn's
had a decent meal in fortnight! Doesn't look very
clever does hef Dresses like other tool Won
der what he paid for the suit he has on!"
The notorious We'll and La Abra claims would mako
ht subject for tho plot Of Washington novel The
schemes OF the lobby by which the ratification Of the
treaty with Mexico defeated this week would form
an interesting chapter Of the book. These two claims
have held the attention Of Congress in shape
other for the last twenty years doubt whether any
of the original claimants is interested In these two
awards to-day Their interests have for the most part
passed into the hands OF attorneys,
spectators and lobbyists 1t is they who
have really prevented the treaty from receiving the
assent of tho Senate and from justice being done to
friendly Government The We'll claim out OF tho
alleged seizure by troops under General Cornas OF
ton belonging Benjamin Well about the Goth OF
September 1864 The La Abra claim grew out OF tho
seizure by the Mexican authorities OF propcrty-ores.
supplies buildings, neutrality-suspicious. to the la
Abra Mining Company. corporation organized under
the laws of the State OF New York, and working mins
In Mexico While there is probably somc justice In tho
claim. it is certain that the amount OF damages
claimed largely In of that actually suffered Bus
as regards the Well claim there is good for be.
eyng that i is altogether fraudulent The claims
submitted according to agreement TO Sir Edward Thorn
ton as umpire the Government OF Mexico well the
claimants binding themselves to furnish their testimony
and evidence in the cases by certain date This was
done, but after that date aud before the award
made by Sir Edward Thornton. evidence was pat in
possession OF the Mexican Government which proved
beyond the shadow doubt the fraudulent character
two re
to consider this newly discovered evidence because
under the he held that lie had no power to DO
So The award, therefore, was made In accordance with
the evidence furnished him before the Mexican Govern
ment had secured all OF Its testimony Mexico is now
paying in nstalments the money awarded Two or
three instamens have already been distributed to tho
claimants. Payment OF the remainder temporarily
suspended pending the rejection ratification OF tho
treaty concluded by Secretary Frelinghuysen with
Mexico which sought to reopen the whole matter and
give Mexico an opportunity to mako use OF the
new evidence In its possession Tho question
at issue was simply this Shall the result Of inter-
national arbitration be considered rs final and b ndlna
upon both parties even though tainted with fraud, OF
shall the United states Government lend its name and
power to assist people In securing against friendly
Rs feOby OF course held the former appar
emily tmphs though even auaa h0T ae al question sss Is no
another to the courts.
which were held this week rked by
du In the character OF tho papers read do
but that they had interest for the general public.
Even paper entitled The cockroach, Past and
Present." antcipA OF which "a large number OF
matrony looking women-gooi housewives al OF them
doubt-had gathered was disappointing ma ,nuch as
IL treated the c0ckr0ach too scientifically, NOT
say delicatey, wh' the audience evidently seemed
with practically and with no attempt COMPROMISE
Professor scudder the author or tho paper paid some
regard national prejudice by stating That America was
the land the cocKoach, that his European brother
to nothing and that was here only that this
interesting animal could DO studied Professor Morse
Instructive well as entertaining Ia his remarks Jl
different methods OF arrow release But to read tho
titles the remainder OF the papers sufficient
to drive away people from the meetigs o the
on Thursday but precisely what Impression they mads
upon him is not known Professor Bel, OF telephone
Tho official dinners at the White House said to bs
more than funereal III character. The President hun
self rarely talks. and lis thrown upon their
resources generally for entertainment Al oae OF
President On tho other side OF Vance sat u certain
Congressman whose name II IS not necessary 10 ment1n
here. chilling atmosphere seemed 10 peryade tho
room as the company sat Gown 70 mo "a.
PresldenS Pre- said not a single word. Til. soup was
served, while distress nS qu,et preVaileu Even tho
sa tenSae "ath OF the WY don't you talk to
him r. suggested the Congressman as he nadsed vance
dent, who toyed with croqueLe GA the plate ~ 'front.'
of him. Blank" whispered Vance, haven't & irisi
an interest in anything"
Talk to him the Tariff" advised the Congress-
"Mr President" said Vance. the tariff is rather
important question nowadays. what"
Yes | suppose 1t is," replied Mr. Cleveland as ha
turned his face uq1ringy to the ceiling Yes father
think 1t is." Then ho relapsed into silence.
Fifteen minutes passed and again the Congressman
whispered into Vahce's ear: . ~
"Why don't you talk to the PresdentF
"Bank haven't done sol replied the unfortunate
North Carons Senator He doesn't seem TO take any
stock In the tariff" he added despairingy.
"Try him the silver question:, said the Congress-
49,
snuating smile, ian impression seems TO prevail that
your the silver question you do not repre-
Senator,
President blandly, allow me TO help you to some of
this claret. think you'll like IT, and again the Chief
Magistrate Of nfty-hve million freemen rclapsed Into
his accustomed silence.
Senator Vance occupied with juicy canvas-back
when his nei ghbor again reminded him by stcatby
glance that II his duty to talk to the President.
Vance looked the picture OF misery. discreet shrug
af hls ldcrf aa