The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1886-09-23
oUn wAsHrNGroN LETTER.
WAsHrEorOH. D. O., Sept. Ii. 1886.

70 the Editor OF the Emporia NKWs.
After life Of various vicissitudes, exc
tending over period OF Is years, the AL
ALBANIA Claims Court has passed out of ex.
istence. The Geneva award was made in
1873. and was Immediately paid by Eng
Iand, In gold coin, the amount SIS, 500, 600
being invested in United States bonds.
The interest On the bonds amounted TO q
little over $1,000, 600, and this, together
with the principal, has been paid 20 the
multitude Of claimants, the maj Irlty of
whom were from New England StaIes.
The aggregate of these claims, after their
determination BY the court, was nearly
$27 600 coo and this neceesitated The
amount available 70 be distributed pro
rata. The rate Was q tribe more than
35 BIO per cent The distribution Of the
money was an enormous Job, calling tor
an inealculble amount Of figuring, and the
treasury officials are much relieved TO
have finished the herculean task.
The interior department esta blIshed In
1885 the bureau Of labor for the purpose
Of investigating the cause Of the strikes,
questions connected with convict labor,
and similar topics The bureau has done
COED work during the past year, and Iis
large army of special agents are now ac-
lively employed In the Geld taking notes
on the various economic questions as
aigned TO them. The bureau has been put
on . sound footing by the generous sppro-
prtations Of congress. and IL enabled 70 do
ITS work well and promptly. The report
Of the agents will be impartial. and both
capital and labor will receive q just hear
ing before this tribunal Of the govern
menI.
Prof. Baird, of the Fish Commission,
has been in Massachusetts since the md
die of July. supervising the experiments
in progress for ''preserving bait" for the
use OF fishermen. Very little Roadway is
made, but az TO the ultimate success of the
undertaking there Is no doubt. The bait
used is small fish called "squid," and as II
IL necessary to keep the preserved bait
with q certain degree of freshness, which
is exceedingly hard TO do, the experiments
progress slowly.
The new silV or certificates, authorized
by congress, will be issued by the govern.
ment at an early date. The plate for the
one dollar note has been engraved, and is
pronounced by ali who have seen it the
most beautiful piece of work ever executed
at the bureau OF engraving and printing
The plates for the 50 and SO certificates
have not as yet been engraved.
The representatives of foreign govern
ments are little known outside of Wash
ingtoD. The diplomatic corps, however,
Ii an important factor In official life here
There are twenty five foreign Legations,
most of them occupying large ana finely
furnished mansions. Every important
country IL represented, and with the at
Jaches, and large retinue of servants, the
ministers enjoy q distinction entire their
own. The English minister lives in a
noble mansion, built by his government
on Connecticut avenue at a cost of
$500, 900. The house has magnificent
parlOrs, dining roomP, and . large ball
room, enabling the minister to dispense
his hospitality lavishlY during the winter
season. The French, German and Rus
sian legation give fetes, and their man
during the winter, all the ministers
being socially inclined. But the Chinese
and Japanese legation in point of
curiosity lead tie long list. The Chinese
legation occupies Stewart castle, q hne
mansion facing on Dupont Circle, and IN
which there is ample room tor the grand
entertainments gwen by the minister dur
ing the winter II lie furnished entirely in
the Monaghan style, and its apartments
are filed with rare and curious articles
The Japanese minister has a large resi-
dence. furnished strictly Ia harmony with
the style prevailing IN his country, and
within its walls are many quaint and beau
tIful articles, Many of the members OF
the Chinese and japanese legations remain
in the city during the summer months, and
often may be seen riding about the streets
at very late hours on the hottest nights IN
search of cool breezes, although in their
loose and flowing robes they look as if
they weFe exceedingly cool and comfort
able. Il.