The National tribune., 1886-01-14
WASHINGTON GOSSIP,
The Weeks beings at the Ma
tienal Capital
THE BLIZZARD IN WASHINGTON.

talked of whenever Congress gets thawed out.
The blizzard struck Washington Friday night.
During the afternoon and evening OF that Gay
the mercury went down at a Gallop, the fall
being nearly 40 degrees, Snow fell rapidly and
the fierce wind whiried it about in q way that
was almost binding. The people of Washing
ton are not gagged for such polar weather. The
effect seemed TO be TO CONCEAL everything and
everybody. During the past two or three days
few people have been upon the streets unless TO
meet the demands of business. Such as were
compelled to face the biting blasts went sour
rying along, to get there as soon as pos
sible.
The thermometer at zero and the wind blow
ing 40 miles an hour form a climatic condition
not at all favorable to activity among the
statesmen The Capitol was almost deserted on
Saturday. Some of the committees went
through the form of meeting, but only two or
three of them had a quorum present. large
percentage of the Congressman lowered around
the hotel heaters and told stories. Few of
them went 10 church on Sunday, and 1t Is
feared their spiritual interests had backset, TO
overcome which will require unusual fervency
in the prayers of the Senate and House Chap
lains for some days TO come.
The sleighing is superb. The smooth asphalt
pavementS-of which there are IS miles in
Washington-give the finest of sleighing with
but small quantity of snow. Generally, how
ever there are so few days Of it III a year. that
tiers and sleighs Those that can be had are in
very active demand, day and night, even at the
chilling price of s. all hour. This is the ruling
rate for stylish outfit. The delights of sleigh
riding are matter of tradition, bnt in such nip
ping weather they become at least, doubtful.
But sleighs 60 dasbing along the avenues, filed
with people almost buried in robes and wraps,
who seem to be deluding themselves with the
notion that they are having good time The
hills afford fine coasting, and the small boy,
who defies the elements, is about the only per-
son who really enjoys the spell of weather.
THE SOLDIERS OPPOSE HIM.
There is likely to be vigorous opposition in
the Senate to the confirmation of ex-Gov. Click,
OF Kansas as Pension Agent at Topeka. Mr.
Click has gained some reputation as political
phenomenon, being the only Democrat that
was ever elected Governor of Kansas State
that has always been famous for the size of its
Republican majorities. With this for his stock
in trade he was, for months. persistent seeker
after office under the new Administration lie
even aspired to a Cabinent position, but
concluded later that he would be satisfied
with being Commissioner of the Land Office
Indian Affairs or Internal Revenue or First
Assistant Postmaster General. Failing in all
these he dropped a peg and announced his will
iDgneSs to take almost anything. The PreSi-
dent at length appointed him Pension Agent
The large number of eX-soldiers in Kansas are
said to be almost unanimous in their opposition
TO his confirmation. They charge that Click
was violently opposed to the prosecution of the
war. and have republished one of his speeches
delivered in 1S6l, in which he declared that the
answer of Gov Jackson, of Missouri. to Presi-
dents Lincoln's call for troops, refusing to fur
nish man, was as patriotic and able a paper
as the Declaration of Independence or the Fare
well Address of Washington. They aver that as
member of the Legislature he voted against
every war measure and opposed every resolution
Al. &c q
has denounced the pension legislation of Con-
gress and maligned the memory of Lincoln and
Grant. The room of the Senate Committee on
Pensions is flooded with protests against his
confirmation. The disabled veterans of the war
say they do not want to receive their pensions at
the hands Of q man who has publicly declared
they are not entitled TO them.
AFTER THE STREET RAILROADS. G.
Last week Senator Van Wyck introduced
resolution TO require the street railway. COM
oanies III the District of Columbia to make an
nual reports of their earnings, and in other
respects to comply with the laws under which
they were chartered and granted their valuable
franchises. Mr.. Van Wyck arraigned the COM
panies for their derelictons in scathing
speech, i'm which he was heartily seconded by
Senators Hoar, ingalls,, Plumb, Edmunds, and
others. The notorious mismanagement of Wash
ington railways, and the failure to meet the
necessities and consult the convenience of the
people, were set forth in strong terms. The use
Of the L rail, so injurious to vehicles of every
description, was especially condemned, as we'll
as the neglect to provide sufficient cars for the
use of the patrons of the roads. The resolution
was placed in the hands of the Senate District
Committee of which Dir. ingalls, is Chairman,
and that gentleman assured the Senators that
the subject should receive prompt and thorough
attention. Senator Van Wyck deserves the
thanks of Washington people for his energy in
tie matter. ..-...
THE SILVER QUESTION.
Some time ago Mr.. Manton Marble was sent
TO Europe, as the representative Of this Govern
ment, to ascertain the sentimens of foreign
Governments in regard TO the establishment of
an international ratio between gold and silver.
The result of his negotiations is shown in an
Executive communication sent to the Senate
by the President few days ago. There was
10 letter from Mr. Marble personally, but one
from the Secretary of State informing the
President what had been DONE and letters from
american Ministers abroad. Mr. Phelps says
IN his letter that he is satisfied that the British
Government will infexibly adhere to its
past and present policy in respect to coinage,
end that il will not depart from. the gold
standard now so long used. Minister McLane
writes from Paris that France will not permit
an unrestricted or even q limited coinage of
silver at her minis. Minister Pendleton says
that the adhesion of Germany to an interna-
TiOnal bimetallic union, such was proposed
by the United States and France in 1881, can
scarcely be expected within any limit Of time
iow to be predicted.
BURIED IN WASHINGTON.
Hon. John B. Raymond, who died at Fargo,
iIak.. a week ago, made many friends in Wash
lngtOn during his service in the last Congress
rs Delegate from that Territory. Near the
close of the last session his wife, a most esti-
unable and accomplished lady, died here Her
body was placed III vault in Rock Greek Gene
terry. Mr.. Raymond was undecided whether to
5nter the remains here or at Fargo. Before his
Geath he expressed wish to be buried at Wash
lngtOn with his wife. In accordance with his
desire his remains were sent to this city and
placed in the vault. Mrs. Raymond left two
beautiful little girls aged six and eight years,
who, having no near relatives in position to
care for them, were taken in charge by Senator
and Mrs. Sabin, of Minnesota. AS the latter
have no children they will probably adopt
them permanently. Senator Sabin will purchase
a cemetery lot for the bodies of Mr. and Mrs.
Raymond, and they will be buried in the Spring.
Nh. Raymond owned one of the finest farms in
Northwestern Dakota comprising IL, 900 acres,
on the line of the Northwestern Pacific Road |.
lear Fargo
THE NEW YORK PENSION AGENCY.
The Committee Of Special Examiners, under
orders from the Pension Office to examine the
lie If 4, NJ, Va