Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1886-04-24

WASHINGTON ~. T., April ., 1000.
The people of the capitol have had
another fright about the Washington
Monument. A rumor spread like
wildfre that the noble structure was
cracking and was doomed. 1t stands
between the Potomac river and Bah
cock lake, and the recent heavy rains
which have saturated its foundations
and raised the surrounding waters
naturally gave credence to the report
At different points in the city crowds
of pepople were scrutinizing the mon
ument through opera glasses. What
appeared to be the largest assure or
gaping crack, was about fifteen feet
below the 500 foot level. The sen5a-
ton soon snbsided,F however. The
dark streaks on the white marble
were not cracks at all. They We're
only stains at certain verticle and hor-
izontal johns; caused by neglect of the
cleaning process on the part OF the
workmen in their haste to complete
the structure.
The interior Of the monument IS
now practically completed. The iron
stairway leading to the summit IS to
have ten elevator stages, each OF
which will run out to the elevator
shaft at every fifth feet Of the ascent
Upon the completion Of this stair
way it was intended to afford the pub
lie eyern facility for seeing the monu-
mont by issuing passes, and provid-
ing those who wished to climb to the
top with a lantern. But is every OPP
portunity would be given to vandals
and relic hunters to deface the struct-
ure, either by tampering with the
memorial stones or by writing then
names upon the walls. Whenever
congress provides custody for the
monument, and makes an approprla-
ton for running the elevator, it vii
be open to the public and visitors
may roam up and down it at will.
All the gossip about a new sccretar,
Of the treasury will have to subsldt
for q time. The President holds t
the belief that his favorite advise
will fully recover despite the doctor
opinion that Mr.. Manning will neve
be able to assist again at the cabine
councils. The President does not ex
poet the sick secretary will again b
sble to devote himself SO exclusivel,
to business as he has in the past, bu
he thinks the burden Of Mr.. Mann
ing's work can be lightened by shift
ing it on others. At any rate tn
President will not even consider tn
subject of a new secretary until Ill
Manning indicates to him what b
would like to have done, and the Ia
ter NAV name his own successor.
The Library bill appropriates $500
600 to commence the construction /
a building for the library Of congress
on q site directly has OF tie caplte
It creates a commission consisting
the secretary OF the interior, Il
architect OF the capitol, and the lihr
rian of congress-. who shall be autho
lied to make the contracts, and
further appropriates a sum OF U
more than $s550.0OO for the purcha
OF the lepd.
The bill to enlarge the White Hou
has been reported fasorahly by t
Senate, and is expected to pass tt
body by a unanimous vote. l
popularity OF the measure is explain
by the fact that nearly every sel'a1
haa an eye Of faith IN the old naansi
~ a future place Of residence fof h1
SELF
The Chaplain Of the House wh'
morning prayers we're creating
much sensation a fortnight ago, q
sho has been praying quite eonser
tirely since, has made another lnvo