Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-11-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. Nov. %. 1856.

Congress will convene IN two weeks.
Every incoming railway train
brings its contingent of Washing
toms Congressional and winter
population, and at the Capitol the
Appropriations Committee have
been forced to extra work by the
call of special meeting. By such
industry it is proposed to have a
money bill ready for Congress to
begin upon. No red tape or ham
pering rules nor any of the other
standing obstacles to legislation is
allowed to stop the spending OF
money, and it is well it is so, for
else the misery Administration in
it's effort for show of reform would
stop the wheels of the Governmental
machinery short off for lack of
funds.
The public buildings in Washing
ton from the Capital to the White
House are draped in mourning for
the late President. Mr.. Arthur
was never in sound health after his
trip to Florida, and it is not certain
that his White House experience
impaired his health as many allege.
He was most genial, accomplished
gentleman, and he has left a
pleasant memory here where he was
so prominently before the people.
President Cleveland who has left
Washington three times since his
summer vacation, spared the time
from his official business to attend
the funeral of his predecessor, whom
he has spoken of as his considerate
friend. Two weeks yet remain
for the completion of his message to
Congress, which will be ample
time if he will make the document
as short as it should be.
Senator Vest, who has hereto
fore lived in a very quiet way in
Washington, probably owing to the
health of his wife as well as of him
self, has purchased a house here
That makes twenty two Senators
who have invested in real estate in
this city. Many of them live in
their own houses and some have in
vested for speculative purposes. II
is possible that the whirliglg Of
politics may return ex-senator Of
Nevada to the Senate to succeed
Senator Fair, who is said to be more
times millionaire than any member
of that wealthy body. unless perhaps
it be Senator Stanford of California
Mr. Stewart is said to be a candidate
for the Senate on the simple plat
form that the Chinese must go, and
the fact that the Chinese Legation
occupy his imposing residence here
known as Stewart Castle, is being
used against him. He throws the
responsibility of this however, upor
the real estate agents who contro
his property.
The doctors about Washington
have been indignant over restric
tive order of Pension COMMISSIONS
Black, relative to sick certificates
issued by them to his clerks. 81,
was not satisfied with mere
certificate of indispositioa bu
wanted the physician to state thu
nature of the disorder. Naturally
! the doctors thought that was going
too far, and construed Gen. Blacks
demand as slur upon their profes
sional honor. The matter wal
brought to the notice of Secretar,
Lamar, and the latter let the Gen
eral down by sustaining th,
physicians in protecting thei
patients against explicit inquiry
through them. Mr.. Lamar sugges
ted that when precise information
was needed the Commissioner hat
better get it from the applicant wit
asks for leave.
Much has been said about thu
detestable spy system in connection
with the Washington police scandal
and much indignation has beef
expressed in some places tina
members of Congress as well a
other people, should be subjected t,
!, espionage. However that may be, /;
certain Representative in Congress
? was run into the station house on
night last week for getting up roy
after midnight in a dlsreputabl
part of the city. He was permitte,
to register as a clerk under
fictictious name, while a cab wa
called and an officer detailed to Sc,
! him safe in his lodging house. 1t i
useless to say what would havi
been done with him If he had reall,
been "clerk," and it is bad tina
such distinctions should be mad
aud that the law-breaker should g,
UNPUBLISHED because he is law
maker.