Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-06-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. c., May 81, 1886.
To THE SoUTH KENTUoKIAN:

WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., May 81, 1886.
To TIE SoUTM KENTUCKIAN:
The two long mootcd questions have
been at last settled. l mean the ques-
ton of the Presidents mai riagc and
his purchase of a tract of land near
the Capital for summer home. BY
the time this letter reaches you our
Chief Magistrate will have embarked
upon the matrimonial sea. The we'd
ding was officially announced, late on
Friday night, 10 take place on June
ID, the ceremony to be performed in
the Blue Room of the White House,
and the Presidents pastor, Rev. DR..
Sunderland of the LIST Presbyterian
Church, to of1iciate. Only twenty
five persons outside of the immediate
families are to be invited. After the
ceremony a collation. will be served
in the State dining-room. There
will be 10 bridal tour, as the Presi-
dent and his bride will remain at the
White House till after Congress adj
journs. A short trip may then be
taken, and on their return they will
occupy the home just purchased by
the President. This new home is a
fact and no fiction. The deed was
placed on record, and is finality.
The property was purchased in the
name of the present Marshal of the
District, who used to be real estate
agent here, and in whose judgment
the President has great confidence,
The Marshal afterwards decided it to
Grover Cleveland for$2l, QUO in round
figures. The property contains %
acres, and on II is two-story stone
double house. Work will be begun
at once to place the house in suitable
condition for occupancy by the Pres
ident. This is the first instance since
the infant days of the Republic that
our Chief Magistrate has occupied a
house owned by himself and furnish
ed at his own expense. 1t is sur
missed by some that il is the Presi-
dents intention to make this his per-
manent home after he lays down the
gavel of authority at the White
House. Whether he does OF not lie
can at any time dispose of the prop
erty at large advance on what he
paid for it. Many prominent men
are buying suburban property. Cen
eral Logan was the first one to buy
and within one month after lie
bought he was offered $4,000 more
than he paid for the property. 9th
ers followed, among the latest being
Secretary Whitney, whose place is
adjacent to that just purchased by the
President. Since the Presidents pur-
chase small track one mile north
. of it has been bought by a real es-
tate agent for $4,000. The real pur-
chaser is not yet known, but it is sup
posed to be a man prominent in pub
lie affairs.
All this property lies close to what
is known as Rock Creek, noted for
Its wild and romantic scenery and as
the stream on which Fulton worked
his first steamboat in 1907. The val
ley of this stream forms a natural
and beautiful park, and the Commits
sioners Of the District have for a long
time been considering means for i'm
proving it. Congress will doubtless
further the enterprise at some time
in the near future. When it is done
the Presidents purchase will be the
most valuable in the District.
Affairs are lively at the Legislative
halls this week. Oleomargarine has
caused the oily tongues fthe mem
bers TO speed without friction, except
that kind which is brought. on by
conflict of views, and of that kind
there has been much. 1t is the only
important question discussed in the
House this session that has not been
tainted with party prejudice. The
opponents of the bill did much fill
clustering the several days that it
was under consideration, but when
ever a vote was taken OH proposed
amendment it was apparent that the
supporters of the bill had the best of
the controversy, and that the bill
would finally be carried by hand
some majority.
The shipping bill and the fishery
question were also discussed slightly,
but both will come up for further
discussion soon. The labor arbitra-
ton bill and the railroad land forfeit
ure bill took up much of the time of
the Senate. The amendment to the
Chinese restriction act also came in
for consideration. Senator Sherman
took strong ground against the immi-
grafton of Chinese to this country.
lie is keen and far seeing and is trim
ming for the support of the Pacific
slope III the next Presidential nomi-
mating Convention. Usually the
PRESIDENT of the Senate is withdrawn
from all debates, and so does not
come prominently before the people
IN Congressional proceedings. But
senator Sherman is an exception.
He is determined not to be shelved
IN that way, and so, while ENJOYING
the high honor of being President of
the Senate, frequently steps down Oil
to the floor and engages in the dis
cussion of all important questions.
BY order of the President all the
Executive Departments are closed to-
day, and the whole city Is at the GEM
etcries paying homage to the brave
dead. On motion of Representative
Morrison the House adjourned over
from Saturday until Tuesday, and
like action was taken in the Senate.
The Cabinet meeting on Thursday
was aprolonged one, and the fisheries
question was the principle question
discussed. The course to be pursued
L. - l. 4