Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-11-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsHrNaroN. DC Nov. Il

lice here has instructed his lieutenants
to keep an espionage over the move
ments of Congressman and 9TH
er public men this coming winter,
with the view of influencing legisla-
ton by the use of information thus
gained. 1t is generally believed that
some members after hard days
work in the halls of Congress, throw
off the cares of public duties and re-
gale themselves by visiting glittering
halls of pleasure which they would
not be seen entering, except under
the dark shades of evening, for fear
of public opinion. The fears of the
guilty, however, may be quieted, as
the chief has promptly denied any
foundation for the scandal, and pre-
ferred charges Of conduct unbecom
ing an officer against the lieutenant
giving currency to the story. This
lieutenant has been an applicant for
the position of Chief of Police for
several years past, and just prior to
the appointment of the present chief
a few months since, had strong and
influential backing for the Office, but
failed to get the plum. The lieuten-
ants trial is set for the coming week.
While members of Congress have
their weaknesses, still they are no
worse than other men and conduct
themselves when here in highly
commendable manner, considering
the many temptations they are sub
jected to.
The President, since his marriage,
has become much more sociable than
before, and this winter will not live
near so secluded as last. Within the
past few days he dined with Com
missioner Webb, one of the triumvi-
rate that rules over the District. The
number at the dinner was small, but
included most of the Judges of the
Supreme Court of the District and
several prominent citizens of both
political parties. 1t was the first
time that his Excellency has dined
out in Washington, except with his
Cabinet.
The report ofthe Fish Commission,
about to be submitted, will show that
shad fry have been distrib-
uted for propagation, and that 6,0OO,-
600 shad have been caught for mar
ket; and that the cost of production
and distribution has been only $780,
600. Prof. Baird, who is at the head
of the Commission, is as much ell
Unused on the subject of fish culture
as he was the first Jear that he ven-
tured upon the experiment, and we
are deeply indebted to him-the faith
er of fish culture-for the bountiful
supply of that delicious fish yielded
up by the deep waters. The Profess
sor is still pushing, with all his vigor,
the establishment of the largest Mu-
scum in the wide world, and has al
ready so far filled tie immense struc-
ture especially erected for that pur-
pose, that he has found it necessary
to recommend to Congress to appro-
pirate at the coming session for the
erection of an annex to cost $250,000.
And SO the good work goes on.
M. Bartholdi is here again, looking
after his two models for the statue of
Lafayette to be erected by our Gov
eminent in this city. All the compe-
titive models are in, except two not
yet sent from Paris, but they will not
be waited for. Both of those sub
by Bartholdi were broken on
their voyage across the ocean, but
have been repaired at the expense of
the Navy Department. 1t is more
than likely that one of the two sub
mitted by Bartholdi will be accepted,
and decision may be reached while
he is here. There Is nothing like
looking after ones own interests in
person.
The company organized here some
Time ago under the name ofth Pneu-
matte Gun-Carriage Company, to
work under the Powlet patents, has
made a proposition to fit out the I'M
finished monitors with the gun car
riage, and to charge nothing unless
the carriage gives perfect satisfaction
to the Government in its workings.
This pneumatic apparatus handles
and loads the cannon, and revolves
the turret as well as steers. These
inventions, which are American, have
not only been patented here but in
all foreign countries, and the plant
constructed in accordance Herewith
occupies very little space, is very eco
nomical, and will turn 15-inch gun
as if it were a toy, and requires a
crew of only three men to each gun.
There is "big thing" in it, not only
for the Government, but also for the
owners of the patent.
There have been a few Senators
and Representatives perhaps doz-
en- OF each-in the city this week, but
they tarried only a short time. Rep
resentative Randall is expected TO
drop in upon us this week to prepare
for the meeting of the Appropriation
Committee, which assemblies here in
special session on the 22d inst, to lay
out its work for the coming session.
The chairman wants to have the sun
dry civil appropriation ready by the
time that Congress meets, as the SEES