Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-02-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Last week Washington was buried
n one of the heaviest snow storms
hat has prevailed here for ten years,
Il was regular northwest blizzard
With a north pole temperature. The
storm began at 3 o'clock Wednesda
and the snow fell continu-
Dusly from that time till noon OF
Thursday. Travel was stopped for a
time. The government always isput
to considerable expense in clearing
the pavcments in front ofits buildings
from snow. Previous to this storm it
had paid out $500 for that kind OF
work, and it is officially stated that
the balance of 81 900 for that purpose
was not sufficient to clear away the
last snow, and that Congress will
have to be called on to make defici-
ency appropriation, Assistant Sec
rotary Smith, of the Treasury, was
equal to the emergency and ordered
out about forty clerks to shovel snow
from in front of the Treasury build
ing. The young men detailed for
this duty were highly offended but
obeyed orders. So many young
men wearing such fine clothes and
sporting gold chains and seal rings
were never before found grouped to-
gether handling the shovel. These
young men are borne upon the rolls
as laborers, but in fact are clerks and
perform strictly clerical duties. The
Assistant Secretary, however, issued
his orders that all able bodied labor
ers on the roll should be assigned to
this duty, and the young men had to
obey. The probability is that they
will never again be called on to per-
form the same duties. The moral oil
all of it is that no man should sal
under false colors.
The gaietes OF the city have beer
suspended this week out of respect t.
the memory of Mrs. Bayard. All in
vitations to the numerous receptions
arranged for were recalled, and ever
informal calling so customary in off
cial life was dispensed with. Tit
President has issued invitations fol
the reception to the Justices of thu
United States Supreme Court for thu
coming week in place of'those ISSUED
for the past week aud recalled. Sec
rotary Bayard shows in very mark
ed degree the deep grief occasionet
by his recent family bereavements
There is no truth however in the ru
NOR that he contemplates resignins
the portfolio Of State and making
voyage to Europe to assuage his grief
1t is believed by his friends that tn
cares of his official duties will NOR
than anything else tend to divert hi
thoughts from the loss of his beloved
wife and favorite daughter.
The electoral bill and Dakota hav
been the two subjects principally dis
cussed in the Senate this week
After the many imperfections in tn
electoral bill had been brought on
by the debate, it was referred bac
to the committee for further amend
ments. Dakota had many stron
speeches made in her behalf. Sena
tor Harrison led the Republicans j
the contest, and Senator Vest tn
Democrats. The bill passed by
strict party vote with the exceptio
of Senator Voorhees, who voted wit
the Republicans for its admission
Senator Ingalls, is the recognize
loaded of the Republicans in the Sci
ate in all running debates. He
very sarcastic and has the faculty
: stating his points briefly and clearl
and of making excellent "hits" whel
ever he speaks. He never lets an Of
:, portunity pass to strike blow at h
enemy, and so when on Thursda
the bill for establishing the office
Assistant Secretary of the Navy WI
L under discussion, he attacked the a,
= ministration for its course i'll u
Dolphin matter, and Landed Jol
II Roach and his great American shi
. building enterprise, as he termed
to the skies. ingalls, is of short sta
! ure and spare built with very ere
carriage and quick movements. II
% hair is short and well sprinkeled wi
II gray and carefully parted near t
3 middle and Sticky brushed.
; wears neat fitting suit Of dark m
- terial with cut-away which expos
~ to view a modest gold chain fire
o which bangles a seal charm. l
i name appears so frequently in Co
IL gressional proceedings that this
10 scription of him may prove not uni
III teresting.
All the mechanics here are comb
ing to have eight hours established
"a days work, and there is no dol
= but that such will be the rule
coming spring. Clerks in stores
also organizing to have reduct
II in the hours of labor, and Congr
l .' will probably take some action in
III gard to street car drivers and cond