Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-11-27

Yesterday Wis The day OF ex-Presi-
dents Arthur's funeral, and all Of tie
Executive Departments we're clo' ed
and the clerks had holiday. The Unit
cd States Supreme Court adjourned
from Friday until Tuesday for the san g
reason. All OF the public buildings in !
Washington are Dir ped in black for the
dead ex-PresidenL and flags are dis
played at half mast. President Cleye-
land and several members of his cab
met attended the funeral and Congress
was represented by a committee VI
Senators and Representatives.
Since the black draperies have been
hung on the front portico oil the White
House; the President and Mrs. Cleve-
land take their carriage at the south en-
trance when they go out for drive,
and all the projected gayeties at the
Executive Mansion will be postponed
for the thirty days Of mourning.
Then the black bunting will be taken
down ami fol led up and laid away to
do service again at the death Of the
next high OH sial or ex-official OF the
Government, and the gay social season
will begin.
The custom o. shutting down on pub
lie work, and turning fifteen thousand
employees loose whenever President,
ex-President, Cabinet officer, or ex-
Cabinet officer happens to die, is a
questionable way of showing respect to
the distinguished dead. 1t is a picnic
for the clerks and time for congrat-
ulation and they would be glad to null
tiply by hundred fold the occasions Of
public sorrow that give them day off
and cut. There 10 no doubt that the
custom would be more honored in the
breach than in the observance, but it is
one of those things that long line Of
precedent has established and it would
be difficult to decide where or with
whose demise it should end.
President Cleveland has been much
displeased at efforts to get him to in
teriere in the new widely discussed
Washington Public scandle. He does
not feel, in the present condition OF af-
fairs, that he would be warranted in
taking hold of the matter, although the
time may come when he may be called
upon to take some action. The Pres
ident is still deeply absorbed with the
preparation of his message, and al.
though he is subjected to some
unavoidable Interruptions, the ap
proaches to him are closely guarded.
The Presidents appointment of Mr.
Fulton as Paymaster General of thu
Navy was very gratifying to nava
officers, and his appointment of Col
Moore as Surgeon General OF the Arm,
was received with satisfaction amoni
officers of the Army.
The regular Army officers who hay
been examining the militia of tn
States and Territories have reporte'
commencing the efficiency of the re
spective organization. They think
however, that the armed militia of tn
country would be doubled if Congress
would appropriate annually mucl
larger sum to be distributed among tn
States for improved arms and accoutre
inents. In the latter case it is estims
ted that the militia would consist {
100000 we'll drilled men, who could b
called into active service at moment
notice, and who would be almost {
effective at the outset of war, as tn
regular Army.
Many conventions and associations
more than ever before-want to com
TO Washington during the next yea
The National Grange has decided
hold all future meetings OF that order /
Washington, and committee has bee
appointed to take measures for ii
erection of suitable building here f(
its officers and its sessions.
Soon after Congress meets there wi
be large gathering OF notabilities her
to discuss the proposed Exposition ,
Washington in 1889 and %. An
later there is to be convention of a
educational character which will a
tract good haany people. 1t will
In the interest of Federal aid to con
mon schools and will be composed
school superintendent from the var
Gus States and Territories.
1t has been proposed that each Sta
OF the Union shall erect in this city
handsome building to be used as Stat
headquarters, and perhaps as re
idence for the Senators of the respe
tive States. The plan, which is like
to be carried out some time, wou
prove great convenience to eaC
State, and would add much to Il