The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1886-09-23
CORES PoNDENCE.
the Editor of the Heyaid.

To the Editor of the HerGid:
WAsHINGToN,D D. c.. Sept. 20, lSS6.-After q |
life of various vfciss!tudes, extending over |
period of ID years, the Alabama Claims
Court has passed out OF existence. The &C.
neya award was made in 1873, and was i'm.
mediately paid by England, in gold coin, the
amount Sl5,5Oo,0O0 being Invested in U. g.
bonds. The interest on the bonds amounted
to little over $500, 900, and this. together
with the principal, has been paid to the
multitude Of claimants, the majority OF
whom were from the New England States.
The aggregate of these claims, after their de.
termination by the court, was nearly $27,-
900 900 and this necessitated the amount
available to be distributed pro rata. The
rate was a trife more than IS 2-I0 per cent
The distribution of the money was an enor-
nous job, calling for an incaIcuable amount
of figuring, and the Treasury officials are
treasury officials are much relieved TO have
finished the herculean task.
The Interior Department established in
| 1885 the Bureau OF Labor Tor the purpose OF
| investigating the cause, questions connected
with convict labor, and similar topics The
| bureau has done good work during the past
| year, and It's large army OF special agents
are now actively employed in the field TAX
|
| assigned to them. The bureau hes been put
on q sound footing by the generous apprO-
priatons of congress, and is enabled TO do
It's work we'll and promptly. The reports of
I the agents will be impartial, and both capt.
tai and labor will receive just hearing De-
fore this tribunal Of the Government.
| The new silver certificates, authorized by
congress, will be issued by the government
| of ri date lot for ho Inl-
lar note has been engraved, and is pro-
nounced by all who have seen it the most
beautiful piece of work ever executed at the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The
plates for the ~ and $40 certificates have Eot
| as yet been engraved.
The representatives of foreign govern
men!s are little known outside of Washing.
ton. The Diplomatic Corps, however. il an
important factor in the otticial life here.
There are twenty five foreign legations,
most Of them occupying large and finely
furnished mansions. Every important
country is rep, esented, and with their at
taches, and large relinue of servants, the
ministers enjoy distinction entirely their
own. The English minister lives in a noble
mansion, built by his government OH Con
necticut avenue at a cost of $500, OG0, The
house has magnificent parlors, dining
rooms. and large ballroom, Grabbing The
minister to dispense his hospitality lavish
ly during the winter season. The French
, German and Russian legations give fetes
and their mansions are tie scenes of brill
ant balls during the winter, all OF the minis
) tiers being socially inclined. But the Chinese
and Japaneselegationsi in point of curiosity
lead the long list. The Chinese legation O.
cupies Stewart Castle, a fine mansion facin.
on Dupont Circle, and in which there j.
ample reom for the grand entertainments
given by the minister during the winter.
, Is furnished entirely in heMopgolian style
and It's apart meuts are filled with rare ant
curioEs articles The Japanese minister ha
! large residence, furnished strictly in lar
mony with the style prevailing in his coun
try, and within its walls are many quain
ar beautiful articles. Many of the mem
! bers of the Chinese and japanese legation
remain in the city during the sum
0 mer mo 'ths, and often may be seen ridin
e about the streets at very Ia te hours on tn
hottest nights in search of cool breezes, al
though in their loose and flowing robes the
look as If they were exceedingly cool an
comfortable III.