The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-09-09

.......... l.725,o2O 90 l,7O275s 81
1885 % s2sO5426 IS
Expenditures.
Ordinary .Sls 53l $50 N SlO.7S4S7l 6s
Pensions..................... 75s508 81 l007s55 %
Interest. l,599.2f7,95 20oo,ss "a
Total s.s67 O8 s22.9I25.5 "a
PAYING MR.. IRvING's DEBT
Tt would make even more peaceful the rest
OF Washington Irving's bones ii they could
realize the alacrity with which the people OF
this country are putting their hands IN their
pockets and paying, over and over again. the
debt of three cents which has stood against Mr.
Irving on the books of the Treasury since ls47,
when his accounts as NJ mister TO Spain were
settled. The fact of the Indebtedness WIS made
known by the recent publication of balances
due TO and from the Government. The FIRST TO
respond was a lady relative of Mr.. Irving, in
kittanning, Pa. Her Enclosure of three cents
was accepted to balance the account. Ii was
duly entered in the big ledger aud a receipt
was sent TO her. But the returns continue 10
come in. The two following have been re-
ceived:
CoRRY. Pa Sept. 1, 1856.
MASNING, Secretary of the u. 3 Treasury, Wash
DEAR sIR: j sec by the incloz,.d newspaper clip
ping that dear old Washington Irving, of
herein send that amount la U. > P.-O. stamps
and also piece OF red tape 90 insure speedy can
collation. OF lrying's debts. Win all due honors,
SMITH.
COLUMBUS o. Aug. 81. SO.
Hon. ID MAENTNG, Secretary of the Treasury.
DEAR SIR by reading the newspapers am in
formed OF tie fact thai Washington Irving was
debtor the books of your oiiice Ia the amount Of
three cents. Please ind inclosed the sum neces-
eaFy 20 balance the account cannot consent that
one who has 10y his pen given me 70 much pleasure
and profit shall rest under tbe imputation of being
q debtor 20 tie Government under which he lived
linclOse stamp for return OF receipt
ASHLEY b. ROBINSON.
The three-cent piece sent by Mr. Robinson
will be returned TO him, the debt having been
already cancelled. The other letter being evil
IDENTIFY anonymous, nothing can be done in this
case except TO cover the money into the Treas
ury.
POPULARITY OF POSTAL NOTES
The postal notes are increasing In their sales
throughout the country, and If this be taken
+. as a criterion they gaining in popularity.
These notes were introduced in pursuance of
what seemed TO be general demand from all
parts OF the country for some method of trans
uniting small sums through the mails without
being compelled 20 use postage stamps or money.
This demand increased when the shnplasters
were withdrawn from circulation. Under the
present system any sum IRON one cent TO 81. 80
can be sent through the mails. and one piece
OF paper can be used for any one of these
amounts. Since Sept 3. 1883. when the notes
were first issued, the number used has steadily
increased For the year ending June 80, 1885.
the number issued was 5000 900, which was an
increase over the 10 months OF the previous
year Of Ia per cent. Instead Of interfering
with the money orders, they have taken an en-
tirely new field, aud both systems work well
together.
The Postlnasters at FIRST did not understand
the system and very common error was 10
OF course had TO be corrected by the Department.
Now that they have become familiar with the
notes such mistakes are less frequent In most
cities these notes are sent 10y the banks re-
ceiying them TO the Clearing house. where they
are cashed by the Government and "A settle
ment is effected each day. In large cities, es-
pecally IN the West, where the character of
The business Is such that large numbers of these
notes are received, the merchants simply de-
post the postal notes, along with their cash
and checks, IN the bank and are credited with
the cash IN this way they are no more
trouble than the actual cash. The risk of their
falling into improper hands is not great IL
there is anything suspicious IN the person pre-
senting such a note the payment il refused until
the Postmaster is satisfied that il is all right.
THE SHOCK AT THE CAPITAL.
The earthquake shock was very marked In
Washington. The first trcmor was felt al a few
minutes before 10 O'Clock, aud WAS followed by
much more violent one DO minutes later The
quaking was 50 alarming that hundreds of per-
sons IN panicky condition made their way
from buildings 10 the street At Albaughis
Opera House a large audience sat enjoying the
"Mascolte." The first quake was noticed by
many, but caused NO excitement When the
principal shock came the effect was instanta.
neoUs. Most Of the audience sprang 10 their
feet with blRnched faces ladies utterinR excla.
nations Of fear. A loose chair occupied by 4
heavy man In the gallery was tilted so much
that IL broke aud the man fell 10 the floor
This added 10 the alarm and the crowd was ON
the verge Of what threatened TO be serious
panic
Mr.. Seyclon Brown, Chief Clerk Of the State
Department, was sitting with some friends In
box He had the presence of mind TO cal
upon the orchestra 20 play. at the same time
assuring the frightened people that there wa,
mo danger. The musicians promptly responded
and there being NO repetition Of the shaking
quiet was soon restored. Many had started fol
The exits, but nearly all returned 60 their seats
and the play was resumed
At The hotels there was much CONSERVATION
Tor time. lady in the Harris House wen,
into mysteries, her loud cries distributing u
The general alarm. Persons who " >re ina The
upper part OF high buildings reported ths sway.
ing so violent that they were almost thrswu
from their chairs. Shutters ratified, floors ans
walls creai1ed and the manifestations were such
ak TO try the stOutest nerves The operators in
the Western Union Telegraph building left
Their instruments and hurried down three steps