Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-07-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 5, 1886.

WAsHINGToN, d. c., July 5, 1886.
To TIE SOUTH KENTUcKIAN:
1t is refreshing now and then to
turn our thoughts from the strifes
and turmoils ofth world into quieter
channels. With that object in view |
/ strolled through the lower corridors
of the new Pension building and ac-
cidentally run upon little stand
from which is vended cigars, tobac-
cos, fruits and other like articles that
tempt the appetite. This stand is
kept by tall, erect and manly per-
sonage, who bears striking resem-
blance to General George Washing
ton, and he claims to be the nearest
living relative of the immortal
George. His name is Ebenczer Bur-
CESS Ball, and he belongs to the f. f.
VS. of Virginia, from which WASH
ington's father selected Mary Ball to
be his wife. His life has been all adj
venturous one, but of late years he
has been residing in this city. On
the completion of the Washington
Monument he applied for the position
of Waterman, thinking that it would
be fitting thing for the nearest liv-
ing relative of the "Father of His
Country" 10 watch over the shaft
erected to his memory. He failed to
obtain the position however, and he
then applied to Commissioner Black
for position as Waterman, but there
being no such place vacant the Gen.
eral gave him permission to start the
present stand. he is a pleasant old
gentleman and very popular among
the clerks of the office, who patronize
him generously, so that he makes a
comfortable living.
The proposition made to Congress
some time ago to establish bureau,
charged with the purchase of all sup
plies needed by the several depart
ments, will not be pushed this ses-
sion. The advocates of the measure
have prepared statistics to show how
much the Government would save by
purchasing such supplies as coal, ice,
furniture, stationery, and the like in
large quantities direct from the pro-
ducers instead of through the middle
men. 1t is also commended that be-
sides saving on the articles purchas-
ed there will be further saving in
cutting down the extravagancies
which have prevailed for so long a
time. Each department has had the
purchasing of its own supplies and
as a consequence every within of the
heads of the bureaus has been grail
fled, no matter at what cost. lfthere
should be single purchasing office
for all the departments, articles abso-
lutely necessary for comfort and con-
venience would be furnished, but
there would not be the same reckless
disregard for expense as under the
present system, because when people
purchase for others they are more
economical than when purchasing
for themselves even though they do
not want to pay out of their own
pockets. The opponents of the new
scheme however, say that if the pur-
chasing power was vested in one man
or even in board organized for the
purpose, there would be much cor
ruption to arise out of it, as a few
men would use money freely to con-
troll the purchasing agent. AT amy
rate there is no prospect of the bill
becoming law this session.
OF all the great park schemes intro
duced into Congress this session none
rivals in immensely and magniflcence
the scheme of Senator Butler, to con-
vert the historical and memorial Ar
lington estate into a national park
The proposition is 10 throw an iron
bridge, having a wagon-way Of 81
feet wide and foot-ways on either
side s feet wide, across the Potomac
river from the present Naval Observ
atory grounds to some convenient
point in the Arlington estate, thus
uniting Virginia and the District o
Columbia, and converting the Airing
ton plateau into parade ground ant
forming continuous park from til,
Botanical Gardens to the extreme
western boundary of Arlington
Within the limits Senator Butle
proposes to furnish the National Cap
ital with a national park that will b.
to Washington what Hyde Park is t,
London, a resort for pleasure, plac,
where national exhibition can b,
held, where there will be room ant
accommodation for military parade
and other national demonstrations
The Senator thinks that it would b.
good plan to have muster and re
view of our state militia at least ono,
every four years. This is one of th
many uses which national park il
Washington will serve.
AS was anticipated and predicted
in these letters, would be the case
there have been wholesale dismissals
promotions and appointments in tin
several departments this week Tn
most numerous changes were mad,
in the Treasury Department, and TIN
fewest in the Department of Justice
There are rumors of more change
in the next ten days, and until tn
month of July passes there will b
many anxious hearts among govern
ment employees. Changes are ais
made in the district offices. The he,
Democratic appointees are dyed in tn
wool bourbons and believe that Den
ocrats should hold the offices under
democratic administration. The ne
Commissioners have accordingly T.,
moved the Superintendent of Poll,
and appointed a good Democrat
his place, and madame rumor say
that the Auditor and also the Collec
or of Taxes will hand in their resign
ions in short time. The latter is
colored man, and has held the pos
ton for nearly fifteen years. II.