The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-03-04
OUR WASHINGTON LETTRR.

~
Mr.. EDITOR: There has just been
finished at the Navy Yard here an eight
inch steel rifle which is the first that this
Government has ever made, and is the
second sleel rifle of any kind ever built
IN the United States. When the ques.
tion of providing the new cruisers with.
steel rifles was discussed in Congress, it
was contended by the opponents Of the.
bill tha. they could not be made by the.
Government. The Ordnance Depart
ment claimed that they could be, and so
were given an opportunity to prove its
assertion. The one just completed will
be tested shortly at the experimental
battery, at Annapolis, and if the results
are what are expected, Congress will
make a big appropriation for their max
ing, and then ], 900 men will be employed
al the yard instead of only 325 as at
present. From close estimates made, it
is found that the Government can do the
work for less than so per cent. of what is
paid to contractors.
s The Grand Army men are very much
exercised over the panorama of the
second battle of Bull Run, now being ex-
shibited in this city. It is claimed that
the picture is not fair representation of
the battle, and thatit shows the Confed-
crates triumphing over the Union forces.
Senator Wilson, on Thursday, presented
in the Senate a copy Of series Of reso-
lutions adopted by Lincoln Post, 6. A.
r., of Council Bluffs, Iowa, calling upon
Congress to adopt legislation prohibit
ing the exhibition at the National Capt.
tal.o The promoters Of the enterprise
have erected an immense brick structure
costing more than $4,000 in which to
exhibit the principal battles Of the late
war, and expect to reap arich harvest out
of their investment. is believed that
the boycott by the G. A. r. will increase
the attendance rather than injure the en-
terprise as everybody will want to see it
for themselves. A lot Of free advertising
#ill be the result of the hue and cry
against the exhibition.
Congress has not discussed nor dis
posed of any matter Of public interest
this week, hut the committees have been
hard at work on the appropriation bills.
The coming week, however, we are
promised some animated debates. In
the Senate the Republican caucus re IN
tions on official papers will come u >t
which time the Democrats will present
resolutions expressive Of their views and
then a heated discussion will follow. In
the House the silver bill will be consid-
cred and will probably consume the
whole week and a portion of the next, as
ten days have been set aside for its dis
cussion and some sixty members have
signi6ed their desire to be heard.
Some time ago the Lee monument
association, organized to erect statue at
Richmond, Va, in memory Of Gen.
Robt.- E. Lee, invited all artists and
sculptors who desired to compete, to fur
nish- -plans and models for monument,
the choice to be determined by com.
mittee. Fifteen responded, and for the
past few days their designs have been ON
exhibition in Washington. Many Of
them. show great artistic excellence, and
the collection makes very attractive
display. In order that the award might
be impartial and based solely on merit,
none of the names were sttached to the
models. The committee awarded the Isl
prize to Chas. H. Niehaus, of Cincin.
natl, who was the sculptor of the statue
of Ex. President Garfield. His design is
an equestrian statue standing on a pedes-
tai supported by four female figures rep.
resenting Peace, Justice, Religion and
Patriotism. The necessary funds for the
work have nearly all been raised and the
contract will be made at an early date.
The friction between the Second Comp.
troller of the Treasury and Gen. Hazen
has resulted in cutting off the weather
telegrams from large number of towns
and States which have heretofore re.
ceiyed them. The trouble is about the
appropriation for that specific purpose.
The people will have to do their own
guessing or fall back on the grounding
until amicable relations are restored be-
tween the signal Service and the Treas
ury Department.
If Job had lived to prosecute claim
against the U. S. Government, be would
have been in great danger of spelling
his proverbial record for patience.
Another illustration has just been given
of the many years Of working and wait.
ing that are often necessary to get Uncle
Sam to pay his bills. In 1863 Jos. w.
Parish had contract to furnish ice along
the Mississippi River for hospital and
other uses. He procured the ice but the
Government officers refused to receive it.
In consequence Parish found himself in
mid summer with $1,000 tons of ice on
hand, the mercury at 100 in the shade
most of the time. Mr.. Parish's ice
gradually melted away, dissolving also
all the money he had put into it. He
figured up and found that the Govern.
ment owed him $5S,S41. Congress has
at last allowed the claim and has passed
the necessary bill. Mr.. Parish has been
living in Washington for the past IL
years, devoting himself 10 pushing his
claim. II.
- Not member of the Grant family