The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-07-10
Washington News and Gossip.
From our Special Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, d. C., July 8, y

" 1Nllllg lUn NGWD anu uUDDlp.
From our Special Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, d. c., July 8, 's6.
Mr.. EDiToR: The beautiful trees
which shade the streets and avenues.
adorn public parks and grounds, and
constituting the chief glory of the Ns-
tional Capital, are threatened with des-
truction. Probably no other city in the
world can boast the number and varie-
ty of trees that may be found within the
city limits of Washington. Many of
these trees were procured at great ex-
pense from foreign countries, and in
their number, variety and arrangement,
reflect credit alike upon the govern
ment, whose generosity has rendered
their possession possible, and upon the
officers in charge of the public parks
and grounds, the excellence of whose
judgment is shown in their classification
and arrangement. A strange species of
caterpillar has appeared upon the trees
throughout the city, and although they
were first noticed but few days since,
their numbers have increased to such an
extent as to infest all sections, and
many of the trees which week ago
were in full foliage are now as barren
as in midwinter, while the pavcments
in their vicinity are literally covered
with an army of the invaders in search
of pastures new" So sudden and un-
expected was the appearance of these
insects. and so rapidly have they COM
mitted their depredations, that it has
been impossible to check their advance,
and unless from some natural cause
they should depart as suddenly and
mysteriously as they appeared, the
broad avenues will be denuded of their
grateful shade, ard the parks will have
lost their chief attraction.
The fears entertained by government
clerks in the various departments of
wholesale discharges upon the 1st of
July were not fully realized, but this is
generally looked upon as merely de-
lay, and tends but little to give feeling
of security to those who remain at their
posts. There were fifty-two dismssals
in the Treasury, and few minor dis
charges were made in the other depart
ments.
A bill was introduced in the House
on Tuesday last by Representative VIII
kins, and in the Senate by Mr.. Collum,
Incorporating the Windsor Hotel Com
pany of the District of Columbia. The
company is to have n capital stock of
100000, and If incorporated will at
once commence the construction of a
hotel, which in grandeur and thorough
equipment will compare favoraLly with
any upon the American continent. The
building will be six stories in height, and
viii be of white marble. 1t Is proposed
to construct building rectangular in
form, surrounding a court, which will
be laid out in the form OF park tor the
enjoyment of the guests. The building
will be thoroughly fire-proof, and fin
lshed in the most costly and tasteful
manner. Numerous private dining
rooms will be provided, and suits of
apartments which can be used without
connection with other parts of the
house. Mr.. o. G. Staples, the proprie-
tor of Wizards Hotel, is among the
most active of those named in the list
of incorporators.
Until recently it was thought that the
law upon the statute books prohibited
the selling of pools within the District
of Columbia. A defect in the law hav-
ing been discovered, a test case was
made up and carried into the courts.
The law was declared invalid, an6 the
National Capital has become the home
of the pool seller. There are a score of
places where gambling upon horse races,
base ball games and other sports are
carried on openly and unblushlngly
The proprietor of one of the rooms
boasts that he has cleared upward of
one thousand dollars a day since the
racing season opened. An effort has
been made to break up this form of
gambling, and a bill is now pending in
Congress which II passed will effectual-
ly prohibit the business under heavy
penalties, but it is thought that 1t will
not receive further consideration during
the present session.
The records of the Pension Office
show that during the fiscal year, which
closed ON July lst, there were issued
81 ,522 pension certificates, which is O.
72l in excess of the number issued dur
Ing the previous year.
The department people are In some
what Of stew as to what TO do about
campaign assessments. A citizens
committee has been formed, which in
geniously avoids the law on the subject
Of assessments and makes them ".yolun-
tary contributions" and the clerks are
expected to take due notice. Those
who went in under the Republican ad-
ministration are especially puzzled.
They expect In all probability TO lose their
places IL they don't pay the assessments