The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-11-23
OUR WASHINGTON LErrnE.


SPECIAL Correspondence I.aIutkn News.
Although it had been generally known
for months that EX-Presidout Arthur
was in failing health, and there was But
little expectation that he would ever
again enjoy health and strength, yet TN"
suddeuness Of his deccasc gives 4 shock
of sorrow and regret to the whole Coun-
try. The news was received n the y li;c
House at an early hour this morning,
and the President at once sent telc-
gram to Mrs. McE!roy, the sister OF the
eX-President, expressing his sympathy.
\ meeting Of the Cabinet was NJ once
called, and il was ut once decided that
the President and the members Of his
Cabinet should attend the funeral II
was ordered that the flags upon the Gov
eminent buildings should lc placed At
half mast, and the building 8 drapod III
mourning curing period Of thirty days.
and as an additional mark Of respect.
Work III the various Departments was or
dered to be suspended upon the day of
the funeral. The feeling of sorrow felt
at the National Capital IS profound and
Presidential office, Mr.. Arthur won the
respect and confidence of the people. lie
bore himself with dignity IN his official
relations, and his private life was
marked by refinement and charm of
manner that graced the White House.
The all absorbing topic OF conversation
during the past week. has been the trial
of Lieutenant Arnold. Of the Washington
Police Department, upon charges of hGv-
To-,
feet that Major Walker. the Chief Of Po-
lice, had issued a general order 10 the
police officers directing them TO keep a
close watch upon the movements Of
Congress, and to report TO him in case
any member should visit disrepUtabie
places, in order that advantage might bc
taken of the information thus gained in
securing additional appropriations from
Congress for the maintenance of the pO-
lice force, AMI for fuTthCTiug Contempla-
ted city improvements. During the
trial, which was conducted by the Dis
,rict Commissioners, Mr.. Arnold and sex
eral other police lieutenants swore that
Major Walker had gwen such instruc-
tons to the officers Of the force. and the
evidence offered at the trial seems To
have conClusively proven the fact, and
1t Is generlly believed that the President
will at once demand the resignation IL
Mr.. Walker. Nor is the scandal likely
to end here, as the President is very
much worried over the affair, and it il
thought that when Congress convenes. a
searching investigation will be instituted
and the true inwardness OF the whole
matter will be brought to light.
Secretary Whitney. i'll his annual re-
port 10 Congress last year, treated cX
haustively of proposed change in his
department. II was 10 divide tie work
OF the same into three branches.
the personnel and fleet. the de
partment of material and construc-
ton, and the department of finance and
accounts, this last bureau covering all
contracts for purchase Of naval supplies.
Congress having failed to come TO his
aid in this reform, he has evidently COn-
cluded TO undertake the task alone. He
has recently issU L an order, to 20 into
effect Januarr 1T, 1857, in which he
places the cou,r citing for. and the care
OF all supplies with one person at each
of the various Navy Yards, instead Of Is
heretofore requiring special bureaus for
the purchase and furnishing of each or
the different supplies needed; this one
supply division III each yard will suffice
for all the bureaus. and where 100 men
are now paid by the Government. the
work can too accomplished 10y force of
about 10, while the methods employed
will he much more simphfed. Il IS
thought the Secretary's reform may ex-
tend still further, and that he will next
reorganize the department Of material
and construction.
The President last week appointed Col.
John Moore as Surgeon General of the
Army, to succeed General Murray. who
has been retired. Col. Moore has been in
the army for twenty-five years, and was
one of the few in the line of prOruCriOr3
His appointment gives general satisfac-
ton among the officers of the army. not
withstanding the large number of appIi-
cants for the position. 1t was a clear
case of the office seeking the man, as
Col. Moore made no effort whatever to
secure the place. H.