The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-12-02
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 1885.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 1856.
The holiday of Thanksgiving was
observed throughout this city yester
day, although there was no public
demonstration. 1t was characterized
as usual, by the quiet family gather
ings and services were held in the
churches where congregations listened
TO sermons of u patriotic kind. All of
the Departments were closed, US they
were also OH Monday, the day of the
Arthur funeral, making two days of
this week that the Government en-
ployes have enjoyed a holiday.
But Secretary Manning shut down
on the Treasury clerks the day before
Thanksgiving, and changed time
honored custom. Heretofore the Treas
ury Department has been closed at
noon on the day before Thanksgiving
ostensibly for the purpose of giving
the clerks a chance to buy their tur-
keys. This was merely an excuse for
an extra half holiday, and as there is
a great deal of work on hand that
must be done before Congress meets,
the Secretary decided that two days in
one week was as much as his depart
ment could stand, and he ordered that
it should not be closed until the usual
hour.
Although you continue to rear all
manner of things predicted concern
ing Secretary Mannings' ph hysical con
dition, he has dictated his forth COM
ing annual report with freedom that
has kept his stenographer and two
type writers busy and it is said the
portions of the document already fin.
ished lack none of the force and vigor
which characterized his initial report
last year. The most important an
nouncement yet in connection with
the report, is that the Secretary takes
even stronger grounds on the subject
of Tariff reform than he did a year
ago.
In the report of Postmaster General
|
days ago, it is shown that the United
States leads all the world in its mail
facilities, and in the number of letters
sent. The letters mailed in this coun.
try during the year were more than
were mailed in France, Germany and
Austria combined. The number Of
postoffices in this country now is SO,
814. The report also shows great
deal in the line of reform. Owing te
the reduction of the rate of postage OIL
second class matter and the enlarge
ment of the unit of weight for frs
class matter, the expenses of the Post
al Department were expected to exceed
it's revenue for the fiscal year of 1885 a.
least $9, 900, 900. A decrease of expend
itures, however, has made the actua
deficit about So 600, 900 less than that
aud the deficit for the current year will
be still less. Figures show that tn,
net increase of revenue in this Depart
volume of business by which it wa
g-ined, increased over 7 per cent. Ths
is another proof, which commercia
and other Estatistics establish, thai
there has been a steady return of bus
mess prosperity during the past yea
and half. That is the way in which
the country goes to ruin under Demo
cratic rule, which must be very de
pressing to the Republican prophet
of evil.
Secretary Whitney was very gener
Gus with Thanksgivg turkeys. III,
made arrangements to give each Office
and employe in the Navy department
n fowl of such weight as each prefer
red, and three hundred of the clerk
availed themselves of the courtesy
On similar occasion last year tin
Secretary dispensed about the sam
numbe of turkeys to Navy Depart
ment employees.
Nor was Mrs. Whitney behind tn
Secretary in the donation of goo,
cheer. She sent word to the home q
the Little Sisters of the Poor and 10 tn
Colored Woman's Home that sh
would like to provide Thar ksgivin,
dinners for those institutions. A lis
of articles wanted was sent and tn
order was promptly honOred by Mrs
Whitney, who made some suitabl,
additions to the bill of fare for the olt
ladies and Old men of the Home.
Up at the Capitol they have already
| gotten down to wolk. There havt
been preliminary meetings of certain
| cOmmittees-Or rather of quorums o
certain committees. and the prepare
tion of bills has begun SO that the nee
! essary business may be reached will
as little delay as possible after tn
assembling of Congress. AS usual j
| is predicted that very little beyond tn,
money bills which are necessary TO
| the expenses of the Government will
receive much attention this win ter
| Mary earnest, conscientious legisla
| tors intend to do more if possible, bu
up to the present time Congress ha,
found itself too lazy in the long ses
sions and too busy in the short, to &C
complish anything.
| 0np pomtaI SarvSoa