Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-11-04
Correspondence of the Beacon.l
WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. /, 1885,

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Nov. i, 1885.
Messrs Editors The Capitol is just now
undergoing the annual lhouse-cleaning pro-
cess to which it is subjected during the few
weeks preceding the opening of session Of
Congress. Workmen are engaged through
out the building in painting and cleaning,
carpets are being laid and desks placed in
position Nor is the scene of activity con-
fined to the interior of the building. Work
upon the marble terraces upon the west
front Of the building is being prosecuted by
an army of workmen, and ground has been
broken for the grand staircase provided
for by Congress at its last session.
The plans for the Mexican legation build
ing have been returned approved from the
City of Mexico, and the work of tearing
down the houses which cover the site has
been commenced The building, when
completed, will be three stories in height,
and have frontage of AZ feet 1t will be
constructed of stone and brick, and when
finished il will be one of the finest build
-, s in the city. 1t will be located in the
rllearS of the social centre Of the city, and
and in the immediate neighborhood are the
fine residences of ex-Secrctary Chandler,
Mr.. John w. Thompson, Chief Justice
Waite and Mr. John w. Foster, the former
minister to Spain. The action of the Mex
lean Government in thus erecting lcga-
ton building, will, il is thought. induce
other foreign governments to secure build
ing sites before the value of property ad-
vances further. The English and German
Governments are AT present the only foreign
governments that own their own residences
in this city.
An illustration of the power of the press
has been evinced by the recent change of
the title of the Presidents country residence
The new title of Red Top originated with
Col. Preston of the Washington staff of the
New York Herald. During recent dis
cussion of the title Pretty Prospect, which
had been given to his new home by the
President, the Herald man entered his pro-
test against the title. He insisted that as
the roof had been painted blood red color
that Red Top" should be its name, and he
laid wager of dinner that he would
make il 50. He wrote an article 10 his pa
per calling the place "Red Top" and the
name was at once adopted by all of the pa
pers and the public generally and he won
his wager.
The National Museum has received some
very valuable and interesting exhibits dur
ing the past few days from Africa and other
foreign counties. Among them may be
mentioned ring of brass, weighing ten
pounds. which was worn upon the ankle
of an African princess as an ornament.
Professor Hendley, the modeler of the mu-
scum, whose marvellous productions in
plaster have given him the title of the
Wizard" is now engaged upon life
sized figure of Geronimo, the Apache chief
The work. although copied from a photo
graph. will, when finished, be a life-like
representation of the notorious Indian out
law, and will form very interesting ad-
dition 10 the collections Of the museum
The committee engaged in perfecting the
arrangements for the grand national COM
petitive drill. 10 be held in Washington in
Nav next, report that upwards Of $4,000
has been subscribed toward defraying the
expense. and the project is considered an
assured success. Military companies from
nearly every state in the Union have an
nounCed their attention Of competing for
the prizes During the eight days of the
meeting the various military organizations
will encamp in the park surrounding the
Washington Monument, and the camp Is
20 be called Camp George Washington.
II.