Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-10-22
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

ClllKtnS Oh AilAoud lidt bH' - p"'"'
chief should be killed. When the
news came that he had been cap
tured, it was at first reported that
the Government, through its repre-
sentative Gen. Miles, had promised
Geronimo his life. But now that
Gen. Miles report has distinctly
stated that the Indians surrendered
Internationally, the matter does
not seem to be improved at ALL
He cannot be tried by a military
commission, as we are not in open
warfare against his tribe; he can
not be tried as a rebel; and the
President it is said, is not eager to
have him hanged as a murderer as
the object Of the campaign Is now
accomplished. Why not go step
further, and reason, on an equally
logical basis, that Geronimo Is a
patriot, as he has been fighting the
invaders Of his country.
The Cabinet ministers have re-
turned to the city and the business
of the Government Departments
here has settled down into It's usual
hum drum routine. Secretary Man
ming is back at his desk again, at
tending to his work. lie seems in
good health and spirits and says he
is glad to be able to resume his
duties. 1t Is understood, however,
that he will not attempt to under
take the entire charge of the Treas
ury Department Just set and Mr..
Fairchild will continue to act as
Secretary for several days. Mr..
Manning's old room has been thor
oughly cleaned and renovated, and
/ the defective gas pipes, which, 1t is
thought, were the main cause OF
the Secretary's illness, have been
entirely removed.
1t is the busiest time of the year
in the Departments. All the Cabi-
net officers are occupied with their
annual reports. Secretary Bayard
is considering Mexican affairs, and
the report of that almost forgotten
parsonage, Mr.. Arthur Sedgwick'
The Secretary of the Navy has,
since his 1, turn, been devoting a
good deal of his time to the new
vessels which it is proposed to con
struct. There are a great many
demands for specifications and
plans, from all the leading shiT
builders of the country, and the
threatened boycott has proved
merely an ingenious fiction.
The difficulty experienced IN
gaining admittance to one OF the
Democratic officials has been re
allied by many, but by none moro
forcibly than by Senator kenna Of
West Virginia. Mr.. Kenna wonld
never be mistaken for dnde. llt
invariably wears a soft felt hat, re
sembling a SLOUGH, and this. to eyes
accustomed to more stylish heaC
gear. looks rather rakiSh. Shortly
after Mr.. Benedict took charge o
his office, the West Virginia Sena
tor called to see him on public bust
ness. The dOOrkeeper after sur
veying him moment, waved hin
of with the remark that Mr.. Bene
dict was not seeing any tram
printers that day. The Senator
somewhat taken aback by this re
ception, nevertheless insisted thai
his card should be taken Dip. The
doorkeeper consented with a baC
grace, and took up the bit OF paste
board, on which was inscribed sim
Div "John L. Kenna, West Virgin
IA Directly the messenger re
turned, with the answer that Mr.
Benedict was engaged, and could
not see any one. AS it was evl
dent that the new public printer
had no idea of his identity, and az
the Senator was getting tired, hi
said sharply: "Will you be kline
enough to tell Mr.. Benedict tina
Senator Kenna of West Virginia
desires to see him Immediately OF
pnblic business" The effect wal
electrical. The now terrified mes
sengcr sped away, and directly re
turned, with many Obsequious apol
gies, to inform the guest that thu
desired interview would be givel
him at once.
As the time for the meeting o
Congress and the commencement
of the social season draws near, thu
city begins to look livelier ant
gayer every day. The coming shor
Congressional session must term
nate with the 18th of March, ant
enough important legislation i
awaiting action to occupy a session
three times as long. 1t is expect
ed, however, that not very mucI
work will be accomplished this win
ter. It is believed that only abou
one third OF the present Congress
will be returned and this fact vii
undoubtedly seriously affect legls
latjou. The Democrats will los
many veterans, and their place
will be filled with raw recruits. Tn
Democratic majority too it
Il thought, Will Ice much diminished
Vote to ill ak the Legislative
halls of the country with the al
torneys and agents Of mOnopol
and Won will be derived of YOU