The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-12-16
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOings at The Ma
liOnal Capital


n
and many Of his brother Senators are large aud
successful operators in Washington property.
James G. Blaine made great deal OF money
bv his shrewd purchases OF vacant fields which
are now part of the most aristocratic portion OF
the city, and readily sell for from 10 10 20 times
what they would bring few years ago. John
Sherman is perhaps the largest owner OF
Washington property now in the Senate, and
he pushes the business in shrcwd, business
like way that is an example 10 less successful
Operators Perhaps two-thiFds OF the Senators
own more or less real estate in the city, and
complacently regard the growth of the capital
RS adding 10 the value Of their worldly posses
sions.
The trouble about the story in regard 10
Gen Logan is that there is no truth in IL.
Every one wishes that be was making money
by the rise of real estate as fast ms some OF has
associates but he is not. The only bit OF prop
erty that lac has an interest in is the acre of
ground on the hilltop where his house stands.
This house was formerly the residence of
man named Stone, who owned large farm
that stretched away 10 the rear The house is
a great roOmy. substantially built hut exceed
ingly plain brick building. Ii was used during
the war as a hospital and since then has
hardly been tcnantcd regularly. The farm
back OF il was as poor as all the hills OF clay
aud sand in this region are, and there is no
telling when the last man who attempted 10
cultivate II was starved of. Some years ago
John Sherman and those associated with him
i'm real estate operations got control Of the
property, and laid il of into lots The sale
was very slow, however, until the happy
thought occurred 10 the owners TO offer the
house 10 Gen and Mrs. Logan, who were then
looking for a residence. at a figure that would
make il an object for them 10 accept it. The
house and one acre of ground were sold TO
them for $4,000, payable ia five equal annual
Il. NFuH
hands the old barIack-like building was trans
formed into one Of the most inviting homes in
this city of inviting homes, the grounds were
made attractive, and all the property in the vi
cinity took a Jump upward. Lots that had
previously been offered at 30 cents q square
foot were advanced to 81 and Sl.25, for the
neighbOTho0d became SO much more desirable.
The consequent increase OF shekels IN the
pockets of John Sherman q Co have made a
very substantial reward for their business
acumen in getting the Logans to pitch theirtent
on the hilltop. They could have well afforded
to give the General the house and lot free Of
cost but John sherman is not that style of a
man, nor is Gen. Logan the man 10 accept
what he does not pay full price for. Gen.
Logan's son has recently gone into the real
estate commission business in this city, associ-
ating himself with Mr.. Newcomb, who has
been in the business here several years. The
style OF the firm is " NewcOmb * Logan
CONGRESS
Very little was done in Congress last week,
except TO get started" Few bills were intro
duced, as there is little chance for getting
through new measures at the short session.
Three general pension bills were introduced by
Senator Ingalls,, providing that for the total
loss OF an eye the Government shall pay $50 a
month, and that there shall be no interference
IN higher rating by reason Of rank, and for
partial loss Of sight the rating shall be proper
tiOnate to $50 n month for total loss Of sight;
that the rate for loss of a hand or foot shall be
$35 q month. and If the loss shall be within six
inches of the elbow or knee Joint or in such
other way to make equal disability the rate
shall be $40 month. The third bill repeats
the Limitation Of arrearages act. The bill prac-
tically reviews what was known as the arrear-
ages act. IL provides that all pensioners now
on the rolls and all persons hereafter pensiOned
shall be entitled TO pension from the date of
discharge from the L. S. service, provided the
disability was contracted in the service and in
the line Of duty.
coNGREssMEN.
The gossip here now is that Hon. VIM. r.
Morrison intends 10 abandon the District which
has just declined 10 continue him ia its service
and at the expiration of his present term will
remove into Hon. William II. Springer's Dis
trict, with the intention Of succeeding that
gentleman in Congress. Taylorville Chris
tian County, will be his place Of residence
With more than 1000 Democratic majority he
thinks his political future is safe. Mr. Sgring-
er's views on this little program are awaited
with some interest.
The Success which has rewarded a similar
change on tie part Of Mr. Guenther, encourages
Mr. Morrison in his intention. Mr. Guenther
was elected for three terms from the Sixth Dis.
trict OF Wisconsin, but this year he was asked 10
step aside and Let another man be nom mated
The Republicans Of the Second District in
rited him 10 be their candidate, which he did.
The Democrats were divided by the dissen-
sions which had followed the defeat of Gen.
Braggs denomination, and lac carried the Dis.
trict by over 1000 majority, being the FIRST Re
publican ever elected in that District.
WHITING TO GEN RosEcRANs
IL is to be expected that Gen. Rosecrans
should be constantly appealed TO by soldiers all
over the country for aid la having their claims
recognized by the Government. From first 10
last he probably commanded 100000 men, aud
every one OF these admired aud loved him. 1t
IL natural that those who survive should turn
10 him for help when they need help aud no
one IN the country has higher reputation for
kindness toward the old soldier than the old
commander Of the Army Of the Cumberland
Every mail brings him letters from somewhere
asking him 10 do what is possible TO hurry
along the allowance Of the pension claims of
the writers. who believe that because he is a
member OF the Administration lac can exert a
powerful influence in this direction. This is
mot true, for all That he can do is TO refer the
claims TO the Commissioner Of Pensions, where
they will have 10 take their turn with the rest.
His position as an Executive officer prevents
him from doing more than make q friendly
reference of the communications.
PRIZES AT THE NATIONAL DRILL
The citizens of Washington hayin g subscribed
a guarantee fund Of $50 600 10 ensure paymenf
Of prizes and expenditure for a national drill
and cncampment, the Executive Committee
gives notice that the drill and encampment will
begin in Washington on May %, 1857, and will
end on Decoration Day, May 30. Entries will
be open 10 regularly organized volunteer mi.
itia Of the United States for competition as
regiments, battalions or companies IN infantry
artillery cavalry, and zouave tactics and also
10 regularly organized corps of cadets from
military or university schools The prizes of
1ered 20 competitors aggregate S26,5O0. Of which
$l0,50J viii be distributed among the best five
companies OF infantry, AS follows First prize
$1,000; second, $500; third, Sl,500; fourth
SLOOOi 18th, 500 Commanders OF regiments
battalions and companies of all arms arc ia
Vited 20 correspond with the committee o
which i. Z. Del.con is Managing Secretary.
GATHERING or NOTABLE MEN.
Gen. sherman came In on the late train las
Friday night, and went 10 Hon. John Sher
mans house on X street 10 stay. About mid
night he walked over 10 ChambeTlins Hotel OF
Fifteenth street for the purpose Of calling on
MIR. John thaniborlin, for whom he has d warn
regard. lie remained Tor some time, and wa
depi busy shaking hands with those who rec
Ognized and came up 70 inquire after him. III,