Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-09-15
From Washington.
WAsHNer0H, d. g.. Sept. is. 1885,
Correspondence of the sFEcFAFoR, ]

WASHINGTON, d. g., Sept, is, 1885,
Correspondence of the sFEeTAFoR,l
Mr.. EDITOR:
Since the departure Of the President and
Mrs. Cleveland upon their Adirondack trip
tho White House has been thoroughly rem
Ovated, and the exterior of the building
treated to fresh coat of paint, The deco
ratiOns in the East Room have been com.
pleted, and everything is ia readiness for
putting down the carpets and arranging the
furniture. The private apartments through
out the mansion have been reearpeted, and
in many instances refurnished Everything
about the premises has been frightened up,
and the building will soon be ready for oc-
cupancy.
The recent earthquakes in South Carroll
ma continue to afford the principal topic of
discussion, and the evidence of sympathy
felt by the good people of the National
Capital for their afflicted neighbors in
Charleston has been shown in far more
substantial manner than in an idle exchange
of words. Not only has the rule prohibiting
the collection of subscriptions in the sever
al Government Departments been set aside
and declared imperative in this case, but the
Chiefs of Divisions and others in charge of
bureaus and rooms have provided them
selves with subscription papers for circula-
ton among the employees under their i'm
mediate charge. Clerks throughout the de-
partments have responded most literally to
these invitations to subscribe, and very
handsome sum of money has been forward
ed to the relief committee in Charleston.
The Cor coran Art Gallery which has been
closed to the public during the summer has
nd ic tfroa iUo N
ever A marked improvement has been
made in the hall of sculpture by the remov
al of the drapery which formally shrouded
the walls, and the substitution of a rich
maroon tint of paint. Several pictures are
being negotiated for by the trustees,
and the probabilities are that the gallery
will be enriched by the addition of some
very valuable paintings during the winter.
Work in the department is progressing
in an entirely satisfactory manner, notwith-
standing the fact that many of the chiefs
are absent. Claims appropriated for during
the past session of Congress are being rap
idly disposed of, and the Alabama claims
have nearly all been adjusted, and the war
rants for the entire 5000 claims have been
signed, and force of clerks in the Treas
ury is working night and day upon the
drafts which will soon be issued.
The shooting of Col. Ellsworth by Capt.
James jackson on the Oath day of May,
1861. while in the act of removing the Con-
federate flag from the Marshall House in
Alexandria, will be remembered as one of
the events which attracted so much attep-
ton at the opening of the war This incl
dent has been recalled by the recent ap-
pointment of Miss Amelia jackson, the
daughter of Capt. Jackson, to position in
the Patent Office. Lieut.. Brownell, of Col.
Ellsworth's command, and who so prompt.
ly avenged his death, has for several years
past been a special examiner IN the Pension
Office.
Since the stairway in the Washington
Monument has been repaired there has
been continual rush of people to the of.
fee for permits to climb to the top. On
Friday last more than seven hundred appli,
cations for passes were received. 1t is an
awful climb, but many ladies undertake it.
Two or three of the latter have tainted and
had to be carried down. Among the number
who assembled the stairway on Friday was
an old gentleman eighty three years of age.
He was told that he would be exhausted, but
he stated that it was his birthday and he want
ed to celebrate it by patriotic climb. He
made the ascent, but became exhausted
when one third of the way back, and had
to be carried down. H.