The Cecil Whig., 1886-05-22
WASHINGTON NEWS NOTES.
Armstrong VS.. Higgins-A Proposed Sec
ond Vice President.
The Presidential RluShes-The New Pension
BiII-A New Labor Bill-The RepubIi-
can Campaign Committee Rooms-Sec-
retarv Manning's Condition-Oieomar-
Sarne.
W,SuISCrpS Nav % 1885,
ARMSTRONG vs.. HIGGINS.

Higgins treats the charge that he has
solicited bribe in connection with the
appointment of photographer for the
supervising architects office, alleged to
have been made by VIM. Armstrong, of
this city, as a joke.
Armstrong, who made verbal charges
of bribery against Higgins, made them
III writing today. The friend of Higgins
spoken of in the charges published ex
planned the matter as follows: He said
that Armstrong came into saloon where
he was with some friends and began to
talk about his chances for the position
of photographer. Armstrong said Hlg-
gins was against him. for Higgins wanted
Bendann, of Baltimore, but he (Arm-
strOng) had recommendations from Ran
dali and others.
What does the place pay - asked
Higgins friend.
"Well, I'll be willing to give 5000 to
get it, it is claimed Armstrong said
lis that all p asked the friend.
"Well, I would 60 $400 to get it, the
friend claims Armstrong said
'Oh, if you would give 81 900 we could
fix it with New York man and you
would get it, Higgins friend replied
There the matter cropped, 81 the friend
says, until the charges were filed.
SECOND vICE-PREsIDNT.
The bill reported today from the House
committee on the electoral count pro-
posing constitutional amendment Great
ing and defining the office of Seconi
Vice President provides that, in case OF
the removal from office, death, resigna
tion or constitutional disability both of
the President and Vice President, the OF
flee of President shall devolve on the
Second Vice President of the United
States, who shall be voted tor i'll distinct
ballots at the same time and in like mar-
ner and Tor the same term as the PreSi
dent and Nice-PreSident by the el, ctors
appointed by the several States In case
of the removal of the Wee President from
office, or his death, resignation, or con.
stitutiOnal inability, or when the Vice
President shall exercise the Office of
President of the United States, the Sec
Ond Vice President shall be the Presi-
dent of the Senate, and he shall also act
as such il absence of the Vice President
from the Senate, but shall have no vote
unless the Senate be equally divided.
The report accompany ing the resolu-
tion says: The necessity for an additional
officer in the line of presidential success
sion has been forced on the consideration
of thoughtful students OF our political
system by the casualties which nave oc-
Cured since the adoption of the federal
constitution. Out of eighteen different
persons elected directly to the presiden-
tial office four have died before filling
out their respective terms as President,
three of them during the first year of
the term and the other during the second
year. Out of % persons elected as Vice
President five died during their terms of
of office, one of then resigned his office
and four became President. At the close
of the presen. presidential term there
will have been 100 years of government
under the constitution, and during that
period there will have been % years S
months and days-over one-fourth OF
the time-when the country has had no
Vice President; in the last forty wears
the office of Vice President has been va
cant IS years ) months and days, or
nearly one half of the time.
PRESIDENTIAL ELUsnEs.
The President has found another trial
which he must endure, and that is the
congratulations he receives from old la
dies and frsky maidens during the public
reception III the East Room on MONDAYS.
Wednesdays aad Fridays. There were
nearly four hundred people at the recep-
tion today, and just when everything was
going along swimmingly, and the crowd
was ready to pass ON, one old lady stop
ped still directly i'll front of the Presi.
dent, and, raising her glasses, looked
him over well, and then said in a loud
voice-so loud that all OF she 800 people
in the room heard her: so, you are 20
Ing to get married Wen, m glad uf
it," The blood gradually streamed up
through the great vessels of the PresI
dents neck and, alter few seconds
managed to redden the broad expanse OF
neck and double chin, and chen slowly,
like the mercury i'll Thermometer on a
warm day, crept higher aud higher until
his chin proper, then his cheeks, nose
and forehead grew a beautiful crimson,
and he blushed. He tidgeted and turned,
and still the old woman held on to his
hand and continued her congratulations
as she shook him by the hand. Il think
every man ought to get married." she
said. 1t was incumbent upon Cleveland
to say something, and he mumbed, 'Is
that SOP"
"Yes, it is" replied the old lady, "and
| congratulate you"
Then she passed on, and the President
felt awfully relieved.
THE NEW PENSION BILL.
The pension bill, as passed by the
Senate today, provides for the relief of