The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-02-13
washington News and Gossip.
From our Special Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. s, 8

WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. s, sc.
MIR. EDITOR: As a rule, Congress
when called upon to provide accommo-
dations for the army of employees con-
stituting the working force in the vari-
Gus departments and branches of the
Government service, has responded by
che allowance Of liberal appropriations.
This fact is attested by an array of pub
lie buildings at the National Capital
which, on account of their magnitude
and grandeur, have challenged both the
admiration and wonder of the world.
Strange as it may seem to persons un-
Informed upon the subject, the increase
of business in the various departments
has so far exceeded the liberal provis-
ions made by Congress, in the way OF
providing office accommodations, that in
many instances it has been found neces-
sary to rent private buildings, and there
are more than twenty such buildings in
Washington occupied by the Govern
ment at the present time. The mistak-
ell economy Of such course is at once
evident when it is considered that there
are hundreds of available building sites
within the city owned by the Govern
ment. As rule these buildings are in
no sense fire proof, and the danger from
exposing valuable public records to
possible loss by fire is the most forciblc
argument which can be offered in op-
position to the plan. Early during the
present week one of these buildings.
which is occupied by the Government as
branch of the Surgeon Generals Of
fee, and containing all of the hospital
records of the Western and Southern
States, on which all claims for pensions
are based, was discovered to be on fire.
The loss of these records would have
been irreparable, as the Government
possesses no other copies. The timely
discovery Of the fire together with prompt
and earnest efforts of an efficient fire
department alone served to avert the
danger of serious loss. Although some
OF the documents were badly scolched,
nothing of great value was destroyed.
Washington was visited on Wednes-
day last by the heaviest fall of snow
that has been known for many years.
During the entire day the air was filled
by blending sheets of snow. Foot pas
sengers were few during the day. Street
cars required double the usual number
of horses, and even then traffic was all
most impossible. Navigation on the
river, which had been fairly opened, is
now rather difficult and there is danger
of another freeze.
The question Of the right of Congress
to examine the public records without
regard to the wishes of the President or
his Cabinet still continues to occupy
much of the time of the Senate in EX-
ecutive Session, and a public discussion
of the controversy as to the respective
rights of the executive and legislative
branches of the Government in the mat
ter of the removal of Federal officers is
probable. The polite but emphatic de-
lination Of the Administration to sub
NIT to the Senate the documents in its
possession concerning the suspension Of
District Attorney Duskin, Of Alabama,
will result in lively debate on the
rights of the Senate and powers of the
Executive. In the meantime the con-
iirmation of persons appointed to fill
the vacancies caused by removals has
been virtually suspended, and the great
est anxiety prevails among the new ap-
pointees, who are anxious that some
compromise should be made.
A spirited discussion was had in the
Senate on Wednesday last upon the oc-
clsion of Mr.. Blair asking that 1000
copies of an argument submitted to the
committee of education and labor, in
favor of the bill to require that the pub
lie school pupils in the District of Col
umbia shall be taught the effects of al
coholic liquors upon the physical sys-
TEN. The motion to print was, however
finally adopted.
Z h re is general movement among
the trades unions Of the city towards
shortening the hours Of labor. The
plumbers, timers and carpenters have
decided that after May 3 next they will
demand $500 per day for eight hours
work. Ii is said that this movement is
the beginning OF a combination on the
part of all the leading labor organiza-
lions in the city towards shorter hours
of work. A delegation of letter carriers
from various cities is here to have their
status under the eight-how law defined.
The Attorney General will be asked to
submit an opinion on the subject.
Senator Sewcll militia bill was passed
by the Senate on Friday last. The bill
appropriates the sum OF 100000 annu-
ally for the purpose OF providing arms,
ordinance stores and camp eqrippage
for Issue to the militia. The several
States are each to receive their pro rata
of this sum according to the number of