The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-24
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE
WASHINGTON,
Feb. Is, 1856. !
Editor Democrat

ECU. 40, AooO. }
Editor Democrat.
After all that has been said in
praise of the sunny skies and salubri-
Gus climate of tue national capital, it
cannot be denied that even the favor.
able geographical location Of Wash
ington does not always serve to rem
der the climatic influences perfect.
During the present winter the changes
in the weather have been sudden and
marked. The heavy fall Of snow Of
last week has almost entirely disap.
pearea, and tho danger of a freshet In
the Potomac has been greatly in
creased by tho rain. The river is ris-
ing rapidly, although the ice is still
intact. Every precaution has been
taken to avert possible danger. Steam
tugs are engaged in breaking the ice,
while men upon horseback patrol tho
river banks above tho city. The
watch will be kept up until all dan
ger is past. In csse of a sudden rise
in the river, the news will be at cnce
communicated to the Signal Office, and
merchants owning exposed property
along the river froat will be notified.
Upon receipt of the news of the
sudden death Of General Hancock, it
was at once ordered that the flags up
on the various departments be placed
at half-mast. A bill was at once
passed by the Senate providing for
the erection of = monument to the
memory of tho illustrious general,
while the House testified its respect in
the customary way, and voted itself a
holiday.
During a general discussion Of the
silver question in the Senate on Mon
day last, Senator Sherman sstonished
his fellow Senators by making an ear
nest aud vigorous speech in open ses-
sion or the controversy between the
Senate and the executive as to their
respective powers regarding persons
suspended by Office. This is the first
public speech upon the subject, which
had heretofore been discussed only in
executive session. The news travelled
rapidly through the capitol, and the
galleries were soon filed with inter-
ested listeners. Mr.. Sherman declared
that all information upon the files of
any department belonged to the Sen
ate; hat while he did not claim that
the Senate could exercise any power
over the Presidents discretion, that
the President must not prevent the
Senate from having the sa,ne informa-
ton that he had when he made tho
nomination.
1t is reported that Senator Edmunds
has Of late changed his mind on tue
subject of secret sessions, and that he
now favors the consideration of the
Presidents nominations in open ses.
sion, and that he will make . speech
in support Of MIR. Plat,'s open session
resolution.
The debate on the bill for the re-
lief of Fitz-John Porter was begun in
the House on Thursday, and by spec
isl order tho debate il to continue
without interruption after the morning
hour every day until Thursday next,
when it will be closed by the previous
question.
A large delegation Of Indians from
the Indian Territory are here to pro-
test against the passage of the bill
providing for allotment of their land
in s~everalty.
The President gave his third state
dinner on Thursday evening, in honor
of the justices of the Supreme court,
and on Friday evening entertained the
diplomatic corps.
On Thursday evening the final re-
ception Of the present Chinere minister,
Cheng Tsao Ju, prior to his departure
to his native land, was given. Near
ly all of the members of tho diplomat
ic corps were present, IS were also the
members Of the Cabinet and many
Senators and Congressman.
During several years past there has
been q disagreement between the pro.
fessors at the Naval Observatory and
the officers Of the navy over the con.
troll of that institution, the naval
officers claiming thst it is a naval in.
stitution, and that the officers Of that
service should have charge Of the
work, while tho professors claim thst