The Daily Tombstone., 1886-09-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsHINaToN. Sept. B.


 fresh coat of paint. The decorations in the East Room have been com pleted, and everything is in readi- ness for putting down the carpets and arranging the furniture. The private apartments throughout the mansion have been recarpeted, and in many instances refurnished. Everything about the premises has been bright ened up, and the building will soon be ready for occupancy.
 The recent earthquakes Tn South Carolina continue 10 afford lhe prin- cipal topic of discussion, and the evil dence of sympathy felt by the good people of the National Capital for their afflicted neighbors in Charles ton has been shown in far more substnntial manner than in an idle exchange of words. Not only has the rule prohibiting the collection of suh- scriptions in the several Government departments been set aside and de- clared imperative in this case, .bu: chiefs of divisions and others in charge of bureaus and rooms have prOvidei themselves with subscription paper for circulation amOTg the employees under their immediate charge. Clerks lhroug bout the dt partments have r,- sponIed most libcraliy to these Invi- tatiOns tu suuyurlbe, and very hands some sum of money hAs been f"r- xarded to the relief committee m Charleston.
 The CoIcoran Art Gallery, which has been closed to the public durin 3 the summer, has been re"pened, and | is more attractive than ever. A mark ed improvement has been made in the hall of sculpture by the removal of the Grapery which formerly shroud-, ed the walls, and the substitution Cf 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 departments is pre- gre>sing in an entirely satisfactory manner, notwithstanding the fact that many oI the chiefs are aDsent. Claims appropriated for during tke last sesu sion ii Congress are being rapidly disposed Df, anu the Alabama claims have nearly all been adjusted, and 1 the Warrants for the entire 5000 cllims have been signed, and force | I clerks Ill the treasury is working night and day upon the drafts which will soon be issued.
 The shooting Of Col. Ellsworth by Capt. James Jackson on the 24th day of May, 1861, while in the act of res moving tl.e Confederate flag from the Marshall House in Alexandria, will he remembered as one of the events which attracted SD much attention at the opening of the War. This inci- dent has been recalled by the recent appointment of Miss Amelia Jackson, the daughter of Capt. Jackson, to position in the patent Office. Lieut.. Brownell, of Col. Ellsworth's con- mand, and who so. promptly avenged his death, has for several years past been d special examiner i'll the Pen- sion Office.
 Since the stairway in the Washing ton monument has been repaired there has been d continual rush of people 10 the office for permits to climb to the.top. On Friday lAst more than seven 'hundred applications for payoes were received. | is an awful. climb, but many ladies undertake It. Two or three of the latter have laint- ed and had to be carried down. Among the number wAo ascended the stairway on Friday was an old gentleman eighty-three Years ef age. He was told that be would be exhaust ed, but he stated that it Was his birth day and he wanted to celebrate it by 4 patriotic climb. He made the as- cent, but became exhausted when one-third of the way back, and had to be carried down. II.
 .. Elijah Connors and his brother, Mir. Chase, Mir. Pendleton and tw0 others