Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-03-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.

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B TIE SOUTH KENTuoKIAN:
The Lenten season, with its subdu-
ing influence theoretically, at least
upon social gayety, is at hand. In
Washington it is the proper thing to
observe Lent, after fashion, and fol-
that reason and 10 other there is a
recognition of the penitential period,
Its observance is generally conllndl
to a partial cessation from official re-
ception and swell dinners, and cor
respondingly more frequent attend
ancc at church. Social activity con-
tinues but in a different way than
usual, the lovers of pleasure keeping
up the round Of private hops and ell
tcrtainments, varied by frequent
allurements of whist and progressive
euchre. The White House sets a
good example by closing its door
during Lent, except to the informal
call of personal friends. The music
by the Marine Band is not heard
within these historic walls; the brill
liant throng of fashion, in gorgeous
array, no longer moves about in the
glare of hundred gas-hghts. When
Easter brings release from the re-
straints of Lent, there is another
blaze of social glory and everybody
plunges in with an evident determi-
nation to make up for lost time.
This continues until the ascending
mercury in the thermometer closes
"the season."
Judging from the indication up to
date, this Congress is going to be
famous for its "chin music" The
number Of set speeches made thus
far is greatly in excess of the usual
number, and the members seem to
be just fairly getting their wind. All
this is not without its compensating
features, for it makes plenty of work
for the type-setters at the Govern
ment Printing Office at good prices,
and furnishes vast amount of liter
ature for campaign use among the
people. No doubt public business
will suffer, but nothing else can be
expected in a body Of men three
fourths of whom are lawyers. Were
it not for the adjournment that brings
Congress to an end once in two years,
the talk of these legislators would,
like TennYson's brook, SLOW on for
ever"
The Presidents maiden veto was
sent to the Senate OIL Wednesday.
The Court of Claims in an action
brought by Lieut.. McBlair against
the Government for money claimed
to be due, held that the Lieutenant
had not been legally placed on the
retired list. Lieutenant McBlair
then petitioned Congress for restora-
ton, which body said that he might
be if the President saw fit, in the
exercise of his Judgment, to reap
point him. The President in Veto
ing the bill said :-"The findings of
the retiring board seem so satisfac-
tory and the merits of the case so
slight in the light of the large sum
already paid to the applicant, while
the claims of thousands of wounded
and disabled soldiers wait for Justice
at the hands of the government, that
am constrained to interpose an OBJ
lection to measure which proposes
to suspend wholesome laws for the
purpose of granting what appears to
me TO be an undeserved gratitude"
Captain Eads, of Mississippi jetty
fame, is working his Isthmus of Te-
hauntapec scheme before Congress
for all that it is worth. To demon
strate the practicability of his scheme
he has constructed working model
ola vessel and a miniature isthmus at
a cost of $4,000, which he has set up
in the Capitol building. When men,
bcrs get tired of listening to speeches
they go down stairs and take an illu-
siye trip on Eads' ship railway. The
Naval Affairs Committee has been
convinced of the practicability of the
scheme, and as soon as it is felt that
large portion of the members are
satisfied that they should vote the
support asked, the isthmus and ship
will be transferred TO the Senate wing
to influence the Senator's.
1t is learned from official quarters
that there is no truth nor foundation
for the story that the postal clerks
contemplate general strike. Every
thing between the clerks and Depart
ment is moving along without fric-
ton, and business is not to be dis
turbed by any cessation of mail de-
livery.
Congress has been cross-question-
ing Commissioner Black this week on
the charges made by him that his
predecessor Dudley had run the Pen
sion Office as political machine.
The Commissioner has promised to
furnish the Committee with the
names and number of pension cases |
in which pensions were either granted |
or rejected on account of politics of
the applicant. lie said further that
he has made l60 appointments since
he took charge of the office, of which
number l42 were Democrats.
The Senate galleries have been
packed with spectators who, when
they once get inside, spend The whole
day in listening to Senatorial elo.
quence and exposition of Constitu-
tional law on the much talked of ere
moval from office" question. Senator
Kenna, of West Va, made the most |
forcible and logical speech during the |
week, and dissected Senator Edmunds' |
speech. SO that there seemed to be
neither reason nor logic in it. But
The Vermont Senator's speech, when |
taken as whole, is very strong and |
able presentation of his case, even if
he has not got the best of the contro-
versy. II.