Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-12-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular lCorrcsPOndent.lI
WASHINGTON. ID. @. Nov 93d. 1SSr

WASHINGTON, ID. C., Nov. 23d, 1880.
Yesterday was the day Of ex-Presi-
dents Arthur's funeral, and all of the
Executive Departments were closed
and the clerks had holiday. The United
States Supreme Court adjourned from
Friday until Tuesday for the same
reason. All of the public buildings in
Washington are draped in black for the
dead ex-President and flags are display
ed at half mast. President Cleveland
and several members of his cabinet at
tended the funeral and Congress was re-
presented bya committee of Senators
and Representatives.
Since the black draperies have been
hung on the front portico of the White
House, the President and Mrs. Cleve-
land take their carriage at the south
entrance when they go out for drive,
and all the projected gayeties at the
Executive Mansion will be postponed
for the thirty days of mourning. Then
the black bunting will he taken down
and folded up and laid away to do SER
vice again at the death of the next high
official of the Government, and the gay
social season will begin.
The custom of shutting down on pub
lie work, and turning fifteen thousand
employees loose whenever President,
ex-President, Cabinet officer or ex-
Cabinet officer happens to die, is
questionable way of showing respect to
the distinguished dead. 1t is q picnic
for the clerks and q time for congratu-
lation and they would be glad to multi
ply by a hundred fold the occasions of
public sorrow that give them day off
and out. There is no doubt that the
custom would be more honored in the
breach than in the observance, but it is
one of those things that long line of
precedent has established and it would
be difficult to decide where or with
whose demise it should end.
President Cleveland has been much
displeased at efforts to get him to inter-
fere in the now widely discussed
Washington Police scandal. He does
not feel, in the present condition of af-
fairs, that he would be warranted in
taking hold of the matter, although the
time may come when he may be called
upon to take some action. The Presi-
dent is still deeply absorbed with the
preparation of his message, and al
though he is subjected to some unavoid-
able Interruptions, the approaches to
him are closely guarded.
The Presidents appointment of Mr.. |
Fulton as Paymaster General of the
Navy was very gratifying to naval
officers, and his appointment of COL |
Moore as Surgeon General of the Army |
was received with satisfaction among
officers of the Army.
The regular Army officers who have
been examining the militia of the
States and Territories have reported
commencing the efficiency of the re-
Spective organizations. They think,
however, that the armed militia of the
country would be doubled if Congress
would appropriate annually q much
arger sum to be distributed among the
states for improved arms and accoutre-
nents. In the latter case it is estimat-
"a that the militia would consist ofI
0O,OOO well drilled men, who could be
allied into active service at moments
otice, and who would be almost as
Elective at the outset of a war, as the
egular Army.
Many conventions and associations
lore than hefore-want to come to
Washington during the next year. The
atlonal Grange has decided to hold all
lture meetings of that order in Wash
lgton, and committee has been ap-
olnted to take measures for the erec-
on of a suitable building here for its
ficers and its sessions.
Soon after Congress meets there will
a large gathering of notabilities here
discuss the proposed Exposition at
'ashington in 1889 and 90. And later .,
ere is to be a convention of an a.
ucational character which will at h'
act good many people. 1t will be d'
the interest of Federal aid to com a'
On schools and will be composed of Il
lool superintendents from the various &C
ates and Territories. ~
1t has been proposed that each State IL,
the Union shall erect in this city d ri,
ndsome building to be used ~ u tt'
tie headquarters, and perhaps as y, ~
idence for the Senators of the respec- ee
e States. The plan, which is likely eli
be carried out some time, would sci
we a great convenience to each State, ~. ~.
| would add much TO the grandeur pr
he National Capital. sir
tn