The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1888-03-30
WASHINGTON LETTER,

company with the severest blizzard of
the winter. Boreas gave 1t such shak-
ing mp as 1t has not seen for years.
Not only We're telegraph poles and
wires blown down, but wagons and I
horses were overturned and trees torn I
up by the roots all over the city. OF
the latter some were large and had I
stood the storms of nearly half a eentu-
ry.
The storm, by the way, has given |
fresh life to the demand for under
ground wires as opposed to aerial tele-
graph lines. General Greely of the |
Signal office said he hoped this storm !
would carry conviction to Congress
that the overhead wires ought TO be
abolished, except perhaps for local
work
A strong plea will be made for UNI
derground wires when the Govern
ment once decides to establish the con-
templated postal telegraph system
The expenditure would be very great
at first, of course, but in few years
the money saved from the cost of re-
pairs would more than amount to the
original outlay, so many think. The
only wire in this city which withstood
the storm wes an Underground Postal
telegraph line running to Baltimore.
Again this week the Senate was
/ treated to batch of petitions praying
I for prohibition in the .Bistrict of Col
umbia. Although no action has been
/ taken on the local option question
here it is understood that several mem
/ bers Of the Senate District Committee
have that subject under consideration,
and that variety of plans have been
suggested There is strong senti-
ment in favor OF making every adult
/ resident of Washington. both male and
female, eligible to vote upon the ques-
ton.
/ It is aIao urged that the question
shall be 80 presented that il the verdict
of the people is not in favor of prohibit
ton they may have an opportunity to
state what solution of the liquor ques-
ton they prefer. Another question
under consideration is as to whether
z
to decrease the number of saloons
sh 9uld De taken, pending the proposed
popular vote.
The latest tariff bill introduced in
the House, was Mr.. Randall's revenue
bill, upon which he has been at work
and has employed the efforts OF tariff
experts for many mongths- It strikes
out the tobacco tax, reduces the whis-
ky tax, and makes but small change in
custom duties. The republican lea
ders do not admit that they like it.
They will not say that they intend to
adopt it. The majority Of the demo-
eraIs ridicule it.
There IS determined effort on the
part Of the large cigar manufactures
to prevent any repeal or reduction of
the tax on cigars. Petitions TO this
end are received every morning in the
! House and referred to the ways and
means Committee. They claim that
the trade will be seriously affected by
= repeal or reduction OF the tax, and
that the wages Of the working men
viii be decreased in consequence.
Among Senatorial speeches Of the
week may be mentioned that Of Mr..
/ Colquitt, Of Georgia, highly indorsing
the Presidents tariff message; that Of
4 Senator Beck on the decentralization of
silver; Senator Dolph's protection
speech, declaring the tariff bill prepar-
ed by the democratic majority Of the
Ways and Means Committee to be de
I tstructive to every industrial interest on
! the Pacific coast. Senator Allison tri-
ed to bring the Undervalution bill to a
vote. and Senator Sawyer spoke in be
:. half Of early action on private pension
bills.
The evangelization Of Washington
has been begun in earnest. it would
seem. by some Of the Christian wor-
kers Of the female sex.
On last Sunday afternoon the dirty
windows Of the dingy old police court
room lighted ar unwonted scene. A
card on the railing in front of the
building announced the Woman &
Christian Temperance Union would
hold Gospel meeting there at 3
O'Clock. When the ladies entered and
began the services quite crowd gath
cred to listen to them
Bishop Paret confirmed thirty-four
people at Ascension church on last
Sunday. When they walked up to
the chancel among their nurlber was a
single Chinaman, the first of the race
to unite with a Christian church in
/ Washington. He was one of the pu
i pills Of the Chinese Sunday school
. which has been in operation at that
church for over year. He united
with the other candidates in the sol
] enn renewed Of the baptismal vows
. and kneeled at the chancel rail be
; tween manly looking young Ameri
, can and q young girl dressed in pur,
white.
Patents granted to citizen Of the Pa
cifc States during the past week anc
i reported expressly for this paper by C
e a. Snow & Co, Patent lawers, Wash
: ington D. G:
z LII. Bergendahl, Pendleton Oreg
: Snow Plow. ". NJ. Bours, Stockton
Cal. Map. T. W. Brann, san Francis
co Cal. Switch for electric Iirat circuit