The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-03-29
Correspondence FLoRIDIAN.l
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON, D. c., March %, 49,
March sd, 1885

Editors Foridian The introduction of Mr..
Rlairs bill to give preference in appointments to
disabled ex-Confederate soldiers over ex-Confed-
crate civilians came like abombshell in the Sen
ate. The bill originated with himself and was q
surprise to both sides of the chamber. Mr.. Plat
objected to its being referred to q committee and
called for the yeas and nays That gave rise to
q debate which was participated In by Messrs.
Plat, Hawley, Manjerson and Hoar on the Re
publican side, and Hampton, Daniel and George
on the Democratic. The Democratic Senators,
while acknowledging the kindness and benevo-
lence that prompted Mr.. Blair TO introduce the bill,
stated that no ex-Confederate soldier had asked
the D. g. Government for any such discrimina-
ton, nor desired it. Senator Hawley compl-
mented Mr.. Daniel for his manly and states
manlike speech, which was well deserved The
bill lies ver.until tomorrow.
A resolution introduced in the House to set
aside certain days for the consideration of bills
reported by the Committee on Labor caused a
lively scene 1t was opposed by Mr.. Rogers, Of
Arkansas. He said that the appropriation and
tariff bills were yet 10 come, In which the peo-
pie were more interested than in any bill
over which the Labor Committee had
jurisdiction. Mr.. ONeill, of Missouri. replied
II will tell these gentlemen that you have talk
cd out this morning hour and have accomplished
your purpose and have simply been the tool
used for that purpose" Mr.. Rogers demanded
that these words be taken down and they were
read. The Speaker declared Mr.. ONeill out of
order, and Mr.. Cox threw oil on the troubled
~. fpcvv,
souri, be allowed to proceed in order. have
never seen the House In such an uproar three
fourths of the members were standing, most of
them IN the aisle In front OF the Speaker, and 1t
was some time before order was restored. Mr.
O'Neill then withdrew any remarks that were
considered personal and continued his speech
The Houseilabored all day and only passed two
bills.
There IL an order here OF the Little Sisters OF
the Poor, who beg daily for food for aged people
under their care. The 10Th of March il st..
Joseph's Day, their patron saint, and 1t is cele-
brated by least to the old people contributed
by the charity Of persons high in official life.
The old folks being seated at the table were
waited on by the ladies aud gentlemen in attend
ance with long white aprons on. The French Min
| lister was chief waiter on the old men, and Mrs.
Fairchild. the wife of the Secretary of the Treas
ury, assisted by Madam Bonaparte and Misses
Evarts Merrick and others did the honors for the
old women. The colored people were attended by
| Mrs. Admiral Franklin and others Mrs. Sena-
| tor Stanford presented them with both oranges
and tobacco and snuff enough TO keep them
| sneezing for a year. -Four old negro women
| danced Virginia reel much 10 the amusement
Of their patrons, the fiddler being an old colored
man. The old men sang Way down upon the
Suwannee River" with an ACCORDION accom-
paniment
In 1868 Congress passed law making eight
hours days work for all employees of the gov
eminent. I. seems that II has been violated for
twenty years, and now bill has been introduced
to give laborers the right to refer to the Court Of
Claims their accounts for adjustment. Mr.. Till
man, Of South Carolina, who opposed It said II
would involve an expenditure Of 90, O0e, 900.
The bill goes over until the 18th OF April.
Twas 10 the House gallery last Wednesday A
Democratic member was making speech on the
Labor bill when very vivid fash Of iightning.ac-
companied with terrific peal ofthunder, startled
the House and many faces seemed bianchsd with
fear; the member stopped speaking and did not
resume hts remarks ior ave minutes. The light
ming struck The Senate wing Of the Capitol and
destroyed the telegraph instruments Of the Asso-
ciated Press in the rsportef's gallery. II killed
. horss attached y . cab in lfont Of the Senate
wing. The Judges q ths Suprsms Court ware
- ssasslsd tAst hey rose from their ssats.
The tariff blll WIN be reported 10 the House