The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-02-18
From Washington. News Notes.
Special to The Carbon ApvncArr.

special 10 Jne CARBoN ADVOCATE.
WASHINGTON d. C.. Feb. 18Th. 1888
Mr.. EDIToR: The question as to whether
Statisican Dodge of the Agricultural Depart.
ment is to go or not to go, seems likely tc
become one Of the natioral issues. His re.
signation has been demanded By the lead
ing tobacco men of the country, and others,
and petitions have been received from the
Cotton Exchange and Produce Exchange
Of New York, asking for his retention.
Communications are being received daily
from various sections of the country both
for and against the measure, and between
the two fires the Commissioner of Agricul-
ture finds himself at loss as TO the proper
course to pursue. The Commissioner says
that he considers the position as one of the
most important under the government, and
that he will be in no haste in taking action,
but will carefully consider the complaints
that have been made against MIR. Dodge
before either, asking for his resignation OF
deciding to retain him.
Society is availing itself of the few days
that are left to it before the advent of the
lenten season, and "events" follow one an.
other in such bewildering confusion that l;
is quite impossible to even keep an accurate
account of them. The reception given on
Thursday evening last by the President
and Mrs. Cleveland, TO the officers of the
Army and Navy was the most numerously
attended of all the card receptions whose
brilliancies have adorned the social pano.
rama Of the season.
Times have been lively in both houses OF
Congress during the week. In the Senate
Mr. Riddleberges has repeatedly insisted
upon discussing matters in open session
which IL had been decided to discuss only
In executive session, and although he was
each time suppressed as expeditiouly as
possible, it was not until after he had favor
ed the newspaper men with cherished Sec
rets of the star-chamber which were never
designed for the public ear. Were it moi
for the fact that Mr.. Riddleberger occupie:
position in which his vote upon party
question may frequently turn the tide ir
favor of either party it is probable that 8
motion would be made to expel him from
the Senate.
There is to be held in this city on the
25th of March notable gathering of womer
under the auspices of the National Wo
mans Suffrage Association, and the Con
vention is to be an International affair
and viii! mark the fortieth anniversary o.
the suffrage movement. 1t is expected
that representatives will be present from
France, Germany, Denmark, England ant
other foreign countries. The congress will
last week and papers will be read BY
Helen Taylor, Susan B. Anthony, Mrs
Stanton, Mrs. Frank Leslie, Mrs. Gag,
and numerous others.
| A most determined effort is being made
by the representatives of the McDonougf
and GRAY telephone interests to set aside
the Bell patents. The contest is being con
Quoted before the Commissioner of Patent.
and the motion made by the contestinl
parties. is that an interference be declared
between the Bell patents and the applica
tions of McDonough and Gray. Should th,
motion prevail patents will be granted tt
the consestants which will continue til,
monopoly for an additional period OF seven
teen years. Among the prominent attor
neys present at the hearing, were ex-Sena
| tor Conkling and Col. r. G. Ingersoll.