Fergus County argus., 1888-03-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
[From Our Regular Corrcspondent.l
WAsuIxGTON, Feb. 81, 1883.

WAsliINGToN, Feb. 81, 1883.
The national capital has known next to
nothing about the rest of the world for the
past few days in consequence of the storm
which visited il in company with the most
severe blizzard Of the winter. Bpreas gave
il such shaking up ms it has not seen Tor
years. Not only were telegraph poles and
wires blown down, but horses and wagoas
were overturned and trees torn up by the
roots all over the city. Oi the latter some
were large and had stood the storms OF
nearly half century. The storm, by the
way, has given fresh life tn the demand for
underground wires as opposed to aerial
selegraph lines. Genera. Greeley of the sig
nal Office said he hoped this storm would
larry conviction to congress that the over
head wires ought to he abolished, except
perhaps for local work. A strong plea will
be made for underground wires when the
government once decides to establish the
contemplated postal telegraph system.
The expenditures would be very great at
first, of course. but in few years the
money saved from the cost Of repairs
would more than amount to the original
outlay, SO many think. The only wire in
| this city which withstood the storm was
an underground postal telegraph line run
ming to Baltimore.
Again ih- week the senate was treated
to IL batch Of petitions praying for pro
hibition in the District Of Columbia. Al
| though no action has been taken ON the
local option question here. it is understand
| that several members Of the senate district
committee have that slbject under con-
sid,rgtion, and that variety Of plans
have been suggested. T..erc Is Il strong
sentiment in favor of maxim. every adult
resident of Washington, both male and
female, elgablc to vote upon the question.
Ii il also urged that the question shall be
50 presented that il the verdict "fthe people
is not in favor of prohibition they may
have an opportu.ity To state what solu-
tion OF the liquor question they may prefer.
| Another question under consideration L.
as to whether high license legislation of
other action to decrease the number al
saloons or remove the worst features oi
the present system should he taken, pend
ing the proposed popular vote.
The latest tariff bill introduced in tn,
house WAS Mr.. Randall's revenue bill, upon
which he has been at work and has en-
ploycI the efforts of tariff experts for many
months. II strikes out the tobacco tax
reduces the whiskey tax, and makes but
small change in custom duties. The repub
lican leaders do not admit that they lik.
it. They will not say that they intend t.
adopt it. The majority Of the democrats
ridicule it. There is II determined effort OF
the part of the large cigar mantiactu urerr
| to prevent any repeal or reduction oil tn,
tax ON cigars. Petitions to this end ar,
received every morning in the house ant
referred to the ways and means committee
They claim that the trade will he scriOusl
affected by u repeal or reduction ofthe tn X
and that the wages of the workingnen vii
he decreased in consequence.
Among senatorial speeches of the weel
may he mentioned that of Nr. tolquitt, u
Georgia, highly indorsing the president
tariff message; that 81 Senator Deck, oi
the decentralization Of silver; senate
Dolph's protection speech, declaring th
, tariff bill prepared by the democratic ma
ioriiy of the ways and means rointnitte
to be destructive to every Industrial IN
terrst on the Pacific coast. senator All
son tried To bring up the undcrvnluatio
bill to Il vote, aud senator sawyer spok
in behalf of early action on the privat
pension bills.
The evangelvatiou of Washington ha
been begun In earnest, it would seem, D.
some Of the thristia ian workers of the icmnl
sex. on last sunday afiernoon the dirt
windows of the dnsy old police court rooI
lighted an unwoutcd scene. \ rlncarl o
the railing in front of the hn,ldins al
| nounced that the Woman = Christian Ten
perancc Union would hold a tiospt meetin
there at 3 O'Clock. When the ladies eI
tered and began the services quite II lar
> crowd gathered to listen To them.
Bishop Parct confirmed thirty-four pee