Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-11-17

on the Republicans-Ben Butterworth for SpeaI<er-Other Matters of Interest. WASHINGTON Nov. 1.-The Star says: A number of the wiser heads in the Demo cratic party are counseling against any e1- fort to hold a small majority in the house. It is understood that Senators Beck and German think that the party would be bet ter in minority, and with the entire responsl- bility upon the Republicans during the next congress the Democrats will have much better chance ill the congressional campaign two years from now The idea of organiza- tion against the admission of new states into 1 the Union they are said to regard as unpop- ular and likely to be hurtful It would be better for the Democrats themselves to un- 1 dertake tine admission of some of the terri | tories this winter. It is said that the presi- | dent has expressed the opinion that 1t would be unfortunate for the Democrats to hold the house. It is entirely probable that The Stars figures, based on returns several days ago, will turn out to be correct The Repub- 1 licans will have four representatives ln Cali \ fornia three in Connecticut, all but two in Michigan, one in West Virginia and three 1n North Carolina. Taulbee's district in Ken lucky may have have gone Republican. This would make the Republican ma jority about Seven At the Republican headquarters they re fuse to give the figures, merely claiming majority. Representative Butterworth is spoken of as a candidate for the speakership of the house. A gentleman who has been asso- ciated with the Republican national commit ' tee during the campaign expressed the opin- ion to a reporter that either Butterworth or Cannon would be chosen for this place. OLIVER DoUD BYRON WANTS OAK VIEW. Oliver Doud Byron, the playwright and I, ness manager, at present ill this city, to make inquiries respecting the terms on which Oak View, the presidents country place, can be purchased. Mir. Schuyler says he has opened negotiations with MT. Lamont. The rumor that Oak View, the presidents country home, is on the market for sale, not only lacks confirmation but is denied at the White House Col. Lamont said he had not heard the president express any intention of selling the property.
 The president bought the property cheap, S21 800 being the price he paid for it. Since then the land has advanced in price, and the property would bring $10O, ,000 to-day if put on the market at auction. Every one is familiar with the wonderful advance in prop erty in this neighborhood since the president irught his place.
 Land which, four years ago, could be bought for $500 to $500 per acre now sells at from ten to twenty five cents per square foot. Careful inquiry fails to discover that any bids have been made for the property, or that the president has signifed any intention of selling.
 MARINE STATISTICS.
 Gen. Dumont, supervising inspector of steam vessels, in his annual report for the last fiscal year, says that of the ,S7S applica- tions for pilot licenses 42 were rejected on ac- count of color blindness During the year s, 425 vessels were inspected, an increase of 305 over the previous year. Thirty-six acc- dents were reported during the year-12 col 2isions, fires 5 explosions, z bursting of steam pipes and ' wrecks. Two hundred and two lives were lost on steam vessels last year, against 220 the preceding year. The aver age annual loss of life on steamboats for the last thirty years, divided in decades, shows, Gen. Dumont says, gratifying progress in the efficiency of the officers of the inspection service in carrying into effect the laws to prevent loss of life steam vessels The data in this respect furnished by his report is as follows: From 1859 to 1868, 721 lives lost annually; from 1869 to 1878, 365 lives lost annually, and from 1879 to 1883, only 213 annually.
 CONDITION OF OUR NAVY.
 Chief Constructor Wilson, of the navy in his annual report of the operations of his bureau during the past fiscal year, shows an expenditure of SSS5, ,349 in the repair of ships and payments account of vessels in course of construction during the year amounting to S, ,266, 195. The present strength of oul navy and the condition of the vessels is sum marized follows: Five double turrettec monitors, awaiting completion; 3 beltec cruisers, preparing ways; 13 single turrettec monitors, in ordinary; B unarmored stee and iron vessels, of which are in comms sion, Il building repairing, on station and 1 in ordinary; 2S wooden steam vessels nearly all on station or undergoing repairs and Il iron and wood steam tugs.
 INAUGURAL PREPARATIONS
 A. T. Britton, chairman of the inaugura tion committee, appointed J. w. Thompson as member of the executive committee He appointed also L. P. Wright as chair man of the committee public comfor and member of the executive committee A. s. Pratt was appointed a member of tn inaugural committee and James E. Bel superintendent of the letter carriers div sion of the postoffice, as chairman of tn committee in charge of the comfort at tn inaugural ball. MT. Britton has invited tn various gentlemen appointed to meet tn evening
 The officers of the First Pennsylvania reg inent arrived to obtain information rt specting quarters.
 A THREATENED INVASION.
 Prominent officials in the war departmer and at the headquarters of the army plac but little credence in the story that ,OC young Kansans will invade Oklahoma on tl 1st of February next The general impre sion is that the resurrected movement
 gotten up solely for the purpose of forcin congress to pass the Oklahoma bill durir the first month of the approaching sessio If, however, congress should not pass tl bill and the "boomers" enter the territor there will be trouble. The Fifth and Sevent cavalry practically on the ground, al only presidential proclamation would necessary to bring the two opposing fore into collision with each other.
 EXPERT MONEY COUNTERS ARE SCARCE.
 The president has approved a recommend fion made by the civil service commissit
 revoking the part of the civil service rul
 providing for the appointment upon no
 competitive examination of seventeen cler