The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-04-07
Washington Letter.
Washington ID. c. March 10 1888.
Q the Editor Of Messenger.

l
The Capitol was shaken to its very
foundation by the severe thunder storm
OF a few days ago, and our Legislato rs
thought that the day OF reckoning had
come. The Senator'S were all brOu ght to
their feet by sudden thunden clay, and
in horror observed the Tightening playing
around the ceiling to their deliberative
chamber, and were SO paralized by the
scene that considerable time claped be-
fore business was resumed in its accus-
toned order.
| On the House side galleries were crow
ded, and the members below were enga-
ged in a heated debate over the eight
hour bill when suddenly the peal of
thunder and flash Of lighting brought
every member to his feet and caused the
crowds in the galleries to suddenly dis
appear. The press gallery was also qui-
ckly cleared by the ball Of fire which
played around the telegraph instruments
and cut them all off. In the rotunda,
the shock was felt more than anywhere,
else, because the massive iron dome SER
we'd as play ground for the tightening
and as sounding board so that the peO-
pie in the rOtunda ran to the doors,
thinking that the dome was falling.
Beside the fright, no injnry was done
except destroying photographic instru-
mentS, and killieg ahorse to a cab stand
ing at the Senate wing Of the building.
1t now looks as if we will without
doubt have the Congress of Nations to
consider O code Of international laws,
and mode Of arbitration to settle dis
putes which may arise between American
nations without recourse to arms, The
bill for that purpose has already pass
ed the House, and the Senate Committee
has reported favorably on it. The con-
yention will be held April /, 1889, and
will be composed of twenty-fOur delegates
from each country 70 meet in Washington.
but no nation shall have more than one
vote in the disposition Of the question.
A uniform system Of weights and mea-
sures; a common silver coin for trade |
purposes to be issued and redeemed by |
each nation, ani other important measu-
res will be acted upon by the Congress.
The House Committee on the revision
of the laws has agreed to report a joint
providing for the election of
U. S. Senator'S by direct vote of the peO-
pie, the same as members of the House
Of Representatives. The resolution may
pass the House, but the indications are
that it will never get through the Senate.
SentOr Riddleberger is still pegging g
away at his hobby for open Executive
session, and if the change does not take
place this Congress, it will not be for the
want OF persiStency on the part OF its
champion. The Senator has just offered
I resolution that the consideration of
hh Fisheries treaty be i'll open sessio Ii
md asked unanimous consent for the
immediate consideration of his resolution.
senator COckrell objected. and SO the
natter has gene over for the present.
At the International Council Of women
o be held here this week Miss Rose
'leveland is booked for an address on
he subject, why is not Women the
equal of Man." 1t will be Miss Cleve-
and's first visit to the city since the
OF her brother, and her host Of
riends here are anticipating much plea
ure from seeing her again.
The sudden death of Chief Justice
Waite has cast gloon over both social
md political life at the Nations Capital.
The death was the result Of a cold con-
racted month ago in attending the
uneral Of Miss Brown, who died while
listing the family Of the Chief Justice.
The Supreme Court convened at the usu-
Il hour Oh Friday and Justice Miller,
lie Senior Justice. after announcing the
leath Of their Chief adjourned the court
or one week The court room was crow
led and profound sorrow prevailed in the
Iuiet chamber. The Senate and House
10Th adjourned over out of respect to the
of the distinguished dead.
Tho n,,Iac Kpov, ~