River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
from our regular correspondent
Washington, Oct. ii 80.

Washington, Oct. IL 80.
The President has given a great deal
of his time this week to the $4,000
Knights Templars and their friends
who are attending the twenty fourth
triennial conclave of that organiza-
ton. On Tuesday he reviewed the
mammoth parade, the largest of its
kind that ever took place. Wednes-
day evening he gave the Templars and
their lady friends special reception
at the White House, which was at
tended by about $4,000 people. The
President and Mrs. Harrison were as
sisted 10y Mrs. Secretary Window,
Mrs. Attorney General Miller, Mrs.
Secretary Noble and Mrs. Secretary
Rusk. The White House grounds
we've beautifully illuminated with col
ored electric lights. Besides these
formal occasions the President has
held informal receptions every day.
Politics have been laid aside this
week by democrats as well as
republicans and all have devoted their
entire attention to entertaining the
strangers within our gates, and the
consequence is the Knights and their
friends are loud in their praises of
Washington hospitality and the num-
Der of earnest workers for Washing
ton as the place for holdinging the
Worlds Exposition of 1892 has been
increased by thousands.
Secretary Proctor returned to the
city Yesterday. lie took part with the
Vermont veterans Ia the ceremonies
on the battle field of Gettysburg We'd
nesday.
Secretary Tracy has issued an order
directing the contractors to deliver
the gun boat Petrol at the Norfolk
navy yard for acceptance by the Gov
eminent.
The president had a strange caller
this week in the person of "A merchant
all the way from Morocco, who came
to complain of unjust Imprisonment at
the hands of United States consul.
The appearance of the merchant at
tired i'll a white tOga and red fez at
tracted much attention.
Private Secretary Halford continues
unwell. 1t has been found necessary
TO perform very painful surgical OPP
Grafton upon him, which it is hoped
will give him relief. Under the most
favorable circumstances it will be
some time before he can resume his
active duties. If the operation does
not afford the relief expected he will
resign. If he should be compelled to
resign there will be deep regret here,
where he has made so many friends.
The Swiss government has made an
explanation and rendered an apology
for the imprisonment of a citizen of
Baltimore who was recently travelling
in Switzerland. No complaint had
been made to the State department,
the apology was voluntary on the part
of the Swiss.
Much uneasiness was created in
political circles, particularly among
the democrats, early this week by a
report that the veteran congressman,
samuel j. Randall, was dangerously
III. Later reports contradicted it and
stated that Mr.. Randall would be in
Washington in a few weeks. The loss
of Mr.. Randall would be an irrepara'
BILE one to the democrats in the House
of Representatives.
Mrs. Gen. Logan's reception to the
Knight Templars last night was the
largest private reception ever held
here. Calumet Place, the family resi-
dence of the Logans, was a blaze OF
lights inside aud out and the spacious
grounds covered by immense canopies
looked like fairyland, with tropical
plants and colored lanterns thickly
scattered around. Mrs. Logan cOnsid-
cred the reception d tribute to the
memory OF her husband, who was an
enthusiastic knight.
The local G. A. Il. posts have taken
up the question of removing the re-
mains of Gen. Grant from New York
to Arlington cemetery. Resolutions
have been adopted in favor of the re-
moval, and these resolutions are to be
sent for Endorsement, to every post in
the United States. If there is any
thing like unanimity among the G.. A,
r. people in favor of the removal it is
almost certain to be made.
A large body of Knights Templars
made a pilgrimage to Mount Vernon
Wednesday and held an impressive
service at the tomb of Washington
who was an honored member of the
order.
New York and Pennsylvania have
the largest representation among the
Knight Templars here.