The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-02-13
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE
WASHINGTON,
Feb. 6, 1889. !

Feb. 6, 1889. !
EDITOR DEMOCRAT
Winter seems to have set in in ear
nest. The winter here so far has beer
as mild and balmy as spring, but {
cold snap in all its glorious frigidit!
has just arrived, and the Weather Blu
reau even go so far as to say that this
is only starter.
Washington is rapidly becoming the
city of conventions. During the pas
few months there have been nnmbe,
of conventions of all descriptions, from
Woman's Suffrage up, the one this
week being the Shipping League
which has for its object to protect and
build up Americas Marine Commerce
Everything concerning the insugu.
ration is on the rush, and SO far all the
committees deserve a great deal OF
credit for what they have accomplish
ed Congress has passed resolution
authorizing the Secretaries of War
and Navy to lend flags to the commit
tee to decorate the ball room. The
ball room is receiving a fresh coat of
paint; the tile floor is to be given fine
polish and very soon the court will as
snme a very picturesque appearance.
The tickets, invitations, and pro-
gramme have been received, and the
tickets placed on sale in various
places. There will be few compli.
mentary tickets but the exact number
cannot be ascertained at present. A,
the last ball there were eighty two
such tickets given out; this year it is
believed there will be less number
Congress is unusually busy this
week, and to get some of the matters
off has found it necessary to have sew.
eral nj gilt sessions. The Samoan af.
fair seems to be the leading topic OF
discussion at the Capitol, and mum,
Der of resolutions have been framed
intended to settle matters, but as each
man seems to have his own little
scheme, little has been done. 1t has
been stated by quito reliable parties
that Germany has REALLY assumed con-
troll Of the Islands and has gone so far
as to search American vessels. When
this news was received it created qnite
stir in Congress and fresh 10: of
resolutions was the result. Late last
week the President sent message to
Congress to the effect that Germany
had ordered her consul to remove the
German troops from Samoan soil and
to cease all German interference.
The tradition treaty between America
and England was called up in the
Senate last week and was subjected to
a rigorous criticism. By this treaty
England would be allowed to reclaim
all her criminals, and America the
same, hut the majority seem to think
that it would be abused by England.
1t has been cut down considerable and
will, in all probability, be rejected.
The opposition is general, and not in
the least partisan.
The Agricultural Department has
been raised to Cabinet position and
now Mr.. Harrison will lie heset with a
new difficulty to find the man he wants.
Cabinet speculations are knocked in
the head by Senator Allison's refusal
of the Treasury portfolio. 1t is gen
orally believed that this position will
60 to Western man.
Our ministers to England, France,
Germany and Russia, will hereafter he
called Ambassadors, the Senate hav-
ing decided by very close vote that
the interests of America would be bet
ter served by the change; the salary
was also increased to support the new
born dignity.
The Oklahoma Territorial bill
passed the house. An appropriation
of $4,000 is to be made by Congress
for a pedestal and site of Gen. Sheri.
dams Statue.
Society has been fairly lively this
week. The charity ball, which is the
largest and most select public ball,
took place last week. The President
and Mrs. Cleveland, and all the nota
hles were present, the entire affair
being of the highest order.
T. r. r