Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-02
STARTLING But NOT TRUE.
A Rumor That Blaine Had Stroke
of Paralysis.
DENIED BY HIS SECRETARY.
An Attack of Lumbn 20 the Only Foun.
dation for the Story-Comp-
troller Lacey Takes the
Oath of Office.
WASHINGTON BUREAU, TIE OMAHA BEE,
5l3 FouRTgsSra SrReEL
WASnINGrON. ID. @. MnX l.

WASHINGTON BUREAU, THE OMAHA BEE,
5l3 FouRTgESra SrREer,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., May |. '
"It is reported here that Secretary Blaine
has had stroke of paralysis
The ABOVE startling words came by wire
from New York this morning, and when
known in official circles created quite a flutter
OF excitement. Mr.. Blaine was at that mo-
ment quietly reclining in his room at the
Normande.
"Make the denial so positive" said his pri
vate secretary, when shown the dispatch,
"that the story can go no further. There is
not the least truth in it.. Mr.. Blaine suffers
from lumbago and has been suffering from it
for week. but is being relieved rapidly. He
has had nothing that even was remindful of
paralysis, and will be at his desk in a day or
two.n
Mr.. Blane's bloodless color and ths.fact
that he was not well enough to enjoy attend
ing the celebration in New York has caused
"A few of his friends, after seeing him this
week to refer to his health in rather alarm.
ing words. He is quite as well as usual, and
WILL barring unexpected misfortune, be at
his official desk years hence Aside from the
sensational story about MIR. Blaine, th ere
was little going TO make the day different
from Monday and Tuesday. The white
house was open and all was in readiness for
the return of the president tonight, but no
official business was transacted and few Wis
itors were seen.
A telegram was received during the day
from.Private Secretary Halford stating that
the inhabitants of the white house would get
back home about 10: 80.
Rain continued to pour as if the elements
were religiously bound to complete the
record of the almost continuous rainfall for
the entire week. 1t was just u week ago
that it began to rain, and the only cessation
was on Monday for u few hours. During
the past eighteen DAYS the fall of rain was
9.13 inches or 81 inches over the average of
April. This evening il cleared, and old Sol
disappeared bchiud cloudless horizon.
The streets aud avenues are walls of YER
dure and the parks are flower beds.
BUSY oLARKsoN.
There was no cessation in the activity
around Assistant Postmaster-G General Clark
sons room. He continued to receive dele
Cations examine applications and to write
the cheerful word appoint" or shake his
head in refusal. There was great deal
more writing than head shaking however.
The rush for changes in the fourth class
postoffices is pretty nearly over The bulk
of the changes on account of partisanship
have been made. Those for fragrant Incom-
potency have also been made to a large de-
gree. The knotty questions and complicated
contests are being taken up.
RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE.
''By tomorrow morning hope to have my
index made up and to be able to tell what
has been DONE Till then, have curiosity
as we'll as an anxiety to know the result of
the work done within the past two weeks" !"
said Superintendent Bell, of the railway
mail service. ~ think about all the changes
necessary to make the service efficient and
satisfactory to the people have been made.
but if not, decapitatious will continue. The
civil service commission can furnish us
postal clerks now. Inasmuch as the great
bulk of them put in of late are the old repub-
be better from the very start, and l have ln
augIrated new systems for making up the
mails on trains going into large cities, by
which it will be sorted ready for the carrier
delivery as soon as it arrives at the post
Offices, which will make the distribution
more rapid and satisfactory" few con-
gressmen who have been waiting to have
changes made are fearful that their demands
have not been attended to, but when the re-
suits are known it will be seen that all the
changes were made with view to improving
the service, Superintendent Bell has per-
formed wonderful work.
TOOK THE OATH.
Comptroller Of the Currency Lacey, of
Michigan took the oath, assumed the duties
of his Office and was introduced to his en-
ployes. While this was in progress the new
chief clerk, Brackett, who had just returned
from New York, was dismissing five watch
men of the treasury and installing as many
republicans. a. G. Toner the new appoint
terror, was at the same time assuming his
official robes.
AN IMAGINATIVE CRANK.
At the war department an incident oc-
CURED which furnished spice for the day. A
serious-looking man, of middle life entered
the secretary's office and announced to Acting
Secretary Bennett that he was the secretary
of war, and took Mr.. Proctor's seat and
began issuing orders for the appintment and
dismissal of employees. 1t was Immediately
discovered that he was the same man who
| yesterday appointed himself major of the
police and usnrped the Office of Major Moore,
now in New York, and he was taken to the
| Third precinct station, where he will be eX-
| amined for insanity.
ARMY MATTERS.
Charles W. Cramer, a private Of the hos
| pital corps located at Fort NioDrara, is trans
| ferred to Fort Sidney by direction of the
secretary of war, ana Private Louis Martin,
| of the hospital corps now at Fort Sidney, is
| transferred to Fort Laramie, Wyoming, and
| will be sent TO that post, reporting upon his
| arrival to the commanding officer for duty.
Furloughs to non commissioned officers of
| the general staff and enlisted men acting as
| such may be granted by post commander
| for seven days-in case of an emergency
| only, and by department commander for
| one month. Applications for furloughs for a
| longer period must be referred TO the adju-
| tant-general for the decision of the secretary
| OF war. PERRR S. HEATH.