Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-03-11
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
How the Warlike RumorS from
 Samoa Are Received.
NOTHING POSITIVE OBTAINABLE.

Should the News Be Confirmed an Early l. Converting of the Fifty-first Congress Is Probable "A Cheering Crop Report. Statistics of the Inauguration.
 WASHINGTON, March 11.-During the past week there has been talk of an early conven- ing of the Ffty-ist coasS,ss. It is not un- likely that Prcsi lent Harrison would call congress together shoul1 the reports from Samoa prove 10 be correct. The executive departments havo not yet received anything to change their opinions respecting the reported engagement between the German steamer Olga and the United | States steamer Nipsic at Apin, Samoa. The reports from San Francisco d'd not create much excitement at the capital, as people | here who are interested in the matter are ia l miliar with the fact that, Geographically | speaking, Washington is neaser than San Francisco to the Samoan Iiands Eiitors of all the principal papers directed their core spondentS to interview public officers on the situation; but there was nothing but negative matter obtainable, an the situation here cannot change unt.i soma official intelligence is received at ether the state or navy depart ment. It is known at tine latter department that four German ironc.als saled from Ge- noa, Italy, for Samoa some eight or ten days ago. It is expected that these vessels will require at least sixty days to make the voy- age. Speaking on Samoan affairs, gentleman familiar with the country and its customs said that if tho commander Of the Olga fired on the Samoan troops from the harbor of Apia it could only he done by firing directly over the neutral territory, where ths Ameri- cans live and have property; that the com. mander of the N!psic would naturally feel justified under these circumstances in pro- testing and in following the protest, if disre garded, by action and that his protest would say that shot from the Olga over the neu- tral territory, endangering the lives and property of the Americans, would be regard ed as an act of hostility toward this country. Another reason for making the protest and following it up would be that he has received news from this country and knew what pub lie sentiment hero was. He would also know of the approach of Admiral Kimberly with endorsements. The American naval officers at Apia have been subjected to many humil- iations and are hke.y to welcome the opPRr tunity to revenge themselves. They are men of spirit, and the fact that the Olga was twice as big as the Nipsic would in the opin- ion of the gentleman, be rather an argument for than against the probability of the report.
 CHEERING CROP REPORTS.
 The signal office weekly weather crop bull letin reports the weather conditions for the past week and season favorable throughout the central valleys and southern states. The season is well advanced and farm work is i'll progress from Texas to Minnesota and Da- kota. Notwithstanding the deficiency of moisture in the winter wheat regions the re- ports indicate that the weather in that sec t~Ix spring wheat section the ground is reported in fine condition, and sowing is ill progress ill Dakota and Nebraska. Reports from Ten nessee, Arkansas and the gulf states show that the weather has been favorable for farm work which is well advanced, and crops are in good condition.
 The season is a few days later than usual in the South Atlantic states, where the weather has been cool and the ground moist. The ground is covered with snow over the greater portion of New England and New York, while the crops have been exposed in New Jersey ana Pennsylvania, but reports indicate that wheat in these states has not been materially injured.
 THE CROWDS AT THE INAUGURAL.
 According to calculations just completed by the management of the Pennsylvania Rail road company there were l05, 900 excursion ists including the public, the organizations and the military, delivered in Washington between noon of the 1st and 4th of March For the conveyance of this number of per sons it required 210 trains of ten cars each, with an average of fifty persons to each car. All the trains were in sections and in many cases the number of sections to given train reached ten. This involved a continuous stream of crowded cars entering the station at intervals of a few minutes, discharging their messengers, and being shifted out to make room for the incoming current. All the trains were moved promptly and no acci- dent of any character occurred to mar the success of the work. No unavoidable delay was experienced, but under the strict rules governing the operators of the block system there were, perhaps, here hnd there delays, which safety necessitated Q line of track filled to repletlon with long trains of crowded cars
 CONGRESSMAN TowNSHEND's FUNERAL The arrangements for the funeral of the late Congressman Townshend, who died Saturday, have not yet been completed, but 1t is probable that the funeral will take place here tomorrow from St. Matthew's church and the Rev. Chappell will officiate. The in. terment will be in the Congressional cemetery
 IMPORTANT NOMINATIONS
 It is expected that number of important nominations will be sent to the senate today The list of names to be sent i'll is being very carefully guarded at the executive mansion It is believed that among the nomination! will be that of Walker Blaine, to be assistani secretary of state.
 THE POOR WILL BENEFIT
 By vote of the inaugural executive com mittee its surplus, $25, 900, will be invested in real estate security through the Distric commissioners, and the interest expended il relieving the poor people in and about thu capital city.
 COL. FRED GRANT AND THE CHINESE MISSION
 It is generally conceded that Col. Free Grant will be minister to China. delega tion headed by George w. Childs, A. J Drexel and Postmaster General Wanamake asked the president to make this appoint ment, and he intimated to them that h would do so.
 ASSISTANT SECRETARY BATCHELLER
 Gen. George s. Batcheiler, of Saratoga, Re publican leader in the assembly and adheren of Warner Miller has been selected by tn