Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-02-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.
rom Our Special Correspondent.


awful calamity which resulted in the death
of the wife and daughter Of Secretary Tracy
on Monday, that he has not made any at
tempt to look after public matters this week.
The funeral of Mrs. and Miss Tracy took
place Wednesday in the East room of the
White House, and the impressiveness of the
scene, when Secretary Tracy broke down and
Mr.. Harrison with his arm affectionately
around him and the tears streaming down
his own cheeks, tried 10 comfort the bereaved
husband and father, will never be forgotten
by those who witnessed it. Mr.. Harrison
never appeared in better light than at that
moment. Secretary Tracy, who made mar
row escape from death himself. is for the
present living at the White House.
Senator MorrilPs recent speech has opened
the eyes Of everybody to the immediate need
Of a number Of new Government buildings in
this city. Congressman were surprised to
learn that quarters are rented by the Govern
ment in forty-six different places in Washing
ton and that $IaI, 900 is annually paid out
for rents, to say nothing Of the crowded con-
dition of the White House, the Patent office,
the Post-offce department, and the Govern
ment Printing office. The last place is the
worst of all; it has been pronounced dan
gerous by a board of expert builders;
unhealthy ..nd badly overcrowded by physi-
clans, and the workers IN it are in constant
fear from fire. The feeling in Congress
seems to be in favor Of erecting the necessary
public buildings to transact the public bust
ness without having to rent from private
parties. The feeling seems particularly
strong in favor of building new Government
printing Office, that shall be worthy of hous-
ing the largest printing establishment in the
world.
The investigation Of the Ohio ballot box
forgeries was resumed by the House CON-
mittee this week. Governor Campbell and
Editor Murat Halstead proved very interest
ing witnesses, both of them being at times
questioned by Ex-Governor Foraker, who
closely follows the proceedings, and who
seems to think that Wood is not the only
rascal connected with the case.
Superstitious people are calling attention
to the history of the old Seward mansion,
which Mr.. Blaine's family moved into last
fall. 1t has for many years been called an
unlucky house, and the death of Mr.. Blaine
son and daughter within month has streng-
thened that idea in the superstitious mind.
The resignation of First deputy Commits
sioner of Pensions Smith has been accepted
TO take effect, March sth. 1t was generally
expected that Mr.. Smith would 60 last fall
He acted as Commissioner from the time Mr..
Tanner left the office until Gen. Raum was
appointed to succeed him. He was also
among those re-rated.
Senator Plumb has introduced bill to en-
courage the propagation Of the American
bison or buffalos.
1t took four days Of the time of the House
before Mr.. Smith, of West Virginia, could
get possession of the seat to which he was
elected but which was occupied by Mr.. Jack
son, but he got it at last.
Both Speaker Reed and ex-Speaker Car
Isle have made statements in relation to the
action Of their respective parties in the
House. MIR. Reed says, to express it all in a
nutshell, that the Republicans have been
battling to give the majority right to rule.
Mr.. Carlisle's statement. in briefs that what
Mr.. Reed did, was wrong because it had
never been done before.
The Republicans of the House had quo
rum of their own members one day this
week, but it was gone the next.
This is convention week in Washington.
Among the National bodies here are, The
Board Of Trade, Shipping League; National
Grand Association; Association Of Post office
clerks, and the Colored Peoples convention.
A code of Rules for the government of the
House Of Representatives has been reported
to that body. The new Rules will practi-
cally give the Speaker all the power which
he has recently exercised over fillibusters.
Another very important change is the clause
making pension bills in order at all times.
The Republicans of the House after several
hours Of discussion in caucus, approved the
Rules as reported.
The United States Supreme Court having
decided that the anti-Mormon test oath
clause of the Idaho Contribution is constitu-
tional, it is expected that the Senate CON-
mittee on Territories will favorably report
the bill for Idaho's admission.
Senator Blair's educational bill has been
before the Senate this week. OF course it
will pass.
Senator Wolcott has introduced a bill for
the admission OF New Meeico.
A Catechism OF the states.