The National tribune., 1890-02-06
WASHINGTON GOSSIP,
The Weeks DOings at the Ma
tiOnal Capital


1854 | street, was destroyed by fire early
Monday morning and three of the inmates
killed, Mrs. Tracy, wife of the Secretary, Miss
Mary Tracy, their daughter, and josephine
Morell, a French maid. Mrs. Nlmerdlng, the
married daughter. and Miss Alice Wilmerding,
grand daughter OF the Secretary, escaped from
the burning house by jumping from a second
story window. They were both badly bruised
When Secretary Tracy was rescued he was un-
conscious, and for a time il was feared he too
would die He rallied, however, and the doctors
now believe he will recover.
Mrs. Tracy's death was terrible one. She
attempted to escape by getting out of her bed
room window, aud she fell 40 feet into an area
way. When picked up she was still alive, but
died an hour and a half aiterward. MISS
Tracy was awakened by the butler, but death
overlook her before she cOuld get out OF the
doomed building. The bodies of Mrs aud Miss
Tracy, after they had been prepared for burial,
were taken 10 the house of Acknowledgement
Miller, and later, moved 20 the White House,
where the funeral services will be conducted.
The fire originated in the parlOr near the
open fireplace, it is supposed from overheated
pipes.
President Harrison was one of the first to
reach the bedside of his suffering Secretary,
and on him was placed the duty Of breaking 10
his friend the sad news that his wife and
daughter were no more. Only a slight moan
came from the Secretary when the calamity
, was made known TO him.
The interior Of the house was completely de-
strOyed All the furniture in it was new, and
Dc was considered one Of the handsomcst-fur-
nishcd houses in Washington.
The President insisted that Mr.. Tracy should
be removed 10 the White House as soon as he
was able, and Tuesday afternoon he was con-
veycd 10 the Mansion. where the bodies of his
wife and daughter lay.
EXCITING SCENES N THE HOUSE.
T. FL q I IL.
most exciting time on Wednesday. After the
morning hour Mr.. Dazell Pa. from the Com
mittee on Elections. reported the contested
election case Of Smith ". Jackson from the
Fourth West Virginia District. Mr.. Crisp Ga
at once raised the question Of consideration,
and call Of the roll was ordered. But four
Democrats answered 10 their names. While
the roll was being called Speaker Reed carefully
noted the Democrats who were present on the
floor, bus who RETAINED from voting. Before
the announcement OF the vote Mr.. Rogers Ark. },
who had inadvertently voted in the affirmative,
undertook to change his vote, bat was met
with a storm OF objections from the Republican
side Mr. Rogers tried 10 secure ruling
IRON the Speaker, but Mr.. Reed declined TO
lule on tue question. The vote was then an
uounceG a. Iol yeas and two nays. Mr.. Crisp
at once raised the point Of no quorum.
Speaker Reed then directed the Clerk TO re-
cord the names of some 30 members who were
signal for 2 burst of applause from the Rcpub-
licaB side and Of jcers from the Democratic
side OF the House.
Mr.. Breckenridge Ky walked down the
middle aisle OF the Chamber, and in loud
voice protested 10 his name being called In the
roll, saying that he denied the power of the
Speaker 10 DO such thing. denouncing ii as
revolutionary, which remark was received with
cheers from the Democrats and groans from
the Republicans. Speaker Reed then made a
few remarks defining has position lie said that
for precedeuts he used the decision 81 the pres.
ent Governor Of New York David B. Hin. who
while presiding officer Of the State Senate OF
New York, had decided a case similar 20 the
one which was now before the House. and had
met the question IN precisely the same way in
which he Reed was now meeting il. lie also
referred 10 a similar case 10 the Tennessee
Legislature, and quoted from several % the
best acknowledged Constitutional lawyer Oi
the country, notably Randolph Tucker, Of Nir
GINA. Speeches were made by Mr.. Carlisl,
KY. Lr Crisp ga. !, Dir. Mckinley 20. J Mr
Cannon III. i aud Others, bot 10 conclusion wa
reached and the tangle was carried over until
Monday. when the question Of consideration
was disposed II, aud the election case Of Smith
vs. Jackson was decided in favor Of Sir. Smith
who Was Immediately sworn in, similar exciting
scenes being each day enacted. Speaker Reed
was sustained throughout the struggle By thu
Republican side of the House and his poin
was carried, and the majority will now be sblI
20 proceed with necessary legislation.
EEW RECORDER OF DEEDS.
tx Senator Blanche X Bruce was appointe,
last week Recorder o. Deeds Tor the District o
Columbia. IN tho nomination the President say
that Mr.. Bruce j. resident Of the District
There Is a good deal Of grumbling when an ap
p0iHtment Of this kind j. made, for grea
many people here think il should be bestowe
upon q citizen Of the District There are
.f.fff r,.Ff
of Columbia. aud what constitutes citizen
IN the true sense Of the term Is hard 10 find out
A majority Of the people Of the District hay
come here from other parts Of the coHutry
either a. Members Of Congress Senators, or i
some other Government position. Those VIII
have been here for 20 years look upon peepl
VINO have only been residents Of Washingto
l0r i've Or 10 years as caTpet-baggers. A ma
who has resided here almost continuously, a
has Mr. Bruce, for over i years and who own
property nud pays taxes, j. considered carpet
Dagger. by majority Of the residents Of Ia
District, who have no better claims Of res
deBce, and not half much as he has, cxcet
the fact t.i4t they were here few years prio
70 his making this bis home.
Dir. Bruce was al the breaking out Of N
rebellion. slave. BY sheer force Of characte
aud intellect be became United States Senate
from Mississippi and did ~ much good in n
seat occupied by JEFF Davis before the war :
has any maa whO has since held the positioi
After his Term expired be was appointed Regi
ter II the Treasury. and held the position uI
al be was removed by President Cleyean,
Since thea be has been lecturiug all over III
country, and il considered one 0f the braiuie
cOlorod men In the world. He VIII make
good officer, and will give satisfaction 10 a
people 0i che District iU one Of the best Ollie
ia il. and President Harrison j. 10 be cOggrat
lated upOA las excellent selection for the Dos
ton.
MRS. COL. COPPISGKR DEAD.
Mrs Alice Blaine C0ppnger, wife Of G.
joins J. 'opp.ngef, I5th u. S. Inf. and dang
Ter " Secretary Of State James o. Blaine, Oh,
iu Washington Oh Sunday last Of pncumonI
after = brief illness. This is the second Tin
within a week that death has visited the Elail
family. tLscldest son, Walker, having died on
. few days ago. MTs. CoppiugeF was born
Augusta Sic, about 30 yeafs ago, aud WAS ma
RED % Cai. CoppiHger IN 1853. She has resd,
almost continuously in Washington since b
marriage. The funeral service was held az
Matthew's Church on Tuesday, Rev. Thorn
Sherman son Of Gen. William r. sherman, co
Quoting the ceremonies The body Was buri
IL Oak llIil Cemetery
TEARING TROUBLE IN OKLAHOMA
Secretary Noble Of the Interior DEPARTING,
Wa ~ the Capitol On Friday last aud had
conference with Senator Plat Chairman
tnc SeuaLe Committee on Territories. In
gard 10 the bill 10 establish a Territorial 10,
Of Government ia Oklahoma aud also up
the Oklahoma IOwn-site bill. The Secrcta