Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-02-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.

daughter of Secretary Tracy on
Monday, that he has not made any
attempt 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 impressiyeness 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 to comfort the
bereaved husband and father, will
never be forgotten by those who
witnessed it. Mr.. Harrison never
appeared in a better light than at
that moment. Secretary Tracy, who
made a narrow escape from death
himself, is for the present living at
the White House.
Senator Morrill's recent speech
has opened the eyes of everybody
to the immediate need of a number
Of new Government buildings in
this city. Congressman were sur
prised to learn that quarters are
rented by the Government in forty
six different places in Washington
and that $l2l,00O is annually paid
out for rents, to say nothing of the
crowded condition of the White
House, the Patent Office, the Post
Office department, and the Govern.
ment printing office. The last place
is the worst of all; it has been pro-
nounced dangerous by a board Of
expert builders, unhealthy and bad
ly oyercrowded by physicians, and
the workers in it are in constant
fear from fire. The feeling in Con
gress seems to be in favor Of erect
ing the necessary public buildings
to transact the public business with
out having to rent from private
parties. The feeling seems partic-
ularly strong in favor of building a
new Government printing Office,
that shall be worthy of housing the
largest printing establishment in the
world.
The investigation of the Ohio
ballot box forgeries was resumed by
the house committee this week.
Governor Campbell and Editor
Murat Halstead proved very inter
esting witnesses, both Of them be
ing at times questioned by ex-Goy-
ernor 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 uu-
lucky houee, and the death of MIR.
Blaine's son and daughter within a
month has strengthened that idea in
the superstitious mind.
The resignation of First deputy
Commissioner Of Pensions Smith
has been accepted to take effect
March 5. 1t was generally expected
that Mr.. Smith would go last fall.
He acted as Commissioner from the
time Mr.. Tanner left the office until
Gen. Raum was appointed to sue
coed him. He was also among
those re-rated
Senator Plumb has introduced q
bill to encourage the propagation Of
the American bison or buffaloes.
1t took four days of the time Of
the House before Mr.. Smith, of
We Virginia, could get possession
of the seat to which he was elected
but which was occupied by MIR.
Jackson, but he got it at last.
Both Speaker Reed and ex-Speak-
er Carlisle have made statements in
relation to the action of their re-
spectiye parties in the House Mr..
Reed says, to express it all in a nut
shell, that the Republicans have
been battling to give the majority a
right to rule. Mr., CarIisle's state
ment, in brief, is that what Mr..