Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1891-08-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.

convention city are now conceded
generally. Only the political man.
ayers remain to be convinced of its
manifold and imposing advantages.
Washington has been for many
years the rallying place more and
more Of civil and military organiza-
tions, as it has been the Mecca Of
the intelligent traveller and the re-
sort of the individual seeking
recreation. There are reasons
abundant why this is SO. One OF
these is the fact that Washington
is theworking headquarters Of a gov
ernment where the moral, intel
lectual and political forces Of a pow
erful nation are centered for action
Clegislatively, executiyely andjudici-
ally. The distribution Of powers of
the Federal Government has re-
suited in seating in the city OF
Washington vast and varied net
work of departments, bureaus,
offices necessary to carry on with
efficiency the gigantic machinery
of popular rule over a large part
of the continent. But this is not
all; its nearness to grand historical
scenes, its beautiful situation on
one of the finest Of American rivers,
its easy COMMUNICATIONS, its de-
lightful climate due to it's loca-
tion midway between the north and
the south are other strong induce
ments. 1t is expected that these
advantages will be potent factor
with the national executive COM
mittees in deciding upon a place
for the holding of the respective
party conventions next year.
Ihe suggestions OF civil pension
list in connection with the depart
mental service, which has recently
been made, is not likely for the
present to receive very serious or
favorable attention. 1t is not put
ting it too strongly to say that the
F.
American people have never taken
kindly to the idea of pensioning
persons employed in the civil SER
vice OF the Government, just as
they have never regarded with
favor the creation of a special and
permanent official class. When
government official has grown
old in the service, people generally
will be of the opinion that his prac-
tice of that foresight and frugality,
so necessary in other lines of life,
should enable him to make a pro-
vision for his declining years.
Humanity has its just obligations
under appropriate circumstances.
But the Departments should be
run on strict business principles,
and it should not be forgotten
that they are in no sense or degree
eleemosynary institutions.
The Chinese mission, theoretic-
ally held by Mr.. Blair, but pratio-
ally vacated by the action Of the
celestial government, is being
offered in dog-day rumors to all
3 sorts of people, and Senator Squire
g Of Washington is the latest one
named to go across the Pacific and
talk automatically to the, great
emperor. But those who know say.
that the selection of Squire is not
only likely but probable, as he is
locally in sympathy with the
Chinese policy of the government,
while he is too recent an advent
In the Senate to have made any
anti-speeches. Squire was a caller
a; tho supplemental White House
at Cape May the other day. This
may be factor in the case.
Apropos of Senator Blair, have
it on apparently good authority
that he has q chance to 60 to
Russia as United States minister
If he is willing to risk the rigors
of the climate. Ss
Gen. Grant, the acting Secretary
of War, has affixed his signature to
the outside of corpulent bundle
of papers, and thereby approved
the proceedings Of the recent meet
ing Of the board of ordinance and
fortification, at which the matter
of the bids for the loo. high-power
guns for the army was fpallys con-
sidered. This practically settled
the business and awarded the CON
tract to the Bethlehem Iron Com
pany. The appropriation is $4,000,
600 and the figures stated by the
board will make the gums cost So
5SO,373,35.
For some time past there havo
been rumors that Minister Dou-
glass had resigned the mission
Ito Hayti, or that he intended to
resign. His rosigation, there
fore, is not wholly surprise. Mr..
Douglass, as the representative
man Of his race in the United
States, remains an impressive
Er,,o 80 IL. J..