davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-04-05

plying to the purser and engaging one OF
these They are supplied with similar furni-
ture to that of the saloon. The beds are
spacious and ornamented with rich, heavy
curtains that might do duty on regal bed.
Every room is heated by steam and lighted by
electric lamps Of the incandescent style.
And there is one thing the reporters sur
reptitiously made themselves conversant with
by prods and pinches, when the purser wasn't
looking, and that is the softness of the beds.
They are as downy and comfortable as it is
possible to make these adjuncts to civilized
comfort, and the nero gazing at one is an in
spiration to sleep. Every room in the Wash
ington is supplied with a frst-class life-pre-
server, so that all one has to do is to go to
sleep with the knowledge that he will only
in case of an emergency have to surround
himself with one of these jackets, tumble
overheard, and strike out for shore; and that
is more than you know about some boats.
But then there is very little prospect OF these
preservers ever being pressed into service, as
the sinking of the Washington comes as near
being an impossibility us anything could. A
hole equal to small house in diameter could
be punched through her and she would still
float on, because of the five water-tight bulk
heads of hers, which render laundering out of
the question.
Then, too, she is of iron and not likely to be
hurt much by collisions of any kind, and
carries six good-sized boats. The pilot-house
fort Here, as everywhere, the same thor
oughness in fitting out is observed in the
handsome Wheels electrical appliances, bin
The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-04-05
TWO BIG PURCHASES.

Mrs. Letter Buys Site For Fine Resi-
dence.
The largest sale of real estate made this sea-
son has just been completed by Mr.. r. o.
Hoffman, the real estate broker, corner of
Tenth and f streets, who sold the property on
Dupont Circle which formerly belonged to
Mr.. William Walter Phelps to Mrs. Mary L.
q. Letter for consideration between $S3, 3,0O0
and 1000. The property is the original lot
], in square 1875, 43 feed of which fronts on
Dupont Circle, 141 feet on New Hampshire
avenue, 24S feet on Nineteenth street, with a
rear extension of 1856 feet In all there are
1911 square feet.
Mr. Letter will erect magnificent residence
upon the property, the plans for which are
now being prepared. He will still reside in
MIR. Blaine's house, as his lease does not ex-
plre until two years However, as the work
on the new house is to be of most thorough
character, it will very likely take that length
of time to complete it.
I'VE have lately made q purchase for Mr.
Allison Naior, DR., said Mr.. Loeifler of the
real estate firm of Gibbs d Loetiler, ''of the lot
next TO his residence on Rhode Island avenue
and the two lots adjoining his property on
Flfteenth street. and have sold to him piece
or ground corner OF TWenty-siXth and Upper
Water streets and the property known as the
old Loetfier Garden, corner of First street and
New York avenue, containing 59,664 square
feet The total amount of Mr.. Majors pur-
chase will foot up something like $72, 900, and
is one of the largest of the season. MIR.
Nailor eontemplates improving the two lots
on Fifteenth street with handsome press
brick earriage-house and stable.
"Just what improvement he will make
on the Upper Water-street property / do
not know, but / think he contemplates
the erection of a large warehouse lie viii
also build very fine conservatory extending
from his residence TO the carriage-house.
"Another sale made by US this week, al
though not SO large was that 10 Mr. Abram
Frey, the artist, of lot II, block 90, Meridian
Hill. This property is improved by several
small dwellings. The price was SS,000.n
The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-04-05

arrangements for supplying the range with
hand. A ton at a time is dumped into bin in
front of the range, where by opening COM
partment in the side of the bin the coal is
thrown into the range.
In fact, from stern to stern the Washington
is as complete Q steamer as may be found on
the Potomac, ~, or that matter, plying be-
tween ports on the ocean coast. Besides being
propelled by single screw, great many
other departures from the conventionality that
hitherto regulated the construction of river
boats have been made all for the best The
principal feature of the construction of the
hull is the new creation Of Superintendent
Callahan in what is known as the flaring sides;
that is, the hull is thrown out from the water
line at every curve up to the main deck This
is the first vessel ever built in this manner in
this country, and experts pronounce il the best
yet adopted for bay or sea-going boats. Her
officers are as follows: Captain, 8. B. Davis;
Purser, r. E. Pilkenton; Chief Engineer, j. III.
Trower; First Officer, Austin Doleman; Second
Officer, Charles w. Kirby, and Second Engi-
neer, George p. Savage. Her crew numbers
some thirty-fve men. Her length is 26O feet,
breadth of beam at water line 81 feet breadth
of beam across the main deck 46 feet, depth of
hold 16 feet inches.
Her freight capacity is very large, and her
accommodations for passengers are extensive,
there being room for 260 people, ia first and
86 second class.
There are eigbty-one state rooms, twenty of
which are large bedrooms and sixty lone
berth-rooms. Twelve of these bedrooms are
The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-04-05

concerning the engines and matters of con-
struction was gained
"The extreme draught of water, said he,
sis eleven feet. The Washington is driven
by one inverted direct-acting, surface-con-
densing, triple expansion engine. The high
pressure cylinder is % inches, the interme-
diate cylinder is SO, and the low-pressure cyl
inder is 55 inches in diameter. The stroke of
piston is % inches, and the steam is supplied
by steel Scotch boilers 13 feet 6 inches in
diameter. Our floors are made of plate iron
is inches deep. The space below the main
deck midships is taken up with the boilers
you have just seen and machinery and coal
Dunkers."
''The diningroom is my pride,'' remarked
Purser Pilkenton, as the party started down
the rich solid oak stairway that leads from the
social saloon to this apartment. "Hcre we are.
This apartment is 50x33 feet, finished, as you
see, in white maple, paneled and highly
polished" The floor of the dining-room is of
well-cared-for oak. Two elegant sideboards
filed with handsome plate and glass are
particularly noticeable in this saloon as well as
the ten ample tables covered with snowy linen
and supplied with all those little ornaments
and utensils that facilitates eating and please
the eye. Back of the dining-room is the
kitchen, which was visited This apartment
is furnished with all the most fastidious of
chefs could desire. The range, specially built
for the Washington, is very large and in
geniously contriyed. The walls are lined with
''dressers," containing the steamers china,
while suspended in wooden frames from the
ceiling hang row after row Of glasses. The
The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-04-05

made for the company and are of great
beauty.
One of the conveniences of the ladies' cabin,
and one which speaks volumes for the gene
rosity and benevolence of the company, is the
fitting up of two state-rooms that open into the
cabin with six berths apiece. These are to be
given to ladies travelling alone, who may not
have been able to secure berth, or to others
unable to purchase state-room. The berths
in these rooms are as nicely bedded as in the
other state-rooms, and are as well looked
after.
The barber shop, which opens off the main
saloon, is as complete shop as one may find
on shore. Everything necessary to the con-
venience of such place has been supplied,
and passengers may enjoy the luxury of q
shave while en- route as well as on terra frma.
Away below the water line, and down a
narrow stairway of iron with bright brass bal
ustrade, the visitors pass into the boiler
rooms among the stokers, who loomed up in
the dusk like murky imps or fitting shadows
Six great furnaces glowered with fiery eyes
from beneath the two huge steel boilers.
''Tell you what" remarked one of the stokers,
sit don't take much coal to run this boat
We made the trip from Wilmington down to
Norfolk, then up to Washington, back again
to Norfolk, and then returned here, having
only used seventy tons Of coal What do you
think of that? We burn twenty tons of coal
where side-wheelers burn thirty-fve.'
Ascending to where Chief Engineer j. I'll.
Trower was busily engaged in examining his
machinery preparatory to the departure for
Norfolk, some very interesting information
The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-04-05

nacle, and, in fact, all that goes to completely
furnish pilot-house and leave nothing to be
desired. Another thing about the pilot-house
is the splendid view afforded the pilot by the
simplicity of the glass arrangements, assisted
after nightfall by an enormous electric search
light. Then, too, a great deal of attention has
been paid to the comfort of the pilot In cold
weather he need not freeze the toes off of him.
as is nearly the case in some pilot-houses, as,
the Washington's pilot has steam pipe
which extends in a semi-circle and rests on
the floor near the wheel in his little house,
against which he may rest his feet
Immediately in the rear of the pilot-house
is the cabin of Capt s. B. Davis and the other
officers. AS much regard for their personal
comfort is eyinced as for the passengers.
Descending from this deck, and entering the
main saloon again, the reporters were shown
several rooms that communicated. This has
been arranged so as to afford friends travelling
together an opportunity to throw their rooms
into one, and to further the convenience of
families while en- route. These are-fitted up
in customary elegance. Descending still lower
the ladies' cabin was next inspected. This, of
course, is exclusively reserved for the ladies,
who are made comfortable by the experienced
stewardess in attendance. The chairs and
other furniture differ slightly from that of the
main saloon in shape and in the color of the
plush, which is an odd shade of brown. The
woodwork is of oak, carved in unique de-
signs. The panels of the doors and walls are
white and the carvings on them are gilded
The ceilings are decorated from special designs
The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-04-05
PAGES II TO PA

The popularity of the Norfolk and Washing
ton Steamship Company's line is already as
sured, and many passengers were on board of
her the first trip she made on Saturday, March
%, to Norfolk, although the inclemency of the
weather probably deferred many others from
being there.
The Norfolk, which has just reached stage
Of completion, is in every way counterpart
OF the Washington, excepting the upholster
ing, which will differ only in colors.
She will make her maiden trip tomorrow.
CMonday,) when the steamer Leary will be
discontinued from the service The pair of
steamers will alternate between the two cities.
One thing especially worthy of mentioning
among the thousands of others is the system of
ventilation. Even the coal-hole loses its
terrors, and the saloons and other apartments
are airy and light.
Considering the general excellency of the
work on the Washington and her state of
completion, the time spent upon her con-
struction seems wonderfully short. The con-
tract was given May 20, 1890, to the Harlan,
Hollingsworth Company, and the Washington
was finished and put into service little less
than two weeks ago.
The incorporators of the Norfolk and Wash
ington Steamboat Company were Mr. John
Callahan, of Portsmouth, who for many years
was prominent ship builder, and who is now
the general superintendent of the company.
t1,o,
conjunction with Gen. j. d. Groner, the presi-
dent of the Seaboard Line of steamers, and
Mr. H. Libbey, the great lumber dealer. The
other gentlemen who are now directly in
terested in the company are well-known capi-
talists and men CONSPICUOUS in financial cir
cles, both in this city, Virginia, and New
York
The president is Mr. w. E. Clark, who is
also the president of the Ohio Valley Life In
surance Company. The vice president is Mr.
Levi Woodberry, proprietor of the St. James
Hotel in this city Mr.. John Keyworth, a
member of the prominent firm of grocers,
Keyworth Il Son, is secretary, and Mr.. Reuben
+. Baker, partner in the firm of Beall &
Daker, is Jreasurer 1ncOnnecJlOn Win these
gentlemen the board of directors is COM
posed of Maj. j. T. Odell, whose name is IA
miliar from his connection with the Grand
Army of the Republic, in which he was for
merly department commander; Mr.. G. G.
Duncanson, the auctioneer Mr.. John Boyd,
the capitalist, and Mr.. Calvin B. Orcott, of
New York.
The Company was organized early ia
January, 1890, and its charter was granted on
the 31st day of that month. The prominence of
these gentlemen and their influential positions
in the financial world, together with the good
service that will be rendered by their fleet
steamers in facilitating passenger and freight
traffic, are an assurance of the future prosperity
of the company
The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-04-05
A FLOATING PALACE.
THE MAGNIFICENT NEW RIVER
STEAMER wAsHINGTON.

Description of the First of the Nor
folk and Washington's Splendid Fleet
"A Vessel With All Modern Conven-
fences, Beautifully Decorated and
Fitted Out. and with All Appliances
to Insure Safety and Comfort.
New-York tribune., 1891-12-26
dmusemenIs.

kCADEMy-2-s-
AMBERG THEATRFs-2-The 2 Ravens-s :15-The Jew
ess Of Toledo.
BIJoU THEATRES :10-The City Directory.
BROADWAY THEATRE-2-S-The Merry Monarch.
CASINO-2-S :I5-The Tyrolean.
COLUMBUS THEATlE-2-s 15-A Dark Secret.
pALY'S THEATRE-2-s 15-As You Like 1t.
EDEN MUsEE-wsx Tableaus.
FRENCH ACADEMY-2-Leeture.
GARDEN THEATRE-2-S-La Cigsle.
GRAND OPERA HoUSE-2-Beau Brummell-s-pr
Jekyle and Mr.. hyde.
HARLEM OPERA HoUSE-2-s-Thermidor.
HARRIGAN'S THEATRE-2-S-The Last Of the Hefsns
HERRMANN'S THEATRE-2 lbs :90-The Junior Part
HoYTs MADISON SQUARE :So-A
Trip 70 Chinatown.
ROSTER BIAL'S--2-S-Vaudevlle.
LYCEUM THEATRE-2-S :15-Lady BountfuL
METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE-2-"Il Trovatore"
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN-S-Tug of war
NEW PARK THEATRE-2-S :l5-A Night at the Circus
NIBLo'S GARpEN-2-S-Eny.
PALMER'S THEATRE-2-s :15-Alsbana.
PRoCTORS THEATRE-2-S :16-The Lost Paradise.
STAR THEATRES :l5-Mss Helyett.
eEANDARD THEATRE-2-S 15-Tbat Girl from Mexico
ITALIA THEATRE-2-S--Around the World In 30 days
TONY PASTORS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
UNION SQUARE THEATRE-2-Spsrtacus-S :15--Cleo-
pstra
Hath STREET THEATRE-2-s-Mavourneen
New-York tribune., 1891-12-26

uere IN he collected. Congress had exercised its
constitutional prerogative, and, as Senator spoon.
ar contended, had not delegated it's exclusive
rioht "a a tariff making body to the President.
A more serious objection offered by the Demo-
rratc press relates to the constituuonalty OF .ne
discretionary powers with which the President is
armed by Congress. 1t is asserted that ne Is leIe
at liberty to reimpose duties or not,'and either 10
keep open or to close the free market as ne
likes. This discretion, it is argued, renders him
a tariff maker, and that is an unconstitutional
function. In reply we assert that no such dls-
cretion is conveyed by the act. Congress an
ticipated contingency which might arise from
neglect OF certain nations to enter into equitable
relations of trade, and declared that under those
circumstances it should be his duty to suspend
by proclamation the free market and reimpose
a definite schedule Of duties. If Venezuela, for
example, continues after the end Of the year to
tax -four over S5 barrel and other imports from
the United States at similar rates, the President
will have no discretion in the matter. He will
not only have the right, but he will be under
constitutional obligation, to enforce the law by
remposng the duties. He will not be tariff
maker. He will merely be enforcing the tariff
already made and held in reserve for definite
contingency.
The answer may be made that the contingency
itself will be determined by the President, and
that this involves the exercise OF discretion.
This is true, but the same discretionary power
of interpreting contingency has been exercised
by American Presidents from the foundation OF
the Government. President Cleveland, in 1856,
for example, remposed 0 per cent duty on all
imports entering American ports in Spanish bot
toms, and subsequently rescinded the proclama-
ton. He enforced an old statute because ne con-
sidered that a contingency contemplated by Con-
gress had arisen. Other Presidents before him,
notably Monroe, Adams Jackson and Van Buren,,
had exercised the same discretion of determining
whether conditions of foreign trade were inequl-
table or not That is an Executive prerogatlye,
and President Harrison in enforcing the Reci-
procity amendment will not have recourse to any
unusual or unconstitutional procedure.
The same principle of Executive Interpretation
of a contingency is involved in the Meat In
spection Act The Democratic Senators in the
last Congress, moreover, voted in body for an
nti-Trust bill which would have armed the
President with equal or even larger powers Oh
modifying the tariff system by direct Executive
Interpretation of contingencies contemplated in
the act. The whole subject was most exhaustive
" discussed by one of the ablest lawyers IN the
last Congress, Senator SpOoner, and the const-
tutonality of the Reciprocity amendment clearly
demonstrated.
New-York tribune., 1891-12-26
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1891.
TEN PAGES.
THE TALK OF THE DAY

Foreion.-The cruiser Charleston left Honolulu
nm December II; her ultimate destination ls De-
lieved TO be Iouique - Four bombs were ex-
ploded during a midnight mass in church al
Valencia. Italy several persons were injured -
The dense fog which has enveloped London 1or
several days is lifting.
Domestic-Catarino Garza, the Mexican outlaw
chief made an unsuccessful attempt to capture
Fort RinQrold Texas - Senator Saxton gave
his views as to the best method OF perfecting
the present ballot law. - The sheriff and his
posse surrounded tue gang of Bob" Sims, the
Alabama outlaw in that State, and were fred
upon: fight is expected. - There was riot
in the streets of Chicago, in which the police
were compelled to draw revolvers
CITY and Suburban.-The collision near Hast
ings resulted in the death of eleven persons; nine
others were injured. - The ostensible pro-
prietor of Tom" Gould's notorious place was
shot dead by visitor in the place. - The
Christmas holiday was observed with services In
the churches. dinners in charitable institutions.
etc. - Ex-Judge Noah Davis reviewed the
case of Welch, who was pardoned by Governor
Hill, and showed that it was illegal
The Weather.-Forecast for to-day: Warmer
and generally fair, but probably with shower !;
colder at night, or on Sunday Temperature yes
terday Highest, As degrees lowest, AZ average.
"a
New-York tribune., 1891-12-26

one, will result in securing clean streets. Inc
Mayor expects that il will. Now, the Mayor,
whose sworn duty is to see that those employed
to look after the city's affairs faithfully meet
their obligations, has only 10 desire and deter
mine as well as "expect- that New York shall
have clean streets to confer upon her that boom
The Mayor is fond of driving. Some OF these
DAYS let him fake a drive about the city. Let
him drive uptown and downtown, ON East Side
and West Side, in residential section and in blsi-
ness section, in tenement district and in brown
stone district, carefully noting the condition of
all the streets Then let him report what he
finds to Commissioner Brennan, plainly Impress
ing upon him at the same time that he ex-
poets" that S1,97S,540 is to give New iork
clean streets Then let him assure the Com
missioner that his purpose is TO see that what
he "expects' shall be accomplished, or else he
"expects'' to know the reason why. II the
Mayor would do this at intervals throughout the
wear there is good reason to believe that Com
missioner Brennan would give us clean streets.
But as it is, the Commissioner is justified in
arguing that the Mayor expects" that he will
use his department primarily as Tammany
machine and only incidentally for street-cean-
ing. He doubtless "expects" that the Mayor
"expects" that if the Commissioner is to choose
between welLmatured system of street-clean-
ing which commends itself TO business men and
system of proved worthlesness he will decide
in favor Of the worthless system, provided 1t
seems to be for the advantage OF Tammany to
do so.
1t is only necessary for Mayor Grant to " e1-
pect' resclutely enough and sincerely enough that
E1,97S,54O will give New-York clean streets
and New-York will certainly get them. 1t is
pertinent to inquire, therefore, What does the
Mayor mean when he says that he thus eek
meets; 2
New-York tribune., 1891-12-26
PERSONAL

Probate duty has Just been paid the late VI.
Grevy's personal estate in England which was valued
at $50, 600.
Miss Sara Jewett, the once popular actress who
has been i'll for long, is said TO &c living quietly in
Cambridge at present, where she has host Of friends:
Miss Jewet Is looking pretty as ever, and Is fast
reganlng her health.
Busy as Rubnstein is at Dresden in his literary
work. he has engaged to visit Paris and Milan soon
to supervise the production of one of his operas in
each of those cities. The cataract from which he has
long suffered has recently much increased and threat
before long TO deprive him entirely OF his sight
The late Lord Lytton had beautiful poodle, Oar
ling" by name, which disappeared one day not long
after his masters death About week later he
turned dirty and dsreputabe in looks that he
not recognized at first by the servants. But Lady
Lytton declared the dog her pet and his absence
soon explained. About his neck was strange collar.
engraved upon which were the name and address OF n
who has long made profession OF dogstealinS.
Ihe lIuPaaoos teh, VINO sdd sees 70 see 49, 'dHn h b, I
actually succeeded in securing his own arrest and he
is now safely under lock and key.
The widow OF Senator Matt Carpenter, Of Wis
consin has joined the Catholic Church. into which her
daughter, her and the sons wife had already
The motto below the crest Of the Marquis Of Allies
burythe spendthrlft Lord who has secured permission
to sell savernake forest part OF his ancestral estateis
We have been."
This story about General Butler picked up by "The
Boston News II not true is good enough to be
II Is said that the veteran lawyer formerly owned
large masn who became famous for continued dcpre
dations various butcher-carts rs they passed
through the stree OF Lowell their mornng rounds
The dog feroclous that dared attack IT,
for time he quite master Of the situation.
Finally one victim decided TO approach the general
street re said General butler il a mans dog
steals meat from nv butchercart what would you do!'
it, Very we'll" continued the butcher, your dog
has stolen 81 so worth OF meat from my cart. and
want you 10 pay for IT," Certainly sad General
sional advice II Is said the was not pressed
According to present plans, Emperor William OF
Germany will visit the King Of Rumana next March.
The visit will be made In great state. and His Majesty
will be received with all the honors TO which his high
rank entities him The King Of Rumania, who Is dis
tant relation OF tho Emperor. only left Berlin few
weeks ago, and the early announcement OF tho En-
perors Intention has been received with c0rdiay by