The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-07-09
CpkT On TIE CORRTDoRs.

CHAT or THE CORRIDORS,
Some weeks ago ] supposed that the row over
Che plate printers discharged from the EngraV-
ing and Printing Bureau had been settled by
Secretary Foster deciding TO support Chiet
Merol Hil's action. But the knights of Labor
took tho r,e,ler mp, General Master Workman
Powdcrly hiae.lf coming on here in their be-
half Secretary Fosier at last agreed to ignore
the records of The discharged men, and to re-
place r.cm au the roll at the foot, as IL they
were now mon, which would give them em-
ploymcnt ia a few days. This was satisfactory
20 Mr.. Pow3rry and the knights. But oppo-
sition started from an unexpected quarter
The Federation OF Labor protested that TINS
would be doing an injustice 10 the men VINO
were on The Chance ROLL" that is, printers
who are waiting employment and have been
promised 4 Ga the order Of their being regis
tered as soon as the new presses were put IN.
This incluigd many apprentices who have
served their lime OF about completing II. MT.
Gompers. The head Of the Federation Of Labor,
came on here himself 10 attend TO the matter,
accompanied hy Secretary Evans Their pres
entation of lae case was so strong that Secre-
tary Foster decided that Justice required that
the discharge p'ate-priutcrs should go to the
bottom OF the Chance Roll. Against this Mr.
Powdery strcuu0usy protests. The situation
is still farther complicated by letter written
Nv the Secretary 90 one OF the discharged
printers. who does not desire unemployment,
he having gone into the saloon business The
letter was written aud signed by Secretary
Foster hnt during the discussion with Mr,
Powdo.ly ana his friends il was decided not TO
send t. Yet it GOT into the possession Of the
man 10 WHOM ID was written, and Secretary
Foster says That ID was taken from his desk
without bis knowledge or consent. We are
promised some pamphlets on the subject.
aha
Uncle Jcrrv Rusll was fair game for the
Washington wits FOR day or two last week.
July J. The first day that he bad charge Of the
Weather Edrcau, it ained as il only can rain
IN Washington, where from six to seven feet Of
water falls ip year and sometimes nearly
foot al single month. il seemed as il the
rain would heat the sUrface of the asphalt
pavemenis aud wash the cu1istones out. Poo
pie remarked that Uncle Jerry was interested
in cranberry culture in Wisconsin, which
needed a great deal Of water. The next day it
cleared up gradually, as fhe was learning where
the shut-oG valves were, and getting his horny
grip upon them The third day was a delight
fully bright day. until late in the afternoon,
when his hold seemed TO slip again, and unex-
poctodly came mp dashing penetrating storm.
But the Fou-,h showed he was master Of the
situation, aud he had got grip on the valve
string, Just ms he would on the lines with a
spirited horse aud he gave the city the most
delighted weather known in Washington on
Independence Day for many year. il was
universally conceded that as a Weather Boss
Uncle Jerry had done himself proud.
tTa
Like the cansacrte wife she IS Mrs. Harri-
con arranged ior the renovation Of the White
House 10 take place while tie President was
absent "a Tue ncw Summer Capital-Cape Nay.
Platgous ~ rol lmen are now making the parts
designated ror improvement a weary chaos Of
lumber, brirgs, cement tiles and paint aud
during WORKING hours the echoing sound OF the
hammer aud saw Is never still. Since Presi-
dent Galiiold's death there has not been such
a general oForhaulug The beautiful Blue
Parlor, which was r5ittcd last Winter is closed
10 visitors, and iis furniture aud hanRings are
carefully covered against dust. The Yestibule,
Green Parlor aud State Dining Room are being
torn up. roo; aud branch; that is, the old,
rickety, worm eaten floors are being removed,
10 DC replaced hy tiles or wooden floors Of mod
em solidity and excellence. The furniture is
all being removed. That which is Of real val
ue-and there Is much heavy, finely carved
mahoaauy-W.ll beuewly- uphostercd, the gilt
will De Tcgiled aud the poorer articles dis
posed Of Tie walls will be cleaned Of their
long accumula zion Of paper, and painted,
or hung iu Tapestry. The beautiful marble
mautelg in tc State Dining Room Will be
cleaned by au expert aud al the rooms be
finished aud furnished according t0 elaboraiely
artistic dcs pas. over which Mrs. Harrison and
the decorative artists have spent many months
Of auzious consideration. The rooms SO faI
completed have received the highest praise
from everybody, and these that are undergo.
ing transformation will meet with equal appro
baton. Tho days Of patching up aHd mako
shift 10 The White House are past Whatever
Hr Hauissa ai.l do wall be done thoroughly
and we'll
II i8 my deity 30 warn the Keokuk iowa
Gate City that ID Is doing It's toWnsmau, Rev
7. J.. Smith. very poor service in urging hin
for Minister 70 Liberia, 10 sucooed the lat
Alexander Clark Tho mission b. MOurovia B
the most dangerous honor ia The gift Of th
President OF lHe United States As remarko,
awcck or 70 ago. fOur Of our Ministers hav
already died there in quick succession. d 8
general conceded that no man over 30 year,
going taitIeI from TINS country or Europe. cal
live bcyouG a few months aud young ones az
iujuFed that they never entirely receives
IL, "a tic Cate city says, BIZ. Smith is a MA
Of Gue presence aud courteous address and q
Rbiiity and ,.ogucHce" be Is TOO valuable {