The National tribune., 1892-12-22

| n Ndb CuIrent II washington i&St
week which was to the effect that Private Sec
retary to the President Halford was to be ap-
! pointed Minister to Portugal. When asked
about the matter Secretary HaIford said the
rumor was without the slightest foundation,
and that he proposed TO remain with President
Harrison until his term expired.
The engagement is announced of Miss Eliza
| beth L. Thompson to James Greer Zachry,
beth formerly of Washington City and now of
! New York. Miss Thompson is the daughter Of
exGov. Hugh S. Thompson, of South Carolina,
who was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
throughout Mr.. Clevelsnd's Administration.
and is now Controller of the New York Life
| Insurance Company.
%*x
tea and bazaar held at the residence of
| Mr.. John R. Mclean, ef the Cincinnati En-
qU'rer, on Tuesday evening, Dec. 13, introduced
the gayeties of last week. The object was to
provide Christmas fund for one of the chari-
ties of the District of Columbia. The list of
patronesses included Mrs. Elkins, Mrs Wana-
maker, Mrs. Wilmerding. Mrs. Calvin S. Brice,
Mrs. Mcmillan and Mrs. Hit.
The round of official dinners to be given
during the Winter by Secretary of State
John w. Foster were inaIgurated on Tuesday
! night, Dec. Il, the guests of honor on this &C.
casion being Vice President Morton and his
handsome wife. Secretary and Mrs. Fosters
informal Monday night receptions to members
Of the Diplomatic Corps and their friends will
be continued throughout the Winter.
x*x
Hon. Chauncey M. Depew was in Washing.
ton last week, making his headquarters at the
Arlington Hotel. He came on business in con-
nection with the proposed changes in tho In
terstate Commerce Law, and appeared before
the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce
on Wednesday. Dec. Ii. where he presented
some matters in which the New York Central
Railroad is interested.
Congressman q. p Cheatham, of North Car
olina, the only colored man in Congress, con-
templates devoting the next two years to
lecture tour through the North and Northwest.
Mr.. Cheatham failed of reelection, he says,
by technicality, but intends to try again two
years from now. He is an educated man,
graduate of Shaw University, with strong,
clear voice and pleasant delivery.
**x
Henry c. Powers, Chairman of the Civil
Service Committee of the National Association
of Letter Carriers of the United States, had an
aud dience with the President Tuesday morning
and presented to him petitions signed by
$4,000 citizens, praying that he extend the
Civil Ser SO as to embrace the entire free
delivery postal service of the country. Ex-
Senator H. w. Blair accompanied Mr. Powers,
and united in the request.
So
The rumors that Senator Mills, of Texas
will antagonize Speaker Crisp, and try to help
Mr.. Springer, of illinois, to get the Chair of the
House of Representatives, are emphatically
denied by the friends of the Texas Statesman
here in Washington. These people say that
when man reaches the lofty plane of Sem
atorial career he does not condescend to mix
himself up in the affairs Of such ordinary peo-
pie as Representatives.
x#.
When Congress assembled On the 5th of De-
cember, many of the desks of members were
covered with handsome baskets Of flowers, but
not blossom bloomed on ex-Speaker Tom
Reeds desk. One of his friends approached
him and pleasantly asked him: How is it that
you were overlooked in the distribution of
floral gifts?" "Oh," replied Mr. Reed, with
his characteristic drswl, "it is because l am
Dobody's darling, suppose"
sss
There was q report in circulation among
| Congressman and other politicians in Washing
ton last week to the effect that President elect
Cleveland has slated Senator John r. McPher-
son, OF New Jersey, for the Secretaryship OF
| the Treasury. II is stated that Senator Me-
Pherson himself Is the authority for the re.
port, he having. it is alleged, go informed sons
of his political friends. The New Jersey Sem
stor emphaticslly denies the rumor.
sss
Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury spauld.
ing returned from New York on Tuesday, Dec
I3, where he has been making an inspection
He reported that everything was working sat
isfactorily in the New York Custom House. He
stated that the immigration matter would b.
considered in few days, and ths reductions
announced. 1t is generally understood thai
both Gen. o Beirne and Mr. Weber will be 70
tanned, but at reduced rates Of compensation.
IS.
Suspicious are entertained here in Washing
ington that MIR. Cleveland does not want Ex
Gov. Isaac Pussy Gray, Of Indiana, in his Cab
met and that neither Senator Voorhees, no
Senator Turpie is anxious to promote the Gov
erAor's fortunes. Gray. however, is said {,
have bis eyes on Senator Turpie's seat, and i
is also said that he has the backing Of tn
Hendricks element OF the Democratic party, D.
that it is premature to regard Gov. Gray q
politically dead at this time.
Er. Harold SewEll. whe is we'll known il
Washington, aud who made an admirabl
Consul General st Samoa has settled down :
the practice OF law in his native city of Bath
: Me. In his Office is large open fireplace
which for q number of years was in the oil
Tontine Hotel, in Brunswick, Me-, well re
membered by old Bowdoin students Origin
ally 1t was in the Astor House, New York. ]
ia one of the finest open 1replaces in thi
= country, and its casting is SO heavy that it tool
e six strong men to carry it up stairs
e .ss
i On Tuesday, Dec. 13, President Harsiso
e signed joint resolution which had been hui
d ried through Congress, which related to th
| discharge of certain official duties i'm the ofse