The National tribune., 1893-01-12

ATIONAL TRIBUNE: w ASHI
be thrown upon the matter in the absence OF
| official information, which will probably not
como until brought by the new Minister in per-
| son.
On Friday, Jan. 6, Representative Kilgore,
of Texas, took nap on the sofa in the cloak
room of the House, and when aroused by the
information that the private pension bills
| were up, he found that while he had been
| slumbering quite number Of bills which he
| intended to oppose had been passed. When
he came fully to himself, however, he imme-
| diately made his presence felt by an objection.
s@a
The Commissioners of the District and the
| Health Officer are thoroughly aroused over the
| sanitary condition of the National Capital, and
| they propose to adopt measures to have thor
| ough inspection made. As the result of confer
| ence between the Commissioners and DIR. Ham,
| NETT. the Health Officer, on Wednesday, Jan.
4, Maj. Moore, Chief of the Police Department,
| was requested to have the police officers make
house-to- house inspection of the city and re-
will act in conjunction with the Inspectors of
the Health Office. DR.. Hammett thinks that,
with the exception of the densely-populated
| alleys the sanitary condition of the city is
good. but in view of a possible cholera cpl
demic next Spring Or Summer, he thinks the
precautions ordered are wise.
So
Little Arthur Pettigrew the 10.year old son
of Senator Pettigrew, of South Dakota, had q
thrilling experience one day last week. He
skated into an air hole in the Potomac River,
and went undor the water nearly to the bot
tom. The little fellow had learned to swim
last Summer at Sioux Falls, and was therefore
able to reach the surface and swim to the edge
of the ice. Some boys on shore ran long pole
out to him. but the ice broke, and Arthur
again went under the water. He once more
reached the thin edge of the ice, and broke it
by small pieces with his elbows until thick ice
was reached, when he was pulled out of his
cold bath by the pole. He was carried by some
of the larger boys to the eDgine-room Of the
Washington Monument and was soon ready to
go skating again, but was at last induced by an
older brother to believe that he had had fun
enough for one day, and went home.
IS
William D. Cross, colored, was to have been
hanged by the neck until dead on Friday, Jan.
6, but, by virtue OF Executive clemency, he will
go to the penitentiary for life. 1t was 3 o'clock
on,Thursday afternoon before President Harri-
son, who had had the case of Cross before him
for several days. made up his mind to allow the
convicted wife murderer to live ont his natural
life. This action of the President is generally
regarded with favor, there being many people
who think there is a reasonable doubt as to
whether Cross did shoot his wife, although the
jury which tried the case thought he did, and
rendered a verdict of murder in the first de-
gree. Cross's attorneys have fought for him
with great persistency, and he undoubtedly
owes his life to them. Cross will be taken to
Albany Penitentiary with the next gang of
prisoners sent from the District, aud he will
there spend the balance of his days at hard
labor, unless the pardoning power should again
be exercised in his behalf
Chairman Thomas 81. Carter of the National
Republican Committee, was very reticent as to
his mission in Washington last week, but it did
latest news long to find out that he was here
under subpoena from the Judiciary Committee
of the Senate. A subcommittee of this COM
mittee, acting under authority conferred by
the Senate, has begun to take testimony in re-
lation to charges made against Louis McComas
who was nominated to be Judge of the Supreme
Court of the District of Columbia. One of the
allegations is that Mr.. McComas, while coun-
sci for man named Gibson, who was repre-
sentng certain interests in the Yellowstone
Park Association, proposed to his client to in
fuence the Land Office through the Commits
sioner-then Mr. Carter-if the necessary funds
were forthcoming. 1t is on this point that Mr..
Carter appeared on Wednesday. Jan. A. before
the subcommittee to give his testimony, which
it is understood strongly negatives the impli-
cation that there was any wrongdoing within
his knowledge.
The friends of President Harrison who SEQ
and talk with him every day are becoming
very much concerned about his condition, and
fears are entertained that his health will give
way before the close of his Administration, al
though that is only two months away. The
President and his family have been subjected,
are said to have had very depressing effect
upon him. The death of his wife, to whom he
was particularly devoted, was blow from which
he has not rallied, and it left him utterly un-
able to Withstand the other sad happenings
which have since followed the inmates or the
White House. He is said to be moro i'll men,
tally than physically, and he has only been
kept from falling into a state of melancholy by
the most unceasing labor. Since the election
there has been, no labor too constant or COFFIN
ing for him, and he is said to purposeIy keep
his mind employed on all possible occasions on
business affairs, in order to escape the recollec-
tions of his political and domestic affections
While Gen. Harrison cannot as yet be called
sick man, as he is at his desk every day, his
friends say he has the appearance of being on
the verge of general breakdown.
REPUBLICAN SENATOR'S CAUCUS.
The Republican Senators met in caucus on
of business and such other matters as might be
brought before them. The meeting was de-
cidedly interesting one, and resulted in the
initial steps being taken that will undoubt-
eddy be the beginning of bitter fight for the
control OF the next Senate. If there has here
tofore been the belief in the minds of anybody
that the Republicans intended to permit the
organization of the next Senate to go by de-