The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-11-12
WEEK in WASHINGTON.


suNDAY. Nov. l.-Word reaches here that
Chairman Mark Hanna, of the Republican
National Committee practically decided that
the National Committee shall maintain
permanent Headquarters at Washington dur
ing the next four years, in order to keep up
the Sound Money fight Some of the Western
men wanted the Headquarters located at
Chicago. but Mr.. Hanna decided that wash
ington was the best place.
MONDAY, Nov 2-The animal report of Sec
ond Assistant Postmaster General Charles
Nelson shows the rate of expenditure for all
mail TRANSPORTATION at the close OF the fiscal
wear to be sac. 523 1872, of which 81, 993o6
was for inland mail and the remainder for
the foreign service. For inland mail the cost
lie an increase of 81, est, S29 for the year. The
annual travel in star service alone was over
100000 miles. The report says the experi.
ments with the horseless wagons. to be tf'eo
this Winter will, it is hoped, prove success
full, and they are expected to be much less
expensive than horse wagons. Concerning
pneumatic tube service, only one tube-at
Philadelphia-pow being IN operation In the
entire rostal service the report says III eXpe-
dites the mail and makes closer connections
both ways ia greatly reduced time Tor prac-
tically the same money. For establishing
the service $4,000 is asked for, and three
and Boston-are expected 10 be contracted
for, ali preliminary authority having been
obtained.
TUESDAY Nov 3.-The annual report OF
Frank h. Jones, the First Assistant Post
master-General. gives review oil large
part of the years postal business OF the Gov
eminent and makes numerous recommenda-
tiOns for the Improvement OF the service,
1t shows that during the last three nscai
years the aggregate savings IN the DIVISIONS
of salaries and allowances OF Postmasters
were S545 994: in free delivery, S2,314,4l5.
and postoffice supplies, S2lS, $40. Total, s5..
2Te 9s5 For that period there was an aggre-
gate reduction of 5000, 134 in the number oil
pieces Of mali sent from postofices TO the
dead-letter Office. The total number OF Presl-
Dental Offices July last was 3,65l, OF which
169 were first-class, 746 second-class and Z. $50
third-class. The aggregate gross receipts at
the first second and thrd-Ciass offices were
Sc. $50 365 and the total salaries So. 203. 500.
Since Nov. . 1894, there have been 2,4o9
positions in the postoffices added to the CLASH
fed service.
WEDNESDAY. Nov 4.-Gold that has been
boarded In the fear of financial panic to
follow tie success of the free-silver ticket Is
already being rapidly Withdrawn from its
hiding-places and put in the usual channels
of trade. Information received at the Treas
ury Department shows that large amounts OF
gold coin have been offered at the various
snb-Treasuries in exchange for currency, no
stipulation being made as 10 legal tenders,
gold certificates, or even coin notes, and no
objection being offered to silver certificates.
The demand for currency, especially small
bills in anticipation of a revival of business,
is exceptionally heavy, and it is expected that
several days will elapse before the officials
will be in position 10 meet all demands.
T.. f.9. A1x-
stated that the Hawaiian authorities have
prepared statement of the desire OF their
people for annexation, which will be pre-
scented to Maj. Mckinley without delay. The
representatives of the Hawaiians here believe
that the President-elect will give them his
cordial support in his inaugural message.
The inevitable extra session of Congress next
Spring will have an opportunity TO pass upon
this matter and already plans are being pre-
pared TO carry out the Republican platform
SO far as il concerns Hawaii.
FRIDAY, Nov. 6.-Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, the
Consul General TO Havana. vino arrived in
New York to-day. reached Washington this
afternoon. To many questions put to bin
he maintains diplomatic silence or evades
them by calling attention to the improperly
of discussing the affairs of the island in the
newspapers before reporting them to his
superiors. Gen. Lee will remain in Wash
ss
will proceed TO bis home in Virginia. which
be has not visited since assuming the duties
of bis office. While he did not say so ex
plicitlv it is evident that during the time
spent here he will call on the President and
acqusint him with the result of his observa
tion of the affairs in Cuba. Ia reply to di
rect question, be said he had not been called
here by the President for the discussion o
the situation there. When asked whethe
the insurgents or the Spanisrds held the ad
vantage in the war. Gen. Lee said: I" Firs
reports are heard Of success on the one sid
and then on the other. The war has beef
in progress since February. 1885, and Their
are no prospects Of IFS speedy termination"
SATURDAY, Nov. THE Navy cost SIG, 262
I55 last year, OF which SC, 974, ABS was pai'
for the construction of new ships. Accord
ing TO Paymaster- General Stewards annua
report the other principal items of expendi
ture were Sl5 s9s. S62 for maintenance of tn
establishment, Of which s., 09l, 90s was re
CURED by the ships in commission. TIL
cruiser New York was the most expensive
vessel TO run, costing S412.S07 for the /
months The Columbia and Minneapoli
consumed over $500 600 each but when TIN
big battleships have been year in operatio
they promise 10 exceed these figures Owe
Sll,0O0,0O0 worth Of stores have been kept o
hand with great saving over the old systef
of indiscrimnate purchases, corrected b
Secretary Whitney. The naval clothin
factory has to be considerably enlarged
owing 20 the growing demands upon il, a
clothing being row made there for the Nav,
the revenue cutter service, and the Nav;
militia. The estimated value Of real estat
improvements and improvements and M.
chinery IN the Navy-yards is placed at $50
100000 aud during the year nearly So 600
600 was paid for labor.