Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10
Notes From Washington.

Congress met Monday, aud the cor
ridors ofthe hotels are full Of politicians
A majority Of the Senators and Repre-
sentatives were on hand ready for
business, or ready to obstruct it, as they
may deem for their country's good.
The principle subjects discussed by this
class of people at the present time are:
will the Dingley bill become a law; will
an extra session Of Congress be called
by the new administration; who will
compose the new cabinet; and what are
We going to do about Cuba.
The report Of the [ s Treasurer for
the month of November has been
published The public debt statement
shows that on December /, there was &
total of $685., ,96I,579 in cash in the
treasury. The demand liabilities
amount to S6lO,6l4,4Sl leaving balance
of S225, ,357 ,O9S. The gold reserve is
now more than $3.50, 100000. During
the month of November over s., 100000
III gold, and over $1,000, 900 in silver, in
different valued coins, was coined. Of
the silver, almost $1,000 900 is standard
silver dollars. During the same month
the increase in circulation of National
bank notes was S4l4, ,446.
Senior Gonzalo de Quesada, Cuban,
has recently established the Cuban
legation in this city, and hopes during
the coming winter to get recognition
from Congress or the President for his
country. Senior de Quesada in an in
terview, speaking Of the military situa-
ton III Cuba, said that during the past
few months the Cuban army has re-
ceived over 900 rifles, and several
pieces of artillery, large quantity of
ammunition and other necessary supplies.
The Cuban army consists at present of
80, 900 armed men, and 10000 more
ready to take up weapons as soon as
they can be supplied. The Cuban
generals took the precaution to drive
the cattle into secure places when they
had the chance to do so, aud they have
enough food to last their forces for two
years to come. They are healthy, not
witbstanding contrary reports given out
by the Spaniards. They are in good
spirits and intend to keep up the fight
until their independence is gained.
From this report it would seem i'm
possible for Spain to crush the rebellion
in, ol1N+nl thron ronnfhc If of oil
Secretary Russell of the United States
legation at Caracas, Venezuela, called
on Secretary Olney during the week.
He says that the peaceable settlement
of the Venezuelan boundary question
will bring Il vast amount of foreign
capital to that country, and that large
number of Americans visited that
country last summer to investigate the
business prospects with view to max
ing investments there.
Preparations have commenced for
the Inauguration. Chairman Hanna of
the Republican Committee arrived in
the city this morning and will in some
degree oversee the matter. It is eX-
pected that much larger crowd will be
here to witness that event than attend
ed the last inauguration. AS at all
large gatherings, the class of people
known as "crOoks" congregate also,
with the expectation of working their
business. It is proposed by the Chief
of Police that Congress be requested to
make an extra appropriation o employ
detectives for that occasion. Under the
law, however, the employment of
Pinkerton detectives is prohibited,
so those employed must not be under
the control Of that agency. Members
70 the detective forces Of New York,
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Richmond,
Boston, Pittsburg and Chicago will be
here to assist the local force in the work 8.
The inaugural ball will probably be
held in the new Congressional Library
building which is now nearing compile
ton. Four years ago it was held in the
Pension Office.
Mr.. Rutherford B. Hayes, son of
ex-President Hayes, who spent four
years in the White House, was caller
at his former home during the past
week.
The Republicans Of the District of
Columbia he Id jollifcation Thursday
evening. Itwas we'll attended. Thero-
retically, the citizens of the District of
Columbia are not interested in politics
as they cannot vote on any question,
nor even for the officers of their own
city government, but practically, they
are more interested and enthusiastic in
politics than those who have all the
privileges of citizens of the states.
Mr.. Hor rtOn, the I. 5. Consul at
Athens, Greece, in Il report to the
State Department says that the wheat
harvest in Russia has been very poor,
and as about two-thirds Of the wheat
used in Greece is furnished by Russia,
wheat has gone up in price and is still
rising. He implies that heretofore
American wheat has not been shipped
to Greece. (. ii.