Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-09-26
WASHINGTON LETTER
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS.

OF the new ventilating scheme adopted
for the United States senate chamber
are progressing at the capitol with
speed. The corridors of the old part
OF the building, connecting it with
the legislative wings, are being light
ened with scrub brush and paint, 80
that their appearance is decidedly
changed from the former dingy estate.
Electric lights have been placed in
the cornice of the small rotunda under
the great dome. An old attacho says
that the renovation of these places and
OF the corridor in front of the supreme
court is the first thorough cleansing
that has been given them for more
than thirty years. The cost of the
improvements and repairs making to
the Capitol will amount to allAost
800, 600.
SENATOR GoRMAN ENLIsTED-Sena-
tor German of Maryland is to have
practical control of the popocratic
campaign in the eastern states. This
is the most important development of
day which has been devoted to long
and the other popocratic leaders.
Senator Jones has the promise of
senator German to exercise Il close
supervision over the eastern cam
paign, and to give his advice freely as
to the contest in other parts of the
country, 1t is understood that sena-
tor German will spend great part of
his time in Laurel, Nd. his home, and
will carry on most OF his work by let
ter and telegraph, only visiting New
York or Washington when necessary.
To THE OTHER SIDE-The little
Bancroft, formerly II practice ship, but
now changed into small, but efficient
gunboat, has sailed from Tompkins-
vile bound for Gibraltar. She prob
ably will touch at Fnyal, Azores, en-
route to take on n supply of coal, ~
the long voyage across the Atlantic
cannot be made on the amount of fuel
her bunkers will hold. AT the navy
department it is said her orders
simply are to report to admiral Sell
fridge at Gibraltar The admiral will
direct the further movements of the
ship. It is neither admitted nor
denied that the Bancroft is going to
Constantinople, but it is not doubted
that it is intended to make the effort
to take her there to serve simply as Il
refuge for American citizens in case
of an outbreak that might jeopardize
their safety. The Cincinnati is rapid
ly making ready to follow the Ban
croft into Turkish waters, carrying re-
lief crews for the vessels now on the
station and relieving the Marblehead,
which will come home.
CHARLES Gowns DEATH-The state
depar tment has taken steps to have
thorough investigation made of the
circumstances surrounding the killing
Of Charles Gown, a young American
accompanying the Cuban revolution
ary army in the capacity of CORE
spondent for Florida newspaper.
Affidavits procured by counsel
for the family of Gown go to
show that while he was with
force of rebels under major
Valencia a. Corredas, near Havana,
last July, strong force of
Spanish troops was encountered and
Gown, who was unarmed, and, it is
asserted, was an non.combatant, sur
rendered to the Spanish colonel. 1t
is alleged that, although he was sup
piled with an American passport and
papers to establish his newspaper con-
nection, he was executed on the day
following his capture without an OPP
portunity to claim and exercise his
right under treaty as an American
citizen.
Consul General Lee will endeavor
to ascertain all of the facts in the
case.
BUSINESS OF THE PATENT OFFIcE-
The report on the business of the pat
ent Office for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1896, has been submitted by
commissio ner OF patents John b. Sey-
mour. 1t shows 4S, 105 applications
and caveats received, "a, 585 pat
ents granted, and trademarks,
labels and prints registered and
$3.50 patents withheld and patents
expired. Receipts from all sources
during the year were 81, ,3O7, 900, and
expenditures 81, ,O97, 1868, leaving a sur
plus of $2O9, 721. The balance. in the
treasury of the United States on nc-
count of the patent fund on June 80,
1896, was 81. 556, 757, making total
with the 1896 surplus of $4, 49, 479.
Applications awaiting action at time
of report number S,943.
DEMOCRATIC CLUBS Chauncey F.
Black has announced the change of
date of the st. Louis convention of
mocratic clubs from Sept. 80 to
Oct. 8, and that the convention would
last but one day. Assistant secretary
Mexican, who has charge of the club
end of headquarters here, says that he
believes that 10000 clubs will have
been organized by the time for the
meeting. He looks for an immense at
tendance. He thinks the clubs will
average 800 members each. This would
give a total membership at the time o.
the st. Louis convention of 3,000,-
900, the largest in the history of any
party. Said Mr. Mexican: "Clubs
are now being organized at the rate of
100 or more day, and the number is
increasing. L have letter from Rolla
Wells, chairman of the st. Louis
democracy. They have 155 precinct
clubs in that city and are ftill organ
izing. We hope to have club at
every voting precinct in the country
before the election" Governor
Black charges that the republican
railroad men all over Pennsylvania are
being forced into republican clubs
under threats, and that men are being
placed over them. He says that the
republicans are afraid of losing eight
or ten republican districts to the
democrats.