Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-06
BITS OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
Minor Scenes and Incidents sketche6
on the Spot.

Minor Scenes and Incidents sketched
on the Spot.
The growth Of the country since revolu-
tionary days is tersely shown in the devel-
opment of the postofice department, which
has been made the subject matter of n
pamphlet Just issued by the department.
There were only seventy-ive postofhces es-
tablished in the country in 1888, and the
gross revenue from the business was $3.50.
The expenditures for the same year were
81 $50 and of this only $l,657 were paid in
salaries to postmasters.
There were in 1901, 1884 postofhces in
operation, 511, sos miles Of post routes,
1855, LAG, 059 miles of mail service performed.
The gross.revenues of the department were
sill, 6S1, 1913, the expenditures $115, O39, GOT,
and s19, 113,59O we're paid as compensation
to postmasters.
From June 80, 1s47, to June 80, 1851,
4,603, 200 postage stamps were issued, while
in the single year 1901 1929, 273, 500 stamps
were used by the people of the United
States.
In 1853, the year In which stamped en-
velopes were first issued, 100000 were
used, while IN 1901 the total was I 1883, 900.
The first years issue of postal cards
1s73-numbered 81, 094, 900, while in 1901
$50, GA, 800 were issued.
The registry system was started in 1855,
and In that year the registered pieces num-
bered $40, 1872. In 1901 they numbered TO-
S14 ,501.
In 1865 money orders to the amount OF
81, 800, 1872 were issued, while in 1901 the
total amounted to 1874, 546.0 67. p.
The number of pieces of matter Of all
kinds mailed increased from 10000 in 1890
to 7,424, 200, 1929 in 1901.
-
According to the Washington Post Sen
ator Dietrich owns a silk hat and a frock
suit. He has worn the outfit four times.
When he first arrayed himself in this full
regalia it was the day of his inauguration as
governor of Nebraska 1t rained and
showed upon the high hat and the frock
coat. When he again put them on 1t was
the day Of McKinley's second inauguration
and Mr.. Dietrich, who had just been sworn
in as a new senator, was once more bap-
tized by a heavy rain. His third experience
was last Saturday morning, when again,
In his high hat and frock coat, he sat upon
one of the uncovered stands at the Roch-
ambeau statue unwilling and got the full
benefit of the shower that interrupted the
exercises.
''This is a fine afternoon" said Senator
Dietrich last Sunday. II will dress up
and take a walk"
So once again he arrayed himself in the
fated costume. AS a result he was caught
in the sudden storm which came out OF
the northwest and was drenched to the
skin. Rivers Of water poured from his
silk hat and his frock coat was as soaked
as a sponge.
Mr.. Dietrich, when he finally got home,
changed his clothes and put the hat and
the frock coat carefully away. 81 never
will wear that outfit again." he said yes
terday.
The other afternoon, when President
Roosevelt reached Dupont circle, a seeing
Washington" electric car hove in sight and
the guide continued his lecture through a
megaphone in this way: ION the left we
see the elegant residence Of Mr.. George
westinghouse the millionaire inventor and
electrician, formerly the home OF the late
James G. Blaine; a little to the left OF
front we perceive the palatial mansion OF
Mr.! L. 2. Letter, the Chicago millionaire
and father OF the famous beauty, Miss
Mary Letter, now Lady Curzon, the wife Of
the governor general Of India; In the park
In front we are confronted by the statue Of
Admiral Dupont and also in front We see
the president Of the United States on
horseback"
The crowd looked and one woman said,
"Whose statue is 1t, McKinley's?"
tits Roosevelt" the guide responded.
He amt a statue yet"
Among the Presbyterian ministers who
were presented to President Roosevelt
when he came to the city recently, reports
the New York Times, was one who bears
the burden Of an overweening sense OF duty
and is wont to "rebuke in season and out
of season"-mostly out OF season.
1T regret" said the preacher, ito see
that the administration countenanced the
, use Of liquor in the governors palace at
Havana"
But / am glad to see," said the presi-
dent, deftly changing the subject, that
the general assembly is notwithstanding
the use OF birthstone"
J Some timld souls In Washington who
; feared Mount Iona would throw a few tubs
| Of lame and mud as far as the national
? capitol. have been Gained and soothed by
I Prof. McGee OF the Agricultural depart
I ment with a brief interview, as follows;
/ Mount Iona is a high hill situated at
some distance from the town OF Fender,
= Neb., and is a part OF the cretaeeous for
nation that covers a large part Of that
1 state. Under this hill there exists a
stratum Of -carboRaceous shale, everything
another stratum OF shale that Is full OF
iron pyrites and sulphur. The sulphur and
0 pyrites are constantly decomposing In large
quantities, generating an intense heat and
causing combustion In the carbonaceous
: elements Of the everything shAle. The
: steam and smoke generated by this COM
e bustion escapes to the outer atmosphere