Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1886 — WASHINGTON. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON.

During the month of January the United States mints coined 3,709,000 pieces of gold and silver, valued at $6,209,470.

The Hydrographic Office at Washington lias just issued its February pilot-chart of the North Atlantic Ocean, and devotes a largo part of its margin to recommending tho use of oil in storms at sea. It says the evidence of tho value of oil in a heavy sea continues to be of so satisfactory a nature as to justify the policy of disseminating tho facts as widely as possible. Tho use of mineral oil is not recommended, but the importance of carrying a supply of the animal or vegetable product

for use in cases of emergency cannot be overestimated. About one gallon of the latter i for every ten miles run by the ship is referred! to as having proved sufficient in one ease of terrific storm. * Gen. Sheridan is opposed to the billj authorizing the recruiting of two regiments' of cowboy cavalry, and thinks that instead' any addition to the service should be made by recruiting the cavalry to the maximum. A bill was presented in Congress requiring all mastlass vessels to carry lights at night The Government su't to test the validity of the Bell telephone patent will lie conducted by Solicitor Geueral Goode, assisted by ex-Senator Thurman, of Ohio, Grosvenor Lowrey, of New York, and Eppa Hunton and Jeff Chandler, of Washington.