Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1886 — WASHINGTON. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON.

The decision of Secretary Lamar in the telephone contest is considered a deathblow to the Bell monopdlv. It recopimends that the Government bring suit; that it bear the whole expense; and that it act entirely on its own responsibility. Already this month, says a Washington special, Commissioner Sparks has restored to the public domain forty thousand acres of land by canceling fraudulent entries, and has commenced thirty-seven civil or criipinal suits against timber-cutters.

Secretary Whitney has directed that a Vessel of the Pacific station be sent to the Samoan Islands..,. In the Criminal Court at Washington three murderers — Richard Lee, Antonio Nardallo, and Louis Sommerfield—were sentenced to be hanged May 26... .Representative Bland intends to report formally a bill to stop the redemption of minor silver coins at sub-treasuries and let the public have small change.... Miss Kate Bayard, the eldest unmarried daughter i of,the Hon. Thomas F, Bayard, Secretary of State, was found dead in her bed. Heart disease was the supposed cause, as she had been under treatment for heart troubles fdit nearly a year. Miss Bayard was muscular,' full of vivacity, and an accomplished equestrienne.