Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-10-14
WASHINGTON News and Gossip.

ADVANCES TO c. EDWARDS LESTER, is
strange medley of bunders. Nevertheless,
we apprehend that there waS a letter from
General c. to Mr.. J. l.. O:Sullivan. (who is
now in Washington,) portion OF which was
read to Mr.. Lester by that gentleman. How
ever, instead of being, as Mr.. Lester repre-
sents through the Herald, sort of tender of
the Olive branch and request for his friend
ship. we apprehend that it was simple re-
ply to casual inquiry of O.'s, whether he
Cushing was the author of the demolition
of Lester in the Union; in which reply it was
stated that he had written no such paper, and
that Mr.. o. might say so, whenever and wher-
ever he thought proper And, further, that he
felt no concern under Testers threat to pub
lish anything from his pen, having written
nothing in the way of private correspondence
to l.. or his friends, the publication of which
would not be very likely to injurc the Iub-
fishers far more than himself, in the public
estimation. We have taken pains to look into
this affair, and have no hesitation in assert
ing that such, and such only, was the sub
stance of the Herafd'S very last mares nest
In city of politicians like Washington, the
real facts of 10 such thing can be kept from
the knowledge Of the man of the press who
possesses very general acquaintance with
those dabbling in politics. At any rate, we
believe that we always obtain thorough knowl-
edge of the truth of such affairs, and are
willing, in this case, to stake the reputation
Of the Star for always unlocking such mys-
tcries. when taking them in hand; upon the
accuracy Of the information, in this connec-
ton, which We give above.
An IMPORTANT PENSION QUESTION DECIDED
The Secretary Of the Interior has recently
decided adversely on a claim for communication
and interest for services as paymaster in a
Virginia revolutionary State troops) re,i-
ment. The claimant was paid by the State
tor his services As lieutenant, under judg-
ment obtained in 1894, which, it is alleged.
established his rank as paymaster also. The
claim now brought against the United States.
was based on the Sd section of the act of july.
1892, which provides for the adjustment and
settlement by the e. s. of the claims for half
pay to the officers Of the Virginia regiments
and corps Tin one Of which the party served
which had not been paid or prosecuted to
judgments against the State of Virginia, &c.
1t appearing that the heirs in this case diQ
appeal to the judicial tribunals of Virginia
in 1913 and obtained Judgment for and on
account of the officer, services as Lieutenant
and Paymaster, the Secretary ruled that the
claim did not come under the third section of
the act above mentioned. Virginia has long
since received all the money appropriated for
the payment of those who had obtained such
judgments against her, and, in this case hat
paid the claimants, ms her authorities con-
ceived themselves bound to settle with them
unIer the decree they had obtained The &C
tion in this case also involves decision that
the act of the 5th of July, 1892, has reference
only to applicants for half pay, and has no
reference at all to commutation Commute
ton, therefore, or five years full pay in lieu
of half pay for life, is not recoverable under it.
IRON MOUNTAIN RAILRoAD-Consress ut the
last session, granted to this railroad COMPANY
the right of way through the public gounds of
the Governments Arsenal, Marine Hospital
and Jefferson Barracks, on condition that the
Secretary Of War, was of opinion that the
public interest would not suffer by the loca-
ton Of the proposed road. The army officers
there. however, strenuously object to running
the road thus through the public property;
basing their objection principally on the dan
ger from sparks to the powder in the Arsenal.
and that might be going up from the landing
across the railroad) to that depot In view of
the fact that this important work cannot be
constructed except on the route selected and of
the consent of the company to stringent stipu-
lations for the security of the public property
there, among which is embraced a condition
that horse power shall be used in going through
these grounds, the Secretary Of War has
granted the permission necessary to avail
those interested in this railroad of the sea-
sonable action of Congress in their behalf
SERIOUS TROUBLE IN THE CHEROKEE NATION.
We hear that the Government have lust re-
ceived advices from the southwestern Superin.
tendency of Indian affairs saying that a por-
ton of the Cherokee nation are in arms against
their tribal authorities; that some one hun
dred of the discontented recently attacked and
murdered John and Washington Adair, two
noted friends of the Ross party; that, as as
certained, the aIti-Rossites in arms at this
time number some two hundred fighting men,
who declare their determination to kill or
drive out from the nation persons obnoxious