The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-11-15

for further action. The examiners
went to the desks of these clerks and
examined their work. They called
upon the heads of their bureaus, heads
of divisions and heads Of sections for
such information as they had to give
concerning the conduct and capacity
of the temporary clerks, and in every
ease the report has been favorable.
Certain of the officials thus called
upon for their reports have all along
been opposed to the system from be-
ginning to end. They have predicted
that the new regulations would have
the effect of filing the departments
with young men just from school
stuffed with "book learning and
without any practicable knowledge OF
business. But their reports upon the
individual cases of those persons who
were assigned to their Offices for duty
brings out the hearty acknowledge
ment that SO far the new system has
brought them only the most capable
and industrious clerks.
General Baker, Commissioner of
Patents, in his report takes especial
pains to refer to the satisfactory work.
ing of the new regulations. He COM
mends the new clerks appointed un-
dersthe new system as more than or
dinarily efficient, and expresses him
self as highly gratifed with the re-
suits so far as they have transpired in
his own Office.
Visitors to the national capital
within the last five or six years have
become familiar with the physiog-
nomy of General w. A. C. Ryan, the
great Cuban agitater. He wore a
broad brimmed hat and possessed a
peculiar swagger which told plainly
enough the character of the man.
1t will also be remembered that
some few months ago an order was
issued by the Cuban government d.
recting certain of its officers sojourn-
ing in the United States, General Ryan
among.the rest, to report for duty.
Soon after thesissuing of this order
the face and form of this redoubtable
" general" were missed from our
thoroughfares. He sailed from New
York in company with party of his
compatriots and was on board the
Virginius when that vessel was cap
tured by a Spanish war vessel q few
days since. To-day the telegraph in
forms us that he and some four or five
other prominent prisoners were SEN
fenced to death, and on the 9TH in
slant were led ont to execution by
shooting.
General Ryan was not yet thirty
years of age and was of that order of
individuals classed as fast young
men, What bis official relations
with the government of Cuba were
no enc ever knew, but he certainly
did occupy some sort of official sta
ton. 1t has been remarked here to-
day that it is well for his reputation
that he met his death in the defense
of the cause to which he professed to
be devoted, but to which he has been
somewhat derelict in his duties here
tofore.
General Verona, another of those
who suffered the death penalty, was
in this city few weeks ago and while
here won the respect of those with
whem he came in contact. He was
gentleman of liberal education, pro-
gressive views, and of pleasing adj
dress. The loss of the Virginius and
the summary execution of these men
will prove severe blow to the Cuban
cause.
The annual reportof DR.. Nichols,
the superintendent of the Government
Hospital for the Insane, was yesterday
presented to the Board of Visitors.
This institution is situated on the
other side of the Eastern branch of
the Potomac about a mile from this
city. It is handsome building, oc-
cupying a fine, commanding position.
It is supported almost entirely by the
government and is designed to afford
home and treatment for the insane
of the army and navy and marine SER
vice and the INDECENT insane of the