Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-08-16
WASHINGTON.
THE SAMOAN ISLANDS

At the cabinet meeting on the Sth
inst, Assistant Secretary Seward pre-
sented a communication from the
president of the navigation, or Samoan
Islands, requesting the United States to
take them under It's protection. II
seems that the German Empire has
been looking that way, and is making
an attempt to secure the islands as a
colony, which is not favored by the
present government of the islands. No
decision was arrived at in regard to the
matter, but members of the cabinet ex-
ress the opinion that they are too far
distant to make an alliance with them
of any benefit to the United States.
These islands are the scene of the ex-
ploits of an American named Steinber-
ger, who went there as consul of the
United States, and succeeded in getting
the government into his own hands
UNITED STATES TROOPS.
The cabinet also considered the pro-
priety of removing the United States
troops from the points where they were
sent to protect property during the re-
cent strike, and it was decided that they
should return to their respective garri-
sons, except In cases where in general
opinion their service was still necessary.
The president and other members ofthe
cabinet congratulated Secretary Nc
Crary upon his recent developed militia
ry genius, and it was the unanimous
opinion that the military were handled
during the strike with unusual prompt
ness and skill
PINE LANDS.
Land Office Commissioner William
son will soon make report to Secreta-
ry Schurz of his recent visit TO the Wis
consin and Minnesota lumber regions.
Commissioner Williamson found abund-
ant evidence during his trip that vast
quantities of logs have been cut from
the government reservation in the vicin-
! ity of Minneapolis and Saltwater, and
driven down the ST. Croix and Missis-
sippi river. The pioneers or lum-
ber scouts in the employ of the
land Office have measured all the
lumber stolen from the government res
ervations at the principal points, and
the United States marshal has been in
structed to seize the equitable portion
for the government of the logs from the
RATS of the parties charged with stealing
|
been made, and many more are expect
ed. With the seizures the supervision
of the matter on the part of the interior
department ceases.
THE MORMON COUNTRY.
The condition of affairs in Utah has
engaged the attention of the cabinet to
some extent at one or two of their late
meetings. The rivalry between the
Gentle and Mormon population of that
territory seems to be increasing in bit
terEess, and number of new iudict-
ments against Mormons for polygamy
and other ofienses have recently been
secured. Some of the Gentlles in the
territory have been apprehensive that
trouble might grow out Of these pro
ceedings, but the administration does
not fear disturbance of the peace.
Special dispatches of August 18th
from Washington give the following
about the
WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
1t is announced in the press dis
patches that President Hayes is ex-
amining the plans submitted by Larkir
G. Meade, the sculptor, for the compile
ton of the Washington monument
Last winter congress approprl
ated 100000 for the completion
! of the shaft, and entrusted the ex
penditure of the money to the care Of q
commission, consisting of the president
the architect of the capitol, the chic
engineers of the army, the supervising
architect of the treasury, Mr.. w. w
Corcoran, of Washington, and severa
other gentlemen of official prominence
The shaft as it is now, and as it has
stood for twenty years, is 176 feet high
from the base. The original plan was
to build it to the height of 500 feet, bu
after elaborate tests hy the corps of en-
gineerS of the army, 1t is discovered
that its foundations are totally made
quate to support this vast weight.
The design of Mr. Meade, which the
president is now studying, is simply tC
end the shaft where it is, and place OF
it statue of Washington in bronze, tC
be seventy-five feet high. This enor
NOUS figure would add comparatively
little to the weight of the monument, a.
thin. Around the base of the shaft Mr.
Meade proposes to erect broad plat
form $50 feet square, terraced, which
would furnish four grand stairways tt
approach the monument.
The figure of Washington, as it ap
pears in Mr.. Meades drawing, stand
firmly erect The head is bare, a con
tinental hat being laid at the feet.
sword hangs at the left thigh, and /;
heavy military cloak is thrown over tn,
: right shoulder. The appropriation i
! sufficient to carry out Mr. Meade's plan
E HAYES NEW ENGLAND TRIP.
: President Hayes has consented t.
prolong his stay in New England t.
5 nearly two weeks. He will leave her
: on Tuesday next, and viii not return
: until Friday or Saturday of the weel
L following. He will spend Wednesda,
: night at Bennington, Thursday at Brat
E tleboro, Saturday and Sunday with Mr.
Evarts at Windsor, Monday night, tn,
: Doth, at Concord, Tuesday, the 21st, a
< Nashua, and Wednesday the 22d a
Manchester The extension of the visi
to New Hampshire is made at the par
: ticular request of the governor of tha
D state, and a legislative committee o
: which Col. Ordway is chairman.