Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-09-29
NATIONAL NEWS.
A FEW THINGS RlAT ARE HAPPEN
ING IN WASHINGTON.
The King Of the Csnnibal lslands-Col.
Rockwell Expected to Retire-HOw
He Was Appointed-what hight
Have Been-Judge AdVo-
cate General Swain.
OFFICE SEEKERS CHANGING BASE

WASHINGTON, ID. G. September 2S.-
Orders have been issued by Secretary
Hunt placing the United States stesmeI
Dispatch, now At New York, at the dis
posal OF King kalakakua, while on 1
visit to Fortress Monroe aud Yorktown
The Dispatch will meet the royal party
1t Hampton roads to morrow.
Army officers explain the proposed
retirement Of Col. Rockwell from his de
tail as superintendent of public build
ings and grounds as follows: The erizi'
nal creation OF the bill provided that the
duties should be performed by the CHIEF
OF engineers of the army. That officer
General Humphreys, reported to Con-
gress that it was impossible for him to
do the work in addition to his army du'
ties. 1t was then provided that an
officer should be detailed from the
corps OF engineers. Lieutenant Colonel
Michler was first thus designstea.
He was succeeded by Major o. Z. Bah.
cock during Grants administration, who
procured the insertion of clause on the
appropriation bill that the officer to be
detailed should have rank and pay OF col.
onel of engineers. When President
Garfield desired to provide pleasant duty
for his friend, Captain Rockwell, he
selected this as appropriate, and one
which would increase his friends pay
from 8, 400 to $500, and furnish him
with very extensive patronage.
The Detail was Ordered to be Made.
Gen. Drum, adjutant general of the
army, at once prepared an argu-
ment and decision that the detail was
illegal, as being from the Quartermas-
ter's department OF the army instead OF
the corps OF engineers. This WAS sup
plemented by a protest from General
Wright, Chief of Engineers, to the same
effect. The President did not leave the
question to the Attorney General, but
TO Judge Advocate General Swain, who
furnished written opinion to the effect
that the clause in the appropriation bill
providing for increased rank and pay Of
a detailed officer, repealed the previous
provision that he should be an officer OF
the corps Of engineers. The clause SIM
ply read: "The officer detailed as Super
iatendent of Public Buildings and
Grounds shall have the rank and pay Of
u Colonel OF Engineers" In accord
ance with this opinion Rock
we'll was appointed. There was
much i'll feeling created by the over
sloughlng OF the engineers, and it is
known that determination existed to
bring the subject to the attention Of
Arthur at the proper time. 1t was also
believed that had Garfield lived Rock
we'll would have been made Quarter
master General upon the retirement Of
Meigs, jumping over thirty officers, his
seniors in rank. Very few officers be-
lieve that General Swain will resign his
commission in the army. He was not
appointed by Garfield and could not
possibly be disturbed in his position,
even if such disposition existed. His
rank is tnat of Brigsdier General, with
pay OF $500 and allowances. His du-
ties are not severe and in no way bring
him in contact with the President or
civil officers.
The President did not visit the White
House to-day, and was not expected 70
be there. No appointments were made
or other executive business transacted
King Kalakula made an informal call on
the President this morning. He is
travelling iucogniuo. There has been a
large number of applications at the
White House for the withdrawal Of pa
pers by Office seekers who had filed
them for consideration OF Garfield.
Three or four clerks were busy to day in
hunting these papers out OF the pigeon
holes. They will all he returned, it is
presumed, directly to President Arthur.
Judge Folger's name has frequently
been mentioned in the Cabinet specula-
tions during the last three days. 1t is
remembered that he was strongly backed
by Conkling for position when Gar
field came in after the rejection OF the
suggestion OF Morton. The fact that he
had claim of $50, 900 for percentage on
the sale of internal revenue stamps
while he was assistant treasurer
in New York was urged against
his appointment and prevailed. Had
this claim not stood in the way it
is asserted that Garfield had determined
to appoint him, aud thus ali trouble be-
tween the New York Senator and the
administration would have been pre-.
vented. The Court of Claims decided
against Folger's claim.
Mr.. Boutwell,, of Massachusetts,, who
had an interview yesterday with the
President, returned home to day. In a
conversation he admitted he had been
summoned here by telegraph for
consultation by the President, but
declined to state the subject discussed.
Tat it referred either to his appoint
ment to a place in the new Cabinet or
to Supreme Bench vacancy. 1t is on
the cards that he will take Hunts place
as Secretary of the Navy.
Some Southern politicians of more
notoriety than prominence visited the
President TO suggest the name of Rev.
W. w. Hicks for Post Master General
Mr.. Hicks is now preaching in Dr. Sun,
| derlaud's church in this city. At the
| close of the war he preached foI
/ awhile in Charleston, South
Csroiins; subsequently, in Savannah
and Macon, Ga, and latterly in Jac
| sonville, Florida, always appearing in
politics where opportunity afforded. He
was grant delegate in the Chicago
| Convention. He is possessed of fine or
itoriCal powers.
Gen. Raum, who has been mentioned
| for secretary of War, should Lincoln re
tire, declined to he considered rs = can
| didate. lie is we'll satisfied with hi:
present important post, and he does not
believe Mr.. Lincoln will retire.
Rsdemption of BONDS
wAsHIxsrUs, Sept. G.-Ihe Secretary
oi the Treasury has received infcrna
ton from the sIb-irrasur-r at New YorE
TO the eff ct that S2.00a,0c0 Of bond,
purchased aud redeemed yesterday wtr,
| all extended6s, none Of the extended 5,
being Offered Only SS6Oc0 of tho
am, ,nnt were of bonds incliitied in The
SSO, 900 OoO call. IL this proportion
should ho'd in subsequent weekly ppr
chases the p-esr:i; cab win result w thI
REDEMPTION OF oyer SO pe0,9 900 os .x