Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-25
THE MAKONE-BECk EPISODE.
Ridiculous Attitude OF the Virginia Re-
adiuSter.
Especial Telegram to the Globe. |

Especial Telegram to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.-Secretaries Lin
coin and Chandler asked congress last ses-
sion TO create the Offices OF assistant secre-
tary Of war and assistant secretary of the
navy. At this time these ministers thought
there was great need of assistant secreta-
ries not only to relieve them OF part Of the
iabOrs attaching to their Offices. but to
take charge when either secretary was
called away from Washington. Several
months nave elapsed since these Offices
. were created, but so far as the ,,a.,,ic is
aware nothing has been done toward 6ll:,It
them. A prominent official, who errors
the friendship Of both Lincoln anu Ch.u-
der, says he is advised that neither OF these
gentlemen wanted an assistant secra-
tary in his department, Toy the res
SOL that now they hold absolute
sway and are not called upon to divide any
OF the responsibilities Of their offices with
another person who might have sufficient
political backing to make it unpleasant for
them in case of any differences about the
work connected with the service. This
ge:,tlenan is OF the opinion that both the
new offices will lapse and not be filled. a
Republican senator, IN speaking about the
matter said that congress would undoubt-
edly abolish both Offices unless the presi-
dent ignored the wishes of the two secreta-
ries and filled them. He thought it strange
that Lincoln and Chandler should be so
anxious last year to have the Offices crea-
ted and now be opposed to filling them.
TIE GUATEMALA JUNTA.
For few days past there has
seen considerable quiet talk among few
gentlemen who are close to the administra-
ton, and who are in a position to catch
tbs cream of the talk in diplomatic circles,
TO the effect that the junta of Guatemala is
about to take a step that will not only be
startling, but will excite the deepest in
terest both in this country and in Europe.
1t is said that the step which the junta
proposes to take is to pass resolution ask
ing the privilege of admission as one of
the United States. AS is we'll known a
difficulty has existed a long time about a
a boundary line between Guatemala and
Mexico, and it was understood that
the sole purpose of Barrios' visit
to this country last summer was to get the
United States to interfere and settle the
difficulty. This boundary business may
have been discussed while Barrios VIA
here, but it is now asserted that the nsin
purpose was to Ascertain the ceiling Of
the administration and of the leaders OF
the opposition party on the question of
admission to the Union. A leading mem
Der of the house is reported to have said
to-day that if the matter came before
congress in any shape he should favor it..
He said that the admission of Guatemala
was only the first move of getting posses
sion of Mexico, and that when Geatemala
was part of the United States,
1T would not be long before
the other South American states
would be knocking at our doors for ad-
mission. It may be, he said, that Mexico
will not come to us peaceably, and we GER
tainly shall not force her; but there are in
dications of trouble brewing on account of
our railroad interests there, and out of
this trouble annexation may ultimately
come. If Guatemala asks to be annexed,
it is represented that strong party will
be found in this country to favor it.
ROBERT sMALLs.
There is considerable talk in navy circles
about the bill introduced in the house a
lew days ago by Mr.. Macky, of South
Carolina, to authorize the president to
appoint Robt. Smalls as captain in the
navy, with the understanding that he
should be placed on the retired list with
pay accordingly. Robt. Smalls is known
as Gen. Smalls in South Carolina, having
received that title on account of his con-
nection with the state militia during the
period of Republican rule. He is short,
heavy-set negro, about forty three years of
age, and is the possessor OF fair amount
of intelligence. He is member OF the
house, and although he has not much to
say on the floor or in the committee rooms,
it Is generally admitted that he has very
good idea of what is going on. 1t
IS difficult to understand, however, what
put it into his head to want to be a retired
captain in the navy. He knows nothing
about naval matters, and it seems to be q
sort of farce to put man in the position
iio wants w oSOupy wiz Aoo AOAGAoI CAdALA
nor fitness for the place. The services on
which his claim is based might entitle him
to money compensation, but not to rank
If the story is true about what he did to
aid the federal cause during the war, it is
not altogether creditable to him. He was
the pilot Of small steamboat in Charles
ton harbor. He was a slave and the
steamboat, which was called the
Planter, was owned by his
master. One day he was plotting
q number of confederate officers who were
taking soundings andmaking surveys about
ne harbor. Instead &C fulfilling his trust
ae :LE The boat Gnder a!ie guns of the fed
seai rect which was dlocka<.ing The harbor
s-3 surrendered the boat ard officers. For
ths ervice he wants to be retired cap
ain in the navy, with pay that amounts to
over $4,000 year. The impression pre-