National Republican., 1883-06-07
THE MAN ON THE AVENUE.
Small Talk About Men and Measures

small Talk About Men and Measures.
The cabinet is still considering tho ques-
tion of establishing naval stations at Chiri-
qui and Golfo DulCe but has as yet arrived at
no conclusion in regard to IT, The statement
has been made with such frequency that it
has como to be accepted as true that the ap-
preparation made in 1881 of 100000 to ostab.
lish these stations will lapse on the first of
July of the present year, unless decisive
action is taken by tho government before that
date. This is a mistake. The appropriation
was for o specific purpose and is perpetual.
1t will not lapse on the first of
July of this year or of any
year by Limitation. Tho establishment of
these stations on the isthmus of Panama, or
the isthmus of Chiriqui, as it is sometimes
called, at the point indicated is recognized as
question of the gravest Importance, involving,
as it may, an international political policy'o of
the government, and it is being carefully dis
cussed. From a brief prepared by counsel, for
the information of the President and mem
bers of tho cabinet, and from other sources,
some facts relating to this matter are CLEANED
which will be read with interest: "The law, +"
the brief says, "appropriates 100000 to enable
the secretary of the navy to establish at the
isthmus of Panama naval stations and dcpots of
coal for the supply of steamships of war, this
sum to be available for expenditure as soon
as suitable arrangements eau be made to the
proposed end"
In compliance with a resolution passed by
congress in January, 1850, to the effect that
the government should promptly establish
naval stations on the Pacific coast at tho
Gulf ofDulce, and on the Atlantic coast in Lake
Chiriqui steamers were dispatched to these
points and coaling stations located year
afterward 100000 was appropriated to
carry out the objects set forth in the
resolution, but Secretary Hunt did nothing
further in tho premises, and the matter has
been allowed to rest until quito recently.
The practical monopoly of the transportation
routes across the isthmus by the French has
awakened many far seeing people in and out
of public life to tho advisabilty of Uncle
Sam getting foothold on that neck of land
himself before it is overlastingly too late.
The story comes from Wall street that Wander
bilt, Dillon, and other largo interests stand
ready, on u moments notice, to build n rail-
way across the isthmus whenever tho govern
ment shall declare its purpose to carry out
the object of tho law enacted by congress
The Chiriqui Improvement company. an
organization which holds u valuable grant
voted by one of tho volcanic nations of that
cline to tho late Ambrose Thompson, of Phil.
adephia, appears to be the most active agent
in pushing the matter, but large New York
| interests are also said to be anxious for some-
thing to be done. Tho Dc Lesseps interest
on the other hand, is said to be opposed to any
steps looking to utilization of tho appropria-
ton being taken, and there it hangs.
80
Sore eyes threaten to become epidemic in
Washington according to the statement of a
local oculist of repute. "The affection" he
said, "seoms to bo kind of pink eye
There is inflammation, accompanied by noural-
gic symptoms. Never ut any one time in my
practice have seen SO many bad eyes as
now"
60 1t seems" said n treasury officer, "that
after all, the first estimates of the amount the
government will have to pay out in the way
of rebate on taxes on tobacco and cigars were
not far out of the way. Instead of $15, ,00C
or S20,0O0000 tho total will not be over $3,-
100000, and it may be less than that. A large
number of clerks are at work exchanging un-
broken packages of stamps sent in by collect.
ors and manufacturers. Altogether the bust
ness is progressing satisfactorily"
@aa
When Tabor's dog read that story in THE
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN the other day it il
said he, or she (seX indefnite) stood on ite
head and danced at space from sheer joy
Wonderful dog that.
~
An old politician laid down a New York
paper yesterday, and said: "Well, well
when Hendricks reads in Kolly's Now York
paper that his QIendricks) sore toe has got
up into his head, he will begin to realizC
that he is a very, very dead man. Kelly wa'
Hendrickss main dependence in New York
and u warm personal friend.