The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-12-11

scarcely Is minutes As the capstone was low
cred into position a flag was run up, q salute
was fired from cannon in the White House
grounds, and the work which was commenced
July A. 164S, was finished. The aluminium
terminal of the capstone bears the following
inscriptions: On one face, "Chief Engineer
and Architect Thomas Lincoln Casey, Colonel
Corps of Engineers; Assistants, Geo. w. Davis,
14th U. s. Inf; Bernard r. Green, Civil Engi-
neer; Master Mechanic, z. II. Mclaughlin"
On another, Cornerstone laid on bed OF foun-
dation July d. 1915; first stone at hight of
152 feet laid Aug. z, 1880. Capstone set Dec.
6, 1854" On a third, Joint Commission at
setting of capstone, Chester A. Arthur, w. w.
Corcoran Chairman, Ill. E. Bell, Edward Clark,
John Newton. Act of Aug 2. 1885," and on
the fourth face the words "a Laus Deo"
DEPoPULATING A CEMETERY.
The work Of exhuming the remains in the
old Holmead Cemetery, in this city, mentioned
in these columns some weeks ago, is now nearly
finished, more than two-thirds of the tract
having been dug over. Up to date the contents
of over 2,200 graves have been removed. In
many cases, III which burial took place 80 years
ago or more, scarcely a vestige remains, the
collins being wholly decayed, and the bodies
having & ne to dust, save a few bits OF bone or
shreds of hair that have resisted the wasting
processes of nature. The remnants are depos-
tied III boXeS-those of % to 80 persons in each
and reintcrred in Rock Creek Cemetery.
THE POWER BEHIND THE THRONE.
Politicians who esteem themselves wise in
their day and generation consider that Sen.
A. p. German, of Maryland will have the most
influence with the President-elect, and con-
sequently he is courted and made much OF by
that class which makes profession of crcOking
the pregnant hinges of the knee that THRIFT
may follow fawning. The Senator is slender,
blonde man, with an angular, smooth-shaVen
face, and manner quietly decisive. He has a
decided fondnesS for baseball, and good game
has more attractions for him than horse race
has for most men.
A TALENTED WOMAN.
Miss Nellie Holbrook (AIrs. C. II. Blinn), of
San Francisco, who is on here at the instance
of the GAR of San Francisco, TO endeavor to
secure the pardon of John Best, of that city,
is woman of remarkable qualities and powers.
She has great oratorical and dramatic talent
having had a successful career as a popular
actress and elocutionist. OF late years she
has turned her attention to political Oratory,
and during the recent campaign stumped In
diana and other States with Gen. Logan and
other great speakers, and aroused extraordi-
nary enthusiasm wherever she went. She has
an expressive face, winning and beautiful, and
an imposing presence, which aids her oratory
very much.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Pres. ELECT Cleveland has declined, under the
plea Of pressing business, an invitation to at
tend the Montreal ice carnival.
Capt. John n. Craig, of the 10th q. S. Inf,
who died here last Saturday, was son of the
late Gen. II. X. Craig, Chief of Ordnance, u. S.
Army. He was connected with the Army of
the Potomac during the whole war and was
breveted Major for gallantry in the Gettysburg
campaign and Lieutenant Colonel for good con-
duct in the last campaign before Richmond. At
the time of his death he was recruiting officer
at Baltimore.