Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-10-30
WASHINGTON TOPICS.

Postmaster General Gresham has become
! Secretary Ofthe Treasury.
The President has appointed Burton Par
| ker, of Michigan, Indian Agent for the In
dams at the Fort Peck Agency, Mont, vice
/ Snyder, resigned.
Postmaster General Hatton and Senior
Romero, Mexican Minister, have concluded
/ a postal convention, providing for the eX-
| change Ofmatter bebWe en- the United States
and Mexico, and domestic rates of postage.
General Benjamin AIvord, .. s. A, re-
/ tired, is dead. He became a Brigadier Gen
eral in 1876, and WIS retired at his own
request, after fOrty-siX years of service. He
was breVeted twice for gallant conduct dur
ing the Mexican war, and was bFeVeted
Brigadier General during tie war Of the
rebellion.
1t is now stated that the President viii
not take any action in regard to the office
of Commissioner of Labor until after the
meeting of COu2ress. John Jarrett was
nominated by the President and confirmed
by the Senate, but his commission is with
held on account, 1t is understood, Of re-
marks made by him in public rejecting on
the President. Mr.. Jarrett wrote 70 the
President in regard to the matter, and after
ward had an interview with him, but the
Office remains vacant.
Adiutant General Drum Endorses the bill
presented by General SlOcum at the last
session Of Congress, as a measure calculated
to further develop and improve the Ell
cheney of the militia. He lays the action
of Congress in increasing the number of
officers TO be detailed for duty giving mill
tarY instruction at the Military Colleges
has proved a great benefit. He recommends
legislation by Congress authOrizi ng there
Uirement OF enlisted men after thirty 1--WE
years service, with seYenty-hve per cent. OF
pay and allowance at retirement. In regard
10 the term Of service, he says a reduction
of the first term from i've to three years
will materially decrease the number of de-
sertiOns The change from semi-anuuaI to
bi-mOnthly settlement OF clothing over
drawn by the soldier is again recommended
as a measure beneficial to the Government
and the man.
1t turns out that John ROach's new dis
patch boat for the Navy, the Dolphin, did
not make the speed that was expected OF
her on account OF lack OF draft IN the en-
CINE room. She is now at the ROach-MOr- !
gan iron works at New York, where her
necessary changes and Improvements are /
being made. Roach is coming on very /
slowly with the three large vessels They /
should all be completed during the coming {
Winter, but the Atlanta and Boston viii I
not be delivered before next Autumn, and 4
the Chicago will not be ready Tor a year. Ia /
fact the latter vessel is hardly yet well be- /
gun. Roach being under no penalty as TO I
time, is proceeding at his leisure TO build 4
these vessels, and 1t is hardly TO be expect i
ed that Congress viii vote money for more /
ships until one or two of these vessels have |
made trial trip.
The Surgeon General Of the Army, in his /
annual report, says that the total deaths /
during the year among the white troops /
was 80, OF twelve per cent per 1000 q the 4
mean strength, an increase OF two per i .GJJ 1
over therate Of the previous year Inc
number of white soldiers discharged fJr dis 4
ability was thirty-eight. The total number OF 4
deaths among the ColOred troops was TWEEN 4
ty-tWO, or 10 per cent per ], 600 Of the mean 4
strength, which Is i per cent. per ], COO low 4
er than the death rate of the previous year. 4
He notes the facl that this is not the largest /
death rate reached among the cOlored I
troops since their organization, but IL IS the /
first time the rate has fallen lower than for /
white troops, the usual AVERAGE difference /
being three and two per !, 600 Of the mean /
strength in favor of the latter class. The /
medical and surgical history viii be ready /
for use in about wear.
The Secretary of the Navy has issued a /
general order IS follows; "a college Is here
~ established for an advanced course OF 4
professional study for naval officers, 70 be I
known IS the Naval War College. 1t viii
be under the general supervision Of the Bu- 4
reau Of Navigation. The principal uilding 4
on Coasters HarbOr Island, NeEpo =. 4, /
VIII be assigned to its use, and IS hereby /
transferred, with the surrounding suucl- 4
urss and the grounds Immediately adjacent /
TO the custody and control Of the Bureau Of
Navigation for that purpose The college