The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-11-06

social gossip. IL is Republican in politics, and
| discusses the questions of the day with an ad-
mirable combination of dignity, learning aud
| ability. The utterances of no paper command
more attention and respect than its do. The
paper was founded eight years ago by Mr.. ID. y.
| Ramsdell, the well-known journalist, and he
has retained cont 81 of it until ill-health COM
PEELED him to relinquish it. He has transferred
| the paper TO Mr.. w. V. S. Wilson, who has been
his principal associate for several years and con-
tributed very much to the success of the paper.
Mr.. Wilson is journalist of ability, and will
carry the Republic on to fresh successes.
he NEVER SMILED AGAIN.
They are telling this story in the City about
| youthful German diplomat and bright
young American woman with whom he was
conversing at a reception, i'll the tongue OF his
| native land:
why" said she, "don't you speak Eng
lish?"
"Oh," said he with much dignity, "I cannot
think of speaking it here. i learned the accent
in London"
There was moments silence, broken by the
Teutonic declaration: "But / speak French
also. Do your"
ooh, yes" said the young lady, but |
couldn't think of using it to German. l
learned the accent III Paris"
THE MERIDIAN CONFERENCE.
The International Meridian Conference con-
cluded its session last Saturday. The minutes
of the proceedings were submitted and approved
and an official copy was ordered to be dehv-
cred to the Government of the United States,
which would make it the basis of a treaty with
all the nations interested. Upon final vote
only one nation voted against adopting Green-
witch for the prime meridian-San Domingo.
France and Brazil abstained from voting. The
resolution making universal day was unanl-
mouSly adopted. The official protocols are IN
hot A nhOfOpraDh O
President Arthur, with his autograph, will be
presented to all the members of the conference.
EXHIBITS FOR NEW ORLEANS.
An idea of the extent of the Government
exhibits at New Orleans may be formed, when
it is estimated that it will require at least 20
cars to carry them to that city. The interior
Department will send, in addition to the charts
showing the progress of invention in the diff
ferent departments of art and industry 5000
models of patents, arranged in sets and other
wise. Among the ungrouped models will be
many Of great interest, apart from the value
of the inventions One of these is the model
accompanying Abraham Lincoln's patent for
lifting vessels over river shoals, ETC.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE.
According to the report of Gen. Benet, Chief
of Ordnance the labors of his Department dur
ing the past year in the line of gun construction
are such as to give great encouragement. lie
thinks there is no reason TO doubt the aDlllGy
of the Department to grapple with success the
most difficult theoretical and practical problems
of heavy gun construction. He expresses the
hope that Congress will make appropriations
liberal enough to encourage the manufacture
of gun steel and to procure the plant for gun
factories for the proper and speedy armament
of our coast defenses.
PERSONAL.
Mr.. John Davis, Assistant Secretary of State
who made short tour of Europe for the BEN
eft Of his health, has returned to Washington
and is now acting as Secretary in the absence
of Secretary Frelinghuysen.
Second Assistant Postmaster General Lyman
left Washington on the 31st ult. for his home
in New York State. Third Assistant Postmas-
ter-General Hazen will discharge the duties of
Postmaster General until Postmaster-General
Hatton returns.
Capt. Edward Williams, of the British bark
Catelina, has been presented by the President
with handsome gold watch and chain for
humane services in rescuing the crew of the
American ship Rainier, and Capt. L. w.
Churchill, of the Canadian ship Jessie Burritt,
has received a similar testimonial in recogni-
ton of his services in rescning the crew of the
American brig Jennie Morton.
The decoration of the Order of the Red
Cross, which was recently presented to Com
mander Henry Seely, U. s. n, by the King Of
Belgium, for gallant service rendered Bel
gian vessel in distress off the coast of Brazil,
has been received by the Department of State
and will be retained there until Congress au-
thorizes its acceptance by Commander Seely.