The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-05-21
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DoiBgs at The Ma
tional Capital.
THE TsTHMrAN MBRoGLIo.

everybody. is now in the city. he says that
the expedition was in every way a success and
accomplished thoroughly the end for which 1T
was sent ont 1t succeeded IN keeping transit
open without loss of life. Another great object
accomplished was the prevention of damage to
American property in Panama by the occupa-
ton of that town. Commander Mel ALA thought
the immediate cause OF the trouble WAS the fact
that highway robbery was practiced TO great
extent on the canal employees when they are
paid off every week, and that there was an
absence of Columbian troops To prevent these
outrages. These robberies easily iucited III
surrection. which such men rs Prestan were
always ready to take advantage OF. The Com
mander said he did not think there would he
any more trouble there as long as the National
list force is present.
Abiding to the alleged disagreement between
himself and Admiral Jouett, he said the story
was absurd, and was utterly without tounda-
ton.
The "trip was by no means pleasure eXcur-
sion, and hc gives the utmost praise TO the eX-
cellent manner in which the men conducted
themselves. During their stay in ASpluwali
the troops occupied sheds put up for them by
the railroad people while III Panama a large
building also belonging to the railroad WAS &C.
eupied. Lieut. Elliott, with a squad of meu,
guarded the only bridge of Importance about
half way between the two places, and Adj
Spicer was one of the officers detailed upon
the trains, bearing Hotchkiss and Calling guns,
and men enough to make them very formida-
BILE instruments.
The officers think it was nothing but q feel
ing of fear which prevented the Coionibiaus
from attacking our troops. Physically the
United States troops had very disagreeabie
time, having nothing softer to sleep Oh than
wooden or cemented floor. During most of the
time the nights were intensely hot, but towards
morning came a chillness which the men speak
of as terrible.
1t was difficult to give satisfaction anyway
down there. The Colombians We're mad when
the Americans landed, and the Americans Were
incensed when they left. Indignation meet
ings were held, at one of which it was deter
mined TO throw all the soldiers in the sea. and
at another to cut their Threats. The Coombians
at one time got out a proclamation that they
were able TO protect the lsthmuS. but were pre-
vented from doing so by the presence of the
Americans. On one occasion the French Consul
called the Americans invaders, when Senior
DietZ, d prominent citizen, got up and said he
hoped the other Consuls were more familiar
with the treaty which compelled the United
States TO protect the railroad.
Everybody on the Isthmus seemed TO know
how to use dynamite, in fact the construc ton
of the canal has placed that substance within
easy reach of all. They do almost everything
down there with dynamite, from blasting rocks
to catching fish. One night a Lieutenant got
in under a house just in time to catch
a sailor in the ACT of shooting fellow whom
he had caught there setting off dyna
mite cartridge. The sailor had his pistol
leyeled, and down came the hammer, but the
Lieutenant's hand was under it just i'll time 10
save one worthless Spanish life.
On one occasion there was little excitement
caused by gambling row between Texan
rough and some of the natives, in which one
of the latter was killed and two wounded
GrI he mid CT af llh
some shots were fired at the American pickets
on the piazza. Bang! went the Calling gun,
and one round restored peace. The men were
ordered out. but no fighting WAS done. One
fellow. with tears in his eyes, begged All officer
to let him have one shot. He thought it
shame to come so far and then not get a chance
to discharge his rife.
The Jamaican negroes employed on the
canal seemed to think the Z. ). troops came
down TO do police duty. as they would come al
all times TO the officers for protection. The
unfortunate negroes are treated in the most
fendish manner by the Colonbians They
murdered, scourged, and robbed. On pay days
they are frequently locked up in the caboose,
and only released on payment of a large por
tion OF their wages. On one OCCASION Spaui-
ard without proyocation stole up behind a
Jamaican and sliced off his head with
machete. There seems to be ceasele-s
between the races. Anyway the expedition
has been a success. but few casualties have
occurred, and the troops have come home in
excellent health.
THE COLOR LINE.
Last Sunday night Fred Douglass who holds
the position of Recorder of Deeds, selected AS
the place FOR making his devotions the Rev.
Byron Sunderlands church. which, as is well
known. has been chosen by President Cleveland
for his place of worship. To the casual observer
there would not seem TO he much in this coin
cidence OF the venerable AbolitiOnist orator and
the President of the United States both prais-
ing God IN the same tabernacle, but 1T seems
1t was too much for the sensitive nerves o. the
goSSps of Washington, and soon all sorts of
rumOrs were afioat, and among others that
Douglass was currying favors with Che Presi-
dent by taking pew ia his church, and that a
large portion of the congregation We're so indg-
Dant at has presence that they had resolved to
withdraw from the congregation unless the
obnoxious Fred was sent about his business
The excitement subsidized when an explanation
was made by Mr. Douglass in an evening paper
that he really had no intention of regularly at
tending DIR. Sunderland's church, and that he
went there merely to crafty the desire of some
persons who were visiting his family to see the
President
HOW NOT TO DO IT.
Gen. Belknap has had fine illustration of
the system of circumlocution which character
ICES the transaction of Government business in
was admitted TO the bar and begun the practice
of law, 30 years ago. was a claim of his mother
against the Government for pay due his father.
who was Colonel of the 9Th Inf The facts as
Gen. Belknap then presented them, seemed TO
be conclusive, but he was put of from time
TO time and settlement deferred on various
preteXts. When the General was Secretary of
War of course he could not take any cogniz-
ance Of IL, but since his retirement from Office
he has resumed the prosecution more in
spirit of curiosity than anything else as the
amount was so small He wanted to see Just
how much trouble it would be 20 collecf an
honest claim against the Government. Last
week he finally had settlement. and now ex-
hibits vouchers for about $50, which it has
taken him 80 years TO collect from the United
States Government. This experience is not
very encouraging to other suitors of the Gov
eminent.
A STUPID MESSENGER.
The stupidity and lack of manners on the
the other day caused slight misunderstanding
between Cabinet Minister and his first assist
ant. The Minister in question sent polite
request by the aforesaid messenger for the
presence OF has assistant, which the boorish fell
low conveyed in these terms: Saw man
down stairs wants to see you" The gentleman
addressed, not having the slightest idea from
whom the message came, replied: Tell him if
he wants to see mo TO come up" The stupid
fellow carried the message TO the head OF the
Department. and caused, as may he supposed
Cfn naCif mt tn ind futi