The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-07-16
WASHINGTON GOSSIP
The Weeks DOingS at the Ma
tienal Capital.
A Graceful ACT.

Last Thursday delegation of Southern
gentlemen entered Gen. Rosecrans's office in
the Treasury Department, and We're introduced
as from Texas. They handed him a large re-
volver, which bore the marks OF age, and the
following communication:
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 8, 1885.
Gen. W. s. RosECRANs
DEAR GENERAL: During the Spring Of 1868,
Army Of the Cumberland and WAS pressing your
way slowly but surely, by battle and manuver, 70
ward the sea, the 9Th Texas tConfederatel Cav,
upon the occasion of a raid upon the rear OF your
army captured, with portion of your persona bag
gage this very handsome souvenir, which we nave
the honor to return to your hands.
weapon of war y was presented 10 you py C0i.
Geffroy, OF the United States Army, and upon the
silver hilt is marked some of the great epochs oil
Your military history, which must be pleasant
memories for you. and for which posterity viii give
you justice.
because whilst in times we admired your
chivaIrous character soldier and distinguished
skill officer, we have in these piping times oil
rsesce learned with all our Southern ardor TO esteem
With great res;,ect, etc. JAS L. CHESowETH,
S. s. AsHE
FERG. KYLE,
b. f. Boris.
Representing the sth Texas Cav. fTerry's Texas
Rangers.)
Gen. Rosecrans received them pleasantly, and
conversation over the events of the war ensued.
After their departure Gen. Rosecrans sent them
the following letter:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.,
REGISTERS OFFICE, July 9, 1888.
GENTLEMEN: Accept nay most cordia thanks lot
the return my possession of pistol-the present
to me of a valued friend-whieh on its route TO my
headquarters captured from Lieut.. Spencer,
its bearer by the 9Th Tex. Confederate Cav.
No less do thank you, and through you the hv-
ing members of the gallant regiment you represent,
for the very cordial and complimentary terms of
your letter accompanying the returned weapon.
The sentiments expressed are by me fully recipro.
sd
shall always bear in kind and friendly remem-
brance.
Messrs. JAS /. Chenoweth s. s. Ashe, Ferg. Kyle
and b. F. Bolts, sth Tex. Confederate Cav.
The pistol was in its day magnificent wea-
pom, ebony handle, sslf-cocking and powerful
enough to throw bullet with fatal effect over
half a mile. On a silver plate on the butt is
inscribed the following:
Rich Mountain. Carnifex Ferry, Gauley Bridge,
Iuka, Corinth. Murfreesboro.
Presented by o. II. Geffroy to MAJ. -Gen. w. S.
Rosecrans
WHOLE FAMILIES IN OFFICE.
There is always danger in this city of the
older residents forming an Office holding ring
by which they draw In the aggregate enormous
salaries for the services of family in the sew
eral Departments. In 1877 Secretary Sher-
mans attention was called to this abuse and
he found that some families were actually re-
ceiving from $4,000 to $4,000 year in sala
ries paid the different members. He broke
this up by issuing an order which prohibited
the employment of two members of a family in
his Department, and this was subsequently ex-
tended to the employees Of all of the Depart
ments- During the last year or two the strict
ness of this rule has been mitigated somewhat,
and the old practice has been renewed of hay-
ing several members of family in the Gov
eminent employ. The various Secretaries have
had their attention called to this, and a weed
ing out has begun.
A man called upon the head of one Of the
Government Bureaus the other day and intro
dueed himself as the husband of one of the
lady employees. He explained that he had
just been discharged from his position in
other Department. and he attributed this
mainly to the fact that it was known that his
wife was in Government employ. He then
went on to suggest that his wife be discharged
and her place be given to him.
The money is i'm the family, is it not?"
asked the official. "What difference does it
make to whom it is paid?"
Yes" replied the visitor, "but she don't
give me any money for myself"
Your wife provides bread and clothing for
you and the children, aud she is good wife, is
she not?" continued the official
"Oh, yes; / have no fault to find with her
on that account; but want to be the head of
the house. and when she gets the money she is
the head"
undisguised contempt, that if nay wife was
supporting herself and the family that weRld
turn ID and earn my own living"
But can't earn my living" was the help
less response. 81 don't know how"
He then went on to urge that his request be
granted but he was told that even if there was
no other objections to the transfer, it would be
contrary to law.
RESIGNATION OF A FAITHFUL CLERK.
Mr. Wm. f. Stidham, Chief of the Navy PAY
and Allotment Division of the Fourth Audi
tors Office Treasury Department, rendered his
resignation-by request of Gen. Charles NJ.
Shelly, Auiiter-on the 18th inst, to take
effect Aug. Is. Mr.. Stidham entered that office
as a clerk in April, 1864, upon expiration of
his term of service in Pennsylvania regiment,
and was promoted through the several grades
OF clerkship until by sterling merit, in the lat
ter part OF 1865, he attained the position he
now resigns. 1t is understood the request was
made ia pursuance of plan the Auditor has
matured for the reorganization of his Office.
and in making the request he does not wish to
be understood as intending to reflect in any
manner upon Ma. Stidham's efficiency or fidel-
ity as an official or his character as a gentle
man, and 5egs to assure him Of his kind per-
soaal feelings and that he regrets the necessity
of the request.
Mr. StidhaIn has long been known as one of
the most efficient Chiefs of Division in the
quaintcd with all the details of business in the
Fourth Auditors Office His friends have for
some time been aware that soon after Gen.
SheIly's entrance upon the duties of his Office
he took occasion to advise the Auditor that he
held his resignation in allegiance until such
time rs it might please him TO accept it, and
that the most perfect and cordial relations
official and personal-exist between them.
CADETS AT LARGE.
The last lot Of cadets at large to West Point
appointed by the President is made up almost
wholly of names renowned In the recent strug-
gle. The young gentlemen were first: Don
Carlos Buell. son of Geo. P. Buell. and nephew
of the splendid soldier who organized the army
which Rosecrans and Thomas led to victory
Next was Nadra Sykes, son of the gallant man
who made Sykes's Regulars" proud name
in the Army Of the Potomac. +. ID. Hatch is
the son of the brilliant cavalry leader. Thos.
Newton is the son of Maj. Gen Jno Newton
Commander of the First Corps. and now Chief
of Engineers, and G. II. Rugges is the son of
Gen. Ruggles, Assistant Adjutant- General of
the Army. The remaining one-E NJ. Cleary-
has inherited no military reputation. bat the
young man, a resident of the District of Co
lumbIa, was anxious for military career and
SO succeeded IN impressing the President with
his soldierly instincts and capacities that he
received the appointment.
PAYING DEBT OF GRATITUDE.
During the war brother of the wife of
Attorncy-General Garland was taken prisoner
and confined at Camp Chase. While there he
received many kindnesses at the hands of a
Mira Wilbur ygka while nujfa an entbusact;,