Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-18

The Long Service OF Assistant Secretary
Hanter-Over Fifty-six Years I'm the
state Department.
Mr. William Hunter. Second Assistant secre-
tary of State, who is now lying critically Ill at
his home in Georgetown, has been In the SER
vice of the State department for over So years,
and has held the Office OF Second Assistant Sec
rotary ever since 1t was created in 1865. The
record of his work presents an epitome OF the
history of the department for over half Q CEN
fury. He is now over eighty years of age, hav-
ing been bornin Rhode Island in 1905. He is
q man of fine physique, and until recently bore
his accumulated years most sturdily. He has
always been a model Of punctuality and faith
full attention to duty: His appearance in the
corridor in the morning, dispatch-box in hand,
ssna os shs Of sse de-
partment's labors for the day. He was
appointed on the 22d s Of May. 1929.
Of lower 1 grade aep in the department His father
was OF good family among the old stocks Of
n the
commissioned by President Jackson to be
charge d'affairls and afterwards minister plen-
ond Dom Pedro, and thus served with accept
ance nom 1884 TO 1S43. The young clerk soon
gained the confidence Of his sngeriors by his
relations Of the United States with Spanish
America and Brazil, consolidated in one de-
as chief, ana remained under his control for
fifteen years. until 1S4S. On the LIST of October
in that year he took temporary charge OF the
nehsiy appointed Claims cert March ies isas
In 1852 the chief clerk Of the department,
asd II and sss
to the vacant post On Mr: Evereii's
ter became, for the first time, Acting Secretary
of State for the brief term of four days, by
special commission from President Fillmore. to
keep the chair of state warm for Mr.. Marcy.
Resuming the chief clerkship he was again Sc
lected for temporary promotion, and was COM
Secretary on the 9Th Of May, 1855, with the
understanding that on the appointments Of an
other Assistant Secretary he should resume
LIST Of November following. The close of Buch-
anan's administration found him at his post,
AND IN the DARK days before the war when the
William II. TrescOt, followed the example of
SO many Of his associates and resigned his
office. MIR. Hunters fitness and experience at
once caused his preferment to the vacancy, ad
interim. Throughout the war of secession his
executive abilities were strikingly shown in
his admirable fulflment OF the trying task
which fell to him as the director OF the clerical
operations of the department.. His faithfulness
in 1866, Congress created the office of Second
Assistant Secretary of State and President
Johnson commissioned him to mi it on the 9th
has continued to fill to the present time.
OF quick perception, retentive memory,
sound Judgment, and possessing the rare quail.
the diplOmatist, he beg an very early in his Of
fetal life to play the part for which he was by
treaty, it is said, has been drawn up, not
question Of International law raised and de.
cided, not a point OF equity respecting foreign
without Mr.. Hunters active concurrence.
Many of the ablest dispatches Of the past forty
years have been written by him. His memory
m m hQr
pens, the thread of a prOtracted bygone negO-
tiation or the inside history of q half-fOrgotten
familiar phrase "Ask Mr. Hunter" has been
heard, and MIR. Hunter, leaning back in his
chair and passing his hand for an instant across
his eyes, as If to evoke a pictured memory, in a
few words gathered up the lost clue and set the
seeker Alright. Those who have enjoyed Mr..
Hunters personal acquaintance testify that he
is one of the most interesting Of conversation
alists. His accurate memory and the varied
"reminiscences of over half q century Of public
service OF the men and scenes among which he
has moved, covering as they do the most
eventful era Of the country's history, are vivid
and ineXhauStible.
The Harper's Ferry Water Right.
DISPUTE BETWEEN THE PURCHASERS OF THE
PROPERTY AND THE C. AND o. CANAL COM
PANY.
Washington special to the Baltimore Sun.
Reports have been put in circulation that the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal is to be run high
y,
ment property at Harper's Ferry intend to shut
off the water from the canal. Several Of the
statements which have been made concerning
this matter are rather sensational. The facts
are understood to be as follows:
The purchasers of the Harper's Ferry prop
erty, who are said to have abundant capital,
have announced the purpose to establish extern
sive mills for the manufacture of wood pulp
paper, and their operations, they say, win be
such as to require the use of the entire water
power, which is said to be equal if not superior,
to that at any other available point in the
United States When the government acquired
the Harper's Ferry property it built a dam
which diverted the flow OF water to the Virginia
water power, and has always claimed and exer-
cised absolute control over il. When the recent
sale was made 1t was with the understanding
right and title of the government. Some time
since the new owners made q test OF the flow of
water and ascertained that when the feeder of
tie canal was open the depth Of water on the
Virginia side was diminished several feet
equal to a thousand-horse power. They therefore
to exercise the right to control the entire water
power. The canal company. through its presi-
dent, replied, denying the right as claimed, and
serving notice that If the water was cut off from
the canal, or any attempt made to interfere
with its flow through the canal feeder, q suit for
courts OF the United States The solicitor of the
Treasury, Judge McCue, who acted as the agent
of the government in the sale Of the property,
canal company has heretofore only used the
water by sufterance of the government, and
that 1t has no right to the continued use except
by permission Of the purchasers from the gov
eminent. One of the statements made about
the matter is that the dispute is now pending
before the solicitor for decision, but Judge Nc
Cue said this was an error. The government
has made the sale and handed over possession
and title. When the owners are ready to begin
operations, which 1t is not supposed will be very
soon, they will, if they so choose, cut the water
of from the canal. Undoubtedly the canal
company will have the right to appeal to the
courts for a settlement OF the question. But IL
decided against the canal as the solicitor seems
to think there IL no doubt will be the case, it
does not necessarily involve that the canal will
have to put its boats on wheels. for 1t has
another feeder several miles above Harper's
Ferry, about which there Is no dispute. 1t is
supposed the canal will rest its case upon the
fact that the Maryland line extends to the Vir-
ginia shore, just as the District OF Columbia line
does opposite this city; but as the United States
held and exercised its right for seventy years
and more, this point would not seem to be of
much avail.
Representative H0rr's Successor.
HON. I. Z. TARSNEY AND THE BRASS BAND.
From the Detroit Free Press.
The following is q veracious account OF an
incident In the supreme court proceedings OF
Friday. The Hon. Tim Tarsney being engaged
in case arose to address the court and at the
same moment . brass band of the Knights OF
Pythias that had invaded the capitol struck up
to play . tune In the rOtunda and filled the court