The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-08-27
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOings at the Ma
tiOnal Capital.
SONS OF VETERANS.

SONS OF VETERANS.
On Wednesday of last week the convention
of the Second Grand Division of the Sons of
Veterans, which convened on the previous
Monday at the Harris House in this city, ad-
journed. At the closing session a resolution
| was adopted recommending that the constitu-
tion be amended SO as to abolish Grand Divis-
ions. and that the officers for 1885 retain their
offices until tho meeting of the assembly of the
COMMANDMENTS Chief, at which time the pro-
posed amendment is to take effect. The reSolu-
ton also provided that the Grand Divisions
hold no more Encampments except when
called by the committee. The election of ott-
GERS resulted in the selection of Walter S.
Payne of Ohio to be Commander; Clarence f..
Holmes of New York, Lieutenant Commander;
w. c. Far9uhar, of this city, Vice Lieutenant
Commander; Chief of Staff, Miles w. Ross, Bal
tmore Judge Advocate. Martin Lawley, Shen-
andoah, Pa; Chief Mastering Officer, w. E.
Dixon, of Philadelphia; Chaplain, E. C. White,
Newark, n. j.
Resolutions of thanks were rendered to Mr.
G.. S. Penniman, of st. Paul, Mimi, and to
the Sons of Veterans of this city. The place Of
meeting for 1886 was not decided upon.
SAD END OF A VETERAN.
Timothy Hanley, veteran of the late war,
and one who had an excellent record both as a
soldier and man, committed suicide in this
city last week while laborng under temporary
insanity. He enlisted in Co. r. AID N. Y, June
26, 1861 and was honorably discharged Sept. 26
Of the following year by reason of a severe bay
onet wound in the left breast, received in bat
tie. Recovering his health in some degree, he
re-enlisted the succeeding June in COZ, 10th
Veteran Reserve Corps and was discharged
Nov. Is, 1865 by order of the War Department.
When found Comrade Hanley wore on his
hroaS ~ A II hoHn md haaf nf hnp
orable service, issued by the War Department
July 80 last, was found on his person. He was
in receipt of a pension of S. per month.
Reynolds Post, No. 6, of this city, took charge
of the remains of the dead comrade, and laid
them to rest with martial honors in the Ma
tional Cemetery at Arlington.
WOMEN CLERKS.
The women clerks in the Departments COM
plain that they have not been receiving fair
treatment for years, and the facts they show
up seem to support this view. They certainly
do not receive the same promotion as the men.
and they are not paid the same amount for the
same work. Very few of them get high as
500 month, which is below the average pay
of the male clerk, and many women are doing
splendid service at as low rs $65 and SIS
month. The Chiefs of Divisions are also accused
of being unfavorable to receiving additional
female clerks, and when they make a requisi-
specify male clerks 1t all comes of women be-
ing less efficient political workers than men,
and their claims are not insisted on with the
same pertinacity as those of man who is able
to cast and control votes
SEED DISTRIBUTION
Commissioner Colman, of the Agricultural
Department, is working with great energy to
develop the Seed Division to the highest eff
cheney. He has appointed Mr.. w. N. King,
who, it is believed, possesses unusual quaifca
tiOns for the place, to the responsible position
of Chief of the Seed Division, and the work is
being reOrganized and systematized in hopes to
produce much better results than have here
tofore been secured. At present the Depart
ment is sending out wheat, rye and turnip seed.
Much is expected from a wheat called the
Houghton Farm variety" which is now being
sent out Four varieties of Italian wheat. of
high consideration along the Mediterranean,
have been received, and will be distributed.
PERSONAL.
Gen. and Mrs. Logan are now seeking rest
and recreation amid the picturesque Thousand
Islands of the st Lawrence. The proprietor of
one of the l0veliest residences in that charming
archipelago has long insisted upon their accept
ing his hospitality, and they at last decided to
do so. They will return here in a week or so
and then take up their residence in their charm
ing home on the hilltop, which they have
CnTisteHeu SaluLueU, III rcueluDrance Oh tneir
Illinois home.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The mourning drapery which for the past 80
days has been entwined round the pillars and
festooned over the windows of the public build
ings here in honor of Gen. Grant was taken
down Monday. AS its exposure to rain and
sunshine has rendered it unfit for further Sc "
ice to the Government the hundreds of thou
sands of yards of black calico will be distributed
to the poor of the city. The Department build
ings are frequently dressed in mourning for
deceased public men, but it is not found prac-
ticable to keep Grape in stock for repeated use,
so that local dry goods dealers do fiourishing
trade whenever great man dies. The drapery
with which the public buildings were dressed
so profusely on Garfield's death was donated to
the sufferers from the Ohio River floods.
Last week Commissioner Black promoted Mr.
John w. Lawrence of panville ILL.,, to the po-
sition of Confidential Clerk, at a salary of
81, 500. This is an appointment that will result
very creditably to appointer and appointee.
MIR. Lawrence is a young gentleman who has
shown much aptitude in mastering the details
of the pension system, and much fidelity in the
discharge of his duties. He will be charged
with much responsible work in Gen. Blacks
office but will bring to his task intelligence and
zeal that will secure success