The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-10-07
PERSONAL.

Conrade Robert Smalls is making a vigorous
canvass for reelection to Congress in the Seventh
District of South Carolina and will succeed His
district embraces the famous Sea Islands and tho
swampy country along the shore. The malaria
there is so deadly that only those accmated dare
brave its effects. Two or three Congrc ssmen have
been killed by it in prosecuting their canvasses,
and one of the two competitors who started in
against Smalls has just died from its effects Snas
seems to be proof against it. and il going on his
way triumphantiy, he has several times before.
He IS an exceptionally valuable Congressman and
IS the best Representative his race has bad upon
the floor of the House He is always in his seat
and watches business very carefully He never rises
to speak unless he has something to say and he
says it very f0reibly. He wOrsted Herbert Of Ala
bama, last Winter, very neatly, in a i've minute
speech, much to the pleasure Of many of chat gem
tleman's party friends, who do not like an his
ways. COmTade Smas, il will be remembered was
the negro pilot of the rebel steamer Planter which
he adroitly took possession of early one morning
IN 1852, steamed out of the harbOr Of Charleston
and delivered her to our bOckaders. He after
ward did splendid service as pilot on the ronelas
that attacked Fort Sumter.
The Sunday telegram of Lawrence Mass gives
up its first page of the issue of Sept 10 to an excel
lent portrait of Past COMMANDMENT Chief Gen.
Geo. ;. Merrill who has just retired from the post
office at Lawrence, and to a sketch of him and bis
official career, in which he is paid the highest
compliments. He took the pOstOfIiee at Lawrence
on the eth of August. 1861, but at the second call
for troops set about raising a company. and tele-
graphed his resignation to the Departments at
Washington. The Postmaster General replied that
they were not accepting designations for that rea-
son, but would grant him indefinite leave Of
absence. While he was in the field his duties were
performed by deputy, and on his return he re-
sumed them. The business of the Office and its
facilities for tTansaeting it have developed enor-
mously during Comrade Merrilrs administration
of it, and the Telegram says it has always ranked
among the very best of its class. its record Of
errors being ahead Of any similar Office i'm New
England. So well pleased have the people Of Law
renee been that Maj. Merrill has been reeommis-
stoned time and again without any opposition
whatever and to the hearty approval of all classes
When his term expired, last Spring, the whole
business population of Lawrence, without regard
to party united in an earnest request TO the Pri-
dent to recOmmisson him. This was not done but
a personal friend of his, who had served his ap-
premiership in the same office and who is a worthy
man in every way was made his SUCCESSOR
The comrades in Iowa are simply enthusiastic
/ over the great speech delivered by COmraGe Hep
burn at the recent grand Reunion held at Deeorah
Unfortunately no stenographer was present and as
Col Hepburn had notes no report is possible
but all agree that il was the most superb Grafton
delivered in the State for years. All who have
/ heard him on the floor of the House OF elsewhere
will readily agree to this, for as a speaker he has
/ few equals in the Nation.
/ SIicager Hancock, % years old. who fought at
Luudys Lane rode 20 miles the other day with his
6S-year-od son in a wagon to make application for
| pension. The veteran is in admirable state of
preservation.
The new issue of two-dollar silver certificates
bears portrait of the late Mai. Gen. W. 5. Han
cock in ful-dress uniform.
Gen. and Mrs. Stanley Matthews returned from
Europe a week since. They are now in New York,
/ but will in a few days come to Washington where
their handsome residence on Connecticut avenue
is being prepared for their reception. Soon after
their arrival they will be given a series of enter
t1inments by the families of the various Justices Of
. the Supreme Court.
Mrs. Logan has returned to the city from Chi
cago, and is again at Calumet Place where her
daughter, Mrs. Tucker has been spending the
| summer.
Admiral Porter was thrown from a carriage ut
Milford Springs Mass about 10 days ago and IS
now suffering severely from the effects Of The acci-
dent. He IS at Newport.
Wadsworth Post GAR, New York city has
been somewhat excited over a lawsuit of George
Stewart against Post Commander James p. Rogers.
AHS jury .OAtiu JtStli3iiis
action of Rogers in the whole matter. The trouble
grew out of the alleged misrepresentation OF S25
belonging to the Post. Stewart was tried for this
and acquitted and then brought suit against Rogers
for damages which case was last week disposed Of
as indicated above.
Comrade j. J. Fi,zsersell, of san Miguel County,
y. NJ, dropped in upon THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
one day last week. lie is boomer" in New
Mexico and says it is paradise for old soldiers.
Comrae FitzgerTel isan active and untiriu-s Grand
Army man, devoted to the success of the Order.
COmrade George p Hall is entertaining the conf
rates of his Post at OswegO, Kan. with we'll writ
ten "reminiscences of his IA months In rebel pris-
ons.