The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-19
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOingS at the Ma
liOnal Capital
TuE RIGHT THING TO DO.

nrN, has prepared LOT puD.lcttloh ~ COM ii'l'iNh
ofunpaid balances due by the United states
to ats eitizcns. The compilation embraces bal
ances of principal only, and no steps nave yer
been taken toward a compilation OF interest
obligations nor has the Department as yet
manifested any desire or willingness TO mo us
jntcrest creditors. IL appears that there Is a
large sum OF money in the treasury made up
of iittle sums accumulated by return Of inter
est checks which have az various times failed
10 reach the persons for whom they were IN
tended. Under past administrations persons
who were fortunate enough 10 ascertain that
there was a credit 10 them in the Treasury on
account of unpaid interest, were hardly ever
fortunate enough to get their money, as every
possible obstacle was put in their way and most
unreasonable proofs OF ownership and identify
demanded. No one outside the old Interest
ring" that formerly existed IN the Depart
ment has ever been allowed to see the list, un-
less il be the attorney or attorneys through
whom the ring operated.
Officials high in rank are said 90 have real
iZed large sums in liding claims through where
they took no risk. The owners OF the interest
were approached most carefully, so IL happens
there is a large sum left, and large numbers OF
innocent people who have not yet attained
their just deserts.
Ii IS said Congress viii call for this publica-
tion. 1t would be but a matter Of simple
Justice and honesty, as the United States Gov
ernment should be ready TO pay any aud all lis
creditors who can make good their claims.
England hunts the globe over for it's creditors,
while the United States hunts its hole TO avoid
meeting its creditors. 1t ought TO be other
wise.
THE RAwIINs STATUE
Congress authorized the removal Of the statue
OF Gen. John A. Rawlins from the obscure and
illy-chOsen spot where il was erected-the juno
ton of New York avenue and Eighteenth
strcet-to place TO be selected by the Score,
tary of War. This has been decided upon, and
the removal will be undertaken at once by the
Commissioner OF Public Buildings and Grounds.
The transfer of the statue was brought about
by the Army of the Tennessee through a com
mittee of which Gen. w w. Belllnap was chair
man. 1t was thought that the memorial TO the
distinguished officer should have a more promi-
nent site where il would catch the eye OF the
public better than in its present out-ol-theway
location. The new site, the small triangle at
the southeast corner Of Pennsylvania avenue
and Ninth street. was selected by the Secretary
of War after comforting with the committee
and ii gives entire satisfaction. it will be nee
essary TO remove some OF the many trees IN the
triangle, but q beautiful weeping willow is SO
situated as TO gracefully OYerhang the statue
when it is erected. The transfer will be made
by contract according TO specifications. con-
crete foundation, four or five feet deep, Will
first be built, and the statue will then be taken
down, boxed and moved and erected facing
Pennsylvania avenue upon the pedestal upon
which il now stands The little triangle will
hereafter be known as Rawlinss Reservation,
but the park at the intersection Of New York
avenue and Eighteenth street will probably
continue to be called Rawlins Square until
ii is selected as a site for some other statue OF
monument in the future when it may become
more desirable for such purpose than it now is
THE DISTRICT VETERANS.
few evenings ago a meeting of District
90 II =
Grand Army Hall, corner Of Ninth and ID
streets, for Che purpose of awakening an inter
est in the work Of pressing the claims of Dis
trict veterans on the attention of Congress next
Winter. The meeting was presided over by
Col VIM. O. Drew, with DR. J. Lee Adams as
Secretary, and George Brown Treasurer.
Col. Drew thought that of the $500 District
tounteers in 1861 at least 1000 survive He
wanted TO see some interest taken in the bill
pending before Congress though he did not
doubt that it would go through When he had
gone before the House Committe on War
Claims il appeared that none of the Members
knew ANYTHING about the three months volun.
teers of the District. They all seemed TO be in
favor of the BILL and he had no doubt they
would work for il at the next session.
A committee was appointed to make arrange
meDts for picnic and Campfire TO be given al
one of the city gardens at such date as the com
mittee may select during the early portion o
September.
sURGEoN-GENERAL OF THE ARMY.
The President has designated Col. J. II
Baxter, Chief Medical Puryeyor Of the Army
TO act as Surgeon General until he makes al
appointment 70 ill the vacancy caused by thu
retirement, week ago last Friday, OF Brig.
Gen. Murray. Ii is not generally believed tho
vacancy viii be filed until the President re
turns from his trip 10 the Adirondacks, blu
army officers say DIR. Baxter's designation in
Al ne dnfn aiFtu4 10 M,
point him.
PAVING THE DEBT.
Last week Acting Secretary Of the Treasnr,
FaiTchd issued call for Sl0,000OOO three pc
cent bonds Of the issue Of July IL, 1882 Th,
bonds will be reacemable Sept IS and IN
tercst will cease on that day. BY the paymen
OF these bonds the Government will save i'm in
terest 100000 a year, or nearly 81 900 day
But all he same the President will continu
10 veto the little pension bills and approx
great river and harhor jobs
DFATH OF A CONSUL.
A private telegram received in this city an
lounces the death at his post of duty of Re,
Moses A. Hopkins Minister Resident and Con
su-Gencral from the United States TO Liberi:
Mr.. Hopkins was "A c0lorcd man aud a gradual
OF Auburn Theological Seminary.
TALK OF THE STATESMEN
The talk Of the Congressman during the Ia.
session filed $3.50 pages of the CoagreSsiOa
Record This does not include the indexes AN
appendix. IL exceeds by 1850 pages the nun
Der OF pages ut any previous session of TIA
windy body.
GONE TO THE MOUNTAINS
Monday morning the President accompanis
by his wife, Ills mother-in-law, his fshin
tackle, and Col. aud Mrs Lamont left Washinl
ton for the Adirondacks Mr. Cleveland wi
be absent about month.