The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-07-08

conveys the intelligence that the Generals |
oldest sister, Judith, who partly reared him |
after their mothers death and impressed upon
him to no slight extent his great qualities Of
head and heart, is now lying at the old home
stead in Virginia at the point Of death The
following tribute TO Gen. Thomass memory
recently appeared in the Cvreaf Of Chicago,
written by Don Piatt. he says, speaking Of
the statue to the hero:
ought 10 hold my peace in the presence OF the
military hero who viii grow larger and larger as
time sweeps George III. Thomas was really a
great man, and would have been distinguished Ia
any walk Of lie That he did great service for as
a man-lciller wac accidents casualty a. II
were-ccrtainly an exception. Ont OF all the ages
put 10 record two military men appeared mp 10 the
time Of our war who would have been great IN any
time. One was Cesar, the other the great Napo-
leon. To these may now add George Il
Thomas
Amer the war had the honor Of HIS confidence,
and saw in wonder not only his purity of charae-
ter, bat his singular penetration and originality OF
thought, both grated on a strangely unpreiending
man--frm az a rock aud modest ne a girl. II you can
understand the odd combination. seem to, and
yet cannot explain It.
listened 10 him in adriiring silence while alive;
with uncovered head i stood before his bronze
monument. Ills the work OF genius lmmorializng
in bronze the memory Of genius. i Is the grandest
work IN Washington Quincy Ward caught the
hero sits IA thoughtful quiet on the steed lac be-
strides, that Is al quivering with fiery life and
power. IL is the genius OF war controlling and
impulse and passion.
HAPPY PRINTERS
The clerks in all the Departments are al
lowed 30 days leave in each year, with. pay.
Hitherto the employees Of the Government
Printing Office have had no privilege Of this
kind Congress has passed and the President
has signed a bill giving them Is days leave
with pay. The lady employees sent magnificent
floral offerings to the Capitol and had them
placed on the desks of the members Of the
cOmm ttees of the Senate and House who were
largely instrumental in securing the passage of
the measure. Among those thus omplimented
were Gen. Hawley and Gen. Henderson in the
Senate, and Maj. Farquhar, Of New York, in
the House. The latter sent the following &C
acknowledgement:
HOUSE, or REPRESENTATIVES, OF TIE q. s., !
HoN. STERLING r. ROUNDS
tee on Printing were pleasantly surprised to-day
al finding their desks decorated with baskets Of
beautiful and fragrant flowers, tokens Of graft
tnde from the employees OF the Government Book
Biudery.n
IN such way as 10 you may seem proper, but
within the rules governing the establishment SO
ably superintendent by yourself and subordinates,
please convey my heartfelt thanks To your grateful
employees. In doing my best 10 secure for them,
through Congressional action. a weii-earned rest
recreation II IS days annual ", simply followed
the feelings Of my heart and the professions Of my
life. Whatever can DO 10 sNeeten the bread earned
by toll Of hand or brain has been with me. these
many years. an-ever present duty, the perform
hnce OF which viii only end when my last proof
has passed the Great Eeviser.
Very truly, yours. JoHE NJ. FARquHAR.
PAYING THE DEBT.
The public debt was reduced last month over
S9.00O-000, and for the fiscal year, which ceased
with June 30, over $50. 600 600 against S63 49,
709 the preceding year. The bonded debt shows
a reduction during the year Just colsed Of
$50, l36.s5O all Of which was in the 3 per cent
loan. There has been also during the year
reduction IN outstanding certificates Of deposit
! of ST 00O gold certificates, So, 6s5, 355
and silver certificates, Sl3,fls.72l, making a
4 total reduction in this form Of Indebtedness Of
I ST5.831.O76. The column showing debt on
which interest has ceased has increased since
4 last July about s5500,000. caused by the call Of
/ bonds and their transfer TO the non-interest-
] bearing debt upon maturity. The total amount
/ OF per cent. bonds now outstanding subject 10
call is Slf4,0l6, 600. Daring the year over
1 S36,0O0000 Of per cent. bonds held 10 secure
! bank circulation were withdrawn from the
Treasury, thus reducing the national bank cir
culatiOn So, 500 600. one year ago the amount
+ held for the redemption Of notes Of liquidating
banks was SIS acc. 935. liz is now 60I46, 726.
4 This represents the actual amount Of United
States notes deposited by reducing. lquldating,
4 and failed banks in the Treasury in leu Of
I bonds withdrawn, and that amount Of United
States notes is Withheld from circulation
A GENUINE REFoRMERr
The Objectionable Higgins has been given a
4 rest by the newspapers, but his mantle is now
being woTn by man named Fister recently
appointed Chief Clerk OF the Supervising Archi-
I tects Office Of the Treasury Department Fis-
ter was born IN Pennsylvania and educated at
Annapolis ~ the Governments expense AT
the outbreak Of tic war he Joined the rebellion,
and as a renegade l. always worse than Turk,
he is distinguished for the bitterness Of seces-
sion sentiments. 1t is charged that be boasts
that the scarf-pin he wears was made Of the
skull Of " id Yankee" he has been raid
/ ing veterans ever since bis appointment aud
this is especially discredtable in him because
politics has never had anything 10 do with ap-
Pontments la the Supervising Architect
Office. Special techinal skin las been required
OF appDintnes, imam being employed because
bis peculiar skill in some particular seld was
desired, aud no questions were asked 70 his
political faith. Unless Fister is checked lac
will destroy the efficiency of the Office the re-
suit Of long wears Of careful gathering and
training Of talented men ior the special work
done there.
PoRTER "yISDIcATED"
The President signed the Fitz-John Porter
bill. il is interesting 10 know, in this cOnnec-
ton, that Gen. Porter is a native Of New Hamp.
shire, having been born al Portsmouth IN l522
he graduated from the Military Academy in
lsi5 and served in the MeKic4n war, being
wounded Ia the assault upon the City OF Mex
leo sept. u, 1877 From Icsg 10 1875 be wa'
an instructor ~ West Point. and later served
in other capacities. lie was appointed Colonel
Of the 18th InE in 1861 was made chief oi
staff for Gen. Patterson aud Gen. Banks till
August, when be was assigned 10 the command
Of a division Of the Army Of tie Potomac ln de-
teuse Of Washington. He conducted the siege
OF Yorktown, aud was in c0minand Of the Fifth
Corps at Mechan icsyIlle. Gainess Mill, and
Malvern Hill. His corps suffered severely d
Bull kun Aug. 30. bat was not In action on thu
18th. he was gfterWard az Antiftanl bot IL
November was court magiialod for his oondnc
AT Manassas. aud on Jan q ls63. was cashier
ed. The bin which the President signed 4
similar b. the one that reached Mr Arthur ant
was vetoed.
THE FIFTH ~ WASHINGTON.
Washington Was IN state Of suspended ami
nation on Monday. There IA no dullcr t0wi
in ChristendOm on any pablo holiday Tn
big Government buildings were locked, and al
J the Department people rushed Cor steamboat
, aud railroad trains 10 take them down th
] river on into the country. Nearly al the head
I 81 Departments were out Of the city. Tn
: only sign Of life was 40 the south cad Of ID
? Capitol. Whore the House, without a symptom
Of patriotic emotion, held a perspiring session
4 grinding away upon the general dc6cienc
4 b.ll. An opportunity 10 see the House la ses
sion was About tho only thing that ahOrde
Z any satisfaction 70 the crowd Of rustics VIII
were alilred 70 the city by halffare on ia
) railroads. The law prlhihiting the oombustio
= OF powder iD any shape was enforced wit
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