The National tribune., 1889-09-26
WASHINGTON GOSSIP
The Weeks DOiRgS at the Ma
iiOnal Capital
ARMY AND NAVY.

in Government Navy Yards. Before taking
this action the Secretary made inquiry of
the various shipbuilders of the country as
10 whether there was a possibility, If the
designs for the vessels should be modified,
they still retaining full strength and speed,
of securing bids which would come within
the cost limits prescribed by Congress. The
shinbnildets were of the opinion that this could
not be done. Secretary Tracy regards the law
IS mandatory upon him to build the ships aud
that he could build them in the Navy Yards If
the bids were TOO high. in his Judgment even
If they fell within the limits fixed by Congress.
Therefore he has decided 10 undertake the
work aud will Immediately issue orders TO
carry out this intention. One vessel complete
will be built at the New York Navy Yard, as
will also the machinery for the other, while
the hull and boilers Of the second vessel will
be constructed at the Norlork Navy Yard. by
this arrangement one set OF papers can be made
10 serve for both ships, first being used IN New
York and then sent TO Norfolk. The wishes of
the California people were considered regard
ing the construction of one of the vessels at the
Mare Island Navy Yard. but it was found that it
would cost at least $4,000 more than il would
in the East. and the idea WAS abandoned.
Several experienced officers Of the Engineer
Corns have urged Secretary Tracy 20 approve
n change in the hours of meats of the EnglEeers
force ON board of naval ships meals are
served to the crew follows: Breakfast .
a NJ, dinner at noon, and supper at p. m.
and is hard upon the whole crew, especially
upon The iircmen aud coal beavers, whose work
is more exhausting and laborious than that IN
any other department The improved scheme
urged is 10 have breakfast at a. IN, dinner ut
1890 p. M and supper between and p. m,
and when running at night 10 allow nremen
and coal-hesyeTs an extra luncheon.
The cadets at the Naval Academy are soon to
have what has long been needed for the practi-
cal prosecution Of their studies-a practice
cruising ship The Board appointed by Secre-
tary Tracy has sent its plans 10 Commander w
7. Sampson. Superintendent of the Naval Acad-
emv. for has observation and approval The
plans provide for a miniature steam vessel-oi-
war to he provided with the most modern
machinery. including twin screws, and 10 be
bark -rieEed. with double topsaii-yards. This
will give the vessel both full steam and sail
power. She is also to be provided with electric
lights steam steering apparatus, torpedo tubes
iii fact, every modern appliance for war
vessel.
The pension work Of the War Department
has undoubtedly been accelerated by Assistant
Surgeon AinswOrth's new methods. de seems
20 have reduced the work 70 a scientific for
mula: he has gone into all the erevices of the
Adjuiani-Generas Office and fished out men
who have been holding sinccure Positions and
pot them TO work. thus adding TO the force
very materially. There is great deal Of grum-
bling among the clerks owing 10 the strict
20 take olieuse enough at the strictness Of the
new autOcrat." as he IS called, 10 resign their
cierkshfgs. Surgeon Ainsworth has under hls
immediate control about l0ur-lifths Of the Adj
jutanf- Generals Office, and every man IS COM
PEELED 10 work from O'Clock IN the morning
until { o'clock 81 the afternoon, haf-hour's
inteTmsssiou al j O'Clock being allowed for
lunch Each mans days work is carefully
kept. and credit given him at the end OF the
month, and this makes the clerks work hard 10
have gnOd monthly showing.
The clerks may grumble and swear at the
TigidIiy q the rules but people on the outside
Nho waiting for their cases 20 be examined
viii be glad that some life has been injected
into the old red-tspe routine OF the War De-
P4rtment
AK OLD TIMER
Col George Hunter, Captain Of the Watch Of
the Pension Bureau. has had one Of the most
varied and exciting careers Of any man on this
Continent. ne hsH been d miner. scout pio-
Desr, politician. Indian fighter and a soldier,
and . one of the best-known men on the Pa
eihc Coast. where most Of his wonderful career
has been Spent.
Col. Huutsr is - years old; was born IL
Ohio bar when he was Is years OF age his
faiter en- grated 70 Oregon, being one Of the
pioneers q thai thriving State OF the hard
ships 81 that overland journey the Colonel
gives srHpaic descriptions and lie can enter
tain an aud lence by the hour relating has hair
breadth essapes, priyatiOas aud other anecdotes
OF life On Use plains and in the mountains aud
mining camps Of the far West
Col Hunter was one Of the FIRST men in
Oregon Ia Voiuuteer IN the Indian War Of 1855,
% and fought through II until peace was de-
clared- Although troops from other sections
engaged iu that bloody struggle were pensioned
thOss 10 which the Colonel belonged and com
DIauded have never received such benefits from
the Government. and the Colonel proposes 10
devote NIL his SPARE time and money 70 right
rfsar G- IL H.
lisilcd book entitled "reminiscences Of an Old
Timer. which - most interesting reading and
according 10 such authorities a. Gov Beaver
81 Pennsylvania; Senator Mitchell. Of Oregon ;
Stewart, 81 Nevada; Hen. John b. Allen. OF
VA. 7; Hon. Bigger Herman d Oregon aud
d host Of other well known public men, has
tie additional attraction Of beinga true history
81 pioneer days well as Of the Indian wars
which have occurred on the Pacific Coast since
I5j0
Col. Hunter ia vel preserved man for his
year considering the amount Of hardship lie
has endured. and looks aud acts as though he
could yet stand bUnt with bis old enemies the
wild fod Of the plains and mountains
The Co.oHel was the principal scout for Gen
Howard during the uprising Of the Nez Perces
Indians. aud Gen. Howard compliments him
with UAstinted praise as being one OF ia,
bet scOuts ia the country.
IOL Hunter was adopted by the Palouses ri
Indian tribe Of the Coast. aud is known 4,
then as Iimus," which means White Chic
IN the language Of that tribe. The Coione
has been lB the Pension Bureau for six months
and makes gOOd officer. He II a pensioner. ,
stalWaFt Republican, aud a most entertaining
tzlkeF.
Ia FAYETTEs GRANDDAUGHTER
in this year when France IL celebrating tn,
Centennial Of her first Republic, aud fraterniz
ing enthusiastically with the Western Re
public ilat 60 many Of her gallant SONS hcIped
70 establish. Il may be Of general interest q
recall The TACT that Washington city has ons
resident = lady, 10 whom Americans apd
FTeHca alike should do high honor
This laay ID Madame la Marquise de Cham
bran. VINO "a the granddaughter of that Gjlberi
dc ADtlrE, Marquis de La Fayette who came
from France ln l777 10 AID the cause Of tbe
American Revolution, and became Major
General IA the American Army, and who wa,
tie loved and trusted friend Of our great leader
Washington. Madame de Chambrun has !
brother. who Is now q life Senator Of France
and these tEo arc the only iineal descendant,
Ol the iiiSerty-ioving French patriot noblemau
al. and Nine. dc Chambrun came 10 lbe
United States during the dark days of our
civil war. when the Marquis was sent by IA.
pOleJn an attache Of the French Legation IN
Washington, and they have remained here
ever since. NJ. de Chambrun was ChanceIlo,
Of The legation uBtil after Sedan and the fsI
Of tbe Empire, when he was Displaced n.
President DambeUta, who distrtisted and h.t.S
ali who had been trusted Ly the fallen O.,