Morning journal and courier., 1889-03-11
WASHINGTON NOTES,

The President spends His First Sun.
 day In the White House Very Quiet l ly-An Early COnvening of the Next l Congress Probable-A Gentleman Fla. ] natltaR With Samoa Expresses EfIs Opinions Regarding the Alleged Sinking of the NiPsIc-The Reorsani. l zarion of she Treasury Departmens- | Foreign Missions.
 l WASHINGTON, March 10.-President Har- rison spent his first Sunday in the White 1 House very quietly. He attended religious 1 services in the Church of the Covenant. Dr. Hamlin, the pastor, preached. There was 8 | large attendance.
 During the past week there has been talk l of an early conyening of the next congress. 1 It is not unlikely that President Harrison | would call congress together, should the l reports from Samoa prove to be correct. The executive department have not yet received anything to change their opinions of yesterday respecting the reported engage ment between the German man-of-war Olga and the Nipsic at Apia. It is known at the navy department that four German iron clads sailed from Genoa, Italy, for Samoa some eight or ten days ago. It is expected that
 these vessels will require at least sixty days to make the voyage.
 Speaking of Samoan affairs 6 gentleman familiar with the country and it's customs said that if the commander of the Olga fired
 on the Samoan troops from the harbor of
 Apia it could only be done by firing directly
 over the neutral territory, where the Ameri-
 cans live and have property; that the com-
 mander of the Nipsie would naturally feel
 justified under circumstances in protesting
 and in following the protest if disregarded
 by action and that his protest would
 hat ahn frpv fhe bo
 tral territory endangeriDg the lives and
 property of the Americans would be regard-
 ed as an act of hostility toward this country.
 Another reason for making the protest and
 following it up, would be that he had re-
 ceived news from this country and knew
 what the public sentiment was. He would
 know of the approach of Admiral Kimberly
 with endorsements. The American naval officers at Apia have been subjected to many
 humiliations and are likely to welcome the opportunity to avenge themselves. They are men of spirit, and the fact that the Olga was twice as big as the Nipsio would, in the opinion of the gentleman, be an argument for rather than against the probability of the report.
 The inaugural executive committee has voted to invest it's surplus of $25, ,000 in real estate security through the District commis- sioners, the interest to be expended in re- lieving the poor people in and about the cap- ital.
 Secretary Windom has begun the reor- ganization of the treasury department by the selection of George c. Tichenor of Illin- ois as assistant secretary in place of Judge Maynard, resigned MT. Tiohenor has been a special agent of the depart for number of years and bas performed many important and delicate services in connection with the costoms administration. He is particularly well known in New York city, having as- sisted in nearly all the Investigations of cus- toms business of that port in recent years. lie Is regarded as an authority on tariff mat ters, and in his new position will have direct supervision of the customs service. It is not definitely known who will succeed As- sistant Secretary Thompson. MT. Tiche- nor's nomination will probably be included in the list to be sent to the senate tomorrow. The list is expected to contain the name of Walker Blaine as first assistant secretary of State
 There is but little gossip afoat concerning the foreign missions. It is reported, how- ever, that Whitelaw Reid of the New York Tribune has been offered the English mis- sion and ex-Senator Palmer of Michigan that to Spain. The latter, however, says he will not go abroad but return to Michigan and run for governor. Ex-Governor Porter of Indiana will go to Rome, and it is expected that Hon. John 0. New will go to Austria. It seems to be taken for granted that he may go if he desires the position; The New up in a manner that satisfies the politicians. The Empire State is to have an assistant treasurer of the treasury, but report says 1t will not be MT. Coon. The collectorship of the port of of New York, member of the delegation says, will be given to resident of the city. This, if true, disposes of the chances of state Senator Fassett, who is said to be Mr. Platt's choice for the place. One of the first things the state department will dispose of is the appointment of delegates to the Samoan con- ference at Berlin. It is said tonight that Benjamin F. Butler. John A. Kasson and William Walter Phelps will probably be sent to represent this government, and that they will be accompanied by ex-Consul General Sewall and Augustus Cowherd, of Illinois, who negotiated the treaty between the United States and Samoa.