The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-08-22
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOingS at the Ma
tlOnal Capital
rrE rnrsrprNr's MovEMENTs.


down Long Island Sound; Private Secretary
Halford and President Ch0ate, Of the Fall River
Line, were the only other members OF the
Presidential party. They did not stop IN New
York city. on the boat large number OF pas
seprers desired 10 shake the Presidents hand,
and he hold an informal reception. stationing
himself at the foot Of the saloon stairway, and
Erasped the hand OF each person as he passed
down the stairway.
The party arrived in this city at o'clock p.
N. and were driven Immediately TO the Whlte
House. few newspaper men and tourists
were at the White House portico and the Presi-
dent raised his hat aud said: Il am much
Obliged for this reception" and passed into the
mansion. Secretary Halford said they had
had q very pleasant trip, and the President
shows its good effect in has countenance and 10y
the elasticity Of his step.
The President made but a brief tarry at the
White House, leaving for Deer Park at o'clock
on Saturday. over the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
road, accompanied by Mrs Harrison and Pri-
vate Secretary Halford. They made but brief
stay at the Park, as on Wednesday morning
the Presidents private car attached 10
Western Express train Of the Baltimore & Ohio
Road. and they reached indianapolis Mt III
o'clock on the same evening. The unvailingo OF
the Indiana Soldiers Monument at lndianapo-
lis and the Reunion OF his old regiment the
day following. was what took the President
West at this time.
All along the route from Bar Harbor to In
danapolis the President received enthusiastic
ovati0ns and his reception by the Governor
and the Legislature OF New Hampshire was
tribute Of which any person might be proud.
The tight little State put on her holiday attire
and showed that loyalty is still as rampant in
these days rs it was in 1861, for the Nations
President
WILL THE TEXAS FLoAT9
An advertisement issued by the Navy De-
partment inviting proposals for furnishing
about 66l tons of steel plates. 40 pounds per
square foot. fer the armor OF the bsttle-ship
Texas, eads the controversy that has been GO
ing on within that Department for some time
The plans for the Texas were purchased by
Secretary Whitney in England. and were given
20 Naval Inspector Bodies, OF the Portsmouth,
Navy Yard, 10 execute.
IL was the belief Of the Bureau of Constrnc-
ton and Repair that the Texas il built accord
ing 10 the plans. would not 10 able TO carry
her full weight, which was estimated Rt $500
tons at load water-line, but that she would
sink so deep that her rate OF speed would be
seriously interfered with, even IL her guadeck
did not 70 below water. This opinion was
maintained by several other officers OF the De-
parfmeut but Constructor BoIIes was extreme
~ confident that the calculations of the Eng
lish designer we're correct, and that the Texas
would fOat on the level marked out for the
water-line.
The question whether the Texas should be
under consideration by Secretary Tracy for
some time Suggestions have also been made
that the vessel should he heightened Is or %
feet. which Eas thought Woald increase her
buoyancy. aud Is was the opinion Of several
officials that this would be d0ne. Bnt the pub
licaii0a Of this advertisement is believed TO
mean that Secretary Tracy has determined 10
have the plans purchased by his predecessor
carried ont in the original The bids viii be
opened Oct j. aud the successful bidder will he
required 70 deliver the plates AZ the Portsmouth
Navy Yard within from 90 10 CO. days from that
date.
On the sane day also proposals viii be
opened 20 tho Navy Department for furnishing
materials "a he used In the construction Of the
monitor Aaphitrite, which viii also lie built
at the Portsmouth yard. aEd for furnishing
macines and tools required br the Bureau OF
CONSTRUCTION aud Repair at the Navy Yards 1T
Brooklyn RRa Portsmouth.
THE sEW WEI PoIST SUPERINTENDENT.
President Harrison has appointed COL. John
II. Nii-oH. d the Engineers. Superintendent
o. the Military Academy 81 West Point
TIE &ETEGEAL TRTgUSE gossip announced
authoEiiaiigeiy in jane last that Gen. Jchn q.
Parke Eouid retire. and that Col Wilson
would be his successor.
] Go not think / am everlasting the case
when J say that for haif % the graduates OF
Mest F0iht tbey would rather be the Superin-
tender. o. tiseir splendid alma mater than 70
achieve the distinction Of the silver star upon
their stgzfS
1t Iasy l'e that in this particular case may
write wits more warmth than the reader
w0uld ex.ccs hut ] know the man no well
thai j can truthfaIy say that West Point is
lucky IL having Jack /" Wilson as Superin-
teRdeuf
he + q dignifed appearance now, with his
broad shoulders and good hight. but his brown
hair was red Es the Ferriest Scotch giilies yOa
rrrrT4sa
Washington. where he WAS born
He Nas dasling and gallant in the war, FIRST
H iight artillery officer AID later ia the
Western Army, and still later at Mobile Bay.
fnd gained iaBreis that many older graduates
Of West Point failed 20 gather.
OF his seFsiue since the war ia The detail of
the Usua! caties Of an officer Of the Corns 81
Enzsneers ind little TO write Of except that
he l. dearly beiOTee Of al men interested in
coed kssborS, from Toledo % Cuyah0ga, On
Lake Erie.
lie was brought here % be an assistant Ia
that splendid soldier. Gen. John Newton when
he was Chief Of Engineersj but when Mr.
Cleveland aeee9cd % tie Office Of President
be haa The Eeod sense 10 make Mai las be was
them Wilson Superintendent Of Public Bald
insE and Grounds. which. ex-o!iic0, made him
the Master OF Ceremonies Of all State afIAirs al
the Waite House.
IL Col. Wilson was known 10 but eomuara-
lively iew when be came back from the shore
q Lake Erie. he has Overcome and over.
balanced tue lack, for 1 fancy that there ID NO
more popular faan living to-day IN Washing.
Ton titan Col. John 81. Wilson.
have said already Lilat be Was born here
but have Bst said that he was the son Of that
sturdy aud faithful public servant that PresI.
dent Linooln made the Commissioner Of Pub.
lie Lands younger brother Of Col. Wilson
tG Gen, Thomas Wilson, Of the Subsistence DE.
P4riInent 81 the Army. and q still yoanger
brother Is Lieut.. Downs L. Wilson, of tbe
Navy.
Col. Wilson. above al the men have known
ia a somewhat widely extended career. ashore
and af0zt and a. home and abroad, unitea n
himself the besI qualities for the position 1.
which be has been ordered. in outline. 1 viii
say THAI be VIII be Justly strict IN ali natter
Of discipline. and impartial IN all matters: bu
fancy that he recoliects the days well EgbeI
be was redbcaded yOungster az Vest Poin
and was mixed up in any number Of didoes.
fancy that there will be fewer courts MARTA
there tie next four years.
A GOLDEN WEDDING.
On Saturday evening last y. d. Isthrop an,
wife, 4D2 A street northwest, this city, hayiu
reached that milestone ia life, the 50th ami
Refsary 81 their marriage were given A genu
Inc donation surprise party by Potomac Corn.
A-hCy auxiliary 70 the Department OF ID
Potomac, GAR. The groom il s2 years old
and TIE bride 70. The latter has been total