The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-06-20
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOings at the Ma
tOnal Capital
A NAVAL souABBLE.


he has been at the head Of the Bureau Of Navi-
cation of the Navy Department, has kept a
large portion of the officers in hot water and
succeeded in making himself thoroughly dis
liked by them, is appropriately signalizing his
departure from the Office by row OF unusual
dimensions Having TO go TO sea at last, he
wanted 90 fix up good berth for himself,
and go he picked out the best billets" in the
Navy; that is, he wanted to be assigned to the
command of the North Atlantic Squadron,
which is the duty most coveted by the higher
officers serving at sea, and have the finest ship
in the Navy-the new cruiser " Chicago for
his flagship. But the veteran Rear admiral
Gherardi was recently assigned to that desira-
bic position. and naturally desires to hold it
until he shall be retired, which viii not be q
great while, as he began his service AZ years
ago. Walker thinks that GhaTardi ought to be
satisfied with the command of the European
Squadron, with ship inferior to the Chicago"
rs his flagship. but the Rear-Admiral declines
TO play second fiddle to the junior Commodore
on the list. Secretary Tracy has offered to COM
promise by putting Commodore Walker in COM
msnd of the European Squadron, with the
"Chicsg0" as his flagship, but so far the Com
mOd0re has declined 70 accept the proposition.
ANY Of the other COmmOdores, who all outrank
Walker, would think this very pleasant as
Segment as it involves a cruise Though the
historic Mediterranean, but Walker apparently
wants all that is 10 be got, wherever he is.
ne OtutT OllCeTS bAAi Ne lGDoIo DuueI sAS
idea that the Navy is his personal property.
EX-SENATOR sABIN's DIVORCE
IfpeopIe's left ears burn when anything IN
pleasant is being said about them, the auditory
apparatus on the sinister side Of Ex-senator
Sabins head must have been in a state of
violent c0ufagratiOn ever since the announce
ment Of his divorce. Here in Washington,
where Airs. Sabin is surprisingly well liked by
al sorts Of people. the pretended cause of di-
vorce is angrily scorned. It is not possible,
everyone says, that she could have been the
victim of slcOholization to the extent alleged
and yet no one ever suspect it. People met
her during the season, somewhere every day
and evening, and never did she show the
slightest symptoms of undue indulgence in
liquors. She was always and everywhere the
same gentle, refined, considerable, lovable
woman. IL, they say, since leaving Washing
ton, physical ailments have required the use of
opiates and so fastened the morphine or chloral
habit upon Der, this was no reason for divorce,
any more than cancer or consumption would
have been. A publication BY Mr.. Sabin in the
papers in the hope of mitigating the public
judgment against him, has not placed his case
IL any better light. BE will have to give
much better reasons than he has done yet to
excuse himself IN the eyes of the Washington
people
MORE STEEL CRUISERS FOB THE NAVY.
The Navy Department has issued advertise
menls inviting proposals for the construction
Of two steel cruisers OF 1000 tons displacement,
under the authority conveyed by the appro-
prlatiOn act Of the last Congress. The con-
tractor is required TO guarantee minimum OF
Is knots for four consecutive hours, and there
is q bonus of $4,000 provided for every addi-
tienal quarter knot while deduction OF a like
sum viii be made for each quarter knot def
cheney. The vessels are to be completed in two
years and. exclusive Of the speed bonus their
f-ozfi y mt IN ed
tractors are allowed 10 bid for the construction
Of the huh and machinery according to their
own designs or TO accept those furnished by
the Department.
The new vessels viii be about the size of the
Atlanta. but viii be much more formidable
vessels; viii be better armed of higher speed,
and viii show an advancement of six or more
years in naval construction. The Dimensions
OF these cruisers viii be-length, 800 feet:
breadth, - feet; draft IS feet; displacement.
S,l00 tens; full ceal capacity, CPS TONS The
armament viii consist Of one six-inch and one
fOur-inch rapid-fre guns 1.-THE latest idea in
naval armament) and eight machine guns.
The ships will be two-mast schooner-rigged,
but viii carry sail enough to steady them in
sea way.
WHERE OUR BATTLE-FLAGs WILL PROBABLY
REST
Gen. Meigs, the architect Of the Pension
building has addressed letter TO Commissioner
OF Pensions Tanner, suggesting that the flags
borne IN battle by the soldiers of the United
States and those captured By them in war be
hung around the walls Of the Pension Office
building. he says also that the intent of all
tie acts OF Congress regarding the captured
flags is that they shall be displayed in some
proper public place. The Commissioner has
replied TO Gen. Meigs that he viii assist in this
project if the Pension building be made water
proof. The roof now leaks badly in several
places. This IS so much more desirable a prom.
osition for the disposal of the captured flags
than was recommended by the last Admins
tIatIoB, that every veteran IN the country " III
without doubt, second the motion, and the aag.
captured viii remain as evidences Of the valol
OF the United States soldier for all time to come
A SPORTSMAN AND CATERER.
Comrade John ii. Harmon, 9Th Mass. but
who has for 70 years been q clerk in the Adju.
tant-General's Office in this city is a character
Ee IS one Of the most enthusiastic sportsrneu
IN the country, and is never so happy as when
out with bis rod and reel OF with his gun I'M.
less il IS when entertaining lot his old com.
Taaes at his own table with a clam chowder
call s-head stew, Boston baked beans, or some
other dclicacy, which he prepares himself fol
the enjoyment Of these old friends and com.
Tades he knows how to cook everything i'm.
sginable, and when be went into Government
service the public lost q born caterer one VIII,
could have made name equal to Delmonico
JACK q BIS LleDas call him, can throw
trout iine catch bass, or shoot quail or wood
cock with the best hunters; and when he bag
his game has the peculiar knowledge Of how /.
cook IL SO that il is most palatable.
PATRIOTIC ORDER OF THE SONS OF AMERrc,
met in National Encampment in this CITY OF
Tuesday. large number Of delegates from
al parts OF the country were present Com
missioner Douglass, Of the District of Columbia
delivered the address Of welcome. which wa
responded TO by the National President, Mr.
George T. Smith, OF Chicago, III. This CLOSED
the pubic exercises for the Encampment i'm
meGlateiy went into secret session for the cleo
ton OF officers fOr the next two wears and for
The transaction Of other business The sessio,
viii last three days, and grand parade of tn
Order VIII take place on Friday next Tn
Uniform Of the Order, to be worn in the parade
consists Of black Prince Albert suit. plume,
chspeau, red, white and blue sash. the bin
across The breast being studded with silye
stars white belt, with silver trimming,
and sword complete the uniform.
MRs. HARRIsoN's VIEWS.
Ars. Harrison recently said to friend. al
may be that after time / shall get used To tb
unpleasant features Of my present position. bu
Just now am not IN a contented frame Of uinf
don't ike the White House as a residence
detest the publicity which pertains TO onr HON
life, and ] regret that / am Obliged TO see :
little Of my husband. Is it not absurd fiat. m
father and the babies should be gossjped ahon