Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-26


NAVY DEPARTMENTS.
The executive departments are giving, in
their routine of work, some slight evidences of
the waning of the old administration. Each of
the Secretaries seems to be imbued with de-
sire to leave clean desk for his unknown sue
cessor. and Is making an effort to dispose of all
the current business possible. Thus it is that
there are remarkably few matters of interest
pending in any of the departments. and the
atmosphere in each is assuming a definite tinge
of expectancy.
THE SAMOAN AND PANAMA PROBLEMS.
In the State department the wheels are run
ming with unusual smoothness, Secretary Bay
ard having succeeded in securing a postpone
ment of solution of the Samoan problem.
which will be accomplished, it is hoped, by a
conference at Berlin soon after the new admin
lstration gets into working order. The latest
dispatches from the isthmus an account of
which was given in last nights STAR. shows
that everything there is quiet and likely to re-
main SO until at least, the change in govern
ment here has been made. In fact the outside
world Is at peace so far as the present adminis-
traton OF our state affairs is concerned. In
the Office the death of DIR. Wharton leaves a
vacant solicitorship, which will undoubtedly
be filled by Mr.. Harrison. The duties of the
Office are being performed by the three assist
ant secretaries.
THE AQUEDUCT TUNNEL COURT OF INQUIRY.
Secretary Endicott also has succeeded in
clearing things up pretty well, although there
are still two or three matters pending, settle
ment OF which, however, is expected this
week. The report of the aqueduct tunnel court
OF inquiry is still in the judge advocate-gen-
erals office, undergoing a review preparatory
to Its being made public, which event will un-
GOIlhtpGiv nlopa in a var Forr 1ovc
are two
VACANT CADETsHIPs
at West Point to be appointed by the Presi-
dent, both of whom, it is thought, will be
named before Saturday night. One is a cadet
at-large and the other the District cadet.
There are a few nominations to staff vacan-
cles IN the army that are looked for each day.
The vacant governorship of the Soldiers Home
will probably not be filled this week.
IN THE NAVY DEPARTMENT
there are good many possibilities in the way
of departmental action, but it is likely that
Mr.. Whitney will leave good many things for
his successor to act upon. The gunboat York
town has not yet been accepted by the govern
ment, the trial board being still at work on the
computation Of the horsepower developed in
the tests. The final report will probably be
made in day or two, and the acceptance of
the vessel-which is conceded to be very
lhely-accompilsheG at the eleventh hour. 1t
will not be so, however, in the case Of
THE DYNAMITE CRUISER vEsUyIus.
which has yet to undergo test of the rapidity
OF fire of her three dynamite blow-guns. Sew
eral delays have occurred, and the result is
that the final report and acceptance can hardly
be done in time. There are several other
vessels not far from completion which
Mr.. Whitney, it is said hoped would be
completed in time for him to accept, but
they will undoubtedly become food for
reflection on the part of the new Secretary.
Nearly all of the legal casts that have encum-
bered the naval records have been disposed of
the only one remaining awaiting settlement
being the question of retiring Paymaster
Doyle. The report of the retiring board in
this case is now in the hands of the Secretary
and decision is expected in day or two.
The opening of bids for the coast defense
vessel and several other important works have
been postponed until after the 4th OF March,
IN THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT
there is practically no great questions pending,
the only unsettled matter of any consequence
being the award of the transportation contract.
Thus it is that the news-giving qualities of
the various uptown departments will very
likely be reduced to q minimum for several
days-a calm before the storm.