The National tribune., 1889-08-08
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOingS at the Ma
tiOnal Capital
THE PRESIDENTS MovEMENTs:

DOer Park, and was busy with the affairs of
State until Tuesday morning, when he, accom-
panied by Secretaries Window and Proctor and
Private Secretary HalfOrd began the journey TO
Bar Harbor. Ne, where the President is to be
the guest of Secretary Blaine The party went
IN a special car over the Pennsylvania Road,
arriving in New York at o'clock, where they
took the steamer Pilgrim Of the Fall River
line, and arrived in Boston Wednesday morn
ing The President held a reception at the
Hotel FendOme on Thursday, at which every
body who desired shook his hand.
At Boston the party separated, the President
and Secretary HalfOrd proceeding by rail 20
Bar HarbOr, Secretary Window remaining at
Boston. while Secretary Proctor went TO his
home in Vermont. Walker Blaine met the
Presidential party in Boston, and escorted the
President TO Bar Harbor.
lt is expected that the President will return
20 Washington by the 18th of this month, but
will take trip 10 the White Mountains before
returning to the White IEmhse. He will leave
here on the Goth inst. TO attend the laying of
the cornerstone of the Indiana soldiers and
sailors monument, and the Reunion Of his old
regiment
Mrs Harrison and other members Of the
family are still at Deer Park. where they will
remain until the return OF the President from
Bar Harb0r, when it is very probable THAI she
will accompany him TO indianapolis, where she
is likely to remain for two or three weeks.
The ACTING SECRETARY DECLINED.
Mr.. John Tweedale, the Chief Clerk Of the
War Department for these many years, is Act
ing Secretary during Col Proctors absence.
Tweedale is q Republican whom the Democrats
did not dismiss when they came in, for the
very good reason that his services were yalu-
able.
One day this week a petulant and rather
pOmp0us old gentleman came into the War De-
partIucut and asked TO see the Secretary. lie
was told that the Secretary was not In the city,
but that lac could see the Acting Secretary.
This was satisfactory, and lie was shown in 10
Mr.. TWeedale.
a. am a Republican, sir" he said as pre-
liminary announcement, as he planted himself
firmly, with his legs slightly spread apart, in
front Of Twcedale's desk. am here TO make
complaint against clerk in this Department"
T" Ecll2" said the Acting Secretary.
Well, Sis" the old man went on, you
have here SIT. man whose dismissal demand
al once. do not know him. sir, never saw
him, but demand that be be put out, and 1
am here 10 make this charge against him. He
grew gray IN the service under the Republican
party, and then. sir, when the Democrats came
IN be continued TO hold his position and 10
serve them / want him dismissed as a
traitor"
Il presume" said the Acting Secretary.
'you refer 10 the Chief Clerk, Mr. TWeedaleT"
Yes sir; that's the man. want him dis
missed"
- la the absence Of specific charges affecting
his character ! cannot make the dismissal"
replied Mr.. Tweedale, thou htfully. ." II you
have any charge thai is substantial, you had
better present il 70 the Secretary"
TRIAL OF THE YORKTOWN.
While no Official report Of the final trial Of
The EHnh0zt Yorktown has been received at
the Navy Department, letters 10 officers there
from persons who were on board of the vessel
during the triPon Monday. July g. pronounced
heE a complete success. The results Of the gun
test are particularly gratifying. Only few
Panes Of glass were broken, and In firing one
Of the guns directly over the apothecaFy's
Office and around the supports of which shelves
containing medicine bottles were placed, every
bottle remained intact. The Yorktown was 10
regular fighting order, and had 800 tons Of coal
In her buHkcrs, 80 more tons than she was re-
quired to carry.
There is hardly doubt the builders, Cramp
BrOe-, Of Philadelphia, will get the $4,000 re-
serve fuDd which Secretary Tracy Is privileged
20 bod bSck until ali the requirements Of the
contract are complied with.
The Yorktown is the first vessel Of the
neE navy that has been completely equipped
md that has satisfactorily demonstrated its
ability 10 do ali that the contract required.
The Official report On the Trial is expected
shortly.
"OLD IRossIDEs"
LISA question, after all, whether the glorious
Old Constitution wall be brought from her pres
ent stallion al Portsmouth to Washington The
LOmmzndant Of the Washington Navy Yard
Commodore Meade, has been lGboriug several
years 10 secure this. During the last Admin
lstFati0n be was successfully autaeauized bv
Frank Jones, the Democratic leader Of New
Hampshire, whose influence with Secretary
whitney proved too powerful 10 he overcome.
One Of the arguments WAS that II would cost
5000 to tow he old lrigate from Portsmouth 10
tbs city, which Was more than she was worth
Commodore Meade met this by securing pro-
posal 70 tow the ship for 81 20. which would
Include her insurance for $4,000 much more
than she could be sold FOR. lie now finds that
be has 20 combat Senator Chandler, or New
Hampshire, who apparently has as much infiu-
eDcc with the present Administration as Jones
had with The last; 30 il is doubtful If anything
Will be done.
Lieut. Hampton NJ Roach, LIST u. g. Inf,
who has been absent without leave from his
company for the past TIRES mouths has been
granted stay Of proceedings until he returns
20 bis station. The question Of bis trial by
c0urt-iazrtial val then be considered Army
people are Ol the opinion that he will escape
trial, 40 Surgeons who were sent TO investigate
bis case report that he is very sick man and
utterly irresponsible for his actions Iieut
Roach was promoted from the ranks and has a
brilliant military record.
THE cAKTEEE" IL THE ARMY.
feature Of Army life that Is attracting
considerable attention, and which has the ap-
prevail OF tie officials Of the War Department.
ls Hbzt - called " The Canteen." It Is Of Eng
lish origin, AID has been used In the British
army Tor years. and has for its object the pro-
Flding Tor soldiers Of food. drink and smuse-
neut. At present the first two articles named
aside from the necessities vi the soldiers which
are provided by the COmmissary Department.
are furnished by the Post Trader who is an
Ouigrowth OF the old SHtler, bat who has more
privileges than he had. and il appointed by the
council VI Administration OF each post, sub
9cct 70 approval by the Secretary Of War.
Alter the war, and until within the past few
years, the business Of the Post Trader WAS
quite profitable, a. be catered 10 the manifold
wants Of tie women aud children attached 10
the command where he was located. With the
growth Of new towns ia the vicinity of the
posts, the business Of the Post Trader fell off.
UBtll now his revenue il derived very largely
fEoul his license 10 sell beer aud wine In many
Gases il is said that the Post Trader abuse the
privileges thus granted him, aud dispcnses 10
TIE soldiers poor quality Of whisky and
brandy as well as the softer drinks which he
Is legtiDateiy entitled 10. The Traders deal.
lnss are thus often prejudicial to good order and
discipline at the post.
~ ls tbs fact, probably, more than any other.
that has Led 70 the adoption Of the Cauteeu sys.
ten lie Canteen 10 controlled by voluntary
association Of the soldiers aud Is stated las =
h0GAl SIDE 10 ats operations The supplies are
purchased aud sold as at the Post Traders, but
EulrituOug l&auarF zra sold "a -