The National tribune., 1889-02-14
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
TIE Weeks D0ingS at the Ma
ii0nal Capital


his grip on the official guill0tne. For some
time il has been pretty well known that he
and Bon. 4. Il. EdgeTtOn have not been IN love
with each other. Mr. Edgerton IS a veteran
Democrat of the variety known as wheel
horses and when IL Is remembered that he
comes from Indiana, this epithet becomes
highly descriptive. President Cleveland ap-
pointed him one of the Civil Service Commits
siouers in I-55. and for a considerable time he
has been the only Democrat upon 1.-THE BE-
publicaDs being represented by Commissioner
Lyman. and there was Que vacancy. Ii is not
known how the friction began between the
President and Mr.. EdgeTton. unless il was that
the veteran ludianiau. who considers himself
quite as much OF a maa as the President and
fully as good If not better Democrat, refused
70 be reduced 10 the ranks IN the summary
way chat Mr.. Cleveland employs with his ap-
pOinteCs. Re proposed 10 indulge in the lux
ury Of his own opinions and to speak his mind
on al occasions with quite as much freedom as
ii he was not holding @3, 800 office under
Democratic President. This is something that
M Cleveland has never permitted In any one.
lie has insisted that all 0tiice-h0lders should
cOn6Ee themselves strictly 10 the tune he set
for hem. and has been quite successful in en-
forcing this regulation. Mr. EdgeTton's in
subsra nation has irritate5 him greatly, and
there is no doubt that he would have gotten rid
OF him months ago had not the situation in
reason has existed for relocating the q wheel
horse 10 tic pleasant pastures Of the Maumee
Valley. The place was wanted to provide for a
more acceptable subordnate-Hugh S. Thomp-
son. OF South Carolina, Assistant Secretary of
the Treasury, who has eadeared himself TO the
President by conduct quite different from Mr..
EdsertoIs. Thompson did not want to be ap-
pointed 90 FIJI the vacancy because that woald
make The Commission stand two Democrats to
one Republican, and impose upon Gen. HGrrl-
son the necessity Of making q change as soon
as he eaters Office. As the latter would have
10 remove one Democrat the probabilities would
be that he would take the latest appointee, and
retain the man from his own State, who is also
his personal friend. Very broad hints were
given Mr., Edgert0n that his resignation would
be acceptable, but he is a true Jackson Demo
crat, who dies only when he csunot help him
sell, aud never resigns. Finally, last week,
E3gertOn was called to the White House, and
after heated interview with the President
was biantly told TO resign. He replied as
bluutly that be would never break the record
of Indiana Democracy by resigning profitable
Office except TO take better one. He was fol-
lowed 10 his hotel by a better from the President
removing him from the position, and he has
been making il lively for the newspaper men
by his sarcastic comments on his late chiefs
Democracy, and his urgency to Gust man who
WAS loyal to his country during the war, in
VIZ " 6AhO a AaS RlGSG " d EOJlbH OdAD4ALn
rebel
I told the President" he said, that it re-
minded ne of the old fable of the fox and the
'eoon. They had fought for long time. FL
naliy the fox said 10 the coon Why should we
keep fighting eacn other2 We have all to meet
ut the hattcr's some day He and / viii have
70 meet al the hatter's after the 4th of March,"
Mr. Thompson was appointed the same day,
and his name sent TO the Senate, but it is very
doubtful e he viii be confirmed
CAPT WILLIAM r. JONES, OF PENNSYLVANIA
Among the recent distinguished visiting
comrades in the city is Capt. William R. Jones,
Senior Vice Commander Of the Department of
Pennsylvania
Capt. Jones is not only well and fsvorably
known as an active GAR man in his own
State, but is quite popular throughout the
country and Is mentioned as one Of the prOni-
nent candidates for Commander-in-Chief; the
only disqualification Of such a term is allowa-
ble) being that he is so deeply immersed in act
i've business that be could not give the time to
the Office that he would feel obliged to best0W
upon it.
As is well known, Capt Jones is the General
Manager for Mr. Andrew CaTnegie's extensive
iron and steel establishment at the Edgar
Thompson and BessemeT Works, near Pitts
burg, Pa. As indicating the monetary value
OF this comrades services, II is authoritatively
stated that his salary is S25 600 per annum,
while an additional income from the royalty on
his patents, it is estimated viii make his yearly
Income exceed that Of any railroad President
IN the country. At one Of his establishments
complete steel rail is turned out every 30 sec
onos OF the = hours, the work beginning from
the ore eight hours previous
The Captains authority over regiment of
skilled mechanics is more absolute than that of
5 military officer. The pay-rolls of the two
works under his charge exceed S300,OO0 per
month One Of the pleasant things about it is
that CiVil-Service rules do not prevail there
and no favOritism is shown to any but com
rsdes, and no needy old soldier, able and will
ing 70 work, IS ever turned away from this es-
tsblishment.
And yet this great mechanic and manager is
one OF the Pauper hirelings," as / have heard
rebels term them, who, as private soldier of
the lS5d Pa and citizen of the Union, gal
lantly charged again and again ND Marye's
Hights in the very front Of his company, and
reached the gate in the now historic Mrs.
stevens's backyard, where he proposes to erect
monument 70 mark the adVance-ground his
company reached.
Capt. Jones may be described as an active.
thOrOngh-going business mechanic, or, as he is
termed at home, q steam-engine on legs. He
Is, OF course wealthy, and generous to the de-
serving, but, being working man himself he
requires al who are able TO work to take hold
for themselves.
The Captain, however, enjoys q good time
among the boys rather more than in auv other
KIND Of crowd. At a recent Encampment he
furnished at his own expense an entire train
OF Pullman cars to convey the delegates of his
Department 10 the place of meeting Under
the escort Of his friend aud felloW-townsmau.
the Boy Spy" Capt Jones visited THE Ma
TIONAL TRIBUNE Office, and while sitting he
side him tie Boy" deity picked his panta-
looms pocket, the haul resulting in only an open
letter. which ae proceeded TO read aud to cooliy
question his friend about This was request
IRON couple Of friends and comrades who
signed themselves Jim aud Jack" as build
ing committee authorized 10 collect subscrip-
llons 10 erect church at the base Of Lookout
Mountain.
The letter coolly assessed their former
friend $500, but not less than s.. 600 would be
received.
Ia answer 70 a remark, Jones said. No. I'm
- II AZ 70 going 20 give them a cent. have
Just got through paying for a church at home:U
put ms companion seemed to think. witbout
consulting Jones, that, as a matter Of course
the church az Lookout Mountain would get tbe
amount assessed"
The mention Of Lookout Mountain promuted
some inquiries from the Editor as 70 Can't
jones' service IN that vicinity. when the
captain, ~ lis happy and entertaining way.
feiatea the following interesting story of
JEFF DAVIS IN EAST TENNESSEE IN 1851.
that has not yet been printed:
II was Ia 1883" began the Captain. as be