Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-02
THE COLORED MINISTER.
Secretary Tracy's Trouble In Getting q
Man-Of- War to Take Him to Hayti.
THREE COMMANDERS WHO FOUND EXCUSES FOR
NOT SAILING WITH MR.. DouaLAss-THK FOURTH
ONE ACCEPTS THE DUTY IMPOSED ON HIN
WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.

The difficulties experienced by Secretary
Tracy in getting Minister Douglass started for
Hayti on board a rhan-of-war furnish fruitful
topic for speculation just now among naval
officers. The end of the matter probably came
when the Kearsarge. with the minister on board,
weighed anchor in New York harbor yesterday
morning and sailed southwark with
NEW COMMANDER ON BOARD.
There will undoubtedly be no further official
action in the premises although the New York
Sun today says It is rumored at the Brooklyn
navy yard that Capt. Shepard is virtually under
arrest. although walking around the yard in
citizens clothes. Had it not been for the stern
disciplinary ideas of the Secretary the un-
Willingness of ship commanders to carry the
colored diplomat might have continued until
the list OF vessels at home we're exhausted.
but there were evidences that
the Secretary's patience was about exhausted
at the third delay and the fourth man selected
wisely accepted the detail without a murmur.
The Secretary absolutely refuses to make any
statement whatever about the matter, but the
facts are about as follows:
THE CASE OF COMMANDER KELLOGG
Commander Kellogg had asked some time
before the minister made up his mind to start
to be relieved from the Ossipee, but his re-
quest was disregarded, There was trouble be-
tween himself and Admiral Gherardi. and there
was also a difficulty between him and
some OF his officers on board ship. These
strained relations caused the atmosphere to be
very uncomfortable and when the Ossipee was
selected to carry the minister to Hayti the COM
mander went to the Secretary and repeated his
request. The conversation was very pleasant
and the two parted in good humor, but the re-
lief was granted -
COMMANDER EVANS
was selected for the billet, but he found flaws
in his boilers, and although he represented
that he was willing to sail down to Hayti, the
report Of his engineer relieved him Of this
necessity.
THE LAST STRAW.
Although there was as yet no actual evidence
of disinclination on the part of his officers to
carry the colored man, Secretary Tracy began
to smell powder, and it is said was somewhat
provoked at the necessity Of changing his plans.
His temper was sorely tried when Capt. Shep-
ard wrote him the day after the Kearsarge had
been selected that he could not see how he
could accommodate the Douglass party on
the short notice given. and that if they
went he would be obliged to give up his own
quarters The trouble was that the captain
has the reputation OF being crotchety person
age, who dislikes being disconnected He had
gone ahead in his own rut so long that the
prospect of a change rather nettled him. There
was probably no intention to rebel on his part
and his letter was undoubtedly meant merely
to gain time. 1t brought forth rather unex-
pected and, it is supposed, welcome reply in
the shape of a relief from duty.
THE MINISTER OFF AT LAST
Capt. Whiting was put in command. Com
modore Ramsay. in command of the yard, Or
dered the necessary extra equipments for the
vessel, such as linen and table furniture and
the kearsarge sailed on scheduled time.
NorurNa C.v M now .povr
Inasmuch as no one OF the three officers has
done anything amenable there will be no
court-martial or other form Of official punish
ment, although some naval officers think it is
quite likely that the Secretary will not in the
future be over well disposed toward them.