Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-01
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
Secretary Blaine and His Gym
 nastic Exercises.
SECRETARY PROCTOR's STAND.
An Incident That Caused a Rupture with Gen. Schofield-Commander Books Con- duct-The Cruiser Chicago-Preparing the Franklin for the Centennial.

the tranklh TOT the SenIennlaAs
 WASHINGTON, April 1.-The Post says: A coupe drawn by a courle of bay horses drove up to the Vernon Row building on Pennsyl vania avenue at o'clock one afternoon last week and a well built man with gray hair and beard and a marble pallor of face opened the door and alighted. The individual was poGe other than the secretary of state. He entered the building and touching an electric bell, ascended to the third floor in the ele- vator. On this floor a gymnasium, of which MT. Blaine is an attendant, is situated, and he had come to take his customary afternoon exercise. MT. Blaine's exercise usually lasts for an hour. He takes the same course as the other patrons of the place and the pro lessor in charge puts him through the differ ent exercises. He first told him Saturday afternoon to stand with head erect and feet together. The professor then rubbed his hands over MT. Blaine's stomach, kneading the muscles and nerves of that portion of the body thoroughly so as as to increase the circulation of the blood. Walking a dozen steps Mr. Blaine assumed semi -recumbent position on settee. With firm grasp of Mr. Blaines right leg, the pro- lessor worked it slowly in a circle for few minutes and also towards the secretary of states body. This gives an exercise some thing like walking, only it brings more mus cles into activity. The motion was repeated with left leg, then both legs and both arms were also kneaded After this Mir. Blaine was asked to get astride kind of stationary hobby horse and put his feet in the two leather straps. His body, entirely passive, was then worked around ill circle, first one way and then another, to exercise the mus cles of the waist. A few feet distant is an upright post with little strips of wood cross ing it at right angles. Grasping one of these, and reclining his body forward at an angle of about forty-fve degrees, the secretary of state allowed himself to be beaten all over the back. This strengthened his nervous system and promoted his digestion. One of the most peculiar machines in the room is that known as the vibrator. This was used in giving Mr. Blaine his last exercise of the day. He then put on his coat and vest, and taking his overcoat and beaver from the rack, again descended the elevator, feeling so much improved that he joked with the eleva- tor boy.
 SECRETARY PROCTOR AND GEN. SCHOFIELD.
 The first rupture between Mai Gen. Scho- field, commanding the army, and Secretary Proctor took place last week, and the de- cision of the secretary in the case clearly proved that he intended to run the war de partment after his own ideas and unham- pered by any influence of the army or any one else. Unfortunately for the best interests of the army there exists a mistaken impress sion that the general commanding is infinitely of more concern than the secrstary of war; that his word is law far as pertains to army matters, and that all consgnments of officers anything affecting the personnel of the army must come from him. A number -l,> h,I 1,. not, however, of that opinion at present
 The whole matter grew out of the disposi- ton of the board the revision of army tactics The board has been in session for the past eighteen months at the war depart ment, and it was thought about time that they be sent to some large post where prac- tical experiments could be conducted with available troops The board wanted to go to Fort Wadsworth, New York harbor, or to David's Island, in the same harbor Gen. Schofield was in favor of West Point-a lovely place to spend the summer. It is re- ported that the general recommended this place as the best possible field for the new tactics to be thoroughly tested Adjt Gen. Drum is a practical soldier, and in virtue of his position as adjutant general of the army he recommended that the board go to Fort Leavenworth. Secretary Proctor decided in favor of Gen. Drum and the board goes to Fort Leavenworth. Although the matter in itself is of trivial nature it has caused con- siderable gossip in army circles, and indicates that the secretary of war proposes to exer- else his full right in all matters affecting the army and that the line of authority between Gen. Schofield and himself will be as clearly drawn now as it was under previous secre- tarieS.
 THE CRUISER CHICAGO.
 Capt. H. B. Robeson of the navy, com man,.ing the new cruiser Chicago, is in the city tor the purpose of conferring with the navy department officials in regard to put ting the ship in commission for sea service. She has been at the navy yard, New York for long time with a number of officials attached, but has never regularly been put in commission. The Chicago will take part in the centennial celebration at New York on April 80, after which she will sail for the Mediterranean squadron to become the flag ship of Admiral Greer in place of the Lan- caster.
 AT HOME WITHOUT LEAVE
 The case of Lieutenant Commander George M. Book of the navy is exciting considera- ble talk ill naval circles A few months ago he was ordered to the command of the Pinta then at Stka, Alaska, where he duly arrived | and relieved Lieutenant Commander John S. Newell. Nothing more was heard from him
 
 partment last week. He was not ordered to report here and his sudden appearance was, therefore, somewhat surprising to the navy department officials It is stated that he gives no explanation of his presence here at this time, save that he thought he would run over and see how things were getting along at the navy department.
 NOTES
 Capt. A P. Cooke of the navy, command ing the receiving ship Franklin at the navy yard, Norfolk, Va, is registered at the navy department. He is here for the purpose of receiving instructions from the navy depart ment in regard to fitting out the Franklin so as to take part in the centennial celebra- tion at New York on April 80. The Franklin is a full rigged ship and ill her time was con- sidered one of the finest models. She was Farragut's flag ship when he went to Europe after the war. The friends of Gen. Whipple, of the army, at present on duty at Governors Island, New York, as assistant general of the division of the Atlantic, will shortly present his name tc President Harrison for the position of adju tant general of the army to be vacated by the retirement of Gen Drum next month