New-York tribune., 1890-05-23
NATAL GOSSIP At WASHINGTON
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AND ITS EXACT
ING DUTIES TO UTILIZE THE OLD
CHEESE BOX. OR ERICSSON
MONITORS.

Washington. May o2.-The sndden physical collapse
Of Paymaster General Thomas H. Looker chief OF the
Bureau of Provisions which made it necessary for MN
to resign the bureauship, was sad disappointment
to the whole service II is only about three months
that Pay Director LOCKER succeeded PaFmaster
General Fulton as the head Of the Bureau at Wash
ngton, the latter having resigned before his term ex
pired. Pay Inspector Edwin stewart. who was sec
retary Tracy'S first choice when Paymaster-General
Fulton resigned the Secretary waving his preference
to the President who named Pay Director LOCKER has
now been confirmed to succeed the latter. lie was
born in New York, May ), 1857 and entered the Navy
in 1851. lie took part in the bombardmcnt OF fort
Royal and in the battles Of Port Hudson and Mobile
Bay. From l3G9 to 1-72 he was at the Navy Fay
Office at Washington after which he was three years
the Asatic station. and special duty at Brook
yn from 1877 to 1852. After another cruise he took
charge Of the Navy Pay Office at New-York. June 30,
1856. where he has been since. The duties
dcvoving upon the PaymaserCe are onerouS ana
rcsponsble and the administration Of the Bureau hav
ing concern with all branches OF the Navy Depart
ment. involves vast amount Of clerical work, largely
dependent upon tho PaymastcrGcneral. General
LOCKER only realized the difficulties attending the
discharge Of his aIduOus duties, but was forced to
recognize that they demanded in addition to mental
ability a ply ysical force such he unable 10 SlVe
II i; stated that Colonel Charles q. McCawIey,
the co:lmandant Of the Marine Corps has not be'n
In good health for some tim,. but his symptoms are
no' considered in any way dangerous. II Is feared
however. that he may not be able 10 continue his
active duties until January at which time his
long term Of Office would end by operation OF the
retiring laws The question of his successor Is
already absorbing much attention in his corps. Every
member i'm the corps, both line and stah, Is enGiDlc
and there large number who want the honor OK
that Office. 1t Is the strongest man who will win
The President has heretofore regarded the claims "f
seniority In making appointments To both Army ana
Navy positions, but Will lie do in this case Of the
Marine Corps Thee about twenty Of the oihcerS
next below the commaudant. Of nearly the same age
and length OF service who will retire between 1000
and 1905, but nearly one haif OF them are Yet IN
the grade Of captain, although all served during mo
Civil War. Colonel McCawlcy has had career that
few people think 1t possible for marine officer
10 get. lie born in Pennsylvania. but WAS
appointcd second Lieutenant from Louisiana on
March g. 1rI7 and joined the battalion OF marines de-
achcd for service with the army In Mexico lie took
mart I'm the >tormiug Of the castle 90 Chapultep and
the taking Of the Cty Of MEXICO, and was hrevefod
first Lieutenant for gallant and mertonous conduct
in those actions september l3. lci1 lie returned
home i'm August I54s and squadron and
other duty until the Civil War began. lie was
ordered homo from the spanish Main IN January,
1-,i2 and cent To the marine barracks ut Boston,
meanwhile getting his promotion to captain. H. was
Immediately detached from Boston and sent 20 BaY
Point :, c. which had Just been recapurcd with
large amo Mt Of property iIoludi volu bic Ha incFy
which the Conledcratc~ had just begun TO u'c' IN
,prl he returned with his battalion to Washington
and the following month sent with detachment
of 200 men to rcoccupy the Norfolk Navy laIu'
There he hauled down the Confederate flag aud hoised
the American flag. In october. loG2, he was put IN
command Of the headquarters at Washington, Nmalh-
ius there until Juv. l-n3. and was then sent 10 me
south Atlantic squadron ana served WIN thc p%l-
TALON ~ marinc> Morris Island during the BON
harmeut and destruction Of Fort sumter anu tuo
capturs of Forts Wagner and Gregg lie conihalncu
detachment ~ 100 marines. sailors ana oh'tT III
tho boat attack on Fort sumter september r. l0,".
His Gallant and mcrtorOu> conduct won ior MN he
brcvci Of major and he received the actual prphouOu
on .Tu1r TO- I7f4. lie promoted Ia lieutenant
colonel December ,. l-G1. and a colonel ana COM
mancant of marine, November ]. lr1b.
The brief announcement was made on saturday tllat
a board OF officers had condemned the SingleuTretcd
monitor Saugus and that ,hc was to be- sold at au'.
tpu She was one Of the fleet that waS anchoTrd
within yards II Fort Fisher In the battle of ne
,>Wlcr - l-ij4. and vhcsr turrpt bcarN thlrA nm"
dent, frou the shot that T': at her. NuptN'r
not. made Was that the monitors Wyandoue and
Nantucket t. have some extensive alterations hi"'
in them for in active service Tie iict i tiss
o ,,nvernincnt has given to the Pneumatic irun Com
pany the privilege Of using the two vessels to demon
t me merits Of their system for floating batteries
Tor BaIL,r A!1d sound defence. The cOmpanyS pan
1, 10 remove the tarrct, and utilize the weight saved
by putting In the hold high power eight and ten men
gun, mounted upDD pneumatic disappearing carriages
The -n, to be- loaded trained ana NlSlted below
deck and, upOn command. - be elevated above ue'k
and fir,d the rrco depressing the guns u the load
Ing position again. Thus the officers ana crew VIII
uof Er exposcl Ia the fire Of the enemy. VIII the
guns hr exposed more than the few seconds That II
takes To fire one.