The National tribune., 1890-08-07
WASHINGTON GOSSIP,
The Weeks DOings at the Ma
ti0nal Capital
Why THEY BORROWED MONEY.

Euisitorial list which the Census Office put out
were four about mortgages and the ownership
Of property. It was expected that these ques-
ti0ns would cause most of the trouble that
might arise 60 the enumerators They were
Suggested by the Knights Of Labor that IL
might become known TO the Government how
great part corporations had in the ownership
Of farms homes. etc, which belonged 10 the
poor man, and how great proportion OF the
people are encumbered by debt. Aside from
this, it became = matter Of inquiry as TO the
causes which led to this indebtedness-why
people borrow large sums of money. Mr.. Geo.
X. Holmes is the Chief of the Division OF Re-
corded Indebtedness, and for months past
large force OF this division has been employed
In taking from the records OF Counties ana
cities the recorded mortgages Of private indi-
viduals and corporations. Letters ad-
dressed 10 persons in certain Counties where
the inquiry viii be complete, asking GER
tain and more definite information regarding
these mortgages. This inquiry will be con-
fined 10 about l07 Counties scattered through
out the country, and the conditions as
BScertained will form q broad basis upon which
TIE entire mass OF statistics may rest.
10 was found in the taking Of the census, and
in the correspondence which has followed on
this subject that people have in almost all cases
willingly answered the questions put TO them,
but IN the latter instance have net confined
themselves exclusively 20 the questions, but
have branched forth into a variety of personal
and family details which at times anus
Ing. and again pathetic. Many snd curious
ere the ways in which money is raised and in
dehtedness incurred, as will be seen from few
extracts.
One man SAYS that friend Of his shot ne
gro and the mortgage was incurred in raising
The money 10 bail him out Of Jail and for law
yers' fees Another writes: Il borrowed
money for general uses on account OF failure IN
crops and ! reckon you'll think that ! am a
d bad manager: but there are plenty more
IN the same fix. Misery loves company"
One on being written about his mortgage
answered: All settled, God bless your good
soul"
One man confesses that be paid his mortgage
and has the release IN hls desk, where he in
tends 10 keep 1t. as be does not wish certain
neighbor OF his 10 have his curiosity gratifed
by knowing that il is paid.
Another letter explains that the writer
mortgaged his house for Sill, so as to al make
home pleasant by purchasing organ TO keep
my boy at home, which proved a success, for
which ! am proud"
mortgage is recorded in a Southwestern
State amounting to $l3. The Indebtedness had
been on record about FIVE years, and during
that period the debtor had managed TO pay
about s. on il. The person giving the mort
gage was a widow, and she used the money 70
pay the funeral expenses OF her husband.
One mortgage was contracted 10 pay for ne
FrOes purchased by the writer's father before
tie war. A nau IN attempting 10 pay for two
sets Of false teeth had given a mortgage for
$40
Another correspondent admits that he was
obliged to borrow money 10 pay the damages
IN a suit brought against him for alternating the
affections Of another mans wife. lie adds,
however, Il" have her"
An aspiring politician in the West risked
500 on his political success confessiHg that il
was TO pay expenses Of election At the close
he fsn aT ind ffru1 hat
be lost the election well as the money. One
poor wretch contracted debts to the amount Of
s 10 ~ raising a family Of 10 children, and
HlDrtgaRed his house.
On Saturday last. Gen. William d. Whipple.
Assistant Adjutant- General L. S. Army was
placed Oh the retired list, having reached the
sge limit Of Ga ycaTE- Gen. Mhipple was born at
Nelson, y. y, Aug. z 1876. and WAS appointed
20 the Military Academy from his native
district ia l7i7. When he was graduated, in
155l, be was assigned to infantry service on the
Indian frontier participating ia the Gila ex-
pedItion against the Apsches IN 1897. the Nav
Ej0 expedition IN ISIS. and the defense Of Fort
Defiance. New Mexico. in 1850. Al the out
break Ol the civil war he was transferred 10 the
Adjutant-GeBerzl's Department OF the staff,
aid IN 1868 he was appointed BrigadieF- Gen
era Of Volunteers having served in the Mid
die Department the Eighth Corps, and as Chief
o. staff TO Gen. CzdwalaGcr. Subsequently he
became Chief Of STAFF L. Gen. George II. Thomas
being present 81 the operations near ChattanoO-
"a, The siege Of Atlanta, the battles OF Mission
sTy Ridge Resaca, kenesaW Mountain, and
Nashville. and az the Headquarters OF the De-
partment Of the Cumberland IN 1863 '65
March y. 1866. Gen Wbipple received the
breyets OF BriR4dier and Major-General IN the
Regular Army for gallant service in the Atlanta
campaign. and in the battles before Nashville.
dc was mustered out OF The volunteer service IN
1855, and subsequently, performed the duties Of
l. H..
headquarters, attaining the rank Of Colonel in
HE cOrpg Feb ., 1857.
DEPARTMENT or TIE PoToxAc's EEw FLAG
On Thursday evening last the Woman's Re-
lief Corps, an auxiliary Of the Department Of
the Potomac, GAR, were in command Of
Grand Army Hall IN Washington, the occasion
being the presentation Of new silk flag 10 tie
Department OF the Potomac, GAR Almost
the entire membership Of the WRC were
present and they number about 300 and, be-
E.dcs. many of tlciF friends lent their presence
70 tie occasion. Tie Grand Army boys we're
slsO cut ia force, aud although The weather was
very warm everybody enjoyed the interesting
ceremonies. ArE. Rose j.. FerTee, President OF
Potomac Corps called the meeting 10 order
OsHeT officers Of the Corps were upon the plat
form. The Department Commander, accom-
panied By las stat, the present officers and
some Of tie past officers Of the Department
being announced, MTE President Fcrree aud
Tie mem Dc!G q! tue Corps arose and remained
standing While the visitors were welcomed and
invited 10 seats on the platform.
Gen. $. 5. Burdett, ex .C9mmander-in- Chief
Cf the Grand Army, w4s first introduced, and
suggested that IN such weather short speeches
only could be acceptable, and kept his promise
~ making one Of that kind. lie admitted
that wHcn the subject was broached Of organ
lziug hOnsn's Relief Corps as All auxiliary
70 the Grand Army that be, with othcrs
doubted both the feasibility and adyisability
81 such an adjunct, bat he became convinced
Of his error. The worth and value Of the
Corps had been fully proven, aud Potomac
Corps, together with the one organized before
A. in connection with Post Z, was entitled 10 all
1he credit that had come out Of the organiza-
tion, justly enjoyed all the recognition and
support that had been given 10 IL by the Grand
Army Of the Republic. and the SUCCESS gained
was fairly aud Tighteousiy theirs.
Mrs. FCTree, when Gen. Burdett had con.
ciuoed, turned 10 Department Commander NJ
J.. Urcilhand al the same time one Of the lady
lAembcT5 Of the Corps brought from behind the
curtains al tic back If the stage an elegant new
Tegimenta silk flag, placing il Ia the hands of
MTs. FcrTce The latter, ia a neat speech ex-
pressed the good will Of the Corps for the De-
partmcnl 0i tie Potomac the pride taken In
lis charity work; harmony aud fellowship of
tie members, and expressed the hope for its
continuance.
Maj. Crcll responded briefly and with some
feeling expressing his appreciation Of the gift,