The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-01-23
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks D0ingS at the Ma
tiOnal Capital.
WALKER BLAINE nEAn.

BupcTlnduccd by Ia grippe. MI blaihc WAS al
but a short time. being at his desk in the State
Department (where he held the position OF
Examiner Of Claimsl only few days before
the fatal termination of the disease from which
be died Heattended the reception on Monday
given by his parents, and escorted some of the
quests to their homes. He went home and to
bed. and complained OF pains i'm his head and
back, and medical aid was summoned. The
doctors thought when they left his bedside an
hour before his death that he would pull
through. and so notified the family. The ply
Biciaus had not left their patient an hour before
young Blaine was dead. His sisters, Margaret
and Hattie. were with him when the end came.
lie died without a struggle, and the girls did
not know he was dead for some time after he
had ceased 20 breathe and only for the excessive
guietness Of the sick man, which alarmed them,
would not have made the discovery for some
time But the fact Of his lying so quietly made
them take a closer observation, when they, 10
Their horror, found that their brother was
dead. They gave the alarm but the physicians
who Immediately responded, could do nothing
rs the young man had been dead some time
when they reached his bedside. They would
have been Of little assistance had they been
present all the time.
Walker Blaine was born in Augusta, Me-,
May 5. 1855. and was nearly 30 years old, lie
lived for the greater part of his life with has
father ia Washington. He graduated from y ale
adipl0ma from Columbia College Law School IN
New York in 1875. He was appointed Third
Assistant Secretary OF State by President Gar
field without any request or knowledge on the
part OF his father who was then Secretary of
State. While holding this place Walker. in
company with w. II. Prescott, was appointed a
Commissioner TO negotiate FOR the settlement OF
claims against Peru.
While la South America President Arthur re-
called the Commissioners and revoked their
appointment Walker resigned his place in the
state Department and was appointed Assistant
Attorney Tor the United States before the Court
Of Alabama Claims. He showed a great deal of
ability In this place, and was successful in many
Eases against eminent counsel. When the Court
expired By Limitation, Walker went TO 81. Paul,
Mimi, and opened law Office. He returned
from there 10 assist his father, and later opened
law Office in Chicago.
When Mr.. Blaine was again appointed Secre-
sary Of State. Walker was made Examiner OF
.laims for the Department, though for a great
part Of the time he has virtually done the work
d First Assistant Secretary. He possessed many
If the qualities OF his father. who has relied
sPOn Walker 70 do much OF the active work OF
he Department He had a most extensive ac-
luaintauce among public men, with whom he
was very popular.
NEEDS OF TIE NAVY.
Secretary OF the Navy Tracy appeared before
the Naval Committee Of the House last week
10 outline his views as TO the needs of the new
navy. The Secretary favored building some
Grst-class armored ships equal 10 those Of any
DtheT Nation, and especially adapted 20 coast
defense well as cruising purposes. The SEN
ate Committee an Naval Affairs also had this
subject up on Wednesday last and the views OF
Commodore Mccain. Capt. Sampson and Con-
tractor 6aItwoOd, Of the Naval Board OF Policy,
were heard They approved in general terms
Of the bin introduced by Mr. Hale. authorizing
the President 70 have constructed eight battle
ships % from 900 10 10000 tons each. two
Rrmored cDast-defense vessels three gunboats,
and number Of torpedo boats. The bill ap-
propriates 100000 but there is no probability
Of lis passing Congress in its present shape
Ihe Beard. in the report Of Secretary Tracy,
recommends the construction Of 81 vessels Of
different types and sizes to he built in II ye. 7 =
81 a cost o. $50, 900, COO; but Congress Is not
mood 10 authorize any such liberal expendi-
Iure.
NEW PLAN OF THE PENSION COMMITTEE
The Chairman Of the House Committee on
Pensions Mr. De LaBo, intends TO inauguTate
3 new policy IN regard 70 the business which
comes before bis committee 10 past Congresses
there has generally been a food Of bills turned
into his committee, and only those were ever
considered which promised favorable action Of
the House. The result has been that year after
year the bills which were not regularly reported
upon have been reintrOduced into Congress, and
VIII continue 70 be 50 ia a majority Of cases as
long ~ the policy heretofore adopted prevails.
1t 10 Ar. DE LanO's purpose 20 have every bill
referred u bis committee considered and a re-
port passed upon its merits 1t will make a
great deal 81 work for the present committee,
but the Pension Committee OF the next Con-
gress viii be relieved Of great deal Of rubbish
that has been carried along for q number OF
years. To facilitate matters Chairman DE
LaDo has appointed as clerk J. Walter Bland
lord, Of Washington. young lawyer, formerly
fhecieTk Of the committee, and who is familiar
with the history Of the old bills.
BOARD or PENSION APPKALs
Assistant Secretary Bussey has requested the
Secretary Of tie Interior 10 recommend 10 Con.
Rress that the Board Of Pension Appeals iu his
Office be increased from three 10 nine members.
in bis annual report Assistant Secretary Bus
sey recommended that the membership Of the
Board b. increased 10 six. Since making that
report Gen. Bussey says the accumulation Of
appeals and Of motions fled by claimants for
reconsideration Of Departmental decisions has
proceeded At even greater rate than was
thea anticipated. There are now pend
Ing before the Department about 400 ap-
pcais aud motions, ia connection with
which, the Assistant Secretary SAYS, there is an
urgent pressure for adjudication Of the aues-
lions involved. He asks that this provision be
iAc5I toIdica IN the pending deficiency Dill,
and that il be made immed lately available. IL
D. understood that Secretary Noble will approve
this request
VARDALG
A young man from New York named Owens
was caught defacing the Washington Monument
On Friday last, aud was Immediately arrested
by the WatchmAn. He left SO collateral for
bis appearance al the Police Court. and when
De learned that the small lit Of marble be had
taken Was likely 10 cost him quite a large sum,
lie said be regretted not having knocked off !
larger piece. The Police Judge fined the young
gaDdai go. and remarked that be was onIy
sorry that the law was inadequate. az IL now
was. % punish such crimes as they deserve. and
DE hoped Congress would take such action a,
would protect the public buildings by making
Their oeiacemeut penitentiary odense.
NEw CoUsTERFEIT OUT.
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