The National tribune., 1890-07-03
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOiRgS at The Ma
tiOnal Capital
CENSUS coMTcALTTIEs.

Circumstances, he wrote, had compelled him
20 kill q man in selfdefense. He had escaped
60 3 neighRoring State, where 1t was no longer
possible for him TO continue bis census duties.
in view OF these facts, he respectfully begged
the Superintendent 10 accept his resignation.
Mr.. Porter did so. with the remark TO his
private secretary that, no matter what oficuse
the writer had committed, he was a gentleman,
sud one, too, with 3 very clear perception OF
the official proprieties.
THE NEW oUARTFRM AsTER- GENERAL.
Gen. Richard N Batchelder. who was ap-
pointed by the President on Thursday Quarter
master General of the Army, WIS born in New
Hampshire July %. 1892. He entered the
Army as First Lieutenant and Regimental
Quartermaster Of the LIST n. H., May 2. 1861,
aud rose through the various grades 10y rapid
promotion until he was made Chief Quarter
master Of the Army of the Potomac in the
Summer OF 1864, TO succeed Gen. Rufus ingalls,,
when the latter was transferred to Gen. Grants
staff IL was In this latter position, and as
Chief Quartermaster Of the Second Corps, that
he mRde record unsurpassed by that OF any
officer Of the QuartermasteT's Department, and
won for himself the earnest commentators OF
Gems. Grant. Meade. Hancock, Ingalls, Meigs
and others In 1865 he was made Captain and
Assistant Quartermaster in the Regular Army,
Major in 1867. and Leutenant-Coionel in 1882.
Gen. Batchelder is a man Of large experience,
great executive ability, and irrcproachable
character. His appointment is everywhere
regarded as s strong one, aud q creditable one
70 the Administration.
HOW DID IT HAPPEN.
The friends OF the late George ". McCrary.
ex-Secretary OF War, are incensed because the
War Department was not closed on the day OF
his funeral. IL has been the custom OF the va
TiOus Departments of the Government 10 close
the Offices on the day of the funeral OF any
man who has been Secretary Of the Depart
ment and this has almost become a law. 1t
has been rigidly followed until the death Of
JEFF. Davis, who was Secretary Of War, and on
this day the War Department was closed for
half day, but it was said that this was given
for some other cause. Ex-Secretary McCrary
led last week st ST. Joseph, No., aud his body
was taken to KeOkuk. Iowa. for burial. The
War Department issued order for closing the
various Bureaus OF the Department on the day
OF the funeral but the officials failed 10 find
ont the day upon which the intermeDt would
take place and the Department was NOT closed
in honor Of bis memory, as is the custom. That
somebody was derelict there is little doubt. and
therefore the friends Of Mr.. McCrary think
some one should be censured.
ARMY AND NAVY.
The official trial trip Of the United States
Cruiser Philadelphia, which took place on
Thursday last over q measured course of Long
Island. y. Y, was successful in every way.
n
knots an hour. and when the tide resistance is
determined, the figures will be greater from
ODe-quarter 10 one and shalt knots The con-
ditiOu Of the elements was not very favorable
% such an important tTisl. as q heavy fog hung
over the ocean, and swift tide was running;
but, Notwithstanding these adverse conditions,
the cruiser behaved admirably. She was under
q forced draft for nearly five hours, and not q
fube or rivet was strained or started. The
Official board gave ont her speed during the
four hours she spent on the course as 1852
knots per hour. with additions 20 be made sub
Eegnenily- The premium earned on these
fgares Is Sl02 900. The premium on the Balti-
more was SIO6 ALSO.
The United States flagship Baltimore and
The KeaTssrge sailed for Portland on Friday, and
viii be joined al Vineyard Haven by the DOL
phin, the Petrol and the Essex. II was the in
ieHtion to have the Yorktown and the GalenA
also IN the squadron, bat the former has q crew
composed chiefly Of the sick she brought from
the white squadron, aud can therefore contrib
ute no;hiBg 10 the landing force at Portland.
Of The Galeus, IL IS reported officially that
she is utterly disabled. Her boilers are in such
condition 10 render il more than probable
that sue viii be Immediately put out Of com
mission. The crew OF this vessel may be trans
lerrcd @ the Yorktown in season for the latter
20 join the squadron. The Baltimore. which
IS all ready for sea- is 10 change her rig slightly.
Two dummy yards are 10 be crossed for signal
ing purposes, giving her the appearance Of a
brig.
As soon as the President signs the Naval ap-
preparation bill circular will be sent 20 ship
builders by the Navy Department regarding
the three battle ships. The circular is intended
for the guidance Of naval architects In making
plans and estimates, which are TO be invited at
the same time. The length Of the vessels viii be
about 30 feet. and the beam O. feet. The dis
placement will be 1000 tons. The minimum
speed i fixed at IS knots, and the same penal
ties VIII be exaeted and premiums offered as in
the case o. the Philadelphia, $4,000 for every
quarter knot. The ordnance equipment is not
entirely determined upon, but il will include
four l3-iBcb. four S-inch. six 6-iBch bTeech-
loading rifles. sixteen 8 pOuBders, with J.
Founders and Calling guns in the tops. The
torpedo outfit will be complete. The question
AZ armament "a disposed OF, the scheme proTid-
ing for q heavy belt Of arinoT IS feet in length
and u inches thick. The turrets will be Of -
iHeh armor. and two Of the I3-inch guns will
De- mounted ia each luTret. greater radius
viii be given the S-ineh guns by placing them
in the tier above the 6-inch gums.
Gen. james S. Brisbin. Colonel, LIST u. S. Cav.
airy is mentioned as the possible SUCCESSOR o
Gen. Grierson, who will retire on the Sth o.
July on account Of age, he being G. year
Old. Gen. Brisbin was appointed q Second
Lieutenant Of the LIST u. s. Dragons in April
556is Captain Of the 9th u. s. Cav. IN Aug.
156ls Colonel Of the 5th u. s. Col. Cav. in
1864; Bugadier-GeaeTal ia 1865, and was made
Colonel Of the IEt Cav. in 1888 He made ,
gallant record during the war Of the rebellion
VETERANS IN THE CITY
Gen. John Coburn. 33d Ind, indianapolis
Ind. Gen. CobuFn is one Of the foremost citi
zeus Of the Capital city Of Indiana He is wei
known IN Washington, having served In Con
Rress four terms and was not returned becaus
he did not desire denomination. He was tn
candidate Of the Republican party for Mayor O
indianapolis al the last municipal election bu
was defeated IL being an " of year" He think
nothing short Of 3 service pension law will sui
the old soldiers. and that Gov HOyey has ma
ferial IN him 20 make an available candidat
for President.
J. y. Eckman. Co. Il, I29th Pa, Fredericks
burg, Va. ComTade Eckman has been Twin
ln Nevada most Of the time since the war, bu
recently removed 10 the scene Of much Of hi
service. and where he received severe wound
Gen. Powell Clayton. ex Senator from ArIsan
Eas. Gen. Clayton went into the service as
Captain in the list Kan. Battalion, but wa
shortly promoted Colonel Of the 9Th Kan. Cav
and appointed Brigadier- General ia 1864 II
lost an arm In one Of the battles Of the Arm
81 the Frontier. Gen. Clayton is here iookin
after the Interests Of his late brother, Col job
d. Clayton, who was assassinated while takin
testimony ~ the contested election case Of Ml
Breckinridge who now represents the SecOn
Arkansas District IN Congress. 1t is said tina
the Committee on Elections will soon bring /
n report based Oh IFS Investigation as 70 ID
killing Of Col. Clayton and there is Iittl