The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-03-06
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
Tie Weeks DOingS at The Ma
tiOnal Capital.



nance in the Navy and took charge as soon as
his new commission was signed, succeeding
Capt. Montgomery Sicard.
This is tie most important bureau appoint
ment IN the Navy made by the present Admin
istration, for the new Commodore will have
charge Of the work that Commodore Sicard so
ably began. of building the new high power
guns for the new Navy, and is regarded by all
who know the ins and outs of Ordnance mat
tiers in the Navy, as being a remarkably good
appointment
Commodore Folger has for years devoted
himself 10 a critical study of modern artillery,
and was for a long time the assistant oil ms pre-
decessor: and when the great gun factory was
established at the old Washington Navy ard,
be was selected rs the.InspeCtOr there which
meant that he was in full charge of building
the huge weapons that now arm all of the new
cruisers HIS studies included not only guns
but explosives. and for many months before be-
ing placed in charge OF the gun-huilding, he
was especially engaged IN testing various high
power powders and determining their relative
values.
He was born in and appointed from Ohio en-
terinE the service in September. 1861. in huge
class that contained some members that have
specially distinguished themselves. One class
mate was the lamented DE Long of Arctic
fame. Another is Commander George A. Con-
verse. an authority all over the world on the
subject Of marine torpedoes; and so IS Com
mander Royal b. Bradford, now on duty at the
Navy Department who knows so much about
electric lighting and dynamos. that his opinions
are quoted by professional electricians.
AS usual. this chat about his classmates re-
minds me Of a story, and II is in point just at
this time when Republican France Is half scared
10 death because young prince OF the old
royal line wanted 10 serve his prescribed tour
OF duty in the ranks Of the French Army.
AT the outbreak of the rebellion number
of the Bourbon princes came here, and one of
them had lonE-legged, angular aud awkward
son Of ah0ut seventeen years, for whom he OBJ
tanned special permission from the Government
TO enter the Naval Academy. then at Newport.
He entered; be was ~ title the Due d'Pen-
thievrc, but he was entered upon the rolls of
the Academy by his baptismal name of Pierre
d'Orleans: there were half a dozen more
other names secreted about him, but these were
omitted from the roll call There was an awful
larky set of youngsters in that class and one
OF the darkest OF all was Stephen Decatur Ad-
ans, and one Of the smallest in size OF them
all j don't believe thar youngster could even
keep still when be was asleep, and do believe
that when lie was asleep he went on dreaming
out new and surprising FRANKS
nj. le Duo was intensely dignifed, and had
very much better opinion Of his exalted birth
and rank than did the young American soyer-
eigHs about him, and he seemed in constant
state Of surprise when his fellow Midshipmen
would address him without the formallty OF
requesting permission to do so.
Thus il was when one day Acting idship-
man Pierre dOrleans was on monitor duty on
the gun-deck Of the old frigate Constitution,
that during a recess from study Acting hidship
man stephen Decatur Adams approached him
with the remark
We'll Pete Of New Orleans how do you like
being Oh duty with a sW0rd-belt onY'
Pete " almost tainted. but gasped out " Ma
nom ees not Pete New Orleans, but Pierre d.
Orleans"
Well. don't know very much about the
French language yet. but as far rs I've got
Pierre means Peter and d'Orieans. OF Orleans,
and VIC always say Pete for short while all the
Orleans We know about Is New Orleans"
The poor duke was still more hoTrifed at the
burst OF laughter that followed from the crowd
that by that time surrounded them, and fed 10
The cabin Of the officer in charge 10 formally
report the affair. Adams was duly hauled up
before Commander Rodgers now Rear-Adm.-
rals aud lectured mildly. but / happen to know
that TIE officers bad as hearty q laugh over the
affair as tie Midshipmen did.
The young duke graduated and was az once
made d Captain IN the Brazilian Navy by the
Emperor Dom Pedro sho WAS his uncle. and
became an AdmiE.l long before bis death which
occurred bali dozen years ago. Adamss larks
brought him 10 grief ~ the Academy and after
TesEuiHg as Acting MIdshipman,, he went into
tie Army, where be became Captain Of Yolun-
teeFE- and dicG about four years ago at his home
ia BROOKLYN
coAENoDORE WHITE DEAD
Commodore George y. White Chief Of the
Bnreau q Yards and Docks, Navy Department
died a. bis residence in Washington THURSDAY
morning at ] o'clock from an attack Of ap0-
pieEE. with which be was stricken abgnf 7
o'clock in the morning. lie had been suffer
lng for some time wIih a severe cold, but seem
90 70 be almost restored 10 health lie was al
Tie ofice as usual "Wednesday. aud il was not
then known that anything at all was the mat
Ter viii him. The news Ct bis death was a
great shock 10 lis associates al the Navy De
partMcut.
Commodore White was formerly a member Of
tire Philadelphia HarD0F Commission. and had
held has commission As Chief Of the Bureau Of
Yards and Docks only since April last. lie
Eas regarded a. enc Of tie best officers in the
seryice. lie was appointed Midshipman from
fcnHsF wanna in 1854 promoted 10 be Master
Had Lieutenant ID I5GI. Lieutenant Com
naDder IN l7J5; COMMANDER 10 1872 and
baPaaln in l15i- Ills total sea service covered
period 81 - years and five months and his
shore duty ~ years and two months
Commodore White Was one ;he most popular
nna elhcient oilicera ia the Navy. and had not
An enemy % the service. His uut,mely death
bas cast gloom opcr the Navy people III the
National Capital. twill b. many years before
Ms Like Will be seen aEain.
BAD DISCIPLINE ~ THE NAVY.
Tic Gossip column told two weeks ago If fine
TnmOf6 that had reached here OF trgubIes ia
tae fancy squadron d cur uew vessels no,y In
European waters aud also as a coincidence az
serious troubles on board the cgrvet Fpt.r.
prise that had just left England for home with
the body Of ext. S. Minister Pcndlelon on
board.
EeEs came few days ago that Acting Rear.
Admiral Walker had placed Capt. Join A
Howell, commanding The cruiser Atlanta. under
suspension, aud sub0fd nate in command ~
the vessel. aud that = Chief Engineer and tago
other officers are being tried By cgurt-fuartiaJ
The Eriarcuee on the part Of officials al Inc
Aafy DEPARTMENT, military aud civil on thiq
subject, e remarkable and all hands seem 10
be afraid = whisper what they know or may
haYe heard
Tic bos.pcr knows, however that C,rt
Howell Has suspended because his shin syas ,iot.
ready o. ieayc port when the sailing SIGNAL ,gse
Aols.ed, aud fertilizer, that as he had received
~ preliminary orders for sailing. the fires LaI
bgt been started under The boilers and tho rn.t
81 Tue Beet had - steam back until the shin
was ready The Chief Engineer under trial Il
ihiei Engineer Henry d. McEwan. OF the ggs
ton WHO e reported having already been
-fled once before since the arrival Of Tie s1trsd
ron in t5s Sled .legIanean As &c has brbfnd
Bio splendid record Tor ability and efficiency
Officers here have 40 fears u the result
IN that same number 81 the Gogsju some