The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-04-06
STATES DELEGATION.
What the Washington Men Are
Doing in Congress.


WASHINGTON Crrr. Aprtl Alt is probs-
oae that General Nelson A. Niles. Who Is
now IN command OF the division al the
fac1f1c viii he promoted 20 the rank al
masor-seneral, the promotion coming ey
reason OF the death GA General Crook.
0enerai Niles Is the ranking briSaxiier and
while there Is possibility that the promo
ton might SO elsewhere, il is not within
the range OF probability that such would
be the case. General Miles Is . pouular
soldier. popular notonly with his asscci-
sies IN the army, but with men in private
lie. Who have come in contact with him.
General Miles was breveted q hrigsdier for
gallant and meritorious services in the battle
OF Charlottesville, Va. hreveted . major
general for gallant and meri.orioas services
at SPottsyivania, Va and had been
brevefed major general of volunteers for
highly merstorioas and distinguished con-
duct throughout the campaign and par
ucnlariy for gailaatry and valuable services
IN the battle OF Ream's Station. Va lie
was captain OF the Twenty second Massa-
ehusests infantry in 1861. and passed in
rapid order upward through the grade OF
northumberland. colonel. hrigadiergen-
era ,brevet ma ior- general and major general
OF volunteers prior 10 October. 1856. He
has been u hrigadier-general in the perma-
neut establishment of the army since
December Is. 1850. He is q young man.
only = little over 80 and his chances OF
obtaining TO the rank of general COM
handing the army" are good. The only
officer now ranking him is General Oliver
O. Howard who stands next TO General
schofield. the general in command.
THE NEW CASTLE GARDEN.
Senator Squire was with the Senate
committee on immigration, Of which he is q
member. examining the situations offered or
proposed for an immigrant station in
place OF Castle Garden. for two or three
days recently. They examined the situa-
ton very carefully and went into the de-
tailed business of handling the foreign born
people rs they come 10 this country for the
first time. Incorporation to remove the
entire machinery Of the great institution
known o. Castle Garden 10 Bedloe's island
where the statue OF Liberty stands did not
strike Senator Squire favorabiy. With the
immigrant station must 60 hospitals, ac-
commodation for all manner Of people.
quarantine facilities and like institutions
which would be out Of place on an island
which is now favorite spot for visitors TO
New York and which by improvements
can be an attractive part Of New York;
spot to be visited by all who are looking
for the feature points of the metropolis.
While in New York Senator Squire a.
tended q dinner Of the Lotus Club, of
which he has been member for twenty
years. That is peecisely the age of the
club and the Washington senator had tho
honor to be one Of the original members
long before he ever saw the state which he
now represents. He il life member Of
the club.
RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.
Senator Allen has presented bill which
calls. for an appropriation to make the sur
yey Of several rivers Of Washington, with
the ultimate view of improving them for
navigation purposes. The lack Of these
and the consequent lack of attention
which the rivers and harbors committee
gives to the state has been mentioned.
1t viii require long and very patient and
unceasing work 10 get these matters prop
eriy attended to. for in the questions in
volving improvements for navig alton con-
gress is conservative TO an exaspcrating
degree. 1t is not conservative in the
amounts OF appropriations for certain of
the old time beneficiaries. The Eastern
and Gulf states get big slices out OF the
treasury every session. They have always
had II ever since such things rs rivers and
harbors have been subject to improve
mcnt bui let . new river be propo sed or .
hitherto unheard OF harbor be urged for
anything like an adequate amount OF Tn
Gle Sans cash. and the venerable
men who make up the list for
the bill hold up their hands IN holy horror.
They seem To think that as the country
never has considered these new rivers and
harhors OF sufficient importance TO COM
mgnd place in the list of government sur
yeys. there is no pressing need Of an inno-
yation. There promises, however. to be
pretty constant pegging away at these new
found rivers and harbors and il is only a
question OF time when they will be recog-
nized There viii be buzzing from the
Pacific slope in the ears OF these good
gentlemen thN will wake them up TO the
needs out there.
srfsoLA's ATTACK.
Representative Wilson. of Washington,
and Representative Spinoia. OF New York,
the venerable old Democrat with the high
collar, have been having some sparring
matches on the floor OF the House. Each
has won q round. The Ersi was for the
New York man. While making speech
on the pension bill he pointed to Repre-
sentative Greenhalge, of Massachusetts,
and made some personal remark. Mr..
Wilson was only one or txo seats away.
and thought Mr. spinola meant him. The
old gentleman had accused the gentleman
of laughing al bis remarks. and tainted
him with being too young TO have known
ANYTHING about the war. He alluded 10
him a. the gentleman with the Shake
spearian head"
Mr. Wilson came down the aisle to
answer what be supposed was slur at
himself
"Will the gentleman allow ne to In
t<rupt him - asked the Washington man.
General spinola paused. looked At Mr..
Wilson and said: mo guess not now"
In the tone which man might use IN
declining 10 pack up white chip.
Mr.. Wilson said be wanted To answer the
gentleman charge that be Was not old
enough TO remember the war.
II didn't mean you. my son. T" retorted
General Spinola. and besides, didn't
know you hsd snakespenan head
Everybody laughed and Wilson retired.
First blood for Spsrola-