The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-02-18


junction was passed by the senate on
Saturday. 1t authorizes the construc-
ton of post which will cost not more
than 100000 and will accommodate
four companies of cavalry. A tract of
three hundred acres of land must be
given the government. This prompt
action was due TO the efforts of Senator
Edmunds. 1t is to be hoped that the
bill will fare as well in the house.
SECRETARY PRoCToR's idea of en-
listing Indians in the regular army is
to be carried out. The plan is to attach
a company of Indians to a white regi-
ment, thus removing all fear of mutiny
or violence to settlers. The commits
stoned officers will be white men, but
the non-commissioned offices will prob
ably be filled by the Indians. Such an
arrangement is pretty sure of succeed
ing. The presence of Indians in the
army will quite likely have a pacifying
effect on bands that are inclined to be
hostile.
BARON HIRsCH, the rich Jew of vi
emma, has set noble example to the
rich men of all countries by his latest
act of benevolence. He has devoted
the sum of s., 5000 to the object of
fitting Jewish immigrants in this coun-
try for the duties of American citizen
ship. He aims to teach them the Eng
lish language, furnish them with tools
and teach them handicrafts and agri-
culture, in schools and shops, and upon
farms, after improved methods. AS
little as possible will be used in charity,
and that will be merely as an incident
in the other work. He will endeavor
to cultivate the spirit of self-help in
these immigrants, and thus make them
self-supporting and independent. The
results of his scheme may be expected
to be permanent and widespread
THE Parnell and Mccarthy factions
of the Irish party were unable to come
to any agreement at their recent con-
ferences, although Mr.. O'Brien says
that no difficulty has existed which
little more sacrifice of personal feelings
or both sides might not have sur
mounted" While the negotiations are
a secret, it is understood that Mr.. Par
nell proposed comprehensive plan for
home rule, as the condition on which
he would retire. Mr.. Gladstone con-
scented that it should include the con-
troll of the police by the Irish parlia-
ment, and, under certain conditions,
the settlement of the land question.
This was all that could be agreed upon,
and Mr.. Parnell wanted more. 1t is
now very unlikely that he will retire
from the leadership of the Irish party
even temporarily.
IT is impossible for one not acquainted
Wounded Knee, in the early winter,
to give an opinion worth consideration.
When General Miles says Colonel
Forsythe, who commanded the Seventh
cavalry in that engagement, arranged
his men in a careless manner, and
General Schofeld and Secretary Proc
tor say that there was nothing in
Colonel Forsythe's arrangement calling
for adverse criticism, what is the aver
age civilian to think about it? No one
of these three men was present at the
fight. Very likely General Schofield
and Secretary Proctor take the ground
that an officer should not be censured
simply for not doing what afterwards
appeared to be the best thing. In de-
cisive moments there is no time to
think of every detail. The best officers
have made mistakes, and it is down.
right folly to visit swift denunciation
on man when he makes a blunder
which is neither fatal nor due to care
lessness. 1t was but an act of justice
for the president, on the suggestion of
the war department, to reinstate Colonel
Forsythe in command of his regiment.
The committee on agriculture of the
New Hampshire house of representa-
tives has voted unanimously in favor
of accepting the Thompson bequest of
100000 for the establishment of an
agricultural college at Durham. la this
connection it is interesting to notice
that President Bartlett of Dartmouth
College is also in favor of accepting it.
He, of course, understands very well
that if new agricultural college is es-
tablished, the one at Hanover will event
ually be united with it. This he, nc
doubt, believes would be for the best
interest of the agricultural element OF
the state. IL has ALWAYS been evident