The morning call., 1891-05-06
MEN ABOUT TOWN.
Short Stories Gathered From
the Hotel Corridors.
How the Monterey Was handbook the
Place Of His Brother-Lost Interest in
His Work = Ended the Row.

"The launching of the Monterey, few
days ago, recalls to my mind the struggle
which had to persuade the department
into the adoption of the name," said Irving
NJ. Scott as he sat with a party Of friends
at the Palace Hotel last night. After the
awarding of the contract went to the Presi-
dent and said: Mr.. President, want the
new vessel to be called the Monterey"
"Why? ?" he asked tersely.
"WelI, | sat down and related to him the
story of the hosting of the American flag at
that place; how an American man. ofwar
and the English had raced from Guaymas
to Monterey and how the former had out
sailed the others. The Englishman, it seems,
had orders to take possession Of California
in the name of the British Government, but
Admiral SlOat determined to Outwit them.
He quietly weighed anchor at night and
slipped out of GuaymaS, leaving the Eliln-
wood, which did not sail till morning. The
result was that when the latter reached
Monterey the American flag had been flying
in the town for seven hours, and this meant
the acquisition of the Pacific Coast by the
United States.
when had finished my story the Presi-
dent glanced mp without moving muscle
of his face, aud inquired: why, not name
her the IndianaY
"'Mr President responded. we wrote
the name of Indiana all over the State Of
California last fall
GO ahead" lie retOrted with smile,
I'll not oppose you.
Immediately / fastened away to Secre-
tary Tracy, and when | had laid the case
before him, he sent for the officer who has
charge of the naming OF the new vessels.
TO hun the Secretary said: Name the new
cOast-defense vessel the Monterey.
aantf 10 done Mr.
"'Why nOt?'
"'The law provides that vessels of her
class must be named in cOmmemOratiOn of
some great historical event, such as the ln
dependence or the Constitution for Instance.
"rhis was a staggerer, but | suddenly be-
thought me of the Battle of Monterey, and
suggested that as that was great historical
event, it would give US lOOp-hole OF eS-
CAPE.
The Secretary grasped the idea in an in
slant, and recalling the officer he said:
That ship must be called the Monterey. If
you can't do any better call her the Battle
Of MOnteTey-yes, sir, the Battle OF Mon
teTey. l am determined That that word
Monterey has got to be IN it
And so she was christened."
Took His Brothers Place.
'NWhen l was holding court at Tucson"
said Judge Fitzgerald, at the Palace yester-
day, "a murder case came up for trial, and
Alexander Campbell and Tom Fitch were
arrayed against each other, the former Tor
the prosecution and the latter for the de-
Tense. Among the jurors called was a TIL,
Acknowledging fellow from one of the
back counties, and, after he was sworn,
Fitch asked him; Have you formed or eX-
pressed any opinion as to the guilt or inn0-
cence of the defendant
"'Yes, sir
81 challenge the juror for cause said
Fitch, turning TO me.
''Mr. Campbell then took the juror and
asked: You say you have formed an opin-
iOn?'
"'Yes, sir
Could that opinion be removed by evil
dence?
81 think not
''Have You read anything about this
case?'
"'No, sir; l can't read
Have you heard 1t discussed by any
- No sir
Then, how is it. sir, that you could
have formed an opinion?'
Well you see, my brother was sub
penaed and was taken sick sand couldn't
come. l walked in here fifty miles to take
his place, and when l left he told me that he
had an opinion, and If / was called I'd nave
to do just as he would have done If lie could
have been here
There was an audible smoker in the
courtroom, and l turned to the juror with the
question: Why did you not explain sooner
aud not occupy the time Of this court with
this nOnsenseP
" He jumped as though he had been shot
as he biurted out: I've been trying 20 do
that Judge, but these lawyers wouldn't
give he chance