The National tribune., 1892-05-26

Secretary of the Navy Tracy was before the
House Naval Committee on Friday, May 20,
and made very strong argument in favor OF
transferring the Revenue Marine Service from
the Treasury Department to the Navy. Secre
tary Tracy presented his views on the subject
vigorously, and gave his reason for thinking
the transfer would benefit the service. He in
directly administered severe rebuke to GER
tain Naval officers who have been working
hard to defeat the transfer. He said he felt it
necessary to come before the committee in sup
port of the measure for fear the members should
be impressed with the belief that the argu-
ments made before them by certain Bureau
officers of the Navy Department were made
with his approval and consent, which was not
the CASE
Gen. William Cogswell. Representative in
Congress from the Seventh District Of Massa-
chusetts is a good friend of the veterans, as
are most Of our comrades in Congress. Gen.
Cogswell last week introduced bill which
provides that the soldiers who re-enlisted as
veteran volunteers, and who were afterward
discharged to accept commissions in the army
before the expiration of their term of enlist
ment and who served as officers under such
commissions until their services were dispensed
with at the close of the rebellion, shall be paid
the balance of bounty withheld by reason of
their having been commissioned as officers in
the armies of the United States. This will be
benefit to many valiant veterans who served
until promoted, and who, by their promotion,
were declared not entitled to receive bounty.
Gen. Cogswell served as Captain, Lieutenant
Colonel, and Colonel of the Cd Mass, COM
Twentieth Corps, and was brevetted Brigadier-
General for gallant and nertorous services.
So
A bill to make Commodore William ?. Nc
Cam, U. S. Navy, retired, Rear-Admiral on
the Retired List of the Navy was introduced
in the Senate last week by Senator Chandler,
of New Hampshire. A record of Commodore
McCann's valuable services was submitted with
the bill by Senator Chandler, together with
letters from the State and Navy Departments,
and others, which are highly complimentary
to the Commodore for services rendered this
Government during the late civil war in the
Republic of Chile. It is believed by the friends
of Commodore McCann that the bill will be-
come law at this session of Congress.
-
Alexander Hogg, of Texas, is mentioned as
the probable successor to the Hon. Hugh s.
Thompson, who recently resigned his position
as Civil Service Commissioner to engage IN
private business. Texans who are acquainted
with Mr.. Hogg say that his appointment would
be an admirable one, he being a man of fine
nafu al oh nd lich I'M m
He has held prominent position in one Of the
educational institutions in Texas, has always
been interested in National affairs, and was a
leading advocate of the Blair educational bill.
The position must be filled by the appointment
of Democrat, as the other Commissioners are
Republicans.
Xxx
A caucus of the Republican members of the
Senate decided the question of appointments
in that body for this session of Congress at
least, on Thursday, May 10. Regarding the
Office of Principal Executive Clerk. which was
left vacant by the removal Of James r. Young
it was concluded by the caucus that it was not
necessary to fill the office, as the duties could
be performed by some one Of the clerks who
would be detailed for the purpose by the Secre-
tary of the Senate. 1t was also agreed that an
additional clerk should be appointed by the
Secretary of the Senate at salary of $1,000
per annum, for the remainder of the fiscal year
to be paid ont of the contingent fund, and the
Committee on Appropriations were instructed
to provide for the annual pay of said clerk in
the legislative appropriation bill. By resolu-
tion the entire clerical force Of the Senate in
the Seeretary's Office, including the Chief
Clerk, are hereafter to be under the control
and direction and be subject to appointment
and removal by the Secretary of the Senate.
sss
With imposing ceremonies Cardinal Gibbons
laid the cornerstone of the Sacred Heart
Chapel, the gift of Mrs. John Vinton Dahlgren
to Georgetown College, on Thursday, May 49,
After brilliant address by the Cardinal, the
ceremony of laying the cornerstone was per-
formed by him. The gift was made by Mrs.
Dahlgren in memory of her deceased son, who
was graduate Of the college.
a"z
The delegation Of statesmen who had prom
sed to be present and participate in the eee-
bration of the anniversary Of the Mecklenburg
declaration of independence at Meek lenburg
N. c., which left Washington on Thursday
morning, May 10, at IL o'clock. had dwindled
to four persons-Senator Hill, of New York;
Senator Gray, of Delaware; Senator Ransom,
of North Carolina, and Representative Alex
ander of North Carolina. Quite large num-
Der of members Of both branches of Congress
had promised and expected to attend the cele-
bration, but the condition of the business of
both Houses was such as to prevent their going.
The Senate showed by a decisive vote taken
on Thursday, May 10. that its members arc not
in favor of any great reduction of the appro-
priation for rivers and harbors. Senator Nc
Pherson made motion to recommit the River
and Harbor appropriation bill, with instruc-
tions for the committee to reduce the amount
appropriated so per cent, and demanded the
yeas and nays on his motion, after stating that
he proposed to pnt gentlemen who had been
clamoring for economy upon record. This
threat did not scare Senators very much, as the
motion was tabled. only five Senators voting
with Mr.. Mcpherson against the motion to Law
on the table. Senator Hill was conspicuously
absent when the vote was taken, and Senator
German did not vote, although in the cloaL