The National tribune., 1893-01-19
PERSONAL.

VIM L. Soruggs. the United States Minister TO
yenexuels, has arrived In Atlanta on q leave Of
absence. and after remaining there few days will
come on to Washington. He declines to be inter-
viewed A. to Venezuelan affairs.
The business manager Of the New York Seventh
Regiment Band, NJ. j. Salomons, has been author
lied by Col. Daniel Appleton. commanding the
Seventh Regiment, to take the leadership Of the
band. made vacant by the death Of Prof. Csppa-
Mrs. Phoebe Hearst widow of the late Senator
Hearst and OF the riches, Of Californian women
in her own right proposes to establish soon home
for destitute boys q farm Of 40 near
Pieasanton. across the bay from San francisco.
The late Gen. Robert e. Lees daughter. Miss
Mary Custis Lee who ia visiting friends I'm Bslti-
more just at present. spends little of her time In
America. She has twice made the Journey round
the world. and starts In few days for Cairo. where
she expects to spend she rest Of ths Winter.
Senator CoIquss. of Georgia. Is much better. and
it IS expected that he will soon be restored to
health. He Is confident that he will be in his seat
In the Senate before the session Is far advanced
Senator Colqutt was Msior-Gensral in the rebel
army.
Senator F. NJ. CoekrelI, renominated by the Mis-
souri, Democratic caucus on Thursday Jan. 5, bears
the reputation In Washington OF having q host Of
friends among the Senators. He and John A.
Logan had often been hotly opposed in political
debate. but Senator Cockreil was at Black Jacks"
death-bed an hour before he died. Logan took
the big Missourian's hand and called bis wife;
Mary" said the dying mau, Senator Cockren
politically In the Senate Is my enemy. but as one
whom every Senator respects and loves he Is my
friend" These were almost Logan's last words.
The friends of Gen. Joe Shelby. of Missouri, are
anxious to have him appointed United States Mar
shall for the Western District of that State.
John v. Wright, of Tennessee will be O candi-
date for the oflcs Of Land Commissioner under
the new National Administration. He WAS Con-
gresham before the civil war. and during that
struggle served In the Confederate army and also
In the Confederate Congress. He has held various
judicial Offices in Tennessee, and in 1888 was the
Democratic nominee for Governor. but was de-
feated When Mr.. Cleveland was President before
Judge Wright was the chief law officer of the Land
Office. His brother. Gen. Marcus Wright, Is en-
ployed In the Rebellion Records Office of the War
Department.
In 1887 the Interstate Commerce Commission was
created, and while President Cleveland WAS LOOK
ing about for Republican to fill up the Commits
sion his attention was called to Col. Aldacs r.
Walker, 1st VT. III. A. Senator Edmunds was one
OF the Republicans who recommended Walker
most strongly for the position. and his endorsements
when 1t came to question Of legal ability was
weiEhty. Col. Walker had studied in Edmunds's
law office In Vermont, after the war, and the Sem
ator knew what metal he was made Of Il did not
require great urging to induce the Yermonter to
drop his practice up there and come down TO Wash
inston. Two years later the Western railway Pres
idents organized association, and when they
came to pick out Chairman to hold the reins In
their sometimes inharmonious meetings, and to
look after the interests Of the organization in gen.
eral, the choice fell upon Commissioner Walker
The salary which prevailed upon him to resign his
public Office was S25. Goo year, and the position
was for four years. In less than two years after
Col. Walker took up his residence In Chicago the
association dissolved by mutual consent. But the
Chairman was mono the worse off for this, because
whom he took the position 1t was with the guar
antee Of his salary from the most powerful rail-
road Presidents In the circle for the term of four
years. and. association Or no association, he drew
the S250 until that term ended. In the mean
time he had built up a reputation one of the
strongest railroad attorneys in the country, and IL
assured of princely income az long as he remains
In active business. The secret of Col. Walkers skill
has been that lie had the ability to Ali every posi-
ton that he has been called into although but for
Ceveiand's choice he might yet be a country law
yer in Vermont.
Lieut. Frank Tompkins. 9Th o. 9. Cav, o son Of
Assistant Qurternaster- Gen. Charles II. Tomp-
kins, and Miss Gertrude Barr, daughter Of Col.
Thomas F, Barr, Deputy Judge Advocate General,
United States Army, were married Jan. 4. at the
Episcopal Chapel, Governors Island. New York
Harbor.
Joshua Sands, who died at Los Angeles CAL on
Dec. 81. q son of the late Rear-Admiral Sands,
and grandson Of the late Joshua Sands, of Brook
Ign. A surviving brother. John 8. Sands, Is in the
old shipping firm of Blydenburgh Brothers, on
South street, New York.
Some time ago Department. Commander d. g.
Day. Of the GAR. Of Rhode Island. commune
Gated to the Board Of Managers Of the Soldiers
Home petition which had been sent to Lawton
Post. Of Newport. by one Benjamin Foster and 60
inmates of the institution, alleging that the Com
mander, Benjamin L. Hall, had been guilty of mis-
management. and they had been treated more like
Criminals and paupers" than deserving veterans
of the war. 1t charged in the petition that
they had been deprived of their liberty, and had
been scantily supplied with clothing. Tho Board
of Managers, consisting of Gov. Brown. AdJtG Gen.
Dyer, Messrs. George T. Cranston, Andrew McMa-
hon, George Hendricks. Henry G. Luther. Charles
O. Gray, and Philip 9. Chase, Secretary, went to
the Home. and publicly questioned many of the
inmates especially those who considered that they
had grievances against the Commander. Attempts
were made to get the written statements of the dis
contented Ones and of the 90 who signed the petit
ton only i've were willing to place their names to
such a complaint. and IL was ascertained that
nearly all of the signers of the petition thought
they signing petition to have their full PEN
sions restored. These pensions amount to So or S.
per month, and according to the regulations. when
a veteran becomes inmate of the Home he
agrees to forfeis ali but "a per month the surplus
60 toward the expense of maintaining the Home. IL
has also been ascertained that Benjamin Foster,
who seems to have instigated the charges became
an Inmate of the Bristol Home about year ago.
He enlisted in April, 1861 and while on his way to
the front with his regiment accidentally shot him.
self In the hip with his revolver. He was honor
ably discharged on account of this wound. which
rendered him incapable of service. When he
tered the Home he claimed to have enlisted three
times, which, however, the records OF the Adju-
tant- General failed to show. When the inmates
were called together and those who had grievances
were asked to rise. 10 of them got up; and when
those who considered that the management of the
Home was what 10 should be were also asked to
rise, about 10 were Immediately on their feet. The
investigation last week was therefore devoted en-
tireIy to listening to complaints, but there was
nothing induced which was of q conclusive char
acter One man claimed that he had not had sui-
cient clothing. and inquiry showed that he
big that clothing could not be bought to fit him.
and some delay had been caused by necessary
alterations Others who claimed that they had not
faIt hat fI,>-r