The National tribune., 1894-04-26
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY 49,

The news of the recovery of the Kearsarge's
bell and log.book and other relics which were
lost with the old war.ship after she went to
pieces on Roncador Reef arouses interest in
naval circles. A prominent naval officer has
said that it would be well to preserve these
things as relics, although they are not worth
much intrinsically. When asked why the
Navy Department had not sent man-ofwar
| to the islands to demand, and take by force, IL
necessary, the relics stolen from the wreck, he
| said the relics were not worth the trouble or
expense of such an expedition, and that the
| State Department had done all that was neces-
| sary when it notified the Consuls in that part
of the country to secure, if possible" the bell
| and the log book. A man who did not give his
name called at the New York Navy-yard last
week, and asked if the Navy authorities would
| like to have the flag which few from the peak
of the Confederate cruiser Alabama at the time
she was sunk by the Kearsarge He said the
flag was saved by seaman, who was afterward
| rescued by the British yacht Deerhound, and
was now in the possession of his relatives. Ad-
miral Gherardi told the man to write to the
| Secretary of the Navy, inclosing absolute proof
of the identity of the flag.
The notifications which have been made in
| the British Berng Sea bill have robbed that
measure of the features which were most OBJ
| noxious to our Government, and it is believed
| here that if the act is thoroughly administered
there will be little opportunity for pelagc seal
ing in the closed zone. As it now stands, The
results of the Paris arbitration having been
published in the British Columbian newspapers
| last Fall, it would be difficult task for the
owners and masters of any sealing craft to
convince an impartial court that they were
mot aware" of the provisions of the award,
and unless they could establish such ignorance
thoir vessels and cargoes are no longer free
from forfeiture.
The term of the late Senator Vance ran until
1897. As the Legislature of North Carolina is
not in session, the vacancy caused by his death
had to be filled by appointment by the Gov
ernor. The situation in that State is peculiar.
As is known, there has long been political
hostility between Senator Ransom and his late
colleague. This did not, however, extend to
personal matters Mr.. Vance, by his course in
opposing the repeal of the Sherman act, alien
ated himself from the Administration, and
Mr.. Ransom secured the patronage for his State.
Gov Elias Carr has bosom friend in the per-
son of ex-Gov. Jarvis. who received the tenn
porary appointment last week. Mr.. Jarvis
succeeded Mr.. Vance as Governor. and was the
Minister to Brazil under Mr. Cleveland's for
mer Administration. Jarvis lives in the east
ern part of the State, where Senator Ransom
resides, and was known as candidate for
Ransom's place. This fact did not deter him
from accepting the appointment at the hands
of the Governor.
Superintendent Wright gave out the follow
ing statement the other day regarding the
status of the census work:
"The census act originally provided for the
publication of the names of all surviving SOL
diers and the widows of deceased soldiers. At
my suggestion Congress has authorized the
transfer of all these names to the Pension
Office. where they will be of great service.
This will save to the Government nearly
$3.50 0000 and will enable the Census Office to
complete almost all the clerical work By the
1st of July, as contemplated by the law of last
October.
"There will then remain small portions of
three volumes only to be completed, SO far as
copy is concerned. The extension of time pro-
vided for by the recent act is for the purpose
of allowing proper proof-reading by those most
familiar with census volumes. Discharges are
being made rapidly. but in all cases a weeks
notice is allowed, and the discharged employe
is given all the leave due by law. The state
ment that has been made to the effect that
census reports are being doctored is absurd.
They are being brought out in all the integrity
of Mr. Porter's plans. Wherever matter has
been eliminated, it has been because such mat
ter was not in accord with his approved plans.
No facts collected for the 11th census have
been suppressed or changed in any way"
\
You would scarcely think that Senator John
Sherman had an excellent military record.
Well, he has, though the Congressional Direc-
tory makes no mention of the fact in its brief
sketch of the senior Ohio Senator's life. In
March, 1861, Mr.. Sherman became United
States Senator. which makes him the senior
member in service-though not continuous-of
that eminent body. In the Summer and early
Autumn of 1861 there were raised from Ohio
regiments of infantry, in the Western Reserve,
that were known as John Sherman's Bri-
gade" At the time of their enlistment it was
understood that they were to be com mmanded by