Morning journal and courier., 1894-02-26
ArrHE NATIONAL CAPITOL.

- - "A - N a = AOkN q - oAA = OAAs i
Congress and Its Chief Labors OF Late
-Daughters OF she American Revo.
luton - New Haven People - The
Homing Pigeon Service as an Ad.
junct to the work OF tho Army.
tFrom Our Washington Correspondsst.l
WASHINGTON, Feb. ~ The refusal of
the senate to place Wheeler b. Peckham |
upon the supreme bench of the United
States, the decision Of the Hswaiisn ques- |
ton by the same body, the failure of Mr..
Bland to secure . quorum to vote on his |
silver coinage bill, better known as the
bill, in the house and the nom
instion and confirmation of Senntor White,
have done much to keep the male portion
Of Washington official life interested dur
ing the past few days while the women
folk have been busy enjoying their well
earned Lsnten rest and talking over the
Breckinridge-Pollard case and past social
events.
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLT
TON.
Mrs. Adlsi E. Stevenson, wife of Vice
President Stevenson, presided at the third
annual congress Of the Daughters of the
American Revolution held in this city the
last three days of last week, when the
principal event was the unwilling of o por-
trait Of the late Mrs. Benz amin Harrison,
which the society had painted for pressn
tation to the white house. Through the
kindness of tho proprietor of Vserhoffs
gallery was enabled to get private view
of the portrait, whion ts striking
likeness of Mrs. Harrison as she
appeared when she first became mis-
tress Of the white house. Mrs.
Harrison is pictured standing attired in
mauvs dress, cut away to show her throat
and neck, the latter snciroled by . pearl
necklace. She is looking slightly to the
right with an expression of expectancy
upon her face, and her poise Is excellent.
The portraits, which is the work of Daniel
Huntington, Govt 81. 800, of which the art
list gave 81 900.
The "Dauehters of the Revolution"
which Is the first and largest patriotic body
of women in the world, numbers 14S chap
ters and ATS members in thirty four
states. The banner state Is Connecticut,
which has twenty three regents and 830
members.
NEW HAVEN PEOPLE.
At the meeting of the medical congress,
just held hero, I saw DR.. Thomas q. Rus
sell of Now Haven, and one of the &C.
knowledgsd leaders of the profession in
Connecticut. Dr.. Russell was here to at
tend bis brother, Attorney Philip Russell,
who has been seriously i'll, but who is now
l rapidly recovering. Attorney Russell, who
| 10 the youngest son of the late General
Russell, is well known in your city and
has for several years been practicing
| patent lawyer in this oity. While at Yale
10 his senior year he was Yals's CORES.
pondent for the CoURIEE.
Attorney Seymour of the firm of Earle &
Seymour has also bsen here on business.
HoM1Na PIGEON SERVICE.
Much having been said and written Of
late regarding the homing-pigeon service
for use in our army, I set out the othe,
day to get the views of Inspsctor-Ge Genera
J. O. Breokinridge on the subject, snd
from him obtained the following: "Af
you say, . great deal has been writer
aboussthe speed, endurance and reliability
of the homing pigeon as q carrier of mes
sages both for business and pleasure, and
more than once this bird has practical
~ demonstrated it's usefulness as
valuable adjunct in military operations
Their use for the rapid transmission Of
dispatches during the naval review of the
past spring was widely published; but
their most important achievement was In
1870, when they kept the outside world IL
touch with Paris, though all other mean
of sending communications to the city
were cut off or destroyed. Since ther
neither balloons nor homing birds hsve
been ignored by any progressive military
nation, and all the great European power,
have organized and perfected pigeon ser
tsnt Intelligence.
In such a matter of simple preparation
for exigsncies no one nation can control
This government might we'll initiate the
military example set by the foremost ma
tions rather than lag too far behind, espec
| tally as 1t is possible to establish q success
full organization here capable of rendering
effective service at minimum outlay.
There are in nearly every large city of The
Union from the Atlantic to the Pacific and
from the lakes to the gulf, number Of
now fly their birds for the sport and
amusement it gives them. That their mum
Der Is largo 10 indicated by the fact that
they are aole to support several organs 70,
their special interest.
They not only are willing to lend thei,
help in the establishment of Q nationa
pigeon service, but have shown commenda
BILE enthusiasm and are eager that the fly
ing of their birds be conducted under the
fostering care of the government. Under
such favorable auspices the government
could easily create = network of interoom
muniostion between the more important
points for the purpose of meeting possible
emergencies In case of need, especially fol
international frontier service.
TH1RrY-THoUsAND DEsrATcHEs BY oNI
During the ssigs of Paris one bird car
ried sc. 900 dispatches, which were photo
kgraphed on v.ry thin films of collodion
and $50, 900 official and ], 1000, 600 privat,
dispatches were carried into Paris BY
pigeons
To be of value in military point O.
view messages must be delivered will
rapidity and promptness, and the pigeor
has been found to do this where all othel
means failed.
These pigeons average 400 miles an houl
and are good messengers for from 300 te
400 miles service, and their love of hom,
ia 80 great that It is unususl for them t.
fail in reaching their destination.
MUST BE BY CONCERTED ACTION.
Willis more than one officer in our army
has seen the necessity for such service, sni
attempted to supply the deficiency, 1t car
! only be done bv concerted action and 4