Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-03-09
WASHINGTON LETTER
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE. I

Lieut. SchuetZe on the naval militia.
1t recommends that series OF drills
on tn monitors be arranged for with
the governors of the states concerned,
the engagements to be made, ii posi-
BILE, early in the spring The report
suggests that steps be taken to
call together the principal officers
OF the naval militia for consultation
MS to the probable duties of the
militia on the outbreak of war. lnyi-
tatiOns are to be sent ont to the au.
thoritieS of the various states, asking
them to participate in this initial move
ment toward suggesting positive legis-
atiOn regarding the duties of the
naval militia, and its relation to the
national government and its naval
forces. Returns from governors of
states show the present total strength
of the reserves TO be 2,539, including
the following: Massachusetts, 4l8
officers and men; New York, 432
Rhode Island, 1l2; Conn, cticut, 65.
AFTER 81 YEARs-A medal of honor
has been awarded Col. Francis S. Hes
seltine of Melrose for gallantry in
action at Matagorda bay, Tex, Dec
| 90, 1868. When the war broke out
Col. Hesseltine was student in Colby
University There he raised com
pany of volunteers, was chosen cap
tain, and by rapid strides won his way
/ to be lieutenant-colOnc in the 18th
Maine regiment. This regiment he
commanded in the gulf coast expedi-
tlon. Later he came under the com
mand Of Gen. +. T.. G.. Ransom, who
gave him the honor of leading the adj
vance against the confederate works
mt Arkansas Pass, one of the inlets to
Corpus Christi bay.
BONDS AT PRIVATE SALE-Senator
Teller and other extreme silver adyo-
Gates, who have all along announced
their determination to oppose all kinds
of remedial legislation, long or short
time bond issues, or any measure to
relieve the treasury, now that they
have succeeded in securing cOnsidera-
ton of the unrestricted coinage bill
and its probable passage in the Senate,
indicate Willingness not to antago-
nlZe the amendment incorporated in
the sundry civil appropriation bill,
providing for the issue OF three per
cent loan certificates to the amount of
500, 900, 600 to meet any emergencies
that may arise in the way of II revenue
deficit. This proposed amendment
has been greatly strengthened on both
sides of the chamber by the addition
of clause forbidding the further is
sue of bonds at private sale.
PARDON DENIED An application
for pardon in the case of Michael j.
Kelly, sentenced in Massachusetts, to
fine and four years imprisonment for
perjury in pension case, has been
denied by the president, who, in his
Endorsement says: 81 am 80 deter
min d that convictions in such cases
shall have their full effect in prevent
ing the commission of this crime, and
the crime itself is SO dangerous and
detestable, that the application must
be very strong and exceptional to in
duce me to interfere
WOMEN AT The CAprrAL-So dis
tinguished an assembly of women as
have been deliberating in Washing
ton has probably never been seen in
this country. Not only are the Daugh-
tiers of the American Revolution, of
which Mrs. Vice Pres. Stevenson is
the head, holding their annual con-
vention, but the larger body repre-
senting the national council of women
have literally captured the capital. In
the latter gathering We're two foreign
noblemen, the wives and daughters of
several American muIti-millionaires
and distinguished representatives in
all walks OF activity. 1t is only one
Of the passing reminders Of the enor-
nous influence that has come to be ac-
quired by women in the social and po-
ltical destimes of the community. SO
enthusiastic, inspirational and brave
are these women in their demands and
proposals that the expiring do-.oth- /,
ing congress looks tame and cheap in
couparison. Wait till the women get
seats in congress and we shall see more
style and life in national legislation. &
No CABINET Hon. John +.
Russell of Massachusetts is not going
to succeed Postmaster General Bissell. .
He does not desire place III the cab .
met. 1t is we'll understood that he
could have been in the cabinet from
the beginning of this administration,
if he had been willing The report to .
the effect that he might succeed Post
muster-G General Bssell grew out Of the
fact that Mr.. Russell did not categor-
ically deny the statement when made
to him by one or two inqusltive per-
SONS
To Go HIGHER Conn OF Pensions
Lochren has referred the decision of
Judge Bradley of the district circuit
court, in the case OF Judge Long, to
Atty. Gen. Olney. Judge Long Sc
cured writ Of mnndamuB TO compel
the commissioner of pensions to pay
him his pension OF ST2 per month,
which Conn .issioner LUchrrn had re-
duced. The attorney general will re-
view the papers and probably appel
the case to the court of appeals OF the
District Of Columbia.
Promotions IN TIE MAYA board,
of Rear Admiruls Greer,
Walker and Brown, met ut the navy
department and qualified Commodore
Kirkland, now commanding the Euro.
pean station, for promotion to the
vacancy i'll the rear -admirai's grade,
which will be caused by Admiral
Greer's retirement Feb. 2S. The
board also found Capt f. V. McNair
qualified for the grade of commodore,
to which he will be promoted May 9,
on the retirement Of Commodore Il.
E. Potter, unless in the meantime
Commodore Rush Wallace consents to
retire under the 4G-year service law.
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