The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-04-11
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON g. THURSDAY,
his friend quickly replied: Look out, Major,
or you'll shake up dust cloud"

his friend quickly replied: Look out Major,
or you'll shake up dust cloud"
r
An infrm man, loaded down with yards
of brass chain, his coat and hat fairly covered
with cheap gewgaws, lugged heavy bag up
TO the White House porico the other morning
and asked if tho President was still buying
gold for the Treasury. He claimed to have a
job lot of the precious metal, which he was
willing to let 90 at par. He emptied the bag,
which contained nothing but brass castings aud
tin clippings, INSIDE the big front door. and
drew from his pocket a lump of glass. which
he offered to part with for SIS, 100000 in
United States securities. And then the patrol
wagon TODD him away to the nearest precinct
station house, where he gave his name as WI
liam Lavery, his age rs So and said his home
was in the asylum of the Little Sisters of the
Poor The Police Department confscated most
of his treasure and told him the gold reserve
had been fully replenisbed.
X
The survey of the Indian Territory and the
marking of il off into quarter sections for the
purpose of allotment to the Indians through
whose countries the survey will be made is
about to be commenced by the topographers OF
the Geological Survey. The survey will begin
at the point where the Indian base line crosses
the east line of the Chickasaw Reservation. in
latitude 81, longitude 96l. The first party, now
organizing, viii extend and mark out this base
line for about so miles eastward. The survey
will cut up the country into areas Of "a miles
each way, and the next step to he taken by sew
eral surveying parties will be the outlining of
townships, which will then be divided into Sec
tions and quarter-sections. The different sur
veyiug parties will be organized as fast as they
can 20 TO work.
Old Washngtonians remember when the
British Legation was located in the large brown
stone house next door TO the Arlington Hotel,
on Lafayette Square. Hereit was that Bulwer,
brother of the famous novelist, who negotiated
the Clayton Bulwer treaty. lived while he was
Minister. His Secretary was Owen Meredith,
the late Lord Lytton. In the library of this
house the greater part of Lucille" was writ
ten. Entertaining ut the Legation in those
days was lavish, as it was afterward during the
regime OF Lord Lyons, who was famous for his
dinners But in the time Of Lord Lyons the
Legation occupied the Porter House, on ii
street. close by the Metropolitan Club. This
house, which is Of brick painted brown, and of
gloomy appearance. was built by Admiral Por-
ter and row belongs to his estate. 1t is at pres
ent occupied by the French Embassy. Sir
Edward Thornton, who was Minister for Great
Britain during such a long period was ex-
troney popular, entertaining freely and in a
democratic way. A selfmade man, fond of
America and Yankee institutions. he became a
part OF resident Washington life. Lord Sack
willie, who succeeded him, very different
sort of individual. He was man of great re-
tirement of manner and disposition, but he
is great entertainer.
II looks very much as If Washington might
soon become one Of the most important assign
ments falling to men in Diplomatic service
For years we were not only in great measure
unknown, but considered undesirable as far as
known. We were an outpost. Foreign Diplo-
mats looked upon the assignment as sort of
banishment-a penitential period in their
The town was represented to them as small
and the opportunities for enjoyment few
There opera, great race course, no
great fete at any time. Their business was
humdrum. The Government had no foreign
policy except to let foreign Governments alone
as much as possible. They looked upon life,at
this Capital, therefore, fatigung to the last
degree. They felt that while here they would
have nothing but time on their hands. But
all this within the past 20 years has changed.
Washington is now highly considered abroad.
1t docs not, of course, rank with the European
Capitals in its equipment for great social func-
tions, but its beauty and its growth are now
well advertised, and the growing Importance
Of the United States gives assurance to the
Diplomat that his opportunity is here, and not
longer in the other Capitals. Diplomacy, like
the star of empire, and, indeed. following that,
is taking its way westward The big ventures
are all launched on this side of the water now.
The greatest wealth is here. Emigration sets
this way. The Government is fast developing
foreign policy. and this with the manifold
interests involved. makes little business now
and then for Diplomats to attend to.
Il
Apropos of the retirement of Senators George
and Coke it may be remarked that the figure
of an ex-United States Senator in retirement in
q small city or town is, as drawn by those
familiar with the life in such places, very
attractive one. He continues to the end of his