The National tribune., 1895-08-08


that the position should be filled by one ac-
quainted with the land laws of the West. and
one thoroughly alive TO the growing needs OF
that vast section. Lincoln would have been
glad to get the appointment. but was nnsuc-
cessful Justin Butterfield, prominent men,
Der of the Chicago bar selected, and Lin
coin was reserved by fate for a higher Office.
The comrades of Gen. Anscs G. McCook will
1 be pleased 10 learn that he was the other day
! appointed City Chamberlain of New York by
Mayor Strong 10 succeed Joseph ]. ODonohue,
whose resignation was handed 10 the Mayor
five weeks ago. The salary of the position is
$3.50 year, but out of this sum the Cham
berlain must pay the salaries of all his subor-
dinates and all the office expenses. 1t is esti-
mated that the annual cost of conducting the
office is $4,000 Gen. McCook is an Ohio man
and one of the famous fighting McCooks.
For many years he was the Clerk of the Unit
cd States Senate. lie is in the publishing bust
ness in New York, and is prominent in Repub-
licsn politics. 1t was Gen. McCook who con-
Quoted Col Strong's Mayoralty campaign.
The Y. NJ. c. A. here, which was burned ont
week before last, has secured temporary quar-
tiers, and all is working smoothly. 1t has been
decided TO hold disbursements meet 1g in
September. when it is hoped to have sub
scribed a large sum to start the building of the
new home.
The Treasury Department has come into pos
session Of two 81, 600 bills TO which much mys-
terry attaches They had been torn in two and
the pieces pasted together BY some means
1 they found their way into the attic of an Office
building Of this city, where they were found
among the rubbish by Mrs. Robert Ford, wife
of the janitor. A gentleman TO whom they
were submitted for an opinion as to their
genuineness turned them over TO the officials.
1t is believed at the Treasury Department that
the bills were stolen, but particulars are
given. Mr. and Mrs Ford will endeavor to re-
cover possession of the bills from the Treasury
officials by loyal proceedings il necessary.
4
Secretary Herbert has made a ruling to the
effect that Private Secretaries. even his own are
not entitled TO any greater privileges in the mat
ter Of leaves of absence. The decision is made to
Tue great ptCuHlaiy lOo7 Vi Nj. oHh
Private Secretary, Louis Harvie Finney, jr.
That bright young man returned to the city
after two months vacation, most of which
was spent in sdmiring the principal points Of
! interest on the continent, including visit TO
the naval celebration at Kel. 1t is under
stood that the main object was to gather ma
terial for series of lectures the principal
cities of Europe. No question has ever been
raised against the Private Secretary of Cabi-
net officer for the time lie may have been alb
sent from his desk in excess OF 80 days annual
leave Of absence. When Mr.. Finney returned
to this city, however, he was informed in Off
cisl terms that he had been "docked" his
salary for the month of July, for the reason
that he had exceeded by 30 days his legal
1 leave for the present year.
II
A strange disappearance case has been agitat-
! ing Washington for some weeks. Dana DaYen-
port. the son of an Episcopal clergyman, left
/ his home and was searched for for weeks. The
other day he was found dead on railway track
near Glasgow, Scotland, having evidently been
killed on the track. 1t is now thought he was
demented. 1t has just been found that he took
passage in New York on cattle steamship,
which accounts for his being found in Scot
land.
1t is believed that Mr. Reed feeling practi.
cally certain that he will be elected 10 the
speakership, has already virtually completed
the House committee list. and that at any rate
be win be able to announce his appointments
very soon after the converting of the two
Houses on Dec. 2. 1t is quite generally under.
stood that he has put in a large part of the time
since the last election in informing himself as
to the qualifications and adaptabiiity to COM
mittee work OF the new members, with a view
to being able to make his selections for commit
tees-zs intelligently and promptly as possible.
The task Mr.. Reed has doubtless found an un- |
usually onerous one, because of the fact that |
such large percentage of the members and |
especially the Republican members, are men |
who have never before been in public life. He
has. on this account, been compelled to seek in
formation concerning them from local sources.
and the task has not always been one easy Of |
accomplishment. Ordinarily the important |
places on the committees are assigned 10 re- |
elected members with whom the Speaker has |
served, and concerning whose qualifications be |
has some information at first hand placing the |
newly-elected members in the less important |
places, and thus affording them an opportunity
TO display their general capabilities for legisla-
tive work.
Work on the new theater that Ia being
erected on the site of the old Blaine Mansion
is rapidly progressing. 1t is on Lafayette
Square, few hundred feet from the White
House.
Washington is fortunately free from great
catastrophes OF any kind. and especially those
from the deadly trolley. There is but one
trolley in town, and that will soon cease to be-
as the District is waGing a successful war
against it. But this particular trolley does
little harm anyway. The trolleys in most
large cities add greatly TO the number of
deaths. The experiments that are being made
IN Washington with rapid transit methods
are being closely watched in various parts of
the United States where the trolley and cable
cars monopolize the street traffic. Washington
has made thorough test of the availability Of