The National tribune., 1895-12-05

i heavy dirt walls were built about the two acres
over which the reservoir extends. The labor
ers. in tearing down the parapets, came across
| all sorts of odd relics. One day a portion of a
sword blade was unearthed, and on several oc-
casions the men dug up picks. shovels, and
other implements used in the construction OF
I the defenscs. To this collection was added a
lot of mine-balls, bullets, and cannon balls.
| A hidden well in the southwest corner was also
discovered and filed in. This well was such
that in case of siege the beleagured parties
would have plenty of water. Then down along
the west wall of the present reservoir, and just
at the center. was found the magazine, thor
oughly protected from the shot and shell OF the
enemy. 1t was substantial structure and
took some time to tear down. In the sentry
passages. which were walled with heavy tim
bers, many relics were found-buttons. broken
pipes cartridges, and an old box, evidently
used for snuff. These timbers were in most
cases thoroughly preserved and sound. There
were also passaaeways running diagonally
across the fort. which, it is said, were used for
communication with the magazine. Not a
vestige of Fort Reno is now left.
II
There have been $4,000 trees set out in the
City of Washington along the streets and in
the parks These are all under the control of
the Parking Commission, and no one can cut
down or even trim those in front of his prop
erty without written permission from the Com
mission. The list embraces 60 varieties of
native and foreign trees. There are not nearly
so many kinds desirable for city planting, but
many less desirable ones were planted in order
to increase the botanic interest and variety.
The Commission expresses the opinion than no
more than six varieties are really hrst-class for
this purpose These are the Norway Maple,
Oriental Plane, Carolina Poplar. American
Linden, the Ginko, and the Tulip. The Horse
Chestnut does not do well in Washington. 1t
stops growing in dry weather, and then starts
out again when the rains come. Some of them
have only quit blooming recently. This is
nearly the southern limit for the Sycamore and
Sugar Maple which is against them. The
Ginko or Maidenhair tree, an important fruit
tree in Japan, is one of the best for streets.
Pennsylvania avenue will be planted with it.
1t stands the smoke and dust, holds its foliage
late, and insects will not touch it. The only
objection is the disgusting odor of the ripe
fruit. which, however, is only borne by the
female tree.
"They say" that the Administration fears
to let the sugar bounty case 60 to the Supreme
Court. lest the court decide the bounty to be
Constitutional and so strengthen the "pater-
nal ideas of the Populists, who want the Gov
ernment to take charge Of pretty much every
thing that enters into the daily lives of our
people.
Senator HIPS entrance upon the lecture field
has not been encouraging in a financial sense,
at least lie had an audience of only 400 at
Milwaukee at his first appearance last week.
1t was explained that the high prices kept
many away As the lecture" was merely
warmed over campaign speech, the more reason
able explanation seems to be that people did
not care to pay high price for something that
before the election they had a surfeit Of
Senor Mayorga is said to be the probable
successor of DIR. Guzman as Minister from Nicar-
aqua. lie was at one time the Secretary of
the Legation under Guzman. Recently his
brother entered the Nicaraguan Cabinet. and
this is regarded as placing him in the line of
advancement for the post at Washington,
which he has long desired. Dr. Guzman will
not return to Nicaragua, but will practice medi-
cine here.
The cases Of almost 100 Presidential Post
masters viii be presented 10 the Senate for
action next month. So far there have been
240 recess appointments, and all OF these will be
sent to the Senate for confirmation. The terms
OF Office of I36 Postmasters expire during the
month, and there are also eight other vacan-
cies caused by deaths Of Postmasters whose
ccssors will have 20 be chosen. The principal
Offices where Posiniastership terms expire dur
ing December are Portland, Me-, on Dec. Is and
Hartford, Conn, and East Providence, r. J., on
Dec Il. Another big Office which will be
flied is Altoona, Pa. IN none Of these Offices
has any spirited contest far developed, and few
papers are on file at the Postofice Department in
the eases. Hartford is Senator Hawley's home,
aud he doubtless will name the incumbent.
At East Providence the appointee probably will
be Senator Aldricls candidate, while the Port
land Office may be filed by some agreement be.
tween the two Senator'S, neither Of whom is a
resident Of that city.
X
The death OF daughter of the late William
Gresson, one of Washington's wartime boni-
faces, recalls the old Greason House. no longer
hotel, but which was once resort aud head
quarters for hundreds of military men and
politicians. In war times tho Irish Brigade
was quartered for time there, aud Gen.
heagbeT, its commander, and Col. Corcoran
were well known Ggures about the lobby.
Many political organizations had their head
quarters there. Fifteen years ago Gen. Alfred
Pleasonton, worn out with disability contracted
in hsservice for the Union, came to the hotel.
and has since remained there. IN an upper
room, in solitary retirement, denying ali visit
| ors hut his most intimate friends. lie even
refused 20 see the hundreds OF vets who nock ed
! TO the Gressou House during the National En-
campmcnt here. The old house is full of
memories and "reminiscences of most interest.
! ing character.
representative otey, of Virginia. will pre-
sent a bill ut this Congress providing for the
paymeBt TO destitute ex-Conf crate sold iers Of
| the interest on tho fund Row in the Treasury
received from the sale of abandoned property
/ in the South during the war. Mr.. 0icy thinks
! il would be a graceful timing for Republican
/ Congress 10 pass ihe hill. Here is what he says
/ iu 1gfopuo of tho hill.