The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-12-26
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE WASHINGTON O. THURSDAY

there simply having been reversal OF positions.
81 ask ed to be changed" said Tllman to the act
ing official of the Senate because l could not
see from that desk, and you have only changed
me to the other side of Senator lrby." 1es,
SIR" said the floor official did not suppose
you could see him OH the side on which you
are blind, and so | changed you accordingly"
Tilman gave a snort of contempt, aud picked
out a desk which is not approximately as de-
sirable as the first one was.
Il
When Representative J. G.. Cannon first en-
tered politics in Illinois away back just alter
the Vermillion River had been completed and
opened TO navigation. the first requisite oil
successful candidate was that he be able to
ride the worst bucking broncho that the boys
of his District could spring on him. In those
days southern Illinois was full of those de-
PRAYED little beasts, brought in from the West
ern plains, and an ambitious young mans
qualities were tested by them, just as rifle
shooting was the test in Kentucky. Cannon
passed his examination and got his diploma
This probably accounts for the astonishing ease
and grace with which he rides the equally
fesrsome bicycle. Since he began taking les
sons everybody has expected him TO walk into
the House some morning wrapped in bandages
and the odor Of arnica, with the usual tale OF
his wheel having SHE'D at the cable cars and
bucked him off in the center of Pennsylvania
avenue. But nothing of the kind has oc-
Cured, and he is seen riding along the asphalt
with the same judicial dignity customary
in his canters across the Vermillion Valley
bottoms.
The new Constitution of Utah, which
brought 10 Washington week ago by the Utah
Commissioners has been examined by the
President and Attorney General Harmon, and
found TO be in all respects in accordance with
the terms prescribed in the enabling act.
Therefore the President will issue his procla-
nation Jan. next, declaring Utah State of
the Union. As the State officers are to assume
their duties on the Monday following the adj
mission of the new State, they will he in Office
on Jan. 6. Acknowledgement Harmon has
telegraphed these facts to the Chief Justice of
Utah, at the request of the President.
X
On Saturday the Treasury lost $4,000 in
gold 10y the redemption of greenbacks which
left the true amount of the gold reserve $685.
$4,000.
Old Fort Richardson was sold the other day.
This famous defense work is part of piece of
land on the south shore of the Potomac oppo-
site the Capital The auctiOneer's red flag was
planted on the parapet of the fort. where had
been the staff which held aloft the Stars and
Stripes during the exciting times of lS6l-65.
Fort Richardson was one of the first defenses to
be built about Washington, and was erected
early in the Summer of 1861, under the super
vision of Gen. Israel Bush Richardson, who
lost his life leading charge in the battle of
Antietam. The fort was Immediately gar
risoned by troops and batteries erected that COM
manded from Alexandria to Georgetown and
Washington. In 1861 the fleeing troops from
Bull Run halted under the shelter Of South
Arlington flights. and were partially reorgan-
lied Oh the very site of Richardson. 1t was at
this time that Gen. Richardson discovered
what an excellent position it was for one of the
defenses about the Capital.
Andrew B. Graham. who purchased the tract
Wednesday, was born on the Montrose farm,
situated next to the fort. Mr.. Graham recalls
that many times during the raids of Mosby and
others his mother and the family were hustled
out or bed in the middle of the night and taken
to the fort to be out Of range of the guns dur
ing the skirmishes At the present time many
of the redoubts and portion of the fort and
the line of breastwOrks toward Georgetown are
standing intact. though overgrown with grass
and weeds. These will be left as they are for
the present, but will eventually be lcveled and
the last military vestige Of the once famous
place will have been lost The fort was aban-
doned in the Fall OF 1866, and few years later
the property was purchased by the late f. w.
Fox. The view afforded from this position is
beautiful The whole Of Washington, George
town, and Alexandria is visible. while the Po-
tomac River shows up in majestic and piano.
ramic beauty for 10 II miles. To all this
there is a hazy-blue background of hills
The present owner will erect a handsome
Colonial style residence Oh the site of the old
fort.
ARMY AND NAVY.
Contrary TO general predictions, the Army is
meeting with great success with cOlored men
as soldiers. There are now two full cavalry
regiments, the 9th and 10th, composed exclu-
sivey of them. and if there is an increase in