The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-26
That is Why Ferguson Became
Fish Commissioner.
AND NOT FOR THE SALARY
DR.. Capehart Has Never Been
Slated for the Place.
MILITARY PARK AT VCKSBURG
Congressman Lockhart Says Bill Will
be Reported by the Military
Committee Estab-
fishing 1t.

iiSning II.
Washington. Jan. 25-(SpeciaD- -
The information touching the Fish
Commissionership which | duly wired
the News and Observer came pretty
straigt, and seemed to becloud the
chances of DR.. Capehart hitherto con
sidered good by many. But it now
seems doubtful if the Doctor has been
slated for the position, at least since
the latter part of December. For,
speaking yesterday TO Congressman
Lock hart touching the matter, he told
me that he together with Dr.Capehart
and Congressman GODDARD, had called
on the President Dec. 30th last They
saw Secretary Thurber and made an
appointment for the following day,
when they called again. Mr.. Cleve-
land having been apprised of their bus
mess, sent them word that he could not
see them having nothing to say on the
subject matter of their visit. Some of
the yirginians, who were apprised of
the turn things had taken expressed
some surprise saying, that the late
Commissioners, Mcdonald was appoint
ed from Virginia, and, therefore, after
his death during incumbency, they
judged they were entitled to name his
successor. In this belief, they had
from several considerations, consented
unanimously TO support DIR. Capehart.
Minister Ferguson, who is said to have
been appointed, has spent many years
in the study of fish, having served a
number Of years ago, as assistant in
the Commission. lie afterward had "a
municipal Office in Washington, and is
I,I
money, but wishes to be Fish Commits
sioner not for the money in it, but from
a deep. pure love of fish-study. Mr.
Ferguson though having lived in Wash
ington for many years is said TO have
some business interests in Maryland to
which State the appointment is said
10 he debited.
Congressman Lockhart thinks that
almost without doubt a bill by Catch
ings of Mississippi viii be reported
fasorably from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs. namely to establish ma
tionai military park to commemorate
the campaign, seige, and defense of
Nicksblrg. Mr.. Iockhart is a member
of this committee, and knows whereof
he speaks. he was specially gratified
at the freedom of the bill from all OBJ
noxious words or phrases. The word
Confederate" is used all through,
which is a logical reason why Con
g,ressman Skinner did not draw the
bill. "RebelIion' is the Skinner caper
every time yet.
The battlefield of Nicksburg shall
he National Park; it shall be IN
charge of three commissioners, two
of whom shall have served in the army
commanded by Genral Grant and one
in the army commanded by General
pemberton: $4,000 are appropriated,
and 1t shall be lawful for any State
that had troops engaged in the seige
and defense of Nicksburg to enter upon
the lands of the Nicksburg National
Military Park for the purpose OF as
tertaining and marking the lines Of
battle of its troops engaged therein
Ben HARRISON. the eN-Pfesident.
created Yesterday a sensation and Hut
ter among the women. He was max
ing his argument In the Supreme Court
in the California case, and the women
at the door were almot cla@ing their
way in With their fashionably mani
cured ting, rails. Some morbid prin-
eiple Of hiaan nature had taken pos
session Of thein just because " iddoW-
en- Rens coming nuptials had been
announced. There was certainly
nothing of the heart-smaSher in MS
, shape as he stood before the long row
Aof big-wig Judges. His shoulders ana
chest seemed almost shrunken ~ com
parison with his stomach which look
ed like bag OF Georgia Watef1nelons
there is no tailor who could make the
curve from shat big rotunditN on that
little man 10 tae apex OF the meek.
His Waistcoaf and coat about the chest
and shoulders looked limp as ioue-
some collard-leaf, but lower down the
waistcoat looked prosperous aud
sweIlea ont as If it was going into the
wholesale iopaing business. And yet
the women almost ate the man up with
their eyes ana the room was packed
His argument vas uninteresting and
learned aad as dry and matter-of-fact
az the fisae and place called for ]
was fortunate to have standing room
at the extreme right end where could
see behind the partition against
which are the row of judges chairs.
Presently Judge White wobbled out
Of his chair and toddled in a duck
legged. erudjte way behind the blind.
\ little table was there with lunch
on It, And " hiie Watermelon Ben
was putting down the law, the Louis
ianian iariSt eas putting down the
lunch "Fwas case Of behind the
scenes aud before the foot-lights.
Just as The eN-president would an-
no,mee with some zest a sharp point
of law. Justice White would be coming
down just as hard on chicken bone
Harrison could not hear Whites bone
and White could not hear Harrison $
law The Judge wiped off lis chin
with damp napkin and hustled back
as If be were going 10 he docked for
lost time. Presently another little
lunch was railroaded in by the side
door, a big apple, bread, coffee, and a
delicate sandwich Judge Peckham
cut his eve cnnninply down the line,
~a7d xghen everything was favorable.
V.sIid." The law kept coming, the
lunch kept going. 1t was funny, One
hy one. the Jufists came of their