The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-28
AT WASHINGTON CITY
Gen. j. B. Metcalfe on the States
Representatives.
THE ARMY POST AND THE CANAL
Quick Delivery OF Army Post Site Title
an Urgent Necessity-The Nor
ans in the Departments.


the city from his visit 10 the seat of gov
eminent, with an ADDED polish to his dis
tinguished appearance and courtly man.
ners, and slight increase of ;,voir1upois,
II not of influence For as to the latter
the general. in an interview upon his trip
yesterday. was trifie disappointed. from
the standpoint of his party, as he neither
claimed 10 have touched the sanity hand
OF the president, nor hobnobbed with
James Hamilton Lewis 1.-The leading DEM
ocrat of this state" nor discovered who
was to be the presidential candidate of
the Democratic party. Anyway. he did
not care to talk of such distinguished hon.
ors, but was pardonably proud that he
mad been able to devote some of his time
at the national capital to looking into
matters of interest to his own city.
4 left here on March ~ he said, land
was hive days on the way, eight days in
Washington City, and five days on the
return trip. l had very little time for in
dulging in any pleasure or sightseeing
for l was so entirely taken up with the
business l went upon-oh. private BUSH
ness But I managed 10 call at the state
department, and had talk with Assistant
Secretary Adee. He expressed himself
as being very much pleased with the report
upon the Alaska boundary sent down by
our Chamber of Commerce, and said he
felt sure that the suggestions made
would be of great service when the mat
ter came up for final arrangement
Senator Squire's resolution relative to
the l4lst meridian is passed and become
a law. BY it $4,000 is appropriated for the
physical delimitation of the 1i1st meri-
dian from Mount Elias to the frozen ocean.
This will be determined solely by a board
of experts, by astronomical observances
and triangulations. The panhandle por-
ton of the boundary has not been taken
h.aca Al. fcI, ri
suits OF the joint survey have not Yet
been received from the photographer This
line will undoubtedly be settled by a con-
vention. and in all probability there will
be penipotentiaries appointed by both gov
ernmentS, the secretary of state being one
and Sir Julian Pauncefote the other. When
this convention comes to determine the
southeastern boundary line it will, so l
gathered from Mr.. Adee. probably call
upon this Chamber of Commerce for the
information and evidence on hand, refer
red to in its report.
Il think the state is to be congratulated
upon the unanimity of its delegation in
Washington City. 1t has secured the lars
est possible appropriations for various pub
lie improvements now in coarse of con-
struction or contemplated. found that be-
yond question there would be an appropri-
alton made for the Lake Washington canal
In this present congress, and that there
will be ona for a public building at Ia
coma"
Did you hear anything of the army
post?"
Yes, and a matter of great importance
to which I should like to call attention is
the absolute necessity of an early presenta-
ton of the titles TO the state, otherwise
the appropriation for the immediate con-
struction of the post cannot be obtained
from this congress. This appropriation,
you must remember, was not positively
made, but only recommended. as 1t cannot
he made until the government actually
owns the land. The deeds should be
turned over as quickly as possible. in order
to assist olSr congressional delegation. es-
pec!aIly Senator Squire. who has this army
post matter in charge. | had an opportu-
nifty TO judge of tlfe influence he wields,
and know that he IS fortunate in having
the entire good will Of the departments,
and is very influential with both branches
OF congress.
IT called on Assistant Secretary of the
Navy McAdoo. and was much gratifed
with his concurrence in the views l had
expressed to him IN a long letter as to the
establishment of a navy reserve here.
had informed him that we could not hope
for state appropriation. such as other
seaboard cities receive for this purpose.
but that II the government would pay the
whole expense We would organize body of
volunteers that would be a credit 10 us and
the nation. and of great service in time OF
need. l suggested that the old Nipsic
might be brought here, and used as an
armory. He agreed with me perfectly. but
said the session was too far gone to take
up that sort of legislation now.
Il had occasion TO visit the bureau of
steam engineering. and was gratiiied by
one of the chiefs telling me that they
looked upon Robert Moran as mechanic
second 70 none of those engaged in govern
ment ship building. They said they had
been captivated by his frankness and sin
certify, ard should at all times be glad TO
assist his firm in making its first venture
in such work as the torpedo boat Il complete
SUCCESS"