The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-12-31

We are a very forgiving people. I thought
OF this when heard at the Capitol that one OF |
the inches in prominent place in the beaut'-
full building would soon be filled with a bust OF
Vice President Breckenridge. 1t is the work
of James Voorhees,, and is pronounced a very
good likeness. 1t viii soon be put in place and
remain forever in the Senate Chamber as a re-
minder Of a man who was hoEored with the
second highest position in the gift OF the people,
bat who used that position to aid the conspiracy
to destroy the Government, and within few
weeks after his retirement from the Yice-Presi-
Dental chair was commanding force of rebels
in the field. i wonder what other Government
would place monument to such man in its
Capitol2
That highly accomplished and versatile wo-
man, Mrs John A. Logan. appeared in an en-
tirely new role last week. and sustained 1T
most creditably. 1t was lecture given at the
Metropolitan Methodist Church. in this city,
for the benefit of the Garfield Memorial Hospi-
tai, g splendid institution in which she has all
ways taken deep interest and done fully as
of her lecture was The Coronation OF the Car
and Crarina Of Russia" and she gave her own
memories and impressions. She had unusual
opportunities of seeing that magnificent func-
tion, and her lecture was surprisingly interest
ing. Many compliments were paid her by those
present, and she had very distinguished audi.
ence. She was introduced by Justice John N.
Harlan, of the Supreme Court.
X
There are signs that the Administration in
tends following up Secretary Olney's statement
by ordering cessation of tho naval prepare
tions at some yards since there were possibil-
ties of trouble with Spain. There viii be no
extra men, it is understood, employed on any
of the vessels at either the New York or Mare
Island Nsvy-yards, and contracts made for de-
livcres of powder within a very limited time
viii not be insisted on to the exact terms Of
the specifications. There will be no unusual
display or hurry hereafter in commissioning
vessels, but work will progress in the custom
airy manner. Mr.. Herbert, it is said. will op.
pose any efforts to stop the work of getting
every available ship ready for sn emergency
until the home station presents the finest
aggregation of fighters it can produce in .
given time, and will argue that when the
ships are in readiness, then it will be ample
time to cease the preparations, and not before.
4
Two needy veterans were presented with
welcome Christmas gifts by their members in
Congress the past week. One of these was
Pttsburg man. who had been reduced to alb
man Daizeli several days ago, describing his
circumstances Tho letter showed thst the
man was in pitiable condition, and Mr. Dali
zell looked the case up at the Pension Office,
with request for immediate action. It re-
suited in the granting of back pay for some
thing over 500. The other case was in Con.
gresham Dingiey'a District. where Charles II.
Cclburn, of Richmond. Me-. received back pay
last week amounting to more than $500. These
were regarded as exceptional cases.
r
A peculiar relief ease is now before Con-
gress Last week Mr. Wellington introduced a
| petition from Samuel Gantz, Of Hagerstown,
| asking for pecuniary relief by Congress. Gantz
states in his petition that prior to the war he
was eGgaged in making gunstocks for the
Government Arsenal at Harper's Ferry. While
SO engaged he had tho misfortune to break
both legs, and was thus prevented from enlist.
ing in the army. During the war he was
engaged in the occupation of repairing wagons
for the Government, in which occupation he
WIS liable, he says. to be shot or taken prisoner
TO demand a pension.
| The fourth volume of "0ficial Records OF
| the Union and Confederate Naves in the War
| of the Rebellion " viii soon be issued by the
Government Printing Office The book is
compiled by Lieutenant Commander Richard
Rush and Mr. Robert Ii. Woods, by authority
of an act Of Congress approved in 1884. and
covers the operations OF the cruisers in the Gulf
of Mexico. the Atlantic coast, and on the
Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers during
| 1860 and 1861. The plan of the compilation
adopted includes only the use of such material
| rs may be certified TO be contemporaneous naval
records OF the war. The FIRST series, of which
the work soon to be issued is the fourth volume.
embraces the reports and correspondence, both
Union and Confederate. relating to operations
on the Atlantic aud Gnlf coasts and inland
waters. The papers in this series are arranged
according to squadron and fotillas. chronology
/ ically, and, as far as possible. the Union re-
ports of any event are Immediately followed By
| the Confederate reports.
r
| number of persons who aspire to be Score.
| taries of Embassies and Legations are already
| in the field and will be active from now until
| appointments are made by the incoming Ad.
| mnistration. These places require men of un.
| usual tact and Judgment to meet tho require.
| ments. Men of wealth have been selected in q
number of instances.
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