The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-02-25
WEEK I'm WASHINGTON.

SUNDAY. FEB 14.--It was learned to-day that
there is now an application for the pardon oil
Henry w. Howgate now in the hands OF
Judge McComas and ex- District Attorney
Birney. referred to them by the President.
Cant. Howgate was Discussing Officer OF the
Signal Service years ago. when lie emoeZzieo
Government bonds. He was arrested ana
escaped from custody in 1882. In September.
1894. he was arrested in New York and
brought here where he was convicted and SEM
fenced to Albany. 1t is represented In the APP
plication that he is now over 6O years OF age
and i'm poor health; that he was permitted to
remain at large for a number oil years, winch
he spent in New York. trying to lead an
honest life. 1t is said the application will be
Endorsed by the Jury which convicted him
and many business men of New York, as well
as of this city. His daughter, who has stood
by him for so many years, is urging the petit
ton.
MONDAY, FEB 15.-Another big decrease IN
postal receipts this time amounting TO Slo4,-
AS net, is shown in the statement OF the
gross receipts at the 80 largest postofnces Tor
January as compared with January, 1890.
The total receipts were So, S39, Oil, against
81 944. 354. decrease of 81 per cent. Only
nine Of these offices showed increases, aud
those were slight. The biggest proportionate
decreases were at Rochester, n. Y, almost Ia
per cent, and over 10 per cent. at Albany,
while both indianapolis and St. Paul de-
creased over 9 per cent. New Iork's total
receipts were S664.672. decrease Sls,395;
Chicago. S407. 297, decrease $31 392.
TUESDAY. FEB. l6.-The President nominated
Mr.. F. p. 3. Sands to be District Commas
soner. vice Commissioner Ross, whose term
has expired. Mr.. Sands is the son OF the late
Admiral Sands, and is native of Washing
ton. He is graduate of Georgetown Uni
versity. and of the Columbian University
Law School. He has been practicing law
here for nearly twenty five years Mr.. Sands
is a man of means and lives in handsome
home on Connecticut avenue. great deal
of regret is expressed that Commissioners Ross
was not nominated to succeed himself. 1t is
understood the nomination of Mr.. Sands
will not be confirmed without much opposi-
ton. The nomination will be referred to
the District Committee, several members oil
which are understood to be opposed to Mr..
Sands. The difference between Mr.. SANDS
and the committee arose some time ago,
when the former was endeayoring to secure
legislation which would enable him to estab-
lish new gas company in the District. The
committee acted adversely upon Mr.. Sandss
bill.
WEDNESDAY. FEB. I7.-Rear- Admiral Ed
mund X. Calhoun (retired) died suddenly
tonight from heart trouble at his home here.
He was 75 years old. The Admiral appeared
well and hearty almost up to the moment ne
was stricken, aud passed away before ply
stefan could be summoned. He served vail
antly in the Mexican and civil wars. In
166l-'62 he commanded the steamer Hunch-
back. of the North Atlantic Blockading
SQUADRON, and took part in several engage
mepts. lie commanded the Latonia in 1868,
and afterward the monitor Weehawken, Of
the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron
Later the monitor Saugus. OF the North At
lantic Squadron, was under his charge. In
1879 and 1880 he was Commandant at the
Mare Island Maynard. and was Inspector OF
Vessels in California at the time of his re-
tirement in 1882. He leaves q widow and
four children.
THURSDAY, FEB 18-The monthly compare
tive statement OF the exports aud imports oil
the United States during the months OF jan
nary, 1897 and 1885, issued by the Bureau OF
Statistics shows that the amount of domestic
merchandise ex ported during the last month
amounted 10 $50, sos, 103 as compared with
Ss5.543.304 for January last year. The i'm
ports of merchandise during January last
amounted to SOL, 327. 0SI. of which So, 296 703
was free of duty. During January. 1896,
the total imports Of merchandise aggregated
$6S GA. 800, loss for last month of over
$17.300.000. The exports of gold coin and
bullion during the last month amounted TO
$37I. 944, as compared with $40, $50 526 during
January, 1885, The imports of gold during
January last aggregated $556. 621 as compared
with si0.367.o $40 during January, 1886. Sill
yer exports during last January amounted 10
1897. 154. as compared with 81 800. 800 dur
ing the corresponding month in 1886. The
imports amounted to Ss17. 067 during JAN
uarv. 1887, and 81 ,057. 597 during January,
1886
FRIDAY, FEB l9-The 33d anniversary of the
Order OF X. of r. was celebrated here to-day.
Supreme Chancellor p. 7. Colegrove arrived
IN the city and was met by Supreme Outer
Guard J. w Thompson. Grand Chancellor
J. Is. Mangum. Grand Keeper of Records and
Seals George w. Bauman Supreme Repro
scntatires ]. b. Connor and Richard Good
heart and Col. Harry Coggins. The Supreme
Chancellor was escorted TO his hotel by Ar
lingion Cavalry Company, No. 8. Uniform
Rank. X. of z. parade took place in the
afternoon In the evening interesting conf
memoratory exercises were held. The Order
was founded here Feb 10, 1864.
1ATURDAY, FEB 20.-The Civil Service Com.
mission sent to the Senate reply to the
resolution Of inquiry adopted on the 18th
instant concerning the dismissal of employees
OF the Bureau of Animal Industry at South
Omaha alleged to have been discharged al
the instance Of Secretary Morton after the
November elections for political reasons
The Commissioners state that in the first
complaints received from the discharged per.
sons they stated while they had been dis
missed for alleged neglect of duty" they be.
lieved the dismissal was due TO political
reasons. The Commission Immediately in.
augurated an investigation by bringing the
matter TO the attention of Secretary Morton
who had said he would cooperate with them
IN making the investigation and who denied
that political reasons had anything to d,
with the discharges. He said he did NO
know whom any of the persons had sup
ported for President. and did not care. Tn,
Commission call attention to the fact tina
the power and duty Of removal are no
affected by the Civil Service Law other thar
in cases of removal for political or relig
lous causes. "The Commission" they say
is not an amounting or reiustatiue or re