The National tribune., 1897-08-26
WEEK IN WASHINGTON.
Events Of General Interest in the National
Capital.

Capital.
TUESDAY. AUG. T7.-Brig.-Gen. David g.
swain, United States Army, retired, died at
his residence here Gen. Swain was born in
sslen o. His falber WIS one Of the few men
who organized the fres-s0ii party in Ohio
On the outbreak Of the war he entered the
volunteer seryiee Liestenaut, rising to
The rank OF Major and brsyet Colonel when
mustered out in 1886. On Feb. Is. 1873 Presi.
dent Hayes appointed him Judge dvocate-
General with the rank Of Brigadier- General
he Was the trusted friend and companion of
President Garfield. Ia 1884 he was accused
OF giving evasiye answers to the Secretary of
War regarding private transaction, tried by
court martial and acquitted Of fraudulent
practices. but convicted Of conduct prejudi-
eiai 10 good order and discipline. The SEN
tence imposed by the military court was dis
approved. The court then sentenced him to
suspension from rank and duty on half pay
for IL years. Gen. Swain sued in the Court of
Claims to recover his full pay. The case went
to the Supreme Court and was decided ad-
versely. On Dec. g. 1894, Secretary Lamont
RENTED the unexpired portion of his sem
tence and restored him to all the rights and
privileges Of his office. He preferred to re-
main on the active list waiting his retire
ment, which took place Dec p, 1896.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 18.-Secretary Sherman
submitted to the japanese Government an
answer to Japan's last note relating 10 the
annexation of Hawaii to the United States
Mr.. Sherman's answer is marked by its
friendly expressions toward Japan It re-
iteFates, however, the position heretofore
taken by the Secretary of State as to the
right and propriety of annexing Hawaii to
the United States. With this is coupled an
assurance that the interests of Japan i'm Ha-
wall will DO fully ssfeguarded. 1t also ex-
presses satisfaction at the plan Of arbitration
between Japan and Hawaii ON the question
OF japanese immigration 10 Hawaii.
THURSDAY, AUG. 19-The regular monthly
statement of dutiable goods ia bonded ware
houses at the port of New York on july 81
shows decrease during the month of 81 345-
552 The value of such stocks remaining
in bond at The end of the month was $75iS,-
ga The decrease during July WAS due to
tho enactment of higher tariff, and COM
pares with a decrease during June of S. 49,
s66, AMI an increase during May of So s02-
2l7. Wrapper tobacco shows loss of ST.
100000. The decrease in silks and woolens
was also marked.
FRIDAY, AUG. 20-Acting Secretary Meikle-
john, of the War Department, prepared and
will issue new certificates of honor under the
act of Congress granting such certificates 10
the teleeraphers Who served in the late war
Tho first certificates were hastily prepared
and approved, but were unsatisfactory, as
they designated operators as being connected
with the Quarterma6ter's Department, when
the act provided that the certificates were to
be granted to all telegraphers who served in
the 1t is estimated that there are about
$50 actual telegrsphers entitled to the certifi-
Gates, but the act will include all others con-
nected with the telegraph during the war.
SATURDAY, AUG. Ell was announced to-day
that the Canadian Government and the
United States have practically agreed upon
cooperation in augmenting the postal facili-
ties for the Klondike region, and the result
will shortly be evidenced in a substantial
doubling of the mail service from the coast
into that district. The reply of Canada TO
Acting Postmaster General Shallenberger's
proposition to establish an exchange of mails
at Circle City and Dawson City reached here
yesterday. 1t is a counter proposition made
by Canada, the latter agreeing to perform
the service from Dawson City down to Dyea
by means of a contract OF her own, with re-
endorsement to be made by this Government
for it's share of the service. The counter
scheme is satisfactory to the Postoffice De-
partment here, and it was formally accepted
BY Acting Postmaster General Shallenberger
and the Canadian Government was notified
of the action.
SUNDAY, AUG. 22.-It was rumored to-day that
the President and Secretary Bliss may soon
pass upon the question of change in the
attitude of the Pension Bureau towards those
wh0 at ieaSG lHVOIuntarIIy, were IN the Con-
federate service but later deserted or left its
ranks, enlisted in the Union army, served
therein, and were honorabiy discharged.
Under the present construction OF the laws
any service in the Confederate cause, ire
spective of later service for the Government,
is bar to pension. This may be modified.
MONDAY, AUG. %. -Commissioner Evans pub.
lished q table showing the number OF ap-
plications for pension filed since July. 1896.
While in July, 1896, there were filed in all
1888 applications, in June, 1897. there were
40, 1863 applications, largely for increases and
for widows and minor children. This table
shows the number of applications under the
general law and under the act of Juno 81,
1890, respectively, as follows 1596-July,
1850 and 1,033; August 1929 and 2,257;
September, 2962 and 1871; October, 2,719
and / ,956; November 2.071 and 1,615; De-
csmber, 3O75 and 2,239. 1697-January,
$500 and 5,203; February, 4654 and 1868
March, 4,552 and 3,511; April, 1877 and
1855 May, 1888 and 1909; June, Is, 168
and 22OOl. This is accounted for princi-
paIy by the change of Administration.
When Baby was sick, we gave her Castoria.