Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-06
MISS BRADLEY CHOSEN.
Secretary Long Invites Her to Chris
ten the Kentucky

ten the Kentucky.
Inc much-mooted question as to who
shall christen the battle ship Kentucky has
been settled, SO far as the Navy DEPART
Ment Is concerned. AS is welI-known. Sec
rotary Long requested the governor of
kentucky to select a young lady to per-
1crm That duty. Acting upon the advice of
trends, the governor had practically decid-
ed to name his daughter. Miss Christine
bradley, who Is student at the Washing
ton College at lexington.
When this fact became known. Miss Har-
riet cambridge Richardson of the blue
grass state entered a most energetic pro-
test. She published a statement to the eff
rect that ex-Secretary Herbert had pre-
viously arranged that she should act as the
sponsor Of the vessel on the occasion of its
launching.
A controversy followed amounting almost
to public scandal, in the course of which
1t developed that Mr.. Herbert had long ago
advised Miss Richardson that he would be
unable to make good his promise to Miss
Richardson, for the reason that all the ar
rangements for the launching were in the
hands OF his successor in office.
Learning that Governor Bradley had
some delicacy in carrying out his original
purpose to nominate his daughter for the
duty, Secretary Long telegraphed him Sat
urday that If agreeable to him he (Secrc-
tary Long, would be glad to extend an
invitation to his daughter TO christen the
Kentucky. The governor replied that such
course would be entirely agreeable to him,
whereupon the Secretary today addressed
a personal letter to Miss Bradley, extend
Ing his compliments and saying he would
esteem it an honor if she would perform
the duty Of christening the battleship
named in honor of the state of which her
father is the governor on the occasion of its
rnehing at Newport News. Va. early
In January. The letter was addressed to
Miss Bradley at the Washington College.
A favorable response is expected, but in
case she declines to act the governor will
probably be requested to suggest the name
of some other Young lady of Kentucky to
take her place.
It is not likely that there will be any
trouble over the christening of the battle
ship Kearsarge, which will be launched at
Newport News about the same time as her
sister ship, the Kentucky. The Kearsarge
was named by special act OF Congress, in
order to perpetuate the name of the gal
liant ship which sank the famous rebel
cruiser Alabama of the coast of Cherbourg,
France and which subsequently met her
Capt. Winslow commanded the Kearsarge
In her memorable engagement with the
Alabama, and as a tribute to his memory
Secretary Long has requested his oldest
son. who is now an officer Of the navy,
with the rank of lieutenant. to name a
of the family of his distinguished father.
to perform the duty of christening the
new kearsarge when she takes her first
dip into the water. 1t had been suggested
that Secretary Long name his own daugh-
ter for the sponsor for the Kearsarge, but
he preferred TO leave the matter to the
action Of the family Of Capt. Winslow
Secretary Long received q letter from
Lieutenant Winslow this afternoon desir-
mating his wife to christen the Kearsarge