New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-07
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.
THE NEW SCIENTIFIC APPOINTMENTS
AT THE SMITHSONIAN.
PROFESSOR wAICOTT AND PROFESSOR RATH-
Rim AND THEIR woRK-TIIE SUCCESS
FuL SOCIAL sEAsoN-MRs. CLEvE-
LANDS POPULARITY


FuL SOCIAL sEAsoN-MRs CLEvE-
LANDS POPULARITY.
wellington Feb. 1.-THE office CT Assistant Sec
re,arv Of the National Museum is an important
nrc not only because it controls the management
~ the Museum, but because 1t is stepping
Tho secretaryshp OF the Smithsonian Institution.
There has therefore. been the greatest interest rel
alive to he filing Of this office. made vacant by the
death OF Professor C. Brown Goode last fall and
The meeting of the Board of Regents having this
matter In charge, which occurred the 9th
ultimo attracted much attention.
AT this meeting, however, because of certain com
plcations with the Civil Service lawsuits position
heing in the classified service-and the enormous
pressure from outside in favor Of different candi-
dates il was thought inadvisable to make per-
r1anent appointment and at the suggestion OF Sec
rotary Langley. Professor Charles Walcott the
present Director of the Geological Survey. who vol
unteered give what time he could spare from his
own duties TO the administration OF the National
Museum, was appointed TO serve temporarily as as
sistant secretary without pay At the same time
Richard Rathbun of the Fish Commission. was ap-
ro!nted assistant secretary of the Smithsonian, in
charge Of all its bureaus with the exception of the
National Museum This Is practically new Office
and ore Of large scope. created with the idea that
all duties especially those of an executive char
acter that Professor Walco;t VIII be unable to per-
form because of the double demands upon him.
should fan 10 II.
While not an ideal arrangement. this is salts
factory to the secretary. who has unbounded conf
dence in Professor Walcott. and would be glad II
he could be persuaded resign his present position
as Director of the Geological Survey bm ONE his
permanent assistant and ultimate successor But
Of this there is no probability as Professor Walcott
IS happy in his work, and feels that he would be
making sacrifice to give up the dictatorship of so
important q bureau to accept position of even
such dignity and honor as the assistant secretary
The frse recommend ltion for the assistant secre
iarv IS that he shall be grata TO the sec
rStary; and while it might he easy to find scien-
list possessed OF executive ability. and in every
matter 10 md such person who will he personally
agreeable and acceptable to his chief. This Pro
warmest sympathy existed between him and secre-
a tar ooGS rSae To his pG5
'Dr. Goode united with his great administrative
and the most entire unselishness in their use have
ever known. My own trust in him grew with every
S I'll ms cdned Be of the VIM" most HAPPY
character ana So also were those OF his arsoea'e
maintaining exact discipline without sacrhcing
f ffpi4 ''' S''''' anu ''' ~
Professor walcott succeeded Professor Powell as
head OF the Geological Survey on June l, 1894 and
literally worked his way from the bottom OF the
ladder 10 his present post lie was for a number Of
years employed in tho National Museum then in
subordinate position IN tho survey. then as chief
geologist Of the survey from which position he was
eppointed to the dictatorship.
HE owes his success" says one Of his colleagues.
"to having persistently followed one track and Is
self-rnade and self-educated." But there is no
question that part Of his success can be attrb-
uted TO his agreeable and pleasant personality and
his ability for making friends; He is genial and
msnner as ank the dried and solemn fossils
sometimes encountered in his profession as pos
bread and catholic In his tastes as any layman.
and with interest in society and the current az
Professor Walcott's associate. Professor Richard
Rathbun resigned the charge of the division Of
inquiry respecting food fishes to accept his new APP
pointment is a native OF Western NewYork. and e
Cornell man, which university he entered In lSl
for the scientific course. He remained at Cornell,
however, only two years. During this time he took
up the special study Of the Devonian and Creta-
ceous fossils collected by the c. F. Hartt expedi-
tions 10 Brazil. and 10 complete his work on them
went TO tho Museum of Comparative Geology. at
Cambridge, where he studied until the position of
assistant in zoology at the Boston School or Natu
raj History offered him.
Professor Rathbuns knowledge has been ac-
o,,;red in the most practical way and he has had
tho good fortune Of working side by side with the
eminent men Of his profession. He began HIS inves-
tigations respecting marine animals with Professor
Morse and was subsequently assistant geologtst
under tho dire ,on of Professor c. i. HART in the
Geological Commission OF Brazil His connection
with tho Fish Commission dates from 1873. and
this bureau or in the National Museum. and has
ceiyed the degree of NJ S from tho Indiana Cn!-
Bowd6n College
Professor Langley has made happy choice in Sc
lecting Professor Rathbun for the position OF as
sis.ant in the Smithsonian, for he is not only man
of learning but an admirable executive officer
and. ike Professor Goode who was noted for his
p1,ienee and Kindness with the public has ga agree
graduation for those whose duties take them 10 the
hat nearly ali business Of the outside world relat-
ing to the Institute is transacted.
The social season has fulfilled its promise to be
brilliant one and has cclipsed all previous win
tiers OF Mr.. Cevclands Administrations. not
cepting the last few months OF his former term,
when Mr. Whitney was Secretary OF the Navy. and
Mrs Whitney entertained lavishly and elegantly
beyond precedent There is no one in the present
Cabinet who can approach the Whitnoys in the va
ricty Of their social accomplishments. but the
Presidents official family have. without exception
entertained assduously and handsomely. NO one
however has been more ambitious or moro lnGc-
fatigable in her efforts 70 make this season men,
orsble one than Mrs Cleveland. and to her inspira
ton and interest its is in no small degree
due.
This winter as before the latchstring of
the Executive Mansion Is always out and the wife
Of tho President has not only been generous In Of
fetal entertaining but has been tho hostess Of
numerous private affairs. ara IT. seems as If she
was never so gracious and cordial
friends are expected are by far the most delightful
81 all the White House functions: At these recep-
lions the fashionable contingent is of course, rep
resented. but there are IN evidence as well many
charming people belonging 20 the literary ana
scientific world. who rarely tempted away fro n
their sanctums By society and the half-hour spent
IN the eosey KGd ha qe Very s an # was epe
cally amiable on the part OF MIS- CleVeand 10 re-
member the debutanies and the occasion when she
invited them all 20 receive with her Is red-etter
Gay in the first season CT these fortunate young
women.
No one who has occupied the same position