The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-04-08
PERSONAL.

1IIho1i IN ~ L..
There is not little satisfaction among those
who are familiar with the workings of the PEN
sion Bureau over the fate which has befallen
Second Deputy Commissioner II. c. Bell. MIR.
Bell entered the military service at quite
late period in the war-Octooer, Iceland his
tagging patriotism was stimulated by large
bounty. He secured an appointment in the
Pension Bureau during Cleveland's first term,
and was rapidly promoted to Principal Ex-
aminer. He has always been regarded as ais
tinctly unfavorab!e to claimants for pensions.
A great many acts and expressions of hostility
are attributed to him. This did not prevent
him getting himself allowed pension under
the act of June q. When Cleveland came in
the second time Bell had political pull enough
to get himself promoted to Second Deputy
Commissioner He saw that there would be
manifest improperly in continuing to draw
his pension while engaged in cutting down
those of real, fighting soldiers. therefore he
surrendered it April %, 1899. The day after
Col. Evans was installed as Commissioner,
and while he was engaged in other duties,
the Bureau was under the charge OF First
Deputy Commissioner N. J. T. Dana, who is
still holding on, Bell took advantage of this
to have his pension restored, giving himself
back pay from April g. 1S93 amounting to
about $780, This was brought to Commits
sioner Evans's attention. Bells resignation
was at once demanded, and his restoration to
the rolls countermanded. Previously, Bell
had gone to Secretary Bliss, with the request
that he be restored to the position of Principal
Examiner, at salary of 50 600, but the Secre-
tary chillingly remarked that he had in his
eye good soldier and Republican, and very
competent man. whom he thought that $1,000
salary would fit very nicely. Now Mr. Bell
has dosnof the medicine he had been dealing
out so li61fally to old soldiers during the past
four years. The wheels 60 round"
Ransom w. Powell we'll known to tho older
prisoners in Andersonyil!e as Little Red Cap,
and very popular with them on account Of his
intelligence and pleasant, oblging ways, has
been for years in the Pension Bureau, and oil
late has been on duty in Southeastern Ohio as
Special Examiner. Becoming troubled with
asthma he applied for transfer to drier
climate, and has been assigned to duty al
Pueblo Colo, whittier he will leave in a few
days. Except for the asthma his health is very
good. Comrade Powell served in the 10th w
Va. (the "Sang-diggers"), and thinks that he
has tho only discharge which gives the hight
as but four feet.
| Though the Fusionists were generally sue
eessful in Michigan last Monday, Comrade
Charles d. Long was reelected Justice of the
Supreme Court by plurality of about 10000
mn, Al i-tp Of ro1o
thoroughly awake in Michigan, and that the
people appreciate and honor the men who have
calamity fought for them.
| Comrade ]. II. Morgan. who served three
years and six months in the grand old oth KY.
and is member of A. G. Wileman Post, is
| candidate for Postmaster at Cstawba, KY. Hi
| opponent is a man who had no war service, ant
is fond of saying that the soldier has ha'
enough.
The comrades Of Extra, Iowa. are disturbe'
over the prospective removal from the office 0
Postmaster of Comrade John B. Connrard
through the influence of Representative Hagel
and the appointment in his place of youn
man who saw no war service.
Comrade Jos. S. Cook, Sth Pa. Res, is cand
date for Postmaster at Blair. Neb. He enliste
in June, 1861. and was in all the fights on th
Peninsula until he was taken prisoner and keI
for three months at Libby and Belle Isle. Con
rade Cook has been County Clerk aud Treasure
for eight years, and is man of education an
ability. He belongs to John A. Dix Post,
Blair.
Comrade James Garbet is q candidate fc
Postmaster at Colchester III. He enlisted j
April, 1861, in the Sd N. Y; was wounde
at Big Bethel and discharged on account of i
He re-enlisted in July, 1862, in Battery g, st
u. 8. Art, and served throughout the war.
is backed for the position by all his comradt
and the leading citizens of the place.
President Mckinley has promised Mrs. Sher
dan to appoint her son Phil to the Militar
Academy at West Point next year. and so
| course of time the sou may render service
his country equal to that Of his great fathe
and rise to the position that he occupied at I'll
head of the Army. Young Phil is a vel
promising boy, now in his 18th year, ar
great hopes are entertained as to his futur
There are two reasons why he is not q
pointed this year: First, President McKinlt
has no appointments this year, as his predece
sor exhausted these; aud, secondly, Phil
not old enough.
Before his retirement from office, the Parti
who are trying to secure large portion of Il
8 Chicago water front on land scrip. retain'
Secretary Carlisle, and Immediately after b
successor was appointed he made an effort
have Secretary Bliss confsm Commission
I.amourieux's decision in favor of the "scri
nersy He failed in this, and now it is a
nounced that he has returned the $4,000 r
tainer they had given him, and will devo
himself to the j. Pierpoint Morgan interes
in the South, and to the Southern Railway,
which he has been appointed General Solieito
Rear Admiral John II. Russell, retired, WI
died in Washington April l. had long al
most distinguished career. He first achieved
worldwide reputation by his work in openi'
the Chinese ports to trade. He distinguish
himself in the Mexican War, and at the begi
ming of the rebellion received the compliment
of the Navy Department for cutting ont &
!, rebel privateer Judah" at Pensacola.
was one Of Farraguts most trusted officers