The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-09-16
WEEK IN WASHINGTON,
Events of General Interest in the National
Capital.

Capital.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 7.-Ex-Queen Liliuokalani of
Hawaii, left Washington, to be absent until
Congress conveues. She has gone to San
Francisco with the members of her suite.
Her former Secretary, Mr.. Palmer left for
Boston several days ago 1t is said that Mr.
Palmer will not resume his relations to the
exQueen's suite next year. The object of
the ex- Queen in going to San Francisco is to
be in close touch with her friends and sup
porters.
WhDSEsDAY, SEPT. g. Acting Postmaster
Gen. Heath had q conference with the At
torney- General as TO the course to be pur-
sued by officers of the Postoflice Department
in cases where old Postmasters refuse to va
cate for new ones, or where clerks decline to
accept transfer or removal on the ground
that they are protected by the Civil Service
regulations. The Attorney General advised
him that the proper course in such cases WAS
to refer the matter, with the papers, to the
United States District Attorneys and their
Deputies. Hereafter this policy will be pur-
sued in all cases in the Postoffice Department
in which executive action is called into ques-
tion by persons removed from office On the
plea of protection under the Civil Service
law. The Postotce officials are quite anxious
that there should be an early judicial opinion
defining their prerogatives in matters of ap-
p0intment or transfer.
THURSDAY SEPT. 9.-The Auditor Of the
Interior Department made his annual report
to Secretary Gage. Among other figures ne
gives those as to pensions. He says the
amount paid out for pensions during the
year was $40 All. 637.7G aud the cost of tins
disbursement for each 81. 600 was 1899. Since
1893 the payments for pension were as fol-
lows: 1893, 1854 552,214; 1894, $l37, lis, SOL !;
1895, $40 sos. GIL; 1896. sl3S 722. 127.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 10.-The First Assistant Post
master General started in to give the money
order system OF the Postofiice Department a
most complete overhauling. Cases of a misuse
of the Governments funds that have been
discovered have been such as to indicate that
there is great need for more thorough in
specton of money order offices than has been
practiced in the past, and he is proceeding to
see that this inspection is made and that
officials guilty of any irregularity shall be
apprehended.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 11.-Gen. George d Rugglcs.
Adj utant-General Of the Army, retired, hav-
ing reached the age of Ga years. Col. Samuel
Brcck succeeds him, being made Brigadier-
General. At the breaking ont of the civil war
he was Professor at the Military Academy.
In December 1861, he was ordered TO the de-
Tense Of Washington, aud Assistant Adj
jutant General of McDowelPs Division OF the
Army of the Potomac until March, 1862.
He also engaged in the occu patton of Fred
ericksburg, and was with the expedition TO
the Shenandoaf Valley to intercept the re-
treat of Gen. Stonewall Jackson. In July,
1862, he was transferred to this city for i'm
portant duty in the Adjutant-Gene erals Office,
where he remained until 1870. The new Adj
infant General has also seen much service in
the West.
SUNDAY, SEPT. Gen Fitzhugh Lee, United
States Consul General at Havana. arrived in
Washington. 1t is his intention to remain
here for several days and he will probably
confer with the President as well as with
Assistant Secretary Day about Cuban affairs
before he goes to his home in Virginia
MONDAY, SEPT 13.-Prcsident Mckinley re-
turned to Washington from Somerset, Pa, to
attend the Cabinet meeting tomorrow. At
torney- General McKenna accompanied the
President and Mrs. Mckinley, and the only
other members of the party were Miss Ends
ley aud Executive Clerk George b. Corte!you.
They were met by two or three OF The Cabi-
net officers. Mr. and Mrs. Mckinley were
greeted by an enthusiastic demonstration at
Cumberland, Nd, on the way to Washington