New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-16
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.
THE REGENTS OF THE MOUNT VERNON
ASSOCIATION AND THEIR WORK


Noun. Vernon Association. now being held at
.fo,nt Vernon More States are represented than
a. any OF the previous meetings and the daily SEES
,,ors have been unusually interesting. On Tues
day according to their annual custom the regents
gave a reception In honor of Governor O'Ferraii OF
virginia and the Advisory Committee. The old
mansion was beautifully decorated for the occa'
sion and tho luncheon. served In the library. would
have done credit TO even so notable housekeeper
as Mrs. Washington.
The work OF the regents IL 10 them labor OF ioVe'
ard they look forward 10 the annual meeting, whica
IL Invariably held at the home Of Washington az II
charming holiday Among those present at the meet
ing this year il Mrs. Mitchell of Wisconsin, the
only one living OF the twcntythrec original vce-re-
gents appointed by Miss Cunningham In 1NS MIS-
Mitchell Is pas: seventy, but she enjoys excellent
health Is very active. and takes as keen an inter-
Is; In all the affairs of Mount Vernon as any OF
her Younger colleagues. on Tuesday Mrs. Mi'chcIi
and FIVE Of her associates who belonged TO the ear
Ie- councils planted six trees in commemoraton OF
,hcir long service and OF the meeting this spring
some years ago the Mount Vernon Association IN
yi;ed the loan OF relics Of Washington and his
family 10 he placed at Mount Vernon. the regents
10 give certificates Of possession. with guarantees
tina; :hey would be returned whenever the owners
desired them. A, the meeting las, week the COM
r,,ee having the matter in charge reported the
acquisition Q. number OF such relics, the in
tercs,,ng 81 which are those len, by Mrs. Conrad.
OF New-oTlears. whose husband WAS a descendant
OF Mrs Washnston's family She has lent min
ia:ure 0. Washington. with n iock % his hair in
closed a; the hack. painted ivory by Field. the
artist. three r.@ces &C aos ;ha, belonged TO Mrs.
washington TWO p.eoss az china. three letters
fro.a Ms WasN'-s,o= 20 her granddaughter. Nell
lie Cus;:s ssre-sl o:ss- i5;isrs written BY men,
bers 9. - was,snEsea !&=a.y green SIX purse;
ST Ne.S. sNss.1s s,-,s S5.s % embroidery a poem
writes ~ N-s Nsrsn-e; I>ss;.s the death OF
Az: ~. 3 ;s;.. mir" Mrs @ coH 1Iadr has has
80 se-s a tz-6*a--s c2Asce: 10 hold this collec-
IL sAase ls2t-i 800 - finished, and is sue.
et*stn, -sgl-otacVitr ~ d Co.onial oeafoonl nat
s,o---.s sh> tt,nnihc e~longs the coat-of-arms OF
the A;ils sam vh,rl vss me most independent OF
the CN3,r.,a, ,itf ne 20 sign the Constitution
appears ~ fpaN'tbirs A shield bearing il hangs
on the va ~ ~ geo men ana ns .I ho, are re
DnTins The session % the association those OF the
regents who care 20 stay at Mount Vernon sleep
in its historic rooms and conduct their business in
its historic halls. which may have something TO
DO with their unfailng interest and enthusiasm
These devoted women guard Lealously their rights,
and flare up with indignation at any suggestion
that the United States shall buy the old estate.
The69 for 50 lS sv rsed the amS
10 buy which they restored until 1: is az near Ike
possible 10 make II. and which they, maintain:
The suggestion that the body OF Washington may
Riverside does not excite the slightest apprehen-
sion among the regents.
There is a great amount of interest taken by the
officials in Washington in the international expo
sition 70 be neld In Paris in 1900 and 1t IS hoped
that Congress will appropriate whatever sum II
settles upon early enough TO allow the Government
ample time prepare for the part 1t will take In
the exposition and that this appropriation will not
be delayed as the appropriation 10 meet the ex-
penses Of the Postal Congress has been delayed.
until the procrastination reflects dscredit on Con-
gress.
1T is a question" said one OF the Western Sem
aors the other day when the Paris E5posi n,nn
tries derive much benefit from partif;Piaung IN IN
they are held in neighboring countries for travel
IS general on the European put tnSy sae
lion, believing it wise thus TO make an exhibition
OF their national wealth and dignity But o the
sna su, Ia ee at exh6ons
s a. Ss
try IS proverbial as note the account OF
ners: and any means by which our cousins on the
other side water can be on fs 10
be productive of good.
The Secretary Of Agriculture has MADE hlmsel
daser,ealv popular with his subordinates during
the short time he has been at the head OF the
Agricultural Department. He Is not only genial
nleasant in his manners, direct, frank anu noiest
tn his speech but is the personhcation OF KIND
,sss and whenever he can contribute 10 the nap
pirees ana COHllOlt VI tii"S' "'NN
WAYS willing and happy TO DO So
.1t ia a long time since there has been such
feeling OF security among the clerks as at present
said a woman whose name rs on the rolls OF thls
recruitment. There is entirely different at
,posphere The employees. feeling that they are not
ha,ns .nied upon as II they prison convcts,
are even more particular In observing the rules.
and they have some enjoyment in doing their WORK.
knowing that their records will count when pro-
,no.,ons are made. The personality OF Secretary
feit a
as bopular was secretary iSush' "ho Was MUCH
the same type OF man."
Perhaps the most popular thing secretary WIZ
son is doing is reinstating the soldiers VINO were
dropped from the rolls and returning 10 thelr oid
n,aces those who were arbitrarily reduced. But
II Secretary Wilson is popular with those in the
Department he is mono the less popular win Inose
who visit IT, and he never seems TO be 100 much
occupied or pressed for time chat with his VS.
itor; but above everything he ENJOYS TAX NM
with whom he can compare notes f9 9grm hs Secre
looked after the agricultural interests OF MS part
ne fd a ws ssch an
one Of his colleagues OF assuming that he carried
b fTom IN m rns hem "
Whatever subject Wilson. became interested in
studied It thoroughly and sfted it TO the bottom en-
gaging the attention OF the House, Mr. wilson rode
Gh bmse to TO hoM Re amma Mere
Tor talked TO the train hands. and learned more
on the subject in that ride than he could have
learned i'm six months from books and the testi-
nony Of the experts VINO were caiieu OH 10 'eS'i's
before the committee"
The colored people Of the District are congrat-
ulating themselves on the appointment OF Henry
y Chatham as Recorder of Deeds of the District
This office for a number OF years has been held by
one of their race and it would have been great
disappointment If the Presidon. had decided on
white man for this place
Mr.. Cheatham is only forty years oid' ana was
born slave. Though he has scarcely more imam
an eighth of negro blood in his veins he IS as loyal
10 his II he full-blooded negro WIN
Booker T. Washington, ex-senator Bruce ana
other leading colored men. Mr. Cheatham realizes
that the development OF his race depends upon
education. He scarcely moro than a lad When