New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-29
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.
rr soIDIERS ENCAMPED NEAR WASH
,,crON AND THEIR VISITORS.
.oxsRf.ssMEN AND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
ANXIOUS TO GO TO wAR-JAPAN's
REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE
ARMY AND NAVY.

l -, ,hsir number is being augmented by new
! .-.,ro,s every day. The white tents spread on
l -..., meadows and the stalwart boys in blue
,rsrv occupied among them or drawn up for
,,ss parade make an interesting picture. AL
..oreh later on the soldier boys may be COM
,sreS 70 live on bareback, bacon and muddy cof-
~ they are just now feasting on fried chicken
.,s vegetables in season. strawberries and cream
,a milk fresh from the dairy. Meanwhile they
4, M, lack for entertainment. People so in
.,aarns TO visit them: the Salvation Army has
.,,eady attempted their conversion; Senators and
vsnhers from the States represented by the
,roops with their wives and daughters drive out
n cheer them up. and women members OF differ
On, temperance and religious organizations are
constantly on the ground in the interest OF their
societies.
, The President is extremely popular with the
visiting soldiery. They remember his war rec
ard and II is the soldier rather than the states
man who appeals to them. Because OF his ser
vice in the Army they are sure OF his sympathy.
eonaden, that their interests are safe in his
hands and while they are interested In politics.
read the papers with ayidity. discuss the present.
ntuaton and chafe at the delay in being sent to
The front they do not presume to criticise the
Executive, and any remarks In the least uncom-
plmentary to him are vigorously discouraged.
Many Members OF Congress are anxious 10 re-
dgn their seats and take an active part in the
var This is not strange. since a large number
IN the lower house are young men with all the
enthusiasm that is apt TO decline after a man
has lived a haf-century. Edward Everett Rob
bins Republican from Pennsylvania who Is
serving his first term In Congress- has already
received the promise OF captancy. much to his
delight as ne has long been associated with mil
i!ary affairs In his State. Mr.. Robbins Is on the
sunny side OF forty. lawyer by profession. and
for more than ten years he has been active In
the politics OF the district which ne represents.
Al the very beginning of hostilitcs another
young member Robert F. Broussard. from the
Hid District of Louisiana. volunteered 10 raise
I regiment Of immunes but this. like many other
similar offers was not accepted. He hopes. how
eyer 10 obtain curpmission. and will be de-
.ailed to service naturally. with the immunes
hr Broussard is a handsome fellow and one OF
the youngest members in the House. To him.
more than to any other one person. the destruc-
ton OF the lottery, which was for so many years
I disgrace 70 Louisiana is due From the mo
ment he entered politics he used all his strength
vassed the State on this subject. and through his
work against the lottery earned the position he
BOW occupies.
The men In the departments also are, many or
them anxious to enlist. but hesitate because OF
The people dependent upon them. knowing that
enlistment under the present law would mean
the forfeiture OF their positions The Civil Ser
Vice Commission Is preparing plan which VIII
allow those who SO desire 10 enlist without any
great sacrifice The plan provides for q suspen-
sion OF the rules regarding substitute clerks, let
ter-carriers and the like and gives TO those who
Join the Army permission 10 put In their place
some member OF their families 10 serve during
their absence In this way those dependent upon
hem will still have the benefit Of their salaries
The Naval Observatory is again a victim OF
he interests OF the service. and for the third
time In less than a year there has been change
IN It's superintendent At his earnest wish Com
mander Goodwin. who succeeded Commander
Davis some two months ago has been relieved
Of the peaceful occupation OF directing the Naval
Observatory. Commander Phythian. retired. one
Of the former supcrintendents, succeeds him, but
Tits appointment is only temporary, as Com
nander Davis is likely 10 be restored to this post
soon as the war il ended.
Three times already since It's foundation the
work Of this great laboratory has been inter
ruped by war. SO long it Is under the control
Oh the Navy Department its work will be inter
Tered with, its aims defeated by the exgences OF
Inc service and the constant changes Of It's per
sonnet
Japan has accredited representatives. In both
branches OF the United States service Major
0niba, Of the Imperial Artillery, who has been