The times., 1899-04-12
GENERAL WASHINGTON
{ NEWS AND GOSSIP.

1
mony OF Brevet Maj. Gen. William r.
Shafter before the Miles Court of Enquiry
yesterday led good many people TO ex-
press the opinion that Ayers former fat
| friend had proved himself to be the worst
kind of an migrate. He has apparently
decided to abandon Alger and Eagan and
| the other members of the War Department
combination to their fate. Shafter actually
admitted on the stand that canned roast
| beef was unpalatable. He owned up to eat
ing some of it himself. which may account
for his passing so much time during the
| siege of Santiago in his hammock instead
| of at the front. However the most i'm
portant fact developed at Skaters exami-
| nation yesterday was that he had cut loose
| from the Alger combination. II there had
| ever been any doubt in the minds of any
| sensible persons that Alger's days were
numbered as a member of Mr.. McKinley's
Cabinet, it would be dspelled by a close
perusal of Skaters testimony. Shafter
owns up to good many shortcomings on
the part Of the War Department, which is
| in itself mCst grievous offence. 1t Is
clear that Shafter has thought it advisable
to throw Mr.. Alger down hard. 1t will
| be interesting now to observe whether Al
ger VIII retaliats on Shafter or not. The
| two men have been very close In the
past and the present situation Is somewhat
| puzzling. Skaters plain duty in the judg-
ment OF many officials has been to stand
by Mr.. Alger at all hazards His failure to
do so will doubtless lead to many COM
plications.
| Secretary AIgcr's Return.-Mr Aleer
has left Porto Rico with his party of
! friends and is headed direct for the
United States. He is expected to arrive
here some time before Saturday In the
mean time the talk about his probable sue
cessor is renewed all along the line.
| through the newspapers and in the public
cafes Mr.. Alger is apparentely up against
| it very hard. If Alger is able to retain
| his place in the Cabinet after his return,
| said leading Republican last night. 'he
will be wonder sure enough. He will
be eligible for first-class position in
| dime museum.
| Peace With Spafn-The resumption
| Of diplomatic relations with Spain will
probably be matter of only short time
now that the formal ratification Of the
| Treaty of Peace has been exchanged be-
| tween Washington and Madrid. Spain,
| however, being the defeated party. will,
| according to diplomatic usage. be re-
| quired to take the initiative and appoint
| a Minister to this country before the
| President will select anyone to represent
! our Government at the Spanish capital. 1t
| is not expected that there will be any
| long delay on the part Of Spain. however.
| in this connection. There is talk of rails
| ing the Spanish mission to an Embassy.
| and this will undoubtedly be done If Spain
| approves of the proposition.
| There is almost no speculation in diplo-
matte circles concerning the next Minis
| ter to Spain from this country. 1t seems
| to be generally accepted, however that
| former Minister Gen. Stewart L. Wood
ford will not be the man. The President
| 1t Is stated, will be likely to select some
new man who has not been identified with
| our rupture with the Spanish Government
| and the subsequent proceedings.
| Depew StOry.-Dr. Chauncey NJ.
Depew, of New York, prides himself upon
his wonderful memory and his knowledge
of human affairs. Recently he made an
appointment with a gentleman to dictate
a brief sketch. for publication, of the Su-
preme Court The meeting took place in
Mr.. Depew's library in New York.
! 'I think remarked Mr.. Depew. that
have perhaps got the best private reference
| library OF anyone in the United States.
There is not subject that can be men
toned that 1 cannot find out all that has
been published about it right here in this
room. OF course my memory helps me
great deal. / rarely forget anything that
/ ever read or hear. l can repeat CONVEX
sations almost verbatim that took place
| thirty or forty years ago.. Mr.. Depew
continued in this strain for some few min
utes and then squared himself to COM
mence his promised dictation.
"The first Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court" ne began. and then after pause OF
a full minute he added: by the way,
who in the devil was the first Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court? His name has es-
capped me for the moment" His listener
was unable 10 supply the desired informa-
ton upon the spur of the moment and be
suggested going TO the shelves of Mr.. De-
pews wonderful reference library. This
was done A full half hour was spent in
a fruitiess search for some book contain
ing a history Of the Supreme Court.
Mr.. Depew laughed.
at is very strange" he said. 1T is the
first time in over forty years that | have
not been able instantly to place my hand
upon any book of reference that desired
At this juncture the stenographer, who
had been engaged in sharpening pencils
and getting ready to record the momen-
tous dictation, looked up in an distracted
way and said:
"I think that John Jay was the first
| Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
so he was. so he was exclaimed Mr..
Depew and his friend. is it not strange"
AIr. Depew added, how a well known
name will sometimes escape ones mem
ory?'
The article was finished without any fur
ther delay and it is said that Mr.. Depew
has not Dragged about his marvellous refer
ence library since that time.
| izs
publicans have been disposed to grumble
over the appointment of Z. Bartlett Trip,
of South Dakota, former Minister to Aus
tria, as the representative of the United
States on the Samoan Commission. Mr..
Tripp held office under Mr.. Cleveland and
has passed as a Democrat. 1t transpires
that he is a gold bug Democrat, however,
and did not vote for Mr.. Bryan in 1896.
He is also said 10 be brother-in-law of
Senator Cushman K. Davis, who is Chair
man of the Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee. and who was a member of the
Paris Peace Commission. Mr.. Mckinley.
for reasons that may be obvious to the
average student of politics. seems to be
particularly anxious at this juncture to
cultivate the gold bug Democrats of the
country.
But How Would AISer Feel:
| (rrurn the Richmond Dspatch)