Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-25
AT OLD FORT OMAHA
War Department Gives Orders that Anoien,
Buildings Shall Be Removed.
THEY WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC 0UTCRY
Post to Be Used as a Detention Hospital,
Carrying Out Miles Suggestion.
NEW STRUCTURES TO SUpERStDE OLD
gurr1uo Traos ta y. n,t 0r& a. n;x. IT,
Ew STRUCTURES TO supERSeDE OLD
Surplus Trees to Be Gut Out to Give Fine
Naples and Blms Chance
GENERAL FURNISHING UP OF THE POST
Congressman Mercer Says the Rcpub-
licnns VIII Face Their Duty
Boldly Rt the Coming scs-
sion of Congress.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 24.-(Specia Teie-
gram) )-Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn has
approved the recommendations of Quarter
master General Ludington relative to the
removal OF the old buildings on the site OF
Fort Omaha and selling them at public
outcry.
Orders were issued today to Quartermaster
Hathaway Of the Department OF the Mis-
souri, to proceed to advertise for the sale of
Nos. "a, 81, 80, SO, 81, 3S. 80, 40, Al and Al
to So inclusive; also officers quarters Nos.
| 1 to 16 inclusive, and Nos 10 to 23.
This is done for the purpose of protecting
modern buildings on the military reserva-
tion and to clear the way for new build
ings, for 1t Is undoubtedly the purpose OF
the War department to follow the sugges-
| tions of Major General Miles when in Omaha
that old Fort Omaha should be used as dc
| tention hospital and recuperatng station for
soldiers returning from foreign service
| There Is no disposition on the part of the
War department people, far as can be
learned, to relinquish control of Fort Omaha,
but rather to utilize 1t for the purposes out
lined, and IL necessary to make it a re-
cruiting station as well. In addition to
the sale of the buildings above mentioned an
order was also made to have cut out from the
others without expense to the government
| the cottonwood and surplus trees which are
now seriously impairing the growth Of
! naples and elms.
Dave Mercer on Congress.
| Speaking of congress, which is about to
| assemble and which gives promise of being
one of the most important since the close
| of the civil war, Congressman Mercer said
| today:
Republicans are now in possession OF
| both branches of congress and they must
| face the responsibilities before them as they
have faced many trying conditions before.
l believe that they will fearlesely do their
duty. There will be no shirking and no
| hating when it comes to outlining policies
of the party. Economy will be practiced
wherever = possible In appropriatinns.
Upon the question OF trusts con-
gress will go as far as possible and
believe an amendment will be submitted to
! the constitution giving congress the power
| to deal with such matters, as suggested
by the supreme court in the interstate COM
| merce cases.
"There will be some currency legislation,
but of what character Is purely speculative
until after we have heard the report of the
subcommittee of the caucus. There will be
| no radical changes in the rules. They are
good enough as they are. They cannot be
improved upon and firmly believe the new
speaker, General Henderson, does not desire
any change. There will be some changes In
committees, but not in the heads of the
leading ones One change will be made
which will commend itself to all thinking
people. The minority is to receive greater
recognition than has heretofore been ac-
corded 1t.
"The policy OF congress will be to boldly
the great questions befOra II
and I have no doubt the republican party
will issue out OF this congress stronger than
ever. My motto is to perform all legisla-
tion necessary and get away to the country
and let the nation pass upon the work done"
MeikIejohn sticks to His Post.
On account of the absence from the city
tomorrow of the president and cabinet in at
tendance upon the funeral of Vice President
Hobart Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn has
decided to remain at his pest In this city.
The necessity of some OF the higher officials
OF the War department being in Washington
at this time Is stronger than ever in view OF
the tightening Gordon around the insurgents
in the Philippines.
| An allotment of $500 was made today by
the War department upon the recommended
tion OF Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn for
! the completion OF the barracks at Fort Nc
Kenzie, Sheridan, Wyo. This is only a sum
mer cantonment, built for two companies
especially but efforts will be made during
| the coming congress to make II permanent
military post.
| Plans and specifications for the addition
| to the postoffice building at Omaha have
| been about completed by the supervising
architects office and 1t is expected bids will
be invited early in the spring for the COM
pletion OF the building as contemplated In
the bill passed at the last congress increas-
ing the total cost OF the structure to $780,,
900.
| An order was issued today disseminating
| the postoffice at Krum, Jefferson county,
| la. Mail will be sent to Fairfield Mary
| s. Inman was today appointed postmstress
| at Oak Grove. PoWeshiek county, la.