Gilpin observer., 1899-07-27

600.
Postoffice department officials expect
to ask for an appropriation from the
next session of Congress for the use of
automobiles in collecting the mails at
all first-class postoffices. The purpose
is to ask permission to use the aDpro-
priation of $4,000 for horse hire al
lowance. The recent tests in Buffalo
have satisfied the officials here that
they may be used to advantage.
In response to the recently cabled
request of General Otis for 1000 horses
for use in the Philippines during the
fall campaign, the Quartermaster's de-
partment has chartered three vessels,
capable of carrying half that number,
the first of which probably will leave
Seattle August 10th. The vessels are
the Garonne. the Port Albert and the
Victoria. The Garonne will also be able
to take about 250 first class passengers.
The Bureau of Ordnance has taken
steps to relieve the coast forts of the
country from the large accumulation
or obsolete ordnance that has been pill
ing up ever since the change in ord
nance construction from east iron TO
steel guns. 1t is worth less as junk
than the cost of removing it and break
ing it up. The secretary has been ask
ed for authority to condemn and sell
it, and If no bids are made the great
guns and carriages will have to be de-
stroyed at government expense.
Secretary Long says that the post
which Dewey is to fill on his return
to Washington has not yet been Sc
lected and that no decision will be
made until the admiral's wishes have
been consulted. 1t is certain. how
ever. that the admiral will remain ut
Washington. probably at the head of
some important board. A board of in
spection and survey has been suggest.
ed. Should board of admirals be
the result of the proposed reorgnniza-
tion of the mechanical bureaus of the
department, Dewey will be the head
of that.
Secretary Alger has approved the
recommendation of Surgeon General
Sternberg that Fort Bayard, New Mex
leo, be set aside for the treatment of
consumptives of the army. General
Sternberg will Immediately begin work
looking to supplying the post with
all necessary conveniences. Some of
the troops will be withdrawn from the
post in order to make rom for patients.
A competent corps of surgeons will be
assigned to the post. General Stern
berg says that no medicinal system
will be prescribed except all possible
benefits from the climate. 1t is pro-
posed to transfer a number of patients
from the Soldiers Home, near Wash
ingtOn.
Secretary Alger's experience since ell
tering the Cabinet has been very bitter.
He has been assailed and criticised
more than any of his colleagues. and
was forced to take the brunt of all the
assaults upon the administration. He
is very sensitive. of fine nerves and
refined temperament. and he has suf-
fered keenly. Mrs. Alger has also felt
the bitter arraignment of her husband.
and is said to be bordering on nervous
prostration. She has been urgent in
her appeals to the secretary to retire.
but he was deluded with the idea that
he could fight down the opposition.
and consistently protested that he
would not retire under fire.
Immediately upon the authoritative
announcement of Roots appointment
and acceptance at the White House.
Secretary Alger gave out for publica-
ton the following letter, which he
wrote to Mr.. Root on learning that
INOOt WOulu Dt OIleTtu tHp Dlatp.
Washington; July 21.-My Dear Mr..
Root: All l know Is what the newspa-
pers say. that you are to succeed me
as secretary of war. Should it come to
you l most urgently urge you to make
the sacrifice and accept the position
With your great knowledge of law and
your excellent health you can serve
the country in way given to few
men,"
A dispatch sent to the Herald says
that President Mckinley has no inten-
ton of relieving General Otis from
command in the Philippines. He had
serious thoughts at one time of as
signing an officer of high rank TO COM
mand the forces In the field, leaving
Otis to perform the administrative du-
ties of governor general. The Presi-
dent had two propositions before him,
one to make General Lawton comman-
der of the fighting force. and the other
TO send Merritt back to his old place
The latter assignment would mean
subordination of Otis ms governor gen
eral to Merritt. who outranks him by
regular as well as volunteer title. Both
these ideas have been abandoned.
General Merriam has been called up
on by the War Department for n re-
port as to the operations of the troops
under his command in connection with
the suppression of the Idaho miners
riots. Noluminous complaints have
been filed with the President regard.
ing the action of the federal troops.
1t Is alleged that undue severity was
used In making arrests, and that need
less arrests were made. Some of the
complninants seem TO have been cspc-
cially nggrleved over the fact that col
ored troops Were employed by General
Merriam in making the arrests and en-.
forcing order. Copies of all these COM
plants have been sent to General Mer-
rlam. and he has been directed to make