Gilpin observer., 1899-09-28
WASHINGTON NEWS.

work Of construction. he eXpectS 10
begin making smokeless powder In
about two months, ut the rate Of 1000
pounds per day. At this rate 1t will
take a long time to adequately stock
the naval magazines, for the thirteen
inch guns burn 75O pounds at shot.
Admiral O'Neill. chief of the Bureau
of Ordnance, inspected the work this
week and expresses qualification ut the
progress that has been made.
The three big transports, Logan
Thomas and Meade, which are being
prepared on the Atlantic coast for ser.
vice to the Philippines, will carry
about 1000 passengers, and for their
safety in case of accident will have
fourteen life boats, with capacity Of
fifty persons each, and eight life-rafts
which can carry from fifty to 100 per-
son each. In addition there will be
1000 life-preservers. There are forty"
seven transports on the Pacific, and,
none of them is allowed n navigating Of
ficer. The captain has to do this work,
Notwithstanding that frequently he is
kept at his post on the bridge for days
without an opportunity to properly fig
ure out his location. The matter has
been frequently discussed at the de-
partment, but without any relief be-
ing offered, and nowadays it is com
mon for the nervous officials to express
fear of an appalling loss of life. The
| transports have been exceptionally for
tunate in keeping their bearings and in
encountering favorable weather, but
the service which neglects to in
crease the safety by detailing navigat-
ing officers for each vessel and in fail
ing to provide adequate life-saving ap-
paratus is being generally criticised.
The War Department has issued
general order in regard to the eXamina-
ton of officers of the volunteer army,
an important provision of which Is that
vacancies of second lieutenants are to
be filed by promotion from the ranks
of the regiments in which they occur.
The order, which has been communi-
Gated to the commanding officers of all
the volunteer regiments, says: when
ever an officer has been given fair
trial and fails to demonstrate his fit
ness to perform the duties of his rank
he will be brought before board of
officers to be appointed by the general
commanding n separate army or the
military department in which his regi-
ment may be serving on the recOmmen-
dation of the colonel of the regiment.
The board will examine into and re-.
port upon the qualifications of the Of
ficer to discharge the duties of his Of
flee and its report will be forwarded
with the recommendation of the COM
manding general, for the action of the,
| President Promotions in the volun..
teer regiments will be made within
each regiment and by seniority. All
vacancies of second lieutenants will be
| filled from the enlisted men form the
regiment on the recommendation Of
| the commanding officer. 1t Is suggest
ed that you organize class of non
commissioned officers in your regiment,
| in which those eligible may receive
the instruction that will fit them to per-
| form the duties of commissioned Off
| GERS"
The announcement that Archbishop
| Chappelle of New Orleans has been
chosen apostolic delegate for the Phil
| ippines. attracts much attention in Of
fetal and clerical quarters. The posi-
| ton has been vacant up to this time,
and owing to the large property inter
ests of the church in the Philippines.
the official status it occupied under
Spain, and the influence of the clergy
over the natives, it has been regarded
as an apt factor in construction.
| About n year ago the Pope named
Archbishop Chappelle as apostolic del
egate for Cuba and Porto Rico. but no
| appointment was made for the Philip
pines and the Archbishop of Manila
| has continued to exercise chief juris-
diction. dealing directly with Rome.
In view of the latter's former strong
pro-Spanish views. his cooperation
with the United States military author
tiles at Manila has been the source Of
much satisfaction to the church author
ties here. But 1t is felt that the pres
ence of Il delegate in this country. au-
! fhoIizn1 m fnt. rho Vatican will
permit more direct cooperation on the
questions which are constantly arising.
| Under Spanish rule the Archbishop of
| Manila was n government official. re-
ceiving $4,000 annually, while four
bishops at the head of the four diocese
constituting the island. received $4,000.
This status no longer exists and the
church officials are maintained out OF
the church resources. II is expected
that Archbishop Chappelle's appoint
ment will permit reorganization of
the church system of the Islands. based
| on changed conditions.
According to the present understand
ing. Admiral Dewey will arrive in
Washington at $50 o'clock on the even
ing of Monday. October 2nd. From
that time until late Tuesday night he
will be given the most hearty welcome
which the citizens of the national capi-
tai know how to devise. Upon the ar
rival in the city OF the train bearing
Admiral Dewey an admirars saiute
will be fred mt the station. 4 troop Of
cavalry from Fort Myer will also he
In waiting and will act ms II bodygunrd
for the admiral during the entire cele-
bration. accompanying him to all ex-
ercises which he attends and returning
with him again to his home. From the
depot Admiral Dewey will he driven
to the White House. where President
Mckinley and the Cabinet will be wait
ing. The entire party will then pro-
cccd to the reviewing stand mt the
| 'rrnns,ry nnpnrtmnnt N Witness tho