Gilpin observer., 1899-06-15
WASHINGTON GOSSIP
AND DEPARTMENT NEWS.

The contributions to the Dewey home
fund received up to the 10th amounted
to $553, making the total so far re-
ceived $G.7S9. Advices received show
that contributions in considerable
amounts are being made to newspa-
pers, banks and commercial bodies in
all sections of the country, and the in
dications are more encouraging than
at any time since the fund was started.
i The secretary of state and Mrs Hay
entertained the new Spanish minister
and Duchess D'Arcos Thursday night
| at a brilliantly appointed dinner, at
| which were present several of the most
prominent members of the diplomatic
corps and Il few personal friends of the
host and of the guests of honor. 1t
was the first appearance of the min
| lister in official society since his ap-
| pointment, and a particular effort was
made that this initial entertainment
should be pleasant. The decorations
| were in green and white. an immense
bed of orchids filling the center of the
table.
The new Nicaragua commission will
meet in this city during the present
week for organizing and will probably
sail for Panama by steamer on the
10Th inst. After making an eXamina-
ton of the Panama canal. it will go
to Nicarauga to confer with the gov
ernment of that republic and complete
the examination that was partly made
by Admiral Walkers commission.
President Mckinley has intmated that
he desires it to have its report ready
for presentation to Congress at the
opening of the next session in order
that there may be no further delay in
the legislation necessary for the con-
struction of the canal.
Theoretical cvil-service reformers
who are criticising the recent order
will be surprised to learn that it was
prepared by Charles Lyman. who was
member of the civil-service commits
sion. or chief examiner of that body
for more than fifteen years. In various
capacities he was connected with the
commission almost from the beginning
of its existence. and was president of
the board at the time when Theodore
Roosevelt was member He was re-
tanned in office by President Cleveland
and President Harrison. and is recog-
nized by civil-service reformers every
where as the best-informed expert on
matters relating to the civil service.
The action of Aguinaldo in dissolv-
ing the Filipino Congress and declaring
himself dictator is no surprise to the
officials of the War and State Depart
ments. 1t means that the members of
the Congress who up till now had been
the tools of Aguinaldo, We're inclined
to take matters into their own hands
and accept the terms of peace offered
by the American commissioners. This
their leader would not permit, although
he has repeatedly declared that he was
powerless to make peace without the
consent of his Congress. Aguinaldo's
action in declaring himself dictator is
believed to be favorable indication
and the last resort of this petty but
troublesome adventurer.
The appointment of Gonzales de
Quesada, who has been the active man
of the Cuban junta in Washington, as
a representative of the Cubans at the
capital of the United States. is gen.
orally approved. His methods and
statements since he came to Washing
ton at the beginning of the Cuban re-
bellion have not always been in strict
accord with the highest ideals of NOR
ality. but he has worked with great
zeal and ability in behalf of his fellow
countrymen, and since the surrender
of the Spaniards has rendered good
service in trying to reconcile them to
the situation. He is still capable of
rendering valuable assistance in the
tranquiliZation of Cuba, and there Is
no doubt of his loyalty to the United
States.
In reply to an inquiry on the sub
ject President Mckinley has received
from General Merriam statement
relative to the condition of the Ward
ner prisoners. He says when he left
Wardner May % he reported the san
itary condition of the prison as be-
yond complaint. The building was
heated by stoves and there was
large court yard for exercise. The
prisoners Were comfortably housed
and better fed than the troops. One
man was seriously i'll and he was in
"a hospital in the town. The latest
sanitary report received by General
Merriam from Captain Leavell. dated
June 10, showed 10 sick one serious
ly. out OF 335. one death had oc-
Cured.
The Navy Department has issued n
circular fixing the salaries of navy off
GERS under the naval personnel bill Ad-
miral Dewey will receive S13,5OO,
whether on duty at sea or on shore.
The senior rear admiral's pay Is fixed
at $500 nt sea and S6.3T5 on shore.
Rear Admiral Schley is In this list. but
only receives the minimum amount. as
he Is assigned to shore duty. The Jun
lor rear admlrals receive $500 while
on sea duty and Si,677 on shore. Rear
Admiral Sampson is In the Junior list,
but having command at sea receives
the maximum pay Should Schley be
given an assignment mt sea he would
receive $1,000 more year than Samp-
son. but as II Is now his pay amounts
TO but SST5 more. =
Although the members of the com
mission which was sent to Porto Rico
by the President were not unanimous
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