The National tribune., 1900-10-18
CHAT oFiFHE CORRIDORS.

4
The matter of alotments in the kiowa-
Comanehb- Apache Indian Reservation is
causing the Interior Department cOnsid-
cradle Anxiety, fthe appropriation for the
allotment having been expended, and there
is not enough money in hand or in sight
to carry forward the work. Last week
Secretary Hitchcock had n lengthy con-
ference with Inspector Nesler, who had
come from the field to Washington to dis
cuss the outlook. He is understood tG
have Urged the necessity of hurrying the
work, as at the present rate of progress
The reservation could not be opened to
settlement for over a year. Mr.. Nesler
brought with him from the Southwest n
number of interesting photographs which
| he made while at work in the reservation
showing the camps of the surveyors and
| some of the difficulties which they have to
| encounter because of the rugged character
| If the country. The surveying is being
done from field notes which were made
| cyeral years ago, and i'll some cases the
| hainmem have been obliged to cut through
| 10 inches of grOwnovcr bark to reach the
| blaZCd places ON the trees, described in
| he field notes. In other places there is
| rank growth of underbrush which is al
most as impenetrable as tropical Jungle;
| aud it is with the utmost difficulty that
| he men cut Il way through. 1t is believed
| hat the Secretary is casting about to see
| # any of the funds set aside for the In
| terror Department may be legally used i'll
| arrying forward the work. In case the
| United States Attorney for the Interior
| Department finds no fund available for
| he puri ose an appropriation Will have to
| Jc asked for when Congress convenes in
| December.
Sophia Holmes, one of the oldest en-
| DloyeeS OF the Treasury, and the first col
| oTed woman appointed to n position I'M
Ter the Government, died last week, at the
ige of 40. She was Il free colOred woman
when, under Lincoln, she was appointed
3 charwOman. Ih 1863 she performed
Iced that practically gave her n life po-
ition in the Treasury. While at work
,ne afternoon she discovered large mum
Der Of Treasury notes in Il waste basket.
She immediately recognized that n big
blunder had been made. She wrapped
he notes in bundle and then sat down
N it, determined 10 await the coming of
Treasurer Spinner, it being the latter's
rstom 50 visit the Treasury every night.
Mrs. Holmes heard the footsteps of Mr.
Spinner and shouted to him. He haStened
IN her, with pistol in hand, not knowing
what to expect. She handed him the
money, Slll III SDheIS, dHu Ut WIS 50
pleased that he left Il standing request
hat her position should be made one for
life. She had her salary raised to com
Portable sum.
On another occasion Mrs Holmes de-
iected a man stealing SAT 900 from the
rouutinG-room of the Treasury. She
aused his arrest and the money was re-
overed. Mrs. Holmes was liked by every
oOdy in the Treasury, where she was ia
niliarly known as "Old Sophie" She
married Il slave, but saved enough out OF
her wages TO buy his freedom.
The Board of Ordnance and Fortifca-
rions, which has been holding a protracted
CSsion ih Washington, has recommended
hat no more disappearing gun carriages
5e made. There has been much cOntcn
ion among Army officers, especially
mong artillery officers, as to the value Of
disappearing gulf carriages upon fOrtih
atoms for coast defense. The consensus
# opinion has been that the disappearing
arriagc was good for low sites, but that
t was not suitable for high sites. The
recommendation of the Board is subject
20 the action of the Secretary of War
One Of the strongest objections against
he carrilgc is that its complicated ma
hiuery Is costly to keep in good shape
md is very liable to be thrown out Of
iction by ordinary happenings.
There is strong talk that Senator G. K
Davis, of Minnesota, will succeed Secre
.Iry Hay when President Mckinley be
sns his second term, rs it is likely that
he Cabinet viii be entirely re-cast, in ac
Ordance with the practice of reelected
Presidents. A better selection than Sen
ltor Davis could not be made. Probably
no living man is better informed on our
foreign relations than he.
The new battleshp Wisconsin made
splendid showing on her recent trial trip
Jff Lower California, and averaged Ill
Knots speed.
There are estimated to be 5000 eligible
voters in the District of Columbia who
Hill 20 to their respective States to vote.
There were IA murderers committed t.
Jail in Washington last year, three less
than the previous year. Nine of these
we're white and five colOred. There were
295 cases of houSebreaking, 303 grand lar
.enies, 3,4G0 petty larcenies, 30 highway
robberies and 24 forgeries.
Every little while child rolls his or
her iron-hOOp into the trolley slot, there i,
4 tie-up, much heat generated among the
delayed passengers, and call for the re-
Dair wagon.
Maj. Sylvester, the Washington Chief
If Police, is a far-seeing, progressive man.
md among his recommendations for the
ensuing year are for
Two truant officers.
A public playground, for tennis, base
ball, croquet bowling, etc, etc.
An enebIiate asylum.
Revival of whipping post for offenders |
against women. |
A new mOrgue. |
A law furnishing husbands who will not |
support their wives.
Five thousand dollars for increased po- |
ice protection during the next Inaugural |
lion.
Capt. Henry A. Castle, Auditor for the |
PostofIice Department, made an eloquent |
address to the Minnesota Republican Club |
.ast Saturday evening.