The silver star., 1900-01-05
FROM WASHINGTON.
GOSSIP OF THE WHITE houoB
AND THE DEPARTMENTS.

AND THE DEPARTMENTAL.
The President is talking about tax.
ing a trip to the Pacific coast In the
spring. The new battleship Ohio will
be launched at the Union Iron Works,
San Francisco. in April or May. and he
thinks he may be able to get away for
fortnight at that time.
General Miles will take precedence
over Admiral Dewey at receptions and
all other public functions. The CAbi-
net has decided that rank has nothing
to do with the question, but that the
army n entitled to frs; place by virtue
OF seniority in organization.
President Mckinley has a new pair
Of sorrel horses with white faces and
long flowing tails. He drove them for
the first time Saturday hitched to his
road wagon. and with Mrs. Mckinley
for his companion he enjoyed a ten
mile spin in the frosty air. He now
has three PAIRS of horses-blacks, bays
and sorrels.
The naval board which conducted
( the trial OF the Miller coaling system
has submitted Its report to Admiral
Bradford. chief of the equipment bu-
reau. In weather as heavy as 1t was
D BidIltdpit 10 tostl SHIP dUy COu-
I ditions. the device transported about
/ twenty tons an hour safely. Altogeth-
er the board concludes that the appar-
atus will be Of value during war time.
and consequently the plant with which
the experiments have been conducted
will be paid for by the government un-
der the terms of the contract made last
summer.
Admiral George Dewey was g. years
of age Christmas Day. and under the
ordinary process of law would be
placed on the retired list on that ac-
count. The special law under which
he was advanced to the head Of the
navy makes no provision for his retire
/ ment, and therefore he will continue
/ on the active list of the navy, in all
/ probability. until his death. As a mat
ter OF fact, his retirement would make
no material change in his existing
status. His pay would be the same on
the retired list as on the active list,
and he would he entitled to the same
emoluments and privileges. including n
private secretary with the rank OF lieu
tenant and the usual number Of aides.
Ex-senator Faulkner of West vir-
glnla. who is looking after the inter-
ests OF Senator Clark OF Montana be-
fore the committee of privileges and
elections. has determined to subpoena
every member of the Montana Legisla-
ture and make him testify under oath
whether he received money or consid-
Grafton Of any sort for his vote for
| United States senator at the recent
election. Mr.. Faulkner contends that
this Is the only way To ascertain the
truth or falsehood of the charges
/ against Senator Clark. and he expects
TO disclose the fact that other candi-
dates than his client are liable to the
/ same accusation under which he IL
resrng. He also expects TO produce
confessions from witnesses who testi-
hed against John Il. Welcome.
Buffalo Bill and other Wild West
show managers will probably proceed
10 use Indians in their exhibitions
whether they have the government con
sent or not There is no disposition on
the part of the department to change
It's position relative to the use of the
Indians in such shows Both the sec
retary and the Indian commissioner
nave pronounced views agnnst IT, But
good lawyers say the government is
without authority to prevent Indians
from making private contracts with
the Wild West managers. and the gov
ernment authorities themselves incline
to the opinion that their power does
not extend beyond preventing con-
tracts through the Indian agents.
Many friends of Colonel Cody have
urged that owing to his uniform good
record OF conduct with the Indians in
his charge he be excepted from the op-
Grafton of the rule. but the authorities
nave been infiexible In the matter.
At the Cabinet meeting Tuesday i,
was decided to cOnstrue that portion
OF the treaty with Spain regarding the
return OF Spanish soldiers and prison.
ers OF war In the most liberal way
by the terms of the treaty the United
States agreed to transport all Spanish
soldiers and prisoners OF war serving
IN the conquered territory to Spain
quite number OF disputed questions
nave been raised In connection with
The repatriation OF the Spanish sol
diers serving In the Philippines. and
they have been the subject OF consid
cradle correspondence between General
otis and the Spanish representatives
nj Manila. In the peace treaty various
terms are used-"Spanish soldiers. .
Spanish prisoners" prisoners In the
hands or Insurgents" etc. After dis.
cusslng the question the Cabinet de
cided to construe the language OF the
frcnty liberally; indeed. to stretch 1t no,
only to cover all Spanish prisoners In
the hands Of the insurgents who nre
now falling into our hands. hut theii
families and NIL Spanish civilian Off
cials and their families. All will liz
transported to Spain at the expense OF
the United States.
One hundred and fifty.one fresh
mounds In the Arlington National Gem
etery and the last chapter In the trag
edy OF the men Of the Mime Is closed
The Maine has been remembered. ;
said member Of the Cabinet, standing
with uncovered head mt these grave,
Thursday. lie snid II rcvercntIy and
grimly. MAY these brave bows resI
In pence" The interment was simpls
ana impressive. One hundred nnd
sixty-fve remains are reported TO m
IN those 151 collins. Father Chndwick
chaplain Of the Maine. who had s,,D..r
Intended the disIntcrrIng Of the i,od
les at Havana ana hnd nccompn nicd
them here. spoke short heartfelt
prayer. His voice was htiskv "a. n.