Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-02-16
MINOR NOTES.

The antitrust conference which has
been in session at Chicago several days
broke up in confusion Wednesday over
resolution in regard to public ownership.
The medicinal, mechanical and chemi-
cal appetite to which the Rutland Herald
refers when speaking of the sales at town
agencies, is evidently improving at Mont
pelier The agency there did business of
S22,O9S.S4 for the year ending Jan. 81.
Senator Proctor has introduced bill in
the Senate for the erection of new pub
lie building at Burlington for the accom-
mediation of the United States courts,
post-office, customs house and other feder-
al offices, at cost of 100000.
Another step in the Fitchburg, Boston
& Maine lease affair was taken Tuesday
by the passage of two resolutions by the
Fitchburg directors at their regular meet
ing in Boston, one opposing the proposed
merger and the other submitting the ques-
tion to the stockholders to be voted upon
next month.
Bishop A C. A. Hall has issued circu-
lar letter calling attention to the needs of
the Vermont Episcopal Institute at Bur
lington, of which he is president. He asks
for an endowment of 100000 for Bishop
Hopkins Hall, the girls school of the lnsti-
tuition. Col. W. Seward Webb of Shell
burne and Col. LeGrand B. Cannon Of
Burlington have each promised 5000 to-
ward the endowment.
Rear Admiral McNair has been detached
from the naval academy at Annapolis on
sick leave, and the President has designat-
ed Commander Richard Wainwright to
succeed Admiral McNair as superinten-
dent of the naval academy. This is a
great compliment TO an officer Of his rank
and years, and is due to bis exceptional
ability and the signal services rendered by
him during the Spanish-American war
while in command of the auxiliary cruiser
Gloucester.
Several Vermont newspapers have re-
ferred recently to Col Frank L. Greene, edi-
tor Of the st. Albans Messenger, as the au-
thor of the Vermont letter which appears
regularly in the Boston Sunday Globe. Mr..
Greene dsclaims the authorship of these
communications, and says that the Globes
Vermont letter has not been written by
him since it was temporarily discontinued
by his absence from the state in the sum
mer of 1898, when he was in command of
Company B at Chickamauga.
Admiral Dewey has nailed another lie in
regard 10 his alleged relations and prom
ises to Aguinaldo. A New York paper
published letter from II. w. Bray, who
was said to have been an interpreter be-
tween General Aguinaldo, Consul General
Pratt and Admiral Dewey. Bray was
quoted as saying that certain pledges were
made in his presence. Admiral Dewey
says there is not word of truth in the
story. He never saw Bray and never heard
of him except as a disreputable adven-
turer in the pay Of the Philippine junta.
Mr.. Macrum, ex-consul to the South At
rica Republic, has given his reasons for
returning to this country, but does not
make the extraordinary revelation which
many expected. He shows that he was in
a trying position at Pretc ria, when some of
his fellow cOuntrymen, including his Off
cial subordinate, entered the Boer army.
His most important statement is that des-
patches addressed to him, bearing the arms
of the United States, were opened by the
British censor in Cape Colony while in tran
sit.
John Barrett, the Grafton boy whose
speeches and articles on the Philippines
and the future of the Orient have attracted
great attention, is said to be slated for a
position at the head of a commission to be
appointed by President Mckinley to inves-
tigate the trade possibilities of the far
East. Mr.. Barrett was formerly Demo-
cratic newspaper man, and was appointed
minister to Siam by President Cleveland.
After his diplomatic work was finished he
spent a year or more at Manila and since
his return to this country he has been one
of the most enthusiastic supporters of
President McKinley's policy.
Col. H. w. Allen of Burlington, who
returned recently from Cuba after a
months stay, met in Havana Franklin D.
Hale of Lunenburgh, formerly state audi
tor, who is now secretary to Major Ladd,
also Vermonter, formerly of Thetford.
Major Ladd is treasurer of Cuba, and is
one of the most popular officers in that
country. He handles a revenue of 81 ,000,-
600 month, and Cuban general is his
first assistant. Gen. Ludlow, the COVER
nor general of the port of Havana, and
Major Pitcher, the head of the municipal
court, are also Vermonters. At Matanzas
Col. Allen found Capt Harry B. Cham
berlain, formerly of the First Vermont
Regiment Volunteers, who is now as
sistant quartermaster of volunteers, hay
ing charge of the supplies issued to Cuban
hospitals for the province. Mrs. Cham
berlain, who is the daughter of Gen. and
Mrs. w. II. Gilmore of Fairlee, and their
child, are also there.