The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1902-10-03
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial Correspondence.

tkANS AA-SSA SLICE ETnnf a
ecutive mansion was almost entirely
rebuilt in 1915, after being burned by
the British on the night Of Aug. "a.
1914 In rearranging the partitions
aud rebuilding the inner walls tha
workmen have torn away portions Of
the oldest part, of the building. remov.
ing a quantity of old hand split laths.
such as We're made by the early set.
tiers of America and used in the build
ing when it was first erected in 1892.
People are anxious for souvenirs. but
somehow bricks and hand split la+hs
are just a tri6e awkward and not alto.
gether slightly. The old hand split
laths are all of yellow pine, Of the kind
one finds growing throughout the low
seacoast belt from Maryland to Texas.
and are SO well seasoned that many Of
them are almost as hard as flint.
There was, in fact, quite a rush of
souvenir hunters when the contractors
first began work, many of them re-
manning on the spot to witness the
tearing down Of certain parts in order
TO make sure Of the genuineness of
their relics.
Colonel Cook, the disbursing officer
claims to have secured the board Of
the floor upon which President Lincoln
stood when first inaugurated and adj
dressing his advisers, from which he
has had a cane made. Persons who
visit the scene Of operations leave it
carrying away nails, laths, pieces of
plank and other rubbish.
At the start some were very greedy
and would not leave until they had ey-
cry pocket crammed full, while others
made a practice of holding up the
wheelbarrow men and scattering their
loads along the pathway by delying in
the rubbish which they were wheeling
out. The prizes most in favor were The
gilt ceiling and mural decorations, and
several very lively contests ensued over
the possession of such material. This
became such a nuisance that Superin-
tendent French decided to exclude peo-
pie from the yard and house. At pres
ent no n can enter without permits
sion from him.
Not to Annoy Titled Foreigners.
When the next titled foreigner visits
the United States, coming on one of
the regular liners, he will not be an
noyed by the immigration officers with
such questions as, "Are you suffering
from any contagious or infectious dis
'ease?' or "Have you ever been in Jail,
my lord?" The officials are impressed
with the essential righteousness Of
of the queries which have been
put to first and second cabin passen-
gers during the last few weeks under
the rules and regulations enforced by
the immigration authorities at New
York, and a reform is proposed.
William Williams, commissioner of
immigration at New York, has written
a circular letter, which it is proposed
TO send to the agents of all the steam.
ship lines entering that port. This let
ter will be submitted to Secretary
SHAW as soon as that official returns
to Washington from his trip to New
England. 1t consists of permanent In
structions, describing what the officers
of the ocean liners are expected to do
In the way Of filling out the blank
forms furnished by the immigration
bureau.
Told Of Recruits.
A Washington boy, son Of a well
known official of the district govern
ment, is home for a brief visit from his
station at Columbus barracks, Ohio, he
being a second lieutenant in the United
States army. A large number of re-
cruits are being clicked into shape at
Columbus barracks and the young Of
fcer has a store Of amusing anecdotes
relating to the ROCKIES"
One OF the recruits was walking post
as a sentinel. when he was approached
by the officer Of the day and asked to
repeat his instructions. The reply was
walk this post, keep always on the
alert, and don't let any %dis-re-pute-
able people in, except officers wives
and families"
Another sentinel, in reciting his In
structions, said:
II must not let any children go out
side the post alone, unless accompanied
by their mothers or nurses"
Secretary Knox's Mail.
Private Secretary Long, who so eff
hciently fills the position Of confidential
man to Attorney General Knox, is get
ting an idea of the real value of news
paper advertising. A few weeks ago
a syndicate story was published in
many newspapers throughout the coun-
try, giving a bright biography Of the
life and career Of Mr.. Knox. 1t par
ticularly dwelt upon his generous char
acteristics and the great amount of
money he has given to charitable pur-
poses.
Ever since the publication of the ar
Iticle a deluge Of letters addressed to the
attorney general has reached the de-
partment of justice. The attorney gen.
eral is away for his vacation and has
not seer any of them so far, and Mr..
Long has been able to write to all of
the correspondents saying that the alb
sence of the attorney general prevents
any determination Of the, requests they
make. It is needless to say that all of
the letters are Of a begging nature, and
some Of them really present pitiable
conditions no