The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1903-10-15
Signal of Distress up on the White
House
MERELY MISTAKE OF PORTER.
Who Turned the Stars and Stripes Up-
side.Down-.-Condition of Cere al Crops
..-Dewey's Men Waiting Patiently for
Prize Money.


cradle anxiety among the seafaring
men in the navy department across the
way. There were no appearances of
unusual excitement about the m ansion
such as may bs seen on a vessel when
the colors are run to the masthead
bottom side up, aud as the morning
mess was full, with no searching par
ties out, it was quite evident that none
OF the presidents family was lost
But why the Stars and Stripes should
be cutting capers over the White
house everyone was at loss to un-
derstand until after the employees of
the house had been put through a
civil service examination ia short
form. At length it was explained to
the satisfaction of all concerned that
Jerry" the rheumatic colored porter
who has been doing one thing or an
other in his line, and out of it. about
the house since "Befo de wah." was
responsible for the false alarm. On the
night before, the playful winds seized
upon the presidents flag like over en-
thusiastic carnival merry-makers and
tore it without leave or license with
the halyards from the mast. Conse-
auently. when GERRY" came on duty
In the morning he saw that something
was wrong and attempted to right it.
As old Jerry is little nearsighted
and not we'll up in nautical matters,
he readjusted tho tackle to the mast
without taking observations and sent
the colors to the topmost point not
noticing that they we're stars down.
When the White House was notified
tibet it was in distress and "Jerry"
was found to be the cause, the old
porter went aloft with the agility Of q
pet monkey, quite unmindful of mis-
aches and pains, and quickly restored
to its proper position the official en-
blem which announces to the world
that the presidents is at home and
ready for business.
The officers and men who served
with Admiral Dewey at Manila are
looking forward anxiously for action
by the Supreme Court for the District
OF Columbia in the claim for prize
money for the destruction of Admiral
Montijo's feet. More than five years
have passed since Dewey's victory in
Manila Bay, but neither the gallant
commander nor his men have received
their money for that victory. After
sharp fight in the District court it was
decided that Dewey was entitled to
prize money for the Spanish ships
that were raised repaired and taken
into the government service. 1t is
estimated that this will amount ste
$500, 900, which is to be divided when
made available among the 1900 men
that fought with Dewey at Manila.
Henderson M. Somerville, chairman
OF the board of general appraisers in
New York, is slated for removal.
There has been friction between him
aud the treasury department. for some
time on account of his contention that
the board is a judicial body, and that
it's members are appointed for life, the
same as federal judges, and can be re-
moved only for cause. In a recent
court decision in New York it was held
that the general appraisers may be re-
moved at the will of the president.
with or without specified cause The
friction was only with Secretary Shaw
and Assistant Secretary Armstrong,
until Mr.. Armstrong aroused the ire of
President Roosevelt by writing mag
azine article in which he criticised the
presidents position on the negro ques-
ton, referring to it as unwise, disturb
ing and tending to retard the solution
of the race problem. The president
and Secretary Shaw discussed Mr..
Somerville's case and decided to ask
him to resign as soon as his successor
can be selected.
Auditor Castle, Of the postofice de-
partment, has resigned to attend to
private business. The report OF At
tcrney Bonaparte may account for it.
Efforts will be made to amend ex-
tradition treaties with England and
France SO as to get at the Missouri alb
sconders.