The broad ax., 1903-01-03

REPORT THEM DRUNK, SIR"
One morning he called for the chief
surgeon and handed him the daily re-
port, saying: Take that back, and
make out an honest report The sur
geon protested that all Of his reports
were honest, but the commodore in
sisted that they we're not. Finally the
surgeon told the commodore that he
exceeded his authority, as well Is his
knowledge, in telling a surgeon how
to make out sick report. ThereuPOn
the old commodore almost took him
on his feet, by roaring out:
Take this sick report and make
it out honestly, or l will get sur
geon who will make an honest report.
Take out all of these lines telling of
officers who have dyspepsia, indiges-
tion, gastric irritation, gastric fever
and all that kind of rot. Make out the
report that these officers are unfit for
duty to-day, because they have been
drunk over night" This sick list has
got to be cut down."
Down east Of the navy yard reser-
vation," continued Mr.. Birth, ''Were
Widow Wheeler's possessions. Al
though her mansion was only Is by Il
feet, IL was located on q small run
emptying into the Anacostia river,
and the widow was sought by many
who believed in marrying land and q
~ tx tine Eka hnI
several small sail boats and 8 number
of row boats, and was fond of picnic
ing and excursions; but not one of her
numerous suitors ever made any prog
ress. The naval officers flashed their
brass buttons on her, but she would
have none of them Brass buttons
were not as potential in the matri-
monisl market then as they are to-
day.
Just beyond this reservation IA,
along the river front, is the congress
EiOnsl cemetery, and the remains Of
Christ church still stand near by.
This plot Of ground was given to the
congress by the widow of William
Young, and it was the intention of
having all congressman buried there
who might die il this city. It was in
tended to be q great honor, although
1 never heard Of any congressman
dying Just for the sake of being buried
here. Mrs. Ruth Young, owned more
land than did Widow Wheeler, and
she also was sought by the brass but
tons from the navy yard, but she re-
manned true to the memory of her
first husband and loyal to the land
that he left to her. She owned all of
the land set aside for the cOngressiOn-
al cemetery, and also about so acres of
what now seems to be the most desir-
able part of east Washington, but it
was all farm land then.
when was young man there was
not q session Of congress that did not
bring some persons here applying for
the privilege of putting up big ship
building plant. There must have been
wise men in the congresses Of those
days. All Of these people who came
begging for the franchise Of govern
ment ship building were turned down;
and the main argument Of the OBJ |
structOrs was that the time win come |
when there win not be enough water !
here for q navy yard and shiPbuilding |
plant And they were right"
This is interesting news from the |
past century. Those statesmen Of a |
hundred years ago, and up to so years
ago, must have been farseeing and sci
entihc men. Moreover, they must /
have been patriotic, because Mr.. Birth i
says that he very frequently heard IL |
stated that ''substantial Inducements !
were offered 20 influence legislation."
But, In those days, even the st. Louis /
aldermen were honest.
''Tbe Eliling vessels Of the navy used
to come TO the navy yard, /" continued
Mr.. Birth; 1and they received com
Pletg supplies here. Before the begin
mig OF the civil war I have often neen
our battleshiPs here at anchor, and
WeWereVsry proud Of them, for we be-
heVed them 70 be the terror Of the seas
until the eonfederate Merrfmac
rammed aud sunk them down az Nor
folk You VIII never understand how
We al were "a thiB city,
When the awful news broke upon uS
that our great battleships carrying
inxincible batteries, had
been hammered into EpIinters b. that
new monelsf % the seus
anrwTu w