The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1903-08-26
WASHINGTON LETTER
[sr,eciar Correspondence.l

[SI,eciaf Correspondence
Robert Shaw Oliver, recently ap-
pointed assistant secretary of war, is
considered a promising candidate to
succeed Secretary Root when the lat
ter retires from the cabinet There
seems to be an understanding that Mr..
Oliver meets the requirements, and his
appointment will be fayorably consid-
cred
There is no secret in the fact that
Secretary Root intends to surrender
his official position as soon as he can
complete certain important matters
now in hand and return to New York
and the practice of law. The date Of
his retirement, however, is very indef-
mite. He will sail for England the last
of August to take his place as chair
man of the American commission in
the Alaskan boundary case. 1t Is I'M
derstood that he will continue as sec
rotary of war during the time he Is
abroad. In case the affairs which have
been under his especial charge in
which he is very much interested are
still unsettled when he shall return to
this country it is expected that he Will
continue as secretary Of war.
There are other considerations which
may prolong his stay as member OF
the cabinet until after the next Ses-
sion Of congress shall adjourn. The
fact that he is familiar with every
thing pertaining to Philippine affairs,
with the administration in Cuba and
with the management of all military
matters since the Spanish war, all Of
which subjects may be considered by
the next congress, may cause him to
continue until then in his present po-
sition.
The Marine Band. !,
The members Of the United States
Marine band held an informal celebra-
ton at the barracks the other day in
honor of the one hundred and fifth an
niversary of the organization Of the
band. Lieutenant Santelman opened
the programme with toast to the mem
DRY of President John Adams, who on
July II, 1903, approved the aet"proyid-
ing for drum corps for the Marines"
which had been passed by congress the
day before He then gavesan outline Of
the history Of the band, and afterward
the musicians played number of well
known productions, beginning with
Hail, Columbia" which was composed
for and played by the band in 1903.
The Marine band is the oldest in the
country and has always been attached
to the headquarters Of the marine corps
in Washington. 1t jhas taken no part
in the wars Of thisScountry and indeed
has never left the capital except by OF
fetal permission, its mission being to
furnish music at all White House en-
tertainments Of Importance and at like
affairs Of state.
To Reorgnnize Consulate Service.
Assistant Secretary of State Herbert
III. D. Peirce has gone to Europe for the
ostensible purpose of inspecting the
United States consufates. The work
he will perform is gilmore than ordina-
ry Importance, as the result of his in
vestigations will probably have consid-
cradle weight upon legislation that will
come before the next congress. There
is quiet determination to effect q re-
form In the consular service, and con-
gress will be urged to assistFwith the
necessary legislation.
There is good deal of dead timber
in the consular service which 1t Is
proposed to weed out, andsif congress
will pass the necessary laws the serv-
ice will be placed upon a merit basis,
and system of advancement and pro-
motions will be arranged that will Of
fer inducements for cauable men to
represent the government abroad as
consuls.
Fun In the Pension once.
Pension Commissioner Ware, whose
sense of humor is as acute as it is
broad and deep, fairly revels in the
highly original letters that come to his
desk in abundance beyond that Of the
correspondence of any other govern
ment department. But>among all those
of recent date tlH, following, with its
delicate tribute 70 his predecessor, who
had turned dcIwn'' the applicant a
couple of years ago, in his opinion is
entitled to the "bun:'
"Sur-Sum z years ago sent a peal
to yure offits. and rite now to let yu
no am ALIVE and to INQUIRE if yu are
the saimaosr if yu hav cult the ole stan
and letter his royn magisty Holt Cakes
EvGhs tesld the skillet. If Evans has
cnaist WI up tire or put yu under a
bari yu fsholy Gin boiler down or tork
thru thesbung hoal and let me no how
stan aessen yure scairt outen yu
close"
Revenue Cutters ON the Lakes.
The Tuscarora and the Morrill,, two
Of the finest boats in the revenue serv-
ice, will shortly begin their work on
the great lakes. The Tuscarora will be
detailed to the Chieago-Milwaukee sta
ton, while the Morrill, will be sent to
Detroit to take the place of the Fessen-
den, the old side wheeler, which, will
probably be sent to Key West. The
| new boats will be started west via the
Canadian canals Immediately after the
international yacht race, during which
they will be employed in policing the
| course.
No More Age Limit ON Veterans.
| An important order has been issued
at the direction of the president amend
ing the civil service rules removing the
age limit that has for some time oper
ated to exclude veterans of the civil
| war from appointments on the roll OF