The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-01-02
ASK GOVERNMENT TO
TAKE LIBERTY STATUE.
Bartholdi's Goddess in New
York Harbor TO Be Trans
ferred to United States.
THE HISTORICAL PICTURES
President Insists on Having Them Re.
hung Without Regard to Deco
rations-Another Alaska
Scandal.

washington, Jan. Ia proposal lnal
the Bartholdi statue of Liberty on Bed
loes island in New York harbor be
transferred to the government has been
received by Secretary Root from the
commission in charge of the statue.
Since last spring When the treasury
department decided that the statue
should not be used longer as a light
house the quartermaster generals de-
partment of the army has maintained
light in kiberty's torch for senti-
mental and patriotic reasons. This ar
rangement is unsatisfactory, however,
in that there is no certainty how long
the practice will be continued, and the
commission In charge, of which Colonel
Pinchoe is president, has suggested to
Mr.. Root that he secure congressional
legislation for the transfer of the statue
to the government.
The commission promises that, if the
transfer is made, it will turn over to the
United States treasury fund of $40
600 for the maintenance of the statue
as work of art and an aid to naviga-
tion. Mr.. Root will give the matter his
earliest attention.
Roosevelt RcsGrrects Pictures.
When President Roosevelt's attention
was called to the story printed i'll the
Tribune last week regarding the neglect
to hang the pictures of preceding fpresi-
dents in a conspicuous place, he took
matters into his own hands, disregard
ed the plans of the architects, and the
old pictures so much priced by visitors
to the White House Were brought up
from the basement and placed upon the
walls of the main floor.
The difficulty Was entirely over the
plan of the architects. They renlodeled
"a 90 81 re q 4
was absolutely no space for the fa-
nous portraits OF TIE old presidents,
and they were accordingly sent down
stairs to decorate the walls of the base
rnent
President Roosevelt, however, solved
the problem. He had the portraits
brought upstairs, and they We're hung
to the best possible advantage. regard
less of the elaborate decorations pro-
v1ded by the architects President
Roosevelt, as historian, was aware of
the fact that these old portraits are
absolutely priceless, and he was much
disturbed that in remodeling the White
House absolute provision was not
made for their proper display
Strenuous Singlestick Work.
The fact that the president enjoys
singlestick play as means of exercise
has led to sensational story that he
was nearly blinded by being struck
over one eve with stick. The presi-
dent did receive a slight bruise on his
forehead, two or three inches above the
left eye, a few days ago, but he laughs
at the thought that there should have
been even a mention of the bruise
several of which may be expected at
each play at this exercise.
The president has been playing sin
glestick nearly every day for month
with General Wood, with whom he
rides, walks and goes through other
exercises. When the president and
General Wood begin to play single
stick the understanding is that each
is to do his best and that there is to
be no sham. So they attack each other
with the earnestness of genuine open
ents.
General Wood left the bruise on the
president that has caused the story
that the latter was nearly blinded.
ofiRne Scandal in Alaska.
Alaska Il. I5oiling with another official
scandal. "A delegation representing the
business interests of Nome has come to
Washington to urge the president to
dismiss peremptorily United States
Marshal Richards. not alone because he
has twice been convicted of contempt OF
court and once for alleged participation
in jury -bribing, but because his contin-
uation in office is menace to the peace
of the district. Bob Bruce of Nome,
former member of Rooseyet's rough
riders, is here and wants to succeed
Richards It is stated he will be ap-5
pointed marshal.
The Jury-bribing enterprise concerned
the former postmaster of Nome who
admitted a shortage in his accounts of
IS, 600. A postoffice inspector caused his
arrest and he was placed on trial for
embezzlement. The jury acquitted him
Ill W1nkpVCAo Tl1 +l0 mr. lad 1otf f1,o
trial ordered the district attorney to
bring before the bar all persons Whom:
he suspected of having tampered with
the jury. Richards and a saloonkeepsc
named Jordan, who is the political boss
Of Nome, were promptly arrested and
adjudged to be in contempt of court.
They were fined $500 apiece.
Richards Popular in Washington.
Former Governor W. A. Richards OF
Wyoming, who will succeed Binger Her
mann as commissioner of the general
land office, is a very popular official in
washington. He has been assistant COM
missioner for four years, and his execu-
tive and business ability have COM
mended him to the president and Sec
retary Hitchcock. Tt is certain that un-
der Commissioner Richards there will
be many changes in the methods here
1ofore employed in conducting business
of the Office.
Shiras Will Soon Retire.
Judge Shiras Of the supreme court of
the United States will retire some time
during the present winter. The date has
not yet been fixed and cannot be until
certain cases which have been argued
and other cases which have been set
for reargument have been disposed Of
Mr.. Shiras, however, will retire during
the present session Of congress, in or
der that his successor may be confirmed
before the adjournment. Among the
names proposed as his succsesar is that
OF William H. Ti.ft, civ. F5far of
the Philippines.