The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1904-07-22
WASHINGTON letter.
News From the Capital of the
United States.
TWO HISTORICAL DATES.
Monument Unveiled over Historic
Battlefeld-Gen. Greeley Goes to
Alaska-Negro Question.

NSA' NASSASy SVCo "
Alaska-Negro Question.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WAsnINGTON, -. e., JULY IA, 1904
Washington and Paris. in recent
times, are the only capitals which
have witnessed conflicts between con-
tending forces for capture. The
present week has been u memorable
one in this city, since on Tuesday a
monument was unveiled on the site
Of old Fort Stevens where, forty years
ago, 25, 900 Confederate soldiers under
General Early were forced to retreat
by the Union soldiers under General
Wright. At one time the city was in
panic, and preparations were made
to take the president and his famil,
down the Potomac in steamboat.
But instead Of flying, President
Lincoln went to Fort Stevens and
much TO the CONSERVATION Of the
officers insisted upon witnessing the
conflict and abiding the result. All
this took place on the 18th Of July,
1864, and this week the spot has
been marked by a beautiful shaft OF
granite raised to the memory OF the
dead of the l22nd New York Volun-
tecrs. Many Of the men who were in
arms on that day have survived to
this, and were present at the unvei,-
ing. Col. G. V. Tracy. who was once
a private in the regiment thus CON-
memOrated, made the opening adj
dress. 1t was memorable day for
Washington and recalled vividly the
trying and terrible days Of moro than
generation ago. Washington is
destined to become city Of mo1u-
ments aud memorials. 1t IS now pro-
posed to bring the remains Of Pierre
L'Enfant to the capital, and erect
over Ills grave suitable memorial.
lie is the celebrated Frenchman who,
under the guidance of Washington,
drew up the plan upon which the
present city Is built. 1t has been
suggested that great granite bould-
er be placed upon his grave, and that
a map of the city be carved upon it.
Yesterday your correspondent met
TIM hona y n. s,f lVnv
w. Greeley, of Arctic fame, Chief Of
the Signal Corps. lie is tall, thin,
very gray end quite feeble. He STEPS
sJftly aud feels his way along like an
Old man. During recent years he has
aged fast. The assault he suffered
few years ago, when some Baltimore
roughs, tried to force their way into
his house, was a severe shock. The
General will soon depart for Alaska
upon an inspection tour. going to
Seattle and Sitka, to attend the
opening Of the Government cable be-
tween those cities. The General is
much interested in wireless teleg-
raphy, and has ordered Il test OF the
Fessendcn system between Forts
Wright and Schuyler, Ia New York.
AS chief Of the Signal Corps he is not
yet convinced that trustworthy lines
OF wireless communication can be es-
tablishcd for long distances. Capt.
Wildman. 8: the Signal Corps, will
also proceed to Alaska to try and
establish wireless communication be-
tween Cape Nome and st. Michael,
across Nortou Sound, distance Of
10 miles. In preparation for the
coming army maneuycrs at Manassas
iL Virginia, Gen. Greeley has ordered
two automobile supply cars. which
will be operated on the fields and
roads to keep communication open
between distant parts of the field.
Although Mr.. Bryan charges that
President Roosevelt is trying to IN
ject the race question into American
politics, which, if it becomes national
will make 1t impossible to consider
economic questions, it is known that
the President has no such idea.
Those who wish to get a full and fair
knowledge of the negro in America,
what advance he has made since free
dom came to him; what position he
occupies TO. day; how much and he
cultiyates; how much personal pro-
perty and real estate he owns; what
srts been the decrease Of his illiteracy: