The National tribune., 1904-09-29

duty Of artillerymen in the coast forts is
one of military drill and mechanical work
and real labor in the protection and care
Of the guns. Men who become skilled
mechanics and can operate these delicate
pieces of mechanism, such as the disap-
pearing gun, with electrical apparatus.
rangefnders. and all the other machinery
that is now a part Of the equipment of
every fort, can get a good situation at
much higher pay than the Government
affords.
Another reason why artillerymen prefer
other service is because the chances of
getting into action in case Of war is about
Is times as great if they belong to the
infantry as if they were in the coast artil-
lery. There is only about one chance in
a hundred that any fleet will approach
the forts along our seacoast, and possibly
one or two forts out of the whole number
would be approached by fleet. Artil-
lery officers as well as men realize that
the opportunities for great service is not
likely to come to those who are behind
the guns in one of the many forts that
guard the harbors and seacoasts of the
United States.
The War Department has ordered that
all trumpeters, bandsmen, and members
of mounted bands shall have revOlvers is
sued to them, and shall have q full course
of mounted and dismounted pistol prac-
tice.
ed the Quay house, on X street, for the
Winter. and will probably do some nota-
bic entertaining during the Winter.
There is a pretty well-defned belief
that Senator Thomas NJ. Patterson (Colo.)
is going to get married, and that he is
going to marry the divorced wife of
George N. Nagle. of Cheyenne, Wyo. Sen
ator Patterson is a good deal of ladies'
man.
Hon. Joseph s. Potter who was for
Is years identified with the Consular serv
ice of the United States. and who devoted
his attention particularly to the expOrta-
tion of silk from Germany to the United
States, died last week. Mr.. Potter did
much to better the Consular service, and
was the first to introduce into this coun-
try the culture of the silk worm. He
had a beautiful place right in the heart
Of Washington, not such a fine house,
but such exquisitely-kept grounds. He
had a tiny model garden, and then on the
side of the lot next the street the most
beautiful flowers. He gave them all away
and said he kept the flower garden that
people passing along the street might see
how much better and more pleasing
of his friends followed his example, and
so he became a real philanthropist.
Mr.. Cyrus ]. Finch, Of Chicago, who
has just returned from Russia, tarried in
Washington a few days. He says that
an American is q marked man In Russia,
and that he gets the cold shoulder from
start to finish in the dominion Of the
Gar. He says that no matter who wins
cans will never again have the favor Of
Russia. no matter what happens. The
Russians consider that we have used
them scandalously in this war of theirs
Now what on earth have we been doing?
They do say that perfumes are good
disinfectants. Well, it is an i'll wind
that blows nobody good. If perfumes can
be put to some good use. the public might
women have fashion Of sewing little
perfume bags all through their clothing
The perfume most used il violet and
orris root. If there is anything more dis
agreeable in all this wide world in the
shape of a smell than dead" violet or
orris scent, the stuff hasn't been named
1t is absolutely sickening. 1t tells of lack
of airing of clothing. 1t mingles with
the odors of the body, and in rOomfu
of people "perfumed" after this fashion
the clean-minded person feels like asking
for bathtub and SOAP for the party.
Your Uncle Joseph Ii going into the
campaign. The Speaker Of the House is
mighty near as big a man as the Presi-
dent of the United States, and he carries
heap of dignity, but failing to go into
he - 4
Cannon believes in nice, clean politics Of
vigorous character. and that is the kind
of medicine they will get who go TO hear
him. Uncle Joe isn't an elOcutionist, not
by long shot, but my goodness how he
can ram truth home in plain English.
Why, you just have to believe it when
he tells you it is 80. He is one Of the
lican party. He is good mixer" And
after all that counts for nearly as much
as knowing things and being able to make
the other fellow believe that you know
them. A man may be never so logical,
convincing and eloquent, but if he stands
on his dignity on a kind Of invisible
pedestal. he isn't going to win the conf
dence OF the people, and you can just
stick pin there.
Preparations are being made at the
War Department and the State Depart
ment for the reception Of the statue of
Frederic the Great which will soon be
on its way to this country, present from
the Emperor Of Germany 1t is to be
located in the War College grounds. the
site being on the terrace, where space is
left for FIVE other pedestals and statues.
No time has been set for the installation
OF the statue. but it will probably be dedi-
Gated or unvaiIed the last Of October. but
possibly not until Congress conyenes Con
gress appropriated 5000 to defray the
expenses incident to the erection of the
statue, and it will probably be a great So
ciety and official affair.
The age Of the Presidents of the United
states is always an interesting subject
1t may not be generally known that 1f
OF the Presidents Of the United States
from Washington to now have been be.
tween 80 and 90 years of age at the time
they were sworn into Office Four Of
them-Pierce. Garfield. Cleveland, and
ROosevelt-were under So Three were
between 60 and IS. Three-William
Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor and
James Buchanan-were G5 and over.
Harrison was 68 when he took the oath OF
office. Several Of the Presidents who
served two terms were under 60 on the
date or their second Inauguration.
OF the entire number OF yice-Presi-
bn har IL