The National tribune., 1905-10-05

souvenirs tnat lncluda among 0Iher
things the Office desk at which the
President works. and which was pre-
sented to one of his predecessors by the
late Queen Victoria. being fashioned
out of the timber Of the Arctic relief
ship Discoverer. u =
1t is probable that the vases. pre-
scented 8 ses through Baron Hefep, wiz flpd
although they will be the Emperor
gift to the President personally, and
will be adorned with his name. If he
occupied less exalted station he would
probably retain them after leaving Of
flee as his personal property, and few
would be disposed to take exception
were he to adopt this course, since 1t
cannot be denied that his personal eff
forts and his own individuality. even
more than his Office have been instru-
mental in bringing about peace. Yet
it is on the whole more suitable that
a tribute of this kind to the services
which he has rendered to civilization
and to the cause of humanity should re-
main more or less on public view.
The report of a board of officers ap-
pointed by the Ordnance Department
to investigate a premature explosion of
a. saluting charge in a five-inch breech-
loading siege gun on July last at Fort
Jay, N. Y, has been received at the
War Department. 1t recommends that
whenever bags are used to contain the
saluting charge, these bags be previous
ly treated by soaking them in 10 per
cent solution of ammonium phosphate,
which renders them non-inflammable.
The Secretary of the Treasury has de-
cided that hereafter the Government
clerks in the District shall get their pay
on the Sd and the 18th of the month in
stead of the 31st and 18th, and really
you would think that the sun was going
to rise in the west hereafter and do it's
little old stunt left-handed after this,
the way everybody is bowling. It's the
old, old cry that Is always going up in
the District: "Why, we have done it
that way for so years; why can't we go
right on doing it so?" If the towels
have been all white that are used in the
Departments for five years. and some
body who has the authority changes to
borders of red on cream damask, there
is wall: "Why make a change, when
we are used to the old style?" 1t is
said that all business methods will be
upset, as it has been the habit to pay
bills on the 1st and 18th. Honest trades
men will not turn a hair over the
change with their honest customers
Those who are dishonest-and they are
mighty few-will have the same old
trouble. The men who will make the
clerks smart for the change are the
"symposiums," which charge usurious
interest on small loans; in other words
their pound of flesh, and will probably
get it. blood and all.
The change was probably sensibly
made, as the payments on the 31st and
18th usually gave the clerks pay for
really earned, and If they died, or left
the service meantime, the Government
would be out the amount of salary
paid ahead. 1t would be very little
loss, 1T is true-it Is estimated that less
than a thousand dollars have been lost
since the establishment of the Govern
ment by the system ofIpaying three days
in advance of earnipg-but it is the
principle of the thing. The recipient of
the money must take oath that it has
been earned, and the Secretary of the
Treasury certifics that every clerk has
earned the amount, when, in fact, ap-
rroximately three days short Of earning
shows on every voucher. 1t is an all
right ruling, and after the first wrench
from established custom it will never
be noticed.
Virginia is surely going the pace SO
far as politicians are concerned. Her
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, Joe Willard. of
the Washington tribe, spent over 5000
In his efforts to be elected Governor
hold on, to be nominated for Cover
nor. What on earth would it have cost
him to be elected at that rate? Vir-
ginia is getting mighty nifty and aris-
tocratic all of a sudden, when her poll
ticians can spend $4,000 and more
seeking nomination. How about
Livingston. Of Georgia, was very in
sistent last Winter that the Agricultural
needed investigation. De-
velopments show that If he had had his
way. a good many things that have
happened this last Summer would have
been found out earlier He is in town
now, and declares that he will push his
request for a general overhauling and
with more persistency than
ever.
Baron Komura is recovering his
health slowly. and this week will travel
to Vancouver by rail, and from there
will sail for home.
They say that Jerry Simpson. having
read all the fine obituaries that have
been written about him, and finding out
what good fellow he is. has decided to
get well, but-oh, horrors-he has lost
his voice. He still has socks to burn.
There Is to be shake-up in the
Steamboat Inspection service, it is said,
and 1t comes none too soon.
Immediately following the Slocum
disaster i'm New York Harbor, Presi-
dent Roosevelt appointed a commission
to investigate that catastrophe and to
fix the responsibility for it. The COM
mission was also instructed to make
for changes in the
steamboat inspection laws that would
more adequately protect life and prop
erty on the waters controlled by the
United States. AS a result, new inspec-
ton laws were enacted, and in the main
they have worked out satisfactorily. 1t
Is understood, however, that Secretary
Metcalf and Assistant Secretary MUIR
ray are Of the opinion that further
changes in the methods can be made to
advantage, and that a shake-up in the
personnel would work for the better
ment of the service.
Amiral Schley is quite seriously Ill,
and was unable to attend the meeting
of the Supreme Council Scottish Rite
MasOns which was held in Nashville,
Tenn, last week, and where he was to
be special guest.
Senator Plat has been doing the
West in his private car and an invalid
chair for the last month. He is frail
and feeble, but he very. much resents
the story that he is mast his usefulness