The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-04-21
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial Correspondence.l

| the crayon likeness of the deceased
statesman which now hangs in the
speakers lobby of the house. The
painting is by Thorpe and was exc
cuted on the order of Andrew Car
negie and other admirers of the Maine
statesman. Many years ago when
James A. Garfield was chairman Of
the committee on appropriations he
attempted to have Thorpe paint
portrait Of Mr.. Blaine, but the latter
entertained superstition against hav-
ing his portrait painted in oils and
vetoed the movement with considerable
vigor. Thorpe had, however, made
several sketches and had gathered
some data preparatory to beginning
the work, all of which he preserved.
| When Mr.. Carnegie was in Washing
ton last winter he saw the crayon like
ness Of Mr.. Blaine among the many
| gorgeous paintings of former speakers
Of the house and inquired why "the
man from Maine" was not similarly
depicted. On being told the reason.
he hunted up the artist, Thorpe, and
gave him an order for the portrait,
which is soon to be added to the larger
collection Of oil portraits already hung
in the speakers lobby.
Judge Wickersham ReappOinted.
Judge James Wickersham Of the
third division of Alaska has been APP
pointed by the president to continue
| in
| sent to the senate when that body
convenes again. Judge Understands
name has been twice before the SEN
ate and has each time failed for con-
frmation owing to quiet but strong
opposition. Judge Wickersham was
charged with several offenses year
or so ago, but when Judge w. A. Day
was sent to Alaska as a special off,
Ger to investigate charges against a
number of people he made a report
highly praising Judge Wickersham,
with the result that the president pro-
poses to stand by that official.
The Smoke Nuisance.
| Public Printer Palmer has been con-
victed of violating the antismoke law
|
err he advanced the contention that the
government printing Office is exempt.
An appeal was taken.
| President Roosevelt wrote sharp
| letter to the District commissioners
several months ago complaining that
smoke from a neighbOring electric light
plant damaged the White House linen
and was nuisance to his family and
requesting that the antismOke act be
vigorously enforced. A crusade was
started and Public Printer Palmer has
| just been reached.
Historic Mantel Found.
Joseph 1. Keefer of Washington re-
Gently made an interesting discovery
in the old Octagon house, occupied by
President Madison in 1914, after the
British burned the White House.
For long time" says Mr.. Keefer,
Il had been hunting about the old
houses connected with the history Of
General Washington to see if l could
find anything of famous mantel
brought to this country by General La
| fayette during the Revolutionary war,
which was one Of pair. A few weeks
| ago l found the much sought object in
the old octagon house, corner of Eight
i eenth street and New York avenue,
| where for years it had stood. On a cor
ner Of it l found the marks Of the
| French maker, which correspond with
| those on the other one exactly" /
Fanciulli's Gift to the President.
! Professor Francesca Fanciulli, for
mer leader of the United States Ma
rine band, who composed an ode which
was rendered at one of the recent in
augural concerts by the Marine band
and the chorus of 500 voices, has pre-
sented to President Roosevelt, to whom
the ode is dedicated, manuscript
copy of the composition, handsomely
bound in an Illuminated leather cover
in red and gold
An Interesting Document.
One of the most interesting docu-
ments preserved in the war depart
ment is the muster roll Of the cOmpa-
ny commanded by Abraham Lincoln in
the Black Hawk war in 1882, every
word of the document being in Lin
coins handwriting. The roll shows the
names of all the officers and privates
Of the company, which is designated as
the "a Lincoln Company of Mounted
Volunteers of the Fourth Regiment Of
Volunteers For the Black Hawk War"
The name of A. Lincoln as captain
heads the list, and the notatiOns show
that he was mustered into the service
April q, 1882, and mustered out May
q, 1882. This document Is the only
official record in existence showing
Lincoln's record as a soldier.
General Grants Resignation.
There is also an interesting bit OF
correspondence on file in this depart
ment. 1t will be recalled that q. s.
Grant resigned from the regular army
after he had been advanced to the
rank of captain. 1t seems that he ten
dered his resignation without consult
ing his father or letting him know Of
his intentions AS soon as he learned
of II his father wrote to the secretary
Of war urging that his sons resignation
be not accepted, but that instead he be
- oHe fnv fpr,p mr.