The National tribune., 1907-01-17

at the Capitol on still hunt all day. |
Several nervous Senators protested |
against the noise, which became strong |
er and continued thruout whole night, |
defying electricians and plumbers who
examined the wires and pipes for the
mysterious buZZing, which seemed tol
come from everywhere, but from no
particular spot, and soaring the super
stitious celored janitors nearly into fits.
In the morning the noise still continued.
until a sharp-eared page finally decided
that it was emerging from Senator Pet
tuSS desk.
search showed that a new device
which the Alabama Senator has to en-
able him to hear the proceedings of the
Senate was the cause of the disturb
ance. The Senator's ear equipment re-
sembles the headgear worn by telephone
girls. and is connected with Smak
storage battery which fastens under the
coat. In laying the apparatus away in
his desk Senator Pettus placed the ear
piece and the battery in contact, and
the result was the buZzing sound.
Gen. Grosvenor didn't vote for the
appropriation BILL He declared in one
of his semi-humorous speeches that he
did not think that the manuvers helped
anybody that they should, and they led
to decentralization of the community in
which they we're held, and in damages
that the Government had to pay for
He told about the manuvers that were
held in Athens, O., some years ago. He
said that after getting the Regulars and
militia into camp they had two or three
days manuvers and then a sham battle.
He said he had served four years and
upward in the Army at time of active
war and that with a single exception
he had never seen any regiment, bri-
gade. division, battery or squadron
upon any Of the magnificent plans and
detail they undertook to perform at
Athens, his home.
t"I do not know" he said, what other
peoples experience at the town where
I live was, but 1 know that we never
want to see any regular conglomerate
performance such as that was come
near us again." He then told what
happened at the Encampment. He said
there was always an irritation and con-
f1ict between farmers sons and mer-
chants clerks and men of the Regular
Army. Some trouble happened in
Athens, and q soldier of the Regular
battery was arrested for being drunk
and disorderly. A friend located him
in Jail That night SO to Is members
VI lfe Ddtltfy 10 WHICH Tie pTlSOHeT
belonged slipt out of camp. organized
themselves into small force, marched
up to town and into the Jail, and as
they were about to attack a guard of
infantry commanded by young officer,
Corporal or a Sergeant of the State
Guard ordered them to halt Fifty or
so shots were fired and he fell dead
in the street.
There never was man punished
for anything connected with It," said
Mr.. Grosvenor. There never was an
officer called upon to report and there
never was any report made by the Cap
tain or other commanding officer OF
that Regular battery, and the feeble
attempt of the local authorities to pun
ish the men who committed that cold
blooded murder was utterly futile for
reasons that 1 DO not care to go into
just at this time under the surrounding
circumstances.
He charged that the War Department,
in addition to the Regular officers and
men, had taken up the cudgel in op-
position to the authorities and in oppo-
stion to the militia of the State.
Mr. Crumpacker, of Indiana, asked If
there were any colored soldiers at that
Encampment.
Not one" replied Mr.. Grosvenor.
Representative Hepburn. of Iowa,
thought the $1,000,000 appropriation for
manuvers was an absolute waste of
money. He was in favor of greater
efficiency in target practise. He said
the 10000 men in Coffees Brigade at
New Orleans were worth more than the
whole Regular Army when it comes to
the use of the musket. During that
Mexican War, Mr.. Hepburn said, 10
c.. rtr fo n
result; at the battle of Murfreesboro
119 cartridges We're expended to pro-
duce a result; that at the batt's of San
tiago 500 cartridges were used to pro-
duce a result, he had been told by an
officer who had participated In that
battle
The House refused to strike out the
item.
The Army canteen was the subject of
controversy in the House all one after
noon while the Army appropriation bill
was under consideration. It had been
asserted that there were more deser-
tions during the past year than usual,
| and some one asked what the reason
was.
1.-The aboiishment Of the canteen,"
exclaimed Representative Kahn, of Cal
ifornia. THAT is why the Army Is fall
ing of. Now that the canteen has been
abolished the men of the line are fire.
quenting low groggeries and dives, and
when the time comes for them to re-
turn to their posts they are unable TO
do SO. They are under the influence
of the vile liquor sold in these booze
joints and are incapable of performing
the duties OF a soldier, and so they de-
sert as the easiest way out of their
dilemma. If the canteen was restored
there would not be so many desertions.
Most every Army officer who has ap-
peared before the Military Committee
has given the abolition Of the canteen
as reason for the diminution in the
Army. There can be no doubt about
it,"
The new Uruguayan Minister, DIR.
Luis Melian Lafinur, was formally pre-
sented to President Roosevelt last Fri
day by Secretary Root.
The presentation took place in the
East Room at the White House. and
the President made a brief address of
welcome in response to the Minister'S
address in presentation Of his creden-
| tials.
Was he purposely shelved?
According 20 a rumor which is cir
culating among the Nebraska delega-
| ton in Congress, William H. Michael.
| Consul-General at Calcutta. India, now
| ON his way to his home on leave. will
not return to his post. Col. MichaePs
health Is said to be failing, and, In some
quarters. this Is ascribed as his reason