davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
SS5.OOO.OOO SURPLUS.
The Treasury RejOices In the Largest
Rnlance for Many Yenrs.

Business in most of the Government
Departments is now at a low ebb. Half
the Cabinet officers are cut of town.
The force of workers on duty are gath
ering up the odds and ends at the close
of the fiscal year, for on June so the
fiscal year closes, and the following day
the Government opens a new set of
books. The transition is more impor-
tant than one might suppose. for. as
far as appropriations are concerned the
Government begins operating under a
new set of laws with every July l.
Sometimes there is less money and
sometimes more money Tor ii certain
Bureau or Department Often Com
gress makes restrictions about expendf-
lures. and in hundred and one ways
the officials have to be Oh the alert FOR
the new appropriation laws at the be-
ginning of fiscal year.
Financially. however. the Government
is in fine condition. Secretary of the
Treasury Cortelyou said few days ago
that the surplus at the close of The as
cal year would be $S5,0O0,e 900. which Is
larger one than has been In the
Treasury before for many years This
Is all the more significant. In view of
the enormous and altogether unprece-
dented appropriations by the last Con.
gress. Altho the Government is spend
ing lavishly, its income is SO large that
the surplus is constantly Increasing
All this will encourage Congress TO
spend lavishly next Winter. Probably
over a billion dollars in appropriations
will be made. At the last session the
appropriations were nearly billion.
POstmaSter-GeneralM Never has start
ed shake-up in his Department, but it
will not be very extensive. including
chiefly Inspectors who have been 100
long In one job. He is provi.l, his busi-
ness capacity for the office by starting
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
capt. John v. Kccpcrs-

Editor National Tribune: w.e
very glad to see a request from Com :
rade John r. Edwards for a history Of
Old Battery B, 1st w. va. T.,
But the short history You give leaves
rut and does an injustice to one of
tire srandest old men that ever wore
the shoulder straps. 1 refer to Capt
!ohn " Keepers, who was with The
battery from 1861 to 1864. The his
tory as to organization, and our first
captain, is all right. But at the mus
ter-in of the company Can't. Keeners
was senior First Lieutenant. After
the resignation of Capt. Dayev. by
some nook or crook, man named
ROSARY was by the Governor of West
virginia appointed Captain. We never
saw him. Lieut.. Keepers, on account
or this appointment over his shoulders,
resigned in April, 1862. but after a
month or so was recOmmissioned Sem
icr First lieutenant and rejoined the
battery. taking command of it. / think.
in June. '62. In 1863, Milroy's Di-
vision was sent from Washington to
assis, Gen. Crook, who was retreating
down the kanawha. and as the COM
nland passed through Wheeling, w.
Va. Lieut.. Keepers received his COM
mission as Captain, and commanded
the battery until the muster-out of
the three years men. l desire this
correction made in justice to our be-
loved Captain, who commanded us in
every battle We were in during the
war.-Joe Worthington. Center and
Jefferson StS., Marion. Ohio
The National tribune., 1907-06-20

Editor National Tribune: In re-
sponsc to Comrade BicllfOrd'S request
for statements from men of the last
brigade or division to leave Atlanta"
for the sea in November, 1864. i viii
state that am not sure ours was the last
division to leave the burning city. We
left Kingston Nov II, and reached At
ianta on the 18th. and L hope Comrade
Bickford will pardon me for quoting
from an entry written at the time
When we marched thru Atlanta, (Nov
15) the city WIS on fire and we were
almost Suffocated by smoke and heat.
and noticed frequent explosions I'm va
rious parts of the city. = We
camped in the suburbs on the Decatur
road. All night the flames swept over
the doomed city. driving families from
their homes. In our camp. Il mile from
the heart of the burning city. we could
see to read IL newspaper. the light was
so brilliant" The above extract from
an army Journal would Indicate almost
total destruction of the city. but / have
no distinct recollection as to the extent
of the destruction. but To MS it seemed
to be clean sweep Of the business part
of the city. Our division left the next
day (Nov. 16) at 3 Il. m. marching
thru Decatur toward Lithonia-"-S A
Mcneil. Baird's Division, Fourteenth
Corps. fleetwood. Ohio.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
An Tneh" of Rain on One Aero.

Few people have an adequate idea of
the amount of water that descends from
the clouds during rainstorm. We read
IN the weather bulletins that two or
three inches of rain sometimes fall in
dar. and that in our last rainy spell
nedrIy hfe inches fell in As hours; but
these figures really convey very little
information to our minds and give us
10 idea at all of the prodiealty OF ma
ture.
An acre contains 6.272,G4O SQUARE
inches of surface. and an inch of rain
means. therefore. the same number of
CUBIC inches of water. gallon con-
.aihS ~ cubic inches of water. and
an inch of rainfall means a2.6o2 gal
Ions to the acre, and. as eaIion ns
water weighs 10 pounds, the rainfall
on an acre Is 226,220 pounds. Count
ing 100 pounds to the ton, an inch
OF rain means over 1I3 tons per acre
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
Wy Thoughts on Picket.

(By c. 4. Dibble, Co. A, eth IOwa)
The fire grows dim. my comrades sleep,
The night is calm and still
And naught is heard save owIet's call
Or cry of whippoOrwill.
I'm standing with my trusty gun
Beneath an aged tree
Alone with nature. and her god
My only company.
What better time for thoughts of home
And all we hold most dear.
Than when all nature seeks repose
And naught but God is near.
cast my eyes to starry hosts
That gem the world above,
And think OF wife and children dear
Whom L so fondly love.
cast my eyes to one bright star,
Hesperides its name,
And wonder if this moment, Kate.
You're gazing at the same.
And then silent prayer I breathe,
That may ever prove
AS constant as that sleepless star
To those who claim my love-
And still my orisons arise
For strength to face the fight;
To battle manfully our foes
For liberty and right.
Oh. God. save liberty, the boon
For which our fathers bled,
From foe in front and foe in rear
From rebel, copperhead.
May peace with mild and gentle sway
DIspel our gloomy night;
Bur not the pence which towards buy
In yielding up the right.
God save my. native father land
or take me home to thee,
The downfall of nay country's fame
L would not live to see.
Such are the thoughts which fill my
mind:
Hut / must now be brief.
Fis one o'clock and ! must call
The sleeping third relief.
So fare you well. my darling wife
Ana infant girl and boy,
When rebels fly and peace returns
ON. then. we'll meet with 10Y
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
BACK TO THEIR REGIMENTS.
Secretary Taft Shaking UP the Omcers
of the General StnT-POiiticni Pun
Does Not Count In Keeping Pleasant
Hiilets.

Just at present there is much fuss
| among the officers at the War Depart
mcnt over Secretary Tafts determlna-
| ton to send staff officers back to the
| line for service. after given period no
matter what efficiency they may have
shown in staff work. This has caused
general consternatio for there is
| clique Of officers who manage by hook
| or by crook. thru political pull and
other influence, to have themselves de-
tailed to pleasant staff duty a good deal
Of the time. These officers. who are
able to marshal influence. have consti-
tuted ring. and the management OF
War Department affairs has been very
largely in their hands for many years.
The general staff law was enacted
partly for the purpose of breaking up
that ring. There was no SPECIFIC pro-
vision in the law for sending officers
back to the line for duty with troops,
hut a specific promise was made by Mr..
Root. then Secretary of War, that this
would be done Secretary Taft is now
carrying out the spirit as well as the
letter of the law. He is applying the
rule in every case. and political pres
sure is not swerving him. 1t makes no
difference to him whether an officer is
on a special detail to the general staff
or to other pleasant duty. He orders
him back to his regiment.
Not a long time ago Maj. John Bid
die Corps of Engineers. had completed
a term a Engineer Commissioner of the
District of Columbia. 1t is one of the
soft snaps for engineer officers COM
manding an extra salary and assuring
the incumbent much local prominence
and usually much local popularity. Maj.
Bddle wanted another term. 1nfluen-
tial men began to request Mai. Biddle's
retention; letters soon were pouring in
upon the Secretary. But Maj Biddle
had to go. and another engineer officer.
Maj. Morrow, was appointed in his
stead.
Another instance of the Secretary'sI
determination affects the selection of a
Chief for the Philippine Constabula
tory. who has his office in Manila, and
on the whole. has pretty easy time.
Gen. Henry Allen. who has commanded
the constabulatory. has been ordered
home. and Capt. Noble. who has been
stationed at Manila for seven years on
staff duty. would like 70 succeed him
Secretary Taft has high personal re-
gard for Capt. Noble. for he served for
some time as Military Aid while rhe
Secretary was Governor General The
Captain. however. will not get the ap-
pointment solely because the Secretary
wants him to return to duty with his
regiment.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
SAMPLE COPY FREE.
THE FINANCIAL WORLD.
1S Broadway. New York, N. Y.

dulged in by Washington officials. they
are regarded as superfluous, because
no one here who thinks seriously about
affairs. has the slightest idea that there
will be war. either within a FEW
months or within i few years. There
are too many levcl-hcaded people here
and too many level-nc3ded people IN
Japan to permit of such 4 sense'css
conflict with the consequent waste of
life and wealth Commercial rivalry
on the Pacific there will undoubtedly
be between the two Nations. But grad
uaiIy Japan will get her head AGAIN
Her jaunty and naughty. manners Will
become things of the past and she VIII
be as easy to get along with as Is Eng
land or Germany or France.
Probably the agitation Of the hot
heads m Japan and on the Pacific coast
Will defeat the negotiations for a new
treaty. That is now expected here. Inc
japanese party, now i'll power, cannot
ignore the agitation. although thus far
il has shown no disposition to grant
passports for coolie laborcrs to come to
the mainland. But political parties IN
Japan have to be as careful OF popular
criticism as do political parties in this
country and it is hardly expected that
the japanese at present will consent to
writing into the permanent laws that
no coolies shall land In the United
States. If the japanese choose to vio-
late the open door principle, COR which
Secretary Hay contended in Manchuria
and China. this Government might be
embarrassed in protesting, because OF
the action of certain of its citizens in
California in denying school privileges
TO the japanese. But it is believed that
these will all be minor matters and no
weU-informed man in Washington Sc
riousy doubts that cordial relations be
tween the United States and Japan VIII
continue. Many newspapers are print
ing warlike articles because their read
ers like to be thrilled. Such war sto-
ries cannot be easily disproven and
help circulation. but they are not based
IN reliable information.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
The burning of Atlanta.

Editor National Tribune: A week or
SO ago. l read in your paper the re-
quest made by Comrade Nathan Bick-
tord, Twentieth Corps. Washington. ID.
- In regard 10 Information concern
ing the burning of Atlanta.
L was theTei and I was one of the
last men to leave the city. As we
mounted n rise of ground on our
march from the city, We turned and
gave a last look at the work we had
done. The picture IS as vivid as it
was on that memorable day. was
in the Third Brigade. Third Division.
Twentieth Corps, and my regiment,
the 33d Mass, was the last to leave
the city. All the business section OF
the city, which was brick. was burned
including many factories. the round
house for locomotives. and the ammu-
milton factory. a church surrounded
by many fine dwellings, was not burn
cd. This neighbOrhood was separated
somewhat from the business part of
the city These dwellings,. the church.
and a few negro hu;s on the outskirts.
We're the only ones L remember 10 have
seen standing.
From The SOUTH a book written
by J. T. Trowhrjdgc. published in
1866, l quote the following, which
agrees with my recolIcctionS:
Every business block III Atlanta was
burned, except one. The railroad ma-
chine shops. the fourdricS. the immense
roilinS mills. tho tent. pistol. sun-c;sr
riasc. shot-and-shcll factories. and
store houses. of the late CoIfrdcrICy.
Disappeared in flames aGd explosions.
Half mile of the principal street was
destroyed. Private residences remained
with a few exceptions
when l came back in MAY" said a
refugee, The city was nothing Sut
pile of brick and ruins. 1t didn't seem
it could ever be cleared
Mr.. Trowbridcc wrote this from notes
made on the spot, and Describes better
than l can what l see in my minds
eye.
1 hope this may be of interest and
use to Comradc BiCIlford d-Gcorse "
Clark, Co. I. 33d Mass, 80 Vernon ST.,
Waltham, Mass
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
Grape and Canister.

Michael Noles, 10th Pa, National
Soldiers Home. Tennessee. says that
the fact that railroad iron, glass bot
ties, etc, were sometimes used during
the war does not prove that they were
regular ammunition. The field artil-
lery cGly used four kinds of ammuni-
tion. such as he described in previous
letter. He confesses that he does not
know what constitutes stand of
grape, never having seen one during
his service. Would like to hear from
any old Regular who served in the
artillery before or during the civil war
on the subject of grape.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
COrks Made from PaDcr,

machine for making corks out of
waste paper and paper pulp has re-
Gently been perfected and patented
This machine makes corks out of all
kinds OF waste paper. which are much
superior 70 the ordinary corks. as they
are impervious 10 acids or oils. Tests
made by chemists and the larger users
of corks say they are far superior TO
the old style in every way.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
Hedge Trimmer.

a fence. and people generally gave them
up. Very few trimmed, well-kept
hedges can be seen any place except
those around city lots. Hubert w.
Sykes Norfolk, Va, has received a pat
ent for what seems like very worka Bile
hedge trimmer, and which will greatly
reduce the labor. 1t has a cutter blade
something after the fashion of a mower,
which is worked by lazy tong levers.
Hedge Trimmer.
Apparently hedges are still of impor-
tance in some parts of the country and
George o. Hoppe, Cullom, ILL.,. has pat
ented useful device for trimming them
The National tribune., 1907-06-20

numerous reforms. one of the most re
cent being an extension of money-order
offices, so that more people can avail
themselves of an opportunity to send
money thru the mails at cheap rates.
Attorney-General Bonaparte has been
some more trust suits
those against the anthracite roads. New
ertheless there are indica;ions that the
President is Letting up on great cor
porations, and that little will be heard
about Government trust busting for
many months.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
Cardboard from Grns,,

A new industry at Mobile, Ala, is
the manufacturing of cardboard from
the swamp grass found in quantities
near Mobile. The grass Is similar to
the esparto grass of Africa. large guam
titles Of which are used for paper
manufacture in Europe. The plant
will be built by company now being
organized. with capital stock OF
100000. Careful experiments with
the swamp grass have been made dur
ing the past year.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20

use in hauling the cases down the steps.
A truck that should prove successful
for either hauling cases up or down
steps is shown in the accompanying il
lustration, the invention OF u California
man. The inventor utilizes six wheels
three on each side. Each wheel re-
wolves on an extension of the axle. The
position assumed by the wheels OF this
truck on a stairway is clearly shown by
the dotted lines In the illustration. All
tolts and jars are obviously eliminated
insuring safety to the contents of the
case on the truck. In addition. no un-
necessary strain is placed on the opera
tor. 1t being possible FOR one man TO
handle large. heavy articles with the
truck.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
Work Of the Patent ofce.

For the week ended June IL, the
Patent Office issued Sl1 patents. IL de-
signs, 1SS trademarks. II labels, five
prints one reissue. making a total of
1,02S, OF which 13S patents and de-
signs and 1S4 trade marks went to cit
Zens of the United States and 81 pat
entS and designs and Il trademarks to
citizens of foreign countries.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
United States NcgIects Arsenic Produc-
ton

Over half the worlds production of
metallic arsenic, white arsenic, and ar
senic su1phides is utilized by the
United States. the supply coming
largely from England. Germany, Spain
and Canada. There are extensive de-
posits OF arsenical ores in this country.
and every year several hundred tons
of arsenic sulphide. obtained in puri-
Tying sulphuric acid at chemical man
ufacturing works. are wasted by burial:
yet we remain dependent on foreign
countries for our supply.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
Paper Milk Pals.

Paper pals are, says the London
Standard, the latest sanitary device for
the delivery of pure milk In London
and other large towns. These pals
will Only be used once. and dairymen
will be saved all the cost of sterilizing
cans and bottles. They are to be made
of pulp. and will be sterilized by a
heat of 900 degrees Fahrenheit. When
filed with milk they will be closed by
a lid, and when emptied may be used
as fire lighters.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
eE ties

en- ties.
This tie has perfect fastening de-
vice which prevents spreading, creep
ing, slipping or turning of the rails. and
at the same time allows for adjustment
of the gage by simple manipulation
of the clanlping devices which secures
the rails; 10 the ties. an especial valua-
bic feature as applicable to be used in
straight or curved tracks.
Watch.
Alfred A. o. Seeler. Newark. N. j..
has received a patent for a watch by
which the time can be told in the dark
by the sense of feeling. The hands ex-
tend thru the rim of the watch and
there are indicators around to mark
the hours. To us it looks as if this
would be a great dust collector. which
would be a serious objection to it.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
Watch.
NOVEL TRUCK.
Designed Especially for Handling Cases
on Stairways.

In buildings where there are no ele-
vators the problem of transferring large
packing cases and similar bulky articles
to the upper floors is a perplexing one.
Generally it is necessary to open the
case on the ground floor and transfer
the contents in sections. The ordinary
two-wheel truck is practically useless
in such emergencies, and only of slight
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
Wake Up. 74th Ind.

John McCumsey, Spotswood, NJ j.,
says that he is worth half a dozen dead
men yet, and he wants the 74th Ind.
boys TO wake up and let him hear from
them. II they haven't money enough
to take The National Tribune he says
borrow it,
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
SALESNEN WANTED

Men who pos>s selling asi.itIps ran ret IN. INNS,
o representing ns for the sale of 0l popu.r mol
y! ncc,teht an health Insurance. * perience not
s siNph 10 hn~!iers kxccient openings and liberal
.ths ios hsehtS .otiertrS an1 district managers
atty Co.. Chicago, HI ~-S"
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
Concrete Gutter.

There is an opportunity of usefulness
n the concrete gutter patented by lar-
in f. Howiey, Pittsburg. Pa. The gut
Ter has wings to connect it with the
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
Fan Attachment for Rocking Chairs.

The fan llcrS must have suffered
along with many other trades ON ac-
count of the unreasonable weather.
This has not discouraged inventors; be-
cause of the feeling of certainty that
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
SCIENCE AND INVENTION.
Work the Worlds Busy Brains in Discovering, nentng and
Creating

There were three non-refillable bot
ties patented last week and three ro-
tary engines.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20

earth and prevent its being cut under
AIR. Howley has patented concrete
gutter. but it looks as if. should the
device prove workable, that it had bet
ter be made of earthenware.
Mower.
William w. Hare. NobleSville. Ind,
has patented new device for mower
which looks like an Improvement in the
method of transmitting the power to
The National tribune., 1907-06-20

the hot weather was bound to come
some time, even if like Christmas, it
was tardy in its movements. The usual
crop of appliances for lazy men to fan
themselves by the motion of their rock
ing chairs has begun with james e.
Gilbert. Chicago. H.. receiving a patent
for a fan to be aGitated by the act of
rocking.
Hedge Trimmer.
4 good many years ago, when rail
splitting was necessary and hard work,
there was an outbreak of a fad for
hedges as a substitute for the old Vir-
ginia worm fence. All over the interior
of the country-Indiana, Illinois. Ohio
and Michigan-can be seen sturdily
growing Usage orange trees which are
the remains of these hedges. 1t was
soon found that hedge required al
The National tribune., 1907-06-20

Weak, waIery eyes cleared in a single night ard
quickly restored To perfect hsal;f has repeat. div
cured where all Uher remedies and All had
i.cJ. II Is indeed mage remedy / am glad to
any eye trouble.
Many have thrown away their glasses after using
VI i week. Preachers. acTierS DOCTOR iawyers
ginreTS, students drc>>akers AMI all vino thr.r
"fts under s'ggir fad wiki this Mag lotion safe
suFr agd qi.ic. rcI.cE IL you have eyes
eye trouble wTi;e to-day. I an 30 earnest in
iasihs my Ofer OF free trial bottle a this lotion.
am glad 10 furnish proDI la mIuy we. proven and
anihcitic where has cured cataract after the
dOttOTs said that only dangerous aBd expensive
operation would save the sight. II Van have eye
ts''be OF any Kind will make serus mistake II
yoi 10 M, send for N; great rec 0er if this Magic
u '0iiOn Address. wish IBtl description OF Your
Home !-tnk Bid-. Peoria, iIi and yoj. will reeve
hy rr-''ra mail prnca q. IriI bottle a. this magic
iei-ty t:t has restored r1aHy almost bind TO sight.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
Eyes Bad?
Grateful Patrons Tell of Almost MiracuA
lous Cures of Cntaracts, Granulated
Lids, Wild Hairs, Ulcers, Weak. wat-
cry Eyes and All Eye Diseasex-Send
Your Name md Address with Two.
Cent Stamp for Free Trial Bottle.

The cures being made by this magis lotion every
day truly remarkable hzye repeatedly restored
to sight persons nearly blind for years
Ulcers Wild hairs, grlnu'atcd lids disappear al
most Instantly with the use OF this magic remedy.
The National tribune., 1907-06-20
Composite Railroad Tie.

+. T. Forester, Denver, Colo, who
served in the I'd Ark. Cav, has received
patent for a railroad tie. composed of
steel and concrete. for which he claims:
This tie has the requisite strength,
durability and elasticity essential to
take the place as substitute for wood
The National tribune., 1907-06-20

the cutting blade. A beve1ed wheel
operates a revolving disk to which are
attached the blades that revolve across
the teeth.