The National tribune., 1907-12-05
ANSWERS TOT
CORRESPONDENTS.

| r. G. W., Frederick. Md, asks: What
nicknames have been applied to the
State of Ma-ylanda
Maryland has been known variously
as the Old Line State, from its geo.
!, graphical position; the Oriole State,
from the yellow and black in its coat
of arms, taken from those of Calvert.
Lord Baltimore and the Terrapin State,
from its famous product.
I B. H. c., Providence r. l., asks:
Which are the most valuable of the
large copper cents, ,nand what prices do
they bring?
According to, condition, as compare
lively unworn or worn, the large cop
per cent of 1893 is worth from 81 to
IS; that of 1899, IS to s25; that of
1904. 81 to s12; that of 1923, from 25
cents to 81. These are the highest
listed.
/ ]. w. F., Osborne. Kan, writes: /.
How many Columbian half dollars were
issued by the Government? 2. AT what
price We're they sold or issued? 3. Was
there any premium on them at time of
issue? 4. Did the Government make a
donation to the Exposition or a loan
only? 5. Did the Government sell or
redeem the Columbian half dollar at
any time for 81? 6. Didy-he Exposition
Company sell them at 81?
Il Worlds Fair Exposition authorities en-
deavored to secure an appropriation
from Congress of $4,000. 900; as this
lseemed impossible to attain, q compro-
mise was effected by which they re-
ceived $2,500,0O0 in Columbian half
dollars. 2. They were sold by the Ex-
position authorities at one dollar each.
3. None above their price as stated in
answer 2. 4. 1t was donation. s. No.
6. Yes; answer to question above.
J. W., Dunkirk, o.. asks: Please give
me the name and address of the Com
missioner of Insurance of New York.
His proper title and address is "Su-
perintendent of Insurance. Albany. n.
/ W The Hon. Otto Kelsey is the pres
ent incumbent. He was appointed Su-
perintendent of Insurance on May 2,
1906.
r. E., Springfield, ILL.,, asks: Whom
should an old soldier make application
to to be admitted to the Government
Hospital at Eureka Springs, in Arkan-
sas, and what are the charges per day
for treatment, and how long can pa
tient remain at the hospital?
There is no Army hospital at Eureka
Springs. The only Army hospital in
Arkansas is at Fort Logan II. Root,
which is four miles from Little Rock.
There is general Army and Navy
hospital at Hot Springs, Ark, to which
admission may be obtained by writing
to the commanding officer there vino
Will give all particulars in regard to
time, charges and rules for admission.
A. N, New Brighton, N. Y, asks:
Who is Father Francis?
This is the pet name frequently given
to the Emperor of Austria, whose name
is Francis Joseph. He is also some
times called The Father, both by his
subjects and on account of his having
reigned longer than any eher sover-
eign in Europe He succeeded to the
throne of Austria in 1t4S, At the Age
of 10.
i d. A. w, Chevy Chase, Md. W. tcs:
Il Perhaps you can tell me the origin of
the word martinez.
] This term is derived from the name
of the general officer, NJ. de Martinez
who was celebrated. Voltaire says, for
having restored and improved the dis
I cipline and tactics of the French army,
whence very strict officers came to be
called martinets.
e. w. r., Tarrytown. N Y, asks
Where can 1 obtain. description of
\ the monument in Rock Creek Cemetery
at Washington. by the late Augustus
St Gaudens?
The weIl-knowm, art critic. Royal
Cortissoz. has recently published a biog-
! raphy of the late sculptor, containing
full-page illustrations Of practically all
of st. Gaudenss sculptures, including
the famous Adams monument, to which
you refer.
S. o. L., Bristol, Va, asks: What do
the letters INRI, frequently seen on the
cross in churches, stand for?
The letters are the initials of the
Latin words Iesus Nazarenus, Rex
ludaeorum, meaning Jesus the Naza-
rene, King of the Jews There was no
letter j in the Roman alphabet.
E. l.. N, Ithaca, n. Y, asks: How can
one become Lieutenant in the Army !?
| Appointments are made from three
sourceS-frOm West Point, from the
ranks and from civil life. 1t is under
stood that there are over 100 vacancies
in the Army at the present time. more
:, than the two first-named sources can
: fill, tho it has just been decided to grad
: uate the class at West Point next Feb.
: ruary, instead of waiting till next June,
because of the great need of officers
c. c. T.. Frankfort, KY, asks: Where
is Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston buried >
This distinguished Confederate Off
Ger lies buried in the Metairie Gene
terry in New Orleans, and a fine bronze
equestrian statue of him was erected
by the Confederate Army of Tennessee,
which he commanded
S. A. K, Rockford, ILL.,, writes: viii
you give the reason for christening
ShlpS, and how 1t originated?
The origin of the custom of christen-
ing vessels antedates the historic period.
and the present usage is a development
and modification of practice that has
come down from time immemorial 1t
has been suggested that the breaking
of a bottle of wine or of any kind OF
liquor, for that matter, was for the
same reason that Polycrates threw his
ring into the sea; that is, to give mis-
fortune its share. 1t is the same reason
that impels the faithful Jews to break
a cup at their wedding ceremonies A
practice akin to this IS the celebration
of the vessel Isis, which took place an
nually along the Mediterranean coast
on March 3. In this case ship made
. of lemon wood, arrayed for her maiden
voyage, was moored along the shore. A
high priest visited the vessel, and puri-
fled it from end to end by means of a
; liquid torch, an egg and some sulphur
The sail was covered with sacred in
: scriptions and spread to the sea. Then
while the devout poured their libations
of milk into the sea- the vessel was set
adrift, and sailed off with her silent
crew of statues far into the high seas.
OF equal interest was the practice
adopted many centuries ago by the
Doges of Venice, of wedding the Adri-
latic Sea. This event took place annually
on Ascension Day, and typified the poll
Itical dominion that the VanetiauS cIa i'm .