The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-09-10
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial correspondence.l

!, | NASolC8 AVAcA1AulAOn N3sCiA ~ OASAucD
may soon be anchored permanently a
The nations capital.
Because of the lack of space in the
Boston navy yard, where the old shiE
now rests, Acting Secretary Newberry
! has suggested to Governor Guild Of
Massachusetts that the frigate BIZ
brought either to this city or to An
napolis. For fifty years the Boston
navy yard has been the ships regular
station, and it has become one Of the
institutions of the commonwealth.
Finding that the work of the yard
was being much hindered by the pres
ence of the frigate, Secretary Newber
ry suggested that the city authorities
lof Boston undertake the care of the
Iship by raising the money by popular
Subscription and mooring the vessel in
Back bay, where she could easily be
seen.
Potomac May Get "OId Ironsides."
Several dispositions of the ship have
been suggested. The old hulk is re-
garded with affection by the people of
Massachusetts, and 1t may be allowed
to remain at Boston, provided the citi-
zens can provide an anchorage which
will not interfere with the work of the
navy yard.
The suggestion of the national CAPT
tai as last resting place for the most
| famous vessel In the United States
navy has met with instant favor. The
idea of having "Old Ironsides," famed
in song and story, anchored in the Pc
tomac within sight of the White
House and the monument appeals to
every citizen in Washington.
| The department is making a collec-
ton of historic relics Of the period of
the Constitutions greatest activity and
will place them on the ship, thus max
ing it serve as a museum. The relics
are now stored in various yards.
1t Is possible that the Constitution
may be sent to Annapolis to be an
chored beside the Hartford and the
Olympia, the historic vessels of the
civil and the Spanish wars.
Passing Of a colored Celebrity.
Arthur Simmons, who, next to Major
Loefiier, was the most famous feature
of the White House for nearly twenty
FIVE years, but who in recent years was
obscured by the withdrawal OF the
presidential sunshine, died here recent
| ly. Arthur was the colored messenger
| who stood at the door of the presi-
dents secretary. He was appointed
| to a position among the messengers at
the White House under President
johnson and remained one of the mes
sengers until Dan Lamont, Mr.. Cleve-
lands secretary in his first administra-
ton, posted him at his door. Arthur
was faithful. No man could see the
secretary until after Arthur had re-
connoitered the ground, and he felt
himself to be quite as important part
of the White House machinery as the
president himself. Though a Repub-
lican, and Republican from North
Carolina at that, Arthur did not find
favor in President Harrison's eyes, and
he was shipped off to shovel coal and
drag trucks in the cellar of the treas
ury department.
Friend Of Presidents.
The first appointment Mr.. Cleveland
made when he returned to the White
House in 1893 was to bring Arthur
back to the White House and station
him at his old place att the secretary'S
door. There he served throughout the
whole of the Cleveland administration
ana under Mr.. Mckinley. So long as
Mr.. Cortelyou was Mr.. Roosevelt's sec
rotary Arthur remained in favor, but
with the coming of Mr. Loeb Arthurs
star again waned. Finally, as a wag
in the White House put it, the firm Of
''Coon, Loeb & Co." was dissolved, and
Arthur again was sidetracked to a
small job In department this time
the interior, He felt his dismissal
keenly and never responded to the
cheerful consultations of the many pub
lie men who felt genuine friendship
for the dignified old man. Paralysis"
was what the doctors called it, but q
broken heart had doubtless more to do
with his death.
Electrical Signal System.
The electro pneumatic block signal
/ SySlelu WHICH Tue DdlllluOIc anu OAAV
railroad is installing on its terminal
tracks leading into the new union sta
ton will soon be completed. 1t Is the
largest plant of It's kind in the country,
and it is expected will lead to the in
stallation of still other similar plants.
Three towers will command the entire
yard. The system Is simple and pre-
else in its operation. Electricity is the
motive power used to open and close
/ the valves which control the COM
pressed air, which In turn works the
switches. 1t does away entirely with
the muscle racking levers which were
found In the old switch towers, for the
operator has only to move little levers
a few inches long to throw open or
close a switch.
Models Aid Switchmen.
Before the operator is model of the
yard, showing its tracks exactly as they
are. AS he moves each lever the tracks
of the model take on the exact position
of those out in the yard. Thus he has
always before him the condition of the
tracks and switches which are in his
charge. There is also lever for eact
signal, and these are worked at the
same time as the switch levers.
Furthermore, there is an illuminated
model of the yards and tracks, show
ing the position of trains on thes'