The National tribune., 1907-12-26

one disbursing officer the statement of
the Secretary says the cost could be
reduced to $350,000 a year without in
terfering with the prompt discharge OF
this public business.
The Secretary recommends the abol-
ishment of Is pension agencies and the
consolidation of the work in one central
office.
Tom Watson, he who was honce "A
Presidential candidate on, the Pop
ticket, when on his way back to Geor-
gia, from whence he had come to dine
with the President. caused a sort of
bread riot on the Pullman buffet car.
He elected to eat on the way home, and
among other comeStibles had four
slices of bread. For this he was charged
/ 0 cents, and he kicked: kicked so hard
that they came near stopping the train
and putting him off. Indeed. they
threatened to do so unless he paid the
10 cents, and he paid it. But he took
his revenge in saying things that were
very unpretty.
The President insists that the pure
food law regarding whisky must be OBJ
served. He insists that blends" OF
compounds" shall not be registered as
whisky straight" and he says that the
revenue stamp must tell the truth.
Viscount Aoki, the Japanese Embas-
sador, who has been summoned home
by his Government for consultation re-
garding conditions in the United States
as affecting the Japanese. is preparing
to get away from Washington by the
last of the month. If possible he will
catch the Japanese mail steamer which
leaves Seattle Jan. I. The ambassador
will be accompanied by the Viscountess
Aoki.
Mr.. Aokj had hoped to spend some
time on the Pacific Coast making OBJ
servations of the conditions of his coun-
trymen there, but it may be necessary,
in view of the limited time at his dis
posal, to abandon the idea.
News Of the death IN New York of
Thomas +. Rowland. who constructed
for John Ericsson the original Monitor.
War Departments, where he had been
known for many years. Rowland, who
was a native of New Haven. Conn,
achieved much success in mechanical
engineering and shipbuilding.
1t was said to have been largely thru
his personal efforts that the Monitor,
which. on March 9, 1862, defeated the
in Hampton Roads, was constructed
within 80 days.
While the civil war was in progress
Rowland constructed six additional
monitors from Capt. Ericsson'S designs.
Following the war he removed to New
York, where he constructed and man.
aged large gas works. He was a
member of the Society of Civil Engi-
neers and the American Society of Me-
chanical Engineers.
ambassador and Mrs Reid and Miss
Jean Reid have arrived in New York,
and will attend the Diplomatic recep-
ton at the White House.
Senator Martin, OF Virginia, has in
troduced in the Senate "a bill authoriz-
ing the payment of $4,000 to Mrs Lett
tia Tyler Semple. late of Williamsburg
Va, now resident of the Louise Home
Washington, for property taken and de-
stroyed by the Federal troops during
the civil war"
Mrs. Semple was born in the White
House, the daughter of President Tyler
and is the only living child born there
She is a gentle old lady, with soft, sill
very curls hanging about her face. and
il isn't at all likely that she knows any
thing about the bill, nor would she re-
about it. She is way past so, and ali
her wants are beautifully provided fol
in the Louise Home for decayed gen.
tlewomen," which was erected by the
late William w. Corcoran in memory oi
his daughter out of wealth which came
to him at the time of the deal with
Texas on her admission to the Union
when her bonds went from four cents
on the dollar to 100 cents on the dollar
Of. TnT.ln ,aI lat. hi
tions. Mrs Semple stands in need OF
nothing There is somebody back of
the business who hopes TO profit by the
deal when she is gone.
Miss Ethel Roosevelt is to have {
party at the White House Jan. 3.
The position of marker and care
taker of Confederate graves seems tC
be much-sought-for one. Capt. FL.
liott. n Confederate, who held the posi-.
ton, died recently and there have beer
dozen or more applicants for hi:
place. The President has appointed
Gen. William G. Oates, a former Con
federate soldier and a Brigadier-Gen.
eral in the Spanish-American War. t.
say nothing of having been for severa
terms a member of Congress from Ala
bama. His duties are to seek out the
graves Of Confederates who are buriet
in the cemeteries of the country, and
have them marked by the Government
exactly as the graves of the Union dead
are marked. This is a sort of gentle
leading up to pensions for surviving
Confederates, in all probability, and tn,
return of the rebel flags to haunt il
the faces of veterans who go to place!
like the jamestown Exposition.