The National tribune., 1909-01-14
To-
CORRESPONDENTS.
us-L.A--

Heh- noDert h. Lee, ana at "hhs PiiNr-
Among the many lives of Gen. Lee
the following are the best: Cookies Lie
of Robert E. Lee, 1871: Longs Mem
oirs of Robert E. Lee, 1885, and t1tz-
hugh Lees Robert E. Lee, 1894. The
last named was published in the Great
Commander Series by d. Appleton d
Co., New York, and costs S1.50. There
is brief life of Lee in the Beacon
Biographies, published in Boston, which
Is less expensive.
Fl. H. H, Alluwe Okla, asks: Has
United States mail carrier the right of
the whole road, or does he have to give
half, the same as any other citizen?
The mail carrier representing the
United States Government, has the en-
tire right of way. OF course, he cannot
claim more space than he occupies. and
if he sees fit to occupy the center of the
road he could claim that as his right
B. H. A, Alabama, asks: Please tell
me the value of o three-cent piece of
1863, nickel of 1868 and one Of 1855,
a dime of 1912, a copper OF 184s, 50
gold piece of 1s45 and $40 gold piece
of 1847?
According to the premium list issued
by Lyman H. Low. of IA Z. 23d street,
New York City, the only coin having
any value among those described by you
is the three-cent piece Of 1868, which.
II in good condition, Is worth from 25
to 60 cents.
c. A. G., Monticello, Ind, asks: L.
Do the National Soldiers Homes exact
part of the pensions Of comrades who
enter therein? g. What materials are
used in the manufacture Of wall paper +?
1. The practice that prevails at the
Soldiers Home in Washington is that
the pension is drawn by the Treasurer
of the Home, and held in trust for the
pensioner. to whom it is paid in such
sums as the Commissioners deem prop.
er while he is an inmate Of the Home,
the balance being paid in full when he
takes his discharge and leaves the
Home. 2. Wall paper is made pretty
much in the same way as other paper
Is made. The patterns and designs are
printed by means of a cylinder press,
similar to the methods employed in
calico printing. See wall Papers and
Wall Coverings" by A. s. Jennings,
which costs 81, and can be had of any
dealer in scientific books, such as Mum
& Co., 361 Broadway, New York City.
c. w. B., Los Angeles, Cal, asks: Is
there any Government land in the Phil
ippine Islands subject to homestead
entry or otherwise?
For this information you had better
write to Gen. Clarence r. Edwards, u.
s. Army, Chief Of Bureau Of Insular
Affairs, Jackson Place, Washington,
D. c.
W. B. u, Wright, N. M. asks: Can
you tell me where to apply for the most
credible information as to the lives of
the sisters of Chief Justice Marshall,
especially their connection with the
Weaver branch?
One Of the most recent lives of Chief
Justice Marshall is that published in
Boston in 1885, written by Allan B.
Magruder, in the American Statesmen
Series Of Houghton. Mifhin G. Co, and
to this work we therefore refer you, tho
the book is devoted to the public ser
vices Of the Chief Justice rather than
to his familysand private life.
r. M, Walkers Point. Mich, writes:
1 am sure that they did not at first
nominate Presidents in conventions as
they do now but would like to know
something about the early methods.
The early way OF naming candidates
for the Presidency was at a caucus of
the legislative bodies of the State. Such
legislative caucuses were succeeded by
Congressional caucuses held in Wash
ington, and subsequent to 1925 a con-
vention of the States was suggested for
the nomination of Presidential candi-
dates. John Quincy Adams, of Massa-
chusetts, was opposed to the conven-
tion plan, and adhered to the Congress
sional caucus in naming the President,
while the friends of Henry Clay, of
Kentucky, favored State conventions.
In 1928 there was combined action of
legislative caucuses and State conven-
tions for the purpose of nominating
candidates for President and Vice Pres
ident, but it was not until 1881, when a
Whig convention was held In Baltimore,
which was claimed to be the real parent
Of our existing Presidential conven-
tions. 1t was at this convention that
the election of delegates by Congress
sional Districts was recommended.
]. L. D.. Detroit, Mich, asks: VIII
you give me brief history of the Great
Eastern, which was for so long the
largest ship in the world?
The Great Eastern was lanched in
January, 1858, and it was originally
constructed to provide vessel that
would accommodate a thousand pas
sengers and Is, 600 tons of coal for fuel.
the especial object being to maintain an
ocean steam route to the East around
the Cape of Good Hope. The Great
Eastern had length of 692 feet, II
breadth of 80 feet and a displacement
of $4,000 tons. Her speed was from 13
to IA knots, and she was the largest
vessel until the building of the Celtic
in 1901. The measurements of the
Mauretania of the Cunard Line are
added for comparisons: Length, 100
feet: breadth, SO feet; displacement.
$4,000 tons, and speed, 81 Ia knots.
The Great Eastern was failure from
the beginning. Her first trip began on
Sept. s, 1859, and scarcely had she left
the Thames when an explosion oc-
Cured, and she was obliged to return.
During 1860-61 she made frequent trips
between Southampton and New York.
Later, in 1S64-65-66, she was used as a
cable ship, and was employed in the
laying of the Atlantic telegraph cable
In 1867 she was reconverted into a pas
senger vessel for the purpose of trans
porting visitors from the United states
to the Paris Exposition. This under
taking proved unsuccessful. and She
was again made into a cable-Iavinp
ship After other experiences she he
came, in 1884, coal hulk at Gibraltar
and finally, in 1887, was sold for S82..
500, to be broken up.
]. I. D., ST. Cloud, Mimi, asks: Can
you refer me or give me in substance
the provisions of paragraph 4, Special
Orders No. 292. in force December,
1890, War Department
The following Is probably the matter
for which you ask; Headquarters of the
Army, Adjutant-GeneraPs Office. wash
ington, Dec. Is, 1S9O.-Special Orders
No. 292. Parapranh A. aPv
direction of the Secretary of War Pri,
vate Nathan ]. Walton. Light BATTERY
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