The Irish standard., 1914-03-28


The British squadron was under
Captain George Downie and the Amer
lean force under Commander Melon
ough, was anchored in Plattsburg bay.
At sunrise on September IL, 1914, the
British came in sight. and by eight
o'clock approached the American fleet
which opened fire. The Saratoga"
McDonough's ship, defeated the "Con-
fiance," which was forced to strike
her flag. The enemy's loss was about
200, and the Americans about 112.
During most of the action McDon-
ough pointed favorite gun, and was
twice Knocked senseless by shots.
For his services on this occasion, he
was made captain, received a gold
medal from Congress, numerous civic
honors from cities and towns, and was
presented by the legislature of Yer.
mont with an estate upon Cumberland
head, which overlooks the scene of
the engagement.
The Mediterranean squadron was
his last command, and he died on
board trading brig that had been
sent by the United States government
to bring him home.
The erection of the memorial is in
conjunction with the celebration of
the centenary of the Battle of Platts-
burgh, which will be held on Septem-
Der IL, 1914, at Plattsburgh, New, York.
Death. of General Reid.
George Croghan Reid, brigadier gen.
eral, retired, United States Marine
Corps, died in Washington on the 18th
instant, and the interment was in Ar.
lington cemetery with full military
honors. He was devout Catholic
and regular attendant at Saint Mat
thew's church, at Washington.
General Reid was one of the best
known men In the marine corps and
had served for more than 40 years.
He had friends all over the world;
was both soldier of renown and q
lawyer, and in both branches of work
highly respected. He is survived by a
wife and one son, Conrad Reid of
Washington.
Secretary Lane Against National
University.
The house committee on education
received protest last week from Sec.
rotary of the Interior Lane, against
the Foss bill to create a national
university in Washington. The secre.
tary contends that whatever is done
for education by the federal govern.
ment should be confined at this time
to the country's common schools
especially in the rural districts where
the schools are on far too low
plane.
II believe" said the secretary, that
the nation could aid the states greatly
by having corps of experts who
would be able to advise the state,
county, and municipal officials as to
school organization, architecture, san.
itation, and methods of study, and un-
til such work is undertaken, doubt
the wisdom of taking upon ourselves
the creation and maintenance of
national university, attractive and
beneficial as such project might
be. So long as we pay our teachers
less than we do our farm laborers,
as is the case in many of our states,
we cannot expect teaching to be re-
garded as profession of dignity and
first Importance"
Resignation Of Navy Chaplain Takes
Effect March 2eth.
The resignation of Rev. Louis P.
Rennolds, chaplain, United States
navy, will take effect March 29th,
which will necessitate the appointing
OF new Catholic chaplain
Father Rennolds has already been
assigned to parish in the archdio-
cese of Baltimore to which he be-
longed, having been loaned to the navy
by His Eminence. Cardinal Gibbons.
Plea for Free Canal.
Sentiment is growing fast against
President Wilson's Panama canal tolls
repeal program, and last week the Ma
tional Rivers and Harbors Congress,
of which Senator Joseph E. Ransdell
of Louisiana, is president, issued a
stirring appeal to the country to lend
its aid in defeating the proposed meas
ure. Among other things, the appeal
sets forth the following:
"A tremendous effort is now being
made to secure the repeal of that pro.
vision of the Panama Canal act which
exempts American vessels engaged in
coastwise commerce from the payment
of tolls, and this effort is likely to
succeed unless those who are opposed
to legislation by the Congress of the
United States, which is in the interest
of Great Britain and the transconti-
mental railways, rather than of the
American people, shall enter q prompt
and energetic protest.
!