Evening star., 1938-02-13
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL P. KENNEDY

One OF the Nations humble heroes
who had given 40 years, months and %
days Of exemplary service to his coun-
try-Lt. George Charette, was buried the
other day in Arlington National Gene
terry, while his gallant service in the
Spanish American War, for which he
received the Congressional Medal of
Honor, by act of Congress in November,
1899, was memorialized in the Record Of
Congress by Representative Edith N.
Rogers Republican, of Massachusetts.
Charette was member Of the crew of
the U. S. S. Merrimac, scuttled in the
attempt to bottle the enemy feet in the
harbor OF Santiago, Cuba, June 2, 1898.
Charette, then a gunner's mate, first
class, touched off the fuse that sank the
vessel. The late Admiral Richmond
Pearson Hobson, with seven volunteers,
took their lives in their hands to explode
the ship under the Spanish guns-they
drifted to Spanish territory and were
made prisoners of war Charette was
returned to the United States authorities
IN an exchange of prisoners after he had
spent month in the famous Moro Cas-
tie Prison.
The Official records show that he en-
listed In the United States Navy at the
age OF l6 as an apprentice, first class.
After his heroic exploit in Santiago Bay
he was elevated to the rank of gunner,
then to chief gunner, and saw service on
many OF the famous ships of the Navy.
At the opening of the World War he was
stationed on the U. S. s. Kansas. and
served until November, 1917, conveying
American troops to France Because of
MS outstanding record and experience he
was then placed in charge of the Naval
Ammunition Depot at bingham, Mass.
He was retired on May 81, 1925, leaving,
Representative Rogers emphasizes, a rec
ora OF devoted patriotism and service
which Should be inspirational for the
youth OF generations yet unborn-more
impressive than that of the world s
statesmen
While the appointment of Senator
hugo l.. Black as associate justice of the
United States Supreme Court over
shadowed other appointments to either
State or Federal judgeships, many have
been selected from Congress for those
posts Recently there were John P. Hig-
gins to be chief justice of the Superior
Court IN Massachusetts, and William j.
Granheld as district judge; Frank
Oliver and Charles A. Millard, New York.
Representative Fred M. Vinson of Ken.
lucky. member of the Joint Committee
on Reorganization, has just been ap-
pointed member of the United States
Court OF Appeals for the District of Co.
lumoia; FiniS j. Garrett, former Demo-
cratic House leader, is presiding judge of
the United States Court of Customs and
Patent Appeals, and also on this bench
are former Representative Oscar E..
Bland, Indiana, and former Senator
Irvine L. Lenroot, Wisconsin. William r..
Green, former chairman of the House
ways and Means Committee, is q men,
Der OF the Court of Claims of the United
states, and on the same bench are for
mer House members Thomas s. Williams,
Illinois, and Richard S. Whaley, South
Carolina. Former Representatives David
H. Kincheloe, Kentucky, and Frederick
w. Dallinger, Massachusetts,, were ap-
pointed to the United States Customs
Court by President Hoover and are still
serving. After House service Oscar r.
Luhring. Indiana, was appointed Assist
ant Attorney General by President Cool
idge and he is now an associate justice
OF the District Supreme Court.
X X
Speaking of housekeepers-here is q
notable tribute to that devoted class who
generally hide their light under q bushel
helping others to do great things while
they unobtrusively provide the home
comforts for relaxation behind the busy
scenes. Here also is demonstration that
often the housekeeper has hidden tai
ents. The President has again (the third
time) exempted Miss Mary M. OReilly,
who, without regard for party politics,
has served for many years as Assistant
Director of the United States Mint,
from retirement on account Of age. Years
ago Miss OReilly was housekeeper in
the small city Of Amherst, Mass, for
her uncle, the Rev. John brennan, pas
tor of st. Brigid's Parish. She proved
very Efficient in charge of his domestic
affairs and aided him greatly in minis
tering to the needs of his parish. Then
she was given q position In the Bureau
of the Mint, United States Treasury
and soon the international world of
currency came to know her well for
outstanding ability. For nearly quarter
of q century she has been recognized
as q worldwide authority on all phases
of currency manipulation. No woman in
the history Of the Government has been
called into as many important confer
ences by leaders in Congress while cur
rency legislation was being considered.
And withal She Is modestly retiring In
her personal habits and attitude toward
those who seek her expert advice.