Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 November 1897 — WASHINGTON. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON.

John Addison Porter, private secretary to the President, denies the report that he will be a candidate to succeed Senator Hawley. Secretary Alger has issued an order for the retirement of Lieut. Col. W. £.

Waters, deputy surgeon-general, under the thirty years’ service act. The secretary of the navy has ordered an investigation of charges that discrimination against Grand Army veterans is practiced in Che employment of men at Mare island navy yard. The question of more economical, efficient and responsible administration of the volunteer soldiers’ homes will be made the subject of investigation by Congress as a result of the recent inspection of these institutions by Brigadier General J. C. Breckinridge, inspector general of the army. That officer will urge in his report the necessity of greater accountability of the board of managers of the homes for the expenditure of money received, and that their status with relation to the Government be definitely established. Gen. •Breckenridge will suggest the advisability of a complete transfer of the administration of the homes to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of-War and the creation of a new bureau of the War Department to manage its affairs.