Itesm of Interest October 26, 1899 Issue

Items of Interest

The first race of the American cup series was sailed Monday, October 16. The course was fifteen miles to windward and return. Columbia, the American yacht, won by ten minutes, eight seconds. Time 4h. 53m. 53s. The second race, over a triangular course of thirty miles, was also won by the Columbia. When only three miles from the starting-point the topmast of the Shamrock broke, which so disabled her that she gave up the race and was towed inside Sandy Hook. The Columbia sailed over the full course alone, and was declared the winner. Time 3h. and 37m. The third race was over a windward and leeward course of thirty miles. The Columbia again came off victor by six minutes thirty-four seconds. Time 3h., 38m., 09s. Having defeated the challenger three times, the famous yachting trophy stays in America.

Senator Hanna and others favor creating another cabinet department, to be called the Department of Commerce. It is thought the President will, in his next annual message, recommend such a department. The reason given for creating a new department is that too many great branches of business are grouped under the control of a single cabinet officer. For instance, the Interior Department embraces, the Land Office, Pension Department, Indians, and so on.

General William R. Shafter was sixty-four years old October 16, 1899. For over a year he had held the positions of brigadier-general in the regular army, and major-general of volunteers. On his sixty-fourth birthday he was retired by operation of the law which fixes the age-limit of officers of the regular army. He will remain in the volunteer service in command of the department of the Pacific until relieved by the President.

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