Some people have supposed that this inquiry into the ships available for war service must mean that we are about to fight Spain, but they are entirely mistaken. The Navy Department has realized that our navy is our weakest point, and is doing its best to get it into such a fine condition that we need not fear any foe either on land or sea. There is an old proverb which says, "In times of peace prepare for war," and a very excellent proverb it is. The Navy Department is also most anxious to secure more seamen to man its vessels, and to that end is opening recruiting offices in Chicago and throughout the West. We need more sailors and more officers to properly fit out our navy, and the department is making earnest efforts to secure them. We are so short-handed at present that the cruiser _Philadelphia_, returning from Hawaii, was obliged to transfer part of her officers and crew to the _Baltimore_, which was to take her place at Honolulu. There were not enough sailors available to man the _Baltimore_ without this exchange. * * * * * It is said that the health of good old Oom Paul is failing, and that he is not likely to live very long. In spite of this, the rugged old President of the Transvaal is so anxious to be re-elected that he is going round the country making speeches and trying to secure votes, as if he were still a young man. Oom Paul has three times been made President of the Transvaal. The presidents of the South African Republic hold office for five years, so the reins of government have been in this one man's hands for fifteen years. He is opposed by General Joubert, the man who beat the English at the battle of Majuba Hill. General Joubert is also much beloved by the people, and has twice before opposed Oom Paul for the office of President, but there is little chance of any other candidate being elected, so long as Paul Kruger is willing to run for office. The Boers have a reverence and love for this great leader of theirs which is touching. They regard him as the father of their country, and feel it their duty to support him. One old man who was asked at the last election whether he meant to vote for Kruger or Joubert, replied indignantly: "Paul Kruger is as my father; I am as his son. Do you think I would disobey him?" As the majority of the voters in the Transvaal seem to feel in the same way, there is little doubt that Oom Paul will be re-elected. * * * * * There were grave murmurs against the city government the other day. One morning the papers appeared, telling in indignant words the story of how the aldermen of the city of New York were about to give away the right to build a railroad on the Kingsbridge Road.