Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-06

source to-day were SOS. 500.
TBE HOUSE Committee on Patents had the
bill 20 make the Patent ONCE distinct from the
Interior department under consideration to-
day. They have not finished its consideration.
The CABINET SESSION to-day was attended
by all the members excepting Secretary Robe
son, who Is absent from the city. The session
was very brief, no important business being
under consideration.
IT Is UNDERSTOOD that a libel will De di
rected by order of the Secretary Of the Treasury
against the steamer General Sherman, now
lying at Key West, for a violation of the neu-
trality act.
PERsoSAL.-Senator Lewis, who has been
home to Virginia to recuperate, has returned to
Washington, and although not in good health,
is again in his seat in the Senate.
TIE BILL for the reduction of the army was
again under consideration by the House Com
mittee on Military Affairs this morning. They
viii probably be ready to report the bill some
time next week.
THE SENATE Committee on Appropriations
to-day finished the consideration of the Senate
amendments to the naval appropriation bill
The committee substantially agreed with the
Senate amendments to the bill.
REPRESENTATIVES, HENRY l.. PIERCE, ac-
cording to the Boston Gazette, is prominently
mentioned as a candidate for Governor of Mass
achusetts, as an knowledgement OF his SER
vices in opposing the confirmation of Collec-
ter Simmons.
NAVAL ORDERs.-Assistant Paymaster G. K.
Baughman has been ordered to duty in the
Bureau of Provision and Clothing. Assistant
Paymsster James A. Ring has been ordered to
duty on board the storeship Onward at Callao
Peru, to relieve Pavmaster ID. A. Smith. who
upon reporting OF his relief will return home
and report his arrival.
THE CONSCIENCE FUND of the Treasury de-
Iartment was enriched to-day by the acq uisi-
ton of two hundred dollars and three cents the
first amount coming from an ANONYMOUS cor-
respondent in New York, who had not been
paying proper regard 10 the government dues
in the articles of customs, and the last amount
from a terribly conscience stricken denizen OF
Philadelphia, who knew he owed the govern.
ment that amount, but didn't know what for.
NOMINATIOSs.-The President sent the fol-
lowing nominations to the Senate to-dsy:-M
z. Berry, to be collector OF customs district OF
Alaska, territory of Alaska; David Turner col
!ectOr of customs, district of Alexandria, Va:
Seth Z. MOffatt, of Mich, to be register of land
Office at Traverse City, Mich; John A. PraIl of
n.y., to be pension agent at Lexington, Nv;
Samuel q. Camp, TO be deputy postma asst ar at
Wilmington, Ill; Melvin A. Cushing, to be
deputy postmaster at Minonk, ILL.,; Edward F.
Arizona territory.
CoNFIRMATIoNs.-Ths Senate in executive
session yesterday confirmed the following nomi-
nations: W. p. Thompson, register of land Of
ice, Boise City, Idaho; b. II. McEckron, reg
ister republican land district, Arkansas; Chas
a. Tweed, associate justice territory of Ari-
iona; Anthony z. keasbey, attorney United
states, district OF New Jersey; John W. Ross,
collector internal revenue, 9Th district In
diana Edward l.. j. Neatly, collector customs,
Bath, Me; Postmasters-Patriek H. Bowling,
Toledo, Ohio; Benz amin b. G ale, Atchisor
Kansas; W. \. Berkeley, Alexandria, Va.
TEE DEPARTMENT CLERKS are quite indig
nant over the attempts in Congress to reduce
their number and pay, and are busy in our 10
cal journals contrasting the pay of the congress
slonal and departmental employees. They have
the best OF the argument, FOR il is not TO be de
nled that on an average the congressional clerk
receives double the pay of a departments
clerk, and there Is greater waste and extrava
yance at the Capitol than in the departments
Even in the contingent funds of the Senate and
House there is more recklessness than in these
OF the departments. But Congress has a ten
derness for its own, and always will have
What is wanted at both ends of the avenue
more than anything else is equality of treatment
and pay. A shameful favoritism has grown up
all around, by which a few clerks have every
thing they wish while the rest are half starved
-" IGn," IN Springfield Republican.
AGooD SUeeRsTIoN.-Ar. Editor: The House
Of Representatives have passed an act which, if
It becomes law, will deprive more than one
person in family from holding office in any
one OF the departments of the government. /
would suggest, therefore, that whilst the prin-
cfple involved might be proper one in itself
yet, under existing circumstances, the sudden
spRhesnon OF It might operate with great Sc
verify upon many worth : families, whose sole
dependence Is what they obtain in this way.
am not alone In considering the act in ques
ton unnecessarily oppressive in its immediate
fNRf N unV 10 vloA~ 90 .
in the Senate as to provide that for the present
not more than two persons in any one family
should hold office, and that hereafter in making
APPOINTMENTS 1t shall not be lawful to appoint
more than one. The remedy, therefore, sought
IN the act would be gradually obtained, "a
designations or deaths might occur ana that
without entsiling the severe consequences
which must follow the act If finally passed in
.s present shape.
IMPORTANT AMENDMENT TO THE PENSION
LAWs.-The Committee on Invalid Pensions of
the House to-day adopted an amendment to the
last proviso OF section Of the recent codifca-
uon OF the pension laws, making il read that
every increase of pension, except those provided
Tor specific disabilities, should commence from
the date OF the examining surgeons certificate
that first shows the increased disability" The
OBJECT OF this amendment was to correct the
lndehniteness OF the law as it stands at present,
and which says the increase shall commence
:, nom the date OF the examining surgeons GER
unoate, without specifying which certificate,
lheIe otlng frequently as many as five
or more IN the same number of wears
For instance, pensioner is examined in 1870
and pronounced worthy of an increase. His
ease may not be reached for several wears
later-say 1s7i-and for each year a reiteration
OF the certificate may be forwarded to the Pen
sion office. The certificate under the last an
plication of the pensioner Is the one from which
under the present law 1t has been customary TO
date the increase of pension, Notwithstanding
the certificate Of 1870 shows the applicant as
clearly entitled to IL from that date. The
amendment proposed fixes the commencement
OF the increase from the first certificate which
shows the applicant deserving, instead of de.
priyiDg him Of the amount to which he is Justly
entitled between the date of his first and last
certificate.
The GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I'M
sRosLIo.-An affidavit, signed by H. III. Clapp,
was presented in the Senate to-day by Mr.. An
thony, which recites that he Is a clerk at the
Government Printing Once; that on the 22d OF
January, 1914, Mr.. g. b. CorkhiIl. reunited "a
me business manager of the Ckronicis of this
city, called on the deponent for a loan Of ffty
reams or printing paper, to enable the Chron;
Gle 10 put some work TO press imm ediateIv.
that deponent expressed relCctanee n
complying with the request, but altar
persuasive entreaty on the part of ssid
CoTkhill and the positive promise TO re
uS&AK