Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-11-05
Recommendations by the Com
missioner of Pensions.
A Thanksgiving Day to be Or
dered by the President
WASHINGTON.
ews From tho National Capital.

News From the National Capital.
WASHINGTON, November 4-The
argument on the motion to set aside
the criminal information in the Star
Route cases. was resumed this morn
ing. George Bliss, as special coun-
sci, addressed the court Oh behalf of
the Government He gave, as q
reason why the information was filed,
that the grand jury had been ad-
journed unit October 3rd, and what
were regarded as some of the most
important and effective overt acts
had taken place on the 1st of Octo-
Der, and it was likely, therefore, that
unless the proceedings were began in
some, for the pea Of the statute of
limitations would have been set up
by the delen"apts. Bliss argued at
length against the motion to quash
the Indictment.
Colonel Dudley, commissioner of
pensions, has subm tied to the Sec
retary of the interior a recommends
tion that Congress be asked to ap-
propriate $1OO.000,000 for dIsburse-
ment by this Office during the next
fiscal year, ending June 3, 1888, in
payment of annual and accrued pen
sions, and also that an imme-
diate deficiency appropriation
of $20,O0O,OO0 be requested
for the purpose of paying all arrears
of pensions, and claimants whose
cases have been OF may be favorabIy
adjudicated during the current fsral.
The Commissioner estima es that
10000 pen ion claims will be allowed
this year, and that with further ins
crease in the clerical force of the
Bureau as many as 60,000 may be
disposed of next year.
President Arthur has decided to
designate Thursday, November "a,
as a day Of national thanksgiving
and prayer. A proclamation is now
being prepared at the State Depart
ment, and will be sent to New York
tomorrow for the Presidents sigma
ture.
Mr.. Bliss admitted, in the opening
that the action Of the Government in
placing information before the court
was unusual, but not without prece
dent, and said that it was the only
direct way by which the Governments
could place facts properly before the
jury. He closed his argument by
reading number of authorities
which he subsequently filed in the
shape of a brief The main point
made under these authorities was thai
any person or persons guilty
of any crime arising under the reve-
nue. laws of the United States, or in-
creasing any fine or forfeiture by the
breaches of said laws, be prosecuted
tried and punished, provided the in
dictment or information be found Al
any time within five years after com
mitting the office; any law or provis
ion to the contrary notwith.
standing The same furthe,
authorities were cited by Bliss will
reference to the question of conspi-
racy. He n int nned chat in tlj'
case conspiracy coali be proved anC
quite properly sustaint d. Ref rr,ns
to the position t4ken by counsel fo
the defense yesterday, that Brad,
could MT, as an executive offices, b.
prosecuted against by ind cfment
much less by lnf"rlnati II. Bliss Sal,
it seemed extraordinary to bin
that these gentlemen shoul'
say that we are not habl
to grand jury inquest we are Tia
BILE to impeachment, aud being on
of office now, impes chment amount
to nothing. Any officer of the gov
1ernment could then, after the mos
corrupt practices, only resign. H
referred to the Belpnap case as II
the impracticabi'ity OF tue impea acb
ment plan. Referring to the Twee'
case he said it was not alleged in th
indictment against him that any 0
the money ever went Into his pocket
still counsel came here ant
laughed because they did no
allege in their Information tha
any of the money went intoa Brady
pocket. He then made severe III
raignment of Gen. Brady, who, b
said, being entrusted with discretion
by the government, did not exercis
that discretion for the good peopl
of the government, but was using i
for the good of a few by cutting thi
man out and putting that man in, ant
sqceezing this contractor or that t.
pay contribution, perhaps. He urget
that before the defense finish thi
case they will seek to avail them
selves of the principle which the.
laid down yesterday, that member
of Congress, too, are exempt from
such prosecution or exemption.