The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-12-15
wAsHINGON.
Committed on NAVAL Affalrs.


WASHINGTON Dec. 1.-THE Senate Com
mittee Oh Naval Affairs held their first meet
ing and distributed to subcommittee most OF
the business thus far referred to them.
The Whitaker Case.
Judge Advocate General Swain to-day sub
mitted his review of the Whitaker court mar
tial case to the Secretary of War. The verdict
of the court will not be made public until the
case is acted upon by the President, to whom
the report will be made by the Secretary Of
Naval Odacers to be Retired.
Rear Admiral Thomas H. Pattiman will be
retired May 10th and Commodore George M,
Ransom June 9Th.
Secretary trelinghuysen
Secretary Frelinghuysen assumes his duties
on Monday.
Mr.. Upton's successor.
It Is learned this afternoon that Ex-senator
Paddock, of Nebraska, succeeds Assistant Sec
Territorial Matters.
The Senate Committee on Territories this
morning agreed to report favorably on the bill
introduced by Mr.. Saunders to straighten the
northern boundary of Nebraska by extending
it on the 43d parallel to the Missouri river.
The committee also authorized a favorable re-
port on Mr.. Plumb's bill to validate the cleo
lions for members of the present Legislature
of New Mexico, held without compliance with
the Congressional law requiring the territory
to be previously redistricted.
Redemption of Bonds.
Total redemption, under the 105th call, to
date amount to $15, 52l,20O.
The Christiancy Divorce Suit
In the Christiancy divorce suit to-day Chan
cellor Wylie granted o motion of counsel for
defendant that the husband be taxed with the
examiners costs. This afternoon the missing
witness, Charles Goodman, reappeared and
signed his testimony.
Expenses OF President Garfields Sick
ness.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations to-
day briefly discussed, but laid aside for further
consideration, the bill introduced by Mr.. Ed
munds, which proposes an appropriation of
100000 to defray the extraordinary liabilities
and expenses incurred in consequence of the
assassination of President Garfield.
The Department Contingent Fund.
The committee then took up the Sherman
resolution adopted by the Senate at the special
SESSION., which requires an investigation by
this committee of the accounts and methods of
expenditure of the contingent funds, ETC., OF
the several executive departments After
some discussion the investigation was delegat-
ed subcommittee consisting of Messrs. All-
son, Logan, Hale. Davis and Cockrell.
Naval Appointments.
The President to-day sent to the Senate a
>
all being in the line of promotion
The Holiday Recess.
The general impression among prominent
members of the House is that the holiday re-
cess will begin Wednesday, the 21st inst 1t
is thought probable that Speaker Keller will
be able to announce the committees previous
to adjournment.
The Late Presidents Obsequies.
The select committee of the House and Sem
ate on the death of President Garfield met this
afternoon. The only subject under considera-
tion was in regard to the arrangement of the
obsequies of the late President. The matter
was very generally discussed and finally referred
to subcommittee, of which MIR. Mckinley is
chairman, with instructions TO report to the
joint committee as soon as practicable. Gen
eral preference was expressed that some distin-
guished orator shall be invited to deliver a Gu
logy and that two Senators and two Represen-
tatives shall be selected to follow the orator
with brief remarks, each being allowed about
fifteen minutes, the services to be begun with
prayer and to be held in the House of Repre-
sentatives some time in January.
The Struggle Over the House Commit
tees.
Speaker Keller is In great trouble over the
Craftsmanship of the appropriations committee.
He has been inclined to give it to the East and
to appoint Mr.. Hiscock his principal oppo-
nent, to that position, By doing this he would
Speak rship campaigns, comforting upon his
leapng opponent the position which gives him
rank as the leader. or at least one of the lead
ers. of the House. But within a few days the
Speaker has been subjected to very powerful
pressure from the Western States, not in be-
half of any special candidate, but for the sec
ton. The Western men say that while they
will concede that the Speaker shall give the
East the chairmanships of the Committees on
Commerce, on Banking and Currency and on
Ways and Means, three of the great commit
mittees of the House, they insist that the con-
troll of the purse strings shall be given TO the
West. This principle was recognized, they
maintain, by the Democrats for the last six
years, Mr.. Atkins representing the Southwest
having been at the head of the Appropriation
Committee. The Speaker is reported To be ex
ceedingly embarrassed on account of this al
most ferocious demand of the Western men,
beers that the control of the Appropriations
Committee should be given to their section.
What bis determination will be of course can
not yet be known.
Bancroft Davis for Assistant Secretary
of State.
1t is reported to-day that j. Bancroft Davis
will succeed Mr.. Hill as First Assistant Score
tary of State and Secretary Hunt take Judge
Davis place on the bench of the Court Of
Claims.