The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-11-17
WORD FROM WASHINGTON,
What IL Trnnspiring In the City Of the
Nation From Day to Day.

W hut hS III vuS WY tue
Nation From Day to Day
THE ARMY.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7.-General Sher-
man has submitted his annual report
to the secretary of war, enclosing Of
Generals Dream and Sacket, and re-
ports from the commanding generals Of
divisions and departments. Gen. Sher-
man says, referring 10 the reports of
latter They all show that our compan-
les are too small for efficient discipline
and for economical service. When the
national treasury was poor and loaded
with debt, the army endeavored to
gracefully submit to overwork, but now,
says Gen. Sherman, they appeal for re-
| lief, and it is recommended
that congress repeal that clause
of the existing law which limits the en-
listment of the force of the army to
25,0O0. Considerable space is devoted
to a discussion of the subject of officers
servants, Gen. Sherman maintaining
that no soldier should ever be compelled
to do menial labor without compensa-
ton or without his consent, and he
recomm ends that the existing law be
repealed or modified so as to secure
this end. Referring to the west to be
the fountain source of military educa-
ton in time of peace, jim his judgment
the military academy at West Point
fultills its use and can safely be intrust-
ed to prepare boys to become soldiers
of the future.
WHISKY TAX,
WASHINGTON, Nov. THE commits
sioner of the internal revenue bur-
eau will rot favor the proposed reduc-
ton of the whisky law from 80 to so
cents per gallon. In his forthcoming
report Commissioner Raum will neith-
er recommend reduction nor will he
advise directly against. He will state
the amount of revenue devoted from
whisky, and that the proposed reduc-
ton will cut down the amount without
beneftting the producers or consumers.
Revenue officials regard this announce
ment.. tor reduction as inaugu-
rated wholly by the middle men,
who they say would make
all the profit. The whisky trade will
also oppose the reduction, as millions
of dollars worth of whisky are held
in hand, and to reduce the tax would
demoralize the trade badly. The com.
missioner, in his report sent out, states
that this would be the effect. There
will be determined effort made to get
congress to reduce this taxing. 1t is
said big lobby with plenty of money
will be here In the interest of the
movement. The influence of the trea-
ury and revenue bureau will be against
the reduction.
RELEASE OF THE STAR ROUTERS.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.-At the open
ing of the criminal court, Judge Cox
gave his decision in the cases against
the Star route thieves. In giving his
opinion he claimed that they should be
proceeded against by indictment in
stead of information, and therefore sus-
tanned the motion. expelling the infor-
nation from the files of the court, and
ordered the discharge of the defend
ants.
A STATEMENT.
| WASHINGTON, Nov. 1O.-After the
rendering of Judge Cox's opinion Cook
said it was deemed proper that he
should make q statement, which had
been purposely delayed till this time,
with reference to the fact that the case
against Thos. j. Brady and others had
not been presented to the grand jury.
His honor's decision had been rendered,
but it was due to the public and him
sell, as attorney general for the United
States, to his colleagues and associ-
ates, and to the superior officers of the
government to state openly and man.
fully what had been done and why
more common course had not been
taken. On the Saturday following the
nation and the world was shocked by
the announcement that James A. Gar
field was assassinated, and all labor
AS q consequence was suspended.
| hastened back to Washington
to proceed with the cases, and on
stepping off the cars was surprised
with the statement that the grand jury
had been discharged. The attorney
general then at Elberon, could not
have known it was the purpose todis-
charge the grand july, and it had been
done without his concurrence, as it had
been without his (Cook's). Neither
from the district attorney nor from the
grand jury, nor from any one had he
Cook any notice. The proposed re-
cess, directly or indirectly, he could
not anticipate. II had been unusual
and extraorpinary. The recess had
been for sufficient length of time to
prevent the Indictment being found in
this case on account of the statute oflim-
itation. The emergency had ex-
isted, and in order to prevent positive
failure of the case, the prosecution de-
termined to file an information in the
cases. The unusual proceedings it
had been regarded as authorized and
sanctioned by the much-approved prac-
tice.
THE SPEAKER.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.-Although
congress will convene in three weeks
from Monday next. the contest for the
speakership is conducted by cores
pondence and away from the seat of
war. Mr.. Keifer and Mr.. Hiscock are
in New York. Mr.. Kasson, of Iowa, a
prominent candidate, has rented a.
house on Lafayette place. 1t will be
after Thanksgiving before members
will reach the city in force.
THE FIVE CENT NICKEL PIECES.
The question whether the coinage of
the fve-cent nickel pieces shall be re-
sumed, is under consideration at the
treasury department. The coinage was
discontinued under the act of congress
creating it, when the supply of nickel
pieces became redundant. There have
been coined S5,775, $3.50 in nickels.