Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-01-07
WASHINGTON.
Matters and Things Political at the
Federal Capital.
Afraid to lump In-The Pension Frauds
Sargent and Kirkwood-Hunt to Move
Mckinley Iron Bill-1he Guiteau
Case--WheeIing COlIectorshiP.
THE TREASURY INVESTIGATION,
Specie! Dispatch 10 TIE Register.

WASHINGroS, January O.--lhe laIt HoS
been frequently commented upon, that the
present Congress is slower in getting down
10 regular work than any for several years.
MANY reasons could be advanced for this,
but the real facts are, that the Republican
majority is too small, and its leadership so
indifferent, that there is ahesitancy to take
hold of the real business Of the session, as
at the first dash they will be met by pow
erful minority, led by men OF energy, abil-
ity and experience. However, the plunge
must be made soon, and is likely TO be fol-
lowed by general fight, which will he
very interesting to outsiders.
The Pension Frands.
The resolution of Senator Davis, OF West
Virginia, introduced the 18th OF December
was called up to-day, and after some dis
cussion was adopted II calls upon the
Secretary of the Interior for statement OF
the nature and character Of the frauds;
what amount of arrears have been paid;
the number OF cases added to the Pension
roll under the Arrears Act" the number
Of applications Hereunder; the estimated
ted total cost of the arrearages paid and to
be paid, and the total regular pension ro.i
after the arrears have been determined.
The Senator is confident that an inyeStiga-
ton will disclose stupendous frauds, and
the report Will give starting point sOn
which to work, and with his well-knOwn
industry and capacity for detail, he will
make the investigation one OF thorough
ness.
Sargent on tie Anxious Seal.
1t is now generally believed that eH-
Senator Sargent will get the SecretaryShip
OF the Interior Department, but not just
vet. Wilson. of Iowa is a candidate for
the Senate from that State, and if Farmer
KirkwOOd was turned OUT, he might make
q good deal Of trouble among the. Hawkeye
Grangers: so he will be permitted to vege.
tate in the Department until Wilson Is
safely landed in the Senate, and will then
be quietly turned out 10 grass.
The Navy Department.
1t is announced, tonight that the Presi-
dent Contemplates giving W. Z. Chandler
Hunts place in the Navy Department, rs
a complimeri; 10 Blaine. Whether this be
true or not !; is undoubtedly the inten-
ton that Hunt shall move. and the indica-
tiUnSipoint to Chandler as the coming man.
McKlnIey'S Iron Bill.
The bill OF Representative Mckinley,
which provides that the duty on nianufac-
tured articles shall in no case be less than
the duty on the material which constitutes
their chief value, was to-day referred to the
Committee on Ways aud Means aud he ex-
poets favorable report
The Guiteau Case.
The requests Tor instructions prepared by
Guiteau'S counsel, which raises the ques-
ton of jurisdiction, is considered here as
merely an atroit move to forccla verdict OF
manslaughter. Ii is generally conceded
that they have abandoned all hope of
favorable verdict, and that they will hang
their hopes on this slender thread. 1t is
not. however likely tina they will succeed,
as the matter has been well considered
here, and the better opinion is that Ser-
dict of guilty will be sustained by the
court in banc.
Treasury investigation.
The Treasury Investigation Committee
continues TO find Irregularities, which,
while they are not crimes, show criminal
negligence in the transaction OF business
and the payment of public funds. 1t will
probably continue its sessions for some
weeks TO come and the developments
promise TO be interesting.
The Star Route Cases.
Coils COrkhilr and Bliss propose TO renew
the war on the Star Reuters, tomorrow, by
having the defendants arrested, taken be-
fore the Police Court and sent 10 the grand
jury, as preliminary step 10 indictment.
Under the impetus given by the deter
mined action Of Attorney General Brews-
ter. il seems likely that these cases will at
last be thoroughly ventilated.
wheeling Coliectorship.
In addition to the original candidate Tor
the Surveyorship OF the port OF Wheeling,
there were two more announced. They are
Charley Hamilton and Grand Father
Beach, both of whom have recently filed
applications here. 1t is said that Beach's
strongest recommendation is his Simon
pure ''stalwartism.' He was strong third
termer, and very bitter on the Garfield ad-
ministration. y month ago rs l telegraph
ed Won, Peterson was the stalwart candidate,
but he was found 10 be too slow q
"hoSS" and was pushed from the track
by his hackers, and Beach substituted in
his stead, who has considerable energy and
will push his candidacy with yigor. Gill
christ, the present incumbent OF the office,
has been here looking after his chances for
a reappointment. The new man must
soon be named, as the present term OF
Office expires in February or March.
Among the West Virginia arrivals, to-day,
were Congressman HOge and wife, Col.
Ryrnc and Col. Jim Davis. of the Third
District and VIM. Hewitt, OF New Cumoer-
land. dan.