The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-03-31
WASHINGTON.
A Big Ganeva Award Claim


WASHINGTON, March 30.-The Great West
esn Insurance Company of New York has
filed a petition against the United States for
the recovery of upwards of 500 600. the
amonnt OF their claim against the Geneva
award with interest,
Survivors OF the Jeannette Examined.
The Jeanette board of inquiry convened at
the Navy Department today to examine
Seamen Leach, Manson and Bartlett and Coal
Passer Laaterbach, the Jeanette survivors,
who have Just arrived from Siberia. Bartlett
was not present The others we're examined,
and testified that everything possible was done
for the safety OF the crew after leaving the
Jeannette, aud they all joining ia praising
lieutenant Danenhower's skill and heroism
The board adjourned until Tuesday next, when
Bartlett viii be examined.
The Presidents Vacation.
Private Secretary Phillips says that no def
mite arrangements have been made for the
been abandoned, and il is not true that he has
accepted the invitation of ex-Minster Sanford
to go to Indian river.
Counting the Funds.
The Secretary Of the Treasury has appointed
the following committee TO count the funds Of
the United States Treasurer preliminary to the
transfer of the office to Wyman, the successor
OF Gilfillan: Mr. Daskam. chief of the money
division of the Treasury; Mr. Upton, former
Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury, now en-
gagged IN private banking, and Mr.. Middleton
q Washington banker.
Madame Nilsson Entertained at the
White House.
Nine. Christine Nilsson was entertained at
dinner by the President a. the White House
this evening. The dinner was strictly private
the only persons present. being the President
Nine. Nilsson, Mrs. and Miss Doremus, Judge
Gray, Capt Bagot, Mr.. Phillips and Mrs
Hainsworth, sister of the President
-
WASHINGTON, March J0.--Jadge Lawrence,
First Comptroller of the Treasury, has made
decision Ia the Ochilfree case aud that OF
two delegates from Territories. The United
States holds Judgment against Ochiltree for
$3.50. In November, 1882, be was elected
Representative in Congress from Texas. On
the 4th of April there will he due him one
months saiary-S4l7 The question was
whether the salary should be held TO apply on
judgment. The two delegates from the Terri
tories we're disbursing officers and their ac-
counts were not finally settled, so they are on
the books Of the Treasury Department indebt-
ed 10 the government.
It has been decided by the Supreme Court
and by the sCourt OF Claims, and usage has
always been that accounting officers in settling
the account of any person indebted to the
United States should withhold payment until
the liability was paid. This gas expressly
authorized also by the revised statutes. II
this law stood alone there would be no diff
CNiLy III utClulllE tue qucSIlDut Dub the COHNtl-
tntion OF the United States provides that Sem
stors and Representatives in Congress shall
received compensation for their services to be
ascertained by law and paid out OF the Treas
ury Of the United States 1t has been re-
peatedly dee ded by the courts that the salary
of officer cannot be reached by creditors
by attachment or other remedial process, and
that the salary can neither be incumbered or
assigned.
The reason Of this rule is important, as 1t
will aid in constituting the constitution. The
reason is that the law presumes that the salary
is necessary TO enable the officer 10 support
himself in the performance of his duties, and
if 1t be taken away the government may be
deprived Of his official services. In the light
Of these principles the constitution declares
that Representatives shall be entitled TO re-
ceive the payment Of their compensation. Oar
constitution intended TO change the English
rule so that men OF limited means could serve
Congress as we'll as those OF large means.
La view OF this explicit provision Of the con-
stituilop, 1t must be held that the salary must
be actually paid to Representative As to
Delegates from Territories, they are not Gre
ated By the constitution. In view Of this II ia
heTd that no set off can be made in the case
Of Representatives in Congress, but it may be
as 10 delegates In cases in which the ac-
counting officers refuse 10 make tho set off
when it may be required, an act OF 1878 au-
thorizes the Secretary OF the Treasury to make
the set off. The Acting Secretary has decided
tNAt ne WOuiu Hob make any OfIef ctuuElU
the action OF the Comptroller.
Chief Of the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing.
Tho Acting Secretary OF the Treasury today
appointed Capt. T. n Burrill Of New York
chief OF the bureau Of engraving and printing.
Capt. Burrill Is now purchasing agent Of that
bureau.
Tho Vacant Postmaster Generalship.
The Cabinet meeting today was attended by
the Secretary Of State. Secretary OF the Navy
and Attorney General Question arose In con-
nection with the vacancy In the Cabiret
caused by the death of Postmaster General
Howe and was referred to the Attorney Gem
eral for an opinion. Ii was as to whether the
President was obliged to fill the vacancy with
10 ten days and II he could not renew the des-
ignation OF the Acting Postmaster General
after the expiration Of the first ten days.
The Civil sevice Rules.
Dorman b. Eaton says the civil service rules
will not be submitted to the President until
after bis return from his trip, and that there is
nothing in the rules which the people will not
think every clerk ought to know.
The District Commission.
The iangla in the board OF district commits.
sioDers continues, and Washington now has
ihree-headed local government. Judge Ed
monds was elected the president of the board
yesterday by just one vote, Major LydeDker
alone voting. Congress will be asked next
winter 10 pass a law which shall designate
the president Of the board.
Telegraphic Consolidation.
The first apparent movement of the Western
union toward consolidation with the Mutual
UnioD Company has commenced here by no
tice to the United Press Association that its
contract with the Mutual Union will be termi.
mated.
Misc ellaneous.
II Is learned that General Diaz ia one of tho
principal promoters OF the Mexican drainage
scheme.
1t appears to bo fact that George NJ. Robe
son is candidate for the position of Post
master General and that efforts are being
made to secure truce between him and Sem
ator Sewall Of New Jersey, to whose in1u-
ence Robson attributes his late defeat for
Congress. 1t is urged by Robeson's friends
that recognition OF him by the President
aud union OF the forces Of Sewal aud Robe
son will secure New Jersey for the Republican
ticket 4, 18g1