Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-08

The bill is to embrace the idea that an American
OF foreign patent but Is not to revive any patent
DEAD or TO extend any patent but to apply only to
patents hereafter granted.
PROSPECTS or THE PASSAGE OF THE NEW coNGRIs.
sIoNAL LIBRARY Bill.
Gov. Rice, OF Massachusetts,, who as chairman
or the House committee on the library, has charge
| OF the bill providing for a new Congressional
library. said to-day to a STAR reporter that he
be passed at this session OF Congress- The bin is
now on the House calendar, AMI Is the first OF the
special orders assigned This gives It privileged
day and be passed. The pending bill provides for
the erection OF a building on some site now owned
mission to consist OF the Secretary OF the Interior
tne architect OF the CAPITOL and the librarian of
Congr less.
THE LABOR QUESTION.
The senate committee on education and labor
resumed its inquiries this morning ana examined
Frank K. Foster, OF Cambridge, Mass. secretary
OF the Massachusetts, Federation OF Trade ana
Labor Unions. The witness made general state
of New England in general and of MassachuseTts in
particular. Speaking OF the moral, intellectual,
and physical condition OF the printers, as a class,
he said the lines OF ''caste" were growing more
and more clearly defined each year, and
that In New England at least the assumed worship
OF COO mas mas ceased to level all distinctions among
class are perhaps the worst OF, and their present
condition Is sure to produce enfeebled race OF
men and women in the next generation, as the
same conditions have already done In Eng
land. The working people OF Massachusetts, are
better on than those OF the other New England
states on account OF the enforcement OF the ten
hour law. The hours of work In Massachusetts
are GO per week, while in the weaving district OF
same. Since 1873 the average wages have increas-
ed 9-10 percent, while the average cost OF the
necessities OF life including meats. bread stufYs,
creased q 2-l0 per cent The examination OF Mr.
Foster will be continued at a. m. tomorrow.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
The special committee on improvement OF the
Mississippi river has agreed upon a report, though
1t will be two or three days before it can be pre-
pared. The committee is divided into three SUBJ
comm:ttees-on jetties, outlets and general I'm
provement On Jettles the report will be
unanimously In favor; on outlets there were six
against and three (MesSrs. Butterworth, Holman
and Hazeltine) in favor; on general Improvement
there was unanimous expression In favor or con-
Inung the works at Plum Point and Providence
Reach, with auxiliary works at Memphis and
Vfcksburg. On the question OF levees "as I'M
provement to low-water navigation" six voted
against, Messrs. Thomas and Ellis In favor. and
MI. Carlisle reserved his vote The majority be-
lieve that In this matter 1t will be better to ait
the fQrther operation OF the works at Plum Point
and Providence Reach. Mr.. Burrows will write
the report on general improvement, Messra But
terworth, Holman and Hazeltine reserving the
son. Ellis and Thomas win write SO much Of the
report as pertains to jett1eS Nothing was said at
tne meeting this morning about the amount OF
money to be expended. but it is understood that
the committee will favor an appropriation for
WORK beicw Cairo OF s., 500 600
MILLION DOLLAR CLAIM AGAINST MEXICO.
further effort is being made to revive the
claim OF the Rosario and Carmen Mining Co., OF
California, against the Mexican government Mr..
Platt this morning presented In the Senate me-
mortal OF this company asking that their claim be
included in the treaty now pending before the
Senate sett1ng aside the judgment OF the Amer-
can,Mexican Claims Commission In the cases OF
the La ADra Silver Mining Co. and Bent. We'll, and
providing for retriaL The Rosario and Carmen
Co allege that they were defeated before the COM
teraf evidence BY the representatives Of the Mex
a,1, can government IN n and by by false testimony: The
SeQuentlal losses.
BILL TO APPOINT COMMISSION ON rELEGRAPHIc
COMMUNICATIONS.
Mr. Bingham In the House, yesterday afternoon
introduced bill for the appointment of q COM
mission, to consist OF seven members, (three OF
whom may be members OF the present Ho use
and two Of whom may be Senators) to inquire
various telegraph companies of the country and
report to the next Congress, what methods are at
10 10 re9ucs the cost OF teegraph
necessary to carry out the power OF Congress to
regulate commerce as applied to telegraph COM
The Senate adopted an amendment to the tariff
bill last evening admitting books, pamphlets, &C.,
free. The House szad the duty on iron ore at nfty
cents ton. At the evsntng session only one
item In the iron schedule OF the tS-,n blu was dis
posed Of
ARMY AND NAVY APPROPRIATION BILLS
The conference committee on the military acad.
emy appropriation bill reached an agreement yes
terday afternoon. Secretary Chandler visited the
Capitol late yesterday afternoon upon Invitation
OF the subcommittee OF the Senate committee on
q NJ m hoV Haor
OF the naval BILL and gave his views upon the pro-
posed bill.