The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-12-27
WASHINGTON.
About the Capital
flifv
News CAT

: WASHINGTON, Dec 22.-The president has |
virtually decided to appoint Chief Engineer |
Charies II. Loring, Of the United States navy, |
clllef OF the bureau of steam engineering vice |
Commodore Shock. retired.
In the Criminal court Judge Wylie rendered |
a decision In the case of ex-senator Spencer, |
charged with contempt of court i'll fatling TO |
appear in the star route trial. The judge held |
That the subpoena was not subpoena because |
there was no penalty TO ii. II ordered the eX- |
senator TO appear, but limited the time to one |
DAY. The subpoena, by error Of the court, the |
judge said, was for a civil and not a criminal |
ease. The ex-senator had sworn he was here |
before the time ordered by the so-called sub
pOena; he remained here two weeks; had
sought an interview with one of the counsel,
but was unable TO secure one. Under these
circumstances, and owing TO the TACT that the
subpoena had been improperly served and re-
turned, the judge held the case was not one of
contempt, and discharged the prisoner. Dur
ing his remarks Judge Wyle said there was
no doubt [, at the object of the ex-senator i'll
going abroad last year was to avoid the star
route trial then in progress What his reasons
were in wanting 10 avoid the trial the judge
did not know. Spencer says he contemPlates
bringing suit for damages. In an interview
to day he said investigation OF the star route
trials by Congress would be urged, the object
oelng 70 learn why some persons were tried
and others not, and why so much money was
paid 10 the government attorneys. Dorsey
was but small fry in the star route cases.
There were men in deeper than he, SAID Spen-
Ger.
n. w. Fitzgerald, S. C. Fitzgerald and A. B.
X
jury, appeared in the criminal court and gave
bail in $1,000 each.
The Secretary OF Interior has suspended from
practice before pension Office OF n. w. FitZ.
gerald, ). G. Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald y Co, and
A b. Webb, pension attorneys OF this city,
pending disposition of indictments returned
against them by the grand jury charging them
with fraudulent practice
Bruce, register of the treasury, elected
member of the cOlOred national convention,
to represent the country ut large, has notified
the cOlurSd national committee that he cannot
serve.
Capt. Capp was further examined before the
ProteuS court of inquiry to-day, but the testl-
mony is little more Than an elaboration as be-
fore given. NO other witnesses being called,
the court adjourned till Wednesday.
The following dispatch, bearing ON the Creek
frcm Indian Agent Tufts, now in st. Louis:
"a forward the statement Of both, I~pDhechi
| and perryman, rival chiefs:) NO outbreak
need be anticipated If the department take
| prompt action"
Commissioner Price does not know what
action OF the department is sought by the
| agent.
Mr. Speaker Carlisle has not completed the
| House committees tonight, but expects the
| lists to be perfected early Monday morning.
| Considerable difficulty is experienced from the
| fact that some of the members given places,
| expressed dissatisfaction OF their assignment.
| In some instances dissatisfied members re,
| fused to serve and neceSStating number OF
| changes. Throughout the work Mr.. Carlisle
| has been assisted by Mr.. Morrison, the init
mate friend OF the speaker. A member OF Jne
| Kentucky delegation said to-day no man, ex-
ceptMOrrison had been consulted continuously
| in making the committees. Individual
members have been called in on Individual
| cases, but their consultation was limited to
| such cases. The contest between two mem
bers from New York for chaIrmaasldp of the
committee of foreign affairs, 1t is learned, has
been settled by giving the position to Penn
sylvanian, eX-GOv. Curtin; Belmont, OF New
| York, is placed second on the committee. The
Craftsmanship of the committee on naval af
fairs is given to Mr.. Cox, of New York, witt
Mr.. Morse, of Massachusetts, second; tine lat
ter is made chairman of the committee on eX-
penditures Of the navy department. The com
mittee on ways and means, it is learned to-
night is composed of Morrison as chairman
Hewitt of New York, HObert Hurd, Bl0unt
Blackburn, Jones of Arkansas, Mills, Kelly
Kasson, Mckinley, Russell and Hiscock
Blount expressed reluctance to serve, but Il
is believed he will consent. Blackburn is made
member of the committee to the satisfaction
of the entire Kentucky delegation. Seyera
DAYS since Carlisle selected Willis as a mem
Der of the committee, but Blackburn desired
the position and Willis in consultation witt
the speaker expressed willingness to with
draw. He was afterwards made chairman o
| another committee, said to be education. l
is possible that in the final review of the way
and means committee, as now constituted
bCarlisle may make change in the Republican
membership because of state relations. Sucl
change, however. is believed doubtful,