St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-26
Sir Oracle Steele, of Indiana, Puts
Himself in the Way of Action ON
the Desertion Bill.
The House and Senate to Have a Double and
Twisted Deadlock on the New
Steel Cruisers.
Warner Miller as a Boss-Blaine in Secre
tary TelIer's Stronghold-Missis-
sippi improvements,
n Probdb,lity That III. W. Cannon, of Still
pTatep. VIII be appointed Comp
tr0tIer of the Currency.
Especial Telegram to the Globe

WASHINGTON, April 25.-To-day's proceed
ings in both the house and the senate were
not marked by special interest. The day
was principally cut to waste In the house as
nothing definite was accomplished on any
measure presented. As Friday is set apart
for private bills, of which there are hundreds
awaiting action on the calendar, it stands to
reason that If no more progress be made
than to-day, very few individuals seeking re-
lief will meet with success. Only four days
in each month are awarded TO this class OF
legislation, and il does not require much
arthmetical education to calculate the NUN
Der of Fridays possibly remaining during the
present session.
NYRA CLARK GAINES.
The deliberations in the committe of the
whole were confined to the bill for the relief
of Myra Clark Gaines, whose persistent liti-
CATION in the courts and unremitting appeals
to congress for the past fifty years have be-
come historical. She claims to be entitled as
legal representative of Daniel Clark, her
father, to some 40, 600 acres embraced in the
old Spanish grants, the title to which has
been confirmed by the supreme court.
Committees Of various congresses have
reported favorably in her be-
half, but no definite action has
heretofore been reached. The government
has disposed of a portion of the land, and
the bill provided for the issuance of locatable
scrip to Mr. Mr.. Gaines in lieu The com
mittee of the whole preferred she should be
paid in money, and on this condition recon-
mended the passage of the bill. But the
house did not act upon it, but resumed con-
siderrtion of unfinished business, being
bill to relieve certain class Of soldiers from
charges of
DISCRETION.
Steele, Of Indiana, who assumes control of
all military legislation, and plumes himself
upon being Sir Oracle, thought the bill
should not have been reported from the com
mittee on war claims, but properly belonged
to the military committee, of which he is a
member. He wanted the bill withdrawn
and sent for con sideration to the military
committee. Nothing was accomplished and
5 O'Clock arrived which forced a recess for
the eve ming session on pension
bills. Thus obstructionists manage by
petty objections to defeat remedial legislation,
and this question of desertion is one which
deserves prompt action. Many soldiers who
served honorably and were disabled and
wounded are now rated as deserters because
they went home, as they supposed properly,
were left in hospitals, or lacked hospital rec
ords, then kept very incompletely. They can
neither receive pensions nor pay
nor any bounty justly due
them, andthe charges OF desertion
against them arc admitted to be purely tech
nical.
THE SENATE INSISTS.
The senate being the smaller body, with
fewer mouths and tongues, is necessarily far
in advance of the house respecting legisla-
ton and can afford to 90 slow. Mr.. Hale's
motion to insist upon the senate amendment
to the naval appropriation bill was adopted,
and the committee Of conference of both
branches are now confronted with the i'm
possible task of argument. They will have
their labor for their pains, as neither can
consistently yield unless upon immateral
points, the main contention being the con-
struction of new steel cruisers.
NO SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.
Senator Plumb failed to secure considera-
ton of his bill making the department of
agriculture an executive department under a
secretary of agriculture, as Senator Kenna
pressed a substitute for the BILL creating a
department Of industry embracing the divis-
ions of agriculture, commerce and manufac-
turers under a secretary of industries. The
subject being of great Importance time was
given, at the request of Senator Bayard, for
further Investigation into the merits of the
two propositions. 1t will be remembered
that at the last session of congress the house
passed bill charging the agricultural de-
partment to cabinet proportions, but it was
not acted on by the senate, although favor
ably reported by the agricultural committee.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
Senator Wilson'S speech on the interstate
commerce question was carefully prepared
legal argument on the constitutional right of
congress to regulate commerce between the
several states and to require equalization of
freight and passenger tolls and prevent the
pooling system. His views were ably pre-
sented and received the commentator of his
colleagues.
THE TREASURY SOLICITORSHIP.
Considerable speculation is rife as to who
will be appointed solicitor of the treasury, vice
Jnlius Caesar Burrows, declined. 1t is not
likely that Assistant Solicitor Robinson will
be promoted, although his service has been
long and efficient in this branch. Robinson
was the chief support of Secretary Sherman
when Sherman bounced Arthur out of
the collectorship of New York upon
charges of corrupt and inefficient admins
tration Of the Office, and compiled the famous
report in that case, upon which Arthur was
removed, ahd Gen. Merritt appointed and
confirmed Arthur may be in forgiving
mood, but it is certainly strange meta
morphose to witness Sherman calling on
Arthur at the White house, and the friends
of Robinson pressing him for promotion at
the hands of the man he was largely instru-
mental in having literally kicked out of the
New York custom house.
WORK CATTLE.
Mai. Woog, chief of the finance division
of the Indian bureau, went to New York
last night to superintend the opening of
proposals for work cattle at the various In
dian agencies in Dakota, also for bacon,
pork and agricultural implements. The
pacou, pun anu aSIlcuiuuIaI implements
may be delivered at Chicago, st. Louis, Kan
sas City and Sioux City. The cattle must be
delivered at Cheyenne River, Grow Creek,
Lower Brule, Pine Ridge and Rosebud
agencies, in Dakota. Maj. Woog will return
tonight, and the secretary of the interior
will doubtless make the awards Tomorrow.
POSSIBLY MR.. CANNON
A number of names are mentioned as
likely to be selected to fill the vacancy of the
controller of the currency. 1t is thought in
the treasury department that the office will
be given to Mr.. Cannon, of Minnesota.
Other names spoken of are Deputy CONTROL
er Langworthy, F. E. Miller, of the controll-
er's office, Jas. Gilfillan, John C. New and
Chas z Conn