The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-04
THE HOUSE.
Another Jeanette Investigation Ordered
The Mexican Pension Bill Passed.


The Mexican Pension Bill Passed.
WASHINGTON, March 3.-DIr. Randall, under
instruction from the committee ON appropria-
TONS reported back letter from the Secretary
of the Treasury relative to the rebate on tobacco
Mr. Randall said the claims could be paid in
three months An intimation had crept into
public notice that persons having claims, by the
employment of agents at 5 per cent. commission,
could get precedence in the consideration of the
claims He would say to the House and claim
ants that there was no occasion whatever for
claimants to go to any expense to secure the pay
ment of their money. If they employed agents
after this statement they would do so at their
own voliticn.
Mr. Washburn offered preamble aad resolu-
cion reciting that petition had been presented
to the Speaker concerning the Jeanette arctic
expedition, the conduct of the surviving mem
be1s and the manner of the investigation by the
naval court of inquiry; that the facts presented
involve the honor and humanity of the officers
of the United States service as well as proper
respect to those who persisted in the expedition,
and that it is alleged the court Of
inquiry refused to admit valuable testi-
mony to be given to bring out
the facts in this case, and directing the com
mittee on naval affairs to investigate the facts
connected with said expedition and alleged
unoficerlike and unseamanlike conduct therein,
and to send for persons and papers. Adopted
In connection with the resolution, Mr. Wash
burn presented for printing in the Record. a
petition from DR.. Daniel F. Collins, brother Of
Jerome J. Collins, of the Jeanette expedition,
setting forth that Jerome j Collins, together
with other members Of the expedition, was
treated with every indignity and outrage, even
to being deprived of all scientific instruments
and appliances of his position neteorologist
of the expedition, that on or about the end of
the year 1879, while the Jeanette was held in
the ice, Jerome j. Collins was placed under suS-
pension or arrest by the commanding officer of
the expedition, and remained so until he died of
starvation and cold the bank of the
river Lena, in northern Siberia The petition
recites the efforts of the officers and crew in
their parties to save their lives after the de
struction of the Jeanette and loss of two of the
parties while the third (under Chief Engineer
Melville) made safety, and thereupon charges
that Melville made no attempt to find the eondi-
ton or locality of the two missing parties, and
that he refused permission to any of his party
to make search. Dr. Collins further alleges
that the testimony offered to the naval court and
that which will be further given by the surviy
ors, goes to show beyond any reasonable
doubt, that had Melville performed the duty de-
Volving upon him as commander Of the party
and obeyed the directions given him by Lieuten-
ant belong to Immediately communicate with
the Russian authorities, and gone tt, the rescue
and conducted the search for the Captains
party, each and every member OF that party,
with the exception of Erickson, would have
been rescued and alive to-day. The petitioner
further charges that the naval court of inquiry
into the loss of the Jeanette refused to admit
or allow to be given valuable testimony,
and that the court ruled out nearly every
question that would bring out the true
history of the expedition; that many witnesses
WERE it is alleged by competent authority de-
pendent on under the jurisdiction of. and afraid
Of persecution of the Naval Department; that
the officers and stenographers of the court pub
aicly declared in writing that important and val
liable testimony was suppressed and that the
proceedings of the court were calculated to cover
up all matters relating to the expedition.
Mr.. Collins offered preamble and resolution
feciting that memorial has been presented by
the shareholders of the Pacific National Bank
of Boston, charging frauds and misconduct on
the part of certain United States officials in
combination with the directors of the bank, and
directing that the committee banking and
currency consider the eXpediency of making i'm
mediately an investigation into said charges, and
so amending the banking laws as to prevent
such fraud and misconduct in the future
Adopted.
Mr.. Bland introduced a resolution amending
the rules so as to make it out of order to ask
unanimous consent for the adoption of a resolu-
ton affecting the relations of the United
States with foreign countries until referred to
and reported back from the committee. Re
ferred
Bills were introduced and referred, as follows:
By Mr. Caldwell: To prohibit the importation
into the United States of pauper laboreTs.
BY Mr. Hancock (by request): To liquidate
the national war debt in gold ana silver bullion;
to increase the circulation of national current
money; to discontinue the collection of internal
revenue and establish a merchant marine. The
means by which these results are to be obtained
is to issue 81, 200, 900, 900 in greenbacks.
Mr.. Townshend moved to suspend the rules
and pass the bill pensioning the survivors of the
Mexican The bill does not apply, like that
pending before the House, to soldiers of the
Black Hawk and other Indian wars.
Mr. Townshend explained the bill, and stated
that it combined, in so far as they related to the
soldiers of the Mexican war; the essential feat