Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-01-08

Gratis and e1-Union soldiers, and have held the po-
SltonS Tor several years They efficient clerks
ana their retention looks as If Secretary McCook
lhtends 70 make efficiency rather than politics the
basis OF his appointments. Mr. Spencer, formerly
journal clerk under Mr.. Gorharn, is TO be reap
pointed TO that position, and Mr. Mcdonald, the
present incumbent. will be his assistant.
THE WAYS AND MANS COMMITTEE
met Tor short time this morning and discussed the
subject OF subcommittee, but the question was
not decided, and the subcommittee were not an
nounced. The announcement will be made soon,
however.
SENATOR sHERMAN's NATIONAL BANK BILL
At the meeting OF the Senate committee on
finance this morning Senator Shernan's BIN TO au-
thorze national banks to circulation up to 90
per cent OF the market value OF the bonds deposited
was uhder discussion, but no conclusions We're
were absent. 1t was urged In support OF the meas
ure that 1t would enable the banks TO the bonds
OF long time bearing rate OF interest higher than
per cent Its passage objected 10 on the
ground that 1t would be dangerous TO make the
amount OF the circulating medium the subject In any
way OF fluctuat1ng standard. Ii is probable that
the bill in some form will be reported by the COM
mlttee and that its support VIII not be limited TO
either party.
Mr. sPRTNGER's COMMITTEE.
Representative Springer says he intends to get
bis committee on expenditures In the Department
OF Justice together at an early day and that an
inquiry into the expenditures of that department
Will be made. Mr.. Springer thinks that the ma
tlonal democratic convention VIII be held in Chi
cago.
ALEAKY EloF.
A leak started to-day in the roof OF the Senate
chamber, over the ladies' gallery and several small
streams OF water trickled down among the benches
and on the carpet.
REVISING THE PATENT LAWS.
Inc House committee on patents met this morn
Ing and reported favorably upon two important
bills regulating patents. The first authorizes the
Attorney General to take proceeding in the United
MI Il,
may be shown to have been obtained through
fraud. The other amends Section 1887 of the Re
vised Statutes, its cnief provision being that mo
person shall be disbarred from receiving patent
for his invention or discovery nor shall any patent
hereafter granted be declared invalid by reason OF
1tS having been nrst patented or caused TO be pat
ented In a foreign country, unless the same has
been introduced into public use in the United
states f0r more than Two years prior to the applca
tlOn." The committee meets on Tuesday OF each
week.
THE SENATE MILITARY coMMITTER
There was 10 quorum at the meeting OF the Sem
ate committee on military affairs this morning and
no business was done A called meeting, chiefly to
take action upon pending nominations will be held
on Thursday. The authority OF the Secretary OF
War TO retire army officers at his own option. on
the ground OF supposed disability, and to promote
10 some OF the pending cases, and Will be discussed
by the committee.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
The committee on Pacific railroads will meet on
Wednesday at 1890 O'Clock. The committee on
foreign affairs Will meet at II O'Clock the same day.
The committee on pensions will meet at 1890
O'Clock on Thursday The commerce committee
Will meet On Tuesdays and Fridays each week.
THE PUBLIC LANDS COMMITTEE.
The House committee on public lands at meet
ing this morning acted favorably upon report
from the subcommittee on land grant forfeitures,
declaring forfeited the grants OF seven roads, as
follows: The Gulf and Ship Island, the Elyton and
Boards Bluff, the Savannah and Albany, the Tus-
caloosa and Mobile, the st. Louis. Iron Mountain
and Southern, formerly the Iron Mountain. OF Mis-
souri,, and the Iron Mountain OF Arkansas; the
Mobile and New orleans and the Memphis and
Charleston. 1t was determined TO hear the at
torneys OF the Texas Paetffc road at special meet
ing to be held Thursday morning. on the follow
ing day the committee viii consider the forfeiture
OF the land grant OF that railroad company Parties
desiring TO appear before the committee on any
question pending will be required to file notice
with the clerk. No person who does not file such
notice viii be heard