Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-23
WASHINGTON. March 2I

WASHINGTON, March 81.
The Senate committee on rules, to which
was referred the question of order raised by
Senator Frye, OF Maine ,as to the operating of
clause 8. rule &c, reported in the executive
session today. that it extends the Injunction
OF secrecy to each step in the consideration
OF treaties, including the back of the ratifca-
ton; that no modification of this clause of
the rules ought TO be made; tina: secrecy as
to the fact of the ratification of the treaty
may be of the utmost Importance, and ought
not to be removed, except by order of the
Senate, or until it has been made public by
proclamation of the Executive. The report
was adopted, and the injunction of secrecy
removed therefrom.
The secretary of the navy has declined to
approve Of the requisition to pay for the
storage OF the Puritan in John Roach's ship
yard from July, 1876, to December, 1882,
until he shall have had time to examine the
contract. The amount in, olved is S69, POI.
A petition was presented to the President
today which recited that the petitioners, loyal
members of the democratic party, who, as
such, gave their "cordial support to the
election of President Cleveland, give no
qualified endorsement to the appointment of
Eugene Higgins as appointment clerk of the
treasury department, as man OF honor and
integrity and one in every way competent to
discharge the duties of the place assiged to
him. We claim, as democrats, our right to
say to the democrctic president and his ad-
visors that no partisan or fraternal abuse
should have anv weight whatever in affect
ing the tenure Of office of competent and
deserving member of a party. The petition
is signed by number of Baltimore munici-
pal officers, including the mayor, register,
deputy register, comptroller, deputy comp
troller, and librarian. and by Robert Baldwin,
Jas. Sloan Jr., finance commissioners, and
many firms and citizens.
Secretary Whitney has written the follow
ing letter to John Roach, in reply to a COM
munication from the latter announcing the
completion of the dispatch boat Dolphin:
SIR:-I have the honor to acknow ledge
the receipt OF your letter f March l9th in
forming me that the United States steamer
Dolphinhas been completed in all respects,
in accordance with the specifications and
the certificates from the inspectors of hull
and machinery have been forwarded to the
naval advisory board to that effect, and that
you are prepared now to deliver the vessel in
accordance with the contract, and request me
To give instructions to the commandant of
the yard directing him to receive the vessel
have looked over the papers presented by
the advisory board. and find that the vessel
did not. upon her trial trip recently, show
2300 collective indicated horse power, devel-
oped by her engines and maintained success
sively for six consecutive hours, as con-
templated by the contract. 1t i. however.
provided by the contract that notwiths,and-
ing this failure, the vessel shall be accepted
hn 81, a fb.,s
naval advisoey board and secretary of the
navy that this failure was due neither 10 de-
fer'ivp workmanship nor materials. The
icieDcy of loo indicative horse power re
quired was not due to defective workman
ship nor materials, but that with better coal
and a well trained engineer the force of this
result will be exceeded. | would suggest
another trial be had under such conditions as
shall be prescribed by the department for the
purpose, demonstrating that this supposition
is correct in this and other regards. | am
now looking sOmes hat into the matter before
exercising TO grave responsibility as ac-
cepting the vessel. | desire statement from
you OF the full amount you claim upon the
Dolphin up to date. Very respectfully,
N. c. WHITNEY, Sec'y of the Navy.
Attorney General Garland today issued an
order reducing the force of examiners IN the
department of justice from seven to four.
The grand jury today returned additional
indictments against VIM. II. Dempsey and
Daniel Corrigan, and J. W. Drew and Dan
iel Corrigan, for presenting false vouchers in
what are known as the navy voucher fraud
cases.
Secretary Whitney had extended an invita-
all -,,l,
the secretary of state, regarding the disposi.
ton of the naval vessels at Central American
ports to watch over the interests of this
country in the threatened movements of Pres
ident Rubin Barrios. of Guatamsla. The
secretary declined TO state he result of the
interview.
1t is probable that the Senate will adjourn
before the end of the present week, and pos
sible it may do so by Tuesday or Wednesday
night. The body meets at 10 o'clock to-
morrow forenoon. Its sessions from thi.
time till the final adjournment are likely to
be in secret. A considerable number of
nominations are expected tomorrow, and
Tuesday the time not consumed in their con-
sderaton will be spent on minor treaties.
1t is understood that it was decided tonight
at conference between the President and
Postmaster General Viles, that Mr. Hay,
recently appointed frst assistant postmaster
general. should quality as such before leav-
ing for Florida where he intends going for
health esrlv this week This course will be
followed in order that Mr.. Hay may be en-
abled to appoint some democrat to act for
him during his absence, instead of leaving
the business of his Office in the hands of the
first assistant post master general. Mr.. Cro.-