Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-25


AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
The Swain Case Debate in the senate.
CONTINUED FROM THE FIRST EDITION.
THE DISCUSSION CONTINUES.
Mr.. Hale warmly defended the court and the
War department.. He earnestly defended AMI
eulogized the Secretary of War as an official
who in all matters faithfully discharges his
honesty, and he had faithfully administered the
War department and had honorably and justly
Mr. Hoar, While disclaiming any purpose 20
criticise either the President or the Attorney
General, commented somewhat severely upon
the opinion Of the latter in revising the decree
Mr.. Ingalls,, in responding to Mr.. Hale, de-
clared that he was not attacking the members
was he attacking the President, the executive
omcer through whom such findings are promul.
gated Mr.. Ingalls, read nom the communities
ton Of the President the language returning
the finding, and saying It was not commensu-
rate with the offense. He declared 1t an outrage
He sG that neither
system which perpetrated SO infamous an out
rage as was perpetrated upon the rights of Gen.
with which the court yielded to the pressure
from superior authority and made its sentence
heavier. Mr.. Ingalls, said Gen. Swain was a
and he believed that the influence OF the regu-
lar army, the West Pointers, was o powerful
f against him. He added that nothing
pressing his opinion OF the system or Of any
official who had been instrumental In outrag-
Ing the rights of a citizen.
defense Of Gen. Swain. He characterized the
proceedings against him as outrageous, and said
tary circles compcsed s Of regular army ofcers,
that the time would come when Gen. Swain
would be downed. Gen. Swaim's friends know
Ing this, had cautioned him to be very careful,
as he was surrounded by enemies. Mr.. Conger
declared that Gen. Swain, the friend and
trusted companion of Gen. Garfield, had been
some tnfe2Hai f Socasrfocss the verdict was
reached that IL had been deliberately planned
to ruin the friend Of Gen. Garfield.
lions against the regulars OF the army. He was
a volunteer officer himself and spoke from ex.
Volunteers as had been described. Mr.. Hawiey
said that Gen. Terry, an officer chosen for the
court, was one ofthe most distinguished mill
unteer. He was ' Challenged "A of the
court, but the authorities selected him
for duty upon it. He said the entire corps OF
defended the court and the judge advocate, say
ing that as Gen. Swain had most eminent
counsel the whole responsibility of the prosecu-
ton was put upon the judge advocate.
Mr.. Aldrich also defended the Judge advocate
as an officer who had faithfully performed bis
duty.
The District in Congress.
The House this afternoon passed the def
cheney bill. Items of District interest in the
bill have been mentioned in THE STAR hereto
fore.
PROTECTION OF FISH IN THE POTOMAC.
Mr.. Barbour submitted the conference report
upon Mr.. Townshend's bill to protect fish in
the Potomac river, near Washington, to the
its amendment, and substituted therefor an
amendment providing that three months after
poluting Substance shall be emptied into the
Potomac river or any of its tributaries from
any gas works or other such works, or by
any person; and providing fine of from ten to
hundred dollars for every day that the act
may be violated. The conference report was
adopted by the House, and the bill needs but the
signature of the President to make it q law.
The original House bill prohibited the empty.
ing of refuse from the gas works into Rock
creek or the Potomac, but the Senate struck the
provision out. The conference committee
agreed to put it back in the bill, provided it
should not take effect for three months.
Capitol Topics.
SEAL FISHERIES.
Secretary McCulloch sent communication to
the House of Representatives to-day, in which
he recommends an appropriation Of 1000
for the revenue marine service to protect the
seal fisheries in Alaska.
THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL.
The House took up the river and harbor bill
few minutes after oclock this afternoon.
PROPOSED BOARD OF NAVAL COMMISSIONERS
Senator Mcpherson introduced in the Senate
to-day an amendment intended to be proposed
to the naval appropriation bill when the latter
reaches the Senate which provides for the con.
stitution of a board of naval commissioners to
have control, subject to the approval of the Sec
tary of the Navy, Of all questions relating to
the construction of vessels for the navy.
HAS NO FEAR OF AN EXTRA SESSION.
In the course of debate to-day Mr.. Plumb, in
the Senate, in response to some remarks OF
Con <Crn no coiA t1.nrn cinV, Fl
fear an extra session; that both houses are
working to avoid one and nobody wants an
extra session.
NOTES.
The Senate this afternoon took up the legisla
tive, executive and judicial appropriation bill.
Senator Lamar has not yet returned from
Albany.
Pension Office Investigation.