Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-24
Capitol Topics.


SENATOR CAMERoNS HEALTH IMPROVING.
The family and friends of Senator Don Cam
eron are in daily receipt of kilograms from him
all to the effect that he has steadily improved
in health since his arrival in Florida. They
cannot understand how the reports that he has
Senator to Mrs. Cameron state positively that
he feels better and is enjoying better health than
for some time past. He advises his family and
friends here that he enjoys outdoor life; that
he is warranted in entertaining high hopes of
his recovery.
PENSION CLERKS AND THE ELECTION.
Mr.. Brock, Of the Pension office, having in
charge the book containing the leaves of alb
sence granted to employees, testified before the
Warner committee to-day that about twenty
two clerks We're absent at election time from
two to thrteen days with pay Their heir ANNUAL
The absence. he said, was granted by Assistant
Secretary of the Interior Joslyn.
QUESTIONS OF INTEREST BEFORE THE HOUSE
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
The House committee on foreign affairs met
to-day and considered Mr.. LIE Fevres resolution
calling for investigation to determine if it is
not desirable that some action be taken in
retaliation for the action of Germany's restric-
tons upon our pork wheat, rye and petroleum.
The matter was considered one of considerable
importance, upon which some action must pe
taken, and it was referred to a subcommittee
consisting of Mr.. Eaton and Mr.. Hit.
Mr.. Belmont submitted his report upon the
Congo matter, in which the position is taken
mat IL Is 0nWlSe Tor TINS country allow Itself
| to become involved in any entangling alliances
of the sort. The committee had not time enough
to read the report through and take action upon
it. but a majority of them approved of its con-
THE FoRT1F1cAT1oNs BILL.
When the appropriations committee by a
vote of seven to eight directed the sub-com-
mittee OF which Mr. Ellis is chairman, to
bring in fertilization bill based upon that of
last year Mr.. Ellis resigned his place on the
subcommittee. He will now bring in his own
bill, which appropriates S2,OOO,OOO for the de-
Tense of the four great harbors of the country
as a substitute for the majority bill, which will
approrriate simply for the repairs of old forth
ficatiOnS.
SECRET CONFERENCE OF READJUsTERs.
At the invitation of Senator Malone many Of
the original readjusters of Virginia, particularly
the more prominent leaders of that movement
in its early days, met the Senator for consulta-
ton in his committee room at the Capitol to-
day. The meeting was held with closed doors,
reporter ascertained that the conference was
held for the purpose of considering the present
administration, how it will affect Virginia poll
tics, and also with the view of mapping out
some line of policy for the readjusters. Senator
Riddleberger, though in attendance upon the
Senate, was not at the meeting.
THE p. o. APPROPRIATION BILL AMENDED IN
THE SENATE AND PASSED.
In the Senate yesterday, Mr.. Frye offered as
an amendment to the Post Office appropriation
bill a proposition to appropriate 100000 to be
disbursed by the Postmaster General, under
contract at not exceeding so cents per nautical
mile each way, with American steamers for
carrying foreign mails. Mr.. Bayard made the
point of order that it was general legislation,
which was overruled by vote of the Senate,
and the amendment was adopted by vote Of
80 to 10. The provision that any article Or
item in any newspaper or other publication
may be marked to call attention to 1t, provided
that it is not done in words either written or
printed, without extra postage was retained in
the bill. The bill was then passed.
NO NEW NAVY THIS YEAR.
Mr.. Randalrs proposition to rebuild the navy
was ruled out of the naval appropriation bill in
the House yesterday on point of order after a
long and bitter debate, and the bill was then
passed, the only provisions for q new navy
being small appropriation to complete one Of
the steel cruisers. 0
NOTES.
The Senate will be convened In special ses-
sion after the adjournment of the present Con-
gress and devote such time as is not consumed
In the consideration of appointments by the
new President to the discussion Of pending
treaties.
|. The House committee on public lands de-
cided to-day to recommend the passage OF the
Des Mones river land bill as it passed the Sen
ate
It is understood that Mr. Randall will recon-
struct his plan for rebuilding the navy, which
was stricken Off the naval appropriation bill
yesterday and attempt to pass it as an indie
pendent proposition under q suspension OF the
| rules after Wednesday,.
Carrigan Fails to Get Bail.