The Portland daily press., 1885-02-19
WASHINGTON.
Civil Service Reform.

WASHINGTON, Feb. lS.
Representative BInlard, of the committee on re-
form in the civil service. to-day submitted minor
ity report signed by the Republican members Of the
committee Ia favor of Representative Taylor's bill
to prohibit the discharge of honorably discharged
soldiers or sailors or dependent relatives from any
office in the civil service of the United States ex
cept for cause.
The report says in part: "This class of govern
ment employees have a claim upon the gratitude Of
the nation that cannot easily be compensated. They
saved the country from dismemberment and dis
honor We submit that it is but just and a proper
recognition of their claims that they should be re-
tanned in the governments service so long they
duties The bill Is eminentiy lust in its provisions
and should be passed with the following amend
ment 1t shall not apply to the class Of officers
embraced in the original tenure of Office act passed
March 8, 1867, and amended April b, 1862"
The Oklahoma auds.
Senator Dawes to-day reported favoraby from
the committee on Indian affairs bill to enable the
President negotiate for the purchase OF portions
Of certain Indian reservations The bill provides
that the President is empowered to ascertain from
the Creek, Seminole and Cherokee Indians, in the
Indian Territory, upon what terms they will rein-
quish and convey TO the United States a that
country familiarly known as the Oklahoma coun-
try" The bill further provides that any person
who without authority Of law enters these lands
shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned
not more than one year, both, for the first
offence. and be fined 81 900 or imprisoned not
1t also authorizes the seizure of the outfit of such
persons.
The General Deficiency hill.
The general deficiency bill reported to the House
by the appropriations committee provides for an
appropriation of So 561 915. The bill approprlates
Sl4OO for rewards to Sergeants Brainerd, Fred
erieks, Lynn, kolston, Jewell, and Corporas Ellison
on or near the shores Of Lady Franklin Bay; and
5000 as gratuity to the families of Jens Edwards
and Frederick Thorlp Christiansen Esqnimaux,
both OF whom perished while in the employ of the
Lady Franklin Bay expedition.
The Venezuelan Claim.
Mr. Rice Of Massa shusetts, from the committee
on foreign affairs, reported TO the House to-day
Joint resolution, which referred, in relation to
the Venezuelan claim. The resolution provides
that the President be authorize to open diplomatic
correspondence with the government of Venezuela
with view TO revival OF Jhe general stipuiations
of the treaty OF 1866 and the appointment there
under Of q new commission. The resolution further
provides Tor pro rata distribution OF the funds
now in the State Department.
The Washington Monument.
A printed protest of large proportions against
permitting Masonic societies to participate in the
dedication OF the Washington monument next Sat
urday has been received by the Congressional
commission charged WITH the arrangements. The
sgneis claim have thirteen thousand signatures.
They say the Masonic order has more right to
such distinction than the Hlbernians or any other
secret order. Inc stone sent by the pope for the
monument was, they say, broken up and thrown
into the Potomac. Why, they ask, are Catholics
snubbed and Freemasons honored? they also say
Freemasonry is OF foreign birth, entirely un-Ameri
can and un-republican. The protest came too late
fer action by The commission.
Nominations Confirmed.
The Senate to-day in executive session confirmed
the nomination of Emory Speer of Georgia, to be
United States District Judge tor the southern dis
rict of Georgia. The vote stood 20 TO 20. Senator
Hull voted in the negative and Senator Brown in
the affirmative. The division was otherwise upon
party lines.
Facts and Rum0rs.
The President to-day issued executive order
that the several departments be closed Saturday,
2lst inst 10 enable the employees TO participate IN
the ceremonies attending the dedication of the
Washington monument.
The President observed Ash Wednesday by at
tending divine service at ST. Johns Protestant
Episcopal church this morning and denying himself
to visitors.