St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-27
WASHINGTON NOTES.
A Small Fire in the House of Repre-
sentatives Makes the Members
Think Of Dynamite.
More Of the Sioux City St. Paul Land Grant
Another Bonanza for Captain
Eads-
representative Oehiltree Gets the Joke on
Himself by Getting in the Wrong
Pew-Other News.
FIRE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

FIRE N THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25-Fire was discov-
cred this morning in a lot of books and
records stored under the roof of the house of
representatives. The iremen cut away the
wood and soon extinguished the fire, which
was confined to space Of less than twenty
feet square. The damage was trifiug. The
fire is supposed to have started by the cleo
trio wires used in lighting the hall.
The first discovery that the fire was in pro-
gress was that few sparks were seen to fall
upon the floor Of the house from the roof
above, which in a moment increased To quite
shower. The few representatives in the
hall and officers and pages rushed for the
doors, and for moment they seemed to ex-
pect an explosion, and see repetitious Of
Saturdays scene in the British house of par
lament There was no water aud no way Of
getting at the FIRE except up the steep
and narrow iron staircase running three
storeis, upon which two men cannot pass
each other. After some delay, however,
buckets of water were passed up, and what
came dangerously near being serious con-
lagration was averted. In the room to
which the fire was confined were stored the
records of the first session of congress, With
all the original reports of committees, OF the
house ard reports of various heads OF de-
partments, including some valuable reports
dated 1890. The close proXimity OF the fire
TO these volumes rendered il miraculous they
were not burned. They could never have
been replaced, and their loss would have been
a great misfortune. The members OF con-
gress expressed surprise and uneasiness that
there should be such lack Of means OF ex-
Iii fv,f d
The fire is supposed TO have been started by
electricity, as a number Of wires used III
lighting the hall pass the point where the fire
began.
THE SIOUX CITY & ST. PAUL LAND GRANT.
Senator Plumb to-day reported favoraby
from the committee on public lands a bill
comforting on the circuit court for the north
ern district of Iowa authority to hear cases
between the United States and the state Of
Iowa. and any railroad corporation growing
out of the grant of public lands to the state
of Iowa for the purpose of aiding the con-
struction of the Sioux City & st. Paul rail-
road. II provides the court shall determine
what portion of tue lands has been earned
by the company, and whether any, and how
much, lands should revert TO the United
States. Amy land found TO be the property
OF tue Onlleu OLdles budll DC part Ol Tue pun
lie domain, provided, however, il any Of the
land has been purchased by actual settlers in
good faith from the railroad company in
amount not exceeding 100 acres, the pur-
chasers shall be entitled to the land on max
ing proof OF these facts TO the satisfaction Of
the interior department. Any persons who
are actual bona fde settlers upon any lands
adjudged TO belong TO the United States, and
who are in actual occupancy thereof at the
date of the passage Of the act, shall be treated
as having the same right to the land as they
would have had II the lands had previously
been subject TO entry.
RADs' BONANZA.
Capt. Eads was in consultation with mem
bers Of the river aud harbor committee to-
day relative TO the proposed improvement Of
the Galveston harbor. He refused TO accept
the proposition agreed upon By the commit
tee Saturday, and said he would undertake
the work for 3 per cent. Of the cost The
committee was not disposed to accept his
proposition, and decided 10 agree that be
should be paid Il salary OF $40. 600 per year TO
superintend the work and $1,000 for each
foot Of water gained The latter, however,
Is not to he paid until depth OF twenty-five
feet Is obtained. Capt Edds agreed to uu-
dertnke the work. Tue proposed appropria-
ton Of 81, 100000 to begin the work made
Saturday to-day reduced TO 100000
DISCUSSING NICARAGUA.
The Nicaragua treaty was further discussed
for about two hours in the executive session
To-day. Senators Sherman, Miller, Edmunds
and Bayard were among the speakers. Bay
ards position is substantially that OF Shrr-
man. He thinks the Clayton Buiwer treaty
d gffI In Ill no rr
administration ought not be embarrassed by
action upon the question at this time.
N THE WRONG PEW.
When the senate went In executive ses-
sion to-day Representative Ochiltrce, OF
Texas. WIS in consultation in the senate
cloak room with Senator Jones, OF Nevada,
and Senator Maxcy, OF Texas, relative 10
Texas appointment. The three remained in
conference more than half an hour during
which time the senators discussed the treaty
under consideration. oehiltree left The cloak
room and going upon the chamber floor went
20 Senator Coke, OF Texas, 70 consult with
him. The latter was comforting with Senator
Vest when Ochitree tapped him on the sbOul
der. Scuatur Coke, for a moment was non
plussed, turning n Uchlltrec lac said
"What In the devil are Won doing hercl
d on Z Won know We are iuexCCuiivt session p
Senator Vest laughed sud warned Oehiltree
? Not To- let senator Eimunds see him.
'He'll arrest you aud put you in iail,' he
continued.
Assistant Sergeant alarms James Chrystie
appeared at this juncture exhibiting much
surprise at Ochiltrer's presence. lie asked
no questions hut taking the Texan by the
arm, hurredly escorted him Ia the senate door
told him 10 yet out and closed the door upUu
him.
INDIAN AFFAIRS
During the examination Of Indian Com
missioner Price, Saturday, before the senate
committee on Indian affairs, he said be had
never received a certain letter alleging that
men drawing salaries from the interior de-
partment were very closely interested In
cattle business as testified TO by Berry. a pre-
yious witness. He also said no such letter
was on die % the department. This morn
ing berry produced the letter with the follow
Ing endorsement from tho Indian office on
its back: No action taken
ovERcRowpED SILVER VAULTS
The silver vaults at the suhtr,asary In San
Francisco are taxed to their fullest capacity.
and the secretary Of the treasury is consider
iug the question uf transferring from them
about $4,000, 600 Ia standard dollars to the
new silver vault in the treasury department.
bat is deferred from that course by the great
expense, estimated AZ SlOO.G0o. attending
such transfer The attention " congress
will be called tn the matter With a yicw Of
securing funds for the transfer.
Steamship Rates.
Nrv YoUE Ian sB The Vambur--