Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-15
WASHINGTON NEWS.
Refusal of a Witness to Testify-Chiei
Justice Waite's Coudition-The
Effect of the Mcpherson
Bill il Passed.
WASHINGTON, Jan. IA.

WASHINGTON, Jan. IA.
r. Wolf, who was subpoened to testify
| before the House committee on Indian affairs
relative to the disbursement. of $500, 900 ap-
propriated some time since for the Cherokee
Indians, was before the committee today, but
refused to give testimony. The refusal was
based on the ground that he was not citizen
OF the United States, and tina, he was the
attorney for the Indians. The matter will
be referred to the House of Representatives
Chief Justice Waite is slowly improving in
health, and expects to leave Washington for
the South next week, hoping benefit from the
milder climate. He made short visit TO the
capitol today.
The House committee on agriculture has
nearly completed the annual agricultural
appropriation bill. 1t will provide for the
appropriation of about 100000 for that
branch of the government nearly 100000
less than was appropriated last year.
In letter to member of the House COM
mittee on banking and currency John Jay
Knox, ex-comptroller Of the currency. says {:
"A prompt passage of the Mcpherson funding
bill will have a good effect on the business of
the country Many of the banks have suf-
fered losses during the present financial
crisis, and such institutions will appreciate
the relief afforded by the provision of the bill
adding 10 per cent. of the amount of bonds
held by them TO their available funds"
Congressman VIM. Walter Phelps of New
Jersey has issued cards for the reception to
President Porter of Yale College, to be held
Wednesday evening of next week Manv
persons now or heretofore prominent in pub
lie life, like Mr.. Blaine, Gen. Stewart of
Vermont, Gov. Dingley and Gen. Slocum,
who, although not graduates themselves, have
sent their sons to Yale, have been included
in the number of those invited.
| The commissioner of patents has rendered an
important decision in the matter of petition
| filed in behalf of inventor Edison. to deter
mine definitely the status of infereuces here
tofore declared between himself Blake and
Draw wbaugh, the subject matter of the inter
ference being the combination in the tele-
phone and elastic pad or mutfer. In this case
the secretary of the interior overruled the dc
cision of Commissioner Marble and restored
Edison to the position in interference from
which had been deposed by that decision.
Drawbaugh's counsel raised question as
| to the scope of the decision of the supreme
court, in the case of commits Sioner of patents
against the United States ex rel Hoe &
| Co, where it was held that the secretary had
no legal authority to revise the decisions of
the commissioner of patents. Drawbaugh's
counsel desired that the decision of the sec-
retary of the interior, in which, the decision
of Commissioner Marble was reversed, and
the interference between Draw baugh con-
tinued, should be treated as nullity; that the
decision of the commissioner should be al
lowed to stand as judgment of the office, and
that the interference between Draw baugh and
Edison should stand dissolved.