Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-04
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY
NEEDS OF TEE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Mr.. Plumb Opposed to Orna-
mental Officials.
WAR TAXES BEFORE THE HOUSE.
New Measures Proposed To-day.
The Senate.

TdE CONSClENCE FUND.
The chair laid before the Senate q letter from
the Secretary Of the Treasury in reply to re-
cent resolution of the Senate relating to the
conscience fund. The term conscience fund.-"
the Secretary says, had its origin in the popular
belief that the donations of money received
from persons unknown were because of money
wrongfully withheld from the government.
The first item to the credit of the fund was
made in 1927, and the fund now amounts to
1920, 747.26.
THE STATEN ISLAND BRIDGE.
Among the memorials presented and appro-
priately referred was one by Mr.. Sewell, con-
sistlng of q concurrent resolution of the legis-
lature Of New Jersey. protesting against the
granting by Congress of any right to build
bridge from the shores of New Jersey to those
Of Staten Island, New York, and asserting the
OF Congress to grant such authority.
Several petitions were presented from organ
izations of Knights of Labor urging Congress to
open up to settlement the Territory of Okla
hOma.
THE PROPOSED NEW ASSISTANT SECRETARY.
Mr.. Cameron called up the bill providing for
the appointment Of an Assistant Secretary of
the Navy. An amendment suggested by the
naval committee requires that the assistant
should come from civil lite.
Mr.. Plumb hoped some explanation would be
given of the need of such an officer, and of the
time, it having but recently been reported.
Mr.. Hale thought it very desirable that there
should be greater infusion into the Navy de-
tic of active and successful business men. Un-
less the bill should provide for the making of
snG zen rom ciTa Iie mere would De
jealousies would be aroused. In case of emer-
gency the President and Secretary of the Navy
already had authority of law to call in for adj
vice and consultation proper experts from
among the naval officers. Mr.. Hale believed it
essential to the bin that the appointment be
made from civil life.
OPPOSED TO ANY MORE ORNAMENTAL CHIEFS.
Mr. Plumb opposed the appointment of
the proposed officer. He was not necessary,
Mr.. Plumb said. He would simply be another
functiOnary to wear a rose in a button-hole;
give receptions and disport himself for the edi-
hcation OF outsiders, SO as to make the govern
ment 'show" more complete. These depart
ment chiefs were the ornamental part of the
brook, went ION forever" regardless Of who
was Secretary. There was too much machinery
in the government departments; and what was
wanted was not an Assistant Secretary, but an
entire reorganization of the departmental
methods. Responsibility was now too much
divided; and, in fact, when traced up was found
Mr.. Hawley favored the bill. The department
expended twelve to fifteen million dollars a
the Secretary should have q competent assist
ant from civil life, especially, as Mr.. Hzawley
hoped and believed, that department would, in
the near future, expend much more money
| than at present. He thought it one of the most
palpable indications of the times that the
American people wanted something like re-
spectacle navy. A thorough business man
would be necessary in such case as the conf
Dental assistant Of the Secretary of the Navy.
THE SALARY NOT SUFFICIENT.
Mr. Beck said that Secretaries Lincoln and
Chandler had, two years ago, made plain to
the Senate committees the necessity for an as
sistant in each of their departments. A bill
was then passed providing for such officer in
the War and Navy departments, but the salary
$500 had not proved sufficient, and the offi-
GERS were not appointed. The main argument
then used was that a civilian was necessary in
the Of the nava ana as o
ficers. MIR. Beck favored the bill and the pro-
posed amendment.
At 2 p. m. the bill went over and considera-
ton OF the Dakota bill was resumed, Mr.. Harri-
son taking the floor in advocacy of the bill.
House OF Representatives.
After the reading of the journal, which con-
sumed more than half an hour the Speaker
proceeded to call the committees for reports
but no measures of public importance were sub
mitted.
BILLS PASSED.
In the morning hour Mr.. Culbertson Texas)
on behalf Of the committee on the judiciary,
called up the bill dividing the eastern judicial
known as the eastern and western districts Of
the eastern district of Arkansas. Passed.
He also called up and the House passed the
bill to detach Hood county from the Waco
branch of the northern judicial district Of
Texas and attach 1t to the Graham branch Of
said district.
He also called up and the House passed a bill
providing that in addition to the present mode
Of taking dispositions of witnesses in cases
pending before United States courts, 1t shall
| scribed by the laws of the state in which the
court is held.
STATE CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.
Mr.. Hammond (Ga.), on behalf of the same
committee, called up the bill to prevent the
| claim of war taxes under the act Of August
| 9Th, 1861, and acts amendatory thereof, by the
United States as set-of against states having
claims against the general government.
Mr.. Barksdale (Miss) made an argument in
ter of simple justice to various states of the
Union. The government. illimitable in its re-
sources, as powerful to execute its promises as
1t was to enforce its DEGREES, could not afford to
| plant itself on the Rob Roy rule:
That they shall take that have the power,
And they shall keep that can"
Mr.. Hepburn Qowa) attacked the bill as a
propo ition to relieve certain states that had
been in rebellion from obligation of payment,
justice to all of the states by refmbursing those
which had promptly made full payment.
Pending further discussion the morning hour
expired.
The District In Congress.
THE MECHANICS LIEN Law.
/ The subcommittee of the House District of
Columbia committee had the mechanics lien
law under consideration to-day. A delegation
from the Real Estate Exchange, composed of
Messrs. W arner, Saunders, Parker, Swormstedt.
the present law. Hon. S. C. Neale and Messrs
Samuel Ross and Thomas Smith, representing
those who are opposed to any change, were also
committee adjourned.
Capitol Topics.
THE SIGNAL CORPS INVESTIGATION.
The joint commission of the two houses Of
Congress which has been investigating the
signal corps is, it is said, now considering its re-