The Portland daily press., 1886-02-12
Regarding the reconstruction and
Reorganization of Our Navy.
To Reduce Money Order Fees--oth-
er Matters OF Interest.
Especial to the PREss.l

The finance committee of the Senate gave
Messrs. Pillsbury and Chase a hearing this
morning. Both appeared and argued against
their rejection. Pillsbury denied any con-
nection with the count-out; claimed he had
performed the duties of his Offices to the
satisfaction of everybody, and said that if
rejected it must be on partisan grounds.
Mr.. Chase took much the same ground in
his defence that he laid down in his letter to
the committee, published in the PRESS some
time ago. He claimed that his work as Col
lector was done to the satisfaction of all,
both his political friends and enemies alike,
and that the only thing which was brought
against him was his connection with the
Garcelon count-out Of 1870 He explained
his actions as member of the Governors
Council at that time, and claimed to have
acted upon high legal authority, and he firm
ly believed at the time that his course was
the right one. He cited several instances,
among them the case of the Portland returns
which were thrown out because part OF the
vote was returned as scattering instead OF
giving the full list of persons voted for, and
the total vote for each, and claimed that the
highest legal authority in the State advised
aim that this constituted a fatal defect in
the returns. His action, he said, further
more, was endorsed by the leading Demo-
Gratis of the State mentioning among others,
W. L. Putnam, Judge Cleaves, A. 2. Gould,
Mr. Kimball of Oxford, Gen. Anderson and
Bion Bradbury. He further claimed that
the vote of the people at the election Of 1880
was an endorsement of the doings of that
Council and that he was thus no worse than
every Democrat in Maine. He claimed that
as long as he was competent to fill the office
he should not be turned out for doing what
all Democrats endorsed. He also further
said that the work was divided up among the
different members of the Council, and in the
district assigned to him there were no fatally
defective returns except in the Portland case
referred to, and that consequently he was in
nocent Of any evil doing in any event.
The committee, which voted on Tuesday
to report the nomination adversely, did not
reconsider this vote, but merely held the
case open to hear his story. There is not
the slightest chance of their reconsidering.
Capt Chase left for home this afternoon.
He is thought not to feel very confident of
his confirmation.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.-Mr. Morrison has
informed his colleagues of the committee on
ways and means that he will have tariff
bill ready to report to them in few days.
Mr.. Hewitt is probably the only one Of the
committee who knows anything about the
features of the bill. Congressman Reed
says that neither he nor any of the Republi-
can members know anything about it. 1t is
thought that while Mr.. Hewitt has been free
ly consulted by Mr. Morrison none of his
views have been adopted. 1t is known that
the two leaders differ quite widely on some
points, and if it proves that Mr.. Hewitt has
been disregarded, be viii probably submit to
the committee an alternate measure. He is
said to have one ready, but will not disclose
it until he has an opportunity of examining
Mr.. Morrison's.
The Navy.
The naval committee of the Hnnse hee de-
termined to give precedence in consideration
to general measures affecting the reconstruc-
tion and reorganization of the navy over
matters touching its personnel. On Friday
the committee will hear Secretary Whitney,
Admirals Porter and Simpson, Engineer-in-
Chief Loring and Constructor Polk, on the
general subject of naval reorganization.
To Reduce Mloney Order Fees.
The committee on post offices and post
roads have favorably reported bill to re-
duce the fee on money orders for less than
S., from eight to FIVE cents.
Alumni Reunions.
The Washington Alumni Associations Of
Bowdoin and Dartmouth colleges held their
annual reunions and dinners this week, the
former on Wednesday, at Welckers, and the
latter on Tuesday, at Wizards. Both were
largely attended, and were very enjoyable
occasions. Among those present on Tues
day were Dr. w. w. Goding, Gen. Richard
D. Mussey, ex-Gov. P. G. Cheney of New
Hampshire, Congressman Dingley of Maine
and Ranney of Massachusetts,, Senator Pike
of New Hampshire, and Others AT the Bow
doin dinner on Wednesday, were Senator
Frye, Congressman Reed Of Maine and Rice
of Massachusetts, S. I. Kimball of Portland,
Chief of the Life Saving Service, DR.. Sewall
of Bangor, and others were present
Work OF the Committees.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.-Senator Frye,
from the committee on commerce. reported
favorably the bill making Springfield, Mass,
a port Of delivery, and Senator Hale's bill
establishing port of entry at Mount Desert
Ferry, in the town of Hancock, Me.
Money Expendedfor Telephone Com
panieS.
Representative Gibson, chairman of the
House committee on expenditures in the de-
partment of justice, has received replies for
the Secretary of the Interior and Attorney
General to the resolution of the committee
asking what money had been expended by
their departments. in the Pau Electric, and
Bell Telephone Companies. The reply of
the Secretary of the Interior says, $35 for
printing, etc., was the only money expended
in his department.. The Attorney General
says no money has been expended in his de-
partment, but that counsel has been retained
for the prosecution of the government suit.
No money has yet been paid these counsel.
LABOR INTERESTS.