Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-13
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
THE HOUSE ONLY In SESSION.
A LIVELY DEBATE ON ECONOMY.
MEETINGS OF COMMITTEES, ETC.
House OF Representatives.

oA0 AoQuA1c0 W WOIAs anu C08G the clSnG QOur
law has not been deemed applicable to letter
carriers because they are not regarded as ia
borers, workmen or mechanics" The opinion
was, the Postmaster General is informed, pro
mulgated rom the department before his in
cumbency of his office and no change has been
directed since.
Mr.. Geddes (Ohio). from the committee on
resolution calling on the Secretary ofthe Treas
ury for Information as to the moneys and
Rntsr Wfa G i oy ~ h or
OF the Gulf Adopted.
THE MEDICAL AND SURGICAL HISTORY OF THE
WAR.
Mr.. Barksdale (Miss.), from the committee
on printing, reported resolution calling on the
public printer for information as to whether
any progress has been made towards publish
ing the new edition of the medical and Surgi-
cal History Of the War;" and when, II ever,
be l., He
cost OF issuing revised edition OF $4,000
copies. Adopted.
PROPOSED INCREASE OF HOUSE EMPLOYEES.
A resolution reported from the committee on
accounts authorizing the employment Of two
men in the document room of the House gave
rise to some little discussion.
Mr.. Cannon ullinois) opposed the resolution,
and suggested that the committee ON accounts
of the House He ironically called the attention
OF the "beacons Of reform" on the other side
that no objection came from them when a
proposition was presented to increase the force
OF the House employees.
Mr.. Reagan Texas) admitted that Mr.. Can
mons criticism was deserved. and he called
ter their promises OF reform, they would in
crease the pay roll OF the House when it should
Mr.. Breckinridge (Ark) thought that the
question involved was a broader one than the
mere increase in the number OF House en-
ptoyes. II the House was prOfigate in author
Q0mDlOvment tainted
economy at its very fountain head.
Mr.: Adams Gill; favored the resolution, con-
tending that the increase asked was necessary.
Mr.. Rogers (Ark.) thought that the point had
been reached where the rule of economy could
ne appnea' ana the pest step that could De
now.
Mr.. Hepburn Uowa) remarked that profess
siOns of economy had been heard coming from
| the other side for good many years. In every
campaign the people had been told that the re-
publican ona party ,,h had .a been keeping men
necessity. Yet there was scarcely bu-
reau officer in position to-day who had
for an Increase OF clerical force, thus giving the
lie direct to the charges Of extravaganza on the
part OF the republican party. He thought that
the men asked for in the pending resolution
were necessary, for while there were three
per1ntendents in the document department.,
there was nobody tor them to superintend.
On motion of Mr.. Cox On. CO. the resolution
was recommitted with instructions to the CON-
mittee on accounts % ascertain the number and
House and report what reduction in number
and compensation may be made without di-
minishing the efficiency of the force.
Coast Defenses.
ADMIRAL PORTER THINKS VESSELS MORE EF-
FECrIvE THAN LAND FORTIFICATIoNs.
Admiral Porter, who followed Secretary
Whitney on the stand in the House naval COM
mittee yesterday, favored the finishing of the
monitors and spoke contemptuously OF fortif-
pafi rod Vpif 4, of
| means of coast defense. He thought that
81 zoo, 900 expended on League Island navy
yard would make it equal to any in the world,
and that vessels could be constructed there by
the government cheaper than they could be
built by contract.
Admiral simpson, Charles Cramp, the ship
corning the construction OF vessels. Mr.. Cramp
thought private firms could beat the govern
ment at building vessels.
International Copyright.
A PHILADELPHIA PIRATE MAKES CHARGES
AGAINST TREASURY OFFICIALS AND BOOK
IMPORTERS.
The Senate committee on patents continued
its hearing upon the international copy
right bills yesterday. Mr.. Roger Sherman,
of Philadelphia, laid before the com
mittee printed sheets containing in brief his
objections to the passage Of any international
copyright bill. He avowed himself one of the
the saeks Tying h Daa
Ensyelopoala britanniea, = reprint Of
he at less than
false ruling OF the Treasury, which had been
obtained tor consideration. If he dared, he
would mention names He suggested a refer
ence to report of Special Agents Dutton
| and Williams, which, he said, was suppressed,
because it implicated every importer of books
In the ntted States in irregular practices.
PleurO.PneumOnia Among Cattle.
RIGOROUS BILL LIKELY TO BE REPORTED IN
THE HOUSE.
The House committee on agriculture is at
work on q bill to prevent the spread of pleuro-
to make report to the House in few days
The difficulty they have to contend with is to
construct the law SO as to be effectual and yet
to come within the provisions of the Constitu-
ton. The present law is weak, in that it does
not give the authorities the right to condemn
Hacks provision in the bill as originally re-
ported allowed the government authorities
with the cooperation OF the state, to con-
ment to pay half the value of the stock killed.
It authorized the President, in the event of the
refusal OF state In which the disease Is preva-
lent, to cooperate with the federal authorities
to declare the state in quarantine.
Ifthese provisions can be restored the law will
be wonderfully strengthened and the spread Of
the terrible disease checked. This It is thought
can be done without any violation of the Con-
stitutiOn. The opinion OF the Attorney Gen.
eral has been had upon the question, and he
ttonal.
The District I'm Congress.
THE TITLE TO THE POTOMAC FLATS.
The House committee on rivers and harbors
yesterday directed the chairman Of the com
mittee to inquire of the Attorney General what
steps have been taken to establish the title of
United Ststes to the PotOma &C fats and whether
/ RI of lion f<,