Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-16
WASHINGTON NEWS.
Hearing on Mr.. Boutelle's Resolution
No Liquors in the Capitol-Rivers and
Harbors-Caucus OF Republican Sena.
tors-A Bill Introduced by Mr. Frye.
WASHINGTON, Jan. /;

WAsHINGroN, Jan. Is.
The resolution offered in the House by
Representative Boutelle of Maine, inquiring
into the slleged misconduct on the part of the
commsndant at the Norfolk navy yard. came
up for consideration this forenoon before the
committee on naval affairs and led to heat ID
political discussion. Mr.. Wise of Virginia,
made speech denouncing the resolution and
impugning the motives of its mover. He in
simulated that the resolution was introduced
from desire to make party capital and ex-
pressed the opinion that it should be SO
amended as to allow a general investigation
into the conduct of the navy yards. He
urged that mere newspaper report was the
sole foundation fer the proposed inquiry and
that 1t was not becoming the dignity of Con-
gress TO heed such stories. Mr.. Boutelle
vigorously defended the resolution. He said
he had been assured by a brothe- member
that the publication was substantially correct.
Mr.. Thomas pointed out that the resolution
was not for investigation, it was for single
inquiry and if the story was without founda-
tion the navy department could easily break
the bubble.
The House committee on public grounds
and rules, today, adopted a rule forbidding
the sale of spirituous liquors in the restaur-
ant The same action had been taken at the
last two sessions, but in those instances pro-
hibitlon was contained in a joint rule, while
the present rule is simply committee order.
The consul of the United States at San
tago. De Cnbs. reports TO the department OF
state the existence OF large quantities of bat
quanO on the south coast OF the Island of
Cuba. This guano is deposited in caves, one
which was visited by the consul and esti-
mated TO contain from %, 900 to 80, 600 tons.
The facilities for working these deposits are
reported as being excellent.
The committees on rivers and harbors to-
day resolved to limit the total amount of ap-
preparation for improving rivers aud harbors
to Sll 900 900. The committee considered
the subject of improving the harbors at Rock
land and Saco, Maine Portsmouth, n. H.,
and Burlington, VT The sums recommend
ed for appropriation will in no case be made
public in advance of the report of the bill.
The republican Senators met in caucus at
half pas ten this forenoon and adjourned at
half past one. Their purpose was to COM
pare their views with regard to the right Of
the Senate to information as to the Presidents
reasons for making removals from office.
The fact was stated that many of the inqnir-
les addressed to the heads of departments by
the chairmen of committees remain un-
answered, but inasmuch as no action of the
administration yet indicates purpose to
refuse to give this, no formal
propersition was made and no
action taken. While wide variety of opin-
ions found expression with regard to the
propriety Of raising a formal issue with the
administration at present on this question
the majority are of the opinion that should
information sought not be ultimately forth
coming the republicans will, in justice to
the men who have been suspended or re-
moved for supposed cause, be required to
take some formal action in the Senate to Sc
ours information of an avowal by the Presi-
dent that he will not give his reasons for max
ing the removals.
The department of state has been officially
advised that the King of Belgium has pro-
posed an annual prize OF 25,000 francs tor
the purpose of encouraging works of mind,
competition to be open to all nations and to
be decided by jury appointed by the King
whom three are to be Belgiums and the re-
mainder foreigners. Prizes will be
adjudged in 1889 TO the best work on the
progress of electricity As motive power as
means of illumination, etc.
Admiral d. d. Porter is very much i'm
proved in health and is now regarded out of
danger.
Among the bills introduced, Thursday, in
the Senate was one by Mr.. Frye for the relief
of the merchant marine Of the United States
engaged in the foreign trade. 1t provides for
the payment by the United States, under such
regulations as the Secretsrv of the Treasury
shall make, to any vessel, whether sail or
steam, built and owned wholly in the United
States, engaged in foreign trade, on her ar
rival at the port of entry in the United States,
the sum of 80 cents per registered ton for each
1000 miles sailed, and pro rata for any dis
tance travelled less than 1000 miles on any
voyage between this and the foreign country,
such payment to continue for a term Of ten
years and thereafter for another term of nine
years, at a reduction of three cents per ton
each year upon each thousand miles sailed
an. pro rata for any less distance travelled
the distances to be determined by measure
ments furnished by the United States hydro
graphic office to the bureau of navigation.