Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-02-18

the first pablie speech upon the SUBJ
iect. which had heretofore been dis
eussed only in executive session. The
news travelled rapidly through the
Capitol. and the galleries were soon
filled with interested listeners. Mr..
Sherman declared that all information
upon the files of any Department be-
lOnged to the Senate; that while he
did not claim that the Senate could
exercise any poHer over the Presidents
discretion, that the President must
not prevent the Senate from having
the same information that he had
when he made the nomination.
It's reported that Senator Edmunds
has OF late changed his mind on the
subject Of secret sessions, and that he
now favors the consideration OF the
Presidents nominations in open ses-
sion, and that he will make a speech
in support of Mr.. Platt's open session
resolution.
The debate on the bill for the relief
Fitz- John Porter was begun in the
House on Thursday, and by special
order the debate is to continue with
out interruption after the morning
hour every day until Thursday next
when it will be closed by the previous
question.
A large delegation OF Indians. from
ruuIau TerTitOry, aEs here to protect
against the passage of the bill provid-
ing for allotment of their land in
severalty.
The President gave his third State
dinner on Thursday evening in honor
OF the Justices of the Supreme Court,
and on Friday evening entertained the
Diplomatic Corps.
On Thursday evening the final re-
ception Of the present Chinese Minis.
ter, Cheng Tsao Ju. prior to his de-
parture to his native land. was given.
Nearly all OF the members of the Di.
plomatic Corps were present, as were
also the members of the Cabinet and
many Senators and Congressman.
During several years past there has
been disagreement between the PIC
fessors at the Naval Observatory and
the officers OF the Navy over the con
troll of that institution, the naval
officers claiming that it is a naval
institution, and that the officers Of
that service should have charge Of
the work, while the professors claim
that it is purely a scientific institution,
and should be controlled by scientific
men. Six years ago a site for new
observatory was bought by the Gov
eminent, but no appropriation for the
building has been made by Congress
owing to the disagreement that has
existed as to its management. The
American Academy of Sciences, to
whom the question was referred, have
recently submitted report, in which,
after reviewing the history of the
IN sn IT. &c r." halA that IL hss Iona
tive naval functions, and that It pro.
perly should be placed in charge OF
civilians, and should be known now
as the National Observatory. Now
that the status Of the institution Las
been established, it is expected that
Congress will provide for the erection
OF suitable buildings.
In this age Of discovery and inven.
ton, We are frequently called upon
to witness the Accomplishments oil
results which we had thought unat.
tainabls. Among the patents includ-
ed in the issue Of the past week was
one to Mr.. R. B. Hough, Of Lowville.
\. Y, for cross section wooden cards.
The cards are cut transversely across
the grain Of the wood, and clearly
exhibit the aunular rings of growth
and structure of the wood. They
have calsndered surface, are tough
and durable, aud are suited to all the
uses to which ordinary cards are put.