Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-03-19

justice to be issued to bring suit and torestall
the adverse decision Of the interior depart.
| ment.
Mr.. Ranney wished to know the ground
for the statement
The witness replied that it was probabil.
ny. HE believed that Van Benthuysen,
ioung and Garland all understood perfectly
well that the suit was to brought in q short
time.
The testimony of the witness closed at
this point and the committe adjourned until
tomorrow.
Examination OF Commissioner Black.
Senators Cullom. Harrison, Beck, Plumb
and kenna of the sub committee on the ex.
penditure of public money, assembled at the
committee room this evening to continue the
examination of Commissioner Black. Ex-
Commissioner Dudley, whose administration
OF the pension office is understood to have
oeen the subject of allegations in Commits
sioner Blacks report, which gave rise to the
investigation, was present. Senator Harri-
son repeated his inquiry OF the last meeting,
II the commissioner could furnish the names
anu numbers in any case which had been al
lowed or rejected on account of the politics
of the claimant
zen. Black in reply submitted list of 20
cases, all OF which he said came within the
classes referred to. He SAID he would fur.
nlsh IN addition 800 or 400 affidavits, when
the committee should have examined the list
IN support OF his allegations that the pension
office was conducted as political machine.
Commissioner Black said in answer 10
further inquiries that the list was by no
means comprised of all cases of character re-
ferred to, OF which he had knowledge.
The first referred to was that OF Col Thos.
Bennett of Indiana volunteers, certificate OF
which was issued in March, 1882, the rate
oeng $3.50 month. The papers show,
BLACK sad, that the case went TO the commits
sioner before it went to the board of review.
Ihe commissioner submitted a personal
letter from the claimant to Commissioners
Dudley, in which the writer set forth the ex-
tent of bis disability and makes plea for
speedy action. If this can be obtained the
writer says, 1t will add another to the many
obligations he was already under to Col
dudley, and which he hoped he would be
able to return in way which would be fully
appreciated. The case was made special on
the 18th of Nov.
The letter was dated Nov. lst, ard the case
was sent to the commissioner on the LIST of
March, 1882. The pension was allowed on
the I'd OF March and the find of the medical
referee was found on the llth of March, nine
days after the allowance was made.
Senator kenna crOss-examined the witness.
''Please state" he asked, whether no not
there is in the proceedings as shown by the
records in that case any irregularity
Answer-"I think there is great deal of
unusual and illegal influence shown in the
case"
Kenna-''Have you had information, no
matter in what form, tounching the relation
ship that existed between the commissioner
and this CLAIMANT"
Answer-'I have"
Q.-"Has that been in the form of writ
ten communication Or oral?"
A.-"Oral."
Q.-"Are the parties who made the CON-
munication accessible to the committee?"
A.-"They will be accessible,
Q-"Taking that record, does it . in your
judgment support the granting of the claim?"
Alt does not according to the practice
of the Office then established"
Commissioner Black let the files in the
other cases on mis- list with the committee for
examination, stipulating that no others than
a committee be allowed TO see them.
The committee adjourned till next Wed
nesday.
Action on Nominations for Internal Rev
enue Collectors.
The Senate committee on finance has voted
to report fav orably upon the nominations of
a number of internal revenue collectors,
whose predecessors have been suspended, and
is likely to report ali the nominations before
it within few DAYS. A mutual understand
ing between the committee and the secretary
of the treasury has been reached, covering
all the suspensions from and nominations to
offices. The nature of the arrangement is
not made public, but considerable number
of letters recently have been cent by the sec
retary to the committee in response to an
equal number of inquiries, and correspon-
dence is still in progress. This arrangement
covers all the nominations before the finance
committee.
The Morrison Tariff Bill.
After dsposing of routine business today
the committee on ways and means resumed
consideration of the Morrison tariff bill at
the point reached when the committee ad
journed at the last meeting, viz: In lumber
clauses of free list. Maybury offered sub
stitute, changing the phraseology of the pro-
vision in the bill subjecting wooden articles
placed on the free list to import duty when
the country from which they are imported
leves export duty, and it. substitute was ac-
the exception of Indian corn and oats.
The Presidents Birthday.
The President is 40 years of age today
There was no celebration of the occasion at
the White House, but this evening the Presi-
dent, accompanied by Miss Cleveland, Miss
Van Veichteu and Col. and Mrs. Lamont,
attended the Mikado performance by the
Emma Abbott Opera Co. at the new National
Theatre. The Presidential party occupied
private box and upon their entrance were
warmly applauded by the audience.
Nominations Confirmed.
The Senate in executive session today con-
firmed the nomination of john ID. Anderson
of Gray, Me, to be pension agent at Au-
gusta, Me-. also the nomination of Brig.
Gen. Alfred H. Terry to be major general.
Cabinet Meeting.
The cabinet. at a meeting today, had under
consideration a proposed abrogation of the
treaty with the Hawaiian government.
Postmaster Appointed.
The President, Thursday, appointed Geo.
7. McKenney postmaster at Saco, Me.