The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-12-08
FROM WASHINGTON.
Senator Eugene Hale Back Again
from Europe.
Senator Piatt to Press His Open
Sessions Resolution.
The French SpoIlation Claims
Again Brought up.
Attorney General Garland Makes His
Annual Report.

W FAcb1NNAV4ts AtOCs fs-7O6lldLOT Hale AZ
rived this noon from New York, where he
had just landed from his trip to Europe, af-
ter rather long aud rough passage. He
weut directly from the station to the capitol,
arriving there in season to take his seat
when the Senate was called to order. He in
troduced bill this afternoon appropriating
100000 for the rebuilding of the custom
house and post Office at Eastport, Maine,
and asked for its immediate consideration
Objection being made, however, on the Dem
ocratic side it was referred to the committee
on public building and grounds with the un-
derstanding that it receive their immediate
attention.
In response to question regarding his in
tention concerning his open session resolu-
tions which are special for tomorrow, Sena-
tor Platt Of Connecticut, told your CORE
spondent today that he understood they
would come up tomorrow, but whether in
the crowded condition Of affairs at present
he could obtain the consent of the Senate
for their consideration or not he could not
tell. 'If they do not he said, sit will not
be my fault, for | want them brought to
vote" There is hadly possibility that they
will be passed If considered Senator Blair
gave notice he should call for the considera-
tion of his proposed amendment to the con-
stitution extending the right of suffrage to
woman, so there is certain to be a contest for
precedence with the chance that neither will
obtain present consideration.
Reduction of Taxation.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.-Senator Dawes
bad nra rod do laf
was sent to the Senate, and will introduce
at the earliest opportunity, the following res
olution:
Resolved, That the Committee on Finance be
instructed 10 inquire and report as soon as pract
caDle Wnat SPECIFIC reduction can be made In Gus
toms duties and internal taxes which WILL in their
Judgment, reduce the receipts to the necessary
and economical expenditures of the government
without impairing the prosperity and develop
ment Of home Industries or the compensation OF
home labor.
a CommendabIe Reform.
The Congressional committees which were
to attend the funeral of the late Representa-
tive Price Of Wisconsin will not go. This is
due to the known opposition of Mr.. Price to
often made on such occasions He, in a pub
lie speech, denounced the custom. 1t is pos
slble the action of Congress in this instance
may result in reform in Congressional ex-
penditures.
Senator Cheney Sworn In.
Gov. Cheney appeared and was sworn in
this morning. He was assigned to the seat
which was occupied by Mr.. Pike, his prede-
ceSSor.
The Tariff Agitation.
Mr.. Van Wyck's tariff bill, in which he
proposed to put lumber, molasSes and sugar
on the free list, caused quite movement on
the Republican side. Mr.. Morrill, desired to
have that resolution answered by the adOp-
ton OF another resolution, which stated that
any. action upon tariff at this session is mex
pedient
The French Spoliation Claims.
Attorneys interested in the French spolia-
tion claims, who have carefully examined
the decision Of the Court Of Claims in the
test cases, say that il fully sustains the
former decision and entirely overruies the
arguments of the Assistant Attorney Gen
eral
Treasury Department Decision.
The Treasury Department has decided
that Canada postal cards imported into the
United States are dutiable at the rate Of 25
per cent ad valorem as printed matter not
specially provided for.
Postmasters Appointed.
The Postmaster General has appointed the
following named fourth class postmasters:
Wm. 0'Brien. Raddinston, Maine; Mrs. E.
B. Smith, Lake View N. H.. Richard Leon
ard. Larrabies Point, vt.
The Attorney Generals Report.
Attorney General Garland's annual report
says: That during the year 6S4 suits, aggre-
eating in amount S35, 100000 have been
brought under the ordinary jurisdiction of
the Court Of Claims. The number of such
cases pendlng Is 69l, involving S25, 100000.
Under the Bowman act 1888 cases have been
transmitted to the court by committees of
Congress. This involves a large amount.
There are now pending 1140 cases involving
S3oO0O000, and under the same act 2S
claims, involving S4,0O0,000 has been trans
mitted by heads of the departments. OF
these, nine cases involving S150,0O0 are still
pending. In addtiont to the above there has
been tiledunder the 'French Spoliation Act''
2150 cases, amounting to ST., 100000. 1t is
thought 800 more eases will be filed and the
amount increased to about S15,000,000.
During the year 425 suits claiming S17,-
706,42 were brought to trial. In 1896 suits
claiming Sl6,995,554 judgement was for the
civil suits to which the United States was
party were terminated in circuit apd district
courts. The number pending July 1st was
2,S26. The number of criminal prosecutions
terminated during the year was 14,479, about
one-haf of which were for violations of in
ternational revenue laws. The aggregate
amount of judgements rendered in favor of
the United States in civil suits was S421 .l38.
The amount actually collected was 500, 2,172.
The amount of fines imposed in criminal
prosecutions during the year was S567, ,631.
The civil suits to which the United States
was not party, numbering 1896. were
terminated during the year in the United
States Circuit and Distriet Courts. The
Attorney General deyotes a chapter to the
subject of United States prisoners and the
general question of convict labor, and advo-
Gates the building Of government peniten-
tiary and reformatory at an early day.