Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-27


words. said TO the claimants that unless their
they would be dismissed. The Commissioner had
actually taken the place OF Congress and had
enacted statute OF limitations, and, in one de-
partment OF his of1ce, between 700 and 800 cases
had been dismissed because the claimants had
failed to perfect their evidence within hundred
days. IL was true that case could be reopened
at any time upon the flingof an additional proof,
but that fact should have been stated by the CON-
missioner in his circular letter.
based on the ground that the subject was ex-
hausted. II the resolution was adopted nothing
further could be learned: The Commissioner had
stated that he did issue the circular In cases pend
peated calls had been made for
rneT without the s h
been to stimulate claimants, 50 that large num-
Der had been induced 10 prosecute their claims.
He IMatson) did not think that the Commissioner
wide discretion and was limited by very few rules
of law In the adjudication OF pension claims. The
present administration OF the Pension ONCE had
made very liberal rules, and their effect had been
beneficial to the soldiers OF the country.
THR RESOLUTION TABLED.
The resolution was tabled-yeas, 119; nays, %.
The Fisheries Treaty.
PREPARING THE WAY FOR ITS CONSIDERATION IN
OPEN SESSION OF THE SENATE.
1t is understood that the Senate committee on
rules has got so far in its consideration OF the pro-
posed open executive session proposition as to
agree to report an amendment to the present rules
making 1t in order by majority vote to remove
the injunction OF secrecy from treaty or to con-
slider and act upon a treaty In public. 1t is IN
Grafton OF the fisheries treaty In open session. The
action OF the committee was not Unanimous.
The foreign relations committee has not yet
taken up the fisheries treaty. but is expected do
so at its regular meeting on Wednesday. 1t has
sent for the maps and documents thought to be
necessary to an understanding OF the subject
Capitol Topics.
THE DES MONIES RIVER LANDS.
Mr.. Payson, to whom was referred the bill to
quiet the little Of settlers upon the Des MONIES
River lands (simiar to the bill vetoed last year by
President Cleveland), to-day presented to the
House committee on pubic lands his report favor
Ing the passage OF the bill. lie addressed the CON-
mlttee Tor an hour In support OF the measure. The
discussion will be concluded at a special meeting
called for next Wednesday, and the indications are
that the committee will then adopt Mr.. Paysons
report
PUBLIC LAND BILLS.
The Senate committee on public lands has sub
stantially, though not formally. agreed upon a
public land bill ito repeal the timber-culture and
pre-emption laws, amend the homestead law, &C.,,
similar in general features to the Senate Dill or
held next Saturday, at which 1t is expected formal
action Will be taken.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAM
PAIGN COMMITTEE.
Representative Jones, chairman OF the demo-
cratic congressional campaign committee, ON the
part OF the House OF Representatives has appointed
the following on the executive committee: Repre-
sentatives McMillIn, Townshend, Maish, DiDble,
Boyce, Fisher, Wise, Macdonald, McShane, and
Mckinney. The Senate members OF tn. democratic
executive committee are: Messrs. Kenna, Hearst,
and Jones, Arkansas.
PUBLIC BUILDING BILLS
Saturday afternoon the floor OF the House was
accorded, In committee of the whole, to the COM
mittee on public buildings and grounds. The bills
considered were those providing for a public
sites for public buildings at Buffalo, N.Y. $3.50 OOO
and Omaha, Neb., $jOO,OOO. Mr.. Bland, of Mis-
souri,, opposed each measure, but the committee
reported favorably on the flrsL two and was con-
sidering the third when the committee rose, and
without taking any action on any OF the bills the
House adjourned.
ARCTIC ART.
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Chandler introduced a
Dill TO direct the Secretaries OF Navy and OF War,
respectiveyto to purchase from Albert Operti artist
the two paintings, one scamp Clay; or, the Rescue
OF Lieut.. Greey and Party" the other .sHighest
mittee.
SENATOR FAULKNERs ALLIGATOR.
The Senatorial party which accompanied the
President to Florida has returned, and the Sena-
tors were In their seats to-day. Senator Faulkner
brought home with him a small alligator which
he intends to send to West Virginia.
THE MEMPHIS BRIDGE.
delegation OF 'river men," from Pttsburg, St.
Louis, and New orleans, representing the naviga-
tion interests Of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers
was before the senate committee ON commerce to-
day advocating an amendment OF the Memphis
bridge bill, so that the contemplated bridge shall
have span Of not less than 900 feet In length
and that shall be not less than IS feet I'm height
The delegation stated its wish that the span
should be LOCO feet In length, but declared that
anything less than 800 feet would ruin the inter-
estS IL represented, since the lows could not pass
through narrower channel Again, to permit the
bridge TO be only 65 feet above the water would
revolutiOnize the navigation interests, which are
now 'IOwn to bedrock" and which cannot, there.
tore, AFFORD 10 make any expensive change