Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-20

In all essential particulars, although slightly
modified. senator Hawley added that he re-
ferred the original Of the Ordway bill to a board
OF Army officers, and their report suggested some
very sensible changes In military point OF view.
Inc senator said he had taken the original bill
and ana modified Il to correspond with these sugges-
same bill in the House recently.
Oar Dcfenseless Coasts.
REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDING
LIBERAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR PROTECTION OF OUR
sRAPORTs.
In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Dolph submitted a
written report from the committee on coast de-
lenses TO accompany the bill, recently reported,
making appropriations for coast defenses 1t sets
forth the defenseless condition Of our sea-coasts
and says: "The time is propitious for entering
upon the work or the construction OF q system of
coast defenses. There is surplus in the Treasury
and the people are not only willing that portion
OF IT should be applied Tor the purpose, but from
every quarter comes to Congress the demand,
sary measures be taken for the protection OF our
seap0rtS. To longer delay is 1nexcusable. We
nave all the Information that is necessary to en-
Boards OF the most competent and experienced ofr-
GERS In the Army and Navy have been created, and
have carefully considered the several subjects con-
nected with coast defenses, and made exhaustive
and valuable reports"
The Aldrich Surplus Bill.
AMENDED BY THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Senate committee on finance this morning
amended the Aldrich bill Ito authorize the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury to apply the surplus money
In the Treasury to the purchase OF United States
bonds or to prepayment OF interest on the public
debt" and ordered afavorable report upon 1t. The
first section Of the original BILL authorizing the
purchase OF bonds with the surplus Is stricken out
The bill as 1t stands authorizes the Secretary to
receive any four per cent bonds and issue in ex-
enange two W ana a.haiI per cents payable at the
state or municipal taxation. Sections two and
three are as follows: Section two: That in consid-
Grafton OF the reduction OF interest effected
the Secretary OF the Treasury Is hereby authorized
10 pay, out OF any money in the Treasury not
States per cenlum bonds exchanged for the 2k
per centum bonds authorized by the preceding
section, II sum equal in each case TO the aggregate
tion OF the several Quarter-yeary payments OF in
terest from which the United States Is released by
snch ,lc exchange. trouided THAT In ascertaining
not less than 2h per centum per annlm, REIN
vested Quarter-yearly and the per centum bonds
dence Of indebtedness against the United States,
and shall be cancelled and destroyed. Sec
tion three: That when any national banking asso-
citation shall dep0siG with the Treasurer OF the
United states, In the manner provided by law, the
Two and one-half per centum bonds authorized by
this act. or any bonds OF the United States bearing
higher rate OF interest as security for its circu,
latlng notes, the association making such deposit
shall be entitled TO receive circulating notes In
manner, form, and denominations authorized by
law, not exceeding in amount the par value OF the
bonds so deposited and at no time shall the total
amount OF notes issued to any such banking asso-
citation exceed the amount at the time actually
paid in OF its capital stock. i
The committee also authorized Senator Sherman
to report favOrably bill to wipe out the charges
against the states for the loan Of 1885, 1t amounts
10 between twenty and thirty million dollars.
Capitol Topics.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT BILL
IN the senate yesterday Mr.. Chace, from the
committee on patents, reported an International
no reference whatever TO either protection or free
trade. II was supported by men OF both parties.
PREFERENCE TO CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Blair. from the CON-
mittee ON ciyil-servtce REFORM reported a bill TO
provide that whenever persons who were not
loyal to the Union during the war shall be ap-
pointed to Office In the civil service those who
served In the army or navy OF the so-called Con-
federacy, and are suffering from wounds or disa-
6e shall nal be gwen ~ nee n Mr. fat oo
Mr.. sHERMAN's ARREARS OF PENSIONS BILL
Mr. sherman yesterday introduced in the Senate
bill to grant arrears OF pensions In certain cases.
1t provides that all persons who receive pension
for wounds resulting In total or partial loss Of
limb or permanent shortening OF q leg or an arm
shall be allowed arrears OF pension from the date
OF receiving such wounds or discharge from the
Army at the rate provided by their pension certi-
Gates. IL also provides that all persons now re-
ceivfng pension for gunshOt wounds resulting In
the permanent shortening OF an arm or leg shall
hereafter receive pension at the rate OF $40 per
month.
MEXICAN FREE-zONE CORRESPONDENCE.
The President, in compliance with resolution
OF the Senate has transmitted to that body great
amount OF correspondence between Mexico and
this country relating to the Mexican Free Zone.
Inc GorresponaenGe Degan several years ago Ine
from Minister Romero TO Secretary Bayard, IN
which the writer contrOverts what he believes 10
be the prevalent public opinion In this country
namely, that the Free Zone was established by
Mexico act OF hostility to American interests
lie shows that its establishment was the outcome
OF conditions which made II, In the opinion Of the
authorities, necessity; and that only the most
friendly intentions were entertained by the Mexi-
United States
FOR COURT OF PATENT APPEALS.
Mr.. George TicknOr Curtis has written and
printed for distribution among Senators and Rep
resentatives in Congress letter concerning the
bill lately introduced by Senator German to estab-
proves Of the II measure and explains how il Win
iieve the Over-burdened docket OF the Supreme
Court OF the United States. The only criticism
that he makes upon Senator Germans bill relates
TO the unlimited right OF appeal which it allows
from the proposed new court to the Supreme
allowing appeals from the Circuit Courts to the
proposed court OF appeals, the latter ought to be
required TO settle inany all questions OF fact. and
that questions or law only should go to the Su-
preme Court. Mr.. Curtis has made calculation
that this measure would save at least month OF
Term.
while steadness and uniformity Of Interpretation
OF all statutes OF the scope OF the patent and OF
all contracts involved In the case would be amply
secured His long practice OF the patent law gives
some weight to his Recommendation, and it Is In.
dorsed by Chief Justice Waite In q note to Mr. |
Curtis In which he says: ~ have read carefully |
your letter TO Mr. German, copy or which some |
one has been good enough to send me, and agree
with you cordially in all your suggestions, but
especially that which relates to the finding OF |
facts by the court Of patent appeals There IS ho
more reason why the facts should come before US |
In this class OF after the trials below than
there is In cases in admiralty"
NOTES.
Representative Springer has received the con-
gratulationS OF number OF friends to-day In con-
sequence OF the report which reaches here from |
Illinois that the opposition 10 his denomination
had practically melted away.
Representative Townshend telegraphed yester-
day from Southern Illinois that his convention
viii meet to-day, and that he win receive re.
nomination with but little II any opposition.
:, After TIE SfAR's report closed yesterday the |
House passed the fractional currency bin, and the
bill to discontinue the coinage Of three-d0ar gold
pieces.
Dismissed by His Company.
AN OFFICER OF THE BUTLER zoUAvHs MvEsrIGATED |
AND DROPPED.
The Butler Zouaves, 9Th battalion, District |
National Guard, held meeting last night and |
unaniwously voted 70 expel Major C. h Fisher |
from hembezhip This action resulted from Q |
recent court Of inquiry held charges OF scandal
Gus conduct growing out Of the connection OF |
Major Fisher with the fair and bazaar held by the
Z0uavoS last fall. IL was charged that financial