The Portland daily press., 1888-01-05
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Owners Of British Vessels Ready with
some Big Claims.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-The Department
of State is unofficially advised that the own
ers of the British vessels seized in Behring
Sea by the American revenue cutters last
summer have prepared Claims against the
government for damages amounting to half
a million dollars.
Introduced by Maine congressmen.
Senator Frye presented in the Senate today
petition in behalf of the 10000 Good Tenn
plars of Maine for the appointment Of an
impartial national commission Of inquiry to
report upon the alcoholic traffic.
A petition from Maine was also presented
praying for the construction OF bridge
across the Saint Croix river.
Senator Frye presented the resolutions OF
the American Fishery Union opposing any
commission to define the rights OF fishermen
and any new treaty that shall dictate nation
al legislation or destroy the small remnant OF
protection our fishermen now have and
favoring the maintenance of their rights
under existing treaties and legislation.
Congressman Reed of Maine presented in
the House the petition of the inhabitants
of Buxton in favor OF pension for Mrs:
Hannah Boyton, the widowed mother OF
John +. Boyton, late private in Company l.,
First Maine Artillery.
Mr.. Dingley presented the petition of Ed
win Libby Post, G. A. R., Rockland, Me-,
for permission to erect a soldiers monument
on the vacant government lot adjoining the
Custom House In that city, with bill for
that purpose.
Mr.. Dfngley also presented bill identical
with that already introduced by Senator
Frye in the Senate) to appropriate S25, 1000
for the erection of monument to Gen.
Knox, in the cemetery at Thomaston, where
the remains of this distinguished revolution
airy officer are buried As Gen. Knox was
one of the most prominent of Washington s
officers, and was his Secretary of War, 1t Is
appropriate that the government should
erect monument to his memory.
Among the public bills introduced by Mr..
Dingley were the following:
To exempt American coastwise sailing vessels
pilOted by their licensed masters or by United
States pilot from the obligation to pay State pilots
for services not accepted and rendered.
TO allow drawbacks on articles manufactured
wholly or partly of materials imported, equal In
amount TO the duties paid on such materials, when
such articles are exported.
TO provide for commission to investigate the
alcoholic liquor traffic.
To place the sale of imported liquors under the
control of the laws of each State, relating 10 the
To prohibit the establishment Of private lights
and private buoys in the nayigable waters of the
To protect the fisheries Of the United States and
prohibit fishing by foreign vessels within the
waters OF the United states.
To amend the Shipping Act Of 1885 SO as to
more clearly define the cases in which the Presi-
dent suspend the payment Of OF cs tax
steamboat inspectors, and fees OF witnesses and
marshals for services under the inspection laws,
etc.
To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to enter
into contracts for the construction Of naval ves-
sells with private citizens who obligate them
selves to establish at suitable points in the United
States iron and steel shipbuilding establishments
To establish lighthouse on "Channel Rock"
at the eastern entrance of Fox Island Thorough
fare on the coast of Maine.
Presidential Appointments.
President Cleveland sent to the Senate to-
day the following recess nominations:
Benton ]. Hall of Iowa, Commissioner Of Pa
tents.
Thomas Cooley of Michigan, W. R. Morrison of
Illinois, Augustus Scheonaker OF New York, A.
w. Walker of Vermont, and w. 8. Bragg OF Ala
bama, Interstate Commerce Commissioners.
The Committees Not Announced.
Speaker Carlisle said this forenoon that
the committees would not be announced to-
day.
Maine Pensioners.
The following Maine pensions have been
granted:
INCREASE.
Francis Winn, Bridgton.
AlonZo N. Moore, Pembroke.
Simon Prescott, Brownheld.
Chist0n C. Dexter, East Corinth.
George s. Smith, Bangor.
Loring Il. WaSS, Addison Point.
Charles II. .Jackman, Sherman Mills.
Frederick A. Stevens, Monroe.
John Z. Rines, Waldoboro
Adarlal Turner, East Palermo.