National Republican., 1888-03-16

IN the Senate yesterday Mr.. Plumb sent
to the clerks desk aad had read a letter writ
ten by a Washington firm OF psnsion clam
agents to Kansas ex soldier, saying that
come time ago they had written to him ask
ing TO be allowed to take his pension claim
to Congress, aud had not heard from him
In reply that they were conversant with
his claim, and believed that II properly pre-
sented Congress would not refuse special
pension; that their fee was S2j, OF which $40
was payable In advance; that SG3 epecal
pension bills were passed by last Congress,
and still larger number would probably
be passed by the present Congress; that
this was the best time for the presentation
Of cases to Congress, Ms the country was
on the eve Of congressional aud presi-
dental election, and parties aud individ
uals were on their mettle to make record.
Mr. Plumb expresee the belief that large
amounts were being obtained through such
representations, although the writers could
render no service whatever. Not only
would an attorney not be permitted 10 ap.
pear before the pension committee, but he
In connection with special pension cases
1t was an outrage, putting II mildly, tnr
men to he imposed upon In tina, way. lie
asked that the pension committee take the
letter and consider 1t and make report to
the Senate, so that such swindlng Of cx.
soldiers should not be continued.
Mr.. Hale asked Mr.. Plumb whether he
would not allow the name Of that pension
claim firm to he stated, so that It would be
made known to the country through the
press.
Mr.. Plumb preferred to wait for the re
port Of the pension committee.
After further discussion lin which Me-
Dolph referred to claim agents agree
nent, which be lad seen, to receive 3j per
cent. Of the am ount Of direct tax 10 be re.
funded 10 a certain state) the letter was
referred to the committee on pensions.
A large number Of bills were reported
from committees and placed on the caleu.
dar, including the following:
For the formation and admission into the
Union OF the states Of Washington and
North Dakota with minority reportsl.
For the relief OF Maj. Gen. ". w. Ave
ill
For the issue eratui.ously OF certain
neurological instruments to volunteer
observers az present recognized in the sig
nal service.
In recognition OF the services OF Joseph
Francis.
House bill for the purchase of certain
swords of Mai Gen. James Shields.
Among the bills introduced aud referred
were the following:
BY Mr.. Colquitt: For the suppression oi
the traffic in Intoxicating liquors in the DIS
! trict OF Columbia.
| liminary arrest OF, the demand for, and thu
surrender Of fugitives from justice in any
of the states or territories who have taken
| refuge In other states or territories,
Mr.. Frye offered resolution, which was
laid over, requesting the President to trans
| NIT copies Of the minutes and daily prOto
cols of the meetings OF the fishery commis
sion.
Mr.. DoJph offered a resolution, whi.l
was laid over, calling on the Secretary u
the Treasury for information rs to the pro
hitition Of fur seal fisheries In the waters o
Alaska or Behripgs sea beyond marine
| league from shore.
Mr.. Butler, referring to statement mad
by him several weeks ago as to the deten
tion In the postoflice OF documents franke'
by him, said he had had letter from th
Postmaster General stating that the docll
ments had not been detained at the WASH
inpton city postoflice. III had made iurthe
inquiries and found that the detention ha
taken place In the Senate postoilice. III
did not know whether he was under tn
ban of suspicion by the Senate postmaster
but he wished the matter inquired into, nn
he asked that 1t be referred to the postoflic
committee. So ordered.
| Mr. Teller then addressed the Senate o
the subject OF the Presidents message IHi
remarks will be found elsewhere in thi
paper.l
The motion to refer the message wen
over without ac;ioU.
Further bills were reported from cou
mittees and placed on the calendar, includ
ing the following:
For the erection at Bunker liill OF
monument to Gen. Joseph Warren.
For the purchase OF the Capron collectiO
Of Japanese works OF art.
To fix the compensation OF inspectors {
hulle and boilers In certain districts.
The Senate then resumed considerable
OF the undervaluation bill.
Several amendments to details OF Il
fourteenth section were proposed and e!
plaired by Mr.. Edmuuds, and au argumel
as to the object and scope aud constitt
tionality Of that section was made by NJ
Evarts.
lie argued that the section proposed
give to the Supreme Court jurisdiction
subject las for instance the apprdtsemel
Of merchanuise) which was not within d
range OF subjects contemplated by the co,
stitutiOn as questions to be usclueu by u
court. He suggested that the bill shou
be perfected In every other regard, al
should then be recommitted to the con
mittee on finance, for further revision
the fourteenth secttsn.
The bill went over without action; a,
the resolution OF the House on the subje
Of the death of Representative Seth
MofTatt, Of Michigan, ou the 22d Of Decel
Der, were presented to the Senate.
MIR. Palmer offered resolutions EXPIRE
sive of the deep sensibllity- felt By Il
Senate In the announcement OF the death
Mr.. Moffatt, and rendering to the fami
and relatives OF the deceased assurances
its sympathy.
Eulogies on the life and character OF NJ
Moffatt were delivered by Senators Palme
Paddock, and Stockbridge and then Il
resolutions were adopted unanimously, Al
the Senate las a further mark Of respec
al 1880 adjourned till to-day.