The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-02-02
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Notable Gathering to Do Honor to
Gen. N. p. Banks.
Senators Now Reported TO be With
out a Fisheries Treaty.
The Demand for Senator Frye's
Speech and Its Cost.

WASHINGTON, Feb 1.-About 200 gentle
men, many of them in high prominence in
the political history of the past half century,
assembled at the club house Of the Republi-
can National League tonight TO celebrate the
32nd anniversary of the election of Hon. Ma
thaniel P. Banks, speaker of the House in the
| 34th Congress. About dozen Congressman
| who supported Banks for the speakership
were present. The orators Of the evening
were all veteran politicians and humorous
| "reminiscences of men and affairs in the DAYS
/ of Whiggism frequently evoked loud ap-
| plause and laughter from the audience. Ali
| eulogized Banks and the action Of his sup
| porters in the 34th Congress and declared
that the first blow was then struck IN the
slavery Edward f. Beal presided and
| speeches were made by General Banks
| Galusha A. Grow Senators Sherman and
Morrill,, General Schenck, ex-Congressman
| Cumback of Indiana, Jas. Il. Campbell of
| Pennsylvania, and Russell Sage of New
| York.
No Treaty Transmitted.
1t is stated at the White House and State
Department that there is no truth in the re-
port that the President sent Ia message to the
| Senate in regard Ito the Canadian fisheries,
transmitting the draft of treaty
Senator Frye's Speech.
The demand for Senator Frye's last tariff
speech is unprecedented, and if the Senator
responded to all the calls he has for it, he
would have to employ regiment of clerks,
and become bankrupt. The impression
prevails that Senators and Members of Con-
gress secure their printed speeches at gov
ernment expense. Such is not the case, for
although the printing is done at the govern
ment printing Office, it must be paid for by
the person ordering, at so much per 1000
copies. This price is fixed to cover the actual
cost of printing, which of course varies with
the length of the speech. In the case OF Mr..
Frye's speech the price is $500 per 1000, so
that it can be readily perceived that TO
respond to all the calls made, for 1000 here
and 10000 there, would make round hole In
the Senatorial finances. Requests have been
received from about every State in the union
for the speech in large numbers, and ar
rangements will probably be made by the
various tariff leagues to secure its wide cir
culation. About 100000 copies have been
already ordered upon private account by
Senators and Members.
The Experiment Station.
The Maine agricultural experiment station
can now begin active operations again, under
the Hatch law of the last Congress. The
appropriation granting $4,000 to every State
to carry that law into effect, passed the
House unanimously ten days ago, and Mon
day passed the Senate without opposition
and with an immaterial amendment con-
CURED by the House just before its adjourn
ment; As the appropriation dates from the
1st of last July, two quarterly payments are
now overdue, and as soon as the bill receives
the Presidents approval, of which there is
no reasonable doubt, $500 will be immedi-
ately payable to the Orono institution. The
ic in a of fbn diCnocnI 0f fhn
State authorities
In Secrer Session.
Tie Senate, in secret session today, briefly
considered the British extradition treaty the
pending question being upon Senator Riddle
berger's resolution for the consideration
with open doors. Senator Riddleberger
spoke nearly half an hour, pleading that the
motives which impelled Senators to vote for
or against the treaty be stated publicly. The
subject went over.
Maine Matters.
Ralph S. Norton was appointed postmaster
at New Caseo, Cumberland county, today,
vice George ID. Sargent, removed.
The following pensions were granted to
Maine residents today:
Elizabeth, widow of Caleb Besse, Jr., Bryant's
Pond.
Elijah s. Kelley, West Lubec.
Francis G. Leach, Penobscot.
REISSUE.
Rufus B. Bither, Unity.
Notes.
The reduction of the public debt in Janu-
airy was $15, 1881, ,320. The total cash in the
treasury is $780, 992, ,6S7.
The President has nominated George r.
Smith to be postmaster at Kennebunk, Me-,
and William II. Mccartney at Oakland.
The time for filing claims against the col
lapsed firm of Z. S. Wheeler 4 Co.. of New
Haven. CT, has expired. Ninety-two claims,
aggregating 81, 49, ,902, were presented.