Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-12-13
g House then adjourned.
CAPITAL CULLINGS.
A Variety of State Topics Briefly
Reported,


WASHINGTON, December 12.-Justice
Matthews, a week or so ago, had re-
currence of the attacks OF muscular rheu-
matism with which he has been afflicted,
but has now become somewhat better.
He is, however, very weak.
In reporting back favorably to the
House the bill granting pension Of
$500 a year to the widow OF General
Sheridan, the Committee on Invalid PEN
sions says: "Theie has been decided op-
position in this committee to the grant
ing OF unusually large pensions to wild.
ows, but this report is made favorable in
this case on the ground that Congress
cannot we'll refuse such an action after
giving large pensions to others who are
less meritorious."
RIVER AND HARBoR BILL,
The River and Harbor Appropriation
bill was reported to the House this
morning. Some changes were made in
the bill. AS finally agreed upon it ap-
propriates $l1 ,906, $50. Following are
some of the items: Humboldt, Cal,
$67 600; Oakland, CAL, $l66, 500; Will
mington, $4,000; San Luis Obispo,
$l5,0 900; Sacramento and Feather rivers.
$4,000; San Joaquin, $l3, 800.
NOMINATIONS.
This afternoon the President sent the
following nominations to the Senate
Orrin B. Hallam, Kentucky, Deputy
First Auditor of the Treasurer, vice e.
P: Baldwin, resigned Walter l. Bragg,
Alabama, Interstate Commerce Commits
sion; also large number of army and
navy promotions and of recess appoint
ments of postmasters.
The term of Walter M. Bragg, of Ala.
bama, as Interstate Commerce Commis.
sioner, expires December 81, 1888, his
being the shortest term of the original
appointments. The law provides that all
appointments subsequent to these shall
be for six years. Bragg's nomination, if
confirmed, will therefore extend his
term for six years from January LIST
next.
DYNAMITE GUNS.
Senator Stewart has introduced a bill
authorizing the Secretary of War, Secre-
tary OF the Navy and General of the |
Army, acting as a board, to have con.
structed 250 pneumatic torpedo-throwers
ing steel torpedoes, charged with not
less than 500 pounds Of dynamite
or other explosives, a distance of
FIVE miles. These torpedo .throwers
are to be mounted in batteries for the
defense of our harbors. The cost shall
not exceed $40,O cash $40 OOO, 900 is
appropriated to carry out the provisions
Of the act. Twenty OF these guns shall
be placed around San Francisco harbor.
fifteen at San Diego harbor and fifteen at
Portland, Ore.
=. THE ALASKA INVESTIGATION.
The investigation into the alleged out
,ages in Alaska will be begun by the
House Committee on Merchant Marine
lext Wednesday. Those persons MAX
ng the statements on which the news
,apers' publication relating to stories of
llleged outrages were based, have been
ummoned to appear. Governor
Swineford, of Alaska, has written
he Committee letter, in which
le says he has lately returned
rom q protracted trip through al
arge section of country dominated by
he Alaska Commercial Company, hay-
ng visited nearly all the stations Of the .
and that nearly everywhere he /,
ound abundant evidence to prove every ..
ssertion made by him against the com.
any in his reports to Congress and the
ecretary Of the Interior. The Commit :
30 has subp@naed him to appear before :
to give him an opportunity to substan-
ate his charges. |.
AMERICAN SHIPPING.
The report Of G. B. Morton, Commis-
oner of Navigation, for 1888, shows the
'tal tonnage of the country required to r
Q included in his statistics as 4,19l ,915 q