Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-10-29
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
Items of Interest Picked Up in tho
Deserted Capital.
ANXIOUS FOR STATEHOOD.
Morlnons and Nom -Ntormons Uniting For
It in Ittah-The Aqueduct Seam
dal Soldiers Home StatIs-
ties-Sman xhll.

WASHINGTON, Oct sa-Governor Caleb
w. West, of Utah. in his annual report to
the secretar,r OF the interior notes the recent
partial union OF the Mormon and non-Alor-
mon elements in the territory, with a view
to advancing material interests, but remarks
that the movement is, in large measure,
due to tho anxiety TO secure the admission Of
the territory into the Union as state The
governor finds that the chief objection to ad-
mitting Utah into statehood is that it would
enthrone with sovereign power the Mormon
church, which is foreign TO the spirit and
genius of the institutions Of the country.
The governor asserts that he has no religious
controversy with tho Mormuns except as to
the practice of polygamy, but in the Nor
mon polty now controlling the territory, he
notes the union of the church and the state.
1.-THE control of the priesthood which wields
a supreme power in all things, secular ns we'll
as spiritual he adds sis complete and ALSO
lutte" The Mormons, he thinks, win dispute
his assertion that the government of Utah is
theoretic, and he recommends the appoint
;nent by congress OF committee to make a
thorough investigation of this subjet.
AcUEDUcT SCANDAL
The military court of inquiry went down
into the aqueduct tunnel through the Howard
university shaft The officers composing the
board were accompanied by Maj. Lydecker,
Lieut.. Townsend and reporters for the daily
papers They did little bnt look at the holes
Lieut.. Townsend had made through the lin
ing and examined the character Of packing.
The floor of tho tunnel was covered with
water to a considerable extent but they
stopped through in rubber boots and coats
with great perseverance.
OF the character OF the tunnel work they
had but little to say, but the bad work, or
entire absence of work in some of the pack
ing that should have done in the portion Of
the tunnel under Inspector O'Brien's per-
functory Inspections Was condemned unspar-
ingly. The object of the boards journey was
rather TO form an idea by looking at the
tunnel and the character of the work No
effort was made TO discover new faults OF
construction.
SOLDIERS HOME STATISTICS.
The annual report of the board of commits
sioners OF the soldiers home states that the
total number of inmates on the rolls Sept.
30 was l,0Si. The number of admissions has
been greater, the report says than i'm any
one year since the home was established, and
the applications are increasing All who ap-
piled could not re accommodated. A moro
liberal course will DO possible during the
coming winter, when there will be new quar-
ters to be occupied The condition Of the
finances is reported to be improving slowly.
The receipts and disbursements by the treas
urer during the year, not including $3i 900
changed from an investment in bonds TO q
deposit in the permanent fund, amounted to
1867, ,926. IS, the total expenses being s3i2,-
270.6i, leaving $55, Csc III on hand ApprO-
pirate remarks are made regarding the loss
the board has sustained in the death Of Gen.
Sheridan. The report is signed by Gen.
Schofield, the president of the board
LORD sAcKvILLE MUST CO.
The Star has the following: "A very
urgent cablegram has been sent through
Minister Phelps making n peremptory de-
mand upon the British foreign Office. Tho
Star reporter could not learn with absolute
certainty whether the demand was for lord
Sackviiles recall or for his reprmand and
an apology That the demand was for his
recall is, however, believed to be the fact.
Whatever action the administration has
taken or may take in the matter it is safe tc
say viii be influenced by the belief on their
part that Lord Sackville was actuated by
sinister motives
At the residence Of the British legation It
was stated that they had not succeeded in
getting any further information as to who
Mr.. Murchison is The minister appeared to
still be in doubt as to whether or not there
was such a person.
PENSION FRAUDS CONVICTED.
The commissioner of pensions has been ad-
vised that George Wilson, who was indicted
Oct. 5, 1883, in the United States court at
Cincinnati, for violation of the provisions Of
section 1892, r. S., in connection with his
pension claim, has pleaded guilty and been
sentenced to fifteen months Imprisonment in
the Dayton, o., Jail.
j. N. T. Roles and Sarah F. Green have
been convicted in the United States court nt
Knoxville, Tenn, upon charges of forgery
and filing false claims for accrued pension.
alleging the death of the soldier while he Is
vet alive.
THE LEGATION DOUBTS A STORY.
With reference to the news from China of
indignation felt by the Chinese ON account OF
the enactment Of the Chinese restriction law
by congress, and of demands by the Chinese
press that China retaliate at once by exclud-
ing Americans, it is stated at the Chinese Ie-
CATION in this city that they have no inform
alton on the subject, but are inclined to
regard the newspaper statements as exagger-
ated.
CHARM KNIVES AT HA-F PRICE.
The secretary Of the treasury has decided
that 'scharn knives' are dutiable at the rate
Of 25 per cent. ad valorem, and not at so per
cent, the rate charged for knives in CONNER
eial use.
AccoRDEoNs NOT MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.
The secretary of tho treasury department
has decided that so called blow accordeons
cannot he imported as musical instruments.