Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-01-27
General l1epS.
MATTERS AT WASHINGTON.

Speaker Carlisle was confirmed in his
seat Monday by party vote.
1t is said that the ways and means
committee will report bill making
wool free and restoring the rate on wors-
teds.
Senator Chandler has introduced in the
Senate resolutions looking to an extend
ed inquiry into the business methods of
the navy department.
Senator Hoar has introduced a bill to
grant service pension to all survivors of
the late war at the rate of cent for each
days service, in addition to any pension
granted for disability.
A Joint resolution accepting the invita-
ton to the United States to participate in
the Melbourne exposition has been passed
in the House and $50, 900 was appropria-
ted to defray the expenses.
Representative Chapman of Michigan
has introduced in the House a bill to
amend the civil service law by forbidding
the disbarment of any person on account
of age, and by requiring applicants to
state their legal residence under oath.
The complaint of the New York Retail
Grocers' association, that the New York
Central and other trunk lines has made
unjust and unfair discrimination in favor
of the larger shippers of grocers freight,
was heard Tuesday by the interstate com
missioners.
Senator Frye delivered a powerful adj
dress in the Senate Monday in answer to
the free trade propositions contained in
the Presidents message. He pointed out
the uses to which the surplus could be
devoted, and recommended that tobacco
and sugar be placed on the free list.
Senator Butler, in behalf of the minor
ity of the committee on territories has
reported a substitute for the bill reported
by Mr.. Plat for the division of Dakota
and the admission of the southern half
as State. Mr.. Buffers bill is, in nature,
an enabling act, to allow the people of
the whole territory to form a state
government.
Senator Davis. from the committee on
pensions, has reported favOrably bill
introduced by Senator Henderson, known
as the Grand Army bill, to pension ex-
soldiers and sailors incapacitated for
manual labor, and provide pensions tor
dependent relatives of the deceased SOL
diers. The bill has the same object in
view contemplated by the dependent pen
sion bill vetoed by the President during
the last Congress; but it is believed that
the new bill, by the more explicit manner
in which its purpose is stated, obviates
the principal objections raised in the
Presidents veto.
A resolution introduced by Mr.. Plumb,
asking an investigation of the facts as to
the passage, engrossment and enrolment
of the funding act under which over
500, 900. 900 of four per cent. bonds were
issued, was received by the House judi
ciary committee Wednesday morning, and
hearing upon it will probably be had
next week. The resolution causes con-
siderable talk in the House; and curious
disclosures are expected, which may in
volve the validity of all four per cent.
bonds outstanding. When Mr.. Plumb
found that the journals of the House and
Senate showed that the bill as passed
provided that the government might re-
deem these bonds at its pleasure " for 30
years. instead of latter 30 years. as
the published law puts it, he examined
the engrossed bill, and found that the
word "fOr" had been erased all but
the ST." which was left in the same ink
as the rest of the bill and the letters 'a''
and "ter" were inserted in another ink.
1t indicated a clear case of tampering,
by which it is estimated that the govern
ment loses a large sum.