Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-17

tion or to deprive him of any Of his powers or du-
ties for the reason that smithmeyer had refused
10 act as requested by such member.
Mr.. TAULBEBs AMENDMENT.
Mr. Taulbee (Ky.) asked consent to offer an
amendment authorizing the committee to inquire
whether any member has used improper or corrupt
influence to retain Mr. Smithmeyer In his position
or has to divert attention from the in
involved, or TO intimidate the committee or any
member now engaged In Investigating the con.
struction OF the Library building
OPPOSING THE AMENDMENT
Mr. Kelley thought that the amendment was not
proper one. If the gentleman would bring In his
amendment as a separate proposition he (Mr. Kel-
ley) would help him to secure the investigation.
Mr. BlOunt (Ga) hoped that the amendment would
not be adopted. Itsavored too much OF an attempt
TO fmpeach the pending investigation. 1t looked
like two propositions, indicating q contest at
time when the House should proceed with an in
nifty. The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr Kei-
leyl was responsible for the pending investigation,
and the House should give him all the authority he
required 70 carry on the investigation.
THE RESOLUTION AMENDED AND ADOPTED.
Mr. Kelley declined to accept Taulbee's amend
ment but accepted one offered by Mr. springer Qlli-
nois directing the committee to report its conclu
sions within two weeks The resolution was then
adopted.
TIE LABOR DAY RESOLUTION.
MI. Forney then came forward with his confer
point Of order that even such privileged report
could not be presented when the House was d.
v1ding on his motion to refer the labor resolution
to the committee on labor, and his point OF order
having been sustained, the tellers resumed their
places.
Mr.. Dawes counseled deliberation In the matter
OF transferring the signal bureau. He said the
time might come when It would be advisable, but
the change ought not to be made now.
The District i'm Congress.
AN ALLEY BILL PASSES THE SENATE.
The senate to-day passed the bill to deed an
alley to VIM. Brown 1t directs the Commissioners
to convey to william Brown in fee simple that
part OF land situated in the District and beginning
made by VIM. T. Dove aad VIM. Brown, in square
120, in this city. 1t runs north 90 feet, east 12
feet, south 93 feet and west along the north side
OF g street IL feet, but the deed Is not to be de-
lvered until Brown shall have executed and de-
ltvered to the Commissioners deed In fee simple
alley.
Capitol Topics.
THE ST. CLAIR FLATS CANAL.
An efort was made this morning to secure a
meeting Of the House committee on rivers and
harbors to consider the needs of the St. Clair Flats
Canal, In Michigan. In addition to the complaints
of insufficient water already on file from the Lake
Carriers Association It stated that the ground
ing Of the steamer Emory owen, recently, had
damaged the canal TO an extent that demands i'm
mediate repairs. Representative Chapman, of
MtCuikdL udu prepdreu u Dlll apprOprlatlnR
$150,0O0 to finish the sheet ping (repair) and to
dredge the channel OF the canal to depth OF l8
feet, and bill to authorize the Secretary of War
to make rules and regulations for the navigation
OF the canal An amendment to the act Of 1884
gives the Secretary this power over all other
canals, but by some oversight did not embrace the
st. Clair Canal. To facilitate some action in the
matter 1t was intended to have the committee con-
slider these bills before they formally reached
AS no quorum could be secured, however, Mr.
Chipman will introduce the bills to-day and have
them regularly referred.
THE FUR SEAL FISHERIES
After q recess OF several weeks the House COM
mitree on the merchant marine and the fisheries
to-day resumed its inquiry into the fur seal fish,
cries OF Alaska. Mr.. H. H. Mcintyre, superin-
tendenr Of the seal fisheries on the Seal Islands OF
St. Paul and St George, In the Behring Sea, for
the Alaskan Co., was called as the first witness.
He said that the number OF seals taken by marau-
ders had seriously impaired the productiveness OF
the seal rOokeries, so that he doubted very much
whether the 100, 900 seals which the company Is
allowed to take annually could be captured next
season; that is, seals OF such age and size as to
make It profitable to handle them. The witness
testimony In regard to the performance OF the
terms OF the contract by the company agreed
with that given by previous witnesses TO the
enect that the company had In every way COM
piled with the terms OF the contract.