The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-02-14


interests of the United States in Panama:
Be it enacted, etc, that there be and is
hereby appropriated out of any money
in the treasury not otherwise appro-
priated the sum of $25O,0O0 to enable the
president to protect the interests OF the
United States and to provide for the
security of persons and property or cltl-
zens of the United States at the lsthmus
of Panama in such manner as he may
deem expedient.
THE OKLAHOMA BILL.
WASHINGTON, February l2.-The cen
ate committee on territories to-day
resumed consideration of the bill to
organize the territory of Oklahoma, but
owing to the republican caucus but little
progress was made. Tomorrow there
will be an open session of the committee
when delegations from the Indian Ter
ritory will be present.
LAND GRANT FORFEITURE.
WASHINGTON, February 12.-The con-
ferees on the land grant forfeiture bill
had another meeting to-day At the sug-
gestion of Senator Plumb, senate bill was
taken up for detailed consideration and
about one-third of it was gone over be-
fore the conference adjourned. There
was nothing said about the assumption
that Mr.. Stone had abandoned his inten-
ton to insist upon the adoption of the
amen dment to the senate bill providing
for a teat case in the supreme court to de-
termine the power of congress to declare
forfeitures.
DoINds IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WASHINGTON, February 12.-In executive
session of the senate this afternoon
Senator Plumb, from the committee on
agriculture, favorably reported the nomi-
nation of Norman j. Colman, of Missouri,
to be secretary of agriculture. Objection
was made by republican senator to con-
sideration at this time, and democratic
senator then objected to the discussion of
the nomination, and under the rule 1t went
over until the next executive session. 1t
is understood the nomination will be con-
firmed, however, when it again comes be-
fore the senate.
The nominations OF Assistant Secretary
Of the Treasury Thomas to be civil service
commissioners In place of Edgerton, re-
moved, and the office of Assistant Post
the supreme court of the District of
Columbia, will be subjected to the general
rule adopted by the majority of the senate
respecting political nominations. Tho
objection to Mr.. Stevenson is said to
lie in the fact that his nomination is in
violation of the republican platform coll
corning senatorial offices that they shall
be filled by residents. The appointee in
this case is not considered as coming
within the meaning of the word. If the
republicans are to hold the position it
means the appointment of Washington
lawyer to the bench. Mr.. Thompson is
objected to on the score of extreme often
sive partisanship in the South Carolina
elections.
COMPLETED THEIR REPORT.
WASHINGTON, February 12.-The demo-
cratic members of the committee on
ways and means have practically com
pleted their report on the senate amend
ments to the tariff bill. Tonight or to-
morrow morning the republican members
of the committee will be supplied with
copies of the majority report for their
assistance in preparing a minority report
if they should decide to make one.
RE-oRGANIzING THE SIGNAL CORPS.
WASHINGTON, February 1.-THE house
committee on military affairs has author
lied Mr.. Cutcheon to report favorably his
bill for reorganization of signal corps
which was recommended in strong terms
by General Greedy.
TREASURY COMPUTATIONS.
WASHINGTON, February 12.-The com
putations made by the treasury depart
ment. as to the probable effect on
the revenues of the tariff bill and senate
amendments, have been made public.
They show the collections from customs
$50 ,350345, and from internal revenue
S17 ,610,234, or total reduction of revenue
of $67, 96O,579. The bill as amended by
the senate would reduce customs collsc-
tions S13,976,SS7 and internal revenue re-
ceipts $33,9O5, $50, or $47SS2,667 in the
aggregate. The average ad valorem rates
under the existing law is 1851; under the
house bill it would be 42.38, and under the
senate bill 46. In his letter transmit
ting the computations, Secretary Fairchild
says that to avoid extra labor the depart
ment made use of estimates formerly
prepared, based on the importations for
1887 (although made according to the
plan and theory usually adopted). l
recognize that these estimates are
largely conjecture and more or less
unreliable and misleading. As a rule
they are based upon the assumption that
if the senate bill should become a law
merchandise or like quantities and values
would be such imports as we're imported
during the fiscal year 1887. This basis
can only be accepted as reliable where
changes in rates a Q not o. such a chsrac
ter as to necessarily cause increased or
diminished importations.