Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-18

under consideration to-day the bill treating of
lands heretofore offered for sale and withdrawn.
making them subject to homestead entries
alone. but did not complete its consideration
The bill will be amended in several particulars
and will be sent to a conference committee if
possible before adjournment.
THE OKLAHOMA BILL.
The Senate committee on territories to-day
decided to report favorably the Springer bill
to organize the territory of Oklahoma. Chair
| man Patt and Mr. Butler dissenting. The lat
ter will report a substitute for the bill author
izing the government to treat with the Indian
nations for the extinguishment Of their titles
to the lands included within the limits of the
proposed territory, preparatory to the orgaui-
zatlon of the territory. Other members. of
the committee were not altogether satisfied
with the bill, but not so dissatisfied as to cause
them to oppose 1t.
SENATOR FAULKNER LEFT THE CITY
to-day at p.m for Martinsburg. W. Va, where
he will attend the funeral of Mrs. NJ. A. Snod-
grass. an intimate friend and connection by
marriage of the Senator's family.
THE DIRECT TAX BILL.
The conference report on the direct tax bill
was presented in the Senate on Saturday after
noon and was agreed to. Senators Edmunds
and Blair were absent at the time and when
tileN TtlurIeu 10 the chdlnDer tneF DOtn pro-
tested against certain features of the bill as
finally agreed to. but the protests came too
late.
REoRGANIZATIoN OF THE SIGNAL SERVICE.
Gen. Cutcheons bill for a reorganization of
the signal service, giving three captains and
three first lieutenants and reducing the number
of second lieutenants also creating the position
of assistant chief signal officer, was favOrably
reported to the House Saturday.
STATE GOVERNMENT FOR NEW MEXICO.
The House committee on territories has au-
thorized favorable report on Mr.. Joseph's
bill to enable the people of New Mexico to
form a constitution and state government, and
to be admitted TO the Union on an equal foot
ing with the original states. and apprOpriatipg
52O,O00 to defray the expenses of a cOnven-
ton, which shall meet to form constitution
and state government.
DIRECTING To THE PANAMA CANAL RESOLUTION.
Representative Norwood of Georgia. has
prepared minority report on the Edmunds
Panama canal resolution. 1t is signed by
three members of the committee. 1t takes the
ground that it would be impolitic to pass the
resolution at this time. The report summing
up the matter objects to the resolution on
three points: That 1t would be a false apphca-
ton of the Monroe doctrines that the resolu-
ton is aimed at a sister republic, and the
form of government like ours. but to a mon-
archy; that it would commit the United States
to position wholly untenable.
ASSISTANT PosTMAsTERs SALARIES.
In the House Saturday afternoon the ques-
ton of an increase in the salaries of assistant
postmasters was discussed Mr.. Reed, of
Maine, offered an amendment providing that
assistant postmasters shall receive salaries not
exceeding 65 per cent of the salary of the post
masters. [The bill fixes the salary at 80 per
cent There was a good deal of debate on the
question, but the House adjourned before
vote could be taken.
TO ADMIT NEW MEXICO.
The House committee on territories
has authorized favorable report TO be
made on the bill introduced last week by
Delegate Joseph, providing an enabling act for
the admission of the territory of New Mexico
a state of the Union. The provisions of the
bill have already been published.
Would not Accept and Has no Candi-
date.
1t having been currently reported at the
capitol on Saturday that Mr.. B. II. Warner was
a candidate for the Commissionership in case
of the non-confrmation of Mr.. Webb, a STAR
representative calledupon him, and in response
to an inquiry on the subject he stated Il would
not accept that appointment or office or any
other. nor have any candidate for any posi-