Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-20
WASHINGTON GULLINGS.
Fifty Sioux Braves Entertained by
Benjamin Harrison.
THE PRESIDENT AND TON REED.
Senator Stewart Denounces Civil
Service Reform-Pau, Pry in
the Senate Chamber.
fsrEcIAL DIsPArcHEs To THE EEooRD-uN1oH. !
CONGRESSIONAL.
Providing for the Celebration of Amer
ica's Discovery

Providing for the Celebration of Amer
ica's Discovery.
WASHINGTON, December 19th.-At the opening
of the Senate this morning the House concurred
in resolution for a holiday recess from Satur-
day next till Monday, January 9th.
Stewart from the Committee on Military AT
fairs, reported resoluticn directing the exam
nation by the Treasury of war claims OF the
State of California growing out of Indian hostil-
tiles and disturbances. 1t was agreed to-
By Cullom-To provide for celebrating the
four hundredth anniversary of the discovery oi
America by an exposition of arts, industries,
manufactures and products in 1892.
BY George-To permit the States to tax Ma
tional Bank notes and United States notes.
Chandler ca led up the resolution offered by
him in regard to organizations among naval
officers and the influence of Congressional legis-
lation and made the statement on the subeC
that he desired if possible, to protect the naval
officers from being levied upon and induced or
compelled to pay money (Which they could
poorly kpare) tor the purpose OF influencing leg
islation. He said year or two ago Thomas J.
Cowie, Past Assistant Paymaster in the navy,
drew up proper bill for the increase of the
rank and pay of officers of the navy. 1t was
very comprehensive bill. 1t contained no feat
ure of economy whatever. That bill had not
been Introduced in either House, but it had
been fitting around privately in print.
III connection with that bill there had
BET II a movement organized to secure money
from navy officer That movement had taken
shape in a certain printed circular. One of
desk and had read 1t was from Cowie and
datS d December 2, 1889. 1t stated that John II.
Thomas Qllinois) had teen engaged as an at
t9rney to take charge and advocate the passage
OF the bill framed by him, for the TeoTganiZa-
tion and equalization OF the pay of the per-
sonnet of the navy, and it expressed a hope
that ali officers would respond promptly to
Thomas communication. In connection with
this circular was one from Thomas himself,
which was sent to the Clerks desk and read. 1t
states that he had been requested to act in the
matter; that expenses must necessarily be In
cured and time and labor must be devoted to
the work and his (Ihomas), acceptance of the
proposition depended upon its approval by he
officer addressed, upon his sending retaining
fee of So and signing a contract of which a
form was sent, TO pay q cOntin ent per cent.
On his increased pay for one year.
Chandler added that there were ! 500 naval
officers, and this attempt to get them into the
movement had taken an extremely offensive
shape. He submitted to the Senate if it was not
extra Objectionable and diScIeditable to thus
attempt to influence legislation He did not
believe the contract, even if entered into, would
be legally binding. At any rate il was con-
tract which would absolutely paraIy re the com
mlttees o. Congress who would have the bill un-
der consideration.
Hale supported the resolution. 1t was, he
said matter 4 deep regret and of some morti-
fcation to know that in public legislation out
side efforts in the direction OF accomplishing il
were eiDg hawked about by attorneys in Wash
ington. Ttere were great many men living
IN MdSDlDHlOu iiliu IINlIS pretty Ntitl NLUSC
source Of income was derived from their sup
posed irlCence on legislation. He hoped the
resolution would be agreed to.
The Naval Committee Will give the matter q
thorough investigation.
Mcpherson defended the action OF Paymaster
CoWie and said if that officer had discovered a
method by viii h the pay of the officers OF the
navy could be eqIaiized to the satisfaction OF
all the naval officers he should be regarded as
a public benetac!or.
Butler said that while he suggested the other
day that the resolution be referred to the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs he had no objection to
abroad in the land. Political reform, educG-
ticnal reform, Temperance reform, aud now
there was 20 be lobby reform. He supposed
that il was better late than never, but 1t ap-
peared to him to he tempest in teapot. An
officer of the navy, because he chose in the eE-
ercise Of his right as a citizen OF the United
States to employ counsel TO represent HIM be-
fore Congress, was denounced, as II he han
been doing a very improper thing, ard rep
utable attorney, because he chose to make a
contract with the naval officers, was held up to
the country as violating some code of propTiety
and rectitude He thought the whole per orm
ance was unnecessary He wished the effort TO
drive away lobbyis would be applied in other
directions, as well as 10 officers of the army AID
navy, whose months were closed.
COckrell expressed astonishment at hearing
the Senator from South Carolina say the officials
OF the army and navy had mouths closed and
could not approach Congress. Congress was
J
United States. The question was whether the
officers had right to go into continuation,
paying fixed fee in advance, and agreeiog to
pay a continP mt fee.
Butler-"why should not officers do it as well
as other ci-iZens?"
Cockren THE public will answer that
question"
The resolution offered yesterday by Cook as
to the attack on Justice Field in California and
the killing of Terry, was referred to the Judici-
ary Committee.
Mitchell offered an amendment to the Pacific
Railroad funding bill, which was referred to u
select committee On that subject. He explained
that the bill Itself was confined to the Union
Pacific and its branches, snd his amendment
app led to the Central Pacific and its branches.
The Senate then went into executive session.
After the doors were reopened message was
received from the House, announcing the
deaths during recess) of Representatives Laird,
Townshend and Cox. Resolutions expressive
of the regret of the Senate were offered by Man
derson Cullom and Evarts, and agreed to, and
as f1Ither mark of reSpec. for the deceased the
Senste adiOurued.