Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-18
CAPITOL TOPICS.
TWIN STATES.

1t has already been practically agreed that
after the holiday recess is over the Senate
committee on territories will make favorable
report upon the bills admitting Idaho and
Wyoming into the Union states. This con-
clusion was arrived at after the committee had,
this morning, heard the arguments of Delegate
Dubois Of Idaho and Delegate Carey Of Wyo-
ming.
THE QUADRr-CENTENNIAL.
The Senate committee on the quadri-centen-
NAL met yesterday afternoon and resolved to
meet again on january 8. Argument as to the
location of the fair will then be heard.
TO REoRaANIzE THE SIGNAL CORPS.
Senator Bate this afternoon introduced bill
toincrease the efficiency and reduce the expense
of the signal corps. The bill provides that the
signal corps shall be Offered by the chief sig
nal officer, one major (who shall be assistant
chief signal officer, four captains (mounted) and
four lientenants (mounted), who shall have the
pay and allowances OF like grades in the army.
The major and captains are to be appointed
from the line OF the army-preferably from
officers now serving with the signal corps. The
second lieutenants of the signal corps are to
be examined by board provided for and the
four adjudged to be most competent
shall be promoted to be first lieu
tenants. The second leutenants not
promoted shall be appointed second
date of commission. Vacancies in first ieuten-
ancies in the signal corps are to be filed by
transfer from the army after competitive exam
nation. The enlisted force of the signal corps is
to consist of SO sergeaDts with the rank and pay
of hospital stewards) and the Secretary of War
is authorized to enlist for temporary service
in the corps, such additional sergeants corporals
and privates (not exceeding 300 as Congress
may annually make appropriations for. Fifty
dollars monthly is to be paid each enlisted man
in the field in lieu of all allowances; $50
monthly to those serving in cities of more than
100, 600 population, and SO monthly to those
serving in connection with state weather
services
THE HOLIDAY RECESS.
1t is understood that the Senate will agree to
the House resolution favoring Saturday.
the 2lst, as the date for the begin
ing OF the holiday recess
An effort will be made, however. to adjourn
the Senate this afternoon until Saturday. the
understanding being that there will be no quo
rum present then. SO that the Senate recess
shall practically begin today.
A NATIONAL PRISON AND REFoRMAroRY.
ITO provide a prison and reformatory for
persons convicted of violations of the laws of
the United States is the title OF a bill which
was introduced today by Senator Hoar.
preamble recites the necessity for such q
structure and then the bill authorizes the ap-
pointment by the President (by and with the
consent Of the Senate) of q commission Of FIVE
citizens, one of whom shall be officer of the
Department OF Justice, to procure plans and
specifications for the construction of prison
and a reformatory, the total cost not to exceed
S2,000.000. The penitentiary must be of suffi-
cient size to accommodate 200 convIcts. and
the reformatorys capacity must be equal to
600 prisoners. The commission is required to
report on sites for the institutions, and the
buildings are to be as easy OF access as possible
to the different portions of the United States.
WAYS AND MEANS HEARING.
The ways and means committee held meet
ing this morning. Representative Wilkinson
of Florida appeared, and at his request and
that OF Representative Funston Of Kansas, the
committee agreed to hear the producers Of
sugar January6.
Special Agent Jingle OF the Treasury depart
ment was heard at length upon the provisions
of the Mckinley administrative customs bills
Assistant Secretary Tichenor was not present
A resolution to print 5000 extra copies Of the
bill was ordered TO be favorably reported.
Upon Mr.. Mckinleys motion, his motion
December IS Cfhursday) to January g. was
amended SO as to make the recess
begin Dec. 81 Saturday. 1t is understood
that the reason for amending the resolution
was to give the Speaker more time to make
up the committees, which he desires to an
nounce before recess.
PACIFIC RAILROAD FUNDING BILL.
The bill introduced in the House today BY
Representative Vandever Of California, ameuda-
tory of the Pacific railroad act, is a CODY of
the bill reported to the Senate by Senator FRYE
from the special committee at the last session
of Congress-.