Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-07
ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL.
Taken Up in the House After Struggle
BUSY DAY IN THE SENATE
Various Measures are Acted On.
The Naval Claims Resolution
The Senate.
THE N1cARAauAN CANAL BILL tn


porate the Maritime canal company OF Mica
ragua was presented in the Senate to-day by
MIR. Sherman and was agreed to. The bill
now goes to the President for his approval
The credentials of Mr.. Mcpherson for his
new senatorial term were presented, read, and
placed on file.
BILLS PASSED.
The following Senate bills were reported
and passed:
To establish life-saving station at or near
the mouth of st. George river, Maine.
To empower the Mount Carmel development
company to draw water from the Wabash river
and its tributaries in Illinois.
WOMAN SUFFRAGE,
Mr.. Blair, from the committee on woman
suffrage, reported favorably joint resolution
proposing constitutional amendment to pro-
hibit the denial or abridgement of the right
to vote, by the United States or by any state,
on account of sex. The joint resolution was
placed on the calendar, and Mr.. Cockrell said
that minority report would be MADE here
after.
TO REMOVE THE CHARGE OF DEsERTIoN.
Mr.. Cockrell, from the committee on military
affairs, reported a substitute for the House bill
to remove the charge of desertion from soldiers
of the late war and of the Mexican war where
the expiration of their term of enlistment. He
explained that it was a general law intended to
cover all classes of worthy and deserving SOL
diers, while not breaking down the distinction
between deserters and true soldiers. 1t was
continuance of similar acts of 1882 1884 and
1887, and it was a unanimous report
MIR. Hawley complimented Mr.. Cockrell, an
ex-confederate officer, for his laborious action
in regard to the bill; which he (Mr. Hawley)
said was entirely satisfactory to the military
committee. The substitute was agreed to, the
bill passed, and a conference committee or
dered, Senators Hawley, Henderson and Cock
relibeing appointed conferees on the part of
the Senate.
FOUR YEARS CHANGES IN POSTAL CLERKs.
Mr.. Chace offered resolution (Which was
laid over) calling on the Postmaster-General
for statement of changes in postal clerks
since the 1st OF January, 1886.
A COMMITTEE ON THE INAUGURATION.
Mr.. Sherman offered resolution (Which was
agreed toy for the appointment of a committee
of three Senators to make the necessary ar
dent-elect on the 4th of March next.
On motion of Mr.. German. the Senate bill
further to suspend the operation OF section
5574 of the Revised Statutes, in relation to the
Guano Islands Cfor five years from April l8,
1859, was taken from the calendar and passed
Mr.. Plumb asked unanimous consent to take
up for consideration the House bill to quiet
title OF settlers on the Des Moines river lands
In Iowa, but Mr.. Hiscock objected in the in
terest OF MIR. Evarts, who was not present and
who desired to oppose the bill. On motion Of
MIR. Allison, however, unanimous consent was
given to take up the bill tomorrow morning
unless MIR. Evarts should still be absent
On motion of Mr.. George. the Senate bill to
provide for writs of error or
APPEALS TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT,
in all cases involving the question of the
jurisdiction of the courts below, was taken
from the calendar.
Mr.. Sherman remarked that he thought the
bill was running in the wrong direction, as 1t
would tend to increase the work of the Su-
preme Court, which was already overcrowded
with work.
Mr.. George said that the bill had been care
fully considered by the Judiciary committee,
and that the report was unanimous.
Mr.. Sherman said that under those circum-
stances he would not oppose the bill.
1t was then passed
THE NAVAL OFFICERS CLAIMS RESOLUTION
The resolution heretofore offered by Mr..
Chandler, instructing the committee on appro-
priations to make an Investigation in relation
to the longevity, mileage, and ''sea service"
claims of naval officers was taken up
Mr.. Allison said that he sympathized with
the general purport and intent Of the resolu-
ton, but that it would be difficult for the COM
mittee on appropriations to make the investi-
CATION, and he suggested that it should be made
by the committee on naval affairs.
MIR. Voorhees, suggested that, as the ques-
tions involved were law questions. the matter
should be referred to the judiciary committee.
Mr.. cocKRELL's REGRET.
Mr.. Cockrell expressed his regret that the
fourth auditor and the treasurer of the United
ko<1 Iol al III
by firm of Washington claim agents. as shown
in the circular read yesterday by Mr.. Cullom
He thought that those officers had commit
ted a very grievous blunder and error. He sent
to the clerks desk and had read another
Washington claims agency circular (Wm. Con.
rad Coz, offering to obtain special acts for
the benefit OF persons having claims for PEN
sions. The circular gives the number of special
pension bills reported in the House during the
previous session as 1907; of the number
reported in the Senate as 811, and of the num-
Der that had passed both houses as 506 and it
states that this was the only firm of attorneys
that made a specially of congressional busi-
ness. MIR. Cockrell regarded the circular as
REMARKABLE DOCUMENT.
1t was simply an attempt to get fee of $40
without the possibility of rendering any equiva-
lent, as private pension bills were referred to
the committee on pensions. and reports on the
and acted on by the committee without any in
reference on the part Of the claims agents
MR.. JONES STATES CASE.
Mr.. Jones ARK stated case which had Just
come to his knowledge. A constituent of his,
who had been U. s. marshal thirty-five years
ago. had credit of 1896 on the books of the
Treasury department, and the Senate
had passed a bill for his relief, which
bill was now pending in the House,
having been favorably reported. He (AIr.
Jones) had just received letter written to his
constituent by Washington claim agent offer
ing to have the bill put through at once if he
received half the amount.
This MIR. Jones said, was plain attempt to
rob. IL there was any way of putting an end
to that infamous practice it should be resorted
to Immediately.
Mr.. Cockrell proceeded to give
soME OTHER INSTANCES
of dishonest attempts on the part of Washing
ton claim agents, and declared that there never
had been such imposition practiced on any
class as had been practiced on soldiers Of the
late war and their widows and orphans
House Of Representatives.
MIR. Holman Qnd) D. from the committee ON
public lands. reported back the Senate bin
providing that the public lands Of the United
States now subject to private entry, or
adapted to and chiefly valuable for agriculture,
shall be disposed of according to the provisions
OF the homestead laws only.