Huntsville gazette., 1889-02-16
CAPITAL BUDGET.


Aqneduct Tunnel Fraud New, Re-
ceived OF the Proclamation of the j Ipa-
hese Constitution The Coming Inaugu-
raj Parade - Death of Rear-AdmiraI
Chandler.
STRAINED RELATIONS IN THE INTERIOR
DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.--The question Of
tlmber-cutting on the Chippewa Reserva-
ton within the La Pointe agency was ex-
pected to come up beforea SUBJ committee
OF the Senate committee on Indian affairs
yesterday, but Indian Commissioner
Oberly's inability to present the desired
correspondence, caused postponement
until Thursday.
An interesting state of affairs is said to
exist in the Interior Department over this
matter. When Indian Commissioner
Oherly took charge of the Office he
directed the suspension of all contracts
Tor cutting timber on the reservation in
question, but Secretary Villas, it is
alleged, overruled the Commissioners
order, whereupOn very sharp letter was
sent to his superior officer by Mr.. Oberly.
Last spring, after an investigation of
the timber cutting contracts, Agent Greg
ory resigned, TO take effect when his sue
cessor was nominated and confirmed.
The successor was not named until this
session OF Congress, and the nomination
mas not been reported upon. Commits
sloner Oberly has recommended to the
Secretary that Gregory be removed and
his office be administered by special
agent OF the Department, but no action
has yet been taken on the recommends
ton. In consequence, it is said, the rela-
tons between the Secretary of the In
terror and the Commissioner of Indian
affairs are somewhat strained.
UNSATISFACTORY CONDITION OF THE SIG
NAL CORPS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12-The Secretary
of War yesterday sent to the House
statement of General Greeley, Chief of
the Signal Corps, which sets forth the
very unsatisfactory condition of the corps
and the inefficiency Of the Lieutenants Of
the corps. He calls attention to the large
number of officers now in the corps, and
recommends the reorganization of the
service. General Greeley further states
that during the last three years one
eighth of the corps have died, and that two
eighths are entirely untitled to perform
the duties for which they are paid, and
recommends the passage of the House bill
''to Increase the Efficiency of the Signal
Corps of the Army" The bill provides
that no appointments shall be made until
the officer is examined and approved by
board toae convened by the Secretary
of War, and the commissioned officers of
the service shall have the pay and allow
ances of like grades in the army, the Ma
jors and Captains to be appointed from
line officers in the army.
THE COMING CAMPAIGN IN VIRGINIA.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-For some time
past Representative O'Ferrall, of Virgin
la, has been receiving letters from varl-
Gus parts Of Virginia urging him to
permit the use of his name before the
nominating convention for the successor
of Governor Lee. The Republicans are
looking forward to the election of a Re-
publican to succeed Governor Lee, and
one of the hottest campaigns of the State
is expected next fall. Every possible eff
fort will be made by the Republicans, who
are hopeful of success. Each party is
looking for strong candidate. William
Lamb, of Norfolk, the Confederate hero
Of Ft. Fisher, formerly mayor of Norfolk,
is spoken Of as the Republican candidate.
Mr.. OFerrall has decided to let his name
go before the Democratic convention, and
is about to write letter announcing the
fact
STARTLING REVELATIONS II CONNECTION
WITH THE AQUEDUCT TUNNEL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-The Star prints
the following: startling revelations are
made in the experts reports upon the
character of the work in the aqucduct
tunnel. The extent Of the fraud is almost
beyond conception. The committee i'll
charge of the investigation was i'll session
to-day reading the report of the experts.
They disclosed state of rottenneSS that
the committee had no idea of, notwith-
standing all the newspaper exposures
and the facts stated in previous testi-
mony Hundreds and hundreds of feet
of the masonry is without packing, and
spaces were found in many places where,
bv leaning forward little, one could
walk for one hundred feet on top OF the
brick arch. 1t is estimated that 1t will
cost not loss than three-quartcrs of
million dollars to make any thing out OF
the tunnel. 1t is understood that the COM
mittee in their report will hold Major
Lydecker responsible"
PROCLAMATION OF THE JAPANESE CoNSTI-
TUITION.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-The Secretary
of State was yesterday informed BY Dir.
Mutsu, the japanese Minister here, OF the
receipt of a cable dispatch from Toxic,
which announced that the Constitution Of
the empire was proclaimed by the EN-
peror in person yesterday morning,
amidst great enthusiasm of the people.
Secretary Bayard, in acknowledging the
receipt of this note from tho japanese
Minister. took occasion to congratulate
him upon the progress Of Japan IN the
methods Of constitutional liberty, and as
sured him that no member Of the family
of nations will rejoice more over the
strength and welfare Of Japan than will
the United States.
THE INAUGURAL PARADE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-It IS estimated
that in the inaugural parade there will be
between forty and fifty thousand persons
in line. The first division, which will
escort the President and President elect
to the Capitol, will be composed OF the
regular troops stationed about Washing
ton and the National Guard Of the Dis
trict, and will comprise about fifteen hum
dred men. The other divisions Will De
formed in the avenues and streets about
the Capitol, and will not move until the
President-elect has taken the oath. when
the procession will escort him back to the
VIII ite House.
DEATH OF RKAR-ADMIRAL CHANDLER.