The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-01-30
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOingS at The Ma
liOnal Capital
LEASING TIE ALaskA sEAL.r1snERIEs.


ner IN which the company-which now has the
lease from the Government Of the Alaska seal
fisherieS-has been conducting business that
Congress has taken hand In the discussion.
The lease Is about to run out, and the old COM
pany Is trying to get renewal. whne other
persons who know what good thing the com
pany have been enjoying for years, are also
hard al work ior the coveted lease. Another
proposition has slso been made. aud Secretary
Window 5 views have been asked regard ing III.
This is for the Government 10 run these hsh-
cries itself In answer 60 a request from SEN
ator Frye, chairman OF the Senate Committee
OF COmmere. 20 furnish such suggestions as he
deems proper touching the merits of the blli 10
repeal so much OF the act Of lS5O, as authorizes
the leasing OF the right 10 take iur-seals See
rotary Window THINKS u would be foreign TO
the policy OF the Government to conduct this
industry. or any other mercantile pursuit Tor
profit. While the seal industry, because of ITS
peculiar nature, might Al first appear To form a
reasonable exception TO this rule, closer ex-
animation only renders clearer the lmpollcy OF
such a departure. The step once taken might
readily constitute precedent with results as
perHicious As they would be tar reaching. With
one Industry absorbed and administered Tor
profit by the Government equally plausible
reasons could be adduced from time 10 time Tor
a Government absorption aud administration
Of other lines OF industry. With the principle
the unwritten law OF the RepublIc-dnne
away, IL might become simply question Of
what industries should be 80 appropriated and
administered, how soon aud how completely.
Therefore in the judgment of the Secretary,
the present system OF leasing the fisheries
should hc continued. but increased vigilance
should be used iH protecting the taking of seals,
and heavier penalties made for any violation OF
the rules established.
NEW PLANS FOR ELECTIONS.
The House Committee for the Election Of
President and Vice President, have been hear
ing arguments in favor OF proposed amend
ments Of the election laws for the election of
President. Vice President and Members of Con-
GresS The FIRST measure advocated before the
committee was Mr. SpringcTs JOINT resolution
proposing an amendment 10 the Constitution OF
The United States. providing that the Presi-
dent and Nice-President shall hold their offices
ior term OF SIX ye2rs aud be Ineligible for re-
election for the next ensuing term. Ii also
proposes, in regard TO Presidential elections.
that the aggregate popular vote Of State shall
be divided bv the number Of the electoral votes
10 which the State is entitled, and the quotieut
shall be the ratio OF an electoral vote ia such
State AZ said election. The whole number of
popular votes received by each person for Presi
dent shall be divided by the ratio for elector
and the quotieut shall represent the number OF
electoral votes 10 which the Presidential can
dIdates shall be entitled. The resolution also
proposes that Congress shall assemble on the
first Wednesday January. The second
measure Is the bin offered by Representative
Osborne Prescribing the necessary and proper
expenses which any candidate for Senator OF
Representative may incur ia his election and
imposing fine and imprisonment for a violation
Of the act.
TO LOOK INTO THE NAVAL LOBBY.
Senator Chambers resolution calling upon
the Secretary Of the Navy 10 investigate aud
report upon the existence Of 4 Naval lobby in
Washington. has caused considerable furry in
naval circles, and Court OF Inquiry was ap-
pointed last week by secrc airy Tracy, 10 look
into the matter, as il seems that he has decided
that be cannot properly reply to the resolution
until the Court Of Inquiry shall have made
report. 1t Is rumored that such lobby has
been formed, and that circulars have been sent |
70 ali the officers Of the Navy. calling upon |
them Tor donation Of s.. 10 help bear the ex-
peHse Of properly placing before Congress a |
bin Tor increase Of pay. and assisting iu It's
passage. There Is also another provision named
IN the alleged circular. which is 70 the effect
that at least half Of the first months increase
10 pay Siil be given by each oficer-sbould the |
bal Eiass-tS pay for counsel fees and such other
contingent expenses as may arise IN securing |
the passage OF the measure. The investigation
began on Thursday last, and an effort will he
made 70 obtain fall information about all the
alleged organizations among Naval officers for
purposes not merely literary or scientific
THE EEW NAVY.
Senator Hale's bill 10 promote the efficiency
OF the enlisted force Of the Navy WAS taken up
aud passed last Thursday by the Senate. The
bill provides for q standing enlisted force of
1900. including so apprentices and boys
he term o. apprenticeship for boys isextended
10 their 24th year. instead Of their 2Ist as
under the present law. The period Of enlist
ment Tor men Is put at four years, instead Of
three. ] he pay Is also 10 be increased by add
lng 70 the rates IN force 81 = month in the third
year, and - ia the fourth year Premiumsare
also put upon continued service, by the offer Of
a bonus Of - a month for the second term Of
four years, Of 3 month for the third, aud so
on. retired list for seameu aud petty officers
D also created. open to those who have served
50 ye2ra, each retired man aud petty officer 70
receive - per cent. On the pay Of the grade In
which he Was retired. This second measure IA
En important one aud will. no doubt have an
excellent eject on the rank and Gie Of the NAVY.
encouraging the enlistment Of better class of
men, aud Offering sufficient inducemeut 10
keep trained and experienced under the dag
Tor long periods. IL Is generally understood
that the bill viii not have much opposition in
the House, and viii, therefore, soon become
law.
OFFICIAL REcEPTIOEE
The Capital during the past week has been
unusually gay, the principal event being the
reception given by tue Vice President and Mrg.
Morton AZ their elegant mansion The roo,ns
were banked with elegant fowers, and hand
some women 20 elegant toilets, and prominent
EDent men, both Of this country and the rest az
the CIVILIZED world, IN the conventional dress
sult bLed the spacious rooms. The Vice
President aud his charming wife are well
known Tor their hospitality, aud on this ocra-
sion they surpassed all previous efforts In ON
PERTAINING their friends and the reception will
be long remembered as one Of the most sIsh
Orate ever given 10 Washington.
On Friday evening Postmaster General Wa
amAker ana his wife opened their house IN a.
cial Washington, and their first reception vas
attended wltb great eczt as il was Z reeentioT
musicale. aud ball combined yerv l.rss
company was invited from 8 10 u o'cIock dnr,
ing which time the brilliant rsception and nm
sicale were Do progress IN addition Ia tL5s
Bliss habamaker invited the dancing class m
which she is a member, for midnjgbt svd
from that hour until o'clock the LaIt-oo,,
was the scene OF 4 charming and brilliant
party. The nahamakeTs occupy the bouse
which was the residence Of ez-Secretsrv vie
ney, but have fitted up, and il is uueb mare
eleganly furnished than il ever was before
Nearly every public man in the city and Their
wives aud daughters were present and the en-
tertaiHmrnt was considered the finest CO.
gwen in y 'shington, and one long 10 be rernen.
beEed.
SHORT IN THEIR AoCOUETs.
Gen Noble Secretary Of the interior has
found quite number Of Receivers ~ p,bIia
Money short in their accounts and NM, ~
FCfof4Tnel..4af l9n the presffa.t 80