Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-13
AMONG THE LAWMAKERS.
Bill to Correct an Error i'm the Tariff Law
Other Matters.

| Other Matters.
misplaced parenthesis has caused an unin-
territorial error in the provisions of the McKin-
ley tariff act. The committee in framing the
law intended that Irvine composed Of STEAL, sun
| and other GRASSES should be dutiable at cents
| pound. and. as a separate rtae of duty was inn
posed upon binding twine, the committee, to
make this clear. intended that the words sex
cept binding Irvine" should be inclosed in
parenthesis Immediately following the word
''twine." The parenthesis, however was mis-
placed as to read ''except binding Irvine
composed of sisal, sun and other grasses" 1t
was contended that this had the effect of max
ing only binding Irvine composed of the grasses
named dutlable at the special rate. The COM
| mittee today ordered bill to be favorably re-
ported to correct the error.
| AGAINST CONTRACTION OF THE CURRENCY.
| To guard against contraction of the currency
Senator Power today introduced proposed
amendment to the bill to reduce the amount of
| United States bonds to be required of national
banks so as TO provide that whenever the notes
retired under existing laws Of national banks
shall aggregate $1,000. 900 it shall be the duty
| OF the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase
silver bullion to the amount of 81 DOC, 900, and
TO pay for the same with United States notes. to
be issued precisely the same rs provided for
under the act OF Congress approved July y
1890.
! CONDENSATION OF GOVERNMENT PRINTERS
The typographical unions of Jackson and
Lansing, Mich. have pettioned the Senate to
pass the House act restoring the scale in
force prior to March 3, 1877, the wages of COM
posters: binders and pressmen in the govern
| sented by Senator Mcmillan.
| PROPOSED NEW NATURALIZATION LAW.
| Representative Geary (Cal.) yesterday intro
duced bill prescribing the manner in which
| an alien may become a citizen of the United
States. The bill provides that applications for
citizenship shall be advertised SO that persons
wishing to oppose the granting of naturaiza-
| ton papers to an applicant may be notified
| when to appear. 1t is also provided that ap-
picants for naturalization shall pass a satisfac
tory examination on the history Of the United
States, the federal constitution and the cOnsti-
tuition OF the state where the applicant resides
RECORD AND PENSION DIVISION. WAR DEPARTMENT.
Mr.. German introduced bill providing that
the record and pension division as now organ
lied in the Office of the Secretary of War be
known hereafter as the record and pension
| Office of the War Department and the President
| Is authorized to appoint the officer now in
| charge of said department to be a colonel in
the army and chief of said Office.
SALARIES OF ASSISTANT ATTORNEYS.
| Mr.. Edmunds introduced bill today fixing
| the salary CT the six assistant attorneys en-
ployed in the Department of Justice at 1000
per year.
| IN BEHALF OF THE ToRREY BANKRUPT BILL.
Senator Vest presented TO the Senate today a
memoir al from the national bankruptcy con-
| vention reciting the financial depression preva-
| lent owing to q want of confidence; referring
| to the present varying state bankruptcy laws
| az source of agitation rather than of relief to
| the situation and urging the immediate pas
sage of the Io.rer bankrupt bill in the name
Of the commercial. industrial and professional
| bodies, the debtors and creditors and the
honest insolvents Of The country. There are
| twenty-five siSners representing many Diff
fercnt states. headed by VIM. c.. Schweppe,
| chairman of the executive committee.
| JOHN l. DAvENPoRr's EXPENSES.
The acting secretary Of the treasury today
sent to the Senate, in further answer to a reso-
luton. detailed statement of the first con-
trollcr, showing the sums of money paid to
John |. Davenport as an election supervisor or
| chief supervisor in each year since 1871 as
compensation for himself and employees under
his direction. The amounts range from
:34,2 3l. paid him in 1888 chief supervisor. to
s5S1, paid him i'll 1879. and from $50, $50 in
1883 to 81 ,335 in 1879, paid to subordinatcs
THE BONDING PERIOD.
After, agreeing to report the Dingley bill to
correct the binding Irvine error. the commit
|
ally the Flower resolution to extend the bond
ing period, but there was nothing to indicate
| what the action of the committee would be.
The matter went over until Monday to secure
the opinion of the Treasury Department on
| the resolution.
| THE TONNAGE AND SUBSIDY BILL.
A quorum of the House committee on mer-
chant marine and fisheries today formally
agreed to report the composite bill prepared
by the majority members of the committee as
{: substitute for the Senate tonnage and sub.
sidy bills. The provisions of the bill have al
ready been published. The motion to repor,
the bill in committee was carried by party
vote with the exception of Mr.. Cummings Of
New York. who voted by proxy for it.
COMPLAINTS OF INEFFICIENT POSTAL SERVICE.
Mr.. Grain of Texas. from the committee on
post offices and post roads, reported a resolu
ton in the House today calling on the Post
master General for information to the ex
tent and grounds for complaints of inefficient
post Office service in Texas and other states.
NOTES.
Senator Squire of Washington was in his sea-
yesterday for the first time during the present
session. He was warmly greeted.
The GridirOn Club Election.
The Gridiron Club held it annual election o.
officers this afternoon.
Mr.. H. Is. +. mcfarland was chosen presi
dent, 5. L. johnson, vice president; p. V
De Graw, secretary; George H. Walker
treasurer. and the executive committee, L. G.
Dunnell; Robert J.Wynne and Maj. A. j. Stofcr
| Is Governor-clect Boyd Eligible?
A special from GAINESVILLE. Ohio, SAYS: A
curious complication has arisen in the case OF
Governor-elect James L. Boyd of Nebraska
He was born in Ireland in 1884 and came t.
this city with his father, Joseph Boyd, in 1S49
The father filed notice OF his intention t.
become citizen. but did not take out his fina