The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-07-23
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Midsummer Work of the Law,
makers at Washington.
The Bill Admitting Idaho Signed
by the President.

The citizens Of the new States of Idaho an
Wyoming were disappointed in their patr
otto desire to have President Harrison aft
his signature to the admission bill
on the Fourth of July. AS far a
the Idaho people are concerned, however
they are consoled in their disappointment b,
the fact that by the premature signing o
y their bill an important point is gained
e Immediately upon the passage of tn
from the Territory, Mr.. Dubois, who Is t.
be one of the Senators from the nev State
carried it personally to the White House. H
explained to Mr.. Harrison the deep desire Of
his constituents to have him add tx
their great satisfaction by signing tn,
bill on the anniversary of American in
dependence. Mr.. Dubois was somewhat
fearful that his request would not be granted
with his wife at the Wanamaker cottage on
Caps May Point on Friday.
But this>was not what caused the Presiden,
to deny the request, id lie polf5aeeSa cut cut that
If he should wait until the 4th of July to sign
the bill it would be a whole year
before the additional star could
be added to the United States
Gag. Under the law the star on the dag rep
resenting the new State cannot be added until
tucttu VI upOA
the act of admission is signed. The Presi-
dent allowed Mr. Dubois to decide whether he
should wait until Friday to sign the bill, or
sign it at once and let the new star be added
at once. Being aware of the widespread SEN
tment in the Territory to have patriotic
feature added to their admission to the
Union by securing the Presidents sig
nature on the Fourth of July, it was
pnly after mature deliberation that
Mr. n,ho;s 6ac6aj take the
star instead. The President thereupon
ksigned the bill and the star of Idaho went
lpon the flag on the 4th of July together
with those representing North and South
Dakota, Montana and Washington, which
bad not yet been added, as those Territories
were admitted on the Fourth Of July, 1889.
The President presented Mr.. Dubois the pen
with which he signed the Idaho bill, and it
will be placed in the cabinet Of historical
relics in the State House.
Official Report on the Philadelphia.
The Secretary of the Navy has received
the official report of the Board appointed to
try the cruiser Philadelphia. 1t says that
the average speed during run of four hours
was 1858 knots per hour, and that during
the trial the engines and boilers worked in
most satisfactory manner, the necessary
steam pressure being maintained through
out the course. The Board estimates
that the ship, while under forced draught,
ran distance Of about 100 miles. At the
end of the trial the machinery ald boilers
were in good condition, no defects having
been discovered, and only one slight accident
having occurred in the arrangements for OIL
ing the machinery. The Board reports that
the vessel is sufficiently strong to carry its
proposed armament, equipments, coal,
stores and machinery, and that the machin-
cry, including engines boilers and appur-
tenances, are strong and we'll built. In con-
clusion the report says that the vibration Of
the hull during the trial was mo time more
than would be expected in vessel Of this
type, and the sea being smooth there was
hardly any perceptible roll or pitch.
Stars and Stripes on the Capitol.
The Stars and Stripes foated over the
Capitol on July 4th, although neither
House was in session. 1t is a singular
fact that never before has flag
foated on the exterior Of that
building except when Congress was
actually in session. The new Sergeant-at-
Arms Of the Senate, having become aware Of
attention to it. Architect Clark was then coll
suited, and the conference resulted in Senator
SMgalls who is President pro tempore, direct
ing that the national colors be flung to the
breeze on the Fourth Of July. To run the
Tags up on the regulation fiagstafs was iul-
possible unless the rules of both Senate and
House were to be fractured, so some other
place had to be found. It was found,
and carpenters were busy all the
day. before preparing and putting
in place at the foot Of the tholus of the dome
south, east and west. From each of these
poles depended a twenty-five foot United
States flag.
Bills Approved by the President.
The President has approved tho act
authorizing the construction of a hotel
for colored people upon the Govern
ment reservation at Fort Monroe, Va;
the joint resolution extending the
unexpended balance for letter carriers
for extra compensation under the eight
for tins relief of the Union Railway
Company Of Chattanooga, Tenn; the
act for the sale Of the navy yard and
hospital lands at Brooklyn, N. Y, the act
authorizing J. B. Bernadon, United States
Navy. to accept two vases presented to him
by the Government Of Japan. and the act
for the relief Of E1-Collector Asa Ellis, OF
California.
Increased Duty on American Flour.
The Secretary of State received the fol-
lowing dispatch from Ramona Williams,
United States ConsulGeneral at Havana,
Cuba: "Up to the S0th Of June American
-four paid s4.69H import duty, from which
amount five per cent. was deducted, leaving
the total net duty at s4.4G, but from July it
will be 81. 6911S, plus twenty per cent, making
/ the duty S.. 65j5 on each barrel Of -four from
+ the United States. Spanish flour from the
first of July enters free Of import duty.
Both American and Spanish -four will con-
tinue to pay discharging dues of 81 and har-
Dor Improvement dues Of twenty-five cents
for each thousand kilos."
~ To Make Valley Forge Park.
Senator Teller, of Colorado, presented the
petition Of several hundred residents of Colo.
rado urging that Congress purchase
the historic field and land surround
ing the headquarters at Valley Forge,
and to convert them into per-
manent public park. The petitioners sug..
gest that the park be embellished by grand
column or memorial shaft to preserve the
spot from the invasions Of modern COM
merce, and to remain one Of the Landmarks
for succeeding generations to look upon with
pride and veneration.