Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-14
CAPITOL GLEANINGS.
Directing to Confirmation of w. b.
SOrsby-COmmitteeN Notes.

In the executive session Of the Senate yes
terday the nomination of VIM. b. Sorsby of
Mississippi to be consul general to Ecuador
WAS under consideration. This was one Of the
earliest nominations sent to the Senate this
session, but it was held up in the committee on
commerce until day or two ago upon the re-
quest OF the Mississippi Senators. 1t was then
reported from the committee with favorable
recommendation by party vote The opposi-
ton to MIR. Sorsby's confirmation is based upon
his alleged delivery to Senator Quay, chairman
OF the national republican committee, of GER
tain letters written Immediately before and
during the campaign Of 1888 by Congressman
Catchings to the editor OF Mississippi paper,
and which by some chance fell into Mr.
Sorsbys possession. and the assertion that his
appointment was practical payment for this
work. The report of the committee recon-
mencing confirmation was antagonized vigor-
ously by Senators Waltball and George of
Mississippi and Vest of Missouri and others
while 1t was supported with equal earnestness
by Senators Frye, Cullom. Quay, Chandler and
other republicans. After debate lasting al
most two hours a vote was taken, which dis
closed the lack of quorum. only thirty Sena-
tors being present. 1hereupon the Senate ad-
journed, ing the nomination still on the
docket.
THE ARKANSAS ELECTION INVESTIGATION
The subcommittee Of the House committee
on elections that investigated the Clayton
Breckenridge contested election case has de-
cided to await the return of Mr.. Breckenridge
from Arkansas before hearing the closing testi-
mony in the case. Mr.. Breckenridge is ex-
pected In Washington this week.
PROGRESS WITH THE TARIFF BILL.
In the House yesterday, after The STARS re-
port closed, various amendments were offered
to the tariff bill, but were rejected, aud after
considering - Of the l56 pages of the bill the
| committee rose and the House adjourned
TO GUARD AGAINST ADULTERArIoN OF DRUGS.
The Senate committee on agriculture and
forestry again failed at its meeting yesterday
| to finish consideration of the pure-food bill.
which has been almost ready to report for sew
eral weeks. The delay yesterday was caused
by the appearance Of the committee on legisla-
ton Of the National Association Of Wholesale
Druggists, who came to propose a substitute
for that portion OF the committees bill relat-
ing to the adulterated drug question. The
delegation consisted of A. II. Jones' president;
NJ. n. Kline of Philadelphia, Geo. j. Seabury
and +. q. Geiger Of New York. They proposed
to take the matter of deciding upon the purity
OF drugs out OF the Department of Agriculture
and vest it in the hands of licensed analysts,
after the fashion OF the English system. These
analysts are to be appointed by the Secretary
OF Agriculture, but are to be paid by those to
whom their services are rendered
ELECTRICITY ON NAVAL VESSELS.
The House committee on naval affairs yester-
day heard arguments by Mr.. John s. Wise of
New York and Mr.. Sprague of the Sprague
Electric Light Company in support of the bill
providing for experiments with electricity as
motive power in its application to marine archi-
lecture. The bill authorizes the appointment
of board of naval officers to conduct expert
m of ala trio nfo
applied to steering, lighting, ventilating,
pumping, and other uses on United States
naval vessels and the handling and MANAGE
ment OF marine ordnance and ANN nition, &c.
THE INSPECTOR GENERALS DEPARTMENT.
A bill introduced by Senator Blackburn
provides that the inspector generals de-
partment of the army shall consist Of an in
spector general with the rank OF brigadier gen.
ersi; four assistant inspectors general with the
lieutenant colonel and four deputy inspectors
general with the rank OF major.
SENATOR PLUMB's SILVER BILL.
Mr. Plumb introduced in the Senate
bill ito declare the unit Of value in the
United States and to provide free coinage for
the standard silver dollar" The bill declares
the dollar the unit Of value and provides that
1t may be coined Of 4l2x grains standard silver
or 25.S grains standard gold, the coins 10
be legal tender. Any owner OF silver bullion
may deposit it for coinage, but any deposit of
less than 800 value may be declined
EXCURSION TO GETTYSBURG.
The Gettysburg Memorial Association has ar
| ranged for q special congressional excursion
to the battlefield on Decoration Day, May 80.
A large number of Senators and Representa-
tivss have accepted Invitations Col Bschel-
der. the government historian Of the field, will
be in charge OF the party.
TEE wonderful progress the Microbe Killer has
made since Its introduction for the cure Of disease