The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-15
NEW LEGISLATION.
Bills Presented by the Sen
atOrS.
Several New And-ChineSe Acts Pro-
posed.
Pacific Coast Interests - Relief Measures
Asked - Senator FELTON, Introduces
Several Important Measures.
srecial to THE MoRNINs CALL.

Obdtcs DiStIlct ALlOluey SOle, Oh tne SOuGI-
ern California District, against whom charges
of incompetency have been made.
Congressman Bowers says that he expects
the nomination of Van Deusen as Postmas-
ter Of Los Angeles to 90 in every day. The
Postoffice inspectors, who were sent to Cal
ifornia to investigate the charges of embez-
Element, ETC., made against Van Deusen,
report that there is no foundation for such
charges. The department is satisfied that
Van Deusen will be a good man for the po-
sition of Postmaster
Representative Geary was at the Interior
Department to-day to see about the matter
connected with the opening of the Round
Valley Indian land to settlement. He asked
that the settlers on these lands be allowed
to sow their crops while the exact status of
these lands is being determined, and the
department has taken the matter under ad-
visement
SENATOR FELToN's BILLS.
Senator FELTON, of California has intro
duced a bill amending the Chinese Ex-
clusion Act so as TO require Chinese removed
from the United States to be sent to China
instead OF the country whence they
came. 1t is provided further that the bur-
den of proof shall be on any Chinese laborer
orperson who shall claim the right to re-
main in the United States. He has also in
troduced bill amending the Ocean Mail
Subsidy Act Of last Congress by providing
that steamers OF a gross registered tonnage
OF not less than 5000 tons, of the same con-
struction. material and speed of the vessels
of the second class C16 knots and 1900 tons),
hn ,,N1o nd for I'D -,
than five years and receive compensation in
that class. 1t further amends the act by the
addition OF prohibition of the pooling of
freight or passenger rates.
THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.
The Star says: 1t is not true that it has
been definitely settled that Springer is to be
at the head OF the Committee on Ways and
Means, but it is entirely probable that he
will be chosen for that position, being the
most prominent of the Northern Democrats
from whom the Chairman will probably be
selected. 1t is probable that Mills, Nc
Millin and Wilson of West Virginia will be
appointed on the committee, together with
one man from New England, one from New
York, one from Ohio, one from the South
and one from the far West. The committee
will probably be increased to fifteen. 1t is
practically settled that Holman will 60 to
the head Of the Committee on Appropria-
tions.
GEARY's CHINESE BILL.
Congressman Geary of California will in
troduce shortly in the II louise bill tending
to make more effectual the exclusion of the
Chinese. IL makes it unlawful for all
Chinese to land or remain in the country,
whether they have been in this country be-
fors or not, save duly accredited Chinese
diplomatic representatives and their at
taches. Heavy penalties are provided for
shpmasters attempting to land Chinese.
The act provides that no Chinese shall be
admitted to citizenship, and all Chinese re-
naming In this country after the act be-
comes law must apply to Commissioner
of Internal Revenue for certificate Of resi-
dence, falling which they shall be adjudged
to be unlawfully in the country and sub
ject to the heavy fines and penalties as pro-
yided for an unlawful attempt to land.
PEFFER's NEW BILLS.
In the Senate to-day PETER introduced, by
request of the Wage-workers' Political AL
lance of the District of Columbia, a bill
providing for taking special supplement-
ary census of the United States for the pur-
pose of asking each person, firm, association
and corporation questions relative to their
property, debts, etc. Their answers will
be published as quickly as possible in order
that the people may know how to legslate
on the money question. PETER also intro
duced by request bill providing for the
issue biennially Of military register of the
United States, showing the names, ad-
dresses, number of pension certificates,
ETC., of all surviving persons who have been,
are now or may hereafter be employed in
the military service of the country. In the
event there is not surplus money enough In
the Treasury to carry out the provisions of
the act. it is the duty of the Secretary of the
Treasury to cause a sufficiency of money in
United States notes to be prepared and de-
posted into the Treasury for the purpose.
The Secretary is to cause the money to be
expressed in declaratory and not promissory
notes. 1t is to show plainly on it's face that
u is full and not partial legal tender.
The notes are to be ranged in twenty -eight
denominations, from l mill to $1,000.
RECLAIMING ARID LANDS.
Senator Dolph to-day introduced a bill to
aid the several States and Territories to re-
claim arid lands within their boundaries.
1t provides for the loaning by the United
States Of funds to the States or Territories
for the purpose OF assisting the construc-
tion of reservoirs, wells and all other works
to be used for the development conserya-
tion and furnishing water supply for irri-
CATION in aid OF agriculture. Loans are to
be made in any sum not exceeding 81, SOC, 900
in any one year to single State or Terri
tory, nor exceeding the grand total of
$4,000, 000 to any one State or Territory.
The terms provide for the issue by the State
or Territory OF irrigation bonds of denoml-
nations of $500 each, redeemable in five
years ana maturing in fifty years, and bear
ing interest at per cent per annum, to be
deposited with the United States Treasurer.
and the Secretary Of the Treasury is to
issue thereon United States notes in the
amount of the par value of the bonds, said
notes to be legal tender
THE WORLDS FAIR LOAN.
Representative Springer of Illinois, In
speaking OF the action of the Board of Con-
troll OF the Worlds Colum bian Exposition in
deciding to ask for an appropriation of
$4,000. 900 instead of loan of that amount
as at first contemplated, said: II do not
think there is any good reason to expect
Congress to make an appropriation of the
amount specified. for this Congress will be
quite chary in its expenditures. Congress
will, however, am confident, make G loan
to the board of that amount. For, guaran-
teed as it will be by the receipts, which will
aggregate three times the amount asked,
there will be no failure to have it repaid"
THE ELECTORAL AMENDMENT.
The indications are that the proposition
to elect United States Senators by direct
vote of the people will be agitated more
than ever before this session Of Congress-
Senator Turpie of Indiana has introduced a
joint resolution. submitting an amendment
to the Constitution to the Legislatures of
the several States. and Bryan of Nebraska
has prepared similar resolution, which he
will offer in the House when it meets again.
Senator Turpie will on Thursday next ad-
dress the Senate upon his resolution, and
Senator Mitchell will also speak on the
same subject during the session.
WILL NOT COMPROMISE.
Newberger. Reiss d Co. of San Francisco
recently offered to compromise the Govern
ments claim against them on account of
alleged false entry of merchandise. An in
vestigation resulted in the dismissal of
Deputy Collector at San Francisco who WAS
shown to have assisted in the entry of goods
at less than the proper rate. The matter
was referred to the Attorney General, and
he recommends that the offer of compromise
be refused. Acting Secretary SpaGlding
said that criminal proceedings will bs insti-
tuted against the offending persons.
wAsHBURN's FUTURE" BILL.
In Senator Washburn's bill defining
''options" and futures" and imposing
special taxes on dealers therein, the articles