Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-15
AT THE CAPITOL.
Some Matters which Came Before Both
Branches Of Congress Yesterday.

Some Matters which Came Before Both
Branches of Congress Yesterday.
Secretary Window has sent to the Senate
committee on commerce letter from the
supervising inspector general Of steam vessels
giving his views approved by Secretary Win
DOM upon the Senate resolution authorizing
the Secretary, in his discretion, to suspend for
period OF one year the act requiring passenger
steamers to carry lifeline projsctiles snd ap-
piiances for firing them. The supervising in
spector general says: The resolution is a neces-
sary one and ought to pass, the reasons for its
previous suspension, so far / am informed,
still existing. namely, a seemingly excessive
charge to steam vessel owners for the line
carrying projectiles and the means Of propel-
ling them required in the original bill. II the
act referred to should be su. pended as pro-
posed, and left discretionary with the Secre-
tary TO put it In force. there Is no doubt some
understanding can be reached with the owners
of the projectiles that will be satisfactory to
them as well rs to the steam vessel owners;
and II not, my opinion is that the occasions for
using such projectilos will be so few and re-
mote that no positive harm can result If their
use should be dispensed with entirely. At any
rate their use on inland hkes rivers, sounds
and harbors should not be enforced at all ON
steam vessels. --.'
OPENING THE CHEROKEE STRIP
In the House yesterday Mr.. Mansur (Mo) in
trodueed for reference bill to throw open the
Cherokee strip. Mr.. Mansur said in explana-
ton OF the bill, that the Cherokee commission
was hopeless Of coming to an agreement with
the Cherokees and, therefore. this measure
was introduced. 1t had the practical indorse-
ment and sanction of the administration. The
bill rs framed on the propositions contained
III the act creating the commission. which was
authorized to offer 81. Is acre The bill re-
cites the law by which the government has a
right to take the land and pay the Indians
4f.49 cents an acre, but it valves the right and
agrees to pay Sl.25. OF this amount paid
$1,000, 600 il to remain in trust, drawing an in
terest Of six per cent: and % 700 900 is to be
distributed among the Cherokees entitled
thereto under treaty stipulation. This would
give TO the Indians Sos per capita.
LAND FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Delegate Joseph of New Mexico made an ar
gument before the House committee on educa-
ton yesterday in support of his bill to grant to
the territory certain sections of land in each
township for the support of common schools
and 10 create permanent school fund from 80
per cent of the proceeds of public lands hereto
fore and hereafter sold.
PROPOSED INCOME TAX,
Mr.. Richardson of Tennessee introduced in
the House yesterday resolution making the
House bill to equalize taxation and impose an
income tax a special order OF business 70. Janu-
AIRY %.
TO BE CONVERTED INTO A BATTERY.
Mr.. Hoar has offered in the Senate an amend
ment to the navy appropriation bill authoriz-
ing the Secretary Of the Navy Ito sell one or
more of the old single-turreted monitors to
the Pneumatic Gun Carriage and Power Com
pany for conversion by said company into IL
floating battery or batteries. the government
to incur no liability in said conversion, and the
price or prices to be paid for said monitor or
monitors to be determined by board of Off
GERS OF the navy appointed by the Secretary"