Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-23
CAPITOL TOPICS,
Two Bills Providing for the Establishment o
Mints That Are Very Similar

Two Bills Providing for the Establishment of
Minis That Are Very Similar.
Imitation is said to be the sincerest form of
fattery. II that be true then Senator Allison
has paid Senator Henderson delicate and un-
usual compliment. On the 10th IN
slant Senator Henderson introduced
a bill to establish a branch mint
Of the United States at Omaha in the state Of
Nebraska. On the 10th instant Senator Allison
introduced bill to establish a branch mint of
the United States at Council Bluffs, in the state
of Iowa. Singularly enough the two
bills with the one difference of location,
are precisely similar as to phraseology and
punctuation. Omitting the FIRST section Of each
measure-which provide for Omaha and
Council Bluffs, respectively-there 10 not
q single point Of difference. The careful
investigator is therefore forced to the
conclusion that, recognizing Senator
Manderson's ability az a bill drafter, Senator
Allison procured = printed copy Of the Ne
braskau's bill, and after making the necessary
amendmeAh With a pen, introduced it as his
own,
1t is generally understood that the establish
ment Of branch mint at each Of the
places named would never be permitted
by Congress The two cities are but a
short distance apart-fare on the electric
road 10 cents--and the impression is therefore
abroad that the old struggle between the two
centers of population is about to break out in
new place. Advocates Of Council Bluffs
claim that tbei. town should be selected be-
cause at present it has nothing worth having
except the Union Pacific transfer, and this ar
gunent is concurred in even by the Omaha
people. The chances are that neither competitor
will get therethe rival cities killing each other
chances. While Senator Allison may admire
Senator Mandersons literary style he will
doubtless effectively oppose the location Of q
money making concern in Omaha
TO BUY TIE BANCROFT LIBRARY
Senator Frye today introduced bill author
izing the purchase of the Herbert H. Bancroft
library-a collection of historical information
concerning the western half of America.
There are about $4,000 books, maps, manu-
scripts. pamphlets. DC, in the library, and the
whole collection may be purchased for the sum
of S50O,000.
NICARAGUA CANAL.
The bill introduced by Senator Sherman to-
day to amend the act to incorporate the Mica
ragua canal is identical to the bill reported to
the Senate from the committee on foreign rela-
tons last session on the same subject.
MILITARY BILLS.
Senator Proctor today introduced q bill
to amend the revised statutes by adding the
proviso that all persons not in the mill
tary service who refuse to give testimony when
Summoned before a court-martial shall be
liable to a fine Of not less than $500 and i'm
prisonment for not more than one year
Senator Proctor also introduced bill
repeating the law passed last Congress
providing for the examination of officers OF the
army and requiring that in future all examine
tions prescribed shall be conducted
by boards composed as the Secretary
OF War may direct. The bill further
provides that the examination of officers in the
engineer and ordnance corps who were officers
or enlisted men in the volunteer service shall
he conducted in the same manner as the exam.
ination of the officers Of their respective corps
IMPROVING THE HARBoR OF NEW ORLEANS
Senator Gibson of Louisiana today intro
duced bill appropristing $500, 900 for the i'm
| provement of the harbor of New Orleans. to
| be expended in accordance with the plans of
the Mississippi river commission.
RURAL FREE ooMMUSITIKS.
Senator Hansbrough today introduced Q bill
| in the Senate authorizing the Postmaster Gem
eral to extend, when practicable, the free de-
| livery system to rural or farming communities.
| the carriers to be classified and compensated a.
those now employed in the service. The
carriers are to be authorized to receive and
receipt for registered letters and sell stamped
envelopes, stamps, postal cards, &c. The
| bill also authorizes the Postmaster General ia
extend such portion Of the amount that may
be hereafter appropriated for compensation Of
postmssters and for star route transportation
q may BE- nsosssasy - carry out TIE provisioua
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