The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-02-24
Post offIcb Bill Passed.

WASHINGTON, February 23-The House
went into committee Of the whole on the de-
fcielcy appropriation bill, with Mr.. Payson
of Illinois, in the chair
On motion of Mr.. Cutcheon of Mississippi
an amendment was adopted rirecting the
accounting officers of the treasury not ia
withhold the pay Of any retired officer OF
the army, retired prior TO the act OF March
30, 1868, notwithstanding his acceptance Of q
diplomatic or consular position. This
amendment has special reference to General
Sickles.
On motion of Mr.. Washington Of Tennes.
see, an amendment was adopted granting an
extra months salary to officers and employees
of the Senate and House.
On a point of order raised by Mr.. Dunnell
of Minnesota, there was stricken from the
bill the provision for the appointment of a
special committee of members-elect to inves-
tigate the expenditure of appropriations for
the government of tie territory of Alaska
and Yellowstone Park. Without disposing
of the bill the committee rose.
The post office appropriation bill was
passed and the House took recess until
o'clock.
Civil Service Under Fire.
WASHINGTON, February 23.-The Senate
after considerable discussion, voted to print
for distribution $4,000 copies of the docu
nent of the agricultural department or
diseases of the horse"
Mr.. Platt offered resolution authorizing
the committee on territories to visit Alaska
during the recess and investigate for them
selves the condition of things there. Re
ferred committee on contingent expenses
Mr., Frye, a resolution authorizing the
committee on rules to examine IL. ii. Smiths
parliamentary history of Congress with q
view TO having 1t secured for the use OF Con
gress.
After a brief executive session the Senate
proceeded to the consideration Of the suldry
civil appropriation bill. In discussion as
to the new post Office building at Washing
ton. Mr.. Vest commended the system OF the
government by district commissioners as one
that prevented plundering through popular
elections, one though which miserable out
RACES and thieving processes that were OBJ.
tanned in many great cities of the country
escaped.
rhe amendment permitting the Secretary
of the Treasury to make temporary appoint
ments of architects, skilled draughtsmen
and civil engineers in the office of the super
vising architect, was the text
of discussion on the subject of civi
service examinations. 1t came out In the
discussion that the purpose of the amend,
ment was to get rid Of the civil service exam
ination for such employees.
Messrs. German and Cockrell favored the
snuondment ana attacked In5 Civil service
and Mr.. Allison defended the commission
The discussion was still in progress at {
o'clock, when recess wss taken until s.
Consideration OF the sundry civil appro-
priation bill was resumed at the evening
session, and after having disposed of 45 OF
45 of the 1t5 pages of the bill, there being
no quorum present, the Senate, az II O'Clock,
adjourned.
To Discipline the Speaker.
WASHINGTON, February 23.-Representa-
tive ScUtt Wike of Illinois, introduced in
the House ttday and had referred to the
committee on judiciary preamble and reso'
lutions reclting several instances Of the ''ar.
bitrary and unwarrantable actions of the
Speaker in falsifying the journal
of the House." notably in counting as
present but not voting on the Goth of Febru
ary certain members, who, 1t is alleged, were
not in the hall at the time, and calling upoI
the committee to prepare an amend
ment to the constitution providing fol-
the impeachment or trial of the Speaker OF
other presiding officer, who shall hereafter
wilfully falsify the journal.