Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-19
CAPITOL TOPICS.
TO CHECK THE GOLD MEN.


Representative Sweet Of Idaho yesterday in
troduced resolution the preamble of which
sets forth that certain national banks in the
upon contracts payable in gold, which course
tends to discredit the currency Of the country,
whether based upon gold or silver. The reso-
luton, therefore, provides that any national
bank attempting to degrade the currency Of
the country by demanding other than lawful
money shall forfeit its charter.
TO FORBID SELLING FIREARMS TO INDIANS.
Representative Clifford of South Dakota yes
terday reported to the House from the com.
mittee on Indian affairs the bill to prevent the
sale Of firearms and ammunition to Indians.
The report accompanying the bill says the
committee finds, upon examination, that IL is
the uniform practice Of the dealers and traders
along the borders of Indian. reservations to sell
IRE arms to Indians. In this manner the latter
are kept well supplied with firearms of the
latest and most improved pattern. The COM
mittee believes that in view Of the late troubles
with the Indians as well IS the troubles Of pre-
vious years more stringent laws upon this sub
1ect are required. II therefore recommends
the passage of the bill.
Representative Wheeler Of Alabama yester-
day introduced in the House bill to provide
for graded income tax.
PENSION FOR AN AGED WIDOW
The pension committee Of the House has au-
thorized q favorable report on bill granting q
pension of sl2 per month to Lucy Wood Of
Vermont, the widow of a teamster in the war
OF 1872 She is said to be LOG years of age.
FRENCH ISOLATION CLAIMS.
Senator Higgins yesterday reported favor
ably from the committee on claims the
Senate bill to provide for the payment Of the
French spoliation claims in accordance with
the findings Of the Court Of Claims, with an
amendment providing that in cases where the
original sufferers were adjudicated bankrupts
the awards are to be made in favor of the next
OF kin. such awards not to be paid until the
court has certified that the personal represent
atives on whose behalf the award is made rep
resent the next of kin.
BULLION PURCHASES
In answer to resolution the acting secretary
OF the treasury has sent statement to the SEN
ate, prepared by the director of the mint,
showing the amount of silver bullion offered to
the government from August Is, 1890, to Feb
ruary IA, 1891, the amount purchased during
that period and the price asked and paid.
The acting secretary states that the basis on
which he estimates the market price of silver
Ia the daily quotations of silver in London New
York and San Francisco. The market price
the secretary estimates from a comparison of
these prices and the prices at which silver is
offered for sale to the government, the rule be-
ing to accept the lowest offers, provided they
do not materially exceed the highest market
price in the three named cities.
Mr.. Nettleton further states that no silver
bullion has been purchased by the government
outside Of the United States, but, undoubtedly,
large quantities Of foreign silver bullion have
been delivered on purchases to the govern
ment made from parties residing in the United
States.