Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-12
CAPITOL TOPICS
wonLD's FAIR MEN AT WORK.

The worlds fair people are quietly feeling
the temper Of members OF Congress and ascer-
tanning what they can Of the sentiment here.
Today Messrs. Lyman J. Gage, one Of the
most prominent Of the Chicago members Of the
worlds fair organization, and Mr.. Adlai
Ewing who came here with the invitations to
Congressman to visit Chicago, made a social
call upon and had an informal talk with several
members Of the House appropriations commit
tee in it's committee room. They were intro
duced by Representatives Durborow and Abner
Taylor.
BEFORE THE NAVAL COMMITTEE. o.
Eugineer-in- Chief Melville, Chief Engineer
Endicott, Commodore Farquar and Capt. HIGH
bourn Of the bureau Of construction Of the
Navy Department appeared before the House
committee on naval affairs today and, with the
committee. went over the estimates of appro-
priation submitted for the League Island navy
yard. Capt Hichbourn urged the committee
to continue the establishment of the yard and
to make appropriations for improved tools for
it. The other gentlemen spoke of the Yards
importance and urged the committee to put it
In drst-class condition.
DEPRESSION IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
The Senate committee on agriculture today
considered the resolution Of Senator George
relative to the appointment of q committee to
inquire into the cause Of the low price of cot
ton and the depressed condition Of agriculture
IL, in the ou e0ttsSn.raising states, and agreed
amendment in the nature of a
substitute authorizing the committee to
make general investigation for the purpose of
ascertaining the present condition of agricul-
ture In the United States, the present prices of
agricultural products and, if there be any of
which the prices are depressed. the causes of
such depression and the remedies therefor.
The line marked out by the committee is to
appoint subcommittee to investigate
the agricultural conditions of the
cotton states and to inquire also
into the present state of agriculture in the
grain and meat-producing states and terrific
ries, the aim being to cover the whole subject OF
agriculture with a view of determining what
legislation, If any. is necessary for the relief of
the farmers OF the country. The resolution
will be reported to the Senate Monday.
JUDGE WOODS CONFIRMATION.
As there was no meeting Of the Senate judi
ciary committee this morning, owing to the ILL.,
ness Of its chairman, Senator Hoar, who is suf-
fering from some eye trouble, the matter Of
Judge Woods confirmation did not come up, as
was expected, but it will probably be taken up
again Monday, when it is thought Senator Hoar
will be able to attend the committee meeting.
SILK CULTURE.
The Senate committee on agriculture had
under consideration this morning the bill of
Senator Mitchell looking to the development
and encouragement of silk culture in the
United States, and decided to appoint a sub
committee to confer with the Secretary of
Agriculture and investigate the subject in all
its phases. The Secretary will be asked to re-
port to Congress on the subject.
THE WOOL TARIFF.
The democratic members Of the ways and
means committee held another conference to-
day on the Springer wool bill. but, like yester-
days conference. it ended without an agree
ment being reached. The members of
the committee now in the city are nearly
evenly divided on the question as 70
whether or not there should be further re-
duction MADE in the duties than that proposed
by the special democratic wool commit
tee. The arrival Of Mr.. Shively of Indiana
tee believe that a conclusion will be
speedily arrived at, as the views Of Mr..
Whiting, the only other absent member, are
known. Mr.. Whiting is detained by illness in
his family. Much ef the time Of the session OF
the conference today was devoted to u consid-
Grafton of statements presented bearing upon
the question of cost of production OF special
wooden manufacture.
MACHINE GUNS
There was today laid before the House let
ter from the acting secretary of the treasury,
inclosing communication from the Secretary
of War, containing an estimate of an appropri-
alton of $4,000 for the purchase Of machine
guns of small-artns caliber for the fiscal year
1893.
THE NATIONAL BANK INVESTIGATION.
There has been no meeting of the banking
and currency committee since the adoption of
the resolution providing for an investigation
of the Spring Garden and keystone National
Banks in Philadelphia and the Maverick Ma
tional Bank in Botton, and no time has
been fixed or any method determined upon for
the conduct of the investigation owing it is
said, to the fact that the resolution, although
passed Tuesday. has not yet been received
from the printing office.
THE BARLEY BILL
There is practical unanimity among the dem
ocratic members of tine ways and means COM
mittee in favor of the bill of Representative
Fitch On. " reducing the duty on barley and
hops, and there is little doubt this measure
win be favorably reported to the House. At
todays meeting of the democratic members OF
the committee Representatives Lockwood and
Fitch, both Of New York. made an extended
argument in favor Of the bill
ELECTION OF SENATORS.
The House committee election Of Presi-
dent, Vice President, &C., having charge of the
proposed constitutional amendment relative to
the election of United States Senators will
probably report as substitute for all the
propositions pending before it measure
suggested by its chairman, Mr.. Chapman Of
Michigan. providing that 1.-THE electors of every
state having the qualifications requisite for
electors of the most numerous branch of the
state legislature shall elect the Senators from
said state at the times and places and in the
manner prescribed by the legislature thereof"
NO QUORUM IN THE HOUSE.
The absentees from the House yesterday were
responsible for the Military Academy appropri-
alton bill going another day. The appro-
priation for improving the lighting of the
academy was cut from S50,00 to So, $40. and
some further amendments OF minor character
were made, after which the committee rose and
an attempt was made close debate. When q
vote was taken. however. no quorum was
present and the House adjourned without pass
ing the bill.
CHANGES IN THE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIVE LAW.
Mr.. Andrews (Mass) has introduced in the
House bill proposing number Of changes
some Of them quite radical--in the scustom
administrative law. The bill embodies sug-
gestions Of the customs committee of the
Boston associated board Of trade, which made
q careful study of the workings of the law
number of the changes proposed were
originally in the bill. but we're stricken from it
before it became law. Secretary Foster has
recommended the adoption Of some of the i'm
portant changes suggested. One of the
most important features in the bill is a
proposition that decision of the board
Of appraisers shall stand as authority for all
customs officers until reversed by the action of
| the United States courts, and another giving