The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-21
BUT FEW CONGRESSMEN
CLINE CdPTTOL HTLL THESE DfTs
or CHRISTMdS PRESENTS.
BIZ for an Information Bureau-LiabiI-
ity OF Corporations 20 States in
which They DO Business.
1lMEs BUREAU, RAPIEY BUILDING, !
WASHINGTON. Dec. 20. 1892. (

this morning until the lawns and grass
plots were white and the streets were
covered with about one inch OF the gen
cral mixture. Having exhausted these
clements there Is now a slight suspicion
in the sky as II there might possibly be a
return Of the prodigal sum- which went
n last month and has not been seen
since. Certainly the representatives Of
The people. in Congross assembled. are
ready TO welcome him once more.
There was very small gathering on
the Capitol Hin this morning. and the
air Of the holidays seemed to float about
the committee-rooms and halls 10 the cf-
fectual suffocation of important legisla-
tion.
1t is evident that a good many OF the
congressman have been delegated by their
families TO DO the Christmas shopping.
and every now and then ON the crowded
thoroughfares 1 run across some member
OF the House with an armful Of bum
dies that suggests either that ne is a
very indulgent father or else the proud
sire Of a very respectfully sized family.
Oill was passed by the House yester-
day from the Judiciary Committee, Of
which Mr.. Buchanan is the Virginia mem
Der, which that gentleman says will prove
Of considerable importance should II pass
the Senate "As the law now is. said he
"a corporation doing business in a state
other than that which created il is held
by the United States courts TO be nom
resident OF such State within the meaning
of the Federal judicial acts. and. there
FORE can sue and DE sued In the Federal
courts and has the right 10 remove suits
brought against 10 in any State court 10
the Federal courts as other non-residents.
The bin takes away these rights. and for
rI judicial purposes declares that such
corporation shall be considered a resident
of the state In which IL is doing business,
and shall only have such rights in the
Federal courts as other residents OF such
state"
representative Benjamin II. Bum. Of
North Caroina. has a bin involving a
principle which is of interest 20 somebody
ir almost every Southern State. 1t pro-
vlrs for the payment 10 Mr.. +. y. Ram
-.y ~ Rocky Mount, y. c.. the sum OF
s H. From lS45 TO April 80. 1861. Mr..
Joseph Ramsey was United States col
le.t0r OF the port Of Plymouth, ~ C.. on
Pre- last date -hr~tiOned he settled up his
accounts with the Federal Government
and resigned. The books OF the Treasury
department. showed then. as they do to-
l.y. balance due him Of Si30.42, and this
DIS heir now desires This amount was
and is absolutely due 10 the heirs Of Mr..
Ramsey, and the departments do not
question their right 10 il. but there is
United States statute upon the books
UiN Revised Statutes) which prevents the
payment The statute was enacted in
March. l,57, and provides, in substance,
that r, apartment shall pay any person
who led in a State that seeded any
ciairI n4ainst the Government not made
prior TO April Is. 1861, If the person was
i.t known not TO be in sympathy with the
secession OF the State. There are thou
sands Of dollars OF just such claims stand
ing in open account on the books of the
Treasury Department to the credit Of men
in the South. wherNnO question arises as
% the rightful ownirship Of the money.
but where the department is pOwerless TO
pay In the face of the statute. The law
win be modified some Of these fine days
t0 at least cover these unquestioned
claims.
The bill to allow the Norfolk and
Western railroad TO enter the city OF
Washington is creating some talk to-day.
The Committee on the District of Colum-
ta Mr.. John j. Hemphill, OF South Car
0Iua. chairman, reported the bill favor
ably and il was placed upon the House
calendar. Then some members of the
committee attempted 10 get IL recommitted
GU them but Mr.. HemphiH refused 10
.-h this action unless the Norfolk and
Western people could be first heard
l the subject. This viii be done to-
morrow. and the railroad people are on
u- ground tonight. but of course the
action OF the committee after hearing the
Norfolk ana Western people Is a natter
NJ speculation. a gentleman said TO me
today on the floor Of the House that the
Pennsylvania and Baltimore and Ohio
people could muster at any time about
-I to 80 supporters among the Congress
ual. and they We're calling their forces
olt Go beat the bill.
AS the days 20 by there seems to be
"a growing feeling against the passing of
@ hl 10 authorize the Government 10
tafautee the bonds Of the Nicaragua
Canal Company TO the extent Of Sl0.00O0OO
ana 30 seems now as if the bin is doomed
fr this session at least. Judge Holman.
Chairman Of the Appropriations Commit
te- NJ the House, is opposed 10 the bill,
ana says he does not believe il would pass
ae House If 10 came up, but il Is quite
sure that for the balance of the ses-
h.l the Judge will have an ap-
Population bill always ready TO stand in
he way Of the Canal bill, If any attempt
D. made 70 bring it up. Representative
4n. Of Nebraska, is one Of quite
lumber Of House members who consider
t--h legislation injudicious. and who are
.+-tt oxen in their determination 10 de-
i-t t IL the bin is ever offered for
..-sileratiOn. Mr. Bryan said. Il can
A.' understand with the memory OF the |
Credit Nobelier and Of the Union Pacific |
t- fresh in the minds of the people, and /
WIN tAe recent exposures Of the Panama |
canal frauds in Paris, how it can be eX- |
I....i that Congress would seriously con- |
t.-r such proposition"
li is amusing these days 10 note the |
great activity that is being INDUCED I'm /
by oihceholders under the Government |
'fWiing the civil service. The majority /
them really DO not care much about |
-ng back again into the world anyway. /
'Ae world is cold and cruel uncharitable 4
ti unhnd. men are treacherous and
VIE and woman IS tickle and delusiye,
~ ihey fain would draw the cloak OF
t'ernmental labors about them, hide
Ieir modest faces behind the screen
"prs Of soft snaps" and far from the
'a1ding crowds ignoble strife. keep the
even tenor OF their way" but their
"ay' don't suit the thousands OF eager
Democrats who wanted civil service
mighty badly four years ago, and who
Vili be perfectly willing for u 10 20 on,
amer few preliminary changes" are
made as early as possible after March
'h next. coming.
The Departmental Civil Service League
mas been established IN the Treasury De
Iai tment first. OF course, and the work
VI interesting the other departments in
'ihe leagues has been begun.
me objects. as set forth in the consti-
lullon, are 10 disseminate civil service
siotm principles; 20 urge the extension