Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1892-05-20
CONGRESSIONAL MATTERS.
Secretary Of the Navy Issues Instruc-
tions Relative TO the Modus
Vivendi-Ete.

/
agreed to report favorably bill for the
extension OF the free delivery in rural
districts and bill for the issue OF frac-
tional postal notes.
An important bill designed to preven
the employment on public works OF
prison or contract labor was reported to
the House from the Labor Committe by
Representative Davis.
The Committee on Foreign Relations
has reported an amendment to the sum
dry civil bill, increasing the amount for
the enforcement OF the Chinese exclu-
sion act from $780, 900 to 100000.
The House non-concnrred in the Sem
ate's amendments to Geary's bill open
ing to settlement certain lands of the
klamath Indian reservation, and con-
ferees on the part of the House were ap-
pointed as follows: Allen, Rockwell
and Wilson OF Washington.
The Senate Commerce Committee
unanimously decided to report fayorably
the bill granting American register to
certain foreign-built ships on the Inman
line on tonnage of not less than 5000 and
speed of not less than twenty knots,
which passed the House recently.
| The House Committee on Appropria-
tions took final action on the fortifica-
ton appropriation bill the other day.
The bill as reported carries an appropri-
alton OF $2,412, 1916, being $697, ,43l less
than the estimates and 81 1852, ,427 less
than the appropriation for the c1rrent
| fiscal year.
An amendment to the sundry civil ap-
preparation bill has been reported from
the Senate Committee on Military At
fairs, authorizing the Secretary of War
to establish not to exceed two military
posts at points on the Northern frontier,
where he may in his Judgment deem it
for the public good.
The Senate Committee on Public
Lands has reported substitute bill to
indemnify the settlers on the Iowa-river
lands. The substitute provides for an
estimate by court to be appointed by
the State, and the sum to be appropri-
must not exceed 5000.
At the request of Representative Her
mann the Postoffice Department has
ordered new mail service from Looking
Glass to Ten Mile in Douglas county
three times week, to commence July l !;
also from Brownton to Althouse in Jo-
sephine county, three times a week;
also from Wellen to Eagle Point, three
times week.
Senator Dolph has introduced pro-
posed amendment to the sundry civil
bill appropriating $500, 900 for the post
office building at Portland and increas-
ing the limit of cost TO 81 800, 600 There
is some question as to whether the limit
OF cost can be increased in the sundry
civil bill, but Senator Dolph is willing to
make the attempt.
Senator Mcpherson has reported an
amendment from the Naval Committee
to the naval appropriation bill, propos-
ing to increase the number of harbor-
defense vessels from one to three, tor
pedo boats from six to ten, and also pro-
viding for torpedoes, submarine and
otherwise, for which latter purpose ST.
00G, 900 is to be appropriated.
There is more or less objection from
certain points in Oregon on the PROPOSE
ton OF the Treasury Department in the
bill pending before Congress, providing
for the consolidation OF the collection
districts in Oregon, which would merge
into the Portland district the Astoria,
Yaquina and Coos Bay districts, and
would make supports of entry at these
places. The Treasury Department is
urging that this be done as matter OF
expediency in the public business, but
the towns which are the headquarters of
these districts are protesting very vigor-
ously.
The proposition made by the House
Postofice Committee in the postal ap-
preparation bill to reduce the compensa-
ton OF land-grant or subsidized railroads
for carrying mails from 80 per cent. of
the rate allowed non-aided railroads, as
the law at present provides, to 50 per
cent. has awakened vigorous opposition
from the land-grant railroads. They are
protesting against the proposed legisla-
ton as unjust and unreasonable. Rep
lesentatives of a number of these rail-
roads appeared recently before the COM
mittee, and stated their reasons for the
opposition.
Before the Committee on Private Land
Claims Representative Otis of Kansas
produced preamble and resolutions re-
citing certain alleged wrongful acts on
the part of Secretary Noble and Com
missioner OF the General Land Office
Carter, which acts, it is alleged, were in
the interest of the conspiracy in 1877 of
LIS. B. Elkins, then Delegate to Congress
from New Mexico, United States Attor-
ney Cattron of New Mexico and ex. Com
missioner Of the General Land Office
Williams, which resulted in depriving
the homestead and pre-emption settlers
OF Colorado and New Mexico OF their
vested rights. The resolution calls for
an investigation.
/ The Secretary Of the Navy has issued
instructions to the naval and revenue
marine vessels assigned to enforce the
modus vivendi, prohibiting sealing in
Behring Sea. These instructions differ
from last years in three important par.
ticulars: l. Any vessel found sealing
in Behring Sea is to be seized, whether
she has been previously served with q
notice or not 2. The mere presence ol
a vessel in Behring Sea, having on board
a sealing outfit, is cause for seizure. 8,
Persons on board the vessels seized will
be sent as prisoners with the vessel ia
suffer the penalty OF the law. Under
the British law all persons killing OIL
aiding or abetting in the killing OF ia.
seals in the Behring Sea are punishable