The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-06
MARY GETS PROVOKED.
Caminetti Lectured on the Floor Of
the House.
I'LL ABOUT THE APPROPRIATION BILL.
Humbeldts HarbOr improvement Nearly Sacrificed
Tor the Sacramento River = The Chinese
Bill Becomes Law.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

Special to THE MORNING CALL
WASHINGTON, May 5.-During the debate
on the rivers and harbors appropriation bill
IN the House to-day Representative Geary
became very much incensed at Caminetti's
action IN proposing to cut down the appro-
priatlon for the Improvement of Humboldt
harbor In California. Geary declares that
IL was owing to his own efforts that the
committee on Rivers and HarDors raised
the appropriation for the Sacramento River
improvement from $780, 900 to S150,000 and
ne used his influence with the committee in
Caminettps behalf aud succeeded in getting
the appropriation raised In the II 0use to-
day, however, Caminetti took Geary COM
pletely by surprise when he arose in his
place and moved to reduce the contract
system appropriation for Humboldt from
SE700,O00 to 100000. Holman and his
parsimonious followers, always ready to
make cut, OF course supported CamlnettrS
amendment and Tor some time il looked as
though California might lose the apprOpria-
ton OF S1,000000 through the misdirected
efforts OF one of her re representatives. in Con-
gresS. Geary hurried around among his
friends, however, and succeeded in muster
Ing sufficient number to Gefeat Caminettrs
purpose
Cam!nstti Scored.
Geary then took the floor and rebuked his
colleague in scathng terms He said that
there had always been feeling among Cali
fornlanS that whenever favorable measure
was about to be secured by any of her rep
resentatlyes the other California members
were always ready to do some knifns. Ii
had been so III the past and it seemed to be
true Of this Congress. He declared that he
represented more territory drained by the
Sacramento River than did Caminetti, and
that the latter only showed his ignorance of
secure part of Humboldts appropriation
and the contract system for the rivers OF his
own district.
The Humboldt Appropriation.
Under the contract system the Secretary
OF War is empowered to enter into an agree
ment with the contractors to complete the
improvements at Humboldt harbOr for
81, 100000, and the amount is not to be ap-
propriated all at once, but from year to year.
100000. He said that Caminetti's idea was
that he could divide his (Geary'S) appro-
priation for Humboldt and secure a portion
of it for the Sacramento River. Geary de-
clarcd that he will retaIiate upon
Caminetti. He believes that the so-called
hydraulic mining bill was designed to benefit
only the river men by improving the Sac
ramento River to the extent of S400,0
through the erection of dams to restrain the
debris now on the dumps, while hydraulic
miners, IL they are TO resume operations,
must erect restraining works at their own
expense. Gcary will oppose the bill if it
ever comes up for consideration, which is
considered doubtful. Delegates Searles and
HobSon, representing the miners, have
LETT Washington. They were not much en-
couraged over the prospects for legislation
thereon.
The Chinese Bill. sigusd.
The President to-day had a conference
with the Acknowledgement concerning the
Chinese restriction act. AS the Attorney
General said it was grave question as to
whether all existing restrictive legislation
did not expire tomorrow, the President
signed the bill this afternoon to avoid pos
sible legal complications.
Lacey to Resign.
E. S. Lacey. Comptroller of the Currency,
is said to have under consideration several
offers, made recently. TO take the manage
ment of one Of the several banking institu-
tions in Chicago. He says he has not yet
decided which he will accept. His retire.
ment would take place at once II it were
not for the fact that Congress is investigat-
ing the action of his off ,e in the Maverick
and Keystone bank failures.
After the Pacific Mail.
Representative Bowers will appear before
Postroads tomorrow morning and advocate
the adoption Of his resolution resembling
the Pacific Mail Steamship COmpany's SUBJ
sdy. He will show that the company,
while required to make Is stops along the
Pacific Coast going and coming has only
made two stops. Mr.. Bowers believes the
committee will report his resolution favor
ably.
Representative Cutting of California pre-
sented TO the House for reference TO the
Committee on Rules resolution setting
apart Tuesday, May 80, for the considera-
tion OF his militia bill.
The National Park Investigation.
E. c. Waters. formerly manager of the
Yellowstone National Park Association, to-
day resumed his testimony before the House
Committee on Public Lands, but failed to
bring the papers concerning the leases that
he promised to bring He said he had
never spoken to Russell Harrison on the
subject OF putting the stock in trust for
him, but had put the stock in trust without
HarrisOn's knowledge. He thought he had
asked Russell Harrison to say to the Secre-
tary that anything he (Waters) said could
be relied on. Waters did not know X. e.,
Kerens, but had used Kerens' name as trus-
tee for the stock, because he knew Kerens
to be friend OF Russell Harrison. When
asked whether the stock set aside for Rus
sell Harrison WAS for a consideration or as
Russell Harrison to see the Secretary of the
Interior, and he felt he might want to call
on him again for some other thing that was
right and proper.
The Senate Commerce Committee has
unanimously decided to report favorably the
bill granting an American register to cer-
tain foreign built ships of the Inman line of
tonnage OF not less than 5000, and a speed
OF not less than 20 knots, which passed the
House on Monday.
To Investigate Land Frauds.
Before the Committee on Private Land
Claims to-day. Representative Otis of Kan
sas produced a preamble and resolutions
reciting certain alleged wrongful acts on
the part of Secretary Noble and Commits
s0ner OF the General Land Office Carter,
which acts, it is alleged, were in the inter-
est OK conspiracy formed ia 1877 by S. Il.
Elkins. then delegate to Congress from
New Mexico, United States Attorney Cat
ron CT New Mexico, and ex-Commissioaer
OF the General Land Office Williamson,
which resulted in depriving homestead and
pre-emption settlers In Colorado and New
Mexico OF their vested rights. The resolu-
tlon calls Tor an investigation at once.
Plea for Political Prisoners.
General O'Beirne and Thomas st. John
Carney, acting in compliance with request
OF the Political Prisoners Amnesty Asso-
ciatlon OF Ireland, called on Secretary
Blaine this morning TO ask the friendly in
terposltlon OF this Government in the mat
ter OIL obtaining the release of the Irish
American citizens now held as prisoners in
Great Britain. In advance nf the legal pre-
sentatl0n OF the case the Secretary was
not willing to indicate what action he would
take.