The National tribune., 1892-05-12

| Ho therefore moved TO- strike out the clausc
and felt sure that Mr.. Holman, who was working
| for economy would assist him in having the
| item stricken from the bill. On the contrary,
| Mr.. Holman made quite an argument, show
| ing that the money was necessary to keep
| the Ohio River i'm navfgable order, and urged
that the item be kept intact The Great Objector
| showed. rs many congressman of both parties
| have asserted, that when his own section Of the
country comes in for an appropriation, he has
no objections to offer, but Oh the contrary does
all he can to secure as large an appropriation
as possible. The aiTair caused considerable
amusement st Dir. Holman's expense
x*x
Senator Mitchell, of Oregon, has reported an
amendment from the Committee on Postofices
and Postroads to the Postoffice appropriation
bill, approprating 100000 to continue the POST
master Generals free-delivery experiments to
| the rural districts. Senator Mitchell regards the
| scheme as entirely practicable, and one which
will eventually be adopted in this country. He
thinks it may require some time to extend the
service in the new States where population is
sparse, but in the older States and in tho we'll
settled portions Of the newer ones he sees moth
ing in tile way Of establishing this service at q
very early date Ho believes that what has
been done in England and other European
countries can DO done in the United States. In
view of the fact that the people in the larger
cities have their mails delivered at their doors
at least once day, and in many instances Sow
eral times day, he thinks it but matter Of
simple justice that the people residing in the
country should have infinitely superior mail
facilities than those thoy now enjoy. He thinks
the Postmaster Generals efforts are meeting
with hearty response from the masses OF the
people of the country, which will end in the
complete success of the scheme to have mail de-
livered free in the rural districts three OF four
times week.
#*#
President Harrison signed the Chinese ex-
clusion bill early on Thursday, May 5, after 8
conference with several Of the members of his
Cabinet. Gen. Harrison made q statement re-
garding his early action upon the measure,
which is to the effect that upon examination
by the Attorney General he thought it very
grave question whether or not all existing re-
stricive legislation did not expire on Friday,
May 6, which made necessary the prompt ap-
prevail of the bill. This makes the bill law.
***
favorable report was made from the Senate
COMMITTEES on Naval Affairs last week, on q
bill having for its object the allowance of Rear
Admiral's pay to all Commodores of the Navy
who have held that relative rank since 1884.
ba4 haan
made to Congress that Commodores who were
acting as Rear Admirals should have the pay
of that grade, especially those who are in COM
mand of squadrons, the plea being made on tho
ground that they are put to unusual expense
in entertaining guests aboard ship, for which
no allowance is made by the Navy Department
for this purpose, as is done in all foreign Ma
vies.
~.
Secretary Of the Navy Tracy has informed
the Senate, in answer to a resolution asking
whether bids for the construction of naval yes
sells on the Great Lakes bad been rejected for
any other reason than those usually followed
by the Department, that in only one case had
this been done, and that was in the bid for the
construction Of the naval practice ship, the
contract for which had been awarded to firm
whose bid was 5000 higher than that made
by shipbuilder at Bay City, Mich, on the
ground that existing stipulations would not
allow the Department to award a contract for
the construction Of warship on the Great
Lakes. In two other instances proposals have
been received from shipbulders ON the lakes
to construct vessels for the Navy, but they
were rejected because Eastern friis bid lower.
x@x
Commandersin- Chief Palmer. Of the Grand
Army of the Republic, is annoyed at the efforts
that have been made in a particular quarter to
create misapprehensions concerning the appro-
priation Of 100000 which the Citizens Com
mittee of Washington have asked of Congress
for the entertainment of tho National Encamp.
ment in Washington next September, and he
will shortly issue an order which will explain
the matter, assuring the members of the GAR.
that the appropriation will be made just as all
other municipal expenses of the District of
Columbia are met, one-half coming from the
people of the District and the other half from
the Government of the United States. Gen.
Palmer said he had heard of the misapprehen-
sion under which many comrades were labor
ing regarding this appropriation and would
soon issue this order to clear up the matter.
When Washington gained the Encampment
at Detroit over Lincoln, Neb., Lincoln people
were somewhat soured, and GAR. Posts Of