The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-18
INEFFICIENT PORTER
DrIArINo BIIL FOR FREE Woo1,
The Opinion oppressed That lie Is Governed
by Partisan Motives-Congrosslonal
Proceeding s-WashinEton Notes.

WasrrvGrov. ID. c.. Feb 17-fSpecial. T.
Chairman Springer. OF tho Ways and Means
Committee. said to-day that the denv in re-
portiuc the Froe-Wool bin is owing TO the in-
ability or alleged inability OF the Census
Bureau 90 furnish nee essary statistics OF
manufacturing. Mr Springer thinks that
when tho facts are all known those
wfo are now critcising him and his
committee viii see that they are not
10 blame. When Mr.. Springer was first
appointed chairman Of Ways and Means he
conferred with superintendent Porter. OF the
Census Bureau, and his division chiefs for
he purpose of ascertaining how soon tney
could supply the needed statistics 1hey
pleaded lack of funds saving theF cleflcM
force uod bee0 reduced for want oI money C.
Yay them, aud that hence tley were oeAihu
SIN the compilation ot statistics on mal'lac-
flles lir. Springer said that an appropriation
would be immediately made IL that would
facilitate the work desired 1y this committee.
Tho ceusus officers replied tlat with $500 900
they could have tho statistics ready VII nm "a
few weeks. Mr. springer went 10 members
OF the APPROPRIATION committee anu "i
that an apur0uratlOu be Immediately made.
A e1b committee INQUIRED into the m2tter and
concluded chat O.0Ol would bl sulhcient
for .ho rurpO-e for the pres ut 80 least. and
frat sum was lrsor ed M the urgent dehcency
blL 10 passed the House promptly
nnd upon theassurancc that the appropriation
would lo available within several weeks. at
f.e outside the census officials promised 70
increase their clerlca. force no once and cm-
qi.v ever energy in the preparation 0i the
statistics -o essential o. the Ways and Means
Instead ot doing tins they have dallied. de-
Ia q al3 upon frivolous preteXta deferred
the work in hand. In order that the
lr.ra-ai Free Wool bill shall be thor
ors. understood. 10 is necessary
folara complete statistics OF manufactures
and ia show the margin of profit derived
ur.e- tie Mckinley law by manufacturer
AL. ...orer There is more than suspicion
tal Ne Census Office is purposely delaying
these statistics TO emuarrass the Democratic
House il its fight for tarln reform. Conn
missioner Wright. OF the Labor Bureau,
rr.nrty completed ana furnished The stats
t.. desired o.. him without asking for an
crtr- appropriation.
SUMS AGAINST DEpAETNEST oFf1cEHs
The house Judiciary Committee reported
favor .0.y to-day bnl recently introduced by
1r Cu.be.s0u which provides that suits at
Jaw now pending on which may hereafter
De instituted against anv officer OF depart
meut Of fle guyeruMOnt OF bureau Chief OF
ANY commissioner 90 compel the perform
anee VI ministerial duty shall not
eH.fe lv reason of the death resig-
III
such officer or by reason of tie expiration of
listerm o. office. but shall revive against such
officers successor in office ana proceed 10 a
determination as lI such successor were the
original defendant. The passage of this bill
at the present time would have an i'm
p0rtant bearing upon the SILVER brck
case now before the nlted States
Supreme Court on appeal from the SUI
preme Court of the District of Columbia,
because under existing law If tho supreme
Court should not decide the nandamus case
before the expiration of secretary roster
term of Office 10 would he thrown out OF court
sud would have 10 begin de novO. case IN
point is that of the suit 10 determine the au-
E .ritv Of the POstmasteT-Geuer TO refuse
g. deliver registered letters and money
Cllers TO the Louisiana Lottery Com
pnr. which we're thrown out 10y the SUI
Ireme Court because of the RESIGNATION
q. Postmaster General key. by whom the
original order was issued In the pending
silver brick case 10 WAS begun against Secre-
tsry Window and was aOated by his sudden
death.
THE 1fELBOURNE COMMISSIONERS.
Senator Daniel to-day introduced q bill
directing the Secretary of State TO allow 10
tie four commissioners to the Melbourne
Centennial Industrial Exposition the sum OF
6 900 each for travelling expenses III add ton
g. the amount hitherto paid them. The COM
uissi0uers were Richard Miller. of Lynch
burg Na.: Alexandria Campbell. of West Nlr-
elIa Frances b. Wheeler. OF New York, and
Thomas IS. Merry. OF Oregon.
Mr. Daniel also introduced a bill directing
the treasury % pay j. Henry Nves, OF Lynch
burg. $24}.gO for expense incurred IN arrest
ing John q. Henry, deputy collector of IN
ternal revenue who was accused of embelzle-
Ment.
sEINING oN THE COAST
Representative Jones to-day made q brief
statement o. the Committee on Merchant
Marine and Fisheries on the nature OF "a pro-
test against the Iopham bill 10 authorize any
citizen Of tho United States. at all times. to
take meuhaden and mackerel with selnes
along tie sea coasts and shores of the United
States Mr. Jones said that he would content
himself for the present with the assertion that
tie blll ls plainly unconstitutional, IN that 1t
proposes toy federal authority 10 invade bays
aud ulets which. under the Constitution, are
subject 20 the jurisdiction Of the States. He
asked and sobtanel permission TO submit his
argument next Wednesday.
1HE PmorAGE BILL.
The bin which was before thelast Congress.
and was introduced in the present 10 abolish
compulsory pilot fees and vest entire autlor
its and control over all photage IN the General
Government IA already practically dead as
the House Committee on Interstate Com
mcrce has agreed 70 bury it Ia d pigeon
hOle
WASHINGTON NOTES
j. III. Robbins was TO-DAY appointed post
master Ut Broadwater, Northampton county.
Virginia. vice G.. 4. Westcott deceased
In North Carolina the name of thepostofice
at Brattleborough has been changed 10 Brat
teborO The Star service from Derita TO
Unity has been changed TO Wednesdays and
SATURDAYS Of each week, both ~ ays aud that
from last Bend 10 Shoals to daily except
Sundays.
The Tiffy-second Congress.
In the Senate to-day Mr.. sherman, chair
man of the Comm ttee on Foreign Relations
fay0rably reported the bill requesting the
President If the nited States 70 return TO the