Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-01
CAPITOL TOPICS.
POLITICS AND PENSIONS


In the examination of Commissioner Raum
yesterday before the pension office invest;gat-
ing committee Mr.. Enloe asked a number of
questions respecting the influence of politics
in the administration of the Office. The com
missioner said that when he had to reduce the
number of examiners he gave preference to
republicans, because this was a republican ad-
ministration. When he had discretion to es-
erclse in the appointment and assignment OF
men he preferred men of his own party. He
did not, he said, use the office as a machine TO
do any political act. Politics did not enter into
the administration Of the law. Democrats. he
said. had AZ good a chance as republicans. BE
denied that more appointments were made in
doubtful districts just before elections than at
other times OF that more pensions were granted
IN districts where votes were needed than in
others.
THE DIRECT TAX REFuNDING BILL
Senator Daniel today introduced joint reso-
luton declaring it to be the intent of the act TO
refund the direct tax that there should be
credited to each state or territory, ms provided
In the act, an amount equal to the
gether with such penalties, interest and
excess of tax as were collected from
the taxpayers, but not including such costs OF
collection as may have been cbSrgeable TO and
paid by such taxpayers, the interest being.
however. only such interest as may have been
date of payment and actually paid by them to
the collecting officers.
Accounts already settled are not affected by
this resolution.
TO Buy BONDS.
Senator PETER introduced bill to authorize
the Secretary Of the Treasury to exchange legal
tender notes in excess of the amount now in
use for all or any part Of the interest-bearing
debt of the United States. 1t provides
that when any person desires to
! surrender any interest-bearing debt Of the
United States whether due or not at the time
of presentation, the Secretary of the Treasury
shall issue legal tender notes IN payment there
for, together with all interest The notes are
to be on the same footing and governed by the
| same laws as now exist.
Mr.. OWEN ON THE STAND.
In the Ellis Island inquiry today Mr. Owen.
superintendent of immigration, submitted a
statement in reply to that made by Assistant
Secretary Nettjeton in reference to his official
conduct. He explained how the Ernest voucher
had been passed to pay for extra services of a
stenographer. and how the changes relating to
bids of medical instruments grew out Of an
error by a clerk and also went into explana-
ton OF other transactions referred to.
THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING LEAVES.
Senator Carey Of the committee on education
and labor has reported with an amendment,
the bill granting thirty days leave Of absence
to employees of the bureau of engraving and
printing. The amendment is a substitute for
the bill over the form of which there has been
SO much discussion in the Senate.
A PICTURE OF GEN. THOMAS.
Senator Voorhees,, from the committee on
the library, has reported favorably a bill APP
propriating 5000 for the purchase Of Alex
amber Lawrie's picture Of Gen. George II.
Thomas.
NOTES.
Senator Mills inherits the committee places
| filled by his predecessor, Senator Chiffon.
| They are places on the committees on coast de.
Tense, on mines and mining, on patents and on
post offices and post roads.
Mr.. O'Brien Moore, correspondent of the
st. Louis R.p,sJLicaf, has been appointed
| private secretary to Mr.. Mills, the new Senator
| from Texas.
| Mr.. w. r. Bates. private secretary to secre-
| tary Mcmillan and secretary of the Michigan
| state republican committee, has gone to Detroit
| to look after political matters. Mr.. Bates ex.
poets to be absent about month.