Los Angeles herald., 1892-12-10
AT THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT,
Yesterdays Doings at the Ma
tional Capital.
Another Bill Introduced to Stop the
Purchase of Silver.
Election of tho President by Popular
Vote Growing in Favor-Felton
Working for San Pedro
Harbor-Notes.
By the Associated Press ]

By the Associated Press
WASHINGTON, Dec. Civilians of
Massachusetts introduced in the house
today bill for the discontinuance of
silver purchases after February 1st next,
and setting aside as trust fund the
money received by the treasury for the
redemption of national bank notes,
which by the Sherman law OF 1890 is
made miscellaneous receipt"
The house adopted an amendment to
the rules to provide that business COM
ing over unfinished from one session OF
congress to the next may be considered
Immediately.
The following committee appoint
ments were announced by the speaker:
Judiciary, Fellows, New York; public
buildings and grounds, Bietz, Indiana;
enrolled bills, Scott, Illinois (chairman);
naval affaire, Brown, Maryland; mill
tary affairs, Gorman, Michigan; educa-
ton, McLaurin, South Carolina; en-
rolled bills, Ohliger, Ohio; invalid pen
sions, Cadmus, New Jersey; militia,
Sipe, Pennsylvania: war claims, Hill
born, California; expenditures in post
office department, Sipe, Pennsylvania;
military, McLaurin. South Carolina.
These appointments were made to fill
vacancies on account OF the death OF
members, and on account of the resigna-
tion from committee membership OF the
following gentlemen: Bacon. New York,
from the judiciary; Scott. Illinois, from
war claims; German, Michigan. from
expenditures of the postofiice depart
ment; Bretz, Indiana, from education.
Consideration of the senate bill,
with the house amendments relative
to public printing and binding, was
resumed. The motion to recommit
was withdrawn, and the vote by
which the bill was ordered to third
reading was reconsidered. The clauses
relating to the Office of superintendent
of public documents was stricken out,
and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A petition for the repeal Of the Geary
Chinese act, from citizans of Massa.
chusetts, was presented snd ordered
printed. Adjourned till Monday.
PROPOSED ELECTORAL REFORM.
The proposition to choose the presi-
dent by direct vote Of the people
promises to meet with more than usual
consideration by the committee on the
election of president and vice president
and representatives in congress. The
committee had a meeting today. At
the last session of congress Springer IT,
troduced joint resolution providing
for presidential and vice presidential
term of six years, with the ineligibilty OF
incumbents to election, and also pro-
viding g scheme for electing them by a
direct vote OF the people. Springer ad-
dressed the committee today and was
followed by Colonel Mcclure, who en-
dorsed Spfinger's sentiments. Repre-
sentative Beltzhoover CT Pennsylvania
introduced resolution in the house a
few days ago which has for its object
president by direct vote OF the people,
tee.
ENLOE AGAIN AFTER RAUM'S SCALP.
Representative Enloe, who assisted in
conducting the prosecution in the in
vestigation into the charges against the
administration of the pension office, has
returned to Washington. 1t will be re.
membered that the majority of the COM
mittee reported resolution recitirg
that, in the judgment of the house,
Commissioner Raum should be removed
from Office by the president. The report
was not considered by the house at the
last session and Enloe wants to push it
now. He also thinks come action should
be taken by congress that will result in
the looping off from the pension rolls
the names of great number OF persons
which have no right to be there.
SAN PEDRO HARBoR.
Since the United States engineers
have decided that the deep water har-
Dor on the southern coast of California
shall be built at San Pedro, Senator
FELTON,, who favored that port, has set
to work to secure an appropriation to
begin the work of constructing an i'm
mense breakwater, which is 10 cost
about $3 600, 900 when completed. The
senator thinks that $3.50 900 can be se-
cured at this session. Once the work is
begun, it will not be very difficult to
place the project under the continuous
contract system, which would secure its
completion without scrambiee forimoney
in congress at each session.
ALvIso SLOUGH UNWORTHY OF IMPROVE
MENT.
Lieutenant-Colonel Benyard has re-
ported that Alviso slough is unworthy
of improvement, the conditions being
about the same that they were two years
ago when similar report was made.
The isolated position OF the slough and
its distance from the centeis of trade OF
the Santa Clara valley necessarily
limit the amount and character of the
freight. Were it possible to extend the
navigation of Alviso slough to San Jose
or Santa Clara, the officer says the
question would assume different aspect.
THE STATEHOOD QUESTION.
The strong pressure being exerted by
the territories makes it now probable
thata joint conference of the Democratic
senators and representatives will be
held within few days to determine the
steps to be taken by the party in the
two houses in relation to the admission
OF the territories into the union.
THE MILITARY BUDGET.
TIE committee on military affairs of
the house has completed the annual
military appropriation bill. 1t makes
total appropriation of $24,202, ,739, or
1851 ,766 less than for this year, ard
$l,720, ZIG less than estimated.
THE PENSION DEFICIT.
The secretary of the treasury has in
formed the speaker of the house that
the deficiencies for the cnrrent f;ccol