The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-08-11


Il seems that the War Department has
small-siz labor war on its hands, arising out
of the employment Of several Army bands by
knights Templar Communicates attending the
Conclave ct Denver, Colo. The National Asso-
| citation Of Musicians has made protest to the
Secretary of War against such employment OF
Army bands as an Infringement on the rights
| of civilian musicians, who assert that Army
musicians are enabled to underbid them because
| of the Government pay they receive. Gen. L.
| A. Grant, Acting Secretary of War. has replied
| to the Association that the Department has
done nothing whatever in the matter except to
grant leaves of absence to members OF the
bands in question. He says that it is impos-
sible for the Army to obtain good musicians
without permitting them to make extra money
by private employment but that all Army
bands are strictly prohibited from underbid-
ding civilian bands under any circumstances.
There are six Army bands with the Knights
Templar at Denver. As stated at the Depart
ment, they are not acting under orders, but
are simply absent from their posts on leave
of absence.
The usual lively scenes attendant upon the
adjournment of Congress occurred in the
House on Friday evening. Everything went
along smoothly until the conference report on
the sundry civil appropriation bill came in,
and the conclusions reached on the clause con-
corning the employment of Pinkerton detect
ives taken up. Messrs Holman, Ssyers and
Bingham, members of the Conference Commit
tee explained the situation and asked the
House to agree to the report; but Mr.. O'Neill,
of Missouri, who had introduced the amend
ment prohibiting the employment of the
Pinkertons by the Government for any pur-
pose, would hear to nothing of the kind, and
made one of his ringing speeches in opposition
to the acceptance of the report. He character
lied the report as q miserable makeshft and
breakdown on the part of the House conferees.
Mr.. Simpson, of Kansas. made one OF his char
acteristic speeches in condemnation of the re-
port, calling the Pinkertons ARMED thugs,
robbers and murderers," and threatening the
members who voted for the acceptance of the
report with being left at home at the coming
elections He also said that the steel works at
Homestead were properly called "steal."
had expired, and called forth cries of Rats"
from many of the members, and the Speaker
ordered the official reporter to strike out the
remarks which were made ont of order. Mr..
Johnson of Indiana, shouted that the re-
porter would do himself honor by striking out
everything Mr.. Simpson had said. Mr.. Sayers
of Texas, then pitched into Mr.. Simpson and
handled him without gloves. The excitement
was great, and the Sergeant-at- Arms had to use
the mace to preserve order.
At the recent conclave Of the bishops Of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church and of the
African NJ. E. Zion Church. the conclave, in
behalf of the 1000. 600 colored people of that
religions belief in the United States, sent pc
tition to Congress asking representation at the
Worlds Columbian Exposition at Chicago. The
petition argues that it would be just and proper
to the Nation, and to these newly made citi-
zens of the United States, that the moral, in
tellecsual, and industrial progress and devel-
opment of the colored people during the first
quarter of century OF their freedom should be
made to form part of tho Governments ex-
hibit at the Worlds Fair. and they ask that
$4,000 be appropriated for this purpose.
80
The first case to come up under the new
eight-hour law recently passed by Congress and
approved by President Harrison. occurred in
the Treasury Department on Wednesday, Aug.
3. when Secretary Foster postponed the open
ing of the bids which had been received for the
construction Of the public building at Whining
ton, Dei in order that the bidders might have
an opportunity to modify their proposals in
accordance with the new labor law. which
limits the time of employment on all Govern
ment work to eight hours day.
The House Committee on the Judiciary met
on Thursday, Aug. 4, to consider the report of
Representative Oates, of Alabama on the inyes-
tigation made by tho Subcommittee into tho
recent disturbances at Homestead, Pa. The
report had been already acted upon by the Sub
committee, which came to the conclusion that
partial report on the matter should not be
made at this session, and that it would be better
to wait until all the testimony had been re.
ceived from the Pinkertons and the knights Of
Labor. Another reason given for the delay is
that some of the members of the Judiciary Com
mittee are away, and it was thought better to
have full attendance to consider this import
ant matter. The vote Of the Subcommittee
resulted three to two in favor of allowing the
report to 60 over until next session. Accord