Los Angeles herald., 1892-04-17
The House Struggling With the
Naval Bill.
Holman Opposes Appropriations for
New Ships.
A Deficiency In the Pension Appr0-
priatiOn Anticipated.
Raum,s Rotten Administration of the
Pension Bureau-Bering Sea Pa
troll. Notes.
4, ,.soc;.ted Press Dispatches.

preparation Dill.
Pendleton of West Virginia opposed
the motion by Holman to strike out the
clause for the construction OF one
armored cruiser; also Boutelle's amend
ment for the construction of two battle
ships and torpedo boats.
Holman addressed the committee on
the bill, and in the course of his speech
asked what emergency required the ex-
penditure of this vast sum. He con-
tended that in a brief space of time
American ingenuity and industry would
i,nproyise vessels that could meet the
most powerful ships OF any navy in the
world. The people of this country,
who wished for plain government, would
not approve the policy of taxing them
for a navy which is beyond its needs.
Fellows of New York was glad the
issue was drawn, and hoped the country,
through its representatives, would be
compelled to place iteelt on record at
once and forever as to whether it de-
sired to stop the work which designs to
sustain the honor OF the flag, protect the
dignity of the American name, and
which is truer economy than any other
that could come before congress.
Watson OF Georgia saw no necessity OF
an increased navy.
Cummings of New York favored Bou-
telle's amendment, and antagohized
Homan's motion to strike out the clause
providing for the construction OF new
cruiser.
Pending further discussion the COM
mittee rose and the house adjourned.
THE RAUM INVESTIGATION.
Ia the Raum Investigation today Nc
Cullough, pension Office clerk, testi-
fed that the matter was general talk in
the office that John Raum, the commits
sioner's son, had an unusually large
number of earlier cases taken up on the
completed files order.
John d. Peyton testified that he had
been discharged from the pension office
for offensive partisanship, in aiding
the Democratic party in getting up a
campaign book, and neglect of duty.
Witness denied the truth of the charges
and complained that Secretary Noble
dismissed him without giving him an
opportunity to defend himself against
the charges.
Warden Burke, OF the United States
jail and commander OF Mead post, G..
A. R., testified that he endeavored to
have reinstated in the pension office as
clerk an old soldier named McGinnis,
who was dismissed on no other grounds
than that he was Democrat, but Raum
said this was Republican administra-
ton, and refused to recommend his re-
lnstatement.
MILLIONS FOR PENSIONS.
The belief prevails among many sena-
tors that the cut of the appropriation
for pensions is below the absolute re-
quirements of the law. It is probable
that the appropriations will be swelled
several million dollars when it is re-
turned to the house by the senate. The
commissioner, on submitting the esti-
mates to congress CT the amount Of
money required to pay the pensions
during the next fiscal year, placed the
sum at $l47 600 900. The house ap-
propriations committee cut $l3 1000, 900
from this estimate. The reason assigned
for the reduction was the belief that at
the end of the present fiscal year there
would remain unexpended from the gen.
eral appropriations, about SIS, ,000, 900.
That action was taken by the house
meantime the pension office has beer
working along with much diligence, and
paid so many pensions that the sena-
tors have come to the conclusion that
the surplus of the fiscal year will bt
only about $5,00O,000, which, if true
would oblige the senate to add nearly
$10,000,000.
BERING SEA PATROL.
ha y,.k Ctok cfn Do
will be put in commission in San Fran
cisco on the 25th instant, and will be
assigned to patrol duty in Bering sea
The other naval vessels selected for the
purpose are the Yorktown Mohican and
Adams. They will be reinforced by the
revenue vessels Corwin, Rush and Alba
tross. Seven vessels will comprise the
entire American fleet to guard the
waters OF the Berng sea during the
coming season. They will be assisted
in the service by several British wal
ships of the Pacific station. The reve
nue. steamer Bear has been ordered tc
carry supplies to the station at Point
Barrow, Alaska.
THE RUSH AND THE BEAR.
The secretary of the treasury has
oiNCiCu GhC ACNOiuC 6tCdh6lS huSu dAU
Bear, at San Francisco, to proceed al
once to Port Townsend and await orders.
This action indicates that an agreement
has been reached between the United
States and Great Britain in regard to
pelagic sealing ia Bering sea, and that
instructions to the vessels Of this coun.
try are now in course OF preparation
These instructions will be mailed to the
revenue vessels and naval vessels at Port
Townsend.
GoRMAN COPYRIGHT AGREEMENT.
The secretary of state and Mr.. Won
Holleben, the German minister, ex
changed on the 18th inst. the ratifica-
tions of the respective governments o.
the copyright agreement between the
United States and Germany. The agree
ment will go into operation at the ex.
piration of three weeks, and will be
applicable only to works published after
the time when it shall have gone into
operation.
HUGH THOMPSON RESIGNS.
Hugh S. Thomson called on the presi.
dent this morning and formally ten.
dered his resignation as a member o
the civil service commission, to take
effect May 18th. He has been appoint.
ed comptroller of the New York Life
insurance company.
BEET SUGAR BOUNTY.