Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-21
CAPITOL TOPICS.
More Bank Defaulter LeEisiatio


If proposed legislative action could in any
way add to the security Of depositors In
national banks they would have cause for
gratitude to their congressional Represent
atives. To the many bills introduced to
increase the punishment for embezzlement
by directors. officers or agents of national
banks Representative Bryan OF Nebraska
has added one more. HIS bill provides as
follows:
Every president, director, cashier. teller,
clerk or agent of any association who en-
bezxles abstracts or wilfully misapplies
any of the moneys, funds, or credits OF the
association shall be guilty Of a misdemea-
nor. and shall be imprisoned not less than
nve years nor more than ten years II the
amount embezzled is less than $4,000; and
not less than ten years nor more than twen-
ty-fve years IL the amount embezzled Is
$4,000 or more and less than SIS. 600: and not
less thar twenty-five years nor more than
forty years II the amount embezzled Is more
than $25OOO; and persons arrested
under this act shall receive no other or
better treatment or greater privileges while
In custody before conviction or after con-
viction than is accorded to persons In custo-
dy for violation Of other laws Of the United
States"
Postal Employer.
A bill has been introduced In the House
by Representative Bynum of Indiana
which will have a somewhat revolutionary
effect on the railway postal service II the
principle it contains is enacted into law.
1t provides for the reinstatement as fast
as vacancies occur therein of those en-
ployes of the railway postal service who
were discharged between the 18th of March
and LIST Of May, 1889. 1t will be remembered
that just before President Cleveland re-
tired at the end of his first term he placed
the railway postal service under the civil
service rules to take effect March Is. Pres
ident Harrison extended the time until May
l. and Mr.. Bynum asserts that the extern
sion thus gained was utilized for the dis
charge Of democratic clerks. He charges
that blank discharges were made out dated
previous to May !, and used for dismissing
employees as late as in July and August.
He has. he says, endeavored to secure the
reinstatement Of these men. but failed be-
| cause of opposition from the civil service
commission. He now seeks relief for them
by means Of congressional action.
A New National Bank Tax and Fund.
Representative Bryan of Nebraska has
introduced bill to protect depositors in
national banks. 1t provides that upon the
first of each fiscal year there shall be due
from every national bank a tax of one
fourth of l per cent upon the average
amount Of deposits held in its custody dur
ing the last quarter of the preceding year.
From this fund the controller of the cur
rency is authorized to pay to depositors in
claims. When the fund has reached the
sum of ten millions of dollars the controller
is authorized to suspend the further collec-
ton of the tax until such time as the fund
shall fall below the sum of ten millions, the
intention being to keep 1t at that sum. To
prevent a contraction of the currency in cir
culation by the withdrawal of this ten mil
lions the Secretary of the Treasury Is d.
rected to issue an equal amount of green
backs and add them to the general fund of
the treasury. The United States shall as
sumo no liability to depositors under the
bill. acting merely as trustee in their be-
half in the distribution of money.
Dispensing With Proofs of Loyalty.
The House judiciary committee today Or
dered a favorable report on the bill intro
duced by Mr.. Oates of Alabama repeating
that section of the statutes which requires
proof of loyalty during the war of the re-
bellion as a prerequisite to being restored
or admitted to the pension roll. Proof of
loyalty Is also dispensed with in applica-
lions for bounty lands where the proof
otherwise shows that the applicant is en-
titled to il.
The bankruptcy bill was made the special
order for the meeting on Tuesday next.
The New Folding Room Contract.
The sergeant-at-arms Of the Senate Col
Bright. has awarded to Frank N Carver Of
this city the contract for the erection of
the new building to be used as a folding
room for the Senate. to be located on the
ground Immediately west Of the Maltby
House. He was the lowest bidder at S. $50
and is to turn the building over to the SER
geant-at-arms in finished condition on
the 18th of October of this year.