The Portland daily press., 1893-01-06
Position Taken by the Republicans
in Congress.
FAIR PLAY FOR THE FAR WESTERN
CLAIMANTS TO BE DEMANDED.
Culberson's Compromise Silver Bill-Mex-
lean War Veterans Made Happy
Some Pension Figures--Debate on
Anti-Option Bill-Tho Presidents
Health.

WASHINGTON, January 5.-Senator
Hill introduced resolution which went
over until tomorrow calling on the Secre-
tary of State for his opinion as to
whether the Chandler immigration sus-
pension bill is in violation of existing
treaties,
The Senate bill to pay the representa-
tiyes of John Roach, shipbuilder, $685.
1850, balance due on United States
Dolphin, was discussed for about an hour
and laid aside without action. The Sen
ate bill compelling witnesses to testify
before the Interstate commerce commits
sioners passed.
Still Harping Upon Anti-Option.
The anti-option bill was taken up. Mr..
Villas, dem, addressed the Senate in OPP
position on the ground that is is uncon-
stitutional He said the purpose of the
measure is not to raise revenue, but ap-
ply federal power, to the determination
of the now universal method of making
sales of enumerated ARTICLES. He dealt
with the bill as it had relation to legiti-
mate transactions, based upon and sup
ported by the laws of every state in the
Union.
Mr. Washburn, rep, asked Mr. Villas
whether contracts would be enforced by
any court when the facts were absolutely
brought out that neither party expected
the delivery of the article.
Mr. Vilas-Clearly not. Nothing |
have to say in this debate will have the
least reference to any such contracts,
except to distinguish them entirely, and
set them apart from those with which
this bill is chiefly concerned.
Mr.. Washburn-Then % per cent of
such transactions have not been enforced
by the courts, because 95 per cent of the
transactions on produce exchanges and
cotton exchanges are precisely OF that
character, and so recognized the world
| over.
Mr.. Viias-If the Senator wishes to
| limit his bill to gambling transactions,
| and if the Senate will agree With him, it
will be very easy to draw an amendment
| to it that will leave no doubt about its
effect-and purpose.
Mr.. Washburn-I hope the Senator
| will offer such an amendment, because
that is what am aiming at.
| Mr.. Vilas-It may be shall take adj
vantage myself of that invitation.
Mr.. Viias concluded his speech and the
| Senate adjourned.
Fair Play for Western Claimants.
| WASHINGTON, January 5.-The Repub-
| 1icans of the Senate met in caucus this
| morning. A committee, consisting OF
| Messrs. Allen, Hoar, Mitchell. Chandler
and Higgins, all Republican members of
the committee on privileges and cleo
tions, was appointed to take special
charge of the subject of organization,
and incidentally thereto the matter of
| election of senators in the Western
States, where the fight is now on. The
| politicians will see that there is nothing
! to jeopardize the chances of the Repub-
| licans, and will prepare all cases, so that
| in the event of the contests which are in
evitable, the best possible front can be
| made. The question on the order of
business was secondary to the more inn
portant matter of organizing, but COM
mittee to agree upon some working plan
| was appointed in the persons of Sena-
tors Sherman, Frye, Dolph, Cullom,
| Platt Washburn and Quay.
| A Few Pension Figures.
| WASHINGTON, January 5.-Commiss-
ioner Raum has prepared some figures
on pension expenditures, more recent by
several months, than those contained IN
/ his annual report. They show that on
! December /, 1892, there were 92O, $50 pen
sioners on the roll. Since July 1, 1892,
| IS. 7f6 O iginal pensions had been granted
| and increase in ,305 cases had been
| allowed. The number of claims pending
| December 10 were 776,6S7. For the first
| six months of the present fiscal year
there was paid out on account of PEN
sions $50, 423, ,903.
/ WASHINGTON, January 5-After the
] transaction of routine business in the
| House, consideration of private pension
| bills was resumed. After one was defeated
/ by unanimous consent, the House pro-
| ceeded in committee of the whole to con-
sideration of the fortifcations bill.
There was no general debate and the bill
passed without amendment. 1t appro-
PIRATES 81, 1876, ,055.
Consideration private pension bills was
resumed and a few passed without op-
| position. At $50 the House adjourned.
The Presidents Health Coed.
| WASHINGTON, January 5.-Regarding
! the published Statement that President
Harrison's health is failing and he is
likely to break down before his term of
office closes, Postmas er General Wana-
maker today said: "The President is in
perfect health and has not for four years
been away from his desk single day
from personal sickness"
/ A Good Riddance.
| WASHINGTON. January 5.-According
to the report of Secretary Rusk on oper-
ations of the bureau of animal industry
! for the year 1892, laid before the Senate
today, pleuro-pneumonia has completely
/ disappeared from this country.
Thinks 1t Will Spread.
| WASHINGTON. January 5.-The Ma
rine hospital service has received no Off
cial information from New York relative
to typhus fever cases. DR.. Wyman said
the disease is highly contagious and liza
] BILE to spread. He considered the state
authorities able to deal with it, looks for
| no great trouble from it and thinks it
| viii soon be under control.
Compromise ON silver.
| WASHINGTON, January 5.--Represeita-
tive Culberson, DEM, of Texas, chair
| man of the judiciary committee, has pre-