The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-01-07
The President Enlarges the Classi-
fled List.
SENATOR CHANDLER PREFERS
CHARGES AGAINST TREASURY
OFFICIALS.

WASHINGTON, January 6.-The Presi-
dent has extended, by amendment to
Postal Rule /, the classification of the
postal service to include all free delivery
offices, of which there is understood to
be COL, 53 of these offices are at present
classified.
The President has also approved the
amendment to classification of the agri-
cultural department, bringing within the
classification of that department en-
ployes of the weather bureau elsewhere
than Washington.
The number of persons affected by this
change of classification is between one
and two hundred.
The new extension will make the total
number of places within the classified
service 49,600.
A Mighty Short Step.
WASHINGTON, January 6.-The first
active step towards the report to the
House of proposition for repeal of the
Sherman silver bullion purchase act was
taken this morning by the House COM
mittee on banking and currency, which
briefly discussed the repeal of the act
and then adjourned until tomorrow after
noon, when it will further consider the
matter. Meanwhile several compromises
on the silver subject are maturing, mem
bers hoping to find some common ground
on which agreement may be reached that
will stop present bullion purchases.
Tilt Between Frye and Chandler.
In the Senate Mr.. Hills resolution of
yesterday as to the immigration bill was
taken up and agreed to. After routine
morning business the Senate bill grant
ing additional quarantine powers and
imposing additional duties upon the
marine hospital service was taken up as
special order. There was discussion
by Chandler, Harris and Vest on the pro-
priety of restricting immigration. Mr..
Chandler strongly advocated the suspen-
sion of immigration for one year.
MI. Platt asked whether the seventh
section of the quarantine bill giving the
President power to suspend immigra-
II-tion) would not answer the purpose.
Mr.. Chandler said it would be coward
" to lay the responsibility on the Presi-
dent For 80 or 60 days after March 4th
the President would have more trouble
some subjects to deal with than con-.
tagious and infectious diseases.
Mr. Frye-The President who is to
come in March 4th has courage enough
to issue q proclamation to suspend i'm
migration if in his Judgment it is neces-
sary; because, long before March 4th, he
issued proclamation to prevent what
he believed would be the Infection in
the Senate. Laughter.
Mr.. Chandler-I dislike the Senator's
flippant way of introducing humor into
discussion of serious subjects. | do not
think the President-elect has any views
on the subject of the suspension of inn
migration on account of the cholera. /
do not believe he will want to take up
the subject after March a.
Mr.. Chandler spoke of the inconsistent
cy of admitting ''ten dollar Immigrants
and excluding self-supporting industri-
GUS men under the labor contract law.
MI Frye interposed the remark that
the most cleanly people on the face of
the earth, the Chinese were excluded by
law.
Mr.. Chandler said he invoked the aid
of the North German Lloyd Steamship
Company and press to aid in improving
the condition of the steerage passengers
on the vessels of that company. Influ-
ences from time to time exercised by
steamship companies prevented any pro-
gress in legislation. He made no charge
of illegitimate influences.
Referring to North German Lloyd
Steamship Company Mr.. Chandler said
it was the favorite route of the secretary
of the treasury, the commissioner of
immigration and other treasury officials.
When they 60 abroad it had always, he
said, given them the very best accom-
modations, and if they ran short of
money while on the other side and Con-
gress was negligent about providing
means for their transit and support over
there it loaned them money.
The bill was opposed by Messrs. Nc
Pherson, Mills and Platt, and favored by
Mr.. Dolph, who suggested notifications,
which were agreed to, consisting mostly
of proposal to substitute the words
secretary of treasury for words ''ma-
rine hospital service"
Other amendments, mostly verbal,
were offered by Messrs. Vest, Call, Nor
gan, Teller, and Mcpherson. Some were
agreed to, the rest went over without
action. The bill was ordered printed
with all amendments and the Senate adj
iourned.
Private Pension Legislation.
In his prayer in the House this morn
ing, the chaplain uttered a special invoca-
and legislators of the several states.
The Speaker, after approval of the
journal and a fruitless call of committees
for reports, stated that December II a
bill was called up extending the provis-
ions of The act to provide for muster and
pay officers and men of the volunteer
forces, the consideration of which was
postponed until today. The bill was
then passed.
The House proceeded to the consider
alton of the unfinished business of pri-
vate pension bills coming over from last
session. Four or five passed without
opposition.
Mr.. Eilgere made the point of no quo
rum on the next A call of the House
was ordered and 1876 members responded.
Then about twenty-five private pension
bills passed without opposition.
At 430 the House adjourned.
Checking the Coal Barons.
WASHINGTON, January 6.--The special
Reading investigation and report will,
l.. H. hi -,