Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-07-10
WASHINGTON TOPICS.
Closing Stages Of the Present Ses-
sion Of Congress.
Odds and Ends Of Work-The Committees
Struggling for Precedence.

WASHINGTON, July o. Special. -
At this stage of the session dozen COM
mittces arc struggling for precedence in
their respective days in the house, and If
the statements Of each committee were ac-
npted as to the Importance of its work
discussion would probably stretch out till
October. Ways and means, of course, con-
siders it's work done when it shall have
disposed Of the tariff bill for finality, and
although Chairman Wilson is still spare
from the effects Of his recent illness he Is
as active as ever.
Naval affairs has had an extraordinary
experience this year in the line of investi-
cation and still has to deal with the long
promised treasure for recognizing the
personnel II the navy. Secretary Herbert
has already begun the work Of transferring
and consolidation, having given new adj
mirals 10 all the fleets except that on the
south Atlantic station, where Admiral
kirkland is expected to remain for several
years. Commodore Lester A. Beardslee
is TO take the Pacific squadron, while Ad-
miral Walker viii come east, probably to
be superintendent Of the Naval academy.
Commodore Bcardstcc will czoceed to
Honolulu early. in August.
Changes In Naval Commanders.
Admiral Sksrrett, now commanding the
Aaiatic squadron, his ship being the Bal
timOre, which is III tho Korean waters, Is
In bad health at present, and it is expected
that he Will soon retro under the 20 year
service lay. Noxtin rank to him in that
command 81 Commodore Joseph Fyffc,
who Is to bc made rear admiral and retired
under the Same law of service, which will
leave room for the promotion OF Commo-
aore Stanton, now commanding the north
Atlantic station. If hc also goes on the re-
tired list lis ho Is entitled to do, COnmo-
doro Erbcn win Dc made rear admiral.
There ara many minor changes contem-
plated, ard incidentally few more inves-
legations a9 to naval armament are hintcd
mt. The committee On foreign affairs i'd
mit3 that II Dragged little too soOn about
closing its career for the session In tho
midst of d universal peace, for thcro has
been nctual fighting In Korea, and there
is promise Of u good deal more.
Chairman Bankhcad thinks the com
mitteo on public buildings and grounds
has got rather the worst treatment of the
lot. Mr.. Holman received the most abuse,
of course, but no carried his Indian bill
through while Mr.. Bankhcad has been
defeated On almost every Lending measure,
COMMITTEES, but because the house has been
In an cxasporatcd state of mind generally
about tho proposed government printing
Office, tho hail of records and other public
buildings.
Tho judiciary left moro important bills
to tho last than any other committee in
tho house and has been overcrowded in
consequences. Among its important meas
urcs arc bills providing for additional
judges, moro clearly defining the jurisdlc-
ton of tho circuit courts, providing for the
inspection Of immigrants by United States
consuls, providing that tho United States
railway commissioners shall for purposes
of jurisdiction BIO deemed citizens of tho
respective states their lines of railway may
traverse, md bills more explicitly pre-
scribing tho foes and defining the duties
of United States commissioners, clerks and
other minor officers. Out of the vast mass
of bills before IL the committee selected
nine as the most important, and most of
these will become laws unless the senate
discovers flaws in some of them. In like
manner the commerce committee has Sc
lcctcd few bills Of special Importance
which 1t intends to urge at every oppor
tunity One of these extends the benefits
of tho marine hospital, and another pro-
vides for the greater efficiency Of the life
saving service. Still another provides foi
retiring all officers Of the revenue cutte,
service who have become in any degree in
capaeitatcd by age or physical disabilities,
the vacancies thus created to be filled by
promotion.
War Claims Long Overdue.
The committee on war claims has had
referred to 1t this session !, 960 bills and
227 petitions A single bill often contains
several hundred claims, SO there have al
ready been before this committee u little
over 49, 900 claims The great bulk con
sist Of claims of soldiers wanting back pay
and bounty, and officers wanting pay for
the interval between commission and
muster I'M, and contractors who have not
been paid for supplies. In a clear majority
of these cases, says the committee, the
claimants ore clearly entitled TO payment
by law, but che treasury does not feel
authorized to my them.
There arc several thousand claims for
money which the dsbursing officer re-
oeived, but never paid to the soldier, and
In cases Of colOrcd soldiers hundreds of re-
Ccipts were given by somebody when the
enldier did not receive tho money and
could neither read nor write. There arc
several hundred cases of unnaturalizcd
foreigners and others who were illegally
drafted and paid the $500 of Communication
under threat OF imprisonment and in ig
noranco Of their rights, In several cases
men were drafted while actually serving
IN tho army, and their families paid tho
money In Ignorance The committee de-
olarcs that the government still owes sew
eral million dollars to soldiers but thus
far no one has been able TO devise IA gen
eral law under which all could Sue, and
SO year after year these claims como up,
and at each congress few hundred filter
through,
Minor Matters.
The district committee has at last got
mi expression from tho responsible people
of Washington, and it is probable that the
grand improvement scheme will be adopt
cd. The first proposition is to issue bonds
to the amount of 81, 500, 600 and complete
the sewerage and street extension system.
This done, say the city physicians, Wash
mgton malaria will cease to be- and the
,ity will be fixed for an additional popu-
lation OF 100, 900. The great boulevard,
gardens and other mere adornments arc