The Bessemer indicator., 1894-04-21
WASHINGTON NOTES
What coagrsss u Doi.s-Dspartassta
and Social Gossip


Senator Morgan from the committe,
on foreign relations has reported bill
to aid in constructing the Nicaragu,
canal.
| Senator Morrill, Of Vermont, who ii
the Oldest member of the upper house
celebrated his eighty-fourth birthday
last Sunday.
| The postoffice department has put
in telephone system connecting
Chicago with other leading cities in
cluding Washington.
The congressional committee which
went to Chicago to examine the post
Office building at that place does OF
think that it will fall down at presen,
but larger building is needed.
The finance committee of the Sen
ate has finally decided to put fruits on
the free list, regardless Of the remon'
strances from California and Florida,
where the competition of Mexico, the
Central American countries and the
West Indies is felt.
The Meyer bill to coin the seignior-
age and give authority for issuing 3
per cent bonds is said to have the ap-
proval of Secretary Carlisle, and he
expresses the opinion that the Presi-
dent would sign it. The coinage com
| mittee is considering il.
Two-thirds of the Dem ocrats being
now committed to rule for counting
quorum, it is certain that one will
be adopted. The Republicans will be
consulted as to the details. Their
votes will be needed to adopt it owing
to the opposition of many Democrats.
Four local sympathizers with the
Coxey movement have called upon the
President to request that the Washing
ton barracks be thrown open for the
accommodation of the Commonweal
army during its stay in the city. There
are accommodations for several thous-
and men in the barracks.
Postmaster General Bissel has is
sued an order providing that hereafter
only short names or names of one word
only shall be accepted for newly es.
tablished postofhces. Exceptions may
be made by the department when the
name is historical or has become local
by long usage. Satisfactory reasons
must be presented to the department
for changes Of postoffice names.
Representative Sperry has intro
duced bill providing for a new cur
rency system. The bill authorizes n
bank to deposit with the treasurer OF
the United States as security for cir
culation any interest bearing bonds
issued under due authority by the
United States or other states of the
United States, or by any county or
any municipal corporation located
within any such state.
Senator Vance of North Carolina
died in this city on the l4th Of ap-
poplexy He had been suffering for
some time from paralysis and com
plicaton of diseases, but the end was
sudden and unexpected, as he was re.
gaining his health and it was thought
was on his road to recovery. He was
compelled during the winter to leave
the Senate and go to Florida where he
| grew somewhat better
The Democrats of the House have at
last agreed to adopt n rule to count n
quorum. They held caucus to dis
cuss the question Friday night, and
after heated debate, by vote of 50
to "A, ordered the committee on rules
to prepare rule to ascertain and re-
cord quorum. Mr. Bland expressed
the opinion that it would be better for
the House to adjourn sine die than to
adopt the Reed rules.
Congressman Stone, a member oi
the jenkins investigating committee
says: while Judge jenkins certainl,
went too far in making such an order
the committee did not discover suff
cient evidence in the testimony /,
warrant recommendation of his i'm
parchment. He was sincere to all ap
pearances in his Interpretation of tn
law covering the case, but his inter
probation gave him grounds for to
strong a ruling"
A feeling among leading member
of the House of Representatives
that no action could be taken concern
ing the Breckenridge scandal, althoug
one of the best lawyers in the Hous
said the constitution gave ampl
authority. Some members interviewe,
declare that no action can be taken o
numerous petitions which are said
be on the way to the House demand
ing the expulsion of Breckinridgt
these members all affirming tn;
Breckenridge is only answerable to h
constituents. But the burden Of cor
gressional opinion is against this vie
though it is pretty generally admitte
that no action on the petitions will t
taken further than allowing them I
be read.
The avowed Democratic oppositio
to the tariff bill in the Senate number
three-Hill, Murphy and Smitl
There are thirty-seven Republican
who will vote solidly against the bill
Adding to these two Populists, Stew
art and Peffer. the strength of the q,