The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-01-31
THE WEEK IN WASHINGTON.
Minor Matters of Interest in the Capital
City.

City.
SUNDAY JAN. 2o.--Assistant Attorney-General
Thomas, of the Postofiice Department, has
made some important rulings governing OIL
lenses of lottery nature. In connection
with newspaper notices the Department
rules that it is immaterial whether tho re-
suit Of lottery drawing is published as
news without pay, or as an advertisement,
with pay. Newspapers containing the re-
suit Of the awarding of such prizes are nom
maable. The only exceptions made are in
the cases OF newspapers publishing such mat
ter in order TO expose the concerns. The
Department also decides that the awarding
of a prize TO the person guessing the nearest
number OF seeds in a watermelon would be
lottery though the guessing OF weight oil a
melon would not constitute lottery, if the
guess were made after the melon had been
lifted. The award of a prize to the one
guessing nearest the number of beans IN
clear glass bottle set in plain view is also
held TO be lottery.
MONDAY. JAN. 2l.-Attorney- General olney
decided that goods imported and entered for
warehouse prior 10 the tariff act of 1884, and
not withdrawn for consumption within three
wears from the date of the original importa-
tion, are unaffected by the new rates OF duty.
The decision also applies to all goods imported
prior to 1894 and then subject to the tariff
chandise" SO long as il remains unsold, he
also decides, may be withdrawn for consump-
ton upon payment of the new rates of duty
at any time within three years from the date
of original importation.
TUESDAY, JAN. 22-The movement for i'm
proved election methods in the South was
forcibly brought TO the attention OF the
United States Senate to-day through Senator
Butler. Of South Carolina, and Mr.. Allen,
Nh NJ nn rrR PM p0
memorial from Hon. Sampson Pope. late
Democratic candidate for Governor of South
Carolina asking for the appointment OF
Senate committee TO investigate the Novem-
her election in that State. After stating the
fact Of his candidacy, Mr.. Pope says that he
was defrauded in the election TO such an eK-
tent as 10 deprive him OF the Office, and he
asks that committee Of the Senate be APP
pointed TO investigate the conduct Of he cleo
ton Senator Allen presented copies OF a num-
Der of affidavifs in the Congressional election
In the Fourth District of Alabama. In which
Dir. Aldrich was the fusion candidate and q.
A. Robbins the Democratic candidate. The
affdayits allege fraud in the election OF hob
bins There are sworn statements from sew
eral precincts going to show that the returns
showed vote for Robbins many times larger
than the entire vote Of the precinct.-Ihe
cases OF Elrerton K. Chapman and John ).
Shriyer two of the witnesses who refused to
answer the questions put to them by the
Senate Sugar Trust Investigating Committee
last Summer, and who were indicted by the
local courts for such refusal. reached the
United States Supreme Court to-day, when
Attorney Jere NJ. Wilson appeared for Mr..
Chapman and Judge DitteDhoefer for Mr..
Shriver, and both re-entered motions for
leave TO file petitions for writs of habeas
corpus in behalf of their respective clients.
Solicitor General Maxwell present on
behalf OF the Government, and stated that he
shoula like an opportunity to inspect the
briefs. with the view, If considered necessary,
OF fling briefs for the Government.
WEDNESDAY,, JAN 23-Sr Julian Pauncefote,
the British Ambassador. called at the Treas
ury Department and discussed with Secre-
tary Carlisle the preparation of the new seal
regulations for the approaching season. A
serious matter in connection with this sub
1cct is the enormous cost to the United States
Of maintaining its patrol fleet in Boring Sea,
which seems TO be altogether out of proper
ton with the results obtained. The dscov-
cry that seals be killed with almost as
much facility on the fishing banks so miles
from The Prybylov Islands, aud outside tie
prohibited zone. as on tho islands themselves,
seems to render the preservation OF seal life
hopeless task. and the joint patrol of Ber-
ing Sea useless expense. as FAR as the United
States is concerned. Officials familiar with
the seal question concur in the opinion that
the Paris award provides no adequate means
for preventing the determination OF the fur
cal BY British Columbian poachers.-Goy-
elect Evans OF Tennessee, WAS ia the city
to-day. and lac expressed the opinion that
the Democrats in that State intended TO count
him out OF the Office to which he was hon.
estly elected. Notwithstanding the fact that
all the leading Democratic newspapers
OF the country, aud even OF the State Of
Tennessee, have denounced this proposed
action Of the Tennessee Democrats, the ring
there viii persist in its course.
THURSDAY, JAS. 24-Another displacement OF
Senator occurred in the Senate, when Mr.
Jarvis Of North Carolina a Democrat who
had held an appointment from the Governor
10 eli the vacancy caused by the death of
Senator Vance, introduced and made way for
bis successor, Mr. Prtchard. who has boon
recently elected by the Legislature to eli Sem
stor Nanccs unexpired term Mr.. pritchard
Ma Republican, and after being sworn in be
took "A scat next 60 Mr.. Chandler who subse.
queutly offered a resolution 10 pay Mr.. Jarvis
s24 for lis last two days service which reso.
luton was Immediately agreed to- The State
OF North Carolina has not been represented
by Republican in the Senate since the Re-
construction period, Senator John Poolc's
term having expired % years ago. On the
4lh Of March next Mr.. Pritchard will have
Populist Tor his colleague, in the person of
Mr. Butler. who was elected at the same time
as himself 10 succeed Senator Ransom, Demo
Graf.
FRIDAY. JAH. 25.--Friends Of Mrs Ben Har-
din Helm are making earnest efforts 10 pre-
vent the confirmation OF Mr. Joplin who W AZ
appointed 10 succeed her as Postmaster at
Eiizabeiht0wn. KY. Mrs. Helm was a
younger sister Of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln,
and Is the widow of Gen. Helm, who fell at
Atlanta while leading part OF the Confed.
crate forces. Her husbands friends are ure-
ing Senator Blackburn TO use his influence
10 prevent confirmation at this session. Mrs.
Helm Will continue in Office until her suc.
cessor IS commissioned. aud her friends in
tend II the Senate fails TO act to beseech
the President not TO again appoint Mr. Jon
lin, but 10 leave Mrs. Helm undisiurbed
SATURDAY. JAN. 26-0ficial reports 10 the
Bureau Of Road Inquiry show That increased
interest is being taken in the good roads
movement, and that large proportion of the
railroad companies have agreed 10 further
the movement by Offering very low rates
whenever any general movement is started.
Gen. Roy Stone, in charge OF the bureau
said: "Jn Indiana aud Missouri active inter-
est Is being taken in the movement In Ne.
brasKa thcre Is not much need for general
roaG improvements except in the river Coun-
ties, owing 20 the naturally good roads.
helped Lately by the very dry weather Kan.
sas is interested IN the question 10 make the
Improvements. Nearly all Of the Southern
States are taking some steps In road building.
either by increased use OF convict labor or by
County bonding Michigan will take some
INT cfn Aatrf.