New-York tribune., 1896-05-14
PITNEY'S PASSAGE AT ARMS.
THE NEw-JERsEY CONGRESSMAN GOT
HIS CANNON
A BILL TO CLEAR A MANuMITTED SLAVE 5
ESTATE OF THE GOVERNMENTS CLOUD UPON
THE TITLE-sENAToR SMITH RETURNS
HOPEFULLY FROM TRENTON.


[DY TFLEoRAFH TO THE IRIBUNE.l
Washington. May l3-The Pitney Evans incident
closed to-day after half-hOur's debate. II VIII
be remembered that 1t over an objection by
Mr.. Evans. OF Kentucky, to the consideration or Mr.
Pltney's bill granting four condemned cannon TO
John H. Hill Post. Boonton. n. j., In retaliation Tor
Mr.. Ptneys obiecting to a Kentucky claim against
the Government. After the passage OF the Pitney
bill Mr.. Evans learned that the motion TO reconsider
and table that motion had not been made, whereupoh
he entered motion to reconsider. To-day MT f1'-
ney brought up the matter. so ae to let the Dill pe
TO the Senate. Mr.. Evans asked to defer action
till tomorrow. The debate that followed between
these gentlemen showed that the Jerseyman wanted
resent the Idea that Congressional legislation was
to be effected by deals between members as to meas
He said that the claim Of Samuel Mckee,
Congressional contestant of thirty years ago. to
Which he had objected had not been filed until four
teen years had elapsed and 1t barred BY the
Statute Of Limitations. No vouchers required by
law. had been presented. After the Kentuckan had
replied. he withdrew the motion to reconsider, and
Mr.. Pitney's point was carried. The incident
aed some amusement in the House.
A MANUMTrTED SLAVES ESTATE.
Some time ago Representative McEwan, of the
With District introduced bill. which a recent
favorable report from the Committee on Claims
shows to have had interesting subject matter.
The circumstances as repeated In the report
peculiar. Jane Hall was born a slave in Maryland
In 1893. About 1920 she away from her master
and came to Washington. After arriving here she
had two children. both born while she was yet
slave. She was manumit,ed in 1921, is seen by
the following copy OF d paper in possession OF the
committee. which was duly atested. The attesta-
tlons are omitted. but the instrument OF manumis-
sion. which may be Of interest 10 many readers, Is
here inserted:
TO Whom It May Concern; Be It known that !, l.
he n Columbia
considerations me thereunto moving, have released
and by these presents do hereby release from sla
very lberate. manumit and set free my mulatto
woman named Jane and also her two children
hereafter Of the said Jane. she being near the age
suf,icent livelihood and manenance and her the
said Jane. do declare to be henceiorth Tree. manu-
or service to me. my executors or administrators
forever IN testimony whereof have hereunto SCI
my hand ard affixed my seal this u OF November
o's 1seaiJ lG'"'""' '''-'' 'e"' ALEXDR CLAYTON.
Sgncd. sealed and delivered in the presence of
Dan Rapine
A description Of the manumitted person shows
she was ~ bright mulatto woman about twenty
seven years of age. five feet three inches high
straight and we'll made" with various marks about
her which are duly set forth in the manner CT that
tim. and -egion The report gives these additional
facts:
Jan, Hall continued 10 reside in Washington until
her death in 1862, never having been married In
1912 sne bought lot In Washington and built
small house on IT, and lived there until her death
From then until the house and ground have
been occupied by her son. Francis haL. The only 9.
other child Of Jane Hall died in 1892, leaving tsur
children and five grandchildren, the children OF a
deceased child whose interests have all snce Deen
conveyed to Francis Hall and his VIE. II appears
that Jane Hall died ntesae. and in the absence OF
collateral relations that the title TO the lot mas
escheatAl to the United States and that 70 secure
20 Francis Hail his rights ana the relnquisnmeht on
the part Of the United States OF all title TO saa o'
an act u Congress IS necessary
nitice favoraby reported the Bill. The justice or
the claim is fully made out Among th0se VINO OIL
claly inlorse II are Accompaniment Harmon
SENATOR SMITHS ROSY VIEWS. ''r
Senator Smith OF New jersey. returned to the cap
tai Yesterday after participating In the recent Dem
ocratlc State Convention at Trenton anu sgnallzed
his presence by brief but vigorous attack upon the
River and Harbor bill. The Democrats gathered at
Trenton" he said, with as much vim and spirit as
they The position eysT nd Of dsrs to
General gem opinion that II the National Convention
would only do III" right thing on the money question
connectcu, and New-Jersey would certainly be in
the Democratic fod.' 80,
What sort OF d money plank is wanted? .,.
1T must be against the free and unlimited coin
age Of silver al rs 10 unless an international agree
ment ls entered into Any free col mage declaration
would certainly be very embarrassing to the East
ern Democrats" ,,,.o.
What is the talk regarding a cand,date? a can.
cerned about principles than they are about men
There is not much talk Of candidate. a'th3ngn
Whitney Is undoubtedly great favorite ! have
heard some talk about the possibility Of nominating
Whitney with the understanding that II ne - eeeted
he Will do what the majorty OF the congress aesre
even TO the extent OF signing "A free coinage Dlli.
not accept a nomination coupled with conditions OF
any man who secured his nomination as the result
Of or any bargain or promise to his future acts"