Evening star., 1896-03-17
CAPITOL TOPICS.



The House committee on public lands to-
day ordered a favorable report on the bill
to give California per cent of the proceeds
of the sale of public lands for school pur-
poses. A favorable report was also made
on Representative CANDLES BILL so as to
nave the per cent payments made to in
clude all lands in the state, whether located
Dy settlers OF otherwise or included in In
dian or military reservations the lands to
be valued at 81 % per acre.
To Abolish Compulsory PilOtare.
The House committee on merchant ma
rine and fisheries today authorized a favor
able report on the bill to abolish compul-
sorry pilotage on American coastwise sailing
vessels. The bill provides that a master or
mate may become pilot and no other Ii
&c use than issued by the United States
shall De required.
Favorable War Claims.
The House committee on war claims to-
day reported favorably bills as follows: To
the state of Pennsylvania, $4,000: Louisiana
La Grande Synodical College, Tennessee.
$4,000; John C. Howe ss6917: Michael
Knight. Atlanta, Ga, $7,5O4; W. s. Buck
master, 2i,3S6.
The Tax on Brandy.
The Senate committee on finance today
authorized favorable report on the House
bill amending section $3.50 of the Revised
Statutes so as to extend the exemption in
the matter of tax on brandy to the manu-
facturers of brandy made from pears, pine
apples, oranges. apricots and berries. 1t
now applies only to brandy made from ap-
pies, peaches and grapes. The committee
also acted favorably upon the bill extend
lnS the time of service of assistant treasur-
erS and customs officers appointed for four
years until their successors shall be ap-
pointed. The present law limits the service
n gYNI En- -ts,s<~ f<,,
the interim in cases where successors are
not appointed before the expiration of this
term
House Foreign Affairs.
The Hit bill to permit foreigners injured
by mob violence in the United States to
bring suits for damages in the United
States courts and the Connolly substitute
were discussed today by the judiciary COM
mittee of the House, but no action was
taken on them The bills will be referred
TO the Secretary of State and Attorney
General for their opinion upon the relative
merits of the two plans. There was a dis
cussion of Mr.. Morse's bill to place the
name of God in the Constitution. which in
dicated that the committee is unanimously
opposed to it. Several bills to change the
times for holding terms of Congress were
considered. and it was voted to make an
unfavorable report on them.
Cardinal Gibbons In the Gallery,
SdTuiLdi 1lDDOltS occupied a seat In the
Serate reserved gallery today in his car
dlinal's hat and robe. He was accompanied
by Rev. Father Gloyd of St. Patrick's
Church, Washington.
Battle Ships and Torpedo Boats.
The House committee on naval affairs
decided today to provide in its appropriation
bill for four new battle ships and fifteen
torpedo boats. The battle ships are to be
of 1tOOO tons. and the cost not more than
S.i5c.NO each, exclusive of armor and ar
marnent.
Ten of the torpedo boats are to cost $780,
GO each. and five of them $50 600 each.
The proposition to build six battle ships
was lost by a vote of six to seven, only one
republican voting for that number.
For u Light House.
Senator Lodge today introduced bill to
rrovide for light house Swan Island
in Caribbean sea.
The Metric System.
Senator Cannon today introduced a bill
Tor the adoption of the metric system of
weights and measures in the United States
The provisions of the bill are to go into
ger eral effect in 1901, but are to be adopted
In the government departments in 1S9S